As the days passed, Touya felt an increase of electricity in the air. Magic was buzzing in an agitated state all around him. This could only mean one thing: whatever trial was coming for Sakura, was on its way.
Touya breathed out into the air. He was sitting on Yukito's porch, eyes strained upward watching a patch of slow-moving clouds glide past the house.
He wondered if anyone else but him could feel magical tension around them, the subtle but prominent shift in the wind pressure, the acute buzzing in the air that only grew thicker as the clock ticked forward. He wondered if anyone knew what was coming for them. He wondered how much Sakura's friend, Akiho – he learned, knew of her guardian. He wondered if Yuna D. Kaito worked alone. He wondered if any of it mattered.
Inside the house with Yukito was Ruby Moon and two fake stuffed animals – a black cat with wings, which Touya assumed to be Spinner, and then Kero.
Sakura was out with Syaoran and the two of them would be making their way to join everyone soon for dinner. Touya wasn't really waiting outside to greet them, rather, he just needed a few minutes to himself. Sometimes everything felt like a bit much and he needed a moment to make sure his feet were still on the ground. Plus, he could tell the stuffed animals were getting restless and needed some time to not fake it for a while. Even if he didn't completely understand their methods, Touya was nothing but considerate to their cause.
So, he watched the clouds. And, he tried not to think about the buzzing air and wind, the growing static that had turned his senses all the way up.
There was a quiet power dwelling inside of him. Touya could feel it in conjunction to his own heartbeat. His magic was quiet, but it was strong. He felt it was very fitting for the kind of person he was. Touya just felt weary that soon, he would need to use it. Soon, he'd need to tell Yukito and Yue about this hidden dwelling magic. And soon, more things would change. His sister would be forced into danger and would have to save the day again.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep inhale of the static air, he felt it inflate his lungs and casually release through his nose. What a world they lived in.
Touya let himself take it all in for a few more moments until the sound of a sliding door alerted him that he had company.
"So, here's where you've run off to," Yukito said. He closed the door behind him and moved to sit next to Touya on the porch.
"You found me."
Yukito smiled at him and reached for Touya's hand. Teasingly, Touya moved out it of the way.
"Careful, wouldn't want anyone to see."
"Well... about that," Yukito rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks starting to flush.
Touya gave him a look that he hoped conveyed: out with it, Yuki.
"I actually started to tell them, well Ruby," Yukito said. Touya raised an eyebrow, he hadn't expected that. "But, before I could say anything, she made a comment saying she already knew about us." Yukito cleared his throat, then gestured with his hands, "I don't know how though. We are pretty inconspicuous."
Touya laughed, causing Yukito to look at him confused. After the two of them had officially gotten together nothing had really changed between them. Well, aside from the physical intimacy. He reached out and touched Yukito's cheek.
"My father knew we were together," he said. "Before I knew we were."
"What do you think that says about us?" Yukito smiled wider.
"I think it means we always were together," Touya said. He moved in closer, bringing their foreheads together. "The only difference is now we say it out loud and... act on it."
He could feel Yukito's face warm as he moved his hands to the side of Touya's face, reinforcing their closeness.
"There's something I need to tell you."
"Go on then."
Yukito lifted Touya's chin and stared into his eyes. "The most important thing to me is my memories. Specifically, the ones with you. I... never want to lose them. And so... well." He lowered his hands into his lap and took a steadying breath. Touya watched his every move. "I entered into a contract in order to keep them."
When he looked at Touya next, Touya didn't know what to say. He had no idea what that meant, but he grabbed Yukito's hand to let him know whatever this was, he supported it.
Yukito smiled softly as he sat up straight. He looked confident and so very proud of himself.
"Yue and I are one now," he said, and Touya's eyes widened. "I won't blackout anymore. I'll know what's going on. As he will know what occurs when I'm in this form, though I think he already does it just doesn't interest him." Yukito chuckled and looked towards the clouds that had now completely moved past them.
"Yuki..." Touya started. "Are you sure this is what you want?" He thought of Yukito standing in an open field wondering how he got there. He thought of Yukito's confession of jealousy and suddenly felt a pang of guilt. "Does this have anything to do with..."
"This is what I want," Yukito said, cutting him off. "It's what I've always wanted. To be included, fully connected to both parts of myself. To keep my memories, Touya."
"Even," Touya gulped, "memories of me... with Yue?"
Yukito's face turned serious. "Especially those."
Touya nodded, looking away from him. That was a lot to process.
"But if it ever gets too much for me," Yukito said, drawing Touya back in, "at least I have the choice now to step back, turn off the movie."
