#canonversekh

Ven wasn’t even sure how long they were playing; long enough for Sora to be curled up on the floor sound asleep next to them. Even Chirithy gave up and was sleeping near Sora. Ven almost wanted to join the game a few times since it was better than doing nothing. But he was bad at chess even when he didn’t feel like he needed to run laps around the castle just to stop himself from worrying.

Lea was the only other person in the room, lounging in the arm chair with his head back against the cushions. His eyes were closed but Ven couldn’t tell if Lea was really asleep or not. Maybe Ven should try to sleep. If he just laid down and closed his eyes he was pretty sure he could ease himself down enough to even nap. Terra would wake Ven up if there was any news.

Yet the thought of any news whatsoever made him so alert he didn’t think even laying down and closing his eyes would help him sleep.

“Will you relax, blondie, I can hear you shaking from here,” Lea mumbled, but his voice was clear enough to answer Ven’s question; Lea hadn’t been able to sleep either.

“I’m trying,” Ven sighed, leaning back against the couch. “It isn’t really easy.”

“There’s nothing for you to worry about,” Lea said, cracking an eye open. “You’re not the one in labor.”

“Well, yeah, I know that,” Ven snorted. “But like, why hasn’t Terra come and told us anything?”

“Don’t get me wrong, kiddo, you’re family, but you and the rest of us probably aren’t his priority right now.”

That was…fair. If Aqua needed him, Terra wouldn’t go anywhere. It still didn’t make Ven feel any better. “I just want to know everything is okay. It’s been hours, she was already close when the midwife got here.”

“It’s different for everyone,” Kairi piped up, moving a piece across the board. “She could’ve been close, but close is relative. Plus it’s her first time; I hear sometimes that makes it longer.”

“Longer?” Riku arched his eyebrows. “I don’t envy her.”

“And she has to do it twice. Nothing could be wrong at all.” Kairi paused, watching Riku’s move. “It could just be taking longer because of that.”

Kairi was right, Ven knew that; there were tons of reasons why it could be taking a long time and all really normal, common reasons. They were all given a…refreshed version of what goes into childbirth a few months ago. It was mainly just so they were aware of the strain that would be on Aqua’s body close to her due date and after as well, that way they were already to step up and help wherever was needed.

In doing so though Terra had to tell them the risks, that while, yeah, this was a practice that was common, that Aqua’s body was literally built to be able to carry children that didn’t mean the unexpected couldn’t happen. It was more for them to understand risks could still happen but to not worry too much because Aqua and both babies were healthy and strong the entire time.

Of course, those were the parts of the lesson Ven couldn’t get out of his head. He didn’t know what he’d do if something happened to Aqua or either of the babies they all loved so much already; he didn’t know what Terra would do. It was terrifying, even more so when he had no idea if everything was going well or not.

“But do you think…” Ven started, fingers fiddling with each other in his lap. “Terra would’ve told us if something was wrong?”

The room was quiet for a second, just the sound of Sora’s slight snoring and the tap of the chess piece Kairi was placing down.

“No,” Lea said. “He probably wouldn’t. I know that doesn’t make you feel any better.”

It didn’t, but it was also the truth and Ven knew it. He groaned as he leaned his head back, hitting it against the cushion.  

“Why are you so worried?” Riku asked. “Everything’s been fine up until now, what would make it change suddenly?”

Ven didn’t have a good answer. He knew everything with her pregnancy was fine, that she remained active and healthy the whole time, that both babies grew at normal rates and never had any troubles. Yet sitting here watching the unknown, all he could think about what something bad happening.

“I dunno,” he said, reaching up to rub his forehead. “I don’t want to see them sad. They’ve been through enough.”

It was a sentiment the others seemed to relate to judging by the soft silence that settled again.

“I wouldn’t worry so much, blondie,” Lea said, pushing himself up so he was sitting a little more. “She’s a tough cookie and I know the both of them, bet their kids are stubborn as hell. No one is giving up in there.”

A smile pulled at Ven’s lips. He couldn’t say he felt relieved but he did feel a little better. “Did you, ah, tell the others?”

Lea reached over to pat where he left his phone, but blinked when it was missing. Kairi giggled, reaching for where it had fallen on the ground so she could pass it back up to him. “Yeah, Isa said he’d get Xion and Roxas over here once we gave the word. That bum over there…” Lea vaguely gestured to the pile that was Sora. “Was supposed to tell the King and everyone over that way but considering he’s been conked out for hours who knows if he did or not.”

“I did it,” Riku snorted. “He fell asleep with his phone in his hand.”

Ven laughed which actually felt pretty good. Maybe they were right, maybe everything was just fine, everything as it was it should and he needed to relax and let time pass. He was thankful to be surrounded by these particular people right about now. “Wanna play something way less boring than chess?”

“It’s not boring,” Kairi said, though as she was watching Riku place the last move.

“Checkmate,” he said with an apologetic look. “You don’t have to humor me, Kairi.”

“I never have.”

“Patience of a saint that one has,” Lea said, flipping through something on his phone.

“If I can find them, we used to have lots of games.” Ven pushed himself to his feet. “Terra and Aqua liked to play chess, but they played other games with me.”

“Find us a few player one and I’m in,” Lea said, leaning forward to drop his phone on the coffee table.

“No way,” Kairi said, turning around to point at him. “You cheat so bad.”

“I’m deeply offended, Red.”

Riku was chuckling softly as he started to pack up the chess set back in its box with a sort of reverent care. Even though Ven never liked to play, it was Master Eraqus’ and it was nice to see others treat it with respect too.

“Let’s see…” Ven went to the old closet in the room; maybe they might’ve gotten stored in there.

The door to the room started to creak open and Ven’s hand fell from the closet.

Terra pushed the door open fully, walking in though a bit slowly. Even from the slight distance Ven could tell Terra was exhausted, red around his eyes mixed with heavy bags. He was still in the clothes from last night though now crumpled on his body. His face remained neutral as he walked in, not betraying anything good or bad.

No one said a word as they watched him carefully, until he sat down on the couch with a sigh. He reached his hands up to rub against his face, but he must’ve known when he looked back up to the room and everyone was frozen watching him.

“What?” he asked.

Lea was the first one to groan but Kairi quickly huffed in displeasure, standing up quickly as even Riku gave a “C’mon, seriously?” loud enough to jar Sora awake. Ven was already diving over the back of the couch to tackle Terra into giving information but it lacked any force; sort of just ending up as a hug with Ven halfway hanging off the couch.

He pulled back, though didn’t let go incase more force was needed, when Terra started to laugh; if it was from actual humor or relief, Ven couldn’t quiet tell. He did see Terra’s smile, which stretched so wide his dimples showed on his checks, added brightness to his eyes. It was really all Ven needed as confirmation everything was okay.

He breathed a sigh of relief he hadn’t realized he was holding, squeezing his arms as he leaned his head next to Terra’s. He reached a hand up to ruffle the side of Ven’s head. For the first time since he ran out of the castle at one am, he felt like he could finally breathe again.

“Everyone is fine,” Terra said. “Aqua and both babies, everyone is fine.”

It was like a weight was lifted from the room, a few more sighs of relief and a slightly excited squeak from Sora who was still in the process of waking up.

“Told you, blondie, worry wart,” Lea said, though it lacked his usual snark, probably because he had been worried too without voicing it.

“Please, Terra,” Kairi said, clasping her hands together. “Tell us.”

Terra patted at Ven’s head. “No one was technically wrong, but Ven was the only one who got it on the head.”

It didn’t really matter who was right or wrong, not any more at least. He felt his chest fill with warmth, as an uncontrollable grin pulled at his lips; a girl and a boy, he had a niece and a nephew. Ven leaned in to hug Terra again, probably tighter this time judging by his slightly choked laughter.  

“Do they have names?” Sora asked, his tone excited despite it being broken by a yawn.

“Yeah, but Aqua asked me to wait till you met them.”

“Can we?” Kairi breathed.

“Absolutely.” Terra gently tapped his head against Ven’s. “Hope you don’t mind if we have this one come first though.”

“No, of course not,” Riku said, quickly slapping his hand over Sora’s mouth who did look like he was about to protest; due more to impatience than the actual sentiment Ven knew.

Terra tapped on Ven’s arms, causing him to let go so Terra could stand up. “Give us like ten minutes okay?”

