DNO. (Do Not Own)

-&-

There had to be a million places Hayner would rather have been then where he was right now.

For example, at the beach, or, eating ice cream with the gang (even alone), or hanging out at the Clock Tower or the Usual Spot.

Fuck, he'd rather be at school.

Anywhere would have been better then being here.

"Hayner..."

Standing with his friends...

"What..."

..As they stared...

"Is this?"

...At the picture of him and Seifer that was hung so proudly on the wall.

"I... I can explain?"

-&-

Dear Fate:

Why do you hate me? What did I do to you? Whatever it was, I am deeply sorry, and was wondering if you could, like, you know, stop fucking HATING ON ME?

Sincerely, Hayner Chase

I groaned as my forehead thumped pathetically against the windowsill. Now, because you are so obviously interested in my hell-hole of a life, I'll let you in as to why I was flopped down on the cold floor of my worst enemy's room. Well, you see...

Actually; fuck that. I have better things to worry about then worry about you and your stupid curiosity.

Curiosity killed the cat, y'know?

... Oh God! Now I'm sounding like Rai, and it's all your fault I hope you now and--

"Are you sure this is the house?"

Uh oh.

"I'm pretty sure, that's what Fuu said."

Please tell me that's not..

"You mean that's what she wrote, 'Lette. I don't think she can say more then two words."

Well, fuck. This is all your fault too I hope you know! Yes, I realize that it is impossible for that to be true, but I don't care! In case you hadn't noticed, my best friends are outside-

"Should we knock?"

-- About to come in! That's not good! Not good at fucking all.

"Why, hello there! Can I help you?"

...And, and... Who the fuck was that?

Quietly, and stealthily, using my epic ninja skills, I peeked over the windowsill. The window was thankfully open, due to the fact I can't sleep with windows closed, (My parents use to worry about burglars.) and what I saw, was kinda disturbing. Probably just because Axel was there. But, anyway, on the front steps of the Almasy house was my three friends and one idiot, whose hand was actually poised to knock.

I will personally kiss the person who intercepted them.

"Yes ma'am, we were wondering if this was were Seifer Almasy lived.." Olette piped up, after a few moments of awkward silence between the group. I switched my gaze from them, to the 'ma'am' they were talking to, and found old Mrs. Peurty standing near the small hedge she over attended every day. (Okay, so maybe I won't be kissing her.)

"Why, yes it is! But I'm afraid Seifer isn't home." Yes, she was always this stalkerish. "But Hayner is!"

"H-Hayner?"

"Yes! I was quite surprised to see him! In a good way mind you. I kinda missed him! He use to come over a lot I'll have you know..."

My feet were already flying down the stairs, drowning out the rest of the conversation I raced to stop the impending time bomb. I nearly died about thirty times along the way until I finally reached the door, swinging it wide opened, successfully scaring the shit out of Axel, I yelled, "Oh my god! Hai gaiz!" (Why yes, I did say it like that.) "Come on in!" Moving my feet swiftly, I managed to herd the small posse of people into the house, all the while sending 'You shut the fuck up' looks at ol' Mrs. Peurty.

I swear she was smirking.

-&-

Don't you hate awkward silences? You know, the ones where the tension is so thick you can cut it with a bloody knife? Well, I know I hate them, but in the last few days I've been crashing into them quite a fucking bit. Like the one now, between the gang and I.

"....."

And it was all Seifer's fault. To think I thought him a god.

"So, um, what brings you guys hereee..." I started, but soon trailed off. My hand rubbed the back of my head awkwardly as I stared away from my friends, the glares on their faces enough to know the answer. So I tried again, "Anyone want something to... eat? Drink?"

I was getting closer, Axel looked like he was about to pipe up, but Roxas stomped his foot.

"W-We... I mean Seifer, has some pop, and chips. Mind you, they're tortilla chips. His Mom is kinda a health nut so everything is organic, so if you don't mind that... It's not like the food isn't any good, it's actually pretty nice, it's just that most people don't like organic and I'm not sure if any of you do... I mean, Olette you like that stuff don't you? And Pence, you'll eat anything. I don't care about you Axel and Roxas, well, you've always been a mystery to me and..."

You remember when I told you I ramble when I get nervous right? You do? Good. Just making sure we're on the same page.

Not a lot of good that rambling has done me, it's made me spill secrets I'd rather keep, well, secret. It's also made me get lost because I wasn't paying attention when the family and I were out on a trip, and right now it's making me keep going while my friends aren't even paying attention! Not one of them! Instead they're all staring at a stupid picture that's apparently more important then me! Rude huh? I mean...

.... Wait. Picture?

Snapping myself back to attentiveness I gave the photograph that they were staring at a quick once over. Then another. And then another.

