After Acts

Title: Act 302
Author: seizansha
Word Count: 2318
Disclaimer: it's CLAMP's universe, I'm only playing in it.
Warning: it's obviously 104, it's in here after all. There's some steam in this. yeah, finally.

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Scene 1

He dropped the broom at the sight of him.

Watanuki wobbled through the gate, stopping just beside the wall and leaning against it. Resting, Watanuki shook his head briskly before rubbing his back against the wall.

The strange blue slime he was half-covered with would not come off.

Rushing over, he barely caught the relief on his face before he noticed Watanuki was holding his right arm across his stomach. "What's happened?"

"Happening. Damn thing snuck up on me. Barely managed to get here," Watanuki replied as he pushed off the wall. Starting towards the temple, he added, "I hate to drag you into this-"

He grabbed his elbow, "You never have." He tried to turn him to the house, "You should clean up so I can take care of your injuries."

Watanuki tried pulling away only to wobble again, practically falling into his arms. "No, it won't work. We need the well water," Watanuki added wearily.

Realizing the gunk wasn't rubbing off onto him, he turned back to the wall. There wasn't a trace on wall or ground even though both Watanuki's back and feet were covered in it. Slowly helping him behind the temple, the slight numbing tingle caught his attention. "What the...?"

Watanuki only sighed as he leaned back against the well post. "Great, you too," he groaned, knocking the bucket in the water.

Drawing it back as fast as he could, he asked, "So why does it?"

He let his head fall back against the post, "It slowly sucks your power, your life away."

He was glad he hadn't reached for the bucket yet. He had to focus, "Take off your clothes."

"Won't work," Watanuki calmly replied. Taking another a close look, he caught on. No one walked around in a t-shirt and slacks in early December.

He could only hand the bucket over; watching as Watanuki unceremoniously dumped it over his head before tossing it right back down the well. Not taking his eyes off him as he drew it back up, he jumped as Watanuki started tugging at a glob over his stomach. It snapped off just when the bucket cleared the edge. He almost dropped it as Watanuki slid to the ground, trying to nudge another bucket near with his foot.

Carefully setting the well water near him, he quickly got the other bucket. Watanuki smiled weakly as he stretched his legs out in front of him. Setting the glob aside before putting the empty one between his knees, Watanuki carefully poured the water from one bucket to another. As he turned to draw more, he jumped at the splashing. Watanuki had the glob in his left hand, dunking it in and out of the water harshly. After about a dozen times, he finally gave up, just dropping it in, "Probably can't die anyway," he muttered before another bomb of water. "Damn thing deserves it. We wouldn't be here if you'd just sucked it in."

The well bucket splashed, "So it got the pork-bun too. What is this thing?"

Watanuki carefully peeled his glasses off, "I've got no idea. It looks like a bear-frog thing trapped in a jellyfish the size of a house." He tried to wash his glasses before dousing himself again, "It won't talk, grunt, moan, anything. All it does is this," he gestured to the slime, Mokona's bucket.

He only nodded, watching Watanuki as he hauled up more water. One of those slim hands, toughened by years of cooking and cleaning, pressed firmly on his shoulder before slowly stroking down towards his elbow, barely nudging the gunk before it moved back to his shoulder, starting again. Watanuki's other hand landed on his knee, slowly starting down his thigh.

The bucket handle knocking on the rod snapped his attention back. His blush making him even colder, he quickly turned back to Watanuki. The goose bumps and shivering didn't worry him, but his lips taking on a bluish tint did. Putting the bucket beside him again, he knelt down, turning his face to him. Trying to roll the goo from his forehead, he felt like ice, "It's too cold, we have to stop."

Watanuki nodded slightly, not trying to pull away from his touch, "It's not helping with the slime much... but I don't feel so woozy anymore."

He wasn't sure what compelled him to do it, the ladle was right there. He suddenly cupped his hands and scooped some water, holding it between them. Just staring at his hands, wondering why he'd done it, he would have spilled it if Watanuki hadn't put his hands beneath his own. Tearing his gaze up, he could only marvel at those blue eyes, the emotions flashing within them as Watanuki slowly raised their hands.

