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mimiplaysgames · 3 years

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Terra Week Day 3 (Dreams/AU)

Summary: Terra hears stories about Xehanort during his apprenticeship. Everyone has something to say about his face. | Word Count: 3,954

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A/N: For Terra Week 2021! You can find that account on Twitter!

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The Tenets of a Master, Ch. 3

To Dream is to risk. To risk is to show bravery. To show bravery is to embody strength. To embody strength is to Dream.

In the middle of construction, Radiant Garden looks as though it’s been dealt an iron fist. Some neighborhoods need their roofs replaced and there’s now what they call an automatic trigger alarm system that is run by motion sensors. They are still clearing rubble from the streets on the west side. The east looks good as new, slowly filling back up with tufts of flowers.

Terra has never been inside Ansem the Wise’s castle (well… him, not him anyway) but it used to be beautiful. It used to stand on brick and alabaster stone, graciously presenting a giant clock mechanism that made it look Grandfatherly, a home away from home, carefully placed gears running three pendulums. Now the remains are held up by pipes. Cranes pull up missing spires that have fallen off. The only part truly original to the castle is still that clock piece. Grandfather had a rough night but at least he’s cleaning up nicely.

Ven jogs to keep up with Terra’s strides. “I saw you talking to Naminé last night,” he says.

“You saw right.”

“I’m worried.”

Terra is worried, too. Aqua, not suspecting anything, is leading the way up the stairs to the front entrance.

“You’re going to have to distract her for me,” Terra says, keeping his tone hushed.

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“Stall her when you get the chance.” At which Ven rolls his eyes. “Just for a short while.” Checking to see if Aqua has turned her head, Terra pretends it’s a casual conversation. With a (painted) smile, he says out loud, “Race you to the top.”

Ven groans and lags behind.

At the top, Aqua greets one of the guards, a tall and meaty man with waist-length dark braids and slick sideburns that might as well be shaped by the edge of a knife. Terra has to push aside the question if this is one of the men who had kidnapped people for the sake of Xehanort’s experiments— the people he will meet today are not the same as they were. He has to remember that.

“Terra,” she says. “This is Dilan.”

Dilan. Terra doesn’t recognize that name.

Speaking of, Dilan takes one glance at Terra before bursting into laughter, haughty and rich.

“Aeleus,” he calls, his tone piercing like lances. “Come and see whose Somebody has finally decided to grace us with his presence.”

Aeleus. Nope, not this name either.

Ven cowers behind Aqua when a head of orange curls appear around the corner.

If Dilan is tall, Aeleus is a beast, a walking fortress with muscles bigger than Terra’s head. It’s impressive enough to make Terra keep Earthshaker close at his fingertips. Aeleus has what looks like a permanent scowl—so woven into his skin that when he smirks, no other muscle moves with it. It must be the eyebrows, but it leaves Terra wondering if he’s going to get his nose caved in at any moment. These men do have reasons to hold resentment, after all.

“I’ve given up on expecting a visit,” Dilan says when joined by his comrade. Two gatekeepers. “And I hardly ever expected to… feel this much when I would come upon your face again.” He grins and its equal parts amused and hurt.

Aeleus grunts in agreement. He crosses his arms and Terra swears it makes him grow another inch.

“If I may,” Dilan continues, “there have been quite the corrupted experiences in our history.”

Terra steps back. Corrupted. Before he can feel too sick, he feels a gentle hand on his wrist, Aqua stepping near him as she waits for his cue.

“I’ve carried such regret since,” Dilan says, hands wrapped behind his back. “I watch every face that passes by this castle, and at the end of each night, I’m left with this vacant pit in my chest, asking myself if we ever shared a shred of self-awareness, would we have pursued our dreams differently?

“Now that you are here,” he presses, angling down. “I realize it matters not what you remember of that time. I know when I see that shackled look in your eyes. I am not alone in this. For that, you’ll have no choice but to share the weight of that debt forever.” He smirks. “What say you, Aeleus?”

Aeleus measures Terra with his eyes. His voice is deep and as dense as rock. “You’re puny.”

Dilan spits into another bout of laughter.

Their roast of him eases Terra. He doesn’t know these men, and they know less of him, but they have a mutual friend called Burden, sharing the cheer. Aqua gets the message that all is fine, and lets go.

“Well...” Terra starts, too self-conscious of the way he speaks. The sound of his voice must be entertaining for Dilan, who’s containing himself. “I’m here to make some things right. Can we come in?”

Dilan sustains a grin and raises a hairy eyebrow, nodding off to Aeleus in some silent conversation. “Did you really think you can have access without telling us the secret password?”

“A password?” Now he feels like a dork. “Can I have a hint?”

“You can give us your heart,” Aeleus says, and Dilan can’t control himself any longer.

With a clap of their hands, the castle doors open, and they spread apart to let Terra and his friends through. Terra has to wonder if normal will ever bless him with its visit ever again. If he could be normal when he hears of others’ stories, when some jokes hit too close to home.

“Come back to train,” Aeleus says, giving Terra a hard knock on the shoulder that pushes him forward. “You need more muscle.”

The castle doors shut behind them with controlled weight, cutting off Dilan’s lingering amusement with a bang. Terra is left with hot ears, massaging his biceps to see if he’s gotten smaller.

“I think they like you,” Ven says.

Pipes line the crooks between the walls and the ceilings. Like a respiratory system, it steams and churns, pumping humid life into the castle. Some of the halls are dark. Parts of the floor are chipped and if not, grimey. They have a long way to go before it looks pristine.

And Terra apparently has spent years here. But nothing gives him that spark. Nothing makes his stomach turn or drops a loaded bout of nostalgia. The very thought of having lived here sounds like an alternate reality that was never recorded, so at best it’s just a story, at worst a lie.

“Soooo…” Ven says to Terra, hands casually behind his head. “Does this place bring back any memories?”

Aqua scoffs. “That’s an awful question to ask, Ven.”

“You mean you’re not curious?”

Terra groans. It’s not the invasive nature of the question, but the fact that he asked Ven to lay low about this mission not several minutes ago and here he is nearly sabotaging it. He flicks Ven at the ear.

“What? I just want to know!”

“I don’t,” Aqua mutters.

Stars. Terra’s pocket buzzes with notifications from his Gummiphone, but he ignores them. Now’s not the right time.

A man steps from around the corner, knee deep in a long, white lab coat with coiffed wrist cuffs and a folded handkerchief on his collar. He walks so quietly that they don’t hear him approach. Clean cut except for the hair—too clean, actually, and brushed over the front, like linen pulled too far to one side of the table.

“Master Aqua,” this man greets with a bright and timid smile behind the curtain. “How pleasant to finally meet you to face to face.”

“Likewise, Ienzo.”

Ienzo. Terra only recognizes it because Aqua keeps in contact with him.

Likewise, when Ienzo looks over her shoulder, he lights up.

“I’m Terra.”

“I can tell.” Ienzo clears his throat. “Pardon, I shouldn’t be so forward, but… You look so much like him.” He clicks his tongue. “I shouldn’t have said that, either.”

“It’s fine,” Terra says, though it’s not.

“I-I can show you around the castle.” He adjusts his collar. “It may seem unhomely now, but I assure you, it warms up in time.”

It’s already too warm.

“This has been home for you for a while, right?” Aqua asks, a plastic quality to her voice as if she’s trying to patch things up. Nothing needs patching though. It’s just awkward.

“Since I was a child.” Ienzo glances back at Terra. “May I say something?”

Everyone has something to say. Terra considers researching a magic spell to alter his face. “Sure.”

Ienzo tightens his collar again, the knot knuckling into his throat. “I really admired him. Xehanort.”

It doesn’t feel like a punch to the stomach but more like his breath was sucked out by a hand after it slapped him in the face. “Um…”

“I don’t mean to be rude. Or forward.” This guy apologizes too much. And will choke himself if he doesn’t stop. “But for some time, ever since I’ve heard word of who you really were, I wondered what it would be like for the two of us to meet. I held no expectations. And yet… Everything about you is so foreign to me.”

There goes Aqua again, standing near and giving Terra gentle notice that she’s there. There goes Ven, gawking up at him and being completely unsubtle about how the conversation has turned.

“Everything about this place is foreign to me,” Terra says, trying to be polite and failing at somewhere closer to aghast.

“I apologize.” Ienzo turns his nervous ticks to his wrist cuffs, effortlessly attempting at cutting off his circulation. “I suppose you could say Xehanort was a profound presence in my life.”

When Ienzo finally catches on to what he’s doing to his clothes, he exhales and puts his hand to his face, thinking deeply, maybe about a time in an alternate universe where lies and stories were real. It makes him look like a child.

“You would have been,” Terra says, keeping himself sweet, “very young when you met him.”

Ienzo nods slowly. “I was a child and taken in to study. Science was a language he spoke with ease and I wanted in every way to emulate that when I grew up.”

Terra can relate. “Was that hard on you?”

“Not in the beginning.” Ienzo slowly finds some courage with every word. “He wasn’t kind… Not like you are. He was polite, however, and he was focused. If anything, Xehanort had a sort of quality that made you believe all the possibilities were in your grasp. No matter what they were, or your age, or level of intelligence. He was magnetic. I grew up thinking I was capable of anything because of his support.” Ienzo stares down at a small puddle building up from the steam. “I wanted to impress. I believed in what he believed, and never once did I think—I justified everything I did. I did not know about you. And I am so very sorry.”

“I get it,” Terra says softly. “He made you feel like you were worth the time and effort.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

And it came with a cost. Terra doesn’t need to say it, and neither does Ienzo, a quiet acknowledgement passing in the moments they nod and paint a smile between them.

“I appreciate you giving me the time to release these thoughts,” Ienzo says. “I’ve struggled with them for some time, especially after waking up again.”

“Happy to help.” Actually it hurts, but Terra can deal.

“Now I must reciprocate my efforts.” Ienzo turns to Aqua. “You are looking for your Keyblade.”

Aqua, for the second time that day, lets Terra go. “Did you find out anything new?”

After a moment, he says, “It is blue. Before you raise your hopes”—he lifts his hands in defense—“neither of us can recall what Xehanort has done with it. I don’t believe I have ever seen evidence of it during my time as a Nobody. We are regressing quite a few years in the past.”

“Oh.”

Ienzo blinks. “I was uncertain if I had dreamed of it, but when I was a child, I would take walks around the castle at night. A ritual I felt I needed in order to sleep. One of those serendipitous nights, I had walked past Xehanort’s personal office.” He glances at Terra, opens his mouth to say more, then thinks the better of it and addresses Aqua instead. (You, but not you.) “He had left the door open. He was studying a large object, electrifying it and concocting different spells to get it to react. I want to say it was blue, but I was not certain what I was looking at.”

They all stare at him in silence.

“He was… toying with it?” Aqua asks.

“I am not sure.”

“Maybe he was trying to activate it?” Ven says.

“Perhaps.”

“How was he that night?” Terra asks, a distinct acidity to his throat and so help him stars, he might just spit it out in the next minute. It’s natural to hold your friends’ Keyblades. This is different.

“Frustrated,” Ienzo says. “I almost want to say that he was on the verge of giving up, as though it had given up on him.”

“That makes it sound like he was attached to it,” Aqua spits.

“That is a possibility. But whatever it was, it didn’t want to work with him.”

Aqua smirks and lifts one elegant shoulder. “I can’t say I’m surprised.”

“Let me escort you to our records room.” Ienzo gestures with an arm to the hallway behind him. “I’ll show you some of his earlier journals. Perhaps there is a mention of it?”

They start ahead except for Terra, who waits until they move several paces before they noticed he opted to stay behind.

“Actually,” Terra says slowly, finding opportunity here and swallowing the acid down. It’s going to take at least two meals to remove the taste. “Being here and listening to all of this makes me a little dizzy.”

Anything involving discomfort with her friends set off panic with Aqua. “Are you okay?”

Ven gives Terra a warning glare.

Robin Hood would have tweaked the truth for the better good. What a horrible thought, stars, Yen Sid has got to be humoring Aqua in getting Terra prepared for his Mark of Mastery.

“I’m just overwhelmed,” Terra says. She believes him.

“Maybe you should step outside.”

Ven puffs out.

“I think that’s a good idea,” Terra says, pressing Ven with a glare back. Have my back. “I won’t be gone for long. I want to be around to help you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Aqua says, checking his eyes for signs of exhaustion. “Get your rest.”

It’s that easy and yet Ven walks away defeated. It shouldn’t take long. All Terra has to do is pull out his Gummiphone and find—

“Naminé.”

She’s back near the entrance. Thank the stars she prefers to use full sentences and could direct him where to go to meet her. When she sees him, she signals to be quiet and gestures for him to follow her. They go down a different hallway, one that is much more well kept than the one Aqua and Ven are taking. They pass by labs this way, some filled with computers, others with flasks, half of a library, and infirmary beds. Nothing so far that looks menacing or painful, but maybe Terra is overthinking the whole Xehanort-tortures-people legend. Or maybe the castle is designed to hide such things.

She takes him to a room with a recliner and several computer screens that are running some diagnostics about the security systems outside, and closes the door behind them.

Someone is already waiting here.

“Riku?”

“Terra.”

“What are you doing here?”

Riku holds his waist and draws out a long exhale, like a tired schoolteacher. “Ven was worried.”

“And spilled the beans.” Terra scoffs.

“And spilled the beans.” Riku smirks and it lightens up his whole face in a way that only fits with him. Terra never has to take anything too seriously for too long when he’s around Riku. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

A mixed feeling of anxiety and relief wash over Terra like a lumpy massage on his shoulders. “I don’t mean to do this in secret.”

Riku shrugs. “I would have.”

“I need to say something,” Naminé says, her arms wrapped around a lineless notebook. Even when announcing to a room, she keeps herself soft and small. “I’m not entirely confident about this.”

Riku snorts.

“How is that funny?”

“It’s not, I’m sorry.” After noticing how she’s staring at him with utter confusion, he waves at her. “You’re a lot more capable than you give yourself credit for.”

Unconvinced, she sighs and motions to the recliner. “Please get comfortable, Terra.”

“What is this going to look like anyway?” Riku leans on the dashboard behind him, a ghostly light silhouetting him like a grim reaper on guard.

Naminé pouts. That same light gives her an eldritch glow, illuminating her white dress. “I’m going to attempt to connect Terra to Xehanort’s memories.”

“Nam,” Riku says, crossing his arms, suddenly serious. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Attempt.”

“Xehanort is dead.”

“But memories stay with you,” Terra objects. They do. He can play them in his head, over and over. He already has for years.

Eraqus lives as long as Terra can replay his voice.

“From what I understood,” Riku says, leaning on his thighs, “you don’t remember being Xehanort. So how can you connect to his memories?”

But death is a one way door.

“He was in my body,” Terra says. However, that Riku is skeptical of this suddenly makes Terra uneasy.

“Would you say you were bonded with Xehanort?” Naminé asks, so quiet it’s a shy whisper, afraid to ignite a bomb with the soundwaves of her voice.

“Does irreparable damage count?”

“That may hurt you in the long run,” she says, pulling a stool aside Terra and opening her notebook on her lap. “What I mean is, the memories we share with other people form the bonds. They link together, like chains.”

Chains. Terra winces.

“You choose who you bond with, in all the decisions you’ve made in the past,” she continues.

In some way, Terra has chosen to bond with Xehanort, hasn’t he? He chose to confide in him, and he carries the shackles all these years later.

“But you are trying to access memories you’ve played no role in,” Naminé says. “There is nothing to link between the two, except for the body.”

“That isn’t enough?” Terra sits on the recliner. It’s stiff and unyielding, but he leans on his back and looks up at the monitor, illegible script running numbers upside down.

Riku groans.

“If you were still carrying Xehanort with you,” she says, “I think I could have made an artificial connection there.” Slowly flipping pages, she grimaces until she finds a blank slate. “Kind of like I used to do. I can create false memories. I can break chains and rechain them. But I cannot propel you to a time you did not exist.”

“I did exist,” Terra says softly.

“What she’s trying to say,” Riku says, getting up on his feet and pacing,“is that you’re doing what Sora did before he disappeared.” Sora, a warning to keep you from getting lost in the woods. “I’m not comfortable with this.”

Naminé splays out crayons on the nearby table: one orange, one blue, a green and a red. She looks sickly. “But Sora went too far.”

“So,” Terra starts, obviously a fool even to himself, “you mean if I don’t go as far, I can be okay.”

Naminé fiddles with her fingers. “I can’t guarantee that. I don’t know what you will end up seeing.”

Terra pauses. He’d be testing the limits of chance in putting Aqua and Ven through this grief again. It’s hard to imagine—Aqua getting the news of something happening, choosing not to cry in front of people she doesn’t know. Robin Hood would have made better choices.

But Aqua would grieve anyway if she goes through those books, picturing no one else but Terra doing all those horrible things. He’s heard some of the stories: the screaming at night, the monsters, the disappearances that start with the children and later swallow the entire family, where neighbors never see them come home again. Xehanort happened to all of them.

“I don’t mean you will disappear.” She lets loose a nervous chuckle.

“But I could go nuts,” Terra says with a painted smile.

“That’s why Ven asked me to be here,” Riku says, that edge of his sanded out some. “I’ve lost count how many times I’ve beaten Xehanort. Or Ansem. They’re the same really. I don’t think you’d be too much of a hassle.”

“Well, thanks,” Terra says, and Riku replies with a fisted nudge on his shoulder.

What’s the fun in playing the game if you already know the outcome? Terra doesn’t know why he’s thinking that way, but he’s absolutely stupid for taking the gamble. There’s no way Yen Sid seriously considers him for Mastery.

And Aqua would grieve anyway.

“I don’t want to let it come to that,” Naminé says, eyes on the floor.

“Are you going to make me watch Xehanort?” Terra asks.

“That’s up to you.” She starts with red. “I can’t make you do anything without writing memories for you.”

“Should let his heart guide him?” Riku asks.

May your fickle, sickly heart be your guiding key to oblivion and all the ridiculous delusions you hold dear.

“It’s a safer way to approach it,” Naminé says, not nodding but not shrugging either.

“Why am I not surprised.”

Terra doesn’t know why she sounds so insecure about her skills when he’s heard nothing but amazing things. “I suggest letting your mind move with your feelings,” she tells him. “Don’t force a thought, and don’t get lost in the emotions. Just sit. Does that make sense?” She taps the crayon to her chin.

“It does.” Terra counts his breaths. In three, out five. In five, out seven. Xehanort. He doesn’t know what to think about Xehanort. Hatred is useless. Revenge is futile. Anger will sabotage his way to Mastery. While Terra has tried his best in his meditation exercises, he’s only done them for the sake of earning good marks in his classes. Settling down, not thinking, relaxing—those are things Terra’s never claimed to be good at, especially lately.

Xehanort walked through these halls with Terra’s body. Should he try and picture himself instead? In the same lab coat Ienzo wears? With white hair, most likely. And definitely too much hair gel.

“What’s it going to be like?”

“A dream,” Naminé says, her crayon drawing loops on the page, though Terra cannot see what it is.

“It already feels like I’m dreaming,” Terra says, watching the ceiling ebb and flow with running lights from the computer monitors behind him. Ever since he stepped in here, it’s felt like he lived a lifetime away from home. No start, no ending, moving pictures that he loses as soon as he blinks. Nothing stays, like waking up and forgetting a whole night.

