#i hope he dies of organ failure painfully and slowly

[imagine-organization-xiii]

Org XIII Members Reacting to Their (Pregnant) S/O Being Killed By Sora

Okay, so I’ve decided to combing both of these since they were so similar and I feel like it would be super repetitive if I did both separately.  I hope both of you enjoy them! I tried to make the headcanons extra long in order to make up for combining them. <3 Excluding the babies because, like the anon said, they are far too precious for such pain.

This was super long so i’m putting some under the cut!

Thanks again to the person who should actually be running this blog instead of me, @4ddictwithapencil

Xemnas

When Xemnas finds out you’re dead... it’s a tough day for everyone.  He’s blank, stoic, almost like a bomb that is ready to explode at any moment but you don’t know how long you have until that moment.  Everyone else almost wishes that he would yell, scream, destroy something, etc., but he’s just... emotionless, and that is so much worse.

Sora would do best to avoid him because he would definitely smile and probably laugh as he physically tears the poor boy to pieces, even if it happened to be an accident.

But then it gets a thousand times worse.  Xemnas walks into the lab to find several of the members arguing amongst themselves and he asks them what’s wrong.  Turns out, they had figured out that you were pregnant and had no idea how to tell him - or even if they should tell him, unsure if it would make things worse.  After they reveal this news, Xemnas disappears for a few days.  When he comes back, he’s the same old Superior as he always was, but there’s something about him that seems darker and always on edge.

Xigbar

Xigbar wasn’t there when it happened.  He didn’t find out until later.  If he had been there, it wouldn’t have happened.  When he finds out who did it…. it would be no use in running.  He’ll search the whole world until he finds the killer and won’t rest until the person is dead.  He knows Sora’s name but won’t refer to him as such.  It’s just your killer, almost less than human to Xigbar now that the kid had taken you away from him.

Xigbar will not stop hunting down Sora until one of them is dead.  He is determined to seek his revenge and avenge your poor soul because you were good - too good - so much better than him and you didn’t deserve to die.  If he could, he would go back in time and take your place in a heartbeat.

The two of you had never wanted a baby, but when he happens to be going through a few of your things and found a letter you had been in the middle of writing to him as a surprise to tell him that you were pregnant... well, something snaps in him.  He’s goes insane, practically inconsolable.

Xaldin

Xaldin has this thing about love and emotions, right? He doesn’t like them.  At all.  His heart had been broken before so it was a gift that he would even try to give you his heart in the first place. He loved you, as much as a Nobody could love another person, and to find out that you were dead was too much for him to take. Would become like the beast, cold and emotionally distant and even more terrifying than he already was.  Everyone feels sorry for him, but there really isn’t much that they can do, not that he would let them help anyway.

He literally revels in despair and likes to defeat his victims physically as well as psychologically.  He will do anything and everything possible to torture Sora into a guilty mess.

When Xaldin finds out you were pregnant, he doesn’t really react how any of them expect.  He falls into a fairly awful depression (only after he kills Sora or dies trying), though you wouldn’t know it by just looking at him.  He never wanted a kid and he never pictured himself as a dad, but realizing that it was close to being real - close to him being a parent - he sorely regrets not being able to see his own child with his own eyes.

Vexen

Surprisingly takes it all in stride, in a way no one never expected.  He had an attachment to you, sure, but he tries to tell himself that it was just physical, but that doesn’t really help to lessen the sting of the fact that you’re gone.  Throws himself into his work in a way that terrifies Zexion, who tries not to be in the lab at the same time as him anymore.  Debates on whether or not there’s some experiment or breakthrough that he can make that would bring you back to life, but he knows it would be useless.  Neither of you would be the same.

Wants to kill Sora slowly, painfully, maybe freezing him to death so he can feel even a fraction of the pain that you felt.  Knows it would be useless because nothing could really take the sting away, even revenge.

Zexion is the one who finds out that you’re pregnant.  He isn’t quite sure what to do so he tells Lexaeus and the two of them decide not to tell Vexen because they’re afraid of what he might do.  Vexen never finds out.

Lexaeus

Lexaeus is so heart-broken when he sees you fade away before his very eyes. He almost thinks that he’s imagining things, because this isn’t real, it can’t possibly be real.  There are several beats of silence when Lexaeus just stares at the spot that you once were and Sora is almost shocked, having not realized that he was literally killing you until the moment you’re gone. Then the two lock eyes and all hell breaks loose.

