Oh God! Finally a chapter!
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts is not mine. Can you say, SoraxRikuxBHK? Yea...that would be my KH. snickers evilly
The cool air whipped at his face as the car sped along the darkening road. The sun was setting and casting a soft glow over the treetops. Opposite of the car lane, the ocean sparkled and the waves lapped lightly at the shore. It was going to be a beautiful night as some stars already appeared in the night sky. Sora was enjoying himself. He was totally immersed in the sea breeze that lifted his bangs and peeled back his eyelids. Unfortunately it didn't last long.
"Sora! Get back in here this instant! You're going to ruin your hair!"
Kairi's voice sounded loud and clear over the rushing of the wind. Sora rolled his eyes as his moment of peace was ruined. He brought his head back into the car and immediately cringed at Wakka's rendition of Collide.
Rikku obviously couldn't take anymore either. He turned around in his seat and glared at the red head.
"Wakka put a sock in it!"
Wakka glared right back and started humming the tune under his breath.
Sora's eyes met Kairi's in the rear view mirror and they shared a smile. Rikku and Wakka bickered everyday. Thankfully it was all friendly play or else they would be at each other's throats.
"Hey Namine!" Chirped Kairi from the front seat. "Could you fix Sora's hair? He's ruined it already."
Sora huffed. "Did not! I was only outside the car for a minute."
Namine raised an eyebrow and reached one hand into her purse; the other one was occupied with the cell phone at her ear.
"Ah Kairi, leave it," Riku said lightly. "It looks fine."
"Really?" Kairi said brightly. "Ok! Namine never mind! Riku says it looks fine!"
Namine gave a questioning look but then smiled when she saw the small blush that crossed Riku's face. She put the brush back into her purse.
Of course, Sora was oblivious to all of this and instead went back to staring out the window.
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"Is this it?"
Kairi pulled the car into the parking lot of a small restaurant.
"I think so," replied Namine, who just got off her cell phone. "That's Perkin's Pier isn't it?"
The long pier stretched far out into the ocean with benches lining the edge. Next to it, the restaurant gleamed brightly with its warm florescent lights dotting the bushes surrounding it.
"Ugh, I'm hungry!" Wakka said as he hopped out of the car after Sora. "I could eat a whale, ya. "
"Yeah, me too," said Sora. "I've never been here before, is it good?"
"Definitely," Kairi said as she locked the car. "I went here for my birthday last year. The place is small but the food is delicious."
"Good." Sora looked around for Riku but he was nowhere to be seen. "Hey you guys, where's Riku? He was here just a minute ago."
"Probably taking a dump," Wakka yawned as he stretched.
Kairi rolled her eyes. "No..and eww." She headed towards the entrance. "He's probably taking a walk or something."
"Yeah, I guess, " Sora agreed, tugging on his pants. He officially hated wedgies.
"He'll meet up with us later. Let's get a table." Kairi opened the door and went inside with Wakka. Namine went to follow but stopped short when she saw Sora still standing near the car.
"Hey, you coming Sora?" She asked.
"In a sec," Sora's eyes scanned the pier before resting on a lone figure at the end. "I'll be back in a minute."
"All right."
Sora heard the door click shut before he made his way onto the pier. Riku seemed so detached tonight and it worried him. Why was Riku so bummed out?
"Hey Riku."
Riku must have not been aware of his presence because his shoulders visibly tensed at the sound of his name. He turned around slowly, a smile on his face. But Sora knew it was a forced one.
"Sora! I thought you were inside."
Sora shrugged. "Well I was going to, but I didn't see you anywhere so I thought I find you." He stepped up to the railing and looked out over the sea. He could feel Riku's eyes on him. "Are you feeling all right? You seem unhappy for some reason."
He didn't receive an answer right away and he turned to look at his friend after a moment. "Riku?"
Riku didn't seem to be paying attention. His eyes were unfocused and glassy. A small flicker of emotion passed through his face as he stared at Sora. Sora wished he could read it.
"Uhh…Riku?"
No answer. Sora cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Hey, umm..Riku, you there?"
He waved a hand in the air between them.
The motion seemed to do the trick. Riku's eyes became focused again and he immediately turned away.
"Why don't you go inside Sora. I'll be there in a minute."
Sora frowned at Riku's slightly cold tone and he took a few steps back. "Ok…uhh, I guess I'll see you in a sec then."
Sora shoved his hand in the pockets of his jeans he walked back towards the restaurant. Thanks to Riku he wasn't in a very good mood now. The guy really had such nerve to have mood swings like that.
The sounds of dishes clinking, laughter and slow jazz met his ears as he stepped up to the door of the restaurant. He pulled at the heavy door and walked inside, immediately seeking out his friends faces in a secluded corner of the restaurant.
The area was cast in shadow with dim, warm red lights off to the side. Over all, the atmosphere of the restaurant was relaxed and easy going. Sora felt at ease as he slid inthe seatnext to Kairi.
The brunette cheerful turned to him. "Is Riku coming in?"
Sora smile was tight. "Yea, whenever he gets over what's stuck up his butt."
Kairi gave a dramatic sigh. "He's in a bad mood again?"
"Apparently. He practically jumped down my throat when I asked him if he was all right."
