Author's Notes: Thanks for keeping up with the story! Here's part two of the two parter!
Life: The Other Side of the Fence Meets Sibling Rivalry and The Runaways:
Chapter 51: Bonded:
Aqua, Xion, and Kairi waved goodbye to the girls as they left Aqua's apartment. Their party had come to an end. "See you guys!" Then, Aqua looked back surprised as she heard her phone ring. She went over to the couch and picked it up. "Hello?"
Ventus leaned against the wall of the dark bar to catch his balance. "Aq-Aqua…?"
Aqua looked surprised and slightly confused. His voice sounded different and slurred. "Ven?"
"Do-do you know…what that so-called fiancée…d-did to us…?"
Aqua put her phone on speaker as Kairi and Xion became curious. "What happened? Are you guys okay?"
"We're… We're just… Can you come down here…? We need…a little help…"
Curious, the girls looked at each other before they looked at the phone. "Where are you?" Aqua asked.
Vanitas waved his hand toward the others. "Let's go…"
Ventus crossed his arms against his chest as he snickered. "What's the rush…? I thought…I thought you wanted to teach us how to be men."
Vanitas frowned toward him. "Fine! You want a lesson?" He crossed his arms. "Don't be a bunch of pushovers! You put your foot down and don't get caught on a leash like that one over there." Sora groaned. He knew Vanitas was talking about him. "You tell your woman that you're the man of the house!"
"Vanitas!" Vanitas flinched at the familiar voice that yelled at him. Aqua stepped beside him with her hands on her hips as she frowned.
Vanitas looked over a little surprised. "Baby…what...? How did you-?" Ventus started laughing with his hands on his stomach. Vanitas turned his head, angry. "Did you tell on me?!"
Ventus smirked and pointed at him. "You're the one who got caught!"
"You little-!" Vanitas tried to grab him, but soon felt a painful tug at his ear. "Ow woman!"
Aqua frowned. "What did you do?!"
Kairi went over to Sora worried. "Sora!"
Instantly, Sora lifted his head from the table and looked around confused. "Kairi?" Kairi turned his head, concerned. He grinned lazily as his eyes were barely open. "Hi Kairi…"
Kairi became surprised. "You reek of alcohol." On his cheek, she saw a slight bruise forming. "What happened to your face?!"
Sora spread his arms out. "You missed it! There was this big fight!" He pointed toward Roxas, then Riku. "And he was there and he was there!"
"Hi Kairi…" Riku greeted her. Concerned, she put her hands on Riku's cheeks and looked over his face. He didn't seem hurt, but he seemed out of it like the rest of the guys. She looked between them. "Was Sora the only one who got hurt?"
Riku snickered. "Yup!"
Sora buried his face in her stomach and rubbed his head against her. "They said I would have a messed-up face. Is that true…?"
Kairi glanced between them. She was surprised by how intoxicated they were. "…I'm taking you two home."
Sora leaned over passed Kairi as he grinned and put his finger to his lips. "Shh…! You can't…you can't tell Kairi…about the thing…" Riku nodded in agreement.
Kairi looked between them. "What thing?"
Nearby, Roxas wrapped his hand around Xion's waist and nuzzled his face against her stomach, which made her nervous. "I'm sorry… I should have told you sooner…" He kissed her stomach. "And we can have as many kids as you want…"
Xion looked down uneasy as she held up her arms part way. "Umm…?"
Aqua looked upset toward Vanitas. "What did you do to them?!"
Vanitas covered his ear. "Ah! Stop yelling woman!"
Kairi walked over to Vanitas upset. "How could you let Sora get into a fight?!"
Vanitas waved his hand. "If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't have gotten free drinks and food."
Sora cheered as he held up his glass. "Cheers to that!"
Riku and Roxas grinned as they clanked their glasses and his. "Yeah!"
Kairi let out a sigh with her hand to her face. Instantly, she took their glasses away before he could drink. Sora tried to grab it, but she held it out of reach. "Hey!"
Kairi put down the glasses on the other side of the table and then placed her hands on the table as she glared at Vanitas. "This isn't over."
Vanitas smirked. He was up for a challenge. "Bring it on Red!"
