#then I got stuck trying to figure out what to have Lauriam doing (I kinda gave up on trying to figure it out sorry Lauriam)

[cq-studios]

Dashing through the snow

[kessielrg]

[Kingdom Hearts] Office Party

Summary: By far, Ven’s got the most boring job at the flower shop; the cashier. Sitting day in and day out for someone to browse along the rows of flowers and gardening tools, then probably walk right out again. Sometimes an interesting thing would happen- but they were few and far between. [flower shop AU focused on UX kids][Part 11 in a series of oneshots][VenxOC][EphemerxOC/F!Player]

Rating: K

Word count: 2,210 words

If you liked this story, please reblog!

---

“Hold still, Ven.” Aqua told him. “Your suit is way too wrinkly. Did you lay it out last night like I told you to?”

“Yes.” the teen groaned. “And ironed it this morning.”

Aqua tutted as she continued to smooth his suit out. Ven let out another groan, hoping that no one else but in the family was watching this embarrassing display.

Ven could easily count on one hand the amount of times he had actually seen Lauriam’s parents. He just barely knew their names (Acis and Valentina, by the way), let alone be able to recognize them at first glance. So when he got a call from Lauriam saying that his parents were going to give the workers at Dandelion’s a holiday party? Suffice to say, he wasn’t quite sure how to react.

Well, no, that was half a lie. His immediate reaction was to ask if family was invited as well. Lauriam, likely knowing why that was his first reaction, agreed that it would be the case. The moment Ven let out a sigh of relief, he immediately cursed in return. If family were invited, that meant that he had to tell his family they were invited. Aqua would be -and was- elated at the invitation and took it without a second thought. But then it began a side of Aqua that Ven, Terra, and Vanitas all tried to avoid; the control freak.

Such as right now as she all but had a lint roller at the ready. Which, honestly, wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t already at the party. The only saving grace was that they weren’t the only ones in black tie suits. Lauriam was wearing a rather nice dark red suit, and Acis was also wearing dress pants with a simple button up, satin shirt. Brain didn’t bother to dress much different than he usually did.

Sabrina stole the room with her outfit. She had on a nice, long dress with a generous dip in the back. Ven had to try to look away from her multiple times once he first noticed her. It’s not like the dress was too fancy- but it made a statement. Even when he wasn’t stealing a look at her, Ven’s heart raced as he wondered just where she got it.

“I’ve noticed that you didn’t invite Elrena.” Ven could hear Valentina tell Strelitzia as he lingered toward the drink table.

He could almost hear Strelitzia blush as she said, “S-she’s not family. Or a coworker. And-and if we did consider inviting her, Lauriam would have. He honestly talks to her more than I do.”

“I suppose that’s true.” Valentina sighed. “I am kinda sad that you and Anora didn’t work out. You two were so sweet together.”

“M-mom!”

“Of course, just know that your father and I are not opposed to polygamy either.”

“MOTHER!”

Ven knew he was blushing for Strelitzia at that moment; he also became acutely aware that both ladies were looking at him. Trying to save face, he quickly filled his cup and hustled back over to the rest of his family. He refused to look anywhere other than in his cup. Anything to not think about Strelitzia’s previous lovelife, or what her mother thought about it.

“So…” Vanitas said, speaking loud so he could be heard by all. “Can I curse even though there’s a baby here?”

There was a cacophony of voices, placed in different areas of the store, that told him with certainty, “No!”

Vanitas tsked in annoyance. “Figures.”

Valentina was the one to break the potential silence from Vanitas’s comment. She almost seemed to float as she went to Anora and her child. Luca stared at the tall woman with criticism.

“He’s two now, isn’t he?” Valentina asked as she offered up a peppermint stick to the child. He stuck up his tiny nose and hid his face in his mother’s arm.

Anora answered Valentina with a shake of her head.

“In a few more months then?” the older woman then guessed. “Gosh, he’s just so big. Those cute little dumpling cheeks…”

Luca quickly peeked out, knowing that the phrase meant that his cheeks were about to be pinched. He just as quickly hid his face again in spite. Valentina laughed.

“I remember when Birdie was this small.” Valentina wistfully told Anora. “She and her little fiery red head would get into all sorts of trouble. I’ve told you most of them by now, I think.”

Anora gave her a polite smile. She had to take a moment to adjust Luca, which Valentina readily waited for.

“Just remember,” the older woman said in mirth, “The redder the hair, the more ornery they tend to be.”

Anora’s face fell into one of almost horror. “Luca is going to be our only child…” she softly interjected.

“I know, but you’re still young. Things can always change without warning.”

