(Author's Note: Thank you guys for the reviews and favorites! Seeing those makes my day! ^^ I'm glad that you guys like this so far, and I'll do my best to keep continuing with it.)

"Ah... Beppu brothers?"

A worried voice cut through blissful sleep. Aki grumbled in protest, nuzzling into his brother's warmth to hide his face. If he just ignored the voice, maybe he could get back to sleep. He reached out for that warm, dark peace and almost drifted off once more.

"What do you want?"

The spell was broken. Aki sighed, giving up on sleep. He squinted against the sudden light, and an arm tightened around his waist. Haru sat up with Aki in his lap and bristled, his crimson eyes fixed on the door. Aki's hand tightened around something warm and rigid-the new lunar ornament. Tucking it into the pocket of his robe, he ran a hand through his disheveled hair. His fingertips brushed over the lump on the back of his head, sending a jolt of pain down his spine as he winced. Yumoto stood at the door, eyes darting between the two, looking torn. Fragrant steam wafted up from the tray he carried topped with piping hot rice, curry, and tea.

Aki slipped his hand into Haru's and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Haru," he soothed, "it's okay."

Haru rolled his eyes, and his grip stayed firm around Aki as if afraid the younger Hakone would take Aki away, but he didn't push it.

"I brought you guys dinner! My brother made it-he said that it will help you guys regain your strength so you can feel better soon." Yumoto beamed at the two, his bubbly demeanor returning now that Haru wasn't scowling directly at him. Not that Haru looked very happy to see the younger Hakone... but it was a start. Yumoto set the tray down by them, and gave Haru a hesitant look before adding, "um, do you guys need any help, or...?"

Aki flushed with embarrassment at the suggestion. He automatically imagined Yumoto smiling brightly, spoon-feeding each of them. He tried and failed to scrub the image from his brain, nose wrinkling. If it was Gora, it would be a different story. "I think we'll manage."

"Okay! Is there anything else you guys need?" Yumoto hovered nearby, looking worried and hopeful all at once. He really was trying to help. As overbearing as the short blond could be... his concern was sincere.

"No. We're fine." Haru growled the words, the beginning of a glare smoldering in his red eyes.

"Thank you, though," Aki added quickly, trying to diffuse the situation. He shot a look at Haru. Please try to be nice-just for now. "Yumoto... Thank you, for taking care of Haru. It means a lot to me, truly." Aki struggled over the words, batting aside bitter jealousy. Yumoto had ignored their differences as Battle Lovers and Galaxy Idols and rushed to Haru's aid when Aki couldn't.

Yumoto's eyes lit up with wonderment, and he gave the two a hundred-watt smile. "I'm glad I could help!" And, miraculously, he sounded like he meant it. "I really am glad you're okay," he added, smile fading a little. "I was really worried, you know?"

"Why would you worry about us?" Haru blurted out the words before Aki could stop him. "After all we've put you through-aren't we enemies?" He stiffened.

Yumoto's smile disappeared. His eyes shifted to the floor, and he rubbed his arm uneasily. "Well, I don't know why you guys make monsters... but I never wanted to be enemies with anyone. What you've been doing isn't nice, but you must have a reason for it..."

Aki's eyes widened. "Yumoto..."

"Oh! But I wouldn't want your dinner to get cold. You guys should eat up while it's hot, okay?" A hint of Yumoto's regular smile returned, and he nudged the tray closer to the twins. That boy was something else. Aki wondered if they really deserved to be forgiven, just like that. His appetite evaporated at the thought. They had tried so hard to wipe the Battle Lovers out of the picture, especially Yumoto. And despite their merciless tactics, Yumoto still stood before them, the picture of innocence, offering smiles and dinner. Just what was he made of?

Yumoto stepped to the door, lingering a moment. "Don't worry," he told them. "I know you aren't bad people."

And he was gone, just like that. He left the twins alone, one fuming and the other lost. "What was that all about?" Haru huffed.

Aki reached out to cup his twin's cheek, smiling when Haru nuzzled into his hand. "We should eat," he reminded Haru. Aki's hunger had all but disappeared, but Haru needed to eat. He needed to regain his strength so that he could heal from the beating he took.

Haru mumbled an agreement, and his eyes lit up at the sight of the food that Gora had prepared just for them. He reached around Aki to grab a plate and chopsticks. The warm scent of savory spice wrapped around them, rekindling a fraction of Aki's appetite. He straightened to reach for the other plate, but Haru's arm stayed firm around him. "You need to rest." His expression softened, and he held a bite of chicken in front of Aki's lips. "Here, I'll help."

Aki's cheeks burned. "I can manage," he protested half-heartedly. He could tell already that it wasn't an argument he could win.

Haru raised an eyebrow, challenging him to just try pushing things further. The morsel of food moved forward insistently.

Aki's shoulders slumped in surrender. He opened his mouth obediently and took the bite of food offered. Maybe it was just his imagination... but Haru looked like he was thoroughly enjoying this. His foul mood evaporated, and his eyes shone with mischievous affection. The food was absolutely divine. Pleasant heat blossomed in Aki's mouth from spices tempered by buttery rice. Haru took a bite for himself, then presented Aki with another. This time, he didn't put up a fight.

The two made short work of the dinner Gora had made for them, and afterwards Aki cradled his cup of tea close as he leaned against his twin. One of Haru's arms draped around him as he sipped at the last of his tea. Setting the empty cup down, Aki snuggled close to Haru tiredly. His thoughts drifted back to what Yumoto had said. Don't worry. I know you're not bad people. He had sounded so sure, despite everything the brothers had done. Haru leaned close, lips tugged up into a half-smirk and crimson eyes glinting with trouble, and Aki's thoughts scattered. He'd seen that look a thousand times before, and yet his heart still skipped a beat. "What?"

