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Some Repliku, Riku, and SoRiku thoughts
Was reading through this article again, highly recommend: (8) Blowing Off Some Steam on Tumblr
And I realized I had some further analysis to contribute to this topic. Specifically with regards to how Repliku fits into all this.
I think it's interesting how Riku gives Way to the Dawn to Repliku. People already pointed out that it's like Riku doesn't need it anymore at this stage of his character arc (dawn has broke, he's embraced his right to exist in the Realm of Light), but Repliku still needed it. He still needed to reach his light in the dark. To reach his dawn. To help the person he knew he could never have a real relationship with, despite her meaning so much to him.
I think Riku empathized with that. I don't think it's a coincidence that both Riku and Repliku make very prominent self-sacrifices in this story.
(Notice the light-entwined-with-dark visual parallels here)
I also think it's very interesting how Riku instinctively knows why Repliku was sacrificing himself, and who for. Namine wasn't a topic Repliku and Riku discussed even once in any of their scenes together. That was always a Repliku/Sora discussion point. Yet Riku instinctively knows there's only one context in which he, the real Riku, would sacrifice himself like that, so he connects the dots almost immediately. Hence why Riku has the endgame scene where he picks up Namine. It's him honoring the last will and testament of his fellow hopeless romantic.
Also, and this might be me stretching a bit, but I feel like this final scene between Riku and Repliku can be read a very particular way. Repliku tells Riku someone else needs the vessel more, and that Riku knows what he means. Riku immediately connects the dots using his knowledge of his own heart and the person he cares about most to figure out what Repliku intended.
And finally, we get the last moment of this scene. Both boys are staring at each other, both are thinking about the person they love most and what they'd be willing to sacrifice for them. It's a long moment of silence, as there's nothing to be said. They understand each other completely. And then, as Repliku fades away, he gives one final sentiment.
You could say this is him saying good luck in the battles ahead, which would be valid, but given the context of this scene, and the long stretch of silent understanding that comes just before this line, I'm inclined to think he's talking about Riku's own love story. Repliku's reached the end of his tale and done all he can do for the one he loves, but Riku's story is yet unwritten. Knowing this, Repliku's parting words are to wish his Other good luck in the pursuit of his happily ever after.
That's my two cents on the topic, anyway.
i’ve been curious for quite awhile now, so i’ll shoot - that one pink doodle sheet you did for sora, with the kh4 hairstyle, where did that sora with the dark shadowy (i’m assuming something like anti form going on) come from? it seems like such a neat thing and i’m interested in your thoughts!!
Yeah! I might have mentioned it in a previous ask, but I desire so much to see sora to really deal with his darkness, and everything else he's stomped down now that his heart is free of those who needed saving. Now he's only left with his own hurt to sit on instead of everyone else's, and I doubt he's gonna be able to ignore it for much longer, especially after what's been hinted at in KH3 and previous titles. I also wanna see it manifest in more kick-ass ways like rage form. I mean the bloody footprints and darkness tentacles??? more freak shit!!! sign me up!!! and AND with Riku at some point joining up with Sora, it would be a fantastic opportunity to have Riku be some sort of mentor for him through all of it. The series has been so consistent in showing us how good he is in providing guidance in a way sora can understand and trust. How his voice can reach sora through even the deepest layers of sleep/darkness. We've even seen a few times now that Riku's especially empathic towards how Sora feels without having to look at him. Plus the "if only sora listened to master yen sid the way he listens to riku..." line I mean c'mon!!! His resume is STAMPED. anyway YEAH that's why I drew it! :D TLDR: I think sora's in for a bad time with the upcoming installments, and I will suffer and I will be happy about it!
So yeah…..I feel like I should have noticed this years ago but. Even though I already knew Riku was the light in this scene in ddd, that brings Sora to a happy memory and almost wakes him up: link
I just noticed the other day that after he defeats the Anti-Black Coat Nightmare, they literally show Riku standing right where the light appears in front of Memory’s Skyscraper. It’s not even hidden. These two scenes are happening simultaneously (although the sense of time is altered because they are in two different dreams).
It’s completely unambiguous when put side by side. Riku is the light. And then if that’s not enough proof, when Sora is experiencing the memory, Ansem SoD suddenly appears and Sora gets blasted out of the memory.
This always confused me a bit but I didn’t think about it much. But it makes sense when you remember these scenes are happening at the same time. Right after Riku sees Memory’s Skyscraper, Ansem SoD starts talking to him, and then Riku gets sucked down into a pool of darkness. This is the moment Sora gets yeeted out of the pleasant memory.
So anyway, if you needed more concrete proof that Riku is the light, here it is. It also pretty heavily implies that Riku was actually, literally there in some way in Sora’s dive to the heart in kh3- for reasons we don’t know yet.
