(I need to write at least Something for this!!!!! whacks myself)
Post Khux, maybe ... a decade into the future ... ? Hmmm.
~ 600 words
------------
Home.
A fleeting thought caught Ephemer as he strolled across this recently built street, a sense of pride filling him as yet another goal had been reached. The new housing district was finally finished and connected to the one nearby, giving them all much needed space to live and prosper further.
Unsurprisingly many people enjoyed this sunny day out, children playing at every corner of the street - with each other or their parents - noises of laughter and delight all around. A ball flew in his direction, which a child yelled after him to watch out, but it landed way further away from him than initially thought, rolling up to his feet.
He had to stop to pick it up for them and threw it back, waving after the children as the ball landed safely there again, receiving much thanks in the process.
… This was home. He was here, those were his people. He woke up every day now looking over new projects, trying to aid where he can, listening to people's wants and needs.
A bit over a decade ago he would have been one of these same children, playing with a toy sword fending off made-up enemies with his friends.
Those made-up imaginations quickly became too real, the toy sword replaced by real keyblades, play dates becoming missions and scouts to new worlds, the street abandoned to a meeting room. Connections twindled. His comrades becoming his closest friends he would - … he left his life for.
Home.
After a few more paces, a bit away from eyes that might have followed him, he stopped again. The grey street with its white buildings and the people with it - no, purple roofings, trees neatly lined up with the market nearby, the walls reflecting a nice eggshell tone from the sun shining on it. A handful of children stood in front of the Moogle's shop, another one came running towards them and they quickly exchanged words before they all ran in the same direction. On the other side of the street was a boy getting loudly scolded by his Chirithy, to stop letting himself get into danger.
He looked up further ahead, over the roofs, and his gaze fell onto the Tower gracing the skies above the city - the clockwork mechanism visible to even where he stood, swinging left and right. Over and over.
Over … and over.
Until it stopped and crashed, the roofs turning into a deep black, the color running down the walls swallowing them up whole - the trees bent from the heavy storm, someone was screaming from behind a destroyed wall to another, but no answer ever came.
He looked down as he noticed his shoes were getting wet, another second later the street was flooded up to his knees. Debris came floating towards him, slowly building up right in front of him.
Ephemer held his breath.
Home, right.
He blinked and returned was the sight of bright sunshine and laughter from kids.
A decade - more than a decade, and yet -
He was trying his best to make this right here a home for a new generation. A place to find joy and happiness like he experienced in his … home.
From the rubble it rose, blooming into something so much greater.
… Was this home?
Ephemer shook his head with an exhausted smile and closed eyes. This question wasn't necessary to him. There was nothing he could do about it here, where he stood was his home, even if it was different now.
Even if he wished he could share this home with his friends again.
… One day perhaps he could answer this question for himself better, but for now, this had to do.
Brain (& the Union Leaders) - Fragments of the Past
(Originally written for the Brain Zine :3 ... let's dive into some early Missing Link Brain thoughts.)
[AO3]
"... don't sleep like that."
A gentle push made Brain jolt awake, a groan leaving him as he slowly lifted his head up from the table. He adjusted his hat and blinked a few times, but since this wasn't enough to get himself going, he rubbed his eyes.
Still, the tiredness lingered. And his sleeping position was definitely something he felt in his neck and back.
"Rough night?"
Brain leaned himself backwards in his chair, not bothering to turn to Lauriam standing beside him. Lauriam had all rights to grin and he could practically picture that this was happening right now.
It wouldn’t be the first time Lauriam found him passed out on the desk, hovering over some book he read too long into the night.
"What are you doing here anyways?" Brain asked him, still not looking at him as he massaged over his neck that definitely took the most damage in this.
"Oh you know, unlike others, I wake up early after a good night's sleep."
He desperately wanted to roll his eyes as he finally looked up to Lauriam, seeing his grin playing on his face.
Brain's eyes shot open.
He was met with a dark room, unfamiliar, cold, unwelcoming. His heart rate spiked for a brief moment, still seeing Lauriam's image in front of his eyes, but as it vanished as fast it came, he calmed again, slowly rising up from the bed he lay on.
A sigh left his lips as he reached for his forehead. A dream, merely a dream … ?
His eyes swept across the room, though it wasn't much he could make out, he remembered where he was now. Right, the room he was given in this town he woke up. Scala ad Caelum they called it. Even though he had been given this information, it didn't quite stick - everything felt unreal, getting pulled out from a doomed world into one where everything seemed to be fine.
Maybe his heart hadn’t caught on yet, still being in the alert mode he was back in Daybreak Town. Maybe it was the fact he simply couldn't remember anything that happened in between. A hazy memory of meeting someone, unable to recall their face, let alone conversation - and the next thing he knew he woke up in this unfamiliar town meeting an unfamiliar face.
Brain shook his head.
Everything was confusing and nothing he could fix right now. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and gathered his boots, doing a quick stretch before he stood up and walked over the sole source of light of this room, turning on the small lamp standing on the desk there.
He had done this many times before. Back then in Daybreak Town. Even if it was just this small action, a wave of familiarity washed over him.
Brain closed his eyes.
"Here you go."
Brain almost flinched as Skuld suddenly stood beside him, placing a cup of tea on the table before taking away his empty mug that stood there for quite a while now. He turned to her and saw her smile, mirroring her expression as he took the cup in his hands.
"Hey, thanks."
The warmth emerging from the drink flooded through him immediately, making him instantly remember how long he had been sitting here again, losing himself in the work he wanted to do.
"Someone has to make sure you don't dehydrate. You do know it's night already, right?"
"I … uh." He took a look at the lamp beside him, being the only light source in the entire Foreteller’s Chamber. "... Ah. Yeah."
"Brain…" An exhausted sigh came from Skuld and she quickly shook her head. "What will we ever do with you?"
He could only chuckle at this.
Minutes must have passed before Brain moved again, a sense of stiffness in his limbs as he finally decided to open his eyes again and pulled out the chair to sit at the desk.
Only as he saw the half-filled (empty?) cup of tea from last night he noticed the smile on his face didn't vanish, the memory clinging onto him - anything that would help him trying to settle in. Anything.
