November

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disclaimer (n.)- statement denouncing responsibility or ownership; verb- disclaim

As in, I disclaim any rights to Kingdom Hearts.

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It was November, and for some reason, they were at the pool. That 'some reason' was actually Sora. If it had been up to Riku, they would be somewhere warmer, wearing appropriate clothes for the cold weather. But then, it wasn't really up to Riku, now was it?

Riku hated the pool. Well, actually, he hated what happened at the pool. Riku was perfectly aware that he was attractive, but that didn't necessarily mean every girl within a twelve foot radius had to stare. Every time Sora dragged him to the community pool, Riku regretted the decision to follow his friend almost immediately.

What? Riku thought as he sat sulking by the edge of the water. Did someone post a sign on his forehead saying, Please gawk at me?

As if on cue, two girls walked past him, giggling like mad. Riku's glower deepened fractionally. God, he despised this place. And hadn't those girls walked in front of him twice already?

Somewhere in the chlorine-tinted water, Sora was sure to be having the time of his life. The brunette wasn't a particularly good swimmer, but he treated it like anything else he did. With the utmost enthusiasm. Sora didn't even need anyone to swim with. He knew full well Riku almost always refused to get in the water with him, but Sora dragged his friend along every time, just in case.

And why in November, of all times? Shouldn't summer be good enough, Riku thought with a shiver. He pulled his jacket over his bare chest, and as he did so, he could literally feel the female population groan. Sora had to be psychotic to want to be here.

Riku was still shivering, so he pulled his knees up to his chest, trying to keep himself warm. Why, oh why had he let Sora persuade him into coming along? He was cold, bored, and angry. What could possibly have taken over his brain long enough to get him here?

Suddenly, a small wave came crashing at Riku, soaking him, jacket and all. After spluttering out the offensive liquid, Riku turned to glare in the general direction of the water.

Sora was bobbing right up next to the edge of the pool, a wide smile covering his face. He laughed, and pulled himself out of the water, into the freezing air. It didn't seem to bother him though, as he ran the few feet to where Riku was sitting.

He leaned down and smiled into his wet friend's face.

"C'mon, Riku," he said. "Swim with me!"

He held out a hand to the sullen silver-haired boy, the perfect picture of innocence.

Riku stared at the offered hand for a moment, then looked up at Sora, pale with cold, decked out in only a pair of red swim trunks.

"Riku," Sora whined. "It's cold out here, come in with me. I promise, I'll keep you warm."

Riku controlled the flush that threatened to crawl up his face, covering it with the motion of taking Sora's hand.

The smaller boy grinned and pulled his friend to the water, yanking Riku in with him. He popped up a second later, dripping wet. Sora doggy paddled over and clung to Riku's arm.

"See? You keep moving and you keep warm."

Riku had to agree. It was warmer in the water than in the cold air. "Yeah, yeah," he said. "Better get moving then."

He took off down one lane, and Sora yelped in surprise before following him. When he reached the end, Riku was waiting patiently, a superior smirk etched on his features. Sora pouted and shoved his friend.

"Why do you have to be better at everything?" Sora whined.

Riku laughed. "How are you so sure I'm better at everything?" he asked.

Sora looked thoughtful. "Well, I dunno, you just are."

Riku rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know," he said, still smirking.

Sora made a flustered noise. "I bet you're not!" he said, half-challenging. "I bet I can do a better dive than you!"

"Sure," Riku said sarcastically, "Like that could happen."

Sora pushed himself pout of the pool with out warning, and stood with his toes on the edge. He settled himself into position for a shallow dive, then sprung off the edge and into the water.

Riku had to admit Sora had good form. Up until his knees, where his legs separated, making him look like a ridiculous, overgrown frog.

When Sora resurfaced about eight feet away, he shouted back at Riku, "Beat that!"

Riku scoffed and pushed up out of the water. The air brought goose bumps to his skin, so he hurriedly took position and jumped.

Sora watched his friend sail into the water with perfect form, making barely a ripple in the water. He slumped a bit in the water around him. I guess Riku is better at everything, he thought.

Riku came up next to him, knowing he'd won. Sora stuck out his bottom lip, pouting again. "That's so not fair," he mumbled.

Riku sighed, and pulled lightly on a lock of Sora's hair. "Calm down," he said. "You know you can handle the weather better than I can. Besides, you're the one who wanted to go swimming in near-winter, anyway."

Sora smiled. "That's okay, Riku," he said. "I told you I'd keep you warm." He huddled up next to the taller boy, intent on warming his friend.

Riku stiffened, then relaxed as Sora pulled him into an underwater hug.

So maybe the pool wasn't so bad after all….

But he'd be damned if he ever came here in November again.

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A/N: I went to the pool today. And got splashed at by my sister.

No Sora or Riku though….