empatheias | ( closed )

[ Sora... that's just... so... ok, he laughs a little, strands of silver falling in front of his face as he bows his head a little. ]

Shut up.

[ But he pulls Sora along with him and goes about unlocking and opening the door.

The inside? Is stairs. Yes, that's right. Stairs. Well, a winding staircase to be exact, nothing else except that and Riku begins to make the climb while still holding Sora's hand. ]

Forgot to tell you about the stairs but it's good exercise for you.

[ Is he teasing you, Sora? He just might be.

When they do reach the top of the stairs, that's where Riku is able to show off his "little place" as he calls it and it looks like... this. Literally. Except there's a mattress set on the floor off to the side and a potted plant with a lamp and the journal Sora wrote for him but other than that? That's it.

Riku stands there, fingers gently stroking at Sora's hand as he... waits. Waits to see what Sora thinks. ]

Well, this is it.

[At least he gets that little bit of laughter from Riku. So, he laughs in return when he's pulled inside and very swiftly punches Riku in the arm when he jabs at him about exercise. Sora is plenty in shape, thank you???

--And then he actually gets to see the secret place. Sora blinks and glances around and gets a somewhat amused smile on his lips as he glances at Riku. It might be a little run down but there's something charming about it.]

Whoa... It's cozy! But you're right, you really are still working on it.

[Sora lets go of Riku just so he can wander around a bit more, looking up at the ceiling and poking a toe at the mattress. YEAH UMM- Riku better be okay with Sora buying a ton of things for this place. He's not going to let Riku say no. He's not even going to ask, he's just gonna start dropping stuff off.]

Riku, you need better lights in here! And a real bed.

Yeah, I'll get right on that with all the money I have.

[ To which, of course, he flicks Sora's head from behind and sighs as he walks past the other. ]

It may not be much but it's somewhere I can take a break from everything... and everyone.

[ Because to be around so many people all the time like Sora is... it's draining for the silver-haired teen. Speaking of draining, Riku comes to drop himself down to the mattress and stretches his legs out then, knocking his head back as he stares up to the ceiling that clearly needs a bit of work on it. ]

Do you want a key for here?

[Oh, poor introverted best friend. He knows why this place will be important for Riku so that's why he sets down the box of tarts somewhere neat and then crosses his arms as he looks up at the ceiling.

(also nodding vigorously about that spare key)]

I can do something about the lights for now, dummy.

[Sora then lifts his hands and stretches his arms up above him. He creates a storm of little lights using dunamis magic that float up to the ceiling to stay there and sparkle like stars in the night sky. They're not super bright but enough to illuminate the room nicely.]

These won't stay forever but long enough for you to get some real lights!

[ The sparkling little stars high above bring a tender smile to Riku's lips and the silver-haired teen can't help but recall younger days on a sandy beaches during the night where it was just the two of them, much like this, looking up to the stars that shone so brightly in the navy blue sky. ]

What, am I on a time limit for that now or something?

[ Riku smiles a little more over to Sora before he comes to roll over on the mattress for just a moment, coming back seconds later to drop a brass key in the other's hand. ]

Here. Just you, though. Don't bring others over with you.

Yup, you sure are. Make it count, alright? [Sora grins in return. Really, what kind of best friend would he be if he let Riku just sit in this place in the dark? He needs to help Riku stay motivated to fix it up! ... Because what if it rains? He sees all those holes in the ceiling.

When he gets the key Sora has to roll his eyes a little playfully before flopping down to sit on the mattress.]

No one? Not even one person?

Not even one person.

[ This is his space away from everyone else, Sora.

With the added company on the mattress, Riku glances over to the other boy and smiles a little before he looks back out to, well, the lack of everything in here. ]

I know it's not much and doesn't look the greatest... but it's mine and at least this way I can get some peace. Don't have to worry about anyone judging me, you know?

[His lips pout a little when Riku reaffirms. Even if Sora had only been joking he can't help to pout.]

I know, I know. I just want you to be happy. This place is just fine.

[ He sees that pout, Sora, even with the blindfold on. ]

Don't pout.

[ Calling Sora out, Riku comes to roll on his side on the mattress then, tucking an arm under his head as a few strands of silver hair fall in front of his face. ]

What if your face suddenly freezes and it gets stuck like that?

[Sora chuckles softly and sits to face Riku's laying body and pushes his shoulder.]

Then I guess you'd have to find a way to fix it.

[He reaches for the box of strawberry tart treats, going to take one out to munch on.]

[ Watching while having Sora so close to him, Riku reaches out to grab Sora's wrist then and while he may not be able to see because of that blindfold and all, Riku is glaring at him... albeit playfully. ]

Are you seriously not going to let me have the first bite? I paid for them.

But you bought them for me??

[Sora whines a bit but he's cracking a smile too. Fine, if Riku is gonna hold him like that and be pretend fussy he's going to move forward to hold up the tart to Riku so he can have a bite of the one Sora is holding. Say, "Ahh~!"]

