Disclaimer: I do not, and never will, own the Kingdom Hearts characters. Unless I somehow turn out to be some long lost niece of Nomura twice removed. Which is highly unlikely. So, without further ado….
lovely dreaming
sora x riku
one-shot
by kyou
Day 1
Wednesday
Location: Boston, Massachusetts- Dorm
I started my new job at the coffee shop today.
Granted, it's not the job I wanted, but it's a job nonetheless.
I wonder if I'll see you.
Day 2
Thursday
Location: Excalibur (That IS what the coffee shop is called, you know.)
I saw you. You didn't see me. Or rather, you ignored me.
I have yet to decide whether this is good or bad.
I smell like coffee. A friend of mine commented on this today, to which I promptly told him to shut up.
Insert more colorful language. Ahem.
Day 3
Friday
Location: Axel's Dorm
I said hello to you. You stared back.
Definitely a bad thing.
Axel says I should run away with you. I told him to be quiet in a not-so-family-friendly way.
Apparently, Axel gets on a lot of people's nerves. He was fired from his job at the music store for singing along with the background music.
I feel sorry for his coworkers.
(By the way, in case you were wondering, this is the classmate who told me that I smelled like coffee.)
Day 4
Saturday
Location: Unknown
I'm lost.
I promised Axel that I'd meet him at his backup job (he'd been juggling two jobs, just in case- which was uncharacteristically wise of him)-he's a salesman at a tattoo parlor, but doesn't actually perform the tattooing. They don't trust him with the needle.
Smart boss.
But now I'm lost. The weird thing is I remember his exact directions:
"Take a left at the park; keep walking till you get to the station. Then turn right and keep walking until you reach the school. I'm right across the street. Ironic, 'int it? Anyways, if you see the old man feeding pigeons at the bus stop, you've gone too far. Now, there was this girl…"
I can see what looks like a lake. Which was NOT in his directions.
I took a left at the park, walked to the station, then I got lost around there.
Guess it's time to call Axel again…
Day 5
Sunday
Location: Axel's Dorm
After yesterday's entry, Axel ran out of the building behind me.
Apparently he'd said pool, not school. And that lake thing? Yup, that was the pool.
So after he finishes yelling his lungs out at me, we drive to his dorm and hang out.
So here I am.
And yes, I carry my cell with me everywhere. Which is how I'm typing this.
It feels awkward writing to someone who will never read this.
Day 6
Monday
Location: Art Drawing People
I finished my drawing. It's of you, but in the painting you're so far away in the background that you can't tell it's you.
If that makes sense.
Before you ask, I have more friends than Axel. They were actually originally only his friends. Whatever. There's Larxene, who was electrocuted when she was 13 and was never the same again. Then there's Kairi and Namine- sisters- and Roxas, your brother.
And then I have my own friend/rival- Zexion. And both he and Axel are friends with Demyx.
So there. I have my own web of friends.
Not like you'd worry about me though.
Huh.
Day 7
Tuesday
Location: Dorm
I'm sick. I caught a head cold from someone in my Social Civics class.
Which sucks.
A lot.
Because now I can't see you, and it's very boring here.
Day 8
Wednesday
Location: Dorm
Still sick.
Day 9
Thursday
Location: Dorm
…guess what?
Day 10
Friday
Location: Axel's Dorm
So I finally got better and it's the one day we don't have class. Figures.
I decided to go to Axel's dorm instead. Of course. We've been friends since kindergarten.
Which kinda sucks, because we know everything about each other and we continue to act like kids and hold things against each other.
Anyways, Axel's all like, "Yo."
"Hey."
"He asked for you yesterday."
"Really?!"
"No." Laugh.
"Axel, you-!"
Cue colorful language.
Sometimes I wonder how we ever became friends. I honestly don't know.
Day 11
Saturday
Location: Pool
I had swim practice today.
Surprise, surprise. I actually do physical activity.
And yes, my cell phone (which I'm writing on) was safely stowed away in my locked locker. Heh. "Locked locker."
