Sora quietly opened the door to Kairi's room. He was glad Axel had been nice enough for him to stay the night, but a whole night wasn't necessary. He walked over to Kairi, sprawled on her bed and peaceful in sleep. She had a small smile, and she giggled and mumbled before turning over.

Sora smiled and brushed her hair out of her closed eyes. With tears streaking down his face he kissed her forehead, then left. There was nothing accompanying him back to the beach except the moon ticking away each minute at a snail's pace.

By the time he got to the point he and Roxas had agreed on, his legs were on fire, and he couldn't find enough air. He stumbled to the ground and curled in on himself. He recognized the pain from turning merman to human, but now it was going to be human to merman without the grace of unconsciousness.

His fingers dug into the sand, not even relenting when ice water drew over them and retreated. Honestly he just wanted the waves to cover him completely and numb the pain. Sora stared at the moon, hoping it would offer a degree of solace.

He raised his head when he heard footsteps, and saw Roxas collapse to the sand next to him. He looked a little dazed, but just as pained. Still, he smiled at his little brother, "Well, this is it, huh?"

Sora smiled and nodded, sitting up and leaning into Roxas. Roxas held Sora close to him and smoothed his hair, "Guess we can greet the dawn one last time together..."

...

Ventus stirred a little while before dawn. He yawned and stretched, smiling softly at the thought of his night with Roxas. He turned over to see that smiling face one more time. He blinked when he only saw empty sheets. He sat up, growing more panicked, "Roxas?"

Ventus leapt out of bed and found Aqua working on more weaving. She looked at him, "Ven, what are you-"

"Where's Roxas?" He asked.

Aqua blinked, "I-isn't he-?"

"No!" Ventus answered before bolting out of the door. He yelled for Roxas, wondering why he was going to go off and die alone.

He banged on Kairi's door, being answered by a grumpy and just woken Axel, "It's not even dawn yet what's the panic?"

"Is Sora here?" Ventus asked, trying to find his breath.

"... Yeah." Axel was sluggish to reply, and he held up his hand, "Gimme a sec..." He stumbled off to look for Sora. This was followed by him searching his house just as sluggishly, then suddenly much faster and utterly panicked, "Aw shit where did he go?!"

Kairi shuffled to the door while Axel ran around looking for Sora, "What's up, Ven?"

"Do you know where Sora is?"

Kairi shrugged, "Um... Well he's not in my room."

Axel ran by, "I'm gonna search elsewhere, he's not in the house, Namine's in charge."

Kairi blinked, "Sora's...?" She moved after Axel, "Oh no! Oh no what if I drove him to-"

Ventus stopped her, "I-I was with Roxas last night and he said he was dying. Maybe Sora is too?"

"You say that like it's supposed to be a good thing!" Kairi pulled herself away from him. She leaned back into her house, "Namine I'm searching too!" She then grabbed Ventus, "Come on we gotta get Riku he's a good tracker."

Ventus had little trouble keeping up with her, "But Kairi he's-"

"He's hung out with Roxas a bit he should have an idea!" She snapped back. She frantically banged on his door, "Riku! Riku we can't find Sora or Roxas!" When he didn't answer she opened it, "Riku-"

Riku was sitting down, hunched forward with his fingers steepled and covering his mouth. He stared on and on with regret. Kairi walked up to him, "Riku?"

Riku looked at her, then said, "If you're looking for Sora and Roxas, they're gone."

Kairi leaned back and crossed her arms, "What do you mean?"

Ventus pushed past her, "They're both... Dead?"

Riku looked at Ventus, "How did you-"

"R-Roxas told me he was dying last night." Ventus said. He grabbed Riku's shoulders, "A-are they already gone? Please tell me they aren't!"

Riku shrugged, "I don't know, they could be still alive but the chances ar-"

"Then where are they?!" Ventus demanded, "If I can stop this I want to stop it!"

"You can't," Riku looked at Kairi, "but she can."

...

