The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Reno]

Blue eyes fell shut as he heard the other wandering around the room, but the more Ven spoke, the angrier he started to feel. The bed dipped as the other sat down, both of them silent for a few moments. He just needed to not answer. They really didn’t need the extra complications. Just don’t-
“You think…”
Fuck, why could he never listen to himself?!
“You think I feel obligated… to be on this mission?” Terra slowly sat up, finally turning to look at Ven. Something is his tone made Houndoom quickly get off the bed, Espeon following his example. “You think haha… you think I’m pissed off because… and that I’d rather be back… Oh fuck Ven…” He sighed slowly getting to his feet and walking over to the window, running a hand through his hair. “What… what the… what the HELL do you expect from me?!”

The brunette whirled around his eyes as sharp as daggers as they narrowed on the shocked blonde. “I don’t know what the hell you want… I’m trying okay?! I’m trying to be supportive and comforting and fucking kick everyone’s ass who pisses you off or says the wrong thing or even LOOKS at you wrong. On top of that I’m trying to figure out all the shit going on in this little excursion and make sure we don’t all fucking die in the next oh… two-three weeks! And I know a lot of shit has happened, I know it’s gotta be hard to be… fucking disowned and lose your mom and having your brother get married and have your other brother become fucking homeless overnight and suddenly decide to make a huge career change and…” He groaned, running a hand through his hair again and shut his eyes.

“Ven…I’m not as strong as you think I am… I’m only one person and this week alone has been very over-fucking-whelming and NOT just for you. I love you… the shit that hurts you hurts me too – as fucking GAY as that sounds! You’re probably the most important fucking thing in my life and I’d do whatever the hell you want to make you happy.” He sighed slowly before looking at the other. “But… but it’s not just me in this relationship is it? Ven sometimes I do need your support too. So… so maybe it’s fucking stupid to you that I’m scared of water… but for me, it’s just… shit my dad tried to drown me when I was six! You think that’s just a little traumatizing?!”

He sighed, rubbing his forehead, and turned away looking out the window again, leaning his arm against the wall. “You know what? Nevermind. It doesn’t matter. Just fucking running away… right?”


Aqua smirked some, wrapping an arm around her waist and bringing her close, hitting the up button with her free hand. “Only if I get your chest~” She purred, making the other blush and giggle more. She nibbled on her ear, hearing her breath hitch, while her hands inched down over her ass. “You’re so cute.”
There was a ding and the elevator opened and an elder couple walked out, catching sight of them. Their eyes went wide.
Aqua smiled her sweetest smile. “Lovely day, isn’t it?”
“Oh!” The elder woman squeaked while her husband tugged her away quickly. Aqua and Fuujin shared a glance before bursting into laughter, hurrying inside the empty elevator and hitting the door close button quickly.

Roxas rose an eyebrow at the weird noise his lover’s stomach made, cracking a smile. Well that answered that question.
Sora turned his head around when he heard Axel’s call and smiled, “Sure! We’ll meet you guys back here in ten minutes?”
“Sounds good see you then!” Roxas answered but rose an eyebrow when he noticed two old folks hurrying from around the corner, muttering to themselves about something ‘disgraceful’ and ‘unsightly’. The minute Sora and Riku passed them – holding hands of course – their jaws dropped open.
“What is this generation coning too?!” The woman cried.
Roxas glanced at Axel. What was THAT about? “Err… let’s get to our room.”

Ten minutes later, as promised, the four met up again, Roxas (and Axel’s stomach) leading the way outside. Luckily they didn’t need Houndoom’s help getting around as things seemed to be much quieter out now that the sun had fallen. They walked maybe two streets down, something that took maybe five minutes but Axel seemed to claim as an eternity. Sora was the one to choose their restaurant, a little Spanish place that was full of festive reds and yellows but the lights were dimmer, to give it a somewhat romantic air.

The reason Sora chose it was obvious – the tables, most of them round, were set around a small but very empty dance floor where a stage was set up in front of it. Some instruments were set up on it, but only one player was sitting up there. It was a teenager with sandy blonde hair playing a violin the music soft but catchy – a slow waltz. A Chatot was sitting on his shoulder. It seemed to make Roxas’ eyes light up, unable to keep his eyes off the kid as they were led to a table – unnoticed to him, his gaze was making Axel jealous.

