A/N: OMG MY TABLET IS STUPID F*** YOU SPACING

disclaimer: I don't own shit

Notes: Ven doesn't cut, just wanted to clear that up

Thanks for reviewing, I had amazing shit but my tablet kept sending me back. F*** a b**** im done, yo

Ven groaned, draping an arm over his eyes. It was morning, something he hadn't expected at the current moment. He felt off, as if he wasn't even sure if he slept for twelve hours or twelve years. After last night the last thing he wanted to do was wake up. He hadn't even made an appearance for dinner yesterday. He had fallen asleep shortly after Roxas had decided to lay on him. The gesture didn't go unnoticed and it managed to calm his racing heart down enough to sleep. Today wasn't looking any better for him though. He still had to face his parents head on again. He shifted, wincing lightly as if his body remembered getting hit by a truck. A bright red truck, that went by the name of Axel.

He opened his baby blue eyes, lowering his forearm as he stared over at the empty room, realizing Roxas had already taken off. Today was Demyx's birthday. Probably the reason Roxas had to take off. He huffed, sitting up as he winced at the rub of his clothes on forgotten wounds. Axel certainly did a number on him this time, talking back always got him into bad situations. Though a part of him was still glad he had the will to fight, he thought that had died two years ago. Getting up, the blonde undid the buttons to his shirt, taking the dirty article off as he reached to unbutton his pants.

Doing so he stared down at his skin. Small patches of bruises were seen, a few burn marks but other then that pretty normal to him. He slipped off his pants, already in the process of looking for a new outfit. The thought of taking a shower suddenly struck him, causing him to grab a towel he had on the side and wrap it around his hips, hoping no one was home at the moment. Though when he took a peek outside he realized Leon was home.

Surprising, Cid usually stayed at home, working out of his man cave. He probably ran out of material to create that weird smell that came out of his room. After a few weeks of Cid staying there his dad declared it off limits unless you wanted lung poisoning. Grabbing a quick outfit he walked down the hall to the vacant restroom. He had summer break, his first day was already meeting one of his worst. He knew he was more then likely grounded due to the fight last night with his dad, he tried to block it all out but knew that wouldn't do for the rest of break. He was truly an idiot.

Starting the water he undressed completely, not hesitating to get under the warm spray but regretting it a moment later when the hot water attacked his wounds. Yeah, he forgot about those. Half way through his shower the door was thrown open, scaring the living shit out of him as he jerked the curtain back to see who.

"For gods sake, Vanitas. It won't kill you to knock like a normal person!"

Vanitas, in all his smirking glory stood in the door way, shaking his guitar case off and letting it rest outside the restroom. He wore torn up jeans, a chain of crowns on his side that Ven swore belonged to Sora. His golden eyes looked at him with amusement, Ven's eyes narrowing on the new piercing on his bottom lip. He snorted, closing the curtains as the other made himself comfortable on the toilet seat.

"So, what the heck compelled you to harass me in the shower? Not like you. You usually make the jump in my bedroom when I'm asleep."

Vanitas chuckled, obviously enjoying the memories of the torturous years of waking up Ven. Though the shower was a new one, not that Ven minded, Vanitas gave his space when needed, the dark curtain was a relief for Ven. He washed out the remaining soap from his air, enjoying the hot spray for a moment.

"Roxas said he was going out, figured your dad was busy. Wasn't expecting Leon to be here though, kind of scared the shit out of him."

"As if you scared Leon. He probably scared the shit out of you."

The click of Vanitas tongue was enough to prove that point as Ven turned off the shower, hearing the other get up. Ven reached out of the curtain to grasp the towel and bring it back to dry himself up. He was slightly worried, his body was exactly in the best of conditions. If someone knee bruises and beating, Vanitas did. Despite being a complete musical genius, Vanitas was also in the delivery business.

His dad worked in the same business, you delivered dangerous packages for dangerous people. Basically, you needed a good fighting edge in order to get any of that done. Vanitas, same age as Ventus mind you, excelled in that line of business as if he was made for it. Though considering who was his dad he wouldn't be surprised. Their dads were best friends, Zack Fair and Cloud Strife going all the way back to elementary days. Apparently Zack also dated Ven's mom Aerith, but soon married Tifa, Cloud's best friend.

"Get out real quick, yeah?"

"Geez. We used to see all this in middle school, when'd you get so feminine?"

Ven blushed at that, days of Vanitas teasing him when they were middle schoolers still fresh. It didn't help that Vaniras would place him in such awkward positions back then.

"Get out."

"Jeez, jeez, I took the hint." The sarcastic edge to Vanitas voice made Ven roll his eyes. When the door clicked shut the blonde stepped out, making quick work of the burns, going underneath the sink to grasp the bandages to patch himself up. He thanked himself when he decided to pay attention to how his mom treated his dads wounds from the dangerous business.

