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There was always something. Something slightly off, slightly… wrong with them. They knew it. Their father knew it, and their neighbors knew it too. But Haruhi was the least expected person to do such things. They were loud, and unrelenting, and while she was working, quite terrifying.
But they were a killer. And Killers were supposed to do their jobs well.
Sure it may have cost her a social life, made it more difficult for them to make friends, but it was all in a day's work. They didn’t really have a choice, anymore. But such is life. Some people have exhausting 9-5 jobs where they will never move up enough to actually make a difference, living paycheck to paycheck every monotonous hour of their boring lives, and some people have to hide from the police, relying on their parent and neighbors to protect their identity.
Haruhi smiled at that thought, remembering the nice hot meal they would be coming home to, with the old woman in the room next to them fretting over the small scratches from the fight and the crooked policeman living in the room on the other side asking about how the body hiding was, and asking if she made sure not to leave any evidence behind. And his wife, who would take Haruhi’s clothes and wash out any blood left from them.
She loved the people around them, and felt so safe knowing that no matter what she was, and what she did, they would still keep her safe. They looked at their phone, seeing a transfer of money that would last the next week or so. They wiped the blood off the knife onto a rag, and put it back into the scabbard around their waist. The body had already been dumped, so they could just walk home.
---
Kaoru knew he was weird. It wasn’t out of the ordinary for the rich and powerful to have weird hobbies, but his obsession over serial killers was definitely one of the stranger ones. He spent hours every night looking up cold cases, hitmen, the little mental intricacies within all of these horrible horrible people. He was sick, and understood that. It's not like he couldn't recognize the blush on his face when he read about the newest victim of “Apathy”, the name given to a serial killer who, like the name, killed without any emotion. Nothing lined up, no motive or specific kind of person. The only thing the police knew about them was they were getting paid for these murders.
This made the boy feel even better, with the idea that he knew more about “Apathy” than anyone else. If someone checked his recent payments, they would know why. And yet, nobody would. His twin was incredible at hiding them.
Hikaru knew what his brother was doing was wrong. He knew the repercussions of their actions… but… there would be any repercussions if no one found out, right? So he continued helping Kaoru with his obsessions, and would pretend not to see the ecstatic look on his brother's face when he fantasized about being under the killer's thumb. There wasn’t anything else the boy could do other than ignore the soft whimpers, drool stained pillow, and awkward smirks from Kaoru.
---
“Are you heading out again, dear? You just got back from… that.”
Haruhi peeked into the kitchen where her father was cooking. Steam rose in towers from the wok, stir fry filling the small apartment with a wonderful smell. She walked closer and wrapped their arm around his waist, giving him a hug. Small scratches littered their shoulders, neck, face, and anywhere else that was visible from the last “job”. She hated it when the jobs fought back.
She also partially hated the fact they did such things, slightly worried about what their friends back at Ouran would think of her… what one person in particular would think, especially. Kaoru was always so level-headed, so she imagined the things she did for money would ruin their friendship. Their connection.
“No, not today. I’m just thinking about going on a walk.”
“That would be a good idea, you haven't had any self care time in a while, have you?”
“Mhm.”
“Well, go have fun! Dinner should be waiting for you when you get home! Don’t kill anyone~”
“I won’t, dad.”
He gave them a knowing look.
“Alright I won’t, unless I get another request.”
“That's my girl.”
“Dad, you aren’t a wanted killer.”
“Yes! But your Daddy knows what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck. That's just how it works at the bar. Speaking of which! I won’t be home tonight, so if you do end up getting a job, please call me, and go to Ms. Sasaki afterwards.”
“I’m sure she’ll be waiting outside before I even get back.”
“Stay safe, my baby!”
As the girl was slipping on her flats, her phone buzzed with a text message from a number they had grown to remember. Previously unknown, now named ‘Boss’ It gave her a small smile, knowing that another payment would be soon incoming. They stepped out the door before opening the message.
