A/N: Well, here's my first attempt at XxXholic fiction. Let's see whether it'll be my last as well. -.-; This does have spoilers for the newer chapters, but I haven't read the newest chapters (I believe the manga is now at 205 chapters, but I'm not 100 percent sure) so if something is inconsistent to what's out right at this moment, that's why. I'm too lazy right now to actually go and re-check myself, sorry.

So yeah. SPOILERS FOR NEWER CHAPTERS. Just making sure you guys get that just in case you're not up to date and don't like reading author's notes. :) Btw, this story contains hints of 104 (Doumeki/Watanuki shipping just so ya know) and a whole lotta contemplation on Kimihiro's part. Just sayin'. Some people aren't... into that? o.O;

Please enjoy. :)

Disclaimer: Don't own XxXholic, but I do wish I had Clamp here so that they could tell me WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON. I'm so confused at this point, I'm just hoping for a bone. But this is Clamp. I doubt that'll happen anytime soon. -.-;

Title: How Soon is Now?

His eyes were unseeing through the cloud of smoke hanging overhead, the weight of two frail-looking bodies stretched over his legs doing nothing to break his attention away from the tiny swirls of ashen air burning his cerulean-golden eyes.

Putting the pipe down, even as it still burned with a bitter substance that was now a permanent scent onto his body, his gaze closed tiredly before tiny droplets of salty water could escape it.

He was exhausted.

He was weary.

He was still waiting.

"Watanuki…?"

Watanuki Kimihiro, as he is still called, did little to show he was paying attention as a round black mass jumped onto his lap and, for once, did not smile but instead patted its small stomach with enthusiastic vigor.

"Watanuki, I'm hungry…"

"You're a bottomless pit is what you are." Watanuki muttered crossly, distinctly remembering having left the black puff-ball a good deal of food before his lackadaisical session. "Mokona, get off of me. You two, please, my legs are starting to cramp up."

"Aw…" The blue haired girl moaned.

"But we're comfy!" The pink haired girl whined.

"But, but… Watanuki, I'M HUUUNNGGGRY!" Mokona wailed out as the two soulless girls scampered off the wish-granter, eyes now filled with newfound mischief. "Nuki-chan is trying to staaarve meeee!"

"Master…" Moro sang out as she grabbed her sister's hands.

"That's not very kind!" Maru finished, both small girls now skipping about the lounging room as they giggled in childish glee.

Ignoring the wailing Mokona and equally annoying Moro and Maru still jumping up and down in nonsensical patterns, Watanuki slowly made his way into the kitchen, wondering if there was anything within there with which to entertain himself (along with something to stuff within Mokona's mouth).

Another slow-paced day was beginning after all…

Watanuki pretended to ignore the downtrodden look on Mokona's face as he refused to rise to the bait, the smoke from the room still clinging onto his clothes and ageless skin.

"Oi."

Watanuki didn't even flinch as he turned his head, the stoic face never-changing despite the years of age added to it. "If you're looking for food then you'll have to wait. Mokona's already had his fill… which means you'll have to wait for a brand new meal to be made since there's virtually nothing left."

"Hm." Dropping the bags of groceries that had been hanging from his hands, Doumeki Shizuka carelessly shrugged as he made his way into one of the kitchen chairs and stared at the former-spaz-turned-nonchalant-wizard. "I can wait."

Freezing up for just a second at the sound of the word, Watanuki stared down at the dishes he was currently washing. Warm soapy water clung to his fingertips as he pulled his hand up and stared at the wrinkled skin pruned from the overexposure to moisture.

"But for how long though…?"

"What was that?" The archer asked as Watanuki went back to the dishes, already planning the next meal.

"Nothing…"

"You're acting much more spacey than usual." Doumeki quietly complained as they sat out by the veranda, never quite leaving the boundaries of the shop but straying just far enough to be comfortable. "What's the matter with you?"

"I'm surprised you're even asking." Watanuki chuckled, letting the smoke fall from his lips as he stole another exhalation from his pipe. "I'm simply thinking. I have all the time of the world to do so after all."

"Something is bothering you."

"Way to be blunt…" The pale-skinned wizard felt his old self spark at the words, even if this newer, not quite mature self did little to show his annoyance. "Something is always bothering me. You simply need to check what time of day it is to figure out what it could be at that moment."

"Lovely cynicism." The broader of the two shifted his legs as he stared out into the space just beyond the shop, never-ending but still so enclosed. "You're not going to tell me are you?"

"Why tell you when you already know that which I am thinking about?" Watanuki calmly deferred as he leaned against his friend's side and closed eyes. "You simply have to think yourself and I'm sure the answer will come to you…"

A strong arm curled around his shoulders as his words faded into the wind, reminding Watanuki both of time lost and time invariably gained.

This skin, it won't ever age…

Is this how you felt Yuuko?

So lonely even amongst guests?

How long will it be when the only ones to visit this shop will be customers?

They grow older everyday as I stay the same.

Will I have to watch them… die?

Please come back…

Azure and Tawny mismatched eyes kept their gaze onto the floor as the deceptively-youthful looking wizard sat on the queen-sized bed flourished with decorations long since unnecessary. A large chest filled with garish hair-decorations was perched on the farthest wall next to the seemingly-never-ending closet filled to the brim with lavish outfits and neck-breaking heels.

The smell of smoke clung to the room, whether it be Yuuko's mark of Watanuki's, he no longer knew nor cared to know regardless. The comforting scent clung to his nostrils even as the kimono-clad man settled himself over the silky sheets, bitter though distinguishable from all other scents that Watanuki had ever tried to identify.

It screamed Yuuko.

"You need a new hobby."

Watanuki blinked as the stony voice echoed throughout the bedroom, the smell of wilderness and incense eradicating the smoke entirely as the body hanging at the edges of the room quickly made their way to the bed and huddled over the thinner man's lithe form.

The silence that hung over the two was heavy and full of tension; there was no need to ask what was wrong now.

Doumeki knew exactly what was bothering the master of the shop, but knowing and speaking were always two separate things in his mind.

Aging hands settled over Watanuki's bicep, causing him to close his eyes despite himself.

Sleep…

Minutes would eventually accumulate into hours and hours into days…

Weeks, months, years-

Years would continue to pass in a blink of an eye and still he would stay the same.

He barely dreamed anymore…

"Sleep…" Doumeki exhaled into Watanuki's ear.

And when he would awaken, everyone he knew (which didn't amount to much anymore) would be just a few hours closer to their own demise.

I wish I could see you.

If there was ever a time I need your guidance, it was now.

What do I do?

I'm just so tired-

Watanuki said nothing as he closed the paper-thin door behind him, sandals clacking obnoxiously with the wooden floors of the shop.

Misguided eyes stared out into the tranquil setting of the sun, fiery red colliding beautifully with the mellow yellow and burnt orange the sun had to offer. Leaning against one of the poles, Watanuki forced his eyes to remain open and forward.

One day, this would be all he would have left and the ghostly touches and bittersweet smiles within his fading memories would be the only reminder that he had, for a time, not been alone.

Of doing nothing but waiting.