He reached out to the cup, the long-gone warm tea whirling inside. It definitely was a bad idea to drink this, he didn’t even know what came over him as he took a sip of it, instantly feeling regret at the terrible taste.
Still, any lingering sleepiness that resided in him left. The goosebumps all over his body shook him back to reality.
Right, where did he left off last night -
Closed in front of him sat his old Rulebook he got way back when from Master Ava. The cover wasn't as smooth as it was when he got it, dog ears filling the pages by closer inspection. So many times he had read it, trying to make sense of this unreal task they were assigned to, so many times he went over the content with his … friends.
Brain reached out to the book, his palm laying on the cover.
"How much longer are they going to be?" Ventus asked in an almost whining voice, kicking his feet under the table. "They said to be right back…"
"It's only been an hour, relax." Brain answered him from his table further away. "But it's not a lot of ingredients, so it should be soon."
A hum came from Ventus and he set his elbow on the table, staring down onto the book lying in front of him. It didn't take a lot for Brain to figure out that Ventus wasn’t very thrilled to stay here and catch up on his readings before he got to join Ephemer and Skuld in the ingredient hunt again. But after their discussion about Shift Pride, Ephemer wanted for him to re-read the Rulebook they had been assigned to. Just to get everyone on the same page, so he said.
And while Brain didn't exactly check on him every passing minute if he actually did it, it became apparent that Ventus … kind of didn't.
"Do you have any questions so far?" Brain didn't turn to him as he asked, his focus more lying on the equipment that was set up on his table. Just a bit more, then he had to wait for Ephemer and Skuld to return with the ingredients for the next batch of Spirits.
"Um… no…"
Brain furrowed his eyebrow.
"Okay."
A short moment of silence passed as Brain worked on the last piece, then turned to Ventus in his seat.
"What chapter are you reading?"
"I …" Ventus frantically turned a few pages back, apparently searching for the chapter title. "Ah… yes! The one about assigning new Leaders to the Unions!"
It might not have been a lie, but Brain still let out a deep sigh. This wasn't working. This entire thing wasn't working.
His thoughts went back and forth between 'He's too young for this' , 'Master Ava, what have you been thinking' , 'Granted, this chapter is written confusingly…'. But nothing would solve any of this.
They were a team, they had to work together. And if someone was struggling, another had to cover their struggles.
"Ventus." Brain stood up and walked towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. The boy looked up to him, his glossy eyes telling Brain enough about his state right now. "You can tell me the truth, you know."
His expression didn't change and Ventus only let out a small "okay" before he turned his head back to the book.
Nothing was easy and neither was this, especially if he was that young, and Brain didn't want to linger longer on this than it needed to be. He instead pulled the next chair closer and sat himself beside Ventus, the boy looking at him with confusion.
"Okay, Ven, how about I read it to you?" Brain flashed him a smile as he laid his hand on Ventus's Rulebook, moving it into his direction. The suggestion made Ventus beam and the boy let him happily take the book.
"I'd like that!"
Ventus shuffled in his set and gripped the edges, letting his legs kick back and forth. It made Brain chuckle and he leaned towards him, letting him look into the book that way.
"From the start?" He asked and Ventus nodded. "Well, okay then. Chapter 7, the assignment of the new Leaders…"
He let out a heavy sigh as he opened his eyes again, leaning backwards on his chair as he rubbed his eyes, trying over and over to get rid of the images out of his head.
Everything about him clung to the past, his body heavy from whatever time travel shenanigan he went through. If he were to find a word for all of this, it might as well be called jet lag.
He didn't - couldn't - find rest. Not in sleep, nor awake.
Air. I need air.
Brain shook his head. This wasn't working.
Taking another deep breath he stood up again and walked towards the window at the end of the room, opening it wide. The fresh night air breezed right through, prickling on his skin, filling his lungs with a pleasant cold.
Yet with the sight right in front of him he stood still, the jumbled mess of his thoughts taking a step back. The morning sun slowly traversed over the dark roofs of the town, bathing the plaza in a welcoming light, reflecting in the water of the fountain that stood proud in the middle.
Brain couldn’t keep his eyes away from the statue that depicted his friend. His hands gripped the edges of the window frame, turning his knuckles white at the force - only as he started to wince he stopped, averting his eyes finally.
He didn't want to think. He lifted himself up to the ledge and sat down on it, leaning on the window frame. Yet the thoughts still came.
"So that's why I'd like to have a little chat. With the replacement."
The wind gushed through the grassy fields of the hill they stood on, chilling the atmosphere that already grew cold by the topic Brain just brought up.
Ephemer's gaze was hard on Brain's back, silence overcoming them. But it didn't last long as Ephemer took a step forward, calling out to him.
"Brain -"
The thoughts were heavy. Brain wanted to say something, anything, really. They had so much to discuss going forward, how to handle this situation, and yet -
Brain looked up to Ephemer, his eyes glistening with worry.
"Brain, listen to me." Ephemer placed a hand on Brain's shoulder, the feeling more heavy than he anticipated it to be. Equal worry was in Ephemer's eyes as their gazes crossed, a mutual understanding between them that neither had before with anyone else.
Ephemer handed him the list of the names again and Brain took it with a deep sigh, opening the Book of Prophecies to the page where he initially pulled it from to place it there again.
"No matter what happens, we stand together. Master Ava wanted us to work together and so we will."
Closing the Book again, Brain nodded. "Ven doesn't know any of this. At least, that's what I think. … He's too young for any of this."
"How do you plan on telling him?"
Brain crossed his arms and tapped a finger on his elbow. "If he truly isn't aware, then there must be errors in his story of becoming a Union Leader. Unless he's lying, which I don't think he will. We're all friends."
"Then he would see on his own that there is something wrong …" Half mumbling to himself, Ephemer nodded along. "That way he wouldn't lose the trust in us and we might be able to get to the bottom of this."
"I knew you would get me."
Ephemer let out a chuckle and Brain couldn’t help but to crack a small smile. This sympathy towards each other assured him this was the right choice to tell Ephemer all about it. He knew he would understand him, he knew he could trust him.
He knew that whatever happened they could stand together and face any problem.
"What about Lauriam?"
