#my enormous silly vest just to keep one little phone | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

aliceslantern · 3 years

Text

Give/Take, a Kingdom Hearts fanfic, chapter 7

Ienzo has been too busy since the war to be overwhelmed by the past. But with little progress to be made in his work with Kairi, old nightmares start to invade.

Riku is a glorified housesitter. Lonely and faced with no choice but to wait for a way to find his friends, he eagerly accepts when Ienzo asks him to help do repairs around the castle. Before long, the two strike up an unlikely friendship, united by their dark pasts and their attempts to be better people.

But just as they begin to consider something more... Kairi wakes up.

Ienzoku (Ienzo/Riku), post-Melody of Memory, slow burn. Updates Thursdays until it's done.

Chapter summary: Kairi wakes up, and thinks she has a clue as to where Sora might be. Riku and Ienzo are separated.

Read it on FF.net/on AO3

---

The day had made him raw, and Ienzo was jittery. He needed to sleep, and he had a feeling they both needed to think and process what had just happened. Riku walked him to his room. “Will you be around tomorrow?” Ienzo asked. The borders between them had shifted, changed, and he wasn’t really sure what to make of it.

He shook his head. “I actually have to go for a few days. Mickey and Yen Sid wanted to see me about the dreams. For once… having something to do…”

“No longer so appealing?” Ienzo smirked. “I see.”

“He wants to tell me what they’ve found so far, but I have a feeling… it’ll be nothing.” He sighed. “At least the food there is good.”

Ienzo laughed a little. “Travel safely,” he said. “I’d like to keep you all in one piece.”

“I don’t think that will be an issue.”

A pause, a beat. It was very clear Riku wanted to kiss him again.

Ienzo felt a flush in his face. “That’s your cue to kiss me goodnight,” he said.

“Right. Ah--”

He did so, lightly. It was clear that learning how to do this properly would take time, but already it was less fumbling. Ienzo wanted to pull him close, to bury his hands in that long soft hair. He settled for squeezing him chastely around the waist, and kissed his forehead when they broke apart. “This is all new, I know.”

“Very,” he agreed. “So… I’ll see you soon.”

“Yes. Goodnight.” He watched him walk away before slowly easing himself over to the bed.

Well.

He felt giddy. Dizzy. He couldn’t help the uneven smile on his face. He wanted to hold onto this happiness, to understand it better, but already doubt was creeping in, self-loathing. Rather than cave into these thoughts, Ienzo… fought them.

You’ll corrupt him.

He said in so many words he wants someone like me.

You don’t understand feelings. You’ll hurt him.

This is new for him too.

What happens when Sora and Kairi come back and he leaves you in the dust?

Does a solid year of friendship and flirting mean nothing ? Let me have this. Please just fucking let me have this.

Ienzo blinked. Did he deserve this, this unfamiliar happiness? The sudden whisper of potential ? “I think I do,” he whispered aloud, and felt a tear roll down his face.

He lay down and slept heavily for the longest time he had in weeks.

---

With the morning sun came reality. He’d hoped to see Riku off, but he’d overslept, and the hallways where they lived seemed emptier than normal. Ienzo shook his head dazedly, shed his dirty clothes, and took a shower. His body felt unusually heavy, or maybe he was just more aware of it, aware of every bit that had been touched. When was the last time someone had touched him? Ansem’s paternal squeeze of the hand did not count. When was the last time he’d been hugged? It was all so intense, and his skin felt almost itchy, almost thirsty . Despite warm water, he trembled, and he remained there until Dilan yelled at him through his bedroom door to save some hot water for the rest of them.

Ienzo got out of the shower. Slowly. For once, he actually looked at himself in the mirror instead of immediately dropping his eyes. He took a deep, shaky breath. If this continued…

He drew his fingers delicately across the scar at his throat, which was still thick, angry, and pink. He’d have to tell him that this was what the Riku replica had done. Moreover… if things went further still… there was the unfortunate reality of… He swallowed hard, forcing his eyes up from the all-too-empty space between his legs. He was getting way ahead of himself. They’d just kissed , and that did not necessarily imply more. He tried to draw his focus away from there, trying not to feel the utter blankness between his thighs.