“Kids these days.” Acis mused, shaking his head as he walked over to the ladies. There was a small grin on his face, though, that further accentuated the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth. “You’re all starting families far too early. I can’t imagine what we would have done having Lauriam right out of high school.”

“To be fair,” Valentina cut in, “We started a business instead. We were still young then, and still very much in puppy love. Our parents thought we were in over our heads.”

“Your parents did.” Acis shot back. His tone had been so defensive that Valentina immediately erupted into a melodious laughter.

Skuld and Sabrina had been chatting when this happened. The former was wearing a simple pantsuit, with a pair of pumps that boasted a five inch heel. Both of their looks were rather flattering on them, and proved they knew how to dress their bodies. Hearing Valentina’s laugh sent a chill up Sabrina’s spine. She excused herself from Skuld’s company before heading over to Brain.

“Cold?” Brain teased as he handed Sabrina her bolero.

“Shut up.” she hissed back. She still took the pink bolero and put it on with some hostility.

“Told you that wide back was going to make you cold.” he went on to tease. He leaned a bit closer before saying, “I’m sure Ven would like to keep it warm for you if you asked.”

It took all it had in Sabrina not to sock her brother in the kneecaps. Instead, she settled with a disgruntled, “You’re lucky we’re in public.”

Brain just chuckled, tipping his fedora at her a bit in humor.

“At least you can blame the goosebumps on the breeze, and not when you’re thinking about Ven.”

Brain winched as Sabrina dug the heel of her shoe into his foot. He had deserved it at that point, but that didn’t lessen the pain any.

“Should have worn the steel-toed boots.” he mumbled under his breath.

“You should have.” Sabrina hissed back- a cunning grin etched onto her face. She looked over the party a little before her gaze fell to Ventus. He was staring at her- something he tried to hide a split second later. Sabrina smirked a bit to herself. It was a lot of fun watching him get flustered over her. Why had she never considered doing it before?

“I’m going to get something to eat.” Sabrina told Brain. “Stay out of trouble.”

“Me?” Brain snorted. “Stay out of trouble? Do you know what family you’re a part of? Let alone who I have to deal with at work?”

Sabrina rolled her eyes. She left Brain to laugh at his own jokes as she went to the food table. The fruit platter looked especially appetizing- especially the strawberries. Not one looked dried out or nearing the end of its freshness. They must have been picked just for the party. She wouldn’t have put it past any of the Fleurs for that to be the case.

As Sabrina gently plucked a strawberry from the platter, Vanitas started to make it way over to her.

“Well, hello there.” he purred once he had gotten close enough. Sabrina paused for a moment, then finished her strawberry with two more bites- not once looking at Vanitas.

This was not going to stop Vanitas. He attempted to put a hand on her exposed back as he said, “You’re awfully distracting. Is there someone you’re trying to impress?”

“Why? Do you honestly think that it’s you?” Sabrina scoffed as she moved just out of his reach. “Try again you desperate jerk.”

“So harsh.” he softly tisked. “How about we blow this place? I’m sure there’s a closet we can hide out in until our rides get bored.”

“The only time I want to be near a closet with you is when I’m about to lock you inside.”

“Together?”

“Try again.”

Vanitas snorted. He still moved close to her.

“You’re rough.” he approved. “Makes me want to-”

“Get your hands off of her!”

Both Sabrina and Vanitas turned to look at Ventus. The look on his face was one of incredible embarrassment but also hinting at a greater annoyance. Vanitas saw him and chortled.

“Why? She finally belong to you now?”

“I don’t belong to anyone, first of all.” Sabrina spat, taking the time to get out of arm’s length again.

“Agreed.” Ven nodded.

“Simp.” Vanitas smirked.

“Shut up.” both Ventus and Sabrina said in unison. Their tone had also been at an equal annoyance. It only proved to further amuse the black haired teen.

“Talk like that, and I’ll assume you’ve slept together instead.” he said with a click of his tongue.

Ssbrina was the first to react. She went straight to Vanitas before slapping him across the face. She didn’t bother to look back as she went into the back room. In there, she found a space to sulk. Why did the wall have to be so cold too? Brain came to her rescue a few minutes after. At first, he didn’t say anything, instead taking a spot beside her.

“So,” Brain eventually mused, “I don’t know what Vanitas said to you, but I’ll have you know Terra’s giving him an earful right now.”

“Jerk should leave the party altogether.”

Brain shrugged. Then he looked over to her and studied his sister for a moment. As he came to a certain thought, he tipped his hat forward a bit.

“Ven turned you on because he stood up for you?”

Sabrina held herself tighter. She kept her head down to hide the rather furious blush on her face. Brain snorted, taking his attention away for a moment in amusement.

