Kingdom Hearts: All Good Things 5

[lumelle]

For story summary, warnings, pairings, etc, see the first chapter.
Chapter: 5/25
Chapter title: Interlude - an Educational Experience
Chapter rating: PG
Chapter summary: Lea is gone, and Riku has to calm everyone down. Sora is surprisingly ignorant, which leads to some more learning on both of their part.


Someone's calling his name.

For a moment he can almost imagine it's just a part of his dream, there's no other reason why anyone would call for him with such a frantic tone, that's right it's just a dream...

"Riku! Riku, wake up!"

Well. That's definitely real, and besides loud enough to break through his sleep. Opening his eyes just enough to see, he finds Sora's face right above his, eyes wide with a look of urgency.

In his defense, he's still basically half asleep as he reaches his arms out to pull Sora down to his chest, then tries to snuggle into him to sleep for a bit longer. Sora's warm.

"Wah! Riku, wake up, you're being weird!" Oh, no, he's just too sleepy to actually worry about what he should and shouldn't do. "Riku, it's terrible!"

"Whuh?" Okay, maybe he should wake up properly. Letting Sora go, he blinks a few times, trying to get his brain back into gear. "What is?"

"Lea!" Sora sits up on his bed, looking a bit flustered though it's soon forgotten as he gets back to his wide-eyed look. "Lea's missing!"

"Oh." He yawns, turning to his side. "No, he's not. Now let me sleep."

"Yes he is! Kairi went to see him since he's usually up by now, but he wasn't anywhere! And the castle guards said they haven't seen him all morning!"

"Sora, he's not missing." He sits up now. Obviously Sora's not going to let him get any more sleep. "He just left last night. I'm aware of it, and Mickey is aware of it. By definition, he is not missing, since we knew about it."

"What do you mean, you knew about it?" Sora blinks, looking confused. Okay, so it's utterly adorable so Riku's not exactly going to complain, but sometimes he can be a bit slow.

"We saw him off, late last night. He said he didn't want to deal with everyone worrying and tons of goodbyes and whatever."

"So where'd he go, then?" Sora seems quite happy to sit on his bed even as Riku climbs out from the other side. "I mean, why'd he leave in the first place?"

"What do you think?" Riku stifles another yawn as he looks around for somewhat clean clothes. "He had something to do. Lea usually does, from what I've noticed."

"Oh, yeah! He always has some kind of a plan." Sora flops down on the bed, leaning on his elbows. Riku does his best not to think any naughty thoughts about Sora lying in his bed. "So what's his plan this time?"

"How about you let me get dressed so I can calm down any other panicked worriers at the same time?" Riku stretches a bit, then glances at Sora, only to find him with a weird look on his face. "What?"

"Nothing!" Sora's voice takes on a high-pitched squeak. "It's nothing!"

"Sore, you're flushing." Which is, again, pretty adorable, but also somewhat unusual. Sora tends to take most things in a stride, except when he's worried, and that's not a worried look.

"I'm not!" And now he gets even more flustered. Well, that's definitely unusual.

"You sure you don't have a fever or something?" Riku steps back to the bed, leaning closer to touch Sora's forehead. "Nah, doesn't feel like it. You sure you're all right?" He could swear Sora's flush gets even deeper, though.

"I don't have a fever!"

"Yeah, I just said it doesn't feel like it." Sora's definitely being strange. "Something the matter? I mean, aside from Lea running off in the middle of the night."

"Nothing's the matter." He's not convinced, but the look on Sora's face is the one where he knows it's useless trying to pry any further right now. "Uh, weren't you going to get dressed?"

"Right." A clear distraction, that much is obvious, but at the same time Sora is right. "Wouldn't want to let everyone get into an utter frenzy of worry."

By the time he gets himself clothed, Sora seems more or less normal again, though the way he grasps Riku's arm still speaks of some urgency. "Come on now! Kairi's really worried, and I think Xion is, too!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming, you don't have to drag me." And why is it him who has to do all the explaining, anyway? Lea could have at least bothered to leave a note or something.

Thankfully Kairi turns out to be only worried, not quite as panicky as Sora had been. As soon as Riku explains that Lea left on his own and was not dragged out of bed by some mysterious bad guy, she lets out a sigh of relief.

"Really, though, he could have tried not to worry everyone," Kairi remarks, setting her hands on her hips. "Especially since he's still recovering! What if the healers didn't think he's fit to leave?"

"Frankly, I think that's one of the reasons he left without telling anyone," Riku points out. "I know Lea can be rash sometimes, but I don't think he's an idiot. Well, most of the time he isn't."

"He wouldn't leave if he wasn't ready." Xion's voice is quiet, but enough to draw their attention to where she is leaning against the wall. She still seems awkward around others, not that Riku can really blame her. Lea is the only one who actually ever met her before, and even he didn't have memories of her until she was brought back. Riku himself was surprised to find her inside Sora's heart, though afterward he did recall meeting her in Sora's dream of the islands.