Sora cracked a smile as they sat down and were given their menus, feeling bad for the kid who was now getting stared at and glared at by the same couple. Luckily he didn’t seem to notice, his eyes shut as he concentrated on the music without the need to see the music sheet. He was talented, of that there was no doubt.

The brunette finally took pity on the kid – and Roxas – and finally spoke up. “Reminds you of home huh?”
The blonde nodded, looking over at his brother. “Yeah…” This sparked their lovers’ interests, Axel being the one to, grudgingly, ask what that meant. Roxas seemed to blush some, unrolling his napkin from his utensils. “Our mom used to play the violin.”
“Yeah… she was really good.” Sora smiled, “She used to play while she sang us lullabies.” There was a pause, then, “She tried to put us through music school, actually.” This seemed to surprise Axel and Riku, neither of them having heard about this.
“It was… only for a few months.” Roxas added, “Maybe not even. We were pretty young, maybe seven, and it was only an after school thing you know? But well… Ven didn’t really like it. He wasn’t really getting it and well with Ven if he doesn’t get it right away he sort of well… gives up. Nasty cycle of his life, obviously. So instead he kept acting up during the lessons until mom finally had to pull him out. And well, when she did that she just decided to take us all out ‘cause she wanted us to stay together.”
Sora grinned leaning forward some as if he was revealing a big secret. “But Roxas really loved it. He was really good too. He was learning everything faster than anyone else there! The teacher practically begged mom not to take him out!” The blonde seemed to suddenly become shy, his face beet red as he stared away from his lover. The red-head asked finally what he had played.
“It er… t-the flute…” Roxas admitted.
Sora glanced at Riku, seeing the curious eyes on him as well. “I played the harp. And Ven played… the violin. I think it made mom sad when Ven quit… since he choose her instrument to learn. ‘Course, he probably chose it only because mom played it in the first place!”

They talked about this little piece of their old life with red-head and silverette for a few minutes more before their waitress came by, asking for their drink order. After she left again, Axel’s stomach grumbled again and he quickly buried his nose in his menu making the others follow his example.
Blue eyes focused intensely on his brother’s hands as they opened the menu, catching sight of the little gem on his finger sparkling under the light. “You know, between everything that has happened… I never said congratulations to you two.” Roxas looked between Sora and Riku,
The brunette blinked then glanced at his hand. “Oh! Hey, don’t worry about it… I did just kind of throw it at you guys.”
Roxas rubbed the back of his neck, “I know it’s just… I should of well...”

And then something really strange happened. It wasn’t something the two hadn’t seen before, as the triplets did it a lot when together, but it was a still a little hard to keep up. It was hard to describe what it was… but it was like the twin’s connected in a way that was unreal, knowing precisely what the other wanted to say but never had to really elaborate or finish their sentences.
“Are you-” Roxas started to say.
“Yep.” Sora answered before he even finished.
“But weren’t you-”
“We were but we worked it out. It’s all okay.”
“And who-”
“I did. And he did.”
“How-”
“I did but he actually er, verbally did.”
“What about-?”
“He’ll come around.”
“And-”
“…I dunno, I’m just hoping he won’t hate me.”
“And you’re really-”
“Yes Roxas, trust me.” Sora urged with a smile, “I’m following my heart, when has it ever been wrong?”
“….Never.” Roxas smiled then and nodded. “Okay then. Then, I’m really happy for you guys, it’s a big step but-”
“We can handle it.”
“Yeah I know.”
The two smiled to each other.
’Anyone want to repeat that in proper English!?’ Axel cried, making the two brothers burst into laughter.
“Sorry!” They said simultaneously just as their waitress came back, the drinks being set on the table.

[Rikugurl]

When Terra broke the silence, Ven continued to look the other way... even when he felt the creatures get off the bed. Then... he heard that tone. The tone Terra had when he was angry and he did something that ALWAYS pissed him off. Laughed.... like this was all funny. As Terra continued to speak, Ven couldn't help but look back at him, his eyes wide and his jaw hanging open.

WHAT!?

He couldn't even get a word in, he didn't know what to say.... wasn't even sure if he should say anything.
But the time he could even process things... Terra was done.

