The Chasers: New World Locket

[Rikugurl]

When Roxas shot up, Axel grew wide grin. The cupcake was all his! He was about to pounce on it when he realized that this really wasn't the time. He stood and looked down at the awaken blonde. It was nice to see those blue eyes again. He frowned though when he saw Roxas's shoulders. He was....crying? He didn't think Ventus was that close to him but....

Slowly he reached out and started to rub his lover's back. He slowly leaned in. "See, I told you everything would be a'ok" He whispered.


Riku blinked and everyone got in the way.... he couldn't see a thing. Slowly he looked at Sora who was looking at his brother and stood, walking over to him. Sora always had the touch of hope... no matter what. He was sure that was why he was the keyblade master.

He looked over, seeing a woman in the door frame down the isle. He knew she was smiling, even if he couldn't see her face.


Ven's eyes closed a bit as Terra buried his head in his shoulder and he felt a hand in his own.
What..... what was going on....?
He looked up again, his face looking confused. "Did... did we get him?"

Axel frowned and looked around before shaking his head. "No... he.... got away."

Lips frowned but a hand came up that wasn't full of the needle. His fingers ran through brown hair softly. "Why is everyone wearing fucking pink ribbons?"

[Reno]

Roxas smiled a bit, nodding to Axel's words. Note: Start Listening to Axel More. He sat up a bit straighter, rubbing his eyes a bit. God he had to stop crying - who was he, Sora?! He looked over towards Ven's face, smiling softly.

Sire Axel was right they weren;t extremely close... but thanks to Sora they were closer then they could have been... and they were still family. Maybe he had adapted Sora's ideals about family or something...

Sora glanced at Riku, grinning slightly. Poor Ri. The brunette reached out, clasping his hand in his husband's.

There was a pause when the question was asked, then Sora smiled cheerfully. "Cause Aerith doesn't like any other color. and cause we were trying to support you. You've been asleep for um... quite awhile Ven."

"Three monthes." Terra whispered, still not lifting his head, relishing in the feeling of the other's fingers running through his hair. "And if you ever do it again i'll fucking kill you."

[Rikugurl]

Slowly the woman walked over, standing at the head of the bed next to Riku. She smiled down at the two. That was how it was suppose to be. "He's right... I really do love pink." She giggled softly but grew serious again. "How do you feel?"

Ven looked up at Roxas... and then to Sora, smiling softly. His vision was still blurred, but he could make out everything. He closed his eyes again, his head spinning slowly. "Dizzy..." He said softly as he leaned into Terra. Three months...? Were they joking?

Aerith nodded and smiled. "I would advise you to stay in bed for another day... but tomorrow sounds like you'll be having a lot of fun." She giggled softly.

Ven opened his eyes a bit to look at her. "Huh...?"
"It's your birthday."
So.... it really was three months...

[Reno]

Terra looked up at the other finally, concerned, his arms finding there way around thin shoulders. He nuzzled the other lightly, just happy to have his Ven back.

Sora and Roxas grinned suddenly, excited.

"And we're going on a triple date. No exceptions. I don't care if Terra has to CARRY you everywhere!" Roxas said determinedly.

"what do I look like, a horse?" Terra growled.

"No, but wolves can do cool stuff like that too."

Terra glanced at the blonde, glaring.

Sora laughed, albeit more nervously, and smiled at Ven. "Well at least your awake for it."

[Rikugurl]

Ven smiled softly, still in a haze. Everyone seemed pretty happy but...
He suddenly sat up, his eyes wide in panic.
Aerith gasped as she saw the fear in the other's eyes. "Ven! Be careful, you still have some bra--"

"AQUA!" Ven called out suddenly, cutting Aerith off. He started to pant and his monitor for his heart was racing. "AQUA!?" Suddenly his keyblade came to his hand. His eyes were full of panic as he looked around the room.

Riku blinked put put his hand around the other's wrist, feeling a flinch but didn't let go. "Calm down Ven.... she's ok...... she's ok..."
Ven looked at Riku in shock, his body shaking a bit with a woozy movement to it.

"She..." Aero Maxim disappeared as he suddenly fainted.
Aerith frowned, seeing Ven fall back to his place on the bed. "Oh my... he still needs some rest...."

[Reno]

Everyone jumped in surprise as the blonde sat up and started to cry out, his keyblade in hand. Well THAT was a shock.

Terra blinked in surprise as the other tore out of his arms. "Ven?!" He cried in surprise. He felt panc from the other - and when he started to call Aqua's name he became a little less worried. He watched Riku as he tried to calm the other - and it apepared to work. He felt the other's heart slow down...

And then he toppled over. "Ven!" Terra yelped, his arms reaching out to catch him, lowering him back down to the bed slowly. He sighed, looking at him. Asleep again.

Sora blinked, glancing at Aerith. "How could he POSSIBLY need anymore?! He went on a 90-day marathon there!"

