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Wherever Ventus went, Vanitas followed, Aqua noticed. Lately the dark youth had become the blonde’s shadow, starting small, and then gradually becoming more intimate. He didn’t smother the boy, but he was always close by, always look for some excuse to be with him. Like the time Ven was teaching him how to state when they all went down to the rink together. Vanitas was a good actor, coming off as seemingly inept at the activity, requiring the blonde’s help at many intervals. Only afterwards after some prodding on Terra’s part did they find out that the boy was very well versed in skating and really didn’t need any help at all.
When asked why he lied to Ventus and to them, he quietly admitted that he just wanted to make the blonde happy. He just wanted to be close to him. Terra and Aqua decided not to say anything about it to Ven. Not because he’d be upset about Vantias lying, but more so the older boy didn’t want Ven knowing of his deeper feelings for him.
Or the times Ven would be watching a ballet on the TV, fashion, baking etc. Things that Vanitas were less than ecstatic about, but still sat down and watched with him. He didn’t know much about dance, but if Ven was having fun then he was happy. Very plain and simple.
It made Aqua smile when she thought about it. Vanitas had started off as kind of a rough character when he first came to live with them. He was gruff, distant, and had a tendency to rub everyone the wrong way upon first meeting. Ven was the only one to slowly break down his walls. And surely, little by little the dark youth started coming around, trying to greet Terra and Aqua more, get his homework turned in on time at school, hiding less from everyone. It wasn’t an overnight change by any means, but it was gradual.
He'd have his off days. His ups and downs. Some slip ups. But knowing that his people were there, even just in the same space as him, gave the dark youth comfort. He wasn’t alone.
---
“What’s that?”
“Hm? Oh, I don’t know. It was supposed to be flowers.”
“Looks more like lines to me. A fine texture. Hair?” Vanitas asked, leaning over Ven’s shoulder.
“Hmmm, I guess. It was a rose at first. Then I didn’t like it.” Ventus explained, smudging some of the ink to give lines more depth. “So, I just started doodling and… well this came out I guess.”
Indeed. The blonde’s drawing had started out as something sweet, simple. Then it slowly unraveled into an unsettling mesh. A black pool of fine textured lines intent on wrapping itself around anyone that came close. It felt wrong. Dreadful.
“Looks kinda scary. Like it’s gonna- strangle me or something.” Vanitas gestured, gently squeezing Ventus’s arm. The blonde smiled.
“I could see that. It kind of makes me feel curious.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. Just does I guess.”
“Curiosity killed the cat Ven.”
“I suppose so yes.”
“Kinda looks like the gal’s hair from that Junji Ito story.” Vanitas noted. Ventus turned to him.
“Uzumaki?”
“Yeah. That one. Weirdest shit I’ve ever read.”
“Hey. Language.” Ventus lightly scolded, gently elbowing the dark-haired boy in his stomach.
Vanitas snorted. “You sound like your dad.”
“He’s our guardian Vanitas. Do watch your language.”
“He’s not even in here, Ven.”
“Vanitas.”
The dark-haired boy sighed, “All right, God. What are you, my mother?”
“No, but I could be.”
The other snorted. Aqua didn’t dare move a step, obscuring herself by the entryway to the living room.
Even when she so desperately wanted to fish her phone out of her pocket to take a picture. Immortalize the moment somehow. The two boys were so close to each other, so at ease with each other. Vanitas was leaning over Ventus’s shoulder, his chin almost perched on it. He was pale in complexion, milky white, his golden eyes studying Ventus’s page. They were sharp, an edge to them almost. It was difficult to read them.
Ventus was soft, tannish in tone compared to Vanitas, a warm glow to his expression. His eyes were calm, still, like a lake. They were clear, very readable, nothing to hide. He was golden. Vanitas was dark. Aqua liked their stark differences. Their sharp contrasts molded well with each other.
“You sound exactly like Aqua.” Vanitas noted.
“All right, now you’re just pushing it.” Ventus rolled his eyes.
“You do. You’re mother hen, just like her.”
“No, no, no, I’m just the goose, nothing more to me than that.”
“Then mother goose.” Vanitas corrected. “She’s mother hen and you’re mother goose.”
“What does that make Terra then?”
“… The duck?”
Ventus actually burst out laughing, “Right of course, the duck. He’ll love that.”
“Aqua I see you lurking over there, come out.”
The young woman stilled, feeling as if someone just put a giant spotlight on her. Slightly embarrassed, she walked out as the boys looked her way. Ventus was tickled by her sneaking. “You’ve been there the entire time?”
“Uh… yes?” She confessed. “When did you-“
“I saw you creep over there, like ten minutes ago.” Vanitas filled in.
“Ah. I see.” Hm. So he did notice her. She figured she had been a little more discreet than that. Oh well. So much for that picture.
“Come sit! We should watch a movie!” Ventus beckoned her.
“Hey that sounds great!” Aqua smiled, but then she paused. “Uh…” Maybe she could ask? It wouldn’t hurt to try, right?
“Hey guys- uh- would it be okay if I um-“
“Just take the photo Aqua.” Vanitas sighed, much to the young woman’s relief.
“Wait, wait so you were hiding by the entry way, trying to sneak a photo?” Ventus raised a brow.
“Yes.” Said Aqua, zero shame to her tone, something that made the blonde grin ear to ear.
“Make sure you get my good side.” He posed.
“You look like an idiot.”
“Are you sure that’s not you?” Ventus quipped.
“No that’s you.” Vanitas said.
“You.”
“You.”
“You.”
“You.”
“You.”
“You infinity.” Vanitas grinned.
“Ah- uggghhhhh, fine you win.”
“No. This is winning.”
“Wha- the heck you talking about- AUGH!!” Ventus squirmed and twisted feeling Vanitas’s fingers dig into his tender sides. He was considerably more sensitive, softer than the older boy who was more toned in contrast. The blonde was putty in a matter of seconds.
“Knock it off!!”
“Nope!”
Ventus was flailing now, trying to push Vanitas away, whose arms only snaked around his waist. Aqua smirked. Now was the perfect time. Without a second to lose, she quickly held it up and snapped a few pictures.
The results were better than she could have ever imagined.