The characters brought me to a place with situations I didn't expect, so I apologize in advance. OTL

I was thinking I might finish this by chapter 20, but thanks to how the characters wrote themselves this chapter, that's not freaking happening. Also, might actually end up with pairings. I dunno. I'm trying super hard to keep to my 'no pairs' plan. Upping the rating to FFnet to M, and Teen and up on AO3. All because of this chapter. Thanks, guys.

Please R&R!

TW: Vague descriptions of past cutting/ideations of self harm and past suicidal ideation. Alluding to a past miscarriage.

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

Vanitas woke up to his Flood sleeping on his chest.

Had Merlin brought them with? Or had they snuck along in his shadow?

Who knew, really.

He sighed and closed his eyes, listening to the various sounds in whatever… medical room this was. He could faintly hear Aqua and Terra leave in the distance. Roxas and Xion whispering to one another elsewhere.

Ventus was unsettled. He could feel it like lead in his gut and it was tiresome.

He stretched languidly as his Flood unbalanced. Their eyes opened in surprise and made a disgruntled squeak as they rolled off of him.

He yawned, felt his jaw crack, and flinched at the sound of it.

Vanitas sensed Sora wake up, and felt his flood of panic and confused affection.

Dweeb.

He pushed himself up and paused with a frown.

He sat, contemplated, and studied himself for a long silent breath before he realized.

I'm not hungry.

Something had changed while he was asleep.

And his hunger wasn't related to food- no, he was sort of hungry, but he was also thirsty for real food.

He was no longer hungry for negative emotion and energy.

Vanitas slumped slightly in discomfort as he pulled his Flood into his lap and curled around it in thought. Now that he had noticed it, he also realized the emotions that clawed and tore at his insides had also settled into place, as if they'd smoothed out and gone to sleep within his muscles and bones.

Maybe this is how humans are supposed to feel.

He flopped backwards onto his cot tiredly.

He listened to Kairi threaten Riku and smirked.

For a princess she's ruthless. Clams? Frogs?

...How did clams taste, anyway?

He became annoyed. He yelled at them.

Sora called him.

Vanitas felt a rush of foreign emotion. Was this relief and brotherly love? He didn't know, but he nearly tossed his Flood in his attempt to see his brother in the flesh.

He held himself together. Kept his cool.

After a time he finally left Sora's side to let him be smothered by his two best friends.

Vanitas pushed aside the cotton sheet and stood alone for a moment and lifted his left hand.

He'd barely noticed it before, but he'd caught sight of it while comforting Sora. A smooth black ring with a thin white line and a fox motif.

Master Ava was involved.

But only one person could have slipped this on him without him reacting.

"So you're awake."

Vanitas turned and gave the young Merlin his attention. "...Yeah."

Merlin smiled and motioned for him to follow. Vanitas started to but stopped and stared at the one tent that was silent. "Is Naminé okay?"

Merlin's smile fell as he nodded, "Yes. She's fine, just overexerted herself by attempting to help the others when your Memories along with Ventus's lashed out all at once. Master Ava is with her."

Vanitas grimaced. He didn't really enjoy the idea of the others seeing any of his past. However, it seemed there wasn't much else to be spoken of the situation and shelved it for now. When it came down to Naminé's mental fatigue, Master Ava and Merlin were both qualified to help her at the moment.

Perhaps, Ava moreso.

Vanitas relented, "...Alright."

Merlin slowly raised an eyebrow, but chose to keep his thoughts to himself as he motioned Vanitas along. The Darkling followed quietly, and the two walked for some time in silence.

Finally, Merlin brought him to a familiar underground waterway. Outside, but out of the light.

It was comfortable.

Merlin turned to him, "Have you noticed the ring on your finger?"

Vanitas lifted his hand and glanced at it before quipping, "I didn't realize it was okay to marry off teenagers in their sleep."

Merlin blinked before glaring at him dryly, "You think you're hot shit, don't you?"

Vanitas pretended to think for a moment before laughing viciously, "A little."

Merlin sighed gustily with a shake of his head, "Tell me how you feel."

Vanitas's mirth waned, and he crossed his arms to organize his thoughts. "...I don't feel hungry."

"For food, or negativity?"

"The latter."

Merlin nodded, "...Good. Then that means it's working as hoped."

Vanitas gave him a suspicious look as Merlin returned it with warmth. He knew it was a test of Vanitas's trust to do this without speaking to the teen first, but they had needed to settle things faster than later. "We are giving rings to all of the Wielders connected to you and Sora."

Vanitas winced, "...I don't exactly have a good relationship with most of them-"

Merlin waved his hand, "That doesn't matter so much. We haven't exactly explained their purpose past the fact that it's for Sora. They readily took them and wore them."

Vanitas furrowed his brows with a frown before he slowly gave him a suspiciously mischievous look while crossing his arms, "...Merlin, are you tricking everyone into helping me?"

Merlin snorted and covered his mouth to control himself, "That is not our intent. It was Ava's idea, I merely expanded upon her initial goal."

