I woke up in the trash and got adopted by the local trio.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
They may have been very young and naïve, but Tsuyu and Araide had made sure to take them aside and properly go over how boys and girls function individually and together. They also, after much discussion about their pasts within the Organization, made sure to tell them what was considered a faux pass in society, and what was okay.
But it was also okay to break those rules when needed… and well, people broke those rules all of the time.
The majority also just so happened to be alive for more than two years, which was the primary hang up for bargaining promises.
Still, they were physically teenagers, and with Sora's Memories, and now Ventus and Vanitas's Memories, it was as though they'd gained so much more experience that vastly differed from Sora's more innocent Memories to fill the void of maturity and understanding.
They had no idea the things Sora managed to lock under mental keys, the things he'd hid from everyone that not even Naminé had touched.
Which brought them to now.
There were times they didn't really know for sure what to do, how to interpret what they thought they should or shouldn't be doing. But now they understood a little better. They knew how to follow their Hearts with a little more clarity.
Still, it was kind of embarrassing all the same, no matter how many times Xion reassured Roxas that it was okay.
That everything was fine.
They'd undeniably walked a strange tightrope for the majority of their tiny lives.
When Roxas had first become confused by Xion's behavior back during their Organization days, Axel had chalked it up to her being a girl and having her switch flipped.
Araide had been so baffled by that explanation, that while he'd laughed at first, Roxas had been shoved over to Tsuyu to give her the full explanation before Axel got the earful of his life.
Really, everyone had their off days, and Axel had been way off the mark in the long run as it was.
Axel also didn't have enough interest in girls to care enough to fix that lack of care, until Tsuyu set him into proverbial line.
Roxas wondered if Demyx/Edym would laugh if he brought that up, since he'd been absently flipping the bathroom switch while the poor guy'd been in the shower and scared him half to death.
He vaguely remembered Demyx being completely thrown by that switch explanation, but it seemed to fit Larxene's behavior, if no one else's.
Roxas sniffed, as hot tears of anger burned his cheeks. He'd been fuming all day, going over various thoughts and scenarios internally. It'd become too much to bear, alone in his room… so he went to his most precious person. His friend and fellow confidant.
Xion was running her hands through his hair gently as she let him hold her and cry into her chest. They were both very tired from the past few days, and learning the present clarity of their physical forms was a lot.
Xion had no one to biologically call mother and father, and that was okay. Araide and Tsuyu were more than happy to keep her as their adopted daughter. They loved her all the same.
But Roxas had had his world turned upside down again. As if being called Sora hadn't been enough, as if receiving his Memories hadn't been enough… now his identity had been flipped and changed again.
Even cleared his throat awkwardly as he fixed his ascot, "Roxas, you are now fully Ventus's twin brother, biologically speaking."
Roxas felt his world tilt slightly as he felt breathless, "What-what do you mean I'm now Ventus's twin brother?! I came from Sora!"
Even took in a deep breath, prepared for the teen's rage as he sagged slightly with a light sigh, "It is simply what the data we've received from you this morning tells us. I have no words for how it happened- it's entirely unscientific to even begin guessing as to how or why this has come to pass… but it is the present truth. Do with it what you may."
"Roxas."
The blond sniffed wetly and moaned, "Yeah?"
Xion hummed, "It's not like anything has to change between any of you."
Roxas sniffed again as he lethargically pushed himself onto his elbows while hovering over her. His voice was hoarse, "But Xion…"
Xion smiled at him warmly and cupped his cheeks, wiping away his tears. "It's a relief, you know? Knowing we're not siblings or something like that. I don't know what we'd do if we were brother and sister.
Roxas had a twinge of revulsion at the thought, "...True…"
Xion grinned shortly before maneuvering him to lay on his side beside her. They were quiet for a long time as they stared at one another, and Xion kept her right hand on his cheek while grasping his left between them comfortably. "Roxas, you're my most precious person in all of the Worlds… and no matter what, that won't change, okay?"
Roxas sniffed, his cheeks red with irritation and his eyes still too-glossy for such simple comforts. However, some of the tightness in his chest released and he found himself smiling just a tiny bit, "Okay. You're… my most precious person too, Xion."
Xion's cheeks flushed lightly as she watched him warmly. Roxas shifted his left hand, barely glancing at the cream colored ring with its thin black line. He was glad all of their rings had the same design, since Xion's was black with a light blue line through it. If they pretended, they could believe the rings were for a different and more personal reason, and Roxas shifted just enough to pull Xion's left hand to himself and kiss her ring reverently.
Xion blushed at the gesture and whispered, "Roxas…" He looked up to her intensely, feeling more and more at peace by her side as he settled himself down again. Xion pulled back her right hand to herself and pulled his left to her lips in a reciprocating gesture of favor, "My feelings for you haven't changed one bit… and I'm certain Sora and Ven would really like the chance to hang out with you, together. There's so much you all could talk about… Everything, and nothing at all, I'm sure of it."
Roxas felt slightly annoyed by her words, but he also knew it was true. He'd wanted to get to know Ventus more personally, but the chance simply hadn't come up. They'd never really even had the chance to gawk at each other for having the same face, and share their immediate thoughts from their bare boned meeting at the Keyblade Graveyard.
He knew it'd pissed him off for a second, but other things were immediately more important back then.
Roxas also knew Xion had Kairi's face… at least to an extent, and somehow, knowing he wasn't just Another Sora now made his feelings for the girl beside him all the more genuine. That he wasn't being manipulated by the genes and thoughts of another person.
They were Roxas's own feelings. His, and his alone. No one would love Xion the way he did.
A small voice whispered to him that that was a little too aggressively possessive and to chill out.
Roxas had no idea who's voice that was, anyway, and brushed them off.
However, there was also now Vanitas thrown into the awkward mix of him, Ventus, and Sora… and Roxas now had common ground with the creep.
Vanitas had once thought of himself as Ventus, had been incensed at the thought of not being Ventus.
And now he was Sora's twin brother.
