[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.
[ Vanitas doesn't really know how to feel about it in all seriousness. He wonders how it is that Sora can't figure it out. But, that's between them. Vanitas is someone who is capable of an insane amount of jealousy now that he has things that he wants to keep.
But this, right now, actually isn't about that. It's not about whether or not Sora would prefer Riku over himself or if Riku is a potential threat. It really is about respecting those boundaries and not pushing them. It's about respecting what someone else wants. And sometimes Sora does have a hard time knowing where to toe that particular line. ]
Who knows. The places we've been to certainly provides those opportunities. Something might happen that'll change his mind.
[phew... he feels like he's averted a wholeass crisis, here. at least him and Vanitas (?????) had been able to talk Sora down.]
If anything happens to me relationship-wise, you'll be the first to know. Okay?
[he's so used to being alone anyway, that it's weird being around people so much now. even if he might dislike it sometimes... it's comforting all the same.]
Now take your gremlin out of here. I have some stuff to do.
He lets out a laugh and then hops to his feet. He links arms with Vanitas so he can drag the other boy out too.]
Alright, alright. We'll leave you to your beauty rest for now, Riku!
[But maybe Sora does feel a little better. That maybe he doesn't have to push so hard. Still, he might glance back at Riku with a softer smile as they leave.]
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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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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
But this, right now, actually isn't about that. It's not about whether or not Sora would prefer Riku over himself or if Riku is a potential threat. It really is about respecting those boundaries and not pushing them. It's about respecting what someone else wants. And sometimes Sora does have a hard time knowing where to toe that particular line. ]
Who knows. The places we've been to certainly provides those opportunities. Something might happen that'll change his mind.
wanna wrap it up?
If anything happens to me relationship-wise, you'll be the first to know. Okay?
[he's so used to being alone anyway, that it's weird being around people so much now. even if he might dislike it sometimes... it's comforting all the same.]
Now take your gremlin out of here. I have some stuff to do.
🎀
[Sora has been thwarted... for now.
He lets out a laugh and then hops to his feet. He links arms with Vanitas so he can drag the other boy out too.]
Alright, alright. We'll leave you to your beauty rest for now, Riku!
[But maybe Sora does feel a little better. That maybe he doesn't have to push so hard. Still, he might glance back at Riku with a softer smile as they leave.]