Riku awoke to the sound of his phone ringing. He kept his eyes closed as he blindly reached for it. Still not opening his eyes he answered the phone. He rested the phone on his cheek.
"Hello," Riku answered, his voice low and tired.
"Riku!" Kairi nearly yelled, her voice in a panic. This caused Riku to fully wake up, he quickly sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
"Riku, Sora…he's here and he – Ah!" Riku heard Kairi scream and a crashing sound on her end. "Wakka stop it!" Kairi yelled somewhat away from the phone.
"Kairi what's going on?!" Riku asked tensely as he slipped on his shoes and headed out the door.
"Sora is here, and they started fighting! I can't get them to stop!" Kairi finally answered as Riku made it to his bike.
"I'll be right there," Riku said then hung up.
Riku arrived at Kairi's house quickly. He parked and studied the living room from the street, not seeing anyone. Riku had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Where was everyone? He dismounted his bike and rushed his way into the house. What he saw made Riku's blood boil. Wakka was sitting on top of Sora punching him as the man covered his face and tried to wiggle his way out from under Wakka.
Kairi was attempting to pull Wakka off Sora. She tugged on his arm several times, before Wakka shoved her away. Not prepared, Kairi hit the ground hard. "Wakka!" She yelled as she struggled to get back up.
Without hesitation, Riku approached Wakka and punched him in the face causing the redhead to fall back. Sora took the opportunity to scramble to his feet. He was about to go after Wakka again, but Riku grabbed Sora's arm before he could. Riku wanted nothing more than to let Sora beat the shit out of Wakka, but he needed to force himself to be levelheaded.
Just because he was angry that Wakka touched his Sora doesn't mean that he needs to be put into the hospital. From the looks of Wakka, Sora had managed to get in a few good hits. He had a bloody nose and heavily bruised cheek. He was covered in, what Riku could only guess, coffee. Riku wasn't sure if the bruised cheek was from Sora or him but either way Riku felt Wakka got what he deserved.
Riku moved his attention away from Wakka and looked around the living room. It was destroyed. There was broken glass from pictures and a few of the lamps. The coffee table was broken and one of the end table's legs was snapped in half. He found Sora's Keyblade discarded by the coffee table and Wakka's Blitz Ball close to the entryway of the living room, covered in blood. He knew it was Sora's blood, which made him livid.
Finally, Riku looked at Sora and Riku's blood began to boil once again. Sora had a swollen black eye along with his cheek. His lip was busted, and his nose was bleeding, it looked broken. Riku couldn't believe that Wakka went this far. He could've stopped when he had Sora pinned or at least waited until Riku got there. Sora couldn't have been that bad.
"What da hell Rik?" Wakka groaned as he rubbed his cheek, "You punched da wrong person, ya?"
"That's not how I see it," Riku glared as he pulled Sora towards the door, "I'll be back in a few hours to grab Sora's things. I suggest that you are not here." Riku announced as he glanced at Wakka. Wakka didn't say anything because he knew Riku meant it. He just glared at him as he walked out of the house with Sora.
When Riku and Sora arrived back at the apartment, Riku guided Sora to the couch. He sighed deeply, not sure what to say or do. In Sora's defense, he had every right to be angry that Kairi was with Wakka so soon after their breakup. Though it doesn't excuse Sora sneaking out again and then going to Kairi's to attack Wakka. Why didn't he just talk to Riku?
"Riku I-."
"Don't," Riku said firmly. He didn't want to hear excuses right now. He was still trying to figure out what to say to the younger man, "Just…just health yourself," Riku suggested as he started to pace the living room.
"I can't," Sora mumbled.
"Why not?" Riku asked as he stopped pacing.
"I used the last of my magic on…you." Sora admitted, as he looked at his hands.
Riku groaned, of course Sora's magic is out when he really needs it. Riku made his way into the kitchen to get ice, a bowl of water and a washcloth. Riku returned and handed Sora a bag of ice which he immediately put on his eye.
Riku took the cloth, dipped it in the water and started cleaning the blood off Sora's face. "You don't have to be nice to me. I don't deserve it." Sora whispered. Riku said nothing as he started to clean around Sora's nose.