"Well maybe he was trying to beat your 365 day record." Roxas teased suddenly.

Sora reached over the bed, hitting Roxas in the shoulder.

[Rikugurl]

Aerith smile softly at the brunette. "Well... it wasn't like he was resting while in his coma... his body was working all those three months." She looked back down at the blonde and smiled. "Now that he's awake... his body has to get use to it. I don't know how servieve his brain damage was... but if he can speak, see... and still cuss, I'm sure he'll be back to his old self in no time."

Axel took a deep breath, almost shitting himself. "Well... I think it's safe to say that we can start the day out early tomorrow!" He smiled happily... knowing that Roxas could actually get his wish.

Aerith nodded. "Mhmm... you should all get some rest. Me and Terra can handle things for the night.

[Reno]

Sora smiled and nodded, looking down at his brother then grinned. Ven was okay, thats all that was important. "Okay." He tugged himself and Riku away from the bed. "Tommorrow is gonna be great!" He called back excitedly.

Roxas laughed, nodding to the other's words. "Right." He smiled at Axel, eyes shining. "Bright and early."

Terra just smiled, running his hands through Ven;s hair. He didn;t care about the date - all he cared about was that Ven was awake, and okay... and if they blonde would rather stay in bed all day then he was all for it. It was his birthday.

[Rikugurl]

Riku nodded as he was pulled. He smiled at Aerith and waved softly as he was dragged out of the room. "Thanks..."
They lift the refuge and walked into the cool night. Riku took a deep breath and smiled, looking down at his husband. "Excited for tomorrow?" Of course Sora was.... he was still a kid when it came to presents.

Slowly they crossed the Nexus Garden, the garden that connected Radiant and Delshad. They were going to call it 'Coupling Garden' but Axel insisted that they used a word with an 'x' in it. It was the garden... where Roxas almost lost his life. They walked down into Delshad, the blue rocks welcoming them. He remembered when the war of 1000 heartless was fought here... never would of imagined that it would be littered with small, cozy houses now. He had to admit... Roxas and Axel had done an amazing job.

There was a hotel made into the rocks called the 'Fixed Hotel'. Honestly... there wasn't a place in Delshad that didn't have an 'x' in the name except for the name Delshad itself. He even wondered if they wrote Town Hall as 'Town x Hall'. He wouldn't be surprised.

They walked in and up to the counter where a woman stood, a Nobody pendant around her neck. "Hello, may I help you?"
"Uh... yea." The silverette placed the tickets on the desk and pointed at some bags. "Those are ours too." She smiled and keyed some things into the computer. She handed an envelope to Riku and smiled. "Please enjoy your stay."

A free night at a hotel was always enjoyable.
Riku smiled as he took the envelope and his and Sora's bags, going to the elevator. They reached the top floor and walked out and down the hall. They came to the room 83 and Riku took the key out of the envelope, opening the door. He blinked, seeing the gorgeous room. "You're brother and brother-in-law- always spoil us." He remembered that one night where they spent at Nobodia... and the room almost as beautiful.


Axel looked down at Roxas and grinned. "That's right!" Axel hated waking up early... that was all the triplets things... but not him. But tomorrow, he had some things to do... even BEFORE Roxas woke up. They needed to hurry home and get to bed! He pulled at ROxas's had as Sora had done to Riku and smiled. "See you later!"


Aerith smiled as they all left and looked down at Terra. "I'm glad... things worked out for you." She looked down and slowly walked off. "Have a good night."

[Reno]

Sora clasped his hand with Riku's snuggling close to his side as they walked. His wedding band and enegagement ring both shining in the moonlight. He grinned at the other's question. "Yeah!" He loved his birthday - and it was even better nowing he had two brothers to share it with!

He like Riku remembered what this place used to be like before Roxas and Axel set it up. He reembered all the fights - against Demyx, against 1,000 heartless, against Sephiroth. A war had practically happened here! and now... he got to see it grow into something more than a battlefield - saw it become a home and still growing.

Roxas and Axel were... surprisingly good leaders. they certainly didn;t look like it but they had pulled all this together and kept it going. They had brought together so many homes for so many lost souls.

Once they got to the hotel and their room, Sora grinned. "Hey, doesn't bother me any! If they wanna spoil us I say let em!" He raced forward, hoping onto the bed, laughing as it bounced. It was a good bed. It was gonna be an even BETTER bed tommorrow.

He heard Riku a noise of complaint and he blinked, remembering there stuff was still outside. He laughed, getting up and helping Riku lug in their luggage. It didn;t take the two long to get ready for bed and cuddle up on the fluffy mattress, covers around there shoulders. They forgoed any 'nightly' activities - bothtwhere sure they'd have to walk tommorrow.


"Don't forget to shave." Roxas teased Terra as he was tugged from the refuge. They followed their own path home.


