With me again
Soku sighed and turned his glare to his parents. They'd been traveling on the huge war Gummi Ship that belonged to King Mickey, accompanied by others that weren't as impressive, but carried lots of people in them and Soku had had to suffer the past week in steely silence.
Riku had blown his top when he'd discovered Sora was onboard and that Soku had helped him get there. The arguments had been painful to listen to as both sides had good points and neither would yield, both as stubborn as the other. Now they just glared at each other angrily. Soku was fed up with it. Sora had praised his son for his work and Riku had been furious with him, talk about mixed messages. Stuck between his Papa and his Dad was terrible and he couldn't escape although Leon had strived to take some of the stress away with extended training sessions, which Soku had been overjoyed about but that only served to spark another argument. Sora thought the soldiers were training his 'precious boy' to be a weapon of war and Riku pointed out whether Soku liked it or not he kind of was and it was better for him to be good at it and live.
He'd just listened to them argue again and was fed up, he glared at them both, aqua and blue eyes looking at him in surprise, "If you two don't sort out your problems, I swear, I'm going to lose it." He sounded like a parent scalding bickering children but that's what it felt like. They were so childish sometimes!
Sora and Riku glanced at each other sheepishly as Soku stormed out of the room, his warrior clothing rustling slightly in the stunned silence of their living quarters. Soku didn't like his clothing much, it was too tight and far too revealing but Leon had pointed out it was better his clothing didn't get in the way of his fighting and then added he looked very good in it and would probably distract the enemy.
Soku hated the fact that people always did double-takes on him, or even never took their eyes off him. Riku said he should be proud of his heavenly looks but he just squirmed under their penetrating looks, it was the worst when he knew they were undressing him with their minds. Pausing in a shiny surfaced wall Soku examined himself like he had a thousand times and could still find nothing remarkable. He was quite short, like his Papa, he had silver hair that fell down his back in choppy layers and spikes like his Dad's but at the top it stuck defiantly outwards and towards the sky in curvy bangs like his Papa's and he had the darkest blue eyes also like his Papa and his build was much like his Papa's too… he feared one day he'd look in the mirror and see his Sora staring back, but it would probably never happen, he had Riku's hair and facial structure just softened slightly. People remarked on how angelic he looked, like a lost angel. Soku resented that, he sounded too girly then but they would laugh away his comments, ruffle his hair and either stare at him from then on or ignore him.
Shrugging and fiddling with his blue top, pulling the hem out from the silver shorts and dark red leggings he made his way to the landing bay ramps. They'd landed some time ago and while the others had begun to set up the extensive camp, Riku and Sora were stuck in an argument. He slipped out the doors and down the ramp, his eyes widening in wonder at the landscape.
It was fairly dark out, the moon hanging low in the sky, just above the horizon and alone in the sky so empty of stars. Snapping out of his trance and desperately hoped no one had noticed him, slipping off into the surrounding woods. The trees covered him quickly, they seemed dead and were cold to the touch, gray and twisted in a horrid way that made chills run down his spine but it made a nice change from the fighting and shouting.
He kept walking until he was starting to think about turning back when he saw a clearing a little further ahead, a break in the dense trees where moonlight fell on a grassy area.The trees were bent and folded over to create an arch that led to the clearing. The Moon Shone through a hole in the top of the space ,lighting the place with moonlight. The clearing was enclosed by the dead trees and other deceased wildlife, and Soku thought he heard a creek flowing somewhere in the distance. The grass itself was dull and looked as dead as the trees but it was grass nonetheless and Soku appreciated it. He entered the clearing and admired the scenery in a morbid way, it made him feel more alone now than he had the entire trip.
Soku still didn't like the sky, it was bleak and devoid of anything other than darkness and the large moon that was nothing but striking against the black. Soku stretched, his muscles glad to be doing something as he summoned the keyblade. It was gold with a white handle. The blade curved upward to form what looked like more of a wing. The hilt was white and twisted around to give the bearer a firm grip. Riku had given him a lecture on the importance of the keyblades and how important they were, how they would either bring the rise or the fall of the side of light in this war, but looking at his keyblade now he didn't see himself being defeated. Looking at the keyblade now, he felt powerful.
