#*ventus

And just Lauriam going to pick up Master’s Defender because that is /Brain’s/ Keyblade and Terra and Aqua going to block it while Ven is just Staring because this kids memory is a hot mess and even with his Chirithy back there’s still a lot of amnesia happening in there. 

Lauriam just staring them down and crossing his arms over his chest “I’ll put it back. I want to see if it’ll let me touch it after this long.” 

Aqua and Terra sharing a look and stepping to the side, but also waiting for Ven to say something. Because Ven’s basically their Lauriam translator because Lauriam is mild mannered and quiet but also just constantly Doing Things. 

“Hello,” Lauriam’s voice was soft as he stood before Master’s Defender. It was odd to see it here, but it had also been odd to see with Brain. Brain was not a fighter. 

/”I’m just curious,” Brain had laughed when he asked to try and hold Divine Rose. 

“Fine, but you have to swap with me then.” Lauriam had agreed only on his terms. He let Brain hold his heart a little too much as matters were, this was even more personal./ 

Ven stepped up to his side then. “Tell me?” 

“Only a bittersweet memory.” Lauriam responded and curled his fingers around the handle. “I understand the point of this, but he would be happier with it being used.” He did not try to move it but looked to Aqua. “This was not a Keyblade meant to /die/.” 

“It’s staying here.” Terra stated. The end with Eraqus had not been pleasant but he had still been a good master for them. He deserved this. 

“Lauriam, /we/ need this.” Aqua responded and patted Terra’s arm. “But if that Keyblade chooses you that is its choice.” 

“No. It, like its original master, was never meant for my heart.” Lauriam let it go and turned away. “When the time is right it will be used again.” 

Ven frowned up at him before taking one of his hands. Lauriam had always been mature, and he was still getting used to his age, but he had figured out a few things about the adult Lauriam. Namely that he had fully accepted that Brain was not coming back. 

“I’m okay.” Lauriam smiled down at him. “What’s next on your tour?” 

/Brain had pouted at him for a moment before summing forth Master’s Defender. “Your Keyblade is way cooler.” 

“I think basic is nice.” Lauriam responded with a small smile. 

“Mmm, give me.” 

Lauriam laughed and offered over Divine Rose. 

They a touch clumsily traded Keyblades. 

And for a few seconds Master’s Defender was in his hold before it vanished. 

Brain said nothing as his hold stayed firm on Divine Rose./ 

Ven did not believe him but he was not about to push in front of Aqua and Terra. “I think, home.” 

He couldn't tell Aqua the truth. Couldn't tell anyone. He could barely remember the truth.

But Lauriam... Lauriam was too nice for his own good.

"Yeah. It's just, um, /different/, having Lauriam around. Seeing him all grown up."

Aqua hummed lightly. "Were you two close before?"

Ven shook his head a little. "We didn't see him much. He was always out searching for answers. He was nice to me. It was hard not to think of him as an older brother."

"I see," Aqua placed her other hand on her hip "And here I thought you might have had a crush on him."

"Wha-what?!" Ven's face exploded in color.

"Just a thought." Aqua laughed. "I guess you're more into the bad boy type."

"Stop it." Ven whined. "Lauriam was so not an option."

That only piqued Aqua’s interest more as her laughter worsened. “Not an option?” 

“Yeah, he totally had a crush on someone, but he was too broken over Strelitzia to think about it.” Ven explained. “I tried my best to help fill that hole. We all did. I didn’t know Lauriam before that. The happy Lauriam. And now he’s... he’s all grown up. But to me he’s still that sad, broken teenager.” 

“He does seem to be running away from something.” Aqua sighed. “You’ve grown up too, Ven. Sure not as much as him, and that’s partially my fault,” 

“I /wanted/ to die, Aqua.” Ven whispered, voice cracking. “All I’ve ever been was a vessel for Darkness. A means to an end. Everything is my fault.” 

