a/n: so um this was a longer wait than i was expecting and i'm super sorry about that orz

i still haven't finished the next chapter so like idk when it'll be up so i apologize in advance if there's another terrible wait

a-far-off-memory


As Aqua had predicted, the door opened a little over an hour later, and Terra's voice was easily heard as he called out.

"Aqua! I'm back from work!"

Aqua giggled. "In the den, Terra! I have a surprise!"

Seconds later, the brunet walked in with a smile on his face. His expression quickly turned to shock, however, the second he laid eyes on Ventus.

"Ven!" he exclaimed, running over and lifting the blond from the couch, squeezing him hard and spinning him slightly.

Aqua smiled, standing as he let Ven back onto the floor. "He and Vanitas thought it would be nice to visit," she told him, hugging his arm and leaning her head on his shoulder.

Immediately upon hearing the name, Terra's deep blue eyes zeroed in on the black-haired teen on the far end of the couch, who was sitting quietly. Eyes narrowing, he disentangled himself from Aqua and stalked over to Vanitas, lifting him by the collar of his shirt.

"You," he growled, tone menacing. "Just who do you think you are, keeping Ven prisoner?" He gave him a shake, causing him to wince as his wounds were jostled.

"Terra!" Ven and Aqua yelled together. "He's injured!" Aqua added, moving to pry the brunet's hands off of Vanitas while Ven rushed to stand behind the golden-eyed teen.

"Serves him right," spat Terra, fire in his eyes.

Ven's mouth fell open in shock. How could Terra be like that to someone he didn't even know?

Blue eyes aghast, Aqua punched him in the chest. "Put him down right now! Right now, Terra!"

An incredulous look appeared on Terra's face. "Aqua! Are you forgetting that he took Ven from us?!"

"He saved his life!" she screeched. "Now put him down, Terra!"

Eyes still burning, he let Vanitas fall. Ven immediately caught him, supporting him as he coughed and spluttered. The blond immediately pulled his shirt off, finding red rapidly staining the fresh bandages.

He turned to Terra, blue eyes full of disbelief and anger. "I can't believe you, Terra!" he exclaimed, unwinding the bandages to get a look at the wounds once more. The skin had torn, and blood was slowly oozing from each slice.

Aqua grabbed him by the arm, hellfire in her eyes. "I need to speak with you in the kitchen," she said in a deadly quiet voice, dragging him away.

"And I thought Aqua didn't like me," Vanitas wheezed, rubbing his throat. He winced as Ven began dabbing at the blood with the facecloth again.

"I'm so sorry about this, Vanitas. Terra doesn't really stop to get details before he acts," Ven apologized, not meeting the golden eyes he could feel on him. "I shouldn't have brought you here. You weren't well enough..."

"Hey." A hand tilted his chin up, forcing him to stare into the golden depths of Vanitas' eyes. "This was my idea, Ventus. You couldn't have known he was going to do that," he said softly, resting a hand on the blond's cheek. "I'll be alright, Ven."

Carefully, Ven hugged him. "I just feel so bad. I don't like it when you get hurt, Vanitas."

Vanitas laid his head on Ven's shoulder, sighing. "Wounds heal, Ven. I'll be good as new before you know it."

"Not if stuff like this keeps happening," the blond whispered. "I worry, Vanitas."

The black haired teen pulled back slightly to kiss Ven's forehead. "I know you do. But you don't have to worry about me, okay? This isn't going to kill me or anything."

Sighing, Ven got back to work. "But it hurts you."

"I can deal with it," he replied with a grin. "You're a great nurse, after all."

Ven let out the softest of chuckles. "Thanks, Vanitas."

He shook his head. "No, Ven. Thank you. You've taken such good care of me lately, and I don't thank you enough for it."

Blushing, he set the facecloth aside and reached for the roll of bandages. He quickly wrapped them around Vanitas' chest, tying a knot once he was satisfied.

"I have a feeling his opinion of me won't change as Aqua's did," the older teen murmured as he pulled his shirt back on. He winced slightly as it pulled on his wounds, laying a hand on his chest and breathing deep.

