Riku's heart flutters and his face burns as he gets up, trying to turn his face and hide his expression in his bangs. at least his hair's grown out a little bit!]
I'd just heard girls talking about it a lot in school. That's all.
[he's trying not to show how thrown off he is, how close to panicking... because Sora, under any circumstances, can never know.]
[it's so hard, because he doesn't want to snap at Sora. but his emotions are raging in a way that he doesn't want them to in a way he hasn't in so long.]
... Just trying to help a friend, that's all.
[he's still trying to keep his expression from Sora, tossing the journal on his bedside table and sitting on his bed now.]
It's... it's really nothing. Don't look too deep into it.
[Sora isn't sure how to feel! On the one hand, it's really nice if Riku might like someone- if it's true. On the other it makes Sora feel ... strange? He can't place a finger on that emotion.
In that case, Sora comes over to flop down on the bed beside his friend. He folds his arms under his head.]
I mean... It's not bad if you did like someone, Riku.
[at least it's not a guessing game, yet. Riku lets out a slow exhale as he lets go of some of the defensive emotions he was feeling. don't snap at Sora, don't snap at Sora...]
I know that.
[it's always so hard to keep things from Sora. he ends up knowing every little thing about Riku... and yet.]
I just don't want anyone pushing me into doing something about it. I'm fine. I'm happy. That's all that matters.
[Sora really wants to push and try to figure out who it might be. He really does. But Sora's a little older now and he isn't as pushy as he used to be. Besides, Riku being happy is important to him. He really hopes Riku means that.]
Are you sure, Riku? Do you mean that? Because it might feel good to at least get stuff like that off your chest. Maybe you should tell them how you feel!
Don't worry, Sora. He's as happy as can be right now. What more could Riku possibly ask for?
[ So says the little gremlin as he is just sitting on the arm of whatever surface he can find. Looking smug and knowing.
He had been there, being quiet, for a while. Vanitas had originally been out looking for Sora and just decided to use his Corridor to find the brat. Imagine his surprise at slipping in with the both of them. Like this.
At least there's no burning jealousy on Vanitas' part. ]
Edited (i follow the orders of misheru) 2023-09-02 22:49 (UTC)
[Sora seems more happy than surprised to see Vanitas. Although, he's a little surprised that he didn't notice Vanitas until now either. A long time ago Sora would have been able to detect Vanitas through a magical link but that's long gone now.]
But something tells me you guys are both yanking my chain right now. [He squints back and forth at them.] Vanitas, did you hear that Riku likes someone?
[YEAH WHO
... Sora's totally ignoring Riku's question about knocking.]
[ There's no such thing as knocking around here, Riku. Surely he should have figured that much out by now. Either way, Vanitas is ignoring the comment as well. In some respects he's no different than Sora - why answer a question when there's other things that can better draw his attention?
He slips closer to the both of them, though mostly to drop a kiss on Sora's forehead. His eyes almost have a glow to them as he glances towards Riku. ]
Sora, you're likely the only one who didn't know that.
there's a spark of jealousy when Vanitas kisses Sora's forehead. he'd been able to bury most of it in the almost-year he's been here, but in this case he still feels some sort of way.
and he knows Vanitas is doing this on purpose.
he averts his eyes, and snorts.]
Don't listen to him, Sora. He doesn't know anything.
[He doesn't mind the kiss on his forehead, of course. But he does pout at Vanitas just a little bit. It's not nice to be affectionate publically when Riku is going through a romantic crisis right now.
Literally.]
But Riku, if there really is someone... We should somehow help you with that. Shouldn't we?
Oh I know plenty. I can still feel the emotions of others, you realize.
[ Excuse you, Sora. Who is it that made Vanitas to be affectionate in the first place? This is partially on you, you brat.
But honestly it's only partially flexing. The other half really is just because the confused look on Sora's face is just too cute. So is the pouting, really. Vanitas' gaze softens as he pokes Sora right in the place he had just kissed previously. ]
Though really, Sora, there's nothing we can do to help him with this one. You can't always meddle, you know.
