#*elrena

Aeleus was the one to tell him to check the outskirts of their home. And there the Dandelions were. 

Lauriam had his back against the tree, an anchor, a leader. Myde had mentioned he had not been ready for how soft Lauriam was. He had heard Elrena call him broken more than once. That none of them truly knew Lauriam. That he was the closest to slipping back to the Darkness of them. 

Myde was to his right. One of Lauriam’s arms was draped around his shoulders and his face pressed into the crook of his neck. 

Rolund was to his left. His head rested on Lauriam’s shoulder and he had a hand over Lauriam’s. He was the one to notice him. To crack open an eye and lift his hand to place a finger before his lips. 

Elrena rested between his legs. Her shoulder dug into Lauriam’s chest and her hands had surely once been clinging to his pants, but now were loose against him. 

He had not needed them. He had only been curious about Myde’s whereabouts. 

He took his gummiphone out to write up a message. 

/Would you not be more comfortable inside?/ He showed his phone to Rolund before handing it over to him. 

/Lauriam had not planned on falling asleep. Myde has been suffering from nightmares. Elrena only fell asleep because I said I would stay awake./ 

Ienzo stared at the returned message slowly. Even had mentioned his increasing urge to use status effects on Lauriam. The man would not sleep until he ‘fixed’ everything. 

Myde’s mind was so spliced up with Demyx’s memories that he was having trouble with time and the dark. 

Ienzo’s fingers brushed over his phone as he tried to work up a response. 

/Can I join you?/ He held his phone before him, expression tight. 

Rolund gave a single nod after a moment. 

Ienzo shot Aeleus a quick message to tell him he was safe. 

And then. 

/Can I take a picture?/ 

Rolund stared at him and frowned a little but gave a nod. Weakness. But Heartless did not check photos and Xigbar needed no help in finding them if he really wanted to. He rested his head back against Lauriam’s shoulder. 

Ienzo stepped back a little further to take a photo of them and post it. It was the easiest way to tell Even what was going on. 

He settled down beside Myde after that. Grass stains would be a problem for later him. 

Rolund sighed beside him because they were not going to be able to get him back asleep. Of course Even would be able to wake him up.

"About an hour and fifteen ago," Rolund stated. "Asked to join us."

"I see," Lauriam whispered and looked at the blond before leaning forward a little to look at Myde beside him and Ienzo against him. "I suppose we should move inside."

Rolund stood slowly. "You should sleep more."

"I'll try." Lauriam frowned and rose a hand to run over Elrena's arm while the other gave Myde's side a squeeze. "Wake up."

Elrena turned into his chest further. "No."

"When did Ienzo get here?" Myde rubbed a palm into his eyes. "Even?"

Even shifted awkwardly. "It's late." He should have just picked Ienzo up and left.

"Mmm," Myde made a sound and nosed Ienzo's hair. "Okay."

"If I tell you to stand there for five minutes would you?" Ienzo mumbled.

"This is hardly the place for jokes. Your health is still fragile. I understand that being a Keyblade Weilder I need to give you more freedom, but it's... Challenging."

"I know, Even." Ienzo sighed and looked at his father, challenge in his eyes "I will help Myde with his nightmares if you can get Lauriam to go back to sleep."

Even flushed and looked away. "Fine."

"I have no intention of that." Lauriam stated. "Elrena, up."

"I'll make something up," she mumbled.

Lauriam thunked his head against the tree. "Rolund?"

"As the actual insomniac here, you all need to sleep. Somewhere safe." Rolund replied. "I'll follow if you ask."

Even's face only grew hotter as he listened to them. Turned down. Lauriam was bisexual. Marluxia had always spoken of Larxene in a casual sense. Somewhat loving but distant. Maybe he had never understood that Marluxia did not kiss and tell.

"Myde?" Lauriam sighed.

"I would like to go with Ienzo." Myde mumbled.

"Okay. You know where my room is." Lauriam nodded. "Elrena."

"Fiiine." Elrena huffed and elbowed him in the chest for effect before getting up.

Ienzo stood and dusted himself off. He had tried. He'd message Even later but for now he accepted Myde's hand and helped him stand.

Even stayed still. It was too much to take in.

"I'll see you later," Ienzo whispered as they walked past Even.

Even gave a small nod.

Elrena looped an arm with Lauriam's once he was up.

