Vesper's Heroes

Argh. This chapter gave me hell. Of course FF.net is giving me hell too but this was almost worse.

It is a Riku chapter.

But it is also a bit of a Hosep chapter.

He’s an OC and most of the time you never get any explanation about OCs. Jediempress did bring this up already and I was planning on filling in people on his story but it was harder than I thought because I wanted to provide information without dragging down on plot. I tried to expand on his character and also give a glimpse into his mind and his relationship with Riku. So with that in mind, I hope it worked out in the end and actually helped things out.


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Sixth month, second week: Tik’va gave us the order to plunge deeper into enemy territory today. Layla turned traitor and has betrayed us just to beg at Fallon’s boots. I never trusted her really. Horrid little wench. I’m traveling with the full scout team with the rest of our squad tearing apart the camp to follow us. It should have taken them only an hour to remove all traces. However we have most of the horses, which will slow their travel considerably. It took us two hours to reach this destination and should take them, mostly on foot with all gear, the better part of five. We’ve already reached the rendezvous point and are awaiting- A snapped twig broke his musing as he threw down the journal to reach for a sword.

Riku smiled in apology as he approached, flopping down on the forest floor by Hosep against a tree. Without a word he offered a water skin, which was accepted, and half drained before being passed back.

“So what are you up to?” Riku asked. Hosep showed the slim volume to Riku but did not open it. The youth didn’t ask him to either, respecting his privacy. “Am I in there by any chance?” His only response was a smirk as the book was tucked back into a random pocket. “Guess that means I am.” The lieutenant still didn’t say anything, feeling that he had met his word quota not only for the day but also for the whole week already.

It isn’t like me to be so chatty. He suppressed a snort at the idea of himself being a blabbermouth as he dug in his pack for a map of the area. He was concerned that Tik’va wouldn’t be able to find them among all the trees. He felt warmth as Riku pressed up close to his shoulder, peering over it to see the map in his hands. Hosep only raised one eyebrow before turning back to the map, folding it so only their path and location was for them to view.

“They should be able to find us, right?” The keyblade wielder asked, even as his eyes were tracing the route they had taken. His crimson-eyed companion nodded lettings his fingers ghost over the map in contemplation. Should me move them to a more secure location? Stay put? Send back a messenger as to where they were?

A messenger could very well screw up everything if it got intercepted. He glared, feeling his rage boil up inside. Damn Layla! This was all her fault! If I ever get my hands on her . . . He could feel his muscles clench as his anger began to spiral out of control. Riku must have caught on as well. The youth began to rub slow, easy circles on the back of one of his hands, letting his thumbs apply pressure to relax him. That simple motion was more than enough to let him reign in his emotions once more, letting out his frustrations with a sigh.

“I know you’re mad Hosep,” Riku started, still rubbing circles on his hand. “I am too. Furious in fact. But we have to stay calm and keep our heads until this mess gets straightened out. Tik’va will have a plan. I’m sure of it.” There was a moment of hesitation as his gaze flitted back and forth before Riku took charge for once and placed a chaste kiss on Hosep’s cheek.

The scout actually blushed at the public display of affection. It warmed his heart though, to have his feelings returned. Not that he had forced Riku to participate in the spit exchange sessions they had already enjoyed. But Hosep had been the one to take command. This time, Riku did it.

“I also don’t know what will happen when we finish defeating the Heartless. I don’t know if I can stay here or if I’ll go home or what. So I want us to enjoy what time we have, okay?” Those strange teal eyes captured his as Riku leaned in for another kiss. Hosep nearly purred, turning to press himself against his partner.

For a moment, life was good.

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Callused fingers raked through the short crop of hair Riku had as the boy slept peacefully, no doubt still tired from traveling and also his magic that he hadn’t admitted to. They thankfully had a pair of mages in the scout team who had wards up to alert of any danger, allowing the team to relax and rest as the second hour of waiting for the others came to a close. Riku was sleeping in Hosep’s lap as the scout let his hands card through silken hair. The few times he stopped the boy had murmured in his sleep and tried to find those hands again, so Hosep kept it up.

He really didn’t mind lavishing such attention on Riku. From the way he reacted, he didn’t get much physical affection growing up. Hosep’s own parents made sure to do so to him and his siblings, making sure they knew they were loved.

But of course, the Heartless attacked and his family was taken from him as he was thrown to the fates while his world was consumed by darkness. He didn’t let the sorrow pull at his heartstrings anymore. He knew they were either dead or Heartless. If the former, he was glad they had peace. If the latter, he hoped that he had granted it to him.

Riku had to have seen the same horror. Some nights when they were on missions for Tik’va, he had heard the boy crying in his sleep on more than on occasion. He put up a brave front but like many others, his dreams were filled with nightmares.

