Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the other Anime/Disney characters.
Chapter 13
Cohabit
-Living together is an art. It's a patient art, it's a beautiful art, it's fascinating.- Pope Francis
Day in and day out, life was becoming a routine that Riku and Amaranth followed. She would help and cater to him in any way possible, through out the morning and part of the afternoon, later on in the afternoon she would take care of Xion. It was usually nice to see her get along so well with the little girl, but a pain to watch her interact with Xemnas. He had asked her again if there really wasn't anything between them and she would answer the same, that they were just friends. Yet when Riku watched all three of them together they looked like a family and he felt like an outsider. The only time he felt at ease was when they were alone, which sometimes that alone time was interrupted by Hina, her best friend and bodyguard. She kept a weary eye on him every time she was around, she either didn't like him or was over protective of Amaranth.
Yet he was grateful for Nina, who seemed to have control of Hina and was relatively nice to him and told Hina to be likewise. When his mother came to visit, he was always amazed at how he was more of an afterthought of her visits instead of the main reason. It seemed that Amaranth was of more concern and she treated her like a fragile glass ornament. She asked how she was doing, if she was eating properly and how she was coming along. The first time his mom had bombarded her with so many questions she had been surprised and maybe a little bewildered. His father had calmed her down and told her not to scare the girl before she decided to kick Riku out because of them. That seemed to put a stop to his mother, but she still always cared more about Amaranth than him. Even his father was more concerned about the young female, then his own son.
For the two months that he had been living with her, since his discharge from the hospital, he had also become aware of a few things. One, she never had a male over that she was overly friendly with, he had asked her once about her boyfriend but she had deviated from the topic. Two, she didn't seem to work or sleep much. He had asked her about work and she told him that she worked early in the mornings, that because of certain reasons she had to step away from the bakeshop but did the accounting in the early mornings before he woke up. Meaning for a period of time he was left alone and she was out gallivanting the streets early in the morning before the sun came out. He had asked if she wasn't afraid of being at the bakeshop alone at such an hour and she had shook her head. Stating that it was normal for her, but unlike before she wasn't alone. Shibuya was there with her, he was currently filling in for her spot and he kept her company. That of course had annoyed him, now she wasn't just gallivanting alone but she had a male at her side that wasn't him.
Three, he realized that he sort of felt out of place, not that she didn't make him feel welcome or at home. It was just that he hated the guest room. He understood why he was there, since it would have been a struggle to get up and down the stairs with his leg in a cast and crutches, but the room felt uninhabited. She had brought his items down for him before he arrived and anything that he needed or she missed she would bring to him, but still he wanted to be upstairs. It was a place that held secrets and that for some odd reason solve the mystery of his missing memories. Since the memory of the little girl, he had a few glimpses of his forgotten memories. However, they were always of the same garden covered in snow and little girl, that slowly became a young woman that never showed her face. In a few instances he had come so close to remembering her face, but it got ruined by someone interrupting him or the memory just stopping and fading away. At first he thought the girl was Amaranth, since it was just her memories that he was missing. Yet after giving it some thought he decided against it, she had claimed that they first met at her home and that since their first encounter they continued to meet there until she went to college. The little girl in his memories was in an inn, not a home garden, so he must have met them around the same time.
Lastly, beside his memories slowly returning at the pace of a snail. He kept having dreams that he forgot as soon as he woke up, but left him an undesirable gift in the morning. Amaranth had almost caught him taking care of his present once and the worst part was that he used her soft voice calling his name out to get off. Since then he had made sure to get up before she arrived back home, just in case he needed to take care of himself. Seeing that whomever he dreamed about left him hot and bothered. Riku sighed at his predicament as he looked out the window of his dreary room and watched as the snow slowly fell. Christmas was only weeks away and being unable to remember or recall things left him a little salty for the festive season. It also reminded him that he needed to get gifts, thank goodness for his savings otherwise he would feel dependent on Amaranth. Once his cast was removed he'd be able to go back to work and actually get around the condo without struggling so much. He turned to his bedside and grabbed his cellphone, he needed to call Sora and have him come over, he needed to get out of the apartment.
