A/N: Hey, DouWata fans! It seems enough of you wanted a part 2 to this story to warrant me writing one, so for all of you who messaged or reviewed me asking to share what happens "the next day," here it is! I hope you enjoy this part as much as the first.

Also, those of you who follow my DouWata fics know that I haven't published a lemon for their fandom, so I thought I'd share with you that my KuroFai fic "To the Beginning" has a bonus M-rated DouWata story in it. "To the Beginning" is an AU, but you should still be able to understand it from context without reading the rest of "To the Beginning." For those of you who are interested, the bonus story is Chapter 22.

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A Dream Deferred.

Watanuki groaned as his alarm sounded, piercing through the still air of his room. It was the second night in a row he had spent with hardly any sleep, and his body protested as he dragged himself out of bed and began digging through his closet for his uniform. He had been dreading this moment. He had stayed up all night bemoaning its arrival, watching the minutes ticking away one-by-one until it was morning and there was no more time left to hide behind. It was amazing how easily he had fooled himself into thinking that the slow moving clock would never reach its destination. It had been effortless to believe that there were still six long hours until morning, but that had slowly whittled away to five, four, three, two, and then at last one. It could not be avoided. He could practically hear Yuuko and Mokona cackling away back at the shop, and Doumeki sitting at the temple with his flat expression vaguely smug.

Doumeki...

Watanuki clenched his fists. He hated thinking about it. Doumeki had planned their whole exchange out perfectly, and now he expected to be awarded for it simply because Watanuki had submitted to him in dreams and allowed himself to be temporarily won over. But he was awake now. He had forced himself to stay awake ever since he first saw Doumeki's dream so that he could keep such traitorous thoughts from touching his vulnerable mind again. He may have been weakened while he was sleeping, but now he would fight back with all he had. He would make sure Doumeki knew that he had not won anything yet.

But still...

They would have to talk about it. There was no getting out of that. Doumeki's actions had been deliberate, so he knew Watanuki had witnessed the dream. There was no way he would simply leave it as it was without asking.

Watanuki buried his head in his folded uniform, hiding his flushed expression. What if he called in sick? He hadn't slept properly for two days, so it wasn't as if he was in the right mindset to go to school, anyways. But if he did that, Doumeki would know he was hiding, and his cowardice would come across as something shameful and weak. Yuuko herself would give him grief for trying to avoid a decision he was obligated to make, and he knew for experience that things became needlessly complicated when Yuuko deigned to involve herself in them.

With another anguished groan, he pulled on his uniform and unenthusiastically drew a comb through his hair. There were bags under his eyes, which only drew more attention to their dual coloring. He touched the skin beneath his golden eye, the one from Doumeki, and studied it critically. He never knew how much of his world it could impart to Doumeki, or when it would unexpectedly allow the two of them to link. It always made him wary that Doumeki might know more of him than he let on, and could possibly see underneath Watanuki's desperate attempts to keep his more shameful feelings under wraps.

Watanuki lingered in the bathroom, waiting for time to pass. He knew that Doumeki left the temple on a fairly regular schedule, and that he needed to lag behind a little bit to avoid walking to school alone with him. Of course, Doumeki might guess that he'd try something like this, but if Watanuki took a different route to school, and if Doumeki couldn't wait around because he worried about being late...

"Watanuki's acting like a lovestruck maiden!" Mokona's voice taunted in the back of his mind. ("Maiden, maiden!" Maru and Moro helpfully echoed.)

"I am not!" Watanuki shrieked. He dove out of the bathroom and gathered his books and prepared to leave. He'd take the long way, passing by Himawari's house. It would be fine as long as he was with her. Even Doumeki wouldn't be comfortable talking about something so personal while she was there. At least he hoped he wouldn't be.

Watanuki left the house, his body once again rebelling against his movements. If only Yuuko had let him sleep longer last afternoon...

