The sun shines in that world, big and bright. The once beautiful flowers have bunched up with the overgrown weeds, becoming disgusting and unworthy of any sort of gaze. The gate is rusty and untouched, showing no sign of anyone entering or leaving. The boy's frame is small, and curled up. His knees are hugged to his chest as he stares at the ground. His sitting position went unmoving, even as he felt the wind bluster with all it's might. The small Hitachiin hugged his legs tighter, wishing, wanting, hoping for any form of contact and warmth. He wanted to get up, rush around the vacant world and find his twin. But it wouldn't matter much, they would hold hands and block everything out, just like they always did. He wanted change, wanted to open up, but the fear of no one being able to figure out that 'he' was Hikaru, made him shut everyone out. He wanted to be distinguished as Hikaru Hitachiin, not Kaoru. He was Hikaru, and Kaoru was Kaoru. Wasn't there anyone who could tell them apart?
His head snapped up from his trance, the gate in front of him rattled as a small boy touched the chain covered gate. Gold eyes met with soft amethyst as a young blonde boy smiled at him from outside the gate. The outsider gave a friendly greeting to which the caged boy hesitantly reciprocated.
"Why are you in there all by your lonesome?" The boy asked Hikaru, tilting his head. "Wouldn't it be much nicer to be out here?"
"I'm waiting..." Was the only reply Hikaru gave.
"Waiting? On what?" The boy asked.
"For someone to spot the difference..." He said.
The boy blinked and leaned in closer, examining the small Hitachiin. "The difference? Between what?"
Hikaru sighed, these questions were giving him a headache. "Between me and Kaoru."
"Am I to assume you are talking about someone else?"
Hikaru nodded. "Yes."
"Well then, might I ask what your name is?" The boy smiled.
"... Hikaru. Hikaru Hitachiin." Hikaru turned his head, blushing lightly at the strangers smile.
"Well I can assure you I will know the difference when the time comes, Hikaru Hitachiin." Said the boy.
"When the time comes?" Hikaru asked, looking over at the blonde. "When will that be?" He stood up slowly, his eyes showing hope.
"Hmmm, that all depends on you." He hands gripped the rusted chain that held the stiff lock. "And when you decide you want this gone." He rattled the chain softly and turned to walk away.
Hikaru gasped and dashed to the gate, his hands crashing against the bars as he shouted. "Wait, what's your name?"
But the boy didn't answer, he merely walked to a distance before disappearing. The twin slid to his knees, tears threatening to drip from his eyes as the face of the boy stayed plastered in his brain.
A set of identical feet walked through the weeds and flowers, kicking lightly at the opposite end of their world. The bars on this side weren't as rusty as the other side, but they showed small patches of brown. Kaoru sighed as he looked around, wanting to find his brother so that he could feel complete. His head looked down as he thought of how his brother had been feeling lately. They were glued to the hip, as most people put it, but he could tell Hikaru wanted more. He too, wanted to open up. But he knew he couldn't open the gate alone.
His thoughts were interrupted by a smooth voice talking to him. "Why do you look so lost?"
Kaoru looked over, noticing the boy with the glasses. Like Kaoru, he too, was a small child, only a little taller than the younger twin.
"Oh, um. Just thinking." Kaoru answered.
The dark haired boy smirked. "Ah, I see. Well it seems that I cannot reach you at the moment. I shall try again later when the hinges to this world are broken. You are Kaoru Hitachiin, correct?"
Kaoru's eyes lit up, along with his cheeks. "Y-yes!" He answered, feeling overwhelmed by someone looking so sure of themselves while addressing one of the twins.
"Splendid, well, I shall see you when the moment is right. Until then." He turned and began walking away.
Like his brother, Kaoru rushed to the bars and shouted, asking the strangers name. And like the previous stranger, all he did was ignore the twin, and disappear.
Years passed, and both twins grew, yet their world remained the same. It wasn't until the two strangers returned, that the hinges to their world began to crumble. Hikaru glanced up at the sound of a shoe hitting the ground. A small chuckle met his ear as he watched the blonde smile down at him.
"How many years has it been? I don't know how you can manage to sit on the ground for that long. And in the same position no less!"
Hikaru's eyes widened as he stared up at the young man. "I don't know what you mean..." He looked away, attempting to be Kaoru in hopes that the man would leave him be.
"You can't fool me Hikaru Hitachiin." Said the young man, smiling. "Please stand." He outstretched his arm through the bars.
Hikaru stared at the smooth hand, and, on pure instinct, held out his own hand and took it, standing up and staring at the blonde. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Tamaki Suoh." He said. "If you don't mind, could you please open the gate?"
Hikaru blushed and withdrew his hand, looking at the gate as he did so. In all honesty, he didn't know how to open the gate. He had no key to unlock it, no magic word to utter to it. But, he so desperately wanted to be free, to be loved by someone. He touched the lock on the gate, and trailed his finger over it, jumping at how the heavy unused lock sprang open and fell to the ground, chain unraveling and falling with it. Tamaki smiled as the door to the gate opened, connecting the outside world to the twins. Hikaru cautiously stepped out, crossing the line he vowed never to cross. In an instant he found himself in Tamaki's arms, being held around his torso by one hand as the other gently stroked his ginger locks. A vow of protection was uttered from Tamaki's mouth as he whispered into Hikaru's ear, holding him close as he felt tears soak into his shirt.
As this development occurred, Kaoru looked around, feeling something off about the world. He frowned and looked into the direction he knew his brother was in. His investigation was run short as voice swept over him. "I see you've grown."
Kaoru turned around and spotted the stranger from many years ago. "It's you..."
"To be more accurate, my name is Kyoya Ootori." He said, adjusting his glasses. "But that's neither here nor there. Your world has finally opened up, and I'm pleased to hear it. Perhaps now I can reach you." He stepped forward, the bars to the world shattering in an instant as he stood before the young twin. "That is, if you'll let me." He said, his hand reaching up and touching the boys head. Kaoru blushed up at the boy, never in his life had he met such a strong willed person. The twin nodded and leaned into the touch of Kyoya's hand, finding himself embracing the taller boy.
The once closed off world is now open. Someone can tell them apart, and because of this, more and more qualities will show between the twins. Having that in mind, Hikaru and Kaoru both have high hopes for the world they now find themselves in. And encourage you to know which is which.
