gabberwockywrites

[gabberwockywrites]

Midoriya Izuku likes to sit on tall buildings. No one's quite sure why, including himself, he just likes it.

Bakugou Katsuki, his childhood-friend-turned-tormenter-turned-best-friend, hates that Izuku likes to sit all tall buildings and they both know why.

I.

The first time Katsuki found Izuku sitting with his feet dangling eleven stories above the ground, it's before they truly reconcile. Izuku didn’t turn around. He just stared at the ground, so far below them, and said "I considered it, you know. For a day or so. A few hours. I thought about it."

Katsuki didn’t have to ask what he meant. He did almost rip Izuku's arm out of his socket and definitely left bruises on his knees as he pulled him away from the edge.

They didn’t talk about it.

They really should have.

II.

The next time, it’s before their graduation. A lot has happened. They’ve reconciled, sort of, they’ve gone through internships and work studies, they’ve fought the League of Villains more times than they should have as high schoolers.

Katsuki almost died.

“Deku, what on Earth-“ He froze, staring at Izuku.

He’s not sitting at the edge this time, he’s standing at the edge of the highest roof on UA’s campus, looking out over the city.

“Do you think we can do it, Kacchan?”

“Do what, graduate? Not if you fucking slip off the roof, get down-“ He pulled Izuku’s arm, not relaxing until they’re in the stairwell.

They still didn’t talk about it.

III.

Somewhere along the way, Katsuki realized he was the only one who found Izuku on rooftops like that.

He was perched this time, on a tall office building. The hood of his hero costume fluttered in the wind.

“Do you think it’ll ever change, Kacchan?”

“What?” Katsuki stayed back a bit, away from the edge, but close enough to pull Izuku back.

“How society sees quirks.”

“Yeah, it will.” He asserted, reaching forward to grip Izuku’s wrist as he teetered. “Come on, let’s go. We got people to save.”

Katsuki didn’t pull this time, but he held Izuku’s wrist until they were on the ground floor.

IV.

It’d been years.

Katsuki thought Izuku was done with his fascination of tall buildings, to be honest. He’s the Number One hero now.

Katsuki’s Number Two. He’s okay with that.

Izuku sat on the roof of their joint hero agency.

(Katsuki tried not to feel relieved it’s only a two story building. Twenty feet isn’t that far, right?)

“Should I go public with it, Kacchan?”

“With what, nerd?” He stood behind Izuku, a hand on the other’s shoulder, squeezing.

(He’d never stood this close before, during one of these… moments)

“One for All. Being Quirkless,” he paused. “Middle School.”

Katsuki squeezed a little tighter. “It’s up to you, Izuku.”

They stayed up there for another hour, in silence.

V.

Katsuki was running.

Izuku’d just been sitting on the roof of a building- why was it always fucking roofs- when another quirkless kid wandered up.

Clearly, the kid hadn’t been expecting the Number One hero to be up there as well, so he’d been able to talk them down.

The kid walked out of the building.

Izuku didn’t.

Katsuki saw those red hightops- always those fucking red hightops- dangling over the edge before running into the building.

Izuku smiled when he heard Katsuki slam the door open. “You know I wouldn’t do it, Kacchan.”

“Fucking- I know, nerd.” He sat down next to Izuku. “But I was worried. They were…”

“Like me.” Izuku leaned his head on Katsuki’s shoulder. “It’s okay.”

(VI.)

He was supposed to be fine.

They’d done an evaluation, Katsuki was supposed to be fine after getting hit by that quirk. There’d been no effects; they assumed the villain missed.

They were wrong.

“Kacchan?”

Katsuki stood on the edge of the building, looking down at the busy street. There were tears on his cheeks.

“I- I killed you.”

“Kacchan, I’m right here. I’m not dead.”

“You- you jumped! Dammit, you jumped and I- I told you to!”

Izuku winced, realizing what the villain’s quirk was. He edged closer.

“Katsuki! It’s just a quirk. You were trapped in a nightmare, I’m alive!” He reached for Katsuki’s hand. “I’m right here.”

“Zuku… I’m sorry.” Katsuki turned to look at him, feet slipping. He tilted towards the open air.

“Katsuki!” Izuku surged forwards, locking his arms around Katsuki before he overbalanced. “Gotcha!”

The sudden movement jolted Katsuki out of his nightmare-induced fog. “Deku? What-“

Izuku laughed wetly, pulling Katsuki into a hug.

“No more tall buildings.”

“I… okay, Izuku.” He patted Izuku’s head.

They hugged each other for several minutes.

After, they talked.

[gabberwockywrites]

Logically, he knew it was the trauma. He knew that Sokka’s father loved him and was nothing like Ozai and would never hurt him.

But Hakoda was tall and wide and so much bigger than Sokka and- it wasn’t conscious. Zuko didn’t even realize he was doing it until they were back at the Western Air Temple.

He kept putting himself between Sokka and Hakoda. Tensed when the two went fishing together.

Zuko wasn’t sure if anyone else noticed, but Hakoda would look at him in a way that made his skin crawl when he slid next to Sokka.

He did it anyway.

“Don’t hurt him,” Zuko wanted to scream every time he got that look. “He’s amazing. He’s not a bender but he’s so strong!”

But the words never came.

And Hakoda never acted on Zuko’s fears.

It made Zuko want to trust the Chief. But he couldn’t do it. He knew what Fathers were like.

________________________________________________________________

Hakoda noticed. Of course he did. The prince wasn’t as subtle as he thought he was.

Hakoda noticed how Zuko tended to slide between him and Sokka, how he tensed when Hakoda pulled Sokka off to speak privately.

The boy didn’t follow, but he looked like he wanted to.

For a while, Hakoda assumed it was because they were both new to the whole group dynamic. Zuko didn’t act this way with Suki or Chit Sang, but Suki was about his age and Chit Sang tended to avoid them.

So Hakoda shrugged it off and continued to operate as normal.

Until the group started telling stories of their misadventures. Sokka was in the middle of a story. Hakoda didn’t really remember what is was about, but he ended up raising his voice- it was in the past but Sokka nearly died doing something stupid-

Hakoda couldn’t forget Zuko’s flinch, or the desperate grasping at Sokka’s arm, pulling him back, close to the fire bender and away from his father.

The next day, Hakoda approached Zuko.

“Can we talk?”  

The teen’s shoulders tensed, but he nodded stiffly and followed Hakoda to a quieter part of the temple.

“Zuko, have I done something to make you nervous around me? If so, I apologize.”

Zuko shook his head quickly. “No! No, it’s not you, it’s me. I just… I know what Fathers are like and he’s so good and he tries so hard. He’s not a bender but he’s smart and good with a sword and he looks out-”

“Zuko, calm down!” Hakoda took a step forwards, hands up in a placating gesture, but he froze when Zuko flinched back. “I know Sokka’s good. He’s amazing, and I’m so, so proud of him. He’s grown into a fine man, even without me there.”

