A/N: I would apologize, but what good what that do at this point? This chapter really shouldn't have taken so long, but I was uninspired, and then when I finished writing, the drama started. Boy drama, that is. And then school got hard. So I didn't type this, and I neglected my beta reader duties. I feel terrible, but I'm doing this now, and I have a short Death Note one-shot ready to be posted soon as well. Hopefully that will make up for my extreme laziness. And this chapter is super easy, by the way.

This chapter is dedicated to Katherine-the-Crowned, for guessing correctly on the previous chapter (obviously) and for being the most awesome and patient best friend in the entire world! I love you girl!

Hikaru stood before the mirror in his dressing room, nervously fiddling with his tie. After a last failed attempt at making the ridiculous bow lie flat, he dropped his hands in frustration.

At this, the glass before him was replaced by another mirror image, this one smiling and much more at ease.

Kaoru calmly undid his twin's tie and retied it – a perfect, straight bow.

"Relax, Hikaru," he soothed. "This is a great day, so just enjoy the moment."

Hikaru nodded. "Right, relax," he mumbled, taking a deep, calming breath. "I'm getting married." he stated, as if he could not believe it.

"That's right," Kaoru agreed, beaming, "and you're going to be so happy."

"Yeah…" Hikaru said quietly, smiling to himself and looking toward the closed door as if his bride were just on the other side of it.

"Listen," Kaoru said, calling back his brother's attention. "I know I have to make my best man speech at the reception, but there are a few things I want to say now, just between the two of us."

Hikaru's brow furrowed. "Ok…"

Kaoru took a deep breath. "Nothing will ever tear us apart," he began. "You getting married is a wonderful thing, and we're still going to see each other all the time, maybe even every day – Well," he winked suggestively, "after the honeymoon – but after today, things are going to be different, so I need to say this."

He paused to let Hikaru process his words, and when his twin nodded, Kaoru continued. "This is the start of a new chapter in our lives. It won't be just you and me against the world anymore." He smiled gently. "So I want you to know that I have the best hopes for you, with or without me. My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to. I know that you and Haruhi will be great together, and you're going to have a beautiful family and a wonderful life. And that's all I want."

Hikaru stared at his twin, tears pricking at his eyes. "Kaoru…" he struggled with the words. "Thank you. That's…that's what I want for you too." He stepped forward and embraced his brother, and after a moment the younger twin stepped back and smiled.

"Come on," he said. "Your bride is waiting."

-:-

At the reception, Kaoru stood up to make his speech. After sufficiently embarrassing Hikaru with blackmail material built up over the past twenty years, he wished the couple a long, happy life, but only he and Hikaru knew the extent of that sentiment.

A/N: *fails* That was probably the cheesiest thing I have ever written, and Hikaru feels really off, but hopefully it was good. Please let me know what you think, and as always, send me a PM if you think you know the answer.