fractured heart.

《 HEADCANON PROMPTS / ACCEPTING 》

Since the moment he arrived in the Land of Departure, Aqua has always been at his side, even throughout the weeks he spent virtually comatose. She took on the role of his absent maternal figure and easily became a source of comfort and affection to him over the following months. It was with her constant encouragement ( and his friendly rivalry with Terra ) that kept him pushing forwards, that gave him the courage he needed to finally summon his Keyblade ( for the first time since his ordeal at Xehanort’s hands ) and properly become one of Eraqus’ pupils. He would often look to Aqua for praise or further encouragement when training, finding he wanted to impress her with how far he’d come.

As the two of them grew closer, it didn’t take long for Ven to resort to the use of physical affection around his friend. Hugs became commonplace, sitting at her side and resting his head on her shoulder was soon the norm. For a boy who had no memory of his past, he took comfort in what he did know: his friends, and the happiness they both brought him.

Whenever nightmares occurred, Aqua was often the first person he would seek out ( Terra coming a close second ), knowing he would be welcomed with open arms and soothing words. There were often times that Ven simply couldn’t sleep and would visit Aqua’s room simply for company; it was a great comfort to the boy to know he was always welcome, no matter what the reason or the time.

Upon awakening from his decade long sleep, Ven has found himself in greater need of Aqua than ever, and knows that Aqua is also in need of him, particularly with the fate of Terra still unknown to them. He aims to support her however he can, to become stronger so as not to be a burden and bring their friend back home safely.

               ❛ ven? ven? where are you! ❜ wandering the expansive halls of the land of departure, aqua cupped her hands ‘round her mouth, calling for the younger apprentice. ❛ ven! i made some strawberry cake, do you want some? ❜ the promise of sweets was sure to draw the boy out. ❛ you better hurry before master eraqus eats it all! ❜

@lcstmemory

               unbeknownst to his friend, ven had tucked himself away in a small alcove overlooking the courtyard, surrounded by several pillows he’d pilfered borrowed from the castle library, pouring over a book he’d read enough times to have it memorised. he must have lost track of time, for when he finally lifted his gaze from the book’s musty pages, he heard aqua’s voice calling his name, followed swiftly by something about ‘strawberry cake’.

               and that was all it took to successfully claim his attention, all thoughts of continuing to remain concealed in his little cubbyhole vanishing in an instant. the book in his hands was immediately discarded, hastily slammed shut and dropped amongst the cushions as he wriggled out from his hiding spot, stumbling eagerly to his feet. no way was he letting master eraqus eat it all!

《 STARRY PROMPTS / NOT ACCEPTING 》

      ❛ C’mon, keep up! We’re almost there! ❜ Ven called over his shoulder, barely able to contain his excitement as the boardwalk beneath their feet finally gave way to soft, loose sand. Just how long had it been since he’d visited a beach? He’d always wanted to go with Terra and Aqua, but thus far they hadn’t had the chance. Maybe once it was all over and Xehanort was taken care of they could spend the night camped out under the stars, with the sound of the sea lapping against the shore lulling them to sleep. 

        Ven came to a halt not too far from the waters edge, bending down to pull off his shoes and throw them behind him before stepping boldly out into the surf, gasping a little as the cold water rushed up past his ankles. In all honesty, it was a welcome, refreshing sensation, a distraction from whatever thoughts might seek to plague his mind and ruin his good mood.

        As he began to get used to the temperature of the water, Ven allowed his head to fall back, gazing up at the stars littering the sky way above him, lips drawn into an amazed smile. He barely spared Gemiya a glance as he heard her come to a stop at the edge of the surf, his grin widening as he half-whispered, ❛ The stars look even clearer from here, don’t they? ❜

      ❛ ...Zack? ❜ Voice riddled with confusion, Ven could do little but stare at his friend ( or, at least he assumed it was his friend; his appearance had changed somewhat since they’d last seen each other ), wondering just what he was doing in Radiant Garden, of all places. It was the last place he’d expected to see him! And looking so... Grown up! 

        ...It was a horrible reminder of just how long he’d been gone, of how much he’d missed in the decade he’d been asleep. First Radiant Garden, and now Zack? Just what else had changed in his absence?