He wasn't proud of it, but Touya had resorted to eavesdropping.

It wasn't necessarily Touya's fault. Kero's presence combined with Spinner's was a lot on his senses. If Touya happened to overhear their conversations from the hallway then he couldn't really he blamed for it, right? It's not like he could get updates from anyone else. Ever since Ruby Moon came to town, Touya rarely got a moment alone with Yukito. That also meant talking to Yue was pretty much out of the question.

So, what was a protective older brother to do? And – wouldn't any human be curious about what two fake stuffed animals discussed when they got together? Yeah – that was all this was. Natural instinct. Not eavesdropping. Just a normal curious inclination combined with being cut off from his own magical sources… or so, that's what he chose to tell himself.

Today's update though, seemed rather heavy. There was no background video game noise. No excitement in Kero's voice. In fact, the sun guardian sounded tired and a bit… resigned.

"Sakura is remembering bits of things that no one else can remember." Kero said. His voice was low and muffled, but it still carried through the door.

"Like what?"

"Like seeing the light and dark cards that Syaoran made the pact with. So, if he used them…."

Touya listened intently as Kero finished his sentence. "…then something major happened."

Something… major? Touya leaned closer to the door. Sakura had seemed fine lately. More than fine, actually. Every day after school she had been coming home and making desserts. He was supposed to make some with her today.

"Does Syaoran still believe someone is messing with their memories?"

"He's been on edge more than usual, but yes, Spinny. That's his theory. Though, I believe it's more likely that someone is messing with time."

Touya stood up straight. Messing with time would mess with everyone, not just Sakura and the kid. Messing with time would mean no one was the wiser. But messing with time… meant that this person was crazy powerful. Touya's fists clenched of their own accord. Hadn't he felt that power? Yuna D. Kaito. The menacing presence in the grocery store. The same presence he had felt… that night before. Touya's eyes opened wide. Could Kaito have shifted time then? Had Touya missed something? He had felt so anxious, his mind so scattered and uneasy. He had made tea to calm down. Multiple cups of tea.

"The light and dark cards are the strongest cards she has. What is this guy playing at?"

Kero sighed, long and deep and Touya echoed the sentiment. "I wish I knew."

Touya left the hallway. With his mind still buzzing, he gripped his backpack and made his way to school. The whole ride on his bike he couldn't stop thinking about time magic. He knew that Sakura's power had grown exponentially, but if she could overpower time magic then surely she must be the strongest magic user to ever exist. And she was still in grade school. What kind of magic would she possess in high school? College?

That thought was overwhelming. Sakura was Touya's little sister. Could she save the world? Well, probably, yes. The real question was… should she? Should any kid have that much power, that much responsibility? Touya frowned. What kind of life was that?

Messing with time was an insane concept, but what did it even entail? Do something and then go back and undo it? Touya thought on that. If Yuna D. Kaito did something so severe that Sakura's two strongest cards had to come out and save her… and she's the only one who remembers it… then… then maybe the time thing didn't affect her. Or… not as well as it had affected the kid and everyone else. But… why was that? Could it really just be her power?

Thinking about it made his brain hurt.

When he finally arrived at school, Touya chained his bike and took out his phone. He had sent Yukito about a dozen messages since he had last seen him at the ice cream shop, but Yukito hadn't responded to a single one. Touya sighed as he looked at the phone.

He had spent so much of his life not really talking to anyone. Not confessing his fears or working out his anxieties. He had shoved everything down, put on a brave face and went to school and work and helped take care of his house. Even in the beginning of he and Yukito's friendship, they rarely talked about anything heavy. All conversation was surface level and light and it served as a nice distraction from his ongoing internal monologues, but once he discovered that his suspicions of Yukito were correct – that he had the same magical presence about him that Touya had grown up with, Touya thought that he had finally found someone who could understand him, someone he could truly talk to. But Yukito didn't want to talk about magic. He didn't understand his life and as Yue became more apparent, Yukito struggled more to comprehend his own personal identity. So, they didn't talk about it… for a while. They kept things light… until they couldn't, until the depth of their feelings and the weight of their situation had to be addressed.

Touya squeezed the phone in his hand. He might have gotten used to not talking about things in the past, but he was living now in the present. And ever since magic entered his conversations with Yukito, and Yue, Touya didn't want it to stop. Magic was a connecting thread between them. Discussing this crazy life they were all in, made Touya feel closer to them in a way that he couldn't be with anyone else.