Aqua placed her hands on her hips. “And I thought Terra was dramatic these days. You’re both dealing with a lot. More than I can ever hope to understand. I’m still processing the fact you’re from a different time. Even if it does explain a lot.” 

“We’re all getting used to being in one piece...” 

He had looked to Lauriam to ask how Ienzo looked. To tease him. But all words dried in his throat at the broken expression on his face. His fingers slacked on his Keyblade and the bright white blade was gone.

He struggled to get his mouth to work as he abandoned Ienzo's side to walk up to him with trembling fingers and hurried steps. He knew Lauriam was kind. That his heart was fragile and life protected.

His tongue only got out a few feeble "I-"s by the time his fingers were grasping onto his vest. I didn't mean to. I'll take it back. I'm sorry. I never wanted to make you cry again.

"It's okay," Lauriam's voice was distant. A mental recording said to make everything okay. He smiled down at him, eyes closed and lips pressed. "It's okay." He repeated and willed his hands to brush over Ven's in a soothing manner.

Ienzo had laughed at Ven in his space. He hadn't changed since he had saved him as a child. He wondered if he found it awkward how Lauriam must be handling it. The gift had been a welcome surprise and had brought further laughter from him.

It died when Ven moved away. Something was wrong. Something with him was wrong. He hardly thought as he banished the hat to the pocket of space his book sang to him from.

He moved than, Keyblade leaving in blue haze. "What did I do?" His voice was soft. Careful. He knew Marluxia had been prone to violence. To prove a point. To channel his emotions. He had no idea how to handle Lauriam in such a state but it seemed best to steer on the side of caution.

Lauriam shook his head at him. The dazed look was gone but it had molded into something hard. Something distant. "It is no more than a thought. Not even enough of one to be a hypothesis." Lauriam started and he stared past them. "Master Yen Sid told me about Master Eraqus. About his lineage. I have strong belief that he came from the Union Leader Brain. That he found a way to make himself a future." His voice stayed soft, measured. "It is possible you are also a desendent of his. The resemblance at times is striking."

"I reminded you of your dead friend." Ienzo whispered and set a hand over his heart. "I didn't-"

"It is our fault, Ienzo," Ven shook his head "We don't talk about him."

The name they avoided saying. It made sense.

"I'll find a better skill boost." Ven stated. "We could get something matching?"

"Perhaps stars." Lauriam whispered.

"Skuld would appreciate that." Ven smiled up at him.

Lauriam nodded.

"You don't have to," Ienzo was quick to say.

"I do." Ven pouted at him. "That was supposed to be your iniatition gift."

"I should not have let you go shopping on your own." Lauriam sighed and curled his arms around him. "I'll make something. It'll be more personal that way."

Ven hummed and leaned against him. "I know I can't stop you."

"You can't."

"I also know you want to cry."

"I won't."

Ven hummed and summoned his Keyblade. "It's okay to. I know he was important to you. We all did."

"I was depressed and desperate. Not a solid foundation for a relationship." Lauriam replied and set his face in his hair. "Let me sleep here."

"Nah ah." Ven bumped his elbow into him. "We still have training to do. Ienzo needs to be ready."

"Mmm." Lauriam drew away. "Ienzo wouldn't mind."

"If you give me the whole story we can go home."

"That is not possible." Lauriam responded. "But I can tell you a little. About the past. And maybe the present. Brain was someone precious to me. He was intelligent and I became his assistant. Much like Even and I are now. His mission as a union leader was to change our fate. Keyblade Weilders will always lead to a Keyblade War. You saw that. What we faced was a much larger scale. But fate is difficult to stop, yet it can be delayed."

"Should we be doing this then? Forming a union?" Ienzo questioned.

"It is what was written." Lauriam replied. "It is our mission to do better. I know we can."

"Don't talk about the masters like that."

"They let internal squabbling destroy them. Everyone was too focused on collecting Lux to see the Darkness growing inside. That pure want for the light was the darkness talking, Ven. That's so clear now."