“Got it,” Lea said, but if anyone else said anything Ven didn’t notice; he was already scurrying to follow Terra out of the room.

The castle was quiet, no other sounds but their footsteps up the steps of the staircase. Now that Ven was satisfied everything was actually okay, a new sort of anxiety crept up his throat.

What did he do?

He wanted to ask Terra how everything went but Ven wasn’t sure what Terra would say or if Ven really wanted to know. He also wasn’t sure how…this changed things. He knew it changed things obviously; Terra and Aqua were always sort of like everyone’s parents but now they really were parents. Taking care of babies was vastly different than taking care of teenagers who could walk and feed themselves. They’d be busy and preoccupied, but he understood but at the same time…would it still be able to be the three of them?

Ven took comfort in the fact that Terra asked for Ven alone first; that meant something right? He admittedly was so excited the whole time for his two best friends to be happy together he forgot to consider what it meant for him. Them having a relationship never changed how they treated him before, and he knew it wouldn’t be on purpose if they did now they’d just be…busy. It was okay, it was, but it made him feel a conflicting sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

So much so that he froze when he found himself standing in front of the door Terra had his hand on.

“Ven?” he asked, forehead furrowing just a little. “What’s wrong?”

Ven swallowed hard, unsure if he even had the words to explain what scared him the most; losing them or making them feel bad because he felt that way? There was also a more urgent fear as he realized in a few steps he’d be placed in the presence of newborns.

“I don’t know how to hold a baby,” he sputtered.

Terra’s face softened as he reached a hand over to Ven’s shoulder. “Neither did we.”

That admittedly made him feel a little better; it put into perspective that this was new to all of them not just him. He took a shaky breath before nodding. Terra carefully pushed the door open and gestured for Ven to go in.

It was a familiar room but only in the way that all guest rooms sort of looked the same. The midwife and her assistant were off to the side of the room where some sort of table was set up but Ven didn’t pay much attention. He instead looked over to the bed where Aqua was sitting up, holding one blanketed bundle.

She glanced up and Ven almost paused in the middle of the room, at a loss again. Yet despite the fact she looked beyond exhausted, she smiled at him, one that reached her eyes like there was no one else she was hoping it would be.

It made some of the nerves loosen in his stomach.

“Ven,” she breathed, moving one hand to pat the side of the bed next to her. “C’mere.”

He quickly did as he was told, but moved more carefully when he climbed on the bed, trying not to jostle her too much. He couldn’t see the baby well from where he was sitting but Aqua shifted her arms towards him.

He hesitated as his hands were already starting to shake just at the thought. What if he did it wrong? Or what if it started crying? What was he supposed to do?

“Ven,” she said again, but this time it was a little soothing, like she knew what was going through his head. “It’s okay, I promise.”

He nodded, knowing Aqua wasn’t just saying it to make him feel better. He held his arms out to her as she carefully placed the baby in his hold. It was a strange mix of light but also held enough weight for Ven to adjust his arms to hold it better, nudging its head closer to his elbow and slipping his other arm under for support.

“See,” Aqua said. “It’s very natural.”

Ven let out a small choked laugh as he looked down. The bed shifted slightly, but it was probably just Terra sitting down on Aqua’s other side. The baby had its face scrunched up, eyes closed as it laid there in Ven’s arms. No crying or screaming or squirming, just sleeping. He didn’t really think it looked like either of them right now, but it was so small; from the wisps of the hair to the bitty mouth and bundled tightly in the most adorable way.

“I’ll be honest,” Ven said, looking up.

Aqua was still watching him but she had leaned herself against Terra’s back as he sat nearby, wrapping her arms around his stomach so she could prop her head up on his shoulder.

“I have no idea which one this is.”

Terra snorted, while Aqua merely smiled. “It’s okay, they don’t really look too different right now,” he said.

“That’s your nephew,” she clarified. “Gale.”

“Gale,” Ven repeated, looking back down.

The baby didn’t react to his name at all but that was probably to be expected; he wasn’t even a day old yet.

“Who’s going to grow up and want to be just like his bright and adventurous Uncle Ven.”

It was a simple sentiment, but Ven felt his lips wobble as his eyes pricked with tears. It was so stupid for him to think that in all the changes that would go on, he’d be left out somewhere. His family merely got bigger, that was all.

“Ven?” Aqua asked. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” he sniffed, looking back up to her with a grin. “Just happy.”

She smiled at him, but he didn’t miss her own watery eyes.

“Alright,” the midwife said in a warm tone as she walked over, holding the other bundle wrapped in a lighter colored blanket. “Here you go, Dad.” She passed the baby, the girl, to Terra who already seemed like he got his practice in holding babies because he did it fairly effortlessly.

“Hey, um,” Ven said, looking over to the midwife. “Sorry, about, you know, waking you up.”

She waved him off as she walked over to the corner again. “I’ve had worse ways to wake up, son.”

Ven sort of wanted to ask just out of pure curiosity but now was probably not the time. He adjusted his arms again to make sure the sleeping baby stayed that way. Aqua was watching over Terra’s shoulder as he held the little girl up in his arms; really he probably even only needed one arm to hold her up. She was small and she looked even tinier against his big build.

It was the happy looks on the people who were always mom and dad to him, that made Ven know this is how it was always supposed to be. Everything was right.

“Here,” Aqua said as she leaned back, reaching to take the baby from Ven’s arms. “Trade you.”

Terra leaned over further to pass Ven the other twin, which was easier the second time. Okay, he was getting the hang of this.

Unlike her brother, this little one had her eyes wide open as she looked up at him with big, blue eyes.

Ven choked slightly in surprise at the recognition. “Hi,” he said, softly. “It’s Uncle Ventus, but you can call me Uncle Ven too.”

“That’s Iris,” Terra said, still sitting nearby which Ven understood; Terra’s whole world was here in this bed.

She looked at Ven, but otherwise didn’t move.

“They’re so calm,” Ven said. “Are you sure they’re yours?”

“Real cute, Ven.”

He chuckled. “Just you wait till you can walk,” Ven said, using some of his fingers to tap lightly against her body. “You, your brother and me we’re gonna have so much fun. Promise.”

While Ven didn’t remember much of his first days in the Land of Departure, he did remember when he first recognized Terra and Aqua; how it just felt like being home. Looking at their kids, even though they were only in this world for such a short time, Ven felt exactly the same way.

“You mean get into trouble,” Aqua said, but she didn’t seem mad in the least, cradling the little boy to her chest.

Ven grinned when he looked up. “That’s exactly what I mean.”

“Speaking of trouble,” Terra said, nodding his head towards the door. “We’ll be in trouble if we don’t let them in soon. I’m pretty sure they’re close to breaking down the door.”

“Let them in,” Aqua chuckled.

He moved to stand up but the midwife was already there, pulling the door open where every single person left downstairs was crammed in the doorway.

“We did wait,” Sora said, peeking between Riku and Lea’s shoulders.

“You did,” Terra said, gesturing for them to come closer.

They were all quiet, save for Kairi’s soft gasps, as they looked on at the two babies they had all been watching grow for what seemed like ages. Lea held his hand out slightly, stopping them from getting too close probably not wanting to invade anyone’s space.

“Come on,” Aqua said, inviting them even closer as she gently placed Gale in Terra’s waiting arms.

Kairi carefully sat up on the bed, while Sora followed behind her, both leaning in to see the babies Ven and now Terra were holding, while Lea and Riku stayed a little off to the side but still looking over curiously.

“This is Gale,” Aqua said, placing careful fingers on his head. “And this is Iris here. These are more uncles and an aunt who’ve been waiting to meet you too.”

Kairi and Sora both looked like they couldn’t contain themselves any more, inching over to Ven so they could see Iris’ eyes open and watch them. They made little noises to get her attention, which she seemed to like; she didn’t cry at least. Gale was still sleeping as Terra held the small boy, with Riku holding out a tentative hand to touch the soft wisps of hair, Lea leaning over Riku’s shoulder to watch.

More people would probably be in and out of the castle; Isa, Roxas, and Xion were all coming to temporarily stay for a bit to help. There would be many more Ven knew to see the babies, or drop off food, or just to stay and help out now that both the heads of the land would be out of commission for a bit. It would probably be busy and hectic, but full of life; the two newest additions to the castle fully proving that already.

