[Team 1] Forever Sleepovers

[green-eggs101.livejournal.com]

648 words ~ Cute short bit that's gonna be part of a larger soriku story later ~ Rating: G

Next up is knittenkitten

“If you think you're up to the task, give it your best shot,” Riku challenged, crossing his arms.

Four-year-old Sora scrunched his eyes on concentration, gathering up all his energy before taking a running leap, his arm stretched up as high as it would go.

His fingertips barely brushed under the wood of the bird feeder Riku’s dad had hung in the tree at the start of spring. Sora’s hand barely caused any of the birdseed to fall, but it did swing a little bit, proof that he had met his goal. “I did it!”

“Wow!” Riku cheered, looking shocked. “I guess you are growing!”

Sora giggled, “Yeah! One day I’m gonna be taller than you.”

Riku laughed, reaching out to ruffle Sora’s hair. “I think we’re gonna be waiting a long time for that to happen…”

“Hey! Riku!!” Sora pouted, but it quickly melted into another smile when Riku ruffled his hair again.

“Are you two messing with the birdfeeder again?”

Sora glanced up at Riku’s mom, “Umm…”

“No?” Riku offered, then looked down from his mom’s look. “There weren’t any birds in it.”

“And there won’t be any birds in it if you two keep shaking it.” Riku’s mom shook her head, offering her hands. “Now c’mon. It’s time to get ready for bed!”

“Aww…” Riku kicked at the dirt but took his mom’s hand anyway, Sora taking the other. “But I’m five now… Five-year-olds can stay awake longer!”

Riku’s mom chuckled. “Fair enough, but Sora’s still only four. You don’t want him to go to sleep all by himself do you?”

Sora glanced over at Riku, and Riku felt a bit of guilt. He had promised he wouldn’t let the nightmares hurt Sora, so he supposed he would have to go to sleep at the same time.

Riku quietly sighed before shaking his head. “No… But Sora can just stay up with me!”

Riku’s mom laughed again, squeezing both their hands. “I’m sure. How about we get you guys ready for bed, and then we’ll see how tired you are. If you’re both still awake, we’ll let you stay up another hour. Okay?”

“Yeah!” Riku cheered and Sora joined in.

Unfortunately, Riku later believed that his mom tricked them, for as soon as they bathed and got into pajamas, Sora began to drift off, his eyes drooping. Riku thought about poking his friend awake, but he found himself getting sleepy as well.

“Okay,” his mom said as Sora fell asleep against Riku’s shoulder. “Now I think you two should be in bed.”

“Noooo…” Sora protested sleepily but barely fought it when Riku’s mom picked him up. Riku obediently followed them upstairs and climbed into bed, pulling the covers back so his mom could lay Sora next to him.

“One day you two are gonna be too big to share the same bed,” she noted as she tucked them in, kissing Riku’s cheek and Sora’s forehead.

“Nuh-uh,” Riku protested, patting Sora’s hair gently. “We’ll just get a bigger bed.”

His mom laughed and kissed him again on the forehead. “Okay, if you insist.”

“I do insist,” Riku said, sliding down so he could lay his head on the pillow. “Beisdes, Sora’s always gonna be small, so I can make room.”

With one last laugh, his mom turned out the light and shut the door. “Goodnight Riku. I love you.”

“Love you too mom.” Riku curled up next to Sora, finding that his friend wasn’t as asleep as he thought. Two big blue eyes stared up at him in wonder.

“You mean it? You and I can share a bed forever?”

Riku nodded. “That’s what sleepovers are for!”

Eventually, Sora drifted back off to sleep, his hand clutching Riku’s tightly. Riku grinned, staying awake a moment longer.

It didn’t matter how big or tall either of them got, he couldn’t imagine sharing a bed with anyone else.