A/N: Okay, so this idea came to me when I was reading up on an anime named "Durarara!" and I was very absorbed with the character Izaya Orihara. So far I haven't written any stories with characters with mental disorders (as far as I know) and recalled my deep interest in them. Thus, I decided to try and write a story where one of my characters suffered from Anti-Social Personality Disorder. I did as much research on the subject as I could for an exhausted writer, so I apologize ahead of time for any discrepancies or inaccurate characteristics of one with this disorder. I'm not accustomed to writing these types of stories so please bear with me and enjoy!

OOO

Sora Hikari sat on the edge of the beach belonging to Destiny Islands, gazing out at the vast ocean of clear blue. No matter how hard he tried the tears would not comply in ceasing their relentless streaming. Crystal blue waves crashed softly against the sand, relieving his naked feet from the hot summer day, and transporting seashells and forgotten Papou fruit to their final destination between the fragile border of sea and earth.

Sora picked up a Papou fruit and contemplated its meaning. Legend said that if two people shared one, their destinies would become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what. Did that include after death? Part of him wanted to say it was bullshit—the legend, the destiny. All of it meant nothing. But maybe having a belief, though, no matter how ridiculous, is better than grieving in loss with no forthcoming end. As Sora considered how simple it is to drown in one's own sorrow, he also considered a physical drowning—a separation of one's mind and body as they drifted into the watery depths.

"What are you doing?"

Lost far in rampant emotions, Sora failed to notice the handsome young man that suddenly crouched beside him, messing around with seashells that came and went with the ocean's tide. Embarrassed by crying silently in front of this stranger, he turned his head and rubbed the tears away with the back of his shirt collar. This boy appeared to be a year older than him and a few inches taller, his shoulder-length platinum hair and radiant jade eyes being the most prominent features.

"I'm not doing anything, other than staring at the ocean," replied Sora. His voice sounded weak and pathetic, and he cleared his throat while reprimanding himself for being so distracted.

"Then why were you crying?" asked the stranger.

"I'm not. I wasn't," was Sora's adamant response.

"Don't lie. Didn't your mother teach you that?" The boy spoke in an almost admonishing tone a mother would give her child, but there was a gleam of amusement in his eyes all the while.

Sora was quiet, the incentive to tell this kid to go fuck himself nearly overwhelming. Who the hell does he think he is, talking down to him like that without even knowing him? Instead, Sora tried to smile, partially amused that a stranger would act the part of a parent or older sibling to another stranger. And then he did something that surprised even himself.

"My papa died yesterday. His funeral was this morning," he said miserably. The boy smirked, thinking it was cute the way Sora called his father "papa." It seemed so antiquated like the black and white films he used to watch as a small child.

"Death is but a means to a higher existence. Or a lesser one, depending on how you view it. An eternal slumber," he stated forthrightly. No emotion was betrayed in his voice, other than the angelic face that retained its continuous serene gaze towards the massive body of water. He didn't appear the least bit sympathetic about Sora's loss or grief.

"Yeah, thanks a lot. It really helps to know that my papa will rot in his sleep and never awaken again," Sora retorted sarcastically. What was wrong with this kid? A simple, heartfelt "I'm sorry for your loss" would have been sufficient. Of course, what did he expect from a complete stranger? Kindness? That he actually gave a shit about his life and the people in it?

As if reading his mind, the boy looked genuinely contrite and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to belittle your father's passing. I can be a bit of a douche bag sometimes. Again, I'm sorry."

"It's alright," said Sora, accepting his apology. Maybe it was just difficult for certain individuals to share sympathy with others, he mused. Then again, it was weird enough that he was willing to divulge this personal information with someone else, somebody unknown to him. He presumed this eagerness to be a sheer need to unburden his issues onto someone else for a while. At least this boy didn't seem to take notice, and if he did he didn't appear to care.

"This may sound super corny and cliché, but my papa was my hero. Literally too. Once, when I was eight years old, he took me to my favorite place—this beach. I remember he was going to teach me how to swim in the deep end; he was an awesome teacher, better than any of my teachers at school. He got called away to do something and told me to wait until he returned, but I was so excited and confident then...

I was trying to surprise him by showing I could teach myself how to swim in the deep end, but I got a terrible cramp in my leg and panicked, almost drowning until a friend of mine saw what happened and rushed to get help. My papa jumped in without the slightest hesitation and rescued me. For a few minutes I blacked out, and he had to do CPR. It was some years before I was able to swim again. And now, when I need him most… he's gone. Just gone."

Sora glanced at his enigmatic companion through his peripheral vision; cheeks burning with embarrassment at disclosing all this personal information he really had no business knowing.

"You know, it's kind of funny. Here I am telling you all of this crap about me and my papa and I don't even know your name," he laughed sheepishly, gazing at the sand in self-consciousness. The boy held out his hand during his introduction.

"It's Riku. Riku Ishikawa," he chuckled, smiling charmingly.

"Riku? That's a beaut—er, cool name." Sora shook Riku's hand, noting he had a firm and almost possessive grip. "I don't think I've seen you around before. Are you new here?"

Riku nodded. "Yeah, my father and I moved here a few days ago. We don't get out often, which is probably the reason why you haven't seen us yet. Actually, come to think of it, I don't live too far from you. Just three houses down on your side of the street."

"How do you know where I live?" asked Sora, a little disturbed and wary at hearing that this stranger knew where he resided already.

"Hmm, maybe that's because I live three houses away from you and I've seen you sitting on your porch before? Not to mention you hang out a lot with that brunette chick that always wears a pink dress with a hoodie. You really don't pay attention to who comes and goes in this place, do you?"

"Oh, you must mean Kairi. She's cool. And normally I do, but with my papa having been sick and everything… I guess my attention span has suffered recently."

"Mmm, no shit," Riku said uncouthly. "Hey, mind if I come over to your place and hang out for a bit?"

"W-What? Wh-Why?" Sora stammered with his mouth slightly ajar in confusion. This abrupt question struck him without a hint of warning. Riku imitated Sora's expression in mock surprise, immensely pleased that he was able to disconcert his young brunette companion for the first time since they met.

"So we can get to know each other, dumb butt. Why else?"

"I don't mind, but I don't think my mom would be up for new visitors right now. Not after Papa's funeral, I mean," Sora explained. There was something about Riku that kept him apprehensive, but that incommodious sentiment always disappeared once Riku revealed his charismatic and brilliant smile that could influence even the strictest person.

"I'm sure your mom won't mind. And anyway, I wish to give her my most sincere condolences," he stated, rather reasonably.

"Er, well why don't we go to your house today? We can visit mine later, after Mom is feeling better." Sora practically pleaded in an effort to change directions in the conversation.

Riku grabbed Sora's hands in an attempt to persuade him, brows furrowed with purpose. One way or another, he was determined to have what he wanted. And what he coveted was gazing at him with the most enticing, crystal-blue eyes he had ever laid his eyes on.

"Please Sora! I also lost a parent at a young age. To be able to see your mother and apologize for the injustice that's happened to her and you would mean everything to me!"

Sora smiled amiably as he looked at Riku with compassion and empathy. Riku also comprehended what it meant to lose a precious parent. How could he not permit someone so considerate of another's feelings to not send their condolences if they so unwaveringly desired?

"Alright Riku. You can come over."

That was all it took to initiate the beginning of an intriguing and nearly perilous relationship.