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Amaranth moved about the apartment restlessly, in the last two months that Riku had been living there they had developed a routine. She would go to work, return make breakfast for him and spend some time with him, before Hina arrived or Xion. After that she would make lunch and later on dinner, sometimes Xion and Xemnas joined them for dinner. She had a feeling that Riku wasn't usually happy about the extra guests, but she would try to make it up to him by cooking his favorite meal or allowing him to pick what they would do after dinner. Sometimes they played games, other times they watched movies and occasionally they just enjoyed each others company. As of yet nothing had really developed between them, no romantic feelings that said he wanted to sweep her off her feet or at least hold her hand and fill in the distance between them on the couch when they sat together. She was just his roommate slash caretaker, but she couldn't blame it all on him since she herself didn't make any advances towards him.
After all she was very self-conscious and timid in the respect of making the first move. There was the possibility that he didn't like her as more then a friend now and having herself ruin what they had was inconceivable. Yet she also had to admit that it would be worse to continue to see him if he decided to start his life with someone new she didn't know what she'd do. She sighed softly as she looked at herself in the mirror, as she sat before the dresser, over the last few weeks she had regained her strength and weight. However, the weight was more noticeable now that she was further along in her pregnancy. Four months in and the doctor said that it was normal to see and feel changes in her body. Sometimes she was hyperaware of Riku, his proximity, his scent, his masculinity and of all the things that she couldn't have because she was afraid and because her hormones craved him. Yet he wouldn't want anyone like her, she poked her cheek feeling the bounce from the chubbiness. The only thing that he could possibly want her for, she looked down at her breasts and recalled the women that she had seen him with before and how the where voluptuous. Her bosom had increased, but it was still lacking compared to them, she sighed in resignation. She would never be able to seduce Riku even if she tried or trained with the best seductresses alive.
Getting up she almost finished getting ready for work and was thinking that it was a good thing that she didn't have to wear her chef uniform or she would already be drawing attention. She struggled with the last few buttons of her white shirt as she went down the stairs, trying to keep from making any noise, just in case she…she came to a halt as she reached the bottom step. Her hands came to a stop as if she was caught doing something scandals.
'Morning,' Riku said to her and he couldn't help giving her a once over since she usually had on bulky godawful sweaters to hide what was underneath. It didn't help that the last few buttons towards the top were undone and he had a nice view of her breast covered by a white lacy bra. He couldn't help but gulp as he suddenly felt a burning desire in his lower region. The ampleness of her creamy white breasts over flowing her bra and exposed in such an innocent manner was arousing.
'Hi,' the word had almost caught in her mouth as she found herself speechless. Worse was the fact that he had stopped to give her a once over. If she had been feeling self conscious before it was worse now as she was being looked over by him. As she shifted uncomfortably she noticed that his eyes had stopped and hadn't come back to her face. Quickly she followed his gaze thinking that something was wrong or that she had something on her shirt when she noticed what was wrong and swiftly turned around. 'Sorry,' she mumbled as she went back to the task of getting ready so that she could leave.
Riku came out of his mesmerized state and scanned her from behind. Admiring the womanly figure that she possessed but kept hidden from everyone. She was small and slender, yet her hips were filled out and helped accentuate her hourglass figure. She was a little soft around the edges but he suddenly felt that it would give him something to better anchor himself to as he…stop, he willed his train of thought to go away as she put on the huge shapeless cardigan. His gazed dropped to the lower half of her body and frowned at the shapeless long skirt which she wore with loose thick leggings for the winter weather outside. 'Did you need something?' He didn't hear her question as she turned back around to face him. 'Riku,' she called out his name after a moment of silent.
'Hey,' she neared him filling the gap between them so that she could reach out and touch him to see if he was alright.
Riku struggle to move back with his crutches, 'What,' he asked but then answered as her words registered. 'No, I am alright.'
Amaranth stopped and dropped her hand from its position in the air to touch him. 'Oh, okay,' she didn't know what else to say.
