[xxxHOLiC Fic] Wait epilogues

[rallamajoop]

For something... reasonably different (and embarrassingly overdue to be posted), some fanfic-fic for some of serenetwinkle's work. These were written as epilogues inspired by her story Wait, which does need to be read first for these to make sense - so here's links to Part 1 and Part 2 of the original work (though before you proceed any further in that direction, the warning should be applied that Wait is hurt/comfort involving graphic rape, and is therefore not going to be everyone's cup of tea).

Just to clarify, these are completely unconnected to her own sequel Edge, as I've had these written since before Edge started (which should go to show just how overdue for posting these really are >.>). And as appropriate after a fic with that much nasty, I've gone with epilogues which are as fluffy as possible.

Epilogue 1

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It’s always an uncomfortable relief for Doumeki to see the blue stone bracelet on Watanuki’s wrist. Uncomfortable, because it’s a reminder to both of them of the worst event of either of their lives, but it’s still a relief to see that at least such reminders will be kept to daylight hours, away from Watanuki’s dreams a little longer. An experience like the one Watanuki had can leave scars that will last a lifetime, and Doumeki knows that some day, something will happen to make that bracelet leave his wrist, and he can only hope it will give Watanuki long enough.

What he doesn’t know is that a week ago he was proven right. While Watanuki was making dinner, the bracelet caught on a fork stuck out of a drawer at an angle, and tugged hard enough that one crucial link broke. It took Watanuki thirty minutes to find someone in the building who could lend him a pair of fine pliers, another thirty to twist the tiny parts of the link back into place, then nearly as long again while he stared at it lying on the table, unfamiliar from this angle. Then he picked it up and put it back on.

That idiot Doumeki would only worry if it wasn’t on his wrist at school the next day – he’d be sure to notice, and he has worried more than enough already. Watanuki didn’t take the bracelet off of his own choice anyway – it was an accident, and just maybe there’s a loophole somewhere. Besides, he’s gotten used to wearing it. Whatever Yuuko might have said about prices, the horror of that night isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when he sees it anymore – it hasn’t been for a long time. But what it does remind him is that no matter how far he falls, there’s always been someone there to catch him at the bottom, and put the pieces back together again.

It’s been a week now. He hasn’t had a nightmare yet.

---

Technically, I'm a bit undecided whether I'd rather have left these epilogues on that note, but further idea bit me and demanded to be written.

Epilogue 2

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It’s 2AM. Doumeki’s voice on the phone is no more tired and grumpy than you’d expect at this hour. “What?”

Watanuki doesn’t know how his own voice sounds, but he can guess. “I had a nightmare.”

“Watanuki?” The name burns in Watanuki’s head. It’s so rare Doumeki uses it, and now Watanuki can hear nothing in that voice but concern.

“I know it’s the middle of the night, and I’m sorry to wake you but I still feel like that monster’s right in the room with me and I just really needed to talk to someone just so I know I really am awake and…”

He’s rambling and he can’t be more than semi-coherent at best, but fortunately Doumeki catches on. “The bracelet?”

“It broke a while back. I’ve been wearing it anyway since, but…”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“It’s been ages and I’ve been fine since then! Only tonight…”

“I’ll be there in five minutes.” There’s a click as the phone cuts off.

Five minutes has to mean he’s going to run all the way. It wasn’t like Watanuki was asking him to do that – he just really did need someone to talk to for a bit, even over the phone, and Doumeki was just about the only person he could have called. He hadn’t honestly expected he was going to get any more sleep tonight anyway.

He can’t even properly begin to be angry with Doumeki for assuming that, or hanging up so abruptly, though. At least if Doumeki stays here tonight, Watanuki will feel safe enough to get some sleep.

Doumeki might well sleep better knowing Watanuki’s not alone too.

Comments

[factorielle.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww, fluff. ♥

Wait is one of the rare rape fics I've ever read that didn't make me want to claw my eyes out with Teh Healing Buttsexx0rs, but a little fluff on top makes it even better. :3

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Me too. It was the fic I read largely because I was short of things to read at the time (and coz serenetwinkle has a record for turning out the good ones, of course) but then found myself genuinely enjoying way more than I'd expected to - especially the way it all came together at the end. But it certainly did seem to me that a little extra fluff on the end wouldn't hurt either. ^_^

[lunargeography.livejournal.com]

I really liked "Wait", too, and these are lovely bits of fluff to soften the end. I think they work better as a pair, actually. I did like that part of the reason Watanuki continued wearing the bracelet was not to worry Doumeki... I rather thought Doumeki could use a bracelet of his own, to tell the truth. Might have needed it just as badly.

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

I think they work better as a pair, actually.

Mostly I wasn't sure whether I'd rather leave Watanuki nightmare-less, with the implication that he didn't need the bracelet as much as he'd thought after all, but then that second one bit me and had to be written. ^^;

I rather thought Doumeki could use a bracelet of his own, to tell the truth. Might have needed it just as badly.

Now that you mention it, probably more than either of them will ever realise.

Speaking of fic-based-on-fic, I've still got to do something with that snippet based on your fic. ^^;

[mushroom18.livejournal.com]

Oh, nice. ♥ I really like the idea of Watanuki slowly moving on from the trauma, and Doumeki always being there for him. :)

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Well, there's the 'official' continuation too, which was really interesting in all it's own ways. But I didn't know about that when I wrote these, and I was attached enough to them to do something with them eventually, anyhow. >.>

[snowaltz]

Thank you for writing this! I think you get the setting and characters' emotions well.

Wait was the first DouWata fic that I read, and it created an impact and is one of the stories that I'll remember for a long time.

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I certainly didn't lack for emotional material to work with, courtesy of the main story.

Much as I enjoyed Wait, that would've been a bit of a scary introduction to this side of the fandom, I'd think. ^^;

[snowaltz]

It is dark.. But serenetwinkle handled it well so I'm okay =P

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Oh, that she certainly did.

[renki-chan.livejournal.com]

I liked Wait so much. So intese and really well written *___* I remeber that I almost cry while reading... Poor Watanuki
But these epiloges are fluffy love ^___^ It's always heartwarming to read that Watanuki has Doumeki to help. I liked them very much too.
Good work^^

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

See, if it's even possible for fic as nasty as Wait to be plausibly continued with epilogues this fluffy, the writer must've done something unusually well. The ending to Wait was surprisingly sweet, and that's pretty much exactly what I wanted to pick up on in these. Glad you enjoyed 'em. ^_^

[darkfox200.livejournal.com]

It's been a while since I've read that, but it still stands out in my mind. And this epilogues are really sweet.

I like them. and I have nothing constructive to say. haha

=darkfox200

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Wait is certainly the kind of fic that leaves an impression on you. ^^; Thanks! Eh, being constructive is overrated. XD

[travellyr.livejournal.com]

These two are EXCELLENT icing on that gorgeous, bittersweet cake. I loved Wait and its sequel, and I love what you've done with the place. Nothing is really resolved... but at the same time, it somehow is. Time heals (sometimes even enough), life goes on... and the pair of them still protect each other. It's great, what you've written, and totally worthy of Wait.

[rallamajoop.livejournal.com]

Nothing is really resolved... but at the same time, it somehow is.

I kind of love that description for some reason. *g* Thanks a lot, I'm glad you thought I did justice to the original with these. ^_^