oncebrokenway | [Prismatica] Inbox

It's because of the King that I'm even still here, Sora. Him and Naminé.

I mean... not that I'm not glad you think I'm cool, or anything, just-- I'm probably way more messed up inside than you think. I still feel like I've only just managed to pull my life up out of freefall.

[Sora sits up then because this feels like a conversation better had when he can look Riku directly in the eyes.]

I know that you...

[He pauses, trying to think of how to best word this.]

I know that in your heart you still have a lot of things you're dealing with. And then this world goes and does things that don't help.

None of that, not even the parts that make you feel messed up, make you any less cool.

But, if you need to talk about that stuff. I'm here for you, you know?

... All of that goes for you, too, I hope you know.

But-- yeah. Okay.

... I guess I really should talk about what happened while you were asleep.

Kairi told me a little, but, yeah, I'd like to hear about it from you.

As long as that's what you want.

Yeah.

So, you know basically what this guy was doing... kidnapping kids, controlling them to act like dolls.

[Sora nods. He doesn't say anything, but with Riku wording it like that he feels dread creeping in on him.

He remembers Riku being controlled that way before, the way Ansem spoke through him like a puppet.

He reaches out to take Riku's hand to offer some kind of anchor while Riku explains.]

[Riku squeezes his hand, grateful for the contact.]

He was doing it out of his store that was like - a fancy doll shop with a cafe in it. Not all the dolls were people, but... it was really messed up.

I went in to investigate with a friend of Kairi's. We didn't know what he was doing yet, just that kids kept disappearing and it seemed like it might be connected to the shop... so, we found out the hard way.

Turns out the magic worked like a trap, too. As soon as we realized we were looking at the missing kids - it got us.

That's so messed up.

[Sora's voice is quiet as he speaks. He scoots a little closer to Riku, still wanting to hear the rest of the story.]

[Riku leans into him a little bit, welcoming his presence.]

We were still aware, but our bodies were moving on their own. We dressed ourselves up from the wardrobe, walked to the display cases, and just... stood there. Waiting.

Our minds didn't go until midnight.

[That is too creepy. Sora can't imagine ever going through something so horrific and he hates that Riku had to.]

That's... awful. I'm starting to feel glad that guy is gone.

Me too.

--I keep thinking about it. In some ways it was even worse than with Ansem. At least I could fight him. This was just-- there wasn't anything in there with me, my body just wasn't mine anymore.

How were they able to free you?

Killing that guy.

Wait. You were stuck that way until that?

[Sora looks properly disturbed. Kairi had told him the basics of what happened, but getting more detail is still shocking.]

Are you okay?

[sighs and tips his head back]

I've been okayer.

[Sora moves to hug Riku, wrapping his arms around him and leaning into him.]

You're still the coolest. [He says softly, meaning it as a way to comfort and encourage him.

Even though he's been through this horrible ordeal, he's still loved, still needed.]

I wish I had been here to kick that guy's butt.

[he leans into the hug, wrapping one arm around Sora to return it.]

Good thing Kairi was there to pick up our slack this time, huh.

...The one good thing is, I wasn't really conscious after midnight on that first day. I remember what happened after that, like a dream, but... the lights weren't really on, y'know?

Small mercies.

I'm glad she was here for you. [The idea that Riku could have gone through all of that alone is too terrible to consider.]

I kind of want to spoil you now, to make sure you're really okay.

I wanna say I don't need it, but if I'm honest? I really wouldn't mind it.

As long as we make sure to spoil Kairi just as much. She had to be alone for days, with no idea what happened to me.

[Sora is not going to argue that. He always wants to spoil Kairi no matter what is going on.]

We need to go on a date or something. You guys had to deal with some real messed up stuff while I was asleep.

A date sounds fantastic.

Maybe we could rent a place on the beach for a couple days.

Yeah! With one of those fancy tubs or showers. And a really big, comfy bed.

Man, that sounds great.

Did... did you want to relax a bit right now? I could maybe give you a massage? [Despite everything they've done, the suggestion still makes him blush.]

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