The movie. That was how Yukito had described living in the background when Yue took control. Touya could never imagine what that was like. He looked at his boyfriend.
"Ok," he said. He wasn't sure how he felt about this, but this wasn't his decision to make. Yukito's warm grey eyes were swelling with confidence and pride. And he liked the thought of always being connected to the both of them, at all times. He thought of Yue flipping him into a mattress and Yukito stroking his face. Suddenly, Touya's throat felt dry. He shook his head and coughed, trying to recover. "How is this even possible, though?" He asked. "If you've always wanted this, why wait until now?"
Yukito scratched the back of his head, looking like he wasn't prepared for follow up questions. Touya wanted to kiss his face off.
"I uh... didn't really know it was possible," he paused, meeting Touya's gaze. "But then the idea of magical contracts came about."
Right. "Syaoran."
Touya thought back to his day with Yue and how he told him the kid had taken temporary possession of Sakura's cards, and thus, displacing a portion of her magic.
"Yes," Yukito smiled.
As Touya again thought of Yue, he tried not to look smug, though he was definitely failing.
"Basically, I just decided to go for it and ask for permission. I needed it from Yue," Yukito paused, "and Sakura." Touya looked taken back. "She is the one we are bound to serve, after all. The master of the cards."
This was the first time Touya had heard Yukito directly talk about this. It was startling but also felt amazing. Though it didn't quite make sense, Touya felt as if there were fewer secrets between them. It made him feel closer, if possible, to the man sitting in front of him. Touya truly didn't understand the extent of Sakura's pull over her guardians, but he didn't need to. Sakura was kind, loving, and generous. She might be a master, but that was just a title. His sister would see that everyone had free will and could do as they wanted.
"They said yes," Yukito said as if it wasn't obvious.
"Of course, they did, Yuki."
Yukito shook his head, not wanting to indulge him.
"This is your happiness we're talking about. It's important and it matters," Touya gestured to the house behind them, "to everyone."
Yukito chuckled, but he had tears in his eyes. He reached for Touya and their lips met.
The kiss didn't last though, as the back door flew open startling the both of them.
"Dinner's ready!" Ruby sang. "Hope I'm not interrupting," she threw Yukito a wink and Touya felt instantly annoyed.
"Right, right, of course," Yukito blushed and stood up, dusting off his pants. He held a hand out for Touya, who let himself be pulled up, and while Ruby was still there, Touya leaned forward and kissed Yukito on the mouth again.
Ruby squealed and made a loud whistling noise as Yukito looked more embarrassed than Touya had ever seen him.
Touya laughed, reveling in the fun of the moment. He hugged Yukito to his chest and Ruby jumped on both of them.
"Can you imagine!" Ruby said, very loudly. "If you never told Touya how you felt about him? I mean, he'd probably be out here kissing me!"
Touya stopped laughing, because... ew. Which gave Yukito a chance to break free.
"You said dinner's ready?!" He practically jumped inside not sparing either one of them a second glance.
Ruby smiled at the scene. She had her hands on her hip and a spoon behind her ear. She turned towards Touya.
"I'm glad it worked out between you two," she said.
That was never a question, Touya thought, but he didn't voice it. He looked up noticing the sun was starting to set.
"Sakura and Syaoran should be here soon."
"I know," Touya responded.
Ruby gave him a very calculated look. "I hope you know what you're signing up for."
That could've meant a number of different things, but Touya had not the time nor energy to address the full weight of it, so he returned her pointed gaze and smiled at the woman in front of him. Truthfully, he admired the way Ruby hid her true agenda. She was someone who knew a lot more than she led on, but unfortunately, so was Touya.
"I'm Sakura's big brother," he answered, a familiar rush of pride and strength coming up from within. "If there was any sign-up sheet, my name would be first on the list."
Ruby's mouth fell open, and just because he could, Touya winked at her before walking inside the house.
Dinner was surprisingly normal, considering the table was full of various magical beings. Touya's favorite part of it, that he didn't expect, was how much closer Yukito sat next to him. Their shoulders and knees seemed to touch throughout the entire meal, and occasionally, Yukito rested his hand on Touya's thigh and smiled up at him.
Now that Ruby knew about them, he found her less irritating. She also seemed like she was giving them some space, to which he was grateful but also found uncharacteristically suspicious.
Syaoran for his part kept his eyes on Sakura. Helping her with every menial task one could think of. When she asked Touya to pass the salt, Syaoran had actually stood up and reached over the table to get it for her.