Small eyes watched him, and he started to see the resemblance to both her parents; those were Terra’s eyes, but Aqua’s nose. These two were apart of them, which made them a part of him too, of all of them here in the place they called home.

He wished Master Eraqus was here to see; he’d be so proud of the leaders Terra and Aqua became, of the parents they’d be. While Ven was old enough to understand Eraqus wasn’t perfect, Ven still never doubted how much their Master did love them. Even though he wasn’t with them anymore, Ven still knew Eraqus be a part of the babies too, in the ways that he raised Terra, Aqua, and Ven himself in love. That would carry on as they raised their own kids in love.

Ven reached a hand up to lightly tickle his finger against Iris’ stomach. “Welcome home, little ones.”

He looked to Sora and Kairi both still wide eyed and in awe as they watched Iris and to Aqua who was leaning up against Terra again; he always was her rock but now more than ever. He was still looking down at the bundle in his arms, a soft compassion in his eyes that Ven knew well on Terra; it was always how he looked at the people he loved. Riku was grinning as he leaned back, giving room for Lea to get closer as even his near permanent smirk melted away into a genuine smile.

She was tired too, exhausted really, and as if trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in was bad enough it was hot, like unbearably hot in here. Sure, it was summer now but at the same time it felt even warmer for this time of year. It was a strange sensation as she was one to be too cold and never too hot but everything was uncomfortable and her back ached and she was just hungry. It didn’t help that the whole reason she was awake and hungry in the first place was due to a harsh contraction waking her up; she was honestly surprised Terra hadn’t even woken up from it. It was just the one so she wasn’t concerned about it, but she would rather be in bed if she had the choice. 

Granted that was just the one since she went to bed, not counting the few she started to have more frequently yesterday. It was okay, she still had time.

It was a small victory when her feet hit the main floor. With a sigh of relief she slowly made her way to the kitchen. There were no footsteps that she could hear, no doors cracking open, no light creeping through the darkness. She was a bit away from where everyone was sleeping but that didn’t mean she wasn’t an expert at sneaking around late at night; she knew how to spot any signs even from down here. No one seemed to be awake which meant she didn’t wake anyone up trying to get down here. She still didn’t breathe fully until she flicked on the kitchen lights and leaned up slightly against the door behind her.

It wasn’t really any cooler in here which sucked but she’d deal with it. Aqua moved over to the cabinets to see if anyone touched anything she left in places she knew she could reach.

“You know,” she said, pulling open a cabinet. “If you were better planned, it wouldn’t be summer. I love summer and this is even too much.”

No response, not that she expected it; neither of them were really moving around too much which would’ve been great for her to sleep…if a laundry list of other things weren’t keeping her awake. She scanned over some of the food she kept out; no one touched it which she appreciated. They were good kids but they were also mostly teenage boys and Terra who could also still eat like a teenage boy. She looked over, trying to find something that jumped out to satisfy whatever she was craving for.

“Something cool would be nice,” she said, glancing towards the fridge though she didn’t have anything saved in there. “Or warm maybe.”

That time she felt a little movement, obviously not answering her question but more in response to her voice.

“Warm it is then.” Aqua reached up to grab a tin of chocolate cookies she knew she could heat up easily. Despite the humidity in the kitchen the thought of warm chocolate melting in her mouth was enough for her to turn on the oven. She ran her fingers over the tin covering the cookies Ven helped her make the other night. “At least I don’t need to worry about your father eating these. I’m convinced that’s how we managed to become such good friends. We never competed for sweets and he never touched the treats I wanted to eat.”

The oven would take a moment to get to a good temperature so she’d have to wait. She hummed slightly. “I wonder who you’ll take after. If we’ll have to make more sweet things to accommodate everyone or if Terra will finally have to share.” It was a thought that brought a smile to her lips even despite her exhaustion. It wasn’t an uncommon thought; the closer she got the more everyone liked to speculate what the babies would be like, which of their parents they’d take after in looks, preference, and personality. Aqua and Terra were similar in some regards but opposites in others; she understood the appeal of wondering which child would be like who.

She always hoped they’d look like Terra, that they’d have his kind heart and gentle soul; that being surrounded by people who love them they’d gain Ven’s exuberance for life, Sora’s sunny optimism, Riku’s never ending patience, Kairi’s fiery determination, and Lea’s compassion for the people he loves.

Aqua sighed. She understood the appeal of wanting to see them in general, because even now she was beginning to think a week was too long. The rooms were ready and waiting, the other kids eager and excited to help, Ven asking daily if Aqua felt like it was time. Sometimes it did when she’d start to feel a contraction but nothing else would happen after, at least nothing anywhere near the time frame she was told she needed to look out for. It was disappointing in a way when she wanted to see the faces she imagined, the ones she talked to so often now and at the same time relief knowing her whole world would change even more than it already had once that time came.

The hum of the oven reminded her of where she was; in the kitchen at one in the morning wanting soft, chocolate cookies. She tried to pull the top off the tin but it wouldn’t budge. Aqua adjusted it in her arms pulling a little harder; it must’ve been stuck due to the sudden heat. As she pulled she felt the familiar cramp like feeling, that quickly twisted into pain searing through her abdomen.

She gasped, the tin slipping from her hands and clattering to floor as she pressed her hand to her stomach, bending in on herself. “Fuck,” she cried, eyes clenched shut while her other hand held onto the counter as tight as she could.

It was already loosening up, the pain fading almost as quickly as it came. She tried to regulate her breathing, blinking away some of the tears that caught on her eyelashes from the surprise. It wasn’t the first contraction she had, but it was by far the strongest one. Aqua barely had time to properly recover before she saw the broken bits of cookie all over the ground from the tin that must’ve opened when it hit the ground.

Not only that, but there were a pair of bare feet standing near the broken cookies.

She reached a hand up to quickly wipe her eyes from the stupid tears that came when she realized she couldn’t eat the cookies she wanted any more. She recognized the long legs before she even got to his face, realizing if Lea was standing there he probably saw her have the contraction and throw the tin to the ground; he also probably heard her cuss which added to the embarrassment she felt.

“Ah, sorry, Lea, I didn’t mean to…um…”

He was watching her with his usually attentive eyes, hair pulled back out of his face and off his neck probably due to the heat but he didn’t look that concerned. “You really think I give a shit?” he crouched down to grab the tin, sweeping the crumbs in with his hand. “Go on and sit down.”

Aqua carefully moved by him to pull out a chair at the table knowing he didn’t usually cuss in front of the younger kids either; he probably understood. She often forgot that between both his and her weird time lines that they were all around the same age, more so than the others in the least. “Thank you,” she said, turning slightly to face him.

He hummed a casual response but looked up at her. “Should I be worried?”

“No, no,” she breathed, waving him off while the other hand rested absent mindedly on her stomach. “They have to be much closer than that to make anyone worried.” Aqua couldn’t remember how long it had been since she woke up, but she didn’t want him to worry so she opted not to mention it was already the second one tonight.

He nodded as he tossed the tin and the rest of the cookies in the nearby garbage. Lea looked like he was going to come over to the table but he took a double take at the oven. “Did you turn this on? You do realize its sweltering in here right?”

She chuckled slightly at how absurd it really was. “But chocolate chips are always better warm.”

He snorted as he reached to flip the oven off. “It’s too damn hot, how about something cooler.”

Aqua watched him reach for the fridge but grabbed the freezer door instead. She supposed she shouldn’t have been surprised to see him pull out two of the very familiar blue ice cream. She couldn’t help but laugh when he passed her one before flopping in the chair next to her. Lea’s remedy for everything was ice cream; it was a pretty good remedy to be fair. “You managed to get Xion to send you some?”

Lea snorted, taking a bite from the ice cream. “She was all excited when she found a safe way to send them here.”

Aqua nibbled at the top of the bar, the cool texture mixed with the sweet and salty taste was just as nice as the cookies would’ve been. “You miss them don’t you.” It was a statement rather than a question; she knew all too well how it felt to be separated from those you loved, even if the reasons were still good ones.

“I do,” he said honestly, pausing to take another bite. “I support Xion in her choice to not want to hold a keyblade anymore, I feel sort of relieved actually. She’s much safer in Twilight Town with Isa.” Another pause. “I was worried at first due to the...history there, but they’re thick as thieves now, always sending me pictures together where he’s almost smiling, imagine that.”  

Aqua chuckled. “Kids change your life, don’t you know that.”

