I wandered lonely as a cloud.

The set is an abandoned castle. The stone cracked and covered in vines. The moat dried. A young woman and young man stood next to each other, with a knight dead on the ground with a hole in his chest. The young man’s right arm was covered in blood, somehow he had punched through the knight’s armor and punctured his heart.

(AZUL stands back facing MELLOW as their enemy PERCIVAL falls to the ground dead, the final blow struck by AZUL. Hand bloodied, AZUL wipes his hand with a handkerchief nonchalantly. MELLOW takes a step towards him.)

MELLOW

AZUL… You have some explaining to do…

AZUL

(quietly puts his handkerchief away, back still facing MELLOW)

What do I need to explain?

MELLOW

Was what PERCIVAL said was true? You’re somehow messing with time?

AZUL

(slowly turns to face MELLOW, smiling gently)

I have.

MELLOW (bewildered)

Why would you even do that? What’s the purpose?

AZUL

(his smile falters a bit, but it still stays)

I will keep turning time till I get what I want.

MELLOW

What is it that you want? Money? Power?

AZUL

(he takes off his glasses to clean them)

I rewind time when you die.

MELLOW

(looks confused but hopeful)

When we die?

(she smiles and sighs in relief)

You make sure the whole team survives this quest? ZAYIR, TRISSA, POPPY, all of us?

AZUL

No.

(puts his glasses back on)

I make sure you survive. To be quite frank, I don’t care about the others.

(he shrugs his shoulders)

MELLOW

(looks at AZUL confused)

Why would he keep me alive and not the others!? I don’t have money! I don’t have anything of value! Why would you use this power to make sure I’m alive!?

(MELLOW grabs AZUL by his coat)

AZUL (serious tone)

(gently removes MELLOW’S hands from his coat, but holding her hands firmly)

If you are quite done with that tantrum, I would like to proceed further into our quest. We never had gotten this far before and honestly, you should be thankful that I’ve done this in the first place. Without me, you would be dead.

(lets go of her hands)

MELLOW (baffled)

So what? You want me to thank you? Messing with time has dire consequences! If I’m meant to die and you bring me back to life - you could be ruining the fabric of reality as we know it! 

AZUL

(fixes his glasses)

That is all irrelevant to me really.

MELLOW

How many times exactly have you done this?

AZUL

(is silent for a moment)

Fifteen times.

MELLOW

Fifteen!?

AZUL

PERCIVAL always gave us great difficulty. Even though I had prior knowledge, each timeline had different possibilities. One little change can mess everything up. 

MELLOW

But why!?

AZUL

Well, the butterfly theory indicates---

MELLOW (interrupts him)

Do not mess with me Azul! You know what I mean! Why would you go through all this trouble!?

AZUL

(he was silent for a moment, readjusting his glasses) 

It’s because I love you…

MELLOW (baffled)

B-But why!?

AZUL

No one can help who they love. Falling in love is out of one’s control, though I’d much prefer that I didn’t - admittedly. 

(AZUL looks away ashamed)

It hinders me greatly, I can hardly think logically. It’s a nice and terrible feeling at the same time. I don’t regret what I have done to make sure you’re still alive.

MELLOW (emotional)

Why? Why? Why!?

(tears roll down MELLOW’S face)

I am a lowly orphan, cursed by a witch, not a penny to my name! I have no value to you!

AZUL

(shushes MELLOW and wipes her tears)

You are worth more than the world to me. 

(smiles sadly)

MELLOW…

I will rewind time, so I can save you.

I promised to do so under the pale moon.

(AZUL holds MELLOW’S hands)

Your sweet eyes.

Gazed at the sky.

Hoping for better days.

Tragedy struck and he then took you away.

I then learned to control time.

I did it from spite.

I held your body in my arms as I waited for dawn.

I whispered a desperate wish for you to open your eyes.

I would let the whole world burn before I let you die!

MELLOW

AZUL…

(MELLOW gently pulls her hands away from AZUL’S grasp)

Like clocks’ gears mark the years in the verse of time.

Life is born.

Lives get torn.

Life can be unkind.

All life dies, it is law, Azul listen to me please!

It’s a sad thought but their souls are at ease.

Like the sun sets in the sky, darkness will reach you.

