AN: Thank you theIrishWriter and SuperSaiyanFever on ffnet for your reviews (even though ffnet won't actually show them to me on the website... which is plain weird). Thanks for the Kudos on AO3! We're closing in on the end, just a couple more chapters to go! Please R&R!

Far beyond those walls, gleaming black and white
Further than our false schemes of wrong and right
Is a field where we can walk
Leaving all our names behind
I will meet you there, beyond the pines
Templed in twilight or dawn
-Thice, Beyond the Pines
xxxxxxxxxxxxxXXXXXXXXXXXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By the time most of everyone finally went home for the evening, late into the night, it was with a feeling of insufficiency. Naminé and Xion opted to stay with Kairi due to a mutual concern for her wellbeing, while Roxas insisted on staying with Aeros.

The man's somber silhouette was simply too painful… and, he felt that maybe Sora would appreciate someone keeping his father company.

So that he wasn't alone again.

Roxas, no matter how much of his short life had been filled with becoming his own unique person…

He still owed a lot of himself to Sora.

It was awkward, and by the time they reached Sora's childhood home, Roxas felt unsure and out of place. However, Aeros took his hesitation in stride, "You know… you can just take things at your own pace. If it feels unnatural for you, don't worry about offending me."

Roxas bit his lip as he bowed his head, "I barely understand a lot of things… that normal people are raised just.. knowing."

Aeros looked him over with an odd reminiscent look before nodding slowly, "I suppose… I can understand that. You're a being who simply came into existence as you are. You didn't have a childhood- you just… were, right?"

Roxas nodded as he looked up to the brunette, shuffling awkwardly at the short path that led to Sora's home.

Aeros opened the door and turned back to him, "Well, everything starts with a single step. Take your time, the door's open. Even if it takes until morning, it's alright to take living your own life at your own pace."

Roxas watched the man go inside and then turn on a few lights in the house before disappearing. He absently rubbed his arm, wondering if he should have insisted that Axel or Xion come with him, but tossed those thoughts aside.

Ventus probably would have helped him settle in quickly, dragging him in laughing while casting off his doubts, but his twin had simply been completely drained, and almost seemed sickly.

Roxas took a deep breath and stepped forward.

One step, and then another, until he entered the doorway and silently closed the door.

The clocktower in Twilight Town had been such an important place to him, that it had been the first place he ran to when he decided to leave the Organization.

Now, entering the home of his Somebody, he felt a rush of homesickness for this building he'd never been to.

It was just like when he saw Aeros for the first time.

I'm home.

Tears gathered in Roxas's eyes as he leaned back against the door and bowed his head, trying to sift through the foreign feelings running through him.

So this is what home felt like. A place where you felt warm and cared for. Protected from those who would seek to harm you.

He took a silent shuddering breath as he lifted his head and leaned back on the door, staring at the ceiling.

I'm home… without you here to greet me.

Roxas pushed himself off the door and let himself into the kitchen, staring at the dining room table and focused on the seat he knew Sora always sat in. Faint memories that weren't his flit through his mind, memories he'd never once touched as they'd had nothing to do with his time as a Keyblade Wielder.

Unimportant to a weapon's development.

Gingerly, he looked at the other chairs and carefully pulled one out as he awkwardly sat down and looked around.

Sora had spent so many years in this kitchen. Laughing, eating, studying.

Roxas felt as if the years he never had the chance to experience were slowly filtering in.

So that's what growing up is like.

Sora had wanted Roxas to have the chance to be his own person, express his own feelings.

Not be trapped within the confines of his Heart, but truly live.

That wasn't to say Axel wasn't a great teacher- he owed a lot to his best friend… but…

There were certain things that his older peer simply didn't seem equipped to talk about, or be for him. Maybe that's why he had wanted to stay with Aeros for this moment, to understand a part of Sora and what he'd wanted him to have.

