Aw, that's so cute~!
Sora: *crying on Riku's shoulder* I'm sorry but she made me do it! I'd never leave you!
Riku: Hey calm down, it's alright. *petting Sora's hair*
Kairi: Do you often spaz over moments like that?
Like you don't? I own nothing~!
Kairi was silent, scared. She felt her heart pounding in her chest as she waited for a response on the other end of the line but Riku was dead silent, all she could her was his breathing and even that frighteningly feint. She expected a louder reaction, something to show her friend wasn't happy about this at all but she found the silence worse. She thought she'd have a heart attack when she talked to Sora earlier and he asked her that question.
Flashback…
Kairi's phone rang and she picked it up from the nightstand next to her bed while keeping her eyes on her homework, "Hello?"
"Hey Kai, it's Sora. I said I'd call you." A cheery voice said.
"Oh right! What's up?" she asked finishing up another math problem.
"Well um… I was wondering if you aren't busy this Saturday… Maybe we can hang out? Just… you and me?" he explained shakily.
Kairi's hand stopped moving and her heart jumped into her throat. She wanted to say no, or suggest Riku go with them, but even in the stutters she could tell he was determined it be the two of them. That and she had to keep her promise to Riku. Still, she felt he needed to know, she needed help bad. "Um… Can I give you an answer tomorrow?" she asked.
Sora was silent for a moment then answered, "Sure. I'll see you tomorrow." And the line went dead.
Kairi immediately hung up her phone and picked it up again dialing Riku's number, she was desperate for help now!
So there she was with a heart threatening to break out of her chest, throat tight, and the silence making her feel she was about to go insane when she finally heard a response.
"He just… asked you out?" He asked slowly.
"Yeah. I didn't answer him though! I asked him to wait until tomorrow!" She explained.
"Kairi, we talked about this. I asked you to do what you can to make him happy and not to worry about me." Riku said calmly.
Kairi thought she was going to cry at any moment. Riku trusted her with Sora's heart and she felt she would only break it despite the promise she made "I know, I know. But I still feel wrong about accepting and you're practically right there!" she said, the tears stinging her eyes.
"I'll be okay Kairi. I know I'm asking you to live a lie but who knows maybe you'll return his feelings. I'm gonna go to bed, I'll see you tomorrow. Bye Kairi."
"Bye Riku." And they hung up simultaneously.
Kairi set her homework aside and lay on her bed holding her arms as she let herself cry silently. She knew she promised, but it felt wrong to her to have someone's heart when said person unknowingly had the heart of another. She could only imagine where this would all lead in the future.
Naminé manifested herself next to Kairi and stroked her hair in a soothing manner trying to console her friend, but even she could feel the pain radiating and she felt helpless in it all. But she had her own plan just as Kairi did; if Sora didn't open his eyes soon she'd do it for him.
X_X_X_X_X
Riku lay on his bed with his back to the door in the darkness of his room. Not even the moonlight flooded in through the blackout curtains he had hung up in the window. He knew it was inevitable but it still hurt, but if Sora was going to be happy then fine. He would suffer every torment in the world for his best friend and secret love, he didn't care! Sora was more important to him that anything.
Axel was watching Riku as the boy slept. He could see all that pain in the pale face, how the fine silver brows knitted together and that frown turned his lips, the eyes practically screwed shut and the his body tensed. Everything about him screaming, "I'm letting my heart be broken right in front of me because I don't deserve the one I love most in this damn world and I don't care!"
The redhead sighed and looked to the carpeted floor putting a hand on his empty chest where he felt his own pain. He honestly didn't know what hurt more, not being able to be with Roxas or watching someone else suffer the same fate. He wished he could hit Sora over the head and yell at him about what he was doing to the one who gave up so much for him.
He felt the shadows moving around him and he looked around the room cautiously looking for any Heartless or Nobodies that may have made their way into the room but saw nothing. A sharp pain burned his right shoulder blade and he hissed in pain clutching it; he looked to Riku and gasped at what he saw. Riku wasn't wearing a shirt as he slept and it was clear as day what had appeared and caused that pain Axel felt, on the silverette's right shoulder blade was the word Alone written in Darkness.
X_X_X_X_X
The next morning saw Sora running like the hyena's he encounters the Pride Lands were at his heals, he was almost late for school! That was because he didn't set his alarm the night before and when he finally got up he took a shower and rushed to finish his breakfast, almost choking in the process. Then he had to pack all his books and work that he needed for the day (after hunting for them on his desk) then rushed out of his house. He got to the school just as the bell rang and the students around the campus started heading for their classes.
His first class was with Riku so that was a perk to him; he needed to talk to his best friend about the night before. Upon getting to his class and taking his seat next to the silverette he noticed something was off. Whereas Riku was usually ready to take on the day he looked really worn out and ready to crash at any moment. A dark shading was forming under his eyes and redness surrounded the dual colored orbs.
"Riku are you alright? You look like someone kept you up all night." He said.
Riku blinked as he heard Sora's voice realizing his friend had arrived, "Oh, hey Sora. Sorry, my dad decided to be a loud drunk last night; he wouldn't shut up until two in the morning." Of course that was a lie, but he had to say something.