He began to swing the blade from left to right, thrusting it up and bringing it down as fast as he could, increasing in speed until the gold shaft was a blur, the handle the only solid appearing thing in his grasp as the blade curved through the air, arching overhead and slashing from beneath as he practice some of his favorite moves. He felt inhuman as he became one with the weapon, its tip his eye and he could see what it saw and feel its hunger for blood as separate from his own almost indifference. He'd never been to war, but in the beginning he had felt nervous about it. He didn't like the idea of fighting. Now with the keyblade in his hand, it felt right. Like the battle field was where he belonged. Like he was created for the sole purpose to fight.
Soku positioned the weapon to where the tip of the blade was on the ground. Leaning against it he tried to slow his racing pulse and fill his diminished lungs at the same time. Through the stillness of the clearing a deep, a calm voice reverberated, "You're skill is good, unrefined but good. Alas, you're stances are sloppy."
Raising his keyblade and entering a defensive position he watched a figure make its way across the clearing. The figure appeared to be male. A teen maybe a year or two Soku's senior. The teen had dark midnight tresses that fell all the way down his back like a cascading waterfall. It was sleek and straight. Soku just wanted to run his fingers threw it. Being able to look away from the boy's locks Soku slowly scanned the teen's entire body. The armor he wore was fitting and black, yet he could clearly see the defined ab muscles. Moving up he saw broad shoulders and down long, legs made for running. Continuing up Soku stared at the teen's face. By this point in time his guard had dropped and the keyblades point was once again on the floor. A regal face captured Soku's attention. High cheek bones, a smirk showing perfect teeth, and a slightly upturned nose. But what really caught His gaze the most was the boy's eyes. Swimming pool's of teal so bright that you could see the boy smiling. It was clear the mysterious teen had caught him staring, he wasn't being very discreet. Soku quickly decided to save what little dignity he had left. If only I could stop looking at those eyes...
"I insulted you, have you no reply?" The male asked, intrigued by Soku's stunned silence, "Or has the boy merely led a pampered youth free of insults?"
Snapping from his trance Soku glared at the male, he was a good six or seven inches taller than Soku but that didn't make him back down in the least. Shaking himself from the vision he currently found himself in, he thought of something witty to say and quick, "It was a constructive criticism, it will allow me to get better at my practice and as such I will be stronger. I am not pampered either." Soku raised the keyblade once again as he spoke. Feeling that the teen was instigating a challenge, he readied himself.
"So the little warrior isn't completely passive, that's good." The older teen snorted and folded his arms across his chest, "I wonder if his skills are as good as his tongue, eh?"
Soku scowled, "Put your sword where your insolent tongue is and we'll see."
The other smirked and held out his hand, his palm glowing in a dark green light Soku instantly recognized. It was the same energy that was visible when Namine shimmered or when Zexion teleported or when any of the Children of Dark slipped into Dark. It was the power of Darkness and the icing on the 'oh shit' moment of Soku's day was they weapon held on the teen's hand. It could have been the Keyblade's evil twin and most likely was.
It had a red handle with a black shaft that ended in a curved key-head with pointed tips. Jagged edges formed all the way around the blade. The boy twisted and swung the blade a few times, but did not enter a stance. Soku hoped he hadn't shown any sign of fear as the other looked at him with the same smirk had worn the entire conversation. The next words uttered out of the boy's mouth were surely to be remembered by Soku for a long time.
"Ready to dance?"