Roxas sighed heavily and closed his eyes and Xion pulled him under her chin and wrapped herself around him comfortably. He reciprocated, and the final ebbing of his rage abated into tired acceptance.
Even in this he wasn't alone.
His biological identity didn't change who he had become… and he could learn to live with that.
Everything would eventually be just fine.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
Sora knew that in reality, he was happily cocooned between his two closest friends.
His Dream was an entirely different story.
He was laying in a field of flowers on a cliffside, overlooking a strangely out of focus Town with purple roofs and a clock tower his mind shivered away from acknowledging in the distance.
But he recognized the Tower's shape, that silhouette was unmistakable from that which lay in waste underwater in Scala ad Caelum.
The sky was a picturesque dawn, and he knew this place was special.
It held meaning for the one who was invoking this unrecognizable scenery.
Light footsteps came ever closer before a girl with orange hair split from behind into fluffy front-pulled pigtails bowed into view before him as her bell shaped white sleeves billowed outward from her movement. He wasn't even startled as he smiled up at her awkwardly, "...Hello?"
The green-eyed girl smiled brilliantly at him as she moved and settled beside him, being mindful of her short white dress with black trim accents. She shifted and pulled her knees to her chest, the white thigh high boots with orange diamond shaped gems interested him for a moment before he pushed himself up and leaned back on his hands lazily.
He watched her closely as she pleasantly stared out towards the horizon, because honestly… he knew this wasn't a dream. This was Dream, and he didn't know who she was, or why she'd brought him into this pocket of Memory.
There was no clear connection to her at all.
She was silent for a long time, and Sora decided that she wasn't a threat and relaxed a little more and yawned.
The girl giggled, covering her mouth slightly as if to hide her mirth, 'You're taking this rather well, Sora.'
Sora blinked, confused that she knew who he was before shrugging, "Might as well enjoy the beautiful... Dream? Day? While I can."
The girl nodded, finding his answer agreeable as she sighed lightly and cupped her hands, 'This was my… our favorite spot…'
Sora raised an eyebrow, "Oh- is this, is this a private place?"
The girl caught his undertone and giggled, 'I would meet my brother here after missions.'
Sora felt relief, that he hadn't intruded upon a lover's recluse. "Oh, that sounds nice."
The girl nodded, 'My name's Strelitzia.'
Sora nodded, "That's a pretty name… isn't it the name of a flower?"
Strelitzia nodded, 'Yes… I'm surprised you know that.'
Sora shrugged, "I've learned a lot of weird stuff since leaving the Islands."
Strelitzia nodded in acquiesce, 'I suppose that's certainly true.'
Sora didn't want to push this Dream along, but… "What can I do for you?"
Strelitzia blinked as she looked at him in confusion before smiling. It was a sisterly sort of smile. 'I wanted to thank you, Sora… You helped my brother begin the process of recollecting the Memories he'd lost due to how he arrived in this era.'
"Your brother?"
Strelitzia nodded, 'His name… is Lauriam.'
Sora froze for a second before relaxing, "...Oh."
He was talking to a dead girl, wasn't he?
Strelitzia gave him a remorseful look, 'I was… struck down from behind. I…' She waffled for a moment, 'I suppose that's not something I want to saddle you with. I did tell the Darkness that killed me that I would help.'
Sora blinked, "...Help?"
Strelitzia sighed softly as she plucked up a flower and twirled it between her fingers to keep her nerve, 'I've been with my brother for a very, very long time… but when you defeated Marluxia in Castle Oblivion, I had to go somewhere else… I had to hide to stay safe.'
Sora swallowed. He didn't remember his time in Castle Oblivion.
Strelitzia caught onto his unease and smiled warmly again to reassure him, 'I went to hide within Naminé. She never knew I was there, and I was fine with that. Eventually I crossed over several Hearts, and finally found myself in the Heart of that Pure Darkness. I went through his Memories and Judged him thoroughly… and right when I thought that perhaps there was no hope for him, the two of you made a connection.'
'I stepped back, and watched your relationship unfold and bloom. It was fascinating, and though I can't say I forgive him for what he did to me… I hold no ill will against him. I acknowledge that he's changed so very much into a decent and growing person over such a short span of time. I will stand back, and watch him grow ever longer.'
Sora frowned, "But what about Lauriam?" He didn't really know why he was asking.
Strelitzia sighed softly and looked up towards the sky, 'I will find my way back to my brother, eventually. I just… I'm going to observe for a little bit longer. I want to see how Vanitas… or well, I suppose it's Vista now, right?' Sora nodded as she did as well, 'I want to see Vista's love will grow, as he comes to value others and life itself. The way things are now… I think it's alright.'
Sora nodded slowly, "I see."
Strelitzia shifted and surprised him by moving onto her hands and knees over him, awkwardly meeting him with a slightly begging threat as she pushed him down onto his back while straddling over him. 'Sora, you're a very special person. You connect to so many people in ways that I nor anyone else could ever hope to replicate. You are very loved, and… I don't want you to make the same mistake I did.'
'If you love someone, please, please tell them you love them. You've already passed beyond the veil of death more than once.'
'Don't be like me, who will never be able to meet That Person again in the Past, the Present, or even the Afterlife. I was too shy, and took too long to be brave enough just to ask them to be my friend… and now we've both been silenced forever.'
Tears welled up in her eyes as the Dream began to blur and bleed, as her tears fell onto his cheeks and slid down his face.
'Thank you for everything you have done for the Worlds and my brother… and please, don't take this wonderfully short life for granted.'
Sora woke up with tears in his eyes and two pairs of eyes blearily watching him with concern in the early morning light.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
Vista laid in the grass with his Flood on his stomach dozing, the warm sunlight cascading like usual in Merlin's little bubble World. It always had pleasant sleepy weather, and it was now his comfort as well as the place he trained.
A week had passed since Sora's return, as the Keyblade Hero slowly reacclimated to society.
It was almost funny, how Vista of all people had gone out of his way to drag his brother outside for ingredients.
It was the biggest joke in the world, at least, to him anyway.
Naminé was sketching nearby, a quiet presence that eased his mind and was familiar while her pencils softly scratch scratched on the page.
