Hey friends!

Here's today's chapter~

Specific tags include:
during KH 2 canon; Donald and Goofy play a part; Pete has a brief cameo too; flashback with smol Riku; Yen Sid's tower; observing from afar; pining; suggestive thoughts; guilt and regret; implied established relationship; Riku needs a hug; Riku's POV; Sora's POV

Hopefully you enjoy! ^-^

Chapter 2: Abscond

There was a time, Riku recalls, a very specific year, when the usually sunny and mild Destiny Islands were stuck by a ferocious winter. Temperature never dropped too low, but the islands were shrouded in dark clouds for weeks and fustigated by torrential rain like some sort of deity above had left their heavenly shower running. Roads turned to pools of mud, animals had to hide deep in the woods, gardens and farmlands were mostly swept away and ruined. Needless to say, people would only go out to purchase essential necessities such as food or meds, and would otherwise bunker themselves at home and pray with all their heart for nature to take pity on them. The oldest villagers would speak of something similar happening way, way back when, back when they'd all been young, and how it was likely an omen of bad things to ensue. And the younger adults would chide them, tell them to not give so much credit to such giddy superstitions and that everything would go back to normal soon, but, deep down, they too were unable to shake off the sense of apprehension whenever a particularly loud bout of thunder roared overhead.

Back then, Riku was too young to properly understand why the grown-ups seemed to carry their own personal dark cloud, similar to the real ones outside, born from worry and foreboding. He didn't really enjoy all that storming, especially at night when he was trying to fall asleep, but it wasn't so awful either. Not to mention, heavy rain made it impossible to go to school and being free from homework was far more relevant to a child than worrying about the harvest being lost or the shacks built closer to the sea being flooded. One of those mornings, he recalls as vividly as if it was just yesterday, he was eager to go to Sora's house to play. Being used to having his favorite buddy around all day, every day, this forced separation was the only truly bad thing about those thunderstorms, as far as little Riku was concerned. So much so that, even though his mom obviously forbade him from even thinking about setting a foot out of the house till the weather paid them some mercy, he was not dissuaded. His umbrella was much too small for so much rain though, that much he could see, and so he opted for a more ingenious approach. Meaning, he raided his parents' dresser and fumbled among his father's clothing till finding what he thought to be the perfect solution to his problem: dad's raincoat! It was long and had a hood and was made of a sort of fabric that repelled water rather than getting wet, so logically Riku believed it worthy of the mission at hand: to run across the yard and reach Sora's house without getting wet at all! So entranced he became with getting dressed up that he failed to notice his mother coming to check on him – having heard some suspicious half-shuffling and half-struggling sounds from hers and her husband's bedroom. And there she found their son, practically drowning in that dark raincoat far too large for his small stature, eagerly trying to roll up the sleeves while attempting to walk without tripping at the same time.

Riku now can't remember if he was grounded for it or not; though he's fairly certain he remembers his mother's smile and laughter, more than any words of reprimand or displeased scowls. How ironic, then, cruel even, that such fond memory feels to him more like trying to chew on shards of glass. For here he is, dressed in a dark cloak all over again… made of impervious black leather, so long that it reaches his feet, not even the hood is missing. But his beloved mother is all the way back in the islands, having barely escaped the Darkness that surged because her own son once, selfishly, wanted to cross an accursed door to different worlds. And Sora… Sora isn't just by the other side of the yard, anymore.

Or… well.

