My Choice

Chaoter 23

The group of close friends were sitting in a very fancy lounge located within the upscale hotel they were staying in. They were all spread out across a large, white U shaped couch that surrounded a large black table. The lights were dimmed low in different colors, casting pink, blue, purple, yellow, orange hues across the exclusive room. Haruhi was placed between Tamaki and Hikaru, Kaoru beside Hikaru on the edge, and Kyoya beside Tamaki, followed by Honey then Mori. They were chatting amongst themselves, the topic of conversation wrapped around Tamaki and Kyoya's relationship.

"I'm surprised you didn't notice sooner, Haruhi." Kyoya said smoothly.

"I just… I knew you were best friends, but…" Haruhi blushed as the boys laughed at her.

"Why do you think we refer to them as Mommy and Daddy?" Kaoru teased.

Tamaki wrapped an arm around her shoulder and smiled gently down at her, "We've been together for… almost a year?" His purple eyes rose to meet Kyoya's, and when he saw his lover nod, they moved back to look at Haruhi, "The others knew, and when you came along I just figured you found out on your own."

"But you liked me." Haruhi said bluntly, shaking her head, "I don't understand. If you're with Kyoya why were you always fawning over me?"

Tamaki blushed and turned back to look at Kyoya, trying to find some sort of solace within those dark eyes. Kyoya simply nodded, mentally nudging Tamaki to tell him whatever he said was okay. "Well… I just… I guess you were something… new, and before long I found myself having feelings for you. I tried to ignore it, turn it into some form of father-daughter love because I was with Kyoya. I went to Kyoya, explaining things to him because I knew no matter what he wouldn't judge me, and he simply said that if I wanted to pursue you… I could."

"But! She's all mine!" Hikaru pulled Haruhi into his arms, placing a sloppy kiss on her cheek.

"Ew! Hika!" Haruhi wiped her cheek on his shoulder, scrunching her face in disgust.

The boys laughed at the display, finding Haruhi's reaction cute.

Their laughter slowly died once the waitress came to place the plates of food before them. Haruhi glanced around at everyone's food, thinking to herself that the food seemed more like decorations then food. Glancing down at her own white square plate- the filet mignon nearly the size of her fist, perfectly shaped and surrounded by a design of sauce- she was almost afraid to eat it and destroy the picturesque sight. However, once she heard silverware clinking against porcelain, she laid her thick cotton napkin on her lap and began eating.

The conversation between the hosts was light, ranging from future plans for Mori and Honey when they left Ouran Academy to what they would do the next day at the theme park. Haruhi had sat back and listened for the most part, loving the way each voice sounded different yet held the same emotions. Her brown eyes bounced from host to host, smiling to herself as she watched her friends eat and talk.

*.*

Steam filled the bathroom as the sound of running water came from the large, stained-glass surrounded shower mixed together with the soft humming of the girl who stood under the warm spray of water. Haruhi was scrubbing the shampoo out of her hair- suds falling over her shoulders and down her back and breasts- humming one of Hikaru's favorite rock songs. The brunette's eyes were closed, letting the water run down her face as she washed the shampoo from her hair. The soft sound of the door opening and closing caught her attention, and Haruhi's humming ceased. Turning her head, she saw the fuzzy image of Hikaru stripping through the stained and fogged glass, his melted honey eyes watching her.

"You're supposed to ask first before joining someone in the shower, you know." Haruhi teased.

Hikaru opened the door, stepping in and joining her under the spray of warm water. His slender arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close to his chest, "May I join you,Fragola?"

"Of course, Hika." Haruhi leaned back into Hikaru's embrace, her hands resting over his. "The others are going to notice you're missing, you know. Especially Kaoru."

"Kaoru knows where I am. As for the others… Oh well. If the Boss and Kyoya-senpai can have a little romp then I can bathe with my girlfriend." Hikaru spoke in a soft voice. Not because he didn't want anyone to hear him, but because he didn't want to ruin the serenity that had fallen between the two the moment he stepped into the shower.

Haruhi's eyelids fluttered closed as she felt Hikaru's warm breath against her neck as his nose nuzzled into her the skin of her neck, his chin resting on her shoulder. They stayed that way for many moments; Simply enjoying the comfort they found from the physical contact. Nothing intimate, just comfort. Hikaru stretched his arm and turned the shower knob to make the water hotter.

"You know taking too hot of showers is bad for you."

"I like hot showers." Hikaru replied simply. He resumed his place holding her tightly against him. His head turned sideways, lips gently kissing her porcelain cheek, "I love you, Haruhi."

"I love you too, Hikaru." Haruhi mumbled softly.

"I…" Hikaru's arms tightened around her waist, and Haruhi could tell something was off about him. "Haru…" His voice cracked, and Haruhi turned her head slightly to look at him. "Haruhi, I'm sorry…"

"About what, Hika?" She brought an arm up to gently glide her finger across his cheek, collected the drops of water that fell over his smooth skin.

"When we first met, I… I didn't treat you with respect. In the beginning I thought you were a joke; A commoner attending Ouran Academy, masquerading as a boy to pay off a debt that would never truly be paid off. I used you; Toyed with you, pushed you around, upset and angered you on a nearly daily basis. You opened my eyes, though. Not just to my feelings for you, but being a better person. You made me think outside of the way I had thought since I was born. Whether we're rich or poor or in between, everyone is equal and no one deserves to be treated any less due to their social standing. I was a jerk, not just to you but everyone. I thought the girls who came to the Host Club only wanted attention and more, and I didn't see them as teenage girls just looking for something to do and figure out how they themselves viewed men. Even the other hosts I used for my own benefit and enjoyment. When you came into my life… you changed me. I'm so thankful that you would yell at me, slap me, and set me straight. If it wasn't for you… I'd still be a closed off jerk treating everyone like they were the dirt on my shoe and only finding comfort in my twin. You brought change into my life… and I can never express just how thankful I am for that. I can never express how sorry I am for the way I treated you and thought about you in the beginning. I'm sorry…"

Haruhi was silent as Hikaru's voice became quiet. She stood there, the hot spray of water cascading over her chest and legs, Hikaru's chest pressed against her back. The words that fell from his lips were futile. She never held a grudge against Hikaru for the way he treated her. Sure, she was annoyed from time to time, but she was never mad at him. "Hika… There's nothing to forgive."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Hikaru turned the brunette in his arms around and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle yet passionate kiss. Haruhi nearly collapsed as she felt the amount of love pouring from his soul and into the kiss. It wasn't long until Hikaru had Haruhi pressed against the shower wall, holding her there as he took her slowly. Their moans and cries of passion were trapped in their mouths, mingling as their lips pressed together over and over. This wasn't about the raw need to just have sex. No. This was about sharing the overwhelming love they held for each other. The way Hikaru's hips slowly moved- back and forth, thrusting- was so sensually slow. He wanted to take his time with Haruhi, let their love for one another completely overflow until they were spent. His lips captured each and every sound that left her mouth, for he didn't want to break their connection in any way. His hands were holding hers, fingers entwined, as he pressed the backs of her hands into the tile wall. Hikaru never wanted this blissful experience to end. Carnal lust did not exist between them in these long moments. Only love; A love so strong that the strength of it would last for years and years to come.