"Ienzo?" Lauriam dropped his title when it was just the two of them and for that Ienzo was grateful.
"Yes. O-of course. Is everything alright? It's not like you to come to my room."
"It's exactly like me." Ienzo whispered and shook his head when Lauriam gave him a confused look.
"Marluxia and Zexion's complicated relationship?" Lauriam questioned and sat down on his bed.
Ienzo weighed his options. "Yes," he responded carefully "We all had our own agenda." He bit his lip and approached Lauriam "What is yours with Even?"
"I understand if it makes you uncomfortable that I am courting your father figure." Lauriam sighed softly. "But I have only felt this way once before and I would like this to go well."
"...courting..." Ienzo repeated. "You are not dating?"
"I- we have been on a date. I do not believe our relationship has reached a point where I could call him my boyfriend."
"I see." Ienzo sat down beside him. His scent was faint compared to Marluxia's. "His birthday is coming up. I thought you might like to plan it with me."
"That's why he's been fretting about being old." Lauriam laughed softly. "I would enjoy that. It would be a welcome distraction."
"Distraction?" Ienzo whispered.
"Nothing for you to worry about. I need to snuff out Darkness once and for all." Lauriam smiled at him and Ienzo understood him a little clearer. A master of light would always cast the greatest shadow.
Lauriam shook his head. "This is between Ven and I."
Ienzo placed his hands behind him and leaned back slightly. “For someone that wants me to be a Keyblade Wielder you’re not letting me practice.”
“Take it up with Luxu.” Lauriam scuffed. “This is my mission. My sister.”
“Mm,” Ienzo closed his eyes “My parents.”
“As time passes that reality becomes clearer. My parents. Your Dandelions. Everything has sacrifice.”
“You’re not facing Darkness and that is final, Ienzo.” Lauriam growled. “Do you really think I can live with your death on my hands as well?”
“It really is annoying you don’t recall Marluxia.” Ienzo sighed. “So many good quips.”
“Why do you think you can defeat it now? From what you’ve told me it sounds as if no matter what happens someone will be sacrificed. I don’t want to lose my family again. And when you and Ventus die do you really think everyone else is just going to sit by? You can’t live with my death on your hands? I destroyed my own planet. Do you know how many times I’ve had to accept that Aeleus and Even are dead? Just to have no idea if we’ll come back again?” Ienzo’s voice grew softer as he spoke and tears started to slide down his face. “I can’t be useless again. So you will let me help.”
Lauriam watched Ienzo carefully. Ienzo had confided in him about Lexaeus’s death.
Even had yelled about Vexen’s when they first met. While he tried to get out that he did not know him. Even had gone from angered to sad.
Ienzo’s fingers trembled as he touched the choker Lauriam had made him.
Ienzo had watched Even and Aeleus be struck down as they tried to protect him as a boy.
“I’ll talk to Ven.” Lauriam settled on. “He... He’d never admit this to you, but I know seeing you is odd for him as well. We’ve both grown considerably.”
“It is odd.” Ienzo agreed. “Can I ask you something? About Ven?”
“How do you feel about him?”
“I... That’s a complicated question, Ienzo. I tried to use him to fill a hole in my heart. I thought if I could see him as my little brother things might be easier. I was wrong. I was falling right into the path Darkness set for me.” Lauriam started to explain. “And now. Now I’ve allowed him to be hurt even more by Darkness. I wasn’t there to keep him safe.”
“Correct. It’s terrifying not knowing if he is safe. I know if I fail he’ll have to die. He knows that too. So, for now, I try not to feel anything.”
“Yes. We were each picked for a reason. And then that reason corrupted. Your darkness became Zexion. Ventus’s became Vanitas. You must know he is scared.”
“He tries to hide it.” Ienzo nodded. “But if you strike down Ventus what is to stop a chain reaction? Would you not become the next target? Darkness is not that simple. That was the only conclusive fact from our research.”
“Do not worry about that.” Lauriam rested a hand over his heart. “After all, this heart was already seeped in darkness once, right?”
“...You mean to become Marluxia again.” Ienzo sat up straight. “Why?”
Lauriam shook his head. “You only asked what may happen. I am prepared for everything. Which is why it needs to only be Ventus and I. You, my precious prince, need to stay away.”
“I’m starting to have doubts that I should be allowing you near Even.” Ienzo sighed and rubbed between his eyes. “/When/?”
“There must be a time frame.”
“Not particularly. Time means little. My power draws from the future, after all.” Lauriam shook his head. “The battle will happen when the time is right. When all players are in place.”
“I see...” Ienzo sighed. “You plan on living, right?”
“I will do my best.” Lauriam responded honestly.”
