Inescapable [xxxHOLiC | Doumeki/Watanuki | NC-17]
Title: Inescapable
Author: worblehat
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: None, it's just kind of long...
Word Count: 4,909
Summary: xxxHolic, Doumeki/Watanuki: collars - the worst wish ever.
A/N: Self-beta'd and two days late, my bad. [Got lazy about the editing.]
"Watanuki~!"
He knew it. Right when he heard that tone - he knew he was about to endure something annoying. The giggle that followed meant it would probably be with that idiot Doumeki.
"What," he asked flatly, looking around the entrance to the kitchen. He could see Yuuko from here, sipping at her sake, rosy-cheeked and looking completely mischievous.
He really hated that look.
A lot.
"What?!" he repeated, unnerved when she did nothing but smile at him.
"I have an assignment for you~" she cooed.
"I'm cooking," he said, annoyed.
"You're almost done, aren't you?"
"That's- I have to still put it on plates! And get you another bottle of sake! And-"
"Mokona did that for you!" said Mokona, bouncing happily. A white bottle of sake teetered unevenly on her head. Yuuko plucked it off and put it on the floor next to her.
"See? All taken care of," she said, continuing with that same smile. In her hand, she held a small object; what it was, Watanuki couldn't see. It looked like a box, but before he could look, the thing was shoved beneath the table. "Promise me you'll go, Watanuki."
"Go where?" he asked, feeling anxious.
"Promise me."
"How can I promise if I don't know what you want?!"
"Don't you trust me by now, Watanuki~?"
"No!"
Yuuko pretended to look hurt.
"I know you too well for that!" raged Watanuki, already taking off his apron and folding it neatly. The plates had been set out, as had the glasses. His cheeks blazed red - partly from standing over the stove for so long; partly out of complete annoyance.
He yanked the box out from under the table and stomped towards the door.
"I thought you weren't going?" asked Yuuko innocently.
Watanuki muttered something she didn't hear.
"Don't you at least want to know where you're headed?" she asked once he had his shoes on.
Reaching forward, he grabbed the door knob and tugged it open. "Doumeki's! Where else would you be sending me this time of night?" he answered before stepping out, the door rattling angrily behind him.
After a brief bout of silence, Yuuko turned to Mokona.
"Watanuki's getting smarter," she said.
"Mokona thinks he's still pretty stupid in a lot of ways."
Yuuko laughed, eyes now trained on the door. "I wonder if he suspects just what's in that box." She smiled. "I wonder if Doumeki even knows."
♂♂
"Open up, jerk!"
Doumeki looked to his side, where Watanuki was all but tearing down the entire temple. "Oi. I'm over here, stupid."
Watanuki's hand paused mid-air. At Doumeki's voice, it quickly balled into a fist. He stomped towards the other boy, obviously pissed. How dare stupid Doumeki be somewhere other than where he was expected to be past nine in the evening?!
"What are you doing out here?!" he demanded.
Doumeki held out the broom in his hands. "Sweeping."
"Why now?!"
"It was dirty."
"But it's late!"
Doumeki shrugged.
"Don't just shrug at me!" cried Watanuki. He clutched the box angrily in his hands, then remembered that he didn't normally carry boxes around with him and thrust it out at Doumeki. "HERE!"
Doumeki looked at him quizzically.
"Just open it!"
"Why?"
"What do you mean, WHY?! Because I said to!"
Doumeki shook the box next to his ear, then held it in both hands. "Do you know what's in here?"
"WHY WOULD I KNOW? Yuuko sent it!"
"... Yuuko sent it."
"YES!"
"And you want me to open it?"
"YES!!"
"No."
"WHAT?!?!?"
Watanuki was at his wits' end now. This just wasn't fair. He'd already had to walk over here, at night, when all kinds of weird things could try to kill him. Not only that, it was to see Doumeki, who was the most annoying thing to ever walk the planet. And now he didn't even want to complete the errand Yuuko had sent him on?
"No," repeated Doumeki.
"Why not?!"
Doumeki merely watched him.
"What is it?! Stop staring at me like I'm stupid!"
"You are."
"AUGHHHHH!!" cried Watanuki, lunging forward to try and choke every last breath out of Doumeki.
One hand was enough to stop Watanuki's efforts. Doumeki held him in place, then looked at the box. "Has Yuuko ever sent something that wasn't partly harmful?"
"... Well-"
"I don't want to open it," said Doumeki, giving the box back to him.
Watanuki stared blankly. It wasn't like the big oaf didn't have a good point - but this was his job! Even if it was weird, and even if it nearly killed him sometimes, he'd agreed to do the tasks set forth. He wasn't about to break his word now.
"Fine," he said, glaring. "I'll open it."
Doumeki's usually stoic look changed quickly. "Watanuki, don't-!"
He lunged, falling on top of Watanuki. The box skidded out of their hands, falling on its side and popping open. Both raised themselves up enough to peer inside.
Doumeki was the first to reach in, dragging out the circular shape. "I don't have a dog," he said, holding the collar in one hand.
Watanuki couldn't do anything but stare - first at the collar, then at Doumeki; then at the collar again.
Why had this been what Yuuko had sent him to give Doumeki? Was there perhaps some sort of monster coming along that would try to eat Watanuki, and Doumeki would keep it as a pet? Watanuki shuddered. It wasn't an entirely improbable course of events.
"Oi."
"My name's not Oi!"
"It says your name inside." Doumeki handed the collar to him.
"I don't have a dog..." said Watanuki, dumbfounded. His name was, indeed, transcribed into the back of the collar. He looked at it in confusion, barely noticing when Doumeki reached into the box one more time, producing a card. Doumeki frowned, and Watanuki looked up. "What?"
"Read it," he said, holding up the card.
For Doumeki-kun.
"Huh?" It was Watanuki's turn to frown. "But it has my name inside. So how can it be for you?" He took the card from Doumeki, wondering if there was any other clue inside: there was nothing. The box proved to be equally unhelpful.
He looked up at Doumeki. "What do you think it- Doumeki?"
"... Ah."
Something felt off. Watanuki was used to - hated, but was used to - Doumeki's simple grunts. This one seemed to have a lot more foreboding than any of the other ones he'd heard.
"What... What is it?" asked Watanuki, feeling the need to back away quickly all of a sudden. An arm on his shoulder stopped him.
"I think..."
"That's a start," snorted Watanuki. The hand on his arm tightened painfully and he winced, then tried to hit it with the collar.