Yukito hadn't seemed to think it was weird like Touya did, but Touya knew there was something there. The kid was overcompensating for something. Touya wasn't sure if he wanted to know what that was.
"We're both in the school play again and I'm really excited," Sakura said, her smile like always, brightened up the entire room. "Our friend is such a good writer."
"She really is," Syaoran echoed.
"Are you going to play a princess again?" Touya asked before he could stop himself.
One of the stuffed animals made a choking sound that Touya pretended not to notice. Syaoran's face turned beat red as Ruby threw her head back in laughter.
"You must've been the cutest princess!" She yelped.
Syaoran sunk into his seat, but not before throwing Touya a very pointed glance.
"Syaoran was really great," Sakura said, being sweet. Yukito nodded, agreeing with her because of course, he would.
"I'm not playing a princess," Syaoran answered. "I agreed to help out with the set or sound, but have not committed to any acting."
Touya felt the urge to be sassy but his sister looked so happy he just couldn't do it.
"Tell us what the play is about, Sakura!" Ruby leaned forward in her seat. "I bet you're the star. What am I saying? Of course, you are!"
Sakura giggled, her cheeks flushing. "Well... not the star exactly. My new friend Akiho is co-lead with me!"
Touya's eyes widened. "The new transfer student you've been hanging out with?"
Yukito looked at him, as did Ruby and Kero – before he caught himself and faked being still again.
"Mhmm!" Sakura's smile practically overtook her face, but Touya couldn't help the sinking feeling that settled in his stomach. "She's really great."
Touya put down his fork and felt Yukito squeeze his knee.
As Ruby began hounding Sakura and Syaoran with more questions about school. Touya thought back to what his dad had said. She may need you soon, son. Be careful.
A school play. Co-leads. Could this be anything other than the stage of Sakura's newest trial? The whole reason the air was tense with magic and the wind unsteady? Touya had half a mind to forbid his sister from even going near it.
But that wouldn't work. That would never work. And it wasn't fair. This was what his sister did. Day in and day out. Just because he didn't like it, didn't mean it wouldn't happen.
There were six beings full of magic around the dinner table, including Touya, and Sakura commanded all of them. She wasn't just his little sister or an average middle schooler. She was a vessel of sheer power wrapped in an unsuspecting box of giggles and smiles. It was hard to visualize her taking down Yuna D. Kaito, it was hard to visualize her taking down anybody. But maybe that's why she could. Heroes, after all, are supposed to do the unthinkable and accomplish the unimaginable.
"It's still being written, but it's the tale of two Alices."
"Like Alice in wonderland? I've heard of that!"
"Yes!" Sakura beamed. "Everyone says Akiho and I look alike, so it's the perfect casting for two girls whose journeys mirror each other."
But do they? He had sensed no magic from Sakura's friend, only that of her guardian – Yuna D. Kaito.
Could he have taken Akiho's power? Did he want to take Sakura's power for Akiho? Touya found himself, not for the first time, wondering just what exactly could be Kaito's motivation for it all. How in the world could these two girls have journeys that mirror each other? The only explanation would be if something crazy magical had happened to Akiho, or if... he raised his eyebrows... could she be related to them?
Suddenly, he felt Yukito lean into him. "Want to help me make tea?"
Touya nodded and stood up from the table. Syaoran looked up at him briefly, before turning his attention back to the conversation between Sakura and Ruby.
"Figured you could use a break," Yukito said when they reached the kitchen.
Touya nodded his thanks and then leaned against the kitchen counter as Yukito took some cups out of the cabinet.
"What's going on in that head of yours?"
Touya breathed out and crossed his arms over his chest. "The new kid being a co-lead with Sakura isn't a coincidence considering her guardian is Yuna D Kaito."
Yukito turned on the stove. "I know," he said quietly.
A few minutes passed as the kettle warmed and steam began to trickle out through its spout.
"This sucks," Touya said.
"I know," Yukito repeated.
"Do you have any more helpful words?"
"None that you don't already know," Yukito said, eyeing him. Touya almost smiled.
"Let me guess," he took a big breath to prepare. "She can handle it, trust the process, everything will work out..."
"Yes, yes," Yukito nodded. "You're missing a few though," he nudged Touya's arm. "Keep going."
Touya bit his lip. "Ok..." he looked around the kitchen for inspiration. He even looked behind him to the dinner table in the distance. When he saw Kero's plushy yellow arm reach for a fork, the words came to him. "Guardians."
"Mhm, that's right." Yukito began filling up a tray with the kettle and teacups. He winked at Touya as he said, "strong ones."
