in the midst of a crowd going and coming

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya is trying to work, sitting on a couch near the ballroom.]

[Status report:

-Headphones: around the neck, chiming out performances by Martha Argerich, Idil Biret, and Arthur Rubinstein.
-Notebook: in hand, being written in.
-Pile of broken pens: rather large and to the left.
-Pen in hand: just now snapping under the pressure of his thumb.]

[Kyouya sighs and puts the broken pen in the pile.] Meritless. [It is a word that means the same to him as violent curses mean to others.]

[Blindly, he reaches out to the right for a new pen. He grabs nothing.]

[His eyes narrow on the empty space where new pens should be. From the look on his face, it would not be ridiculous to infer that every pen manufacturer in Japan will be exiled from the country if a new pen does not miraculously appear in his hands within the next minute.]

Comments

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I don't want him to leave again.

[he pauses, and then picks his own bear up and puts it on his lap so he can scoot over and take the spot beside Kyouya. He tries to get a look at his notes]

We should have ootoro for Haruhi. I'll pay for it myself, since you don't want to use club resources. Maybe some traditional Japanese cuisine, too, since it's a traditional Japanese festival. Something spicy.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

You don't need to find something to appease me. But I'd be happy to let you take the full costs of this event.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[blinks, confused]

It's not to appease you. I just want everyone to have fun again.

[but then he smiles easily]

But of course, it would be my pleasure to pay for everything. In fact, you should just relax and leave all the planning to me!

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

That would not let me relax.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

What would let you relax?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya genuinely considers this. As a rule, he doesn't bother relaxing, so it's hard to think of something that would actually help him relax.]

I'm not really interested in something that does.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[Tamaki considers this as well, and then smiles, satisfied with his logic]

Then if you're not interested in relaxing, there's no reason you shouldn't let me take care of all the planning!

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[flatly] Never.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[deflates instantly] Mommy's so...

[he stops though, deep in thought, and then instantly recovers from his sulking]

Ah, I see! Mommy is so sweet. She just wants to work together with Daddy! We'll have to ask the children to help as well! It can be family bonding through party planning.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

No thank you.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Kyouuuuya.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

You should try changing your technique.

[Yet this one is sadly effective.]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

What technique?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

You may contribute ideas. No more. I have final say.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he pauses and almost objects, but instead smiles]

Okay. Whatever you say, Mom.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Careful, Tamaki.]

'Whatever I say,' is it?

[That smells like opportunity.]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he does not know the meaning of careful.]

Of course.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

Good.

[and the trap falls on the king.]

[A metaphorical trap. Because let's be honest, a literal trap wouldn't be that surprising.]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[There must be some reason they have that cage in the Host Club. Also, a reason they have Haruhi in the club. Moral of the story: the Host Club loves traps of all varieties]

Oh, you're wearing that scary face of yours.

[Tamaki seems oddly happy about this fact]

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[Kyouya notes this] You're an idiot. [But he's very fond of that himself.]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he scoots closer to try to get a better look at Kyouya's notes]

What ideas do you have so far?

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[tilting notebook away] Tamaki.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[leaning with the notebook to try to look] Kyouya.

[hostclubmommy.livejournal.com]

[This is a recurring theme of their arguments. Best way to end it? Hit Tamaki on the head with the notebook] No.

[Bad dog! No treat!]

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[he whimpers and retreats to the far end of the sofa. He sniffs, then looks up at Kyouya] No?