Terra looked back, watching the two couples leave, before glancing down at Ven, sighing softly. He turned his head though when Aerith spoke, watching her as she walked away. "Aerith wait." He called softly, getting up to follow. She turned around, looking at him curiously. He reached up, tugging off the pink ribbon from his arm, slowly handing it back to her. "You should take this back... I know it means a lot to you." He smiled. "thank you... for everything. I... owe you a lot." He murmured, bowing his head in gratitude.

Once he had made it back to Ven's side, he blinked in curiosity - noticing that the cupcake that had been sitting on the deskside... was gone. He shrugged, before slowly laying down in bed, being careful not to disturb the other.


Roxas was smiling, when he heard a weird noise - like a puff of air - beside him. the blinked, glancing at Axel... who had just blown out the candle on Ven;s cupcake. "AXEL!!" Roxas chastised. The red-head gave him a hurt puppy look and the blonde rolled his eyes, grinning. "okay. Fine. you can eat it." It wasn't like Ven had been awake enough to know. "but if anyone asks Ven ate it."

The red-head seemed to cry happily, eating the whole thing in three huge bites. Roxas laughed, and once the other had swallowed leaning up, kissing him, tasting the chocolate on his lips. "mmm... yummy."

They got home soon after that, Xio yipping happily as they entered their room. Like the others, the quickly got ready for bed - it was going to be a LOOONG day tommorrow - but one everyone was excited to get too.

~~~~

Terra hummed an old Atterian lullaby happily, washing the razor off and safely capping it before setting it high up inside the mirrior's cabinet. It wouldn't do any good if one of the kid's got ahold of them - so everyone agreed razors would go as high out of reach as possible.

"The sounds of the day fade away," He sung quietly as he rubbed the aftershave between his fingers. "The sky above turns to gray. Hush now hush and sleep shall arrive. Dream of me and you will survive." He slapped on the aftershave, wincing a bit at the burn. He didnt't sing too often, but he he did almost everyone knew instantly he was in a good mood.

He washed his hands, drying them down on the towel wrapped firmly about his waist. He looked at his drooping brunette locks, shaking his head, running a brush through them to help the spikes of his hair stand up again. He looked himself over quietly, grinning brightly to see the recently brushed teeth gleam back. Yep, he seemed well-groomed now - recently showered, nice teeth, good hair. He was a bit thinner now and his eyes a little dark around the edges thanks to this horrible past month but... well he still looked nice enough to take his lover out.

He stepped out of the bathroomon the ship, trekking back towards the room - hearing in the distance the sound of breakfast being made. His stomach grumbled fiercely, but he patted it to quiet it down. He'd be eating soon.

But first, he and Ven had to return to their ship so they could get dressed and showered and what not. Everything was on the ship after all. and everyone desereved to say hi to the now very awake blonde - their were lots of hugs everywhere until Terra broke them apart, co mplaining that Axel wouldn;t stand for them being late and they needed to get ready.

And Terra just wanted to feel the satisfiing feeling of Quicksand back in his hands. Things had fallen back to normal - and even though Ven was still a bit out of it, he determinedly wanted to celebrate his birthday.

"Lay around? Are you fucking nuts?" Ven had complained. "fuck no, this is the one day of the year you get to spoil the shit outta me - I'm not missing it!"

Terra just shrugged and agreed. Birthdays had been... a real new experience for him when he was 18. In fact, holidays in general were a real new experience for him. It just hadn't been part of his culture to celebrate... things.

"Here!" Ven said cheerfully, shoving something brightly wrapped in the other's hands.
"Happy birthday!" He heard Aqua call from where she was setting firewood on the fire. He was... completely baffled.
The brunette blinked, looking at it confused. "what... is it?"
"It's a birthday gift!"
His brows furrowed. "Birth... day gift?"
"Yeah... isn;t today your birthday?"
"If by which you mean I was BORN eighteen years ago today then yes... it is. But why are you handing me this?"
Ven blinked, then slowly understood. "That's what you do. I mean... maybe your culture didn't, but thats what most do. We celebrate the day of someone being born by giving gifts."
"Why...?"
Aqua walked over. "It's to show the person you appreciate them and are glad they're around."
"Yeah! Jeez Terra, what am I gonna have to explain next?! Christmas?!"
Terra just gave him a confused look. "Christmas?"
"Oh my god!"
Aqua laughed. "don't be too hard on him, my culture doesn't celebrate Christmas either." At least she knew what it was though.
"Your guys' cultures are messed up - who passes up free gifts?! Now Terra open it! and remember my birthday too cause you SO owe me a gift back."
Terra blinked, then nodded slowly, smiling as he tore up the wrapping.

And if that was bad - his reaction to the birthday cake was worse.
"WHY IS THE CAKE ON FIRE?!" His voice squealed in an almost girlish way.
Aqua and Ven didn't stop laughing at him for the rest of the night.

He never did forget - though figuring out what to give as gifts was only getting harder, not easier. Because not only did he have to do it on birthdays - but there was christmas and NOW Ven and him were going to have an anniversary to think of too and shit Valentine's day; that was gonna make his life impossible. Sentiment was hard to dredge up for something that was meant to be important in childhood and having missed out on it all.

