Chapter 23 Starting Over
"How are you- What are you doing here?" Zack forces out still staring dumbfounded at Ven.
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" Ven says in response rising from his chair. He can't take his eyes off Zack. He felt like if he did Zack might disappear again.
"Zack?" Tifa says reminding the boys they aren't alone. "Have you already met?"
Zack nods slowly. "Ven...we met at the Coliseum."
"This is him?" Cloud says quietly and Zack blushes just a bit as he nods. Zack and Ven continue their uninterrupted stare as an uncomfortable silence descends on the bar.
"Do you want to-" "How 'bout we-"
Both Ven and Zack try to speak at the same time and can't help but laugh slightly.
"Uh," Zack says scratching the back of his head. "Why don't I show you around or something Ven?"
"Yeah," Ven agrees a little too quickly. "That would be...nice."
"'Kay," Zack says moving to the door of the bar. Ven follows glancing at Terra and Aqua as he walks away. Aqua gives him a small smile and Terra nods looking confident. Ven relaxes slightly and walks out the door Zack is holding open for him.
When the door swings shut behind them, Yuffie can no longer contain herself. "Somebody better tell me what the hell just happened before I scream!" Yuffie says jumping up and glaring around daring them to deny her.
"Yuffie," Leon says quietly touching her arm lightly in an attempt to calm her down. She just shrugs his hand away.
"Well?" She demands. "What's going on with those two?"
Terra looks at Aqua, and they both turn to look at Tifa and Cloud. "We just have to wait and see," Cloud says speaking up. That is not enough for Yuffie as she explodes with a million more questions each more personal than the last.
…
Ven follows Zack nervously playing with the zipper of his jacket. In silence, they walk away from the bar and up the steps that lead to the other shops. At the top step in front of the Highwind Market, Zack turns to face Ven who freezes for a moment staring into his beautiful blue eyes.
"Ven..." Zack says and then pauses not knowing what to say. Ven lets go of the jacket zipper and shoves his hands in his pocket looking to the side to avoid Zack's eyes. Taking a deep breath Ven summons the courage to speak still not looking at Zack.
"So you made it home," he mumbles.
"Yeah. I did," Zack says and Ven sneaks a glance at him to find Zack staring at him. Blushing, Ven looks away again.
"And Tifa is your cousin?" Ven says trying to prevent the awkward silence from returning.
Zack nods. "I was the youngest besides Marlene to escape when our homeworld was destroyed. Tifa took me in and then Cloud started living with us when they started getting serious."
"It's nice that she was there for you," Ven says glancing up at Zack again and finding that he can hold his gaze.
"Mmhm," Zack hums. This time he is the one to look away. "Ven, I-I'm so sorry about what happened. I bet you hate me. It was so cowardly for me to run away like that."
"I don't hate you Zack," Ven says quickly and Zack's head snaps around his eyes filled with relief. "I mean it hurt a lot." Zack looks down ashamed. "But I forgive you."
"You do?" Zack's eyes are filled with hope and Ven smiles.
"Of course."
Zack grins back. "Can we start over Ven?"
"I'd like that," Ven says taking a step closer. "If you think you're ready."
Zack raises a hand to cup Ven's cheek. "More than ready." Zack begins to lean in and they both close their eyes.
BANG!
They both jump slightly and look back towards the bar where the door had just been thrown open. Terra, Aqua, Sora, and Riku walk out the door with Merlin and Master Eraqus following behind them. Zack lets his hand fall and takes half a step back. Sora is laughing at Riku whose disgruntled face makes Ven wonder what Sora is teasing him about, and Merlin and Master Eraqus are oblivious to the others as they walk deep in conversation. Terra and Aqua are the only ones to notice the two boys standing at the top of the steps. Terra gives them a wave as the group of six continues across the square headed for the third district.
"C'mon," Zack says in Ven's ear and he turns to see Zack blushing fiercely. "I know a place more private."
Zack takes his hand and Ven obediently follows him to the left of the Highwind Market and down an alley that ends in a dead end. Secluded in the shadows of the high walls on either side, Zack stops and pulls Ven in close to him. Ven closes his eyes as Zack leans down. The first brush of Zack's lips on his is like a bolt of electricity through his body. As Zack presses closer, Ven melts against him, wrapping his arms around Zack's waist, and feels Zack's arms around him.
Zack bites slightly at Ven's bottom lip, and Ven can't help but moan slightly. Zack's hands are moving is small circles on his lower back, and Ven slides his hands up and down Zack's back feeling his hard muscles shiver at his touch. Zack pulls away slightly, and Ven opens his eyes breathing hard. Zack's forehead is resting against his and he's breathing hard as well, but smiling wider than Ven has ever seen. Grinning, Ven tilts his chin up bring Zack back into their kiss. This time, Ven moves his arms around Zack's neck and tangles his fingers in his long hair. Zack's hands move a little lower as he hesitantly opens his mouth. Ven responds instinctively letting Zack take control.
