A/N: As promised, chapter two! I'm so thankful for all the reviews. I do hope you keep reviewing too. Anyways, on with the story! Disclaimer: I do not own kingdom hearts.
I took a step back as my father stepped in front of me. "You'd better have a good reason for why you're twenty minutes late," he said, leaning towards my face. I paled; he was livid. I gulped and shifted slightly. "I-I was...the teacher held u-us back to explain t-the project," I said, stammering. Cloud growled and gripped my wrist. I winced and clamped my lips together. "I don't believe you but since you have a friend over, I'll let it slide," he said. I gasped and glanced over at Vanitas. He stood stiffly, his eyes burning.
"Where's your brother?" Cloud asked, his fingers digging into my skin. I forced myself not to squirm and closed my eyes tight. "H-he's at Axel's house! F-for the project," I said, my voice rising from pain. Cloud growled out a sigh and his ice blue eyes flashed to Vanitas. "How long are you planning on staying for?" he said, his voice hard yet polite. Vanitas looked up at him straight in his eyes. "Actually, I was thinking he'd come to my house. Our project is a rather difficult one and we'd hate to bother you with constant questioning. Not to mention that we'll most likely be up most of the night, keeping you up," he said, calmly. Cloud lifted his eyebrows and frowned in thought.
"You make a fair point. Fine. He'll go to your house. When is this project due?" he asked, coolly. Vanitas blinked and tilted his head. I stared at him in shock; he was actually able to talk to Cloud without flinching. "The end of the school year," I said, speaking up. Cloud glared at me then sighed. "How long will you be gone?" he asked. I felt a strange urge of panic. "In all due respect, sir, I think it's best for both Roxas and Ventus to stay with their partners until the project is due," Vanitas said. I gasped and Cloud lost his grip on my wrist.
I could see the dark glint in Cloud's eyes, knowing he was about to kill. "T-think of it this way, Dad. You'll have the house to yourself, all the food, the tv, the computer, everything to yourself without us ruining it for you," I said, thinking fast. Cloud contemplated my words then smiled. I shuddered; his smile was demonic. "Pack your shit and Roxas's then get out," he said, opening the door wider. I nodded quickly and lurched forward. Vanitas followed at my heels, giving my dad a brief nod. I tried to hold back my tears. Even though I was getting away from my father, I was going to stay with this guy I barely knew. I opened the door to my room and went into my closet.
Vanitas was silent, standing awkwardly in the middle of my room. "Hey, um, Ventus?" he asked timidly. I poked my head out from within my closet, my search for the suitcases halted. Vanitas had his hands in his pockets and his head was lowered, as though in shame. "Yes? What's up?" I said, slightly concerned. He shuffled uncomfortably.
"Why do you let your dad treat you like that?" he muttered, kicking the carpet lightly with his heel. I smiled slightly and continued my search. "I am just a nuisance to him. Hell, I'm a nuisance to everyone. People just don't like me as myself. Meaning, I can't be Ventus or people flip shit," I said. Silence. I hesitated, listening intently for his reaction.
I looked back at him and saw that he was standing in front of my window, watching the rain. His sad expression threw me off. "Why must everything be unfair?" he mumbled. I blinked, taken aback. "Um, Vanitas?" I asked, unable to form an answer to his question. Vanitas's entire expression changed. His eyes seemed to darken, his skin paler than usual, his mouth turned down into a small frown. "Sorry. I get it. I'll be quiet," he muttered, getting up and leaving my room before I could speak.
I rapidly threw clothes into the suitcases and then did the same with Roxas's clothes. My mind was swirling. Why did he suddenly change? 'You broke character,' I thought. I smacked myself in the forehead and frowned. 'Dammit, I just had to be myself around him. Of course he'd get upset. Who wouldnt?' I thought. I sighed and started lugging the suitcases down the stairs. Vanitas was sitting on the couch, his hand over his eyes. I opened my mouth to apologize but only a small squeak emerged as my foot tangled with the other. "Oh fuck!" I tumbled head over heels down the steps and landed hard on the tile.
"Ventus! Are you alright?" Vanitas asked, rushing to where I lay sprawled. I groaned in pain and sat up. I felt my head pound and I had blood splatter on the floor. "Ow ow ow," I said licking my bleeding lip. Vanitas sucked in a breath and went into the kitchen. I heard the water run then his footsteps as he came back. He dabbed my lips with the wet washcloth. I flinched. "Sorry," he muttered. I looked up at him and found myself staring. He truly was incredibly handsome. My eyebrows furrowed. 'Wait, handsome? I'm not gay,' I thought. I was about to look away, find something else to look at, when he looked down at me. It was as though all the breath left me.
He smiled slightly and stood. "Your lip needs some ice on it. It'll swell if you don't," he said. His voice was so deep and smooth, like chocolate. I realized what I was thinking and looked away, embarrassed. "Yeah, I-I know that. Thanks," I murmured, getting to my feet. Vanitas gazed at me, with a mild curiosity. Oh, why does he have to look at me? I scrambled for the ice and wrapped it in a paper towel. I pressed it my lips and glared at the floor as I walked back. I reached for the suitcases. "Here, I can take those," Vanitas said, taking the suitcases in his grasp. Our fingers brushed and an almost electric charge shot through my arm. I jumped and let him take it. "T-thanks," I stammered, my cheeks flushed. Dammit, how obvious can you be? I sighed; I just couldn't get into character around him. Vanitas nodded quickly and easily picked up the heavy suitcases.
As we walked out the door, I passed my father. His stare was murderous yet was masked. His stare alone told me that I was going to get the beating of a lifetime once I returned home. I gulped and felt my body throb painfully in reminisce. As soon as the door closed behind us, the panic increased. "How are you going to explain to your parents about my staying with you for a year?" I asked frantically. Vanitas lowered his face, his hair covering his eyes. "You won't need to worry. They won't even notice you're there," he said bitterly. What? I took one look at his face and swallowed the unspoken questions. I wanted to talk more but I didn't know him that well. Besides, he obviously wouldn't want to talk to me. I stared intently at my hands, the silence between us slightly overbearing.
"Oi, Ven, what are you doing with my suitcase?" Roxas said from the house a few feet away. I looked up, startled. His face was flushed and his hair was messed up. "Uh um, D-Dad said we could stay with our partners until the project is due," I said, shifting into my character. Roxas rolled his eyes and clamped his hands over them. "Great. I thought I could escape the damn pyro but now I gotta stay with him for a whole year. Ya hear that, Spiky?" he called sarcastically. A yell of happiness came from the house. Roxas sighed dramatically and came down from the porch to where I stood. "Thanks for getting me my suitcase, Ven. Does that mean you're staying with...him?" he said looking past me at Vanitas. I nodded quickly and gestured to the door. "I think you're partner is waiting for you," I said. Roxas paled and turned to the door. An impatient voice came from the house. "Ugh, alright, I'm coming! Jeez, hope you have better luck with yours," he said rushing back into the house.
I heaved a sigh. I turned back to Vanitas and nearly fell backwards. His eyes were on mine, along with a small frown. "What?" I asked. He raised his pierced eyebrow then cracked a half grin. I blushed furiously as he poked my forehead. "You are a terrible actor," he teased.
A/N: So...I realize the wait was long. Gaaah I'm sorry! I was writing the chapters to different stories. Please forgive me! I don't deserve your praise. *hides in corner under blanket* I'm asymmetric garbageg