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Red.
The color of painted roses.
Our Hearts that beat too fast.
And Kisses that we once embraced.
But above all it's love.
The love that was shared between our two souls.
And my feelings never change, nor ever will.
You're the light in the darkness, Valentine..
Sora chuckled, it was cute.
Really, it was and it's something he expected.
And he always used to call him a sap. Here he was, being even more sappy and affectionate as ever.
But all good things have their sacrifices and that one was that nobody else could find out.
For two people like them to be together, eyebrows were raised and friendships were ruined.
It was thought as abnormal, but for people like them what was normal in the first place?
There were Hearts made of light and darkness seeping in, corrupting those said hearts, and in the midst of it all was a keyblade wielder saving the world.
If that's what they did on a daily basis, what actually was normal?
Who to say them being together wasn't a rarity nor would it be frowned upon?
But they weren't going to risk it.
Riku wouldn't tell his parents and risk getting kicked out.
Who knows how everyone else would react to finding out.
And that's where the dilemma laid. Riku would be okay with some knowing, but Sora would want to tell all his friends. All the wielders of light, every keyblade wielder, and even some like Pooh, Hercules, or even Mulan. Riku still wasn't sure. They both were nervous to some extent.
So nobody was told a thing.
Sora read the letter again this time out loud. His words echoing off the walls of the secret place.
Riku sat there with that innocent, yet cute look of his as he gazed at Sora with such a hopeful expression.
“And you called me the sap.” He laughed, leaning into Riku. Sora hugged him with those arms of his to embrace the feeling. He knew Riku liked affection a lot — way more than he let on.
“I’m not!” Riku scoffed and looked over at Sora with an expression that showed disbelief. He leaned forward, his face only inches away from his.
Sora grinned cheekily, that's how it was. He knew he had an effect on Riku.
Sora was adorable— too adorable, Riku might say. Every expression and everything he did was so cute and he was helplessly in love.
They both were.
Riku just had trouble showing his emotions. He often wanted affection. As for Sora, Riku was everything to him. He often worried about him. Sora would want to spend every moment together until their dying breaths.
“Let's just stay like this. For a while?” Sora grinned again, looking up at Riku.
“You just want to skip again,” Riku laughed, “Come on, if we're here for too long the others might worry.”
Sora frowned, “We can't do this out there.”
Riku’s face fell when he realized his reason, “Sure we can. We'll just… hug and hold hands, we've always done that.”
“But no kissing or cuddling or….” Sora words trailed off as he poured.
Riku burst out laughing, “You're so adorable.”
“Hey!” He crossed his arms, even as Riku's own were embracing him.
“I can't help it.” He withdrew his arms and put them up in surrender. “Where do you want to be kissed? Hmm?” Riku was now, definitely smirking.
Sora blinked, getting flustered, “I uh-uhhh?”
They each had their moments of being flustered. In the beginning of their romantic relationship, it often was Riku. Riku did not know how to express himself. He didn't know how to show how much he loved Sora— he always loved him.
It started as a friendship and it bloomed into something much deeper.
And everything Sora would do— whether it was simple hugs or other gestures, Riku more often than not, would be the one flustered. He loved the affection Sora gave him each time, but Riku was bad at expressing it.
“How about here?” Back in the present, Riku softly kissed the top of Sora's head. He waited and watched. Sora was blushing. “Or perhaps here?” This time he cupped Sora's cheeks.
Sora, expecting him to kiss his lips, closed his eyes. However, Riku only kissed his cheek. He chuckled as he saw that his boyfriend was visibly disappointed.
Riku lifted his chin up with two fingers and finally embraced his lips. Sora held Riku tightly, not wanting to let him go. He didn't want him to disappear again.
That was another thing.
Ever since his first adventure, Riku had kept disappearing. He had to chase him across several worlds to finally find him. It ached his heart so much. It ached even more when he found out Riku was off facing his own darkness by himself— not even relying on anyone.
He thought they could finally be together during the exam, but he was wrong then too. Even during the battle with the real organization XIII, Riku and Mickey were off on their own and he wasn't able to join them.
And then Sora actually disappeared. He was so alone and missed Riku so much. It hurt his chest. When Riku finally found him, the feelings were so overwhelming that he kissed him. Sora kissed him again and again, he hugged him like never before. However, they realized in the quadratum that it was frowned upon. Riku knew before, it wasn't common but for a reaction like that from random people they didn't know, it scared both him and Sora.
