A/N: Omigosh I'm so sorry this took so long! School had really taken my time away and I really wanted to finish this as it's the final chapter but it was hard to dedicate time to it. Luckily I managed to write a little over the last few weeks and this chapter is now complete. It's a little weird now that I've finished this story but I do want to thank everyone that took the time to read this and even leave a review! It means a lot to me that so many people enjoyed this!
InfernalFox: Influences, influences...
Chirithy564: I'm glad I was able to get the emotions right! Well, the resolution is now here and I want to personally thank you especially for your reviews, they really brightened my days and encouraged me to continue writing! I hope you enjoy the final chapter!
StratosOmega: Prepare thy heart
Spiderfan626: Sora is a forgiving person
Guest: Forgot which chapter I mentioned it in but basically Sora doesn't really have a biological father in this Au, it's kinda like storks but with a kingdom hearts twist
SuperSonicBros123: Luckily for you I had just finished this chapter and only needed to do some final edits
~Enjoy!~
The wind gave a gentle breeze, the grass swaying along with it, as the sun shone in the distance, rays of light reaching the ground and providing an air of peace and solitude.
Small muffled sobs were the only thing that broke the tranquil atmosphere.
Behind the Mysterious Tower at the edge of the cliff, Sora sat with his knees up to his chest, his head buried in his arms.
Clearing his throat and taking a deep, shaky breath, Sora lifted his head up and wiped his arm across his face. Tears continued to stream down his cheeks.
After his outburst in the tower, memories that were once lost resurfaced; many of which made his heart become engulfed in guilt. He had taken a moment to think things over.
He had also taken note to how he never drifted off anymore. All those moments had ceased. The voice had stopped. Ever since he brought Aqua back, it all stopped.
He let out a shaky laugh and passed a hand through his hair before gripping some of it in frustration, "What a mess."
Faint footsteps against the grass reached his ears. Knowing who was approaching and not wanting to face them, Sora buried his head back into his arms.
Aqua stopped a bit behind him, the breeze still blowing in a gentle manner. She pushed some hair behind her ear and stayed in her spot, struggling to find the right words to say and be careful.
"I'm sorry."
Aqua snapped her head towards Sora, head now up and his gaze set towards the horizon.
"I-I didn't…mean to yell at you," he choked out, " I'm sorry."
She watched his shoulders shake as he tried to not cry.
"After everything you did," he continued, "everything you've gone through, you didn't deserve this. I don't…I don't blame you for hating me now-"
"Stop."
Sora turned his head around to look up at her in confusion, tears still present in his eyes. Aqua felt her heart clench at the heartbroken sight, but nevertheless gave him a stern look.
"I don't hate you."
Taken aback, Sora opened his mouth to retort, "But I-!"
Aqua shook her head and took a few steps forward.
"I'll be honest, it did hurt," she let out a small sigh and directed a small smile in his direction, " but I could never hate you Sora."
Aqua kneeled down and gently cupped his face, "You will always, no matter what happens, be my light."
Sora brought a hand on top of one of hers, his eyes cast down in shame and his voice hurt, "Some light I turned out to be."
Aqua frowned and lifted his head to face her, "Stop beating yourself up on this, you had every right to be upset, I should have been more considerate of your feelings. You grew up with other people, formed bonds with them, they're the ones you've known your whole life."
She grabbed his hands and held them between hers, a solemn look on her face, "I was just so desperate to see you again…I didn't really think things through."
Sora remained silent for awhile, eyes on their connected hands, before he cleared his throat, "I've…I remembered…some things…"
Aqua raised her eyebrows in surprise, "You…remember?"
Sora's lips tightened into a thin line, "Not much but, little bits and pieces come to mind. Small things."
Aqua felt her heart beat slightly faster, "Like what?"
He remained silent for a moment before he let out a shaky laugh, small tears forming in the corners of his eyes, "I don't want to lose you."
Aqua's eyes widened as Sora dropped his head down again and tightened his grip on her hands.
"I was shocked," Sora whispered, tears streaming down his cheeks as he hid his face, "so much has happened in my life, and despite the dreams of past memories, I still turned a blind eye to everything."
Aqua remained silent for a while before clearing her throat and singing softly, "My dearly beloved, be strong I shall be there, always here beside you, so keep your head held high."
Sora slightly raised his head, "The shadows of this world will try to steal you away into their arms but you belong in mine."