When Sora had fallen deep into Slumber during his failed Mark of Mastery… when Roxas had filled his Other with all of his feelings and memories… How upset Sora had been in his place, desperate for him to be his own self again.

He'd been resigned to fading into Nothing, finally giving everything over to Sora.

But Sora had never given up Hope in restoring him.

To let him simply Be.

And now he wasn't here to show him the way.

And that was probably what hurt him the most.

Roxas wanted his Brother.

When Aeros got up in the morning to get ready to work at the Library, he was not expecting to find Roxas just… asleep on the couch without a blanket.

With his shoes still on.

He squinted his eyes wondering that one. Had no one taught him how to- wait.

He shouldn't even ask.

Aeros scratched his head for a moment before carefully walking over to his guest… son? Half son? Whatever Roxas was, and gently spoke to him, "You want breakfast?"

Roxas twitched before his eyes opened blearily, looking around confused until he finally focused on Aeros. His eyes lacked any recognition or understanding, so he tried again a little louder, "You want food?"

This seemed to click a little as Roxas blinked, "Wha?"

"Food, breakfast. You wanna eat?"

Roxas abruptly sat up, looking around in confusion as Aeros stepped back, his hands eventually resting on his hips, "You're not a morning person, are you?"

Roxas finally seemed to understand where he was before tilting his head in genuine confusion, "What's that mean?"

Aeros stared at the kid for a long moment before taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.

It was depressingly endearing in a way Aeros wasn't willing to deal with at that moment, "You don't do well when you first wake up. I'll just make some breakfast for the both of us."

Roxas blinked up at him as he swung his legs off the couch and nodded, "Ok."

Aeros went into the kitchen and started collecting the items for their meal. He grabbed four eggs out of the fridge, several slices of bread, and butter. He went to work preparing the eggs and placing the bread in the toaster as Roxas slowly made his way over.

He hovered around the outer edge of the table feeling out of place, vaguely recalling the times he and the other Organization members ate.

Not that they ate together often. It was mostly a solo affair, unless demanded otherwise.

While it had been about a week since everything had happened at the Keyblade Graveyard, it had not been one where he'd been allowed the chance to settle in anywhere.

There had been trips to Radiant Garden, to check if his replica body was functioning correctly.

Talks about where it was Roxas would live, if he'd simply follow after Axel, or if he and Xion would go to the Land of Departure to train and learn about things normally.

It didn't matter what idea had been tossed around, nothing seemed to really fit.

So he and Xion had mostly been left to their own devices along with Naminé, waffling around Radiant Garden's Castle, awkwardly becoming reacquainted with the completed selves of their previous colleagues.

But… now that he was standing here, in Sora's home… somehow it felt right to be here.

There was still an air of uncertainty, but he thought maybe this is where he should stay for now.

Maybe Xion would agree.

Eventually, Aeros finished preparing breakfast for the two of them, motioning for him to sit and eat.

Roxas continued to feel awkward, the palpable loss of Sora's presence weighing heavily on him as Aeros simply took the strange air in stride. By the time Roxas was done eating, it took him a moment to realize Aeros had simply begun to silently study him.

The blond's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "...What?"

Aeros smiled slightly, "So… tell me a little about yourself. There's still a little time before I have to go to the Library and open it, but it'd be nice to know a little bit more about you."

Roxas couldn't help the blank stare that fell into place, "There's not a whole lot to tell…" He stared at his finished plate, "...I like sea-salt ice cream a lot."

Aeros nodded as he hummed, "I think I recall DiZ eating that somewhat often. It was that blue colored popsicle they sold in Twilight Town, right?"

Roxas frowned at the mention of the man who brought his existence callously to its conclusion before nodding, "...Yeah."

Aeros watched his face for a while before speaking, "I've trained for several years in Wielding the Keyblade… While it's mostly for the sake of protecting the Islands, I taught Sora everything I'd learned from his mother one day at a time until there was nothing left."