Vanitas clenched his elbows uneasily, "Merlin…"

Merlin took in a deep breath before sighing lightly, "The rings help support Sora by providing him with Light and Magic Power. There's more to it, but that's the most basic explanation I have."

Vanitas shifted his weight to one side, "So what's that got to do with me?"

Merlin hummed, "Well. It also siphons off excess negative energy and darkness from the wearer, and siphons that off to you. I believe Terra benefits from that aspect the most."

Vanitas was annoyed, but it made sense. No wonder he didn't feel hungry anymore, however…

"How will that work when we're Worlds away?"

Merlin grinned, "They were made with rather pure materials, however, they do happen to use Gummi blocks."

Vanitas blinked before he squinted at Merlin in disbelief, "Gummi power?!"

Merlin chuckled, "Cid assisted us with that part, since he's good with synthesizing. As good as the Moogles, honestly."

Vanitas pouted, "Gummi's."

Merlin patted him gently on the head, "You have a Gummi phone yourself. You just never use it."

Vanitas shrugged sharply, "I don't really wanna talk with anyone."

Merlin brought a thoughtful hand to his chin, "...Not even secretly with Naminé?"

Vanitas blushed and glared at him hotly as he spoke through clenched teeth, "What's written can be dug up again."

Merlin raised an eyebrow, and Vanitas realized his mistake. The Darkling spun around and began stomping away from the Wizard as Merlin skipped over to him swiftly and grabbed his collar gently, "Now, now, I'm sorry for teasing you a little. You just seem to like her the most along with Pence and Olette." Sora seemed acceptable as a given at this point.

Vanitas calmed a little, and his chest felt a little lighter, "...I guess."

Merlin squeezed his shoulder gently before walking ahead of him, "Aqua and Terra went out for some food. I think we should return to help them set up the dinner table."

Vanitas clicked his tongue in distaste, "I don't wanna deal with those people."

Merlin sniffed, "Those people are helping you."

Vanitas grumped, "Unknowingly."

Merlin shrugged, "Won't stop them from helping Sora."

Vanitas slumped, "Of course."

Merlin gave him a sympathetic look.

The others would understand how Vanitas's need to feed on negativity would help them. They would realize it much, much sooner than later.

"Just so you know, your eyes have changed color."

Vanitas tripped, "WHAT!?"

He ran ahead frantically with his heart beating too fast in his throat at the vague fear they'd turned monstrously yellow again like Xehanort's, that he still might not be his own person in mind and body.

Yet, when he finally had the chance to look at himself up close, he felt a little bit like crying as he was overwhelmed with relief, confusion, and wonder because of it.

He had violet eyes, just like Sora's father.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Naminé woke up bone tired.

She had never experienced this kind of physical ache in response to over-exerting her powers. She didn't want to move, and if she were honest with herself, she simply didn't have the strength to move.

Naminé clasped her hands over her stomach as she laid on her back and took a deep cleansing breath before exhaling silently.

The curtain moved and a girl wearing pink and cream entered with the mask of a fox covering her face.

The girl smiled at her as she held onto a glass of juice and set it down on a small table beside her bed before bending over to help Naminé sit up. "I know you're probably exhausted." That was an understatement, "But you need to be up for a little bit. At least enough to drink a little and eat."

Naminé nodded, "Kay."

The girl finished settling her and sat on a nearby stool while handing her the cup of juice she'd arrived with. She made sure Naminé's hold was steady before pulling back, "My name is Master Ava."

Naminé nodded silently as she turned her gaze to the shifting liquid before her, putting all of her brain power into drinking it steadily without spilling. Ava was quiet for a moment, happy to let the girl move about at her own pace. After a time Naminé regained enough energy to give the Foreteller some of her attention, "How can I help you, Master Ava?"

Ava held back a giggle, charmed by this young girl. "You have a very unique ability. It's incredibly rare, and very difficult to hone and control. You've done amazingly well without guidance."

Naminé swallowed as her stomach turned to stone, "Oh."

Ava lifted her hands in peace, "I say this because Merlin and I have been working together since we put you all to bed. I would like to assist him in training you with your Powers. I believe I have similarly aligned abilities that would be of incredible use to you. Both to protect yourself, as well as others."

Naminé straightened up, interested as a little bit of life bled into her, "...Really?"

Ava nodded as she folded her hands on her lap, "Yes."

Naminé's enthusiasm dimmed, "But I'm not a fighter… and I'm not a Keyblade Wielder, either."

Ava tilted her head, frowning before deciding to keep silent. They could talk about the small little Light waiting to be called from the depths of her Heart another time. The Foreteller placed a gentle hand on her arm, "That doesn't matter right now. What matters is that you have Powers that can be honed and controlled. Not for any particular purpose, other than to do so for yourself."

Naminé blinked and looked at her confused, "...For myself? But isn't that greedy?"