He froze. No, that wouldn't have been good. The dream would have continued forward if that had happened. He had been in Doumeki's arms, they had kissed, he had been confessed to in a blunt, straightforward voice that had swayed his heart. What would have happened next? Would he have said 'yes'? Would Doumeki have taken their contact a step further than just kissing? The thought of it made him shiver.

"Watanuki-kun?"

He looked up. Himawari was a little ways ahead of him on the street, and she had turned around to watch him as he came closer. She had a concerned look on her face, and began to reach out her hands as if to steady him before abruptly pulling them back, apparently rethinking her decision to come into contact with him.

"Are you all right?" she asked, her eyebrows bunching together. "You're flushed, and you look exhausted. Do you have a fever? Or... is it like that time again?" She seemed to be remembering the spirit Doumeki had saved him from, the one in the shape of a woman.

"I'm fine," Watanuki said, forcing a wide smile. "I didn't sleep well last night. But I'm sure seeing you will energize me right away, Himawari-chan!"

"I hope so. But maybe you should go to the infirmary just in case."

They began walking together, and Watanuki felt a new spring in his step. She was so easy to be around, unlike Doumeki. She was kind and supportive, but if there was ever anything Watanuki didn't want to talk about, she didn't press the matter any further than Watanuki wanted it to go. Her habit of holding him at arm's length had formerly depressed him, but he valued it now. She was at the very least safer than Doumeki and all of his needless prying.

Himawari looked at her watch. "Looks like we're running late," she said. "Let's go, Watanuki-kun. We won't be able to stop by the temple, but Doumeki-kun should be waiting for us when we get there."

"We don't have to meet up with Doumeki," Watanuki said, his voice straining.

"But you two get along so well!" She looked at Watanuki's empty hands. "You didn't make a bento today?"

Watanuki grit his teeth. He had thought about it all through the night. If he made Doumeki a bento, it would be almost like a positive signal between them, but if he made lunch only for himself and Himawari, Doumeki would take it as a deliberate slight fueled by the dream, something that would provoke him further. And if he made one only for himself, Himawari would be hurt and he'd come across as looking needlessly selfish.

He'd worried about it so much that he hadn't made anything. They'd all have to buy something for lunch for the first time since they'd become friends with one another. It was just as conspicuous as all the other options he had passed over.

"You must really be sick," Himawari said, pursing her lips. "I'll take you to the infirmary right away so you can sleep a little bit before going to class." Watanuki didn't know whether to be offended or not that she immediately associated his decision not to bring lunch with him being ill.

"Kunogi," came Doumeki's flat voice. They had reached the school, and Doumeki was waiting by the gates. He had spoken to Himawai first, but his eyes were on Watanuki's slumped body, fixing on the bags under his eyes and the haggard look on his face.

He reached a hand out and grabbed Watanuki's arm, pulling his hunched frame upwards. "I'll take him," he said. "You can go on to class, Kunogi."

Himawari looked at the two of them for a moment, her cheeks turning a faint pink. Watanuki hoped she would protest on his behalf, but when he got a better look at her, he was dismayed to realize she was pleased by this turn of events.

"Let go," Watanuki snapped. "I'm not sick. I just didn't sleep well again."

Doumeki's eyes narrowed. "Was that my fault?" he asked in a low voice. The gaze he gave Watanuki was not invasive or smug or asking him to spill everything openly at that very moment. If anything, he looked somewhat troubled that his actions had forced Watanuki into yet another sleepless night on the tail of the one Yuuko and Mokona had given him.

Watanuki opened his mouth to yell at him again, but suddenly fell silent. There was a slight bit of moisture on Doumeki's forehead, and the sight of his sweat brought back memories of the dream. The way your skin came together felt good, his mind teased him. Do you remember how it felt when he touched you? The way those lips kissed you, then told you that you and you alone were the person he wanted?

He felt his body swaying slightly. Doumeki grabbed him by the shoulders, but could not stop Watanuki from slumping into his chest.

"Doumeki... it's your fault," Watanuki murmured, his vision swimming.

