Challenged
He's challenged Roxas before—they have a strong sense of competition that goes all the way back to Riku's childhood rivalry with Sora—but never like this.
Roxas didn't even fight so hard at Memory Skyscraper.
Even so, Riku bests him in the end—and this time, instead of insulting Roxas from afar he bends over and offers him a hand. Roxas looks down before he accepts it.
Riku helps him stand.
"You're really good," Riku says, clapping him on the shoulder.
Roxas looks up, and to Riku's surprise there's a real smile on his face.
"Yeah, but you're still better."
Author: And here's one where the author's note is kind of important, XD.
They were fighting over Xion. And Roxas smiling at the end and saying what he did? He's finally completely okay with letting Riku have her. He's not just better than Roxas, he's better for her than Roxas could hope to be.
The last little thing (besides getting his butt kicked one last time) that convinced him was Riku's courtesy to him-helping him stand and being kind to him even though he lost fair and square.
I think they'd be pretty good friends once the whole love triangle gets resolved. :)
To my reviewer:
Espionage247: I know, that's absolutely true... :C I hope you like this one!
See ya next time!