A/n: First of all, Sorry for the long wait. My original beta hasn't appeared online in months now, and I've been waiting for her proof-reading for god knows how long... Until I decided it was a bit too long and got myself another one. I don't feel as if I did a good thing, but I kind of got tiered of waiting, and I hope some of you guys were waiting for this one chapter too. :P
So here it is, chapter 7, the 8'th is halfway done, and hopefully now that I have a new beta things will get moving a bit faster.
Sora groaned and slammed his cell phone shut.
It was 4:30 in the morning, and Sora was comfortably asleep in Riku's arms, until the alarm he set went off and woke him up. After all, Sora needed to get home before his parents would wake up and know he was even gone.
"Riku… Get up…" the brunet murmured lazily, rubbing the elder's head with his hand in a clumsy attempt to get him up.
Riku groaned and curled closer, hiding his face in the crook of Sora's shoulder.
"Please… Rikuu…" the youth whined softly, tugging on a strand of messy silver.
And with that, Riku quickly snapped his eyes open. "Ouch."
"Sorry…" Sora yawned, propping himself up on his elbows and leaning his head sideways against Riku's. "We have to get up…" he repeated, rubbing his hand against his face with a tiny sigh.
"What time is it?" Riku groaned, stretching and letting his head slump back on the synthetic pillow.
"…Too early for any normal person to be up," the brunet snickered, shaking his head. "It's 4:30, I gotta be home soon… And I didn't wanna leave you without notice after last night," he noted with a curt nod before letting his hand bury in Riku's hair and sooth it back gently. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," the elder replied quietly, leaning into Sora's touch. "And I'll accompany you; I'm not really fond of you brooding around at night… It's not safe, even though the island is a quiet place." He snickered and dragged Sora into a hug. "Thanks, again… You're great," he murmured against Sora's chest, feeling the tiny smile making it to his lips.
"I was glad to help," Sora replied with a nod, scratching behind Riku's ears as if he was a puppy of some sort. A large, huggable husky.
Riku growled softly in reply and turned to press his cheek against Sora's chest. "…Your heart," he sighed, looping his hands against Sora's frame, "It's beating fast again…"
"Obviously." Sora snickered. "You're close. My heart can't possibly rest when you're so close…" he murmured, fingers moving to rake though Riku's soft strands.
"That was awfully sweet," Riku huffed, pressing another kiss just above Sora's heart and letting a deep sound echo through his throat as he stretched. "I like sweet things in the morning…" he added then, looking up lazily and smiling at Sora.
The brunet blushed and scrunched his nose at Riku, tugging his head up so he could kiss him chastely. "I have to go soon… I left a note for my parents in case I wouldn't return before they wake up for work, but I would much rather be home before they find out I was even gone…" he sighed, tucking one of Riku's bangs behind his ear.
"I'll accompany you," the artist offered again, his hand sliding over Sora's shoulder and squeezing it gently. "We could meet the new day together… See the dawn…" He nodded, kissing Sora's delicate chin.
The youth nodded with a small chuckle. "Are you always this sappy?"
"Only on Sundays and Soradays." Riku snickered, poking Sora's cheek playfully.
"Soradays…?" Sora sighed and shook his head. "Do I even wanna know?"
"Sure you do. Every day spent with you is a Soraday. There, simple enough." Riku snickered and grinned smugly at the other teen.
The brunet rolled his eyes. "So basically, I'm turning you into a massive puddle of goo, right?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Riku sighed. "It's nice though. Makes me feel like I have a real purpose in life, like making you happy." He nodded to himself and then reached his hand to pinch Sora's nose. "F'course I have the moments when I return to my normal self too." He snickered evilly and kissed Sora's nose. "But those are rare and seldom, considering it is indeed a Soraday."
Sora rolled his eyes at Riku, but grinned anyway. "You are such a sap," he announced, hands crossed over his chest. "It's kinda cute though…"
Riku beamed right back at him. "Glad you like it, dear," he chimed, leaning closer so he could peck Sora's nose. "Now let's go, we don't wanna be late, do we?" He sighed, fingers burying in Sora's hair as he offered him a sleepy smile.
The brunet nodded once before stretching and getting up, grumbling at the chilly morning air and rubbing the last traced of sleep off his eyes. "I'll go get my clothes back," he whispered, letting his gaze linger upon Riku as his hand reached to fix the elder's hair behind his ear. "Okay?"
