A/N: This is the final part to this story, but the sequel 'The Fine Print' is up and complete on my account if you want to keep reading!

Also, an edit, as of December 2018: I wasn't happy with the non-con at the end so I've taken it out and rewritten the final scene. The ending is still highly emotionally charged but now just more in line with where I wanted it.

Anywho, thanks for reading, guys! :)

Chapter Two.

Six Years Previous

Drawing in another deep breath, Ventus slowly let it out, his eyes unwavering from the plain, white door of his apartment in front of him.

Any minute now, he was sure of it – a dozen policemen or more would be bursting through this very door, all shouting and toting handguns, single-mindedly intent on tackling him to the ground.

A door slammed from somewhere far above him and Ventus jumped where he sat, instinctively drawing his knees up to his chest.

His eyes nervously flicked up to the ceiling, then back to the door as he hugged his knees in closer, his body still thrumming with unwanted adrenalin.

More than anything, he just wanted to grab his bags and leave. There was no way he could stay here – not with the knowledge of what he had discovered in the roof cavity directly above him, and, consequently, what Vanitas had been keeping from him for a disturbingly, long time.

He remembered he'd nearly caught him once, Vanitas standing on the table one day when he'd arrived home early, still in the process of fitting one of the ceiling panels back into place. Vanitas had smiled – laughed even, and had told him he'd thought he'd heard a rat. Thinking nothing more of it, Ventus had been quick to forget about it... that is, until he'd gone to hide Vanitas' birthday present up there, only to find the entire space already full.

Ventus clenched his fists as hard as he could and told himself to stay calm. None of it mattered anymore, because after tonight he would never be coming back here. This mess that Vanitas had deliberately dragged him into would all be a horrible, distant memory.

In truth... he had half-suspected something was going on for a while now – he just hadn't wanted to believe it. When Vanitas had been blatantly obscure about his new job as a 'delivery boy', Ventus hadn't felt the need to question it, not when Vanitas had always been the only one he could trust.

They had both grown up without a real family, the two of them well acquainted with struggling to make ends meet while other kids their age went out for frivolities like ice-cream, and took warm, loving homes for granted. The main difference between them was that Ventus actually had a father, whereas Vanitas had never known either of his parents at all. This hadn't made Ventus' life any better off, though, as the man he called his father was nothing but a stranger. After Ventus' mother had died, his father had remarried and had another child, and Ventus had quietly faded into the background... until he had met Vanitas.

Throughout the years, Vanitas had easily become his everything, and now... he was back to having nothing.

The sudden, familiar scraping of a key turning in the lock drew Ventus out of his thoughts. He was back on edge within seconds, all of his attention fixated on the one person who would be coming through that door.

Vanitas only opened the door a jar before slipping inside, the lock already re-engaged by the time he turned to face Ventus.

He gave Ventus a weary but genuine smile, the fingers of one hand kneading hard into a tight spot in his shoulder.

"You have no idea how good it is to get here," Vanitas sighed, shuffling in closer to Ventus. "What a shift."

Ventus felt his temper rising. But of course he didn't have an idea... because Vanitas' real 'work' was a closely guarded secret.

Until now.

Not sensing anything amiss, Vanitas remained standing and leaned down for a kiss.

"Miss me...?"

Ventus didn't wait for their lips to connect. Balling his hand so hard his knuckles cracked, he cocked back his arm and slammed his fist straight into Vanitas' face.

It was like slow motion. Ventus just saw a glimmer of shock in Vanitas' eyes before he was reeling backwards and falling, one of his hands instinctively flying up to cradle his battered cheek.

Vanitas groaned and shakily propped himself up on his elbow, but Ventus was already standing – towering over him and furious.

"You... You bastard!"

"The hell is wrong with you?" Vanitas spat, pulling himself up into a seated position. He slowly rubbed at his bruised cheek, his anger almost rivalling Ventus'.

"You've been using me – as your goddamn scapegoat! Don't act like you don't know what I'm on about!"

Recognition flickered in Vanitas' eyes and his shoulders sagged minutely, both of which failed to escape Ventus' notice.

"...You're not even trying to deny it!"

Vanitas glowered up at him before glancing off to the side, his tone of voice defensive and completely unapologetic.

"I was going to get rid of it all before you found out. This... was just the safest place I could think of."

Ventus actually laughed, the sound of it bordering more on hysteria.

"The safest place? Or the most convenient?" He snorted derisively. "This is why you didn't want to move in with me, huh? Better to keep me at arm's distance, so when the police busted in here they'd be dragging me off instead of you."

Vanitas whipped back around to face him, his expression sullen.

"I didn't want to move in with you because I didn't want you involved." Gingerly pressing along his jawline, Vanitas slowly pushed himself to his feet. He met Ventus' angry look with a heated glare of his own.

"You don't understand... If this doesn't work out it'll ruin everything."

Ventus cleanched his teeth together, his patience wearing thin. Stalking forward, he grabbed Vanitas by the front of his shirt and shoved him backwards into the wall. Vanitas didn't resist in the slightest, his arms remaining lax at his sides.