Ven's head is spinning and the fireworks refuse to stop. As Zack presses more forcefully against Ven, Ven takes a couple steps back. Before he knows it, he is pressed against the wall of the alley. He and Zack break for a moment to look in each others eyes for a brief second before continuing with their passionate kiss. What seems like an eternity later Zack pulls away to give them both some air. "You know what?" Zack breathes out.
"What?" Ven asks before pulling Zack back to him.
Zack kisses back for a moment then moves his lips to Ven's ear. "I still can't believe you are really here," Zack whispers.
Ven can't help but shiver as Zack brushes his lips back across his face and returns to making out with him slower than before. Ven pulls away and moves his lips to Zack's ear. "I still can't believe you want this," he whispers and then cuddles his head against Zack's neck. Zack holds him tight for a moment before sliding his hands up to Ven's face and pulling him away so they can look each other in the eye.
Tracing Ven's cheekbones with his thumbs, Zack says softly, but seriously, "I have always wanted this, but you know..." He leans down and kisses Ven still caressing his face. Pulling away just enough to talk, he continues, "Coming out to Tifa and Cloud was hard." He kisses Ven again, but Ven pulls away so he can look at Zack.
"How bad was it?" He asks with a worried expression. Zack shrugs and tries to kiss Ven again, but Ven stops him. "How bad was it Zack?"
Sighing, Zack backs away from Ven and sits on a wooden crate on the other side of the alley. Ven sits down beside him and after a moment Zack speaks. "It was...uncomfortable to say the least. I just, you know, told them about meeting you and the fight against the Hydra. Then I told them I kissed you. They were shocked, but they seem ok with it."
"That's good," Ven says hesitantly confused on why Zack doesn't seem all that happy.
"Yeah, it's good," Zack agrees. "I just didn't expect it to be so easy. There wasn't any yelling and they didn't ask a million questions. It just wasn't what I had feared it would be."
"I was anxious when I told Terra and Aqua that I was gay," Ven says. "But it was the same thing. They didn't make a big deal out of it. People who love us and care about us are more accepting than we realize I think."
"You know," Zack says slowly. "I think you're right Ven." Ven smiles and Zack wraps an arm around Ven's waist pulling him close. Ven leans in and kisses him gently resting his hands lightly on Zack's chest. When he runs out of air, Ven pulls away, gently pulling himself out of Zack's hold. Standing he says to Zack with a grin, "You said you were going to show me the town."
Zack stands with an exaggerated disappointed sigh that makes Ven laugh slightly. "Alright," Zack says taking Ven's hand. "But only because I can't say no to you."
…
"Riku and Marlene..."
"Stop it Sora."
"Sittin' in a tree..."
"Sora-"
"K-I-S-S...S-S..." Sora stops his song for a moment, frowning as he tried to remember the rest of the letters. Riku takes the pause to try and put his hand over Sora's mouth to keep him quiet, but Sora dodges out of the way laughing. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Sora shouts and laughs as Riku's face turns bright red.
"I bet you don't even know what that spells," Riku snaps at him.
"Do too," Sora says crossing his arms. "It spells...It doesn't matter what it spells. Riku and Marlene sittin' in a tree-"
"That's enough Sora," Aqua says sternly coming to Riku's rescue. "Don't tease Riku."
Chastised, Sora turns his attention away from Riku to examine all the colorful and strange things in Merlin's house. Riku, still mad at Sora, walks away from him to join Terra and Aqua who are listening to Master Eraqus and Merlin.
"Simply amazing isn't it," Merlin says as he leans over the Winnie the Pooh book. It is opened up the ripped pages and they had just put the missing page back in its correct spot. As soon as they had, the book had fixed itself in a flash of light. "This will require some research," he says as he lightly runs a finger down the page that looks brand new, like it had never been ripped out.
"It is quite a unique book," Master Eraqus says. "I wonder how you use its power."
"A mystery for another day," Merlin says turning away from the book. "Now then, the room upstairs is all set up for some training. It's enchanted so you can't wear your self down. You can use as much magic as you want and be no worse for wear. Even someone as young as you my boy can practice magic there." Merlin speaks to Riku who looks back with wide eyes.
"I've yet to teach Riku about magic," Master Eraqus explains to Merlin. "However, this seems like the perfect time if we can use your training room."
