Summary: An obsession can be passionate, but can also be fatally dangerous. Terriku. LeaKu. Rated M for somewhat dark themes as the story progresses.
A.N.: If some are interested, I will be continuing this. I'm warning you, the story starts off sweet, but ends up going in a not-so-sweet way. It's going to take some time getting there, so be patient, sit back, and enjoy the story.
Riku rested upon his bed with a copy of a Midsummer's Night Dream propped open. His eyes scanned each line carefully and his hand held a pencil at his notebook. He was beginning to write down some lines he felt were important before he heard the call of his name from downstairs. Riku folded a page in his book to keep his place, leaving it on his pillow. "Coming!" he bellowed, going down the stairs. He rounded around the staircase and popped his head in the kitchen. "Yeah?"
His similarly silver-haired mother turned around with a pie in between her mittened hands. "Here, take this. Be careful, it's hot," his mother warned. The smell of cinnamon and a common island fruit tempted Riku's nose with its delicious scent as she walked to him hurriedly. Riku grabbed a towel and then eventually, the pie from her.
"So, I can eat this all by myself?" Riku teased. His mother slapped him on the arm playfully and started to usher him into the kitchen.
"No. This is for our new neighbor-"
Riku groaned lightly, knowing where this was going. "And you want me to make our neighbor feel welcome. Please, mom, that's so old fashioned. Everyone just keeps to themselves nowadays."
His mother smiled and opened the side kitchen door, putting her hands on her hips. "Now, it's never 'old fashioned' to make friends with the neighbor. Tut tut."
"Alright, alright..."
Riku slipped on his sandals, walking outside. He looked down at the steaming pie and then ahead of him. Even if he really didn't want to introduce himself to the neighbor right now, it was a an opportunity for a small break from his summer homework. Riku walked along the sand, smelling the ocean in the air. He remembered there was a time that he had wanted to leave this island, and go somewhere else. After all, it was just land surrounded by water; nowhere to go and really uneventful. He didn't know why somebody would want to come here and stay here like a caged bird.
Riku spotted a bunch of boxes outside, his steps faltering before the wooden planked walkway. He walked to the door, finding it slightly ajar. Steadying the pie with one hand, Riku knocked on the door. "Hello?" he softly called right afterward, knocking once more. The door creaked open and Riku moved his hand immediately back to carrying the pie. He looked up at what could have been the most gorgeous man to walk on this planet. He was so perfectly tan, tall, and muscular. And he had the most beautiful set of eyelashes paired with intense blue eyes.
Riku was speechless for a moment, feeling his cheeks burn up as those very eyes examined him. The man was waiting for him to say something. This was Riku's cue to talk. "Oh, uh...hello," Riku choked out, looking down for a moment. Now he really wished it was his mother in his place instead of him. At least she wouldn't make a big fool out of herself. "Welcome to Destiny Islands."
"Thank you. And you are..."
Riku thinks his brain had just melted. This man's voice was like deep silken honey and he was the little honeybee that was deeply attracted to it. "Riku. I'm your neighbor," he answered, propping the pie with one hand as he extended the other. "It's nice to meet you."
"Terra." Though he had a muscular body, Terra shook Riku's hand as if he were a delicate object.
'He has such soft and gentle hands. And larger than mine, too,' Riku thought with a blush, quickly letting go of Terra's hand. "Please take this pie as a warm welcome to the islands," Riku stammered as he bowed, hands outstretched.
Terra chuckled, grabbing the pie. "So, I'm guessing this is what the real estate meant by southern island hospitality. Would you like to come inside and have a slice?"
"Ah, I wouldn't like to impose..."
"I insist," Terra said with a smile. "It wouldn't be hospitable if you didn't join me."
The line caused Riku to smile. Terra was just so naturally charming and he couldn't resist the offer. After all, he had wanted to try that pie. Riku walked inside the man's home as Terra closed the door behind them.
"It's not much. Right now, at least," Terra murmured. "Let me unpack some utensils, hmm?"
"Sure," Riku called. As Terra left the room, Riku walked about in interest. Even though it wasn't fully decorated, it was still a beautiful home. It has a similar architectural structure like his own, only much emptier. Riku sat down comfortably on one of the stools Terra had set around the kitchen table.
Terra came back with two plates and some utensils. He set them on the table neatly, sitting across from the silver haired male with a small smile. Riku gave him a shy smile back and watched him cut the pie into pieces.
"Thank you," Riku said as Terra handed him a piece. He waited politely for Terra to cut himself a piece before he grabbed a fork. "So...what brings you here to Destiny Islands?"
Terra gave Riku an amused look. "It seems like a peaceful, quiet place. Nice view and climate..."
"Ah, so you came here to get away?"
"It was sort of a decision based off of impulse and job reasons."
Riku paused before he tilted his head. The more Terra talked, the more he seemed so drawn to him. Perhaps it was Terra's silky voice, or the mysterious gleam in his blue eyes..."What is your job?"
"Right now, none. But, I graduated with a master's in English literature. So, I'm legible in the department of education." Terra then took a bite of pie as Riku thought about his answer. "Mmn, what is this flavor?"
"Oh, it's Paopu fruit. It's the island's famous and rare fruit. It only grows here..." Riku answered.
"So I've read in travel guides. Isn't there something special about this fruit? It seems to have slipped my mind," Terra pondered with a thoughtful look.
"Aha, well..." Riku started with an embarrassed chuckle. "It...is said that people who share the fruit are tied together for life." The silver haired male felt the intrigued look of Terra scanning him over, the pie, and then back to him. "It's a silly tale, really, haha...It's not like we're bound for life or anything," Riku assured.
"It's quite touching," Terra commented with a smile. Now Riku felt even more embarrassed as Terra eyed him. He could already feel his cheeks burning once more. He really should have kept that island folklore to himself. "I can't wait to get the air conditioners running in here," Terra said. He pulled on his tank top a couple of times and Riku could practically smell his masculine scent from the small motion. "You're even getting red from the heat..."
"Huh? Ah, yeah..." Riku chuckled out, finishing the last of his pie. "I noticed you had some boxes outside. Would you like some help bringing them in?"
"Oh no, you've helped enough. You're very kind, however," Terra thanked. "Though I should be getting back to unpacking."
"If you need help with anything, I'm right next door," Riku offered. The brunette smiled at that, opening the front door for Riku.
"Thank you, Riku. Have a nice rest of the afternoon."
Riku's knees nearly went weak as Terra slipped his name in the sentence. "Y-you too, Terra." He bowed courteously before he came back into his house, oblivious to the other male staring at him as he left.