'Are you heading for work?' He asked her, but already knew the answer.
'Mmh,' she nodded, her mind in overdrive as to why he pulled back. Maybe he was repulsed with her, she figured as her spirit came down even more from his rejection.
'You should be careful,' he told her.
'Mmh,' she nodded. 'I'll get going. I'll see you later.'
Riku wanted to stop her, but she turned around and left him standing there just watching her as she walk away. His mind muddled at the sudden change between her and him. The light from the hallway turned off, leaving him in half darkness, reminding him that it was still night and he still needed sleep. That hopefully, once actual morning came things would be back to normal. Yet normal was far from happening after the glimpse of beauty and the sudden desire that had been a small amber before suddenly sparked brighter.
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'So you must be happy, that this is finally coming off,' Dr. Conrard referred to the cast that he was removing.
'Yeah, now I can get around without the crutches,' he muttered.
'Well, that depends on how your leg holds up,' Dr. Conrard smiled up at him. 'After being in a cast for so long and unused, your leg might be too weak to support you.'
Riku groaned at the un-pleasurable news, 'Don't worry, you should be able to return to work and not have to depend so much on your crutches, we'll just have you wear a walking boot to give you a bit more support. After a few therapy session, you should be back to normal.'
'Great,' he stated sarcastically as the thought of Dr. Conrard and Amaranth still meeting annoyed him.
'Cheer up, its not all so horrible,' Dr. Conrard noticed the sarcasm and tried to ease his worry. He finished sawing off the last bit of the cast and handed the saw to his assistant. 'Ready,' he asked as he got ready to open and remove the cast.
'As I'll ever be,' he muttered dissatisfied, but inside he was happy.
'Okay, here we go,' he removed the top of the cast off and then asked him to lift his leg so that the bottom could be removed.
It had been so long since his leg had met fresh air before being recasted. The first thing that he wanted to do was scratch at it, his skin was so dry and itchy. 'Your leg looks nice and sturdy,' Dr. Conrard examined his leg as he cleaned and washed off the debris from the cast. 'Your last x-ray showed that the bones had completely mended without complications.'
'Yeah,' the warm water was nice on his skin.
'We'll get you a walking boot, see where you are, if your leg can hold up or not, and have you go and visit a physical therapist,' Dr. Conrard beamed up at him.
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Amaranth looked down at her phone as she was notified that her trip was a week away. Before the accident she and Riku had decided to go back to her home town. To the place were they first met, but after the accident it had all been forgotten and even if they went now it would be awkward between them. It didn't help that after they ran into each other two days ago, things had been strange. He didn't really want her near him and if he could he avoided her. The only time they were together was when it was absolutely necessary, like now when he needed her to take him to the doctor's office. His meals, he was taking in his room and unless someone else was with them he didn't spend time alone with her anymore.
Maybe now that he wanted alone time, she should go on the trip. Get some fresh air and relax in the hot springs, plus it would be nice to see if the inn was still the same or if it had changed much over time. Amaranth would confirm her flight and see if she could get a refund or credit on Riku's, if his memory returned maybe they could go together later. Amaranth put her cell away as the door to the doctor's office opened and Riku and Dr. Conrard appeared, Riku always made her wait outside. She softly smiled at them and walked over to join them, stopping a few feet away not to crowd them. 'How did everything go,' she noted that the cast was finally off and he was only using one crutch for support.
'He's doing great,' Dr. Conrard answered before Riku could. 'We set up an appointment with a physical therapist and she'll help him further along. She's in the building and she had an opening for today, so we had him booked.'
'That sounds like wonderful news,' she beamed at them, it seemed that almost everything would be back to normal again.
'Yeah, the appointment is in fifteen minutes. We should get going,' Riku interjected before the Doctor could say anything else.
'I could walk you down there,' the Doctor offered.
One of the reasons why he hated when Amaranth came with him to the doctor's office was because of Dr. Conrard's earnest desire to be around her. Instead of focusing on him, he would ask her questions and look her over. It always made him feel like there was a secret between them that he wasn't privy too, another reason to hate the Doctor's unwanted attention of her. So he had her sit outside in the wait room, but it still didn't stop the doctor from trying to spend time with her. 'That…' he was about to reject him when Amaranth answered that it was nice of him too offer.