Oh fuck.

"H-Hayner... What... is this?" Olette asked, her and everyone else seem completely dumbstruck. Was it really that hard to believe that Seifer and I use to be friends?

"Hey, lamer! You and your fucktards for friends going to the beach?"

"Yeah! What's it to you, asshole?"

"Just seeing if the beach was going to be 'safe' today."

"Oh, fuck you!"

Okay, so maybe it was kinda hard, but, still!

"I... I can explain?" I replied weakly, shuffling back and forth while my hands twisted themselves together. I attempted a 'I'm-pathetic-forgive-me?' kinda look. I received three still downright shocked looks, and one 'I-am-going-to-murder-you-in-your-sleep' look. (Guess which was from Roxas.)

"Please do," came Olette's voice, her face a mix of bewilderment and an odd... smugness. My chocolate eyes widened, I hadn't actually expected them to say that... And I also didn't have any reasonable explanation to the photo. Well, no good lie. Like hell I wanted to tell the truth.

"U-Umm... Well, you see..." My hands had migrated from each other and were now in front of me, desperately trying to describe what I was not to gracefully saying. They just ended up making a 'tada, there-you-have-it' motion. Smooth. "The thing is...."

"You guys were friends weren't you." Pence piped up suddenly, successfully stopping my hopeless hands. My head was soon hung in shame, as I mumbled a quiet, "Yes..."

I expected many different reactions.

An angry retort from Roxas.

A disappointed look from Olette and Pence.

And a stupid look on Axel's face, because, let's face it. He's not capable of anything else.

Instead though, I got, well, an angry response from Roxas. A girlish squeal from Olette, a fucking triumphant look from Pence, and a god damn smug smirk from Axel.

Well, 1 out of 4 isn't bad, is it?

-&-

I really need to start carting a roll of duct tape around with me. Honestly, by the time I had managed to chase my friends out, they had already learned the origin of Seifer's scar.

"I, er, kinda attacked him with a fishing rod..."

Axel laughed, "Only the most feared person in Twilight Town would have such a normal reason behind such a scary scar."

Why I was even at Seifer's house.

"Cause my parents hate me and decided that Seif and I are still best buddies."

"Seif?"

"I-I mean asshole."

And where I was sleeping. And let me tell you, Roxas wasn't too impressed.

"Where exactly are you sleeping anyway? On the couch?"

"Seifer's room."

'WHAT?!"

"Without him I swear!!"

I suppose I was lucky; they asked about the 'Chickenwuss' thing a little late so I was able to avoid that one. They were already half way out the door, so I simply yelled "Cause he's stupid!" and slammed the door shut.

... What? I suppose you want to know?

Let's just say that I hate chickens, and chickens hate me. Seifer learned that when we visited his uncle's farm.

"Why are you running?!"

"Because I don't like these things you call animals!"

"Oh, don't be such a chicken... Wuss!"

I never lived that down, and I still have a fear of chickens thank you very much. They're going to take over the world, just you wait and see!

....

I need to get out more.

-&-

"Hey, Lamer."

"Evening, Asshole."

"Ohh, going formal are we?"

"Fuck you."

"No thanks; I think I'd rather it be the other way around." I purred into his ear, rather enjoying the flustered expression that soon grew on his face.

'What?!" Hayner squeaked, though he'd never admit it, as he scooted to the left just a bit. His large eyes growing bigger as they stared at me, confusion in them of course.

"You heard me." I replied breezily, stepping out of the room. Before I made it to the stairway, and out of hearing range, I heard him snap, "Bastard! I hate you!"

Normally, a comment like that wouldn't faze me.

Normally, I would've just called a 'Whatever' into play.

But, Hayner and mine's relationship wasn't exactly normal.So I just bowed my head and ascended the stairs. Hoping the hurt wouldn't come through in my voice as I hollered back,

"Yeah, yeah..."

-&-

-- (1) Check back to chapter 4? when Hayner thinks Seifer is a Roman God. (:

Slsknfidsnd. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays?

This took WAY too long. Not entirly happy with it either. :/

The 2 little ending things are a tad rushed because I was trying to get things moving. The destination is still unknown, but, hey. Am trying.

I swear, Hayner and Seifer have gone through a complete role reversal in this fic. x.x;

Sorry 'bout that.

Am still amazed I've yet to be flamed, or that I made 100 reviews. Nevertheless, am very honoured and happy that you like my fic. Especially since I don't.

R&R, I reply to every one (that I can). If you read/favorite/alert but don't review, I'll feel rather insulted and hurt. D;

Sorry in advance if this didn't live up to standards or was a horrible update for being so late. ;==;