She was drawing a lot these days. Picking up things from Sora, Roxas, and well… everyone, really. Hopes. Dreams.
Unspoken things.
Merlin was slightly overwhelmed by having so many teenagers partially under his watch, yet, he made deals with the various related persons to allow them all to train under his eye for so many days, and return "home" for so many others.
In the meantime since Sora's return, Vista had begun a hobby. A small simple thing, but it was something he had silently picked up to try.
He had started creating art.
There were things he didn't want to forget, simple aspects of himself as a being of Darkness he couldn't articulate to anyone. But slowly the inherent knowledge he carried would be chipped away from his Memory the longer he stayed in mortal flesh. He'd slowly lose touch with his origin, no matter how hard he struggled against such changes.
He had lost sight of his original goal long ago.
Vista only hoped His Lady would have some pittance of mercy on him, if he ended up in the Deep Dark again.
He took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled as he allowed his mind to sink into the depths of his Heart. His Station had healed over with the addition of that small little Heart, the original Vista. Vanitas had inherited all of his little hopes and dreams, along with whimsy and mischievous nature.
However, the Darkling was still very much so himself. Nothing would really ever change that.
He was just growing as all natural things did.
His feet landed on the stained glass, and he looked around in slight confusion.
He walked towards the edge, and slowly he realized his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.
There were flower buds growing along the outermost ring of his Station.
Vista stared at it freaked out, his suspicions and anxieties running rampant about what this meant.
A flutter of white, a wisp of orange and lightly landing feet.
Vista spun and stared at the ghostly girl, as her green eyes pierced into his violet ones, 'Hello, little Darkling.'
Vista started sweating, "What are you doing back in my Heart?"
The girl smiled. It was a bitter thing that looked unnatural on her face, 'Planting my roots.'
Vista clenched his hands and took a shaking breath, "You're the girl I killed."
She grinned, a dark and spiting thing that had all the snarl she never would have been capable of in life. She stepped forward in a deliberately haunting slow and prowling manner before pressing a pointed finger into his chest, right above his heart, 'My name is Strelitzia, and you shall have it engraved upon your Heart. You will never forget that which you took away from me when you clipped my wings. You took away my freedom and life, my hopes and joys, my family and future, and I shall dwell here forever no matter how far into eternity you run. Rebirth will not save you from me.'
Vista- No.
Darkness stared at her.
If he had still been under Xehanort's control, if he had still been that miserable being that had first been reluctantly brought under Merlin's Authority… he would not have taken this well, and been enraged. Indignant.
Now he just felt tired. He felt sympathy for her, and he didn't know what to do with himself.
Darkness rarely showed mercy and love. It was far too mired in the negative and painful.
He closed his eyes and nodded in acceptance, "Fair."
Strelitzia froze in shock. She hadn't expected such a response from him.
Vanitas opened his eyes and gently took her accusing hand before stepping forward to pull her close into his arms as he stared down at her.
She was stiff as he released her hand, more than surprised and perhaps even revolted at being held by the being who murdered her, but the small childish speck of himself couldn't stand it.
She kinda looks like she needs a hug.
Vanitas was going to be haunted by that kid for the rest of his life as it was, so taking in his own victim was justifiable enough. "Go ahead and plant your roots, but don't harm Vista."
Strelitzia placed her palms onto his chest, as if to push him away before sagging with a surrendering sigh as she laid her forehead onto his shoulder, 'Vista is innocent in all of this… but he's already mostly become you, and you him.'
"I'd argue that's already fully happened, but I'm fine with you making my barren Heart into a garden. It's been lifeless and broken, and if you can make flowers bloom here, then you truly are a Heart of Healing Light."
Strelitzia chuckled tiredly as tears slowly bled into his vest and shirt. 'You're a cruel bastard.'
Vista frowned, "I'm not trying to be."
'Being kind now is the cruelest part.'
Ah.
"Makes it harder to hate me?"
'I'm incapable of holding onto such agonizing bitterness…'
Which meant she'd already come past her anger and hatred for him.
She was putting up a sinister front to intimidate him.
"If your roots go too deep, you won't be able to be reborn… do you not want to pass through Kingdom Hearts?"
The girl was silent for a long time, limp and tired of the game she was trying to play. 'I'm still me… and I still have things I want to finish.'
Vista nodded before patting her lightly on the back of the head. He slowly pulled away and lightly tilted her chin up with an unusual warmth in his eyes, "I guess there's more than one way to avoid the big great Moon Beyond."
She blinked and he stepped away out of her space before turning his back to her and walking away with a small wave, "Maybe we'll think of something, when I'm a little older."
Strelitzia blinked and took a few steps forward as she reached out towards him, 'What does that mean when a being of Darkness says that!?'
He paused in his step and barely glanced back at her with a smirk, "Don't know, but if nothing else, this business with you is for me to finish, and no one else's."
Strelitzia allowed her arms to rest at her sides as she stood there awkwardly, 'Darkness destroys.'
Vista sniffed and turned his face away, "And it allows others to Live. Much grows in the Dark that is brought forth into the Light."
The flowers grew and bloomed around the edges.
He turned to her slightly and grinned, "I look forward to seeing how far this garden grows."
Vista returned to reality and slowly opened his eyes to his Flood nudging his cheek. He grunted, disgruntled as his back ached intensely while he turned onto his side painfully and groaned, "Fuck! When am I gonna learn not to do that?!"
Naminé giggled as she moved over to his side and sat down pleasantly, "Have a nice dream?"
Vista scoffed as he pushed himself up and held his Flood close while laying his chin on their head and grumbled, "No."
Naminé snickered sympathetically as she lightly pressed against his arm. He supposed it was meant to be more of a shove, but he couldn't always let her win, and his feelings were far too muddled to allow for such simple playful gestures.
She slowly frowned as she set her hand gently on his arm in concern, "Was it a nightmare?"
Vista shook his head, "No, not really. It's nothing like that."
Naminé tilted her head in intrigue, "...Will you tell me when you're comfortable enough to talk about it?"
