The room is quiet, save for the closing zip of Haruhi's suitcase. The sound is succinct and to-the-point, much like the majority of her life these days. To put a brief halt in routine to support Holograph, the new fashion label created by their very own Kaoru, was no small thing for Haruhi, who sinks so easily into work when left to her own devices. Not that the rest of the former host club members were any different, and here they were now, each of them physically present to celebrate on Kaoru's behalf.

And yes, more often than not, these days Haruhi is very much overcome by her own devices. Such is the enveloping nature of being a lawyer while chiseling away at glass ceilings. That isn't to suggest she isn't up to the challenge, or savoring the accolades that accompany success. In a move that would no doubt have surprised her mother as much as it would make her proud, Haruhi has chosen to focus on corporate law. It's the sort of work that's allowed her—a single, career-oriented woman just short of thirty—to allocate a portion of her earnings toward the demographics and causes her own mother had once championed.

Now, on the brink of returning to her self-fashioned daily grind, she's pulled out of her reverie only after noticing a knock at her door. It's a pleasant discovery to find Kyoya on the other side. Moving to the side, Haruhi gives him a once-over, comparing Kyoya's broad, yet lithe figure to how he'd appeared in his younger, equally ambitious days. Making quick work of her assessment, Haruhi snaps her attention toward his eyes, lest she put herself into an awkward situation.

"I'd thought everyone else had already left."

"Save for the twins, they have." Kyoya confirms while heading straight for the window, arms relaxed across his chest. Always across his chest. "There was a flight delay, and I figured since we're both still here I'd drop in and say goodbye."

"You came in your own plane."

He smiles now, not for having been caught playing with semantics, but simply for the deftness of Haruhi's reply.

"Be that as it may, it'd be rude of me to still be lingering and not come by."

She eyes him slowly, enjoying their banter, and the whimsical nature of his visit, especially since Haruhi knows full well that Kyoya Ootori does not do whimsical.

"Company is nice, thanks. I'm not due to leave for the airport for another hour or so."

"You know, you and Mori are the only two that haven't left Tokyo."

Haruhi makes an affirmative noise. It's a fact that hasn't escaped her, either, and she is occasionally left wondering when or if she can expect visits home from any number of her old, longest running friends.

"Takashi's been so good to have around, too. I guess we're technically colleagues now, to boot, but I'm just thankful to have someone in my field whose judgment and objectives I always know I can trust."

"Indeed." Haruhi's words contain such unquestionable clarity that it's obvious she throws a mask over nothing. It's enough that Kyoya almost feels guilty for probing in the first place, though it isn't as if he harbors ill intentions.

"And you!" she chirps. "Last night you mentioned that you're coming home to stay, so that had best mean we'll be seeing more of you, too."

"Ideally." Kyoya drawls while making room for Haruhi, who finally strolls slowly up to the windowsill and makes herself comfortable beside him. "I imagine my time analyzing funds and sitting on the board for the Ootori Group is going to involve eighty hour work weeks, but I'm sure some of that work can be done independently alongside other workaholics who take their work home with them."

"You can't work all the time."

"I see. And are you meant to be the pot or the kettle in this scenario?"

Haruhi's laughter has long since endeared itself unto him, and now it serves to remind Kyoya how important it is to grasp onto even the smallest of pleasantries life has to offer.

For her part, Haruhi won't pretend to have not noticed Kyoya's proximity over the past several days; that even while there had been enough of everybody's attention to go around, that somehow he would inevitably end up near her. Nor will Haruhi deny that she'd used this very observation as an excuse to place herself closer to him.

Had any of their friends taken notice, they'd chosen discretion over inquiry.

It all comes to a head, however, when reminiscing over the trip sparks Kyoya's memory, and a sudden interest in testing a recently developed theory.

"I noticed this morning how Hikaru had been playing around with you."

"Yeah? I can't say I remember which particular moment since he's almost always goofing around with me."

"It was during talk of fittings and whatnot. You lauded him for not complaining about his mother having easier access to you than he does as a model, but the look on your face when he flicked a hand toward you was rather suspect. It was a bit a shock, is all."

"Nah." Her tone is dismissive and relaxed as she recalls the moment. Leaning her forearm against his, she lightly jostles Kyoya, who's still intent on the scenery outside the window. "He knows I hate for anyone to touch my neck. I teased him, so he went ahead and teased back."

"I see. I don't seem to recall you having space issues before."

"I don't."

"You just don't want anyone touching your neck."

"Pretty much."

"Interesting."

"If you say so."

"I wonder then," Challenge sparks grey eyes as Kyoya turns and effectively captures Haruhi's attention. "If you disapprove of just anyone touching your neck? Perhaps you might not mind if someone were to, instead."

He doesn't wait for Haruhi to protest, as one hand gently sweeps the hair away from her shoulder, that he might lay a kiss above a delicate collar bone. One kiss is swiftly followed by another, his breath ghosting upward until his mouth rests beneath her ear.

Haruhi's reaction is immediate, with one hand gripping the windowsill while the other grabs onto Kyoya's wrist that rests on her shoulder. Petite fingers hold steady as they meld over top of his own, and Kyoya's lips curve into a smile against her neck before breaking away.

No doubt it feels good to be right, but oh, how this feels exponentially better.

Admiring the rose flush that's taken her over from head to chest, Kyoya rests his forehead to Haruhi's while one thumb works to dry where his lips previously lay. A moment passes wherein he does little more than stare into her eyes.

Years of friendship and correspondence run through his mind alongside the fascination of having Haruhi unflinchingly gaze right back into him. It's all the gumption he needs to be the next to speak.

"If I were to ask you on a date, would you oblige me by waiting another six weeks?"

Though Kyoya stands firm, Haruhi can feel the unmistakable coil of tension in the hand resting beneath her own. She answers in little more than a whisper while slotting their fingers together.

"If you want to find out, you'll have to ask me."

.

.

So I was just sitting there tonight, and all of a sudden Kyoya & Haruhi had so much to say. Boy howdy, it's been a long time.

I hope you enjoyed part one of two, and that you're doing well. Thanks for reading!