kh_drabble | challenge 194.

Challenge [194]: Gift
Title: Crowned King
Wordcount: 253
Notes: This is a Riku week, isn't it?

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There are tears gleaming in his eyes.

Sora lowers his head a little, and he feels the cold, curved metal weight press down there. It fits his head well, which confuses him a little, until he realizes it must be made of magic. His blue eyes, however, peek up almost nervously from beneath the crown and his bangs, more concerned with the look on his friend's face.

Riku looks utterly defeated. Sora has never seen Riku cry before. It's not sobbing, it's not audible at all -- the tears are simply hanging there, fat and ready to drop. It looks like it's taking him a lot of effort to keep from letting them stream down his cheeks. He wants to leap forward, smother Riku in hugs or -- or anything, to make the tears stop -- but something holds him back. This is not the time for that.

This crown does not belong to him, for how could he fill those shoes? This is a role he cannot play. There is only one Mouse King, and while he would do anything for Mickey, he is very aware that he cannot take his place.

Riku's fingers are still curled around the edges of the simple, regal crown, and he is not sure Riku will let his hands drop. They do, though, to his shoulders, and he looks up to his friend, tentative. Riku looks like he's ready to die.

His voice is not choked with tears -- it's remarkably steady. "It's yours," murmurs Riku.