"He would if he thought it's important enough." Riku hates to admit it, but Sora has a point. "I mean, he's done crazy stuff before."

"This is too important, though." Xion hugs herself, looking to the side. Poor girl, knowing that her only friend is running off who knows where. "He wouldn't go if he wasn't sure he can handle it, because he can't fail this time."

"So what's he doing, anyway?" Sora looks at Riku, now. "Riku, you talked with him, right? You must know what he's up to!" Yeah, and obviously Xion knows, too, yet Sora chooses to interrogate him instead.

"He's looking for Roxas." Sora's eyes widen at that, and even Kairi looks shocked. "He's got it in his head that since I couldn't find Roxas inside your heart, he must be somewhere in another world."

"Well, that is pretty important," Sora agrees. "But still, he should have told us! We could help him look. We could even have gone looking before he got better!"

"Sora, that's not how it works." Kairi touches Sora's arm, and Riku is surprised to find a spark of jealousy rushing through him. Okay, now that's just ridiculous. "Lea has to do this himself. Besides, I think he's the one who has the best chance of finding Roxas, wherever he is."

"Well, obviously he'll find Roxas the easiest, since he knows Roxas the best." Yeah, except it's not just that. "But even then, Xion could help him! You know Roxas well, too, don't you?" He looks now at Xion, an earnest look on his face. Oh, Sora. He's got to be the only one who hasn't realized it yet.

"I, ah, I do." Xion bites her lip. "But I don't have the same connection with Roxas that Lea does. Nobody does."

"What? Of course you do! You're all friends, right? Just like Riku and Kairi and me." Much though Riku hates to admit it, that hurts, just a bit.

"That's not what it's about, though." Kairi's tone is gentle, as though explaining to a little child. Though then, Sora is being somewhat obtuse. "Sora, to Lea, Roxas is someone... special. You know that, right?"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Oh, yes. Definitely obtuse.

"Lea is my friend, yes, and Roxas is my friend, too." Riku could swear Xion glances at him with some meaning in her eyes, but that has to be just his imagination. "However, the two of them are even closer than that. Closer than I am to either of them."

"But how's that possible, if you're all friends?"

"Sora, not even you can be this thick." Riku sighs. It's certainly not nice of him, being this harsh, but Sora really isn't getting it. "Sora, Lea gave his life once to protect Roxas inside you. I know you'd probably do that for a sick puppy if the chance came, but most people don't do that for just anyone."

"Yeah, because they're friends."

"They're not just friends, though." Kairi looks at Sora seriously. "Sora, Roxas is not just Lea's friend. Roxas is his heart."

Sora blinks. Then he blinks again. "You mean..."

"Lea loves Roxas." Xion's voice is even quieter, now. "I think in some way he did even before we all had hearts, even if it's not supposed to be possible."

"And that's why Lea is the one who can find him," Riku adds, his voice low as well. "That's why he has to be the one to find him. If Minnie disappeared, do you think Mickey would just sit back and let others search for her, friends or not?"

"Of course not." Sora blinks again. "But... Roxas isn't a girl, right?" There's a look of dawning realization on his face. "Wait. Is Lea a girl?"

"No. No, neither of them is a girl." Riku resists the urge to slam his face at the closest wall, even if it might be less resistant. "Lea is a boy, Roxas is a boy, and Lea still loves him. Are you seriously saying it never crossed your mind that it's possible?"

"Uh, no. Not really." Sora scratches his head, looking utterly clueless. "I mean, I always thought someone can only be that kind of special if one of you is a girl and the other one is a boy."

"Well, it's not quite like that." Kairi chuckles, then takes on a teasing tone. "You know, Sora, sometimes I wonder if you're still asleep."

"Hey, that's not nice!" Sora frowns, not that he could ever be truly angry at Kairi. "It's not my fault that I've never thought about it!"

"Well, you must be sleepwalking, then, because your eyes seem to be closed." This time Riku is certain Xion glances at him. "Sora, just about everyone else knew about Lea's feelings for Roxas."

"So why didn't anyone tell me?"

"Uh, because we all thought it was obvious?" Riku rolls his eyes. "Now, if there's nothing else I need to explain, can I get back to sleep? You did wake me up."

"Oh, come on, Riku." Kairi's smile turns the slightest bit sly. "Like you'd ever complain about Sora crawling into your bed."

He considers it a matter of heroic resolve that he manages not to blush.

Since Sora seems to have calmed down now, Riku decides to have some more sleep. Sure, Sora is usually the one who naps all the time, but then he had been up rather late the night before. Besides, if he knows Sora at all, he'll be running around for a while now to ask everyone if they knew about Lea and Roxas, which should hopefully keep him out of trouble for a moment.

Of course, what he does not expect when he wakes up and wanders out of his room is to find a very serious-looking Sora sitting alone on a balcony, apparently deep in thought.

"Yo." Riku comes to a halt in front of Sora. "Something the matter this time?"

"Huh? No, no." Sora seems almost guilty for having been surprised. "I was just thinking."

