Chapter Text
It was hard to pinpoint the exact moment when it all began.
The first time they met, they didn’t have the time to stop and think about why they looked exactly the same. Too many things were already going on, being in the middle of the Keyblade War, and it was not like stranger things hadn’t happened before in his short life. He assumed Ventus felt the same way.
Then, after Xehanort was defeated and they could go back to their normal lives, they slowly got used to each other’s presence.
Having so many friends in common, it was inevitable for them to see each other. It began with them exchanging some glances from opposite sides of the room; maybe a smile, and a few kind words. Eventually, they started to talk to one another.
If he had to choose one specific moment that kick-started their friendship, it would be that day.
Roxas remembered it as clearly as if it was yesterday.
Ventus, Terra and Aqua had recently come back from the Realm of Darkness, and Roxas and his friends decided to visit them at the Land of Departure to learn what they discovered during their quest to find Sora.
Roxas listened with attention as the trio of friends recounted everything that happened during their mission, hopeful that they’d found something that would help them find Sora. His jaw clenched when it became clear that was not the case. No news, no hints, nothing. Sora disappeared, and no one knew anything about where he could be, or how to find out. Roxas and his friends were trying to help, too, but their search through his and Xion’s memories had yet to bring any results. He only wished he could do something, anything, to bring Sora home.
He raised his gaze, feeling someone’s eyes on him, and he was met by identical blue eyes staring back into his. It lasted only for an instant, and then Ventus diverted his gaze to go back to listening to Aqua’s words.
Despite their moods dropping at the news, Aqua insisted that they stayed the rest of the afternoon at the Land of Departure, enjoying some time all together, as it didn’t happen that often.
Roxas stayed still as his friends gathered together in small groups and the conversations switched to less serious topics.
He looked at Xion, who was showing Riku a bracelet she made using some seashells she gathered the last time they went to the beach together. Olette introduced her to this new hobby, and she’d been showing proudly to everyone all her new creations. Riku smiled at seeing her gush about her work, but Roxas could sense the pain hidden behind both of their smiles.
Not too far from them, Terra and Naminé were sitting together on some chairs. It looked like Terra was carving something into a piece of wood and Naminé was following with great interest every little movement of his hand. It seemed like they were enjoying their time together, as both of them were talking and smiling.
His gaze then turned towards Axel, who seemed to be, once again, bickering about something with Aqua under Isa’s amused smile. Ventus was with them, but it didn’t seem like he was enjoying the conversation or maybe–Roxas guessed–he was bothered seeing two of his friends not getting along.
Roxas must have been staring too hard, because Ventus turned towards him and for an instant their eyes met once again. Ventus offered him a small smile before returning to pay attention to whatever Aqua and Axel’s conversation was about.
Roxas smiled back but, as soon as Ventus turned away, his smile slipped off his lips, turning into a frown.
It was nice being all together, just being able to have a good time. That was Roxas’ biggest wish—just having a normal life and seeing his friends being happy. But not all his friends were there, and the one who deserved to get to rest and relax most of anyone was missing.
A sigh escaped from his lips, as he spared one last glance at his friends, and walked out of the room. He needed to take a breath of fresh air.
The darkness of the night welcomed him the moment he stepped outside. He hadn’t realized they’d been there for that long.
He walked outside for a bit, before his eyes were captured by the thousands of stars that were glowing in the sky. Roxas didn’t think he had ever seen such a beautiful spectacle before his eyes before, and he wanted to take in every gift this new existence would bring him.
Roxas found a spot where he could see the starry sky clearly and sat on the grass. He closed his eyes, enjoying the peace and quietness of the night. He’d been needing some time alone. The days when they were all together were the hardest for him.
His eyes flew open and his muscles tensed when he heard the sound of steps and sensed someone approaching him. He relaxed when he saw Ventus sitting on the grass next to him.
“Did you get tired of all that chattering too?”
Roxas was surprised by the question. Granted, he hadn’t spent too much time with Ventus and he didn’t know him that well, but he was under the impression that Ventus enjoyed spending time with all of their friends.
Roxas nodded, without diverting his gaze from the sky. “I just needed some time alone. That’s all.”
“Oh, sorry! I can leave if you want.”
Roxas looked at him out of the corner of his eye and could tell that Ventus was waiting for him to say something.
