DICEY'S HOUSE

The rest of the night was almost completely silent. When they got back to the house Riku sat down on the couch and Dicey curled up in the chair on the opposite side of the room. They would occasionally stare at one another and then look away quickly when the other noticed; it was like a never- ending game of eye tag and it was starting to get on their last nerves. That's when Riku looked over at Dicey and her eyes seemed to be closed he figured she must have drifted off to sleep so Riku had declared himself victor when he just sat there and stared at her. It was amazing, he thought, someone no older than him had a child, he wondered how old she was, she didn't look any older than sixteen or seventeen. She looked so young and innocent, especially when she was asleep. Her legs curled up and pressed against her chest, her arms wrapped silkily around her shins and her cheek rested gently on her knees. Her soft brown hair swept into her face, barely covering the nape of her neck. It reminded Riku a lot of Kairi's hair, only a different colour completely. Riku sighed and decided that he'd turn off the lights and sleep on the couch. After finding a comfortable position he fell asleep in no time flat. He had no dreams and completely erased himself from existence, waking, only to find that he was all alone in the living room and that no noise was visible to his ears. It was completely silent. The only sound he heard was himself groaning as he slowly sat up, light from outside poured in through the windows in the kitchen, temporarily blinding him. He sat up to find his arm in sheer pain, noticing he had accidentally rolled on top of it in his sleep and twisted it the wrong way as he tried to hoist himself into a sitting position. He quickly grabbed the splint in front of him on the coffee table and attempted to put it on. He found the string difficult to work with, with his large clumsy hands but managed to get it on somewhat as good as Dicey had done the day before, but his wrist had swelled up so he couldn't pull it as tight. Dicey appeared coming down the stairs, slowing down once she noticed Riku was up and staring at her with a kind of 'guilty' stare like he had been doing something 'bad'. She was wearing nothing more than a skimpy little white halter top, cutting off just above her abdomen. And a bikini bottom that tied on the side edges. He figured, at least he prayed, that it was indeed a bathing suit. "I didn't think you'd be up," said Dicey at an obvious loss for words. "Um, would that be a good or bad thing in this case?" Riku questioned. "It's just fine. I'm going to be out there. I suppose you can come in if you want, I brought down an extra towel, incase you did." She said holding out a towel. Riku didn't move so she just placed it on the table in front of him. He didn't say anything so she just continued about her merry way. Riku watched as she slid one of the doors open and closed it again behind her. Riku watched as she set her towel down and slowly slipped herself into the steaming water. It looked oddly dark in there; one fact may have been that it was underground. Riku then decided that it was something to do so he took off his shirt and his the blue thing that went over his pants, zipped off the bottom half of his half zip-off cargos, picked up the towel and went outside. Dicey smiled when she saw him coming, she was glad he wasn't trying to avoid her, because that would be best achieved if he stayed inside. Riku slowly got in on the opposite side that Dicey was sitting on. That didn't bother her so much; she didn't blame him if he felt uncomfortable around her now, because even she felt uncomfortable around herself. They sat there for a long period of time where nothing was said; they just sat there in the uncomfortable atmosphere of each other's company. Suddenly, Dicey randomly splashed Riku. He looked at her as a smile began to rise on his lips. He splashed her back and instead of a little splash it drenched her entire head. She giggled and poured more water on him. Right about then was when it turned out into a full out battle. They got up close to each other and started knocking each other under the water and into the deeper area. Then, after Riku pushed her under, Dicey swam around him to his back and got up, about to attack just as Riku turned around and grabbed her wrists tightly to avoid being knocked over again. She looked up at him; her eyes were alive with excitement as the smile quickly faded from both of their faces. Both of them were a little out of breath, their hearts beating madly out of their chests Riku leaned in closer and placed her arms around his neck as he smoothly wrapped his around her waist. Dicey leaned in a little more they stared longingly into each others' eyes waiting for the next step, trying to find the words, there were none. Riku smoothly closed his eyes and the last remaining space between their lips was gone, embraced in a long, gentle kiss. Riku slowly inched her closer to the wall where he gradually