"Are you having fun?"

"So much! And the fireworks are gorgeous…"

"You know what else is gorgeous?"

"What?"

"You."

Your whole face is suddenly burning as brightly as the explosions of color in the night sky. He can make you blush so effortlessly that, half the time, it's infuriating – the other half (the much, much bigger half), you melt like butter during a hot summer day. Like right now. Smiling so widely that your cheeks almost hurt, you lose yourself in his beautiful golden eyes for an instant longer, before cupping his face to lose yourself in his lips, next.

"Look who's talking!"

"Just stating the truth."

Infuriating, see? He always wants to have the last word on everything, and usually you let him – because you love that little smug smirk he puts on, every time he makes his point. Taking another kiss for yourself just for that, just because you can, you then snuggle some more into him. It's a bit of an odd position, admittedly, considering you are both sharing a tree branch and you're nestled on his lap but also half-sitting on said branch at the same time, and your arms are around his waist while one of his own is protectively draped over your shoulders, and every time you perk up to kiss like this you're certain that you'll both end up smacked down there on the ground… but, somehow, it's working. And that's all you need.

He'll always be all you need.

"Fine, since you're feeling so wise today – then can you tell me what I'll be doing tomorrow at the temple? The maester scheduled a meeting, again."

"Probably just some more non-sense about the Bedore contraptions."

Despite the lovely moment, you can't help your sigh of worry. "I… really don't like the way they're treated. Bevelle treats them like slaves."

"Your beloved tutor isn't a saint, either."

"I know… I wish Master Yu didn't rely on machina so much, either. It's not like he needs it… he's the most powerful summoner we've had in a long time."

"Don't worry, you'll get there."

"That's not what I mean… I don't care for power. I just–"

"–You just wish you could do something to help."

He can also always make you laugh as easily as he makes you blush.

"Did you take the day off to tease me?"

"It's not my fault you're predictable, my love."

"Oh, now I am predictable! Great! Must be a sacrifice for you to put up with me, Mister Star Player of the Radiant Tempests."

And, yes, you are pouting on purpose, because you know it always lures some more kisses your way. It works yet again. He also always says that your pouty lips are your secret weapon, more devastating than any aeon.

"You know me – I'm a man of many virtues. I love helping the poor misguided souls."

"Yeah? You should tell that to the whole world, then. What a martyr you are, for being with someone like me."

"Fair enough."

He doesn't give you chance to tease back this time, leaning even closer and so close that his lips are practically touching your earlobe now.

"I am a martyr for all the things my lover makes me endure on a daily basis. Terrible things… He eats like a fiend, he drools in his sleep, he is so easily distracted that I'm always worried I'm gonna lose him somewhere when he trails off to pet a cat. Though this last one is kind of acceptable, cats are neat. But… I'm also the fucking luckiest man alive. That I have, all for myself, someone so brave, so kind, so selfless, so beautiful inside and out. He's the other half of my heart. He's my light."

"Why are you whispering that to me…?"

"Because you're my whole world."

More fireworks go off above and it's a perfect match to what's going on in your chest, right now.

"Spira to Lord Summoner Ventus, please come in!"

"…Huh?"

Ven blinked a couple times fast, realizing he'd somehow spaced out while having the cup of persimmon tea halfway to his lips. Terra laughed, glad he'd finally managed to get the younger one's attention.

"We were starting to worry you'd turned to a fayth."

"…Sorry! Did you say anything?"

Aqua laughed as well, but she reached over to gently ruffle his hair. Sometimes, Ven believed this was her favorite thing in the world to do, given how often she'd do it. And, in turn, she'd tell him yet again she'd never met anyone with hair as fluffy as his. It was a win-win situation, really.

"Are you sure you got enough rest? You've been so distracted since you woke up."

"Yeah, I'm fine… I was just thinking about a dream I had."

"Ohhhh, do tell! Nice dream?"

"Yeah… I mean, I think it was. I can't remember much of it… only that I was somewhere and I was with someone. But I have no idea where that was or who that was… but I woke up feeling really good about it. Like it was some sort of very happy memory, that made my heart feel so warm."

"Aw, sounds like it was lovely. Maybe you'll remember, eventually."

"And, whoever that person is, if they want to take you out they'll need our permission first."

It was Ven's turn to laugh, playfully rolling his eyes as he took a big chunk out of his piece of bread and got to chewing. Spell casting left a constant hungry hole in your belly, something he and Aqua knew very well at this point, and he only expected it to grow more intense now that he'd started summoning.

