Disclaimer: I do not own the CCS characters.

Note: This is mainly just SYAORAN/ERIOL fluff. So to all you steadfast Sy/E fics, hopefully you'll like this…


~Just This Once~


A long and not-exactly-an:

Epilogue


            With a black suitcase in hand, Eriol tiredly walked into the apartment building. He slightly slammed his palm against the elevator buttons, leaning his head against the wall, his eyes closed.


            Yet through his fatigue and wore state, a small smile was evident on his face.  ...I'm back.


            He was actually supposed to stay in England for another week, but Eriol managed to leave with his furtive and astute ways.

            So after spending two weeks, which seemed like two months, in England to finish special duties and obligations that came with the responsibility of being one of the greatest magic-wielders of all time, he was finally home. Well, not exactly his home, but his little wolf's home. His Syaoran's home.


            Instead of going straight to his mansion for a 24-hour, or perhaps more, sleeping period, Eriol decided to surprise Syaoran with his early homecoming, despite his exhaustion.


            Some would have thought that Eriol was 'homesick'...For two weeks he had not slept well. For two weeks he hardly ate anything. For two weeks he was free of Syaoran's presence. And it sickened him, even nauseated him at sometimes.


            Even though Japan wasn't his home...wherever Syaoran resided in, Eriol would consider it his 'home', too. 'Home' is a 'place' of comforting, tranquil refuge that was safe from the outside world and reality. And so, 'home' would not be the same without his little wolf, in Eriol's opinion.


            Tiing! Tiing!


            The elevator doors opened. Eriol slid in, leaning against the wall as he pressed the button to the 7th floor. As the elevator moved upward, a quick memory rushed through Eriol's head...


~*~ Flashback ~*~


            Closing his suitcase with a secure *snap*, Eriol let out a quiet sigh.


            "All done." he murmured under his breath.


            "Hmph," Syaoran grumbled, leaning against the doorway of the Eriol's bedroom, "it's about time. I could've packed in 5 minutes."


            Eriol smiled, shrugging his shoulders, "Want me out Japan that badly, ne?"


            "Damn right," Syaoran crossed his arms, "I'll have some peace."


            "Well, it'll be...nice to see England again, I'm sure," Eriol smiled to himself, as if trying to give himself some incentive not to rip apart his passport, "And Nakuru-chan and Spinel-kun are sure to be glad—"


            "Urusai." Syaoran got sick of Eriol sometimes... The navy-haired mage always tried to hide himself behind a red-herring smile...that damned smile that could either be real or fake.

            Only an experienced eye could tell apart Eriol's fake smile from his real ones, even though his counterfeits were flawless. And after two years of being together, Syaoran could that tell this one was definitely fake.


            Eriol felt two arms slide around his waist from behind and gently latched themselves to his body, enveloping him in heavenly warmth that could only be produced by his Syaoran. His little wolf.


            Syaoran's forehead lightly leaned against the back of Eriol's neck, "...baka yaro...if you don't want to go, don't."


            What he meant was, 'Why leave for England? Why be halfway around the world from me? Why reason with old geezers when their long ages of knowledge still cannot compare to your two-lifetimes?'


            Eriol didn't say anything as he decoded Syaoran's detached, 'I-say-I-don't-care-but-I-really-do' words...


            He placed one of his hands on top of Syaoran's entwined hands that secured his arms around his waist. Gray-eyes closed, as he silently relished this tranquil moment of silence.

It sometimes amazed Eriol how gentle and subtly affectionate Syaoran, the sharp-eyed, frigid, and cynical wolf, could be.


            "...a-ahem..." Nakuru was hesitant to ruin the moment, "...gomen neeee...but it's time to go, Eriol-sama."


            Syaoran slightly glared at Nakuru as he let go of Eriol. He was both angry and jealous at Nakuru. Angry because she was the one that had to cut their time short. And jealous because she was Eriol's Guardian, able to accompany him. Able to 'officially' protect and be with him at most times.