Vista slowly nodded, "Sure."
Naminé nodded and shelved the matter as she pulled her legs close to herself and clasped her hands around them, "Your anxiety has really calmed down since Sora came back to us."
Vista shrugged halfheartedly, "Half of it was him… but I still have my own hang-ups I'm working on. I just…" He hesitated slightly and looked at the ground away from her, "I'm trying something new to pour out some of my stress that I haven't really talked to anyone about."
Naminé tilted her head in concern, "Not even Merlin?"
Vista shook his head before looking at her, "No. I don't really have the vocabulary to explain some things."
Naminé blinked, "You have an amazing vocabulary… So are they things you don't know how to formulate descriptions of?"
Vista nodded slightly, "Yeah."
Naminé nodded slowly, "Alright. Do you want me to help?"
Vista gave her a small smile, "No, it's alright. I'm working on it."
Naminé slumped slightly with a smile before nodding, "Alright."
Vista lifted his left hand and offered it to her, and she demurely took it with a gentle hold and flushed smile. He grinned and clasped her hand, a warm buzz going through him at the small simplicity of the gesture.
It had taken half a day after their first realization of their feelings to properly face one another again, embarrassed and overwhelmed by their own actions. They had needed to privately talk it out once Ventus started giving him suspicious looks.
Sora had given him a far more pointed look, but had been dragged off by his friends before he could get on his case about it.
Sometimes, it was hard to say if knowing someone else could feel what you were feeling was a good thing or not.
He probably deserved having someone else in the know of his feelings, though. He didn't know entirely how to deal with them, and after his years of feeding his own bitterness and jealousy over Ventus's happy feelings, it was probably payback.
"So you two are like that."
Vista gasped and released Naminé's hand in a panic, rolling onto his feet in a flustered flourish as his Flood squeaked at being ejected from their spot while he glared at the young Master before him.
Aqua smirked at his over-reaction, pleased that he took her seriously enough to not brush her off like every other Wielder presently around. "Good to see that you're ready to fight at the first sign of a deemed threat."
Vista growled low in his throat, and Naminé moved to her feet with a light blush on her face as she grasped his elbow lightly to calm him, "What did you need, Master Aqua?"
Aqua turned her attention to the blonde and smiled warmly, "Kairi thought it'd be good to have a girl's day out… get to know each other more, and maybe get you and Master Ava some new clothes."
Naminé paused, "...Who all is going?"
Aqua ticked off with her fingers, "Kairi, Xion, Skuld, Ava, hopefully you, and myself."
Naminé relaxed slightly, yet found herself asking despite herself, "What about Elrena?"
Aqua gave her a slightly curious look before shrugging, "Wasn't interested."
And that was that.
Naminé slowly nodded, contemplating it for a drawn out moment before smiling at the Master and nodding, "Alright. I'd be happy to go with you all."
Aqua grinned and moved over to her to take her hand as Vista watched her wearily, "We're going to leave shortly, so it'd be best to get ready to go."
Naminé nodded and took her hand, glancing back at Vista as she was led away, "You should see if any of the boys are available, Vanitas."
Vista slumped slightly, put out by the change of plans and grumbled, "Yeah, sure."
Naminé giggled, knowing he probably wouldn't do so, but at least she'd tried.
Vista silently sulked at the abrupt change of plans alone as his Flood climbed up to his shoulder and nudged him in comfort with tiny rumblings. He smiled slightly at their attention and sighed gustily as he left behind the bubble World and glanced over the apartment.
It was apparently empty and he was plenty fine with that, so he made his way up to the rooftop for his favorite pastime. People watching.
It was Solitary, quiet, and vaguely entertaining if he silently made fun of them.
Peaceful.
He made himself comfortable as he sat on the ledge, swinging his feet absently as his Flood oozed over his shoulder and puddled into his lap. He rolled his eyes at their antics, and began to absently pet them as he stared out into the wider world.
Time passed as they lived their lives, and before he knew it, his Flood was snoring lightly in his lap and he smirked at them absently.
They had become entirely too docile, to enjoy being treated as a pet.
Vista snorted to himself at the thought, knowing full well he was no pet.
Even at his most free, Xehanort had always treated him as a possession and tool, not a living being.
Vista smiled bitterly at his thoughts, as he tried to not circle deeper into his more morose tendencies.
A shift of gravel and measured footsteps.
The presence was benevolent, so he initially believed it to be Isa checking in on him, as he seldom did.
But he flinched when magenta entered his peripheral and he sharply turned to look up at the pink haired man, guarded, as the Graceful Assassin motioned with his hand to the space beside him, "May I?"
Vista watched Lauriam with a guarded intensity before scoffing and turning back to minding his business, "Whatever."
Lauriam almost smiled at being brushed off, but sat down with a foot of space between them. He glanced at the now wary Flood on the Darkling's lap as they glared at him with slitted eyes.
Vanitas's wariness was blatant. Even if his eyes weren't watching his every move, his Flood was still absorbing every twitch he made.
Lauriam looked out towards the horizon, more than happy to be silent for a time.
He was not here to cause stress, though his presence inevitably brought such things to the forefront, but…
"Have you been well?"
Vista's eyebrow twitched as he managed to avoid flinching at the question. He didn't know how to respond at first, more than happy to ignore the man.
But then he found himself talking anyway, despite himself. "Better than before."
Lauriam nodded, "I see. That's… good, I suppose."
Vista scoffed sarcastically, "Better than vomiting darkness all the time for every little reason."
Lauriam frowned. It had been well known within the Real Organization XIII that Vanitas was constantly sick, and that Xehanort scoffed with a roll of his eyes any time someone mentioned it to the man.
Even Xemnas had had the smallest sliver of intrigue and concern over the Darkling's apparent ailments. All of them were made to show off some level of competence to one another, and when Vanitas had completed his demonstration, despite his vast power and intelligence, he had ended up vomiting blood and pitch black. It had alarmed a number of them despite their lack of Hearts and completely free Will, when Vanitas became nearly crippled with nausea and had crawled off to his own room, still partially masked and clearly younger than some of them initially believed.