Brain shortly paused before speaking up once more. "... Later. Once we figure out more, I'll tell him."
Again Ephemer nodded at the idea.
"Well then." Brain turned to the cliff side of the hill, releasing his cross arms. "Chirithy? Can you do me a favor?"
"Brain?" A loud knock at the door made Brain frantically open his eyes again, holding onto the ledge to not fall out of the window as he got shaken out of his memories. "Are you still in your room?"
The muffled voice behind the door Brain recognized, belonging to the man who he first met arriving in this town.
"... Yes?" He held himself steady, taking a deep breath to calm his startled heart.
"The Headquarters welcomes you in half an hour. Don't miss it." The voice vanished with the sound of footsteps following, having Brain drop his head with an exhausted sigh.
The sun tickled his cheek, it had risen enough now to fully enlighten the plaza - who knew how long he actually sat here, lost in memories of days long gone according to everyone living in this city. Yet his memories were still fresh, burning in his head vividly.
He tilted his head to the statue again. The pride it emitted he could feel deeply - Ephemer's words rang in his head again.
No matter what happens, we stand together.
The keyblade in his hand he once wielded held high, his head lifted to the sky.
Brain couldn’t keep his eyes away from his friend, until finally a smile played on his lips and he jumped off the ledge back into his room, grabbing his hat from the stool he placed it on.
"I will do my best, Ephemer. I promise you that."
With his head held high, Brain left his room, his heart swelling with the memories of his friends.
"Say-" Baldr breaks the silence as he hugs his knees tighter to his chest. "why do you want to become a keyblade master?"
His attention drawn to the book in his lap, Thor hums and places a finger at the sentence he last read. The wind blows gently on this sunny late summer afternoon, and the tree they are sitting under provides just enough shadow for them to enjoy this temperature.
A quick thought runs through his head, as he swore Baldr had asked him this before. Yet anyways he turns his head to look at Baldr on his side, a smile on his face.
"To keep light alive, of course. I want to protect the world from the looming darkness."
Of course. Baldr watches his bright expression, his explanation making very much sense to him - being Odin's eventual heir, the burden must weigh heavy on him. He knows he needs to perform well, but one simple look is enough for Baldr to know that Thor is very much on the right path there.
"I know I can't do this alone!" Thor continues, turning his hand into a fist as he lays it over his chest. "But I know I will always have your back. I have you, Xehanort, Eraqus, the others - together we can overcome everything."
Baldr finally returns his smile, copying his bright expression as they both end up chuckling.
"Cheesy. You never know what will happen."
"Yeah…" Thor sighs and finally closes his book. "But one can dream, right? I always want to be on your side."
He feels Thor's eyes burning on him, his light bright, and yet -
There isn't any malice in these words, he really means it. Baldr is hesitant in his answer, suddenly feeling slightly short of breath as Thor inches closer, their shoulders touching in the process.
"I really appreciate that." Baldr eventually manages to say.
He closes his eyes as silence overcomes them once again, the book Thor has lying in his lap long forgotten now. Maybe for once he can enjoy time together with a person who isn't his sister, all other thoughts pushed away.
Dion Lesage / Joshua Rosfield - Flames of Curiosity
Recovering from the fight against Bahamut, Joshua wakes up in the infirmary and finds Dion lying next to him. Yet there is something he feels he needs to do.
[AO3]
Joshua's chest heaved heavily, reality starting to weigh down on him once more as he slowly got aware of his surroundings. Cracks of heavy wood, unintelligible words from far, and a gentle sound of the sea started to grace his ears, but it was the smell of blood that eventually made him open his eyes.
Right. The hideaway, the infirmary. Tarja made him rest and sleep off the exhaustion that riddled his body after such an intense use of his eikon.
The battle against the mighty Bahamut still clung onto his body. And it would still take a while until he could regain what strength he had before.
He clutched his chest as he slowly rose from his spot, feeling the blood running down at the side of his mouth. With a sigh he wiped it away with the back of his hand, turning his head to the second bed that housed this makeshift infirmary.
Dion's eikon signature was unmistakable, Joshua felt the fury raging in the dragoon on his side even though they bested his rage. Yet Dion remained still, asleep, his breath barely noticeable to the point where Joshua grew concerned. He knew there was no real reason to feel like that, especially since he was aware they both have been well looked after, but seeing him like this set forth an emotion difficult to explain.
Maybe it was a mix between curiosity and fondness he felt for his fellow Dominant ever since they first met that made Joshua swing his legs over the edge of his bed and walk to Dion's side, slowly sitting down in hopes to not disturb him. He needed his rest - as did Joshua still - and if there was one thing Joshua could give him as a small token, it was just that.
He extended his hand to Dion's chest and let his flames flicker into a gentle healing spell, having it wash over Dion in his entirety.
"... Terence?"
Joshua stopped at the sudden hoarse voice, barely audible if the room weren't so quiet in itself. Dion still didn't move, but he could see his attempt to open his eyes.
He shook his head and reached for his hand on his side instead, laying it over him for a trusting touch. "No, I'm sorry."
"Phoenix." Again his weak voice was but a whisper, yet this time his hand actually moved and encapsulated Joshua's with tender fingers. The warmth of his spell still played on his skin even if the magic was gone already, but Dion's embrace was a welcoming additional warmth that shouldn't have felt as such a comfort as it had been.
If he stayed longer than this, this might as well be long beyond curiosity now. And Joshua stayed, wanting to watch Dion slowly come to his senses as he woke from his slumber - yet the seconds passed, which must have turned into minutes, and Dion still didn't dare to open his eyes.
"Your Highness?" Joshua eventually called out, but all Dion did was to hold onto him tighter.
If there was a warmth he never felt before from all the flames he experienced in his life, he now felt it swell in his heart - addicting, fiery, comforting.
"Stay." Dion slightly tucked on him, as far as he was able to, and Joshua didn't think twice about that. He didn't intend to leave anyways, his promise to rest still hung in the air and if he was in this position right now, he might as well just do that, too.
With a deep breath he lifted his legs on the bed and turned to face Dion lying down, their hands still interlocked with no intention to change that any time soon.
