april kisses

those that cheat death

by: samthegreat

disclaimer: yada yada, blah blah.

Death was something that most people did not think of on a regular basis. For most people, death was a fleeting thought that popped up at the most inopportune times. Death was something that was dreaded and feared, death was something that was resented for doing its job. Doumeki was not among the people who thought that way.

It wasn't something that he avoided vehemently nor was it something he spent hours lulling over. When it entered his mind, he reasoned that it was an important part of life and that it would be something he would deal with when the time came around. When his grandfather died, there was no hysterics from him. He had the sorrow that would accompany anyone who had lost a loved one, but he was not morbid, cynical or depressed about it.

Death was not something that Doumeki would let stain the corners of his world.

As rational as that philosophy was, he found it tested more and more. He found that he could not remain detached when the other was gagging on the remnants of the dead. Since that person had to face death on a daily basis, he found himself doing so as well. Death became less essential, less willing to be accepted. When that person was in the grips of death, he was no longer able to stand aside and allow nature to take its course.

In those situations, he felt his pulse race, his vision blur, his voice crack. When Watanuki was in mortal danger, Doumeki felt his heart break.

This was the reason, he rationalized, why he risked him self for the other so often. The thought of his own death was nothing. His life mattered so little in comparison to the bespectacled boy's. He knew that when he had thoughts like that, he sounded like a love struck fool, but that didn't matter either. All that mattered was Watanuki.

He knew that when all was said and done, it was his choice and his choice alone. The thought of dieing for the shorter boy always brought a sense of calm to Doumeki. It was almost as if he was embracing his hitsuzen when he committed to protecting the boy with the sour face.

Because he loved that sour boy.

"You're daydreaming again. I thought I told you it didn't suit that poker face of yours."

He turned to see the ever suspicious and annoyed face of the one who held his affection. He crossed his arms casually over his chest to keep his heart from beating through it. "I was just thinking about how much of an idiot you are."

"What the hell did you say, you bastard?"

And everything would remain the same between them. He would quietly protect that which he held dear and engage in these petty arguments whenever they were sparked.

"Hey," he looked over at the boy. He had a very serious, almost sad look and his eyes were turned downwards away from the archer.

"Yeah," Doumeki asked in general concern.

"My life isn't more important than yours."

The usual stone face of Doumeki revealed its surprise, "How-?"

Watanuki looked up at the taller boy and closed the space between the two of them. It was quick and shy and so deliciously Watanuki. Doumeki was certain he had cheated death because he felt his heart fail to beat for far too long.

Watanuki smiled lightly at him, "You're surprisingly vocal when you're daydreaming."

The slighter of the two took the taller boy's hand in his own. Okay, maybe things between them would change. But only a little.

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