Disclaimer: I don't own Ouran. Did you honestly think I did?

A Man In Uniform

A young teenager with orange hair wiped the sweat from his face with trembling hands. That had been close. Far too close. If he had come just one step closer…Kaoru tugged at his collar nervously, trying to dispel the heat that had taken over his body. He glanced at the mirror, but looked away at once, horrified. Who had thought of this idea to begin with? It just wasn't right. He couldn't look in the mirror, because he saw his twin staring back at him…looking far too good for Kaoru's liking. And yet, he had to look in the mirror to make sure he looked normal. He tried again…and failed. He couldn't stop that feeling inside him. He couldn't stop the overwhelming desire.

"Kaoru! You done yet?" a voice called from the other side of the door, "I'm coming in!"

Perfect. Just perfect.

"Hikaru!!" he protested as the door opened, running to block it from the inside. "Not yet!"

He couldn't see his twin like this. No. It was more…he didn't want to see Hikaru like that. He wouldn't be able to hide it. He could never hide anything from Hikaru. And…well, he was scared of how his older brother would react if…if Kaoru gave in to his feelings and kissed him.

Hikaru, being the older and slightly stronger of the two, could have easily forced his way into the room. But he paused and sat down against it instead. Sometimes he didn't understand Kaoru, no matter how much they were alike. But then…that was also what they liked about each other. That was what they played off for their customers. Hikaru had the stronger, somewhat more masculine role whereas Kaoru played the softer uke. That was the way they had been for the past two years, ever since Tamaki had recruited them to his little family of a Host Club. There was nothing between them, really…but recently, Hikaru had begun to wish…well, he had begun to wish there was. And so, he had constructed a plan…that was now falling to pieces around him.

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"Irrashaimase!"

The girls walked through the doors, already flustered and happy to be in the Host Club. Especially since the hosts were half naked. They didn't even care about the cosplay today. Just the skin that was on show. The twins' regular customers hurried straight over, eager as always to see some brotherly love.

That brings a new meaning to 'BL', Hikaru thought dryly and turned to share this with his twin. And then paused. He had completely forgotten Kaoru wasn't there. That hurt.

"Ehh? Hikaru-san, where's Kaoru?"

He turned and faced the brown-haired girl. According to Kyoya, she was their best customer. She bought everything – EVERYTHING – that went on sale of the twins. Speaking of the devil, he could feel Kyoya watching him. Probably making sure he didn't lose such well paying customers…

He forced a smile to his lips. It felt fake, even to him. He was sure it looked worse.

"Eh…Kaoru said he felt sick." He mumbled. But Kaoru never got sick. Or at least…he never got sick alone.

The girl was watching him thoughtfully. No. She was probably just eyeing him. Their other regular customer – the black haired one – walked up to them and sat on a chair across the table from him. He sighed. Might as well see how far he could push them…Kyoya would make him pay afterwards if he didn't get at least ONE fangirly scream out of them. And with Kyoya, you could never be sure.

"The thing is...I don't know what's gotten into Kaoru." He made himself look away, employing the same skills Kaoru used in their acts. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the girls quivering, watching the way the light fell across his face, highlighting his eyelashes – almost the same length as Kaoru's, he thought wistfully. Oh, and the way his eyes had a faraway, loving look in them. He sighed as sadly as he could manage.

"I…I hope he's not angry…He's just been so…distant…" He wiped at a fake tear, mentally thanking Kyoya for the eye drops. Tamaki might be able to cry on demand – he was King, after all – but the rest of them needed a little more prompting.

Well, the Hosts, anyway. Hikaru noticed his customers already had tears in his eyes.

"I just…I just don't know what to do…or how to cheer him up…He's been gone for an hour…we've never been apart for this long before. I…I miss him." He whispered the last bit, amazed that he wasn't even trying to lie anymore. He did miss Kaoru. It was like missing a vital part of himself, a hole in his heart. He realised with a sigh that he wouldn't be getting any squeals today. Kyoya would kill him. No, probably just concoct some evil punishment. Ever since he had teamed up with Tamaki…well, his plans had started to take on Tamaki's foppish flair. Well, Hikaru thought, he would just have to avoid Kyoya. He couldn't play a host today. His heart just wasn't into it. No…his heart had gone home with Kaoru. He was astonished at the thought.

