Muscle
Surrounded by monsters, Vanitas and Ventus fought. When one was demolished, two more took its place like a creature of legend. Their blades swung in tandem, destroying the endless waves of beasts that came for them with ease. Alone, they were strong. Together, they were more powerful than they ever had been. Wayward Wind was just as much the other side of Void Gear as Ventus was to Vanitas.
The onslaught continued, never ceasing, it seemed. Of course it wouldn't. Vanitas expected as much. After all, they were his monsters. Each one slain left a physical pain that only created more, stronger Unversed. The stronger the monsters, the more they pushed to defeat them. When a Chrono Twister went at Ventus, Vanitas leapt in front of him, beating it back. Ventus finished off the Wild Bruiser that had him distracted before whirling to stand beside Vanitas.
The two, panting, glanced to one another.
"Had enough?" Vanitas asked, noticing the wariness on the blonde's face.
"Have you?"
"I'm just getting warmed up." Vanitas smirked, though his exhausted betrayed him in his voice. His arms were growing heavy, the sweat drenching him from head to toe. The grip on his blade was growing slick. He cursed himself for forgoing gloves today.
"One more combo."
"Got it."
They jumped apart, facing one another. Their twin smirks signaled their preparedness. The boys leapt at each other, their blades clashing to create a flash of light and darkness. Their blades slide across one another, swiping outward to the monsters that surrounded them. With each swing, a wave of darkness and light wiped away at the monsters, returning them to their origin. They twisted upward, bringing their blades to the ground to create one more shockwave.
The area around them cleared. There were still monsters. Still way too many for them to finish off comfortably if they were going to call it in for the day. Vanitas dropped to a knee, panting as he waved his hand downward. Around them, the monsters vanished into a twist of darkness, returning to Vanitas. After weeks of practicing, he was finally able to dismiss them like he used to. Ventus dropped to the ground beside him, whining about a sore shoulder he injured during practice the previous day.
The Vanitas caught Ventus's glance. He grinned at the blonde, settling on the stone comfortably. It wasn't exactly comfortable, what with the courtyard being stone, but it would do for now. They didn't exactly have a field to do this in with flat terrain, which Vanitas should probably mention to Aqua when she got back. Then again, what good was it to practice in a flat terrain? Monsters made their presence known in all sorts of places. Vanitas just supposed he was used to the flatness of the Badlands.
"You did well," he huffed, gasping for air.
"You lasted longer."
"I used to go until I passed out," Vanitas reminded him. "I can start doing that again, if you like."
"I'd rather not be doing this at all."
Vanitas blew a piece of hair from his eyes as he scowled. He wasn't going to have this argument again, especially after everything they had already learned they could do with this method of practice. Vanitas using his own monsters against them was the best form of teaching, as he'd seen all those years ago. They taught Vanitas everything he knew, and, in turn, strengthened the Chasers on their journey. Especially Ventus. For one being so young with so little experience, he learned amazingly fast in such a short time while on his own, chasing Terra. He had been able to fight against Vanitas and win on his own with enough strength for them to forge a χ-blade.
They learned how to fight together. They created their own, rather powerful, joint attacks that could wipe out a good portion of his monsters and deal a ton of damage. Without this chance, they wouldn't have had it. They wouldn't have been able to learn how to fight together. They wouldn't discover each other's strengths and weaknesses and learn how to make up the difference.
They had this argument a million times already. Vanitas was never going to relent because this was the best way he knew how to help Ventus. Just… just let me do this for you.
Several weeks had passed since the Keyblade Masters left on their journey. Vanitas was going stir crazy, being trapped on this world once more. It wasn't so bad, since Ventus was here. The first few days, they did nothing but goof off, do what they wanted, ate what they wanted, and left a mess in their wake. It was a good vacation, but then they decided maybe they should keep up with the routine of training. They cleaned up their mess, prepared healthier meals, and created a good training routine to keep them occupied.