Lea snorted. “Ain’t that the truth. If only the other runt was as good at keeping in touch.”

“Boys,” she said, like it explained it all. To her it did, she grew up with Terra and Ven who while always included her also like to run five steps ahead at all times.

“See,” Lea, gestured his ice cream towards her. “I’m doing you a favor saying its two girls. Save you some heartache in that regard.”

Aqua laughed, as she took a bite into the ice cream, silence settling over them. Lea was easy like that; unlike Ven or Sora who always kept the space filled with words, Lea was more like Terra and only said what was needed.

“Have you thought about it?” Lea said sort of vaguely. “What you’ll do, whether they’ll follow your footsteps or not?”

It took her a moment to connect the conversation. “A little,” she said. “Even after they’re born it’ll be a while before they start to show any signs of being able to carry a keyblade or not. We’ve mainly left it as we’ll handle it when it happens or not.”

“But what do you want?”

Terra asked her something similar. She understood why; they were both conflicted in the matter. On one hand she had great joy in her life, in the places she saw, in the people she met, her responsibility less of that and more of a joy. On the other hand there was nothing more in this world than she’d want to spare her children from the terrible things her and Terra went through, the things the saw, what was done to them, the fears they had.

“I suppose…” she breathed. “It won’t be up to me, it’ll be…”

“Their choice,” Lea finished.

She smiled over at him as she took another small bite of the ice cream. “Just like it was all of our own choices.” Aqua was about to tell him that it wasn’t always easy to accept those choices as he was clearly worried about Roxas traveling the worlds but she felt that sharp cramp start to form again. She dropped her hand to her lower stomach where she felt it, hoping it would just be a light one that would go away quickly.

It wasn’t.

The ice cream fell from her hand as she reached the other one down to try and put pressure on the pain. She was vaguely aware of way she curled into herself, the groan on her lips, but it wasn’t till it started to fade that she felt Lea’s hand on her back. She looked up at him, trying to blink the slight tears from her eyes.

He must’ve caught her ice cream before it fell cause he was holding both in one hand, green eyes watching her carefully. “How many has that been?”

“Since when?” she asked with a slight wince.

“That answers the question.” He passed her back her ice cream which she took with a small smile. “And you’re not worried?”

“They have to be closer than that,” she answered, taking another bite; the cold felt really nice. Aqua closed her eyes, trying to ignore the way her heart was a little in her throat, the nerves making her stomach tighten.

Lea tilted his head back, letting the last bit of his ice cream fall into his mouth before she started to stand up. “Yeah, I’m getting Terra.”

“No, wait,” Aqua said, quickly fumbling to grab Lea’s arm. “He’s sleeping.”

Lea gave her a familiar sort of look, one she knew meant he was weighing the odds between doing what Aqua was asking and what he probably felt was right to do. Not that she blamed him; it was the reasonable thing as Terra was the one who knew what to do. A part of her didn’t even really know why she was stopping Lea either. If this was it, that was a good thing. It was a good thing.

He sat back down and Aqua let out a small breath. They sat in silence, knowing he wouldn’t ask her anything too personal if he didn’t feel like she wanted to talk about it. Granted he probably still wanted to go get Terra with the way Lea was watching her out of the corner of his eyes. She was just trying to eat the ice cream before it melted all down her hands.

It turned out he didn’t need to, as the kitchen door slowly opened behind them. Both her and Lea turned to see Terra wincing into the light. He absolutely looked like he just rolled out of bed, hair all over the place, and his tank top and sleep pants rumbled. It was easy to smile, easy to feel the warmth that spread through her chest at his adorable look.

He squinted at her slightly. “Ice cream?”

“Yeah,” she answered, though it was cut off by a slight gasp. Thankfully, it was just from the surprise of sudden strong movement and less of pain. Still she saw Lea eyeing her again.

He seemed to deem it was okay because he leaned back in his chair. “Good at all hours, don’t you know,” Lea said, reaching a hand over his head to wave.

“Sure,” Terra snorted, broken by a yawn as he moved to pull out the chair on Aqua’s other side. “Hungry?” His voice was still low and heavy, reaching his hands up to rub his face, probably trying to wake himself up more.

She hummed as she bit down on the ice cream. Aqua admittedly did feel more at ease with Terra so close to her and it probably wasn’t just her that felt that way. “Yeah, did we wake you?”

“No, no,” he said, yawning again though this time he tried to cover it. “You just weren’t there so I went to find you is all.”

Lea tapped his hands lightly on the table, pushing himself up to his feet. “I’m gonna head back to bed. See you both in the morning.”

“Night,” Terra said, waving slightly as he still tried to regain some consciousness.

“Thanks for the ice cream,” Aqua said. “And the company.”

“Anytime.” He already had his back to them pulling open the door, but she recognized the glance he gave her before he let the door shut behind him.

Terra didn’t clearly still not awake as he sighed, leaning back against the chair.

“Have some,” she said, turning slightly to face him better. “Promise it’s not too sweet.”

He hesitated, whether because he didn’t trust her sweetness gauge or he felt weird about eating ice cream in the middle of the night; which was ridiculous considering they used to sneak out to eat in the middle of the night all the time as kids. Terra did lean forward though, taking a small bite of the bright blue ice cream.

“Good?” she asked when he didn’t grimace.

“Not bad actually,” he said. “Granted not good enough to eat as much I’ve seen some of these kids eat.”

Aqua laughed, really almost forgetting her worries in the first place; he still had that comforting effect on her. She knew she was moments away from the rest of the ice cream melting onto the table so she tried to eat it as quickly as she could.

“Did something wake you up?” he asked, crossing his arms against his chest. “Or have you not slept at all? I’m sorry I fell asleep on you.”

“Don’t apologize,” she said, letting the last bite melt into her mouth. “You got in late, I know you were tired already.”

“You’re feeling okay though?”

“You mean outside of hurting in places I didn’t think possible and not being able to sleep at all?”

He slumped slightly over the table, resting his chin on his hand as he propped his elbow up. Terra’s smile was sympathetic and it made her want to kiss him. “Yes, I do.”

She was in the middle of contemplating if she should tell him and cause him to worry, possibly getting no more sleep himself when the pain shot through her with no warning this time. Aqua tried to stop herself from crying out as she grabbed onto the table but she was vaguely aware she didn’t do a good job when she felt his hand on her back, the other over one of her hands.

Aqua felt the tears in her eyes when she blinked up to look at him. Terra didn’t seem all that surprised but his forehead was furrowed as he watched her. “They’re getting closer,” she admitted.

He breathed out softly, thumb rubbing her back in soothing circles. “How long as it been happening?”

“Yesterday.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He didn’t look upset, or angry that she didn’t say there was a good possibility she could go into labor before the night was through the moment he walked in the doors. He was just soft and gentle as he spoke to her.

The few tears dripped down her face. She didn’t have a good reason. “I was scared, I’m scared.”

He paused for a moment before he moved his arm up to her shoulder, pushing her carefully towards him. Aqua easily obliged, leaning her head against his shoulder as he placed his other hand over her stomach. She closed her eyes, his familiar warmth and scent already making her feel better.

“It’s not like I don’t want it to happen, I do,” she murmured. “It’s just…so real.”

“It’s okay to be scared,” he said, his voice vibrating near her ears. “I am too, you know I am. But you aren’t alone.” He paused. “There’s a whole house of people here for you, and I’ll be with you, every step of the way.”

Aqua nodded against him. He was right after all. While the initial thought was frightening, when she knew that Terra was with her, when the others were happy for her it made it so much better.  She had nine months to get used to the idea of this being real but the sudden signs of it being so real right here and now was…a lot. Now, like back then, knowing his hand would be by hers the whole time made this very impending and big change a little more manageable.

“It’s funny,” she said.

“What is?”

She looked up at him. “I thought it would be the other way around.”

Terra snorted but he still smiled. “I’m better at hiding it.”

“You absolutely are not. Nice try.” Though to be honest right now if he was scared she really couldn’t tell. She closed her eyes, his steady heartbeat under her ear, careful hands trailing soothing motions on her back. He leaned his head down against hers, holding her about as close as he could, making her feel nothing short of safe.

There was the lingering nerves in the pit of her stomach, telling her things to be afraid of, of what could happen, of what may not happen, of holding lives in her hands only ever wanting the best for them but not knowing what the world would have in store. Terra was right though, she wasn’t alone. A part of her could never forget what being truly alone felt like, it also helped remind her of what being cherished by people who love you felt like too. It was a much better feeling.

