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home: the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.
'There is an apartment,' the big brother would have answered long ago if someone asked him about his home. Albeit it would cause him a strange discomfort, like an annoying itch originating in his chest. Nevertheless, he could ignore it until he made it go away after a few seconds with relative ease. If he took the definition of home, he couldn't say to have one, at least, not for the latter part (and not even entirely for the first one; his way of living -or instead, surviving- never allowed him to settle in one place). He had left something like that too long ago to remember.
'There was a home,' the youngest would have answered if asked long ago. If he stuck to the exact definition (as his brother did, innocently trying to follow his logic), he didn't have one now. He had not lived with any member of his family for years.
According to that definition (exact, logical, almost cruel given the circumstances of the people who used it), neither had a home.
However, if there was something curious (almost magical) about words, it was that they could have more than one meaning. More than one representation. Almost like humans, who could have more than a single feeling inside them.
home: someone's or something's place of origin, or the place where a person feels they belong.
If, on the other hand, they both took that definition (as they would and as they do), they would discover that, without noticing it, they had found not just one home but several.
Because 'home' for the older one could be the Cinnamon Café, on a typical afternoon where Rinne would try to make Niki do something ridiculous, and he and Kohaku would pretend (at what point did it become mere theater?) to be angry at their attitude.
Because 'home' for the younger one could be an afternoon in some flower-filled garden, listening to Tatsumi tell stories.
Because 'home' could be the bedroom in Ensemble Square, watching a movie at night with Arashi and Tetora. Arashi would get excited, and Tetora would scream while he watched them, hiding a smile.
Because 'home' could be talking to Jun again and seeing him laugh and smile as he spoke of his beloved 'Ohi-san' (though, of course, it would never be as good as the 'Onii-chan' of his).
Because 'home' could be Rinne's laughter when he won something in a game. It could be Kohaku seeking his support out of fear of a ghost appearing. It could even be the sound of Niki's stomach growling during a rehearsal.
Because 'home' could be listening to Tatsumi sing with his new unit mates. It could be screaming with Jun in excitement. It could even be trying to understand Hiyori's way of speaking in the middle of a previously unfamiliar cafeteria.
Because 'home' could be Niki's apartment at an impromptu dinner for everyone. Because 'home' could be arriving and seeing and feeling that he was there. They were both there.
"Onii-chan! Shiina-senpai prepared some new candies, you must try them!"
"Did you eat something sweet before dinner, Kaname? That'll ruin your appetite, you know?"
'Home' could have been a simple welcoming hug.
"Just one. It won't hurt."
"Mhn, was it really just one?"
"Maybe... it was more."
"Merumeru, how about instead of worrying about the dozen candies your brother ate, you help us take out more? I remind you that you lost the other time and it's part of the punishment, kyahaha ~"
"Rinne-han, I don't think saying that-"
"Nee, Rinne-kun, why is helping me a punishment? Food should be taken seriously!"
"... Sorry, onii-chan," he would say with a smile that his brother would return.
'Home' could be both. Where they were. Where their precious people were. Home was where they belonged, and now, after being unable to have one, they had many.
