Title: Hit the Ground Running
Fandom: Kingdom Hearts
Characters/Pairings: Riku, Xion; RikuShi
Rating: G
Warnings: Happens during Riku's and Xion's alone time.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the stories I write.
Summary: Xion gets the quick tour of a new world.
Word Count: 337
Submitted: 5 December 2011
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They're in between worlds when Xion sees a silver tangle shoot across the Corridor of Darkness in the distance. She doesn't even get the chance to warn Riku before he opens an exit. They go through the portal running.
Even when they clear the park they've entered—the largest one Xion's ever seen with so many trees, paths, bridges, and waterways (she wants to come back to the lake later)—they keep running. They run past nice, big, expensive looking homes and past department stores and skyscrapers and streets crowded with taxis. They keep running until they've reached the wharf surrounded by abandoned warehouses and slums and strangely very aware stray dogs—the outlines of a large bridge and some gigantic statue holding a torch peeking through the thick fog.
Xion wonders how she's been able to run that far and for that long. She's gasping to get air into her seemingly compressed lungs and turns to Riku to see if she can wheeze out her quandary aloud. It's when she's raising her head from her completely bent over slouch that she sees her answer.
Her hand is firmly clasped in Riku's, the leather of their gloves warm and comfortable against her skin. She hadn't thought that he had led her here by physical contact, only that she had followed his lead. She should really pay more attention to her surroundings when she's high on adrenaline and taking in the sights when she enters a new world, especially when she's running for her stolen non-existent life.
There's pressure around her captured hand and Xion looks up at Riku as he tilts his head as if examining her.
"Are you okay?"
Xion nods, but she's still trying to catch her breath and ease the burn of exertion in her throat, chest, and legs. Riku doesn't look nearly as winded or tired as she does. A part of her bristles with envy at his athleticism.
Another part wonders how long he's been running and what he's been running from.
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10 brownie points for the first person who can tell me which Disney movie I based the world Riku pulls them into on.
Amatus, it's alright, I though Xion was creepy when she first was introduced in-game and that was before I knew about her face. Establishing Riku's initial stand on Xion was really easy—I credit Riku because he's the one that wanted me to write him bugging Naminé. As far as RikuShi songs go, the one that makes me sway back and forth the most is "The Scientist" by Coldplay. I'll tell you in the next installment a song that reflects Xion. And thank you for the vote of confidence.
RoseOfADiffferentColor, of course, of course she'd be beautiful to Riku. No doubt about that. And I have experience with people being incoherent (mom, friends, baby brother), so no worries. If you have more suggestions, don't be afraid to tell me.
Knight-Dawn, hey there! Thanks for the review and the story alert. I'm happy to hear from you. :D Strange that you should mention Riku remembering Xion. I've been playing with that idea in my head recently. I'm definitely going to write about that again soon. Look out for it, okay? And you're absolutely right; someone needs to tell Riku to stop worrying so much.
Next Time: Post-series!Riku reminiscing a bit.