Steadier Footing

Chapter Five: Home life

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club, rights belong Bisco Hatori.

•—•—•

Haruhi had been sick in bed most of the day. Mori wasn't sure what to do. She resisted his attempts to call in the family doctor and any time he came into the room, her face turned a bright red. Finally, he broke down and called the twins. They knew her better than anyone else. Maybe she'd had this happen before. The phone rang three times before he got an answer.

"Mori-senpai?" Kaoru's voice was slightly muffled by the sound of loud dance music in the background.

"Hikaru-"

"No, it's Kaoru, Hikaru is busy."

"Haruhi is sick."

"Really? Hold on," in the background, Kaoru calls for his brother, urging him to hurry up. The music in the background lowers to a muffled roar.

"Okay, I put you on speaker. What's wrong with Haruhi?"

Mori relayed her symptoms to the brothers.

•—•—•

Halfway across the world, the twins share a look. This was an all too familiar situation. Years ago, Tamaki had fallen ill and the only thing that could cure him was a kiss from Haruhi. After they had started dating, he'd begun a habit of faking "love-sickness" just so she would kiss him. Hikaru let out a knowing sigh. It pained him to know how to solve this problem. His brother gave him a pitying look.

"Look, we don't know what's wrong. Just let her sleep or something." Annoyance is more than clear in Hikaru's voice. He hangs up the phone before anyone gets another chance to talk.

"Let's go Kaoru."

"Hika–," Kaoru began before getting cut off.

"I don't want to hear it. Let's go dance."

•—•—•

Mori sighed, exasperated. He didn't want to call Ranka-san and worry him, but he didn't feel he had any other choice. Ranka answered immediately.

"Ah, hello! How is my little Haruhi faring? I wish she could stay here, but I've been busy with work all week!" Mori explained, for the second time that night, Haruhi's symptoms. Ranka made squealing noise.

"Oh, my poor darling! I haven't the the slightest idea what could be wrong with her." This was a lie. He knew exactly what was going on.

"Kiss my little girl goodnight for me, okay?" They said their goodbyes, and Mori was left blushing and just as confused as before. The mere thought of kissing her made him flush.

Mori peeked inside the bedroom. The door had been left open just enough to see inside. She was asleep, her face still red from the fever. He stepped in slowly, careful not to make any noise. Once he was next to the bed, her peered at her soft features. Mori reached out, surprising himself, and brushed hair off of her face. Suddenly, he leaned down. Mere inches from her forehead, she became even more irresistible. Her father wanted him kiss her goodnight anyways, right? He knew he shouldn't but it's not like she would ever know. Besides, it wasn't a real kiss anyways. Mori fought his inner turmoil.

"Mo..ri?" He froze. Below him, Haruhi was looking up at him half awake.

"What are you doing?"

"Ah... Your father wanted me to kiss you goodnight."

"Oh," she rubbed her eyes sleepily. "Oh. Uh, you really don't have to, it's okay. I'll be fine I promise." By now, Mori had made up his mind. Before he could give it a second thought, he leaned down and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Good night," and with that, he walked out of the room.

•—•—•

"What do you mean Haruhi hasn't returned home yet? She must have!" Hosokawa struggled to keep his feelings contained. He'd worked so hard to establish contact with such a beautiful specimen and now she was practically missing. This must be that Mori's doing. She was practically glued to him.

"Sir, no one has entered or exited her home all week."

"Alright, just... keep me updated." Hosokawa let out a low sigh and rubbed his temples before hanging up. He wandered aimlessly around the room. Haruhi, oh why did she have to be so hard to contain? He was so close to making her his. Three curt knocks on his bedroom door pulled him from his reverie. Lunch must be prepared. He makes his way to the dining room and sits.

"Akio."

"Mother."

"How are your grades faring?"

"I am second in my year."

"Do better. Have you selected a wife?"

"Yes, mother."

"And?"

"She hasn't agreed– yet." Silverware clanks loudly on the fine dish.

"You need to sort things out soon before I sort them out for you. How am I to expect you to take over the firm if you continue being this incompetent fool? Your father would be disappointed." Her lecture continues for multiple minutes before she settles, taking a deep breath.

"Mother–," she holds up on finger, stopping him.

"Go." Quickly, Hosokawa leaves the room. Behind him, he can hear his mother sigh unhappily.

Lousily, he slumped back into his desk chair. There had to be something… What sort of thing would Haruhi be interested in doing alone? Another lunch outing was clearly out of the question. Yes, that was it! Mentally, he cheered himself on. Pulling out his phone, he prepared a message. A study date before they started class up again. There was no way she would turn him down. Now satisfied, he showered and went to bed. Today hadn't been too bad after all, unbeknownst to him, Haruhi felt the same way.

A/N: Sorry it's been so long since I updated, and that this chapter is so short… I have really bad writer's block for this story. I'm still teetering on how I feel about the Mori/Haruhi scene, I wanted it to be fluffy, but it kind of ended up cringy. Leave a review if you like, I love and welcome anything you have to say! (I'll try to update sooner next time)