The morning light peeked in through the window, warming Sora's senses. He opened his eyes, only to be momentarily blinded. "Mm, five more minutes," he told the sun, his reasons lost in nonsensical murmurs.

Riku registered the familiar sounds of Sora's laziness, and knew he had to be the one to wake him up. The unfortunate bit of that being that this required forcing himself up, but he was used to it by now. Wake up, dummy, he tried to say, but only the vowels made it out.

The noise immediately sobered him, and he shot into a sitting position, looking around.

Right, the hospital, he observed, putting a few fingers to his throat. Still can't talk, huh? He sighed.

Looking down at the other boy was quite a sight. He had kicked his share of the blanket away at some point through the night, putting on display his mess of limbs. They were sprawled wildly in every direction as drool hang limply from his open mouth.

Riku couldn't help but chuckle. Looks like yesterday was a fluke, he mused, impressed that Sora had managed to stay so still the last time. Riku looked down at his own hands, flexing them to test. Maybe it was just me holding him in place, he thought, a soft smile playing across his lips.

He was just happy that Sora was so unaffected by their ordeal. I'll let him sleep longer, he decided, moving the blanket away and getting up. Both his and Sora's slippers were by Sora's side of the bed, so he moved to straighten them up as he put on his own.

Nurse Marlene stood in the doorway. "Oh, you're already up."

Riku put a finger to his lips as he pointed to the soundly sleeping Sora behind him.

Marlene just smiled and nodded, waving for him to follow her.

Riku looked back to Sora one final time for strength, pulling the blanket over him, and filed through the door.

Marlene led Riku to the familiar room of Doctor Anise, whose facial expression remained unchanged when he entered.

"The results of your x-rays are back," she stated, offering no hint of pleasantries.

Riku nodded, steeling himself.

"There's no sign of brain damage."

He exhaled in relief.

"After your laryngitis check last night, we've hit a medical brick wall," she said dryly.

Riku's previous solace was immediately forgotten as he found it difficult to breathe.

"From here on out, there's not much we can do with medicine," she emphasized the final word.

Riku forced himself to take a deep breath, facing her with renewed resolve at whatever she would suggest.

"Therapy," the doctor answered. "Your inability to speak might be caused by trauma."

The corners of Riku's mouth twitched, but he kept his expression neutral.

"There's not much more I can do for you," she added. "As you can see, I'm not much for conversing."

So she's aware, Riku noted dryly.

She picked up a slip of paper from her desk and handed it to him. "The contact details of the therapist I recommend," she offered.

Riku stared down at it, unmoving.

When the boy didn't react for several long moments, she kept speaking.

"Go lay down for a bit longer, and have some breakfast," she directed. "I've had the receptionist call your friend again, so she will pick you up later." Doctor Anise looked to Marlene, nodding.

Marlene hesitantly put her hand on Riku's shoulder, causing him to jump slightly. He looked up at her, her resolute smile snapping him back to reality.

Riku looked back to the doctor, nodding once, and then stood up to bow.

"You're welcome," Doctor Anise smiled.

Riku did his best to mirror her expression, regardless of his current worries. He couldn't let both of their efforts at comforting him feel wasted.

Following the nurse, he folded the slip to fit in the palm of his hand, hiding it in a balled first.

Sora woke up when he smelled food.

"I'm awake!" he called excitedly, practically bouncing into a seated position. "Huh, blankets are still on," he wondered. "That's unusual." He shrugged it off, sure it was from how exhausted they had been.

Nurse Marlene and Riku were standing nearby, the latter's face deadpan while the prior wore a nervous smile.

"Oh, I'm talking to myself," Sora stated plainly.

We can see that, Riku sighed, his expression warming back into a smirk.

"Good morning, Riku, Marlene," Sora smiled.

Riku moved his empty hand up to casually wave, stuffing the other into a loose pocket to drop off its contents.

"So, is that breakfast?" Sora continued, looking down at the cart Marlene had in front of her.

She laughed at his eagerness. "I made sure to get extra helpings."

Sora was practically squirming with glee. To her credit, even Riku was excited.

The two hungry boys, unable to wait until they had a table, ate it all standing up.

"Ahhh," Sora sighed, the image of content. "That was so good." He jumped onto the bed, laying back.

Riku nodded, removing Sora's slippers from his forgetful feet.

"Ah, thanks," he smiled out from under messy tufts.

Riku shook his head, moving to the other bed to sit, elbows resting on his knees. He noted vaguely that they had switched beds.

Marlene had pushed the plates and cart outside, waving good-bye to them as she did so.