Ventus shot up, turning as his eyes narrowed, glaring at his lover's back. His mouth opened a few times but nothing seemed to come out. His fist clenched, but had no power behind it. His face changed, unsure what emotion he had to show because.... he didn't get it! He was trying to make Terra FEEL better by not pressuring him! WHAT DID HE WANT FROM HIM!?


"With Ven, if he doesn’t get it right away he sort of well… gives up."


His eyes slowly closed, tears building up as they slowly started to run down his face as his shoulders slumped in defeat.
What could he say? Obviously nothing right...
What kind of lover was he... if he didn't know how to make his lover feel better...?
What kind of love is this... where they could never get through the bad times in a healthy way.
He swallowed before turning slowly, his feet feeling like lead as he walked to the door. He grabbed the handle before pausing for a moment before it was turned. The purple fox blinked before leaving the larger Pokemon's side, following Ven out the door before it clicked close.

He paused again in front of the door before walking down the hallway and oddly... went to the elevator, Espeon following him inside. Like a zombie, he reached out and pressed the '1' button and the box started to move down. There was a ding and he walked out, across the floor and out the doors into the night. "Eon..." The purple cat looked up at her master, much worry in her face.


"Ggggggggggggulllimprrrrrr...."
Even as his stomach vibrated, green eyes glared at the young man playing his heart out. WHO DID HE THINK HE WAS BEING SO GOOD LIKE THAT!? If he wasn't such a peaceful person, he'd go right up there and punch him in the..... the nose!
Luckily, his attention was grabbed as the twins started to talk about music.

A red eyebrow lifted as he inquired, Roxas admitting that he played the flute. "What!? How come you never told me!?" They lived together for five years and didn't even know Roxas played anything. No wonder he loved music notes!

That was when something... confusing happened.
Axel's head felt like a tennis ball, going back and forth as the twins... spoke in tongue!? His mouth opened as one started to speak and paused as the other started to, his eyes and head going to look at each one, feeling himself get a little dizzy. Riku, on the other hand, leaned back, crossed his arms and enjoyed the show.

"Anyone want to repeat that in proper English!?" Axel finally cried before he gained swirls in his eyes, hearing a unison reply before slumping in his seat. Never a dull moment!
Drinks were placed down on the table and as their server started to ask what they would like---
"Uuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrummmmmmmmmmmrmmraaaaa~~"
Axel blinked before smiling at the waitress. "I'll have everything."
"OH NO! Last time you eat everything you almost died!"
"But I didn't die." Axel smirked, making Riku blink a few times.
"How can you use that as an excuse to justify that!?"

[Reno]

Terra waited for a response. Any sort of response. Instead all he heard was the crossing of feet across the floor and the sound of a door open and closing. The brunette inclined his head, still unable to turn around. "Ven...?"
No answer.
What just... did he...?

"Ven...?" The brunette tried again to the empty room. Was that it then? Was this...? Oh god... what did he just do?

Houndoom looked up in concern, watching his master suddenly slip to his knees. "V-Ven...?" The dog hurriedly got up, whining as he came to the other's side.


Roxas shook his head, smacking Axel on the head with his menu though he was smiling in amusement. "No, you can't order everything!" He glanced across the way, about to joke with the other couple about how they'd both be broke otherwise - then hesitated when he saw the suddenly grim look on his brother's face. "You know..." He looked at the waiter. "Could you give us a few minutes?"

The waiter nodded before leaving them. The blonde looked over at Sora, about to ask him what was wrong... when he saw someone passing by outside that answered everything. "Ven?"
"Yeah I-"
"No I mean Ven!" Roxas said, pointing towards the window. All four of them looked, seeing the blonde passing by.
"AH, hold on a sec!" Sora said before getting up from the table, hurrying outside. The three at the table gawked like they were watching a movie screen, seeing Sora intercept Ven. The two seemed to talk for a few moments before the blonde was pulled into a hug. Once the twins broke away, Sora tugged Ven into the restaurant by his elbow.

Roxas got up, grabbed a chair by a nearby empty table and setting it in front of theirs. The brunette had their middle twin sit down in it before sitting down himself and handing him his napkin to wipe away his tears. "Hey calm down Ven... just tell me what happened. What did Terra do?"
Roxas meanwhile was frowning unhappily, looking over his brother intensely for any marks or signs that they had gotten into a physical fight. He seemed okay... but something had happened.

