Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Riku ran the horse as hard as he could, for as long as he could, in a direction that couldn’t be tracked. Sora was waning in his arms, and Riku was panicking.

“Sora, hey stay awake sunshine.” not even the horse’s jostling was stopping the brunette’s eyes from closing.

“Sorry...tryin...not t’be sick..”

Rikus brow furrowed, “Talk to me, Sora. What did he want you for, what was all that about.”

Sora let out a small whine, and rubbed his face against Riku’s armoured chest. It couldn’t have felt good but the small thing took comfort in it.It almost broke Riku’s heart.

“He...somethin’ about controlling all the beasts in the world- He thought I had something that could give it to him...Jokes on him though- that’s just me. Doesn’t matter what he put in me or took out...He won't be able to have me.”  It was so dark but Riku could still see the sparkle in Sora’s eyes, as dim as it’d gotten, “Nami was just...a trick to lure us…’Ku you gotta stop i’m gonna be sick…”

Riku reigned the horse in and Sora damn near fell to the ground, crawling to the wayside and heaving into the brush. 

Riku slid off beside him and pet his hair back- it was a myriad of colors coming from Sora’s mouth, the smell of various poisons tickled his nose, the hissing of an acid and the plants made him shiver, “Sora...how are you still alive.”

He knew these weren’t the things a regular person could make it through. Hell some other creatures would have a hard time with this. But it looked like...Sora just had a stomach ache? He had no doubt the skin underneath his clothes was going to be…. something but even still, there should be blood coming out his eyes at this.

Sora tried a hum that led into another gag, a vibrant yellow green splashing against the dark plants below.

“”M...lucky…” Was what he got out.

Which...Riku could believe, “And holdin secrets…” He pet through Sora’s wild spikes, “It’s fine, you don’t have to tell me. Get it up, and we’ll keep moving.” 

Sora couldn’t get it all out, all at once. It came in color waves, which made Riku sick. What did that psychopath put in this angel? What the hell was Sora made of that he was throwing up neons and still functioning properly.

Of course, it was only a matter of time until they made contact.

Riku had his sword out in seconds, Sora damn near passed out in the grass letting out little groans.

“Oh, dear what have we here?” It was a soft feminine voice. She was just walking through the woods with a basket full of herbs. Riku was standing over Sora who was just trying to stay conscious.

“Just keep on your way, crone.” Riku growled.

The girl laughed, “Oh I still have a few years for that, but you look like you need some help. Running from the Manor huh? I know that blue your poor boy’s spitting up. Let me guess, you’re on the run right? Well you need to hunker down and rest to get him through this. I know someone like him, and he’s going to throw it all up, but it’ll take time for him to get it through him. Plus, you’ll need some medication,” She lifted her basket, “and I just so happen to have it.

“I don’t trust you.”

She hummed and looked at Sora, “Do you know a Ven, Sora?”

Sora perked up at that and sat up with a nod. He tried to say something but it came out a garble, his mouth a neon sign.

Her smile was soft, “I knew him a few years ago, let me help. If you think I don’t have your best interests at heart. I’ll let your Witcher run me through. Does that sound fair?”

Sora tried to pull himself up, spitting that bright blue bile to the ground. His voice was barely there as he held a hand out, his smile weak, “Sora.”

This time, she caught him as he fell.

Riku and the girl kept eye contact for a long time, “What will it be Witcher? Trust me and save him, or trust yourself and run the risk of losing him after all this?”

Really, when put like that...Riku put his sword away and picked Sora up, “Fine witch...lead the way.”

The girl smiled, “Aqua, call me Aqua. I have a cottage just a mile from here but it’s best to walk. Let me guide the horse, it’ll get your smell off of it and make my lies flow a little easier.”

He warily followed the witch, Aqua, to a small cottage. It was...actually welcoming. 