The artists nodded and kissed Sora's palm as it lingered near his face, grinning at the shy blush that registered on Sora's cheeks upon his actions.
"Right… Clothes," Sora sighed, getting up then and lazily tugging his pants and shirt on, after neatly placing Riku's borrowed one on the back of a chair. "You should probably get dressed as well, you know," he noted, wiggling his way into his shoes.
Riku nodded back at him and slowly rolled off the bed, rubbing his cheeks before suppressing a yawn and standing back up. He quietly made his way to Sora's side and picked up his earlier discarded clothes, easily slipping into them.
"Ready when you are," the artist hummed, shoving his cell into his pocket and leaning against the doorframe. Sora confirmed with a nod and moved to loop his arms around Riku's form, cheek pressing against the elder's warm chest. "How are you feeling?" he finally asked, slowly prying his deep blue eyes open.
"Better. A lot better," Riku nodded, raking his fingers through Sora's locks of cinnamon. "Thanks… Even though it was a selfish thing to do, I needed to get it all out and let someone else hear me…" He sighed, kissing the top of Sora's head absently. "Thank you."
Sora simply smiled in return, hunching his shoulders and dragging a deep breath in. "It was nothing, Riku… I did it because I wanted you to feel better, not because I had to…"
The artist melted. "You're a miracle," he whispered, showering Sora's mop of brown spikes with tiny kisses.
The brunet chuckled in return and pressed closer to Riku. "Same," he announced cheerfully, kissing the center of the other male's chest.
The artist snickered in return. "If you insist," he sighed, rolling his eyes and placing a final kiss on Sora's forehead. "Let's go, it's getting late."
Sora nodded once and let go of Riku, lacing their hands together and waiting for the silver haired teen to follow.
Riku quickly locked the door behind them and ruffled the brunet's hair with his free hand, snickering. "You're such a sap…"
"So are you," Sora countered, sticking his tongue out at Riku.
The artist rolled his eyes with a tiny sigh. "Meanie… I don't even know what is it about you I like so much…" he murmured, cupping Sora's cheeks and pecking his nose lightly once.
Sora snickered and crossed his hands over his chest. "Maybe your heart is opening up?"
Riku kept quiet for a long moment before smiling softly at the brunet. "Perhaps."
Sora scratched his nape and yawned. "We're here," he made known as he dexterously made his way up the old tree growing just outside his window, limbs relying on the firm branches and aiding the brunet at the task of pushing his body up.
The artist soon followed, stopping only when Sora maneuvered himself into a sitting position on his windowsill, offering Riku his hand and a warm smile, both of which were accepted gladly.
Now sitting together with Sora, side pressed to another, Riku allowed himself to relax and nestle his head over the youth's. "I like the view," he noted, his hand reaching to casually drape over the brunet's shoulders.
Sora shrugged and stretched his fingers. "It'll be prettier soon… When the sun rises…" He purred, reaching his hand to lace with Riku's free one. "Will you watch the sunrise with me, Riku?" he asked, voice soft and light.
"Do you really need to ask?" Riku murmured right back at him, kissing the top of Sora's head and squeezing his hand. "Why wouldn't I want to spend the most beautiful time of the day, when everything is ours, with the person closest to me in such a long time?"
Sora shrugged, eyes closing as he eyed the still dark plains of the island spread in front of him, streets and houses set like silverware and china on a silken map before some fancy dinner. "The sunrise… It's ours Riku, right?"
"It is," the artist nodded once, his ankles crossing together and dangling back and forth in the air, ignoring the chilly air that swept inside every time his feet swung. "It's ours because everybody else on this island… They don't see the magic we do… They don't stop to look at everything painting pale blue, and then gold… They don't relish the quiet moments where it's only us and the sky, waiting for the sun to be risen and weak up the lazy streets…" He snickered. "The sunrise… Is our own. Never forget the sight of it, Sora… Please… I know I won't."
The brunet pressed closer against Riku and nodded, curling slightly. "Never… I promise…" he swallowed; squeezing their laced hands tightly and thanking god for letting him and Riku get so close.