[And that classic pout appears on Sora's lips (be nice to each other!!) as he glances from Vanitas to Riku and then back again. He's sitting here in between them and he can't help but pout despite the physical reassurance the both of them have given Sora now.
He knows he shouldn't mettle like Vanitas said. He knows Riku is where he wants to be like Riku said.
But something still isn't sitting right with Sora. He can't place it. Like a gentle swirl of emotions in his chest.]
I don't know. Is it so bad that I want Riku to be happy too? Just like you're happy, Vanitas?
Keep talking like that and I won't offer you a jar of honey when I go out to collect it again.
[ Look, Vanitas likes the honey that has the appearance of a galaxy in a jar. It never quite tastes the same way twice and that's what he finds fascinating about it.
He looks back at Sora and Vanitas sighs. While Vanitas can't agree that there should be a need to make everyone happy, he knows that Riku is close to Sora. So Vanitas can understand the desire for the people around you to be happy. It's taken him a long time to concede to that paradigm, but there it is. ]
It's not a bad thing, Sora. However, just like with me, you didn't try to force your idea of happiness onto me. You let me figure that out myself. Now I'm at a place where I can say I am happy with a full understanding of what it means to be happy.
[ When he looks back at Riku, it's not with anything like irritation. Rather it comes with some... Silent understanding. ]
So you have to let him decide what shape that happiness takes.
[listen. Riku's gotta be an ass, even if he doesn't mind Vanitas as much as he did before. it's in his nature.
he rolls his eyes at both of them, listening to what they have to say before he's quiet for a few minutes. but then Vanitas drops that bomb of something that's... incredibly well thought out, and he meets his eyes for just a moment. it's not really something he expected him to say, considering his outward personality could be very bristly at times.
kind of like he understood him in a certain respect.
finally Riku glances away, smiling down at Sora.]
I don't have to be in a relationship to be happy, Sora. It might seem sad to you that I don't want to talk to them about my feelings, especially since you're so used to being so open to everyone... but I'm a little different. I've always been a lot different than you, and you know that.
[he lets his hand fall from Sora's head to caress his cheek slightly before putting his hand back down into his lap.]
Being here with you, being in the same space as you after being separated for so long... that's what makes me happy right now. Okay? I promise I'm fine.
[Now, a few years ago Sora might have argued but now he seems to be humbled by both of their answers.
Vanitas is right when he says that Sora let Vantias figure out what he wanted this happiness to be. If that included Sora, he let Vanitas decide that he wanted that rather than Sora forcing himself into his life. It had to be that way, Vanitas had spent so much of his life in the darkness where only hate and rage were cultivated. He had to learn what happiness could be. And Sora, bit by bit, showed what it could be. And let Vanitas pick if he wanted to keep it.
So at the same time, he has to listen to Riku's point of view too. He desperately wants Riku to be happy. He desperately wants Riku to feel the warmth that can come with feeling those sorts of things. And he desperately thinks that Riku has so much to give and deserves so much in return that he wishes he could somehow give Riku a bit of that happiness too. But Riku is right- maybe Riku doesn't need those things? His idea of happiness is just to be where Sora is...?
He glances at Vanitas and smiles. Then to Riku again as he looks just a smidge defeated but he nods.]
If that's what you want, Riku. I'll stop bugging you about it. [Maybe. Mostly. For now.] But Vanitas is right, you know. Maybe you'll know your idea of happiness someday. If it's just being here right now, then I'm happy too.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[And Sora's butt hits the ground where he sits once Riku tosses him. He's not hurt, of course.]
Hey... But why is Ienzo asking you? That last part he wrote. Uh.
[The math is processing in his head... slowly...]
Riku, do you...
[Here it comes.]
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[fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. he's... yanno. going to just melt here and die or something.]
Don't worry about it, okay? Just... forget you read it. He doesn't want everyone to know yet.
