Title: Winter Sleep
Chapter 2: The Winter Angel
"Hey, are you alright?"
The teenager didn't register the concern in the stranger's voice nor did he recall ever sitting down on the park bench in the first place. Yet, here he was sitting on the wooden seat before the hospital… The icy nip of the winter air stung his lungs and Jack Frost continued to nip and nibble away at his fingertips. His breath played before his lips in carefree dances and awkward twirls with little warmth radiating from the mists. The thick jacket and scarf did nothing to shun the cold from his shuddering body yet, despite discomfort, Riku found himself unable to return home. The impact of Sora's admission into the hospital did more than stun the poor boy, it practically shattered him to pieces. He was like a mirror, tall and proud, lined with carved gold; then, there was the crack. It branched out like a blooming flower and slowly consumed him, bit by bit, to the point he simply gave way and let the shards fall. Like snowflakes on a bright winter's day, each piece, each sliver touched the ground, leaving Riku to stare helplessly into the depths of his distorted reflection. A spotlight upon the despair and pain blossoming in his heart.
Sora, his little storyteller, was locked in an eternal slumber.
And there was nothing the prince could do to rouse the princess from her sleep.
"Excuse me, are you alright?"
The unfamiliar yet familiar voice rang again through the winter air and a warm hand fell to his shoulder. Melting away the snow from his coat, the arm shook him back and forth, as if trying to snap him out of his own conscious coma. Riku swayed before turquoise optics gazed up at the face of the pretty blonde standing before him. Petite and sweet, with shocking cobalt eyes that matched his Sora, it was as if the angel had re-entered his life. He wore casual and baggy clothes, just like Sora used to, and carried a white umbrella in his free hand, shielding the depressed young male from the still-falling snow. The tufts of carefree golden hair remained the only thing that separated him from Sora yet Riku saw them both. He still saw the same glow and the same spirit as Sora, spiced with defiance and fire that showed so strongly in the stranger's eyes.
"I-I'm sorry," Riku found himself apologising, head hanging low and glaring at the snow and dirt colouring the ground. He bit his lip before daring to glance back at the unnamed newcomer. "I'm a bit spaced out…" He laughed but his chuckle sounded hollow.
An understanding look flashed in those deep blues and the male simply nodded before looking away himself, but he looked up and towards the large white building of the hospital instead. Stark white over dark and deep grey. Just like snowflakes. "Yeah, it's the atmosphere from over there," Riku heard the voice speak once more and instantly took a liking to the kid. "It's sad and painful, but I always find myself coming back." The boy seemed to have fallen into his own memories. "It's funny… I've just recovered, but… I dunno, maybe I got attached to it?" his lamentations were eagerly listened to by the older male and he couldn't help but listen some more. "Oh, sorry," he suddenly said, surprising Riku himself. "You probably think I'm weird now, don't you?"
"No," the blonde was stunned and interested at the same time as Riku shook his head. "Not really." Offering him a rare smile, he cupped a hand over the one on his shoulder. "You're getting cold. Should we get a coffee?"
He didn't give the boy much chance to answer as he stood up and slid his hands into his pockets, shuddering at the icy flesh pressed against his legs. The winter's breeze blew into his hair and whispered into his ear as he took a step forward, snow crunching under his shoes. Casting a look over his shoulder, he raised his eyebrows, encouraging the younger to follow his lead. A few seconds ticked by before the blue-eyed blonde wiped the confusion from his face and gave a few nods.
"I'm Roxas by the way…" he felt obliged to introduce himself.
The muffled crunch of snow and the deafening whoosh of wind followed them all the way.
"Riku," the silver-haired male murmured.
(A/N: Reviews are much-loved)