Days Go By

Author’s Note: This is dedicated to Hex, who sees the same things I do when I play the game and always wants a story to keep her entertained, Regi who supports me in everything I do, and Hood, who is my inspiration since I like seeing him turn red.

0 0 0

Sora was delighted by the snow. He had seen the fluffy white flakes on TV of course, but he had never been engulfed in a swirling vortex of glitter, and he laughed happily as he tilted his head to the wind, letting the tiny flakes sting his cheeks. Beside him, Riku drew his yellow jacket tighter around his body. “Aren’t you cold?” He asked, glancing sideways.

Sora grinned. While yes, the wind WAS a bit chilly, it made him feel wonderfully, deliciously ALIVE. “No.” He replied cheerfully. “It’s snowing, Riku!” Another blast of wind pushed them along, and Sora shuddered pleasantly.

Riku ducked in front of him and Sora’s eyes went wide as Riku slipped arms around him. For a brief moment their bodies pressed flush together, and Sora felt his heart begin to hammer against his chest. His eyes stuttered up to Riku’s face, and his breath caught as Riku leaned over him. His eyes slowly closed.

“Sora!” Startled, Sora jumped, only to see Riku a short distance ahead of him and a heavy weight on his shoulders. He blinked at the jacket now keeping him from the wind, then at Riku, dressed in long sleeves and looking amused. “You’re going to catch cold, idiot.” Riku stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Of course it’s snowing…its December.”

Sora decided not to analyze the way his heart was pounding furiously or why his hands were clammy. Such thoughts were bad. Roxas and Axel were good proof…you didn’t date your roommate…too much drama. Pulling the jacket on, Sora ran to catch up to Riku. “Give me a break.” He said with a grin. “I wasn’t expecting it to snow.”

Riku laughed. “We ARE about an hour away from Twilight Town. Radiant Garden is on the slopes of Mt. Gagazet…it always snows this time of year.”

Sora sighed happily. “I like it.” He replied cheerfully. “And it came at the perfect time don’t you think? Finals are OVER and Christmas is coming.” The snow made Sora feel VERY festive, and he was greatly looking forward to doing some shopping. Sora loved Christmas. He loved the carols, he loved the food, he loved buying things for people…in fact, as Roxas often complained, Sora got a little obsessed with finding JUST the right gift for everyone in his life…and this year he had a LOT more people to buy for. “I have to get gifts for Cloud, Roxas, Dem, you, Axel, Zexion, Marluxia, Larxene, Hayner, Namine, Kairi, Aerith, Yuffie, Coach Cid, Yuna, Tidus, Selphie…”

Sora was cut off as Riku, laughing, put his hand over Sora’s mouth. “Enough.” Riku said with amusement. “You don’t have to get a gift for everyone in Radiant Garden.”

Sora paused. “No…” He agreed. “…but I can’t get gifts for just a few members of the team for instance, I’d feel bad for the few I missed, so I have to get gifts for everyone on the team. And then I can’t hand out gifts to people in class because someone won’t get a gift, so…”

Riku was laughing again, and his hand again found Sora’s mouth. “Sometimes, shrimp…” he said quietly, and Sora’s face flamed as Riku’s hand slid from his mouth to cup his cheek briefly. “…you’re too good hearted for your own good.” Sora’s heart skipped a beat as he stared up into Riku’s exotic eyes. “Won’t you go broke if you buy that many gifts?”

Sora released a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding as Riku pulled away and stuffed his hands back into his pockets. He laughed. “Maybe.” He admitted. “I don’t care. I worked all summer to get money for the holidays, and I won’t regret it if I do.” He said peaceably. “And it makes me happy to think that maybe I made someone happy by remembering them.”

Riku’s eyes softened, though Sora didn’t see it. “Are you going home for the holiday itself?”

Sora shook his head. “No. It’s the stormy season on the islands…most of the time the boats don’t run from Twilight Town to Destiny Islands. Cloud never came home for the holidays.” Briefly his heart sank as he thought about his mother…but soon lifted again as he thought about the pleasant holiday he would have with his brothers…at least he would be able to see Cloud for the first Christmas in three years. He glanced at his companion. “You going home?”

Riku shrugged. “Nah.” He replied in a curiously dead voice. “My half brothers come home for Christmas most of the time.”