But he learned to love the holidays. That idea of togetherness and caring and affection were all new to him - but a pleasant difference.

Terra opened the door, seeing Ven sitting atop their bed - dressed in some of his nicer clothes and patiently waiting for Terra to finish up so they could head back down to find Axel and the others in the Nexus Garden where they had first agreed to meet.

The brunette trekked over, leaning down to give him a quick, affectionate kiss on the lips in greeting, mumbling a quiet 'happy birthday' for the first time that day, before heading towards the closet to gather up some clothes as well. He tugged on some black boxers quickly from under the towel - before throwing the damp clothe to the side, still pleasantly humming the lullaby as he thought, hangers squeaking in protest as he moved his hand through them.

He shrugged, tugging on some simple black pants - that flared out at the bottom of course but not as oddly as his beige ones - the chains hooked to the belt loops rattling. He tugged on a belt with the Atterian earth symbol on it - though this one was slightly more fancy with celtic desgins drawn into the circle. Finally he grabbed a navy blue shirt, tugging it over his head. It had a crisscrossing design across the front in black and yellow that didn't mean much to him but reminded him of lightning. He remembered buying this shirt back in Radiant a few years back - it hadn't been his style but Ven said it looked nice on him so he bought it anyways.

He was just slipping on his socks and shoes when heard Ven shifting around behind him, hearing pages being flipped. He blinked curiously... before slowly looking back his eyebrows furrowing. Ven was reading a.... book? Ven... READING? Wow, he really DID get brain damaged.

Terra straightened - before recognizing what the book was that he was holding. It was the little bedtime story he had made up all those weeks ago - he had brought it and the other storybook back through the connection, dropping the first on the nightstand, and handing the second back to Gunnar. "Uh..." Terra mumbled a little hesitantly, "Ven?" The story WAS for him... but it still felt a little awkward watching him... read it.


Meanwhile, Sora was wiping his face off with a washcloth, laughing at Riku. "I'm sorry!" He apolgized. "I didn't MEAN to drool all over your chest."

Sora, when completely comfrotable, was known to drool a lot in his sleep. And that bed had been so wonderfully fluffy... and he was dreaming of a world made of candy with Riku in some sort of peppermint-striped costume and - well he started drooling at some point.

Of course waking up to 'Eeeeew Sora stop slobbering on me!' snapped him out of it. The brunette laughed, throwing the wet washcloth at the other so he could clean himself up. The brunette stretched his arms out languidly, grinning brightly. 33 already.


Meanwhile, Roxas was still pleasantly sleeping in bed, the sun decorating him in a warm glow. The bed had many dips and grooves in it from the sleeping bodies that usually laid in it. Axel however was not by his side.

[Rikugurl]

Axel: THE CAKE IS ON FIRE! WEEEEEEEEEE!!


Bare feet shuffled as a blonde walked down the wooden floors of the refuge. His hands curled around the ends of the bed to keep his balance as he walked. His feet and legs were weak from not using them for over three months... even if Aerith massaged them. Slowly he emerged from the room and looked around the front, seeing a woman at the desk. "Aerith...?"

The woman blinked and looked up, getting out of her chair quickly. "Ventus... you should be resting..."
"Heh... I think I've done enough of that."
The woman smiled and nodded.

"Hey... I wanna thank you.... for everything."
"There's no need."
"No really... what would of happened to me if you weren't here? I mean... even if I don't remember what happened..."
There was a soft giggle but a smile. "Well, from what I heard... you had a nasty fall and cracked your head open. You became unconscious throughout most of your fall... so that's probably why you didn't break anything else.
"A fall huh?" He frowned. He had a few nasty falls before... but his first he was wearing armor and well... the others he was able to control. "You'd think that your massages would help me walk a bit better huh?"
She only shook her head. "They were to prevent you from getting blood clots is all."

She really did know something about taking care of people...

That was when Terra came over and scooped the blonde up, cussing about him taking it easy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Riku blinked as a wet towel hit him in the face. He pouted and pull it off, looking down at it. It was all brown. "Sora... I need a clean washcloth to get clean." He put the dirty one on the sink and grabbed another one, just looking at it. "You know... hotel showers are the best."

With that, he stripped down and hopped into the shower, not caring if Sora was there. Not like he never saw Riku naked before. HA! He got cleaned up quickly knowing that they were on a timed schedule to meet Axel and Roxas in the garden.
When he came out, his silver hair drooped over his face but he quickly combed it out.... and pulled out the hairdryer.

He pouted as he heard Sora in the back giggling over Riku using a hairdryer. When he was done, he walked out and laughed. "I remembered one anniversary where I wore leather pants and they got pretty ratty because someone wanted me to fall a lot." He joked as he walked over his small suit case and started to go through it.

