9th Dawn ✯ This will make you ultranumb... [Action/Voice/what have you. T^T]

[limitless_land]

[The buzz from Christmas was still there, but it had begun wearing off fast when there was one particular presence missing from the bed. When he awoke, realizing that the presence was still gone... the first thing he did was pull out the SFC from the bedside drawer to scroll through the names. In doing so, he found a note on top of it.]

[Xion was gone.]

[...Xion... He held his breath, reading that message. Thanking him? ...He didn't deserve her thanks, not with what he later did to her best friend. It's hard to remember even her name now, huh. ...No, he wouldn't forget; never again.]

[After a moment to compose himself, he went ahead with his original plan. Riku scrolled through the list, searching for Kairi's name not just once, not twice, but a total of six times. Nothing...]

[Just like Xion, one of his closest friends was gone, too. In a dazed state he sat up and closed the drawer; hearing a bit of resistance since his eyes were closed to keep back any moisture. ... Opening his eyes, he checked the drawer again to see what was keeping it from closing: two presents small enough to fit in the palm of his hand, one addressed to him and Sora each.]

[...He decided that it would be best to open his in the living room, since Sora was still asleep. ...Lazybones. T^T]

[Riku took a piece of paper with him, writing a small letter to Kairi. Whether he'd be able to give it to her or not if she ever returned or not, he didn't know, but it was better than nothing.]

Kairi,

I never got to properly thank you, for all that you've done here. Don't know if you'll remember or not by the time you read this, but...

Thank you. For being there when I needed you most- when the darkness was so close to my heart that it was becoming hard to see the truth right there before my eyes. When I let it control me again, before I met another friend who's helping me learn to keep it in line.

...And I'm sorry for being weak- for not saying what I should have while you were here. I-

[-I love you, and Sora both. The only family I have left... is never written. Instead, he clutched the good luck charm Kairi had meant to give him on Christmas and that unfinished letter close as he broke down in tears.]



[OOC: This has been backdated to December 29th. Feel free to bug the emo kid via SFC or action.]

Comments

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

[He visibly stiffened a moment before relaxing. She's a friend... he had to remind himself, because... he had incredibly bad luck.]

... Two of my friends returned home. One... I'm pretty sure I'll never see outside this bubble again.

[automail-artist.livejournal.com]

[She pulled back when she felt him stiffen. She wasn't sure what to do, so she sat close to him, but didn't reach out to touch him again.]

I'm sorry, Riku. [She really was. The thought of Ed or Al going home was something that she didn't want to think of.]I'm sure you'll go home eventually.

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

[He wished she hadn't. It had reminded him that he wasn't alone in this...]

...But I don't want to. Not like this. I couldn't-

[He wouldn't be able to face everyone again with his darkness like this.]

[automail-artist.livejournal.com]

[She couldn't help it. She had to touch him now.]

I-I don't understand. What do you mean not like this?

[She tries to smile, but tears form all the same in her eyes. She moves a hand to touch his shoulder.] You're not alone, Riku.

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

There's a few things I have to finish here before I can face a few people on the outside, Winry.

[He doesn't stiffen this time, but one of his darkness stained hands does hover over his heart and then he places it on Winry's.] ... I know. It's just difficult to talk about.

[automail-artist.livejournal.com]

Don't be so hard on yourself, Riku. I'm sure you'll be able to do it.

[She's surprised that he was holding her hand, but she remains still.]

You don't have to, Riku. I'm not going to make you.

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I've done it once before, after all.

[...But he had help from the light, and the greatest source of it left.]

Mm. Thanks, Winry.

[automail-artist.livejournal.com]

You're always have help if you need it, Riku. There are a lot of people who care about you.

[She moves to sit on the floor beside him. She covers his hand, with other one.]

Of course.

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Guess I'm still not used to it being that way.

[...Why does she have to be on the floor? :|]

[automail-artist.livejournal.com]

There's nothing to apologize for, Riku.

[So she's close to him? Sitting on the couch with him is pushing it a little, don't you think.]

[limitless-land.livejournal.com]

[He's so tempted to say "there is," but he kept his mouth shut; instead nodding solemnly. He didn't have the heart to break her naive streak just yet.]

[...Good point.]

[automail-artist.livejournal.com]

[She would hug him, if he wasn't you know topless laying on the couch. She curls her fingers around his hand and moves her other hand so it lies on her lap. She shifts so her head could slightly rests on his upper arm. She remains quiet as she tries to provide him comfort.]

:). Besides your other muse wouldn't like it.]