Vanitas muttered lowly to himself as he unlocked the door to his apartment, kicking it open roughly with the toe of his combat boot. His eyes were wide and bloodshot and he slumped forward in desperate need of sleep. He didn't spare a second to flip on the lights as he marched inward, tearing off his coat and throwing it atop the sofa. His hand was already at the edge of his shirt, about to rip it off when he heard a clatter in the bathroom. He froze, his eyes narrowing. He slowly crept toward the room, noting the beam of light that flooded out from the crack under the door, which was left open a hair. Pressing his hand against the bathroom door, he pushed it open, his eyes widening at the scene inside.

His blonde companion was leant against the foot of the counter with his legs sprawled before him. His head was tilted back as his eyes rolled up at him at his sudden entrance. That wasn't what caught Vanitas's attention however. Roxas's arm was outstretched and his fingers grasped for the razor he had dropped onto the cold tiled floor. His shirtsleeves were rolled up past his elbows sloppily and the top button of his shirt was lazily undone. Along the exposed flesh of the undersides of his arms were multiple lines of red, fresh and raw.

Vanitas sucked in a terse breath at the sight; it had never been this bad before. His amber eyes dropped to the razor that had slid across the floor, painting a gruesome line of red in its wake. As Roxas desperately reached for it, Vanitas swept forward, kicking it out of his range. He bent forward, snatching it up quickly. He held it up in front of the blonde's face, allowing for him to get a good look at the bloody tool he held between his fingers.

"Roxas…Roxas!" The blonde's eyes wavered between him and the razor hesitantly. Vanitas sighed. Then he caught a glimpse of an orange pill bottle on the floor under the edge of the counter. Only a few pills were scattered beside it. Vanitas gritted his teeth, grinding them in frustration between turning his fiery gaze back onto Roxas.

"What the hell were you thinking?" He cried, shaking the razor in front of his face before flinging it away. He fell to his knees, quickly opening the cabinet beside him and grabbing out rolls of gauze and rubbing alcohol. Vanitas immediately set to work cleaning the boy's wounds, who didn't respond. He opened the blonde's shirt, stripping it off. The effects of the alcohol from that night were completely drained from him as he performed the sobering job.

Blood was splattered on his lean chest, running up his neck in streaks marked by fingers. Vanitas washed Roxas off who slumped back, his head tilting to the side. His eyes slid shut, urging Vanitas to move faster. Soon enough he had both of the blonde's arms tightly wrapped in gauze. Vanitas took him by the shoulders, pushing him more properly against the cabinet. Removing his hand from his left shoulder, he observed the darkly marked XIII tattooed into his skin. Just the sight of the eternal marking made him itch to roll up his own sleeve to reveal the strange symbol marked on his own shoulder. He pressed a hand against Roxas's chest, feeling for the thump of his heart. It was faint and slowed but still present, making him breath a sigh of relief. At the sound, Roxas's eyes flickered beneath their lids, which Vanitas caught.

"Roxas," He repeated the blonde's name, shaking him by the shoulders before snarling and slapping him harshly across the face. "Roxas!"

Roxas's head twisted to the side as his cobalt eyes flew open. They still rolled around before finally landing on the raven-haired man. Vanitas placed his face centimeters from his so he looked straight into his amber orbs.

"Why did you do that, RoxaS?" He questioned softly. Roxas's lips parted and his tongue slid out to moisten their parched surface. Vanitas could quite nearly see the gears turning in his head in registration.

"I…wanted to know how it felt," Roxas choked out, an empty smirk pulling at his lips. Vanitas shook his head at his nonsense.

"Stupid, stupid kid," he muttered under his breath. He grabbed both of his shoulders as he said clearly, "What happened, Roxas? Tell me what happened that really caused this."

In Roxas's eyes something glinted in their obsidian facets, but only for a second "I told you, didn't I? I needn't tell you more." The usual frustrated tone of his voice had returned as he glared at Vanitas.

"That's a lie, Roxas," Vanitas growled, knocking him against the cabinet. "With you, you need an emotional trigger to cause you to do this," He leaned so close that their noses grazed each other as he peered into his dark cobalt eyes. "What happened?"

