"Are you ready for this?"Kyoya asked as the car stopped in front of the school. Kaoru took in a breath.
"I think so,I just don't know how I'm going to do this." the younger boy replied, Kyoya took his hand.
"The first few times will be the hardest, and there's probably going to be questions and comments but everything is going to be fine." Kaoru nodded, but was still unsure. After their talk at Kyoya's house, Hikaru had stayed in contact and visited his brother often despite the fact that he hated Kaoru's decision to stay with the older boy rather than returning home. This decision seemed to cause more strain on the brothers' bond.
"It's still so much to deal with Kyoya, I don't know if I can even-"
"You're capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for Kaoru, I believe in you." Kaoru rested his head against Kyoya's shoulder.
"That means a lot to me." Kyoya lightly kissed the top of Kaoru's head, placing an arm around the younger teen.
"It's true, and I know things have been stressful lately and since it's a long weekend, maybe we should use the time to get away, we'll leave this evening."
"Isn't that a little-"
"Of course if you don't want to I understand, we can plan for another time."
"No, I want to, I just-I could really use it, I have a feeling it's not going to go very well. What if he really does hate me and-"
"It's alright, he doesn't and I think you know that, you're just letting your fear get the best of you." Kaoru nodded, he knew eventually Hikaru would get over his anger, but it also hurt him to know that he and Hikaru could never have the same close bond as before, no matter how much Kaoru wished it.
Kyoya stepped out of the car and held out his hand to Kaoru.
"Ready?" he asked again, Kaoru took a deep breath, placing his hand in Kyoya's and allowing himself to be pulled from the car.
"As I'll ever be."The younger boy was surprised when Kyoya began to walk toward the school, still holding his hand.
"You really want to walk in with me, you're not going to-"
"No, I'm not worried about it, I love you and nothing our schoolmates say will change that. Just remember that you have a lot to think about in regard to the host club."
"Right, I just hope I don't make the wrong one and ruin everything."
"You won't. Tamaki will accept it and encourage the change if that's what you decide. "The teens began their journey into the building, where Kyoya proceeded to walk Kaoru to his classroom.
"I'll see you this afternoon, don't worry, everything is going to work out one way or another. I love you Kaoru."The dark haired teen said kissing Kaoru lightly.
"I love you too Kyoya, thanks." Kyoya waited until Kaoru was inside the classroom before setting off to his own.
Kaoru made his way to his seat and lowered himself down in his chair. He knew his brother and Haruhi would be there at anytime. He wondered what, if anything Hikaru would say to him, maybe he wouldn't care enough to acknowledge. He cast his gaze to his desk, deep in thought, how would he handle his new life?
"Welcome back Kaoru." Haruhi's voice brought him back to reality. He smiled halfheartedly.
"Thanks." He said.
"You finally decided to come back I see." Hikaru said coldly, sitting down in his chair.
"Yeah, I did."
"It's funny." Hikaru said with a side glance toward his twin.
""What is?" Kaoru asked turning to face his brother.
'That you can find your way to school but you can't remember to come home"
"Hikaru!" Haruhi cried in surprise glaring at the eldest twin.
"It's alright Haruhi, he can be upset, he'll get over it... or I will." Haruhi wasn't sure how to react to what was happening between the twins who had once been close. As the day progressed, it didn't improve. Hikaru continued to glare at his brother while Kaoru refused to speak to him, despite the quiet comments that Hikaru would throw at him.
"I thought you two were really going to find a way to come together, you two were inseparable not that long ago and now it's like you hate each other so much, I don't get it."Haruhi said as they made their way to the music room.
"No, you're wrong, I don't hate Hikaru at all. He's my brother and I'll always have love for him, it's just that our lives have taken different paths and it's time we learned that we can't depend on each other forever. It's something we both have to get through in our own way." Kaoru said, Hikaru remained silent, opening the door.
"Isn't there some way you guys can work it out, it's obvious that it's stressful for both of you and if you're not careful-"
"It'll be fine, let's just talk about something else." Hikaru said sternly. Inside, they found Tamaki standing behind Kyoya as the two went through the hosts' budget
"I don't know why we do this, you always end up going over anyway."Kyoya said, typing on his computer. "It only makes my job harder."
