Midnight

He was walking down the halls slowly. Maybe he should have hurried a bit but crawling out of bed was the only thing he actually managed to do and if the Lord wasn't happy with that, he would get really disappointed. He had never been invited, after all. The only thing that kept the younger sibling from completely ignoring him was what his mother had desperately been trying to tech him about being a good host.

And, annoying and coming in the absolutely worst time as he was, Tamaki was still his guest.

He finally drew close to the waiting room when the soft sounds reached him.

He held in his tracks just outside the door, still being hidden behind the wall. He couldn't see him, but he could hear him. He could hear his music.

He would never disagree that their King had unbelievable talent. It showed in everything he did. He could be a great host and a kind person all of the time if he didn't give into his childish behavior.

And when he sat himself in front of a piano, that behavior seemed to completely disappear.

And the music was beautiful, coming naturally from his heart and catching everyone who listened to it in a beautiful net of emotions.

But suddenly memories of yesterday rushed at Kaoru and his hands rushed up to cover his ears. Come to think of it he had played for Kyouya, too. He had played back then…

Hikaru's words were suddenly repeating in his mind. And not only last night's words, but things he had said long before, things that Kaoru had -remembered-. And suddenly the beautiful accords were torture for him, trapping him into a world of the feelings he had been trying to lock away.

He didn't know when he had leaned against the wall and his hands had moved to his eyes, but he was suddenly cuddled up and the music was overtaking his senses once more.

It was then when he realized the burning in his eyes and the moisture at the corners.

So he rushed up and ran. His vision was hardly really blurred, so he quickly made his way to the closest bathroom, kicked the door open and splashed water in his face. When he finally slowed down, he looked into the mirror and only then he realized how bad he looked.

He was panting just a little from the sudden rush, his hear had been completely messed up by his hands and his eyes were a little red with dark circles underneath them. Not to mention he was pale.

He clenched his eyes.

I'm not crying!

It seemed to work after a few deep breaths and he finally looked up again. He couldn't appear like that. Sure, his natural complexion was returning, but his eyes looked terrible.

He quickly took out the concealer he always had with him and applied a little over the dark spots, successfully hiding them from view.

He then fished a comb from under the sink and put his hair back in order.

Finally done with that, he inspected himself in the mirror.

Better…

If someone was to really look into it, they would probably notice some difference but Tamaki was never an observant person, so he could be considered safe.

With that in mind, he put away the comb and hid the concealer back into his pocket. It was much less dangerous to be hidden behind the make up. He had picked that up from his mother.

And, come to think of it, she was here for a while now. She had probably seen the Lord and had been in the room.

That would mean she would never be able to say a bad word for him. The woman absolutely loved art in any form. Whatever stupid thing Tamaki did from here on would be forgotten and forgiven in a matter of seconds.

Well, at least he wouldn't have to worry about that now.

And come to think of it, this was the first time the King met his mother.

Well, it could have been worse…

He finally made his way out of the bathroom and towards the place he had left them. When he entered, though, there was only a maid in the room, adjusting the music sheets that stood on the grand piano.

"Where's the Lord?" He asked a little surprised.

"The Mistress invited him for breakfast and they are currently in the first dining room, sir," she immediately answered.

"Thank you."

With that he quickly made his way down another corridor until the soft laughter of his mother's voice finally reached him some five steps away from said room.

"You certainly have interesting ideas, Mr. Suoh," she said as he finally entered the room.

"Oh, please, Madam, call me simply Tamaki," the president had that charming smile that only Haruhi was immune to. And, of course, it worked perfectly on his mother.

"Morning," said the twin to turn their attention to his arrival. His mother immediately smiled at him.

"Morning, darling!" She exclaimed. "Kaoru, why have you never introduced me to this splendid young man?" Yes, she had most certainly been listening to him play. "I hear you've been friends for some years now!"

"You've been away for most of those years," shrugged the red haired boy as he turned to a servant with his preferences for his meal, before seating himself on the table across from the Lord.

"You show extraordinary skills, Madam!" Exclaimed same blond. "May I ask you how you are able to tell the difference between your perfectly identical twins?"

Well, at least Tamaki was in 'formal' mode, which meant he really didn't have worry about anything he might do. That was good.