"Still." Ven whispered and held his blade tighter. "Please stop."

"As you wish, Master Ventus." Lauriam's tone was serious.

Ven stared up at him for some seconds before erupting in laughter. "Okay, back to practice. We can talk about your love life later."

"Wait. Love life?" Ienzo spoke up as he called his Keyblade back to hand and told his book a firm stay.

"Mm. Yes. It was a very foolish choice on my heart's part but falling for people that were involved with the murder of my loved ones seems to be my type."

"I reminded you of lost love." No wonder he had reacted so strongly. "I'm so sorry."

Lauriam shook his head. "Doesn't matter. Prepare yourself."

"It does ma- ooof-" he hadn't expected Lauriam to decide talk was over by jabbing a heel into his chest and shoving him back.

"Ven?" Lauriam looked at him, leg still raised.

"No, I'm good."

Ven stopped at Lauriam's words and looked over his shoulder at him. The portrait of Eraqus meant the world to him. "About?"

"With his family," Lauriam replied "Do you think he was happy?"

There was something heartbreaking in the unspoken without us. "I- I don't know what I think," Ven admitted "I'm... Not sure I wanted him to be."

Lauriam gave a small nod and continued to stare at the portrait.

"Master Yen Sid might have other pictures of him." Ven offered. "Aqua's going to worry if we're late."

Lauriam gave another small nod and turned towards him. "I want to feel happy for him, but you are right; with our past it is challenging."

"I wonder if we could find a family tree," Ven smiled and held out a hand for him "I've got you."

Lauriam stepped up to him and took it. "That World should have answers."

"If we can get to it."

"We will."

"Look at you being optimistic." Ven chuckled and tugged him along.

“Probably staring at the terminal.” Ienzo sighed. “He won’t talk to Even or I. Not fully. I know he wants to go back but-” 

“It’s not that simple.” Ventus shook his head. “He’s not chasing a time. He’s chasing a person.” 

Ienzo frowned to himself and turned away to lead Ventus to the room with the terminal. “A person?” 

“Strelitzia is not the only person his heart misses. But that person is lost.” Ven explained. “I’d rather not talk about him.” 

“I did not take you to be the grudge type.” Ienzo replied. 

“Only against those that hurt the ones I love.” Ven’s tone was casual but Ienzo could feel the threat lurking underneath. “Lauriam and I are what is left. I do not trust the Foretellers. I do not trust his talk of Master Ava. But I trust /him/. I know he hurt Sora but it was only to get back to this. Back to here. Me.” 

“All of that is beyond me.” Ienzo laughed a little. 

“One day it will be your life.” Ven gave him a small smile. “You’ll make an amazing leader.” 

Ienzo could not deny that. His whole upbringing had shaped him for this. He brought a hand up to his eye. He had this magic for a reason. “I know.” 

Ven’s smile grew and he stepped around him to walk the final few feet to the room. 

Lauriam had his head down, tucked into his arms. 

“Is he like this often?” Ven asked softly. 

“When he is not with Even or Lord Ansem, yes.” Ienzo sighed. “What does the terminal have to do with anything?” 

“Lauriam loved a virus.” Ven responded and walked up to Lauriam to nudge his shoulder. “I’m taking him to the Land of Departure. You can chase us if you want but you will fail.” 

“A virus?” Ienzo questioned. “I know I am not strong enough to face you.” 

Lauriam shifted slightly and turned his head to look at Ven. “Something wrong?” 

“This isn’t good for you.” Ven whispered. “You know sadness will lead your heart to Darkness.” 

“I know.” Lauriam sighed and sat back up. “I just miss him. I know where Ephemer is. I have a lead for Skuld. But he’s- he’s just gone.” His face scrunched up as he spoke. “I know what he did but I can’t help my heart.” 

“You need to forget about him.” Ven replied. “I need you here. I can’t lead on my own.” 