Touya's hands immediately found their way to Yukito's waist. He stood behind him as he finished setting up the tray. Touya wrapped his arms further around and kissed the back of Yukito's neck. Yukito let out a soft sound as he turned his head towards Touya. Touya accepted the invitation and kissed his lips. It was sweet and chaste and felt very domestic.
"Could I walk home with you and Sakura?" Yukito asked.
"Do I need protecting?" Touya teased.
Yukito blushed a bit as he leaned into Touya. As Touya felt the heat of his boyfriend's body, the message became clear.
"Can you leave them for the night?" Touya whispered.
"Not the night," Yukito whispered back. "But they won't miss me for a couple of hours." He kissed Touya's cheek and then proceeded to lift the tray and walk back into the dining room.
Touya stood feeling speechless. This confident Yukito who knew exactly what he wanted was certainly a change from what he was used to. He wondered if any of that was due to Yue's influence. With a certain fire in his eyes, Touya wondered what their next time together was going to be like. If two were now fully one then Touya was in for it, and there was no way a couple of hours would be enough. He bit his tongue and followed Yukito back into the dining room.
The conversation had switched to dessert and Syaoran was blushing hard. Apparently, the kid makes homemade sweets. Touya tried not to roll his eyes when Ruby commented, "what a perfect match you two are!" to him and Sakura.
After tea and desserts, everyone went off in different directions. Ruby had wanted to see the moon shrine in the park, which was on Syaoran's way home. Syaoran and Sakura had hugged goodbye and Touya let them have their moment, mostly because Yukito had grabbed his hand and pulled him away.
Sakura and Yukito talked the whole way back as Touya trailed behind them. Not wanting to eavesdrop he kept his eyes on the sky. As the wind ruffled his hair and moved his clothing, Touya whispered, "we need to talk, Mom."
The wind disappeared after that, go figure.
"I told him," he heard Yukito say. Touya brought his eyes down and saw Sakura smile at him.
"I'm glad," she responded.
It wasn't until they were inside the house and Sakura had gone to bed that Touya decided to address the comment.
"Were you not going to tell me?" he asked.
Yukito took his jacket off and placed it in the corner of Touya's room. "Hm?"
"Were you not going to tell me about the contract you made?" Touya repeated. He was standing on the opposite side of his room, arms folded against his chest.
Yukito took a deep breath and let it out. "No, originally I wasn't."
Touya lowered his arms.
"I just know how you are," Yukito said. He was smiling, but Touya wasn't. "You're perceptive. You often know things without me having to tell you."
"This is a big thing, Yuki."
"I know." Yukito sat down on Touya's bed. "There are a few other secrets I'm keeping, but it's because I want to."
Touya did not like that, not one bit. But he walked over and sat down next to Yukito.
"I've been worrying so much about Sakura," Touya said, "that I stopped worrying about you." He turned to face his boyfriend.
"I've got everything under control, Touya. Part of the reason I did this was so you wouldn't need to worry about me."
"Well, it's not working, because that's exactly what I'm doing."
Yukito placed his hands on Touya's shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes. "I'm good, Touya. I promise."
Touya looked down at his lap. Contracts were tricky things. Syaoran had entered into one to protect Sakura, but he looked guilty every time he stood next to her. That could just be the kid's insecurities, but was that all? Did he have to give something up, make any sort of sacrifice? Touya tried to think back to all the conversations he had overheard. He hadn't thought about what Syaoran's mental health must be like. He hadn't thought about what kind of trouble he faced.
Touya was sitting next to his boyfriend, on his bed. This was a position he had wanted to be in the entire day, and yet he was having trouble looking at him. What if Yukito had given something up or made some sort of sacrifice? What if he was lying to Touya that he was fine just so that Touya wouldn't worry about him? Touya knew nothing about magical contracts, but as someone who didn't trust magic very much to begin with, he didn't have one single good feeling about it.
"Hey," Yukito said, cupping Touya's face. "Can we talk about something else?"
No, Touya wanted to say. Not really. "Sure," is what he said instead.
"Touya," Yukito let go of his face, sounding defeated.
Touya stood up. "This is hard for me, Yuki."
"What is?" Yukito asked, still seated. "Not knowing?"
Touya ran his hands through his hair. His feet moved on their own accord and he started pacing. "Everyone is entitled to their secrets," he said at last, "but this feels like one that should be shared."
"I could say the same thing about your magic."
"That's different."
"No, Touya, it isn't."
Touya stopped pacing. "You don't need to know yet. It's complicated. When the time comes, you will know."