"Ruining what, exactly?" He growled, shaking Vanitas roughly. "I kind of get you're not just a 'delivery boy', so what have you really been doing all this time, Vanitas!?"

Vanitas just looked at him blankly. He made no effort at all to provide him with an answer.

Ventus stared as the silence stretched long between them. He shook his head in disbelief, his hands loosening in Vanitas' shirt.

"You can't even tell me..."

Releasing Vanitas altogether, Ventus scoffed and turned away.

"Screw this... I'm done."

Without another word, Ventus walked over towards the door where his two bags sat waiting. Reaching for the smallest one, he hefted it sharply and secured its strap over his shoulder.

"...What do you mean 'you're done'?"

Ventus heard Vanitas come up behind him, but he didn't bother replying, his intentions surely clear enough. He grasped the handle of his larger bag and lifted it too, his other hand reaching for the door.

"Don't walk away from me, Ventus – you know I can't stand that."

Ventus whirled on the spot, his bags swinging wildly with the momentum as he jabbed a finger straight into Vanitas' chest.

"You know what I can't stand? Being lied to – being betrayed by the person I trusted most!"

"I'm doing this for us!" Vanitas shouted into his face, Ventus not missing the way his voice broke on the last word. "This is the only way to get off the bottom line!"

Vanitas flung out an arm, gesturing to the room around them.

"Aren't you tired of living like this!?"

Sobering instantly, Ventus slowly looked around at his bare, studio apartment. His eyes were drawn first to the shelving situated underneath the windows. They were virtually empty, save for a few second-hand books, since he couldn't afford to ever fill them. The worn futon caught his attention next, mouldy and ancient, lying on the floor by the sunken benches of the kitchenette. Then the threadbare carpet underfoot, with the suspicious stains marring one corner. He felt the weight of the bag on his shoulder, and the bag in his hand, all of his meagre possessions currently packed inside them.

Yes, he'd never lived a life of luxury, but...

"How we lived never mattered to me... and I think you know that. As long as we were together... I was happy."

Ventus held Vanitas' gaze for a moment longer before turning back to the door. He knew Vanitas wouldn't say anything. How could he possibly argue with that?

"Don't follow me."

He'd barely managed to get the door open when a light touch on his arm made him pause. One of Vanitas' hands slid down along his forearm, his fingers firmly encircling Ventus' wrist. Ventus allowed it, his own hand tightening around the handle of his bag.

"...Ven..."

Ventus went still, his heart lurching painfully in his chest. Vanitas never called him Ven. Only ever in the early hours of the morning... when they were curled up together, sharing warm touches and each other's breaths...

"...Don't leave me..." Vanitas whispered, now standing close enough to gently rest his forehead on Ventus' shoulder. "You're the only one... that keeps me sane."

Ventus could feel Vanitas' fingers shaking lightly around his wrist and squeezed his eyes shut so tight he saw stars. He swallowed hard, then again, telling himself to stay strong.

He could do this... He could. As long as he didn't see Vanitas' eyes, he knew he could follow this decision through.

"You're selfish..." He said with conviction, his voice miraculously holding. "...And you always will be."

Ventus jerked his wrist free and wrenched the door wide open.

He left Vanitas standing there in the doorway, and all the while he kept telling himself, over and over and over –

Don't look back... Don't look back...

-0-

Ventus bit the inside of his lip and groaned quietly, his eyes wearily falling closed again. Of all the things to remember, why was that memory the first to come to mind? He couldn't help but wonder how different things would've been if he had turned and looked back… Would he still have had the strength to leave if he'd seen Vanitas' face?

There was a loud sigh from above him then and another insistent tug on his arm before Vanitas was unceremoniously hauling him to his feet. Ventus opened his eyes and met Vanitas' gaze as he steadied himself with one hand against the mirror. Vanitas looked his usual, arrogant self and Ventus was quick to look away again, his curiosity short-lived.

He no longer cared what Vanitas' expression had been that night because as far as he was concerned, their past together was something best forgotten. Ultimately, he'd made the right decision, and that was all that mattered.

With Ventus back to standing, Vanitas slid his hand down and began pulling him along by his wrist. Although Vanitas' pace was unhurried, Ventus had half a mind to tell him to let go, increasingly irritated with being dragged around when he was perfectly capable of walking on his own.

He wisely chose to remain silent, Vanitas' behaviour too wildly unpredictable to contend with in his current, exhausted state. The less he spoke was most likely for the best anyway. All he had to do was get through this night in one piece, and as per their 'agreement', he'd never have to deal with Vanitas again.

Stubbornly averting his eyes from the unfinished tattoo covering the entirety of Vanitas' back, (which at first glance seemed to be an elaborate scene straight out of feudal Japan), Ventus tensed as they came alongside Vanitas' bed. He half feared Vanitas would throw him down onto it, but they kept walking, Vanitas pushing open another set of double doors, through to an entirely new room.

