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--?

[dawn_is_coming]

Hey! Hey, you said I grow up big, so---so it doesn't matter! [he wriggles on the shirt and shorts, crossing his arms over his chest. The shirt hangs wide around his neck, exposing most of his collarbone]

[dawnward]

[pokes him in the chest, finally smiling a little. it's hard not to] You're not grown up yet.

[dawn_is_coming]

[finally, a smile! This pleases Sora]

I thought you'd gotten all big and forgot how to smile! I'll never forget, even when I am grown up.

[dawnward]

[the remark about his smile, of all things, catches him off-guard]

I...didn't forget how to smile, Sora. I just don't smile...that often.

[dawn_is_coming]

[takes Riku's hand again, tugging at his shorts to keep them up]

Why? Aren't ya happy?

[dawnward]

I'm--[what is he, really?] I'm alright, Sora. I just have to be serious a lot.

[dawn_is_coming]

Matron says that if you frown too much, your face gets stuck like that. Is that what happened? You can tell me, Riku. I won't blab.

[dawnward]

...No, that's not what happened.

It's not a requirement that I smile all the time, Sora.

[dawn_is_coming]

No, but...when you were my size, you smiled more. You always smile at me an' Kairi.

[dawnward]

Kids always smile more than adults.

[dawn_is_coming]

But I like your smile.

[dawnward]

[well...there's not a lot he can say against that]

I'll try to smile more.

[dawn_is_coming]

Good! [he tugs on his hand, chirping and cheerful again]

I'm hungry. Can I have a sandwich? Please?

[dawnward]

Yeah, sure. [and he smiles, just a little.

he won't be smiling when he finds the octopus and wasabi ice cream sandwich with the whipped cream and the cherries in the fridge, but for now, he smiles]