"Thanks guys. This way, at least one of us will have a decent relationship."

"Hey!"

Terra mock-glared at him, exactly one second before joining in on the laughter. As if to prove his point, though, he hurried with leaving a cute little kiss on Aqua's nearest cheek. This made Ven's grin widen, in awe and amusement at the same time. They were so perfect together! Sometimes, he even felt a little bit jealous… knowing that he'd never get to experience anything of the like. For a summoner to have someone fall for them, that was probably the only thing in Spira more cruel than Sin – for all the obvious reasons. But that was okay. He'd made up his mind a long time ago and had never had any regrets, and it wasn't about to start now.

"Might as well walk out and give you guys some privacy."

Now both of them turned tomato-red at the same time, and Ven mentally patted himself on the back for such a brilliant comeback, as he got up and snuck one final blueberry cake in his mouth – the whole thing at once, momentarily turning his face into a pufferfish. Whoever watched his graceful dancing and summoning, at any point, would never have guessed.

"Ventus!"

"Just kidding!" It also wasn't polite to speak with your mouth full like this, but he always felt at home with Aqua and Terra. Ever since his father's death, they'd become like a real big brother and big sister. "I gotta hurry anyway, I want to pray before we leave."

Turning around, Ven headed for the hut's front door but stopped as he got there – recalling something else he'd been meaning to talk about. A topic that he knew was going to be a bit more touchy and that had some chance of not going his way… but there was nothing like trying, right? Taking in a deep breath, he glanced back at his guardians once more.

"Um, also… I was wondering… Maybe we could ask Vanitas if he'd like to come with us?"

As expected, the mood in the room went for a 180º spin.

"That guy? Why would he come along?"

"It's just… I was thinking, if we at least get him to Luca, maybe someone will recognize him. He plays blitzball, so–"

"He says he plays blitzball."

"The Radiant Tempests, of all teams. A team that, if it ever existed, it was a thousand years ago."

Ventus sighed, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. "I really don't think he's lying."

"Ven…" Aqua sighed right back and twice as loudly – as if breakfast had suddenly become a sighing contest. "You are too trusting, and there are plenty of people with bad intentions who'd take advantage of that. Especially if they know you're the son of Lord Eraqus."

"I… I also don't think he has bad intentions. He made friends with Flood!"

"The little one that hangs around the village?"

"Yeah! She never gets close to anyone… but she was sleeping on his lap last night, I saw it!"

Choosing not to question what their summoner had been doing with a potential delinquent last night during the feast, Terra kept his arms stubbornly folded.

"So we're supposed to trust him, just because he gets along with a fiend? I don't think that's the message to take home from that, Ven."

"Fine, if you don't believe it's true… then, have you considered it's probably because of the toxin? Why else would someone say they're from Radiant Garden?"

Because they have bad intentions, Aqua almost said out loud, but held back. It was true that Ventus had a heart as golden as his hair, always willing to see the good in everyone… and it was also true that he was about to start carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, for the sake of trying to save this same world. Would it really be so terrible, if they let that Vanitas boy tag along for a while? She and Terra would definitely keep an eye on him, and if that meant Ven had reasons to smile while he still could… then it'd be more than worth it. Standing up, she stood behind Terra and left a gentle but firm squeeze on his shoulders – as if saying let me handle this.

"You're not wrong in that, Ven. It can be the toxin. It can be that he's not lying and we're overreacting, because we want to protect you."

Terra immediately tilted his head back to scowl at her, and it was in times like this that Aqua was really convinced that Ven had learned how to pout from Terra.

"And you are not wrong about Luca, either. The tournament will be soon, if he really plays for one of the teams then no doubt he's gonna find someone who knows him, there."

"Then…?"

The hopeful look on Ven's face was enough to finally melt the last of Terra's resolve. Joining in the sighing contest himself, and easily taking the title of champion, he flopped back in his seat and let the back of his head bump on Aqua's belly.

"I get it, I get it… can't win against you both when you team up against me. But I'm warning you: if he starts trouble again, Sin's gonna be the least of his worries."

Ven beamed at that, clapping his hands together in enthusiasm. "Thank you, thank you so much! I love you guys! I'm sure he'll appreciate it… he's all on his own, I can't even imagine how scary and lonely that must be."

"He looks pretty tough to me."

"Well, you can look tough and be soft at the same time. You're the best example of that, Terra."

Laughing, Ven immediately ran out of the hut before his friend's revenge could catch up with him.

