Fabricated Affections {RepliRikuXVanitas/KH FanFiction}

Chapter 15: Healer

Riku felt his body ache with such intensity he almost couldn't move. His eyes fluttered open at the sunlight pooling into the room and blazing straight into his eyes. He winced from the light, the brightness stirring up a headache. Riku groaned quietly to himself and held his head inside both of his hands. What happened? He rubbed his eyes thoroughly to assist himself with the adjustment before surveying his surroundings.

He was back in that shack the Restoration Committee volunteered, he could recognize those torn walls anywhere. However something was different. Beside him was the extra bed that seemed to have been pushed next to the one he laid in, and now the nightstand was out of reach across the room. Riku was confused about the furniture rearrangement, and even more confused as to the whereabouts of Vanitas.

"Last thing I remember was..." Riku stiffened.

The last thing he remembered was Larxene pummeling him endlessly. Riku ran his fingers through his hair accompanied by a quivering breath. He lost so much blood, he was in so much agony he cried back then. Xehanort gave him the same treatment not that long ago and the mere thought made Riku shake from terror. He could still hear their malicious laughter echoing in his head as they beat him, the aching and the pain erupting throughout his body. Riku had to shake his head in an attempt to get rid of those thoughts.

Vanitas. He needed to find Vanitas.

As Riku crawled his way out of bed he found himself putting in strenuous effort just to stand. He was throbbing as every inch of his body screamed at him to stop. Riku pushed through, his legs wobbling as he took one step at a time towards the bedroom door. All he could think about was Vanitas, where he was and how he was doing. How else would Riku have gotten back to Hollow Bastion?

He leaned against the door as he pushed it opened and stumbled through, clinging onto the door handle to keep himself upright. However his knees gave way and he found himself crumbling to the floor and landed on his legs. His breathing was heavy as he panted roughly; such a simple task shouldn't have been so hard and yet Riku was exhausted.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Riku's eyes lifted and he was met with a pair of golden ones. Vanitas was already there in front of him, kneeling down to match Riku's level after his collapse. Riku felt relief wash over him at the knowledge that Vanitas was alive and overall unscathed. He ignored the dirty look coming from Vanitas and instead lifted his weak arm and gently cupped his cheek with a hand. Riku couldn't help but smile sweetly at the boy of darkness while his face began to turn red and warm.

"You're okay!" Riku exclaimed happily. That relief extended to the rest of his body, somehow the aching began to wither away at the healthy sight of Vanitas.

Vanitas' eyes darkened, leaving Riku's facial expression to falter slowly. "Yeah. I'm fine I guess."

Riku was now frowning and the aching continued. He didn't understand why Vanitas had such a dark expression, he didn't seem fine at all. Riku's touch on the others cheek tightened slightly as he sought for Vanitas' eye contact. "What happened to you?"

Vanitas immediately stiffened at the question. Vanitas was quick but delicate as he gripped Riku's wrist to tear his hand away, softly resting his arm down by his side. Riku blinked with confusion.

"All you need to know is that things are taken care of." Vanitas said gruffly. "Now get back in bed, I'm waiting for Aerith to get here with better healing. Those potions aren't doing much."

Riku twitched from the touch as Vanitas slipped his hands underneath Riku's arms, assisting him to his feet. Riku felt weak and had to lean against Vanitas for assistance, where he slipped an arm behind Riku's waist to secure him. "Are you gonna answer all my questions vaguely?"