Yukito was Touya's best friend, and quite possibly, the love of his life. He needed him. He knew he wasn't supposed to know about Ruby and Spinner's true identities, and that he had to give them space, but… he didn't want to. He truly, truly hated this.

Touya made his way into the building... alone. He walked through the halls with his head down. A few girls said hi to him, but mostly, people kept out of Touya's way. It wasn't until he felt Yukito's presence that he looked up. But, instead of seeing Yukito, he was met with a mop of auburn hair instead.

"Touya's here! Good morning, handsome."

"Ruby?" Touya looked around. He felt confused and very, very anxious.

"Wow," she laughed. "Don't look too happy to see me!"

"I…" What could he say? "Didn't know how long you were staying."

Ruby tossed her long hair over her shoulder and grinned. "Long enough to not want to miss any school! I'm responsible, you know." She winked at him and Touya really wished she would stop.

"Of course," he said, pulling a smile from somewhere deep, deep within him. "That's smart," he added.

Ruby seemed to like that. She squealed and hugged him, before skipping away down the hall.

Touya closed his eyes. He could feel a sadness creeping in that he didn't want. He pulled out his phone again and opened it to Yukito's name. He typed out the words, I love you and sent it. He smiled to himself, feeling a little bit better, he made his way to class.

"Welcome home, son."

Touya threw his backpack on the couch and looked across the living room. What was his father doing home?

"Hey, dad."

"School go all right?"

"Yeah." Touya made his way over to him. School was school and it often went without saying. His courses were tough, but not tough enough to comment on. The only thing different was that he didn't have any classes with Yukito today. Actually, he barely saw Yukito at all. There were a few instances in the hall, but Ruby had jumped in front of him each and every time. Touya had decided to skip lunch because he didn't feel like sitting with her, even though it meant giving up his one chance to be near his boyfriend. Touya pulled out his phone and set it on the table. There was no change from the last time he looked at it. No new messages.

"Great. Hey, uh… can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure," Touya got out of his head and took a seat at the kitchen table. His father pulled out the chair across from him and sat down.

"So, I… went to parent's day."

Oh. Touya had almost completely forgotten.

"It was a great time, but I met Sakura's new friend and her guardian."

"Guardian?" Touya eyed his cell phone.

"Well, her parent figure. Interesting guy. Sharp purple suit."

Yuna D. Kaito. At parent's day. Holy shit. Touya could feel his blood boiling. His heart rate climbing.

"He shook my hand and seemed nice but…"

A guardian. Yuna D. Kaito was the guardian of Sakura's new friend. Of fucking course, he was. There were no coincidences in a magical world.

"…he seemed strange."

"What did he say to you?" Touya was leaning forward, on the edge of his seat. The new kid. It was always the new kid.

Fujitaka simply smiled and shook his head. "He was fine, Touya. Just said hi and made small talk."

"Why bring it up then?"

Fujitaka pushed his chair back and got up. Touya narrowed his eyes. He watched his Dad walk to the refrigerator and take out a carton of juice.

"Honestly, I'm not sure." He took out two glasses and filled them both before returning the juice to the fridge. Touya just looked at him, feeling a bit speechless as Fujitaka set one glass down in front of Touya and then walked to the basement door. "I guess I just wanted to say… be careful, son."

"Be careful? Dad…" Touya stood up, he had reached his limit. "I don't like this."

"I know," his father said, before opening the door. "I don't like it either." He took one step towards the basement but then turned back to look Touya in the eyes. "I don't know what's going on, but I think that Sakura may need you."

"She has me," Touya said, voice firm.

And his dad smiled. "I'm glad," was all he said before closing the basement door behind him.

Touya felt like screaming.

With force, he pushed his chair in and backed away from the table. What was he supposed to do with this information? How could he use it to help his sister? He stalked to the living room, sat on the couch and threw his head in his hands. It felt really fucking heavy. He closed his eyes and took a couple deep breaths. He tried to steady himself. He tried to feel the solid ground under his feet.

He missed sweet and wise Yukito. He missed strong and commanding Yue. He missed knowing what to do and feeling confident while doing it.

Touya wasn't sure how long he stayed on the couch with his head in his hands, but when he heard the front door open and Sakura walk through, he knew it had been at least an hour.

