xxxHOLiC AU fic - Superheroes, Part 2

[rallamajoop]

Sorry to everyone who's been so enthusiastic about how regular it's been so far, but there's going to be no new Ghost Stories chapter this week. It's all very well introducing a new character to an AU fic as a general rule, but when the official manga leaves that character on a three-week cliffhanger with not the slightest hint where they're going with it all, it makes it rather hard to concentrate on writing for them in your own world. ^^; Add in all this other stress about preparations for that con we've got coming up in two weeks and the fact I've just about used up the buffer of extra material I had up until now, and a temporary hiatus is about all you're left with.

On the upside, I do have something else to post instead - a random extra scene for one of those *other* AUs (prompted by suggestions in reviews on ff.net, of all crazy sources! No-one is more surprised than me). To be exact, it's the Superheroes universe, which had to be one of the ones I was least expecting I'd write any more of, since - if you remember - I was left with no idea what Watanuki's superpowers were actualy supposed to be, and obviously that was going to be a pretty important sort of thing I'd need to know for any sort of continuation.

---

Watanuki actually had three different superpowers. The first was the ghost vision that allowed him to see the giant spirit-monsters that would periodically appear and go rampaging through the city.

"Invisible monsters?" said Doumeki. "Didn't notice any."

"Of course you didn't!" Watanuki spluttered. "On account of that bit where they are invisible!"

"Huh," said Doumeki, and continued eating Watanuki's lunch.

"What did you think happened to that building you were in?"

"Freak structural failure?" suggested Doumeki.

"Then what do you think I was doing out there the whole time?"

"Sort of flailing around. Looked like you were having fun."

"You are the only person on the planet who would think that saving idiots from giant, invisible monsters that they did not even know were there was fun!"

Doumeki shrugged and swallowed his sushi.

*

Watanuki's second superpower - the only one that was directly useful when it game to the fighting part of his job, and yet still the one he most dreaded anyone ever finding out about - was the ability to extend his arms and legs as though his entire body resembled nothing so much as a giant elastic band.

"So," said Doumeki speculatively, "what other parts of your body can you extend?"

"Oh, thank you," said Watanuki curtly, "you would really not believe how old that gag does not get when it gets made by every person who ever learns I can do that."

"You're welcome," said Doumeki. Watanuki nearly hit his head on his desk.

"What about your nose?" asked Doumeki.

"Yes, fine, my nose extends. That very useful when I need to smell monsters coming around corners. Except where it's totally not. Happy?"

Doumeki gave him a curious look.

"I'm not going to demonstrate!" Watanuki flailed. "We're at school! Anyone could see!"

"Or hear," said Doumeki quietly to himself.

*

Watanuki's third superpower was the one he was most unequivocally grateful for. It allowed him to regenerate from any injury within a couple of minutes at most - and it got used a lot. Embarrassingly often, in fact - to the point that Watanuki sometimes felt that whoever it was up there who should have been looking out for him had instead decided that giving him that power made it all okay to then give the rest of the universe explicit permission to use him as its personal punching bag. Not that Watanuki was complaining about being able to regenerate though - not in the least.

"Doesn't it still hurt?" asked Doumeki. Something in his expression that Watatanuki couldn't quite read made him want to apologise for something he knew he hadn’t done and explain quickly before there were any further misunderstandings, which was really very annoying.

"Hardly, there's just a bit of a sting then it all heals up, and I'm fine and can go back to fighting."

"...until the monster stabs you in the same place all over again."

"Very sorry if my weak spots start getting a bit obvious for them! It isn't like I mean for them to do that!"

"It can't be much fun though."

"No, really, " said Watanuki, in his ongoing quest to make Doumeki understand sarcasm by shear repetitive effort, "getting treated like a shish-kebab by alien ghost monsters is the best part of my job."

"It isn't much fun to watch either."

"You wouldn't have to watch if you hadn't picked up this insane habit of wandering into mortal danger just to make me rescue you again three times a week!"

Doumeki shrugged. "I don’t mean for that to happen either."

There was a tense silence where both stared at the other. Watanuki gave in first.

"Fine! Just to save your poor sensibilities, in future I will try very hard not to let myself take minor, non-fatal injuries while trying to save the city from invisible invaders that no-one realises are there!"

The tense silence was replaced by one of those awkward pauses where Watanuki wondered whether either of them had any idea what they were talking about or what was going on here.

"Thank you," said Doumeki evenly.

"Don't mention it," muttered Watanuki, wondering just what he'd agreed to.

"So what's for lunch today?"

"You've already eaten it!"

"Oh," said Doumeki, sounding disappointed.

Comments

sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

XDDDDD

Power 2: So Watanuki really is another incarnation of Luffy, then. XD

Power 3:

"It isn't much fun to watch either."

Aw, Doumeki. You're so sweet on him and he doesn't even notice.