"Terra is...difficult," Ven told him, sighing. "But Aqua is very convincing, Vanitas. She'll make him see that you aren't a bad person."

"I somehow doubt that." He sighed, looking down. "At least she likes me. She's really quite a lovely person, from what I've seen today."

The blond smiled. "Aqua is amazing. She's the most caring, gentle, yet fierce and terrifying person I know."

"I can see that," Vanitas chuckled. "She was quite frightening at first, I'll admit."

Aqua returned then, sighing deeply. "Are you alright, Vanitas?" she asked, laying a hand on his shoulder.

He nodded, offering a smile. "Just a little blood, I'll be fine."

She sighed with relief. Her blue eyes were apologetic as she said, "I'm so sorry for Terra's behavior. He's, very frankly, being an ass."

"Don't apologize, Aqua. It's quite alright." He sighed, looking over at Ven. "But I do think it's best that we leave now...my offer from earlier still stands, however. Visit whenever you please," he told her, golden eyes soft.

Reaching out, she gently hugged him. "Alright. Thank you, Vanitas. Maybe I'll visit within the next few days," she replied with a smile.

He grinned. "I'll tell the others to allow you entrace."

She nodded, smile widening. "I'll see you both soon, then."

"Wait," Ven cut in. "Is Terra still in the kitchen? There's something I need to say."

Slowly, she nodded again. "I'll be right back," he promised Vanitas before jogging to the kitchen.

Terra was pacing, still fuming, but looked up at Ven's entrance. He stopped, turning to face the blond.

Ven crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head. "I can't believe that you did that, Terra. All he wanted was to meet you and Aqua and give me the chance to see both of you, but you overreacted like you always do. Vanitas is my friend, and he's a good person. Accept it, Terra, because Aqua has. And that should be enough for you," he said, letting the hurt he felt seep into his voice. "He saved my life, Terra, at the risk of his own. He didn't have to do that. He is a wonderful person, but you didn't even try to see it."

Terra sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ven, I just—"

The blond shook his head sadly. "Save it, Terra." He turned away, glancing over his shoulder. "It was nice seeing you, but I have to go now. Goodbye, Terra."

Rubbing at his eyes to collect the moisture that was gathering, Ven left the kitchen and made his way to the front door, where Vanitas and Aqua waited.

His blue-haired friend pulled him in for a hug, squeezing tight. "I'll see you soon, Ven," she murmured, rubbing his back.

He nodded. "See you soon, Aqua." He srood on his tiptoes so that he could reach her ear. "Can you bring mom's music books when you come?" he whispered, quietly so that Vanitas didn't hear.

Not questioning it, she simply modded and let him go.

She waved to them once they mounted Minnie, smiling sadly. "Ride safely, you two!"

"We will," they called in unison, smiling at her.

Ven tapped his mare's sides with his heels, and then they were off.

"I really like her, Ventus. She's kind, just like you," Vanitas told him, leaning his chin on the blond's shoulder and tightening his arms around his midsection.

"I'm so glad that you two get along," Ven said with a smile. "I knew you two wouldn't have a problem, but...I had a hunch that Terra would be difficult..."

"Hey, no more being sad about that. I don't like it when you're sad," the black-haired teen whispered. Ven repressed a shiver at the feel of his breath on his neck, forcing himself to ignore it.

"I know, it's just...I still can't believe that happened. He could have seriously injured you..."

"But he didn't," Vanitas reminded him, voice soft. "Hey, when we get back...I have something that will take your mind off of all of this. Okay?"

A smile slowly appeared on Ven's face. "Okay," he replied, chuckling.

"Oi! Is that you, Ven?"

Ven froze, eyes going wide. "Oh, no..."

"Who's that?" Vanitas questioned.

Slowly, Ven looked around for the source to confirm it. His eyes landed on a dark haired, musular man sitting astride a big white stallion.

"That's Braig," he said with a shudder. "Hold on tight—we're getting out of here."

In answer, he felt the arms around him tighten, and then he kicked Minnie into a canter.

"Ven! Where you going? Don't run away!" the man called after him, the sound of a second set of hoofbeats audible.

Vanitas let out a growl. "He'd better not come near my house."

