Work Text:
The moonlight reflects off his features, eyes dilated and cheeks filled with roses. His gaze stares with fondness as his heart beats for only one other: The prince of his dreams himself— Sora.
A smile appears on his lips as he watches his other half— the missing part of his soul that is so painfully unaware the affect he has onto him.
What do these little feelings mean?
Why must his heart beat so fondly for the other?
It is the endless feeling called love.
There he dances across the hall, not exactly graceful but so perfect to him. There he smiles all the same as he takes another step back and switches partners again.
He seems happy, he only thinks and a great sadness overtakes his entire being. If only he could be the one that could bring out his smile. If only he could be his and hold his very own heart in his hands.
However, he could only painfully watch his perfect light dance through the twinkling stars. For his place wasn't by his side. He may have hair of starlight and turquoise gems as eyes, but he wasn't what his prince wanted. He was unfortunately a male and knights and princes did not belong together. They were supposed to be with princesses or maidens— not someone like him.
He would forever watch in vain and heartache as he knows deep down he could never have what was never his to claim. He could never obtain the love of something so forbidden. Sora would never glance his way, never in a hundred years.
There he stood by the entrance hall, only watching and guarding. He would serve him for eternity, loving more than he should but he'd never be requited and he's content with these starcrossed feelings that are never meant to be returned.
His eyes only watches him. His lips only want him. And his face only fonds for him. He was a knight and best friend of the prince.
"Riku," the voice of his sky broke away his tremendous thoughts. In front of his very eyes—so close than just before— stood Sora in his way too fancy formal wear and hair pulled back tight as his eyes blinked innocently, only ever catching the endless blue sea that continues to drown him each time his gaze met his.
Sora was adorable. He was precious and deserved the best in the world. He wished it was he, but he knew after his betrayal he was nothing more than a fool desperately holding onto the hope that he could have what was forbidden nor did deserve. He almost took his light and he ran away like a coward, yet still his prince welcomed him back in open arms. Nothing made sense to him. He continued to wish he didn't have this love for him, but it was always too strong to ignore.
"Sora, you called?" Instantly his pupils got lost within his sea and maybe a part of him did hope his destiny could also be his. He would share his love and his heart. He would protect his destiny and together they could defeat the evils and darkness that threaten the world.
Sora held out his hand and pulled him close. He suddenly was brought only inches away from his breathing, eyes widened and cheeks flustered red.
"Join me," he whispered, "Dance with me for only a moment."
Riku's eyes grew wider than a paopu and felt awfully nervous at that suggestion. For he to dance with Sora, that would be a disaster of his feelings.
Riku would not only be horrendous at dancing but his feelings would cause the worst kind of hurt— heartache.
"I.. I couldn't possibly. You know I haven't got a clue on how," The silverette hopelessly refused the invitation that his heart had only dreamed of, but it was for the better of things. He didn't deserve to be in his presence and in the arms of the one he loves eternity.
Still Sora smiled softly and held onto one of his hands, refusing to let go. "Don't worry, I'll lead you. I can teach you."
There in all his light was Sora, so precious and so beautiful. His eyes were filled with the Ocean themselves and his hair that was typically ungraceful, was just perfect for this. His smile was so soft and he couldn't help it that his heart had fallen in love.
Sora reached out his very hand, bringing him close. Seeing him dance all night was just perfect for him, it's all he needs but this— actually dancing in Sora's arms— would be too much for his dear heart.
Still his cheeks flustered and never could he not notice all the stares he received with this single one gesture his light imposed onto him. He wasn't lying when he could barely dance. There on his feet, he felt awkward unsure if he should take a step back or a step to the side.
His thoughts were heavy, overwhelmed with what he should do. Sora instantly noticed and smiled. "Riku, eyes on me and follow my lead." He took his hand and began to slowly count just so Riku could hear his very words. "..two... three.. four... Just like this"
His voice was only a whisper that would forever play in his ears for eternity. His hand was only perfect when it held his own. It was so much so that he couldn't help but feel an everlasting warmth. Sora's other hand rested on his back as the two of them continued to dance. He was getting the steps, but still he felt awkward.