Roxas was stunned at how much Sora had deteriorated. Blood was dribbling from his mouth and his gaze was nothing but pain. The relative serenity Sora had was gone and replaced with pain filled dementia that made him shiver.

Roxas smoothed Sora's hair for the millionth time, trying to ignore the rusty taste in his own mouth, "Hey, there's the sun." He hugged Sora tight, "There's the sun, it's not gonna be much longer now. The pain'll end soon."

Sora only replied with a pitiful moan.

"Roxas! ROXAS!" Roxas turned to down the beach to see Riku, Kairi, and Ven running towards them. He quickly turned away, not sure of what he was feeling. Maybe shame? For whatever reason he felt like such a sudden appearance of hope was just a sick joke. He was surprised when Ventus skidded to a halt next to him on his knees, then grabbed him and kissed him. Judging by Kairi's incredulous gasp and a low whistle from Riku, so were they.

Ventus backed away, "Why? What on earth are you doing?!"

"What are YOU doing, Ven?!" Kairi asked, "I-I thought-"

Ventus turned to her, "I-I'm sorry Kairi I just... Don't think I love you in a romantic sense." Kairi looked hurt, but surprisingly not that mad. At least until she sat down right next to Ven and slapped him.

Riku held her back while Ventus rubbed his cheek, "Hey now we got bigger problems." He directed her to Sora, still shuddering in Roxas's lap, "Now, I might not be able to say what you need to do so just bear with me: you need to kiss Sora, Kairi."

Kairi looked back at him, "Wait, what?! You knew?!"

Ventus tilted his head, "Huh?"

Riku held his hand out to Roxas, "Come on if I can say it you can say it. If you really care about your brother or at least yourself back me up here." Roxas felt as mute as Sora. This was turning into a confusing mess right before his eyes. Riku snapped at him, "Roxas I don't think you have much time!"

"H-he's right..." Roxas said hesitantly. He looked at Sora, who seemed to be passed out.

Kairi folded her arms, "But it doesn't make any sense! Why?" She placed a hand to her head, "I mean, yeah, I'm free thanks to Ven," she shot him a look, "but why-"

"Well I think it's obvious Roxas doesn't wanna save himself or Sora," Riku said bitterly, "but the brunt of it is that they used to be Sea People and they need-"

"Hold up!" Kairi yelled, "Fins and all?!"

Riku nodded, "Yeah..."

Ventus looked at Roxas, who looked away expecting prejudice of some kind. Ventus leaned in to Roxas, ensuring he saw him, "That true?" Roxas stole a glance, and turned around when he saw the wonder and pleasant surprise in Ven's eyes.

Kairi, meanwhile, seemed to have had her head explode, "Okay so I've been neighbors with a fish?!"

"Half fish." Roxas corrected her softly. He suddenly doubled over, gasping as a particularly painful wave of agony washed over.

Riku pushed Kairi a little closer while Ventus soothed Roxas, "Come on they don't have all day."

Kairi shook him off, "Hold on now if I'm gonna kiss Sora I'm gonna kiss him willingly! And honestly I want an explanation-"

"There'll be time for it later!" Ven said, "Right now they're both DYING!"

Kairi paused at that. She bit her lip, then looked at Riku, "...There's something you're not telling me, Riku."

Riku sighed, "Fine if I tell you will you kiss Sora and save their bums?" Kairi nodded. Riku fiddled with his necklace, "I was one too. I used to live in the sea, I got bored, and now here I am. There."

Kairi blinked. She looked at Sora, and asked Roxas, "Were you-"

"I didn't want to come," Roxas's voice was strained, and now wet as a bit more blood came up, "Sora gave up his speech to see you and only you."

Kairi took a good look at Sora, covering her mouth with tears in her eyes. Sora had quite a bit of blood already poured from his slack lips, his expression relaxed and pained. "Just me?" She asked with a hushed reverence.

"Just you," Roxas said.