Sora looked at Riku curiously. “I didn’t know you had more brothers.” He said with a smile. “I knew about Sephiroth of course, but you have more? How many? How come I haven’t met them?”

Riku stiffened, his face paling slightly, as if he became fully aware of what he had just said. “They don’t go to this school, Sora.” He replied stiffly. “Come on…let’s go in, we’re going to freeze our blitzballs off if we stay out here any more.”

Puzzled, Sora quickened his pace to keep up with Riku, but became aware, as the minutes ticked by, that Riku probably didn’t want his company. It was almost with relief that he spotted a head of red hair and cigarette smoke near the door. “I’m going to talk to Axel…I’ll see you in a little while?”

Riku nodded once to show he had heard, and Sora skidded to a stop, watching his roommate walk stiffly into the building. Frustrated and concerned, Sora sighed. Every time Riku’s family was mentioned he got this way. Sora couldn’t imagine a life without his brothers, and his heart ached for Riku. “Sometimes…” He leaned against the door as it closed, glancing sideways where he saw the redheaded figure just around the corner. “…Riku makes my head hurt.”

The figure turned, and Sora’s face flamed as he realized…this was not Axel. His hair was very long, caught at the nape of his neck, and he looked older than Axel. Amused eyes looked him over. “…well…if it isn’t Cloud Hikari’s other baby brother. I heard there were two of you. It just seems to be my time for misunderstandings…you were looking for Axel?”

Sora blushed. “Er…yeah.” He admitted. “Sorry.”

The redhead chuckled. “No problem.” He offered his pack of cigarettes to Sora, who shook his head. Shrugging, he slipped them back into his pocket. “I’m Reno, Axel’s older brother.”

Sora’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know Axel had a brother.”

Reno snorted. “He doesn’t talk about me much…and this is my first year here.”

Sora nodded. “Well…” Like Axel, this young man possessed a degree of confidence that could make a person uneasy. All right…so he was pretty sure now that insanity probably ran rampant in the family. “…sorry for bothering you.”

“You won’t get any answers out of Riku.” Sora stopped and turned slightly, frowning slightly at Reno. There was something he didn’t trust about Reno. Axel was generally well liked and even loved for his oddities. He had the feeling that Reno was more like a snake, beautiful, but deadly. Reno smirked at him. “If you want answers, just ask Sephiroth about Shinra.”

“Shinra?” Sora frowned slightly and opened his mouth, but a clear feminine voice cut in.

“Reno.” Both Reno and Sora turned to watch Aerith hurry up toward them, her cowboy boots leaving tracks in the snow.

Reno sighed. “Aerith…what is it about you that always makes me feel like an asshole when you look at me?”

Aerith’s green eyes were soft but firm as she looked at him. “Enough, Reno.”

“Oh I know why.” Reno continued, ignoring her. “Because I AM an asshole.”

Aerith sighed and slipped an arm around Sora’s shoulders. “Come on in, Sora.” She led him to the door. “He’ll be out here for another hour like this.” She turned before walking into the castle. “Reno…I’m going to send Cloud and Rude out here in fifteen minutes.”

“Don’t threaten me, honey.” Reno replied with a long-suffering sigh. “It makes me sad.”

Aerith raised one eyebrow. “And then I’LL be out here in 20.”

“Damn.” Reno shook his head. “You drive a hard bargain, beautiful. Fifteen minutes before the goon squad shows up. I’ll be good. Let me finish my cig and I’ll go in like a good little boy.”

Aerith gave him a troubled look before leading Sora into the castle. She didn’t speak but kept her hand on his shoulder, guiding him up the stairs and toward the boys dormitory. “You really can’t hold it against him.” She said as they mounted the lift that would take them up to the higher floors. “He’s really not a bad person, just a little…”

“Insane?” Sora guessed.

Aerith looked sad. “Angry.” She pushed him down the hallway, stopping at the door to Cloud and Leon’s room, knocking once before letting herself in.

Cloud sat cross legged on his bed, shirt off, a flower pot in his lap. Leon was nowhere in sight, and Aerith glanced around swiftly. “Is Leon here?”

Cloud frowned slightly and set aside the pot, standing up. “No…what’s wrong, Aerith?” He glanced at Sora and the uneasiness in Cloud’s eyes grew. “Sora?”

Sora shrugged helplessly and Aerith closed the door behind them. She smiled slightly, apologetically at Cloud. “I didn’t mean to worry you, Cloud.”

