My brother left today so I'm kinda depressed. Felt like writing something.
Departure
"Sora?" Riku angled his head and watched his friend closely. The brunet had a forlorn look to his features and was gazing out at nothing.
"Hmm?" Blue eyes did not divert their attention.
Riku frowned. "I have to get going now."
It took a moment before Sora blinked once and turned toward his best friend, his brother. Something in his eyes shimmered but he smiled weakly. "Yeah, if you don't get out of here now, it'll be really early morning before you get back."
"Yeah." Riku grinned a bit. "And we both know Cloud will stay up until I get back."
Sora snorted a laugh. "He worries too much about you."
"You all do." The silvered one flicked his bangs. "I think you like to forget I did manage to survive on my own for awhile."
"That didn't work out too well for you, Ku." Sora stuck out his tongue at the other.
"Whatever," the older one dismissed good-naturedly.
They fell silent for a moment, an unusual awkwardness settling between them. It seemed like Sora wanted to say something but was holding back. This concerned Riku but he was hesitant to ask what the younger boy was thinking.
Even though Riku had left Destiny Islands nearly a year ago and been back and forth between there and Radiant Garden several times since then, it was still painful go back to what was now home. He hated leaving everyone, especially Sora. The brunet meant more and was closer to him than anyone else could ever be.
Sora pursed his lips in an odd smile. "Well, you better get going. You don't want Leon mad at you because Cloud was up all night, not that Cloud won't be anyway."
Riku let out what could be described as a mix of breath and chuckle. "He's usually good about not jumping me as soon as I get home."
"Sure he is."
With a faint shrug, Riku worried his lip. He gave Sora a hard look and abruptly hugged the shorter teen. As he held onto him, he muttered, "You know I miss you when I'm gone."
Sora stiffened in surprise for a beat before returning the embrace and mumbling, "Yeah, I do, too."
Riku released him and with one last wave, turned for the Gummi ship. He got onboard and the door sealed behind him. A few minutes later the engines started and the ship smoothly took off, quickly disappearing into the sky.
Sora waited until he could not see any trace of it. Once it was completely gone, he blinked away a few of the tears that had formed. Shaking his head at himself, he headed for his small boat.
It never got easier to watch his brother leave.