Tamaki and Haruhi [COMPLETE]

[kingtamaki.livejournal.com]

Who: Tamaki (kingtamaki and Haruhi (haruhifujioka)
Where: The ballroom
When: During the ball
Rating: G
Summary: Haruhi shows up to the ball in a dress. Tamaki, delighted beyond (coherent) words, asks to be her escort.
The Story:
Earlier that day she had received an anonymous box. Inside had been a note, attached to it the attire she was now wearing. She wondered what had changed sempai's mind. Probably his obsession with wanting her to be a girl again. She never quite understood what the point was. Male or female clothing she was still Haruhi Fujioka, and no amount of layers of fabric could change the fact that she just didn't care about this sort of thing ... or for it for that matter.

This was the second time that she wondered why she was going to this. She wasn't being dragged, in fact her arms were completely bare, except for the light pink blush over her fingertips. Tonight was one if the days she wondered just what the house was getting out of doing these sorts of things to her. What emotion was it going to feed off from her in such a state, other then the fact that she was probably going to hurt a lot from the stupid heels that she was being forced to wear. Really, if the house was planning on dressing her up it should at least take into consideration that she didn't wear heels.

She stumbled the last few steps, bracing herself against the door as her pinned back hair came undone a little, the pieces falling into her face. It was going to be a long night. Maybe she could take the stupid things off before she broke her neck, or change into something more comfortable. Her eyes swept the room, looking for somewhere to sit quietly and ignore the fact that she was there in the first place. Maybe she should have brought a good book ...

Tamaki had just placed a glass of milk in front of little Yotsuba, then stood up straight to survey the room. There were a few more guests now. Two men, and a young lady, talking to one of the former. Excellent, socialization was under way. Oh, how he loved these kinds of events.

His ever-optimistic eyes swept back to the far door, where another young woman was entering. He couldn't say he recognized her; she was short, and wore a flowing brown dress and wore her hair up and back with some barrettes. He couldn't see her face, as she seemed to be busy focusing on where she was walking. She was unaccompanied; instinctively, he started to make his way over, then stopped dead in his tracks as he got a slightly better look at her. He couldn't move.

That girl...that stunning girl in the dark copper dress...was she...Haruhi?

Haruhi didn't look up. She was actually hiking her dress up enough so that she could have view of her shoes in order to walk properly. If there was one thing she could say with the utmost of certainty, it was that she hated heels. She never understood the use of them. She was short, this was a fact. The idea that she could manage to hide her shortness by wearing a pair of uncomfortable and really not practical shoes was just ridiculous. She wondered idly if this was actually some sort of torture device that had been set up years ago.

She walked slowly, trying to keep hold of her footing. She was going to be looking at her feet all night. She smacked into something high enough to hit her in the stomach. “Oof!” She bent slightly. She really was going to take her shoes off soon.

Tamaki kept staring as the girl (who had to be Haruhi) accidently ran into one of the drink tables. Thinking she hurt herself, Tamaki was brought out of his reverie. Well, almost. "Haru--" He started to rush over to assist her, but he'd barely taken even one step when he tripped over his own foot and fell to the floor.

She looked up just in time to see Tamaki fall flat on his face. “Sempai?” She questioned to no one in particular. She that that maybe that fall had to hurt and wondered if Tamaki had a bloody nose. This was all idle chitchat within her mind however as what she was doing externally was reaching down to remove her shoes. The act was enough to let the dress slide against the floor as she walked over to crouch beside the prone man. “Are you alright?”

He slowly looked up. No, he wasn't hurt from the fall; for that matter, Tamaki was probably too stunned to get a bloody nose from the sight of Haruhi. Embarrassed, he quickly jumped to his feet. "Ha-Haruhi!? Is that--why are you wearing a dress? Not that I mind terribly, but...ah...you look...you look...lovely." his voice faded and he just stared at her in awe, a blush crossing his handsome face.

Blinking several times she tilted her head just slightly to the left, causing her to see him at just slightly a right angle. Really, she wondered just why he seemed so suprised to see her wearing the dress. "Didn't you send it asking me to wear it?" She asked, blinking once for, for good measure of course.

"...Ah?" The poor boy was still a little distracted. "Send it to you? I...no." he blinked. She was gorgeous. His breath was caught somewhere between his lungs and his mouth. "I only asked you to wear a nice suit..."