This time, he didn't roll of the bed to fall on his face – which was already progress, in Van's book. Maybe because he'd not slept on a bed to start with, but he chose to ignore that detail as he got up to stretch. Flood stretched along, wiggling that cute little body of hers, and Vanitas took a moment to finally properly look at her under the morning sunlight. She was an odd one… and he could see why the villagers thought she was scary, even if she was about the same size as a regular cat. If nothing else, for those bright red eyes that seemed to pierce right through your very soul. Somehow, this only made him fonder of her, so he didn't mind that she seemed to be following him once he went for another stroll around the village.

Would today be the day he'd finally get some answers? Or, well… maybe that wasn't the issue anymore. His talk with Ventus – with Ven – last night had been clear enough. He didn't understand why or how it'd happened, and he much less understood the link between Spira and his Radiant Garden… but facts were facts. He was here, now. Not there. Maybe he'd never be there again. The only mildly remotely plausible solution Vanitas could think of was to find Sin again, and hope he'd be warped all the way back, this time. If it worked one way, it might work the other…? Or maybe he was just in denial and lying to himself and refusing to accept the obvious.

Sighing, he decided to focus on the practical problems first – namely, the rumbling in his stomach. He doubted free food was gonna happen again, especially with the lopsided glances some of the villagers were still throwing at him, and he had a grand total of zero gil in his pockets, so… a more creative approach was in order. Creative and simple. There had to be fruit trees somewhere outside the village, right? Hell, he'd go and try to catch some fish himself, if he had to. Flood seemed to be in perfect agreement, considering the way she'd just climbed up his leg and perched herself proudly on his shoulder again, so they started on their way.

Nature wasn't something Van was too used to, admittedly. Radiant Garden was as urban and technological as a city can get, and finding food already prepared and ready to be put in the microwaves was much easier than coming across actual greeneries or fruit. But climbing trees was exactly what being a pro athlete was for, right? Which was what he did as soon as he found one, and it was like luck was finally returning to his side – because it happened to be full of ripe pears. Not his favorites but beggars can't be choosers, so he was quick to start stuffing his face as Flood hopped back down and wandered away. Was she going to hunt her own breakfast? He didn't even know what she liked to eat, so he figured he might as well let her take care of herself for now.

And it could have ended like this. It could have been just a perfectly peaceful, uneventful morning… but, of course, it wouldn't be. No longer than ten minutes had passed when Vanitas noticed some sort of commotion nearby. Peeking from the branch he'd sat himself on, he couldn't see much… but a flock of birds was flying away, startled, and a soft rumble had just shaken the ground and the tree itself, and soon his curiosity was getting the best of him. Could it be Sin? That big, ugly thing had certainly not been so gentle, last time… but it might be worth investigating, nonetheless.

Hopping down pretty much like Flood had done before, Vanitas followed the path going up the hill, passed by a waterfall that was actually quite gorgeous to look at, and eventually found the source of that growing ruckus. First thing he saw was another big, ugly thing, though not nearly as big as Sin – it was birdlike, if you looked at it from the right angle, though by far not something you'd wanna keep in a cage anywhere near you. It was picking a fight with something else from the looks of it, and Van was ready to take this for local wild animals having a go at each other and to keep minding his own business… when that something else caught his attention.

It was unexpectedly familiar.

It was… wait a minute, wasn't this the thing that Ventus had summoned outside the temple? Yeah, yeah it was! What was her name again…? Violet? Valerie? Forget the name, what's she doing out here away from her summoner? Until he realized that, nope, she wasn't – the summoner was right beside her. The damn ugly thing was so large that it took up almost all the space in Vanitas' field of vision, but there was no mistaking that mop of golden hair.

While Van was still trying to process what was happening, one of the aeon's smacks hit as hard as it did gracefully, and the monster stumbled back and landed with another earth tremor. The aeon gave it no chance to rest and unleashed a series of quick attacks, by flapping its wings and sending gust after gust of wind at it, and eventually the monster fell over for good and began disappearing in a swirling mass of small lights.

Well, breakfast had suddenly and unexpectedly just gotten a lot more eventful.

"Can't believe you took that thing down on your own!"

Ven, who'd been distracted caressing Valefor's neck before dismissing her, immediately turned around with wide eyes. "…You scared me!"

"I scared you? Look what you just did!"

Snickering at that, now that his heartbeat was returning to normal, Ven sent the aeon away before anything else and walked closer – and Vanitas couldn't help but notice the odd way in which the summoner held his staff, because he was holding it backhand. That couldn't be practical in a battle… but, then again, he'd just been proven entirely wrong.

