hi yes its me again after disappearing for several months
DISCLAIMER: All Kingdom Hearts, FinalFantasy and The World Ends With You content do not belong to me. Rayne belongs to the lovely Arisa Kiryuu and Scarlet belongs to me~
Vanitas
There were so many events going on right now, from weddings to family gatherings, especially since it was the holidays. Though it was strange that I was called for family gatherings…. I guess they wanted to remember this?
They seriously coulda done it themselves.
Whatever, people were weird and this was only my job, but I was happy because having this many people actually call me and pay me for this meant they saw and liked my work or were referred to me by others who did as well.
But I really didn't want to be here…
I needed to be home right now; I needed to see Scarlet.
Even if she doesn't want to see me-
"Hey, asshole. It's bad enough I have Sora moping around. I don't need you doing the same." Roxas interrupted my thoughts as he walked into his and Sora's apartment, dropping his messenger bag on the coffee table in front of me and heading straight into the kitchen. He walked back into the living room with a soda in his hand and flopped on the seat next to me. "So how long are you staying?
"Should be like a week or two.."
"Then this should be fine. Sora and I are very rarely ever home at the same time though and lately, Sora hasn't really been out much. He just stays in his room and watches anime. I think he even turned off his phone completely."
No wonder Sora and Scarlet get along so well. I sighed and closed my eyes.
"Vanitas. You look like hell, to be honest. Is everything ok?"
"Everything's just dandy. Why, is my dear brother worried about me?" Roxas dully stared at me. "…. A-anyways, where is Sora anyways?"
"You're avoiding the question but whatever." He took a sip from his soda before responding. "Sora's still at the university actually."
"Ah, of course.." I couldn't help feeling a bit awkward right now and, by the looks of it, Roxas was feeling the same. We ended up sitting there in silence for a while until my phone began ringing, startling the both of us and causing Roxas to spill some soda on himself. I heard him curse under his breath before leaving to the bathroom.
"What's up Axel?"
"Where you at? You just disappeared."
"Work. Where else?"
"Ok, but where?"
"Do you need to know?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Can't say."
"Asshole."
"Look, if you're in Twilight Town with Roxie, tell me. I gotta talk to him."
"Why?"
"I don't need to tell you."
"Uh yeah you do. I'm his brother."
"Look, just tell him I need to talk to him." I felt like Axel was hiding something from me but I couldn't ask him because as soon as I felt like he was going to hang up, only one question came out of my mouth.
"Does Scarlet want to see me?" There was silence. I had to check if the bastard hadn't hung up on me or something until I heard his reply.
"No." The beeping coming from the phone soon after was unwanted.
I hated this.
I hate having to go through this again, of having this tension between the three of us. Almost as if history was repeating itself yet again..
This whole situation with Scarlet made me want to grab a time machine and return to the point in our lives before things changed between the two of us, return to that one day during summer vacation when we had all gone back home to visit.
None of this was planned, all these complications-
"Vanitas, I swear to god you really need to stop moping or ima beat your ass."
"And you better not fucking scare me like that again! The fuck did you come from?!"
"Room, changing cuz someone caused my soda to spill on me." He eyed me as he walked towards me. "Who was it?" I debated whether to tell him the truth or lie.
"… It was Axel."
"What'd he want?"
"Said he needed to talk to you bout something. Though I've been wanting to ask… Is there something going on between the two of you?" I saw him stiffen and look away, a tint of red or his cheeks.
"N-no. We're just friends."
"I'm gonna pretend I believe that. But if there is, tell me."
"You don't have to know everything just because you're the older brother. I'm 20, for fuck's sake, and I can make my own decisions."
"Yo, calm down there. I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life, dumbass. But anyways, I gotta go to work now so see ya later."
"W-wait, Vanitas…" I turned to look at Roxas, "I've.. actually been thinking of transferring to Radiant University.."
"… just as long as you do it for the right reasons, Roxas. But let's talk more about this later, that ok?" I walked out to leave him with his thoughts and headed off to a wedding I was contracted for.
~•~
It was almost the end of the second week and I was nearly about to lose it. Mainly because every time I tried to call Scarlet, I was sent straight to voicemail. I was suddenly free tonight because the party I was called for was canceled. I had tried getting Sora out of his room but he was being excessively stubborn and kept in making excuses to stay in.
It was early evening now and I felt so bored in this apartment. Roxas hadn't come home yet and I was actually hoping I'd be able to talk to him more about what his… relationship with Axel.
Before I knew it though, I had let my mind wander. Thoughts of her ran through it. Images of her rare and beautiful smile plagued me. I felt as if I were suffocating. In all honesty, I wish this were all a dream, a dream I want to end.
I glanced towards the moonlight that shone brightly through the window, thought about all the lunatic nights Axel, Scar, and I would spend together. If things ended badly, I really don't know how I'd feel. It was easy to say that I would be fine, that I'd be able to smile and to not be afraid. But being able to actually feel like that is a very different story.
"Scar.." I whispered to the nothingness around me, "Give me your hand and save me.." I felt myself start to lose track of reality. "I need your love before I fall…"
"I hope you're not talking to me." I jolted up, turning to look at Roxas who was staring at me like I was crazy.
"You're finally here! Good!" I stood up and started dragging Roxas by his arm towards the door.
"H-hey! What are you doing?!"
"I need a drink and we need to talk. I know there's a 7th Heaven here so that's where we're going right now."
"Vanitas, I literally just got home." Roxas tried pulling away but my grip tightened. "Fucking hell, let me go Vanitas." I remained silent. I heard my brother sigh behind me and stopped struggling. "At least let me get a sweater or something. It's cold out."
Once arriving at the bar and getting settled in, I felt Roxas glare at me. "What's got you so mad?"
