Twenty-first Key

[optimistickey]

[Sora is back in his own room again. It takes him a little bit to recognize what all of this is, including the pictures he's pinned to the walls and the dirty clothes on the floor. There's another moment of thinking, and then his face instantly falls. He looks completely miserable, as if he's ready to break down any moment.]

That...that was absolutely horrible...

[He squeezes his eyes shut and swallows.] Gypsy...please let's not use the dimension jumping engine again! I don't ever wanna be...wanna do something like that, ever again!

Comments

[optimistickey]

I know...but I dunno. It never seemed as bad as what I did...

Still. Would...you accept me saying sorry anyway? [Maybe it would help him feel better. He hopes so, anyway.]

[halfdarkened]

[Riku looks away, picking up something again. His tone isn't as if to argue who acted worse, but as a statement.] I hurt Namine.

[But his question makes Riku stop entirely. He looks back up. Unlike most of what he's said, this doesn't sound guilty, but more like stating clear fact.] After all the things I did in the past in this universe, you think I wouldn't? [There's barely a smirk there, and its meant to be reassuring, even if it's not much. It's very strange being on the opposite end of this.]

[optimistickey]

Well... [Sora stops to think about this a bit, because they all were hurting people as their evil selves, but then realizes that Riku means a little bit more about Namine. Like the sort of thing he’d feel if his evil self had hurt Kairi.] She’ll know it wasn’t really you at all! [And Sora should take his own advice.]

[Sora doesn’t want to admonish Riku for stuff that’s happened in their own universe, because that’s forgiven and far in the past by now. It is kind of weird being on the opposite end of that, too.] Then I’m really, really sorry.

[Sora also can’t help being a little curious.] ...What’re you making?

[halfdarkened]

...I wanted to protect her, but I couldn't protect her from myself. Even if she knows, she might still be scared. [Seems he's scared himself, in the same way he was uncertain about facing everyone back home after destroying it.]

[And Riku knows Sora's forgiven all that, and he's learned on moved on himself. But in that learning he knows not to be a hypocrite, even if he wasn't fine with the things Sora did when they weren't themselves. The smirk grows a bit.] You don't need to be. You're my best friend.

A mess. [He sounds mildly frustrated at himself. It doesn't seem to be going well.] Something for Namine.

[optimistickey]

If she’s not scared of anyone else that went evil in that universe, then she wouldn’t be scared of you at all. [Sora recognizes a little of that hesitance, too...from when Riku was afraid of what everyone would think of him when he’s brought darkness to the Islands.]

[He definitely prefers having friends to having unhappy lackeys!] I’m glad. I just...wanted to say it.

I’m sure she’ll like it! [Not like he’s super great with crafts, either.]

[halfdarkened]

[He sighs.] Probably. I hope you're right.

[There's a small smile.] I know the feeling. I guess that's part of what a "heart-to-heart" is.

If I can make it look better than a blob of paper and glue. [He tosses something over his shoulder, but all that can be told is that it was a mass of green, yellow and white.]

[optimistickey]

Yeah, I guess so.

You can, 'cause you're putting your heart into it! [And that, Sora knows for sure.]

[halfdarkened]

I guess that's true. [He looks a little better for the moment.]

[But the next moment, he looks thoughful then concerned.] Sora? Last week you were the stronger one. ...Back at home, did I ever bully anyone? Maybe when we were kids? [He can't seem to think of any time, but he wants to make sure.]

[optimistickey]

[Sora's glad to see him smile about that!]

No, of course not! You never bullied anyone! Yeah we had our fights, but that was to compete and prove who was tougher! It was never to pick on anyone or take advantage of them being weaker.

[halfdarkened]

[Riku looks relieved about that.] ...I know how strong I was growing up was a big deal. It helped being the oldest after Wakka. Tidus, Wakka and Selphie even tried to team up to take me on. They thought it was that important that I should get bested. [He smiles a little at Sora.] You took 'em all out, too, didn't you? [The smile fades.] Just if I was that known for it, I wanted to know if I ever abused it.

[optimistickey]

Yeah, I did! But that wasn't easy, and it took a lot of practice against them individually. [He's still a bit proud of that.]

[Sora's smile drops a little more.] Being strong isn't the same as being a bully.

[halfdarkened]

Hey, they gave me a challenge, too. [Riku knows that was no small feat. Sora should be proud.]

I know. Otherwise you'd act like I did last week. Scared of me. But I was given strength that changed me for the worse. And I wanted to make sure I wasn't already going down that road. [He smiles slightly.] And I knew I could ask you and get an honest answer.

Thanks, Sora.

[optimistickey]

[Sora’s tone is mostly teasing now.] Really? Looks like you weren’t breaking a sweat to me!

[Sora doesn’t quite absorb all of that, but he’s just glad that Riku is sounding a little better now.] Uh, no problem!

[halfdarkened]

[Riku sees your tease and raises with some sarcasm. It was true he probably found them less difficult, but that doesn't make it easy.] I was paying too much attention on fighting to sweat.

[optimistickey]

Suuure you were! [And it's all teasing now.]

[halfdarkened]

[And so he counterattacks with a tease!] Maybe you'd have had an easier time if you did the same. I'm still trying to master not blinking so I don't miss a thing.

[optimistickey]

Hey, I did beat them all, sweat or not! That’s the important part!

[halfdarkened]

You're right about that.