Ava smiled awkwardly, "Sometimes, the need to improve one's sense of self worth is more important than trying to improve yourself for others. You haven't had a long life from what I understand, and you've had a tendency to be used by others. It would be good to learn your Powers at your own pace so that you won't be exploited again."

Naminé swallowed the sick feeling that rose in her gut at the Memory of Castle Oblivion, "You're right."

Ava nodded and pulled her hand back, and it was then that Naminé finally noticed the white ring with a light blue thin line through the center that connected to a fox motif on her left ring finger. She tilted her head as she lifted her hand to examine it more closely, "What's this?"

Ava clenched her hands, "Merlin and I made it with Cid's help. It's to help Sora and Vanitas both."

Naminé nodded slowly as she really examined it. She peered at it, peered into the Magic of it and found the woven mechanisms going two ways. One way was Light, and the other Darkness as they were transmitted through a unique space. Naminé tilted her head, "Oh-!"

Ava tilted her head in confusion before she straightened a little, "Were you able to peer inside of it?"

Naminé brought her hand down, "...Yes, I think so."

Ava nodded, "Then you understand." Naminé nodded, "Good. I'm glad, it might make it easier for some of the others. I have a feeling a few of your friends may not like the idea of dealing with darkness, but you've all been terribly scarred by your trials. I wouldn't have entertained the idea before, but I think it benefits all of you, one way or another, for Vanitas to pull away that building negativity. That doesn't mean you all shouldn't look to mend your hurts, but… it does lighten the burden. It may be something as simple as making it so that you have fewer nightmares."

Naminé tilted her head as she looked at her, "...Kind of like a Dream Eater?"

Ava giggled softly, "More like a Nightmare, I suppose. One who feeds off of bad Dreams instead of erasing them."

Naminé hummed, "I suppose so." They were silent for a while, pleasantly so as Naminé regained her bearings a bit more. She could finally notice the murmurs of the others talking amongst themselves in various pairs. She gave her attention back to Ava, "...Master Ava, not to be rude… but how old are you? You seem really young."

Ava smiled affectionately, "I'm seventeen."

Naminé's eyes widened, "That's… how long have you been a Master?"

Ava hummed softly in thought to herself as she held her chin, "I suppose I was thirteen when I was declared a Master." Naminé gaped at her in surprise, and Ava flushed lightly, "Is there something wrong with that?"

Naminé shook her head and cleared her throat before staring down at her mostly emptied cup, "That just seems… surprising. It seems like a heavy responsibility for one so young, and well… it seems to me that Wielders aren't even considered for Mastery until at least eighteen." If Aqua was anything to go by.

Ava tilted her head, both in thought and confusion, "Well… My Master was the Master of Masters. He was supposedly the first Keyblade Wielder to exist at that time. There's a rather large number of things I don't know about him, even after having lived with him for so many years… but it was necessary at the time. I don't really think it was wrong to receive this title and responsibility, even though it has brought me much pain. I was not completely alone in my endeavors, which made the burden much lighter... and if I've made it to this side, I hope to one day see my comrades again. If for nothing else then to talk and perhaps understand what happened back then. To apologize, too."

Naminé clenched her cup lightly and nodded, "I'm sorry…"

Ava sighed lightly and stood before gently patting her on the head, "All is well, no offense was taken, nor any harm done."

Naminé smiled a little, "Alright." She looked to Ava, "Thank you for your help."

Ava smiled, "My pleasure."

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Goofy was humming while Donald piloted the Gummiship. It had been a long year without their other piece, their partner and friend.

Sora was finally home!

Goofy had been the one to suggest it. It was against World Order, and Donald was terribly, furiously opposed to the idea.

But then King Mickey thought it was a wonderful idea, and that they should go ahead with it. It was important, and considering how close the three were, it only made sense that Donald and Goofy would take some time to finally meet Sora's parents and bring them along.

Their children were constantly off-World, and so many of the people they worked with, so many of their friends, had gathered in one place.

Tsuyu was having the time of her life, as she sat as close to the windows as she could be while they rode through Gummispace. Araide was similarly enamored, but a great deal more subdued.

Goofy wondered if they'd ever get the fingernail imprints outta that chair.

There was much to be pleased about, and Goofy couldn't help but snicker, "You're awfully happy, Miss Tsuyu."

Tsuyu turned to him and pouted, "Goofy, I have the strangest feelin' ye're older then me. Please jus' call me Tsuyu."

Goofy chuckled and turned to Araide, "You doin' alright, there, sir?"

Araide gave him a tired look, "Sora learned how to fly this thing, and did so all the time with you two?"

Goofy nodded, "Yup! Donald didn't take too kindly to the idea at first, but Sora eventually got his way, and now he's the better pilot of the three of us!"

Donald grumbled to himself at that.

Araide smiled weakly, "I see." He laughed lightly to himself as he looked back towards the wide open space, "I haven't even had the chance to teach him how to pilot a sea-faring ship… and now he's just barely old enough to get a motorbike license… and he was piloting this at fourteen?"

