“How is Even doing?” Lea asked around a bite of sandwich.
“Swallow before speaking.” Isa sighed at his side.
Roxas merely shook his head.
“Odd for you to ask.” Lauriam responded and blinked over at him.
“Hey, don’t be like that. Xion told me.”
“Told you-?” Lauriam’s head tilted.
Lea frowned at him. Weird. “About Even’s cancer.”
“What?” Lauriam’s expression fell slowly. “I- excuse me.” He swallowed as he pushed his chair back.
Ven reached a hand carefully out for him. “Lauriam?”
Lauriam shook his head a little. “You know my opinions. Speak for me if needed.”
Ven settled his hand back on his lap. Just like back then. “Okay.”
Lauriam gave him a shaky smile before he hurried off.
“Did he not know?” Roxas whispered. “Why would Even not tell him?”
“I... overheard him tell Ienzo.” Xion sighed. “Figured it was safe to talk about. Man my dad is stupid.”
“Our dad is indeed.” Ienzo stated as he stared at his Gummiphone. “I know Aeleus and Dilan know. Should I warn Even?”
“Lauriam’s...” Ventus trailed and stared at the table. “I don’t know if the adult Lauriam would do anything. Is- Is Even going to /die/?”
“It is not that serious.” Ienzo tried to keep his voice calming as he messaged Even. “How much did you hear, Xion?”
“Uhh, really just you saying ‘You have cancer’. Figured he could wait on the ingredients he asked me to pick up...”
“He has lung cancer. Another side effect of Vexen’s death, he worries, which is probably why he put off telling Lauriam.”
“...Oh.” Lea let out a small broken laugh. “Well shit.”
“Mmhm.” Ienzo hummed at him. “I still cannot understand why Vexen helped you and Saix.”
“Curiosity, mostly. Once he understood the severity of the situation he was willing to do anything.” Isa explained. “But more than that, that death did make him Even, once more.”
“True.” Ienzo sighed. “There is nothing to worry about, Ven. Even is more sturdy than he looks.”
“Promise?” Ven sounded younger than usual right then. Too open. Too bare.
“I promise.” Ienzo gave him a small smile. “Your concern for my father is appreciated.”
Ven shook his head a little. “It’s for Lauriam. I don’t think his heart would be able to handle Even dying.”
“Ahh. He would not be alone, Ven. Even is an important part of many of our hearts. But that fear is understandable; I would not like to see Marluxia again.”
“Would he become a Nobody again?” Aqua questioned.
“I think he would just stop.” Ven shook his head. “I’d have to keep him away from the students. That kind of dark influence could be disastrous.”
“Would he still be able to wield his Keyblade?”
“Perhaps not the one you are used to, but yes.” Ven frowned to himself. “Should I check on him?”
“No, let Even fix his own mess.” Ienzo shook his head and put his phone away. “If he can.”
“I’m taking dad in the divorce.” Xion teased openly.
“As if Lauriam would take you.” Ienzo teased back. “There’s nothing to worry about. Lauriam cannot stay angry at Even for long. Even will get treated, and everything will go back to normal.”
Xion stuck her tongue out at him.
“If- if he did become a Nobody again would he really /be/ Marluxia? Xemnas gave us those names. Would he really take it back up?” Roxas questioned the room.
“Fair point, we reclaimed those ‘X’s, can’t imagine him doing the same.” Lea mumbled. “Look at you thinking this hypothetical through.”
Roxas rubbed the back of his head. “It was just a thought.”
“We shouldn’t keep talking about this.” Aqua ended the conversation. “If Lauriam falls down a dark path we will deal with it then.”
