You didn't expect him to be one for romance, not really.

How could you?

First time you met, he was drunk and called you weird to your face.

Only a few days later, he was just as drunk when he made that obnoxious comment about seeing the outline of your thighs through your robe, right in the middle of the temple, before being made to leave – and you can't remember a time in your life you've felt more embarrassed. Even Master Yu commented on it, and you became the topic of every acolyte's gossip for that whole week.

Although… to be completely honest, you also couldn't deny it had been slightly amusing. Maybe because you never had anyone shaking up your life like a can of soda like that. Maybe because you never met anyone like him. So rude, so callous, so egotistical… but instinct told you there was a lot more underneath that surface. Kinda like a coconut… with a tough, rough shell but with something sweet inside if you cared to look for it.

Your hunch was proved right next time when, yes, he was just that drunk… and, according to him, to have the guts to bring you that bouquet of flowers. A sloppy thing, with a few blue roses held together by a torn thread of silk that was clumsily tied up in a bow. Blue roses only grow in the woods of Macalania, and you had to wonder if he'd gathered them that time when he basically carried you all the way back to Bevelle, after you hurt your foot. You also noticed how he'd removed the roses' thorns, so that you wouldn't prick your fingers. And it was the most thoughtful and meaningful present someone ever offered to you.

That's also when you started wondering about the whole being romantic thing.

And it seems like he's up for clearing up all doubts, today.

First of all, you're not convinced that the two of you meeting at Baaj was just a coincidence, as he claims. Of course, he's got the right to be there, like anyone else… and it could have been that he had matters to take care of, as he also says he did. But – it's undeniable that the butterflies in your belly like the idea of him having gone there for the sake of seeing you. Because he enjoys your company and was missing you and didn't want to wait for you to come back.

Is that cliché? Too sappy? You don't care, you like it anyway.

"What are you hiding there?"

Right now, he's standing almost rigid in front of you, with both hands behind his back and a look of anticipation on his face, and you can't help but smile at how he's acting like a shy little kid.

"…Something for you."

Well then!

You wiggle in curiosity, trying to peek behind him, though to be fair there's no chance of succeeding – not when you're sitting by the edge of the stream and he's standing up, a few feet away. He asked you to come meet him by the springs in Macalania Woods, without adding anything else, and you immediately approved of the choice of place.

"Really? What is it?"

Maybe more flowers? Which you totally won't complain about, if it is so, because you do love flowers. Still, as he walks closer and sits by your side, what he's holding as he finally reveals his hands is something different. A star-shaped fruit that you recognize from images in books, only – the Paopu is indigenous to Kilika, and an actual rarity this far up north. And a soft oh escapes your lips as you lean closer to take a better look at it.

"How did you get one…?"

"Wasn't that hard, really."

That smirk of his is never a good sign, and you're suddenly trying to convince yourself that he didn't actually steal it from somewhere, or the gods know what else.

"And… that's for me?"

"Mhm. Well… for us. Wanna share it with me?"

Yup. No doubts left. He is one for romance. He basically just dropped a whole box of romance on you, and it bumped you right on the head and left you dizzy and without knowing what to say. Because you know the legend of the Paopu fruit, of course.

"If two people share it, their destinies become intertwined and they'll never be apart…"

"Yeah. So – you wanna do it, or…?"

Maybe awkward-romance-while-trying-so-hard-to-stay-tough is the best designation.

Your hands move around his as he holds the fruit, and you hesitate for a moment – not because you don't want it, but because your poor brain is having trouble to process that someone wants to do such a thing with you. You, the bookworm with like two or three friends, who spends the days either reading about aeons or talking to aeons, who never even went on a proper date, who's already convinced you're going to die alone after living your life in a forest cabin in the company of dragons and elemental spirits and moogles only. Someone like him, of all people.

When you're finally able to talk again, your voice is that close to cracking.

"…I do!"

His whole face lights up, hearing this, and he even sighs in relief – and, again, you can't believe what's happening right now. You're honestly expecting to wake up at any moment, after falling off the bed because of such a lovely dream. Instead, reality goes on and he carefully breaks the fruit in half, handing you your portion. And it tastes so delicious, as you give it a first little bite, that you're starting to think this has to be real. No way a dream fruit would taste this good.

"…Ew. This shit's really sweet!"

…Of course, he would say that. Not a dream at all. You don't cuss in your dreams!

You laugh into your next bite and a drop of the juice drizzles down your chin – and, before you have a chance to wipe it clean, he does it for you. He leans in and presses his thumb to the corner of your lips, softly brushing it away… and he doesn't move back, after that. He's so close that you can notice the small scar along the side of his forehead, the flecks of gold in his irises. You purse your lips, absently licking the last bits of Paopu juice off the bottom one… and, apparently, that's what triggers it.

Next thing you know, he's leaning even closer and you're leaning right back, and your lips meet and you feel like someone just tossed a Bedore grenade right on your chest. You're squeezing the poor fruit a bit too hard in your hands, feeling the juice now smearing over your fingers and palms, as your eyes fall shut and his tongue pokes at your lips for entrance. You accept it immediately, maybe even a little too eagerly, and his flavor mingles with that of the Paopu. Your own tongue moves tentatively, trying to synchronize with his, though for the most part it bumps on his teeth and then gladly lets itself be guided along.

By the time you reopen your eyes, his smug smile is the first thing you see.

"Was this your first kiss?"

"…Yes."

"No wonder you got no clue what you're doing."

…How dare he. Just for that, as you laugh, you press your sticky palm flat on his cheek. "…Shut up, I think I did great!"

