He'd gotten to know the Restoration Committee before, in the year that Sora was away - but now that he's back, it's like he's finally getting to really fit in with them, see how they treat Sora as part of their family, a home away from home.
They've been helping out with the restoration all morning ( though it's more added decoration than restoration by now ) and the sun has begun it's descent after noon; though they're supposed to make their way down the main path and take a right to get back to Merlin's to pick up their next task, Riku has a better idea.
A nearby alley provides shade from the sun - even though nothing on Radiant Garden can compare to the island heat - & Sora's surprise is as visible as it is audible, amusing in both ways. There's a sparkle in his eyes that screams trust, that no matter what Riku did, Sora would follow him always.
Their time in Shibuya, along with everything else, has accentuated that all the more, & Riku's heart surges with it.
There's a nearby sound of footsteps before he can say anything, so he raises a finger to his lips, a request for silence, before waving around that same hand with darkness briefly coating his fingertips. It settles like a dark cloak over the two of them, like one of those blanket forts they used to make from their bedsheets when they stayed up reading fairytale books as kids.
"The shadows will hide us."
He murmurs, by way of explanation, another trick he's learned over his time - the more shadows the better, & alleyways & dark corners of buildings were usually the best for it.
Then, without warning, he leans down to place a kiss along Sora's jaw, his cheek, the corner of his mouth, before peppering a few more against his lips that linger & grow longer over time.
Sora's been telling him it's okay to do what he wants, & to ask for things - & he's learning how to do so, slowly, even if, for now, it's just within the shadows & their own company.
"I haven't gotten to kiss you all morning."
They teased him when he arrived at Merlin's home with Riku in tow, but it was the warm, familiar teasing of family, and he didn't feel the usual nagging negativity that came from Donald's harsh words. And it felt good to see even Leon accept Riku without the wary hesitation others may have shown. He wonders how much of that is because of the time the older boy spent searching for Sora - but, truly, it doesn't matter, in the end. What matters is that they're accepted, fully, completely, without any of the brutal jabs at Sora not being worth Riku's time or Riku not being good enough for Sora's friendship.
It feels good to run the little errands Yuffie and Aerith send them on... even if Sora can tell the "important tasks" are little more than a means to get them out. It's fun to walk along familiar streets, hand in hand with his knight, his best friend, his fiance. He hums a little as they walk in amicable silence, unaware of the impish thoughts hidden behind the usual stoicism.
He doesn't hesitate to follow Riku into the alleyway; there's a question burning on his tongue, unasked with the gesture for quiet, and a catlike curiosity glittering in his eyes. In anyone else's hands, the darkness would have sparked his defensiveness; he would've summoned the kingdom key to his hands --- but it's Riku.
His easy stance, and bright gaze give away all of his faith he has in his beloved. A smile grazes his lips as Riku brushes gentle kisses against his freckled cheeks, his nose, and finally his mouth. He leans into each kiss a little more, and as those warm hands, scarred and worn from years of fighting, cup his jaw, his cheeks as if he's precious, his own hands, just as scarred and just as worn, curl comfortably around them.
He giggles at the mention of going the entire morning without kissing, and fails to mention the kissing they did before they even got out of bed in the dim light of predawn. There's approval in the way he leans up to steal another kiss.
He never thought the darkness could feel comfortable and warm. It always felt cold, dangerous... malicious --- but, perhaps, darkness, like light, takes after its user. And if that's the case, it's no wonder Sora feels at home in the near pitch black.
Anywhere is home, so long as he's with Riku.
"You're right. It's been too long since we last kissed."
Eventually, he steals his way into Riku's arms, content in the warmth that wraps around him in return. He doesn't really think they'll be missed, at least, not for awhile yet, and the idea of encouraging him further in his devious ways seems like only the best of ideas.
"You should do this more often. I like having you all to myself like this."