Demyx hadn't even had it in him to complain about washing up the mess, simply using his mastery over water to deal with it.
Lauriam took in a measured breath and sighed silently to himself, "I suppose it isn't my business to pry into such things."
Vista clicked his tongue, "No. It's not." He paused, "Have you even apologized?"
Lauriam blinked and glanced over to the teenager beside him. So similar to Sora in profile, yet the complete opposite in personality. "What exactly are you referring to?"
"Naminé." Perhaps not so different.
Lauriam was surprised, not overly so, but still… shocked that the Darkling beside him had it in him to care. "...No." He felt some shame, "I haven't made the effort to approach her. I didn't want to cause her undue stress, since I've mostly noticed her alone."
Vista frowned, both unhappy and understanding, "So you do know how to be considerate."
Lauriam glared at him, "Moreso than you, I dare think." He regretted it the moment he said it, knowing full well that the Darkling was starting from a much darker point of existence and ignorance than he had when joining those of ill intent.
Yet Vista smirked and barked, "Yeah well. Being created and raised by an asshole who wants to recreate the Worlds in his own image of a utopia can really fuck you up, no matter where your origins lie."
Lauriam grimaced and turned his face away in shame, "...Yes. I suppose that's true."
Vista glanced at him, "So what do you want from me?"
Lauriam cycled through a number of indecisive faces. Negative and neutral both before sighing tiredly, "In the past, I asked the you that had no shape why you chose to murder my sister." Oh, so he was just going to go straight for it was he? "I wanted to know if you even recall your crimes."
Vista was sharp as his voice lowered into a dangerous threat while he refused to look at him, "I may have murdered your sister in cold blood and for seemingly pointless reasons, but at least it was swift. At least I didn't choose to abuse a physically weak girl to use her powers to erase an innocent bystander's free will."
Lauriam was angry, but he was simultaneously humbled by the point. He clenched his hands, to control the rage and desire to lop Vanitas's head right off, for what he said was true.
Marluxia and Larxene had joyfully made use of and harmed Naminé.
"Why do you even care about Naminé so much? What does it matter to you?"
Vista clenched his hands. He had no desire to speak of their newfound relationship, still so very fragile and tenuous.
But he would never be able to hide anything from her. Naminé's insight and Powers didn't allow for secrets, whether she knew it or not, and he would not let this man brush off his actions lightly.
"I love Naminé." He growled as he turned to glare at him with a silent threat in his eyes, "And I will never let anyone get away with harming her as you did ever again."
Lauriam frowned, indignant, "You dare say that to me as the brother of the girl you killed?"
Vista gave him a strange and bitter smile, "Strelitzia? Oh. She's alive and well in my Heart. I thought you Light people weren't supposed to hold such deep and aggressive grudges, else the Darkness enter your Hearts."
Lauriam tensed as he bared his teeth, "How dare you speak her name and of staying Pure in the Light when you yourself are stained with my sister's blood!"
Vista's eyes widened as he gave him a manic and aggressive grin, entirely mad at this point. "You think I'm scared of dying? You think I give a shit?! COME AT ME LOO-CHGK!" A white robed hand snatched him tight around the collar and choked him for a second as he was roughly yanked back. He hissed as his Flood jumped and slammed into Lauriam's face before landing on the ground, where it became a puddle and zipped to the safety of the apartment.
Vista glared up into Merlin's incensed eyes and bared his teeth while growling and hissing.
Merlin peered down at him, indignant and bored of his behavior and rather disappointed, "Vanitas." Vista's eye twitched at Merlin's enraged but calm tone, "What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish here." He shifted his gaze, "And you." Lauriam had the audacity to hunch back into his shoulders as if he were a child about to be scolded over cookies, "I have warned you to not approach my Ward, and certainly not in private for this exact kind of reason."
Lauriam waffled before he sighed and refused to look at either of them, "I… apologize for breaking my word to you, Merlin."
The young Merlin nodded as he glanced down at Vanitas, "And you? Are you sorry for egging him on, when most of your Power is still under my lock and key, thus, making you a great deal weaker than you should be? For asking for a death wish?"
Vista winced, "...Sorry."
Merlin let his grip on the teen's collar loosen, not desiring to choke the teen as he became slightly blue, "To who? Me? Lauriam? The girl?"
Vista pouted and glared up at him, "To you."
Merlin sniffed, "I will drop the matter if the two of you apologize to one another." Vista sulked, and Merlin knew full well they wouldn't be able to genuinely apologize.
But they had to make the effort, to try to even move forward.
Lauriam sighed gustily, but Vista beat him to the punch, "Sorry for purposely going out of my way to taunt you, Lauriam."
Lauriam gave him a weird look before shaking his head, "I apologize for ruining your peaceful observance of the populace, Vanitas."
Merlin nodded and fully released Vista's collar and with a slight flick fixed it back into place. Vista huffed and pulled himself to his feet at Merlin's side.
Lauriam wasn't sure of what he should do, lest he come off as continuously hostile, but Merlin shocked him by changing his wand into an elaborate staff and shoving him off the ledge with it as if he were a pesky rodent. Lauriam startled and activated Aerial Recovery before landing on his feet. He looked up to the ledge just as Merlin peered over the side of it, sniffed with a simple nod, and pulled back out of sight.
Lauriam frowned before shrugging and shaking his head, making his way back to where he and Elrena resided.
That Wizard was strangely capable of handling the Darkling, that was for certain.
Meanwhile, Merlin changed his staff back into a wand and crossed his arms, tapping the tip of it against his shoulder in annoyance as he studied Vista. "So. You wanna tell me why you went out of your way to taunt him?"
Vista shuffled, grasping his hands behind his back and childishly kicking his feet as he tried to think of what to say or divert from his question. Yet Merlin found the behavior curious, since usually Vanitas was straightforward.
Vista sighed heavily before straightening up and looking Merlin in the eyes, "She's in my Heart."
Merlin blinked, "Excuse me?"