"Had it coming! I didn't start the fight."

"What're you doing here, anyway?"

"I came to pray. There's a monument at the summit, where everyone prays before leaving Besaid. It's for good luck during a boat journey."

"Why would anyone need luck for that?"

"Well… maybe we don't, during the Calm. But it's become important again."

…Oh. Of course. Sin could probably lurk underwater, too. Realizing he'd, for once, been incredibly rude without meaning to, Van shoved his hands at the back of his head and awkwardly looked away.

"Anyway… you sure kick a lot of ass, for someone so small."

"Hey! I'm almost as tall as you are!"

If he was religious, he'd thank Yevon for being able to so smoothly get the chat back on track. Since he wasn't, Vanitas looked at Ven again, with the smug smirk back in place.

"Yeah, but you look all dainty and delicate like a flower. Whoever thinks they can get their way with you is in for a damn surprise."

Rolling his eyes, though he was smiling as well, Ven dismissed his staff as well and folded his arms. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

"Guess it depends on who you ask. To me, it's a good thing. Means I don't have to worry that any fuckers will try and get funny with you. Actually–"

Noticing another of the trees nearby, Vanitas climbed it as easily as he did the first one, and stood on a branch so that he could pluck a peach to toss down back at Ventus. The summoner gasped quietly, not expecting that, but ran over to catch it before it could hit the ground.

"What's this for?"

"A reward for not taking anyone's crap. That ugly monster included."

This made Ven laugh, in a way that left little crinkles at the corners of his eyes – and also left Van thinking he'd never seen anyone cuter in his whole life. Even if that life did turn out to be just a hallucination born from Sin's toxin.

"I think it learned the lesson. They're not very common around here, anyway."

"They aren't?"

"No, Garudas are indigenous to the Mushroom Rock – quite far from here. But they've been showing up, lately… makes me wonder if maybe Sin's blowing them away over here."

Van also had no clue about the life and habits of Garudas.

"Do you guys always give names to monsters?"

"They're not really monsters… not as in wild animals, if that's what you're thinking they are. These are fiends."

"…Pretend I don't know what you're talking about."

With another quiet laugh, Ven nodded. "Fiends are the spirits of the dead who linger in the living world. When a person dies, they must be sent to the Farplane in order to rest in peace – this is one of the tasks that summoners do. If they aren't sent, their soul wanders aimlessly, envying the living… and eventually that envy turns to hatred. They use the pyreflies to manifest again, in distorted forms. Each fiend is a reflection of the person they were in life."

"Pyre…flies? Are they like fireflies?"

"No, they aren't a living being. They're… a part of nature, that's the best way to describe them. They're a bit like Spira's life energy, as everything that lives is made of pyreflies. The fiends, us… aeons, as well. They're the little lights you can see when I summon, or when a fiend is defeated."

Oh, so that's what they were! One mystery solved… only a thousand of them left to go through.

"You know a lot, Ven." But, somehow, you're not annoying to listen to. I quite like it.

"I have to, as a summoner. And as a white mage. Can't help anyone if I don't know how my magic works and why, can I?"

Vanitas was about to question this white magic further, now, but yet another commotion suddenly interrupted them. And at the center of it… was no other than Flood, this time. She was surrounded by three monsters – well, fiends – and, while they were much smaller than the one Ven had brought down, they still looked vicious enough. Without a second thought, and without allowing Vanitas even a chance to blink, Ven ran over and made his way past the Dingos, startling them enough to be able to get to Flood. Momentarily forgetting she hated everyone in the village that wasn't Van, she gladly jumped into Ven's arms and huddled up.

And now there was a problem to be dealt with.

Freeing a hand in order to materialize his staff again, Ventus stepped back as he bit the inside of his lip. Would he be able to hold Flood and summon at the same time, and fast enough so that the Dingos wouldn't get to them first? They might be small, but he knew from self-experience how agile these dog-like creatures were… even Terra had trouble hitting them, at times. But it was the only option, wasn't it? And if he got a few bites out of it, well… that's what he had Cure spells for. As long as they didn't touch poor Flood, trembling against him, that'd be good enough. And so he was about to start–

–when Vanitas landed in front of him and, just like that, one of the Dingos fell over with a groan and began fading into pyreflies. Next second, Vanitas was jumping at another and slashing at it with something Ven could not see yet, actually moving so fast that the summoner was having a bit of trouble to keep up. That done, he lunged for the last fiend and, with a midair combo of slashes that was just as spectacular as the ground one, defeated it as well. Like it was easy. Like he wasn't using a tree branch for a weapon, as Ventus could now clearly see.

