Author's Note : Ah. No reviewers yet, but I'm sure I'll strive to something. Uploads will be random, since I have other duties (sadly) on other days. Might be early, might be late. Anyhow!! Sorry for how short chapter 1 was. I promise this one is much longer, so more entertainment!!

Enjoy

Chapter 2 : An Unexpected Guest

"Did your Mom get back.. From her business trip?"

" Strelitzia, the bath isn't a bed! Come out! " Lauriam waited impatiently by the door, giving it a slant and hating look. " I'm almost done! I have long hair, you know! " She yelled back. Lauriam sighed heavily. " I'll give you 5 more minutes, " He backed up, waiting for her approval. " 'Kay! " She smiled.

'Just dreaming about Blaine, huh, Stre.' Jealousy rang through his thoughts. His eyes narrowed. This was unhealthy. He bit his lip, hurrying downstairs, frowning. He sat down on the couch, folding his hands in his lap. In silence. Maybe fear? Worry was sure there. What would appear in his mind? Would he turn into a greedy lovestruck monster? It hurt him to think about it. He pulled his knees up to his chest, breathing lightly.

" Did you make dinner yet, Lauriam? " Strelitzia said, trailing down the stairs. His eyes snapped up. Right, dinner. " Er- Not yet, no.. " He chuckled nervously. " Well come on! Let's cook something together! " She beamed. Lauriam's expression shifted. He nodded, knowing that focusing on positivity would better his mind.

Hopefully.

O-O-O

" Hey, I wanna cut the onions.. " Strelitzia huffed, glaring at her older brother playfully. He smirked, shaking his head. " You're too young, sorry Stre. " He pat her head with one hand, focusing on the food in front of him. Strelitzia crossed her arms. " Am not! I'm 19! " She raised a fist.

" Yeah, but I'm older, so I get to tell you what to do. " He noted. Strelitzia gaped. " How dare you! You fiend! " She giggled. " Come on, focus on that pepper and maybe I'll change my mind. " He nudged her. " Hmph. Fine. " She gave him a pouting lip, now cutting the pepper violently.

" Nice handiwork? It looks like it's been a war veteran for 23 years and then died in the Keyblade War. " Lauriam narrowed his eyes slightly, eyeing her now massacred bell pepper. " I like telling stories through my 'handiwork', thank you. " She glared lightly. " Ah. Neat story. " He nodded, pouring the contents into a pan. " Now, we let it steam. " He sighed.

" Oh! Lauriam! Blaine asked if he could come over. He said he didn't have dinner yet, too. Can he stay for a bit? " Strelitzia's eyes shined with glee. Lauriam frowned, darkening. 'Just what I needed. That man in my house, eating dinner with my sister and I.' He thought, not wanting to know the outcome.

" Well? " She pondered. Lauriam had gone silent, and his expression didn't look good to her either. " Uh, sure. He can come over, I suppose. " He murmured, regretting his choice instantly. " Great! Thanks! " She sighed blissfully, texting on her phone rapidly.

' Laur said u can come over! See u soon. '

He clenched his fists, shaking his head and trying to become distracted by something else. Dinner was done quicker than he wished, so he sulkingly grabbed 3 plates. Extra. Even if he did.. Like like Blaine, he didn't want to struggle through it with his sister present. It just wouldn't work.

" Lauriam, you okay? You've gone silent. " Strelitzia countered a worrying look behind her, a frown ghosting he edge of her lips. " I'm fine, don't worry. Can you set the table, please? " He stated, hoping no emotion flashed through his words. " Oh yeah, sure! It'll pass time so Blaine can get here quick enough. " She grinned. 'Blaine. That's all she thinks about.' He shook his head, waiting for the dreaded guest to get here.

And he got here too quick.

O-O-O

" Come on in! Dinner's already on the table, courtesy of Lauriam. " Strelitzia giggled, nodding to her brother, who was already sitting at the table with a concerned look on his face. She frowned a little, wondering what the problem was. But, she'd have to ignore it. She could question him later.

" Thanks, Stre. " Seemingly, Blaine slipped in like the snake he was, placing his hat on the rack. Strelitzia shut the door quickly, and hopped beside him. " We're having stew if you don't mind. Lauriam's classic and simple. " She whispered. Blaine shrugged her off. " Classic and simple. I can respect that. " He murmured, smirking at Lauriam. They both took a seat, and sat in quiet. No noise. Just tension and awkwardness. " Lauriam, are you okay? " Strelitzia whispered, smiling at Blaine, leaning against her brother.

" I'm fine, just tired. " He lied. He wanted to get out of this quick. " Oh, did cooking get to you? " She giggled. " A little bit, I'm sorry. I can leave you 2 alone, " He lifted his gaze to both of them. Blaine waved, something glinting in his eyes that scared Lauriam to death. It was attractive, sadly, but he had to resist. Strelitzia's eyes bloomed. Was Lauriam trying to give them alone time? 'You're the greatest brother ever! Thank you Laur.' She cheered in her mind, nodding. " Go get some rest, bro. " She pat his back.

Blaine stayed silent, keeping his gaze on Lauriam, never phasing. Lauriam stood up from the table, pecking his sister's forehead and leaving. Blaine kept watch, that sultry smirk still on his complexion. Lauriam shivered. 'Don't mind him. Focus on something else.' He tried.

His bedroom was cold. Too cold. He sat on his bed, knees to his chest, and eyes closed. All he heard were giggles and muffled conversation downstairs. It seemed they were getting along. That was.. Great? Lauriam didn't know how to feel. He was glad his sister was getting to have her dream, but he wanted it. He wanted to be in that place, talking to that mysterious figure. But Lauriam wasn't greedy. He was empathetic and kind. So he let his sister have him.

Was it a mistake? He didn't know. He didn't want to know. He needed somebody to talk to. Ventus? No.. He had his own problems. And he probably wouldn't understand, even if he tried to comfort Lauriam. Skuld? Not her. He didn't know her that well, anyways. Ephemera is on a 3 year trip, so of course he couldn't. Elrena might understand. She was his best friend, anyways. He looked to his phone, wondering if he should try to contact her.

Elrena didn't answer. Lauriam huffed, laying back and shaking his head. 'You should just sleep it off.' Could he sleep? They were still downstairs, though. Strelitzia had told him to sleep it off. Alright. Rest it is. He closed his eyes, trying to become lost in his own mind.

He was afraid of what he would dream of.

O-O-O

Author's Words :

And there you have it! Chapter 2! I think this one was much better than 1, and hopefully it'll get better. I need readers!! And reviews and criticism would be amazing. I'd love to get some advice!!

Chapter 3 will probably come out on Sunday? I don't have anything planned. We'll see! Anyways, next chapter will be great!! See you guys later!! 3