Date Finished: October 29th, 2003 (my 21st birthday! ;P)
Classification: Romance, Angst
Pairing: Eriol/Yue, Clow/Yue, Touya/Yukito, mild hints of Touya/Yue
Rating: NC-17
Note: Sequel to `Love Is�', but can be read independently.
Glass
By Elsewhere
<[email protected]>
All other information in Part One.
Part Ten:
Glossary:
aa - yeah
aishiteru - I love you
aishiteru mo - I love you too
arigatou - thank you
boku wa kimi ga suki desu - I'm in love with you
dakedo - but; however
gomen ne - I'm sorry
hai - yes; okay
ima yo - now
ite - ow
itsumademo - forever
Kami/Kami-sama - God
kimi - you
koi - come here
mou - please (whiny)
nanda? - what is it?
nani? - what?
ohayo - good morning
ohayo gozaimasu - good morning (formal)
onegai - please
sou - yes; that's right
wakatta - I know; I understand
yakusoku da - it's a promise
*****
I want to teach you
About the melody of the glass
*****
When Eriol opened his eyes, he was still in his bedroom, but
something felt different about it. He glanced immediately towards the
bed, and blinked in surprise when he saw that Yue was asleep there,
just as Yue had been asleep in Eriol's bed when Eriol had finally
whispered the spell before allowing himself to drift to sleep. But
Yue looked different�the look on his sleeping face was one of
contentment, and his hair was strewn messily over the bed. More
importantly, one very bare leg had been carelessly tossed over top of
the covers in a somewhat suggestive manner that made Eriol blush
slightly, particularly since the motion had caused the pale curve of
Yue's backside to be revealed in the firelight.
Eriol turned his gaze towards the fire next and caught his breath in
utter shock when he caught eyes with a man sitting in the chair by
the fire, who was watching him in return with eyes that conveyed
intense curiosity.
As Eriol watched, holding his breath, the man slowly got to his feet
and walked towards Eriol. His motions didn't seem threatening in any
way, and when Eriol saw the soft smile on his face he knew that he
was certainly in no danger, but this reassurance didn't keep his
heart from racing in his chest. The man was instantly familiar to
him, not only physically, but by magical signature and by instinct.
To be face to face with his own former self, in a manner of speaking�
"Hello," Clow Read said, in English, bowing his head slightly towards
Eriol as he smiled, eyes closed. "Forgive me for asking, but are
you�?"
"I am�a part of you," Eriol said finally, somewhat awkwardly, his
hand forming a slight fist against his side. His voice fell to a
whisper. "Clow Read."
"Yes, that's me," Clow agreed good-humoredly with a nod and a small
grin. "I think I know who you are. Why have you come to see me? Is
there anything I can do for you?"
"I hope so," Eriol said, his voice still just above a whisper. He
wasn't sure if it was because he couldn't find his voice, or because
he was afraid of waking the sleeping moon guardian. His eyes darted
towards Yue the moment he thought of him, again taking in the
contented look on his face.
Eriol felt Clow Read's eyes on him and looked up, for the first time
catching a clear glimpse of the dark, chocolate color of Clow's gaze.
"I see," Clow said, eyebrows lifting slightly. He seemed amused, the
corners of his mouth twisting upwards a bit, though he obviously
tried to keep himself from smiling at Eriol's dilemma. "Well, I can
hardly blame you."
Clow gestured towards the fire and then walked back towards it,
obviously eager to take their conversation farther away from the
sleeping guardian. Eriol followed him, the look on his face one of
open discomfort.
"Yue is beautiful, by every meaning of the word," Clow continued,
gesturing to the other chair by the fire as he retook his own seat.
Eriol sat down reluctantly, staring into the fire as Clow's smooth
voice continued on. "If you've fallen in love with him, that's hardly
surprising."
Eriol closed his eyes.
"But that's just the problem," he said quietly. "I don't know whether
I love him or not."
"Really?" Clow asked, sounding intrigued.
"Yes. You see�" Eriol paused, trying to gather his thoughts, finally
chancing a glance at his ancestor, only to find Clow looking at him
with such genuine curiosity that it made Eriol blush, suddenly
feeling unbearably foolish. "That is�all my life I've experienced my
own memories simultaneously alongside yours. You loved Yue. How do I
know whether *I* love Yue�or whether what I'm feeling isn't simply
because of my memories of your love for him?"
