I woke up in the trash and got adopted by the local trio.

This story keeps writing itself and I should really get back to Wielders to Master, lol. I only have things I've been trying to get to finally set up and ready to be written. Let alone the runalong Misfits to Master that I haven't written but have a mini outline for. OTL

Please R&R!

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Of all the things Vanitas thought he'd dream about, it wasn't this.

Years under Xehanort, waking up in a cold sweat wondering if he was still in that miserable desert of a graveyard?

Nope. The cold sweat was still there, but he felt powerful and free- unencumbered by body and flesh. Everything was grey and overshadowed, like his own memory had been slapped with a film of fog and black.

Five shapes with vague color, sometimes just one with a book and a pen with words completely garbled. Various points in time.

It had been a week of this nonsense, since he'd decided to shut himself away in Merlin's little World for training and educational endeavors after his last outing.

He finally understood a lot about his own male body, along with female ones that were so different from his. Thank the Void Merlin was willing to explain any social commentary he didn't understand and that Merlin was generally unruffled by his questions.

He rubbed his face with a tired groan as he woke up from another weird dream. If it weren't for his strange severance of connection with Ventus, he would've blamed his Other.

But then a shape that was all too familiar had appeared in this last dream, unconscious on the floor as monstrous figures surrounded him in that room he dreamed of. Far too much like when they'd been split-!

He shuddered before he lifted his hands above himself, clenching and unclenching his hands.

He needed to wash them.

Vanitas rolled out of bed and made his way to the bathroom to wash his hands thoroughly.

Ever since waking up in a proper body, he'd slowly come to understand that he needed to feel clean. Obsessively.

Merlin hadn't thought much of it at first, but Vanitas knew the man was becoming more alert about his tendencies. Vanitas had tried to hide some of it by using Water Magic, simply to rinse off, but after his hands began to crack and bleed Merlin had decided enough was enough.

He had even attempted to try and circumvent this tendency by reforming parts of his dark suit, but it was pointless. It no longer offered the cocooned comfort it once had, now that his skin had tasted fresh air and the sensation of touch.

So now he had a bottle of unscented lotion at his disposal with strict instructions to use it after each handwashing. It was annoying, but he preferred not having open cuts all over his weak skin, or the itchiness that came with dryness.

Luckily, taking one or two showers a day was seen as a plus, but he was once again given a different sort of lotion and made to promise to use it at least once a day all over, so he did.

He stretched and held back the natural inclination to make any sound while he made his way back to his room as it was late at night… or was it early morning? Vanitas glanced at a hallway window before coming to a pause and slowly dropping his arms. He stared at his vague reflection before shoving the window open and resting his arms on the sill tiredly. The cold breeze was refreshing to his over-warm skin. The sky was a strange purple-red, so it must be close to sunrise.

He breathed in, and the scent of flowers came to him, causing his gaze to drop to the public potted plant that was placed by every building for a splash of color and greenery.

He frowned at them before he unconsciously mumbled aloud, "At least they're not rose petals."

"What's wrong with roses?"

He startled, slamming his head on the sill as he covered his fresh wound, "Uagh!"

Merlin winced, waving a hand to ease the pain and heal the fresh new bump on the boy's head as Vanitas whirled around to glare at the young looking Wizard, "When'd you get here!?"

Merlin ruffled his wispy hair before smiling congenially at Vanitas with a fresh look about him, "I heard you, and well. I have a bit of an affinity for Dreams- not the way The Fairy Godmother does, but I'm still a bit affected by Dreamers."

Vanitas stared at him with a blank look, "...What?"

Merlin exhaled shortly before beckoning him with a small hand wave, "Let's have some tea, and maybe you can tell me a little more about your sensitivities."

Vanitas's face scrunched up in annoyed anger, his feet ignoring his feelings and following after the Wizard anyway, "I don't want to."

Merlin rolled his eyes with a small shake of his head, "Vanitas, if you at least tell me, I can do something about it so that no one else even notices."

