The Guesthouse

***************************************

As I wake up I can smell the clean sheets, so clean and refreshing. There's pleasant calm warmth in my chest, it is almost like that comfort that comes from a good cup of tea. My eyes slowly open, when a notice the warm breathe on my cheek. The way his head is tilted his nose is almost touching mine; his eyes are still closed allowing me to see just how long his lashes are. One of his arms is under my shoulder that is resting on the mattress, and the other in about halfway up on my bare thigh, it seems my nightshirt has shifted up while I was sleeping. My hands have been resting on his chest, feeling the steady beat. Aside from my arms there isn't much room between us. He has a sweet smile on his sleeping face, and there is this smile that I don't think I've ever seen.

Anyone else might have been decked for hand placemat. Reason would suggest that this would be unsettling or upsetting but it feels comforting. What happens next happens so fast, my heart leaps to my throat. In one moment his hand quickly travels from my thigh, up past my hip, and settles on the small of my back. Also in the process he pulls me all the closer to him, because now the only space between us is my hands and our clothes. His head drops causing his lips to brush against my cheek, his nose to rub first into my jaw before settling in the hollow of my neck. This triggers a strange tingle from the base of my spine, lightly up all of my nerve endings.

******************

Part of me feels like I am having a vivid dream. I move my head causing my lips to brush skin, then my nose brushes against a bone, and rests in a valley. One hand is resting on something smooth almost creamy, without thinking almost with a will of its own it moves across fabric and to the back of the smooth surface. Feeling a void I pull towards me the object in my arm. Practically ablaze in my arms I realize that I have been holding someone, whose pulse keeps quickening. Now my eyes open because reality is that no dream is that vivid, there's a deep flush on her cheeks. Eyes are partially shut, but as I raise my head she opens them up just a bit further. Her small mouth opens and closes as though she is trying to figure out what to say. Instead she slips her tongue out and licks her lips, this small nervous action draws me in further. Those soft lips meet mine in a hungry response, as I move my lips to hers. Part of me wants to consume her, but I realize that would be going too far. Seemingly in a challenge for how long we can stay lip to lip. We both break at the same time, almost panting to catch our breath. One of her small hands reaches up from between our bodies she touches my cheek lightly with the back of her hand. Her eyes meet mine, and we start to move back in for another kiss when her alarm goes off.

Mood broken as she sits bolt upright in bed and leans over to turn off the blaring sound. Seeing the time part of me wishes it was a weekend, but since that isn't the case I sit up as well. With her fast movements the hand that was on her back is now on the upper part of the thigh nearest me. An almost sad smile crosses her face, and I could tell she was wondering what to do next, making my choice I lean across the bed catching her lips for a light kiss before touching her cheek as I pull away. As I start to lower my hand hers touches it, by a virtual unspoken agreement we both get up. Moving to the dresser to get her school stuff, as I reach the door I look back but will myself to move forward. My skin still remembers the burn of her skin on mine, and the softness of her lips.

In contrast to last night's steaming shower, I can only hope the iceberg like water will beat some sense into me. I get dressed quickly and seemingly planned we reach the hallway junction at about the same instant. Together we walk out the door and approach the car that will take us to school. Both riding in the back seat without thinking we both sit with our knees turned in, gradually I realize that our knees are touching. The ride to school is all to brief, and before I have a chance to address it the twins scoop her up. Looking back she meets my eyes, there's a smile there playing across her lips.
*********

I can feel my mouth open and close as I try to decide whether to say something or not. Instead I can feel my tongue as it runs across my lips, because they feel suddenly dry. He's looking at me so he must have seen, but before any words can pass my lips his traps my voice. This causes me to hungrily push back on his lips, both putting so much into not breaking contact with each other. Breaking apart at the same time, I snake my hand up between us and brush the back of my hand against his cheek. After our eyes meet we move in for another kiss. Just within centimeters of his lips it happens, my alarm rips through us. Loud and invasive it causes me to sit bolt upright in bed.

I turn and lean over to turn off the alarm, hating that it is a weekday. Mori also sits up after noticing the time, his hand has moved with me. It now rests on my upper thigh, and I feel torn about whether to move or not. The current state saddens me and it must show. Leaning over he captures my lips, also touching my face with his other hand. Before he can move it, I touch it with my own. This seems to lead to an agreement of sorts as we both get off the bed. For a few moments I can feel his eyes on me, before he leaves the room but not without rewarming my skin. After gathering my things together, I take the shortest shower possible.
This is the latest I've gotten up in a good while, still in-sync we reach the hallway intersection at the same time. Walking out the door and then to the car is pleasant. Once inside we both sit in such a way that our knees end up touching, without trying, he was sitting at the angle due to his long legs. On my part I want to watch him from the corner of my eyes. The quick ride is over, and the vehicle barely stops before the door pops open. The twins pull me out and start talking, before I know it I'm moving further from the car. For a moment I catch the look he has been casting me, a mix of feeling as I long to burst into a silly grin.

