#so soriku is implied

[tharkflark1]

If I get left alone for too long I start thinking about Nightmare Bat-ku

[blowingoffsteam2]

“What are you so afraid of?”

“Sora, let’s take the raft and go! Just the two of us!”

[almost-correct-kh]

Riku: This bloodline ends with me.

Sora: That's the fanciest way I've ever heard someone say "I'm gay."

[oxyphara]

I was trying to improve my drawing skills and I wanted to do a full drawing after practicing drawing KH1!Sora's hair over and over until I got it right. Didn't know what to actually draw until I was listening to the song Cobalt Clockface by Alissi-P and this lyric reminded me of COM! Sora and how he grows angrier and angrier as his memories are further distorted and messed with, so I went for it! Here's to the first piece of art I've drawn that I've actually liked enough to post! 🥳🎉 :D :D

(Pose reference under the read more)

Super cool song!

I did do my own pose reference for the hands, I just took a picture of myself in the pose I wanted so I would have a good idea on how it would look 😅

Also special thanks to my friend Willow whose an amazing artist, she was encouraging me the whole time! When something didn't feel right, she gave advice and tips on what might make it feel better! :D Super happy to finally like something I've drawn enough to post it, especially the lineart! First time ever doing lineart that I actually liked! :D I hope to continue to improve over time! :D

[hestzhyen]

Sunken Ships and SoRiku

Hi internet void. I went feral and maybe you'll read the result.

KH has made a lot of choices around SoRiku from a narrative perspective that, in isolation, wouldn't amount to much. A heart-to-heart here, a questionable line there, and so on. The usual things that one would do to court a queer shipping audience in an otherwise het or unromantic work. And SoRiku circles have painstakingly documented every instance to show something that looks more like a consistent and intentional effort rather than a few dollops here and there to keep shippers engaged. There's... a lot. But one stupid, insignificant thing really shook me up and made me a believer in SoRiku Endgame, Actually.

Silly as it is, it's Nomura's reaction to people shipping RikuNami that gets me the most.

Generally speaking a writer doesn't want to interact with fandom shipping unless it's to urgently course correct. As in it would be catastrophic to the narrative if the fandom had the wrong idea. Otherwise it's best to just take note of how people are interpreting things and adjust the next installment accordingly, or live and let live. Keep distant and don't risk accusations of retconning/bad writing/queerbaiting in bad faith. So the normal reaction from Nomura seeing people get excited over RikuNami would have been to just do nothing. But instead, the scene was patched to downplay the smile, and Nomura went on the record to clarify that it's not a setup for a romantic relationship between Riku and Namine.

That's insane.

Why is it so important that Riku remain romantically uninterested in a girl he'd have a natural connection to, huh? What about accidentally implying RikuNami was so detrimental to the story that it was changed and explicitly addressed like that? Even if it wasn't meant to be, surely letting it play out like AkuRoku did would be enough. Just gently clarify and move on with the story (which pretty much sunk the ship on it's own anyway). You don't wade into fandom shipping and launch nuclear warheads like Nomura did against RikuNami unless you want to leave no room for doubt.

Torpedoing RikuNami also doesn't help them keep up appearances in terms of straightness at this point. Leaving it intact would only help the case of Riku and Sora being bffs with the strongest bond 5ever- a huge boon for the writing team if they wanted to avoid things looking too gay. Nomura et. al. are absolutely aware of the impressions and jokes about how gay KH is. And KH definitely would not be the first series to play in to queer ship teasing for the lols until it's time to pair everyone up at the end.

But they did the one thing you're not supposed to do if you're just aiming to queerbait: undermining the plausible straight ship. You don't eliminate the only straight option for your character like that for the sake of "he so gay" jokes! Having a straight option available is vital to make the bait; they don't have to be compelling or important to the story, they just have to exist. Yet at this point, Riku's only option is Sora. They went out of their way to ensure we wouldn't think anything else makes sense for him.

Holy. Shit.

[starrieisdelusional]

2/3 into the 6 hours riku is gay video, holy shit soriku is so heavily implied that it’s actually ridiculous??

[temporalbystander]

To the lovely KH blog that I follow that asked why Kingdom Hearts is trending, I would like you to know just how much of my hate you have. I looked up what's recent on the Kingdom Hearts tag and you know what I found?

The earth shattering certainty that not only is Soriku canon but is also an allegory using Jungian psychology to perfectly illustrate the need to accept and find balance with oneself. And that, contrary to all my prior held beliefs that Sora is pure cinnamon bun levels of light and purity, I should have trusted the openings, the games, and the keyblade masters Terra and Aqua who state that it's Riku that guided them to destiny islands and also implying that Sora may be a big darkness villain at some point.

Don't even get me started on Roxas, or how I never put together that "Kairi arrived on the night of a meteor shower" means that Namine COULDN'T have been replacing Kairi in the memory she gave to Sora and Repliku in CoM about the promise to always protect her.

So, once again. To that lovely blog who asked the question that sent me down this rabbit hole 2 HOURS AGO!!!! Thank you.

[kingdomhearts-and-soriku-trash]

Has anybody really said this? I’m really curious and I wanna know because if so then that is so messed up-

Sks: Ugh sorikus want Kairi out of the way for their ship how delusional of them

Also sks: Riku should've died in kh3 and Riku should fail in kh4 so Kairi can come in and save Sora so they can have their happily ever after

[thefreshprinceofjunes]

While im a Soriku fan I’m dubious of the idea of it being the endgame because

1. Disney is pretty fake with their progressivism as they care about their bottom line at the end of the day and wouldn’t do anything to risk their profits

2. The 2.8 Credits had a bunch of Sokai moments following the Disney couple section which tells me THAT ship is the endgame. https://youtube.com/watch?v=E9YpdXDrqz4&feature=share9

Your thoughts?

