Disclaimer: I own very little.

Goals

They weren't anything special, really. Just a pair of mittens, hand-knit, obviously made by an amateur despite being quite nicely done. The yarn was soft, though, and they were warm, more so than most gloves bought from an actual store. They also fit his hands perfectly.

Doumeki simply couldn't stop staring at them even as he walked on.

Despite everything, he hadn't really expected to get a pair of his own. Watanuki was just too stubborn, too proud to give in as easily as that. At the very most Doumeki had expected to receive something made of whatever yarn had been left over from the other gloves, a stubborn claim of, "I can too knit" without actually saying the words. Yet not only had Watanuki made the gloves, he'd even gone to the trouble of going out and buying some yarn just for Doumeki's gloves instead of using leftovers.

He'd knit them last, that much Watanuki had made clear. Why last? Because they mattered the least to him, like the older boy had implied? Or because he had knitted so many pair already, had so much practice, that the ones he made last were bound to be the best ones?

If he'd ever asked Watanuki about this, the answer would have doubtlessly been the former – like he'd ever give a moment's thought to Doumeki unless forced to! However, Doumeki was hopeful enough to think it might not be the truth.

Getting an actual, honest answer out of the spazzy boy would be next to impossible, as he well knew by now. All the archer could do was hope – hope and ponder the mystery.

It was really cold now, he noted. Without the gloves his hands would have doubtlessly been frozen stiff with the cold. That would have made it fairly difficult to use his bow accurately. As it was, though, he'd be sure to hit the target if only he got a bow in his hands.

Doumeki knew not why he had received the gloves, not for sure, anyway – was it hurt pride, or actual caring? However, he knew he would keep wearing them, and not only because they had been made and given by Watanuki, whatever his motive.

A moment's difficulty with his bow might make a world of difference. And he wouldn't allow Watanuki to disappear, regardless of price.

Even if he never got Watanuki to himself.