*******

The time before classes passes in a rushed way, everyone waiting for classes excitedly whispering. Mitsukuni is one of the last people into the room and sits down right as our teacher enters. At lunchtime I lean down to put away my things and look up and he's gone. Wondering what is going on, I'm unable to enjoy my food. Where could he be? Lunch ends before I realize it and I return my half eaten meal. The remaining classes pass without me paying much mind, for the time being I can afford not to pay much attention today's ramblings.

The last call of the day ends, looking around the room I see that my friend has once again disappeared without a trace. Knowing that this has been the longest time we haven't spoken to each other since our last separate vacations. Arriving at the Music Room I see Mitsukuni from across the room, as the door opens behind me he looks up. He bounds past he calling out, "Haruhi, come eat cake with me." As his small hand takes hers, confusion crosses her face but he just keeps pulling her behind him. For the briefest time our eyes meet, but Mitsukuni is moving fast.

Kyoya comes up behind me without my having noticed, "So you still haven't talked with him?" The rhetorical question didn't bear answering, as I still keep my focus on the pair. "This won't do, you do understand that don't you?" he pauses for effect. Now I look at him, I hate this about his. He lurks in the shadows looking for weakness. "She can be rather unaware of things, it's almost charming. At times though blunt without malicious intent." Not trusting my words, I just look down at him. So he of course continues, "Analytical to a fault, she would give a logical response to almost anything. Including being pulled onto a bed and lying sprawled beneath a half naked man. To think that she thought I had nothing to gain from it." He must know that this is the first I've heard of this and that this would be a volatile course of discussion. My hand clenches at my side. This not lost on his smirking mouth and therefore persists, "Ready to jump to the defense, this might be the first interest I've witnessed from you. Make sure not to delay or one of the others might determine the means by which to have her."

"She's not like that," are the first words to come from my clenched jaw. "Perhaps you've misunderstood my point. There's ample evidence that she cares for us all. Unlike most of the group she might be able to be happy with you as you are. The rest of us if honest efforts to that end where made, could one day hope of winning her heart," he reveals while pushing his glasses up with his pencil. With his possession of the situation, he persists, " You might not feel as though you are the obvious choice, but you've always been the dark knight amongst us. Without realizing it she called out for you first, and in many circumstances she's followed you instead of the group. There are two things before you continue down this path. First and foremost you must reconcile with Mitsukuni. The two of you have been a pair for as long as you've known each other. Just do what you've always done, let him know what's been happening; the rest should work it's way out. Second and perhaps more difficult still, you both must hide this from the school and those three."

My eyes follow his gaze to absorb his subject matter. Then probe further, "Why would you help with this?" The question almost does not need to be asked and yet still demands an answer. Even though I think I know what his response will be, he then says, "Because of what will come from the two of you being together, not to mention the debt which both of you would have to me for being the one to bring you together. If I've misjudged the situation I could honestly think of worse things then Haruhi beneath me." Of course this would have been his rationale, with him it is always about building up contacts around him. I suppose for him my loyalty would be valuable. However far be it from me to allow the other comment to pass unnoticed. The last words that I say to him before walking away are, "Don't even think about it." Not one to pass up the last word he pushes on, "Just remember that spirit, you might need it if the others find out before it's time."

********

My mind keeps wandering as the day presses on. I've spent most of the day just listening to conversations of others. The twins have embarked on their latest look at me campaign, so I honestly don't think they've even noticed how few words I've said today. It's almost like they still think I'm their toy to play with. Once my classes end I walk to the music room, and in the process have seemingly lost the twins. I walk thru the doors alone, noticing as I do that Mori's back is to me.

Before any words can pass from my lips, Hunni-sempai has bounded over saying, " Haruhi, come eat cake with me." Not waiting for a response he's already taken my hand and is pulling me across the room. His actions confuse me, and if I'm not mistaken he just completely ignored Mori. There is a moment when I almost meet his eyes, but at some point I just end up to far away. Hunni has strawberry shortcake, one of those few desserts that I can honestly say I enjoy. He cuts me a big piece with lots of strawberries. Customers gather around us, talking happily, but I find my eyes keep wandering to Mori. Who has been speaking with Kyoya for sometime now, even from this distance I can recognize Kyoya's insidious aura.

Attempting to detach myself from the bubbly group that has gathered around Hunni-sempai, has proven difficult because one of the girls keeps pulling me into new conversations. Eventually I am able to break free from them, but with only fifteen minutes to spare. Drawn towards the window because of how beautiful the day is. The hair on the back of my neck does not prickle until someone leans into my ear and whispers, "So how are things going?" Kyoya warm breath tickles my ear as I turn to him. This is very little room between us, and unfortunately there is nowhere for me to go. My knee is already touching the windowsill, meaning that I am in both a literal and figurative corner. "From the reactions I've been getting from you both, things seem to be progressing," he says without expecting a response from me. His smug look all the more evident as he presses on saying, "You guys will be good together. Of course if you aren't interested in Mori like that, there are always other options. I for one won't mind having you sprawled on a bed beneath me again, maybe this time without interruptions." It is not just those words that spawn my reaction but that aura and look of his that drives me to slap him.