A few minutes passed as both teens remained cuddled close, relishing the warmth that was slowly spreading over the crispy air. Sora stretched and yawned, following the course the sun's first rays made. "Maybe we should go back to my room now?" he suggested quietly, blinking wearily at Riku and snickering. "I'm getting really sleepy," he noted, kissing the artist's shoulder affectionately.
"Same," the other male agreed, turning to lazily look back at Sora's bedroom through the window's clear glass. "Nice room…" he chuckled, nudging the youth with a tiny grin.
The latter just rolled his eyes and huffed at Riku. "It's a normal room, take it or leave it."
"I think I'll take it then," the artist snickered teasingly and waited for Sora to open the window for them and enter first. As soon as he was inside, Riku plopped on the bed and stretched, smirking lazily at the younger teen who closed the window behind him. "Man… This bed is far more comfortable than mine," he noted, making some room for Sora.
The brunet rolled his eyes. "You know it's rude to just climb on someone's bed without permission, right?"
Riku shrugged once. "You're saying it as if we're strangers…"
"We are, somewhat," Sora noted then, sitting and pressing his hand to his chin, seemingly deep in thought. "I mean… I guess we know quite a bit about each other, and I feel like we belong together… But we can't really predict one another's actions, right? We aren't familiar with the characters on a deep enough level," he sighed, offering Riku an apologetic look.
"I know," The elder nodded once, rolling on his back and then sitting up, elbows resting on his knees. "And I want to spend more time with you… To bond, and to know what you are like better, because right now, I can see how bright and cheerful you are… And warm and affectionate, sweet even… Adorable…" He snickered at Sora's shy smile and hunched shoulders. "But you're right, I can hardly say I really know you, so I hope you don't mind if I said I want to know you better…"
Sora shook his head and took Riku's hand in his, lacing their fingers and squeezing them together. "Not at all, would you mind if I asked the same?"
Riku grinned and ruffled Sora's hair with his free hand. "Nah, not really,"
The brunet chuckled and stretched back on the bed, dragging Riku on top of him and cupping his cheeks. "So tell me about yourself… Funny and interesting stuff that happened, or just think you wish to tell me about, I'm listening."
Riku sighed as he leaned on his elbows, turning to kiss Sora's palms softly and smile. "Well… When I was young, I had blue eyes until the age of five or so, then they gradually changed to what they are now. I think I cried when they did, because I wanted it to stay blue just like my mother's," he shrugged, guiding one of Sora's hands to bury inside his hair. "Your turn."
"One time, after I nearly drowned, me and Kairi decided to try and get rid of my fear of drowning, so I asked her to bring me a bottle filled with ocean water so I would drink it and maybe that would help…" Sora snickered and rolled his eyes at the memory. "It didn't and later that night I vomited and had fever because I was dehydrated," he took a deep breath in, poking Riku's cheek.
Riku snickered and ruffled Sora's hair affectionately. "Silly little thing…" he sighed, looking positively amused. "Well… I'm allergic to vitamin C and cats," he frowned, looking rather thoughtful, "And my drawing skill isn't really talent, it's more like a hobby that slowly grew into something more… My skill isn't a given."
Sora nodded with understanding and closed his eyes, hands now buried in Riku's hair. "I wanted to ask it for a while now… How you got into art anyways, I mean, you look like someone that's more likely to play some sport rather than be an artist!" The brunet shook his head and scrunched his nose.
"Why? Would you like it better if I played soccer or basketball?" The artist cocked a brow, looking questioningly at Sora.
The youth shook his head in return. "No no… Not at all," he grinned sheepishly. "After all, your drawing skills were those who lead me to you, right?"
"Guess so…" Riku replied quietly, crossing his hands behind his head and rolling on his back.
"So what made you give up on sport and start drawing?" Sora asked with a tiny grin, propping himself up on his elbows.
"Namine," Riku shrugged, turning to look at Sora.
"Namine?" The brunet blinked curiously, cocking his head. "Do tell…"
The artist frowned thoughtfully and pursed his lips before finally speaking. "We first met when I was about six and my mom was trying to make me join a club at the local community center. Back then, Namine's mother was leading the art club, and she offered her to sign me up, and since my mom vaguely remembered how I liked to scribble with crayons on the walls, she decided to send me there." Riku paused with a small snicker and dragged a deep breath in.