Basically turns into the Hulk

Everyone knew that Lexaeus was strong and powerful, but no one had ever seen him lose control like he did. It takes several of the other organization members to bring him back to himself even after Sora has already run away.  Even then, he shoves aside everyone else and he storms off.  It’s over a week before any of them see a glimpse of him again.

He had already known you were pregnant, but neither of you had told any of the others.  Xaldin is the first one who manages to get the news out of Lexaeus and suddenly they all understand.  Lexaeus would have made a phenomenal father and they all know it.  The idea that he’ll never get a chance to be one is heartbreaking.

Zexion

Completely, overwhelmingly devastated.  Doesn’t even believe that it’s true and is in denial for a scary amount of time.  When he realizes that it’s true after being brought back to reality by Lexaeus, he just turns into a little ball of rage and tears.  He doesn’t want to show emotions and is half tempted to try and use his illusions to alter his own memory to forget you - or even make an illusion of you - but he’s sure that might just drive him crazy.

Sora is going to seriously regret ever laying a hand on you because Zexion will do his best to make his life a living nightmare.  he’ll try to figure out what to do to make Sora live out his nightmares, using illusions and visions to try to drive him insane.

The two of you were so young that you never wanted to have a child.  If you were pregnant then it was by complete mistake.  He’s really devastated about the whole situation and wishes that you would have been able to live the rest of your life with him.

Saix

Instant berserk mode.  This wasn’t just watching you die; it was a failure on him to not have been able to save you.  With no one to help him control himself, there would be no survivors.  Sora would be lucky to come out unscathed and would be an idiot to face Saix again after being responsible for his s/o’s death.

When he was with you, he felt a glimpse of what it was like to be human again.  Now that the connection is gone, he doesn’t know how he’ll ever get his heart back because part of it went with you.

When he finds out you were pregnant, completely by chance since he finds a book in your bedside drawer about what to do if you were expecting a baby, he goes insane and almost destroys the castle that never was.  Xemnas is forced to step in to pull Saix back from the brink because there’s just... no way he can control his own emotions without a little help.

Axel

Axel would lose his mind.  He’s normally so chill and playful, they’ve never seen him as angry as they did when he found out that you had been killed.  Have you ever seen a person get burned alive? Well, you will if you’re around Axel when he finds the person who killed his s/o.  Will definitely become a depressed mess.

He doesn’t want to hurt Sora.  He knows that there’s something about this kid that’s going to save the universe and he’s hesitant to do any harm to him, especially since he’s just a kid, but... he comes close.  So close to just destroying Sora right there because he is distraught.  In the end, Axel is heartbroken, but ultimately leaves Sora to live because... he tries to kill him but doesn’t have it in him.

And when he finds out that you were pregnant, something in him just snaps.  No one would ever dare mention you or the baby because his gaze would just turn into something that could make you burst completely into flames.

Demyx

Goes crazy but like hysterical crazy?  He won’t be able to kill Sora but he’ll laugh hysterically as he fights to the death.  The others think it’s actually kind of sad, but he’s so out of control that there isn’t really anything that they can do about it.  Does Demyx care that he’s out of control? Not in the slightest.  The sheer power that comes out of him shocks literally everyone because they always end up underestimating him.  He destroys the battlefield that you fought on almost immediately after you fade from existence, but is so enraged and distracted that he doesn’t see Sora making an immediate escape.

He had never thought he would get a chance to be a dad, but when he found out you were pregnant?? He was so damn excited.  The idea of being a dad was so fun and he had everything planned out.  He would even talk to your stomach at night before you went to sleep, but now he feels a bit like a part of himself has died.

Luxord

You both thought it was a game, fighting against Sora like that, teasing each other through the fight and acting as if you didn’t have a care in the world.  But then you make one wrong move and you pay for it with your life and Luxord just goes still and quiet as he stares in horror at the spot that you were once in.  He lets out an enraged roar and pretty much goes berserk immediately.  Wonders if he can make some sort of deal with the devil to get you back, but even he isn’t that powerful.

He finds out that you’re pregnant much after the fact, when he finds a pair of baby booties you had been knitting that you hid in the back of your closet. It was supposed to be a surprise that you had for him.  It still ended up being a surprise, but it was a bad one.  He lost a child he didn’t even know that he had.