He pulled out black slacks and slowly pulled them on. Next was a silver dress shirt. He pulled that on and tied a black tie around his collar. He fixed it up in the mirror and put on some nice white shoes. Of course, the whole outfit was bought for him by either his mother, Sora's mother... or Sora himself. Riku wasn't one to buy nice clothes. Islander, remember.

He pulled his twilight necklace behind his tie and placed some rings his mom had bought him on around the fingers next to his wedding band.


Axel had woken up WAY to early for his own liking... but this was Roxas's special day! There was a picture of Axel's face pinned to the pillow next to Roxas that said:

Get ready! I'll be gone for the morning!
♥ Axel

P.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

He strolled up the walkway to leave Delshad and up to Radiant. He walked through Nexus Garden, his faithful friend by his side. Xio enjoyed the morning sun and wagged his tail back and forth as they went onto Market Street.

He walked up to a townhouse and knocked on it.... and knocked and knocked and-- "ALRIGHT! HOLD ON A GODDAMN MOMENT!" Axel blinked and looked down at Xio, snickering a bit. The door was suddenly swung opened and an older, fat man looked out. He looked like he just got out of bed. "Oh, it's you Axel..."
"Morning Mr. Briggs!" Axel smiled brightly... too brightly for the man. "Hey, I was wondering, do you think you can spare some fireworks for tonight?"
The man frowned. "The fireworks are all saved for Garden Day and for the Delshad Firework Festival."
"Well duuuuuuuh, I know that... but how about just like... a few?"
"Do you know how expensive they are to make!?"
"I JUST WANT 10!"
"...............alright... but there will be ten less in the festival."
"Sounds good! I need them set off at the usual spot around.... ermm... let's say 9pm!"
"Alright... now get out of here!"
The pyro smiled and waved, bouncing off the stairs and back to the street with Xio.

The next stop was at a Mr. Valentino's Tailor Express.
The redhead walked in, a small bell jingling. He looked over at the counter where a man stood, writing some things in his book. He slowly looked up, a grew mustache almost taking up his whole face. "Ah, good morning, Axel. I've been expecting you." He turned and pushed a button, making some suits move around. He watched them but soon frowned. "Umm... what's you're last name again?"

Axel grinned as he looked down at Xio. That was right, Axel had to get himself a surname when he became a Somebody. He wanted to be called Axel Holani... but Roxas bitched they they weren't married. So he chose a name that fit him best.
"It should be under Axel Xipil."
It had a 'x' in it and it meant 'noble of the fire'.

"Ah yes, that's right. Here it is!" The man stopped the machine and pulled out a tall suit. "Extra small, black suit." He handed it over and Axel handed him the munny. He smiled and waved, leaving the shop and back out into the street.
"How about we check out how I look huh?"
Xio yipped happily as they started to walk to a small restaurant and into the bathroom. He walked into a larger stall and started to get undressed. In the bag at his side, he pulled out a bright red dress shirt and pulled it on before tying up a black tie.

He walked out and Xio yipped, seeing the long, fitted black slacks with a flared end over black dress shoes. He pulled his blazer over and smiled, looking at himself in the mirror as he buttoned it up. It was extremely form fitted and stunning. He pulled out his bag again and pulled out some black eyeliner, getting close to the mirror and putting it on. It curved up like his natural exotic, cat-like eyes. He blinked and looked back, almost not recognizing himself for a moment. He looked drop dead gorgeous and the black eyeliner brought out his green eyes, making them shine. With the last finishing touch, he pulled his hair back into a low ponytail.

"Alright! Next stop. This one if for you~~" Axel grinned as he walked out and down the street. Xio whimpered a bit but followed. For him? They came to a groomer's and Xio whimpered more. "Come on~ This is for Roxy!" The pyro kicked the moomba in and smiled at the woman at the desk. "Do you think you could do something with this mess??"
The woman looked over the counter and smiled. "Awe, a moomba! I don't see them very often!"
Xio yipped a bit... knowing that someone must of brought in one of his pups for grooming! They were taking good care of them.

Axel sat and read a newspaper as Xio was in the other room. After fifteen minutes, paws patted over to him. Axel looked up and smiled happily. "WOW! Look at you! I'll have to beat the other moomba's off you!"
Xio's fur was his shinny orange and his spiky red mane was extremely soft along with his spiky red tail. His large paws were groomed, making them look soft and his wild nails were clips and neatened. Axel handed over some munny and smiled, waving as he left with his charming friend.

The redhead turned the corned and started to sing to himself, smiling at the people up and early walking by him. He finally reached his last destination. The cake shop. The best one in all of the Gardens. He leaned over the counter, looking a woman who was putting things away. "Hey Dawn!" The woman looked up and smiled. "Oh hi Axel, what's up?"
Axel grinned and put his hands up on his hips proudly. "Just checking on the cake!"

"Oh, I finished it this morning. Going to pick it up early?"