"Why should I tell you?" The blonde suddenly growled, shoving Vanitas back with wide, angry eyes. He tried to stand but fell back against the counter. He kept his glare on the other man. "It's my problem, isn't it?"

Vanitas lunged at him, his hand going at his neck to pin him in place. "We're partners, damn it! I trust you with my life and you do the same! That means I want to know what's going on with you if it's a life threatening situation!" Vanitas didn't realize he was shouting, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. "I've got your back, remember?" Roxas's eyes lit for a moment as indecision crossed his face. Then, surprising Vanitas, tears began spilling from them. The blonde shook, his arms wrapping themselves around him.

"Roxas, tell me what happened."

"She…she was killed tonight," Roxas stammered. "And I was right there. But I couldn't even go against them. I-I saw their faces and I couldn't do it."

Vanitas listened to him carefully, watching him. "It's not your fault, Roxas."

"No, it is!" he cried in a heart-wrenching voice. "T-they wanted me to kill her! Instead, I just stood there and watched," Vanitas looked away. Roxas squeezed his eyes shut, attempting to close out the tears. "And they were smiling while they did it. I wanted to run so badly, but I knew it was just a show for me. A warning. Because I know that's exactly what they'll do to me. I've been playing it safe with them for too long, Van," he muttered. "I know I'll screw it up someday. I've got tabs to pay with them that I know I can't escape."

Vanitas put a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "But you know I'll always be there for you. I've got your back." He grinned brusquely. "They underestimate me." He then stood and held a hand out for his companion. Roxas groaned in pain as he was dragged up, his tendons protruding from the strain. Vanitas caught him, supporting the blonde's weight as he led him out of the bathroom.

"You're way screwed up, man," teased Vanitas as he took him to his bedroom. "But that's why I'm here for you, buddy." He dropped him on his bed before moving to the door.

"Next time though when you do happen to take your medication, don't take it all at once. Seriously, you scared the shit out of me." He grinned and left the blonde to his own thoughts.

Roxas laid there for what seemed like hours. Then, as if someone was pulling strings attached to his limbs, he slowly rose, wincing in pain as he stumbled over to the mirror above his dressed. His hand went to the tattoo on his shoulder, his fingers curling themselves over the black imbued ink. As he looked up, his eyes seemed the same shade of black. A dark wave passed over him as he felt himself falling back to his bed. His hand sharpened and he ferociously began clawing at the symbol. He threw his head back as both of his hands ran themselves over his face. His fingertips grazed the ring embedded in the flesh of his eyebrow. He began thrashing on the bed as all the haunting feelings of the addictiveness began spreading to his mind. It wasn't like he needed them, but the overwhelming urge to destroy himself ate at him mercilessly. He shivered as he felt a gnawing, crawling sensation across his back. It scattered over the webbing swatch of tattoos that covered his pale expanse. He twisted and turned, feeling the both punishing and gentle, burning agony of the fires of hell caressing him, calling him down. He began screaming until his throat felt raw, but no sound came out. His eyes shot open, bloodshot and wide as he felt the sensation swallow him. His hands sought out the entirety of his bare skin, ripping and shredding it to pieces, freeing the bright scarlet blood that lay beneath. His life force pulsed out, his heart beating erratically from his empty chest, the only remaining thing left. Slowly, the corrupting blackness began seeping into it, coating it in its disgusting, sticky substance. That was all he was after all, the epitome of darkness.

Roxas stared at himself in the blank mirror. In it he saw himself; a haunted and gaunt-looking blonde boy with blue eyes that held more pain than passion. He sucked in a sharp breath as the mirror rippled, revealing a black being with piercing gold eyes that bore into his empty soul. It seemed to emanate outwards, flooding out and reaching towards him in a long, seductive tendrils. He surrendered to it, closing his eyes as he felt it wrap around him, pulling him into a sensual embrace. Then he fell.

