Chapter 5: Happiness

Aqua stopped by the mirror before leaving. It had only been three days since that night… that night where Vanitas had attacked her. Aqua hadn't seen head or tail of him, nor did she really want to. Or, that's what she told herself. But in reality, and Aqua knew the truth as well, Aqua worried about Vanitas. She couldn't explain why. She just did. Trying not to think about it too much, the blue-haired girl went to breakfast.

She sat across from Axel at the end of the table, like usual. Next to him was Roxas, a boy with honey-blond hair and paranoia. Aqua kept looking towards the hall, hoping that Vanitas would soon show up.

"Worried about your boyfriend?" Aqua didn't respond, instead aiming a powerful kick to the anorexic's shin.

After the redhead cried out in pain, Aqua turned and shot him an icy glare. "Vanitas is not my boyfriend. But I am worried about him." She turned back to the corridor. "I haven't seen him in three days."

"If you're so worried, go visit him after breakfast." Axel said, and cursed. "Dammit! Why waffles?"

Aqua blocked out Axel's complaints and scarfed down her breakfast and went to Vanitas's room. Nervously, the blue-haired girl knocked on the door.

"Go away." A muffled voice yelled.

"Vanitas? Can I come in?" The raven-haired boy didn't reply. Aqua took this as an invitation and opened the door. The boy was sitting on the edge of his bed, his hair disheveled and his skin, Aqua noticed even though the blinds were drawn and next to no light was in the room, was an unearthly pale. Vanitas didn't even look up as Aqua entered; his head was in his hands which were propped against his knees. His eyes were likely downcast as well. And so Aqua walked over to him and gently put an arm around his shoulders.

Vanitas stiffened and looked up, his eyes falling on Aqua. "You… you're… I… I…" He gulped. "I'm so sorry." Aqua didn't say anything. The cat-like yellow eyes were sunken in and ringed with red and the last bits of crusted-over eyes. He looked sick and close to death.

The black-haired boy just looked at Aqua a little longer before his eyes fell to her throat. He lifted a tentative hand—Aqua had never seen him look tentative before—and gently raised it towards Aqua's throat. He glanced at the girl again and gingerly touched the bandages. "I'm sorry, Aqua, I-I-I didn't realize—"

Aqua cut him off with a hug. Short and sweet and filled with heart. "I forgive you." She murmured, and sat back, the corners of her mouth lifting into a soft smile.

Vanitas eyes… were they watering up? No. Aqua figured it was her imagination. He did, however, smile back. "Thank you, water-girl." He whispered. It was so soft that Aqua wasn't sure she heard him right. "My water-girl."

He leaned in towards her, wrapping an arm around Aqua's waist and the arm pulled her closer. His other hand made it to the back of Aqua's neck and he brought her face closer. And slowly, ever so slowly, his lips met hers.

Aqua wasn't sure what she would be feeling; this was her first kiss, after all. But she could almost feel Vanitas's pain, his gratefulness, his guilt. She held him tightly, not wanting anything to end. But eventually, both pulled away because of oxygen necessity.

"Aqua," That was the first time Vanitas had ever said her name, and it took her breath away as the bright happiness filled her. "Thank you."

Destiny: Awww… how sweet.
Aqua: I suppose it is. And also, that really is the first time Vanitas says my name aloud.
Roxas: Whoot! Cameo! Yay!
Destiny: Yeah, I said you'd be in. And I'm sorry for not writing for a while. City of Lost Souls came in, and… and…Vanitas: Here it comes.
Destiny: Whyyyy? How could this happen? WAHHHHHHH!
Aqua: Um… review. I'm gonna go… help her.