“It’s fine. You can stay.”
The other blond immediately relaxed and smiled at him, before lying on the grass and joining him as he looked at the sky.
“The stars are beautiful, aren’t they?” Ventus said, breaking once again the silence that had fallen over them.
He glanced briefly at Ventus, noticing his relaxed expression while he observed the sky. He seemed content to just lie there next to him and look at the stars. Roxas nodded before redirecting his gaze towards the sky.
“I love stargazing. Before anything happened, at night, Aqua, Terra and I would always come here to watch the stars together.”
Roxas hummed, signalling Ventus that he was listening. It was the first time they talked to each other with no one else being with them. Roxas felt slightly awkward as he was not used to talking with the other guy.
“I’ve never stargazed before,” he said in the end, trying to add to the conversation.
His comment made Ventus jump up in a sitting position again, and he looked at Roxas with his eyes wide open. “For real?”
Roxas shook his head. He never really had the chance to. “It was always storming in The World That Never Was,” he explained, while his hand played distractedly with a blade of grass, “and there is only sunset in Twilight Town.”
“I can’t imagine living in a world without stars,” Ventus said. “Terra used to tell me about how every star is a different world. The light is their hearts, and it's shining down on us like a million lanterns. There exist so many worlds we have never explored yet.”
Roxas was listening with attention to Ventus’ words. He looked up at the thousands of stars that were shining brightly in the sky, wondering if Sora could possibly be in one of those worlds. He felt something clutching his heart as he remembered Sora’s smile and everything his Other did for him. Sora, more than anyone else, deserved to be there that night. He would have loved to see all his friends together.
“I miss him a lot, too.”
Roxas turned toward Ventus in surprise. How could he know what he was thinking?
“Everybody does,” Roxas mumbled, holding his knees close to his chest.
“I know, but it’s different,” Ventus said. “I’ve been with Sora for so long. We’ve been so close, so connected in a way that it’s difficult for most to understand.” Ventus stopped for a moment, and glanced at Roxas. “But I’m sure you know what I mean.”
Roxas nodded. He could understand it way too well. “I get it. Actually, I feel the same way.” He wondered if Xion felt the same. She’d been in Sora’s heart with them too, after all. “I didn’t get a chance to thank him for everything he’s done for me, or to spend some time with him outside of his heart and become his friend for real…”
Ventus smiled sympathetically at him, then he lowered his gaze. “I wish I could do something more to help him. After everything he did for me…”
“I know,” Roxas said, clutching his legs closer to his chest. “But I’m sure he’ll get back to us. He promised it after all, and he always keeps his promises,” he said, looking up at the stars, and hoping that their wishes could reach Sora even if they were far away.
Ventus smiled at Roxas’ declaration. “Yes. You’re right.”
Roxas smiled back at Ventus. He felt some sort of comfort in Ventus’ smile and knowing there was someone who felt the same way as him.
He tensed once again when he heard some steps behind them. They turned around, only to be greeted by Xion’s smile.
“There you are,” she said, looking at them with an amused smile. “We’ve been looking for you. You shouldn’t just disappear like that,” she said, shaking her head jokingly, even if her smile betrayed a hint of sadness.
Ventus got up on his feet, offering Xion an apologetic smile. “Sorry, Xion. We won’t disappear like this anymore,” he said, scratching the back of his head.
“You better!” she offered Ventus a brief smile before turning her attention to Roxas. “We’re about to head back to Twilight Town,” she said.
Roxas nodded. “I’m coming.” He took one last glance at the starry sky before him, trying to memorize the wonderful spectacle, before getting up and going back to his friends.
Ventus let Xion walk ahead as he approached Roxas again. “It was nice getting to talk with you,” he said, smiling at him.
Roxas looked in surprise at Ventus before nodding tentatively. “Uh, yeah. For me, too.”
“Let’s hang out sometimes,” Ventus proposed, looking up at him expectantly for an answer.
“Sure. I’d like that,” Roxas nodded, seeing his friends waiting for him in front of the castle, ready to leave. “Then I’ll see you next time, Ventus,” he said, waving at Ventus before running toward his friends.
“Wait, Roxas!”
Roxas stopped, turning once again toward his look-alike.
“Call me Ven,” Ventus smiled at him. “All my friends do.”