Chapter 7. Lights

Riku couldn't stop crying. He just wanted to bury deeper into Ansem's wet fur. Then suddenly, there was a quiet sound, a tinkle, followed by other similar sounds, one after another. Riku looked up. Beautiful glowing lights were coming down from the sky like hailstones, breaking softly into smaller lights as they touched anything. Riku gasped, backing off from the body as a bright light surrounded the Beast. He stared at the light in shock, having to soon close his eyes because of its brightness.

Suddenly the light vanished and Riku barely dared to open his eyes. But when he did, he looked at a completely different figure laying there. Riku crawled a bit further as the figure moved. It gave a soft groan and sat up slowly, yet very clumsily. It wasn't a Beast, actually far from it. It was a male with tanned skin and long but messy silver hair. The clothes the man wore were clearly too big for him, but for the Beast they would have fitted perfectly. Riku approached the man, partly curious, partly still scared. He startled as the man stood up and turned to him. Riku held his breath as the man caught a sight of him. The man was taller than him or Saïx, and looked perhaps a few years older, too. And on his chest was an image of a heart.

The man gave a tender smile. "Riku", he said, his golden eyes locked on the boy. His voice was hoarse, just like he had slept for a very long time. "Are you crying…?"

Riku looked confused, wiping the remains of tears from his cheeks. The man let out a chuckle. "It's me, Riku", he told, taking the whitette's hand. "Ansem."

Riku raked the man with his eyes. He didn't look like the Beast Riku had known, and yet, there was a large stain of blood on the side of his shirt and three claw-looking scars on his left arm. The man smiled as Riku ran his hand slowly through the man's feather-like hair. The whitette stared at the gleaming golden eyes. Riku gave a gasp. "It really is you", he whispered with a faint smile. "I thought you died."

Ansem smiled as he brought his free hand to Riku's cheek to caress it. "I'm here now… with you", he said. "Isn't it enough?"

"It's more than I ever imagined", Riku replied and pressed his lips to Ansem's without a warning. The older responded to the kiss clumsily but more than gladly, not wanting it to end.

There was a sound of running through the corridor, and soon Saïx, followed by old man Ansem, arrived at the balcony. The blunette took a sharp breath as he saw Riku, not to forget the point when he saw Riku kissing someone. But as a kind big brother, he didn't dare to interrupt. Demyx didn't think as much. The lights that fell from the sky had been seen in the West Wing, too, and the servants had hurried to see what was happening.

"You broke the spell!" Demyx whooped, seeing their Master wasn't a Beast anymore. Riku ended the kiss, looking embarrassed at how many people had gathered there. More lights fell down like a moment later, embracing the servants and the castle more than the morning sun did. It was warm and kind light. Demyx was more than happy when the liquid layer vanished, revealing soft skin instead. "Look, Axel! I'm not leaking anymore!"

Axel gave him a wide grin. "I can see that", he laughed. Axel had got his spiky red hair back and there were no more little flames on his skin. The flame man was literally free from fire. Xaldin gave a relieved sigh when the wind didn't obey him anymore and his locks fell on his back just like they should. Luxord, Zexion, and Lexaeus were no longer causing cuts, changing their forms, or unable to feel touch. They were flesh and blood, just like humans should be. Of course there was a price for returning normal; none of the servants had their unique abilities any longer. No more commanding the enchanted dishes, either. The castle was back to normal.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Larxene had followed the noise to the balcony after realizing the mob had left ages ago. She found Xigbar at the balcony's entrance. She grabbed the man at his shoulder.

"Where is Marluxia?" she asked, very irritated.

"Damn, you scared me!" Xigbar replied with a frown. "I don't know." Larxene wasn't satisfied with the answer. She marched straight to Riku, pointing at him accusingly.

"Where is Marluxia?!" the blonde girl repeated the question. Riku blinked a couple of times, and then he looked sadly at the girl before turning his gaze away. Ansem wrapped his hands around Riku protectively.

Larxene startled, realizing what had happened. "What have you done…?!" she managed to yell.

Riku closed his eyes for a moment as Larxene fell on her knees. She didn't cry yet but she was in shock. "What will I do with my life now…? He was… everything I had…"

The whitette didn't fully regret what happened between him and Marluxia, but seeing Larxene like that hurt, even though Riku really disliked the girl.

Axel stepped forward, looking at Riku and Ansem. "She needs time. I'll try to talk to her later", he said with a faint smile. "You can go."

Riku gave a hesitant nod, and as the others left the balcony, Axel stayed there with Larxene.

Nobody knew what was happening at the yard at the same time. Vexen, who never left his basement without a very good reason, had also felt the lights and went outside to see what was going on. He sneezed.

"The spells must be broken", he mumbled, feeling the cold air. The former ice man gave a snort. He had been free from all kinds of flues and other cold related illnesses and now the winter-loving scientist felt like he was going to catch a cold. "Well, at least it's not sum-" He gave a gasp, seeing someone lying on the snow and hurried to the body. "Hey, are you alright?!"

