Devoted (Clow and Yue gen)

[storypaint]

Comm: 52_flavours
Words: 295
Title: Devoted
Series: Cardcaptor Sakura
Theme no.: 11. My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?
Character(s)/Pairing: Clow and Yue gen
Rating: G

Disclaimer: Cardcaptor Sakura belongs to CLAMP. All fanfiction archived here is a derivative of canon material that is not my property. I do not profit from these writings. The opinions and actions expressed in these stories are not necessarily the views and beliefs of the original author or me.

Excerpt: Yue wasn't sure how to ask. Clow had been falling asleep at odd hours, resting against his desk, sometimes against a wall. He'd lost a great deal of weight and his robes hung loose on his form.

"Clow?"

Yue's eyes were wide and bright. He pushed his sleeves up again and waited for his creator to respond. Clow snorted and then came awake with a start. He rubbed his eyes and turned, unsurprised to see Yue at his side.

"Yue?"

"Clow-sama, are you... all right?"

Yue wasn't sure how to ask. Clow had been falling asleep at odd hours, resting against his desk, sometimes against a wall. He'd lost a great deal of weight and his robes hung loose on his form. Yuuko wasn't coming to visit anymore. As wary as the witch made him, she at least talked Clow into eating and speaking. His actions were worrying to Yue and Kero.

Clow sighed. "It's complicated, Yue."

"Can I help?" Yue asked, eager. Clow looked for a long moment into eyes wide with devotion. He hadn't intended... he thought sadly for a moment. This would be hard for Yue. Harder, perhaps, than it would be for Clow himself. There was another world Clow had been to once, another world with another Clow who had two sweet children and a white-haired, cat-eyed vizier devoted to his king.

That universe was far away from this one, but Clow blinked and in his head, he heard the vizier's words.

My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?

"You can't help, Yue. Thank you," Clow said, hating the coldness in his voice and the way Yue recoiled.

"If you need me," the moon angel replied, flitting to the door to hide his hurt. Clow didn't turn to look as the door opened and shut again.

"I'm sorry," Clow said, setting quill to parchment again, and he worked until dawn caressed his tired eyes and he drifted off to sleep on his desk.