Despite the cold hands, Eraqus’ small smile brought Xehanort some relief, just as his words did. Xehanort closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again as Eraqus asked him for the reason behind his previous words.
Some time in the past, admitting it would have been difficult, maybe even painful. He’d taken a few steps since then and right there, in privacy, he resorted to the truth.
“Because I care.” He said simply, seeking Eraqus’ eyes.
He’d cared enough to risk the possibility that Eraqus had been an illusion when in the Realm of Darkness and he’d brought him back, because what if he hadn’t been? It had been reckless, it could have cost him his life or his Light, but he’d done it nevertheless.
He’d cared enough to try to find out if his feelings were returned, even if they’d forget later. He’d cared enough to trust, and he’d been trusted in return that one night before the war.
But he’d cared enough to see it as the weakness to overcome, several decades in the future. He’d cared and that was why Eraqus had been in danger, and why Xehanort had needed to fight his own future self and break free from his control so that he wouldn’t use him to harm Eraqus. It had been far too close.
“I care about you.” He repeated, squashing the doubts and the reticence to admit it. He knew that caring and showing it was weakness, but right then he didn’t need that part of him speaking. “And I want to be by your side.” He went on. “That’s why.”
♔ Eraqus often thought when he was in his lower times, things like that. If Xehanort hadn't trusted and stayed, talked with him and eventually got his darkness at bay, he could still be down there with no way out. He could be down there and not even know there was a war going on, or that his best friend had perished during said war. It was thoughts like that he did his best to push aside, to hold onto that chess piece tight and fight the darkness.
Only now he wasn't alone. He wasn't fighting alone.Silver hues found Xehanort's before widening. Luckily there was no sign of gold, and hearing those words alone was seemingly enough. Warmth crept back into his hands if only slightly, but it was a start.
The Darkness wouldn't win. Eraqus wouldn't let it win now.
"Xe..." There was a pause before Eraqus's forehead moved to rest against his. Both of his hands soon within Eraqus's ever growing warm hands, he smiled and gave them a squeeze. There was even a blush coloring his cheeks. It sure seemed to be relatively easy to get him flustered. "I care about you too. And I still want to be by your side, no matter what. You're not getting rid of me that easy."
The war and everything in between had certainly damaged the trust there, if only in the beginning. He’d been hesitant and kept pushing thoughts of seeing Xehanort aside until it was almost too late. There had just been so much heartache from all that had been done, and he wasn’t sure if he could fully heal, or trust again. Yet he knew if he did not go on that last night, he’d regret it more than anything. And he was so happy things had turned out the way they did. Maybe now they could have some sort of a normal life here.
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