Hikaru shifted uncomfortably on the couch as he waited for the rest of the host club to arrive in the music room, he felt exhausted and sick. His stomach and side ached terribly.
"Hikaru, I think we need to get you home, or to a doctor, this has been going on too long." Kaoru told him, pressing a hand to his brother's head.
"You have a fever and you're really pale, please?" The younger twin pleaded.
"Kaoru, I'm fine, it's probably a stomach bug or something." Hikaru insisted.
"You can't tell me you're fine, you've been going right to bed after school for days and you sleep through til morning Hika, and you still tell me you're tired, something isn't right."
"I'll be fine, don't worry." Kaoru was beginning to feel frustrated.
"Hikaru, are you okay?" Haruhi asked upon entering the room.
"I'm fine, just a little tired." Haruhi looked at him pointedly.
"You look like you're really sick.
"That's because he is and he won't admit to it." Kaoru said.
"I said it was just-"
"Just a stomach bug, It's more than that, It's not just a little stomach ache, being a little tired and having a fever. You always want to sleep, you don't feel good and last night-"
"Last night was just once, it-"
"That's one time too many." Kaoru shot back.
"Kao, I'll get better, I promise."
"Go see a doctor, that's all I'm asking you to do right now."
"Kaoru-"
"Are Kao-Chan and Hika-Chan fighting Haru-Chan?" Honey asked stepping into the room. The twins seemed oblivious to his arrival.
" it looks like it Honey senpai. I don't think It's fake this time."
"Hika-Chan looks like he doesn't feel very good." Honey looked up at Mori senpai. The taller host didn't reply.
"So if I had those symptoms, and last night was the other way around, you'd say I had a stomach bug and wouldn't worry?"
"Of course I'd worry, you're my little brother, you're very important to me Kaoru."
"You don't think I feel the same way?"
"I'm sure you do but there isn't any reason to assume It's something to worry about." Kaoru turned away from him.
"What's going on in here?" Tamaki and Kyoya appeared in the doorway.
"Hikaru and Kaoru are fighting." Haruhi answered.
"Again, I wonder what-"
"No senpai, I think they're really fighting."
"We thought that last time and it wasn't real."
"Look at Hikaru." She said pointing to the far end of their couch and the pale boy attempting to talk to his brother.
"He looks sick."
"That's why they're fighting. Hikaru says It's a stomach bug but Kaoru doesn't and wants him to see a doctor." Haruhi explained.
"Under the circumstances, I think that's good advice." Kyoya added.
"Don't be like this Kaoru, I can't stand it when you act like you don't hear me. Talk to me, please."
"I have nothing more to say to you Hikaru, not one more word." Kaoru allowed himself to glance back at his twin without moving his head.
"Kaoru, I'm sorry, don't do this." Kaoru stood up and to everyone's astonishment, he walked away, leaving the hosts speechless. After several minutes, Kaoru sank slowly into a chair. Hikaru watched in alarm.
"Kao, what is it?" He called out.
"It's nothing." Kaoru's tone had changed drastically.
"Kaoru, seriously, if something's wrong you need to tell me." Hikaru demanded, Haruhi took a step forward only to have kyoya place a hand on her shoulder.
"They'll work it out." He said.
Hikaru walked over to his little brother.
"Kao, what's bothering you?"
"I'm alright, I just-" the younger twin leaned back against the chair he rested a hand on his belly.
"It really hurts Hika, I feel a little weak, I'm just so-"
"Just relax, you'll be Okay." Kaoru shook his head.
"No Hikaru, I can't, I'm so tired and it hurts so much, I just want to go lie down and sleep. It's never going to get better, I can't." He moaned softly.
"It's okay, I'll take you to a doctor and they'll make it feel better."
"No doctors, I-I just want to go and- I-"
"Kaoru, you need medicine or something, but you'll be alright."
"No, I don't want to-" Hikaru's illness was nothing compared to the fear he felt know.
"Kao, if you feel this bad, you're either going to go to a doctor or straight to a hospital. I don't want you to go through this too." Hikaru panicked.
"Shouldn't we do something you guys?" Haruhi asked.
"No." Kyoya took out his phone but turned back to the twins.
"You'll understand soon."
"Kao, you're scaring me."
"Don't worry, Hika, It's probably just a little stomach bug."
"That's not just a stomach bug Kaoru, you-"
"You don't think so?" Kaoru's voice was now normal.
"No I don't, I think you-" Hikaru stopped and stared at his twin.
"That's what you've been doing to me for a while, you said those things, and a lot more. Last night scared me too. Everything you just felt, imagine if I did that days at a time, started sleeping from the time we came home until the next morning and still felt exhausted. The only difference is you were a lot worse Hikaru. You wanted me to go to a hospital, so why wouldn't you go?" Hikaru remained silent.
"You were faking that?"
"Yeah, to show you what it looked like to me, going to the hospital doesn't seem like such a bad idea now does it Hikaru?"
"Damn Kaoru, you scared the hell out of me!" Hikaru threw his arms around his twin.
"Don't you ever do that again." Tears fell from the oldest brother's eyes.
"Go to the hospital Hika, I'll go with you."
"Kaoru, I don't want -"
"No one ever does, do you love me Hika?"
"You're my baby brother of course I love you."
"Then show me, I want you to get better. I've been so worried."
"It's alright Kaoru, I'll go so we can both feel better. Thank you for making me understand."
"Come on then, let's go." Kaoru stood up and felt a wave of dizziness come over him.
"Kaoru, are you okay?"
"I think so, just a little lightheaded."
"Now we should do something." Kyoya announced.
"Tamaki, I have a car waiting for us make sure Hikaru gets to it, I'll bring Kaoru shortly."
"I want to stay with Kaoru." Hikaru protested.
"I'll see you in the car Hika, It's okay."
"But-"
"Please?" Hikaru hesitated for a moment before agreeing and he allowed Tamaki to walk him out.
"Kaoru, are you okay to walk?" Kyoya asked. The room around Kaoru was beginning to fade to black and he slipped into the darkness.
