All that shines turns to rust All that stands in time turns to dust }} riku&roxas

[darkbreak]

[Funny how there are some people out there that hope and want no one to notice them. Funny how in doing so, they end up attracting attention anyways.

At least that's what Riku's been thinking for the past few days. It's hard not to notice the absence of one particular teenager when the teachers do roll call every class. One name in particular always garners whispers and comments whenever the owner doesn't respond. He might not participate much in the comments beyond a few to Sora and Kairi on occasion. But Riku finds himself more concerned about the owner than judgemental.

After all, this is just about the... what was it, tenth time this year and it's just early May, that Roxas has inexplicably been absent. It didnt seem like he had a chronic illness or anything, but it was frequent enough to appear like it. And it didn't seem like anyone was curious enough to ask him if he was okay.

That's why when the seemingly grumpy loner kid comes back, Riku's curiosity is at its peak. He fibs a little at the end of the day to Sora and Kairi, telling them that he needs to train on campus for the basketball team for next year. Of course he gets weird looks from Kairi, they both know it'll be a while before the season starts up again, but otherwise the two of them leave for home without Riku.

Well he does have different plans than training. Waiting just long enough to notice that the blonde kid was starting to head off himself, Riku hops onto his bike and tails him. With his contacts in, it's easy to keep his distance so that Roxas won't notice and not lose sight of him.

But when he starts going out far, further out of the town, Riku starts to wonder just what he's getting himself into...]

Comments

[darkbreak]

[There's something of a groan as Riku sits up more, rubbing his face with a hand. Right. Shut. It's not the weekend yet.

He just got too comfortable here, he thought he was at Sora's.]

...Whatever. [He gets up and heads to the nearest bathroom, going to fix his hair and get himself looking more presentable. The bite on his hand isn't too deep, but he doesn't seem too bothered by it.]

You keep sitting on me for some reason and been using me as a personal pincushion. Kinda hard to pretend all that...

[missingache]

[Don't mind the little vamp looking in his kitchen for something humanly edible. For someone who has a functional house with plates and so on, there's not a single crumb... Roxas sighs to himself. Maybe keep some non-perishables around would be good for the future.

He looks over towards the bathroom with a slight glare. He can hear you, Riku. So he'll speak loud enough for the other to hear.]

Humans like touching each other and stuff. That's why I sit on you. If you rather I didn't, I won't do it again. [It's not like he should be letting himself get close to Riku in the first place. Riku is only food. That's it.] And I bit you because you pissed me off.

[darkbreak]

[He'll be fine until he can make it to school if anything. It's rather easy to mooch off Sora or Kairi considering how many times they've snagged snacks from him. Breakfast is important of course and he knows that, recognizing the emptiness of his stomach. But he won't necessarily hold it to the vampire to have things lying around that suit his human needs.

And besides, once he's finished in the bathroom, he does shive a few cold fries in his mouth. It's not great, but at least it's something until he can find his bike and make it to campus.]

It's fine. You're just... [How does he put this delicately. Roxas is still a stranger to him, and as popular as Riku might act around school, he really only appreciates being touched by his best friends. But he's not sure that explanation would go over well either. Not if he wants to continue being a living blood bank for Roxas.] ...kinda cold. Not something you really wanna wake up to in the morning.

[Grabs his bag and shoves his phone in it with a scoff. Dang, of course there's more missed messages from Sora than either of his parents. Typical.]

I apologize for having a social life and a best friend who usually does that to me. [Half a glare shot Roxas's way.]

Sit on me if you want. Doesn't matter. I'm just food anyways, right?

[missingache]

[Riku might be trying to put things delicately, but after years and years of listening to humans when they thought they couldn't be heard, Roxas can tell that hesitance and reason are a lie. If he had a beating heart he supposes it would hurt right now. That he'd blush from anger. Instead, his face remains passive.]

I won't anymore. All I need is to bite your wrist. I can just sit next to you or stand for that.

[It's been a long time since he's tried to be close to a person and it's backfiring like this. Then again, he can't remember what it's like to be human, so maybe this was inevitable. That he'd fail and drive a human away with trying to be more human.]

Come on. Let's get going. I can sniff out where you came into town since there was no rain. You rode a bike here, right?

[darkbreak]

[Riku keeps his face still and passive, but his eyes avoid looking directly at Roxas. He's not ashamed or embarrassed or even glad at this declaration. It's not that Riku was happy about being sat on like that, but there's something weird about the idea of being drained from the wrist. Something almost... impersonal?

Not that he's going to say that to the other right now. It's better that he tries to figure this out himself first. Maybe Roxas likes it on the neck better than the wrist? It's something that's just striking him now.