Why did Sora want to dance with him when there were plenty of more proper partners? To be in Sora's arms is what he had always wanted, but Sora deserves better than him. He wasn't any maiden— he was just a knight whose heart that had been taken by his truly.
"I'm sorry for making you lead with me," he lowered his head as he attempted to escape his perfect gaze and wonders of the people.
Sora, however, did not attend to let him go. His hand still remained attached to his own. "Where are you going?"
"I don't deserve to be up here with you." The silver beauty finally said. His dreams only deserve to be broken as they are just dreams that never should come true. For he loves the impossible; the forbidden love between his prince of which he can't ever obtain.
The simple word could only be whispered, "Why?" He could only ask as he wanted to be closer to Riku. He was always forgetting they were friends. Sora didn't know if he did something wrong, but he kept running away as of late. He knew little of what feelings plunged the other.
"How could I dream of this with all I ever done was steal your light? I don't deserve this," Riku began to say softly as the moonlight continues to reflect off his features, his eyes glowing more than ever.
The night glow didn't miss the blush that also remained on his very features. However, despite his words Sora smiled and held his hands close to his heart. "Listen. What do you hear?"
"Y-your heart.." he wasn't sure why Sora held his hands onto his heart, now they've paused the dancing.
"Exactly. My heart is beating so fast because I'm having fun with you." He continued to hold both of his hands with his own and lead him out into the night where the courtyard remains untouched. "We're friends furthermost but lately it seems as if you're the prince who is always busy."
Riku looks down, "I'm sorry I just.." However, his words were caught in his throat. He couldn't say it. He couldn't say he's guilty of loving him. It was his love for the other that made him so jealous after all. It's how that witch tricked him into doing her bidding.
"What you did back then, you're forgiven. You're my friend and I always want you here, okay?" He couldn't look away from his soft, yet innocent eyes. Despite all he had dealt with his eyes were always warm and had this innocent vibe to them.
"Okay," he could whisper only softly, but a part of him still was unsure. How do you heal guilt? How do you come to terms with the feelings to stop the pain?
Sora leaned back and sat on the retaining wall in front of the glorious flowers that bloomed in such wonder. "Ah these are so much fun." He changed the subject, "I'm so glad I learned to dance because then I was able to get you to dance with me.". The other boy looked over at him when he said those words.
A light pink hue appeared across the silver's cheeks as he thought about how he wanted to dance with him. Sora learned because he got him to dance despite how terrible he was at it.
That thought warmed his heart with everlasting bliss. Riku shook his head, "Like I had a choice. You practically threw yourself at me despite any protests I could muster. It had all but fallen from your very own ears." He brought himself closer to his features as he playfully glared.
The two of them laughed and Sora leaned against him. "Careful or I might think you actually enjoyed it." His expression still watched his.
Riku looked down and smiled fondly, "I'd enjoy anything with you.." his voice was much quieter and so much softer. However, he didn't know how much he intended for Sora to actually hear.
Sora's own features turned red from that confession and this time his words got stuck in his throat, "Riku... I.."
"You're my best friend and I enjoy anything when it's the two of us." He whispered, being bolder than usual as he held his hand on top of his hair, close to the side of his face.
Sora leaned into his palm, "Me too.."
The other couldn't believe his own actions. What was he thinking, behaving this way? He also couldn't understand how Sora could let him be treated like this by none other than him. How was it possible that Sora wasn't stopping him. He was so nervous, his heart kept threatening to beat out of his chest.
"I like this.. Me and You." Those were the words that were released from his own lips instead. He didn't try to stop his own feelings. He kept pursuing them and Sora didn't stop him once.
The other kept smiling all the same, "You're blushing a lot." He decided to point out. "The moonlight doesn't hide that huh?" The boy teased the other, still smiling nonetheless "Was it the dancing from earlier?"
Riku flushed even redder, "Shut up.. I.. You're blushing too!" Riku peered down into his eyes to glare, his hand still softly holding the side of the other's cheek.
"Am not!"
"Are too!" Riku argued with Sora and they went back and forth like a pair of children. Riku didn't care because the focus was off his features and his blushing.
"Not!"
