Sitting . Under . Falling . Stars
And hey darling
I hope you're good tonight
And I know you don't feel right when I'm leaving
Yeah I want it but no I don't need it
Tell me something sweet to get me by
'Cause I can't come back home till they're singing
October 25th
"Wow, this place sure is full of dead beats." Yellow-ish green eyes squinted at the beautiful view of the beach, appearing to be quite displeased. "It hasn't changed a bit since I was a kid."
Vanitas strolled into town from the train station with an apathetic grimace. Black hair spiked high off his head, and matched well with the dark and torn clothing he sported. Although he had been there a few times before, it had been seven years since he'd stepped foot anywhere near Destiny Islands. He could remember it like it was yesterday; being ten years old, throwing rocks at his little cousin Sora and burying his head in sand.
An evil smirk crossed his lips as he recalled those joyous memories.
Where the hell is that idiot anyways? He's supposed to be meeting me here. Not like I have a clue where I'm going.
Just as this thought ended, Sora appeared through a crowd of people and hesitantly made his way towards his cousin. Vanitas instantly recognized him; that spiky brown hair, those silly innocent looking eyes, and that awkward smile that he always wore when he was nervous. Vanitas smirked deviously, whereas Sora was gulping his fear. It had been years since they'd seen each other, and Sora dreaded the person Vanitas may have become.
"H-Hey, Vanitas. Long time no see." Sora grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. Vanitas laughed.
"As weird as you ever were, eh Cuz?" The dark haired boy chuckled maliciously, and Sora shot him a glare.
"Hey man. Let's just get along, alright? We're not ten years old anymore."
Vanitas let out a burst of laughter yet again and patted his cousin on the back. "No worries dude, I don't plan on shoving sand down your throat. I've grown up too, you know."
Sora let out a small sigh of relief. "Well, that's good."
The two continued on their way, making it through crowds of people waiting at the train station until they reached the quiet side streets.
"So, I've heard you've got a baby now." Vanitas said. Sora blushed a bit.
"Well, yeah."
"Who's the mom? Wait, don't even tell me." He grinned. "The cute little redhead you always had a thing for."
Sora's face lit up bright red, a flashback occurring in his mind to when Vanitas would pick on Kairi as well. "Yeah it was Kairi..."
"I'm not surprised. I always kinda had this feeling you two would end up together." Vanitas' orbs lingered on Sora's flushed face for a moment. "I can see the worry in your face, just relax man. I'm not going to beat you up or hurt your family. I'll still rag on you now and again, but that's just me." He smiled and patted Sora on the back. "So just relax, you'll get used to me eventually."
Sora half smiled, still feeling extremely awkward in Vanitas' presence. "Well... If you say so. Let's just change the topic then. So how've you been all this time?"
"Terrible. My mother's a crazy bitch, I failed most of my classes in high school, my girlfriend of two years just recently got rid of my ass, I lost my job, kicked out of my house, need I go on?"
"Wow..." Sora muttered, anxious to reply. He didn't want to accidently say anything offensive. "Well, erm, that really sucks man. I'm sorry to hear that."
"Yeah yeah whatever... As much as I dislike this place, at least I'm away from my mom, my ex and all of my old friends." He sighed. "A new kinda start I guess, though I'm sure I'll royally fuck things up here too."
"Don't say that. You'll be going to the same school as me... Maybe I can help you out, if you let me."
Vanitas shrugged. "Perhaps."
They were nearing downtown now, and Vanitas began to remember more and more about Destiny Islands. He knew it wasn't that bad of a place, it just wasn't home. But then again, he no longer had a home.
"So what have you been up to Sora?" He asked, showing a bit of genuine curiosity. "Give me a recap of your life."
Sora chuckled. "Well I dunno what to say man. I went to high school, ended up accidentally getting my childhood friend pregnant, among other things..." Sora paused for a short moment, a grim look crossing his features. "My best friend died."
Even Vanitas showed a bit of emotion at this."Oh, seriously? Who was that?"
"It was Riku."
"Oh ouch, that's hurt." Vanitas held little sincerity in his voice, but Sora expected no more from his cruel cousin.
"Yeah well... I'd rather not talk about that." Sora sighed. "So where are you living anyways?"
"Umm moving into some apartment building. Can you take me there? It's on tenth street."
"You're living on your own?"
"Nah, with some Vent-ass guy or some shit, according to the ad I read online."
"You're gunna be living with Ven!?" Sora exclaimed, shocked. "No way, I go to school with that guy!"
"Alright alright calm down." Vanitas laughed. "Don't get too excited there Sora."
Sora crossed his arms over his chest and pouted. "Hmph. I was just surprised."
"I'm just teasing... But yeah, I'm sure it's probably the same guy. Come by and help me unpack my shit, then you'll find out for sure."
Sora rolled his cerulean orbs. "Ugh, fine." As the two continued making their way toward tenth street, Sora noticed a small figure with short black hair rushing down the sidewalk. "Oh hey, that's my friend up there." Sora chimed, before shouting: "OY, XION!"
Xion jumped and twisted around with a look of shock and confusion. First, she saw Sora, and secondly... Another Sora? No, it was just someone who resembled him. Xion was hesitant to stop, she wanted to keep rushing on her way and avoid Sora but she had already made eye contact and he was coming toward her. He smiled goofy.
"Hey Xion, where ya been lately? I haven't seen you much."