"Watanuki."
"What? Let go of me, will you?!"
"Do you like me?"
Watanuki stared again. Was it possible for Doumeki to get even stupider than he already was?
"No!"
"A crush?"
"What?"
Doumeki seemed a little perplexed (as much as it was possible for him to look so, anyway). "A crush on me."
"... You've reached a new low."
"Is that a no?"
"Of course it's a no!" said Watanuki, irritated. "Who would have a crush on you when they could leave room in their heart for someone as beautiful as Himawari-chan~?"
"But you won't end up with her," said Doumeki, deep in thought.
"Ha!" Watanuki pointed a finger at him with his non-captive hand. "You're obviously the one who has a crush on me!" He beamed.
"Hm."
The world stopped, crashed a little bit, and then, begrudgingly, kept going. Watanuki, however, had frozen mentally. "Hm" wasn't "no" or "definitely not" or "shut up, oi." He kept his gaze far, far away from Doumeki's eyes.
This was too weird.
"This is weird," said Doumeki, echoing his thoughts and making him jump. He let go of Watanuki's hands, thumbing the card that was now in his own. "I didn't ask her for anything..."
"S-Sure you didn't," stammered Watanuki. He stepped back when he realised Doumeki was scrutinising him. "Hey! I didn't do it!"
"Hm," Doumeki said again.
"Stop 'hm'ing!" yelled Watanuki. He dropped the collar on the floor, stomped it once for good measure, and turned to leave. "I did what I came here to do, so I'm leaving!"
Two steps were all he managed before a leaden weight settled on his shoulders, holding him firmly. When he looked over, he saw it was just Doumeki's hands, and grumbled internally at the other boy's brute strength. It really just wasn't fair, any of this.
"You're forgetting something," said Doumeki. His hands moved quickly and Watanuki felt a slight choke, a slight tug on his windpipes before the leather settled into place.
"What-?"
"You can go now."
"... Did you just put a collar on me?" asked Watanuki quietly.
"Yes."
He turned around. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
"Using my present."
"Who said it was a present?" Watanuki tugged at the collar, trying to undo it. He'd seen the design briefly before shoving it at Doumeki earlier. It was simple, like a buckle. Yet, for whatever reason, he was unable to remove it.
He glared at Doumeki.
"Help me take this off."
"No."
"I said, help me-"
"I said no."
"I heard what you said!" Watanuki shook his fist at Doumeki. "Do you want me to punch you in the face?"
"Pets don't do that."
"I'm not your pet!"
Doumeki's face contorted, and it was only a few seconds later that Watanuki realised he was smirking. "Yuuko thinks you are."
"Who cares what she thinks!"
"Isn't she your employer?"
"Not right now, she's not!"
"Hm."
"Stop doing that!"
Doumeki stepped closer, making Watanuki's heart pound. He didn't want it to pound, but it was, and his face was even warmer - in a different way. In fact, it was the same kind of warm that being around Himawari incited-
It's got to be the collar, he thought to himself, trying to dodge Doumeki's grip. It's making me slower than usual...
He squirmed when the big, solid hands wrapped around his middle, tugging him backward, into Doumeki's arms.
For seconds that felt like hours, Doumeki did nothing but hold him still. Watanuki wanted to move or to cry or pull away, but there was something about being in Doumeki's arms that was annoyingly comforting right then. He remained silent, waiting for an opportunity to release himself from the confines of the archer's grip.
His eyes closed when thin fingers combed through his hair. He hadn't even realised he'd lost to the feeling - a small, purr-like sound escaping his lips as Doumeki continued. The urge to curl up against his chest was growing stronger, his heart rate slowing to a lazy yet steady beat-
"NO!"
"Watanuki?" Doumeki's hold loosened. He was blinking at Watanuki, who had just scratched hard against his cheek. His features echoed surprise but no anger, which in turn surprised Watanuki. Instead of saying so, he made to scratch again, growling when Doumeki caught his arm.
"I want this collar off!" he yelled.
Doumeki tugged at Watanuki's sleeve until they were face to face. His hand went to the collar, which looked ordinary - and maybe that's what made it the most threatening in the end. He knew that if Yuuko sent it, there was probably a reason behind it that would not be easily ignored. Someone had to have wished for this to happen. All he knew is it hadn't been him, and he was fairly certain it wasn't Watanuki. And while Yuuko loved to tease Watanuki (not that Doumeki could blame her - at least for that much), he didn't think she would go to these lengths to embarrass him.
So whom did that leave?
"... Ah."
Watanuki looked up. "Did you figure something out?"
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
"... Well?"
Watanuki flinched when Doumeki's callused palm rested against his cheek, caressing it in a way that he judged to be very un-Doumeki-like.
"W-What are you doing?" he stammered. The fact that Doumeki had gone from resistant to strangely attentive was disconcerting.
"Thinking."
"Yeah, right," snorted Watanuki. His cheeks darkened when the caressing lowered to his neck. Doumeki's hands were surprisingly soft as they massaged up and down in short but effective strokes. If it had been anyone else, Watanuki might have leaned into the touch. Instead he glared. "Stop touching me like that!"
Doumeki stopped, but left his hand where it was. "Why?"
Watanuki blinked. "What a dumb question! What do you mean, why? Because that's not how guys touch each other!"
"How do they touch each other?" came Yuuko's voice from behind.
Watanuki flailed as he struggled to turn around. Doumeki's hand dropped to his sides, a slight but noticeable frown on his face.
"I wouldn't know!" said Watanuki, his hands balled into fists. This night had been way too confusing, and he really wanted it to end already.
Yuuko laughed. When she noticed Doumeki's glance in her direction, she smiled. "How are you liking your present?"
Doumeki shrugged.
"Watanki-kun," she cooed. "Are you behaving yourself like a good pet?"
"I'M NOT A PET!"
"Is he housebroken yet?" she asked, ignoring Watanuki.
"He's just a stray I picked up."
"HEY-!"
"Maybe you should have him put down. He seems vicious," said Yuuko, her smile widening.
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!"
"Have you figured out who the wish is from yet?" asked Yuuko.
"Yes."
"And?"
Doumeki seemed to be thinking; he grabbed at Watanuki's collar. "I want to return it."
Yuuko sighed. "I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Why?"
"Because, the wish must be granted," said Yuuko, a definite, visible twinkle in her eye.
"..."