Marluxia

Marluxia always has this vague aura of calmness about him, so he wouldn’t flip out but he also wouldn’t be completely stoic.  There would definitely be tears with this boy, tears and silent, enraged crying as he faces down Sora and fights to his last breath.  He’s still serious business, as always, but everyone can tell that the strain of sudden emotion is getting to him.  Wants to kill Sora.  Wants to kill him without hesitation and remorse, but finds that he can’t.  There’s something that stops his hand right before he takes that final swing and it’s enough of a pause that Sora manages to get away.

He spends a long time mourning you and your baby in his garden.  He’ll plant a whole section of just your favorite flowers and the flower that you would definitely have named the baby after.  He guards those flowers with his life, as if they are some sort of substitute for you but they will never come close.

Larxene

Larxene thinks it’s some kind of sick joke that the others are trying to play on her when they come back to the castle and explain that you were killed by Sora.  But then you don’t come back and everyone is frustrated and she realizes that it isn’t a joke and now she has to live the rest of her life alone and unhappy.

Definitely knows that you were pregnant because the two of you had discussed finding a donor beforehand and you had just found out that you were pregnant.  You were happy, though she was nervous - but you were both excited at the idea that you would be parents eventually.  It had been so hyped up that now, the fact that she wouldn’t get to hold her own child in her arms because you were dead, puts her in a nearly catatonic state.

Another one of the members who is just ‘will kill Sora or will die trying,’ because she really sees no other option for herself.  If she doesn’t avenge you, then what does that say about her?  That she’s weak?  A coward? No.  So she’ll fight for you until she can’t fight any more.

[spirit-of-creativity16]

KH One-Shot: A Glimpse of The Unknown

Summary: Terra is enjoying a moment of peace with his dearest friends. Until some kind of vision gave him a glimpse of an impending threat, or isn't it? It could be all in his head due having memories that doesn't belong to him. He can only hope that is the case because he didn't want his friends to suffer all over again.

Disclaimer: The following contain spoiler for Kingdom Hearts 3.  Please show your support this short story by liking it or leaving a comment. Enjoy!

The view from up here has always been breathtaking. From where they're sitting on a stoned bench, Terra and Aqua watch as the sun begin to set behind the distant mountains. Seeing how the blazing twilight slowly turns into chilly dusk. Truly, it's a sight to behold of how the light managed to shine for one last time, before its time come to an end.

Aqua snuggle closer to Terra, resting her head on his chest; feeling the strong beats of his heart against ear. Somehow his thundering heart beats made her feel very relax. It like listening to  lullaby only for her to listen. She soon feels her eyelids grow heavy by seconds. Making her drift into a deep nap while her head still rest on Terra's chest.

Terra stare down at his beloved friend, he couldn't help but smile at the sight. Seeing his blue-haired maiden like this made his heart lighten up. Knowing she is safe with him, and not suffering alone in the dark. He made sure to keep her warm by his giving brown jacket, so the chilly breeze wouldn't disturb her while she rest.

As Terra make sure to keep her comfortable, there is cheerful cry that can be heard from a short distant. Terra look up to see his best friend, Ventus, playing a game catch with odd little cat creature, named Chirithy. The two of them are throwing a green ball at each other, making sure it wouldn't hit the ground, and keep it in the air as much as they can.

"Think fast!" Ventus threw the ball at Chirithy.

"Ha!" The cat spirit manage to catch the ball, and throw it back at him.

Seeing them getting really competitive over a game of catch made Terra chuckle in amusement. As he watch them play their little game, it's Ven turn to throw the ball at Chirithy. However, he accidentally throw the ball at bit too hard this time. Making it fly pass Chirithy so fast it wasn't able to catch in time.

The shiny green ball is heading straight toward Terra, but luckily, he manages to catch in time. It nearly hit him in the face, but it didn't matter to him all; since his main priority is to keep Aqua safe.

"Oh my gosh!" Ventus quickly went up to hem with Chirithy hoping alongside him. "I'm so sorry, Terra. I didn't mean to do that." He apologized.

"Don't worry about it." Terra said, calmly.

The small commotion between the two made Aqua to wake up from her short nap. "Eh, what happened?" She rubs her tired eye. "Is everything alright?

"Everything is fine, Aqua." Terra reply, and then he throw back the ball to Ventus. "Be more careful next time, okay?"

"I will!" Ventus nodded in agreement then he went back playing his game with Chirithy.

While they are doing that, Terra turns to look at Aqua again. Noticing she still rubbing her eye and looking a bit more tired.

