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Sora was leaning onto Riku. The two were made of data but that didn't stop them from being who they wished to be.
Riku had his eyes closed when suddenly he felt something strange. He went to the computer he always used and widened his eyes.
A new world he had never seen before appeared.
Riku turned to Sora, “It's time to notify our friends.”
Sora grinned, and couldn't contain his excitement. He couldn't believe he was going to talk to Mickey and the others again. They haven't spoken since the first reset.
However when the call was sent, they had seen something—they saw their other selves.
When he saw them he grinned. “Huh? Oh look Riku, it's the other you and me!” He pointed at the two. “Riku, you have longer hair? It's so pretty and long and silky!”
The Riku from the real world stared at him and smiled shyly, “R-really?”
Sora then nodded and turned to his Riku, “Can you grow your hair out so it will be pretty?”
Riku nudged him, “What no!”
Sora continues to stare at the other Riku, “You're older.”
The Riku made of data nudged him again.
The other Riku stared at him, “What did you just say?”
“Nothing!” Sora decided to take that moment to show his wide grin to everyone
Sora leaned his head on Riku and smiled, “Well anyways I'm Sora! And this is my boyfriend, My Riku!”
Riku paused.
What did that data Sora say?
Even though it's not technically him, everything Sora says still makes his heart aflutter. It was only a year ago that was them, both still on the islands having a sense of adventure and exploration.
Riku wished he could still explore other worlds with Sora, that was something they never were able to do. It's probably childish to want that with everything else going on. After all, they are going to take their Mark of Mastery Exam in a few months.
He's glad he's taking it, he should be tested after all he's done. Darkness still is in his heart and can come out whenever he allows it to.
The Riku from the real world closed his eyes and tried not to think about any of this.
It was then Sora who asked the question, “What did the other me mean by that? I thought only...”
“He probably means like male friend.” Riku told the Sora next to him. There's no way Sora would ever feel that way.
Even though it might have seen that Sora was starting to realize gay people can and do exist.
Sora had to like Kairi, it's what always was the truth. The data Sora was supposed to represent the Sora he knew and felt. That's why he couldn't imagine a version of Sora actually loving him in a way that seemed abnormal to do so.
Mickey still gave Riku a side eye for that response. Even data Sora frowned.
Data Sora looked at Riku with a sad expression as if to say why would the other you say that?
Data Riku turned to Mickey and the others, “Well a strange world I've never seen before showed up. But I think some of you have been there before. It's Castle Oblivion.”
Real Sora tilted his head and repeated the phrase, “Castle Oblivion? Huh?”
The real Riku looked down at this. He still had frightening thoughts of that place. One mistake and Sora could have lost himself or even failed awakening him.
“Why is it called Castle Oblivion?” The data one asked, “Did you code that because you thought it sounded cool?”
“That doesn't even sound—”
“Right? You should rename it!” Sora grinned next to his partner. “At least Hollow Bastion or—”
The others widen their eyes at this revelation.
The journal sighed, “Oh yeah so Sora here remembers everything still. We have no idea why and he's the only one that does. Everyone else often forgets things.”
“Yeah I remember everything!” Sora grinned, “But…. Everyone else is forgetful and only acts for so long until they forget and repeat.”
Sora spoke sadly when he told them this.
Without Riku, Sora would feel actually pretty lonely. That's one of the reasons Riku stayed in the Destiny Islands with him. He didn't want him to be so alone.
~•~•
Sora felt so much hurt from all those newly added memories that weren't quite his either. Data Naminé and data Roxas explained everything. Naminé even concluded the real Sora would be able to handle it now.
The Data Sora grinned at his Riku before glancing at the monitor.
Oh yeah, the original Sora and Riku watched the entire thing. They, for a fact, can handle it now.
However at that moment the data Sora had an idea for those of the actual world.
“I want to visit their world! It will be so much fun!” Sora decided with a grin.
Riku furrowed his eyebrows, unsure. He didn't think it would work.
“That's not possible.” His other self answered for him. “You are…”
“Made of data right…” Sora looked down.”
“Well couldn't they if they had a heart?” The Sora outside the data then spoke up.
“You really want another you running around?” The original Riku turned to his own Sora. Riku sighed, “Dealing with two Soras… Keeping them both protected, what a nightmare…”
Both Soras crossed their arms and exclaimed, “Hey!”
Riku laughed as the one made of data just smiled.
Riku also feared that Sora might realize he is in love with his best friend and their relationship might change. And he doesn't want him to hate him or leave him. He's not even sure how Sora forgave him for all the things he did already.
Then the one made of the data thought of something, “You have Gummiphones right?”
Riku nodded. “Yeah… What does that have to do with anything?”
The journal just smiled, he did want to explore their world too after all and it's not like he couldn't manage the digital world at the same time.
“You'll see.” Were the last words the data Riku said before the screen faded black.
~~
“What?!” Riku and Sora were both staring at their Gummiphones which the two made of data decided to temporarily take harbor in.
“Come on, let's travel some worlds! I wanna see your worlds!” Data Sora grinned at the Riku.
Riku frowned, “What? Me and Sora have to prepare ourselves for this exam. Go back to your worlds.”
The data Sora frowned, “I am! I just get to see through your Gummiphone too!” He then grinned again.
The real Sora was, however, enjoying seeing and talking to the Riku made of data. “Oh come on Riku,” he turned to the real Riku beside him, “we could just show them Destiny Islands!”
Riku smiled, “Well alright.”