"What? What's the wish?!" Watanuki interjected when neither of them had spoken. The rest of what he was going to say was cut off as Doumeki tugged on the collar, dragging him towards the house. "Wait-!"
"Have fun, Doumeki-kun~!"
♂♂
"What was that about?!" screeched Watanuki. "What are you going to have fun doing? Why am I in a collar? Why- ouch!"
He'd been thrown down on top of Doumeki's bed, one of his feet landing against the floor with a harsh thud. Watanuki leaned forward to rub the feeling back into it but was promptly pushed back, Doumeki's hand heavy at his chest, pinning him down.
"What do you think you're-?"
"Shh."
"I won't shh!"
Doumeki looked temporarily annoyed - but then his face was inches away from Watanuki's and it was impossible to tell what he looked like; especially when his lips pressed against Watanuki's mouth.
It wasn't fair, really, that Doumeki was a good kisser. It was just another thing that Doumeki was better at- No! thought Watanuki desperately. He's not better! I don't know why the heck he's kissing me, but if it's going to be like that, I'll show him how it's done!
Doumeki grunted when he felt Watanuki's tongue trying to push its way between his lips. What is that idiot doing? he wondered. If there was no way to get out of doing this with Watanuki, that was one thing; why Watanuki seemed to be getting into it was another. Perhaps he'd made the wish after all?
Either way, it wasn't something Doumeki had factored into his initial plan of get-it-over-with-and-then-kick-him-out-with-no-explanation-because-that's-Yuuko's-responsibility. He couldn't say he'd really ever thought of Watanuki like this, but if he had, this was a lot more intense than anything he would have imagined. If Watanuki kept this up, Doumeki might actually enjoy the experience a little bit.
Watanuki grinned triumphantly when Doumeki's lips parted just enough to allow the tips of their tongues to slide against each other. Slowly, Doumeki drew Watanuki into his mouth, tongues meeting half-awkwardly. He could feel Doumeki's heat above him, their chests parallel; Doumeki's shirt drooping downwards towards him, the edge resting lightly on his navel. His heart beat faster at the realisation of how close they were just as Doumeki's tongue dipped against his own, causing a reaction in Watanuki that made him freeze up.
He reached up and pushed Doumeki off. The other boy seemed to be taken by surprise and sat back for a few seconds, staring at him. And was it just Watanuki's imagination, or was the big jerk's face flushed?
"Just what are you doing?" he nearly screamed.
"Kissing back."
"I know that!"
"Then why'd you ask? Idiot."
"Shut up!" He pointed an accusing finger. "You're not supposed to kiss back! I'm the one in charge of the kiss!"
Doumeki looked at him.
"I... I mean." Watanuki faltered. Whatever had happened, it seemed to be going at Doumeki's pace instead of his own. More than that, he felt really confused. Was the collar affecting his emotions? His body? He didn't know anymore. Even when he'd been thinking about Himawari, his body hadn't behaved like this. He knew what was supposed to happen when a boy liked a girl, and he liked Himawari a lot... his thoughts just hadn't arrived at this stage yet.
Whereas now, with Doumeki staring at him like that, his body had all but raced to get close and touch and rub and all kinds of verbs that made Watanuki blush to think about. He wanted to figure it out, and fast: to find a reason why his body was betraying him like this; but was too afraid of what he might find out in the process. Instead, he did his best to block it out of his mind, trying to get his legs to cooperate and move so he could sprint out of the house and back to relative normality. It was only when he looked down that he realised why he was having such trouble accomplishing this: Doumeki was straddling him, that same hand pushing him back towards the bed.
"Wait-!"
Doumeki paused.
"I-! ... I don't know," said Watanuki, feeling more nervous the closer Doumeki's face began to come to his own. Were they going to kiss again?! Watanuki wanted to - and not just because it felt good (though that helped): he felt like he could trust Doumeki with this, somehow. He wasn't even sure what this was, but just as he knew that Doumeki was the biggest jerk he'd ever met, he also knew that Doumeki knew how to handle almost anything he came across. Including his first time.
"Is this really what you want to do?" Watanuki asked finally.
Doumeki seemed taken aback at the question, the stoic look on his face tinged with a hint of perplexed thoughts going on beneath the surface. He looked down at Watanuki's mouth, then reached up, almost as an afterthought, and removed Watanuki's glasses from his face. Leaning forward, his breath warmed Watanuki's lips; his face slowly coming into focus for Watanuki, who's eyes were wide.
"Yes."
Watanuki closed his eyes, the collar tightening around his neck as his body warmed beneath Doumeki, whose kissing had slid from gentle to more dominating. After what seemed like 10 or 15 minutes of kissing, Doumeki's hand slid beneath Watanuki's shirt, touching the skin; then pulled away. Watanuki wanted to ask what was going on but his unasked question was answered moments later when Doumeki's fingers began undoing the buttons of his shirt. His palm seemed smoother against Watanuki's front, a movement which caused Watanuki's body to raise unconsciously. Doumeki pushed down against the faint hardness which rubbed against his thigh. The realisation that Doumeki was also erect made Watanuki want to die a little inside.
He felt extremely embarrassed, and while the knowledge that he wasn't the only one reacting this much to the situation should have been comforting, instead it was worrying. He had no idea what was supposed to happen now. For the most part, he was following Doumeki's lead with this; the other part being instinctual. But his instincts, while hard to ignore, kept leading him into certain danger when it came to things like ghosts. Maybe it was natural, in the end, to feel hesitant.
As if sensing this, or that something was wrong, Doumeki's hand slid up, gentle against his cheek. His fingertips slid around Watanuki's ear and into his hair as he shifted his body, cock rubbing down against Watanuki's through their pants. Watanuki moaned, then half-gasped (it was hard to do much of anything with his mouth when Doumeki was so occupied within it). He sure as hell hadn't meant to make a sound like that.
His embarrassment immediatley doubled.
Doumeki, on the other hand, didn't appear disturbed by the events at all; nor did he seem emblazoned with passion. He was methodical and a type of slow-fast that worked up Watanuki's body patiently, tantalising and touching and just being near and close in a way that left Watanuki's nerves screaming for something more. The only betrayal of Doumeki's nervousness was in his heartbeat, which had not only matched but surpassed Watanuki's own as he slowly undid the buttons and flys on both their pants.
