high_seas | Welcome to the Host Club

Entry tags:

Welcome to the Host Club

Who: Absolutely anyone
What: The Host Club is open for business!
Where: Antoinette, currently docked at Isla Empieza
When: February 7th - 14th (+ additional dates for crew members)
Style: Whatever you want
Status: Mostly open, some sections closed to crew members
Warnings: None. Will add if necessary.

Loans have been issued, furniture has been supplied, and food had been bought.

The deck of the Antoinette is plainly decorated. There are a few rugs about, but, for the most part, small tables are arranged with couches and chairs. Platters of food are waiting, mostly sandwiches and sweets. Little snacks. There's plenty of hot water kept on hand, too, for tea or commoner's instant coffee.

The Host Club are looking their best, even though their best might be a little more ragged than they would otherwise appear.

Posters have been put up around town, advertising the opening of the Royal Host Club, specifying the Antoinette's location, and disclosing the offer of refreshments.

On the 13th, things will only get more interesting when a bowl of candy appears overnight and adds to the Host Club experience.

(Please feel free to specify dates for interactions in the subheadings below and make your own subheadings if there's something else you want to see.)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm not asking for your forgiveness. I don't want it. I... really screwed up this time.

[It was all he could say, really, but he meant every word. This proud young man who rarely gave way for anyone, who dug his heels in firmly to the ground he stood on he usually hurt himself in his own stubbornness, had no excuse for his words.

Because there was no way to explain what frightened him without exposing things he wasn't ready to say. It was one thing to say them to Haruhi, to a source that, if she told anyone, would be dismissed. Tamaki Suoh was quite another matter.

And yet, it hurt far more than anything had in a long time to know what he had done, how far he'd gone in protecting himself, in denying what he was. He hadn't touched the cup of tea he'd brought for himself, and he rose without doing so. It was an insult to sit here and drink it, act like this was some friendly quarrel.]

I just needed to say it to you.

I'm sorry.

[That was all he could do without making an imposition of himself. ~~Further.~~ So, he gave a small, formal bow and headed for the door.]

Ne, Kyouya..

[His eyes lifted a bit. Hoping that it would stop his friend on his tracks. He didn't want Kyouya to leave him. He never wished for it. But he wasn't sure what he could say to Kyouya. Though he had to say something to make it less awkward between them. As always, he'd rather hurt himself than push Kyouya away from himself.]

It was a joke...

[The heaviest words Tamaki could ever utter. Because it was not. He really thought that perhaps his friend felt more than friendship towards him. But he was a fool to assume. What interest would he have of Tamaki? He'd gain no merit from kissing Tamaki nor would he gain any merit from having feelings for him.]

...don't worry.

Don't lie.

[The would-be admonishment was said gently, almost warmly. But Kyouya had stopped.

Now wasn't the time to hide, to stay in his walls and ice. He'd done that earlier... And here they were.

Tamaki deserved whatever warmth he could muster. Something to repay the years he'd given his friend, a friend who had never done anything worthwhile to earn them.]

I upset you. That's plenty of reason to worry.

[He meant it. Every single word. He knew he needed to bare his soul, confess everything...

But he was too afraid of himself to do that.]

I overreacted.

...And was a total jackass.

[That was warm. Tamaki felt the warmth in Kyouya's words. He felt how sorry his friend was at that moment. Tamaki's eyes grew a little bigger as he looked back at his friend.

For a few moments he was silent, but shortly after a smile started revealing itself. Not his usual sort of smile. But enough to show Kyouya that he was getting through Tamaki. Moments later he spoke once more.]

Why were you so upset Kyouya?

[After all, if Kyouya was insisting that Tamaki didn't do anything wrong, he had to know what upset Kyouya so. Because in theory, it was Tamaki who was supposed to be upset because he was the one who had his kiss stolen.]

Because I was afraid.

[Not easy to say. Not in the least. But Tamaki deserves the truth. Or as much of the truth as Kyouya can manage.]

If we'd been acting as hosts? I wouldn't have cared.

Half our guests at Ouran, especially my regulars, think I'm in love with you or Mori-senpai or Hikaru and Kaoru. Some think Haruhi, but not as many.

As hosts? If that had happened? Easy. A small smile, walk away. Leave them wondering.

But we didn't have guests. We weren't hosts.

[Which complicated things.

And Haruhi hadn't known. Maybe none if his friends knew what he thought was obvious.]

