[ To which he watches Ven get himself settled in the blanket fort and, gently, reaches over to dim the lamp a little more. If he's to sleep, to have nice dreams for the remainder of the night, he doesn't need the lamp distracting him from dozing off. ]
[ And when Ventus finally does come to drift off into the land of slumber (depsite his having done so for years prior to arriving here), Riku quietly watches him for a long moment, wanting to ensure that he's at peace within his mind before he comes to roll on his back and stares to the 'ceiling' of their blanket fort.
Nightmares are quick to come. Aqua and Terra's bodies lifeless at his feet once more, the sky cracking above him and a familiar darkness surrounding him, trying to pull him in further. He can feel those hands reach out to him from the front, forming from the shadows, fingers wrapping around his neck.
"It's because of you. They're gone because of you. And you're going to join them. Join me once and for all."
The hold tightens and he can hear the sky above them crack even further.
"You are nothing but a broken boy."
Ventus awakens with a jolt, eyes wide open and his breathing is quickened, sweat forming on the side of his face as he tries to calm down, managing to hold back a whimper.]
[ The jolt awakens Riku from his light slumber and the silver-haired teen blinks eyes behind his blindfold as he tries to assess just what it is that's going on. When he catches sight of blond strands of hair and breaths that seem to be heavy and almost erratic, he sits himself up and reaches over to gently touch at the blond's arm. ]
Ven?
[ The word is soft, curious, yet also firm, wanting to reassure Ventus that he's not alone in this moment, this it was simply a nightmare, that whatever he saw... it's not here. It's just them within the blanket fort. ]
[Ventus jerks at the touch, stiffening but not pulling away. He shifts a bit, frightened blue eyes looking at the other man.]
R-Riku.
[There was an old part of him that wanted to reach out to him in return, to want to cling, but he doesn't. He's gotten used to the nightmares, but it's the first time in a while since he's woken up to someone there with him after a nightmare. He swallows, clutching the pillow tighter.]
[ Riku gives a shake of his head at the apology that Ven offers. It's not needed, not when he had said that he would remain here with him within this blanket fort of theirs and keep him safe... keep the nightmares away... ]
[A sound of confirmation, nothing more than a hum.
Ventus curls up more, eyes closing.]
Still the same one. [Sort of. He absentmindedly reaches up to touch his neck, swallowing as if he could still feel those hands wrapped around his neck, trying to choke the life out of him.]
[ To say that he doesn't see the discomfort that clings to Ventus would be a lie to both himself and to the blond and it has Riku staring to him in silence for a long moment.
Teeth drag over his lower lip, as if mulling over something, and it's after that long moment that he looks back to the blond, watching the way in which he curls up into himself almost. ]
[It's something he asks weakly, feeling like the person he was before the battle with Xehanort. Before he had to be forced to recover within Sora's heart.
[ Quietly, Riku nods in regards to the request given to him by Ven and, after a moment, he comes to lay back down against the sheets and pillows he's used to make their blanket fort... only to then come up beside him and, carefully so, pull him close against him in a gentle embrace.
To see Ventus like this... it reminds him of Sora when they were younger and he would end up afraid during the night. At times, they would share a bed, Riku promising to protect him during the night with a sniffling Sora hiding under the sheets beside him. Although Ventus seems more quiet than sniffling and sobbing, he knows how much it meant to Sora to have him there close beside him, to have that presence there and so, he does the same with Ventus, even in silence. ]
[The hug takes him by surprise, eyes widening a fraction.
They weren't close, far from it, but there's a certain kind of warmth from Riku that reminds him of Terra. It's a comforting presence, silent but protective in its embrace, and it makes something inside of him fill with warmth. He leans into the embrace, not quite hugging back, but he does press his forehead against Riku's shoulder.
He takes a deep breath, ignoring the stray tear that escapes from his right eye as he settles into that warmth.
It's only with a gentle nudge to Riku through that telepathic link that two words come through:]
[ If Ventus needs to cry, Riku will let him and simply hold him in silence as he does. It's... frustrating, to think that he can't protect those from something like a nightmare and yet, despite being unable to slip into his dreams and fight off whatever may threaten his happiness while Ventus sleeps, he knows, just as much, that being here within the moment is also something of importance... and perhaps just as effective.
