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“If you want to, you could pay for those flowers with your body.”
Kyouya grabbed Haruhi’s arm and threw her on the bed before climbing over her in one smooth movement. He was gentle, of course. He was gentle all the time, even when he threatened otherwise. Still, her mouth fell open slightly in surprise when her back hit the mattress. She spared a quick thought for how high quality it felt, those damn rich people, before her attention was forced back to the sight of Kyouya crawling over her.
She started to laugh and maybe shake him off with some casual statement or joke, when her words caught in her throat as she fully looked at him. Haruhi was a girl. She knew she was a girl, and she was happy being a girl, even if most of the school had no clue. She had no idea what Tamaki had been going on about earlier, but looking into Kyouya’s eyes, comprehension began to dawn.
He was big. “Big” wasn’t a word Haruhi normally associated with Kyouya, but with him looming over her, suddenly it was the only word she could think of. She could feel his body heat burning into her and she was suddenly aware of just how much smaller she was than him. Maybe it was the glasses or just the general image and stereotype he aimed to fulfill within their group, but she had never realized what a masculine frame he had. She studied his handsome face and started when her eyes met his again. His eyes were heavy, peeking through his black bangs and staring at her with something undefinable and dark that shot electricity through her spine.
She could feel her body growing warmer and warmer, despite the cool air. The moonlight streamed in through the window and she wished that it could have at least had the decency to reflect off her upperclassman’s glasses. She felt like his gaze was boring a hole into her. She felt unsettled and nervous, emotions she rarely, if ever, felt, let alone with Kyouya of all people. At least, outside of when he was talking about debt and money. She felt like a rabbit who had found themselves in the fox’s den—cornered. She wanted to run away and escape. She wanted to stay. She didn’t know what she wanted.
Kyouya leaned down, bending in a position that must have been uncomfortable, but he held himself up and just over her with impressive strength. That warmth was in her chest and rapidly spreading up to her face, but she tried her best to maintain a placid expression. It lasted until he leaned even closer and his face was so close she could feel his warm breath on her lips. His breath was minty and her lips felt more sensitive than they ever had. Something inside her was taut with anticipation. It was new. It was scary. And yet, she didn't hate it.
Haruhi swallowed and forced herself to say something. “Kyouya-senpai, you won’t do it.”
“I won’t?” Kyouya asked, smirking. His lips were so close she could almost feel them brush hers as he spoke and it sent shivers down her spine.
“I mean, there isn’t anything to be gained by getting into it with me, right?” Haruhi said. She tried to smile at him in earnest, but that heat had finally spread to her face and she knew that her voice sounded weak.
“Oh, I think there’s plenty to be gained. You know, Haruhi, I never took you for a fool. You are, of course, a commoner with a startling lack of natural femininity and situational awareness, but even you can’t be completely unaware.”
“Unaware of what?”
Kyouya sighed and raised his head slightly to look at her better. She was startled to see a slight smile on his face. Not one of his calculating smirks or fake customer smiles, but something much softer and more genuine. He reached up and took his glasses off before burying his face in her neck. His body shook and it took her a second to realize he was chuckling. She could feel his lips and breath against her neck and she shivered again.
“Maybe I’m the fool. I even find that endearing about you,” He said, voice muffled against her skin.
“Kyouya-senpai?”
“You have no idea what kind of an effect you have on people, do you?”
“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course you don’t. You don’t know and neither do the others. I thought I was content with seeing that develop, but now that I have you on my bed under me, I don’t think I can just sit back and let everyone figure out what I realized ages ago. It’d be entertaining, but I’m far too selfish.”
“Kyouya-senpai, you’re not making any sense.”
“Haruhi, are you familiar with the phrase, ‘finders keepers’?”
Kyouya propped himself back up, arms barely straining with the effort. If possible, his gaze felt even heavier than before. She nodded, a slight jerk of her head down in acknowledgment. This time, when he smiled, he looked like a predator.
“Well, Haruhi,” Kyouya said, leaning back down. “I found you.”
And this time, his lips touched hers.