Vista slumped slightly, "The girl. Lauriam's sister? She's planted roots in my Heart. She's already made her point and threatened me today. Didn't need her brother coming after me the same fuckin' day."
Merlin frowned deeply and furrowed his brows, "When you say planted roots, what exactly do you mean by that?"
Vista shrugged as he broke eye contact, "There's Strelitzia blooming around the entire outer edge of my Heart Station. She showed up and told me she'd never let me forget what I did, which is agreeable, since she was my victim as much as Ventus was."
Merlin shifted, unsettled, "May I speak with Yen Sid about this?"
Vista was silent for a beat, "Not yet."
Merlin sighed heavily, "Vanitas-"
Vista gave him an almost pleading look, "I asked her why she'd do that instead of moving forward into and through Kingdom Hearts to be reborn, but she's being strangely stubborn... So I requested a favor from her."
Merlin gripped his forearms, "What did you ask of the dead, Vanitas?" That was not a smart thing to do.
"I asked her not to hurt Vista."
Merlin blinked, "Vista? Who in the world is Vista?"
Vista shifted uncomfortably before helplessly throwing his arms out in temporary flustered surrender. His arms flopped at his sides as his energy ran out, "Sora's dead twin brother that ended up being shifted to me when he touched Ventus's Heart, I guess."
Merlin stared at him, squinted his eyes, and then stared at him in shocked horror, "Excuse me?" Did Vanitas even understand what he was insinuating, here?
Vista smirked tiredly, "I already asked Sora and his parents about it. Kinda went with the whole, finding out we're now biologically twins, bit."
Merlin slumped as he pressed a palm to his temple and closed his eyes, "Vanitas, that's-"
Vista reached forward and gently grasped the Wizard's sleeve, as if he were a young child silently asking permission. His face reflected his more innocent side with a heaping dash of hesitation, "Merlin… I didn't know. But he'd been with me through everything… and now that he's learned his name, we were finally able to mostly become one and the same… and eventually we really will both be simply… we'll both be Vista."
Merlin lowered his hand and studied his Ward.
He Knew without a doubt something had recently changed in him, but with that change coinciding with Sora's return, he hadn't even thought to dig deeper into it… and clearly the teenager in front of him hadn't wanted to bring it to his immediate attention.
Merlin swallowed his emotions and gently asked, "Vanitas… who are you, now?"
Vista smiled awkwardly and became almost bashful, just barely, but… He was usually far too proud for his own good. Having him be even remotely meek was strange. "Vista. Tsuyu gave that name to us, to me."
Merlin abruptly realized just how much his Ward did understand the gravity of his implications, and had already dealt with it. The Wizard took in a deep cleansing breath before exhaling, "What would you like me to call you, little one of the Dark?"
Vista's eyes brightened a little, taking that more neutral phrasing of who he was and claiming it for himself. "In private, Vista, with everyone else, Vanitas is still fine."
Merlin nodded with kindness in his eyes, "Does anyone else know, other than Sora and his parents?"
"Naminé."
Merlin took that more a moment before prodding, "Are you in a relationship with her?"
Vista made a particularly disgruntled face at his phrasing, "I- we're… dating? Ish? I don't know! We hang out all the time, and we talked about being slow about anything physical and just…" He made a gruff noise as he shuffled awkwardly, red faced as he shoved his hands into his pockets and hunched into his shoulders, "It's only been a week."
Merlin studied Vista's body language and slowly nodded. The Darkling and Naminé were both terribly cautious, but in turn, that could lead them to do something extreme in the spur of the moment if allowed. However, he already knew Vista Knew better, and had been properly educated…but even so. "Make sure to carry a condom."
Vista's eyes went wide as his face and neck turned immediately red in embarrassment, horror, and rage, "MERLIN-!"
Merlin raised a hand as he glanced away from his incensed Ward, "I have no desire to inquire or assume further. I won't hover over you about it, but-" He gave him a pointed Look, "You will be careful and be properly equipped if the situation calls for it. It's the same as preparing for battle- you check and prepare stock for whatever possibilities may arise on the field."
Vista growled in displeasure, but understood the Wizard's point. He knew Merlin was very different from his seductive demon classification, choosing Dreams instead of Pleasure to satiate his hunger and need for Life Force. Vista understood him in that way, and was glad the Wizard had come up with the rings as a present solution to his continuous negativity-hunger problem. It certainly helped his mood and patience a lot. He just knew despite that, that he was an asshole anyway.
"I- fine. Where do I even go to get that kinda shit?"
Merlin smirked at Vista's annoyance towards him. "Ask Sora."
Vista blinked, "You think Sora's gonna know?"
Merlin shrugged, "Or Ventus. Actually, take Roxas with you, I can't honestly say I entirely trust him alone with Xion the way he is, sometimes."
Vista felt some of the life bleed out of him as he stared at the Wizard emptily and deadpanned, "I'm not their big brother."
Merlin raised an eyebrow, "How long have you been around, before you were shuttled into that meat bag you call a body?"
Vista almost laughed, but scoffed instead before glumly responding, "The beginning of Time."
Merlin's eyebrows nearly raised into his hairline before he shrugged and smirked, "Hn! Well, I think you're best equipped for a brotherly bonding session, and setting a good example of what boys in relationships should be doing without being asked, or risking their partner's health."
Vista gave Merlin a suspicious look before becoming slightly sly, "You think Sora's gonna notice the way Riku looks at him?"
Merlin rolled his eyes with a scoff, "I can't decide if Sora's still… behind, or if his year out in the streets of Quadratum made him smart in ways we never would have even begun to imagine for him."
Vista's smirk slid off his face, and he knew without a doubt Sora had seen some freaky shit. "Uh, yeah. He's uhm… he's definitely walked into some odd situations. As a ghost. That can't be seen."
Merlin stared at him in neutrality before he became slightly blue, "Light above." He swiftly turned and made his way to the stairwell, "That's-" The Wizard shuddered in revulsion, "I will unfortunately need to speak with him about that matter."
