kh_drabble | Challenge 49 entry

Challenge: Unlock
Title: You Win Some, You Lose Some
Word Count: 386
Notes: Bit longer than I was going for; ah well. Pre-KH1. Riku-and-Sora-as-kids fluff abounds. No pairings.

"Come on, Tidus, it's not funny!"

Eight-year-old Sora pounded small fists against the wooden door. Tidus had just locked him into the cabin connecting the paopu tree's little island to the main island.

It was dark.

Sora could hear Tidus on the other side of the door, chuckling at his plight. "If you're as strong as you were claiming an hour ago, getting out of there ought to be a cinch – just bust the door down!" the blonde's voice taunted through the thick wood, before Sora heard the other's footfalls dashing away across the beach.

Sora sniffled. Just because he'd boasted that he could take on Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie all at once didn't mean he deserved to get locked up in here. Especially not after how soundly the three had beaten him.

Sitting down on the creaky stairs, Sora wrapped his arms around his knees and tried to stay calm. He wondered how long it'd be before anyone came looking for him. He had seen the whole room before the door had closed – there was nothing and no one else inside but for him. So why did he feel surrounded, and like he was being watched?

Whimpering, he hugged his knees tighter.

Suddenly, he heard the click of a key in the door's lock. He jumped to his feet, wooden sword at the ready, but the light temporarily blinded him, rendering him unable to attack or defend.

When his vision finally cleared, his face lit up at the sight of what turned out to be a friend rather than a foe.

"Riku!" he cried happily, throwing himself at his best friend. "You saved me! It was dark and scary and lonely but you came and unlocked the door! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!"

Riku, for his part, held Sora gently as the boy went on and on, deciding not to mention how Sora'd only been in there for a grand total of five minutes before Riku had scared Selphie into divulging the brunette's location.

Instead, he muttered, "I can't believe they actually locked you in here."

Sora nodded, pouting. A second later, his expression brightened again. "Can you help me get back at them?" he asked hopefully.

Riku looked down at his friend and grinned. He wasn't about to let them get away with this so easily.

"Sure thing."