They had finished another mission for Yuuko and now Watanuki was in the kitchen at Doumeki's behest for food. Doumeki smirked as he heard Watanuki raging about his choice of meal again. Yuuko giggled next to him and then sighed, looking at him. She settled her chin on the back of her hand as she met Doumeki's eyes.

"Why don't you just tell him how you feel?" Yuuko asked with a smile playing lazily across her face. Doumeki looked at her sternly. He hated how much this witch knew; it was like nothing was safe from her.

"What are you talking about?" He drank another shot of saké.

"Why, your true feelings for Watanuki, of course." She took another drink herself. "Come now, there's no need to hide such things amongst friends."

He poured another shot of saké and downed it. "He doesn't like me."

Yuuko laughed. "Watanuki doesn't even know what he wants."

"And you do?"

"Call it... an inevitability. A man like you who repels spirits just happens to be drawn to someone who is plagued by spirits. Sounds like a knight in shining armor to me."

Doumeki didn't respond, just kept drinking.

"Ying and Yang. Light and dark. Together you balance each other out. You were meant to find each other. He needs you. He may have just not figured that out yet." She took a drag from her pipe and blew out a trail of smoke.

Doumeki heard Watanuki yelling at Mokona from the kitchen. He knew he couldn't say anything. What could he possibly say? Anything he did say would be immediately shouted down by Watanuki, calling him an asshole or idiot. There was nothing he could do.

"You know, Watanuki's a lightweight when he drinks."

"You want me to get him drunk?" Doumeki said in a straight voice.

"I just think he might be a bit more... open-minded to what you have to say." She winked at Doumeki. He drank another shot and looked away towards the kitchen. He did have to admit that Yuuko always had a way of knowing things, which meant it wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility for Watanuki to be more receptive. She's a seer after all.

"Alright, here it is and I hope you know how expensive these ingredients were, by the way!" Watanuki snapped at Doumeki as he put the delicious seafood dish before them on the table. Doumeki heard his stomach grumble at the sight alone. He filled his plate as Watanuki sat down and rolled his eyes.

"Mokona's hungry!" Mokona dove onto the table and began to inhale food.

"Mokona, there had better be some left for me or I will kick your fluffy butt off this table," Yuuko pushed him out of the way and began to fill her plate. Watanuki just glared at them and waited until they had their fill before putting some on his own plate. Even though he complains about everyone eating before him, he never tries to get food before anyone else. Still selfless in the end, he wants to make sure we all have something first.

Yuuko and Mokona talked while Doumeki just listened and watched. He noticed something was off about Watanuki. He picked at the food in front of him and still seemed to be in a mood, which was unusual. Watanuki snapped back and forth between a good mood and yelling at Doumeki often but at the moment he seemed legitimately glum.

Doumeki eyed the bottle of saké as he chewed and then looked back at Watanuki. He stood up, leaned over the table to grab Watanuki's cup, and poured saké into it.

"What are you doing?!"

"Drink," he said, as he handed it back.

"I'm still a minor! And so are you for that matter!" He yelled as Doumeki took another shot.

"Too loud." He put a finger in his ear.

"Oh come now, Watanuki, let loose a little bit. It wouldn't kill you to have some fun, now would it?" Yuuko smiled. He narrowed his eyes but looked like his reserve was crumbling.

"Alright, fine! But just one."

                                                                  ***************

Yuuko and Mokona took the rest of the fifth saké bottle out with them to sit on the porch and continue their merriment, but Doumeki knew it was really to give them some privacy to talk.

"What are you feeling?" Doumeki asked.

"Not a spirit if that's what you mean," grumbled Watanuki.

"You look sad."

"Why do you always just stare like that? It's rude," Watanuki slurred. He'd had about five or six shots and it was hitting him hard. Doumeki on the other hand, had had a bottle and half and was only just starting to feel tipsy.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Doumeki ventured.

Watanuki cackled loudly. "Because you're an asshole!"

"What have I done that makes me an asshole?"

"You're selfish, demanding, and never listen. You ask for food that's out of season or hard to make. You never say thank you. And you're always trying to steal Himawari from me!"

"I'm not interested in Kunogi."

"Then why are you always around!?" Watanuki snapped.

"To protect you," Doumeki stated simply.

Watanuki looked away before shouting, "I don't need protection from a jerk like you!"

"You are always being attacked by spirits. Yuuko says I keep them away."

Watanuki growled because he knew Doumeki was right. He revered the witch too much to dispute it.

"But you don't have to always be there." He folded his arms, pouting.

"I know."

"Then why do you do it?" Watanuki narrowed his eyes and looked back at Doumeki. Doumeki just stared at him. How was he this fucking dense? How could Doumeki be more obvious?

"You're such an idiot," Doumeki muttered and shook his head.

"LOOK WHO'S TALKING!!" Watanuki slurred.

"You're right. I am the idiot." Doumeki stood up leaving Watanuki at the table and headed for the kitchen. He could be so infuriating.