"…That was amazing! I didn't know you can fight!"

Truth be told, Van hadn't known either. All he'd known, still on top of that tree and watching as Ven was running off probably to get himself killed or at least seriously injured along with Flood, was that he had to do something. And so he'd ripped off the thickest branch at arm's reach, and then acted based on instinct only. Somehow, it worked.

"Well… I've had my fencing classes."

In the days he'd not slept in, or been too lazy to go. A blitz player must stay fit, after all, and hitting things was always something Vanitas was glad to do. Fencing was the best of both worlds and, ironically, it was saving his ass now in a completely new world too. Leaving the fiends to disappear by themselves, he turned to Ven and took a good look at him from head to toe.

"Are you hurt?"

"Nope, all good! You came in just in time, thanks."

Flood didn't need anything else to basically fling herself at Van, hiding inside his shirt. Hissing at stupid villagers was one thing… but fiends trying to have her for a snack was just too much! This made the two boys laugh, breaking the last of the tension.

"I take back what I said, though. Maybe you shouldn't be out here on your own."

"I can take care of myself… Maybe I'm not good at physical attacks, but my aeons will keep me safe when I need it."

"You only have one."

"But I'll have more! I have to pray at every temple in Spira, in order to complete my pilgrimage. Only then I will be able to pray for the Final Aeon."

Vanitas would have loved to stretch his point further, and also to possibly comment on how attractive Ven was when he was being defiant like this, but the local fiends didn't seem interested in giving them a moment to breathe. More pyreflies were already gathering, and getting out of there might be in their best interest.

"How 'bout we continue this later? Preferably, when nothing's trying to chew on us?"

Agreeing immediately, Ven nodded – but didn't leave before going back to the last tree, in order to carefully take the peach back after having dropped it for the sake of helping Flood. That done, they thankfully made it to the village without further incidents and without the need for further battles.

"When you said last night that we'd talk more, I wasn't expecting something like this."

Stopping by the item shop to catch his breath after so much running, Ven laughed.

"At least it wasn't boring!"

"That's one way of putting it."

"Actually, that reminds me… Come with me, I got something to show you."

Waiting for no response, Ven took Van's hand in his own and started running again, this time down the road and over to the temple, which earned both of them a few questioning looks along the way. Not that Vanitas minded it, he didn't mind the stares and he certainly didn't mind that other warm hand. As they reached the temple, Ven led them in but made a brief pause to give the Yevon greeting to one of the statues.

"So… why are these guys important, again?"

"These are the statues of the high summoners who have defeated Sin. And this one… is my father's statue."

Oh, good… look at him, asking all the wrong questions again! You go, Vanitas.

"…Got it. You gonna have a statue, too?"

"Only if I defeat Sin… that's how you become a high summoner."

"Then you got this in the bag."

Ven gave one of his sweet smiles but didn't answer, and instead led them into the back room at the left of the stairway. He knocked on the door and then tentatively pushed it open to peer inside, while Van peered over his shoulder himself. The room had half a dozen kids poring over the table in the middle, filled with books and scriptures, and they were dressed in a fashion similar to the priests. Ven walked further in and gave them the same greeting he'd just given to the statue, and all of them promptly stood up and did the same.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm sorry to interrupt your study, but… Could you give me maybe ten minutes? I have something to talk about with my friend."

"Of course, lord summoner!"

At least they were well-raised enough, Van thought, even if seeing young children dressed up like that was kinda disturbing. It was like they were trying to brainwash them already, and he couldn't help but wonder if Ventus had been the same. Once they were out and the door was closed behind them, he took a quick look around out of curiosity. There was a shelf nearly doubling over with books and more documents, a few boxes stacked besides it, an old chest, a smaller table (where Ven was just placing the peach) with candles burning and also a stick of incense that had the whole room smelling of some flower or the other… and, by the opposite wall, a bed and a nightstand.

"What's this room for?"

"It's the acolytes' library, and it's also used as infirmary sometimes."

"Oh, so that's what the bed's for. I was wondering."

"Actually… that's my bed. This is also my bedroom. But, of course, I let them use it when there's need."

As if this was the most normal thing in the world, Ven casually walked over to said bed and knelt on the floor beside it, looking for something that seemed to be stored under it.

"…You live here?"

