Duet chapters 31-33
Title: Duet
Rating: G for now, may go up ^^;
Warnings: spoilers for the end of the anime
Progress: 31-33/47
Summary: In need of a performing arts credit for her transcript, Haruhi seeks piano lessons from Tamaki. The result is a bit more bonding than either of them ever expected. How can you focus on school when you're falling in love... and what complications will arise when a member of the Suoh family is willing to give up everything for a commoner?
This is the last giant post, I promise! After this, all of the chapters will come one at a time! I'm sorry for any inconvenience this is causing!
Chapter 31
Tamaki’s first morning in a relationship with Haruhi was everything he had ever wanted out of a morning and more. He woke late on the blissfully warm Sunday morning to the sound of the shower running and after he dressed in a selection from the stack of clean clothes Haruhi had left out for him he lay on his futon and waited for her.
“Good morning!” he said happily when she emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed but with damp hair and with a towel slung around her shoulders.
“Morning, senpai,” she replied with a smile, looking almost shy for a moment, and Tamaki found he wanted to embrace her and did. He got up from his futon and moved over to her, hugging her tentatively against his chest. Haruhi felt stiff and nervous in his arms and when she finally hugged him back he breathed a sigh of relief.
“I love you, Haruhi,” he said softly just for the pleasure of saying it, and watched her cheeks flush.
“I… love you too,” she muttered, her blush heavy. The sound of her saying those words back was just as beautiful the second time and he squeezed her a bit. She smelled clean and warm and soapy from the shower, the fruity scent of her shampoo making his mouth water a bit.
“I really like hearing you say that, Haruhi,” he said, and her cheeks grew redder. He smiled down at her and watched her squirm, avoid his gaze, and then finally look at him and stare seriously into his eyes, just as guileless as ever.
“It gets easier, right?” she asked quietly.
“What do you mean?” he asked, smiling gently at her.
“Saying things like ‘I love you’ and hugging without getting embarrassed. It gets easier, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t know,” Tamaki admitted. “I’ve never had these feelings for anyone before and I’ve never been in a relationship before. I’m just as inexperienced as you are, so I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.” he leaned down to peck her lips, and she jumped, not expecting it. Tamaki wanted to laugh at how adorable she was. He tried again and this time she met him half way, far more eager than he would have expected given her uncertainty a moment ago. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her, letting him kiss her all he wanted. The change was surprising, but he found he enjoyed it and he pressed kiss after kiss to her mouth, not caring if it was too much at once. He had wanted to kiss her for far too long to worry about the little details and now each kiss felt like a gift. He gave her long kisses, short kisses, shy kisses and passionate kisses. It was almost hard for him to believe that they were so new to kissing. It felt natural and as though they had been kissing for ages. The kisses were chaste but they set his soul on fire anyway.
“This is nice,” Tamaki purred, kissing her again and smiling at the fact that there was no hesitation on her part this time.
“It is,” Haruhi agreed, her cheeks just a bit pink.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you for such a long time,” Tamaki admitted, and Haruhi looked surprised. “I suppose now that you’re my girlfriend it doesn’t sound as strange to say. Even before I knew what my feelings were, before I realized what they meant, I wanted to kiss you. Sometimes I would lay awake at night and wonder what your lips would feel like and now…” he narrowed his eyes at her a bit, pulling her closer. “I don’t have to wonder.” he kissed her long and tender, holding her gently in his arms like something priceless. It was hard not to get caught up in it, and he didn’t realize someone had rung the bell until Haruhi was squirming to get away from him and heading for the door, her cheeks just a bit red. Tamaki followed her like a puppy and stood beside her as she answered the door.
“Good morning,” Suoh Yuzuru said cheerfully, holding out a boxed cake. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping in for a surprise visit. I brought a gift to make up for it.”
“Thank you,” Haruhi said, taking the cake box and holding it awkwardly, her eyes scanning with some obvious confusion the luxury confectionaire’s name emblazoned on the pink cardboard in tall crimson script.
“Father!” Tamaki whooped happily, leaping forward to embrace the man. “I’m so glad you came to visit!”
“I figured it was about time,” he said with a smile.
“How did you know he was staying here?” Haruhi asked, and Yuzuru chuckled.
“Your father’s been calling me. We’ve had some very interesting conversations. He said we should probably get acquainted because though he didn’t sound happy about it, he’s completely convinced that you two are going to be married in the future. Now what do you think about that?”
Tamaki felt his own cheeks heat up and glanced sideways at Haruhi. She was redder than the print on the cake box. He had every intention of marrying Haruhi when they finished school and whenever she would have him, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted her to know all of this just yet. Instead of saying the rather embarrassing truth out loud, he settled for the next best thing.
“Father!” he whined. “Why do you have to pick on me like this?”
“I’m sorry, Tamaki,” Yuzuru said, laughing and ruffling Tamaki’s hair. It was impossible to be angry with his father when he did that, and Tamaki knew that Yuzuru knew it. “I suppose I shouldn’t. But all joking aside, I did see you two kiss at the party last night.”
“Haruhi is my girlfriend now,” Tamaki said proudly, beaming and grabbing one of her hands.
“That’s wonderful,” Yuzuru bowed a little to Haruhi, and she looked overwhelmed to have her principal bowing to her. “I have meant to thank you for helping Tamaki follow his own path in life. It’s because of you that he was able to follow his heart.”
Haruhi looked embarrassed and Tamaki smiled fondly at her. “I didn’t do anything, really. Tamaki-senpai made the choice by himself. I wasn’t even involved.”
“Well, that may be so, but he’s lucky to have someone like you nevertheless.” Yuzuru took her hand and kissed it gently and Tamaki squirmed, feeling stirrings of jealousy despite the fact that this was his father and the man wasn’t interested in teenage girls, besides. He had always been rather possessive of her and it seemed to have only gotten worse since they became a couple.
“Father, stop flirting with Haruhi,” he muttered, gritting his teeth.
“Don’t do that with your teeth,” his father said, pinching his cheek. “It’s bad for them.”
“You’re so mean to me,” Tamaki wailed.
“Would you like some tea, Suoh-sama?” Haruhi asked politely, shooting Tamaki a sideways glance that said quite plainly ‘straighten up’.
“That would be lovely, thank you,” Yuzuru replied. “Sorry to drop in on you two like this so early in the morning.”
“It’s no trouble,” Haruhi said as she headed toward the kitchen. Tamaki bounded after her. “We don’t really have any plans today, anyway.”
