Riku looked out to the town, seeing the random passer bys go as he looked for Sora. He knew Sora was here and hadn't just gone off on his keyblade again. It was just something that he could sense, gladly Sora hadn't developed that skill as well as Riku so he had a advantage to sneak up on him. Still he did need to at least figure out where he was in this town. He began his search in the first district , hopefully he wouldn't be searching too long.
Meanwhile…
Sora was already awake, in fact he had come too faster than Riku. He knew he was probably looking for him but decided to stay in Traverse town rather than immediately leave it. He figured that Riku would assume that the first instance he woke up he would've high tailed it out of there. But nope he was going to the opposite of that and stay so Riku would be on a wild goose chase through the worlds while Sora melloed out. Slowly moving out of the alley he was in he looked out into the town and saw Riku snooping around. He moved back into the alley slowly, letting the shadow cover his face. Looking around he saw a neon sign of a beer glass
'perfect' he thought as he saw Riku start to move into the second district. Moving fast Sora rushed to the sign and found the door in and entered. This would be a perfect place to hide, Riku would never think to look in a bar for him.
"Hey kid" the bartender said as Sora looked over to the graying man behind the bar "We don't do sponsors so I'm going to have to ask you to get out"
"Please I'm just trying to hide" Sora said back as the bartender brow struck up when he notice the kind of paniced tone in Sora's voice.
"C'mere" he said as Sora, a little at ease, went over and hopped on a bar stool next to a big muscular guy with brown hair, who in all honesty looked like he had one too many. "Want some water?" the barkeeper asked as Sora nodded at him as the bartender grabbed a glass and filled it with some water before handing it to him "So what are you running from?"
"Huh?"
"What are you running from?" he asked again
"What makes you think I'm running?"
"Because you're not some dumb kid trying to come in here with a fake ID" he said as Sora's hands rested on his water as the barkeeper kept his eyes on him. "Kid I've seen more torn men then I would care to think about and you don't hide your guilt well. So either tell me or I'm gonna toss you out" he said, the seriousness in his tone resonating with Sora. He sighed before ungripping his water
"My girlfriend is pregnant and I ran away…" he said as the barkeeper looked at him with crossed arms
"Typical, I've seen more 'daddies' come in here for that same reason"
"Hey! It's not like it's not understandable…" the drunk guy next to Sora started talking "I mean kids is hell!" he slurred as Sora looked at the guy disgusted
"Travis you mind your own business or your cut for the night" he said as Travis glared at him and just went back to his drink. "Sorry about him" the barkeeper said as his gaze returned to Sora
"What his problem?"
"Wife left him and took the kids, again another typical problem I deal with here" he said as Sora sighed
"You think I'm a bum for running away don't you?" he asked as the bartender shook his head
"Kid I don't know you that well but I'm sure you have your reasons. Unlike a lot of the bums I serve you seem to have a heart and know what you've done. I mean I don't think you'll be running forever are you?"
"No of course not"
"So it's just shock that your girl is pregnant is why your running"
"I guess" he said gripping his water again and taking a drink
"Look if I was you, I'd go back home and face whatever music is waiting there for you. Sure it'll suck but think of it this way, it's better to get something done sooner rather than later. Because you could keep running until things even out for you back there but there'll still be a smack in the face waiting for you when you come back."
"Hmm…" Sora hummed in thought as he finished his water "Your right… I think I'll go home tomorrow. I just need one day to clear my head"
"Fair enough" the barkeep said as he took his glass "Another water?"
"Nah I think I'll have…" he said before the echo of a door smashing open hit his ears. Sora whipped his head back and saw no one other than the man he was running from
"Sora!"
"Shoot!" he yelled as he hoped out his seat and Riku raised his blade and casted blizzard at Sora who dodged making it hit Travis instead. The bartender ducked under the bar quickly, as Sora scurried around the bar. "Riku c'mon I…." he said as he felt his body get heavy making him hit the ground. He cringed as Riku walked over to him then pointed his glowing keyblade at him
"Gravity…" he said as his blade surged again and Sora felt his body get heavier as it was pancaked to the ground.
"Riku please…. I'm gonna come home just give me time to…."
