Chapter 2- Embers Burning Dimly

AN- oh god, this opening scene... it was painful for me to write. I'm just not a smut writer. Especially not like this...

well, here it is! Chapter three! Thanks for your patience, guys, and for the favorites and reviews!

Warnings- - Yeah... its getting a little graphic here, kiddies. Rated M for good reason. In American movie ratings, this isn't rated R... this is bordering on NC17. don't say I didn't warn you...

Disclaimers- things I own- a ten year old desktop computer, too many empty Monster cans, the plot of this story. Things I don't own- Roxas, Ven, and any other characters here. They belong to the people of Squareenix. The lucky buggers.

…...

Ventus unlocked the front door of his house at 3:15. Larxene's car was gone, so at least he didn't have to worry about her. He went up the stairs to his room, dropping off his things. He sat on his bed for a moment, with his face in his hands.

Vanitas would be home in fifteen minutes.

And if Ven wasn't in his room... it would be bad.

He pushed his fingers through his hair, and stood, heading down the hall to Vanitas' bedroom. The room was like a cave, with black walls and deep red bedding. the windows were covered in thick deep red curtains, giving the room an eerie red glow. On the whole, it was a dim dark, gloomy place, and Ventus hated it.

He doubted he would have hated it as much if it wasn't for all that had happened here.

Ventus perched on the edge of the bed and waited. At exactly 3:32, Vanitas opened the door.

"I'm late. I apologize. Traffic was slow." he said smoothly.

Ven nodded. It was always like this. Vanitas always acted as if they were friends. As if the blonde had any sort of say in what was happening. But nothing could be further from the truth.

Vanitas sat beside him, taking off his leather boots. "I thought about you all day, you know."

Funny, I can say the same. But I can guarantee we weren't thinking the same thing...

"What about you, Ventus? How was your day?" he asked, placing his hands on the blondes shoulders, rubbing gently.

"Boring."

Vanitas dug a thumb painfully into Ven's neck. "Now, now, don't be like this, Ventus. You know I don't like it. Tell me, what happened today?"

Ven bit his lip to keep from groaning. "We...um... we got some new kids..." he said in a low voice.

Vanitas resumed leisurely rubbing Ven's shoulders. "that's nice. Are any of them cute?" he asked in a teasing voice.

"I... I guess..."

For a moment, there was silence. Then Vanitas cleared his throat.

"Well, well, Ventus, if you're going to be disagreeable like this, I suppose I'll just have to be disagreeable back, wont I?" he whispered into Ven's ear.

"I-I I'm not trying to be disagreeable, I just- I just don't know what to-" Ven began to stutter. He knew what was coming. He didn't look forward to it. He just really wasn't up to carrying on pleasant conversation today.

Vanitas let go of Ven's shoulders, reaching around and grabbing him by the chin, wrenching his neck at a painful angle so that he could look him in the eyes. "too late, Ventus, love. I gave you your warning. Now we do this the less pleasant way..." he smirked and then mashed his lips against the blondes.

Ven let it happen. The last time he had resisted, it had ended... painfully on his part. So he let Vanitas kiss him, let him force his tongue in his mouth, let him explore to his hearts content, because he was too scared to fight it.

Vanitas pulled away for a moment, pulling him further onto the bed. He pulled the blondes shirt over his head, running his hands down Ven's chest. "beautiful..." he murmured. Then Vanitas' mouth was on his neck, his hands were exploring his sides. Ven lay there, trying not to react. But when the golden-eyed boy began to suck on his throat, Ventus let out a low moan.

Vanitas pulled away long enough to whisper "there we are..." against Ven's skin, and then he went back, tasting him, touching him, making him writhe.

Ven hated every moment of this.

He hated himself for enjoying it even more.

…...

"Well, I'm very glad to know that Roxas wont be having to run lights and sound by himself anymore!" Miss Heartilly said enthusiastically. "its so good to have you a part of our group, Axel!"

the red-haired boy grinned and jabbered away with Miss Heartilly. Roxas was happy enough, because it meant he didn't have to try and be friendly. Roxas had a hard enough time speaking his mind when he wanted to, let alone when he was just trying to make polite conversation.

"well, I'll see you boys later. I'm glad we got so much accomplished today!" the teacher said, waving as she walked away. Roxas picked his bookbag up and headed towards the front doors.