He laughs as well, scrunching up his whole face now that it's been tainted with such sweetness that makes him burn like it's holy water and he's a spawn of evil – and he's already leaning in again, bringing his hand to rest on top of yours.

"Hey, since now we're stuck together forever… you got lots of time to practice."

"…VEN!"

Aqua's scream was all but drowned by yet another crash of thunder above.

It wascalled the Thunder Plains for a reason. An open, barren landscape connecting Guadosalam to the Macalania Woods, plunged in never-ending rain and lightning bolts. Several towering lightning rods dotted the way for travelers, to keep them as safe as could be, but it was still quite the treacherous place to cross. To make it even lovelier, the plains were littered with fiends who (very unsurprisingly) used thunder-elemental attacks almost exclusively, and that tended to hit really hard. A good thing, that the Guado had appropriate armor to sell, that could at least halve the lightning damage.

Also a good thing, that Ven had gained the blessing of the guardian of thunder and lightning, at Djose, because it was making this dangerous passing somewhat less dangerous. Other than the conventional use of the aeon in battle, given that it could effectively absorb the bulk of the attacks thrown at them, Ven was keeping Ixion by their side at all time as they crossed the plains – so that the magnificent unicorn could draw in the lightning bolts falling from the dark sky above, as well. Sometimes, a successful pilgrimage was all about the creative use of resources, really.

They'd been approaching the travel agency by now, located halfway through to Macalania, and the fiends had been gradually changing as they ventured further north. With the agency already in sight, that's when they had the first encounter with an Iron Giant. The name spoke for itself, as it was a giant humanoid in tones of dark purple and golden, hardened as iron, dragging along a not less giant sword. It was as tough as it looked, as Van's slashes could barely scratch its armor and even Terra's heavy hits were doing less damage than usual. Thankfully, the creature was susceptible to magic and Aqua was handling it well enough, with her friends as support.

On the other hand… the Iron Giant did hit like the powerhouse it was. Its blade was blunted and rusty, not truly made for slicing and rather to crush everything standing on its path, and every blow would make the ground shake. Because it was so bulky, though, it was also sluggish and relatively easy to dodge – at least, enough to jump out of its way to avoid the worst of the damage. Which was why, as the Giant now targeted Ven, no one was too concerned. Out of the four of them, the summoner was the one with better evasion stats, slender and agile that he was. He moved like the wind and frequently dodged attacks even by nimble fiends, and this big lump right here should be no problem. Right?

Wrong.

And that's why Aqua screamed.

The sword hit Ven right on, he was projected by the force of the impact and hit the ground harshly, and still bounced around a couple times more, before going entirely still. Ixion immediately keeled over and began fading into pyreflies, with its summoner now knocked out, and Aqua bit the inside of her lip so hard she actually drew blood. On the bright side, the battle didn't last much longer after that – not with the Fury of Waterga spells she viciously unleashed on the wretched beast, that led to an expressive overkill in a matter of seconds.

The three of them rushed over to Ven, Terra with a Phoenix Down already in hand to use. The beautiful, fiery-colored feathers swirled in the air and fell on Ven like gentle rain, bringing him back as soon as they touched him – and he jerked softly with a gasp, much to everyone's utter relief. Being KO'd during battle wasn't really the end of the world, this wasn't the first time and surely wouldn't be the last, but it was still a big deal every time it happened to any of them. Kneeling beside, Terra carefully rolled Ven on his back and gathered him in his arms, as Vanitas and Aqua stared over his shoulder.

"Ven?"

With a whimper and still so weak – a reviving item only held so much power, and the only one able to cast Full-Life was exactly the one going down, this time – Ven struggled to open his eyes.

"One of you, pass me a Hi-Potion–"

"Terra… w-wait…" The summoner made himself bring his shaky hands to his chest, sending a Curaga rippling throughout his body and, man, did that feel much better already. The strong healing spell got the job done and negated all wounds in an instant, and Ven sighed deeply as he was sitting back up already. "Ow… That was close…!"

"Close? It fucking hit you right on the face!" Van knelt down as well, brushing back the blonde bangs with a glare that was as angry as it was loving and relieved.

Aqua knelt right after, though what she did was to cradle Ven's head protectively against her chest, to leave a kiss on top of it. "How did you get so distracted? I thought you'd have dodged that so easily…"

Ven sighed again, gladly nuzzling into the cuddles and clinging to Aqua right back. Best big sister in this world, and he had no words for how much he appreciated her. "Sorry… my mind was far away."

No need to ask where – and the three guardians collectively wished that Xemnas would topple down a stairway and break at least a bone or two (truth be told, Vanitas wished for a lot more), for having indirectly provoked this. As it was, they had noticed that the summoner had been preoccupied pretty much since they'd entered the Thunder Plains – it was only that, this time, the consequences of being unfocused during battle did catch up with him.

"It's not gonna get any easier from here on, you know. You can't be spacing out." Terra added his own bit of affection, ruffling the fluffy blonde hair. Or, well… as much as it could be ruffled, soaking wet that it was, due to the storm.

"I know… it won't happen again, promise."

Or he'd try, at least. At this point, it wasn't the proposal itself that was eating away at the summoner… rather, what he'd seen in that sphere recorded by Lord Jyscal. Ven had spent his life always trying to do what was right, which came with costs more often than not… yet, this time, he felt like he might end up losing more than what he was prepared for. And it didn't help that, as he'd lied unconscious just now, his mind had conjured some vague semblance of a dream that left his mouth tasting like ash – feeling as though the right thing to do would result in the breaking of a promise as old as time.

