kh_drabble | Lure of Midnight

Title: Lure of Midnight
Challenge: [079] Close To You
Wordcount: 468
Characters: Riku, "Ansem"
Spoilers: For an event in KH2.
Notes: It only takes a single moment of weakness for the dark to sink fangs in you, and even less to fall back into its embrace.
Sometimes it already owns you, and all you need is a gentle reminder ... and sometimes, 'close' is under your own skin.
Other: Inspired by Alice Cooper's nothing's free.

Just the briefest of moments and he was dashed to the lightless earth below, beaten and bruised; and his quarry –- his conqueror -– gone again like a pale shadow of light, retreating into the depths of the unreal city.

Shaking with shame, Riku stood and drew a single breath, gathered himself to give chase again as humiliation burned bitterly in his mouth

:: What's this now, Riku, dear host, precious prize? ::

-- impossible; the touch of strong cold fingers from the dark through his rough silver hair, coiling slowly down his nape to wrap round his throat and force his head upward to stare into a face that was not there

:: Oh, foolish foolish boy; you know what you wish for. ::

Still the same, that voice, in his ears and burning into his mind; dark, and heavy, the soft sweet purr of death and endings, velvet hiding oblivion's kiss ...

:: Don't blind yourself to the truth. ::

:: Isn't this what you wanted? ::

There was nothing, no one standing there; only the empty midnight streets.
But inside -- inside --
this could not could not be happening ...

From the corner of one sea-fire eye, a flicker of darkness over deeper darkness, like leather over velvet, a brief flicker of hair like bone-pale silk, a reflection of eyeshine like burning embers; and in his blighted heart Riku felt the flutter of black wings as Darkness purred unseen into his mind and held him captive, phantom fingers tracing his jaw

:: Tsk; why so stubborn, foolish precious boy? ::

:: You welcomed my presence, called me inside forever -- ::

:: And here I am still. ::

The bloodsong of darkling power coursed through his veins; and Riku tasted bitter sweetness as thin crimson droplets trailed down his jaw from a lip bitten through, as a shiver of darkness traced down his throat with clever hands

:: And now, my silver shadow-prince -- we have so much left to do, you and I. ::

:: Call it to you ::

The black-winged blade came unbidden to his hand; his breath came harshly, streaming in the cold night-air, muscles trembling --

Mind afire and body responding to the velvet-dark call, Riku lifted the black-winged soul-eater high; saw for the briefest moment instead the onyx, crimson-fanged Key that opened all hearts,
felt the soft breath of the Dark King on his neck

:: You know that this is what you wished for ::

:: Open the door and let me inside you ::

The power flooded in like a midnight tide, a blood-sweet euphoria, the black wings beating a victory in his soul as the Darkness with burning eyes purred softly so softly in his ear

:: Open your heart, Riku, and let me set you free ... ::