OKAY IM SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO RESPOND TO THIS

admittedly this is the biggest barrier to soriku endgame IMO (besides maybe japanese cultural norms), because disney is definitely Like That (passive progressive). however, they are getting better, slowly but surely, and lumity becoming canon in the owl house (with luz specifically being bi and amity specifically being a lesbian) gives me hope

i see a lot of people point to that credits montage as 'proof' s/k is canon, but there's three examples there that seem... out of place, if that really is what theyre going for

roxas and namine may have been teased in the kh2 era, but since then, the series seems to have WAY more heavily leaned into roxas and xion being far more likely as a couple (even tho i personally dont ship them)

ive never played ff7, but i think tifa is the canon relationship for cloud? or implied, anyway? so putting aerith and him together alongside canon disney couples is also kinda weird

and finally, wendy and peter seem like the biggest clue that something isnt right here.

wendy and peter are not a couple in the original source material at all.

wendy grows up and has children of her own.

when they reunite, peter is annoyed at first that wendys changed, even tho she insists she hasnt, at least at heart

remind you of anyone?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

(@skibot99)

[tharkflark1]

Oops it’s 4:40am

[oldestenemy]

intro / info / hi who the hell are you post

it's, honestly about time I made one of these.

hi, i'm stevie (though i'll answer to many other things if you knew me elsewhere on the internet or Here But A Different Blog), my pronouns are zie/hirs or they/them, i'm closer to 30 than 20, timezone is EST, and almost all i do all the time is think and write about The Character (and there are, so many of them to think about).

other internet presences include: writeblr, bluesky, and ao3

this blog is almost entirely chaos, sometimes i tag things, typically when i remember it's a post about doctor who (time travel is in fact not bonsai) or wizard101 (stevie is still stuck in the spiral) or the lost boys (piles of vampire bs) or disco elysium (one day i will return to your side), everything else kinda just gets thrown into the bucket. i started it because i missed having a dedicated fandom blog, and i was perhaps clogging up my writeblr with it.

my askbox is basically always open, as are my dms, be warned i am like the MOST introvert of all time but if we share an interest or a character thought i will genuinely not shut the fuck up <3

beyond that, my fanfiction also gets posted here, so as to keep my original work separated on my writeblr (though i love both pretty much equally <3) and you can see some brief overviews of those projects undercut.

(series, wip) Forever Onward, Scion - Wizard101 - my ongoing monster of a Wiz series following the Scion of Bartleby from the Wraith of Sylvia Drake through until the end (currently at the beginning of Empyrea as of 11/2024), canon divergent in many places but not too drastically until the end of arc 3-arc 4, focusing on the trauma of losing yourself to becoming a hero whether you wanted to or not, on the things you lose by existing for the will of other people, and the fact that when you are molded to be a weapon--learning to lean on others is a hard skill to hone. Eventually it will have a spinoff/companion series following the Rebuilding of the Dragonspyre Academy of Magic, which will serve as a postgame/epilogue.

(complete) we are the same (you and i) - Wizard101 - wizbat! this is smut, it's also character study, and angst, I do not know how to do anything else <3. Set immediately post!Empyrea, canon compliant but technically AU to Forever Onward, Scion. After the fight in the cave on Mandalla to "Restore his essence" the Wizard is not about to let Bat abandon them and run back to Empyrea, they have unfinished business, and unresolved tension.

(wip) In lieu of Thinking - Wizard101 - ongoing compilation of Eurydice Nightshade/Duncan Grimwater works, technically canon compliant with most of Forever Onward, Scion, though divergent from roughly Karamelle forward. I thought too hard about the parallels of the Wizard and Duncan and their respective traumas and now here we are.

(wip) Time Marches On - Kingdom Hearts - A Kairi-centric fic set post!KH3, focusing on her training under Aqua and the discovery of Vanitas in a flood-unversed form, similar to Sora's shadow heartless at the end of KH1. Follows Kairi's ongoing work towards becoming a keyblade master, and her reasons (as little as she understands them) for continuing to pursue that despite constantly being pushed to the sidelines for her own "safety". Mainly genfic but possible eventual VaniKai because I Do In Fact Have Brain Worms About Them. Implied SoRiku.

(wip) Through Another Lens - The Lost Boys - Michael Feeds AU, not original, very much a dime a dozen, but it's a momentary change that i LOVE because the whole story hinges on whether or not he can manage to stave off the bloodlust during the beach party and he can't. POV swaps between Michael and Sam, following the lost boys desire to get out from under Max's thumb, Michael's desire to not lose his family, and Sam's desire to save his brother. Again, primarily genfic, though possibly David/Michael or David/Michael/Star. Established TLB as a poly mess because in my heart that is what they are.

(complete) A Jagged Reflection - Doctor Who - a return to my Doctor/Master roots with a lovely post!Fobwatched Master deciding to lay into the Doctor for dragging him around as a companion instead of releasing him from the Chameleon Arch the second they found him. And for the Doctor's ever present habit of dropping anyone who does not fit their own view of Good. Of Right. Of self sacrificial nobility.

(complete) If Knowing Made it Better - Doctor Who - more Doctor/Master, this is specifically based on a RP I had running with my friend Kate many many years ago. John Smith/Tentoo getting ripped out of his universe due to an issue with the Metacrisis split, seeing that Koschei has been traveling with the Doctor, and losing it on him--because the last time John saw him, it was when he was dying in the Doctor's arms.

[mythicalartistx]

Riku being gay is more Canon then HC

The reason why I have trouble saying I headcanon Riku as gay is because there is a LOT of evidence— text evidence from the games he is.

Like shipping Soriku or Zemyx is HC. Those ships are stated the couples aren't together yet. But Riku being gay is actually implied through various scenes.

I'm not even including the novels and manga where he shows obvious signs of being gay and liking Sora—which some people consider not canon, but they were also reviewed and approved by Nomura sooo 🤷

But in the games there is a lot of evidence especially looking at Japanese correct translations that imply he is not into girls, he is gay. He loves his best friend.

In the Eng DDD with the TWEWY characters, Riku's interaction with Shiki.

He get almost offended when Shiki says, Aren't you my knight in shining armor?

Riku responds by saying, "Kn-knnight!? You got the wrong idea!"

He seems upset that a girl— someone thinks he is into her.

Then she seems to realize he's either gay or haven't been out much.

Personally I don't mind this change.

In the Japanese version he tells her, Not that kind of knight.

It is still gay and she even calls him Knight Sama 😆

Another example is all the Riku Replicas displaying emotions and feelings to Sora

Then in DDD Riku's conversations with Esmeralda and Quasimodo in the Notre Dame world is basically implying he is gay.