"As you will know about mine," Yukito stressed. "Touya, I respect your decision and I don't press it. Can't you respect mine?"
"I do, it's just-," but Touya was cut off by a bright light that distorted his vision.
Touya tried to adjust his eyes and stand firm but the entire room became filled with a blinding white light. Touya felt so caught off-guard that he gasped as Yukito began transforming right in front of him. Touya had caught on too late, he was not expecting this, but the transformation continued. Tan sweater and jeans turned to a white and purple silk robe, large white wings stretched from one corner of the room to the next. The already magically charged air popped in Touya's ears as the static raised the hair up on the back of his arms.
When the light dissipated, Yue sat firmly on Touya's bed. He looked up at him with one eyebrow raised. Touya had lost all train of thought, though he was vaguely aware his mouth was hanging open. Oh, this was not fair.
Yue stood up slowly and taking his time, met Touya in the center of the room. He reached out for him, and Touya could not believe his eyes. He wanted to step back, he wanted to continue his fight with Yukito, but not really. Truthfully, he didn't want any of those things. All he wanted was right in front of him. And so, he let Yue pull him in, and Touya melted into his arms. He buried his head in the crook of Yue's neck and felt soft white and silver strands of hair fall over him. It felt like one million years since the last time Touya had touched him.
After a moment, Yue pulled back and took Touya's face in his hands.
"Do you trust your love?" Yue asked him.
Touya let out a breath as he put his hands over Yue's. He nodded to the ground as a grin broke out across Yue's face.
"Then act like it."
Ugh. Touya tried to fight it, but a smile came to his lips. Yue moved his thumb in circles on the side of Touya's face. The motion felt so soothing that his muscles started to relax and Touya felt some of his tension begin to slip away.
"I'm sorry," Touya said. He was being a colossal idiot. Trust was something he was working on, but still hadn't yet mastered. If he could trust his little sister to save the day, surely he could trust his boyfriend to make his own decisions. Yukito was smart and more aware of his internal situation than Touya ever could be. "Message received."
Yue stopped massaging his temple and pushed some of Touya's hair behind his ear. "Good."
And before Touya could say anything else, Yue leaned forward and captured Touya's lips with his own. The kiss quickly deepened as Yue pressed into Touya's mouth, opening it up, letting their tongues collide and the heat between them build. Touya pulled back out of breath, clutching to the front of Yue's robes as Yue ran a hand down Touya's back.
"Wait," Touya said. "I… should apologize to him."
Yue placed a hand over his heart. "He's here."
Touya froze. His eyes widened as he immediately searched Yue's face and stared directly into those icy blue eyes. Yue grinned as the blue faded slightly into a shade of grey. Touya felt breathless as the grey transformed back into blue. If the room felt staticy before, it was now absolutely electrifying. Touya felt dizzy and overcome.
"Yukito is in charge now," Yue said like it was nothing.
Touya's heart was racing. "And you're okay with that?"
Yue took a step back and instinctively, Touya followed him. He sat on the bed and Touya joined him. When Yue laid down, Touya laid next to him. Yue grabbed Touya's hand and brought it to his lips. He kissed Touya's palm before placing it over his heart.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Yue said.
In response, Touya took off his shirt and threw it on the ground. Yue laughed as Touya pushed them further into the bed. And as static traveled across Touya's body, he vowed to kiss Yue twice as much, to love him twice as fiercely – but, as Yue switched their positions and his eyes changed colors, it appeared he had the same idea. Touya's head fell back as he let the remaining tension slip away with the rest of their clothes. Yue's lips trailed down the length of Touya's body taking his already heightened senses higher and higher. The wet heat that enveloped him was enough to make Touya cry out, and his heart burst in his chest.
He pulled Yue up, kissing his mouth, his face, his neck. As Yue turned around, Touya wrapped his arms around his waist, holding them firmly together he kissed his back, the sides of his body, and hips. Yue tossed his hair back as Touya ran his fingers down his chest. They were glossed in sweat and heat and promises, but when their mouths came together their bodies did too and the light that enveloped them was stronger than anything Touya had ever experienced.
Most people were considered lucky if they experienced one great love in their lifetime. What did it mean for Touya that he got two and at the same time? He interlaced his fingers with Yue's as they held each other, gifting the highest pleasure to one another over and over.
Love was the most beautiful feeling Touya had. He would cherish it, He would honor it. He would put his trust in it. With his smile, his kiss, his words, his hands, his loyalty, his respect, his everything. By the grace of the universe, this was his silent vow.