Kairi went over and grabbed his shirt. He smirked as she glared at his eyes. "What did you say?!"
Aqua looked over serious toward the girls. "Let's head back to my apartment. I got these two." Aqua looked upset toward Vanitas. "And I'll deal with you later."
Vanitas smirked slyly. "I hope it's in a good way…" Aqua sighed frustrated and pulled on his arm to get him up.
In the cool night air, Aqua walked close to Vanitas and Ventus to make sure they didn't fall over. Roxas leaned on Xion as she helped him walk. Sora and Riku followed behind as they leaned against Kairi a little. Sora grinned toward Kairi. "You're really pretty…"
Kairi frowned a little. She would've been happy to take his compliment when he was a little more sober, but that wasn't the case. "Thanks…"
He tilted his head toward the side a little. "So is the other Kairi."
Kairi looked surprised. "What?"
Sora pointed over. "See. There's another Kairi right there." He leaned in toward her face to plant a kiss on her, but she leaned back. Sora fell forward and bumped into Riku who stood firm. Sora closed his eyes as he wrapped his arms around him. "You feel warm and taller."
Kairi looked forward upset. "Just wait until Vanitas gets sober! He's not getting away with this!"
Aqua looked back as she gave a dull stare. "Jump in line. I get him first."
Vanitas smirked. "Hey! They had a good time! Stop spoiling the fun Red!"
Sora looked over toward Kairi. "Yeah! Hey... Wait…" Sora stood back and loosened his grip from Riku. "This is Riku."
"Yeah… Who else?" Riku said.
Sora put his hands on his hips as he grinned smugly. "You have your own girl to hug!"
Kairi smiled a little. That was one good thing to hear tonight. "Oh! I didn't know you had a girlfriend." Instantly, Vanitas burst out laughing. Kairi placed her hands on her hips as she pouted. "And why is that so funny?"
Sora put his finger to his lips. "Shh! You can't tell Kairi it's Nami…Nami…ne."
Kairi's eyes widened, stunned at the news she just heard. "What?!"
Vanitas burst out laughing more. "You went ahead and told her you idiot! Look at her face!" Vanitas pointed toward Sora and Riku. "That's not all they did. What did you say they did Sora?" Sora grinned and cursed out loud, repeating the same word as before. Vanitas continued to laugh. Ventus frowned at him, which Vanitas noticed. "Fine. Say 'screw' not the other one."
Aqua looked upset. "Haven't you caused enough trouble?!"
Vanitas wrapped his arms around her as he pushed Ventus out of the way. Ventus fell on the ground and frowned at him. "Hey!"
Vanitas snuggled his head against her chest. "Not enough with you yet woman."
Kairi looked around at them. While she was stunned at what Sora said, she ultimately turned her attention to Riku. "How long has that been going on?!"
"A-A few years…" Riku answered.
Kairi's eyes widened in shock. "What?!"
Nervously, Riku scratched the back of his head. "I didn't expect... to happen. It just… sort of did?"
Aqua pushed Vanitas off of her and looked back. "Save for tomorrow. We really should get them back."
Kairi put her hands on her hips upset. "Sort of?! Nothing like that sort of happens!"
"She was upset... when she caught you and Sora alone at your house... together, so she came over to mine and stayed the night," Riku explained.
Kairi put her fingers to her lips as she thought back. "But we weren't alone at my house except that time…" Her eyes widened in surprised. "That's the noise we heard before!"
Vanitas smirked. "So you're saying you're the cause? Good going Red!"
Kairi looked back upset. "Stay out of it!"
Riku shook his head. "It doesn't matter because... it's over now."
Sora put his arm around her shoulders as he wrapped his other arm around the air. "See! It's over now. Now we can go home. You, me, and the other Kairi."
Vanitas snickered. "If you have two Kairis, doesn't that mean you could have a threesome?" He started laughing. Aqua used her hand to cover over his mouth.
Sora looked up thinking as he grinned. Kairi sighed. "I need to get you to bed…" Sora smirked toward her, which she frowned. "Not like that…" She grabbed onto Sora's and Riku's arms. "I'll deal with you two in the morning."
Roxas sighed and looked at Xion. "You sure you don't regret picking me over him?"