Goofy nodded, "Yessir!" He paused and scratched at his scalp, "Actually, he's been a Captain of a pirate ship before too…"

Donald growled, "Goofy, don't tell him about that! He'll get the wrong idea!"

Goofy tilted his head and gave his friend a weird look, "But Donald!"

Donald rolled his eyes and shook his head, "World Order!"

Goofy huffed with a slight slump, "I'm pretty sure we're well beyond that here, Donald."

Araide chuckled, "There's a lot Sora didn't get the chance to explain… but now that we're going to meet up with everyone, maybe he'll be more free to at least tell us how he's been living the past few years..?"

Goofy and Donald looked at one another with a wince, as they understood the underlying message.

I deserve to have a clue on my son's activities and well being.

The parents riding along with them did abruptly end up with four children and counting who were all connected to Sora somehow, and less than a handful of years old while fully grown.

Tsuyu returned her attention to Goofy, "Ye're totally a dad, I can feel it!"

Goofy blinked and flushed lightly, "Oh- well, yes. It's been a while since Maxy was home, but- well." He rubbed his head bashfully as he mumbled to himself, "I never even told Sora about that."

Donald was quiet for a moment, "Haven't told him about PJ either."

Goofy grimaced, "We should… probably do that. So they don't get hurt."

Donald shook his head solemnly, "You've been a good stand in for that kid."

Tsuyu raised a questioning eyebrow and Araide looked interested. Araide smiled, "Despite your appearances, you certainly have your own slew of issues, huh?"

Goofy didn't have it in him to laugh about it. "PJ's father was a good friend of mine. Pete's just with the wrong sorta crowd nowadays, and we've had to fight him a number of times. PJ just so happens to look a whole lot like his father."

Tsuyu and Araide nodded solemnly as she spoke, "Too bad."

Donald grumped, "Too bad isn't even the half of it."

Goofy smiled awkwardly as he glanced out the window, "Oh! We're almost there!"

Sora's parents looked in the same direction as Goofy and wondered at the beauty of the outer form of the World they were about to enter.

Donald whooped, "Radiant Garden, here we come!"

A button was pressed, and suddenly they were allowed entry into the World's border, ship and all.

This wasn't the usual form of Gummiship entry, as it would normally be left out of sight off-World. However, Radiant Garden was one of the Worlds that allowed the ship entry, for materials and repairs both because of Cid's prowess. They flew over the city boundary, and Araide felt a great deal less stressed now that there wasn't infinite space around them.

It was a little funny how the endless sea didn't bother him, while space did.

Donald easily directed their vessel to its designated loading dock behind the Castle. By the time their Gummiship was settled in its docking port, several familiar faces were filing out of the Castle.

Tsuyu and Araide knew some of them, but were surprised to realize they didn't quite know at least half of them… and somehow, they were all connected to and loved Sora.

Donald and Goofy burst out of the ship first in a rush of excitement, unable to contain themselves as they cried, "Hey everyone!"

Various greetings were returned, as Donald and Goofy paused and pointed at Lauriam, "You! You're- Marluxia!"

Lauriam slumped, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Donald, Goofy. My name's Lauriam."

Donald gave the pink haired man a suspicious look, "What're you doing here?"

Elrena popped up beside him, full of the same fire and spit as the duck, "What's it look like?"

Goofy squared up a little, "Trouble!"

Ventus cleared his throat awkwardly, "Donald, Goofy-" They turned to him and he felt himself sweat, "Lauriam and Elrena are... Friends. Just like Ienzo and the others."

They slumped slightly, still giving the two previous Organization members weary looks. Donald couldn't help but ask, "But Ven, are you sure?"

Ventus nodded, "We can- uhm. Well. They're not bad anymore."

Donald and Goofy gave each other a look before nodding and straightening up. Goofy acquiesced, "Well. Everyone deserves a chance to better themselves, so I'll give ya the benefit of the doubt, Lauriam. And you, Larxene?"

Elrena paused before sighing, "Elrena."

A girl with long hair stepped forward, "Hello. I'm Skuld."

Donald and Goofy shook her hands, "It's nice to meet you Skuld!" Skuld giggled at their enthusiasm before she turned, and Edym waved awkwardly with a tired Lodur beside him.

Jiminy popped out of Goofy's hat, "Oh, it's Luxord and Demyx!"

Edym slumped, "It's Edym, and he's Lodur now."

Jiminy nodded, "Oh, well then. It's nice to meet you again, Edym, Lodur."

Lodur chuckled, pushing back his disquiet after recalling how the Cricket had managed to defeat him the first time around. "Yes, it's good to meet you again, whole."

Donald looked around at everyone who had gathered along with Goofy. Goofy frowned and tilted his head, "...Where's Sora?"

The others looked around, but Sora and Vanitas were missing. Even Riku and Kairi hadn't noticed their friend's disappearance.

Riku turned to Ava, who had kept father back from the others. Slowly she moved forward and gave Riku her attention, "He was behind all of you, and then he wasn't."

