"I'm glad you came home, Kao." Hikaru said sitting down on his bed. "I'm sorry I gave you and Kyoya a hard time tonight. I guess I just have a difficult time accepting that you're really ready to take that step. I mean you're living with him and I'm not even close to anything like that with Haruhi. I can see myself being with her, but you actually stay with him. I suppose that's what scares me about all this." Kaoru sat down next to his brother.

"You don't have to be scared Hika, Kyoya wants us to have each other, and if you're supposed to be with Haruhi, the right time will come. One day you'll take that step and you'll realize it's a part of life and worth waiting for." Kaoru replied gently.

"You really love him, don't you little brother?"

"Yeah, I do. Kyoya is good to to me Hika. He takes care of me and he's even offered to take me to some art courses this Summer. He wants to do it together. He makes me happy, Brother. But I think it's important for you to know that no matter what happens with Kyoya, I still love you too. It would mean a lot to me if you could try to see that."

"I'll try Kaoru. You know, I missed this, having you here to talk to me. Do you think you'll come home more often?"

"Maybe, that depends on how things go. I know Kyoya can seem a little cold, but maybe if you got to really know him, you would see a different side."

"Can you see yourself with him forever though Kao, I mean think about this...Kaoru Ootori just sounds weird." The twins chuckled.

"I guess it kind of does. But you're getting a little ahead of yourself. I didn't say we were getting married, I just said I could see myself with him."

"If Kyoya asked, would you?" Hikaru teased. A grin appeared on the younger twin's face as he began to blush.

"I don't know... Maybe. But what about you and Haruhi, you guys seem like you're getting really close." Hikaru shrugged.

"Who knows, one day you'll have a sister...would you be okay with that?"

"Of course I would, as long as you're happy, it's important to me that you have a good life and that you're happy." Hikaru embraced his brother.

"You really are the best, I'm so sorry for everything. I want good things for you too." The twins held each other for a long moment.

"I miss you so much. Maybe sometime we can start over and the four of us can go out."

"I'd like that, Hika. I'm sure Kyoya would too."

"It'll be great, let's talk to them about it tomorrow. Maybe this weekend."

"If I ask him, you have to promise you'll give him a fair chance. " the twins laid down beside each other yawning.

"I promise I'll try to stop being so jealous. As long as you're okay, that's what matters." Kaoru smiled.

"I'm fine, really."

"Good, but if he ever hurts you-"

"He won't, but I know you'll be there if I need you."

"Always." Hikaru assured his brother. Both teens slept peacefully that night, grateful to have each other.

When the twins arrived at school the following morning, they were greeted by Kyoya and Haruhi, who were waiting for them in front of the building.

"Hey you two." Haruhi said in her usually greeting, she was relieved to find the pair smiling.

"Hey Haruhi!" They replied in unison. Haruhi embraced Hikaru, while Kyoya wrapped his arms around Kaoru, kissing him softly. The older twin glared for a moment, but upon receiving the same glare from his brother, said nothing.

"Good morning, Hikaru." Kyoya said politely.

"Morning...Kyoya-senpai." Hikaru forced himself to use a more civil tone than he had before.

"You're getting there." The younger brother commented.

"I told you, I'm trying. It's not going to happen over night."

"I appreciate your effort." Kyoya added. "I'm happy to see you two together again"

"Yeah. It's never going to be the same, but I think we'll be close to the way we were."

" it's just going to take some time."

"Of course. The important thing is for you both to maintain some level of relationship. Are you ready to go in,Kaoru?"

"Y-"

"Wait!" Hikaru called before Kaoru had a chance to reply.

"I'd like to take Haruhi out this weekend, Kyoya-senpai. I thought if you felt like it, maybe you and Kao could come too." He offered.

"Are you sure?" The shadow king asked.

"Yeah. Kaoru means the world to me and I think it's time I kept my promise. We'll start over and..." Hikaru drew in a deep breath, hardly able to believe what he was going to say. " not that he needs this, but as long as you treat him right, and you take care of him, if he wants to be with you it's okay with me. " Kaoru embraced his brother tightly.

"Really, Hikaru?"

"Yeah, little brother. If you're sure this is what you want, I trust you." After another moment, the two pulled away and the group entered the building together, each one was grateful for return to peace between the twins.