It was an awkward few moments when he pulled back enough to remove Watanuki's pants and kick his way out of his own. He lay back on top of Watanuki as he slowly lowered his cock onto Watanuki's stomach. He pushed down, watching Watanuki's face. When he saw shock, bordering on horror, he lowered his head until their lips were touching; one hand reaching for Watanuki's own and guiding it haphazardly to his dick. It took a few strokes before he was able to let go, Watanuki slowly building up a rhythm that made Doumeki grunt. His own hand reached down and did the same for Watanuki, who shook almost violently after the first three strokes.
Doumeki pulled back, looking at him for several seconds without speaking.
"... That was fast."
Even in the dark, Watanuki could see the thin film of white along his palm and fingers. "Sh-Shut up! I didn't think you were going to-! I was surprised!"
"Hm."
"I said, shut up!"
Doumeki frowned. "You're noisy."
Before Watanuki could protest with more than a "hey-!" he found himself on his stomach, Doumeki nearly-flat against his back; his cock rubbing between his cheeks.
"... You are not putting that in me," he said flatly, his protective instincts kicking in. The haze of his orgasm made it difficult to concentrate. Doumeki's scent was beginning to flood his senses and Watanuki groaned inwardly at the fact that his body was now associating this release with how Doumeki smelled and hoped like hell he'd be able to forget it before school tomorrow.
He yelped when Doumeki kneeled, his knee gently pushing his legs apart. "Wait, I just said-"
His legs were slowly pushed together again, Doumeki's cock heavy and hard between his thighs. "Don't move," came the low voice above Watanuki, making his stomach contract in surprise. Maybe it was the fact that they weren't facing each other, but with Douemki's voice against his ear, he sounded different. There was a breathy quality to it - one of a restrained anticipation. The words settled against Watanuki's neck and he felt a quick, anticipatory chill.
Doumeki slid himself in-between, his thrusts increasing in speed, balls warm as they slammed against the back of Watanuki's thighs, whose eyes remained unfocused on a spot at the edge of the room, his whole body attuned to the movements of Doumeki's body against him. And when he felt a small tug on his collar, he let out a low, gutteral hiss of Doumeki's name. Warmth - wet and a little sticky - spilled against him, Doumeki's thrusts growing slower. The archer swore, which surprised Watanuki; then he was off of him, reaching for a towel that Watanuki hadn't even noticed earlier.
He took it awkwardly as it was offered to him with an outstretched hand, and did his best not to look at Doumeki while wiping away the evidence of what they'd just done together. If he'd thought the other boy had looked flushed before, it was nothing in comparison to now, where his body shone with a light film of sweat, lips parted as he struggled to regain his breathing; cheeks noticeably red in the otherwise-dark room.
When he was done he handed the towel back to Doumeki, who grunted and used the unused corner to clean himself off before getting dressed again. Watanuki knew he should probably do the same but his body wouldn't move. It was starting to get cold sitting on top of the covers with nothing on but a shirt, but his body was too warm, too comfortable to do anything but stay where it was.
"You'll catch cold," said Doumeki, chucking Watanuki's pants at him.
Watanuki looked down. Pants were beyond him at the moment.
"... Idiot." He kneeled down, retrieved the pants, and slowly worked them back onto Watanuki.
There was a small click and the collar dropped to the bed.
Watanuki and Doumeki looked at each other.
♂♂
"What's under your shirt, Watanuki?" asked Himawari curiously.
"N-Nothing!" he answered, backing away.
"It looks interesting," she said, taking a step closer.
"I- I have to go!"
♂♂
"I didn't think you would still be wearing that," said Yuuko over his shoulder.
"It... didn't come off," said Watanuki evasively.
Yuuko smiled and poked Watanuki's cheek. "It should have once the wish was fulfilled."
"Well... it wasn't." Watanuki batted her hand away. "What was the wish, anyway?"
"For you and Doumeki-kun to become very good friends."
"Good friends?" repeated Watanuki with a disgusted face. It was true that he and Doumeki had had sex. And it was true that he was still begrudgingly wearing the collar (even Doumeki hadn't formally asked him to, though Watanuki had noticed the hint of a smile when Doumeki first saw it). It was also true that he and Doumeki had continued having sex in the past two weeks since that first time. But being friends? That was out of the question.
"Doumeki-kun seems to be content," remarked Yuuko.
"It's not because we're friends!"
"Oh~? Then why is it?"
"Because- Shut up!" Watanuki frowned. Something was struggling to swim from his subconscious to his consciousness. Something about the way the wish had been phrased sounded a little too familiar. In fact, it almost sounded like- "... Oh my god."
"I guess by that horrified look on your face, you've figured out the originator of the wish."
"Why would she want us to- to... " Watanuki blushed, then came to and shrank to the floor, his head in his hands.
"The collar was my idea," said Yuuko proudly.
"What?"
"Doumeki mentioned wanting to get a dog, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone!"
"... I'm leaving!" declared Watanuki, rising and stomping off.
"Say hello to Doumeki for me~!"
Watanuki froze; even from 30 feet away, Yuuko could see his ears turning red. "SHUT UP!"
♂♂
"Oi. I'm busy."
"I don't care, let me in."
Doumeki stood aside as an agitated Watanuki pushed by him and sat down with a thud on his bed.
"You're still wearing it."
Watanuki tugged the collar off.
"Idiot."
"I'm tired of everything going according to Yuuko's plans! And I don't want to be friends with you!"
Doumeki kneeled on the bed. "Watanuki."
"What?!"
His hands were warm as he slid the collar back around Watanuki's neck.
Watanuki looked back at him. Time seemed to shift and change, and a scary picture of two grey-haired men walking hand in hand to go grocery shopping flitted through his mind.
Was fate so inescapable?
Doumeki's hand was soft on his knee - not kneading or touching, but just there. Watanuki sighed, annoyed with his immediate rise in comfort at the contact.
"Play dead."
Watanuki blinked. Confusion quickly turned to anger as he noticed what looked very much like a smirk gracing Doumeki's lips.
"I'm not your pet!" he spat, his anger mounting.
"But you're wearing a collar."
"Shut up!"
"So loud."
"I'm leaving!"
Doumeki laughed; and it occured to Watanuki that he'd never heard the sound before. He had a brief moment of feeling like the heroine of a shoujo manga, the sound of Doumeki's laugh shooting straight to his heart, which throbbed with an anxious and confused longing. Doumeki came closer and Watanuki pouted emphatically, prepared to hit him.
Stupid fate, he thought to himself as Doumeki's lips pressed to his temple, his eyes closing in acceptance.
