Chapter 25

Fuck! Stop looking at him! Taven thought to himself when he realized he was staring, again. He's going to notice, dumbass!

Gritting his teeth he pulled his eyes away from Miles, fixing them on the fire which flickered back and forth brightly. With a sigh he leaned forward, resting his chin in his hand, elbow propped on his knee. His other hand gripped his cane tightly.

It had been close to two hours since his talk with Roxas, and the confidence the blond boy had given him had quickly drained away when he sat back down around the fire. Quickly being replaced with anxiety and fear which was now twisting into anger directed at himself.

Dammit, he cursed silently, glaring down at his twisted and scarred leg. It would have been so much easier if that damn car had just killed me that day.

"Oi Taven!" Miles said, placing a hand on Taven's shoulder, sounding worried.

"What?" Taven snapped, his anger and frustration getting the better of him. He turned his glare from his leg to Miles. A pang of regret washed through him as Miles looked at him, shocked and confused, it had been years since Taven had snapped at anyone. He was always happy, always. And when he was angry he hid it, not letting anyone see. So for him to actually snap at someone was a rare occasion.

"You okay? You're acting kind of weird," Miles said, watching Taven with concern.

Taven watched him, not saying anything, for a moment he felt the anger slip away as he looked at Miles face. The face he had become so familiar with over the years. He felt the sudden urge to reach out for him, it would be so easy. He'd just have to lean forward the tiniest bit and touch his lips with his. If Miles would just give him some sort of sign. Some sort of signal that he felt the same way then it wouldn't have to be this hard.

Why would he give me a fucking sign? He doesn't like me like that! Why would he ever like a cripple like me?

"I need a drink," he said curtly, standing and limping away from the fire. You're such an idiot. He told himself as he moved quickly away from the party and out across the dark beach. He kept his pace up, fighting against the sand which tried its best to slow him. Clenching his teeth he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to fight the tears of frustration that threatened to overwhelm him at any moment.

"Taven!" He groaned softly as he heard Miles call out behind him. "Wait up!" He didn't slow but a few moments later Miles fell into step beside him, panting slightly from having to run to catch up.

"Are you okay man?"

"I'm fine." He said as he walked, keeping his eyes trained on the sand in front of his feet.

"Come on, something's up. I can tell so spill it." He paused waiting for Taven to answer, but he didn't.

"Is it your leg again? Does it hurt again?"

Taven felt something within him snap.

"Why does everything have to come back to my fucking leg!?" He shouted, stopping abruptly. He spun, facing a shocked Miles, his eyes brimming with tears.

"Wha-"

"Why does every fucking thing have to end up being about my leg? 'Oh are you okay? Do you need any help?' 'Aw what a poor dear! Let me get that for you.' I don't need yours or anyone else's sympathy! I can take care of my fucking self; I don't need your help living my life!"

Taven stood, panting, watching Miles through blurry eyes. Before him the brunette stood, his eyes wide and his face confused. Finally he couldn't control the tears anymore; he turned his back on Miles, not wanting him to see him cry.

"Taven I-"

"Please just go," he choked out. He didn't want Miles to see him like this.

"Taven-"

"Leave me alone. Okay? Just go!"

"Taven!" Miles finally shouted, sounding hurt. "What the hell is going on with you?"

"What the hell is going on? Fine! I'll tell you what's going on! I'm in love with my best friend!" He shouted, closing his eyes, his shoulders shaking.

"W-what?" Miles finally stuttered from behind him.

"You heard me! I love you! There! Now the cat's out'ta the bag! Haha, go ahead have a good laugh, because you know what Miles." He spun back around, tears streaming down his face, his eyes wide with fear. Miles stood unmoving before him, his eyes round as he stared up at the orange haired boy.

"I love you." Taven whispered.

"N-no-" Miles stuttered, backing away a step.

"Yes Miles. I love you."

At that Miles turned, sprinting away down the beach.

I'm such an idiot…

Taven sat in the sand, his bad leg stretched out in front of him, his other knee drawn to his chest, in the very same spot Miles had left him close to an hour ago.

The tears had long since stopped, leaving Taven to stare blankly at the dark ocean before him. He wondered silently about where Miles must have gone, or what he was thinking at the moment.

You knew he would react that way, but you still did it anyway. You're so stupid.

He sighed, resting his forehead on his knee. So much for Roxas' advice, he wondered what the blond would say when he found out just how wrong he was.

Lifting his head his eyes traveled back to the water. He felt a wave of hopelessness wash over him.

Mom's abandoned me; Roxas is leaving again, Dad's in jail. I just scared Miles away for good. I'm never going to be able to go to college; I'm never going to be able to be a biologist. I'm never going to see the wolves. I'm never going to be able to do anything so why am I even alive?

Before him the water glistened, beckoning him forward and for a moment he wanted to obey, to walk into the water and never come back. But a moment later he pushed himself to his feet, he was too much of a coward to ever do something like that.

Looking out at the sea he sighed and closed his eyes. I better get home in case Mom decides to show up.

He turned his back on the water only to freeze, behind him, panting heavily, his face tear streaked as he watched him stood Miles.

Taven's momentary shock soon turned to anger, and he glared at the boy before him.

"Taven I-"

Taven spun, walking away before Miles could finish.

"Please Taven. I'm sorry! I didn't mean-"

"Didn't mean what?" Taven shouted, spinning back around. He was crying again, and his knuckles were white as he gripped his cane tightly. "To run off like that? To leave me there after I spill my guts?"

"I-I'm sorry! I was just-" Miles said pleadingly.

"I don't want to hear it." Taven said roughly, limping away.

"Taven, please. Don't leave!"

Taven kept walking, his fist clenched at his side, tears still sliding down his face.

"I love you Taven!" Miles shouted from behind him. Taven hesitated, unsure of whether or not Miles meant it. He was about to stop but then he remembered earlier. The feeling of helplessness he felt as he watched Miles sprint away down the beach.

"Nice try." He called back, his voice thick.

"God damn it Taven!" Miles shouted again, a moment later Miles grab onto his shoulder, spinning him around to face him.

"Get the he-" Taven's snarl was cut short though as Miles grabbed his lips in his. Taven could feel the tears slide down Miles' face as the boy pressed his lips urgently against his own.

A moment later Miles pulled away, his eyes pleading as he looked up at Taven, who stood shock still, his eyes wide with surprise.

"I'm sorry about earlier." Miles whispered roughly. "I was scared. I-I didn't know what to do." He reached up, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hands. "So I did the only thing I could think of, run."

Taven looked down on him for a few moments before smiling uncertainly. He reached up, running his thumb beneath Miles' eyes, wiping away his tears.

"You're such an idiot…"

Miles laughed shakily, smiling up at the taller boy.

Taven couldn't help but smile back as he leaned forward and kissed his friend gently. All the anger and hopelessness he had felt earlier gone.

A/N: I know this is a Kingdom Hearts fanfic but I needed a change so I decided to do a short chapter from Tavens POV =P