The man winced when Riku barely touched it, "Your nose is broken." Riku stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Riku was trying to stay calm, but he was raging on the inside. Wakka broke Sora's nose…the bastard.
"Yeah, I know," Sora sighed, "It's from Wakka's Blitz Ball. Can you fix it?"
"Yes, but it will hurt." Riku warned.
"It already hurts," Sora pointed out. Riku nodded and hovered his thumbs near Sora's nose.
"I want you to take a deep breath in," Riku instructed, and Sora did so, "Okay now out," Riku said as he broke Sora's nose back into place. Riku immediately removed his hands from Sora's face as the man cupped his nose and groaned in pain. "Sorry," Riku said quickly and waited for Sora to recover.
"It's fine," Sora said after a few moments, "thank you."
Riku nodded and continued to clean off the blood. He still didn't know what to say to Sora. He wasn't sure if he should be mad at him or relieved that he was okay. If he was honest with himself, he was leaning more towards the latter.
Riku is mad that Sora sunk out but on the other hand Wakka could've really hurt Sora. The man was fueled by rage with little sleep. There is no way Sora stood a chance. He wasn't thinking and Riku can't blame Sora for that.
Riku finished cleaning the blood off Sora's face. He set the cloth and bowl aside then took a seat on the coffee table in front of Sora. Riku sighed as he tried to think on how to start this. He looked over Sora and he could see the worry on his face. He tried his best to hide it, but Riku has known him long enough to tell.
He didn't want Sora to be worried, but he didn't want him to think that what he did was okay. With another sigh, he decided he would have Sora explain himself. He hoped that Sora wouldn't spit out a lot of excuses for what happened.
"Why did you sneak out?" Riku started off, his voice was low and calm.
He didn't want Sora to feel uncomfortable talking to him about this. Sora should be able to tell him anything but that hasn't been the case so far. Sora shifted under Riku's gaze and looked away. Was Sora embarrassed?
"I couldn't sleep," Sora began. Riku made a sound of disapproval, "I couldn't sleep…because I heard you on the phone this morning." Sora finished quickly.
"If I knew Wakka was going to be there I wouldn't have called Kairi this morning," Riku admitted. He didn't want Sora to think that he knew. "Why didn't you talk to me about it?" Riku asked, the sound of hurt in his voice. Sora just shrugged and didn't make eye contact with Riku, "Sora talk to me." Riku almost pleaded.
Sora continued to stay silent and did not make eye contact with Riku. The older one shook his head, stood and headed to the kitchen with the bowl and cloth in hand. He wasn't going to force Sora to talk, that would just make things worse. Riku was hurt of course but he had to give Sora time. How much time and how long Riku could wait was a different story.
Riku ran his hand through his hair as he glanced at Sora once more. The brunette had not moved a muscle as if scared Riku was going to scream at him if he did move. What was he going to do with him? Riku headed into the bathroom to grab the first aid kit to properly clean Sora's wounds.
Returning to Sora he found that the man was hugging his knees, his chin resting on them and crying. Riku quickly set the first aid kit on the coffee table and sat next to Sora. He placed his hand on Sora's shoulder, and it only broke the man's reserve. Sora was now sobbing. He dropped his head between his arms and legs so Riku couldn't see his face.
"I-I don't belong here," Sora almost whispered. Riku couldn't help but be a little hurt by this. Did Sora not want to stay with him anymore?
"You don't have to stay with me. No one is forcing you," Riku said as evenly as possible. He didn't want Sora to feel bad for expressing himself. Riku did ask for it after all.
"No, not…not here," Sora said as he lifted his head up to look at Riku, "I mean…home…the island."
"I don't understand Sora," Riku admitted. Sora took a shaky deep breath looking away from Riku and resting his head on his knees.
"I should have stayed in the Realm of Darkness. It was peaceful there,"
It took Riku a moment to figure out where Sora was talking about. It had been so long that Riku forgot about the quiet beach they shared. Riku recalled how it was there, it was peaceful.