Vanitas slowed for half a step before continuing after him. That was… agreeable. "Fine."

They arrived in the kitchen, and Vanitas plopped down into his favored seat while Merlin lazily waved his wand to set up a pot of water and to set the table with the cups, saucers, and other miscellaneous items he deemed necessary.

He even brought out the little sugar cookies he'd realized Vanitas would steal by the fistfull like a child sneaking behind their mother before supper.

Vanitas stared at the tray of cookies, blank but deeply annoyed the Wizard had come to note so much about him. His hand moved forward without thought and he snatched one off the plate and nibbled on it, staring the Wizard in the eyes harshly. "So, what do you mean about Dreams."

Merlin folded his hands on the table, "I'd rather focus on your obsessive tendencies first."

Vanitas scrunched his face before sighing as he finished his cookie and leaned his head back. He stared up at the ceiling as a different sort of tiredness entered his body, "I don't know. I just don't like feeling scummy, I guess."

Merlin raised an eyebrow at his word choice, but went with it as he beckoned the now boiling water to himself, placing a few bags into the pot and setting it to steep, "Is it not because you were raised in sand and dirt without water or care?"

Vanitas focused on his breathing for several breaths, "...Maybe."

Merlin nodded absently, putting two sugars into his cup and four into Vanitas's with a splash of cream, "You don't like others touching you directly."

"No."

"But if that place is covered, it's alright?"

Vanitas was silent again, "...Sometimes."

Merlin tapped his chin, "I see. Perhaps I should adjust something then."

Vanitas raised his head before shifting to sit more properly. "...Like what?"

Merlin hummed, "Well. I suppose adding gloves might be good, a little warm, but perhaps better?"

Vanitas scrunched into himself, "...No."

Merlin raised an eyebrow, "You don't like the idea?"

Vanitas pursed his lips, frowning in thought before he stared at his hand. He flexed it again, "I… like being able to feel textures, unlike before."

Merlin's eyes widened in slight surprise before adjusting his thoughts, "...Perhaps fingerless gloves?" Vanitas tilted his head in interest as the Wizard continued, "You can still feel things, but more of your hand would be covered. Would you like to try that instead?"

Vanitas looked oddly innocent as he mulled that idea over before finally nodding, "Sounds doable."

Merlin smiled with a nod before pouring himself and the boy tea. He passed over his charge's cup before taking a long comforting dreg of his own. He sighed pleasantly, "Ah, that certainly hits the spot."

Vanitas swirled his tea before taking a more cautious sip of his own, not liking it when it was so hot that it burned. It was pleasant, and it irked him how the Wizard had discerned just how to make tea in a way he'd drink it.

"Now then, I suppose I'll explain the Dream bit I mentioned."

Vanitas looked at the man as he set his cup down.

Merlin folded his hands on the table, "It is a bit of an odd quirk of mine, related to my ability to have a… prolonged existence. I can, partially, subsist off of the Dreams of humans alone, just as you used to subsist off of negativity."

Vanitas stared at the Wizard as an odd chill shivered down his gut, "You're not human."

Merlin clicked his tongue, "I am human enough. The same as you, really. Or well. Close enough." He shrugged, "The energy of people's Dreams, their Hopes. It has its own essence, and I can take in small amounts from a multitude of people so as to not drain any single individual." His eyes softened as he became wistful, "The Dreams of humans are fascinating, and they are so very precious."

Vanitas stared at the man for a long moment, "Is that why you can capture people's attention like that?"

Merlin blinked before chuckling softly, "Well, I suppose that's simply another… charm of mine. It's an unconscious thing that I try to suppress, but unfortunately with you I have to try a bit harder to keep your attention. You're far too rebellious, and prone to ignoring my instruction if I don't use my allure on you."

Vanitas glared at him, "So you're manipulating me!?"