It was a bathroom that was easily half the size of Ventus' entire apartment – the open space completely tiled in sleek, black marble. There was an open shower along the far wall, and a large, steaming bath that was sunk into the floor, situated alongside another set of floor to ceiling windows. Outside, Ventus could see that night had well and truly fallen, pitch-black now pressing against the glass.

Still leading him, Vanitas tightened his grip and pulled him straight into the shower before letting him go to turn the water on. Ventus leaned against the wall and shivered, the warm spray of the shower just reaching him. Vanitas was trying to meet his eyes again, but Ventus studiously stared blankly down at their feet, his arms curling around his waist.

With just the soft, rhythmic sound of water gently striking the tiles, it was immediately too quiet for Ventus' liking. The proximity and intimacy of sharing a shower with Vanitas was incredibly stifling, and Ventus unconsciously hunched his shoulders, his legs still lightly trembling.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" Vanitas murmured, placing a hand underneath Ventus' chin and tilting his face upwards. "I told you I'd make it good for you."

Ventus frowned and wordlessly held Vanitas' gaze, just as defiant as ever. Vanitas' expression was unreadable as his eyes slowly wandered over Ventus' features. He brushed his thumb over Ventus' bottom lip, who promptly turned his face away.

"…You talk too much."

At Ventus' blunt admission, Vanitas laughed quietly, but there was no humour in it at all. Ventus glanced in Vanitas' direction just as he was turning away, and for a split second, Vanitas' expression had changed into something gut-wrenchingly familiar.

Breathing in sharply, Ventus straightened against the tiles, his heart racing behind his ribs.

Don't look at me like that…

His own thoughts startled him more than anything else, and Ventus angrily stared up at the ceiling, his shoulders sagging as he forcefully emptied his mind.

"Here."

Ventus blinked and held still, Vanitas reaching for him and lifting one of his hands to press a shower loofah into his palm. Ventus looked down at it silently, just catching the scent of something light and fresh from the soap Vanitas had already lathered onto it.

Giving in, Ventus slid along the wall just enough to get underneath more of the spray and began working the loofah over his shoulders and arms. It was one thing for him to stand up for himself, but quite another thing entirely to act like a petulant child. Nothing about this current situation was ideal, but the faster he cleaned himself up, the sooner he'd be clothed again, which was a hundred times better than staying like this.

Vanitas made no move to touch him again, solely focussed on getting himself clean. His head was tilted back underneath the water, his eyes closed as he rinsed the soap out of his hair. Ventus stood mesmerised for a moment, not even realising that he was closely following the trails of suds sliding down along Vanitas' forearms and chest.

Shifting on his feet, one of Ventus' legs trembled weakly with the movement and he instinctively reached out a hand to brace it against the wall. Closing his eyes, Ventus regained his balance and tensed the muscles in his legs, willing them to cooperate. He was so tired, though, and there was no way he could hide it. He tried anyway, reluctant in giving Vanitas the satisfaction.

Fingers suddenly brushed along his arm, and Ventus slid his eyes back open.

"Are you tired…?" Vanitas murmured softly. "I'll help you."

Ventus narrowed his eyes and leaned more heavily into the wall. Vanitas followed after him, sliding both hands down his waist. There was no longer any space between them, Vanitas shielding Ventus from most of the water still falling just behind them, thick steam now blanketing the entire room and fogging up the windows.

Vanitas leaned into Ventus, cradling one of his elbows. "Hold onto me."

Hesitantly, Ventus lifted his arms and wrapped them around Vanitas' neck. Vanitas' skin was invitingly warm and damp, and Ventus' fingertips tingled as they curled into place. Their chests just touching, all of Ventus' focus was drawn to Vanitas' hands slowly wandering down further. His arms tensing, Vanitas hooked his hands underneath Ventus' thighs and smoothly lifted him. He pulled Ventus' legs around his waist, pressing him more firmly into the tiles.

"That's better…" Vanitas whispered, lapping at the droplets of water collected on Ventus' shoulder.

His eyes falling to half-mast, Ventus stared over Vanitas' shoulder, his breaths already deepening. It was so hot – too hot, and all rational thought was escaping him. Vanitas was so close and warm, and his hands were grasping Ventus' ass too tight, but that wasn't what was making his body stir back to life. He could feel Vanitas already half-hard against him, pressed snug between his cheeks. Ventus trembled and tightened his hold, just as Vanitas positioned himself and pushed back inside.

Ventus gasped loudly and slammed his eyes shut as Vanitas filled him, his ass opening easily, still so wet and loose inside from before. Vanitas groaned and deliberately took his time sliding all the way out, then lazily sunk back in. Ventus could feel himself getting hard, too, his cock rubbing gently against Vanitas' abdomen on every one of his thrusts. The pace was already driving him crazy, Vanitas' lips sucking and lapping along his neck. Ventus knew he shouldn't be enjoying this as much as he was, but it was hard not to when Vanitas knew exactly what he wanted.

