Re: Kingdom Hearts: Hearts in Unison (Chapter 10 posted)
'While still hesitant Ven was obviously enjoying it, shyly snuggling a bit closer like a lost puppy finally relieved to get some affection.' Aww, love the comparison~
Lol Roxas blushing xD I can imagine that! There's nothing bad about a bit of fluff~ Roxas is such a sweetheart ;_; holding back his torment for Ven's sake. I do wonder what's going to be the repercussion of that...I hope it's nothing too bad. Maybe Ven will be there for him just as Roxas was for Ven :33
You've really got the hang of the characterization of these characters and I'm enjoying their interaction a lot.
Though, I do feel that this section with these 2 is coming to an end for now...correct or not? xD
Great writing as always ^^
Tehehe, I'm really satisfied with the way I describe those "affectionate" parts between characters, also with the intention in the back a little to show that it is really meant to be
innocent closeness between them.
And it fits, right? Ventus is a little puppy...<3
Well, yeah, Roxas isn't used to that kind of treatment and situation, so he's a bit insecure.
Him keeping his own suffering to himself in order to not upset Ven again just shows that he has come to care for his look-alike now and that he has understood one of the reasons why Ven had the additional pain-trip in chapter 9.
As for repercussions, well, for that we'll have to wait and see...
Many thanks for that...I actually do enjoy writing these types of interactions a lot as well. <3
Uhm, this time you're not completely correct, as we have still one chapter with Roxas and Ven to go before they will both get a bigger "break" (you'll understand why at the end).
But for now, let's enjoy some more fluffyness around here, see Roxas gaining his first
real somebody-friend and some hints at future developments as well as some information on why Ven is lacking so much of his attire. ^__^
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XI. A Promise to share the torment
"Friends..." Suddenly Roxas felt a small ounce of happiness inside him. "...yeah, of course! Now I am strangely so very happy I found you..."
Ven answered this for the first time with a wide, happy grin. "Then it's settled..."
The other boy couldn't help but laugh shortly at this. "You know, you being cheerful and happy is a very pleasant sight...I certainly want to see that more regularly."
"I'm actually more like this by nature...but in my current state...well...at least positive emotions don't seem to increase my pain."
The black coated youth now also grinned warmly. "Finally some good news..."
"Ehehe...right." Ven chuckled and went back to rest his head against Roxas's chest. "Just having some company to hold on to...easing my troubled mind...giving me some warmth to rest in..."
The other young blonde now chuckled as well, letting Ven rest in the embrace without feeling awkward for the first time, now knowing it actually has an positive effect.
His right hand has still the cramped, numb fingers...but I actually could...
"Hey Ven...you still can't hold your wayfinder...but I might have an idea to give it back to you nonetheless." Roxas said out loud.
"Is that so? Well, let's hear it...as long as you don't plan to squeeze it into one of my ears or just tuck it into my pants..." Ven chirped somewhat teasingly.
"Tsk...no worries, that's not what I have in mind..." He answered while switching the pendant over into the right hand, which was still holding Ven as well.
With a bit difficulty he managed to undo the knot at the cord. "Now raise that cramped arm of yours in front of me..." He demanded.
Clenching his teeth, the wounded boy managed to do as instructed.
"Alright, now I'll need you to hang on me by yourself for a short moment as I need both hands." Roxas exclaimed while bringing his right hand further up and, wrapping the cord around it two times, tied the wayfinder effectively to Ven's right wrist.
"Oh...very nice..." Ven hummed satisfied. "Uhhmmm, now, I do have an idea as well..."
"Yeah? What is it, my new friend?"
"I know I need to rest and replenish my strength...so, if you don't mind, I would like to go back to full sleep for a while. Nonetheless, I would like us two to make a promise. Undoubtly we both have quite a big torment that we suffer from...and I learned from my master and my friends that sharing your anguish with someone you trust makes it easier to bear...so let's promise that we both will share our torments when I get some strength back to endure telling my own story and also hear yours!"
"I...don't know what to say...you really would want to do that? Relive all your torment again...and load on top of this also mine?"
Ven's sad blue eyes fixated him again. "Yeah, no matter how horrible it is...by analyzing all that happened and bringing it out clearly, we might both be able to understand each other better...and maybe shedding some light on all this mess that bothers us both." He whispered, his shaking increasing a bit again before going on.
"...and furthermore, I just can't accept your constant help while I know you're suffering as well...it would just not be fair. There's just that catch...that I'm in no condition to endure all this now...that's why I ask you to let me rest a bit more. If possible, I would also like for you to stay with me...as your presence is really comforting now."
Roxas blushed as red as a tomato at this.
"Err, uuhm, sure, not an issue. If it doesn't impede anything of course I'll stay."
"Impede, he says," The wounded boy gave away another smile. "No, I firmly believe it's actually the other way around, you staying by my side and supporting me will serve to let me recuperate faster."
"What makes you think that? I have no clue on how to heal a heart, and while my actions did serve to help you out of the additional pain-trip I won't say they actually
improved your overall condition."
"You're mistaken by always thinking that you have to actively
do something. If you haven't noticed, while I am still shaking and the pain is still rocking my manifested body here, I do not need to sob that much anymore, much less cry. By making me remember my closest friends and become one yourself, as well as giving me the wayfinder back by binding it to my wrist and actually hold me, you created and called forth positive emotions."
Ventus had again a dreamy tone, glancing fondly at his wayfinder.
Roxas slapped his free left hand against his forehead.
"Agh, of course, if negative intense emotions
increase the pain it's probably safe to assume that positive work the other way around.."
"That's how it feels, at least." The other blonde whispered with relief.
"Oh well, if it helps really to decrease your suffering a bit...there's the good reason for me to stay by your side...and if you experience a backlash I'm here for you as well."
Inside Roxas, the determination to help Ven in his recovery grew with every passing second, also with the confidence in the back of his head, that when his "twin" gained more strength they could talk more in-depth and unravel some of the mysteries that surrounded everything.
"Thank you very much...I...I can't explain
why your presence has those effects, but on the other hand I'm just grateful it does..."
"It's ok...so then let's now make you a comfortable spot for resting...as laying on your stomach shivering as before is surely not that great...and our current position with me holding you while on my knees isn't going to last. I'm already somewhat stiff and when I get a cramp I might accidentally wake you."
"Eh? Comfortable spot...oh, sorry, I forgot that while this is comfortable for me, it might not be for you. So what's the idea?" Ven mumbled while still remaining close to the black coated youth, relaxing in the embrace.
Letting out another chuckle, Roxas gently caressed Ven's hair again. "Pretty easy actually...I'll clear some parts of the platform of the glass shards, then set up a sleeping spot for you..."
His glance sliding down his "twin's" left leg he stopped at the bare foot, raising a brow.
"...and just out of curiosity, where's your missing shoe? And why are you half-naked anyways?"
Ventus snorted amused. "Hah, remember what I said earlier? This "body" you see is a manifestation of my heart, and as these glass shards are also part of my heart they can't really harm me. I don't know where my real physical body is...but I tend to believe that when Aqua understood my last request, it should be in my homeworld...with
both shoes."
The wounded boy was now actually laughing in a low tone for a short time before he continued with a dead serious voice.
"As for why I only wear my right shoe and pants right now...that has to do with my overall state. It reflects the status of my heart...as you might realize when looking at the two wounds you inflicted on me while we fought. Seeing myself now...with no other open wounds anymore, I apparently
did accomplish quite a bunch of recuperation over all that time...do you want to know how it started out? How it looked like right after the grave wounds were just inflicted?"
Roxas gulped. "Uhh...only if it doesn't upset you...sorry if I acted insensitive. Still, I'd rather say we move that to after you have taken a replenishing nap, just to be sure."
"Alright...then let's move that issue forward."
"As you wish, I'll lay you down carefully...as I don't assume you can sit upright, do you?"
Ven shook his head. "Nope, I think I'm still too weak for that..."
"I guessed so..." Roxas mumbled while starting to let Ven slide down to the floor with uttermost care.
"You know...that doesn't mean you have to treat me like a raw egg..." His "twin" grunted a bit frustrated, but more directed at himself.
