Axel praddled on for a good portion of the afternoon. Roxas was grateful for it though, since it would fill in the otherwise long silences. They'd gone by the park, just walking down the path by the lake. Here Roxas spent most of that walk as close to Axel as possible, he didn't like the way those geese were eyeing him. They also walked a bit downtown talking about some of their favorite places there. Roxas had to promise to go visit Axel's friend's music place, lest the older man continue to talk about it. It was starting to get dark as they now sat in that café where they'd started across from Roxas' work. It was then Roxas' phone rang. Roxas was always in the habit of answering his phone. He didn't care where he was or what he was doing. If it was some news on Ventus, he wanted to know immediately.

"Were you staying out with Hayner again?" Tifa's worried voice came over the speaker.

"Uh yea. Sorry, I meant to text you."

His foster parents had been acting strange since the accident. Well, they'd filed to adopt the two boys almost immediately after. They'd also taken in another set of twins. He guessed they were just trying to fill a void that Ventus left and while he loved his new siblings to death, it hadn't worked. But they tried and that was more than Roxas could ask for. The down side of course was that they sometimes got a little overprotective. Cloud often said it wasn't good for them to keep such a tight leash on Roxas. They needed to let him be himself, although Cloud was most of the problem. No doubt he was on speaker and Cloud was in the background pretending he wasn't intently listening.

Roxas glanced up at Axel who had made himself busy playing a game on his phone, so it wouldn't seem that he was eavesdropping. He could not tell them he was with this guy. If he tried to tell his parents that he was spending time with some twenty year old who was infamous for dating kids his age…Roxas would never be let out of the house again.

"I'll be back before curfew. Promise." Roxas informed them. Tifa agreed before getting off the phone and he could put it away. "Sorry…"

"It's fine. That was your parent's right?" Axel asked.

"Yeah…They just worry a lot." He answered.

"Understandable." Axel smiled. "I'd worry about you a lot too. Do you want me to walk you back?"

Roxas shook his head. That would be a bad idea. If Cloud or Tifa saw him hanging out with an older man, especially some guy in his twenties with tats on his face, there was no amount of manners that would stop Tifa from murdering him. Cloud was a lost cause. He would probably have no idea what to do, but Tifa had no problem getting violent.

"It's probably better you didn't. I'm not quite sure how they would react to my hanging out with you."

Axel smiled in understanding, but the smile seemed a bit sad. "In that case here." He handed Roxas a napkin with his phone number on it. "Call me. If you need anything, or you just want to hang out. I would love to spend some more time getting to know you."

Roxas' heart skipped a beat as he took the napkin.

-XxX-

"Demyx cried out as he was shoved roughly against the wall. He hadn't expected the younger man's explosive behavior. After all, his colleague had always been calm." Vanitas stopped and looked up. "Is it just me or is this book getting dumber?" He sighed and looked up at the clock. He had been coming to see Ventus for close to three months now. Why? Because he had stupidly fallen for the sleeping boy. "Do you like fairytales? My Mom used to read them to us when we were little. And I read the original version when I got a bit older. Sleeping Beauty is my least favorite. It's the only one where even Grimm's original version wasn't too bad. No one really died and Sleeping Beauty had her happily ever after. It's boring."

Vanitas looked back over at the younger male. "Wouldn't it be convenient for you if all you needed to wake up was a kiss? Not very realistic though."

The black haired male sighed and stood up knocking his knuckles against the blonde's forehead as he always did when he left. However, instead of taking his leave like he was supposed to he found himself leaning forward inching closer and exactly where he'd just tapped Ventus with his fist, he left a small, lingering kiss. He had already pulled away when he had realized what he had done and quickly Vanitas left the room.

-XxX-

"What are you doing?" Riku asked as he walked into his room. Sora was currently flopped on his bed taking up as much space as was possible for such a short person. Riku rolled his eyes and turned his attention to his dresser pulling out his night clothes. "Did you bring your clothes?"

"Do I ever?" Sora asked looking up.

Riku tossed an oversized shirt at the younger male. "Scatterbrain. You really need to start packing before you come over here to spend the night."

Sora snickered at that. "You're joking right? What do I need to pack for?" He took off his own shirt and put Riku's on snuggling into it. "You're clothes are comfy, I even have my own tooth brush here." Sora flopped back onto the bed arms spread wide.

"Take off your pants, you shouldn't sleep in your jeans."

"You just want to see me naked!"

"You'll rip 'em you asshole." The Silver haired male retorted throwing a pillow he'd pulled out of the closet at him. "Y'know I could make you sleep on the floor."

"Why would you do that to me?"

Riku flopped next to Sora on the bed nearly missing the brunette's spread limbs. "You could sleep like a normal person." He said, although his voice was muffled by the sheets. Before Sora could respond Riku began nudging at the younger male until he pulled his arms back.

"We're lucky." Sora commented suddenly causing Riku to snort.

"What are you talking about?"

"I just think that we're lucky…compared to others we have it pretty easy."

"Were you watching the History channel again?"

