A/n: I told you the next one would come out a bit quicker. *laughs*

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Chapter 12: Uneasiness

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It was only a matter of time, really.

Hikaru forces on a bright smile and there is this air of awkwardness that settles about. He's sitting –quite happily so might he add, though he knows he may look a bit like a mad man right now- in a very expensive restaurant with candle lights that only look romantic at night.

Kaoru is sitting right in front of him, and he's looking down at his plate and just shifting his food around because doesn't this restaurant get it that the air of romanticism they set only works at night?

Hikaru clears his throat and Kaoru's head perks up, staring at him with wide and embarrassed eyes. Hikaru is sorely reminded of The Air of Awkwardness. Hikaru wishes so damn much that someone open a window.

This is one of those moments in his life where he tells himself, 'Yeah, you know what you did? That was stupid.' He doesn't know what had possessed him to approach Kaoru that morning, but he did ask his baby brother out on a date. Undeniably, and he doesn't know what had possessed Kaoru, Kaoru said yes.

Hikaru thinks it might be because they're both retarded, or something.

Questionably, it seems only small bits of food are left on Kaoru's plate. Hikaru notices and discreetly tries to eat faster without choking. He tilts his head back as cold sparkling water slides down his throat, he stares into his drink and gods this is embarrassing.

He places his drink down and Kaoru's is staring at him with a soft smile on his lips.

"Let's go for a walk." And it's more than just a request.


They're walking alongside each other and Hikaru's looking down at their hands. His fingers twitch, and Kaoru's hands are just there, only millimetres from his. But those millimetres are like a thousand and one miles and no one really holds the hand of their twin brother at this age.

Hikaru only vaguely notices that Kaoru has stopped walking. He looks back to find Kaoru staring at an ice cream store. Hikaru eyes the store with jealousy and pure hate-on and all the inappropriate feelings. It's still cold in this time of the year but if Kaoru wants some ice cream, then damn it Hikaru will get him some.

Minutes later, they're back to walking around heading towards nowhere. But, Kaoru does seem exponentially happier, and this day might actually turn out for the better.

Hikaru notices that there is a shallow puddle of murky and muddy water in front of them and Hikaru stops. "Wait," Hikaru says, and Kaoru stops, his ice cream all gone, with his foot near the puddle.

Hikaru makes a show of removing his coat and moves it to cover the puddle. Kaoru stares with wide eyes and something akin to horror. Hikaru coughs to his hand and waves for Kaoru to walk over because people are starting to stare.

"Hikaru..." Kaoru starts.

Hikaru cuts him off, "I don't want you to get your shoes wet." People are staring, and so he glares at Kaoru, "Just get on with it," because big brothers don't usually do this for their younger brothers.

He watches Kaoru walk hastily away with red cheeks rivalling his hair towards the nearby park; he did speak a little too soon.


Hikaru is leaning back heavily while sitting on the park bench with Kaoru slightly leaning on his shoulder. His coat is a heap of dirty and wet cloth beside his foot and the moment of his stupidity and utter embarrassment awhile ago escapes him.

The park is decidedly empty and Hikaru decides, "We should've done this sooner."

Kaoru hums his agreement and a comfortable haze of silence settles between them. Hikaru tilts his head to the side as he watches Kaoru gazing straight ahead at everything and nothing. He tilts Kaoru's face towards his and he kisses Kaoru, and it's slow and lazy, and it's moments like these that Hikaru hopes to happen more often.

He pulls back slightly, with their short breaths playing with each other. "Was this a bad idea?"

"If we were still sitting in the restaurant," Kaoru rolls his eyes, "or gods forbid, you doing that thing with your coat again, I'd have to say yes." Hikaru does not visibly flinch at this point. "But... not so much anymore."

Hikaru smiles, "Well, for our next date-" Hikaru immediately stops as Kaoru is looking at him wearily and warily.

"No more dates." Kaoru says, and he immediately continues because Hikaru crossed his arms and has that pout on his lips. "No more 'getting-to-know-you' dates. It's not necessary; we've known each other our whole lives." He places his hands on either side of Hikaru's face and his breath ghosts over Hikaru's lips, "just 'appreciating-each-other' dates, yeah?"

Hikaru's words die down as Kaoru presses his lips against Hikaru's in a you're such a daft little bugger, but you're my daft little bugger kind of kiss.

To be continued...

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A/n: Admittedly, everything changed after chapter nine was written. So, I am having quite a hard time. But anyway, I always thought Hikaru would be a bit stupid in... 'courting' Kaoru. *laughs* And, shall KyoTama make a comeback in this story of some sorts? *laughs* What do you think? Drop it in a review!

Review, please :D