[he's sitting up now, his hands shaking ever so slightly as he successfully (?) takes the book back.]
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Okay. I won't say anything if he doesn't want anyone to know.
[Hopefully...
But Sora looks up at Riku with a curious expression.]
But Riku? Does this mean that you have a crush on someone?
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Riku's heart flutters and his face burns as he gets up, trying to turn his face and hide his expression in his bangs. at least his hair's grown out a little bit!]
I'd just heard girls talking about it a lot in school. That's all.
[he's trying not to show how thrown off he is, how close to panicking... because Sora, under any circumstances, can never know.]
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What? Really?
[Then he asks softly,]
But what you wrote looked really nice? About what it's like having a crush and all.
[It was so ... sincere.]
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... Just trying to help a friend, that's all.
[he's still trying to keep his expression from Sora, tossing the journal on his bedside table and sitting on his bed now.]
It's... it's really nothing. Don't look too deep into it.
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In that case, Sora comes over to flop down on the bed beside his friend. He folds his arms under his head.]
I mean... It's not bad if you did like someone, Riku.
[He thinks...]
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I know that.
[it's always so hard to keep things from Sora. he ends up knowing every little thing about Riku... and yet.]
I just don't want anyone pushing me into doing something about it. I'm fine. I'm happy. That's all that matters.
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Are you sure, Riku? Do you mean that? Because it might feel good to at least get stuff like that off your chest. Maybe you should tell them how you feel!
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It's better if I don't. They have someone already, anyway.
[he hopes this is vague enough for Sora.]
I don't want to put them in that position.
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[Yup, it's vague enough- it seems. Sora sits up with a start.]
Wow, Riku. I had no idea you had such daring heart.
[Now he's just teasing a little and trying to ligthen the mood.]
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he loves Sora. so, so, much.]
So long as they're happy, I'm fine. So that's why it's not all that important to talk about, you know?
[not to mention the object of his affections is right fucking there.]
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Are you sure...
[He's just going to start leaning on Riku's side. His cheek falling to Riku's shoulder.]
I want you to be happy too, Riku.
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[ So says the little gremlin as he is just sitting on the arm of whatever surface he can find. Looking smug and knowing.
He had been there, being quiet, for a while. Vanitas had originally been out looking for Sora and just decided to use his Corridor to find the brat. Imagine his surprise at slipping in with the both of them. Like this.
At least there's no burning jealousy on Vanitas' part. ]
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What he said. I'm happy where I am right now.
[his eyes cut over to Vanitas, though.]
Why are you here? And can't you people knock?
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[Sora seems more happy than surprised to see Vanitas. Although, he's a little surprised that he didn't notice Vanitas until now either. A long time ago Sora would have been able to detect Vanitas through a magical link but that's long gone now.]
But something tells me you guys are both yanking my chain right now. [He squints back and forth at them.] Vanitas, did you hear that Riku likes someone?
[YEAH WHO
... Sora's totally ignoring Riku's question about knocking.]
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[ There's no such thing as knocking around here, Riku. Surely he should have figured that much out by now. Either way, Vanitas is ignoring the comment as well. In some respects he's no different than Sora - why answer a question when there's other things that can better draw his attention?
He slips closer to the both of them, though mostly to drop a kiss on Sora's forehead. His eyes almost have a glow to them as he glances towards Riku. ]
Sora, you're likely the only one who didn't know that.
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there's a spark of jealousy when Vanitas kisses Sora's forehead. he'd been able to bury most of it in the almost-year he's been here, but in this case he still feels some sort of way.
and he knows Vanitas is doing this on purpose.
he averts his eyes, and snorts.]
Don't listen to him, Sora. He doesn't know anything.
[/lies]
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[He doesn't mind the kiss on his forehead, of course. But he does pout at Vanitas just a little bit. It's not nice to be affectionate publically when Riku is going through a romantic crisis right now.
Literally.]
But Riku, if there really is someone... We should somehow help you with that. Shouldn't we?