“I have to warn you,” Naminé says, her voice quieter, “I may have to unchain the memories you want linked together if it gets too hard for you.”

And there, in the midst of wondering if he’s ever going to get this right, he thinks of a white door he’s never seen before.

#kh terra #terra #kingdom hearts fanfiction #kh fanfic #dilan #aeleus #ienzo #namine #kh riku #i'm so exhausted it feels like I'm sprinting #my fic

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sixwingedbee · 4 years

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Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Kingdom Hearts (Video Games) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Braig & Ienzo (Kingdom Hearts) Characters: Braig (Kingdom Hearts), Ienzo (Kingdom Hearts), Luxu (Kingdom Hearts) Additional Tags: Soft platonic family moments, Fluff, Apprentice family Summary:

Ienzo had a bad habit of sneaking away.

When Ienzo went missing during the day, everyone noticed almost immediately. Almost. Sometimes Even wouldn't notice until an hour later that his charge was no longer sitting quietly within the lab, but he noticed. Dilan and Aeleus would notice when they found the two troublesome teens sneaking in through a new way, knowing they must have seen Ienzo come out of it on the other side.

Ansem noticed when it was brought to his attention after the boy was brought back.

Whether or not Braig ever noticed was never important. He rarely came for the boy. Ienzo always considered that a fortunate thing, Braig was trouble. He always found him right away, always taking the boy by surprise. All the other adults Ienzo could hear coming a mile away. With their grumbling and heavy footsteps. Braig just appeared. Ienzo never heard or saw which direction he came.

He couldn't help but wonder if the man had magic, too.

Even so, daytime was the worst to wander. Daytime was too easy for them to be aware. But it was when Ienzo felt the most trapped. Daytime was full of noise, scratching pencils and loud arguments in the upper labs, and full of people he didn't care for. Strangers that would give a supposed lost boy a second look and try to grab him. And while this world was very beautiful in the shining sun, with its abundance of flowers blooming all over, it had another type of beauty at night. Night time brought quiet. It brought the shining stars in the sky and a calm that Ienzo craved.

When the sky turned dark and the young boy was sure all in the castle were asleep, he'd make his move. Quietly, he made his way out of his room and down the long and much too large halls of the castle. Sometimes Ienzo wondered what lived in here before Ansem the Wise. Before Radiant Garden got its name... It couldn't have been humans. This structure was much too big for them. Maybe giants. That would explain Aeleus thought the boy. The man's stature made him a giant, even among the already too tall residents of the world.

Ienzo would sometimes wonder if he was from this world proper. He felt too small. Too quiet. Too listless.

But that couldn't be possible, he thought as he finally made his way outside, emerging out of a hidden door within the southern garden. Dilan knew of this one, but it was far too obvious to sneak into. Sneaking out of was another story. He looked around for signs of those two boys before he moved again, towards the wall. There was a ladder that reached to the top, an easy way for the guards to move around and do a quick visual sweep of the world outside of the castle. Ienzo looked up at the stars as he climbed. Slowly, rung by rung.

No, he couldn't be from anywhere else. Even if he couldn't remember much before coming here- Even often talked of an injury he had on his right temple- he had to be from this world. They didn't know getting to the other Worlds was possible until recent. That boy had to have come from another world, right?

But, how. How did they get here?

This World had stories, yes, but not the means to make a myth reality.

Ienzo pulled himself up onto the wall, steadying his feet for a moment before he started walking again. From South to East. It was a long walk, but it gave Ienzo a good look at the World they were on. From the sleepy buildings with their blood red roofs, to the tall forest that separated some of the sectors of the town. He could hear the rushing waters of the fountains as he passed by them, just out of reach from the plants that were crawling up the walls and attempting to take over.

On the far east he could sit, out of view from anyone else that could be up at this hour. Ienzo could look out on the calm waters that surrounded this not-quite island. Seeing the floating gardens that welcomed the rare trading boat. Occasionally he'd see a splash as a fish snapped at the bugs that tread the water's surface. While the humans slept, the world continued on as it should. It was a comfort, knowing that when they were all gone, this World would always go on.

It was a thought someone so young shouldn't have. But Ienzo's thoughts often drifted to how fragile he was. How quickly a human life could be snuffed out, with everyone moving on around it. He was proof of that. His parents were presumed dead, and he was placed in the care of someone else. Expected to continue living and grow up without them.

He lost track of how long he sat on that wall, staring at nothing and everything while he thought. The air was cool and he kept his knees pulled close to conserve warmth. Every breath let out a small puff of vapor. Maybe he should have grabbed that too big coat? Far too late now. He took a deep breath, enjoying the way the chilled air filled his lungs. It stung, but it filled his nose with the scents of the night. The air was crisp, and the smell of the water around them was strong. The start of decay in the leaves was on the slight wind, as well as the lingering smoke and ash from nearby chimneys. Autumn was around the corner. Another turn in the wheel.

“Got pretty far this time, didn' ya?”

Ienzo would have jumped if it wasn't for the heavy hand that rested on his shoulder. He looked up at the man that caught him, eyes wide. When did Braig get here? He would have heard him!

Braig didn't look mad. In fact, the man looked more amused than anything. Here was the King's ward, all the way out on a border patrol wall, by himself. The poor thing looked like a scared mouse caught in a trap. But Braig wasn't going to let him go, he knew that Ienzo would run. He was a tiny thing, but he was fast when he wished to be.

“You know you're not suppose to leave the castle unsupervised.” Braig knew he knew he wasn't suppose to leave at all. Especially at night, when anything could happen. Honestly, they had all hoped that the scare in the courtyard with those creatures would have curbed the boy's urge to run away. Obviously that wasn't the case, as he was getting more bold with his attempts.

The grip on the small boy's shoulder was adjusted slightly as Braig lowered himself to sit down next to him. He wasn't letting go, but he'd be on his level. “It's a nice spot, but not too great for hiding.” But he could see the point wasn't to hide. Not really. If Ienzo wanted to hide and not be found, then he would be in a better spot. Braig and Xehanort had found the boy in the most impossible spots before. Braig knew the boy well, and Xehanort seemed to have a knack for thinking of where an upset child would go.

Ienzo frowned up at him, still not saying a word. Braig chuckled, use to that little pout. He was cranky he was caught. Cranky that it was him and not the big one that found him. Braig knew he wasn't the favorite, and that was fine.

“They're going to worry when they wake up and you're not in your room.”

Ienzo looked away from him, shaking his head. He didn't want to go back, not yet! His little fingers twitched, tapping at the cold stone below him. He could talk, when he wanted. But he did it so rarely that he was finding it difficult to find the words he wanted to say. Why he couldn't-

“It's okay, little dude. We don't have to go back just yet.”

Ienzo blinked, looking back up at him. Did he hear him right?

“Or did you want to go?”

Another head shake and small hands tugging at his jacket. Just a few more minutes. It was so calm.

“Okay, okay.” The hand finally lifted up from his shoulder to the top of Ienzo's head to still him. Maybe ruffle that hair, mess up the part Even tried so hard to keep neat. He stared down at the one bright blue eye that wasn't hidden by his hair. Sometimes it was so familiar. “I get it.”

Braig took a breath, content when he heard Ienzo do the same. Good, he was calming down. He was slowly realizing that he wasn't in trouble. Yet. He watched the boy settle down once more, looking back out at the waters. At the edge of the cliffs that seemed to surround them on all sides. Like they were in a crater.

Braig looked towards the horizon, seeing the deep purples and blues of the night sky start to shift. The sun would be coming up. How long had the boy been out here?

“You're very lucky it was Xehanort that noticed you were gone.” He said, not looking down. He didn't need to look at Ienzo to see the look of surprise and doubt. Why would Xehanort check on him? “He's got a weird tick he has. I'll catch him, walking in the middle of the night. Making sure everyone's breathing. I wonder if it's a habit he doesn't realize he remembers.”

Ienzo looked down. Xehanort also couldn't remember anything from before the castle. Only his name. A habit like that... Did Xehanort have siblings? He adjusted to living with many people fast. He wasn't too old, he couldn't have had kids yet.

“I was getting coffee for my evening round, and he got me,” continued Braig. Why Xehanort didn't wake Even or Ansem was in the back of Ienzo's mind. But if Braig was already awake... Xehanort must have heard him in the kitchens.

Braig could still see that Ienzo's body language was closed off. He was stiff, holding his knees closer so he could be smaller. He knew he couldn't run away, but he could close Braig off completely. That wasn't going to work out. Braig could just easily pick the boy up, but he didn't feel like getting punched by those tiny fists. His face was still sore and healing. His undamaged eye looked from the sky to the boy, then back to the sky again.

“I'll cut you a deal,” he began, knowing Ienzo was listening. “We'll stay out here until the sun rises. Then we go back home-- to the castle.” Braig mentally smacked himself for that one. Calling the castle home always seemed to upset the boy. It was understandable. He was young, and new to life there.

As much as Ansem and Even tried to make him comfortable, to teach him and prepare him for the future they saw for him... Ienzo seemed to resist every step. Ienzo clearly adored the two men, and followed them around like a baby duckling when allowed. But something in his heart made him waver. Braig could see that even now.

“Hey now, I get it.”

There was that phrase again. Ienzo seemed to doubt that Braig understood. But he didn't question it. He'd let the man believe whatever lie he spoke into existence.

Gold and blue looked out again, watching the colors slowly turn. A pale blue appeared at the very bottom edge. Clouds would become more defined as the light of the sun just barely started to peek out.

Ienzo felt himself more at peace as he watched the sun rise. Hearing the birds start to chirp before the light was even visible, feeling a little bit more warmth. Not quite enough to be comfortable, but enough for Ienzo to relax and stop locking himself up.

Braig felt the boy shift beside him, patting his head once more. He never did let go. “Pretty, ain't it?” He asked, keeping his eye on the mix of colors that painted the skies in front of them. On the stars that were slowly fading from view. “No where near as beautiful as the sunrises from my own world, but it's pretty damn close.”

Ienzo looked up at that statement, staring at Braig. This pulled a laugh at the older man, such a serious look!

“Yeah, yeah. Don't go blabbing it to everyone. But I ain't quite from these parts, y'know?” Braig grinned down at the boy, holding a single finger up to his lips. “As if I need to tell you to be quiet, eh?” A little tease where it was earned. Ienzo was a very quiet boy.

But Braig knew how to listen to him without ever hearing a word.

“Where I'm from the sunrises were the most beautiful across the Star Ocean.” He lifted his other hand up, gesturing to the last few stars they could see. “My town was known for it. The beginning of a new day was so special to us. It was proof we were alive. Proof yesterday happened, that tomorrow was a promise.” He let that hand drop to his side, his other moving from Ienzo's head back to his shoulder. He smiled a bit as he felt the boy scoot closer.

If he had to listen to the man talk he might as well steal his warmth. Ienzo let him continue, enjoying the precious minutes he was gaining from letting an old man go down memory lane. Ienzo's quiet was ruined, but he didn't seem to mind just one voice speaking. He was outside, he had space. He seemed content enough.

Braig described a World so similar to Radiant Garden. Ienzo was sure he never actually left Gardens at all. The tweaks were slight and it seemed too perfect, that Braig would leave somewhere just to end up in a land almost identical. But there were some details, that Ienzo couldn't quite focus on, that stood out just enough. How tall was that clock tower again?

Ienzo closed his eye as he listened, letting the image come alive in his mind. The rays of the sun felt different. The smell of the flowers belong to different species that were rare on their world. Slowly, Braig's voice was blending in with the sound of the birds and the waves that lapped at the edge of the world. Of the hums and voices rising in the air as the earliest of risers started to wake. Ienzo could smell fires starting once more. The bakery was getting ready for its day. For a moment he thought he heard kids shouting, but it was far too early for them.

Braig was still talking. What did he say? “Y'know, you remind me of him.” Of who? He couldn't bring himself to listen to the words he was saying. His tiny body was overriding his want to stay awake.

“Maybe one day I'll bring it back and show you.”

It was said so softly, Ienzo wasn't quite sure he heard it at all.

Braig felt Ienzo lean against him and waited for a few seconds. The breathing was slow and steady. He fell asleep. The illusion that had been summoned around them faded into reality. The man let out a slow, shaky breath as he watched a memory dissolve. This kid was trouble, using his magic like that without realizing it.

He looked down at the sleeping boy, gently fussing with the hair in his face. That was the ultimate test if he was asleep or not. As he almost moved it out of the way, he paused. No slap, no flinch or cowering away. He was out like a light. Carefully, he scooped the tyke into his arms, standing up with ease on the wall. Only a few steps to see if anyone could see them where they were before he let the air and space warp around both of them.

He walked right out of the void he summoned, laying Ienzo down into his own bed. He tucked him in, gently ruffling his hair, before stepping back through his own portal to return to the post he should have been at. No one else needed to know he got out of bed or what was said.

He really was getting too soft on the kid.

#ienzo #braig #fanfic #kingdom hearts #kingdom hearts fanfic #vibee write

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aliceslantern · 3 years

Text

Give/Take, a Kingdom Hearts Fanfic, Epilogue

Ienzo has been too busy since the war to be overwhelmed by the past. But with little progress to be made in his work with Kairi, old nightmares start to invade.

Riku is a glorified housesitter. Lonely and faced with no choice but to wait for a way to find his friends, he eagerly accepts when Ienzo asks him to help do repairs around the castle. Before long, the two strike up an unlikely friendship, united by their dark pasts and their attempts to be better people.

But just as they begin to consider something more... Kairi wakes up.

Ienzoku (Ienzo/Riku), post-Melody of Memory, slow burn. Updates Thursdays until it's done.

Chapter summary: Ienzo moves on from Radiant Garden.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

Still, Ienzo was sad to see Destiny Islands fade from behind them. It was raining here, too, and despite his initial worry about visibility Riku seemed nonplussed. “I’ve flown through worse,” he said. “Try to relax.”

But it was nearly impossible. The thought of going to the basement had his heart beating hard, a slick anxiety chasing away the joy and freedom he’d felt the past month. Ienzo took slow, deep breaths. After so many days in shorts and sandals, his normal clothes felt constricting, and Riku looked odd in his adventure wear.

The flight was both too long and too short. He’d accumulated a small bag of things in his time there--mostly weather-appropriate clothing--but he’d also brought along a few souvenirs that Kairi had helped him pick in an attempt to placate the others of his absence. And some foodstuffs he couldn’t get here. He couldn’t help it.

The day was clear, though cloudy, when they landed, and, Ienzo noted with a strange irony, when he disembarked it felt cold. He scoffed to himself.

Dilan was standing guard at the entrance. “Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he said dryly. “Wasn’t sure we’d ever see you again. With a bloody tan , too.”

Ienzo rolled his eyes. “Good day, Dilan.”

The castle felt massive and brutal, though Ienzo noted Aeleus had made some more progress with the paint. Though he’d cleaned his bedroom before he left, it smelled a bit dusty. He set down his things.

Procrastinating wasn’t going to help.

Riku squeezed his shoulder. “Ienzo?”

“I’m… I’m alright.” He found himself glad he hadn’t eaten much at breakfast. “Right. If you would just… give me a moment to change.”

“Change?”

“Yes.”

He nodded once. “I’ll be right outside.”

Ienzo took a deep breath. Took two. He went over to his wardrobe, took out the black slacks, the white shirt, the sweater vest. The boots, the ascot. With shaking hands he took his lab coat off of its hanger.

The apprentice garb felt heavy on him, and its fit was different; he must’ve gotten more exercise on the islands than he thought. He looked at himself in the mirror. “Right,” he said softly.

Riku appraised him when he came out. “Ready?”

“...As I’ll ever be.”

The walk down to the lab felt long. He realized he hadn’t even checked to see if Even or Ansem would be down there, but when they got down it was empty, the computer asleep, the room in semidarkness. Ienzo didn’t realize he was almost gasping for air until Riku squeezed his shoulder. “Are you sure about this?”

Wearily, Ienzo nodded. He approached the keypad. He typed in the default password, and the door slid open.

He wasn’t sure what he expected--darkness rolling out, running at him--but nothing happened. “I don’t smell or sense much,” Riku said. He drew his Keyblade. “Stay close, just in case.”

They walked down the long, long ramp to the second lab door. The air smelled musty, stale, but not much worse than that, the lights flickering unevenly down the hall. Ienzo felt shaky, weak, already choked up. At first he wasn’t sure if he were seeing things, shadows flickering. Riku surveyed the space warily.

He took slow, shaky steps. The offices were all the way at the end of the corridor, past all of the cells. Their doors were open, unoccupied, but the whole place was in disarray; mattresses torn to shreds, gouges taken out of the floors and walls, sinks and toilets ripped from their joints. “You kept people here?” Riku asked, in a neutral voice.

“...Yes.” He swallowed. “It takes some a long time to fall to darkness.” He imagined, not for the first time, how his subjects might have felt. Dazed, terrified, in pain. He did remember them screaming out--either in anger, in fear, or in grief. He remembered himself giving them psychological profiles as a child--some had thought he, too, was a victim and tried to save him, only for their horror to grow that much more when they realized he was apart of it.

The pain he’d inflicted echoed heavily around the room as the memories poured in. Xehanort, or Even, or Dilan gently nudging him to do this, that, or another awful thing. Wanting to do it without their prodding as well. Seeing his family members do so in turn.

“How many?” Riku asked.

Ienzo swallowed. “A little over a hundred. But… what we wrought here… spread across the world--the seeker of darkness’s artificial Heartless--”

Riku rested a hand on his back. “You were a child. If you were anything like me… they used you.”

Somehow Ienzo made it to the office. It was a large space, with filing cabinets to one side, a few computers to another, a printer in the far back. Chemistry supplies, glassware, and a fume hood were to the center right of the back wall. Black-topped worktables were also towards the back, a Bunsen burner left out connected to the gas line. In a lot of ways it looked untouched, like it was that hectic and horrifying day they’d been turned. A coffee cup sat on the table in the center of the room, its contents long evaporated. Papers were still spread across the desk, someone’s old, moldering lab coat on the back of a chair.

Ienzo’s knees gave out.

“Ienzo!” Riku cried.

He felt like he couldn’t breathe. It was all so… casual. Mundane.

This had been his normal. School days spent here, torturing other people, other kids, because he thought it was for the greater good. What were a few sacrifices for knowledge? To understand human nature?

He made an odd, guttural noise. “I’m sorry.” He sounded like a wounded animal. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Ienzo?” Riku knelt next to him.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Look at me.”

The tile floor was cold and dusty under his hands. He wanted to rip the file cabinets from the walls and destroy everything--

“Look at me.”

Ienzo did so, breathing through his teeth. Despite it all, there was still somehow tenderness in Riku’s eyes.

“Apologizing can’t help them now,” he said. “But what we can do to help is to preserve the memory of who they once were.”

He felt so incredibly heavy. “I killed them.”

“Xehanort and the darkness made you. Weren’t these guys your only family? If you hadn’t listened, what would’ve happened to you?”

“I’d be alone.” His chest hurt. “I’d be an orphan.”

“It was all you knew. What happened to the Zo who forgave himself on the island?”

Ienzo looked down.

“Huh?” he prompted.

“Do you think I deserve forgiveness?”

“Yes. I do. I think you were a victim too. Just like I was one of my Ansem’s.”

Ansem had said the same thing. The pain bled out of him. Riku let him cry, and mourn the person he could’ve been if not for all this. “Alright,” he said at last. “Alright. Alright.”