"Getting sleepy?" Terra ask.

"Just resting my eyes for a little." Aqua reply, tiredly.

"Are you sure? Lately you been getting tired more often." Terra brought up it to their discussion.

"I only been feeling like this for two days now." She retorted."It's proably nothing to worry about."

"Are you sure?"  Terra is still spectacle about it.

"Oh, Terra." Aqua snuggle him even closer. "You are such a big worry wort."

"Hey! I'm just making sure you're okay."

"Heh, I know." Aqua giggle by the fact.

The two of them continue to watch as the sun about to disappear into the horizon. Terra's cobalt eyes are set as the last ray of light finally died. With the sun gone, the stars start to appear in the purplish-blue sky one by one. From the moment he sees the first star appear, all of a sudden he feels a powerful jolt struck into his mind. Making him gasp loudly, and his vision turns  all white.

Soon, images begin to take shape to show him a vision of a great barren wasteland with hundreds of rusted keys stabbed into the ground. Standing in the center, there are five unidentifiable figures with a black box. Four of them are wearing similar robes and mask that cover up theirs upper face; however, each of them have a unique design. The decorated mask resembles different kinds of animals such as a unicorn, a snake, a bear, and finally, a leopard.

Then, the last image show him a familiar black coat with a hood on. Though the hood conceal the entire head, there is glimpse of showing parts of his face. Showing a man face with a single yellow eyes, and jagged scar running down on his cheek.

"Terra!" A voice that sounded like Aqua reach out to him. Pulling Terra out from his vision, and brought him back to reality.

"Huh, what?" Terra head twist and turn to all directions, seeing his friend surround him.

Aqua, Ventus, and Chirithy look at him with worry expressions. None of them don't know how to approach him after his sudden outburst.

"Terra, are you okay?" Aqua was the first to check on him.

"I'm not sure what just happened- Agh!" Then suddenly, he wince when his right eye twitch in pain. He place a hand over his right eye as his gritted teeth.

"What's wrong?" Aqua ask, worriedly.

"M-my...eye...it hurt." Terra groan, painfully.

The spark of worry within Aqua grow after hearing that. Making her to take action to get up from her seat, and then help Terra stand up with her.

"Come on, let go to castle." She stated.

"Huh, why?" Terra wonder.

"We need to get your eye check." Aqua answer.

"It's nothing. Really!" However, his words did not reach her.

Aqua took charge of the situation and drag Terra back to the castle, with Ventus and Chirithy following them. Hoping Terra's pain is only minor.

Once they arrived to castle, they all gather in the lounging area. Ventus and Chirithy sat on one of the cushioned seating, watching Aqua check Terra's eyes for any significant damage it may have suffered. Aqua sat beside Terra on a large couch, and grab one of those small flashlight use to check the eye reaction from a first aid kit.

When she held up the small flashlight up to his left eye, she pressed the button and see how the eye will react with light. Thankfully, the left eye did react normally as it should be. But when she checks on Terra's right eye, it made him wince in pain by the exposures.

"Agh!" Terra cover up his right eye again.

"It look like you eye is sensitive to light." Aqua pointed it out.

"Seriously, how did you hurt your eye, Terra?" Ventus asked.

"Maybe he was staring at the sun for too long?" Chirithy brought it up.

Ven look down at him, and gasp, "Chirithy, no!"

Soon, they all heard chuckle coming from Terra. "Maybe that is the case." He somewhat agree in a humorous way. "Guess I was staring at the sun too long."

"How can you be sure?" Aqua questioned.

"To be honest, I'm not sure either." He said,"It was so strange."

"Strange?" Aqua reapeated, "How so?"

"Well," He started, "I think saw a vision of some sort of people standing around the Keyblade Graveyard, and all of them except are wearing strange masks that look like animals." Terra did his best to describe the weird images he saw, before he was struck by pain in his eye.

Aqua and Ventus become quite all of a sudden. Trying to understand the meaning of the vision. Then suddenly, Ventus notices Chirithy look a bit shaken on his lap. A kinda strange to see him like this, as if something have scare him.

"Hey, are you okay little buddy?" Ventus petted the cat spirit's head.

"Oh! Um, sorry, I was getting cold. Brrrrr!" Chirithy stuttered, and wrap himself with his cape like he was getting cold.

"Huh, we'll we better get you blanket." He get up from his seat then he look at Terra and Aqua. "Be right back guys." And with that, Ventus take Chirithy with him to another room in the castle. Leaving the other two alone in the lounge area.

