Two: Reunion
"So everyone's still there?" asked Kaoru as they were driven back from the airport.
"Yup," Hikaru replied. "And Tamaki's still as over dramatic as usual."
He laughed. "Good old Tamaki," he said. "And Mitsukuni? Did he get to black belt yet?"
"Actually, he's given up karate."
"You're kidding."
"Nope. He just sits around, eats cakes with Mori and plays with his bunny doll."
"A doll? That doesn't sound like the Mitsukuni I know."
"Well, you've been gone for a while… things do change, you know."
Kaoru looked down but still smiled. "Right…"
There was a small pause. Hikaru leaned back in his seat. For a split second… it almost felt like he had never left…
"Oh," he said, remembering something, "and there's someone new."
"Who?" asked Kaoru.
"Her name's Haruhi. She just moved here." He grinned. "And man is she cute. But, Tamaki has his eye on her." He smiled at his twin. "But other then that, nothing's different!"
Kaoru returned the smile. "I'm glad," he said.
Hikaru leaned his head on his hand and looked out the window. "Me too…"
As Kaoru watched his brother stare into space, it hit him how extraordinarily handsome he was. The way the light hit his strong features just made him look… almost heroic…
"What?" said Hikaru, noticing his gaze. Kaoru blushed.
"Um…" He smiled. "Just admiring how handsome I am," he said, winking. There was a small silence, but then Hikaru chuckled and messed up his hair.
"Still the same," he admired. Kaoru giggled along with him.
"Oh, Kaoru?"
"Yeah, mom?"
"I'm afraid your room is being renovated at the moment."
"Renovated?" he asked.
"We found some termites," said his brother.
"Ah"
"So do you two mind sharing a room for a while? I'm sure there'll be a cot or something that one of you can use."
The grinned and put their arms around each other.
"Hey," said Hikaru, "if we can share a birthday…"
"…we can certainly share a room," finished Kaoru.
------
"They're here!" cried Hunny, running up to the car as the two stepped out. He was followed by the rest of the gang.
"Hi, everyone!" greeted Kaoru. Hunny ran up and gave him a huge hug.
"Welcome back, Kaoru!" he cheered.
"Good to be back," he smiled.
"Ah, Kaoru!" said Tamaki, taking his hand. "We were so worried about you! I'm so happy to see that you have made it back to us without fail!"
"You were right Hikaru," he said, "he is still over dramatic."
At those words, Tamaki deflated into a pile of white rubber.
"Hey, Kaoru," said Kyoya. He smiled.
"Kyoya! Nice to see you again. You still have those same glasses?"
He smiled and pushed them up. It was then that Kaoru noticed the girl beside him.
"So, I take it this is Haruhi?"
"Indeed!" said Tamaki, recovering from his accusation of being "over dramatic". He then got behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "This is Haruhi Fujioka! She just moved here last month! She really is quite a card and – ouch!"
Tamaki's eyes welled up as Haruhi pinched his hand and took it off of her shoulder.
"I can speak for myself, thanks," she said. Tamaki slid out of view and Haruhi put her attention towards Kaoru. "It's nice to meet you, Kaoru. I've heard a lot."
"The pleasure's all mine," he replied. Then, he leaned over to Hikaru and said: "You're right; she is a babe…"
The two snickered as Haruhi looked at them, annoyed and Tamaki fumed.
"Alright," said their mom. "Hikaru, help Kaoru with his things."
"Kay!" And the twins grabbed their bags and bounced into the house.
Once in the room, Kaoru threw himself on the bed, sighing with joy.
"It feels sooo good to be back," he said, nuzzling his head in the pillows. Hikaru laughed and tossed his stuff in the corner of the room. He then turned to say something, but his mind went blank as he saw his twin.
Half of Kaoru's head was buried in the pillow with the most charming little expression on his face and a faint blush on his cheeks. He giggled and hugged the sheets, rubbing into them like a little puppy. It made him blush for him to see his brother so… cute…
Kaoru looked up. "Hikaru? Something wrong?"
Hikaru snapped out of it and turned so as not to show his red cheeks.
"Gee," he said, "I had no idea about your love affair with the sheets."
He laughed. "I'm just so glad to be back!" he announced. Hikaru smiled and turned.
"I can tell."
Kaoru chuckled at the comment and then hurled a pillow at his face. Hikaru picked up the pillow and launched at his brother, who took the other one. They began banging at each other with each of their fluffy weapons.
------
That night, Hikaru had some trouble sleeping. They couldn't find the cot that their mother had said was there, so they had to end up sleeping in the same bed. Hikaru was not accustomed to sleeping with someone else, so it was a bit uncomfortable for him. Kaoru, on the other hand, slept like a baby. So, for his sake, he did not move too much.
Around midnight, he still could not sleep, so he gave up and opened his eyes. At that point in time, he was facing Kaoru directly. There again, he got the same sensation as that afternoon.
Kaoru was sound asleep. His face was as soft and innocent as that of a child's. His lips were parted just slightly, and he made a small, wispy sound when he breathed. In front of both of their faces was his hand, palm up and fingers curled naturally.
In some strange impulse, Hikaru moved his hand up to Kaoru's. Then, gently, he laced his fingers around his.
It reminded him of when they were young, and they would sleep like this. They would do everything together when they were young…
But… they weren't young…
This sad thought made it into his head. So, he began to slowly pull his hand away. However, when he did, Kaoru's grip tightened.
"Hikaru…" he whispered in his sleep. His heart skipped a beat. But then he calmed down and put his hand back with Kaoru's.
Smiling, he fell fast asleep.
Awwww! How cute! Tell me what you think of this one!
T.