16.

Amalia

Even returned a few moments later with a large glass of water and, of all things, a glass of wine. "It's… traditional," he told Ienzo. "Honeyed wine."

"I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to drink, if I'm to feed her," Ienzo said.

"She's got enough magic in her right now to metabolize what little alcohol would reach her."

"Our powerful ass baby," Demyx said.

Even exhaled. "Quite."

"And of the others?" Ienzo gulped down the water nearly in one swallow. The wine was sweet and made him warm. "The magic, it-"

"Don't worry about them. Focus on your daughter and rest. I'm sure you'd like to clean up-and we should do something about your bed. Not to mention weigh and measure her."

Ienzo raised an eyebrow. "I can simply shower ?"

"You're already healing. Surely you must feel it."

"...If you're sure."

Even helped him out of bed and up the stairs. He felt odd… empty, the separation too final. "You're alright?" He asked.

"I think I may be in shock."

"Startlingly fast." Even sighed. "I'll get you some clean things to change into. Take your time."

Ienzo… took a shower.

It was the first time he'd seen his body postpartum. His stomach was still somewhat distended, but already, he suspected, slimming to what it would be with the weight he'd gained with the pregnancy. He was sweaty, and there was a burst blood vessel in his right eye that was healing too. Ienzo considered himself. "I had a baby," he said out loud, just to hear it, and bit his lip. He laughed a little. He was a parent. Downstairs, with his soulmate, was their living daughter, that had been in his body.

The hot water should not have felt as good as it did, and he moaned out loud. He washed himself clean. Just inside the door, Even had left pajamas and a thick menstrual pad. Ienzo sighed; he knew this was part of it. He dressed and returned downstairs, wincing on the steps. Demyx was still singing softly. The sheets on Ienzo's bed had been changed. Ienzo was surprised at the intensity with which he wanted to hold her, his breasts aching. "That may have been the best shower I've ever taken."

"Better?"

"Much."

"She's three and a half kilos exactly," Demyx said proudly. "Fifty-three centimeters. Someone ran out and got diapers."

Ienzo sat back down gingerly. The baby began to snuffle, and then cry; the aching worsened. "I think she's hungry. Give her to me." He unbuttoned his top and brought her to his chest. She latched on almost instantly. Ienzo shuddered as the milk began to flow.

"Does that hurt?" Demyx asked.

Ienzo sighed. "Would you believe me if I said it feels good?"

"I'm just surprised you wanted to do it this way."

"It's apparently...very good for us in particular."

"The magic?"

"...Yes. I'm… ambivalent to the actual functions of my body. I'm more resentful of the expectations forced onto them." The baby ate eagerly. "I can… make concessions for this."

"I just… can't believe it." Demyx stroked her head. "But at the same time… it feels like she's always been here."

"I'm still in shock, honestly." She seemed to have finished, falling back to sleep against Ienzo's chest. "In your… dream. Did she have a name?"

"No. You?"

"...No." He considered her. "We're… parents, Demyx."

He kissed him. "We are. You need rest, Ienzo. You must be exhausted. You had a baby. "

"Yes… I… well."

Demyx settled down next to him and pulled up the covers. "I'll wake you if she gets hungry." He blew out the candle and took off his shirt, holding their daughter against his chest. "What? Isn't skin-to-skin good?"

"It… is." He yawned.

"Ienzo, please sleep."

He did; he couldn't help it. The birth exhausted him and he slept so heavily there was just darkness until he heard the baby cry. Milk beaded along his nipples. He stirred groggily; in the semidarkness he could just barely see Demyx and Even, heard their soft voices.

"...Passed out immediately."

"You'd be tired too, if it were you."

The crying continued. He tried to sit up, his core protesting. "Is everything okay?"

"Your daughter just wants milk. I wanted to make sure she was feeding properly." Even eased the warm little bundle in his arms, and like last time she started suckling instantly.

Ienzo drifted in and out as she fed, not helped by the gentle pleasure of it; distinctly nonsexual, but enjoyable nonetheless. It was very much soothing. He burped her when Even told him to, half asleep.

"Never seen him so out of it… it was weird."

"...He'll be back to himself once he's gotten some rest," Even said softly. "Once the spell wears off-" When the baby was done she was taken away, and he felt a wave of coldness wash over him, almost-but not quite-bringing him fully to consciousness. Between the summer heat and the exertion it actually felt quite nice. Everything felt nice right now, the sheets, the feeding, the memory of his baby in his arms.

"What-" Ienzo mumbled.

"Just checking on you, child. Relax."

He'd just fallen back deeply into sleep when he heard the door.

Adrenaline woke his magic, still potent post-birth, bringing him back into consciousness.

