Chapter Text
“Hey Riku, you doing okay?” Sora asked, standing behind his best friend with Kairi by his side.
It was the eve of the Keyblade war and the trio decided to spend their last night back home. The play island was picturesque as usual; soft pink hues bathing the sand as the last golden rays of sunset sank beneath the watery horizon. The smell of salt and hibiscus was carried along the warm evening breeze. Such a nostalgic scent the three friends hoped wasn’t their last time enjoying.
“Yeah… just mentally preparing for tomorrow.” Riku replied with a soft smile.
“You don’t have to prepare alone anymore you know. We’re here for you if you want to talk.” Kairi added, sensing Riku wasn’t really telling the full truth. He never was the best liar. “We’re heading back home now, we can all row together.”
“You guys go on a head. I just want to enjoy the sunset a little while longer.”
Sora and Kairi exchanged a look. Something was bothering their friend, but they knew if Riku really didn’t want to talk, nothing they said or did would open him up. “Well… if you’re sure.” Sora reluctantly said.
“Try not to stay out too late. We need plenty of rest before tomorrow.” Kairi advised.
“Yes mom.” Riku chuckled.
After a moment’s pause, the two hesitantly left. Out of the corner of his eye, Riku watched till both boats disappeared completely from his sight before letting out a heavy sigh. He pulled his knees up to his chest and buried his face in his folded arms. He did want to tell them the truth but, in this case, there was really nothing they could do to solve the situation. Maybe he could ask to stay with one of them, but he didn’t want to impose of their last night with their families.
Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, he heard the sound of a corridor opening behind him and his senses immediately alerted him to who it was. Without having to look up. He let out a small sigh as the familiar heartless stood to his left.
“Ansem. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be off conquering another world in the name of darkness?” Riku quipped, finally looking up at the other.
The Heartless chuckled as he sat down beside his former possession, “I should be asking you the same thing. Shouldn’t you be enjoying what might be the last night of your life with those you love?”
Riku cocked his head. Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t think of a time he had ever seen Ansem just sit and relax somewhere. He couldn’t sense any real threat and Ansem wasn’t sitting uncomfortably close, so he didn’t mention it. He also wasn’t wearing his organization cloak but rather his usual coats. “I asked you first.”
“Such an impudent brat.” Ansem chided with very little bite to his words. His face softened though as he looked towards the sinking sun. “I just wanted to watch the sunset from my home world… one last time.”
Riku’s eyes widened in surprise, “Never thought you’d be the sort for enjoying sunsets.”
“And why not? It’s watching the sun’s light willing succumb to the darkness every night. I believe that’s very befitting a heartless’ nature.”
Riku scoffed. Of course, that’s why. A moment of silence fell between them as the final glimmer of light gave way to the rich purple hues of the night sky. The stars began creeping out one by one keeping the world from going completely pitch black. There was also a slim crescent moon that appeared. The island was still as beautiful as ever.
“Of all the worlds I remember travelling to, Destiny Islands always had the best sunsets. Quite ironic given how much my younger self wanted to escape.” Ansem mused quietly, breaking the silence.
“Better than Twilight Town?”
“Mmm. A world in perpetual twilight loses its appeal quickly. I still can’t understand why those children are so fond of that world.”
Riku wasn’t sure either but he wasn’t one to question why something was special to another person. “I guess one who knows nothing, can never understand nothing.”
“Brat.” Ansem retorted smacking Riku upside the head. Riku glared rubbing his head but it wasn’t that hard. More messed up his hair than anything else. “Now I believe you are to answer my question.”
Discomfort forgotten, Riku looked down, pushing his boot further into the sand. He contemplated lying like he did to Sora and Kairi but Ansem would know immediately. Unfortunately, that’s what happens when a crazy humanoid heartless dwells in your heart for almost two years. It was practically impossible to keep secrets. He also wouldn’t back down till he got the truth.
“I don’t… have a home to go to… anymore.” Riku admitted in a quiet voice. He half expected Ansem to laugh at him or mock him, but the heartless simply remained silent; just staring at him and waiting for him to elaborate further.
“My parents disowned me.” He continued.
Ansem’s actually widened this time, surprise plastered all over his expression. While he had access to Riku’s heart, he got to experience a lot of his memories. But he had noticed that Memories of his family were tightly locked. All he knew was his home life wasn’t the best. Why else would a five-year-old be so eager to leave an island paradise? He still didn’t say anything, giving Riku room to speak.
“I thought, having been gone so long, that they might be happy to see me again. But I guess my absence only caused them more troubles than my worth. They thought they were getting their son back to finally take over the family business. I tried telling them that I couldn’t stay forever anymore. I ended breaking the World Order by telling them I’m a Keyblade master. I even showed them my Keyblade! But that just seemed to make them more upset… They gave me an ultimatum that either I was to stay at home or… never return again.” Riku explained.
He didn’t say which choice he made but Ansem easily picked up the context clues. It was unusual to see Riku so distraught, but he had an impression all these feelings had been bottled up and needed release. Either he was going to tell someone or take it out on a defenseless heartless or nobody.
It took Riku a second to realize he just blabbed a very personal issue to his enemy. He didn’t know why it was easier to talk to Ansem than Sora or Kairi. Maybe it was because they had shared a being for so long that Ansem was the only one who could truly understand. Though they still were on opposite sides and a part of him feared Ansem was going to use this information against him now. But when he looked into the heartless face, he was surprised to see compassion. Not even just pity but genuine benevolence for his situation.
