Hikaru woke the next morning to find himself alone in the bed once more. It had been two months since Kaoru had been beside him and he just couldn't get used to it. He wondered if Haruhi had woken up in the guest bedroom down the hall but lay still, staring up at the ceiling.

He phone rang beside him and he was surprised to find that it was his mother.

"Hello?" He said in shock, it wasn't like his parents to interrupt their work to call.

"I'm fine, is everything okay?" He asked sitting up.

"Everything's fine, I just wanted to let you know that your father and I will be coming home later tonight and we wanted to take you and Kaoru out to dinner, I-"

"Mother, it'll be nice having you home but I have some plans, I was going to take Haruhi-"

"That's perfect, she can come along, that was actually part of the reason we were going out. I think it's time we meet this girl. You spoke so highly of her the last time we talked. We'll be a bit late, so dinner will be around nine."

"But-"

"We'll see you then, I can't wait to see you and Kaoru, We love you" Yuzuha ended the call before Hikaru could respond. He sighed heavily.

"It had to be today." he thought out loud into the empty room. He quickly dressed and headed downstairs where he received another surprise. Kaoru was standing in the kitchen sipping from a bottle of water and staring at his phone.

"Kaoru?" Hikaru called quietly, his twin looked up but said nothing.

"You came home." the older boy stated, moving closer.

"Don't worry, I won't be h-" Kaoru found himself in his brother's arms.

"I've missed you so much Kaoru, I'm so sorry. I was wrong to just ignore you." tears fell from Hikaru's eyes. "Please forgive me."Kaoru's arms were around him now, his head resting on his shoulder.

"I missed you too Hika. I don't know that I can forgive you, we tried that already and nothing changed. You'll have to show me you mean it this time, I'm not going to keep going through this."

"What can I do?" Kaoru pulled away.

"Our parents are coming home, did Mother talk to you ?"

"yeah, I just got off the phone with her. She wants me to bring Haruhi to dinner tonight."

"I know, Kyoya was invited too. He said he'll meet us there, if you really mean it, you have to be civil. You don't have to like it, but you do have to behave."

"No way Kaoru, he's not good enough for you, and his-"

"Stop it Hikaru, you don't get to tell me that, this is for me to decide. I know you don't want to hear it but I love Kyoya very much and this means a lot to me. You're my brother and I'll always have love for you, don't you want me to be happy?" Kaoru asked looking into Hikaru's eyes.

"Of course I do. I just don't want to see you get hurt and-"

"He loves me Hika, and I know it's hard for you but try to understand. He won't hurt me."

"Kaoru, do you know how many people say that and turn out to be complete jerks, we don't know much about him outside of the club and a few times we've been together for one of the boss's crazy ideas. Please don't -"

"Trust me Hika, I know him, can't you just be happy for me, I don't give you a hard time about Haruhi. I told you I'm happy for you two. Can't you try, for me?" Hikaru looked at his brother, pulling him close again.

"Okay Kaoru, I'll try, but can you do something for me please?"

"Maybe, it depends on what you want."

"Stay for a little while?" Kaoru tightened his grip.

"as long as you keep your promise, I'll stay for an hour or two." He promised.

"You'll have to stay for two, there's two of us." Kaoru smiled. He truly missed his brother.

'Hey you two!" Haruhi called with a smile.

"Hey Haruhi!" they said in unison. She moved closer embracing Kaoru.

"I'm glad you came back Kaoru, Hikaru missed you so much and I see you guys are getting along again. I think that's great."

"We are for now, hopefully it'll last this time."

"I hope so too. It's good to see you two together like this." She said.

"We should have some breakfast and just.. catch up, what do you think Kaoru?" Hikaru asked pulling his brother to the table. Kaoru knew in his heart that Hikaru wouldn't be able to keep his word very well once they were all together, but for the moment, he held out a glimmer of hope that their bond as brothers would hold out. He would give Hikaru a chance, after all, he was still family and Kaoru believed in him.