Author's Notes: This chapter also contains some sexual implications. I also feel like a big, fat jerk for writing this chapter. Why must I torture Lucas so? *sigh*

All characters and places in this work are owned by Nintendo.

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Saving You, Saving Myself
Chapter Five: Homesick

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It was hard for either of them to imagine how they could become even closer... until that first kiss. From that day onward, something had awakened in each boy that could not be explained by either of them... but it didn't have to be.

"Still with me, Lucas?"

"...Huh?" Lucas snapped his head up, clearly distracted.

The day's travels had led them into the Sunshine Forest, a place they liked to visit when Ness practiced his re-emerging psychic abilities. It was somewhere they could generally find solitude, away from the eyes of well-meaning villagers. Some things were just better left unsaid. Discussion about PSI with them was one of those things.

"I was going to ask you to show me a PSI Shield again, but you just seemed to stare off into space. What are you thinking about, anyway?" Ness cocked his head curiously.

In truth, he'd been thinking about several things. The last several days had seemed to pass in a blur. Lucas was still recovering from the whiplash. Before he could put together a response, Ness had lifted a hand, gently placing a palm against his cheek. Ness' face was passive, and the intensity of his gaze seemed to penetrate his very soul, but Lucas was open to it. A glimmer of recognition flashed in the dark-haired boy's eyes, and he withdrew his hand.

"You're still surprised at yourself for kissing me in the first place," Ness' lips curved slightly in amusement. "Also wondering what might happen later today... and what you're hoping will happen."

An uncanny ability to sense the other's thoughts and emotions had developed, a convergence of two powerful psychic forces manifesting into extra-sensory perception that only seemed to work between the two of them. This was not the first time it happened, but the suggestion in his voice caused Lucas to blush. He could not deny he had been daydreaming a little. The black-haired teen looked rather smug, but Lucas couldn't be irritated at being read so quickly, espcially when Ness leaned in close. Blue eyes instinctively fluttered shut as their lips touched tenderly.

"Hey..." The blonde pouted defiantly when they broke. "You're thinking about the same thing as me."

"I blame you for that." Ness grinned.

As the days passed, it became even more evident that Ness was regaining control over his PSI. It wasn't long before he demonstrated abilities that easily matched the blonde's, if not surpassed them. Not only that, but more fragments of his memory began piecing themselves together like a jigsaw puzzle. Days were spent with Ness excitedly sharing new things as he was able to recall them, and together they began to unravel the mystery of his origin.

Ness was apparently from a place called Onett, the description of which eerily reminded Lucas of Tazmily's transformation by the Pigmask Army years ago. As they walked through the village now, however, Lucas was always inwardly relieved that it had returned to the simplistic, rustic village it had always been before then. It felt more like home that way.

No matter how much Lucas felt at home, however, it began to sink in that Ness wasn't feeling quite so at ease with existence in Tazmily anymore. Whenever he talked about Onett, discussing stores he remembered, the layout of places he knew, and his supportive younger sister, Lucas found it heartbreaking just to look into his eyes. A restlessness, tinged with a sadness that seemed all but inconsolable. These were the times that words failed Lucas, and all he could do was gather Ness into his arms.

Nights were always spent together, the cot in the corner of the bedroom long forgotten. Huddled comfortably into Lucas' bed, they would lay, facing each other, whispering about whatever came to mind long after Flint had gone to sleep, but sometimes they didn't even have to say anything to get the point across. Lucas reveled in the sensation of being able to feel another person so completely, unspoken communication providing an entirely new level of intimacy. It even managed to surpass the unquestionable connection between twins, as much as Lucas was hesitant to admit it to himself.

"You miss him," Ness smoothed the blonde hair away from his forehead.

"Always..." he whispered.

"What was Claus like?"

"Not like me at all," Lucas smiled wistfully. "Outgoing... friendly... fearless."

"But twins... so he couldn't be completely unlike you," Ness mused.

