innermonologues | IC Inbox for Empath

[ This is not what Riku had wanted to deal with. Like... at all and here he is, tracking down Squall after receiving this "letter" attached to his door here in the house that is far too crowded for Riku's tastes and from the looks of it, Squall had been meaning to "fix that" in his own stupid way.

A stupid way that would surely upset Sora.

So, here he is, tracking down this stubborn guy who he really doesn't want to have to deal with but, for Sora's sake, he is, because... it's complicated. Yeah, let's just go with that.

With Riku being one so good at avoiding and hiding from others, it's of no surprise really that he manages to catch Squall finally... up on the roof, no less. Sadly, it's something he would probably do himself and that just grinds his gears even more. So, with pulling himself up onto it, letter clenched tightly in a hand, he approaches the other with eyes narrowed behind his blindfold. ]

Want to explain this to me?

[ To which he tosses the letter down near Squall.

They're off to such a great start, aren't they? ]

[ Much like the cat he is, he had his eyes shut, relaxing on the roof. It's one of the easiest places to find him if you knew him, but easier to hide from people who didn't.

He heard the sound of someone coming to the roof as well and turned his head toward the visitor. Oh. It was Riku.

He rolled his eyes and slowly moved to sit up after having the letter thrown in his direction. ]

Paper. Made from trees. Often used for writing or more childish uses like paper airplanes.

[ That was so funny he forgot to laugh. ]

So you're a coward, are you?

[ Just going to get straight down to this. ]

Using me as an excuse to ditch Sora here.

[ Squall doesn't take to the bait just yet. He stayed put, resting his hands in his lap. ]

I never said I was ditching Sora.

[ He let out a soft sigh, tilting his head to look anywhere by at Riku. ]

A year and the added addition of a month. That's a long time to be without someone you cherish.

[ He frowned thoughtfully before turning to look at him once more. ]

Anytime I'm around you want to run, so now I'm giving you a reason to stay.

[ Tch. Sora and his big mouth. He knows exactly what Squall is referring to. ]

I don't need your pity, got it?

[ The wind picks up just a little with gentle pricklings of cold laced within it. ]

You're the one who's welcome here in this house, not me. So you leaving makes no sense.

Why do you always assume my actions are out of pity? Does it bother you that I might understand where you're coming from?

[ Squall rolled his eyes at that, the wind didn't bother him much. He was used to cold. Shiva was his favorite Summon after all. ]

And who's to say you're not? Did they decide that or did you?

[ Yes, it clearly bothers him. Who do you think you are trying to relate to him, Squall? ]

Ask Roxas about him and I sometime. You'll get it then.

[ Because there's definitely some unrest between the two of them since, well, reasons. ]

If you leave you'll upset Sora. Even if it's under some guise of wanting to give him and I time together.

[ A beat, Riku turns then, letting his back face Squall. ]

I don't care what you do but if it involves upsetting Sora, then it's my business.

You say that, but then you run away and hurt him yourself. You can be mad at me as much as you want, but if you're going to try and criticize me about this, then quit running away and stick by his side. He needs you as much as you need him.

[ he lets out a soft sigh, grabbing the balled up letter and starts ripping it. ]

The amount of time you lost him? Is about the amount of time I've known him. And not a day went by that he wasn't thinking about you and Kairi. Crying over you.

[ Squall slowly starts to move to his feet. ]

So if you want to protect his happiness, stop running away.

I am by his side. I've stayed by his side the entire year he's been asleep. Don't talk about things you know nothing about.

[ It's still a sore spot for him, to be reminded of that... and was difficult to deal with seeing here... again. ]

I'm not running away from him. I'm just staying out of the way of others.

[ Like you. ]

[ Squall almost bites back. He almost shouts at him. He's not the only one who's ever been without someone for years. But no. This wasn't about him. He wasn't going to play that card. He just takes a deep breath. ]

You stop leaving the house and stick with Sora then I'll stay out of your way.

Yeah, and what about you?

[ Now he turns to face him. ]

Going to run off and hide somewhere?

[ Squall rolls his eyes a little. ]

Is it really hiding when he knows everywhere I go?

I don't care. I told you. You hurt him and I'll make you regret it.

[ No chill when it comes to Sora, yeah.

However, Riku turns away again, as if to leave because he's clearly over this but... he comes to stop then, jaw tense, mulling over something that he... clearly doesn't want to but. ]

Just... answer me this.

[ His shoulders are tense, strands of silver blowing in the chilly breeze that dances by. ]

Do you love him?

[ Squall turned his head to look at Riku once more, or rather his back. A thoughtful frown slowly forming on his face. ]

That... I don't know for sure. I don't know what it feels like to love another person. All... I can tell you is, I'd do anything for that brat even at the risk of my own self.

[ Riku's silent for what must feel like forever as he stands there with his back facing Squall. It's an answer he didn't want to know... even if there's some part of him that did... and while it's not blunt yes by any means, there's enough left out there for Riku to form his own assumption, wondering if perhaps Squall is scared to admit it to him, Sora... or even himself. ]

Yeah. I know the feeling.

[ And that's all he'll say on that, going to make his leave then. ]

[ Squall feels like he should say something, but any time he does, he usually destroys the moment in a matter of seconds. He decides that maybe this time the best action is to just let him leave. He just lets out a soft sigh.]

Sora, how do you put up with pain in the asses like us.

IC Inbox for Empath

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