Soku snorted at the comment but didn't bother to reply, he knew he had to keep his guard up and not let the other distract him. Although, the fifteen year old reasoned, he could do that just by looking at me. Shrugging away the hormone-filled and completely irrational thoughts that plagued him at the briefest of suggestions he burst into a lunge, curving the blade in his hand around him and swinging it down to strike but in a shimmer much like he'd seen Namine do, the raven-haired male had vanished before the blade had reached its destination, but conveniently after Soku had already committed to the action. He just knew the other was now standing behind him somewhere, watching him fumble and try to regain his balance.
Through the haze of raging pride and frustration Soku realized he was probably in over his head but something in him refused to back off or run away. It was just a shame Light didn't come with some cool perks like Dark did.
"Surprised?" The taller teen smirked at the look of utter anger and surmised teasing he would probably make that worse. So he continued, "You really need to work on your form, you attack very arrogantly and leave your guard wide open. I'll show you if you like." The last of the mysterious young man's speech was lost as Soku rushed him for another attack, not being as bold as before but he had directed his strike a good foot from his target and the other was quick enough to see the aim and move again.
This time however, he did not shift place completely, he stepped lightly to the side and as the blade passed him he caught Soku's wrist and breached the boundaries of personal space, whispering in Soku's ear with his deep but soft voice, "See, I told you." It was teasing and Soku suddenly realized what the other was doing in that fraction of a second that stretched for eternity as Soku was released, falling onto his backside with a thump on the dreary grass.
He had a graze on his face and his hair was a mess and he knew he would look only as a petulant child if he glared at the other but he did, it was only after a moment he realized a glare did not require the protruding lip and that he was indeed pouting. Well, that was going to be very frightening. He was infuriated further by the look of unsuppressed amusement on the others face.
"You're toying with me, aren't you?" Soku growled, the keyblade lying by his leg and still in his grasp but he knew the other wouldn't attack. He had no basis for this feeling seeing as they were fighting but he just knew.
"Ah, so you're smart as well as beautiful!" Came the others witty banter.
Soku was about to hurl another insult when he realized exactly what it was that had been said, his eyes widened in shock, had he just called him beautiful? Surely he was imagining things…
He heard the other male laugh at his expression; that snapped him out of it. Soku glared up at the other and began to get to his feet when he felt a hand on his shoulder pushing him down, he looked up to see the other much closer than he remembered. He tried to remove the hand but the raven-haired teen was much stronger than he was.
"What is it you want with me?" Soku meant to demand in a firm voice. But it came out in more of a whisper. Surely he wasn't doing what Soku thought he was doing, no better yet; He wasn't doing what Soku WANTED him to do right now was he?!
The other grinned suddenly and Soku was caught completely off guard by how absolutely gorgeous he looked and he almost missed the movement the other made, bringing his face closer to Soku's.
Without batting an eyelid Soku reached up and firmly covered the other's mouth with his hand, he was used to this sort of forward behavior. It happened a lot to him, he had to learn to deal with it and not get flustered or else the attacker would get their way, he nearly been raped once so his Dad had taught him to fight and fight dirty, just in case the other was persistent. This other didn't seem to be though. He had stopped the moment Soku had touched him and seemed to be waiting for an explanation.
"I rarely kiss on the first date and I don't even know you're name, kind sir." Soku's voice was dripping with sarcasm but it seemed not to affect the other and he could feel him smile underneath his palm. He felt it and he couldn't stop the blush that crept onto his surprised face, he knew he couldn't hide it either; silver hair seemed only to amplify it. He knew not to let his guard drop. That was rule number one with Leon, "Think on your feet and never let your guard down." Soku took heed to this warning, but god, right now, the only thing he wanted to do was drop his guard.
Soku's hand fell away in surprise and to add to this reaction the other neither moved forward to finish his previous action nor backed off, he just stayed exactly where he was, the smile perfectly in place that Soku was glad he was on the floor because he could feel his legs shake just looking at it. The allure of the mysterious young man was almost unbearable and when he finally did move away Soku reached out and caught the others wrist before he could even think of what he was doing.
"W-wait- what… what's you're name?" Soku asked, hating the tremble in his voice but ignoring it for the time being.