The old looking Merlin was simply staring up at the Gummiship with his arms crossed, "They're fine."

Everyone's attention turned to him as Ava prodded, "You're sure?"

Merlin was silent for a moment before looking towards Donald and Goofy as he made eye contact with them, before moving to the hesitant figures of Araide and Tsuyu as they stood hesitantly in the ship's exit. "Yes. They aren't pulling a disappearing act, if that will help settle your concerns."

Aqua frowned, "But where did they go?"

Merlin frowned as he gave her his attention, "Master Aqua, I know it may be difficult for you, considering your history, but Vanitas is painfully in tune with Sora, even now."

Aqua shifted, and something in her unsettled as Xion turned towards Merlin, "...Sora's hiding?"

Araide and Tsuyu finally took their first steps towards this new World, and finally stepped foot on the foreign ground. They stood beside Donald and Goofy as Araide questioned, "Sir, if you know anything so that we could see our son, we'd appreciate it."

Merlin felt torn, yet sure of his decision. It was unfortunate and unsettling, but from what he'd gleaned from Vanitas, Naminé, and Ava, he supposed it was a natural reaction. He went to speak, but Naminé stepped towards them and clasped Tsuyu and Araide's hands, "It might not make sense, but I don't think Sora's ready to see you all right now."

Goofy felt disheartened as he woefully asked, "But why?"

Naminé couldn't muster the strength to be gentle or reassuring, "It's not you guys… it's really just… Sora. That's all I can tell you right now."

Donald, Goofy, Araide, and Tsuyu slumped in disappointment. They couldn't really fight that, and they'd be happy to get the chance to meet with Sora on his own time.

But Roxas felt as though his stomach was filled with lead, and Xion's chest was tight with sorrow and anxiety. Naminé was distressed, and Ventus was…

He was strangely calm.

Naminé turned to him questioningly, "Ven..?"

Ventus was silent for a moment before sighing, "I think… I think I know where they are."

Roxas turned to him, "You do?"

Ventus smiled awkwardly, "I think so, and I think it'd be best to let them figure things out."

Kairi stepped forward and lightly grasped onto his wrist, "Ven…"

Ventus smiled at her, "They're okay."

He took a deep breath and turned towards the Castle, "Vanitas is doing what he does best."

Roxas mumbled, "Being a jerk?"

Ventus chuckled lightly, "Yeah. A concerned jerk."

Naminé clasped her hands and closed her eyes.

She sensed where they were, and pulled away from them swiftly.

Sora was an unexplainable mess.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

They'd barely finished eating when they were informed that Sora's Gummiship had returned.

Which meant Donald and Goofy were here!

Sora'd felt excitement at first.

Yet, each step toward the back entrance where his faithful Gummiship lay in wait dragged at him. His stomach slowly fell, and he felt sick at the idea of seeing his two friends now.

He'd missed them, just as much as everyone else… perhaps even moreso. His friends… and maybe, family.

Sora was struck by his various thoughts and anxieties over the past year. How he'd left everyone's lives so quietly, with Kairi as the recipient of his final words.

He'd felt himself dying, and had spent every final moment he'd thought he'd had with her, unaware. It'd been kind of cruel, in retrospect.

He swallowed dryly, and the moment the hatch opened he froze. Donald and Goofy tumbled out in excitement, all for him.

And then he'd noticed his parents.

His parents!

It hit him like a crashing wave of ice water.

He'd left them without a word for his Mark of Mastery, and never came back home!

Guilt was a bitch, and he was its dog as he felt his breath leave him. Horrible sorrow and regret swirled through him as he wondered about how much they'd worried for him. The sorts of excuses Kairi and Riku might've had to have come up with for a while.

Telling them he'd faded out of existence.

He covered his mouth as nausea struck him and he stumbled back to hide beside the large doors while falling back against the wall. He clenched his eyes shut as he breathed shakily while a cold sweat broke out on his skin as he tried to keep the food he'd just barely finished eating where it was.

Why..?

Hands gripped his shoulders and gently toned, "Sora." The brunette looked up tearily at his brother, his newfound twin that was born of such strange and opposing circumstances.

Sora swallowed as his stomach flipped, and he felt tears fall down his face as he muffled, "Vanitas…"

If Vanitas wasn't so full right now, he'd have eaten up Sora's negative feelings. As it was, it was probably being stored into the rings right then and there.

Still. Eating his brother's sorrow and guilt wouldn't help things. Vanitas knew that. He could feel Sora's current state of being as if it were he himself feeling it.

Except he could separate those feelings so much more clearly now.

Vanitas pulled Sora into a hug and took on his weight. Sora felt weak and miserable as he latched onto his brother.

Sora buried his face into Vanitas's neck and shoulder, "I'm sorry."

Vanitas was solemn. He had an idea as to why Sora might be reacting like this. "...To who?"

Sora shuddered, "Everyone."

