A Minute To Spare

Touya was wiping down the chrome countertop with a terrycloth rag. Sugar and jelly, among other various sweet substances, stuck to the silver top like sticky gum. Yukito looked on, admiring the way Touya's arms scrubbed the stubborn muck. His arms pushed and pulled, back and forth, until the stains slimmed to dull smudges, and finally returned to its streak-free, silvery glory.

Times like this became more and more frequent, much to Yukito's pleasure. While it was true that Yukito and Touya went to university together and practically lived together, the couple seemed to have less and less precious alone time. The men attended different classes at university, and with Touya's knack for a relentless job habit, the young man always seemed to be working. So Yukito countered that by visiting Touya in the evening at his jobs. He would come in after studying at the library, and wander over to whatever shop or restaurant Touya decided to pick up. Usually, Yukito visited right before closing, so his presence wasn't an inconvenience. Sometimes, Yukito would wait for Touya, and they would walk home together.

It was nice…to have something to look forward to. To have a conversation with a real person. To be seen with someone. Just…nice.

"You okay?" Touya inquired, noticing Yukito's moment of contemplation. His eyes looked to Yuki, even as he rung out the rag and started on a new spot.

"Of course, To-ya. I'm fine," replied Yuki, mustering a shy grin. He really was, though, even amongst daydreaming.

Touya's eyebrow shot up. "Is it…?" said Touya, slower this time, letting the syllables slowly sound off his tongue.

Yukito picked up on the hidden message. "Yue." He completed Touya's question in his own voice. "No, actually, he's sleeping," stated Yuki, keeping a pleasant demeanor and smile on his face. Touya, seemingly satisfied with the answer, went back to wiping the countertop.

It was just an hour short of closing at the confectionery – the chosen place for Touya's job this week. Just a few years ago, Touya would hop from job to job trying to keep guard on Sakura. Now that the Sakura Cards were sealed and no imminent threat seemed present, Touya's job-hopping slowed down quite a bit. Still, something had to pay for his motorbike, and Touya continued to pick up odd jobs, only at a slower pace. And, with Touya being Touya, if he didn't like his employer, he flat out quit, sometimes within hours. Luckily for Yukito, Touya had grown accustomed to the sweet shop, and Yukito was never one to pass on dessert.

"You want something, Yuki?" Touya asked, almost as if he was reading Yukito's mind. The amber-eyed man smiled, pleased that his number one friend had a knack for just knowing these things. "We've got to throw out these petit fours today, anyway," Touya continued. "They're getting stale." Touya removed the tray and placed it on the just-cleaned counter. "Bring some home for us later."

"Thanks, To-ya," replied Yuki. Touya gathered most of the delicate, sugary pastries and plopped them in a brown bag. He set the bag on top of the counter, and began the nightly ritual of closing down.

Yukito looked on as Touya started the process of closing the shop early. "You've still got an hour left, you know," Yukito mused, grabbing the pastry-filled sack and seeking Touya's reaction. Touya shook his head. "Only you, Yukito. No one even comes in the last hour. You know that."

"But still.." responded Yukito. He thought a moment before asking, "Are you sure you still want to come over tonight?"

At this, Touya stopped organizing the baking supplies. "I just gave you a bag of sweets. For later," Touya deadpanned. Much to Yukito's content, a sly little grin appeared on Touya's features. "Am I wanted over?" the young man asked surreptitiously.

As Yuki opened his mouth to respond, the cheery bling-ding-ding of the shop's door sounded. A middle-aged woman walked in with the clear intent of making a purchase. She surpassed Yukito and made her way to the dessert case, eyeing up the delicate confections.

"No one ever comes in, eh?" whispered Yukito, only just loud enough for Touya to hear. Touya rolled his eyes, of course, never one to admit that he was wrong. "I'll see you at my place then," Yukito continued, as equally as secretively, and left Touya to the dessert orders of his female customer.

"You don't wanna wait for me?" Touya called out, even as Yukito approached the door. "I have my bike. You can ride on back."

Yukito waved him off. "I'll walk. And I'll get these to a fridge," he responded, holding up the petit fours. The female customer ignored the exchange, and began rattling off her selection of chocolate tortes to Touya.

