Sora released the tension from his body as he put his shirt back on. He's never been so uncomfortable in his life. It wasn't so bad since Riku had scars as well but since Sora's been back, he hasn't been shirtless for too long. That was overkill for him, as soon as he took it off, he wanted to put it back on. He admitted that talking about them with Riku was enjoyable.
Riku understood the fight, the struggle of it all. Kairi…Kairi didn't experience that, and it was hard for her to relate to Sora. He just didn't realize until he and Riku started to exchange stories. Kairi would just listen, but Riku would ask questions. Tell a similar story about himself that made Sora feel like he wasn't alone.
As his discomfort subsided, Sora made his way to the closest to grab blankets and a pillow. Not that he planned on sleeping tonight. He didn't want to wake Riku in the middle of the night. He needed to sleep for work and Sora destroying his apartment wouldn't help. His plan was to stay up all night. Maybe sleep tomorrow, but he doubted it.
When the nightmares started to get worse. Sora started to stay up for days on end, only taking small naps. Kairi thought Sora was starting to get better. Then she noticed the bags under his eyes. She would tell him he needed to sleep, but it was hard. Sora not sleeping meant Kairi could. It also saved him from the nightmares.
Sighing, Sora stared at the couch as if it did him wrong in the past. What was he doing here? He shouldn't be at Riku's. How did Kairi talk him into staying with Riku? He supposed it was because at the time it was the only thing that made sense.
He sighed again and plopped down on the couch. He turned on the T.V., making sure it was on low, and channeled surfed. He didn't know what else to do while Riku was asleep, and he had to do something to stay awake.
For the next few hours, he aimlessly watched T.V. getting sleeper by the minute. He groaned and turned it off. He needed to get out, go for a walk. That would keep him awake, he just had to make sure Riku didn't hear him leave.
Slowly, he put on his clothes and shoes before tiptoeing to the door. Sora felt weird about leaving in the middle of the night, but he would be back before Riku got up. With that thought in mind he quietly left the apartment.
Sora walked with no destination in mind. He just needed some air to help keep him awake. It was two in the morning, and the neighborhood where Riku's apartment was quiet and still. The only soul out was Sora, and it was calming. He walked by a convenient store and stepped in to buy energy drinks for the next few days.
He must hide them from Riku, he couldn't let him know that he wasn't sleeping. He at least wanted to give Riku a couple nights of peace before Sora started waking him up every night. He knew that once Riku realized what he got himself into, he would kick Sora out. It was only a matter of time. He wanted nothing more than for these dreams to end.
He stopped when he heard sand under his feet. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going. He didn't realize how far he walked. The beach was at least one and a half or two miles away from Riku's apartment. Sora shrugged off the thought and walked towards the shore. He took a seat when he was close and opened an energy drink.
The sounds of the waves were calming, he sighed in contentment. The way the moonlight hit the water made Sora feel like he was back in the Realm of Darkness. It was just as calm and quiet at the beach as it was there. The only thing he was missing was Riku. Riku was there with him before a portal appeared so they could go home.
Sometimes Sora wishes he just stayed in the Realm of Darkness. It wasn't home but it was tranquil and made him feel like he belonged there. He didn't feel like he belonged at home, not anymore. Too much has changed, and Sora has seen so much. How can he just return to the way things used to be? How can anyone do that? He should have stayed in the Realm of Darkness. He shouldn't be home.
When it was close to five in the morning Sora headed back to Riku's. He wasn't sure what time Riku woke up. He didn't want to risk waking up early for some reason. Quietly, he entered the apartment only to find Riku sitting on the couch. He had his arms resting on his knees and he was looking down.
As the door clicked shut, he looked up at Sora. Disappointment was visible on his face, despite the lack of lighting. Sora swallowed thickly, so much for quietly coming in. Riku must have realized something was wrong when there was silence in the living room. Sora looked away ashamed that he had been caught.
"Didn't think I would notice?" Riku asked coldly.
"Riku I-."
"Stop it Sora," Riku ordered, his tone getting angrier by the second, "I don't want to hear excuses." Riku stood and took a step towards Sora. Giving him a hard look, "Fine, you don't want to talk about what's going on. I get that, but don't you dare pretend that not sleeping is helping me in some way. It's not. I've been up since three wondering where you were. I can help you Sora, why don't you realize that? I mean, do you even know how long it took me to calm you down last night, hm?" Riku asked, narrowing his eyes. Sora shook his head, that detail was never given to the brunette, "Five minutes,"
Sora's eyes went wide, not believing what Riku was saying. When the night terrors started, it took Kairi hours to calm Sora down, but it wouldn't last. He would wake up again a few hours later and start all over again. How was it that Riku could calm him down in five minutes? He just couldn't believe it.