Zuko’s brow furrowed. “He’s… you don’t think he’s less than Katara?”

“No! Of course not, I’ve never thought that. They each have their own strengths. I know that.”

“You… Know?”

“I know.” Hakoda nodded, lowering his hands. “May I ask you a question?”

Zuko nodded slowly, still getting his breathing under control.

“Why did you think I would hurt Sokka? Or think him less than Katara?”

He looked down, hand moving unbidden to his scar. “My family… wasn’t the best. My younger sister, Azula, was always a better bender than I was. Father-Ozai- loved her.”

“Didn’t he love you.”

“No,” Zuko took a deep breath. “No, I don’t think he ever did. When- when I was thirteen… he challenged me to an Agni Kai. A fire dual. I’d… spoken out of turn. I thought I’d be fighting someone else. But I turned around and…”

“Zuko…”

“I couldn’t do it. I begged for forgiveness. He burned half my face off.”

Hakoda couldn’t help the gasp that left his mouth. “He should never have done that.”

“I learned.”

“Tui and La, Zuko, you were thirteen.”

“I learned.”

Hakoda closed his eyes. “I assure you, I’m nothing like your father.”

Zuko nodded. “I know. But I’ve spent so long afraid of him-“

“You’re afraid of fathers you don’t know.”

The Prince- the teenager, who suddenly looked so young- nodded again. “Yeah…”

“Is there any way I can help?”

“Just… be you. And give me time. I- I can’t promise it will be soon, but eventually, I’ll stop reacting like this.”

Hakoda smiled a little. “You don’t ever have to stop reacting like anything. But I’ll do that.” He nodded, moving back towards the section of the temple the whole group set up in. “And, Zuko? Even if you didn’t need to, thank you for protecting my son.”

[gabberwockywrites]

Levy chuckled to herself as the sound of a battle roared outside. It had been this way for months, a prince from a neighboring kingdom coming to her tower to challenge the dragon who guarded her.

“You will not keep the fair princess captive any longer, foul beast!”

She frowned at that, moving to peek out the window. The prince had little chance against the dragon; no one had been able to even pierce his shimmering scales. Levy winced as the dragon flung her misguided rescuer into the sky, making a mental note to tell him to be a bit more forgiving as the man ran off.

Contrary to what neighboring kingdoms thought, Levy was not, in fact, trapped in the tower or terrorized by the dragon. In fact, both of them often went down to the village that sprawled in the tower’s shadow.

Boot falls up the staircase clued the end of the fighting and Levy smiled at the huge man that made his way through the door.

“Jeez, shrimp, can’t you do something about these rumors when you go to town?”

“You say that like you don’t come with me, Gajeel.” Levy responded, not looking up from her book.

“No one listens to me there and you know that.” He sat down behind her and pulled her into his lap, looking over her shoulder. “What’re you reading?”

She smiled, kissing his cheek. “I know no one does. And I’m just reading some draconic history.” She close the book and turned to face him. “The rumors might be easier to deal with if you let people up here without launching them halfway back to their palaces.”

He grumbled, but leaned into her. “They’ll just try to take you from me.”

“And I’ll explain that I’m happy here, with you, just like I did with my parents.”

“Like that’ll help.”

“Hey, they’re letting us get married.”

“Yeah, but only after we stay here for two years.”

Levy shot him a look. “Do you regret it?”

Gajeel softened, pulling Levy close and pressing a hand to the base of her wings. “I could never regret it.”

“Me either. I fought to get you, I’m sure as hell gonna keep you.”

“Gihee. I’m keeping you too. Isn’t that what dragons are supposed to do?”

“I suppose it is.” Levy giggled.

And so life went on for those next months, until it had been nearly a year in the tower. Somehow, though, the number of suitors at the gates never decreased. Some of them were even repeat customers. Gajeel continued to fight them off and Levy continued to half-heartedly scold him for it.

So it was surprising when Gajeel asked, “Hey… do you think your parents started the rumor that I kidnapped you?”

Levy frowned. “Why would they?”

“…Because they don’t want their precious princess to marry the vicious dragon?”

“You’re not vicious.”

“I know I’m not. But people think I am.”

“And… they said they were fine with it.”

“Levy… I may have saved your life, but I’m still a dragon prince. They may have said it, but they didn’t have to mean it.”

“I’m sorry my people are like this.”

He cupped her face in his hands. “What? Prejudiced? Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it.”

“You shouldn’t be.”

“That’s life.”

She leaned into his hand. “Well… if you’re right… and my parents are spreading this rumor… then talking to the princes that come isn’t going to help. They’re not really coming to rescue me, they’re coming to kill you.”

Gajeel growled. “Good luck to ‘em.”

“I don’t like you fighting,” she pulled away, shaking her head. “It just perpetuates the idea that all dragons are violent and you’re not. It’s not true.”

He smiled a little. “You can’t fight years of prejudice and fear by yourself, shrimp. Besides, there isn’t much we can do about the fighting part. I ain’t just gonna lay down and let them kill me.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to.” She flared her wings out and flew up to his face. “What if we left?”

He wrapped his arms around her to hold her. “You’d leave your people?”

“I mean… I don’t want to.” She relaxed into his hold, gently placing her legs on either side of his chest. “But if my parents are trying to kill you...”

“The people aren’t.”

“My parents are the king and queen, Gajeel.” She leaned forwards to kiss him.

He sighed, resolve crumbling. “Okay. Say we left. Where do we go?” He shifted a little and her wings flared out.

“We could go to your kingdom.”

He startled, hands falling away from her. “What?”

“Hey!” Her protest was half-hearted, having expected it, but she voiced it anyway as she regained balance, hovering beside him. “You’re a prince, right? We could go to your kingdom, until all of this blows over.”

“Levy… I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Why not?”

“Dragons… well we don’t really have kingdoms persay. Just territories. I’m a dragon prince, not the dragon prince. My father has the title dragon king because he’s the strongest iron dragon.”

Levy flew up to hover at his face, eyes sparkling. “So there’s more than one dragon king?”

“And there are battles to keep the title.”

“I’m still not seeing why we can’t go to your territory.”

He rolled his eyes and wrapped his arms under her thighs again. “Because I don’t want you to be pulled into the middle of the fighting.”

“I’m already in the middle of fighting!” She reared back as much as his grip let her. “At least if I go with you, I’m not the reason or the target of it.”

“Lev…” Gajeel sighed, pulling her close again. “I… fine. I suppose… we can go. You should meet my father, at the very least…”

She grinned. “You mean it?”

“Of course I do.”

She squealed happily and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He responded in kind before pulling back.

“There is something I have to tell you. I was going to wait until this… thing with your parents blew over but… if we’re going to my territory it’ll have to happen sooner rather than later.”

Levy tilted her head. “What is it?”

“Dragons… mate for life.”