When there was no answer, Vexen barely dared to touch the pink-haired figure. He wasn't even sure where the person had come from or whether it was actually a he or she. Or whether the person was only blacked out or actually dead. Vexen sneered as he took the person's hand to check the pulse. There was a nasty wound on the back of the hand. "Where did you get that…?" the scientist asked out loud. He gave a slight smile, noticing he wasn't dealing with a corpse when the person moved a little.

The pinkette gave a moan. "It's cold here…"

Clearly a male, Vexen thought when he heard the person talk. The voice was too low to belong to a woman. "That's because you're lying in the snow", the scientist noted.

"Am I… dead?" the pinkette asked, looking at Vexen. He gave a smile. "I must be because I see an angel…"

Vexen sneered at the comment. "Goddammit, you must have fever or something. How did you even get here?"

"I… I guess I fell… but I don't really remember", the pinkette told, looking thoughtfully at his damaged hand before looking at Vexen again. He tried to sit up but couldn't. "…I feel kinda broken."

"You probably have hit your head, too. I'll do a medical examination to you as soon as I get you in", the scientist said with a slight smile and stood up. "Let's hope there's not much damage done. Can you move at all?"

"A bit", the pinkette told, raising his hands to reach out to Vexen who then pulled him up to his feet. It was weird to stand up when both legs felt like they would break any minute. He was pleased, yet a bit ashamed when Vexen helped him to walk. "Thank you, um…?"

The scientist snorted. "Vexen."

"That's a nice name", the pinkette said, giving a wide smile. "I'm… Marluxia."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Saïx had lots of things to think about. The spells had broken, that was self-evident, but Saïx was worried. Xemnas hadn't followed him to the balcony for some reason, so now the blunette had to find him. Actually, Saïx wanted to see him. The only place he thought of at the moment where the shadow man could be was the art gallery.

"Xemnas?" Saïx called, opening the door and stepping into the dark room. All the curtains had been closed and it was hard to see much. The door made a sound as the blunette closed it. Saïx startled when he was suddenly hugged from behind. "Xemnas?" the blunette repeated.

There was a chuckle. "Yes?"

Of course Saïx could have smelled that it was Xemnas. But now as he heard him talk, the blunette was surprised. His voice was a bit different. Not as creepily resonant as it had been.

"Why are you hiding here in dark?" Saïx had to ask, trying to look at the former shadow man over his shoulder.

"I'm not hiding", Xemnas said, letting go of the blunette. Saïx turned to him, frowning.

"I can't see you", he mumbled quietly. Saïx gasped as Xemnas placed his hands on the blunette's chest.

"Will it bother you if I touch you?" Xemnas asked, worriedly.

"Friends don't touch one another like this", Saïx replied, but embarrassedly placed his hands on Xemnas'. "But… I don't really mind it, either."

"Good", Xemnas whispered. He ran his hands first down on Saïx's abs then back up to collarbones, making the blunette shiver. For someone like Xemnas who hadn't touched anyone or anything in several years, it was pure bliss to feel.

"But if I let you touch me", Saïx continued, embarrassed as Xemnas moved his hands up to his cheeks. "Will you show your real self to me?"

Xemnas stopped moving. "Is that how badly you want to see me?"

"Yes", the blunette mumbled. "I can't read you through a touch."

Saïx frowned when Xemnas laughed at his comment. "I'll open the curtains, then", Xemnas said, moving his hands from the blunette's cheeks. "But could you wait a little longer and close your eyes?"

"It will be worth waiting", Saïx said, closing his eyes. There were sounds of curtains opening and Xemnas' steps as he walked back.

"I don't guarantee anything", Xemnas told. Saïx gave him a smile, eyes still closed.

"Do you really think I would be here if I was scared to see you?" the blunette snarled.

"Well, open your eyes."

Curiously, Saïx opened his eyes, looking directly at the man in front of himself. Xemnas was only a bit taller than he was, tanned and muscular, yet slender. He had beautiful facial features and long silver hair, just like his brother. But the most noticeable part was his eyes, those gorgeous golden eyes.

"It's embarrassing if you stare", Xemnas mumbled with a smirk.

"I guess it will be more embarrassing if I touch", the blunette teased, moving his hands to Xemnas' hips and pulling the other closer. He pressed their lips hungrily together, making Xemnas' turn red. They were soon locked in a passionate kiss, their hands roaming and caressing each other. As they at last pulled away, panting heavily, both of them ashamed of their actions, but still extremely happy of what they had done.

"I didn't even remember… that touching and being touched feels this good…"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

During the day, it began to snow more than it had in a long time, it was impossible to leave the castle; Riku had more or less adapted to that situation. However, hearing about the spells made him confused at first, then vexed because no one had told him.

"What do you think I should have said?" Ansem asked, sitting on the arm chair and frowning at Riku. "That I must fall in love and earn love in return to be human again, huh? I don't think so. I never thought it would be possible, anyway."

Riku frowned, not commenting. Ansem sighed. "Well, I'm sorry for being a heartless bastard and not telling, thank you very much. Could we just now forget all this? I don't really want to remember any of it."

"So you think the time wehad isn't worth remembering?!" Riku cried out.

"That's not what I meant and you know it!" the silverette yelled back, holding his forehead annoyed. "Where are you going?"

