thenearshore | [open] A padlock and a dragon

Who: Yuto and you
When: July 11
Where: Various places in the Near Shore
What: Yuto finds a small padlock necklace, then Yuto in dragon form flies around.

A. A mysterious padlock
[When Yuto woke up this morning he noticed a small strange padlock on a string wrapped around the doorknob in his room. At first he thought it may be something from Hajime, but it wasn't. A prank from Davesprite then? But why would he do something like that?

It was strange and yet Yuto couldn't leave that padlock behind. He took it with himself and now that he's sitting on the rail of the bridge, he's inspecting the golden item with narrowed eyes. It looks like someone made a necklace from a rather small padlock. Maybe the person who did it lost the key but didn't want to throw this thing away?]

I wonder why it was in my room... [He says out loud.]

B. A dark dragon
[Later that day a dark shadow can be seen up in the sky of the Near Shore. Its shape is that of a black dragon and it would be no surprise if one thought it was a dragon-like ayakashi.

The dragon flies around, seemingly looking for something, then it carefully and slowly lands on a rooftop of a building and watching the streets from above. Its yellow eyes glow, but it's obvious nobody sees it.

Thankfully the dragon isn't big and it seems to be careful not to move its tail too much to not damage anything.

And it keeps on watching.]

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[Sora doesn't answer right away, an uncharacteristically quiet moment passing.

Would he be okay if Yuto wasn't around one day? Not really... He's had so many friends leave this place that with each one that vanishes Sora feels his heart sink deeper. He has Riku, Kairi, Roxas and his shinki too... But...

He smiles a bit and laughs softly, dismissing the thoughts.]

I guess I manage.

[Is he always alright?]

[There's a moment when Yuto has to think back on everything he said so far and to think it over once more. Even though he really thinks Sora would be fine no matter what, there is also one more thing he wants the other to know.]

...Well, I'm here. So we won't have to find out. I'll always be there when you need me, Sora.

[Always. He doesn't even consider that he may be gone one day.

He pauses.]

But I also want you to know that I believe you're strong than you think, too.

[He slows down and circles around the center of the city.]

[Sora laughs softly. He knows that they should always have hope that they'll be able to stay together. But lately it just feels like that's so much more fragile than Sora used to believe. Maybe he's been here too long.

Hearing Yuto say it, he'll do his best to believe it.]

And me for you too, Yuto. It's a promise.

[He pats Yuto's dragon neck gently and affectionately.]

If you think I'm strong, you have to think you're strong too. Deal?

[Yuto doesn't respond at first and he really wishes right now that they would be down on the ground so he could at least look Sora in the eye and let him know he's being serious. Yuto really believes he'll stay here, as if his sheer will alone would be enough to grant that wish.

And so, when he finally says something his voice is quiet but firm.]

Deal.

[There's no turning back from it now, he guesses. He'll admit his strong, because he wants Sora to believe in his own strength too.]

And I promise, Sora. I promise I'll always be there for you.

[There's not even a smallest hint of doubt in his voice.

Yuto soon picks a rooftop and slowly lands on it.]

[Tears start to prickle his eyes and he's glad that Yuto can't really see him doing that. Yuto's words mean more that Sora can say for the time being. He rubs his forearm against his eyes as Yuto's landing to brush them all away.

He carefully slides off Yuto's back and he's genuinely smiling.]

Thanks, Yuto.

[For everything.]

[Once Sora is off his back, Yuto cranes his neck towards him as if getting a better look at the other's face. And then, he very carefully moves his head even closer until his dragonic forehead lightly bumps against Sora's.

That's the best he can do right now, since as a dragon, he can't put his hand on Sora's shoulder or pat him on the back. Or even smile at him. And he really wishes he could do that right now.

So instead, he'll just stay like this. He doesn't say anything, even though he thinks Sora shouldn't thank him for anything. Yuto hasn't done anything, after all.]

[He's more grateful for Yuto's friendship than he can really express. After all this time here as a god and away from home, seeing people come and go, Yuto and Roxas have been the only constants he's had.

When that forehead boops happens Sora smiles warmly and sincerely and reaches up to put his hands on the dragon's cheeks like he's hugging Yuto. He shuts his eyes laughs happily.]

Thanks for the ride, too.

[Yuto's eyes close too and he shakes his head very lightly.]

It's nothing, so you don't have to thank me.

[Normally it would be a bit weird to stay like this, when his forehead is pressed against Sora's, when the other keeps his hands on his cheeks. Yet, right now to Yuto it feels strangely natural, but maybe he really is starting to develop a dragon nature when in this form. It's a strange thought, but it ultimately doesn't matter.

As long as he's able to convey that Sora is an important person to him, it's okay. And so Yuto stays like this for as long as Sora wants him to.

If he could, he would be smiling gently now.]

[Same old Yuto even as a big cool dragon. Sora chuckles more and thinks for a split second to argue with Yuto about thanking him for being such a great friend to him but they'd probably just go in circles like usual. So he chuckles and pats Yuto's cheeks gently instead.

Eventually he lets up, letting go of Yuto and grinning.]

We better get back soon, huh?

[When Sora lets go Yuto withdraws, his glowing yellow eyes looking warmer now when he looks at his friend.]

I should go back to looking for ayakashi.

[So yes.]

[open] A padlock and a dragon

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