She led them inside, and indicated a place to settle Sora and Riku reluctantly placed him down. He looked so dirty…

“Let him rest, and then you can clean him up, until then let’s take care of you. I know you don’t trust me, but I have another old friend’s clothes here, as well as Ven’s, find something for you both, and I'll boil a bath for you.”

She didn’t leave room for arguing, she pulled a screen between the main room and the sleeping area. He heard her pattering around to draw a bath. Riku sighed and stared at Sora, he looked so much smaller laying there, a little furrow between his brows. Riku brushed the hair aside and kissed his clammy forehead. 

He let out another sigh before beginning to undo all the straps to his leather armour, being left in just his underclothes felt...funny, but he wasn’t self conscious, not by a long shot. He crouched by Sora’s bed and stared.

Aqua’s voice felt like it came through a fog, “There’s a bath ready. Get yourself cleaned up. I set Terra’s clothes out, feel free to wear what you like. I’ll be tending the horse.”

He heard the sound of her feet, then the sound of the door closing. He looked once more at Sora’s prone form before pushing the screen aside, and replacing it once he’d moved passed. He would be able to tell when Sora woke without seeing him.

He smelled the water before he shed anymore of his clothes- smelled clean. If Sora trusted her….he shed the remainder and slipped into the water...oh...it was nice.

He let out another sigh and leaned back. This...this was nice.

When was the last time he’d gotten to be truly clean like this? It had been much too long, even the quick clean ups at the inns.

The idea of being fresh for Sora...it was inviting even when his brain screamed that it didn’t matter, the poor thing was sick beyond belief. Riku really hoped Sora wouldn’t throw up on him right after he’d gotten cleaned…

But if he did Riku wouldn’t mind too much, it was Sora . Riku was finding that was becoming quite a weakness to his heart.

---

He stayed in the water until it got cold, but he was clean now and he felt a hundred times better. He found something manageable from this Terra’s wardrobe and returned to Sora’s side. He didn’t know how the witch emptied her baths. Should he go outside to speak with her? Should he tell her he was finished?

Movement kicked those thoughts clear from his head as Sora curled to his side. Riku’s hand immediately went to those brunette spikes, carding through the slightly damp locks. Sora let out a soft, heart wrenching whine, his breaths wheezing as those eyes opened. 

They almost looked black. Riku’s heart ached.

Sora’s eyes immediately sought him out, and a weak smile broke across his pallid face as he saw him. Riku wished he could go back to that mansion and kick that man’s ass but Sora was more important. But at what cost...was that man still breathing while this angel suffered?

“Stop…” Sora’s hand came up to smooth Riku’s brow, “too much.”

Riku let out a huff and held Sora’s hand, the weight immediately fully held by the Witcher, “You should be resting.”

Sora let out little grunts as he wiggled and sat up, “You too, moreso.” 

Riku’s brows expressed more than words ever could and Sora’s laugh although wheezy was a simple balm.

“Okay, okay...maybe not.” He let his head drop to Riku’s shoulder, “But you look so sad….”

Riku’s hand found a home in Sora’s hair, “I’m not sad, I just hate to see you sick...I should have protected you better.”

Sora hummed, “You saved Namine, that’s what matters. Then she saved me, I bet.”

Riku’s grunt was answer enough. 

---

Neither could tell how much time passed before the witch was back. Riku would bet not much but Sora was dozing again. He heard her pattering around and felt her magic at work but it was...like resting in a calm river. 

“Is he awake?” Her voice was soft.

“‘M awake…” Sora’s voice was slurred.

“Good enough for me, come on little sunray, open those eyes for me,” She pushed back the screen and Riku saw she held a cup. Sora struggled to sit up and not swap. If Riku’s hand was behind him, supporting him, well no one would say anything. “There we go, drink up, okay? This should make the expulsion happen much quicker, maybe two or three more rounds. Would you mind if I held on to whatever else came out? I’d like to experiment with it, see exactly what it is.”

