Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts I/II are not mine.
Sense III: Sound
He closed his eyes, and listened. Listened to the gentle wind tugging at his hair and clothes; listened to the whispering palm fronds, listened to the song of the sea as it roared onto the sandy shores of the beach and the island he called home. He opened his bright blue eyes just as the sea retreated, leaving trails of pearly foam.
Much had happened in the past year he had been away. But Kairi and Riku, his best friends, were now safe and home with him, and to Sora, that was worth all the pain and hardship.
He splayed both hands under him onto the sand and leant back, thinking. Riku had been asking him odd questions as of late, and he grimaced when he recalled the perfume incident – that is, Selphie and Kairi assaulting him with scented sprays that made him sneeze violently. But Riku had made up for all the indignities he'd suffered at the girls' hands by paying him a visit and cuddling him. He felt his cheeks colour a little; he really did enjoy the closeness of Riku's body to his. It was comfortable and soothing. Just like Riku's voice.
Sora sighed, thinking how childish and somewhat squeaky his voice was compared to his older best friend's.
"I thought I might find you here."
Sora turned and practically fell over into the sand. "R-Riku!" He sputtered, hastily picking himself up only to hear chuckles from the older, silver-haired boy. Sora made a few comical "Phht, phht" sounds as he spat out grains of sand that had gotten into his mouth when he had gone face-first into the sand. Riku smiled. "Honestly…you've grown one year older physically, but mentally you're still ten." "Hey, I resent that!" Sora retorted, crossing his arms and pouting. Riku only laughed harder. "Aha, see? Still a kid." Sora hissed darkly and frowned. There was an upside, though – he loved Riku's laughter, even at his own expense.
"You like watching the sunsets here too, Riku?" Sora asked, looking at his friend next to him as he hugged his knees to himself. "Oh yeah, sure," Riku replied, both legs outstretched, hands supporting him. Then he said somewhat softer, "Especially with you." Sora blinked in surprise; he hoped Riku hadn't said what he thought he'd said. He shrugged it off and looked at the sea again, slowly turning orange with the setting sun and the waves sparkled with diamonds. "I like listening to stuff here, too," he said, closing his eyes briefly. "Hmm?" Riku looked over at the brunette. "The sea…the trees…the wind…it all feels so right. I – I can't really explain." Riku smiled gently. "I know, Sora." He shifted closer.
Sora opened his eyes as he felt Riku pulling him closer, till his head was nestled on the elder's chest. Sora blushed bright crimson, but Riku either ignored it or didn't notice in the fading light. The sea was losing it's adornment of dancing diamonds and garment of liquid honey, taking on the inky smoothness of night.
"You know one other thing I like listening to, Sora?"
"No…w-what?"
Riku felt Sora shiver slightly, and hugged the boy tighter. Sora let out a low rumbling, a contented purr and snuggled into Riku more.
"I like listening to you, Sora."
"And I like listening to you too, Riku."
Author's Notes: Crap, I'm going to give myself diabetes if I keep this fluffiness up! Anyway, next chapter will be "Savour". Sounds yummy, doesn't it? ;9 Keep reading! 3