She blushed and averted his gaze. "O-Oh y'know just around. Been super busy."
"Ohh, I see." He smiled. "Well, we miss you. Come hang out more often, it feels like you're drifting away from us!"
Xion awkwardly chuckled. "Y-Yeah... Sorry..."
"What's this Sora, not even gunna introduce me?" Vanitas mused, eyeing down Xion with a playful grin.
"Oh, right!" Sora exclaimed. "Xion, this is my cousin, Vanitas. He just moved here. And Vanitas, this is one of my best friends, Xion."
Best... Friend? Xion thought, a solemn look crossing her soft features. "It's nice to meet you." Vanitas said slyly, snapping her out of her momentary trance. She met his eyes and flinched at the look in them. He smiled nicely enough, but his eyes told a different story. They were a strange colour, a light yellowy-green and held a certain sadness. Xion felt something familiar. Nostalgic, even.
"It's nice to meet you too." She replied after a moment of silence.
"What are you up to?" Sora queried. "Wanna hang out? I was just walking Vanitas to his new place, you should tag along."
"It'd be cool with me." Vanitas grinned.
Xion's face was burning. She didn't really want to go, but at the same time, recalling Sora's kind words she felt like maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. So hesitantly, she agreed and they continued on their way.
"I can't believe my new roommate is your cousin, Sora." Ventus laughed as he sat on the couch of his and Vanitas' apartment. They had finally finished helping Vanitas move in, so they all sat around and talked for a while.
"That is pretty trippy." Vanitas commented. "And to think I'd be living with someone who is also from Twilight Town."
This struck an interest in Xion. So both Ventus and Vanitas were from her hometown as well. Even with that thought, she sat quietly much as she had before. She needed a cigarette, but didn't have any, thus making her even more antsy. Just as that thought crossed her mind, Vanitas stood up from the couch and pulled a pack out of his pocket.
"Well, sorry guys but I'm going for a smoke. I've been holding off for hours."
Sora grimaced. "Vanitas, you smoke now?"
"I've been smoking since I was fourteen." He laughed as if it were nothing. Sora simply rolled his eyes, unsure why he was shocked a few moments prior. Xion was eyeing his pack, wanting very badly to ask for one but didn't want to be rude. She had only just met the guy, after all, she didn't like appearing to be that moochy girl.
But much to her surprise, apparently Vanitas noticed she was staring. "What, you want one?" He offered, and she sheepishly nodded.
"Um, sure, thanks."
"Aw, Xion too?" Sora pouted, but when he saw the look she gave him, he quieted down about it. He of all people would understand most what she had been going through this past while. So very nervously, she followed Vanitas on to the balcony where there was a calming view of Destiny Islands in the evening.
Vanitas handed her a cigarette and leaned his elbows on the railing. They lit them and stood there in rather awkward silence, before Xion broke it.
"Thank you for the cigarette." She peeped. He gave her a bit of a twisted look.
"No worries... How come you're so quiet?" He inquired bluntly, which threw her off guard.
"I dunno. Haven't really seen Sora for a while, and I don't really know you... Or Ventus very well either, actually. I guess it's just a bit awkward for me." She laughed. "Sorry."
"What're you apologizing for? Nothin' wrong with feeling awkward." He chuckled. "I've been feeling awkward for basically my entire life, it's all about how you handle it."
Xion giggled a bit. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"So try not to feel too awkward. There's no way you can feel more then me, I don't know anyone in this town."
"I suppose that's true. Well I'm sure you'll adjust to life here pretty fast... I actually moved from Twilight Town as well, a couple years back."
"Ohh yeah? That's sweet I guess. Though I hate that place."
"Oh, me too. That's why I left."
Vanitas laughed. "Well, it appears we have a few things in common."
"I guess so."
Later in the evening, after everyone had left, Vanitas lay alone in his bed. He stared at the ceiling, when he looked at his phone and saw he had received a text message from his ex girlfriend, Fuu. They hadn't spoken in days, not since they broke up.
Hi. Did you get to Destiny Islands okay? It read, and Vanitas scoffed then replied with a simple yes. He then threw his phone on the ground and rolled on his side.
Was it really the right decision to move here? He pondered, thoughts swirling around the girl he had been with for two years. He couldn't deny that he still loved her, and it hurt to know they may never get back together. But naturally, he never would have shown anybody how torn up he was, especially not her. He heard his phone vibrate again, and wanted to resist looking at it but couldn't.
That's good. Fuu said. How is the place?
It's fine I guess. Vanitas wrote.
I'm glad to hear that. She replied a few moments later. Well, I have to go help my mom with something. I'll talk to you later, Vani. He flinched reading the nickname she had always called him while they were together. He probably could have cried, but he didn't. He simply threw his phone again and left his room to go see what Ventus was up to, hoping that maybe he could build some kind of friendship with his new roommate that would keep his mind off Fuu.
Ventus was watching TV and eating popcorn. He smiled when he saw Vanitas emerge.
"Oh hey, Vanitas, wanna hang out?"
He nodded. "Yeah, sure. We're gunna be living together, so I guess we should get more acquainted."
"Indeed." Ven chuckled as Vanitas joined him on the couch.
A/N: Woooo update :P I hope I still have some readers here! Thank you all very much for reviewing.
Is anyone interested in helping me brainstorm ideas for what Kairi and Sora will be up to for this story? To be completely honest, I'm a bit lost on ideas for them.
PLEASE REVIEW :)