He grabbed another bottle of saké from the pantry and opened it, taking a swig straight from the bottle. If Watanuki could just get past this paranoia over Doumeki, he'd see Doumeki was a friend. It's all Doumeki ever tried to be, but somehow everything he did always got twisted in Watanuki's eyes. When he swallowed a second swig, he turned and saw Watanuki standing there watching with his arms crossed. He hadn't even heard him follow. Doumeki felt woozy which probably meant he'd finally hit his limit with the alcohol.

"Why are you an idiot?" Watanuki asked.

"Because I care about you and, sometimes, I don't know why I bother," Doumeki sighed and lifted the bottle to his lips again.

"Stop drinking." Watanuki took the bottle out of his hand.

"Give it back." Doumeki reached out to take the bottle.

Watanuki held the bottle further away. "No. Tell me what you see in me."

"Hn?"

Watanuki set the bottle down on the counter next to him but away from Doumeki. "Why would someone as perfect, popular, smart, and good-looking as you want to be around me all the time?" He gesticulated wildly with his hands.

"You think I'm good-looking?" Doumeki raised a brow.

"Answer the damn question." Watanuki crossed his arms again.

"You're paranoid as hell, but you're kind. You see the best in people and no matter who they are, you wanna help. You go out of your way for people. Even me." Watanuki cocked his head. "You can just say no to the food I ask for, but you don't. You always bend over backward to make it anyway."

"Because it's the way I pay you back for saving me all the time."

"Hearing a simple thanks from you would be fine," Doumeki said. Watanuki looked at the ground and shifted his stance slightly.

"That doesn't feel like enough... but thanks." This was the second time he had said it and this time Doumeki could actually see his expression. It was everything. It must be the alcohol. Why was it so hard for Watanuki to be vulnerable around Doumeki? Why couldn't he just lean on Doumeki and ask for help?

"I'm not what you think I am," Doumeki said quietly.

"And what do I think you are?" Watanuki snapped.

"I'm not your enemy."

"I never said you were; you're just annoying," Watanuki snapped.

Doumeki sighed. "Whatever. I knew this was pointless."

His face changed from anger to one of curiosity. "What? What's pointless?"

"Talking to you."

"Wow!" The anger flared again. "See this is why you're an asshole! You couldn't even deign to talk to me? How arrogant are you?"

"Just stop." Doumeki was becoming exasperated.

"You're the one that started this whole conversation!" Watanuki yelled.

Doumeki grabbed the bottle off the counter, took another swig, and then muttered, "Last time I listen to Yuuko. Getting you drunk was a mistake." The alcohol was definitely having an effect or he never would have said those thoughts out loud.

"You tried to get me drunk?! Why?" Watanuki asked incredulously.

"Thought maybe you'd actually listen for once." Doumeki started walking toward the door but Watanuki stopped him.

"If you got something to say then say it!"

Doumeki closed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face. This was all pointless. He wouldn't feel the same and it wasn't worth discussing. Sometimes he didn't even know why he liked Watanuki. Doumeki just couldn't see him hurt. "Move."

"No."

He opened his eyes again and put the bottle down on the counter, punctuating his statement. "Now."

"Make me."

Doumeki glared at Watanuki and considered just picking him up and physically moving him aside. It wouldn't be hard, the guy was so small.

"'If you decide right now that it's impossible, you're just the same as the older twin.' Your words. If you think talking to me is pointless, then it is." Watanuki glared right back. Damn you, Watanuki. He was right. Yet he still couldn't formulate the words.

"It doesn't matter what I say. Nothing will change."

"Again, your words are life, they will bind you." Watanuki pointed at him. "Your words make it your reality."

"And Yuuko said that words can also bind others," Doumeki countered. "That isn't fair to you." Watanuki looked taken aback.

"How will your words bind me, huh?" Watanuki asked as he stepped closer.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore." Doumeki pushed past Watanuki and left the kitchen. He went to the front entrance and put on his shoes as Watanuki ran out to stop him.

"Where are you going, idiot?!"

"Home." He slipped on his second shoe with immense concentration. He noticed it was harder to balance now that he was intoxicated.

"We're not done yet!" Doumeki put his hand on the doorknob but Watanuki grabbed him by the other arm, spun him around, and glared at him. "Just say it!"

Doumeki stared back.

"Say it!" Watanuki shook his arm.

Doumeki continued to stare at him. He would not. No matter what Yuuko said. This was something that could never be. He needed to keep this to himself and just be there for Watanuki as he'd always been. Return to how things have always been. He started to turn away for the door again.

"Goddammit, you stubborn bastard!" Watanuki grabbed his face and kissed him hard. Doumeki's mind went blank and he let go of the door handle. It lasted longer than he thought it would so put his hand on the back of Watanuki's neck and kissed back. Watanuki finally pulled away and said, "Now say it, dammit."

"I love you," Doumeki spoke the words without hesitation and then kissed him again.

"Now why couldn't you just say that? You're never just... vulnerable."

"I feel vulnerable right now," Doumeki said point blank. His heart was racing at the turn of events. He just wanted to keep kissing him until he was breathless.

"You never just say what you're thinking. You're impossible to figure out."

"I thought you hated it when I just spoke what I thought."