"He's never done that before." Sora noted.
"According to my grandmother he started that all up while we were gone." Riku said.
Sora studied his friend a bit more then asked, "Are you expected to go into work today?" he received a nod "Don't." He said firmly.
"What?"
"You need to rest Riku. I'll ask Selphie to explain to her mom. After school go straight home and sleep for a while, then get more sleep tonight. If I find out you didn't and you come to school tomorrow looking the same as you do now or worse, I'll drag you home and shove sleeping pills down your throat."
Riku blinked at the seriousness etched on the brunette's face and the edge in his tone then he smiled. Despite what he knew was going to happen he felt his heart warm at the fact that Sora still cared for him, even if it wasn't as deeply as he would have liked. "Okay, if you say so."
When it was time for their next class Sora and Riku split up. Sora rushed to his next class not wanting to get busted by the teacher again, he still didn't know how such a hard ass got to work in a school. In the hall he spotted Kairi, "Hey Kai!" he called.
"Hi Sora! Oh, and… Yeah, to this Saturday!" she called back, albeit the last part was said rather nervously.
Sora paused and looked back at her, seeing her smile. He grinned like an idiot and nodded before turning back to get to his class, he felt today was going to be a good day.
X_X_X_X_X
Kairi took her seat next to Selphie in her class and let out a sigh.
"Is everything okay Kairi? You look a little worried." The brunette noted.
"It's alright Selph; things are just a little hectic. Sora asked me out last night." She explained.
Selphie gasped covering her mouth to hold in her squeal, "What did you say?" Kairi gave her a smile and Selphie had to bite her lip "You must be so happy! Kairi what are you two going to do? I want details!"
Kairi shrugged "I think Sora's planning everything. He might ask Riku for help though; he never really could come up with good ideas on his own." She said.
"But um… Doesn't Riku…?" Selphie trailed off.
"No. He told me so himself. I can't really say anymore on the issue so don't' ask." Kairi said pointing a finger at her.
"Aw! But I wanna know!" her friend pouted.
"I won't say anything and neither will Riku or Sora so it's useless to try and bother them."
"But Kairi! You never keep anything from me! Why are you starting now? It's not fair." Selphie whined.
"Jeez Selphie, you want cheese with that whine?" Tidus said from his seat in the class.
"And crackers please!" Selphie responded making the class laugh.
Tidus got up from his seat and leaned over on Kairi's desk "So what's all the whispering about?" he asked in a low tone.
"Sora asked Kairi out!" Selphie answered.
"Selph! Don't tell the whole island!" Kairi cried.
The look on Tidus's face was in a word: priceless. When the girls noticed they broke into a fit of giggles because he looked like he ate something extremely sour and his eye were pretty much ready to pop out of their sockets.
"You're kidding. Sora asked you out? Our Sora? The ever so hyperactive one? Tell me you're kidding!" he pleaded.
They shook their heads "He really asked. I'm going with him this Saturday." Kairi said.
"And I'm gonna stalk them so I can get some goods." Selphie said with an evil glint in her eye.
Kairi gave her friend a light tap on the head, "No! Bad Selphie! No stalking your friends when they're on dates!"
"Aw! But I wanna see the happy couple in progress!" the brunette whined.
"Oh Selphie give it a rest already!" Tidus sighed in irritation.
Kairi watched as her two friends bickered and giggled at the scene. It was pretty much the same thing every day, but she never got tired of it like she used to. After everything that'd happened she thought herself blessed to have all her friends now, especially after they almost lost each other and didn't even know it.
[Quite a lively bunch. I still don't understand how you came to be friends with them.] Naminé said.
Kairi giggled again and shrugged, 'Probably the same way I came to be friends with Sora and Riku, it was destiny. And I'm grateful.'
[But, destiny can be cruel as well as generous. You know that.]
'Yes. But I'll fix it. I swear. I know Sora doesn't have feeling for me like he thinks he does, and I'm going to open his eyes to it. I saw for myself after all.'
[Hey! I said I want in! You're not gonna leave me out of this!]
'What do you plan to do about all this Nami?'
[Dig up Sora's deepest memories about Riku that started those buried feelings. The ones from before they met you. It may take a while, but I'm sure it'll work.]
'Idea! They have to be together before the end of the Paopu Festival! That day is the best day for anything like that to happen. I'm glad you're going to help with this Naminé.'
[Well, we have to help out our friends right? And as stubborn as they are, you'll need all the help you can get to make them work.]
'Don't I know it?'
"Kairi? Did you hear what I said?"
"Huh? Oh sorry Selphie, I zoned out for a moment." Kairi said with a sheepish smile.
"You've been hanging around Sora too long." Tidus commented only to get a heated glare from the redhead.
X_X_X_X_X
As Sora and Riku made their way to their usual lunch spot to meet Kairi, the brunette couldn't stop hopping every few steps.
"Sora how much sugar did you have already?" Riku asked.
"None~!" his friend answered in a song-like tone.