Vista hesitated before following after, "Uhm, okay? But uh. I guess you're right." Merlin looked back at him questioningly as Vista clarified, "I'll make sure the others have… protection I guess?"
Merlin blinked before nodding, "Good. Can't ever be too cautious with that."
Vista nodded somewhat absently, wondering just what kind of fuckery went on to have the sort of day he was having…
'Cause he refused to believe in Karma, if only because then he would most certainly be its bitch for life due to his crimes.
Plus, even if it was embarrassing, it'd be fun to watch Ventus or any of the others squirm. That had to count for something, right?
Merlin smirked as he called back, "Stop plotting."
Vista sniffed indignantly, "Nah. Life's no fun, then."
Merlin barked, "Ha!" He shook his head, "Well. I can certainly say that taking you in has brought me a great deal of fulfillment. I never would have thought of myself as a role model, let alone someone who would end up as a pseudo father to many orphans-and-not."
Vista hummed, "Psuedo? Why not- what's the phrase? A god father?"
Merlin made a disgruntled face as he paused and turned to look at the Darkling as he placed his hand on the doorknob back to their apartment, "Where in the world did you hear that one?"
Vista shrugged, "Can't recall… but isn't that the definition of someone chosen by parents to assist with raising children in one way or another? Of blood or not?"
Merlin frowned, as the weight and strange rightness about it settled onto his shoulders, "Well… I suppose…"
Vista smiled at him warmly, and he looked far too much like Sora and Merlin knew he was about to say something incredibly personal. His voice was lighter and soft as he spoke, "Merlin, you took me in when I was at my lowest, and without hesitation or judgement you simply told me to come along and for some insane reason… I did. That was probably the first and most important decision I've ever made in my life. You understand me in a way none of the others will, as a being who isn't quite human. You've taught me a lot, about myself, my powers, and my potential beyond being just a tool and a warrior. You've never laughed at my questions about living and humanity, no matter how embarrassing or uncomfortable they are, and you're neutral. You've made it so that I can accept and handle being around users of Light, while also creating a way for them to accept me as a Dark user. I don't care if Riku can use the darkness, it's not the same as being born from it."
Merlin flushed lightly and glanced away awkwardly, "I think you're heaping too much praise upon me."
Vista laughed gruffly, "Well, you also know how to take my shit and feed it back to me, so that has to count for something."
Merlin smiled awkwardly and shrugged helplessly, "I suppose that's true. You are a menace when allowed too much liberty."
Vista sniffed and crossed his arms proudly, "I'll graduate to being allowed to use darkness again someday, otherwise I can't teach the others how to protect themselves from letting it enter their Hearts."
Merlin blinked and let his hand slip off the doorknob, "You actually plan to teach them yourself?"
Vista blinked and raised an eyebrow, "Why wouldn't I? Isn't learning from the source best?"
Merlin slowly smiled, "I see. Yes, I suppose that's true enough."
Vista gave him a weird look before moving over and opening the door, "Well anyway, you're pretty chaotic for someone who's Lawfully Good, so I guess you managed well by me when you took me in." He slipped into the apartment before glancing back at him curiously.
Merlin hesitated, "...I have failed more students then I have helped, knowing full well of their unfortunate fates."
Vista blinked, "Okay, but who likes knowing of an inevitable future? It's a burden, especially if what's been prophesied can't be changed. Sure, you can help, hint, and direct, but if you're not going to personally intervene, why cause foretold suffering?"
Merlin's eyes widened a little before giving him a curious look as he gently closed the back door behind him, "I was not aware I spoke to you of my clairvoyance."
Vista shrugged, "I guessed you had some level of it, considering how you still sort of live within the realm of Avalon."
Merlin nodded slowly, "Ah."
Vista sighed and put his hands into his pockets, relaxed, "The darkness also has foresight to an extent. But actually… I say it because of Master Ava."
Merlin froze, "What of her?"
Vista smirked, "She was declared a Foreteller. She and the other four were given the knowledge of one particular route of the future by their Master, to guide a bunch of children to their deaths via the Keyblade War. I say as the darkness I'm pretty fucked up, but that's a pretty fucked up thing to do, as a Light to fellow Lights. The Keyblade War was inevitable, and all of their struggles against that fate were for naught. Honestly, the darkness thought the whole affair was hilarious and bought in on it as entertainment."
Merlin watched him in neutrality, "And you?"
Vista shrugged tiredly, "I'm here, now."
Well, Merlin supposed, playing with Firaza will burn you at some point.
"I guess that's true." Merlin shifted to look out the window tiredly, "They'll soon be back, Vista."
Vista nodded, "Yeah…"
Merlin was silent for a second, "They have ice cream."
Vista grumbled, "No thanks, I'm done dealing with people today."
The door slammed open and Sora burst in excitedly, "We're home!"
Vista slumped and gave Merlin a side glare, "Oh great."
Sora pouted for a moment before he moved over to his brother and slung his arm around his shoulders with a grin, and started guiding him to Merlin's bubble World. "We're gonna enjoy it together!"
Vista whined with a groan as he dragged his feet, "I'm tired of dealing with people's shit today, Sora!"
Sora gave him a sad look, "Just one bar of ice cream, together."
Vista rolled his eyes and sighed dramatically, "Fine."
It took him a while to realize that while Ventus, Roxas, and Sora were easily accounted for, Vista hadn't realized that Riku and Terra had gaggled along with them. Vista glared at Sora, "Is this a fucking parade of idiots or something?"
Sora laughed, "Vanitas! Don't be such an ass and just eat ice cream with us, you dork."
Vista looked at Sora and gasped dramatically while placing a hand on his chest, "How dare you use that tone with me, brother-"
Sora shoved him, and the next thing they knew they were slapping at each other with the biggest stupidest grins on their faces while walking towards their favorite cliffside.
Terra glanced at Ventus, "Do you understand what's going on, here?"
Ventus raised an eyebrow, feeling a buzz of amusement from his Other and glancing over to Roxas who was just... annoyed, like usual.
Ventus slumped slightly and Roxas glanced at his twin before lightening up a little with a light sigh, "Sora, Vanitas, really guys?"