He jumped again as he felt his warm breath brush across his hands, his eyes instantly falling to Watanuki's lips as they pursed slightly. The tips of his fingers resting gently on top of Watanuki's chin, a different shiver ran up his spine as he felt Watanuki's lower lip contract as he pressed against his fingers, slowly tipping their hands downward as he barely leaned over them. He got lost in the feel of those full lips against any part of his body, entranced as he watched the water slowly sucked away, the drops that escaped between his fingers and his cheeks running down his chin, his neck. He couldn't help licking his lips, the heat rising within him as his longing to capture those drops grew.

Watanuki slowly pulled their hands away and turned to him with a blush. He easily caught the surprise on his face as his longing took over. A single drop still hung to Watanuki's bottom lip. Finally moving again, he suddenly took his face in his hands. Reacting before he could, he slowly kissed away the water, gently sucking Watanuki's bottom lip between his own before barely pulling back.

The surprise in Watanuki's eyes grew tinged with fear and tinted with longing. All he could do was watch, waiting anxiously for his reaction. Those piercing blue eyes slowly lowered, his gaze tracing down his face. He unconsciously licked his lips again as he felt Watanuki's stare, the heat building between them, drawing them together, their breaths ghosting over each other.

The sudden splash pulled them apart as the bucket between Watanuki's knees started rocking. Quickly pulling Mokona from the water, both men jumped when they found that one foot, an arm, and the earring had the slime blistering off. Leaving Watanuki peeling the pork-bun like an orange, he went inside.

Scene 2

"Damn, idiot!" Dômeki roared as he tried to get around the monster. Reaching over his shoulder, he suddenly yelled at him, trying to snap him out of his trance, "Catch!"

"Mokona's not a ball!!!" the pork-bun screamed as he barely missed the creature's beak, slipping through the tentacles.

"You dumbass!" he yelled back as his circle flared briefly, Mokona smacking against it like a wall-crawler, flipping and hanging upside down.

The mega-jellyfish stopped before turning to its new target.

"Get ready!" he yelled at them.

Scene 3

"You're just damn lucky Mokona doesn't suppress my powers anymore," he muttered as they limped into the house.

He couldn't help the smirk as he tried to start towards the bathroom. "We got rid of it. It doesn't matter how."

"When I get slimed again and you don't even get a scuff it does!" Watanuki growled as he just stood there.

Mokona hopped off his head to Watanuki's shoulder, "You told me to look after Papa," he pouted. Instantly switching gears, the pork-bun cheered, "I need a drink!"

"Me too." Watanuki's sigh surprised him. He only chuckled, "Couple of years of this and you get why Yûko drinks. I'm not a letch like they are, but at times like this..."

Watanuki jumped as he stiffened up, "I don't have any."

Suddenly all he saw were two beady eyes, "Gin... scotch... vodka... wine... sake... beer..." he just kept shaking his head as Mokona kept listing, "Cough syrup?!?"

He barely caught the pork-bun as it fainted.

Watanuki just shook his head at him, "Surprised he didn't ask for cooking sherry." Turning exhausted eyes at him, he smiled softly, "Tea'd be fine too."

That gaze worried him, "Are you sure? Is it safe to wait?"

Watanuki barely nodded before pulling away, starting down the narrow hallway to the kitchen. "Yeah. I've been after that thing since four a.m. I'm just tired."

"It's almost noon..." he worried, starting after him. "You said it takes your power..."

"Slowly," Watanuki added as they stepped in the kitchen. "It's not as bad as before, it'll be okay," he soothed as he stopped by the stove.

Watanuki pulled out the tea box, so he filled up the kettle, setting Mokona in the dish rack. Putting the kettle on, he turned to find Watanuki pulling out the tea set. "Would you like something to eat?" he was surprised his worry brought out his manners.

Watanuki only looked over his shoulder, "No, not right now. Maybe after I clean up."

