absences and distractions ; the witch's tower

[tall_dark_and]

Riku's been away from the tower for far too long. He can't spend every day there, as much as he would like to - there's debts that he has to pay back, and goals that he has to achieve.

The last mission, so to speak, has taken him a few weeks. It feels like much longer, with each day longer than the last. He never thought he'd get so attached to someone - at least not in a capacity other than frend. He certainly never thought someone would get this attached to him.

He's more than a little tired. He's been up for twenty-five hours or so, and he's about ready to crash.... or at least, he should be. But despite the fact DiZ had taken one look at him and promptly ordered him straight to bed, he can't seem to sleep. All he does is toss and turn. He thinks he knows the cure - if only he can manage to sneak out.

But why couldn't he sneak out, anyway? It's not as if DiZ was his father.

He casts an apprehensive glance at the door, and then raises his hand to call a darkpath. And when there's no sound of someone coming to interrupt him, he jumps up from the bed, and hops through it, before anyone can possibly try to stop him.

...too bad he didn't take the time to check himself out before hopping through, because he kind of ends up hitting the ground of Namine's tower in his bedclothes. But boxers and a tshirt was... totally suitable visiting gear.

Honestly.

Comments

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku smiles against the fabric of her dress.

"Sorry," he says, but it's obvious that there's really no apology behind the word at all. "I like touch."

Whether it was shoves or prods or hugs or kisses, it was a way to keep close to the people who mattered.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

"You don't have to apologize," she says, mock-scolding him as she giggles.

"Sometimes...I think I need this too," she admits. "Just to know that...I'm not alone and it's real."

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

"You'll never be alone," Riku assures her. "Not if I can help it."

He'd fight to the ends of the earth to assure that fact.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

She smiles, kissing the top of his head. "I know," she says. "Thank you, Riku."

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

He would be alone without her, too, wouldn't he? But that's not something he wants to think about. He quickly pushes the realization and the possibilities out of his head, for another time and another day.

Right now was just for happiness.

"Thank you," he says, instead, and stands up. He leans on her, as to not lose the closeness, but -

"I guess we should probably be productive."

Probably.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

"Be productive?" she questions a little confusedly, tilting her chin a bit so she can see his face. "What do you mean?"

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku laughs.

"Something to keep me awake," he says. They've tried a few things, but they never last long - but maybe the third time was the charm.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

"Oh." There is a nod and a soft smile.

"Well, perhaps...we could talk for a bit, if you want to. You could tell me more about your home."

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." Riku likes that idea, and it shows in his smile. But the urge to rest, at least, is still too overwhelming.

Maybe there's a solution, though his cheeks flush to even think of suggesting it.

"Could we.... lie down... while we talk? I promise I won't fall asleep."

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

Suddenly she casts her eyes down -- perhaps in response to Riku's reaction -- and there is a small nod.

"Okay," she says, and holds out her hand to him.

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku can't help but smile in response to that, but it's a shy smile - one that's so out of place on his face.

He takes her hand, but he's not sure what to do now, so he just waits for her to lead him over.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

She does.

Her bedroom is within the tower, up one flight of narrow steps and through a white door. The bed itself is by the window and it occupies most of the small room. There are two night-tables, one on either side of it. It's a normal sort of bed, and it's a nice one too. One might have expected the Organization to give her any sort of mattress or nothing at all, but they provided her with a comfortable sleeping arrangement.

It can be noted that the bed is a canopy, with white curtains billowing lightly in response to any movement.

Namine doesn't look at Riku, suddenly feeling a little shy as well.

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

He can't decide whether he's surprised that they gave her a nice bed or not. On the one hand, she is a prisoner - but on the other, they would probably find it critical to let her have a decent amount of sleep, so she could keep being the witch they wanted.

...Plus, Xemnas was never one to let things sit without style.

Riku can't stop being nervous, and he doesn't exactly get why. So instead of thinking about it, he's going to opt to talk until he forgets it, instead. Even if he ends up sounding dumb. "I haven't seen one of these in awhile," he says. "I was starting to think they might be a long lost myth."

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

She frowns. "...seen what, exactly?" she asks, this time looking at him. There is confusion clearly written on her face.

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku laughs. "Never mind," he says, and crosses the room towards the bed. After a moment, he sits, and offers her a faint smile.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

She joins him shortly, sitting a slight distance away from him, closer to the pillows. Suddenly she feels a little strange, far more shy. She folds her hands together in her lap.

[tall-dark-and.livejournal.com]

Riku scoots closer, leaning into her shoulder a little. "So what did you want me to talk about?" he asks. Before he goes on some sort of idiot babble.

[naminemory.livejournal.com]

She looks up at him and smiles. "You could tell me about your home," she suggests. "What was it like every day? I've seen the beach and...the water in Sora's memories, but...I don't know much about it."