allwhowander | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who: Riku and Sora
What: Sora has an important warning for Riku; believing in Santa is a Serious Business.
When: Right around Christmas, while Sora is still asleep.
Where: Dreams. Probably magic heart connection dreams idk how do these things even work.

[Apart from the sound of the waves, the beach here was quiet. There was a gentle breeze, and the sky was clear save for a few fluffy clouds floating overhead. It was, as far as anyone could tell, another typical day on Destiny Islands.

Except it wasn't the islands, and anyone there would know that. But it was a memory crafted in the heart of someone who loved them very much, and that made this place feel like home in it's own way; a different sort of home, but a welcoming one all the same. But though the beach was peaceful, it was also nearly empty.

Nearly.

If someone showed up and took a look around, they'd notice a boy sitting on a bent-over tree in the distance. Maybe he was just relaxing...or maybe he was waiting for someone.]

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[It was almost funny how often this beach appeared for him, even though he hadn't set foot on it since that time he helped Xion what felt like ages ago. Sometimes it even got to a point where he didn't think anything of it afterward as though it was simple homesickness he'd have to push aside for the time being. Yet, something felt different when he "opened" his eyes and saw the familiar shores. Very different.

It didn't take him long to figure out why, considering the fact they always watched the sunset at the paopu tree together.]

Is that-?

[What...even...

Yeah, he takes off to check on this. Because this was definitely different. Up the stairs of the shack (though it would be too easy to just jump on the roof, now), through the door, and over the bridge ~~just like old times--wow, he's getting nostalgic~~ and to where he always waited for his two lazy best friends.]

...Sora.

[He'd recognize those spokes anywhere.]

[Sora turns around, hopping off the tree when he hears Riku say his name. He relaxes and puts his hands behind his head, wearing that big dorky grin that's almost impossible to match.]

What took you so long, Riku? I was starting to think you'd never get here.

[Now who's the slowpoke? He's been waiting here for...

...actually, how long has it been? A while, sure, but it's hard to get a sense of time in this place. Way too long, anyway.

But he had known that Riku would find his way here. They had a lot to talk about.]

[That grin....How long had it been since he'd seen it on a not-sleeping face? Though that is kind of technically still a Thing, but what is technicalities in this place? He smirks faintly, shaking his head. Sora, don't you dare call him the slowpoke. You of all people know he's never early or late ~~like a wizard~~ ~~boss~~.]

Sorry for the wait.

[He had to first learn to let others back in, too. Which took time with someone's shadow still being there inside him. Faint, but present. Though even with that, there was making sure the Organization stayed off their trail and were frustrated by the slow trickle of hearts.]

A few things came up.

Yeah, I guess you guys have been pretty busy.

[There's no way for him to have the details, but he knows, in broad strokes. He doesn't really have to think about how he's aware - Sora's never worried too much about details like that - but he knows that there's been a lot of running and fighting, and worrying about waking him up, and...the Organization...

He doesn't know what all of it means, but it's enough.

Sora climbs back up on the tree, inviting Riku to sit next to him.]

But it's almost Christmas, right?

A little bit. Still not as bad as the raft, though.

[Unlike then, the people he's working with for the better of the worlds aren't actually slacking off and taking naps while he gathers most of the wood.

Besides, worrying is in his job description. He'd be doing a pretty bad job at being a best friend if he didn't manage to do that much. Riku shook his head a bit to shake it off, joining his longtime friend like he always did. Funny how some memories don't cha-

Sora you did not just mention Christmas.]

Few weeks away, yeah. Why?

Well, the raft got finished just fine, right?

[Which is his way of saying he has total faith in you, bro. He just hopes that Riku doesn't overwork himself. ~~sora really should know better~~]

That's what I wanted to talk to you about.

[He turns to face Riku, suddenly looking very. Very. Very serious.

And once he's sure that he has his best friend's full attention...

......]

You haven't tried to tell them that Santa doesn't exist, have you?

[Sora's pretty sure he doesn't have to explain who "they" are.

And yes. This was the important thing that he needed to talk about. This is it.]

Yeah. Just a bit behind schedule because someone was sawing the logs in his sleep.

[And that was just his little way of telling Sora not to worry and that he's got his back. As always. ~~sora you left them all the work of course he's going to overwork himself look at his arms, bro~~]

...Ah.

[Really, Sora? Really? You're asleep for a year and a half and your first concern is this? Give him a break, already ~~waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaiiiiiiiiiit~~.]

What. You'd think the King'd let me get away with it?