The boys heaved themselves to their feet to hit the showers. They entered the bathing room, which was large and clean. There were stalls for showers and a large, warm tub in the center filled with steaming water. Ventus poured a liquid into the tub, giving it a soothing aroma, already making Vanitas's muscles relax. They stripped, never minding being shy around the other, and slipped under the water.
They were too tried to talk. Vanitas leaned against the edge, his arms supporting him on the rim as he took a moment to inhale the soothing soaps. He glanced to Ventus who sunk beneath the water for several seconds before rising, shaking out his head. He offered a grin when Vanitas flinched against the splash.
It was important to relax their muscles after training. The heat of the tub and the steam provided what they needed to ease the ache of a long day. Vanitas lazily turned his eyes upon the blonde who leaned his head back against the rim to close his eyes. Vanitas eyed the blonde as he chewed the inside of his cheek. He still hated that habit.
"How's your shoulder?"
"Hurts like hell," Ventus groaned.
The previous day, he slipped during a combo. It was one he had done a million times before, learned long ago before the end of the first war. It was a simple mistake that could have happened to anyone. He landed hard on his shoulder, dislocating it. Vanitas had to pop it back into place.
"C'mere."
Ventus scooted across his seat, closer to Vanitas. The raven-haired boy turned him on the bench to reach his back easier. He sat sideways, his hands still on the blonde's shoulders. There, he began to knead into the flesh, deep into the tense muscles. Vanitas didn't know much about massaging, just the rudiments from watching. Terra often received them from Aqua and vise-versa. When Ventus needed them, one of the other two administered. They knew better how to do it properly. It probably should have been something the two of them learned, but never really cared to.
Vanitas pressed into the offending shoulder. Ventus groaned, tensing in pain. Vanitas only continued, pushing harder into the knots and sinew. Slowly, the knots loosened, giving way and smoothing out. He worked until he was satisfied, giving a once over against Ventus's back. The skin was smooth and slick with the water. His muscles taut, showing just how muscular this small boy really was. When clothed, he seemed lanky and weak. Bare, he was lean, powerful, and not altogether unattractive.
"Thank you," Ventus sighed, leaning back against Vanitas's chest. He turned up with a lazy smile. "Much better."
Usually, when the two were bare, they didn't come into much contact. They certainly never cuddled. There never was a mood for it. It was usually to bathe or change, which called for nothing but necessity. It seemed the mood suddenly shifted when Ventus kissed him, eliciting a noise of surprise. Now, he just wanted to hold Ventus against him, clothed or not. He held himself back. Something about it didn't seem… right? No. Appropriate.
Ventus turned, wrapping his hands around Vanitas's neck to press another, firmer kiss on his lips. "Do you want one back?"
Vanitas shook his head. "Nah." Seemed even less appropriate for some reason.
"Mkay," Ventus pulled away after placing one more kiss against Vanitas's neck.
The water must have been getting hotter. His face was on fire. He was beginning to sweat as he eyed the marks he left along Ventus's neck and collar over the last few days. He had ones to match, which, for some reason, annoyed him. He enjoyed the feeling of the neck kisses, the heat the pooled in his belly, the fire that burst within him, and the breathlessness that it left him with. They were proof of their trust in each other, but, somehow, it felt more like… he was marking his territory.
He just didn't like being marked.
Yet, pride swelled within him at the sight of them on Ventus.
They finished their soak, showered, and dressed into fresh clothes before staring dinner. Vanitas pressed a cool compress on Ventus's shoulder after the heat of the baths, icing the now loosened muscles. It was difficult to cook while holding ice, so Ventus did not help out too much. Which was a bad idea because Vanitas couldn't cook to save his life. Vanitas served them a wonderfully well-done roast with blackened potatoes and salted peas. They suffered through it, deciding the left overs weren't worth saving.
The two of them rarely needed words to communicate, yet, Ventus never shut up once their energy had been replenished. Usually, completing dinner was when Ventus would opened his mouth and only close it when he fell asleep. When Vanitas had enough, he'd shove a book in his hands to get him to stop for even a minute.
"Hey, how'd you know how to fix a dislocated shoulder, anyway?"
"Break a few bones, dislocate a few joints, you learn a thing to two."