"Oh, no, no, in all honesty, I can't tell the difference when they don't want me too, despite of being their mother," she waved he hand as to dismiss that little fact. "But since Hikaru is absent for the weekend, it's simple to know that the one at home is Kaoru."

"Absent?" There was clear confusion in the lavender eyes of their guest and as his food was brought Kaoru chose to concentrate on that and let the two have their conversation.

"Oh, didn't you know, Tamaki? Hikaru went on a trip. Although I am a little surprised myself. Are you feeling alright, Kaoru? I heard from him that you were sick."

"Yeah, as sick as I was in Karuizawa," muttered the twin, not happy that he had to be dragged in the conversation.

"You were sick during your holiday?" Was his mother pretending to be stupid?

"No, I acted sick to set Hikaru and Haruhi on a date." The truth was so much easier to deal with sometimes.

"Wha- You mean that Hikaru's in Nagoya?" Exclaimed the Lord and golden eyes turned at him in silent surprise.

"You knew Haruhi's going to Nagoya, Milord?" Kaoru raised a single brow in contemplation.

So if he knew that and he was still here… Maybe the thing between him and the Kyouya was more than what he had given credit for.

Either that or Tamaki's feelings for Haruhi were as fake as he had thought them to be.

"But of course I knew," exclaimed the blond. "How can I not keep track of my sweet little daughter!"

Golden eyes widened just a little at the defensiveness of his voice.

Or maybe his feelings weren't fake at all. They were exactly what he made them look like. All he thought of Haruhi was as a daughter figure, as someone he had to defend and teach and push forward.

It was so foolish that he had never thought of it that way, but it did make sense to him now. It wasn't only an act.

It isn't only a spell. Maybe that's why it works so perfectly…

He knew his mother would pay big attention to the 'daughter' proclamation, so he hurried up to bring something else up before she did.

"So, Milord, why are you here, anyway?"

Not that he needed to know. It was plainly obvious. After all that was what the declaration of a 'surprise' had been for. To prove things even more. Because, on his own, Tamaki would never get too worried about it but Kyouya had most certainly considered their possible actions and asked him, or manipulated him into proposing to keep them from anything during the weekend.

He had expected that, of course. But he needed something to distract his mother. And he was a little curious about what the other's excuse would be.

"Aren't I allowed to come and see how you devilish twins are doing without a reason?" That caused his mother to chuckle.

"No." He answered flatly, bursting the king's bubble. He was all but surprised Tamaki didn't go sulking in his little corner.

"Well, then, you've got me," he said with a look that would have made any girl forget the initial question. "In truth, I was wondering if you could assist me with something."

And from the sparkle in the lavender eyes he knew that it was something he had actually been planning and something that concerned either Haruhi or the Host Club.

'What is it?" Kaoru asked just a little curious, leaning against the table.

"You've taken some art classes before, haven't you?" He nodded, wondering where that was going to. The classes had been short since he grew bored of it quite soon. Hikaru had also gone with him, at that time. He didn't know if he'd agree to join him if he started anew, though. "Well, I've been wondering if you could help me with creating some original costumes for the Club."

"Original costumes, Milord?" Oh, he had to agree he hadn't seen that one coming. The king always came up with the craziest ideas, although this could actually end up to be something good for a change.

"Yes!" he exclaimed excitedly and there was that look on his face that looked like it would fit an eager child better. "We're going to one of Honey's family villas next weekend, so I was thinking of having a surprise for everybody! I wanted to make something like a costume party, but I'm not good in designing that much. So I thought I should come to ask for your help! What do you say?"

"Oh, but that's a splendid idea," his mother clapped her hands and she looked almost as excited as the Host King. "If you boys can make the designs by tomorrow night I'll have the costumes done by Friday, how does that sound? And I've always wanted to see what Kaoru could come up with in that field!"

"Thank you so much, Madam!" The most innocent and honest smile appeared on Tamaki's face. "I'm so happy I have your approval!" He grabbed her hand eagerly.

She laughed a little while Kaoru couldn't help the soft smile.

"I guess we could do that," he said, earning a bright and happy look from the Lord. "How about we go to the second mansion after breakfast and I'll show you the collection of mother's designs. We could pick what we like and change it as much as we want."

"That would be wonderful! Thank you, Kaoru!"