Xion shook her head. "For the last time no."
Roxas wrapped his arms around her tight as he buried his face in her neck. "We should go ahead and get married wherever you want..." While Xion appreciated that he was more open and docile, it still worried her about him.
Everyone started walking again. Soon, things started feeling woozy for Sora. He leaned more against Kairi almost knocking her into Riku. "Sora!" She looked concerned at him. "Are you okay?"
Sora smiled to assure her. "I'm fine. I'm just-." Without warning, he bent down and empty his stomach onto the pavement. Kairi jumped back and spread her arms in front of Riku with her back pressed against him.
Roxas and Xion looked back toward him. "Don't... I'll-." Feeling his own stomach turning, he left Xion's side and leaned over toward the bushes.
Once he stopped, Kairi rubbed Sora's back to comfort him. "Feel any better? Do you need to sit?"
Riku sat down on the ground. "I don't feel so good either."
Ventus sat down as well. "Me neither."
Kairi sighed and turned her head toward Vanitas. Vanitas looked back as he frowned. "Bunch of lightweights…"
Kairi glared, upset. "This is your fault you know!"
Vanitas gave her a dull stare. "Can you keep it down? That last thing I need is your annoying voice giving me a headache."
Kairi helped Sora sit on the ground and kneeled down in front of him and Riku. "We can move whenever you're ready." After giving them some time, Kairi, Xion, and Aqua helped them get back up and headed back to Aqua's apartment.
Inside, Aqua and Kairi placed their hands on their hips as Xion looked curious. "So now what?" Xion asked concerned.
They stared down in front of them. On the floor, all the boys were spread out asleep. "We don't really have a choice. We have to let them sleep it off and take turns keeping an eye on them," Aqua answered.
Kairi sighed. "I'm concerned about them sleeping if they get sick again, but…that's the best thing we can do for them." The girls looked at each other. Kairi placed her hands on her hips. "So much for celebrating… Somehow we ended up taking care of them at the end of the night."
Aqua glanced between them. "Okay. Here's the plan. The three of us can share my room. We have the pull-out couch for three to sleep on. One can sleep in the chair. The other might have to sleep on the floor."
Kairi looked over. "I think we have a sleeping bag and we can bring extra pillows."
Aqua nodded. "Okay. Kairi come with me. Xion stay here and watch the boys."
Kairi held out her hand. "If you give me the keys to your apartment, I can grab some stuff too." Xion gave her keys to Kairi. Aqua and Kairi waved toward her once they were ready to leave. "We'll be back!" Afterwards, they closed the door behind them. Things soon grew quiet. Xion sat down on the floor as she watched the boys sleep. She lifted Roxas's head and placed it on her lap. It relaxed her that he looked peaceful while he slept. She thought about what he said earlier. Her eyes lifted up to Riku who slept nearby. It was strange seeing them both in the same room after everything the three of them had gone through. Then, she looked down at Roxas as she smiled a little and brushed his bangs from his forehead lightly.
After Kairi and Aqua returned, they pulled out the couch and sat blankets upon the top. They barely managed to wake up Sora, Roxas, and Vanitas. Aqua helped get Vanitas's coat off and lie down near the left end. Kairi helped Sora to the middle and Xion helped Roxas to the right end. Together, they helped Riku to the chair and Venuts to the sleeping bag. They breathed out once they were done. "That wasn't so hard I guess…" Aqua said.
Kairi looked over toward them curious. "What now? Who wants to take watch first?"
Aqua shrugged. "I'm not really that tired."
Xion nodded. "Me either."
Aqua smiled a little as an idea came to mind. "Then, we could stay up for a little longer and watch them together." The girls nodded. After settling into their pajamas, they stepped back into the living room. Each of them looked down at the boys on the couch as they leaned on top of it.
Kairi smiled. "They all look so peaceful while they're sleeping." Then, she glanced over toward Vanitas. "Even the troublemaker over there."
Aqua leaned against her arm as she reached down and brushed Vanitas's bangs. "I'm glad. It didn't use to be that way for a while." Aqua looked over toward the others as she smiled a little nervous. "Sorry that he caused so much trouble tonight… He's worse in front of an audience." She looked down as she continued to smile. "But since they were able to stay with each other for a few hours, maybe they had a good time?"