Final Notes:

Also Riku refer to Sora several times in JPN version a phrase, Taisetsunahito which means precious person and he uses it a LOT like a ton and it's not just lightly. It could be seen romantic because other characters use it. But the English translation team has trouble translating get phrase.

He also calls Sora Aitsu which means some guy and it can have romantic interest involved.

Shipping Riku with Sora is head canon, other things is not.

I can give so many more examples but the point is made. Like Riku was Jealous in KH2 and offered him a papou fruit to see if he might be interested the same way, and then rubs it off as a joke.

And like it's fine if someone doesn't ship it and I can see why someone might ship something else.

[ok4ru]

oh wait also I know you have thoughts about Stella and yozora and those guys, I have like zero clue what goes on/is implied about them (I know nothing about versus XIII), so if you’d like to rant about that use this an an opportunity:>

Okay, I read this wrong at first and went into a whole rant about Yin and Yang and they’re connected Yozora and Stella then I reread the question and put down this but now lets to the point.

I have some many feelings towards Yozora and Stella since they seem to be connected to Sora and Riku, not to mention the old Final Fantasy 15 too..

Now let's talk about Stella and Yozora:

My favorite thing is that the two of them are based off the old version of Noctis and Luna which I think is pretty cool cause you can see it in the design choice.

Yozora- Now from what we know about Yozora is not that much but I find him really interesting and hope that he is similar to the OG Noctis. I love his design even though he looks like a deviantart verison of Riku which I FIND SO FUNNY.

I feel like he’s gonna be the evil version of Namine, trying to replace Sora's memory with his and Stella or put Sora in Stella's place while also maybe making a false memory of him and Riku.

I feel like Yozora is gonna make Riku to be like some bad person in his memories and replace the good ones with bad and fake ones instead. 

I don’t trust Yozora but I do love him.

Stella- I love her! She is so pretty!! She looks really similar to Sora which at this point I'm convinced that Quadratum may be an alternative Universe maybe??

I wonder what her and Yozora relationship was like and if it was a close relationship like Sora and Riku.

Now, I'm gonna give you some info about the OG Noctis and Luna. Now it was kinda like Romeo and Juliet but it was mostly a kinda unknown one sided relationship? 

Noctis was the one to pined for Stella and tried to pursue her. Noctis doesn’t know how Stella feels for her and you don't know what Stella feels for Noctis. 

Then that reminded me of Sora and Riku. We know how Riku feels toward but we don’t how Sora feels toward Riku. (I don’t even think Sora know, lmao)

With this information it makes me think ‘OMG, what if Yozora was that deeply in love with her?? WHAT IF?!?!’ Knowing this is a Nomura game has me hoping that Yozora and Stella Relationship is shown like that.

Yozora gets ready to tell his feelings for Stella just for her to rip away from him. (Honestly, Nomura would do that…)

Also In the OG story of FF13 Noctis and Luna's families are against each other. So it's kinda enemies to lovers? But Noctis flopped and fell in with his enemy…BEAUTIFUL!

Fun fact: Noctis and Stella out represent white and black too which love that design choice cuz Light and Darkness elements..

Not to mention, Sora being light to Riku darkness which I think will have the same Yozora and Stella thing going on for the both of them...

Cuz, what if Yozora's heart gets taken by darkness and Stella would use the power of light to get it back?? 

Proving to be her light to his darkness!! But I think unlike the OG Stella and Noctis they’re being enemies to lovers. It's gonna be Friends to lovers then to enemies…

Have a KH1 Soriku thing going on but no lover thing included!

I WANNA KNOW MORE ABOUT THEM!!! YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!!!

As for Aegis and Magia, Yozora Goofy and Donald. They’re pretty cool. I hope to see them in KH4 being helped by Sora during some battles!

[sarahsartedits]

Riding on a dream with you

“Looks like I finally win, Red”-Roxas

Firstly I’d like to thank my mom for helping me pay for my art commission so that this exists visually! 🥰

Big thanks to @ultyso for this amazing beautiful artwork🌳🍃of one of the scenes in the story below❤️‍🔥 ⬇️

Also thanks to the roxiri server for listening to my ideas for this god knows this was all I talked about lol thanks to supportive roxiri friends & others who have inspired me @starrattlerofprydain @skytsunrose @roxaskairi @alphascorpiixx @whatsupfluff @dogoncabrera @eradicatetehnormal @twfated @twilight-blaze @paopubell @rxcketrvcer @yume127 @incorrectroxiriquotes2

Roxiri motocross au reimagined one shot set in the year 2000

Written for Roxiri from an idea I had earlier last summer mostly constructed from my imagination & decided to expand by a lot lol I’m not a writer & is only my second time writing anything similar to fanfics so forgive mistakes & grammatically errors. also this softly implies namixi & soriku going on in the background but doesn’t take center stage. Sora & Riku is briefly necessary adversaries for Kairi’s motivations it’s not meant to be bashing we like them over here. also don’t know shit about motocross I made shit up to fit my narrative

Warning smoking & language heavy angst & on with the story

Todays the day she thinks as she prepares for her challenge, Kairi is an inspiring motor biker determined to join the destiny islands motocross team, to put her skills to the test in competition & hopefully build back friendships with childhood friends Sora & Riku. she goes through tough impossible obstacles each time to join the team on purpose to vote no on her joining. Sora cheerfully laughs afterwards saying “oh hey that’s too bad, Kairi I’ll make it up to ya I’ll take you to the movies, my treat!” Kairi huffs “when i crawl up & die, I knew you’d do this, jerk” after walking over to blow smoke into Sora’s face as she stocks off as Sora gasps for air “fine be ungrateful! Man, what a hag!’’ Kairi rolls her eyes & balled up her fists what did she expect Sora & his team is full of guys who seem to have a negative attitude towards her in general with joining up. “Oh it’s too dangerous, you’d just get hurt.” As he continually keeps her off the team & from competing. She hears Riku comfort Sora telling him “don’t worry he did the right thing’’ & that she’s “baggage” to the team. It’s was his usual prep talk to Sora & the team that she was too delicate to be even riding a motor bike much less allow her on the team, use the trails & gear? Kairi frowned she couldn’t believe these were the same boys she’d hung out with most of her life?