Author: worblehat
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: None, it's just kind of long...
Word Count: 4,909
Summary: xxxHolic, Doumeki/Watanuki: collars - the worst wish ever.
A/N: Self-beta'd and two days late, my bad. [Got lazy about the editing.]
"Watanuki~!"
He knew it. Right when he heard that tone - he knew he was about to endure something annoying. The giggle that followed meant it would probably be with that idiot Doumeki.
"What," he asked flatly, looking around the entrance to the kitchen. He could see Yuuko from here, sipping at her sake, rosy-cheeked and looking completely mischievous.
He really hated that look.
A lot.
"What?!" he repeated, unnerved when she did nothing but smile at him.
"I have an assignment for you~" she cooed.
"I'm cooking," he said, annoyed.
"You're almost done, aren't you?"
"That's- I have to still put it on plates! And get you another bottle of sake! And-"
"Mokona did that for you!" said Mokona, bouncing happily. A white bottle of sake teetered unevenly on her head. Yuuko plucked it off and put it on the floor next to her.
"See? All taken care of," she said, continuing with that same smile. In her hand, she held a small object; what it was, Watanuki couldn't see. It looked like a box, but before he could look, the thing was shoved beneath the table. "Promise me you'll go, Watanuki."
"Go where?" he asked, feeling anxious.
"Promise me."
"How can I promise if I don't know what you want?!"
"Don't you trust me by now, Watanuki~?"
"No!"
Yuuko pretended to look hurt.
"I know you too well for that!" raged Watanuki, already taking off his apron and folding it neatly. The plates had been set out, as had the glasses. His cheeks blazed red - partly from standing over the stove for so long; partly out of complete annoyance.
He yanked the box out from under the table and stomped towards the door.
"I thought you weren't going?" asked Yuuko innocently.
Watanuki muttered something she didn't hear.
"Don't you at least want to know where you're headed?" she asked once he had his shoes on.
Reaching forward, he grabbed the door knob and tugged it open. "Doumeki's! Where else would you be sending me this time of night?" he answered before stepping out, the door rattling angrily behind him.
After a brief bout of silence, Yuuko turned to Mokona.
"Watanuki's getting smarter," she said.
"Mokona thinks he's still pretty stupid in a lot of ways."
Yuuko laughed, eyes now trained on the door. "I wonder if he suspects just what's in that box." She smiled. "I wonder if Doumeki even knows."
♂♂
"Open up, jerk!"
Doumeki looked to his side, where Watanuki was all but tearing down the entire temple. "Oi. I'm over here, stupid."
Watanuki's hand paused mid-air. At Doumeki's voice, it quickly balled into a fist. He stomped towards the other boy, obviously pissed. How dare stupid Doumeki be somewhere other than where he was expected to be past nine in the evening?!
"What are you doing out here?!" he demanded.
Doumeki held out the broom in his hands. "Sweeping."
"Why now?!"
"It was dirty."
"But it's late!"
Doumeki shrugged.
"Don't just shrug at me!" cried Watanuki. He clutched the box angrily in his hands, then remembered that he didn't normally carry boxes around with him and thrust it out at Doumeki. "HERE!"
Doumeki looked at him quizzically.
"Just open it!"
"Why?"
"What do you mean, WHY?! Because I said to!"
Doumeki shook the box next to his ear, then held it in both hands. "Do you know what's in here?"
"WHY WOULD I KNOW? Yuuko sent it!"
"... Yuuko sent it."
"YES!"
"And you want me to open it?"
"YES!!"
"No."
"WHAT?!?!?"
Watanuki was at his wits' end now. This just wasn't fair. He'd already had to walk over here, at night, when all kinds of weird things could try to kill him. Not only that, it was to see Doumeki, who was the most annoying thing to ever walk the planet. And now he didn't even want to complete the errand Yuuko had sent him on?
"No," repeated Doumeki.
"Why not?!"
Doumeki merely watched him.
"What is it?! Stop staring at me like I'm stupid!"
"You are."
"AUGHHHHH!!" cried Watanuki, lunging forward to try and choke every last breath out of Doumeki.
One hand was enough to stop Watanuki's efforts. Doumeki held him in place, then looked at the box. "Has Yuuko ever sent something that wasn't partly harmful?"
"... Well-"
"I don't want to open it," said Doumeki, giving the box back to him.
Watanuki stared blankly. It wasn't like the big oaf didn't have a good point - but this was his job! Even if it was weird, and even if it nearly killed him sometimes, he'd agreed to do the tasks set forth. He wasn't about to break his word now.
"Fine," he said, glaring. "I'll open it."
Doumeki's usually stoic look changed quickly. "Watanuki, don't-!"
He lunged, falling on top of Watanuki. The box skidded out of their hands, falling on its side and popping open. Both raised themselves up enough to peer inside.
Doumeki was the first to reach in, dragging out the circular shape. "I don't have a dog," he said, holding the collar in one hand.
Watanuki couldn't do anything but stare - first at the collar, then at Doumeki; then at the collar again.
Why had this been what Yuuko had sent him to give Doumeki? Was there perhaps some sort of monster coming along that would try to eat Watanuki, and Doumeki would keep it as a pet? Watanuki shuddered. It wasn't an entirely improbable course of events.
"Oi."
"My name's not Oi!"
"It says your name inside." Doumeki handed the collar to him.
"I don't have a dog..." said Watanuki, dumbfounded. His name was, indeed, transcribed into the back of the collar. He looked at it in confusion, barely noticing when Doumeki reached into the box one more time, producing a card. Doumeki frowned, and Watanuki looked up. "What?"
"Read it," he said, holding up the card.
For Doumeki-kun.
"Huh?" It was Watanuki's turn to frown. "But it has my name inside. So how can it be for you?" He took the card from Doumeki, wondering if there was any other clue inside: there was nothing. The box proved to be equally unhelpful.
He looked up at Doumeki. "What do you think it- Doumeki?"
"... Ah."
Something felt off. Watanuki was used to - hated, but was used to - Doumeki's simple grunts. This one seemed to have a lot more foreboding than any of the other ones he'd heard.
"What... What is it?" asked Watanuki, feeling the need to back away quickly all of a sudden. An arm on his shoulder stopped him.
"I think..."
"That's a start," snorted Watanuki. The hand on his arm tightened painfully and he winced, then tried to hit it with the collar.
"Watanuki."
"What? Let go of me, will you?!"
"Do you like me?"
