It's time we brought Hikaru and Tamaki into the picture! Enjoy~!

~TKTKTKTK~

When Kyoya returned to his backyard the food had been cleared away leaving only the blanket, which Tamaki sat on now, absentmindedly petting his dog as he awaited his host's return. Kyoya found it somewhat odd that the Host King had not pursued the pair into the house but knew that Tamaki had a knack for knowing when to stay out of things, a detail most wouldn't notice about the otherwise ditzy blonde. When he noticed his friend approaching Tamaki stood, giving a questioning look.

"What was that all about?"

Kyoya sighed.

"I'll tell you, but we need to talk about something else first."

Those violet eyes held only questions as Kyoya led his friend inside, wanting to have a proper sit down in the living room where it was more private. He wasn't trying to make a big deal out of this but he had already built it up too much in his head, having already spent so many nights awake and wondering what Tamaki thought of him and that kiss. The whole thing felt awkward now, and Kyoya would have avoided the conversation forever if it hadn't been for Kaoru- but now Kyoya wouldn't be able to move forward in either relationship until he got some answers.

Tamaki seemed aware that this was going to be a serious discussion and took his seat in the parlor quietly, waiting for his friend to reveal the thoughts he seemed so lost in now. Kyoya tried not to shift in his own seat, unsure how exactly to start before deciding to set an example for Tamaki and speak straightforwardly.

"Where exactly does our relationship stand, Tamaki?"

The blonde blinked in surprise- not a good sign.

"What do you mean?"

Kyoya spoke quickly, feeling frustrated already.

"Until about two weeks ago you and I were best friends, but then that day when we were cleaning the club room together you kissed me; and as far as I can tell, you immediately forgot about it because you haven't brought it up or made another move since."

Tamaki's cheeks were pink, but Kyoya was glad to see the King was not going to dance around the subject at all, replying hastily

"I've made plenty of moves, Kyoya, we've been all over each other! All those looks, the shoulder rubs, the flirting…?"

But Kyoya shook his head.

"But how is that any different than what you do for all the girls during club? Some flirting doesn't make us a couple, Tamaki, and I'm tired of waiting for you to make things clear: do you want to be together or not?"

Tamaki shifted in his seat, looking self conscious.

"I don't know…!"

Kyoya sighed, irritated by the answer.

"Well when were you going to stop and figure it out? Ever since that kiss I've been waiting for the answer but you've been leading me on all week, one minute it seems like you're asking me to dinner and the next it seems you'd rather chase after Haruhi. I'm sick of these games, Tamaki, and I think you would have let them go on forever if I hadn't said something…"

Kyoya looked down at his hands in his lap a moment, suddenly embarrassed by how open he was being. Tamaki had a way of extracting thoughts out of the Shadow King he wouldn't normally share. Kyoya only showed his true self to his best friend because Tamaki seemed too sharp to accept any other façade- it was the reason they became best friends in the first place and Kyoya had always greatly appreciated Tamaki for breaking down his walls, but it still felt strange to let his guard down. There was a reason there was a guard up in the first place, after all… by seeing the Shadow King for who he truly was, Tamaki had the ability to hurt Kyoya the most.

The blonde shook his head, sighing heavily

"I'm not trying to lead you on, Kyoya, it's just a tough decision to make- I like what we have now!"

Kyoya knew how the Host King felt, but he had already used up too much patience on the blonde to really sympathize.

"Perhaps this will make the decision easier for you: while you were out following Basanova and Haruhi, Kaoru and I went on a date."

Tamaki was blown away.

"What? You and Kaoru? Where did that come from!"

Kyoya shrugged, his cool air returning as he replied

"Kaoru asked me to dinner and I wasn't busy, so I went. It was a nicer time than I expected; In fact, we plan to get together again soon."

Seeing the look on Tamaki's face made Kyoya feel powerful again, and surprisingly guiltless: the blonde should have known better than to play games with the Shadow King.

"So that's why he was here earlier… You and Kaoru…"

Suddenly Tamaki stood, newly determined.

"It just won't work, Kyoya, even he knows that- isn't that why he left in a hurry? What about me!"

Kyoya stood as well, not appreciating his friend's self-righteous attitude and looking upon him somewhat coldly.

"What about you, Tamaki? You have no place in what goes on between Kaoru and I. Kissing me was not making a reservation, and I am not looking to be 'hosted' so drop whatever idea you had of 'us' unless you're ready to be clear about it."

The determination in Tamaki's eyes did not waver, and before he could stop it a slight flutter went through Kyoya's stomach as he saw the Host King's dedication- after being led on all week, it was satisfying to finally have Tamaki's attention.

"You and I are meant for each other, Kyoya, and I'm not going to let some silly Hitachiin come between us! I haven't forgotten how that kiss felt and I know you haven't either- you'll never be as close with him as you are with me and you know it!"

The declaration was moving and Kyoya was flattered, but he knew it was largely sentimental. Tamaki had always been all talk and no action, and this probably would be no different. Kyoya remembered how the kiss had felt, but it didn't seem to have power over him anymore. The Shadow King refused to let the blonde play with him any longer; Kaoru was like a breath of fresh air, and now that things were clear between him and Tamaki Kyoya was ready to see where things were going with the twin. And so with a neutral smile, confident that this Tamaki situation was over, Kyoya offered his friend a simple

"We'll see."

~KHKHKH~

Hikaru was waiting just inside the doorway when Kaoru finally returned home.

"There you are! Where have you been all day?"

The older twin exclaimed, his brother offering a sheepish smile.