"I can't believe it. Oh, this is just great," Ven groaned as he raced into the forest, Minnie carrying them as fast as she could. He figured he had the advantage there, since he knew these particular woods a bit better than Braig did.

Within minutes, they raced through the gates. Ven quickly hopped off and shut them, locking them for good measure.

Taking Minnie by the reins, he lead her to the barn, where he held put a hand for Vanitas to take as he dismounted. Together, they took everything off the mare and then led her into her stall, making sure she had enough food and water.

"It doesn't seem as if he followed us here," Vanitas murmured from the doorway of the barn, peering out.

Ven sighed with relief. "That man is insufferable!"

Vanitas made his way over to the blond, taking his head between his hands. "He won't ever bother you again, Ventus. You're safe from him here."

Without realizing it, Ven leaned into his touch. "I know. I'm grateful."

Smiling, Vanitas let his hands drop. "Come, Riku and Roxas have probably already made supper. Let's get some food."

Ven nodded, following the golden-eyed teen out of the barn. As they moved toward the house, he couldn't help but scan his eyes over the surrounding woods.

He felt as if he was being watched.


Dinner was—thankfully—uneventful. Ven wasn't sure he could take much more excitement, after the debacle at Aqua's house and being chased by Braig. He wanted some calm.

"Ven, would you come with me?" Vanitas questioned. "I promised you something to take your mind off today, didn't I?"

Ven smiled, pushing his chair in. "I suppose you did. What did you have in mind?"

A secretive smile appeared on his scarred face. "Just come with me. And close your eyes—don't peek."

Deciding to indulge him, Ventus let his eyes close. He felt the gentle touch of the black-haired teen's hands over his eyes and felt him nudge against his back, urging him forward.

Ven let himself be guided out of the dining room. They turned, heading down a hall, and Vanitas let one hand fall to open a door. He gently pushed Ven inside the room, and he heard the door click shut behind him.

He was guided forward a few steps before Vanitas murmured, "Sit here. And keep your eyes closed."

The blond did as he was asked, carefully sitting. He then felt Vanitas sit behind him, shuffling a little, and then the delicate sound of the piano filled his ears.

The tune wasn't one that he recognized. It has a certain lightness to it, but also solemnity. It was quietly beautiful.

"Vanitas...what is this?" he asked, eyes still shut.

He heard a chuckle accompany the music. "Open your eyes, Ven."

Slowly, they opened. He immediately looked at the sheets of music, mouth falling open when he saw the title "Ventus".

"You...you finished it?" he asked, voice soft.

Still playing, Vanitas nodded. "I was just so...inspired. It just seemed to flow. I finished it the day after I was injured."

Ven's brow furrowed. "But you were still working on music...so what were you working on?"

"I'll play it for you some other time...I want Sora here for that one," he replied. The music was reaching a crescendo—the beauty of it was bringing tears to Ven's eyes.

When he softly repeated the beginning, the song came to a close. And then the room was completely silent.

Ven wiped a tear that had fallen. "Vanitas...that was beautiful. I...I loved it, truly. Thank you for creating something so wonderful for me."

In answer, Vanitas laid a hand on the blond's cheek, smiling gently. "Thank you for bringing beauty back into my life...and for inspiring me to write happy songs."

They embraced then. Ven was careful not to hug him too tight for fear of hurting him, resting his head in the crook of the older teen's neck.

"So you really like it?" There it was again, that vulnerability that Vanitas only seemed to show when he was around Ven.

Turning his head slightly, he kissed Vanitas' cheek, immediately blushing. "I love it."

The black-haired teen stiffened for a moment before relaxing further into the hug. "I'm glad," he whispered, voice soft.

It felt nice, being in Vanitas' arms like that. Ven didn't ever want to let go.


a/n: these two are so fucking in love like fucking kiss already you dorks

i'll finish the next chapter of this asap, okay? i don't wanna keep you guys waiting again! but in the meantime, maybe check out my other stuff? :3

for any of you who have read my twoshot, of buses and redheads, you should be interested in knowing that i've started work on a sequel c: i can't wait to write more of it, but it'll probably be on hold until after parenting is done...

see you all soon!

afom out~