Darkness sets but we patiently wait for dawn.

While the sun sets in the sky, darkness will teach you.

Even though life seems hopeless there will always be light!

AZUL (angrily and aggressive)

Like clocks and gears mark the years in the verse of time!

I will always make the clock of the universe unwind!

In your mind!

Precious time!

Will be seen in better days!

Memories, like a dream, are still taken away!

Curse the sun in the sky, darkness won’t reach you!

Even though darkness is in the sky, I’ll be your light!

The sun will never set as long as I control time!

I would let the whole world burn before I let you die!

(AZUL grabs MELLOW by the shoulders, staring into her eyes. MELLOW looks scared and AZUL eases up and lets MELLOW go)

I’m sorry…

(AZUL turns his back to MELLOW)

I need time alone... The others should be in the village, you should meet them there...

(AZUL walks off stage right)

MELLOW

(reaches out and tries to follow him)

AZUL wait!

(MELLOW stops halfway and watches AZUL walk away)

AZUL… 

Your love for me surpasses the very verse of time.

I wonder what made you think I was… worth your time?

(MELLOW slowly turns around to exit, but she glances towards AZUL’S direction worried)

AZUL… Please come back soon.

(MELLOW walks off stage left and the lights turn off)

Riddle: What is this gibberish you just sent me?

Leona: I hurt you too.

Azul: And?

Idia: no thank u. *blocks Yuu*

Vil: Everyone does.

Kalim: <3 <3 <3

Malleus: Pardon? I do not know this language. Is it new?

I have been waiting for you for many years now, you just do not know me yet. Patient as I am, I do get restless from time to time, waiting for you. I have seen the future through my pupil and I sense your soul there. I hear it calling to me. Although I do not truly see you, I know you are there. Just like you do not know me but I long for you. My faithful student, Luxu, will encounter the many bodies you had controlled, but he will not realize you had control over all of them.

I have yearned to see you for years… my true love. My sweet lovable darling... 

Player 1.

“You’re hired. You may move into the castle tomorrow.”

Braig’s eyes widened, he couldn’t believe it. Ansem smiled and reached over for a handshake. The other man grabbed the king’s hand with both hands and shook it enthusiastically, “Th-Thank you!” He was almost at the brink of tears, “Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me sir!”

Ansem laughed, “It is my pleasure Braig.” He took his hands away and handed Braig a manila envelope, “That is all your information about your job and where your quarters shall be. You shall be trained after you settle into your room and receive your uniform, after about a week you will start your duties.”

“Thank you sir!” Braig said again and bowed his head, “I will not let you down!”

The king smiled kindly, “I’m glad to hear that. Thank you for applying.”

The man bowed his head again before rushing out of the room and headed out of the castle. He went towards the staircase and jumped into the air, “YEAH!”

The two guards that were standing in front of the main doors stared at the man confused, as he continued to hop down the stairs. “Yes! Finally!” Braig stated breaking into a run, he had so much energy from his excitement. He was now, nothing could stop him. He ran past some shops before he backtracked, looking at a jewelry shop window. The store was decorated with assortments of jewelry and amulets, but a ring caught his eye. 

A rose gold ring with a morganite in the middle. Should he dare?

He placed a hand onto his torn bandanna and remembered his childhood crush. His neighbor by his farm. He loved her for years but never mustered up the strength to tell her how he felt, she got engaged so Braig decided to enter the military, before he left she gave him the bandanna she always wore when farming a ‘token of friendship’. The engagement was broken so… He still had a chance. The man then grabbed his wallet and looked inside. That ring will wipe him out clean but… 

He clenched the wallet and looked at the shop determined. He has the money now. Once he starts his job everything will be okay!

The man then went in, bought the ring, and left. It was time for him to face his fears! He started to walk out of Radiant Garden and to his hometown that was miles away, hours away by foot.

Braig was on a mission. He was going to tell the girl that he loved that he wanted to spend his life with her, he was going to ask her to marry him. Just thinking about it made his heart race but… He wanted to do this.

The sun had set and he was almost there, just needed to go through the woods and he'd see her house at the bottom of the hill. Braig smiled to himself and imagined her saying yes, hugging his neck, kissing all over his face, moving with him to Radiant Garden, and having a baby girl who looked just like the beautiful mother.