Soku could feel his blush deepening and he just knew the other was still smirking at him; he refused to look up and give the other the satisfaction of seeing his embarrassment. He was not, however, prepared for what happened next. Quick as a flash the other had knelt down and was back in his personal space, "Perhaps next time," Soku froze as he felt soft petal like lips press briefly against the corner of his own lips, "Prince Soku."
And then he was gone. In a shimmer of dark energy Soku was alone in the clearing again, the keyblade long since gone of its own accord, feeling it was no longer needed. The silveret was like a statue, frozen in place, eyes wide in shock, mouth agape, opening to form words, only to close again. It replayed like a broken record over and over in his mind, the words and the touch. He had a sinking feeling he was not ever going to be able to forget that particular encounter. He desperately wanted clarity and as such, he desperately wanted his Papa, Sora would know exactly what to do. Then came the sinking feeling: he had known who Soku was, he'd known his title of which Soku had only been aware when Mickey had told him and they had not told anyone. Granted, there was a chance anyone could have known outside of Destiny Islands, who was he to know what common knowledge was out here? Even with this thought he just knew that the other hadn't been of Light, the Dark power had been proof enough of that and yet without a name, Soku was back to square one on figuring out who that was.
Shakily standing up he wrapped his arms around himself, cast a frightened and confused look around the clearing and practically ran back to the war camp.
"SOKU! JUST WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!" Sora shrieked, he was in hysterics and Riku looked like he wanted to yell too but he couldn't get a word in edgeways with Sora already exploding in the little silveret's face.
Soku knew they were just venting, they probably were worried about him. He hadn't realized he'd been away so long; he'd had other things on his mind…
Almost jumping when he heard his Papa speak again and Soku snapped out of his thoughts as Riku approached, one of his Dad's hands resting around Sora's shoulders. "Let's just let him rest okay? He looks tired." Soku almost grinned, it appeared they'd taken his advice and sorted out their problems. Riku probably wasn't much happier than he had been about Sora being here and Sora probably wasn't any happy about his son and husband being involved in a war but at least they weren't arguing and were actually getting along again.
As Riku began to lead Sora out of the room, Soku reached out and grabbed Sora's wrist, much like he had with- oh crap. Soku ducked his head and prayed they couldn't see his blush. "P-Papa? C-can I-I t-talk t-to you?" If they missed the blush, they'd catch his stutter without fail, he nearly slammed his head off a hard surface; his parents weren't stupid but it appeared he was.
Sora glanced at Riku who shrugged and then nodded, gesturing Sora should talk to him. Sora nodded back and Riku let him go, exiting Soku's designated tent and probably going across the small space between his son's to his and Sora's.
Gingerly sitting down on the bedroll with Soku Sora's face softened considerably, as much as everyone said Soku looked like Riku, its was the hair color that made the instant comparison, Sora could easily see himself in the small boy. His eyes looked back at him when he smiled comfortingly. Soku's hair had been exactly his when he'd been younger but he'd grown and let his hair grow out and it looked like Riku's hair with the shorter pieces curving delicately and reaching upwards like his did. Sora couldn't help but feel his heart swell again; this was his son! This was his and Riku's little boy. Sora corrected that thought; this was his and Riku's fifteen year old son. Sora suppressed the blush that crept up as he remembered he'd been fifteen when Riku had taken him the first time.
"Papa?" Grateful for the distraction Sora's attention returned to Soku.
"Yes, 'Ku?" That'd been his nickname ever since he was a baby and it would remain so until Sora was dead.
Soku, however, didn't mind the nickname; in fact it let him know Sora was no longer angry and that he was loved. "…" He didn't know how to get out what he wanted to say.
Sora waited patiently for Soku to get the words straight in his head, he knew it was awkward opening up to a parent. No matter how close you were with a parent you always felt judged by your words and actions but you only ever wanted them to have good thoughts of you and to forever love you. He shuffled round so he was behind Soku, his son sitting between his legs. Sora was surprised at how much Soku had grown, he was still small but he was almost as tall as Sora now. He grinned and began to play with Soku's hair.