“Is your father home? I suppose we should really meet in person, seeing as how our children are madly in love.”
“He’s not. He had to run to the bank, but he’ll probably be back soon,” Haruhi replied. She set the cake box on the counter and then opened the cupboard, peering inside. Tamaki sidled up beside her and leaned close to her ear.
“We are madly in love, right?” he asked her quietly as she dug out the teapot.
“Yeah,” she told him smiling. “I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”
Tamaki beamed and helped her make tea, feeling like all was right with the world.
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Chapter 32
For Tamaki, Haruhi, and the chairman, sitting gathered around the kotatsu with their mugs of tea was rather awkward. The silence filled the room and they sipped quietly as though none of them was entirely certain what to say.
“I can’t help but wonder why your kotatsu is still out at this time of year, Haruhi-chan,” Yuzuru said finally, filling the silence.
“Tamaki-senpai wanted it out and so I ended up just leaving it out,” Haruhi explained, smiling a little. Yuzuru wasn’t really surprised. His son was a most unconventional boy, the kind of person who wouldn’t hesitate begging the girl to leave out something so traditionally wintery in the spring.
“I can’t say I expected any less from him,” he said with a smile, leaning over to ruffle his son’s hair. Tamaki scowled rather childishly and covered his hair with his hands, staring his father down.
“Stop teasing me in front of Haruhi!” he whined, and Yuzuru laughed. Tamaki was always good for amusing him, but he had to feel a bit bad for him. He imagined it would be quite embarrassing to be treated like a child in front of the woman he loved, and he smiled at his son.
“I’m sorry,” he told him. “Please forgive me, Tamaki.”
“Alright,” Tamaki replied reluctantly, taking a long sip of his tea and grinning at Haruhi. “This is very nice,” he told her, and watched the small girl look up from her own cup and smile back.
“Thanks,” she told him, and for that moment when their eyes met, Yuzuru swore he felt an electric charge go through the room. He, like his son, had always been somewhat of a hopeless romantic, and seeing the deep connection between the two of them made him want to hug his son and say rather embarrassing things about how he and Haruhi would no doubt be married within the year. He settled for staring around the small room and then smiling at Haruhi.
“So, Haruhi-chan…” he said, taking a slow sip of his tea. “Your apartment is very quaint. I’m guessing two bedrooms?”
“Yes,” Haruhi replied. “And… thanks, I think.”
Yuzuru laughed. Her eyes were uncertain and absolutely enormous, and it was impossible not to feel a sort of fatherly affection for her. When he was looking at her eyes she looked so young. “Don’t be so unsure. I’m not insulting the way you live. In fact, I always imagined that it would be much easier living a simpler life.”
“There’s not a lot to pressure,” Haruhi agreed. “I’ve seen how hard it can be for other people in my class, having to worry about status and money. I think I like it better this way.”
“What do you think, Tamaki?” Yuzuru asked. “You’ve had a taste of life as a commoner. Do you enjoy it?”
“I wouldn’t trade a life with Haruhi for anything in the world,” Tamaki replied with conviction, and Yuzuru all at once felt a rush of pride for his son, giving up a life of pressure and sacrifice for a simple life full of love. For a moment it tugged on his heart and he wished that he could possess the same strength as his son. It was a brave, courageous act that he would never cease reminding Tamaki of how proud it made him. Tamaki had surpassed his father in that department, in unfailing following his own heart. It was the kind of independence that made Yuzuru sure he would someday make a wonderful head of the family, when things finally changed for the better. For now, at least, he could be glad Tamaki was somewhere he could be happy and loved.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Yuzuru said, patting his son on the back and watching Haruhi blush slightly, happily, at Tamaki’s words. Ah, young love. He smiled. For a moment he paused, and then the urgency to make some things clear to Haruhi came back to him. Truthfully, it was part of the reason he had come to visit today, and so he figured it had to be done. “Tamaki, would you mind getting me some ramen? You were ranting about how famous the ramen you make was on the phone the other day. I‘ve been dying to try it.”
“Okay!” Tamaki leaped to his feet, obviously excited to be of use, and smiled at Haruhi. Their eyes met again, and for the second time there were virtually fireworks exploding in the air. “Do you mind, darling?”
“Don’t make a mess,” she warned him, and he grinned at her.
“I won’t,” he assured her, heading in the direction of the kitchen. Yuzuru watched him go with some amusement and then turned his attention back to Haruhi, who was watching him curiously, obviously aware that he’d had some ulterior motive in asking his son to get him some ramen. For a moment they simply sat silently, Haruhi sipping her tea and still giving him that curious stare, and then he set his mug down and looked at her intently.
“Haruhi-chan, I want to talk to you about Tamaki,” he said, and immediately she looked nervous. He laughed gently. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to lecture you. I just want to talk.”
“Okay,” Haruhi replied, nodding. “What is it?”
“Well…” Yuzuru began, glancing out the window he could see through the open door that led into the living room. The sun was out and it was bright, and for a moment he had to squint before his eyes adjusted to the light. “Haruhi-chan, I’m sure you know by now the rather odd circumstances of my marriage, right?”
“I know you and Tamaki-senpai don’t see his mother very often,” Haruhi replied. She had a quick wit about her and Yuzuru smiled, pleased that his son had fallen in love with such a smart young woman. She was the kind of person who would keep Tamaki in line, for which he was grateful. Tamaki needed constant prodding if he was going to behave.
“That’s true. It has a lot to do with what we were talking about before, about how life is far more complicated for those who live more affluent lives. You see, because of our family’s position, my mother has made it rather difficult for Tamaki and I to see his mother.”
“It must be terrible,” Haruhi said with a nod. Her face was rather sympathetic. “Kyouya-senpai told me about the deal your mother made with him in France.”
“We manage because we have each other,” he told her with a smile. “But Haruhi-chan, the point of all this is that though I’m rarely able to see my wife, I love her very much. I always will. Even though we have to be apart a lot of the time, she still waits for me. I want you to make a promise to me, Haruhi-chan.”
“What is it?” Haruhi looked curious and a bit nervous as she waited for him to continue.
“I want you to promise that even if things are hard, if circumstances make life difficult for the two of you, that you won’t give up on Tamaki. I know he can be a bit exhausting at times, but his heart is always in the right place.”
“I would never give up on Tamaki-senpai,” Haruhi assured him with conviction. “I love your son a lot, and I wouldn’t give him up because things were hard. I know how to deal with him and I wouldn’t give him up. You don’t have to worry.”