“So… we’ll have to get married sooner?”

Gajeel shook his head, moving to sit on the bed. “Dragon mating is… more. It’s deeper than marriage.” He looked down, playing with her fingers.

“What do you mean?”

“I… I don’t really know how to explain it. Dragons are possessive. Once we’ve claimed our mate, we’ll defend them to the last. Anyone stupid enough to hurt them will face a dragon’s full wrath. No other dragon will make an attempt on them. Each partner will also know when the other is in distress and will be able to find each other more easily.”

Levy smiled. “Why didn’t you want to tell me?”

“I was afraid… I didn’t want to scare you.”

“Do dragons choose their mates?”

“Sort of,” Gajeel shrugged, “Metalicana could probably explain it better. Some dragons have to fight to find someone compatible, others just know. I just… knew.”

“When?”

He flushed, glancing at Levy and quickly glancing away. “…when I saw you.”

She flushed in return. “O-oh.” Levy smiled. “I… I would be honored to be your mate, Gajeel.”

He chuckled. “Come on, shrimp. We’ll leave tonight.” He leaned down to kiss her. “And you’ll see the wonders of the Dragons.”

“I look forward to it.”

[gabberwockywrites]

Let’s play Writer’s Would You Ever

Send me an ask that says “Would you ever write…” and continue the sentence.

I’ll respond with yes or no and give an explanation as to why if I want to.

[gabberwockywrites]

Drowning: A Teen Wolf Story

Also available at AO3 but I can’t link it because Tumblr. 

He told Ms. Morell about it, last year before they knew she was Emissary for a crazy pack of Alphas. She told him to hold on as long as he could. To not open his mouth and wait for a rescue.

But what if he wasn’t just waiting? What if he was rescuing other people while he was drowning? Because it felt like he was. He felt like he couldn’t catch his break; every time he got back to the surface, something dragged him back down, whether it was almost dying or watching a friend almost die. Or listening to Scott when he needed it.

But no one listens to him and now he can’t fucking breathe and the walls are closing in and who was that saying his name?

“Stiles? Stiles are you okay?”

It wasn’t Scott, of course it wasn’t, Scott was off figuring out his pack but it was someone trying to drag him out of the water and—

“Stiles, breathe, ok? Just take some deep breaths. In, out, you’re okay.”

Danny. That’s who was crouched in front of him, coming into focus now that his throat wasn’t closing up.

He relaxed, “Thanks, Danny.”

“Are you okay, Stiles?”

“I—uh… Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine, dude. Don’t worry about me.” He didn’t want to get Danny involved. Not in this mess that was Supernatural Beacon Hills.

“Stiles, you were having a panic attack.”

He chuckled, rubbing the back of his head with a shaking hand. “Ah- yeah. It happens sometimes. Especially since… since my mom.” It wasn’t a lie. Not a total one. Not the whole truth either but Danny needed to stay out of this…

“Oh,” Danny slid to the floor next to him. “I’m sorry. I hope you feel better, though.”

Stiles shot him a small smile. “Thanks, Danny. You’re a good guy.”

“Thanks, Stiles.”

He chuckled again, nervously, and the two sat their while Stiles’ breathing evened out and his hands stopped shaking. Then they both stood, legs tingling from sitting on the floor.

“Sti—Stilinski,” Danny started, trying for normalcy, “If… if you ever need to talk… you can talk to me.”

Stiles grinned. “Sure, Danny-o. If I ever need to talk.”

Stiles didn’t take Danny up on his offer. He couldn’t. Not when Danny didn’t know.

So he kept quiet, kept his head down, and kept drowning.

Until Danny caught him again.

“Stiles. You’re not okay.”

“I’m fine, Danny.”

“No, you’re not. You don’t ramble, you don’t bounce. You’re not acting like you.”

Stiles blinked. He didn’t realize Danny watched him that closely. But still, “Thank you, Danny. Thanks for caring but you… you really, really don’t want to get involved in any of what’s got me like this. I’m fine, okay.”

“Stiles… holy shit!” Danny spun Stiles quickly to get a good look at his back.

“What?!”

“Dude, you’re bleeding!”

“Huh?” Stiles tried to look at his own back. “Oh. Must have pulled some stitches.”

“Stitches? Dude why were you even at practice,” He frowned, shaking his head. “You’re coming with me.” Danny started gently pulling Stiles towards the parking lot, muttering, “You’re pack needs to pay more attention to you…”

Stiles froze. “What did you just say?”

“Your pack. Like Scott, Isaac, Derek? They’re a pack, right? And you’re a part of it too.”

“I… how do you know?”

“Stiles, it’s Beacon Hills.”

“No. No, you’re not supposed to know. Knowing is dangerous, you’re not supposed to know!”

“Woah, hey, Stiles, calm down, it’s okay.”

“No, it’s not! People who know get hurt or worse! You… you need to not know!” He knew he was working himself up into a panic attack, but he couldn’t help it. His breathing quickened, edging closer and closer to hyperventilating, and his hands pressed to his temples and ears, blocking out the world. “You can’t know, Danny! You can’t! You’re to you to know.”

“To…me?” Danny asked, catching Stiles as he all but collapsed. “I don’t know what that means, but you need to breathe, okay? Breathe, and I’ll tell you how I know when you’re calm.” He pressed Stiles’ hand to his own chest, breathing slowly and deeply and smiling when Stiles copied him. “Just like that. Are you okay now?”

Stiles nodded. “Yeah. Thank you again, Danny.”

“Let’s get your back looked at, and I’ll tell you everything I know and how I know it, okay?”

“Yeah. Okay.”

They’d ended up at Stiles’ house, because Danny’s family was home and neither of them wanted to explain the stitched in the smaller’s back.

Also Stiles had the first aid kit.

“So… how do you know what’s happening in Beacon Hills? Everyone else is pretty… unaware.”

“Well. For one, you and Scott aren’t particularly subtle. You need to learn how to whisper. But also… my family is a little… in tune with the supernatural ourselves.”

“You are?” Stiles almost jerked in shock, the tug of the sutures in Danny’s hand the only thing that stopped him.

“Do you know what Mahealani means, Stiles?”

He blinked. “I… no, I don’t. Why?”

“It means Heavenly Moon in Hawaiian. My family are descendants of the Moon Goddess Lona. Not all of us are in tune with the supernatural, it jumps around but… my grandmother had the gift and so do I.”

Stiles frowned. “So you’ve known the whole time?”

“Yes.”

“Then… why didn’t you help?”

“That’s not an easy answer.” Danny sighed. “At first, I was scared. It was sudden, me stepping into these… this power I have. Then… I wasn’t sure how to say anything. I knew I was dating a werewolf, I thought that maybe I could keep Ethan from doing anything but then he left and I didn’t know how to introduce myself into your Pack when you already worked so well.”

Stiles nodded. “That’s fair. I… I was terrified too. I still am.”

