Ever since the war with Xemnas had ended, The teens from Destiny Islands had decided to return home with some of the crew from Radiant Gardens. Kairi already returned to school, Sora had the chance to join her but he chose to stay back until Riku was well enough to return with him.
"I will be sure to pick up your work, but you better think about coming back soon, The more you miss, the more lost you'll be when you return..." Kairi says almost out the door.
"I will, I will...I'm just not ready, it just wouldn't feel right going without Riku, He's my bestfriend and it just wouldn't feel right being without him." Sora says.
"It's not like you'd be in any classes with him because he's in more smarter classes so I don't see the point." Kairi comments.
"Kairi, Please just leave it alone...I don't care if we are classes apart, I just would like to be in the same building, Is all." Sora replies, He would never admit it to her or anyone else for the fear of being thought of as weak but he just didn't want his friend to be away anymore, they've been apart for far too long and Sora felt that their friendship couldn't handle anymore distances that the pieces would just shatter and blow away.
Sora smiled softly at the girl and waved the red head goodbye for the day, he turned away the door squeaking as he closed the door and rushed up the stairs making his way back upstairs to Riku's bedroom, he stops once he got to the door, standing in the doorway he met Cloud's blue gaze, it held a look of sadness. Sora knew that wasn't good because Cloud never showed any emotion to strangers, but maybe because the blonde knew him, he was showing sympathy for him and the silver laying unconsciously in bed.
Sora continued his step walking into the room, he took a seat next to his silver haired friend, he brushed his long silver bangs out of his eyes, Sora sighed and looked to Cloud.
"How long do you think it will be until he wakes?" He asks softly, he's asked so many times, he knew he'd get the same response but it didn't stop him from asking, he just wanted Riku to wake up, he just wanted him to look into his eyes, he knew the silver would insult him for being so sappy, being so worried. But at a time like this he couldn't help it, Riku would tell him that he's strong enough to handle anything but it didn't stop Sora from being by his side, to help him through, to care. Because that's what friend are for, that's what Sora thought as he stayed watching over Riku after the battle, the entire time.
"It's hard to say, he's been through the ringer, I'm sure using the power of darkness and impersonating Ansem for all those months was hard on him and not to mention using the rest of his strength to defeat Xemnas along side you, Just have faith he'll come around soon." Leon says walking in from the bathroom.
Sora nods, he looks down disappointed in hearing the same response as the times before, startled by the touch of light hands, he jumps out of his seat and turns to see Yuffie smiling brightly, he relaxed and sat back down.
"Oh don't be so sad Sora, Riku will come around eventually...Hmm, You can always try to kiss him awake like they do in those romance movies, True loves kiss breaks the spell, blah blah, blah, blah and so on." Yuffie comments giggling, placing her hands on her hips confident it would work.
Sora gets up to meet her gaze, glaring at her. "Yuffie, No way, That's just insane, I'm not going to kiss my best friend, How could you even suggest something like that, Your crazy!" Sora shouts, he relaxes again and then think about how Riku would react, angry, Sora guessed, he shuttered at the next thought of violence. "Plus he'd knock me into freaking Neverland for doing some crazy stunt like that!"
"Well you'd wake the dead with that shouting of yours, Be quiet..." Cloud comments trying to calm the brunette who was making a whole lot of racket about one little comment Yuffie made, The fact it bothered Sora so much, Intrigued the blonde but he decided to leave the matter alone, It wasn't his business but he could definitely see something going on.
"Oooh are you saying you'd actually be willing to do it, Oh mi gosh you want to kiss Riku, I knew it!" Yuffie chimes. "Kidding...Maybe I could give it a try." She gives a kissy face.
"I...Uh don't think he'd appreciate having a complete stranger all up on his face kissing it." Sora replies.
"For once Sora has a point, All you can do is be here for him when he wakes up." Leon says.
Sora sticks his tongue out at the girl who growled defeated, he turns his attention to Leon and smiles brightly, he springs up from his seat and throws his arms around the older male, in a tight hug.
"Aww Leon, Nice of you to be on my side for once! I don't care what Cid says about you, You're perfect!" Sora chimes.
Leon pulls the young brunette who clung to him off, he raises an eyebrow.
"And what does Cid say about me now, Sora?" Leon asks.
Sora slinks back to his spot next to Riku, Avoiding Leon's question by not answering, he knew he recieved a cold glance but then the taller brunette dropped the subject.
"Leon, We better head back to the Gardens, Your wizard friend was talking about upgrading the protection on the town and he said something about needing your help." Cloud interrupts.
"That's just code for time for romance!" Yuffie chimes jumping out the window like a ninja to leave to also return to the Gardens for training.