“I’m glad,” Yuzuru smiled, making his hands into a peak and resting his chin on them. He could not help smiling gratefully at this girl who had already done so much for his son, and who he was sure would continue to make him happy for a very long time if Tamaki had anything to say about it. It was the kind of thing that made him want to believe in love and happy endings again, and he could not stop smiling. “Also, I wanted to ask… is he happy here?”
“I think so,” Haruhi replied. “He seems happy. He doesn’t shut up when he’s happy, and he’s been talking nonstop for days.”
Yuzuru laughed affectionately, knowing that this was entirely true of his son. “I’m glad he’s happy,” he told her. “And that he’s found someone to love. I know it must be a lot of trouble for my son to be taking advantage of your hospitality, and I want to thank you for being so gracious.”
“He’s really no trouble, actually,” Haruhi replied. “We have fun together, and it’s a actually cozier with him around. I like getting to spend all this extra time with him,” she took a long drink of her tea. “But don’t tell him I said that, or I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Happier than he had been in weeks now that he knew he did not have to worry about his son in the slightest, Yuzuru leaned back and laughed, feeling completely content. Tamaki was happy, loved, and safe, and it was more than he possibly could have hoped for. “Your secret is safe with me,” he said, amused, giving Haruhi a reassuring smile.
At that moment, the sound of the front door to the Fujiokas’ apartment opening made Yuzuru turn his attention toward it. Into the room swept a tall, slender redheaded woman, carrying a purse over her arm. She was dressed in a simple lavender skirt and a smart cream top, and she moved with a kind of exaggerated flamboyance.
“Haruhi, I’m home!” the woman called in a strangely low voice, dropping her purse into a chair beside the door and coming toward the kotatsu room. She stopped when she saw Yuzuru seated across from his daughter. “Oh, I didn’t realize we had company! Who is this, dear?”
“This is Tamaki’s father, Dad,” Haruhi said, and all at once everything clicked. This strange woman was Haruhi’s father. It was odd, what with all the makeup on his face, the glittering jewelry, and the feminine outfit. Even his face looked girlish. But, this was Tamaki’s future father-in-law he was looking at, and this fact alone was enough to make him beam at the slender man, getting to his feet and bowing.
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you in person, Ryouji-san,” Yuzuru said. “I am Suoh Yuzuru.”
“Yuzuru-san!” Ryouji sounded delighted and he bowed back. “I should have known it was you! I’ve been meaning to invite you over for dinner for quite some time now and I’m glad to see you’ve come! I hope Haruhi has made you feel welcome.” he sounded far more like the man Yuzuru had met on the phone, without the femininity to his voice, and now it was unmistakable that he was the same person.
“She certainly has,” Yuzuru said with a smile. “Your daughter is very hospitable.”
“Isn’t she just?” Ryouji asked, rushing forward and clasping Haruhi in his arms. “I’m so proud of her!”
Dad, get off,” Haruhi muttered, squirming. “You’re hugging me too tight!”
“Too tight? Nonsense!” Ryouji argued, nuzzling his daughter a bit. Yuzuru laughed a little looking in on the display of affection. He would recognize a devoted father when he saw one, and he got the inkling just from this that he and Ryouji would get along just fine. Finally, Ryouji let go of Haruhi and bowed to Yuzuru again. “I just need to get changed, and then we can get acquainted!” he said happily, waving a bit as he headed off toward the hallway. “See you in a minute!”
“Ranka-san is home?” Tamaki asked as he came into the room with a large tray on which he as carrying four bowls of ramen.
“Yeah, he just went to change,” Haruhi said with a nod, smiling as he passed the bowls around. Tamaki was looking at her and he spilled a bit, which made Yuzuru laugh. “He should be back in a minute.”
“I thought he might be home soon, so I made him some ramen, too,” he slid a bowl in front of Yuzuru and handed him a pair of chopsticks. “Please, please be on your best behavior, Father!” he said, sounding a bit distressed. “I want Ranka-san to like you!”
“My behavior isn’t the one we need to be concerned with!” Yuzuru scolded in a teasing voice. “If I recall correctly, you’re the one who always makes a scene, young man.” he said with a smile.
Tamaki huffed, but to his credit he held it together and took his seat beside Haruhi once more. The three of them waited until Ryouji returned from changing to start eating their ramen. Now he was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and his blindingly red hair was tied up in a ponytail. The fake breasts that had been in place before were gone, and he looked remarkably masculine, given his appearance before. He took a seat on Haruhi’s other side and picked up his chopsticks daintily.
“Thank you for waiting, you three,” Ryouji said cheerfully. “And I apologize you had to see me in my work clothes, Yuzuru-san. I wasn’t expecting company.”
“Work?” Yuzuru asked, a bit curious. “Where exactly do you work?”
“In a gay bar,” Ryouji said in an offhanded way, taking a bite of his ramen and slurping. “Though it never has made much sense to me why we dress as women when the patrons are clearly interested in men. Well, no matter. It takes all kinds, I suppose.”
“It takes all kinds,” Yuzuru repeated, nodding. He supposed he should have found the fact that his son was living with two habitual crossdressers a little stranger, but his own life was far from conventional, and it wasn’t in his nature to judge. Instead, he put it out of his mind and engaged in pleasant conversation over the ramen. It was easy to see to him that he was going to get along with these two future installments into the Suoh family just fine. For that moment he could sit back and smile.
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Chapter 33
True to his word, Tamaki was no trouble at the Fujioka household. He helped with the housework and cooking the meals. He went shopping with Haruhi, carrying her coupons and pointing out sales on the items they needed. Every day he brought roses home on the train from Ouran’s rose garden and placed them in vases around the apartment. Coming home to the smell of roses and of Tamaki expensive cologne was rather delicious, Haruhi found. She watched him do everything he could to appeal to her father, and despite his stubborn nature it wasn’t long before he was won over completely. It was no surprise, really, she mused. It was impossible to resist Tamaki for long. She knew from experience.
Now that she and Tamaki were finally, for better or for worse, a couple, life took on a kind of bright, rosy glow that seemed to encompass everything. Being in a relationship with Suoh Tamaki was nowhere near as exhausting or as hard as Haruhi had imagined. On the morning of their one-week anniversary --not that she was keeping track, of course-- she awoke to bright sunshine and him in the kitchen making her a rolled omelet and singing a cheerful tune in French that she didn’t recognize.