pulled away. Dicey heaved for air as she looked to her side, a bit awe struck. Riku looked over and above her as, he too, fought for breath. Riku closed his eyes tightly waiting for the moment to pass. Dicey looked up at him and leaned up to kiss him as his eyes were closed and he was least expecting it. Dicey pushed him into the deep end where she couldn't touch the bottom and simply floated in his arms. Running her hands through his silver hair. Riku pulled away letting Dicey sink down a little. "I can't do this." Riku whispered letting himself float away from Dicey and towards the edge. She looked at him confused as he tried to dodge her gaze, not willing to make eye contact. She swam over to him and tried to get him to look at her. "I'm not trying to force you or anything, you're the one who started it." Dicey reminded. Riku closed his eyes again obviously hoping that if he couldn't see her then maybe she couldn't see him. "It's not you. ok? It's me." He said. "Famous last words." Dicey mumbled. He turned to look at her. "And I mean them," he said sharply, he pulled his body up so he could sit on the edge of the pool. She rested her head in her arms, carefully folded over one another, atop the rocky ground. "How old are you?" Riku questioned still trying to avoid eye contact. He shifted his gaze constantly from one thing to another. "Does it really matter?" Dicey questioned, obviously trying to hide something. Riku looked down at her. "Of course it matters, for all I know you could be ten years older than me!" Riku exclaimed. "Are you saying I look old?" Dicey demanded. "No," "Well, I'm not ten years older than you if that helps." Said Dicey in a meek, rather girly tone. Riku sighed. "Why can't you just tell me?" he questioned irritably. "Because I think you're better off not knowing." Said Dicey. Riku looked down at her. Now Dicey was the one trying to hide her eyes from him. He swiftly sunk down back into the steaming water. "Look, I'm sorry I asked." He said. "I'm eighteen." She replied in an extremely weak voice. Riku mouthed the word 'WOW' raising his eyebrows as he said it. Riku then faced her. "Well, that wasn't so hard, now was it?" Riku questioned. "Why wouldn't you tell me?" Dicey avoided him completely turning her head, cradled in her arms, away from him. "I thought you'd have probably thought I was a slut if I told you that." "Well now why would I?." Riku paused, suddenly realizing what she meant. "Well. no, it all depends on," Riku began. "She's four." Dicey replied mustering up some strength as she turned to look at him. "Hmmm. Jeeze," Riku couldn't find the right words. "See, you do! I didn't want to bring up this subject." Said Dicey as she turned around and tried to walk away but Riku took her small waist in his hands and pulled her up to him, resting her back against the front of his body. He ran his hands down her arms and placed his chin atop her head. "No, what's in your past doesn't matter now, I don't care." Said Riku as he closed his eyes once more as he began to rock back on forth. Riku ran his fingers around Dicey's as she stared blankly at the scenery in front of her. She then turned around while staying inside Riku's arms. He lowered his forehead down to hers and rested his gaze into her eyes, she tried to avoid them, piercing like the sea, bright teal. Dicey didn't like it when people looked directly into her eyes, especially at close range, she felt he could see right trough her and read her thoughts. She tried to pull away, but Riku wouldn't let go, holding her tighter the more she struggled. A sly smile formed across his lips as she gave in and granted him an equally intense stare. They engaged themselves in a long staring contest, neither of them wanting to blink for fear they'd miss something, that they'd loose the connection. In those few moments, they felt like they were one, spiritually connected to each other. They were so close to each other that it was hard to tell where one of them ended and the other began. For those few minutes, Riku felt, for the first time in his life, completely pure, he could feel Dicey's energy flowing through him. Dicey cut off her gaze and looked down as she blinked. The smile left Riku for the fourth time today. Dicey leaned into him and tightly wrapped her arms around his abdomen. "What's wrong?" Riku asked looking down at her. "Nothing. I need to get out of here," she said as she pulled away from Riku and turned to look back at him. "I think the heat is affecting my mind." She said. Just before she turned to leave she noticed something fall to the ground over in the opposite corner of the pool. She looked over at Riku and he shrugged. They both swam over to look at it. By golly gee whiz, it was a poupu fruit. Riku's jaw dropped open as Dicey took it in her hands. Suddenly, Riku's mind flashed back to Destiny Island, it was him, throwing Sora a poupu. Sora questioned it and merely threw it into the water; the fruit was no match for his short attention span. Riku snapped back. "That's a-a poupu