Chapter Text
Sora was strong. He has saved the worlds many times and is regarded as a hero to many.
He went off at the age of 14 and while he didn’t usually travel alone, it was his strength of heart and willpower that got him through.
Now at the age of 17, certain people see him as a boy who must be protected. Even though they never acted like that when they needed him to literally save the worlds.
This was brought up when he was originally tasked to visit a recently discovered world by Yen Sid, Sora was ecstatic! He finally got to go and explore new worlds and have new experiences without the whole saving the world thing hanging over him. His spirits dampened when the Master said he needed to pair up with one of the other masters though, as this could prove to be a challenging job on his lonesome. That comment felt like a slap in his face, after all that he’s done for them and worlds you’d think Sora could be trusted to take on more dangerous missions. His mind was whirling with a ball of complicated emotions, but he smiled as if nothing was wrong. He has to be the happy and friendly boy people know him as, even now that his accomplishments apparently mean nothing!
It was also just his luck that Riku was also away on another mission so he was going to have to be paired up with either Terra or Aqua, who aren’t bad people and he really respects them. But he knows he can handle this kind of mission himself, without a babysitter. Thinking back on how his best friend was able to go out on missions solo, but he wasn’t made that ball of emotions grow even more in his chest.
Sora shoved these negative thoughts away as he turned his attention back to Master Yen Sid, where he said he’ll talk to the others and see who is free. Really he just wanted to run out and get started on the mission himself, but he knew the others would just follow him, and then he’d be in trouble for not following the old man’s orders. If it wasn’t for the others also working under the master, then Sora would be off on his own and knowing himself he’d find and solve problems just fine without being assigned missions anyway. That is just his type of luck.
The whole situation had put him in a bad mood, one that was rare for the young man. So as soon as the briefing with Yen Sid was over Sora shot out of there like a bat flying out of hell. He needs away from this blasted tower and people who think him incapable. He busted into the gummiship like his life depended on it and imputed some well known coordinates.
The drive to Radiant Garden was probably one of the worst flights Sora’s done since he learned to control the ship, and once he has to fix it up he’ll definitely be regretting it. Those were thoughts for later though, right now all Sora wanted to do is go home, technically his second home, and rant about the unfairness of life with his fathers. While Leon and Cloud weren’t his biological fathers, they had taken him under their wings and if at some point he started to call them “Papa Cloud” and “Dad Leon” well then that's their business.
He touched down just outside of town in a spot that's well-worn from the amount of time his gummiship has spent parked there, and quickly made his way home. The town has been slowly getting put back together and some sections have been blocked off until they cleaned the area up enough for it to be safe. It made the place look like a puzzle with sections still missing. Over time Sora has come to love this town and the people who work so hard to return it back into the place it once was.
Usually the brunette would wander the streets a bit and get caught up in helping out, but today was not one of those days. As he neared the newly built home that they made for his dads he started to lose his composure, his real feelings starting to break through the mask.
Thankfully for him there was at least one of them home, and Sora’s pretty sure it’s Cloud based on the shoes near the door. Although with both men always wearing black it wouldn’t be a surprise if he mixed up their shoes. Sora took his own shoes off and set them down next to his dads, knowing he’d have to sweep the floors if he got them dirty again.
In the next moment Cloud was standing in the doorway into the kitchen and leaned against the wall as he took the sight of his son in. The way Cloud always knew exactly when Sora walked in was like some kind of sixth sense. Along with how easily he picked up on his distress as well, so it was no wonder the blonde instantly had a calculating look in his eyes trying to decipher what was wrong.
“Something tells me that the meeting with Yen Sid didn’t go as well as you hoped.” Cloud stated. It was then that Sora’s temper finally flared as he had no reason to hide it around his dad, and he told the story and what Yen Sid said to him.
How they only saw him as a young boy.
How his past achievements meant nothing.
How he wasn’t someone they could trust if he wasn’t the only option.
How it hurts.
By the time he was done with the retelling the anger that burned hot was reduced to a smolder that just felt him feeling sorry for himself and on the verge of tears. The kind that burns hot with frustration and sadness.
Cloud gave his son a hug and just held him, slowly rocking side to side in an attempt to comfort the keyblade wielder. The father’s mind turned with the words he wanted today to that old man, but knew it wasn’t the time for that.
After a while Cloud voiced a suggestion “If the problem is you going alone, why don’t I tag along?”
Sora’s face turned up toward the man as he thought it over, he wasn’t told he had to go with another keyblade user, just that he can't go alone. A small mischievous grin took over as Sora thought of putting the idea into action and replied “You know what, I think that’s even better than going on my own. Going on an adventure with you would be so fun!” Sora let go of Cloud and took out his gummiphone, intending to let the Master know about his decision, specifically not asking if he can do it and just that he is.
Once he was done messaging the old man with his plan he turned his attention back to Cloud who was watching on with a soft look on his face. Sora gave him a thumbs up and yelled out as he ran off to his room “I'm gonna go get ready! You should too so we can leave before they add more silly rules!”
Cloud gave a huff of laughter at his son’s emotional turnaround and started to ponder the logistics of going on this trip. His Restoration Committee work could be put on hold, and knowing his husband Squall would probably just do Clouds share himself. The man’s habit of overworking himself always got worse when Cloud was away. He continued going over his mental list of preparations as he got his things together, excited to spend quality time with his son and maybe keep his fighting skills from going rusty. If it’s a world steeped with darkness enough that they're sending the precious keybladers out to scout then something's got to be happening, and when those kids are involved it’s always something big.