Understanding

Watanuki and Doumeki were currently walking toward the bath. Their yukatas flapped slightly as they walked and they each had a bucket with their shampoo, soap, etc. in their arms.

Yuuko had sent Watanuki here to recuperate from a supernatural encounter that left him drained physically and psychically, and sent Doumeki to make sure he did that. Watanuki was a little miffed that the archer was here, like he couldn't take care of himself. He didn't voice his opinions out loud though, at least not very loud, like usual. Lately he'd been thinking things through a little more. Doumeki always stuck his neck out for him and did his best to protect Watanuki whether he wanted him to or not. Doumeki's lack of manners was annoying, but he was always there to help him when he needed it. With that in mind Watanuki tried to give him some slack.

They reached the changing room and disrobed. Getting into the bathing area, Watanuki looked around, admiring the scenery. There were in a pretty remote onsen in the mountains that Yuuko claimed have special restorative powers. There were plenty of boulders and rocks to sit on and hide behind as well as plenty of trees to act as a screen. All in all in was very nice.

They began to wash, Doumeki finishing quickly and hopping in the hot water, Watanuki a bit slower. He'd washed most of this body but he tired easily and was currently trying to reach his back, only his tired arms didn't seem to want to reach that far. Doumeki saw him struggling so got out to help him. Watanuki heard the splash of water as Doumeki got out but didn’t think anything of it and kept his back turned, but when he felt the wash cloth pulled from his grasp, he started to protest. Before he could get anything out of his mouth, Doumeki told him to shut up and just accept help when he needed it. Watanuki's protests died on his lips and he slumped forward, allowing Doumeki to scrub his back, being too tired to argue. Even though it was embarrassing, it was kind of relaxing; the even rhythm of Doumeki’s arm as he ran the cloth over Watanuki’s skin. After Doumeki rinsed the soap off Watanuki's back he began to wash Watanuki's hair and Watanuki quietly sat there, almost nodding off.

"Close your eyes," Doumeki warned him. Watanuki did as advised and Doumeki dumped the water over his head to rinse the shampoo out. Now that they were both cleaned and washed they got into the hot spring. It felt wonderful to relax and let the hot water wash over them, soothing away aches and pains and releasing the tension in muscles. As a result Watanuki started dozing off again, his head nodding every now and then. Doumeki noticed and slid over next to him, pulling Watanuki to his right side.

Watanuki started up, surprised, "What are you doing?" and tried to push away.

"You're going to fall asleep so just lean on my shoulder."

"I'm fine. I don't need you to hold my hand as if I were some kid," still weakly struggling.

"Stop being so stubborn. You're tired so just lean on me so I won't have to worry about you slipping under the water."

Watanuki looked sulkily at Doumeki, then sighed loudly, crossing his arms. "Fine." He let Doumeki put his arm back around his shoulder, though he blushed, and leaned into him. He had to admit; it was kind of nice. He was so used to standing on his own and doing things for himself, that he didn't realize how nice it was to have someone take care of him and hold him. Just as he was dozing off and his arms slipped to his lap, he felt a hand gently stroke his cheek. He wasn't really surprised, but just looked up questioningly at Doumeki. When he looked into his eyes, he saw everything the boy wanted to say to him but never could. He felt like he'd been deaf this entire time and now he was really listening to the stoic boy and realized Doumeki cared for him, a lot. He reached his hand up tentatively to touch his cheek; Doumeki was still stroking his. At some point, Doumeki closed the distance between their lips. Watanuki merely closed his eyes, tilting his head slightly and pressing firmer. It never even occurred to him that this is something he would normally never even think of, much less do. His hand slid into Doumeki's wet hair while Doumeki's hand slipped down his neck to his shoulder down his back. This caused a ripple of pleasure down Watanuki’s bare back, causing his to arch closer. Doumeki’s other arm joined the first around Watanuki's waist and pulled him closer, causing a searing heat to flare up in Watanuki's body. He wrapped his other arm around Doumeki's neck, pressing closer and kissing harder. Their mouths slid open, tongues flicking out to touch the others'. Doumeki moved his tongue langorously in and out of Watanuki's mouth, causing the pale boy to moan and pull himself closer. They continued to kiss, oblivious to their surroundings, tongues dancing together and hands roaming. Doumeki grabbed Watanuki's outer thigh, pulling him sideways onto his lap. Watanuki merely responded by shifting to make himself more comfortable and trying to suck Doumeki's breath away. When Doumeki's hand brushed against Watanuki's rapidly hardening member, he gasped, pulling his mouth away with a shuddering breath. Emboldened by Watanuki's reaction, Doumeki gripped his manhood more firmly, stroking to bring out Watanuki's pleasure. Watanuki arched his back, moaning wantonly, panting, only wanting the torturous pleasure to continue. His own cock neglected, Doumeki grabbed one of Watanuki's hand and placed it on his member.