Riku helped him to his feet and wiped the tear from his face. “Better,” he said gently. “Where are these files?”

“Over… over here.” His knees were still shaky. He pulled open the drawer. “Help me…” He hefted them over to the scanner. “Digitize them. So they never get forgotten.”

“Right. Of course.”

It was a tedious, annoying task, but seeing the images, the people , get uploaded into the system, Ienzo felt something like relief. Once it was all--finally--done, he checked with his phone and the network that the data was safe. “All these years,” he said softly. “We kept the results, the data, but this was all left here to rot.”

“Easier to forget the price that way,” Riku said. “We can do something with this.”

“I’ll talk to the others. See how they feel. But seeing as all this--” He spread his hands, “Is due to my influence… I think I can guilt them all into agreeing.”

“For some reason I don’t think they’ll need much persuading.” Riku kissed him once, lightly. “Are you ready to leave?”

He looked around the room. He noticed a document on the table with his childhood self’s handwriting. He touched it once, turned it over. “I think so,” he said. “I think so.”

---

“Ansem? Can I speak to you?”

The man looked up from his writing desk, startled to be called his name. “Oh, Ienzo, it’s so good to see you,” he said. “I feel as though it’s been ages. You look so wonderfully well. Did you have a good time?”

“I truly did,” he said. “There was a lot I learned. But I’d…” He exhaled. “I realized something.”

Ansem gestured for him to sit in the opposite chair, so he did.

“I recall you telling me I am one of the victims of what happened here,” he said slowly.

“Yes. I believe that is true.”

“Staying with Riku’s family… seeing what type of life he used to have, what I could’ve had… it… so much of it shifted my perspective.” Ienzo cleared his throat and knotted his hands. “I think I’ve started to forgive myself, but moreover… I… I want to do something to honor those we destroyed.”

Ansem’s face slackened a little.

“Riku helped me digitize the personal files of the victims. I feel like… by accepting responsibility openly… we can give the townspeople closure. Ensure their memories aren’t lost. We can’t bring them back, but using what we’ve learned… we can help the people here move forward. Help heal their hearts.” He spoke quickly, not at all encouraged by his expression. “Please, master. This is because of me. I want to do something--even if it is so simple as a memorial.”

A long pause. Ansem tapped the tips of his fingers together. “That is very wise, Ienzo,” he said at last. “I think it’s a good first move. I think myself, and the others, agree heartily.”

He took a deep breath. “Moreover… I think I would like to leave Radiant Garden.”

Ansem’s eyebrows shot up.

“I know it probably seems selfish--” He couldn’t bring himself to make eye contact. “I have so much to atone for. But being there, in Destiny Islands, I… I just need time, I need time to figure out who I can be, before I’m truly emotionally able to do all the work here that I need to. I’d like to move there and attend university.” He bowed his head and realized he was asking for permission. “I want to heal, and experience normalcy, and in order to do that in any meaningful way I have to leave. The memories are too painful. There’s too much unsaid.”

Ansem smiled kindly. “Ienzo,” he said. “Why are you trying to convince me?”

He looked up.

“I think that would be wonderful for you,” he said. “I always thought you were so young to be weighed down by so much. I’m your father. Of course I’m going to support whatever you think you need.”

“Thank you.”

“I just have to ask…” He chuckled a little. “This isn’t just because of the boy, is it?”

Ienzo blinked. “I do love him, but no,” he said. “I’m not going just to be with him. ...Though that will be a perk.”

“You have no idea how much it soothes me to know you’re beginning to move on,” Ansem said. “For the longest time I felt like I’ve damned you. Whatever I can provide--money, an official letter, name it.”

“I still have to figure it all out. They just barely know of other worlds. How would they deal with an immigrant? I don’t think forged papers would be good enough.”

Ansem sat back. “I seem to recall a good friend of your beloved has sway with the mayor,” he said.

“Kairi,” he said. “I completely forgot.”

“You may want to start there. I’m sure she’d be more than happy to introduce you.”

“...Yes.” Ienzo was dizzy. “Yes. That’s a good place to start.”

---

“You’re what. ” Even’s nostrils flared.

“I’m leaving, Even,” Ienzo said. As much as he’d braced himself for this conversation, he was still not looking forward to Even’s reaction. “I just… I need time. I need space. I need to learn how to be me… and I can’t do that here.”

Even sniffed. “The boy’s been too much influence on you. All of the tenderheartedness, the ideas… Life won’t be easy, Ienzo.”

“But it will be normal,” he said. “I think that’s what I need in order to begin to heal. A… controlled environment. A vacuum.”

This made him soften a little.

“ I need to have control,” he said. “And if I stay here, for now, I’ll only be reminded of when I didn’t have that. It’s not forever. Or maybe it is, that is yet to be determined.”

Even sighed. “I see,” he said. “Ienzo… child… there’s so much I have to do to make up to you, and you’re just leaving ?”

Ienzo smiled. “Then support my decision,” he said. “Moreover, with the phones… it’s not as though I’ll never see you again. And we can still work together, as well. I think… one of the things you can help me do is spearhead the memorial with me.”

Even took a breath.

“I know you want to atone just as much, if not more, than I do. Help me accept their pain, Even, and make sure they don’t get forgotten. And that nothing like this happens again.”

“Yes,” he said softly. “Alright.”

“Thank you.” He turned to leave, but Even spoke.

“It is… easy, to get caught up in the guilt and the grief,” he said, “And let it paralyze one. So often I feel as though I’ll never have enough time to even begin mitigating the damage I’ve done to this world.” His green eyes were sharp, reddened at the edges. “My mistakes were mine more than yours were yours. Yet…”

“In the end you chose to give up everything in order to stop Xehanort,” Ienzo said. “You deserve to be here. You deserve life too, Even.”

He chuckled. “You have gotten soft, child,” he said. He squeezed Ienzo’s shoulder. “It suits you. But don’t let go of all that bitterness just yet. Use it. Build your new life just to spite us all.”

Ienzo nodded. “I likely shall.”

Even sighed. “I will miss you,” he said. “But I understand.”

“And I you, I think,” Ienzo said.

“Though if you’re going there we must come up with a way to protect your complexion,” he said, snapping into brightness, though Ienzo saw his eyes watering. “I’ll get to it at once. We can’t have you end up with… moles, or worse, you’re so fair.”

He chuckled. “Thank you, Even.”

“You’ll… you’ll take care of yourself?”

“I will if you will.”

Even smiled.

“Truly, Even, you lecture me for working too hard, yet I’m not sure you sleep.”

A beat, a moment. “Take care, Ienzo,” Even said. “I do hope this new life treats you well.”

He nodded. He nearly left, but acting on impulse, he hugged Even once, quickly. “I’ll be back to collect that sunscreen, I’m sure,” he said. “I’ll see you before I leave.”

“Yes, yes, leaving me with more work, as always.” A smile.

---

The apartment had come pre-furnished, but was cramped. The sink leaked. Most of the microwave buttons did not work, and the electric stove heated unevenly. If Ienzo was not quick to shower in the morning, the other flats in the building used up all the hot water.

It was run-down, but it was his, and he loved it.

Riku groaned a little when he got up. “Why,” was all he said.

“I have to get to work,” Ienzo said. “I told you last night I’d be getting up early and if you wanted decent sleep to go home. I warned you.”

He sighed heavily. “To be fair, after what we did, I didn’t think I could move.”

He rolled his eyes and went to go shower. He’d made it for the hot water, though under the wire. When he came back out to get dressed Riku had pulled the blanket over himself, like a burrito. “Don’t you have class to get ready for?”

“Yes, and if I don’t go now I’ll be late.” Still, he didn’t move.

“The last thing I want is for you to become a ne’er do well on my watch,” he said. He grabbed his apron from the closet door handle.

“ Fine. ” He got up and started putting on his discarded uniform. “As long as I can be the first customer. You’re not going to make me wait outside until open again, are you?”

“The last time I didn’t my manager was unhappy.”

“You are the worst sometimes.”

Ienzo smirked. “You still keep coming back.”

The left the apartment together, down the rickety narrow staircase. The sun was just starting to rise. The days, lately, seemed long; but they were full, and Ienzo no longer dreaded them. He found the keys in his bag and unlocked the cafe’s door. “See you in half an hour,” he said breezily to Riku, who just rolled his eyes and sat at one of the outdoor tables.

Most days he didn’t mind this work. Opening the cafe meant he got out of work early, leaving the day open for his classes, or seeing people, or simply existing in this strange city. It wasn’t forever--he had reason to believe he’d be offered a student research position at university, and that would cover most of his living expenses. Ansem had given him money, but he didn’t want to touch it unless he had to.

Sometimes admittedly if he was having a frustrating day--if customers were awful to him or the espresso machine was on the fritz yet again --Ienzo felt his genius was being wasted being a barista. But most of the time, he liked the work, baking and making coffee the most. It was objective, harmless. I wanted normal, he’d think.

He counted in the drawers, put the breakfast pastries in their displays. Warmed up the machines and made coffee. He’d been promoted to keyholder when the manager saw how efficiently he was able to work, and that meant opening shifts. Sometimes on breaks he’d sit with a book and watch the people go by.

He hadn’t realized life could be gentle.

He saw Riku making faces at him through the window, and though he knew it was unnecessary, Ienzo waited until it was six on the dot to let him in.

“You’re a horrible boyfriend,” Riku said.

“Sure I am. Your usual?”

“You’re bankrupting me.” He placed a note on the counter. He made Riku’s latte and handed him the usual buttered croissant, and before the morning rush, sat with him to have his own breakfast. “So, later,” Riku said. “Couple of us are getting together at Sora’s. You in?”

Ienzo sighed. “I’d love to, but I have to finish that paper. I’ve procrastinated enough.” He seemed to be angling towards a degree in psychology with a minor in literature. He could use this to help people--he was trying to help Sora, who seemed to at least be more willing to open up. It was a start.

“Come anyway.”

“Then I’d have to stay up all night.”

“...Like you haven’t done that before.”

“Anyway, don’t you have a test to study for?”

“So?”

Ienzo sighed. “I’ll come, but I’ll be late.”

Riku leaned over and kissed him. “I should try to grab the ferry. Looks like you’ve got customers.”

---

There were already a few people over at Sora’s by the time Ienzo had done enough schoolwork to justify going. “Oh, you made it!” Sora said.

“And I brought snacks.”

“Yay, snacks!”

“Easy to please, as always,” Ienzo said, and Sora stuck out his tongue.

All of this wasn’t easy, but it was slowly getting easier. Sometimes Ienzo felt he was living a lie, not disclosing his past to everyone he met. As he made true, real friends here, it became apparent that this would be something he had to figure out how to deal with. Darkness still poked out from time to time.

There was some kind of movie playing on TV; Sephie and Tidus were arguing over what to watch. “But this is the good part!” Sephie said.

“I don’t care, it sucks.”

Someone had put on music, an upbeat pop song. Only Riku and Ienzo were of age to drink, but somehow someone had brought some wine. A normal Friday. His phone chimed with a text; a file from Even. Call me. Ienzo sighed and went onto the balcony. “Do I even want to know what time it is for you?” he asked, as prelude.

“This is what we’ve come up with,” Even said. “Can you let me know what you think? If it passes your muster?”

“Even, you know it’s better if these things are symbolic. It’s more meaningful that way.”

“I know, I know, I know, I’ve heard enough from your father.”

“I do look forward to seeing it,” he said. “The notes from the committee were helpful, at least. I’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Out and about, are you?” Even asked.

“Ah--quite.”

A pause. “You’re eating well, and all that?”

He smiled. “Yes, Even.”

“Because you know I raised you to--”

“I promise I’m getting all my fruits and vegetables.”

“Right. Ah.”

“Go sleep, Even. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“As long as you do.”

He hung up. The moon was full, and it was glinting on the ocean. Ienzo heard the back door slide open. “What are you doing here, all alone?” Riku asked.

“Even called me. He has a new draft of the memorial.”

“Oh,” he said softly.

Ienzo smiled. “It’s alright. I think we’re getting close.”

He offered him a glass of wine, which Ienzo took. “Are you glad you came after all?” he asked him.

“Of course. Why do you ask?”

“I just… I dunno. I want to make sure you’re happy.”

“Well, I am.” He chuckled a little. “As much as I can be. It’s just that… sometimes the darkness still… comes out.” They both nightmared, occasionally. Sometimes Ienzo heard Riku cry out in his sleep for Sora or Kairi.

“It… does.”

“Are you happy?”

“As much as I can be.”

Ienzo nudged him. He rested a hand on Riku’s waist.

“I’m just glad to… have time,” Riku said. “I think I’m understanding that… it’s not all gonna get snatched away.”

“Good. I told you as much, though I know why…” He sighed. “Sometimes I still feel like I’m going to wake up in that… stark white castle. But then I wake up with you.”

Riku kissed him. “I can’t wait to figure it all out together.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

The door opened again; Kairi was smirking. “Alright, lovebirds. Do you want to want to play dominoes or what?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Ienzo said, “I’m going to wipe the floor with you all.”

“Easy there, killer,” Riku said.

And they went inside, to the rest of their lives.

#give/take #ienzoku #ienzo/riku #ienzo #riku #ansem the wise #even (kingdom hearts)#ienzo is trans

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atrashsith · 4 years

Text

Old Flames

Reader had a relationship with Xemnas when they were nobodies and he commanded the organization, so when she sees Terra-Xehanort she thinks she’s finally reunited with her lover.

This is the one-shot that started it all! my current WIP Igniting is a prequel of it, it was written over a year ago

"Xemnas..." I breathed out.

He turned to me. His lips parted, as if he was about to say something, but then they were pressed into a thin line. the first thing I noticed was his hair; it was shorter, nothing like the long strands I used to run my hands through. Then his fitted black shirt with a red X on his chest, it showed off the muscles I memorized after the many late nights I spend in his room. I took a step towards him, ignoring the yells from my new friends. His lower half was covered in baggy brown pants. A piece of armor in his left arm matched the colors of his attire.

"Is it... is it really you?" My voice was so soft I wasn't sure if he even heard me. His golden eyes landed the keyblade in my right hand, then they moved back to my face. I choked out a sob and let go of my keyblade. I ran the short distance between us and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug.

It's only been months since I last saw him, but I really fucking missed him. Our relationship as nobodies was very complicated. It started off as a casual thing, due to our inability to feel, it was purely physical attraction between us. As the years passed, I became fond of him, I didn't know if I could call it love because I wasn't even supposed to feel anything at all. His personality didn't change one bit when we were alone. He was as formal and stiff as when we were surrounded by our comrades and he barely let himself show any emotions. He slowly opened up to me after a year of our... relationship? Sometimes he just wanted me to hold his hand and I would assure him that I wasn't going anywhere, or the pecks he left on my forehead when he thought no one was looking and whispered that I looked pretty, despite wearing the same black Organization coat every day. I longed for the time we would be whole again, because I knew he would finally love me as much as I loved him.

"I’m not Xemnas, not anymore." Despite his harsh tone, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and rested his chin on my head. I closed my eyes and relaxed in his arms. It felt like home.

"We're whole again! We can finally be together, like we always wanted." I smiled and propped my chin on his chest to look up at him.

His jaw was clenched tightly as he stared at the ground, avoiding my gaze. I loosened my grip, but it only made him tighten his arms around me. Now this was more like the side Xemnas he only showed me. Suddenly he released me from his arms and dropped to the ground. He held his head and groaned loudly as his knees dug into the dirt. In an instant he looked up at me, his amber eyes widened. I frowned and reached out to him, he grabbed my hands and pulled me to the ground with him.

"I’m not Xemnas. He's possessing my body, leave before he comes back and hurts you."

Tears swelled up in my eyes as I got my arms out of his grip. I crawled backwards on the floor to get away from him. What the fuck was happening? I heard Sora calling my name, then Riku. I thought I could also hear Lea, but I was too distracted with the man kneeling in front of me to make out any of the voices around us.

Xemnas– or not Xemnas– held onto his head again, but this time he actually fell to the floor and writhed in pain. I couldn't do anything other than stare dumbfounded at him, looking for any sign that this was my Xemnas besides his appearance. Riku ran up to me and helped me back onto my feet. I was about to thank him when I felt movement behind me. I turned just in time to see Xemnas surrounded by purple chains, then he caught Aqua, Ventus and Sora with them. I screamed and tried to save them, but Riku held me back.

"They can take care of him. Let's go!" He snapped and wrapped an arm around my shoulders pull me to safety, where the others were waiting for us. I heard another scream, so I tried to turn back, but Riku had an iron grip on me.

"You'll never be able to break these chains." Xemnas chuckled. "They're our bonds."

"Riku, please." I begged as we arrived at the group, Kairi quickly holding onto each side of my face as she tried to talk some sense into me. I closed my eyes and shook my head. Another scream was heard, followed quickly by one of my own. I ripped Kairi's hands from me and I managed to escape before Riku's reflexes kicked in and noticed I wasn't in his arms anymore. Lea called out to me, he had been one of my best friends in the organization, so he knew how much I cared for Xemnas despite the feeling not being returned. I froze on the spot. Lea used the time to catch up to me, he murmured an oh shit when he noticed what I was looking at.

Aqua and Ventus were plummeting to the floor and fast. I choked out a sob and watched helplessly as they fell. A black monster flew in at the last moment and grabbed the keyblade wielders. I recognized it as the Heartless that guarded Ansem. Why would he protect them if he was a being of darkness? It broke the chains and gently laid Aqua and Ventus on the hard ground, Sora following behind quickly. I was left to watch in awe as Xemnas looked visibly irritated at the heartless.

"How?" He yelled in frustration. "You fell to the dark–" A dark orb appeared in his hand, but before he could do anything the Heartless teleported behind him and grabbed his head. "No!" I cried out. Lea held me back as I squirmed in his arms. "He's in pain... let me go!"

"Xemnas never existed! That was Xehanort possessing Terra's body!"

"No... no. That's not true." I stopped struggling at his words. The Heartless ripped the crossed tapes over his mouth and struggled to speak. I couldn't make out the words, my eyes were focused on Xemnas' struggling form. His eyes caught mine and they widened before a blinding light covered us.

What's happening? I panicked as I shielded my eyes. I took the opportunity to blindly walk towards Sora. The light quickly subdued, and I could see Xemnas standing in the middle of the field. No, that wasn't Xemnas. He had chocolate hair and he looked at me with deep blue eyes. They were full of sorrow, sympathy, regret. He abruptly turned towards Sora, who was kneeling beside aqua and Ventus. He quickly took off towards them, leaving me alone a couple of steps away. I couldn't bear to watch their reunion. I was happy for them, I really was. They finally got their friend back from the darkness, but it meant that my lover would never return.

Sora watched me with sad eyes. I shook my head and offered him a fake smile, hoping he would catch my drift and leave me alone. He squeezed my shoulder and walked past me, towards the awaiting group. I sighed and wiped any tears off my cheeks before turning to follow Sora, but someone held me back. I softly gasped as I looked into Terra's eyes, knowing once I looked into them and thought I was in love, then I looked down at his hand holding my wrist. He cleared his throat and let go of my arm when he noticed my eyes had trailed downwards. I quickly snapped them up to his face as I felt my cheeks heat up.

"I’m sorry."

His voice was an octave higher, but I found my breath hitching as soon as I heard it. He brought his hand up to rest on my neck and his thumb rubbed my cheek. My eyes closed as I subconsciously leaned into his touch. This had been all I wanted with Xemnas, small touches like this, but now I would never have it. At least not with him.