Aqua look directly at Terra again, "Is that all you saw?"

Terra went silent for a little.

"There was also a person wearing a black coat." He revealed.

"What? You mean the same black coat wore by the Organization XIII?" Suddenly, Aqua's hands clenched into fists by the mere mentioned of them.

"I think so," He said, "Something about him look familiar. And yet, my memories are still hazy. Those memories are from the times I was under Xehanort's control." Then he begin to rub his sore eye gently.

The blue-haired maiden become more concerns by the reveal. Wondering what could all of this mean?

"You don't think... there might be a chance someone who work with Master Xehanort is still out there?" Aqua theorize of a potential threat that might be hiding in the shadow. "What if they take over his plan, and attempt to summon Kingdom Hearts for their own gain. I don't want us to be force us apart again..."

She begin to feels unease by the notion. Her body start to shakes as horrible  memories of being separated from her friend, and spending more than ten years trapped in the dark realm; reminding her of much of failure she is. Aqua is so lost in her own mind that didn't she realize someone wrap an arm around.

It wasn't long until someone brought her back to her senses. Aqua now found herself in a tight embrace, and she look up too see it was Terra.  She look up to see Terra's face have a worry look, with his right eye is still close.

"There's no way I'm going to let it happen again." He said determinedly. "I'll make sure they'll regret for even trying!"

Aqua nodded, "If it does happen..." She started, "Then they have to go through us first, right?" She tries to think positively, so she wouldn't dwell on her dark thoughts.

"Yeah, we'll diffidently show them a lesson they won't forget."  Terra let out a small chuckle at the end.

Aqua begin to giggle along with him. It made her heart lighten up just being around him. Also, knowing he is on their side for now on.

However, there one thought came to her mind."But still, that vision you saw." Aqua noted, "I really hope they are just memories from another past."

"I hope so too." Terra stroked her cheek, soothingly.

Even though they are unsure what the future lies ahead, at least they have each other right now. They can face whatever threats that might come to them together this time. No longer they will be apart due to a set up by a fabricated destiny. Also, they have many friends that can fight alongside them.

But for now, they have to wait and see. Hoping the unknown threat does not come too soon. Or maybe, the vision he saw could mean nothing. They're probably are just side effects for being possessed such a long period of time. Only time could tell what will happen next.

Author Notes: Happy Valentines, readers! Thanks you so much for reading this one-shot. I been wanting write this since is based on a theory and headcanon of mine, pulse I added in Terra x Aqua moments because these are so great together. Especially how they are portrayed in the game through dialogues and body movements.

Anyways, after watching cutscene of Kingdom Hearts for many times now. Especially the epilogue that inspired me to write this fic. I always theorize that Terra have some kind of ability to see glimpses of events that is yet to happened. If I remember correctly, in BBS, Terra somehow saw visions of his terrible fate and kinda wish it got explore more often. I theorize is something to do with Luxu's keyblade, the Gazing Eye. What if it given Terra a side effects that ended up giving him that ability to see certain moment through the keyblade's eye. I know it sound crazy, but then again, I do have overactive imagination.

Hope you guys enjoy this fic!

[velkynkarma]

I'd like to request a fic dealing with Shiro's chronic illness revealed in S7E1. I would love to see anything from Shiro finding out about having such a disease in the first place that's so serious even the Garrison can't fix it - and they can apparently cure people's eyesight - to him discovering that the Galra have removed the problem somehow. Just really anything that appeals to your amazing imagination.

Sure thing, anon. (For the record, the Garrison can’t fix all eyesight either—they don’t fix Sam’s, he goes to Kerberos with glasses. I suspect Matt just got some laser eye surgery paid for by the Garrison prior to the mission).

Shiro’s exact illness is never explicitly stated, he only mentions that he has “a disease that is getting worse” and that he can only maintain peak condition for a few more years, and suggests he won’t be able to do things after that. For the purposes of this fic I’m using Juvenile Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (JALS), which is a neurodegenerative disease that is rare and diagnosed before age 25. Obviously, this can be a sensitive topic for people, so if this makes you uncomfortable, please do not read.

When Shiro is eight years old, he reads a book about the the journey to Jupiter’s moons on the Calypso for a report at school. He knows then and there that when he grows up, he’s going to be an astronaut.

