Warning: A pinch of zest, and some language.

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

Kairi woke up to the sound of a turning page. It was otherwise silent except for their gentle breathing. During the night, somehow, her boys had managed to shift in a way that caused her to be spooned between them… which would have been fine, if she wasn't being roasted alive by their higher body temperatures.

She made a face as she realized Riku had a hand on her diaphragm, skin to skin as her shirt had managed to ride up at some point.

Sora was at least sleeping well, a peaceful rhythm that could have eased her back to slumber.

A shift and silent footsteps shuffled over until Vista came into her view, cautiously checking to see if she was awake in curiosity, before giving her a devious grin. She glared at him as he lifted his Gummi phone and snapped a muted picture before stowing the device away.

It was then that she realized he was underdressed- well, underdressed for him. His arms were visible in all of their defense-scarred glory, and she knew he was wearing shorts.

Vista raised an eyebrow before he went to speak when a knock came to the door, startling the two of them, as well as waking up Riku and Sora in a panic. Both boys threw themselves out of the bed in opposite directions at the knock's sharp tone while Vista barely dodged Sora in time. "Kairi?"

Kairi rolled to her back in a slight daze, blinking, before shoving her shirt back into place as she sat up, "Y-yeah?"

"It's getting late. Do you all want breakfast?"

Kairi nodded unconsciously, "Yes, please."

Her father pushed the door slightly ajar to peek in, noting Vista's presence, as well as Sora and Riku's odd positions on the floor, "Alright. You three know how it goes." He made eye contact with Vista, "And please don't be as sugar-happy as you were last night. You really caught me off guard."

Vista stared at him before slowly flushing lightly. From which emotion, one couldn't be sure, "That's not reassuring, sir."

The Mayor smirked, "Copying Sora threw me off guard, but I'm well aware you're quite different from your brother." He glanced at the book the Darkling had in a loose grip, "The fact you're reading is proof enough of that."

Riku couldn't help but snort as Sora recovered enough to spin around and slap his hands on Kairi's bed, "I read! I read all the time!"

Vista rolled his eyes as he graveled, "Wouldn't know, don't care. We'll be down, sir."

Kairi's father nodded with a small smile on his face and closed the door, walking away shortly thereafter to start on a late breakfast.

It was silent for a moment before Vista slyly glanced at Riku, "So why are you stuck on the floor like that?"

Riku glanced up from his half crouched position and glared at him, "For the record, the three of us are a little too old to be sharing a bed for sleepovers."

Vista hummed as he gave him a playfully suspicious look, "Ri~ght."

Sora huffed, "Vista." The Darkling turned to his brother as Sora continued, "Where'd you go after you left last night?"

Vista's mirth died on the spot and he slumped slightly while turning away. "Oh." His tone was deadpan as he moved back to what must have been his previous spot. He settled on an intricate wooden box, what it stored was neither here nor there as he propped one scarred leg up across his knee and leaned into a propped hand. He refused to make eye contact as he spoke lowly, "I returned to your room, planning to take your place until morning… but your door was already open. I figured the jig was up when I heard our parent's voices speaking softly."

Sora winced and slumped down, "...Oh."

Vista was silent for a long moment before looking his brother in the eyes, "I eavesdropped- or well. I tried, but they somehow knew I was there and called me over."

Riku shifted his position and leaned back against Kairi's bed comfortably with a slight smile, "Parents are like that."

Vista hummed before continuing, "Sora, if you don't think you can live on the Islands anymore… if this isn't where you want to be, you should talk with them. I've been thinking about how or why the creatures who devour the Light of Life from The Other Side managed to follow you, but… The only conclusion I've come up with so far, is that Destiny Islands is too close to, and perhaps even connects to, The Realm of Darkness. Because of that, they were able to traverse through the Dark Realm to come to This Side to try and drag you under."

Sora picked at Kairi's cover idly for a moment in distressed thought before exhaling heavily as he buried his face into her bedside, "I just don't know what to do anymore… but the Islands aren't home." He was silent for a long moment before he lifted his head, glassy eyed but holding back his tears as he spoke thickly, "I just didn't want that to be true."

Vista observed his brother for a long and searching moment before speaking gently, "You've outgrown these Islands… that's frightening, right? This World was everything to you, and now… it's no longer a comfort."

Sora nodded in contemplation, "Yeah, I guess."

Vista wasn't sure of everything, but one thing was certain, "Leaving home means growing up and becoming an adult here, doesn't it."

Sora blinked, "Huh?"

Vista pointed at him, "The earliest you can leave home while learning a trade job is seventeen, right?" Sora slowly nodded, vaguely confused on how his brother had learned as much, "You've been learning how to become a Keyblade Wielder- you have your trade, and you've even fulfilled a number of childhood dreams while doing so, yes?"

Sora made a face, thinking back to his adventures. Being a Pirate and being the Captain of a ship were the first to come to mind, though the more childish thought of saving an imprisoned Princess was even more true. He'd helped seven of them and more, certainly.

He could even fly and swim endlessly underwater.

Sora smiled sadly as he settled into those thoughts, "...Oh. Yeah."

Vista nodded, "You've lost two years- one to Sleep, and one to a half Death. You don't think of yourself as nearing what might be considered here as adulthood, because you still feel fifteen. You still feel like there should be more time, when it's nearly slipped out of your fingers."