Riku’s eyes narrow, Sora’s brightened, “If you want!” Even sick as he was, the boy was a puppy. Riku focused his displeasure on helping Sora drink instead. “Oh...it’s good…” His voice was soft but Riku saw Aqua’s little smile.

“I think you’ve suffered enough.”

He let out a happy little hum, Riku could feel his little feet wriggling happily.

“Do you think you’ve the strength to get washed, little sunray?” Aqua asked as she brushed her knuckles across his forehead.

Sora frowned, “I...might fall asleep…”

“Oh, I’m sure your Witcher will help you~ Won’t you Witcher~?” Aqua covered her grin with her hand but her eyes sparkled.

Riku felt his cheeks flush, “I-uh, of course...if you want, I don’t mind.”

“It’d be nice...but lemme try on my own, okay?”

They both nodded and stood aside while Sora stood. They both watched his knees shake. He took a deep breath and determinedly crossed the room to the tub- now clean and freshly full.  Aqua and Riku politely looked away as he shed his clothes, until they heard the telltale sound of him settling in the water.

“Oh...it’s nice…” His voice sounded sleepy already.

Aqua shared an amused look at Riku that he had a hard time not returning. “Keep an eye on the little lamb, would you? Make sure he doesn’t drown? And stay quiet, I think our first wave of guards are on the way.” She pat Riku’s shoulder as she passed back outside.

Riku waited and listened to the sounds of water as Sora washed himself. It was slow, and careful. Getting slower every moment. 

“Sora, are you falling asleep?” Amusement was clear in his voice.

Sora hummed, “Maybe~ It’s just nice...I like being clean.”

“Do you want me to keep your head above water?”

“Only...if you don’t comment about what you see…” Oh, was he bashful? Ashamed? Riku’s brow crooked but he couldn’t deny the curiosity...or the temptation. He turned and saw those once gravity defying spikes laying slack, surprisingly lengthy down Sora’s back. He was small, so small Riky could wrap his arms around him thrice. His arms were thin where they wrapped around his own chest, looking up at Riku with eyes clearer than he’d seen in hours. 

“I-im embarrassed,” Riku saw heat rush across those cheeks as he knelt down beside him, a hand immediately going to that dripping hair.

“What could you possibly have to be embarrassed of?” Though he shouldn’t, Riku looked his fill. This bath had extras in it, possibly to add to Sora’s healing, so he couldn’t see much, but still, he liked what he could see.

“I’m sure you’re used to pretty little unblemished things, or strong intimidating but still beautiful.” He gave a slightly self conscious shrug as his arms fell away, revealing a surprising scar tearing through his chest, ending somewhere below the water. 

“I think you’re the most remarkable I've ever seen.” 

Sora snorted and splashed Riku, just a bit, “Don’t be silly. Everyone I know likes to call fun to me.”

He didn’t seem hurt, but Riku truly couldn’t see anything to laugh or tease about, “Maybe you’re a bit skinny-” another splash, and a laugh, and a ‘Hey!” “-but it suits you.” Riku’s hand trailed his arm to the line of the water. Sora shivered.

He was seeming more awake by the minute, “Really now? You’re not just trying to charm me?”

Riku gave an amused snort, “Trust me, Sora. You had me charmed before I even knew it. Who knew some shoeless, animal communicating little nymph would be my type?” 

Sora laughed, much brighter than before. Maybe Riku’s influence could make it one final expulsion, “Even when you’re throwing up a rainbow of colors, I still want to kiss you.”

“It’s too bad I won’t allow it, until all the colors are gone...who knows what they’d do to you?”

“I’m more than willing to find out.” His hand carded through wet locks and Sora instinctively leaned into him. Only the strength of his stubborn will kept him from locking lips with Riku.

“I’m not~” his voice was near a whisper, “now...help me get clean, and don’t say anything about the marks or bruises, or I might be inclined to give you a little smack.”