"Oh, is that it?" Clow asked, looking sympathetic, which only made
Eriol feel worse. Clow sighed, bringing up a hand to rub his
forehead. "I can see where that would be a problem, yes�I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault," Eriol said, closing his eyes again. "The
realities of my life�they were necessary."
"Maybe so," Clow agreed with another quiet sigh. "However�luckily for
you, there's a remarkably simple solution to your problem."
Eriol opened his eyes, turning to Clow and blinking in surprise at
the soft smile he found on the older man's face.
"Is that so?" Eriol asked breathlessly after a moment.
Clow nodded.
"Yes," he said, closing his eyes and smiling wider. "Unless I'm going
to make some very dramatic change which wouldn't make any sense, when
I imbue you with my memories, I will only provide you the memories of
my past�naturally. You can't experience my emotions in the present�
you can only look at my memories of the past from the perspective of
the present."
Eriol stared at Clow blankly.
"So," Clow said, opening his eyes to regard Eriol with a soft, richly
chocolate-colored gaze, "if you think of Yue with a fondness born of
reminiscence�if you look at him and think immediately of one of my
memories of him, then what you're experiencing is my emotion, or
rather the memory of my emotion."
Eriol caught his breath as he started to understand where Clow's
argument was leading.
"However�" Clow said, turning to gesture towards where Yue lay
sprawled on the bed. Eriol's eyes followed the gesture and his breath
became a strangled sound in his throat, the look on his face abruptly
becoming one of longing as he again looked on the naked creature.
He turned back, blushing deeply, when he heard the amused sound of
Clow's chuckle.
"However," Clow said again, his voice warm, "if you look at Yue and
feel desire�if you think of him and yearn to touch him, or if you
love him�if you feel any strong, sudden emotion that makes you catch
your breath, makes your heart pound�then those feelings can only be
your own. My memories cannot provide those feelings for you."
Eriol could feel his heart pounding heavily, and his chest and his
fingers were aching suddenly. He closed his eyes, letting out a slow
sigh as he let Clow's words sink into his conscience.
"Thank you," he whispered finally, and he heard Clow chuckle again.
"You see the truth in my words," Clow said, and then his voice became
teasingly suspicious. "Did you really doubt yourself so much?"
"I�I suppose I was afraid�" Eriol admitted slowly, opening his eyes
to stare at his hands. "Afraid to love this much�"
"Ah�I know that feeling," Clow said with a knowing nod, and Eriol
looked up at him, watching as Clow stared silently into the fire for
several moments before he finally turned back and graced Eriol with
another gentle smile. "Do you understand now?"
"Yes�thank you," Eriol said, slowly getting to his feet. "I don't
know how to repay you."
"I'm sure you'll think of something," Clow said, closing his eyes and
grinning.
Eriol chuckled, and he was still laughing softly as he closed his
eyes and let himself fall back towards reality.
*****
Eriol gave himself time to wake up, allowing himself to enjoy the
incredible sensation of being wrapped in the dual pleasure of the
warmth of his bed on a cold night and the intoxicating scent of Yue.
Eriol let out a soft sigh, pressing himself a bit closer, his nose
nuzzling closer against the back of Yue's neck, despite the fact that
Yue's hair tickled a bit. His arms were wrapped tightly around Yue's
middle---when had they ended up spooned so tightly together like
this?---and he couldn't help himself; slowly, gently, he started to
stroke Yue's belly, pushing aside the flaps of the robe to reach the
warm skin beneath.
At first his only response was a sleepy moan and a slight shudder,
but then the body in his arms stiffened suddenly and he realized that
Yue must be awake. Yue remained silent and still, however, and Eriol
decided to continue his exploration and see what Yue would make of
it. Keeping one hand against Yue's belly---the one that was trapped
under Yue's body---he brought the other up to lightly push Yue's robe
off of his shoulder and, leaning up, bent to nibble and kiss his way
along Yue's shoulder until he reached Yue's neck. By the time he
started to carefully lave the skin of Yue's neck with his tongue,
seeming determined to leave a mark, Yue's breath was rasping in his
throat and he'd brought up a hand to clasp the back of Eriol's head
even as Yue tilted his neck, trying to give Eriol greater access.
"I take it your dream revealed a few things to you?" Yue asked
hoarsely as Eriol finally tugged his arm free from under Yue's waist
and kissed his way around to the front of Yue's neck, watching Yue
arch his throat to allow Eriol access as Yue turned onto his back.