That was the other reason, besides his own infatuation, that he did not stop the caresses, pulling his digits along his scalp. Secretly though he was wishing for a violin so he could play out a sweet lullaby instead. His mother, years ago, insisted that he learn how to play. Granted it was only because his father had insisted he learn sword fighting. She contended that if he could learn to destroy, he could learn to create as well.

After a time he had no longer grumbled about practicing and actually enjoyed making music. Sad to say, for some reason or another, such an instrument did not exist on this world not did his get tossed with him. Flutes and guitars was common sight, drums as well, but the small, bowed, string instrument was not to be found.

He sighed, letting out a gust of air that made Riku’s hair waver slightly. Did he play an instrument? Or sing? What did Riku have for a talent? Sword fighting did not count; that was a skill. Was he gifted at cooking then? Poetry?

That had his shaking with suppressed laughter. He could NOT see Riku off in a corner writing poetry for any reason at all. But for some reason or another I can picture him with a sailboat, or a raft. I wonder why that is. Indeed the idea of sand and beaches seemed to go hand in hand with thoughts of the silver haired boy in his lap. He had seemed out of his element when he first joined, not at all aquatinted with forests and woodlands. Even rivers seemed to throw him for a loop.

Now his hands were just itching to be writing this down in his little journal. Originally he had started it on Tik’va orders, to observe and make note of anything odd about Riku when the boy first arrived. It was common practice with new arrivals that had a strange story to tell. It helped to weed out potential spies and saboteurs. Hosep had been confined to the medical tents at that time with a head cold and later a twisted ankle. After that though it became his own outlet to just get his thoughts on paper so he could reflect on them later.

How would he react if he knew though? His fingers stilled, just resting on Riku’s head. To learn that someone had been ordered to watch you like a hawk, forgive the pun, for two weeks to make sure you weren’t a spy, and the later continued to do so out of curiosity had to be disconcerting. Hosep didn’t consider himself a stalker in the least. Really his observation times had only been for a few minutes each day that he would later wrap his brain around and probe at from every conceivable angle as he tried to untangle the mystery that was Riku.

It was still a book of observations but also of personal musings and puzzles to go with. Riku had remained a constant topic but soon general camp happenings wormed their way in, along with occasional bits of written melodies. His earlier unfinished entry reflected that with his postponed rant about Layla.
Now he was just thinking in circles. He thumped his head backward against the tree a few times for good measure, as if he could just beat those thoughts out of his mind. Of course it only gave him a slight headache and a strange look from one of the other scouts. An inquiry was hand signaled at him asking if he was all right. He nodded, flashing back that he was just worried about what was going to happen next.

The other nodded and went back to whatever was occupying his attention. Hosep had told them all what had happened at camp and what Layla might have done. Might? I’d stake my legs she’s a turncoat. Happily, all of the others in the team shared his sentiments about the situation, establishing a perimeter guard around the pair of them while they waited.

Cat quiet steps came from one that was passing around some bread and cheese. It wasn’t the most nutritious of meals but it would keep them comfortable and keep away the edge of hunger. He accepted two shares with a smile, making note of her dead leg as she walked, before creeping off again.

He tore into his improvisation of a sandwich, trying to not feel guilty that he was now clear of blight even though others weren’t. Mmmm, sharp cheddar, his favorite. He loved sharp flavors and spicy foods. As he munched on dinner, he tucked Riku’s away. He would wake him later so he too could eat but wanted to let him sleep for now. He needed that more, Hosep thought. If we truly are charging into hell like I think we are, he needs all the peaceful sleep he can be granted.

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A sharp whistle caused everyone paralysis. Riku cast his gaze around the forest as the sound called out again. Hosep hesitated before whistling out the reply twice. A different trilling came back to them, allowing a sigh of relief to come from more than one mouth. Riku shared a scimitar smile with him as the two rose with the rest to follow it to the source and get new orders.

“There you are!” Tik’va shouted. She dropped all dignity and rank to run up and hug them both, no doubt shocking most of the squad in doing so. “Turns out we were right.” She turned to face the group, pitching her voice to inform them all. “We no longer have a chief medical officer.” The resulting gasp and mutterings were silenced as Tik’va raised her hands.

“Layla has run to sell us out to Fallon. Actually, she only is selling out on one of us. Now I want to be able to trust all of you with this information.” A nod at one of the trusted mages soon had a barrier up that would keep everyone from running off until she was finished. “You all know each other, and all of you know who Riku is.” Hosep pushed him forward but also advanced with him, keeping a steadying hand on his shoulder.

“Riku has discovered a very special gift. He can cure blight.”