"She watches way too much Naruto." Cloud says walking out.
"If theirs any change in his condition don't hesitate to call, We will be here right away, The people back home do wish you guys would consider coming back and start calling Radiant Gardens home." Leon says before heading out.
Sora nods accepting Leon's words of help, Once they left, Sora turned his attention back to Riku, he sighs.
"You better wake up soon, Kairi's starting to get worried about you...And we kind of got to get back to school at least that's what she says." Sora rambles. "I miss you, Riku..." He says softly.
Sora sighs and extends a hand to move a strained of silver bang out of Riku's face and smiles.
"You know Kairi wanted me to go back today but I declined...I couldn't see myself going to a place that my best friend wasn't, especially when my bestie is at home laying in bed, Under the weather."
"Sora, You really shouldn't hug every person you see...someone might end up knocking you out, A lot of people aren't so easy going about the kind gesture." Riku says.
Sora jumps, A bright smile on his face as his eyes rest staring into Riku's teal ones.
"Riku, Oh my god, y-you're awake!" Sora chimes happily, he eagerly clings his arms around the silver haired boy in a joyous tight hug.
Riku hugs back, he pats the smaller boys back affectionately, a small smile forms on his lips.
"It's good to see you to, Sora. " Riku says, he chuckles at the boys affection, once Sora moved away the silver haired male throws the blanket off.
"Hey what are you doing, Riku?!" Sora asks.
"Getting up is what I'm doing, Next I will take a shower, Laying in bed for days I assume I smell like garbage..." Riku replies, he goes to stand up, Sora gets up with him.
"You've been out for 3 days you're still too weak to move around, Get back into bed before you fall over, You don't smell bad, you smell like lavender water the usual spray you use to use...You know like lavender oils, patchouli, clary sage, sandalwood, oak moss and peppermint oil!" Sora shouts, he stood close, worry written all over his face.
"Sora, I'm very well aware of what lavender water is...Now Sora, Moving around will make me stronger, if you don't like what I'm doing, Leave." Riku barks.
Sora looks down, Riku looks at him his gaze lightening, he knew barking at him like that had hurt his feelings, he sighed.
"I know you're worried about me, but I promise, I'm going to be okay, Have faith in me, Just like I have faith in you, Sor." He ruffles his hair and gives him a reassuring smile.
Sora nods and steps away from the silver haired male and smiled brightly watching the male slowly make his rounds, small circles not to far from the bed just in case his muscles gave in and failed him, Once Riku felt his strength was coming back he'd adventure away from the safe landing of his bed.
"Riku!" Sora shouts, he moves forward seeing the silver haired boy stumble back, his blue eyes locked with his teal eyes and then the next moment, Riku stumbled forward and a crash was heard. "Riku, Oh my god, Are you okay!?" He shouts as he lay on the ground looking up at his silver haired friend who tumbled onto him.
Riku moved away and sat his back leaning against the bed, his knees up and his arms resting on them with his head in his hands, He was frustrated with himself
"I'm so weak." Riku says, he hits the mattress with his fist, beating himself up with his words.
Sora sits up his legs crossed and his arms resting in his lap, he looks sadly at his friend, he didn't know how to help him, but he reached out his hands touching his shoulders.
"Riku, Don't say that, You aren't weak, You're the strongest person I know, Having to infiltrate the organization like that, you doing everything in your power just to get my memories back and you didnt have to do it, You could have let me go...And then to top it battling against Xemnas when giving into the power of darkness had made you lose you're strength...Everyone feels weak and you may feel that way now but knowing you, You'll always get back up because thats what you do Riku." Sora says, he rest a hand on his hand. "And I'll be here to help you through...So will Kairi." The brunette adds.
Riku looks at the brunette taking in the spikiness of the chocolate locks, his bangs that spilled on his forehead, he looked into his deep blue eyes that dazzled with happiness, his wide smile to match. It made his heart skip a beat, he reached out and brushed his smaller friends bang out of his eyes, he smiles softly and realized he was happy too see the young boy filled with happiness and at this moment it was because of him.
Sora felt himself heat up, he realized he was blushing as his friend brushed his locks back, he brushes it off and jumps to his feet.
"Ready to try getting up now, Riku?" Sora asks.
Riku extends a hand, Sora grabs his hand and brings the taller boy to his feet and immediately Sora sat him back in the bed.
"When you see Kairi tell her I will be ready to go back school tomorrow." Riku says.
"Of course." Sora says softly, he found it odd that the silver haired male brought up Kairi, he rarely did. "You know what, I'll go get you something to eat." Sora adds, he felt Riku was a little too pale and plus he'd been out for a while fighting a battle gets a person hungry, Sora knew that personally because when he woke from fighting Xemnas he was starved.