A sigh as he grabs his bag.] It's fine. Bite me wherever you like. It doesn't matter.

...Yeah, I did. If it's still there, it'll be outside the fence. If not, it's no big deal.

[missingache]

[It is impersonal. The wrist is reserved for Thralls as a sign of subjugation. In Riku's case? Roxas is getting the hint that getting close was a no go. So it's better this way. Keeping things impersonal. Keep himself from getting attached to someone who is supposed to be just food.]

No. The wrist is fine. It takes a little longer to get what I need, but it's fine. That way you can stay comfortable-[As much as being bit let Riku be.]-and it's easier to cover up.

[Roxas nods and opens the door, sniffing the air to catch a scent. When he does, he walks to where Riku had come from.]

Do you need help climbing over the wall?

[darkbreak]

[Don't give up on him, Roxas. Riku just needs time to have new people invade his personal space. Once he's used to it, he's okay with people being around him. It's one of the reasons he doesn't have a significant other, and one of the things other students haven't figured out yet.

But he also just doesn't think he'd someone worth getting close to, especially if he's going to be a living blood bank or killed for stumbling into Monster Town.]

If you're hungry, you're hungry and it's not as if humans usually get a choice anyways.

[Roxas has debunked a lot of myths surrounding vampires, but that has to be right. A starving vampire probably doesn't care where they bite or how much they take. Humans are the same when it comes to hunger. He sees it everyday in the cafeteria at school.

Riku follows without much issue, but his eyes are taking in everything around him. He may have to remember this route later on if Roxas doesn't invite him in. And more than that, he's curious about this whole end of town.]

No, I'll be okay. [And with that, he starts climbing, once again scratching himself with the barbs when he reaches the top.]

[missingache]

[Giving up is different than just not getting close. Roxas was used to people wanting to be close to a vampire once they found out what he was, for the thrill. Having someone pretty much reject him and keep him at arm's length will be something to get used to. Men always did seems shier about being bitten.

It would be all on Riku if getting closer is to be a thing.]

Humans do get a choice. I always give them a choice. It's not my faul they always choose to get bitten. That's all on you. Even at my hungriest I give those I bite a choice to just walk away.

[It's a courtesy thing even country bumpkin vamps follow. The more at ease the human feels, the more likely they would say yes to giving some blood.

Roxas watches Riku climb up, raising an eyebrow.]

You know, I'll make sure you can come in from the front. You're not gonna have clothes if you keep that up.

[darkbreak]

[Riku's never been the best at making the right decisions, barring Sora's awful choices. He can dish out enough advice that his friends often go to him, but when it comes to Riku's own decisions regarding himself and things like his comfort level, they're not the best.

He'll figure out where he wants to put his boundaries eventually. If someone is patient enough to wait for him that is.]

That's... pretty nice of you. [There's no sarcasm in his voice at all as he looks away. Guess a lot of the monster movies got a lot of things wrong for vampires, or maybe Roxas is just a little different among his kind. Who knows. But still, he's honest and now, a little curious.] Do a lot walk away when you offer?

[Riku crouches on the top of the fence, fingers and feet balancing him as he avoids the barbs. He blinks down at the blond through his bangs, somewhat surprised.]

Wouldn't you get in trouble for letting a human in?

[missingache]

[Riku, learn your own comfort levels. Or Roxas might crash course you again.]

No one has ever walked away. At least not for me. My sire, before she was slain, had a few people walk off.

[He points at his wrist.] Show them the bite. They'll think you're a thrall, and everyone here will let you through. Biting a wrist is like a sign of ownership for vampires.

I'm so sorry this is so late ;;

[darkbreak]

{He'll learn. Eventually. Its one of the life lessons that hasn't quite stuck with him just yet. How he's friends with the physical and affectionate Sora is a wonder.

He gives one more contemplative glance at Roxas, a fraction of a smile starting to form. He might be a vampire, loner and several hundred years older than Riku, but Roxas is something of a good guy. Offering opportunities and choices in cases where they're scarce.]

...She sounds like she was a good mentor.

[Of course, he doesn't exactly know much about the relationship between sire and their newly created vampires, but Riku imagines isn't something like a mentor and their pupil.

A quick look at his own wrist and his expression twists into a grimace. Ownership. It's... a strange concept and one that doesn't sit well with him, but he is taking steps into a world he knows little about now. And if being "owned" will mean he can keep his life, then it's just something he'll have to swallow.]

I'll remember that. [Not sounding too happy there, but he nods.] I'll see you soon I guess.

[And with that, he drops down to the other side of the fence and gathers his bike.]