The overwhelming silence was certainly unanticipated. Hosep was sure it would cause a riot when they let the cat out of the bag. It would have been nice if she told me she was doing this though. He kept his fuming to himself though, letting his usual mask of indifference stay in place. The other three infected squad members were huddled together, eyes darting at Riku, then to Hosep and then back at each other, hands flashing rapidly. Finally one, actually the female that was passing around food before stepped up as the spokesperson.

“Show us. Please,” she begged, limping forward. Riku looked to Tik’va, asking silently for approval. She nodded at him, even as Hosep gave his shoulder an encouraging squeeze. He stumbled forward, mumbling for her to lie down. She did so without complaint as he moved to sit by her infected leg.

Like before, Riku placed one hand underneath and one hand on top, telling her to just relax as he cradled her knee. He inhaled deeply, obviously trying to calm his nerves as Hosep moved to sit behind him, ready to catch the boy if he fell. He was gifted a smile for his foresight before those teal eyes locked on his work and lost all focus.

That same heavenly light from before began to originate at his hands, spreading along the limb till it all glowed brightly. It shimmered for a time until it faded away, almost looking as if it were sinking into the tissue it was healing. With sudden labored breathing the boy slumped backwards into Hosep’s waiting arms.

His chest was heaving in an effort to catch his breath as the female scout began clawing at her boot and leggings. Like with Hosep, it was peeled back to reveal untainted flesh to the amazement of those present. Riku was still breathing harder than the lieutenant would like, but it was slowing along with his pulse as Tik’va took up the thread of conversation once more.

“I know many of you must be confused as to why I myself did not go to Fallon with this discovery. As you can see, it is very taxing for him to perform. Also, as Riku has agreed, he would rather be able to help us here on the field of battle than be locked up in a research facility weeks from here where he can’t help anyone.” Another pause was given to allow this breakthrough to permeate their brains. “Now, any others with blight will be healed when he is able.”

A glance was shot at Riku who nodded in agreement. “But right now our concern is to get as much distance between us and Fallon. We know what kind of bastard he is and what he will do when he catches us.” A low grumble sounded though out the thirty odd assembled. “I’m asking that all of you keep this under your hats and behind your teeth. There are only a few cities left to reclaim and with Riku’s new gift we can take them faster than ever. But we must not turn on each other. So where do we all stand?”

Snippets of conversation barely reached the lieutenant as he remained in the dirt with Riku in his arms. Personally, if someone else turned against them, Hosep would gut them himself without a second thought. The now healed woman from before was watching them. Hosep could feel her eyes on them. It was she to cast the first stone as she moved to kneel before the silver haired youth.

“To Riku and those that support him, I pledge my life and my loyalty. I will answer only to Tik’va and her officers, and will do as commanded without hesitation. I will follow though hell and fire and through all that will stand in our path.” She bowed her head over her raised knee. “My life is yours to do with as you see fit.”

A second bowed and repeated her words. Then two more did so. Then a group in the back followed suite. Soon all had knelt and were repeating the same pledge, knowing full well the magic that went with it that would bind them. He cast a glance at his commanding officer once it was finished, the entire squad still kneeling. Even Jamel had done so. She shook her head ruefully, wearing a sad smile as her braid whipped around.

“To all that have offered their pledge,” she began, knowing she was binding herself as well. “I accept wholeheartedly and hope that none of you will need to lose your lives in my service. I am honored by this gift and will do my very best to treasure it.” She let her eyes flit from person to person, clearly thinking of something else that would turn the world on its ear.

“No longer are we the ninth squad of the Vesper Hawks. From now on, we have no name. We are breaking contract with Fallon and we are on our own.” Fierce grins and flashed weapons showed that didn’t bother anyone in the least. “Let’s get moving again. We have a lot of ground to cover and plenty of Heartless to get rid off.”

The thunderous cheered must have been audible for miles as people set to work without a second thought. Hosep aided Riku in staggering to his feet, one hand clutching at his head as he fought off a dizzy spell. Even for Riku, he still looked pale with eyes squeezed shut. Screw this. Without even a by your leave the scout scooped up his prize, carrying him to a tethered horse so he could ride while Hosep led the beast himself. The keyblader attempted to protest but was silenced by a hand over his lips.

“Not until you can walk a straight line without weaving like a drunk,” he admonished, nodding his thanks as someone brought them their packs. Those were thrown over the bay’s rump and lashed into place as Riku just watched with confusion on his face. Crimson met teal in a silent interrogation before the blond sighed, feeling annoyed at himself. He had been sighing a lot in the last few days, almost like some lovesick teenager who was pining over a lost love. “I will explain later,” he offered, knowing that he would be forced to keep his promise.

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Author note: Does anyone have a suggestion for a name for Tik’va’s group? I could not for the life of me think of a good one. I want something to contract Vesper Hawks so something involving morning or dawn, or even noon but nothing I thought of worked at all. Ideas would be loved!