"I…I didn't-."
"Exactly, you don't know. You just assume that I can't help you. I don't know how else to get it through to you." Riku shook his head and looked down, "What's that," He glared, eyes fixated on the bag in Sora's hand.
"Huh?" Sora blinked, not understanding what Riku was asking.
"The bag, Sora. What is it?"
"Oh…um i-it's nothing, really." Sora shifted and hid the bag behind him as if Riku would forget about it if he couldn't see it.
"Don't lie to me Sora, stop lying." Riku seethed, "Especially right now,"
"Energy drinks," Sora deflated.
Lying to Riku was making things worse. Riku walked over to Sora and held out his hand. Reluctantly, Sora gave Riku the bag. He looked inside and walked over to the kitchen and started pouring out each of the energy drinks.
"If you are going to stay here," Riku said calmly as he opened the last energy drink. He looked at Sora with a pointed look, "You will sleep." he said firmly as he poured out the last one. He crushed it and threw them all away. "Do you understand?" Riku asked as he walked out of the kitchen and in front of Sora. Sora shifted again and nodded looking down not wanting to stare Riku in the eye. "Good, get to it then." Riku ordered and headed for the bathroom, "I have to get ready for work."
The bathroom door slammed causing Sora to jump. He should have stayed in the Realm of Darkness.
Riku was beyond furious, not only did Sora sneak out but he went as far as getting energy drinks to keep himself awake. What was Sora's plan, to stay up every night for as long as he could? The man was out of his mind.
Then for him to think Riku wouldn't notice he wasn't in the apartment was a laugh. Riku knew about the dreams and knew they happened every night. So, when nothing happened, he woke up to check on Sora.
If he were simply in the living room, obviously staying up so Riku could sleep, that would be one thing. Sora instead took it a step further and left the apartment. Without his cell phone. What if something happened to Sora and he needed help?
Sora didn't think and that's what bothered Riku the most. It wasn't just about him. It was about Riku too. He wanted to help Sora even if it cost him sleep. He was letting the brunette stay with him for crying out loud. He could have told Kairi no, doesn't he get that?
Riku groaned and quickly finished his shower. Work was going to be hell today.
When Riku walked out of the bathroom Sora was in the clothes that Riku let him borrow. He was setting up the couch so he could go to sleep. Riku took a deep breath and walked over to him.
He could tell that he was nervous and scared Riku would yell at him. He didn't want Sora to fear him. He wanted Sora to trust him and talk to him again. Riku thought when they talked about their scars, things would be different. Hoping that Sora would finally open up to Riku like he used to.
"Sora," Riku called gently, causing the brunette to stop his actions, "I don't want you to be uncomfortable here. I want you to feel at home and I didn't mean to get so upset. I'm sorry for that." Riku sighed, "Just promise me you won't sneak out again? I was really worried."
Sora turned to face Riku slowly and studied him as if he didn't believe Riku's words. Within a few minutes Sora's eyes filled with remorse, realizing that Riku's words were true. Riku would have never said it if it weren't. With that Sora gave Riku a small nod in agreement, before timidly saying, "I promise,"
Relief filled Riku, he pulled Sora into a hug not being able to help himself. Sora was stiff, obviously surprised by Riku's actions. Riku pulled away from Sora before he could even react to the hug.
After all, Riku was just in a towel and Sora seemed uncomfortable with it. Riku cleared his throat and glanced away before taking a deep breath.
"Thank you," He mumbled and headed into his room to change. When Riku came out of his room Sora was just settling into a comfortable position. "You know," Riku started getting Sora's attention, "If you like, you can sleep in my bed." Riku shrugged trying to be nonchalant.
"Thank you Riku, but I think I'll be fine on the couch." Sora assured him, giving him a small smile.
"If you say so," Riku shrugged again and grabbed his keys, "Please do try to get some sleep. I won't be gone too long, four hours at the most." Riku assured him, "We can go collect some of your stuff when I get back."
"I'll try Riku," Sora promised weakly. It was all Riku could ask for, he simply nodded to Sora and headed out.
Riku didn't have to be at work until eight, he needed to talk to Kairi without Sora overhearing. He headed out of his apartment building and called her cell. It was early he knew but this was important, she would understand. The phone rang several times before she finally picked up.
"Hello," A groggy…man answered.
"Um, hello?" Riku said, confused.
"Who's this, ya? It's early," The man groaned, clearly not fully awake.
"Wakka?"
"Ya brotha, who dis?" Wakka asked as he yawned.
"It's Riku, sorry I didn't mean to call you. I was trying to call Kairi, must have hit your name by mistake," Riku apologized as he was about to hang up.