Someone had left the lamp on. Demyx was unconscious next to him, deeply asleep, their squish-faced baby against his bare chest. Had Even slammed the door too hard by accident? He sat up and reached over to stroke her head once. He was again thirsty; he may as well get some water while he was awake.

Then he saw the crumpled mass on the floor. Even was unconscious as well, his blond hair in a pool around his face. Ienzo nearly screamed and clapped a hand over his own mouth. He forced himself to his feet and lurched over to Even, checked his pulse. He was just… asleep. But Even would not make the decision to sleep on the floor, not when there were chairs in this room.

And the door had slammed…

Someone was in the house.

Slowly, he crept towards the stairs. He was sore, despite the magic healing him; he winced as he climbed the stairs. The back door had been left open. Ienzo followed. The brightness of wards was obvious, but eerily, there was no one there; no one, of course, aside from the head of glowing blue hair. Ienzo opened his mouth-

"Don't scream," Saïx said. "Peace, your highness. Peace."

Ienzo's mind was spinning. Scary man, he remembered from the Forecast. Friend coming to you.

He looked a little worse for the wear; his hair mussed, his face bruised, his suit torn. He clutched his side; blood oozed through his fingers.

"What do you want, Saïx?" he asked, coldly.

"I felt your… magic. It seems congratulations are in order."

Ienzo let the magic hum along his skin. "You cast a spell on a newborn baby," he spat. "I should rip you limb from limb. I can ."

He held up both his hands. "Of that I have no doubt. I promise you I did nothing to the child. I… surrender myself to you. I come in peace. I know you have no reason to believe me."

"What do you want?" he asked again. "To get through the wards… what have you done to my friends?"

"Your friends are safe. They're simply asleep. I would like to talk to you… your highness."

Ienzo realized he didn't know his name. He intended on keeping it that way. "About what?"

"I… I don't wish this to be my legacy," he began. Ienzo could see his glowing gold eyes. "I no longer wish… to be his puppet. More than anything… I'm sick of the darkness. I want to be whole again."

His aura told him that Saïx was telling what he believed to be the truth. "But why now?"

"I've been trying to contact you for months. Even before… all this."

Ienzo thought of the night at the club… "Then why did you attack us when we fled the other city?"

"I could not yet resist what had been done to me… but I… learned. Please. I wish to help you. Xehanort is a snake swallowing his own tail," Saïx spat. "He will destroy us with the darkness… and the darkness will destroy him. I… thought darkness was power. But look at me." He laughed darkly. "Where did it get me?"

"Why should I believe you?"

"You can sense I'm telling the truth. I know."

"Saïx-"

"My name is Isa."

"Then why-"

"He makes us take on new names. Anagrams them."

"Why would you betray him?"

He smiled tiredly. "I'd rather die for a good cause than die senselessly."

Ienzo took a tentative step forward. "Are you… wounded?" If he were hurt, Ienzo definitely had the upper hand, despite being immediately postpartum.

"He does not like… defectors." He chuckled softly. "But I was not followed, if that's what you were wondering."

Ienzo watched him bleed against the grass. "I can heal you."

"I'm aware."

"If I do-swear to me you will cause no harm."

"I swear."

He meant it. Ienzo exhaled. "Come on, then."

Isa followed him back into the living room. Ienzo told him to lie down; he did so. He held his hands over Isa. The wound was rather grave; if not for Ienzo he would likely have bled out. This, believe it or not, was good; saving his life meant Isa would be indebted to him, and he seemed the kind to respect that. He healed it quickly. "Sleep," Ienzo whispered; Isa slipped immediately into unconsciousness. He dragged him over to the couch and bound him magically. He was beginning to cramp by then, his exhaustion becoming overwhelming.

He found Aeleus unconscious near Dilan at the property line; he woke them both with a lucidity spell. "Ienzo," Aeleus gasped. "Where-oh-I am so sorry. What happened?"

"You were hit with a particularly potent Sleep spell," he explained. "There is a… situation, in the living room."

Aeleus grasped his shoulders. "You're alright? The child is alright?"

"She and Demyx are sound asleep."

Dilan dusted himself off. "A little girl?"

"Yes."

He smiled a little. "To think you'd be a parent before any of us."

"...Quite."

"What is this situation?" Aeleus asked.

Ienzo explained. "He seemed to believe what he said-moreover, he owes me now. Do with him what you will-but do not harm him."

Dilan scowled. "The fool. Ienzo, I know you are exhausted-perhaps you might be-"

"Wrong?" He raised an eyebrow. "My magic is still powerful from the birth. I trust it."

Aeleus sighed. "Then we should trust him. Go rest, child. We'll take it from here."