One of these days... It's not going to be you asking. It will be someone... Someone who's figured it out. That I... have no interest in girls.

And they'll be asking to hurt me. [To destroy me.] And that's...

I know you won't ever do that to me, but that's all I heard. So I... I tried to protect myself.

Unfortunately, I do that by trying to hurt the person who scared me. Even if that person is you.

But we are your friends.. I'm you're good friend, aren't I? I would never dream of hurting you.

[Now he understood a little more. Smiled a little more. Until there was the sudden realization.]

You have no interest in what...?

Edited 2014-02-15 11:55 (UTC)

[Did Kyouya just say that he had no interest in girls?]

If.. if not girls...

[That would mean he liked boys...]

I did.... I never knew.

[He's Kyouya's bestfriend and he didn't know. How stupid. How stupid.

His eyes had to settle at the sight of Kyouya before it truly dawned on him.]

So this means, there's a possibility of you liking me.... or Mori, or Kaoru or Honey, or Hikaru?

[Kyouya waits. Quietly and patiently, he waits. Watches as Tamaki parses through what he said and waits. Sees the realization and waits.

Once he's done, Kyouya can't help himself. He's chuckling. Quiet and reserved, not full amusement. But it's something.

Somehow, he's not surprised.]

I assumed the whole club knew.

[Confirmation without really answering the last question.]

And I'm... [His smile fades.] I'm just waiting for the day my father finds out.

[Tamaki knew how the Otori house was run, what the patriarch was like, what he expected, and what the price was for disappointing.]

I know you'd never hurt me. I know that if anything ever happened, you'd protect me. But that...

That scared me enough to kill any sense I had about the source. I was just afraid.

[Tamaki shifted a couple of times. Before he pulled his eyes wide open and glared at Kyouya as he usually did back home.]

Kyouya!!!!

[He huffs a bit... scooting over a little to make space for Kyouya on his bed. But he still looked at Kyouya with a shocked expression.]

YOU DON'T ASSUME THIS SORT OF THINGS!

[Tamaki was right about this. Kyouya should have mentioned something.]

Of course I'd protect you! I'd always protect you!

[The best way he can. Though it couldn't compare to Kyouya's manner of protection, Tamaki would still try.]

We're you're friends. And you're safe with us!

[At seeing Tamaki scoot over a bit to make room for him, Kyouya has to smile, just a little. Because whatever else might have been said or done, that told him he was forgiven. No loud scene from Tamaki, no statement over and over. For as theatrical as Tamaki could be, it was the small gestures -- the little movements, the quiet words -- that said the most about him and his opinions on matters.

And that movement says what Kyouya needs to hear.

A few moments later, he sits. One foot on the ground, one on the bed, body slightly leaned against his knee. No rigidity in his spine, his head bowed. A posture of surrender, not defiance.]

I thought the whole club knew, not that it really matters.

[He hears it only after he says it. That sounded very much like Haruhi.

Except it means more. For her, it is a simple statement of belief. It doesn't matter to her. Boy or girl, straight or gay, rich or poor. None of that matters to her. A person is a person. For him, the same is true, when everything else is stripped away. But it's also something deeper. The same thing that led him to explain to Fuyumi that it didn't matter if he was happy or unhappy. He was an Otori, one who had set himself apart and defied his family order. To stray further was dangerous. So, it didn't matter what he wanted or what he was attracted to, there were standards he had to meet.]

I know I can trust all of you. Even the twins. [Their mischief had a line of malice sometimes, but they knew there were lines.] I just... didn't hear the joke. Not until later.

Because I keep waiting for the day I actually get asked a question like that and I have to defend myself. Against someone who wants to hurt me. So, I panicked. And overreacted.

I had no right to do that to you.

I... I'm sorry, Tamaki.

Of course it matters to us! Because you matter to us!

[These were genuine words. Because he truly did care about Kyouya and wanted to know more about him. At least today, he was able to learn one more thing about Kyouya.

Finally he let Kuma-chan fall to his pillow as he took the cup of tea from the cupboard and motioned for Kyouya to drink his tea as well. He listened cautiously to Kyouya's words as he blew on his tea.

There was a soft chuckle when he heard the mention of the twin's name. It wasn't easy to trust them completely. Though Tamaki did trust them enough to know they won't do anything that truly harmed Tamaki.

When the apology was uttered, Tamaki leaned his head on Kyouya's shoulders. Of course he forgave Kyouya. He knew how sorry Kyouya was, and he can actually feel it.