“It’s pretty peaceful now. I don’t sense anything new, just the Pack.”

“That’s good.”

“I… I might take this peace to introduce myself and what I can do to everyone…”

“Good idea…” Stiles relaxed against Danny, smiling softly.

“Go to sleep, Stiles. I’ll be right here.”

The introduction went well, and Danny fit into the Pack easily and completely, learning with Stiles at Deaton’s vet office, helping with research, getting an early sense that something was coming.

It had been a peaceful few months like that, with Scott as the Alpha and Derek as his Second, both of them negotiating with any supernaturals showing up or passing through. They either offered them the protection of the Pack while they were in the area or threatened them, depending on their motives.

He was there through Stiles’ first rites as Emissary, a small congregation of Druids arriving to welcome him into their ranks.

One of them turned to Danny, after the rites, and smiled. “It has been a while since I’ve seen a Descendant of Lona with your gifts.”

“You know my family?”

“I do. It has been… oh, a century since the heavenly moon gifted one of hers with a gift like yours.”

Danny furrowed his brow. “My grandmother has the gift, though, doesn’t she?”

The Druid smiled. “She has a piece of it, yes. She can sense the supernatural, yes. You can do something more.”

“What do you mean?”

“Have you ever wondered why those close to you are supernatural? Who have you called to you, with no real handle on what you can do, young Moon?”

“Called to me…?” Danny frowned, turning to ask her more, but Stiles ran up, all bright eyes and contagious smiles.

“Danny!”

“Hey, Stiles. How are you feeling?”

“Great!”

And it was true. Now that Danny was there, wrapping an arm easily around Stiles’ shoulder and pulling him close, he could breathe. Easily, readily.

If the supernatural problems of Beacon Hills was a lake, Danny was like a life preserver, keeping Stiles’ head above water.

And he’d stopped drowning.

[gabberwockywrites]

Heart on his Sleeve

By your Students you’ll be Taught Part 1

Next

It had been nearly five years.

Sora was back, settled for the most part in the Land of Departure. Riku still traveled the worlds, rebuilding relationships he’d broken when he fell to Darkness.

After defeating Xehanort, it was as if the Light from Kingdom Hearts exploded; new keyblade wielders started showing up around the Worlds, and they needed to be trained.

Sora took up that mantle, an amazingly good teacher for the newest wielders, having them focus on stance and magic rather than combat.

That would come when they were more comfortable with their blade; enough that they wouldn’t accidentally hurt their opponents.

Then it was time to find somewhere they could let loose.  

“It probably needs to be fixed up first,” Aqua explained when Sora asked her where the students could spar, “but the Mirage Arena should work. It held up pretty well against Terra and I when we sparred.”

Sora smiled. “That’s great! I’ll go check it out, see what we can do.”

“Remember, it can also help them to watch a match. Get someone to demonstrate.”

“I will!”

He bounded off, checking on his students briefly before calling Riku.

“Sora? What’s up?”

“Nothing much. Just miss you.”

“I miss you too.” Riku replied. “What about the students?”

“They’re doing well. In fact—”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Master Sora?”

He looked at Riku through the phone, who nodded.

“Come in! It’s open.” Sora sat up straighter and propped the phone up so Riku could see as well.

Corita poked her head in, eye widening when she saw who was on the phone. “O-oh. Should I come back later?”

“No, you’re fine. What can we do for you?”

“I’m umm… still having trouble with magic. I get tired really easily after using it. I don’t think anyone else does.”

“Well,” Sora responded, “everyone’s different. You have to build up your mana to be able to use different spells. Which ones are you trying to cast?”

“Cure, mostly. Helles and Marell keep getting hurt.”

“Cure takes a lot of mana,” Riku said. “Maybe you should start with something simpler.”

“But…”

“I’ll deal with Helles and Marell. If you want to learn magic, start with Fire. But on the training grounds, please. Don’t burn down the castle.”

Corita giggled. “I won’t!”

“Go on.” He nodded to the door. “You classes are done for now, but if you want to practice Fire, grab Aqua. I’ll be out as soon as I’m done on the phone.”

“Alright! Thank you, Master Sora. Bye Master Riku!”

“Bye Corita. Be careful!”

She ran out of the room and Sora turned back to Riku.

“She’s a good kid.”

“Yeah.”

“What about Helles and Marell?”

“That’s what I called you about. I think they’re sparring. We need a place for them to be able to do that safely. It’s still too stable here.”

“It’s been five years since it was destroyed.”

“Yeah, but it was never whole to begin with. This is a piece of Scalla Ad Caelum.”

“Ah. Where are you thinking, then?”

“Well, Aqua had a place- the Mirage Arena. Have you ever heard of it?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Huh. I haven’t either. I wonder where it is.”

“I can look for it, if you want. It’ll mean I’m home a little later though.”

Sora pouted. “I don’t know…”

“Sora…”

“I want to look for it together!”

Riku smiled, shaking his head. “Alright. I’ll be home in a few days.”

“Good.”

“I have to go now. Love you, Sor.”

“Yeah. Love you too. See you soon, ‘Ku.”

The Masters arrived back to the Land of Departure in shifts.

Lea arrived first, crashing Sora’s lesson on different stances—find the one that worked best for you—with a flash of Firaga.

“Master Lea!” the students chorused, dropping their stances to tackle him to the ground.

“Hey, kids! How go the lessons?”

“Much better before you came back,” Sora admonished, helping him back up. “Go take a break, kids. I have to check on Lea.”

“Aww but we want to hang out with Lea!” Fidria complained.

Lea grinned, “I think Master Terra went straight to the kitchen if you can catch him.”

They all laughed and ran off, leaving Sora to shake his head.

“Terra’s going to kill you.”

“Nah, he’s good with them.”

“Doesn’t mean he likes it.” Sora scanned Lea’s posture, noticing he favored his left side. “What happened?”

“Ok, he does like it, he just doesn’t show it,” Lea responded. “And I think I broke my leg. We set it before healing it but by then we’d used up our mega-potions and neither of us are great at healing magic so it’s still a little tender.”

“Let me see.”

“Now?”

“Yes, now. If we wait it’ll only get worse.” Sora sighed. “We can go inside if you want, though.”

“Thanks.”

“So how were the Worlds? Which ones did you go to?”

“They were good. Pretty stable. We went to the Dalmations’ home world, the Pridelands, and a new world you’d like. It’s called Montonuii; it’s all islands.”

Sora laughed as he helped Lea settle in a chair and looked at his leg. “That sounds nice. And it looks like just some bruising. Want me to heal it?”

“Please. It’s a kind of painful.”

“Of course,” the green glow of healing magic flashed and the bruises faded from Lea’s leg. “Better?”

“Much, thanks.”

“No need to thank me, Lea.”

He smiled. “Honestly though, how are the kids doing? They looked pretty comfortable with those keyblades.”