"Technically, I live with Terra and Aqua. I've been staying with them ever since my father died and they found me in Bevelle. But when I started training to become a summoner, I spent most of my time here, in the library… So, at some point, the priests were kind enough to just let me stay over. In exchange, I became the acolytes' tutor. Guess they're gonna have to find someone else now, though."

Van wasn't sure what to say to that. Yesterday, he'd gotten the idea that summoners were their own equivalent of a blitz star, what with being so famous and probably having everyone else to cater to their every whim… And maybe they were, because in fact he only knew one summoner. Yet Ven apparently led such a humble life, if this small excuse of a room was really all he'd been given.

"You're about to go out to fight Sin and save all their asses, and still they make you work here in exchange for a bed?"

"That sounds really mean when you put it like that… I don't mind helping with the children, it's a lot of fun."

"…You're too nice, you know that."

"In fact, you're the second person telling me that, today."

Looking proud of himself, for what he'd just said and for what he'd just brought out from under the bed, Ventus sat now on top of it. On his lap rested another box, a long one, that revealed a beautiful sword within as Ven opened it. With his eyes slightly wide in awe, Vanitas sat beside him to have a better look.

"Whoa… that's really cool."

"My father named it Wayward Wind. It was his blade. Unlike me, he could summon and fight with a sword. It was the only thing left behind, after his final battle with Sin… We were lucky to retrieve it."

Ven's tone had grown quieter, fragile as crystal, as he told the tale and carefully pulled the sword out of the box. It was a gorgeous weapon indeed, in tones of black and beige and gold, with a small keychain dangling from the handle in a shape that was unfamiliar to Vanitas.

"Go on… give it a try."

Blinking, Van gave the summoner a puzzled look, but he did seem like he meant it – and was already holding out the sword for him. Van took it just as carefully, studying it from up closer before he got up and experimented with the weight. For a real sword, it felt incredibly light. He tried a few experimental slashes then, also paying attention to not just accidentally ruin anything in the room. The sound it made as it cut through the air was also beautiful.

"Better than a tree branch, isn't it?"

Chuckling, Van stopped and held it now above him, to watch as the light of the candles flickered along the blade.

"It's freaking amazing. I'm glad at least you have something this nice to remind you of your old man."

"Vanitas, I'd like you to have it."

It was a really good thing Van had brought the sword down already, or else he might have dropped it on his face.

"…What?"

"It's no good to me. I tried learning how to use it, but I'm really not cut out for that. Terra said I should stop before I ended up chopping of my own legs… I'm a summoner, not a warrior. And I don't like that I keep it in a box all the time, it's too beautiful for that. If you have it, at least you can show it the world again."

"But… This was your father's–"

"And I'm sure he'd be happy if you have it. He'd like you, if he could meet you."

Vanitas could feel his knees going weak for an instant. What could he even say to this…? He'd known this boy for a day, not counting their meeting at the beach, and… not only Ven had been impossibly kind to him from the very start, now he was willing to give him such a stunning gift.

"But…"

"Come on, please! Accept it? Please? If you're coming with us, you're gonna need to stay sharp! Fiends outside of Besaid will surely be much stronger… and you can't fight them with another wooden stick."

"I'm… I'm going with you…?"

"…Oh. I didn't explain, did I?" Looking sheepish all of a sudden, Ventus got up and put on his most composed expression, hands clasped at his front, before bowing before Van. "I would be honored if you would come with us all the way over to Luca! Aqua and Terra already agreed to it."

Van felt the overwhelming need to sit down, before he ended up being the one chopping off someone's legs in accident. And, yes, he had no idea what a Luca was or where it was, but his brain wasn't even acknowledging that for the time being.

"You… want me to go with you?"

Ven glanced up from his bow, smiling all over again. "Yes, I would love that!"

"…Why? You barely know me, half the village thinks I'm a liar or worse, your friends probably hate me and don't trust me at all–"

"Aw c'mon, Vani! I didn't fight with them early on for you to now tell me this!"

"What did you just call me…?"

"Vani – I think it's a cute short version of Vanitas. But if you don't like it, I'll stop."

"…No, it's okay! I just– …no one ever called me that before."

"Does that mean you're coming, then?"

Seriously, how do you say no to this? Ven might as well have been asking him to waltz straight into Hell and, with the way he was doing it, Van would probably do it gladly so. Finally laughing and shrugging the surprise and unnecessary tension away, he nodded.

"'Course I'll go. It's better than staying here, that's for sure."