Again he had to admit the comfort of the flame, be it of that of the Phoenix or that of curiosity, right now this was where he wanted to be. An explanation for that he could still find later, once he had fully rested.
For now he again drifted back to sleep, with Dion on his side doing the same.
(Consider this a small Valentine's Day fic uwu, because who doesn't like it when you're reincarnated and your heart still pins for the one person you were close to in your previous life)
---------------------
The sun wasn't even touching the shores yet, but Player was already up and about walking determined in one direction.
They would never forgive themselves if they forgot about it - in between their busy schedule one couldn't blame them if they did, and yet -
Player slowed their pace when they were only a street away from the Fountain, their eyes dropping down to the ground.
It was stupid, really.
Why am I doing this? I don't even know him other than from stories!
They gripped their head as they stopped, a sharp pain running through their head which was gone as quickly as it came. Yet the nebulous pictures the pain brought to the surface from their dreams stayed a little while longer than that.
Never could they make anything out of it. Never could they remember those dreams, except for the lasting emptiness that stayed in their heart after they woke up.
An emptiness that found filling whenever they looked up to that statue.
Player let out a deep breath.
If those dreams confirmed one thing, it was their connection to him. Whatever that was, though, they weren’t sure right now. But that didn't really matter - their heart told what was right. And this one right now was right.
They picked up their pace again, glad that no one else occupied these streets right now. They weren’t sure how to explain themselves anyways.
Arriving at the Fountain Square, Player rose their head up high to have the statue of him in all their sight.
Again and again they had looked at him, never really sure why this emptiness seemed to be forgotten every single time. And yet -
And yet this time they were sure why.
Standing right at the edge, Player took out a small piece of paper, folded into a little boat with another, way smaller piece of paper placed it. Whatever was written on that one, would be between them and him -
A little secret they wanted to share.
"I promised you to come." Player signed, lifting themselves up to the edge to sit down to it, legs dangling off to the side while they faced the statue. With care they placed down the paper boat and gave it a little push for it to swim forward. "So, here I am now, waiting for you."
They would wait for the boat to swim a while before it filled up with water and eventually sank, the ink from the small letter dissolving in the water. But that was okay, what was written on there was between them and him anyways, and if those words now swam around him forever like this, then their purpose was fulfilled.
A smile caught their face.
Content and full, Player hopped off the edge of the Fountain and slowly walked away, the early rays of the sun tickling their face.
(Heavy headcanon territory obv., as long as Missing Link isn't out I can craft my own thoughts about Scala's worldbuilding during that time, lmao. Very inspired by @/dandelionvirus's post of Brain just ... being corrupted by light.)
----------------
Brain stared at his hands.
His sight was blurry, unable to focus on anything concrete. Maybe due to the stuffiness of the room, maybe because of all the loud talking around him, maybe … maybe because of something else entirely.
He didn’t care. He was here, like he was ordered to, and he listened, more or less. It was the same topic as always.
Darkness is spreading, we need to do something.
He started to clench his fist, his sight starting to grow brighter, but focused instead, and a flood of warmth washed over him in a pleasant motion - he unclenched his hand again, releasing a deep breath as his normal sight returned.
Like clockwork it happened again and again over the past few months, though the intervals grew shorter. Still, it wasn't anything he was concerned of - the feeling of the gentle warmth was to his liking after all.
"No! I will not allow it!"
The sudden outburst from someone sitting at the table made Brain look up from his spot. The person rose from their chair and pointed to the man sitting right opposite of him. And in return he stood up as well, pointing back.
Right, the discussion. Brain almost forgot he was here for something important.
"What else do you intend to do? What do you want to tell the citizens living in that district? "Oh I'm sorry we can't help you, we're too scared!""
Brain flinched at the high-pitched, mocking tone.
"I will not send more of my men into their death because they are not prepared for this kind of darkness!"
"Then hasten their training!"
"We don't have the time for that." A third person chimed in, her head ducked low and focused on the map displaying the city's layout on it. She moved her finger along the outlines of the district they were apparently talking about, until she finally tapped her fist against it. "Pointless discussion. What If will help us naught - how many do we need to defeat it?"
Now a fourth person scrambled with their papers in front of them, adjusting their glasses to read the report properly. "Uh, the initial report calculated three squadrons -"
The first person shook their head immediately.
"That's not -"
"- ... unless growth is detected, which hasn't happened yet."
"It's not enough!"
Again and again. Repeat and repeat.
Pointless discussion, he had to agree. They weren’t prepared for this darkness, he also had to agree.
No one in this room was, no one among their keyblade wielders either. One couldn't fight this darkness if their heart wasn't filled with light.
They claimed to be light, yet their darkness growled in these discussions. Brain could see the streams emerging from them, wrapping them in their sweet embrace, fueling the discussion more and more.
Did they not notice? He squinted his eyes.
"... At least five. Their hearts are most balanced, they can withstand it if you give me two more days to prepare them."
Balance. Whatever they meant by that. They weren’t balanced, and even if they were -
They couldn’t stand against that darkness like this. They didn't understand. Exposed to darkness like this would just tip their balance to the other direction. He had seen it, over and over. They didn't listen.
They didn't understand.
Light was the only way to push back the looming threat they were facing. None of them were ready for it.
Silently Brain stood up, sighing deeply as he wanted to walk around the table to take a look at the map on the other side.
"No one will go. I'll handle it." The sight. The room felt so bright again, his heart jumped in joy. "Where is it, I take it down."
Just as he took a quick glance to confirm his destination and wanting to make his leave out of the room, another person stood up and placed himself right in front of Brain.
Sigurd stared right at him, this closeness bordering on being too uncomfortable for both parties like this, making Brain almost take a step back. But he refused.
"You will not." His voice, stern as he had never heard him before, made the room grow silent. "I will not let you do this on your own."
Seconds of silence passed. An eternity of staring between Sigurd and Brain, no one backing down from the other.
While the others' heated discussion brought their own darkness to the surface, there was nothing around Sigurd. Nothing but pure equilibrium, a balance the whole city seemed to strife for, and it clashed with Brain's heart.
He couldn't take Sigurd with him. The darkness he wanted to confront would bring this balance out of order. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't. Sigurd's light was too … comforting to him to have to be tainted.