Merlin rolled his eyes and took another long sip of his tea. "Not at all. It is merely a pull. I cannot make any single person do anything against their Will. Is it perhaps coercion? Yes. But it is merely with the intent to make you into a healthier individual. I do not seek to make you good, merely capable of enjoying his own life. Do not lie to me and say you have not thought of death constantly."

Vanitas clenched his hands into fists, clenching his teeth as he hunched over his tea with a bowed head and stared at his dim reflection in the murky surface and grumbled, "... Y're not wrong."

Merlin nodded sagely as he daintily ate a sugar cookie. "Right. I myself cannot claim to be good- merely, as Ansem the Wise would phrase it, a Servant of the World. I have no desire to see to the end of mankind, so I am its ally. But my actions may not always be seen as good or righteous." He paused, tilting his head before affirming to himself, "Even children are not born inherently good. They are taught to be good or bad by those who raise them, and then choose of their own will to change for better or worse. Xehanort might have raised you into the person you are now, but you are inherently true to yourself and your desires. You can never be truly good, just as Ventus cannot truly ever be bad. It is merely in your demeanor, and what you chose to do now and in the future that will determine if you will have peace."

Vanitas furrowed his brows. He slowly sat up, swirled that word over in his mind and took a sip of his tea, "Peace."

Merlin nodded, "Will you come to your end full of regret as you once did, or will you find it with a smile on your lips?"

Vanitas remembered Ventus's face as they fell away from each other during their previous battle.

He had died reaching out, full of regret and misery, hating himself for having lost to someone so pathetic.

Ventus had been smiling as he faded into the Light.

Vanitas nodded, "I understand." He didn't want to die bitter again. Even his vague and murky memories of his second-first death at Ventus and Sora's hands... His smile then.

It had not been genuine, but merely acceptance.

"I want to live a life worth living."

Vanitas could make that choice for himself, if nothing else.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

It was mid-day a few days later that Vanitas had decided to people-watch. Merlin had chuckled jovially as he lazily waved him off, a fresh pair of black Magical fingerless gloves covering his hands. He was sitting cross-legged on top of a building ledge, a bored look on his face as he slumped with his face in his palm.

People came in all shapes and sizes. Shades of skin and hair (natural and clearly unnatural) across the spectrum. Hands held, hands not. Hugs, friendly kisses of greeting and some of romantic intent. He found so much of it dull and occasionally disgusting. Really, he still hated everyone and everything, but… somehow it had become more tolerable.

It wasn't as much of a burning flame in his gut and being to immediately want to see everyone suffer as he did. It was honestly boggling how just two weeks being treated as more than just a tool could adjust his perspective of the Worlds.

Though he knew he didn't want to go to that obnoxious place with too many young bodies.

School.

He shuddered as his throat closed up slightly, forcing him to swallow to try and push back the sickness that came far too easily.

Vanitas breathed in slowly through his nose before exhaling in measured time. He looked up towards the clocktower before turning his gaze towards the horizon. He could see some sparkling water in the distance, marred by buildings… but he could still see it. No need for greater heights.

But he was curious why kids, with no way to save themselves if they fell, enjoyed sitting somewhere so high up.

Vanitas closed his eyes and felt the gentle breeze pass over his skin and tangle through his hair for a long silent moment.

"How surprising."

Vanitas launched himself forward, only to be grabbed by the shoulder and sat back down, his heart in his throat as he took in quiet short panting breaths from nearly leaping off the ledge. He looked up towards the source of the voice, a blue haired man with green eyes and an x marking his face.

Ah right, "...Isa?" Why did his voice sound so frail!?

The man nodded, releasing his steadying hold on Vanitas's shoulder, "Yes. I apologize for startling you."

Vanitas got his breathing under control just as a dizzy spell hit him from breathing incorrectly. "Whatever."

Isa smirked, "Hmph." He settled himself beside the teen, letting his legs drape over the edge of the building as he gazed outward, "People watching?"

Vanitas was silent for a moment before shrugging jerkily, "A bit."

Isa nodded, "Fascinating, to watch them go about their ordinary lives, ignorant to the many Worlds beyond."

