writetomyheart | [TEAM ONE]

Riku/Vanitas, rated T, 830~ words

It was time to move forward now.

The churning sea was furiously hitting the docks, and the storm overhead pelted the cement ground with stinging drops that soaked Riku's hat and coat. He shivered, making the trek from his shitty car to the overhang of the office that oversaw the shipping yard as quickly as possible. It was raining so hard the ground was slick with a layer of water already, concrete unforgiving and no nearby land to soak it up first. He nearly skidded a handful of times before he finally reached the safety of the overhang, throwing himself against the wall and exhaling clouds of vapor. It was too damn cold to be out on a night like this, but Riku's work wasn't the type that could wait.

He did his best to still the crawling tremble in his hands as he fished out a cigarette he immediately bit between his lips, patting his pockets for the lighter. Both the outer pockets, the hidden inner pocket, and his trousers came up empty. Fuck. Had he left it in the car? He really hoped not.

The sound of the rain and sea masked the sound of the office door opening, the brim of his hat pulled low earlier to shield his face from the rain equally impeding his peripheral vision now. Riku had just rested his head back, closing his eyes as he tried to chase away the nagging itch to run back to the car, cold and rain be damned, when he felt the hint of bodily warmth and heard the quick flick of a lighter blooming. Startled, Riku opened his eyes and found Vanitas' cat like grin before him, warm gold gaze reflecting the flickering flame.

The wind blew hard, and instinctively Riku leaned in, cupping his hand over the flame to shield it from the storm as he inhaled. He didn't bother to pull back as he exhaled, smoke skating along Vanitas' cheek and throat before lingering longer in the bleak temperatures than it normally would.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised to see you," Riku murmured, nose and fingertips cold as he pulled the cigarette away. Vanitas' hair was damp, thick locks clinging to his temples and nape. It made him seem astonishingly vulnerable, and Riku traced a drop of water slide down his throat with his gaze, tracking them back up to meet Vanitas' almost guiltily.

Vanitas released the trigger, humming contemplatively as he reached forward and brazenly slid the lighter into Riku's inner pocket. His fingers delved deeper, pressing with intent that drew along Riku's chest, and Riku jerked to grab his wrist, squeezing tight enough to make Vanitas' fingers curl instinctively free. "That's not for you," Riku said lowly, throwing Vanitas' hand aside.

Inside the pocket was his notebook, filled with copious details and plans, not to mention confidential information about all his cases. It was a stupid move, moreso just to provoke Riku than to aim for any success. Still, Riku shifted uncomfortably. Even though his gloves, Riku could feel the heat of Vanitas' bare wrist.

"You look like a drowned rat," Vanitas said, sniffing. He crossed his arms, and for the first time Riku noticed his lack of a coat. It made him seem unbearably vulnerable, somehow, even though Riku had seen him in various stages of undress at this point. His normally richly tanned skin seemed just a shade paler from the chill, and Riku cursed himself for even thinking to care about Vanitas' wellbeing.

He sighed gustily, squeezing his eyes shut tightly before regarding him again. "What're you doing here, Vanitas?" Riku demanded, gesturing with a wave to the pouring shipyard and the seemingly empty office at his back. Riku had no doubt that if Vanitas had come out of there, no one else was present, even though in a dock like this security should be on-site at all hours. In fact, he'd bet his last dollar there had been a guard, and a limp body is what he'd find.

"Aww," Vanitas crooned, grin ticking up smugly, "is the great detective concerned about little ol' me?" He hugged one arm to his waist to rest his elbow on it, gloved index finger tapping against his chin. "What an honor."

"Cut the bullshit," Riku snapped, "it's a shitty night as it is without having to run into you of all people."

"And here I thought you enjoyed our little meetings," Vanitas said, still wearing that damnable grin. The cascading rain blew at a slant with the wind for a moment, long enough to dampen the fabric of Vanitas' shoulders. It clung to his body, and Riku kept thinking about how very cold he must be.

"Maybe in your dreams," Riku scoffed, wishing there was just a little more space under the overhang. As it was, even with Riku's back pressed against the wall, Vanitas was a scant two feet away. With the torrential rain as a backdrop, he found himself lingering over thoughts he never would normally.