17.

Tides of Change

When Ienzo left the apartment two hours later, he was rattled.

He'd known the situation was grave, but he hadn't known to what extent. They'd known that "Ansem" was experimenting on humans, but they hadn't known how . He was quite literally ripping people's hearts out of their bodies. But, bolstered by darkness, instead of dying… they transformed into shadows. The dungeons in the castle, long unused for millennia, had been renovated and transformed into cells for these… people. The spread had reached Twilight Town because these Heartless, unlike their ordinary counterparts, were able to do this same process to others. Xehanort hoped to use these Heartless to pressure the remaining neutral or opposing factions into giving in.

Xemnas, the son that had betrayed them, was apparently looking for the real Ansem in earnest. Xehanort was not truly aware of Ienzo's position, if any of what Isa was saying was true-and it felt as though it was. "He didn't want to jeopardize me again," Ienzo said softly. "I wish he'd said something."

"Does he know? About your daughter?"

"I'm not sure."

Isa brushed a strand of hair out of his face. "She is… powerful, isn't she?"

"We're two very old lines." Ienzo sighed. "But it will be years before she can manifest or control that power." He debated confessing this; but it might warm Isa to him. "When I was pregnant, I Forecasted. She told me she brought you to me."

"I felt her power when she was born. I think any magic user within fifty kilometers did."

"What does Xehanort plan on doing with us?"

"Your lines?" he furrowed his brows. "I'm not entirely sure. He would not kill you senselessly, not if you could be… of use." He drummed his fingers on the cover of the book. There was a substantial pause. "I suspect he wants something else."

"Like?"

"I'm sure you've heard of Kingdom Hearts."

"...Of course." Supposedly, it was a bastion of all the gods' knowledge; but it had been taken from man as a punishment.

"...They seek it. All of them."

"But how-"

"The tales mention… a key."

"Surely it isn't literal ."

"He believes it is."

Ienzo scoffed. "Then how is this key obtained ?"

"That… I'm not so sure. There were things he wouldn't even tell me . Only his sons know."

He sat back in his chair. He'd have to leave soon; his breasts were aching and he hadn't brought bottles with which to strain off the milk. "So what do you think this Luxord fellow could do?"

"Perhaps help you get ahead of attacks on the bits of light left."

Ienzo nodded. He stood. "I'll let the resistance know, to see if they can verify any of this," he said. "If there is anything that can make your captivity more comfortable, do let me know."

"...Kind of you." He picked his book back up. "Give your family my regards."

After Ienzo had gotten home and fed Amalia, he told Even what he'd learned. For a moment Even just stared into the middle distance, thinking. Then, a scoff. "No."

"No, what?"

"No, that sort of thing is…" He hopped up and grabbed a book off of the bookshelf. He flipped through the pages. "A key ." Then, he groaned. "Hearts. Light and darkness… now keys . The fool is playing into myth."

"What kind of key?"

"Something called… a Keyblade. But that line was thought eliminated… unless…"

"Unless what?"

Even opened his laptop and typed something rapidly. Then, " Shit. "

Even swore so infrequently that Ienzo's eyebrows shot up; the baby snuffled and began to cry. Ienzo bounced her a little. "What?" he asked again.

"Well, I know what they wanted the replicas for." He pressed his palm against his forehead. "They must be trying to engineer the circumstances to get one."

"Is that possible?"

"Well, we didn't think Heartless could be made from people, and here we are."

"If he got this Keyblade, could he obtain Kingdom Hearts?"

"Oh, with ease. In the myths… the thing was locked with a blade-shaped key."

"And if he got it-"

"Unlimited power, yes. Our resistance might as well be ants." A pause; he took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Isa claims to have someone on the inside. I wonder… if that would help."

"It's better than nothing, surely."

"Quite." A sigh. "I'd best pass on this information. Dilan is around somewhere."

Ienzo was again nursing when they brought him. Amalia's scales were coming in in earnest, and true to Demyx's word, the itching was making her miserable. The salves Even made only helped so much. He was trying to do research of his own, to find out what he could about Keyblades, but it was all so shadowy… hazy, even in their oldest texts. Ansem would know about this, Ienzo thought. He felt someone come into the house. "I feel a glorified milk machine," he said to whoever it was.

"...I suppose you must."

Ienzo tensed at the sound of the voice automatically, but then remembering the tentative alliance, relaxed. He turned to see Isa, Aeleus close behind him, and moreover, Luxord.