Vanitas's eyes drooped as he settled back into his previously relaxed pose, "What of it?"

"It has charm."

Vanitas raised an eyebrow, shifting his grey eyes to the odd man beside him, "Charm?"

Isa chuckled to himself. Not a drop of joy, and only cynicism in it. "That is the sort of peace we can never obtain again. Certainly, we can enjoy ordinary boring days, but we know too much. Have seen too much."

Vanitas was silent for a long moment, "Why are you talking to me?"

Isa hummed, "There are times when I feel unworthy after all that has transpired, and need to separate myself."

Vanitas couldn't understand, so he shifted his gaze towards the plaza, "Huh."

Isa was silent, caught up in his own thoughts and observations. It was odd, but somehow Vanitas didn't feel threatened by his presence. It was an amicable silence that settled between them. Happy to be alone, but just as pleased to not be by themselves.

Was it comforting?

Vanitas wasn't sure, but he somehow felt at ease.

After a time Isa gently asked, "Do you recall your time in the true Organization at all?"

Vanitas closed his eyes, "Bits and pieces. It's still a mess."

Isa nodded, "I see."

Vanitas was silent, waiting for other questions to be asked. Yet, annoyance set in as silence reigned for too long and he opened his right eye to look at the man, "Is there any reason in particular that you ask?"

Isa sighed, "I don't know. Perhaps it's guilt? Or perhaps my attempts to converse about the events that transpired. I'm unsure."

Vanitas opened his other eye and looked outward, "Then save your breath."

Isa shook his head, "My apologies."

Vanitas frowned. He wanted to snap at him, but he narrowed in on something in the distance and sat up in attention. He stared, and he realized he was focused on a man with long pink hair, a white button up shirt, torn up black vest, magenta pants, and black boots. "...Well, feel sorry by yourself, 'cause I'm out." He rolled backwards onto the roof and swiftly walked into the shadows, Isa watching him in surprise as Vanitas blended into the shadows and melted out of sight.

Isa blinked at the teen's abrupt departure, before turning and looking for what might of disturbed the boy.

He froze as his eyes met sharp blue.

He stood up and left the roof as well, unsure if he had any desire to speak to the man behind imploring eyes of determined loss.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Merlin sent him on an errand.

Vanitas didn't want to go. He was no one's errand boy! But he was bribed into it with promises of butter cookies and hot chocolate.

Why did he have to discover he had a viscous sweet tooth?!

He scoffed in disgust at how quickly he'd bent to the Wizard's will. Really, all he'd wanted to do was destroy the Worlds! Was it so hard to give him a break and let him cause a little havoc?!

Vanitas rolled his eyes, promising to himself he'd blow up a few mountainsides with his wand with Fire Magic, his Keyblade humming in noted discontent at its lack of use. He patted his right hip, to simulate patting the magical weapon into complacency.

He'd bring it out next time.

The Keyblade settled, grumbling in agitated vibration.

His hair raised on end just as he turned the corner and froze. He looked back and forth jerkily before flattening himself against the wall with scrunched shoulders. He tried to keep his breathing under control, but he felt watched. It was an abrupt feeling, but he wouldn't let himself be caught off guard!

Vanitas slunk along the wall with his back to it, more than likely looking a little strung out, but he didn't care.

He wouldn't get stabbed in the back.

The noise of many voices rounded the corner with uniformed bodies as they broke apart, laughter, regular everyday conversations.

His eyes caught brown hair and green eyes and he bolted forward, Olette startling at his focus on her. He deftly dodged the teens around them like water in a stream and snatched her by the wrist with a somewhat manic look in his eyes, "Olette." His voice sounded breathlessly desperate.

Help me.

Olette's eyes widened, and she pulled him aside, smiling to her girl friends with a wave as they stared in concern, "I'll catch up with you guys later, alright?!"

One girl called, "Do you know him? Are you okay!?"

Olette laughed lightly and nodded, "Vanitas is my friend, it's fine!"