Riku moved one hand to return the motion, while Sora's arm practically flailed in the air.

She smiled, walking off.

Sora looked over at Riku, whose eyes were now closed. "Did they find out what's wrong?"

He nodded once, but made no change of expression.

"So, you're gonna be healed?" Sora asked excitedly, sitting up to lean towards him.

Riku shook his head once.

Sora's face fell. "Wh, what?"

I can't even tell you why, Riku thought bitterly.

"But, then, what about your voice?"

He shrugged.

"Riku…" Sora reached out to him, but he stopped short. What can I even do to help you?

"Hey," a familiar voice range out from behind them.

Sora's arm fell as he nearly fell over twisting himself around to meet it. "Kairi!"

"Good morning," she smiled, holding up a yellow paper bag.

Sora looked over to Riku, who was now looking squarely at the cheerful girl in the doorway. What? He had to do a double-take. He's… smiling.

Riku gave Kairi a gentle half smile, sitting up straight to give a partial wave.

Noticing the obvious boy's shocked expression, Riku turned to give him a derisive grin. A second later, Sora found his mouth, which had apparently been hanging agape, pushed up by his silver hand, his smile never faltering.

Kairi giggled as she walked over to them. "I'm glad to see you're both feeling better," she beamed.

Sora turned to her, smiling nervously. "Y-yeah," he forced a laugh, looking away. "Anyway," he changed the subject. "What's that?"

"This?" Kairi puffed out her chest, wearing a look of pride. "I thought it might help." She held the bag out to Riku.

He accepted it thoughtfully, inspecting its weight and size. He pointed down at it questioningly.

"Of course you can open it now," she replied eagerly.

"Kairi!" Sora gasped. "You can understand Riku?"

She turned to him, suddenly confused as the silver boy rummaged through the bag. "Can't you?"

Sora looked down, resting his chin on his fist. "Hmm, that's true," he mumbled.

"Do you like it?" Kairi asked. Sora looked up to see Riku holding a flip sketchbook and pencil set.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed. "Good thinking, Kairi."

"Of course!" She replied, resuming her boastful pose, stopping to chuckle after holding it for a few good moments. Hopefully, she looked back to Riku. "What do you think?"

His expression was unreadable. He slowly opened the themed pencil set and chose the grey, striped cat type, and flipped the cover off of the sketchbook.

They both waited anxiously while he wrote something down. Seemingly satisfied, he smiled and turned the pad to reveal a neatly-written 'Thank you'.

Kairi returned the expression. "You're welcome, Riku."

Sora couldn't help but feed off of their positive energy, beaming widely. Maybe Riku is okay now, he thought, questioning whether or not he had just been jumping to conclusions.

"Now," Kairi continued. "Let's go home."

There wasn't much to pack. Just their old, torn clothes. Kairi had taken advantage of the situation to buy them new outfits, with colors and patterns she had been sure would suit.

Riku was sporting a tight-fitting periwinkle T-shirt and an unzipped grey hoodie over the top. Its design was sprinkled with large, black stripes, finished with pointed cat ears on the hood. The lounge pants were wide-legged and a muted, powder blue. Their wearer kept the hood down as his hands hung limply inside his pockets, a slight blush coloring his cheeks.

Sora bounced delightedly by his side, wearing a loose, light orange T-shirt covered in large brown spots and a simplified dog's face on the chest. His legs were half-covered by a loose pair of brown cargo pants. Not an ounce of embarrassment could be found on his face.

"You both look great," Kairi grinned, not allowing a laugh to color her tone.

"Are you sure this is okay?" Sora asked, twirling around to get a look at the intricate details of his own designs.

Kairi nodded. "Just think of them as early birthday gifts, if you must."

Riku shifted the sketchbook in his arms, quickly jotting something down. Is all of this from your favorite shop?

"Correct!" she exclaimed. "They have so many cute things." Her face darkened. "But don't think that they sacrifice quality in the process. Everything they make is held to the highest standard," she stated, her soft smile returning.

Sora was bent down, putting on his shoes. He bounced back up. "Ready?" he asked.

Riku nodded, tucking the pad under his arm. "Yep," Kairi agreed.

As they passed Marlene in the hall, Sora's smile fell momentarily, but he quickly put it back, nodding. She looked confused at first, but soon beamed in return.

They exited the building, but Riku kept walking, with Sora following closely behind. "Where are you going?" Kairi called out.

Sora looked back at her curiously. "Oh, where are we going?" he wondered, turning back to Riku who had likewise stopped in place.