"And the sky is never blue!" Riku this time was able to get out of the flustering situation by teasing his other half.
The two of them laughed again as they comfortably wrapped themselves in each other's presence.
"Sometimes I wish that the two of us can just run away together." Sora could only whisper in his ear, he didn't want another to catch the words he had said.
Riku's eyes widen. He didn't expect that at all. "You want to run away?" However, despite his question, Riku wouldn't mind that. If it were the two of them then maybe perhaps his heart could love his own.
"I still care about everything but I just want a break." He closed his eyes and couldn't help but wish for the impossible: a life where he could have moments of where he was a regular person. "Maybe that's why I wish I was like you."
Riku's eyes soften at his words, "You know, I feel so stupid getting jealous of you back then. I was so upset when I found out you were a prince and seeing you with so many others, I got stupid jealous." Despite everything, he wished he could feel at ease. But his eyes continued to glow in darkness with that quiet reminder that he had fallen and if it weren't for Sora he would no longer be here or the same.
"None of that means I care for you any less," the brunette shook his head and wrapped his arms around him in a hug. "but you know I finally found a way to be myself and it is only around you."
"I know.." the whispering continued, cheeks still as red, and his head leaned down upon Sora's own gaze, "I must've seemed so silly when I mentioned all those times what it was like to live here. At least we both had the dream of exploring incredible landscapes and other worlds we couldn't possibly dream of."
That's right, when they met it was perfect. He fell deeply in such a wonderful love and the other had found someone he could be himself with. Sora didn't have to pretend to be anything or be interested, he could be normal like any other boy. They both had dreams of far off places and despite being a prince, Sora too wanted to explore other forsaken lands, he had yet to still see.
However, when Riku found out, he was scared and jealous of his status. He couldn't love him as easily and felt like a fool. A witch whispered lies and convinced him to steal the kingdom's very light and if not for Sora, he would've fallen down into darkness to never be seen again. Sora held out his hand and brought him in as a knight and they continued to be friends for the next few years, but now Riku feels so much guilt that he doesn't deserve him nor believes he should be in such love with one who wears a crown.
"Everything was so much simpler then." He whispered, remembering the past and turned away. "Now I have to have knights everywhere I go, diplomatic meetings, and not to mention I hear awful whispers of some kind of arranged marriage."
When those words were spoken, he felt his heart drop. Of course, he would be with another that wasn't him but it still hurts. He knew his love would always be unrequited, however, because his light had no interest in another he was okay.
"...to who?" Riku accidentally whispered out loud, making his distaste known.
Sora wasn't surprised at his reaction. "I couldn't possibly care to know myself. It's not y..." the other sighed softly, "I don't want to be so grounded."
"Do they not know you? It's so obvious you hate that, being forced into one place and all." He got up at that moment and brought out his arms, "All of this isn't even fair to you. You shouldn't be forced to be with someone you have no interest in. Why don't they just have me be your knight, I can protect you fine." Riku then pretends to bow as if he was going to swear an oath before gazing up with a look.
Sora smiled at his words, "Yeah maybe you could. Instead of all of that I'd just have you. I don't need any of the others just you as a knight and partner." He too, got up and walked closer to his friend.
Sora's words startled him. "W-what?" He repeated in his mind the word partner. "Oh of course," he replied in a more joking manner.
"I'm so serious, Riku Dawn." He said his full name. "I don't need anyone else but you. Please stay by my side for eternity." His voice was soft as he pleaded, his eyes closed and his head lowered.
Riku looked down, "M..me? But I'm not.." his cheeks flustered, eyes dilated and he couldn't fathom what made Sora come to this decision. "For someone like me, you deserve m—"
Sora interrupted him with his hand pressed to his lips, slowly shaking his head "I wish for nothing more than for you to be by my side. I only want you. I know you love me, you've always had. Don't pretend you don't now."
Sora removed his hand as he never felt so visible. His eyes felt wider than the sands of the beach he grew up on. "..what? What are you talking about.. I.. I don't... I cannot.." His breathing was uneven.
He knew of his feelings? He knew his secret desire of only wishing to hold his dear heart despite it being such a forbidden thing for the two of them to do?
