A Second Chance

Twilight Town

Vanitas is in this chapter. Vanitas doesn't use politically correct words. Do I call people retarded? Honestly, with my close friends, yeah we do. But I'm very sensitive to words like that just being thrown around because I know the harm they can cause! If any of you find it offensive, I'm sorry! But if anyone thinks Vanitas is like Sora and would change his language to make people more comfortable... well, have you ever met him? XD

[THE WORLD THAT NEVER WAS]

Vanitas was never really sure why he went along with the demand to keep [Name] safe down in the realm. It's not as if he cared about anyone's safety, including his own. But as much as he hates to admit it, he can't say no to Young Xehanort. It's the eyes... the second he sees those eyes, he's back in training with his Master, bloody and broken and desperate for approval.

So, he never let you leave his side during your time together in the realm. You were timid and weak, and he wasn't sure why the Keyblade chose you. But the Keyblade never choses the wrong person. There must be something hidden inside of you that makes you special... right? Especially if his whole purpose in keeping you safe is to make sure you stay by that beach to meet someone, a Keybearer like Ventus. You have to serve at least some level of importance in the coming events.

In your time together, you showed him kindness. He wasn't some monster or thing to you, he was a person – separate from Ventus, with his own personality and worthy of compassion. A friendship grew between the two of you, something he was willing to fight to the death to hide from everyone. The shame he'd feel if his Master found out he didn't just have a friend – not just a friend, but a champion of the light no less – is indescribable.

Yet he can't stay away. He'd watch you in Thebes, surrounded by your new friends. Part of him wanted to approach you, part of him wanted to run away and never look back. The last thing he deserves is the warm embrace of someone from the light.

But he finally did. And you accepted him as if the past never happened. The friendship deepened, and the two of you would meet in the shadows, drinking and pretending you were both normal. It couldn't last forever. He knew that. But it was nice pretending, just for a bit.

Of course, he wasn't as sneaky as he thought he was. Young Xehanort eventually caught on to his extracurricular activities and the fantasy was over, reality setting in. It was stupid to think he was friends with [Name]. You were just two souls stuck in a war, forever destined to be on opposing sides.

... Enemies.

He'd have at least one more taste of freedom though, he decided as he found you atop a tall hill one night in Thebes, his lips finding yours in a surprisingly soft kiss. There was no point in exchanging words, or talking about it. The two of you separated once again soon after, like ghosts in the night. And now you were gone, off with Sora and semi-reunited with Ventus (though you had no idea yet of his connection to Sora).

Was it all just a dream? He wasn't sure. But it felt like it. The longer Vanitas stayed here, with his old Master now resurrected and calling the shots, the more he felt himself slipping back into the darkness. It was both a blessing and a curse. As much as he hated the darkness, it always welcomed him like an old friend. It was safe and forgiving, less scary than the stifling purity of light.

"... Vanitas."

The dark-haired male blinks once before he glances up, his thoughts interrupted by the sound of his name being hissed loudly by his glaring Master, perched atop his throne. Ansem is on one side, Xemnas on the other.

"What?" he grumpily snaps.

"Don't take that tone with me, boy," Xehanort growls angrily, not used to being shown such a lack of subservience. "Status report?"