"Great, that's so great! That's also why I wanted you to come… Maybe someone in another city will recognize you, or maybe… maybe you'll find a way to return to Radiant Garden. Who knows, right?"

"Mhm… And, if nothing else, I'll keep you safe. Using your dad's blade."

"You know what, that's even better! You can be an apprentice guardian."

"Guess it's a deal, then. When are we leaving?"

"The ship for Kilika should be here this afternoon. I still have to finish packing and saying goodbye to everyone, anyway."

They both exchanged a nod but, before ending the chat and getting to business (not that he had anything to pack, literally), Van had one last thing to ask.

"Ven? You… really fought with your friends because of me?"

"I prefer to call it peer pressure. I'm quite good at it – have you seen how adorable I am? These big green eyes, the rosy cheeks, the blonde hair? I've been pulling this on them ever since I was little."

Vanitas couldn't have described him better, even if he tried.

And he really couldn't blame the other two for falling for it, either.

It'd just worked on himself.

The ship was honestly a bit of a let-down, compared to the luxury Vanitas could remember from the ones at Radiant Garden, but it was nice enough to travel in. A good number of the villagers had gathered at the port to see off their summoner, including all of the acolytes, some of them even making offerings for the journey, and that had been nice to watch. More and more, Van was convinced that Ven deserved every good thing in this world. Every token of appreciation and gratitude, whether it came from presents or simple words alone. There'd also been a lot more tears than he'd expected… but he figured that Ven's pilgrimage would be a long endeavor. Probably, he wouldn't come back home in a while.

On the other hand, matters between him and the other two guardians were… acceptable. Even if Van had no doubt they were being decently nice to him only for Ven's sake. Terra was particularly mistrustful and silent, but Vanitas couldn't deny how impressed he was after seeing him fight on the way towards the port – his large blade sliced across the fiends like they were made of paper, incredibly powerful even if a bit slow. Aqua was a black mage, as she'd explained herself, and she'd been the one teaching Ven to start using his own magic. Ventus meant the world to the both of them, it was clear to see, and Vanitas could at least respect that. So, in the end, it'd been working well enough for all of them, so far.

Other than his father's blade (as if that gift alone already wasn't far too precious), Ven had also gotten Vanitas some new clothes, more appropriate for their journey. Overalls really seemed to be Besaid's thing, so he'd gotten a pair of black ones that he easily customized more to his liking – chopping off the ends in an asymmetrical way, so that the right leg, that reached now roughly below his knee, was longer than the left one, which was at mid-thigh length. Unlike the villagers, though, Van had also opted for a shirt underneath – one that was a blend of black and red, with a deep V cut that revealed most of his chest and loose sleeves reaching to the elbows. Black gloves and black boots completed the look, along with his favorite necklace, his silver-colored belt, and a piece of armor along his left arm that matched the ones that the other two guardians wore. With all of it in place and his new shiny sword in hand, Van could almost pass for a native Spiran. Almost.

And it wasn't even on purpose, but his black-ish, dark-toned clothes were a nice opposite match for Ven's brighter ones. As if they were the darkness and light to each other.

It seemed like the air of the sea could make you quite philosophical, too.

And it could make you quite tired, Van realized, after taking a nap he'd never intended to. You know when you say you're gonna close your eyes for five minutes, and then you wake up three hours later? That was exactly it. The sun was already going down when he was finally up again, he could see through the window of his cabin, but there was still a while left to go – according to Aqua, they'd only be getting to Kilika in the morning. The heavenly smell of food cooking was hanging in the air and had taken over the entire boat, so Van figured it was a time as good as any to go find some dinner.

As he returned outside to the deck, though, something else in the air caught his attention – not a scent, but a sound. A melody. Someone singing.

I know that you are something special
To you, I'd be always faithful
I want to be what you always needed
Then I hope you'll see the heart in me

Why did it sound so familiar…? Following the song, he continued along to the boat's stern.

I don't want another pretty face
I don't want just anyone to hold
I don't want my love to go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

Maybe he hadn't been so far off, calling Ventus an angel when first they'd met – that's what Van was thinking now, as he realized who was singing. The summoner was on his own, near the rail and seemingly watching the sun descending in the horizon, and his beautiful voice blended in perfectly with the wind and the sound of the waves crashing against the hull.

You're the one I want to chase
You're the one I want to hold
I won't let another minute go to waste
I want you and your beautiful soul

Maybe he should walk away? Ven probably thought no one was watching, and he might get flustered if he was caught like this… but, perhaps selfishly so, Vanitas found himself walking closer instead, till he was standing just a handful of steps away from the other boy.