Kairi lost in thought arrives home & finds boxes all over the house because kairi’s single & crazy indecisive mom Kayla decides to move them to twilight town in with her new boyfriend Nathan & his daughter Namine. At this point Kairi is up for anything to get away from obnoxious sexist boys & being blackballed by the other girls. She had met Namine a few times before moving to their apartment. To her surprise the blonde girl was very friendly & at the same time withdrawn & quite, mentioned by her father for her love for art & painting. Kairi was super intrigued by the girl & was hopeful that they’d be like sisters. Meanwhile Kayla brags on Namines art & mannerisms wishing kairi was more like her instead of having nasty habits like smoking & “dirt biking”. Such a nasty sport for young girls it was bad enough for your father look where it got him. Kairi rolls her eyes sure mom whatever as she puts out a cigarette. Namine looks like she wants to say something to Kayla but doesn’t just bows her head & looks away. Kairi doesn’t notice she can just tell her moms gonna ruin this relationship too of course.

When they finally get moved in, Namine enters Kairi’s room with a welcome home gift art piece as she was hesitant to, from Kairi defensive attitude towards Kayla for the most part. As they had a disagreement on taking her bike as Kayla wasn’t wanting it brought since she wanted Kairi to start over in a new town with new hobbies kairi was livid at the thought that bike was hers. It’s was gift from her dad a fellow rider who died in a biking accident. Kairi looks up with a small smile as she removes her headphones, ‘hello Namine. Sorry about earlier. Mother just doesn’t get me.” Namine hands kairi the rolled up artwork returning a smile, “you know, you could try out for twilight town’s motocross team you mentioned earlier of the hard time they gave you over on Destiny islands?” Kairi examines it as she puts in on the wall & ponders “i… just don’t know Namine… I mean what would be the difference?” Namine, “ well you said you think they don’t let girls on the team? Well that’s definitely not the case here, my girlfriend Xion is on the team & our friend Olette, it’s based on your talent not gender.” Kairi does a double take, what!? Why didn’t you tell me!? Namine looks down shhh I’m not out to father yet. Kairi whispers I’m sorry but that’s great you know you have my support. Namine nodded ‘promise me you’ll think about it?’ Kairi “I will”

Later that night as she’s having her nightly cigarette on her windowsill she spots a blond boy across the street in a neighboring building out on the deck porch noticing her as he paused from playing his guitar she puts out the cigarette & says to herself “sorry blondie no distractions this time.”

In The next few days kairi heard voices outside her bedroom door then a knock & in walks a raven haired girl with a bob hair cut & Namine trailing behind her. So you’re Kairi. Yes & you must be Xion? Namine’s Girl who also doesnt wait for permission to enter rooms? What? I so knocked & im impatient. Xion winked Nami says you’re interested in joining motocross? I saw your bike on the way in. You any good? Kairi sighed the answer your first question yeah sure second question it’s my life why wouldn’t I be any good? Xion smirked yeah? But are you motocross good? Kairi returns xion’s wink from earlier we shall see won’t we? Xion sure meet me at the ‘pit’ tomorrow for tryouts & meeting the team”.

The next day kairi & her bike walks with Namine to meet Xion at the ‘’pit’’ in the twilight town forest. The sort of twilight town’s motor bikers hang out for the team to practice. Kairi was nervous to say the least. Firstly noticing Xion & another girl fitted up in gear she assumed was Olette. This was a good sign she thought “there’s other girls on the team, if I don’t make it it’s my own fault” soon Kairi was startled out of her thoughts when xion led them over closer to the rest of the team. Kairi noticed that a blond boy who everyone seemed to be talking with, couldn’t take his eyes off her as soon as she enter the “pit” it seemed. Oh god it’s the boy across the street that was staring at me from his deck porch. Soon Xion yelled at him “yo Rox come here” “Rox” walked over with a smirk hey Xi so who’s your friend? Xion rolled her eyes ; this is Kairi, Kairi this is Roxas team captain leader blah blah totally hammy thinks he’s all that with fancy bike & skateboard tricks & his damn hair, for the love of God let me trim it it’s in your eyes, Roxas sighs shakes his head hell no, give me a break “MOM” let me do my own damn introduction, Kairi laughed Roxas’s eyes brightened & smile widened. Hey Kairi. Girl across the street who lives with Namine it’s a pleasure meeting you even if you’re friends with this one before Xi went nuts I was gonna say the only thing true about that is that I’m an amazing team captain who happens to be a skilled rider that’s it. Kairi chuckled softly ok I believe you you don’t seem like a ham to me as she played rolled her eyes Roxas oh ho ho ho this one got jokes? Haha well miss Kairi I wanna wish you good luck out there tryouts here can be as brutal as motocross is. Kairi nodded she could do this. As she walked his bike over to the starting line. Roxas called for everyone’s attention “okay my dudes & dudettes tryouts are about to start roll on over to the starting line & please let’s try to keep it clean & not to have a smash up out there….

Kairi couldn’t believe the competition as she smoked them all as she turned corners & made all her jumps which the pit made much better jumps & more room to freestyle than Sora & Riku’s trails around the island. (It seemed like she’d would be at a disadvantage since she had snuck out to ride the trails every chance she got when Sora & Riku would take trips away from the island to stay in top shape since Sora or riku would try to police her from riding their trails.) as she finished her run with a long drift into the finish line & remove her helmet she noticed all the stunned faces of Namine & Xion but Roxas had a different expression, resembling resentment. Kairi walked her bike out of the way of the others.

Roxas couldn’t believe this girl & her princess style bike not only beat the competition but she had sick freestyle moves thrown in to the mix. He just couldn’t let her join his team, not while showing out like that using freestyle supercross wasn’t allowed & was separate from motocross itself. Roxas quickly got everyone’s attention “okay okay chill out guys listen up that’s a wrap better luck next time.” Kairi Xion & Namine gasped as kairi turned away mortified & angry. “What the fuck happened?’’ she wondered. She started to walk away when she heard Xion blasting at Roxas. Kairi decided to walk back she felt she needed an explanation. Roxas “Xion I don’t have to explain how I run this team.” Xion “what the hell is wrong with you?” Kairi interrupts “no I have the right to an explanation I fucking demand it” she yelled hoarsely Roxas rolled his eyes, ok red here’s the deal I have no room for big shots or princesses that demands shit handed to them. That rely on freestyle to win motocross not only that, this is a simple tryout for a local team all you had to do way beat those guys in the race”!!! kairi I DID THAT! Roxas yeah but you still relied on freestyle. I can’t have that. I’m sorry. Kairi gritted her teeth “ fine blondie you should’ve made that in the rules beforehand! Roxas folded his arms my team my tryouts my rules rookies who don’t understand that don’t get to be on my team. Kairi exploded EXCUSE YOU IM NOT A ROOKIE! Shoving Roxas to the ground as she stormed off. Roxas chuckled to himself as he got up. “Reds got fire” as he smirked.