Maybe because she didn't feel too convinced either, after she helped Ven getting back up, Aqua pointed to the travel agency. "How about a break for today, anyway?"

Getting out of the storm for a while sounded like a wonderful idea to everyone – especially to Flood, who was the first to run in and then promptly huddled herself under the first piece of furniture coming in sight. The poor thing definitely was not happy with the amount of rainwater and thunder going on, and it took Vanitas a few good minutes to convince her to come out again. Still, the outcome wasn't exactly brilliant, because what she did was to run down the corridor this time and jump inside the big decorative vase in the corner.

Sighing, Van quickly decided to just leave her be. The others were already in their respective room by now, and he was dying to do the same and hop under the shower's jet of hot water. As he ventured further down the corridor, however, a strange noise caught his attention. It sounded kinda like a… a recording of someone speaking? It was coming from Ven's room – and while, yes, Van could have minded his own business and go for that shower, curiosity got the best of him. Clearly, he'd learned nothing from the experience at the Farplane.

Entering a room unannounced through the door was nothing, after he'd done so via a balcony, so he didn't bother knocking and stepped in already. What he'd not expected was that the desk was placed right by the door, which was both good and bad. Good, because he could immediately see what was making that noise: a sphere playing the recording of a man he didn't recognize. Bad, because Ven was right there as well and, in the fraction of a second, turned off the sphere and slipped it into one of his pockets.

And that wasn't suspicious at all.

"Who was that?"

Ven visibly hesitated for a moment, holding his hand protectively over that pocket – as if he really didn't want anyone else to get to that sphere. To the point where he actually reacted as though it didn't exist. "…You startled me. Did you want anything…?"

Walking further in, Vanitas closed the door behind him. Was it just his imagination, or was the air suddenly far too tense? "Huh, yeah… I wanted to know who was that."

"It's no one, it's– …it's something personal. I'm sorry."

Maybe this would have been a fair enough justification. Maybe it was something like a sphere of his father that Ven wasn't comfortable with sharing, and maybe Van would have respected that and dropped the topic – if it wasn't for the summoner acting so obviously anxious about it. He'd just turned away, as if unable to hold Van's gaze while saying what he'd just said, and was now at the other end of the room, staring at the blank wall as if it held the key to every mystery in the universe.

Yeah, he wasn't imagining things at all. With a frown, Van walked closer and left his hands on Ventus' shoulders, squeezing gently – only to be surprised at how stiff the muscles felt under his palms. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing–" Ven glanced over a shoulder and offered a smile so clearly forced that it was almost painful to look at. "I mean… besides the storm outside. Shouldn't you be changing those wet clothes, before you get sick?"

Very hypocritical, coming from someone still dripping water himself, but Van didn't bother calling that out. Making Ven turn around, he left his hands now cupping his cheeks. "You almost sound like you wanna be rid of me." Which he said as a half-joke, but… as he leaned closer for a kiss, which actually would be the first one of the day, Ven averted his gaze and then tilted his head away.

"…We shouldn't do this anymore."

"…What? Do what?"

"This. The kisses. Everything."

Van's frown was suddenly taking up his entire face. "What the hell are you–"

"I decided to marry."

Frankly, Sin's attacks had nothing on the blow that'd just hit Van's heart. He opened and closed his mouth, unable to make a sound, and, even when he did, what came out wasn't the most eloquent of reactions. "…Oh."

Ven pulled back from the hold, folding his arms tightly over his chest as he once more stepped away. "I'm sorry. I know it's sudden, I… I had intended to let everyone know at the same time. At a better timing."

Because there could possibly ever be a good timing to say such a thing. Still feeling like his soul was suddenly floating above his body, Van absently curled his hands into fists. "I thought… if you'd marry, it'd be just because you have to. And that it wouldn't mean anything for us."

"…I'm sorry. But it's for the best."

"Why do YOU get to decide what's best for me?" Somehow, the guardian was still keeping those fists to himself – which was good news for the agency owner. But, clearly, Ven wasn't done testing his self-restraint yet.

"This was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened… I shouldn't have let it get to this."

Just like that, self-restraint was about to vanish. Van turned around from the spot where he'd been helplessly stuck at, angrily walking closer again. "You must've hit your head way harder than I thought, if you believe the fucking bullshit you're saying right now!" Shaking his head, he let out a derisive, bitter laugh. "A mistake…? You're calling this a fucking mistake? Are you even fucking serious right now?"

"I'm sorry–"

"STOP APOLOGIZING! Just stop, just– …just fucking stop all of this! This doesn't make any sense! I said I'd be by your side no matter what you decided and I meant it, but what is this? You don't LIKE him, you're doing this because you have to, so why the fuck does it matter if we–"

"Don't you understand?" Ven suddenly turned around himself, green eyes glistening with repressed tears – but his own words didn't show any sign of relenting. "It has to be like this! It was a mistake, it was… it was a dream. An illusion. It couldn't have lasted… I can't– I can't give you a future. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but I can't… It was selfish of me to lead you on, I shouldn't have done it, but I'm still in time to stop it."

Vanitas was that close to start tearing at his own hair, but he forced himself to breathe in. "Ven, what the hell… I mean – sure, I want a future with you, but I want the present. I want what we have right now."

"That's not what I–"

"And if this is about Xemnas, then… then fuck him! I don't care, fuck him! You get married to him, people celebrate and be happy, I'll suck it up, then when you defeat Sin it'll be over – you'll be free. We can be together after your pilgrimage!"