Watanuki stared again. Was it possible for Doumeki to get even stupider than he already was?
"No!"
"A crush?"
"What?"
Doumeki seemed a little perplexed (as much as it was possible for him to look so, anyway). "A crush on me."
"... You've reached a new low."
"Is that a no?"
"Of course it's a no!" said Watanuki, irritated. "Who would have a crush on you when they could leave room in their heart for someone as beautiful as Himawari-chan~?"
"But you won't end up with her," said Doumeki, deep in thought.
"Ha!" Watanuki pointed a finger at him with his non-captive hand. "You're obviously the one who has a crush on me!" He beamed.
"Hm."
The world stopped, crashed a little bit, and then, begrudgingly, kept going. Watanuki, however, had frozen mentally. "Hm" wasn't "no" or "definitely not" or "shut up, oi." He kept his gaze far, far away from Doumeki's eyes.
This was too weird.
"This is weird," said Doumeki, echoing his thoughts and making him jump. He let go of Watanuki's hands, thumbing the card that was now in his own. "I didn't ask her for anything..."
"S-Sure you didn't," stammered Watanuki. He stepped back when he realised Doumeki was scrutinising him. "Hey! I didn't do it!"
"Hm," Doumeki said again.
"Stop 'hm'ing!" yelled Watanuki. He dropped the collar on the floor, stomped it once for good measure, and turned to leave. "I did what I came here to do, so I'm leaving!"
Two steps were all he managed before a leaden weight settled on his shoulders, holding him firmly. When he looked over, he saw it was just Doumeki's hands, and grumbled internally at the other boy's brute strength. It really just wasn't fair, any of this.
"You're forgetting something," said Doumeki. His hands moved quickly and Watanuki felt a slight choke, a slight tug on his windpipes before the leather settled into place.
"What-?"
"You can go now."
"... Did you just put a collar on me?" asked Watanuki quietly.
"Yes."
He turned around. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!"
"Using my present."
"Who said it was a present?" Watanuki tugged at the collar, trying to undo it. He'd seen the design briefly before shoving it at Doumeki earlier. It was simple, like a buckle. Yet, for whatever reason, he was unable to remove it.
He glared at Doumeki.
"Help me take this off."
"No."
"I said, help me-"
"I said no."
"I heard what you said!" Watanuki shook his fist at Doumeki. "Do you want me to punch you in the face?"
"Pets don't do that."
"I'm not your pet!"
Doumeki's face contorted, and it was only a few seconds later that Watanuki realised he was smirking. "Yuuko thinks you are."
"Who cares what she thinks!"
"Isn't she your employer?"
"Not right now, she's not!"
"Hm."
"Stop doing that!"
Doumeki stepped closer, making Watanuki's heart pound. He didn't want it to pound, but it was, and his face was even warmer - in a different way. In fact, it was the same kind of warm that being around Himawari incited-
It's got to be the collar, he thought to himself, trying to dodge Doumeki's grip. It's making me slower than usual...
He squirmed when the big, solid hands wrapped around his middle, tugging him backward, into Doumeki's arms.
For seconds that felt like hours, Doumeki did nothing but hold him still. Watanuki wanted to move or to cry or pull away, but there was something about being in Doumeki's arms that was annoyingly comforting right then. He remained silent, waiting for an opportunity to release himself from the confines of the archer's grip.
His eyes closed when thin fingers combed through his hair. He hadn't even realised he'd lost to the feeling - a small, purr-like sound escaping his lips as Doumeki continued. The urge to curl up against his chest was growing stronger, his heart rate slowing to a lazy yet steady beat-
"NO!"
"Watanuki?" Doumeki's hold loosened. He was blinking at Watanuki, who had just scratched hard against his cheek. His features echoed surprise but no anger, which in turn surprised Watanuki. Instead of saying so, he made to scratch again, growling when Doumeki caught his arm.
"I want this collar off!" he yelled.
Doumeki tugged at Watanuki's sleeve until they were face to face. His hand went to the collar, which looked ordinary - and maybe that's what made it the most threatening in the end. He knew that if Yuuko sent it, there was probably a reason behind it that would not be easily ignored. Someone had to have wished for this to happen. All he knew is it hadn't been him, and he was fairly certain it wasn't Watanuki. And while Yuuko loved to tease Watanuki (not that Doumeki could blame her - at least for that much), he didn't think she would go to these lengths to embarrass him.
So whom did that leave?
"... Ah."
Watanuki looked up. "Did you figure something out?"
"Yes."
"..."
"..."
"... Well?"
Watanuki flinched when Doumeki's callused palm rested against his cheek, caressing it in a way that he judged to be very un-Doumeki-like.
"W-What are you doing?" he stammered. The fact that Doumeki had gone from resistant to strangely attentive was disconcerting.
"Thinking."
"Yeah, right," snorted Watanuki. His cheeks darkened when the caressing lowered to his neck. Doumeki's hands were surprisingly soft as they massaged up and down in short but effective strokes. If it had been anyone else, Watanuki might have leaned into the touch. Instead he glared. "Stop touching me like that!"
Doumeki stopped, but left his hand where it was. "Why?"
Watanuki blinked. "What a dumb question! What do you mean, why? Because that's not how guys touch each other!"
"How do they touch each other?" came Yuuko's voice from behind.
Watanuki flailed as he struggled to turn around. Doumeki's hand dropped to his sides, a slight but noticeable frown on his face.
"I wouldn't know!" said Watanuki, his hands balled into fists. This night had been way too confusing, and he really wanted it to end already.
Yuuko laughed. When she noticed Doumeki's glance in her direction, she smiled. "How are you liking your present?"
Doumeki shrugged.
"Watanki-kun," she cooed. "Are you behaving yourself like a good pet?"
"I'M NOT A PET!"
"Is he housebroken yet?" she asked, ignoring Watanuki.
"He's just a stray I picked up."
"HEY-!"
"Maybe you should have him put down. He seems vicious," said Yuuko, her smile widening.
"Stop talking about me like I'm not here!"
"Have you figured out who the wish is from yet?" asked Yuuko.
"Yes."
"And?"
Doumeki seemed to be thinking; he grabbed at Watanuki's collar. "I want to return it."
Yuuko sighed. "I'm afraid that's not possible."
"Why?"
"Because, the wish must be granted," said Yuuko, a definite, visible twinkle in her eye.
"..."
