(no subject)

[reversedestiny]

[Ever since Sora had arrived, he had avoided beaches or Destiny Islands. Especially after talking to certain people. But for the first time, he's stepped foot through the door that leads to his childhood home. He hadn't let the regrets and the way his heart had pretty much frozen in his chest stop him, and now, he stands on the beach, staring out to sea.

He remembers so much, and it's all painful. Running after Riku as a child, camp-outs with his parents, and then the crueler memories: the destruction he had led in a fit of emotion and wanting to erase what he felt represented his pain. But that hadn't really worked, not at all. It only made everything worse, because then there's regret and even more pain because maybe he'd still been holding onto the hope of being able to live with people and be normal.

Perhaps that's why he can stand there, eyes closed as he takes in the feeling of warm sun on his skin and the sea breeze in his hair and the smell of sea salt, completely unaware that he's actually crying. Which is a pretty big thing, for him.]

Comments

[kingdom_seed]

[There's a girl here, kicking spray in the waves as she walks along the shore, idly distracted until she draws closer.

Hm.]

Um. Hello?

[reversedestiny]

[Sora jumps, still not aware of the tears. He hadn't been paying attention--not like him, really. He'll quietly look to her, frowning.]

...Hey.

[kingdom_seed]

...Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to disturb you - I just saw you on your own, and, um...

[As she comes closer, she's noticing the faint shine of tears. That's not a good sign.]

Are you alright?

[reversedestiny]

...Yeah.

[Oh. He can... Recognize the wetness now. Just drying of his face.]

[kingdom_seed]

[She gives a smile.]

That's good. I was just a little worried when I saw...

[reversedestiny]

...Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.

[He'll force a smile, but it's... Not very good.]

[kingdom_seed]

I can't help it sometimes. [A faint giggle, but it's not harsh.] But if you say so.

[She can tell that smile's not all there. But as much as she might want to pry, she doesn't know the guy past what she can sense dark-wise that varies from the average Sora...]

[reversedestiny]

...Who are you, anyway?

[Best to get introductions out of the way now.]

[kingdom_seed]

Oh. My name's Layla. [Wave!] Is it Sora, or something else?

[antipodean]

[Does Sora notice the Riku standing awkwardly just inside the door to the room? He just walked in, and is unsure whether to stay or leave. He's got swim trunks on and a towel bundled up in one arm.]

[reversedestiny]

[Nope. Not yet. He's an absolute mess, even if he barely looks it, so he's not really paying attention. Well, at least it means he's not trying to kill Riku?]

[antipodean]

[That's a plus, yes. He decides he's going to stay, heading to a spot on the beach a good distance away from Sora and dumping his towel on the sand, followed by his t-shirt and shoes. Swimming > avoiding Sora completely. Well, wading, since the water's colder than he thought it would be.]

[reversedestiny]

[That gets his attention, even if it's peripheral vision. Oops.]

What are you doing here?

[...Distinctly lacking the bite it would usually have.]

[antipodean]

[Standing in the water, obviously. Geez, Sora. But he notices the different tone and has a lower guard this time around.]

Swimming. I'm allowed to.

[reversedestiny]

I can see that. Why are you here?

[antipodean]

Because no one prevented me from coming in here and it's near my apartment.

Why are you here?

[Are you going to try to throw him out or something, Sora?]

[reversedestiny]

...Good question, actually. Don't think I know the answer.

[Congrats, Riku. He doesn't look to sure of anything right now.]

[windup_boytoy]

[Sensei is wondering why you didn't show up to your scheduled training session, so Ri went out looking for Sora. He'll stay back for awhile though, because this sort of vulnerability is something that he was hoping Sora would have]

Proud of your student, Ri? :3

[reversedestiny]

[He meant to. He doesn't even realize how long he's been here. Sorry, Ri. He also... Hasn't noticed Ri just yet.]

very!

[windup_boytoy]

[Ri will be approaching slowly so Sora gets used to his presence, but doesn't say anything yet]

He's growing! ...Slowly.

[reversedestiny]

[Sora won't react. He does look over his shoulder, though, just to let Ri know that Sora knows he's there. But that's about it.]

[windup_boytoy]

You're late for training.

[Ri says this mildly, with no censure, just stating the facts]

[reversedestiny]

...Am I?

[He's just now realizing he's been here for hours and that his feet are sore from standing so long. He gives a bit of a laugh.]

...Sorry.

[windup_boytoy]

It's alright. I'll let it go just this once.

[Ri puts his hands in his pockets and takes in the scenery]

Beautiful, isn't it?

[reversedestiny]

...Yeah.

[He won't say much more, but he will sit down. His feet hurt too much.]