When he hears those two gentle words touch at his mind through the amulets, he smiles a little, coming to rest his chin on the crown of the blond's head and an arm wraps a little tighter around him then. ]
He gives out a quiet laugh, breathless in a way, but he doesn't pull away. In fact, when Riku tightens his arms around him, he decides to just make himself comfortable like this. He knows Riku won't accept anything about himself just yet, but he still stands by one of his earlier words to him.
Riku's darkness is comforting, even if it is a little out of control. But that's okay. Ven has enough light in the meantime to keep them both in the light, just enough.]
[ Laying with Ventus in this blanket fort that surrounds them... it has him recall simpler days... days before he had allowed his insecurities and jealousy to cloud his vision, cloud his judgment, take everything and everyone away from him to the point where Riku finds it to be broken and out of reach for him.
And yet... those simpler days, the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore and the smell of the sand in the air... it relaxes him and pushes away those insecurities as he lays here with Ven. In this moment here, within this blanket fort and the blond pressed against him... it's almost as if he's himself again and he feels... needed, even if it's to serve as protection from nightmares.
Swallowing, Riku remains like this with Ventus, ever-so-gently allowing the pads of his fingers to slowly stroke along the small of Ven's back in this embrace he keeps him wrapped up in. Because, even if it's not much, maybe it might help reassure the blond in some way that this is... things are going to be ok. ]
[Ven is quiet, simply basking in the other's presence. His warmth. It's almost enough to lull him to sleep, but he knows that isn't possible. Not yet.
He appreciates the gesture, the gentle touch having him relaxing further against him. Once he's comfortable enough, he gently wraps an arm around Riku, returning the embrace.]
[ Riku's not about to ask Ventus what he saw in this nightmare of his, not wanting him to have to relive it if it's bothered him to the point of seeking comfort within an embrace like this. So, instead, he lays there with him, the pads of his fingers gently drawing circles against the small of his back before he swallows again and chances a glance down to the blond. ]
Sora would get upset sometimes when we were kids.
[ His voice is soft as he speaks, his touch still gentle. ]
Sometimes I would think he was being a baby. [ He smiles a little to himself at the thought. ] But whenever we were like this in bed, it seemed to make him feel better. I guess because... he thought that I was so strong that I could protect him from anything. Even the bad thoughts.
[ It's funny now to think back on it all when, well... considering how things are now. ]
I never really knew what to say even back then. But I guess I just felt that... if I was there with him, if I could show him that he wasn't alone... maybe that would be enough and make up for my lack of anything to say.
[ There's a smile that comes to his lips as he mutters those words but, as always, does his best to conceal it as he lays there, turning his head to press his cheek to Ven's head now. ]
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[ To which he watches Ven get himself settled in the blanket fort and, gently, reaches over to dim the lamp a little more. If he's to sleep, to have nice dreams for the remainder of the night, he doesn't need the lamp distracting him from dozing off. ]
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[He's sleepy and he's comfortable. He'll doze off soon.]
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[ Riku might not fall asleep so quickly but if Ven is able to... then this is all worth it. ]
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[He breathes it out, but he does finally fall asleep.]
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He'll keep watch... just for tonight. ]
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Nightmares are quick to come. Aqua and Terra's bodies lifeless at his feet once more, the sky cracking above him and a familiar darkness surrounding him, trying to pull him in further. He can feel those hands reach out to him from the front, forming from the shadows, fingers wrapping around his neck.
"It's because of you. They're gone because of you. And you're going to join them. Join me once and for all."
The hold tightens and he can hear the sky above them crack even further.
"You are nothing but a broken boy."
Ventus awakens with a jolt, eyes wide open and his breathing is quickened, sweat forming on the side of his face as he tries to calm down, managing to hold back a whimper.]
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Ven?
[ The word is soft, curious, yet also firm, wanting to reassure Ventus that he's not alone in this moment, this it was simply a nightmare, that whatever he saw... it's not here. It's just them within the blanket fort. ]
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R-Riku.
