~Twice I Love You~
~Chapter One~
(Time Setting: About a year after the twins have met.)
(Point of View: Kouichi)
Today was the day. The big day. The day to make or break things.
"I'm going to say it... I have to tell him...", I whispered to myself as I stood there in front of the local public library.
Kouji had asked to see this library I talked about so much, so we set a time for him to visit. I never did realize just how much I did talk about it, but I did love to read so maybe it was expected. I was rather surprised to hear Kouji ask such a thing over the phone last night when I yet again talked about a new book that came out there.
"Can you show me the library? It must be great if you love it so much.", Kouji had said over the phone.
I sighed as I stood in front of it now. It was last night that I decided I was going to tell him my feelings. Feelings hidden deep down inside that had dug their way up to the surface. I had tried to ignore them, but how could I not love him? My twin was amazing! Strong, smart, fun... I feel so safe when with him... I love my brother, NO! I love Kouji!
"Kouichi?", Kouji asked with an odd expression on his face.
I shook my head as soon as I heard his voice, quickly snapping out of my deep inner thoughts.
"O-Oh! Hello, Kouji!", I greeted gleefully with a large grin.
Kouji smiled back, probably previously stunned because I had been so overly focused that I didn't notice him... Hope he hadn't been standing there long...
"Ah. So... Want to head inside?", I asked, alittle nervous now since I didn't know for sure if he had heard my whispers moments before.
"Yeah.", Kouji agreed to it with a nod as well,"That IS why we're here, right?"
I watched Kouji smirk as he teased me slightly. I pouted just alittle at that before we both started walking towards the front doors. I took a deep breath to try and settle the butterflies fluttering around inside my stomach. I'mgoingtotellhim. I'mgoingtotellhim. I'mgoingtotellhi-
"You alright?", Kouji asked, clearly questioning the deep breath and serious look I had.
"A-Ah, yes. I'm fine. Sorry!", I half chuckled as I saw a sweatdrop appear on the side of my twin's head.
Get it together, Kouichi! I opened the door for the both of us to walk inside. Once indoors, the coolness of the air conditioning hit right away. Not a freezing cold, but just the right temperature for books to stay safe. I heard Kouji take a deep breath and so I looked at him. He looked right back at me. Why was he looking at me instead of the place?! I didn't really pay attention to my cheeks turning a light pink. I just walked further into the library. The checkout area where the librarians were, the long lines of tall bookshelves, a few long tables for school studies, and a place in the back with a few easychairs and beanbags for just relaxing reading. I loved this place and now the one I loved most was here to see it all! I had to make it look good!
"So... This is it!", I grinned as I glanced at my twin and then gazed at everything in turn as I mentioned it, "The two librarians here are nice... But don't talk too loudly or they turn angry really fast... Um... I like to sit in the open area in the back to read..."
I explained to my brother as I thought those things were most important. Kouji nodded as he listened silently until I paused.
"... So what do you read most?", he asked quietly.
"Mmmmm... I like fantasy and adventure the best... Science fiction is good too. OH. I love mystery.", I found myself ramble off a few genres rather than just one.
Kouji smiled at that and tilted his head to the side just alittle as he listened.
"So what books series is your favorite?", Kouji asked as soon as my short ramble was over.
"Ah...", I paused to think since there are so many good ones!,"I like Sherlock Holmes and Lord of the Rings the best. Mm. But the Star Wars books are good as well... So are the Narnia books..."
I trialed off for a moment to think of more, but there were just so many good ones!
"Sherlock... That's the guy who solves mysteries, right?", Kouji asked.
"Huh?", I snapped out of my book series thoughts and smiled, "That's right. He solves murders, finds lost objects... He helps the police er... Scotland yard... a lot."
Kouji smiled as I explained, causing my butterflies to dance wildly as if my stomach was a disco ball.
"D-Do you want to try reading one?", I quickly asked. Anything to make the butterflies distracted.
"Sure... But I don't have a library card here.", Kouji reminded me.
"I'll check it out for you with mine. I know you won't lose it. I trust you.", I said with a small giggle at the end.
I knew my twin wouldn't ruin or lose the book. I trusted him with my life so why wouldn't I trust him with a book!
"Thanks.", Kouji said with a smile as he started walking off, venturing into the bookshelves.
I quickly followed, chuckling as I caught up. I grabbed Kouji's hand to stop him since he was heading into the wrong area.
"Here. This way.", I said, not even thinking about how was were now holding hands. I had just wanted to stop him from going too far away from the mystery section! I pulled him back a few shelves and walked down a lane with him until I found all the Sherlock Holmes books.
"This is all the Sherlock Holmes books the library here has.", I informed my twin proudly since the collection was nearly all of them.
It was then I felt my twin squeeze my hand. We were still holding hands! I felt the light blush return to my cheeks as I turned to look at my brother. He was staring straight at me! The blush on my face turned a shade darker. I quickly turned to look away back at the books before I blurted out anything I was trying to save for the perfect moment.
"S-So which one would you like?", I asked nervously, trying to calm down my red face yet not letting go of that hand that matched my own.
"Which is first?", Kouji asked as calm as the still blue sky.
"Um... This one.", I said as I grabbed the first Sherlock book and offered it to him.
"... A Study in Scarlet...", Kouji read the title outloud to himself. He seemed pleased enough with it since he nodded with a smile after reading the book title.
"If you need more time to read it than what's allowed, just tell me and I'll renew it.", I told Kouji so he wouldn't worry about it being late,"Just don't take forever."
I giggled as I teased my brother alittle. Kouji smirked at that and lowered the book down to his side.
"Heh. I might not read as fast as you, but I'm not THAT slow.", Kouji informed me with a sort of pride.
I giggled more as a retort, saying nothing.
"Thanks for showing me this place. It's as great as I thought it would be.", Kouji said lightly. It was then I noticed his stare.
I looked around us and noone was nearby to be seen. Kouji wasn't staring at the book in his hand, the bookshelve in front of us, the roof... No... He was still staring at ME! I felt those butterflies once again as the blush reappeared. I shut my eyes and squeezed his hand tightly. Now or never...
"K-Kouji I-"
I was about to tell him, to admit I loved him more than just as my brother, when I felt something warm pressing against my lips! I opened my eyes in alarm and found Kouji standing more close than before! Not only that but the warmness I felt against my lips were in fact a matching pair of lips! Kouji was kissing me! My cheeks grew bright red instantly once I realized I was kissing my twin, no, I was kissing Kouji! My heart skipped a beat and sped up as I hadn't even said what I wanted to say and yet got the result I wanted! After a moment that seemed to last forever passed, Kouji leaned back, his cheeks beet red as mine were. Kouji was looking to the side now, embarrassed for sure, but still holding my hand. Now I could say it for sure.
"I... I love you, Kouji!", I grinned as much as I could while I finally admitted my true feelings.
Kouji glanced towards me for a moment with just his eyes. With his head still turned to the side away, he shut his eyes and smiled beneath all that blushing.
"... I love you too, Kouichi..."
I giggled softly as I left go of my twin's hand in order to hug him instead. Now we were a matching set of blush for sure as I hugged him tight, never wanting to let go. I had never felt this happy before. Like a dream come true. I had my twin now and had his love too. I now had twice the love.
