fourteen.

[dawn_is_coming]

[Sora wakes up with a start, sitting up in the little blanket roll---and out of most of his clothes, which are too big for him now. Frightened, he peers around Riku's dark room]

...where am I? Riku...Kairi...?

RIKU! KAIRI! WHERE ARE YOU? [tears start to well up in his big blue eyes---real fear blossoming on his chubby face. He hiccups, looking

Comments

[dawnward]

[Riku's just as naked as Rangiku. unfortunately, he was - and still is - sleeping next to Sora.

as soon as the yelling happens he starts awake, squinting in the abruptly blurry gloom]

Wha--?

[dawnward]

You're... [well, AS tall as Riku, but...] Not as tall as I am, but still pretty tall.

No, you're hair's not long. It's mostly the same. [he almost, almost smiles. he's got his glasses by now, and Sora...

yeah, he remembers this Sora]

[dawn_is_coming]

[grins, completely entranced by this vision of the future that Riku's painting. He grows up to be cool! Sora tugs on a wayward hank of silver hair]

Four-eyes.

[dawnward]

... [irritation] The glasses help me see.

[dawn_is_coming]

But you can see just fine when you're little. Did your eyeballs get all stretched out and stuff when you got big? Do I hafta wear glasses, too? What about Kairi? Do all old people wear glasses? How old are you? Forty? [the CEASELESS barrage of questions slows, finally]

I like your glasses!

[dawnward]

No, it can happen to some people. It doesn't have to happen to everyone. You and Kairi don't have glasses. ...I'm nineteen. Sora, you need to stop--

[blink, because all he's ever gotten is crap for them] ...thanks.

[dawn_is_coming]

[beams]

[dawnward]

[...Riku has to stare for a moment, his rationality and cool thinking taking a break for a moment as memories flood his mind.

it's difficult to shake them off]

...we need to get you some clothes.

[dawn_is_coming]

Y-yeah, I guess so. Where'd my clothes go? I had 'em on when I went to bed...

[dawnward]

...we lost them. [white lies never hurt anyone] I have some you can borrow.

[pause]

You'll have to let go.

[dawn_is_coming]

[does so grudgingly, still holding onto Riku's hand. It is so much bigger than his :o]

'Kay.

[dawnward]

[...Sora's hand is so small. Riku feels like he might crush it as he gets to his feet, effectively towering over Sora]

... [has to pause to take this in. Sora has never looked so small]

[dawn_is_coming]

[Sora curls his much smaller fingers around Riku's, looking up at him with an expression that can only be described as adoring.

His hero's all grown up. It's scary, but exciting]

[dawnward]

[a shudder runs through Riku and he hastily shakes it off, tugging on Sora's hand. he remembers he left the rest of the clothes he picked out on top of the dresser, so there he goes]

They might be a little big for you.

[dawn_is_coming]

[he follows obediently, used to following Riku's lead. It's just...easier to do so now that he's so much bigger and taller. He has to work to trot next to him, as Riku's legs are much longer]

That's okay! Most clothes are too big on me. Matron says that's 'cause nobody makes things in Sora-size.

[dawnward]

[...he remembers Matron quite well. he didn't care for her. she was the one that always had the comments about his "pretty" hair]

You are kind of weirdly shaped. [can't help the tease, picking through the folded garments before picking a shirt and shorts that might more or less fit him]

Here, put these on.