Author's notes: This is my first CCS story, and I would like to dedicate it to L-chan a.k.a Mellowcandle, a wonderful writer and source of inspiration and encouragement.
Disclaimer: CCS belongs to CLAMP
Rainy Day
The staccato of raindrops upon the sheet-metal roof continued relentlessly with no sign of abating. Tomoyo's shelter, the overhang of a bread shop--closed for the day by now--was shallow, and the streams from above landing against the pavement sprayed cold droplets against uncovered legs. Her handkerchief was soaked through; too small for all the moisture which her drenched uniform had absorbed.
The streets were particularly empty today, an occasional car passing through, a few pedestrians scurrying by, eager to escape the unpleasant rain after a day at work or school and return to the dry warmth of their homes and families. A little girl, no more than five, marched by while holding onto her father's fingers. Secure in a red raincoat and boots and safe under her father's broad umbrella, she steps bravely into every puddle, eager and unafraid. Tomoyo smiled at the pink face under the hood, and receives a happy wave in return, and then father and daughter continued on their way.
Tomoyo shifted, the discomfort of wet garments and seeping cold setting in, and with a meaningful sigh, she lifted her eyes heavenward on this gray Monday afternoon, before a familiar voice turns her head.
"Daidouji."
-----
She's been in this bathroom many times before, on sleepovers and parties. She recognized Sakura's toothbrush standing in her cup—-pink, and Touya's was next to hers, except his cup was green. There were the three towels hanging on the racks, easily identifiable by size and color. The room, a bit steamy after a hot shower, smelled of flower-scented shampoo.
Tomoyo walked out dressed in a set of Sakura's pajamas, one with a plain vine and blossom pattern that Touya left for her as her clothes dried. Her cheeks flushed and the ends of her long lavender strands still dampish from the bath, she followed the sounds of the television into the living room, and found it empty.
"Finished? Have a seat." His voice called out from the kitchen. Tomoyo complied, lowering herself slowly onto the deep sofa facing the television and, after a moment's hesitation, bringing her legs up and wrapping her arms around them, her bare feet depressed into the soft cushion. A minute later, Touya emerged from the adjacent room with a steaming mug in each hand. One he offered to the young girl seated on the sofa, who reached out and carefully took the cup with both hands. "Careful, it's hot."
"Thank you…" Tomoyo replied quietly, as Touya plopped unceremoniously onto the seat beside her, closing his eyes as he stretched back comfortably, giving a low grunt of contentment in the process. "Long day?"
Touya ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, tough customers at the gas station today... and you? Called home yet?" Tomoyo nodded. "Someone coming to pick you up?"
"The driver will come when I'm ready and call her." She wrapped her fingers tightly around the hot mug in her hands. "Mom won't be coming home tonight, so..."
Touya turned to look at Tomoyo as her voice trailed off. "... I see." As he brought up his mug, he noticed that the girl sitting next to him had not touched hers. "It'll get cold if you don't drink it."
"Ah, ok." Blowing on the steaming surface of drink, which smelled richly of milk and vanilla, Tomoyo took a slow sip… and her amethyst eyes widened when the sweet warmth spread through her mouth and down into her body. Drawing the cup away from her lips, she turned to smile at the young man besides her. "It's delicious."
"Milk and honey, my recipe." The corner of his mouth curved upwards slightly. "The vanilla is something new."
Tomoyo looked wonderingly at Touya. "So not even Sakura has had this?"
"Nope."
"Well," Tomoyo took another sip of the drink, her eyelids closing in pleasure as another smile formed on her face. "I'm happy you let me be the first."
Touya stretched his legs out and crossed them, a smile of his own forming. "You're welcome."
Outside, the shower continued and the sound of rain drops, along with the television's volume set to low, created a welcome backdrop to the cozy atmosphere in the living room, where conversation become unnecessary as the two passed the time in the amiable silence of each other's company, waiting for the rest of the family to come home.
-----
When Fujitaka returned at six o'clock that evening, he noticed the strange absence of the smell of cooking. Shedding his suit jacket as he walked into the house, he saw her daughter standing prone, peering intently at something around the corner. Coming up behind her, he inquired. "Sakura, what…"
"Shhhhh!" The young girl replied, turning towards her father with a finger held up in front of her lips before returning her attention to the living room.
Following his daughter's gaze, Fujitaka eyes widened, and then softened at what he saw: On the sofa, Tomoyo's feet were drawn up beneath her and her head rested lightly against Touya's shoulder, whose right arm was draped loosely around her back, his head laid back against the sofa above her thick lavender curls. Both had their eyes closed and were breathing steadily and softly. They were covered in a checkered quilt, and Fujitaka looked down at her daughter inquiringly. Sakura spoke quietly. "I saw them when I came home from practice, and just didn't want to wake them, so... could we...?"
Fujitaka placed his hand on Sakura's head and smiled at her warmly before responding in a similarly hushed tone. "Then I guess we better stay really quiet."
So the two onlookers took their leave, and on the sofa, blissfully comfortable and unaware, Touya and Tomoyo, warmed by the blanket which covered them both and the mutual closeness of each other, dozed quietly to the soft sound of rain outside.
Fin.
Reviews and critiques would be very welcome. Thank you for reading.