---
“Are you seriously going to do this again?” Hikaru looked at his brother with mild disgust, but also increasing worry. “I think this is becoming an increasing problem for you. I mean, don’t get me wrong, you’re into what you’re into but this is illegal , Kaoru. Like, super illegal.”
The boy rolled his eyes as he continued to type out the message on a secondary phone, as well as attaching a picture to it. “Oh please. Nothing that I’m doing is illegal. They’re the criminal, they're just taking care of my requests. They never had to.”
“Everything about what you are doing is illegal! You're hiring a hitman, protecting a wanted serial killer, conspiring to commit murder, and doing ‘dark web’ deals! You of all people should understand that this bullshit is wrong, you’re supposed to be the more mature one.”
The mature one. Ha. It was pathetic, the ways his brother tried to deter him from this path. Hikaru was so illogical sometimes, unable to say no to Kaoru’s pleas for help hiding his tracks. Well, luckily enough for his twin, this was the last one.
“Jeez, Hikaru. Fine. Calm down. This is the last one, I promise.”
“And how many times have you said that? Three. Three times you have told me that and you keep going back. What would Haruhi think?!”
“I never specified what ‘last one’ mean’t. I just meant the last one using that kind of communication. Someone who knew someone, to chatting on a forum, to talking over email, and most recently, texting! What do you think the next upgrade will be, my dear brother? And Haruhi won’t find out. Because I know you’ll make sure of that!”
“I can’t believe you. You must be joking.”
Silence filled the room, a horrifying, sly smile creeping its way onto Kaoru’s lips as his twin turned paler than a piece of printer paper.
“No…”
“Ta-ta, Hikaru! I’m going out for a drive. Please don’t follow me, I’d like to spend some time alone. “
“Kaoru you didn’t!”
The boy threw on a long, fashionable jacket and fixed his hair before taking the phone from his brother's hands and leaving the room in a couple of strides. Hikaru had seen the messages, and already knew it was too late.
A picture of Kaoru. Originally it was one of him, his brother, and the members of a club they were part of together, but everyone other than Kaoru had been cropped out , for their own safety. There was a small description under the picture, describing the mission and location to the contact named ‘Apathy <3’.
Target: Hitachiin Kaoru. Do not kill on site, it will become abundantly clear once you talk to him.
---
Haruhi stood awkwardly in the alleyway across from where the message from Boss said to find the target. It was odd, this was different from her normal missions. The Hitachiin hadn’t shown up yet, so they just had to watch and wait for a handsome red-head looking suspicious to enter the alleyway. The fact that the target was a Hitachiin sent alarm bells ringing through their head, as no other high-profile individuals had been sent to her before. The child of a world famous fashion designer, being an up-and-coming designer himself? It was truly bizarre. But, a job was a job. Even if That ‘job’ was her friend. Haruhi needed that money.
But… the more they thought about it, the more… odd it got. Who was Boss? Why did they have so much money, and why were they constantly spending it on her? And the description, ‘Do not kill on site.’ They always killed on site. It was easier that way. Kill the target, clean up the scene, get out of there in time for dinner, get the payment an hour or two later, that’s how it went. Every. Single. Time.
Maye… did Boss want to meet her? Finally? Just straight to the meeting, no calls, no nothing. But that seemed logically flawed, and dangerous for both parties. Unless they were an idiot, or obsessed. Or both. Things started to get more and more confusing, to the point where she almost missed the red head shiftily turning into the alley.
Bingo.
Haruhi quickly walked across the deserted street, following the man.
~ ~ ~
He paused in the middle, looking around at everywhere they could possibly be hiding, but could not spot anybody. Either they were getting ready to ambush him, or didn’t show up. He hoped it was the former.
Haruhi watched the man from the entrance to the alleyway, arms crossed, standing just enough in the light for someone to know she was there but not enough to see any facial features. They saw as he sighed, releasing all tension from his body and letting himself sink into his jacket with disappointment. And then, the red-head turned around.
