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mnsprime21 · 10 days ago

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One of my favorite things about Kingdom Hearts is that for all that it is a series about the power of friendship, it's also not afraid to make those friendships messy.

The relationships between the characters aren't always easy. A lot of the time they're messy and complicated. They hurt. Sometimes they're even outright unhealthy. But the bottom line is always that even if that friendship is a lot of work, or that it can bring you pain for various reasons, it's still worth it to go out of your way to build those connections to others and to put the effort in to make it better when things are rough. None of the relationships are 100% perfectly happy or smooth for these characters, because that's not how real relationships work! People are complicated. People clash and disagree. That doesn't mean it's not worth meeting them in the middle.

Take the Destiny Island trio for example. Out of at least the main trios, they're probably the healthiest, right? But even then theres been stuff that's driven them apart. Obviously, there's Riku's fall to darkness. His jealousy and fear over being replaced as Sora's best friend made him susceptible to Maleficent's manipulation, and even then when she tried to get him to cast Sora away, he never could. For all that he fights against Sora, he also tries for a long time to get Sora to join him. Riku cannot stop caring about Sora as much as he probably wanted to. And let's not forget that a large portion of his motivations for what he's doing in kh1 is to save Kairi. He's so desperate to save her that he no longer cares about what happens to himself, as long as Kairi will be fine. He attaches himself to her VERY strongly. Because she is also his best friend, just like Sora is. And she hasn't left him yet. But also, even after Riku's fall to darkness, neither Sora nor Kairi give up on him! The moment they're given the space to breathe the first thing they think about is how to save Riku. And sure, Kairi doesn't get to come along to save him, but it's hardly from a lack of wanting. Riku is her best friend as much as he is Sora's. They're a team.

Their friendship has had it's rocky moments, but they never stopped caring about each other throughout it. They were willing to put in the work to make sure they all came out of this okay. Because their friendship is more than worth the effort.

But! At the same time as the series tells you to be willing to work to maintain your relationships, it also makes it clear that there is a limit to how much you should tolerate. This is shown clearly through the relationships between both Axel & Saix, and Eraqus & Xehanort.

With Axel and Saix, it's largely about how their relationship has inherently changed due to both just growing up, and also the unhealthy environment they have been put in. Their friendship has been slowly deteriorating over a long time, and neither of them have been able to accept that. Because they are living in a situation where they know they can't trust anyone else. If they can't at least trust each other, what do they have left, right? So they endure. They pretend like nothings changed. It's not until Roxas and Xion comes into the picture and breaks that illusion of stability that they realize just how bad it's gotten. And the final nail in the coffin is that Saix gives Axel an ultimatum. Axel is willing to reshape his old friendship to fit in with the new ones, but Saix very much isn't. He's stubbornly clinging onto the feeling of what their relationship used to be, that anything that goes against it is a threat. Even if that relationship is no longer sustainable. And obviously, Axel chooses the other option. Because he knows he can no longer afford to cling onto it.

And sure, they DO eventually end up rebuilding their friendship anew, but the important part is that this comes AFTER Saix has actively made an effort to change and look at what his actions have done. The important step is that he actually reflected on himself, admitting what it is he was actually feeling and then working on it. He took the initiative to change entirely on his own.

As for Eraqus and Xehanort, the whole problem is that Eraqus refused to let go, even after Xehanort made it clear their ideologies and beliefs are inherently incompatible. And it's not even a "I can fix him" mentality from Eraqus either, because he never actually does anything to try and change Xehanorts mind beyond their fight over Xehanorts plan to ignite a Keyblade war. He somehow has the idea that Xehanort just needs to cool off and he'll come to his senses. Because of all of this, Eraqus ends up letting Xehanort get away with way too much. Scarring his face. Irreperably damaging an innocent childs heart. He invites Xehanort to important events, knowing full well the things he's done and is capable of. Eraqus' inability to let go of him despite everything ends in not only the loss of his own life at Xehanorts hands, but also dooms all three of his students to terrible fates. Ven becomes a weapon and gets his heart shattered (again), Terra is torn apart in ways that shouldn't even be possible to survive through, and Aqua gets trapped in the equivalent to hell for over a decade. All because Eraqus couldn't let go of someome who hasn't really been his friend for a long, long time.

I could keep going honestly but I do need to restrain myself somewhat. But man. Man.... Kingdom Hearts does relationships in such a complicated and interesting way and I love it so so much.