"Stop" riku said as Sora glew blue and remained completely still, not even his eyelids moving. The bartender slowly got up as Riku hoisted Sora on his shoulder
"Hey!" the bartender yelled as Riku looked at him
"Sir I'm sorry that I barged in but I need to take him home"
"I know, I was talking to him before you came in" he said starting to approach him "Look I may not know him as well as you do but please go easy on him, I think he does understand what's going on. It's not like he's going to leave his girl alone with the baby" he said as Riku thought for a moment on his words before he nodded
"I know, but that doesn't give him the right to run away like he has. She's going to need him for what's going to happen…. And I'm going to need him too" he said thinking of Namine as the bartender crossed his arms
"Son do what you like, you seem to have a better understanding of the situation. Just don't barge in on my bar again" he said as riku chuckled before heading out the door with Sora "Um hey he's going to be alright right?" he asked gesturing to Travis but Riku was already long gone.
Back home
It was night time, Xion and Roxas had searched the whole island but with no trace of Sora. Exhausted they decided to go to Riku's place with a couple of burgers and ease off the blistering sensation in their feet. Another night without Riku's mother as well, her job keeping her busy, so Xion and Roxas had the place to themselves
"So want to through a party?" she joked as Roxas rolled his eyes
"No way, that's what put me on lockdown for a month"
"I thought that was stealing Luxord's boes" Xion said putting the paper bag full of fries and burgers on the coffe table infront of the light blue couch she loved to sleep on. Roxas huffed as his face took on a irritated expression
"Does everybody know?" he asked as Xion giggled before plopping on the couch
"Nope it's just I see Axel every once and awhile whenever I'm doing my rounds" she said as Roxas collapsed on the couch
"Blabber mouth" Roxas said slightly mad
"Hey in all fairness you were going to get busted one way or another for that'
"I didn't know it was Luxord's! Demyx just told me he could get drinks for the party if I gave him munny" he said as Xion looked at Roxas with her eyebrow raised
"And you trusted him?" she said in a sassy tone
"He delivered" he said as Xion shook her head and reached for the bag and poped out a burger wrapped in paper
"Yeah and his ass is ground beef right now from what I hear" she said unwrapping her burger and taking a bite.
"I thought you two were friends" Roxas said as he reached for a burger too
"Yeah we are but I can say he's dumb" Xion said with a half full mouth as Roxas took a bite of his burger. Using her free hand she turned on the T.V and they watched some random cartoon whilst eating and talking. Again about nothing just talking, as the bag got a lot lighter Roxas yawned
"Starting to saw logs?" Xion asked as Roxas shook his head
"No no I'm just a lil sleepy"
"yeah huh… well don't forget you can't stay over"
"I know Axel" he joked as he sighed. Xion smiled as she looked at her goofy friend, it had been awhile since they had hung out like this. Most of his time was dedicated to Namine and her's to her job. It was very refreshing, almost bringing her back to the days where just he and her were on top of the clocktower just enjoying life. She had missed those, she also was noticing her eyes get heavy but was forcing them open
"So hows you and Namine?" Xion asked as Roxas sat there with his slouched on the couch looking at the ceiling "What?" she asked as Roxas again didn't give her a response "Roxas?" she asked as her heard his faint snoor. She rolled her eyes as she gently shoved her palm at him "Silly" she said before taking out her phone. A quick run through the numbers and brushing back of her hair she heard a manly voice on the phone
"Hello?"
"Axel it's Xion"
"Hey Xi (shi) what's up?"
"Not much, hey Roxas is asleep right now at my place. You mind if he stays over?"
"Well…" he said hesitantly
"C'mon 'dad' let Roxas off the leach" she said jokinly as Axel chuckled
"only if you keep a eye on him"
"Of course, I'll make sure he's out of here by morning"
"Thanks, night Xion"
"Night" she said before hanging up before siting up and watching Roxas gently sleep, he looked cute when he was at peace. Xion smiled gently as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him
"Thanks Roxas" she said for his help today. He really was a great friend, and a warm one. Xion liked this warmth, mainly because Riku's house was set to permanent artic temperature and she had no idea how to shut it off. So she kept hugging for a minute…. Or two…. Or five. She had been holding onto him for so long she didn't notice her eventual departure into sleep as they both laid together and sawed some logs. Two friends….
Story isn't dead, just was really into finishing another project and well procrastination is my greatest power. Hope you enjoy and I promise I'll be back soon.
