A Second Chance

A New Normal

 You guys are so sweet ♥ thank you for the kind words!

I actually tested positive for Covid this morning so looks like I might have more time than expected to work on this story lmao~

[♥]

The feelings flowing through Aqua as she sits on the beach, basking in the glow of the sunshine while seated beside one of her oldest friends, and two men she met years ago - when they were barely older than toddlers - is indescribable. But now all four of them sat here, together, all seemingly around the same age. It was surreal, and hard for her to find any words to speak to them. Truthfully, she was just waiting to pinch herself and wake up from this paradise, and find herself back in the nightmare that is the dark realm.

"I can't believe you're here," you speak up, breaking the silence as you glance over at Aqua.

The girl looks down at you, smiling softly. She takes a moment to study your features. Your skin didn't have the same perfect glow it used to when you were younger. The innocence was wiped from your eyes, and from the parts of your body she could see – your forearms and hands – you were covered in scratches and scars. She was dying to know what you'd gone through during her absence. But that was a conversation for a different day.

"Me either," she agrees, reaching out to place her hand over yours. "I'm so glad that you're okay."

She wants more than anything to ask about Ven and Terra. But if they're not here, with you... she's not sure if she wants to hear the answer.

"Sooo..." Sora speaks up, twisting his head back and forth as he leans backwards before suddenly snapping it up to look at you. "How long are we just gonna sit here? I'm hungry."

"... Are you serious right now?" Riku asks dryly, his face expressionless as he stares at his best friend.

"What? We didn't get to eat before heading out," Sora points out, crossing his arms over his chest as he lets out a frustrated huff.

"Idiot," you hear Riku mutter as he pulls his phone out of his pocket, tapping the screen a few times before holding it to his ear. "Hey. Can you come get us? We're at the beach, on Destiny Islands. ... Yeah... where we came back a couple years ago. ... Got a surprise for you ... Thanks. See ya."

With that, he ends the call, putting his phone back in his pocket.

"Who was that?" you ask as you and Aqua look over at Riku while he stands up.

"Santa Claus," he responds dryly.

"Wow, really?" Sora asks excitedly.

"Oh my God," Riku mutters under his breath as he pinches the bridge of his nose between his thumb and pointer finger as you and – to your surprise, Aqua – release light laughter.

"They've turned out to be a bit like Terra and Ven, hm?" she muses, glancing between the two guys as they bicker amongst themselves quietly.

"For better, and for worse," you agree, your heart swelling with equal parts happiness and sadness.

What you wouldn't give to have your old friends here...

"[Name]," Aqua speaks up, clearing her throat as she gathers the courage to ask the question you've both been dreading. "... What's happened? Where are Ven and Terra?"

Silence falls over the two of you. Where do you even start? 'Well, Aqua, you hid Ven somewhere and no one can find him. Terra has been possessed by Xehanort and his Nobody and Heartless for over a decade. Vanitas saved me and then made out with me, and now I finally managed to save you.'

"Well..."

Before you can answer, a Gummi Ship appears out of nowhere, hovering over the island. Donald sticks his head out, as a walkway leading up to it comes down.