Kairi let out a sigh. Gently, she placed her hand near Sora's eye where it was red. "I wish it didn't involve fighting…"
Xion looked over curious. "Sounds like they talked about a lot tonight."
"Yeah," Aqua agreed as she nodded.
Kairi placed her head down as she sighed with her eyes closed. "Maybe a little too much…"
"So…? Your sister and Riku are involved?" Aqua asked.
Kairi looked toward the floor. "I guess so… I had no idea." She rubbed the side of her head. "I'm not sure I want to know any more than that…"
Aqua smiled. "Well… we still got tonight. We can relax and I have ice cream in the fridge." Kairi and Xion agreed. As the night continued, they sat on the floor around the coffee table and watched a movie. Occasionally, they glanced back at the boys to see if they were still okay. Eventually, all three of them look back once they heard snoring louder than their movie. Ventus and Sora were snoring the loudest as Riku followed them third in volume. "Is it always like this?" Aqua asked jokingly.
Kairi tilted her head back. "He doesn't usually snore this loud, but I'm sure with tonight, he's pretty much knocked out. What about the others?"
"Vanitas is pretty quiet. Occasionally, I would hear him snore, but he's usually a light sleeper." She became concerned as she thought back. "I'm sure it's because he was always on edge while he was in the organization. Other than that, the only thing I noticed was he used to talk in his sleep. It always seemed like during a nightmare or something."
Xion looked a little concerned. "I was the same way and it was kind of the same way with Roxas too."
Kairi smiled toward them. "That's all in the past. The worse of it is over. I don't know about you guys, but their snoring is starting to drown out the movie. Should we turn it up louder?"
"I wouldn't. I'm sure it would wake up someone, especially Vanitas," Aqua replied.
Kairi looked back as she smiled. "Too bad. They're going to be in for it tomorrow. I almost feel bad for what I'm going to do…"
Aqua looked curious along with Xion. "What are you planning?"
There were a few ideas that came to Kairi's mind. "I'm not sure yet, but Sora, Riku, and Vanitas are getting a mouth full."
Aqua smiled a little. "And I won't stop you. I'm sure it was all Vanitas's idea." Afterwards, the three of them laughed a little.
Tired, Riku opened his eyes as he groaned softly. There was a little light in the apartment that came in through the curtains. When he sat up in the sofa chair, he groaned as he felt pain come to his head. He placed his hand on the right side. After a minute, the pain subdued in his head a little. Around him, he noticed Ventus, Sora, Vanitas, and Roxas asleep. Since no one was up, he thought it was a good time as any to leave. He got up from the chair. He grabbed his coat and placed it over his arm. Afterwards, he headed toward the door. He thought about waking someone up to let him out, but didn't want to disturb the others. "Leaving so soon?" From around the dimly lit corner, Xion stepped out with a tired smile.
Riku breathed out a sigh of relief. "Hey…"
"Good morning," she greeted him.
Riku looked curious. "Are the others asleep still?"
"If you're wondering about Kairi, then yes, she's still asleep and so is Aqua." Riku sighed as he rubbed his eyes. Not only did he have to deal with the pain in his head, but talk to Kairi. He wasn't sure if he was ready to talk about what happened just yet. Xion became concerned as she noticed the tense look on his face. "Are you sure you're okay? You could stay longer. At least eat breakfast."
Riku turned toward the door. "I'm fine. I gotta head back."
Xion glanced toward the ground concerned. Then, she looked up at him after she came to a decision. "I'll walk you out."
Riku opened the door. "You don't have to do that."
Xion smiled a little. "I don't mind."
The two of them stepped outside. Riku smiled a little toward her. "I guess I'll see you at the next party."
Xion leaned against the wall with her hands behind her back. "Before you go…" Riku looked back curious. Xion stared down at the floor uneasy. "Do you remember…what you and Roxas talked about last night? He seemed like a different person. He kept apologizing for something."