"Not identical," Lucas said, aware that wasn't what Ness had meant. "He was all the things I couldn't muster inside myself... but he was still supportive of me. And protective..."

"You sure you aren't talking about me?" Ness teased gently, smiling.

"I really hope I'm not related to you," Lucas blurted out, and they both muffled their laughter in the pillows.

They eventually settled into a comfortable silence, gazing at each other, idle thoughts brushing together. Lucas scooted closer to Ness, settling his cheek softly against the other boy's chest. There, he could hear the steady beating of his heart, and he sighed contentedly as Ness' fingers stroked the golden strands of his hair. Ness' thoughts were all over the place now, his attention to his immediate surroundings appearing half-hearted at best. Lucas caught glimpses of his mind... a white house with a picket fence, and a woman with blonde hair, smiling...

"I miss my mom." Ness broke the silence before he could ask.

"The blonde lady?"

"Yeah."

"What's she like?"

"Kind... understanding. She was always telling me how special I was."

Lucas nuzzled closer to the thin fabric of the other boy's pajamas. He didn't like the way Ness described his mother in the past-tense. It felt too familiar.

"She's right," Lucas said softly. "You are special."

He could almost feel Ness flush slightly at the compliment.

"She would make me steak when I'd go home..." he went on quietly. "It's my favorite... I haven't had any since..."

Ness didn't finish. He didn't have to. Lucas lifted his head to peer at his companion's face. His heart ached at the pained expression written across his features. He was homesick, and Lucas could feel the way it was flooding into almost every one of his thoughts. He leaned over and pressed his lips softly to Ness' cheek. This seemed to rouse him out of reverie somewhat. His eyes met the blonde's and he smiled once again, though not with the enthusiasm Lucas was used to.

The blonde-haired teen regarded Ness, wondering how to make him feel better. Ness looked at him, almost pleadingly, wishing he could think of something. Lucas looked back at Ness with eyes full of love, and genuine concern. It turned his whole world upside-down to see Ness unhappy. It was killing him, and a single thought was all he could offer.

At least you have me...

Ness' eyes flickered with affection for Lucas, taking immense comfort from this, even if he was unable to completely control his increasing melancholy. Lucas scrambled to his hands and knees, craning his neck to kiss his lips softly. It was all he could come up with to help him forget his troubles, if just for a little while. The dark-haired boy's eyes fell to a close, moving his lips in just the right way, by now well-practiced at kissing the blonde. Ness' taste was as invigorating as ever, and Lucas found himself leaning in for another sample... and another. His body practically moved of its own accord, shifting his position so that he crouched over Ness, his kisses becoming increasingly fervent. Neither of them were accustomed to Lucas initiating such things, but Ness was never one to disappoint, being the sport that he was, and his intensity rose to match.

Once they came up for air, Ness, intrigued by this more daring side of Lucas, looked hungrily at the blonde, his smile compelling. Rolling over, he settled onto his back, gazing up at Lucas, his eyes challenging him to continue. Now Lucas felt uncertain... he'd never taken charge like this before. Ness, sensing his hesitation, decided to appeal to him on a more base level. Hands slid down the blonde's back, reaching around to cup his backside. Giving an insistent squeeze, Ness gave him a stare that said everything about what he wanted, and when he wanted it.

Lucas' blood was now boiling. A look of awe and lust graced his features, and the dark-haired boy looked smug, as if that was his intention the whole time. Taking his bait, Lucas wiped that smile off his face by kissing him hard, nipping at the fullness of his lower lip. Attention lowered to his neck, where Lucas proceeded to kiss eagerly, which gave way to soft bites. A surprised gasp; Ness was apparently receiving a bit more than he bargained for. Fingers fumbled with the buttons on Ness' pajama top, and once open, it was quickly pulled apart.

Lucas loved the way the other boy's face flushed, looking up at him with expectant, trusting eyes. It was impossible to resist the temptation to taste more of him, and his tongue trailed slowly down the center of his torso, causing a shiver. He couldn't get enough of the salt on his skin, licking in slow swirls around his navel.

