"Hey Haruhi, I'm glad you came." Kaoru greeted her with a smile.

"You don't usually call me like that, I was worried."

"Don't be, I was just hoping you could help me with Hikaru."

"Help with Hikaru, did you two get in another fight?"

"No, It's nothing like that. I've been feeling a little sick since we got home and I was lying down but you know how he gets without me, especially after the hospital."

"Yeah, but he only does it because he loves you."

"I know, but I can't rest if he comes in the room panicking every few minutes, can you sit with him for a while?"

"I guess I could, I'm not sure how much that'll help but-"

"Trust me, you'll be a great distraction, thanks Haruhi, I knew I could count on you." She sighed as she followed him into the room where Hikaru was watching one of his favorite shows.

"Hikaru, look, Haruhi came to visit with you."

"What Kao, you know I can't-"

"Hey Hikaru." At the sound of Haruhi's voice, the oldest twin turned.

"Hey Haruhi, what are you doing here?"

"Hikaru, that's no way to treat a guest. She came to see you."

"No way to treat a guest, give me a break Kaoru, since when are you that kind of host around the house?" Kaoru ignored the comment.

"Sit down Haruhi, make yourself comfortable. Hikaru, be nice." He turned to leave the room.

"Where are you going, It's not nice to walk out on your guests." Hikaru taunted.

"I told you, she's here for you, you don't need me around-'

"Don't you ever say that Kaoru, you're my baby brother, I'll always-"

"Calm down, if you would have let me finish, you don't need me around while you two are visiting, I'll be upstairs, have a good time you two." Kaoru said with a smile.

"Hey Kao?"

"Yeah?"

"You're up there a lot, you're not sick again are you?"

"Hikaru, you know I'm okay." Without another word, Kaoru disappeared from the room. Hikaru sighed sadly.

"Hey Hikaru, are you okay, you look pretty upset, do you want to tell me about it?"

"You really want to hear it?"

"Yeah, maybe it'll help." Haruhi lowered herself onto the couch next to him.

"You probably already know but..It's Kaoru, I'm really worried about him, he's been spending a lot of time alone up there, mostly lying in bed. The doctor says he's okay but there's no reason for him to act this way if that's true."

"You know he has days that he's not feeling good, maybe he's still trying to adjust to things, they say it takes a long time sometimes. If the doctor says he's okay, you can believe that. Kyoya senpai picked that doctor, he wouldn't let Kaoru see him if he didn't think he knew what he was doing."

"I know but It's still hard to see him act that way." Haruhi put a hand on his arm.

"Of course it is, he's your brother, it's understandable. You just have to remember that he's getting better and it takes time."

"Yeah, I guess so." There was a long silence that fell over them.

"So, do you want to watch something, I have to go and check on Kaoru." Hikaru began to stand up only to have Haruhi lightly touch his hand.

"He just got up there Hikaru, give him a chance to rest."

"You don't understand, I can't. Not since he almost died."

"Of course you can, just relax, he's okay." After what had felt like forever, Haruhi managed to get Hikaru to sit down. She had attempted to talk to him but his anxiety was clearly visible. He eyed the stairs.

"Hikaru- alright I know this is bothering you, let's go look." Haruhi stood up.

"You're-"

"I'm going with you. I care about Kaoru too." Hikaru smiled.

"Yeah, I never really said thank you for all the times you came over to help us or to just see if we were okay did I?"

"You guys are okay, that's all the thanks I could ask for." They stood still looking into each other's eyes.

upstairs, Kaoru sat on the edge of the bed, he too was grinning. Hikaru hadn't come to check on him yet and he had been up there for twenty or so minutes now.

His plan was working but he knew they would come soon. It wouldn't be long now. They would have to acknowledge their feelings, even if it didn't work out, they had to try. Kaoru fully intended to push his brother in the right direction.

"Come on Hika, don't be so stubborn, she's right there in front of you, do something." He thought out loud to himself. A knock at the door got his attention.

"Kaoru, are you awake?" Hikaru called.

"Yeah, you can open the door." Hikaru didn't waste any time in doing so.

"Feeling better Kao?"

"A little, how are things going downstairs?"

"They're okay." Hikaru said with a shrug.

"Good. Hey haruhi, are you enjoying your visit?"

"It's always good to talk to you guys." Haruhi had become closer to the twins after Kaoru's hospital stay. Things were slowly changing.

"Good. We're glad you came over.' The younger twin meant it. He could see it clearly in his brother's eyes.

"Are you sure you're feeling okay Kao, we can get-"

"I'm fine, I'm just going to sit up here for a while."

"You should sit with us, I don't want you to feel left out."

"I don't. You two go back downstairs and relax."

"But Kaoru, you-"

"Hikaru, you don't have to worry so much, we owe it to Haruhi to entertain her, she came all this way to see us."

"Really guys, its okay, I-"

"Yeah I guess." Hikaru's worry increased.

"Kaoru, you're not just trying to get rid of me because you don't feel good and I bother you are you?"

"No, I may not feel very good right now but that's no reason to have you two glued to this room. Go on Hika, go do something with her."

"But Kaoru-"

"It's okay Hika, really." The older twin looked at his brother suspiciously.

"Hikaru, I'm sure Kaoru's fine. I'm not a doctor but I think he just needs rest."

"Yeah but-"

"Come on Hikaru, give him some time and we can come back up in a little while." Haruhi assured him

"You sure Kaoru?" The younger boy nodded.

"Alright, but I'm just downstairs if you need me." Hikaru let himself be led from the bedroom and Kaoru laid down.

"It's starting." He said into the empty room. Hikaru was almost ready to take the step, this was bitter sweet for Kaoru. He wanted his twin to live his life and be happy, but at the same time, the realization that Hikaru would no longer be at his side and instead at Haruhi's was difficult to deal with. He knew he would have to learn one day, no matter how much it might hurt him.