Day 2: Sleep

The Mysterious Tower had a perfect view of the night sky, located as it was on an island floating through the dark void of the Ocean Between.

Ventus readjusted his pillow on the ledge of a star-shaped window and propped his legs up on the other side, staring out into the field of twinkling stars. Master Yen Sid had given him and the others all room and board at his tower to recuperate before their awaiting final clash against Organization XIII.

Despite requiring rest for the looming battle ahead, Ventus couldn't sleep— or rather, he was afraid of what would happen if he did. According to Yen Sid, he'd been comatose for twelve whole years; Ven supposed he was fortunate to not have aged in all that time. Still, the experience had left him terrified of falling asleep for fear of never waking up again.

A soft knock on his bedroom door brought him out of his troubled musings.

"Come in," he called as he turned to face the door, wondering who wanted to see him this late at night. His question was answered not a moment later as Aqua stepped into the room, dressed in dark blue pajamas with a pillow under her arm.

"Oh, uhm… Hi, Ven," she greeted hesitantly, gently closing the door behind her.

"Hey, Aqua," he replied. The two of them stared at each other for a long, awkward moment.

"May I… join you?" Aqua finally asked, holding up her pillow.

"Y-yeah! Sure." Ven lowered his feet to make room for her on the windowsill; Aqua walked over and placed her pillow on the opposite ledge and sat down, silently staring out the window with her hands folded in her lap.

Ven peered at Aqua, unsure of what to say. She looked… different. Her skin was pale from lack of sunlight, with contrasting dark circles under her eyes; her whole frame drooped, and her expression was sullen.

"…You look awful," he mumbled before realizing what he'd said. "I-I mean—! You're not awful, you just—"

Aqua held up a placating hand. "I know, Ven…" she said, attempting a smile. "You're looking refreshed, though." She gave a light, strained laugh.

Ventus didn't find the remark particularly humorous. "Yeah," he deadpanned. "I guess I've slept so much that I don't need to, anymore."

"I don't sleep much either, nowadays," Aqua admitted with a shrug, fidgeting with the hem of her pajama blouse.

"Yeah…" Unlike him, she looked the opposite of well-rested. "Uh— Did you… have a nightmare?" he guessed hesitantly.

In the past, whenever Ven had a nightmare, it was Aqua who would comfort him. He'd go to her room and climb into her bed, and her soothing words gave him peaceful dreams. That had been a long time ago, though; now she was coming to him.

Her lips parted like she wanted to say something, then paused to reconsider. "No, I… The room Master Yen Sid gave me doesn't have any windows, so it's rather…"

"Dark?" Ventus supplied, immediately regretting it as Aqua's pale face flushed pink with embarrassment.

"Yes." She looked away, back to the night sky. "It's silly, isn't it; being afraid of the dark."

"It's not silly at all."

From what Ven had overheard from Aqua's report to Yen Sid, she'd spent the last twelve years trapped in the Realm of Darkness. Like him, she hadn't aged a day— yet there was a deep weariness behind her eyes.

Ven wet his lips uncertainly. He didn't want to pry, but Aqua was clearly hurting and this seemed too important to be worrying about manners. "What happened, Aqua?"

For a long moment she was silent, and Ven wondered if she wasn't going to speak. But then Aqua heaved a great sigh and turned to him, meeting his gaze.

"When I was fighting Xehanort, I fell into the Realm of Darkness. It was full of monsters —the Heartless— and no matter how many I fought or where I went, I couldn't escape," she recounted, tears glistening on her eyelashes. "It was like a nightmare I'd never wake up from, and part of me is terrified that if I close my eyes, I'll just be right back there…"

"No." Ven clasped her hands in his; there was a slight tremble in her fingers. "You're here, in the Realm of Light, with me."

"…Right, sorry," she sniffled, wiping her tears on her sleeve. "I'm supposed to be tougher than this."

"Aqua…"

She cleared her throat and gave a weak smile. "I just need a little time to readjust. I'm sorry for bothering you." Aqua stood and made to leave.

"Wait!" Ven cried, catching her hand. "Why don't you sleep here for the night?" he offered. "And we can ask Master Yen Sid to change your room in the morning."

She bit her lip. "Oh, I wouldn't want to intrude…"

"Not at all! It'll be just like a sleepover," he said brightly.

At this, Aqua went a bit pink in the face. "Ven… We aren't kids, anymore."

"Oh! It'll be just as friends," he blushed, hopping up from the windowsill. "Here, you can have my bed."

Aqua's lips parted slightly, then she smiled— the first genuine smile he'd seen from her all evening. "…Alright," she nodded. "It would be nice to have some company, and… Well. I'm just glad I'm not alone, tonight. It feels good to be with a friend."

"No problem," Ven said, grinning back. "I'm happy you're here, too."

They settled in for the night, Aqua taking the bed while Ven arranged some pillows and blankets on the soft rug.

"Goodnight, Ven," Aqua yawned, pulling up the covers.

"'Night," Ventus returned. He laid there for several minutes, listening to her soft breaths even out as she finally fell asleep.

Ven glanced up at her sleeping form, illuminated by the light of the stars outside. It was a comfort to have her here, and he was grateful for the chance to return the kindness she had shown him all those years ago.

He let out a slow breath and turned onto his side. Aqua would be alright; he was sure of it. With that reassuring thought in mind, Ven closed his eyes and finally allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

Thanks for Reading!