"At fist I thought the club was lame and used to pull prank on the teacher, Namine's mom, until Namine herself joined the club. We soon enough became friends and I stopped being so mean to her mom. A few weeks later I found out she was joining my school. She and her father returned back to her birth town, half a year after her mother did." The artist explained, his eyes fixed at the ceiling as he recalled the memories.
"When we went to Jr. High together, I started liking her. It took me almost a year, but I realized I fell for her and that being her friend wasn't enough…" The silver haired teen paused and turned to look at Sora biting his lip and swallowing hard. Sora nodded once, balled fists pressing softly against Riku's chest as the brunet followed Riku's words.
"She knew I had feelings for her, it was pretty obvious too…" He sighed, burying his hands in Sora's hair and pulling him closer for comfort. The youth whimpered softly and leaned his cheek against the artist's chest. "And…?"
"And she said she wasn't sure and that it was all too weird for her…" Riku frowned silently and traced the contours of Sora's face with his fingers, stopping at his chin and then gently pushing his lips, watching the brunet close his eyes and hunch his shoulders.
"Didn't you say she always kept you waiting…?" Sora blinked curiously, kissing the tip of Riku's finger.
"She did," Riku smiled warmly, eyes closing. "Namine never did let me have her right away… Even when we had had our moments, I had to work hard for them…"
"How?" The brunet frowned, doubt written all over his expression.
"I was just getting to that part," the artist chuckled and kissed Sora's cheek. "You should be more patient."
"Anyway, after that we kissed, and went on a date once to see if maybe something could work out between the two of us… She was right, and it was just too weird to accomplish. Finally, when we went to high school, she asked me to draw her in the way I saw her in my dreams," the artist snickered quietly and guided Sora's head up, holding his slim jaw between his fingers. He planted a feather light kiss to his lips and swallowed, murmuring against Sora's mouth.
"It was a sort of 'tying the loose ends' kind of thing. For the picture, I asked her to lay naked between white sheets," Riku explained, squeezing his eyes shut tightly. "She laughed at me and told me she liked red better. Deep vermillion, to be exact, because it was the hair color she wished she had, but her mother was strictly against it." He chuckled and moved his arms to loop around the brunet's shoulders.
Sora sighed and lowered his gaze. "Is that why you drew me sleeping in the white sheets?" he pondered quietly, shoulders hunched. He couldn't say he was angry at Riku, just… Slightly disappointed.
"Yes, and no," the artist shook his head, pressing Sora closer to his chest. "At first, I thought that you and Namine were much alike. You had the same radiant smile, and you both seemed to find the magic in every little thing… You listened."
The older teen paused, craning his neck so he could look at Sora briefly before continuing. "But as I came to know you better, I realized you two were worlds apart. Namine was quiet and mature, she brought me this inner calmness I couldn't help but crave for…"
"But you… You are vibrant; you make me feel not needed, but wanted. You have this irresistible boyish charm and you learn so fast… It's weird, because you know, I don't often open up to other people, but you're just so easy to befriend… And even easier to love…" Riku murmured, stroking Sora's tense shoulders with his palms.
The youth pulled at his nose before curling against Riku's form. "Are you sure?" He grinned. "No taking the nice words back?"
"Pretty damn sure," Riku snickered in return, kissing the top of Sora's head.
"Well then… I guess I accept your courting," the brunet offered Riku a huge grin and a pair of flush cheeks.
"Psh, I wasn't courting, Sora. I was just saying the truth," Riku shrugged easily and sent Sora a meaningful look.
The boy stuck his tongue out in return. "Sure thing Riku, sure thing."
Sora was fixing his clothes in front of the mirror. It was a few days later after the silver haired teen spent the night, or more so day, at Sora's house. They ended up talking until the late hours of the morning, sharing childhood memories, likes and dislikes, dreams and just plain talk.
Riku was a great interlocutor, Sora figured, and the conversations with him easily melted from one issue to another. All in all, the brunet was happy.
"I think I'm done," he concluded with a hint of triumph in his voice as he pushed a few stray spikes back into their place and grinned at his reflection. Kairi's portrait was laying on his desk, tied with a pale orange ribbon and wrapped in some floral paper Sora's mother found in the storeroom.