'But won't it put you behind on your patients,' Riku tried to stop him from going with them, with her.
'No, I am cleared for lunch and a meeting after, so I can spare a minute or two,' Riku watched as he whisked her away and led the way with her beside him as he tried keep up with them but failing.
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Two days following the doctor's visit and Riku had given up on his crutch. He was strong enough to move around with only the walking boot and a minor limp. He had suggested to his father after one of his visits that he could go back to work, but his father shut him down and told him to just get his strength back. That after the New Year he could return to work. He had internally grimaced at the suggestion, seeing that he would have to remain inside the apartment with her a little longer. Don't get him wrong, he enjoyed being able to keep tabs on her but at the same time after that incident things had changed. He couldn't just see her as his roommate and potential lover. Nope, he shook his head as he walked back to his room after watching a movie. He found himself strongly drawn to the girl, in his desires to want to touch her and feel her against him.
The dreams that he was having of the faceless woman, were now of her and he remembered them so vividly that it made his member ache. He would have to release himself more than once in order to function for the day or be in close quarters with her. He wondered what she would do if he were to ask her if he could share a night with her. Knowing her, she would probably get embarrassed and run away from him, possibly kick him out. Lately she had also become more reserved and avoided him, but it was probably due to his distance. He had to figure out a solution to the current situation, he needed to confront her and tell her how he felt. Maybe she felt the same, she had too. For he saw no actual boyfriend ever come around and she never talked about one, she was only ever focused on his needs. Yes, he told himself as he got ready for bed, he would definitely talk to her.
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Amaranth finished packing and closed the purple suitcase, she slowly zipped it up and contemplated how she was going to tell Riku. He seemed to be avoiding her more then usual, whenever she came into the room he would leave. Maybe he was disgusted with her and didn't want to see her at all because he had been repulsed. She finished zipping up her suitcase and took a seat on the bed, her flight was tomorrow morning, Hina and Nina were dropping her off at the airport. She had stocked the fridge with enough food to last him a week, she just couldn't get the courage to tell him that she would be away for the week. She should just have Nina do it for her after she was dropped off at the airport. No, she shook her head, placed her hands on her thighs and with determination got up. All she was supposed to do was tell him that she would be gone for a week and not to worry about the meals or anything else, that if he needed anything Nina would be a call away. She would have left it to Hina, but she still didn't care for Riku, no matter how much time they spent together and got to know each other.
She walked out of her room and headed downstairs, hoping to catch him and tell him about her trip. As she headed for the stairs, she heard voices coming from downstairs, she stayed where she couldn't be seen, but was still able to hear what the voices were saying. 'Looking as sharp as ever,' she recognized Sora's voice.
'Except for that godawful walking boot,' it was a voice that she hadn't heard too often.
'Axel,' Sora reprimand and Amaranth recalled the tall redhead that she had met once or twice.
'Tsk, I am just stating a fact,' he sounded disappointed at being scowled.
'So why are we going out,' Sora asked.
'To get this guy laid,' Axel answered. 'He's probably extremely lonely without a honey to take care of his little friend.'
'Wrong,' Riku cut Sora off before he could say anything. 'We're just going to get drinks. I need sometime away from the apartment, being here day in and day out is kind of like a prison.'
'Hmm,' Sora nodded but didn't say anything.
'One nice prison you have here,' Axel said and Amaranth imagined him looking around. 'You have a pretty set of guards too,' he must have seen the picture of Hina, Nina and her. 'The red head looks feisty, just my type, you think that someday you can introduce me to her?'
'She might be your type, but I don't think you're hers,' Riku didn't want to come out and say that she was already in a relationship and it was with another female.
'Dude, you don't know until you try,' Axel told him and then asked. 'So are you and the blonde getting along? She seems to be your type?' Amaranth heard a whacking sound and then a cry, 'Aww, what was that for?'
