a/n: jfc i'm so sorry about taking forever, i was hit by some intense writers block :/ i'm also sorry that this is kinda short, i did the best i could...

and i'm also sorry for what i'm about to do to you all

a-far-off-memory

Chapter XXV

"So has he talked to you at all about what's going on?"

After a week of Ven just lying in bed and missing school, Roxas was at his wit's end. So he'd reached out to Zexion through Demyx, and they sat in Starbucks to discuss what was going on.

Zexion sighed. "He hasn't really texted me much...and Terra's been avoiding me, so I don't really know what to do," he murmured, sipping his tea. "Ven didn't even really tell me what happened, just that he and Terra aren't talking."

Roxas rubbed his face tiredly, downing some of his coffee. He hadn't been sleeping well lately with all the worrying he'd done, so he was practically dead on his feet. "I suppose I should tell you then, since he hasn't and you deserve to know what's going on with your two best friends. On valentine's day, they decided it would be fun to get drunk, and I'm sure you know where I'm going with this."

Zexion's eyes widened. "Did they...?"

The blond slowly nodded. "The next morning, Terra freaked out. He said it was a mistake, that he's not gay, and told Ven he just couldn't look at him before leaving. And then he called me, and Axel and I had to leave earlier than we'd planned." His grip on his coffee cup tightened. "I just...I don't know what to do for him. He's miserable, Zexion, and I don't know how to help. And...he's not exactly the most stable person. After our dad died and our mom left...he struggled a lot. He doesn't cope well."

The shorter teen looked thoughtful for a moment. "I can try to corner Terra tomorrow, I guess. I don't know if I can make a difference, but I'll try to help as much as I can. Because...I've seen the way they look at each other. Observation is one of my specialties. And maybe...maybe Terra is scared. Maybe he doesn't know how he feels. I know I was scared for a long time before I accepted that I was gay, I tried everything I could to be straight. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe he really is straight...but either way, those two need to talk again. Because from what you've told me, Ven isn't doing too good, and when I see Terra in the halls...he just looks lost. I want to help my friends, because they've both done a lot for me..."

Roxas breathed a sigh of relief, happy to have more help. "Thank you, Zexion."

The bespectacled teen smiled. "Don't thank me now. Thank me when those idiots are talking again."

After dropping Zexion off at his house, Roxas returned home. Axel was waiting anxiously for him, pulling him in for a short kiss when he walked through the front door.

"How did it go?" he asked softly, brows furrowed in concern.

Roxas sighed. "Zexion hadn't even known what happened between them, Ven didn't even tell him. But I told him everything, he's going to try and corner Terra tomorrow because he's apparently been staying away from him. Hopefully we can get this whole thing resolved soon..."

Warm fingers reached up to touch under his eyes, where he knew there were deep purple bags. "You haven't been sleeping well, have you?"

He shook his head. "I...can't. I'm so worried and stressed and I can't stop thinking—"

Soft lips covered his own, silencing him. "Come on, it's time for a nap. I'll handle supper and the kids' homework, you need rest."

"But—"

"No buts, Roxas Vincent Strife. I'll even stay with you until you fall asleep, okay?" Green eyes were flooded with concern. "Roxas, you're exhausted. I'm worried about you, you're going to get sick if you keep going like this. And I know you haven't been paying attention in class, because every time I look over at you, you're just staring at nothing. Demyx said the same thing about your other classes. You need to take care of yourself for once."

At that, the blond sighed. He'd been thinking about that very issue for a while now... "Ax..." he began, looking down. "I think...I think I'm gonna quit school for a little while. Until life around here settles down, at least. Even with you here to help, there's still just so much to do. My family needs me to focus on them for a little while, and school just takes up too much of my time. Between that and work, I don't even have time to play with Naminé anymore. It's good that she has Kairi now, but...it breaks my heart when I have to say no to her because of homework."

Axel pulled him to his chest, running his fingers through blond hair. "Rox...if you feel that's what's best, then do it. I'm all for whatever makes you less stressed, you know that. I'll support whatever decision you make."

Roxas snuggled in closer, pecking his boyfriend's collarbone. "Then it's not stupid of me to do?"

"No way," the redhead replied with a shake of his head. "I think it'll be good for you, to take that extra stress off your shoulders."

"I love you," sighed the blond, closing his eyes in content. "I'll make an appointment with the dean in the morning..."

A soft kiss was pressed to his temple. "Good. Now, let's get you into bed." He was lifted by strong arms, and he allowed himself to be carried to bed without protest. Axel laid him down, crawling in behind him and curling an arm around his waist, slipping his free hand up the back of his shirt to lightly trace the skin of his back soothingly. And just like that, Roxas succumbed to the overwhelming exhaustion that had been hanging over him.

The room was dark as Ven lay in his bed, headphones in his ears. He hadn't showered in a few days, had barely even left his room, and he found himself unable to even care. Why care, when nothing in his life seemed to ever go right?

He knew he was worrying Roxas. He knew he was a burden to him and Axel. But he just didn't know what to do...he couldn't bring himself out of the funk he'd fallen into.

"I'm a fuck up," he whispered to the darkness, clenching his eyes tightly shut. "Roxas doesn't need my shit. Neither does Axel. All I do is make problems for them...but I have nowhere to go..."

...wait.

He looked down at his phone, biting his lip. Maybe...

