Something Like Love (xxxHolic)

Chapter 21 - Conclusions

(Possible 18+ content ahead)

When Watanuki opened his eyes, he was back in the storage room. His heart was beating with pain for Syaoran and for himself, whose paths have been set.

Syaoran will have to continuously move from dimension to dimension, never staying in one place for too long before moving on. He wouldn't be able to stay with Sakura and the others. While Watanuki would continue the task of watching the wish-granting shop, even going so far as to stopping his own aging process to pay the price.

He took the pain as a signal that he was still here, that he existed. He still exists, and quite honestly, he couldn't be happier. It was one of Yuuko's wishes, of course.

"Kimihiro-!" The storage room door opened, revealing an anxious Domeki. He sighed in relief when he spotted Watanuki standing in the middle of the storage room, holding one of Yuuko's kimono's.

"Domeki,"

"... Yeah?"

Watanuki turned around, the new glasses sitting on his nose. "I'm going to take over this shop. Yuuko-san said that she was gonna grant my wish to not see spirits anymore, but I want to keep that ability for the sake of inheriting his shop. I will be able to take on Yuuko-san's role of granting wishes to people and to beings that aren't exactly people; I will protect this shop... until I can meet Yuuko-san again."

"You really cared about her, huh?" Domeki asked, walking up to hug Watanuki. "So you'll manage the shop and go to school at the same time?"

The smaller one rested his head on Domeki's shoulder, closing his eyes and relishing the warmth that Domeki gave out. "I won't... Well, it's more like I can't; I can't leave the store."

Domeki wrapped his arms tighter around Watanuki. "Why?"

"That's the price I have to pay. I have decided to pay the 'time' within me as the price for staying here."

"You won't age...? So that means that you won't die?" Domeki asked, planting kisses on Watanuki's head, slowly moving down.

"All living things die. No matter how much one wishes, people die, Domeki." Watanuki answered, bringing his hands up to cup Domeki's face. "I'm sorry to dump all of this on you, especially after we finally got together."

Domeki shook his head, planting a small kiss on Watanuki's nose. "It's fine, I'll be by your side until the day I die. Who knows, maybe one of my grandsons will look like me and carry on the task of keeping an eye on you. I'll make sure to remind them not to touch you though. You're mine."

"You're an idiot." Watanuki smiled, wrapping his arms around Domeki's neck.

"You smiled." Domeki noted, pushing their noses together. "You've been through so much within one day, I hope you're okay."

"Mmn," Watanuki mumbled, slowly closing his eyes as they kissed. He could feel Domeki trying to heal Watanuki's heart through this kiss. The tenderness of the kiss and the small, fleeting touches of Domeki's hands lightly roaming on Watanuki's body were a sure signal that he wanted to make sure that his lover was alright. "Yeah... if you're beside me, I think I'll be just fine."

"I think so, too." Domeki said giving a small smile. "So you'll have to watch me become withered an wrinkly while you stay young and cute."

"Yeah; don't call me cute though. I'm not cute."

They were still in each other's arms, finding peace in their positions. Domeki smiled, sliding his hands down Watanuki's back.

"Yes you are; it's one of the reasons I fell in love with you."