"Hey!" she said, taking her shoes off.

"Hey," he answered, looking up.

Sakura was carrying two big bags of groceries. She smiled at him and he followed her into the kitchen.

"I'm excited to make some desserts with you today! Thanks for agreeing to help me."

Touya nodded as he started emptying one of the grocery bags Sakura brought home. He looked at her, smiling gently, and he wondered – not for the first time, how someone so small and kind could be so powerful.

"There's more fruit in the other bags," she said.

He cocked his head. "What other bags?"

"Oh!" Sakura smiled sheepishly, her eyes beaming with joy. "I've… got a surprise for you!"

Her cheeks reddened as Touya looked on confused. "What?" he asked her. "Are you going to do some of the mixing this time?"

"Hey!" she laughed. "it's not my fault you're-"

"Stronger?" Touya was smiling now. Sakura stuck her tongue out at him.

Just then, the front door handle moved and Touya's senses honed in on it.

"I'm going to change quick!" She said. "Can you help your surprise with the other groceries?"

"My surpri-" but Touya didn't get to finish. Sakura giggled and ran up the stairs as their front door opened and Yukito walked inside.

Touya swallowed hard. He felt very aware of his own heartbeat. He looked towards the door to see if anyone else was going to walk though, but—

"Just me," Yukito said, smiling at him. His voice was soft, song-like. It made Touya's heart ache.

Yukito walked towards him. After putting both bags of groceries down he reached out and touched Touya's arm. Touya had so many things he wanted to say to him, but what came out was: "Can I kiss you?"

Yukito laughed, but nodded, so Touya grabbed his face and kissed him.

Yuki's lips were soft and gentle and as they came alive underneath Touya's, Touya found himself leaning deeper and deeper into it. Yukito's hands found Touya's waist, and he pressed their bodies closer together. Touya's hands moved from Yukito's face to his hair, feeling the soft grey strands between his fingers, letting the warmth overtake him. With every touch of their lips, Touya felt tension leave his body. He felt his mind finally start to relax. He started to feel at ease as he clung to Yukito's lips and body, solid and warm, in front of him. Yukito held him up, as Touya practically collapsed into him.

"I missed you so much," Touya whispered as their kiss transformed into a hug.

Yukito nodded, as Touya buried his face in the crook of his neck, feeling the warmth of Yukito's skin and the comfort of his sweater. Yukito ran a hand up and down Touya's spine, and then moved his head to kiss Touya's cheek.

Things had been a little weird between them. Touya had felt they were off since the ice cream shop. He wasn't sure if it was because they actually were or if it was just that they weren't used to spending so much time apart. He was afraid to ask.

Yukito pulled away, but ran his hands up and down Touya's arms. "I have a few free hours to help the two of you," he said.

"Ok," Touya replied.

Sakura came bouncing down the stairs, wearing a different outfit. Touya expected Yukito to pull away from him, but he didn't. Instead, his hand found Touya's and he interlaced their fingers together.

"Ready to bake?" Sakura asked, voice excited.

"Yes," Touya said.

Sakura grinned and moved passed them. She started opening the cabinets and pulling out supplies. Touya was surprised to see Yukito still holding his hand. He moved closer to get one last kiss before they begun. Yukito blushed as their lips brushed each other's. Sakura was still blissfully unaware, her head stuck in a cabinet.

"Touya," Yukito whispered.

"Yeah?"

He brought his lips to Touya's ear and gently kissed the side of his face. "I love you too."

Two hours and three trays of cookies later, Sakura and Yukito were both covered almost entirely in flour.

Touya's heart felt very full as he watched the two people he loved the most, struggle with the simplest of tasks.

"I thought it was half a cup of strawberries?" Yukito asked.

"I think the recipe said two and one-fourth cups," Sakura answered.

Just – wow. Touya had never felt more needed in his life.

"Is there chocolate in my hair?" Yukito asked him.

Yes, a lot of it. "Don't think so," Touya answered, grinning.

Sakura shook her head at him and handed Yukito a wet towel.

"How come you have nothing on you, Touya?"

"Big brother is an expert baker," Sakura answered, heavy on the sarcasm.

"I don't know what to tell you," Touya said. "Some people are naturally talented."

"Interesting that we're not done yet, then." Yukito said, eyeing him.