"No worries brotha, you called the right numba, Kai is asleep though." Wakka said, there was shifting on the other end and Wakka started to whisper, "Kai…Kai, Riku is on the phone, ya?" A few minutes passed and Wakka seemed to give up, "Sorry brotha, I musta really tired her out, ya know?" Wakka chuckled suggestively. Riku couldn't help but grimace at that.
"Just…just tell her to call me. It's important," Riku said firmly, trying not to get angry at Wakka for being with Kairi now.
"No worries brotha," Wakka assured him and hung up.
Riku groaned and pocketed his phone. What the hell was Kairi doing? She and Sora hadn't been broken up for more than a day and she already has someone lined up? What was wrong with her? Riku shook his head, it was none of his business.
If Kairi wanted to be with Wakka…then so be it. He wasn't going to get upset about it. He just didn't want Sora to find out. Sora didn't need to know that his ex-girlfriend hooked up with someone else so quickly after they broke up.
He may not have shown that he didn't care that they broke up, but that didn't mean anything. Sora has been guarded lately and learning this might break that down. Trying to forget it Riku headed to work early, maybe then he can leave early.
As he drove his bike he replayed the conversation with Sora again. He was so angry he didn't even give Sora a chance to explain himself. Maybe he should have, but he knew it would be more excuses. More lies. He wasn't used to Sora and Kairi lying to him. They were always honest with each other. What changed? What has Riku missed?
Shortly after Riku got to work his phone rang. He worked as a mechanic, so it was no big deal if he stepped away. He wiped his hands and pulled his phone out of his pocket seeing it was Kairi calling him. He felt a little weird talking to her after finding out that she was with Wakka, but this was important. He needed to know what was going on with Sora.
"Hello,"
"Riku, hey it's Kairi." she said softly, almost timidly. "You called this morning?"
"Yeah, I did. Sorry I didn't realize you would have…company." Riku said suggestively, almost sounding bitter about it.
"Look, Riku it's not what you think. It-."
"I don't want to hear it. It's none of my business, I called to talk to you about Sora." Riku said, cutting Kairi off. This wasn't the time to talk about Wakka.
"Oh, did something happen?" she asked, worried.
"Well, a few things," Riku admitted, "For one I found out that you lied to me."
"I didn't lie."
"Sora told me it was your idea for him to stay with me. Why would you lie about that?" Riku asked, pointedly not giving into Kairi's denial. There was a shuffle of the phone and a sigh from Kairi before she spoke.
"H-He told you that?"
"Yeah, he did. He wasn't talking to me, so I asked him why he suggested staying with me. I don't need to be lied to, to help a friend Kairi. Did you think I wouldn't have let Sora stay with me if I thought it was your idea?"
"I don't know, I just didn't want to chance you saying no, I guess. There isn't a good reason why I did that. I'm sorry," Kairi sighed again, "You were just so great with him the other night. I didn't want you to say no. I thought if it were Sora's idea you wouldn't think twice about letting him stay."
"That's no reason to lie to me Kairi," Riku sighed as he ran a hand through his hair, "You should know me better than that. It doesn't matter whose idea it was. I would still help."
"I know, I'm sorry," Kairi sighed.
"Just stop lying to me, okay?"
"Okay,"
"What else do I need to know about Sora?"
Riku headed home after three hours at the shop. He was tired and couldn't stop thinking about what Kairi said about Sora. She believed that Sora had PTSD, and he is suffering from depression. Sora would jump and summon his Keyblade at loud noises, he would act on edge when it got dark. If it stormed, he would act as if the island was getting attacked all over again. It was as if he never came home, that he was still fighting every day.
When Sora would come home, he changed into a different person. He would become withdrawn and wouldn't talk to Kairi. He would address her by the wrong name without realizing it until she pointed it out. He would sit in a room alone for hours and stare at the floor. He would simply tell Kairi that he was thinking and leave it at that. Sora also didn't eat very much, Kairi usually had to make him eat.
She told Riku it was new and has only been like that for a week or so. Riku didn't notice Sora was not eating last night. He also didn't know he should be looking out for that. Thinking back, Riku realized that Sora only ate half a slice. How did he not notice that?
Riku was kicking himself for not paying more attention. Kairi should have told him everything that was going on with Sora. Then again Riku should have paid more attention. He should have known, should have seen. He wasn't used to Sora acting like this. This isn't "normal" Sora and Riku needed to keep that in mind.
When Riku got home he found that Sora wasn't on the couch. Panic set in as he headed for his room. He sighed in relief to find Sora sleeping in his bed. He must have changed his mind about sleeping on the couch.
With that Riku closed the door quietly and made his way to the couch. He needed sleep and didn't think Sora would be comfortable with him sleeping in the same bed. He got situated and fell asleep with ease.