Riku….would keep his words to himself, but he didn’t hear a single rule about pressing kisses along inches of bare skin. “Hmm, deal.” He brushed Sora’s hair to the side, and kissed the back of his neck.

The sound Sora made brought a smile to Riku’s lips. His hands trailed along Sora’s shoulders and down his arms, grabbing the rag. “Let me take care of you.” 

Sora’s breath shuddered, but he didn’t fight Riku.

He had no ulterior motive for this, he just genuinely wanted to take care of the boy in the tub. He didn’t react as he saw how quickly the Master of the manor had torn Sora up, as the bruising and sluggishly bleeding tears were revealed. Sora didn’t even flinch as Riku washed him clean. Riku’s touch will be the one Sora remembers when he thinks of today.

He can hear the other’s heart beating a tune against his scarred chest. Riku wants to ask questions, but he wont. Instead he rests his hand over the scar and feels the rhythm, feels Sora’s small hand covering his, feels the wet hair lean back against his shoulder and the nose trail along his jaw. 

He tries to catch those lips, but Sora was serious. And a tease if his little grin is anything to go by.

“I know your game,” his voice is almost a low growl as he trails his own nose along Sora’s ear, “when you’re healthy, you’re mine.”

“If you can catch me~” Sora’s laughter was bright when Riku nipped his ear, the water almost sloshing to the floor. 

“Let's get you out of here, you menace.”  He holds his hand out for Sora to pull himself up with.

Sora’s blue eyes debate his hand for a moment, “Pick me something to wear, I can get up myself.”

Stubborn, but Riku can respect that. He turns to pick out something that looks small enough for the other and holds it out behind him. He lets Sora have his privacy and waits until he feels those skinny arms wrap around his middle, a damp forehead pressed between his shoulder blades.

“I’m so lucky I found you.” Sora’s voice is soft as Riku turns around.

“I think i’m the lucky one.” Riku’s voice is just as soft, his own arms gathering Sora up. A small laugh bubbles up from his chest as he sees those bare wiggling toes. 

“Not the bed, I think I'll be sick soon.” Riku settles him at the table, and finds a very specifically left out bucket. Aqua had thought of everything.

“Are you sure we should trust her with...whatever comes out of you?” He can’t stop his distrustful nature.

Sora hums, hands wrapping around the bucket in preparation, “She knows Ven, I trust her.”

Riku sighed as he pet Sora’s hair back, anticipating the new wave of sickness, “I had my trust trained out of me so long ago, why do you make it so easy?”

Sora just shot him the most sunshine grin, before proceeding to vomit up waves of dark blue and purple fluid.

So gross.

Aqua came back in as the blue turned to purple and her eyebrows flew up with it, “Oh dear.”

“Don’t feel sorry for him, he’s being a little shit.” Riku deadpanned.

Sora flailed a hand weakly to smack his arm, but Aqua laughed.

“If he’s anything like Ven, I believe it.” She walked past, passing a hand through Sora’s hair as she went. “I’ll make you another tea, this one more just for comfort than help, everything left in you has to leave of its own accord, though I think you should only have a couple colors left.” At Riku’s rose brow she explains, “The darker it is, the closer to the end. He started out pretty vibrant right? That’s how they are following you, but it’s easy to make a dark viscous liquid and toss it somewhere along some other path.” 

Sora let out a dramatic groan and thumped his head on the table, “I wanna be done with it now...it hurts.”

“I know sweetheart, soon.” Riku could feel just...a warmth coming from her. Is this how Sora felt around people? How odd.

Aqua shot him an amused look, as if she could read his mind, but said nothing. 

Sora finished his brew, almost dropping his face right back in to what he expelled if it weren’t for Riku’s quick reflexes.

“Alright, bedtime then.” Aqua shooed them to the bed. Riku had no real complaints. He wanted to talk to the woman, but though he seemed to have no strength, Sora clung to him like his life depended on it.

And really, how could Riku say no?