He couldn’t wait…

Just then a sound was heard and a sharp pain hit the back of his knee. He gave out a cry in pain before collapsing, dropping the ring and envelope he was holding. Braig quickly touched his leg and pulled out a small purple needle that glowed in the darkness. 

“Wh-What?” He murmured as his eyesight began to blur. His body woozed like he was drunk. What was happening to him?

He heard a thud behind him and he quickly looked where the sound came from. He gasped in fear of what he saw. Just a cloaked shadowy figure with glowing yellow eyes. Braig was going to get up and run, but his muscles felt too loose and relaxed. He could barely hold himself up. “You are strong.” The figure said he sounded like an innocent teenager. It walked towards him  and kneeled down picking up the envelope, “You are perfect. I need your body in order to complete my role.” It said touching Braig’s face gently, “No hard feelings, okay?”

Braig’s eyes widened in anger. No hard feelings? What was this thing saying!? He then with all the strength he could muster, pushed the figure away. The stranger gasped in surprise before the man attempted to get up but collapsed to the ground. No… He tried to push himself up, he needed to get away.

“Oh…” The figure said dusting himself off, “You scared me.” A soft chuckle was heard, “A perfect vessel you are.”

“Are-Are you going to kill me..?” Briag asked, “What did I ever do to you?”

“Hm? Nothing. I just need your body, you won’t be really dead but not alive either.” The figure said squatting down next to Braig and rubbed his back, “As I said, no hard feelings… Okay?”

“As if…” The man retorted as the attacker laughed out loud.

“As if! That’s a good one!” He laughed, “But you’ll understand when I take over, you’ll see.”

“N-No…”

“No? But I have too.”

“I need…” Braig murmured reaching towards the ring, “To tell her how I feel…”

The figure gazed at the ring, “Oh. You were going to propose? Real bad timing. I’m sorry. I promise to give it to her. What’s her name? My name is Luxu by the way.”

Braig was silent.

“What’s she like?”

He was still quiet.

“Where does she live?”

Quiet.

“You know, there was a girl who I loved once.” The shadow said sitting next to Braig’s body, still rubbing his back, “Her name was Ava. I thought she was so pretty, she always liked cute little things, collected little figures of foxes and cats. She lived with me and my master and the rest of our little family… I miss it sometimes.” He stopped rubbing Braig’s back but his hand stayed in place, “Kind of makes me glad that you won’t get to confess…” 

Braig groaned as he felt pressure on his back, “After All. What makes you so special to confess to the person you love?” The figure pushed his hand into the body like it was putty.

“We’ll suffer in lonely silence together.” The shadow said as his body became ink like and seeped into the man’s body, “Afterall… I am Braig now.”

“NO!” Was the last thing Braig said before his world turned black. His hand reached out and the last thought he had was of the girl.

He never told her how he felt about her…

The body went limp for a moment before his eyes opened and sat up.

“Oh, he had a strong body but not a strong heart.” The body got up, “A pity.” Luxu looked down and picked up the envelope and ring, “But I suppose I did promise to give the girl the ring. At least his love was strong.”

Zexion stood in front of the candy shop in Twilight Town. Remembering when he was little, a Somebody, Ienzo, would go to the shop in Radiant Garden with Ansem and buy an ice cream to eat. Lord Ansem always used Ienzo as an excuse to take a break from his work to get sea salt ice cream and the young boy didn’t mind. He liked spending time with his father figure and tasting the salty but sweet ice cream. 

From what he remembered he liked it. Zexion looked around to make sure there was no one around and went into the shop. 

“Hello, welcome.” An older husky woman said, giving him a bright smile.

The teen blushed awkwardly and looked away shyly, he wasn’t used to people talking to him outside the castle, mostly because he was supposed to be hidden from the public. He quickly looked around, avoiding the cookies and candy around him before finding a small freezer that had all sorts of ice cream. Zexion spotted the one he wanted, the sky blue popsicle. He took it and went to the counter to pay for it. When he left the shop he had a memory of holding hands with Ansem while they walked back home to the castle, eating their ice creams. The teen knew he couldn’t do that anymore, there was no one here for him to walk with or to hold hands.

