kingdomdressing | (no subject)

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riku

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[ There is a Riku sitting on the beach, completely soaked. But she hasn't been in the water. It's raining loudly, thunder cracking across the ocean. There's an open and abandoned umbrella at her side, and the sand all around her is smooth and clear, except for the messy remains of her footsteps. It gives the feeling that everything's been washed clean. Propped up against the doorway sits a stroller; yes, she has her baby with her, but unlike his mother, he's quite protected, bundled up in a tiny raincoat and extra clothes underneath. He's quite safe. And while that coat has a hood, that's all there is to shielding his face. There's no point in hiding him anymore. ]

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[Alright, he's going to sit down, watching her intently.]

[She twists further in the sand, keeping Aden comfortably turned toward her until she's completely facing Red. Aden squeals and wiggles, his tiny feet kicking at the air until she sets him back down, where he leans back against her chest, face tilted up. Red should be able to see him perfectly.]

[Yeah, he's silent, and staring hard at the kid. It's very, very strange seeing those eyes paired up with that hair, and entirely unwelcome. It also firms his resolve; this will not happen to him. He doesn't think of Riku like that, and never will. He can't even fathom what kind of problems that kid's going to have with a father as messed up as him.]

[Aden lifts his arms up, reaching for Red with an excited smile. Riku's looking at Red, her expression closed off completely.]

Now do you understand?

No. It just leaves more questions.

[Which are now filling his head. He's pretty sure she won't answer any of them anyway. Even if it involves his older self, they're not really his business. But he still wants to know.]

I meant about why I wouldn't let you see him. I already knew that.

[Of course he would. Aden's still reaching, but Riku won't let him move any further.]

Any you want to ask?

I know what you meant.

[Give him a moment to ignore the baby and try to think of what's most important of his questions.]

[She's trying not to roll her eyes, taking both of Aden's hands in one of hers. He's making some appropriately bubbly noises, but Riku's silent so Red can think all he wants.]

[All the questions he has- he can't seem to get them to form outside of his head, so all he can really say is]

Why?

[She raises an eyebrow, letting go of Aden's hands to slick her hair back.]

Could you be a little more specific?

Why him?

[She leans back on one of her arms, head tilted as she looks at him.]

'It just happened' probably isn't a very satisfying answer, but it's the truth. I can't tell you why.

I'm not sure if that's better or worse.

[Just... states that plainly. Because he really isn't sure.]

What, did you think I would've planned any of this?

[Both eyebrows lift, challenging. He knows her younger self well enough by now.]

Nah, that's not like you.

[But that wasn't quite what he meant. Like hell he'd be able to explain it though.]

[She nods, moving her legs so one of her knees is bent. She rests her elbow on it, following that up with her chin in that hand. Aden is held carefully with her other hand around his stomach, sitting with either of his legs hanging over her other one.]

I didn't... But I don't regret how things ended up, either.

Hm.

[It's a lot to think about. He's not as angry as he's been their last encounters, at least.]

[Oh, she can imagine. She's looking up at wherever the rain's coming from, then shifting so she's half hanging over Aden.]

Do you regret finding out?

I would've eventually found out anyway.

[Always with the avoiding things.]

Probably. That's not what I asked, is it?

[She smirks and moves again, holding Aden to her chest, because she's standing up.]

Walk with me.

...fine.

[Way to make that sound like a demand or something, gosh.]

[Hey, she's not forcing him. Aden lets out a loooong squeal as she starts heading for the door.]

Aden doesn't need to be in the rain too long.

[No, but he's got no excuse to be like BITCH NO and leave. Hell, he's feeling oddly calm about all this.]

Uh-huh.

[She's tugging that coat off once she's out the door, setting him down in his stroller where he can wriggle around. Uh-oh, this looks like a the beginning of a tantrum. Riku is unfazed, wringing her hair out where it won't splash across the hall too much.]

You're calmer than I was expecting. Get all of that out when you found out?

Guess so.

[Don't worry, Riku, it'll all be setting in later when he's alone. :D]