Vanitas was crashed out on the couch, his hand holding a cold cloth to his forehead, soaking the raven strands beneath. His eyes stared up at the ceiling accusingly as he thought of his blonde companion. He bit his lip in frustration as he sought out a way to bring him back from the brink of suicide. His head turned sharply at a creak of the floorboards. His eyes darted about, hearing the slight slither of movement. Suddenly, a pair of midnight blue eyes gazed down at him, wide and hungry. Vanitas quickly sat up in question, his eyes widening when the blonde grasped him by the shoulders, leaning into him. Vanitas was paralyzed in shock as he felt Roxas's tongue sweep over his lips, searching for entrance. His hands shook as they rose to push him away when Roxas pushed himself upon him, capturing his lips into a full kiss. The raven-haired man gasped as he felt Roxas's hands curl around his neck, caressing the short hairs that lined the flesh there. At his reaction, Roxas deepened the kiss, pressing his weight further upon the astonished man. He ground his hips into him instinctively. Roxas had completely lost himself when a blurred image of a beautiful blonde-haired woman painted itself in his mind. Her luscious platinum hair cascaded over his shoulder and her sparkling azure eyes lured him in. He could see her lips moving, forming the letters to his name agonizingly slowly but he could not hear a sound.

Roxas opened his eyes abruptly to see Vanitas's golden ones stared up at him in shock. Gasping, the blonde peeled himself off, his eyes wide in confusion. Vanitas kept stared at him, not saying a word as he hurried backtracked to his room, loudly shutting the door. Vanitas sighed loudly, rolling his head back.

"I fuck girls, man!" He cried before shoving a pillow over his face.

Roxas sunk against his door, his hands covering his face as he shook his head, trying to sort things out in his mind. When he looked up, his eyes wildly searched the room. They picked out a few objects: a gun lying on his desk; a knife hanging on his wall; a rope coiled beside his window. He licked his lips hungrily at each of the selected murderous weapons, darting beneath the three. He clumsily stood, taking a few steps forward. At that moment, Vanitas kicked open the door, a gun in his hand. Just as Roxas whipped around to see him, he swiped at him, knocking the blonde out instantly.


After regaining his composure, Vanitas suddenly snapped back to attention as his mind began to formulate what was wrong with his partner-in-crime. He quickly grabbed the laptop that was resting on the table before him, opening it. With just a couple clicks, he opened the monitor screens that registered the multiple cameras that he had laid out throughout the apartment. He rewound the footage a few hours back and craned his neck down as he observed the screen up close.

From an upward angle, Vanitas made out the blonde's form stumbling into the kitchen. A grimace made its way onto his face as he watched him open the cabinets, pulling out various bottles of alcohol, taking large swigs from them. He painfully watched the intoxicating effects of the alcohol start to take place in the blonde's system as he fell against the counter, drinking heavily from the bottle. The raven-haired man's breath caught in his throat as Roxas finally sunk to the floor as a wounded cry spilled from his lips. He guessed that he was crying. The question was: what had happened that caused Roxas to become so bent out of shape?

Vanitas's eyes widened as he leaped up from his place on the couch. Grabbing his gun from its position tucked in the back of his pants, he rushed to Roxas's room, treading as quietly and as swiftly as a swallowing shadow. He had seen the distinct label on the last bottle Roxas had substantially drained. It explained everything.

It hardly surprised him when he kicked open the door loudly with his boot to see the blonde nearly rushing towards the gun sitting plainly on his desk. The boy turned sharply, his eyes flashing with a disturbingly animalistic look in his eyes. In a single movement, Vanitas stepped forward and smashed the side of his gun into his friend's head. The blonde, already out of balance easily fell to the ground, knocked out. Vanitas stood over his fallen body, an expression of regret and satisfaction conflicting on his face.

"Time for a rest, blondie."


"Ven?" The blonde looked up over his desk to see his brunette friend looking at him. curiously. He set aside the paper he held in his hand, taking off his reading glasses.

"Hey, Sora," he said in a resigned tone. He ran his hands over his pants nervously, ridding his pals of their collected sweat. "Look, I'm sorry about the confusion yesterday. I called my friends and got it all sorted out. I went over to their place after the gala apparently. It was one of my friend's birthday and I got massively drunk, which explains why I wasn't able to remember Namine at all." He chuckled, hoping his friend would buy his claim. He was glad he was so naïve when Sora grinned and nodded in understanding.

"Oh, that makes sense. Well, hopefully you remember Namine now at least a little. You two looked good together." He said before skipping out.