"He was so- so heartless towards you." A giggle escaped my lips at his unintended pun. "Sometimes I could take control of my body, I tried to make you feel better. A kiss on the forehead, playing with your hair. You looked so beautiful when your face lit up at those small moments."

My eyes shot open. So, it was him all along? Xemnas only wanted my body, but Terra made up for what he lacked romantically. My bottom lip quivered as my vision began to blurry. "No, don't cry." He held my face with both hands now. "I couldn't bare seeing you falling for him, only for it to not be reciprocated. He didn't deserve your love."

"Nobodies don't have feelings." I repeated the words Xemnas often told the organization. I gasped at the realization. "He used to say that– oh no, he manipulated us."

I couldn't help the tears now. They fell freely down my face and Terra pulled me into his chest. He whispered sweet nothings near my ear and even kneeled with me as I collapsed to the floor. He pressed his lips to my forehead like he always did and pulled away just enough to catch a glimpse of my smile. I didn’t get this kind of moments with Xemnas, but maybe I would get them often now that Terra is back.

#xemnas #terra #terra xehanort #kingdom hearts

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iamoncewas · 5 years

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The Master of Masters

The Re:Mind trailer convinced me that there IS an alternate scenario after Riku's sacrifice that went differently than the one we saw. Props to Sleeping Realm for calling that one right on the friggin dot, btw. Bravo. (Update: Nomura said the scenes from the trailer are in fact part of the main story)

I believe it'll end with Riku's true death, and that ties in with my Master of Masters theory.

The Master watches Master Xehanort with the Gazing Eye at the tip of No Name. Of all the keyblades that hold Gazing Eyes, Vanitas's Void Gear is the only one that contains two located in the shaft.

If one eye sees, the Master would still need the other eye to see what it was seeing. Even though he implies that it's literally his eye when he gives No Name to Luxu, it's not really, it's just one of the eyes from his keyblade.

Also on that topic, there is a shot of Sora in the KH3 intro I find super duper weird.

The pupil in Soras left eye is a slit for a moment, like the Gazing Eye. It's just an illusion as a result of reflected light in his eye, but you can bet its intentional.

The Master's study is also full of gears, which seems like it might be too obvious but hey, there it is.

The Unversed symbol is similar to that of the Dream Eaters, and I think ties into my belief that Riku made Sora's heart. He saw it, and it then "became real", so therefore Vanitas's heart contains Sora's darkness and Riku's darkness also. Which is why it's divided in three. The Master created the Chirithy. Sora and Riku created Spirits in DDD. Riku became a Dream Eater himself through his sheer desire to protect Sora.

Interesting side note: Unversed - not experienced, skilled in, or knowledgeable about.

The only Keyblade Sora has ever been able to wield that holds a Gazing Eye is End of Pain. Both he and Riku can wield it in DDD.

You can bet your butthole End of Pain represents Vanitas. All he wants, his sole driving purpose, is to end his existence of pain. This keyblade is a clue to Vanitas's redemption, and it lies with Sora and Riku. But Sora has to accept Vanitas for what he is. Darkness. It's shown in the Keyblade Graveyard that Sora doesnt understand this yet, since he tries to convince Vanitas to stand with the light. And while Ventus accepts Vanitas's choice, Sora does not. This is something Riku understands though, he figured it out in DDD before he fought Ansem (the personification of Riku's heart's darkness, just as Vanitas is the personification of Sora's): "I know the way. Consume the darkness, return it to light." This is the purpose Sora was born for, to take the darkness within himself, and accept it into his compassionate heart. This is how he will stop darkness from consuming the worlds, and is really the only way, for darkness will always exist in the hearts of people. Riku is now immune to darkness from accepting Ansem's darkness as a part of his heart, and it's his destiny to be Sora's guardian. This is the origin of his instinctive desire to protect Sora, that has been with him since he was a child, his desire "to protect what matters." He made Sora after all. And if Kairi's precious heart of pure light is safe within Sora's heart in the ending like I think it is, Riku is protecting her also. How strange it would just work out that way.

It's not like Vanitas died here. His replica body was destroyed, yes. But his heart, I assume, went back to the darkness. And if Sora was dragged down to the darkest abyss, like YMX warned him, and that's where he is in the secret ending, Vanitas will be there, right beside him.

In Kairi's grandmothers story, its stated that one day, a door to the innermost darkness will open, and the true light will return. Mickey tells Sora in his first dive to the heart that he is the one that will open the door. As he gets closer to Riku, he gets closer to Vanitas, but this is how it must be, its Sora's destiny to reunite with him. This is what the last passage of Destati is referring to.

Eh? What? You do not want it!?

Still it belongs to you

What you have lost

Will become one!

The story also states the the return of the true light will connect all the worlds once again.

When Ansem the Wise talks to Riku about the many hearts connected to Sora's in DDD, he says:

"They can be saved." But only if Sora follows his heart.

I think Anti Black Coat was a Nightmare of Vanitas before his face changed, and could even have been the Master himself, pushing Riku to become stronger. The Armored Ventus Nightmare was Ventus's keyblade armor possessed not just by any darkness, but by Vanitas.

So after Riku's true death, Sora's grief and rage allow darkness to enter his heart, and he and Vanitas become one. Sora becomes the being he was meant to be, his heart finally complete, having regained its darkness that had entered Vanitas before Sora was born. The light in his heart however, dies with Riku, since it was his light. This is the origin of Rage Form, and the meaning behind the segment of the final battle when Xehanort steals Sora's light, forcing him into Rage Form, and he must attack him to regain it.

Uniting with Sora does not end Vanitas's pain, because he can feel Sora's immense pain from losing Riku. His heart is still pure darkness. Sora-Vanitas realizes he screwed up royally, and hatches a crazy elaborate plan to fix it. He travels back in time to the Age of Fairy Tales. He's able to do so because a past version of himself exists there: Ventus. He then sets his plan in motion and vanishes, I think, to the Realm of Darkness, for a century (or however long the timeframe is between Union X and when Xehanort was given No Name). When the Master told his apprentices he would "vanish" from the world, it's the same thing that happened to Sora at the end of KH3. He just vanished.

I assume this is where the Coda becomes relevant, jumping through the timeline through dreams and darkness, sleep and death, like how the Coda tells one to skip ahead to the ending of a piece of music, and can be very complex. The time travel rules of KH state that once you arrive in the past, you have to wait for time to pass naturally, so this shouldn't be possible. Time doesn't seem to work the same way in dreams however, and it definitely doesn't work the same way in the Realm of Darkness. Scala Ad Caelum is also most likely a huge part of this, since Xehanort said it was the nexus of all worlds, a place where all of his selves through time could be one. It's name translates to Stairway to Heaven, and Sora's name means not only 'sky', but also 'heaven'. Differing from Ventus, which means 'wind'.

"There is one sky, one destiny."

"They say all the worlds are connected by one great big sky."

He writes the Book of Prophecies based on what he already experienced in his past, but tells Luxu it was because he succeeded in his role. He does this to give Luxu confidence in himself for a seemingly impossible task, and apparently it worked. Luxu passing the No Name to Xehanort was still vital however, because it allows the Master to see what he wasnt previously aware of. He can now see Xehanort's moves, and make counter moves. Like a game of chess. "The game's not over until it's over."

Also, when he wrote the final passage, when he said that the light would expire, he was literally talking about Riku. "All for one and one for all."

By the time the Epilogue happens, when Luxu is talking with the Foretellers, he definitely knows that Sora is their Master as a teenager. And he's seen the results of Sora and Riku's bond for himself. They changed the future through their love for each other, which should be impossible. You cannot change events that have already happened. But they did. He's figured out his Master's mysterious intentions. When they are revived after Riku's sacrifice Xigbar even says "Gotta make sure you're not blundering your way toward a second failure." He's not talking about the failure we had just witnessed. It's disguised as a taunt, but it's really a playful jab directed at Sora, his silly, beloved Master.

So it's hilarious that Sora tells Xigbar he's not worthy to wield a keyblade, when Sora himself was the one who bequeathed him.

This is what Xigbar was talking about in Olympus in 2.9. "Accept the power you're given. Find the hearts joined to yours.""At the end you'll finally realize what destiny has in store for you. In fact, your reward might be right around the corner" he's referring to Vanitas, who holds the missing piece of Sora's heart, and Riku (his reward), and their destiny to protect the worlds, side by side. Together, not even death stops them anymore now that Sora has "awakened" to the truth. Their hearts are fundamentally connected and they are the KH equivalent of "Soul Mates". This is the origin of and meaning behind the combined keyblade (I believe the CK's name is Dearly Beloved, since I think this entire series has been about Sora and Riku from the get go, and dearly beloved really just means "very important person", just how Riku referred to Sora in 2.9 in the original dialogue.)

The Master's favourite phrase, "May your heart be your guiding key", comes from Sora hearing Yen Sid say it, and he adopted it as his motto, his Ninja Way lol.

When Ventus finally sees Sora's face and realizes he's Vanitas's twin, he says "I get it. You were my second chance." Ventus also gave Sora a second chance, a chance to fix his mistake by allowing him to go back in time that far in the first place. And Sora will end up being Vanitas's second chance as well.

The traitor mentioned in the Lost Page is the Master himself. Xemnas tells Sora in DDD "As your flesh bears the sigil, so your name shall be known as that... of a recusant." He oddly says Soras FLESH bears the sigil, even though it's merely emblazoned on his shirt. Gula deduced in Back Cover that whomever strays from their role must be the traitor. Sora is the traitor. He strayed from his role, because he failed to protect Riku like Aqua told him to. "You make sure to stay with him, and keep him safe. That's your job Sora."

He let the light die.

Originally, Sora lost Riku. After Kairi is "killed", Sora asks "Why her!? WHY!?" Because it HAD to be her. It's the only way Riku, and therefore everyone else, including Kairi, could live.

This is the meaning of the name Re:Mind. Sora remembering how important Riku is to him, and to everyone else through Sora's many connections. (Update: Nomura said in the interview the meanings are reminder, reconfirmation, and heart’s regeneration)

The Black Box contains the Master's heart, Sora's completed heart, but its light has been killed. In one of the Secret Reports, Ienzo writes that the hearts within Sora's are each contained within their own "boxes", and this is mentioned intentionally.

He intends to give the Black Box to Riku, so his light can heal his heart. He's been waiting for countless years to save Riku's life, and literally give him his heart. This is the end of pain.

So romantic I'm gonna die.

You are the key that connects -- everything --

#soriku endgame actually #soriku #kh3 spoilers #kh3 remind #riku is the light #vanitas #master of masters #kh theories #kh3 theory #kh3

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thefinalkey16 · 4 years

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KH3 Re:Mind spoilers/Reactions

So Xemnas gave the order?? To find the box?? But why??

So did Xigbar actually lose the box? YOU HAD ONE JOB

Oh we’re starting HERE HUH

I forgot how pretty the graphics are

Why is Riku so pretty???

Nomura really went “this DLC is about SOKAI and I’m gonna make sure you KNOW IT.”

Nomura really cares about his ship and I appreciate it so much

LETS GO SAVE OUR GIRL!

Heck yeah REMIND TIME

I love the music in this game so much

YES WE GET MORE MOM

Why does MOM adopt smol children lol

It bothers me that MOM has no actual face behind the hood. It’s like Ansem’s original form

So Xehanort is where Xemnas’s confusion of the heart comes from lol

OH THIS IS PREMASTER XEHANORT

I’m sorry, Xehanort is more powerful than darkness?

I’m sorry MOM is too scared to take off the coat???

MOM is a psychology teacher who gets exasperated by his dumb students

OH THATS JUST RUDE NOMURA

LEMME KNOW HIS NAME

A lost..Master?

Well we know where Xehanort got the hands behind the back walk from

OOO A NEW THEME

OH I LOVE IT

I’m 100% sure that MOM told him his name was “Noneya,” and it took a few decades before he realized what he actually said

DID THEY TELEPORT TO LOOK COOL ON THE ROCKS

I’m sorry they have holograms??

Did they actually call him Riku Replica lol

Wait they were actually nobodies

XEMNAS AND XEHANORT WERE REPLICAS?

“Why we have assembled here,” because Xemnas and Sora destroyed your sick castle

Poor Terra got possessed TWICE?

Demyx! You get Demyx!

I’m sorry 20??

No. I

Oh so they don’t actually remember Xion

Does.. does Xigbar remember Xion?

Wow they got Vexen just to get his daughter in their gang. How rude

Xehanort fell asleep while they chatted I’m cackling

Crazy old man

Now when do I get to save Kairi? :3c

YAY ITS TIME

YAY ITS CHIRITHY TIME

ITS MY SMOL KITTY

“Back so soon?”=you died again?? You’re lame

Chirithy is a mood

Sora you watched your GF get shattered

Oh so that’s why Sora dies

IS SORA SAILOR PLUTO

Oh my god he’s Sailor Pluto

Lose powers? He’s done that so many times 😂

Getting banned from one world? He had a phone and friends with gummi ships lol

ARE WE GONNA SEE EVERONES HEART STATION??

NOOO VEN That still hurts to watch

AWW SORA TRIED TO CATCH HIM

Wow he’s a ghosty ghost

Oh I love Ven’s heart station so much

Wow Vanitas really said that Ven is Baby

YAS GIMME VANITAS

Also wow Vanitas is protecting Ven’s heart and I love that

OH NO NOT THIS GUY

I beat him by using Meow Wow. meow wow is best boy

Oh no oh no it’s this pet

Gotta love Big Bro Lea

I forgot they call him Axel

ITS THE HUG

It’s Donald’s Safrifice ;-;

Donald Really channeled his inner Molly Weasley and said “Not my son you WITCH.”

WASTED

Also aw Sora got to see what Donald did for the first time

AQUA’S STATION IS SO PRETTY

Poor Aqua ;-; this is the moment where everyone hates her for

Also aww she trusts Kairi to protect them

We love Big Sis Aqua

YES WE GET ANTI AQUA FIGHT AGAIN

NAMINEEEEE

I’m literally screaming and I scared my grandma

Oh my god She lost Kairi and she immediately went to Sora cause she knew she’d be safe there ;-;

Namine’s Really here bringing everyone together

Agsisgsjdg I forgot Terra can do the keyblade whip thing lol

AND the cannon

Wow they’re really fighting in the sky

Anyone else getting Star Wars vibes

AWW HE JUST WANTS TO PROTECT HIS FAMILY

I still hate Terra’s pants

Imagine your heart crushing your body. Like really

NO LINGERING WILL

HECK YEAH SORA YOU KICK THEIR BUTT

Wow Sora you’re so cocky

LINGERING WILL NO

OH MY GOD

I forgot that Marluxia is an Ouran Host Club character

Wait, that Mickey finisher was new, wasn’t it?

Okay but I still have no idea what Xemnas did to Luxord

Cards: *Appear*

Sora: PTSD from watching his friends get destroyed from the cards in the manga

Mickey: *is captured*

Sora: PTSD intensifies

I’m really happy that we get to replay all of the Organization battles, they’re so much fun!

I’m so soft for Replinami ;-;

He loves her so much, and all he wants is for her to be safe and happy ;-;

Ven: we aren’t the same. You’re Edgy. I’m Baby

Aqua when Sora appears: TWO Baby’s :0

“If I’m a traitor, then Kairi’s the trump card.” LEA DRINKS RESPECT KAIRI JUICE

Aww Kairi’s so confused. She doesn’t see how she could be a trump card ;-;

HE STRAIGHT UP FLEXED

AWW XION REMEMBERS

Ohhh Isa’s jealous.

YES THW CHAKRAMS

LETS GO

Jealousy mode has been activated in Isa

WHAT WAS THAT RUN

OH MY GOD THAT SCREAM

YES KAIRI GO

PROTEXT YOUR BRO

“Yup” Kairi really just wants this over with so she can go home 😂

The way Kairi’s face lights up at seeing Sora gives me life.

Wow Xemnas was really hurt by Axel’s betrayal. Frankly? I’m shocked.

XION’S HAND IS SMOKING

HER HAND IS BURNING BECAUSE SHES GRABBING THE BLADE

Xemnas does NOT drink Respect Xion juice

ROXAS KEPT XION’S MEMORIES SAFE INSIDE HIM

AND SHE HAS HER FACE BECAUSE HE GAVE THEM BACK TO HER

Lea cares about the small girls he adopted as his little sisters

AWW THE THREE OF THEIR HEARTS ARE CONNECTED

NO XION ISNT ON HIS HEART ANYMORE

YES KAIRI’S HERE TO KICK BUTT

Wow Nomura really got tired of people dissing Kairi so he amped her up with cool stuff

“Oh? Tired of Kairi not doing anything?” Heres her literally overpowering Xemnas and him having to restrain her with a stop spell and magic to stop her

KAIRI IS THE SCARLET WITCH AND XEMNAS IS THANOS

Oh and in case you think she’s weak? Here’s the same thing for Sora too.

God I love Nomura

Oh my god she’s in so much pain because of the darkness

OH MY GOD SHES IN SO MUCH PAIN BECAUSE OF THE DARKENSS

SORA LITERALLY FAINTED AFTER 2 SECONDS BUT KAIRI’S HOLDING ON OH MY GOD THE STRENGTH

OOOOOOOO ROXAS TIME

The MUSIC

THEIR ATTACK IS CALLED “THINKING OF YOU” BECAUSE THEY REMEMBERED XION I CANT

I can not believe i was forced to relive watching Kairi die

SHE WAS CRYSTALLIZED?? SHES NOT DEAD??

I love Donald and Goofy so much ;-;

They aren’t gonna leave their son alone

Also wow Xehanort was just staring there forever

I FORGOT WE GET TO EXPLORE SCALA :D

KAIRI?!?!

Getting KH1 vibes with this

“The heartless that is radiating light” how is that possible??

Okay but this is such a good parallel to the first game, with him saving Kairi ;-;

Except for the fact that HEARTLESS SORA DIDNT GET BEAT UP

Okay so her heart is a thassala shell. Will we have to collect the pieces to make her wayfinder?

Oh my god I see the thing at the top of the screen. We totally are making her wayfinder ;-;

THAT MEANS SHE LITERALLY GAVE HIM HER HEART SO HE COULS RETURN IT TO HER OH MY GOOOOD

Okay so I love the puzzles they have here

XEHANORT?!

I’m sorry you hid her heart? What are you, five?

What do you MEAN almost out of time?!

OH NO KINGDOM HEARTS

Oh no not these guys again

So many keyholes

IM SORRY IS THIS WIZARD OF OZ

Oh my god Lea is so overwhelmed lol

SGAKSSGE ROXAS CAUGHT XION

Okay so for the team ups, I love how all of them were mix and matched from the trio’s

I loved Terra and Riku, the Master and apprentice

I loved Ven, Roxas, and I can’t remember who else was in it. “Thanks Roxas.” “Youre welcome. You’re not too bad yourself.” THAT WAS ADORABLE

Xion, Aqua and Mickey being mages and protecting everyone

Aqua and Lea, him trying to talk and Aqua telling him to shut up and focus

MICKEY’S STRUGGLE TO SAVE HIS FRIENDS BROKE MY HEART

We now present: Kingdom Hearts 3: connect he dots

Connect. Connect the dots. Get it?

