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

[conniving_flame]

..........

[ashdofadhsofapsofhaosdfi]

Wonderful.

[dawnward]

Yes, I am.

But I'm not asking you this as your subordinate.

[conniving_flame]

Then what are you asking as?

[dawnward]

I don't know. [and he really doesn't]

[conniving_flame]

[the truthful answer at least gives Axel the necessary moments to calm down and get his breaking composure back. he wasn't sure what he expected Riku to say, but it's a good thing he didn't say it.]

Look, Riku. It's not a big deal. I didn't threaten Sora, if that's what you're worried about. [though he really, reeeeeeeally wanted to.]

[dawnward]

I know you're not stupid enough to do that. We might not win against you but we'd probably give you a headache. [but he does relax a little]

But it must be a big deal for you to call me your subordinate. You hadn't done that in a while.

[conniving_flame]

... More like a migraine. [and the good humor is returning, though he at least has the good grace to look sheepish at Riku's next statement.

And there's an awkward silence accompanying it as Axel wrestles with the desire to say... what, sorry? Why the hell would be sorry though? Riku is his subordinate. That hasn't magically changed. So... no point in dwelling on it

That doesn't get rid of the slightly guilty twist of his lips]

Nah. I'm just... tired. Larxene's not the best person to spar with.

[dawnward]

...you sparred with her? [staring at you now, Axel] Why? She didn't beat you, did she?

[for being so perceptive a second ago, he misses those traces of guilt in Axel's expression. he wasn't trying to make the Nobody feel guilty. he was stating what he'd observed, or so it seemed to him]

[conniving_flame]

[he's barking out a laugh at that] Her? No, I don't think so. [the laugh tampers down, subtle exhaustion and irritation replacing it instead. Axel looks like he could use a nap. Or just a good pick-me-up]

It's a little... complicated. I'll tell you about it later.

[dawnward]

Alright.

[Riku's at something of a loss for a moment. he's not really sure how to deal with an Axel who looks like that. like a real person, almost, instead of the haughty, invincible Nobody.

he doesn't want to just leave him like that, but we can he possibly say?]

...maybe you should visit the spa.

[conniving_flame]

[.... long pause]

Spa?

I. Uh. I've never been to one.

[dawnward]

[Riku looks like he half wants to talk about this, and half does not want to]

There's one on the ship. I used to go there in the mornings. [with Sasuke, but he's not going to talk about that]

It's pretty relaxing. You should try it.

[conniving_flame]

Gonna join me~?

[dawnward]

[...that doesn't sound right for some reason]

I guess.

[conniving_flame]

Joke.

[dawnward]

...

[frowns]