Who I really love (Sora x Riku)

Part 5

(Riku's POV)

I awaken with my body aching yet my heart is hopeful with the thought of Sora, but when I look in the mirror, my optimism plummets. The ugly mark the glass shard made was still there, stained with blood. I thoroughly clean it, but it looks just as bad and now it stings as well. How was I going to explain it? Sora already suspects something is up, there's no way I'll get away with it easily. I'll have to make up something real convincing. Looking at the rest of me, however, I feel slightly lucky that all the bruises incurred were in easily coverable places.

It's already a quarter to eight, I'm gonna be late if I don't hurry up. I get dressed into the school uniform slip on a jacket over it. It's pretty hot outside but there are slight marks on my arms from my father pushing me down when I tried to stand last night. I skip eating because I'm running too late. I give a small snicker at the thought of Kairi getting angry at me and Sora when we didn't eat breakfast. She always stands tall and tell us off in a bossy voice.

I speed walk to school and get there as the first bell rings. I sigh in disappointment at the thought I wouldn't be able to see Sora till lunch today. As I begin walking in the direction of the first class, arms wrap around me from behind.

"Sora!" I laugh, glad to catch him before class.

He holds on tighter and buries his face in my back. "I missed you last night, Riku!" he complains. The squeezing hurts a little because of my injuries so I instinctively yelp. He lets go immediately and I turn around to face him. His gigantic classic Sora smile was already starting to fade into a frown, but as he sees my cheek his eyes water as if he's going to cry. "What happened?"

I subconsciously lift my hand to my cheek to block it from view. "It's nothing. I tripped last night on the way home. Bushes can be mean."

He moved my hand covering the wound and shook his head. "Is that really what happened?"

"Yeah. It's okay though, it doesn't hurt anymore." That was a lie, it was still throbbing, but the already worrying Sora didn't need to know that. He pulled me in close to look at the cut. Taking advantage of the lack of space and to distract him, I sneak in a kiss. We both laugh when we pull away.

His face went serious as he could make it as he whispers, "If it's... Something else... tell me when you're ready to. You can trust me. I love you." I knew I could trust him. That was never the issue. The problem was him being hurt and worried for me. His cheeky, adorable smile returns and he puts his hands behind his head, relaxed, as he continues on. "Anywaaaay, what'd ya wanna do this afternoon?"

It was my turn to be all serious. "I need to talk to you about that. I can only spend a day without checking in at home from now on."

His face fell once again. "Is that what you want?"

"No, it's not me. It's my father. I'm really sorry." My father had said he didn't want me even around Sora. That was as far as I could safely bend the rules, but I wasn't going to let my father's words and actions darken MY time with my friends, I promise that to myself. I hadn't let it before and now especially shouldn't now.

"I don't get it. Why do you insist on going back to him?"

"Huh?"

"Why don't you just move in with me? Mum would be fine with it, she already sees you as her son anyway."

I wish I could agree to it, but that wouldn't be safe. If I wasn't there being my father's punching bag his mind might just snap. If someone got hurt I'd never be able to live it down. It would be my fault, through his control of and taking out his anger on me everybody else doesn't have to deal with it. Most importantly he last night he said wasn't afraid to kill Sora. He might just do that if I left him. "It's not that I don't want to it's just... I'd be a burden. And my father's not entirely stable, he needs me there."

Sora looks disappointed but he attempts a grin for me anyway. "Then let's take advantage of every moment, that'll show that strict father of yours. Revengers: Finishgame is in cinemas right now and silly me hasn't even seen Eternity War yet. We'll watch it together at my place this afternoon, okay?"

"Typical you with your superheroes, Sora. That'll be fun." I ruffle his hair as the bell goes signaling the start of the lesson.

"See ya soon. I'll miss you!" He hugs me, but lightly this time, not wanting me to yelp or be hurt. Though neither of us wants to leave, we reluctantly part ways for now.