Vanitas closed his eyes, "...Who are you apologizing to right now?"

Sora breathed for a few moments and sniffled. Vanitas normally would've been disgusted, but he wasn't in the slightest.

Sora needed this push to confront himself, otherwise the darkness would eat him alive.

Sora was holding him too tightly, but it was fine. It was alright.

He was here.

"...My parents. To Donald, and Goofy. ...Myself."

Vanitas patted him on the back of the head, "And why's that?"

Sora gasped, trying to keep quiet, trying to not cry, but he was overwhelmed by his own words and choices. That horrible guilt still remained, "I thought… that they'd be okay without me."

That they didn't have to love me anymore, there were others to replace the hole I'd left behind.

"And you know that's not true, right?"

Sora nodded silently, as he muffled his own whimpering.

It was terribly weak of him. A moment where he'd felt himself fall too low, and no longer had the strength to get up.

"You lost hope."

Sora croaked breathily, "...Yeah."

Vanitas leaned against his brother, and Sora slowly eased up to take that weight. He was still a mess, but somehow it felt just a little bit better to confess it out loud to the only person he'd ever spoken to or hinted at in regards to this.

Vanitas whispered, "None of us can take your place."

Sora nodded, Roxas had said it himself.

...So that's why, it has to be you.

Sora hid his face into the crook of Vanitas's neck as he sniffed and tried to settle his emotions, but he was terrible at it. He was far too soft, and he'd hurt himself, let alone hurting everyone else in the process.

"Yeah, I understand."

Vanitas was silent for a moment, "You didn't do anything wrong."

Sora paused, "...Huh? Of course I did..." He pulled back a bit and scrubbed at his face with one hand, "What do you mean?"

Vanitas watched him as he settled back slightly while he put a small amount of space between them, "I understand… I've spent the better part of my mortal life wishing to die and to take the Worlds down with me. I won't apologize for those thoughts- there's no one to apologize to for them."

Sora sniffed wetly, "Not even yourself?"

Vanitas blinked, "Sora, I never had even a grain of salt's chance in this wide universe to have hope. Being hopeless was normal for me. But you… you had your hope dragged out of you piece by piece. As I said at the graveyard, you would be broken from battle upon battle."

Sora remembered, "Yeah, but-"

Vanitas shook his head with a look, and the brunette went silent as the Darkling made his point, "You were broken, and at the peak of renewing hope, you were destroyed. Not by Light, not by Darkness, but by Law." He sighed, "Being empty like that for so long, by yourself without food, water, shelter, or companionship… it drags at you. It kills you by inches. You survived it, but you're not unscathed. You have your scars." Vanitas gripped Sora's wrists pointedly as he looked him in the eyes, "You were torn asunder."

Sora swallowed as he glanced down at where Vanitas had gripped him.

He hadn't cut himself, not on purpose... but he had let it go for too long before finally realizing what he was doing and fixed himself up.

He'd been so damn tired.

Sora bowed his head and scrunched his face in shame.

Vanitas pulled Sora back into himself and held him, "I'm not mad."

Sora slowly clung onto the Darkling's vest again, "...You were."

Vanitas sighed, "I was, but I also would be a hypocrite if I pretended I haven't done worse to myself. Not all of my scars were from Xehanort. Honestly, the Unversed were a literal physical manifestation of my self mutilation. I had pride in that."

Sora slumped into Vanitas and felt… relieved somehow. He wasn't alone. He knew no one else might understand, but at least Vanitas would.

Only Vanitas could know, for now. The others he'd open up to about it later… much, much later, when the time was right.

Vanitas was patient, and gently toned, "You made it back, and I'm proud to have you back, brother."

Sora felt like crying again, for a whole new sweep of emotions he couldn't quite name, "I'm glad to be back… and to call you brother, Vanitas."

Vanitas patted him on the head before he asked in a slightly more serious tone, "We're both just sunny little emo shits, aren't we?"

Sora snorted, "Vanitas!"

Vanitas snickered and Sora slowly pulled back and wiped at his face again, "Augh-"

Vanitas tilted his head, "So how long were you away from home, anyway?"

Sora flinched and hid his face behind crossed wrists, "...Around six months, before the War… and before that, I was only home for around two months."

Vanitas felt himself go flat as he monotoned, "So you've basically been gone for two… maybe two and a half years?"

Sora shrunk a little, "Y-yeah…"

Vanitas wiped off Sora's… mess from his shoulder with a wave of Magic, flicked some at his brother's face as Sora yelped in surprise, and dragged his brother out with shoes squealing before Sora stumbled a bit, "Hey- wait, Vanitas!"

Vanitas ignored him as he pulled Sora along down the steps into the crowd of busy-bodied Wielders, "No. Nope, I'm the only one in this family who's allowed to be an asshole, you're supposed to be the good one."

Sora flushed, "Vanitas!"