She couldn't help the light copper frown that crossed her colored lips. Strange, if Tamaki hadn't sent it maybe it was someone else. Not Kyouya; there was nothing that he had to gain by her wearing a dress, in fact, he could almost lose something if people realized that she was a girl. Especially Renge. “Maybe it was Kaoru or Hikaru then.” She mused lightly, almost as if she had forgotten that he was there, not to mention forgetting that he was stammering like an idiot in front of her.

His blush became deeper after he actually took the time to think a moment. "Y-you wore that...because you thought it was from me?"

Haruhi thought about the statment for a moment before nodding. "I guess so. It came in a box with a note attached; I didn't think anyone else would care what I was wearing." She was being factual as usual.

"I...I see." he eyed the outfit again. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. To say that he was overwhelmed would be a bit of an understatement. "And what did the note say?"

She closed her eyes, thinking a moment before remembering. “Please wear this dress.” That was all. There was no signature nor any sort of indication aside from a white rose. Of course with Tamaki's fascination with roses she had assumed it was from him.

She looked around, wondering if Renge was there yet. “I should go back and change.” She turned around, the dress sweeping in an elegant motion against the floor and making a soft swishing sound as the folds rustled against one another.

His eyes widened immediately. "Ah--" he unconsciously reached out with his right hand to stop her, his fingers brushing against the fabric of the skirt. Blushing still, he straightened up and cleared his throat. "Haruhi, you don't have to--I mean..." he looked into her eyes. "...I would very much like it if...if you did wear this."

She stopped, blinking. "Alright. I think the house took all my other cloths anyway."

Tamaki tilted his head. "Why would it...?" he shrugged the thought aside and glanced around. Yotsuba seemed to have found someone to speak to. Tamaki wasn't sure who the woman was, but she seemed to be a nice person. He'd make sure to keep an eye on the little girl, though. It was his responsibility tonight, after all. He turned back to Haruhi as a new song began to play. "...Haruhi?"

"Yeah?"

He hesitated a moment, then bowed to her and (somewhat awkwardly) offered her his hand. "I would...be pleased to be your escort for the evening."

"I'm supposed to be an escort, aren't I?" She asked. This was just weird.

"...Usually, yes. But...I think, considering the circumstances..." he paused a moment and smiled. "Tonight, you're only supposed to be yourself."

"I'd rather pay off my debt then." She said simply. She didn't like it hanging over her the way it did.

He hesitated, his hand still offered out to her. His smile faded. "Haruhi...I'm not asking you as a member of the Host Club. I'm asking you as myself."

She paused, blinking. "I ..." She wasn't sure how to get it out.

He waited hopefully for her response.

"I guess."

He smiled and his eyes lit up. "...Wonderful!"

Oh, he was going to be acting like a puppy now; he often did that when he got his way. "I don't know how to dance."

"You learned to waltz, didn't you?" he gently took her hand in his. "Ah, no matter. I'll lead."

"That's ... what I mean."

He blinked, then smiled. "You only know the man's part. I see. Well..." He blushed a bit. "Just...follow my lead, okay?" He winked.

She felt as if she really couldn't say no. She nodded a little and stood there.

He led her out onto the dance floor, a grin on his face. He moved her so she was facing him, and placed his left hand on her hip. "Just follow me," he repeated, and took the first few steps.

She followed him clumsily, steping on his foot.

He smiled understandingly, and continued to dance.

She frowned, trying to cocentrate on the dance. She wondered if this was going to be a problem. After all, wasn't she supposed to be a boy?

Tamaki beamed as he twirled her around. No matter how awkward she seemed, she was beautiful.

But it still felt akward and she wondered why they were doing it.

He drew her a little closer as the beat changed. "I'm...really happy you decided to come, Haruhi."

She looked away, blushing a little. "Kyouya would have added it to my debt if I hadn't."

He smiled. "I wouldn't have let him..." If she didn't come, it would have been his fault anyway. He still felt incredibly awkward because of the incident in the kitchen, but he was trying his hardest not to show it. He didn't want to upset her.

She shrugged her bare shoulders casually. Really, it only mattered as far as paying off her debt. Otherwise it wouldn't matter.