She sighed. With the sweet taste of vanilla on her lips she just wanted to fall back asleep right here. Aqua might’ve too if not for the sudden pain that had her hands curling into Terra’s shirt. He held his grip firmly, hushing something she couldn’t hear over her own groan but the tone was enough to help.

She felt his lips brush the top of her head as she tried to catch her breath, eyes still clenched shut. It was frightening, all of this was, but they had been through much worse for terrible reasons. This was not one of those times.

“Terra,” she breathed.

“Yeah?”

Aqua knew she probably should’ve said it sooner, maybe even told Ven before Terra came home so they could be ready. For as much as she tried to be prepared for everything, in the end she found herself not prepared for one things she knew would happen.

“I think it’s time.”

“Okay,” he said. “Okay.”

She moved to try and stand up but he was already carefully slipping his arms around her, lifting her up far more effortlessly than he should’ve with the extra weight she carried.

“You okay?” he asked, looking to her as he started to walk towards the door.

“Yeah, better now.”

Terra shifted her slightly so he could open the door but it opened before he could actually move his hand from her. Aqua didn’t quite have time to question it as a different sort of realization hit her. She curled her fingers into his shirt, looking up to him as he carried her into the main hall. Panic nearly making it hard to breathe.

“They’ve been getting too close, we have to get the midwife. I waited too long.”

“Already done,” Lea’s voice said, making Aqua jump in surprise.

Terra turned around to see Lea leaning up against the wall, letting the kitchen hall door shut.

“I woke blondie up after I left you, he’s already been gone to get her,” Lea said with such a casual air, like it was something he did every day. “I think Ven was more frantic than the both of you, I had to grab him to get him to come back just to give the directions before he wasted time running in circles.”

Looking after others, that absolutely was something Lea did every day since she had met him. “Thank you,” she said, feeling the uncontrollable tears blurring her vision.  

He waved her off, moving so he could start to jog up the stairs. “I’ll wake up the rest of them, they’ll all kill me if I knew and didn’t say anything.”

Aqua didn’t bother telling him to let them sleep, that it still could be a while before anything even really happened but it was mainly because another contraction rendered her speechless. Terra held her firmly as he started up the stairs to the room that was set up specifically for this moment. She tried to catch her breath, the steady rocking motion of his body walking up the stairs easing her again.

“Everything is going to be okay,” he said, voice almost echoing against her.

Aqua took a shaky breath as she closed her eyes. It was scary, there was no escaping that; change was always frightening as was the unknown. But between Terra who was still managing to carry her and hold her close when she needed him, Lea with his foresight to ignore her so he could do what he knew to be best, the image of Ven frantically pounding on the poor midwife’s door, and knowing the rest of her family would be up and supporting her from the distance made Terra’s words so easy to believe.

Aqua leaned back slightly, placing one hand behind her in the grass as the ache in her back started to get a little too strong. She rested her other hand on the top of her stomach. It had almost become habitual since everyone who needed to know knew, and since, well, she couldn’t hide it anymore even if she wanted to. She very well probably would’ve run out of clothes that fit her at this point if she didn’t have Kairi who was more than happy to bring clothing back every time she left their world. Not to mention the accumulating mass of baby clothes and toys that only seemed to get larger every time Aqua went into the nursery; which was probably mostly from Ven and Lea who still seemed to be in a battle over who could be the best uncle.

A smile pulled at her lips as she absent mindedly tapped her thumb against her stomach. She had been so afraid at first, afraid of what to do, what people would think, what they would say but she found she had the best support system she could ask for. Kairi and Sora were more than happy to bring back anything Aqua would ever ask for (and more) without a single question; save for Sora who’s genuine curiosity sometimes got the best of him. Ven jumped at any opportunity to help Aqua with anything she needed, which she found comforting when Terra wasn’t home. Riku and Lea were always a little more hesitant, like they were unsure how to handle all of this but Riku was the first one to offer to help Terra with whatever they were asked to assist with when she couldn’t go, and Aqua often found teas or food already made with her name on it in a scribbly handwriting she knew to be Lea’s.

She sighed as she glanced up to the sky overhead. A part of her wished she could see Terra and Riku coming back even though they still had an estimated few days away. The world was a very different place now, but she couldn’t help but still feel that ache of worry whenever anyone of them left their world. There was always a threat, and there was always a need for them, which is why they continued to do their jobs but she didn’t always like it.

Sora let out a surprised cry making Aqua look back to the training grounds. He was rolling off to the side, the ground scorched and still flickering with fire next to him. “That’s not fair,” he said as he jumped up to his feet, though he sounded more impressed than mad. “Lea always teaches you the good stuff.”

“It’s plenty fair,” she laughed, moving to take a defensive position as Sora started to charge after her.

Kairi blocked him, making him jump back and swing into his next attack.

Aqua wondered if they knew how similar they were to her and Terra when they were younger. She was half tempted to bring it up just to see the looks on their faces.

She wanted to ignore the slight sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach but it was hard. As much as she was grateful Terra had no problem stepping up for her when she was unable to do her job any longer, she wished he didn’t have to leave so often. Next to her he was the oldest master here and Riku had the most seniority so they were gone the most. Ven wanted to go this time, but opted to stay back probably more for Aqua’s sake than anything. Though the last time she checked both Ven and Lea were still sleeping their morning away.

She knew it wasn’t easy on Terra either. She saw the way he tensed whenever an assignment would come in, hoping it didn’t specifically request him or her so he could give the lead to one of the other kids. He didn’t like leaving her any more than she liked him to leave, despite the fact she still had months to go before she was close to being near the due date. While the past was firmly in the past, Aqua couldn’t deny being separated from him made her nervous, now more so than ever.

She sighed as she looked back up at the sky one more time just in case.

Still nothing. She didn’t know why she was surprised. Apparently her attempted distraction wasn’t doing as much as she wanted to. It was hard without his ever familiar presence, his low voice never too far away, his comforting hands laced over her stomach as she tried not to fall asleep leaning back against him on the couch.

It was a surprise; the sudden pressure on the side of her stomach, the almost weightless feeling of motion that made her breath catch in her throat. “Oh,” was about all she could manage at that moment, hand fluttering down to where she felt the movement but it was enough to get the attention of both Sora and Kairi.

“Aqua?” Sora said, his voice questioning. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, mainly because she wasn’t sure if she spoke any words would actually come out. She kept her hand pressed to the side of her stomach though there wasn’t anything else. Did she imagine it?

Her answer apparently hadn’t been satisfactory because when she looked up Sora was hurrying over to her with Kairi on his heels.

“Is something wrong?” he asked again, this time leaning over so his hands were on his knees, forehead furrowed. Kairi stood next to him looking like she wasn’t sure if she should be worried or not.

“No, no,” Aqua breathed. “Nothing’s wrong.”

“Then what is it?” Kairi asked.

“I just…” Aqua tapped her fingers lightly against her stomach, but nothing. “I thought I felt the babies move.”

“Whoa, really?” Sora’s tone changed completely from worried to eager as Kairi clapped her hands together, an excited gasp coming from her lips.

“What did it feel like?” she asked, leaning over Sora slightly.

“I felt a sort of push against the side here,” Aqua said, tapping the spot again. “And almost a turning sensation, it’s hard to explain. But I can’t imagine what else it could’ve been.”

Sora let out a whistle, looking to her stomach and back up to her face. “Not doing it again?”

Aqua shook her head. “No, doesn’t seem so.”

“What were you thinking about beforehand?”

“Sora,” Kairi giggled, reaching over to push at his head slightly. “I don’t think it works like that.”

“Well, why not?”

“Oh, I mean, I was just thinking Terra,” Aqua answered, no reason not to tell them.

Sora clicked his tongue, gesturing towards her. “See I bet that was it, they miss him too.”

The sentiment from Sora’s tell it like it is voice made Aqua feel a rush of emotions, nearly making tears prick at her eyes. Simple maybe, possibly implausible but the thought their kids even as small as they were recognized who their father was and when he wasn’t here was enough to make her want to cry.

Aqua gasped when she felt the same pressure against her, this time a few more pushes against her stomach.

“What is it?” Kairi asked, voice sounding a little enthralled. “Did they move again?”