Feeling more relaxed under his Papa's caring ministrations Soku took a deep breath and began to talk, "Papa… what was it like when you first met Dad?"
Sora paused his fingers, thinking, then he continued, "I've known you're father all my life. It's kind of hard to imagine my life without him. He's been my best friend for as long as I've been alive. Our mothers used to be friends, when they were alive, so we met each other that way and got along so well they used to always arrange play dates. When Riku's mum died, we took him in and I've never stopped living with him."
Soku pulled a face, "It sounds as though he's like a brother to you."
The brunet laughed, "I suppose it does, but trust me, Riku could be many things to me but I never really saw a brother in him, a friend, a rival, a challenge, a lover and a husband but never a brother."
"Rival?"
Sora grinned, "When we were younger, I thought Riku had a crush on Kairi, your god mother, and I got jealous. I tried to distract him by vying for her attentions but she knew what we both really felt and she wasn't remotely interested in us anyway. Not as anything other than friends anyway. Why are you so curious about your Dad and I?"
Soku blushed, he'd gotten sidetracked. "N-no reason…" He bit his lip, he still wanted advice. "When did you first realize you loved Dad?"
Sora rested his chin on Soku's slender shoulder and 'hm'ed' in thought, "Well… there had been signs that he liked me but I thought he was always teasing me because, in my eyes, he was so much better than I was. He was stronger, taller, better looking and there were times I resented him for it but I could never stay mad at him. We used to kiss too. Not romantically or anything, just a kiss on the cheek and maybe close to his mouth if I was feeling brave. I had nothing to compare it to so I assumed it was normal." Soku looked at him incredulously, his previous thought of both his parents being smart suddenly crashing and bursting into flames. Sora had the decency to blush, "I know, I know. But whereas you've been pushed into all of that rather earlier than I would have liked, my mother and Riku kept me as innocent as they could for as long as possible. Riku kinda took over after my mum died and I don't think, as much as he may have wanted to, he could have brought himself to do more than kiss my cheek at that time."
"Did you… did you ever ask him why he kissed you?"
Sora nodded, "But only because I had heard someone comment on our behavior as being wrong."
"'Wrong'?"
"Yeah, a lot of people saw us as brothers because we were rarely apart and assumed we were committing incest or something." Sora sniggered and wrapped his arms around Soku loosely, "Honestly, do I look anything like you're Dad?" Soku giggled and shook his head, "I thought not… either way, I confronted Riku about it one dinner time." Sora's eyes seemed distant as he recalled the memory, "I've never seen him look so afraid."
"Afraid?" Dad? It didn't work in Soku's opinion. Riku was never afraid. Not of anyone or anything. When he voiced his opinion Sora began to laugh. "And what's so funny?" He hated it when people laughed at him and Sora shut up quickly when he remembered that, he was like Riku when it came to respect.
"Never afraid, eh? He was terrified when he saw you. He actually fainted. He knew exactly what you were; you were our son. He looked so afraid and it took me a while to figure out why."
"Why? What's so scary about a baby?" Soku frowned.
"Apart from the fact you were like a secret weapon when you threw up? Projecting vomit as far as you could until a far wall got in the way?" Soku blushed furiously, that was gross. His Papa merely laughed, "He'd never grown up with a father figure; neither of us had. I hated it but I always knew I'd sort of be pigeon-holed as your mother so it fell to Riku to be the father and it was something he knew absolutely nothing about. He was terrified. The same way he had been when I confronted him. He had no proper reply and even if he had he dreaded my answer so he did the only thing he knew to do: he ran away."
Soku jumped as if burned by something, "Sorry, what? Dad… ran away?"