"I don't do it on purpose Kyoya, but I want only the best for our guests, that's how it should be and I-"
"But you always manage to sneak something else in, then I have to find the money somewhere else to subtract it from other things we need, You have to put more thought into what you're doing."Kyoya scolded. "especial with this event, Honey-Senpai and Mori-Senpai are going to be out for the next day or two and things here maybe about to change. I can't predict the outcome right now so we need to do our best to prepare financially."
"What do you mean things might change?"Tamaki asked. Kyoya had no time to explain, the guests were already arriving. Kaoru looked to Kyoya who gave a small nod of encouragement.
After giving the usual greeting, the guests found their tables and looked at the twins with concern when Kaoru hesitated to sit with his brother.
"Kaoru, listen, I know I'm a big jerk okay. You were really sick and I-" Hikaru began before being cut off.
"It's not that, I'm fine now, it's the way you've been treating me, you did better at first, then you went back to not caring." All the guests seemed to be watching them now and Kaoru was grateful that Kyoya had allowed them some time to talk before they had their guests.
"I always care, but you're better and I know that sometimes you just want to be-"
"Sometimes I still need my brother to be there for me."
"You don't think I feel the same way, you never come home anymore. I worry about you, I try calling you sometimes but-"
"yeah, when you found out I was sick, I went back to the doctor, told you I was fine and that was it. Is that what has to happen Hikaru, do I have to be sick so you'll act like a brother?"
"No. I don't want you to be sick Kaoru, I don't want you to be hurt or anything like that, I love you."
"Of course you do, there are guests here." Kaoru retorted.
"That's not fair Kaoru, you can't do that. This is why I-" Kaoru couldn't listen anymore, he turned and walked away, clearly hurt and frustrated. Everyone seemed frozen in shock, unsure of what to do. They were further surprised when Hikaru stood and followed shouting at his brother.
"You don't get to just walk away Kaoru, after all this-" Kaoru turned around, his amber eyes glaring at his twin.
"What right do you have to be angry and scream at me, I've had just about enough of your selfish-"
"That's enough." Kyoya said sternly walking over to them followed by Haruhi.
"I admit that I'm selfish Kaoru, I get angry fast, I'm a jealous person, is that what you want, you're not telling me anything new. You're the one who hasn't been coming back, scaring me half to death when I don't hear from you. I don't know if something happened to you or if you're okay. I'd say that's pretty selfish too wouldn't you?"
"Maybe it is, I tried so many times to talk to you, what's the point of calling if you never answer, I've always been there for you Hikaru,, always. I've never once asked you for anything, I've encouraged you to have a life, I've taken a step back so you could go out on your own, have your own life, you weren't going to try,but you needed it. It's my turn to be selfish now, to do what I want and you have no right at all to get angry because you did the same thing!"Hikaru stood quietly looking at his brother. A mix of anger and sadness in his eyes.
"Come on Hikaru, let's take a walk." Haruhi suggested. The younger twin was shaking from his anger, without thinking, Kyoya wrapped his arms around Kaoru, allowing the younger teem to rest his head on his chest.
"It's alright Kaoru. Everything's going to be alright now." he soothed.
"What the hell is this Kaoru?" Hikaru cried angrily trying to pull away from Haruhi.
"Just get away from me." Kaoru hissed, earning a chorus of gasps from the guests and hosts .
"What the hell's going on, you-" Kaoru looked to Kyoya who nodded.
"You know where I've been, you just can't accept it, did you really think I was just staying there for no reason at all. You're smarter than that." the younger twin shot back.
"What are you telling me, because from over here it looks-"
"it's exactly what it looks like, deal with it."
"Come on Kaoru, I think it's best if we take the rest of the day off and get an early start on the weekend ."
"Really Kaoru, you're trying to tell me you're with him, I don't believe this. There's no way he could ever be-"
"I'm not talking to you about this anymore Hikaru. It's not my problem if you can't handle the fact that I might actually be trying to be happy." Kyoya and Kaoru turned to leave.
"Kiss him then." Hikaru demanded crossing his arms. "prove it."
"you're unbelievable Hikaru, why is it that you-"
"I didn't think so. You're lying what'd you do offer to-" before Hikaru could finish his question Kyoya had slipped his hand behind Kaoru, leaning him back before lowing his head and kissing Kaoru. The room became silent as Kaoru responded by placing his palm on Kyoya's cheek, allowing the dark haired teen to deepen the kiss. When they finally broke the kiss and Kaoru was on his feet again, the two exited without a word, leaving Hikaru to process what he witnessed.