Aqua held her hand out for which one of them wanted to take it first. Sora tried but Kairi reached Aqua first and he seemed to be okay to let it go.

She placed Kairi’s palm down on the side Aqua was feeling the most movement from. There was no sharp motion at the moment but she could still feel the almost weightless motion them adjusting. Kairi’s forehead furrowed like she was afraid she was missing something but that elated grin was back when she felt what was probably a kick.

“Oh, wow,” she breathed. “It’s really there.”

Sora, who seemed to get impatient in the few moments he was left out, nudged his hand under Kairi’s. She rolled her eyes but moved her hand so he could get in better.  

“Did they stop?” he asked, looking up to Aqua.

She hummed. “Sort of. I can still kind of feel them moving but I-oh!” This was going to take some getting used to.

“Hey!” Sora exclaimed, a smile similar to Kairi’s on his lips. “That was a strong one. Good kick, baby.” He tapped the spot once before leaning back on his heels. “Well, they’re definitely you and Terra’s kids.”

Kairi leaned down a little closer to where Sora’s head was. “Do you think they can hear us?”

“They should,” Aqua said, moving her hand to where his had been a moment ago. “Even if it’s just a vague sort of noise to them.”  

“Do they recognize how we talk?” Sora asked.

“You mean, like being able to tell you apart?” She felt another sharp movement but otherwise it seemed to be settling down.

“Yeah, like would they recognize us by our voices?”

The curiosity and genuine excitement in both their eyes made Aqua feel like she was going to cry again, though she was aware that was probably more due to her hormone level than anything. She didn’t know what she deserved to have people who cared so much for her and her children who weren’t even born yet, but she was thankful every day these were the people she shared her home with.

“They can probably recognize tones, especially ones they hear a lot,” she said, absently mindedly rubbing the side of her stomach even though the motions had settled down to nothing again. “So they’ll know mine the best, and Terra’s probably after but I spend enough time with Ven and all of you that I don’t think you’ll ever be strangers to them.”

Kairi sighed, happy smile on her lips. “I can’t wait to see them.”

Aqua hummed; she didn’t think she needed to vocalize she felt the same.

“Well, in that case we’re gonna be buddies,” Sora said, pointing his finger at her stomach. “So that you guys know that I’m actually the best uncle. Don’t tell Ven or Lea, it’s our secret, babies.”

Kairi rolled her eyes, reaching over to tap at Sora’s head. “You boys are ridiculous.”

“Easy for you to say, you don’t have any competition!”

She was already laughing when Sora pushed himself back up to stand. He didn’t look mad, he never was mad at her. It was so familiar it struck a jab at Aqua’s heart. She could almost picture the surprised look on Terra’s face when she told him she could feel the babies moving, the way it would melt into that warm smile, the glisten in his eyes that she had gotten so used to these past few months. She missed him; she wished he didn’t have to go this time.

“Why don’t we go wake up Lea and Ven for lunch,” Aqua said instead.

“Can we wake them up any way we’d like?” Sora asked. He was always a sweet boy, but that mischievous look him his eyes came out, especially when it came to his friends.

“You didn’t hear yes from me,” Aqua said, bracing on hand against the ground to help catch her balance enough to stand up; it absolutely wasn’t as easy as it used to be.

Sora held out both his hands for her which she took with a grateful smile. Once he was satisfied she was on her feet, he quickly took off after Kairi who was already walking back to the castle. He must’ve said something to her, because she reached over to push him while she laughed.

Aqua followed behind them, looking once more at the sky. Still nothing. With a sigh she looked back up to the castle, at least she wasn’t alone, the kids kept her plenty company.

“Just in time for lunch?”

She paused on the walkway, turning her head to look behind her only to see Riku heading up towards her. He had his hands rubbing together, like there was nothing more appealing than eating at right this second though really he was probably just happy to not be working anymore.

“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she said, though when she glanced behind him Terra wasn’t there. “Everything go okay?”

“Yeah,” he said, waving her off. “Just fine. He’s coming don’t worry.”

She wondered when Riku was able to read her so well; he probably took after Terra more than she ever noticed. Even still the relief she felt was more than a little welcome.

“Did they notice?” Riku asked, point towards Sora and Kairi who were almost to the castle door now.

“Not that I know of. If you hurry you’ll get the pleasure of waking up Lea and Ven too.”

Riku snorted, but he waved as he broke into a jog to catch up with his friends. Aqua looked back down the path again but this time Terra was walking up. She waited for him as she felt a smile pull at her lips; even though he wasn’t even within touching distance just knowing he was home was enough to make everything feel back in place.

“Hey,” he said, coming to stop in front of her. He looked like he was going to say something else but she threw her arms around him before he could, landing her head against his shoulder.

She felt him breathe out a long breath as he put his arms around her too, hand resting on her lower back and chin propped up on her head. “I missed you,” she murmured into his clothes, even though she felt like it was an obvious statement.

“Yeah, I missed you too.”

Aqua could feel the brush of his lips against the top of her head though she didn’t move, opting to take in the reassuring warmth of his body, the familiar scent she always associated with him. Her eyes fluttered shut. “Riku said it went fine.”

“It was fine, no need to worry like I know you did.”

She tilted her head up to see him looking down at her, knowing smile on his lips but before she could actually tell him anything she felt that same weightless sensation as before.

“Everything okay here then?” His forehead wrinkled in that way it did when he was the one who was worried but didn’t want to admit it.

She reached a hand behind her, pulling at his till she could place it on the side of her stomach. His hand was bigger than either Sora or Kairi’s and much more familiar. Instinctively he rubbed his thumb against her but stopped short when he felt what she did, that same pressure against her stomach.

His eyes flickered up to her, the slight look of disbelief evident in his face. “Is that…?”

Aqua hummed as she nodded, her hand still over his. “Yeah, welcome home.”

His laughter was a little choked, but she got to see that smile of his. Aqua really had no idea how aware they were at this point, how much they could actually recognize Terra’s presence or his voice or if they were just reacting to her being a strange mix of elated and relaxed now that he was back, but they were moving more constantly than before.

“Clearly from all of us,” she said, reaching her other hand up to brush some of his hair from his face.

He leaned into his cheek into her touch. “Glad to be home.”

Before she got a chance to say any more he tilted his head down to kiss her. It was soft in only a way Terra was. For all his size and strength, he was the gentlest person she knew both with her and with the others. Aqua couldn’t help but lean into him more as she kissed him back. She missed this, she missed him.

It was admittedly a little bit of a surprise to see Roxas walking with Sora, looking so much like twins but from what she knew, she was more than happy to see Roxas in his own body able to live his own life. Plus the look on Lea’s face was well worth it; she still thought it was worth teasing him about every now and then.

They were able to bring back Xion later someone Kairi knew nothing about but Lea and Roxas were overjoyed to see her and that was really all that was important. Xion was quiet but she was sweet, and had a sweet tooth just like the other two; no wonder they got along so well.

If they were there then…she quickly scanned the surrounding area for red hair and there he was. Lea was usually never too far behind but he seemed to have taken to falling asleep on the nearby sand. He didn’t like the water as much as his friends did but she couldn’t remember ever seeing him quite as happy as he had been as of late. Granted he tried hard not to show it and keep up that indifferent persona he had, but Kairi knew. She saw him at his lowest when he opened up to her to tell her all the things he wish he never did or wish he never said, what it felt like to lose the only people who made him feel like something.

A smile pulled at her lips. She was glad for them too; she knew all too well how it felt to feel so alone.  

“Are you cold?” a low voice much closer asked.

Kairi turned her head back to the fire in front of her. Terra was sitting across from her though his back was slightly to her as he was turned to face Aqua, sitting a mere inches away. She shook her head but it didn’t really seem that effective since a visible shiver went through her body. He was already reaching behind him for the stack of blankets Kairi lugged over for this very reason.

She didn’t know too much about Terra and Aqua, nor did Kairi think she really needed to. They were both very quiet people, neither said very much though Kairi was under the impression they didn’t need to. While they were careful not to touch, they were never really out of arms reach of each other.

She hadn’t been there when Aqua came back though Riku mentioned it wasn’t easy; Kairi decided it wasn’t her place to ask what happened. She was there for Terra though and the way Aqua fell to her knees in front of him, how she looked like she was unsure if she should even touch him, how he was hesitant to lift his head to face her. Kairi looked away after that. She recognized the look in Aqua’s eyes, the desperation to see the person you missed the most and thought it was best to let them have that moment without watchful eyes.