Kairi scooted closer, drawing up her sleeve to wipe up Sora, "Since you put it that way..." She hesitated a moment, then glared at Riku and Ventus, "By the way I am not all diddly fine with you two. Although matters are calling for working out how pissed I am with you two later."

"Just kiss him already Kai." Riku sighed.

Kairi did so, and Roxas could have sworn there was a breeze that blew not only past him but completely through him. Even if everyone else seemed undisturbed, there was no denying the clumps of hair that stirred against his face.

Kairi backed up and gagged, "Eugh! So metallic!" She stood and walked towards the sea with a small squeak, "'Scuse me."

Roxas felt his muscles unwinding, and Sora slackened in his embrace. At first he panicked, but then Sora opened his eyes. He softly grunted with a sleepy, questioning look. Riku bent over to him, "You got your kiss just in the brink of time."

Sora smiled with a small laugh, as if to deny that statement. He looked at Roxas. Roxas nodded, "W-we're good..."

There was a splash, making everyone turn to see Kairi pop out of the waves with a surprised gasp, "A-A SEA PERSON!" She turned back to them with her sopping wet hair clinging to her face, "I SAW ONE!"

"Me too!"

Everyone's heads snapped back to Sora, who had wide eyes and was covering his mouth.

Ventus looked at Riku and Roxas, "That wasn't us..."

Sora laughed. He sat up a little shakily and laughed, "I-I-!" He turned to Roxas, sticking out his new tongue, "'Oxas 'ook!" He stood, laughing and pointing at his tongue to Kairi, "'Ai'i! 'Ai'i!"

Kairi tilted her head, mouthing a choice set of words used only for the most surprising of situations. She then laughed and ran over to Sora, who was now jumping around the beach and babbling away in delight, "I can talk! I can talk!" He swayed and sighed, "Kairi, I can finally say Kai- WOAH!" He toppled over when Kairi hugged him in delight.

Riku, meanwhile, was still staring at the horizon, "Was that who I think it was?"

Roxas shrugged, and turned to Ven. Ventus smiled, and kissed Roxas's forehead, "See? Not dead." Roxas smiled, but it soon vanished. Did he really want to go back?

"Oh yeah! Roxas!" Sora stumbled up and ran over. He pointed to Roxas's necklace, "If you wanna go back..." His exuberance faded. He swallowed uncomfortably and tugged at his own necklace a little, "You just gotta take this..."

He sighed and shook his head, "What am I saying?" He held out his hand, "Come on, we can be happy here, right? We can live out the rest of our days here, be happy..." He added softer, "Be brothers..."

Roxas stared at Sora's offered hand. He looked at the sun peeking over the waves; he didn't have long. He looked back at Sora, who didn't need any more words to pull a convincing argument. Kairi watched him with concern as she clung to Sora's arm.

"Roxas?" Roxas turned to Ven, who grabbed his hand and held it tighter than iron, "Don't go. Please." He shook his head, "Please don't go. I ran when I learned you were gone, I'm willing to take all the blame Kairi can place on us, and perfectly willing to do whatever it takes to keep you here." He hugged Roxas, "Just don't go."

Roxas's hand wandered to his necklace. He really did not anticipate being able to choose.

"It's not that bad here, as you can see." Sora laughed with a strained hint of worry.

Kairi shrugged, "As much as I want you and Sora to stay together, it's your choice, Roxas." He looked at Riku, who only nodded in agreement.

Roxas pushed Ven away gently, cupping his cheek. Ventus shook his head, worried Roxas was leaving. Instead, Roxas kissed Ven, and there was small cheers when everyone realized Roxas was choosing to stay. Ventus was overjoyed, and he relished the fact that Roxas did want to stay with him. No way he was going to have a broken heart from this. He smiled when Roxas backed away, "You're-" he stopped. His relieved expression sank to terror.

Roxas's necklace was pulled off, with two strands dangling from the charm in limp defeat.

