(Author's Note: Depending on how the rest of Season 2 pans out, some of this may end up being a little bit AU.)
Akihiko leaned on the windowsill, basking in the sun's afternoon rays. He watched the boisterous Defense Club chatter loudly outside the nearby onsen. Yumoto grinned at his older brother, arms waving in excitement as he shared a story about sea slugs. Aki's nose wrinkled with displeasure. His attention strayed to his brother. Haru stood stiffly at his side, one hand frozen on Aki's waist. His beautiful face twisted into a scowl. His hand fisted in Aki's jacket, and crimson eyes narrowed into furious slits.
Aki straightened, stepping in front of the window in an attempt to distract and soothe his younger brother. He slipped his hand into Haru's and moved closer. His free hand rose to cup Haru's cheek. "Haru..."
"It's not fair!" Haru shook with anger, eyes cast down. He leaned into Aki's touch and his hand tightened around his twin's. "Yumoto doesn't know how good he has it! He doesn't deserve Gora. After everything we've been through..." He pulled Aki close, arms around his brother, and hid his face in his twin's pale hair. Aki hugged him back tightly.
"I know," Aki whispered. He kept close, melting into the familiar warmth. Slowly, Haru relaxed as well, his iron grip softening.
"We deserve to be loved... haven't we been robbed of it long enough?" Haru's harsh tone faded to something more fragile.
Aki pulled back just enough to see his brother's face. Raw emotions battled across Haru's expression. He bit his lower lip in frustration, brows furrowed and eyes cast aside and vulnerable. Worry knotted in Aki's stomach-just seeing his brother like this broke his heart. He moved close again, pressing a kiss to Haru's forehead and cuddling his brother close. "I'll always love you."
"I... I know." Haru relaxed. He looked up at Aki, expression softening. "I'll always love you, too, Aki."
Guilt coiled inside of Aki. He held his brother close, nuzzling into his hair. He'd done everything he could to take care of Haru. He'd tried his hardest to watch out for both of them as kids. But they had just been kids-and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't bring their parents back.
He'd struggled to find food for them when the cupboards emptied, but the two had still gone to bed hungry more times than he could count. He'd worked so carefully to sculpt himself into the perfect galaxy idol, to sweet-talk his way into power and wealth for both their sakes. The adoration of their fawning fans was only a shadow next to the ever-absent love of their parents. The mansion and delicacies could only make up for so many cold and hungry nights of the past… but it was a start. At least now they had Dadacha. Whether he was manipulating the twins or not-at least he seemed to care.
Haru's fingers brushed through Aki's hair, and his worry and guilt slipped away.
"Come on. Let's have some tea and see our fans. That'll cheer us up."
Aki nodded, lingering in the hug for a moment before letting his twin lead the way downstairs.
Haru plopped down onto their favorite couch and tugged Aki into his lap. A smile tugged at Aki's lips. He curled close, intertwining comfortably with his twin. A small crowd of students gathered around the two, eyes sparkling with admiration. The bravest students offered heartfelt greetings, and beautiful sweets found their way to the twin's table. Eclairs, daifuku, and small lemon cakes stacked neatly on small, silver-rimmed plates.
"Good afternoon everyone." Aki smiled to the crowd, and excited murmurs erupted in its wake. His worries melted away—he and Haru would never have to go hungry again. The darkness of their past was behind them. They had made it this far, after all.
The clatter of fine china distracted him. A boy with mousy brown hair and dark eyes glowered down at the tea, and shoved it onto the table gracelessly. The contempt in his eyes disappeared as soon as he noticed the twins carefully watching him, though. Straightening, the young man offered a flawless, practiced smile. "Here's your tea." Sweetness dripped from his words like honey.
Aki and Haru looked up at him with identical interest. "Thank you," Aki told him, returning the boy's smile. "What is your name?"
"It's Tachi," he told them, frowning. The boy's necktie was knotted in the worst attempt of the trinity knot that Aki had ever seen. His shoes were expensive but dirty. Tarnish blackened his delicate silver cufflinks like soot, and his courteous mask barely covered the jealousy burning beneath.
Perfect.
"Tachi, is something on your mind...?" Haru leaned forward, one arm sliding around Aki's waist as he sat up. He studied the boy with a smirk.
"I wouldn't want to trouble you," Tachi told them, squirming.
"It's no trouble. We'd like to help, if we can," Aki soothed. The distrust evaporated from Tachi's eyes as he straightened.
"You want to help me?"
"We're on your side." Aki slipped out of his brother's arms to take Tachi's hand. He cold see Tachi fold under the pressure. Like a hungry wolf, he went in for the kill. "Tachi... tell me-what do you want more than anything?"
Tachi's mouth twitched into a dark smile. "Power."
"Well, it's your lucky day."