{fanfiction} - 039 - Kaoru
Title: Kaoru
Author: laughafterpain
Rating: G
Word Count: 567
Series: Ouran High School Host Club
Pairing: Tamaki/Kaoru
Challenge: []
Summary: “You really listen to me, Kaoru. You feel what I play.”
Disclaimer: OHSHC belongs to Bisco Hatori.


Tamaki had been playing piano ever since he was a small child. His fingers would glide across the keys with an air of ease and confidence, producing the most beautiful melodies. His deep violet eyes washed over the notes of his sheet music, and long, well-trained fingers danced across the keyboard, the keys memorized from years of practice. His lips twitched into a winning smile, inspired by both sureness in his abilities and his sheer love of music. Piano was everything to Tamaki; it was creativity, expression, emotion.

Kaoru could sit and listen to Tamaki play forever. Tamaki was always kind and charming, but his music was nothing short of breathtaking. An entire orchestra composed of the finest musicians in the world could not create a sound more pure than that of Tamaki alone at his piano. Kaoru could feel the emotion in the notes, could see the sparkle in Tamaki’s eyes, could listen – really listen – forever.

One day, Tamaki and Kaoru were alone in the third music room; Tamaki was playing scales, but even this was enjoyable for Kaoru. Without pausing in his playing, Tamaki turned to his companion. “You don’t have to stay with me. This must be boring.”

Kaoru shook his head. “No, I love to listen.” Tamaki smiled. “You really enjoy playing, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Tamaki agreed, smiling as he turned back to his sheet music, the melody flowing into a more recognizable tune. “I love being able to play. I can say anything I want when I play.”

“Say?” Kaoru echoed, tilting his head to the side. Tamaki grinned.

“Yeah. Like, say I’m happy, for example.” His fingers danced across the keys, striking up a pleasant tune. “Or sad.” The bouncy number slowed to a melancholy ballad. “Or angry.” The piano sounded with a violent, staccato beat. Kaoru laughed.

“It’s wonderful,” he complimented. Tamaki smiled at the comment.

“I thought you’d like that,” he admitted, returning to his latest classic to practice, something of Bach’s. “You really listen to me.” It was a strange thing to say. Kaoru frowned.

“Everyone loves to listen to you play, Tamaki…”

“Not like you,” the older boy replied, actually stopping his playing and turning to face the redhead. “You really listen to me, Kaoru. You feel what I play.” Kaoru said nothing. “I write sometimes, too, you know,” Tamaki added lightly, returning to his practicing.

“Really?” Kaoru perked up, a light in his amber eyes. “Will you play something you wrote?” Tamaki chuckled, his fingers hesitating over the keys.

“Yes, of course,” he replied softly, a warm tenderness overcoming him. After a pause, his fingers brushed against the keys, almost lovingly. Kaoru’s breath caught at the powerful emotion behind the song – it started slowly and sweetly, then transitioned into an exciting tune. Tamaki’s eyes were closed, the smile on his lips illuminating, and, as he took in the compelling song, Kaoru could not look away from the blond. Tamaki played his final chord and let the music hang in the air. Kaoru breathed.

“That was amazing,” he whispered. Tamaki opened his eyes and turned to smile at Kaoru.

“Thank you. I wrote it about someone who…means a lot to me.”

Kaoru started at this information. “Really? Wh…what do you call the song?” he asked shyly, having the nagging feeling that he already knew the answer. Tamaki evaluated him, his violet eyes penetrating, then smiled charmingly.

“'Kaoru'.”