kh_drabble | With MIND BULLETS!

Challenge: (37) Forgotten

Title: Echoes of Emptiness

Word count: 315 (Sorry, went a little crazy...)

Author Notes: While I'm not up to par with the majority of authors here, I figured I'd throw mine in too. I'm not sure if it makes sense...but..

He thinks she forgot.

He thinks she did not hear him. He thinks she could not see him. He cringes inwardly at the memory of the way he broke, of the way he held her, of the way he needed her. He remembers the way it felt to be alone. He remembers his fear of seclusion, more potent than any other fear, more than darkness…more than death.

Even while he had wept, while he’d clung to her, murmured his apologies against her shoulder, while he’d wished that things were different, she had slept peacefully. She had been oblivious to his grief, her heart belonging to his best friend, resting within his best friend.

He thinks she doesn’t know.

“Riku,” Her soft voice breaks through the memory and shatters it. Remnants of the feelings remain, but they are not nearly as severe. He refuses to meet her eyes. His gaze levels on the dark horizon. “It’s getting cold…you should come in.” He knows she worries about him despite it all. She cares for him. She forgives him.

“It’s nice.” He replies, emotion lacing the simple phrase. The only break in silence is the rustling of leaves as the cold night air rushes past. He thinks for a moment that she left and lets his guard down slightly.

Then he hears a small sniffle and a sigh as she shuffles her feet. “Come on, I rented a movie and I’ve got hot chocolate…” She trails off hopefully.

He begins to feel guilty. She’s trying so hard…and he can’t even look at her. He tries to smile as he turns, the wind hoplessly blowing his hair into his face. He can see the wind is doing the same to her, but he quickly finds that it doesn’t matter. He reads her expression, the softness in her eyes. At that moment, he realizes…

Somehow, she knows.