[Pretty sure he's the only nonbeliever in the entirety of Disney Castle, not to mention the town.]

[Hey! This is super important. How could it NOT be his first concern?]

Seriously, don't tell them that, okay? It's really important!

[He's dead serious, Riku. That is his serious business, incredibly-worried-about-this expression. Why the subject has his so wound up...well, who knows, but it obviously does.]

[Sigh he will never fully understand the way your mind works, man. ~~Except he likely does but shh...~~]

Is that all you're really worried about? [Aw, look at him acting all credulous. Totally been hanging around with Axel too long.] Don't worry. Kairi and I decided to let them find things out on their own.

[He rubs the back of his neck.] What's got you so worked up about it, anyway?

It's their first real Christmas.

[Again, he's not sure about the exact whys or hows of knowing that information - the connections of the heart aren't easy to explain, especially not at the level of consciousness Sora is coming from - but he understands it.]

So don't tell them that you think Santa isn't real, or I'll...um...[Man, it's hard to threaten people when you're asleep in the real world.] I'll be really upset.

[Seriously, Riku, there will be words. Sora's heartspace isn't nearly as fun to be in when he's mad.

Though, if Kairi is on the case too, he probably doesn't have anything to worry about.]

[...Sora he's really starting to wonder just how much of his mutterings you are hearing when he decides to let him know a few things and visits your lazy bum in that pod. Seriously, he'd mentioned how it was almost that time of year what, once? Not to mention those two being a bit confused yet excited despite things.

Yet somehow that only earns a small laugh. Sora, you suck at threatening in the first place. What makes you think doing so when you're asleep is any better?]

Alright, alright. Fine. But just this once.

[Same exact words he said to Kairi when she got on his case, yep.]

[Probably better not to think about it too much - seriously, it's complicated. And it's not like he'll remember any of it once he wakes up, anyway. He's sure of that, too.

Sora frowns a little at the laugh, at first, but...well, as long as Riku is agreeing, he's pretty okay with everything, and he's cracking a smile again in no time.]

It's a promise. And you and Kairi should try to find really good presents for them, since I can't give them anything this year.

[Maybe next Christmas, or the one after, he can make up for it. He's quiet for just a moment, and then...]

How much longer, before you have to head back?

[Probably, but it wouldn't stop him from doing so. After all, complicated was just Tuesday for him at this point... Hell, even before when he got the jealousy stick out of his ass a couple years back. Maybe even earlier than that.

Either way, he sobers up just as quickly as Sora smiles again. It's almost like old times as they smirk at each other and he nods in response. ... "Find really good presents for them," huh.]

Oh, we will. [...That is definitely the look of him plotting something.] Don't worry about that.

... I have a while. [Because he'd been fighting for days and a nap would, as much as he hates to say it, may be just what the Keyderps around him ordered after yeeeaaaaaaaaaah.] Why?

[That plotting look was exactly what Sora was hoping for - now he's sure that he won't have anything to worry about at all.

It's hard to tell, but Sora relaxes just a little bit more when he's sure that they aren't in as much of a hurry as he was worried they would be.]

No big reason. It's just been awhile since we've really gotten to hang out like this, that's all.

[It's much more than that, of course - once he woke up, he and Riku would have a lot of important things to talk about. But this wasn't the time for that. Right now, he just wanted to spend some time together while they had the chance.]

[Silly Sora, like it wouldn't have been a thing on its own anyway. And for that comment, someone gets a noogie (and spoilers: the person's name doesn't start with an "R").]

Fair enough, "lazy bum."

[Laughing, and nnnnnnope. Never letting that go since he totally heard that a couple years ago and again only a few days before suddenly dreams again.]

Hey, cut it out!

[Except he can't mind too much, with the way he's smiling and laughing. He'll even let that "lazy bum" comment slide, just this once.

Once he can catch a breath he playfully shoves Riku's shoulder, still laughing. He waits until they both have a chance to quiet down a little.]

Just don't wait so long to show up next time, okay? Or else I might have to come looking for you.

[He was ready to scour all the worlds and then some to find it before he went to sleep - don't think that he can't dig up that resolve again if he has to.]

Why? You are dreaming this time, after all.

[Okay they both are, but shh. He's still laughing, probably the most he has in a long while. Heck, Riku will even let it slide with returning the playful shove--

Oh. Somewhat playful tone gone.]

Heh. Sorry for keeping you waiting. I just... [he shakes his head.] --didn't want you or Kairi to see me. Not like what I was.

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