"Get … out of my way." Maybe his tone was too harsh, but Brain had to get out of this room. He made a motion with his hand and his familiar Master's Defender appeared at his side. "Don't have me do something I'll later regret."
A murmur went through the room and every pair of eyes were fixed on the two men.
Surely Brain wouldn't do anything to Sigurd, right here right now, and yet -
"... If you don't come back in one piece, you will never hear the end of it." Sigurd placed a finger on Brain's chest, still having his full attention. "Swear to me."
But Brain only cracked a small grin, using his free hand to push down his hat to cover his eyes. He took the steps around Sigurd and wordlessly left the room.
(based on this drawing from @/rosie-kairi. Darkling Lauriam. Can be platonic or more if you want.)
"Lauriam!" Brain sprinted through the dark hallway in the Tower, his eyes focused on his friends just standing there. He ran past Ventus, crouched on the ground and covering himself with his arms over his head. But he couldn’t run past Ephemer and Skuld, catching him and holding him by his shoulders to move any further.
"Let me go!" A desperate plea, but Skuld and Ephemer did not let go of him, yet started to struggle holding him. "I just … want to …"
Yellow eyes gleamed in the darkness ahead. Faintly Brain could make out a figure sitting there, maybe human, maybe not. It terrified him even more, yet in a way that gave him more strength to push against the grip Skuld and Ephemer had on him.
He almost stumbled over his own feet as he broke free, and Ephemer yelled something after him he did not perceive. All his mind was set on was … this creature.
Lauriam. His friend.
"Lauriam … Lauriam." Brain said over and over as he crouched in front of him, his hands shaky as he wanted to cup his face.
The yellow eyes were one thing, the dark streams running from those were another. Red claws digged into the concrete floor, and he did not notice the tattered wings towering over him at first. Nothing of this held him back from reaching out though, and even his cold hands made him feel Lauriam's cold skin.
This was unreal. It shouldn't have happened, everything that led to this moment. He should have acted sooner, he should have seen the symptoms earlier, he should have handled the situation differently - Strelitzia, Ventus. Darkness.
"Br… Brain …?"
His voice was barely made out to be human. But Brain didn't care, Lauriam recognized him, and he let out a shaky breath with a hopeful smile.
He put his forehead against his, closing his eyes as he shifted closer - it was then as Lauriam moved his claws and put his arms around Brain, the sharp points digging into Brain's back.
Lauriam could do worse to him. He had the ability to. The fact he didn’t was proof enough for Brain.
"I will save you." Brain whispered, placing his fist over Lauriam's chest. "I promise you that."
How he didn’t know. But right now that wasn't too important.
"Brain! I need to talk to you." Lauriam stormed into the Foretellers' Chamber and grabbed the nearest chair. Brain could only take a quick glance away from the book he was reading on his desk before he realized Lauriam was sitting right beside him, the back of the chair turned forward and Lauriam leaning with his arms on it, somehow extremely closed so suddenly.
Brain blinked, putting the book down as he turned to him, staring at him.
"Uh… ?"
"I need you to fake date me."
Lauriam's words were so fast, Brain had never heard him like this before, and again he just stared.
"... What?"
"Listen!" He fumbled with his hands and adjusted his position on the chair over and over. "There is … there is a poll, and I really can't let Skuld win this."
Brain desperately wanted to ask what? again, but instead he just sat there with his mouth open, watching Lauriam fumble and stumble over his own words.
Poll? What win? What were the stakes? What are the details?! Why don't you just ask me out like a normal person?!
In his own bewildered thoughts, the words escaped him without much thought.
"Lauriam, if you wanted to date-"
He didn't come far. Lauriam grabbed him by the collar and pressed their lips together, Brain's eyes wide - but just a moment later he relaxed, and, yeah, maybe this was needed to push him over the edge about this whole topic.
"Oh Lux Heavens." Skuld's voice sounded from far, and by the sound of the footsteps and the door closing, it was clear she left again.
Lauriam released the kiss and started to chuckle, leaving Brain a bit out of breath there. "I just won us so much Munny you don't even want to know."
Us? Brain watched the young man with the same baffled eyes as before. Instead now his chest was filled with a warmth he yearned for so long.
"Lauriam, if you want to date me, you just have to ask!" Now it was his turn to grab Lauriam's collar and kiss him.
He didn’t ask twice. And neither did Lauriam. The rest is history.
Snowflakes landed on Brain's clothes, one landing on his nose that had him squinch his face. It made him briefly look up to the gray sky, immediately regretting the choice as more and more snowflakes landed on his cheeks. He let out a deep breath, fog filling the air and he rubbed his hands together in front of him. At least this time he remembered to bring gloves.
Snow in the winter of Daybreak Town wasn't rare, yet it was still a sight to behold. And everyone quite loved it, to various degrees. While he might rather stay inside, he had to admit it was quite beautiful like this - the air was fresh, sounds drowned in the snow, a beautiful sea of just white.
Maybe he could enjoy some time outside then.
"Oh there you are, didn't think you're here already."
Brain turned around when he heard Ephemer's voice, finding the boy smiling as he walked towards him. "It's nice."
In thick boots and with a fine winter coat Ephemer got to a halt with a jump right in front of Brain, holding out his hands to him. He was carrying a similar scarf like he was wearing, except it was black. "I actually wanted to give you this." Ephemer looked to him, seeing Brain surprised. "Believe me, it will make everything so much better."
It wasn't like he wasn’t cold, but the idea of having an additional piece of clothing around his neck … Brain wanted to take it, but Ephemer held it off. "Here, let me help you." He pushed Brain around and front behind he started to wrap it around his neck, not too tight, not too loose - Brain had to smile at the gesture, holding onto the scarf as Ephemer secured it with a knot.
"Perfect!"
Brain looked down on him and honestly - as a winter outfit this was actually not bad. He turned back to Ephemer, met with sparkly eyes.
"It's very fitting, I'll give you that." Reaching out to his hands, he took them in his, pulling him closer to plant a kiss on his forehead. Ephemer closed his eyes at this, squeezing Brain's hands. "Thanks."
They had to stay for a brief moment just like that. The others could still wait for them, this was more important now.
