[Anime-like AU: Shark In The Water]
[Aqua X Terra, Aqua X Ventus]
[Inspired by a BBS video by Kairi13Lawliet on YouTube]
"Aqua! Aqua, open the door, please!" Ventus hollers, the side of his fist beating on the door. "Aqua, I just saw that guy leave, and he looked pissed! Are you all right? Aqua!"
There is shuffling from inside, and then she appears at the door: red-eyed, tear-streaked, and attempting a smile. "Hi, Ven," she says shakily, but warmly. "How's it going?"
"Aqua…" the blond murmurs, his heart broken at the sight of her. There are bruises on her wrists, and as she steps aside to let her friend in, she's limping. "Aqua, did he do this to you?"
She shakes her head and continues to force a small smile. "It's fine, honest. It was my fault. I know Terra's temper; I shouldn't have set him off."
Terra is the sort who turns into another person when he's ticked. His eyes turn amber and his hair flames silvery-white, and he starts acting unlike himself. He becomes violent, distrusting, and downright sinister; the polar opposite of his usual self, who is all brown hair and blue eyes and easygoing and kindhearted.
Ven brings Aqua's face between his hands, causing her to bend over to be eye-to-eye with him. "Aqua, you can't let this keep happening. I know you; and I know that you often blame yourself even when it's not your fault. And I know Terra; he's nothing but a shark in your waters, and he's dangerous." He releases her as she backs away quietly, her gaze averting and landing on the refrigerator behind her.
"Where are my manners?" she jokes, and gestures to the fridge. "Would you like a drink, Ven? Or something to eat? You're my guest, after all. We were supposed to hang out today."
"Aqua…" Ven sighs, and shuts the front door behind him before he walks into the kitchen. "You've got to stop avoiding the subject! I need you to listen to me," he tries to persuade her, but she's resisting.
"I have some citrus soda; your favorite…" she tries, and her hand comes up to play with her hair nervously, her fingers weaving and running through and over the strands repeatedly. She opens the appliance and peers inside without really looking. "Or there's some vanilla soymilk, your other favorite…"
"Aqua," Ven repeats, firmer this time. He turns her around to face him, his hands gently gripping her shoulders. She looks frightened for a moment, her crystalline blue eyes frozen, locked on his cerulean blue orbs. The refrigerator door slams shut, a booming sound in the temporary silence. "You can't keep this up forever! Please, I'm begging you: talk to me. Tell me the truth. I'm here for you, Aqua."
It's then that her tears return, and she collapses into Ventus's arms. She clings to him, sobbing desperately, trying to collect herself. Ven pets and strokes her back, warm through her clothing. He can smell her gentle, airy scent, a cross between lilies and fresh water. The blunette gasps for air a few times, but then she grows very quiet. Save for the occasional sniffle, Aqua regains her composure and wipes her eyes as she straightens herself.
"I'm sorry I broke down on you like that," she mumbles, "But I guess I was just waiting to hear those words: 'I'm here for you.' I knew all along that you were, but… I needed to hear it, my mind told me. I needed to know it was really true before I laid myself out on the floor." She sighs. "Kind of like how I needed to hear Terra say, 'I love you' before I started letting him do what he wanted with me." Aqua shakes her head at herself. "I'm a fool, Ven. I love a man who abuses me, all because I thought we could work, that he could change, and that we'd last. But I'm so horribly wrong, and now I don't know how to end it. I'm afraid of him beating me even worse if I try to escape. Because he says he loves me, and yet…"
"He hurts you," the blond finishes softly, understandingly. "I know, I know," he soothes, and brings her close for another embrace. "But Aqua, there are better men out there for you than him. Men that would treat you respectfully and lovingly, without the abuse and split personality." He pauses, his nerves squeezing his heart and lungs. "Men like… me. I would never hurt you, Aqua. I love you, too, you know."
More tears spill out, and Aqua bites her lip. She nods her head slowly, her chin rubbing against Ventus's shoulder. "I know," she breathes almost inaudibly. "That's why… I'm going to dump Terra with you by my side. Will you lend me your strength, Ventus?"
And she pulls away, smiling genuinely, but her eyes still sad.
Ven touches her face. "For you, Aqua… anything. Whatever it takes, I'll do it." He even offers a pretend-cocky smile of his own, paired with a wink. "I'll punch out a hundred sharks in order to protect you, baby."
It's so out of character that Aqua laughs. "Thanks, Ventus. You always know what to say."