This seems to surprise us both; he pulls away for a moment before coming up beside me. There are so few people left in the room that no one even seems to look in our direction. His head moves towards the center of the room and my eyes follow the movement. Mori has walked over to Hunni-sempai, who for a moment doesn't even look at him. However when he does look, there is an unmistakable pain in his eyes. Once again his warm breath is on my ear as he says, "You need to understand what is happening. Takashi is not a thoughtless person but due to his occasional inarticulate manner he shut Mitsukuni out. Who in turn retaliated by doing the same. They're more alike than they would even admit." Mori's head is down as they continue talking. Kyoya moves in just a little closer his lips almost on my ear and a finger tracing down the side of my neck, then says "You'll both need to hide this from the others, you above would do well to remember how we feel about you." His warm breath causes me to shiver and his finger seems to linger a bit longer than necessary.

I barely manage a nod before the now customer free Tamaki and twins come over to me. As I look at their faces, my heart is torn about how to handle them. There would be no point to denying that I care for each of them deeply. Hunni and Mori walk up to us as well, their conversation seemingly over. For this first time since this morning I am actually able to meet his eyes, some of the anxiety that built from the conversation with Kyoya starts to slip away. But all the same, I do not feel like standing here in the music room any longer. Hunni-sempai seems to understand this and says, "Are you ready to go now?"

"Yeah," is the weak response that I give. Taking my hand and Mori's, we all walk out of the music room together. Heading towards the car, we leave the others to finish their conversation. Hunni is moving fast though and we are already outside. Turning he pulls our hands together, leaving us there holding hands for a moment. He turns and winks right as he gets into the car. Guess that means we have the "Hunni" seal of approval, it makes me chuckle. We get into the vehicle, and then we are back on our way to the guesthouse.

**********

A few customers have gathered for me, but most of today's attention is centered on Mitsukuni and Haruhi. The two look cute together; he did make it hard for Haruhi to say no to sitting with him. He even got her favorite cake. I meanwhile try to nod and smile with my customers, luckily enough the club time has almost drawn to a close. Most of Mitsukuni's customers have left and Haruhi has wandered to the window looking out at the day. Briefly I'm tempted to go over to her, but Mitsukuni's last customer leaves. Remembering what Kyoya had said I go to sit on the chair across from him.

At first he still will not meet my eyes, but there underlining his final gaze is pain. Not being people who normally have to worry about hurting each other the look surprises me. Going back as far as I can remember, I've never seen him make that face. The words stick in my throat, finally words burst forth not many but they feel right. I must have been hanging my head as I spoke to him because when I open my eyes I'm looking at the floor. Mitsukuni has stuck his face close to mine and his hand pulls on the sleeve of my jacket. He's smiling at me, which makes me feel better.

We approach the others, the twins and Tamaki are all grabbing for Haruhi's attention. Her eyes meet mine, but I can tell the anxiety that she's been having. Kyoya the group slips away from the group, right at the moment that I realize he probably said something to her. Which might explain her unease, if he said anything to her like he said to me. Mitsukuni senses her discomfort as well, because he asks her, "Are you ready to go now?"

Weakly in an almost unheard voice she says, "Yeah." He takes her hand again pulling her away from the group, and then takes my hand as well. Together we walk down the hallway, finally exiting the building near to the pickup point. His driver arrives first and he moves quickly pulling Haruhi's hand into mine. We're holding hands at this point, turning onto his heel winking at as both. He then disappears into the vehicle and it disappears from our view as I hear the low chuckle beside me. Our ride appears next; we then enter the vehicle for the ride back.

It feels strange to sit so close to her, yet I know we were much closer earlier. The sound of soft breathing draws my attention back. Haruhi's head is resting against the seat perhaps exhaustion has overtaken her. The car stops, however she doesn't even stir. Grabbing both bags, I lean across the seat collecting her into my arms. After entering the house, it is almost hard to decide where to take her. It's early enough that it might be strange to take her to the guestroom, but it seems worse to just leave her on the couch. A wicked voice in the back of my mind suggests my room instead since it's closer than hers, but that isn't the reason I have the thought.

Finally I take her back to the guestroom, the familiar warmth of her body in my arms. Setting the bags down inside her doorway, looking around for a bit before I pull the door closed behind us. There is a western style armchair in the room and while she might be able to sleep better in the bed, I cannot bear to put her down. Settling into the chair she curls deeper into my arms, comforted by her presence I drift off to sleep as well.

*******************