“Good morning, Haruhi!” he chirped, his eyes flashing colors she didn’t know they had as he rushed to her and took her happily into his arms, swinging her in a small circle. Still a bit bleary from sleep, she simply clung to him and hoped she wouldn’t go flying until he put her down and gave her a kiss that was a bit too passionate for when her father was sleeping in the next room.
“Morning, senpai,” she said sleepily, disoriented from the kiss, and he gave a small squeak and kissed her forehead.
“You’re so cute when you’re tired,” he told her, taking her hands. He certainly hadn’t wasted any time getting comfortable in their relationship, and he stared at her as intimately and honestly as though they had been married for years. “I’m making you an omelet.”
“Thanks. But… you really don’t have to do that…” Haruhi said, eyeing the mess he had made of the kitchen. She doubted he had any idea how to make an omelet, she mused at the sight of several small lumps of burned egg in the garbage can.
“I know, but it’s the least I can do for my adorable girlfriend, isn’t it?” he asked in a singsong voice, far too chipper to make sense this early. Haruhi rubbed her eyes, burning as they adjusted to her contact lenses for the day.
“I didn’t even know you knew how to make an omelet.”
“Well… I don’t. But I figured it couldn’t be that hard! So I decided I would try my hand at it for you! But now I’m sort of… lost,” tapping his chin in a thoughtful sort of gesture, Tamaki stared hard at the ruined egg in the frying pan before him.
“Do you want some help?” Haruhi offered, and Tamaki nodded, looking a bit ashamed.
“I don’t think I can do it,” he admitted. “Can you give me some pointers?”
“How about I make the omelets and you can help me and learn at the same time?” Haruhi offered, and Tamaki brightened visibly.
“That sounds like a splendid idea!” he agreed as Haruhi took over the kitchen. He observed her making the omelet closely as one might examine a work of art. It took a whole new set of eggs to get started and this time there was butter in the pan to keep them from sticking. She was nearly finished when Tamaki sidled up behind her at the stove and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I’m cooking right now, senpai,” she scolded, but he paid no attention and moved closer.
“I love you so much, you know,” he whispered, kissing the side of her neck lightly. Haruhi nearly burned herself on the pan.
“I love you too,” Haruhi replied, trying to retain her composure. “But I’m really trying to cook here…”
“Does that really matter?” Tamaki purred, brushing his lips against her neck again. Haruhi shivered even against his warm body, feeling the tingles that erupted where his lips touched. Suddenly his hands on her body felt hotter and she swore she was going to get burned. Dizzy, she touched her forehead and found that her face was burning.
“The omelets are done,” she announced, sidestepping to get out of his embrace before her body melted. It was an odd sensation, to be touched that way. Haruhi had expected some sort of hesitation or nervousness on Tamaki’s part in the relationship, but that certainly wasn’t the case. He was wholly confident and his actions reflected it, to the point that he was becoming downright forward. She was surprised to find she didn’t really mind. Managing to regain some measure of composure, she dished up the omelets and set them each a place at the kotatsu. Despite the fact that it was spring, she had brought it out to cheer Tamaki up during his first week at the house and somehow it had simply stayed out.
“These look delicious,” Tamaki said happily as he took a seat beside her and picked up his fork. He liked to feel like he was being immersed in the culture by using chopsticks for everything, but Haruhi had by now convinced him that some things were simply impossible to eat with chopsticks. For a moment they ate in silence. “I’m… sorry if I came on too strong before, Haruhi,” he said apologetically.
“It’s fine. You didn’t,” she assured him, and he smiled. “I was just a little surprised, that’s all. I guess I‘m not really used to being touched that way.”
“I’ll get you used to it,” Tamaki said with a flirty wink, and she ignored him and took a large bite of her breakfast. Without warning his hand was on top of hers. “Um… Haruhi?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you… go on a date with me this Sunday?”
Haruhi swallowed the bite she was eating and smiled a bit timidly at him. “Sure, senpai. I’d like that,” she said, finding that, to her own surprise, she was nervous.
“You’re so cute!” Tamaki shrieked, launching himself across the kotatsu and crushing her in his arms. “So cute! You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!”
“Get off!” Haruhi griped, shoving at her frantic boyfriend as he nuzzled his cheek against hers and pressed kisses all over her hair. “I can’t breathe! Ah!”
“I believe my daughter told you to remove yourself, young man,” Ryouji’s voice issued from behind them. He swatted Tamaki in the head with a newspaper and he fell to the floor with a yelp.
“I was only showing her affection, Ranka-san,” Tamaki whined.
“That’s quite enough out of you,” Ryouji said, glaring down at Tamaki with suspicious eyes. “I’ve had some idea something’s been going on between you two for some time now. I’d better not catch you sexually harassing my little girl again.”
“Sexually harassing?” Tamaki wailed, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I would never do any such thing! You must believe me, Ranka-san!”
“He doesn’t sexually harass me, Dad,” Haruhi reassured him, taking a drink of milk. “Don’t worry.” she sucked in a long, slow breath. “Tamaki-senpai is my boyfriend,” she told her father, and watched him wheeze. “So he has a right to be able to touch me. There’s an omelet for you in the kitchen, so just forget about it and eat, okay?”
“I can’t just… forget about it!” Ryouji wailed, his face a mirror of Tamaki’s. “My little girl is growing up too fast and… I can’t swallow the thought of you and… boys!”
“My dear Ranka-san,” Tamaki said, climbing to his feet, by now composed. “I would never harm Haruhi in any way. Please know that I love her very much and I only want her to be happy. I would never do anything that she didn’t want me to do. Please believe that she’s safe with me.”
Ryouji blinked at him, staring into Tamaki’s face and looking like he wasn’t quite sure whether to believe him. Tamaki stared straight back, standing his ground. The silence ticked on for some time, and it was as though the entire world had quieted around them. Finally, Ryouji sighed.
“Well, alright,” he acquiesced finally, sighing. “I’ll trust you for now, Suoh. But if I find out you’ve done one thing to make my daughter unhappy, there’ll be hell to pay. Do you understand?”
Tamaki nodded. “I assure you, that’s not going to happen,” he said, bowing low. Ryouji harrumphed, looking like he didn’t want to be impressed, and went to get himself an omelet. When Haruhi was sure her father’s back was turned, she gave Tamaki a long, slow kiss filled with gratitude for the way he’d handled the situation, and love. But mostly love.