"Do you remember…?" Vanitas breathed into his ear, his tongue curling around Ventus' earlobe. "…We used to always do it like this…"

Ventus moaned, his fingernails scraping along the nape of Vanitas' neck. He didn't answer, but hundreds of memories flooded into his mind, the scent of Vanitas' skin only adding more fuel to the fire. The shower had always been one of their favourite places to be intimate, but Vanitas had only been able to hold him up for a short while before they would have to change position.

Surely thinking along the same lines, Vanitas shifted Ventus a little bit higher, his arms flexing with the effort.

"I'm stronger now. See?"

At the new angle, Vanitas slammed in harder, Ventus gasping out a whimper as he grinded his head back into the wall.

With his legs clenching and one hand buried in Vanitas' hair, it wasn't long before Ventus was coming again. Keeping his rhythm torturously slow, Vanitas quickly finished as well, his hips still gently rocking.

His hands slipping along Ventus' thighs, Vanitas carefully set him back on his feet before leaning into him, panting quietly for breath. Held in place by Vanitas' body, Ventus wearily remained standing, the soft sound of the shower now remarkably soothing. The thick steam surrounded them completely now, and the humidity was nearly becoming too much. Ventus felt his eyelids droop, the oppressive heat making him sleepy.

"…Ah…"

Ventus managed one, clear syllable before sealing his lips shut again. All he wanted was to rest, but he didn't want to ask for the privilege. His pride just wouldn't allow it. He sighed and turned his head off to the side, just as Vanitas pushed himself upright and stepped away from him.

"I know…" Vanitas said with a smirk, reading Ventus' expression. "Just let me clean you up."

Ventus' entire body jerked as one of Vanitas' hands slid around his hip, his fingers massaging slowly between his cheeks. Ventus swallowed hard, grasping at Vanitas' arm as Vanitas grinned wickedly and pressed his fingers inside.

Fingering had always been one of Ventus' weaknesses, and Vanitas knew it well. He hummed quietly as Ventus panted and squirmed, his fingers circling around gently before pushing in deeper and spreading him wide open. Ventus shivered, and arched his spine, just managing to stifle his moan. He could feel Vanitas' come leaking out of him and trickling down his thighs, the warm spray of the shower washing it all away. Vanitas' lips returned to Ventus' neck while his fingers continued exploring him. Ventus couldn't help whimpering when Vanitas made a point of massaging firmly over that spot deep inside him, electric heat slowly curling through his body.

Lost to the sensation, Ventus forgot himself and nearly pulled Vanitas back when his fingers suddenly left him. He gasped and released Vanitas' arm instantly. Vanitas smirked, but said nothing, simply reaching around Ventus to turn off the shower.

Frustrated, Ventus avoided Vanitas' eyes and sagged against the tiles. He didn't care what Vanitas thought anymore. He was so tired of having his emotions played like this.

Vanitas just sighed quietly and clasped one of his hands this time, tugging him off the wall effortlessly. Ventus looked down at their interlaced fingers and frowned, the simple act of holding Vanitas' hand more intimate to him than anything else they had just done together. His head a mess, Ventus let Vanitas lead him across the room without complaint.

Releasing Ventus' hand, Vanitas stepped down into the depths of the large, circular bath that was now directly in front of them. He moved over to the far side to take a seat, the warm water lapping gently at his chest. Knowing without a doubt that Ventus would join him eventually, he leaned back against the edge, closing his eyes.

Still apprehensive, Ventus tentatively stepped into the steaming water too, and took a seat opposite Vanitas. An appreciative sigh breathed past his lips as he slipped down further, the warmth of the water closing over his shoulders and neck. Never in his life had Ventus experienced such a luxury. Having the water all around him like this made him feel wonderfully relaxed.

"Nice, huh?"

Ventus glanced across at Vanitas, but was quick to dismiss him. He sunk lower still, the water now lapping just underneath his chin.

Vanitas continued to watch him. He lifted one of his arms out of the water to rest it against the gleaming tiles along the edge.

"I remember you talking a lot more."

All the more determined to say nothing, Ventus let his eyelids fall closed, his chest gently rising and falling. The urge to fall asleep was now stronger than ever.

"…So stubborn," Vanitas sighed out into the silence. Ventus instinctively went tense as he heard the water being disturbed across from him, Vanitas shifting from his position.

Too weary to protest, Ventus allowed Vanitas to pull him forward and turn him around, only tensing more when Vanitas settled him against his chest. Completely unbothered by how rigid Ventus was, Vanitas looped his arms around Ventus' waist and did nothing more, only shuffling in place slightly and getting them both comfortable.

Vanitas was noticeably much warmer than the water around him and Ventus sighed quietly, forcing himself to relax. Sitting like this, it was easy for him to pretend that they were lovers again, the differences between them melting away. He could hear Vanitas' heartbeat, strong and steady against his back, and the feel of Vanitas' lips just resting next to his ear was strangely comforting. Falling into a light doze, Ventus couldn't help but let it all go, even if it was just for this moment.