"I'll take responsibility," Doumeki's voice whispered in his ears. "If you'll let me."

He was already half-asleep in Doumeki's arms, but he could feel his body being lifted up, his long limbs wrapping around something warm and solid. Something with a gentle heartbeat that lulled him comfortably. Something careful and loving and safe.

His dream, a voice nagged in the back of his mind. He said it would only come true if you woke up. Don't go to sleep now. Face him.

But he could not stop the sleep that washed over him in the comfort of those arms. In the end, the only thing he could do was run away and hide himself, even if it was within the embrace of the very thing he was running from.

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Warm hands glided across his face. He knew without opening his eyes who they belonged to. They'd never touched him before in this way while he was awake, but his body remembered them from his time spent in dreams. He tilted his head, leaning into the touch, and opened his eyes. Doumeki was bent over him, his loose yukata exposing the lines of his collar bone and chest.

"This is a dream," he murmured. The fireworks were still bursting over his head, just as they had been when the previous dream ended. Everything was just as he had left it; it was almost as if his real life had been the dream, and this was what he was returning to now that he had woken up.

"Does it have to be?" Doumeki asked, running his fingers across Watanuki's lips. "If it is a dream, it's yours this time."

"I..." he trailed off, watching a firework burst into a halo of green. "Is this what I want? If I know it's a dream, I can be like this... but when it's really you in front of me, I can't do anything."

"Why?" Doumeki asked. His hands were still cradling Watanuki's face. "This dream happened to both of us. Can you say it's not real?"

"But these aren't really our bodies. We're both probably in the infirmary right now."

"But still... your body remembers this touch. Whether you're awake or asleep. It's real." His fingers traveled down Watanuki's jaw and throat, resting on the skin of his chest. "What would Yuuko-san say? Does what happen in dreams have a consequence? Does what we do and don't do here have no meaning?"

Watanuki didn't say anything. They both knew the answer. Instead of talking, he tilted his face upwards towards Doumeki's lips. Don't say anything, he quietly begged. Don't make me say what my pride won't let me say. I'm here with you, I'm letting this happen, just let those things say what I can't.

He closed his eyes. He could feel Doumeki's lips pressing against his, but what he felt against his back wasn't the hard wood of the engawa. It was the soft embrace of sheets, a plump pillow cradling his sleeping head.

0o0o0o0o0o0

He opened his eyes. Doumeki's face had pulled away from him, but his hands were resting against his chest, feeling its sharp rise and fall.

"Dou...meki?" Watanuki rubbed his eyes. They were in the infirmary together, but the doctor didn't seem to be anywhere nearby. He felt surprisingly well rested, even though he was sure he couldn't have slept too long given the fleeting duration of his dream.

"It's lunch," Doumeki said. He lifted up some of the pre-made sandwiches he'd purchased from the cafeteria. "You owe me a bento."

"I slept that long," Watanuki mused before remembering to get angry over Doumeki's demand of him. "What are you doing here?"

"Checking on you, obviously." He put one of the sandwiches in Watanuki's hands. "Here. Eat."

Watanuki blinked. He couldn't remember Doumeki ever giving him food before. "Am I still dreaming?" he asked, staring at the single sandwich in his hands.

"Is that the only way you'll accept me?" Doumeki asked. His expression didn't change, but something in the way he looked at Watanuki seemed terribly serious.

"Don't imply that I'm a coward," Watanuki grumbled. "You were the one who made this happen in dreams to begin with."

"You could have run away from me in dreams if you wanted to. I took a chance because I hoped you wouldn't."

"Hmph."

"I saw your dream, too."

Watanuki's eyes widened. "The one... just now?"

Doumeki smiled slightly. "I meant the one that you gave up in the exchange. Omurice with 'I love you,' huh?"

Watanuki flushed violently. "Y-You! There's no way you took that seriously, right? I would never act like that! Ever!"

"I know. But the fact that you had a dream like that still means you're thinking of me." He brushed Watanuki's cheek. "And the dream just now... I saw that, too." He tapped his finger against the corner of his eye. "It seems it triggered an emotional response enough for me to see."

