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kh_drabbleTitle: Half the Battle
Challenge: [265] Darkness
Word Count: 235
Notes: I don't think I'm ever going to be happy with the ending to this one, but due to upcoming IRL events I either post it now or never, so here it is. Also, I have a terrible weakness for angsty headcanon back story, especially where no back story is given. Per usual, there are SPOILERS for Birth By Sleep.
He knew darkness.
It was in the blank eyes of the townsfolk as they simply looked past or through him, not bothering to spare a kindness for the starving boy who so desperately needed it.
It was in the slamming of the doors that left him homeless and alone in the cold every winter's night.
It was in the act of cruelty that had given him the broken rib that ached and burned in his chest every time he took a breath.
He bore it as long as he could, days and weeks and months of shivering in loneliness and pain, until the chance to leave his world arose and he took it.
Years later, after warm meals and bed rest had strengthened his body and kindness and friendship had warmed his heart, he listened to his Master teach him and Aqua about darkness, about the effects it had on the heart and the monsters it created. It was the only lesson after which Terra had no questions; growing up as he had, he knew darkness.
Or so he thought.
It wasn't until later, much later, too late, that he realized he had not known it nearly well enough - to see it inside himself, to recognize its effects, to control it - and so he fell, in much the same way his Master had warned him about.
Now he knew darkness entirely too well.
Challenge: [265] Darkness
Word Count: 235
Notes: I don't think I'm ever going to be happy with the ending to this one, but due to upcoming IRL events I either post it now or never, so here it is. Also, I have a terrible weakness for angsty headcanon back story, especially where no back story is given. Per usual, there are SPOILERS for Birth By Sleep.
He knew darkness.
It was in the blank eyes of the townsfolk as they simply looked past or through him, not bothering to spare a kindness for the starving boy who so desperately needed it.
It was in the slamming of the doors that left him homeless and alone in the cold every winter's night.
It was in the act of cruelty that had given him the broken rib that ached and burned in his chest every time he took a breath.
He bore it as long as he could, days and weeks and months of shivering in loneliness and pain, until the chance to leave his world arose and he took it.
Years later, after warm meals and bed rest had strengthened his body and kindness and friendship had warmed his heart, he listened to his Master teach him and Aqua about darkness, about the effects it had on the heart and the monsters it created. It was the only lesson after which Terra had no questions; growing up as he had, he knew darkness.
Or so he thought.
It wasn't until later, much later, too late, that he realized he had not known it nearly well enough - to see it inside himself, to recognize its effects, to control it - and so he fell, in much the same way his Master had warned him about.
Now he knew darkness entirely too well.