Vanitas overpowered him so easily, and Sora hated it. Yet, he caught Donald and Goofy's soulful eyes and his parent's looks of concern and oh-

Sora felt himself break down with a short wail as Vanitas pulled him closer, shoving their friends aside if they didn't move away fast enough.

Sometimes one had to be rude to do what was best, and Vanitas was the guy for the job.

"Sora!"

Sora barely had the time to look up as Vanitas abruptly released him, and suddenly he was on his backside with the air half knocked out of him as he was coddled by Donald and Goofy. He wept and cried at once, somewhere between misery and joy as he hugged them and let Goofy sit him up again as they laughed with joy and tears.

Goofy wiped at Sora's face, drying his tears before wiping his own, "You're finally back!"

Donald got back to his feet as he ruffled Sora's hair, "It's good to finally have you back home!"

Home.

Sora looked at them, his heart so full with love and pain.

Home was where the Heart was, wasn't it?

He glanced over at his parents and Donald and Goofy lifted him to his feet before stepping aside.

Sora was frozen before Vanitas's hands appeared again and gently pushed him forward.

Sora felt suffocated. He wasn't ready for this! He had so much to apologize to them for, and-!

Tsuyu couldn't take it anymore and ran forward to grasp her son and pull him close as she cried, "Sora!" She wept, "My little Sora-!"

Sora was stiff. He wanted to hug her back, yet he couldn't. His leftover shame, his teenage awkwardness, the way he left them without a word, it was all too much.

Did he really deserve his parent's love?

Araide went to pull them close before catching Vanitas's gaze.

Vanitas wasn't even paying him any attention, as a blatant sort of longing was on the teen's face as he watched Sora and Tsuyu.

He noticed the change in Vanitas's eye color.

Araide felt hesitation before his heart filled. He'd regained more than just his son back today.

Vanitas was his too. He knew it.

Araide passed up his wife and son and startled the Darkling with his own hug of affection as he gently spoke to Vanitas alone, "Thank you."

Vanitas felt his face flush as he was left confused. Why was he being thanked? There wasn't anything to be thanked for!

Yet he felt his own face scrunch up as a strange flood of feelings overwhelmed him, and he clung to Araide and clenched his teeth. Vanitas held in his desire to cry, to weep from whatever it was that came over him.

Araide ran his hand over Vanitas's hair, "You're home with us, if you so choose."

Vanitas sniffled and buried his face in the man's chest. Merlin was a mentor, an adult figure who was so very, very important to him.

But Ventus hadn't had feelings of affection towards his non-existent parents. He only knew of such things through Sora.

Not only did Sora give Vanitas his face, but was he now being dragged into his family?

Was he being taken in as a son?

What a concept! A father and mother, who would've thought?! All there was in darkness was the many, and those who had individualized for the sake of Her Grace.

For the sake of becoming more.

They really shouldn't take him in as their own.

Vanitas faintly knew he'd taken in Roxas and Xion's Memories along with Naminé's. They were faint, murky things, but he had the vague impressions of how Araide and Tsuyu had welcomed them all into their lives as family far too easily and with very little question.

They were such big-hearted people.

Vanitas could scarcely believe it himself.

He loved them!

He lifted his head and looked up at Araide embarrassed. He felt so stupid and vulnerable, and he hated this feeling.

"...Really?"

He sounded so desperate and pathetic.

Araide nodded silently in affirmation.

Vanitas buried his head again as he childishly replied, "...Okay."

Araide ran his hand over Vanitas's head, as the remnants of a scar long healed over came up in the man's mind.

There were too many things to talk about.

"Araide." The raven haired man turned to his wife, as he took in Tsuyu's warm gaze, flushed with embarrassment and shining eyes, "Sora's home."

Araide grinned, "Yeah." He looked at Sora, who seemed far too lost and shifted just enough to pull his wife and son into himself. Sora ended up squishing Vanitas a little bit, but the Darkling was far too prideful and kept hiding into his shirt. But that was alright.

His family was just a little bit more full.

Just as it should be.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Vanitas laid in his bed as everyone was accommodated for the night. Even insisted on another scan from Vanitas and Sora, but also more scans of Kairi, Xion, Roxas, Ventus, and Naminé. It seemed he was trying to get full clarification on their data, as well as to ensure that the rings that had been added into the mix wasn't causing any harm.

Everyone found that agreeable, and Tsuyu and Araide got to meet a number of Sora's off-World friends.

It was nice.

Vanitas's gut felt heavy.

He frowned at the foreign ceiling, unsure of the disquiet he felt… because it wasn't Sora, or any of the others.

It was just him.

Vanitas took in a slow deep breath before exhaling and closing his eyes.

There were times in the Keyblade Graveyard when he couldn't sleep. Either because of being in too much pain, or something else he never could identify… it simply was. So he coped by meditating just enough to Dive into his Heart.

So he did, just as he had done countless times before.

He sunk into the abyss of his mind, his Heart, and floated leisurely down towards the glimmer and gleam below him.

So many things had changed for the better for him in the mere couple of months he'd been alive, since he'd been found in the trash by Olette, Pence, and Hayner.