The next day Xion shows up to tell Kairi with much team discussion Roxas has had a change of heart that he will in fact let her on his team on the grounds she trains under him for the coming weeks before the local motocross against several of the local towns Destiny Islands included. Kairi sighing as she’d been annoyed as hell the whole night. Ok but why cause all that shit with me yesterday? xion sucked in air wellll I think he’s just being a jealous little bitch but you didnt hear that from me. Kairi ‘’he’s a what now?!’’ Jealous of me? Why he’s captain leader guy he doesn’t have to constantly prove himself that’s he’s good you can tell he is without him jumping on a bike & he’s seemed laid back & chill & people give him respect so freely. Xion dumbfounded Namine who walked into the room giggled “Kairi if I didn’t know better I’d say you like Roxas!” Kairi & Xion ‘what?’ Kairi well I might of if he hadn’t treated me like shit for riding good??? Kairi questions Xion again whys is he jealous? xion “right well he’s not use to anyone besting him is all. Kairi gawks what!? You think I bested him? Xion “again you didn’t hear it from me I think he thinks that. But he doesn’t have the right to act that way. Kairi nodded Namine so what are you going to do? Still join the team anyways? Kairi rubbed her chin thoughtfully hmm I think I’ll give him a taste of his own medicine I’ll make it my life’s mission to test his skills to the point he’s made to feel as insecure about his as he’s made me feel about mine yesterday. Ending with Xion & Namine give each other a nervous look.. this could end badly.

Fast forward a few weeks, Kairi had been meeting Roxas several times a week & once on weekends to train which was more like Kairi & Roxas racing & betting each other would beat the other. Roxas had to teach this girl who was the best on this team if it kills him he thought miserably he’d win & she’d win back to back. Roxas “you’ve had enough,Red?” “Not on your life blondie” “fine, just don’t cry when you lose” Roxas snapped Kairi exhausted don’t you get it I don’t lose, hold on a minute I need a smoke as she lights up a cigarette. ‘’I don’t suppose you would like to join me?’’Roxas looks mildly disgusted & curious “maybe if you answer a question you smoke often?” Kairi hands Roxas a smoke & lights it, Roxas coughs a bit but overall he’s fine. Kairi giggles “about a few years now & only when I’m anxious & angry.” & more often since my father passed,Roxas bowed his head shit I’m sorry, Red hate to hear that. Kairi waved him off softly ‘’thanks but it happened a few years ago from a biking accident, everything I know about motor bikes I learned from him.” Roxas nodded solemnly “so who are you outside of riding & competitions with me?” Roxas & Kairi chuckled she sighed im not much really I use to be cheerleader & wrote poetry typically girly shit” Roxas howled with laughter you’re joshing me! I can’t see it! Kairi mmmhhhmm I really did I tried to please mom, sora & riku, to try to fit in with other girls. Roxas interrupts “wait one minute you don’t mean trying to please Destiny Island’s motocross team’s own Sora & Riku? I mean are you even sure they even pay attention to anything of than each other. They seem, I don’t know, self absorbed in each other at meets are they a couple?” kairi oh them? I wouldn’t know they wouldn’t let me join their dumb ol team to notice, I guess they had fun together policing me from riding their tracks on the play island. Making it their life’s mission to keep me from riding my own bike, a gift from my father by the way much less keep me off the team. Roxas ducked his head blushed, well I guess I fucked up as well, I’m sorry my ego gets the better of me sometimes. Kairi pats Roxas thigh, no problem Xion explained. Roxas ‘’what’d she… ‘’

Kairi kept talking so what’s your sad story who is Roxas Strife? Roxas sighed “motocross rider, motorcycle rider, when his older brother cloud allows him to ride his. Roxas frowns solemnly is raised by his big brother Cloud since his parents both died of overdoses. Kairi gasps reaches out to hug Roxas I’m so sorry. Roxas so stunned & surprised at the sudden need to touch her back. She smelled of coconut & some scent he couldn’t place. Kairi released him, he suddenly missed her warmth but continued no problem red its been years my brother is keeping out of a home upstate so I could grow up here. I had a twin brother Ventus who didn’t make it to be a teenager. He died when he was ten hit by a car case of negligence of parents who couldn’t careless.” Kairi holds his hand & doesn’t let go. “Sorry death seems to be my life story.” Kairi “hey it’s ok if anything my father’s death taught me not to let anyone tell you no, chase all your dream or in our case riding on a dream.” Kairi laughed Roxas smirked “what’s else do you wanna know Red?” Kairi blows smoke “ oh your hobbies, ambitions likes dislikes Roxas well you’re looking at my hobby when I’m not playing struggle in the sandlot as a plan b to my ambitions to go pro at both likes sunsets sea salt ice cream hanging out on the clock tower dislikes drama authority figures big shots….Kairi interrupted “let me guess princesses” Roxas smiled shyly no princesses can stay he whispered. Kairi asked softly, still holding his hand from earlier ok blondie I noticed you playing guitar on your deck that night I first seen you, I like seeing that side of you, will you play for me sometime? Roxas blushed fiercely chuckled as he noticed she was at his lips, as he bend over to her sitting on her bike, he whispered back sure red whatever you’re into. Their lips met as they kept their footing on each side of their bikes tongues collided competing over dominance. Kairi fell powerless over this kiss letting Roxas take control as she hopes she’ll win if they do this again. Roxas feels his legs shake & letting his bike roll closer to hers. They lifted their lips apart slowly with Roxas smirking as he whispers “looks like I finally win”

In coming days, Kairi & Roxas were still just as competitive & bantering with each other as ever but with more kissy faces, which bewildered Namine & disgusted Xion as Roxas was her brother figure & wasn’t sure what to make of Roxas & Kairi’s new found relationship? Or if it was the best thing for the team? What if they break up? She worried. She decided to must confront kairi first she knew Roxas was vulnerable after the life he had she had to protect him.