Yue moaned softly when Eriol settled himself between Yue's legs,
pulling them up on either side of Eriol's hips before Eriol bent to
Yue's neck, his hands stroking down Yue's sides.
"Sou," Eriol whispered as he kissed his way up to Yue's ear and
paused there, using teeth and tongue to explore around the edges of
the metal ornamentation that curved around the outer rim. Yue
groaned, both hands in Eriol's hair now, encouraging his motions. His
legs were tight against Eriol's hips, trying to hold him in place,
bucking slightly whenever Eriol's erection brushed against Yue's.
"Would you care to elucidate?" Yue panted, throwing his hands back to
grip the sheets as Eriol started his way down Yue's chest, moving the
robe aside before he bent his mouth to a nipple, gently working the
swollen nub between his teeth and listening to Yue's hiss of
approval.
"Right this minute?" Eriol asked as he kissed his way across Yue's
chest towards the other nipple, his hand taking over on the former.
As if to emphasize his point, Eriol rocked himself deliberately
against Yue's pelvis, pressing their erections together, and Yue
groaned, a low, feral sound in his throat.
"Well, perhaps not�" Yue whispered, head thrown back against the bed,
but his eyes snapped open when he heard the amused sound of Eriol's
chuckle. In an instant, Yue had grabbed Eriol's ear and dragged him
up until their eyes were level. He only raised an eyebrow at the way
Eriol's chuckles were broken by an insistent, "Ite! Yue!!"
"Hai, right this minute!" Yue hissed, glaring at Eriol. "After the
shock you gave me!!"
Eriol laughed softly, rubbing at his ear as Yue finally let go and
looked up at him expectantly, frowning.
"Yue�" Eriol whispered, bringing up his hands to gently cup Yue's
face. Yue's frown faded and he blushed softly, surprised by the look
in Eriol's eyes, and the softness of Eriol's smile. Eriol closed his
eyes and leaned down to kiss Yue, then nuzzled his nose tenderly
against Yue's temple. "Boku wa kimi ga suki desu, Yue."
Yue closed his eyes against the sudden sting of tears, letting out a
shuddering breath of relief and allowing himself to sink back against
the bed, tension releasing from his body. He felt Eriol's arms close
warmly around him, embracing him as Eriol whispered the words over
and over into his ears, and Yue nodded as he returned the embrace,
tightly clasping Eriol's back to pull him closer. He didn't question
Eriol's sincerity or whether Eriol could possibly be sure so soon; he
knew that Eriol meant his words, and that he understood, now.
Somewhere deep in his mind, Yue felt Yuki let out a slow, tearful
sigh of relief, and Yue smiled.
"*I* want you�*I* need you," Eriol whispered as he dragged his lips
along the column of Yue's throat before making his way back up to
Yue's face, his hands running gently through Yue's hair as he kissed
the centre of Yue's forehead. "*I* love you, Yue."
"Aishiteru, Eriol," Yue whispered, seeking Eriol's lips and finally
sighing contentedly when he managed to draw Eriol into a deep,
passionate kiss. As Eriol's tongue gently probed his mouth, stroking
against Yue's tongue and suggesting other things Eriol surely wished
to do, Eriol's hands continued their exploration of Yue's chest and
stomach, stroking and massaging the smooth skin, even as Yue's hands
traced patterns lightly over Eriol's back and then his front, fingers
pulling at fastenings until Eriol's clothes started to fall away. Yue
sighed when Eriol finally pulled away from the kiss and started to
kiss his way down Yue's body again, following the path his hands had
taken. He only stopped long enough to let Yue finally take off his
robe entirely and toss it aside before he kept going. As Eriol moved,
Yue kept up his own work on Eriol's clothes until he couldn't reach
easily anymore, and even if he could have he wouldn't have tried,
because he was suddenly frantically grasping the fabric on Eriol's
shoulders and leaning forward. Eriol's mouth was hovering just over
Yue's erection, his breath lightly teasing up and down its length.
"Yue�" Eriol whispered, eyes darting up towards Yue's, and then Eriol
groaned softly when he saw the way Yue was staring down at him, eyes
full of desperate yearning. "Yue, do you want�?"