"Did Xehanort ever help?"
"I guess he threw advice my way every once in a while."
"You know, I sprained my ankle once. Master Eraqus used a super powerful healing spell to fix it. I didn't even have to ice it or anything afterwards! Poof! It was perfect!"
"Sorry I don't have the skill of a dead Keyblade Master."
"I think Aqua will get there, someday. Her and Terra will both be really, really strong! Like Eraqus!"
Vanitas bit back a response, he really wanted to give. He didn't think it would be wise to remind Ventus that Eraqus perished because of a joint effort played by Terra and Xehanort. Terra beat Eraqus in a fight. Now, whether or not Eraqus was holding back was to be debated. But reminding everyone of past transgressions had been an unspoken taboo. They all had done something stupid or wrong that they regretted. No need to drag it back up.
To stop himself from saying anything bad about Eraqus (who pointedly was going to kill the blonde because of what he was capable of), he shoved a book into Ventus's hands, saying he was going to watch a movie. The two ate their dessert in the sitting room, relaxing after a long day of training. They opted to sit side by side to prevent strain on Ventus's injured shoulder instead of their usual positions for down time (one on top of the other). Instead, they sat with their legs sprawled over the seat, tangled in each other with their backs against the arm rests.
This was their routine for their days. Five days of straight training. Two days off. Only once did they take time off due to Ventus falling ill (which they should have seen coming, since he hadn't been sick in a long while). Occasionally, their friends would drop in on them to check on them, rest, and restock supplies. They were thankful for the break in monotony. They received messages from Roxas and Xion, the two of them having been warned they could not enter the world without the proper charm from Aqua.
Ventus and Vanitas learned the hard way no one could get in or out without express permission from Aqua. They tried to leave the world to visit Roxas and Xion, thinking that an afternoon off-world would have no consequences. When they opened a tear into the lanes inbetween, the tear twisted and faltered. Vanitas attempted a Corridor of Darkness. That, too, warped, flickered, and closed.
Aqua's magic was immensely powerful. They hadn't realized just how strong it was until that moment. That woman, that wanted so to keep Vanitas under lock and key, knew just how to do it. They gaped at each other in awe until Vanitas grew frustrated and demolished a training ring.
When the two retired to bed, they climbed into the beds they pushed together, held there by wedges. The two mattresses were pressed so tightly together after the head and footboards were removed, it was almost enough to believe they were one big bed. Still, sitting in the tiny gap proved uncomfortable after a time. They pulled close to each other, foreheads touching as they settled into comfort.
Ventus grinned brightly as he sat up. Vanitas curiously made to follow him when Ventus swiftly pulled the sleep shirt off of Vanitas. He ordered the other to turn around, which Vanitas rolled his eyes, complying with a huff. Ventus straddled Vanitas's hips, pulled a lotion from the bedside table, rubbing it between his hands before working it into the skin of Vanitas's back.
Vanitas stiffened. He never really received a massage just because.
"I'm returning the favor." Ventus explained cheerfully.
"Whatever makes you happy," Vanitas yawned, allowing Ventus's clumsy, fast moving hands run over his shoulder blades. He relaxed his muscles, closing his eyes to focus on the sensation. He hummed, grunted, and sighed with each loosened knot.
"You're so tense."
"Happens when I'm dealing with you all day."
"Do I make you that nervous?"
"No, just… exhausted."
Ventus laughed. He leaned down to kiss Vanitas on the spine, making him shutter. For a moment, he nuzzled the skin before continuing his work. His hands moved along the spine, over his shoulders, down his ribs. He pressed the pads of his thumbs into the meat of his lower back.
Ventus rubbed into thick knots until they loosened. He smoothed his hands almost expertly down Vanitas's back. The first expert move he made and the only one. His hands shifted again, too fast and too rough to be soothing. Carefully, he slowed. His hands became gentler, softer, smoother.
He leaned forward again, pressing his lips into Vanitas's skin. He kissed up Vanitas's neck, making him hum in satisfaction. He kissed his shoulder, his neck, his chin, his cheek. Vanitas turned his head enough to allow a lingering kiss on the lips.