(But Psi you can't just write things setting in Missing Link when you don't even know what this game is about - you're right but watch me anyways. Uhhh, they/them selective mute Player. The possibilities with Brain and Player 2 .... yeah. Player is a real name sshh.)
--------------------
"Master Brain…?"
With blinking eyes Brain looked up from his seat on the bench across the Fountain, putting down the book he held into his lap.
"Player. Good to see you."
A small smile played on Player's lips, taking their hat off as they set for a small bow in front of him.
"Mind some company?" They signed to him, and Brain's eyes widened - quickly he removed his loose papers and quill from one side to put it to the rest of his belongings on the other, making space for them.
He still wasn't quite used to seeing this familiar style of signing, but the feeling of home was always a welcome sight. Especially coming from them, all things considered.
Player gladly took the offered seat and Brain lifted his leg up to have the book in his lap a safer position as he signed. "Finished all tasks for today?"
A small hum came from them, followed by a simple shrug. "Wasn't much, Sigurd needs more faith in me."
"Hah, I'll make sure to tell him that."
"Wait, no no -" Player waved frantically in front of them, simply earning a chuckle from Brain. "He'll just give me more tasks -"
Oh no, this was the opposite of what they wanted - Player let their arms dangle from the edge of their seat, sighing deeply. But Brain patted them on their back, still having that smile on their face.
"No but, what brings you here? Don't you still have to check in with him?"
"Oh!" Player quickly lifted themselves up and patted over their pockets, finding the right one after the second try. They took out a piece of folded paper and handed it to Brain. "I, uh, … found this on my way here, I think it's yours."
Curious Brain took the paper and unfolded it, taken aback by the sight of his own handwriting - he quickly rummaged his notes at his side, and, really, it wasn't there.
He leaned backwards and rubbed over his forehead. "Wow, I really must have lost it then. Thanks"
Player smiled with a nod. "No one else writes with these letters, and … I didn't read further than the first line, so …" Their eyes briefly met and Brain immediately avoided them. " … your secret stays with me."
Brain let out a deep breath. Out of all things he could have lost, deep personal writings were definitely not on that list.
His gaze fell onto the statue in front of them - Player briefly followed his gaze and then went back to face the ground again, fumbling with their hands in their lap.
"... But, I suppose, all things considered -" Brain leaned over to Player and laid his arm over their shoulder, holding the piece of paper in front of them. "... I wasn't quite done writing to him, so …"
Player was silent, their gaze switching between the paper and the statue.
"... so if you want to say anything to him, I can still add it."
For a while Player didn't move and Brain gave them the time to decide, and eventually their hand moved again.
"Maybe … there are some things …"
Brain took out his quill and ink and prepared himself, as did Player as their hand never left the spot over their heart.
So many things left unspoken, where should they even begin?
(I just wanted them to dance. And maybe kiss hmm.)
----------------------------
Brain held Ephemer's hand firmly tight. Or maybe it was Ephemer who held Brain's hand firmly tight. Regardless, they held each other's hands, looking at each other head on. Though it was kind of hard to do in this dark room, their eyes only shining through in the right angle with the only lamp in the room on.
Brain moved first and Ephemer followed his steps right after, though they only really circled around each other, and yet -
Ephemer giggled. "Why are we dancing?" He asked, continuing without much thought. But he gripped Brain's hand tight now, pushing him slightly backwards as he took over the rhythm.
(What rhythm?)
There, Brain had to laugh. "Don't know. Why are we dancing?"
There wasn’t any reasoning. They just held and looked at each other. One thing came to another.
"You know," Ephemer spoke again, the smile on his face unable to vanish. "this would be better with some music."
Brain nodded with a smile on his own, closing his eyes as he slowed his movements to an almost halt. "You're right, next time definitely."
But Ephemer didn’t yet give up on the dancing, continuing to lead Brain a bit more - just right to the moment where he was able to stand in front of him, letting go of one of their hands to cup his cheek, getting his attention right there.
He had to slightly stand on his toes to reach for a kiss, but Brain gladly accepted and smiled into it, their dancing coming to an end as they parted again.
Just for a moment they lingered like that, looking at each other in this dim light, their hearts still dancing even if they physically didn't anymore.
Ephemer closed his eyes as he laid his head on Brain's shoulder, his feet still wanting to go on, but -
He chuckled. "Music, next time." He repeated the last point they made and Brain had to smile at himself.
"Um, Lauriam? … Can I ask you something?" Ephemer approached the pink haired boy with fiddling hands, eying whatever Lauriam had lying on the table in front of him.
He always was interested, yet he never … knew how to ask.
Lauriam looked up and waved to him. "Sure, what is it?" Yet his other hand he kept pressed flat on the table. "Do you want to try too?"
The nervousness he had instantly dropped with this invitation and Ephemer immediately nodded with a smile, taking a nearby chair to sit beside Lauriam.
"I always wanted to try nail polish …" He couldn't keep his eyes off all the different colors Lauriam lined up. "But … hm."
"Hm?" Lauriam watched Ephemer's wandering eyes. He had to admit, his curiousness was quite adorable - but he was here to help him. "Any idea on a color?"
Ephemer scratched the side of his cheek. "That's the thing. … Which color would fit me anyways?"
Lauriam had to chuckle. "Oh Ephemer, don't worry about that one." He showed off his right hand, each fingernail painted in a different color. "Tell me your favorite color and we can try this first."
The hum that followed was maybe a bit too long, but Ephemer thought long and hard. He reached for the red, orange, and yellow and grinned. "I like the color of the sunset. So, maybe …"
"Say nothing." Lauriam grabbed a few more colors and placed them beside the others, gathering the tools right away. "Give me your hand, I have the perfect idea for you."
He didn't need to be told twice.
It was … an interesting feeling, really. Lauriam painted thoroughly, carefully, each stroke calculated that left Ephemer in awe. The choice of colors let Ephemer's eyes sparkle - each finger got its own different shade, each finger showing a different stage of a sunset.
Just as he finished the last finger, Lauriam watched Ephemer's reaction with a smile. "What do you say?"
Ephemer couldn’t say anything. He didn't know what to say -
He simply looked at his hand, inspecting each nail over and over.