Sora nodded, "Yeah but-"

Vista pushed himself up to stand, "We're still just kids, Sora. We can still learn. Living with Merlin is one thing we can do for now, but in the long term it won't work. It's not a secure form of home like you've grown up used to. We do, however, have The Land of Departure."

Riku pushed himself off of the floor and dusted off his backside, "I'm surprised you'd even suggest that, Vista."

Vista frowned, "It's a Holy Place." Kairi gave him an interested look, knowing this well as she had trained there. "It's balanced. That World is unique, and though it sits between Light and Darkness, its Guardian protects all who inhabit it from outside harm. It's the safest World for Sora to be in the long term if we're focusing on his issue of attracting Death. Merlin's place, and the Capsule World he's created- that's fine too, for now… But Merlin isn't the type of guy who stays in one place for long. He chose to do so for my sake, because he saw something in me worth cultivating. He's…" He cut himself off, nearly saying more than he'd ever dared and cleared his throat, "Well, anyway. We aren't without options, and it's not like you're being kicked out of your house."

Sora hated the idea and everything he was saying, and yet…

Yet Sora couldn't find it in himself to disagree with his brother. Vista was right, but it made his stomach turn unpleasantly. "You make it sound so easy."

Vista snorted, "Never had a home to break away from, unless you count that hellhole of sand, dirt, and rusted Keyblades something to be sentimental about."

Sora winced, "Sorry, that was…" He sighed, "That was pretty childish of me."

Vista shrugged, "It's tragic for both of us. I never had anything to be attached to, and you had too much to love. None of that changes the fact that you gave me more than I could've ever imagined without even realizing it." Sora looked up at him in confusion as Vista placed his hand on his chest. "Ventus might have changed and even gave me a new form… but you gave me an Identity. And with an Identity came Blood and Family… and with Family I gained my own Name. I'm a Person now. I'm not just a shapeless tool of darkness, nor am I just an ingredient for some legendary weapon. You gave me friendship and brotherhood, and touched what little existed of my Heart."

Vista smirked, "I am Darkness… but Sora, because of you I was able to become something more than Vanitas. I'm able to become something new. I'm more than the shadow you cast. I am now Vista, and no matter what, we'll face what's yet to come together."

Sora smiled sadly, "Right. Brothers 'till the end, huh?"

Vista crossed his arms proudly and raised his head, "Yup!"

Sora snickered at how sappy they were before pushing himself off the floor while stretching out before looking his brother over oddly, "...Did you always have that many scars..?"

Riku raised an eyebrow in interest while Kairi got out of bed.

Vista looked himself over, as if acknowledging them for the first time, "Oh. Well…" He shifted awkwardly, "I didn't notice it at first. However, after you came back and the six of us became connected… I think every time one of you Dreamed one of my Memories, my old scars would return. I don't know if it's a direct result, or if it's because of Strelitzia's influence, but it is what it is." He rubbed an arm unconsciously, "I always made sure to protect my face, so at least that's one part of me that won't get messed up."

Kairi tapped her chin, "Because of your helmet?"

Vista observed her for a moment before nodding, "Yeah. Didn't stop Xehanort from shattering it all the time, though."

Kairi winced, "Sorry."

Vista rolled his eyes, not really caring either way. That time was done, and it would follow him for the rest of his life.

It was simply something he'd accepted.

Riku moved over to the door and opened it, looking back at them all, "Well then, I think it's about time we got downstairs before Kairi's father suspects anything."

Sora's eyes widened in alarm as he shuffled over and snagged Vista on the way, "R-right! See you downstairs, Kairi!"

Kairi snickered as she waved them off, "Yup, see you soon."

The three boys left in an odd shuffle as Vista glared at his brother for overreacting, and then she was left alone. She took in a deep breath and exhaled softly to herself before getting ready for the day.

They'd be back at Merlin's soon enough.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Lauriam awoke in discontent as he frowned at the empty space beside him.

While it was not often, there were times he reminisced his days as a Nobody within his Dreams… and his latest resurfaced Memory made him even more curious about his house-mate.

She was his partner in crime, yet would not dare have him call her his Partner.

They had been invited within the fold of the Organization for seven days now. The hollowness in his chest ached as his right hand spurned the scythe that came to his call.

Certainly, his weapon was suitable for him. He had come from a family who had worked the fields and tended to many flowers. Scythes were used on the daily to harvest or remove weeds.

And a weed he most certainly was, though he would keep such things to himself.

Marluxia rubbed at his face tiredly before focusing on his hand in contemplation, as the loss of true emotion grated at his nerves and made his skin buzz with oversensitivity.

Xemnas proclaimed they did not have Hearts, and that their ultimate goal was to create a new Kingdom Hearts to gain new ones.

Yet he found that strange.

He recalled the Keyblade War, yet he couldn't think of the Great Moon as so benevolent. It devoured the innocents greedily, and left after it had completed feasting just as swiftly as it had arrived.

The worship Xemnas heaped upon it was truly nauseating.

"Marluxia."

He shifted his gaze from his hand to his door, where their lone female member stood. "Larxene."

She smirked at him with a devious spark in her eye. They had been playing a sort of game since their arrival, as she tested and teased those around her. Her blatant attitude seemed at odds with the girl he had originally met in Daybreak Town.

It made him wonder if this was her method of coping with the emptiness that being a Nobody brought, or something else entirely.