"Oh." Watanuki fell silent.

"Now would be the time to act like a Tsundere-chan if you don't want me to think too much about what happened in that dream."

"Shut up," Watanuki snapped. "I'm not-" He paused, realizing that whatever he would say next would come out sounding just like Doumeki was expecting it to. He sighed in disgust.

"Watanuki." Doumeki leaned in closer. "You know how I feel."

"...yes."

"I told you in the dream. But even if I hadn't said it, you would have known."

"Well, you don't seem like the kind of person who would do that sort of thing just a joke," Watanuki grumbled.

"Is it all right, then, if I think the same thing about you?"

"Huh?"

"You won't talk about it. You won't confess to something that embarrasses you. But even if you don't say it, I think the fact that you react and don't push me away means that you feel what I do." His face drew even closer, hovering just above Watanuki's lips. "So, in that case I'll just take what's silently being offered to me and let it go at that for now. Itadakimasu."

"Wait-" Watanuki started to say, but Doumeki quickly silenced him with a kiss. It was not so unrestrained as the kiss they had shared in dreams, but the feeling behind it was just as overcoming he remembered. He sighed just a little into Doumeki's mouth as the sweet fever swallowed him, forcing his pride and meaningless objections somewhere too far for his mind to reach. At just the slightest urging from Doumeki, he parted his lips to accept his prodding tongue and let himself drown in the taste of being wanted by someone he equally desired.

Doumeki pulled away slowly, taking Watanuki's hand and pressing it against his cheek. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for granting my wish."

Watanuki felt his pulse fluttering beside Doumeki's skin. What would happen now? He had acquiesced, but to what end? Would Doumeki expect them to hold hands when they walked to school or have Watanuki feed him hot dogs shaped like an octopus for lunch, even in front of Himawari? Watanuki didn't know much about being a couple, but he knew he couldn't let himself slip so far, to become someone who bended so easily to Doumeki's will.

"I don't think I can do it... after all," Watanuki said, nearly freezing at how shaky and fervid his voice sounded.

"I know," Doumeki said, pressing his lips against Watanuki's fingers. "I know you. I know what you can and can't do. So we'll do only what you can. And only when you want. But please, try and think of me, too."

Watanuki exhaled slowly, closing his eyes. He still wouldn't say anything, but he heard Doumeki make a satisfied sigh under his breath before leaning forward to kiss him once again.

Whether it was in dreams or while he was awake, it all felt so powerful, so fulfilling deep inside him. He couldn't always tell the difference between waking and sleeping, but he was suddenly certain that no matter where they did this or when their dreams ended and began, an act and feeling so strong as this could only be something beautifully and perfectly real.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Himawari gazed through the door to the infirmary, clapping her hand over her mouth and flushing when she saw Doumeki holding Watanuki in his arms, his face buried in Watanuki's shoulder. Watanuki himself had a dazed look on his face, but for once seemed surprisingly complacent as he ran his hands through Doumeki's hair, his swollen lips speaking words Himawari couldn't hear.

She was a little bit envious at first, but her face quickly melted into a smile. It was great that he could be with someone on equal terms, someone who would be there to keep him safe. Besides, she'd always secretly imagined they'd be good together in this way, and the reality of it quite exceeded her expectations.

"Kunogi-chan?" a voice came from behind her. She turned. The school doctor was standing behind her, his arms folded across his chest.

"Um..." she said, trying to stall for a moment. She tapped the door lightly with her foot to alert the two boys lost in their own world inside that there was someone outside. "I was just checking on Watanuki-kun. Do you think he'll be all right?"

The sensei lifted his eyebrows. "It just seemed to be exhaustion and anxiety. If he gets some sleep and decent care, I'm sure he'll be fine."

She smiled to herself, stepping away from the door. He really would be fine. After everything he had put himself through and suffered, she was happy that a new dream, a new path was at last opening up before him.

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