Warnings: slash, crude language, aimless

Disclaimers: I do not own xxxHOLiC or the associated characters; they belong to the ever-so-wonder CLAMP and associates, of which I am not one (sadly). Written for violet-phoenix-rose's Calendar Challenge on HPFC.

Kisaragi: Change

Why Doumeki was helping to cart things around for Yuuko, he couldn't precisely say. An hour ago he had been listening to Watanuki grouse about the Spring Cleaning that he was going to be starting that day – despite cleaning out Yuuko's house all the time, it all suddenly came to a head in March – and wondering if he could get away with asking for something with strawberries in it for lunch that day despite them not being in season...

And now he was helping Watanuki empty out Yuuko's storage shed. There was a lot of stuff in that place. Rugs, clothes, boxes of stuffed toys... if he didn't know Yuuko's line of work, he might have wondered why she had all this stuff. Alright, he still did wonder why she had a giant tattoo (1) in there (and not even attached to skin), but that was entirely beside his point. Perhaps Watanuki was rubbing off on him for his mind to go on tangents like that...

He grunted lightly as he picked up another box – this one suspiciously full of pointy objects – and took great care to not trip over some clothes that Watanuki had carelessly dropped on his way out. He'd be back to pick them up of course, but Doumeki would rather not trip while carrying a box full of swords.

"Good work Doumeki!" The black Mokona cheered from the porch where it was drinking sake and eating onigiri with Yuuko. Doumeki only made a noncommittal humming noise and swiped at a bit of sweat that was trickling down his neck. Did Watanuki have to do this on the first hot day of the year? He'd only been at it for twenty minutes, and already he wanted to join Yuuko on the porch.

I could, he thought to himself, I don't work for Yuuko-san, but... but he didn't really mind helping Watanuki all that much, and it could be a lot worse. He tossed his school jacket off to the side and continued working.

Ten minutes later he got rid of his shirt as well. If he were like Watanuki, he'd probably be cursing Yuuko for making it hot or something, but Doumeki just took it as it was; the weather being weather, and Yuuko had nothing to do with it... probably. She might, but it was kind of doubtful.

"Doumeki, Watanuki, there's a box you'll have to carry together that's in the far left corner," Yuuko called over. "And be extra careful. There's some valuable stuff in there." She didn't actually seem to care much.

They picked up the box in the far corner – the shed, by all rights, should not be that large, but it was Yuuko's after all – and Doumeki couldn't help but notice that Watanuki was somehow managing to studiously ignore and glare at him simultaneously; it was kind of an impressive skill when Doumeki noticed it.

"Why the hell are you half-naked?" Watanuki asked as they settled the box at a comfortable height. It extended Doumeki's arms a bit further than he might have liked, but tolerable.

Doumeki didn't care to even try keeping the deadpan expression from his face. "It's hot out, idiot," he responded.

Watanuki returned to glaring and studiously ignoring.

They started their march toward the door; Doumeki was kind enough to be the one to walk backwards, since he knew Watanuki hated not being able to see where he was going. Generally, Doumeki had a good idea of where tings were behind him, and a few times Watanuki adjusted his grip on the box as a signal for Doumeki to step around something. It wasn't a fool-proof system, but it worked.

Until they got to the door that is.

Doumeki's shoulder caught the doorway and the box was jostled. He tried to keep his grip on the cardboard corners, but it didn't do much good when Watanuki's end fell. There was a noise akin to shattering glass, and the box was suddenly soaked red, like blood, only too... purple.

They were carrying a large box of wine.

Doumeki was worried about Watanuki blowing up at him, but it didn't happen. He was still glowering, though not at his so-called rival (where Watanuki had gotten that idea, Doumeki could not say).

"Damn, it'll take forever to get the wine out of this shirt," Watanuki was miffed. Not angered or in a tizzy, just... miffed.

Struck by the low gradation of Watanuki's ire – who knew he had gradation? - Doumeki couldn't help but apologize. "Sorry," his voice was low, and as he helped Watanuki to his feet, the shorter boy kept his eyes firmly away from Doumeki's. (2)

"I didn't say it was your fault," Watanuki grumbled. "And I guess it's okay you aren't wearing your shirt, since you wouldn't have anything else to wear home..."

Something had changed. Maybe it had to do with the spring air, but something had changed.

Now if only Doumeki knew what.

Author's Note: Technically, Kisaragi is "Changing clothes" but it fit better to simplify it to Change. And yes, there is slight plot development... er, if this story has plot I mean. By the way, this chapter takes place during Spring Vacation (so you can assume anywhere between White Day and Watanuki's birthday).

(1) Fai's tattoo that he gave as his price to travel dimensions with Kurogane, Syaoran, and Sakura.

(2) Need I specify where he was looking?