Drifting off, Ventus wasn't sure of how long he ended up resting there, until suddenly, an electronic, bell-like noise was startling him awake.

"Ishi-sama," a female voice addressed Vanitas from seemingly out of nowhere. "Dinner will be served within half an hour."

Vanitas barely moved, the disembodied voice obviously nothing out of the ordinary for him.

"Thanks," he called in answer, his arms squeezing around Ventus briefly.

"Are you hungry?" Vanitas asked next, his lips close to Ventus' ear again.

Ventus just shook his head. "…I'm fine."

Vanitas made a low sound of disapproval, his fingers splaying over Ventus' chest.

"You know I hate liars, Ventus." He slipped his hands down Ventus' body, slowly dragging his fingernails along his thighs. "…Makes me want to punish you…"

Vanitas curled his fingers around Ventus' length and began stroking him, intent on coaxing him back to full hardness. Ventus groaned, feeling Vanitas growing excited behind him and subtly shifted away, only to have Vanitas tug him back with an arm secured around his waist. Even as his body responded, Ventus knew he was still too exhausted to go another round so soon. It was a slim chance that Vanitas would listen to him, but he had to at least try.

"Vanitas –"

"Shh," Vanitas pressed a lingering kiss behind Ventus' ear and released his waist, placing a hand on his knee instead. He gently pulled Ventus' legs further apart, encouraging him to spread them wider. Defeated, Ventus just closed his eyes and obeyed, settling back against Vanitas' chest as the first waves of pleasure washed over him. Vanitas rhythmically stroked him, both of his hands touching and rubbing as he unhurriedly brought Ventus to another lazy orgasm. It didn't take him long, what with the warmth of the water surrounding him, and the gentle, firm pressure of Vanitas' hands, Ventus reached his climax within minutes. He moaned softly when he came, Vanitas biting lightly into his neck while his hands continued stroking.

Ventus lolled his head back against Vanitas' chest, his entire body still trembling lightly, but in a much more pleasant way. Vanitas slid his arms back around Ventus' waist and squeezed him once, pressing another kiss into the side of his neck.

"Dinner will be ready."

He gently pushed Ventus to the side then and stood up, reaching for a nearby towel. Ventus blinked up at him, his eyes promptly drawn to Vanitas' erection before he stepped out of the bath and wrapped the towel tightly around his waist.

Seeing Ventus' surprise, Vanitas just smiled, then gave him a knowing look.

"Later."

Ventus frowned and quickly looked away, sinking so low into the water it nearly covered his nose. He silently watched Vanitas go, disappearing back through the doors leading out into the bedroom. Ventus sat up again, resting back against the edge, his head even more of a mess now that he actually had a minute to himself.

What the hell was he doing here…?

The years apart were becoming more and more meaningless to him as Vanitas wormed his way back under his skin. He could deny it all he wanted, but the truth of it was that Vanitas was acting like nothing he had expected, and it was almost like... how it used to be.

Vanitas had always been good to him when they were younger, even when he was being a complete monster to everyone else. By agreeing to this arrangement, Ventus had been more than certain that Vanitas would be out for revenge. He'd even prepared himself for enduring all manner of depravity at Vanitas' hands, but here he was instead being treated like something precious — Vanitas considerate of his pleasure, just as much as his own.

"Ngh…!"

Ventus curled in on himself, pressing his hands hard over his face.

He honestly didn't know what to do anymore… Nothing was making sense.

Despite his tumultuous thoughts, somewhere, right at the back of his mind, Ventus was now more than certain that this had surely been Vanitas' plan all along.

This… was just a different kind of torture.

-0-

Dressing in the light yukata he found laid out for him on Vanitas' bed, Ventus walked into the living space he had first been lead to and sought out Vanitas.

He was instantly met with the sound of the ocean again, the ceaseless ebb and flow of the waves already helping to soothe away his troubled thoughts.

The room was softly lit now and Ventus could just make out Vanitas standing on the balcony with his back to him, leaning against the railing. He could smell tobacco smoke on the breeze, and as he watched, Vanitas stubbed what remained of his cigarette and turned around to face him.

Their eyes met and Ventus unconsciously held his breath. Vanitas wasn't smiling, the expression on his face intense, and Ventus was the first to glance away, feeling unsettled.

Vanitas was also wearing a yukata, but whereas Ventus' was a light shade of green, Vanitas' was all black, complemented by a deep red obi. He cut a formidable figure against the dark of the night behind him.

Stepping back inside, Vanitas gestured to his left.

"Shall we?"

Following Vanitas' line of sight, Ventus was surprised to find a lowset table set for dinner, all manner of dishes laid out and waiting. Ventus stared for a moment, already feeling hungrier than he'd first thought; the food looked downright amazing.

Vanitas moved to sit down and Ventus joined him, taking the seat opposite. Vanitas watched him sit, then satisfied he was settled, picked up his chopsticks, already reaching for a small plate of tempura.