Regardless of how far things physically went, would it be prudent to tell him about this? Ienzo didn’t have to, he knew, but just for full disclosure--

He can get over the reality of what you’ve done, but he can’t get over the fact that you have a--

Ienzo flinched inwardly, cutting the thought off. This was a silly insecurity. If, and only if, they were ready for any form of physical intimacy, he would consider the implications. That could be months--longer--away. This whole distraction might be over by then. Plenty of time to gently broach the subject of his gender. But that would mean vulnerability. Opening his tender, childish heart.

Ienzo sighed and started getting dressed. He was just slipping on his sweater vest when his phone started ringing. Even. He frowned and answered. “I know I’m late, I’m on my way--”

Even was yelling. “ Boy, get down here at once, she’s awake. ”

Oh.

Oh. “I was right,” he said dazedly, snatching his ascot and coat. He nearly forgot shoes . He finished dressing messily and started running.

“What were you right about?”

“I said she’d wake up at the year mark but that was conjecture--” God , why was this place so enormous? When had he gotten so out of shape?

“Well get down here,” Even snapped, and hung up.

Ienzo dialed a number he’d never called before. Riku picked up instantly. “She’s awake,” he said breathlessly. “She’s--”

He gasped. “I’m coming.”

Kairi was, naturally, a bit dazed. Even was checking her vitals, and Ansem had made her a cup of coffee. Still, she was able to offer Ienzo a smile when he came into the room. “Hi Ienzo,” she said.

He tried not to wheeze for breath. “How… how are…” He coughed. “How are you feeling?”

“Ironically? Sleepy,” she said. “I… I have to tell you what I saw--”

“Take your time. Adjust to being awake,” Even said.

“I told Riku,” Ienzo said. “He’s… he’s on his way.”

“Riku,” Kairi said, with a sigh. “How long have I been asleep? ...Do I want to know?”

Ansem and Even exchanged a glance. “Almost an entire year.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “...Really? I didn’t think--” She took a deep breath. “Wow, I… I’m so sorry.”

“ We are the ones who felt like we were failing you ,” Ansem said.

“Get up for me? How does your body feel?” Even helped Kairi gently to her feet.

“Fine--I’m not sore, or anything…” She kept blinking, disoriented. “So many dreams. So many memories. I’m really awake?”

“Verifiably so,” Even said. “Why don’t you just relax, and adjust for a moment?”

“What did you see?” Ienzo asked.

“Sora’s memories-- my memories--”

“You saw his memories?” Even asked.

“Yeah. It felt like I was him… but then…” She gasped a breath. “I need Riku’s help.”

“He’s coming. You need to try to stay calm,” Ienzo said.

Kairi sat back down. Her brows were tightly knit together.

Over the next hour or so they just tried to keep her calm, and answered her many questions as to what had happened over the past year. She was able to eat and keep it down, and physically seemed as though she had woken up from nothing more intense than a regular sleep. When Ienzo told her that Riku had been here regularly to check on her and be with her, this seemed to be some small comfort.

Riku, too, was breathless when he finally arrived in the lab. “Kairi,” he said. “Kai--” In three steps they had gathered each other into a hard, tight hug. Ienzo tried to swallow the small, small seed of jealousy. She’s his best friend.

They let them have their moment. When they let go at long last, Kairi was crying. “Your hair. You grew it back out.”

“Uh. Yeah.”

“Thank god . The short hair was so not you.”

Riku chuckled, and Ienzo saw him trying to suppress tears as well.

Even cleared his throat. “Can we please get back to the matter at hand?”

“Oh, Even,” Ansem said, slightly scolding.

She sighed. “Right. You aren’t going to believe this.”

She told them everything.

---

“If you arrive in a world that’s neither of light or darkness but somewhere on the other side, your task will be far from easy?” Ienzo repeated, trying to understand.

“Yes. He said that’s the answer.”

“Not of light or darkness, but on the other side?” Even said, spreading his hands, as if repeating it more times would make it make sense.

“I’ve never heard of a place like that.”

“Something else he said perplexes me. “Your voice can’t reach us. I’m certain of where your heart is.”"

“You would assume that he was referring to the realm of darkness, but that clearly isn’t the case here, wouldn’t you say?”

“Where voices can’t reach…” Ansem repeated, trying to think. “The other side of our world, of reality… Unreality? A fictional world?”

“Fictional?” You have got to be kidding me.

Ansem just sighed. “I’m afraid such mysteries are beyond our comprehension.”

“Maybe Mickey or Master Yen Sid knows,” Kairi said.

“Maybe…” Riku said. “Maybe this has something to do with…” He trailed off. “Mickey had mentioned that--”

“Your dreams?” Ienzo offered.