"What's wrong with that?!" Sora demanded with a pout. "Anyway, that's not what I was talking about. I meant our relationship."

"Yea, what about it?" Riku asked raising an eyebrow and sighing. "I mean isn't it a good thing we don't have as much drama in our love life as Kairi does?"

"Well I don't really think it's possible to have as much drama as Kairi. But…if someone falls in love in a complicated situation I don't know how to handle it. Because I've never had that problem."

"Then don't handle it. Sora it's not your job to help every sap you meet."

"What if we're close?"

Riku sat up fully. "Okay Sora, what's this about? Are you sure it has nothing to do with Kairi?"

"I think Vanitas fell in love with his coma patient. It's painful to watch. Like you don't even understand, he's been acting all weird and shit lately. And he won't admit it but, he's practically bouncing in his seat all week to go see him. But I think the situation is getting to him because he's been pretty depressed lately and I don't really know how to help him. Of course, I don't know if-"

Riku clamped his hand over Sora's mouth. "You're rambling."

Sora licked the hand over his mouth earning a disgusted noise before the older male wiped his hand off on the shirt Sora was wearing.

"Sora, I know you want to help your brother, but just…don't get involved. Let the pieces fall where they may. Vanitas is a big boy he can handle it." Riku leaned over and kissed the tip of the brunette's nose. "Now go to sleep."

"Okay." The younger reluctantly agreed.

"And take your jeans off." Riku added shutting off the lamp.

-XxX-

"I don't think I can handle this." Vanitas groaned. It was Monday. There was absolutely no excuse for him to be spending his Monday afternoon at the hospital. Except he usually spent Monday's after school with Zexion and Xion, today though, their Grandmother was in town and they were visiting with her. Still, it was pretty dumb of him, but he didn't want to go home yet, Sora was studying for some test with Riku and Kairi so he couldn't bug his brother into doing something and he didn't want to be alone. Ventus it was.

Vanitas glanced over at the get well soon cards again. This time he picked one up. They were all pretty generic. Most people just said the same thing about how they hoped he'd get better soon. He idly wandered if any of these people actually seemed to care about him. This one just seemed to be from some random friends. He put it back and picked up another one. Most people just signed it and put a number on it. This must be from a sport team.

"Aren't you a little clumsy for sports?" He asked the blonde not expecting a response. Well at least someone decided to add a little more detail to their message.

"Sorry, you got hurt and all. But hurry and get better. These assholes are kicking our butts without you! Can't wait to have you back, Lea '08."

Vanitas closed the card. He sighed and set it back grabbing another one. In this card a picture fell out and he had to bend down to pick it up. Here was a picture of Ventus and his carbon copy that he'd seen on the blonde's birthday. They must be twins. In the picture one of the boy's had a bright smile on his face as he snapped the photo, his arm wrapped around his brother who looked completely unamused. He wasn't sure which of the two boy's was which though so he set the photo down and looked at the card. This one, he guessed was from family.

"Ventus, we thought we'd write a card in case you woke up and we weren't around. Then maybe you won't be so lonely. It's probably lonely there without your brother though. You two are always together, so it's pretty hard on Roxas too. Cloud's also taking it pretty hard, but like usual he won't admit it. I swear everyday your brother acts more and more like Cloud. I still bring tissues when we come to visit you, Roxas always looks like he's a step away from crying. Your friends miss you a lot. Aqua comes by the shop every week to ask how you're doing. And Terra come with her every once in a while. While you've been out of commission Cloud and I adopted two more kids. They're also twins, but this is a boy-girl set and they're only eight. You'd love them, they are such sweet kids. And they can't wait to meet you. We haven't brought them yet, because I'd much rather you be awake when you meet them. Things are quiet around here. You always livened things up. I miss you. Cloud misses you too, you should see how protective he's gotten of Roxas. You were always protective of him too, so I guess he feels someone needs to make sure he's okay. And he's a spacey kid anyway. Roxas also decided to play Struggle Bat this year! We're hoping he starts to come out of that shell of his more. I'm running out of room on this card. We love you Ven! So please get better for us soon. And Happy Birthday!"

Vanitas frowned and put the card back. "Your Mom sounds nice. Mine is to when she wants to be, I guess. Not lately…" He yawned and stretched. "You must be one of those really happy people. My brother's one too. It's annoying. He's always trying to cheer people up or doing things to please others. It's really easy to take advantage of happy-go-lucky people like that…"

-XxX-

"Okay, it says he works for a bookstore. I actually think it's the shady one over where you guys used to skateboard at." Olette commented. "Relationship status says single."

"That doesn't mean much to a guy like him though. I mean, who knows how many high schoolers this guy is digging at." Hayner nodded looking over her shoulder.

"Guys, it's fine. Axel and I are not dating. I'm not interested in dating him. Please stop stalking him on social media." Roxas sighed.

"Roxas as your best friend I have to make sure this guy means well. Even if you have no intention of dating him, he's totally crushing on you." The dirty blonde male shrugged and returned his attention to the webpage.

"I can hack him if we need to." Pence offered.