"Splendid," Merlin says. "Just follow me." With a wave of his wand, a tile in the ceiling descends coming to a stop at Merlin's feet. He steps onto it and is followed by Master Eraqus, Riku, Terra, and Aqua. Once they are all on, Merlin waves his wand again and the tile rises back up fitting back perfectly into the ceiling leaving the room downstairs empty and silent.
"Hey look! I found a marble," Sora calls as he holds up the tablecloth and crawls out from under the table in the center of the room. He looks around in surprise to see that he is alone. "Riku?" He says. "Huh...where did they all go?"
He starts to walk around the room looking for them when the book still flipped open to the returned page catches his eye. "A story book?" Sora says to himself. Curious, he drags a stool over and stands on it trying to be tall enough to see. Still too short, he drags some thick books over and places them on top of the stool. He scrambles to the top of the pile, and looks down at the book. "What is this?" He wonders as he leans over the book taking in the pictures of animals drawn on the page. He shifts his weight slightly as he leans closer and the unsteady pile he had been standing on collapses. With a shout, he falls onto the book and disappears.
...
"Huh?" Sora says opening his eyes and taking in the green meadow he finds himself in. As he stands there two butterflies swoop down and dance around him. He watches them with a smile and when they fly away across the meadow he chases them laughing. They fly up high into the sky and Sora waves goodbye.
"Think, think. Think, think."
Sora looks around to see who is talking and spots a small bear sitting on a log deep in thought. "Hi there!" Sora shouts as he runs up to him. "Is something wrong?" He asks peering curiously at the bear.
"Nothing. Just thinking," the bear responds. He then looks up and stares curiously at Sora. "I don't think I've seen you around here before. Who are you?"
"I'm Sora," Sora replies giving him a smile. "Who are you?"
"I'm Winnie the Pooh. Pooh for short."
The sound of a stomach rumbling makes them both start. "Oh my," Pooh says. "My tummy is getting rumbly." Pooh rubs his stomach sadly. "Do you have any honey?" He asks Sora who shakes his head no.
"Oh bother," Pooh says jumping down from the log and walking off towards one of the paths that leads away from the meadow. Sora jumps down as well and runs after his new friend. He follows Pooh to a great big tree with lots of branches. A balloon is tied to a rock at the base of the tree.
"Oh good," Pooh says walking over to the balloon. "Now I can get some honey."
"How are you gonna do that?" Sora asks.
"I shall hold on to the balloon, and fly like a bee up the Hunny Tree, see," Pooh explains working on untying the balloon from the rock.
"Can I come too?" Sora asks eagerly. Flying sounds like a whole lot of fun.
Pooh nods and Sora grabs on to the balloon as Pooh finally gets it untied. At once they rise up on the breeze getting higher and higher. At the top, they land on a branch and let the balloon float away. Pooh happily digs through the hole in the tree eating as much honey as he can. Sora sits carefully on the branch letting his feet swing back and forth.
Looking down, he sees they are really high off the ground. "Hey Pooh," Sora says slowly. "How are we gonna get back down?"
Pooh pulls his head back out of the hole and looks down as well. "Oh bother."
…
"Sora? Where'd you go?" Terra calls to the empty room as he and Aqua return to the bottom floor of Merlin's house. Upstairs Master Eraqus and Merlin are still instructing Riku, but Master Eraqus had sent them down after realizing Sora had disappeared.
"What happened over here?" Aqua says a little worried as she hurries over to the stand the magical book is on. Books and a stool are lying in a haphazard pile on the floor and as Aqua runs over she doesn't notice as she steps on a book. It slides under her foot and she looses her balance. She falls on the book just as Terra grabs her hand and they disappear.
…
Sora sits licking some honey off his hand wondering how much longer they were going to be stuck up in the tree. At least they aren't going to go hungry. The Hunny Tree seems to be an endless supply of the delicious food.
"Pooh, where did all this honey come from?" Sora asks.
"The bees make it," Pooh replies.
"Bees? Won't they be mad we took some?" Sora asks, but before Pooh can respond voices reach them.
"Sora!"
"Sora! Where are you?"
Looking down Sora spots Terra and Aqua at the base of the tree. "Hey! Hey! Up here!" He shouts waving his arms. They look around confused before looking up and spotting them.
"Sora!" They both shout relieved.
"How'd you get all the way up there?" Terra asks.
"We flew," Sora shouts back down. "But now we're stuck."
"Sit tight Sora," Aqua calls. "We'll figure something out."
While Terra and Aqua talk to each other far below, Sora and Pooh continue eating the delicious honey. Suddenly a new sound reaches their ears. Buzzing.
With a scared expression, Sora turns slowly to see a swarm of bees forming behind them. "Bees!" Sora shouts in fear and Terra and Aqua look up. "There are bees up here!"
