Noticed

Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club or it's characters.

Hikaru was an exact reflection of his brother. Or rather Kaoru was as Hikaru was the older twin. Even so, the similarities were endless. Their beautiful, striking appearance, the flaming red hair; even their laughs mimicked each other. And yet, they were so different. Hikaru's eyes and smile for one. It wasn't that it was a physical difference… it was the tone of depth. The obvious affections that lingered at the center of his mind… his soul… his heart, it was different.

So lost was he in his thoughts that he almost missed the cue for the "brotherly love" scene and immediately, he pushed everything else to the back of his mind. But… that laugh, her laugh, it was enough to remind him about those thoughts. The look of mischievousness in his eyes was gone, replaced by a soft gentleness as he watched in envy as Haruhi laughed along with something one of her guests said. Smiling and laughing with his brother, he longed for when club activities would end and he would get a chance just to be near her. And he still wondered… is this love?

He wanted to be with her, every second of the day. He wanted to be unreasonable and rash just to see her cute, annoyed face. He turned to look at his brother, who talked for the both of them, and wondered if he loved her as he loved Kaoru, was it more?

When she had told them apart… what had she seen that looked different? She did say that Kaoru was calmer while he was more troublesome, but was that all she saw or did she notice the differences? When he had come nose to nose with her to share a cookie, did she notice the icy, tremble of his fingers as he grasped her chin? When they had been trapped in the net on Halloween night, had she noticed the crimson that had stained his cheeks, or the shake in his voice?

Did she notice the softness in his gaze when she spoke? Did she notice the conflicting feelings in his stare when she laughed?

Did she notice him? He needed to know!

At that moment, she turned to him and immediately time stopped. She smiled and waved and he had to force himself to not fumble and to do the same. Her eyes lowered shyly and his hopes soared. Had she noticed the twinkle in his eye? Had she noticed the way his heart practically leaped out of his mouth?

He watched as the ladies left Music Room 3 and his eyes wandered over to where she sat, her homework spread out on the table, her gaze so serious and focused she looked as if she were preparing for war. He looked behind him to see Kaoru helping Mori move the tables, chairs and props to the back room. Should he help? Or should he talk to her?

"Haruhi," he called without thinking.

"Oh, hey Hikaru," she replied with a laugh. "I thought you were Tamaki." She rolled her eyes, "I'm not in the mood to deal with his mood swings right now."

She looked up at him again and smiled softly. "Would you like to sit? We could study together if you want," she offered.

Hikaru nodded and grabbed his backpack. He felt happy, content as he realized he had noticed the softness in her smile in her voice. He felt joyous because she had noticed him.

His heart soared because he realized he did love her.

A/N: There as promised! 8DDDD

Okay so this was my first OHSHC fanfic, I'm really excited. I was watching and reading Ouran when ideas just started popping up. I don't think I'll be doing any chapter fics until my fics for Fruits Baskets are done. Sorry, only OneShots for now. I really love Hikaru and Haruhi as a couple, though, and I've always loved Hikaru's contemplative moments in the anime, mind you, I've only read up to, say, chapter 6 in the manga. Please be nice!

R&R ;)

~Indie ^_~