That was not the way to start a conversation with Cloud and Sora knew it. He was not surprised when the concern in Cloud’s eyes brightened into alarm. “What’s Shinra?” He asked bluntly.

Cloud froze. Aerith closed her eyes. Sora frowned as he saw their reactions. Cloud was the first to recover. “Where did you hear about Shinra?” He asked quietly.

“He was speaking with Reno when I saw him.” Aerith explained gently.

Cloud rolled his eyes. “I should have guessed. One day I’m going to enjoy killing him.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Do I want to know what led to this conversation with Reno, or did he pull you aside?”

Sora shook his head, sensing the danger in his answer but not understanding where or why. “I thought he was Axel.” He paused. “I was talking to Riku about his plans for the holidays, Riku said he had brothers and stomped inside, and I thought Reno was Axel. That’s all.”

Cloud looked older than Sora remembered, his blue eyes clouded. “Shinra is the military school just on the other side of Gagazet right outside of Midgar.”

“Military school?” Sora blinked…he had not been expecting that answer. “You mean the school you went to a while back?”

Cloud paled slightly. “Yeah.” He agreed quietly. “That one.” When their father left, preteen Cloud had gotten anger issues that had turned into an explosive situation. Sora vividly recalled the year Cloud had been sent to a military school…it was one year before he transferred to Radiant Garden. He frowned. “So?”

Aerith and Cloud exchanged a long look. Aerith spoke first. “Reno is very bitter. He grew up there…and he’s seen what the school does to people.”

Cloud broke in. “Sora, Sephiroth was my roommate back then.” He said quietly. “And he was a surprisingly good friend. Sensible. Reasonable. Amusing when the mood struck him. He, Zack, Vincent and I shared a barrack for four. It wasn’t so bad at first…my roommates were good people to be with…and then Sephiroth joined a program and began to change.” Cloud’s blue eyes turned haunted. “Riku’s father runs that place you know…and if there’s a poster person for insanity it’s him. Seph started going with him on private training exercises and he came back with some new ideas and some new bruises.”

Sora frowned but didn’t interrupt, sensing that Cloud would clam up if there was a stop in his flow of words. “The more Sephiroth changed, the more uneasy Zack, Vince and I became…and attention was turned toward me.” Cloud sighed. “Zack and I were recommended for the SOLDIER program, the program that Sephiroth was part of…and we politely declined. We took some beatings for it but managed to convince a few service workers that we didn’t need to be there anymore and got transferred to Radiant Garden, something I don’t regret. That place…it changes people, Sora. The competition between cadets, the lies, the brainwashing. Xehanort, the man who runs it, works with the Shinra family, a powerful group in that area. Thus the name of the school.”

Sora stared at his brother. “Cloud…why didn’t you ever tell us?”

Cloud snorted. “Everyone is entitled to his secrets, Sora. I didn’t want to go back, I took pains to ensure I wouldn’t. I met with Cid that summer and suggested transferring a small group of talented people over to Radiant Garden. Sephiroth was one of them. I wanted to save him before he lost himself.” Cloud shook his head. “That place was a nightmare, Sora. I haven’t even told Leon what happened out there and I’m not telling you everything either. If Reno or Sephiroth act crazier than usual there’s a reason for it. Try to be understanding but calm and firm about it. Nobody knows why Vincent, Zack and I are closer than most people and I don’t intend on telling them. Keep it to yourself.”

Sora paused. “What about Riku?”

Cloud closed his eyes. “Riku got lucky. His mother must have kept him out of the school. What he sees when he goes home is his own story and I won’t tell you. I’m telling you, Sora…drop it. You don’t want to start asking questions about Shinra. If Riku wants to tell you, he’ll tell you on his own time.”

Sora glanced at Aerith. “How do you know?”

Aerith’s smile was sad. “I grew up in Midgar. I know what Shinra is. My mother helped Cloud and the others get out and here. She’s also the one conducting an investigation of the place now. I patched Cloud up during that first Christmas.”

Cloud flushed and Aerith smiled at him. Sora glanced between them. “Are you two…”

Cloud choked and Aerith laughed. “No, Sora. We just understand each other.”

Sora paused as another facet in the story popped into his mind. “So that’s why Sephiroth is in love with you?”

Cloud winced. “He’s not.” He said coldly.

