Chapter Three
Behind These Hazel Eyes
"Remind me again why I'm wearing contacts, eyeliner, and tighter clothing than most women?" Kyouya asked Kaoru, who was currently applying Kyouya's makeup.
"We're going to a club in New York City! You should be excited, Kaasan!" Tamaki obviously was; he was practically bouncing.
"We have to look the part, Kyou. And you're the only person I've ever met who can fit into those pants, so enjoy them," Kaoru added. "Besides, you look sexy."
"Well, thank you. I think." Personally, the leather pants were not something Kyouya would normally have been caught dead wearing…and neither was the vest that Kyouya was sure must have belonged to a child, because there was no way that it would completely cover his stomach, no matter how hard he tried. He was somewhat annoyed that Tamaki was merely wearing mostly what he would wear on a normal basis, and so was Kaoru. So why was he stuck looking like some sort of male prostitute?
"Hikaru's going to be wearing the latest fashion, after all. We have to at least come up to his level. Although this whole thing is a little worrisome…"
"What?" Kyouya asked, when it was obvious that Kaoru wasn't going to continue without prompting.
"Just…I did some research on this place and…well…let's just say that we'd fit in rather well," he told the dark-haired man.
"A gay club."
"Not exclusively, but they frequent it. Actually…it's a strip club."
"And what is your twin brother doing at a strip club?"
"Mom decided to expand our company and introduce a lingerie line to go along with our swimwear line, and I guess Hikaru figured that the easiest way to show off the new line was to hire women and men who were used to wearing almost nothing," Kaoru reasoned. "There. You're done."
"Kaoru, are you sure it was a good idea not to tell Hikaru that you were coming?" Kyouya caught the younger man's wrist. At Kaoru's urging, he had been the one to contact Hikaru and the elder twin had immediately invited him to New York to attend the fashion show. When Kyouya had vaguely mentioned that he might bring one or two friends along, Hikaru had agreed, although Kyouya had not told him who those friends were.
"Yeah. We'll surprise him." Kaoru grinned. "Now, let's go."
000
Kyouya stepped out of the spacious limousine and onto a red carpet, blinking at the flashing neon lights. "Kyouya? Is that really you?" he turned to see a familiar face, although his face was about the only thing that hadn't changed. His hair was a dark chestnut brown and styled in a way that Kaoru would probably never dream of, although Kyouya had to admit that it suited Hikaru's personality rather well. Besides that, he had about five piercings in his left ear, and he was dressed rather provocatively. Even more so than Kyouya, and; in his current outfit; that was saying something. "Not that it isn't great to see you, but…I almost didn't recognize you!" Hikaru grinned and held out his hand, which Kyouya shook.
"Hika! Who's your friend? He's hot!" Two women came up and Hikaru smiled at them, putting an arm around each of them and pulling them close.
"Ah, Kyouya: these are two of my models, Coco and Candee. Ladies, this is a high school buddy of mine: Kyouya Ootori. Believe it or not, he's richer than I am," Hikaru said.
"Ooh, really? Can we have some fun with him tonight?" one asked, causing Kyouya to feel rather like some sort of rare specimen at a museum.
"Sorry, girls…but I'm afraid that won't be possible. I'm gay," Kyouya shrugged, figuring it was better to say it outright than have them chase him.
"Aww…"
"Go on, girls. Get ready," Hikaru kissed the one…Kyouya didn't care which…before sending them off. He then turned to Kyouya. "Good one, Kyou."
"It's the truth."
"Really…" Hikaru slid closer and pressed himself up against Kyouya. "What about me, then? Wanna go?" he grinned, and Kyouya was once again reminded of the difference between the Hitachiin twins. Kaoru was so timid and shy, even when he was consciously trying to get Kyouya to notice him. Hikaru, on the other hand, just came right out and said what he wanted.
"What about 'Coco and Candee?'" Kyouya snorted.
"I'm unabashedly bi," Hikaru informed him. "But, even though you're hot, you're still the 'shadow king,' I guess. But…I thought you were bringing friends? Where are they?" he glanced around.
"Oh. They're…" Kyouya glanced over his shoulder and gave the limo a wave, and a second later Tamaki bounded out.
"Hikaru!"
"Tono?" Hikaru's look turned from shock to obvious happiness as Tamaki enthusiastically pumped his hand. "You both look absolutely gorgeous! In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd say that the only one who could pull off something as flawless as this would be another Hitachiin, but…" his words died in his throat as the limo door opened and another man got out. "K-Kaoru?"
