Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts II or any of the character mentioned. They, and the universe of Twilight Town, are owned by Disney and Square Enix.
This is purely fictional and not subject to real life.

A/N: This is my first story on this site, but I've been hanging out here and writing for years. I finally decided to create an account. I hope you all enjoy this.

Music: Gazette - 'Filth in the Beauty'


Chapter 1: Blame it on the Heat-Stroked Brain

The ceiling fan swirled lazily about my head, doing nothing to fight off the sweltering heat of summer in Twilight Town. Not even the sea-salt ice cream we ate only a few minutes ago did anything to cool us down. The last few days of summer are always the hottest. I could not wait until the fall breezes rushed through the streets.

I groan as the heat washes over me like a third skin, the second being my sweat-soaked clothing. The vest I always wore was already in a heap on the floor, and I think my shirt might soon join it. Too bad I couldn't just be naked. There is nothing better than being naked, especially in the peak of summer. Well, maybe a trip to the beach would be just as nice if we weren't so broke.

On the couch not too far away from where I lie, Pence and Olette wave paper fans at each other. Over from them sits Roxas. He is almost as undressed as me, looking just as miserable, too. His usual blond spikes look wilted as the humid air attacks them. I would have laughed if I had the energy.

"Man, it's so hot!" I complain.

"You're the one who said that we should hang out today, Hayner," Olette chides, almost glaring.

Roxas stands up and stretches. "I'm going home. At least it's air conditioned there. Let's meet up at the docks tomorrow afternoon. It's too late to go tonight."

Pence, Olette, and I agree. We could hang our feet in the water in an attempt to cool down. I am left alone in the Usual Spot after the other three leave. I do not feel like moving just yet.

Now, anybody would think that it would cool down after the sun sank below the horizon, but no, that would be too easy. The humidity completely kills. All that water keeps the atmosphere warm, or some other scientific crap like that. Pence tried to explain it to me once, but he lost me on the third word.

Standing up, I did not bother to put my shirt or vest back on. Anyone who complains can fuck off. Instead, I just grab the pile of attire and walk out into the back alley. Without thinking I walk in the direction of the Sandlot. Stupid me. The heat must have finally fried my brain. Stupid sun. Of all the days to fry my brain, it had to be on the one where I stupidly walk half naked through the Sandlot.

You're asking what could be so bad. Well, fried brain, tell me, who practically "runs" Twilight Town, hangs out—practically lives—on the Sandlot, and hates my guts?

Exactly! Seifer. And let's not forget his bone-headed sidekicks: Fuu, Rai, and Vivi. Well, Vivi's not that bad—or he wouldn't be if he stopped trying to be a Rai-clone.

You, fried brain, have just signed my death warrant. Yours too, if you think about it. But it's not like you have much to lose as of right now, anyway; you're already burnt to a crisp.

During my conversation with my not-too-smart brain (Am I going insane? I'm talking to an inanimate organ in my head.), I did not watch where I walked. Somehow, I end up on the ground, dirt smeared on my sweaty skin. How did I get here? Looking up, I see a furious Seifer glaring down at me. At least I'm staring from a hot angle….

Stop. Rewind. Play. Hot angle? Seifer?

Blame it on the heat-stroked brain.

Back to me bumping into Seifer. At least I didn't fall on top of him. But, if looks could kill, I'd be six feet under and then some. I laugh nervously. "Oops."

Seifer almost growls before giving me one last glare and moving on. The sidekicks also glare before following the example of their "master." Well, that was after Rai kicked dirt in my direction. Luckily, none got in my eyes, but I did swallow some of the stuff. Gag!

After standing up, I try to wipe the dirt way. Key word: try. I only end up spreading it, making me look like a mud pie. Okay, maybe it's isn't that bad, but still, it's humiliating when in the audience of Seifer.

Thinking of Seifer, how the hell is he still fully dressed? Even the black beanie sits on his head. He must be cooked. Oh, I know! It must be the belly shirt showing off his washboard abs. Just looking at them makes me want to kneel before him and lick—

Wait! What the hell am I thinking? Why am I even looking at him?

"Hayner!" That's Seifer's voice. "I'm giving you a chance to scram without a fight for once, but if you continue to stare like the idiot you are I'm gonna have to remove you."

Yes, use physical force all you want. Ack! That was just the sound of palm-to-face. Traitorous fried brain. I'd rip you out of my skull if I didn't need you.

Anyway… Heeding Seifer's warning—much to the disagreeing pile of mush in my head—I leave the Sandlot empty-handed. Empty-handed? Shit! My shirt and jacket. To go back or not to go back? Brain says yes; I say no. I'm positive I have more shirts and jackets at home, completely disregarding that fact that those are my favorite.

But sacrifices must be made. I'd rather keep my head, thank you very much.

Walking away from the "rich" side of town, I find my way home through the dirty alleyways and dingy apartment complexes. Ah! Home sweet suffering home. Seifer thinks he's so tough, but he didn't have to grow up in a third-rate neighborhood—the slums. I know what it's really like to survive.

The elevator is out-of-order, like always, so I jog up three flights of stairs. And, because the air conditioner is out-or-order, like always, I suffer through the blazing fires—figuratively, of course. Pulling a key from my cargo pants pocket, I unlock the door, hurry inside, and re-lock the door behind me. I slip my shoes off and walk into the living room.

