As the sky begins to darken, both Sora and (Y/n) finally reach their home. As they walk through the doors the two are met with welcoming smiles. "Welcome home!" Aqua says, she was sitting on one of the kitchen chairs at the table. She was watching the TV from afar, the news specifically. "Thanks Aqua." (Y/n) says with a smile. He then looks around but doesn't see Terra,

"Hey, where's Terra?" (Y/n) asks. "Oh, he's been out all day. He told me he was going to look for a job, I wanted to go with him but he wanted someone to stay behind and hold the place down." Aqua says and Ventus comes out of the room he was staying in. "Oh good, you're home." Ventus says with a smile and both Sora and (Y/n) wave at him. "You didn't have any trouble right?" Ventus asks and Aqua raises her eyebrows in confusion. "Trouble? Did something happen?" She asks. (Y/n) shakes his head but since Aqua doesn't know anything about it, he explains what happened at school and his encounter with Budo.

"I see..." Aqua says as he places her hand on her chin. "Well I'm just glad you're okay. Me, Roxas and Vanitas were worried." Ventus says with relief apparent in his tone. "You guys are sweet worrying about me, but it's okay. I've been through worse remember?" (Y/n) says, which causes the others to grimace. That memory has not faded from any of their minds. "S-Sorry..." (Y/n) says, what was worrisome was just how casually he was able to say that. How can he just pass it off as if it wasn't life altering for him?

"I... should go work on my homework..." (Y/n) then retreats to his room, leaving Sora and the others behind. Ventus, Sora and Aqua look at each other with a worried expression. "Should... we talk to him about that?" Ventus asks. "Well... he didn't seem too bothered by it but... that is a bit concerning." Aqua says looking at both the remaining boys. Sora doesn't say anything but looks at the stairs (Y/n) went.

(Y/n) closes his door and as turns around he sees his mattress, TV and his bed sheets were gone. It made sense since they were heavily damaged and were unusable. Still it was a reminder that nothing is going to the same as it once was. Even if his parents told him to not worry, it's hard to not think of what will happen in the future. Even with that in mind, he knows his life can't go back to normal.

Who would expect their life to go back to normal? Someone with a normal life wouldn't be attacked by monsters, dragged to another world, being able to use magic, summon creatures, get controlled by a villain and then nearly die because of it. How would any of that be considered normal? And even then... talking about a near death experience so casually?

"Why would I even say such a thing..." (Y/n) sighs. Granted it's been several weeks since that incident, but in truth... he never had a moment to himself to let that sink in. Being surrounded by his new friends, it served as a major distraction from the events that took place. However, not acknowledging and leaving it in the back of the mind doesn't help at all. But now he has a moment, even if brief he can take this chance to simply reflect on what happened since then. (Y/n) sits down in front of his door, takes a deep breath and closes his eyes and lets his mind wander.

*—*

He begins to recall memories of those weeks gone by. Meeting Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Axel for the first time both through a screen and in person. It was the happiest he has ever been. Meeting them allowed (Y/n) to feel happy, that joy of having friends by his side and making him feel safe. Ever since he lost touch with his other friends, he never felt the same and that's why he remained quiet and withdrawn.

Then meeting the rest of the people he's gotten to know: Ventus, Vanitas, Aqua, Terra, Naime, Xion, and Roxas. Each day during his recovery of that final battle he spent learning about each of them and their lives. To have no one to lean on to having an entire group that will listen and care... it was overwhelming yet exciting. Learning about the people they each have met, the experiences they shared, their troubles and wishes. It was a dream come true to him.

Yet within that dream... was also a terrible nightmare. Fear was a constant factor. The fear of losing his parents, losing his friends, losing himself, and even his life. That time under Xehanort's will... every moment felt it would be his last... for he never knew if he would even return to normal. And to use his own body to kill his friends and the one he loves... with no control of his body whatsoever, it broke him. During that very battle, he tried to gain control yet within the recesses of his mind all he could do was struggle. He could recall every detail...

He was bound to the deepest part of his mind, chained from hands to feet. As he struggled he felt the chains pull as if they tried to tear him apart. The pain was immense... yet he didn't want to give up for it he did... he would truly lose himself to darkness and his consciousness will fade away as if he never existed. A fate worse than death. He would continue to defy until the pain becomes overwhelming... causing him to black out.

It wasn't until that moment... when he heard Sora and Riku's voices the memories they spent together came to him. Of their first meeting, of him trying to get used to this temporary life, the kindness they showed him. It was enough to loosen the chains, weakening Xehanort's control. Up until that final moment... where once the chains faded and the final blow was made... his mind became hazy... before drifting into a slumber, teetering on the edges of life and death.

*—*

Giving himself this time to absorb everything that has happened since then, he fell into silence, with the only thing he felt himself hear was the sound of his own breathing. He remains quiet until he hears a few knocks at his door. "Hey... (Y/n). You okay?" Sora's voice is heard beyond the door. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine Sora." (Y/n) replies, hiding his emotions by changing his tone to sound as if nothing was bothering him. Sora however feels the dishonesty in (Y/n)'s tone.

"Something's bothering you...." Sora says, sounding a bit worried for his partner. (Y/n) however tries to assure Sora that he is alright. "I-I'm fine. Really. I just... want to be alone for a bit:" (Y/n) says with his voice a bit more quiet than before. Sora, however ,was not convinced. "(Y/n) c'mon just tell m-" he then gets cut off. "Sora... I just want to be alone... please." (Y/n) asks softly, prompting Sora to understand that his partner didn't want any sort of company right now.

"Okay..." Sora says before turning away but instead of walking back downstairs, he sits beside (Y/n)'s door in silence. (Y/n) is unaware that Sora isn't fully gone and goes back to his thoughts in his room as the sunlight slowly fades from the window as it sets beyond the horizon. As the thoughts once again consume his mind for recollection.