Honestly, Van thought he was offering a perfectly valid alternative. He was actually surprised with himself, for being so mature and trying to talk things out, rather than to break this room to shards. Proud of the compromise he was willing to do. And yet… with a shaky breath, Ventus pulled back again and headed to the door, now holding it open.

"Get out, Vanitas… please."

"Ven–"

"GET OUT! Just get out!"

And Van did, of course… but, by the time he was out and the door was slammed shut behind him, he wasn't sure what was hurting more – between his heart and his brain.

Terra and Aqua processed the news a little better – or, in Van's opinion, they were better at faking it. It wasn't like they would have argued against it, anyway… which, again, Vanitas blamed on the idiotic summoner privilege. Because, apparently, being a summoner gave you the right to wreck your own life and ruin your every possible shot at happiness, by making the worst choices available.

And Van was fucking seething about it.

As he'd stood in that corridor like a fool, with the slam of the door still echoing in his ears, he'd actually considered to quit his role as a guardian. What was the point of staying, if now Ven didn't even want to be in the same room as him? But he'd quickly decided against it… One, because it wasn't like he had anywhere else in Spira to go, and, two, because he'd promised he'd go with Ven all the way to the ruins of Hollow Bastion whilst keeping him safe along the journey – and he wasn't going to run away from his responsibilities like a coward.

Even if he'd had no doubt this would be incredibly awkward, from there on.

Above all else, though, Van was frustrated that he couldn't understand Ven's change of heart – he could understand wanting to get married for the good of the people, much as he did not agree with it, but… suddenly ditching everything else? Calling it a mistake? Pretending they could be totally fine with being good friends only, as if the sentiments of both of them weren't clear as rainwater?

It wasn't even that Van feared he might be in love with someone who didn't love him back… because Ventus was acting odd, but not in a sense that made Vanitas question everything that'd happened within the past weeks. They'd been so close to taking the whole thing to the next level, back at the Moonflow, and there's absolutely no way that'd been just an act… Ven's reactions had been far too genuine. And that was exactly the problem. No one would fall out of love literally overnight, like that! It didn't make a single shred of sense, and it was driving Van insane.

And he'd been so absorbed by his thoughts, trying to come up with a plausible justification for what was going on, that he'd paid attention to basically nothing of the Macalania Woods – except for the creepy butterflies. Pyreflies also seemed to be common around these parts, with a preference for gathering near the streams and springs that crossed the woods at different spots. And, well… it was a blatant contrast to the Thunder Plains. Everything here was so quiet, so soft, so gentle (if you didn't include the fiends, of course – especially those damn Chimera things)… If only Van was in the mood to appreciate it.

At the woods' northern exit, they found yet another branch of Rin's travel agencies, situated by the Lake Macalania. The lake remained frozen all year round, even during the peak of summer heat, thanks to the fayth of Macalania Temple – Shiva, the ice goddess and guardian of obstinacy, perseverance, and resilience. The temple itself was built mostly out of ice, and sat atop the frozen waters of the lake.

After resting at the agency, they would visit the temple in the morning so that Ven could earn Shiva's blessing… but, unsurprisingly, Vanitas wasn't able to get much sleep. And he wasn't the only one, considering he exited the agency as the sun was barely rising – only to find Ventus already outside, sitting by the edge of the lake. Had he even slept at all…? Still, not feeling ready for a confrontation at the moment, the guardian swiftly made his way back to the woods and found a nice enough spot near the springs.

At least Flood was having the time of her life, rolling around in the snow and chasing the butterflies.

Just as expected, the group interactions had become incredibly awkward. Aqua and Terra acted the same towards Ven, if anything they'd been showering him with even more care and attention… and it wasn't like they'd changed their attitude in regards to Van himself, either. He was actually very grateful they'd not asked about the fight back at the Thunder Plains agency, because it's impossible they'd not heard it. Still… with Ventus keeping more and more to himself, most chats had dwindled to insipid small talk. As if they weren't a group of friends anymore, rather a group of people forced to stick together for the sake of a common goal.

Which Van hated. He'd much rather be on his own, then.

Like right now.

Regardless, as he flicked little pebbles into the spring, his thoughts helplessly looped back to the same place again. To the same questions. To the same confusion. To the same person. Van kept replaying the day before their fight in his head, trying to figure out if he might have done or said anything that'd made Ven upset and that'd led to this… but, again, to no avail. It was like a puzzle where one of the pieces was missing. In a way, it was almost like… like Ven was afraid of something. Like there was some sort of threat that only he knew about, and that's why he was making a choice that otherwise didn't make sense. Could it be…?

Could it be that Xemnas had coerced him into getting married?

A possibility that Vanitas didn't like one bit, but… if nothing else, it would make more sense than calling a mistake to everything they'd lived together. But how could he find out? The sensible answer was: go and ask about it. Their last talk hadn't ended exactly well… but hey. What was the worst that could happen? They'd fight again, they'd yell at each other again… but, honestly, Van was also starting to think that even that would be preferable to the current state of affairs. It would be better than acting like strangers – avoiding each other, saying awkward good mornings and good afternoons, sitting on opposite ends of a couch. This had been going on for only a couple days, but Van felt more like it'd drained years of his life – and this was all he needed to decide to give it a try.

Good things come to those who try, right?

The first step would be to improve his chances of success… and this was when finally paying attention to his surroundings came in handy. That and the freaky butterflies, because noticing that a bunch of them was gathered near the spring led Van to a rather nice surprise: a bush filled with exquisite, blue-colored roses. Flowers were always a good peace offering after a fight, right? He carefully plucked one of them, then, and cleared the stem out of thorns – because the least he needed was for Ven to prick himself while they were trying to sort things out.