Aqua smiled, "You remember."
Sora met her gaze. She watched as tears still threatened to spill and brought a hand up to his cheek. Sora placed a hand on top of hers and leaned into it. Her heart clenched at the sight, wanting nothing more than to take some of his pain away.
Aqua was pulled out of her thoughts when she felt more pressure on her hand. She watched as Sora's breathing became soft and his body relaxed. She smiled as she shifted down to a more comfortable position and adjusted Sora next to her. The whirl of emotions must have made him exhausted.
His head fell against her shoulder as she wrapped an arm around him and rested her head on top of his, a small smile on her lips.
His laugh was absolute music to her ears. His smile would be engraved into her heart for the rest of her life. She remembered how he always told others they had pretty smiles when he was younger, but she always saw his as the most beautiful.
Aqua closely observed every detail. His hair was still messy but held a sort of unity in it. His eyes were just as bright as she remembered. His skin was darker, most definitely from all his time on the islands.
She noticed the scars.
They littered his body. Some long, others short. Every once in awhile, he would place a hand somewhere along his body and a small wince would pass his face.
He would brush off her concerns. He would tell her that he was use to it, that it happened all the time. It was a common thing.
She knew that. Being a keyblade wielder, especially a guardian of light, would insure injuries. She knew that.
But she didn't like it.
Didn't like that his fate was tied to everything. Didn't like that he was a target to Xehanort.
Didn't like how quick he was to throw himself into danger for others at a disregard to his own safety.
It was her life.
He was reliving her life.
And she didn't want that.
"Sora?"
"Hm?"
"Are you…okay?"
Sora tilted his head, slightly confused, "What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine."
Aqua sighed, "What you're doing, it's a lot. You say it's okay, but it sounds like you do more than everyone combined."
Sora seemed surprised and shook his head, "Oh no, everyone works hard-"
"Sora."
Sora stopped. The serious look on Aqua's face startled him.
"From what everyone has told me, you've saved all of them. You fought off the darkness multiple times. You're even a target for Xehanort. You've gone through the most."
Aqua stared down at her hands, "I'm just… concerned for you. What you're going through… it's a lot like what I went through, and I don't want that for you."
An understanding look passed Sora's face. His eyes displayed comfort as he gave her a small reassuring smile, "I know about all of the dangers, but there are people who need our help. As scared as I may be sometimes, I'm willing to take the risks. I guess you know that too."
She smiled back, a small laugh escaping her, "I do, and if you're like me, then nothing will stop you."
Sora nodded as he turned his gaze towards his friends, "It may seem like I've done a lot for them, but they've done just as much for me."
He turned back to her, a bright smile on his face, "My friends are my power, and I'm proud to have them in my life."
Aqua returned the smile, "I completely understand."
And I'm incredibly proud of you too.
Sora slowly blinked his eyes open. Still slightly asleep, his ears picked up on humming.
He smiled as he began to sit up. Aqua rubbed his back as he let out a yawn, "You okay sleepyhead?"
"Yeah, sorry about dozing off there."
She shook her head, "No need to apologize. If anything, you should sleep more."
Sora let out a small laugh as he stared back over the horizon. Aqua watched for a while before letting out a sigh, "Well we should be getting back inside now, let the others know you're okay."
Sora nodded as Aqua stood up from her spot and offered a hand. He smiled and took hold as he was lifted up. Aqua began to walk back towards the tower when she noticed Sora still standing at the edge.
"Sora?"
He turned towards her and walked to her side. She didn't notice his nervous stance and turned around, only to be startled when a hand grabbed hers. She looked back at him, his gaze set towards the ground.
"I…"
She grew a little concerned, "What's wrong?"
Sora remained silent for a while before walking forward and embracing her.
"I love you Mom."
Her breath caught in her throat as she stood shocked. It was far from anything she expected, but it was definitely something she needed.
A small sob escaped her as tears trailed down her cheeks. She quickly wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug, never wanting to let go. He then tightened his embrace and she brought a hand up to his head and kissed the top of it.
"I love you too, forever and always."
Separated for over a decade, but they still held a strong, unbreakable connection.
Final Notes: That's it! Thank you again to everyone for reading and for those who left reviews and favorited this story! It was a pleasure to write this and share it with all of you. Hope you all take care, and maybe sometime in the future I'll write extra drabbles for this Au!