The door jingled again as Yukito pushed it to the street. While it was only just evening, the autumn sun had long since settled. Street lights illuminated the quiet road, and Yukito noticed most of the shops in this area were already closed. The light gust ruffled through his hair, and the smell of oncoming winter sulked into Yukito's nostrils.

He passed by Penguin Park as King Penguin sat silently on his throne. The park was empty, and Yukito knew quite well that a path within cut straight through to his neighborhood. With a quickness to his step, Yukito entered the playground and made way to the shaded foliage of the wooded path.

The quiet evening sat still. Calm. Peaceful. As the mini cakes jostled with his every step, Yukito sighed, and let his thoughts wander to Touya's soon-to-be visitation. Yuki smiled as he thought of his number one, and thought of the fun they may have feeding the little cakes to each other.

It was as Yukito entered the tree-lined walking path that he noticed the figure before him, leaning on an old oak, looking out onto the road. It was a man, perhaps a bit older than Touya, dressed in baggy blue jeans and a green hoodie. Despite the shade from the trees, Yukito could see a slim white object sticking out from the man's mouth: an unlit cigarette, hanging from the man's lips. As Yukito approached, the man's focus shifted. His blank stare sought out Yukito, and the man's posture straightened out. Yukito, awkwardly passing the stranger, attempted a casual "good evening" as he continued his plight home.

Perhaps Yukito should have thought nothing of the man - and yet, there was a quick and uneasy sensation that bubbled beneath his skin. In the moment, time seemed to slow its pace. The young man felt a prickling, sixth sense kick in as he stepped out of the man's line of vision. Yuki's neck hairs stood up with unseen tension, but he kept walking.

Out of the dim light, like a nail on a chalkboard, a voice rang out behind Yukito, breaking the calm autumn silence.

"Hey bub," the man called out. Yukito actually stood frozen this time, as if encased in ice. His keen senses did not waver. Slowly, Yukito turned his body just so, eyeing the man with neutrality, and waiting for a response.

"You got a minute to spare?" the man finally called. He took the cigarette from his mouth, twirling it between his fingers. His tongue clicked against his teeth.

"Can I help you?" Yukito asked, trying to sound as calm and nonchalant as possible, despite the eerie feeling creeping into his spine.

"I need a light, bub," the man responded, holding up his cig like it was obvious.

"Oh…" Yuki paid attention to the levels of his voice. "I don't smoke. Sorry." Yukito turned away this time, continuing to walk in the direction of his home. Head down, just go, Yukito thought to himself, not used to such confrontation. He stoically stepped forward.

There was a quick rustle between the bushes, and out of the darkness came another figure – this time in front of Yuki. The man's body, adorned in baggy jeans and a dark sweatjacket like the other one, blocked Yukito's path. "Heyyy," the man drawled, his arms bent and extended like a gorilla ready to pounce. "You bothering my friend here?"

"I'm not," answered Yukito, but his voice lost its brave pitch. His stomach lurched.

This other man took one step closer to Yuki, his black eyes crossing in confusion. "You," he said, his voice betraying anger this time. "You a lady or a man? I ain't never seen a man so pretty before."

Yukito stepped back. "I just want to pass," he stated, knowing very well that he was alone in the darkening evening. "Not here to bother anyone."

The second man barked, a crude attempt to laugh. He craned his neck and eyed Yuki. "I want to see how pretty your money is when I snatch from your cold hands."

There was a rush of air, and WHAM! Something hard and heavy hit Yukito square in the back of the head. Dazed, he raised his arms to cover his head in an instinctive motion; the men must have predicted the move, for Yukito's arms were suddenly thrust upwards, his upper body tight in the first man's nelson.

"Get down. Down," commanded the man, forcing Yukito to his knees. The second man, in front of him still, pulled out a knife from the folds in his jacket. He held it up to Yukito's neck, pushing the cool steel into the skin. Yukito's glasses were knocked off the bridge of his nose, and they made a crunch as they hit the dirt. "You listen, and I don't slit your throat. Got it?" the man gritted between teeth.