Roxas looked up at Aeros, "So… Sora's mom could Wield a Keyblade. He doesn't seem to have any memories of her… or at least… as far as I was ever able to see of his Memories."

Aeros's gaze fell to the table as he folded his hands on the table, "It's as I said last night, she disappeared when he was about six months old. A man had appeared in her room where she was recovering shortly after Sora's birth, and said that she could struggle all she wanted, but that would be all the time she'd have until she was made to continue ahead."

Roxas frowned for a lengthy moment before asking, "Did you ever see that man again?"

Aeros shrugged, "No, but… he wasn't someone I ever wanted to meet again anyway. He felt ancient and his flippant words and use of Darkness was just… Oily."

The teen looked up at him with odd wonder, opening his mouth as if to ask something, only to decide against it. "...Oh, right, you summoned a Keyblade yesterday. I can summon two."

Aeros perked up at that, "Really?"

Roxas nodded before standing, "You wanna see?" He seemed to slowly get excited by the idea, even though he would have otherwise been defensive about it.

Aeros nodded with a smile, standing, "Sure, if you wouldn't mind."

Roxas moved away from the table and summoned Oathkeeper and Oblivion, showing them off to the older brunette. Aeros looked them over idly before giving him a nod, "That's amazing."

Roxas willed them to return, allowing his hands to rest at his sides, "It wasn't always that way… and I was almost surprised that I can still do so, but… They mean a lot to me."

Aeros cautiously took a step closer to the teen before gently patting him on the head, "As they should. They're a reflection of your Heart."

Roxas flushed a little at the attention as he glanced at the floor, "Even if… they're just like ones Sora could Wield?"

Aeros removed his hand to cross his arms, "Well, I don't think my Keyblade is its own unique original design… but it does suit me. In the end, it's what they mean to you that matters."

Roxas looked up to Aeros in wonder, before smiling with agreement. "Right."

Aeros then abruptly moved forward and clapped Roxas on the back, "Now then, how about you go and freshen up in the shower? Please tell me the wolves who raised you at least taught you basic hygiene."

Roxas laughed as he nodded.

He'd at least gotten that far in life.

The first day staying on Destiny Islands brought a lot of concerns to the forefront of their minds. Once ready for the day, Riku had picked up Roxas from Sora's house, and then met up with Xion and Naminé in the middle of town.

The two girls were nervous and disheartened.

Roxas studied them for a long moment as Riku looked around, "Xion, Naminé… what's wrong?"

The two looked at the blond before Xion sighed, "Kairi isn't doing well."

Naminé nodded as Riku returned his attention to them, "She's heartbroken… and I'm afraid the strain on her Heart at Sora's disappearance… I'm afraid she might allow herself to fall into Sleep."

Riku furrowed his brows in concern, "What do you mean, Naminé?"

The blonde looked up at Riku as she took a deep breath, "I think… Kairi's already trying to trace her connection to Sora. I'm afraid, if he's very far away, that she might journey into Sleep to find him. At least… that's what I feel she's decided."

Xion nodded sadly, "I can tell Sora's alive… like Aeros said, but… I agree with Naminé. I think Kairi's going to do something drastic to try and find Sora. She feels useless after everything he's done for her, only for things to end up like...this."

Riku frowned while Roxas let his gaze drop to the ground sadly. Riku took a breath, "Can you not find a connection to him, Naminé?"

She held her hands to her chest, taking a deep breath before exhaling with a negative shake of her head, "I've tried… but it's like there are only loose threads instead of a strong chain to connect to. Honestly, a few of the times I've tried to reach out… it was like an impenetrable Darkness was blocking my way."

Roxas blinked while Riku latched onto her words, "Darkness? Was it something familiar?"

Naminé clenched her hands with a rough shake of her head, "No. It's… hard to describe. I'd need time to try and filter through it to really give you any further thoughts on it."