Kaoru looked over and his eyes widened as he took in his brother's appearance. "Hikaru?"
"Kaoru!"
"Hikaru!"
Kyouya had to pull Tamaki out of the way as the two brothers rushed at each other. The hug they ended up in was something that Kaoru wouldn't have expected, but he found that every negative feeling he had towards his brother seemed to evaporate.
But something seemed…off. He told himself it was simply because he was thinking too much and tried to enjoy the feel of his brother's arms around him, but the nagging voice in his head wouldn't go away. Kaoru would always love his brother, but…
"Kao, I can't…you're really…"
"I'm here, Hika." Kaoru looked up and gave Hikaru a gentle smile. "I had to come."
"Hika, who's this?"
"Ladies, didn't I tell you to get changed?" Hikaru grinned at them.
"But your friends are all really sexy. Are you gonna score tonight?"
"Who knows? But, girls, I want you to meet my high school yearmate, my business partner, my best friend and, most importantly, my twin brother Kaoru," Hikaru said, and Kaoru immediately knew what was wrong. Hikaru wasn't acting like he really cared; like Kaoru being there was merely something advantageous to him in some non-personal way, and honestly it made Kaoru feel rather offended. In fact, he could have been holding a piece of meat for all the warmth he was giving off, and somehow being with his brother made him feel more alone than ever.
Kyouya noticed and lightly touched Tamaki's arm, but the blonde was too preoccupied by the sights and sounds. A few moments later, a young woman came up to them. "Sorry, gents, but can I see your invitations?"
"But…we're with Hikaru!" Tamaki protested.
"Sorry. I can't let you in without an invite. However," she paused thoughtfully. "If you two make out, I'll let you go inside."
"No thank you. There's hardly any merit in it for me. I really have no need to go inside," Kyouya crossed his arms and tried to look disinterested. Which wasn't hard, seeing as how it was practically his normal expression. He should have known that Hikaru would try to pull something like this; it was altogether too convenient; especially since the woman had popped out of nowhere and had not asked anyone else for an invitation. Of course, Tamaki didn't notice this, but that was hardly unexpected.
"I'll give you 1000," she pulled out the money with a sly grin.
Kyouya looked at the proffered money with interest, and tried to reason it out with himself. Of course he wanted to kiss Tamaki, and for a thousand dollars…well, it wasn't up to him in the end. He'd leave it up to the blonde. "Well, Tamaki?"
"Kaasan, I want to go in! We came to go to a party, and we can't do that out here!"
"So? Is that a yes?" the woman looked eager.
"Isn't there another way…"
"Nope. Sorry."
"Well…I…guess so. Kyouya?" Tamaki looked worried.
"Don't do it for my sake," Kyouya told him.
"But I want to go in! Kyouya…" Tamaki pulled at his vest. "Let's just do it."
"You're sure?"
Tamaki nodded, but he looked decidedly unsure. "I am."
"Remember, really make out," the woman put in again. "No half-hearted stuff. And I'll tell you when to quit," she grinned.
"Tamaki…"
"Do it, Kyouya. I told you…" he leant forward. "If I want to do this with anyone, it's you. And you're really sexy tonight."
"You're not going to regret it?"
"Never…Mommy," Tamaki grinned.
Kyouya didn't need any more urging as he pulled Tamaki close and locked lips with the blonde. Tamaki was completely rigid, so Kyouya ran his hands over the (slightly) taller man's body in an effort to urge him on. Tamaki finally snapped out of his trance and opened his mouth slightly, and Kyouya took the opportunity. This…was heaven. He was kissing the man he had loved for years, and even though Tamaki probably didn't feel the same as he did, the fact that he was letting Kyouya do this meant a lot.
Tamaki, for his part, had just processed the fact that he was tonguing with his best friend before he realized that he didn't care. He…Kyouya was good. And that was currently the only important thought in his head.
"Oh my Lord, they're actually doing it! I knew Kyouya would do anything for a buck!" Hikaru was laughing hysterically.
"Hika…you planned this?" Kaoru was incredulous.
"Yeah. It's great, isn't it?"
"Hikaru! You can't just toy with people's feelings like that!"
"What feelings?"
"Kyouya loves him!" Kaoru exclaimed. "Can you even guess what you're putting him through? Or what he's been through…what both of us have been through?"
"You can't keep wishing for happy endings, Kao-chan. They only exist in fairy tales. Besides, real love doesn't exist. Sex is sex, after all," he shrugged.