She sauntered into his room as the door closed behind her, and with a snap of her fingers the room was made dark. She leaned in close over him, pressing her hands against his shoulders while pushing him back slightly in a move that demanded attention and spoke of empowerment. Her voice was quiet, as the Dusks were everywhere, and really, the walls reported to their Master most dutifully. "Shall we test how empty we are? The truth of our Superior's words?"

Marluxia frowned as he took on her weight. He had no desire to play these games with her, yet he bit all the same.

It was something to fill the Void of their Nothingness.

He murmured in reply, "What would you have in mind?"

Larxene grinned, "Let's fill the emptiness with something new." She trailed a finger along his jawline that made something shift in the emptiness within him, "Just like flowers plucked from the dirt, all one must do is plant new seeds to bloom what has been lost, right?"

He took in a shuddered breath as he trailed a hand up her thigh, "Correct."

She showed her teeth as she grinned wide before capturing his lips for a moment, "Then why not regain what's been lost our own way?"

Lauriam pushed himself up from the mattress as he sat in a bit of a daze. He wasn't much of a morning person, but his youth with his family, and later, his desire to complete his daily missions for the sake of freedom had him trained.

He spaced out for a moment in thought, as he reviewed his Dream Memory in full, remembering every passing thought, spoken word, and tantalizing touch. He and Larxene had toe'd a fine line that would eventually lead to their destruction, but they had done so within reason.

They had both been Keyblade Wielders, and to lose those precious weapons had been… well. Now that they were People again, the fact they'd ever been lost hurt. His Nobody had never been satisfied, and though his Scythe was a loyal back-up, his Keyblade was his primary weapon.

It was an extension of himself, and he refused to allow himself to be talked into losing his grasp upon it ever again.

Lauriam rubbed his neck wearily before forcing himself out of bed, taking a moment to prepare and dress for the day before heading over to the kitchen. He wasn't the least bit surprised to see Elrena at the dining room table, a dazed and miserable look on her face as she held a (most certainly) cold cup of coffee with tense hands.

He paused to observe her, and she noticed him with a jolt, "Oh. Morning."

Lauriam nodded in greeting, "Good morning." He made way into the kitchen to make his own cup of coffee, heating the cooled morning brew before preparing it as he preferred. He started his usual ritual of morning toast, and deftly moved over to take Elrena's cold cup to reheat it as he waited.

Elrena reacted late, and scowled nervously, "Did you really need to do that?"

Laurian raised an eyebrow, "Were you going to continue drinking it cold?"

Elrena grimaced before looking away petulantly, "...No."

Lauriam nodded to himself as he took her now warmed cup and handed it back to her, "How long have you been up?"

Elrena propped her chin on her palm as she leaned slightly to the side, "Too long."

Lauriam hummed, "I see." He was silent, as he pulled out butter and a knife while his toast popped up from the toaster. He deftly took each piece and buttered them accordingly, sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on one, while leaving the other plain.

He set his plate and coffee down across from her and took a bite of his breakfast before speaking plainly, "What is the difference between now, and when we were in the Organization?"

Elrena stared at him with wide eyes, "What do you mean by that?" Clearly she wanted to be angry, but she was too caught off guard to pull up her act.

However, Lauriam had been wondering this for some time. After they had reunited as people, Elrena had slowly started bringing back old habits from their Organization days. Nightly rendezvous without attachments had made some level of sense when they'd lost their Hearts. Now, though, there was something clearly more to it than filling the void where their Hearts once were. "You fear calling me anything more than a friend, and yet we have intercourse on a regular basis."

Elrena turned red in shock as she pulled back slightly, "You're bringing that up first thing in the morning?!"

Lauriam blinked calmly and took a relaxed sip of his coffee before responding, "When else would I do so? While undress-"

She cut him off with a distressed sound, "Achk! Stop! Stop right there!" Lauriam rolled his eyes while she allowed herself to be mortified, "Does it really matter?!"

Lauriam frowned deeply, "Yes. I quite frankly believe it does. We aren't Nobodies anymore. We aren't testing if the Superior was wrong about our emptiness, since we figured out that between the both of us, we were quite capable of growing… something in that hollowness. It was part of the reason why we tried to take control of the Keyblade Hero- to Unlock our Hearts and destroy the sham of our existences." He motioned with his hand unconsciously in thought, "I have always figured you were using me in some way to regain a sense of control and empowerment for yourself. As a Nobody, I didn't particularly have the Heart to care or question it. However, as it stands, we are People now, and while we have certainly taken appropriate precautions we hadn't previously cared to, something could still happen. Frankly, I have never thought of myself as a man who fucks for self satisfaction."

Elrena choked, "Fu-!" She covered her face with a groan and slumped, "Lauriam!"

Lauriam took another calm bite of his toast, observing her while patiently waiting for some sort of answer on her part. "You won't admit to even liking me, so why are we doing this to ourselves?"

Elrena slid down in her chair, clearly wishing to be anywhere else but there. Yet, even she knew this was an inevitable conversation, with how she'd reacted to Skuld's presumptions within the Labyrinth.

To put it simply, she was terrified to even talk about any of it.

Elrena took in a deep breath, resettled herself properly into her chair, and gripped her coffee mug with blatant tension as she tried to exhale her nervousness. She felt nauseous as she weakly responded, "Lauriam… I-" She swallowed thickly, "Do you really think I'm that shallow?"

"No." Elrena looked at him as he observed her with a vaguely concerned gaze, "But I am worried that you are using me as an unhealthy coping mechanism for something that's happened to you." He'd had his guesses, but none of them were good.