"I apologize, Ienzo. I should've called ahead," Aeleus said.

"Wouldn't have mattered. My phone is a paperweight now. Even is out buying a new one." He sighed. "Amalia's magic cracked it when she sneezed." He stroked his daughter's head and held her a little closer, drawing the nursing blanket over her. He tried to pretend it was a power move, to keep feeding, but in reality he felt exposed, vulnerable.

"I see congratulations are in order," Luxord said smoothly. Out of context, he looked different, almost painfully ordinary aside from the many piercings in his ears. "Would you like some privacy? To… er… finish up here?"

"It doesn't matter to me."

Aeleus dragged some chairs over to Ienzo in the living room. "And where is Demyx in all this?" Luxord asked.

"Believe it or not, working."

"Someone must, I suppose." He crossed his legs. "It seems you have a proposition, for me."

"Apparently you're a man on the inside."

"I work in a bar, Ienzo," he said, with a chuckle. "Alcohol… loosens even the tightest tongues. People tell me their secrets. I keep them."

"And that includes Xehanort's allies?"

A sigh. "There are more of them here than you'd might think."

"So why not sell us out, and make a tidy profit?"

"Money is not a concern of mine," he said breezily. "The past is as important as the future."

"Yet, not a direct answer to my question." Ienzo burped the baby and resumed feeding.

"I have no desire to cause the direct death of others," Luxord said.

"Isa said you like to see the game as it is played."

A chuckle. "That is apt. Yes. I'm more content watching the tides of time as they flow."

"So why take an active role now?"

He smiled. "Simply put, if Xehanort is allowed to continue, there will be no more time. With the death of natural magic… comes the death of the rest of us. Hence… the importance of the child in your arms."

Ienzo tightened his grip a little.

"The lines must be allowed to continue. If there are no more ambassadors to the planet… the house of cards tumbles down… as it were."

"I thought Xehanort did not want to eliminate us if we could be useful."

"...But all tools outlive their usefulness, Ienzo."

"That is true." He looked towards Isa. "How do you propose we do this, then?"

"It is simple," he said. "All we do is find someone who is listening… drop some few small choice things… and in he goes."

"Considering that I do what I do, an easy enough wager." Another chuckle. "This will be interesting, will it not?"

Luxord left soon after. Ienzo wanted to believe he could keep their secret; he seemed to be telling the truth, but Ienzo was also sure that Luxord was deft at manipulating such truth. He'd seen Ienzo with the baby, too. Not exactly reassuring. He couldn't deny she was his when she had been suckling.

"Luxord will not sell out what he finds interesting," Isa said, as if in response to this. "Seeing that child in your arms only upped the stakes in your favor." He took a tentative step towards Ienzo. "She is… rather…"

"Perfect," Ienzo murmured.

"...Quite." There was a tenderness in his eyes as he looked at her. "Seeker blood, too."

"What are you doing here?"

Demyx startled all of them; the baby, hearing her father, snuffled and cooed.

"Peace," Isa said.

Ienzo, again, saw that sharp look of anger; it'd wither plants, he thought. "He was here to sort out the Luxord situation," Ienzo said calmly. "As I told you. Remember?"

Demyx set down his sitar case. "Get away from my daughter," he hissed. Isa, out of tact, obliged. Demyx scooped Amalia out of his arms and appraised her.

"You know I would not have let anything happen to her," Ienzo said. "Take a breath, love. It's alright."

"It's simply instinct," Isa said. "Seekers would do anything to protect that which they have found."

Demyx hesitated.

"Well? Wouldn't you?"

He loosened his grip on the baby a little; she made another small noise. "I would," he said. "You have to understand that." His voice was rather soft, but Ienzo sensed the threat.

"And I do." A nod. "I'll see myself out."

"I understand how you feel," Ienzo said. "But Isa means us no harm."

Demyx's face was flushed, his eyes bright. "After he stalked you for how many years?"

"He could not resist Xehanort's thrall. He had to learn. Remember the Forecast."

"What if he gets pulled back under?"

Ienzo sighed. "It's crossed my mind," he admitted. "But Even and the others are going to study him. She's safe, Demyx." He crossed over to him and touched his cheek. "We're safe."

He sighed. "I hope you're right."

