I don't own anything associated with Kingdom Hearts. It belongs to Square Enix/Disney.
Happiness
"That was a violent nightmare you had last night."
Curled up in the corner of her bed, still in her pyjamas, Aqua looked dully at Master Eraqus as he spoke. There was no trace of the spell she had cast at him, which she had expected, seeing that he was the best healer here.
He was seated in a chair he had pulled up to her bed, hands clasped together on his lap. His tone was careful, striving to be neutral, and his body language similarly so.
"Would you like to talk about it?" he asked.
She leaned back, and her head rapped against the wall. She should, shouldn't she? Talk about everything-
What!? After all of that you still want to tell him?
Her hands shook. She reminded herself it had been a dream; the Master would never raise a hand against her.
You didn't seem to think that last night.
"Shut up," she mumbled.
She didn't hear the Master's confused exclamation, too busy listening to her own thoughts. You saw what he did to Xehanort, his 'best friend', when he thought Xehanort betrayed him. What makes you so sure he wouldn't do the same to you?
A hand touching her arm snapped her out of her daze. Master Eraqus was peering at her face, acutely uncomfortable.
She licked her dry lips. "Master, if someone you knew – one of us – were to fall to the darkness, what would you do?"
His eyes darkened. "Do not believe Master Xehanort," he said.
"This isn't about him," she said. "I just want to know."
"Aqua," he put his hands on her shoulder, "none of you are going to go down that path."
"But what if we do?"
"Hush." His voice was just a little firm. "Do not trouble yourself over things that will not be. You forget that dreams are based on fantasy and impossibilities, and that Xehanort is not one who can be trusted."
She stared. He was avoiding the question.
And that was as good enough as a confession.
See? That dream wasn't so far-fetched. If he thinks you've turned on him, he'll be quick to do the same to you. It's too dangerous.
But the alternative was almost unthinkable.
So what? There's a reason nice guys finish last, and it's because they do stupid things like this. Why should we sacrifice our happiness- our life – for Xehanort?
Her life? No, the Master wouldn't kill her. Yes, he would be very angry, but –
Are you sure? You understood what he wasn't saying just a moment ago. You know how much he despises the darkness. What if he were to turn that hate on you? Master Eraqus, he's a friend, alright . . . as long as you stay in line.
She stared at the Master suspiciously. "Master, can I be alone for a little while?"
He blinked, taken aback. "If that is what you require."
She watched him go as the voice hissed inside her head:
He can't be trusted.