Tamaki cleared his throat. "...If it were me, I'd reduce your debt by a third just for showing up looking as lovely as you do."

She glanced down, trying to hide her face without actually LOOKING like she was trying to hide it. "Sempai, that's stupid."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is it?"

"Yeah."

He gently twirled her around. "Well, stupid or not, it's the truth."

"You're soft in the head." She said simply, following his lead.

Tamaki smiled down at her and continued the dance.

Haru followed, her head still down.

He led her around some more until the song ended. "Would you like something to eat, Haruhi?" he offered. "We have ootoro on one of the tables~"

She blinked, hiding the excitement at the concept of the food. "I suppose I'll have a little."

He smiled, delighted. "Well then, let's head over to the tables. We have many other tasty foods prepared, too."

"Hmm." She allowed him to lead her towards the table.

He picked up one of the small plates and placed a few pieces of ootoro on it. He cheerfully turned to Haruhi and offered it to her. "Here, Haruhi!" he said, his voice filled with nothing but positive emotion. "Enjoy!"

She closed her eyes and took the ootoro in her mouth, pulling it off the fork with her lips.

He watched her with wide expectant eyes.

She chewed for a bit before swallowing. It was really good, so she smiled.

His smile widened. "It's good, right? Right?" His eyes lit up with delight.

She nodded a little.

Tamaki's immediate response was to fork more ootoro onto her plate. "Have as many as you like! How about a drink? Would you like a drink?"

She held up her hands in surrender. "Sempai, I can eat on my own."

He smiled sheepishly. "Ah, right. I'm sorry; I got a bit carried away. You just looked so happy..."

She looked confused. "I did?"

He gave a little nod.

"Oh."

He smiled at her. "...Are you?"

"..." She nodded a little.

"I'm glad."

"I know."

"...And I'm glad we could do this. I wanted to lift everyone's spirits, even if only a little."

"Maybe you're feeding the house too though." She mused, looking around the ballroom. She couldn't imagine it allowing him to do this without something in it for it's benifit.

He blinked. "...You...think so, Haruhi?" He didn't disbelieve her; rather, he greatly respected her knowledge. He just didn't like the idea.

"Probably."

His face fell. "..."

"Maybe it's something good though." She mused.

He looked at her thoughtfully. "I wonder..."

"I really don't know. Maybe I should find out more about haunted houses." She was talking more to herself. She needed to understand the house before she could find a way out of it. Maybe talkin to the Mad Hatter would be a better idea.

He smiled again. "...That's a good idea, Haruhi. I'll help, if you'd like." He had a lot of faith in her. She was the kind of person who probably would be able to find a way out somehow.

"I don't know if that wuold help. There's nothing in the library about it so I'll have to find people who know something about it."

"Whoever has been putting up those signs, maybe?"

".... signs?"

"Well," he said thoughtfully. "From time to time, these strange signs appear carved into some of the doors. They seem like riddles."

She nodded. "I think maybe the person writing them may know the answers."

He nodded in agreement. "Probably. ...He or she might be dangerous, though."

"Yeah. I think it's best I go by myself."

He took a deep breath. He couldn't say he hadn't been expecting her to say that, but... "Haruhi..."

"... what?" She didn't see a problem.

"...I believe in you," he said quietly. "But please...don't get yourself hurt."

"I doubt I will. I think the house needs us alive."

He frowned, still deeply concerned. He said nothing, only looking into her eyes.

She blinked.

"Be careful, Haruhi. And...if you need any help, I'll be here for you. Okay?"

"... okay."

He smiled again. A new song started to float down from the speakers, and he once again offered her his hand. "...May I have this dance, Haruhi?"

She frowned. "I guess." She took his hand. She really didn't like dancing.

He led her back out onto the dance floor. The song was moderately slow; she shouldn't have much difficulty.

True, but that didn mean she wanted to be out there.

"It's a short song, Haruhi...and it's the last." He looked into her eyes as they joined hands and started to sway.

"Oh." Well, at least there wouldn't be another one.

The last dance, he thought to himself. Here he was, trapped with his friends in a vast, mysterious, place with eerily supernatural qualities...yet...right here, in the middle of this grand ballroom, dancing with Haruhi, his heart was somehow completely at ease.