His parents think it’s a phase, at first, but they indulge him. His grandfather buys him more books on space. His mother lets him watch all the documentaries on the science channels about the first moon landing over a hundred years ago, and the first colonies on Mars, and to see the Calypso on-screen. His father takes him to the space museum for his birthday, and he gets to see all the ships up close, and he’s never been more happy.

It’s not a phase, and by ten years old, his family knows he’s really, genuinely serious about his dream to be a pilot. Shiro tells them about a place called the Garrison, a place where the best astro-explorers are trained and all the best pilots go. They have a cadet program that you can join instead of going to a normal high school, and Shiro wants more than anything to be a part of it.

They’re not exactly rich, but his family does what they can to help him get there. His mother researches all the requirements needed to get into the Garrison: excellent grades, excellent physical health, a disciplined mindset, a good team ethic. Shiro is certain he can do all of those things. He works hard in school to get the absolute best grades possible. His parents scrape together enough money for martial arts lessons, so he can be as physically fit and ready as possible for the military training of the school. He’s always been good at following the rules and working with his classmates, so he doesn’t think he’ll have any problems there.

At fourteen, he does it. He applies for the Garrison and passes with flying colors. The physicals are simple. His grades are exemplary. The simulation tests are incredible, and even if they’re not real—even if it’s just like a video game—he already feels like this is him, like this is what he’s meant for. His tester seems stunned at just how easy the simulations are for him, how far he gets in them before finally crashing.

The Garrison accepts him. His original tester, a man named Sam Holt (Commander—Commander Holt, he has to remember military titles now) says the Garrison would be fools not to take him. They give him a full scholarship to attend, since his family can’t afford the tuition easily.

“I have a feeling you will be one of the greatest pilots of our time,” Commander Holt says, patting Shiro on the shoulder, as the paperwork is finally wrapped up and Shiro officially becomes a Garrison cadet.

Shiro couldn’t be prouder. At last, his dreams are coming true.

At fifteen, Shiro learns that his chances of living to see thirty are slim.

It’s not obvious at first. He works hard at the Garrison every day, so occasional stiffness or weakness in his muscles doesn’t seem all that strange. He’s just tired, and overworking himself a little, but that’s fine, isn’t it? He wants to be the best pilot he can be. He needs to work hard for that.

The muscle spasms are a little less normal, though. He’s never encountered anything like that before, not even after working himself into exhaustion in his martial arts exercises. Those worry him a little, but he tries to ignore them.

But after one incident causes him to over-correct badly in a training simulation, with the controls twitching forward too far in his right hand and causing his simulated fighter to nearly nose-dive into the ground, he realizes he can’t ignore it anymore. So he nervously visits the Garrison medical center, and they run their tests.

He hopes it’s just fatigue. That maybe they’ll come back and tell him to not push himself so hard, eat more vegetables and get more sleep, and that’s all it will take.

The don’t come back with simple advice. They come back with a death sentence.

He has a disease. A ‘progressive neurodegenerative disease,’ which means it’s just going to keep getting worse, until it eventually kills him. His muscles are going to keep getting weaker and more useless, until he’s eventually bedridden. There’s no cure.

He’s only fifteen. He hasn’t even had a chance to go to space yet. His dream hasn’t happened. And already he’s learning he’s lived half his life.

He’s in shock. The Garrison excuses him from classes for a few days, while they fly his family in to discuss next steps. Commander Holt checks in on him almost constantly, as does his son, Matt. Matt’s in the same classes as Shiro, and often stops by to give updates on lessons or just see how he’s doing.

The Holts are good friends. It’s probably the only reason Shiro even manages to stay afloat for those few days, with that awful news rushing through his head, over and over.

I’ve already lived half of my life. I’m going to die. Slowly and painfully.

It doesn’t seem fair.

Once his family has arrived, Shiro sits sandwiched between his parents, still half in shock, as the Garrison medical staff explains the situation. At Shiro’s request, Commander Holt is there too—he’d been so supportive through all of this so far, and Shiro clung to that stability with everything he had. He needs that now more than ever.

There’s no cure, the doctor explains. There have been some advancements since the disease was first discovered, ways to treat the symptoms and make life a little bit easier, but there’s no way to fix him. There are some medications that can be taken, or some experimental treatments or tools that can be tried. Physical therapy could help, as could moderate exercise, but it will become important not to over-work himself physically as this could exacerbate the disease’s effects on his muscles.