Ven put a hand to his forehead, sighing in relief. He reached down and opened his bottom drawer. He pulled out a bottle of whiskey and an empty glass.

"God knows I need this," He muttered, pouring out a glass.

Namine slowly made her way through the busy café, searching for her friend. She smiled when she finally recognized Kairi's lustrous red hair.

"Namine!" Kairi instantly rose, grabbing her friend in a tight hug. Namine patiently hugged her back before taking her seat opposite the red head. After pushing forward the cappuccino she had ordered for her friend, Kairi eagerly lenaed forward over the table as she asked, "So, give me all the details of your date with Ven."

"Kairi, it wasn't a date," defended the blonde, trying to hide her blush. "We just danced."

"And you talked, right? You must have talked. What did you talk about?" Kairi's questions spouted from her mouth like bubbles as Namine's eyes widened at the overwhelming interrogation.

"He was very kind," she stated modestly, taking a sip. "We talked about our jobs mainly. Nothing too exciting."

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Come on, surely there must've been something more stimulating in your conversation."

Namine nervously folded her hands. "Well, we did talk about the Shadow," she said quietly. "We went on that for a bit, I guess."

Kairi's eyes widened. "Ooh, I bet that was an interested subject. What did he say about it?"

Namine shook her head. "I mainly just told you my perspective on the matter. But he did…give me some odd compliments."

"Like what?" Kairi cocked her head curiously, her finger caressing the graceful curve of the handle on her cup.

"He said he liked my psychological opinion." She said meekly.

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Well, from what I saw, the two of you had really good chemistry," She looked away for a moment before turning back with wide eyes. "You and him should go on an actual date! It would be perfect!"

Namine vehemently shook her head. "I don't date, Kairi. You know that. I don't like having people with grudges with me and I don't like having grudges with others. And besides, I love my work. I don't want my life to get any more complicated."

Kairi sighed in frustration. "You just like everything to be organized and professional. You just haven't met the right person!" She stared at her friend with sharp eyes. "I think Ven is the one for you, Namine!"

The blonde rolled her eyes at the ludicrous exclamation. "That's ridiculous. You can't just tell that, Kairi."

Kairi crossed her arms, pressing her lips tightly together as her sculpted eyebrows descended upon her crystal blue eyes. "Why can't I? You can't deny it, Namine. You and Ven had the 'spark.'"

"You can't actually believe in that!"

"And why can't I?" Kairi defended. "Everything has a spark with someone. How else is love supposed to develop?"

Namine frowned. "Well, if such a spark does exist, then it must be able to go out."

Kairi gasped. "Whatever happened to believing in eternal love? Come on, Namine! Didn't you ever dream of finding your partner for life?"

Namine groaned. "Kairi, it's just crazy that two people would be able to love each other for all of eternity. The odds are completely against it. It's not natural."

"Your'e just saying that because of your parents," Kairi said sharply before suddenly covering her mouth at what she had said. "Namine, I didn't mean to say-"

"It's fine," Namine said quietly. "It's…just hard to believe in it when it was explicitly proved false right before your eyes," She tersely rose, grabbing her purse. "I'm sorry Kairi, but I think Ill go back to the office."

"Namine! I'm sorry!" Kairi called out, but the blonde ignored her as she weaved her way to the door.

Namine brusquely made down the sidewalk, tears stinging in her ears. She wrapped her arms around her, trying to hold in the pain. Maybe she was right. Maybe she just needed a sign to tell her to get on with her life. It still hurt though and her tears blurred her vision so that she didn't even see the man as she walked right into him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't s-" Namine's eyes widened as she looked up at the man before her.

The man's eyes identically grew as he took in the recognition spreading over her features.

"Ven? Is that you?"


1 hour earlier

Roxas blearily opened his eyes, squinting at the blurriness of the developing scene before him. He immediately scowled when he recognized his roommate's who was staring at him closely. Roxas pushed himself off the hard leather couch he was laid upon, scratching his head as he felt the pounding headache in his temple.

"Damn, what happened?" he moaned. Vanitas's eyes narrowed to slits as he held up a bottle before the blonde. Roxas dismissively pushed it away as he gathered his thoughts.