"Onegai�" Yue whispered back, letting one hand trail up Eriol's neck
into his hair, and Eriol nodded, licking his lips before he submitted
himself to his task, hoping desperately that his memories of Clow's
experiences with Yue would be enough to allow him to do this well
enough to please Yue.
"Unn�Eriol!!" Yue whispered, hips straining upwards, one hand
pressing back against the bed to give himself some leverage and the
other gently clasping Eriol's head as Eriol explored Yue's length
with his lips and tongue, then carefully grasped the base of Yue's
erection with his hand before closing his mouth around the head. Yue
cried out loudly and bucked up slightly, startling Eriol, and he
heard the hoarse sound of Yue's chuckle a few seconds later.
"Clow�always had to hold me down�" Yue said softly, stroking his
fingers lightly through Eriol's hair.
Eriol blinked, glancing up at Yue, checking that he was serious,
although of course he could easily remember that Yue wasn't lying. It
didn't mean that Yue's preferences might not have changed in the
centuries since. The look in Yue's eyes remained only gentle and
obviously wanting, so Eriol nodded and used his free hand to press
Yue's hip to the bed before he bent to his task again. He tried to
judge by the sound of Yue's voice whether he was doing it right, but
it didn't take him long to notice that the change in the rhythm of
Yue's fingers stroking through his hair also provided an indication
of when it felt better, and whenever Yue's fingers would pause and
simply clasp his head, that was when it was best. He could feel Yue
trembling, the shudders growing worse and worse, a heavy feeling of
desire and need pulsing across the near-open connection between them,
and then, just as Eriol's tongue swirled widely around the head of
Yue's erection�
"Eriol!" Yue whispered, curling himself abruptly down towards Eriol
as he stiffened and then arched his hips against Eriol's hand.
Eriol's eyes widened and then closed as he let out a loud groan,
tasting a warm, heady liquid splashing against the back of his
throat. He drank as much as he could, and might have tried to swallow
it all, but just as he felt he was about to choke, Yue's hand
tightened in his hair and firmly pushed him away. He glanced down,
watching as the last evidence of Yue's orgasm splashed against
Eriol's bare chest and dripped over Yue's thighs.
"Not too much at once," Yue admonished him with a smile, and Eriol
looked up just in time to receive a gentle kiss. Yue groaned into his
mouth, and Eriol let out a quick, surprised sound when Yue drew back
from the kiss and suddenly pushed Eriol over onto his back.
"Your turn�" Yue murmured, looking over Eriol's half-dressed form
before he bent to draw Eriol into another lingering kiss. Eriol
buried his hands in Yue's hair, suddenly wanting this kiss to last
forever---it felt so good, gods, how could it feel so *good*?�and the
combined taste of the sweetness of Yue's mouth and the salt of his
essence was intoxicating�---but then Yue pulled away, trailing a
fingertip over Eriol's lips before he offered Eriol a gentle smile
and then started to undress Eriol with methodical hands. Eriol leaned
up when he was asked, groaning softly as Yue's eyes hungrily followed
the motions of his hands, taking in every inch of pale, bare skin
that was revealed as he finally placed Eriol's robe aside and bent to
the pants that had been underneath. Eriol watched as Yue licked his
lips and then smiled up at Eriol---there was that `cat that ate the
canary' look again, Eriol mused with a helpless moan---before his
fingertips made quick work of the ties of Eriol's pants and then he
started to pull them off, one leg at a time.
By the time he'd finished and turned back, Eriol was leaning up on
his elbows, awaiting Yue's reaction. He hadn't expected the reaction
he got, certainly. Yue started by looking at Eriol's face for a long
moment, focusing on his eyes, and then slowly let his eyes travel
downwards. Several times he caught his breath, but when he finally
reached Eriol's arousal, Yue suddenly let out a loud moan---a soft,
hoarse sound that made Eriol's hips shiver upwards of their own
accord---and moved forward, seeming drawn towards Eriol's body.
"Yue, nani�" Eriol began, but his voice was cut off into a near
scream of surprise and pleasure when he felt Yue's hands fasten onto
his hips and Yue's mouth slid abruptly down over his erection. Oh,
Kami-sama�was this what Yue had felt just moments before!? Except
that Yue was doing it very differently than Eriol had�as Eriol tried
to keep his hips under control, and Yue kept them pressed firmly to
the bed, Yue moved himself up and down over Eriol's erection, and
Eriol could feel himself pressing lightly against the back of Yue's
throat even as Yue's tongue fluttered lightly against him, driving
him mad with every stroke.