At first it was terrifying to be there with no way of getting home or anywhere else for that matter. Though as the adrenaline from their battle with Xemnas faded, the beach was everything he had missed over the years. It made all Riku's concerns and fears wash away, it was cleansing in a way.
When the door appeared Riku and Sora were both hesitant for a moment. They both didn't want to leave but neither of them admitted it. How could they? This is what they were fighting for, right? To go home again, to pick up where they left off. To be together with their friends once again in peace, without fear of the fight anymore. Deep down they both felt that staying in the Realm of Darkness was the perfect reward for them.
Riku spent six months trying to forget about that place. He even tried to return but he could no longer create portals like before. A cruel "reward" for returning home. Over time Riku successfully forgot about the Realm of Darkness and how he wanted to return there. Until now, now it was fresh in his mind again. His heart ached with longing to be there again, but he suppressed it. He had to, there was no way to return there again.
"Yeah, me too." Riku admitted. Denying Riku's feelings about the Realm of Darkness would not help Sora. He needed to know that he wasn't alone.
Sora's head snapped up and turned to Riku. He had a look of disbelief, "W-What?"
"I wanted nothing more than to stay on that beach. I even tried to go back, but I couldn't. I spent a long time wishing to be there again, but you want to know something? In the end I realized that this is where I truly belong. I belong here, on Destiny Island, with you, with my other friends. Staying there would only bring me peace temporarily. Like the Darkness did. So, I'm glad we came back. This is our home."
"You make it sound so easy. To forget, to accept it." Sora said bitterly.
"It's not."
"How is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"I'm not trying to make you feel better Sora. I'm being honest with you, to help you. Not everything comes easy to me like you think. I spent months trying to forget that place. To accept that I was home, and I should be grateful. You have no idea how hard it was for me. It'll be easier for you, you know why?"
"Riku, if you haven't noticed, nothing has been easy for me since I got back."
"Because you were alone," Riku reminded. Sora opened his mouth to correct Riku, but he spoke first, "Kairi doesn't count. She didn't go through what we did. She helped at the tail end of the battle. We were in it the whole time and have the scars to prove it. It will be easier for you now, you have me. Someone who has been in the same situation as you. I will help you get through this no matter what."
Riku's words seemed to make Sora feel better. He had stopped crying and even had a slight smile on his face. It made Riku feel like he got through to Sora. Maybe now the man can truly start to return to his normal self. That's all Riku could hope for.
"Thank you." Sora said as he wiped his eyes. He fidgeted in his seat and looked away from Riku.
"What is it?" Riku asked, concerned. It was clear that Sora wanted something.
"I-It's nothing…" Sora answered quickly, still not looking at Riku.
"Nothing my ass," Riku chuckled, "Come on, tell me."
Sora swallowed thickly and glanced over to Riku, "No, it's silly. You'll laugh at me,"
"I won't laugh, I promise." He assured Sora. Sora released his knees, adjusting himself on the couch to face Riku. He opened his mouth a few times to speak but thought better. Whatever he wanted was difficult to ask for. What could it be?
"I…well…" Sora started, looking down to make it easier for him. "Kairi would…when I was upset and everything…she would um…"
"She would, what?" Riku leaned forward as if willing the answer from him.
"Give me… affection." Sora said, whispering affection as if it was a bad word. "Like…like holding me, rubbing my back and…and kissing me. Not that I am expecting all that from you or…or anything. I just realized that I missed it and for a moment I was waiting for it. Don't worry about it, it was a childish thought. I shouldn't have brought it up…so just forget it." he said quickly. His face was red, and he was not making eye contact with Riku.
Riku stopped listening after Sora said "kissing". Does he want Riku to show him that kind of affection? No, that couldn't be right. He must only need physical contact that didn't involve kissing. Assuming Sora wanted more was dangerous. It could go very well or very wrong. It wasn't something that Riku wanted to risk. If Riku was going to show affection he would not kiss Sora. It's a rule he had to make for himself. This wasn't about him. It was about Sora.