The Nobody then sighed. He supposed he was too old for such things, or didn’t deserved it rather. Nobodies had no right to little moments of happiness such as those, only Somebodies could. 

But… He looked at the cold treat. He really wanted to experience that little bit of happiness again.

A chiming bell was heard throughout the town, signalling the new hour.

“Maybe I can eat this by the bell tower..?” He thought to himself as he headed towards that destination.

Civilians walked by him, one in particular caught his eye. A little boy holding his mother’s hand as they walked down the sidewalk. Zexion could’ve sworn that he saw his younger self and his deceased mother, but it was only his imagination. He watched them walk away before heading to the tower. He found a staircase that led up to the tower. 

When he climbed he saw Master Ansem walk in front of him before turning around and reached his arm back, “Need help catching up Ienzo?”

Zexion’s eyes widened as he reached for the man’s hand, but he disappeared. The Nobody’s mind played tricks on him again. He just sighed and continued up the stairs till he reached the top. The view from the tower was rather nice, a perfect place to watch the sunset.

He walked to the ledge and sat down, letting his feet dangle over. He felt small again, like when he was Ienzo sitting on a bench with Ansem.

Now was the time he was waiting for. The taste of happiness.

He unwrapped his ice cream from the wrapper, revealing slightly melted ice cream from not being eaten right away. Zexion moved it towards his mouth, he wanted to remember this emotion, and took a bite.

…

…

…

He spit it out, it was nothing but a salty flavor. He looked at the ice cream frustrated as hot tears streamed down his face.

Disgusting!

He then threw the popsicle as hard as he could off of the tower and gave out a scream of frustration. When he was Ienzo, he loved eating that ice cream.

Zexion heaved and sobbed some more.

Why couldn’t he enjoy it now? Why didn’t it give him happiness?

It only made him feel terrible.

“Oh…” The teen mumbled as he realized, “I cannot enjoy it because I am a Nobody… Of course.” He then stood up from the ledge as his tears stopped, “Nobodies can’t enjoy human pleasures. That is one of the reasons we strive for a heart…” He wiped his tears away nonchalantly. 

“Yes… That’s it…”

Zexion then lifted his hand up to summon a dark vortex so he could return to the castle and left the clock tower behind with the bitter ice cream.

Number IV’s face became even more displeased, “THAT ISN’T FUNNY.” He then turned to face away from Number VI, “I suppose I have no choice but to wait. But the clock is ticking. Time is running out. What to do?” He said avoiding eye contact with the teen and walked away, “Why is he never around when I need him? It’s almost as if he knows I’m looking for him!”

Zexion kept eye contact on the man till he was out of sight and his frustrated mumbling unheard. The teen then continued his way to the stairs before abruptly stopping, hearing a voice.

“You know, I don’t like that place either.”

Number VI turned around and narrowed his eyes upwards towards the ceiling, to see his higher up, Xigbar, once known as Braig, wearing his hood covering his face and sitting on the pipes above him.

“What about you, Zexion? What do you think?” He added.

Zexion wanted to avoid Xigbar’s questions, “I think eavesdropping is intrusive. Why are you even here? You and Xaldin were tasked to recruit new members.”

Xigbar then hopped off the pipes and landed on his feet gracefully, before standing up at his full composure. 

“Have you forgotten, or were you procrastinating?”

Xigbar answered coolly, “As if! I’m doing my job. I’ll have you know, I found one just yesterday. ‘Mar--something’.” He scratched his chin, “That puts the Organization’s count at eleven!” He shrugged to himself, “And since I’ve been working so hard, I had Lexaeus take my place for the day. I want to rest up for tomorrow, so I can wake up feeling nice and refreshed.”

The young man didn’t care for Xigbar’s excuses, “Is that so? Well then, I will leave you to it.” He waved his hand nonchalantly, “I have work to catch up on. Good day.”

Zexion then turned his back to the man and walked over to the staircase. He heard Xigbar’s feet echo behind him, trying his best to ignore it, until the man wrapped his arm around Zexion’s shoulder and pulled him in closer like they were friends. 

They are not.

“Oh don’t be like that.” Xigbar said as Zexion looked away, avoiding eye contact. “Come on. Stay and talk!” The older man moved his face closer to the younger one, “Isn’t it about time you told me about Xemnas’ secret?”