#this post 🔥🔥🔥#Xehanort #kingdom hearts #Riku

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mnsprime21 · 2 months ago

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Hi! I have found your blog recently and I love your works. Especially the Young Xehanort ones. Dark Road made me like him a lot.

If possible, could you write a fic with the reader wandering around Quadratum, after managing to follow Riku and Sora there, and reuniting (by sheer coincidence) with Young Xehanort there? Maybe set after your previous fics? Whichever works for you.

I really hope that we get more of him in KH4 after Nomura posted that umbrella artwork of YMX. It would be pretty cool.

Thanks and much love to the mods!

Hello!! Oh my goodness, I am so glad you enjoy my works, especially the ones with Young Xehanort. He's really grown on me too.

This prompt really got me inspired!! It is set in the same story line as The Young Master and I'm honestly inspired to do more of it if anyone is interested!

Thank you so much for sending this in and I hope you enjoy!

**Meet You in Quadratum ~ Fem!Reader x Young Master Xehanort**

Words: 3416

---------------------------

It was raining. Hard. Within minutes of arriving, you were soaked to the bone. Hair clung to your face and your makeup streamed down your cheeks in thin black rivulets. Buildings towered on either side of you, lining the streets with neon lights and windows that reflected the silhouettes of people walking with umbrellas unfurled above them.

You were one of the only people without an umbrella. It wasn’t as if you had known it would be storming in Quadratum when you arrived. The odd person spared you a sympathetic glance, but otherwise continued on their way. You ran your hands up and down your arms, shivering. Blinking through the droplets of rain, you gazed up at the skyscrapers. They disappeared into the clouds, seemingly endless in height.

All of it was reminiscent of your recent dreams, and in turn, like Riku’s before he left for Quadratum. He told you about the nightmares: waking up in a dark city, surrounded by skyscrapers, and pelted by rain. You hadn’t understood until he left. Then you started having the same dreams. Each night you woke up in a cold sweat, the sinking feeling of isolation and hopelessness festering in your chest. It rarely followed you into the waking hours of the day, but it was there now.

You paused at a crosswalk, staring at the illuminated red hand blinking on the other side. People gathered around you, their murmuring voices lost to the storm. The red hand switched to a blue walking stickman and the crowd began to move in unison. You allowed them to pass in their hurried pace while you walked slower. A couple went ahead of you. A young woman threaded her arm through her partner’s, resting her head against his shoulder. He held up an umbrella above them and kissed the top of her head. You heard the fleeting echos of her giggles and the low murmur of his reply. Your fingers tightened around your arms, wishing you weren’t alone.

It had been nearly a year since Xehanort’s passing, yet you still couldn’t look at another couple without it squeezing your heart. Sometimes it felt like you were struggling to breathe.

“Nothing can ever keep us apart…” his words rang through your mind like a mantra. The baseless reassurance and empty promise that everything would turn out alright. He wasn’t the one that had to live with the reality of it…

Why did I ever think it could turn out differently?

You closed your eyes tight and reopened them, forcing yourself out of the spiraling thoughts. This wasn’t the time to think about Xeha. You’d spent enough sleepless nights focused on nothing else. Riku and Sora needed you. Or, at least, that was what you were telling yourself. Master Yen Sid sent you on this mission to find them after Riku never reported back. Looking at the sprawling streets and endless buildings, you were beginning to understand how Riku might have gotten consumed by it all.

There was no sign of where you needed to go. You walked aimlessly, waiting for something to stick out. Things often had a way of working out that way when you went to a new world. You’d land and within the first hour something happened, seemingly by coincidence, that would set your course. The other Wielders of Light mentioned their missions were often the same way. Your hearts truly were the guiding key. It didn’t feel like it would be the same in Quadratum.

If only Xeha were here…

The thought crept through your mind, followed by a small lump in your throat. Even if he were there, you weren’t sure what that would change.

I wouldn’t be alone anymore…

You stopped midstep. The lump in your throat throbbed, making you suck in a sudden, strangled breath.

Even if I find Sora and Riku and bring them back home, I’ll still be alone.

“Stop, please,” you begged with a whisper. It felt so stupid, so pathetic, to fight with your inner voice.

You wiped your cheeks with the back of your hand, swiping away the mixture of tears and rain. The self pity wasn’t going to get you anywhere.