Aerith sighed. “Sephiroth was the first SOLDIER in the program. His training was very intense and thorough. When Sephiroth focuses on a goal, he is unable to think beyond achieving it. He can’t…his mind won’t comprehend it. He can think in terms of years how to attain his prize but that’s all he focuses on. Cloud got him out…it’s a sort of hero worship for Sephiroth. Maybe…it was love once…or at least sexual desire…”

Cloud snorted. “I always feel dirty when you talk about sex, Aerith.”

Aerith rolled her eyes patiently but smiled. “But it’s shifted into a dangerous obsession. He’s actually far less intense than he was a few years ago.”

Cloud shuddered. “Thank god. I was afraid I was going to have to kill him.”

Sora sighed. “So…where does Reno fit in on all of this?”

Cloud shook his head. “I’m sorry Sora.” He said quietly. “I told you the basics of my story. I won’t tell you about Riku, Sephiroth, Reno or any of the others and I don’t want you asking them. If they want to tell you they will. Just…if Reno decides to talk to you…take everything he says with a grain of salt…and then talk to Rude. If Reno talks to you, Rude will talk to you. They’re sort of a package deal.”

Frustrated and more confused than ever, Sora allowed himself to be pushed out of the door, staring at Cloud’s room for a long moment before shuffling toward his own. He glanced at Riku as he entered, and stared hard. Riku’s back was still tense, his body tight. “Riku?”

Riku turned and gave him a tired look. “Sora, I…”

Sora shook his head. “…don’t. You don’t have to tell me until you’re ready, oaky?”

Riku looked relieved and a slight smile crossed his face. He stood. “Thanks.” He hesitated and a nervous look crossed his face. Curiously, Sora tilted his head and waited. “Sora…do you…would you…er…” Riku looked more nervous than before. “…you know the trip to Twilight Town tomorrow?”

Sora nodded. “Sure.” He smiled. “Shopping! It’s all Kairi talks about.”

Riku licked his lips. “…yeah…” He hesitated again. “…would you…” he flushed. “…like to see a movie or something?”

Sora’s eyes lit up. “Really? Sure! That would be great! What would you like to see? Who else is going?”

Riku looked more nervous than before. “…I meant…” He ran his hand through his hair. “…just with me.”

Sora tilted his head. He stared into Riku’s face. “Like…a date?” He asked softly.

Riku shook his head violently. “No. Of course not…just…we haven’t spent much time together lately with finals and all and I know you promised Kairi you’d shop with her and Selphie but…”

Laughing, Sora reached out and hugged his friend. “Stop babbling.” He ordered. “That would be great. I can’t wait.”

0 0 0

Riku laughed as the door to their hotel room opened and Sora stumbled in with an armload of bags. “Geez, Sora…”

Riku got up to help, but Sora warned him away with a growl. “YOU CAN’T LOOK, THESE ARE CHRISTMAS PRESANTS!”

Riku choked on a laugh but obediently backed off and let Sora stumble his way in, put the bags down, then furtively go through them, all the while shooting suspicious glances at Riku over his shoulder as if he was certain that the silver haired teen was going to pounce and steal all of his hard-won gifts. While truth be told, Riku was extremely curious to see just what it was Sora had purchased, he contented himself with watching the adorable ritual with utter amusement. “Has it occurred to you that you’re going to have to get those back on the train?” He couldn’t resist teasing.

Sora threw him an aggrieved look. “We’ll have to get boxes somewhere so I can pack them.” He said anxiously.

“And then you’re going to camp out in the cargo car to make sure nothing happens.” Riku finished with a laugh. “Sora, calm down. Entrust some of them to me, keep mine away so I don’t see and I won’t tell Axel that you purchased silky boxers or whatever for him.”

Sora’s eyes widened and he blushed, making Riku laugh. After a moment, Sora fixed him with a suspicious glare. “You won’t tell a soul?”

“Not a soul.” Riku promised, raising his right hand.

Sora brightened. “Thanks.” He replied happily. “Remember though, Santa won’t come if you lie.”

Riku snorted. Santa? Sora still believed in Santa? He studied the brunet and came to the realization that…Sora seemed to be serious. “Santa.”

Sora blushed harder. “Well…” he bit his lip. “...I know it’s not probable.” Sora said, looking down. “Cloud and Roxas stopped believing years ago, but…” Sora paused. “…I can’t. I want to believe. I can do magic…so who’s to say?” He smiled slightly. “Besides, Mom gets us the same number of gifts every year. Roxas was really annoyed last year when he realized that I have one extra and he lost out every year.”