Zexion’s crystal blue eyes then glared at Xigbar.

Xemnas’ secret or rather Xehanort’s?

It’s been ten years since that day. How Xehanort was just brought to the castle in Braig’s arms, while Dilan followed with armor and a legendary keyblade. King Ansem just let him in without a problem. Xehanort claimed he had amnesia and Ansem the Wise believed it, oh how too trusting he was. Xehanort just slipped his way into the castle and Ienzo’s family without a problem. He also slipped into Ansem’s precious research of the heart as his student. He did this all too easily. Ienzo never trusted him because he saw what happened.

When sneaking out of the castle to play in the town square. The sky was covered in dark clouds, it made it look like it was nighttime. He saw two people at the square. Xehanort choking a blue haired woman with one hand. The boy was scared and hid behind one of the trees. He could not hear what they were saying, just watched the scene unfold. Xehanort dropped the woman to the ground and in a flash of puffy darkness pulled out a legendary keyblade. A weapon he only heard from Ansem the Wise. Ienzo gulped, he knew what kind of power it had. It can steal hearts and make you fade away forever.

The woman then summoned her own keyblade out of light and two started fighting. Everything grew darker and the smell of sulfur filled the air. Ienzo covered his nose. Was this the smell of darkness?

He couldn’t stand the smell anymore so he hurried towards the staircase leading to the castle, before tripping on his shoe laces. He quickly got up and continued up the stairs, ran through the gates, ran down the hall, and locked himself in his room.

Ienzo pulled his clothing off of him, the smell of darkness was on him. It was intense and disgusting. He felt so dirty and tainted. He hurried to his private bathroom and turned on the water on full blast. The boy quickly got into the tub and scrubbed his skin roughly, but the smell wouldn’t go away. Maybe it was in his hair? He poured shampoo on top of his head and scrubbed, tears running down his face as the soap entered his eyes. Oh the smell wouldn’t go away.

He started sobbing in the tub and laid down on the cold porcelain surface, he just wanted the smell to go away.

After an hour in the tub, Ienzo turned off the water and climbed out. Finally it was gone. He dried himself off, wore his pajamas, and climbed into bed. He stayed in bed the whole time till Evën went to check up on him and determined Ienzo was ill.

The young boy stayed in bed for two more days before he was eventually okay enough to go out for sea salt ice cream with Ansem. Ice cream with the king always made him happy. After they had gotten ice cream and headed back home, they were walking down the hall when Ienzo smelled a familiar scent. He stopped and turned his gaze around and saw him, the man from town square walking with Braig.

Ever since that day, Ienzo’s life had changed.

The man Xehanort never spoke to the young boy, only looked at him with those cruel orange eyes. Speaking of eyes, no one noticed that Braig’s eyes were no longer brown, but yellow. Evën would be in his lab for hours, Dilan and Aeleus also, which concerned Ienzo because they were indeed not scientists. Everyone became different when that man came in, his family began to crumble apart.

There was one time when Ienzo tried to talk to the king about what he saw Xehanort do, but he would ignore him in favor of his research. Oh his research… So many children were experimented on. Xehanort somehow convinced Ansem into doing it.

Everyone around him changed. No one heard him so he became quiet. He never told what he saw on that dark day. That Xehanort had a keyblade.

And eventually they all lost their hearts. Became part of a cult with Xehanort putting himself on top. Another kicker was that Xehanort took Ansem’s name for his own research, changed everyone else’s name, and gave them numbered ranks.

Ienzo became Zexion, but he kept quiet about it. Xehanort had too much power and would destroy him if he ever stepped out of place.

He looked back to the wall, “Daaaaaa-RUMASANGAKORONDA!” He turned as Ienzo tripped onto the carpet. “You moved!”, Braig went up to him and picked the little boy up. “You’re my prisoner now!”

Aeleus walked down the hall with Dilan. Ienzo noticed them and reached out to them, “Heeeelp mee! The oni has me!” The small boy’s voice was soft and wasn’t loud, it was very rare for him to speak.

“What are you doing Braig? You should be at your post.” Dilan stated, crossing his arms, “What kind of captain of the guard are you?”

“I don’t know who Braig is.” Braig said, putting Ienzo down but held his hand, “I am Daruma-san! If you wish to save the little boy, you must play!”