Day 12
Sunday
Location: Dorm
I had the most vivid dream ever last night. It was the happiest dream I've ever had.
It was of you, of course. Who else could've made me that happy?
Day 13
Monday
Location: Fundamentals of Accounting
I'm back at school, finally. I wasn't able to see you, though, because I had to catch up with schoolwork.
Axel, of course, said I looked like shit. Everyone else welcomed me back in a more polite manner, but the one person I wanted to hear a "Welcome back! Glad you're feeling better" from didn't speak to me.
Day 14
Tuesday
Location: Basic English Grammar
Why, oh why, did I ever sign up
for this class?
Oh, I remember why. You were forced to take it
and I wasn't, but I tagged along anyways.
Figures.
All I ever do is help the teacher anyways.
Day 15
Wednesday
Location: Math
I would've signed up for your math class as well, but it was too easy and the staff wouldn't allow it.
You don't need to know what math I'm in anyways- not that you'd care.
Day 16
Thursday
Location: Chemistry
Science… one of my favorite subjects.
Well, Axel's too, but that's 'cos he gets to blow stuff up.
So why am I so bored? Two words.
Substitute Teacher.
She lets everyone get away with everything. It's actually quite sad.
I'm so tired. My eyelids are heavy. Maybe I'll take a short n…
Day 17
Friday
Location: Dorm
I woke up yesterday to Roxas shoving a ruler into my arm. We had been late for English.
At least we don't have class today.
I'm still exhausted, though.
Day 18
Saturday
Location: Park
I almost fell asleep on the bench. I can't sleep at night. It's terrible.
Day 19
Sunday
Location: Demyx's Dorm
It's not his birthday. He just threw a cheer-everyone-up party.
(It was also to partially celebrate his hooking up with Zexion.)
Of course, it made me feel worse.
Day 20
Monday
Location: Biology
I'm pretty much alone in this class. Axel doesn't take it- he has botany. Imagine that.
Demyx and Zexion take marine biology. Larxene has physics. Kairi and Namine take ecology. Roxas has- what did he call it? Ah, self-defense.
As if he couldn't already defend himself. Please.
You're the only one that's here whom I know. But I'm still as lonely as ever.
Day 21
Tuesday
Location: Business
Mathematics
Or at least, I'm supposed to be.
I don't need to take this class and they know it. So I have a free period.
Of course, you're still stuck in there. I wish I could help you, but I know you'd never accept my help.
I guess this means you know one of mymath classes.
Day 22
Wednesday
Location: Basic English Grammar
This class will be the death of me.
At least you're here.
Day 23
Thursday
Location: Business Mathematics
Our teacher suggested I tutor you. You politely declined.
…oh, who am I kidding? As soon as the words left the professor's mouth, all Hell broke loose. You threw an absolute tantrum.
But I'm tutoring you anyway.
At least you're not failing anything else. I'd hate to see you cry.
Day 24
Friday
Location: Dorm
No class. No you. A cold, grey day.
Day 25
Saturday
Location: Axel's Dorm
One of my most-frequented locations.
Axel dragged me to his dorm so I could help him with math.
Is tutoring the only thing I'm good for?
Day 26
Sunday
Location: Taco King
Roxas felt like tacos. What Roxas wants, Roxas gets.
So Axel took him to Taco King. I was dragged along.
I really don't like tacos.
Day 27
Monday
Location: English Literature
Do you just not like school? Sure, you're good at most subjects, but you just seemed so bored when we read poetry today.
Or do you just not like poetry?
Day 28
Tuesday
Location: Museum of Fine Arts
Field trip.
I saw you fooling around with your friends.
Did we used to be friends? I don't remember. I think we were.
What happened so suddenly that you won't even look at me?
Day 29
Wednesday
Location: Composition
Does this count as a writing project?
Day 30
Thursday
Location: Art Drawing Animals
I'm not the greatest artist in the world. You're better than me- but not by much, I admit. Namine's a lot better.
I wonder if she'd teach me?
Day 31
Friday
Location: Axel's Dorm
Axel threw a party. I'm not a party person, but I still went.
