Kaoru used to be scared of storms. When Kaoru would hear the thunder, see the deathly light of lightning illuminate the dark room, he was scared. He didn't know why, the fear of something so simple. He knew it'd never go away. But still, he hid. He hid, he cried, and he tried to ignore it. Usually.

Hikaru loved storms. Whenever he heard one was coming, his first thought was to dig his rain coat and rain boots out from the closet. He would be all geared up ready to go, when he'd spot his twin staring at him feet away. The older would smile, and ask if he wanted to play with him. Usually.

Kaoru would shake his head, hesitate, then run off as if his life depended on it. Hikaru then, knowing his brother all too well, would pull off his rain gear and go in search of little Kaoru. He'd find him curled up under the bed, clinging to a blanket and covering his ears as the first cracks of thunder sounded. Always.

Kaoru would tell him to go play, and for a second Hikaru would fall for it, stand up and turn, but freeze when the whimpers of his baby brother were heard. He'd crawl under the bed with two or three more blankets, headphones, and an ipod. He'd cuddle up his brother in the blankets before he could protest, and gingerly placed the headphones over his ears.

Kaoru would stare at him all the while, wincing when thunder sounded, whimpering when white hot flashes illuminated the room, until tears fell. Hikaru would hurry, find the best music he could find, play it loud, and pull the other into a tight embrace.

Over the years, the fear died down until only a small shadow remained, concealed by the reminder of those years. Kept safe in case it was needed. Only a blink and a twitch at thunder, only a glance at the lightning. In the dead of the night, when there was a storm, Kaoru would crawl into bed with the older twin, even if his fear was gone.

He'd turn on music, and bring more blankets, careful not to wake Hikaru, who always knew anyway. Kaoru would curl up against the other, falling asleep peacefully and easily, no matter how old they'd gotten.

Always.