Challenge [299]: Thank Sora

[rikushair.livejournal.com]

Challenge: [299] Birthdays
Title: Thank Sora
Word Count: 600
Notes: This is my first time posting a story for this community! Yay! With all the characters in Kingdom Hearts there's a lot of potential for birthdays. It was hard at first to choose who to focus on, but in the end I chose Riku, since he seems to be in the most need of being cheered up :) I hope you enjoy!

Thank Sora

Naminé uses her knowledge of Sora’s memory to give Riku a special surprise. Pre KHII. Riku's POV.

I can tell Naminé is up to something the moment she walks into the room. Usually she waits timidly at the doorway until I tell her it’s all right to come over, but today she walks right in, a confident air about her that’s the closest she’s ever come to reminding me of Kairi. I acknowledge her with a soft nod as she takes her place next to me and gazes up at Sora’s sleeping form.

His progress gets slower every day, and I expect her to make her usual comment about how DiZ is handling this all wrong, but instead she whispers, “Riku, I have a surprise for you.” We both know I can tell she’s carrying a wrapped box in her hands despite the blindfold over my eyes, but I decide to play along.

“Really?” I whisper back. “What is it?”

“It’s a gift for you,” she says, and then she takes me by the arm and starts to drag me toward the exit. “Come on. It’s bright in here and I want you to take off your blindfold to open it.”

“Um… Are you sure?”

It’s been a while since I faced the light and I really don’t feel like dealing with the… complications that come with taking off my blindfold. But she reassures me with a soft, “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure the darkness stays where it belongs.”

And I trust her enough to believe she really can.

The other room is a small den full of sofas and couches, and she sits me on the one in the corner and places the box in my lap. Since we don’t have to worry about troubling Sora’s sleep anymore, in a normal speaking voice she says, “Okay, open your eyes.”

Hesitantly I reach up to pull away the blindfold, and it doesn’t hurt as much as I thought it would. Naminé made sure to dim the lights and pull the curtains closed, but it still stings. Once I’ve blinked a few times I look down at her “surprise,” and it warms my heart to think that she would put so much effort into something for me.

It’s a perfectly wrapped present with red ribbons and a handmade bow.

“Is this really for me?” I ask, as if the hand drawn keyblades and the tag with my name on it aren’t enough of a hint.

“Of course, silly,” she laughs. “Go ahead. Open it.”

I unwrap it carefully to keep from ripping her drawings, and when I open the box I smile for the first time in a while.

Inside are a pair of blue jeans, a black shirt with a high collar and a vest to match. She’s even given me a pair of shoes.

“Happy birthday, Riku,” she says, and I realize for the first time today that I’m seventeen.

“How did you-”

“It was in Sora’s memory.” Then she adds, “You have him to thank for this gift, really. It’s what he would get you if he could be here.”

I smile at this. It doesn’t surprise me that Sora can do wonderful things for people even when he’s fast asleep.

“Thank you, Naminé.”

The next time I find myself watching over Sora’s sleep, I say a quiet, “Thank you, Sora.” And in my heart I know he’s heard me.

----------

When Sora asks where in the world I got such a crazy outfit (he’s one to talk) I tell him, “It's because of you that I'm wearing this, you know.”

He looks at me curiously and Kairi smiles knowingly, and that’s good enough for me.

Comments

[eternal-moonie.livejournal.com]

AWESOME drabble!!! Welcome to the group!

[rikushair.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[spoke.livejournal.com]

Awww. Best explanation for Riku's outfit change ever. :D


Welcome to the comm!

[rikushair.livejournal.com]

Even though it probably isn't all that important in the grand scheme of things, I always wondered where Riku's new outfit came from. It was a fun idea to explore with this drabble. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[iki-teru.livejournal.com]

welcome to the community, we're pleased as punch to have you here!

This really is the best explanation for his wardrobe change! and Naminé is so sweet here, this drabble greatly pleased my inner Riku/Nam shipper ♥

[rikushair.livejournal.com]

I thought this would make RikuxNaminé lovers happy. I'm glad you liked it!

PS I'm pleased as punch that you said pleased as punch :D

[seishonagon.livejournal.com]

OMG, his wardrobe change makes sense now! This is officially part of my head-canon.

Welcome to the community!

[rikushair.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Adding to people's head cannon! Glad I could help :)

[synchroshatter.livejournal.com]

This is really sweet, it's good to actually see an explanation for where the outfit came from. Him receiving it makes a lot of sense- I always kind of figured the blindfold was the only thing he'd be really concerned with- and the fact it's Namine is pretty adorable.

Welcome to the comm, by the way, good to have you here. :)