Dadacha had tried his best to argue for the twins' return to their home. Wombat agreed—it was the first thing they agreed on since bursting into the onsen together—but Gora insisted that moving the twins in their condition could make their injuries worse. That was more than enough to silence Dadacha's protests.

"You two should rest here until tomorrow, at least. I insist. That way, Yumoto and I will be here to help." Gora's brows knit with worry.

Aki's arms tightened a little around his brother's waist. He curled close to Haru, afraid deep down that if he let go even for a moment they would be torn apart again. Part of him wanted to go back to the mansion. To curl up in their own bed, safe, and not worry about dealing with the concerned Battle Lovers. Dadacha would take good care of them, right? But how could they refuse Gora's plea, especially after everything that had happened?

Haru looked torn. His eyes lit up with joy at Gora's invitation—but he wrinkled his nose at the mention of the younger Hakone.

"Haru," Aki soothed, meeting his twins' gaze in a wordless plea. I still don't know how to feel about Yumoto either… but he helped you when I couldn't.

"It probably is for the best," Dadacha agreed, bowing his head.

Haru sighed. He rolled his eyes, but backed down. "All right," he agreed.

"Thank you," Aki added, smiling at Gora gratefully.

"This is a terrible idea! It's a trap!" Wombat shook with outrage.

"Does this really look like a trap to you?" Atsushi crossed his arms, one eyebrow twitching with irritation. "They were hurt—badly. Wasn't it you who said: 'love even your enemies'?"

"He did say that," En agreed.

Wombat squirmed, looking sheepish at having his own words used against him. "It's still a bad idea," he grumbled.

A pang of guilt shot through Aki as the Battle Lovers excused themselves to clean up the bloodied onsen. Gora lingered in the doorway. "Akihiko…. I hope that you two feel better soon. If you need anything just give a shout, okay? Yumoto and I will check up on you when we can."

"Just Aki is fine." Aki's cheeks burned as he blurted out the words. Distantly, he was aware of his brother giving him an odd look.

Gora chuckled. "All right. Feel better soon, Aki. And you too… Haruhiko?" He sounded unsure of the other twin's name.

Haru nodded, frowning in confusion. Gora slipped out, leaving the two alone to rest. Dadacha fussed over checking their wounds for a few minutes. His tail twitched with worry until he was satisfied that Gora and Yumoto had treated their injuries properly. "I should let you two rest," he admitted. "I'll keep an eye on the others to make sure there isn't any funny business, okay? If you need me, I'll be just around the corner though."

"Thanks, Dadacha," Aki told him, reaching up to rub beneath Dadacha's chin.

"No thanks necessary." He waived off the gratitude and smiled at the two. "Feel better soon, my twins." He glided out the door, leaving the two alone.

Aki relaxed against his brother, nuzzling into his warmth. "I'm so glad you're okay," he whispered. His eyes drifted partway closed. It was still early… but the pervasive ache of his head left him feeling drained, and sleep whispered promises of relief. He was halfway there when his brother's voice broke the spell.

"Gora has sure taken a shine to you." The words were probably meant to sound joking, but Haru's voice sounded strained.

Aki blinked, shifting to look at his brother. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing."

Tense silence stretched between them. Even though the two tangled in each other's arms, Haru seemed distant. Something was wrong. "Haru," he whispered, reaching out to cup Haru's cheek. "What's wrong?" The words felt foreign on his lips. He never needed to ask. He always just knew what was wrong… but this time was different. Haru had shut him out; his crimson eyes were wary and distant.

"What about us?"

"What about us?" What was Haru talking about? Aki's stomach knotted with worry. "Haru, please… what's going on?"

"I like Gora, too, but we were supposed to like him together! We are supposed to share everything, remember?"

Haru was jealous—at a time like this? Aki's hands fisted in his brother's jacket. His patience wore thin. "I wasn't exactly in a position to refuse his help," he reminded Haru. "I couldn't even walk. I tried—I tried to look for you on my own, and I would have split my head open a second time if it weren't for him!"

Aki thought that would be enough to quell the argument, but it only seemed to anger Haru more. Haru sat up abruptly, hands fisted in the front of Aki's robe. He yanked Aki close. Aki's hands came up between them, and fear flashed through him. Those beautiful red eyes smoldered with anger inches away from Aki's. Haru had always been volatile, but he never directed his anger at Aki. "I should have been there for you! We belong together, always!"

The words died on Aki's lips as he struggled to understand what was going on. He'd assumed that Haru was jealous of him spending time with Gora. He had never thought that it might be the other way around. Haru's hands shook where they were fisted in Aki's robe. Aki reached out to run his fingers through his twin's hair gently. "Haru, it's okay, I—"

"No! I'm not going to lose you!" Haru's grip changed. He yanked him close, and suddenly his lips were on Aki's. Aki froze, stunned by the sudden contact. The kiss felt so right…. Haru's breath brushed against Aki's cheek. His lips were warm, his arms pulled Aki close against him. Aki fit in his embrace like they were made for each other. The kiss was heady, dizzyingly sweet. Aki melted into it and kissed Haru back, losing himself in his twin. The two intertwined, two halves of a whole, and something splashed against Aki's cheek.

The sharp taste of salt snapped him back to reality. Aki broke the kiss even though every fiber of his being wanted it to never end. He pulled back to see tears streaming down Haru's cheeks. Haru, who had always been so headstrong—who had always been as fierce as the summer sun—clung to him, looking more fragile than ever before. His fingers desperately coiled in Aki's robes, hands trembling.

Even facing the dark, empty world as children, he had never looked this vulnerable. Like one wrong word, one wrong move could shatter him. "I can't lose you," he whispered, looking up at Aki.

It broke Aki's heart. The fearful uncertainty wavering in Haru's eyes cut right through him. Aki hugged Haru tightly, nuzzling into him. "I'm right here, Haru. I always will be, I promise."

Haru sniffed, scrubbing at his eyes with a sleeve. He calmed down a little, shoulders slumping as he curled close. "We're supposed to be together," he whispered.

"We will be, always." Aki kissed the top of his twin's head and gave him a gentle squeeze. "No one will ever change that. Not even Gora."

Haru let out a muffled chuckle, but it sounded almost more like a sob. "We'll just have to share him, then," he joked, giving a brave smile.

He pulled Aki into another kiss. This one was softer, sweeter. Less desperate. Aki smiled against Haru's lips as he kissed him back. Nuzzling close, he relaxed. "We share everything else—it's only right."

Haru nodded. Comfortable silence fell between the two. The twins' mutual exhaustion caught up with them, leaving no room for words. Aki's eyes slid closed. Haru's slow breaths lured him toward sleep like a lullaby. He felt Haru kiss his forehead and smiled. Everything was right again.

They were going to be okay.

Soft footsteps padded somewhere nearby, stirring Aki from his sleep. He peeked one eye open. Haru cradled him close, sleepily protesting as he nuzzled into Aki's hair. A tall figure peeked into the room. Aki frowned, struggling to wake up enough to focus. Gora smiled at them from the doorway. He lingered for a moment, then stepped back to give the twins their peace. Aki curled up against Haru, and sleep wrapped around him once more.