Their life fell into a rhythm. Amalia was growing quickly, gaining a decent amount of weight. Ienzo struggled to let her out of his sight, even if she were left with Even or Aeleus. He wondered if this struggle were normal. Aeleus took the baby to the park, supposedly to give Ienzo and Demyx some time on their own, but for the first half hour or so he was too anxious to do anything but fret.

"It has to happen eventually," Ienzo said to herself. "I won't coddle her the way Even coddled me, but-"

"I know," Demyx said. He rubbed his arms. "I'm worried too." He touched Ienzo's cheek. "Aeleus would do anything for her."

"She captivates anyone who gets near her," Ienzo said, with a sigh. "Though-I suppose she gets that from you."

He chuckled a little. He leaned forward to kiss him once, and Ienzo found it difficult to restrain himself from kissing back, so he didn't.

They hadn't been intimate since early into his eighth month of pregnancy, when everything had become too exhausting and uncomfortable, and to a degree dangerous with his unpredictable magic. Ienzo had tried to pleasure Demyx several times after that, but he claimed it wasn't fair to him. And since the baby had been born, they'd been too stressed or scattered.

He felt Demyx's tongue slide into his mouth, and his pulse quickened. He pulled Demyx closer, down on top of him on the bed, and kissed down his jaw, his throat.

Demyx exhaled. "I thought you had to wait… six weeks?" His voice hitched a little; Ienzo had begun to rub at him through his pants. "...Fuck."

"Most people do, I suppose. But I healed… quickly." He had; that part of him, at least, was more or less back to normal. "If you're comfortable, that is."

"If I'm…" He barked a laugh. "I just hope I can last." He unbuttoned Ienzo's shirt, slipped off the sports bra he wore now that he was nursing (it was not fun to get milk on his clothing, he'd discovered). Demyx pressed his lips against his throat, a lush, electric sensation that made his clit throb faintly. Ienzo reached up to help Demyx undress as well.

"I've missed you," Ienzo murmured, helping Demyx out of his pants.

In response to this, he felt Demyx's hand slide down below his waistband and touch him, almost hesitantly. Ienzo gasped out loud. It had been an awfully long time. Demyx tugged off his slacks and began to touch him in earnest, working his clit slowly. A want so strong it ached overtook him. Without even breaking away from the kiss, he reached down to take Demyx's dick into his hand.

Demyx moaned, his weight nearly falling onto Ienzo. "Not too much." He leaned down to kiss Ienzo's breast, a sensation that made him squirm with their newfound sensitivity, teasing his nipple, and he was almost sure he could come from this alone-

Demyx laughed a little. "What is it?" Ienzo asked breathlessly.

Demyx dabbed at his mouth. "Your, uh, milk," he said. "I got some in my mouth."

Ienzo smirked. "Maybe save that for our daughter." He considered. "What does it taste like?"

Demyx licked at his lip. "Weirdly sweet," he admitted. "Have you… tried it?"

"Not high on my list of priorities." He sighed. "It's a shame. That felt good."

"...I'll just be careful." He returned to what he'd been doing.

"My… body," Ienzo said, gasping. "It doesn't-"

"What? Gross me out?" Demyx frowned.

"The stretch marks-the extra weight-"

"Are because you brought our daughter into the world." He kissed them. "You have never been hotter to me than you are now."

"Do you have any…" He trailed off, unable to catch his breath.

Demyx got off of him. "I think there was some of a box left in my stuff." Ienzo watched him dig through a backpack. After a moment, he came back with the condom. "What, don't want another one?"

"I love you, but… hardly."

A laugh. Demyx kissed him again, his throat. Ienzo put the condom on him. Demyx slipped a finger in him, then two. "You sure it'll be alright?"

"I'm sure." He opened his legs a little wider. Demyx guided the tip inside of him with one hand.

"Fuck," he said again. He pressed into him more, making Ienzo squirm, the ache worsening. He pulled Demyx close. They'd both needed this, he realized, not just physically. Ienzo could not even remember the last time he'd come. Demyx moved against him gently. He was breathing hard, making soft small noises. "Is that-"

"It's good," Ienzo assured him. "You can move harder. I won't shatter."

He did so. Ienzo squeezed his eyes shut tight, already feeling that lush tightening starting inside of him. Demyx kissed his nipple again, working up along his throat, and he moaned out loud. "New kink?"

"Apparently." He was gasping. "They've been-sensitive-" His hand curled against the sheet. He could feel every subtle move inside of him. "It does feel different-but it's good."

"Yeah?"