Riku stared at her for a little before he sighed. He rubbed his forehead. "From what I can remember…" He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "I started talking about a girl that I cared for and he thought that…I was talking about you." He sighed more as he rubbed his head and his face tensed over his hangover. "I really didn't think things would be this bad in the morning…" Slightly, he shook his head as he got back to the matter at hand. "Anyway, I think that…he's worried about being with you." Xion reacted with surprise. "I think he said…that he's put you through a lot, so he's worried about if he's the right one. Sometimes… he wonders if you should have picked me instead." Xion sighed as she put her head down. She didn't realize that Roxas still felt that way. She thought he had finally gotten over his insecurities. "He really loves you. There's no doubt about that."
Xion leaned with her arms against the wall. Her eyes drifted toward the side. "Even when we were in the organization together, I didn't realize…how much I really didn't know him. He was going through a lot. It took a long time for me to get him to open up. I think a lot about what would have happened if things were different. I probably wouldn't be here if we had…the…"
Riku looked down. "I'm still sorry about what happened to you."
She shook her head. "It's in the past. To be honest…" She looked at him. "I have thought about…how things would've been different…if I were with you."
Riku looked surprised, then relaxed a little. "Do you…still have those same thoughts…?"
Xion fidgeted with her fingers. After some time silent, she spoke. "I haven't thought about it for a while until last night when it was brought up." She rubbed her arm. "Things would have turned out differently, but…I don't know if..." He stepped closer to her and gently placed his hand against the side of her face. He leaned in toward her as she stared at him stunned. Several thoughts passed through her mind as her body froze in place, but finally, one broke free. Quickly, she put her head down as she closed her eyes. "I can't. I still love Roxas."
Riku stepped back. "Then its settled. You knew who you would choose all along. The two of you will always have something we didn't." He turned and started walking away.
Xion turned toward him surprised. "Wait!" Riku turned around, which she caught up with him. She looked a little concerned. She pressed her hand against her chest. "I'm sorry…"
He smiled a little. "It's all right. I already knew the answer."
"You're still…special to me and…I can't thank you enough for what you've done."
"You'll always have a place-." He pointed toward his heart. "-in here too."
Xion smiled a little. "You have to stay. At least eat something. We don't want to worry about you."
He sighed. Despite the consequences that were surely to come, he decided to stay for her. "Fine…" They headed back toward the apartment.
Suddenly, a familiar face popped out from the door. The red-haired woman smirked at Riku. "And where do you think you're going…?"
At first, Riku looked surprised, but then his lips curved up slightly. "Nowhere yet."
Xion smiled. "Good morning Kairi."
Kairi stepped further out and looked curious between the two. "Good morning you two. What are you up to?"
Xion glanced at Riku. "We were just talking and we didn't want to wake up the others."
Kairi gave a stern glare toward Riku as she placed her hands on her hips. "Well you're not going anywhere until you eat first."
Riku smiled. "I heard it from Xion enough already." Afterwards, they headed back inside.
Aqua watched from the kitchen as they walked inside. "Good morning."
"Good morning," the others responded.
"I'm surprised you're up earlier than the rest," Aqua pointed out.
Riku shrugged. "I don't know. Just habit I guess."
Xion, Kairi, and Riku sat at the round, glass table as Aqua started to cook. "Maybe the smell of food will wake the rest of the boys up."
Kairi smiled as she looked over. "Probably." Then, she turned her attention to Riku as her smile faded. "As for you, start talking."
Riku sighed with his eyes closed. "You get straight to the point, don't you?"
"You know it. So? How did this happen?" The two talked at the kitchen table as Xion sat with them. Aqua stood in the kitchen and listened while she made breakfast. After she heard his explanation, Kairi's eyes traveled toward the table. "I didn't think…she cared for Sora that much to…"
"Neither one of us were in the best places." He looked over toward Xion. "I was still hurt over losing Xion, while she was hurt that Sora chose you. I thought we both were over it then, but…" Xion looked down uneasy as her hands tensed in her lap. In a way, she felt responsible for what happened as well. Riku looked serious toward Kairi. "But it doesn't matter now. She ended things between us."
Kairi became concerned with how he was dealing with things. "I'm sorry…"
Riku's eyes lowered the table. "Maybe it was for the best. We knew the distance would put a strain on us and we wouldn't get to see each other as often. It was only a matter of time."