"What? What's the wish?!" Watanuki interjected when neither of them had spoken. The rest of what he was going to say was cut off as Doumeki tugged on the collar, dragging him towards the house. "Wait-!"
"Have fun, Doumeki-kun~!"
♂♂
"What was that about?!" screeched Watanuki. "What are you going to have fun doing? Why am I in a collar? Why- ouch!"
He'd been thrown down on top of Doumeki's bed, one of his feet landing against the floor with a harsh thud. Watanuki leaned forward to rub the feeling back into it but was promptly pushed back, Doumeki's hand heavy at his chest, pinning him down.
"What do you think you're-?"
"Shh."
"I won't shh!"
Doumeki looked temporarily annoyed - but then his face was inches away from Watanuki's and it was impossible to tell what he looked like; especially when his lips pressed against Watanuki's mouth.
It wasn't fair, really, that Doumeki was a good kisser. It was just another thing that Doumeki was better at- No! thought Watanuki desperately. He's not better! I don't know why the heck he's kissing me, but if it's going to be like that, I'll show him how it's done!
Doumeki grunted when he felt Watanuki's tongue trying to push its way between his lips. What is that idiot doing? he wondered. If there was no way to get out of doing this with Watanuki, that was one thing; why Watanuki seemed to be getting into it was another. Perhaps he'd made the wish after all?
Either way, it wasn't something Doumeki had factored into his initial plan of get-it-over-with-and-then-kick-him-out-with-no-explanation-because-that's-Yuuko's-responsibility. He couldn't say he'd really ever thought of Watanuki like this, but if he had, this was a lot more intense than anything he would have imagined. If Watanuki kept this up, Doumeki might actually enjoy the experience a little bit.
Watanuki grinned triumphantly when Doumeki's lips parted just enough to allow the tips of their tongues to slide against each other. Slowly, Doumeki drew Watanuki into his mouth, tongues meeting half-awkwardly. He could feel Doumeki's heat above him, their chests parallel; Doumeki's shirt drooping downwards towards him, the edge resting lightly on his navel. His heart beat faster at the realisation of how close they were just as Doumeki's tongue dipped against his own, causing a reaction in Watanuki that made him freeze up.
He reached up and pushed Doumeki off. The other boy seemed to be taken by surprise and sat back for a few seconds, staring at him. And was it just Watanuki's imagination, or was the big jerk's face flushed?
"Just what are you doing?" he nearly screamed.
"Kissing back."
"I know that!"
"Then why'd you ask? Idiot."
"Shut up!" He pointed an accusing finger. "You're not supposed to kiss back! I'm the one in charge of the kiss!"
Doumeki looked at him.
"I... I mean." Watanuki faltered. Whatever had happened, it seemed to be going at Doumeki's pace instead of his own. More than that, he felt really confused. Was the collar affecting his emotions? His body? He didn't know anymore. Even when he'd been thinking about Himawari, his body hadn't behaved like this. He knew what was supposed to happen when a boy liked a girl, and he liked Himawari a lot... his thoughts just hadn't arrived at this stage yet.
Whereas now, with Doumeki staring at him like that, his body had all but raced to get close and touch and rub and all kinds of verbs that made Watanuki blush to think about. He wanted to figure it out, and fast: to find a reason why his body was betraying him like this; but was too afraid of what he might find out in the process. Instead, he did his best to block it out of his mind, trying to get his legs to cooperate and move so he could sprint out of the house and back to relative normality. It was only when he looked down that he realised why he was having such trouble accomplishing this: Doumeki was straddling him, that same hand pushing him back towards the bed.
"Wait-!"
Doumeki paused.
"I-! ... I don't know," said Watanuki, feeling more nervous the closer Doumeki's face began to come to his own. Were they going to kiss again?! Watanuki wanted to - and not just because it felt good (though that helped): he felt like he could trust Doumeki with this, somehow. He wasn't even sure what this was, but just as he knew that Doumeki was the biggest jerk he'd ever met, he also knew that Doumeki knew how to handle almost anything he came across. Including his first time.
"Is this really what you want to do?" Watanuki asked finally.
Doumeki seemed taken aback at the question, the stoic look on his face tinged with a hint of perplexed thoughts going on beneath the surface. He looked down at Watanuki's mouth, then reached up, almost as an afterthought, and removed Watanuki's glasses from his face. Leaning forward, his breath warmed Watanuki's lips; his face slowly coming into focus for Watanuki, who's eyes were wide.
"Yes."
Watanuki closed his eyes, the collar tightening around his neck as his body warmed beneath Doumeki, whose kissing had slid from gentle to more dominating. After what seemed like 10 or 15 minutes of kissing, Doumeki's hand slid beneath Watanuki's shirt, touching the skin; then pulled away. Watanuki wanted to ask what was going on but his unasked question was answered moments later when Doumeki's fingers began undoing the buttons of his shirt. His palm seemed smoother against Watanuki's front, a movement which caused Watanuki's body to raise unconsciously. Doumeki pushed down against the faint hardness which rubbed against his thigh. The realisation that Doumeki was also erect made Watanuki want to die a little inside.
He felt extremely embarrassed, and while the knowledge that he wasn't the only one reacting this much to the situation should have been comforting, instead it was worrying. He had no idea what was supposed to happen now. For the most part, he was following Doumeki's lead with this; the other part being instinctual. But his instincts, while hard to ignore, kept leading him into certain danger when it came to things like ghosts. Maybe it was natural, in the end, to feel hesitant.
As if sensing this, or that something was wrong, Doumeki's hand slid up, gentle against his cheek. His fingertips slid around Watanuki's ear and into his hair as he shifted his body, cock rubbing down against Watanuki's through their pants. Watanuki moaned, then half-gasped (it was hard to do much of anything with his mouth when Doumeki was so occupied within it). He sure as hell hadn't meant to make a sound like that.
His embarrassment immediatley doubled.
Doumeki, on the other hand, didn't appear disturbed by the events at all; nor did he seem emblazoned with passion. He was methodical and a type of slow-fast that worked up Watanuki's body patiently, tantalising and touching and just being near and close in a way that left Watanuki's nerves screaming for something more. The only betrayal of Doumeki's nervousness was in his heartbeat, which had not only matched but surpassed Watanuki's own as he slowly undid the buttons and flys on both their pants.