Yukito, knocked blind from the blow and frozen in fear, found his mouth to be too dry to answer.

"Search his pockets," said the man holding his arms, "I got this flower tied down."

Yukito remained still as a statue, even as the thug rifled through the folds of his jacket and pants. His upper arms ached within the hold, and he trembled as he felt the stranger's hands violate his space. He stared down into the dusty dirt, all light swallowed up by the darkness, as he mentally pleaded, Close up, Touya. Close up and come home. Look for me. I won't be there. Please… The second man, knife still in one hand, pilfered through Yukito's every pocket, pulling out his belongings.

"Yukito?"

The voice was like lightning, hitting Yukito like a smack in the face. He's almost forgotten his other half as Yue stirred within Yukito's mind. Sweat trickled down Yukito's back as he watched the men empty the bag of petit fours to the dirt.

Yukito felt the guardian quickly shake off sleep. "Who are these men, Yukito? What is happening?"

"I…" Yukito began, but felt Yue tug at his memories before he could answer. It felt like Yue was flipping through a book in his mind, as the events from the last few minutes replayed while the moon guardian watched.

"These men are muggers," Yue said, his voice sharpening. There was an edge leaking from each syllable. "Yukito, you must fight them."

"How? I – I can't even move…" He pushed against his captor's arms, squirming to test the hold.

"Yo!" said the robber, quickly shifting his hand so the knife tip pointed into Yukito's neck. The blade pierced Yukito's skin as he felt a wet drop slide down his throat. "Did I tell ya to move?" He now addressed the accomplice. "Damn. Hold him tighter, you idiot."

The other man adjusted his grip from behind, causing Yukito's neck to strain and forcing him to look upward. The second man removed the knife from his grip, this time putting the blade in his mouth, and focused on emptying Yukito's tight pockets.

"You will not let this happen," Yue said again. "I will not let this happen. These men, Yukito, are hurting you. They are taking advantage of you."

Yukito watched as his yen and ID were shaken out of his wallet.

"It's not in me, Yue. If I comply with these thugs, I won't get beat up too bad…"

"What the hell is this!" Apparently, the mugger wasn't too impressed with his loot. Yukito's eyes darted to the ground. While his vision remained blurry, he saw the outline of his belongings strewn across the dirt. His cell phone and plain brown wallet stood out. The man had emptied it, and was now counting the petty amount of cash, looking disgusted.

"2000 Yen? Are you KIDDING me?" He smashed Yukito's cell phone with his foot in anger. It quickly lit, illuminating the now cracked-and-dirtied screen. Briefly, very briefly, Yukito saw the white box of a text alert, with the words To-ya adorning the top…

"Touya will come looking for me."

"Yukito, you cannot depend on Touya to defend you. Touya will not know where you are. You must fight."

Yukito felt calloused hands on his face as he was forced to look into the eyes of his captor. Rough skin collided with Yuki's soft cheeks and the man drew closer, cigarette and alcohol breath wafting from his mouth.

"You don't even have a CREDIT card, you loser?"

"Yukito, I will fight for you."

"You'll control my body?" Yukito said aloud, not realizing he was addressing Yue's statement to the muggers. The knife-wielding thug took the weapon from his mouth and looked at Yukito in baffled anger. "What the HELL are you talking about?"

Yukito ignored the man's question. He could only think of the time, many months ago, that Yue took control of his body - with the intention of breaking their bond. Yukito has been pushed into the recess of his mind, so far that Yue nearly killed his other half.

Yue's guilt slid into Yukito's mind as the young man thought back to those events. "I promise, Yukito, that I will never hurt ourselves again," Yue pleaded quickly. "You will be aware of everything - every action I complete. Follow my lead. I will fight for you."

Yukito closed his eyes, even as the man ranted about the lack of valuables in Yukito's possession.

"Yukito, the other one is loosening his grip."

The furious mugger let go of Yukito's face as the hold of the other did, indeed, soften.

"In a moment…"

Yukito's anxiety was too much. He sucked in a breath as he felt tendrils of Yue's consciousness push against his skull. "Yue…"

"I will not let them hurt you, Yukito. I am here for you.

Now."

