Hangman

I

When did I start to feel this way about my brother? Perhaps when the brotherly love act started in the club, but something tells me that it began long before that; when it was our world and everyone else were simply living in it - pawns for our play. We had only each other back then. Now, every time I look at him I wonder how someone who looks exactly like me can seem so foreign. I never want to stop touching him whenever we do our brotherly love act for the guests. Laying in bed next to him and having to contain myself is torture.

No, I do not know when these feelings so taboo began, but one thing is for certain: I'm dangerously in love with my twin brother. I just hope he feels the same about me. I mean, who could be closer to you than your own twin?

—Hikaru Hitachiin

"Kaoru, go long!" Hikaru called, throwing Tamaki's treasured¾though raggedy¾handmade doll of Haruhi down the hallway while keeping the thrashing host club king at bay. Just before the doll reached Kaoru's outstretched hands a long arm caught it. The vice-principal stood there glaring. "Who threw it?" he demanded. Both Hitachiin twins pointed at Tamaki. The vice dragged an innocent, protesting Tono down the hall toward his father's office.

The bell rang and the high school students cleared the halls. In his classroom, Hikaru sat beside his twin, as usual, and drew a hangman game on a blank sheet of paper. "O," Kaoru guessed. Hikaru grinned and nodded, filling in the blanks. He'd decided to see how his brother felt about him. After so many hours of wondering how he would ask him, he'd finally came up with a inconspicuous way. He was going to ask him in this game. So far only half of the puzzle was worked and Kaoru was still at a loss.

"What's this?" a voice behind them said, it was their sensei standing over them. The annoying teacher took the game, crumpled it up, and threw it away. Hikaru stuck his tongue out at him and folded his arms across his chest.

The day went on without another chance to ask Kaoru arising. Much to Hikaru's dismay, the Host Club was canceled, there went his excuse for touching his brother today.

"Hikaru! Kaoru!"

Both twins turned to see Tamaki running toward them with Haruhi and Kyoya in tow, Hunny and Mori close behind.

"We're going to a commoners' beach this weekend!" he proclaimed, hence why club was closed. "Get your stuff and meet us back here in five minutes!"

Baka, there's no way we can do that in five minutes, Hikaru thought, then excused Milord's stupidity, as he had countless times before.

They went home and packed towels and whatever else they might need. While Kaoru was in the bathroom Hikaru rummaged through his bag, scowling at his choice of swim wear. He quickly replaced it with something he found more amusing then zipped it up just as his brother came out. He looked at him. "You ready?" He nodded.

After meeting up at school it was a long trip to the beach. Tamaki and the twins played every car game known to man until at last the Dark Lord told them to shut the hell up or else he'd (CENSORED) to their (CENSORED). They were quiet for the rest of the trip in fear they might have their dicks cut off.

When the beach came in sight, Haruhi was practically glued to the window.

"Eh? Haruhi, haven't you ever seen the ocean before?" Hikaru asked upon seeing her reaction. Although she had heard the question, she didn't respond, she was too embarrassed to. That silence was answer enough. As soon as they'd parked, Tamaki, Hikaru, and Kaoru grabbed Haruhi and sped off toward the changing rooms, Haruhi protesting that she could dress herself all the way. Hikaru didn't particularly care to see the girl in a swimsuit, so he stood aside as his brother and Tamaki stole her bag and slipped girly two-pieces into the dressing room. Haruhi screamed at them in profound language never meant to cross a woman's tongue. In the end, Haruhi wore what she wanted to: a loose t-shirt and shorts, and left her admirers cast down.

When time came for Kaoru to get dressed, Hikaru tried to act as guileless as possible, but he couldn't hide a mischievous snicker as his brother emerged from the small, tent-like room. The twins now adorned matching Speedos of different colors, and damn, Kaoru looked good in it. Hikaru threw a towel around his waste to hide his aroused and growing erection.

Kaoru's innocent, confused expression only added to Hikaru's excitement. The youngest twin said curiously, "I could have sworn I'd packed trunks." He shrugged it off nonchalantly, it didn't mater to him one way or the other.

The sun was just beginning to set as they headed out onto the beach, sending a beautiful selection of sparkling colors dancing on the amber-tinted expanse of ocean. A beautiful sight indeed, yet Hikaru could hardly appreciate it, being too preoccupied by the sight of Kaoru in a sexy Speedo.

Being a Friday, the beach was swamped with commoners, even at this late hour. The rich kids were unaware of the many stares that followed their every movement. Their spoiled appearance (though their gorgeous looks were enough to turn any eye) caught the attention of the less wealthy commoners and evoked whispers from all around.

Kyoya noted how filthy commoners' beaches are.

Hunny ran gleefully into the ocean but almost immediately found himself completely submerged in the salty water. He ran back and returned perched atop the high shoulders of Mori, equally as happy.

Haruhi settled a good distance away from the water's edge while Tamaki sat whining next to her. Kaoru tried to splash Haruhi over the distance she'd placed between them. Hikaru held in a pout, then tried to grasp his brother's attention by splashing him playfully. Kaoru, seeing Haruhi shot him the bird, pouted in turn and turned to Hikaru. They began splashing each other and laughing.

Fed up with Tamaki's begging, Haruhi stood up and started away; the Host Club king on her heels, crying and asking if he'd done anything wrong. Suddenly, having stepped wrong on the loose sand, Haruhi went down.

"Haruhi!" both Tamaki and Kaoru yelled, dashing to her side. Hikaru was left alone to bite back frustration.

Hunny was offering her his bun-bun while Mori held her comfortably off her injured ankle. Kyoya, who had anticipated something like this happening, pulled out a first-aid kit and proceeded by wrapping her ankle. "Twisted," he reported.

