Say

Summary: After all, actions spoke louder. RikuSora.

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Riku rarely said it. Sometimes, Sora was bothered, but honestly, he really didn't mind it. As long as he knew, he was happy.

Sora, though, did his best to say it every chance he got. "Good morning Riku," he would mumble, smiling sleepily at the half-dressed silveret stumbling into the bathroom. "I love you," he'd say blearily, drifting contentedly back to sleep as the older man returned to kiss his cheek. During Riku's lunch break, he'd always call, leaving a cheerful voice message if Riku was unable to take his call. "Happy lunch time, Riku!" he'd sing. "I love you!" Every night in bed, Sora would cuddle closer to Riku's welcoming warmth. He'd deeply breathe in the other's cool, comforting, musky scent and begin to doze back to sleep. "I love you," he'd murmur to Riku's shoulder before succumbing entirely to sleep's welcome embrace.

Once, Riku asked why Sora said it so often. "Say what?" Sora asked, head tilted to one side, bright blue eyes utterly confused.

"Say it." Riku shifted uncomfortably. "Say that you… Love me." Sora blinked.

"Why wouldn't I? I'd never want you to doubt how I feel about you. I love you, Riku… That's why. Okay?" However, even then, as Riku's throat clogged and he pulled the brunet in for a kiss, he didn't say it.

Riku was a man of very little words. Of course he loved Sora- he just never felt the need to continuously tell him so. That wasn't to say Riku never did say it… Of course he did. Sometimes, late at night, when Sora was sleeping, Riku would nuzzle his nose into sleep-ruffled hair, take in its sweet, clean scent, and whisper it to the slender sleeping form. At times of intimacy and passion, he'd shout it deep into his lover's mouth, every fiber of his being filled with love and longing for the beautiful boy before him. Other times, Riku would simply write it, slipping his little love letter into Sora's unsuspecting lunch box.

For Riku, actions spoke volumes. Words were fleeting, meaningless. And even though Riku knew Sora meant everything he said, meant it from the bottom of his golden heart, he wanted his own feelings for Sora to seem solid, dependable, and always honest. Words could be faked- actions could not. The kiss on Sora's cheek every morning was to let the boy know that everything was all right. The arm around Sora's waist late at night reminded Sora to relax, that Riku would always be around to take care of him. In public, Riku's hand on his hip was a sign of possession, a warning for all others to back off. And Riku's smile, Riku's special Sora-dedicated smile showed the world that he was Sora's, and Sora's alone.

No, Riku didn't need words. After all, actions speak louder, right?