Sora continued to hug Riku as they stayed embraced immersed in each other's arms.
Riku stood up and offered him his hand, “Come on Sora.”
“Okay.” He took his hand.
That's what just friends did, right?
Sora removed his hand and still leaned against him, but as soon as they left the secret place, they were walking as if nothing occurred.
They acted as if they weren't just kissing like it's the last breath of air. It was as if they were just really close best friends who had a deep bond like no other.
They walked side to side and not even on a special day like this could they show their true affection out in public.
It was worse when any other couple did it publicly. It just made them both feel bad.
It's too bad they weren't the same age, Riku had thought. He had often boasted that he was older than Sora when they were younger. He said he was way more mature back then even though it was a one year age difference, but now it made him sad.
He wished they could be together and have the same classes.
At least he had Kairi and Roxas and Naminé and Xion. But Riku— he didn't really have any of the others. He was older than most of them, but younger than the adults.
Terra, Aqua, Axel, and Isa were in their twenties. To be fair, they didn't even go to their school. They went to University which was also not in the Destiny Islands.
Xion, Roxas, and Naminé had been staying on Destiny Islands since their return. When Riku tried explaining everything to Sora's parents about what happened to them, his mom just smiled and welcomed the others along with her son’s return. He didn't know if she fully understood what happened or even believed the story. However, she did know they had been through a lot and welcomed him home. She even let the other three stay with him.
The three of them all decided to go to Destiny Islands High School with Sora too.
The only other person his age was Ventus or Ven, but he was studying in the Land of Departure Academy.
So it was just Wakka and the other Islanders.
He followed close behind, carrying his own bag with one arm and Sora's on his other arm. He's always done this as long as he knew him.
It wasn't that much of a big deal.
To other people it just showed that they were super close.
Sora sat down and immediately got pulled to the side by Tidus. “Man oh man, I didn't get any Valentine's this year. I know Selphie will be in my face about it.” Tidus' desk was blank compared to some students who had roses or chocolates.
“Don't feel bad, it's not that special.” Sora tried to comfort him. “The things that are really special are from an actual partner.” He closed his eyes, thinking about Riku.
Tidus was in deep thought, “Hm? Oh what about you, Sora? Did you give anything to anyone?”
“No…” Sora looked away, still not very good at lying. Riku gave him a card that morning, but they planned to exchange gifts later that evening when none were around.
“Alright, who is it?” Tidus looked at his expression to see if he could get an idea on who it was.
“What?” He kept averting his gaze and then he saw Kairi with Naminé and the others.
“I know! It's Kairi.” Tidus clapped his hands like he solved the mystery, “You and Riku always used to compete for her, right?”
“Yeah… Me and Riku sure did.” He looked down in guilt.
Riku would always say those things to get under his skin or tease him. He always wondered why it was. At first he thought it was because he liked Kairi, but then he realized it was because of Riku being with her that made his skin crawl.
She unfortunately had become a victim of their competition and bets. She was aware of it too and had once stated, “Let's go off this island, just the two of us.” It was all in some romantic pretext.
It wasn't until during his second adventure that he realized he didn't actually like her. When he saw how different she was, he realized he didn't actually know her. They were apart for so long, he didn't know how to act with her. However, with Riku, it was easy. No matter what form he took, to Sora he was still Riku.
He truly realized that he must have loved him before their final battle when he and Kairi were on the tree. He was worried about Riku since he didn't join him, he would have liked him there too.
But when Kairi appeared with a paopu fruit, he had the most gut wrenching feeling like he was got to throw up. He couldn't take this. He'd want to share the fruit with another— Riku. He realized at that moment. When her words said, “I want to be part of your life no matter what,” he couldn't help but feel ill.
The look on his face told her, he doesn't feel the same. She looked down sadly and quickly reassured him it was for good luck in the upcoming battle.
“But did she give you something back?” He gave Sora a knowing look. “Or maybe she gave something to Riku instead. He often got tons of things from girls.”
Sora froze at his words. That's right, he did and he couldn't do a thing about it. They would continuously give them to Riku because in their eyes he was available.
But Riku has never been into girls, has he? Sora tried to remember any moment but it wasn't there. He often paid more attention to him than any of that.
“What really?” He stared at him, “He gets a lot of things from others?”
Tidus shrugged, “Yeah, pretty much. I heard some people gossiping about how they should give their chocolates to him.”
“They shouldn't bother.” