When Albel had gone to slap his father with the money he had demanded, Orion felt it all but natural to tag along. Rather than following all the way up to the doorstep of the house, he kept his distance, waiting patiently on the sidewalk by the road.

Despite the distance between, it didn’t save his ears from the screaming match between both men.

“I don’t ‘derstand why ya don’t just take ‘im with to wherever it is you’re living and stay out of my ‘air already!” The elder screamed from inside the home. Once he finished his sentence, he added to his discontent by spitting on Albel’s cheek.

From where Orion was floating, he cringed. It probably smelled like cigarettes and alcohol. Perhaps drugs even too. The worst combination. Just thinking about it made him want to vomit, and he had no stomach acid to vomit up!

Rather than complaining straight out about his own living situation, the younger adult chose the path of nitpicking his fathers parenting situation. It wasn’t as if he would care that he himself spent each night begging friends to let him bum their couch. “Because you’re his father. Just a few more years is all I ask for out of you. Should be happy I haven’t called CPS on you yet. Heavens knows why I haven’t when mom left..”

Smack!

“Don’t ya dare speak of ‘er! Fine, the little brat can stay for all I care. I’m tired of lookin’ at your face.” After slapping his son across his cheek with the back of his hand, the elder Rioa proceeded to then slam the door behind.

Sighing, Albel turned around and headed back towards his ghost pal. “I guess...it could have gone worse?”

Eyes widening in shock, the transparent being zoomed closer, placing both hands to the others cheeks in reassurance that he was in fact still there. “How dare he strike such beautiful skin! Why, if I were a different type of ghost, I’d curse him!” Over where the other was hit, he cradled the cheek carefully in his palms as if it would break if handled roughly.

“Ori! The cold stings, mind not pressing so hard?” Albel placed a hand of his own above his companions. “Not to say I don’t mind it. You just have a tendency of going over the top.” He chuckled, imagining how flustered the other probably looked.

“You know Ori…” He started again, leaning closer towards the other. As he did, Orion felt his own form drawing closer to where it seemed as if he would almost disappear into Albel’s own existence. It was too close. And yet it wasn’t close enough.

“Yea?” The ghost breathed over the humans lips, threatening to make contact. How he wished to. He would have, if a sneeze hadn’t shook him out of his daze.

“Curses. That one actually hurt. Wasn’t exactly how I planned my grand entrance.” Clearing his throat, Roxas stepped out nonchalantly from behind a nearby bush. “Fancy seeing you both here! I was uh, just in there area...taking a walk..” The blond chuckled, waving ever so slightly towards the two.

Pity they were too flustered while pulling apart. They would have noticed the other fist pumping with his other hand in victory otherwise.

Unfortunately for Albel and Orion, it wasn’t just convenient timing that made up Roxas’ last entrance. Each and every time they attempted again he somehow managed to pull them apart.

That night Albel decided to stay overnight at Roxas'. Whenever he did, they were forced into sharing a bed. Which meant now, all three of them would share just one.

While Albel attempted to snag a kiss from Orion to make up for that afternoon, the more annoyed of the three made absolutely sure to set his timing right and ‘accidentally’ slammed his fist against the wall. In turn, the half asleep ghost was spooked, sliding through the metal frames and onto the floor.

‘This is fine,’ Orion slurred before continuing as if nothing had even happened.

Seeing as Roxas’ eyes were shut, Albel had took it as a complete accident and slept it off as nothing. Yet things only continued from there.

Another example was the next day where Albel fell fast asleep during a lecture they shared. Darting his head from side to side, Orion decided here would have been a perfect chance to steal a kiss. Just one peck couldn’t hurt! That was all he wanted.

Diving down to match level with his loved one’s resting face, the ghost puckered his lips in preparation. Leaning in, he had hoped to be met with warm skin.

Unfortunately, he was instead met with something smooth and artificial. Opening his eyes, he stumbled back seeing not Albel’s face, but a poorly drawn smiley face instead.

“Roxas!” Orion fumed, rushing over to the other. Taking hold of the notebook in question, he smacked the snickering blond with it and huffed. “Rude.”

                                                                ~                                                             

These pranks were mostly harmless, although extremely aggravating as they continued on throughout the next few weeks. Who wouldn’t grow tired of being thwarted from doing one supposedly simple action. With this thought in mind, Albel confronted Roxas.

Although, a confrontation was incomplete without yet another spontaneous trip to the hospital, for Roxas was once again settled by the front door of his own home curled up in a ball. An answer would have to wait.