Kaoru broke away from his brother and stared at him in shock. "How can you say that? It's not true!"
"Well, maybe a little virgin like you is still deluded…"
"I'm not a virgin! But you don't seem to care," Kaoru glared. "I don't know who you are, but you're not my brother." He started to turn away, but Hikaru caught hold of his wrist. "Let go!"
"Kaoru…" Hikaru spun him around and pulled him close. "Come home with me tonight," he purred.
"I said let go!" Kaoru tore his hand away and dashed into the building, trying to ignore the fact that he was close to tears. But he wouldn't let Hikaru see him cry; wouldn't let this…this…parody of his brother see how much it was affecting him. He felt that Hikaru had taken everything…his trust, his heart, his life, his soul…and smashed it into a million pieces.
Kyouya noticed him run off and pulled away from Tamaki. He shared a look with the blonde, who nodded in understanding. Kyouya returned the nod and headed into the club, figuring that Kaoru would have gone straight to the bathroom. Glancing around, he found the washrooms and quickly made his way over; ignoring the looks he was getting from various unsavoury bar patrons; opened the door, and walked to the stalls. "Kaoru?"
"Go away."
Kyouya paid close attention to what stall the answer had come from because; this being the type of bar it was; he had no desire to open the wrong stall. Smiling to himself as he realized that the lock could easily be opened from the outside, he quickly turned it and slipped in, relocking the door behind him. "Kaoru."
"Kyouya, I don't know him anymore! He's not my brother!" Kaoru refused to turn around, but Kyouya could clearly see his shoulders shaking.
"I was afraid that this might happen."
"Kyou…he said he wanted me to go home with him tonight! But…his eyes. There was nothing I knew in them anymore!" Kaoru's own golden eyes were now full of tears. "What…what should I do?"
"Go with him. No; listen to me," Kyouya put a finger over Kaoru's lips as he started to protest. "He's pulling something I would: he's trying to make money, and he's trying to resurrect your old act to do it. So listen: see how he acts in private, because that will truly tell you if he's changed that much," he explained.
"But what if he…what if…"
"Call me," Kyouya told him. "I'll be close by; we'll get a hotel as close as we can."
"Kyouya!" Kaoru embraced him. "Thank you. You're…really a nice person."
"Well, sometimes," Kyouya held the young man close, and Kaoru laughed at his comment.
"No; wait! My friend…no, don't! I…mmph…"
"Oh, for the love of…that baka!" Kyouya growled. He slammed the stall door open, looking murderous. "Tamaki Suou!"
"Kyouya?"
Or, at least, that's what Kyouya thought he said, although it was obviously hard to speak when one large and mean-looking man was kissing him fiercely and another was obviously trying to get his pants open.
"Get your filthy hands off of him!" Kyouya was shocked at the flood of jealousy that coursed through him.
"Hey, hey, pretty boy; we're just havin' some fun…"
"Get out." Kyouya took one step forward, and the men took off. Tamaki gave him a half-dazed look, and Kyouya took hold of his wrist none-too-gently and dragged him into the stall, slamming the door before glaring at the blonde. "Don't ever do that again! You're beautiful, Tousan, and they'll take advantage of that. You…Tamaki…" Kyouya glanced down and Tamaki realized that one of the men had undone his belt and unzipped his fly at some point. He hastily righted his clothing before glancing up to meet Kyouya's dark eyes.
"Sorry I worried you, Kaasan. I…that was pretty scary, and…hey, Kyou…" Tamaki looked surprised when Kyouya pulled him close but he soon returned the embrace. "Kyouya, they didn't do anything. Really."
Kaoru smiled at the two of them and Tamaki pulled him into the awkward hug, causing him to sigh.
"Go talk to your brother," Tamaki told him.
"Yeah. I will. You know he…planned the kiss?"
"I had guessed," Kyouya admitted. "About that, Tamaki…"
"Don't worry about it," Tamaki grinned. "You're a really good kisser, Kaasan. But…" he winked, "we came here to have fun, so let's go do some of that."
Kaoru nodded in agreement, and Kyouya eventually sighed and shrugged as they headed back into the club.
Okay…so, I have no idea why I wanted to use a Kelly Clarkson song, other than the fact that it seemed to fit the chapter well.
So. The beginnings of Kaoru-angst, for anyone who wanted it. There's more to come; so don't worry.
Why am I always the hardest on the characters I like?
Anyway, thanks for the continued reviews/favourites/alerts, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter:)