“Wanna hear my advice? Ask him for his jacket.” He looked back at her with a tilt of his head. “It would get Vanitas off your back -literally-, and you’d be warmer. You win either way.”

At first, all Sabrina could do was stick up her nose and groan. She refused to look at him as she thought the idea over. Eventually, she gave an annoyed sigh.

“Is there anyone in our family who isn’t outright devious?”

It was rather amusing to see Brain take a few moments to think it over. He tilted his head to the side a bit, adjusting his hat so he could look up at the ceiling.

“Eraqus is pretty good at hiding it.” he decided. “But he’s only an uncle, so it’s only half there to begin with.”

“Right.” his sister grunted. She worked herself off the wall and slowly started to head back out to the party. Brain watched her leave before heading out himself. He kept note of where Sabrina went. She went straight to Ven. Her brother gave himself a small laugh as he went to Terra and Aqua. The two were having a conversation to themselves- likely on how to deal with Vanitas for the rest of the party.

“Looks like we might be in-laws in the next ten years.” Brain charmingly told them. Terra immediately looked offended at the idea, while Aqua let out a small giggle. It looked like she had needed that laugh. Brain wasn’t too surprised- he had surmised some time back that she accidentally tried to micromanage more than she could deal with. This party must have been one of those times.

“If she hurts him, I’ll kill her.” Terra informed Brain. Even his voice sounded dark.

Brain looked up at Terra- tilting his fedora up a bit. “I hope you understand the feeling is mutual.” he replied with a cunning grin.

“I think they’ll take care of each other.” Aqua carefully cut in. “Once they begin to notice each other’s tells. But it would still take some work. Neither are entirely perfect- you know?”

Brain offered a grin before noticing Sabrina at the corner of his eye. She was casually talking with Acis now. Her very low back was no longer visible from wearing the long waistcoat that had once been on Ventus. Sabrina looked a lot more confident now, often taking in long breaths as if enjoying a particular scent. Off to the side, talking to Ephemer was Ventus. The poor boy looked flustered, but there was something about him that also had a certain air of confidence around it.

“Yep.” Brain smiled. “Just like Yin and Yang.”

[aliceslantern]

Grow, a Kingdom Hearts fanfic, chapter 13--Epilogue

Suddenly human and abandoned in the Keyblade Graveyard, Demyx struggles to survive and come to terms with what his life is. Only by chance is he saved from exposure, and brought to Radiant Garden to recover. Unsure of who he is and where to even begin, Demyx finds a kindred spirit in Ienzo, and before long finds perhaps he isn't the only one lost in this new life. But how can they move forward with so much holding them back?

Roughly canonverse, Zemyx, hurt/comfort. Started for Zemyx day (9/6). Updates Wednesdays until it's done.

Chapter summary: Edym and Ienzo continue to grow.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses.

The more time passed, the more trickling memories came back. The picture Edym got was never clear , exactly. More like brief flashes of insight. Fighting Heartless with his sister. Getting his ass kicked again and again.

Learning music.

It was their mother that taught him, that suggested maybe he shouldn’t follow in Elrena’s footsteps. Edym had always heard music in things, found himself gravitating towards it. Once it was well and truly in his life, it was like a hole had been filled.

But the more insight Edym had into Elrena, the angrier and more hurt he felt about how Larxene had treated Demyx. They’d both been amnesiac, but how or why had that relationship mutated to hatred? Had something else happened? Did she just feel that betrayed by him not joining her?

Would he ever know?

For a long while his life fell into a steady--mostly pleasant--rhythm. Work, gardening, time with Ienzo. It was all so painfully ordinary. Not that Edym minded that, at all. Waking up next to him was worth all the pain he’d gone through.

The others gradually got used to his presence, their relationship. The more Edym thought about it, the less he really wanted to find the place that was once home--especially if it meant leaving Ienzo. Maybe someday they would live in their own little house, with a cat or a dog. With or near friends. But for now… what they had was fine as it is. There was no need to rush into anything serious.

Edym and Ienzo… began to grow.

It was hard to leave behind that time in the Organization, especially because so much of Edym’s sense of self came from Demyx. And Ienzo had spent the majority of his childhood as a Nobody. Figuring out who they were and what humanity all meant was dazzling and confusing. The more his flickers of memories came back, the stranger Edym felt. He’d been soft, but he’d also been so young . He knew something awful had happened to their home, and, more likely, it had all happened a lot longer ago than anyone thought. But how, or why, Xemnas had found them was anyone’s guess.

“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do to help,” Even told him. “Aside from patiently waiting for those memories to come back… we can’t look into what happened to your world without knowing what it’s called.”