Rating: G for now, may go up ^^;
Warnings: spoilers for the end of the anime
Progress: 31-33/47
Summary: In need of a performing arts credit for her transcript, Haruhi seeks piano lessons from Tamaki. The result is a bit more bonding than either of them ever expected. How can you focus on school when you're falling in love... and what complications will arise when a member of the Suoh family is willing to give up everything for a commoner?
This is the last giant post, I promise! After this, all of the chapters will come one at a time! I'm sorry for any inconvenience this is causing!
Chapter 31
Tamaki’s first morning in a relationship with Haruhi was everything he had ever wanted out of a morning and more. He woke late on the blissfully warm Sunday morning to the sound of the shower running and after he dressed in a selection from the stack of clean clothes Haruhi had left out for him he lay on his futon and waited for her.
“Good morning!” he said happily when she emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed but with damp hair and with a towel slung around her shoulders.
“Morning, senpai,” she replied with a smile, looking almost shy for a moment, and Tamaki found he wanted to embrace her and did. He got up from his futon and moved over to her, hugging her tentatively against his chest. Haruhi felt stiff and nervous in his arms and when she finally hugged him back he breathed a sigh of relief.
“I love you, Haruhi,” he said softly just for the pleasure of saying it, and watched her cheeks flush.
“I… love you too,” she muttered, her blush heavy. The sound of her saying those words back was just as beautiful the second time and he squeezed her a bit. She smelled clean and warm and soapy from the shower, the fruity scent of her shampoo making his mouth water a bit.
“I really like hearing you say that, Haruhi,” he said, and her cheeks grew redder. He smiled down at her and watched her squirm, avoid his gaze, and then finally look at him and stare seriously into his eyes, just as guileless as ever.
“It gets easier, right?” she asked quietly.
“What do you mean?” he asked, smiling gently at her.
“Saying things like ‘I love you’ and hugging without getting embarrassed. It gets easier, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t know,” Tamaki admitted. “I’ve never had these feelings for anyone before and I’ve never been in a relationship before. I’m just as inexperienced as you are, so I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see.” he leaned down to peck her lips, and she jumped, not expecting it. Tamaki wanted to laugh at how adorable she was. He tried again and this time she met him half way, far more eager than he would have expected given her uncertainty a moment ago. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him to her, letting him kiss her all he wanted. The change was surprising, but he found he enjoyed it and he pressed kiss after kiss to her mouth, not caring if it was too much at once. He had wanted to kiss her for far too long to worry about the little details and now each kiss felt like a gift. He gave her long kisses, short kisses, shy kisses and passionate kisses. It was almost hard for him to believe that they were so new to kissing. It felt natural and as though they had been kissing for ages. The kisses were chaste but they set his soul on fire anyway.
“This is nice,” Tamaki purred, kissing her again and smiling at the fact that there was no hesitation on her part this time.
“It is,” Haruhi agreed, her cheeks just a bit pink.
“I’ve wanted to kiss you for such a long time,” Tamaki admitted, and Haruhi looked surprised. “I suppose now that you’re my girlfriend it doesn’t sound as strange to say. Even before I knew what my feelings were, before I realized what they meant, I wanted to kiss you. Sometimes I would lay awake at night and wonder what your lips would feel like and now…” he narrowed his eyes at her a bit, pulling her closer. “I don’t have to wonder.” he kissed her long and tender, holding her gently in his arms like something priceless. It was hard not to get caught up in it, and he didn’t realize someone had rung the bell until Haruhi was squirming to get away from him and heading for the door, her cheeks just a bit red. Tamaki followed her like a puppy and stood beside her as she answered the door.
“Good morning,” Suoh Yuzuru said cheerfully, holding out a boxed cake. “I hope you don’t mind me dropping in for a surprise visit. I brought a gift to make up for it.”
“Thank you,” Haruhi said, taking the cake box and holding it awkwardly, her eyes scanning with some obvious confusion the luxury confectionaire’s name emblazoned on the pink cardboard in tall crimson script.
“Father!” Tamaki whooped happily, leaping forward to embrace the man. “I’m so glad you came to visit!”
“I figured it was about time,” he said with a smile.
“How did you know he was staying here?” Haruhi asked, and Yuzuru chuckled.
“Your father’s been calling me. We’ve had some very interesting conversations. He said we should probably get acquainted because though he didn’t sound happy about it, he’s completely convinced that you two are going to be married in the future. Now what do you think about that?”
Tamaki felt his own cheeks heat up and glanced sideways at Haruhi. She was redder than the print on the cake box. He had every intention of marrying Haruhi when they finished school and whenever she would have him, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted her to know all of this just yet. Instead of saying the rather embarrassing truth out loud, he settled for the next best thing.
“Father!” he whined. “Why do you have to pick on me like this?”
“I’m sorry, Tamaki,” Yuzuru said, laughing and ruffling Tamaki’s hair. It was impossible to be angry with his father when he did that, and Tamaki knew that Yuzuru knew it. “I suppose I shouldn’t. But all joking aside, I did see you two kiss at the party last night.”
“Haruhi is my girlfriend now,” Tamaki said proudly, beaming and grabbing one of her hands.
“That’s wonderful,” Yuzuru bowed a little to Haruhi, and she looked overwhelmed to have her principal bowing to her. “I have meant to thank you for helping Tamaki follow his own path in life. It’s because of you that he was able to follow his heart.”
Haruhi looked embarrassed and Tamaki smiled fondly at her. “I didn’t do anything, really. Tamaki-senpai made the choice by himself. I wasn’t even involved.”
“Well, that may be so, but he’s lucky to have someone like you nevertheless.” Yuzuru took her hand and kissed it gently and Tamaki squirmed, feeling stirrings of jealousy despite the fact that this was his father and the man wasn’t interested in teenage girls, besides. He had always been rather possessive of her and it seemed to have only gotten worse since they became a couple.
“Father, stop flirting with Haruhi,” he muttered, gritting his teeth.
“Don’t do that with your teeth,” his father said, pinching his cheek. “It’s bad for them.”
“You’re so mean to me,” Tamaki wailed.
“Would you like some tea, Suoh-sama?” Haruhi asked politely, shooting Tamaki a sideways glance that said quite plainly ‘straighten up’.
“That would be lovely, thank you,” Yuzuru replied. “Sorry to drop in on you two like this so early in the morning.”
“It’s no trouble,” Haruhi said as she headed toward the kitchen. Tamaki bounded after her. “We don’t really have any plans today, anyway.”
“Is your father home? I suppose we should really meet in person, seeing as how our children are madly in love.”