“That’s why I’m trying to find Master Ava.” He pressed a palm to his forehead “I know she could fix my head again.” 

“She’s as dead as him.” 

“She’s not!” Lauriam yelled, voice cracking. “She’s not.” 

“She is! That’s why she gave us the books! She could only save so many!” Ven yelled back. “Accept reality, Lauriam!” 

Lauriam shook his head and looked at the floor. “She wouldn’t have left us.” 

Ven breathed deeply. “I miss her too. But we can’t go back. You keep talking about the future at all these meetings and yet you’re hanging onto /him/.” 

“I don’t want to.” Lauriam shook his head quickly to shake away his tears. “Trust me, Ven. I of all people should hate him.” 

Ienzo watched the two of them closely. This felt private but something was off. Neither of them would say his name. “What did he do?” he had not realized the words had been voiced until Lauriam’s chair clattered back. 

Ven rose an arm to steady him. 

“I’m okay. Ienzo has a right to know.” Lauriam set his hands on Ven’s arm. “To acquire a position amongst the leaders one had to be removed. It only makes sense that he did it. My sister was supposed to be a leader as well. Was supposed to be at my side.” 

“You’re in love with a murderer...” Ienzo whispered. 

“Seems to be a habit.” Lauriam laughed bitterly. “But I don’t expect you to remember that. Did Aqua or Terra send for me?” 

“I wanted to see you.” Ven shook his head. “One of these days you need to fully explain what happened.” 

“One of these days I’ll fully remember. But from the data I found it all connects here. Skuld. My heart. The whole world. Destruction in the name of science.” Lauriam tilted his head at Ienzo. “Your Lord Ansem and I have more things in common than just Even. But I will fix it all.” 

“Right now all you’re going to do is get some proper rest.” Ven stated. 

“We... experimented on you?” Ienzo whispered. 

“The Dandelions were strangers. Forgotten to time. No one would know they are missing.” Lauriam smiled tight. “But a mistake was made when the leaders were targeted. We were made to remember. None of this is your fault, dear boy, but a mere part of history.” Lauriam curled an arm around Ven. “I still need to figure out why your heart was targeted in such a way. Perhaps the rest of ours were too tainted by then. Or yours was tainted more... I didn’t exactly /remember/ to ask when working for him.” 

“It is my fault.” Ienzo stared at him, eyes wide. “I pushed for the lab. I wanted to know how hearts work most of all. If there was a way to get my parents back. I gained misery and I new family.” 

“He was a Keyblade Master. It only made sense to listen to him.” Ven sighed “He was trying to push me to the breaking point of summing the X-Blade and when that did not work I think he made Vanitas. It’s... hard to piece together. I only really remember wanting to die... Not my finest time.” He laughed a little and leaned against Lauriam. “Even without your memories you were so close to me. Fighting so hard.” 

“I see.” Lauriam nodded and stroked Ventus’s back. “If the experiments start back up I will put an end to them. I will destroy this whole world if needed.” 

Ven laughed a little. “Stop trying to be so intimidating.” 

“I am intimidating.” Lauriam huffed down at him. 

“Can’t see it.” Ven shook his head. 

“I almost killed you.” 

“Yeah, nah, doesn’t count.” Ven pointed up at him. “You wouldn’t hurt anyone.” 

“I’m an assassin.” 

“Technicalities.” Ven’s laughter worsened. “I’m sorry, Ienzo. Lauriam’s a huge softy.” 

“Fine, you win, but if I asked Elrena to blow up a World she would.” Lauriam frowned down at him. 

“...You might be right.” Ven hummed. “Might want to make an extraction plan, Ienzo.” 

“The experiments will not start back up.” Ienzo replied, smiling softly. That was more like it. “You two should get going.” 

“I’ll be back tonight. I promised Even dinner.” Lauriam responded and summoned his Keyblade. “Or do you think this will take longer?” 

“I’ll wake you.” Ven sighed. 

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