They should have ice cream together again soon.

He smirked at his own soft thoughts.

How could he have known that such soft things could be so fulfilling?

It was still so very strange.

He observed the longstanding cracks in the glass. How more shards had found their place. How so very few cracks remained.

He was healing.

His feet landed softly on the shining surface, and he sensed something else. Something that had been there that he hadn't had the ability to recognize.

Ah, but a little Light

Pitiful infant

Vanitas swallowed. This was his safe place. No one could take away his sanctuary.

Yet… there was a little Light. A Light that could not come from him alone naturally. SomethingSomeone Other who had been there alongside of his Darkness, but well hidden.

Hidden away out of sight as a singular peaceful solace to hold him together.

"I can tell you're there, now."

A childish voice that was silent answered him.

Oh, so you finally noticed me, huh?

Vanitas felt a chill, and clenched his fists as he stared down at the glass below his feet. "Being with Ventus… and then Sora, it's helped me realize how easy it is to hide unseen from the seeking."

The silence giggled, as if the game was finally up and they were found.

Vanitas was unsettled. Who was this, and how long had they been there?

Vanitas looked around before sighing, "Who are you, and why are you here?"

A tiny little Heart of Light, the sort that belonged to a child appeared before they gained shape. They were transparent, but he knew this shape well enough.

A boy that looked similarly to Sora at the age of four or five stood there wearing a white shirt with red accents, blue shorts and simple sandals. However, there was a key difference in that his eyes were violet instead of blue, and black instead of brown.

The boy grinned up at him mischievously. I don't really have a name. Don't know if I ever got one, but I've been here with you for a long, long time.

Vanitas didn't like that. "Through everything?"

The black haired boy tilted his head innocently. Well sure. Where else was I gonna go?

Vanitas took in a breath, "How? I was made from Ventus, born from him."

The boy pouted. You've been around a lot longer than big bro, though.

Okay, the kid had a point, but that wasn't the point!

The boy giggled. Okay, okay. I think I know what you mean. He crossed his arms in childish contemplation. Well, I mean. Our little brother did connect to big bro, only for me to end up here.

"So you were with Sora?"

The boy nodded. We were together, and then I stopped.

Vanitas didn't like the implication, even if he didn't understand the implication. "So Sora's always been good at crossing Hearts and taking care of them."

The boy's violet eyes widened. Oh, for sure! He latched on tight and didn't let me disappear- well. At least like this. I don't know if I ever had much of a body.

Oh dammit. It was gonna be like that. It would figure. Why couldn't his stupid mortal existence have some level of normal?

Vanitas felt tired, "I'm sorry."

The boy blinked in confusion. About what?

"You died."

The boy shrugged. I'm here now. We're here now.

That was true.

"I suffered."

The boy lazily clasped his hands behind his head and swayed. Yeah, but you kinda had a little fun too, messing with things.

Vanitas flushed lightly, "Oh Void, I corrupted a kid."

The boy laughed as he shifted his arms and clasped them behind his back. Awe, don't feel bad. It's not like anyone really knew about this. Not even you. Besides, it's not like Sora'll remember anymore. He'dve forgotten all about me by the time we shoulda been born.

March 28th.

Vanitas looked away, "So you're just… here."

The boy blinked. Well, I'm you now so… I don't see the problem.

Vanitas looked at the boy, "But I'm stealing your life."

The boy gave him a weird look. I didn't have one anymore.

...True. He'd been lost. Vanitas didn't know the words for that.

Vanitas swallowed his unease, "So you're just… me? And I'm you?"

The boy scrunched up his face. No, I- Well. I don't know! But I didn't really think about being me. I've always thought I was you. We're supposed to be the same. I just think we got a really crummy name, y'know? That goat guy kinda sucked.

Vanitas snorted, covered his mouth, and looked away. The kid had a sharp mouth, and he could tell he definitely would've been like that as a kid… if he'd had the chance to be one.

Do you think they thought of a name for us?

Vanitas stilled at the longing, yet insecure tone of this child. He looked down at him, into his still innocent eyes and understood. "Is that how we'll settle this and become the same?"

The boy shuffled and swung his feet awkwardly. Maybe? I sure hope so. I'm too much of you to be anyone else. I like being you.

Vanitas felt his throat constrict, "I like you being me too." He didn't even think about it.

The boy grinned brightly and leaned slightly forward. So we're in agreement! He jumped happily and the shade that was his form simply returned to being a little Light, weaving and dancing happily.

Vanitas watched him gleam and glow with quirked brows and a small ironic smile on his face. "I'm gonna go back."

The Light paused before settling down in front of him. Okay. It lowered to the floor, and sank beneath the glass.

Vanitas stared at that spot for a long, long time before closing his eyes with a tired sigh.

Humans were so, so fucking complicated.

Vanitas had some unsettling questions, and he knew it was going to be painful to drag them up... but he needed answers.

And maybe Sora did too.