“He’s not. He had to run to the bank, but he’ll probably be back soon,” Haruhi replied. She set the cake box on the counter and then opened the cupboard, peering inside. Tamaki sidled up beside her and leaned close to her ear.
“We are madly in love, right?” he asked her quietly as she dug out the teapot.
“Yeah,” she told him smiling. “I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”
Tamaki beamed and helped her make tea, feeling like all was right with the world.
_______________________________________________________
Chapter 32
For Tamaki, Haruhi, and the chairman, sitting gathered around the kotatsu with their mugs of tea was rather awkward. The silence filled the room and they sipped quietly as though none of them was entirely certain what to say.
“I can’t help but wonder why your kotatsu is still out at this time of year, Haruhi-chan,” Yuzuru said finally, filling the silence.
“Tamaki-senpai wanted it out and so I ended up just leaving it out,” Haruhi explained, smiling a little. Yuzuru wasn’t really surprised. His son was a most unconventional boy, the kind of person who wouldn’t hesitate begging the girl to leave out something so traditionally wintery in the spring.
“I can’t say I expected any less from him,” he said with a smile, leaning over to ruffle his son’s hair. Tamaki scowled rather childishly and covered his hair with his hands, staring his father down.
“Stop teasing me in front of Haruhi!” he whined, and Yuzuru laughed. Tamaki was always good for amusing him, but he had to feel a bit bad for him. He imagined it would be quite embarrassing to be treated like a child in front of the woman he loved, and he smiled at his son.
“I’m sorry,” he told him. “Please forgive me, Tamaki.”
“Alright,” Tamaki replied reluctantly, taking a long sip of his tea and grinning at Haruhi. “This is very nice,” he told her, and watched the small girl look up from her own cup and smile back.
“Thanks,” she told him, and for that moment when their eyes met, Yuzuru swore he felt an electric charge go through the room. He, like his son, had always been somewhat of a hopeless romantic, and seeing the deep connection between the two of them made him want to hug his son and say rather embarrassing things about how he and Haruhi would no doubt be married within the year. He settled for staring around the small room and then smiling at Haruhi.
“So, Haruhi-chan…” he said, taking a slow sip of his tea. “Your apartment is very quaint. I’m guessing two bedrooms?”
“Yes,” Haruhi replied. “And… thanks, I think.”
Yuzuru laughed. Her eyes were uncertain and absolutely enormous, and it was impossible not to feel a sort of fatherly affection for her. When he was looking at her eyes she looked so young. “Don’t be so unsure. I’m not insulting the way you live. In fact, I always imagined that it would be much easier living a simpler life.”
“There’s not a lot to pressure,” Haruhi agreed. “I’ve seen how hard it can be for other people in my class, having to worry about status and money. I think I like it better this way.”
“What do you think, Tamaki?” Yuzuru asked. “You’ve had a taste of life as a commoner. Do you enjoy it?”
“I wouldn’t trade a life with Haruhi for anything in the world,” Tamaki replied with conviction, and Yuzuru all at once felt a rush of pride for his son, giving up a life of pressure and sacrifice for a simple life full of love. For a moment it tugged on his heart and he wished that he could possess the same strength as his son. It was a brave, courageous act that he would never cease reminding Tamaki of how proud it made him. Tamaki had surpassed his father in that department, in unfailing following his own heart. It was the kind of independence that made Yuzuru sure he would someday make a wonderful head of the family, when things finally changed for the better. For now, at least, he could be glad Tamaki was somewhere he could be happy and loved.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Yuzuru said, patting his son on the back and watching Haruhi blush slightly, happily, at Tamaki’s words. Ah, young love. He smiled. For a moment he paused, and then the urgency to make some things clear to Haruhi came back to him. Truthfully, it was part of the reason he had come to visit today, and so he figured it had to be done. “Tamaki, would you mind getting me some ramen? You were ranting about how famous the ramen you make was on the phone the other day. I‘ve been dying to try it.”
“Okay!” Tamaki leaped to his feet, obviously excited to be of use, and smiled at Haruhi. Their eyes met again, and for the second time there were virtually fireworks exploding in the air. “Do you mind, darling?”
“Don’t make a mess,” she warned him, and he grinned at her.
“I won’t,” he assured her, heading in the direction of the kitchen. Yuzuru watched him go with some amusement and then turned his attention back to Haruhi, who was watching him curiously, obviously aware that he’d had some ulterior motive in asking his son to get him some ramen. For a moment they simply sat silently, Haruhi sipping her tea and still giving him that curious stare, and then he set his mug down and looked at her intently.
“Haruhi-chan, I want to talk to you about Tamaki,” he said, and immediately she looked nervous. He laughed gently. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to lecture you. I just want to talk.”
“Okay,” Haruhi replied, nodding. “What is it?”
“Well…” Yuzuru began, glancing out the window he could see through the open door that led into the living room. The sun was out and it was bright, and for a moment he had to squint before his eyes adjusted to the light. “Haruhi-chan, I’m sure you know by now the rather odd circumstances of my marriage, right?”
“I know you and Tamaki-senpai don’t see his mother very often,” Haruhi replied. She had a quick wit about her and Yuzuru smiled, pleased that his son had fallen in love with such a smart young woman. She was the kind of person who would keep Tamaki in line, for which he was grateful. Tamaki needed constant prodding if he was going to behave.
“That’s true. It has a lot to do with what we were talking about before, about how life is far more complicated for those who live more affluent lives. You see, because of our family’s position, my mother has made it rather difficult for Tamaki and I to see his mother.”
“It must be terrible,” Haruhi said with a nod. Her face was rather sympathetic. “Kyouya-senpai told me about the deal your mother made with him in France.”
“We manage because we have each other,” he told her with a smile. “But Haruhi-chan, the point of all this is that though I’m rarely able to see my wife, I love her very much. I always will. Even though we have to be apart a lot of the time, she still waits for me. I want you to make a promise to me, Haruhi-chan.”
“What is it?” Haruhi looked curious and a bit nervous as she waited for him to continue.
“I want you to promise that even if things are hard, if circumstances make life difficult for the two of you, that you won’t give up on Tamaki. I know he can be a bit exhausting at times, but his heart is always in the right place.”
“I would never give up on Tamaki-senpai,” Haruhi assured him with conviction. “I love your son a lot, and I wouldn’t give him up because things were hard. I know how to deal with him and I wouldn’t give him up. You don’t have to worry.”