"Away from you", the whitette hissed. He marched, very peeved, out of the room. Ansem followed him into the corridor, quickly stopping the whitette by grabbing his hand.

"I don't want to fight", Ansem said calmly.

Riku snatched his hand back. "Neither do I!"

"What's the problem then? This can't be just because of me", the tanned silverette muttered, looking at Riku's eyes. "You've been acting weird since…"

The whitette twitched and retreated few steps further, too angry and annoyed to hear the steps behind himself. He glared at the castle's Master.

"Since Larxene declared me as a murderer!" he exclaimed. "Yes, I have killed a man! It's not like I have anything-!"

Riku let out a squeak. "Yeah, about that, Riku dear", a certain pinkette hummed, wrapping his hands around the whitette's shoulders. "You really scared me. I never thought you could be so mean to me."

"You… You should be dead!" the whitette shouted when he was able to talk after the worst shock. "You fell from the roof!"

The pinkette grinned widely and showed the wound on the back of his hand. "Alive I am", he hummed, squeezing the boy tighter. "Snow was soft."

Ansem grimaced as Marluxia touched Riku too friendly in his opinion. "Remember who you're hugging", he snarled.

Marluxia blinked, trying to recognize the man. "Oh, now I remember you! You're the Beast! You look much better now", he laughed after a moment and let go of Riku. "No hard feelings, eh?"

"At the moment I wish I was the one who let you fall from the roof."

Before Marluxia replied to the statement, a man with long blonde hair appeared around the corner. He huffed like he had just run around the entire castle.

"Marluxia!" the man yelled, now walking towards the others. "What are you doing here? I asked you to stay-"

"Vexen!" Marluxia cried out happily and hugged the older man tightly. "I was so worried when you didn't come back so I left to look for you!"

Riku glanced confusedly at Ansem, waiting for him to explain. "Don't look at me like that. I don't have any idea about this", the silverette said. Vexen looked almost pissed off as Marluxia cuddled him. He was probably ashamed to be the target of the pinkette's devotion. It had been like that all day after he had stated that Marluxia had only a mild concussion and a few bruises and strains. That lucky pink-haired bastard fell from the roof and didn't even break any bones.

"I'm very sorry for this… nuisance", the blond mumbled. "Marluxia. Let go of me."

The pinkette gave a smile and pursed his lips. "If you give me a kiss…"

Vexen sneered, pushing the pinkette away violently. He bowed apolitically to Ansem and began to hurry away, looking very humiliated and mumbling a few curses under his breath.

"Wait for me, Vexie!" Marluxia yelled, running to catch up to the blonde. "It was a joke! Well, actually it wasn't but…! Wait for me!"

Riku was left alone with Ansem again. "That was… refreshing?" the whitette said with a hum.

Ansem raised an eyebrow. "So…?"

"I'm sorry. This has just been so exhausting and all", Riku sighed, giving a soft smile. "I still shouldn't have yelled to my favorite Beast."

"An apology accepted", Ansem chuckled. "Should I show you how much BeastI still am?"

"Pervert!"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Epilogue

Soon, the villagers forgot the existence of the castle in the woods, or they just didn't want to remember it, and the people of the castle were more than happy about that.

Riku learned a lot about his real parents through Ansem the Wise's letters. The old man had decided to tour the country and sent his carrier pigeon to the castle once in a while. Young Ansem instead used his time mostly to follow the footsteps of late lord Xehanort; he started reading more and eventually even learned to write again. Thanks to Riku, he also had become more patient and understanding. He was on his way to be a better Master.

Saïx and Xemnas had lived in the castle with their brothers for a while until they decided that it was time for Riku and Ansem to stand on their own. Nobody actually knew where they left to.

Demyx was cheery and childish like always. He continued his job as a servant but he was mostly seen playing his sitar instead of working. Xigbar moved to the castle to be with him and no one, expect Saïx, had anything against it.

Luxord and Xaldin kept on working in the castle's kitchen and they had no intention of leaving the place. The only difference was that because Luxord had started drinking again, Xaldin actually had to work twice as much as before.

As for Zexion and Lexaeus, they had left the castle to travel with Ansem the Wise and the old man willingly had taken some company with him. He really needed someone to read a map.

Axel and Larxene had gotten together, so the girl had decided to move in as well. She gave birth to their first-born the following autumn. Getting a child at the castle caused lots of noise and extra work for everyone. The one who would have said Larxene will be bad mother was wrong. She had really lost her edge and became a loving parent.

Vexen stayed in the basement but was often harassed by Marluxia who had decided to stay in the castle for good. The pinkette redecorated the castle's garden and was often seen at the yard from the balcony. Riku still avoided him as well as he could, usually very unsuccessfully.

As soon as the spells broke, the people who had lived in the castle years ago were also allowed to return to the castle, and many of them did.

The White Witch, Naminé, also decided to pay a visit to the castle in a cold winter's night. But that's a completely different story…

The End

-o-o-o-o-o-

A/N: Thanks to all readers, reviewers, followers, and to everyone who have helped me to write this. Especially to you, Senjuina, who beta'd most of the story. I love you all~