“They’re doing well. I’m looking for a place for them to spar, but I think they’ve been sparring already.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Only because they’re getting hurt and not coming to me or Aqua.”

“You gotta lay down the ground rules, Sora.”

“I know. We’re working on it.”

“Good,” Lea grinned. “And let me know when you get it sorted out. I’d love to spar some kiddos.”

Sora laughed, “Just make sure you don’t hurt them.”

“I would never!”

“Right. Go check in with Aqua. And send the kids back if you see them.”

“Will do, boss!”

“Not your boss, Lea!” Sora called after him, shaking his head as he walked back to the training grounds.

Kairi arrived next, waving at Sora from behind the class, making sure they didn’t see.

Sora nodded in return, fixing Tierra’s stance.

He found Kairi when he was done teaching, slumping down next to her in the hall.

“So have you figured out how you’re gonna do it?”

He jumped. “No, not yet. I… I’m nervous. What if he says no?”

“Sor, he’s been in love with you since… basically forever. He’s not going to say no.”

“I know that,” Sora replied, pulling a black box out of his pocket, “and that’s not what I’m worried about. You know how he is, Kai. If he says no, it’ll be because he thinks he’s not good enough for me.”

“So don’t take that for an answer. Tell him how you feel, Sor. He won’t say no.”

“I just… I’m scared.”

“What’re you scared of, Master Sora?” A happy voice interrupted them, and Sora nearly dropped the ring.

“Fidrina! Weren’t you guys going to eat lunch?”

“Yeah, but everyone else went to spar and won’t let me join. So I came to find you!” She grinned. “So, what are you scared of?”

Sora chuckled, slipping the ring back in his pocket. “The future. I’m about to make a big change and it’s scary.”

“What’re you gonna do?”

“Well,” he looked around, “if I tell you, you have to promise to keep it a secret.”

Kairi chuckled at the pair as Fidrina’s eyes grew wide.

“I promise! What is it?”

“I’m going to ask Master Riku to marry me.”

She gasped. “That’s so nice! I like Master Riku. Does that mean he’ll be here more?”

“I hope so,” Sora smiled. “Now, go have fun. And remember, it’s a secret.”

Fidrina nodded. “Secret, I promise!” She ran off, almost bouncing.

“You’re so good with them.” Kairi commented.

Sora shrugged. “They’re easy to teach. So curious.”

“Now, about that proposal…”

“Kairi!”

Sora released a soft sigh as he taught the students, causing them to look over.

“You miss Master Riku, don’t you?”

“What—I—Riveraka!” Sora spluttered.

The class giggled.

“Is that funny?” He glared playfully at them while they continued to laugh.

“You think it’s funny?”

Sora charged at them, causing the six to scatter. Within seconds, he stood alone in the middle of the training grounds, chuckling to himself.

“Seems like you’re doing a great job teaching the kids.”

Sora turned. “Riku! You’re home!”

Riku chuckled. “And you seem to be missing your students.”

“We’re… taking a break.”

“Taking a break?”

“Yeah.”

“Sure.”

“We are!”

“Well, then, shall we take a break inside?”

“Yeah.” Sora grinned, taking Riku’s hand and pulling him through the castle.

When they got to their room, Riku wrapped his arms around Sora’s waist.

“Riku?” Sora turned a little. “Are you ok?”

“Tired,” his head fell into the crook of Sora’s neck.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed. Do you need healing?”

Riku shook his head, “Just you. Missed you.”

“Missed you too. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good.” Riku gave Sora a brief kiss before flopping on the bed.

“Shoes, ‘Ku.”

He grumbled, toeing them off and reaching for Sora.

“I have to find the kids so they don’t get into trouble.” He protested.

Riku tugged incessantly. “They’ll be fine. Stay.”

“Riku…”

“Please?”

Sora sighed, climbing into the bed. “Go to sleep, Riku.”

“It’s perfect,” Sora looked around in awe, “It could use some cleaning, but the kids could spar here.”

“They could,” Riku agreed. “It’s called the Mirage Arena, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I wonder why.”

“No idea,” Sora frowned, “It looks kind of… sad.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well it hasn’t been used since Aqua, Terra, and Ven, right? It’s empty.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Sora grinned. “Should we clean it up or get the kids to help?”

“I think we should get the kids. It’ll be good for them. Besides, it will also go faster.”

“You’re right, as always.”

“Took you long enough to figure that out.”

“What? That you’re always right?”

“Exactly.”

Sora snorted, “Yeah, sure.”

“Hey!”

“Come on, Riku, you can’t know everything.”

“Oh yeah?” Riku goaded. “What don’t I know?”

“That I’m going to ask you to marry me.”

The words were out of his mouth before Sora could stop them, and he and Riku stared at each other with twin faces of shock.

“I—you—what—Sora!”

“I—um…” He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and dropped to one knee.

“This isn’t where or how I wanted to do this but… Riku, I’ve loved you since we were kids. You’re my best friend, my soulmate, literally the man of my dreams,” they both chuckled wetly, “and even if you don’t believe it, you deserve all the love in the world.”

“Sora…”

He held up a finger. “So will you so me the honor of becoming my husband?”

Riku shakily knelt in front of Sora, putting them on the same level again, and pulled him into a wet kiss.

Sora wiped his tears when they separated. “You still haven’t given me an answer.”

“Yes, gods, Sora, yes!”

[gabberwockywrites]

darkness

Aqua fell asleep almost the moment she was rescued from the Realm of Darkness and stayed asleep even after the Gummi ship had reached Yen Sid’s tower. It was only as Riku hooked his arms under her to carry her into the room Yen Sid had set up for her before they left that she woke, scrambling back as though the touch burned.

Riku stepped back, hands up. “Hey, it’s ok. Sorry I touched you.” He smiled a little. “I know it’s intense after being alone.”

Aqua nodded. “It is… sorry I flinched.”

“Don’t be,” Riku replied, stepping back so she could get up. “Take all the time you need to get used to people again.”

[gabberwockywrites]

heart

It had been nearly five years.

Sora was back, settled for the most part in the Land of Departure. Riku still traveled the worlds, rebuilding relationships he’d broken when he fell to Darkness.

After defeating Xehanort, it was as if the Light from Kingdom Hearts exploded; new keyblade wielders started showing up around the Worlds, and they needed to be trained.

Sora took up that mantle, an amazingly good teacher for the newest wielders, having them focus on stance and magic rather than combat.

That would come when they were more comfortable with their blade; enough that they wouldn’t accidentally hurt their opponents.

Then it was time to find somewhere they could let loose.  

[gabberwockywrites]

miss

He bounded off, checking on his students briefly before calling Riku.

“Sora? What’s up?”

“Nothing much. Just miss you.”

“I miss you too.” Riku replied. “What about the students?”

“They’re doing well. In fact—”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Master Sora?”

He looked at Riku through the phone, who nodded.