Edym knew this was true. It still put a sour seed in his chest. He thought of his sister, of Larxene. Harder still to grieve someone who was likely alive. But where was she? How would she feel seeing him again? Did she even care?

“I know it’s easier said than done,” Ienzo said softly, one night after they made love. “But you have to stop torturing yourself.”

“I know. I’m trying. I just…”

“Want closure.”

“Well. Yeah.” Don’t you ? He almost asked.

“I know. I wish I could… take that pain from you.”

“I just have this feeling that she’s alive, and I-- even if we just… hash things out, I don’t know.”

“I can’t say I relate totally,” Ienzo said. “But I know how it is to… lose people to the unknown.”

“Your parents?”

He nodded. “I scarcely have any memory of them anymore. My memories used to be so--achingly sharp.” He touched his brow. “Now, not so much. To take a page from Ansem’s book… if you’re meant to find each other again, you will. You have to trust in that.”

“You really believe that?”

He sighed, and smiled. “Call me crazy, but I do.” Ienzo kissed him. “Want some tea?”

---

Time passed. Edym kept waiting for the other shoe to drop--for things to get complicated and messy again. But they didn’t. Even eventually replaced the other kidney. He grew closer to the members of the restoration committee, became friends with them. When Scrooge offered him the opportunity to manage the post office instead of just work it, he took it. It felt nice to do something that had a positive impact, for once.

He was sweeping up one day after close when he heard the doorbell. They’d recently moved shop away from the strange little bazaar into their own building. “Sorry, we’re closed. Drop your mail in the box outside. I’ll handle it first thing.”

“Look at you, a cog in the machine.”

Edym froze. Very slowly, he turned.

“...Don’t look at me like that. Whose idea were the glasses? Almost makes you look not stupid.”

He made a strange noise. “How did you--when--I--”

Elrena looked tired, her skin sallow. “It’s a long and ultimately very boring story,” she said. She picked up a book of stamps, looked at it with something like distaste, and set it down. She was still wearing the black coat, he noticed. “Xigbar didn’t bite it, you know.”

He gripped at his elbow. “Yeah. I know. He almost killed me.”

“Really? I thought there was a--I don’t know. Rapport, or something, between you two. He was one of the only ones who could stand you.”

Edym blinked. Seeing her, he felt something a whole lot more complicated than he thought. Not relief. Not happiness. “So he found you and brought you here?”

“...Something like that. He said this was where you ended up.”

Edym shook his head slowly. “You wanted to see me?”

She smirked. “Call me sentimental, but yeah, I did. Was wicked weird when I found out. Lauriam just thought it was hilarious. Marluxia,” she clarified.

“So he’s around too.” Edym set the broom aside. “Well. Good for him, I guess.”

There was a pause. Elrena cleared her throat. “You’re going to snitch about Xigbar, aren’t you?”

“Probably. Yeah.”

“...Is it bad I kind of want you to?”

“More pot stirring?”

“More pot stirring.” She grinned. “It’s what I do best.”

“So what are you two doing with him, anyway?”

“Honestly? I’m not completely sure. But I’m helping Lauriam look for someone, and then after that… well. The World is our oyster.”

Without ceremony, Edym said, “Stelitzia.”

“Oh, you remembered that much?”

Woodenly, he nodded.

“Lauriam thought he remembered someone getting her killed. But considering that nobody in this fucking world seems to stay dead… well.” She shrugged.

“Why are you telling me all this?”

She dropped her eyes. “Like I said. All this talk of his sister… had me feeling sentimental. And that’s so not cool. I thought if I saw you it’d stop.”

“Did it?”

“Don’t know.”

Edym let out a slow breath. “How long are you in town?”

“Not long.” She took another few steps towards him. “If you want, you can come with us.”

He laughed. “No. No way in hell. Sorry.”

“Worth a shot.”

“Why would you want me anyway?”

“You could see her again.”

Edym put his hands in his pockets. “I don’t want to leave what I have here. I… I’m happy, you know? I feel like I’m… starting to finally do more good things than bad. My life is here. Whatever we had before, as kids. I don’t think it was a life.”

Her eyes darkened. “No,” she said in a low voice. “It wasn’t.”

“You could have a life here too,” he said. “Or… not here, anywhere you want. You don’t have to go along with Lauriam and Xigbar. You could choose.” He offered his hand, and for a breath thought she might take it.

Elrena smirked. Shook her head. “Nah,” she said. “I’ve got things to do. People to see.”

“And undermine?”

“With any luck.”