[Rikugurl]

Ven continued to walk down the street aimlessly, not saying a word as his warm tears clashed with the cold darkness around him. Espeon acquired a few times, getting no reply back until she realized that she wasn't going to get one. She did however gasp when she suddenly saw him reach behind his neck... and unclasped the chain, letting it slip down into his hand before pushing it into his pocket. It was the pretty stone Houndoom's master gave to her master.... but why was he taking it off?

They got about a few blocks away from the hotel before a familiar boy stepped out in front of them.

Blue eyes shifted to look into ones he knew too well before adverting them away, his trembling mouth pulling into a frown the best it could.

"What are you doing ok here? Are you alright?" Sora inquired before Ven shook his head, his eyes closing as he felt his body start to tremble. "N-no..."
He was then taken into a hug, warm and welcoming before the blonde was suddenly dragged inside. Unfortunately it was a place for no Pokemon, so Espeon was called back before they entered.

Ven didn't even look at his surroundings as he was dragged in, just the faces of people who were watching the scene. He was sat down in a chair and all he could do was look down at the napkin that was handed to him. He didn't have to even look around the table to know that Riku and Axel were there too. Ven sucked in a deep breath as his lips continued to tremble, taking the napkin and wiping his face. "I...I don't wanna talk about it right now..." He sniffed, taking a shaky breath.

Axel frowned as he watched the blonde. Jeez... he never saw him so emotionally distressed before. He wondered what happened.

It was Riku who noticed something missing first. The extra chain around ven's neck was gone, one that was thinner than the one on his chest with the large charm. He took off his Sandgem... Something really bad must of happened if he took of such a precious item.

[Reno]

Sora frowned as his younger brother's response, glancing over at Roxas. The blonde just shrugged lightly - what could they do? If Ven didn't want to talk yet, he didn't have to. It wasn't right to force it out of him especially since it was so troubling.

"Alright then... you can when your ready." Sora reassured, placing a hand on Ven's shoulder comfortingly, "You wanna have dinner with us then?"

[Rikugurl]

The weight on Ven's shoulder seemed to be a million pounds, even if it was his brother's touch. Why... why was this affecting him so badly. Because... because he....
More tears ran down his cheek as he shook his head, hearing the question. His stomach was empty... but the knots that had formed seemed so tight he didn't know if anything could fit in there. "N-no... I....I can't...."

He lowered his head, everyone shifting as they started to feel uncomfortable. Something was really---

"I TRIED TO HELP BUT NOTHING I SAID WAS RIGHT AND HE GOT ANGRY AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY! I JUST WANTED TO HELP!" He cried, his eyes clenched as he started to sob, making the people sitting around them stop eating to look at the boy. "Dad was right!" He mumbled in his hands as he covered his face, shaking his head. "I am a failure! Instead of a fucking 'R'.... I SHOULD OF HAD A GREAT BIG 'F'! I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE!"

[Reno]

Roxas frowned as his brother answered in a shaky tone, never having heard it sound so... helpless. If only he would- that when Ven started to yell, making all of them jump a bit in surprise.
Well... that was quick.

"Hey!" Sora jumped in, sounding both concerned and angry at the same time. He reached out, grabbing his brother's hands and pulled then away from his face. Watery blues looked up at him, and eyes looked at him determinedly. "Don't you dare say that about yourself Ven. You're not a failure at all. How many times do I have to tell you that until it gets knocked into your thick skull?!" The other just looked at him dully, like he didn't believe him.

"He's right you know." Roxas said softly, scooting closer to his brother. He reached out, wiping away a tear falling down his brother's cheeks. "The only way you could ever be a failure is if you had nothing. But you have a lot of things... if you'd just open your eyes and see that. You've got two brothers who care for you, a dad who still cares just is having trouble saying it, six Pokemon who are loyal to you, lots of friends-" He glanced back at Axel and Riku for emphasis, before focusing back on his brother, "And a man who loves you more then the world itself... so what if you had a fight Ven? ALL couples have fights it's natural - fuck it's even healthy!"

Sora nodded in agreement, "Right... because if you don't fight you'll never learn how to compromise. And fighting help you learn things people sometimes never tell... helps you to fix things that you didn't know needed to be fixed." He sighed slowly then smiled some more, "And don't feel so bad... if you didn't know what to say. Come on Ven... it took me months to find the right words to say to Riku when we were having trouble. Sometimes its hard... to say the things you want to - or sometimes its just hard just to say 'I don't understand' because you want to feel like you understand your lover better than yourself. But the fact is is sometimes you can't. Hell Ven, we're triplets - and despite how close we are there are times we don't understand each other at all!"