            "Well," Eriol turned around and faced Syaoran as he pulled his suitcase off the bed, "...I'll see you in a month, Xiao-kun."


            "Yeah," Syaoran said gruffly, carelessly waving his hand, "take your time coming back."


            Translation: 'Just finish whatever you have to do in England and get your ass back here.'


            Eriol smiled, leaning forward and gave Syaoran a short kiss on the lips. He turned away and walked toward the door. Nakuru turned away and left to double-check her stuff.


            Eriol felt a hand grasp his shoulder, forcing him to turn halfway around—


            Syaoran locked his lips with Eriol's in a sudden, intense, blood-rushing kiss that made the shocked breath in Eriol's throat suddenly dissolve away.


            Eriol immediately, almost impulsively, responded. His smile was clearly there as he ravished Syaoran's lips with his own. He couldn't help but smile. He just loved the element of surprise.


~*~ End of Flashback ~*~


            Tiing!


            Eriol blinked out of his reverie. He stepped out of the elevator and walked down the hall toward Syaoran's flat, pulling out his keys from his coat-pocket. He made sure that his steps were silent and his aura completely concealed.


            He smiled, a mischievous gleam glimmering in his eyes. He was tired, but not tired enough not to give Syaoran a shock.

           
            How he loved the element of surprise. He was about to insert the key in the lock, but stopped to a dead halt—


            "Xiaaaao-Laaang..." a husky, melodious voice trailed past the door, almost out of Eriol's earshot.


            He completely felt his blood run cold, an icy, dead cold... He stopped breathing, his eyes slightly widening as the first impulsive thought entered his mind...


            ...what...who...? Eriol was caught in silent disbelief. He shook his head as if to will the thoughts away. No. No, don't jump to conclusions...


            "...pleeeeease..." the voice sounded almost like a whimper. It...was definitely female.


            Eriol felt light-headed all of a sudden. He realized he had stopped breathing...he took in a deep, quiet breath. But air seemed heavy, hard for him to intake through the mouth. His throat seemed tight and his hand wavered, almost dropping the keys.


            He gracefully and silently gripped the keys in his fist, slowly, almost numbly putting them back in his pocket.


            He felt the rush of hot, burning...Anger. Pain. Bewilderment. Yet those searing feelings clashed with cold, heavy...Disbelief. Denial. Uncertainty.


            No...no, he wouldn't. Of course, he wouldn't. Eriol thought with resolve, but it soon wavered once again...


            "..c'moooon..." the voice almost out of earshot again.


            Eriol swallowed. He took a step back, leaning against the wall across from the door for some sort of support. He accidentally dropped his suitcase; a loud, dull sound seemed to cut through the air. But it was unheard to the others.


            "Why do you guys have to be so damn annoying?" Syaoran's voice trailed through the air, yet his renowned irritable tone was clear and sharp.


            Eriol blinked, taking a step forward. He never liked the concept of eavesdropping, unlike Nakuru, but...just this once...Eriol stood silently by the door.

           
            "I don't have to tell you ANYTHING. It's MY personal life and if I remember correctly, I believe there are some rights of privacy!" Syaoran remarked, his snappish voice made Eriol involuntarily smile.


            How he missed that voice. Hearing it over the phone wasn't the same as this. And his snappish tone also indicated that nothing...inappropriate...was happening. Eriol mentally scolded himself for jumping to such immoral conclusions.


            "Oh, come on, little brother, we were just worried about you—so we..sorta..tapped into your thoughts..." said one voice, "…when you were sleeping…"


            "...And from what WE got...we REALLY want to know about Hiiragizawa Eriooool!" four voices chorused, but Eriol was able to make them out. They sounded a bit identical—then one word entered Eriol's mind.


            Sisters.


            An amused smile played upon Eriol's face, remembering the many stories Syaoran told him.