Here, here.

[ As ridiculous as this truly is, Riku finds himself smiling a little and, after a moment, allows those fingers to squeeze Sora's wrist as he brings the tart closer for a bite. A big one. Practically nipping at Sora's fingertips as he does so. ]

Not bad.

[Andddd--- Sora's sure to smush it into Riku's cheek a little too. Whoops. Got something on your face now, Riku.]

Yeah??

[ See. He knew Sora would try something like that and it only has Riku quickly pull Sora close against him... so he can tickle him. Relentlessly. All over. Wherever he can. ]

Yeah. But this is pretty good, too.

[RIKU NO!!! NOT FAIR-!

Sora yelps out and instantly starts laughing in panic as he tries to squirm away from the tickling fingers. He can't-!! Tickling! His worse weakness! He'll die!]

R-Riku! Ahahahah! Stop!!!

[The little twinkling stars above them are starting to glow brigher!]

Edited 2018-05-15 22:47 (UTC)

[ At least it's nice and bright in here now?

But Riku doesn't let up on his tickle attacks on Sora. Nope, not a chance. In fact? He tickles Sora even more. ]

I don't know. Should I? What do I get if I stop?

[Sora might reaction command cast thundaga on Riku if he doesn't stop! Even little sparks of red coloured static start to bounce off his shoulders as Sora flails around trying to fight and grab at Riku's fingers and arms. The worst part is Sora is no match for Riku's superior strength. Those stupid buff arms.

Still laughing brightly, breaths coming out in panicked intervals,] I don't know! Ahhhh--!! A-anything!! Just stop! Ahahahahahah!!

[ Should he? But seeing Sora flail and squirm like this is so amusing and brings a smile to his face... and doesn't Sora want to see Riku smile more? Ok, hard to do when he's flopping around like a fish out of water but still. ]

Anything, huh? That's pretty dangerous to offer, Sora. You should really be more careful about who you say that to.

[ And yet, Riku comes to stop his tickling then. Hovering over Sora with strands of silver falling in front of his face as he grins down at him. ]

[There's a loud inhale of relief when Riku finally stops and he slumps back. He can't remember the last time he laughed that much. Then he glances up at Riku and stares at him for a second while he gets his own grin because Riku's grinning but he still has a bit of strawberry tart stuck to his face and he looks ridiculous.]

Ah- Heh... What's that even supposed to mean? You're the one who tickle attacked me, jerk.

[Which he's still recovering from, lungs weaker and face red.

He feels like he needs to get back at Riku for it somehow. Tickling won't work... Sora gets a little lost seeing that grin so instead just leans up to kiss Riku's cheek.]

You look stupid with tart on your face. [Then he pushes Riku's cheek.]

[ That kiss to his cheek, while so simple and meaning nothing more than friendship between them, causes something within Riku to stir... something possessive and there's a sudden warmth that fills the room that is enveloping and delightful at first but slowly seems to become thick and heavy. ]

You look stupid with that grin on your face.

[ And he doesn't even think twice about leaning in so close to Sora, nor how warm the air suddenly feels around them as he looks down to Sora through that blindfold that shields those blue-green eyes from the world. ]

I like it better when you smile.

[Sora can feel that warmth since it's so much different from a second before. It's inviting and makes his head feel lighter. He stares up at Riku with wide eyes and wonders for a second just what is going through Riku's head. If only he could see Riku's eyes then maybe he could figure it out, but...

He tries not to grin as much, his lips twitching awkwardly as he tries to settle down. It's hard and that action itself makes him let out a puff of soft laughter.]

Same goes for you, then.

[His hand reaches up to touch some of Riku's hair hanging down and then to his cheek. ... and then to boop Riku's nose with his finger. Meeeep.]

[ What a brat. ]

Tch.

[ That's all Riku gives in the moment before he comes to flop himself back down against the mattress, flat on his back, gaze directed up at the ceiling. Or, well, "ceiling" you could say. ]

When it's Halloween and Christmas, you know, if they have that kinda stuff here... you gonna help me decorate this place?

[Sora rolls to his side and tucks an arm behind his head. That question sort of surprises Sora because it implies that Riku thinks he might be here for next winter and something about that makes him... kinda really happy.

Maybe because Sora's been in this world for so long he's gotten so used to it? But being able to share those holidays with Riku again would really be something special to him.]

There's no actual Halloween but so many worlds have Christmas that celebrations and parties pop up.

[Parties being... Sora threw the biggest one in the city last year............]

I miss Halloween!!

I'm surprised you haven't brought the tradition here.

[ Knowing how excited and full of enthusiasm Sora can get over the things (and people) he likes. ]

Or is that something you're planning to do this year?

[ Coming to look to Sora beside him, he shifts so that he can drape an arm over the other and pull him close, looking to him through that blindfold with half-lidded eyes... even if Sora can't see them. ]

Should I buy candy to give to you even if no one else hands any out?

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