Title: Vulnerability
Fandom: xxxHolic
Pairing: Doumeki/Watanuki
Genres: Drama, Romance
Length: Long (28,728 words)
Warnings: Creepy canon-style supernatural drama

Author on LJ: tyigra
Author Website: Tyigra @ FF.net

Author's Summary:
Watanuki hates being so vulnerable, and hates even more that he has to crawl to Doumeki all the time for help. What he doesn't realize is that dragging his feet every step of the way is putting Doumeki in danger too...

Review:
One of my favourite story arcs in xxxHolic was the one with the spider queen. Just like that arc, this fic is an exploration of Watanuki's unthinking selflessness that is really more like selfishness, the way he takes Doumeki for granted, and how the people he loves are hurt by both of these things. The themes from that arc are carried into the fic seamlessly, creating a story that I could very easily see taking place in the canon. Watanuki is being besieged by evil supernatural creatures, and his best way of protecting himself is letting Doumeki protect him. Of course, asking for help is not Watanuki's strong suit. As usual, Watanuki is oblivious to both his own and Doumeki's feelings, and is hurting both of them by refusing to protect himself.

This is a get together fic with elements of a character study, and a definite focus on character development. It's an exploration of pride and the harm it can cause in excess, and of the lengths Doumeki and Watanuki will go to to save each other. Both of them are beautifully in character, and in particular the scenes where Watanuki realises Doumeki's feelings for him are true to his canon characterisation to an almost painful extent. This is a sweet and smoldering fic with a lovely Watanuki character arc that does a great job further exploring canon themes.

Vulnerability