Haruhi sighed and gave Tamaki the death glare. The blond tear-ed up and burst out crying.

Hikaru dragged himself over to join his companions. Something that had been bothering him for quite some time now swelled up to the surface, before just a suspicion, now many times over been proved. Painfully proved. Kaoru was in love with Haruhi and, Hikaru feared, oblivious to the depth of Hikaru's love. If the youngest brother did not know of Hikaru's feeling he would soon find out on his own. Kaoru was not dumb, he could see what was happening around him.

Hikaru's head dipped and fists clenched in a desperate attempt to hide his forthcoming sobs. When at last he could hold them no longer, he turned and fled down the beach, refusing to allow the Host Club (especially Kaoru right now) see him like this.

"Hikaru?" Kaoru called. The elder twin kept running, there were no pursuing footsteps. Hikaru stopped when he reached a small crevice in the side of a cliff that overlooked the ocean, out of view from the beach. He sank to the sand and pulled his knees tightly to his chest, letting himself fall apart. Hikaru had always hoped that Kaoru would figure out how he felt about him, but now he wasn't so sure, as he had doubted before. What if it freaked him out and pushed him away? What if Kaoru found it disgusting and never wanted to speak to Hikaru ever again? The hiding boy pushed the bombard of questions away and forced himself to calm down before he hyperventilated.

He fell into a fitful sleep in which his indecipherable nightmares were tormented by the constant fear of rejection and loneliness.

* * *

"Hey guys, he's over here!"

"Hikaru!"

"Finally...."

"Is he okay?"

"Shh! He's asleep."

"Well, wake him up."

Hikaru easily awoke from his light unconsciousness. He warily opened his eyes, momentarily not knowing where he was. The silver light of night gradually found his awareness. Next, Kaoru was leaning over apprehensively. Hikaru lazily reached up without thinking and wrapped his arms around his double's neck and pulled him to him. Kaoru, not fully conceiving his twin's actions, hugged him back, relieved to have found him.

When the two crawled out of Hikaru's hiding place, Hikaru looked around and noticed that himself and Kaoru were the only ones here who wore no protective wear from the nights biting cold. Ignoring his own shiver, he asked, "Kaoru, where's your coat? Aren't you cold?"

Kaoru shot him an incredulous look.

"Kaoru went off looking for you immediately after he assured that Haruhi would be okay while the rest of us went to the hotel before we came searching for you," Hunny explained.

"Really?" Then realization took him hard, stripping away any form of joy his brother's act of caring might have brought him. He felt ashamed for such a childish act. "Oh! Kaoru, I'm so sorry! Everyone," he added, knowing he'd caused them all deep worry.

They smiled Hikaru's undeserved forgiveness. He dipped his head thankfully. With that mater solved, they made their way to the commoners' seaside hotel. Although they had been there briefly before, rooms were still undecided.

"Who's sharing a room with Haruhi?"

"I will!" Tamaki and Kaoru , glomming Haruhi. Despite his limping, she retaliated with two swift kicks to the groin.

"Nobody will share a room with her," Kyoya was quick to conclude. Kaoru and Tamaki didn't reply, just bent low clutching their crotches.

"Haaruuhiii!" Kaoru whined. She ignored him.

These annoying flirtations lasted all the way to the hotel. Hikaru remained quiet through it all, knowing it was not his place to speak, though he could hardly hold his growing temper. When at last Kaoru and him were alone his their room, Hikaru let it all out. It hurt so much, watching him follow after that girl like a lost puppy when she would never see him as more than a friend. But Hikaru could give him all he ever wanted, or so he thought.

This was it, he had to tell him how he felt. They had already changed into their pajamas and were preparing to go to sleep.

Hikaru paced casually over and locked the door, then turned and stalked toward his oblivious brother. Kaoru looked up and saw Hikaru's annoyed demeanor. "What's wrong, Hikaru?" he asked, watching his irate sibling approach. A hand shot out and collided with the wall with a heavy thump just a few short inches from Kaoru's head. "Hikaru?" he whispered in confusion, pressed against the wall, Hikaru's lips lingering close—so close—to his own.

Suddenly realizing his twin's intent, Kaoru turned his face away ,"What're you...?" Hikaru put his lips to Kaoru's neck, breathing in his sweet aroma which mixed with that of the sea. One hand found way under Kaoru's shirt.

"Stop...!" Kaoru breathed, begging helplessly.

Hikaru's groping hand slid into the front of Kaoru's pajama bottoms, coaxing him softly.

"Hikaru!" he yelped, trying futilely to pull away from his grasp. But Hikaru held him firmly in place, kissing him. The younger sibling managed to place his hands between them on Hikaru's chest. He pushed him away just long enough to get a glimpse of the mischievous lust in his brother's eyes and a sly smile upon his lips before he was back on him.

"I love you...I love you... I love you..." Hikaru whispered over and over as he continued to kiss him passionately.

"Nn…!" Kaoru winced away. When Hikaru had gotten his mirror-image's shirt off, despite his struggling, he began working on his pants. At that point, Kaoru had had enough of this insanity. With one great heave, he screamed maliciously, "HIKARU!" The eldest twin staggered back, not coming for him again, surprised by his reaction. Kaoru shot him the meanest look, then took his suitcase and stomped out of the hotel room.

Hikaru stood there, analyzing what had just happened. Then, he collapsed right there. How stupid he was! Hikaru momentarily considered chasing after him, but quickly dismissed the notion. Kaoru probably hated him now.

What had he done?

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club in any way, shape, or form.