Kaoru, beautiful, beautiful Kaoru. And he was sick. How could he live without Kaoru? His other half? What if…what if Kaoru was dying? No. Baka…it was probably just a cold…Only two more hours…and then he could go home to their world. A sudden vision of Kaoru pressed against his body, Kaoru's scent around them, Kaoru's lips against his own, closing the only gap that had ever existed between them filled his mind.

A fangirl's squeal cut through Hikaru's daydream and almost made him jump. He turned to see his two customers on their feet with lovehearts for eyes. Lovehearts exploded around them. Haruhi, who had passed by with a tray of tea for Bossa Nova-cchi – as the twins called him – was now sporting a handy umbrella to fend off the hearts as she walked past. The expression on her face hadn't change a bit. Obviously, she was used to the Host Club now.

Amazing. What had he done to make them squeal? He heard Kyoya's folder snap shut and gave an inward sigh of relief. No need for diversionary tactics then.

The black haired girl calmed down enough to say, "Gomen, it's probably bad of us, but you looked so-"

"Kawaii!!!!!" the other cut in with a KYAH!!

Hikaru looked down, forcing a blush to his cheeks. "Kaoru's cuter." He muttered, just loud enough for them to hear. It sent them into a fresh wave of squeals. He swore they were floating…

'Well, if you want to cheer Kaoru up…" one began – the black haired one, as usual.

"Do a cosplay!" brown-haired added, "Policemen! I'm sure he'd like to see you" –she giggled – "in uniform! Not school uniform, that is." Her eyes had an eager shine to them.

They were nodding furiously now. Cosplay, eh? Not a bad idea. Maybe he would ask…

Hikaru smiled at the girls. It wasn't Tamaki's dazzling smile, but it was good enough to melt the hearts of girls who squealed at twincest. "Arigatou."

Mori-senpai reached over to Honey-senpai and blocked his ears before the third squeal hit. This consequently brought a round of squeals from their customers. Tamaki had just said some corny line to his customer. Another cluster of squeals added to the noise. Haruhi tripped over, startled by the sudden noise and fell chest-first into Kasanoda. His face turned redder than a tomato as he realised Haruhi had him pinned to the couch with her…chest in his face. The rest of the room erupted in squeals as they saw Kasanoda's embarrassment, and his obvious crush on another guy (or what seemed like another guy). Kyoya snapped open his folder and made a note to replace the windows…and soundproof the room. Earplugs would be nice too.

Hikaru was grateful when the customers left. His ears were still ringing. At least Kaoru had been spared this torture.

"Ehh…" he muttered nervously as he approached Kyoya, arriving just before Tamaki did. Tamaki pouted and went to sit in the corner, cultivating his mushrooms.

"Yes Hikaru? Good job today, although you might have overdone it a bit." Kyoya spoke without looking up from his laptop. There wasn't even a pause in his typing.

"Ano…I was wondering…could we do a police cosplay?"

Silence.

Kyoya stopped and looked up from his pineapple laptop. It was probably a custom-made Mac.

"This is about Kaoru, right?"

Hikaru stared. How had he known? Was it that obvious? But then…Kyoya was the Shadow King. He nodded slowly.

"Well, I don't see why not. Besides, girls like men in uniform." Kyoya's gaze fell around the room and lingered on Tamaki. There was a slight smile tugging at his lips.

"There's an opening next week. I suppose you'll provide the costumes?"

Hikaru nodded again.

"Daddy, we're doing a police cosplay next week." Kyoya called, a strange glint in his eyes.

Hikaru turned to see Haruhi, Mori and Honey had already left. Poor Haruhi…she was alone. Mummy and Daddy were obviously paired (although even the prying twins didn't know how far their relationship went). Their only hint came from the fact that Kyoya never objected to Tamaki's plans, no matter how ludicrous they were, no matter how much they spent. And it was clear to the twins, as expert liars, that neither was interested in Haruhi – or any girl, for that matter. Mori and Honey had each other – although it would be nothing more than a brotherly relationship. A proper brotherly relationship that was. And Hikaru? Well, Kaoru was his other half. And it was time to find him.

Hikaru turned to say goodbye to Kyoya and Tamaki, only to find them in a conversation. An intimate one, by the way Tamaki had Kyoya in his lap on the couch trailing his fingers along Kyoya's chest. Kyoya's laptop was turned off and on the table with his glasses. Better not to interrupt. Hikaru left them, closing the door firmly behind him and left to find his other half. His better half.