Edym nodded. His heart settled in his chest. “Just don’t get yourself killed again,” he said. “And slug Xigbar good for me, okay?”

“Maybe. He does always seem to be asking for it.”

There was a pause, longer than the last. “You’ll be okay?” she asked.

“Yeah. I really will.”

“Well, okay. Then I’ll stop worrying.”

“You were worrying ?”

“Come on, Edym. We all know you’re not great at planning for the long term.”

“Maybe I’ve changed.”

She waved a hand dismissively. “I should go. My ride’s waiting.” She headed towards the door.

“Wait--Elrena--”

She turned, her lips pursed.

“Why did our Nobodies hate each other so much? Cause I don’t think I hate you now.”

She thought about it for a moment, her teal eyes flashing. “The last time we saw each other, we fought,” she said. “Can’t tell you for my life about what.”

“About the cult,” he said, with clarity.

“The Dandelions,” she corrected.

“I didn’t want you to leave me.”

“And I didn’t want to have to baby my brother.” She shook her head. “Well. Turns out that never happened. You were stuck with me. Maybe I resented that.”

Edym nodded.

“And being a Nobody makes you angry for no reason anyway ,” she said, more lightly. “Does that answer your question?”

“I think so.”

“Then I should go.” For a second, it seemed like she might touch him.

“You have a phone?” he asked.

“What, one of those dumb things? What kinda budget do you think we’re working with?” A grin.

“...Right. Well.” He took a deep breath. “I guess… if I see you, I see you. And if I don’t…”

“Yep.” She put her hand on her hip. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

“You, either.”

“And hey. If I really need something, I’ll just write.” She winked. “Bye, Edym.”

“Bye, Elrena.”

When she left, she didn’t look back.

---

Edym sat heavily on the blanket. His joints hurt from a long day of work. It was his turn to bring the picnic, but instead of cooking, he’d been too tired, so he’d just gotten takeout from Ienzo’s favorite place. He hoped that would suffice.

“I know I’m late,” Ienzo called. “Even was being very--” He cut himself off, his eyes wide. He looked around the courtyard slowly. “When did you have the time--”

“I’ve been here almost all day.” His face flushed.

Ienzo walked around slowly, touching the new plants in their pots. The orchids. The lanterns Edym had hung around the peripherals of the property. He’d tried to repair some of the stonework in the floor, too, but accepted that he was a terrible mason. Ienzo turned to look at him. “Why did you--”

“We’ve been spending a lot of time here. I wanted to… make it nice.” He stood, wincing at the ache in his hips. “Aeleus helped me with this.” He reached over behind the old fountain to turn on the pump.

“This must’ve taken hours--days,” he said. He shook his head. “Edym, I--” He touched one of the orchids. “You even remembered these.”

“I wanted to do something nice for you. It is your birthday,” he pointed out.

Ienzo jerked.

“Did you forget?”

“I did entirely,” he admitted. “Time doesn’t pass in that cursed lab.” He wrinkled his nose. “Thank you.” He leaned in to kiss him. “Really. Thank you.”

He shrugged, the blush in his face getting hotter. “I… liked doing it. Let’s eat, okay?”

They did.

“...You know, you don’t have to work in that lab,” Edym said.

“It has been wearing on me lately,” Ienzo admitted. “But I have to be able to… do good work. Good things. It’s the only way I can sleep at night.”

Edym squeezed his hand. “No need for you to suffer doing something you hate.”

Ienzo shook his head. “I don’t hate it,” he said. “Knowing that I’m doing something worthwhile does feel good.”

“But it’s the coworkers that suck?”

Ienzo grimaced. “Quite. At least Even is at least partially distracted by the research work you’ve given him. He’s been criticizing my coding like his doesn’t look two or three languages behind.”

Edym chuckled.

Ienzo set down his bowl. “You know…” he began. “This life is no longer feeling quite so strange.”

“Isn’t that good?”

“I think so.” He put a hand to his chest. “I was worried that humanity would never feel quite right. Everything still overwhelms me. But… at least that sensation isn’t always negative anymore.”

Edym kissed him. They rested there together for a while longer.

“I mean, this whole mess only began because of my poor self-control,” Ienzo continued.

“ Hey. I don’t think we’re messy .”

“We’re a little messy,” Ienzo said.

“Well. I’m glad that it all happened. I feel like you’ve… helped me.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he said. He sighed. “Hopefully our next mistakes are equally fruitful.”

“Har har.”

Ienzo leaned back against him. For a while, neither of them said anything; they didn’t have to. “Shall we head back?” Ienzo asked. “I could use some--ah--stress relief.”

Edym smirked. “You got it.” He kissed him, longer this time. “Let’s go home.”