Fabricated Affections {RepliRikuXVanitas/KH FanFiction}

Chapter 18: Halloween Town

Riku had fallen silent for a long period of time and aroused Vanitas' suspicions. Normally he would chat about something strange or ask Vanitas a bunch of questions. However, after their interaction Riku had fallen silent and maintained focus on driving the ship.

Vanitas wondered why the silence and if he was seeking something in particular. Vanitas had no input on their destination as long as Xehanort couldn't reach them. Vanitas couldn't name every world he had been to, but hoped something unfamiliar could assist them with their hiding. With eyes trained on Riku from the corner of his eye Vanitas studied him carefully as if body language alone could determine where his thoughts were. Riku was still as stone, unmoving and unrevealing of any emotion.

Vanitas quietly sighed to himself and instead slumped back into the passenger seat where he presided, crossing his arms and staring straight ahead. He would just have to let Riku handle it in silence, even if he was agonizing over the quietude. He had better things to worry about other than the quiet and kept an eye out for any signs of Xehanort, even in space.

"So I have an idea." Riku filled that silence and Vanitas found himself eager to listen, straightening his back and leaning forward to get a better view. "It's not permanent, but it's somewhere I think you might enjoy."

Vanitas' mood turned sour. "We're supposed to find a safe place."

"Yes but we can still have fun while we're doing it. I think it's close, so just hang tight."

Vanitas let out an exasperated sigh. He was growing fond of the replica but not while he wasn't taking the situation seriously. His life was in Riku's hands and he had to trust him to drive to a safer world. He wanted to be around him and he wanted to stay, but did he have to emphasize how dire their situation truly was in order to stay paired?

The ship abruptly came to a stop and Riku lept to his feet. Before Vanitas could react or even sneak a glimpse of the world he found a sheet of black covering his vision. Vanitas groaned with displeasure as he immediately knew he was being blind folded by his own mask. He hated surprises.

"Oh stop." Riku scolded playfully. He tucked the straps behind Vanitas' ears as he adjusted the fabric to ensure Vanitas wasn't able to see a thing. "It's only for a minute until we get down there."

"And why does it have to be a secret?" Vanitas grumbled.

"Because I thought it would be more fun."

Vanitas felt the warmth of Riku's hands as he guided him from his chair to the teleportation platform so they could beam themselves down. Vanitas didn't have a clue as to what Riku's plan was and he couldn't find the reason he allowed such a ridiculous idea to even happen in the first place. The longer Riku held his arms for guidance the more Vanitas found himself wishing Riku wouldn't let go. Even while blindfolded he felt safe, he felt warm, and those feelings were ones he'd come to recognize being with the replica. Vanitas didn't quite understand those feelings and they were pushed aside as they were teleported down towards the world.

A chilly gust of wind sent shivers down Vanitas' spine and he found himself leaning closer to Riku's embrace. Huddled into his jacket Vanitas slightly turned his head as if he could see Riku as he wanted to make some sort of snide remark, but as Riku's breath caressed his cheek Vanitas clamped up as the realization of how close the two were.

Riku chuckled warmly and released his grip on Vanitas. He didn't need to guide him anymore, but Vanitas was disappointed. "You wanna take the mask off?"

Vanitas was quick to rip the fabric from his face and get a glimpse of the world they beamed down to. He was intrigued, his eyes widening as he took in his surroundings. He was unfamiliar with the world but he was enjoying its aesthetic, a gloomy and foggy aura with multiple spooky decorations. Everything was dark and black, drenched in such an atmosphere that Vanitas felt at home. A green fountain was in the center of the plaza and oozed green water that spouted from the fountain creatures mouth as if it was spitting. Weapons could be found around, including a guillotine that seemed sharp to the touch.