Roxas smiled and nodded, "And if you're not ready to ask him... you could just talk to us. You know we're here for you Ven."

[Rikugurl]

The blinked when his hands were pulled away, listening to Sora's words. He frowned, not believing it a bit but when Roxas started to talk, wiping his tears away, he sighed and closed his eyes. He did have his brothers... and his dad, pokemon.... friends. If he was such a loser... he wouldn't have all that.... right?

His eyes slowly opened, though blurred from the water that was still falling down. "But... we always get in fights....."

Riku frowned, feeling bad for the blonde. He knew how both his and Terra's temper clashed...
He glanced up, seeing the waitress a little stunned as she was grabbing a pad from the desk by the door. He shook his head, letting her know that this wasn't such a great time right now.

"Come on, Ven.... we're all here for you." Axel smiled as he nodded.

Ven let out a shaky sigh before wiping some of his own tears away. "Well..."

That was when he told them what happened. What he said, what Terra said... and how he got here.
"I.... I don't understand what he was saying. I didn't mean for anything I said to be mean or..." Tears started to well in his eyes again before he closed them, a warm bead falling down again. "I feel so lost... and... and for once in my life.... I don't want to just.... 'give up' but... I don't.... don't know what to do anymore."

[Reno]

The four listened politely as Ven spoke, Riku and Axel both warding away any waiters or waitresses that passed nearby. They heard it all - from the beginning since Ven split to them when he first found Terra in the hotel to the end that led the blonde to them, crying his eyes out. Three of them just stared at him, not quite sure what to say to make him feel better. There were even some things that shocked the hell out of them - mainly the little piece of information that told them precisely why Terra hated water so much.

"Seems to be a lot of that going around when Terra's concerned." Sora said glancing at Axel and Roxas with a faint smile before looking back at his brother. "Well... It sounds like you guys just... misunderstood each other." The blonde glanced at him as the brunette lent back, crossing his arms over his chest and looking thoughtful.

"Well okay... this all started because Terra's afraid of water right? And I mean... dear Arceus his dad really threw him in the water like that?" Ven mumbled softly, elaborating with the short story Terra had given him several years ago about the incident that happened when he was a child. Sora was silent for a few minutes and his eyes darted down to the table. "And they don't get along?" A definitive positive, the blonde giving him a few examples. They practically hate each other. "Alright. Terra... lied to you Ven."

The blonde looked at him in surprise, completely confused. "Well not the story! I'm sure that's true." Sora reassured, holding up his hands. "And I'm sure when he was a kid, it's even more true. Maybe it was even true five years ago when he first told you. But he lied about what he felt about that story... and I think he just told you today a bit of what... he really thinks." Now Ven really wasn't getting it.

He set his hands vertically on the table, curling the fingers so they met in a bowl-like shape. "Let me put it this way. When we're kids, we adore our parents unrequited. We don't really think about... how they feel about us since we're so young. All we know is what we feel. To Terra, back then, he thought what happened was that his dad was trying to teach him how to swim and he just failed the test. It's a really bad memory... one that isn't ever forgotten. So you know, you dwell on it a lot. But now that Terra's older and much more well intelligent... he's realized that it wasn't really a lesson at all."

Sora licked his lips a little nervously, knowing this was a topic that maybe he shouldn't try to interpret but... "The way he said it to you tonight Ven... I dunno when he thought about it this way, maybe living at home all this time and being around his dad more has made him unable to stop thinking on it but... It sounds to me like Terra... feels his dad tried to kill him that day. That he doesn't love him at all and never did. And for whatever reason - probably for his mom - he was saved. I'm sure there must be other things too Ven that made him come to the conclusion things he never told you since he said that his ways of teaching him things were cruel." He looked up at the blonde, making sure he was keeping up. "If it helps, think about how you felt about dad since he disowned you. I guarantee you... Terra feels all that too about his own."

Roxas blinked slowly, staring at his brother. Well it made a lot of sense. Hell, he probably would of felt the same...