"You wouldn't have to watch if you hadn't picked up this insane habit of wandering into mortal danger just to make me rescue you again three times a week!"

Sweet, and practicing a strange form of reverse stalking, apparently. I like that. >D

"So what's for lunch today?"

"You've already eaten it!"

"Oh," said Doumeki, sounding disappointed.

Best lunch conversation ever. Doumeki, you are such a dork in this universe and yet it all seems so perfectly sensible. XD

[cheloya.livejournal.com]

So Watanuki really is another incarnation of Luffy, then. XD

Seconded. XD

Also? This is even more awesome than it used to be. X3 Whee!

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

There was a fic at FFN at some point, where Luffy had made the wish to be reincarnated with his nakama, and Watanuki remembered all of it when he finds the straw hat in Yuuko's treasure room. So Doumeki is Zoro, Himawari is Robin, and the others haven't been found yet. Possibly Kohane is Vivi, the little fox is Chopper...?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Well, Luffy or assorted DC superheroes which I might have found out a little too much about during a certain fannish fling a year or two ago. >.> Elasticity is one of those kinds of powers.

I though originally that it might be spoiling this world to go as far as to actually say what Watanuki's powers were, but when these three came together I just couldn't resist. *g*

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Interesting - last time I heard One Piece compared to xxxHOLiC it was Sanji who was being compared to Watanuki.

One Piece remains that series I never quite got around to watching because, although I'm sure I'd love it, it's just so long already that I don't know how I'd find time. ^^; though if our doujinshi circle winds up writing for it next year as people keep suggesting, I may be required to to fill my sole writerly duties

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

Hahaha! Someone mentioned Luffy, but my brain handed me this image of Olive Oil, Popeye's girlfriend. xD

...and Watanuki doing the saving! How interesting.

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Aw, Doumeki. You're so sweet on him and he doesn't even notice.

And strangely, this is probably still the *least* angsty conversation they've ever had about Watanuki getting injured. But of course, Watanuki is still just as oblivious as ever.

Sweet, and practicing a strange form of reverse stalking, apparently. I like that. >D

Believe me, Doumeki makes the *worst* Damsel In Distress ever. XD I'm not even sure whether it is at all intentional or just crazy bad luck - though I'm leaning more towards the latter - but thanks to Watanuki, he certainly doesn't mind being nearly killed by monsters nearly as much as he should.

Best lunch conversation ever. Doumeki, you are such a dork in this universe and yet it all seems so perfectly sensible. XD

Well, you know. There could've been some *more* lunch hidden somewhere. Doumeki might've managed to put Watanuki so completely off his food that he'd get Watanuki's lunch too. Doumeki might've been so wrapped up by the company that he hardly noticed he was eating at all. It could be completely sensible! (for a given value of 'sense')

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

...and Watanuki doing the saving! How interesting.

I know! You wouldn't think it'd work, would you? But right from the start, that was where this universe wanted to go - and it seems to fit rather better than it should. ^_^

[rusalkaz.livejournal.com]

Wahahaha Luffy!Watanuki!<333333 Very amusing idea indeed! *snickers* Whatever superpowers he might have, his personality doesn't change a bit... XD

in his ongoing quest to make Doumeki understand sarcasm by shear repetitive effort,
Looooooool I love this phrase~

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

Sanji works in the sense of 'excellent cook' and 'completely pathetic in front of the girl of his dreams', but Luffy has other traits that fit Watanuki rather well. Like getting distracted by pretty much anything, not caring about dying as long as no one else gets involved, and being freakishly determined when they get pissed off.

Maybe you should read it instead? It is an awful lot of chapters (I think it's hitting 500 soonish), but still faster than watching the anime, I think... then again, it might be worth it just to hea Doumeki's voice grunt in effort... Also, the fandom was surprisingly sane, as I remember it. XD

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

Believe me, Doumeki makes the *worst* Damsel In Distress ever.

I'll drink to that. He must be so irritating. XD

I'm not even sure whether it is at all intentional or just crazy bad luck

Bad luck + unconscious, unwise decisions, maybe? Since Watanuki will come to the rescue anyway.

It could be completely sensible! (for a given value of 'sense')

By Doumeki-logic, I'm sure it could be. XD

[lunargeography.livejournal.com]

While I am saddened that I will have to wait for more Ghost Stories, I completely understand. (And I did go back and re-read your notes, and I have no idea why I blanked out Kohane.)

And you were so nice as to offer more AU fic! That's a great trio of powers, which guarantee that Watanuki will never be properly appreciated... well, by anybody but Doumeki. Clearly he needs Yuuko to be there just to provide the degree of gravitas no superhero can be without. *nods firmly*

Favorite Joopism in this piece:
Something in his expression that Watatanuki couldn't quite read made him want to apologise for something he knew he hadn’t done and explain quickly before there were any further misunderstandings, which was really very annoying.