“When I left these islands, originally, I was no older than you were. I didn’t even spare a second thought for my parents and honestly, I never saw them again. I missed them on occasion, but I had bigger things to worry about than them. One thing I learned is: blood may make you related, however true family is forged by connections. And you’ve made a lot of connections on your journey. Several you could consider your new family.” Ansem said carefully.
The younger man stared at Ansem in awe. “That’s… quite profound coming from you.”
“And whatever do you mean by that? Has not everything I’ve told you been beneficial to you in the long run?”
“Well… most of the time all I hear is darkness, darkness, darkness, submit, darkness, darkness, darkness.” Riku replied doing his best Ansem impersonations.
The two snorted before letting out a hearty laugh. Riku couldn’t recall a time they had laughed together either. But it felt good in spite of everything. A part of Riku wished things could have always been like this. It was nice having someone to talk to who understood. As the laughs faded, another moment of silence fell between them. It was broken by Ansem climbing to his feet.
* “I should return now. There is much we still have to prepare for tomorrow.” Ansem said. Darkness rippled over his body, peeling away his favorite coat and replacing it with the black leather one.
“You know, your other outfit looks better on you. Less… constricting.” Riku commented.
“I actually have to agree with you there.”
“Maybe you could wear it for our final battle?” Riku suggested.
“I’ll consider it.” Ansem said.
“Ansem?”
“Hmm…?”
“Thank you.”
“Hmph. Don’t mention it. Try to remember what I said. Get some rest Riku.” And with that, Ansem stepped through a portal and disappeared.
Left alone with just the sound of the lapping waves, Riku pondered Ansem’s words. After a moment, he caught onto what Ansem was alluding to. He called forth the gummi ship and took off towards Disney Castle. Thankfully by the time he arrived at the front door, the hour was not too late as he gave a timid knock on the door. As he waited, he looked around the dark courtyard. It had been a long time since he visited.
“I’ll get it.” He heard the queen’s pleasant voice through the door. “Oh Riku its you! Mickey! Riku’s here!”
Riku offered the two mice a polite smile as they greeted him at the door. “Riku, what can we do for you pal?”
“Could I… could I stay here tonight?” He asked quietly.
“Um… sure I don’t see why not. Wouldn’t you prefer to stay at your home though?” Mickey asked. Riku didn’t answer but his eyes told the whole story. Mickey did always say his eyes couldn’t lie. “Sure, thing pal. Come on in.”
“Oh you’re just in time for dinner! I cooked Mickey his favorite dish and we have plenty of food. Please help yourself!” Minney said excitedly as she led Riku inside.
Riku’s eyes widened as he was led into the banquet hall. The table really was covered in all sorts of delicious looking food. The teenager realized he hadn’t eaten all day. Some broomsticks carried in another chair which was placed at the end of the table where two chairs were already set out. Mickey sat at the head with Minnie to his right and now Riku across from her. After a little encouragement to help himself, Riku filled up his plate.
As he ate, he mostly listened to the conversation between Mickey and Minnie. They asked him some general questions, gratefully not prying into why he was there. His chest began to tighten. He suddenly realized, he had never had a home cooked meal with his family like this before. Sure, his mother cooked meals but the dinner table was always quiet. His father would read the paper and his mother would read a book.
If they did have a conversation with their son, it was usually in regards to his academic studies. One distinct memory was when he was ten, he walked home with Sora after their school’s kendo club. Sora’s house was first. Sora came from a large but poor family. His father was a fisherman and his mother stayed home taking care of his younger siblings. Sora was the middle child of five siblings. Despite how little they had, they were always happy.
“Mom! Mom look! I got a B- on my test!” Sora shouted running into the house.
Riku stood on the outside watching the loving family embrace their son.
“That’s great Sora! We should celebrate.” His mother said before spotting Riku outside the open door. “Oh Riku, would you like to join us? We’re just about to sit down to eat.”
“No thank you ma’am. I should get home…” Riku declined.
“Well alright. Take care of yourself getting home now!”
That was probably the first seed of jealousy planted in Riku’s young heart. Sora had a family. All Riku had were two people who claimed to be his parents. But now, things had changed. Ansem was right. Despite all the bad circumstances, he did make connections along the way. Mickey was practically a father figure to him. He took another bite of the fresh mackerel as tears pricked the corners of his eyes.
“Oh! Riku! Are you okay?” Mickey exclaimed.
“Hmm? O-Oh sorry yeah no I’m fine. This food is just that good.” Riku laughed it off, quickly wiping the tears away.
Mickey and Minnie exchanged a look but didn’t push further. One day Riku would tell them the truth. After eating their fill and then some dessert, they continued sitting at the table just talking. A grand clock suddenly chimed 10pm.
“Oh my goodness it’s gotten late. You both need your sleep. Come along, I’ll take you to your room.” Minnie said hopping off her chair.
The two lead Riku through the many hallways until they came to a large white door marked with a shooting star. Inside was a spacious guest room, decorated in white, reds and gold. The two mice bid Riku good night and headed off to their own room. Belly full from a delicious meal and laying in the worlds’ softest queen size bed, it didn’t take long for Riku to fall into a deep sleep.
For once, he fell asleep smiling.