Kairi meets up with Roxas on twilight town’s clock tower which seems to be another hangout for wayward teens on the edge. She met Roxas holding two blue ice creams which must of been the sea salt ice cream he mentioned. She sat next to him on the edge she also noticed his guitar, she heart warmed he’d remembered. He handed her an ice cream, ‘’I thought we’d have some ice cream then Ill play for you?” Kairi smiled “is this a date blondie?’’ She teased. Roxas blushed “it’s whatever you want it to be Red.” Kairi giggled “im teasing you of course it’s a date a first date in fact. I think it’s sweet like this ice cream oh boy it’s salty.” Roxas ‘’but you like it though right?’’ Kairi “it’s delicious thank you!’’ It’s beautiful up here you come up here often don’t you?” Roxas “yup since I was eight years old thanks to deadbeat parents I & Ven both came up here sometimes & I met some of guys from the team up here Hayner pence olette & Xion, an older cool guy Axel he use to be on the team when Cloud was captain, who decided to move away,” Kairi listened with great interest what a history of people she wondered a lot about his brother where was everyone at when he died? Roxas place his hand on her thigh what is it you’re a million miles away what’s up? Kairi looked uneasy “about ventus? Where were you when it happened?’’ Roxas balled up his fist on kairi’s thigh she quickly covered his hand with hers. Roxas continued not around I was here laughing in up with the guys & Xion. He was on his way here to tell me mom was “sick” again. What else was new? I guess she was worst than usual because she died a few days after him, double funeral. I found him you know? The car musta been flying he was unrecognizable for years I kept thinking how it could’ve been me we played out in traffic all the time…” Kairi said nothing just squeezed his hand. Roxas looked curious ‘’this must be a bad 1st date so far I’ll start playing if you want?’’ Kairi laughed out some tears sure Roxas smiled oh look you got a winner stick red kairi oh! What does it mean? Roxas smirked “it means you’re the winner of my affections haha” Kairi rolled her eyes “seriously that’s it” she winked . Roxas chuckled “I should’ve gotten the winner stick. I feel like a winner every day with you Red.” Kairi pulled him in for a side kiss. “ shut up Just play for me, beautiful” Roxas starts playing as Kairi starts humming with the tune before she starts singing surprising Roxas

🎶The dawn is breaking a light shining through you barely wake

and tangled up in you yeah.

I’m open you’re close where I follow you’ll go

I worry I won’t see your face light up again

Even the best fall sometimes, even the wrong words seem to rhyme

and out of the doubt that fills your mind

I somehow find that you and I collide

I quite you know you make a first impression

I found Im scared to know I’m always on your mind.

Even the stars refuse to shine & out of the doubt that fills your mind

you finally find you & I collide🎶

-collide by Howie Day

“Woah” Roxas exclaimed ‘’where did that come from?” You didn’t say you could sing! Kairi blushed tucking her hair behind her ear. “Oh I did short stint in the school choir but it boring & tedious so I quit I prefer being active.” Roxas laughs “maybe we should do a duet next year in the talent show or something? Kairi giggles ‘’now you’re joshing me because you’re not serious?’’ Roxas kinda as I’m not into school functions but with you? Anything can happen.” Kairi playfully rolled her eyes “ok mister too cool for school functions” Ill hold you to that Blondie..

Kairi did well keeping Xion & Namine’s relationship a secret with their folks. when Xion came over to spend time with Namine, they’d just tell them Kairi wasn’t up for hanging out so Xion could hang out Namine in her room alone. Kairi spent the time to revive her poetry. She’d been inspired since meeting Roxas & everything Roxas is Roxas Roxas Roxas she thought dreamily as she overheard Namine & Xion’s giggling in the next room, it must have been nice to get to have your significant other in your room even in secret, Kayla toke one look at Roxas & decided they were never to be alone in the house even with Nathan swearing Roxas was a good kid known him for years he’s the boy next door hell if it wasn’t for Nathan & Namine she would’ve not be allowed to see him, Kayla was a social snob & thought Roxas was a hood & was surely doing drugs like his parents had after being raised by his wayward older brother. Kairi was so distant in her thoughts she didn’t hear a knock at her bedroom door & it opening revealing Xion, “oh I knocked I need to talk with you about something that been just on my mind” “please don’t take this the wrong way but what is your intentions with Roxas?” Kairi eyes widened & frowned “what do you mean?” Xion “I mean what’s the deal with you & my brother?” Do you love him, care him? Or are you just having fun what!?’’ Kairi was heated & confused “I don’t think that’s any of your business Xion!” Xion sighed “look, you don’t really know him Kai.” His past comes with a lot of baggage & needs better treatment around here than by your ice queen of a mom who barely lets him in the door… Kairi defensively “no you look, I don’t know what your problem with me is? He explained to me his past I know about Ven ok? Xion looked down whispering what he doesn’t talk about what happened to Ven why you why open up to you an outsider?” Kairi shrugged im pretty easy to talk to Id like to think. Xion huffed “ sure is having that nice figure & gorgeous red hair in his face now.” Kairi was just so confused with Xion. “Why are you complimenting me? You don’t think I’m good enough for Roxas?” Xion looked off out the window I don’t know maybe he’s actually not good enough for the princess & I don’t want him hurt? Xion’s eyes looked wet with tears Kairi sighed feeling her eyes with tears as well. “Look if things south with us I’ll let him break up with me, he has my heart anyways might as well break it if he wants to” Xion gasped Kai! I’m sure he’d never do that! Kairi smiled & walked towards to Xion “then do we have your blessing” hugging her from behind “do I have another sister like I have in Namine? Kairi winked as she saw Namine standing at her door which could’ve been a huge misunderstanding if she hadn’t listened to the whole conversation at the door & knew of the Roxas & Kairi drama with Kayla around the house. Xion laughed as tears were still flowing “oh my god Yessss as long as people don’t think Nami is also my sister blah!” Namine walked over to hug them as all three had a group hug until Kairi removed herself for Namine & xion to hug alone as so heard Namine whispering “im sorry Xi I didn’t realize it was so hard on you I’ll come out to father” Xion slowly slipped her lips over the other girl’s “im proud of you baby” as kairi closes her door leaving the girls in her room. As she ran out of the house to jump on her bike to meet Roxas.