"K�Kami-sama�Yue, kimi�" Eriol tried to say, his voice nothing more
than a ragged whisper, his hands clutching the sheets, eyes tightly
closed. He started to catch his breath; he felt like even if he
gulped, he couldn't breathe enough. His head shot up, eyes going
wide, the look in them becoming pleading when Yue suddenly drew back,
wiping his mouth as he let go of Eriol's hips and smiled slightly at
the way they automatically bucked upwards, seeking something.
"Yue�" Eriol gasped, squeezing his eyes tightly shut and moaning as
he pressed his head back against the bed, hands twisting the sheets
so badly now that he was afraid they might rip.
"Shh," Yue soothed, crawling up over Eriol's body, hair tumbling over
the two of them as Yue's hands reached up to stroke Eriol's fists,
trying to get him to release the abused sheets. Eriol opened his
eyes, staring up into Yue's face, seeing the somewhat mischievous
smile at Yue's mouth, and the tenderness and desire in Yue's eyes.
"I'll give you something better," Yue murmured, leaning down to kiss
Eriol gently before he leaned back. Eriol watched as Yue lay down on
the bed on his back, loosely arranging his hair around himself before
he raised his knees and then turned to look at Eriol. "Koi, Eriol�
it's time."
After a couple of tries---he was shaking so badly he could hardly
move---Eriol finally got to his hands and knees and crawled over top
of Yue, then waited for instruction.
"Gomen ne, if this is cold," Yue said, one hand stroking Eriol's neck
lightly as the other reached down between Eriol's legs, and Eriol
watched, fascinated, as Yue whispered a quiet incantation. Eriol
cried out, nearly collapsing on top of Yue, when Yue's hand abruptly
closed over his erection, fingers slick with something wet and cool.
Eriol knew full well what it was, and what it meant, and as soon as
he'd regained his equilibrium his eyes flew to Yue's, his breath
coming in fast pants when he saw the look of determination and need
in Yue's gaze.
"You won't hurt me," Yue said with a slight smile, still stroking
Eriol's neck as Eriol slowly lowered himself between Yue's legs. He
glanced up as Yue pulled one of his legs up along Eriol's side and
then drew it over Eriol's shoulder, resting his bent knee there. The
other folded leg drew itself up towards Eriol's shoulder but remained
there, and Eriol groaned as he found himself now quite clearly
pressed against Yue's entrance.
"Ima yo, Eriol," Yue whispered, leaning up to bury his face against
Eriol's neck. Eriol nodded, dropping his head to rest against Yue's
shoulder as he braced himself against the bed, a hand twisting the
sheets again, and with the other hand adjusted his position before
pressing forward experimentally. He heard Yue catch his breath and
felt him shudder when Eriol first pushed against him. Eriol moaned
softly at the heat that immediately greeted him as he rocked himself
forward, moving deeper into Yue's body. He encountered resistance
almost immediately, but after another shudder and a soft burst of
breath from Yue he felt the muscles pushing against him relax and he
slid deeper, groaning. Yue's arms were around his neck now, holding
him tightly as Yue pressed his lips against Eriol's forehead, moaning
as Eriol thrust forward a few more times until he couldn't push
anymore. Eriol groaned before he paused, waiting a few moments to
allow himself and Yue to adjust.
/Gods�/ Eriol thought, closing his eyes tightly as he fought against
the urge to thrust. This felt better than anything he could possibly
have imagined�this tight heat, to be so close to Yue, to feel the
heat of Yue's need pounding deep within his own body, the pulse of
Yue's love driving into his mind�and by the way Yue was shuddering,
he knew that Yue could feel everything as well, all of Eriol's own
emotions laid bare before him in this moment�
"Onegai�" Yue whispered finally against his ear, and Eriol moaned
softly as he moved to comply, both hands against the bed now as he
started to thrust in earnest, drawing himself back almost entirely
out of Yue's body before he would plunge himself back in. Yue started
to shudder, his entire body arching up into Eriol's motions, meeting
his strokes. "Eriol�Eriol!"
"Yue�" Eriol whispered in return, burying his face in Yue's neck as
he strained towards the pressure he could feel building throughout
his body. Yue was right: this was better than the pleasure he had
experienced when Yue had taken him in his mouth. To be joined with
Yue like this, to be as close to him as they could possibly be, while
their emotions freely flowed between them�he could *feel* the heat of
Yue's desire, desire that Yue felt for him, and it made him shiver in
places that he'd never known to quake before. This feeling was more
delicious than anything he'd ever experienced in his life.
