Indiscriminate Happenings
Fandom: xxxHoLiC
Characters/Pairing: Watanuki, Haruka, Doumeki
Prompt:9:1- Perception
Rating: K
Chapter Genre:
Summary: They think he's crazy and suicidal. He thinks they're assholes.
I

To most of the outside world, his perception of reality was vastly skewered; it was the reason he sat on his bed in the middle, blankets wrapped around him, whimpering and desperately wishing that the ghosts clawing at the window and door would go away. But they wouldn't, too drawn by him and the negative emotions of the people here who were mainly here because they felt too much and let it out.

The doctors thought he was suicidal the first week after he arrived, taken there by the people who were meant to be looking out for him (they claimed it was too much to handle and they didn't know what he had, but he had to leave). So, to prevent any harm to himself they put him in a small, barren room with nothing that was even potentially dangerous and cut his nails so short it was painful to put any pressure on them. When he roused half the hospital with his screams in the middle of the night even the doctors recoiled at the sight of him bloody and writhing on the floor, harmless fingers clawing at his face, sliding on the slick blood that covered him.

They started tying him down at night.

Of course, that only made it worse. They would still come, but the ones that were attracted by his overwhelming panic were deadlier, crueler, and more aware of themselves and their anguish. So they tortured him, hovering an inch away, disgusting, decaying breath washing over his face and making him nauseous. Their fingers, cold and, in some cases, slimy slipping down his torso, tearing the loose fabric of his hospital issued garments. He laid awake all night, eyes wide in the face of terror and in the morning when they receded back into the dark corners, dark eyes shining and chuckling, the doctors took their place, researching more suitable medication for him.

They never listened to what he was saying.

His only friend in that god awful place was a much older man, one whose many experiences had seen too many mental breakdowns (in the doctors opinions). None of the spirits really came to him, never clinging in the parasitic fashion he was so burdened by, and even the roaming eyes in the corners seemed to shy away when he was there. Watanuki was grateful for the brief reprieve and the doctors were absolutely puzzled when all of his symptoms seemed to mysteriously vanish in the middle of the day sitting out in the courtyard with Haruka-san.
II

"Haruka-san!" he called, waving happily and pulling his arm from his absolutely useless assistance that they claimed was 'for his own safety.' The older man turned, releasing the smoke he had just inhaled through his nose and smiled, returning the gesture. "Good morning!"

"Good morning to you too Kimihiro-kun," he replied, chuckling as the teenager made himself comfortable on the stone bench they so often used for their visits. Warm golden eyes stared down at him, aging face shrouded by the smoke. "How was your night?"

The bright smile Haruka so enjoyed beholding became smaller though it didn't fully leave the young man. The dark bags under his eyes and the freshly bandaged hands and wrists were a testament of how his night went. "I've lived through worse."

Even though he was concerned Haruka didn't act on it, knowing Watanuki too well to allow himself that privilege. The boy was too easily flustered and far too self-conscious to graciously accept such a deep expression of care.

"I'm glad to hear you're doing better," he said, affectionately ruffling the messy black hair. Watanuki yelped and put a false struggle, lightly batting at the large hands with Haruka evading him and continuing his ministrations. They played their game, tossing the proverbial ball between them and taking turns being 'it', until one of the nurses, a good-natured woman with fox-like features and a penchant for traditional clothing, approached them and cleared her throat.

"Haruka-san, you have visitors," she stated, gracefully motioning to the main office building where the friends and families of patients gathered as they waited for their occupant. Haruka grinned, taking the last draw of his cigarette and stubbing it out in the convenient ashtray placed beside him.

"Come Kimihiro-kun, there's someone I want to introduce you to." He held out his hand in invitation, a wide smile on his lips and anticipation gleaming in his eyes. Watanuki blinked at him and debated declining. Ultimately, however, he found himself unable and accepted the hand, letting himself be led into the building.
III

"Shizuka-kun," Haruka greeted fondly, pulling a boy Watanuki's age into a strong embrace. Watanuki gasped softly, enough so that neither of them noticed, and silently observed the absolute likeness between the two of them. Haruka had shown him a picture of his younger years and the only difference between him and this stranger was the smile that seemed to be missing from the younger mans lips and the cigarette which was a nearly permanent fixture in Haruka's hands. "Come, there's someone you must meet."

Watanuki shifted and fidgeted under the intense gaze of the golden eyes that so intently focused on him, a small shaky smile on his face.

"Shizuka-kun, this is Watanuki Kimihiro, a fellow kindred soul. Kimihiro-kun, this is my grandson, Doumeki Shizuka," Haruka introduced, a mirth-filled smile on his face at the shy, unsure blue eyes that stared up at his grandchild. Watanuki bowed politely, giving a soft, breathless laugh.

"It's a pleasure to meet someone from Haruka-san's family." Shizuka's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing him and analyzing him. Watanuki flushed, anxiety rising in him at the unfaltering gaze and, in turn, creating an unwarranted sense of anger in him. He tried to hold it back, not wanting to create a negative first impression with the family of his closest friend. Unfortunately for him as another silent minute passed by he was so angry that he began to tremble, a flush rising on his cheeks.

"What?!" he snapped finally, glaring dangerously at the stoic teen, fists clenching. Haruka tried to muffle his chuckles behind his hand and Shizuka repressed a smirk, following the instinct of self-preservation.

"It's a pleasure."
IV
Eh, yeah. I wanted to go so much further with this. However, it might have to wait for next time. I wanted to be able to have a few ready for update. Ugh, a Chemistry test and a Math test on the same day. XP Not fun. Oh well, at least I understand most of the Math....

Nya, I finished reading the Hetalia comics. If anyone wants the link for them, just PM me or something and I'll send it to you. :)