(Friendship) Mickey & Riku Replica - Florence Nightingale

[takesyoubytheheart]

Mickey hadn't exactly planned on finding anyone, or even anything, in the realm of darkness. So finding the boy with Riku's face had been a rather great shock - especially considering that, as far as Jiminy's notes went, this boy was supposed to have vanished. It was beyond bizarre, but he couldn't just leave the clone there.

With an 'oof' and a grunt, Mickey had managed to carry the boy all the way back to his kingdom - the castle was large enough to house many guest rooms. He had given instructions to all the servants not to enter unless given direct permission, lest they overwhelm him. Besides, Mickey had his own questions.

So he patiently waited for the 'other' Riku to wake up, setting up a tray of food and tea. No doubt near destruction would cause quite the appetite. 

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[darkimitation]

[He drops down onto one knee and continues holding his head. More memories are flooding his mind and causing him to feel overwhelmed, on top of the pain pulsating from his head already.]

So many memories. It's overwhelming. [He looks really ill too, like he might hurl or pass out as the onslaught keeps going.] Ahhhh! Make it stop!

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He almost calls out "Riku" as the boy's name, but manages to suppress it. Instead he moves to hold the boy close in a tight hug.]

Look at me... look at me! Just focus on here and now. Here and now... Say it after me, here and now...

[darkimitation]

[When he feels Mickey grab him into a hug, he has a knee-jerk reaction by pushing him away with one hand and glaring at him fiercely.]

Get away from me! [He then lets out a loud scream before beginning to glow with an aura of darkness surrounding his body. This actives the darkness from inside of him and switches on his Dark Mode, so now he'll be cloaked in a familiar garb. Though between putting out so much darkness and the pain, he's feeling woozy and tired. Thus he falls over onto his side on the floor, panting heavily while trying not to fall unconscious.]

[takesyoubytheheart]

... I guess our stroll... will have to wait for another day.

[He comes to the boy's side, showing no fear for his own safety. In fact, Mickey won't mind too much if he gets hurt or worse. What matters is getting the boy back to bed and letting him rest.

He gently begins trying to lift the boy up, as he done in the realm of darkness. There is bit of a sting as he touches him, from the darkness, but he pulls through, heading back for the guest room.]

[darkimitation]

Let... go of me.

[He tries to fight back against Mickey, even if he's feeling himself getting tired. He doesn't want Mickey's help anymore. He doesn't want to remember anything more. He just wants everything to stop.]

I don't... want your help.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Nope, he's still heading back to the guest room. Fortunately they hadn't gotten very far, so it's a relatively short walk back. No matter how hard or painfully the boy fights back, he's not letting go until he's back in bed.]

I guess you don't have all of Riku's memories about me... or else you'd know that I'm a pretty stubborn fella, just like you. When I do something, I see it through to the end.

I won't abandon you.

[darkimitation]

[He's still heavily panting between his words, though he lets out a small chuckle.]

... No, I'm pretty sure I do. I just can't recall any at the moment. [He then decides it's not worth fighting anymore however, and answers Mickey's other words.] You should abandon a fake like me. I'm not the real Riku, you have no reason to care about me.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Arriving back at the bedroom, he lays the boy back down on the bed, and even begins to pull up the blankets so he's nice and comfortable.]

... Helping others always comes before asking others for help. That's what I live by. I don't need any reason to help you.

[darkimitation]

[He simply watches Mickey do what he's doing and doesn't protest.]

I'm still not Riku. You were friends with him, not me. You're helping someone who took everything your friend had, even his ability to manipulate the darkness.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He'll pat the pillow too, make sure it's nice and fluffy.]

You did what you thought was best for Namine. And you might've been selfish here and there... but who isn't? Nobody's perfect.

[darkimitation]

[He scoffs and laughs just a bit.]

More like I was manipulated by the Organization. I only cared about Namine once she put false memories into my head, yet... some part of me still cares about her now.

[takesyoubytheheart]

Maybe you'll see her again someday. C'mon now, all this arguin' isn't gunna get you to sleep.

[darkimitation]

[Part of him did want to sleep, but he was also partly afraid.]

I told Riku I wasn't afraid of death, but now... I don't want to close my eyes. Because part of me thinks I won't wake up again.

[takesyoubytheheart]

... You won't disappear. I promise.

[He moves the blanket a little, in order to take the boy's hand.]

Here. Just hold onto me. I'll be here until you wake back up. Okay?

[darkimitation]

[His eyes lower briefly, still uncertain of why Mickey cared so much. However, his heart was slowly opening up to the idea of it.]

... I still don't understand why you care so much, but I have one favor to ask. [He looks away for a moment, then turns back to Mickey before taking hold of his hand to signify he wanted to hold it.] Will you help me choose a new name for myself? I'd rest easier knowing that instead of Riku, I have a name that's all my own.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[Mickey smiles brightly. These are little steps, but still important ones.]

Of course I will. From this day on, you will no longer be known as Riku.

[darkimitation]

[Repliku looks behind Mickey for a moment to see a mirror hanging on the wall, something he didn't notice before. He even points at it.]

What's that thing called?

[takesyoubytheheart]

Huh...?

[He glances behind him - the mirror? How odd.]

That's a mirror! It, uh... well, it reflects you. Shows you what you look like.

[darkimitation]

A mirror huh? And it shows a reflection of yourself. [He then seems to be pondering for a moment long and hard, almost lost in thought until he finally speaks.] Mirror... Mi? Mir? Mirr? Ugh, why am I so bad at this?

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He finally gets what the boy's doing, and he chuckles.]

Mirr! I like it!

[darkimitation]

[He looks at tilts his head a little at Mickey, unsure why he's laughing. However, he has made the decision on his name and even smiles just a bit.]

That's my name then. From now on, I'm Mirr.

[takesyoubytheheart]

[He then squeezes Mirr's hand, nodding slowly with a great big smile.]

... It's nice to meet you... Mirr.

[darkimitation]

[He lays back against his pillow again, pretty content with the fact he has his own name now and his eyes close.]

I finally have my own name. [He lets out a sigh of relief then turns to look at Mickey.] ... Thanks.

[takesyoubytheheart]

... You're welcome, Mirr.

[He'll say it over and over again, if it makes his new friend happy.]

Get some rest, Mirr. We've got a lot of days ahead of us, Mirr.

[darkimitation]

You seem content on letting me stay here. [There's still uncertain, but part of him wants to believe Mickey is a good person.] I mean... I'm a wielder of darkness, yet you're okay with letting me live here.