Who: Sora & Vanitas When: The first week of February/Feoveuer Where: Darkness House What: These two weirdos somehow bonded and now they have to deal with it. Warnings: tba!
[After a very complicated and stressful bonding ceremony Sora finds himself acting as a human crutch under Vanitas’ arm as he helps support him and bring him back to his room. They walk together slowly but he can feel how uncomfortable and feverish it feels between them still. There is this strange burning sensation under his skin as he feels Vanitas across their new wayward bond. Magic is so erratic and weird here and he’s going to need time to get used to it.
But at least he knows that now that they have managed a bond that Vanitas won’t be a sick anymore. Seeing the other so sick and possibly even dying was harrowing. And as complicated as their situation is, their relation to each other is, Sora couldn’t just leave him the way he’d been.
So, while weak himself now, Sora hobbles across the room and helps deposit Vanitas back in his bed.]
[ This... Well this isn't how Vanitas had pictured his first Bonding to go. Of course he hadn't thought that he'd really need it anyhow, even with everything that the Coven had told him. He'll... Probably reveal that to Sora later on. When he can actually ascertain the brat's intentions. N a moment of life or death by explosion, yes Vanitas can concede that he needs help.
However... He still wonders if Sora's feelings on the matter had been more out of pity than anything else. Vanitas still has a hard time wrapping his mind around the concept that people can, and do care, and want nothing in return.
Right now he's far too exhausted to deal with all that crap. It's better to save all of that for when he's actually had some rest and can process. Sora still hasn't left yet and Vanitas doesn't understand why. Surely the brat wants/needs to seek out his friends. What's he doing lingering here?
As soon as he hits the bed, it's a struggle. Van growls, now way too hot and rips off his shirt. There's sill another, thinner layer underneath. Just a tanktop ( or the equivalent ) but it does expose his arms and the scars. It just feels better with his now low-grade fever. ]
Yeah yeah... Now you're free to hunt down your friends.
[He really probably should rush off to go find his friends but he's already made the decision that he would make sure Vanitas really is okay before he even thinks of leaving. How does he know that if he leaves that somehow Vanitas wouldn't get sick again? He doesn't! Sora's being stubborn about this, he knows.
Sora frowns as he watches Vanitas struggle, his eyes quickly roaming over the scars and knicks that he sees on Vanitas' exposed arms. He glances away for a moment before he looks back and huffs. He suddenly feels very exhausted himself.]
I don't think I should go, just yet. What if you still need something?
[ What if he still needs something? Is this kid serious? For Van's part, he groans and rolls his eyes. While he is feeling better, even he knows he hasn't fully recovered yet.
He also feels Sora's exhaustion. It mirrors his own, really. ]
[What else could Vanitas need? Sora can't help but wonder what he usually needs when he's caught a cold or a fever. Usually a lot of water and soup and cuddles...
Sora nods and quickly kicks off his shoes and begins to climb into the bed right next to Vanitas without even asking. He tugs the blankets around and slides in without a second thought.
[ Hello. What is this? What does Sora think he's doing!? Vanitas immediately sits up again - something he really shouldn't have done because now he's dizzy all over again. ]
What's it look like I'm doing? We're gonna take a nap.
[Sora says this like it's the most normal thing in the world to want to do. Sora's exhausted so that probably has something to do with Sora being slightly less filtered right now but also this bed feels incredibly cozy.
[ SINCE WHEN DOES THERE NEED TO BE A "WE" INVOLVED HERE? Really, Vanitas looks at Sora completely at a loss for words. Strange connection they may have... Bonded they may well be... But that doesn't mean that Vanitas is safe. That doesn't mean Sora should be so carefree. ]
[What's so unsafe about a half exhausted Sora cozied up in a bunch of blankets, who knows. Sora gives Vanitas a puzzled look before he huffs and gently tugs Vanitas down by the arm. Oh- Probably that.]
I'm not gonna bite your head off or something... I just wanna sleep too.
[ Stop touching him so casually. Sop acting unafraid and so casual. How can he just decide these things on his own without stopping to think for a moment? Vanitas is so confused. ]
But why are you like this? You've done enough, haven't you? I'll be fine and your friends will no doubt enjoy your company more than I would.
[ One of those emotions Vanitas can very easily identify. He knows it almost intimately. The emotion of loneliness always conjures up Hareraisers when Vanitas had felt it. It's not something he's felt lately - and how can he actually living with people?
So... It could only be Sora, right? ]
That's a flat out lie. You don't need anything else? Go to them, Sora. They'll fill that little void you're feeling.
[ Because Vanitas won't. He's never fit anywhere... Not even his own "home." ]
[Sora frowns, feeling something sink in his stomach when Vanitas points out a little sore spot inside of Sora. Can he really tell that sore spot is even there? It makes him feel slightly embarrassed, his own cheeks heating up with a slight pink.