Sora rubbed the back of his neck, blushing a little. "You'll have to verify that with him but..." He shook his head. "But if I'm right, that might be why he was so touchy about this subject - moreso then he was on our first mission. Well anyways lets just... okay what happened tonight is probably connected to some of those feelings and more. But you guys have trouble communicating so... these things never got said out loud."

He glanced at Ven again, "You want to know what you said to you tonight? He well... he opened up to you. He told you he's trying to keep with you, trying to be a good boyfriend, but he feels like he isn't. That he is trying to make you happy but thinks he can't. He told you... he needs you help too. That he wants to be on a level equal with you rather than never being able to admit to you the things that hurt him or thinks that make him look well... 'less like a man' I guess."

"How the hell do you get that out of... anything?" Roxas said, aghast.
Sora smiled faintly. "I could be wrong but..." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "But things happen like that. I mean jeez Roxas, if you one morning didn't make coffee for Axel one morning when you usually do, I bet you 80 dollars Axel would think you were mad at him before he thought you might have forgotten." The blonde opened his mouth... then Axel confirmed this and he shut it quickly.

"When Riku stopped saying 'I love you to me' I automatically assumed he didn't. It doesn't mean these things are truths, it's just how we interpret the signs were given; and the worse communication a relationship has, the more we depend on those signs but the less able we are to read them. For someone outside of a relationship though, were things aren't so personal, they're almost like open-book readings."

There was a pause then Sora twiddled his thumbs nervously, unable to look at his fraternal twin now, "But that's not all. Ven... since you didn't say a word when you left... Terra's probably assumed you understood every word he said to you... and that you just broke up with him."

[Rikugurl]

Ven sniffed a bit as he listened to his brothers, then looked at Sora as he started to explain. He nodded and answered things as Sora asked him. He felt a little worried about telling Terra's darkest secrets... well, the darkest secret that Terra ever told him. He felt like some trust was broken but he was at that point where he felt as if he DIDN'T.... their relationship would be lost... and that would be bad... for them... and their Pokemon's offspring.

He swallowed as Sora started to explain, feeling so lost at first. Oh Arceus.... this really is the end...
But as he continued on explaining and the table around him started to get involved, his fears started to wither.

Axel nodded as Sora made the point with the coffee. "Yea... I would..." He said before trailing off. He knew... just how it would be too... since something like that already happened.


It was early morning and the alarm went off, but the snooze button was hit easily... before he got a shower in bed. "VAPOREON!?" The redhead called as he sprang out of bed, shivering from the cold water before hopping into the shower for a hot one.

When he got out and dressed, he yawned, placing his glasses on before making up his side of the bed lazily. Roxas was no where to be found, and it was easy to say he was on an early mission for all his pokeballs were gone... which left Axel to feed the pups. He yawned again as he walked over all the Pokemon, heading to the kitchen. His eyes widened however when he reached the coffee pot and... it hadn't even been turned on. Roxas always turned on the coffee before going on morning missions. He swallowed, looking at the calender to see if he missed an important day... but there was nothing special this month except a meeting in another week.

He sat down, his hands running through his hair, thinking of what he could of done to make Roxas mad at him. That was the only logical reason why he wouldn't---
He needed to go find him!

It was a rainy day... and the ater never stopped falling from the sky. Axel spent hours asking around and looking in different areas for the blonde... but no one had seen him.
Finally, the redhead was able to pick up a reading on his pokephone... and dialed quickly.

"Roxas Holani, over. Do you need any help?"
"Roxas...?"
"Axel!?"
Tears ran down the man's face, though it was hard to tell with how soaked he was, leaning against a building. "Roxas.... I'm sorry...."
"Sorry? For what...? Did something bad happen!?"
"No but.... but if I made you med.... I....I really am.....so sorry...."


Riku frowned as he heard their side of the story, looking away as if ashamed. He didn't want to think about those months...

However, Ven nodded at the end, slowly wiping his tears away and sniffing. He looked down at the table for awhile before seeming to nod to himself. When he pulled his head back up, he gave Sora a smile before glancing around the table until he got to Roxas. "Thanks you guys... I guess I need to go straighten things up. Enjoy dinner... and see you all tomorrow." He stood, taking the chair and placing it back where it was before heading out. He paused however before running back, suddenly hugging Sora, then Roxas.

