#marique

Khoc week day 5: Happily Ever After

“We should talk somewhere else,” Marique said, his deep brown eyes roaming off into the distance. His eyelashes were long and black, like Sora’s, and he had bags under his eyes like he hadn’t slept in days. Dark freckles littered his already dark brown skin, greatly contrasting the bright neon blue of his cornrows.

Riku caught himself staring, got a hold of himself, and nodded at the man.

He followed Marique all the way to a more public area. The streets were lined with people going about their day; a business man with a suitcase, a preteen riding a skateboard past them down the sidewalk, a old lady carrying a plastic bag of groceries or what-nots. He was led across the same street as her, a red car to his left and the smiling old woman to his right, and he stopped in front of a large building with big letters reading “Whole N Fun” atop it in blue, red, and green.

Inside, the noise was rambunctious. Different sounds rang all around; there was a ringing so sharp it almost hurt, and carnival-like music coming from a different corner, and a occasional thump and ding from somewhere in front of them. Riku couldn’t even feel his own heart beat from the thrumming inside this place.

He was in an arcade. Colors of all shades blasted and blinded Riku’s eyes, overloading his senses along with the music, clouding his vision. Multiple games lay before him: slot machines, crane games, racing games with seats and wheels to steer, and, from somewhere in the back, Riku could even hear the clashing of bowling pins being hit. He took in the sights as Marique guided him to the back. The smell of sweat soon turned to one of pizza and spicy chicken wings.

They sat themselves down in a corner of the arcade dedicated to serving food. This part was blocked off by a wall only about four feet in height. A counter was made from the wall with bar stools placed before it, and all around the inside of the section were round tables and bar stools, with square tables against the far wall and regular chairs to match. Riku and Marique sat in the middlest set against the wall, significantly away from other eating folk.

Strangely, Riku felt that this was all so suddenly very familiar. He remembered this table. Yes, right, yes, he’s been here before! He used to sit here for hours, waiting.. Just…waiting. What was he waiting for?

Marique was looking at him.

“What?”

The man blinked, then shook his head as if coming out of a trance. “No, it’s nothing. Sorry, it’s just..it’s been a long time since I’ve last seen you.”

Khoc week day 1: introduction! Marique! He’s 18, he/him, and he lives in the Twitches world. Riku meets him as he’s adventuring in that world and mistakes him for an Organization xiii member because of his jacket. He follows him into an arcade, and before he realizes his mistake, it’s already too late for him to leave the VR laser tag game.

Khoc week day 2: New World! Coventry! Coventry is a large kingdom that has only recently been opened up to travel by Gummi ship. This is where Marique grows up, and where Riku and Sora first go on their expoloration missions. Coventry is run by two princesses— Alex and Camryn, who are very kind enough to show the two keyholders around. Marique has no connection to the princesses other than the fact that they rule over the place he lives.

Khoc week day 6: One Choice, New Life

Marique holds his face, kneeling over him. “Riku, you’re not gonna remember who I am after this, but don’t worry, it’s for the best.”

What happened for him to get like this? “Forget you, what…? No..” he can feel his memories slipping away. His eyes widen, panicked. “No..!”

“Don’t panic,” he says.

Riku sits up, holding Mariques face, barely able to talk. “I won’t forget you, I promise.” And he tries to say it evenly, like that’ll help, but he’s already forgotten how he got here.

“Riku, you can’t stop it.”

“Then.. then we’ll make new memories.”

“I can’t stay.”

“Then I’ll find you!”

He shakes his head, caresses Riku’s cheek. “You won’t even remember who I am… don’t look for me, okay? After this is all over, you won’t even remember I exist outside of right now.”

KHOC Week Day 3: Friends or Lovers! @khoc-week

They're lovers :)