The teen grabbed the gift and swiftly made his way downstairs, waving at his mother and grabbing his bag with his free hand. "I'm staying over at Kairi's tonight! I'll be back tomorrow so call me if anything happens!" He called as he slipped his beach sandals on and slammed the door behind him.
It was a late afternoon hour when Sora arrived to the beach where Kairi, Selphie, Wakka sat. Kairi's parents were lighting fire for some barbeque nearby, but not close enough to make the three (and soon four) teens feel uncomfortable.
"Kairi!" Sora panted, coming to a halt when he reached the large mat Kairi Selphie and Wakka were sitting on. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks!" The girl beamed back at him gesturing him to sit down as the other two friends waved at him.
Sora waved back hastily and reached Kairi her present before dumping his bag behind him. "Sorry I'm late, Riku called and I got carried away and talked to him on the phone for almost an hour… I swear mom will kill me at the end of this month when she sees the bill," he snickered and leaned back on his hands.
"Ooh… You're still friends with the pretty painter?" Selphie cooed curiously, bright green eyes blinking at Sora in a questioning manner.
"Yes… Why shouldn't I be?" Sora frowned thoughtfully. "I mean, Riku's just a great… Person to befriend," he shrugged, licking his lips nervously. Oh, that was right, his friends didn't know about him and Riku…
"He is!" Selphie chirped, clasping her hands together merrily. "He's all grown-up and cool and he can draw really well!"
Sora snickered at the girl's response and rolled his head to the side, grinning at Kairi.
"What? You know Selphie's right," Kairi snickered and poked Sora's cheek playfully.
"I know that!" The brunet protested as his grin grew. "I was just amused at how Selphie was swooning all over –my- friend she barely knows," he stuck his tongue out at the brunet, which in turn resulted his head being hit by the girl's hand.
"So Selphie has a crush on your friend?" Wakka snickered, looking quite amused in his position over the opposite side of Sora's place.
"It's not a crush! Sora's friend is just cool and I'm letting it be known!" Selphie countered quickly, crossing her arms over her chest grumpily.
Sora had to drag a deep breath in and remind himself Selphie didn't know about him and Riku… Then why did he still feel sort of dread deep inside? As if something precious to him was stolen and exploited…
"Oh, by the way, Sora… Tidus is gonna be late because he has to help his mother grocery shopping," Kairi murmured, hugging her legs and leaning her chin on top of her knees. "He asked us not to go swimming until he comes."
Sora rolled his eyes at Kairi's words. "And you're seriously going to follow his words?"
"Nope," Kairi snickered at him, wiggling her toes gingerly. "Consider it a small revenge for spilling that icky grape juice all over my shirt two weeks ago."
The brunet gave her thumbs up and kicked off his sandals.
"When are we gonna eat? I'm hungry…" Selphie huffed, hunching her shoulders in a childish manner and flashing Kairi an accusing look.
"The meat will be ready in a few minutes… If you don't want to wait, I got some salad," Kairi offered, gaze moving from Selphie to Wakka to Sora.
"I am," Wakka nodded, waving his hand once and leaning back.
"Same," Sora agreed, placing his hands on his knees and tapping his fingers. "Need any help with getting the salad out and setting the plates?"
"Yeah, that would be most welcome," Kairi chuckled, stretching and standing up, followed by the other three teens.
"I want the cabbage salad! Did you make Cabbage salad Kairi?" Selphie cooed excitedly, hands pressed together in a pleading manner.
"Mmhm!" the other girl chimed, hands on her hips. "Cabbage and mayo, your favorite."
"I love you Kairi… You are the best birthday girl in the whole wide world," Selphie sighed dreamily as she looped her hands around Kairi's waist. Wakka made a gagging motion.
It was late evening. Somewhere along Tidus arrived, offering Kairi a small decorated gift box and instantly digging into the food. Happy and full, the teens decided to go swimming under the watchful eye of Kairi's parents, whom demanded that they would not swim too far and will be careful. Nods were received stimulatingly a moment later.
"Sora, are you sure you want to go in any deeper?" Kairi inquired, hands poised on her hips and expression somewhat doubtful.
The brunet nodded in response, water now reaching his waistline. "Riku helped me get over my fear. At least, he helped me to start getting rid of it… I don't want his efforts to turn out as vain."
Kairi nodded once, letting her hands drop by her sides as she approached Sora.