"You were out late last night, so I decided not to wake you when I got up this morning… I went to Kyoya's."

Hikaru was taken aback.

"Kyoya's? What the heck were you doing there?"

Kaoru pursed his lips.

"He's our friend, isn't he? We've visited before…"

Hikaru pulled his eyebrows together.

"Yeah I guess, but alone…? And all day!"

Kaoru looked sheepish again, rubbing his arm. Actually, he had spent most of the day outside of Kyoya's house, trying to muster the courage to go inside, afraid to wake up the Shadow King or somehow be bothersome or discover embarrassingly that last night had been only a dream… Thinking about his sempai's gray eyes always made Kaoru squirm and it wasn't until he saw- after hiding to avoid discovery- Tamaki arrive that Kaoru finally decided he would have to be confident if he wanted a chance at Kyoya.

Without his brother by his side Kaoru felt shy and self conscious, but he knew he had to be bold to get Kyoya's attention because the Shadow King wasn't one to coddle some timid first-year with a crush. It was hard but it was worth it, and Kaoru felt like melting every time he thought back on the kiss Kyoya had given him last night. Now that he had a taste, he couldn't be content with watching his sempai from afar any longer. But first…

"Hey Hikaru," Kaoru offered his twin a smile, taking his hand. "Let's go to our room- I have something I want to tell you!"

The older twin quirked a brow but followed his brother upstairs, sitting down beside him on their bed after closing the door.

"What's up?"

Kaoru blushed slightly, a little shy to share his secret, unsure how his brother would react. For them this was big news, last night having been the first kiss out of the two of them and also his first date. It was exciting to be broadening his horizons but Kaoru knew that of course it was always kind of scary for either of them to do something without the other; being as close as they were, it was sometimes hard to tell the difference between being independent and being apart.

"Yesterday after you left the clubroom with Tamaki, I asked Kyoya out to dinner and he said yes!"

Hikaru was startled.

"You asked out Kyoya?"

Kaoru nodded, feeling proud.

"Isn't it crazy? We went out to dinner and had a really great time~"

"It's crazy alright- since when did you like Kyoya! Why didn't you tell me?"

Kaoru frowned at his brother's tone.

"Because you never asked! I've had a crush on Kyoya for a really long time… Aren't you happy for me?"

Hikaru looked angry.

"I can't believe you just did something like that, without even telling me! I thought we told each other everything- doesn't my opinion matter anymore?"

"Of course your opinion matters, Hikaru, but at the same time I don't see why I had to consult with you over something like this- it's my life, you should just support me on whatever decision I make for myself."

Hikaru shook his head.

"You're my little brother, my best friend, my twin! We do everything together, we tell each other everything- that's the way it's always been! Why are you trying to change that?"

Kaoru huffed, getting frustrated.

"We're twins, not robots! We can't hold each other's hands through everything forever- I mean, we're in high school, Hikaru, grow up! You're making way too big a deal out of this. I like Kyoya so I asked him on a date, and we went out. Why is that such a big deal? Did you think we were never going to have relationships? Why have I been helping you go after Haruhi all this time, then?"

"That's the point, Kaoru, we've been going after Haruhi together! We both agreed I should pursue her, and at least we can trust Haruhi!"

Kaoru narrowed his eyes.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Hikaru crossed his arms.

"You and I both know Haruhi would never hurt me, and if she and I were ever to go out I know she wouldn't come between us. Kyoya on the other hand, is the freakin' Shadow King! He's distant, he's mean, and I definitely can't trust that he wouldn't hurt you the second there's some gain in it for him! Honestly Kaoru I think you're a terrible match!"

Kaoru was hurt.

"Kyoya wouldn't hurt me! He might not be the friendliest but he certainly isn't cold- he's very caring, and he treated me nicely last night! Why can't you just be happy for us?"

But Hikaru shook his head.

"If he's being nice, it's only because there's something in it for him- he's probably just using your crush to take advantage of you. You're still too naïve to see stuff like that, that's why you should have told me before going ahead and doing it…!"

Kaoru's cheeks became hot, and he looked angry.

"I'm not a baby, Hikaru, I can make my own decisions! I don't care what you think of Kyoya, it's none of your business anyway! I don't need you telling me who I should and should not date, as if you know any more than I do- you're just jealous that I'm more confident and independent than you!"

Hikaru stood, just as angry.

"Well fine then Mister Independent, if you think you don't need me anymore than I guess I'll just leave you alone- and you can sleep alone tonight, too!"

And with that the older twin stomped off, slamming the door behind him and leaving his younger twin alone in the room. Kaoru couldn't believe this- how could Hikaru be so cruel, to say such awful things about Kyoya instead of being happy for them? If Hikaru had been the one to ask someone out, Kaoru was sure he wouldn't have made such a fuss- it was time Hikaru realized he wasn't such a baby and could take care of himself!

And yet… Not having his twin's support on his relationship with Kyoya made Kaoru's chest ache. How was he going to make it through all these crazy feelings and experiences without his brother and his best friend? They never fought like this… It was all Kaoru's fault, and he wanted to cry. Was Hikaru really going to ignore him from now on? It made Kaoru feel like the loneliest person in the world.

~KHKHKH~

Whelp, there you have it, folks! Kyoya's feeling better than ever now that he's free from Tamaki's games, but Tamaki and Hikaru do not approve of this new relationship and it's taking a toll on Kaoru (poor baby!) Will Kyoya and Kaoru start dating or will Tamaki find a way to win Kyoya back? Find out soon, and feel free to share ideas in a review~!