Riku smiled at Sora’s story and more than anything he wanted to take the brunet into his arms. Sora never failed to astound him. He was noble, brave, true never faltered. He was one of the strongest people Riku knew…but he was also gently innocent. He genuinely appreciated life and everything life had to offer, the bad and the good. Riku loved him as much for his belief in Santa and his Christmas gift paranoia as he did for the capable, strong part of him. Riku liked that Sora never got weighed down by his problems, he only moved to the light. “How was shopping anyway?”

Sora laughed. “I went with Kairi, Namine, Selphie, Yuna, Rikku, Paine and Yuffie. It was fun!” It sounded like a headache to Riku. Too many girls. Too many HYPER girls. Alone, Kairi, Selphie, Rikku and Yuffie were dangerous. Together they were explosive, balls of energy that never stopped. The thought gave Riku a headache and he wondered how Sora had survived.

“And you didn’t come back with anything pierced or painted.” Riku mused. “I must say…I’m impressed.”

As if his words were a trigger, the door to their room flew open and Kairi beamed in at them, her arm in Roxas’. Roxas held the keyblade out, and he shrugged apologetically at them. “They threatened to eat me.”

Behind him, Axel stood laughing so hard he was nearly in tears, standing beside short blonde Rikku and Yuffie, leaning against the wall. “They really did.” Axel crowed. “You should have seen the look on Roxie’s face when they kidnapped him.”

Riku blinked at the group, bemused by the whole scenario. Sora stared. “They kidnapped you?”

Roxas turned red and Axel howled with laughter. When it became obvious that neither were going to answer anytime soon, Kairi rolled her eyes and thrust a bag at Sora. “You left these. You need to wear them for your date with Riku.”

It was Sora’s turn to turn a mottled shade of red. Axel choked and he looked at Riku with sparkling green eyes. “About damn time!”

Riku was speechless, stunned into horrified silence by the three pairs of satisfied female eyes and the dancing pair of male. Roxas seemed content to not speak, giving Sora another sympathetic and apologetic look.

Sora pulled the bag away. “It’s not a date!” He cried, sounding grieved.

Kairi rolled her eyes, but Rikku beat her to it. “Maybe not, Sor-Sor, but you’ll look great anyway!”

Riku blinked. “Sor-Sor?”

Sora looked like he might pass out. “I’m not wearing these.” He pouted.

Yuffie grinned at him. “Yes you are, or we’re going to stalk you all night and make sure your date goes well.”

Sora’s mouth dropped open. “Yuffie!” He wailed.

Axel was laughing too hard to stand up now, and he had a look on his face that Riku did not like. He did not like it at all. “Wear the clothes, Sora.” Kairi warned. “And Riku, be nice to our Sora.”

Riku stared at her as if she had lost her mind. “Er…right.”

Smiling at him, Yuffie pulled Kairi off of Roxas and they hurried down the hallway, talking quietly. Roxas, obviously deciding that freedom was to be cherished while he had it, bolted. Axel, still laughing, winked at Riku and followed. Riku closed the door and willed it to stay locked this time.

Sora was staring at the bag in his hands with undisguised humiliation and the nagging curiosity bit at Riku again…he badly wanted to see what was in that bag that was making Sora blush like that. The girls thought this was a date…and had equipped Sora for the date…Riku eyed the bag. “If you don’t want them to stalk us, put the clothes on, make the girls happy and we’ll catch a movie they might not think to look for us in before we get something for dinner.”

Sora glanced sideways at him before making a face. “Do I HAVE to wear these clothes?”

Riku wanted to grin…it was only with a careful biting of his cheek that he kept from doing so. “Do you WANT them to stalk you?”

Sora sagged and shuffled dejectedly into the small bathroom just off of their motel room. Riku snorted and glanced at his reflection in the mirror. This WAS a date…at least Riku was hoping he could make it into one. He had been so stupid when he had told Sora it wasn’t a date, but he had panicked at the last minute. He stared at his reflection and sighed. He was pathetic.