So if Watanuki is the most cantankerous damsel in distress ever (an observation made by Drae, I think), Doumeki is the most irritating one? *grins*

The tense silence was replaced by one of those awkward pauses where Watanuki wondered whether either of them had any idea what they were talking about or what was going on here.

*laughs* I think Doumeki knows what's going on here. But he doesn't want to tell.

[smokexscribbles.livejournal.com]

Epic? I think so. Yay, more AU ^_^

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I'm probably about due for a bit of a block on Ghost Stories considering I've been working on it since July. Now I notice it, that's *five months* I've been going on this thing now. Whoa. o_O It's actually something of a relief to be writing different holic fic again. ^^;

Speaking of Ghost stories, if you're free to help me with some more brainstorming soon, I could definitely use it - there's a lot of stuff coming up that I'm going to get a little stuck on.

(And I did go back and re-read your notes, and I have no idea why I blanked out Kohane.)

Just a bit of an info-dump problem, probably. I think just about everyone did the same thing. ^^;

So if Watanuki is the most cantankerous damsel in distress ever (an observation made by Drae, I think), Doumeki is the most irritating one? *grins*

And definitely the most unappreciate. *g* (Watanuki: "Would a thank you hurt!? See if I save you from the next monster that nearly kills you!" Doumeki: "There was a monster?")

*laughs* I think Doumeki knows what's going on here. But he doesn't want to tell.

Well, obviously what's going on is that Doumeki is realising that he really does not like seeing Watanuki get hurt, and he may even be figuring out why. Whereas Watanuki still thinks that it doesn't matter what happens to him as long as he's saving other people. Obviously, Doumeki's just being crazy again (only, that explanation doesn't quite get rid of that nagging feeling he's got that something Doumeki's saying here makes sense).

Um. I'm also realising there may be more of this to come. >.>

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Oh, this one's not the epic - that would be the other one I've had in progress solidly for the last five months. ^^; But a little addition to one of the other AUs doesn't make for a bad change.

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Whatever superpowers he might have, his personality doesn't change a bit... XD

That's really the beauty of these AUs - you can cast Watanuki in just about whatever role you like, but he's still Watanuki. And he's always such good fun to write for too. ^_^

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

*nodnod* I think I probably will go mostly with the manga if I look into it at all. Though I'll have to watch at least some of the anime, just for the giant Dragonball voice actors' reunion I keep hearing about. XD

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Bad luck + unconscious, unwise decisions, maybe? Since Watanuki will come to the rescue anyway.

I'm actually thinking maybe Doumeki has some unfortunate monster-attracting power in this universe, to make up for the fact Watanuki has to do all the rescuing. But being Doumeki, of course, he handles it rather differently. *g*

Which can also be taken to mean I'm still thinking about this world, and which may also mean there may be some more of this left to come. >.>

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

One comment, if you do: most people get used to the art after a while, even if it may look weird at first sight. And I never heard about the DBZ reunion! Then again, I never watched it in Japanese, so...

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

But being Doumeki, of course, he handles it rather differently.

Walking right into it because someone's coming to save him anyway, à la Lois Lane? XD

Nothing wrong with that, I think. XD

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

Doumeki: "There was a monster?"

"I didn't see it."
Watanuki: "Of course you didn't see it, THEY ARE INVISIBLE."
Doumeki: "How do I know you're not making it all up to get something from me?"

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

That, and being completely oblivious and nonchalant about the minor little thing where invisible monsters try to kill him now and then. Or maybe when he starts getting used to it, even starting to make a point of hanging out in less monster-destructible zones whenever possible. No sense making things *too* hard for Watanuki, even if he does like the attention.

Parts of this are almost starting to turn into something I half wish I'd done as an original story. ^^;;;

Nothing wrong with that, I think. XD

I didn't think anyone would complain. *g*

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

Maybe he's careful when he knows Watanuki has a big test the next day, things like that? So the poor boy does get some sleep. (And then Doumeki can demand more food for his efforts.) That's sort of an invariant for him, isn't it...

To state the utterly obvious...

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Watanuki: Did you not notice the building you were in being destroyed?
Doumeki: You could have been doing that. It could all be part of your plan.
Watanuki: What would I possibly want from YOU!?
Doumeki: *ponders briefly* Sexual favours?
Watanuki: ALISDGHALSK WORLDS OF NO!!!
Doumeki: Oh. *not disappointed at all, really*

Re: sometimes FFN brings in the goods, eh?

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

I think it is more like him sometimes managing to spot when there is something of the giant, invisible variety on his trail, and discretely hiking it over to a park or somewhere in the open where buildings or people who would also require rescuing are at a minimum. There's probably a limit to how careful you can usefully be when you've got alien ghost monsters on your trail.