Riku took a deep breath and sighed, "Alright. I understand. Sorry for pushing you."

The petite girl shook her head, "It's alright. I just want to do my part to help Sora, the same way he's helped me. I know he still wants to thank me, but… I can't thank him enough for all he's done."

Riku nodded with a melancholic look on his face, "Right."

Xion looked Roxas over, "So how was it with Sora's dad?"

Roxas blinked as the other two turned their attention to him. He felt awkward at the sudden attention and rubbed his head, "You know… it was kinda nice. Really weird, but… I think… I kinda want to stay."

Riku raised an eyebrow in surprise as Xion gazed at him, "Really? I… kinda wanted to go with you, but… I really was concerned with how withdrawn Kairi was. She reminded me of… myself, just before…"

The two grimaced before Xion continued, "Do you think I could try staying there with you tonight?"

Roxas put his hands in his pockets, "I don't really see why not… though, I guess we'll have to ask Sora's dad about that."

Riku smiled slightly, "He might not be my father, but I've called him Uncle on a number of occasions. He's been around since I was born, and was childhood friends with my parents. He's pretty much family to me."

Roxas and Xion looked at one another before Naminé chimed in, "It might take some time… but you can decide for yourselves how you want to view Aeros. Thinking of him as an Uncle… that seems to be a little more fitting to my idea of what he should be in my point of view… But you two are different. It's not like you have to figure it out today."

The two displaced teens looked at each other before agreeing.

They would take all the time they'd need to figure themselves out.

It was nearing the time Aeros would close for the night that Roxas and Xion found their way into the Library. They looked around in wonder, letting themselves in as they noticed him sitting at the circulation desk.

Aeros gave them a nod in greeting that they returned before wandering around.

After about a half an hour, the few students who had been studying waved their goodbyes and left, leaving the three Keyblade Wielders to themselves. Aeros locked the door and shuttered the windows before looking around for his guests. "Roxas?"

The blond popped out from a row of books on the second floor, Xion following behind him, "We're here."

The brunette nodded, "It's time to head home. Are the two of you staying for the night?"

They glanced at each other before nodding, Xion feeling a little more timid as they started down to the main floor.

Aeros smiled as he nodded, "Alright. Either of you have anything you'd like to eat?"

The two met up with him and wilted a little under his expectant stare. He blinked before smiling awkwardly, "I guess I'll make it a surprise then." He looked to Roxas, "You know the way home?"

The blond blinked, surprised at how easily Aeros took to him. He smiled, "Yeah, I remember."

They nodded, and they were off. Roxas and Xion to Sora's home, while Aeros picked up dinner.

Once Roxas let them in, he let Xion wander around the main floor of Sora's childhood home, allowing her the time to take it in. After a while, she turned to Roxas, "...It feels like Home."

Roxas agreed, "I felt the same once I finally came in."

He paused, noticing Xion had taken her shoes off at the door. He'd stood in the middle of the living room and was left a little confused, "You took your shoes off?"

Xion stared at him a moment before giggling, "Roxas, it keeps the house cleaner to leave them at the door. Unlike at the Castle that Never Was, normal people don't have a bunch of Dusks to clean up all the dirt we track in."

His eyes widened as a blush formed on his face, "Oh…" Roxas then took off his shoes at the door before joining his friend, rubbing the back of his head bashfully, "I wonder if that's why…"

Xion raised an eyebrow in question.

Roxas shrugged, "I went to sleep with my shoes on, on the couch. Aeros seemed a little… confused by that."

Xion smiled, "Old habits are pretty hard to break, huh?"

Roxas nodded, "We'd change clothes pretty often, but it was so easy to just flop into bed with everything still on, just in case there was an emergency."

She nodded before looking towards the stairs, "Have you been up there yet?"

He nodded, "Yeah… Aeros had me take a shower. Taught me how to use a set of spells to wash and clean my clothes if I was in a rush and didn't have anything else on me…"

Xion frowned, "Not that we have much of anything else…"

Just their Organization clothes, and what they wore on their backs.