Elrena's eyes widened a little before she lowered them to her mug, "...I don't like the Dwarf Woodlands."

Lauriam nodded, "I took note of it. You never did do any missions there, and threw enough of a fit at Saix that he decided it wasn't worth it to argue."

Elrena was silent for a long moment, "After I woke up on a storming cliffside, I felt like my body was on fire. I don't know if I'd actually been hit by lightning, but I struggled down that mountain shaking and miserable. I'd managed fine by myself foraging in those woods for a while, when one evening as the sun set, The Hunter appeared." She shuddered and pulled deeper into herself, "He didn't-" She pursed her lips as she tried to figure out how to explain herself before blurting, "He tried to carve my heart out of my body so that he wouldn't have to kill the Princess."

Lauriam paused before his eyes widened, "What?"

Elrena shrugged, disgusted at herself for her own weakness as well as the recurring fear. "I was able to escape him, but he did stab me. I was barely able to Heal myself as I ran away from him when I was struck from behind, screaming for help. After that, well. That's when I became Larxene… and I have hated my weak kind-hearted self ever since."

Lauriam grit his teeth in anger as he seethed silently. Clearly someone had had it out for the Princess of Heart that dwelled within the Dwarf Woodlands, which was sinful enough… but to send out an assassin to slay her and return with the price of her carved out heart? What sort of disgusting individual had been behind such a thing?

Why would The Hunter even try to create a double? What had been going on to bring him to such lengths?

Elrena turned her eyes away from him as she rubbed her arm, "So that's why I chose to make myself untouchable. You being there in the Organization probably saved me from becoming even more cruel than I already am."

Lauriam leaned back into his chair, "That is not the comfort you wish it to be, Elrena."

Elrena sniffed derisively, "I know that."

Lauriam tapped a finger on the table, "It also doesn't fully answer my question."

Elrena swallowed, "I decided I'd follow you, no matter what. You were the only person I could trust, since you knew where we'd come from. You were the only one I could get answers from, and prove that my Memories weren't some insanely elaborate Dream!" She sucked in air as she clenched her fists, "I don't have to pretend to be a good girl for you. You've seen me at my worst when you met me at my best. I've never been a good girl. I'll never be as loving and kind as Strelitzia, yet you take everything I dish out with beauty and grace." Tears of frustration were prickling at the corners of her eyes as she spoke. "Staying by your side is all I want. I don't need anything more than that."

Lauriam was silent for a long moment before speaking gently, "And what if I do want more than that?" Elrena looked at him in wide eyed terror, and he hated how it reminded him of how he'd allowed himself to be weak enough to harm a defenseless girl like Naminé simply because she'd been far too much like his sister. "Elrena. I don't want you to stay by my side if all you want to do is fulfill my perceived physical needs. I desire intimacy, not mere pleasure."

He extended his hand as a peace offering, open and waiting for a response. "I love you very much, but being in this sort of relationship will eventually destroy us if we leave things as they are. I want to treasure you in the way that you deserve, and if pushing you out of my life is what I must do, I will do so, so that you can flourish."

Lauriam took a deep breath, "So choose, will you allow me to love you and cherish you, or will you allow yourself to be cast aside?"

Elrena pulled her hands close to her chest, gripping them tightly in fear and indecision. "I'm a terrible person, Lauriam."

Lauriam clicked his tongue, "We bare much of the same sin, Elrena. We are both quite terrible."

Elrena hesitated for a time, but Lauriam was a patient man. For her hot temper he was cool with anger. For her haughtiness he was conceited. They were of the same cloth in opposing degrees.

He trusted her more than anyone else, and she in turn trusted him.

Elrena hesitantly took his hand, "I… would like to be a better person for you, but if you'll take me as I am… then alright."

Lauriam felt himself soften a little as he chided her, "I've confessed my feelings, but I am unsure of yours."

Elrena glared at him as she bared her teeth angrily with a sneaking grin, "What, a woman can't keep her secrets?"

Lauriam stood and leaned over the table while pulling her close so that their noses almost touched, "In this case I want to hear the truth of your feelings from that sharp little mouth of yours."

Elrena was entranced for a moment in surprise before rolling her eyes with a huff, "Fine!" She pulled back as he gently released his hold with a plop while she leaned back into her chair pouting, her arms and legs crossed in defiance. "Lauriam."

He placed his hand on the table to balance himself comfortably as he suppressed a small smile, "Yes?"

Elrena squirmed and made faces as she clearly struggled with herself before biting between clenched teeth, "I love you, too." Lauriam brightened with a smile, as unnoticed insecurities were relieved. He went to speak before Elrena beat him to it, "But you're also an asshole."

He glared at her, "Now, is that necessary?"

Elrena got coy with him as she shifted to glance at her nails and pushed a stray hair behind her ear with her other hand, "Well." She paused for dramatic effect before looking him in the eyes, "I am a bit of a bitch, y'know."

Lauriam gave her a dull look for a tense moment before he lowered his head slightly and found himself chuckling. He pulled back to sit down in his seat as he grinned and tried to hide his mirth unsuccessfully behind a loose fist, "We make quite the pair, don't we?"

Elrena smirked, "Wouldn't have it any other way. You're stuck with me."

Lauriam huffed as he bit into his now cold toast, "You make it sound as if you're a dreadful person to be around and that I've merely tolerated you."

Elrena paused before grimacing, "Well, I do kinda feel that way, often."