"Not when it counts. I hate when you're just babbling about food or being sarcastic and snarky to me." Watanuki sighed. "You never say what really matters to you."

"Never thought you actually wanted to hear it."

"I do. I want to know that you don't look down on me. I always feel like you think you're superior and it grates on my nerves. Just stop being cool for five seconds!" He thinks I'm cool.

"Watanuki, I don't think I'm better than anyone, certainly not you. I just want you to chill out sometimes and realize I'm on your side. I always have been."

Watanuki smirked and glanced at Doumeki. "We each carry half the burden, right?"

"Right," Doumeki smirked back. "Now come here." He grabbed Watanuki's shirt and pulled him into another kiss as Watanuki wrapped his arms around his neck.

"This is going to happen a lot now, isn't it?" Watanuki looked over his glasses.

"All the time," Doumeki murmured as they kissed again. I guess Yuuko was right. Damn witch, I'll have to thank her later. Wonder what this'll cost. He pulled away from the kiss and stared Watanuki dead in the eye. "I wanna hear you say it too."

"Say what?" Watanuki asked clearly clueless from the kiss so Doumeki just stared at him and waited for him to catch up. "Oh. Yeah, okay. I love you too, you idiot." Joy bubbled up inside him and his heart raced at hearing those words from none other than Watanuki. He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face.

Watanuki gasped and then gave Doumeki the most genuine smile he'd ever seen given to him. The one he gave to the people he cared about the most. The reason he loved him. And it was directed at Doumeki. It made him melt. "I can see now."

"See what?" His heart was still pounding. He wanted to see that smile every day.

"How you see me. Through your eye."

"You can see what I'm seeing right now?" Doumeki's eyes widened.

Watanuki nodded with that smile still on his face. "Don't go home."

He kissed Watanuki again. "I don't plan on it."

                                                              **************

It was getting late, and Watanuki had long passed out on Doumeki who had an arm around him, hugging him to his chest. They were sitting propped up against a wall in the living room. His other arm was draped lazily over his folded knee, his other leg stretched out before him so Watanuki could lay against him. He listened to Watanuki's even breathing and rested his chin against his slumbering head. He saw a pair of bare feet walk up and as he looked up, he saw Yuuko's arms folded, a smirk plastered on her face. Her eyes were heavily lidded with alcohol and smugness.

"Guess I owe you." Doumeki gestured with his free hand.

"We'll talk about payment later. For now, enjoy yourself." Yuuko waved and turned to walk down the hall. "I'm going to bed. Feel free to stay the night." Mokona bounced across the floor behind her and said, "Sayonara!"

He looked back down at Watanuki. He wondered if he should put Watanuki to bed and head home, or if he should just crash here. Part of him didn't want to move him for fear of ending the closeness. He'd wanted this exact thing for so long. Maybe he'd just sit here for a while longer and enjoy himself, as Yuuko suggested.

Watanuki stirred in his arm. Perhaps not.

"Doumeki..."

"Call me Shizuka."

"Shizuka," murmured Watanuki. Doumeki's heart fluttered hearing his given name on his crush's lips. He'd wanted that for so long. To be able to call him Kimihiro out loud. He wanted to be on a first-name basis so badly.

"You should go to bed."

"Are you staying?" Watanuki asked sleepily.

"If you want me to."

Watanuki got to his feet and rubbed his eye. He looked down at Doumeki and extended his hand. "Come on."

Doumeki took his hand and pulled himself to his feet. He followed Watanuki down the hall, hand still in his. They took off their uniforms and changed into sleep clothes. Doumeki turned away to give Watanuki privacy even though he really wanted to look. As he changed, he suddenly saw himself shirtless and a surge of excitement passed through him. Watanuki was looking and clearly enjoyed what he saw. Doumeki didn't say a word about it. He'd keep that special secret to himself.

He finished dressing and turned around to see Watanuki getting into the small bed. It was clearly just the one that Watanuki slept in whenever he stayed the night. It wasn't meant to hold two people, but that's how Doumeki liked it. It meant they had to be close. He switched off the lights and crawled in next to Watanuki who was facing him.

Doumeki looked at his dichromatic eyes. "Turn over."

"What? Why?!"

"So we can sleep."

"Why do I have to be the little spoon?!" Watanuki huffed.

"You can be the big spoon tomorrow. Tonight I'm being selfish."

"So no different than usual," Watanuki smirked and rolled over. When Doumeki really thought about all the times he'd saved Watanuki, it had always been for his own selfish reasons. His love for Watanuki and his need to be around him.

"Yeah, I guess not."

"Idiot." Watanuki took off his glasses and Doumeki wrapped his arms around Watanuki's chest, pulling him in close.

"Goodnight, Watanuki."

"Kimihiro."

That single word in the darkness sent a surge of heat through Doumeki's body. He felt Watanuki give a small chuckle. He must be able to see through his eye right now. Doumeki snuggled his face into Watanuki and inhaled his scent, feeling his warmth seep into him.

"I love you, Kimihiro," he murmured into his neck.

Kimihiro whispered back, "I love you too, Shizuka."