Complete, he dragged a shirt over his head, blonde hair still wet and hanging down then its usual position. He opened up the door, expecting the other to have already invaded his bedroom. Vanitas was sprawled out over his bed, looking at complete ease.

"Ven, it smells funky. Whatcha been doing on here?" He sat up, scowl on Ven's lips as he sat down on his twins bed.

"Shut up. What are you doing here anyways? I don't think I'm allowed visitors." The other sat up, amber eyes never leaving Ven as he reached up to grab a lock of his black hair.

"Are you planning to fill me in? Or are you going to act stupid and keep it in till it comes out at the worst possible moments?"

"I never do that."

"Must have imagined your last little break down then, huh?"

Silence fell between them, a renewed fire in his blue eyes. Ventus had forgotten how easy it was to be himself with Vanitas. He had already forgotten the pressings matters, the ones he was certain needed immediate reconstruction and that was the words he had viciously screamed at his father.

"I told my dad off. I did not have such a great day yesterday. Kind of blew up on him."

Despite Vanitas uncaring nature Ven was happy to say he actually mattered to the crazy dark haired male. The amber eyes made him uncomfortable again. He couldn't ever forget them, not once or ever. They were peculiar. It gave Ven a feeling he always wanted to forget but craved at the same time.

"You fucked up again. You always do that, idiot. I don't think you got people to blow you out at school and no Ven, don't think dirty."

Ven blushed, hating when Vanitas went Pervy with him. Vanitas reached out, grasping the blondes wrist quickly as he jerked the blonde towards, turning the wrist upright. Terror shot through Ven's stomach when the male brushed his rough fingers on his skin, dragging the sleeve upwards.

"... Dirty, isn't it?" Vanitas' voice trembled, quickly getting up and dropping the blonde onto the bed.

Golden irises met blue, the panic and fear in them as Vanitas pinned him down, a glare set on his face. Did he ever mention Vanitas had the highest reputation of taking down gangs at a time, Ven could vouch for that as well.

His fingers gripped the edge of Ven's shirt, the utmost fear coursing through the blondes body. He reached out, shoving Vanitas off him with new found strength.

Awkward literally hung in the air, Ven feeling those menacing orbs on him. Ven couldn't, the pain finding its way into his body again, his whole form trembling.

"Ven, you-!"

"Don't say anything. I can't lose you too."

Silence, so thick Ven was certain he was starting to choke on it. A knock on the door startled them out of their stupor as the door opened. If anything, Ven felt as if the world hated him. His dad stood at the entrance, eyes impossible to read as always. Ven swallowed thickly, lowering his hand that was clenching the fabric over his heart.

Vanitas, having stood up at Ven's actions narrowed his eyes, taking off towards the door. "There's a recording in a few days. I came to ask you to sing up with me. Text me later, dipshit."

Ven felt a horrible feeling well in his gut at the blunt words. He didn't need his only friend mad at him, not at a time like this.

Cloud came in, his workers outfit nice and pressed. Ven noticed the growing bruise on his dads arm, a small frown tilting on his face. "Come with me, we need to talk." His dad wasn't a man of many words, something Roxas picked up from him but his dad was nice and warm hearted. He liked his dad, he was... Well cool.

Last night certainly wasn't something Ven ever wanted to occur, especially at such a difficult time.

Seeing how Ven just woke up and was beyond hungry he was led to the famous Fenrir, his dad handing him a helmet while he only wore googles. Go figure, parents.

His dad backed out, quickly letting loose the moment they touched the street. Ven assumed he got a taste for speed from his dad. Ventus was light on his feet, was definitely skilling in hand to hand but refused to fight unless necessary. Ven didn't like fighting, and every time he tried his mind blanked out. It was a mental issue he couldn't figure out and no one knew a single thing about it.

His dad stopped the bike, Ven looking up to see where they had arrived. Tifa's bar. Cliche now that he thought about it but his dad was trying hard after all.

He didn't like the awkward silence but figured they'd have a nice chat over breakfast. Tifa, the busty bartender cast them one look and smiled, obviously giving them the okay in going where ever they'd like. Tifa had a successful business and thankfully, Cloud and Ven were considered family. Discounts, especially with such greatly made food. Mhm.. It sounded amazing already.

"I think you should know, no matter how long I've been gone, I've always tried. I know I'm not the best at times, I apologize for that Ven. I know you have dealt with a few things for me, and that's not fair."

The blonde blushed at his fathers words, the other not showing any tint of embarrassment. Go dad, show the world your cool side. Too bad Ven wasn't very good with that yet. Ven sighed, raising a hand to rub at his temples.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you that. It wasn't a good day, I know what you think and I shouldn't have done any of that."