"Nope... I just wanna see it." His eyes widened as she walked into the back and pulled out a rather big box. She placed it on the counter and pulled the top off. He looked in and smiled happily. "Oh wow... it came out perfect!" He leaned over and kissed her cheek. "7:30pm sharp!" He winked at her and left, walking out and taking a big breath of air.

"So far, so good!" He slowly started to walk toward Nexus Garden again... where he would meet up with everyone.


Ven was brought to the airship... and was bombarded with hugs... even by Seifer. The kids went nuts and both him and Aqua shared a long hug together. He was so happy to see her alive... and she was so happy to see him awake. Everyone also smiled at Terra... and some apologies went around. The Almasy family apologized for being so cold at his appearance and Terra apologized to Aqua about the night before.

When all was said and done, Ven and Terra went below to their room to get ready. Ven didn't need a shower since he already had a bath the night before. So, he started to dress. He pulled on a black muscle shirt... and noticed that... it was too big for him. He blinked, noting that his pants wouldn't stay on his hips. How much weight had he lost in that bed? Well... IV liquid wasn't going to help him any... he was going to eat like a pig tonight!

So he pulled off his shirt and reached in for another one. It was a smaller one, one he wore a long time ago. Another black muscle shirt... but it was small that his belly button was showing. Oh well... Terra would like that. He pulled on a white, short sleeved jacket and didn't bother zipping it. He wrapped three studded belts around his waist... he didn't need that many... but it was a fashion going around to wear more belts than needed.

When he was done, he brushed his hair out, noting how much longer his spikes had grown. He pulled out some scissors from the pen holder and snipped some so he could see better... but he kept the others long... and... he pulled some spikes in the back to make... a somewhat decent, low ponytail.

He left the room and walked to his research room. Plopping down on his old chair, he smiled, quickly tying in things. It brought up the planet Midgar and he started searching old files of ShinRa. He knew what he was looking for. Something caught his eyes as the list for disease rolled quickly down the screen. He stopped it and read the words:
Sephiroth;
Killed in action
That wasn't right...

He clicked the link and it brought him to another page. The file read:

Subject: Personnel Announcement 0210
From: Shinra News[/u]

This is an official notification of the change in status for the following personnel.

Sephiroth - SOLDIER 1st Class:
Killed in action

Zack Fair - SOLIDER 1st Class:
Killed in action

Two infantrymen were also killed in action.[/i]

The blonde frowned. Sephiroth was still very much alive... but he knew... Zack wasn't. He clicked on Zack named and it brought up the 1st Class's personal profile. He didn't bother reading it... only clicked on Image.
A few images came up of the man with black hair. He looked into the back of the folder and clicked the file called 2nd Class.

Two pictures were shown, and he clicked on both. His eyes widened a bit as he looked at Mako eyes staring back at him.
"I see..."
There was quite a resemblance... especially when Terra's hair was dyed black... He printed the picture and exited out of the program. He shuffled in the room a bit more before coming out, his hip bag seeming a bit more full than before.

He walked back into the room and sat down on the bed a few minutes before Terra walked out. The blonde smiled but blinked as he got the kiss. He felt some warmth run down his body as he watched Terra look through the closet. The land keyblader wasn't all to big on gift giving since he wasn't use to it... but this would be his first birthday... that he had a lover to share it with. He looked at the nightstand, grabbing his watch but blinked when he saw a notepad. He stood and pulled it up, reading it.

'Eternally I will be with you that is my oath.'

Water filled his eyes as he continue to read. What was this...? It wasn't in Terra's writing... but only Terra could of...
He looked back, hearing his lover and seeing that face on him. A soft smile ran over his face as he placed the notebook down. "If you're going to become clouds... does that mean you're going to dye your hair white next time, babe?" He joked softly. He blinked though as he looked down at the other's belt buckle.

"I... thought you were trying to not think about your people."[/color]


OOC:
MOOMBA SORA! xD
drawingkuma.deviantart.com/art/Moomba-Sora-78077400

[Reno]

Sora laughed as the other chastised him, shaking his head - but his laughter got cut off as the other stripped in front of him jumping in the shower. "Working on the birthday present early Riku?" Sora joked, before quickly brushing his teeth and trekking from the bathroom - giving the other SOME privacy. He didn't need a shower himself - having done so yesterday morning before going to visit Ven. And he was just lazy.

He tore through his suitcase - looking for the clothes he had packed speacial for today. He and Riku ALWAYS tried to dress up nice for speacial occasions - they wore casual clothes all the time, getting to wear some of the nicer, more expensive stuff was fun.

He tugged on the blue shirt, darker blue lines like flames covering and wrapping around it turning the collar down and tugging the crown necklace out. He always tried to find nice shirts with designs on them - just solid colros got boring. He usually forgoed the tie since he wore them daily at school. He wore white slacks and tucked his shirt in like a 'good boy' before slipping on socks and shoes. He laughed, hearing the hairdrying going shaking his head. He reached down, tugging out an old chain with crowns for links. He smiled before stringing it along his pants. Dress pants with chains - eh... it was his birthday!