"What the fuck were you thinking, drinking this?" The raven-haired man demanded, shoving it back into the blonde's face.

Roxas groaned. "What the hell is that anyway? Is that what gave me this fucking headache?" Vanitas let out an animalistic growl as he grabbed him by the shoulders, rattling all regained cognition out of him.

"This is absinthe, you idiot! I caught you drinking it on camera!" He grasped the blonde by his shirt (which Roxas didn't remember putting on) in a death grip. "You could've killed me while on this!"

Roxas rolled his eyes. "Oh, like that would be so heartbreaking for me."

"I'm serious! Be glad you only attacked me with a kiss." Vanitas's seriousness abruptly melted away as his trademark smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. Roxas's face instantly transformed into one of disgust. He quickly shoved himself away from the raven-haired man.

"Gah, what the – fuck no!"

Vanitas's smirk grew into a devious grin. "You're a good kisser, loverboy," Then he glared at him. "Not like I enjoyed it. Don't ever do that again." He shook the half-empty bottle of green liquid in front of him. "And don't even think about touching this again. Many great minds have suffered because of this stuff." He rose to put the forbidden drink back in the cabinet.

"Then why the hell do you even have it, Van?" called Roxas. Vanitas slowly turned, a strange look crossing his face.

"Don't fucking question me, kid!" shouted Vanitas.

"If you're going to warn me about it, you might as well get rid of it!" countered Roxas.

"Fine!" Without hesitation, he dumped the remaining liquid down the sink. When he looked at Roxas with a smug look of satisfaction, he caught the blonde's smirk. A second later, he was leaning over the sink with his head plunged into its cavity.

"Fuck you! That's for Halloween!"

Roxas walked over to him, slapping him on the shoulder. "You said it, not me."

After breathing hard for a few moments, Vanitas spun around, giving Roxas a strange look. "You never took your medication did you? Even though the bottle on the bathroom floor was nearly empty?" he asked skeptically.

Roxas raised an eyebrow, not quite grasping the entire question. "What makes you think I ever take my medication?" He answered. Vanitas sighed. He glanced up at the blonde when his hand flew to his forehead. In the action, he noticed the stained bandages wrapped around his arms.

"Er, what else happened last night, Van?"

Vanitas scowled, turning and leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. "Well first off, I walked in at four in the morning to find you cutting yourself open with a razor in the bathroom," Roxas glanced at his bandages skeptically. "Then you told me of…Xion." Roxas opened his mouth to question what he was talking about when he stopped himself.

"Ah. So you do remember something." muttered Vanitas. Roxas's hands clenched as he brought them to his head.

"S-she's really gone, isn't she?"

Vanitas shrugged. "From what you told me, apparently." Roxas distractedly sat down onto one of the barstools, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"God, they made me watch. Then they did…the worst things you could imagine to her," His eyes were wide and pale as he recalled what he had seen earlier that morning. "That's why I was cutting myself…to see how it felt when Larxene took that knife to her," He shuddered at the memory. "But I didn't run. I just stood there and watched."

"You're not gonna go through the whole 'it's a warning for me' and all that again, are ya? 'Cuz I got all of that the first time." Groaned Vanitas as he rolled his eyes. Roxas turned his glare on him. It lightened a moment later.

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I caused you this morning." Vanitas shrugged nonchalantly.

"Hey, we take care of each other." Roxas nodded in agreement before letting out a long groan.

"Ahh, fix me a cup of coffee, will ya?" Vanitas smirked, throwing him a mixed expression of guilt and humor.

"Um, sorry kid. I kinda used up the last of it trying to get over my hangover while you were still knocked out." Roxas gave him the ultimate death glare before backing off, not even bothering to ask him about his latter leak of information. With Vanitas, he didn't want to know. He rose from his seat, grabbing his coat from the closet.

"Hey, where you think you're going?" The raven-haired man snapped.

Roxas rolled his eyes. "Coffee, dumbass. I'll be back later."

