Dec. 13th [xxxHOLiC] A Matter of Taste

[lady-kikyou.livejournal.com]

Title: A Matter of Taste
Day/Theme: Dec. 13th - Like toothpaste, smooth and minty
Series: xxxHOLiC
Character/Pairing: Clow Reed x Yuuko Ichihara
Rating: PG 

                 It wasn’t a usual thing for magic users to get sick, especially when they were of such a high caliber like that of Clow and Yuuko. Nonetheless, even the most powerful wizards were still human when things came down to it, and so they were entitled to rare moments of physical vulnerability. That particular occasion had been one of them.

 

The evening had been running smoothly, or at least as smoothly as possible, given the two people involved. Somewhere between sips of alcohol and their friendly banter, Yuuko pushed her half-empty cup away and called it a night, even though she hadn’t drunk nearly as much as she normally would. That was enough to earn a skeptical comment from Clow, and when she did not retort with one of her trademark, snide remarks, his suspicions were confirmed.

 

With a hand on her forehead, he felt her skin slightly warmer than usual, and her facial features, even more pallid than he had ever seen. He was surprised that even in sickness, she still had that much strength as to argue with him when he insisted she had to lie down and rest, but eventually, she conceded defeat and went to her bedroom. That was her only reasonable option, anyway – and the fact that a not-too-pleased Clow had threatened to carry her upstairs in case she didn’t willing comply only sped up the process.

 

“You don’t have to worry so much, you know,” She complained, idly watching as he poured some hot water in a cup. “I’ll be fine in the morning.”

 

“I know you will,” He agreed, too focused on the task at hand to look at her as he spoke. “Are you fine right now, though?”

 

“…I’ve been better.”

 

“Then that is more than enough reason for me to worry.”

 

“Just because I’m not currently alright?” She rolled her yes. “I never knew you could focus so much on the present rather than the future.”

 

This time, he did stop to stare at her. “I see you are feeling better already. You’re being mean.”

 

“That’s what you get for being a freak,” She spared him a cheeky grin in return. “Oh, c’mon, Clow! It’s just a minor fever and nothing more! I’m not even properly sick.”

 

“A fever is merely a symptom,” He stated matter-of-factly, redirecting his attention back to the cup on his lap. “It’s the cause of it that makes me worried.”

 

“You do realize that, whatever it is, it will be gone by the morning, right?”

 

He sighed. “Is it that hard for you to understand that it bothers me to see you like this, Yuuko?”

 

“Aha! So you’re only doing this out of selfishness, instead of genuine concern for poor old me.” She brought the back of one hand to her forehead, in an overly dramatic motion. Really, she knew those weren’t his motives at all, but she could never waste a good opportunity to annoy the man.

 

Clow simply shook his head. He had considered responding to that, but decided against it. He figured Yuuko would only use that as fuel for further dragging that pointless argument, and for that reason, silence was his next best choice. “Here, drink this,” He offered the cup to her.

 

“Poison?” She asked, wearing what could only be considered one of her most cynical smiles. She was pushing his limits, and she liked that.

 

“Medicine,” He corrected, inhaling sharply in order to keep his cool. “It will make you feel better sooner.”

 

“I’d have to be out of my mind as to drink anything you made while thoroughly mad at me, wouldn’t I?”

 

“I’m not mad at you,” He half lied. “And I have no reason to poison your drink, either. I honestly just wish for you to heal, and the fact that you question my motives saddens me.”

 

“Do not go there, Clow,” Yuuko gave him a narrow glare for the unnecessary melodrama act, but when she actually paid attention to his expression and realized how serious he was, she sighed in defeat. “Oh, fine. If you’re going to be all sore about it…”

 

He perked up at her surrender and helped the witch straighten herself in bed, handing over the cup. She made a disgruntled face before ingesting its contents, and her features further contorted once the bitter liquid hit her throat – it didn’t have as bad of a flavor as Eki Kyabe, though that wasn’t much of a pleasant comparison, either.

 

“That has to be one of the most horrible things I’ve ever had to drink in my life,” She grumbled, sinking under her silken sheets.

 

“No medication is good enough unless it tastes awful, you know.”

 

“And that is why I’d rather not have any.”

 

“And that, my dear, is precisely why I have to worry so much,” He chuckled and leaned over so to fix the covers over her body, feeling a light tug on his sleeve before he could stand up again.

 

“Thank you.” She offered a tentative smile. In truth, there were so many more things she wanted to say, but namely she wanted to apologize for her childish behavior. Still, she was too proud for that, and expressing her gratitude would have to suffice for the time being.

 

They locked glances for a moment until he inched closer, taking the initiative; she was faster and pulled him to her, arms tightly snaked around his neck. There was a small bolt when their lips collided, and he had to place one palm on the side of her face so to gently relieve some of the pressure. His kiss tasted of fresh mint liquor, their choice of alcohol for the night, although it was very different from anything she had ever tried. It was unique, much like Clow himself, and it soon became her favorite brand.

 

Once they parted, he took the time to caress her cheekbone in a fond gesture, telling her to take care with a single look and a silent smile. He left her room afterwards and she giggled in contentment, touching the spot where his hand had met her skin – only to find out the fever had already considerably gone down. At this point, a victorious smirk sprouted on her features, at the realization that she not only had outwitted the magician, but also proved his point wrong.

 

                  After all, medicine didn’t always have to taste horrible in order to be effective.