Chapter 17 - Pain

444 15 5
                                    

"What is that thing?" He asked. She didn't look at him.

-

"It's a stone that holds madness. Since the barrier I put on it has wavered, some of the energy seeped out and you felt some of it's effects." She explained, her fingers twitching as she felt the barrier. "You're lucky you were saved from that madness. If you went any further, it would be troublesome trying to bring you back."

Domeki glanced at the bow sitting on it's pedestal. He couldn't feel the presence anymore, but he was still curious about the artifact. "Who was the owner of that bow?"

Yuuko finally looked at Domeki, a small smile playing on her lips. "It was a very good friend of mine; a very powerful person."

"You can't tell me his name?"

Yuuko's heart quickened. "How do you know it was a man? I never told you."

Domeki hesitated. "Um..." He couldn't explain it and tried recreating the scene that happened a mere fifteen minutes ago. "I was walking, I think I heard the stone talking." He approached the place he stopped at and paused. "Right here."

"You couldn't move?" She asked him. Domeki nodded. "Then...?"

He frowned, gesturing to the bow with his left hand. "The bow stopped me. I heard a man's voice and that stopped me. I couldn't move... It was as if his voice was speaking a spell."

"Be thankful that it did." Yuuko muttered, walking closer to the stone. "You probably would have been swallowed up with madness by now."

"Yeah..." Domeki said, still not feeling as if his questions were answered. "Was he a close friend of yours?"

"Huh?" Yuuko asked, startled from her thoughts. She was thinking back to the good days, where everything was happy and easy.

Domeki could see that in her eyes. From the way they softened in that millisecond and changed to a guarded expression once more after he spoke. "The owner of the bow, were you two close?"

She smiled, sadly. "Yeah... Let's drop the matter for now, Domeki-kun. At least you weren't effected by the stone."

-

After dinner, Watanuki and Domeki left the shop, walking back to Watanuki's house. They walked in silence. Watanuki almost jumped when he felt Domeki's hand slide into his, locking their fingers together. His heart started beating a little faster and he ducked his head a little, trying to hide his blush.

Domeki didn't notice this. He kept his gaze straight ahead, giving Watanuki's hand a little squeeze. There were some things that Domeki wanted to ask Watanuki. Especially the question that he has been asking Watanuki since day one.

They stopped in front of Watanuki's door. Watanuki tried to let go of Domeki's hand but, the tall boy squeezed his hand a little tighter.

"Um..." Watanuki muttered, trying to keep his heart rate in check. "Is anything wrong?"

Domeki shook his head. He pulled on Watanuki's hand and brought the megane to his chest. He kept his left hand and linked his right with Watanuki's. Watanuki almost burst out his feelings right then and there. He could feel the love for him that Domeki emitted. It was almost like his whole aura was surrounded by that love.

"I love you."

Watanuki smiled as he heard those words come out of Domeki's mouth. He buried his face into Domeki's chest, inhaling his scent, feeling comforted by the smell.

"I know, thank you."

Domeki let go of Watanuki's hands and wrapped them around his waist, lifting him up. Watanuki almost squealed, holding onto Domeki's shoulders as he started spinning around. Watanuki started laughing, as Domeki spun. He quickly got dizzy and slowed down, setting Watanuki back down.

Watanuki giggled, still riding on the sudden rush. He caught himself, clearing his throat. Domeki chuckled, pressing his lips onto Watanuki's forehead.

"Cute." He mumbled, keeping his lips against his forehead. Watanuki opened his mouth to respond, his face growing warm, but couldn't get any words out.

Domeki moved his head slightly down, pressing a kiss onto Watanuki's exposed neck, near the jaw. Watanuki shivered and almost whimpered. He gripped Domeki's shirt and slightly pushed him away.

"Goodnight." Watanuki stuttered, quickly unlocking the door and dashing inside. He leaned against the door, feeling hot and embarrassed at the same time.

His heart was beating fast and his hands were shaking. Watanuki heard Domeki's footsteps walk down the metal steps and he opened his front door, walking out and peering over the metal balcony. He spotted Domeki as the young adult was walking towards the apartment gates.

Domeki felt Watanuki's stare and chuckled, keeping his pace, he lifted his hand up in a small wave to Watanuki. There was a small clattering sound as he imagined the megane flustered, scrambling back into his apartment with either an angry or embarrassed face. Not being too oblivious has it's perks.

What Domeki imagined was pretty much true, Watanuki was back in his apartment, but he wasn't mad or embarrassed. He was smiling.

Watanuki had a dreamless night. He woke up in the middle of it, groggy and feeling like crap. He tried to get himself out of bed, but when he sat up, his head started spinning. He groaned, wondering how the hell he got himself sick.

It was after he thought that when he felt a splitting headache sear through his head and he almost cried out in pain. Flashes of light moved behind his eyes as he withered on his bed in pain.

At the same time, Yuuko snapped awake as well, feeling pain starting to spread through her body once more. She called for Maru and Moro, screaming to fetch an item from the storage room for her. They retrieved it in an instant, worried for their master.

Yuuko smiled when she received it. In her hands the object was warm and instantly soothed whatever pain grew in her body as well as Watanuki's. After a couple of minutes catching her breath, she got out of bed and started to get ready.

She had to see if Watanuki was alright.

-

Watanuki passed out from the pain and was now wandering through his dreams. Small flashbacks here and there passed through his mind, making him smile in his sleep. A scene popped up and Watanuki tried to reach for it, but realized it was far from his reach. He felt relief flow from the scene and into his body which made him confused. Watanuki tried his best to make his way to the light where the blurred scene was.

There was something stopping him.

A voice started to call from far away, making him slowly turn his head to the sound. Fully turned around, Watanuki's surroundings became white and he felt himself being pulled up to the surface.

-

Watanuki opened his eyes to see Domeki's face right in front of his. His eyes widened and he quickly sat up, regretting the action right after. Pain shot through his head once more and he clutched it, squeezing his eyes shut.

Domeki reached a hand out and placed it in Watanuki's shoulder, pulling the megane close to him. He couldn't think of anything to do except hug the man. He saw tears starting to drop from Watanuki's eyes and he hugged him tighter pressing his lips to Watanuki's forehead. He felt Watanuki's arms wrap tightly around his waist and he closed his eyes as the megane buried his face into Domeki's chest.

"I'm here, don't worry."

**

Love you guys!

        -Arcane

Something Like Love (xxxHolic)Where stories live. Discover now