He quickly left the apartment, holding his head in one hand as he descended the stairwell and stumbled upon the busy city street. He pulled on his hood to distract from his gray-rimmed bloodshot eyes. He was a little late in the day for the annual walk of shame. Roxas groggily made his way down the street, looking for the first coffee shop he could find. He was tempted to simply snatch someone' coffee and run when he felt a force run into him. A deep scowl carved into his face and his eyes narrowed, prepared to burn his victim with the fires of hell when his mind registered the familiarity in the small voice that spoke.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I didn't s-" Roxas scrutinized the wide-eyed blonde girl before him when his brain flashed red warning signals as he recognized her.

"Ven? Is that you?"

'Oh shit, oh shit. Ahh fuck.' Roxas's eyes darted to the side, desperately trying to find a way out of his current situation. He finally turned his gaze back on her as his mind furiously whirred in attempts to formulate a story.

"A-ah, Namine. It's good to see you again." He spoke hesitantly, polishing the details to his story in his mind.

"Yes, it's quite a coincidence I ran into you," replied Namine, wringing her hands nervously, making Roxas wonder. "She looked him up and down, taking in his sloppy appearance. "You're not at work?" Roxas gulped, his lips trembling slightly. He was never this nervous in lying, so why was he now? Because of her? That was impossible.

Roxas quickly checked his watch. "Um, lunch break. I like to go work out at the gym during then." He clenched his teeth, hoping she'd buy it with his cargo pants and baggy sweatshirt. Namine slowly nodded, making his heart stop for a moment in disbelief.

"Ah, I just never pictured you doing so. I figured you'd be one of those guys who would work through lunch." She said with a small smile.

Roxas chuckled, sweat beading his forehead. "I like to stay healthy. It's one of my rules I bide to." He frowned as she looked down, wanting to escape her company as soon as possible.

"Listen, I really liked talking with you the other night. I-I was just wondering if maybe you'd be interested in seeing each other again."

Roxas paled and he realized her own cheeks were red. He figured that she was never so bold. He sighed. Wait, why was he even debating upon the matter? 'Say no, say no!'

"Sure," 'Fuck!' Roxas inwardly slapped himself. What the hell was wrong with him? "I'd…like that." What the hell was he saying? His inner self was now clawing at his head.

Namine's face brightened as she smiled, making Roxas noticed how beautiful she was. "How does Friday night sound? At the Garden Plaza?" Roxas's eyes were wide and he felt completely overwhelmed as she began digging in her purse for something.

"Here's my card with my number on it," She smiled again, giving Roxas a weak feeling in his knees. "I'll see you the, OK?" She said, backing away.

'Stop her, Roxas! You can't do this, for God's sake!'

"Wait!" he called. "What time?" Roxas felt a stabbing pain in his side as he screwed up again. He could just picture his mental-self kicking him in the ribs. His fake smile faltered when that blush of hers came on again.

"Does seven sound all right?" Roxas faintly nodded. Then she smiled and left him. He numbly turned over the business card she had given him, staring at the number printed on it. He ran a hand over his face, letting out a loud groan of frustration, causing several people passing him to send him strange looks. He didn't blame them one bit.

Roxas dug into his pocket, pulling out his phone as he stowed the card away. He cursed himself for being so easily played by a girl as she reluctantly dialed the forbidden number.


Ven took off his glasses as he saw his phone vibrating on the desktop. He frowned as he caught the number on the screen. He hesitantly brought it up to his ear.

"What do you want?" He asked in an irritated tone.

"…I'm in trouble." Came the reply.

Ven rolled his eyes, sighing. "You know I can't help you with stuff like that, Rox."

"No, no Ven! I mean…I'm in trouble with a girl."

Ven frowned. "Wait, what? What do you mean?"

"Namine!" Ven removed the phone slightly at his brother's shout. "The girl I met while I was…being you."

Ven leaned forward onto his desk, taking a sidelong glance. "And your trouble is…?" He heard Roxas sigh on the other end of the line.

"She saw me today. She asked me out."

Ven's eyes widened a fraction. "You said no, right?" He already knew what the answer would be though.

Roxas didn't answer. Then: "I'm meeting her this Friday," Ven leaned back in his chair, putting a hand to his head. "What am I supposed to do, Ven?" Roxas's voice was strangely hoarse and desperate.