This handled, Ienzo hobbled back downstairs. Demyx and the baby were still asleep, and he soon followed.

Ienzo woke every few hours to his daughter's cries; he fed her twice and Demyx changed her. There was still warmth in his body, healing him from the birth; Ienzo kept sleeping. He was so tired, and the feedings lulled him too. He dipped in and out for an unknown amount of time, woken only by the baby being pressed against him or taken away. When he finally regained consciousness fully, he was still sore, but less horrifically.

"How are you feeling?" Demyx asked. He'd dressed their daughter in a yellow onesie. He was still cradling her.

"Better," Ienzo said. "Sore, but I'll manage."

"Good. ...I think someone wants breakfast."

"Something we have in common." He took her against his breast. "You should know… Saïx arrived last night."

Demyx flushed. "That asshole?"

"He was here to surrender himself. He was gravely wounded; he owes me a debt. And I intend to collect. He will not harm our baby."

A hot anger flooded Demyx's eyes; he grit his teeth. Ienzo had never seen that look before. Frankly, it was terrifying. "Like hell he will. I'll-" He cut himself off before he could say something violent in front of the baby.

"...And I'd help." Ienzo burped her.

He sighed. "Right. So, breakfast. What do you want? You haven't eaten since she was born."

And Ienzo was feeling it. "Pancakes. Bacon. So many carbs."

He gave him a small salute. "On it."

Ienzo followed him upstairs. He almost didn't want to set her down. Isa has been removed, detained elsewhere, he suspected, so they could have peace. Even sat at the table with his head in his hands, but when he heard them he perked up. "Are you alright?" Ienzo asked.

"Sleep spells always give me a horrific headache," he muttered. "Never mind that. How are you?"

"Better. Starved."

"Well, you're still eating for two." He got up and crossed over to him. "Is she feeding?"

"Quite well."

He stroked her small head once, something hazy in his eyes. "Seems like yesterday this was you."

The smell of frying bacon practically made Ienzo weak at the knees. "It must."

"May I?"

"...Yes."

Even took her gently into his arms. "I am much too young to be a grandfather."

Ienzo sat gingerly. His uterus was beginning to cramp in earnest now; only a pale shadow of yesterday's pain, but nonetheless not pleasant. Demyx gave him water, juice; he drank it all down and then some. He had to restrain himself from eating too quickly when the food was finally placed in front of him. "To think, only a little over twelve hours ago I began laboring in this same chair."

"...Quite." Even bounced her gently. "It seemed to go as well as it could've-for that, I'm grateful."

"Please give everyone my sincerest thanks."

"Yeah," Demyx said. "Really."

"They've all been messaging me all morning, asking about you and the baby."

Demyx gave him more food when his plate was clean; Ienzo kept eating. "And… our friend?"

"Being kept in that hellish unit across town."

Ienzo nodded. "In the Forecast… our daughter mentioned… an unexpected ally. A friend ."

"...That occurred to me too." Even exhaled heavily. "I suppose… there are stranger bedfellows."

"He was wounded. He owes me. I should-speak with him."

His head snapped up. "Ienzo, your sole job right now is to rest and learn to be a parent. I know you probably feel fine, but you said yourself-you were in labor twelve hours ago."

"I'll teach him how to chill," Demyx said. "We'll be okay."

Even nodded. With something like regret, he gave the baby back to Demyx. "I should check on the situation. You go back to bed and stay there."

Appetite sated, Ienzo did. The magic was starting to wane, and he was again tired. He and Demyx cuddled with their daughter. Something had changed in him, Ienzo realized; something had become serious, shifted in his eyes. Grown up. "Did you tell your parents?"

Demyx hardly spoke about his adoptive parents; Ienzo found it odd, considering adopted children were almost always wanted. He'd gathered from faint whispers and from Riku that, while his mother had been accepting of the whole magical thing, she wasn't so accepting of her son's sexuality. So Ienzo's pregnancy had initially excited her-until she learned he wasn't a woman.

Demyx took the baby's hand; it closed around his finger. "They're glad you and the baby are healthy. But they… don't care about meeting her. Or you, for that matter."

Ienzo sighed. "I'm so sorry." He wondered if their tune would change if they knew of his lineage.

He shrugged, though Ienzo saw the flicker of pain. "I don't mind holding my distance. I have you; I have her. That's all that matters." A pause. "I feel like… I was meant to be her dad, you know? And yeah, it terrifies me. I've been afraid from the minute we decided to do this. But that dream…"

"What did she show you?"

"That we're gonna crush it." He kissed the baby's head. "Doesn't she smell good?"

"She does," Ienzo conceded, brushing a finger across her cheek; she snuffled. "What should we name her?"