"This is … everything."
This was way better than he ever expected.
"You know," Lauriam reached for Ephemer's other hand. "For this one we do the night sky. What do you say?"
Ephemer beamed and immediately nodded, not even thinking twice.
Oh he couldn't wait to show off this art to the others.
(I just think Brain has back pain. And I think Lauriam would try his absolutely best to help him,)
----------------------------
Brain groaned, wanting to bite into the pillow he planted his face into.
"Maybe if you stopped sitting like a shrimp your back would thank you." Lauriam said as he pressed his fingers into Brain's back, attempting to massage the spots Brain complained about non-stop.
"This hasn't to do with that -"
"Sure."
Brain wanted to jump as Lauriam hit a particularly painful spot and Lauriam immediately let go of him, simply swaying his hands on Brain's back in a gentle manner.
"... Sorry."
But Brain only sighed and shook his head. "No, maybe you're right." What's comfort when you don't have it in the long run, although he had to admit that this right here was rather enjoyable.
Lauriam avoided the spot now, working around it before he would try it again later. "So, you do admit it." He had to grin.
"You will not hear it from me a second time, so cherish it." It was only a mumble against the pillow and Brain wasn't really in the position right now to lie -
So instead he just closed his eyes and let Lauriam's hands do their thing.
(im sick with covid hi, and im trying to get my mind working to let it not turn into a mush, so just ... some words)
--------------------------------
"Huh, you're early." Brain blinked at the sight of Ephemer already sitting in the Foreteller’s chamber. Unusual, for him at least, as he was the early riser of all of them. Or neversleeper, depends.
"Well, I couldn't sleep anymore, so…" He said while rubbing his eyes. "I need to go over a few things anyways."
He motioned to the rule book lying in front of him, the forever task they were burdened with. Brain sighed before he took a sip of his hot coffee, placing it down on the table as he moved to Ephemer's side.
"You think too much." Brain slightly chuckled. As if he didn’t as well. But this right there he couldn't just leave like that.
Leaning down he placed his arms around Ephemer's shoulders and put his chin on top of his head. Ephemer almost instinctively reached for Brain's arms and held onto them, a tired smile appearing on his face.
"Okay, fine." He only said, letting this moment just linger for a while.
He opened his eyes and was greeted with the black of the room, save for the few city lights that barely shone from outside. Comforting, in a way, that it was still in the middle of the night and that he got enough time to rest still.
He slightly shifted to the side, ready to close his eyes again, yet the person behind him shifted as well and tucked an arm around his middle, slightly pulling him closer in an embrace. The familiar comfort made Brain smile, and the low hum coming from Lauriam only supported this.
"Sleep." He heard him whisper and Brain responded with a low hum.
There was nothing really stopping him from doing so, but something was still missing and he knew he had to fix it.
He reached out to the person lying in front of him and did the same as Lauriam did to him, slightly pulling Ephemer closer to him in his sleep, fitting perfectly in his arms. A simple sigh came from Ephemer and Brain felt how he tried to clasped his hands in his, might it be in his sleep or not he wasn’t sure -
Brain tucked his chin above Ephemer's messy hair with a grin, now content enough to let sleep take him again.
Baldr panted lying on the ground, shifting his eyes towards Xehanort who walked dangerously close to him.
No, no … this cannot be. He was so close. So close to achieving his goal. Why these two! Of all the people, of course these two made the most trouble.
His breath grew colder. His lungs weren't on fire like they were supposed to be. The iciness wrapped around him like nothing else. And he felt … pretty good about it.
"Wait! We can still save him!"
"Xehanort…"
That hint of hesitation. Something in Baldr's mind shifted and he was back on his feet. His body moved on its own as he reached for the boy, the darkness following him close and extended to nothing before seen strength.
With a smirk on his face he gestured towards him as if he would grab Xehanort's throat and the darkness did exactly what he had in mind. It wrapped tightly around Xehanort, though Baldr could feel the struggle in his hands.
He lifted his extended arm in the air and Xehanort followed with it, his feet kicking, his hands grabbing at the darkness grabbing at his throat.
So close. We are so close.
"Xehanort!" Eraqus yelled from behind them, who was struggling to get on his feet again.
Baldr let out a dramatic sigh. "It's tragic, really. You two remind me so much … of myself and my sister. But, alas-" His grip tightened. "- the world can't have you either."
"Baldr…" Xehanort choked. "You don't have to do this…"
Finally Eraqus managed to get back on his feet, stumbling forward with a drawn keyblade. "We can still talk about this!"
"Talk?! You want to talk?" Baldr let out a laugh. "Hah, you're not in the position to talk! Let's end this here and now."
Come, Kingdom Hearts.
"No! Xehanort!"
Eraqus took all the strength he had left in his little body and lunged towards Baldr, wanting to slash the appendage that Baldr used to hold him.
His keyblade stopped midair and he himself with it.
The next thing he knew was a sound of metal falling to the ground and his keyblade disappeared.
"... Eraqus!"
Through his chest pierced the keyblade they all wielded. Between the tears swelling in his eyes, Eraqus could only faintly make out Baldr holding him right there.
"Twelve."
"Xehanort…" Eraqus gasped for air. "... I'm so sorry we couldn't …"
He didn't manage to finish his sentence as his body began to fade away.
Xehanort stopped his struggle. Seeing the heart of his friend float away all his strength to go on left him.
He was alone. All his life he had someone to fall back to. His first mentor, Eraqus, and his classmates. But now - everything was taken from him, his friends, the ability to go on.
He lifted his head up, watching the blue sky above him.
"I just … wanted to see them."
"Any last words, number thirteen?" Baldr's words were merely a whisper in his ears, too far gone to care about him anymore.
"No."
Xehanort closed his eyes as the tears rolled over his cheeks.
"Yes!" A female voice sounded from within and his chest started to glow. "Baldr, don't!"
For a moment, just for a moment, Baldr hesitated. "Hoder-?" But he shook his head. "Don't… don't distract me! Soon everything will be over! And then- … and then-!"
Hoder couldn't reach Baldr in time, the darkness slashed right through her and then towards Xehanort.
He didn't even react when the darkness slashed against him. The struggle was over and his body started to disappear.