Technically, Sora is just a few feet away. He's just arrived in that train departed from Twilight Town, like Mickey had promised Riku that he would. Sora and Donald and Goofy, inseparable as ever. A sight that would have had Riku's blood boiling a year back, back when Ansem's grip on his heart and mind was so tight that it reduced his free will to a mere mirage. Riku can still feel the remnants of it… heck, of course he can. He's stuck in the man's despicable, loathsome figure as it is. Which, more than anything else at this point, justifies his hiding in that black cloak as much as possible, huddling in till no trace of his features is shown to the world. What would Sora say if he was to see Ansem's face staring back at him? Taking a keyblade smack to the head would be the least of Riku's problems, were that to happen. And yet…

Yet, Riku is here. Conveniently concealed by a large bush, an eye on the trio and the other on that buffoon Pete. And he can claim that's his motive for being here: the simple fact that he can smell bits and pieces that mingle with Pete's own scent but that represent something far more sinister. This mixture of ash and withered flowers and ether that is so typically… Maleficent. The thought alone is enough to make Riku's skin crawl, as though he can still feel the witch's long nails in the color of blood skimming his cheek as she pretended to care about him. Yes, that's what it is… that's why Riku is here. Because he wants to keep tabs on what Pete is attempting to achieve and how it may or may not be related to Maleficent's potential, and potentially disastrous, return. Yup. That's it.

It has nothing to do with wanting to take a look at Sora, even if from afar.

Nor to reassure himself that Sora is all right after nearly a year of slumber.

Nothing to do with that at all, nope.

And it's certainly not his fault that he does glance in the younger teen's general direction. He has to. He's not blind. Sora is right in his field of vision so he's inevitable to look at. It's not that Riku is peeking from behind that bush in the perfect angle to look at Sora. Just a coincidence. If anything, it's Master Yen Sid's fault for planting the bush right there. It's not like Riku could have instead chosen one of the other three dozen bushes, either. It's entirely beyond his control and, thus, Riku accepts his fate and makes good use of it. Might as well!

And the sight is… honestly, it's equal parts endearing and amusing. Powerful as Naminé is, she's unable to command time the same way she commands memories. Time has flown within those pods, whether the inhabitants were aware of it or not. Several months have gone by and, from the looks of it, Sora's growth spurt seems to have finally started. The same cannot be said about his trademark red jumpsuit, however, and Riku fails to hide his smile at how short the red shorts are now compared to Sora's longer legs. Again, it's equal parts ridiculous and adorable, and he almost laughs out loud at the thought of the Keyblade Master presenting himself to His Majesty's Mentor in such attire.

More details have changed, though, beyond those longer (…and surprisingly distracting, Riku is quickly realizing) legs. Sora's features still look quite young, but not as childlike as before. There's a new sort of gentle sharpness to his cheekbones, leaving them better defined, and there is definitely a more mature tone to his voice. What is helplessly entrancing Riku, however, among the far more notorious changes… is the way he can swear Sora's lips never looked this plump before. Is he imagining things…? Nah… he knows those lips like the palm of his hand. He would perceive any change, no matter how subtle or apparently insignificant. How many times has he claimed them with his own?

Which is why, precisely, Riku is now summoning every ounce of self-restraint he possesses and forcing himself to look away. Stupid Riku, what are you thinking…? Is this really the time and place to be waxing poetic about Sora's lips and his looks in general? Can you afford to do that, when you literally are shaped like the most notable spawn of the Darkness? Even if he looked his normal self… Riku highly doubts Sora would be pleased to see him, anyway. Not after everything he's done and caused. And it's not that Riku wallows in self-pity and mopes about the wrongs he's provoked, rather than to move forward and try to make them right. But… the deeds are done. The consequences are unerasable. Maybe he never meant to do what he did whilst a captive of Ansem's megalomania, but he did it regardless.

And Sora, of all people, deserves better than that.

Better than Riku.

Sora deserves everything good and bright in this life, as good and bright as he is himself. Sora deserves someone who'll make him happy, rather than cause suffering. Deserves someone who'll hold his hand and proudly walk the road ahead beside him, not a shadow following from behind whilst trying to clean up the shambles that are left in the wake. And that's why Riku conceals himself better behind that bush, allowing no chance to be noticed. Simply watching as the trio makes quick work of the weak opponents Pete summons to face them, without making any attempt to move closer to help. Hearing the sound of the heavy front doors of the tower slamming shut after Sora ventures inside, denying himself a last glance at the one his heart yearns for yet his brain knows to be out of reach. Symbolically, if not physically so.