And now… only the difficult part was left.

Heading back to the north end of the woods, Vanitas pondered the circumstances and weighed his options. Ven was still by the frozen lake, which was perfect – they'd be able to talk without anyone else to overhear it. Van picked up Flood, then, his official winggirl, and snuggled his cheek on her fuzzy little belly, before handing her the rose.

"I'm counting on you."

She understood him without difficulty, as she always seemed to, and ran all the way over to the summoner. Ven, who'd been continuing his own recording in a sphere, started a good while ago at the Mi'ihen Highroad, looked up and blinked in curiosity – definitely not expecting that.

"What do you have there, Flood? Is that… for me?"

She nodded a few times and handed it over – and, now that the mission was accomplished, ran off again to go dive into the nearest snow mound. Ven turned off the recording and returned the sphere to his pocket, and smiled for what felt like the first time in ages, looking at this beautiful flower. But Flood was just the delivery girl, wasn't she…? A guess proved right just a few seconds later, as Vanitas sat beside him on that rocky ledge.

"It's lovely… thank you."

Van shrugged, trying to act as nonchalant as he could, but beaming inside that at least his gift was accepted. Baby steps, right? "I thought you might like it. Didn't even know that blue roses existed."

"They only grow here, in the woods. That crossroads we passed… if you turn west there, you'll get to Bevelle. I used to go play in the woods when I was little, and I'd bring blue roses to my father sometimes."

"…Really? He let you play there, with all the fiends around?"

Ventus laughed quietly, sniffing the rose. "Well… I said I played there. Never said that he let me."

Now Van had to laugh as well. "I forgot that, behind that angel face, there is an actual troublemaker."

"He used to go livid whenever I brought him roses, because he knew where I got them. And, one time… Roxas and I actually fell in the stream, when we were trying to catch a butterfly."

"Those things are creepy… I bet they did it on purpose."

"They're the guardians of the woods… I like them. I really like these woods. I always felt at home there. I always felt like the trees, the bushes, the rocks, the streams and springs… like they are alive and can understand me." Ven made a little pause, smiling as he shook his head. "It's silly, I know."

"No, it's not." Vanitas answered quickly, reaching for Ven's free hand that wasn't holding the rose. "I bet they can understand you. I mean… doesn't everyone say that animals can tell when someone is a good person and they warm up to them? I bet the rest is the same. Those woods know how fucking amazing you are."

Ven's smile turned sheepish at the compliment, but he didn't pull his hand away. "Is this why Flood warmed up to you, and no one else?"

"Weeeeeeelllllll…" Van grinned back, "Can't say if she did or not, but I know I owe her one today."

For a moment, everything was almost back to normal. Almost. They smiled while regarding each other so fondly, they leaned in, they aligned their heads… and, right at the very last moment, Ven pulled away and hastily got up to start walking back to the agency.

"…It's almost time for breakfast. We should get going."

Van could have screamed loud enough to crack the lake, and the darn temple along with it.

Instead, he scrambled back up as well and began after Ventus.

"Why do you keep running away from me?"

"I'm not."

"You are literally running away right now!"

Ven stopped all of a sudden, so unexpectedly that Vanitas didn't have a chance to react and ended up smacking right against the summoner – their heads also bumping with a thud and the respective fuck! and ow!

"…I thought you wanted me to not run away?"

"Yeah, but warn me beforehand!"

Quiet laughter ensued, as they rubbed at the sore spots… but soon Ven was walking again, and Van wasn't about to give up that easily.

"What are you so afraid of?"

"What do you mean…?"

"It has to be that. It's the only way for this to make any freaking sense. You're afraid of something… or someone."

"It's not–"

"Is it Xemnas? What really happened in that dinner? What did he ask for, in exchange for this marriage and to help you in the pilgrimage and all that bullshit?"

Ven sighed deeply, about to reach for the agency door. "I already told you everything I had to say about this."

"The hell you did!" This time, Van didn't stop himself from grabbing one of the summoner's arms, pulling him closer. "All you keep doing is giving me vague excuses that don't make any fucking sense! Calling this a mistake, as if it didn't mean anything to you!"

"…It was a mistake!"

"You're LYING! You don't believe that at all, you're just running away!"

Ven bristled in exasperation, shooting his guardian with a glare. "Vani, if you don't let me go, I'll summon right here and I'll kick your butt!"

"Fine, go for it! Do it, call all three of them! 'Cause I'm not letting go until you tell me the fucking truth!"

"…I'm done with this. I'm done with you."

Ven managed to pull his arm free, but Vanitas' hand came to rest on his cheek right after that – surprisingly gently for someone currently so aggravated.

"Then say that to my face! Do it and I'll leave you alone and I'll never talk of this again! If only you look at me, look right in my eyes… and tell me that you don't want me. Tell me that you don't love me."

The word came out even before Van could realize what he was saying. It just… felt like the right thing to say. Like the only word able to express what he felt. Maybe too bold? Too forward? Too soon? Fact was… whereas he'd looked quite irritated himself, just now, Ven's entire expression changed when he heard that. His eyes widened in surprise, holding Van's gaze for a moment as he visibly hesitated on what to say – and then, heaving a shaky breath, he answered in a tone that was barely above a murmur.

"…I can't."

Van felt his own breath eluding him. He'd not even meant to imply anything of this like… let alone dare to hope that Ventus would respond the way he just did. And maybe they were doing this completely backwards and not at all like in conventional romance books… but he didn't care.

