Open to the floor - Potential meme thing

[wilderthan]

List five characters that you identify with/empathise with so much it hurts.

1. Simon Tam. (Firefly.)
2. Dean Winchester. (Supernatural.)
3. Locke Lamora. (Gentleman Bastard sequence by Scott Lynch.)
4. Juubei Kakei. (GetBackers.)
5. Bran Davies. (The Dark Is Rising.)

Now for a guessing game! What is the common thread that draws me to all or most of these characters? (Note: There is one, for me. This may not be so for you.)

Comments screened because my darling feywood will get it in one.