Vanitas turned under Ventus, unable to not continue. Their kiss deepened, parting briefly only for Ventus's shirt to follow Vanitas's on the floor. Their tongues danced, hands roamed over skin. Vanitas scratched his fingers into Ventus's back, pulling him flat against him. Skin against skin brought a fire in his belly, one he wondered if he'd be able to put out. Ventus planted wet kisses along Vanitas's throat, leaving another mark on the very crook of his neck and shoulder.
A hand traced fingers along muscle, dangerously low. Vanitas captured Ventus's mouth again, deepening the kiss. He couldn't get enough air in his lungs. His shorts felt tighter than they should. Ventus wasn't close enough. He needed more skin. More of those lips. More of Ventus.
Everything was on fire. They pulled away for a moment, Ventus's blue eyes hazy and full of abandon. Vanitas panted, his fingers digging into Ventus's back. "Hurts," he breathed before he could stop himself.
Ventus's eyes widened with worry. "What hurts?"
Vanitas grimaced, cursing his unbidden words. "It's fine, kiss me."
"You sure?"
Vanitas adjusted his shorts, pulling Ventus down to him. Ventus lifted himself slightly to allow the action before pushing himself down against his hips. Vanitas gasped into Ventus's mouth, the blonde smirking.
"Here?"
"Shut up."
Another grind. "Me, too." Ventus's hands wandered lower on Vanitas's belly, his fingertips brushing just above the hem of his shorts. "Do you trust me?"
Vanitas laughed. "What a stupid question."
"I need to hear you say it."
"Of course I do, idiot."
Ventus grinned, his lips clashing against Vanitas's. In a moment of distraction, he almost didn't notice the hand that plunged into his shorts until the cool fingers wrapped around him. Vanitas gasped, jerking away. Gross. Why would he want to touch that? Were they going to…?
The hand slid upward slowly, palm grazing over the head, pulling fabric down and away from Ventus's target. Ventus kissed him slowly, gently as he pulled the shorts down comfortably, his thumb brushing over the edge as he rubbed just the tip. His member throbbed with appreciation. He didn't realize being touched there felt so good. To ungodly good, his mind burst, unable to comprehend the feeling.
Vanitas couldn't focus on kissing. He turned his head, giving Ventus the chance to rest his head beside his ear. Ventus chuckled, his voice just above a breath. "You never touched yourself?"
Vanitas shook his head.
"You should try it sometime," Ventus mused, bringing his hand down his shaft. "Feels really good."
It felt amazing. Vanitas bucked into Ventus's hand, groaning when the blonde began a rhythm. Vanitas groaned, throwing a hand over his eyes, allowing himself to lose himself in the sensation. The pace quickened, Ventus attacked Vanitas's throat once more with his mouth. Vanitas's back arched, his senses heightening. Something was happening. His muscles tensed, his fingers clenched the sheets, his hips bucked up as warmth splashed onto his stomach.
He was left, spent and panting.
Ventus snickered, kissing Vanitas deeply. "That was fast," he smirked.
Vanitas touched the strange substance that stained his body. Ventus sat up, reaching for a tissue to wipe the stuff that stuck to his hands. Vanitas grimaced. Gross. It was the same consistency as snot, but warmer than he expected. Ventus helpfully cleaned it up, noticing Vanitas's confusion. He laid beside Vanitas, explaining what he did, what exactly it was that Vanitas reacted to, and what it was that left his body.
They wrapped into each other's warmth, exchanging lazy kisses. Vanitas was exhausted.
"I love you, Vanitas." Ventus mumbled as they settled for sleep.
At the moment, he wished more than anything he could return the sentiment.
Sorry this was one of the shorter chapters! But, it's also got some yummy stuff! Maybe. xD I don't have a lot of experience writing this kind of stuff, so, it's gonna take a few chapters to get into it. Hopefully. XD More to come, promise!
Thanks for the reviews! Especially to my regulars—you know who you are! & heart ; I love you guys, lots!