She sighed, "Kairi lent us stuff to sleep in, but…"

Roxas shuffled, "I'm sure we'll figure out what to do. I don't think I'd feel comfortable in Sora's old clothes- I don't think anything'd fit anyway. You're so tiny, I'm sure even if it's too big we can figure something out."

The girl nodded as Aeros finally returned with a bag of groceries. He looked the two over in concern, "You two alright?"

They smiled uneasily before Roxas responded, "Just… thinking about how we really don't have any other clothes except for these."

Aeros's eyes widened as he looked between the two, moving towards the back door, "Really? Nothing?"

They nodded as they watched him with interest. Xion took a step towards the kitchen, "What did you decide for us to have?"

Aeros smiled toothily that achingly reminded them of Sora's smile, "Barbeque. I got some good meat and I think the two of you'll like it."

They nodded as they followed him out into the yard. Xion paused, "Oh, should we get our shoes..?"

Aeros glanced down for a second before shrugging, "I'm going to be by the grill, so it's better to have shoes on… but really, it's up to the two of you if you'd like to enjoy the yard barefoot, or stay inside."

They looked to one another before coming to a silent agreement, stepping outside and shutting the door behind them. They decided to mill around the yard for a little while as Aeros started cooking, but eventually they both seemed to settle on a nearby cushioned bench. They watched Aeros with rapt attention as he cooked a few different items, slowly causing the brunette to sweat at their singular focus.

He cleared his throat, "So… what was your name again..?"

"Oh, it was Xion." She smiled, "I guess with everything that happened, there were a lot of new names to learn."

Aeros nodded, "So you're going to stay the night as well?"

Xion nodded as Aeros pursed his lips, " It's been a rather long time since we've had a girl in the house… I'm sorry for the mess."

Xion shrugged, "It feels truly lived in, like a Home... so I don't mind."

Aeros frowned before shaking his head. "I'll have to ask Ruki if she has anything she's willing to spare… Girls should have their own stuff." He pondered a moment, "I should see if anything in storage is alright."

Xion tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

Aeros looked the two over a moment, "You.. both do know there's a difference between girls and boys, right?"

They nodded with childlike innocence. Axel (sort of) got them that far.

"The way stuff is formulated for boys is different than it is for girls most of the time when it comes to personal hygiene. Ruki had to drill this into Vale and I growing up because we'd buy whatever, and then she'd make us go back because it wasn't something she could use without having a negative reaction to it. Sure, she could use it occasionally, but the way stuff smells is also important."

The two nodded as Xion seemed to be contemplating, "I guess that makes sense. The stuff we had at the Organization… none of it seemed to have any sort of smell, and I think I remember Larxene complaining about it while yelling at the Dusks."

Roxas huffed, "Larxene hated everything."

Xion bowed her head, "...yeah." She shrunk into herself a little as Roxas looked at her in concern along with Aeros.

Xion gasped as she looked up to Aeros, "Oh yeah. What's in storage? Is it anything we can help with?"

Aeros frowned as he thought it over before shaking his head, "No. It's just, Ruki carefully packed away Ava's clothes for me when I simply didn't have the strength to do so." He looked away from them as he started to remove the meat from the grill, "You look a lot like her, even though you look a lot like Kairi."

Xion blinked, "I… look like Sora's mom?"

Aeros nodded hesitantly, "You're a little smaller then she was, but she had black hair too."

Xion's eyes widened. She'd been a vessel to steal Sora's memories from Roxas, but she'd mostly taken the misplaced memories of Kairi instead. She knew her appearance depended on the one who looked at her, but… she didn't realize that some of Sora's mother had helped mold the way she now looked. She bowed her head, "I see…"

Aeros rubbed his shoulder, looking between the two, "Uh.. well, I know it might not be the most comfortable thing to do, but I think she'd be alright with lending you some of her clothes. A lot of it was hand me downs anyway."

