Disclaimer/Note: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club, or any of the characters used in this story. They belong to the series' creator. This story was written solely for the amusement of those choosing to read it, and no copyright infringement was intended. All original ideas/concepts and the story itself are original (duh) and belong to me. Do not steal. This story has slash, and is unbeta'd. Enjoy.

When You're Sleepy

Morinozuka Takashi had always been affected by seasonal changes, especially when it came to autumn. If he stopped moving, sat down by a window, perhaps, or was at his desk too long, his mind would start to wander, his lids beginning to droop. But he could not truly sleep while sitting up, and so he would relax into a half-conscious dream state, eyes open but reflexes dulled and tongue loose. Sometimes, he babbled, a trait which his friends found to be most alarming. Mori – as he was affectionately called – was a naturally quiet and somber young man, and to see him smile and laugh like that seemed to go against their belief that he was truly a robot.

Not that he was aware enough to notice, of course, because it was autumn now. His affliction had returned in full force while he sat beneath the shadow of the courtyard trees, staring up at the clear sky between the branches and feeling thankful that it was not raining. Kendo practice was over, but he could not motivate himself to the point of going back to the Host Club. Surely, he had clients waiting, and Mitsukuni would be worried if he was away for too long. None the less, Morinozuka did not want to leave. It was quiet and peaceful here, and surely a nap would do him some good. . .

He did not realize that he had company until the other boy's designer book bag fell to the ground next to his hand.

Morinozuka turned his head slowly, regarding the new arrival in the flashes between apathetic fatigue: spiked and styled orange-brown hair pushed back out of the way of mischievously bright eyes; light skin, unmarred by the changes of puberty; the school uniform, jacket open and shirt tails hanging out over the waistband of the boy's pants. He could not tell if it was the younger or the older of the Hitachiin twins that grinned down at him, but it hardly seemed to matter. Where one went, the other was sure to follow.

"You're late," the boy said, nudging Morinozuka's leg with one foot and cocking his head to one side. It made the older boy think of the way small children inspected something dead; the reenactment could only have been more convincing had the first-year poked him with a stick. He would have to mention that to him later. ". . .Aren't you bored?"

The Hitachiin flopped to the ground next to him, one leg drawn up as the other sprawled out on the grass in front of him. Morinozuka let his gaze drift back upwards to the sky, intent on ignoring his new companion. But this was one of the Hitachiin brothers, and they would not be ignored.

"I bet you're thinking about how nice the weather is, or what Hunny's up to," came the idle comment, slim fingers toying with a newly fallen leaf. "Or maybe you're wondering what's going on at the Host Club without you; do you ever wonder about stuff like that? Like, what do people say when you're not there? Especially the people who you think know you the best. Do you ever wonder if they know you at all? Or if they're just imagining a different part of themselves, with your voice and face?"

". . . Nikujaga."

The boy blinked at the strange outburst, looking to the other as if the third-year had just grown a second head. Morinozuka glanced over, a small sleepy smile playing on his lips. The Hitachiin boy's mouth moved silently for a moment, trying to find the words that would not come. Morinozuka continued:

"I was thinking that I would like to have nikujaga after school, once I get home," he stated seriously, brows furrowing slightly. "Haruhi explained the dish to Mitsukuni earlier, and I thought that it sounded interesting. Have you ever heard of nikujaga, Kaoru?"

He was guessing at the name, figuring that he had a fifty percent chance of getting it right. A tiny sound caught in the boy's throat, and Morinozuka wondered at his luck. Kaoru shook his head, his silence acting as a signal for Morinozuka to keep talking. The older boy complied with a growing smile, a slight edge to his words adding the tell-tale sign of drowsiness taking its toll.

"It's made with beef, potatoes, sugar, soy sauce, benito, and onions. Common people fry it. Would you like to try it with me?"

". . .That sounds disgusting. I'd rather have hot tar dripped up my nose. You're better off asking m'Lord; he loves commoner food."

"I'd rather eat it with you."

Kaoru paused, looking at the older boy skeptically. Then, he leaned his head against Morinozuka's shoulder, sighing deeply. Perhaps it was a sigh of defeat, but more than likely, it was an exhalation of sincere exasperation. Morinozuka rested his cheek against the upward curve of Kaoru's forehead, eyes closing. Maybe, with the added company, he could manage to sleep while sitting up. It was worth a try. As he began to drift off, he was dimly aware of the younger twin's words.

". . .I like you so much better when you're sleepy."