"You've got a bit of rice..." Haru's eyes slid down to Aki's lips with a devilish grin. He set his cup down and leaned teasingly close. Aki's arms wrapped around Haru's instinctively. Haru's lips were just a breath away from his-close enough that if he just leaned forward a little...

Haru moved to the side at the last minute, hot tongue sweeping over Aki's jaw. Aki gasped, squirming in Haru's arms. Heat coiled inside of him from the ticklish sensation, and his heart jumped into an allegretto beat. His throat tightened, and deep down Aki hoped that Haru would do it again. Haru pulled back with a snicker, though. "Heh, you should see your face," he teased, grin spreading. "Red as a tomato."

Aki's shoulders hunched with embarrassment, and he shot his twin a look. "You'd be just as red if it were you."

"Gonna try it?"

Aki's cheeks burned at the invitation. Haru gave him a cocky, infallible grin. Maybe he should. It would be sweet revenge to see Haru blushing and undone. He reached a hand around the back of Aki's neck, fingers coiling in the pale locks as he tugged his twin close. Before he could summon the courage-or abandon his pride-Haru redirected him into a sudden kiss. The taste of spice lingered between them, adding heat. Haru nipped his lower lip, and when Aki's lips parted in surprise Haru's tongue rubbed against his own. Something stirred inside of Aki. Heat pooled inside of him. He melted into the kiss, a soft sound escaping him as he explored Haru's mouth. Haru's arms tightened around him, and Aki forgot how to breathe. His heart fluttered like the wings of a caged bird, and his fingers tangled tighter in Haru's hair. He arched against him, every inch of contact feeling more right than anything in the world-

Footsteps caught Aki's attention, and he stiffened. The moment was lost; the contact between the twins disintegrated as Aki struggled to sit up properly. When Gora walked through the door, Aki sat haphazardly in Haru's lap, and he could swear that Haru giggled. His cheeks burned. Aki offered Gora a smile and worried that it looked anything but innocent.

Gora's brows knit together, and for a moment Aki wavered. He must have seen them. And... he must think less of them for it. Aki's hands shook. He slipped one into Haru's, squeezing it to steady himself. He'd really thought that kind, selfless Gora would be understanding enough to accept how close the twins were, but maybe he had been wrong. Maybe there really wasn't anyone out there who could understand or accept them. Maybe it really was them against the world. Haru's arm tightened around his waist. Aki's gaze dropped to the floor, and he braced himself for the worst.

"Aki... your flushed. Maybe your injuries were worse than I thought." A cool, calloused hand pressed against Aki's forehead and he looked up in shock. "I think you might be running a fever. Maybe we should call a doctor, after all..." Gora knelt down next to the two.

Aki could have died of embarrassment. "No, no-I'm fine, really," he insisted. He couldn't really tell Gora that he was flushed for an entirely different reason. At least, he couldn't tell him that and maintain a shred of his dignity. "Please, I'm sure it's nothing." He felt Haru shaking behind him as he struggled to keep a straight face and fight down laughter.

Gora rubbed the back of his neck, uncertain. "A fever could be serious with those injuries, though," he told them.

"I'm sure it's nothing, truly... if I just rest up for a bit I'm sure I'll be fine." Aki tried not to let his crippling embarrassment show.

Gora sighed, straightening back up. "Well, I have some medicine around here... we could try that and see if it helps," he offered. Aki managed a small nod. "Wait here," Gora told them. He stepped into the other room and returned with a small bottle of tylenol and a couple bottles of water. Counting out two tylenol, he handed them to Aki along with one of the bottles.

Aki stared down at the pills. Gora waited expectantly. Sighing, Aki took them, and washed them down with a gulp of water. They couldn't hurt-and maybe they would even take the edge off of his pain. Gora relaxed, then turned his attention to Haru. He reached a hand out to Haru's forehead, and Aki felt his twin stiffen behind him. Haru's red eyes widened, and a dark blush spread all the way down to his shoulders. Aki grinned at the sight. It was rare to see Haru so ruffled.

"You're a little warm, too, Haruhiko. Maybe you should take some as well..."

Haru protested-more loudly than Aki had-and eventually gave up as a couple tylenol were dropped into his hands as well. Sighing, he took the two pills and chased them down with some water as well. "I'm fine, really," he grumbled.

"If either of you think you need to go to the hospital just let me know. I can take you right away, it's no trouble."

"Let's just wait it out," Aki suggested. He hoped he didn't sound too desperate.

"If you're sure..."

The twins nodded in unison, and let out identical sighs of relief as Gora shrugged. "All right. But if you two are still burning up in a couple hours then we really should go. Try to rest for now, okay?"

Aki nodded. "Thanks," he mumbled.

"We will," Haru added, forgetting his momentary embarrassment as he perked back up.

"Feel better soon Aki, Haruhiko."

"Oh-just Haru is fine." Haru beamed up at Gora hopefully.

Gora chuckled, giving the two a small grin. "All right. Feel better soon, Aki, Haru." He leaned down to pick up the tray of empty dishes, and with one last look back at the two, stepped out of the room. Aki sank against Haru, relieved despite the butterflies rioting in his stomach. He could still feel Gora's hand against his forehead. Could still see his amused grin at Haru's correction, or the way concern for the two had shone in his eyes.

"You should probably get some rest," Haru reminded Aki, giving his twin a very serious look. "We wouldn't want your fever to get any worse." A flicker of a grin tugged at his lips.

Aki wrapped his arms around Haru's shoulders and nuzzled into his twin's neck. "As if I can get any rest at all after all of that."

Haru chuckled. He shifted to lie back against the futon, pulling Aki down with him. "Fair enough."