Neither man moved; looked at each other. The significance of today was weighing heavy on both of them.

He could still...

But would he let him?

The whistling snapped them out of their thoughts. Quickly stepping up, he caught Watanuki's wrist before he took the handle. "Look."

The slime was shrinking in the steam.

Scene 4

The different size buckets only added to the awkwardness.

He'd set up the bathroom for a good long steam while Watanuki prepared the tea. He'd gotten frustrated at his eagerness as they just stood in the kitchen. He did chuckle at Watanuki's sudden "Screw it," before he downed his tea and left the room. He'd sat opposite the bathroom door and listened for any hint of trouble.

The rustle of fabric made a new uneasiness in him.

The pork-bun peeked out the door just as Watanuki had called out, saying he'd need some well water after all.

Now here he was, at his bathroom door with seven gallons of well water, afraid to move. He took a deep breath, "Watanuki, I'm coming in," he announced as he touched the door.

If it weren't for the blue sludge, he'd think he was dreaming.

Watanuki sat with the shower bench against the wall, completely leaning back, his face turned to the dry showerhead. It looked like the towel was wrapped around his waist after he'd sat. He could only watch as Watanuki slowly rolled his head towards him. "I don't think I need that much. I can't get it out of my hair."

His words snapped him back to the room. As he brought the buckets over, he almost smiled. It looked like he was wearing a rubber beret - it barely covered the top of his head to his left, his right side it was down to his ear. He nodded as he set the buckets down, filling the rinsing bowl.

Watanuki didn't move; he didn't offer.

He stepped in front of him, slowly reaching forward, gently pouring bowl after bowl over his head. Nothing was said, as he finished pouring the next one Watanuki sat up, away from the wall and quietly took the bowl from his hands. His eyes still closed, he marveled at the serene look on his face. He couldn't believe how badly his hands were shaking as he gradually raised them again. Those smooth cheeks under his fingertips soothed his nerves, but the slime stopped his fingers.

It felt like egg whites, but he wasn't gonna let it ruin the mood, the moment.

Gently cupping his face in his hands, he slowly stroked Watanuki's hair. Watanuki was right before, it was rolling up like rubber cement. Barely pressing, he carefully, methodically rolled the slime across his head. Each inch he'd uncovered he gently fingered through, getting small groans and hums from Watanuki. Not even bothering, he took the bowl as Watanuki offered it, carefully rinsing the rescued locks, then again, trying to use the flow to help move it. Still not one word as the bowl was passed back.

The slow, soft strokes only drew more humming and groaning from Watanuki. The softness, the movements, the sounds were slowly drawing him closer and closer. He smiled at the tiny furrow between his eyebrows, the way the muscles around his eyes showed off the hints of pain it was causing him. Those lips were the real lure; the slight pouts at the groans, the near smiles during the hums.

Breaths brushing each other made his hands stop, his eyes open. Those bottomless blues just stared in wonder at the smoldering desire on his face. His right hand slid across his head til he was holding his face in his hands. Those eyes never wavered as he just held him. He just watched Watanuki, waiting for anything, good or bad. A slow blink, his eyes barely opening up kick-started it.

Watanuki leaned in even as he pulled him close, their lips pressing quickly, parting, and pulling at each other. His hands slid from his cheeks over his ears, suddenly cupping the back of his head. Desperately trying to get closer, Watanuki stretching, arching his back to him was not nearly enough. Falling to his knees, one hand clung to his neck as he coaxed Watanuki into deepening the kiss, tongues slithering against each other. His left hand slid quickly down Watanuki's shoulder, his arm, trying to pull him closer.

And suddenly everything stopped.

He quickly turned away, snapping his eyes shut in fear. Standing, he turned back to find Watanuki wilting, unwilling to look at him. Not sure what this meant and too scared to ask, he turned to leave.

Forcing his grip to let go, Watanuki suddenly took his hand. Turning back, he barely caught the quiver in his voice, "I'm sorry."