Kairi watched his reaction. "Hmm…Still, it doesn't make it any easier."
Aqua placed a plate of food in front of him. "She's right." She placed her hand against his shoulder. "Either way, you'll always have your friends to support you." When Riku looked over, he saw Xion nod. Kairi nodded and smiled toward him as well. Aqua walked around and placed plates in front of them.
Nearby, they heard a groan. Kairi looked up at Aqua. "Maybe the food really did wake them up after all," she joked. Kairi and Xion stood up and walked over toward the couch.
Vanitas closed his eyes tight as he groaned. Aqua leaned against the couch as she smiled gently. "Good morning sleepyhead."
Vanitas reached over as he kept his eyes closed and groaned. His hand brushed against Sora's chest while he was sleeping. "Morning you…" His hand grabbed onto Sora's chest. The girls looked surprised. They didn't expect that. Sora groaned as he closed his eyes tight and then turned on his side. Vanitas still reached. "That's better."
Kairi looked over at Aqua. This was going too far. "We should wake him up." Then, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Xion holding up her phone as she looked curious. "What are you doing?"
"Recording."
"Why-? Ohh…!" Kairi could tell what she was up to, but didn't like the fact that Vanitas was feeling up her husband. "Still… I don't know if I like this…"
Vanitas frowned. "Something doesn't feel right…" He reached passed Sora and placed his hand against Roxas's chest. "Wait…"
Roxas groaned as he felt the weird sensation. "What…?" He opened his eyes and looked down. All three of them woke up at the same time to see what was going on. Soon, they realized what Vanitas had done. "Hey!" Quickly Roxas sat up upset. "What do you think you're doing?!" Then, he put his hand to his head as he closed his eyes tight. Instantly, he felt his head pounding in pain.
Vanitas sat up angry. "Me?! What are you're doing in my bed?!"
Sora held the covers to his chest as he looked embarrassed. "How could you do something like that? I feel violated…"
Vanitas looked upset. "The only person who sleeps beside me is Aqua and I thought you were her!"
Aqua leaned against the couch and brought her face close to his. "I hope you learned your lesson. You don't get to do that to me every morning."
Vanitas looked upset toward her. "I don't do that every morning! What you did was just cruel!"
Kairi wrapped her arms around Sora while she sat beside him. He looked worried. "Don't worry. He can't hurt you again."
Vanitas turned toward them. "I wasn't trying to feel him up!"
Then, Vanitas heard a sound near his ear. He turned around to see Xion with a camera. "Got it."
Vanitas gave a dark glare. "If you show that to anyone…"
Xion grinned. Vanitas tried to snatch the phone out of her hand, but Xion pulled away quick. Vanitas leaned more against the couch. "Give me the phone Mouse!"
Roxas walked over and slapped his hand away. "Serves you right after what you did." Then, he put his hand to his head. "My head is killing me..."
Sora buried his head into Kairi's stomach as he closed his eyes tight. "It is kind of bright in here." Kairi placed her hands on her hips. "That's what happens when you listen to Vanitas. You suffer after." The girls laughed a little afterwards. Nearby, Riku grinned as he put his hand to his head.
Ventus groaned as he sat up. "What's with all the noise?"
Aqua looked over as she smiled. "Morning Ven."
Ventus buried his head in his knees as he groaned. "My head…"
Aqua rubbed his back for comfort. "You can stay here as long as you want until you get better." She looked over at Vanitas. "Isn't that right Vanitas? After all, this was your doing."
Vanitas frowned. It didn't seem like he had much of a choice. "Fine…"
Aqua looked around at everyone. "I have breakfast if you guys want to eat."
Roxas, Ventus, and Sora let out groans. They weren't sure if they could eat. They wanted to get rid of the pain in their heads first. Vanitas looked around at them. "Bunch of lightweights…"
After everyone had a plate in hand, they all sat in the living room. Aqua, Roxas, and Xion sat on the couch as Vanitas sat on the floor in front of them near the table. Riku sat in the same chair that he slept in. Kairi and Sora sat on the floor across from Vanitas as Ventus sat at the end of the table. Sora flinched in pain. "What…?" Lightly, he pressed the tips of his fingers to his cheek where the bruise had formed completely. "Ow! What…happened…?"
