A/N: Short chapter is short (which is the main reason why the story got updated this fast). This takes place a year after the previous chapter, so Terra's 21 years old and Aqua's 20. Enjoy. :D

Thanks: Walker of Nothing, Taliax, MaroonAngel of Darkness, littlemissmusicdummy, xsunny15x, Amulet Misty, HawkRider, and RoseOfADifferentColor, my lovely beta reader. :)

~ "I believe that 'chilling,' as you put it, does not involve breaking into my apartment and falling asleep on the couch after doing God knows what," she reminded him sternly. ~

13) Phobia

Aqua sighed lightly when she entered her apartment, seeing the familiar young man lying on her couch much like he owned the place. He was petting Stitch, who was lying quietly on Terra's stomach, giving off the softest of purrs. Both seemed content and despite the situation, Aqua couldn't help but smile and think how cute it was to catch them like this.

It was really endearing to see how the once oh so tough Terra turned into the biggest softie around her pet. Even though the brunet never admitted it, he'd started caring deeply for Stitch and it seemed that the feeling had become mutual. To be honest, even Aqua didn't always spoil the blue animal as much as Terra did. That should explain why Stitch always changed into a hyperactive little monster whenever her friend showed up. Too bad that she didn't have a camera with her now...

After putting the shopping bags in a fairly safe corner, Aqua put her hands on her hips and started earnestly, "Terra…"

Terra sat up when he heard her voice, leaning on his elbows, startling Stitch in the process. Without acknowledging Aqua, the pet jumped off Terra's chest, skittering away to sulk in a dark corner now that his favorite pillow had disappointed him.

"You don't sound that happy to see me," Terra noted, rubbing over his chest where Stitch had unintentionally hurt him when he'd catapulted himself off the brunet.

Aqua ignored his comment. "How did you get inside, anyway?"

"Oh, I'm just awesome like that." For that, he received a look of pure skepticism, Aqua going so far as to cross her arms. After a beat of silence, he added, "And I made a replica of your key when you lent it to me the other day."

"Terra!" She grabbed the nearest pillow and smacked him on the head with it before he could brace himself for it.

Seriously, what had happened to the idea of granting her some much-needed privacy? She wouldn't actually be surprised if he walked in on her one day while she was changing clothes or something… The thought alone was alarming enough for her to be able to withstand the pleading, puppy dog look he was giving her. He and Zack were the best she had seen at imitating an abandoned puppy, forlorn expression and all (although Ven was getting pretty close, too). Perhaps it was a family thing.

Eventually, when Terra noticed that his silence wasn't going to save him, he said, "What? I thought you said I was always welcome to chill here?"

"I believe that 'chilling,' as you put it, does not involve breaking into my apartment and falling asleep on the couch after doing God knows what," she reminded him sternly.

"…It doesn't?" he said, quasi-surprised.

Aqua resisted the urge to bury her head in her hands. Honestly, he was just pushing her buttons, testing to see how long it would take for her to crack. Well, she wasn't going to give him that satisfaction.

"You know, you really should find a job."

His face fell at that. "I can't. I've got Ergophobia; fear of work."

"Yes, I know what that is, Terra… But that's not a good excuse to be lazy. What happened to the hardworking Terra who would never turn down a chance to prove how strong and determined he was?"

"If you must know, he got traumatized by a creepy guy named Xehanort," he said jokingly.

"Ugh, why do I even bother…? By the way, I got something for you. I saw it in the window and I just couldn't resist buying it."

Aqua walked back to the shopping bags to get Terra's little present.

"Ah, I see that your ancient girl-instincts struck again?"

"Very funny," she said sarcastically, as she tossed him the package in question.

Terra reached out and caught it, surprise written across his face at the fact that she'd bothered to get something for him, too. He didn't waste any time in opening it, but as soon as he saw its contents, a cobalt blue shirt with a hawk on it, his excitement quickly ebbed away.

Terra gave her a flat look, which she answered with an innocent one of her own. "It matches your eyes," she noted, as if she had no idea why he would give her that look.

"No, you just bought it because you still don't want to forget that stupid hawk that pooped on my head the other day," the brunet deadpanned.

"…Yeah, that too," the bluenette admitted, a mischievous glint evident in her eyes.

"Aqua!" he exclaimed indignantly, provoking a hearty laugh from his blue-haired friend.

"I can't see why you're so moody. Don't you know that it brings luck to you when a bird poops on your head?"

"Yeah, that must be why I failed the test I had the next day," he muttered, while secretly thinking of a way to get Aqua back for this...

A/N: Thanks for reading! ^_^ Next chapter, another new (and slightly important, may I add) character will be introduced.

I have no idea when I'll update next, but here's a preview: Gah, I sound like a love struck schoolgirl… Can't be thinking like that.