trashwriter1102 replied to your post “I'm also picturing Vanitas very angrily eating soup because Lauriam...”
Vanitas: I don’t need this! I am a powerful being of pure darkn- ....that actually smells good. Give it! Lauriam: I knew you were hungry Vanitas: This means nothing!
The first time Lauriam ever tried to feed him he threw a fit. A fit that resulted in a keyblade to his throat and a defeated sigh from Lauriam.
A fit that resulted in Vanitas growing to respect him a smidgen.
Vanitas wasn’t used to eating. Xehanort had never really put a focus on /caring/ for him. About him. He wasn’t sure he even needed to. Not normal food at least. Not what People ate. He craved hearts and Lux. His Keyblade took care of his needs.
That and Lauriam was an adult. He didn’t trust adults. But Ventus had known him as a teenager. He had known him as a teenager. They had been together then. Together and safe.
And Lauriam was patient with him.
So the next time he placed soup before him he used his voice. “I don’t need this.” Lauriam’s gaze stayed solid on him. It always did. If he blinked he could be gone.
“I am a powerful being of pure darkness-” his protests were faltering as he actually smelt the soup. Last time he had been too caught up in being angry for the sake of anger. Because he was supposed to be mad. He wasn’t made to understand what Ventus felt. What Lauriam saw in him.
“That actually does smell good.” Vanitas relented and Lauriam sat down beside him. He gestured to the spoon.
“Try it. It’s miso. We’ll work on figuring out what you like in time.” Lauriam’s voice was kind.
Vanitas looked between him and soup. He liked to be warm. The dark was so very cold. He took a cautionary sip. He didn’t hate it. It felt bland to him. He was sure Ventus would love it.
Lauriam set his chin in his hands as he watched him. “I knew you were hungry.”
Ventus glared at him and dribbled a little bit of soup as he went to retort. His palm rubbed at his lips. “This means nothing.”
Lauriam hummed and closed his eyes. “I know, ototo.”
It went like that. Sometimes Ventus would join them but he always left quickly. Between Vanitas’s manners and Lauriam’s gentle gaze he couldn’t stand them.
It was two weeks into matters that Vanitas finally spoke freely.
“You know we did it, right?” Vanitas’s voice was small as Lauriam set a bowl of black bean soup before him.
“I know.” Lauriam responded.
“Then why are you being nice to me?”
“I wonder,” Lauriam tapped the bowl “Finish and maybe I’ll talk.”
Vanitas frowned at him. His curiosity vs the fact he still had trouble eating. Lauriam hadn’t been mean like that yet. “Maybe.”
“Maybe.” Lauriam agreed. “You might run if I’m honest with you.”
“Run?” Vanitas tilted his head. “You’re being nice to hide how scary you are.”
“Are you scared?”
Vanitas stared at the soup. “You haven’t tried to hurt me.”
“Ven would be sad if I did.” Lauriam responded.
“You haven’t hurt him either.”
“He has Aqua and Terra protecting him.”
“You /plan/ on hurting us…”
“No. I need you in perfect condition when Strelitzia returns.” Lauriam sat down beside him. “So eat.”
“You want her to kill us.” Vanitas stared at him. The Darkness in Lauriam had never been clearer. “No. You want her to tell /you/ to kill us.”
“I would never ask her to kill, but this is her revenge. I will follow her wishes.” Lauriam gestured to him. “You will live.”
Vanitas frowned. “You think she’ll forgive us.”
“I think she’ll not wish me to bloody my hands further. Back then I had wanted nothing more than the leaders to be happy together. I had done what I must. just as everyone else did. We were not destined to be happy. You are proof of that.”
“Are you happy now?”
“I am trying to be.”
“Mm, must be nice,” Vanitas played with his spoon. “I don’t think I can be. I’ve felt excited. But actually happy? I don’t know. What’s it like?”
“How do you feel when you eat?”
“Uh, warm. Sometimes I still get agitated by it. I don’t think I need this. It’s... weird.”
“Focus on the warmth.” Lauriam instructed. “Happiness is like that. There’s many kinds of happiness, and for some that warmth would be more akin to love.”
“Love?” Vanitas squinted at him. “Yeah, know I can’t do that one.”
“We’ll work on it. Eat. I’m going to check on the others.” Lauriam stood as he spoke.
“Are you going to tell Him what we spoke about?”
“I did not plan on it. You are both safe.”
“Mm, okay. Would you show me how to make this next time?”
“Of course, Vanitas.”