“You’ll catch a cold walking around in the rain like that,” Xehanort gently admonished you and a humorless chuckle escaped your chest.

I must really be starting to lose it if I’m hearing his voice.

“Here…” Xehanort’s voice spoke again, this time alongside the handle of an umbrella being pushed into your hands.

You blinked at the umbrella, the pelting rain suddenly stopped. Looking up, your heart lodged in your throat. Xehanort stood in front of you, his brow raised at your widening eyes.

Stammering sounds tumbled out of your mouth. “X-Xeh-”

“You should get home,” he interrupted you and walked past, his shoulder brushing yours. “Don’t bother trying to pay me back.”

It took you a moment to come back to reality. Everything suddenly felt like you were dreaming. Was he really there? Turning around, you watched him crossing the street. His hands deep in the pockets of his leather jacket, completely unphased by the rain now drenching him.

“Xeha…” The word finally formed, though it came out like a breath. Swallowing, you took a step forward. You felt heavy. “Xeha!” you said his name again, with more strength behind it, but it was lost to the storm.

You stumbled after him. Puddles splashed beneath you. The crosswalk was red, but you went anyway, dodging a car whizzing by. Strength returned, fueled by adrenaline and a racing heart. He was still ahead of you, unaware of your pursuit. Questions loomed in your mind, but you couldn’t focus on them. You needed to reach him first.

“Xehanort!” you yelled his full name, voice cracking.

He stopped, and straightened. You caught up, your chest heaving. You held up the umbrella to cover both of you. Pellets of rain bounced off of it, the sound drumming in your ears alongside the beating of your heart. Xehanort looked down at you, curious.

“Have we met before?” he asked.

Your heart sunk. He really didn’t recognize you. “Xeha…” you said, words tightening in your throat again. “It’s me… Y/N.”

His amber eyes flickered over your face, searching for recognition.

“You don’t remember me,” you realized.

I should have known.

You looked away, feeling ashamed, broken. Your grip tightened over the umbrella’s handle. It had happened… He had told you that if he ever died, he’d be sent back to his original time, with no recollection of the things that happened. That was where you expected him to be. Safe, and unharmed, back on Destiny Islands. Yet, here he was… in Quadratum, without the slightest idea of who you were. A million things shoved around in your mind of things to say to him, of things to do to beg him to remember. None of them came out.

“But you seem to remember me,” he said.

Words failed you. If anything came out, it would falter into a sob. Instead, you nodded.

“Nothing can keep us apart…” his words echoed inside of you.

They were baseless and ultimately lies, weren’t they, even if they were made with the best intention. You looked up at him, a sheen of emotion over your eyes. He stared back, his brow knitted together.

“I…I just wanted to thank you…” you whispered with a tremble in your voice, “for the umbrella.”

You handed it back to him and he reluctantly took it. Maybe this was for the best. His new life without the Organization breathing down his neck. Without the lies and the secrets to keep your love hidden. At least you knew he was okay.

Turning around, you walked away with heavy steps. He watched you go, you could see his reflection in the buildings. After a moment, he turned and continued on his way. Tears spilled down your cheeks, mixing with the rain.

Clothes tumbled in dryers and spun in washers lined up against the walls of the laundry mat. Rain continued to stream down the window where a neon sign blinked, ‘Open 24/7’. You sat huddled up on an old scratched up plastic chair, watching another person’s clothes go round and round with suds and water in the washer directly across from you.

You found out quick that the munny you brought from your reality didn’t work in Quadratum, which meant no place to stay and no where to eat. The laundry mat wasn’t where you wanted to call it a night, but at least it would keep you dry. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead. One in the far back corner sparked, its light flickering more erratically than the rest.

No one acknowledged you in there, and that was fine with you. It left you alone with your thoughts. You hadn’t found Sora or Riku, the main reasons you were even sent to Quadratum, but you had discovered Xehanort. Only a few hours had passed since the interaction and your mind couldn’t stop replaying it. There was so much you could have said, but you let him go. You felt both pathetic and proud of yourself for it.

The only thing I would have accomplished by begging him to remember me is looking like I’m insane.

You wished you could understand why he was sent to Quadratum after he died, rather than back to his own time. He looked so… normal. Regular civilian clothes and softened features. Was he happy? You dearly hoped he was.

The door to the laundry mat swung open, chiming a bell. You didn’t bother to look over at who came in or who left. Not until someone sat down beside you.