"Try not to hurt yourself." Riku steps to his side. "Mind if I sit?" A thoughtful Sora rarely leads to anything good, certainly not when left unchecked. Some supervision might be in order.

"Uh. Go ahead." Well, isn't that so very welcoming. Nevertheless, Riku drops down next to Sora, turning his eyes up to the sky.

"So. Anything in particular you're thinking about?"

"Just, well. Stuff." Sora isn't looking at him. Well, that's an interesting reaction. "Nothing important."

"Seems pretty important to me if it's bothering you like this." Riku reaches out, touching Sora's arm. "Come on. First you acted weird in the morning, and now you're being all serious."

"I told you, it's nothing." Yeah, and the sky's purple with red polka dots.

"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Even if there are things Riku himself can't tell.

"Sure." So why doesn't he sound at all sure?

"So. Anything you want to tell me?"

For a moment, Sora stays quiet. Then, just as Riku is about to conclude that there is nothing he feels like sharing, he blurts out, "Ithinkyou'respecialtometooandumstuff."

"Huh?" Okay, that went too fast for him to even try to interpret anything. "Mind slowing down?"

Sora squeaks, turning his face away. Well, so much for merely asking.

"Sora, please. I couldn't make out a single word." He touches his arm again, hoping to calm him down. "I promise I won't laugh or anything."

"It's not laughing that I'm afraid of."

"So what are you afraid I'll do?" Curiouser and curiouser.

"I don't know. Get mad at me or something."

"Sora." Getting a bit bolder, he slides his hand down Sora's arm, grasping his hand. "There's no way I could ever get mad at you, I promise. So there's no reason for you to be afraid."

Sora hesitates for another moment, biting his lip in a way that would be utterly adorable if it didn't mean that Sora is troubled by something. Finally, he draws a deep breath. "I think you're special to me, too. And, um. Stuff."

Riku pauses. Somehow, being able to make out the actual words isn't making this much clearer at all. "Right. And why do you think that?"

"No reason." Is that a tiny flush he sees?

"Sora, you're obviously bothered. You wouldn't be bothered for no reason." He squeezes Sora's hand to hopefully reassure him. "What do you mean, special?" No, Riku, no getting hopeful. That way lie only broken hearts.

"Well, you know. Special."

"No, I don't know, Sora. You have to tell me if you want me to understand."

"You know." Finally, Sora turns to face him, looking almost afraid. That's not an expression Sora should ever have, ever. "Like Roxas is special to Lea."

Riku blinks. Okay, he's still not daring to be hopeful, but either Sora's really confused or the world is finally tired of throwing crap his way. "You mean..."

"Right." Sora looks away, teeth worrying his lip.

"And why'd you suddenly decide that this must be the case?"

"Well, I didn't know! I mean, I didn't even really know it's possible! Because, you know, you're a guy."

Riku snorts. "Sora, you know most people figure out who they like based on, well, who they like, and not on who they think they should like?"

"Yeah, but I didn't think it was that! I mean, you're my friend, right? So I just thought it was that. But then you talked about Lea and Roxas and, uh, I started thinking."

"Thinking about what?" He still hasn't let go of Sora's hand.

"About you. And all my other friends. And how Kairi's my friend, too, but I never get a weird feeling in my stomach when I look at Kairi. Not like, uh." That's definitely a blush, now.

"Like when you saw me stretching without a shirt." Riku can't help a small smirk. "Sora. Are you saying you got turned on by looking at me?"

There's no response, unless he counts Sora's face turning into a close approximation of a tomato. Well, he supposes that works, too.

"Sora." He entangles their fingers, one by one. "When you came to wake me up, remember what I did?"

"Uh, yeah. You hugged me. That was kind of weird."

"Yeah, I did. And do you know why?"

"I don't know. Were you still dreaming?"

"Not quite." Riku gives him a small smile. "Because I figured that being half asleep, I could get away with it without you wondering too much."

Sora's eyes widen a bit. "Wait. Do you mean..."

"Sora, I like you. Yes, more than I like any of my friends. Yes, weird feelings in my stomach and all, ever since we were old enough that I actually thought about such things. You're just so damn clueless, I always figured you weren't interested at all."

"I never knew." Yeah, obviously not, or they wouldn't be having this conversation now.

"That's why I let Lea go without a question," Riku adds, his tone quiet. "Because I knew that if it were you, I'd want to be the one to bring you home, too."

"Really?" Sora's hand tightens around his, now. "You'd go looking for me?"

"Sora, you really are an idiot sometimes, you know." Riku snorts. "I wouldn't just go looking for you." Before Sora can say anything, he places a finger over his mouth. Sora's lips are warm. "I've already done it, remember? I brought you back from the dreams. And if you ever dare go missing again, I will bring you home again, as many times as I need to."

"Um. Right." Sora looks at him, his expression suddenly serious. "Riku?"

"Yeah, Sora?"

"When someone's special like that... you usually kiss them, right?"

Obviously there is only one way to answer that.


Chapter 4 - Catching Up
Chapter 6 - Familiar Tune