“Come in! It’s open.” Sora sat up straighter and propped the phone up so Riku could see as well.

Corita poked her head in, eye widening when she saw who was on the phone. “O-oh. Should I come back later?”

“No, you’re fine. What can we do for you?”

“I’m umm… still having trouble with magic. I get tired really easily after using it. I don’t think anyone else does.”

“Well,” Sora responded, “everyone’s different. You have to build up your mana to be able to use different spells. Which ones are you trying to cast?”

“Cure, mostly. Helles and Marell keep getting hurt.”

[gabberwockywrites]

ice cream

I, amazingly, do not have a WIP that has that word/phrase. I’m a little shocked tbh. Thank you though!

[gabberwockywrites]

WIP Game

Send me a word WIP challenge. Give me one word and I will post a line from WIP if that word appears in the fic.

[gabberwockywrites]

When Kairi returned, sitting on the Paopu tree, Sora wasn’t with her.

Everyone there at the Islands felt his loss; felt his absence as tears rolled down Kairi’s face. They decided to stay for a week or so as Kairi and Riku got over the reeling shock of having Sora, kind constant Sora ripped away from them.

So, then, they weren’t sure how to feel when Sora returned- sort of.

A version of Sora washed up on the beach of the Islands, fingers shaped into claws, eyes almost glowing red, and shrouded in the Darkness they never thought he’d fall to.

He crouched defensively if anyone approached until Kairi and Riku came running up the beach, shouting his name.

Not-Sora whirled, growling and running at the two.

“Riku! Kairi!” shouts of alarm rang out as Sora pounced, knocking Riku to the ground.

Riku blinked as the creature on top of him nuzzled his neck instead of attacking.

“Sora?”

Not-Sora purred at the sound of his name, curling up in Riku’s lap as the other boy sat up.

Kairi sat down next to them. “I think it is Sora.”

“What happened to her?”

“Anti-form.” Roxas cut in softly, almost in a trance.

Riku looked up quickly. “What?”

Shaking his head, Roxas replied, “I can wield pure light as a weapon. Sora does… almost the opposite. It’s not really wielding Darkness but when he gets desperate enough, Sora’s Darkness… wields him, in a way.”

“How do you know that?”

“I lived in that guy’s heart for the better part of a year. I know how much Darkness he hides.” He smiled, “I’ve also fought Anti-Form.”

Riku ran his fingers through Anti-Sora’s hair. “You’ve fought him like this? He seems harmless.”

“Only because it’s you. He was growling at the rest of us earlier.” Lea cut in.

Roxas nodded. “As far as I could tell, that’s Sora with most of his cognitive abilities stripped away. He doesn’t really recognize us.”

“So why does he recognize me?”

Kairi laughed. “Isn’t it obvious, Riku? It’s because you’re Sora’s Light.”

“I’m what?”

“His Light. Sora loves you.”

“I…” Riku flushed. “He loves a lot of people. He loves all of you.”

“Not the same way he loves you. And you love him.”

He spluttered, starting to defend himself, “I don’t-”

Kairi cut him off with a look and he pulled Anti-Sora a little closer.

“So how do we get our Sora back?”

Turns out, no one knew how to get Sora back.

It was okay though; Anti-Sora was content to lounge next to Riku on the beach. They hadn’t tried to get Sora back to the Main Island; there would be too much to explain and they weren’t sure how he’d react.

That just meant Riku couldn’t leave the Play Island either. He’d started moving both of them into the tree house; Kairi was bringing him clothes and food, but he needed a more permanent solution.

So he’d started building the treehouse out. Riku had honestly been planning on moving to the Play Island anyway. His parents hadn’t survive Destiny Islands’ fall to Darkness, the stress too much for them- they’d always been on the frail side.

Sora tended to sit in the shade while he worked; seemingly relaxed. He’d perk up when he heard a boat coming, reluctant to leave when Riku shooed him into the bushes.

It was Old Man Natsu who’d stepped onto the Island, with a generator and wiring in hand to rig up the new built out tree house.

Riku smiled as the man taught him wiring and how to start the generator- it was hydro-powered, so all Riku needed to do was make sure the rotor was in flowing water, which was easy enough on the Play Island.

An old fridge and stove were installed next, and the old treehouse was pretty much a home for Riku and Anti-Sora.

Their bed- there was only one, as Anti-Sora only slept if he was on Riku- was little more than a mattress on the floor. (Riku dragged it from the Gummi Ship hidden in the Secret Place.) But it was enough for them.

Almost enough.

Riku sighed, looking down at Anti-Sora curled up on his chest. It was almost like owning a very large cat. Which was nice, Riku loved cats.

But he really wanted his best friend back.

He ran a hand through Sora’s hair.

“Hey there,” he’d caught Sora’s attention, smiling. “I know I talk to you a lot like this, but can you even understand me like this?”

Sora tilted his head further into Riku’s hand, letting out a little “chirrup” noise.

Riku chuckled, “I… gods, I miss you, Sora.” He pressed his forehead to Sora’s, “I know you’re here but it’s not enough. I need you, I need your light.”

Again, Sora chirruped, pressing curious hands to Riku’s cheeks, which were wet with tears.

“Kairi said I’m your Light…” Riku urged, “So follow me home.”

Sora let go of his face, curling up again in Riku’s lap in response, still shrouded in Darkness.

“I don’t know how to help him,” Riku sighed, glancing at the gummiphone set up on the counter as he cooked. “He eats, but not really enough, and he still doesn’t talk.”

“Well, if it’s a problem with his cognition it makes sense that he’d be nonverbal,” Ienzo speculated, brows furrowing, “but the not eating is concerning. How have you gotten him to eat when he does?”

“Physically put it in his mouth.”

“That’s… odd.”

“It works.”

“For now,” Ienzo glanced at his computer. “I wonder if Sora isn’t eating because he doesn’t recognize food.”

Riku glanced at Sora, curled up around his shirt. “It’s very possible. There are days he doesn’t even recognize Kairi.”

“Who does he recognize most often, aside from you?”

“Ventus, surprisingly.”

Ienzo made another note. “Maybe then it’s hearts he’s recognizing. I think Ventus’s heart is the one he knew the longest, aside from yours.”

“So he’s what like… a Heartless?”

“No, not that. He can just sense hearts, so he stays by the ones he knows the best.”

Riku hummed. “That still doesn’t really tell us how to get him back.”

“I know. I wish I could help more but it’s hard when I can’t see him in person.”

“I can try to bring him to Radiant Garden, but I don’t know how he’ll react to the Gummi Ship. Or you.”

“If you can come, let me know. Oh, and you should probably tell the King. They couldn’t be there when Sora returned, I’m sure Donald and Goofy are worried.”

Riku nodded. “You’re right, thanks. I’ll let them know.”

“See you, Riku.”

“Have a good day, Ienzo.”

