This was originally going to be a one-shot but as I began writing, it just kept going. I think two posts will finish it but we'll see. It started as one thing but it's become another.

I stopped where I did because I felt it was a good break point. I can really use feedback on this one.

Guess what? Don't own 'em.

Unbalanced

"Shut up, Sora."

The brunette frowned at his friend's sudden turn in mood. Since returning to the Islands, he and Kairi had quickly noticed Riku's mood swings but figured that with time they would lessen. He had arguably been through the most difficult journey of the trio and it was understandable that there would be lingering issues that would need to be worked out.

However, Riku's radical emotional changes only seemed to be becoming more severe. His high's made him almost manically hyper, unable to stay still and wanting to do anything that gave an outlet to his abundant energy. He would sometimes laugh so much, it scared them. It simply wasn't the cool, casual guy they knew. This was still preferable to his low's. There were times when everything seemed to be fine and Riku would just suddenly shut down. Or he'd blow up for no apparent reason.

Looking at Riku's face, Sora braced himself for an angry tirade. Riku was absolutely livid, jaw tight with fuming green eyes and body tensed. There had been a handful of times were the silver haired teen had gone so far as to physically attack him. This could easily become one of those times.

Sora wanted to ask what it was that had triggered this but held his tongue. He doubted Riku would have had an answer and it only would have made the situation worse. When Riku got like this, it was as if someone else had taken control. It was something Sora didn't like thinking about.

Instead, he took a measured step toward him. If he was lucky, he'd be able to do this the easy way. There had been several potentially explosive situations that Sora defused with a simple touch to Riku's skin. All Riku needed was to be reconnected. It was the same technique he used to snap Riku from his frequent nightmares.

Almost a week after their return, they'd noticed that Riku was growing increasingly weary. He always looked tired and spaced out. He would begin to doze off only to immediately snap himself out of it. Kairi made an off-hand comment that she didn't think he'd been sleeping.

This concerned Sora greatly so he decided to stake out Riku's house that night. It wasn't easy to spy on Riku for the guy had access to abilities Sora envied. Knowing that he would be sensed if he himself holed up anywhere near Riku's room, he managed to set up a small camera atop the bedroom windowsill.

Riku didn't even attempt to lie down until very early morning, busying himself with various things around the room. There was an anxiousness to his movements. Finally, clearly reluctant, he made his way to his bed. He laid still for only a few moments before switching position only to repeat the process over and over. It was unclear at the time if he was doing this to get comfortable or trying to avoid actually sleeping.

Sora reported his findings to Kairi who wanted to confront Riku immediately. She did so, dragging Sora along with her. That conversation had ended in a spectacular fight between the boys with Kairi in near hysterics trying to get them to stop. Without the Keyblade and magic to draw on, Riku was definitely the stronger one physically and driven by unadulterated fury, Sora didn't stand a chance against him.

The only thing that saved Sora that day was Riku himself. Straddled on top of the smaller boy, knees positioned to restrain all lower body movement, Riku suddenly stopped his barrage. He stared down at his best friend, taking in the bruising, the split lip and finally the expression of resignation upon his face. Sora was allowing Riku to do this.

A truly horrified expression crossed Riku's face and he backed away from Sora in a panic. His eyes became frantic and his breathing erratic. He stumbled for words, mumbling incoherently before he managed a string of apologies and racing off as far as he could go.

Sora wanted to follow but Kairi held him back. Riku needed time to collect himself and Sora needed to fix his wounds. Greatly concerned about Riku's state of mind, he let Kairi take him home where she silently tended his injuries. Neither one spoke about what had just happened.

The moment Kairi finished, she kissed Sora's cheek and stepped back. Sora nodded and silently left. They both knew he needed to find Riku. He'd be nervous and fidgety until he did. Since Kingdom Hearts, Sora couldn't go five minute's without at least knowing where Riku was. He may have agreed to be with Kairi everyday but he was with Riku always.

