Stars for Unbreakable Connections (and Distant Memories)

"I knew I'd find you here."

The thoughts occupying Xehanort's head evaporated at the voice of his best friend.

Eraqus plopped beside the silver haired boy on the bench, the rest of Scala ad Caelum's island cities before them, Eraqus' family manor at their backs. The black haired boy's presence always have that effect on him. Whenever the cacophonic melody of distant emotions become too overwhelming, being by his side is enough to clear his mind and put his heart at ease.

For a short while, they just sat there, the half moon and twinkling stars overhead, the gentle night breeze slightly tousling their hair, the cold seeping through their clothes and for once, Xehanort regretted his usual choice of sleeveless attire.

"You're going to miss the rest of your party." Xehanort spoke, breaking the familiar and comfortable silence.

"Eh, the guests can entertain themselves without me." Eraqus shrugged, arms crossed behind his head. "What about you? You left the party early. Is something the matter?"

Xehanort hummed, toying with a certain star-shaped charm in his hands. Its very tempting to tell the other boy that nothing, nothing's the matter. But he never really liked lying, especially to Eraqus. Then again, there's no need to raise unnecessary concern. Its just a party– a really loud, extravagant, crowded party smacking and shoving him with all kinds of complicated feelings– but a party nonetheless. Just another thing he needs to get used to in Scala.

"Nothing. I just need a breathe of fresh air."

Eraqus raised a brow, not believing his best friend the slightest. "Out here? In that sleeveless coat?"

Now its the silver haired boy's turn to shrug. "Its not that cold."

"Xeha, its literally freezing out here–! Hm? What's that?" Eraqus' rant died out as quickly as it came upon spotting something shiny in Xehanort's grasp.

The silver haired boy instinctively hid it close to his chest. "What's what?"

"That! The one you're holding!" The black haired boy pointed.

Xehanort averted his gaze sheepishly. "Nothing."

"Again with the nothings, I know that's not nothing!" Eraqus lunged at Xehanort, trying to get a better look at the pretty shiny thing in his best friend's hand. Xehanort pulled the star even closer to himself, batting and swatting away the black haired boy's attempts with his free hand.

"Can I see it, pretty pleeeeaaaase?"

"No! Get off me!"

"Pleeeeeeeaaaase?"

"Nooo!"

"C'mon! Its my birthday today~!"

"Ugh! Of course you'll pull that card."

Then Xehanort made the mistake of staring into Eraqus' puppy eyes, and that's the moment he knew he could never say no.

With a huff, he bashfully revealed the charm to his companion. Five seashells, yellow in color fading to white around its edges, form the shape of a star. They are intertwined by crossed wires near the center, which holds the golden symbol of Scala ad Caelum's Keyblade Wielders. A silver chain is attached to one of its tips, allowing it to be worn as a necklace of sorts.

Eraqus' eyes sparkled with awe. "Woah! Is that what I think it is!?

"Mhm. Its a wayfinder." Xehanort said. At his friend's confusion, he continued. "I know its called a "Charm" around here, but in my homeworld, they are called wayfinders."