"Yue�aishiteru�" Eriol murmured desperately before he kissed Yue,
trying in both his words and his kiss to convey all of the confused
mix of passion, pleasure, and discovery he was feeling. He didn't
know how else to share it with Yue, and he hoped it would be enough.
He could feel Yue's smile against his lips before Yue's hands buried
themselves in Eriol's hair again, tilting his head as Yue pressed up,
deepening the kiss, pushing back with the strength of his own
emotion. Eriol groaned into Yue's mouth and heard the soft sound of
Yue's chuckle, Yue's voice murmuring his name, and that was all it
took�Eriol fell over the edge into complete surrender, crying out his
lover's name as he came. About halfway through his orgasm he felt Yue
stiffen beneath him and then arch upwards, and he felt something warm
splash across his stomach and started to shake harder, dropping his
head, seeking Yue's mouth again.
A few moments later, Eriol lay with his head on Yue's shoulder, eyes
closed as Yue stroked his hands through Eriol's hair. Eriol sighed
softly, unsure what else to do or say to convey his contentment. His
own hands were playing with Yue's hair where it was spread out
carelessly on the bed. Eriol was still resting between Yue's legs,
now relaxed from their coitus position back to their former place on
either side of Eriol's hips, and Eriol was glad for their warmth, and
the intimacy of remaining in that place, cradled midway within Yue's
body.
"Eriol�" Yue murmured a moment later. Yue's low, husky voice was
extremely sexy when it was both sleepy and satiated, Eriol decided.
"Nanda?"
"Arigatou," Yue said quietly, his fingers gently moving through
Eriol's hair, fingertips lingering against Eriol's scalp. "For coming
to Japan�for giving me this chance."
He paused, breath catching before his voice softened.
"I thought I would never love again," he confessed, and his eyes
moved downwards to meet Eriol's as Eriol leaned up to draw Yue into a
gentle kiss.
"I thought I would never love," Eriol murmured, bending to kiss Yue's
neck. "I should be thanking you, Yue, for giving *me* this chance.
For your forgiveness�and for your love. I never thought you could
love me."
Yue smiled against Eriol's forehead, brushing his thumb against
Eriol's temple.
"But I do," he murmured, kissing the centre of Eriol's forehead
gently. "I do."
They drifted to sleep in each other's arms, confident in their words
to each other, and knowing that their love could only grow stronger
in the morning.
*****
When Eriol awoke that morning and rolled over to find that he was
alone in his bed, the first thing he felt was a deep, stabbing
sensation of disappointment. Then he sighed, bringing up an arm to
cover his eyes as he rolled onto his back. He supposed he should have
expected no less of Yue than to leave before sun-up. Just because the
situation between them had changed so drastically didn't mean that
Yue's habits had to change, and Yue had always been an early riser.
Still, it would have been nice if he had said *something* before he
left�
Eriol felt his stomach clench and tried to push away his feelings of
doubt as he got to his feet and wandered over to his closet,
searching through his robes, finally choosing a lavender and silver
ensemble just to torture himself. He sighed as he ran a comb lightly
through his hair and then made his way down to the kitchen.
"Ohayo," Spinel's deep voice greeted him, and Eriol blinked, slightly
surprised to see his guardian's original form.
"Ohayo gozaimasu," Eriol responded, leaning down to scratch Spinel
lightly behind an ear, an action which received a deep, pleased purr,
before Eriol moved to pour himself a cup of tea.
"Your guest is outside," Spinel said nonchalantly as he padded across
the kitchen, stopping to watch as Eriol froze mid-pour.
"Yue-san?" Eriol breathed after a moment, composing himself enough to
shakily finish pouring his tea and take a scalding sip before he
winced and turned around to face the amusement in Spinel's knowing
gaze.
"Hai," Spinel agreed with a nod, and then he tilted his head. "But
honestly, Eriol�drop the charade. We all know what happened last
night. The walls are rather thin, you know."
With that, Spinel padded out of the room and down the hallway,
leaving Eriol to contemplate his embarrassment in silence. He could
feel his cheeks burning, and tried to bring his blush under control
before he finally made his way through the house to the patio door.