KAIRI’S HEART MADE A FLOWER

THE KH2 THING

“SORA :D”

THEIR HUG

HE JUST HOLDS HER CLOSE

TIME FOR PLAYABLE KAIRI BABBYYYYYYY

“I can do this.” YES YOU CAN

I’m sorry you think I want to play as Sora? After waiting my whole life to play Kairi? HA

KAIRI IS THE MOST POWERFUL

Seven wishes saved me in that fight

ONE HEART

THEY HAVE ANGEL WINGS

OKAY YALL HAD YOUR SORIKU ATTACK NOW WE GOT SOKAI :D

Now we just need Rikai and Sorikai and it’ll be complete ^^

AGSKSGSKDGSJS CHIRITHY

“I was trying to give you some privacy” awwww

CHIRITHY IS CRYING

THEYRE GOING ON DATES

Chirithy has my soul and I love it

Every scene with Chirithy adds 7 years to my life

Afsjsgsajg Sora DONT PUSH THE CAT

NAMINE

THEY WERE THERE TO FREE HER HEART

Aaand he’s gone and I’m crying again

LIMITCUT EPISODE TIME BABBYYYY

GAJSGSJDG RIKU AND TERRA ARE TOGETHER

Oh my god Riku and Terra being bro’s are my favorite thing

Wait what are they gonna do

ARE THEY SEALING THE WORLD

OH MY GOD THE ARMOR

HOW DARE THEY NOT SHOW US THE FRONT PARTS

OH they’re going to search for Sora!

IS RIKU IN CHARGE OF THE LAND OF DEPARTURE

ONE YEAR???

Agajsgsjdg MERLINS HOUSE

CLOUD

PRETTY BOY

YUFFFIIEEE

AERIITH

CID

OH MY GOD THE GANGS ALL TOGETHER

THEY WENT TO THE REALM OF DARKNESS WHAT

“The Twilight Town gang” ITS OFFICIAL

OH NO WHAT HAPPENED TO KAIRI

WHY DOES HE LOOK SAD

NO WHATS GOING ON WITH KAIRI

They’re searching her heart?

SHES BEEN ASLEEP FOR A YEAR?!

Riku’s been all ALONE

DATA SORA??

Battalion oh my god lol

I’m mad about Kairi being asleep for a year though

AGSJSGS WE GET TO EXPLORE

Wow. A video game inside of a video game

I spent the rest of the day failing the Data battles and making funny Data Greeting pictures. Hopefully I’ll be better st the battles tomorrow!

#KH3RemindSpoilers #kh3spoilers #KH Re:Mind #kh commentary

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mellz117 · 4 years

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Mellz plays KH Re:CoM, Reverse/Rebirth (Riku’s Campaign) part 3

Check out parts [1] and [2] if you haven’t seen them yet. Part 1 also has a link to Sora’s campaign

Below the Read More is the endgame and my final thoughts

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Riku is met with Ansem, Seeker of Darkness, yet again, who still can't fathom why Riku's resisting his advances. Close your damn jacket!

Final battle! I lost twice? I think? Not many times but I think it was 2. But god damn not as many times as I lost to Repliku. That sucked. I don’t get mad about dying multiple times in a final boss, that’s kind of the point of final bosses...

Ansem has a great voice btw, like if there’s gonna be a voice for G-Dorf in Breath of the Wild 2, I want Richard Epcar or Dave Boat (Lexaeus) to voice him. I doubt it’ll happen but those are my picks!

This guy sure does talk a lot for someone who's supposed to be dying.

Ansem explodes in a thick fog of darkness that envelopes Riku and Mickey comes to the rescue. Technically Riku won so he’s allowed to relish in his victoy AS WELL AS be carried off my a floating mouse.

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IDK where the basement is supposed to exist here because the door Riku reaches the ground floor through is the same door Sora goes through to LEAVE the ground floor. Is it like a hill? Gotta go upstairs to go downstairs?

Idk. I wanna see the full interior of the castle, I want blueprints.

“What now Riku? You going home?” Your Majesty. Mickey, my dude. You can’t just GO HOME after killing a man. Riku’s got some shit to go through, he can’t return to a normal life after this. There is so much more tha nthis!

I’m glad a MOUSE can understand darkness is a thing that just exists, can coexist with the light. Good on him for keeping an open mind! It took how long for anyone to realize light and dark are two sides of the same coin? Twilight Princess was all about this. ...Riku is the twilight princess.

Mickey wants to follow Riku down his path of light and dark and they’re friends now. When did they get the time to bond between KH1 and CoM?

How old is Mickey? He’s BFF’s with a teenager now, how old is he? I’m not saying child and adult friendships aren’t and shouldn’t be a thing, I may use Tumblr but I’m not THAT Tumblr. I’m just wondering what kind of grown-ass adult WANTS to be friends with a teenager lol. Mickey tells Riku, since they’re friends now Riku should call him my his name, rather than his title. So... No one else gets this talk? Donald? Goofy? No? OK.

I deadass expected Simple and Clean to start playing after a hard cut to black despite actually remembering the final confrontation with DiZ.

Riku and Mickey don the black coats DiZ presented earlier then they leave Castle Oblivion behind. The duo meets up with him at a crossroads and immediately Riku’s on the defense. I love Riku, he’s tired, he’s annoyed, he knows the world isn’t black and white, light and darkness, and the literal path he chooses reflects that. He’s accepting the darkness and using it to fight for his friends. I’m so proud of him. I wonder where these paths actually lead.

THE SUN IS RISING I DIDN’T NOTICE THIS UNTIL EDITING THIS WHAT?KJVBLSDFKJVBDLJ

NOW Simple and Clean plays, albeit after a fade to black.

During the credits cinematics we see Riku and Mickey travelling through Hollow Bastion, the same location where the 1,000 Heartless battle in KH2 takes place if I recall correctly! That was cool to see. Riku is having a difficult time. Help him.

The next one we see Roxas again. He stops and looks at the Twilight Town gang when they pass him and Axel tries leading him away. I can only assume the following went down:

“I wanna try that”, Roxas says and gestures to the ice cream the aforementioned group was eating. So he and Axel buy some ice cream and go up the clock tower, Roxas seems to be enjoying himself but Axel doesn’t seem to like this treat at all. I think he just eats it now for Roxas’s sake, he pretends to like it to make him happy.

So I don’t know the timeline of this part of the game. Is Roxas not part of the organization yet at this point? Is Axel trying to recruit him? Is this after Roxas defects and is forgetting his time with them?

The third clip we see a very brief shot of Riku a few months later and he’s looking good. Doesn’t cut his hair.

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Final clip, after the credits shows Roxas and at this point he’s either friends with Hayner, Pence, and Olette or they’re inviting him for the first time to hang out with them.

“Beyond the path without you is a forgotten promise to keep. We may have walked side by side, but now we go on back to back. And though our paths may not cross, all paths are connected somewhere. When I arrive at where you are, we may not appear to be as we were...”

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So, final thoughts of the game overall. I enjoy longish games but when the length is just padded out with such shallow worlds I get bored really easily. I like to explore the map but I can’t do that in this game. Riku’s campaign is very short in comparison to Sora’s, for better or worse. For someone who just REALLY, REALLY wanted to move onto KH2, this was welcome lol. Sora’s half put me to sleep and I had a hard time trudging through it. Not that the story wasn’t engaging enough for me, I just didn’t want to play.

Didn’t care for the card based battle here. I preferred the combat more in Riku’s half because card management wasn’t really a thing which I ended up growing to appreciate for Riku once I got used to it. All I had to do was level up and get an extra card if I felt like it. The duel system was really fun and made boss battles go quickly, when I actually took the time to INITIATE them. Most of my frustration was just me NOT doing what the game aggressively suggested. At least I admit when it’s me and not accuse the game of poor gameplay like a certain grumpy gamer but that’s none of my business. I think this game may have felt better on the Gameboy Advance, I wouldn’t know.

I wanted to cry. I missed these kids so much. I love them so much. I’m a god damn crybaby now so a lot of moments just ended me and sometimes I needed a moment to sob while I hug my cat.

The (original) characters.

I can feel bad for Vexen to a point, he was a bastard but he just ultimately just wanted to do sciency stuff. A lot of questionable science but whatever. He creeps me the hell out. I know he hated Marluxia but was he really willing to spill Marly’s plans to Sora JUST TO SPITE HIM? Or was he actually trying to help Sora? That might explain some things later on down the road...

Lexaeus was always boring so no comment.

Zexion is a cutie pie, I don’t know why I think this I guess it carried over from 10 years ago. I have a soft spot for him. And I didn’t post a single picture of him so here’s one.

Axel, my favorite bastard. I will always love him. Chaotic neutral. He’s not much of an antagonist in this game, more of an obstacle, but he’s certainly working in favor of his own interests. I’ve been reading Inkheart and he reminds me of Dustfinger? Fire and all i guess.

Marluxia is also a bastard but as an antagonist I don’t dislike him. He mostly has his good looks to help him with that. I’m not sure why he wanted to overthrow the Organization but it got him dead so GG my dude. Not sure why Xehanort invited him and Larxene back.

Larxene.

Repliku. Brat, very much a brat. He immediately had beef with Sora because apparently it’s too unreasonable for Sora to “forget the quiet girl who moved away” when you were four and five years old. I could barely remember this game let alone any memories from when I was 4. I would have liked to see him interact with Riku during the time he thought he himself (Repliku) was the real one. Imagine the DRAMA. I do feel bad for him, his struggles with his identity and his jealousy towards Riku. I love how he is with Namine, so soft spoken and gentle. But we all know that’s based on false memories which is so sad. But like Sora said, the memories might be fake but the feelings are real.

Namine is a very good girl, a victim, a child who, when given the courage to, will stand up against her captor to protect her friends. She’s very sweet and smells like Kairi! (Riku, that’s weird) She’s brave as hell and I stan her. She just wanted a friend.

Sora... He’s so pure, so wholesome. He’ll do whatever it takes to save his friends. He had a little moment of weakness and cast Donald and Goofy aside but he got better pretty quickly. He was willing to give Repliku a chance despite their interactions being negative. He forgave Namine, knowing she had no choice but to do what she was forced to do. Sora. Just Sora. Love him.

Riku. I couldn’t stand him in the first game, he was just a punk-ass teenager (which makes me wonder why he and Sora were ever friends in the first place) with a super inflated ego who just, kinda does a 180 after you beat Ransem and is good? But my god. I just fell in love with this precious bean in Re:CoM. I remember the best of Riku from KH2 (let’s pretend KH3 doesn't exist for a second here because that is in my opinion the BEST Riku) and it was so welcoming and CoM really bridged the developmental gap between 1 and 2. It’s nice to see him struggle with this darkness and then learn to utilize it in a safe manner. We see a lot of vulnerability from him too, when he’s being constantly mocked by Ansem and the few embers of Org13 he meets here, his own doppelganger touting how much better he is, not having his one form of support physically be there on the majority of his journey. Riku’s super snarky throughout the game overall though and I love that. He’s the complete opposite of Sora at this time and he’s absolutely done with everyone’s bullshit.

Ansem is really persistent. He’s the guy who just can’t take a hint, I can’t imagine his dating life is very successful. I don’t like him but I don’t hate him either. He definitely makes more of an impact as a bad guy in this game, frequently showing up to harass Riku. Obligatory mentioning my mistake in saying that HE was guiding Riku in the beginning of the game when it was actually DiZ.

DiZ is formally introduced in this game and he’s cryptic as shit. I dig his design but what the hell made Ansem the Wise take this form? With all those bandages he looks like a burn victim (I haven’t played BbS if this is what happened Im sorry) but the call of fashion still rings in his ears. Why belts on his head though? That was this series aesthetic until KH3 pushed plaid. Anyway he is also a character I don't have any particular feelings towards

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I think I’m going to take a break from KH for a bit. I got the Spyro Reignited Trilogy the other day for XBOne, so I’ll be playing that. I’ve never played Spyro before, I hope I like it!

#mellz plays kh recom #kingdom hearts series #kingdom hearts re:chain of memories #kh recom #PlayStation 2 #kh re:com #square enix #mellz post

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angel-with-a-pipette · 6 years

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Title: The Perfect Time

Summary: The final clash on the Keyblade Graveyard started and the severity of the situation hit Sora for the first time. They might fail. They might die. So he has to make a choice now. Sokai. Contains spoilers from the KH3 trailers.

Rating: T

Genre: Romance, Humor

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Disney/Square Enix.

I want to thank @generalcaraway , @rapis-razuri and @scoobysnack1107 ! The three of them came up with the idea of adapting a certain scene from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End for Sokai and allowed me to run off with their idea and add my own twist to it :3

Special thanks go to @phoenix-downer , her translation and interpretation of the “Chikai” lyrics helped me a lot in adapting this scene for Sokai :D

Also available on: ao3 | ff.net

Please enjoy!

Dust hit Sora's face as he stepped off of the gummi ship and onto the badlands. It was an unwelcoming world, void of vegetation and life. Somehow, it didn't surprise Sora that Xehanort had chosen this place for the final battle.

He turned around. As always, Donald and Goofy were right by his side, giving him an encouraging smile that calmed his nerves immediately. And they were not the only ones. More gummi ships landed and their passengers exited, throwing glances around the world before all of their eyes landed on Sora, immediately softening their expressions.

Together, they would end this insanity, he was sure of it.

Sora turned back forward and looked at a wall of dust far ahead. He didn't need to wait for a blurry figure to slowly become visible to know that Xehanort was near – the chaotic energy of an intense amount of Darkness was enough to warn him. Soon, Xehanort appeared clearer, his arms crossed behind his back as an arrogant smile spread over his lips. It didn't take long for shadowy figures to appear behind him, all dressed in their black coats, hoods drawn up to hide their faces.

Of course, he had come with his Seekers of Darkness, just as Sora had come with his Guardians of Light.

Xehanort stopped a good thirty meters away from Sora. The tension in the air rose as Xehanort spread his arms theatrically.

“Today,” he started proudly, “we join the other Keyblade Wielders and leave our mark on fate. I have waited patiently,” he clenched his fist and Sora heard the leather of his glove creak, “but together, we shall unlock the Keyblade War's secrets!”

With a wave of his hand, the dust to his right settled, allowing Sora and the others to see the field that spread along the horizon. Upon further inspection, Sora realized it was a field of abandoned Keyblades.

“Yes,” Xehanort nodded as understanding spread over the faces of Sora and his companions, “this is what is left from the first Keyblade war. A true Keyblade Graveyard. And soon, your Keyblades will join them.”

“Why?”

Xehanort quirked an eyebrow at Sora's sudden exclamation. Before he could answer the boy however, he continued. “Why are you doing this?”

A chuckle escaped the old man.

“Knowledge – and power. Whoever will open the door to Kingdom Hearts will be reborn as something far greater than human. And someone greater than human will be able to shape the world in their image. Finally, Light and Darkness will exist in true equilibrium and people will stop to shun the Darkness.”

Sora snorted. “They only shun the Darkness because of people like you who abuse it.”

“A dumb island boy like you wouldn't understand.”

“Maybe. But at least I understand that life is precious and shouldn't be played with, unlike another dumb island boy.”

Sora couldn't help the self-satisfied grin that spread on his lips after he heard Xehanort's low growl. Cockily, Sora flipped his hair back with a turn of his head and added: “We'll end this, here and now.”

To his surprise however, Xehanort recovered and a wicked expression crossed his face as he raised his hand slowly.

“I was hoping you'd say that.”

A cold shudder ran down Sora's back, but he didn't have time to contemplate Xehanort's words as he jerked his hand up quickly. The world began to tremble and the ground directly beneath Xehanort and his Seekers rose up high, far out of reach for the Guardians of Light.

“Let the Keyblade War begin!”

Xehanort snapped his fingers and somewhere far away, a clock chimed. One of the Seekers jumped off of the cliff, creating a small crater upon contact with the ground below him. Small black creatures started appearing, moving erratically around him and they revealed the Seeker's identity before he even lowered his hood: Ansem, Seeker of Darkness.

Several whizzing sounds resounded behind Sora and he now, too, flicked his wrist to summon his Keyblade before he charged.

Everything about this situation reminded him of the Battle of the one hundred Heartless back in Radiant Garden. Enemies started surrounding him quickly and every slash of his Keyblade hit another Heartless. With practiced ease, he rolled out of the way of a claw aimed at his head and with a single swing of his Keyblade, the Wyvern that had attacked him disappeared.

He heard a second far-away chime when the ground shook and more enemies started popping up: Nobodies. Xemnas must have joined the fight now and it made the battlefield more hectic.

Avoiding Nobodies was harder. They were pretty nimble and quick, nothing like the slow and sluggish heartless. They kept Sora on his toes and so it took him until the third clock chime to realize that he had lost sight of his friends.

Panic started to bubble up inside of him.

“Kairi! Riku!”

His attacks grew more hectic and less precise as he hacked his way through the battle field, searching frantically for his friends. He hadn't felt this panic back in the Radiant Garden fight – but his panic still seemed so strangely familiar, as if the memory of it was just out of his reach...

There!

Finally, he saw a glimpse of pink and silver in the distance and he followed this direction just in time to see a Neoshadow appear behind Kairi, its claws ready to sink deep into the unsuspecting girl's skin. Sora jumped and as he pierced the Heartless to protect her, he suddenly remembered.

This didn't remind him of the battle of the thousand Heartless in Radiant Garden. It reminded him of the battle upon the Black Pearl. And the panic hadn't been his – it had been Will's when he had been too scared to lose Elizabeth to waste another second.

And when Sora saw Kairi twirl gracefully to the side, shooting an icicle at an enemy that had tried to sneak up on Sora and his heart attempted to beat out of his chest, he finally understood Will's impromptu proposal.

It was now or never.

“Kairi!”

She didn't react immediately, being engrossed in a fight with one of Xemnas's Nobodies, so Sora grabbed her arm once she had defeated it and pulled her close. Confusion spread over the girl's face, but before she could ask him what was wrong, Sora already blurted it out.

“Will you share a paopu with me?”

Kairi's eyes widened and her mouth fell open as a soft blush started to spread on her cheeks.

A fourth chime resounded when suddenly, a Claymore separated Sora and Kairi from each other. They quickly recovered and parried Saix's attack.

“I don't think this is the best time!” Kairi squeaked, her voice an octave higher than usual as she threw a quick glance back to Sora. “We're in the middle of a battle here!”

Together, they were able to shove Saix back, just in time for Lea to swoop in with his Keyblade, engaging Saix in a one on one fight that allowed Sora and Kairi to take on new Heartless that were closing on on them.

“It's the perfect time!” Sora shouted over his shoulder while slashing an attacking Dancer Nobody across the chest. “I might not get another chance to do this!”

The far-away clock chimed for a fifth time and it was the only warning Sora got before he ducked and rolled out of the way of a couple of arrows that were shot at him. Xigbar, hovering high above the ground, grinned as his relentless attack made it impossible for Sora to do anything but dodge and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

But that also meant that he completely neglected his cover.

Kairi seized her chance and sprinted towards him, using a Large Body's huge belly to propel herself into the sky. She grabbed Xigbar's arm and used her momentum to hurl him over her shoulder to the ground, away from Sora.

The latter had now jumped back into the fight and used a couple of fire spells to clear his way until he was close enough to grab Kairi's arm once more. She stumbled into him and the contact between them made Sora shiver at the same time that the sixth chime resounded over the land and thunder started rumbling in the distance. Sora ignored it however and only focused on Kairi, her body pressed flush against his, and he relished in how right it felt to hold her like that.