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[ Excuse you, Sora. Who is it that made Vanitas to be affectionate in the first place? This is partially on you, you brat.
But honestly it's only partially flexing. The other half really is just because the confused look on Sora's face is just too cute. So is the pouting, really. Vanitas' gaze softens as he pokes Sora right in the place he had just kissed previously. ]
Though really, Sora, there's nothing we can do to help him with this one. You can't always meddle, you know.
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I'll be fine, Sora. You really shouldn't worry about me as much as you do. This is where I want to be.
[his gaze flicks to Vanitas, and a smirk plays on his lips.]
Except maybe without that one.
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[And that classic pout appears on Sora's lips (be nice to each other!!) as he glances from Vanitas to Riku and then back again. He's sitting here in between them and he can't help but pout despite the physical reassurance the both of them have given Sora now.
He knows he shouldn't mettle like Vanitas said. He knows Riku is where he wants to be like Riku said.
But something still isn't sitting right with Sora. He can't place it. Like a gentle swirl of emotions in his chest.]
I don't know. Is it so bad that I want Riku to be happy too? Just like you're happy, Vanitas?
[He's being sincere, here.]
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Keep talking like that and I won't offer you a jar of honey when I go out to collect it again.
[ Look, Vanitas likes the honey that has the appearance of a galaxy in a jar. It never quite tastes the same way twice and that's what he finds fascinating about it.
He looks back at Sora and Vanitas sighs. While Vanitas can't agree that there should be a need to make everyone happy, he knows that Riku is close to Sora. So Vanitas can understand the desire for the people around you to be happy. It's taken him a long time to concede to that paradigm, but there it is. ]
It's not a bad thing, Sora. However, just like with me, you didn't try to force your idea of happiness onto me. You let me figure that out myself. Now I'm at a place where I can say I am happy with a full understanding of what it means to be happy.
[ When he looks back at Riku, it's not with anything like irritation. Rather it comes with some... Silent understanding. ]
So you have to let him decide what shape that happiness takes.
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he rolls his eyes at both of them, listening to what they have to say before he's quiet for a few minutes. but then Vanitas drops that bomb of something that's... incredibly well thought out, and he meets his eyes for just a moment. it's not really something he expected him to say, considering his outward personality could be very bristly at times.
kind of like he understood him in a certain respect.
finally Riku glances away, smiling down at Sora.]
I don't have to be in a relationship to be happy, Sora. It might seem sad to you that I don't want to talk to them about my feelings, especially since you're so used to being so open to everyone... but I'm a little different. I've always been a lot different than you, and you know that.
[he lets his hand fall from Sora's head to caress his cheek slightly before putting his hand back down into his lap.]
Being here with you, being in the same space as you after being separated for so long... that's what makes me happy right now. Okay? I promise I'm fine.
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Vanitas is right when he says that Sora let Vantias figure out what he wanted this happiness to be. If that included Sora, he let Vanitas decide that he wanted that rather than Sora forcing himself into his life. It had to be that way, Vanitas had spent so much of his life in the darkness where only hate and rage were cultivated. He had to learn what happiness could be. And Sora, bit by bit, showed what it could be. And let Vanitas pick if he wanted to keep it.
So at the same time, he has to listen to Riku's point of view too. He desperately wants Riku to be happy. He desperately wants Riku to feel the warmth that can come with feeling those sorts of things. And he desperately thinks that Riku has so much to give and deserves so much in return that he wishes he could somehow give Riku a bit of that happiness too. But Riku is right- maybe Riku doesn't need those things? His idea of happiness is just to be where Sora is...?
He glances at Vanitas and smiles. Then to Riku again as he looks just a smidge defeated but he nods.]
If that's what you want, Riku. I'll stop bugging you about it. [Maybe. Mostly. For now.] But Vanitas is right, you know. Maybe you'll know your idea of happiness someday. If it's just being here right now, then I'm happy too.
(no subject)
wanna wrap it up?
🎀