“I’m glad,” Yuzuru smiled, making his hands into a peak and resting his chin on them. He could not help smiling gratefully at this girl who had already done so much for his son, and who he was sure would continue to make him happy for a very long time if Tamaki had anything to say about it. It was the kind of thing that made him want to believe in love and happy endings again, and he could not stop smiling. “Also, I wanted to ask… is he happy here?”
“I think so,” Haruhi replied. “He seems happy. He doesn’t shut up when he’s happy, and he’s been talking nonstop for days.”
Yuzuru laughed affectionately, knowing that this was entirely true of his son. “I’m glad he’s happy,” he told her. “And that he’s found someone to love. I know it must be a lot of trouble for my son to be taking advantage of your hospitality, and I want to thank you for being so gracious.”
“He’s really no trouble, actually,” Haruhi replied. “We have fun together, and it’s a actually cozier with him around. I like getting to spend all this extra time with him,” she took a long drink of her tea. “But don’t tell him I said that, or I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Happier than he had been in weeks now that he knew he did not have to worry about his son in the slightest, Yuzuru leaned back and laughed, feeling completely content. Tamaki was happy, loved, and safe, and it was more than he possibly could have hoped for. “Your secret is safe with me,” he said, amused, giving Haruhi a reassuring smile.
At that moment, the sound of the front door to the Fujiokas’ apartment opening made Yuzuru turn his attention toward it. Into the room swept a tall, slender redheaded woman, carrying a purse over her arm. She was dressed in a simple lavender skirt and a smart cream top, and she moved with a kind of exaggerated flamboyance.
“Haruhi, I’m home!” the woman called in a strangely low voice, dropping her purse into a chair beside the door and coming toward the kotatsu room. She stopped when she saw Yuzuru seated across from his daughter. “Oh, I didn’t realize we had company! Who is this, dear?”
“This is Tamaki’s father, Dad,” Haruhi said, and all at once everything clicked. This strange woman was Haruhi’s father. It was odd, what with all the makeup on his face, the glittering jewelry, and the feminine outfit. Even his face looked girlish. But, this was Tamaki’s future father-in-law he was looking at, and this fact alone was enough to make him beam at the slender man, getting to his feet and bowing.
“It’s wonderful to finally meet you in person, Ryouji-san,” Yuzuru said. “I am Suoh Yuzuru.”
“Yuzuru-san!” Ryouji sounded delighted and he bowed back. “I should have known it was you! I’ve been meaning to invite you over for dinner for quite some time now and I’m glad to see you’ve come! I hope Haruhi has made you feel welcome.” he sounded far more like the man Yuzuru had met on the phone, without the femininity to his voice, and now it was unmistakable that he was the same person.
“She certainly has,” Yuzuru said with a smile. “Your daughter is very hospitable.”
“Isn’t she just?” Ryouji asked, rushing forward and clasping Haruhi in his arms. “I’m so proud of her!”
Dad, get off,” Haruhi muttered, squirming. “You’re hugging me too tight!”
“Too tight? Nonsense!” Ryouji argued, nuzzling his daughter a bit. Yuzuru laughed a little looking in on the display of affection. He would recognize a devoted father when he saw one, and he got the inkling just from this that he and Ryouji would get along just fine. Finally, Ryouji let go of Haruhi and bowed to Yuzuru again. “I just need to get changed, and then we can get acquainted!” he said happily, waving a bit as he headed off toward the hallway. “See you in a minute!”
“Ranka-san is home?” Tamaki asked as he came into the room with a large tray on which he as carrying four bowls of ramen.
“Yeah, he just went to change,” Haruhi said with a nod, smiling as he passed the bowls around. Tamaki was looking at her and he spilled a bit, which made Yuzuru laugh. “He should be back in a minute.”
“I thought he might be home soon, so I made him some ramen, too,” he slid a bowl in front of Yuzuru and handed him a pair of chopsticks. “Please, please be on your best behavior, Father!” he said, sounding a bit distressed. “I want Ranka-san to like you!”
“My behavior isn’t the one we need to be concerned with!” Yuzuru scolded in a teasing voice. “If I recall correctly, you’re the one who always makes a scene, young man.” he said with a smile.
Tamaki huffed, but to his credit he held it together and took his seat beside Haruhi once more. The three of them waited until Ryouji returned from changing to start eating their ramen. Now he was wearing a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and his blindingly red hair was tied up in a ponytail. The fake breasts that had been in place before were gone, and he looked remarkably masculine, given his appearance before. He took a seat on Haruhi’s other side and picked up his chopsticks daintily.
“Thank you for waiting, you three,” Ryouji said cheerfully. “And I apologize you had to see me in my work clothes, Yuzuru-san. I wasn’t expecting company.”
“Work?” Yuzuru asked, a bit curious. “Where exactly do you work?”
“In a gay bar,” Ryouji said in an offhanded way, taking a bite of his ramen and slurping. “Though it never has made much sense to me why we dress as women when the patrons are clearly interested in men. Well, no matter. It takes all kinds, I suppose.”
“It takes all kinds,” Yuzuru repeated, nodding. He supposed he should have found the fact that his son was living with two habitual crossdressers a little stranger, but his own life was far from conventional, and it wasn’t in his nature to judge. Instead, he put it out of his mind and engaged in pleasant conversation over the ramen. It was easy to see to him that he was going to get along with these two future installments into the Suoh family just fine. For that moment he could sit back and smile.
_______________________________________________________
Chapter 33
True to his word, Tamaki was no trouble at the Fujioka household. He helped with the housework and cooking the meals. He went shopping with Haruhi, carrying her coupons and pointing out sales on the items they needed. Every day he brought roses home on the train from Ouran’s rose garden and placed them in vases around the apartment. Coming home to the smell of roses and of Tamaki expensive cologne was rather delicious, Haruhi found. She watched him do everything he could to appeal to her father, and despite his stubborn nature it wasn’t long before he was won over completely. It was no surprise, really, she mused. It was impossible to resist Tamaki for long. She knew from experience.
Now that she and Tamaki were finally, for better or for worse, a couple, life took on a kind of bright, rosy glow that seemed to encompass everything. Being in a relationship with Suoh Tamaki was nowhere near as exhausting or as hard as Haruhi had imagined. On the morning of their one-week anniversary --not that she was keeping track, of course-- she awoke to bright sunshine and him in the kitchen making her a rolled omelet and singing a cheerful tune in French that she didn’t recognize.