There was a burst of energy as Yukito was forced to open his eyes. There was a tightness around his pupils, and he saw the thug step back, a look of confusion on his face. "What the - yo! His eyes, man! What the hell!" Distracted by Yukito's shift in eye color, Yue flexed Yukito's fingers until he held onto the restrainer. He pulled them apart, stretching the bones so much that the man's knuckles cracked.

"FUCK," the man yelped in pain.

Yukito's shoulders relaxed and Yue completed the escape technique. His body dropped down out of the man's hold and the mugger sucked on his numbed fingers.

"You idiot!" the man in front of Yukito called. He readied the knife and held it above his head, set to slash.

Yukito's features twisted as Yue countered. He grabbed hold of the man's knife-drawn arm, forcing it to stay in the air, as he palm-punched the man straight in the nose with a crack.

"Damn!" the assaulter dropped the knife and grabbed his face in pain. Blood was seeping through his fingers as it gushed from his nose. "Leave the flower! Let's go!" He turned and ran off in the distance.

Yukito could have grinned at the sight of his attacker fleeing. "Distraction," he heard Yue's voice say plainly. Yukito almost asked what the guardian was talking about, but he felt the flex of Yue's control, as his body dropped down into a crouch.

"WHOA!" came the startled cry of the original mugger. Apparently, the man had intended to lunge at Yukito's 'distracted' frame from behind. As Yukito's body ducked, the man tumbled into the dirt.

It was Yue's turn to take advantage of the situation. As the man tried to clumsily collect himself, Yukito jutted his heel into the small of the man's back, much like his counterpart had smashed Yukito's phone, and applied as much pressure as he could muster to the space. Ignoring the mugger's cries of pain, Yue's consciousness seized the man by the hair. The man was forced to turn his head towards Yukito. Anger flooded Yukito's vision as Yue nearly spat their next words.

"You owe me an apology," Yue's cold tone spoke through Yukito's lips. "Call me a flower again, and next time I won't go easy on you."

Yukito, once again, felt a tightness around his eyes as his pupils slit, contracted, and no doubt took on Yue's cooler color. The man nearly gagged, his own face transitioning from fear to shock, and he began to scramble. Dust flew around as the robber kicked his shoes and ran.

They were gone. Yukito was finally safe, and like the deflation of a balloon, Yue retreated into the background of their shared senses.

It was only then that Yukito noticed how very, very dark it was outside. He could barely see the forward path, and the streetlights of the town seemed like tiny, pinholed auras in the distance. As Yue eased back into the recesses of their minds, Yukito suddenly felt exhausted. He involuntarily sank into the ground, clutching dirt and rock in his palms to steady himself. His blood pounded like a drum through his head, and his face was slick with sweat. Yukito labored through each breath as the evening's events replayed like a movie in his head.

Yue was swirling in and out of his mind, his own trepidation and concern building upon Yukito's. "Yukito, are you truly injured?" An odd sensation flooded through Yukito's body - it was as if Yue was feeling for any signs of injury, his consciousness creating a gentle notion of touch all over his body.

"Yue, I…" Yukito began to say, outloud this time. It was unusual for Yukito to speak to Yue so plainly, but there wasn't anyone around to overhear the conversation.

"Yukito, you were able to defend yourself," Yue's words reverberated through Yukito's skull. "You did well."

"It was only…because of you," Yukito whispered into the darkness. "Without you, Yue, I could do nothing." He closed his eyes, grateful to be safe and uninjured. Relief and gratitude flooded through Yukito's body. "I can't find the words to say 'thanks.' Yue…thank you. For protecting me..."

Upon speaking these words, Yue's own emotion rushed through Yukito like a drizzling of summer rain. It is a unique sensation - to be connected in mind and body, and Yukito was able to feel Yue's genuine sensation of sincerity. "It was the very least I can do, Yukito." A warm ray of brotherly affection flared through Yukito's limbs.

A buzzing sound cut through the quiet of the night. Yukito glanced down, now remembering his forgotten cell phone and disheveled belongings. His blurry vision noticed the time on the clock - 21:23 - and realized that Touya would most likely be home and looking for him right now. Yuktito, still dazed and working in slow motion, let the call go to voicemail. There was a moment of silence, and the bzzzzz began right up as Touya called a second time and then a third time.