"Vanitas, I can't exactly be here." I raised an eyebrow at him. "I'm still not legally able to drink out in public. Just 'cause we're the owner's sons doesn't mean I'm free to do whatever I want here."
"Who says you're gonna drink at all? I do remember saying that I need the drink. You stick to soda or whatever." Roxas scoffed at me and crossed his arms. "I just wanted to talk to be honest."
"About?"
"You."
"What do you want to know?"
"I'm not going to interrogate you. God damn." I downed my drink and immediately asked for another one. "I just want you to be honest with me."
"… this is about Axel?"
"Maybe. Look.." I looked down as I swirled my second drink in my hand, "I'm sorry for not being completely there while you were in high school. I know… things happened then and you closed yourself off to everyone, especially Ven, but…" I downed my drink again and stayed quiet for a moment.
"Vanitas-"
"I just want you to know that I'm here if you need to talk or something. I dunno." There was silence between the two of us. It started to feel awkward again, just the two of us sitting next to each other in silence while at a bar, but I guess it's much better than being here alone.
"Look, ok. I.. may have a crush on Axel.." I let Roxas continue, focusing on his words and the drink in front of me. "I don't even know how. We just started talking all of a sudden and then like… it became a daily thing."
"So…. The whole transferring universities ideas was..?"
"It's my idea. I just.. I felt like being able to spend time together would do us good you know? Instead of having to be this far apart and rely on the internet all the time. It could be a nice surprise, right?" I stifled a laugh. "What?"
"You seem like a broody little shit when in reality you're just a huge romantic. It's fucking hilarious." Roxas jabbed his elbow into my side, causing me to fall from my stool. "The fuck did you do that for!? I was just messing with you jeez!"
"You provoked me. Not my fault." I saw my brother look away and start to twiddle his thumbs. I got off the floor and straightened myself out before sitting down again. I gave him an awkward pat on his back.
"It's time for some advice from your big bro." I quickly ruffled his hair, grinning at him as he glared back. "Do whatever makes you feel happy. Make a decision you won't regret. But like I said before, these decisions need to be for the right reasons." I paused, trying to gather my thoughts, "Transferring universities is a process so you can't just up and leave. I also think that Axel would prefer you staying here and finishing what you started." I felt Roxas lean slightly towards me and I wrapped my arm around his shoulders, pulling him into half a hug.
~•~
I felt the chill air hit me as we walked out the of the bar causing me to shiver. I cursed under my breath for leaving so hurriedly until I felt something warm on my shoulders.
"I knew you were gonna forget a sweater. I did warn you."
"Yeah, yeah. Thanks."
"So how much longer am I gonna have to deal with your shit at home?" I gave him a playful punch on his shoulder.
"Today's the last day. I'm going back tomorrow morning."
"Thank g-" Our moment was interrupted by my phone's ringing as I quickly tried to take it out of my pocket. "You know, this needs to stop or else it's gonna become a big habit whenever we're together ." I hissed at Roxas before checking the screen. I remained petrified as I realized who was calling me. "Are you going to answer it?" I stared at Roxas, eyes wide with shock and he sighed before moving closer and answering the call for me.
"Vanitas? Hello? Are you there?" Its been too long since I've last heard her voice that I felt myself get wrapped up in it in mere seconds. I felt my surroundings slow down and in this very moment, I felt a smile tug at my lips. Roxas mouthed that he was going home to leave me alone and I thanked him quietly.
"Hey Scar. Yeah, I'm here"
"Can we.. talk for a bit?"
"About?"
"You know what I mean." I could sense her scowling through the call and for once this entire hell of a week, I felt at ease. I started walking towards the park nearby the University. The streets at night were surprisingly quiet but very much appreciated. "Where have you been?"
"I had a few jobs here in Twilight Town. I'm actually going home tomorrow. Didn't Axel tell you?"
"He didn't. Kept saying he didn't know."
"That fucker! He did know! I'm gonna have to get home soon just to kick his skinny ass!" I heard a chuckle from Scarlet and it made me giddy.
"Ok so … 'bout the night of your birthday.."
"Nothing happened if that's what you're worried about. You just walked into my room and crawled into my bed and fell asleep. I was just joking around that morning as well." You didn't have to act the way you did though. I refrained from saying that. I knew Scarlet well and I didn't want to make things worse. Silence had greeted me and I had to check to see if the call was still going. I had noticed Scarlet starting to act strangely before all this but I kept my worries to myself. Except I couldn't hold this back anymore. "Scarlet?"
"Y-yeah? What is it?"
"Are…" I took in a deep breath, "are you ok? Is there something wrong?" I could sense her hesitation to say whatever it is that was happening.
"…Yeah. Yeah, I'm ok."
"…and the whole hospital incident? That was nothing too…?"
"It was just stress." I knew she was holding back, I knew she really wasn't ok. I was suddenly aware of everything around me, making me feel uncomfortable. "Why…" Her voice cut through the thick silence that crept between us. I waited for her to finish the question. "…You know what, never mind. I'm tired so I'm going to go to sleep. Good night Vanitas. Have a safe trip and see you tomorrow."
"Alright, sleep well. And thank you." Scarlet ended the call and I stood there staring at my phone. I buried my losing heart and everything started to make sense, even the sadness I've been feeling. I finally realized my feelings clearly and I felt as if a weight was lifted from my shoulders.
I was in love with Scarlet.
I had finally realized that she is my everything.
Sooooooo thoughts?
Sorry for taking so long with this. I lost my inspiration a while back and I couldn't get it back until recently. Been in kpop hell so that did not help whatsoever and the first.
Anyways, I'm glad I got to finish this though and I should be able to fIrish the story soon I hope.
Please leave a review as that would be very much appreciated thank you~