"If I knew mentioning Terra and Aqua was a sore subject, I wouldn't have. Listen Ven, you and Roxas are my kids. There is no way I'm going to up and leave you. I'm always coming back to make sure you two are safe. I trust you, but these decisions have been poorly made. If you can start to give me positive results, I'll get off your case. Just know I'm not here to attack you, I just care."

Ven frowned, the atmosphere changing immensely to their little talk. Now he could see his father getting embarrassed, now was about the time they finished up the conversation.

"I know, dad. I'm sorry."

"We good then?"

Ven nodded his head, giving a warm smile to his anxious father who returned his smile with a small one.

Ven face planted into his mattress, a groan slipping past his lips. His first day of break and here he was, exhausted for a trip to a restaurant. He certainly had his mental exhaustion reaching its limits. He grabbed the sleeve of his sweater and tugged it down to see exactly what Vanitas saw.

Small circles of cigarette burns, a few cuts, a few accidents. Despite Ven's loss of mood, self harm wasn't his bill of escape. All his bruises and burns and cuts came from Axel. The only thing he could really think of is what made Axel so ready to attack him, to make his life a living hell. Since his first day in highschool, since the loss of his two best friends. It all hurt, the pain still lingering in his heart.

It hurt to think of the past two years. To think of the half of this year that had been absolutely terrible. Regret, burning pain swallowed his chest, the boy barely noticing the signs of an anxiety attack. Fuck. He sat up, eyes focusing on the bed sheets underneath him as he felt his heart rate pick up. Terror clasped his heart, squeezing his lungs as his mind raced in small circles.

Axel.

He was going to let his dad down.

Axel was going to hurt him.

Vanitas..

Oh god Vanitas was going to leave him.

"Deep breaths, focus Ven."

Aqua, Terra. Those faces staring at him. Everyone looking at him. Staring, eyes hollow, the pity and sympathy. But no one will ever help.

Alone, hopeless, broken.

Just like Axel had said he would be, Ven the broken boy.

"There we go, nice and calm breaths."

His mind calmed down, Ven barely realizing his twin rubbing circles into his back. Maybe it was all the stress, the feeling of keeping everything in and the pain still clutching him that he finally looked at Roxas. Actually stared at his brother with an emotion he wasn't even sure he could feel.

Where was the real Ven, he wondered to himself.

Ven died along time ago, his mind replied to him harshly.

"Ven..?"

He felt his shoulders shudder, raising his hands to cup his face. This didn't feel right, it didn't feel okay.

Roxas embraced him, surprise showing in his blue eyes at the sudden motion. The warm arms clenching him was new but it lessened the pain despite the tears it brought to his eyes. He wasn't going to cry, he wasn't a girl. But Roxas sure knew how to make him feel like one.

"I'm sorry." The younger twin whispered, Ven close to loosing his grip on his self control. Ven didn't respond, he should have asked what for but he was tired of it all. He wanted to sleep. Sleep and never wake and the mere thought of that scared him shitless.

Vanitas cursed, hands strumming the chords into his guitar effortlessly, a grace in the simple way he moved his fingers. His golden eyes flashed to his half complete music sheet. He could hear Sora humming to himself with his headphones in to drown out Vanitas playing. The elder twin was used to it, its how the two managed to coexist for so long after all.

His main problem that kept distracting him was a certain blonde who hadn't sent him a message yet if he was up for the gig. If he didn't get an approval he'd get stuck doing it with..

Ugh, Selphie.

The girl was nice, but too much on his sack for them to concentrate.

Despite most beliefs, he took his work very seriously. He could always just sing his own lyrics but the assignment asked for two people. Ven had to be his second. He was not about to spend his days with Selphie.

Tired, he pushed back and laid his stiff back against the chair with a swift sigh. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to get pestering thoughts out of his head. So distracted, he didnt realize Sora had laid his head on his shoulder.

"Is that song for Ven?"

Vanitas jumped, glaring at his brother but not shaking him off. "No, its for class."

"Really? I think it would fit him perfectly. You know how much Ven loves to sing your songs."

"Don't be cheesy, Sora." Vanitas said stiffly as the brunet pouted and licked his cheek.

"God damn it, Sora!"

The other laughed, making quick movements to leave the room as Vanitas rubbed at his cheek, carefully pushing his guitar off him in response to chase after his twin.

Ven would be alright. If anything happened Vanitas would personally make sure he was okay. But those marks he saw this morning plagued his mind. Someone was hurting Ven, and Vanitas couldn't do a thing about it. It was annoying, emotions he hated to feel always spurring up because the idiotic blonde.

"Fucking Ventus."