Processing the rest of Sora's words and realizing Riku was just sitting there he finally spoke, "Sora," he said gently. The younger man hesitated but looked up at Riku, "come here." He said as he opened his arms to Sora. Sora looked surprised but accepted Riku's offer graciously.
Sora tucked his head under Riku's chin as Riku pulled him closer. Sora sighed, seeming to be comfortable in Riku's arms. Riku couldn't help but be filled with joy. It had been so long since Sora and Riku hugged. They had spent little time together after they got back. It felt awkward for Riku to continue their old ways, such as hugging.
It was like an unspoken thing between the two of them. They were too old to hug each other like they used to. They had grown up and hugging your male friend was weird. Mostly for Riku, because he realized his feelings for the brunette shortly after returning home. He didn't want to give anything away. Especially since Sora was dating Kairi.
Now it was different. Sora needed this to cope and Riku was happy to assist. Feelings aside, Riku wanted to do everything he could to be there for Sora. At the end of the day, Sora was his best friend. That's what best friends do, right? That's what Riku liked to tell himself.
Before he knew it, he heard Sora snoring lightly. Sora was asleep! Smiling, Riku took one of his hands and started stroking Sora's hair. He could feel Sora melting under his touch. Riku sighed and settled back into the couch, getting comfortable. Sora tightened his hold on Riku as if telling him not to move. He could not help but think this was perfect. His eyes started shutting against his will.
Riku awoke not realizing when he fell asleep. He was on the couch laying on his back with Sora resting on his chest. The younger man's arm was draped over Riku's stomach and legs tangled together. Well, this is an intimate position. Riku thought, looking around the room for his phone to check the time. Not seeing it, he realized it was in his pocket. On the side that Sora was sleeping on. He didn't want to wake Sora but he one: needed his phone and two: had to pee.
Slowly, he eased off the couch as he pushed Sora off him. Out from under Sora, Riku got to his feet and noticed the pillow on the floor. He picked it up and put it under Sora's head. He then grabbed the blanket, which was also on the floor, draping it over Sora. The brunette didn't move, he was in a deep sleep. Good, he needed to really sleep. Riku just hoped that Sora would sleep long enough for Riku to grab his things.
Checking his phone Riku found it was a little after seven. The two had been sleeping for almost six hours. Riku never felt so refreshed. He would like to think it was because he was so exhausted before, the extra sleep helped. Though really it was because he was cuddling with Sora. Having Sora in his arms helped him sleep better than he has in years. If only it could be a regular thing.
Riku sighed and headed to the bathroom before leaving for Kairi's. He had already sent her a text letting her know that he would be over soon. She simply responded with an "ok". Riku had a feeling that Kairi wasn't very happy with Riku. Not because he did anything wrong per se, but because of Wakka. Riku was sure that Wakka was pissed that Kairi had called Riku for help. That Kairi was protecting Sora.
Walking back into the living room, Riku went to grab his keys. He glanced at Sora to see him still sleeping peacefully. He had his mouth hanging open, drooling on the pillow and holding it like it was Riku. It brought a smile to Riku's face. This was the Sora he grew up with. He looked so innocent in this moment it made Riku feel as though they were kids again.
Unable to help himself, Riku walked over to Sora. He crouched down and ran his hand through the brunette's hair. The man sighed in content at Riku's touch. Riku wished he had the courage to do things like this when Sora was awake. For now, he will settle for Sora not knowing. Not knowing how he truly felt about Sora. Maybe one day he will be able to tell him.
Pushing Sora's hair away from his forehead Riku placed a kiss on it, "I'll be back soon," he whispered, not wanting to wake him.
Sora hummed and mumbled, "Okay…Kairi…"
He didn't think Sora would say anything. He was sleeping and didn't remember Sora ever talking in his sleep. The words struck Riku harder than they should have. What was Riku expecting, for Sora to say his name? For Sora to wake up and pull him into a kiss? He wasn't sure, but he wasn't expecting that. He wasn't expecting Kairi's name to leave Sora's lips.
He sighed and pulled himself away, he needed to get Sora's stuff. Not dwell on what Sora says in his sleep. With one final look at Sora, he left the apartment to head to Kairi's.