A/N: Aaand the regular updates end here. I'll update again halfway January...hopefuly.

Thanks: Amulet Misty. :)

~ "Aqua still thinks I shouldn't tell you, but I think you have all the right to know this." ~

54) Labour

"What do you mean, you haven't told him about your feelings yet?"

Ven's mouth dropped open in pure shock. Had it been because of anything that did not involve her feelings towards Terra, Aqua might have laughed, because Ventus looked adorable. Unfortunately for her, everything seemed to be about her feelings for Terra nowadays.

"Exactly as I say it," the pretty bluenette replied calmly. "He isn't ready for such things yet. Give the poor guy a break, he just lost his memories! And he's really struggling with the way things are going between him and Kairi right now. I doubt he can deal with this too."

As expected, Ven was not convinced that easily. "Oh really? And who's this Vanitas guy that everyone talks about? Your new rebound?"

At this, she crossed her arms. "I don't see what Sora's brother has to do with this. But no, he's not a rebound."

"Are you sure? I mean, I know it hurts to love someone and not be loved in return. I get that, so I can imagine you looking for a rebound. Can't really blame you, either. But what is the most painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let the person know how you feel."

"What are you trying to say?"

"That if you won't tell Terra, then I will."

"Ven, no-"

"You'll tell me what?"

Aqua's gasped, her eyes widening. Her heart almost stopped beating when she heard Terra's voice booming behind them. Both Aqua and Ventus turned around to see Terra standing there, his arms crossed as well. Aqua's cheeks turned red and she quickly averted her gaze, opting to look at the floor instead.

"T-Terra! How did you get in here?" Ven asked, just as perplexed.

"The front door was open. I could hear you two arguing from all the way downstairs." The silence in the room was deafening at this point, as Terra looked from Aqua to Ven and then back to Aqua again. "Well? I'm still waiting. Does anyone care to fill me in?"

"I'll tell you."

Aqua gave Ven a last pleading look when the blond opened his mouth…

"Aqua still thinks I shouldn't tell you, but I think you have all the right to know this."

At those words, her heart sank and her shoulders slumped. This was it, she would lose one of her best friends.

"In return for my labours, I didn't get anything back from Aqua and I thought you should know that so you can get mad at her for me and talk some sense into her. She might listen to you, because you're older. No one takes me serious around here."

Now both Terra and Aqua looked at him in a 'What in the world are you even talking about?' way, but when Aqua caught Terra staring at her, she quickly tried to hide the surprise on her face.

Terra narrowed his eyes dangerously at Ven, who gulped. "What labours?"

"I helped her with moving the furniture here and now she won't even bake me cookies!"

Terra's eyes travelled across the living-room and Aqua was reminded once again of the fact that Ven was a terrible liar.

"Nothing's changed compared to the last time I was here."

"Well…" Ven scratched the back of his head, while really doing his best to come up with a good excuse for that. His palms were so sweaty that he put his hands in his pockets. "I had to change everything back the way it was before again, because she didn't like it. That's why. And that's why I was so mad too; I just wasted my whole morning and I got nothing back for that."

Judging by Terra's raised brow, he didn't really believe his younger friend, but he didn't voice his thoughts on the matter either. Instead, he turned his attention to Aqua and said, lightly disapprovingly, "Well, that's not very nice of you, Aqua. I'm almost disappointed that you don't take your friend's efforts seriously."

Aqua blushed a darker shade now, as she stammered, "I'll bake him some cookies tomorrow. I'm a little tired right now."

"Why are you tired? You didn't even do anyth-" When Aqua discreetly stepped on his toes, Ven quickly announced, "I-I mean… Well, that's good to hear. Good thing you at least listen to Terra, huh? I gotta go now. Take care, you guys."

He did give Aqua a look that said something along the lines of, 'I saved you this time, but don't think it'll happen again,' leaving Aqua very uncomfortable.

They watched Ven's retreating back (he acted as though he had forgotten to turn off the toaster at home). Aqua let out a relieved sigh when he was out of the door; he'd caused enough damage already, be it unintentionally.

"So, you wanted to talk?" Aqua asked, her gaze resting on Terra now.

"Yes… I need to ask you some things. It's rather important and I didn't know where else to go…"

Aqua nodded understandingly, motioning him to take a seat. "I'll be happy to help you out. What is it?"

The way Terra took a deep breath told her that this wasn't going to be some lighthearted conversation about the weather…

A/N: Do you guys prefer to read one-shots, collections or multi-chaptered stories?

Next chapter: "Were we… I mean… Have we ever been more than…than just friends?"