"hey Roxas!" Axel called. Roxas paused in his steps.

"you, um, want a ride home?" the redhead asked.

Roxas was surprised. Even though a few of his friends had cars of their own, nobody ever offered to actually give him a ride.

He suspected they were scared of Vanitas. He had heard them mention him before, closely followed by the words 'creep' and 'freak..'

Roxas blinked for a second. He wanted to accept... but if he took the ride, he'd be home that much faster. And he liked to avoid the place when he could.

"no... no thanks." Roxas said quietly.

Axel looked a little crestfallen. "well, okay... I guess I'll see you later? Tomorrow?"

Roxas gave him a small smile. "yeah..." he said, nodding.

Axel grinned and walked off, his long legs taking great strides toward the side exit of the school.

He's so odd...Roxas thought as he left the school building. But he really is very nice...

As his feet carried him slowly to his house, though, his good mood fell away, replaced with feelings of dread.

The feeling compounded when he got to the driveway, and saw both Larxene's and Vanitas' cars in the drive, as well as an unfamiliar car.

This is going to be a bad night...

Roxas opened the door quietly, hoping to draw as little attention to himself as possible.

But of course, luck was not on his side.

Larxene emerged from the living room at the same time Roxas was shutting the front door.

"You!" she growled. It was obvious she was already on her way to sloshed, at five o clock in the evening. "'bout time you showed your pansy ass around here. I got shit for you to do."

Roxas said nothing, waiting. He knew if he blatantly ignored her, she'd hit him. But if he let her go off, maybe he could avoid a slap...

"Hey you! Fuckin' mute bastard! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" she screeched. She's taken something, as well... its more than alcohol tonight...

Her manicured nails dug into his cheeks. "so where were you, you little bastard? Why weren't you home right after school, huh?" she demanded.

Roxas panicked. He couldn't tell her about the thespians club, or she would refuse to let him go. "I... I was...seeing a teacher..." he stuttered.

"ah, got your stupid ass in trouble, did you? What did you do, huh?" she demanded.

"he wasn't in trouble, Larxene. He stayed after for some help on an assignment. I would have told you, but I was... busy and didn't realize you were home." Ventus stood at the top of the stairs, his hair mussed, his clothes rumpled. Roxas was relieved.

"oh really..." Larxene glared for a second, but then tossed Roxas away from her. He slammed into the front door. It hurt like a bitch, but he said nothing. "don't let it happen again. And clean the fucking kitchen. Its disgusting." she snarled. She stalked back into the living room.

Ventus came down the stairs, helping Roxas, wincing, to his feet. "go upstairs, rox, and relax. I'll clean the kitchen."

Roxas shook his head. "If she see's you doing it and not me, she'll have a fit."

Ventus snorted derisively. "she's so fucked up at this point, that as long as I don't say anything, she wont even know the difference."

Roxas was still unsure, though.

"look, if your that worried, lets trade shirts, okay?

Roxas gave his twin a strained smile. "thanks, Ven." he said quietly.

Ven patted him gingerly on the shoulder. "anytime, bro." they walked up the stairs together, Roxas limping, Ven carrying his backpack. They stepped into Roxas' room, and Ven dropped the backpack on Roxas' desk. Then he pulled his shirt over his head, Roxas doing the same. They exchanged, and then Roxas all but collapsed into his desk chair, wincing.

Ven looked at his brother in sympathy. "you should go hop in the shower, rox. Just take it easy, and don't worry about your homework tonight. You have all weekend."

I must look like shit. Roxas thought. Otherwise, Ven wouldn't be telling me to hold off on homework...

without looking up at his twin, Roxas sighed and replied "yeah, I'll probably do that. Thanks again."

Ven nodded again and headed out of the room. After a moment, Roxas forced himself to stand up again, and trudged over to the bathroom. And stared at the bruises in his reflection. He had a defined hand-print on his cheek, and little half-moon marks from her nails decorated his cheekbones, little trails of blood falling from them.

Thank god its the weekend. at least I don't have to explain this away for a few days...

Roxas showered and got into his pajamas, lowering himself slowly into his bed. As he drifted off to sleep, one last thought crossed his mind.

190 days left...

…...

well, there it is. Chapter four is in the works.

Send me some reviews, guys! They're the M&M's to my popcorn!