Lauriam shook his head, "We'll have to work on that. I am not without my own faults, as I'm sure I'm a difficult man to be around. However, I find your company pleasant, and your sharp mouth, while troublesome at times, to be rather entertaining. You do have your soft side, as much as you've gone out of your way to bury it." He looked deeply into her eyes, "I am the sort of man, now, who would rather make love than not. Divine Rose is a Keyblade I deeply resonate with for a reason. My love is passionate and deep despite my thorny disposition. You know as well as I do that I was not called The Graceful Assassin without reason."

Elrena pulled into herself a little and nodded, "And clearly I'm quite the Lightning Nymph."

Lauriam hummed, "Yes, I suppose so."

Elrena allowed herself to relax into her seat, finally relieved in a way she hadn't believed herself to be worthy of and smiled to herself. She took a sip of her cooling coffee, just a touch above lukewarm again as she glanced over to her partner, "So I guess we're not fuck buddies anymore, huh?"

Lauriam choked on his toast as he coughed into his fist and blushed, "Elrena." She looked at him innocently as he gave her a tired look, "I never thought of us that way." She looked at him in surprise as he continued, "However, since you flinched at the mere idea of being romantic partners, I had no idea what to do. I will take whatever socially acceptable label you would deem appropriate."

Elrena blinked, "You're leaving it to me?"

Lauriam shrugged as he cleared his throat and took a deep drink of his coffee, "Yes."

Elrena stared at the table and fidgeted, minding her fingers under the table nervously for a moment as she mentally chewed it over. She found the wording of partners to be more appropriate than girlfriend and boyfriend, but she'd already overreacted to that once already. Not only that, but they'd been partners in a different sense for so long, that perhaps it wouldn't have the same intended meaning as things stood. She shifted her gaze to observe him for a time as he finished his simple breakfast, meeting her gaze on and off as he patiently waited for her answer.

Elrena took a deep breath, as her childish daydreams reared their head and made her remember her more innocent self. "I… I would like to be your Beloved." She turned red before trying to cover up her slip, "Th-though calling me your Partner's fine, too!"

There was a simultaneous pop, as two Chirithy appeared on the table and groaned in unison, "It's about time!"

Elrena's Chirithy turned to Lauriam's and grumbled, "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for her to say that!?"

Lauriam's Chirithy giggled and brought their paws to their cheeks as they swooned, "Finally! I wasn't sure they'd ever talk about their feelings!"

Both Chirithy turned to their partners and raised a paw in greeting as they both spoke, "Congratulations!"

Lauriam was ecstatic that their Chirithy had returned, however, "Did you really need to air your opinions before greeting us, Chirithy?"

His Chirithy hummed while Elrena snatched her's with a suppressed sob and buried her face into their little head as they quietly tried to console her. "We~ll… yeah! Of course we did! Do you have any idea how frustrating it was watching you two dance around this topic?!"

Lauriam exhaled tiredly as he reached forward and lifted his Chirithy off of the table and into his lap as he held them. Chirithy never really appreciated being grabbed, but they allowed it this time, as they'd been separated for far too long and hummed a happy tune to themself. Lauriam rubbed their head gently as he spoke, "So you've really been back with us for a while, huh?"

Chirithy nodded, "Uh huh!"

Lauriam nodded absently to himself as he gave Chirithy the sort of pets they'd always adored. Lauriam felt even more at ease, now that his Dream Eater had returned to him in full, and smiled. "I'm glad to have you back."

He felt his eyes warm, as relieved tears threatened to spill forth, so he bowed his head and closed them while trying to suppress his emotions. "Thank you."

Thank you for deeming us worthy enough to return to.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

Merlin was not happy. On the contrary, when Vista returned with Kairi, Riku, and Sora in tow, he'd barely been able to contain his anger.

Yet, it fizzled out swiftly, as he noticed the numerous scars that were so easily hidden under his clothes and frowned.

The Old Wizard was no fool, "Vanitas, I am relieved to see you home, my boy."

Vista gave him an odd look as he took in his older and more eccentric side, and with a mental shrug moved past it, "Sorry."

Merlin hummed and tapped his wand against his grayed temple, "What happened, to have you rush out of the house in your night clothes?"

Vista grimaced as Sora moved in front of him, "I called out to him with my Heart."

Merlin's eyes widened, "What?" He motioned the four of them over to the couches and set a pot on the stove as he levitated a plate of cookies over to them, "Come, come, tell me what happened to be so dire that you had to reach out from Worlds away to your brother."

The five of them settled and Sora had an abashed look on his face as he lifted his injured wrist, free of his bracer so as to not mess with his dressings, "I had a bit of an accident and abruptly realized the Evdam- er, well, Death I guess? Had followed me home."

Merlin frowned heavily at that and observed Sora's wrappings steadily. Eventually he nodded, "I see, and so you called for your brother?"

Sora blushed lightly as he scratched at his cheek, "Yeah. I didn't really think about if it'd work or not. I was just… too terrified to even think about what would happen if he couldn't."

Merlin turned to Vista, and the Darkling gazed back steadily. "I abruptly woke up, opened a Corridor, and ran."

The Wizard stiffened in surprise, "Vanitas-"

Vista stopped him with his hand as he continued, "The Darkness… She was not happy about those things coming to Our Side." He hesitated for a moment, "The Queen granted me passage. I, uh, I'm not entirely sure what she did to me, but…" He looked down at his right hand and made a fist, "She gave me something. What it is exactly… I don't really know yet. But… there's a Power resting inside of me now that wasn't there before." He looked towards Merlin, "And it's not something I'm allowed to use frivolously. It has to have a purpose."