Resolutely, he typed out a quick message before sliding out of bed. He flipped his light on, blinking hard as his eyes adjusted, and hastily grabbed some clothes before leaving his room. As he was heading to the bathroom, he was stopped by Axel, who was wearing his work uniform. The redhead looked surprised to see him out of bed, and Ven didn't really blame him for that.

"Hey, kid. I got called into work, but there's food downstairs...Roxas is napping though, can you wake him up to eat in a little while?"

Slowly, Ven nodded. "Yeah," he replied quietly. "See you, Axel. Have fun at work."

Green eyes softened. "See you later, Ven." A large hand rested on his shoulder before he was pulled in for a hug. "You're gonna be okay, kid. I promise."

Ven willed himself not to cry as he hugged Axel back, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Thanks, Ax." You won't have to worry about me anymore, he tacked on silently. I'll be out of your hair, you and Roxas can be happy.

He left then, and Ven quickly ran to the bathroom. He felt himself start to shake with tears as he stripped and got into the shower, standing under the warm spray. He washed himself mechanically, trying to avoid looking at the healing cuts on his thigh that he'd made in a moment of weakness earlier that week. He didn't want to think about the fact that he'd broken a promise, even if Roxas wasn't aware it had been broken.

He showered quickly, toweling his hair and body dry before throwing on his clothes. A beanie covered his damp hair, and then he quickly headed back to his room. It was good that Roxas was sleeping; it meant he'd only have to get away from the girls.

As he was throwing clothes into a bag, there was a knock on his door. Sighing, he called, "Yes?"

The door slowly opened, revealing a timid-looking Naminé. "Venny...me and Kairi were, umm...we wanted to know if you'd play with us...since Roxy is sleeping and Axie is at work..."

"I can't, Nami," he replied stiffly, zipping his bag shut. "I'm going out."

"But..." Her eyes filled with tears. "We haven't really seen you all week, and we miss you lots...we just want you to play with us like you used to...please, Venny..."

"I said no, Naminé. Leave me alone," he muttered, grabbing a piece of paper and hastily scribbling out a note. She left quietly, shutting the door, and Ventus gripped the pen in his hand tighter. He knew he'd upset her, but it had to be done...

His phone buzzed. I'm outside, the text message read. Ven finished writing the note, folding it in half and leaving it on his pillow. He then made his way down the stairs and outside the door, ignoring the sound of his baby sister crying behind him and climbing into the sleek black car.

"You wanna tell me what happened?"

Ven glanced over, meeting golden eyes. "Just get me outta here..."

Vanitas leaned over and kissed him deeply, starting the car up. "Your wish is my command," he said as he pulled out of the driveway.

Roxas felt incredibly groggy when he woke up, blinking hard and yawning. He glanced over at the clock—9pm. Why hadn't Axel woken him...?

Rolling out of bed, he rubbed his eyes and made his way downstairs, another yawn breaking free. He felt incredibly rested after his four hour nap, and he was glad Axel had made him take it. He headed into the kitchen, opening the oven and finding a plate made up for him. There was another plate next to it, which he assumed was Ven's, and he sighed at the sight of it.

The next thing he spotted was a note on the fridge, and he immediately recognized Axel's messy scrawl. Got called into work, I'll be home at 11. I love you.

With Ven's plate in hand, he headed up the stairs. Stopping outside his brother's door, he knocked, softly calling his name. Brow furrowing when there was no answer, he opened the door, finding it dark.

He groped along the wall for the light switch. "Damn, Ven, it's like a cave in here—" His sentence dropped off when he finally flicked the light on, finding the room empty. A folded piece of paper lay on the pillow, and Roxas' guard immediately went up. Slowly, he walked over and picked it up with his free hand, opening it.

Roxas,

I realize that recently—no, not just recently...I realize that I've been a huge burden on you since mom left. I'm fucked up, I don't know how to deal with shit, and all that does is make stress for you. Which is why I've decided to leave, so that maybe things will be a little easier on you. I know you'll be okay, because you have Axel and he's great. And Nami will be okay because she has the two of you and Kairi. You're all...better off without me.

Don't worry about me, I'll be safe where I'm going. Please let me be, and don't try to find me. I'll come back when I'm less fucked up...I promise I'll try to go to school soon, but I can't just yet. Please don't hate me.

I love you, Roxy. Be happy with Axel, and don't worry about me. I refuse to burden you any more than I already have.

- Ventus

There was a clatter as the plate fell from his hand, shattering against the floor. Spaghetti flew everywhere, but Roxas was unable to worry about it. Not with Ven's words running through his head.

What is he thinking...? A burden...? Where did he get that idea?

With shaking hands, he pulled his phone from his pocket. He needed to call someone, anyone...

"Hey, Roxy! What's shakin'?" came Sora's cheerful voice.

A sob escaped him. "Sora...I need you to come over..."

"What's wrong? Is everyone okay?"

He bit his lip so hard that he tasted blood. "Ven ran away."

a/n: *nervous laughter*

ven's a fucking dumbass, amirite? he should know that roxas doesn't consider him a burden, but alas, he thinks otherwise...

i feel bad for poor little nami, she just wanted to play with her big brother :(

anyways, i'll try to get the next chapter out faster, but in the meantime, why don't you check out my other oneshots and stories? i have two other stories in progress right now: tale as old as time, a vanven story inspired by beauty and the beast, as well as the old house on the hill, which is like a horror story i guess? idk people die and stuff

until next time! i'd love to hear what you guys have to say about this ;3

afom out~