Kingdom of Dreams - Kingdom Hearts Fanfic

Chapter Forty-Six: Prankster's Paradise & The Grid!

 Riku's face, a canvas of worry etched with lines of concern that creased his brow and pulled at the corners of his mouth, filled Melanie's vision as she blinked against the harsh morning light that streamed through the grimy windowpanes. His eyes, wide and filled with a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety, searched her face for any sign of distress, his gaze a silent plea for reassurance that she was alright. The sight of him, kneeling by her side with his hands hovering hesitantly over her body as if afraid to touch her, sent a pang of guilt through her heart, a poignant reminder of the countless times he had put her safety and well-being above his own.

Melanie, her senses still dulled by the lingering remnants of sleep and the disorienting effects of their arrival into a new world, blinked rapidly, her eyes struggling to adjust to the nearly dark area they were in. Her body ached with a dull, throbbing pain, a testament to the tumultuous journey that had brought them to this unfamiliar realm. As her vision cleared, she found herself gazing into Riku's worried eyes, their depths a swirling vortex of emotions that mirrored the turmoil that had recently engulfed their lives. The sight of him, kneeling by her side with his hands hovering hesitantly over her body as if afraid to touch her, sent a pang of guilt through her heart, a poignant reminder of the countless times he had put her safety and well-being above his own.

With a soft groan that escaped her lips like a whispered sigh, Melanie slowly pushed herself up from the unforgiving ground, her muscles protesting with every movement. Her head throbbed with a dull, persistent ache, a symphony of discomfort that played in time with the frantic beating of her heart. The world around her seemed to tilt and sway, the edges of her vision blurring as she fought to regain her equilibrium.

Riku's hand, warm and reassuring, reached out to steady her, his touch a gentle anchor amidst the swirling chaos that threatened to consume her. His fingers, calloused yet gentle, brushed against her skin, sending a shiver of warmth through her body that dispelled the lingering chill of the nightmare that had haunted her sleep. His presence, a comforting reassurance amidst the uncertainty that surrounded them, grounded her, his unwavering strength a beacon of hope in the encroaching darkness.

As Melanie's gaze locked onto Riku's, a wave of tenderness washed over her, her heart overflowing with gratitude for his unwavering loyalty and his steadfast love. His worried expression, a testament to the depth of his affection, melted away the last vestiges of fear and uncertainty that clung to her soul. In that moment, as their eyes met, a silent promise was exchanged, a vow to face the future together, hand in hand, their love a beacon of hope in the ever-changing landscape of their lives.

"Are you alright?" Riku asks.

"Y-Yeah... I... I think I saw my brother." Melanie explains.

"Axel? But I thought that he..." Riku asks.

"No, I saw Lea. Not Axel. Lea... He's alive somewhere. I... I hope we find him soon." Melanie clarifies.

"I'll help you find him." Riku declares as he helps her up.

"Where are we?" Melanie asks.

"Looks sort of like the whale." Riku comments.

"You mean where we had our first kiss?" Melanie asks.

"That'd be the one." Riku responds.

"Does that mean Pinocchio and Jiminy are here?" Melanie asks.

"I guess?" Riku asks.

"Pinocchio!" An elderly gentleman yells, getting their attention.

"Isn't that?" Riku asks.

"Geppetto." Melanie confirms.