Lavender Roses {K . Ootori x Reader}

The Grade School Host is the Naughty Type! pt. 2

There were plenty of things that Kyoya could take.

His father's disappointed gaze, Tamaki's over-the-top dramatics, Honey's expensive addiction to sweets.

Anything that you would think would cause a strong emotional response only added a dry leaf to his lowly burning fire, always simmering but still under control.

Seeing you draped sadly over a piano, though, was something he couldn't take, and it threatened to ignite those flames to new heights.

Quietly closing the music room door behind him as he entered, he tried his best not to disturb the trance that you had fallen under.

One elbow supported your head as you curled over the keyboard of the piano, waist bending like a willow branch in the wind. Your ankles crossed towards the floor, and he watched as your other arm moved side to side, tracing the piano keys absentmindedly.

The moonlight silhouetted you with careful grace, and he pictured your eyes closed, basking in the quiet.

He hadn't seen you since this afternoon, since you had run out of the music room. His head had been reeling after his near-confession, angry with himself for not saying anything when he had the chance, and sad because it wasn't like how imagined.

With every footstep closer, Kyoya compared that moment with what he had imagined it would be like to confess to you.

When he thought about it, the two of you were always alone. Either in your room, his, or maybe the club room. You two would be sitting close, maybe with your shoulder grazing his, or a light touch of fingertips.

He would bring you something that you had been wanting, a piece of jewelry or some engineering equipment that you couldn't bring yourself to buy.

He would relish in your excitement at the gift, your eyes sparkling like they always do when you're feeling that infectious amount of joy.

Then hopefully, he wouldn't have to say anything. Hopefully then, you would look into his eyes and understand everything that he was feeling. Everything that he wanted to say, but was too nervous to, since there wasn't any guarantee.

He imagined, maybe, you could just kiss him then, and no words would be needed.

Hopefully, you would understand each other just as you always had.

During Tamaki's impromptu performance, there was no excitement, no undeniable connection. He could tell you were stressed in the way you pulled his hands into yourself, trying to find some protection from what you were trying to say. You looked worried and nervous, and even if he had tried to be there for you, it hadn't helped.

When you pulled apart, you hid your face from him, and when he tried to reach out for you as you ran out the door, you cringed away from his touch.

Nothing like how he wanted his confession to go.

What had happened? He had tried to do what Tamaki said, he wanted to tell you everything that was going on in his heart. And it had never been easy, but this all felt like too much, too forced.

What was he doing wrong?

Reaching the piano, he cleared his throat slightly.

"Mind if I join you?"

Your hands stopped caressing the keys, but you didn't seem startled by his presence. Kyoya watched as your shoulders tensed a little before straightening out and sliding down the bench, making room for him to your left. You placed your hands in front of you, carefully avoiding his touch in such close proximity.