In ddd, Sora saw him as a light rather than as his body presumably because Riku was inside Sora’s heart/dreams at a different layer. So…what was he doing in Sora’s heart in kh3…
“Fuck,” Riku swears the minute he drops the full cup of coffee on the ground. The cup shatters, his boots are covered in coffee but it’s the harshness of how he swears and the instant draining of color in his face that has Sora out of his seat in an instant.
“Here, let me,” Sora says and reaches for Riku’s hand, who surprisingly recoils with a hiss.
“Don’t…” and it’s just as harsh as him swearing.
When Sora pulls away Riku seems to realise how harsh he sounds and he sighs. “I’m sorry,” he says.
“Let me help,” Sora says. He’s a little on the defense because he’s not used to Riku being like this but he gentles his tone regardless. “It’s just coffee!”
Riku leans against the counter so he can bend over to clean but Sora stops him with one hand, and waves his other, concentrating the spell as best he can.
The coffee evaporates and the little shards of the cup pull together in a scrape of porcelain like magnets. Sora bends down to pick the cup up and holds it aloft.
“Not bad, huh?” Sora asks and Riku grins.
“You’re getting a lot better at that,” Riku says with a fond tone. “You’re gonna give the brooms at Yen Sid’s tower a run for their money.”
Sora laughs, but his eye is drawn to Riku’s hand. It’s shaking, in a stunted way, like Riku is clenching down to stop it from shaking.
“Cleaning spells are actually pretty easy,” Sora says and reaches out to take Riku’s hand in his own. “It’s kinda funny, they’re a lot like healing spells. You gotta focus on something…” he looks at Riku’s hand and narrows his eyes at the slight tremble despite his grip. “And try and make it whole again.”
The healing magic flows from Sora’s fingers into Riku’s hand, curling around it like gold and green gentle vines, sparkling against their skin.
“You can’t fix everything,” Riku says, looking down at their joined hands and then at Sora’s face.
“Nope,” Sora says. “But I can try!”
A moment of silence drops between them, so thick it feels like even time slows down. There’s only a few inches between them and it takes everything in Sora not to just step forward.
If Riku didn’t want him to, surely he wouldn’t be looking at Sora like that.
Instead, Riku inhales sharply and steps away. Far enough away that even their hands disconnect. It leaves Sora feeling a little bereft and confused.
“I’m sorry,” Riku says again. He apologises too often. “It feels a lot better now. Your magic is something else.” He halts a moment and looks at Sora the way he was before and it makes Sora feel less bereft and more like he’s going crazy. “You’re something else.”
“Riku…” Sora says, trying to close the distance again. “You can… you can ask for help, you know? I’m your friend.”
Riku smiles, a small thing that makes Sora’s head spin a little. “I know,” he says. “Thanks, Sora.”
He turns and leaves the room, Sora almost wants to go after him, tell him something, anything. Instead he lets Riku leave and feels a little silly for feeling so much over such a small interaction.
Sora picks up the cup that had fallen to the floor and runs his finger over the lines that remain despite it being fixed.
He sets it back down and decides he likes it better this way.
(This was written because I saw a post about Riku’s injuries. The idea of Riku having chronic pain due to injuries is both sad and interesting to me because you know he’s gonna treat it like some cross he has to bear.
Sora is always a powerful magic user in my writing and he would definitely use it constantly to help his friends with the most benign issues.
Also, I cannot even begin to explain how much I loathe the widespread fanon that Roxas thinks it’s funny/great that he permanently injured Riku.)
I had to leave Twitter for a while. Hopefully, the rate limit will be removed.
Anyway, I'm going to try and be more active on here, so hopefully, some of my mutuals will be on here
I just need more SoRiku in my Tumblr TL
is it rlly a soriku kiss if theyre not trying to eat each others' faces
If Only There Was Someone Out There Who Loved You
❄️ An illustration for my most recent SoRiku story, If Only There Was Someone Out There Who Loved You ❄️
Summary: Having a heart that can connect so deeply with others isn't always a good thing. When Elsa's magic struck Anna's heart Sora felt a shard of ice in his own, and now there are white streaks in his hair and snowflakes appearing on his hands.
His friends are determined to find a way to help him, but if true love is the only thing that can fix this then he knows there's no saving him. He isn't even sure he knows what love is, and he doubts there's anyone who feels it for him.
For the ice effects I used these Ice Brushes
Alternative version below...
If I get left alone for too long I start thinking about Nightmare Bat-ku
No really. Why was he smiling like this. It doesn’t even make sense in the context of the scene, he was really upset just a moment ago. He’s just that in love with Riku that a simple touch on the shoulder from Riku has this effect.
The more I think about it, the more I believe that things might be one of the most important scenes of KH3. KH3 is a fucking Soriku goldmine, and I could blog about them for years to come, but this is the scene that sets it all up.
We see from the get-go that Riku has changed. Being named a Keyblade Master has given Riku a huge confidence boost. Combined with finally recognizing his feelings for Sora for what they are (after spending weeks in Sora’s dreams and diving into Sora’s heart in Dream Drop Distance to save him), he’s completely at ease with himself and the world around him. He’s got this quiet confidence that he never had before. He smiles, despite being in the Realm of Darkness. He’s finally comfortable in his own skin. Somehow, he doesn’t know why, so Mickey goes and explains it to him (and us, the audience).
