Something Like Love (xxxHolic)

Extra 3: What Now?

Age 30

"You're getting older..." Watanuki mumbled, reaching out to touch Domeki's face.

"You still look the same age." He whispered back, turning his face to kiss Watanuki's palm. A small smile appeared on Watanuki's face as they lay in bed.

"I don't want you to go away, Shizuka."

"We've had this discussion many times already, Kimihiro," Domeki said, looking down at the shopkeeper. "You need to accept that I will go away someday."

"But I don't want to," Watanuki whispered painfully, burying his head into Domeki's chest.

Domeki was used to these moments of weakness that Watanuki showed in the seven years since the young man became the owner of the wish-granting shop. It usually happened once every two weeks, especially when they're alone and in bed. The confident and forward attitude that Watanuki showed as the shopkeeper would disappear and reveal a lonely, ageless man when alone with Domeki.

"I don't want that either Kimihiro," Domeki responded. "You know that."

"What if..."

"If...?"

"I do something so you can stay here."

"Kimihiro," Domeki said, tightening his grip on Watanuki's hands. "Don't."

"But-"

"Don't do something reckless. Please." Domeki frowned. "Let's just go to sleep, okay?" He pulled the shopkeeper closer to him in an embrace and his breathing evened out. Watanuki lay in his lover's arms, wide awake with his mind racing, thinking of ways to keep Domeki here with him.

Every time he thought of this, each solution he would think of ended up with a dead end or maybe a severed limb. It made Watanuki think that maybe it was inevitable for Domeki to move on. Maybe that was the case...

If so... then Watanuki will spend the next few decades treasuring this man named Shizuka Domeki 'till the said man's last breath. He would just have to accept the inevitable. If there was no changing a set moment in time, then so be it. There will never be another man for Watanuki. Never.

-

The next morning, Domeki woke up to an empty bed. He panicked for a quick second before the smell of bacon reached his nose. Getting up, he put his yukata on and made his way to the kitchen.

Watanuki hummed when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist and a kiss was pressed on his neck. "Morning."

"Mornin'," Domeki mumbled back, trailing kisses down Watanuki's neck. He got to his right ear and licked below the lobe, causing the megane to shiver.

Watanuki could hear the smirk and smacked the hands around his waist. "Go set the table."

-

Age 50

Watanuki smiled when he saw Domeki walk through the gate. "Hi, Shizuka."

A chaste kiss was initiated between the two.

"No matter how many times I see you, even as you grow older, you still have the exact looks as when you were twenty." He mumbled, caressing Domeki's face.

"Except for the gray hair."

Watanuki laughed at that. "Yeah, except for the gray hair."

"What sucks about growing old is that you're not along for the ride."

Watanuki pouted. "Don't be like that. I'm right next to you, mentally and spiritually."

"... Can I move in?" Watanuki's eyebrows shot up at the question.