'For asking such an insensitive question,' Sora answered and Amaranth assumed that he was the one that hit Axel. 'We should get going before it gets too late. I told Kairi that I would be back at a decent hour, plus I still have to go into work tomorrow.'
'Tsk, lame,' Axel cried and she heard shuffling noises.
'Hey, did you tell Amaranth that you were heading out,' Sora asked Riku.
'No, I haven't seen her all day,' he answered a truth and lie. 'But she should be in bed right now or getting ready, I don't want to disturb her.'
'But what if she comes and looks for you,' Sora asked.
'She'll probably just assume that I am asleep too,' Riku muttered. 'Let's just go.'
'Hey is Amaranth the blonde one. If so, can I go meet her,' Axel chimed in as they got dressed in their coats and jackets, readying to face the cold winter air and snow.
'No and no,' Riku told him.
He began to shut off all the lights, leaving her in the dark and immobile. She heard the sound of keys, footsteps retreating further and the sound of the door close and voices becoming silent, since the apartment was soundproof from outside noises. She slide down the wall her back was pressed against and pulled her knees in so that she could hug them and lay her head on. Riku didn't seem too bothered with letting her know where he was going or with whom he was heading out with. In her head, she knew it was common curtesy for him to tell her his plans since they lived together, but on the other hand he didn't have to tell her anything because they weren't anything. They were just roommates that coexisted together under one roof. Just a person worth naming because they lived together, but not because they were anything else. 'I am sorry,' she apologized, 'I should have tried harder and been more bolder.' She felt the tears that she was trying so hard to hold in escape and begin to moisten her long skirt.
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'So how are things going for you at home,' Sora asked, they had been at the dance club for over an hour and all Riku did was watch and observe. Axel had decided to go and ask someone to dance and he seemed to be having fun. Riku and he had been asked to dance, but for their own reasons they refused.
'Good,' was his one worded answer, he couldn't bring himself to tell Sora that he had become a dog in heat the last past week and that it had gotten harder to control himself in the last two days. Go figure, he had decided to tell Amaranth how he felt and it was like all the flood gates had been released on his perverted dreams slash thoughts and all he wanted was her. He wanted her in anyway and place imaginable and it seemed that the living room was the place where his perverted thoughts really took life or whenever she was near.
'Sounds so generic,' Sora studied Riku and wondered what his thoughts really were on the petit woman. From the beginning he thought that it was a bad idea for Riku to be left alone with her and he was a bit jealous. In addition, it didn't help that she had been scared and avoiding him. Yet as time passed he realized how good she was for Riku and how happy he was with her. However, things now were just good. Riku cared for her, but not in the same way that he did before. He wanted to share his gratitude with her for all the care she had given him and he knew that because he had gone out with him to buy her a gift for Christmas. For a moment he had thought that it was a break through and that he was recovering his memories. But no, things weren't as simple.
Riku turned away from the women out on the dance floor, 'I don't know what more you want me to say.'
'Don't get your feathers ruffled,' he saw that it was a sensitive topic for him. Maybe this Riku only cared for Amaranth as a friend and nothing more, he frowned at the thought because he knew from watching her these last few months how much she actually loved him. If Riku were to abandon her, she would probably break but never confess to Riku or tell him their actual history. She had asked everyone that knew about their relationship not to say anything. She said that she didn't want to force him or make him feel obligated to be with her and that if he ever asked to say what they were just say close friends.
Riku returned to watching the people out in the dimly lite room, dancing to the rhythm of the music and the colored lights that shown in time to the beat. He watched the women and frowned in disappointment, because it didn't matter how little they were dressed in or how tight their clothes were they remained unappealing. The sway of their hips in tightly fitted dresses with short hems didn't call to him or arouse him. 'Don't tell me that what Axel said was true, we came here for you to get laid,' Sora groaned in distaste at Riku's predicament.
'Don't be foolish, I am just looking,' it was true, he kept turning down all their approaches. None of the women where up to his standards, it seemed that there was only one woman that was truly meant for him. She was back at home, under the covers and fast asleep. Probably wearing some long and shapeless nightgown which left much to the imagination.