Everything was such a whirlwind. He came from defeating Xehanort and nearly destroying his own heart in order to save everyone. The next thing he knew he felt himself fading away and falling through some strange mirror and waking up in this place. He'd finally been able to help the one person he couldn't before and now... He's being told to leave? I kind of just makes him feel a little lonelier.
He decides to smile a little before he shuffles in the blankets and ... tugs it over his head.
[ Wait. Wait, why is the feeling only getting worse? Shouldn't Sora be relieved? He can go back to his friends! Surely that's what he really wants... Not to actually stay here.
But Vanitas is starting to get the impression he is misunderstanding something. What's even going on? Why is the kid covering himself up? Is he hiding. ]
Sora. Sora.
[ Not kiddo. Not brat. Just straight up Sora. Vanitas is already trying to tug the blanket off. He even growls out of frustration. Confusion. He really doesn't understand. ]
[He's hiding because he's so tired. Everything is catching up to him because of the magic burning under his skin. He's not sure if it's because of the stressful bonding ceremony on top of everything else but he just needs a moment. A moment to feel like everything he does is good and for his friends and he just...
Sora sobs quietly, trying to sniffle it up quickly before Vanitas can notice. He holds onto he blankets tightly so Vanitas can't pull them away.]
[ Only it doesn't work that way, Sora. There's being able to stifle the sound that crying and tears may make... But there's no hiding the emotions there. And with the Bond so new and whatnot, Vanitas can feel it.
It's such a raw emotion that he stops tugging the blankets. Or maybe it's the shock of seeing and feeling the tears fall from his own face. He reaches up to touch his cheeks. ]
Why. Why are you crying.
[ And why is Vanitas shaking? The last time he had shed any actual tears had been months ago at this point, because the pain just wouldn't stop. But this... This isn't that. ]
[He inhales awkwardly as he feels the tears trickle out of his eyes. He tries to rub them away but he's always been really bad at keeping his tears back. He sobs softly, wanting nothing more than to just sleep right now.
But when he hears Vanitas Sora peeks out of the fabric of the blanket. When he sees tears working down Vanitas' cheeks too he sits up, letting the blanket fall away.]
Vanitas? ... Sorry- I just felt a little sad...! But I'll be okay. [He didn't mean to make his own feelings affect both of them?] What's happening? Why are you...
[He reaches up to brush his own tears away with another sniffle. He doesn't want to make this about him.]
It's nothing, Vanitas...
[He mutters quickly, trying to pull himself together.]
I was happy I got to help you. I guess being told to go away just hurt a little. I know I want to see my friends too but I'm sure they wouldn't be worried if they had to wait a while longer.
[Does anyone really need Sora now that he's helped them? It's hard for Sora to believe sometimes. But as long a he knows he's helped, he's fine.]
[ Too bad because Vanitas is making this about Sora. In fact he practically grabs Sora's face so the brat can't even avoid his gaze. ]
Stop lying. It's not nothing.
[ Stop trying to put yourself together. Vanitas had said it before right? Stop being so selfish. Actually admit to all this crap you're actually feeling.
Is this really because Vanitas told him to go away? ]
I figured that's what you'd want, Sora. You already helped me so what would you really need to stick around for? I'm not... I'm not them.
[When grabbed Sora looks at Vanitas with wide blue eyes. He's not even sure why he's telling Vanitas all these things. Is he compelled to because of their new bond or is it because he's just so worn out right now? It's hard to tell.]
You're important to me, too. [Sora admits with a tremble in his shoulders.] I don't care if you don't think the same way.
[Sora tries to tug his face away from Vanitas.]
That's why I want to be here. Why can't you just let me stay for a little longer?
[ Did the whole 'you define me' go over this kid's head or what? All Vanitas does in response to Sora's answer is to tilt his head. Confused. Sort of disagreeing. He's not really all that important. Just a piece in a puzzle. A thing to be discarded when there's no longer a use...
He huffs, releasing Sora's face rather than letting the kid be the one to do it. Van then turns over and gets readjusted under the blankets. Fine. Sora can do what he wants. ]
Because everyone leaves.
[ That is the simple truth of it. He's always been alone. The people of this household don't count. They are just as broken as he, but in different ways. No, it's better if Sora leaves now, before he fully realizes what he's gotten himself into and leaves anyway. ]
[Sora frowns softly, watching Vanitas settle back under the blankets. It's not that he doesn't remember Vanitas saying those things to him, it's just...
They can argue more about it later...
With a small tired huff, Sora flops back down in his spot next to Vanitas too and pulls the covers up. It's still warm between them, the magic heavy and still feverish but it's- cozy.
Everyone leaves--? Well, Sora doesn't want to be the same as everyone else. Not in this regard.]
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