"Tell me Kaoru, now that you're out of bed and able to move around a bit, how do you feel?" Kyoya asked handing the younger boy his medication and a cup of tea.

"I feel okay physically I guess, my heart still hurts pretty bad." Kaoru said before taking the pills.

"Of course, it's only natural to feel that way." Kyoya sipped from his cup slowly. A long silence filled the room.

"Hey Kyoya?" Kaoru called softly after a while.

"Yes Kaoru, what is it?" Kaoru positioned himself in his chair so that he was looking into Kyoya's dark eyes

"Aren't you worried about what your father will think about us?" Kyoya set his teacup on the table before reaching out and taking Kaoru's hand.

"No. You're more important to me. I respect my family of course, but I wouldn't allow them to dictate to me who I can love. My father's problem will be just that, his problem. I can be every bit as stubborn as he can." The younger teen smiled faintly.

"What if he said that you couldn't-"

"Kaoru, I'm already the third son, That's not an important position to begin with, I don't want you to concern yourself with it."

"I just don't want to mess anything up for you."

"you won't, I have a feeling things will only get better from here."

"And the host club, what about the-"

"relax,by now the guests will have noticed that you and Hikaru are having a falling out. We just need to get them interested in something else, or you'll have to maintain the facade during club hours. We'll figure it out, you'll be out of school for at the very least, a week or two, you'll have your follow up appointment in a couple of days and they'll tell us more then."

"Us?" Kaoru questioned in surprise.

"That's right, your appointment is at the hospital, and seeing as you have ...concerns about such places, I thought I'd go with you to ease your anxiety."

"You don't have to do all this, I feel like I'm taking you away from more important things."

"Your health is most important, everything else can wait." Kaoru turned his gaze downward.

"Hikaru used to love me that much, if I had just a little cough, he'd drop everything to make sure I was okay."Kyoya moved closer and pulled Kaoru into a hug,

"He still loves you. You'll always be his brother, give him time."

"Can I be really honest with you Kyoya?"

"I hope you would be, there's no ground to be gained if you and I can't be honest with each other."

"I never thought you could be this way, you're actually really caring and kind. In the club and around everyone else, you just seem so...business oriented and kind of like you're not interested in being around the guests much."

"I have to keep up appearances with everyone there for my family. I have to act that way." Kaoru sighed contentedly, his head resting on Kyoya's chest. The steady sound of the older boy's heart seemed to relax him.

"Kaoru?"

"Yeah?"

"I was thinking, when the doctor says you're alright to go back to normal activities, I would like us to do something together, maybe a weekend away, we could temporarily forget all our troubles."

"I'd like that, It'd be nice to forget how much pain I've felt lately, it's hard when someone who was supposed to love you forgets you exist." Kyoya carefully slipped his hand under Kaoru's chin, tilting his head up.

"I could never forget you exist, you really are beautiful." Kyoya leaned in and kissed Kaoru's lips, gently at first, before deepening the kiss. When they had parted, Kaoru smiled despite his face turning red with slight embarrassment. Kyoya chuckled softly.

"Never let anyone tell you anything different, you have a soft, gentle nature, it sets you apart from everyone else. I love you."

"I love you too. I know it's still really early in our relationship, but it feels right, me being here I mean. I can't tell you just how much I-" Kaoru was cut off by Kyoya's phone ringing. The shadow King sighed heavily.

"That would be Tamaki, he's probably wondering why I wasn't in school today." Kyoya reached for his phone.

"I'll put it on silent so we can talk and spend some uninterrupted time together."

"Maybe you should answer it. He'll just keep calling won't he?"

"Probably, then he'll call the house and if I don't answer that, he'll just show up. I suppose you're right." Kyoya opened his phone and held it to his ear.

"What is it Tamaki?" He said in his usual greeting.

"Kyoya, is everything okay, you weren't in class today and we were worried. It's not like you to miss school."

"Something important came up and I had to take the day off. Everything's fine now."

"Good, I wasn't sure what was going on after you and Kaoru left so suddenly the other day. Have you heard anything about Kaoru, Hikaru said he hasn't been home and-"

"Kaoru wasn't feeling well, Hikaru knows he's fine. If he wants more information, tell him to check his messages once in a while and he might find out more of what he wants to know."

"That's a bit harsh isn't it Kyoya, I mean Hikaru is Kaoru's brother. Is something wrong?" Tamaki asked with concern.

"The detail aren't mine to tell. Kaoru's going to be fine and should be back in about a week."

"I see, is he in the hospital then or-"

"no, he's being cared for, he needs some time to rest but he's not in the hospital."

"I'm glad to hear that, I hope he feels better soon, we miss him here at the club...will you tell him that?"

"I suppose I could when I speak to him."

"And can you tell him that Hikaru's worried about him too?"

"I could."

"I'm sure Hikaru would appreciate that. He's been really upset today. He said when he last talked to him, he wouldn't even tell him what was going on or where he was. I'm glad you're keeping in contact with him. I don't suppose you'd tell me where our little devil is would you, maybe we could visit with him." Kyoya muted the phone.

"Kaoru, Tamaki want's to know where you are, apparently they want to visit, I won't tell them unless you're feeling up to it. I know things with your brother are strained right now, it's your choice."

"What would we tell them, about why I'm staying here?"

"The truth, I offered you a place to rest after you were released from the hospital and you accepted. We should probably make it clear that there's to be no arguing though."

"Hikaru will argue anyway."

"then I'll handle it. You shouldn't be stressed."

"Are you sure you want them to find out, what if they realize we're...together, Hikaru won't like that. I just don't want to fight, I'm so drained emotionally right now." Kaoru fretted.

"better to get it out and over."

"Okay, as long as you're sure." The younger boy said, cuddling into Kyoya, who was now back on the phone.

"Kyoya, what happened, I couldn't hear-"

"Kaoru's with me, he's been staying at my house, you're welcome to come see him. Call when you get here though, I have a few things to talk about with you all before I let you see him,, it's very important."

"I understand. I'll talk to you soon then, we're leaving now. Thanks Kyoya." Tamaki said as Kyoya ended the conversation.

"What's going on?" Kaoru asked.

"They'll be here soon, would you like to lie down for a bit first?"

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea, my anxiety's acting up again. Will you come lay with me again?"

"Of course. Come on, let's get some rest while we can." Kyoya placed an arm around Kaoru and they made their way to the bedroom where Kyoya helped Kaoru into bed and pulled the blanket over him, then laid down beside him.

Kaoru moved closer to lay with his head on Kyoya's chest.

"It'll be alright won't it?" he asked.

"Yes, it'll be just fine, I told you I'd take care of you and that's exactly what I intend to do."