Sora nodded, "I think you and I are the only two people to have ever truly scared Riku. It's bloody hard and you should commend yourself on your accomplishment; at barely a day old you nearly gave your dad a heart attack." Soku gave a half-hearted laugh and Sora sighed, "He didn't run away because he wanted nothing to do with me, he's back and married to me so that's proof enough, he was just scared."
It was Soku's turn to nod, "What did you do?"
"I didn't know what to do at first, I thought he'd come back, but by eleven o'clock I was worried out of my mind. I ran out of the house barefoot and wearing a baggy t-shirt and my boxers. I didn't even care it was raining. I ran for hours, screaming our Riku's name, I didn't care I'd probably wake the whole neighborhood; I just wanted Riku with me again." Soku looked into his Papa's eyes and saw the love radiating off them, "I wanted to hold him and tell him I was so sorry and promise never to question him again. I just wanted him back. I ended up on a cliff quite near where our house is now but it wasn't there back then, I was crying and I had no energy left, I started screaming at the sky that if I lost Riku after losing both my mother and his mother whom I was close to as well, I would personally wage war on everything and everyone." Soku was shocked by his Papa's statement.
He loved Riku so much he would destroy everything he could with the sorrow and rage of losing him? Soku couldn't compare the strength of that love to anyone or anything he'd seen or read about. Romeo and Juliet had no strength to stand up for their feelings whereas Sora would defend Riku no matter what; he was in a war camp to stay with him so there was the proof. Soku knew from the stories of when Sora had been seized by Dark Riku had done everything in his power to get his lover back.
Soku wanted that kind of love. He knew how bright their passion was for each other and no matter how much they really did love him, nothing could compare to the love of belonging body, mind, and soul to someone else.
"What's with all the questions? Something on your mind?" Sora asked, breaking his though train in half unintentionally but Soku knew he could draw no conclusions from where it was going anyway.
Nodding Soku fixed his gaze on his hands as he fingers began to play with each other in an effort to distract him, "I… I… I sort of saw someone today." Sora blinked.
"Today? When you were out?" Soku nodded. "But who-"
"I don't know!" Soku plunged his head into his hands and began to growl in frustration, Sora recognized that habit, Riku did it every time he was confused or infuriated, even more when it was both. "I don't know who he was!" He? So he really was taking after both his parents, truth be told Sora had wanted grandchildren but he would have been happy no matter what Soku's choices… he also couldn't really deal with women sometimes. Once in a while was okay but their mood swings confused him.
But Sora's thoughts darkened, who the hell would be in place like this? Okay, better question, who would be here and not have sick, twisted and all over evil plans for his son? "Soku..."
The silveret knew exactly what Sora was going to say and cut him off, "I know! He was probably just playing with me, confusing me and messing up my head because he was Dark!" Sora was surprised to see his son was crying. What the hell had this person done to Soku to get him so stressed? "He was Dark, he had the same Dark power Namine uses to shimmer! I freakin' knew it! And I still let him play his games!"
Sora pulled the sobbing teen into his arms and Soku turned in his embrace to bury his head in Sora's chest, "Shush… please, I know you don't want Riku to hear you, he'd probably kill whoever it was who made you cry like this and I admit I'm tempted myself but I know that's not what you want." Sora held on to him tighter in the attempt to cheer him up, "Say what you need to say, I don't mind if it doesn't make sense. I'll just know you inherited my coherence."
Soku rubbed his eyes fiercely and sat back, his face set and determined to say what he needed to, maybe then he wouldn't feel so confused. "He… he was so cocky!" Soku growled, "He was so full of it, the way he walked towards me, criticizing my fighting abilities and challenging me! I didn't like his attitude, I dearly wanted to wipe that smirk off his face with everything I had but he was so much stronger!" Soku purposefully left out the fact the other had had a Dark looking Keyblade. Sora wouldn't be able to hold that information in confidence and once Mickey and the others found out, he'd be criticized further, this time for his foolish actions. "He just dodged me as if I were nothing and that damn smirk never left his face, he even smiled! At me falling flat on my backside!" Soku seemed to deflate, "And I could do nothing but retaliate with what words I could piece together, he was so damn hot I couldn't focus!"