Unable to hold back any longer, he claimed the summoner's lips and kissed him as deep and as long as he'd been dying to do for at least two days, now. And Ven kissed right back, just as desperately. They fell into each other's arms and slumped back against the agency's frost-covered wall, not at all bothered by it as they kissed and kissed and kissed, as though finally able to breathe properly again. And who knows where that might have led, in both words and acts… if it wasn't for the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Lord Ventus, we've been expecting you."

By the time Tromell and his Guado escort were at the agency's door, Van and Ven had managed to pull apart from each other – not without an inhumane amount of willpower. Ven fixed his hair and clothes one last time, praying to Yevon that he didn't look like what he'd just been doing, and bowed to the steward.

"…Tromell. It's good to see you again."

"We came to welcome you to Macalania Temple. Lord Xemnas would like to accompany you along the trials, and help you to obtain the blessing of the fayth. He is also the high priest of Macalania, as you know."

"Yes… That is very thoughtful of him. I–" So much for forgetting about reality for a little while. Clasping his hands at his front, one of them still holding the blue rose, Ven lowered his gaze. "I also… have my reply to give to him."

"That is wonderful, my lord! We pray it is a favorable one! Shall we be on our way, then?"

With a nod, Ven excused himself to go gather his belongings. Van hesitated for a moment, so tempted that he was to curse (and to cuss) Tromell all the way back to the temple, with a special message for Xemnas to go fuck himself and forget Ven existed… but ended up swallowing his rage along with his pride. He entered the summoner's room just in time to see him carefully storing the rose in his backpack.

"Are you gonna be okay on your own…?"

Ven swung the backpack over his shoulders and smiled. "Don't worry… I'll be back soon. Please tell Aqua and Terra for me?"

Van nodded, stepping closer to cup Ven's cheeks with both hands… and he leaned in to leave a kiss on his forehead. "If anyone tries anything at all–"

The rest of the sentence was cut short, as Ven slipped two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly. "I'll do this. And I know you'll hear me."

After this, Van's heart was a little bit more at ease, as he leaned on the agency's front door and watched Ven disappear down the ice road – though still with a forlorn expression.

A day and a half went by, which fell within the acceptable time period for a summoner to spend in the Cloister of Trials. Regardless, all three of them, Vanitas and Aqua and Terra, had become balls of anxiety at this point. It was the first time they didn't get to follow Ven along the trials, and they already regretted not having insisted to go as well. Since they didn't, now all they could do was to wait for time to go by, while hoping with all their might that their summoner would be all right and back with them soon.

Definitely, this hadn't been the most cheerful of meals, just now. As they were tidying up and enjoying the last embers of the bonfire, though, a familiar voice filled the otherwise silent, gloomy air.

"Hey guys!"

Van glanced back at the woods' end, finding an unmistakable red jumpsuit that he'd not expected to see here – so far up north and well away from his tropical island. "…Sora!"

The bright grin was still the same as well, as the young summoner-to-be greeted the party. "Long time no see!"

"How come you're all the way over here? Have you started your pilgrimage?" Aqua asked curiously, as she finished storing their pots back in place – so visibly glad to have something to keep her distracted at least for a while.

"Well… that's kinda it!"

As if on purpose to call him out at the right time, Kairi and Riku were making their way out of the woods as well – and Kairi stopped by Sora's side to playfully poke him on the head. "What he means is: no, this isn't a real pilgrimage."

Riku continued after her, poking Sora's side instead. "But Mr. Impatient here thought it'd be a good idea to come and pray at Bevelle already, so we had to come along."

Sora responded to the both of them with a semi-heartfelt glare, while also shying away from the poking. "It was a good idea! If I could get the most powerful of aeons already, no one could keep telling me that I'm still too young to start journeying!"

Terra's brows darted up towards his hairline, in a mix of disbelief and amusement. "You tried to earn Bahamut's blessing before everything else…?"

Aqua looked no less surprised. "And how did that go?"

Riku laughed, shaking his head. "As well as you would've expected it."

Kairi laughed too, though her expression showed evident embarrassment for what she was about to say. "We… actually got lost in the Cloister of Trials, and we had to give up and ask for help. And the priests forbade us to go back there for the next three years, at least."

Sora hmpf'd, not at all that affected and shoving his arms lazily at the back of his head. "At least, next time we go there, we'll already know a part of the way!"

It was too much to be resisted, and Aqua and Terra broke down laughing. Van smiled widely as well, at such bold optimism that was so typically Sora, though the name of the aeon had him wondering.

"Bahamut… isn't that a dragon?"

"Yes! The King of Dragons!" Sora now stuck a finger up in the air, rather enthusiastically. "No other aeon compares to his power, and it's said he only gives his blessing to the most skilled of summoners!"

Just as Van had expected. Which was strange, because in fact he knew nothing about Bahamut, much as he'd known nothing about all the previous aeons… but this one felt nostalgic, somehow. The thought of Ven fighting alongside a majestic, mighty dragon felt all too nostalgic for some reason.

And, speaking of the summoner…

"Hey, is it true?" Kairi was the one asking. "Everyone in Bevelle is talking about Ven's wedding with Maester Xemnas."

Of course they were. Of course fucking Xemnas had already announced it for the whole Spira to know – he'd probably already announced it even before Ven gave his reply. With a nearly violent roll of his eyes, Vanitas nodded.

"…Yeah."