It's now been a month since I started working, and you still won't talk to me when you order. You always go to the other clerk.
Why?
Day 32
Saturday
Location: Your Dorm
Imagine that! I'm in your dorm!
No, it's not what you think. I'm tutoring you, and the school is closed.
"What are you typing?" you ask.
"Nothing," I say.
"It's obviously something," you say.
I shrug.
"Who are you writing to?"
You,
I want to say. But I just shrug again.
You grow bored and look back at your math.
Day 33
Sunday
Location: Wandering
I dreamed that you thought I was upset with you.
I wonder what it means.
You still won't speak to me, but I do get the occasional nod in my direction.
I'm happy with that.
Day 34
Monday
Location: Excalibur
I saw you come in today. You looked at me as if for the first time.
"You work here?"
"For a
month and three days."
"…oh."
Why haven't you noticed me?
Well, at least you're speaking to me now…
Day 35
Tuesday
Location: Library
I asked the General Composition professor. Yes, this counts as writing.
I suppose this would be the time to use an adage or something to that effect, so here it is: I'm killing two birds with one stone.
That sounds so clichéd. Not to mention gruesome and physically impossible. I mean, really.
I shared my thoughts with you at our tutoring session. You stared at me blankly and muttered, "It's just an expression."
Great. Now I'm the over-analytical dork.
How do I even know that word?!
(I asked you if you knew it. "What?!" you said. I took that
as a "no." I'll teach it to you on Saturday, even though I'm
supposed to teach you math.)
Day 36
Wednesday
Location: Dorm
You're in my dorm.
And although it's not exactly what you're thinking, it's pretty damn close.
Close enough for me.
"I want to see your dorm," you said.
"Why?"
"Why not?"
So I led you in.
I remember exactly what happened. I could feel my heart pounding against my ribcage, and my hands were shaking. It doesn't mean anything, I kept telling myself. He doesn't like you. It was like my silent mantra.
You let out a slow whistle. "Wow, this… it's really nice."
"Not really."
"Pff, totally. I mean, Roxas and mine… ours isn't this great. And it's a mess. This place… man, it's immaculate." I shrugged.
"I'm organized."
"Naw, it's not just that, it's just… it's like, I walk in here and I instantly know it's you. I know it's yours without even seeing you."
"How so?"
"I dunno, it's just like… see, here's your laptop you're always typing away on. And you've got these… what are they called? Narcissuses. You like them, right?"
"How do you know?"
"You wrote that poem in English Literature. God, Professor loved you for that." I remember being shocked that you'd remember something so trivial that I had long forgotten. It rendered me speechless for that short moment. The poem had been written on a whim, for an assignment, after all. One stanza.
Beautiful, delicate narcissus
Love me, it cries. I love you, it sings.
But it's merely designed to draw you in
Love it, it hates you
Hate it, it loves you
A gorgeous contradiction
Sora spoke again and jolted me to the present. "I didn't really get it, but, you know, it was nice."
"It's sad."
"Yeah, but… I dunno, it's almost as if you meant it."
"I did." I also remember that. I wrote it the day you laughed at me when I fell in the halls. It hurt, seeing you laugh with everyone at me, but I still loved you.
"Oh."
Awkward silence.
"Can I get you something?"
"Oh!
No. I'm… I've gotta get going. You know. Roxas and all…" I
think you almost pouted, but caught yourself just in time. "Well…
I guess I could have some soda."
So I got you the soda. Then you got hungry. So I gave you some food. You finished it. Then you started watching television.
And then you fell asleep on the couch.
Roxas called me. "Yeah, he's here… no, he's fine. It's fine, really… oh, uh, no. I can drive him… oh, really? He seems to be okay… oh. Yeah, well. Just, uh, come here when you're done then." And then I hung up.
I suddenly had the strangest urge to write a note to you- but not give it to you. Not like these letters, dear me, no- different. So I went to my desk and wrote a note. It was extremely brief- only two sentences. I cut it and folded it into a small rectangle, then stuffed it in an empty mechanical pencil lead holder. (You know. The plastic thing the lead comes in when you first buy it.) And I held on to it.
