"Wait?" Hikaru paused behind me, scissors poised. "So you were supposed to have a check up, but instead he just offered you a job?"

"Sounds about right."

He leaned down, resting his chin on my shoulder and flicking his eyes between his brother and I. "And you said yes. Then just cut all your hair off?"

"Terribly, I might add," Kaoru added between bites of popcorn.

"Yup."

Both men were silent for just a second before cracking up into a fit of laughter. Kaoru was the first to cry out inbetween gulps of air, "You're freakin' crazy."

"I love it," Hikaru added, shielding his scissors to avoid an accident.

"Yes. Crazy." I let them enjoy the situation for just a minute longer before snapping at the pair. "Now will you just fix the back of my head? There was no way I was gonna get it even."

Quickly composing himself, Hikaru took a few deep breaths to stop the laughter and began to properly examine my hair. The series of hisses and intakes of breath was enough to let me know I had messed up big time. "Really Haruhi, you should have called us before you started hacking away at it. This is a disaster zone. Hey, will you let me put highlights in your hair too? It'd look pretty sweet!"

"New life, new hair. Live a little!" Kaoru launched a few loose kernels of corn at us. He couldn't rid the amusement from his features as he scrutinised his brother's performance as well as my shoddy handiwork. "And remind me to never drunkenly hand Haruhi a pair of scissors, even in an emergency."

Huffing, I ground out my request to the scissor wielding Hitachiin without breaking my glare at the popcorn muncher. "I just want it fixed. If highlights are what will make you happy, then go ahead. Just don't make me look ridiculous or like a barbie doll, got it?!"

"Your wish is my command," He bowed deeply, flourishing the scissors with a flair. As he commenced the trimming of my hair, I relaxed back into the seat and trusted his handiwork. It had been years since I'd been in a real hairdressers - the Hitachiin's provided me with any and all beauty needs I could ever ask for, and never made a mess of the job. Hikaru's possessiveness always announced itself when I mentioned my hair needed cut. He would be determined to do the job himself with Kaoru watching from the sidelines as he let his creativity flow.

Kaoru looked up from his magazine to begin his routine interrogation, pondering colour palettes and matches to my skin tone. "What's it gonna be? Blondes, reds or maybe an ash tone?"

"Ah ah ah! I want this to be a surprise."

"No fair!" he whined in response, although his interest was obviously piqued.

We returned to silence, everyone in a bubble of their own thoughts but I was rapidly growing bored as the minutes ticked by. Glancing at my stack of old law textbooks, I caught Kaoru's attention with a whistle. "Pass me that book please, Kaoru."

"Only if you answer one question for me," lifting the book, he dangled it in front of his face to tease me. "And it has to be truthfully."

My arms crossed tightly across my chest. Was it worth it for the book? He was probably just going to ask me to dye my hair pink or something equally ridiculous, so I took my chances. "I might, if you promise to give me the book."

"Promised," a twisted smirk tugged at his lips. "Now. This is a two parter: Are you only taking this job to drown the past couple of days out? Because I think you're pushing yourself a little too hard. And secondly-"

Without warning, Hikaru tugged at the collar of my shirt and cut his brother off with a howl. "Who gave you the nasty love bite!?"

"What?!" Kaoru and I both yelped out in surprise. He rushed over to get a good look at the afflicted area as his brother examined it - mainly by prodding it with a finely manicured nail. This was far too embarrassing and I knew I wouldn't be able to hide anything from either man as soon as they caught sight of my beetroot cheeks and terrified expression.

"Was it Tamaki? Did he really try to hurt you...?" Hikaru softly muttered. His words broke my heart and I wasn't sure if it was better to tell him the truth or let him think one of his closest friends would actually force himself on me like that.

"He wasn't acting himself, you know that," I replied, stroking his cheek gently to soothe him. "But no, it wasn't him."

Their heads shot up and shook me firmly, demanding I put them out of their misery and kill the suspense. "Then tell us! Details, now!"

"Put the scissors down and I'll consider it, geez..." After I observed the men putting away the sharp implements, I settled into the chair more comfortably. Their confusion, excitement and all round energy seemed to fill the room with an electricity. It was very unfitting for the traditional and picturesque atmosphere that the Morinozuka mansion exuded.

"I did something stupid."

"Yeah, his name was Tamaki."

"Shut it," I ground out. "This isn't a laughing matter, and it better not leave this room. You hear me?!" With mock salutes, they agreed.

"Okay, well, Kyoya stopped Tamaki from doing anything too dumb. Although I doubt he would have really hurt me - he was just upset is all," I shot the pair a look as they began to stir with anger. "But still, Kyoya saved me, hugged me, tried to make sure I was okay. It was wrong. He should have been helping his friend instead of tending to me. And I kissed him."

Hikaru waved his arms wildly in the air, "Hold up, hold up. You. You kissed scary puss, Shadow King, overlord of controlling bastards?"

"Why would you do that?!" Kaoru shivered, struggling to imagine the experience for himself.

"Adrenaline? I don't know. It just seemed right in the moment, but he said to pretend it never happened. That I was just using him and that was fine, and that hurt." I could feel the tears welling up again, but I told myself that today I would not cry. There had been enough crying lately.

Two pairs of arms wrapped around me, "hey, it's alright. Don't take what he said to heart. You know what he's like - human emotions aren't his forte."

"I wasn't using him, I really wasn't..."