Soku suddenly blushed furiously, looking very odd with his silvery hair hanging around, contrast to the tomato red of his face, Sora grinned, "What happened?"
"H-He… he called me beautiful…" Sora raised an eyebrow, he knew for a fact plenty of others had called Soku beautiful before, so many it no longer affected him but it appeared this time it had, "And then h-he k-kissed me…" Sora was immediately riled, Dark or Light nobody touched his son. It was over protective in the extreme and Sora knew it was his parental side kicking in but he calmed when he saw Soku's finger's ghost over his cheek. Apparently this person wasn't as forward as Sora had thought.
Falling back to the bedroll Soku lay on his back and ran his hands through his distractedly, "He had the silkiest hair, his skin looked so soft and his eyes… I loved his eyes, they were a beautiful teal color and I could just lose myself in them…" Twisting his face he stuck out his tongue, "Now I sound like a girl, don't I?" He turned his head to see Sora.
His Papa nodded with a grin and Soku groaned, "Don't worry, it's just because you like him."
Soku jumped, the fact that someone had put it so simply in words he actually had yet to admit he was immediately defensive then he stared incredulously at Sora, "'Just because'? Are you crazy! He had Dark powers, ergo… HE'S DARK!"
Sora's grin faded slightly as the serious parent slipped out, "I do not fault your logic on this but I was once Dark, remember the stories?" Soku nodded, "And you've grown up with the Children of Dark constantly around you and playing with you, when you think of Axel, do you assume he's going to burn you alive just because he can?" Soku shook his head, "And I highly doubt you think Demyx capable of drowning you?" Soku shook his head again, "Good. Now, they and I were exemptions from the 'evil' drawback to Darkness and we got the power but the heart to control it." Sora sighed and rubbed Soku's cheek comfortingly, he could already tell the teen was in the process of tuning him out: Soku hated lectures. "In a place like this I doubt you'll find people like I was and Axel and them lot are… don't paint everyone with the same color but don't be stupid, okay?"
Soku nodded. Sora wanted him to be understanding and everything a person of Light should be to others, apparently even to the Dark, but he wanted him to have at least some common sense in his actions. Soku inwardly snorted to himself as Sora tucked him into bed, kissed his foreheads and left whispering 'good night'. Common sense was the only thing he had left to cling to when it came to the other. The mysterious male was stronger and had an odd control over him, but he'd not give in. He was going to fight it. Rule one: No matter how much he wanted to never, he meant never, to let his guard down. He'd wanted to once and almost had, next time (if there was a next time), he wouldn't be so quick to fall for the pretty face, swim in the laughing eyes, stare at the...god he had it bad.
Mickey folded his arms and looked out at the bleak, dead landscape from the balcony in his study on the Gummi Ship, the thick glass between him and outside almost made it seem as though he were merely an observer and not the heavy-handed resolution that was forced to decide whether half of these men died like how it happened before. It almost made him feel entrapped as if he were to stay here and watch while the rest of the men went off to fight and the war unfolded.
He flinched when he recalled a comment Riku had made. Mickey knew that Riku was anxious about going back to war again. This time he had a son and a husband to worry about and Sora wasn't being cooperative about the situation but that didn't stop the comment being and less true: "It appears that there's only a handful of men I here I know, I suppose the rest are decorating the landscape somewhere outside…"
He knew Riku hadn't meant it to come out as it had, but Mickey still couldn't argue his point. He sighed and he heard footsteps letting him know someone was making their way through the room. He knew who it was as soon as they crossed the room and stood beside him, a lot taller with broad shoulders and shoulder length brown, spiky hair.
