Takuya woke up before Kouji and left the room and found Kelly working in her sketchbook with a boom-box playing music as she waited for something to de-thaw in the microwave. "Morning, kid," she said glancing up at him. "Doing better?"
"Much…" Takuya said as he got into a cabinet and pulled out a mug and insto-tea stuff.
"Breaky should be ready soon."
"You and your Australian lingo," Takuya said shaking his head.
"Hey, Spring Break ruled okay? Don't be dissing some of the most killer waves in the world. And the scuba-diving was awesome and then there was the architecture!" Kelly said enthusiastically. 'Everyday' started to play on the radio.
"And you are American music addicted."
"Your point?" she asked starting in on actually cooking. "What are you planning for today?"
"To get through it with out having to explain what Mitch really wanted from me to Kouji…"
"God. Kid if you beat around the bush too much longer, you're gonna miss out!" she said mixing pancakes.
"What chance?"
"You think that Kouji would do all that last night if he didn't care for you?" she asked over her shoulder.
"Of course he cares… he's my best friend, Kelly."
"So naive. Know what kinda stuff Kouji likes?"
"Umm… not for breakfast…" Takuya murmured as he drank his tea.
"Man… when I was your age I knew all I could about my crushes… And you know barely anything… pitiful!" she said mixing one bowl with chocolate drops, another with blueberries, and yet another with cinnamon.
"What are you talking about?" Takuya asked his cheeks going redder than the girl's hair and his eyes wide as saucers.
"You know," she said putting the pancakes in her handy dandy pancake maker. She glanced over her shoulder. "Look, 'Kuya-kun… I'm worried about you…" she left the pancakes on the counter and kneeled in front of him on the floor. "You're pushing away something more precious than any jewel… Kouji looked ready to kill Mitch, Otouto, and with good reasons… But more than my type of protectiveness… there is more… He truly cares for you Takuya… Don't be afraid of something that is meant to be…" she told him taking his hands. "I can see how much he cares for you but you're pushing him away and that's not right… Talk to him today… You'll not leave until I say so…" With that Kelly stood and went back to breakfast preparations.
Kouji woke alone in the bed, under all the blankets, which the smell of Takuya still clung to. Sleepily he buried himself under them more for a moment savoring the sweet smell before getting up and walking to the door. All he heard was music. Carefully, he emerged to see Takuya sitting at the table with Kelly chatting away while setting the table and cooking. A radio was playing which showed where the music was coming from. Kelly saw him and smiled.
"Good morning Kouji, dear," she said. "Have a seat! Breakfast is almost ready and I do hope you like it… I just hate it when my guests don't enjoy their meals…"
"You didn't have to go through the trouble," Kouji said sitting next to Takuya who blushed faintly and scooted closer marginally.
"Oh it's not trouble at all! None what so ever… Orange juice?" she asked holding up the pitcher.
"Sure," Kouji said with a small smile. After breakfast and the time it took to get changed Takuya was sitting in the living room, watching Kouji admire the murals of the apartment.
"She's good huh?" Takuya asked him quietly.
"She's amazing Takuya… These are so vivid… it's almost like they're alive…" He paused and stared at something on the wall. The doorbell rang and Kelly went to answer it. "Takuya... It's the symbols of the legendary warriors…"
"She came up with them…" he said from next to Kouji. "At least she thinks she did…"
"Come on in Kouichi, I do have some guests but I'm sure they won't mind me being MIA for a while for your lesson…"
Kouji looked up to see his twin. "Hey Kouichi… How's Mom?"
"Mom's doing really well Kouji… How's Dad?"
"Annoying," Kouji returned. "What are you here for?"
"Kelly tutors me in art… I do want to be a manga artist after all…" Kouichi said with a smile.
"And I have said good luck," Kouji said. "Why didn't you come last night?"
"Mom was a little sick… I stayed home in case she came home early and needed me…"
"I was just wondering."
"Come on Kouichi," Kelly said from another room.
"Kay, Kelly," Kouichi said smiling and heading towards the room. "Talk to you guys later okay?"
"Sure thing," Kouji smiled. Takuya nodded. With that they were left alone again. "Takuya, are you alright?"
"Yeah I'm fine…" Takuya said sitting down on the couch. Kouji sat next to him.
"What are you hiding from me?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit!" Kouji said harshly as Takuya flinched. "Everytime you meet my eyes, yours get this scared look in them like you think I'm gonna hurt you!"
"I don't think you will… Like that…"
"Then how?" Kouji asked but Takuya just got up and left for the room they had shared. Kouji followed. "How do you think I'll hurt you Takuya?!"
"You won't feel the same and you'll hurt me that way and probably not even want to see me at all or anything…." Takuya said curling up on a chair.
"How do you feel Takuya?" Kouji asked sitting next to him and drawing him closer.
"Just leave me alone Kouji, you will when I say it anyway…"
"Takuya, I'm going to be honest with you, I love you, and I'm not going to leave you," Kouji said placing a kiss on Takuya's forehead gently and holding him close. Takuya was shocked, all this time with his hints and he couldn't tell if Kouji had felt the same, but he was the first to admit his feelings. Takuya's eyes filled with tears as he threw his arms around Kouji and sobbed against him. Kouji frowned slightly but held the other boy tightly while he cried, giving as much comfort as he could.