Author's Note: Omigosh! It's the last chapter! Technically…tomorrow's chapter is more of an epilogue, so, yeah. Anyway, just to let you know, the song I use in this chapter is "Splitting Up Christmas" by my good friend Kevin Devine. And by 'good friend' I mean 'man I am convinced is my soul mate'. He does know me though…recognize me…know my name…I love him. Anyway, he's a wonderful human being, and I altered the lyrics slightly to better fit the current situation. Enjoy!
Reindeer Games
Chapter Five: December 24th
On Sunday morning, Sora entered Riku's apartment, greeted by a wide smile. He looked around, taking in the scattered decorations and the tall, artificial Christmas tree, and he followed Riku through the living room, past the bathroom, into his bedroom.
Once there, Riku motioned to Sora, who took a seat on the edge of the bed. Riku turned to a corner of the room, and picked up a guitar.
Clearing his throat, he said, "I wrote this song for you, for Christmas.'
Sora was too busy blushing to notice that he was blushing.
"It's for everyone, my family and friends, really. But, mostly it's for you."
The brunette nodded, fingers twisting around sheets as his stomach twisted inside him.
After a moment's hesitation, Riku returned the nod and his fingers worked at the strings of his guitar. A bouncing melody began, and Sora couldn't help but smile at the cheerfulness of the sound.
And then Riku began singing.
"So what if it's freezing? I'm awake and I'm happy."
Both boys laughed at the irony of the statement.
"The sun's steepling its shards on my floor.
I drag my feet to the shower, and I hear someone singing.
I leave the lights off while the water gets warm."
Sora listened intently, his mind over analyzing every word, picking away to find some meaning.
"Now I knot up my tie and toss books in a schoolbag.
They keep my priorities straight.
So I can sleepwalk through work like an outpatient program
I don't buy, but get through anyway."
So far, Sora could not find the miracle in the lyrics. As Riku continued, he lowered his eyes to the floor and his voice was tinted with anxiety.
"And at some point I'll call you
And tell you I miss you
And you are the point of my days."
There it was. The meaning. The miracle Sora had been trying to find for five days.
"And my face will get flushed
And my throat will choke up,
As I hope that you'll tell me the same."
It was right there, hanging in the air. But Sora found himself unable to focus on it, and it floated, hazy and waiting.
"So I have been thinking of splitting up Christmas
To see everyone I'd like to see
And you're first on that list.
You're the lotto I hit.
You're the star at the top of the tree."
As Riku launched into an ambling guitar solo, he glanced questioningly up at Sora, who merely nodded, with a bright smile and shining eyes. From behind glittering bangs, Riku's eyes shined back.
"So I have been thinking of splitting up Christmas," Riku repeated, pouring more energy into song.
"To see everyone I'd like to see
And you're first on that list.
You're the lotto I hit.
You're the star at the top of the tree.
And I have been feeling this good for a reason
My friends, and my family.
Yeah, you all are my backbone.
You keep me balanced and settled
And I'm in debt to you all endlessly."
The song slowed, and Riku pointedly locked eyes with Sora, who swallowed as his friend continued almost nervously.
"So tonight I will call you
And try to say thank you
For being the sun on my face.
I know the world's almost over
But you make it seem better
And I hope for you I do the same."
For a long moment, both boys remained silent, Riku worrying his lip and Sora shocked by the miracle that finally landed square on his chest, knocking the air out of his lungs.
"Did you like it?" Riku asked finally, quietly.
Sora could not string together a single sentence. But, miracle of miracles, he found something to more effectively express what he thought of Riku's present.
It was a kiss, one that had lingered in his heart for many years, which he placed gently on Riku's lips then.
When the brunette pulled away, Riku was smiling more brightly than ever before, and he whispered.
"That present I had in mind…"
"Yeah?" Sora asked, still blushing, and wondering why Riku was bringing this up now.
"Sora, won't you be my date tomorrow night?"
There was only one word in the entire universe at that moment, and it was the sweetest word either of them had ever heard or spoken.
"Yes."