Sora hadn’t quite gotten the hint and tried to go after them, so that Kairi had to grab onto him to get him to stop. He didn’t ask her why she did though so maybe he understood more than he was letting on at the time.

Speaking of…

Kairi turned her head as Terra was dropping the blanket over Aqua’s shoulders. The palm trees were dark against the night sky but she could still see Riku lounged back on the branches, Sora holding on as he dangled over the sand. He was laughing but over what Kairi couldn’t quite tell. Ven was there too, on the opposite side of Riku a gleeful look on the blond boy’s face.

Ven looked identical to Roxas but it was easy to tell them apart when they had near opposite personalities. It was quite clear how close Ven was to Terra and Aqua, but Ven also enjoyed bouncing around to different people to talk to and to listen to. He had seemingly boundless energy, something Aqua assured them he had long before any of this happened.

One of Sora’s hands slipped from the palm tree but he didn’t seem to get a good enough grip again before he got thrown off balance. With a thud he hit the sand below him, which really wasn’t that far of a fall from the smaller trees. Considering both Riku and Ven were laughing, Sora was probably fine. Sure enough he pushed himself up, trying to brush the sand off his clothes but in good spirits still.

She had to smile as she watched them; there was nothing like seeing them happy and carefree.

Kairi stretched her arms over her head as she looked back to the fire. It was still going strong though the bag full of s’more supplies sure was getting tempting. Maybe if she started bringing them out it would call the masses back around the fire.

She was about to ask Terra and Aqua if they wanted any but when Kairi glanced up Aqua’s eyes were closed. The blanket was tucked around her but her head was nodding as she had fallen asleep. He was watching her like he wasn’t sure if he should wake her up or let her sleep but much to his apparent surprise her head rolled over onto his shoulder, her body slightly falling into him.

At first glance, Terra was intimidating. He was built big, with sharp facial features and he was even taller than Lea was. Kairi wasn’t really all that sure what to make of Terra at first but watching the slight panic on his face as he realized Aqua had fallen asleep on him and he wasn’t sure what to do pretty much summed up what Kairi learned about him. He was a strong and fierce fighter but more than that, he was absolutely a big teddy bear.

“Terra,” Kairi said, getting him to look up at her. She reached her arm out to her side, trying to gesture he should put his arm around Aqua.

It was dark out, but between the fire and the moonlight Kairi didn’t miss the red tint to his cheeks at her implication. He looked away but he still carefully moved his arm so it was around Aqua’s back, his hand resting over the blanket but probably around where her waist was. She must’ve felt the comfort because she curled in towards him.

Kairi tried to stifle a giggle when Terra looked surprised again, but he recovered quickly, gently leaning his cheek onto her head. Riku had said they spent twelve years apart, never knowing if the other was every truly safe or not. She couldn’t even begin to imagine how it must’ve been, how lost they must’ve felt.

Another giggle caught her attention causing Kairi to look away. Namine had snuck up at some point to sit beside Kairi, but she wasn’t sure when. Namine was wearing someone’s jacket, the sleeves way too long on her arms, but she looked fairly content just to sit there. She nodded over to where Terra and Aqua where.

“They’re cute.”

“I can hear you,” Terra mumbled, but he really made no effort to move.

“I know,” Namine said simply, giving a Kairi a small smile.

It was nice to see Namine interacting a little more. When she first returned to them, she was shy to the point of it being frightening for her but she seemed to warm up once she felt like she was being useful to everyone and she absolutely was. They wouldn’t all be sitting here without her, Terra especially.

Kairi moved over a little when she felt someone move to sit on her other side. She recognized it as Riku before she even saw his face. He had a very different presence than Sora did but one that was always welcome.

There was a splash of water followed by a few shouts, both male and female. Kairi leaned back around Namine to unsurprisingly see Xion and Roxas both with buckets in their hands standing over a significantly wet Lea.

He might’ve been sleeping but he was on his feet now as his two friends threw the empty buckets and took off across the beach. Roxas swung himself around Sora who was still near the palm trees with Ven. But neither boy seemed all that interested in facing a mildly annoyed Lea. Xion’s scream mixed with her laughter echoed as she was the first casualty, Lea grabbing her to throw her over his shoulder.

Riku snorted as he shook his head making Kairi look over to him again. The fire reflected in his eyes as he watched her from the corner of his, a slight smile on his lips. Out of all of them he had grown up the most, and he wasn’t done yet. They used to dream of adventures but he was the one with the traveler’s heart.

“All ready to go then?” Kairi asked, nudging her shoulder into him.

“Course,” he rolled his eyes but not without his previous amusement.

While Kairi realized her heart belonged here, Riku had decided to stay and follow the path that was set out for him as a defender of the worlds. She wouldn’t lie and say that him being gone wouldn’t leave a terrible ache in her heart but he was always made for better things, she knew it.

She reached over to pull at his ear making him lean over to her. “You better come visit you hear me?”

“I’d never go against your wishes, Kai,” he said, but he was laughing, like he didn’t quite find her intimidating.

“Good.” She let go of him, nudging against him again before propping her chin up on his shoulder. “You’ll take care of them too?”

Riku’s eyes flickered over to Terra who was carefully moving the still sleeping Aqua over one of his legs and up against his chest. He was probably making more room since everyone else seemed to be headed towards the fire now, but she didn’t miss the careful way his hands held her so she wouldn’t fall and could get a little bit of rest.

“Of course,” Riku said as Ven plopped himself down next to Terra.

“At least I know you two were comfortable over here,” Ven snorted though he quickly dissolved into near hysterics by the time Terra reached over to push at the blond’s head.

“We owe everything to them.”

Roxas flopped himself down next to Namine, trying to catch his breath.

“You look a little wet, Roxas,” she said, not trying to hide her laughter.

He huffed but didn’t get a chance to say anything before Lea’s hand came down on Roxas’ head, ruffling his hair.

“That’s cause shortstuff isn’t faster than me still.”

“Not fair, you cheated,” Roxas said.

“Probably. Where’s that stuff for s’mores? Chasing down brats really makes me hungry.”

“Got it!” Xion said, holding the bag up.

“Alright,” Lea clapped his hands together. “I’ll show how it’s done.”

“Not everyone likes their food burnt,” Roxas snorted making Namine laugh.

“Yeah, keep it up, kid. We’ll see where that mouth gets you.”

Xion passed Lea the bag who was looking the opposite of angry; even Roxas, despite rolling his eyes, had a wide smile on his lips. It made Kairi happy. All of this made her happy.

“Hey!” Sora exclaimed as he wiggled himself in-between Namine and Kairi. He seemed a little out of breath himself but it really was Kairi who couldn’t breathe. His eyes were shining, toothy smile wide as he settled on the beach next to her.

“Hi,” she said, unable to hold the grin off her face just at the sight of him. “I saw your graceful exit from the tree.”

Sora reached a hand up to scratch the back of his head, but his smile was still there. “Was it as painful as it felt?”

“No,” she said but he arched an eyebrow up at her. “Maybe a little.”

“For someone whining about not wanting burnt s’mores you sure are sticking your marshmallow in there for a while, Rox,” Lea said as he helped Xion get her marshmallow between the chocolate and graham crackers.  

Roxas jumped and pulled his stick away, having to blow the marshmallow out. Namine laughed as she brought hers out, a perfect golden color before Lea passed her what she’d need to make her own treat. Ven didn’t even bother with the fire, he was busy popping them into his mouth straight from the bag as he tried to talk to Terra. Lea had taken to eating Roxas’ burnt one while Lea roasted another one for Roxas instead. Riku didn’t move much on Kairi’s other side, probably just enjoying the semi-chaotic atmosphere they had here.

Aqua on the other hand seemed to wake up from all the noise but she didn’t move, choosing to keep her head against Terra’s chest as he watched to make sure Ven didn’t choke. It was another time Kairi recognized the look on the older girl’s face. Aqua was probably comfortable, but Kairi bet Aqua felt safe too like a little piece of home always with her. It was a simple comfort, but Kairi knew it well.

“I’ll make you one,” Sora said, leaning in to get her attention.

“Okay,” Kairi nodded.

He gave her another grin but this time she saw his open hand in between them, an invitation. Her heart somewhere in her throat she reached down to lace her fingers with his. It too was familiar, comforting, and of course, safe.