"Touch mine too." Watanuki wanted to glare at him but only started stroking when Doumeki leaned forward to kiss him again. Their tongues mimicked their hands' action going in and out as their hands went up and down. It wasn't long before it became too much and they came, sticky seed coating their hands and bodies. They sat there for a moment, content, clinging to each other, waiting for their breaths and heart rates to return to normal.

Watanuki's eyes were just drifting shut when Doumeki cleared his throat. "We should probably rinse this off and go back to the room." Watanuki only nodded dumbly. With Doumeki's help they both cleaned up and made it back to the room in their yukatas once more. The futons had already been laid out by their hostess so Doumeki gently lay Watanuki down on one. He hesitated, unsure whether he'd be allowed to share the futon with Watanuki or if he should lay on his own.. Watanuki made the decision for him when he pulled Doumeki down beside him, then promptly curled up against him and fell asleep. Watanuki must be feeling good, acting like this, Doumeki smirked a bit, then wrapped his arms around the weaker boy and fell asleep himself.

Later, Watanuki awoke to find himself wrapped in a pair of muscular arms. He froze, his memory not caught up to current events. When it came back to him, he blushed to the roots of his hair, remembering their tryst in the bath. He felt more than heard Doumeki's deep breaths and Watanuki placed his hand on the chest in front of him, managing to overcome his embarrassment. He gently slipped it inside the yukata and slid it along the smooth skin, feeling for his heartbeat. The steady thump-thump relaxed him and he snuggled his face into that strong chest. He was only just now realizing how stubborn he'd been this whole time; Doumeki had only ever tried to protect him.

Suddenly he felt the arms around him tighten; he looked up into Doumeki's face. It was dark so he couldn't see much but he could see the reflection of moonlight in his opened eyes. Doumeki hesitantly placed his hand on Watanuki's cheek as if he was afraid that he was going to recoil or push him away. Watanuki merely allowed the touch, still looking into Doumeki's eyes. When he realized Watanuki wasn't going to reject him, he rubbed his thumb over Watanuki's cheekbone, relishing in the sigh Watanuki unconsciously gave. He leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss to Watanuki's lips. He pulled back, looking into Watanuki's eyes, both as if searching the other's soul. This time they both leaned toward the other for a kiss. At first lingeringly, then deepening, while Watanuki slipped an arm around Doumeki's neck pulling him impossibly closer. Doumeki rolled them so Watanuki was beneath him and only kissed him more fervently. Watanuki kissed back just as fervently, running his fingers through Doumeki's short dark hair and slightly tugging on it. He felt Doumeki's knee press between his legs and he parted them, feeling his yukata slip about his thighs. Doumeki brought their bodies flush together until Watanuki could feel his manhood press against his own through the thin material of the yukata. Slowly grinding their hips, swallowing Watanuki's seductive moans, Doumeki's hands began searching for their belts and untied them, parting their yukatas and allowing their bare skin to make contact. Trailing kisses down Watanuki's pale throat, Doumeki allowed his hands to wander Watanuki's sensitive chest, pausing to brush his nipples more firmly. He continued his kisses to Watanuki’s chest, pausing at his nipples once more to lap at them. Watanuki only arched into the touch, moaning for more while clutching Doumeki's head to that nipple. Doumeki's hand moved down to the only barrier between them now: their underwear. He massaged Watanuki through his boxer-briefs, making Watanuki thrust his hips into that touch. Later, while his fingers slipped into Watanuki's underwear to grasp his hard member, his tongue moved to the other nipple to lave attention on it as well. Watanuki didn't know whether to arch his back or thrust his hips, merely able to moan and clutch at Doumeki. Soon Doumeki took pity on him and removed both their underwear, Watanuki lifting his hips to help. Bringing their bodies flush again, Doumeki started a rhythm of rocking his hips that Watanuki soon matched. Doumeki was leaning on one elbow, using his other hand to bring more friction to their cocks. For Watanuki, the pleasure, seeing and feeling Doumeki above him, from his body to his hands, to his yukata spread to cover them both, was all so much. Their pants, Doumeki's grunts and Watanuki's moans soon filled the room. Leaning down to kiss Watanuki, alternating between his lips, face, and neck, Watanuki could only wrap his arms around Doumeki's neck as his legs wrapped around the taller boy's hips, locking behind his back. They continue to rock together, pleasure pooling in their bellies until it exploded, both arching their backs and groaning deep.

When they fell back to earth they once again clung to each other, not wanting their intimacy to end. They managed to find a towel to clean the evidence of their passion, then retied their yukatas before falling back asleep in each other’s arms.

Things would change for them from now on. They weren’t alone now, though they never truly had been. It took this for them to realize just how close they really were.