Vista and Sora paused to look at Roxas before grinning as manic as possible before chuckling darkly in unison and jumping the both of them.
"Augh!" Roxas blocked Vista's attempt to mess up his hair while Ventus was easily bowled over by Sora's tackle. Terra stepped away to keep out of arm's reach, and Riku couldn't decide how to interfere.
Riku glanced at Terra, "Do you think they're still bonded, or whatever?"
Terra nodded, "Definitely. Sora's been weird all day and with how they're acting, they're definitely bouncing off each other."
Riku shook his head morosely before Sora grabbed his good wrist and yanked him down with a yelp to create an odd dog pile.
Terra eyed them all wearily, "You haven't even had any sugar and you're like this."
Ventus looked up at him innocently as he held Vista in an awkward pin, "Does roughhousing need sugar to make sense?"
Terra took a half uneasy step back, "...No…"
Roxas shoved Riku off of him and snapped a hand to Sora before making him eat dirt, "It's kinda cathartic though."
Sora snarled and flipped Roxas onto his back, which only buried Riku awkwardly further beneath them all as he tried to not get painfully kneed. Sora laughed wickedly, "It's nice to play without Keyblades and Magic every once in a while!"
Riku reached up and snatched Sora by the shirt before he knocked Roxas off of his legs with a carefully angled foot shove. Riku grabbed Sora's hands together and pinned him beneath him, "Whatever you say, losing streak."
Sora glared up at his friend vaguely out of breath and red faced, "Losing streak? I'll have you know-"
Vista pulled Riku off of Sora and shoved him off to the side, "Sora can kick your ass anytime now, Master." He dusted his hands off showily before reaching down and pulling Sora onto his feet. "Your stupid ice cream's gonna melt, and I'm not eating liquified bullshit."
Sora laughed in surprise while Ventus and Roxas dusted themselves off.
Terra smirked to himself, surprised that they all seemed oddly less tense now than they had all day.
Maybe Vanitas wasn't such a bad guy.
They all finally settled at the cliff edge, and Ventus began passing along their preferred choices. Vista raised an eyebrow at the oddly speckled black ice cream Terra was patiently waiting for, "The fuck is this?"
Terra chuckled as he took it, "It's black sesame flavored. I don't care for sweets, and even ice cream with nuts is a bit... much, so when I'm able to find more savory ice creams, I try and make note of them."
Vista gave it a suspicious look as he unconsciously took his vanilla bean bar from Sora, "What's it like?"
Terra hummed, "It's kind of smoky in flavor, but pleasantly sweet. Not overpowering. It's more savory than most ice creams. I like red bean paste ice cream, too."
Ventus leaned forward with his sage green colored bar, "Matcha's pretty good too! I like sweets, but nothing beats Aqua's cooking, so I go for the more interesting ice cream flavors away from home."
Terra nodded with a tilt of his head, "I like that one too, occasionally."
Vista looked between the two bars fascinated before glancing at the one Sora was about to bite into. He blinked, "...What is that brightly colored monstrosity?"
Sora laughed and pulled away from the untouched bar, "It's Orange Creamsicle! It's an orange layer on the outside, with vanilla cream on the inside!"
Vista stared at it in fascination as he tried to mentally meld the two flavors together. Sora observed him and offered it, "Wanna bite?"
Vista waffled, not wanting to be unfair as he compromised, "You'll take a bite of mine?"
Sora stared at him in confusion before grinning, "Sure!" That way they had an equal share of ice cream.
Sora understood that Vista hated feeling indebted.
Vista took a bite and contemplated the new flavor silently while Sora gleefully took a taste of his. They were similar enough despite their wildly different appearance, and Vista slowly nodded as he decided he enjoyed this new flavor as well, "It's good."
Sora grinned, "I knew you'd like it!"
Roxas snorted as he took another bite of his Sea Salt Ice Cream, "Yet he can't handle this flavor."
Vista snarled to retort before Riku butted in, "Not gonna lie, I don't care for Sea Salt either."
Roxas gave him a weird look, "Why?"
Riku smiled depreciatively, "Bad Memories."
Sora rolled his eyes, "You hate when things have texture when they shouldn't."
Riku barely flushed, "Uh-"
Sora ticked off with one hand as he thought it over, "You don't like yogurt add-ins, you don't like sprinkles on donuts, you don't like coconut or peanut crusted desserts-"
Riku blushed, "Sora!"
Sora snickered as he vaguely shook his head, "I just don't like the salt. If it were just the vanilla-ey flavor underneath with the gimmicky blue it'd be fine, but… it's just. It crunches weird and loudly against my teeth and I don't like it."
Roxas blinked and looked at Ventus who also shook his head with an awkward smile as he gave his own answer, "I just find it too salty and not sweet enough."
Roxas was disappointed before his eyes slowly brightened, "So wait, I'm the only one between the four of us who likes Sea Salt Ice Cream?"
Sora nodded, "Yup!"
Vista grumbled, "Keep your vile blue bullshit to yourself."
Ventus nodded and simply bit into his Matcha bar.
Roxas straightened with a grin, "So it's just me! It's only me!"
Terra looked at Roxas weirdly and Riku slowly smiled, "Yeah. It's your preferred flavor that you don't have to share."
Roxas was overjoyed, and barely managed to contain himself as he continued to enjoy his ice cream, swinging his feet happily as he started humming to himself.
It was something he had chosen all by himself at Axel's suggestion when he was still too fuzzy in his infancy.
It was his first conscious decision, uninspired by anyone or anything else other than his free will.
Ventus, Sora, and Vista felt warmth pool in their chests and knew it was Roxas. They were pleased with his joy, and smiled along with him.
And then Vista had to ruin it, "So, who wants to go buy condoms?"
Terra spat out his ice cream and choked.
xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx
A/N: Well, I don't know about the chapter I just wrote, but I'm pleased enough with it and decided I'd post it, otherwise there'd be no chapter this week, lol.
Also, Sora's in Smash Bros. Yeeee~ah boi~
Please R&R!