"You've got to do it, Rox," he said, catching the silence at the other end. "I can't do this for you. The most important meeting is always the first. You can't just erase the things you said when you were being me. Anyways, I thought you liked the girl. You should be thrilled."

"No, it's just…" Roxas trailed off, leaving Ven confused.

"Wait, you've been on a date before, right?"

"Of course I have!" Roxas snapped, startling Ven.

Ven scratched his head. "Then it shouldn't be a problem."

"No Ven, it's – I haven't been on a real date in…I don't know how long." Said Roxas.

"What do you mean a 'real date'?" Ven suddenly shook his head as his ear was filled with silence. "Never mind, I don't want to know."

"Ven, I can't just be myself 'cuz I'm too busy being you," Roxas sighed. "And I can't just tell her."

Ven rolled his neck, trying to figure out a solution. "Roxas, I can't tell you what to do. Whatever you do, it's going to affect you, not me. And if she comes to me, I'll just tell her it was you," Roxas remained silent. Ven continued, "So it's either you telling her yourself or me." Ven winced as Roxas hung up before setting his phone down. He sighed as he rubbed his temples. He knew that whatever his brother did would come crashing down on him, and it weighed down his heart.


"Woah, woah. Back so soon?" questioned Vanitas as Roxas marched into the apartment, slamming the door behind him. He twisted around from his position on the couch, watching him as he collapsed onto one of the barstools, his head falling into his hands. Vanitas pursed his lips, choosing his words carefully. "So…no coffee?" That was when Roxas snapped. The blonde's eyes latched viciously onto his, deep swirling pits of despair glaring back at him. Vanitas nearly flinched but scowled at Roxas's behavior.

"Dude, just tell me. It's not gonna kill you." Roxas's lip trembled slightly, but then his eyes softened.

"You're wrong, Van. I made a mistake that probably will be the death of me," His eyes darted away. "Eventually."

Vanitas raised his eyebrows at his cryptic words. "OK, you officially have me puzzled. Spill." Roxas let out a prolonged sigh, running an anxious hand through his already messy hair, worrying Vanitas even more.

"You know that girl I met at the gala?" Vanitas nodded, watching the blonde closely. His eyes were moving erratically and his hands had begun shaking. Roxas wiped his hands on the front of his pants in his nervousness. "You'd never – the odds are – I ran into her on the street."

"Did she recognize you?" he asked.

Roxas glared at him. "What do you think?" he snapped, to which Vanitas sent him an equally poisonous look. "Yeah. I made up a story to shake her off which thankfully she bought, but then she…she asked me out. To dinner. On Friday." Vanitas didn't say anything for a moment. Roxas glanced down in the silence. When he looked up, he was surprised to still see the raven-haired man staring at him.

"And did you say yes?" Vanitas's question startled the blonde. He stuttered as he began his response.

"Y-yes," Vanitas's eyes lit up at his affirmation, making Roxas's eyes widen. "I don't know what came over me, Van! It was as if I couldn't control my own words! I couldn't say no and I had two chances and I screwed both of them!" Vanitas chuckled at his companion's confusion. Roxas's face darkened at his reaction. "This is serious, Van!"

Vanitas ruffled his hair as he began laughing. "Man, you haven't been on a proper date since…hell even I can't remember," His eyes glinted mischievously. "Go out with her, Rox. I know you'll like it."

Roxas threw his hands into the air in frustration. "You're not listening to me!" Roxas backed away, pacing in a circle, his chest heaving. "If I go out with her as my brother, then all I'm doing is digging myself into a deeper hole! I can't do it! I know what happens when you build a tower of lies because it's happened before. I can't go through that again!"

He looked up. In his eyes, Vanitas saw a flash of desperation and he knew exactly what was going through his mind. "I can't keep running, Van. You and I both know that one of these days we'll get hit." He sighed, rubbing his temple. "I-I can't do it. I refuse to go down slowly this way." Vanitas stared at him, watching the blonde the scattered blonde.

"Get your shit together, man," Roxas's eyes snapped to him at his blunt words. "I don't want to hear how you're all fucked up and all of your fucking troubles. You deserve to go out and see this girl again. God, I hadn't ever seen you as happy as you were the other night after the gala. Granted, you weren't exactly happy, but that night I saw something in your eyes that I hadn't seen before." Vanitas crossed his arms, emphasizing his firm words.