They settled as she stated his name and turned to one another as they continued with the scattering teens.

Vanitas was breathing too fast now, and he felt too hot as his vision speckled. Olette pulled him into a narrow one person path between buildings and streets, turning him abruptly before propping him against the wall and leaning into him. She settled a gentle hand behind his head, "Vanitas. What's wrong?"

He couldn't speak. Why was he letting this weak helpless girl protect him!? There were eyes watching him. Were they really there though?

His skin crawled as the Unversed cleaved his insides without release. He clenched his eyes and grit his teeth before shakily grasping onto her and rasping, "There's. Something there."

Olette frowned at Vanitas's abnormal behavior before quietly exhaling, "Is it dangerous?"

"...Dunno."

"Do you want to come to my house? I can call Pence and Hayner over."

Vanitas found himself relaxing as he gently laid his forehead onto her shoulder, "...Alright."

Olette patted his hair gently, wishing she could do more for him. Yet, it only took a moment for his shaking to stop and for his hands to fall away. Vanitas pulled himself back, collecting himself and swallowing roughly as his eyes clearly showed signs of stress. Olette took a tiny step away and met his eyes for a moment before quickly looking him over as she rummaged into her school pack to take out her phone. She sent a quick text to her boys before looking up to him with a tilt of her head and a small smile, "What've you been up to?"

He blinked, "I was getting milk and eggs."

Olette paused, "Oh. You want me to have the boys get that on their way over?"

He nodded jerkily, and she amended her text to them. She nodded at their reply and took his hand. He naturally clasped back, feeling lost as she gently guided him along upwards onto the path she'd tucked them into, "It's not much, but I hope hanging out will make you feel better."

Vanitas watched her, feelings he couldn't place that were platonic but new swirling on his face. Stuck between wonder, gratefulness, and the overall desire to just feel like himself again. "Yeah."

Olette would never say it, but his expression was so much like Sora and Roxas when they were discovering something for the first time, all wonder and innocence. It didn't fit his appearance, yet it was entirely endearing.

He probably had no idea he was making such a young expression.

The moment they were out of the narrow path she released her hold on his hand, leaving it to him to grasp back. He held on for a moment longer before slowly releasing his grasp on her hand and fell away.

She smiled at him, clasping her bag with both hands as he stepped in stride beside her, his face becoming closed off and serious. He was looking around, clearly on high alert, but it seemed he'd regained some confidence. "My house is just around this corner, alright?"

Vanitas nodded and simply stayed silent.

She was glad her parents wouldn't be home for a few hours, because they more than likely would be far too invasive for Vanitas's taste.

She reached her front door and unlocked it deftly, letting him in first before closing the door behind them and taking off her shoes. She glanced down, noting he'd at least learned to remove them when entering a home, though he seemed uncomfortable about it. She smiled up to him as she locked the door behind her, "Would you like something to drink? I have tea, juice, or water if you'd like."

Vanitas pursed his lips, glancing to the side in silence before mumbling, "Just water."

Olette nodded and sat her bag down beside the front room couch, "Have a seat." She closed her blinds, and made her way to the kitchen, "I'll answer the door when Hayner and Pence arrive."

Vanitas made a sound of agreement as she left him to settle. She felt nervous and had to steady her hands when she reached for a clean glass from the cupboard.

Olette instinctively knew Vanitas wasn't one to become scared too easily. That's just what she felt from him, so to see him so terrified in the open on the peaceful streets of Twilight Town… It made her realize just how ignorant she was to the greater dangers people faced.

That wasn't to say crime or incidents didn't happen in this World. It was just far less likely.

She exhaled shakily as she poured water from the pitcher kept in the fridge.

Olette wouldn't let herself be nervous in front of Vanitas. She and her boys had gotten themselves into plenty of odd messes, and had even faced down lesser Nobodies and Heartless! Not to any avail of course, but they weren't really afraid of them.

It was probably foolish that they weren't, but something supernatural appearing and causing trouble was somehow less scary than humans causing harm.