“I'm done making empty promises. I love you and I want to be with you.”

Again, Sora had rendered Kairi speechless as his steady gaze focused on her. His heart flipped when he saw Kairi's blush intensify and he felt the sudden need to lean down and –

The screech of a Nobody made the two of them jump apart, Keyblades raised high as they did their best to parry every attack, hacking and slashing at their enemies. This time when Sora reached out for Kairi, she extended her arm towards him, reaching out just as much and a short smile danced over Sora's lips as they pulled each other close.

“I've made my choice,” Sora told her, expression as serious as he'd ever been in his life, “what's yours?”

Staring into his eyes, Kairi hesitated for a second, before replying.

“Riku.”

Sora's face contorted in confusion and disbelief as he repeated her words.

“Riku?!” Sora would be lying if that didn't sting a little. But it made no sense for Kairi to say Riku's name, did it?

A huge grin spread over her lips and she couldn't control the giggle that escaped her as she confirmed it.

“Riku!”

As the clock chimed for the seventh time, Kairi turned away from Sora, but to his relief, she grabbed his hand and interlaced their fingertips as she pulled him along, eyes frantically searching for what he assumed to be their silver haired friend.

She finally spotted him a few meters away, defeating a Dusk that had tried to attack King Mickey and Sora felt himself being dragged closer to him, all while he kept swiping at the enemies that they passed.

“Riku!” She called out again, and a short glance her way told her she had his attention.

“Do you have the paopu with you?”

“Do I what?!”

Caught off guard by Kairi's question, Riku turned his body fully towards her which was a mistake. With the eighth chime, another Seeker jumped onto the battle field and exploited Riku's inattentiveness, kicking him in the gut. Not wasting a single second, Sora let go of Kairi's hand and charged at the hooded figure with Kairi on his heels. Thankfully, Riku recovered rather quickly and so the three of them exchanged blows with who turned out to be the Xehanort from the past.

“The paopu I asked you to get for me the next time you're on the play island,” Kairi continued as if it was the most normal thing for her to ask this question while also cartwheeling out of the way of one of Xehanort's attacks at the same time. Meanwhile, Sora's nerves flared up upon hearing her words, making him stumble into his next attack.

Did this mean..?

“I know which paopu you mean!” Riku replied impatiently as he went into Ghost Drive to charge at Xehanort, wearing him down enough for Sora to blast him away with a well timed Explosion.

After he high-fived Sora with a grin, he turned back to Kairi.

“Why are you asking?”

Kairi's cheeks flared up and that definitely made Sora's heart pound faster. It also seemed to surprise and distract Riku, as none of them became aware of the Shadow Heartless that slowly appeared beneath their feet. He raised an inquisitive brow at which Kairi blushed harder still, but yet managed to give Sora the most dazzling and disarming smile they had ever seen.

“I want to share it with Sora.”

A wonderful, amazing tingling feeling spread in Sora's chest and made his face light up upon hearing her words. Like the lovestruck fool he was, he immediately gravitated towards Kairi, dopey grin on his face, and reached for her free hand. She squeezed it lightly and Sora was ready to ascend to heaven then and there.

“Now?” Riku yelled in disbelief, startling a few of the Shadows enough to cause them to puff away again as they heard the clock chime for the ninth time. Gambler Nobodies popped up out of nowhere, effectively separating the friends as they rolled, flipped and cartwheeled to safety, raising their Keyblades once they found stable footing again.

“So,” Kairi spoke up again once she had defeated enough enemies, allowing her to take a breath again, “do you have it?”

Riku, who had just thrown his Keyblade at an enemy in an attempt of a Strike Raid attack threw an incredulous look at Kairi.

“I'm a little busy at the moment?!” He exclaimed and caught his Keyblade before doing a 360° turn, defeating several Heartless that had tried to swarm him with one swipe, “Can't you two wait until after the fight?”

Sora couldn't help the low whine that escaped his throat, and no matter how much Riku would tease him about it in the future, he would refuse to admit that in this moment his voice skipped a few octaves.

But it also caught Riku's attention, so Sora decided to pull his biggest guns: His puppy-dog eyes and infamous pout.

“Riku, please!”

As soon as Riku's eyes landed on him, he flinched, and Sora knew he had won.

“Fine, fine!” Riku sighed in exasperation, “Cover me!”

With his trademark grin, Sora immediately rushed to his best friend's side, keeping the enemies away from him as he rummaged around in his pants pocket until he got hold of the coveted fruit.

“Kairi, catch!”

Simultaneously with the tenth chime, Riku threw the paopu in the air, sending an Aero spell right after to ensure it would reach its destination that was Kairi's upturned palms. The moment the paopu was safely cradled between her hands, Riku and Sora changed places. Sora rushed to Kairi's side, fighting his way through a wall of enemies only to hesitate when he ended up in front of her. Suddenly, the teens grew aware of the severity of the commitment they were just about to take and both felt their cheeks flame up as they looked into each others' eyes. With a soft, uncharacteristically shy smile, Kairi held the paopu up in between them and Sora raised a shaking hand to grasp the other end of the fruit.

“From now on, I always want to be with you,” Kairi declared and Sora gently moved the paopu towards Kairi's lips so she could take the first bite. A shudder ran through him when he felt her fingers move over his to grip the fruit more tightly to do so, before she pulled back.

To Sora's surprise, Kairi immediately summoned Destiny's Embrace again and charged forward, not letting go of the paopu while she stabbed the Neoshadow that had appeared behind Sora. He quickly returned the favor by attacking the Dusk that had started wiggling their skinny limbs in anticipation of wrapping them around Kairi's arms.

Safe for the moment, Sora swallowed thickly as his eyes found Kairi's again. He had to make it perfect.

“I –“

The next shadowy figure appeared at the eleventh chime, landing right between Sora and Kairi, forcefully ripping them apart. The figure's gloved hand was clenched around the paopu.

“Isn't this cute?” The figure asked as he lowered his hood, revealing spiky, black hair and golden glowing eyes. Vanitas. “Gee, what should I do now? Squash this ridiculous fruit?” His grip on the paopu tightened and juice started to slowly trickle down his black leather glove. Anger started bubbling up Sora's chest. How dare he? “Or would the princess love to her destiny to be intertwined with mine instead?” Vanitas asked her with a devious grin, the pitch of his voice lowering further as he raised the fruit up to his face. His fists already shaking, Sora was about to charge at his doppelganger when suddenly, the paopu was wrenched from Vanitas's hand with a spark and it came to hover over their heads. Before he knew what was happening to him, Braveheart crashed heavily into Void Gear, catching the boy off-guard and causing him to lose his footing for a second. Sora took advantage of the confusion and retrieved the floating paopu with a high jump as Riku put all of his weight into his Keyblade to keep Vanitas down.

“I've been waiting three years for this to happen,” Riku hissed and swung his Keyblade around, shoving Vanitas further away, “don't you dare ruin this for them.”

At this moment, Sora wanted to hug Riku. Badly.

It meant so much to him to see how much Riku wanted this for his friends, always supported their relationship even if it was more teasing than serious in the past. But hearing first-hand that his best friend was 100% supportive of them gave Sora a new confidence boost and with his heart at peace, he turned back to Kairi, and she eagerly curled her fingers around Sora's hand and the fruit.

“No more lies,” Sora started and looked Kairi deep in the eyes, “no more empty promises. Starting today, I swear we'll always be together .

Tenderly, Kairi maneuvered the fruit to Sora's lips. He bit a piece off, savoring its sweet taste all while never averting his gaze from Kairi.

This was it. They had finally shared a paopu.

Sora's heart was ready to burst from his chest with excitement when Kairi's smile widened into one of her toothy grins he so adored.

Laughter filled the air as Sora tugged Kairi closer to wind an arm around her waist and pressed his forehead against hers. He felt their breaths mingle and he was ready to seal their promise with a kiss – hadn't Unversed started to spawn right around them. Together, Sora and Kairi fought their enemies as the clock relentlessly chimed for the twelfth time, both still holding on to one end of the paopu each, connected by it and their oath.

This time, Kairi came closer to Sora and dismissed her Keyblade to snake an arm around the back of his neck and pull him all the way down, but again, they were surrounded by enemies that they had to finish off together.

When this happened for the third time, an exasperated “Wak!” startled Sora for a second and a barrier formed around him and Kairi. He blinked in confusion until he saw Donald, his trusty staff held high.

“Just kiss already!” He quacked at them impatiently, waving his staff around frantically and causing Sora to blush. He was moved by Donald's action, as he was by Goofy's encouraging nod, but it didn't make the matter any less embarrassing. A quick glance in Kairi's direction made him realize that Kairi didn't fare any better with the tips of her ears burning up, but nevertheless, she smiled sweetly at him and at this moment, he knew it didn't matter what everybody else thought or saw.

She was his home.

He dismissed his Keyblade and wrapped his free hand around Kairi's waist to pulled her closer. She immediately responded by brushing her hand through Sora's hair until she reached the nape of his neck. The paopu was safely cradled between their arms and bodies as Sora leaned in, finally embracing Kairi's lips with his own.

It was everything he ever dreamed of, he decided, as he felt Kairi's lips move against his, first slowly and shyly, then boldly and demanding. Sora barely heard the happy “Aaaaaw!” that escaped Donald and Goofy, nor did he really notice them clubbing and smacking a small Heartless with their weapons as it dared to interrupt their perfect moment of watching their honorary son finally kiss the love of his life. No, all of this was lost to him as he tasted cherry chapstick on Kairi's lips and took advantage of a small sigh of hers to deepen their kiss.

It was over way too quickly however when he heard the thirteenth chime. With how things had progressed so far, Sora knew which Seeker of Darkness would be entering the battlefield now, not to mention that with him, all Seekers and Guardians were finally engaged in battle.

Somewhat hesitantly, Sora and Kairi pulled back from their kiss, eyes glued to each other. Sora let his free hand glide along Kairi's cheek tenderly and she leaned into him for a moment, desperate to remember every single second of their moment. As Donald's barrier began to vanish, they separated reluctantly and Sora let their paopu slip into one of his pockets when Master Xehanort started approaching them. On his right side, he felt Kairi interlace her fingertips with his, on his left side, he felt Riku step up, Keyblade drawn and aimed at Xehanort. After squeezing Kairi's hands reassuringly and exchanging a nod with Riku, he summoned Kingdom Key again, followed by Kairi summoning Destiny's Embrace.

It was time to defeat Xehanort once and for all.

#Sora #Kairi #Riku #Sokai #Kingdom Hearts #KH fanfiction #KH3 spoilers #Alja's fanfictions #KH

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morriggan · 5 years

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kh3 comes out in a week (!!!!!) and i have some kh hottakes and kh3 predictions/wishes bc im emotional and ive been playing this series since i was 5 years old lmfao but feel free to chat w me about them!!!!!!!

i love xion just as much as the next person but why would they waste the BEST character theme and battle music on this tiny tiny character that showed up for 5 seconds compared to the series in total lol.

if they dont confirm that riku and sora love each other as more than friends (even if they dont end up like, together) then im lowkey callin queerbaiting. is that a stretch? idk

i really want for the end of kh3 that some characters dont go home, and at least three of them stay back (rebuild the land of departures?) and become fulltime masters and take on kids to train

i want sora to GO HOME AND STAY HOME (for a while at least) at the end

i want kh3 to be the last real game (they can make spinoffs all they want idc but they should End It for good here)

i know this is the end of the xehanort saga but according to nomura, he said kh3 isnt the last of soras story but like..... why not. it should be tbh

kh would be more accessible if they just modeled it more after ff i think. it doesnt need to be dark or mature or anything but if they handled the crossover thing better i think a lot more people would be down for this series (even w the complicated plot)

speaking of, they have to clear up a million plot holes in kh3. was sora the only chosen one and then the keyblade just required more people later on? never explained. how can roxas be “saved” when sora is alive? makes no sense, based on everything dictated in kh2 and days

mickey should not be one of the 7. his role shouldve stayed super limited and mysterious like it was in kh1. his inclusion as a major character in kh2 and onward is..... awful lol.

they shouldve introduced a new original character as one of the 7 and tied in khux at the same time (we know time travel is do-able bc idk young nort was able to do that)

i fully know this would make the plot more wild but if we tie in an original character from daybreak town, it would come full circle and make khux like, idk, worth it

i want the FORETELLERS TO COME BACK AND BE IMPORTANT TO KH3

also i need an explanation for why larxene and marluxia cant wield keyblades when they are nobodies of keyblade wielders..... like thats why roxas was unique right so... why squeenix

overall i think khux was a huge mistake but its so fun to play that i almost dont care anymore lmfao

aqua better be saved or im throwing the whole game in the trash lol

AQUA KAIRI BONDING MOMENTS TOO OH MY GOD

i want many more cutscenes explaining all the drama happening between ansem the wise and xehanort and the other apprentices. what was the lead up to xehanort going from seeing AtW as a father figure to then betraying him and stealing his research and identity? like throw me a bone here that shits interesting!!!!

pls no more drive form grinding for upgrades just to reach treasures and collectables (see: kh2.5 and the stickers, and the cavern of remembrance)

let me be clear, i love hidden dungeons that are challenging. just let me rely on leveling my base stats over relying on my drive form upgrades and abilities to finish these dungeons

mad that everyone got cool new outfits (except kairi sweet girl im so sorry they made u look younger than u did in the first game i hate it. u deserved better baby) but lea. lea is still in the black org coat and there better be an explanation for that at the very least (or they just did trailers w him in the black coat and he does get an outfit that they didnt want to spoil??? i highly doubt this but i can hope)

i caved in and watched the leaked kh3 intro and a few things: 1) it really doesnt spoil that much and if u want to watch it but ur scared, literally dont be its fine. 2) its good, but squeenix has REALLY lost its touch w intro movies nowadays. they cram every second w symbolism and they dont take their time to just.... show us something good. like i couldnt blink at all during this intro lmfao. its a little annoying but despite all that, its alright. 3) the first minute of face my fears is CHILLING, WIG-SNATCHING, LIKE UTADA IS A LYRICAL AND MUSICAL GENIUS, but then the rest of the song is objectively awful im sorry its true and im gonna say it

last hot take: i usually hate remasters and re-releases, but im glad squeenix released all the kh games on one platform eventually. that being said, kh1.5 and kh2.5 dont have shit on the original ps2 titles. i completely realize i sound like a bitter old man but i dont care, the original numbered titles are better on ps2.

#p #i wanna talk about kh more but like literally no one in my life knows what the fuck i'd be talking about so this is my only outlet lmfao

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turnaboutwriter · 6 years

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half in hearts

Pairing(s): Terra/Aqua, Terranort/Aquanort, implied one-sided Xemnas/Aquanort, we can add in Terranort/Aqua, Terra/Aquanort, and Xemnas/Aqua for good measure, though frankly i don’t know anymore this is all so confusing it’s really late in the night

Rating: Teen, just to be safe.

Summary: Aquanort has brought to the Castle That Never Was by Xemnas and Master Xehanort as the newest Seeker of Darkness. Terranort is surprised, but is intrigued to see his “friend.” Featuring an Aquanort, Terranort, Venitas family dynamic (with a small side of Young Xehanort). Oneshot. Takes place somewhere in the middle of Kingdom Hearts 3.

This can also be found on AO3 and FFn.

Notes: Thank you to @mimiplaysgames for sending me this prompt. Unfortunately, I utterly and hopelessly strayed away from it, because I got so carried away when writing this. I’m so sorry about that, but I hope this fills your terraqua shipping heart. ALSO, important to remember which Xehanort I am referring to: “Master Xehanort” = Old Man Xehanort “Young Xehanort” = Young Time-Traveling Xehanort “Xehanort” = Terranort (It felt wrong to call him Xehanort, so I stuck to pronouns when referring to him even though this who damn thing is in his POV fuck me)

The title was thought up of on a whim so it is subjected to change also you cannot pry always hungry, growing boys, young xehanort and venitas out of my hands i will die with them

Xehanort was surprised, to say the very least, when old Master Xehanort and Xemnas brought her to the Castle That Never Was.

The last time he saw her, he had his hands wrapped around her throat, for a reason he still cannot discern, (chalking it up to the fact that he has the hearts of both Master Xehanort and Terra within him), before she defeated him in battle. After that, he cannot remember much besides the feeling of falling into darkness, then being enveloped by a light, and then waking up in Radiant Garden to Braig and Ansem the Wise with her armor next to him, where he started out as Ansem’s apprentice, aiding him with his research on darkness lingering in hearts. That armor, however, captivated him, compelled him to keep it in the room Master Ansem had allowed him to stay in, and speak to it with his own heart. He desired to build a chamber for it, in hopes to reach the heart of his “friend” and regain his lost memories, but was brought into this future by young Xehanort before he could.

Now, she stands in behind him with her pale bluish-white hair and honey-colored eyes, donned in a black coat like his.

He leads her into the Round Room, otherwise known as Where Nothing Gathers, and, without turning around, gestures towards the marble seat in front of them. She walks in front of him to the throne-like chair, staring at it intently for a moment before sitting down.

He cannot help but smirk as she lets out a small gasp when her seat rises up a few feet, her hands tightly gripping the armrests. From next to her, Vanitas snickers, and from above them, Xigbar, too, lets out a laugh at Aqua’s reaction. Her widened, amber eyes flicker between Vanitas and Xigbar and her dark, plump lips fall open slightly in recognition. Her eyes then narrow at Xigbar.

Just as she is about to open her mouth, though, Master Xehanort calls for the meeting to convene. What a shame, he thinks to himself, as he reaches his own seat. He was curious to know what she would say to Xigbar.

Master Xehanort welcomes their newest vessel, Aqua, as one of the 13 Seekers of Darkness. Their goal is nearly within reach now, and there is no doubt that the Guardians of Light will be thrown off by the fact that Aqua is now on their side. The seekers’ next step is to have Aqua lead them to the Chamber of Waking, and extract Ventus’s sleeping heart from Sora’s so that he can rejoin with Vanitas. Though they will not be able to forge the x-blade again, they can successfully become another vessel, since, on his own, Vanitas cannot become one.

He listens to Master Xehanort’s words, but also carefully insects Aqua’s face to gauge her reactions — she disappoints, however, maintaining the same blank expression on her face throughout the entire meeting.

After the Master dismisses them, he summons a corridor of darkness and reappears by the woman’s side, slightly startling her.

She blinks, slightly disoriented — and he sympathizes with her, as he felt the exact same way at the start as well it all as well. “Why — "

“I will show you to your room,” he says simply, summoning another corridor of darkness, stepping in without glancing back at her. He feels her presence from behind him the entire time as they walk in silence. They reach a grand, dark marble hall with doors on either side of them and he leads Aqua to the end of the hall, where he finally turns around to face her, his amber eyes meeting hers. With his hand, he motions her to door to his right.

“Get rest. You have a very important mission that begins tomorrow. Master Xehanort is relying on you to bring back Ventus’s body.”

“Yes,” she answers quietly, clasping her gloved hands in front of her body, almost in prayer, which strikes him as odd.

No matter. He has no business in knowing her thoughts. He gives a curt, parting nod, and is about to retire to his own room when she speaks.

“Terra.” Her voice is soft, but not hesitant.

