Untitled
Title:
Series: Clamp School Detectives, xxxHolic crossover
Pairing: Nokoru/Suoh
Prompt: Red
Rating: PG
Word Count: 651
He couldn’t remember exactly how he’d gotten here. In fact, he wasn’t even sure where here was. Despite his best efforts to stop and look around, his legs kept carrying him through a stranger’s yard and into their home. Nokoru was able to stop in the doorway, mortified by his rudeness.
“Excuse me! I’m sorry to intrude…” he began, uncertain. A teenage boy came bustling out of a room to his left, holding a tray of food. He came to a halt as he noticed the other boy.
“Hello. You must be looking for Yuuko-san.” He said with a smile.
“Actually, I sort of barged in. I’m not sure-“
“Oh, don’t worry. It happens all the time. It’s not your fault.” The young man assured him.
“Bring our guest to the parlor, Watanuki!” a woman’s voice called out. Deciding he might as well meet the lady of the house, the blonde followed quietly. The room he entered was dimly lit, sweet smelling smoke floating unobtrusively in the air. The teen indicated he take a seat at a small table across from a strikingly beautiful woman. She was elaborately clothed, long black hair set in an elegant coiffure, skin pale like a porcelain doll. Despite all of this it was her mouth he focused on, a slash of bright scarlet against alabaster skin. Bowing, he placed a delicate kiss to the back of her hand before taking a seat.
The woman beamed in genuine amusement before turning to the other teen.
“You see, Watanuki, Imonoyama-sama knows how to treat a lady!” she chortled at him as he flushed.
“I know how to treat ladies!” he snapped at her. “I just don’t see any here!”
The woman only laughed as he stormed away.
“You seem to know me, ma’am, but-“
“Of course, how rude of me!” she interrupted. “Call me Yuuko. Welcome to my shop.”
“I haven’t seen anything for sale.” Nokoru mused, glancing around.
“Mine is a shop that grants wishes.” She replied, resting her chin against her palm.
“The dimensional witch.” He whispered eyes wide and she grinned.
“I have been called that.”
“I don’t know how I got here.” The blonde said after a moment.
“The how is unimportant.” She told him. “It’s the why that matters. As to that, you’re here because you have a wish.”
“I would imagine the price of wish fulfillment would be expensive.” He answered carefully.
“It often is.” She agreed. “As are most things worth having.”
Watanuki unobtrusively placed a cup of steaming tea in front of him and he seized the distraction to gather his thoughts. He was silent for a moment as he fussed with the beverage, careful not to meet the witch’s eyes. She waited patiently and pretended not to notice his hesitation.
“There’s someone I… care deeply for. Most likely, he will die because of me. I can’t allow that to happen.” He said finally, fingers wrapped tightly around the cup.
“Are you prepared to die in his place, if such a thing were to occur?” she asked softly, face free of all emotion.
“Gladly. But I must clarify: he can’t die for me or because of me. This includes taking his own life in connection to my death.”
“Agreed. If the time comes, I will grant your wish Imonoyama Nokoru.”
The blonde nodded, satisfied. They made polite small talk while the youth finished his tea. After Watanuki had seen their guest, he sat with Yuuko at the table.
“What about the other person? How will he feel if that boy dies for him?” he asked, frowning. The witch smiled fondly at the teen, pleased at his question. A few months ago, he wouldn’t have even thought of it.
“That will be his price for living, Watanuki. He’ll live with the pain for rest of his life.”
His frown deepened but he said nothing more. Yuuko quietly sipped her tea.