Kaoru jumped when he saw someone standing in the darkness, and a million thoughts ran through his head, wondering if they had been there beforehand and he just walked past him, if they followed him into the alley after, or what other possibility it could be. Was this Apathy? Short… with an androgynous figure… what looks like a black jacket hanging over a simple, pink dress that vaguely looked like repurposed coveralls… and white flats. Not what he expected. Maybe this person was a hooker, made to look slightly innocent to appeal to a different kind of person. Like him.
“You really should be watching your back before entering alleyways, Hitachiin Kaoru.” They stepped into the light, round features contrasting the apathetic and sadistic tone in their voice. A slight shine reflected into the light as the person pulled out a small knife from a pocket in their dress, and spun it in their hand. “Especially if there is someone willing to pay to have me come meet you.”
Haruhi watched in the dim light as the boy's face flushed. She knew he was around her age, she did a little bit of research while walking to the location. But what they never expected was the blissful smile on his face when he looked at the knife in their hand, and the malice in their voice. He looked up at her, their eyes making contact, and he smiled.
“It’s you…” She looked confused, and pointed the knife at Kaoru. “You’re Apathy! I wasn’t completely sure if you would show up but you're actually here!”
The person in front of him lowered the knife from where it was pointed at his throat, opening and closing her mouth until she could finally form a coherent sentence.
“Are… are you Boss?”
Now it was his turn to be confused, but he kept smiling the entire way through, curious about who this person Apathy was talking about. “Boss?”
She blushed, remembering that ‘Boss’ was the name they had put as their contact, so of course Kaoru wouldn’t know.
“I mean… are you… are you the… the anonymous number who keeps sending me messages? Of the… the jobs?” She tried to save her embarrassment, explaining as fast as they could which only caused Kaoru to laugh.
“Oh, my dear Apathy, how would you come to that conclusion?”
“Well I-”
“Because you are absolutely correct. But… I would like to hear your thought process, and maybe… you could tell me your name?”
It confused her, But Haruhi admired his boldness. He was staring death in the face, someone who had killed more times than she could count, someone threatening him, and he was smiling. Asking for her name. Kaoru took a single step forward, as if to taunt her. She wasn’t going to kill him, and both of them knew that.
“So, Apathy? Care to share?”
The knife spun in the cold air, reflecting light every which way, before they tucked it back into her pocket.
“You told me not to kill on site.”
“Well yeah, I know how merciless you are.”
“You’ve never told me to do that before.”
“I… what?”
“Never before have you specified not to kill onsite. Unless it was a specific job where they needed to be alive for some time for my safety or someone else’s safety, you have never said to not kill on site. Anytime there are special instructions you’re not nearly as vague.”
He opened his mouth a couple of times, before eventually just nodding. “I guess you’re right, never thought of it that way.”
“But that's not the only thing.”
He leaned against the brick wall, intrigued that he had more tells that anyone else never would have noticed. “Go on, please.”
Haruhi stayed where she was, but let themself relax the slightest bit. This boy wasn’t a threat to her, and if he did try anything, they could end his life in a heartbeat. “The picture you sent, it's cropped. There are other people in the photo you are trying to protect. Not to mention a quick reverse-image search shows that picture has never been posted anywhere else, so it’s one that you specifically had. I find it kind of cute, honestly.” as she spoke, they cautiously shuffled towards him, moving barely a centimeter.
He blushed when they said that, and covered his face slightly. Someone like her calling someone like him cute? What world was this??? “A-anything else?” He stammered, urging her to continue.
A soft breeze blew through the alleyway, kicking up dirt and leaves into little whirlwinds, the distinct smell of cheap cigarettes made this almost-romantic situation get dragged back into the reality that a serial killer and their boss had met in an alleyway for the first time. But the way the wind danced around their faces, lifting their hair in a majestic, fairytale-esque manner made that gross reality melt away. Haruhi took another step forward, leaning towards him. It was their turn to taunt.