            Wearing black pants and a dark green collared, button-down shirt, Syaoran had a slight scowl on his face as he stared at his intruding sisters. They stared at him with curious, urging eyes, dressed in their trademark cheongsams.


            Unfortunately, they had been visiting him for a few days, which was like an abstract of Hell for him.


            The Li sisters glanced at each other, slightly nodding.


            Plan #1—commence!


            "We'll give you some chocolate..." Feimei bribed with a slow persuasive voice.


            "We know how much you love chocolate..." Fanren remarked in an equally beguiling tone.


            "You know you can't resist..." Shiefa and Fuutie said in unison.


            "Will you guys stop trying to do that? I'm not 10 anymore, you know!" Syaoran growled.


            The Li sisters glanced at each other again.


            All right...it didn't work this time. Proceed to Plan #2!


            "XIAAAAAOOO—"


            Syaoran covered his ears, preparing himself.


            "—LAAAAANNNG!" the sisters wailed in perfect, high-pitched unison.


            "La de da de da..." Syaoran waited with a roll of his eyes, hands over ears.


            The Li sisters fell silent, glancing at each other again with pouty faces.


            Plan #3. They hated to do this to their favorite, and only, little brother, but if this didn't work, NOTHING would.


            "We'll hunt Hiiragizawa Eriol down till we find him ourselves—" Fuutie threatened.


            "—even if we have to chase him at the ends of the Earth—" Feimei added.


            "—then we'll ask him everything about himself and you—" Fanren added.


            "—AND we'll tell Mother ALL about him!" Shiefa finished.


            His sisters were very capable of being so very malicious and cruel. It must come with the "XX" sex chromosomes. Syaoran cursed under his breath. And when his breath was gone to the last wisp, he began to curse mentally.


            "All right," Syaoran let out a frustrated sigh of defeat, "if I tell you ONE thing you want to know, will you leave me alone and just GO home?"


            "Yes, yes, yes, yes!" the Li sisters nodded their heads vigorously, then they pointed out, "but you have to answer a question—from each of us!"


            "Four questions?! Why, you cheapskates—" Syaoran growled, but stopped when his sisters raised their eyebrows at him.


            "…fine…What is it?" Syaoran asked slowly, almost apprehensively.


            "How long have you been together?" Fanren asked.


            "About two and a half years."


            "Amazing!!" they exclaimed, clapping their hands together, "Two and a half years!!!"


            Even though Eriol was on the other side of the door, he could easily imagine Syaoran blushing. Which he did.


            Syaoran slightly blushed.


            "He must be something special to stand Xiao-Lang for so long!" they giggled to each other, unintentionally insulting their brother.


            "… …" Syaoran's face faltered. He scowled at them, "Next question!"


            "Is he really, really, absolutely, positively good-looking?" Feimei asked.


            "Yeah, is he gorgeous?" Fuutie added.


            "I take that as TWO questions." Syaoran remarked with a smirk, receiving a protesting pout from Fuutie.


            "Well, answer the question!" Feimei exclaimed.


            "... ..."


            They waited.


            "...yes." Syaoran finally answered, though his voice was quiet and aloof, it contrasted with his brilliantly bright carmine blush.


            Eriol smiled, allowing a pinkish hue to cross his cheeks. Hey, no one was looking at least.


            The Li Sisters squealed, taking out their cameras and quickly snapping as many pictures as possible.


            Shielding his eyes and face from the wild flashing, Syaoran snapped, "Stop that!!!"


            They stopped, running out of film. Cat-like smiles played on their faces as they put their cameras back in their safe compartments, "We're definitely framing that one!"


            "Grr…Last question!" Syaoran glowered irritably, trying his best efforts to get rid of the blush that stained his face.


            "Do you really love him? Are you sure you do?" Shiefa asked.


            Syaoran stared at his sisters, waiting for them to break out in a fit of endless giggles...but they looked serious, their eyes showing no signs of jest.