"Even?" Lauriam kept his voice careful.

"Yes?"

"We'll see you at breakfast."

Elrena shifted from one foot to the other. Be the person Strelitzia knew you to be. It was a quiet constant reminder. "Myde mentioned you like cinnamon." She shrugged. "We're all pretty stressed and you got the added bonus of being a prince, so, yeah."

Ienzo looked over the bath bombs with an amused hum. "True, thank you."

"Don't mention it."

"Oh, it's going to be in the papers."

"I'm going to murder you."

"Tsk, tsk."

There were a few quiet moments between the two of them before they started to laugh.

It was nice.

"Thanks."

“I wanted to double check you and the others were coming.” 

“When is it?” 

“Tomorrow. Sorry. I was positive you knew.” 

“Time is still a little funky to me.” Lauriam admitted. “Of course we’ll be there.” 

“Good. I’ll tell the staff.” Even grinned. “I’ll talk to you later?” 

“Yes.” Lauriam smiled back. “Later, Even.” 

Lauriam stared at his phone long after it went black. “I still have no idea how this works.” he admitted when Elrena leaned against his arm. “How they made it so small.” 

“That’s not the only thing that’s small.” 

“You really want to go down that path?” Lauriam questioned with a raised brow. “I have no qualms about telling you all about him.” 

“Ugghh, you’re still so gross.” Elrena leaned away. “So, a party?” 

“Yes. We probably should get Ienzo something that isn’t self doubt.” 

“What does Ienzo like besides books?” Rolund questioned. 

“More books.” Myde laughed. “Um, let’s see,” he put a hand on his chin and tilted his head back a little, “Vanilla and cinnamon scented things. He actually has a soft spot for plush animals. Pickaling. He’s not actually that big into sweets. Which is kinda surprising considering Even’s sweet tooth... Most of our time together was over meals and he was usually reading.” his hand moved from his chin to the side of his head, rubbing it awkwardly. “Maybe I don’t know him as well as I thought...” 

“No. There’s not much to know.” Lauriam sighed. “Even’s like that as well. I have /no idea/ what he is getting him. Being around the other Apprentices didn’t give him much time to be himself. To figure out what himself is.” He stared at his left hand, curling it. “And considering how I’ve been pushing him with the Keyblade...” 

“I say we get him a bath set.” Elrena intoned. 

“Is that a jab or-?” Lauriam tilted his head at her. 

“Who doesn’t like relaxing? That and Ienzo’s so wound tight.” Elrena shrugged. “Some bath salts and what have you would do him good.”

“That’s... thoughtful.” Lauriam stared at her. “Let’s call it a day. We’ll meet back here later.” 

“Seriously, Lauriam. You /know/ me. I expect them to think stuff like that, but come on.” Elrena huffed and crossed arms over her chest. “Good luck figuring out your own gift.” 

“I’m sorry. It’s still all a bit fuzzy... Before the war. After the war. You. The castle. Oblivion. It’s hard to keep in order.” 

“Right,” Elrena frowned. He had an extra life on them. He had mentioned it before. But she could never fully understand. “I’ll see you nerds later.” She moved her Keyblade with that, casting open a portal. 

“So, mission find the prince a gift is a go?” Myde asked as he stretched his arms above his head. “That shouldn’t be too, too bad.” 

“You literally just complained about not knowing what to get.” Rolund reminded. 

“No. I complained about not knowing Ienzo better. But I know him the best!” Myde grinned at him. “I have the perfect plan. Bye~” 

Rolund waved him off and then focused on Lauriam. “You’re worried.” 

“Yes.” Lauriam agreed. “He could have messaged me. I’m going go see him.” 

“Are matters going better?” 

“We’ve talked. We’ve talked a lot. Neither of us can undo the past, but it is challenging not to think about.” 

“One of these days you need to clue Myde and me into what happened at Oblivion. Elrena just makes faces.” 

“I know a report was made.” Lauriam shook his head. “I did what I had to do. We all did. Vexen and Larxene paid for my failures. Lexaeus and Zexion... They didn’t need to be there. That’s the truth. I risked everything to get /here/. Sora... Sora only ever did what he was told. Taught. He could not have known better.” 

“Most people would hate their murderer, but with Sora...” Rolund shrugged. “Do you want me to come with?” 

“No. He’s probably feeling lonely. I’ll kiss him better and be on my way.”