“You don’t have anywhere to stay, do you?” Xehanort asked.

You jumped out of your seat, a squeak slipping out of you. Everyone glanced over, but ultimately went back to their business. Xehanort remained seated, the hint of that smirk curving his mouth.

“How did you…?” The question died in your throat and you swallowed. “What are you doing here?”

He let out a breath, relaxing into his seat. His gaze drifted over the laundry machines. “I asked first,” he replied. “Do you have a place to stay? Or is this what you’d call home?”

You slowly lowered back into your seat, staring at him. “I… I’m fine here.”

A huff of a laugh escaped him. “You are until the owner comes in an hour. Trust me, she doesn’t like loiterers.”

Hearing him say the word sounded so casual, yet wrong in his voice. Quadratum truly was a different reality. The hint of a smirk teased your face. “You know from experience?”

He shrugged and looked over at you. “I have an extra room.”

You blinked, once, then twice. Blush rose to your cheeks. “I thought you didn’t remember me.”

His smirk faltered, softening into a straight line. “I’d like to remember. Not just you, but… everything.”

“I’d like that, too,” you admitted, your voice soft.

Xehanort wasted no time and stood up. “Then come on.”

He walked away and you scrambled after him. You stayed close at his side when he opened his umbrella outside. He tensed at the close proximity, but didn’t push you away. Walking through the streets at his side held a familiarity to it and you linked your arm with his, almost without thinking. He glanced down at you when you did, but again didn’t stop you.

The two of you reached a tall apartment building. It was nicer than the area where the laundromat had been. White columns held up the marbled awning and a uniformed man opened the doors as you approached. Xehanort led the way to an elevator and it was only then that he removed his arm from yours so he could close up his umbrella. You forced yourself not to look at him, even though deep down you wanted to stare and memorize every new detail about him.

Instead, you watched the floor counter above the elevator. There were several floors and the little red arrow went downwards, reaching the bottom floor before the door chimed and slid open. Xehanort stepped inside and you followed. He pressed the button leading to the thirteenth floor and you couldn’t hold in the snort of laughter at the ridiculousness of it. He didn’t understand the humor.

“Does part of you remember anything?” you asked him as the elevator slowly took both of you up.

He glanced over at you, then back at the elevator doors. “I don’t know what are memories and what are dreams… I assumed everything was a dream until you claimed to recognize me. You… seem familiar somehow. Though, I don’t know who you were to me.”

You took a deep breath, tangling your fingers together. “You used to say… nothing can keep us apart.” With a soft bitter laugh, you admitted, “Since you… disappeared, I thought that was an empty promise.”

“Nothing can keep us apart…” he repeated the words under his breath, then cleared his throat. “Then… I imagine you must have been someone important.”

That was an understatement…

You looked over at him and opened your mouth to say something, but it dried out at the sight of his eyes desperately studying you. He wanted to know, to remember you. His gaze drifted to your lips, the quickly away. Blush warmed the tips of his ears.

“Very important,” he added with a lower voice.

Nerves trilled up your spine, releasing as a shuddered breath. “Xeha…” you whispered his name and he looked up at you. Swallowing hard, you stepped forward and closed the distance between you. His breath hitched, his hands floating at his sides, unsure what to do. Feeling his lips back against yours made you want to cry. It was so soft, so warm, so familiar. The kiss lingered, but you pulled back before it went on too long. Xehanort’s eyes took a moment to open.

Your heart thrummed in your ears. Heat radiated off your face and you stepped back quickly. “Sorry, that was… I shouldn’t have done that,” you scrambled the words out, turning away from Xehanort and pressing your palms against your hot cheeks. “What was I thinking, right?” You forced out a laugh, grateful for the elevator door dinging and opening to the thirteenth floor. “I can head back to the laundry-”

“We were together,” Xehanort realized, “weren’t we?” When you didn’t reply he added, ”Y/N?”

You turned towards him, both of you still in the elevator. The door started to slide shut and Xehanort held out his hand, stopping it.

“We never quite figured it out,” you admitted, your hands running up along your arms. “We wanted to be, but…”

“Something was stopping us,” he finished and you nodded. He hummed, looking out into the hall of apartment doors. “This way.”

You walked out alongside him, neither of you saying anything. He stopped in front of his door, 13-7. You stared at the number as he unlocked the door. Was all of this some sort of weird joke?

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he opened the door.