“I feel naked.” Riku jumped at the quiet voice and turned, his eyes widening as he took in his brunet roommate. Riku could feel his eyes glaze over…if this was what Kairi thought of as “date wear” Riku wholeheartedly approved. Rather than the usual baggy shorts or pants, Sora’s jeans molded to every curve, hanging low on his hips. A blue T-shirt clung to his chest and shoulders, enhancing the deep eyes of the wearer. Riku had to shake himself as he moved up to stare into Sora’s eyes. “Come on, Sora…it’s not that bad.”

Sora pouted, and Riku had to laugh at the look on his face. “How about a compromise then.” Sora tilted his head, and Riku grinned at him. “You can’t go wrong with a jacket…” He pulled down a black hooded jacket and handed it to Sora. “And if they complain it’s obvious…it’s cold.” He also pulled four belts from his bag. “Put these on. Go ahead and wear your gloves, and don’t forget your necklace.”

Obediently Sora decked himself out in accessories, sighing as he looked at himself in the mirror. “I still don’t look like me.”

Maybe not…but he looked good enough to eat. The small strip of stomach that occasionally showed when Sora moved and the shirt rose, the way his pants left very little to the imagination but kept Sora’s body entirely covered…well….Riku had to look away before he started drooling. “Stop whining, Sor-Sor.” He teased instead, laughing as Sora made a swing at him and pulling the brunet out of the room.

The air was crisp, cold and burned Riku’s lungs…it felt great. Though there was no snow this close to the coast, it felt like December, and for the first time in his life, Riku was looking forward to the holidays. He was staying at school with his best friend and the love of his life…it didn’t get much better than that. “What should we see that they won’t think to look for us in?”

Sora thought about it before he smiled at Riku. “Either something Disney or something horror. I don’t think after the double date that Kairi would think I’d go back.”

Riku had to think about that for all of one second…Sora…in his lap…scared out of his mind…god, he wished all decisions were this easy. “True. The horror flick it is.”

Sora laughed as they entered the theater. He paused, momentarily distracted by a group of carolers, and Riku took the opportunity to pay for the tickets. He had to grin at Sora’s pout, aching to lean in and nibble on that full lip. “Riku!”

Riku laughed. “You can pay for snacks.” He soothed, allowing Sora to steer him into the lobby. Sora paused at the desk. “No popcorn.” Riku warned. “You threw it the last time you had popcorn during a horror movie.”

Sora made a face at him before ordering chocolate for them both. Riku smiled as he followed Sora into the darkened theater. He was aware of Sora’s presence beside him the entire time, and it was damn distracting. Sora’s arm would brush his on the rest, or he would press himself against Riku’s shoulder when something made him jump. The happiest moment of his life occurred when Sora grabbed his hand during a tense scene and didn’t let go…Riku didn’t even mind that Sora was holding on tight enough to make his hand ache. He stroked the soft skin between Sora’s thumb and forefinger and felt utter contentment.

He hadn’t counted on the fact that Sora had one of the best imaginations Riku knew of, or that they would have to walk back to the motel in the dark. Sora jumped at shadows, and Riku had to smile as he reached out and took Sora’s hand again. He raised it to his lips and breathed lightly over it. “Cold.” He whispered when Sora turned to look at him. “What do you say we order room service and watch something fun?” He asked quietly.

Sora’s face was flushed, though from Riku’s actions or the cold, Riku wasn’t sure. He wished he was better at reading Sora, he wished he had the guts to tell the brunet just how he felt. He wished…a lot of things actually.

He released Sora’s hand as they reached the motel and dutifully followed the brunet up. Sora looked far more cheerful now that they were bathed in the glow of lights, and he was laughingly teasing Riku about jumping at one part during the movie as they entered their room.

Riku got a glimpse of Axel’s red hair and Kairi’s dark blue eyes as he was pushed bodily forward and into darkness. He yelped as he nearly fell onto Sora, stumbling slightly in the tiny bathroom. “What the…”

There was a flash as Sora summoned his keyblade, but Axel’s voice floated over toward them. “You might as well put it away, Sor-Sor. It’s not locked, only…” He could almost SEE Axel’s wicked grin. “…blocked.”

Sora released a long breath and Riku shuddered as he felt it slide over his chest. “Axel why did you lock us in here?!” He yelled. There was no answer. Riku wasn’t expecting one, though he just bet that his obnoxious best friend was still there.

Riku was intently aware of Sora’s body not far from his own, and he flushed red. “Well…” He murmured. “Now what?”