They will have to let him go from the program, the doctor adds regretfully. It isn’t safe for a student with an illness like this to be part of a military organization. Too many opportunities for him to injure himself, or for his symptoms to cause a mission failure that could in turn cause the deaths of others.

Shiro lets most of the information roll off of him in a daze, but at that, he looks up. “But I haven’t had a chance to go to space, yet,” he says, voice soft.

The closest doctor looks deeply apologetic. “I’m sorry, cadet, but it can’t be permitted,” he says. “The Garrison will of course provide information on skilled civilian doctors and treatment options for your family to review to assist with your healthcare. You’ve been an excellent student—we’ll make sure you have access to proper care.”

“This is my dream,” Shiro says, standing up from his chair. It’s not protocol—he’s pretty sure even as a doctor this person outranks him and he’s not supposed to be doing this—but he leans forward to press his hands pleadingly on their desk. His right arm hurts at that—it feels stiff again. He hates it. “I’ve wanted this for years. I can’t let it go now because of this. Please.”

The doctor looks about to speak again, but Commander Holt steps forward before he can. “I don’t think we should be so hasty in dismissing Cadet Shirogane,” he says firmly. “Not until we know the course of this illness.”

“Medical records are clear. He can’t—“

“He could,” Holt cuts in sharply. “Juvenile Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a serious condition, but it presents at varying rates. He could be bedridden by the end of the year—or his symptoms could remain manageable until he’s forty or fifty years old. He’s only just been diagnosed. It’s far too early to tell how that progression will present.”

For the first time since receiving the news, Shiro feels a flicker of hope. It’s tiny, just a spark—not enough to warm his iced over heart just yet. But it’s a little light in the dark, and maybe, if he could just find his way…

“The program is for training astro-explorers,” the doctor argues. “This cadet would be training for something he would not be able to actually perform. He would not have access to the medical care necessary in the event that his condition worsens while in deep space. It would be far safer for him to leave the program and remain on Earth, where he will have access to medical care.”

“I will not dismiss a cadet as skilled as Takashi on the basis of maybes and what-ifs,” Commander Holt says. “Not if he wants to be here, and clearly he does. Not only does he want to be, he deserves to be. He’s born to fly. For the Garrison to throw him away over this, we’d have to all be fools.”

“The superior officers would never permit it. I would have to report this to Admiral Sanda.”

The little flicker of hope in Shiro’s heart dies at that. Admiral Sanda is strict, and believes in protocol over all else. He’ll probably never have a chance now. He stumbles back wearily into his seat, between his parents.

“I will discuss the matter with Admiral Sanda,” Commander Holt says. “I don’t believe in making such a hasty decision over this. We should at least permit Cadet Shirogane to complete the training program. His symptoms can be monitored over the remaining three years of his schooling and a more accurate understanding of the progression of his illness can be made. With modern science, his current symptoms are quite manageable, as long as he is made aware of how to care for them. If the progression gets worse and participation in the program becomes a health risk for him, then I will step aside. But I do not believe in robbing this young man of his dream because too hasty a decision has been made.”

The doctor sighs. “Fine. I will delay the paperwork for now, but I am enforcing no classes or training until the issue is resolved. As you yourself said, he should not be participating in the program until he knows how to manage his symptoms and a proper care program has been created.”

“That seems reasonable,” Commander Holt agrees.

The doctor discusses a few more details with Shiro’s parents, both of whom have their arms wrapped around Shiro’s shoulders. He’s not sure if they’re trying to comfort him, or if they’re clinging to him desperately. It must be awful to get the news that your child is going to die of some awful disease you couldn’t prevent. It’s not even their fault. It sounds like it’s not even hereditary. He’s just unlucky. Born wrong.

He ignores most of it, falling back into a numb, cold daze. He appreciates Commander Holt’s try, but he knows it won’t work. His dream is dead, and he’ll be following soon after.

What a nightmare.

“Takashi?”

Shiro blinks, and looks up tiredly. Commander Holt looks down at him, and both his parents are staring at him as well, like they’re waiting for an answer. “Sorry,” he mutters. “What?”

“I asked if I could speak to you alone for a moment,” Commander Holt says. “It’s alright if you need a little time, though. We can talk later.”

“No. It’s okay.” He nods to his parents, who both release him reluctantly and stand.

“We’ll be right outside waiting for you,” his mother says. There’s something awful in her expression that looks broken. He’s never seen his mother that way before. That’s his fault, and he feels terrible about it. He’s almost glad they’re going outside, if only for a moment, so he doesn’t have to see what he’s done to her, or to his father. He nods.