Roxas came to pick you up about ten minutes later. You left, I said goodbye and I watched you walk down the stairs, away from my window.
And then I did something I thought I'd never do.
"Sora!" You turned. I waved. You smiled and continued going down the flights of stairs. I dropped the pencil lead case onto the stairs. You picked it up.
I ran from the window after that. I don't know if you opened it.
I hope you did.
Day 37
Thursday
Location: Pottery
(I do take electives, you know!)
Nothing. I thought I saw you looking at me through my peripheral vision, but when I turned, you were laughing with your friends. I decided to ignore you for the rest of the class and concentrate on making my clay bird. I failed horribly.
Was it a mistake giving you that note?
Day 38
Friday
Location: Dorm
You woke me up this morning. Or rather, the doorbell did.
You had come to give me back the pencil case.
"It dropped from your window yesterday," you explained.
"Oh. Yeah. It… uh, I left it on my windowsill and it probably got knocked over…"
"Yeah."
"Thanks."
"No problem. So, uh… have a nice day."
"Yeah. You too." And you left.
What I saw inside the pencil holder made my heart sink. The paper was still stuffed in.
I dejectedly went back to bed and cried myself to sleep.
Pleasant day, don't you think?
Day 39
Saturday
Location: Bed
I stayed home. Axel called. I told him I was sick.
Day 40
Sunday
Location: Dorm
It's not over after all!
This
morning, I was able to think clearly and allowed myself the small
hope that you had written on the paper.
I opened it up, and on one side was my note.
I love you. Do you love me?
And on the other side, in your messy scrawl:
YES.
I really don't think I've ever been happier.
Day 41
Monday
Location: Excalibur
"Hi Sora."
"Oh… hi Riku."
"Uh, so…"
"Can I talk to you?" Your words shattered my confident façade.
"Oh! Yeah. Yeah, sure. Um, hang on." I quickly ran to the back, hung up my uniform, yelled a quick excuse to my boss ("I'M TAKING MY BREAK!"), and took you the back of the shop.
"So, what's up?"
"I…
gave you the case, right?"
"Oh… yeah, uh…"
"Do you believe me?"
"I…"
"Because I don't believe you."
"But… I was serious. I wasn't lying…"
"I don't know that. What if this is just some… elaborate prank made to trick me?"
"How do you want me to convince you?"
Shrug.
"Sora, I've done
everything I can to tell you. I love you. I don't know what else to
do."
Another shrug. "That's too bad the-"
In that split second, I realized what you were doing. You were trying to badger me into doing what you wanted. Why hadn't I thought of it before? You wanted me to break down and cry.
Well, I wasn't going to give that to you. I just wasn't.
I'm not sure what happened next. Someone was desperate. Someone was trying to speak. But that doesn't matter. What matters is that we ended up locking lips.
"-en," you breathed.
"Right," I whispered.
"…uh, we're still behind a coffee shop, aren't we?"
…oops?
Day 63
Sunday
Location: Sora's Dorm
Wow, a lot of time has passed… I haven't written here in a while.
Heh. I've been too busy talking to the real Sora.
I showed him these journals. We laughed, we cried, we blushed about it.
It was nice.
He now works at the coffee shop with me. Life had never been more pleasant.
As for Zexion and Demyx, they're still happily together.
And Axel? He's got his eye on a little blond.
We'll see how that goes.
This is all there is to be told- until we meet again.
Author's Note: I'm sorry if I made Riku too whiny! D: And I'm not British- I just prefer the British spelling of "gray". It looks more… dainty? xD;; If that makes sense. (Also, I just finished reading Good Omens by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman and I've gotten accustomed to the British spellings now…) The coffee shop is named after one of the Gummi Ships in the game. If you win the race against Riku in the very beginning on Kingdom Hearts, and you choose not to change the name, your first gummi ship is named Excalibur. So there you are. If you liked this story, go check out the other fanfics on this account and PLEASE REVIEW. :D Thank you!