The man with the dreadlocks scoffed, “Nonsense.”

Aeleus then placed a hand on Dilan’s shoulder, “Dilan. We have to save Ienzo.”

“... What?”

“It is our sworn oath as castle guards to protect the castle and everyone who lives in it.” “Save meee Dilan.” Ienzo said reaching out.

Aeleus smiled, “Let’s go save him!”

Dilan rolled his eyes, “Fine.”

Ienzo made a childish giggle and pointed, “You start at the end of the carpet.”

The two other guards walked to the end of the carpet and waited for the game to start. Braig smirked and looked at the wall.

“Daruma-san ga koronda!” Braig said, turning his head to see that the two men were already halfway towards him. He then moved his face back to the wall, where Aeleus started to move towards Ienzo.

“Darumasankoronda!” Braig said quicker, turning his head to see Aeleus stumble, “You moved!”

“Oh no! You’re his prisoner!” Ienzo said as dramatically as he could.

The large man chuckled and held Ienzo’s hand and reached out to Dilan, “It’s up to you Dilan as a soldier, to save us all.”

“Oh please, you are dramatic.” Dilan said, rolling his eyes.

Braig moved his sight back to the wall, “Daaaa-ruuuu-ma-saaaannnn kooo-RANDA!” He turned to see that Dilan didn’t move from his spot.

“Dilaaan.” Ienzo whined.

“You’re almost there.” Aeleus stated.

Dilan sighed.

Braig looked at the wall. Dilan crouched down to the floor.

“Daru-ma-san---”

The black haired guard then leaped into the air and glided to the other players and gracefully reached the ground.

“Koran--”

Dilan then chopped Ienzo and Braig’s hands gently to make sure he didn’t hurt the boy, “You’re free.”

Hearing that, Aeleus picked up Ienzo and ran the other way. Dilan was confused for a moment as Braig yelled.

“Daruman-san koronda stop!”

Then they froze and Dilan was still confused.

“How many steps Dilan?” Braig asked, smirking.

The other man blinked in confusion, “Three?”

“Big or small?”

“Small?”

Braig then took a step, “One.” 

He took another, “Two.” 

And another, “Three.”

He then grabbed Dilan’s arm, “Now you’re the oni.”

Dilan protested, “I am not play---”

“Hurry Braig! You have to start at the beginning with us!” Ienzo shouted.

“Don’t need to tell me twice!” Braig stated as he rushed over.

Dilan who did not want to play this childish game any longer changed his mind when he saw how excited Ienzo was. Out of the months Ienzo lived here in the castle, never did Dilan see the boy so excited for anything. He supposed playing one more game wouldn’t hurt if it was making Ienzo happy.

He turned around and faced the wall. Ienzo ran as fast as he could towards the guard. “Daruma… san.” He then felt someone hugged his leg. He quickly gazed down to see Ienzo smiling almost ear to ear. “I caught you!”

Dilan smiled, “You caught me.”

“BORING.” Braig shouted, “That was a quick game!”

Dilan then narrowed his eyes at Braig, “Then we will play another round!”

“I want to be the oni!” Ienzo stated going to the wall and shooed Dilan away, “Go go.”

The man smiled and nodded before heading towards his fellow guards so they could start the game over.

“Daaa-ruuuma-saaann.”

The guards took a few steps to start the game. They played again and again that day, till the sun set and Ienzo was tired. It was a day like this that made the fondest of memories.

… 

…

…

It has been thirty years since they met. Evën was fourteen when his father, the royal scientist at the time brought him to live in the castle to be his assistant, Ansem was a twelve year old prince. Young Evën seemed to be born old, he had frown and smile lines visible on his face and was very serious. He never wanted to be around children or teens his age, only to work on his father’s research. But that never stopped the young Prince Ansem. The prince would always knock on the lab’s door and ask for Evën to play, in response the teen would say.

“No.”

And closed the door.

Ansem didn’t accept that. He went to complain to his royal guard Braig, who was sixteen. In response Braig barged into the fourteen year old’s lab, grabbed him from the back of his coat, and dragged him out to socialize with the twelve year old prince. Evën would get so angry, but when seeing Ansem’s big smile and bright orange eyes, he wasn’t so angry anymore. Evën would sigh in defeat as the boy grabbed his arm and led him to wherever he wanted. This cycle would continue for a few months before the teen eventually gave up, because there was no use in hiding or saying no, someone always found him and took him to the prince. Evën learned how to always be at Ansem’s beck and call.