fruit," Riku muttered. Dicey nodded. "Yea," she responded as she pulled herself up and over the rim of the pool. "I know, my um. Someone used to tell me about these things. I remember he said that they would bind the destinies of the two who shared it." Said Dicey examining it as Riku sat up next to her. Riku gulped nervously. "Wait." he thought aloud looking over at Dicey. "Those things only grow in tropical places. don't they?" Riku questioned in confusion. Dicey smiled at him, "Like beaches, you suppose?" Dicey questioned slyly. She suddenly got up to her feet and helped pull Riku up with her. His question was not yet answered; Dicey seemed to be delaying it. "Come on!" she smiled chipperly as she dragged Riku through into the house. She closed the door and wrapped a long cloth around her waist and put on some sandals. Riku decided to man it barefoot as he slipped on a shirt and Dicey pulled him out into the stone chamber. She quickly locked the door behind her and ran up the steps into the sweet daylight. She then climbed up on top of the "cave", as Riku followed. They walked over the hill of rocks, eventually finding themselves atop a large, land jetty, slightly protruding into a large stripe of sand. no; it was a beach, an ocean. Riku's face lit up as Dicey smile at him in pleasure. Dicey quickly, and gracefully traipsed onto the beach as Riku slowly followed, looking around, taking in the smell of salt water once again. This was familiar territory for him. He felt like he was at home. They ran up into the surf, hesitant to let the ice-cold water drift above their ankles. Then Dicey turned her head to the horizon. The smile faded, wonder took over. "What is it?" Riku questioned looking at Dicey. His eyes followed her gaze and saw a dark mass of clouds in the far distance. You could see the rain coming down in sheets. Dicey looked at Riku, a bit frightened. "It's okay," he comforted. "It just looks like a mild storm." "It never rains here," said Dicey confused. "It never has." Riku looked at her, her eyes were full of fear. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about." Riku assured. Dicey nodded slowly. "I'll trust you," she responded circumspectly. Riku then laughed, trying to get their spirits again. She smiled shortly and elbowed his side. He staggered a few inches to his right and then he wrestled her to the ground. She let out a sheer giggle. She laid on her back with her knees bent above herself. Riku kneeled over her with am arm on either side of her abdomen. He smiled as his hair fell into her face. She smiled once more as he leaned into her and kissed her deeply. The surf splashed against her. She reached her arms up around Riku's neck, running her hands into his hair. She then sat up in sync with his movements. She pushed him to the ground and smiled as the water ran over his body, drowning his originally dry hair. She rested her stomach onto his and gently stroked his hair out of his face while tenderly massaging her lips against his. "Would. It at all. Make. a difference. if I told you. That you are the first girl. I've ever kissed." Riku questioned. "Funny. you seem. like you have. more experience." Dicey smiled. Riku smiled. "Good," he replied. Dicey giggled. They continued on for a few moments then Dicey pulled away. Riku looked profoundly disappointed. "I was about to hyperventilate, besides, you're breaking my jaw." Dicey smiled taking long, deep breaths. Riku was breathing heavily, she could feel his heart beating onto her own. Riku watched her as she looked out over the horizon, the storm seemed to be getting closer, but not by much. The sky had begun to turn crimson and gold. The sun sank behind the mountains to their left. It seemed to cast a golden aura outlining Dicey's frame. She looked even more beautiful in the light of the setting sun. Riku inched closer to her and pulled her into his lap resting his hands on hers. She contently began to play with them, weaving them through her own. She became bored of that and leaned back against Riku's shoulder as he rested his cheek on the top of her head. "We'll go tomorrow," said Dicey unexpectedly. A look of confusion washed over Riku's face. "So soon?" he questioned. "And I was just starting to like it here." Riku smiled looking down at Dicey. "We can always come back." Dicey muttered softly. "I don't belong here," Riku replied. "I need to be some where out there. across the ocean, in the sky." Dicey smiled. "Wherever you go, I'll follow." She said gently playing, again, with his hands. "We'll go live on our own little island, far away from here. just you and me." Dicey frowned. Somehow she thought that Riku wasn't fully accepting the fact that she had a daughter. Riku noticed his mistake by Dicey's sudden change of mood. "And, um." Riku began but couldn't continue, luckily Dicey finished for him. "Erise," said Dicey in a small voice. Riku smiled, "And Erise." He whispered as he wove his arms tightly around Dicey's mid-section. A smile formed on her face as she sank closer into Riku.