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Kaoru was sitting against the door on the other side. His eyes were closed. What a dilemma. But, when he thought about it, it was Hikaru who had suggested the cosplay this time, not Tono, or even the Shadow King. And it was Hikaru who had designed his outfit. Which surely meant…it was Hikaru who wanted to see him like this?

"Kaoru…" Hikaru said from the other side. Kaoru was so attuned to his twin's voice…and his heartbeat. It felt to him like the sun. His very world revolved around it.

"Kaoru…let me in, will you? Let me in…to your world? I…"

Kaoru knew he shouldn't have been startled. But he was. Hikaru always knew what he wanted to hear. Hikaru always knew what Kaoru was thinking. Hikaru was his twin. It was a twin thing. And that was why what he felt…what he felt was so wrong. Falling in love with another boy…another boy who so happened to be your twin…that was two of the three wrongs that it was possible to make. Homosexuality and incest. No. Twincest. Then how come it felt so right?

One word sounded in his head, repeating over and over. Daisuki. Daisuki. Daisuki. Oddly enough, it was in Hikaru's voice.

"Kaoru? I…I love you." Yes…but probably not the way I love you.

"Please come out?" Hikaru pleaded, knocking on the door.

Kaoru sighed and opened the door. His heart leapt at the sight of Hikaru in his costume and looking so…good. He fell into Hikaru's arms in a warm, tangled embrace.

"Hikaru…"

Hikaru shivered. God, why did his brother have to say his name like that? It made his burning desire ache even more! Hey, was Kaoru crying?

"Shh…it's alright little brother." For some reason, that provoked him more. "Kaoru, how about we go home for today? You'd like that, ne?"

Kaoru nodded against Hikaru's chest. Damnit! Stop that! Hikaru thought desperately. He barely noticed the fangirls watching them and squealing.

"Yes, take today off. It'll make them go wild." Kyoya said, suddenly beside them. "And anyway, I'm sure you two have something to work out. Well, I hope you make up."

Hikaru blinked blatantly. Did he say he hoped we'd make out?! But then…he and Tono…

He nodded and manoeuvred Kaoru out of the room.

Neither spoke in the limousine. They stared nonchalantly out of the windows instead. The driver looked in his rear mirror, worried. The car turned a corner and Kaoru fell into Hikaru's lap. Both boys blushed as they made eye contact. Neither moved.

And then, slowly, Hikaru let his fingers trail softly through Kaoru's hair. Kaoru shivered. Hikaru cursed mentally for the friction Kaoru was causing…down there. The driver smiled. Kaoru got up slowly and returned to his seat. Once again, neither talked. There was too much to think about. The driver sped up subtly. If he could arrive before the young masters started ignoring each other again…maybe they could sort things out. The tension in the car was almost unbearable.

When they arrived at the Hitachiin mansion, Kaoru leapt out of the car and ran inside. Hikaru followed, confused. Kaoru ran into their bedroom and closed the door, once again collapsing against it. Hikaru looked at the closed door and knocked.

"Kaoru? What's wrong? Let me in? Please?" It's my bedroom too…He thought. But he was honestly more worried about Kaoru.

I can't stand it! Kaoru was thinking, I can still feel his fingers in my hair…but I'm sure he didn't mean it the way I felt it. Baka! Baka, baka, baka! You CAN'T feel this way! It's unnatural. It's WRONG!

Hikaru turned the doorknob and forced the door open a little. He leant in and whispered through the crack. Kaoru's eyes widened. He pushed against the door heavily and then stood…and let his brother in.

The door closed again. Hikaru found himself pressed against it…and Kaoru pressed against him. Kaoru's lips locked onto his gently. Hikaru moaned into it and, taking hold of Kaoru, turned him so that Kaoru was the one pressed against the door. Hikaru licked at Kaoru's lips and quickly found his tongue doing battle with his twin's, the perfect opposite of himself. It was just like his vision, only…all the better for the tangible taste of Kaoru against him. And it felt so good!

Was this what Tamaki and Kyoya saw in each other? No. They couldn't possibly feel as good together as Hikaru and Kaoru did at that moment. So…complete, for the first time in their lives. Reaching for each other across that final gap. So forbidden, so utterly taboo, and yet…so amazingly perfect.

Hours later, Kaoru rolled over in bed to face his quietly sleeping love. He brushed his hand softly against Hikaru's cheek, the perfect mirror of his own and smiled. He thought of the words that Hikaru had whispered to him as if he had read Kaoru's mind, the key that had undone all the defences he had put up in vain against his brother.

"I love you. And I don't care how wrong it is."