Evën found it quite odd that Ansem would even want to spend time with him, but then again… the prince was an odd fellow to say the least. Prince Ansem would always want to eat seasalt icecream, drag Evën into town to watch him swim in the fountain in which the teen would always drag him out of, make pillow forts in the castle library when the teen wanted to read books, and cry at the end of every romantic movie he was forced to watch.

But… he was also the boy who recited poetry to the ill in hospitals, gave up all his royal clothing to the poor and proclaimed himself a common man, he opened his castle to house orphans to live and work, and after watching Evën study and work he became interested in science and became the teen’s close study partner. They were close friends.

Eventually that prince turned into a king, a man who did not wish to go by the title as ‘King’ but as ‘Ansem the Wise’, inspired by wise men who conjured magic in fairy tales. Ansem’s heart grew bigger and so did his curiosity in his research. Years passed and they became a family, by adding two more guards, Aeleus and Dilan, and soon a young boy named Ienzo. Evën had a soft spot for that boy, one could say that was his son and the scientist would neither confirm or deny it. Ansem the Wise felt the same, but would outright say that Ienzo was his child (Evën’s too).

Currently, Evën was doing some research before  there was a knock on his door. He ignored it as Ansem walked in, “Evën. Come with Ienzo and I for ice cream.”

The royal scientist didn’t look up from his work, “I have more important things to do.” He then waved his hand in the air to shoo the king away, “Run along and have fun.”

“Oh Evën, come along. It’ll be fun. You need to get out of this dusty old lab.”

“No thank you Ansem. Go have fun without me.”

The king was silent for a moment, “Alright Even.”

He then closed the door and left the scientist alone to work in peace.

… For about a few seconds.

Dilan and Aeleus burst into his lab, startling Evën, making him drop his clipboard.

The blond turned around in a confused anger, “What in the world are you two doing!?”

The two guards simply grabbed him by the side of his arms and dragged Evën out of his lab.

“Unhand me! How dare you!” The older man protested, trying to wiggle his arms away, “I am the royal scientist! I will not stand for this! Dilan! Aeleus!”

The guards dragged the shouting man outside of the castle gates where Ansem and little Ienzo waited patiently.

“See Ienzo?” Ansem said smiling softly to the boy, “I told you he would come. Do you have the gift?”

The little boy nodded in response as the two large men let go of the skinny scientist. Evën stumbled a bit before dusting himself off angrily, with his emerald green eyes and raised a finger at his friend, “I did not want to join! Honestly! I thought you’d outgrown this by now!”

“Nope.” Ansem said smiling mischievously.

That made Evën’s blood boil. He then turned his back to the king to storm off back to his lab, but Aeleus and Dilan clanked their weapons together to make a barricade, preventing the scientist from leaving. Evën gasped appalled at the disrespectful behavior towards a superior. He was going to say something before being distracted, feeling Ienzo’s small warm hand holding his cold one. The boy then simply tugged Evën’s arm instigating to follow him. The scientist looked at the castle where he wanted to be, then the two guards that were guarding it, then at his side to see the smiling king holding Ienzo’s other hand, and then looked back down at the small boy who was just staring back silently up at him. Even then sighed in defeat and slouched his shoulders.

“Let’s go then.”

Ienzo then smiled and nodded, as they started to walk down the stairs. Dilan and Aeleus then looked at each other and smiled. According to plan.

Ansem, Evën, and Ienzo walked in silence as they reached the town center, where the fountain was. Ienzo led the two men there and took his hands away. 

The king sat down on the fountain ledge and patted the stone next to him, “Sit next to me Evën.”

The older man sighed and sat down next to his friend as Ienzo looked over the ledge to watch the water. The area was empty, it was only the three of them and it was quiet, only the sound of water ripples from the fountain and chirping birds were heard. It was quite relaxing for Evën.

“Evën.” Ansem said, breaking the moment of silence, “We have been friends for thirty years.”

“Has it been that long?” The older man asked, “It feels like I met that pesky prince yesterday. You never left me alone, you never changed.”