As he slipped out into the morning sunlight, enjoying the feeling of
the warm pavement against his bare feet, his eyes widened at the
sight that greeted them.
Yue and Nakuru were seated at the patio table, engaged in a game of
chess. Even more incredible than this was the fact that neither of
them appeared to be cheating. Most of the chess pieces were still on
the board, and those that weren't had been neatly lined up along the
edges.
"My my�" Eriol said lightly as he approached the table, "what have we
here?"
The two moon guardians looked up, and although Eriol's eyes did fall
to his own guardian first, gracing her with a soft smile, by the time
his attention turned to Yue his expression had softened to one of
pure adoration. He felt something lighten in his chest when he saw
the soft smile at Yue's lips and realized that the stirrings of doubt
he'd felt that morning were completely ridiculous. Yue would never
give his heart without being entirely certain.
"I made him promise not to cheat," Nakuru said proudly, sending a
mild glare in Yue's direction. "We'll see how far he can get when
he's not up to his usual tricks, hmmmm?"
Yue sighed, still smiling as he moved his bishop forward, knocking
one of her knights out of the way before placing his bishop in a
position with a clear path to her king.
"Check," he said, leaning back and resting his chin on his hand as he
awaited her reaction.
"Mou!!" Nakuru pouted, dropping her face into her arms.
Yue chuckled softly, the sound abruptly becoming breathy when he felt
Eriol's fingertips dance lightly across his cheek and stroke back
through his hair.
"Ohayo," Eriol murmured, bending down to brush his lips against Yue's
forehead.
"Ohayo," Yue returned in a pleasantly low, husky tone, and Nakuru
lifted her head, grinning slightly, only to raise an eyebrow when Yue
glared at her.
"Well!" Nakuru said cheerily, suddenly getting to her feet. "Since it
seems like you've already won, Yue, I'll be going�I've got a few
things to do. I hope you don't mind�?"
Before she could hear any answer he might have had, she skipped off
into the house, firmly sliding the screen door shut behind herself.
Eriol chuckled softly as he slid into her place and reached across
the table to gently take Yue's hand. Yue continued to watch Eriol in
silence, the same small smile in place, until the humor faded from
Eriol's face and Yue's expression became puzzled.
"When I awoke and you weren't there, I thought you might have gone,"
Eriol admitted quietly, closing his eyes. "I didn't know what to
feel."
His eyes opened, surprise flashing across them, when he heard the
soft sound of Yue's chuckle. He watched as Yue pushed his chair back
and got to his feet, gathering his hair against one arm so it
wouldn't trip him as he took the few short steps over to Eriol's side.
"What else can I do to convince you?" Yue murmured, bending to wrap
his arms around Eriol's neck. Eriol sighed, returning the embrace
with all his strength, turning to bury his face in Yue's neck. "I
have given you my heart, Eriol�I do not give it lightly."
"Wakatta," Eriol whispered, placing a gentle kiss against Yue's
neck. "Wakatta�dakedo�"
"It will take time," Yue whispered, his own lips gentle as they
stroked Eriol's cheek. "For both of us."
Eriol moved his hands to Yue's arms, tugging gently until Yue
submitted, allowing Eriol to gather Yue onto his lap.
"Eriol�" Yue murmured against Eriol's neck, and Eriol nodded. His
hands were lightly stroking through Yue's hair, idly playing with the
moonlit strands. "If I say that I need you for the rest of my life�or
at least as much of my life as you can spend with me�can you give me
that? Can you stay that long?"
Eriol blinked, then closed his eyes, nuzzling gently against Yue's
temple.
"Of course, Yue," he whispered, and then he clasped Yue's chin
gently, holding him in place as he stole a soft kiss. His eyes
opened, meeting Yue's, a soft, beautiful shade of lavender-silver. "I
said I would stay as long as you need me, and if that's how long�aa,
I'll stay."
Yue sighed softly, pressing himself closer. Within his mind, he could
feel Yuki smiling. It would take time for both of them to adjust to
this, and both of them knew that it might be harder for Yuki, but for
now, Yue was grateful that Yuki was happy and contented for Yue's
sake.
"Aishiteru, Eriol," Yue whispered against Eriol's neck.
"Aishiteru mo, Yue," Eriol murmured in return, his hands gentle as
they returned to Yue's hair. "Itsumademo�yakusoku da�"
*****
THE END