Title: Deafening Silence

Rating: G

Fandom: xxxholic

Pairing: Doumeki/Watanuki

A/N: Prompt from Sybile - Shoulder

He was quiet, way too quiet. No yelling, no cursing…not a word. Shizuka watched him closely, searching for any sign of a reaction.

Watanuki stepped into his space and gently touched his shoulder. He winced a little and the hand withdrew. Watanuki turned away and Shizuka resisted the urge to reach out and grab him. Watanuki left the room, leaving him to sit and wonder what went wrong. He gingerly touched his injury and inhaled sharply when he pressed too hard.

It had been a close call; almost too close. When Watanuki had been paralysed by whatever spirit had been chasing him, Shizuka had thought his heart would give out on him. The whole situation scared the hell out of him but if it kept Watanuki safe, he'd do anything including putting himself in mortal danger. It was becoming a habit to step in front of the other boy.

He'd noticed it some time ago; Watanuki was getting quieter. Whenever he got hurt, Shizuka didn't get called an idiot for doing idiotic things. He was taken back to Watanuki's place, sat on the coffee table and Watanuki would patch him up, all without a word. It was bothering him. A lot.

Watanuki stepped back into the room bearing an ice pack and bandages. He carefully removed Shizuka's shirt and stared. Shizuka followed his gaze and frowned at the swollen joint. He should be thankful it wasn't dislocated. That tended to hurt.

Watanuki swallowed audibly and then examined him, clinical in his efficiency. Shizuka allowed a small smile. This really was becoming a habit. Maybe next time he should hurt his leg and get his pants off for his silent counterpart. He let Watanuki wrap him in bandages, the chill of the ice seeping into his muscles and relaxing him. He would have rejected the sling but one look at Watanuki's face and he relented.

Shizuka caught up Watanuki's hand and held it tightly. Mismatched eyes darted to his and away. Shizuka touched a hand to the pale face and brought it around. He stared hard at the other boy, angry at the guilt he found. Did he not understand?

"I choose to do this."

Watanuki started at the sound and the sadness was evident in his voice when he replied. "I didn't ask for you to get hurt."

Shizuka sighed. Apparently he needed to be more specific with his reasons. "I choose you and if it's needed, I will choose to die for you."

Watanuki's eyes went wide and he shook his head, denying that anyone would even contemplate doing that for him. Shizuka would gladly give up everything for him, however, right now...

"But I'd rather have inari-zushi." Watanuki stilled. "And tomago and tonkatsu and chawanmushi." Shizuka swore Watanuki started to vibrate. His face flushed red and he went spinning out of the room, screaming about ungrateful louts with bottomless stomachs.

Shizuka smiled. At least some things remained the same.