"Night!" He called before running out of the restaurant. He debated if he should let Espeon out but decided against it as he ran towards the hotel. As he did so, something caught his eye. A bakery. He stopped and walked back, looking through the large window to see a variety of muffins. He quickly ran inside, seeing a woman sighing. "Sorry sir but we're closing in 5 minutes."
"I know... but do you think you could custom me a muffin? I'll pay extra!"


Back at the restaurant:

A silver eyebrow rose as Riku watched Ven run off outside before rubbing the back of his neck. So he was going to have a bipolar brother-in-law. Well... it could be wors----

"UUUUUUUURRRRRRRRRMMMMMMMGGGGGMMMMMMMM"
Everyone blinked before looking at where the noise came from, seeing Axel hold his stomach.
"Foooooooooood...."

[Reno]

"Good luck." Sora said watching his brother leave and was surprised when the blonde came rushing back to give him and Roxas a hug before he left again. The four stared for a few moments before something loud interrupted.

All of them stared at Axel for a few moments before bursting into laughter. "Okay! We better order before Axel dies," Roxas said with a grin, waving his hand to call the waitress to them. The four of them quickly ordered - appetizers and their main courses (though it was obvious from the way Sora was drooling over the dessert menu they'd be there for one more course).

After they brought over their first main course, tortilla chips with several different sample dips, Axel seemed a little more satisfied; though they had to keep stealing the chip bowl from him.
"I don't even know how you could possibly guess something like that Sora," Roxas stated as he snapped his chip in half, dipping it in some guacamole before putting on the top half like it was a sandwich before eating it. "I never told you about that did I?"
"No... wait it really happened?!" Sora said with a wide grin, his arm going across the table where the salsa dip sat in front of the red-head to give it a try.
"A little... yeah." Roxas grumbled with a blush. "I got an emergency call one morning regarding an Umbreon and had to rush off to help keep it calm so they could set it's leg." He noticed Riku glance up in concern - probably feel empathy since he owned one himself. "Don't worry, it healed fine and we found him a much better home. Anyways by the time I had taken care of that, my shift had already started and I didn't have time to get back home. We were busy all day too because of the bad weather so I was rushing all over the place so it took Axel hours to even reach me." He glanced at Axel who was still stuffing his face. "Idiot got himself a cold running in the rain all morning."

"You guys are silly." Sora cracked a smile before looking at Riku, but blinked when he saw the other's solemn gaze on his engagement ring. Was he thinking about what he told Ven about them? He hesitated a little, wondering if his guess was wrong, then smiled. "Hey Riku... if you want to make it up to me, you could ask me to dance." Aquamarine eyes looked up at him as Sora lent his chin in his hand, giving him a dazzling smile. "La musique est tres romantique, no?" He purred, never minding that they were in a Spanish restaurant, not a French one.

OOC: In case you were wondering Sora said 'The music is very romantic, no?'

[Rikugurl]

A few minutes later, a blonde walk out of the bakery, the door behind him locking as the woman turned the sign from Open to Closed. He walked down the street, being a little more cautious before until he got to the hotel. He took the elevator back up to the second floor before walking down the hall, coming to room 203 again. He sighed softly before taking the treat from the bag, throwing the bag in a nearby trash before sliding his card.

The card was pushed back into his pocket after he opened the door and stepped in. The large hound seemed to pick his head up and walk over to the blonde, allowing him to pet him. It was still dark in the room... and there was a mass on the bed under the covers.
"Terra...?"
He said softly as he walked into the room more, the gem he pulled back around his necklace being caught in the light of the moon.


Axel seemed to drool as he saw the food being placed down, grabbing his plate quickly a hand grabbing a handful. "Buen apetito!" He smiled as he started to shove his face. he hardly even listened to his lover explain the memory that had already played in his head.

As for Riku, he frowned a bit, not eating much since he didn't want to ruin his dinner. His eyes shifted though as he heard about the dancing. What was it with Sora and dancing!? Didn't he knew he had two left feet....?
His eyebrow rose when Sora came closer, speaking something in french. "W-what?"

Axel blinked, swallowing what he had chewed before smiling. "He said 'Querrías bailar conmigo?'"

[Reno]

The curtain had been drawn in the room, only a few slivers of light making it through the cracks in the curtain, spilling on the floor in sharp oval shapes. It was obvious despite the inhabitants best efforts he could never completely block out the light.