“You told me ‘It will become abundantly clear once you talk to him’ . You hadn’t even said anything about it and your position in this exchange was obvious. Rich boy with twisted desires willing to pay a poor girl who would do exactly what this man said, and the first meeting we have you’re blushing like a schoolgirl.”
“I-I am not a schoolgirl!” He defended, standing up to his full height, the 20cm difference making him tower over her. If their positions were swapped, she might feel afraid, but even then, there was no chance of him hurting her. She knew him well, that’s what Ouran Academy does to someone. You get to know the people around you very well, especially if you’re part of the host club.
“I know you better than that. Y’know, I always thought the stuttering Kaoru was just an act you put on with your brother. Apparently it both is and isn’t at the same time! But if it means I learn that I fluster you, I will take that as a win~” She had backed him up against the wall, swaying side to side exactly like she had seen him done countless times before with his twin. Haruhi had just been able to perfect it with only one person.
Suddenly though, Kaoru looked scared. The killer in front of him had mentioned his brother… and inadvertently the host club. That means they knew more about him than he let on, and every person around him could be in danger. Just his luck, things were looking up and then immediately everything went downhill. Of course they did.
*Ding*
Apathy pulled out their phone, noticing a message they had just received.
“I have to leave. I hope I fulfilled everything you wanted this job to bring. Except… well…” She pulled out the knife again, and cut his thumb with it. They took a picture of it, before sending it to Kaoru, and then they took his hand and brought it to their face. His thumb dragged across her face with her guidance, a smear of blood trailing from her bottom lip, to the corner of her mouth, and ending halfway up her cheek. No matter how scared he might’ve been, there was no world where he could deny just how hot he realized that was. He ignored his own phone's ding, signalling the picture was delivered and instead looked into the deep, chocolatey brown eyes that looked oh so familiar. “I hope that’s good enough proof, Boss~”
He was stunned, unable to move as they stepped backwards, keeping eye contact as they spun the knife for the final time, and started backing out of the alleyway. It was only when he remembered the second part of their deal, that he snapped out of the trance and reached his hand towards her. Kaoru’s hand brushed the fingers of Haruhi’s.
“Wait-”
But she kept moving, smiling at him as she backed away. It was obvious Haruhi knew why he was begging her to wait, and she loved it. They were at the mouth of the alley, and before running off into the night, she called to him where he was still standing.
“It’s me, Kaoru. It’s always been me. See you tomorrow~”
His mouth was agape as Apathy dashed out, a blush creeping onto his cheeks as the one person he was worried about finding him out was the person he was hiding, paying for awful deeds.
The two he adored were one in the same.
Apathy and Haruhi.
God he was getting warm. He had to deal with that before he went back home.
---
As Haruhi ran through the streets back towards her house (Jeez Kaoru really put that meeting far away. More likely than not to protect her, jokes on him.) she thanked the wind through her hair for cooling off the flushed expression on her face. Him of all people, giving her the blood money she so desperately feared him learning about. They could finally be open about their jobs, even if they only talked to the person funding said jobs.
It made her think, remembering the ‘level-headedness’ that he presented himself with, and they must have realized sooner there had to be some flaw with him. Something that was a red-flag in the redhead. Turns out his red flag was attraction to hired killers. Which also turned out to be a green flag in this situation.
Maybe their friendship could grow to something… further than professional or platonic…
It already seemed to be headed that way. Their boss/hired help dynamic didn’t make anything better, or less scandalous.
Haruhi shook her head and tried to push away the thoughts creeping into the darker corners of their mind, and instead focused on the fact that they had blood all over their face that they needed to wash off before they got home.
Damnit Kaoru, how could he make her so flustered while she was threatening him! Stupid debaucherous twins.
She had to admit… they kind of loved it though.