“Good morning, Haruhi!” he chirped, his eyes flashing colors she didn’t know they had as he rushed to her and took her happily into his arms, swinging her in a small circle. Still a bit bleary from sleep, she simply clung to him and hoped she wouldn’t go flying until he put her down and gave her a kiss that was a bit too passionate for when her father was sleeping in the next room.
“Morning, senpai,” she said sleepily, disoriented from the kiss, and he gave a small squeak and kissed her forehead.
“You’re so cute when you’re tired,” he told her, taking her hands. He certainly hadn’t wasted any time getting comfortable in their relationship, and he stared at her as intimately and honestly as though they had been married for years. “I’m making you an omelet.”
“Thanks. But… you really don’t have to do that…” Haruhi said, eyeing the mess he had made of the kitchen. She doubted he had any idea how to make an omelet, she mused at the sight of several small lumps of burned egg in the garbage can.
“I know, but it’s the least I can do for my adorable girlfriend, isn’t it?” he asked in a singsong voice, far too chipper to make sense this early. Haruhi rubbed her eyes, burning as they adjusted to her contact lenses for the day.
“I didn’t even know you knew how to make an omelet.”
“Well… I don’t. But I figured it couldn’t be that hard! So I decided I would try my hand at it for you! But now I’m sort of… lost,” tapping his chin in a thoughtful sort of gesture, Tamaki stared hard at the ruined egg in the frying pan before him.
“Do you want some help?” Haruhi offered, and Tamaki nodded, looking a bit ashamed.
“I don’t think I can do it,” he admitted. “Can you give me some pointers?”
“How about I make the omelets and you can help me and learn at the same time?” Haruhi offered, and Tamaki brightened visibly.
“That sounds like a splendid idea!” he agreed as Haruhi took over the kitchen. He observed her making the omelet closely as one might examine a work of art. It took a whole new set of eggs to get started and this time there was butter in the pan to keep them from sticking. She was nearly finished when Tamaki sidled up behind her at the stove and wrapped his arms around her waist.
“I’m cooking right now, senpai,” she scolded, but he paid no attention and moved closer.
“I love you so much, you know,” he whispered, kissing the side of her neck lightly. Haruhi nearly burned herself on the pan.
“I love you too,” Haruhi replied, trying to retain her composure. “But I’m really trying to cook here…”
“Does that really matter?” Tamaki purred, brushing his lips against her neck again. Haruhi shivered even against his warm body, feeling the tingles that erupted where his lips touched. Suddenly his hands on her body felt hotter and she swore she was going to get burned. Dizzy, she touched her forehead and found that her face was burning.
“The omelets are done,” she announced, sidestepping to get out of his embrace before her body melted. It was an odd sensation, to be touched that way. Haruhi had expected some sort of hesitation or nervousness on Tamaki’s part in the relationship, but that certainly wasn’t the case. He was wholly confident and his actions reflected it, to the point that he was becoming downright forward. She was surprised to find she didn’t really mind. Managing to regain some measure of composure, she dished up the omelets and set them each a place at the kotatsu. Despite the fact that it was spring, she had brought it out to cheer Tamaki up during his first week at the house and somehow it had simply stayed out.
“These look delicious,” Tamaki said happily as he took a seat beside her and picked up his fork. He liked to feel like he was being immersed in the culture by using chopsticks for everything, but Haruhi had by now convinced him that some things were simply impossible to eat with chopsticks. For a moment they ate in silence. “I’m… sorry if I came on too strong before, Haruhi,” he said apologetically.
“It’s fine. You didn’t,” she assured him, and he smiled. “I was just a little surprised, that’s all. I guess I‘m not really used to being touched that way.”
“I’ll get you used to it,” Tamaki said with a flirty wink, and she ignored him and took a large bite of her breakfast. Without warning his hand was on top of hers. “Um… Haruhi?”
“Yeah?”
“Will you… go on a date with me this Sunday?”
Haruhi swallowed the bite she was eating and smiled a bit timidly at him. “Sure, senpai. I’d like that,” she said, finding that, to her own surprise, she was nervous.
“You’re so cute!” Tamaki shrieked, launching himself across the kotatsu and crushing her in his arms. “So cute! You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen!”
“Get off!” Haruhi griped, shoving at her frantic boyfriend as he nuzzled his cheek against hers and pressed kisses all over her hair. “I can’t breathe! Ah!”
“I believe my daughter told you to remove yourself, young man,” Ryouji’s voice issued from behind them. He swatted Tamaki in the head with a newspaper and he fell to the floor with a yelp.
“I was only showing her affection, Ranka-san,” Tamaki whined.
“That’s quite enough out of you,” Ryouji said, glaring down at Tamaki with suspicious eyes. “I’ve had some idea something’s been going on between you two for some time now. I’d better not catch you sexually harassing my little girl again.”
“Sexually harassing?” Tamaki wailed, tears streaming down his cheeks. “I would never do any such thing! You must believe me, Ranka-san!”
“He doesn’t sexually harass me, Dad,” Haruhi reassured him, taking a drink of milk. “Don’t worry.” she sucked in a long, slow breath. “Tamaki-senpai is my boyfriend,” she told her father, and watched him wheeze. “So he has a right to be able to touch me. There’s an omelet for you in the kitchen, so just forget about it and eat, okay?”
“I can’t just… forget about it!” Ryouji wailed, his face a mirror of Tamaki’s. “My little girl is growing up too fast and… I can’t swallow the thought of you and… boys!”
“My dear Ranka-san,” Tamaki said, climbing to his feet, by now composed. “I would never harm Haruhi in any way. Please know that I love her very much and I only want her to be happy. I would never do anything that she didn’t want me to do. Please believe that she’s safe with me.”
Ryouji blinked at him, staring into Tamaki’s face and looking like he wasn’t quite sure whether to believe him. Tamaki stared straight back, standing his ground. The silence ticked on for some time, and it was as though the entire world had quieted around them. Finally, Ryouji sighed.
“Well, alright,” he acquiesced finally, sighing. “I’ll trust you for now, Suoh. But if I find out you’ve done one thing to make my daughter unhappy, there’ll be hell to pay. Do you understand?”
Tamaki nodded. “I assure you, that’s not going to happen,” he said, bowing low. Ryouji harrumphed, looking like he didn’t want to be impressed, and went to get himself an omelet. When Haruhi was sure her father’s back was turned, she gave Tamaki a long, slow kiss filled with gratitude for the way he’d handled the situation, and love. But mostly love.