People with special abilities were a little different, maybe, but they also knew so many Keyblade Wielders that that, in itself, gave them a brazen courage.

Olette came out to the living room and nearly dropped the glass, holding back a scream into a garbled squeak when she saw Vanitas hunched over, his head in his hands, and a strange Heartless-like creature tittering on his shoulder.

He didn't seem to notice it, as she realized a terrible smoldering of black was rising off his back. It looked painful, as things like claws or antennae seemed to try and make their way out of him, but simply couldn't.

The doorbell rang and Vanitas gasped, nearly jumping out of his seat as the creature tumbled forward into his lap. He started, immediately looking down at the creature. His skin turned grey as he reflexively snatched it cruelly by the head and rasped, "Go back!"

It flailed its arms up at him, as it started to wisp away before reforming. The doorbell rang again and she cleared her throat, setting the glass on a nearby table as he stared at her in horror, "I'll go get that."

Vanitas on the other hand, was having a full meltdown.

Of all the times for his anxiety to flare up so high that his Unversed were nearly screaming in his head with hundreds upon thousands of voices. It was simply too much! His back ached as they tried to escape him, his chest hurt from his anxiousness, and his heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

He hated this! Why was this happening now!? He thought he'd been doing better! Merlin was pleased with his progress, and he was freaking out over milk and eggs!?

He didn't hold much value in the idea of friendship, but he decided Olette, Pence, and Hayner were alright for regular people. He didn't want them to see how much of a freak he was!

Vanitas clenched his teeth as he tried to absorb the Flood in absolute panic, which wouldn't work, but dammit he had to try! He wouldn't let them get hurt because of him!

"Is that one of those Heartless things?"

Vanitas flung the Flood across the room and winced when it collided loudly against the wall as he felt its pain. He stared at Pence, freaked out beyond his proper wits while Hayner stared open mouthed at the creature while it simply picked itself up off the floor and shook itself out like a wet dog. It glared at its master and waved its arm in annoyance before crossing them and plopping down on its backside with a pout.

Pence rubbed his head, "Uh, sorry for startling you?"

Vanitas gave up and exhaled loudly, burying his face into his hands, "Fuck me."

Pence made a face and gently patted him very gently on the shoulder, "No one's going to be doing any of that, Vanitas."

The Darkling paused, looked up at Pence in slight confusion before catching on and smacking Pence's hand with a roll of his eyes while he hid his face again, "I just barely caught that."

Pence grinned with a light chuckle as he settled down in a separate seat, looking over at the pouting creature in the corner. "So… that. What is it?"

Hayner handed off the milk and eggs to Olette and rubbed his head, "Is it one of those Unversed things? Made from your emotions or whatever?"

Vanitas nearly forgot that the subject of the creatures had come up during his first freak out with these guys. He nodded silently as he tried to stave off a crushing headache. His stomach was turning and he wished he'd never been bribed to go to the store.

He should have told Merlin he'd noticed someone watching him the last time he'd been out.

Pence was staring at it while rubbing his chin, "Is it friendly?"

Vanitas grumbled sulkily, "No."

Pence tilted his head, and the Flood noticed him. It perked up, tilting its head back and forth before hopping to its feet and lumbering over to him. Pence froze, nervous as it came close and paused, seemingly sniffing him out curiously.

Hayner was frozen himself, and Olette paused when she returned from the kitchen. She glanced to the side and picked up the glass she'd poured and cautiously came over to Vanitas's side. She held it out towards him slightly while eyeing the creature in her home, "Uhm, here's your water."

Vanitas twitched before pulling away from his hands and looking at the offered glass. He gingerly took it, his hands just barely shaking while he lifted it to his lips and drank robotically. He glanced to the side and nearly spat out his water, coughing instead, "You!" The Flood flinched and melted into the ground, hiding in shadow and under Pence's seat. Vanitas stared, wide eyed at where it had disappeared to.