Roxas was crying, a smile of his own forced onto his face, "I'm Sorry... I..." He glanced at the sea, then kissed Ventus one more time, "Goodbye." He ran for the sea, leaving the charm behind and jumping into deeper waters the moment he could.

Ventus picked up the charm and ran after him, "Roxas! ROXAS!"

Sora rushed past him, "Roxas!" He began swimming after him, "Roxas- brother wait!"

Kairi pulled Ventus back, "Ven! Ven hold on you can't swim like this-"

Ventus screamed for Roxas as Riku joined Kairi and pulled him back, "ROXAS!" He hiccuped and sobbed for Kairi and Riku to let him go, "Please! Please I need to find him!" He fell limp, falling to his knees in the surf, "I need to find Roxas...!"

...

Riku sat on a rock in the shoals, keeping an eye out for Sora. He sighed, looking back at Ventus and Kairi talking things out by a fire to dry them off. Ventus looked like someone had shattered the delicate naivety in him. He hugged himself and stared blankly at the fire while Kairi rubbed his shoulder and said all sorts of encouraging words. He seemed to be ignoring her.

Riku sighed and turned back to the sea to prop his head in a hand resting against his knees. He kept cycling back to the one question he had: what on earth was Roxas thinking?

"I can't answer that, friend."

He gave a particularly annoyed sigh when he recognized the voice, "What are you doing, old man?"

"Mermagus or Eraqus would do, Riku." He said as he leaned against the rock Riku was sitting on.

Riku rolled his eyes, "You're not supposed to interfere like this, right?"

"Not entirely," Eraqus shrugged, "But I was quite impressed with Sora. He managed to get his goal done as he was dying. Most people I help forget that as long as they're alive they still have hope to succeed."

"That's why you gave his tongue back, isn't it?" Riku remarked bitterly, "You were 'impressed'."

"I can see you are quite resentful about your own price." Eraqus merely replied.

Riku scoffed, and tried settling onto his rock better, "Of course I am if you can just give it back." He dipped his toes into the surf, but pulled away. His face flickered with fear and longing.

"I won't give you your swimming back." Eraqus said softly. Riku glared at him, then curled up, sulking. Eraqus merely sighed, "I know you miss the sea, Riku, but think about what you really wanted from this."

Riku looked at his hand, "I was getting bored. I wanted friends. I wanted a new life..." He unfurled himself and looked at the sky, "It's not that I don't appreciate what I have now, it's just I wish I wasn't so landlocked right now."

Eraqus said nothing. Both he and Riku turned to see Sora drag himself onto shore and collapse. Kairi walked over and asked him something- presumably if he'd found Roxas. Sora shook his head. Kairi went back to Ventus and hugged him.

"Why did he do that?" Riku asked softly, "He could've been really happy here."

"I can only guess," Eraqus said, "that he decided to let himself go of this paradise because he felt he didn't belong, because he felt pressure from his old life that he couldn't let go." He turned to Riku, "You are aware how his relationship with Ventus would be seem down there."

"I know, but that's in the sea." Riku snapped. He couldn't bear the sight of Ventus sobbing into Kairi's shoulder and Sora sitting next to him with his wet skin plastered with sand and looking equally miserable. "What does any of that have to do with here? If I remember right Namine and Kairi had two dads for a little while, until Saïx ended up getting lost in a storm."

"You try growing up with such stigmas and getting introduced to another way in only a matter of days." Eraqus said, "It's hard to let go of old ways at times."

Riku fell silent. After a moment Eraqus swam out a little more, as if to leave, but Riku stopped him, "Hey, about Roxas..." He hesitated, but Eraqus's questioning gaze prompted him to say, "Is he still alive?"

Eraqus only vanished with one last splash of his tail fin.

And that folks leaves only a bonus chapter that isn't even necessary until this is done for good. Also sorry about this being 3k there's just no real good spot to divide it into smaller chunks (and also sorry because I feel this all could've been done a little better like pretty much everything I got up here)