Hey! It's Part 2. If you've read the first part and are now proceeding to read the second part, thanks so much! And though I know I've already done it, I just want to say a big thank you to Yaoi . Loving . Jew and FinalFallenFantasy for reviewing, that meant a lot guys so thanks.

Okay, there's a lot of swearing in this part, and like all the parts really. I'm not comfortable with it so I thought I'd better warn you, it's just I feel it fits Hayner's mindset. Umm... I suppose this is kind of filler-ish, but it sets up for the next chapter and I also wanted to give all Hayner's gang's views on his predicament. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I own no part of this except from the plot and I'm sure even it's already been used by someone, somewhere before. I will however own a copy of Kingdom Hearts: 358/2 Days very soon. It'll be the first time I've ever played a Kingdom Hearts game. I am so excited! Ahem, sorry about that. I also do not own the lyrics used at the start and end.


Tap on my window, knock on my door
I want to make you feel beautiful
I know I tend to get so insecure
It doesn't matter anymore
She Will Be Loved
by Maroon 5

*

"Um, Hayner…" Pence began, sounding sheepish. Oh here we go.

"Yeah, Pence?" Hayner turned his head to look at his friend, whose cheeks had turned a faint pink. They were walking around town, Pence occasionally taking a photo. They'd left the coffee shop about an hour before, Hayner having not resolved anything with Olette thus her frosty goodbye to Pence and lack of one to him. He hadn't missed the pointed look she shot Pence, and it seemed as though he was now going to hear what that had been about. He could probably have nailed it in one guess.

"Look," Pence said, holding up one hand apologetically. "I know it's not really any of my business," You got that right, "But Olette asked me to have a word," And you just couldn't say no 'cause she's got you whipped.

Hayner sighed, "Okay, Pence. I know what this is about, and why don't you just not waste your breath. Just tell Olette I swore I'd never do it again and she'll be happy."

Pence shook his head, camera swaying slightly around his neck. "But she won't Hayner. I know it seems like she's meddling, but, she just really cares about you. She doesn't want you getting… hurt."

Hayner barked out a laugh. "Hurt? You see, Pence, that's the thing. How am I going to get hurt? It's just sex!" Pence's face reddened furthered and a few heads turned in their direction.

"I… I know," Pence croaked, "But she seems to… to think that… it might not always be that way. And I'm kind of starting to wonder if I agree."

Hayner stared. "What?"

"Look, just," Pence was holding up both hands now, "Don't get overly defensive. I didn't mean anything by it."

Defensive? Why would he get defensive? Only guilty people needed defence. "I'm not gay, Pence!" For fucks sake, why did he sound defensive?!

"I know!" Pence looked scared, "Please don't be mad. It's just, what would it matter if you were? I mean, Roxas…"

Hayner tuned Pence's apologetic rambling out. He was not gay. But, then, like Pence said, what would it matter if he was? There was still no way in hell he'd be after Seifer. But why was that even relevant? Fact is, he wasn't gay. End of story. This thing was Seifer - which was so not a thing - wasn't going anywhere. Period. Why wouldn't anyone listen to him? Why wouldn't anyone believe him when he said that?

"… wouldn't care, and neither would I. We all would love you anyway, Hayner."

"Pence," Hayner stated calmly, "I am not gay. So whatever Olette thinks is happening between me and Seifer, isn't. She needs to remind herself life is not one of her tragic romance novels."

"Okay," Pence said, looking relieved, "Okay. I was just doing like she asked. Honestly, Hayner, she really is only doing it because she cares." Pence faltered, glancing towards him out of the corner of his eye, "She… she thinks you're going to get attached. Actually, she already thinks you're attached…" Hayner opened his mouth to deny any such thing. "…Just in denial." And closed it again, biting his lip.

God, you couldn't win with women. Okay, no, he took that back. That made it sound like he had issues with females. He didn't. He wasn't gay, damn it. Girls were great, he'd dated a few really nice ones in high school. Slept with one or two as well. It had absolutely nothing to do with their gender, that those times hadn't been half as good as those with Seifer. Oh no, no. Scratch that last part.

Hayner forced a grin in Pence's general direction, "You really need to stop listening to the crap she spouts, man."

Pence smiled at little, obviously trying to look comfortable and cheerful, and raised his camera to take a picture of the sky.

"You'd think," Hayner sighed, turning round so he could walk backwards, "She'd be happy I'm not going out and sleeping around. I mean it's alright for some," he inclined his head at Pence who looked away blushing, "In a relationship and all that come's with that, but I'm single. Have been for over three years. That is a long time."

"Yeah," Pence agreed, "And I think that's part of the reason Olette is so worried. I mean, have you tried looking for anyone to date?"

