They shared a long silence in the balmy summery air among the scent of sakura blossoms. The phenomenon, even though impossible in the real world, gave this dimension, or wherever they were, a sense of timelessness and mysticism. It felt they could stay here in this place for ages, there was no need to rush explanation.

Watanuki turned to look at him. He looked back, at a loss for words, but this hardly mattered. It was how he normally acted, after all. Watanuki smiled a sweet and knowing smile, a slight sadness behind his eyes.

His heart skipped a beat, and his face showed only a moment's shock, but then returned to his normal pokerfaced demeanor. It wasn't that he meant to hide his feelings, but it was just how he was used to carrying himself. Even though, had he allowed himself to, he would have grabbed him in a big bear hug and confided everything. Like THAT would ever happen. But he couldn't deny he was moved by the sight. However, he still couldn't shake the fear in his heart of what seeing him here now might mean.

"Good evening, Doumeki."

"Good evening, Watanuki."

"In case you're wondering, this place is known as a-"

"-Dreaming Tree." He finished. "I remember my grandfather told me of such spells. I also read about them from his books. So, does this mean you won't be…" He didn't want to finish the sentence.

"I'm afraid so. I can't explain it to you yet because I don't understand why myself. But I have all the time in the world to try now. Surely I'll be able to figure something out. I just know that it won't be easy…until then I won't have the strength to make the leap into your dimension again."

"I see."

Such a plain answer for such a complicated emotion he felt. The worst part – there was nothing he could do. He was powerless. It was all he could do to keep his heart from breaking.

Why his Watanuki had to face all of these preordained and uncontrollable difficulties he couldn't understand. What had he done in some past life to deserve this fate? No one deserved to be this lonely. Maybe that was why he felt this connection to him, especially during what he now understood were his last years on earth, that he knew he must stay by his side. Hitsuzen or not, he wouldn't have it any other way.

And knowing he alone had this existence to share with him for the rest of his life. And maybe that would be enough.

…how he longs to be beneath his Dreaming Tree.

This dream continued to happen almost every night. Doumeki made a point of visiting just to give him company, even though conversations were often scarce. Whether it was from his heart or his duty, he always felt compelled to meet him at the tree where they would sit underneath the branches, watching the mesmerizing petals float and dance in the breeze and disappear into the black void in the distance.

He couldn't put his finger on it, but he could tell that Watanuki had changed. Maybe it was the way he was able to sit in silence with him like this. Compared with how he used to be, one could hardly get him to stop complaining, especially when he was around! He had become serene, whereas inside the shop he had always had an air of depression and sadness, even if he had kept a slice of his sarcasm. But now he could sense a lighter presence, free his gloom…he wondered if this too was due to his situation. He was stuck here, the same as he had been there, but the difference was that he had no risk anymore, no improbability – there was nothing more that could happen to him here. And maybe that in itself was liberating…

But all of this was speculation. It was on such a meeting that he finally decided to ask, "What is being here like for you?"

"It's calm and peaceful, and gives me all the time I want to just think. About what was and to gather clues about what will be." It was then he rose from his position to kneel by his side, where he placed a hand on his shoulder. "I understand why you keep coming here. You and I both know the power of the Dreaming Tree."

As he heard this, he felt something flutter deep inside of him while his skin froze. So this is what he had meant when he asked him that question the first time.

His heart pounded uncontrollably in his chest and his breathing almost became shallow as he looked into his eyes and said, "There's no need to worry about me anymore," with which he gently placed his lips on his. The electric shock swept through both of them simultaneously, and he grabbed Watanuki's shoulders instinctively and held him there. When his constricting heart became too much for him, after seconds that felt like hours, he broke the kiss. After closing his eyes and catching his breath, he took Watanuki's face in his hands. He gently removed his glasses, and kissed him harder and fuller than before.

The warrior in his heart that showed his devotion and courage when protecting him from spirits showed the same caliber of unbridled passion for him now. He could no longer think, and his hands guided themselves about his kimono. Laying him down beneath the Tree, he could hardly believe the sounds Watanuki was making were for him and him alone. The fire in his heart consumed him and he knew he was addicted.

He'd return as long as he was alive, that was for sure.