Merlin slowly nodded, accepting his explanation for now. It felt right.

Riku cleared his throat, "So uh, who doesn't know about the whole… Vista thing?"

Merlin blinked as he looked towards Riku in surprise, "He told you?"

Vista slumped back petulantly as he crossed his arms with a scowl, "Yeah. I let the cat out of the bag all because I was trying to distract Kairi's father."

Merlin slowly turned to the Princess of Heart before raising an eyebrow, "I see I'm missing some finer details here."

Kairi grinned before dropping into a grimace, "He kinda caught me off guard, too." She glared at the Darkling while keeping her reprimands to herself.

Vista shifted awkwardly, choosing to glance away and rub his head instead as he coughed, "Uh, well, yeah. My bad. So anyways, I kinda pulled out Sora-mode and got all peppy on him while greeting him with the name he'd recognize since it's… on my papers."

Merlin hummed as he grinned to himself, "To think, you'd wanted Riku to be the last to know."

Vista sprawled in discontent and whined, "I know! I'm so annoyed about it now!" He huffed, "What's done is done, now all I gotta do is tell Aqua and Terra." He paused as he reviewed anyone of note to tell before gasping, "And Hayner, Pence, and Olette!"

Merlin chuckled, "What about Master Ava, Miss Skuld, and the others?"

Vista grumbled as he leaned back again, "I'll get there. Eventually, I guess."

Merlin accepted that as he poured each of them tea, "So the threat to Sora has been dealt with?"

Vista scowled, "Hardly. The immediate threat's been dealt with, but for the long run? Not really. They could still attempt to cross to get at him again."

Riku crossed his arms, "Vista seemed to think it'd be best for Sora to eventually move into The Land of Departure."

Merlin hummed, "I suppose that would more so be something to discuss with Aqua, Terra, and Ventus. I'm sure they wouldn't mind, but as far as I ever understood it, that World was merely a haven and training ground. It wasn't meant to be a permanent home for anyone other than its chosen protector."

Riku leaned back, "Right. …Still, it's not like Scala ad Caelum's an option either."

Merlin nodded, "It is not, but I am merely making outward observations. At the end of the day, it is up to Master Aqua to decide, and I'm quite sure the result will be a positive one."

Kairi tilted her head slightly, "I'm surprised you wouldn't suggest for him to stay here with you, Merlin."

The Old Wizard grimaced, "While I am not adverse to raising young boys into Kings, I am afraid that my very nature causes me to be a bit nomadic. Unlike Master Yen Sid, who has managed to become a solitary concept, adept at creating his own World and safe haven… I have a multitude of forms. To phrase it in a way you Islanders might understand, you know of Poseidon, and have heard a myth of sorts of mer-people, correct?" Kairi, Riku, and Sora nodded as Merlin continued. "In some Worlds, he has very close ties to the Greek gods Zeus and Hades."

Sora sat up straighter in surprise, "You mean Herc's dad?"

Merlin blinked, "Ah, you mean the Demi-god Hercules?"

Sora rubbed his neck awkwardly, as he'd barely learned as much during his last trip to Olympus. "Guess so."

Merlin looked towards the others as they shrugged before he continued, "I suppose so. They are somewhat related in power and mythos. They are also, in one way or another, concepts. Depending on the World, their forms can change along with their stories. To you, Sora, Poseidon is simply another form of King Triton." Sora stared at him with his mouth agape as the Wizard continued, "That is why it's difficult for me to stay in one place for too long. There are many perceptions of 'The Wizard who raised the King of Britain, Arthur Pendragon.' There is even more than one feminine version of myself, and not all of my concepts have good intentions."

Merlin settled back, "That is part of why I took Vista in, to be frank. I know what it's like to have good intentions while carrying out destruction for a selfish cause. In the end, at my innermost core, I desire to see the stories of Legendary Kings and Heroes be written out over the expanse of our great Cosmos."

Vista was quiet for a long moment before inquiring, "So why are you like that?" He motioned at his simple and, depending, more familiar form of being a bit of a quirky old man. "It's weird to see you in that form consistently."

Merlin tapped his wand against his other open palm, "I am storing Mana, or Magic Power for a particular purpose."

Kairi raised an eyebrow, "So being like that is like sleeping?"

Merlin gave her a peculiar look before humming with a nod, "Yes, I suppose so. That's not to say I am not still me, or that I am not aware, but that is explanatory enough."

Vista pushed himself out of his seat, "If you say so. I'm gonna go get ready for the rest of today and get dressed. I don't need anyone else ogling my scars." He rolled his eyes in annoyance as he sauntered off while his Flood dropped on his head from the ceiling, causing him to grunt and falter in his escape.

Sora smiled to himself a little as he watched his brother go, and settled in for a more comfortable afternoon.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

He sat, observing the people as they went along with their days. Certainly, if he had been dressed as he usually would be, they would have, perhaps, given him another look.

As it was, his dandelion yellow hoodie, while obnoxious, managed to blend into the warm hues of Twilight Town and allowed him to blend in as another face in the crowd. His dark chocolate cargo pants were also good enough to blend in with the Town's sleepy atmosphere as he ate by himself, with the small miniscule hope that he might see the person he cared about most.

The waiter passed by with a pleasant smile and refilled his cup with a small nod as they asked him the usual questions about his meal, and if he would need anything more.