"Sora, You don't have...Too." Riku began but his stomach turned on him growling loudly, he looked at the look on Sora's face, A smile of victory, he better enjoy it while it last, Riku thought.
"It's settled, Now don't be getting up while I'm gone...Kairi should be home soon, I'll be back!" Sora shouts as he heads out, so the silver haired male could hear.
Riku lays back and looks up at the ceiling. "What's up with him...He's acting weirder than usual...It must be from coming back from a world of adventure and having to return to a normal life, Yeah he probably hasn't adjusted to it..." He sighs taking to himself.
Sora walked through the now dark streets, the street lights lightening up the sidewalks as he made his way to one of the good food trunks in town, he leaned up resting his arms on the counter as watched as a teen with golden hair opens the window.
"Hey Tidus, Two of your fish tacos please." Sora orders.
"Hey man, good to see ya! You're lucky we just caught the fish, Hey maybe we could sword fight sometime on the island and have a volleyball match at that." Tidus says excited, he turns to prepare the meal. "Date night with Kairi?" He questions making polite conversation.
"That sounds fun, I'm so gonna win!" Sora shouts determination setting in. "A-And uh...No, Kairi and I are just friends...I'm actually bringing food back to Riku." Sora adds.
"Oh yeah...I heard he's been under the weather from Kairi. I do hope he'll be able to come back to school, If not then you'll just be stuck with me." Tidus responds, he comes out of the truck and personally hands the tacos to Sora, he rests an arm around the smaller boys shoulder smiling bright. "It's on the house." He adds.
"Oh dont you worry, Tidus. I'll be well enough to return to school, I wasn't planning on being away from Sora forever." Sora's eyes lightened hearing his friend, he turned his gaze to see Riku jump down from a wall.
Riku eyed the blonde, Tidus looking back it was like Riku sent a fear into him because he quickly retreated away from Sora and back into the truck. Riku knew he gave the guy a harsh look, he knew he should have cared but he didn't.
"Riku glad to see you well, Enjoy the tacos." Tidus says.
"Thanks Tidus, We will have to get together sometime and plan that event, It will be fun!" Sora said, he really didn't get the situation at all.
He made his way over to his silver haired friend who leaned against the wall.
"Riku, What in the world are you doing out here, You're suppose to be at home recovering!" Sora shouted.
"I got tired of laying around and so I decided to stretch my legs and come find you before you got yourself into some trouble like you always do." Riku answers.
"How are you able to walk, You could barely stand earlier." Sora comments.
Riku shrugs and grabs the bag from the brunette and grabs the boys hand leading him over to a table where they sat. Riku immediately pulled a taco out of the bag to eat.
"You used curaga, I know it! Riku, we can't use our keyblade magic, Leon said that we need to learn to be normal and therefore we can't use anything we've learned." Sora says.
"No one was around, Plus I can do whatever I want." Riku says.
"B-But Riku...It's what Leon wants." Sora says.
"I don't care what Leon wants, He's your friend not mine...I'll do as I see fit, Now shut up about it." Riku snaps.
Sora stayed silent and looked to Riku and then away. Riku looks at him and sighs.
"I won't do it again, Okay Sora...I'm sorry, I'm sure your friend is just trying to do what's best." Riku says.
"I understand that you don't trust him, It's easy for me to listen to him because he's been helping me through my journey of finding you...I bet it's hard for you to trust anyone after everything that's happened...Having the enemy whisper lies and making you do their bidding and then giving into the darkness. I'm sorry, Riku, You won't hear from me. You'll do what you want and everything will be okay because you're Riku, You don't need me telling you what to do." Sora says, he gets up and walks away.
Riku follows him and shoves him into the wall holding him there his arms on both sides of the brunette, so he couldn't move away.
"Don't say that I dont need you, because I do, Sora. I need you in my life, I trust you and because of you, I'm here today, with you...You never gave up me." Riku says.
"I never gave up on you because you're everything to me, Riku...I can't see my life without you, You're my best friend." Sora replies locking his ocean blue eyes with Riku's teal ones, the world faded away, Sora felt lost in the moment, it was like it was just him and Riku standing there, They stayed in silent, none of them breaking it, the brunette just looked at him and Riku looked right back at him.
"Kairi, How was school?" Riku asks pulling away from Sora, He'd smell the scent of cherry blossoms an strawberry that came from Kairi, who just showed up, Sora adverted his eyes from Riku and looked in the direction that Riku had turned his gaze, Sora was shocked and didn't move away from Riku, And Riku didn't bother to move away either.