A/n: The chapters of this fic will be very short *smiles* please, enjoy. Oh, and I tried a different writing style this time. Usually, I just write like this for my Sirius/Remus fanfics. But, I wanted to try something new.

xxX~o~o~Xxx

Chapter 1: Pristine

~~o~~

Kaoru is lying in their bed. Theirs, because they are always together, and they will always be together. Their bed is warm, and it had always cradled two bodies. It was supposed to be Kaoru's bed, but Hikaru will always, always, tiptoe across their room and snuggle and let sleep take over as he settles beside Kaoru.

Right now, with the morning sun glaring brightly and happily through the opened window, Kaoru's are shut closed, his usually bright eyes curtained by his eyelids. He's tucked in comfortably, the blanket wrapping him in its cocoon of warmth and heat. A soft wind -almost a breeze, but not quite- blows in and papers flutter softly on the tabletops, the curtains rise up, and would lazily fall back down.

Kaoru's breathing deeply, he's breathing too much. It's like he's scraping the very walls of his lungs for more oxygen molecules. Inhale and exhale, his silent prayer as he lies in bed. His breathing is laboured and difficult.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

It feels like he can't breathe.

Kaoru's cheeks are red and slight, very slight, tremors wrack his body. His head hurts. He coughs and then he sniffs. He's sick, but Hikaru is not sick.

It's not fair.

Hikaru feels useless and he wants to make Kaoru feel better. But what can a nine year old do? Hikaru sits beside Kaoru; he sits near the edge of the bed as Kaoru rests at the middle. He gropes for his younger brother's hand over the sheets, and Hikaru laces their fingers together. He runs his thumb across Kaoru's knuckle, a gesture of comfort.

It's amazing how their interlocked hands are so different. One cold and the other so abnormally warm. Hikaru tightens his grip, and Kaoru shifts slightly, the bed creaking under them. His eyes open, only a little and he coughs quite violently. His body jerks forward and Hikaru pats his back with one hand while the other remains within Kaoru's own.

Again, Hikaru can't help but think it's unfair. It's unfair how he's not sick and Kaoru is. How he can't protect his brother, and all he can do is watch him suffer and wheeze and cough his lungs out. It's unfair, they experience everything together.

Kaoru falls back heavily on the bed, his pillow cradling his head, his hair fanned out. His eyes open, heavily-lidded and all. He smiles a tentative smile, and he notices his hand in Hikaru's. He squeezes his brother's hand, he's okay, really.

He's okay.

His throat is sore. His nose is clogged up, his eyes hurt and he doesn't want to blink. It feels like he has earplugs on, he can barely hear anything. There is a painful throbbing in his head, and he's happy. He's happy, because at least he can feel Hikaru's hand in his, his warmth just there.

Kaoru doesn't think of the pain. He doesn't think of how he can barely breathe through his nose. He doesn't think of the headaches and the coughing and the sore muscles. He thinks of Hikaru, and how he doesn't want him to worry. He doesn't think of his sickness, he can pretend he's not sick, and he's okay.

He's happy knowing that his brother is watching over him. He feels safe, and he knows that he would get better. Eventually. But this is was what matters now, Kaoru thinks. He closes his eyes with these thoughts drifting through his mind.

The bed creaks as Hikaru shifts to lie down beside Kaoru. A hand on Kaoru's hip, breath in his air. Hikaru kisses his temple, kisses his closed eyelids and his forehead, and Hikaru swears he can feel Kaoru's headache almost pulsating against his lips.

A kiss, to make the pain go away.

Hikaru knows he's thinking naively.

Kiss it to make him feel better.

Hikaru kisses the corner of Kaoru's lips.

Please feel better soon.

Kaoru's eyes open a little, the corner of his lips quirk up. Kaoru can still feel Hikaru's kisses, soft and sweet. It feels warm, a tingling sensations left in its wake. He opens his eyes, and his lips part, and he smiles tiredly at his older brother.

"I'm okay," Kaoru says quietly, and squeezes Hikaru's hand tighter; it's as if Hikaru is the one who can feel the pain.

Hikaru kisses his forehead again, a soft and innocent and comforting, nine year old kind of kiss.

To be continued...

xxX~o~o~Xxx

A/n: Honestly, this whole fic will have very short chapters. Tell me, what kind of kiss would you like to read? I might write it *smiles*

Please review