Loose Change

Breaking Point

Disclaimer: I don't own this fandom, and after seeing a list of obscure ships/tropes, I no longer want to.

~o~

Light glinted off of Kyoya Ootori's glasses. He snapped his black book closed with finality, surveying the room. "Now that the final pieces have arrived, everything should be ready for today's event. Are all of you prepared?"

"Oh, everything's ready all right," the twins said in unison, seeming drained and irritable. "We stayed up most of the night coming up with tricks and traps. Some of our best work, really. Wasn't easy, since we have to make it look like an accident. I'm sure at least one of them will succeed."

"Excellent," Kyoya smirked. "I've gathered several pieces of significant value in accordance with today's theme. As soon as our mission is complete, I can arrange for the remainder to be removed discreetly from harm's way. It wouldn't do to have multiple objects break, and raise Haruhi's suspicions."

Hikaru raised his hand, a speculative look in his devilish golden eyes. "I have a question. Why did you agree to this plan in the first place? I mean, we're certain to lose money if we succeed, so it seems out of character for a conniving villainous overlord like yourself."

Kyoya's expression didn't waver. "Well, though I hardly see myself as 'villainous', since business is far more lucrative in the long run, you do have a point. As it turns out, I've taken out insurance policies on all our more expensive items ever since the incident when Haruhi broke that Renaissance Vase. As such, the club won't lose any money regardless of the day's events. So long as the damage isn't so extensive as to raise doubt, we should see a tidy profit. And since I have no knowledge of the exact details of today's plan, having left that up to the clubs troublemakers, there is no risk to myself."

"You money grubber, you're using us!" the twins snapped, a furious aura crackling around them, but Kyoya merely smiled serenely at their anger.

Honey raised his hand, cutesy flowers framing his adorable face, his huge brown eyes earnest. "Kyo-chan, Tama-chan isn't awake yet! What should we do?"

"Oh, still not awake?" Hikaru seethed, cracking his knuckles with an air of hostility. "Making us do all the hard work..."

"Actually, considering he turned into a human puddle a few days ago, his recovery isn't terrible," Kaoru pointed out, poking the colorless prince's vacant face, to no reaction. "I'm a little surprised he's still breathing."

"I don't care what methods you use, but we need him awake for today's club activities," Kyoya said heartlessly, sounding almost bored. "You have fifteen minutes. I've just received confirmation that Haruhi has received her outfit, and will change before coming here."

Kaoru lifted up Tamaki's floppy head by the hair. "You hear that, boss? Haruhi's gonna be here soon. You don't want her to see you looking like a ghost with depression issues, do you?" The fiery haired twin waited for a few tense seconds as Tamaki twitched...and fell back over. "No good. Got any better ideas?"

"We have to go harder than that, Kaoru. Here, let me." Hikaru leaned in to Tamaki's ear, a demonic glint in his eyes. "Hey boss, do you know what today's theme is? European Royalty. Think of the ball gowns worn by English Queens. The flaring skirts, cinched waistlines, and the low cut tops. Haruhi will look like a real royal princess, straight out a glittering fairy tale."

Tamaki moved a fraction of an inch, his eyes widening. "You mean it?" he said, his voice oddly dreamlike. He took on a tone of wonder. "Haruhi...in a ball gown..."

Hikaru gave a thumbs up to Kaoru with a cheeky grin. "That's right, boss. A ball gown. Picture it now...you and Haruhi, dancing the waltz under a star dusted sky, with rose petals falling from the heavens and carpeting the grass. She's waiting for her prince now, alone under that sky. This world can be yours, if you only dare to reach out and grab it..."