The lump on the bed shifted a little as he heard the door and his bed heater was up and hurrying over. What the...?

It was the voice that made him pull the covers from his head though, catching sight of his silhouette in the distance. "....Ven?" His voice actually sounded surprise, as if he really hadn't believed he was coming back. Whether he had determined what Sora had guessed at or if he simply assumed he get another room or stay with one of his brothers for the night was unknown.


Roxas raised an eyebrow when he heard his brother... speaking french?! Where the hell did he learn that?! His eyes grew even wider when Axel decided to join the fun only his choice was Spanish. His cheeks warmed, swallowed a little as he glanced at his lover. It was a romantic language too... and Axel just happened to be speaking his favorite. He didn't know why, but he had always found something more stunning about it then French.

Sora's smile widened a little, "Qui qui!" He agreed, before reaching out, running his fingers along the top of Riku's hand. There was a second reason he chose this restaurant and that was the excuse to be overly romantic. "What do you say, monsieur? Dance with me, s'il vous plait?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven swallowed when he heard how Terra sounded. It didn't sound mad but almost shocked, desperate. He... he was really...
He walked to his side of the bed, turning on the lamp that brightened the room some before get pushed off his shoes and climbed into bed. He reached over, taking one of Terra's hands in his own and started to rub his fingers gently. "I'm sorry Terra... I guess you mistook what I said..."

He gently pulled away, placing the muffin in his hand instead. It was chocolate chip with golden frosting on top that said 'Sorry' next to a blue flower. He knew Terra liked flowers a lot. "You.... you don't always have to be strong. We're both humans and.... it's ok. I'll always be here for you..." He said softly as he ran his hand though soft brown locks.


Riku rose an eyebrow at Axel before looking at Sora again. He sighed and shook his head, pulling some of his hair behind his ear. "Sora... you already know I can't dance..." But that didn't seem like it mattered because the brunette practically DRAGGED him out of the seat and onto the dance floor.

"Ah! SORA!" He called but laughed a bit as his hands were arranged, one on Sora's hip while the other clasped, their rings pressing against each other. "Y-you'll have to lead..." He blushed, looking around at some people who seemed to want to watch them.

Axel smiled as he saw the two before looking at Roxas, seeing the blush on his face. Oooooooh~~
Slowly he leaned over, his mouth close to the other's ear before he whispered. "Te amo~~"

[Reno]

The brunette laid there, watching the blonde cross the room to him then his eyes squinted as the light was turned on, not prepared for the change. He blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted, turning his head some to look at Ven as he carefully climbed into the bed, the mattress shifting and creaking just a little under the added weight. Red-rimmed eyes looked towards the other, unsure what to say. But this time, Ven finally did. And the words seemed to make the tension in his body dissipate.

When the food was placed in his hand he blinked though, looking down at it and the sight of the message made a smile quirking on his lips. Only Ven...

"I'll always be here for you..."

He looked up at his lover feeling the fingers gently brushing his skull in a gentle touch. He reached out, his finger winding around the back of Ven's neck.... before he tugged him forward, brushing their lips together for a kiss. The touch was a simple caress, an acceptance of the apology. "Thank you," He whispered against the soft lips.


"No, no!" Sora said in his best french accent, grinning as he reached for Riku's hand, "We dance! Let our feet speak words of amoure~" Then he was tugging the silverette from his chair, bringing him out on the empty dance floor. He smiled though at Riku's statement, already placing his hand on the other's shoulder. "I know~"

He started to lead with his left foot, forcing Riku to start with his right, but the silverette was nervous, unable to stop himself from looking down. "Mm-nn. Look at me." Sora instructed gently, lapis lazuli and aquamarine meeting as the music flowed over them. He led Riku about the stage slowly, whispering little hints and encouragements every now and again but never once did his adoring eyes leave the sight of his lover's face.

Meanwhile back at their table, Axel was having a little fun. Roxas' cheeks got even redder at the sound of that voice, that slight, sexy accent, and the words...

He breathed out shakily, his eyes shutting for just a few moments as if he were trying to keep himself together before he turned his head to look at Axel the emotion on his face unknown. They stared at one another for a few moments, before Roxas reached out for him and tugged him close, bringing him into a surprisingly passionate kiss.