“Hey, Roxas, gimmie your stick,” Sora said, gesturing across Namine, who was eating her s’more in a delicate way only she could pull off.

Roxas passed it over as Lea gave Roxas the finished and not charred s’more. He eyed it a little weirdly but still took a bite. “Oh…oh that’s really good,” he said, mouth still full.

“Imagine that,” Lea snorted, tapping Roxas in the head.

“You want one too, Riku?” Xion asked from Lea’s other side; she was still working on hers, big globs of it all around her where she hadn’t eaten fast enough.

“I’d love one, thank you,” Riku said, leaning his hands back against the sand while he stretched his legs out. They used to be kids who used to run around on this beach. Just dreamers who wanted to see the world.

“Terra, Aqua?” Lea asked, waving an empty stick in the air.

“No, thanks,” Terra said but he was quickly elbowed in the gut by Aqua. He rolled his eyes, but he didn’t seem to mind too much. He reached his hand out towards the stick. “On second thought, pass it here.”

Ven gladly popped a marshmallow on the stick (and another in his mouth too) for Terra who brought it over to the fire. He leaned to say something to Aqua, that made her rest her head back against him again, a smile on her lips.

“Are you sure you don’t want a real s’more?” Lea asked, waving the chocolate in the air.

“Nah, I’m good like this.” Ven gave a thumbs up, the bag almost halfway empty at this point.

Everything would be changing again. Riku would be leaving in the morning for the Land of Departure with Terra, Aqua and Ven. Even Lea was taking the others back to the world that used to be his home so they all could have a life of their own not controlled by anyone but themselves.

It was sad, not just because Riku wouldn’t live here anymore but she had become friends with everyone here. Even though she knew it was for the best, goodbyes were hard sometimes.

Sora squeezed her hand while Namine slid a marshmallow on the stick for him. Still, Kairi couldn’t resist a smile; at least she wouldn’t be alone. This was her home, but Sora, he was her home too, and he’d be right here with her when all the others had to say goodbye. He was staying.

“Okay,” he said, glancing over at Kairi as he held the stick up. “Ready?”

She had the adventure of a lifetime, nothing else could probably compare yet home was calling. It was time for everyone to start their new adventures.

Terra thought she was getting sick, which was also unusual but she was only human. So when the nausea started to kick in at any given point in the day, she was apt to agree with him. Her immune system probably wasn’t like what it used to be and she just picked something up on another world or from anyone else in her home really. Terra reassured her it would pass, holding her hair out of her face when he found her hunched over the toilet one morning.

“It’s probably just a couple day virus,” he told her as he poured her a glass of water from their bathroom sink while she sat on the floor trying to catch her breath and feel like she wasn’t gonna vomit again.

She believed him. It came and it went over the next few days sometimes making her actually sick and sometimes only making her feel like she was going to be sick. Yet the week mark came and she still wasn’t feeling much better. Aqua tried to smile and not let anyone know, to the point where if she had to be sick she’d try and find an out of the way bathroom, but despite the large living space it seemed like someone was always around and they always seemed to know.

Kairi’s gentle words were there to ask if Aqua needed any help, Terra’s hands were always soothing , Riku started to offer to take requests that would require her to leave, Ven took to any sort of training that might’ve been needed, and even Lea and Sora offered to cook or help around way more than they used to. For weeks she tried to desperately hide how terrible she felt at any given hour but they all knew she wasn’t feeling her best.

Weeks had gone by with Aqua sometimes feeling like she beat whatever virus she had only to end up nearly vomiting at the perfectly normal smell of breakfast cooking. It wasn’t until she wondered if maybe she was getting close and that’s why she was feeling so ill, that she realized she couldn’t remember the last time she had gotten anything that month or the one before.

If she had to pick a moment the situation dawned on her, it was then as she lay awake in bed staring out the window at the moon while Terra slept soundly next to her.

Aqua was hesitant to admit to herself her first reaction was fear. She prided herself on usually keeping an open mind and a calm head but she was anything but collected in that moment. What was she supposed to do? She had a job, a position; she had people who depended on her. She…they…her and Terra never talked about it despite the fact she had wanted to ask him so many times but she never did. Now she had no idea how he’d react, how he’d feel, if he even wanted this because the other part of her absolutely did.

She felt bad about it at the time, but she left without saying where she was going afraid if she said she was going to a medical facility Terra or Ven or the kids would ask what was said when she got home. Aqua just wasn’t sure she’d be ready to actually say what she already knew aloud. It at least made the results much less shocking when she heard the words straight from the expert’s mouth.

Pregnant, she was actually pregnant.

Aqua tried to pay attention, to listen to what she was supposed to do next, things to be careful of, things to pay attention. Papers were given to her, one with her name the results listed right on top. To see it in writing made it seem even more real. She wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. It was her quiet dream, one she couldn’t even bear to share with anyone and yet now it was staring her right in the face and she had no idea how to properly handle it.

No one was around when she got back which was fine. It made it easier for Aqua to slip into her room and into the shower undetected, hoping the hot water would provide her with answers. It didn’t. It only made her feel sick again but this time she couldn’t tell if it was because she was actually feeling sick or because she hated keeping things from the people she loved the most. Yet in this case the thought of actually saying those things a loud was worse.

It wasn’t until she stepped back in her room, dressed in comfortable clothes to spend the rest of the day in bed that she remembered in her haste she dumped everything she got from the medical facility on her bed. It wouldn’t have been a big deal had Ventus not been standing there staring at her wide eyed as he tried to throw the paper back onto the bed.

“I didn’t see anything,” he said, his voice way too high to make her actually believe him.

Aqua didn’t bother being upset he knew or even offer an explanation, she just hugged him and he let her stay there for as long as she wanted. He didn’t offer many words, just a promise he wouldn’t tell and that everything would be okay. Despite the fact Ven was still younger than she was, Aqua believed him.

It wasn’t until a few days later when she finally did tell Terra and to hear his positive reaction that the unease started to leave, making room for a sort of nervous excitement that wouldn’t leave the pit of her stomach. Sometimes it was mixed with nausea, but a lot of the time it just made her smile for no reason. Even now as she laid under the warmth of her blankets in the soft comfort of her bed, she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face.

The curtains were open, the morning light shining in though it was a little dimmer than usual. It took Aqua a moment to realize it was because it was snowing out. Not too much, just enough to see the white flakes fluttering down, starting to cling to some of the parts of the castle she could see from the window.

A warm arm draped over her waist, reminding her she didn’t actually have to go out in the cold weather she wasn’t the biggest fan of. With a sigh she leaned back against Terra’s chest as he rolled over onto his side next to her. Her eyes fluttered shut, his head nudging up against hers.

“What’re you doing?” he murmured, clearly still half asleep.

Aqua could only assume he meant “what are you still doing in bed, you’re usually up at sunrise”. She reached a hand back to find his hair, which only made him lean into her more, one hand curling around her stomach. “I figured they could survive on their own for a morning,” she said though really when she went to get up earlier she was afraid she’d be sick if she moved, so she opted to stay in bed.

Terra hummed as she ran her hand through his hair. “Don’t feel well?”

Well, so much for not saying anything. “Better now.”

“Well,” he breathed. “Guess they’ll have to learn to make themselves breakfast eventually.”

“I’m pretty sure they already do, you just like doing it for them.” She could almost feel his grin in her hair at being called out.

“Possibly.” He tapped his fingers lightly against her stomach and even though there was absolutely no change in her body yet, she still couldn’t stop her breath from hitching in her throat.

It was unusual. Aqua knew that in just one moment their whole lives where changing and yet it really wasn’t all that different. Age wise would be different, but they already had children in their house to look after, they were already parents so to speak. It was just a matter of their family just becoming a little larger.

“When do you wanna tell them?” Terra asked, sounding a little more awake but he still didn’t move. “Before Ven can’t keep the secret any longer.”

“I’d be more worried about you than him,” she snorted.

He chuckled a little but didn’t deny that he was the one who was a terrible liar. “They’ll like it.”

Aqua leaned her head back into his shoulder, feeling his lips bush into her hair. They probably would, they’d be happy too, like Ven was. Yet at the same time, she knew why people waited as much as she didn’t want to entertain the thought.

She reached her hand down to lace her fingers with his. “A little longer.”

He nodded against her and she closed her eyes.