Hayner's brain spun, attempting to find a suitable girl to talk about. Was there really no one? Sure in first year he'd remarked about who was hot, but that was expected with all the new girls around and, really, most of that had been sort of teasing, directed at Pence to wind Olette up. "No, Pence, I haven't," he admitted, then added, "I'm waiting for the right one." Was that a lie? It certainly wasn't the truth, he'd never made a conscious decision to wait for the right girl to magically appear. Why hadn't he been out with anyone in three years? Enough girls had flirted with him, he had flirted back, right? Urgh, why the hell couldn't everyone just leave him alone?

Pence was quiet, seeming to accept that as a good enough reason. It wasn't for Hayner, however. He had been single for three years, for most of which he'd been having sex with Seifer. Why hadn't he felt the need to date someone in all that time? How was it only now he was realising how long he'd been alone for. But, as far as he knew, Seifer hadn't been with anyone either. Maybe there wasn't an issue. Maybe he was overreacting like Olette was. Then again-

He turned round again, pressing his hands to his temples. Being up early sucked, he decided. It gave you way too much time to think.

"Let's talk about something else, Pence," Hayner said, a pleading tone entering his voice, "Like… what are you getting Olette for her birthday?"

A small smile flitted across the photographers face, "I'm not telling. It's a surprise."

"Oh come on, Pence," Hayner put on his best whiney voice, "You can trust me."

Pence snorted, "Hayner, you are the worst secret keeper on this earth."

Hayner kept his mouth shut and waited, before Pence bobbed his head from side to side and then amended, "Except form Demyx. And possibly Axel, but he does it on purpose."

"Please," Hayner pleaded, clasping his hands together.

"No." Hayner gave up, knowing a lost cause.

"Well, what's Roxas getting her?"

Pence thought for a moment, before recollection lit up in his eyes, "Chocolates and that CD she's after."

"Did he have to ask?"

Pence laughed and shook his head, "No, 'cause he actually listens and pays attention to what she likes."

Hayner frowned and crossed his arms, "It's not my fault, you know? I just… forget these things. And anyway, I bet Riku and Sora won't be able to think of anything. Demyx certainly won't."

Pence rolled his eyes and took a couple more photos, "Riku and Sora have Kairi and Demyx has Zexion. They'll be fine and they're allowed to ask for help. She's probably not even expecting more than a card from them anyway. You, on the other hand, are one of her best friends. You're supposed to know this stuff."

"Humph," Hayner huffed, "Doesn't matter, anyway. She's mad at me."

Pence lowered his camera and looked over, one eyebrow stretching high, "And you think not getting her anything will make things better?"

Hayner kicked at a pebble on the ground, "No," he stated grumpily, "But at least if I get something she doesn't like, it can't get any worse."

"That," Pence said, starting to click away again, "is what you think."

Hayner sent the pebble spinning away from him. It was stupid Olette being mad at him over something that didn't concern her. That wasn't the way she saw it though. Oh no, anything - even something miniscule and meaningless - which was to do with her friends was automatically her business too.

"She said she wanted some more bubble bath."

Pence nodded but didn't look over or say anything, just continued taking pictures.

Hayner sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. There were a few minutes of silence.

Pence broke them, "Soap 'n' Suds," he stated.

"What?" Hayner looked at him, confused.

"Soap 'n' Suds," Pence repeated, "That's the brand of stuff she likes. Get her the strawberries and cream stuff. It's her favourite. You should probably get her a bath bomb too, that might just redeem you to her."

Hayner sighed, this time in relief, "Thanks, man. Does the big chemists shop stock it?""Yeah," Pence confirmed, "We can stop by if you want? I can make sure you get the right stuff?"

"That would have been good, but I've left my wallet at home."

Pence waved that off, "That's okay. You can pay me back later. I'd rather you get it right. I don't like dealing with a moody Olette any more than you do. And I have to live with her."

Hayner grinned, "Okay, thanks a lot."

They headed in the direction of the shop. Pence tucked his camera away in it's case and made easy, light conversation. God, Hayner was thankful for the change in tone. He could just join in, be swept away in the casualness, chat between two friends, gossip, jokes. When they reached their destination, they pushed their way through the heavy glass doors, Hayner wondering why a store so big were that tight they couldn't fork out for automatic ones. He followed Pence up an escalator to the next floor, and then through aisle after aisle. The place was like a maze. Whenever Hayner went there he just headed straight to the much smaller men's section and bought the same stuff he always did. Razor, foam, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, painkillers, deodorant: done. It was a good job Pence seemed to know his way around. He wondered how many times Pence had been forced to accompany Olette shopping. Was it really such a wonder he didn't want a girlfriend? Finally they reached shelving which had some very brightly coloured products on it and Pence stopped, "Here we are."