"It'll all start soon, this battle. It'll start again and I can offer no evidence that it won't go exactly the same way it did last time…" Mickey letting the mask of the confident king who didn't look back, fall from his face and shatter to the floor, in Leon's presence he could release all his fears and he always felt better for it when he didn't have Minnie to confide in. He ran a hand over his face tiredly; he was too old for this…
Leon gave a fair nod of his head, "Neither can I." Mickey saw something catch Leon's eye and followed the taller male's gaze to where Sora had emerged from Soku's tent, presumably from saying goodnight to his son, and Riku was there to greet him, arm around him and a kiss on his lips as they went into their own tent, a peaceful image of them and their son, a beacon of hope, amongst the clattering of the camp still being set up, the weapons readied and the klaxon to war had yet to fade in the mouse's mind. "At least this time… We have something we have to fight for, something we can never lose sight of even while we're here."
Mickey knew Leon was referring to that light amongst the bleakness that Riku and his family provided. It appeared the battle hadn't even begun and already the Light was falling and drawing on the youth of a child and his doting parents to keep them going.
Moving away from the window and to his desk he practically collapsed into the chair, his elbow on the hard surface and supporting him upright as he thought, the shattered mask pulled back together with the hope Leon had offered and he was back in his role like a good warrior and optimist, "I have received word the King of Darkness would like a meeting tomorrow," Leon turned, is eyebrows shooting up at that, Mickey gave him an empty smile that didn't reach his eyes, since they had left for the war Leon noted the mouse's eyes were strangely hollow. "Odd, right? Either way he seems interested to meet the King of Light, somehow news has reached them about Soku and Sora even before we had known. They are very anxious to meet those three." Mickey straightened and rubbed his temples in thought, "I know Riku must attend and we could find ourselves ambushed if Soku doesn't attend and it's unlikely I'll live another day if I let them go and not Sora so it would seem the whole family is going with me and you tomorrow."
"Me?" Leon blinked up in surprise.
Mickey gave him a look, "You didn't think I'd trudge halfway across the field we shall battle on soon to see the King of Darkness without my best soldier?"
Leon gave a half-smile, "And here I thought you were just doing it to keep the family all together…"
Mickey shrugged, "I doubt that if Sora knew he'd let you go, after he got over the initial shock I'm sure he'd baby you much the same way he does Riku and Soku."
"You're comforting words do me much honor." Leon snorted.
"I live to serve." Mickey pulled a face and put his head in his arms, trying to sleep before the new day caught them unaware. Everyone could feel it, Mickey was sure of it. You could feel it and the unnerving tension in the air. Sweeping through the camp and rattling the soldier's nerves. They probably didn't know what it was but he knew it immediately, something had happened today that he wasn't privy to and it would most likely determine the outcome of this war. And the wise mouse had a feeling that their newest hero and biggest hope played a most important role in it.
MWAHAHAHA!!! whaddya think??
Notes from me and Tragedy:
What mood were you in writing it? Tragedy: I think that in helping create and write this with Akaiba I brought more sadness and yet an edge to it. Akaiba likes for happy endings, i think most of the tragedys in this part of the trilogywill be more of my doing. (you know you like to make everything happy, dont object, lol ;)) Akaiba: I CAN'T DENY IT!!! sad endings can be perfect but they make me cry!!!
Listening to any music doing it? Tragedy: I listened to alot of Anberlin while writing this. They have really upbeat stuff and yet some is sad. I think while writing any fight scenes I will listen to more of a heavier genre. Akaiba: oddly enough while i was writing the Soke and mystery boy scene i was listening to the phantom of the opera soundtrack (really loud cos my mum hates it XD).
Any thoughts about the story that you'd like to share? (no spoilers tho ;P) Tragedy: I really cant say anything that wouldnt spoil something.lol. Akaiba: I'm with Tragedy, my lips are sealed!!
Any random notes about yourself/your partner/the story you wanna say? Tragedy: Random things about me... I am just a totaly random person!lol. Akaiba: I dnt think I'll ever be late on an update, not with Tragedy kicking my backside XD.