As soon as he hung up the phone, Sora was wrapped around his middle.

“Well, hello to you too.” Riku chuckled, accustomed to being randomly attacked by Sora. “Was I on the phone too long?”

Sora growled in response, arms tightening around Riku’s waist.

“You’re possessive today. Is everything ok?”

Sora grumbled.

“Bad day? Would you like something to eat?”

A mumbled noise behind him got Riku to turn around.

“Sora?”

His face was pinched, as if he was trying to think of something he couldn’t quite remember.

“…ku…Ri…ku…Riku! Riku, Riku!”

Riku grinned. “That’s right! I’m Riku!”

“Riku!”

“Come on, Sora, let’s eat.”

Sora grumbled again but followed Riku to the table.

There were two chairs at the table, but it seemed that Sora preferred to curl up as much as he could on Riku’s lap. It was almost as if the boy was touch starved and Riku realized with a jolt that he hardly hugged Sora anymore- keeping a distance unconsciously because he didn’t deserve Sora’s friendship, but couldn’t bring himself to actually leave.

He frowned, recognizing slowly that his fears and denials about his feelings were hurting his friend.

But he couldn’t say it. Not to this Sora.            

“Hey, do you want to go on a trip today?”

Sora tilted his head.

“We can go see a friend who can help you.”

“Riku?”

“I’m going to take that as a yes,” Riku smiled, popping a piece of chicken into Sora’s mouth. “Remember you need to eat.”                                                      

Sora chewed and looked up at Riku, and the two finished their lunch quickly in this way before walking around the Island.

“Do you remember the Secret Place?” Riku asked as they wandered vaguely in that direction.

Sora, ever the silent shadow, had no response for Riku, though he did recoil slightly at the entrance, torn between following Riku and memories of the Secret Place.

“Sora?”

Tentatively, Sora stepped into the Secret Place, following Riku.

“We’ll be out of here soon. We just need the ship.” He herded Sora onto the Gummi Ship, smiling as Sora curled up at his feet. “Ready?”

The trip to Radiant Garden was, surprisingly, uneventful.

Getting from the Gummi Ship to the castle, however, was not.

Riku hadn’t counted on Leon, Cloud, and Yuffie showing up as soon as the ship landed.

“Sora?” Leon called, looking around for the kid.

Riku chuckled nervously. “He’s—ah—not himself right now. You guys might want to step back.”

“What happened?”

“I was hoping Ienzo would be able to help. Roxas- Sora’s Nobody who grew a heart- called it ‘Anti-Form.’ It’s… well…”

Sora bounded out of the Gummi Ship into Riku’s back.

“Sora!” Riku stumbled before turning and catching him. “I could have fallen.”

Sora muttered an apologetic, “Riku…” as the other three gaped.

“Sora?” Cloud questioned, stepping forwards. “Are you ok?”

Almost immediately, Sora growled, shifting into a defensive stance.

Cloud stepped back, confused. “What…?”

“He doesn’t really recognize anyone.”

“What can we do?”

Riku shrugged. “I’m about to ask Ienzo. I’ll let you know when we find something.”

Leon nodded. “We’ll clear the streets for you and Sora. Try to make sure you see the fewest people possible.”

“Thank you,” Riku smiled as they left, Sora relaxing at his side. “I’m sorry, Sora. I didn’t realize this would be so stressful.

Sora grumbled, curling close.

“Come on. We just have to talk to Ienzo, then we can go home.”

So on they went, streets blessedly empty thanks to Leon, Cloud, and Yuffie.

Ienzo looked up when the two entered the lab, smiling. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Riku replied with a wave. He kept a hand on Sora’s, making sure he didn’t hurt himself on the equipment. “Here we are.”

“How is he?” Ienzo asked, nodding towards Sora.

“He’s still not eating on his own, but he can say my name.”

“Riku! Riku, Riku!”

“Yes, Sora,” he laughed, “I’m right here.”

“Riku…” Sora all but purred, unaware of Ienzo’s stare.

“Well, that’s good.”

And with that, they got started. It took several hours, and Sora has gone to curl up in the corner before Ienzo sat back with a sigh.

“It seems that I am not the one who can help him.”

“What do you mean?”

“He can’t find his way back. Not all the way. But I’m not the one who can lead him home.”

“Who is?”

Ienzo chuckled. “I’m sure you can find the answer, Riku. He’s around you most often.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It is,” he smirked. “Go home and think about it, I think Sora’s getting tired.”

Sora perked up at the sound of his name, chirruping tiredly.

“Alright,” Riku conceded, “Thank you for trying.”

“Of course.”

Days passed back on Destiny Islands.

It was getting harder for Riku; harder to be near Sora while he wasn’t really Sora, harder to keep his feelings in. Harder to stop thinking of Sora as his.

“Sora, why can’t you come back to me? To us?” Riku ran his fingers through Sora’s hair. “What else do you need?”

Sora curled further towards Riku’s hand, fingers gripping his shirt. “Riku… Riku.”

“Me? What do you need me to do?”

“Riku…” Sora whined.

Riku shifted, pressing his forehead to Sora’s. “I’m right here. Come home to me. I—I need you. You’re my Light, Sora. I—” He squeezed his eyes closed. “I love you.”

A sharp gasp above him had Riku opening his eyes, watching as the shadows retreated from Sora’s face and, for the first time in months, he gazed into crystal blue eyes.

“Sora,” he gasped, pulling the boy to him. “You’re back.”

Sora smiled, pulling back slightly. “Did you mean it, Riku? You love me?”

“Yes,” Riku laughed, “Gods, yes, Sora, I think I’ve loved you since we were kids.”

Sora grinned, eyes welling with tears. “I love you too, Riku. I love you.”

Riku choked on a sob before pulling Sora into a kiss.

“Welcome home, Sora.”

[gabberwockywrites]

A thing I have noticed

It seems, at least to me, that writers are getting very few comments or kudos on their fics. And I know there are a lot of posts on here asking for more comments and kudos, but I haven’t seen a why. So I’ll show y’all with my sats according to AO3.

These are my 3 most recent fics. This view shows my hits, bookmarks, kudos, and comments. Bookmarks I personally don’t look at because I know that I only bookmark fics if I 1) Absolutely love them or 2) Have tried to read them again and have lost them before.

I know these numbers may not mean anything or you look at, say, 55 kudos for “Hooked” and go “Well that’s a lot of kudos, what’s the problem?” 

So here are some percentages or rates: 

Finding Isa: 9.8% kudos rate and, currently, a 0% comment rate. 

What’s in a Name?: 7.5% kudos rate, 0.32% comment rate. That’s less than 1%. Less than 1% of the people who have read this fic told me what they liked about it. 

Hooked: 9.8% Kudos rate, 0.35% comment rate. Again, less than 1%.

“But that’s just your most recent fics” I hear you saying, to which I say, Ok. Let’s look at my 3 Most Kudo’ed fics.

