105 [voice post | FINAL]
[The recording starts as Charles stumbles back against the terminal, caught off guard by Riku's sudden embrace. He reacts with a quiet, choked sob; his voice is nasal when he attempts to speak, already fighting to keep the tears forming in his eyes from coming forth.]
What--
[Riku only holds Charles tighter, his voice soft to the point where it is almost inaudible.]
I don't want to leave.
[Charles clutches at the fabric of Riku's shirt.]
You idiot, it's better than--
[He sniffs, turning his head to wipe his nose on the shoulder of his cloak, and his voice breaks further.]
You shouldn't have been here anyway, it's better.
[Now it's Riku's voice that wavers, despite the conviction running strong beneath his tears.]
Nothing could be better than finding you again.
[His hands are grasping Charles's cloak, as though terrified that if he lets go for even a moment, Charles will be snatched away from him.]
Even if we get separated, I'll look for you. It's thanks to this place that I have hope. I won't stop until I find you again.
[There's another sniff, and Charles buries his face in Riku's shoulder, both wanting to be close to him and to make one last futile attempt at hiding the tears that are now flowing steadily.]
Stop talking like that, just go back and-- and--
[Go back and live your life and enjoy it, he wants to say, but Riku is a Chiropteran now, and he can't say that, and he comes to an awkward halt, at a loss for words.]
[Riku is quiet for a moment, holding Charles close to him, his own tears blurring his eyes, because Charles is so fragile and so dear, and Riku wishes with all his heart to be able to hold Charles like this forever.
Finally he speaks, with one hand stroking the back of Charles's head, his own voice is a little quiet, a little uncertain, but full of a boundless, gentle hope.]
Even if it takes me a while... will you wait for me? To come find you?
[Charles doesn't think it really works like that, and for a few moments he can only struggle silently for an answer through heavy, uneven breaths. Finally, he steadies himself just enough to lift his head, to pull back and look into Riku's eyes, red and damp just like his own.]
A-All right.
[He takes a deep, shuddering breath.]
I--
[But he can only get out the first word before his voice fails him, and he turns away, tear-streaked face red and burning.]
[Riku reaches out and turns Charles's face towards him, offering a watery smile.]
I'm happy. I'm so happy I got to see you again. And I promise this won't be the last time.
[And he knows what Charles was trying to say, so Riku kisses him softly on the forehead and speaks, his voice filled to the brim with affection.]
And I can promise that because I love you too.
[Charles looks up at him, eyes wide beneath wet lashes as if he's never heard those words before in his life -- and maybe he hasn't, he can't even remember anymore, and that doesn't matter.]
You really--
[But then then they're disappearing; they can both feel it.
Charles holds Riku tightly, desperately, suddenly completely unwilling to let him go again, and he finally whispers a sobbed, urgent I love you with his last breath.
And there's nothing but silence until the recording times out.]