[There was an old part of him that wanted to reach out to him in return, to want to cling, but he doesn't. He's gotten used to the nightmares, but it's the first time in a while since he's woken up to someone there with him after a nightmare. He swallows, clutching the pillow tighter.]
Sorry for waking you.
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It's ok, I was just resting my eyes.
[ A pause. ]
A nightmare?
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[A sound of confirmation, nothing more than a hum.
Ventus curls up more, eyes closing.]
Still the same one. [Sort of. He absentmindedly reaches up to touch his neck, swallowing as if he could still feel those hands wrapped around his neck, trying to choke the life out of him.]
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Teeth drag over his lower lip, as if mulling over something, and it's after that long moment that he looks back to the blond, watching the way in which he curls up into himself almost. ]
Do you... need anything?
[ Can I do anything? ]
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[It's something he asks weakly, feeling like the person he was before the battle with Xehanort. Before he had to be forced to recover within Sora's heart.
Like a lost child.]
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To see Ventus like this... it reminds him of Sora when they were younger and he would end up afraid during the night. At times, they would share a bed, Riku promising to protect him during the night with a sniffling Sora hiding under the sheets beside him. Although Ventus seems more quiet than sniffling and sobbing, he knows how much it meant to Sora to have him there close beside him, to have that presence there and so, he does the same with Ventus, even in silence. ]
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They weren't close, far from it, but there's a certain kind of warmth from Riku that reminds him of Terra. It's a comforting presence, silent but protective in its embrace, and it makes something inside of him fill with warmth. He leans into the embrace, not quite hugging back, but he does press his forehead against Riku's shoulder.
He takes a deep breath, ignoring the stray tear that escapes from his right eye as he settles into that warmth.
It's only with a gentle nudge to Riku through that telepathic link that two words come through:]
Thank you.
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When he hears those two gentle words touch at his mind through the amulets, he smiles a little, coming to rest his chin on the crown of the blond's head and an arm wraps a little tighter around him then. ]
You're safe.
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It just felt...right.
He gives out a quiet laugh, breathless in a way, but he doesn't pull away. In fact, when Riku tightens his arms around him, he decides to just make himself comfortable like this. He knows Riku won't accept anything about himself just yet, but he still stands by one of his earlier words to him.
Riku's darkness is comforting, even if it is a little out of control. But that's okay. Ven has enough light in the meantime to keep them both in the light, just enough.]
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And yet... those simpler days, the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore and the smell of the sand in the air... it relaxes him and pushes away those insecurities as he lays here with Ven. In this moment here, within this blanket fort and the blond pressed against him... it's almost as if he's himself again and he feels... needed, even if it's to serve as protection from nightmares.
Swallowing, Riku remains like this with Ventus, ever-so-gently allowing the pads of his fingers to slowly stroke along the small of Ven's back in this embrace he keeps him wrapped up in. Because, even if it's not much, maybe it might help reassure the blond in some way that this is... things are going to be ok. ]
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He appreciates the gesture, the gentle touch having him relaxing further against him. Once he's comfortable enough, he gently wraps an arm around Riku, returning the embrace.]
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Sora would get upset sometimes when we were kids.
[ His voice is soft as he speaks, his touch still gentle. ]
Sometimes I would think he was being a baby. [ He smiles a little to himself at the thought. ] But whenever we were like this in bed, it seemed to make him feel better. I guess because... he thought that I was so strong that I could protect him from anything. Even the bad thoughts.
[ It's funny now to think back on it all when, well... considering how things are now. ]
I never really knew what to say even back then. But I guess I just felt that... if I was there with him, if I could show him that he wasn't alone... maybe that would be enough and make up for my lack of anything to say.
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Really, all you ever need is someone by your side to know that they're right there with you through thick and thin.
[Ven smiles softly.]
...You're a good friend, Riku.
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If I disagree with you, are you going to punch me again?
[ He's teasing. Maybe. ]
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No. Maybe just a pinch.
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[ There's a smile that comes to his lips as he mutters those words but, as always, does his best to conceal it as he lays there, turning his head to press his cheek to Ven's head now. ]
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[Teasing. Maybe.]
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[ Does he need to be concerned? ]
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