Hayner looked at the products warily. Christ, there were hundreds. Thank God Pence had come with him. Pence pointed out Olette's favourite things, Hayner deciding a big bottle of bubble bath, a bath bomb and some sparkly, dissolving glitter shit was necessary, given how mad she was. After they'd paid, or rather Pence had paid, Hayner feeling very guilty and very grateful, Pence said he was going to head home and download his photos to his computer.

They said goodbye and Hayner set off in the direction of the coffee shop, deciding it might be best to try and apologise to Olette where there were lots of witnesses in case she tried to kill him. Why was he apologising to her anyway? It was his life, his fucking body. He wasn't asking her to have sex with Seifer, no-sir-ee. And why did the thought of Olette and Seifer give him this weird stabbing in his chest? Must have inhaled too many fumes at the shop. How Pence could stand to use a bathroom with all this crap in it Hayner did not know. The shop was much busier now at just before nine, the pre-work rush. There were still plenty of empty tables however, so Hayner took a seat and waited until there was no one being served. There was another girl serving with Olette now, very pretty Hayner decided. Ha, in your face Olette. Although… He did think she was pretty, attractive, but he wasn't attracted to her. It was like looking at Riku. Hayner knew that he was good looking but he didn't like him in that way. He imagined that how he looked on this girl's attractiveness would be the same way Olette, Kairi or Naminé would look on it. A small amount of worry tried to set up home in Hayner's brain but he quickly evicted it. It didn't matter, this was just one girl. Maybe she just wasn't his type - what was his type anyway? Blond, this girl had long brown hair. And that would explain why he'd never liked Olette or Kairi in that way. Wait, wasn't Naminé blonde? Yeah, but she was too short. Hadn't he dated a brunette though? Kelsey was definitely a brunette. Okay, no type, but that didn't mean he would be attracted to every girl he met. He was glad when the queue was gone that he could get up and stop thinking, glad that is, until he remembered what he had to do.

Crossing to the counter slowly, he remembered just who's birthday present was hanging off his arm in a white, barely opaque plastic bag. Slipping it down into his hand, held it close to the floor and stood up against the counter. Olette carried on working with the till, less than two feet away from him. He knew she knew he was there.

The other girl turned to him with a smile, "Can I get you anything?" Nope, definitely not attracted.

Hayner shook his head, "No thanks, I'm just here to talk to Olette." The girl nodded and then disappeared into the kitchen of the shop. Olette was still sorting out the change in the till. "Olette," Hayner sighed, "Can I talk to you?"

Olette shrugged but didn't look up, "You are now, aren't you?"

Hayner massaged his left temple, did she really have to be so difficult? "Look 'Lette, I am sorry that it bothers you, but I'm not just going to stop because you want me too."

Olette made eye contact. Hayner blinked a few times, deciding he liked it better when her eyes hadn't been boring straight through into the back of his skull. "You think that's it do you?" she asked, some venom flowing through, "You think I just want you to stop just because?" She shook her head. "Hayner, I'm worried about you."

"'Lette-"

"No, Hayner. I don't want to do this right now. Just go home and think about what I've said, okay? Can you at least do that?"

"I have, 'Lette, and it doesn't change anything."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Hayner." She went back to arranging the money into it's correct compartments.

"Bye, 'Lette," Hayner said, with some dejection and left the coffee shop, hoping that by tomorrow the distance and time would have given Olette a chance to see his point of view because he wasn't going to even look at hers. 'Go home and think about what I've said'? Who did she think she was? She sounded like his mother; 'Go to your room and think about what you've done.' Hayner angrily sucked in a breath and then exhaled. He was going to do exactly the opposite. Well, maybe he would go home, but he wasn't going to give their argument a seconds thought. He'd deal with it tomorrow. Yeah, he'd go home and drop of Olette's present and then… Hayner sighed. He was pretty sure they were out of milk and the bread was mouldy, if the funny blue bits on his toast the day before were anything to go by. It looked like a trip to the supermarket was in order. Damn Seifer. Why couldn't he pull his weight around the place?

*

I've had you so many times
But somehow I want more


Stupidly, I feel sad. Those last two lyric lines always hit hard to me. They were sort of what inspired the story. I'd had the idea before, but I have lots of ideas. But then I got Band Hero for Christmas and that is one of the songs on it and I heard those two lines and had to write this.

If you're interested the next part should be up within the week. Saturday, I'd say.

Thanks for reading. I would really appreciate it if you'd let me know what you think. (Or tell me what 358/2 Days is like?!)