"No!" Roxas answered rubbing his temples as though his friend's presence was giving him the biggest headache.

"Hey! It says that that one Lea kid from school is his brother!" Hayner exclaimed. "Let's call him and ask!"

"Hayner don't you dare!" Roxas shouting having to tackle his friend while Hayner had pulled out his phone.

"What are you guys doing in here?" Tifa asked peeking in the door.

"Absolutely nothing!" Roxas answered sitting up and smiling at his adoptive mother.

"We're playing a game." Hayner answered.

"They're playing." Olette corrected.

"Well don't hurt each other too much." She shrugged before walking away.

No one moved until her footsteps completely disappeared.

"You're not dating but you don't want your parents to know anything about it?" Pence asked pointedly.

"You know how they are." Roxas answered. "They'd flip if they knew I was hanging out with an older guy. Especially one with face tattoos."

"Yeah, they've been pretty protective of you since the Ventus incident." Hayner agreed with a nod.

"Not even." He answered. "They were like that even before. Pretty much since Ven and I began living with them. Cloud especially was weird about older people getting near us."

"Yeah, but didn't you guys almost get kidnapped once?" Olette recalled something he'd told them before.

Roxas nodded. "But that was way before we met them. We were nine when that happened. And nothing bad really happened to either of us at the time."

"You're spacey enough. Honestly, I'm surprised more people haven't tried to kidnap you." Hayner commented.

"That's not funny." Olette glared at him.

"It's true though."

Roxas answered that with a kick to the shin.

-XxX-

So many voices blending together. He wasn't sure which voice belonged to which person anymore. Nor could he really understand what they were saying. Sometimes a key word would come through much clearer and he could practically see the word floating in front of him. It was always when that happened that he was reminded he was dreaming. But he couldn't wake up. He was dreaming, but all it was was a black space. Dark as a night without stars. Yet now, his dark place had disappeared. The voices were louder and he stood in the middle of a crowded hall. There were people all around, blurry but not moving and they were so loud.

"Do you like fairytales?"

Ventus turned around to pinpoint the voice but he was only met with a shadow of a person. He had no name or face to give to it. Just that voice. The unmistakably male voice that through all of this jumbled mess of a nightmare was talking to him. "Who are you?" Ven asked but his own voice didn't come out.

"This sucks…Look, I'm going to level with you…You're gunna have one hell of a bed head when you wake up…You fell out of a window…Aren't you a little clumsy for sports?...You must be one of those really happy people...What a klutz…you lazy bum."

Ventus tried to reach out to the shadow. Not sure if he wanted to get the guy to just shut up or to just make sure if this was real or not. But he couldn't move. He couldn't move, and he couldn't talk. And all he could do was stand it this crowded place and listen to all the noise. But this shadow at least he could understand it. And he desperately needed something to understand.

"See ya Venny."

The shadow moved and touched his forehead and Ven swears it was the first thing he's felt in such a long time. He wanted to lean into the touch to grab the shadow and never let the softness of it's hand leave, but he couldn't move. And the shadow disappeared right in front of him.

The world began to move again. People started walking, moving faster than he could see. Everything was a blur but he could move again. Ventus ran. He ran down the giant hall, but nothing ever changed. His frustration grew and grew. Just as he was about to scream, to let out all the pent up anger something touched his hand. His shadow person was there holding his hand and slowly Ventus calmed down. He was still running with the shadow's hand in his own.

"I think I've become obsessed with you."

Ventus looked over at the shadow. He squinted hoping to see what the figure really looked like but he saw nothing. "Who are you?" His voice never came out and Ventus felt tears of frustration prickle at his eyes. He forced them back. The last time he had seriously cried was when he was eight. But this place hurt. He couldn't move freely. He couldn't speak freely. And he had no idea who this shadow person was. Or if they were even real. Was he even real? It didn't matter. This place was a disaster. A nightmare. And he would give anything for something real.

"Isn't it time you woke up?"

"How?" Ventus replied.

-XxX-

xYurichan: Hello everyone! Happy Valentines Day! By the way I wrote the entire last part to this chapter while listening to Me!Me!Me! You can kind of tell...but the song is catchy as hell...

Zexion: You're single aren't you.

Demyx: Happy Valentine's Day!

Roxas: Hey it says someone actually donated munny to the MSEMHF...

Sora: Seriously?!

Roxas: 3,200 munny?! Seriously...you could buy so much ice cream with that.

Riku: Shouldn't we be more concerned with potions...

Sora: Where is it?

Ventus: Better yet where's Vanitas?

Axel: I get the feeling that we won't be finding that munny...

Roxas: ...well thanks to Infinitely Shattered for the donation.

Ventus: Even if that asshole did steal it.

xYurichan: And also thanks to: unicron1000 (um...okay?), tellurium52 (Hayner's fun to write haha), CsillaDream (aww thank you! I do like hearing that I interested people in my OTP), and itsAce121 (thank!)

Ventus: Please leave reviews. Yuri thrives off of those.

xYurichan: I really do.

Roxas: See you next chapter!