"You taste so good..." Lucas murmured, his words slightly muffled against his belly.

Ness' breath only quickened in response, eyes squeezing shut, restless fingers curling into the blanket beneath him. His reaction only made Lucas more persistent in his efforts, hands sliding smoothly up his hips and holding him there, while he suckled suggestively on his lower belly. A shaky moan quivered his stomach, the proximity to other parts of his body was driving Ness crazy. His mind swirled in a fog, colors and shapes he couldn't identify at first. That was when he saw it, behind his closed eyes. A figure standing there, a blur of pink. Slowly, it came into focus, and he identified it as a female with long hair. Blonde hair, pulled back with a scarlet ribbon. Her back was to him, but a twinge of familiarity visited Ness.

Lucas, mind still hazy with desire, did not pick up on the feeling from the dark-haired boy. It wasn't until Ness saw her turn to him, her eyes a pale shade of blue. She smiled at him. The jolt of recognition that hit him was so powerful his body jerked, eyes snapping open. He sat up quickly, inadvertently knocking Lucas off of him.

"P-Paula!" Ness choked out, startled.

Breathing erratically, Ness looked wild-eyed down at Lucas. The blonde was returning his gaze with a look of pure shock, looking rather disheveled after having tumbled onto the other side of the mattress. Then his face flushed and he bit his lip, looking away. Lucas had picked up on the imagery now, and immediately understood the importance of this particular memory returning. Somehow, he couldn't bring himself to feel any sort of joy about it.

Ness regained some form of composure after a few moments. He cleared his throat awkwardly, as it became apparent how thoroughly he killed the mood. Lucas still wasn't looking at him, and his brow furrowed. His thoughts now became scattered and impossible for even himself to piece together.

"Lucas... I..." He trailed off, not really knowing what to say.

A pause.

"She's very pretty."

Ness didn't have to be psychic to detect Lucas' melancholy as he said those words. Hesitantly reaching for Lucas, his fingertips barely brushed his cheek. It was wet. When he finally looked at Ness, the tears silently rolling down his cheeks became visible. He had never witnessed Lucas crying before. Ness felt like someone stabbed him, looking at those eyes. Inconsolable... with a touch of what might have been jealousy. Sighing heavily, Lucas wiped his tears onto his sleeve. Shaking his head, he sat up, and looked meaningfully at Ness.

"I kinda knew that it would come up eventually... but I still hoped it wouldn't..."

"What..?"

"I had a feeling... there was someone special waiting for you back home." He smiled now, but with sadness. "Deep down, I knew you would eventually remember her... and I admit I was dreading it."

Ness could see it now. The sleepless nights, hours of longing Lucas endured, right up until the heart-stopping moment their lips had first met. The underlying fear, in spite of the tide turning in his favor, of ending up in competition with a person he didn't even know. A girl who, to Lucas, must have been impossibly perfect to deserve someone like Ness. How he felt he could never compare with that.

The blonde inhaled quickly as Ness' hands cradled his face. The touch felt all the more precious after the dark-haired boy's revelation, somehow. Ness' eyes swam with a myriad of emotions... affection... love... regret... apology. He bent forward, and Lucas willingly leaned towards him as their lips met. Ness could not deny how much he loved the blonde haired boy, for everything he was, and everything he could see him becoming. It was unsettling now, having realized that he had felt as strongly for another. But they both found some comfort when he held Lucas close.

Nuzzling into the fine, golden strands of his hair, Ness inhaled deeply. The familiar scent made him relax, and he planted a kiss on the top of his head. He realized now that no matter how much he missed Onett, and who was waiting for him there... he couldn't ignore that there was someone right here that needed him, too. Someone right in front of his eyes. After all, he wasn't in Onett anymore. He was here, with Lucas. He sighed softly as Lucas draped his arms loosely over his shoulders, snuggling into his chest.

Ness held him until they fell asleep.