Roxas looked over at him. "Remember? You got punched by some guy."
Vanitas laughed a little. "Right…!"
Kairi frowned. "It's not funny…" Kairi looked upset toward Sora. Her voice made him flinch. "How could you get into a fight last night?!"
"Uh…" It was hard for Sora to remember what happened in that fight.
Vanitas smirked as he pointed back toward Riku and Roxas. "Those two started it by pissing off the guy. They were about to fight each other." Then, Vanitas smirked at Xion. "Nice going Mouse. I didn't know you had it in you to string two guys along."
Roxas placed his foot on the back of Vanitas's head as he frowned. "Shut it or there will be a fight in this apartment."
Vanitas growled as he knocked Roxas's foot away. Aqua frowned. "No fighting!"
Kairi looked upset at Vanitas. He smirked toward her. "So you still want to fight me too?"
Kairi sighed. She could feel Sora lean against her shoulder with her eyes closed. Seeing that he was okay enough relaxed her. "Maybe later."
Aqua looked around. "Despite how you guys feel now, did you have fun last night?" The boys looked around at each other. Sora shrugged. "Well…I don't know about you guys, but I had fun. I'm glad all of us could be together even if it's once."
There was a moment of silence until Roxas spoke, "Sora's right. I didn't think it was that bad."
Ventus tilted his head toward Vanitas. "Even I have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be with him around."
Vanitas frowned as the others laughed. "Anyway…I guess it wasn't so bad being around you dorks anymore…"
Aqua leaned forward toward him sitting on the floor. "Would you be willing to do it again…? Hmm…?"
Vanitas looked around at the others who waited curiously for his answer. As hard as it was for him to admit, last night wasn't bad. He couldn't remember laughing as much as he did even when they were younger. Still…Vanitas let out a sigh and tilted his head back toward Aqua's leg. Aqua smiled at him as a way of telling him it was okay to be open. Then, Vanitas looked down. "Fine…I guess…I would again…"
"And…?" Aqua pushed him.
Vanitas rolled his eyes. "And… it doesn't have to be at a bar again…"
The others smiled in response. Aqua nodded. "Exactly! You don't have to drink to have a good time."
Vanitas pouted. "But it's the only way to tolerate them…"
Aqua planted a kiss on his forehead as he closed his eyes. "No it's not."
Kairi crossed her arms as she looked suspicious. "I don't know…"
Vanitas sighed. "Fine Red… Do you want to get one good punch in?"
Kairi grinned. "Maybe…"
Vanitas sighed again. "Next time…I'll make sure he comes back unharmed."
Kairi was happy to hear that. "Thank you."
After everyone spent some time at Aqua's and Vanitas's apartment, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Xion, and Roxas headed out. Aqua walked them out of the door. "We'll check on you guys later. I can bring some soup that can help."
Kairi smiled, grateful. "Much appreciated."
Sora's eyes lowered uneasy. "I don't know if I should have soup again…"
After they left, Aqua closed the door and smiled toward Ventus. "You can stay as long as you like Ven. Vanitas will make you feel at home."
Ventus grinned toward Vanitas, which Vanitas looked disgusted. He could tell behind Ventus's smile he was planning something. "Thanks Aqua! Vanitas…"
Vanitas glared toward him. "I'll make you feel like leaving…"
In the hallway, as the others walked away, Xion grabbed onto Roxas's hand, which he looked surprised. Once the others were out of sight, Roxas turned to her. "What is it?"
She looked concerned. "I want to talk about last night..."
Outside of the apartment building, Kairi and Sora smiled toward Riku. "It was good seeing you again! I'm glad you could make it!" Sora said.
Riku smiled. "I'm glad too. Hope you feel better."
Sora rubbed the back of his head as he grinned nervously. "You too."
Kairi smiled toward Sora. "To get better involves rest, so let's head home." Sora nodded. Kairi smiled back at Riku. "Hope to see you soon!"
Riku nodded. "You too."
Kairi and Sora turned and walked away. Sora put his hand to his head. "My head really hurts…"
Riku smiled as he watched them walk away. Despite the pain in his head, it was worth seeing them again. "Hey," a voice called out.