Despite all the changes they'd been through over the previous two years, there were a few things that didn't. There were only two places Riku went when troubled, both of which were on the old play island. The old gang rarely went out there anymore, allowing for the next generation of kids their time but there had been one get together, late at night where'd they'd started a fire and relived the old days with Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie.

Sora hadn't gone further than the dock and main beach since he'd come back. He had once gone into the secret spot as a closure of sorts but hadn't been to that side of the island after. He couldn't exactly say why he avoided it but he did.

Quietly exiting the small shack's upper half, he knew immediately where to go. He turned right and began crossing the wooden bridge. He didn't want to remember the last time he had come running down this way. That had been one of the most terrifying nights of his life, forever changing everything.

Riku was sitting on the sideways growing papou tree, staring out at the ocean. It was late afternoon now and the coloring of the water was changing to reflect the descending sun. His hair and baggy pants rippled in the near constant breeze. It was such a normal scene that Sora felt something in his heart stir.

Without hesitation, Sora leapt the trunk to sit beside his friend. The silence was tense but still somehow companionable. Sora never felt threatened by Riku. He knew in his heart that Riku would never purposely hurt him. Riku was the one he needed most in his life to keep him together. No one could ever understand him like Riku did.

"I promised myself I would come here everyday after we returned." Riku slowly stated. "And I haven't been able to bring myself to do it until now."

Sora didn't reply, knowing Riku didn't want a response. He simply waited for him to continue. He glanced over and noticed the other's eyes were closed. There was also a slight twitch to his lower lip. Going back to his eyes, he realized there was moisture collecting in the corner.

"Riku."

"I'm terrified to sleep, Sora. Every time I try, I see everything happen again and it doesn't stop there." His voice wavered. "I see things, horrible things and I can't tell if they're visions or real or simply sick ideas brought on by the darkness. I see myself…"

He trailed off and the tears were breaking free from behind his closed lids. Sora had never seen this emotion from Riku. While his heart ached for him, he couldn't stop the swelling of anger that came. He had made Riku promise not to keep his feelings hidden from him. Riku had sworn to tell him everything.

He shoved it away as best he could. This was not the time to get into that argument. Riku was opening up now and Sora had to do whatever he could to help him. Although he had no idea what it was he could do. He doubted silent support was going to be enough.

"Hey, Riku? Stay with me tonight."

Riku opened his eyes and looked at him funny. "What? Like a sleepover? Aren't we a little old for that?"

Sora met his gaze. "I'm serious. Maybe if there's someone in the room with you it will help."

"I don't know, Sora. I'm afraid I might do something." Riku looked back out. "When I wake up from these dreams, I usually freak out. Didn't you notice the destruction when you were spying on me?"

Actually, he hadn't. "All the more reason. I know you won't hurt me, Riku."

"I don't." he whispered.

"Well, I'll prove it. Spend the night."

Riku very hesitantly agreed.

Riku arrived rather late to Sora's, clearly uncomfortable about this whole thing. Sora's mom imedietly gave him a hug as she ushered him in. She herded him into the kitchen where Sora was eating, urging him to sit. Her hands on his shoulders left him little option.

"I was starting to think you bailed." Sora grinned but there was genuine concern in his eyes.

"I said I'd come."

"And Riku has always kept his word." A plate of food was set before him. "You know better than to doubt him, Sora."

"Of course!" Sora was a bit louder than he needed to be.

She frowned a moment. "Well, you two, I have to be up early. You both know the routine. Don't stay up too late, all right?"

"Yes, Mom."

As soon as she left, Sora gave Riku a hard look. "You weren't going to come, where you?"

Riku stared at his plate. "No."

Sora seemed more hurt than anything. He glared down and muttered. "I wish you'd trust me."

Riku raised his head sharply. He opened his mouth but no words came out. Instead, he returned his attention to his food. The two picked at their dinner for several long minutes before Sora finally stood. "Let's just go to bed."

Still quiet, they cleaned up and then Riku followed Sora upstairs.