His eyebrows raise at the name. “My name is Xehanort.” In spite of his correction, he cannot deny that he liked hearing the name from her mouth. When he was first brought by the young Xehanort from the past, Xigbar took it to call him “Apprentice,” to distinguish him from the others, and that’s what everyone here calls him now (but he hates that that his identity has to be distinguished from others in the first place).

“Terra,” she repeats firmly, after a slight shake of her head. “Good night.”

“Rest now, Aqua.”

He finds her in the Chamber of Repose.

Xigbar suggested a gathering to celebrate the successful joining of Ventus and Vanitas’s hearts in the Gray Area, but amidst Luxord’s card tricks and the young Xehanort and Venitas (as Xigbar dubbed him) devouring all of the food in sight, Xehanort cannot find Aqua, so he and Xemnas split up to locate her. (But he hates that Xemnas finds a need to care for her.)

He guessed that she would be here and opened a corridor of darkness leading here on a whim, and thankfully, his guess was correct. But instead of sitting in the marble throne like he would have expected, she kneels next to the armor.

Ah, the armor. It makes sense that she gravitated towards it — it is hers, after all. He tried to talk to Xemnas about the armor once, but Xemnas immediately brushed it off. Understandable, since he would have done the same if it were the other way around. He hates talking to Xemnas, anyway. It’s like talking to another clone of himself, even if he is his nobody.

He feels his legs moving on their own accord, quietly bringing her to him to her. Immediately, a comforting feeling envelopes him; though it is reminiscent to when he was enveloped by the warm light before waking up in Radiant Garden to Master Ansem, the comfort gives off a much colder feeling.

Aqua does not give any indication that she is aware of Xehanort’s presence, so he reaches down to place a hand on her shoulder.

“Are … are you alright?”

Aqua moves her head around to face him with a grave face. “I try to fade into the darkness and accept it wholly, but instead, I feel it eating away at my blackened heart,” she responds bleakly, her eyes pained. “Destroying me. It feels like my existence is meaningless. I don’t know what to do.”

He is not surprised by her answer. Aqua has always had such a strong-willed heart — he wouldn’t be surprised if her heart rejecting the darkness will cause it to eat her alive in a shroud of self-hatred and desolation that would make her want to end her existence. He would have to keep a close watch on her.

“And Mickey,” her quiet voice burns with a subtle fury. “He didn’t come back for me until it was too late. He promised to return and save me, but left me in the darkness to become this. He didn’t want to save me. Was it because I wasn’t worthy of becoming a keyblade master?”

“Do not doubt your strength, Aqua. You can’t begin to realize how valuable you are. You are one of Master Xehanort’s biggest strengths.”

“Me?”

He nods. “Yes. You are one with a strong heart. You are powerful, more powerful than me and the other seekers. Most importantly, though, you are the key that will unlock our victory. Don’t be disheartened by Mickey’s actions, or lack of actions, I should say — he is a foolish mouse who undervalued your worth.”

An expression of loathing crosses her face. “You’re right … he didn’t think it was worth going into the darkness to save me.” She then begins to lift herself up from the ground, and he politely extends a hand, which she takes to use as support and gracefully gets on her feet.

The comforting feeling, which had slightly subsided, returns with a full force of other, indecipherable emotions Xehanort is not anticipating. But as quickly as she puts her hand in his, she quickly retracts it and looks away towards the exit, a similar rush of emotions hitting her as well, he is sure.

“You retained all of your memories, no?” he suddenly asks, refusing to let their sorry excuse for a conversation to end. He wants to talk to her more, now that he has finally found her.

Aqua’s eyes meet his once more as she purses her lips. “Not all. Some of my memories from the Realm of Light are hard to remember, since I was in the Realm of Darkness for so long, as well as the memories right before I offered my bo … “ Her eyes widen as she realizes her mistake, and then she shakes her head. “Before I became a vessel and a Seeker of Darkness,” she corrects herself.

He raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “I see. You offered your body as a vessel to Master Xehanort?”

For the first time, he sees emotion color her face. A good step towards her health and mental state of being. He might have to push her a little more, though. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He gives her a frown. Truly, he is displeased that she won’t open up to him. His heart may have Xehanort in it, but Terra is in his heart, too (and doesn’t she calls him “Terra” for that reason?). “Please, you can trust — ”

“I said, I don’t want to talk about it!” she snaps, her hands clenched into fists, taking an angry step towards him.

“Whoa, angry, aren’t you?” a teasing voice rings out, the sound echoing across the huge room.

Xehanort and Aqua whip their heads to the source of the voice.

Venitas’s tawny eyes glint mischievously. “Hey, come on, Apprentice, don’t annoy her too much. The old coot will get pissed if she runs off because you drove her nuts.”

He shifts his body so that he is now facing Venitas, and crosses his arms at the teenager. “Watch your language, boy.” But Aqua surprises him and Venitas by letting out a small chuckle, so faint that he barely hears it.

He thought Vanitas was a little bit of pest, but became slightly more attached to the boy after he joined with Ventus. Besides, if he puts Aqua in good spirits, how can Xehanort not like him?

Aqua doesn’t know how much time passes before she settles into a rhythm of living in the Castle That Never Was. Additionally, she has quickly realized the rhythms the other residents follow.

The old Master Xehanort, who only appears to them during their meetings, Ansem, Xemnas, who has taken an interest in her nearly as much as Terra has, and the stony-faced Isa, are usually discussing future courses of actions in the Round Room.

Xigbar and Luxord occasionally join them, but they like to lounge around in the Gray Area and make conversation with the other seekers as well. Larxene, who hangs out with them both, seems pleased that there is another female vessel, but her cunning, impish eyes indicate to Aqua that she should stay away from her.

On the other hand, Aqua, Terra, and Venitas have formed their own little group. Terra has been helping Aqua adjust to the changes her heart has been undergoing, while Venitas is there because he, too, has surprisingly grown attached to Aqua, and no longer minds the apprentice’s presence.

The quiet, young Xehanort also occasionally joins their niche for the food — otherwise, he is usually with Master Xehanort. He and Venitas are always ravenous with hunger. Aqua does not feel hungry all that often, though, and Terra reassuringly tells her that he doesn’t either. Still, an appetite-less Aqua always watches the younger boys wolf down her food, raptured.

Today, though, Venitas is being difficult.

“Venitas, your food is getting cold,” she informs him, her foot impatiently tapping against the marble flooring of the kitchen and dining area.

Venitas swings the incomplete x-blade against the air with a grunt. “Hold on a sec, Aqua!”

“It is delicious food, as always, Aqua,” the young Xehanort comments quietly, after chewing through a spoonful of his rice. “Thank you.”

Aqua nods at the older boy. “You are welcome." Then she sighs, folding her arms over her chest. "Venitas," she warns.

“Listen to Aqua, Venitas,” Xehanort tells him sternly from his seat at the table.

The boy halts his movements, keyblade midair, rolling his eyes in annoyance. “I said, give me a sec!” he growls.

Aqua’s eyes flash angrily. “Venitas, put the damn keyblade down and come here to eat your food. Now.”

Venitas balks. He sets the keyblade down onto the floor. “Fine,” he grumbles, forcefully pulling out his chair and plopping himself down on it. He may have just brushed it off, but Aqua knows that inside, he’s shaking in that suit of his, scared for his physical being. “I thought you were better than the old Aqua — she always infuriated me. I’m starting to think that you’re no different, though.” He stuffs multiple spoonfuls of rice in his mouth, chewing them all at once, much to Aqua’s disgust.

Xigbar and Luxord are the jovial ones in the group, and Larxene and Venitas have impish natures; the others rarely laugh or smile, and wouldn’t ever do so if it weren’t for those four (though, Larxene, not as much).

Later that night, Aqua has trouble falling asleep that night, and seeks Terra. The darkness is troubling her heart again. He is not in his room, or anywhere in the castle, to her surprise. There is only one other place she can think of, then, where he could have gone off to.

He crouches over her keyblade armor in the large, white chamber, one palm placed over her keyblade.

“Terra,” she murmurs softly, stepping out of the corridor of darkness and towards him. She was right.

He whirls around, slightly surprised by her presence, and Aqua lets out a gasp when she sees his dark, topaz eyes, full of intent.

“Xemnas was just here,” he states bitterly, eyes narrowing at her. “He was talking about you.”

“Oh.” She isn’t quite sure how to respond to that, especially with how threatening he looks right now.

He stands up and takes long strides across the room, and Aqua’s blackened heart beats quicker as he approaches her. He towers over her short frame.

“Do you feel something for him?”

She furrows her eyebrows in confusion. “What? No.” The darkness in her heart, though weakens her heart, gives her the courage she needs to say things she normally wouldn’t be able to bring to her lips. “It's you, Terra. It’s always been you, Ter —”

In a quick movement that she momentarily cannot register, he presses her against the back of the throne, his mouth and tongue attacking hers suddenly.

His lips feel rough against hers, and slightly warmer than his cooled ones. His hot breath mingles with hers, and she leans up on her toes so she can easily slip her fingers into his white, silky hair. When she breaks away and gasps for air, seeking repose from his rough, passionate kiss, his nose traces the shell of her ear, his lips lightly nipping at the skin there for a moment, before moving back to kiss her again.

He traps her bottom lip between his teeth and tugs once before releasing it. “Tell Xemnas to leave you be,” his chapped lips murmur then against her soft, smooth ones. “You are only Terra’s. Mine.” His lips and nose drag, tantalizingly slow, along the length of her neck, causing her to let out a small, breathless moan.

She closes her eyes and tilts back her head to give him room to kiss her collarbone. “I gave up my body as a vessel for Terra,” she whispers, her fingers threading into his hair once more. “Xehanort promised to extract his heart from Terra’s body. Only you, Terra. Not Xemnas, not anyone else, but you.”

He glances up at her from his position, and she can only imagine what he sees — her, struggling to catch her breath, her lips parted and her heavy-lidded eyes full of desire. (There is no doubt in her mind that she wants him.)

“Only me?” he breathes in shock, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Not for Xemnas, not for anyone else.

She nods, her fingers brushing against his cheek, feeling beads of moisture roll down her cheeks as well. “Only you.“

Their days leading up to the end of this dark-hearted Aqua are full of domestic living and their nights are full of passion.

He doesn’t know how the Guardians of Light were able to extract Xehanort from Aqua’s heart, but he suspects Kairi, whom he recalls from his time in Radiant Garden, had something to do with it, being a princess of light. Aqua went to Cable Town with Venitas on a mission, but when he shows up to make sure the two of them are safe, she is standing in the courtyard alone. Though her hair is still a pale whitish-blue, her eyes are once again the color of sapphire, glistening with tears.

“Aqua!” he calls out, that warm feeling surrounding him more with every step he takes towards her.

“Terra!” she cries out, running to meet him halfway, her hands immediately seeking him out as soon as she is close enough to touch him. Her embrace feels as comforting and familiar as home — Terra’s old home — but it feels wrong to him for some reason. “I’m here, Terra. I’m with you.”

Realization hits him like a brick, and it makes his chest ache in despair. He always thought, that though he has loved it when Aqua has called him Terra, he did not deserve to have been called that by her this entire time. He is only half of Terra. The other half is Xehanort. But he so easily forgot that the Aqua he had been with for the past few months was only half of Aqua, and that the other half of her Xehanort as well.

Of course, it feels wrong to hug her like this and let her call him Terra — this is the Aqua who is starting to erase any trace of Xehanort left in her heart.

He shrugs out of her embrace. “My name is Xehanort,” he says firmly. And suddenly, he is back in the long hallway of rooms, standing in front of a stubborn, unwavering Aqua.

She shakes her head and gives him a watery smile. “No … I can feel that it's you, Terra” — she places a hand over the left side of her chest — “here, in my heart. You are the one in front of me, not Xehanort.”

He stays silent, and lets her cry and hold him until she begins to lose consciousness. Whatever the outcome of this all may be, Xehanort finds himself grateful to be with her in her final moments of having the darkness in her heart.

The Terra in him yearns to join her, but the Master Xehanort that also resides in his heart fights against the pining to keep him in line and stay in the fight as a seeker.

And fight as a seeker, he will.

“Rest now, Aqua,” he croons, smoothing her hair back, which is now blue at its roots, as he sets her down onto the grassy field. His lips press to her forehead one final time before he pushes himself back up and walks away from her. Now that Aqua is back to her normal self, there is no way that Master Xehanort will extract his heart from Terra’s — this — body.

In spite of that, he will let a now wholesome Aqua return to her friends, and hope that he can one day find his way back to her, too (not as Xehanort, but as a wholesome Terra).

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blackjacketmuses · 6 years

Text

hc; ienzo 7

And final drabble (re)post for the day! Wrote this for Ienzo and Even (and my Even, @empxrical ) an so here it is, cute and sad father/son shit.

Ienzo couldn’t stand to be in the office any longer.

It was so familiar, comforting almost, but that same familiarity was tight and painful like an iron claw around his heart. His heart. It was still so surreal, so strange. He kept touching his chest, fingers crinkling the cloth of his shirt, as if expecting not to feel a heartbeat when he pressed down, but each time he did – there it was. A heart. Thumping steadily in his chest as if it had always been there, never left.

(And it had, though – it had left, he hadn’t been human, he’d been a wisp of a creature of a nonexistent empty shell, devoid of anything resembling life, no heartbeat no need to eat no need to sleep, he could if he wanted but there was no need, all he needed was a coat to keep himself from dissipating without a heart to glue him together—-)

He shakes the thoughts away, slapping his cheeks sharply. He can’t be in this room. He can’t. The desk, the bookshelves, the writing on the walls because Ansem had never really bothered to get a proper chalkboard, every line on the wall and tile on the floor was home. It was horribly, painfully home, a home he never thought he’d see again – let alone thought he deserved to.

Ansem would never again sit in this office, never again read these books, never again write in his journals here, go into that lab and talk to Tron for hours at a time. Ansem would never again walk among his subjects, make speeches on holidays, smile at flowers from children, laugh and smile. Ansem would never again hold his hand, give him ice cream and beam down at him in that crooked way he had, sit him on his lap and show him how to play simple word puzzles, hold him up so he could reach the keyboard in the lab, walk with him along the hallways and sit with him in the garden on Ancestor’s Day when he was feeling alone.

Ansem would never do any of those things again, and it was their fault. His fault.

Ienzo hurried along ruined halls and past dusty doorways, head tucked low and trying not to think about the fact that his home was broken, shattered, in pieces, and it was because of him. No, because of Xehanort – but he was partially to blame. If he was no longer a child, he carried an adult’s guilt on his shoulders, and an adult’s responsibilities.

He didn’t realize until he was there where he’d rushed off to, and once again, his heart did a little flip, squeezing tighter until he felt like he couldn’t breathe around it. Even’s room.

Even still hadn’t woken, still slept – Aeleus had woken alongside Ienzo himself, the man on his feet and already in the Garden proper, reconnecting with the citizens and trying to figure out where to go and what to do. He was good at that, had always been well-liked anyway, and had a sense of calm and equilibrium Ienzo was having trouble finding. Dilan…Dilan had woken an hour or so ago and had retreated to his sanctuary, the kitchens. He was coping the best way he knew how, Ienzo supposed. Dilan had always felt so fiercely; it had been what made Xaldin a force to contend with, after all.

But Even was still asleep.

Ienzo crept into his room as if hoping that once again, as always, as it had always been – the very act of entering would startle the scientist from his slumber, and he’d be demanding to know what Ienzo wanted. But no such luck. He lay there under the comforter, pale and still, blond hair loose against the pillow.

Terror closed Ienzo’s throat for a split second and he was across the room, fingers fumbling for Even’s wrist, hand pressing against the white of his lab coat. Please please no no no no— there. Pulse, heartbeat, loud and insistent against his hands and in his ears, and he crumples. Face buried in Even’s chest, murmuring soft gratitude into the covers, he just– no.

Not Even, too.

“You have to wake up,” he whispers. “Please.”

He doesn’t know why he feels so shaken. He can’t remember the names of the emotions clogging his throat and twisting in his chest – or he can, really, it’s just that…they feel detached. Like emotions are something he’s only ever read about. And really, isn’t that the case? A child of nine when he lost his heart, and now almost a grown man…and all that time without one. How could he possibly remember what it was like to feel? How could he remember being human?

He barely can. His memories feel like photographs, pages in a book – clear as day and present, nothing forgotten, but…distant. Like he read about them, saw them, but didn’t experience them. So disconnected, so detached…it’s a wonder he can feel anything at all, even with his heart.

But he does. He feels, and it’s overwhelming. It’s like he’s drowning in it, no experience and no memory to guide him. The others, they were men grown already when they lost their hearts, they had things to build on. To go back to. But he was adrift. Alone. Painfully so – the bonds he’d had as a child, tight as iron, they had rusted over time, grown apart. He can no longer feel the same closeness, the same trust. There are gaps and holes now, and with the sudden viciousness only new raw emotions can bring he hates it.

He wants to throw himself out of the room, find Aeleus and cling to him until things are alright again, until the bigger man somehow makes things right. Curl up in his arms and just stay there, knowing he’s safe. He wants to stay right here, bury himself under the covers next to Even, close his eyes and pretend hard as he possibly can that he’s a child again, that nothing has changed, that it was all a bad dream.

“Wake up,” he repeats to himself, to Even’s still form. “Wake up.”

He needs you, Even.

The realization hits him like a sack of bricks and for the third time he can barely breathe. He needs him. He needs Even. A thousand old memories slide into place like puzzle pieces, seen through new eyes, seen through his heart. All the lessons, all the books, all the cold hands over his showing him how to cast spells, how to read, how to write, everything Ansem had never had time to do. The scent of peppermint and coffee and ink, the tang of ice magic (mint and pine). Warm tea at midnight, fixed in silence and drunk with little hands around mismatched cups after nightmares. The weight and warmth of a thin frame, sitting under a desk as he read and listened to the comforting scratch of pencil above him. Chalkboards with math problems, complicated equations, pieces fitting together with the tap of chalk.. A rare, thin smile and soft chuckle. “Come along now.”

He doesn’t notice he’s crying until he sucks in a breath and tastes salt, and even then it takes him a few moments to recognize tears. “Oh,” he manages, reaching up to touch the wetness on his cheeks. “Oh.”

He blinks, glances down at Even, and he’s gone again, burying his face in his hands as his shoulders shake with silent sobs. He needs Even. He needs him. How could he have forgotten, how could he have let things deteriorate so much? Vexen and Zexion had fought like cats, bristling and angry, never a pleasant word. Zexion haranguing Vexen, full of bitterness and resentment, and Vexen spitting paranoia and defensiveness right back. How could that have happened? Even was– Even was–

He was his father. The only one he remembered, the only one that mattered.

And he hadn’t just pushed him away, he’d shoved and kicked and screamed and fought, and damn it. “Even,” he managed again, brokenly. “Please wake up. Please.”

His parents, Ansem…gone, all gone, and now if Even didn’t wake…

A soft moan gets his attention, and he freezes, the room stilling entirely as if frozen. Blue eyes flicker down as Even stirs, brows creasing and face shifting, eyes fluttering open. Green eyes, Ienzo remembers them well, discs of cold green ice. But these aren’t those, these are warm and frightened for a long painful moment, Even’s hands coming up to dig into Ienzo’s shoulders as he sits up like a snapped rubber band, and then they soften.

“Z-Zexion?” He manages, confused and bewildered. “No, I– you’re– we–”

“Even,” is all Ienzo can say, his voice shattering, and he throws himself at the blond, clinging to him tightly.