He looked up when Riku came out, teasing him. He grinned. "Oh shush you loved it and you know it. Speaking of which we really should visit again." He leaned back on the bed greedily watching as Riku got ready. They matched to a point - blue and silver went very nicely together and they both shared aspects of black and white. Not that matching clothes was important - 'haha, what am I a girl?!' - but it was... nice.

"You look nice." he complimented once Riku was done, smiling.


Roxas yawned suddenly, already late in the morning, eyes slipping open. He felt rather alone. He sat up rubbing his eyes looking around. "Ax? Honey?" He blinked noticing the picture, and chuckled. "You narcissist." He chuckled, latching off the picture to read the words. His smile softened further. Axel had BIG plans didn't he? "Xio?" He called, and after a few moments he didn't get a yip back, realziing the moomba must be with the redhead.

He set the picture on his dressor before standing. Well he had to kill some time before going off to the garden. "Shower." He mumbled, stumbling for the room. Nice... hot... long... shower.

He turned on the water, letting it get hot before he threw his clothes off and jumped in. He started humming a tune.

Thirty minutes later, after a shower and typical bathroom things - if Axel would have been home he would have been witness to a rare, rare sight. Roxas, parading in their room in only his boxers, brush in hand and held up to his mouth, singing, "Because you liiiiiiiiiive and breathe!
Because you make me believe in myself
When nobody else can help
Because you liiiiiiiiive, Ax
My world... has twice as many stars in the sky!"

The blonde grinned, brushing out the spikes in his damp hair, swinging his hips, before throwing it on the bed. He reached out, tugging out his clothes and throwing them on the bed as well. "It's alright, I survived, I'm alive again
Cuz of you, made it through every stooorm
What is life, what's the use if you're killing tiiiiime~
I'm so glad I've found an annnngel
Someone... who was there when all my hopes fell!
I wanna fllllly looking in your eyes"

He laughed, dancing around the room. The triplets didn't know it but all three had a thing about singing. Ven usually did so in the shower especally when he was upset - or trying to annoy someone. Sora just... did it whenever he wanted. But Roxas - who had picked up the love of singing through Sora - probably had the most pratice at it but was also too self-concious about it. He'd only ever sung for Axel exclusively once in their whole relationship, and the whole experience made him feel shaky and mortified from stage fright. But when he was alone... and knew it, He sung. All the time.

And most of them were dedicated to Axel.

Roxas smiled, tugging on the clothes quickly, reaching out for his X necklace slipping it on. He gave himself a once over in the mirrior - simple gray pants and a white shirt with black checkboard covering the bottom half. and shiny dress shoes of course. He let the edges flay out before he trekked down the stars, murmuring softly, "Because you liiiiive Ax, I have everything I need to survive."


Terra blinked, seeing the tears, then heard the sentence and laughed. Him? With white hair.... "Only if I wanna go bald by forty." He mumbled softly, shaking his head. "Nah i'll stay a natural brunnette all for you~" He chuckled. He'd look TERRIBLE with white hair...

He paused again when the next subject was brought up, and he fingered the belt buckle - more of a nervous habit then anything and only one he ever showed in front of Ven, strange as that was. "Yeah..." he mumbled. He sighed, walking over, sitting down on the bed beside Ven and smiled bitterly. "but it's a real childish notion. 'Out of sight out of mind'." He shook his head, sighing. "I need to remember them though - because someone should."

Even if he didn't like being an Atterian... was shamed of being what he could be... he was also PROUD to be one - or maybe proud of conquesting over them. Of learning about a whole new nature and... being allowed to CHANGE who he was destined to become. Being without a family... all his life... had allowed rfor him to... to break away from the standards his society had set out - allowed himself to detach himself, turning the desenistized process backwards. But... if it wasn't for the way he grew up... he never would have survived this long - probably wouldn't have even survived the experimentation...

And... that was really conflicting for him. "There's a lot of stuff I still need to learn..." He mumbled, though even he was uncertain of what he meant.

He still had a lot of things to settle in his heart though... the shame needed to disappear.

"It is unfortunate... I have become something like you"

"but I suppose I'll figure out all that later." He said, changing the subject rapidly. He stood, holding out a hand for Ven to take. "Come on we have a date to go on Birthday boy."

His heart fluttered faintly at the word 'date' and a smile soread across his face. Triple date... which would help the hell outta him since he had no idea how to act. Well okay he had a clue but well!!

He and Ven never went on an offical one before.

[Rikugurl]