The Kilika trio had the decency of not really knowing how to react. Kairi looked mildly excited about it, maybe not really because it was Ven and Xemnas but at the thought of a wedding in itself. Riku, on the other hand, simply folded his arms and looked away – by far, not a fan of most temple traditions, considering that said temples discriminated his Al Bhed people so unapologetically. And Sora was the one who spoke, giving a gentle squeeze to Van's nearest shoulder.

"Don't give up, Van! You'll find your light again!"

Everyone else gave him a puzzled stare, not sure where that'd come from or what it was about, but Vanitas understood immediately. Actually, this was the second time this kid here offered him better advice than everyone else together. Ven was his light… and there's no way he'd ever stop reaching for him. He'd find a solution for this mess, one way or the other. Smiling gratefully, he ruffled Sora's hair.

"Thanks. I will."

Still, it was Kairi who continued. "Have you also heard of the other rumor? About summoners disappearing?"

Terra furrowed his brows. "That's still a thing, huh?"

Riku nodded. "They're trying to keep it hushed at Bevelle, to not cause panic… but it seems to only be getting worse. We saw a few guardians freaking out because they got separated from their summoner, and then they were nowhere to be found."

Despite the topic, Kairi grinned as she clung to one of Sora's arms. "At least we don't have to worry. No one would want to kidnap our idiot."

Sora actually looked like it'd gone right over his head for a moment, till it clicked and he gasped in fake outrage. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

The three of them laughed together, and made their way inside the travel agency after bidding farewell to their friends – and Aqua, Terra, and Vanitas were left with a very obvious decision to make.

"Listen, guys…" Van started, "You stay here if you want. I don't give a fuck if Xemnas will take this as an offense, I'm going to the temple and I'm going to wait outside the Chamber of the Fayth till Ven is out. And anyone who tries to stop me is going to regret it."

Aqua smiled, already standing up after putting out the bonfire. "Makes three of us, then. Maybe he's a maester and the high priest… but protecting the summoner is a guardian's job. Our job."

Terra followed right after, and soon they were making way along the ice road that led to the temple. It wasn't too long nor too difficult, though the fiends that littered the path were keen on hitting with rather strong cold-elemental attacks – yet, as they reached the temple's entrance and ventured inside, the Guado guards didn't look too thrilled to see them. Van royally ignored their grouchy expressions and only stopped at the bottom of the stairway leading up to the Cloister of Trials, addressing the priest stationed there.

"We came for Summoner Ventus. We're his guardians."

The priest looked just as emotionally constipated as everyone else around this building, but, before he could offer a reply, a cry of shock coming from one of the adjacent rooms stole everyone's attention.

"Lord Jyscal…!" An acolyte then half-ran and half-stumbled out of the room, looking like she'd just seen Sin itself, and Aqua hurried to her side.

"What happened?"

"It's… it's– I was tidying up the lord summoner's room, and… and I saw it, I didn't mean to…"

Van didn't need more than that to hurry inside said room. At first sight, it looked just like a regular one… very similar to the rooms in the other temples, where summoner parties could rest at before or after facing the trials. Ven's lightning-ward armor that'd been bought at Guadosalam rested on top of the desk, beside a small vase with the blue rose. And, by the other side of it, rested the source of this sudden ordeal: a sphere, emitting a recording of Jyscal Guado himself.

Terra approached, already with a suspicious frown on his face. "What's this about…?"

And that's when it clicked in Van's head. "…That sphere! Is this why Ven didn't want me to see it?"

It wasn't making sense to anyone, and before long they decided to watch the recording – making a note to apologize to Ven for it later, but it really seemed far too important to continue as a secret. After rewinding, Terra pressed play and they listened to Jyscal's message.

Listen to me very carefully, for I shall tell you the truth about my son, Xemnas. I can feel flames of darkness burning in his heart. He is using Yevon, the Guado, and even the summoners. If he is not stopped, he will surely bring destruction and chaos to Spira. I will leave this world soon, killed by my own son. Whoever is watching this… I implore you to stop Xemnas. Stop my son.

The brief recording ended and the three guardians were left in absolute silence for a moment – though, in his mind, Van's initial reaction was a mix of are you fucking kidding me? with I fucking knew it.

"Maester Xemnas… Did he really kill his own father…?" Aqua's voice was quiet as she asked, as if she dreaded hearing an answer – though Terra replied anyway, already curling his hands into fists at his sides.

"Remember what was said? That… no one really knew what'd happened. That it was assumed it must have been some sort of sudden, unknown illness."

"That son of a bitch… I told you we couldn't trust him! And I knew there had to be a reason for Ven to act the way he was, I fucking knew it!" Maybe it wasn't the best of times to feel relieved, but Van couldn't help it. Finally, the piece that'd been missing in that puzzle!

"So…" Terra's frown grew darker. "Is this why he decided to marry? He wanted to confront Xemnas about this… he wanted to stop him on his own!"

"Guys… we'll have plenty of time to scold him, later. Right now, we can't leave him alone with Xemnas!"

Aqua, the voice of reason, as ever.

They nodded and hurried out of the room. The priest attempted to stop them from entering the trials but didn't stand a chance, and soon they were running across a corridor made of thick layers of ice. The trials had already been solved, which was a really good thing and saved them the time, and they reached the antechamber in a matter of minutes. Xemnas stood as superior-looking as usual at the bottom of the steps, escorted by two Guado guards, though Ven was nowhere to be seen.

"Xemnas!" It wouldn't be Van's first time swearing in such holy place, and likely it also wouldn't be the last.