Ventus pressed his hands together and quietly gave thanks, albeit a little uncomfortably. It didn't escape his notice that Vanitas had not done the same. If it wasn't for the constant sound of the ocean, the silence between them would have been painfully awkward. It was just commonplace to make dinner conversation, but Ventus felt annoyed all over again knowing he didn't want to, especially when he was being made to feel that he had to. He glanced up at Vanitas, only to find him not looking at him at all, his attention still drawn to the food in front of him.

Trying his best to be subtle, Ventus stole glances at Vanitas, noting the differences that six years apart had made him miss. His hair was shorter, and his shoulders were more defined, and the angles of his face seemed slightly sharper, but with his tattoos covered again, Vanitas still looked a lot like Ventus remembered. It was more in the way Vanitas held himself that seemed to be the most different. Ventus remembered Vanitas as someone who was impulsive, who had been dangerously reckless and hot-headed, but then when they had been alone together he had been a drastically more balanced person. Ventus could honestly say that Vanitas really had hated everyone… everyone except him.

Now, the man sitting across from him was a completely different person to the boy he had left all those years ago. Vanitas was more intense, the cold, calculated intelligence behind his eyes thoroughly unnerving. Where Vanitas had always been a painfully blunt person, he was now emotionally guarded, and Ventus hated that the most.

Six years… was a long time.

What exactly had Vanitas been doing… especially to become an Oyabun so young…?

It was in that moment that Vanitas looked up at him and Ventus nearly dropped his chopsticks. Mortified in realising he'd been caught staring, Ventus quickly averted his eyes and looked down, the piece of salmon he had been about to eat now lying on the table next to his plate.

"You don't like it?"

Rigid in his seat, Ventus felt his face growing warm as he steadied his grip and reached for another piece.

"No, it's… really good."

Ventus bit at the inside of his cheek and inwardly berated himself. What the hell was he even saying? He'd barely had more than a mouthful of rice!

Vanitas just gave him a look that clearly conveyed his amusement, and Ventus felt embarrassed all over again. He lifted his bowl of rice to his mouth, busying himself with actually eating something, rather than just flailing around and making a fool of himself.

"When did you move back?"

Ventus frowned at Vanitas' unexpected question, taken a little by surprise. He'd never told Vanitas he'd left Tokyo, but on second thought, that was probably the most logical conclusion.

He cleared his throat, setting his rice bowl back down. "Only a few weeks ago... I was living in Kyoto."

Vanitas barely reacted, his eyes still locked on the vast array of dishes in front of him.

"So, why come back here?"

Ventus was silent for a few moments, wondering how best to answer.

"My father… his wife left him, and his company went bankrupt. Then, before I knew it he was calling me to ask for money – said he'd developed a gambling problem." Ventus shrugged and gave Vanitas a dry smile. "I was… surprised he even remembered me. It'd been so long since we last spoke. But I thought, I better move back and… help him get back on his feet."

Vanitas snorted, taking a particularly vicious bite out of a piece of grilled fish. "You owe that man nothing. He was never good to you."

Ventus smiled sadly, lifting his bowl of miso to cradle it in one hand. In a way, it was nice to see some things never changed. Vanitas had always hated his father.

"…He's still my father. I couldn't ignore him reaching out to me."

Vanitas looked all the more sullen, stabbing out with his chopsticks at a plate of steamed dumplings. "It makes sense now why I couldn't find you. I never expected you to change your last name back to his."

Ventus was stunned. He froze, his bowl of miso halfway to his lips.

"…You tried looking for me?"

Vanitas finally looked up at him, his golden eyes piercing.

"Of course I looked for you."

There was a single, tense moment between them and Ventus felt incredibly guilty, even though he knew he shouldn't. Years ago, at Vanitas' insistence, Ventus had changed his last name to his mother's, as a way of starting fresh, but…

"I had to change it back to his… so that my application into my new university in Kyoto was accepted. Without him signing as guarantor, they wouldn't let me study there."

Ventus knew his father had only agreed to it at the time because he'd wanted him out of the picture for good, but he wasn't about to admit that to Vanitas.

Vanitas, for his part, said nothing, silently glowering down at the table. He continued eating, the look on his face seeming oddly conflicted.

The silence was endless then, Ventus left wondering all over again as he quietly made a show of picking at his salad. Where was the smirking, confident Yakuza boss who had greeted him only hours before?

Straightening in his seat, Ventus decided changing the subject was probably a good idea. At this point, anything would be better than this. The tension was going to kill him.

"Kyoto was a really nice place to live, though… I was sad to leave."

Vanitas didn't look at him, but Ventus knew he was listening. He forged on.

"I was staying with a friend there, so it was hard to just pack up and go. I felt terrible for leaving him in the lurch like that, but luckily he understood."

Ventus' memories of his time in Kyoto were ones he thought back on regularly. He missed his friend, Terra, who had moved mountains to help him when he'd first reached out, lost and confused, with nowhere else to turn. Ventus would never be able to thank him enough.

