A/N: This chapter written by Vex (Ocean's Tale/Lathrine) and Xion (hanyounomiko).

(Part of a set of drabbles Vex has been plotting. A bit of background; Lea and Riku all have been gradually remembering Xion, until they eventually remember everything. Once he remembers, Riku needs some time alone.)

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After Riku left the house, he wandered for a bit, trying to find a sufficiently secluded place to have some time by himself. He didn't really want to be bothered for a while. The Keybearer quickly settled on the Bailey, where he could just stare at that stupid castle and no one was likely to pass by, courtesy of the Heartless in the area.

Riku leaned forward, one hand resting on the sill and the other pressed to his temple as he stared at the canyon and castle without really seeing either. And he stayed that way even when, after he didn't know how much time had passed, footsteps echoed into the Bailey behind him. Isa stepped forward beside Riku, leaning both arms on the sill and staring out at the castle, as well. He didn't speak; just letting his presence assure Riku he was not alone.

It was a few minutes before Riku emerged from his own (miserable) thoughts and actually noticed that Isa was there. Once he did, he couldn't help but feel grateful. Partially because Isa had waited and given him time, mostly because he had been in a very similar situation not too long ago and knew what it was like. Something that neither Sora or Kairi would get.

Cheeks still wet, Riku drew a shaky breath and brought his hand down to rub at one red eye. "Hey." His voice was thick and quiet, but more or less steady.

Isa nodded to show he'd heard. "…how are you doing?"

Riku briefly considering insisting that he was fine, but since he had to look far from 'fine' it seemed rather pointless. "Honestly? Not that great." Which felt like a bit of an understatement, considering how much it hurt. "But I'll live."

Isa nodded again. He went quiet for a minute or two, then let out a soft sigh. "It's hard, isn't it." It was more of a statement than a question. He turned his head to look at Riku. "…are you glad you remembered her?"

After a moment, he finally glanced over at Isa. "… Yes. Absolutely yes. I just…" Riku looked away again. "I wish I hadn't forgotten her in the first place."

"That isn't your fault." Isa recalled the year in which he and his family had all forgotten Sora. He knew it was Namine's doing; she'd had a good reason, but nonetheless none of them could have overcome her magic. "…although I know that doesn't make it any easier."

Rik made a noise of acknowledgement. "I still feel like a horrible person for forgetting." And he seriously doubted that feeling would go away any time soon. She had to die so Sora's memories could be returned and he could wake up, and all Riku did was forget about her. Even though he had known there was a good chance that would be the outcome… Just how much do you have to suck at being a good person to do something like that?

Isa sighed. He knew very well, what survivor's guilt was like. "…I know it's pointless to say you shouldn't. But if it's any consolation, it was clear that you somehow knew you had forgotten someone."

That made Riku look over at Isa once again. "… It was?"

Another nod. "You and Lea both. If you spoke about the time Sora was asleep, you sometimes trailed off, as though you thought something you said made no sense. Occasionally you would change a subject mid-sentence. And occasionally Namine would say something…cryptic, and you would stop and stare into space." Isa tilted his head just slightly. "Do you not remember?"

"Now that you've mentioned it, I do. But only vaguely." But, somehow, it was a consolation. To know that he had clearly known he was forgetting someone important. He took another steadying breath, then released it in a sigh. "… That does help, a bit. Thank you."

"Of course."

Isa turned his head back to look out towards the castle. The castle, where…

"…Sora will help her. He saved Lea. I'm sure he'll be able to save her too. Don't give up hope."

'Don't give up hope'… easier said than done. "I can't make any promises, but I'll try."

"That's all you can do…" Isa said quietly. "That, and trust in Sora."

"That…" Riku looked back to the castle. "That I can try to do. It's just…" His voice cracked. "Everything seems to be saying that there's nothing we can do." Hell, even he thought that. "I don't know what to do. It just feels so hopeless." He pressed his palms to stinging eyes, elbows resting on the windowsill.

In that moment, for once, Riku seemed his age. It was easy to forget he was only seventeen. No older than Isa was when Radiant Garden fell. Isa let his eyes fall. He stared blankly down at his hands for a few minutes, deep in thought.

"…I tried to kill myself, after Sora killed Lea's Heartless."

Riku's head jerked up, eyes immediately on Isa. He was quiet for a long moment, just watching Isa. "… I was worried you were going to try something." He finally, quietly said. He hesitated, then- "Why?" But right then, he felt kind of like he might know the answer.

"A few reasons." Isa's eyes were drawn back to the castle in the distance. "…I did feel hopeless…empty. I hated myself for my failure. I thought that it was only a matter of time until I failed again." He took in a short, clipped breath, dropping his eyes again. "…for all my strength, I could not even save one person."

His sight drifted from Isa down to the canyon below, tired of staring at that horrible castle. Hopeless, empty, hating himself for failing… "That sounds familiar."

"But Sora saved me." He let his gaze blur, looking not at the castle, but past it. "He saved Lea, and in doing that he saved me as well. He gave me another chance…and proved that there is always hope, even when things seem bleakest." Isa turned to Riku then, making eye contact with the boy. "I took that step forward myself, but Lea pulled me back. Sora gave me that. He's a miracle worker, that boy. If he could even save me….he'll bring your friend back."

If his mood and the situation had been different, Riku might have smiled. As it was, he almost gave a very watery one. "No, not a miracle worker. He just has the insatiable urge to help every single person he can, and the knack for being at the right place at the right time. But…" His eyes had started to sting again, though Riku just ignored it. "I hope you're right."

Isa straightened up then, placing a comforting hand on Riku's shoulder. "…take the time you need. We'll be back at the house, if you need us." He gave the boy's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, then dropped his hand, turning to walk away and leave Riku to his thoughts.

"Isa, wait-" Before he had gotten too far, Riku reached out and snagged Isa's sleeve. After a moment, his hand dropped back down to his side. "I-" He made a helpless gesture. "Thanks. Just… thanks."

Isa watched him for a moment, then smiled softly. He dropped a hand onto the boy's head, ruffling his hair gently.

"I was only returning the favor."

With that, he released the teenager and turned to go.