            He paused, seriously considering the question carefully for, oh, a second or two, and answered quietly, yet sincerely, "Yeah," Syaoran nodded, "yeah, I do."


            Eriol closed his eyes, pressing his forehead to the door, his lips slightly moving, letting out a soft, inaudible whisper, "I love you, too, Xiao-Lang…"


            Expecting his sisters to break out in a loud, simultaneous squeal...surprisingly, they did not. Instead—


            The Li Sisters flung themselves toward Syaoran. He hardly had the time to swallow, much less run, before they clung to him, holding him in painfully tight embrace.


            "Little Brother all grown up now!!!!"


            "Already found true love!!!!"


            "And such a good choice!!!"


            "AWWWWWWWWW!!!" they all cooed loudly.


            A large sweatdrop ran down Syaoran's head, his face slightly turning blue from the deathly, sisterly hug.


            "All..right...let...go!" Syaoran squirmed, feeling as if he were a child again.


            The Li Sisters let go, smiling with content, "We'll just tell Mom that you're 'A-okay'! But you'll have to tell her about this someday soon."


            "Hai, hai," Syaoran nodded, "I'll tell her when I'm ready."

 
            Eriol stepped away from the door, feeling an aura approach...


            Feimei slightly opened the door, "We'll start packing now!"


            "You'll see us off, right?" Fanren asked.


            "Yeah, don't worry. I'll be GLAD to see you off."


            They pouted.


            "I'm just joking...well, sort of. Just go pack up before you miss your plane." Syaoran waved them toward the door.


            When the last sister was pushed out, Syaoran shut the door, leaning his back against it gratefully. It's been tiring these past few days...VERY tiring...yet his thoughts always wandered...


            ...I wonder how he's doing... Syaoran thought, looking up at the ceiling, letting out a quiet, longing sigh. He pushed himself off the door, ready to collapse on his bed—


            *Knock knock*


            Syaoran frowned as he turned back to the door. He opened the door and blinked—


            A red package of chocolate wrapped with an elegant, transparent gold ribbon was held before his face.


            "For our favorite little brother!" the Li Sisters sang.


            "...your only brother," Syaoran remarked, but he gratefully took the present, "but...what's this for?" he looked at them with suspicion.


            "For just being you!" Shiefa ruffled his hair playfully.


            Waving them off impatiently, Syaoran thanked them and they made their way down the hall again. He closed the door, tossing the package on the table near the sofa. He then flopped on his sofa, completely ready to fall asleep—


            *Knock knock*


            Syaoran cursed under his breath, pushing himself off the couch.


            All right, he loved his sweet (annoying) sisters, but one can only take so much. He growled, making his way toward the door.


            "Look, you guys, this is the LAST time—" Syaoran said as he opened the door all the way and—


            Everything rushed to a blur as Syaoran felt a pair of strong arms fasten themselves around his waist, pulling him close. Who the hell—?!  Syaoran immediately tensed, but he caught a glimpse of the intruder…

Then Syaoran froze at this point…

The raven-blue hair, the mischievous gleam against silver-rimmed spectacles, the porcelain skin, and the unforgettably depthless gray eyes…


            It HAD to be the one and only…


            Eriol caught Syaoran's mouth in a passionate, tender, yet demanding kiss that they both had so desperately craved for. Eriol just realized that two weeks was too long, so a month probably would have killed him.


            Syaoran snaked his arms around Eriol's neck, deepening the kiss even though his lungs were burning for air, and pulled Eriol deeper into the whimsical, yet ardent passion that seemed to overheat both of their internal organs.


            They broke off the kiss that deprived them of air for too long, causing them to be completely breathless and their hearts to be racing at abnormal speed.


            Eriol's eyes narrowed with a smile, "I love the element of surprise...don't you?"


            Syaoran smiled in response. Now he'd have to think of some way to return the favor...