He looked to Pence, "It didn't hurt you, did it?"

Pence blinked and focused on Vanitas, "Uh, no. It just seemed kinda curious, is all."

Vanitas swallowed and cleared his throat, setting the glass down on the nearest flat surface. He stood and summoned his Keyblade while focused on the floor around Pence's seat, "Stand up and move over by Olette."

Pence wanted to argue, but relented. He knew it wouldn't take much for a supernatural creature to cause him serious harm, so he cautiously stood and began to shift across the room. Vanitas tried to keep his breathing under control, but he couldn't help but obsessively desire to cull that disgusting emotion that'd managed to sneak out of him. He may have regretted at times that he couldn't release his emotions, but he had grown to be fine with it. He was fine with keeping his emotions inside instead of releasing them and littering the Worlds.

It made him a little more human, and he hated himself just a little less.

He gripped his Keyblade and shifted, prepared to shove the seat over and strike down the Flood as it emerged in a panic when Olette burst forward and grabbed his arm, "Wait!"

Vanitas snarled and shifted his attention, "Get off!"

Olette winced and held his arm closer to her chest, "No! Wait a minute Vanitas!"

Vanitas yelled full of panic and rage, "Why should I!?"

"Because it might help Merlin figure out why it manifested!"

Vanitas paused as his anger fell flat. "...What?"

Olette's heart was beating fast in her chest as she looked up to him, "You said they weren't able to come out, but this one did! You're super stressed out, and it's just one! Let him look at it!"

Vanitas's face became ugly, "Just one!? That just means more can come out!"

Olette felt tears gather in her eyes. She felt fear and concern, she was sad for him and only wanted to help him.

Vanitas kept still, staring into her eyes and he realized he hated tears. His own. Anyone else's. It was just so weak.

Yet here this pathetic girl, someone he'd decided was alright, looking up at him with pleading eyes to spare his own emotion's destruction. For mercy.

He exhaled in annoyance as he abruptly dropped his Keyblade arm and relented. He spoke raspily, "Why do you even care about what I do to my own emotions?"

Olette settled back into the couch, having placed herself in an odd position when she'd grabbed him. She was now sitting on her legs, which wasn't overly comfortable, but it'd do while she weakly released his arm, "Is it really okay to hurt them?"

Vanitas felt his eyebrow twitch, "Hurt them? They're things."

Hayner moved over and shoved the chair to its side, revealing the cowering Flood. Vanitas felt his hatred towards it swell again as he looked at it in disgust. The sandy blond looked between him and the Unversed before speaking, "Looks like more than a thing to me." And then he picked it up.

Vanitas felt too many things at once at the sight of that. He wanted to launch himself at the idiot, but Olette was close enough to grab him again, and his vision was practically taken over by Roxas's warning.

Don't hurt my friends!

Vanitas clenched his eyes shut and blocked out the world around him.

All the noise. All the feelings. Everything.

He could scarcely hear his own breathing and heartbeat as he blocked everything out.

All because someone was watching.

All because of milk and eggs.

He started laughing.

It wasn't the good sort of laugh, but the sort of laugh that comes from mild insanity and your body trying to convince itself you're alright.

It was a horrible sound, a soul wrenching laugh that could only cause discomfort.

Hayner held the Flood close to himself as it relaxed in his arms, its eyes turning to thin slits as it happily swung its limbs.

Olette was stuck between wanting to hold Vanitas close and get as far away from him as possible.

Pence pulled out his phone and dialed.

By the time Merlin came to pick Vanitas up, he'd fully withdrawn into silence and was staring out at nothing, his Flood still happily in Hayner's hold. He barely looked at them when he left while Merlin used Magic to send the milk and eggs home. Pence sadly waved goodbye in concern along with Olette, and once the Flood had been passed over to the old Wizard, he also gave his own sad farewell, "See you next time."

Vanitas didn't respond, and when the two arrived back at Merlin's, he went to Sleep while the Flood hung around Merlin's side.

He didn't Awaken.