He could only hum, moving his hips in rhythm with him. "Yes, I-" He choked out a breath.

"...I'm close already."

"Me too." At least they would be efficient. How odd, he thought dazedly, to make love on the same bed he'd given birth. Ienzo grasped at him, pulling him close, grinding hard against him, everything on the verge of giving way. Demyx fumbled for his hand and held it tightly.

Ienzo shivered. It took a moment for everything to begin in earnest, almost hesitantly, opening brightly within him, easing a thick weight of tension.

"Ienzo…" He pressed his face against his shoulder. He felt Demyx finish within him, missing only for a split second when things were raw. He eased out of Ienzo, gasping, and just lay against him. "Fuck."

"Quite."

"I… needed that."

"Me too." Ienzo stroked his hair, the shorn sides of his scalp. Ienzo could feel the relief more distinctly now, making his joints vaguely jellylike. "We need to… find the time, every now and again."

He snorted. "Yeah. That was barely five minutes."

"...Was it?" He looked over at the clock and realized he was right. "To be fair… it's been nearly two months… and masturbation isn't exactly on my to-do list."

"Yeah. Same."

Demyx got off of him and threw away the condom. He lay back down on his side and kissed Ienzo once. "Are you happy?" Ienzo asked.

"...What do you mean?"

"Exactly that."

"How can I not be?" He settled back down against the pillows. "We're together. We have our baby. I have a job I actually love."

"Despite Xehanort? Despite the darkness? You could be-"

He snorted. "Ienzo, if we hadn't had the baby I'd probably be doing fuck all. If anything, it was an incentive… to get my shit together."

"...And be a twenty-three-year-old parent."

"Better than seventeen. Besides. By the time she's grown up we'll still be young and hot. That? Is worth it."

Ienzo cracked a smile despite himself. "A DILF," he murmured.

Demyx laughed. "Think you've already got that covered."

Ienzo slept heavily that night, the sex having relaxed him considerably. He woke only to feed and change the baby when it was his turn.

Until something changed.

It smelled like smoke at first, like perhaps Even had burnt some toast (he never emptied the crumb tray, so it happened quite often; the man hardly cooked for himself). Demyx rolled over, but didn't wake.

Ienzo sighed heavily. He got up and mounted the stairs with the intention of telling Even off, because by gods the man had just interrupted the best sleep he'd had since he'd become a father.

Something felt odd… off. Not quite right. "Even?" he fielded. He wasn't in his study. No lights on, either. "Aeleus?" He reached out with his magic.

Rather, he tried. But it wasn't there.

Ienzo barely had half a second to try and comprehend this before he felt something sharp at his throat from behind. He drew a deep breath, and the blade dug in a little deeper, right over his jugular. "Who-"

"Make noise, raise a warning, and I'll spill your pathetic blue blood all over this inlaid parquet." He didn't recognize the voice. A spike of adrenaline made him acutely aware of how naked he felt without his magic. He could feel he was being jammed in his right eye, but it felt different than Saïx's jamming. More insidious, less immediately noticeable.

Ienzo took a breath and tried to compose himself. A gloved hand clutched his shoulder. "Alright. I won't." Composed. Composed. "How did you get through the wards?" Had someone betrayed them?

His arm was wrenched behind him. "Walk," the voice said instead. He sounded young, the hand forcing his gloved and strong. He was what smelled like smoke, Ienzo realized.

Not smoke; darkness.

Wordlessly, he complied, heading out the open front door. He tried to see with his sighted eye if anyone was around-but again, there was nothing, an eerie silence. Ienzo pulled harder within him for magic, but all it did was make him feel weak. "What do you want?" he asked. "I'm afraid I'm useless in this state."

No response. Ienzo was, rather abruptly, forced to the ground, flat on his back, a boot placing itself against his chest. He writhed, trying to recall what Aeleus had taught him about self defense, but his kicks just glanced off the figure's body like he was nothing.

Wait- nothing-

Something sharp twined against his throat. "Huh," the figure said. "So it's true."

Ienzo tried to pull against it, but it felt like thorns, digging into his soft skin.

"I was going to ask where she was. I realize now that isn't necessary." He flicked back his hood. "Clever."

"Let me breathe and we can talk."

The thorns tightened, and Ienzo felt lightheaded. He could so barely see through the hair splayed across his cheek the boy's silver hair, his gold eyes , the dark skin so like- "My father's going to be awfully pleased with me."

Darkness.