            After unwinding, talking, cooking and eating dinner together, and going through a witty argument that resulted in a...heated 'interval', they both decided to lay back and relax out on the balcony.


            Sitting on the cool concrete, Syaoran had his back against the glass doors of the balcony, his legs stretched out it front of him, crossed at the ankles. Eriol was half-dozing off, his head on Syaoran's lap.


            "Why don't you change?" Syaoran asked, staring down at the head of navy-blue hair that softly gleamed by the moonlight.


            True, Eriol hadn't changed clothes since early morning and he wanted very much to take a shower—but at the moment, just for the whole day or night, he just wanted to be...here.


            "I'll do that later," Eriol remarked, his trademark smile of lovely evilness graced his face, "I'll be taking a shower soon anyway…care to join me?"


            "You hentai!" Syaoran shook his head, softly laughing. Yet…that did sound tempting…


            Syaoran would never admit it openly, but…he was glad to have Eriol home. But he let his curiosity get the best of him…


            "Why did you come back here so early?" Syaoran asked.


            "For you, of course," Eriol answered bluntly. He was never one to beat around the bush when it came to answering questions, "why?"


            Syaoran smiled, "I just wanted to know why, that's all...I was having such a great time without you." He put his hand on Eriol's head, bent down and placed a feather-light kiss on the mage's temple, which contradicted his callous reply.


            Eriol smiled and said teasingly, "Aa, I'm sure. With your sisters."


            Syaoran slightly cringed, "Don't remind me. …Wait…you…saw them?"


            "To be honest, when I was coming in early..." Eriol then confessed to his crime as he stared up at the crescent-moon, "...so, you know..."


            Syaoran covered half his face with his hand, blushing quite a bit, "…how much…did you…how much did you hear?"


            Eriol lifted himself from Syaoran's lap, looking at him with those gray eyes that Syaoran tried not to melt in front of, "I…" Eriol started.


            Syaoran hoped that Eriol wouldn't talk about what he had confessed to his sisters...the mage probably heard everything anyway, but still...it was just too embarrassing!


            "Well, let's just say I heard enough." Eriol smiled.

            Syaoran slightly glared, receiving a smile in response.


            "I didn't know you loved chocolate so much though," Eriol remarked, "If I knew, I would have bought you some everyday for the past two years."


            Syaoran slowly shook his head with a smirk, receiving a curious glance from his navy-haired lover and angel.


            I don't need that. Syaoran thought, a momentary gleam of affection lingered in his stoic, hard eyes. You are my daily chocolate fix, my koibito.


            With that, he reached his hand up, slipping it against the side of Eriol's head till his palm cradled the porcelain cheek and his fingers converging with the silky strands of dark blue hair. Eriol leaned his head against Syaoran's calloused, yet soft and warm hand in response, his eyes slightly closed.

Syaoran leaned forward and took Eriol's mouth in a kiss that proved to be less than innocent and just as purely significant as one of the many kisses Eriol had received from the little wolf. The kisses he could never get enough of.


            Though there was no element of surprise here this time, there were never any surprises at how much Syaoran loved Eriol and, of course, vice-versa of that.



--*-- OWARI --*--



Author's Note:

            Yup, yup, NOW this is finally finished—yes, I am a SLOW writer…I better get cracking on my other chaptered fic "Benevolent Malice" …yes…I confess, I am procrastinating…don't hurt me! ::hides from muse:: I'm starting right away on it! ^_^;

But anyway, I hope this was a better ending than Chapter 5…So…how'd you like it? ^_^; Do I dare to ask?
            Well, all constructive criticisms are gladly accepted! And, of course, reviews as a whole!

            *Claps hands together* I think I may even write a sequel to this!!! …((looks at cranky, fan-wielding muse, who glares dangerously)) …well…we'll have to see… ^_^;

            Thank you for reading this; I really hope you enjoyed it! Please leave a review!