“What’s wrong, Riku? Are you tired? Do you need a break? We can stop.”
“I’ve been here. I should know this place. But that all seems like another life.”
“Well, gee. Think of all you’ve seen! All the feelings you’ve felt. Why, you’ve done years of growin’ in almost no time at all.”
“I remember my first time here. I was so scared. But now, my doubts and fears are gone. If anything, I feel exhilarated. And it’s not because there’s darkness in me - I know too well what that rush is like. This is different. And it’s not adrenaline either. I know Aqua needs us…but I’m ready. I’m in control now. Maybe it’s because you’re with me this time.”
“It’s not me. I think it’s because you’ve finally found inside you that special strength to protect what matters.”
“What?”
“Sometimes you care so much for somebody that other feelings disappear. And then, there’s no room for fear or doubt.”
“Is that it?”
Mickey spells it out for us all: “you have a lot of feelings”, “you care so much for somebody”. There’s only one person this somebody could be, they might as well have come out and said it: Of course it’s Sora.
And then, at the end, that wistful smile… Riku knows. And he’s okay with it.
TLDR: RIKU HAVING FEELINGS FOR SORA IS CANON KINGDOM HEARTS.
Super messy kingdom hearts feelings
Riku is genuinely one of my favorite characters in any piece of media full stop, and it’s really hard for most people to understand why I love him so much. To a lot of people who only really played kh 1 and 2, Riku is just a kind of generic rival character, and for a lot of fans of the whole series he’s one of the best characters in the franchise but nothing particularly special in the grand scheme of all media ever.
I think understanding that Riku is deeply in love with Sora is essential to understanding what makes Riku such a wonderful character. There is so much more to him as a character, but his primary motivation has always been deeply intertwined with his love for Sora, and that’s not something you can ignore.
Riku speaks to a very specific experience that most people probably have not had, but if you do relate to it he becomes so special and important. So I’ve got to get a bit personal here to properly articulate what I mean.
When I was younger, I was best friends with one of my neighbors. We had been friends for years and spent a lot of time with each other. Then, a new kid our age moved into the neighborhood, and my best friend was suddenly spending all their time with another person. I had a lot of very strong feelings about this, to the point I would feel physically sick from it all. I didn’t understand what I was feeling or why I felt it so strongly, I just knew it hurt and I hated it.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that I am very much not straight and had a massive crush on my best friend when all this was happening. I was jealous, sad, angry, guilty, and legitimately disgusted with myself and my friend. Our friendship was never really the same after that. On top of all this I was also dealing with undiagnosed mental illness as a kid, so I was basically just an emotional wreck pretending everything was normal for a few years.
I also watched my dad and brother play a lot of kingdom hearts as a young kid. I didn’t really understand the games but I was entranced by them despite this. Flash forward quite a few years to right before kh3 came out, and I decided to start watching people play through all the games so I could actually understand what the story was. I had by this point mostly finished having a sexuality crisis and was starting to deal with the unaddressed feelings I still kept locked up.
And then I got to see Riku in all his messy emotional gay coded glory, and it just resonated with me in a way I didn’t know I wanted or needed. Watching this kid feel all these messy and ugly things that he couldn’t really understand and lashing out because of it, to get to see him atone for his mistakes and begin the long journey to not only forgive himself but also accept himself and all the things he felt, it was just so emotionally significant for me. I had never really thought about what it would be like to see this part of my life reflected by a character, but once I had it I was just overwhelmed with how strongly I connected to the Mickey Mouse anime games.
I finally had the time to watch the 6 hour Riku is gay and why it matters video the other day, and it emotionally destroyed me all over again. I don’t think I’ll ever really stop being emotional about Riku, sometimes you just consume a piece of media at the right time and it just stays with you forever. That’s really why he’s so special to me, I happened to get to fully see his character at the right time for him to be so important to me in a way very few characters are.
Thinking about how insecure Riku really is.
It’s not much about his darkness anymore, it’s clear he genuinely didn’t believe that he was that important to finding Sora.
The end of KH3, he let Sora go because he believed that he wasn’t the one supposed to get a happily ever after with Sora, let alone have one AT ALL. Maybe it’s because Riku thinks it’s Sora and Kairi that are more important to each other that Riku isn’t a part of the equation. Maybe he’s come to terms with the idea that he’s put Sora and Kairi and others in danger that maybe he thinks it’s the best that he’s separated from them.
In Re:Mind, have you SEEN the pure doubt and slight sadness when he’s told that HIS dreams are the answer for Sora’s whereabouts? That HE’S the answer? That he’s important?
I think that’s such a HUGE and important part of his character. He knows how to control his darkness, but not necessarily his thoughts. He still doubts himself, he still has room to grow, and there’s still details that we don’t really know about him.