Okay now, who invited f*cking Moon Moon? ... is what I thought when reading the theme. I went for something softer, though.
Despite being called Twilight Town, the sun wasn't stuck in an always setting position. Morning would come, then afternoon, and only after that would the town deserve its name. And after that, the moon would rise and night would fall, and the name became meaningless again. But Isa liked it here, no matter the time of the day. Or the meaning of the town.
He was sitting at the top of the clocktower, staring at the moon, alone. It was quiet, the night still warm with a summer breeze, and it helped clearing his thoughts. As soon as he heard steps behind him, he knew his meditation was over, though.
"I knew I'd find you here," he heard Lea say as he sat next to him. "Ice cream shop's closed, though."
Isa said nothing, not even taking his eyes off the moon. Lea sighed.
"Are you okay? You feel a bit… distant, lately. You're even worrying the kids. They thought you were mad at them. Isa?"
The blue haired man finally looked down from the sky. He shook his head.
"I'm not mad at them. Or at anyone. You of all people know what it looks like when I get mad. That's not something I can allow anymore."
"Ah, yeah, my berserk buddy. Did you have any other anger impulse lately?" While the tone was light, worry was obvious. Lea had once walked into a room Isa had completely destroyed, every piece of furniture turned into chips of wood. It was merely a month ago.
"I can feel it rise sometimes, but I always managed to stop it before I can't handle it."
"You know, I've been thinking about it. About what we could do to perhaps deal with it."
The ghost of a smile appeared on Isa's lips. We. Lea refused to let him suffer alone, and he was grateful for that. "I'm all ears."
"The answer is Merlin!"
"Merlin?" Isa was confused. Was Lea suggesting Isa should rip the annoying magician into pieces? Or did the talkative old man have a spell for anger management?
"Remember how he created a special room for Kairi and I to train? I was thinking he could perhaps create a room for you. One you would go to anytime the anger became too much. A room where you can destroy and rage without fearing of consequences, rather than trying to muffle down that anger until the day it explodes again. What do you say?"
Isa considered the option in silence for a while. Lea respected that and did not speak either.
"I think it's worth a try."
"Amazing! Let's go ask him soon, then! The sooner the better, right?"
Isa nodded and Lea chuckled, bumping his shoulder.
"Oh, by the way, Xion asked if we wanted to go shopping with her tomorrow. I think she wants to buy a present for Naminé. Wanna join?"
"I… I don't know. I'm just not… I'm not used to have many people around. People used to avoid me. Especially her."
"You know she has forgiven you, right? She understands. So if you're avoiding her just because you fear she fears you, then…"
"It's not just that." Isa shook his head. "I don't mix well with people. I'm not you. I don't know how to talk to them, how to be interesting, or funny, or anything. I'm just the awkward guy standing behind. I don't know how to answer them when they tell me things, I just don't-"
"It's fine," Lea interrupted, putting a hand on Isa's shoulder. "I get it. Take all the time you need. I'm not forcing you to join us. Spend as much or as little time with everyone as you wish. Baby steps. They will understand, and no one will judge you. Just join whenever you feel like you're mentally ready to, and I promise everyone will be glad you're here and not call you the 'awkward guy standing behind'. And because you join one time doesn't mean you have to join the next time as well. It's whenever you want. Whenever you can."
Isa lowered his head, staring at his hands on his laps. Somehow, he felt very weak. Guilty he wasn't strong enough to simply spend time with people he should consider friends. Lea, not letting go of his shoulder, kept talking.
"And of course, call me anytime of day or night and I'll gladly just spend time with you, just the two of us! It's true that I spend a lot of time with the kids, but seriously, call and I'll be there. Oh, I know! How about we go back to Radiant Garden this weekend? You and me. We haven't visited our families in ages! Oh, I hope your ma will have some of her apple pie ready, I'm drooling just by thinking about it."
"If she knows you're coming, she'll probably bake around half a dozen," Isa chuckled, thinking about this home he visited only once since the town was fully restored, most of its people with it.
"Is that a yes then?" Lea asked, his eyes sparkling.
"It is. I'd love to. It's been a while since we hung out together."
"You're right. I'm sorry. I should have made myself more available."
Isa shook his head, this time really smiling. "Thank you, Lea." Thank you for being an amazing friend. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for being here. "Thank you."
Lea beamed at him. "No need for that. That's what best friends are for."
And for the first time since he got his heart back, Isa realised that he wasn't as alone as he thought he was.
Isa's redemption squad, assemble! (I'm not such an Isa fan tbh but I think he deserves to be happy and trusted again. You go boy! You've got the bestest friend by your side!)
Our very last theme will be "Angel"! Ready for XMas yet?