“Nothing…” you replied, tearing your eyes away from the apartment number and heading inside after him.

He flicked on the lights and you took everything in. It was a larger apartment than you expected. The kitchen was at your right, completely white cupboards and appliances with a black tile backsplash. A hallway behind the kitchen led to the two separate bedrooms and beyond that was the living room. A black leather couch took up most of the space. It was L-shaped and faced a fireplace with a large screened television propped above it. Large abstract paintings hung on the wall, most of them black and white, spare for one. It hung in the middle between two tall, thin paintings. You walked up to it, staring at the strokes of paint. The shades matched your hair and eyes, creating an impressionist garden.

Your heart fluttered. Even if he couldn’t remember you completely, details seeped through.

The wall between the paintings and the fireplace was covered with large windows. They looked out into the city down below and the seemingly endless skyscrapers. Looking up, you could see the faintest glimpse of the stars between the storm clouds and streaks of rain against the glass.

Xehanort walked over and stopped beside you, joining you in looking out the window. “I prefer this view when it’s raining.”

“It’s beautiful,” you agreed softly, “in it’s own way.”

Both of you went quiet, allowing it to linger while you watched the thin streams of raindrops slide down the glass. Your hands relaxed at your sides. Minutes passed and Xehanort’s fingers ghosted over yours. Without saying anything, your fingers interlaced with his. He let out a soft shaking breath, but didn’t pull away. You smiled to yourself, while also swallowing a lump of emotion.

“What was stopping us?” he asked, his voice quiet and low.

You knew what he was referring to and considered your words. “We were both warriors… but, we were on opposite sides.”

“There was a war… wasn’t there?” he asked slowly.

“The Keyblade War,” you answered, your heart twisting at the memories. “We were supposed to be enemies, but…”

“Things changed for us,” he finished. “I… dreamed about it.”

“About us?” you asked, looking over at him.

The colored lights from outside casted over him. “There were flowers everywhere. Taller than us.”

“Wonderland,” you recalled. “That was where I realized I was falling for you.”

“Me too, I think,” he replied with a soft awkward laugh. “Your face was never clear in my dreams. But they always felt so real.”

“They were real,” you assured him, turning towards him completely. “Every moment.”

A subtle smile tipped his mouth before it fell. “I don’t understand how I ended up here…”

“I’m still trying to figure that out,” you admitted. “How much of a life have you had here?”

He opened and closed his mouth a few times. “I… don’t remember a childhood. I woke up down there in the streets.” His hand went against the glass. “Couldn’t remember anything.”

“So you did have experience at that laundromat,” you teased gently and he glanced over at you, a huff of amusement exhaling from his nose. You smiled shortly, then mulled things over. “We always thought you would end up back on Destiny Islands, back in your time.” You shook your head. “But… I guess we were wrong.”

“Destiny Islands,” he repeated the name, then laughed shortly. “I guess there’s a lot to cover, isn’t there?”

“A bit,” you agreed. “But you can take all the time you need.”

He turned to face you, his eyes dancing over you. His hand hesitantly raised and brushed your cheek. “You are really here.”

You leaned into his touch, a giggle slipping out. “I could say the same thing about you. I thought I lost you.”

“What happened to me?” he asked and your eyes averted from his. “Y/N…”

You shook your head, placing your hand over his along your face. “Later. I don’t want to remember it right now.”

His thumb caressed along your cheek, feeling the heat of your blush. “I suppose I was right… Nothing can keep us apart.”

With a soft kiss to his palm, you nodded. Tears prickled the corner of your eyes, but you weren’t sure if they were from happiness or the idea of having to tell him how he was killed. Either way, you breathed in the moment, your eyes sliding shut. Warm lips pressed against yours. Your breath caught, followed by a soft whine as you instantly kissed him back.

Xehanort hummed in your mouth. His hand released yours and his arm wrapped around your back, tugging you closer. It was as if things had never changed. His lips moved against yours in perfect rhythm, taking the lead and taking in everything you had to offer. Your free hand went to his shoulder, your fingers clinging to him before sliding up to the side of his face. The kiss broke in a rush, both of you breathless. Your faces were a breath apart, your eyes barely open just enough to see the other gazing back.

“Stay with me,” he pleaded with a whisper. “Please.”

You nodded, smiling. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve missed you so much, Xeha.”

A grin grew across his face before he met your lips back together.

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-Mod Lucky

#xehanort x reader #xehanort

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