'Hn,' just looking wasn't something that the old Riku would be doing. When they were younger they would come out to the bar or club and after some observing he would pick one girl out of the sea of many and pursue her. Yet as he watched him watch them, he noticed a look of disinterest and un-appeal. 'Are you by chance comparing them to Amaranth,' he asked out loud.
'Excuse me,' Riku slowly turned back to look at Sora.
'It's just that you spend so much time with her, I thought that maybe you were comparing them to her,' Sora saved. 'I mean, Amaranth is a pretty face compared to them because she leaves so much to the imagination. However, knowing how loving and caring she is makes her all the more desirable, don't you think?'
Riku was suddenly annoyed, 'You shouldn't be making those types of observations. You have a wife at home that's happily waiting for your return.'
Sensitive subject, Sora realized, 'I am just stating a fact,' he shrugged his shoulders. 'I am sure there are plenty of men out there that would love a chance with her.'
Riku felt the twitch of his right eye as he tried to contain his anger at the though of someone else with her. An image of Xemnas and her appeared in his minds eye and he became angry, but instead of lashing out he took a drink. 'She doesn't seem to find anyone interesting.'
'Now maybe,' Sora couldn't resist egging him on. After all, he was still a little bitter at what happened years ago. 'But in the future you never know, maybe she'll find someone like me.'
Riku stopped his second shot in midair at the sudden statement, 'What?'
Sora somehow felt the temperature drop, but of course it was his imagination and the vent up above him kicking on. 'Yeah, didn't you know that she and I share a history. We went out when we were younger,' it was true they went out, but nothing became of it. 'I always wondered what could have been.'
Riku placed his drink down, 'Nothing.'
'Now of course,' sorry Kairi, he thought, he couldn't help but want to get under Riku's skin and it seemed like it was working. The guy had treated Amaranth like a possession ever since they were younger. The only difference now was that he didn't remember clearly, but his subconscious did and he wanted to see if it would trigger anything. 'Long distance didn't work out for us, but it was thanks to you that we met.'
Riku clenched his jaw and free hand, while the other one tightened its grasp on the shot glass, 'I would never.'
'But you did and for that I am grateful,' Sora quickly responded. 'It was the most magical time of my youth, it made me see that there was still beauty in humanity.'
He needed a way to turn the topic around, he didn't need to hear about Sora and…he paused, he suddenly felt a shot of pain shoot through his head. It was images of Sora and a girl when he was younger, in their late teens. Amaranth, he though as the image of the girl smiling and talking to Sora became clearer.
'Riku,' Sora called out to him as he worried about his friend holding his head. 'Riku?'
'I am fine,' he said, his breathing a bit shaky. 'I am fine.' In reality he wasn't, he saw images of her kissing Sora, defending him, helping him and leaving with him. He felt the emotions of his younger self and felt anger, rage, annoyance, jealousy and possessiveness. The young woman was his, but she wasn't. She was with Sora and he was with Risa, but know Sora was with someone else and she was with him. Well, they weren't together but she remained loyal and at his side.
'Are you sure,' Sora didn't mean to physically make him ill.
'Yeah, it's just when I get memories,' the pain was starting to ease off and the drink before him was tempting.
'Oh,' Sora nodded, 'is it normal for them to be painful, have you told the doctor?'
'No, but its nothing,' he took the small glass in his hand and took the shot without hesitation, the amber liquid burning his throat and heating his insides as it went down.
'I don't think that it's normal, you should tell your doctor,' Sora worried.
'It's nothing, but next time I go I'll mention it,' he served himself another shot, since they had ordered a bottle when they arrived.
'You should also slow down,' Sora cautioned.
'You're starting to sound like a wet blanket. It seems that married life takes away all the excitement,' Riku took the shot regardless of Sora's opinion.
'Not really, I mean at the end of the day I have someone to come home too. Someone that loves me and supports me, whom is willing to build a future with me and bare my children. The women here,' he looked out into the dance floor, 'aren't that type of woman and if they are its not what they are looking for here tonight.'