He feels Even stiff in his arms, heart racing, and then; “Ienzo?” Even’s voice is faint, almost reverent. “Are we–”

“We are,” he manages, his voice muffled. “Aeleus, Dilan, and all of us.”

Even slumps as if his strings were cut, boneless, and then he clings back, clutching Ienzo close. “Oh,” he whispers. “We’re back.”

“We’re home,” Ienzo confirms.

There’s silence, no sound but twin heartbeats and twin breaths, father and son clinging to each other with the desperation of those twice-dead. Finally, Even speaks again, his voice hoarse with tears he’s fighting not to shed. “I’m so sorry,” he whispers. “I’m sorry. Oh, Ienzo.”

“Don’t be,” Ienzo says. “Don’t be sorry. It’s okay. It’s okay.” His voice cracks. “I missed you.”

Even freezes a moment, and then relaxes, laughing weakly. Understanding. “I missed you, too,” he replies. A bandage, glue to fix the broken pieces. Not enough, but a start.

“Come on,” Ienzo says after a long moment. “Let’s go make sure Dilan hasn’t cooked himself unconscious. Get some tea.” He stands, smiling through drying tears – a real smile, one he hasn’t felt himself make in a decade. “We have a lot of work to do, Even.”

Even smiles back, stands. “We do, indeed,” he says, reaching out to absently adjust the ascot Ienzo hadn’t even noticed he was wearing. “Shall we get started, Ienzo?”

Ienzo just smiles wider.

#;hc: ienzo #;writing

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atomic-taco-muffin · 3 years

Text

Organization XIII with an S/O who falls asleep with their child

This won’t include Xehanort, Roxas, Xion, Repliku and Terranort because reasons. And this is going to be so out of character. Sorry if this sucks.

Warnings: Pure fluff

Xemnas:

Xemnas came back to his room after a long day full of missions.

He took off his coat and looked at you and your daughter. Normally, your daughter would be running up to give him a hug. But, here she was. Sleeping next to you while you held her securely.

Xemnas smiled and climbed into bed. He didn’t mean to wake you up, but he did.

“Go back to sleep, love. I’m here.”

Ansem SOD

Ansem returned to the mansion in Twilight Town after a day of researching. On his way home, he imagined his daughter and son climbing on him while you were trying to get them off.

He smiled at the thought. He entered the mansion and saw empty rooms.

He called your name and your daughters name. He looked through all the rooms and saw no one. He entered your son and daughters room and saw you, your son, and your daughter cuddled up together with an open book on your lap. He smiled and tucked you, your son, and your daughter in.

“I’ll see you in the morning, beautiful.”

Xigbar:

Xigbar decided to visit your apartment where you stayed with you son. He stepped through the dark corridor into your living room.

“Babe?” he called. He entered your bedroom and sw you sleeping with your son on your chest. He thought that was the cutest shit ever. He took out his GummiPhone and took a picture. He was definitely going to use that photo against you.

“Sleep well, babe.”

Xaldin:

Xaldin was reading a book in his little library. He decided to check on you and your twin daughters.

He found you and your daughters sleeping in the living room with the T.V still playing.

He turned off the T.V and put a blanket on you and your daughters.

“Good night, angel.”

Vexen

Vexen was working in the lab as usual. He caved in to go to sleep and cleaned up his station. He walked to your room and saw you and your twin boys laying next to you.

He smiled and climbed in, being careful not to wake you or the twins up.

“Sweet dreams, honey.”

Lexaeus:

Lexaeus was having a late night snack. After he finished his snack he went to go check on you. He entered the shared room and saw you cuddling your son while he held on to your shirt.

He put the blanket over you and your son to be extra warm and camped out on the floor next to you.

“Good night, cupcake.”

Zexion

Zexion was reading in the library. He looked at the time and saw it was 2 in the morning. He bookmarked his page and went bed.

When he got there, he saw you and your daughter next to each other in the same position. On your stomach. He chuckled and climbed into bed with you.

“I love you, sweetheart.”

Saix

Saix was filing reports when he realized that he should get to bed. He put the reports to the side and went to your shared room.

He entered the room and saw you with you two daughters (one older than the other) sleeping on the bed. He gently took the girls to bed and came back to you. You woke up slightly.

“The girls are okay. You go back to sleep. I love you, my love.”

Axel

Axel got back from hanging out with Roxas, Xion, and Saix. He saw that you weren’t in the living room, so he checked the shared bedroom. Nope, not there. He went to the other bedroom that belonged to your daughter.

He saw your daughter sleeping on your chest and your leg hanging off the bed while her favorite T.V show played. He turned the T.V off and kissed you and your daughter’s head good night.

“Have good dreams, princess.”

Demyx

Who would’ve thought that Demyx met a woman and had two boys. (not twins) After a long day of doing whatever Demyx does, he came home and went straight to the bedroom.

There he saw his toddler son next to you while your newborn son on your chest. He was slightly jealous to be honest. But he couldn’t help but fall in love with you more. He gently lifted the blankets and climbed in.

“I love you, love bug. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Luxord

Luxord returned home after another mission. He gave his report to Saix and went to go find you.

He found you in your shared room, cuddling your son while some soft music was playing. He climbed into bed and made sure that you and your son were warm and comfortable.

“Sweet dreams, precious.”

Marluxia

After a long day of taking care of his garden and making fun of Xemnas with Larxene, it was time to go to bed with his wife and his daughter.

He went to the bedroom and saw you sleeping next to your daughter with some books at the corner of the bed. He took the books and put them on the bookshelf. He climbed into bed and kissed your forehead.

“Hope you dream of me, buttercup.”

Larxene

Larxene will always question how she met you and adopted a handsome little boy. On her way home, she was expecting her son to be wanting uppies while acting like her.

She entered the apartment that you bought together and saw an empty living room. She looked in your bedroom and saw you holding your son in a starfish position while drool was coming out of your mouth.

She giggled a little at the sight and made room for her to fall asleep. Thankfully, you and your son were deep sleepers.

“You’re lucky I love you, sugar.”

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my-hearts-the-memory · 7 years

Note

I wish you would write a fic about Kairi and Leon confronting Ansem's apprentices on taking advantage of the citizens who trusted them(maybe kick them out of Radiant Garden °w°).

(@keykidpilipili A billion apologies for the wait, and for the fact it’s just Kairi and Ienzo. It’s rather short, but I hope you enjoy it all the same):

Ienzo is stacking books when the door opens and a clear voice barrels into the study. “Get out.”

“Princess,” He straightens up, raising a single eyebrow. “What an…unexpected surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

Kairi narrows her eyes. “Please. You’re about as happy to see me as I am to see you. Which is a resounding none.”

“Why come to the Castle, then? Surely you knew we were here.” It wasn’t as if there was anywhere else he and his fellow rogue apprentices could be.

“Yeah. Leon told me.” Kairi treads deeper inside, gaze roaming Ansem’s study with a tightly controlled intensity. She stops by Ansem’s desk, joining Ienzo. “That’s why I’m here. You need to leave.”

“Pardon?”

“You’re lucky no one else from the Garden knows you’re here.” Kairi squares her shoulders. “You should go.”

Ienzo can’t help being vaguely amused by the Princess’s warning. Just like a Princess of Heart to concern herself with the safety of others, even those who had wronged her. She most likely didn’t remember her last time within these walls. He doubts she’d have come here otherwise. “I appreciate the concern, Princess, but I am fairly certain we can handle whatever the pedestrians have in store for us. We’ll be alright.”

“You think you’re a match for a Keyblade wielder?”

The words barely register when Ienzo is faced with the point of her Keyblade.

He takes a step back, heartbeat quickening. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“What I need to.” Kairi steps forward. “You aren’t welcome here. None of you are.”

Her eyes are steely like her blade. Ienzo argues, “This is our home-”

“This is Ansem the Wise’s castle,” The Princess says. “You lost whatever right you had to it when you betrayed him and sided with Xehanort.” Her Keyblade trembles. “When you started abducting innocent people from the streets.”

There is a click in Ienzo’s mind. He steels himself against the mental image of Kairi as a little girl, confused as she is led downstairs to the basement. Kairi huddled against the corner of her cell, face buried in her knees, doing her best to ignore the Heartless staring mindlessly at her. Blocking out the screams of her fellow inmates as their hearts were devoured.

Grabbing onto Ienzo’s coat, face wet with snot and tears, begging the older child to let her go home, she didn’t like it here anymore, she wanted to go home, she wanted her grandma, please-

-and how easy it was to push her off and lock the cell door behind him.

The image fades into the young woman the girl grew up to become and Ienzo realizes that child never forgot a moment of it.

Her next words weigh heavily with heartache and haunted remembrance. “Get. Out.”

#kingdom hearts #kh kairi #kh ienzo #ienzo #kairi #tw: mentions of abuse #tw: mentions of torture #tw: mentions of child abuse #tw: child abuse #tw: trauma #tw: mentions of experimentation

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aliceslantern · 3 years

Text

Give/Take, a Kingdom Hearts fanfic, chapter 3

Ienzo has been too busy since the war to be overwhelmed by the past. But with little progress to be made in his work with Kairi, old nightmares start to invade.

But just as they begin to consider something more... Kairi wakes up.

Ienzoku (Ienzo/Riku), post-Melody of Memory, slow burn. Updates Thursdays until it's done.

Chapter summary: Riku gets sick, which ends up having worse consequences than it should.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

Ienzo tucked another blanket around Kairi. The air in here was quite cold--despite the oncoming winter, the AC was running to keep their equipment happy. He knew she couldn’t feel anything, but he hoped the position she was in wasn’t uncomfortable. They’d done the best with what they had.

It was getting dark, but there wasn’t anything for dinner in the castle; as in, they’d even eaten all of the auxiliary cans of soup. It might be nice to stretch his legs. He put on his raincoat, picked up an umbrella, and set off.

He thought that shopping would irritate him, being another one of those necessary human activities. But he actually found it quite soothing. The food here seemed fresher, richer than what he was used to. He picked up what they needed for a few days and started to head back. It really was raining rather heavily, making him a bit jumpy in the early evening, despite the bright flashlight of his gummiphone. He still had magic, but that didn’t mean he wanted to use it.

In the darkness of the construction site, he thought he saw a figure. He tensed, trying to find that magic, only to see that it was “Riku?” Still in the rain, without a proper coat. “I suppose you found something to fight, then?”

“...You could say that.” His voice was unsteady, and Ienzo thought he saw him shaking.

“Have you been out here in the cold this entire time?”

“I’m alright,” he stuttered.

“I can both see and hear you shivering.”

“I’m really fine.”

Ienzo frowned. He knew that line through and through. The last thing he needed was for Riku to collapse on them. “Why don’t you come inside and get dry and warm?”

“No, it’s alright. I’ll go--back to the castle.”

“You shouldn’t leave while it’s dark.”

He squinted at Ienzo. There was a flush in his face. “I’ll really be okay.”

“...And it’s not pouring buckets,” Ienzo said dryly. “We have the room and frankly, you look like you feel ill.”

Riku trembled, clearly trying to come up with an excuse.

Ienzo sighed. “You want to run yourself into the ground, fine. But neither Kairi nor I appreciate it. It won’t help make you feel better, that’s for sure.”

“W-why? You b-been there?”

Ienzo chuckled. “Between my reformation and Demyx’s delivery of the replica for Roxas, I don’t think I slept more than an hour a night. And then I crashed in front of Aeleus and it was very humiliating.” He twirled his umbrella. “So really, I’m trying to help you save face, here.”

Riku considered. “W-well if you put it like that.”

He bobbed his head towards the door. “Come on, then.”

Unfortunately the only extra bedroom that was in any livable shape was the one that had belonged to Xehanort. Ienzo gathered some clean sheets and extra blankets for Riku, who was still shivering rather insistently.

“I’ll bring you something dry to wear,” he said.

“You don’t h-have to, I’m sure once I get dry I--”

“Riku, if I let you stay in those wet clothes then I may end up getting the rest of us sick. I’m making soup for dinner. I do hope you’ll come eat it.” He told him briefly where the kitchen and bathroom were.

“I’d hate to intrude--”

“The only thing I particularly hate right now is that you’re refusing help when you clearly need it. It’s fine. We want you to be comfortable.” Insofar as he could be here, anyway.

He dropped his eyes. “...Thanks.”

“It is the least I can do.” He nodded once, curtly. “Dilan gets upset if dinner is not served precisely at seven-thirty. You better be there.”

“Or w-what?”

Ienzo cocked his head. He didn’t know what that tone meant, other than the fact it made his heart skip a little. Nerves? Discomfort? Indigestion? “Then I’m afraid you’ll miss my gourmet cooking, which is a shame for you,” he replied, equally. “Get changed. Quit procrastinating.” He shut the door on Riku before he could protest further, and tried not to ponder the nervous little seed that was now growing in his chest.

It had been a while since he’d had banter with-- anyone , and fighting with Even didn’t count . They were all too busy walking on eggshells around each other. That was why, right? A friendly moment with someone who was nigh-identical to his murderer?

Ienzo shook his head and went to start the soup. He enjoyed the neat order of cooking, its innate harmlessness. They’d been taking turns cooking for everyone; Dilan was a good cook, Aeleus passable. Even couldn’t do much more than boil pasta, nor did he care to do more. Ansem preferred to “support local business” and get takeout. He kept chopping vegetables, making his broth, readying bits of beef. It’d take some time to simmer, so he tried to catch up on his coding on a tablet.

Ienzo was starting to get sick of numbers.

---

Riku was starting to get sick. He felt it. That was dumb, he thought, wincingly. While a warm shower and the blankets on the bed helped with the worst of the shivering, it was only just beginning, an ache in his bones. A potion might at least help him be functional, but one was all the way across the room in the pocket of his pants, which were drying on the radiator.

This room reminded him too much of the one Maleficent had given him the last time he’d stayed here. The furniture was the same style, the walls the same green. He wondered dizzily if this was that room, but this one had a window and the other had not.

Ienzo had left him a set of linen pajamas, but knowing who they belonged to nearly kept him from putting them on--at least until the bone-deep cold reinvaded. He huddled under the three or four blankets he’d been given.

Nice one, idiot, he thought. He’d known that fighting in the rain was a bad idea, but he’d done it anyway , and now he was out of commission for at least a few hours, until the dizziness faded enough for him to travel-- not home , but to the place he’d been living.

It seemed to take a long time, but finally, finally the shivering stopped. The bed wasn’t nearly as uncomfortable as he’d thought, and he found himself drifting, trying desperately to stay awake. The soup. He’ll be mad if I don’t eat the soup. The notion of trying to stomach something just made him feel nauseous. Riku tried to sit up, but the wave of vertigo that overcame him was so intense he had to lay right back down.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so terrible to fall asleep…

Riku dreamt.

The buildings and alleys of a city in the rain, full of bright pulsing neon and he was searching, so desperately, so desperately, for Sora, and time was running out--

The dream warped and changed.

The castle had seemed darker then, its smell muskier, Heartless wandering the place in droves. He’d hear them fighting each other as he tried to sleep; he remembered that being surprising. At first the pulse and pull of darkness inside of him had felt exhilarating, like he could do anything, like he was unstoppable.

Then he started blacking out.

The loss of time had been a few seconds, minutes at most, like he’d simply zoned out or lost his train of thought. But slowly, over the course of those days, Ansem’s grip on him tightened, and the minutes became hours, and he’d be left in the darkness of his own heart, a sensation that threatened to drown him if he didn’t consciously fight it moment for moment. It had burned, felt hot, and now and again he could twitch his own fingers, take a few hesitant steps in his own body. Even once Ansem had theoretically been purged from him, he still felt that pull, itching, aching, not helped at all when it was quite literally awoken.

Castle Oblivion wasn’t dark. It was bright, white, piercing, despite the fact that it was underground and had no windows. The only darkness came from the Heartless, from the shadowy figures that lurked within--

“Riku?”

I know who I am.

When did that happen? You were always terrified of the dark before--

“...Right. I see. I’ll leave it here for you.”

A clink of metal and glass, a cool hand touching his forehead--

Then I shall make you see that your hopes are nothing but a mere illusion!

Riku grasped Zexion’s wrist hard, and heard a startled cry. A lamp light clicked on.

Not Zexion.

In his hazy state, it took him a long, long moment to realize what had happened. The walls of the room were wobbly. Ienzo was clutching his wrist, gasping and breathing hard. “I-I’m sorry,” Riku stammered. “I didn’t mean--are you hurt?”

But Ienzo didn’t respond. His head was bowed low, and his grip had shot up to his throat. Riku tried to reach towards him--

“Do not .” The words were harsh, almost animal-- with panic , Riku realized dizzily. “Don’t touch me, don’t--” He choked for breath for a moment longer before he darted from the room.

Perhaps it was the fever, but Riku reeled with confusion. Their battle, to his knowledge, had been tough but ultimately mutual. Why was Ienzo reacting this way?

Either way, he’d messed up again , and he felt too awful to try and make more sense of it. He saw that Ienzo had brought him some of the soup, and some tea and medicine, and the guilt only tightened.

His exhausted mind swept him back under.

---

Riku woke with a jolt. He wasn’t sure if the fever had broken or not; he was uncomfortably sweaty in all these layers. He could tell he’d been having dreams, intense, difficult ones, but they all dissolved in the morning light.

Lying on his side, he saw the abandoned soup bowl, the now-cold tea and medicine. A stab of remorse made his stomach clench. In that moment the fever really had made him think Zexion was attacking him, but that didn’t make hurting him any more right.

And--squinting hard--had that grip made Ienzo panic ? Why?

Either way, Riku had a lot of apologizing to do. He warmed what he’d been left with a spell and ate, the prickles of guilt getting worse.

His clothing was dry by now, so he got dressed and folded up everything he’d used. He was still a bit shaky, but he’d be fine enough to get back to the Land of Departure. He hardly ever got sick like that. But he hadn’t been able to sleep well lately, and there was the cold and the rain, and he probably wasn’t eating well either. He’d run himself into the ground. Riku had to get better control of this, if so just to prevent all this from happening again.

He set off to find Ienzo, his heart beating hard with anxiety. Just say sorry. Just say sorry. There had to be something he could do. He hoped he hadn’t hurt him; he knew too well the ache of broken bones.

He headed back to the lab, trying not to talk himself out of it. He mentally rehearsed what he had to say-- you were so kind, I acted completely out of turn-- but when he got there, Ienzo wasn’t even in the room.

“Good morning, Riku,” Even said, and Riku wondered if he was imagining the coolness in his voice. “I see you’re up and about.”

“I’m so sorry about yesterday. Thank you for letting me stay.” He cleared his throat.

“I don’t think any of us are strangers to overwork,” Ansem said. “You’re welcome here any time.”

He dropped his eyes. “...Thanks. Um. Where’s Ienzo? I wanted to thank him for the dinner.”

Again, that stab of paranoia--was the pause too long? “He had a few things to tend to in town, I believe,” Even said. “But I will pass on the message.”

“...Oh. Thanks.” He looked back at Kairi, still deeply asleep. Would she be ashamed of him? “I guess I should… head out, if there’s nothing I can help with here.”

“I don’t believe so,” Even said, without looking up.

“Take care,” Ansem said, with that same old man smile.

Riku returned to the Land of Departure, to the silence.

#give/take #ienzo #riku #ienzoku #ienzo/riku #ienzo is trans

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