Dazedly, he nodded. “But… how, and why--”

He didn’t get to finish the thought. A bright flash and sparkle made them all jump back. An older woman in a purple dress was suddenly standing in the middle of the lab. “Oh, excuse me dears, I certainly didn’t mean to startle you. If you’re not expecting magic, it can be a surprise.”

Riku chuckled. “No kidding.”

“Now then. I am the Fairy Godmother. And it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

“She came here at Yen Sid’s request. He said she’s got a clue that might help us find Sora,” Riku said.

“Yen Sid sent you?” Kairi asked.

“That’s right. To find Sora, we need three keys. First, Riku, and then of course there’s you, dear Kairi.”

“Okay.”

“With Riku’s dreams and Kairi’s memories, you two have already done your part.”

“The clue to the other world Kairi talked about,” Riku murmured. “The city…”

“A fictional world,” Ienzo said, shaking his head.

“Yes, perhaps,” Ansem said. “The three realms of our world--light, darkness, and between--these are all places we can travel to because they are on “our side.” This also includes the worlds of memories, data, and dreams. If I am correct, then this “other side” of the world from which voices cannot reach must be a place outside of our reality. Namely, it must be unreality, or fiction. But that is the extent of our knowledge.”

You have got to be kidding me, Ienzo thought a second time. Useless again.

“So, I thought we should go to Mickey and Master Yen Sid to ask about it,” Kairi said.

“I’m not quite sure they’ll be able to help you, my dear,” the Godmother said.

The frustration on Riku’s face was obvious. “Then what now?”

“Oh, you forgot; there are three people who hold the key. There’s still one more. One with a strong will and a very precious dream.”

“Who is it?” Kairi asked.

“You’ll see. I’ll introduce you.” She smiled. “But… it’s best to be prepared for anything.”

Riku and Kairi looked at each other. “We should get supplies,” he said. “Just in case.”

She nodded, then turned back to the three of them. “Thank you so much for all your hard work,” she said.

Riku looked at Ienzo especially when he said, “yeah. Thank you. I can’t say it enough.”

“At least we were finally able to provide something useful,” Even said, shaking his head.

“We should make sure Kairi is in fighting shape before we release her into this world,” Ansem said.

“I can help with that,” the Godmother added. “The place where we’re going isn’t dangerous, but it might lead into something beyond. Riku’s right. Best to be prepared.”

“Then I’ll go stock up,” he said.

Ienzo exhaled a little. Right. “I might already have a few things so you don’t have to spend your money. I’ll get them for you.” It was a lame excuse, and sounded it, but nobody seemed to notice, too distracted dealing with Kairi. Once they were out of earshot, he said, “I’m sure it’s perfectly clear I have no supplies. I wanted to check in with you. How are you feeling?”

He put a hand to his head. “Overwhelmed,” he admitted. “Excited? Afraid? Relieved? I don’t--I’m not even sure I understand --fiction? What?”

“I’m not totally sure I do either,” Ienzo admitted. “I suppose we just have to trust in this Fairy Godmother woman.”

“If she’s with Yen Sid then she’s trustworthy,” Riku said. “I just had… no idea this is what those dreams meant.”

Ienzo looked around. He couldn’t see anyone or anything. He took both of Riku’s hands and squeezed them. “Wherever you go, whatever you do, be careful,” he said. “I… what I said about wanting you in one piece. That very much stands.”

Riku smiled a little. “I’ll try.”

“And if you are able to contact me at all--though I doubt you will be able to--please do.”

“Of course.”

There was a long pause. “I shouldn’t keep you anymore,” Ienzo said. “I just… wanted to say that.”

“Thank you,” Riku said. He took a breath and pulled Ienzo close, squeezing him so tightly Ienzo felt his heart racing. He pressed a kiss against Ienzo’s forehead and then, quite quickly, his mouth, and it was a bit messy and desperate, attempting to drink each other in in this brief moment before separation. “I’ll let you know as soon as I’m back.”

“ In reality. ”

He exhaled. “Yes.”

“I hope you two can find him.”

“Me too, Ienzo. Me too.”

Ienzo hugged him one last time and watched him walk until he could no longer see him.

#give/take #ienzoku #ienzo/riku #ienzo #riku #kairi #even (kingdom hearts)#ansem the wise #fairy godmother #kh melody of memory spoilers #cw: mild dysphoria

2 notes · View notes