Riku looked back surprised to see a serious look on Roxas's face as he walked beside Xion. "Hey," Riku replied uneasy.
Roxas held out his hand, which Riku looked surprised. "It's okay." Riku looked at him before he grabbed his hand. They shook. Roxas looked toward the ground. "Xion explained things to me." Then, he looked up at him. "She likes having you as a friend, so I won't deny her that." Riku reacted with surprise as he felt his hand squeezed harder. There was a glare in Roxas's eyes. "But that's all it is. If you try anything again, then I won't hesitate to fight."
The two separated. "Message heard. Xion has already made it clear. There's nothing happening between us."
Roxas glanced at Xion, which she smiled back. Afterwards, he turned his attention to Riku. "Then we're cool."
"Good." Riku turned and started walking away. "See you guys next time." They watched as he walked away.
Xion smiled toward Roxas. "I'm proud of you."
"Thanks. It was hard at first, but…" Roxas looked at her as he smiled. "From you told me about this morning, I was about to regret saying that, but…if you're sure."
Xion nodded. "Nothing would have happened. I thought about what you two talked about last night and I think that was his way of making sure I was sure of who I chose." She looked at him. "At that moment, I was sure. It was you." She placed her hands in his. "And I never want you to doubt that either. Ever."
He smiled toward her. "Let's go home."
"Yeah." Both of them leaned in as they closed their eyes and kissed. As he walked, Riku glanced back. As he saw the two, he didn't feel as disappointed as he had in the past. Seeing them happy had made him smile.
Later that afternoon, the doorbell rang. Kairi went to the door and opened it. Aqua smiled with a bowl in hand as Vanitas frowned behind her. "Hey!"
Kairi smiled. "Hey! Come on in!"
The two stepped inside. Vanitas looked around as Aqua looked at Kairi. "I brought something to make Sora feel better. At least… I hope it will."
Kairi took the bowl from her hand. "Thanks."
Vanitas headed toward the back of the apartment while the two talked. In the bedroom, Sora laid with his eyes closed. Nearby, he could hear the footsteps. He sat up against his pillows as he smiled. "Kairi?" His eyes lifted to see Vanitas in the doorway with his hands in his pockets. "Oh…" Sora pouted. He slid further down his pillows. "What are you doing here?"
"My girl brought food." Vanitas arched his eyebrow. Sora didn't look that sick to him. "I didn't think you were that bad off."
Sora pouted. "My head is killing me!"
Vanitas smirked down toward him. "And that's why you take advantage of it."
Sora looked surprised. "Huh?"
Vanitas sat on the edge of the bed as he gave a devious smirk. "That's why you take advantage of the situation. Let that be a lesson. You're in a lot of pain, right…?"
Sora looked curious as to where he was going with this. "Yes…?"
"Since Red blames me for what happened last night-."
Sora grinned. "She's right you know…"
Vanitas rolled his eyes. "Anyway… Since she's not mad at you, you could get away with asking for whatever you want."
Sora looked concerned. "I couldn't do that."
Vanitas shrugged. "Why not? You're hurting a lot and I'm sure she'll do whatever she can to make you feel better. I mean how often do you get this opportunity?"
Sora's eyes lowered as he thought. "Hmm…"
"Is Vanitas bothering you?" Vanitas looked back to see Kairi with her arms crossed and a frown. From the looks of it, it didn't seem like she overheard their conversation.
Sora and Vanitas glanced at each other. "Um…yeah! He is."
Vanitas looked surprised. "What-?"
Sora smiled uneasy as he put his hand on his head. "Ow… My head is really hurting… I think I need some more rest."
Kairi pointed toward the door. "Out!"
Vanitas got up as Kairi walked pass him. She sat down on the bed. "Are you feeling any better?"
He held out his arms for an embrace. "I'm starting to feel better already... I'm just glad you're here."
"Awe…!" Kairi embraced him. "Is there anything I can get for you? Food? Whatever it is, name it." Sora lifted his eyes to see Vanitas smirk at him. In response, he smiled back. Maybe, secretly, Sora was taking his advice…
Thank you for reading! I'll be back to update soon! We have almost reached the end of the story!