Haruhi gasped and her hands shot up to his shoulders. Whether to push him away or pull him closer, she hadn’t decided yet. It was her first kiss. Well, her first real kiss. Once he realized she wasn’t pushing him away, he deepened the kiss and slotted his mouth against hers more firmly. She had never put much stock in first kisses or kissing in general, really. It was just touching lips against lips. What was so special about that? When she heard girls squeal and sigh about kisses, she had always chalked it up to being yet another thing she'd never understand.
She understood.
His lips were soft and he was so warm everywhere they touched. Her heart felt like it would beat out of her chest and she felt a tingling sensation spread through her body. She shuddered against him and her mouth opened just slightly and that warmth in her was a molten core of lava. Her legs felt weak and her body was trembling. Her fingers clutched at him for stability and he pressed closer to her. His lips moved against hers insistently and passionately, more passionately than she thought him capable.
She felt like she was drowning in him and it was only at the barest press of his tongue against her lower lip that she squeaked and pushed at his chest in embarrassed shock. He pulled away from her and sat up quickly, wiping his lips and staring at her with wide, wild eyes like he was just as surprised as she was.
They stared at each other with only the sounds of their labored breathing breaking the silence.
“I-I’m sorry, Haruhi,” Kyouya finally apologized with a raspy voice. He reached for his glasses and slid them on. He tried to school his face into something resembling his normal stoic self, but his voice betrayed him, and Haruhi was amazed to see a slight flush on his bare chest that spread up to his neck and even to his cheeks.
“You’re… sorry?”
Kyouya sighed and moonlight finally glinted across the lens of his glasses. And yet, Haruhi could still feel his gaze on her lips. He continued, “I acted improperly.”
“Do you regret kissing me, Kyouya-senpai?”
Kyouya bent his head slightly and breathed out. She felt her heart squeeze for only a second before his head whipped back up. His face was even more red, but his eyes were determined.
“I don’t regret kissing you. I only regret not courting you properly before.”
Haruhi felt her own cheeks burn all the harder. Stunned, she asked, “You want to court me?”
Kyouya ran a hand over his face as if he was frustrated, but the red peeked out and she realized he was trying to hide his embarrassment.
“If… I know that we haven’t always seen things from the same perspective. I know I’ve said things to you that may have seemed… harsh or made it appear that I don’t… feel things for you.”
“But you do? Feel things for me?”
“I–Yes. Against my better judgment. Sorry, I don’t mean that as a slight against you. I’m not… good at this. I’ve always resigned myself to a mutually beneficial partnership with someone of my family’s choosing, but I’m realizing that maybe I don’t need to do that. Maybe I don’t want to do that. You’re nothing like anyone I’ve ever pictured by my side, but I want you by my side. I don’t want to see you go to Tamaki or the twins or anyone else. You belong with me.”
Haruhi huffed a soft laugh. Of course he would be arrogant even while confessing to her. She hated that she didn’t hate that. He was pretentious, smug, and condescending. He was smart and overly calculating. She couldn’t get a good read on him half the time, but he looked oddly vulnerable in the moonlight and she could tell that his words were sincere. He wasn't the type to act on impulse, so she knew he wasn't just caught up in the moment. Her heart thrilled in her chest and she thought she might faint from embarrassment, but she stayed still. These feelings were so new to her, and she felt so overwhelmed by them. She wanted to run and hide, and she could tell he wanted to run too, which gave her the courage to stay.
Her heart ached as she took in his tense body language, as if preparing for a blow she knew she’d never deliver. How could she? He was overly concerned with money, but then again, wasn't she? He was manipulative, but it was always for the good of the club, and therefore the good of his friends. He was loyal and caring in his own way. He was a good man, even if he often tried to hide it. And, she thought bashfully, he was handsome and a good kisser.
She sat up.
“I’m not very good at romance. I'm not used to it and sometimes I miss things or misread signs. If you don’t want me to misunderstand, please be very clear and ask me. Properly.”
Kyouya searched her face. He reached for her hands and held them carefully. “Haruhi, I would be honored if you would accept my courtship.”
Haruhi felt a surge of joy swell in her chest. She pulled her hands out of his, and before he could stiffen up, she threw her arms around his neck and said, “I accept your courtship!”
And then the door flew open.