Yukito remained on the ground in the darkness of the shaded path for a number of minutes. Eventually, a familiar, sputtering sound could be heard in the distance. The sound drew nearer, and nearer, and two spots of white light began to approach Yukito. The light creeped closer, as did the sound, until Yukito could finally make out the two radiant beams of a motorbike.

It was Touya. The young man drove the bike right up the path, obviously on the hunt for Yukito. When Touya was finally near enough, the bike slowed to a stop. Touya threw himself off the bike, not even caring enough to stop the vehicle from teetering into the trail below. He let the engine run, the sound echoing through the hollow trees, as he slid on the dirt, kneeling before his friend to examine him.

Touya immediately grabbed Yukito's face, studying it as disbelief contorted his features. "Yuki! What the hell!" After a moment, he desperately grasped Yukito in a fierce embrace. While Yukito couldn't make out Touya's facial expressions, he noticed that the young man was trembling as he was holding on.

"What happened, Yuki?" Touya began, his voice muffled as he pressed his whole body against the other man, still not letting go. His flurry of questions came tumbling fast out of his lips. "Are you hurt? I was sick, thinking of what may have happened. You didn't come home, and you didn't pick up…" at this, Touya pulled back slightly to study Yukito's self. "Your neck," Touya stated as he gingerly touched the cut from the mugger's knife. Now his eyebrows knitted in concern. "How did this happen?"

Yukito hesitated for just a moment. He brought his own hands up to Touya's, encircling his own fingers around Touya's palms. "I was in trouble, Touya. I decided to walk home through this path and…muggers…" Yukito then let out a quiet chuckle as if he couldn't believe his own story. Then, he added, "But I was okay. It was Yue." Yukito's eyes slowly blinked as the words quietly escaped his lips. Yukito continued, "It was Yue, Touya. He fought for me and…he protected me."

Another warm feeling rushed through Yukito's body, stronger this time too. It was Yue's turn to feel gratitude, and the affection dispelled any fear and coldness that had since settled in during the night's events.

Touya sat back, disbelief plain as day on his features. He opened his mouth to say something, and yet closed it, as if struggling to find the right sentiments. Touya sighed audibly, as if relenting to a certain thought. He began to comb Yukito's ashen hair with his fingers, pausing to brush the strands away from the other man's face. It is then that Touya once again gently grabbed Yukito's face, and looked him straight in the eyes.

Although Yukito's sight was still fuzzy, his vision cleared for just a second. There was a now-familiar sense of tightness that contracted his pupils, signaling that Yue was listening. Touya must have decided on the correct words, and he exhaled a long, drawn breath. His eyes closed as realization set it. "Thank you," Touya quietly but firmly stated. His eyes crinkled as if his repressed emotion pained him to speak. Slowly, deliberately, Touya leaned forward just so, placing a chaste kiss on Yukito's forehead. His lips lingered on the spot for a few seconds before he pulled back, finally opening his eyes. "Thank you, Yue," repeated Touya, this time helping Yukito from the ground.

A ripple of pleasure and embarrassment bubbled within Yukito's consciousness.

The two men collected Yukito's wallet, phone, glasses (which, miraculously, were undamaged) and yen from the dirty walkway. Touya steadied the bike, using the kickstand this time, and supported Yukito as he gingerly hobbled over to the vehicle. Yukito sat first with Touya's assistance, but before hopping on himself, he bent down to retrieve the forgotten knife from the path. Touya studied it for a moment, and finally decided to get rid of it. With a sweeping motion, Touya flung the knife into the trees. It stuck, cleanly inserting itself into the bark of an old oak.

The motorbike's engine revved up as Touya took off, whisking his friend away into the night.

XX

A/N:

If you or someone you love has ever been violated in such a way, know that it is not your fault, and your feelings are valid.

I allude to my story "Reflections" within this piece. It explores the complex relationship between Yukito and Yue.

Dedicated to all the people (especially women and LGTBQ+ friends) who fear walking alone in the middle of the night. May we all one day be able to walk freely, without trepidation.