"Well...you
do look extremely frail and vulnerable, I fear..." Roxas answered, giving his new friend a very compassionate look.
"Can't deny it...but still..." Ven let out another frustrated sigh...followed by a short suppressed sob. "...stupid pain!"
Only capable of nodding in understanding, Roxas finally settled him down on the platform. As he already knew only too good how frustrating it is being helpless...only able to watch and not being able to act.
The physical pain, no matter how excruciating, would rarely exceed the psychological agony of one's own helplessness...being at the mercy of outside forces...
Sighing, he got up from his kneeling position, walked two steps away and started to stretch his stiff limbs.
That's better...now...I gotta make this more comfortable for Ven...
With these thoughts, Roxas unzipped the main zipper of his coat, starting to take it off.
As he was just about to remove it completely, slightly turning in the process, he noticed Ven watching him,causing the lad to quickly throw his head aside, squeaking embarassed.
This caused him to snort with laughter, playfully raising a brow.
"Now what's wrong? Do you really think I would have
nothing under that coat? It's all fine."
Looking down on himself, there were his normal civil clothes, as he remembered them.
The black, high collared jacket with the zipper shaped as a four-pointed star, the white over-jacket with the pleated red collar and two-colored long pants in beige and black. The only difference were his completely black shoes in contrast to the grey-black ones with red straps he normally wore with his casual clothes.
"I-It's not that! I never had such thoughts! I just realized I was impolite by constantly staring at you like that, guess I still can't comprehend fully that we look like identical twins."
Ven sounded clearly embarassed.
"Me neither! I would say it takes time to come accustomed to it. Nonetheless, you can look without any problem."
Roxas answered while carefully placing the black coat on the platform-floor, kicking aside some glass shards with his right foot.
Ventus turned his head around looking at the other boy again, his eyes widening.
"Whoa, even your clothes resemble mine somewhat, and that red pleated collar is
exactly the same as on one of my pieces of clothing, uuuh?"
As his gaze fell on the zipper at the black jacket, his voice faltered.
"Ven? What's it? Don't tell me!" Roxas narrowed his eyes, worried something might have scared his new friend.
"Th-That zipper, it's that letter
again!!!"His 'twin' said shaky, looking at the wayfinder tied to his right wrist to calm himself.
"Letter? But no, Ven, that is no letter...it's just a star with four points. It can be read as an 'X' though, as the middle letter of my name is. So you're scared of the letter 'X'!!??"
"No, not 'X'?!" Ven gulped, shivering more again. "It's pronounced 'Chi'."
"Chi????" Roxas didn't understand one thing.
"Anyways, that we also put back until later, now you'll need to rest!"
With these firm words, Roxas also took down his red collared white over-jacket, folding it up and then picked up the coat, getting near to Ventus again.
"So, that'll be more comfortable for you."
He gently raised Ven's head with one hand a bit, placing the folded jacket as an improvised cushion under it.
After this, he spread out the coat, covering Ventus's half-naked body with it like a blanket.
That's better, much better!
"Oh, how nice of you, thanks a lot!" Ven let out a relieved sounding hum, smiling.
"No issue, after all, this will also keep us connected, as these 'clothes' are also made up of my memories, and therefore part of my essence."
"So I'm resting my head on part of your essence, huh? That's really a proof of trust."
This time Roxas could see it clearly, through all the sadness and agony, Ven's eyes now also emanated hope.
Ven blinked shortly. "Oh, one last thing before I go to sleep, let's not forget our promise."
Bringing up his left hand with the white-edged wristband, Roxas immediately met it with his own left one and the black-edged wristband. "The promise is hereby made, Ven, when you have regained strength, we will share our torment. I will stay here with you, and maybe also take some time to rest."
With a final, approving and grateful nod, Ventus closed his eyes, starting his rest.
"Sleep well, my dear new friend." Roxas uttered in a compassionate, happy tone, more directed at himself with a friendly smile.
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So, there we are. Ventus is now going to rest a bit to regain some strength after all that drama, while Roxas is at least a bit happier now that he isn't so lonely anymore.