Without missing a beat, Riku's hand reached right above Sora's heart, his palm pressed firmly.

"W-wha," Sora said in surprise.

Crap, Riku realized, all too late. He quickly pulled away, steadying himself. After a breath, he wrote it out. Home.

"Oh," Sora breathed, trying to forget his action and what exactly it meant.

Kairi only looked on silently.

"Then, let's go," Sora smiled.

Another scribble of the pencil.

Alone.

"Oh," Sora reacted, his tone hushed by the impact.

Riku's hand momentarily reached out, but he pulled it back, using it to write instead. I'm tired.

Kairi nodded. "It's understandable. You both must be," she noted almost to herself with a hint of melancholy.

Sora shook his head. "I'm fine, but, Riku, should you be alone now?"

The taller boy just smiled gently.

"Can we walk you home, at least?" he asked.

He only shook his head, closing his eyes wearily.

Sora was about to say more, but he felt Kairi's hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Sora," she coaxed.

"But," Sora started.

"No buts," Kairi asserted, smiling playfully while wagging a finger in his face. Her chuckles fell away as she donned a surrendering smile.

"If Riku says he needs to be alone, we have to respect that."

Sora turned to Riku, eyes large and probing. "Are you really okay?"

The taller boy was a bit taken aback by the intensity under which the question was passed, but he stood strong. He nodded, his smile never faltering.

Sora looked down, defeat written across his face. "Okay," he said quietly.

Riku tensed his smile, edges upturned. He raised his arm the say good-bye, and turned to walk away.

Sora looked on helplessly until the silver form was too far to reach.

"Sora," Kairi called, concerned. "He just needs space right now."

"Do you really know that?" he asked, accusation slanting his words.

Kairi was taken aback momentarily, but pressed on. "If this isn't something the doctors can help with," she breathed. "Then he needs to take it in his own time."

Sora exhaled, annoyed. "He shouldn't have to face it alone."

Kairi's eyebrows knitted. "You can't force him."

"I know," he said bitterly. "But I can still be by his side."

Kairi nodded. "Of course," she agreed. "But first," she smiled. "Do you want to hang out?"

Sora returned the expression with half of his usual vigor. "That would be nice."

She took his hand, and he, surprised by her sudden and unusual action, felt his pulse momentarily hasten.

They had been walking for a while when he noted, oddly, that it felt different than when he had done the same with Riku.

The nervousness didn't last long. This is good.

This is normal.

I have to get away, Riku thought as he walked as briskly as he could. Once I'm home, everything will feel normal again, he told himself.

He locked the door to his apartment, all but falling on the bed. His feet moved to shake off his shoes.

Ugh, he thought, setting the sketchbook and pencils on his bedside table. Reaching into his right pocket, he held up the piece of paper from before.

Therapy, he repeated dryly, even in his mind.

Whatever, he shook his head, placing it over the book and moving to lay on his stomach, cradling a pillow under his face. He breathed in deeply, nearly choking on the self-derisive chuckle he felt when he realized the space didn't smell like Sora.

Why did this have to happen, he cursed. I'd been surviving. I could be around Kairi without this level of exhaustion.

He'd been pushing himself ever since getting the diagnosis, or lack thereof. There had to be some physical reason for it, he told himself. That could be dealt with. But this?

I don't want to tell you, his whimpers filled the empty space.

Can't we just, he wished half-heartedly, go back to how we were before?

He paused.

When? He wondered. Before he'd caught feelings, or just before he'd realized that there was no longer any way to ignore them?

He didn't know.

Sliding off the hoodie, he clung to his pillow and forced himself to sleep.

Hours passed as the two walked around the city, making conversation about nothing in particular.

Sora waved to his red-haired companion as they neared her home. "Thanks, Kairi," he smiled.

"Are you thanking me for hanging out with you?" she asked, stifling a chuckle.

"Yeah, I mean," he breathed, looking away nervously. "It was nice to not have to think for a while."

She peeked up at him. "Meaning that being around me is easy?"

He rubbed the back of his head. "Haha," he laughed. "Maybe?"

"Should I take that as a compliment?" she wondered aloud in mock annoyance.

Sora replied in forceful laughs. "Anyway, thanks," he smiled genuinely.

A half smile played across her features. "Anytime."

As he turned to leave, her smile left with him.

Sora barely began walking in the direction of his place, when the stillness of the evening was overtaken by his inner voices; steadily growing in volume.

He stopped in place, head sinking from the pressure.

Forcing himself forward, he occupied his mind on a goal: Riku's place.

I wonder if he's eaten yet, he wondered purposefully.