"It's okay Sora!" Aqua shouts back trying to sound calm. "Just jump. We'll catch you."
"But..." Sora says looking down in fear then back at the bees.
"Jump! You can do it!"
Sora and Pooh look behind them to see the bees suddenly move towards them. Needing no further encouragement, they jump and plummet down through the branches. On the ground, Aqua and Terra stand together with their arms outstretched. Sora falls right into Aqua's arms and Pooh lands in Terra's.
"Are you ok?" Aqua asks worriedly.
"Yep," Sora says as she sets him down. He licks his hand again still covered in honey.
"You can't wander off like that Sora," Terra says to him sternly.
"Sorry," Sora says looking down.
Terra ruffles his hair. "It's ok. Just don't do it again."
"Ok!" Sora says with a grin.
"We should go back before Master Eraqus worries," Aqua says and Terra nods.
"C'mon Sora," Terra says holding his hand out to Sora.
"Goodbye Sora," Pooh says giving Sora a wave.
"Bye Pooh," Sora says waving as he walks off with Terra and Aqua. As they walk away from the Hunny Tree, a bright light envelops them and when it fades they are standing in Merlin's house again looking at a surprised Master Eraqus, Merlin, and Riku.
"Fascinating!" Melin cries moving to inspect the book again. "A world contained within a book."
"Sora what is all over your arm?" Master Eraqus asks.
"Honey," Sora says holding his arm out to show him. "It's yummy in my tummy."
Sighing, Master Eraqus gets some paper towels and proceeds to clean off the sticky mess. "It is time for us to return home," he says when he finishes. "We'll be back soon Merlin."
"Have a safe trip," Merlin says as they wave goodbye and exit his house.
…
"And this is the third district," Zack says as he leads Ven down the steps and into the empty square. Ven walks across the square slowly looking all around.
"And who lives here?" he asks.
"Leon lives up there," Zack says pointing back up the way they had come. "And Merlin lives down there."
Ven looks down the way Zack is pointing and sees a big red door. "I bet that's where the others went," he says staring to walk down that way.
Zack catches up with him and grabs his hand to pull him to a stop. "We can go in there or we can stay out here and find something else to do," Zack says giving Ven a quick kiss.
Ven grins and gives him a kiss back. "I think I rather stay out here," he says leaning against the nearest wall. Zack moves closer putting one hand on the wall next to Ven's head. He leans in to kiss him when the red door opens and they both look over surprised. The keyblade wielders and Sora file out of Merlin's house and Zack stands up straight letting his hand fall.
"Ventus, it is time to go," Master Eraqus says as they walk past. "Say goodbye and meet us back in the first district."
He leads the others towards the doors to the first district and as Terra walks past he gives Ven a knowing smile. As they watch them walk out the doors, Ven asks Zack, "So do you want to go out sometime?"
Zack turns to him and smiles. "Definitely," he says. "I'll always be here so come by anytime." He kisses Ven goodbye. "I'll be waiting."
Ven gives him one more peck on the lips and a hug before running out the door. Back in the first district, the others are standing around waiting and Terra, Aqua, and Master Eraqus stare at him smiling as he closes the door to the third district. Blushing and trying to ignore them, Ven walks over to where Sora and Riku are standing. "Hi Ven," Sora says greeting him. "What does K-I-S-S-I-N-G spell?"
"Uh kissing," Ven says confused by the question.
"Kissing! It spells kissing!" Sora says triumphantly rounding on Riku.
"I already knew that," Riku says smugly.
"Riku and Marlene sittin' in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Sora sings right in Riku's face.
Ven joins Sora in laughing at Riku's embarrassed expression. His smile fades though as Terra begins to sing. "Ven and Zack sittin' in a tree K-I-S-S-I-"
He doesn't have a chance to finish as he is too busy fending off Ven's punches. Master Eraqus sighs and rubs his temple. He looks at Aqua standing beside him with an amused expression. "Please tell me at least you are too old for this," he says slightly desperately.
She laughs and walks over to Ven and Terra. She wraps her arms around Ven from behind keeping him from punching Terra again. "You have to tell us everything Ven," she says and he groans trying to pull away.
"But Aqua-"
"No buts, I want to hear everything when we get back," Aqua replies before releasing him. Master Eraqus catches their attention by clearing his throat. He summons a light corridor again and they all follow him through.
MLSoT: I didn't want you to have a fangirl attack so I updated! You're welcome.
Mexi: I have to let Ven be happy for at least a little while so Vanitas has to stay away for now.
That was a fun, happy, and fluffy chapter, so that means next chapter has to be darker. It is time to introduce Keric and see what he's doing. (FYI he isn't doing nice things)