"I dunno. She's the princess-isn't it a big deal?"

Ienzo realized he had seen the baby purely as theirs . But she was the heir; royalty. He laughed a little.

"What's so funny?"

"I gave birth to the princess in an unfinished basement."

"...Hey, we made it pretty homey down here." A pause. "Does that make me royalty?"

"You'd be considered my consort, so in a roundabout way, yes."

"...I like that." He kissed him. "You mean in another life we would've been rich? Ugh." He smiled a little. "I was thinking…" The baby blinked stiffly. "Amalia."

"Why, pray tell?"

"She's a figure from our heritage. She was the one who freed us from the rule of the land, the word of the gods."

"...A liberator?" He nodded once. "Yes. That's it."

"Little Ammy. Lia. Li-li. Maya."

Ienzo chuckled. "Let her learn her name, before you nickname her."

"I can't wait to take her to the ocean."

"Will she… be able to transform?"

Demyx shrugged. "I have no idea," he said softly. "I haven't even been able to try myself since I got my power. But if she takes after you…" He furrowed his brows. He very gently took the baby- Amalia -from Ienzo, unbuttoned the top of her onesie, and turned her onto her belly.

"What are you doing?"

He took out his phone and turned on the flashlight. He shone it on her shoulders. "...Huh."

"What?"

"Look. That iridescence. They're her fledgling scales. I had them too. They'll be really small, and rub off."

"...Will it hurt?"

"It'll itch." He redressed her and laughed a little. "My fishy."

"...I never noticed them on you."

"They shed, like skin. When I lost my power… they fell off, and never came back." He settled her against his chest. "I love her so much it hurts. "

"...Me too."

As natural as it felt, there was still some adjusting when it came to parenting; Amalia did not cry much, but when she did it was piercing. He and Demyx took her night feedings in shifts; Ienzo was soon able to strain off the excess milk he made for the freezer. Demyx worked; Ienzo cared for the baby. He was afraid to leave the house with her, lest they be attacked; Even only enabled his paranoia. But finally Demyx coaxed him into a walk in the park, and when there were no Heartless, Ienzo relented.

How odd, to simply be a family. People would smile at him and the baby in public; it took Ienzo too long to realize it was just because of the baby, and not because anyone recognized them. Perhaps she had inherited Demyx's charm; perhaps it was because she was an adorable newborn.

About a week after she was born, Ienzo insisted on seeing Isa.

He was doing better now; in fact, he seemed to have gained some weight. Ienzo noticed for the first time the scar on his face; he must've put it there the day they fled to Twilight Town. He'd been too exhausted the last time they'd met. He was reading calmly when Ienzo was ushered in. "You look well," he said.

"Are you comfortable?" Ienzo asked instead.

"Quite-I am-very well protected." His lip curled.

Ienzo sat on one of the chairs. "You owe me a debt."

"I do."

"I intend to collect."

"Then tell me how I can pay. I've already told the guardians of yours all I know."

"Such as?"

"This is more than just human experimentation. Xehanort attempted-he wants to give everyone magic, with the darkness. Before I met him… I was a normal little boy, albeit one locked into a monstrous form three days of the month. Lately… those enhancements were… redoubled, in a desperation to quash the remaining resistance. Hence… why I could use the power outside the full moon."

"But some people's bodies simply cannot handle magic," Ienzo said. He thought of his eye, how even he was not immune from this. "Not to that extent."

Isa sighed. "Yes. In my time… I've seen too much death."

"You said you would rather die nobly rather than senselessly. What about living?"

A sad smile. "Look into my eyes."

Ienzo did.

"See the gold? My-pointed ears? Signs of poisoning-of darkness. Likely within a few years if I do not fall entirely, my cells will begin to break down-degrade."

"Perhaps we could fix that."

"Well-it may prove useful to your research, anyway."

"So they have numbers, darkness, and magic. What could you provide?"

"Intelligence. ...A double agent."

"You, I presume?"

He shook his head. "I've shot my load-as it were. But I trust this individual."

"And why should I?"

"Because he very much knows who you are-and has not acted on it." He cocked his head. "Have you ever heard of a bar called Seventh Heaven?"

"You know I know. You stalked me there," Ienzo spat. "You mean-the bartender-Luxord?"

" Very sharp, your highness. He knows all about all of your friends, too. He does not care about Xehanort's cause; all he wants is his own personal safety… and to see the situation evolve."

"So why would he help us?"

"To see how the game is played." He set his book aside. "I'm also willing to protect your daughter."

Ienzo tensed.

"I know. Why let me near her?"

"Why indeed." He leaned forward. "Tell me everything."