Riku looked out into the sea of dancing bodies and had to agree with Sora, but that wasn't what he wanted right. Another image appeared before him, this one recent, it was the moment he arrived home from the hospital and Amaranth had been waiting for him. She had looked up from the bundle in her arms and welcomed him home with a graceful smile on her face. He remembered his heart beating out of control in that instant at having such a beautiful woman welcoming him home, but the horror of her having a child sending a cold chill down his spine. It was the first thing he had inquired about and Xemnas, who had helped him get there, had told him it was theirs. The blood had drained from his face at the thought and he had just looked at her and the baby with indignation. She had told him that Xemnas and her were just friends, not previous lovers with a baby. He had been on the verge of reproaching her when Xemnas had laughed at his reaction and clarified that it was a joke. Amaranth explained that she was just helping out a neighbor, while they went out and running an errand, Riku had nodded and felt at ease again. In the end, he realized that having someone waiting for him to arrive home wasn't so bad after all, given the right circumstances and person. 'Maybe its not such a bad idea,' he muttered.
What wasn't such a bad idea, having someone at home wait for him or having someone for the night? Sora wanted to ask out loud but knew that Riku would just probably shot him down. So instead he just watched Riku drink and look out into the sea of people in wonder. After he felt Riku had enough and it had gotten pretty late he asked if they should go, Riku had nodded but lolled a little as he had too much to drink. He told him to wait while he went to go find Axel, when he told him it was time to go he turned him down and said to go on ahead. It seemed that Axel had found a friend to spend the night with and didn't need to be bothered. So he went back to Riku and they left, during the ride back to Amaranth's place it was quiet. Riku kept nodding off, he wanted to slam of the breaks to wake him up, but couldn't find it in his heart to be so mean. Instead, he just drove on quietly until he arrived and he had to wake sleeping beauty.
Helping Riku was labor intensive, he didn't seem like a heavy guy since his was tall and well built but having his weight on top of him as they walked and rode up the elevator was too much. 'Come on,' he readjusted Riku as the elevator came to a halt on Amaranth's floor. 'Where's the key,' he asked as they reached the door.
'Got it,' Riku began to look for the keys in his pocket and after some squirming around and almost knocking them over in his search Riku pulled out the key. He used the quick fab to unlock the door and let them in.
Sora was guiding him to his room when they were walking passed the stairs and Riku came to a stop. 'What is it,' Sora asked him.
'My room is upstairs,' he pointed upwards with his free hand.
'No, it isn't,' Sora told him, Riku had been moved downstairs to the guest room to help avoid the stairs while he healed and also since he had no memory of Amaranth and their time together.
'It is, come on, help me,' Riku used his strength to turn them towards the stairs and grabbed the banister to help stabilize them.
'It's not,' Sora tried again, but Riku took the first step up without hesitation or looking like he heard him. Amaranth was not going to be pleased tomorrow morning when she had to help Riku down.
They made it upstairs and Riku led Sora to his room, but as soon as they got there he realized where Riku had taken them. 'Um, I don't think that this is your room,' it smelled like Amaranth and the decoration was feminine.
'Don't be silly,' Riku lifted his arm from Sora's shoulder and walked towards the bed. 'Thanks for helping me,' he stumbled a little but managed to make it without falling over. 'I'd show you out,' he yawned, 'but I don't think that I can make it back upstairs without help.'
'Yeah, no,' Sora looked cautiously at the bed afraid to see Amaranth laying there on the verge of waking up and screaming at them. Yet as Riku undressed and got up to pull the covers back he noticed an empty bed.
'Okay,' Riku unzipped his pants and dropped them before he got into bed. 'Bye.'
'Yeah, bye,' Sora was baffled by the empty bed, but knew that once Amaranth arrived and saw a semi naked Riku in her bed she would probably be startled. Yet it was a problem for Riku to solve himself or maybe he had remembered something from earlier. That was probably it, so maybe things would go back to normal between the two, at least that was what he hoped for because they needed it. She needed it.