Maybe … maybe I can see you all again …
The two hearts were released from their bodies and floated towards the sky.
Baldr was quiet. He had done it. It was over.
The darkness flared up and he clenched his fists, his body shaking from all the euphoria that flooded through him.
He had done it. It was over.
"Kingdom Hearts!" He reached towards the sky, his eyes wide. "Accept my offering! Show yourself!"
He yelled and yelled.
The long pause started to become awkward, even for him.
"Come, Kingdom Hearts!" He yelled again. And yet, still, nothing happened.
Why. Why aren't you doing anything?!
Baldr fell to his knees, the darkness wrapping tightly around him. Why! What is happening? Did I do it all wrong? No, it cannot be …
"Hoder, Heimdall, Helgi, Sigrun," He started to count with his fingers in his lap. "Bragi, Urd, Hermod, Vidar, Vali, Vala, Vor -"
Again he looked up into the sky. "- Eraqus, Xehanort. Thirteen! What else do you want me to do?!"
He was shaking. Was everything for naught? Did Kingdom Hearts not require these thirteen? A terrible feeling sank in, for the first time since he was doing this. The darkness always overshadowed it, yet now it came to the surface.
What if it is wrong? Am I not supposed to be the person -
"Foolish boy." A familiar voice sounded from behind him. "All this for nothing."
Baldr stood up again at the sight of his old teacher, the keyblade of the Lost Master pointing towards him. "Master Odin, you."
"Enough is enough."
He was unimpressed by the threat. His keyblade sprang into his hand and Baldr readied his stance. "I have killed thirteen, what is one more?"
Kingdom Hearts had to appear. That was all that was inside of his head. He didn't do all that to be disappointed in the end.
(AU of them being the leaders of Scala, also them having kids. Featuring Sigurd as an exhausted babysitter I guess - what timeline is this? Yeah man I have no clue, I just think. them.)
Rated T lol
For Brain it was too comfortable not to fall asleep on the spot.
Yes, Ephemer's idea of taking the work outside at this sunny weather was an excellent idea, but he should have known that once settled down like this, nothing good would come out of it.
They had everything. Their private garden as the leaders of the town, a blanket to lie down on the grass, drinks and snacks. And of course their paperwork they somehow had to go through today.
It wasn't like they completely slacked off, no. They did manage to go through some, a good junk of it actually. But the second Brain decided to lie back and enjoy the sun for a bit, Ephemer had to chuckle and shake his head, right before joining him by his side.
"You know," Ephemer started, "we could just finish this now, so we have more time for this later."
A simple hum came as an acknowledgement before Brain responded. "But I want to catch the sun a bit before it disappears behind the building for an hour."
Ephemer turned his head towards the building, admittedly surprised by … this response. How did he know that?
"Besides," Brain continued, "why the rush? We have plenty of time left."
"Hm."
Turning his attention back to Brain, Ephemer shifted and placed his head onto Brain's shoulder, snuggling himself close to his side. He rested a hand on Brain's stomach and closed his eyes, the paperwork already forgotten in his mind.
Fine.
Though a smirk appeared on his face, and Ephemer shifted again, this time to slightly graze his lips over Brain's side of the neck - it barely counted as a kiss, if anything, but it still had an immediate reaction from Brain in form of a shudder and Ephemer couldn’t help but chuckle.
"Unless." Brain stopped Ephemer's wandering hand on his stomach, suppressing a hitch in his voice. "Unless you have something else in your mind."
Ephemer grinned.
"Not sure what you're talking about." Swiftly he clasped his hand together with Brain's and before he knew it, Ephemer pinned their joined hands beside his head, hovering over him menacingly.
A pause, feeling much longer than it actually was. But that was okay, it gave Brain just the right amount of time to watch Ephemer's eyes staring right at him, the adoration and flames behind them unmissable.
Seeing these usual innocent blue eyes like that - it gave Brain itself a pause, still unreal he got to see this side of him.
He slightly parted his lips as Ephemer slowly lowered his head down to him, expecting a kiss right there -
"No, no! Wait! I said stop right there!"
Their eyes widened at the sudden voice from far.
In never seen before speed Ephemer scrambled away from Brain and sat back on his knees, while Brain first rubbed over his face with the back of his hand before he let out a hasty chuckle.
"Take thaaat!"
The child's voice only confirmed Brain's suspicion.
What he didn't suspect was the immediate barrier Ephemer casted around them, followed by a muffled sound of water splashing against it.
"That's cheating!"
"I told you it's not a good idea!"
Finally Brain sat up as well, noticing Ephemer letting out a sigh of relief that all the documents were unharmed.
"I told them … not to do that, but alas-" The man panted as his sprinting came to a halt right before the children. "These two just didn't listen and sprinted off on their own once they had the water pistols in their hands and-"
Brain shook his head with a smile, gesturing to his daughter to join him on his lap.
"Maybe you're just getting old, Sigurd."
"What-!"
"Hikari, Nimda, didn't we tell you to listen to Uncle Sigurd?" Ephemer did the same as Brain, disarming his daughter before she could think about doing anything.
"Yeah but-"
"No buts." Somehow Brain was glad that Ephemer was usually the voice of reason. "And no attacking us during work, you know that too."
"You heard him, Nimda." Brain poked her against her forehead and the girl nodded, albeit somewhat reluctant.
All eyes fell towards Sigurd as he sighed deeply, his breath seemingly normal again after all this. "Great, now that we have that out of the way-"
"Actually, Nimda." Brain grabbed the water pistol and handed her it again. "I think Sigurd could use a lap or two."
A pause.
Brain watched Ephemer hand the water pistol to his daughter as well.
"Master Ephemer, please be reasonable." Sigurd pleaded.
"Get him, Hikari."
In just a split second the children were on their feet, and Sigurd took everything in his strength to start running.
Ephemer grinned and Brain again could only shake his head again with an equal expression.
"Can't believe this." Brain whispered to himself, and Ephemer leaned into him and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Back to work then."
Brain grabbed one of the papers they had left to go through. "Don't think you're off the hook yet. You started something."
"Hm." Ephemer hummed with a smile. "I guess we'll find out later."