The maester regarded the unannounced visitors with uninterest. "Please, be silent. Lord Ventus prays to the fayth."

Aqua and Terra were already materializing their weapons and Vanitas wasn't far behind. "Cut the crap and get out of the fucking way! You can't fool anyone anymore, we saw Jyscal's sphere – you butchered him!"

They expected Xemnas to at least have the dignity of looking worried, now, as his vile doings were exposed. And yet, not only he didn't and kept the most serene look on his face, even the guards seemed completely unfazed by the news. "What of it? Ventus was the one receiving that sphere from my father… Do you think he did not watch it, as well? Yet, he's here. And he accepted my proposal."

There was the loud crash of thunder and a bolt hit the floor right in front of Xemnas – as Aqua stepped forward, looking not at all pleased. "He accepted it because he wanted to STOP you! There's no way he would side with someone who murdered his own father!"

Terra and Van joined her promptly and assumed their battle stance, but Xemnas' expression only changed from neutral to bored. "Ah, the code of the guardians… protect the summoner even at the cost of one's life. How admirable." He materialized his staff and the Guado guards joined him as well. "If you are offering your lives, I will have to take them."

What to expect, when fighting a maester of Yevon? The answer was: lots of very powerful magic attacks. Thundaga, blizzaga, firaga, waterga… all of these and more, Xemnas was tossing them around easily and fastly. The party's elemental armor, along with Aqua's nullifying spells, were good enough to keep the worst of the damage at bay… but it was no easy fight, by any means. The guards were also a nuisance, often shielding Xemnas with defensive spells and even occasionally curing him, so Terra opted for disposing of them before anything else. Once it was three-on-one, the odds tilted enough to make it seem like victory was near… but that's when Xemnas played his actual trump card.

"Come, Anima!"

The three of them might not have known the name, but the glyph now being drawn along the floor left no place for doubt – they well recalled what they'd witnessed at Luca, after all. The heavy chain descended and pierced the ground, and soon it was pulling Xemnas' terrifying aeon back out from the depths of the Underworld. The difference was… back at Luca, they'd only had to watch at this dreadful creature cleared the stadium out of fiends. Right now, they were about to fight it face to face.

And they did fight bravely, to the best of their capacity. Anima almost did not fit in the room, massive that it was, and its size also made it a rather easy blank… but all advantages ended there. The aeon was as insanely powerful as they recalled, hitting hard and fast and with artful precision, barely allowing them a chance to strike back – let alone to heal or recover. It wasn't long before all three of them were slumped on the floor, drained and defeated, and Xemnas was on the verge of unleashing Anima's Oblivion to end this battle for good…

…When the door to the Chamber of the Fayth was suddenly blasted away rather loudly, having been turned to chunks of ice that were now crumbling at every angle. The entire antechamber dropped drastically in temperature and, from the frozen mist that was spreading, Ven made his way out along with a beautiful woman carved out of ice. He didn't look well in the slightest, as pale as the walls and breathing in short puffs that turned to steam in the otherwise gelid air around him, and even his hair and clothes had little ice pendants crystallized a bit all over. Regardless, as he now glared at Xemnas, his eyes burned with the fire of a hundred suns.

"How dare you… how DARE you hurt my friends!"

Shiva didn't need any further commands from her new summoner. Twirling gracefully around, she concentrated the bulk of her power on her hand, that then sent a wave of the utmost cold rippling throughout the antechamber. This caused thick layers of ice to materialize all over Anima, freezing it in place for a second – before Shiva snapped her fingers and broke the ice to shards, inflicting massive damage on the other aeon.

It wasn't over yet, however.

This done, she raised her arm and summoned another icicle above the palm of her hand, long and sharp as a spear – that she promptly hurled at Xemnas, piercing him right in the chest, from one side to the other. The maester barely had the chance to heave a gasp of shock, before falling over.

From here on, everything happened far too quickly and pretty much simultaneously.

Ven fell over as well, on his hands and knees, wheezing and coughing up blood – his body not at all happy with the terrible strain of summoning right after receiving the aeon.

Tromell barged in the antechamber along with more guards, alarmed by the ruckus that was going on – only to have the startle of his life, as he found the room covered in ice, two aeons still around in all their glory, his master unconscious (at best) on the floor with an icicle literally embedded in his torso, and his master's fiancé looking just as close to blacking out.

Terra, Aqua, and Vanitas were already running to Ven as fast as they could after such a beating, wanting desperately to get to him and already half-panicking at his state.

And, as everyone believed matters couldn't get any worse nor more hectic, that's when Sin itself decided it was time to prove them wrong all over again. The water of the lake suddenly grew stormy under the frozen surface, as Sin announced its presence… and, having grown so brittle after Shiva's attack, the ground of the antechamber began cracking right in the middle, after Sin rammed against it.

One of the Guado guards managed to reach Xemnas, carrying him away to safety just at the right time… but Terra and Aqua weren't so fortunate and were the first ones to fall into the lake. A couple other guards followed, and Ventus was watching it all unfold in absolute horror, using the last bits of energy in him to keep his eyes open.

And Vanitas was almost at the stairway, fully believing he was going to get to Ven, as he miraculously avoided the pieces of crumbling floor, one foot already on the first step… when Anima's glyph once more glistened under him. The aeon was already dissolving into pyreflies, after Xemnas was so vehemently knocked out, but before it vanished entirely – it succeeded in engulfing Van as well.

Ventus still reached feebly with a trembling arm, trying to catch his guardian's hand… but all he could do in the end was to watch as Van faded along with Anima – before he fell over, unconscious.