Today was the day the final motocross meet up against Destiny island was finally upon them as the team sat up on Destiny Islands turf. It had been around six months since Kairi had lived here she hung close to Roxas Xion & Namine who’d come as a supportive girlfriend who had new found freedom with Xion after telling her father. Kairi was a proud sister for them both. As they readied their bikes, Kairi couldn’t help but feel nervous here the last time she was here she fumbled her chance with this same team that was now her competition. Since being back she had noticed a certain brunette & sliver head had become more touchy- feely than she remembered or maybe she spent so much time resenting them of her joining their team to notice. Sora kissed Riku on the cheek as it was Riku’s match against Xion who smirked knowingly at the fellow gays who seemed out & proud as ever as Namine come over to hug & kiss Xion’s forehead. Riku was like a speeding bullet thought Kairi as he beat Xion. Next kairi beat tidus. Now all the cards lay with Roxas & Sora’s match as the teams were tied. As they readied their bikes kairi walked up to Roxas with a hug from behind with a kiss to his neck Roxas smirked hello red what will you do when I beat him? “Congratulate you & kiss your beautiful face again?” She said nonchalantly “well that’ll work but maybe a tour of the whole island both of these islands?’’ He gave her a winning smile Kairi “you got it blondie” while the happy couple was canoodling they didn’t notice the happy curious look Sora was giving them as Kairi walked away when the race was ready to start. Roxas in all his glory made a spectacular show for a show off ham that he was & beating Sora leading the team to victory.

kairi had promised Roxas to show him the main & the play islands respectfully she was learning Roxas had such a fascination for the beach as did Namine & xion with shells as the two girls stayed on the beach looking at the shells they found. she & Roxas walked around the treehouse bridge around the paopu fruit tree. “What’s the deal with the star shaped fruit, red?” Roxas pointed out as Kairi started to explain the legend to Roxas. he became intrigued & exclaimed they must share one immediately. “How about we share one so that our destinies can be intertwined forever” kairi said softly “you already have my heart.” Roxas reached out to take her hand “you have mine too so we should partake in this famous island custom cement our love & devotion.” Kairi laughed “it’s just a legend relax blondie didn’t know you were superstitious?’’ as she reached up for one & handed it to him holding it to his lips, Roxas whispered “I just want you forever with me Red” “Ride or die” they counted one. two. three. & they bit down in in sync. They laughed as it squirted juice out both ends.

Kairi noticed spiked brunette & sliver headed boys approaching them she tensed the hand she was hold Roxas with. Sora was the first to speak, “heya! Nice match Roxas & they shook hands. I knew you were a good rider but wow you’re amazing.” Roxas hey Thanks dude it’s good someone takes the time to compliment me on my skills instead of calling me a show off ham. Kairi rolls her eyes “Xion started that remember.” Roxas laughed playfully im joshing you. They looked over at sora who just looked happy to be there in all they banter-y fun Riku who looked bored. Roxas to Riku ‘’hey you, you wanna show me this neat thing I seen way over there? Riku puzzled huh you mean the raft we built when we were 12? Sora suddenly caught on to Roxas ‘’yeah Riku walk over there with Roxas I need to talk with Kairi.” Riku “sure” as Roxas & him departs to the raft area. Sora looks puzzled over Kairi so how long have you & Riku been out? Sora blushed “not long & his parents were not happy but he lives with me & my family now. So how long have you been with twilight town’s own motocross team captain Roxas Strife.” Kairi’s turn to blush, “a few months I guess you have noticed him he was sure you & Riku never noticed anyone else at meets” kairi teased Sora frowned ‘’of course I noticed all that blonde hair & smirking. I just notice Riku more. You’ve got a great looking guy there Kairi. Sora winked Kairi giggled thank you Sora, anyways Sora continued im sorry if riku & I made your life miserable here after your dad’s passing we wanted to keep you off bikes. Kairi frowned looking down “you all had no right. My dad wanted me to bike” it’s in my blood despite everything I deserve it I might of been a shithead to you for demanding that I be on a team that doesn’t want me.” I’m sorry… Sora interrupted “no Kairi we’re still wrong for that we didn’t let you on the team because we didn’t want girls on the team…..”and his voice got quiet, “Riku thought it would be a good idea to push you away into doing something girly with your time instead.” ‘Wow you know how to pick boyfriends, Sora.’Kairi rolled her eyes annoyed sora “no kairi I agreed with him” kairi huffed and said ‘’you know what sora? you two deserve each other.’’ Sora “no please don’t go away angry” Kairi sighed “im not mad, sora I just don’t care I don’t live here anymore remember.” Sora pouted “you could still visit” Kairi ‘’of course & you & Riku can visit us in twilight town & triple date with Namine Xion Roxas & I. Sora smiled it’s a date.

Kairi walked with Sora to found Roxas & Riku hanging out around the raft. Laughing. Sora & Kairi gave each other a look. Roxas & Riku was in a good natured competitive talk about a match for them since they didn’t get to race. Kairi told them that Sora agreed to have a triple date with the girls in twilight town. And with that the couples departed Kairi grabbed Roxas’s hand, as they walked along the beach back to where Namine & Xion were last seen. Roxas questioned Kairi ‘’what’s up Red you’ve been quiet since talking to Sora anything wrong?’’ Kairi said softly “ I realized while talking to Sora that I don’t really care about this island anymore’’ when I was little I never wanted to leave Sora & Riku or this island it was home they were comfortable friends & I didn’t want to grow up but in a way they pushed me to grow up. We can’t stay the same & my mom as much as a ice queen she is she had a hand in getting me away from here.” Roxas said thoughtfully “ yeah I should thank her for bringing you to me” as he laughed kairi punched Roxas in the arm’’you do that she’ll make sure I’ll never see you again” Roxas “ouch Red geez” but I don’t think that’s true, that you don’t care, you wanted to make up & be friends again sometimes people just aren’t cool enough, but I think Sora & Riku have potential though.” Kairi ‘’ yeah I always thought so too, blondie.” “So what about us?” “Are we forever?’’ Roxas looked out into the ocean. “Until the end, Red” he looked over to Kairi with a quick kiss & a mischievous smirk & pick her up bridal style & carried her out to the ocean as she shrieked with laughter as dropped her in the water as she pulled him under with her for an underwater kiss.

fin~

[smartzelda]

Hero of Darkness

By: SmartZelda

Summary:

The Kingdom Hearts series from Riku's point of view.