"Mom?" I call out when I do not find her on the sofa where she usually is. A gagging sound fills my ears, so I walk along the beer bottle-covered floor to the bathroom. Mom is leaning over the toilet, dirty blonde hair hanging in her gaunt face. Frowning, I kneel behind her to hold her hair and rub her back.

After Dad left she turned into a bit of an alcoholic to fill the void he created. I don't blame her for our condition, but I do blame Dad. I just try to help Mom out as much as I can. I mean, she has a small job as a shop assistant, but that munny goes towards alcohol most of the time. I run the mail delivery and other oddball jobs to pay bills and sometimes buy food.

The group—Roxas, Olette, and Pence—sees me as a brash, carefree kid who loves to pick fights with Seifer (he is our rival, after all). That's what I want them to see. We all have masks. I know Roxas hides behind one to keep us out of his home life. I do no different. Pence and Olette just wouldn't understand, sadly, considering that they are my best friends.

"You okay, Mom?"

She nods soundlessly, trying to stand. I help her up, allowing her to put most of her weight on my shoulders as we travel to the couch. After laying her down and directing a fan in her direction, I turn to the kitchen. Heat and alcohol, for Mom, never mix well. I fill a glass with water and grab some medicine. She accepts them with a smile.

"Thank you, darling," she whispers, voice raw.

I nod and walk towards the bathroom again, picking up trash and bottles along the way to throw in the garbage. A very cold shower sounds really nice, but first, I have to clean the floor where Mom missed the toilet. It doesn't take long; it never does.

Standing under the cool spray, I wash my skin of sweat and grime absentmindedly. My brain—not so fried anymore—wonders over today's events, especially concerning Seifer. Am I really attracted to him or was it really the heat?

I don't have an answer to that.

The bathroom light flickers. Off. On. Off. On. Off… Just great. I hope the bulb just went out. I'm sure I paid the utility and water bill on time. Rinsing the soap away in the dark, I wrap a towel around my waist and peek into the hallway, dripping puddles. I can hear the fans running and see the kitchen light, so the power is still on.

I'll have to go to the store to pick up light bulbs, I think as I walk to my room. It's messy, but I don't care; I'll clean it eventually. Drying myself, I slip into a pair of camo PJ pants and a black sleeveless shirt.

"I have to buy a bulb for the bathroom, Mom," I inform when I reach the living room. I kiss her forehead. "I'll be back soon." She mumbles a slight farewell as I slip my feet into my shoes. I lock the door on the way out, slipping the keychain around my neck.

It's a bit cooler, now, so my clothes don't instantly stick like skin to my lean body. That's good because I have a long walk. But it's still not very cool, so I hope that will persuade the not-too-good crowds to stay in their homes. I don't feel like running or fighting at the moment. There are some really bad and dangerous people in the slums.

The trip goes smoothly. A few times I almost ran into some trouble, but I managed to slip away unnoticed. The streets get brighter as I get closer to the main part of Twilight Town. Yes, light! I quickly hop on the tram, jumping off when I get close to the market.

Light bulbs are a snap to find, but they are also expensive (with my meager income, anyway). I'll have to take some extra jobs tomorrow.

I don't feel like going home yet, so I wander around the town. Some people mill around the streets, but I am ignored. It's not unusual to see me walking along after dark. I eventually find myself at the Sandlot.

"I see you put clothes on this time."

I know that voice. I almost tell him to "fuck off," but I refrain myself from doing so. I just want a peaceful walk without trouble, so why did I have to run into Seifer? What is he still doing here anyway?

Hmmm, on another thought, I wonder if my clothes are still here. I look around near the spot where I fell. Nothing. I look around the rest of the Sandlot, oblivious to Seifer. He doesn't like being ignored.

"Hayner." He sounds impatient.

"Yes?" I ask, sill not looking at him. I'm not really in the mood.

Seifer growls, and I finally turn around. He isn't wearing his coat. Damn, that's hot. There aren't as many street lamps in the Sandlot, so I hope he can't see my blush.

I'm blushing? Call the fire department!

"If you're looking for the clothes you dropped earlier, they're by your Usual Spot," Seifer comments.

I stare. Did he actually say that in a nice tone? Yes, I think he did. Now, for the big question: Did the sun fry his brain earlier, too, or is it the end of the world?

Here comes the Apocalypse.

"You can quit staring now."

Now, that's the hateful tone I know and love! Well, scratch that "love" part.

"Sorry, I just expected you to leave 'em or trash 'em," I state with a shrug of my shoulders.

He turns away. "Yeah, well, don't expect me to be nice again." Seifer leaves without a glance back, grabbing his coat from a bench.

I sigh. Time to go home, I think. It's going to be straight to bed when I get there, too. I will have to get up early for my mail delivery and then apply for more work before meeting the group at the docks.

I swing by the Usual Spot, finding my clothes neatly folded on a crate. I silently thank Seifer, something I would never say aloud. From there, I use the tunnels as much as I can. They only go so far into my part of town. It's all good, though. I know how to avoid trouble….most of the time.

I check on Mom, placing a blanket across her legs, when I arrive home. She's sleeping quietly. I also check her cell phone, making sure that the alarm is set. I'll set mine for a few minutes before hers to make sure that she gets up. Then, I replace the bathroom light, placing the extra bulbs in the hallway closet.

I'm asleep before I even completely lie on the bed. I think I dream of Seifer… The world has come to the end again.