Ventus breathed out a small laugh, smiling fondly as he reminisced. "He was… really kind to me, right from the moment I arrived. I don't know what I would've done without him. He showed me all the cheap places to eat at, and all the best –"

"Why would you talk about other men in front of me?" Vanitas loudly interrupted, his expression sour. "It's like you're trying to make me mad."

Ventus snapped his mouth shut so hard he heard his teeth click together. He narrowed his eyes, immediately on the defensive. For a minute there, he'd forgotten who exactly he was dealing with.

"It's not my problem if you're going to work yourself up over something so trivial."

Deadly serious, Vanitas pointed his chopsticks at Ventus, his tone of voice heavy with his rising anger.

"I shouldn't have to tell you, Ventus – I don't want to hear about you being with anyone else but me. I didn't like it back then, and I don't like it now."

Vanitas had always been possessive, so really, Ventus shouldn't have been surprised by this. When they had still been in school together, anyone else that had taken up his time easily became Vanitas' sworn enemy. It hadn't bothered him so much back then, since he'd never had a lot of friends to begin with, but now Ventus knew it wasn't healthy, nor was it even remotely appreciated.

Ventus laid his chopsticks down on the table, his appetite gone. He squared his shoulders, meeting Vanitas' eyes with a steely glare of his own.

"This may come as a shock to you, Vanitas, but I'm not your possession. You don't own me, and you never will."

Outside, the waves took that moment to crash more ferociously against the coastline, the far off sound practically roaring in Ventus' ears. Vanitas had gone completely still, save for his chopsticks faintly trembling within his grip. Ventus didn't move, his hands clenching into fists in his lap.

Still looking Ventus dead in the eyes, Vanitas slowly shook his head, an ugly smile plastered across his face. "…You just never learn, do you?"

It was so quick, Ventus nearly missed it. Vanitas crashed his arm down into the table and swiped half of it's contents onto the floor. Ventus' body instinctively jerked, but he managed to remain seated, several plates and dishes all smashing and shattering to pieces mere inches away from him. He clenched his fists harder as Vanitas stood and loomed over him, a sharp shiver of fear swiftly racing up his spine.

He looked up at Vanitas, just as he was roughly wrenched out of his seat, Vanitas slamming him face-first into the table.

"You're always so quick to defy me – always running your mouth."

Ventus struggled as Vanitas held him down, his obi jerked free from around his waist and the folds of his yukata shoved out of the way.

"How easily you forget why you're even here in the first place!"

His eyes widening, Ventus forced his arms underneath him and tried to push himself up, only for Vanitas to grip the back of his head and smash him straight back down. His face connecting with the table, gasping and slightly dazed, Ventus weakly cried out, realising what Vanitas was about to do.

"N-No…!"

He swung his arm out wildly, fighting Vanitas off with everything he had. He was beyond desperate as his head still sharply throbbed with every frantic beat of his heart.

A feeling of dread washed over him as his sloppy attempt at defending himself tragically missed its mark. Vanitas made quick work of catching his forearm before it could even make contact.

"Is this how you expected me to be?" Vanitas hissed down at him, his voice full of venom. He gripped Ventus' arm tighter before flipping him around, unexpectedly throwing him onto his back. They were now facing each other, Ventus all the more panicked by the ferocious look in Vanitas' eyes.

"Vani-!"

Vanitas clapped a hand over his mouth, silencing him harshly, even as Ventus still struggled against the table-top. Another dish loudly clattered to the floor.

"Is this what you wanted!?"

Vanitas uncovered Ventus' mouth only to viciously clench his hands around Ventus' thighs instead. He pulled them wide apart, the extent of how far he was willing to take this now terrifyingly clear.

It was in that split second of a moment, that Ventus finally realised the truth. He met Vanitas' eyes and saw it all laid bare before him.

The anger Vanitas felt, and the unbridled aggression, but also... the betrayal... and so much hurt.

Ventus' body fell limp instantly as the fight completely drained out of him. He covered his eyes with his arms.

"Please, Van — s-stop!"

At the sound of his name, Vanitas froze.

Ventus trembled where he lay, still covering half of his face with his forearms. Their harsh breathing was the only sound, louder than the ocean waves in the silence that suddenly enveloped them.

Vanitas slowly lowered Ventus' legs back down to rest on the table, a faint tremor to his hands. Another moment passed painstakingly slow before he shakily tugged Ventus' yukata back into place, as well. Without a word he began leaning forwards, and Ventus barely dared to move. He still hadn't uncovered his eyes.

There was gentle pressure on his wrists then, Vanitas carefully lifting his arms away from his face. A warm hand slid along his cheek, the other pushing his bangs from out of his eyes, and Ventus nervously blinked them open. Vanitas looked tortured, and the emotion Ventus saw on his face frightened him more than anything ever could.

This… was clearly much more than just revenge to Vanitas.

Was it really possible… that he still…?

"You're a cruel man, Ventus," Vanitas whispered, now bracing himself over him. "Six years I longed for you, while you were happy without me."

Ventus' eyes flew wide, shaken to his very core. The quiet torment in Vanitas' eyes rendered him speechless.