Ansem chuckled and for some reason Evën’s cheeks felt hot.

“Well…” The scientist retorted, “I guess you matured just a little bit over the last thirty years… But not much mind you, only very little. Microscopic.”

Ansem chuckled again which made Evën give a rare smile in return. The older man chuckled softly.

“I like spending time with you, always have.” The king said, placing his warm hand on Evën’s cold cheek. Evën’s eyes widened and the smile went  away.

“I like seeing your smile.”

“What are you doing?” The scientist asked removing the king’s hand from his face. His cheeks turned red once again, “What’s gotten into you?”

In response the king laughed, “You never changed either.” He then glanced down at the ground, “Thirty years I’ve known you Evën. We laughed together, got mad at each other, and grieved. Our hearts have been connected and now our connection spread to more people, making us a family.”

“A heart’s connection… Strong yet mysterious.” Evën said, grabbing his chin and pondered, “A truly fascinating phenomenon it is.”

Ansem then stood up. Ienzo looked up from the water and hurried off of the ledge and walked towards his adoptive father, giving him a small fabric bag from his pocket. Evën watched confused as Ienzo then ran off.

“Ienzo!? Where in the world you think you’re going!?” Evën shouted.

“Don’t worry, he’ll be fine.” Ansem said going down on one knee.

“What are you--?”

“Evën. Thirty years have passed since I met you. Thirty years of memories I never want to forget. When I first saw you I thought, ‘I will make him my friend. We will go on adventures together and make the worlds a better place.’ My thoughts that day haven’t changed, but now I also want to make sure I can be with you forever.” Ansem then took out a silver ring with three small sapphire stones embedded into it, “Evën. Would you do me the honor of being my husband?”

Evën’s face flushed, “Don’t be ridiculous Ansem! You need a wife!”

“I have you.”

“That’s not what I meant! You need a wife for an heir!”

“We have Ienzo. He’s our son.”

“A-Ansem!”

“Tell me a reason why you don’t want to marry.”

Evën’s face turned into a sad expression, “I… I do wish to…” He looked away, “I am not good enough for you… my king. There are many better suitors for you. You wished for adventure, yet we never went on one. You wished to make the worlds a better place, we are not even close to that goal. I am not what is best for you.”

Ansem’s hand held Evën’s, making the older man look back at him. They made direct eye contact. The younger man’s face was gentle yet sad.

“I wish you could see yourself like how I see you. You stay up all night to work so you can make sure to spend all day with Ienzo. You make sure I’m eating well when you don’t eat yourself. We help the world together by helping other people. Evën… Everyday with you is an adventure. Every moment we spend time together makes me immensely happy. There is no one else I would rather be with. Just you… only you.”

Evën smiled softly and pressed his forehead against his friend. He felt so warm and his heart seemed to float in his chest. He remembered the time they first met, never in his life he thought this would ever happen.

“I love you… Ansem.” He murmured softly.

Ansem touched his face, “Is that a ‘yes’?”

“You dult… Of course it means yes.”

“FINALLY!” Someone shouted.

Evën’s eyes widened and turned his head around to see Braig standing at the top of a fountain.

“HE SAID ‘YES’!” Braig said pulling a string from a confetti popper, releasing streamers.

“What in the--!?” Evën shouted as Dilan, Aeleus, and Ienzo came from behind the fountain and released the streamers from their fireworks also.

Ansem laughed, “I may have let them in on my plan.” He then slipped the engagement ring on Vexen’s left ring finger.

Evën’s face was flushed red as Braig hopped down from the fountain and put him in a headlock, “Bout time you two get hitched! I thought you were gonna be an old maid forever!”

“Unhand me!” The scientist shouted annoyed.

Ansem chuckled shooing Braig away from his fiance and leaned towards him, “I can’t wait for this new adventure.” He then kissed Evën, before they both fell into the fountain, making the three guards laugh.

Evën sat up in the water, “I changed my mind!”

“Too late.” Ansem stated, laughing and hugged him.

Ienzo smiled and climbed into the fountain to hug the two older men.

“Ienzo no!” Evën stated, but the little boy didn’t listen to him. He then sighed in defeat wrapping his arms around the two. He couldn’t be too mad at them.