Riku grinned as he looked down at Sora. "Yea...." He poked fun before zipping up his suitcase and yawned. Axel was in charge of the whole outing for the day... and knowing him.... who knew what was going to happen. He was even... a bit scared. The pyro never had the right mind when it came to anything.

He smiled though and shook his head. Well... if he could run a nice place like this... maybe he had some order in his life.

He took Sora's hand and they left their room, went down the stairs because Sora and Riku wanted some morning exercise and left the hotel. On their way out, Riku tilted his head. "Hey Sora.... do you think Rox and Ax are ever going to get married? I mean... they've even been together longer than us."
It was kind of funny though... Axel was the oldest of the group... and he acted like... the youngest.

Before Sora could state his opinion, they walked out of the hotel and looked up and down the street. When they looked down, they saw a familiar blonde walking down the sidewalk. "ROXAS!" Riku waved over.


Ven frowned as he listened to Terra, watching him sit down. He nodded. No one else knew he was an Atterian... and many people didn't know who Atterians even were.... or what they were like. But... Terra knew what an Atterian was... and how they were like. This pride was for him... no one else. He came from a world that didn't want him... with a family who believed in the ways of life when it came to never being able to love... or to love.

Terra already proved that wrong.

His blue eyes looked down but blinked when Terra stood. He looked up, seeing Terra's hand held out to him. He took it and stood, blinking a bit to help him focus. He felt dizzy on and off... but besides that, he was sure he'd be fine
"I'm sure whatever you plan to do... you can overcome what they wanted you to be. You already have when it came to one thing... I believe you can keep doing it."

Aero Maxim appeared in his hand as he smiled up at Terra. "I guess this is technically our first date huh?" He smiled as he slowly walked into the portal.

[Reno]

Sora blinked at riku;s question but then jumped when his lvoer yelled out. He looked forward a grinning, seeing the blonde and waved as well. The blonde seemed to look towards them, taking notice and walking forwards.

"I have a feeling," Sora murmured quietly as his twin apporached, "That a proposal will be coming real soon."

Roxas smiled at them as he apporached looking from one to the other. "Why, don;t you two look snazzy." He teased.

"We try." Sora grinned, then glanced around. "Where's Axel?"

"Getting ready for this date thing I'm guessing." Roxas said with a grin, eyes alight with excitement. He joined the three in their walk towards the garden, walking along riku's other side.

"What;s he planning?" Sora asked curiously.

"Not telling a thing." Roxas responded cheekily. In fact... HE wasn't even sure anymore. "But i'll guarentee you, it'll be big."


He didn;t let go of the other's hand until he knew he wouldn;t fall over, smiling a tad. It looked like he would have be ever the watchful over the other...

His cheeks flushed lightly at the other's words, and he grinned. That's only cause I have you there to help me Ven... you know that don;t you?

He knew, without a doubt... if he had never met the blonde... he never could have broken away.

He blinked suddenly, nodding as he followed after the other. "hopefully it's memorable." He murmured softly.


On the other side, a couple in casual yet nice clothing stepping from a dark portal, surronding by plants and flowers everywhere.

A trio all dressed up nice for a speacial day, walked along the side walk - then the path, walking through the garden.

And finally a fiery duet, both groomed up handsomely, was approaching from an archway.

Six people - three couples - one date. It was bound to be something else.

[Rikugurl]

Riku blinked as he looked down at Sora. Real soon? Sora was usually good with his hunches... He couldn't help but laugh. "Let's just hope that Axel knows what a ring is." He remembered when Roxas wanted to share a Paopu fruit... that night didn't end up that great.

He was hand and hand with his lover as they walked up the sidewalk to Nexus Garden, the blonde by his other side. It was a beautiful day that was sunny and warm. Not too hot and not too cool. Just....perfect. Riku looked up ahead, seeing someone walking down the path with a beast at his side. The spikes atop his head gave it away.

They slowly started to slow their walking as they grew close to each other. Aquamarine eyes widened as he... saw Axel better. "Wow..." He had never seen the pyro so.... dressed up. And Xio... looked like 1000 munny too!

He felt the blonde leave his side and ran up to the taller one. Before a hug could be made, the redhead pulled out a bouquet from his back. Pfft... show off...


Axel smiled as Roxas came rushing over, but he suddenly pulled out a dozen flowers towards his lover. They weren't just any flowers... they were special and symbolic to their relationship. They were called Sunset Ranunculus. Ranunculus meant 'Radiant' so of course they were Radiant's most famous flowers... but it was the 'Sunset' part that meant the most. They were red... and when Axel first met Roxas.... they always watched the sunset after a day of work. "Happy Birthday baby~"
Xio looked up at Roxas and yipped happily.


Another blonde and his date walked from a portal not too far away. Ven blinked, seeing everyone. They were either just on time... or late. He pulled Terra as they went through the flowers and onto the path. "Sora.... Riku..." Blue eyes looked bright as he stopped by their side.

The silvetter looked over, smiling at the other couple. "Hey... Happy Birthday Ven."