Riku blinked, "Then… Why are you so jumpy?"
Sora turned to start walking backwards as he spoke to the older boy, "Well, I asked Kairi out last night. I was on edge for a while since she didn't give me an answer right away, but I saw her in the hall earlier and she gave me a positive answer. Now I can't help but be hyper about it!"
Despite the pleased smile on Riku's lips he felt his heart crack again. The throbbing he felt in his chest when Sora said he asked out their friend was painful against his ribcage, yet he was still glad to see Sora so happy about something so simple. "So what are you gonna do then? Don't tell me you haven't thought about it." He said.
Sora went into thought as he hummed a little, "Well I was thinking lunch and a movie. Is that a good idea?"
"Sora it's your first date. You may as well start it out simple."
They got to the fountain where Kairi was already seated and waiting with their lunches; Sora found himself smiling like an idiot, again and actually giggled.
"You're starting to worry me Sora." Riku commented.
"I can't help it!"
"I take it you told him?" Kairi asked the brunette with a smile. She and Riku were pretending the phone call the previous night didn't happen.
"He told me alright. Now I'm worried he'll go into a happy coma." Riku said.
Kairi giggled and allowed her eye to rest on the Riku's form. She noticed the tense form, the dull eyes, all the signs of exhaustion. But what stood out the most to her was the pain in the usually vibrant orbs, and her guilt set in.
"You see it too, don't you Kairi? Riku needs to get more sleep." Sora said.
Kairi turned her gaze to Sora, "Yeah. What happened last night Riku? You usually get more sleep than anyone."
"Dad. Wouldn't shut up about meaningless crap. How do you like that?" Riku lied.
[Kairi, I think we should keep an eye on him. I sense the darkness is trying to take hold of him again.]
Kairi bit back a gasp as she looked at Riku again. If she focused she could feel it, that power that was so strong in The World That Never Was, the power Xemnas used at his disposal to get what he wanted, the power that Riku had immersed himself in for Sora's sake. The only difference seemed to be that this time it was starting off with a weak hold so that it could allow itself to grow stronger when the silverette least expected it.
When their lunch ended Sora made sure that Riku went in the direction of his house before going to his last class, Kairi had already gone. When Riku was well down the street Sora ran back inside the school building and booked it to his class just as the last bell rang, luckily his teacher hadn't arrived yet. Taking his seat he took out his work so he could finish it.
[Hey Sora, something doesn't feel right.] Roxas commented.
Sora blinked to acknowledge the comment and tilted his head to the side a little, an action questioning his Nobody's statement and gave the guise that he was concentrating.
[I feel like something bad is gonna happen in the near future. Like something fragile is gonna break.]
Sora narrowed his eyes and scratched his head with his pencil.
[I don't get it either, just stay on alert okay. We don't know what will happen.]
X_X_X_X_X
Riku entered his house and went straight to his room. He took the clothes that he was going to change into at work out of his bag and tossed them on the bed, dropping his bag on the floor by the door. He changed and was about to just fall onto his bed when he heard his name being called from the attic upstairs.
He went up and found his grandmother in her rocking chair by the window, a worried expression on her face "Is something wrong?" he asked coming to kneel beside her like he always did.
"I thought you would be at work?" she responded.
Riku shrugged, "Sora said I should take today off, thinks I'm not getting enough sleep."
"I think he was right. There's something wrong with you dear, you look like the very life is being sucked out of you." She said gently.
Riku nodded, "Sora and Kairi both said so too."
The old woman touched her grandson's cheek and stared into his eyes, "Riku, what's wrong? I know there's something you're not telling me. I'm old, but not senile. I'm very aware of the world around me for not having left this room in a while. Now talk to me."
Sighing at the fact that he was pretty much caught, Riku answered her, "It's just… Sora asked Kairi out last night… And she agreed. Even though she didn't want to."
"I don't understand. Doesn't she…?"
"Apparently not like that anymore. She knows how I feel too so she feels guilty."
"You have a good friend Riku. But I would have thought you would have told Sora by now?" she said bringing his head to rest on her lap as she stroked his hair.
Riku hummed tiredly as his eyes began to droop, the ministrations to his head soothing and relaxing, "He wouldn't… really… understand… And if being… with… Kairi makes him… happy… then it's… worth… the… suffering…" and he dozed off right there with his grandmother still petting his hair and rocking in her chair slowly.
Axel had manifested himself again; he sat on the floor watching his friend with his grandmother not missing the relaxed yet saddened expression on the pale face. Axel felt his lower back burning in pain and he could only wonder what word appeared this time, and what they meant for him and Riku. He needed to talk to Naminé soon and see. One thing was for sure, he didn't want to get separated from Roxas again, and it would kill Riku to be separated from the people he cared about the most.
My fasted update for this story yet! But I still feel I need ideas to help this expand and go for as long as it can.
And as for the words being written in darkness on Riku's body, I got the idea from a picture I saw on DeviantArt. Look for "My Thoughts Don't Lie" by ZethisKatana or just og to .com and look in the "Riku" folder of her gallery.
Keep in mind though I'm not using the words she used.