Sakura giggled as Touya dipped his fingers in icing and then pinched Yukito's cheeks.

"Hey!" he laughed, reaching for the icing to fight back, but Touya was faster.

"Be nice to Yukito!" his sister yelled.

"I am nice to him!"

"Sure," Yukito answered.

Touya paused, just long enough for Sakura– the traitor – to grab the icing out of his hand and give it to Yukito.

"Victory!" Sakura laughed as Yukito smeared icing across Touya's face.

Touya watched them high-five before he walked to the sink to clean himself. They were joking, but… was Yukito serious? He couldn't shake this feeling that he had done something wrong.

"Big brother, can you mix this?"

Touya turned around. Hopefully it was nothing. He took the bowl from Sakura, but not before sticking his tongue out at her. She happily returned the favor.

As Touya turned into a human mixer, Sakura and Yukito cleared off another tray and started assembling fruit for decorations and filling. The three of them playfully worked for another hour until their entire kitchen table was covered in sweets.

"What recipe is this?" Touya asked.

"One my friend gave me!"

Touya surveyed the rows and rows of baked goods. "Was your friend trying to feed an entire army?"

"Touya…" Yukito started.

"I don't know how much Ruby eats or—" Sakura paused and Touya bit his tongue. Spinner. That's who she was about to name. Sakura's face flushed and Touya shook his head. He didn't want to make his sister feel bad for not opening up to him about the unwanted house guests. As far as Touya knew, there was some special reason he couldn't openly know about them so for all intents and purposes these desserts were just for Ruby and Yukito. Which…. Damn. Why hadn't he questioned that originally?

Yukito definitely liked his sweets, but no one ate more than Kero. Touya wasn't dumb. He knew where all their leftovers went. If Spinner or 'Spinny' ate just as much as Kero, then maybe there actually weren't enough desserts.

"Fine." Touya said. "Just strawberry and chocolate though?"

Sakura considered this. "Should we make more flavors? Yukito, do you know what Ruby's favorite is?"

"Who cares." Touya said.

They both looked at him.

"Sorry… didn't mean to say that out loud."

"Orange?" Yukito offered.

Touya almost snorted. No one in their right mind liked orange flavored things.

"Hmm…" Sakura opened the fridge and stuck her face in it. Touya tried to think. At the ice cream shop, Ruby seemed to like anything and everything. "We don't have oranges."

"I think she'll like what you've prepared, Sakura," Yukito said, sweetly.

"Yeah, Ruby eats everything." Touya added. Sakura didn't seem convinced, so Touya motioned to the cut-up fruit and icing. "After these cool you can decorate them."

Sakura's face lit up, "Oooh we can make pretty designs!"

"Ruby is sure to love that, Sakura."

Sakura squealed. "How long until they're cool, do you think?"

"Uh," Touya scratched his head. "At least half an hour."

"Sounds good!" Sakura beamed. "I'm going to call Tomoyo and see if she has any suggestions. She's great at designs!"

With that, Sakura was once again running up the stairs. Touya laughed as he heard her door slam shut and the unmistakable yelp of the guardian plush, getting caught off guard.

"What's funny?" Yukito asked, walking towards him.

"Sometimes I hear Kero," Touya said, "and the weird sounds he makes."

Yukito chuckled.

"Sometimes I hear his conversations," Touya said, before he could stop himself. He looked at Yukito, unsure why he just admitted to that out loud. Eavesdropping – and it was eavesdropping – wasn't something he was particularly proud of.

"I bet those are fun conversations."

Touya shrugged as Yukito looked at the floor.

"You know…" Yukito began, "I've never been so included in this form before."

Touya watched him carefully, but he was still looking at the ground.

"They tell me things." Yukito continued. "Include me in conversations. Kero, Ruby, Spinner, even… Yue."

Touya gulped, as Yukito finally met his eyes. "Do you… like that?"

"I don't know," Yukito said. His face so open and honest that Touya desperately wanted to kiss him again. "I always felt that it wasn't my place to get involved in their missions. Yue's the guardian, after all. I'm—"

"Just as important."

"I know," Yukito said. "Thank you, Touya, and…" he took a deep breath in as if steadying himself. "I need to apologize to you."

"What?" That caught Touya off guard.

"I'm really sorry. I—"

"What are you sorry for?"