Kairi looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "He'll be over it soon. He's in a state of shock right now."
A loud clank sounded on the table as Sora dropped the spoon he was fiddling with. "Shocked? He has nothing to be shocked over……..What would he be shocked over?
He didn't miss the shared glance between Kairi and Namine. Namine stared at him cooly over the candles. "You really are clueless Sora aren't you?"
His mouth formed a pout. "I am not clueless."
Kairi patted his arm sympathetically. "It's all right Sora. We understand."
Sora was about to protest when Riku slid into the seat across from him.
"Hey everybody, sorry 'bout that. I needed some fresh air. Because you all know, Kairi's driving always makes me sick." Riku winked at Kairi, who sent him a glare in return.
Sora frowned. Riku really did have major mood swings. The guy was back to his cool, composed self and already diving into the table's conversation like nothing had happened between them out on the pier. Sora crossed his arms. Riku was such a jerk.
"Hey, you all right?"
Sora turned in surprise, he had completely forgot that Tidus had come along too. He had kept so quiet in the car.
"Yea, I just have a head ache." Sora rubbed the side of his head to exaggerate his point. "No biggie."
Tidus laughed. "It's probably because you haven't eaten anything all day!" He slung an arm around Sora's shoulder and ruffled his hair.
Out of the corner of his eye, in the midst of Namine's and Kairi's yells of, "Tidus! Don't touch his hair!", Sora saw Riku send a cold glare in Tidus's direction. Riku's expression only relaxed when Sora was released from the blonde's grip.
"Damnit Tidus! You messed it up!" Kairi howled, drawing attention to their small group. The table near by frowned in disapproval. Sora sank lower in his seat.
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The rest of the night proceeded nicely. Everybody was in high spirits….sort of. Sora couldn't tell whether or not Riku was just putting on an act, with his happy smiles and sarcastic comments that made everyone laugh. Once in a while he caught Riku staring at him intently, his aqua eyes smoldering with an unreadable emotion that irked Sora so much that he just wanted to yell, "WHAT? Do I have something on my face?" But Sora would change his mind when a light blush creeped up on the other's boy's face when he was caught. A blushing Riku? That was new.
When everyone was finished and done, they left the restaurant and piled into the car. Wakka groaned that he had eaten way to much. Sora silently agreed with him. Wakka had eaten a huge meal and two gigantic desserts. Sora would probably be throwing up in those bushes over there if he were him.
The car ride back was relatively quiet and when the group arrived on kairi's doorstep they all stumbled inside into the living room. Kairi flopped down onto the couch.
"Riku, could you turn off the lights for me?" She asked as she fipped on the tv.
Riku nodded and walked over to the switch while Sora sat next to Kairi and the others took up the three comfy chairs. When Riku turned around his expression turned slightly pained as his eyes flickered around the room finding all the chairs already occupied. Sora watched as he sat down on the couch next to him; Riku's posture was unbelievably tense.
"So, what do you guys want to watch?" Kairi said, breaking the silence that had settled between them all.
"I don't care," replied Tidus, as Namine and Wakka shrugged their shoulders.
Riku sat up a little straighter. "Order one off the tv. You know that Movies on Demand, thing?"
"I think so," Kairi said, flipping through the channels until she stopped on channel 02. "Here it is."
The movie started within minutes and Sora made himself more comfortable between his two friends. As he squirmed to find a good position he felt Riku tense even more beside him. He chose to ignore it and closed his eyes. He knew he would miss the movie, but he was so tired. The sounds of the tv faded in and out over the next half hour until he heard no more and faded into sleep.
Somebody was stroking his hair. Fingers combed through his hair with feather like touches, gently waking him up. It felt so good. He snuggled deeper into the soft pillow and let a happy sigh escape his lips. Immediately the fingers stopped and the hand was removed from his head. Sora groaned, disappointed that something that nice would leave him. He opened up his eyes slowly and let them adjust to the bright glare of the tv screen. He focused on it for a moment before he realized his soft pillow wasn't so soft anymore. It was somebody's lap and a extremely uncomfortable one at that.
Sora lifted his head and felt the bodyshiftunderneath him. Oh god, he hoped it was Kairi. He looked up andmet aqua-marine eyes looking nervously back at him. Startled, Sora pushed back so fast that he knocked his elbow into Kairi's arm.
"Ouch! Watch it Sora!" She yelped, rubbing her injured limb. Sora only winced in apology before turning back to Riku. The boy was staring back him, all nervousness gone and now replaced with cool regard. Sora begain to open his mouth to say something when Riku beat him to it.
"Kairi, it's getting late. My parent's won't be happy if I'm not back before eleven." He looked passed him to Kairi, who had a disappointed look on her face.
"Ok Riku." She stood up. "I'll walk you to the door."
Riku nodded and followed Kairi out of the room, barely giving Sora a glance.
A/N: Meh...I know. Really short chapter, but I'm just glad I finally have one out. Liked it? Didn't like it? Or are you just wondering when the hell Sora will get a clue? He will...eventually. Next chapter will feature a breakdown. Which character? I can't tell you that! I'm hoping it will be out within the next two months. Again, thanks for reading! Comments much appreciated!
Yea, I know I butchered the grammar in this one. Willing to beta the next chapter anyone?
/holds out jar of cookies/