"You can forget Kyoto – you're not going back," Vanitas grated out, his voice strengthening. He threaded his fingers through Ventus' hair, leaning in closer still.

"…I should have never let you get away in the first place."

Vanitas kissed him.

— and Ventus' heart stopped beating.

Panicked and confused, Ventus sharply turned his head to the side, forcefully breaking their contact.

There was just no way they could do this! Kissing meant feelings – feelings that couldn't be returned!

Not exactly one to be perturbed, Vanitas just gripped Ventus' chin and tugged him back to facing him.

"Ventus... please..." Vanitas whispered onto his lips before kissing him hard again, hungry and demanding.

Thrown off by Vanitas' quiet, desperate plea, Ventus gasped and Vanitas promptly rolled his tongue into his mouth.

And Ventus —

He couldn't fight it anymore.

With a small whimper, Ventus angled his lips and pulled Vanitas closer, wrapping his arms tight around his neck. Vanitas moaned and shuddered against him, barely giving Ventus a chance to catch his breath. He dragged his fingers through Ventus' hair, grinding down with more urgency as Ventus gasped and moaned into his mouth.

Ventus could feel himself getting hard, Vanitas' touch and the taste of his lips just too addictive for him to reconsider.

Vanitas groaned, long and low, and finally broke away for air. Their eyes met, both blissed out and dazed, and Ventus didn't even stop to think before chasing after Vanitas' lips again, already craving more. But Vanitas pulled away.

He stood abruptly and dragged Ventus up with him, striding for the bedroom with rapid steps.

Ventus had half a thought to stop him... wanted to stop him – really, but…

Vanitas lead him to the bed and pushed him down onto it, already capturing his lips again and kissing him breathless.

Ventus just closed his eyes, kissing in return with everything he had. He whimpered softly, burying both of his hands in Vanitas' unruly hair.

He wanted this… he couldn't deny it. Wanted it so much.

Vanitas' touches were near desperate, the longing on his face intense as he grappled with his bedside drawer and retrieved a small, black bottle.

Ventus writhed amongst the sheets, his yukata twisted around him, almost painfully hard as he dazedly watched Vanitas slick himself with the lubricant before settling between his legs.

"Wait…" Ventus gasped, unsure of what he was even trying to say, but Vanitas just shook his head, leaning in for another kiss.

"I can't… It's not enough," Vanitas breathed, slowly easing himself inside.

"It's never enough…"

Ventus let out a long moan as pleasure spiked through him. He could only hold on as Vanitas thrust into him, his hips rolling while he bruised Ventus' lips with his own.

The pace increased, and all Ventus could do was hold on. Every thrust, every touch, every press of Vanitas' lips was almost too much. Every worry and doubt effortlessly fell away.

The familiar crash of his orgasm suddenly flooded through him, and Ventus gasped, wrapping a hand around himself and stroking firmly.

Vanitas groaned in his ear and pressed his lips hard into Ventus' cheek, his hips losing their rhythm.

"Ven…"

Ventus heard the emotion – could feel it in the way Vanitas was holding him, and the exhaustion biting at the heels of his release had everything around him rapidly fading to black.

Vanitas' arms pulling him closer was the last thing he remembered.

-0-

Ventus woke up alone.

The sun was streaming through the windows of Vanitas' bedroom, and Ventus instinctively rolled away from it, only to find himself wide awake seconds later.

He sat up so fast the room faintly spun. Ventus wasn't sure of what he'd been expecting, but it was easy to see that the bed was empty save for himself. Vanitas was nowhere to be seen.

Wearily, he scrubbed a hand through his hair and brought his knees up to his chest, pressing his forehead against them. His body was aching in some places, but nothing like he'd been expecting. Vanitas really had been…careful not to hurt him, despite that one instance of his temper getting the better of him.

Ventus closed his eyes, breathing out a deep sigh.

They were even now. There was nothing left for him to do except find his clothes and go home.

He almost laughed.

…If only it would be that simple.

No matter how conflicted he was about it, Vanitas was never going to be good for him. Maybe, a long time ago, things could have been different for them, but now, Ventus knew he couldn't have him back in his life.

Finding his clothes and dressing was a quiet, uneventful affair, and Ventus caught himself searching for Vanitas through every room and around every corner as the same servant who had greeted him, escorted him back to the front door.

"…Tell me one thing," Ventus couldn't help but ask her, pausing in the doorway.

"Is he… here, or did he leave?"

The servant seemed reluctant to answer, her eyes never leaving the floor, but Ventus stubbornly refused to move, not until he knew.

Finally, she gave in, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Ishi-sama… is in residence, but he is currently otherwise engaged. He has instructed me to pass onto you his sincerest of apologies."

Ventus could only stare, turning her words over and over.

"…Right. Thank you."

Bowing low, Ventus turned and left. After saying all those things to him, it seemed Vanitas couldn't even face him. It was a sobering thought.

Any lingering confusion he'd been feeling over Vanitas was now well and truly gone.

He didn't look back.