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“I’m not gonna stop poking you until you give me some attention.”
Ven has long since learned that Vanitas isn’t the best at communicating his emotions and thoughts and feelings. At least, verbally. But he’s gotten pretty good at understanding Vanitas and what’s going on in his head, and that’s usually by whatever Unversed he’s summoned.
Vanitas is good at summoning the Unversed. It’s not just negative, bad, emotions, as Ven’s learned. It can also be emotions that are based in need and irritation and worry and care and love.
For example, when the two were fighting a particularly impressive Heartless, and Vanitas was lying bleeding and near fainting, and Ven was losing the fight, an Unversed was summoned in Vanitas’ own shape, along with the copy of his Keyblade, fighting alongside Ven.
I will protect you, to my last breath, because I worry about you.
After battle, Vanitas had said that it was because he knew Ven was too weak to fight alone without him. Ven could hear the underlying words, especially when Vanitas held him extra close that night.
The night that Ven had a nightmare about something that haunted him, something neither boy could quite remember but knew was a horrible truth from before, a hareraiser had curled up in Ven’s arms, and Ven cradled it to his chest. Vanitas’ breaths were steady against Ven’s neck, but Ven could feel the rapid heart beating in his other’s chest.
I’m here for you. I care about you. And maybe I’m scared too.
And, right now, Ventus could hear Vanitas loud and clear, despite the fact that the boy hadn’t spoken a word.
As Ven had been reading up on the history of a world he was going to soon visit—homework given to him by Aqua to prepare him for his Mark of Mastery exam—Ven found tiny paws beginning to climb up his body, claws tangling in his hair and the feeling of something sniffing him.
The chirping of the Flood right by his ear wasn’t quite necessary to alert Ven of its presence, especially when the dark purple pointed paw poked his face.
“Really?” Ven asked to the room, knowing that Vanitas lying in bed, pretending to be asleep.
There was no answer, but Ven could swear he heard an amused snort coming from across the room.
The Flood poked at Ven’s cheeks, smushing them with its paws, chirping again at Ven.
Pay attention to me, dammit.
Ven didn’t. But he couldn’t help the smile that overcame him.
“Hey, little guy,” Ven cooed to the Flood instead. “You wanna see some cool pictures? This is the Island of Motunui. It’s where I’m gonna be going in just a couple days. Really pretty, isn’t it?”
The Flood, being still a feral creature, didn’t respond. Instead it sniffed the pages of the book, gnawing on the edge with its teeth.
“It’s really cool,” Ven continued, as if the Flood had said something in agreement. “They apparently live off coconuts, but the coconuts aren’t like the ones at Destiny Islands. And they have a strong, fierce leader, named Moana. Sora said she’s really cool, and a lot like Aqua. I hope I get to meet her.”
He heard the bed shift on the other side of the room, and as if tapping into some kind of transmission, the Flood perked up and crawled onto Ven’s lap, sitting directly on top of the book. It put a paw over Ven’s mouth, smushing his lips shut.
Ven laughed at that.
Shut up. You’re mine. Don’t go meeting hot princesses and fall for them instead.
“Okay, okay,” Ven said. He gathered the Flood in his hands as he stood, holding it to its chest. “Here. I got this for you. Don’t tell the others. And definitely don’t tell Vanitas.”
He went to his backpack, taking out a small plastic bag. Inside it was a small fruit, one that Ven had gotten from one of his travels. “It’s called a Pahsana fruit. Apparently it’s something chocobos love to eat.”
He held out the bright red fruit. The Flood took a sniff, then bit into it. Clearly enjoying the taste, it climbed off Ven to enjoy its spoils.
As soon as the Flood left Ven’s presence, Ven felt a tug at his pant leg. He looked down to see another Flood.
Nope. Not getting away that easily, Ventus.
Ven laughed, patting the second Flood. He scooped it up into his arms, heading over to the bed, then dumped the Flood onto Vanitas’ face.
“I will murder you in your sleep,” Vanitas growled, as the Flood began to jump on Vanitas happily, pinching Vanitas' cheeks and warbling excitedly, if to shout ’Ven’s here! Ven’s here!’
I’m happy you’re next to me, Ventus. It’s about time.
Ven grinned, laying down on the bed, the Flood happily moving in circles between them. “You are a terrible distraction. It’s amazing I get any work done in here.”
“How am I a distraction?” Vanitas scoffed, taking a sidelong glance at Ven. “I haven’t said a goddamn word in an hour.”
Ven turned to look at where the first Flood was. It was happily munching on the fruit, on top of the very book that Ven had been studying from, and making an absolute mess of it.
I don’t want you to go to another world. Stay with me.
Ven smiled, turning to his other. He pressed a sweet kiss to Vanitas’ cheek, feeling so happy, warm and loved. Vanitas turned to Ven, not asking for anything, but kissed him properly on the lips.
“You don’t have to say anything, Vani,” Ven said, the second Flood calming down, curling up between them, happy and content. The first one already dozing happily. “I love you too.”