The other three teenagers were gingerly trying to figure who could last longest underwater, far too occupied in their game to notice Sora quietly tugging Kairi aside. He needed to talk.
"Do you want me to hold your hand?" Kairi offered with a warm smile, reaching her stretched palm over to Sora, whom gladly took it.
"It's about Riku," the brunet finally admitted, raking his wet and salty fingers through his hair as the two of them went deeper, their hands clasped tightly together.
"I'm listening," Kairi assured him, her words accompanied by a tiny squeeze of Sora's palm.
"He's… Well… It's hard to explain because… You remember how I asked you how does being in love feel?" the male asked uneasily. Kairi nodded in return. "Well… It's about Riku. We've been… He told me some about himself… That he had a girl he liked back from where he came from and that she went blind and how he moved here… But that's not important now. What is important is that… That…" Sora had to drag a deep breath in, in order to continue.
"We kissed… And I guess we confessed too…" Kairi kept silent while Sora kept on talking, massaging his palm with her thumb and forefinger. "I told him I love him… Based on how you described it, because I do feel like that but…" he paused again, shaking his head lightly. "I just want to be sure whatever I said there was true… That it wasn't me being fooled, because I know love can be tricky…"
Kairi rolled her tongue over her lips. "Sora, listen," she sighed, turning to face her friend then. "First, are you sure you like him? Because he is a boy after all… I'm not a big expert, but I know boys tend to go to extremes to get their pleasure, even if it means them sleeping with another man. Or so my mom says… So be careful. Plus, two boys liking each other… I don't think it's natural, but that we'll leave aside for now," she nodded, nervously shifting her weight from one leg to another under the water.
"Love ignites really fast… Friendship can grow into attraction into love in a matter of days, so if you are sure about how you feel, I don't see why you should doubt it. I mean, it is true after all," the girl shook her head, offering Sora an apologetic look. "I still don't think that it's completely okay for two boys to be like that, though… So you better not tell your parents, I think."
Sora nodded once and licked his lips. "He makes my insides warm and my chest feel light and heavy at the same time…" he admitted shyly. "And I really like hugging him because… Well, hugging you for example is nice but… Riku is special. His hugs make me calm," he whispered, offering Kairi a bashful grin. "Right?"
The girl chuckled and shook her head. "Now you remind me of Selphie," she pointed, flashing Sora a meaningful look.
The brunet rolled his eyes and crossed his hands behind his head. "Must you be so mean to me?" He huffed. "I'm high on thoughts of Riku right now."
Kairi reached to ruffle his hair. "Sure thing loverboy," she teased, sticking her tongue at him. A few moments later though, her expression softened. "Remember what I said though… I don't know that Riku guy, he seems like a nice person but… Please be careful. Make sure that he isn't just looking for sex, because a heartbroken Sora is not a nice sight at all…" she murmured, pulling her friend into a tight hug. "Okay?"
Sora lowered his gaze briefly before nodding and hugging Kairi back. He rubbed her wet back and let his eyes slip shut. "Thanks…" he whispered as a small smile tugged his lips. "I'll remember that…"
Kairi nodded back at him and kissed his cheek. "You can call him over if he doesn't mind. My parents are gone so there's nothing to worry about. You told your parents you're sleeping over at my place, right?" she hummed, breaking the hug and smiling gingerly at Sora.
The male nodded once and stretched his hands.
"Well, we could do a little test to see if his intentions are true," Kairi cleared her throat as a wide grin made it to her lips. "What do you think about sleeping over at Riku's place?"
It's was the brunet's turn to stick a tongue out now. "Already did. Twice, actually," he snickered and crossed his hands over his chest.
Kairi blinked a few times before the thing registered in her mind. "…Seriously now?"
The male nodded and sighed. "Nothing happened. We just hugged and kissed," he reassured, letting his hands drop by his sides.
"Oh… Okay…" Kairi frowned, forcing herself to relax.
"So should I call him over now..?" Sora offered with a sheepish smile while rubbing his cheek in an attempt to chase away the blush that bloomed over his face from thinking about Riku.
The redhead nodded once and took Sora's hand in hers. "Let's go. I wanna have a small conversation with Riku when he comes here."
The brunet nodded once with a frown, but followed anyway.
What else could he do? If Kairi wanted something, she would get it most of the times.