It seemed like the only time Riku was completely carefree and normal was when he was sleeping.

Roxas had walked into the bedroom to ask if Riku needed anything while he went to go get more seasalt icecream only to notice that the lights were out. Frowning, Roxas went to turn them on, but stopped when he noticed Riku on the futon at the other side of the room, lying on his side.

Lowering his hand slowly, Roxas took a careful step forward. "...Riku?" he asked quietly, not quite sure what to think yet. When there was no reply, Roxas walked cautiously over to the older boy and knelt next to the futon.

Riku's silver hair was strewn carelessly around his face and shoulders like an odd blanket, lightly shielding the soft skin of his face and closed eyelids. An actual blanket was half-pulled up to his waist, though his knees were slightly bent so that he was almost curled up so that his feet were exposed. Other than that, the only thing Roxas noticed was Riku's quiet, even breath as he slumbered.

Well, this wasn't how Roxas normally saw Riku. The two of them stayed up late into the night and passed out in the early hours between midnight and sunrise, so neither of the two really ever saw the other sleep. It was... well, disorienting, almost. Roxas frowned at Riku's resting form, looking him over unconsciously and trying to make out what to do. Well, technically it was obvious; go away and let the man sleep, as he obviously needed it. But, then, something was just so bizarre. Seeing Riku sleeping like that, so still and calm and almost serene... it was different. Another new thing for Roxas to get used to in this life. It seemed like, as  long as he kept living with Riku and around the others, he'd always find something he wouldn't expect.

After a moment, Roxas realized he'd spaced out and shook his head. He thought about getting up, but it didn't work. He sat and stayed next to the futon a moment longer, watching the older boy's chest rise and fall with his breathing. And, after a moment, Roxas realized he could hear the quiet sound as well. It was quiet enough in the house with no one moving and no music on or anything that, as long as he listened hard, he could hear every breath.

Without thinking, Roxas scooted closer to the futon, wanting to keep the sound audible. He wondered vaguely if everyone's natural breathing pattern was different. Really, there were so many things that were different among every living person; fingerprints,  gene patterns, heartbeats... why couldn't breathing be one, too?

Heartbeat. Roxas's expression softened when he remembered the time he'd almost fallen asleep in Riku's arms, comfortable for the first time in a long time. He didn't even really remember why he'd let Riku hold him, or why Riku wanted to--just that it had been nice on a rainy night. Maybe that was it; Riku had wanted to comfort him. In any case, that was the night Riku had gone and said something rash again... like that the heart Roxas heard beating was his own, not Riku's. Riku had a funny habit of that; saying or doing things that made it look or sound like... well, like they were in a relationship or something.

Why did that thought make his breath catch?

Roxas only realized what he was doing when he found himself on the futon next to Riku, facing the boy's front. Gingerly, Roxas settled himself on the bed next to Riku and lifted the blanket to carefully slide himself under it without waking the silver-haired  boy. Feeling his face flush lightly, Roxas sidled up so close that the two boys were almost touching, and slowly settled himself to get comfortable. Finally, once he was sure Riku wouldn't wake, Roxas leaned in close and pressed his ear against Riku's chest.

And there it was. His heartbeat. And his breathing, too.

In, out. Thump, thump.

...and somehow, these noises were comforting. Somehow, these sounds were soft enough to lull him to sleep.