First of all, I want to thank blackpaopu for this GORGEOUS art they made. I am so happy they commissioned this, and everyone should totally check out their blog, highly recommend 10/10.
But this is a gift for skypillar! She wrote a fantastic fanfic called “Why the Sun Sets Red” over on AO3 which this piece is based off of. It’s a 358/2 Days AU where Vexen takes Axel’s place and raises befriends Roxas and Xion instead. For anyone who is curious about it, the story does NOT end the same way as it does in the game. It’s cleverly written to accommodate Vexen taking Axel’s role and stays true not only to everyone’s character, but the situations are extremely creative. Just as emotional if not moreso as the original story, I can’t recommend it enough.
I wanted this to capture my favorite chapter in the story because this moment was just so pure and fun. I wanted something to dedicate such a high point in the fic, and so I bestow this gift to her! Happy one year anniversary to “Why the Sun Sets Red”~
Assorted Xaldin/Dilan headcanons because I never see anything for him
>Dilan always had extra hair ties on him. It’s like an easter egg discovery. No one knows about it, but the people who do find out about it have an endless supply in case they need one.
>He’s the designated cook in the castle. This is because he’s one of the few members who actually know how to cook. When he was a somebody, he would always meal prep and make meals in advance because the long shifts would drain him. Having the pre made stuff always cam in handy.
>He’s good with kids but that doesn’t mean he likes them. Once he was stuck looking after Ienzo because Even had to run off to get synthesis items. At one point Dilan forgot that he was supposed to be watching Ienzo and lowkey freaked out (though you wouldn’t be able to tell). Much to his relief, the boy had been sitting off to the side, nose-deep in a book.
>He liked Ienzo because he was quiet and didn’t cause much trouble. Zexion on the other hand never shuts up, so Xaldin avoids him as much as possible.
>Dilan and Aeleus play cards every now and then in their down time.
>Dilan//Xaldin has the type of face that makes kids stop doing stupid stuff. Like there are the adults who can threaten you all you want and you won’t be phased, like Xigbar/Braid, but as soon as Xaldin/Dilan gives you that glare you immediately stop whatever dumb thing you’re about to do.
>On that topic, Xaldin has on multiple occasions walked in on Xigbar yelling at an unfazed and even giggling Demyx. As soon as Demyx catches Xaldin’s raised eyebrow and deep set glare, he will yelp, apologize to Xaldin and waltz off.
>He eats kale
>The reason his voice is really gruff is because he naps all the time. He literally just always has that “I just woke up” voice. No one knows what he really sounds like.
>Out of the youngest Organization members, the one he can tolerate the most is Demyx surprisingly. Roxas and Xion are too gullible/naive. Zexion talks too much, last he heard. Saix is a hard ass, and Axel just gives him bad vibes. It doesn’t help that when they were sombodies, Axel and Saix gave him an extremely hard time.
>On that note, Demyx is the one Xaldin is most protective of. Not in obvious ways. More like, if he sees Demyx chugging water, he’ll tell him to slow down or he’ll choke and that Xaldin doesn’t want to deal with that or if Demyx isn’t paying attention during a meeting, he’ll send a gust of wind to wake him up.
>He’s really specific about his cooking and the ingredients he uses but will still just eye the measurements because he’s so skilled at it
will probably add more later
Excuse me, may I?
Bonus:
I’m actually crying this is the first time someone’s done art for my stupid hcs dndndndjdjdj I love it
Stop talking and start doing: My Fallout Shelter for my Tumblr blog 