Really, the food at Le Grand Bistro was worth every bit of Munny, even if he sometimes ordered just a little too much in hopes he'd have a table mate.

It was wishful thinking, but after the months continued to go by with no sign of his friend, as the others paid her loss no mind… He became evermore frustrated with it.

He took in a deep breath and exhaled tiredly. 'I'd like to apologize.'

It was not as if they had parted on bad terms.

It was just that they had parted because he had pushed the ball to roll ever faster towards its final conclusion.

He smiled derisively at himself. 'All for Kingdom Hearts and The Master, huh?'

The constant motion of bodies in that square was an unconscious comfort, so when he sensed someone pause and turn, he couldn't help but meet their gaze. He blinked, as a faintly familiar teenager stared at him in disquiet. The odd color blocking of his outfit, and the checkered accessories gave him a sense of familiarity, as he abruptly recalled one of the youngest residents of Daybreak Town. He furrowed his brows with a frown as he sipped his water, refusing to break eye contact with the teen.

They were nearly the same age, he supposed, and seeing as they were so far removed from what was now known as The Age of Fairytales, there was no way he could be that same child.

…Right?

The teenager glanced around, seeming to look for something or someone, before nodding to himself and inviting himself into his space with a nervous smile, "Hey there. Are you new to the area?"

He pushed down his annoyance and gave him an odd look, "Is it that obvious?"

The blond hummed in contemplation before leaning close as if to tell him a secret, "Well, usually the only new faces we see are World Travelers, if you get what I mean."

The teen pulled back as he stared at him with surprise. "Are strangers that rare, here?"

The blond ruffled his wind swept hair awkwardly while rocking on his heels for a moment, "Well, you could say that." He grinned before offering a hand in greeting, "I'm not exactly from around here either! The name's Ventus, but my friends call me Ven!"

He stared at him, wide eyed and in shock as he automatically shook Ventus's hand, "Master Gul-" He bit his tongue and cleared his throat pointedly, "Name's Ragule. It's a pleasure to meet you, Ventus."

Ventus pouted slightly at the use of his full name before nodding with a large toothy smile, "Nice to meetchya!" He plopped down into the nearest seat and propped his chin lazily on his hand. The friendly easy going grin got him for a second before he switched gears and gave him an unusually cold stare and leaned in close while speaking quietly, "I don't know why you're here, Master Gula, but if it's to cause us trouble, I'll absolutely raise hell for you."

Gula felt a chill run down his spine, and he understood the threat as he sensed Ventus's Authority. He went to speak his mind, but his Chirithy popped up in his stead and hopped with joy, "It's been so long, Chirithy!"

Another Chirithy that felt not quite right popped onto the table and greeted their comrade with a giggle as they touched paws, "It really has, Chirithy!"

Ventus gave the two of them a pained look as if he'd dealt with this oddity before, and Gula couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at his reaction.

A man with red hair paused while passing by and gawked, "Another one!?"

Ventus winced as the pressure of his Authority abruptly disappeared before he spun, "Lea! Going to your usual spot?"

Lea gave him a thumbs up, "Yup!" He sauntered over as he looked over the two chattering Chirithy with a raised brow, "Do they do that every time?"

Ventus laughed nervously as he rubbed his left shoulder, "I guess so."

Lea shook his head, "Seriously?" He glanced at the disquieted Foreteller before looking back to Ventus, "So, another long lost Keyblade Wielder?"

Ventus nodded, "Yup! This is Ragule! We didn't really talk much, but he's an acquaintance."

Lea nodded absently as he crossed his arms while observing Ventus with a critical eye, "Well. If you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Ventus lifted both hands in peace for reassurance, "I'm totally fine, Lea, but thanks."

Lea nodded, and with a final friendly wave towards Ragule, he sauntered towards a table with a few different individuals, though most notably in view with a watchful eye, a man with long blue hair and green eyes.

Ventus slumped slightly and sighed, "S-sorry about that." He gave Gula a nervous smile, "I'm not really good at being threatening, but something about you felt too familiar and powerful to leave alone."

Gula blinked, "A presence?"

Ventus waved a hand helplessly, "I guess it's.. I don't know. Your Authority as a Master..?"

Gula's eyes widened a fraction before hunching into himself slightly, flustered, as he tried to suppress his presence further. The effect was clearly immediate as Ventus perked up, "Yeah! That!" He nodded, "Any of us who're Masters… we suppress that so we can more easily blend in. Otherwise we stick out even more than our appearances already do in some Worlds, if we don't have the right Magic to blend in."

Gula was surprised, "Uh-oh. Is that why you approached me so aggressively?"

Ventus flushed lightly and glanced away while rubbing his head, "A little, yeah."

Ventus's Chirithy piped up, "It was sorta my fault too!" The two Wielders looked at the Dream Eater as they pulled back a little, "I uh, I kinda blurted out that you were- well, you, Master Gula." They bowed their head slightly, "I apologize for pointing you out."

Gula nodded slowly, "I suppose it makes sense." He glanced down at his clothing, "Wielders never saw us out of our uniform, after all." He brushed his fingers through ginger hair and glanced at Ventus awkwardly as green eyes met blue. "It's a little awkward to be without a mask, honestly."

Ventus hummed, "Yeah, never really had the time to think about what you all looked like under those things."

Gula smiled vaguely, "I am… pleasantly shocked to meet you in this era, Ventus."