"You never stop surprising me."

As expected, Ven stopped singing and immediately turned around with a look of surprise.

"…And you really like startling me, don't you?"

"Can't say that I don't."

Grinning at the clearly fake glare he was getting now, Van closed the distance between them and sat himself on the rail, facing the inside of the ship.

"Never heard that song before."

"It's… just an old one. I don't remember when I learned it, but it's like I've known it my whole life. It always helps me feeling better when I'm upset."

"Why are you upset?"

"…I'm not. I meant it as in if I was upset."

"You're a terrible liar."

Ven just smiled at that, lowering his gaze.

"I'm just… a little homesick, I think. I don't know… when I'll see everyone again."

That was a perfectly valid reason, Van thought, and one he could relate to.

"Guess I know how you're feeling."

"You miss home too, right? You know…" Making a brief pause, Ventus walked closer to the rail as well, leaving his hands over the edge as he leaned in to watch the sea below them. "I didn't mention it last night, but there's another reason why I believe you do come from Radiant Garden."

"And what's that?"

"Someone else once told me about it, when I was little. That… it's the most beautiful city in the world. All lit up, even at night… with a great stadium, where great blitzball tournaments are held and the stands are always full."

"…How do you know that?"

"A man named Xehanort told me. He was my father's guardian."

It was only due to a random miracle, possibly a random blessing of Yevon, that Vanitas didn't topple right off the rail when hearing that name. Hopping off before it did happen, he rested against the rail instead, folding his arm with a sudden angry frown.

"Are you fucking kidding me… of all the names to have."

"Hmm…?"

"Xehanort… that's my old man's name, too."

"Really? Do you think it's the same–"

"No."

"But it could be–"

"It isn't! Shut up about it!"

The sudden outburst caught Ven off guard and made Van regret being such an ass even before he was done saying the words, but there was no taking them back now. Fucking Xehanort… ruining his life even here. Even in a literally different world.

"…Anyway, it's just the same name. It can't be him."

"Why not?"

"He died, ten years ago. He disappeared off the coast of Radiant Garden one day, and the body was never found."

"Oh… I'm… I'm sorry to hear that…"

"Don't be. I fucking hated him, anyway."

"Vani…"

"I'm okay. I really couldn't care less."

"It's not that, I just– You said the body wasn't found, right? So, you guys assumed he died at sea… but. What if he didn't? What if… he ended up here, just like you?"

This was why hopping down from that rail before he could fall off was the best decision Vanitas had ever made in his life. Not sure if this prospect made him wanna laugh or cry instead, or maybe both at the same time, he frowned at Ven.

"There's no way…"

"But… I met Xehanort ten years ago, too. It was right before my father left on his pilgrimage, maybe a week at most. I don't really remember how he came to meet my father and we didn't get to spend a lot of time together, but he'd always talk about Radiant Garden. Everyone thought he was crazy because of it… but I really loved listening to his stories, he was so fun to be with."

Fun to be with. His father. Xehanort was fun to be with. Yeah, that didn't sound right at all.

"How can that even be? How could he have gotten to Spira?"

"Well… you're here, aren't you?"

Ven really should be forbidden from smiling sweetly at people who were trying so hard to stay mad and throw a tantrum.

"…Whatever."

"Aren't you being a bit too harsh on him?"

"Not even close. You didn't know him like I did. You don't know the things he would say… and do."

"No… I guess I didn't. He was always so nice to me."

"Yeah, to me he was always the fucking shittiest dad you can imagine."

Ven's quiet laughter made Van scowl deeper – especially when he wasn't done complaining."

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, sorry… It's just– you really do have a potty mouth."

Whether Ven said this on purpose to lighten the mood or not, it did work. Laughing a bit too, Vanitas unclenched his jaw and rolled the stiffness off his shoulders. If Xehanort truly was alive and somewhere in Spira… well, he'd deal with it when he got there. If he ever did.

"My humble apologies, Your Holiness. That was, indeed, quite rude. I shall refrain from such vulgarities in your holy presence, henceforth."

Finishing with a very dramatic bow, Van then offered out his arm.

"In the meanwhile… how 'bout we go back in and grab some food? I'm really fucking hungry."

Wasting no time, Ven retributed with a bow of his own, before taking Vanitas' arm – as he leaned closer to him and also rested his head on his shoulder.

"Lead the way, Sir Guardian!"