Yukito paused to take another breath. He ran one hand through his hair as he cautiously met Touya's eyes. He seemed flustered, maybe a bit embarrassed. "For a moment," he started, "I thought you might like him better… than me."

Touya just stared at Yukito until the words finally registered in his brain. Instantly, everything made sense. Jealous. Yukito was jealous… of Yue. Touya looked down.

"But that was dumb. I see that now."

"I don't think that's dumb," Touya answered.

"You don't?" Yukito's eyes widened, but he looked a bit… relieved.

"It's definitely… a unique situation," Touya said, clearing his throat. "I think if it was reversed, I'd feel the same way."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Yukito moved in closer and grabbed Touya's hand. "You know… him and I are more in sync than we've ever been and I think that's largely because of you."

Touya looked at their hands. "Yuki… when I was…" he hesitated, unsure of how to phrase what he wanted to say, but Yukito was squeezing his hand and Touya knew he had to ask. "When I was with Yue. Were you… there? Could you… feel it?"

"Not really." Yukito said, breathing out. "The best way I can describe it is like watching a movie when you're tired. You're not focused so you pick up bits and pieces. Sometimes it's a good scene and you feel drawn in and it's so real it's like you're a part of it… but then it fades, and goes dark and you think maybe you imagined it, maybe you were actually asleep and just dreaming."

Touya didn't know what to say. His brown eyes met Yukito's grey ones and then Yukito smiled at him.

"You're the best scenes in the movie, Touya. You always draw me in."

Touya sucked in a breath as his heart picked up the pace. He felt overcome and so he said the phrase that was always on his mind. "All of me loves you."

Yukito's eyes started watering as he lifted his hand and gently touched Touya's face. "I know," he said softly. "And I want you to. I just… hope it's okay that sometimes I feel a little selfish."

Touya let out a small laugh as he placed his hand over Yukito's. "You're allowed."

Yukito wiped his eye as a tear broke through.

Touya leaned forward and kissed his cheek. "You're allowed to feel what you feel, Yuki, but please… tell me."

"Even if it's silly?"

Touya kissed him again. "Especially then. If I do something wrong, if I upset you in any way, I need to know."

"You didn't. It was me."

"Yuki—"

"Ok," Yukito cracked a smile. "I'll tell you."

Victory. "Thank you."

Touya looked up the stairs. He could still hear some faint giggling and chatter from his sister in her room. He looked back at Yukito.

"These sweets are for dinner tomorrow at my house," Yukito said. "Will you come?"

"Am I invited?"

Yukito laughed and leaned in closer to Touya's side. "Of course."

"You know…" Touya began, placing his hands on Yukito's waist. "I'm surprised Ruby let you out of her sight."

"Maybe I'm boring her."

Touya looked back towards the stairs. "After decorating these treats, will you stay?"

"I…" Yukito sighed and Touya felt that ache in his heart again. "I don't want to be a bad host."

"Yuki," he stressed. "No one would ever think of you as a bad host. And plus," Touya lowered his voice. "She's proven she can be on her own for a couple hours like the big girl she is."

"Touya—"

"We need to spend time together."

"I know, but—"

"Stay."

Yukito sighed and ran another hand through his hair. "I can't," he said, and Touya deflated. "But soon, ok?"

Touya nodded to the ground, but looked up when he felt Yukito's hand on his shoulder.

"I suppose… we have some time now, though."

"Wh-what?" Touya's eyebrows shot up and this time, it was his boyfriend looking towards the stairs.

Yukito's face turned a very attractive shade of pink. "I agree that we need to spend some time together and well… we have time now."

"You're… serious?" Touya knew what he was implying and it made him feel hot all over. But, Sakura was in her room and they had… maybe twenty minutes.

"I want you, Touya. I miss you so much. No dream can hold me over."

Touya felt completely overcome. He grabbed Yukito's face and kissed him with everything he had. Yukito stumbled a bit backwards, laughing into the kiss. He opened his mouth, letting their tongues get reacquainted and Touya felt heat build within him. Yukito pressed their bodies together as Touya tried to maneuver them up the stairs. Yukito kissed his ears and his jawline, nibbling at his neck as he sucked small patches of exposed skin. Touya groaned as he held Yukito's body, feeling his excitement, letting it fuel his every move.

Yukito laughed as Touya dragged them both into his room and as Yukito's hands reached into Touya's pants, Touya locked the door and turned off the lights.