Rating: Teen

Category: Gen

Fandom: Kingdom Hearts

Relationship: Riku & Sora & Kairi, one-sided Soriku feelings

Additional Tags: fluff, necklace theory, Riku in love, Keyblades, light, darkness

Words: 3,125, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Posting Date: 09-20-2019

Link to Fic:

[Any commentary, thoughts, additions, etc from me is under the cut😊]

So, first of all (if anyone is reading this), I am aware that the category/ship tags on this post do not match that on ao3. This is because at the time of posting I had originally wanted to make it clear that the fic would include casual s0kai and s0riku. Since this one was supposed to be the kh series from Riku's pov (with my own reading of the series and filling in of blanks), it was naturally going to involve Riku being casually in love with Sora as well as believing that Sora could only be in love with Kairi rather than implying both ships were intended to be endgame.

I have marked it as gen here on tumblr for now since those ships aren't really the focus of Hero of Darkness and because I would have tagged it differently if I had written it now.

Now, in other news, as of today (10-20-2024), Hero of Darkness is on indefinite hiatus.

Does this mean this fic or the category it's a part of is abandoned? Nope.

In this case, I am just not sure whether I will return to this fic concept or not. If I get a lot of interest or I get the motivation to tackle it again, then I may return to it. If I do return to it, more than likely I will be rewriting chapter 1 as needed (to comform to my new style of writing), redo my tagging, and continue on from there. At that point I will also update this post with any updated info.

However, even if I do not return to this concept, rest assured that this fic will remain archived on ao3.

[hollowwhisperings]

Thank you for such an in depth response, I feel honored by it and that I was able to inspire you about the concepts and I agree. I had similar thoughts about the theming of Sora’s name and him being the void of space. Even had musings of how in primordial myths the heavens (sky) and the earth are considered the couple that brings about the first forms existence. Gaia and Ouranos and on the Egyptian mythos there was a love story of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky) although interesting enough geb and nut are kept separated by Ra (the sun).

But regardless, I’d say nomura is quite interesting and impressive to consistently yet subtly equate riku to that of deity so easily. Yes, I believe in riku being a dia in some sort. Probably kingdom hearts sending out an avatar to grow, or the king to kh reincarnated, or some other thing I can’t quite grasp right now but overall with the ending of the series hopefully not too much farther in our lifespan. This is why I enjoy reading and interacting with metas and theories especially about sora and riku and soriku because I said in a comment in a YouTube video that discussed the sleeping real theory and I said it feels like we have the right answers but just not forced into the right shape (a key perhaps 🫣) to unlock the final gate.

Riku has always had all those "subtle" visual shorthands used to denote super special celestia mystery powers (etc) but, like the Subtly OP antics of the Disneytowners (e.g. Donald casually casting the Boss-level spell 'Flare', Goofy tanking hits from Literal Deities with 1 shield & no apparent magic of his own), Riku looking "anime" gets brushed off as "standard JRPG aesthetic".

Naturally silver-haired youths in anime tend to be Plot-Relevant, typically having ☆Super Special Bloodlines☆, typically being Secret Royalty &/or related to Angels or Spirits.

(and it WAS suspiciously easy for Riku to just... BECOME Sora's Dream Eater, especially given what we know of the Chirithy spirits, their abilities to act as psychopomps, & whatever the Dream Eater crafting system in DDD may imply about Dream Eaters as a whole)

From what I can recall, the only naturally silver-haired characters original to KH are:

Riku

Ephemer

Xehanort (confirmed descendant of Ephemer)

Xemnas (Terranort)

Ienzo (taken in by the Always Sus Ansem the Wise, origins unknown)

From the Final Fantasy side of the crossovers, we have Setzer (who only appears in the DATA Daybreak Town, not the "real" one) and... Sephiroth.

For being such an "anime" JRPG, Kingdom Hearts is pretty sparing in its use of Anime Hair Colours. Aqua & Isa's blue hair aside, the colour palette is fairly "natural": pale blonds & yellows, oranges & pinks amongst the reds, browns & blacks. There aren't many characters old enough to have "grey" hair but the ones that do are ALSO fairly mysterious: Merlin, Fairy Godmother, Master Yen Sid, Zeus... Kairi's Mysteriously Knowledgable Grandmother (who i am, like, 75% convinced was a retired Princess of Heart). Even the "silver/white" House of Duck are all Very Suspicious: Donald is, canonically, the most powerful Black Mage of the FF franchise; Scrooge & Donald's Nephews casually worldhop for fun & profit as if they were Moogles or something.

So, yeah, even Riku's "anime boy" aesthetic is itself pretty Telling of Riku being Plot-Relevant. He's canonically part-spirit, after DDD, but his ability to do that at all IS unprecedented (just like his ability to Balance Light & Darkness within himself, like his Light being equated with the Sun, like his easy grasp on using Darkness...). Whatever the KH-universe equivalent of an "angel" may be, Ephemer & Riku seem closest to it. That Riku met JOSHUA (himself a kind of Gay Angel) in DDD does not seem at all a coincidence.

oh! there's also that whole [terra] sigil thing! Riku's costume/keyblade designs imcorporate it (i forget how) & THAT sigil is probably the in-universe namesake for Terra, the character. Rather than [earth] or [land], the [terra] sigil seems older & is likely referencing an "[original/first] earth" or mean "[land of origin]".

It makes me wonder whether Riku's parent/s were themselves Aware of Other Worlds? If he's a relative of Xehanort, it's plausible that Xehanort's Skuld-resembling mother learned about Xehanort's ending up at the Destiny Islands & their family possibly moving to the World in hopes of a reunion. Which... would mean they weren't just AWARE of Other Worlds but ALSO capable of traveling between them. This is probably going to Come Up in Missing Link.