Club Miraculous: 3.6% Kudos rate, 0.28% Comment rate. And, if I remember correctly, most of those are asking for an update because that is a discontinued multi-chapter fic.

Confusion: 7.6% Kudos rate, 0.24% Comment rate

Why Marinette Detests Gabriel Agreste: 6.6% Kudos rate, 0.14% Comment rate.

So what about most commented? 

Club Miraculous: 3.6% Kudos rate, 0.28% Comment rate

Nature or Nurture: 7.7% Kudos rate, 0.46% Comment rate. This one is in the same boat as Club Miraculous in terms of comments

Confusion: 7.6% Kudos rate, 0.24% Comment rate

And, last but not least, most viewed

Club Miraculous: 3.6% Kudos rate, 0.28% Comment rate

Pregnancy: 3.4% Kudos rate, 0.08% Comment rate. Less than One-Tenth of a Percent

The Parents Find Out: 5.2% Kudos rate, 0.20% Comment Rate

So why percentages? Percentages kind of level the playing field in terms of comparison. I can’t say that one fic got 23 Kudos while another got 637 Kudos as a comparison if they have wildly different Hits. Percentages can bridge that gap by showing you how many people out of those Hits actually took the 3 seconds to tap the “Kudos” button. 

I can’t say that this is the same for every fic writer, I’m only 1 writer among the thousands on AO3, not to mention however many still post on FF.net or WattPad. I can only show you my statistics and say this is why I reblog the “Please give us comments/kudos” posts. This is what we work for, and trust me it’s work. 

I won’t ask for comments; I know it’s nerve-wracking to leave a comment. I’m a writer and I know it’s nerve-wracking. But at least, if you liked it, leave a kudos. Because those numbers right there? Those leave me to assume people don’t like my work. 

[gabberwockywrites]

The first thing Lea did after the final battle was look for Isa.

Ok, the first first thing Lea did after the final battle was take a nap, but then he went to look for Isa.

The problem was he didn’t know where to look for Isa. They’d both disappeared in Radiant Garden, but Isa hadn’t been there when Lea woke up the first time. He wasn’t sure where to start.

He’d ask his friends, but he knew what most of them would say, “Follow your heart” or “May your heart be your guiding key,” or something like that.

But his heart was confused. He wanted to see Isa, he cared for Isa deeply- probably to deeply- but he was also- well, not scared of Isa, persay, but he’d hurt Isa and Isa had hurt him. Their relationship was complicated at best, almost unhealthy at worst; to people who didn’t know their story, what they’d done, what had been done to them.

And it was, honestly, mostly Lea’s fault. He was the one who’d wanted to sneak inside the castle, he was the one who’d gotten them caught that day- not by Dilan and Aeleus as was usual, but by Braig, who dragged them into the dungeon to teach them a lesson- it was his fault. His fault they’d been tormented in those white cells, his fault they’d had their hearts ripped out, his fault Isa fell to Darkness, had been taken over by Xehanort.

Lea wasn’t sure if he could face Isa again. But, oh, did he want to look into those bright, clear, green eyes again, without them being tainted by Xehanort’s gold.

He chuckled to himself as he walked down the streets of Twilight Town to the Old Mansion. There was a Gummi Ship hidden there, so the people who’d chosen to stay there could still visit other worlds when they wanted; they weren’t cut off from their friends.

Lea took a deep breath was he sat behind the controls of the ship. “May my heart be my guiding key, huh?” he quoted, thinking of Master Yen Sid and the other Guardians of Light. “I hope my heart knows what it wants better then my head.”

He started the Gummi Ship, leaving Twilight Town for the Lanes Between.

“Alright, heart, lead me to Isa.”

He stared into the horizon as he steered, not really paying attention to where he was going until he’d landed in Radiant Garden. Isa was still nowhere to be seen, but Lea had landed on the outskirts of town.

It was nostalgic, almost, being in Radiant Garden. It was where he’d grown up, but also where his life fell apart. It wasn’t home anymore- not really. But it was familiar, and that was enough as Lea walked quickly through the streets to the Castle Courtyard to see, “Isa.”

The man turned with a slight smirk on his face, unnamed emotion dancing in his eyes. “I thought you were going to drag me back home, Lea.”

“Isa,” Lea all but sobbed, jerking forwards to wrap him in a tight hug. “You’re here, you’re really here.”

“Lea, wha-? Of course I am, where else would I be?”

“Last time… you weren’t there. I wondered… if you’d died for real.”

“Lea…”

“I’m sorry, Isa, I’m so sorry…”

“Sorry for what, Lea?” He pulled back so he could look at Lea’s face, gently wiping the tears.

“It’s my fault… all of it…”

“What? Lea, no, it’s not, it’s no one’s fault.”

“If I hadn’t…”

“Lea. It’s not your fault.”

He sniffed, looking up. “You… you don’t blame me?”

Isa shook his head. “Not a bit.”

Lea laughed wetly, hiding his face in Isa’s shoulder. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, Lea.”

“Come home?”

Isa smiled, nodding a little. “My home is with you. It always has been.” He nudged Lea back towards the edge of town. “Take me home, Lea.”

Like my Work? Buy me a Coffee!

[gabberwockywrites]

some fucking resources for all ur writing fuckin needs

body language masterlist

a translator that doesn’t eat ass like google translate does

a reverse dictionary for when ur brain freezes

550 words to say instead of fuckin said

638 character traits for when ur brain freezes again

some more body language help 

[gabberwockywrites]

An AU where Noct doesn't have to die to bring back the sun so he gets to stick around to help Prom raise Rin, and he gets to be there for Prom's second pregnancy, and all that that entails; cutting the cords when the twins are born, late night feedings, diaper changes, lullabies and stories at night, the works. They get to be a happy family like they deserve ❤❤❤

omg;; i had to think about the stuff at night and i bet noct would always volunteer for it bc yes. A loving dad,, and he would also be the one to get the kids out of bed probably haha

prompto taking pics 24/7

[gabberwockywrites]

Word Counter - Not only does it count the number of words you’ve written, it tells you which words are used most often and how many times they appear.

Tip Of My Tongue - Have you ever had a word on the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t figure out what it is? This site searches words by letters, length, definition, and more to alleviate that.

Readability Score - This calculates a multitude of text statistics, including character, syllable, word, and sentence count, characters and syllables per word, words per sentence, and average grade level.

Writer’s Block (Desktop Application) - This free application for your computer will block out everything on your computer until you meet a certain word count or spend a certain amount of time writing.

Cliche Finder - It does what the name says.

Write Rhymes - It’ll find rhymes for words as you write.

Verbix - This site conjugates verbs, because English is a weird language.

Graviax - This grammar checker is much more comprehensive than Microsoft Word, again, because English is a weird language.

Sorry for how short this is! I wanted to only include things I genuinely find useful. p>