He did everything to avoid his very eyes, soft strawberry hue still remained larger than ever upon his very features.
"Riku." Sora frowned as the other fell apart, his breathing heavy. "Come on." He stepped forward.
"..sorry are you mad?" He glanced over, but Sora still had the expression of innocence and a complete soft smile was on his face.
"Why would I be?" Sora still felt casual about this whole thing. There was nothing more in his life he was more determined about than having Riku by his side, "I said I want you as my knight and partner and you get to have what you dreamed of when you were younger."
"Stop joking around! I'm no princess." He finally faced him with almost fear in his eyes.
"I don't want you to be." Two pairs of eyes met each other. One filled with absolute wonder and seas of incredible oceans and the other held fear and fierce darkness.
"Oh... But isn't it forbidden I just.." Riku looked down again, "You deserve more honestly."
"Nope!" He just exclaimed with a smile and held his hands behind his head.
He couldn't help but laugh at his antics. What was he going to do with him? He was afraid suddenly he would wake up and he was just having some kind of insane dream. It felt too hopeful to be true.
Riku faced Sora, palm on his shoulder, "When did you realize—well who told you..?"
"You did when you almost confessed to me and was about to kiss me several years ago before you knew anything about me." Sora stated absent-minded.
Riku held his hands in his face, he forgotten about that day when he had almost kissed him. "But that was such a while ago!" He could've changed, he thought but Sora was somehow was so convinced he did all this time and had accepted him for it. He didn't even mind.
"My only regret is I wished I could've kissed you back then." Sora softly whispered, his lips moving slowly.
Riku turned sharply, "W-what?"
His shoulders were held by the other as he continued to look at him, "I always felt the same. Why do you think I was so against some kind of arrangement between myself and another? Because it wasn't you."
Riku looked down and felt his heart racing faster than anytime before. How could it be that Sora liked him the same? After everything he did, the other continued to want only him. How was it Sora continued to wish he was by his side instead? Riku still wished for a delusional hope that someday Sora's heart would belong to him and he didn't think that hope would ever come true this day.
That's all Riku needed for his eyes to close and kiss him right there. Sora pressed his lips to his, as if he was the air he breathed that would someday leave him. He held the collar of his shirt bringing him down to his height, his left hand softly holding out his palm against his soft hair. They both pulled away with a heavy breath before closing the distance once more with another kiss.
This time Riku held him up to his height, head turned and kissed him softly while his arms embraced him and wrapped around his shoulders. The third kiss was more yearning, it was filled with want and desire. It was everything Riku wanted. It was his need to be by Sora's side and for his heart to be in his hands. Two halves were finally connected and they became one before they finally pulled away.
Riku's eyes blinked, his turquoise colored eyes held passion and love. His hair that Sora had previously run his hands through, was quite messy. He felt awkward but so happy to be by Sora's side.
Sora tilted his head, smiling brightly at Riku, one of his hands resting on the other's shoulders. "I'm never going to get tired of doing that."
Riku nodded, still quite a bit shy from the whole thing. It was so wonderful, there wasn't anything like it. It felt endless in the moment yet it ended too quickly as well. However, now he had other worries such as being caught.
He didn't know the penalties for doing this with Sora nor if it was okay to do so. If he was being told about courting, he knew they definitely didn't have him in mind so if Sora announces it is he who Sora chooses to be with then he isn't sure how others will take it. Once again it could be forbidden that he is a knight and not a girl.
"I'm so nervous... What if I'm banished?" His eyes showed love and devotion, but also had closed in slight fear.
"I'll make sure that'll never happen." The former had promised, his hands both holding his.
Riku smiled, "What is stopping you from leaving again?"
Sora laughed, "Well I have things I must perform." He pressed his forehead to his when he stood up on his tiptoes.
"I can take you." Now it was he who had his arms out, "We can leave and see the world—just the two of us. Then after we've seen everything, we can return back home."
And hopefully they'll be eloped, he thought to himself and that way nobody could stop them.
Sora smiled warmly and took his Riku's hand, he liked that a lot.
The moonlight continued to glow onto their features, never hiding the two of them as they continued to embrace each other and planned for a new destiny in each other's hearts...