Roxas shut his eyes as his mouth curved down into a frown. "Why should I even bother listening to you?"

Vanitas scoffed, "Because you're fucking miserable and I know that meeting with her will keep you from shooting yourself in the head."

"I'm not gonna shoot myself in the head!" Roxas retorted.

"Cut the fuck, Rox. I saw what you did this morning and I tell you, that's gonna happen again someday," Roxas rolled is eyes, making Vanitas let out a deep growl. "You're completely emotionally unstable! I don't care if you lie or cheat, but I know that the best thing you need to do is find something to tie you down and this girl is exactly what you need!" His eyes narrowed as Roxas walked away, ignoring him.

"You know I'm right! Maybe one of these days you'll quit all your bullshit and start living like a real human being!" He was answered only by the sound of Roxas's bedroom door slamming.


"Sir, sir! They got a call over in Traverse Town!" Hayner ran into Riku's office, his face pale. Riku immediately sat up in his chair at the news. "They…they think it was the Shadow."

"We don't assume with the Shadow anymore, lieutenant. Where did he hit?" Rik asked with an edge in his voice.

"The museum, sir. They noticed several artifacts missing." Hayner replied.

"Do they have any surveillance?"

"Hardly worth anything, sir. One second they're sitting there, another they're just…gone." Said Hayner.

"What about the lasers? And the glass cases?" pressed Riku.

Hayner scratched his head. "They only took the ones without cases. They snatched them right up as if…" Riku looked at him questioningly.

"As if what, Hayner?"

The blonde gulped, clearing his throat. "As if the lasers had been turned off, sir."

Riku sighed, running a hand over his forehead. "And the security guards?"

Hayner wrung his hands nervously. "Knocked out, sir. None were killed however." Riku relaxed slightly at his words.

"Well, put leads out for those artifacts. They're the only solid leads we can get here." Said Riku in an exasperated tone.

"Yes, sir." Replied Hayner before filing out of the office.

Riku slammed his fist down upon his desk. His head snapped up when a knock came from his door. He easily recognized the tall brunette man on its other side. He rose and pulled it open, a serious smile displayed on his face.

"Terra," he greeted, shaking his hand as he brought the man into his office. "Good to see you again."

"Yes, it is nice to see you, Riku." Replied the tall man. The two men sat down opposite of each other. Riku folded his hands on the desk between then.

"I gather you are here to talk about the security means for Saturday?"

Terra nodded. "Yes. As you know, the conference will be publicly held outdoors. The most significant topic for discussions is accommodating the security for such the exposed setting."

Riku nodded solemnly. "The most accessible security we can provide will be by rooftop. It will be also handy for clear supervision."

"And how many rooftops can you cover?" asked Terra.

Riku leaned forward at his question. "How much of a threat do you expect to be for this conference?" He cocked his eyebrow.

Terra's eyebrows lowered, darkening his eyes. "We will not accept anything less than the best security, Riku."

Riku sighed." All right, I understand. I'll have all of the surrounding buildings covered."

Terra nodded, satisfied. "Thank you." He rose, hesitating though as he reached the door.

"I heard about the Shadow's stunt in Traverse Town," he said, his voice low and dark. "Do you have an leads on him?"

Riku resentfully shook his head. "No, but he is definitely high on our priority list.

Terra clenched his fist as he put his hand on the door. "Well, I wish you the best of luck. That bastard is getting to be a thorn in everyone's sides." He nodded emphatically before taking his leave.

Riku walked to the window of his office, solemnly gazing out towards the city. He stood there for several long moments until the creak of the door interrupted his thoughts. Hayner peered into the office.

"Sir, the artifacts have turned up."

Riku turned. "Where?"

"At a black market in Hollow Bastien." Replied the lieutenant.

Riku promptly grabbed his coat, throwing it over his broad shoulders. "That's in our jurisdiction. Let's go."

The two moved out without hesitation. Riku's hand went to his pocket when he felt his phone vibrate. Digging it out, he caught the caller ID. Sora. With a sigh, he shoved it back away. Right now he had business to take care of.