Commander Holt waits until they’re both outside, and then to Shiro’s surprise, he settles down on one knee in front of Shiro’s chair. It puts them at eye level, and Shiro can see the man’s expression clearly. He’s patient and understanding and kind, and Shiro has never been more grateful to know him than at that moment.

“How are you doing, son?” he asks softly. He always does that. Calls Shiro ‘son.’ Like he cares. Probably because he does, and it hits Shiro suddenly that all this must hurt Commander Holt, too.

That puts an unexpected lump in his throat, and that feels stupid. He hasn’t cried yet over this at all, and he’s the one that’s dying. He tries to swallow it down, but his voice is still thick when he answers, “Not so good.”

“Understandable,” Holt says, very gently. Inviting more, if Shiro wants to explain.

He does want to, he realizes suddenly, and the words come out of him in a rush. “This was my dream,” he whispers, voice still thick. “I wanted to fly so badly. I wanted to see the Mars colonies. The moons the Calypso landed on. Saturn’s rings. I wanted to go even farther than that—where people have never been. I wanted to see new stars and planets. Maybe even meet other people out there.”

“You still can, son,” Commander Holt says.

“No, I can’t,” Shiro says bitterly. “They won’t let me. Admiral Sanda won’t let it happen. I’m sick. I wouldn’t be a very good pilot like this. I’ve…I’ve already messed up a flight simulation. If it was real people I could’ve gotten them killed.” He curls his left hand around his right arm, digging his fingers in deep in shame and frustration. He wishes he could just claw the stiffness and the badness out that way, but nothing is ever that easy.

“Shiro,” Holt says, and puts his hand on Shiro’s shoulder gently, “You can still do this, if you really want to. I wasn’t lying just now. Your symptoms can be managed. That accident in the simulations could easily have been remedied with the proper medications. There are special electro-stimulators now that the Garrison has been experimenting with—they can be used to help you manage muscle problems. There are ways to make sure you’re not hurting and you’re still physically fit.”

Shiro blinks at him slowly, disbelieving.

“You can do it,” Holt repeats. “But it’s going to be hard. You’ll have to learn to manage all your symptoms, and be responsible about what you can and can’t do. You’re going to have to push twice as hard for every step forward you take. Most of all, you’re always going to have to fight for your right to be here. If you make it through the program, they’ll argue about you receiving a rank and commendation. If you gain a rank, they’ll fight you on short-term missions. If you succeed in short-term missions, they’ll fight you on the life-changing ones. It’s going to be difficult, son.”

He squeezes Shiro’s shoulder. “But if you want to do that—if you really want to fight those battles, and be a pilot in spite of all of it—then I’ll fight for you, too. Down to the last stand.” He smiles. “And I’ve got a little more clout around here than you do.”

Shiro stares at him. How can he smile now? After everything that’s happened?

“They’d never let me,” Shiro repeats. “Admiral Sanda won’t let it happen. Nobody will.”

“You leave Admiral Sanda to me,” Commander Holt says. “And you worry about your studies, you hear?” He’s still smiling gently, but there’s a knowing, determined look in his eyes as well.

“Why are you doing this?” Shiro asks, very softly. “You barely even know me.”

“Maybe I don’t,” Commander Holt agrees. “But everyone needs a hand sometimes.” He drops his own from Shiro’s shoulder, and offers it in a handshake instead.

Shiro stares at it.

“I’m willing to help you with this,” Commander Holt says. “I don’t want to see anyone force you to give up on your dream. But I have to know if it’s what you want. If that’s a battle you��re willing to fight.”

Shiro stares at his hand. Swallows. He can feel that little flicker of hope rekindling, warming his iced-over heart, his numb mind, his frozen body. That warmth grows. Maybe he could do this. Maybe he really did have a shot. But only if he’s willing to take it.

His hand moves almost on its own. That’s not his disease, although maybe the trembling in it is. He wraps his fingers around Commander Holt’s in as firm a handshake as he can manage, and grips it tightly.

“I’ll fight,” he says, and he’s surprised to hear the fire in his own voice. “I’ll fight. I’m going to do it. No matter what.”

“Excellent,” Commander Holt says, shaking his hand gently but firmly, sealing the deal. “I stand by what I said last year, Cadet Shirogane. You are going to be the greatest pilot this world has ever seen.”