Xion looked up to Aeros and saw that he was being genuine, and smiled. "Alright, thank you."

He nodded before setting the plate near them on an outdoor table, "Why don't you two go in and grab some plates while I grill up the vegetables, alright?"

The two glanced at each other as they nodded and went into the house.

Dinner passed, and Aeros went into the attic. It was while they heard him moving stuff around that there was a knock at the door before Ruki let herself in. She smiled at Xion, "Ah, so you're both just stuck waiting around, huh? Have you decided your sleeping arrangements?"

They glanced at each other before shrugging.

Ruki sighed with a shake of her head, before handing a bag of items to Xion, "Well, here's some soap and stuff that should be alright. You can keep it, they were all extras I had around the house anyways."

Xion looked at the bag and inspected everything before smiling, "Thank you, Miss Ruki."

Ruki rubbed her head with an uneasy smile, "You're welcome. I heard through Aeros the two of you don't have much in the way of things to call your own, right?"

They nodded. Ruki hummed to herself, "Well, how about you, Naminé, and I go shopping tomorrow for a few things?"

Roxas tilted his head, "What about me?"

Ruki stared at him blankly for a moment before blurting, "I'll have Vale and Riku look after you and take care of any of your needs, alright?"

Roxas cringed a little before nodding, "Alright."

Ruki raised an eyebrow, "What was that look for?"

Roxas shrunk into his neck, "Uh.. I don't… hate Riku," At least not anymore, "But it is kinda awkward… since I sorta broke his wrist?"

Ruki stared at the boy for a moment before barking out a laugh and clapping Roxas on the back, "You've got guts, kid. I appreciate that it's not something you gloat over, but wow. No one's really ever beat Riku on the Islands other than myself. I'm sure it was a shock."

Roxas cringed a smile while Xion smiled blankly, not entirely sure of what to do or say since her own interactions with Riku were… well…

Heavy?

Aeros eventually came down as they were talking with a small pile of clothes. He motioned for Xion to take the small bundle and when she did they smelled fresh and warm.

There was something that seemed like they could be worn to bed, and a few other garments.

Ruki smiled sadly, "Well, those bring back memories. How'd you get them freshened up so quickly?"

Aeros shrugged, "Magic."

Ruki's face went flat as she stared at her friend, "...There's house cleaning Magic?"

Aeros tilted his head, "And to think you survived The Cleaning Incident at Master Yen Sid's."

Ruki slapped her forehead as she sighed, "Right, well, I'll be by to pick these two up at around noon, alright?"

The three nodded, and Ruki let herself out.

It was then that it struck Aeros, "Wait.. where are you two sleeping?"

They looked at eachother innocently before turning to him, "We'll figure it out, don't worry about us."

Aeros gave them a long look, "...If you say so, but if I hear anything suspicious…"

Roxas and Xion both tilted their heads in genuine confusion as Aeros got the distinct feeling he was overthinking things.

He sighed, "See you two in the morning. If you two will be staying with me longer, we'll have to figure out a more permanent solution than the living room, ok?"

They nodded together, "Ok. 'Night."

Aeros patted them both on the head, "Goodnight."

In the morning Aeros found the living room made into a massive tent with random blankets and pillows they'd somehow managed to snag from all over the house. He had the weirdest sense of deja vu from Sora and Riku's younger days when they'd spend all night making up adventures until they fell asleep in their pillow forts.

He lifted the side closest to the kitchen, where sure enough, the two's heads were, facing each other in a cocoon of blankets. He smiled wistfully as he gently called to them, "Good Morning, Roxas, Xion."

They both grumbled before looking up at him sleepily, "'Morning dad."

He smiled at them with tears in his eyes, heart strangely full.

Sora may have been his only son, but somehow, he'd gained more children in his absence.