He was quiet for a few moments until there was another realization from Kyouya's words. He didn't hear Tamaki's words as a joke. He had to defend himself and panicked.

There was a short gasp before he pulled away briefly and gazed at Kyouya's dark eyes.]

If you didn't hear it as a joke... then that means. That means...

Don't be egotistical.

[Here, though, is the lighter tone. The one that says he's teasing, not insulting. Amused, not defensive.

He punctuates the words by ruffling Tamaki's hair.]

It means I know people think it. And I know, eventually, someone's going to get that idea in their head and mean it as an accusation.

Like my brothers.

[Though he knew all their dirty little secrets. They couldn't touch him.

He couldn't quite bring himself to say it, to admit everything. That would change things, and that was terrifying. Kaoru preferred to leave the enchantment alone; Kyouya wasn't sure he disagreed.

It had to end eventually. Why break it himself?]

[Oh he can hear Kyouya's words and yet his face showed otherwise. There was a light reddening on his cheeks as he spoke his next few words.]

Kyouya has a crush on me!

[Very light words as not to offend Kyouya this time. He also giggled a bit at Kyouya's fingers. He had always enjoyed Kyouya's touch some how. Perhaps it was his way of cheering up Kyouya. This was like a vacation for them. A place were Kyouya can rest his mind body and soul from all the horrors waiting for him when he comes home to his family. There was nothing more Tamaki wanted in the world than to make Kyouya happy and take him away from his family which never understands.]

[Ready for it and not jarred beforehand by a kiss he never meant to give, Kyouya only rolls his eyes and chuckles at the teasing remark.

When they leave this place, all Hell is going to break loose. Tamaki defied his grandmother; Kyouya defied his father.

Which he's never actually told his friends...

Well. It's a better topic than this.]

My father was going to sell the Otori Group. To Grand Tonnerre.

Sell...to Eclair's family???

[That almost made Tamaki spew his tea. Thankfully he was able to swallow the tea in time. He looked back at Kyouya with a shocked expression.]

But that's the company you've been working to get right?

[All that hard work, all those sleepless nights - for nothing?]

That means either you or I would have to marry Eclair just to take back your company....

Out of the family and out of the country.

[The amount of disdain Kyouya felt for the decision came through in his voice, despite his honest attempt to keep his tone even.

The shame in losing the company and letting it leave Japan vindicated him. At least, he felt so. His father would probably disagree. Because it was all the more shameful that his student son had done what neither older brother or patriarch could do.]

However, Grand Tonnerre was outbid and didn't fight it. So, the company remains in Japan.

My father was even given management control back. Financial control remains with the buyer.

Edited 2014-02-16 05:28 (UTC)

But that is just management right?

[Tamaki knew what that meant. He had taken enough Management and Business subjects in Ouran to understand the repercussions of that statement. He looked at Kyouya with an exaggerated frown on his face.]

But Kyouya that still doesn't solve your problem. It means somebody else took the company from your family! What will happen to you when we get back home?

[Kyouya gives a small smile.

He isn't prone to boasting. Being consistently at the head of his class is simply expected. His wealth is just a matter of fact. But this. Well. This is the single most impressive and most dangerous thing he's ever done. Certainly the boldest move he's ever made.

Having done it still surprises him. The consequences still worry him. His family can't disown him, wouldn't dare, but he knows he's set himself up to be the black sheep. That he has overstepped his boundaries. But it was worth it to salvage his family's pride.

It isn't like he's lost much. He never had their approval to begin with.]

I imagine I'll have a very busy third year of high school. I didn't expect to own a company before I was out of high school.

[There was an excruciatingly long pause. Tamaki gazed at Kyouya with his jaw hanging dramatically. His face the picture of absolute astonishment.

Of course he believed in Kyouya greatly. He was always amazing and always in the top of their class. But for him to generate enough funds to buy their own company and saving it from getting taken over by a foreign investor, Tamaki was absolutely speechless.

A few moments later, he bumped his shoulder playfully at Kyouya's shoulder.]

How could you!

[And here he was absolutely worried about Kyouya.]

[He heard the gloating but Tamaki just gave Kyouya a gentle smile as always. He was happy for Kyouya. This meant that he got his dream. Or at least he was able to achieve the one thing that was always used to bait him to do better. Now there was one thing less Kyouya had to worry about and it made Tamaki happy.]

Seems like a certain company owner owes me a drink or a small celebration party.

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