A/N: Written for Miss Avarice, who requested Kyouya x Eclair, as a prize for winning the Christmas-y Contest on SHINE. I do truly hope that this makes sense.

These Relations

by: sonofon

--

She wonders why she has come to this. It almost sickens her to think that, for once, she has settled for something less than she is worth. Perhaps that is a misconception on her part though. Perhaps she is merely analyzing in the wrong direction, but either way, she knows that she has accepted what she did not ask for.

Of course, this is all an understatement. No woman in her right mind would ever consider Ohtori Kyouya to be something 'less.' Of course. Eclair is not dumb, and she calculates her losses with zeal. She had set out for one Suou Tamaki, but, by the by, ended up with something completely different.

It is not too bad, she later thinks with a wry smile.

"It benefits us both," he says. "Which it should. You wouldn't have agreed to it otherwise."

"I could say the same with you," she replies as soon as he finishes. She places her elbows on the table, and, clasping her hands together like a steadfast bridge, leans her chin on it. She does this quite frequently.

He laughs, but it sounds hollow to her ears. This is inevitable. They both know where they would rather be. And also, Eclair knows whose laugh she would prefer to hear.

"I would say that this is a very profiting relationship for the both of us," he adds. "You agree, no?"

"Why wouldn't I?" she purrs, and one hand is now set on the table as her chin dantily hangs on the fingers of her other. She shoots him a look, which he returns. It is a mutual understanding.

Kyouya doesn't say anything else, but that is probably because they already know what is to come. The dinner continues amidst the melting candles and the faint three-piece band playing in the background.

She lifts her right hand, glances around. "So this was all for me?"

"Who else?" They have this habit of dodging the questions, Kyouya and Eclair. They always tend instigate their own in place of an answer, and so the game lives on, even now. A small part of her is aroused by the idea of having a formidable opponent.

"I see," she notes, and she quiets herself by taking a small bite of her grilled fish.

"How is it?" he asks.

She shurgs, and gives him the most nonchalant look she can muster. "I've had better."

"As to be expected, considering the circumstances," he replies. Then, he raises his wine glass to her and says, "Should we make this partnership last? We could always call it off, despite the legal troubles that would follow, and unnecessary media attention."

If he is saying that to try to catch her off guard, then he is sadly mistaken, she thinks. She won't be tempted so easily. "Unless you can finagle a deal with him, then yes," she says, mimicking his action of raising the glass, "perhaps we should."