There's no happily running over to Sora's yard, anymore.

"Guys, I look so cool!"

Donald rolls his eyes so pointedly that, for an instant, Goofy worries they might pop out of orbit. It's not long before the two of them are giggling to themselves, though, highly amused by the teen's enthusiasm over the new set of clothes so kindly conjured by the three Good Fairies. Sora practically skipped down the tower stairway, pivoting left and right and flourishing unnecessarily to better make his outfit noticeable. Not that it is needed, because it is indeed a stark contrast to the previous jumpsuit in both shape and color, but he just can't help it. When was the last time he's had new clothes! And his guardians certainly don't mind, despite Donald's fake glares every now and then. This boat runs on happy faces, after all.

"Just pay attention to where yer going, will ya."

To Goofy's tender advice, Sora can only react with awkward laughter. He's never been the most graceful person ever, really, but he likes to believe he's no klutz either. But there's no denying that his "new" body, more than the new clothes, will still need some getting used to. For all intents and purposes, to him it feels like he's grown a few inches overnight and nothing is at the proper height nor distance anymore. His longer limbs are a bit clumsy, his voice sounds foreign to his own ears, and this whole thing is throwing him off a bit. Thankfully, it's not been a problem while wielding the Keyblade and his battle movements are coming out as naturally as ever – perhaps because they are rooted in instinct, more than conscious consideration. Out of battle, though… yeah, he's really gonna have to get used to it. And avoid making a dummy out of himself, like when he tripped on Yen Sid's carpet. Or when he smacked his shin on the side of Yen Sid's desk. Or when his elbow accidentally almost knocked over one of Yen Sid's vases.

Either way, as they now cross the small portion of woods that will lead them to the Gummi ship, Sora finally finds his attention captivated by something other than a brand-new hoodie. It's… something. Something that he can't really explain, but that has him gradually slowing down his pace till he stops in front of some bushes. Nothing out of the ordinary here, they look just like the rest of that miniature forest that envelops them. A bush like countless that he's seen before, and yet… it's like it's calling to him. It's like his heart knows there's something special about this bush even if words fail him to elaborate on what. Can more Heartless be hiding here, or maybe even Nobodies or Pete himself or Organization members for all he knows? No… no, not even close. The bush is calling him in, rather than attempting to intimidate or frighten. There's nothing menacing about this bush; on the contrary, it has Sora suddenly feeling… soothed. Safe, even. Something about this bush makes him feel home, guarded and protected, and how silly this is because a bush is just a bush but he can't help the way he feels. Would Master Yen Sid keep sentient bushes, somehow…? No, it's not that either. This isn't just any bush, this isn't a stranger. This is a sense of familiarity, of belonging, that Sora hasn't felt in such a long time, ever since closing the Door to Kingdom Hearts, ever since he last saw–

"SORA!"

So much for cracking the mystery, because Donald's strident yell has left him momentarily deaf. The duck is already marching back, sighing in exasperation as he all but snatches one of Sora's hands and begins basically dragging him towards the ship.

"What are ya spacing out for, ya little palooka? We don't have time for that!"

"Geez, Donald, cut it out! I know! It's just –"

Just what? Sora still doesn't know what's gotten into him to be hypnotized by a bush of all things. Maybe he's still drowsy, after the long sleep in the pod, and making up stuff out of nowhere…? Ah well, whatever! The good thing about having such a short attention span is that he never tends to dwell too much nor too long. If there's something about Yen Sid's magical bushes, he'll find out about it at one point or the other. Right now, another priority rises… and, with a grin, he pulls his hand free from Donald's and dashes past the royal magician, first, and then the royal knight, clearly meaning to be the first one to enter their ship after such a long break.

"Dibs on the cockpit! The first drive is mine!"

Thank you so much for reading, I'll see you guys soon!
Theia