It was an awkward few moments when he pulled back enough to remove Watanuki's pants and kick his way out of his own. He lay back on top of Watanuki as he slowly lowered his cock onto Watanuki's stomach. He pushed down, watching Watanuki's face. When he saw shock, bordering on horror, he lowered his head until their lips were touching; one hand reaching for Watanuki's own and guiding it haphazardly to his dick. It took a few strokes before he was able to let go, Watanuki slowly building up a rhythm that made Doumeki grunt. His own hand reached down and did the same for Watanuki, who shook almost violently after the first three strokes.
Doumeki pulled back, looking at him for several seconds without speaking.
"... That was fast."
Even in the dark, Watanuki could see the thin film of white along his palm and fingers. "Sh-Shut up! I didn't think you were going to-! I was surprised!"
"Hm."
"I said, shut up!"
Doumeki frowned. "You're noisy."
Before Watanuki could protest with more than a "hey-!" he found himself on his stomach, Doumeki nearly-flat against his back; his cock rubbing between his cheeks.
"... You are not putting that in me," he said flatly, his protective instincts kicking in. The haze of his orgasm made it difficult to concentrate. Doumeki's scent was beginning to flood his senses and Watanuki groaned inwardly at the fact that his body was now associating this release with how Doumeki smelled and hoped like hell he'd be able to forget it before school tomorrow.
He yelped when Doumeki kneeled, his knee gently pushing his legs apart. "Wait, I just said-"
His legs were slowly pushed together again, Doumeki's cock heavy and hard between his thighs. "Don't move," came the low voice above Watanuki, making his stomach contract in surprise. Maybe it was the fact that they weren't facing each other, but with Douemki's voice against his ear, he sounded different. There was a breathy quality to it - one of a restrained anticipation. The words settled against Watanuki's neck and he felt a quick, anticipatory chill.
Doumeki slid himself in-between, his thrusts increasing in speed, balls warm as they slammed against the back of Watanuki's thighs, whose eyes remained unfocused on a spot at the edge of the room, his whole body attuned to the movements of Doumeki's body against him. And when he felt a small tug on his collar, he let out a low, gutteral hiss of Doumeki's name. Warmth - wet and a little sticky - spilled against him, Doumeki's thrusts growing slower. The archer swore, which surprised Watanuki; then he was off of him, reaching for a towel that Watanuki hadn't even noticed earlier.
He took it awkwardly as it was offered to him with an outstretched hand, and did his best not to look at Doumeki while wiping away the evidence of what they'd just done together. If he'd thought the other boy had looked flushed before, it was nothing in comparison to now, where his body shone with a light film of sweat, lips parted as he struggled to regain his breathing; cheeks noticeably red in the otherwise-dark room.
When he was done he handed the towel back to Doumeki, who grunted and used the unused corner to clean himself off before getting dressed again. Watanuki knew he should probably do the same but his body wouldn't move. It was starting to get cold sitting on top of the covers with nothing on but a shirt, but his body was too warm, too comfortable to do anything but stay where it was.
"You'll catch cold," said Doumeki, chucking Watanuki's pants at him.
Watanuki looked down. Pants were beyond him at the moment.
"... Idiot." He kneeled down, retrieved the pants, and slowly worked them back onto Watanuki.
There was a small click and the collar dropped to the bed.
Watanuki and Doumeki looked at each other.
♂♂
"What's under your shirt, Watanuki?" asked Himawari curiously.
"N-Nothing!" he answered, backing away.
"It looks interesting," she said, taking a step closer.
"I- I have to go!"
♂♂
"I didn't think you would still be wearing that," said Yuuko over his shoulder.
"It... didn't come off," said Watanuki evasively.
Yuuko smiled and poked Watanuki's cheek. "It should have once the wish was fulfilled."
"Well... it wasn't." Watanuki batted her hand away. "What was the wish, anyway?"
"For you and Doumeki-kun to become very good friends."
"Good friends?" repeated Watanuki with a disgusted face. It was true that he and Doumeki had had sex. And it was true that he was still begrudgingly wearing the collar (even Doumeki hadn't formally asked him to, though Watanuki had noticed the hint of a smile when Doumeki first saw it). It was also true that he and Doumeki had continued having sex in the past two weeks since that first time. But being friends? That was out of the question.
"Doumeki-kun seems to be content," remarked Yuuko.
"It's not because we're friends!"
"Oh~? Then why is it?"
"Because- Shut up!" Watanuki frowned. Something was struggling to swim from his subconscious to his consciousness. Something about the way the wish had been phrased sounded a little too familiar. In fact, it almost sounded like- "... Oh my god."
"I guess by that horrified look on your face, you've figured out the originator of the wish."
"Why would she want us to- to... " Watanuki blushed, then came to and shrank to the floor, his head in his hands.
"The collar was my idea," said Yuuko proudly.
"What?"
"Doumeki mentioned wanting to get a dog, so I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone!"
"... I'm leaving!" declared Watanuki, rising and stomping off.
"Say hello to Doumeki for me~!"
Watanuki froze; even from 30 feet away, Yuuko could see his ears turning red. "SHUT UP!"
♂♂
"Oi. I'm busy."
"I don't care, let me in."
Doumeki stood aside as an agitated Watanuki pushed by him and sat down with a thud on his bed.
"You're still wearing it."
Watanuki tugged the collar off.
"Idiot."
"I'm tired of everything going according to Yuuko's plans! And I don't want to be friends with you!"
Doumeki kneeled on the bed. "Watanuki."
"What?!"
His hands were warm as he slid the collar back around Watanuki's neck.
Watanuki looked back at him. Time seemed to shift and change, and a scary picture of two grey-haired men walking hand in hand to go grocery shopping flitted through his mind.
Was fate so inescapable?
Doumeki's hand was soft on his knee - not kneading or touching, but just there. Watanuki sighed, annoyed with his immediate rise in comfort at the contact.
"Play dead."
Watanuki blinked. Confusion quickly turned to anger as he noticed what looked very much like a smirk gracing Doumeki's lips.
"I'm not your pet!" he spat, his anger mounting.
"But you're wearing a collar."
"Shut up!"
"So loud."
"I'm leaving!"
Doumeki laughed; and it occured to Watanuki that he'd never heard the sound before. He had a brief moment of feeling like the heroine of a shoujo manga, the sound of Doumeki's laugh shooting straight to his heart, which throbbed with an anxious and confused longing. Doumeki came closer and Watanuki pouted emphatically, prepared to hit him.
Stupid fate, he thought to himself as Doumeki's lips pressed to his temple, his eyes closing in acceptance.