Ventus looked at him oddly, "I could say the same for you, Master… and uh- we seem… weirdly close in age. I think."

Gula smirked as he relaxed a little, "Seventeen?"

Ventus nodded, "Seventeen."

Weird.

Ventus was silent before snorting as he suppressed a laugh, "I was only what, eleven or twelve the last time I saw you..?" He rubbed his head awkwardly, "I still have a bit of amnesia, but that's… I feel that's right."

Gula nodded with a frown, "So you don't know how you ended up here?"

Ventus waffled for a moment before settling himself and folding his hands on the table, "I was Asleep when it happened, so all I have are second hand accounts… and even then, that time is a bit difficult for me to swallow."

Gula didn't like the sound of that, but Luxu had made various comments about the current batch of Wielders.

Who he enjoyed proclaiming as complete duds.

Ventus watched him silently for a moment, "Are you looking for something..?"

Gula paused as both Chirithy observed their conversation. The Leopardus Union Leader bowed his head slightly in thought, as he contemplated if he should even say anything. Yet, what did he have to lose on a search he'd been on all by himself in his free time since he'd arrived here..?

"I've been searching for Ava."

Ventus blinked, "Master Ava..? Why?"

Gula clenched his fists and teeth as he took a controlled breath of frustration, "Because Luxu simply cast her aside. Claimed she'd fulfilled her Role, as if that were answer enough." He seethed, "What purpose is there for us to have been brought here, but for her to be excluded? She missed the Master just as much as any of us, yet she doesn't have the right to live long enough to meet him again?" He took a deep breath and exhaled to a count in an attempt to cool his frustration. "I miss my friend."

Gula's Chirithy patted him on the head as he felt his weeks and months of searching come to a head as he hastily rubbed at his eyes to keep himself in line. He was a Foreteller, he had no right to cry, certainly not now, when he couldn't even bother to shed a tear for a single member of his Union as they fell around him.

Ventus was silent, disquieted really at the sight of such emotion from his predecessor. Sure, he and the other Dandelion Union Leaders had gone through a plethora of emotions. But he warred with himself- he could so very easily end Gula's search for Ava if he spoke, yet, what would she have to say in all of this?

Did she even want to be found..? And what was with his comment about The Master of Masters..?

Ventus looked at his Chirithy as they came to his side and patted his cheek gently with their paw, "We'll keep a lookout, okay?" Ventus observed his Chirithy and nodded before looking back to Gula, "Yeah. I'll let the others know that you're searching for someone. If you'd like, we could meet here again in two days around this same time to exchange information."

Gula sniffed before he nodded and calmed. "Thank you, though… I should probably tell you what she looks like under her Vulpes mask, huh?"

Ventus smiled, "It'd probably help."

Gula nodded, "Right. She's got wavy milkshake pink hair and the prettiest-" He coughed and loudly cleared his throat with a flush, "I mean, violet eyes."

Gula's Chirithy pressed a paw against their mouth as they held back their giggles at their Wielder's blatant affection for his fellow Foreteller.

Ventus nodded, already picturing Ava in her newest clothes before smirking, "Got it. I'll let everyone know to look out for a girl with the prettiest violet eyes."

Gula glared at him, "Ventus."

Ventus snickered as he teased, "Just call me Ven, and I'll leave that prettiest part out of it."

Gula gave him an annoyed look, "Seriously?"

Ventus raised an eyebrow, "Do you want all of my friends to be suspicious of you?"

Gula thought back to Lea, and his rather coded threat. He wasn't afraid of them, not really.

But he didn't feel like making enemies who were clearly on edge towards the unusual.

His voice was weaker than intended as he replied, "No, not really, Ven."

Venus beamed, "Hey! Now that we're friends, you want some dessert on me?"

Gula raised an eyebrow before he gave in with a grin, "Yeah, sure."

Ventus snickered and flagged down the waiter to make their order.

It may not have been a day that started differently than the others, but at least he could end it with a spark of hope.

Perhaps, Ava's Dandelions could lead her back home.

xXx-xXx-awaken-xXx-xXx

A/N: I accidentally let a whole month go by without an update. Sorry about that. (Waking the Broken is a completed short story fic I did within two weekends on a 40 page doc I'm copy/pasting from for digestible posting, so don't panic and if you'd like, check it out.) If the chapter's a little off, I wrote it while dealing with the effects of my Covid booster shot, but I wanted it out. Still mostly satisfied with it.

There were a few scenes I'd thought of that were removed or adjusted. Vista talking with Tsuyu and Araide and having Tsuyu blurt out to him that she was pregnant (another reason for Sora to leave home) was omitted along with a blurb of then mismatched dialogue about capsulizing Sora's room and depositing it in TLoD while chatting in Kairi's room. I decided that the added layer of drama was unnecessary.

That also would have been when Vista would have accidently let their parents know that SRK are in a relationship, which would have been more drama that I ended up…forgetting about on more than one occasion (thanks ADHD and thinking of these things while at work). The Merlin conversation wasn't planned… and while I hadn't planned on bringing in any of the Foretellers other than Ava, Gula snuck in on me, the little lynx. I have a soft spot for GulAva, so he made his way in with a passive aggressive Ven.

Lauriam and Elrena were also a surprise for me, and I had half planned for that to be the start of the chapter after the SRK and Vista family drama, but they made their way into this one, so I hope you enjoyed it.

Here's to manifesting any sort of news about KHUXDR's story, and please R&R!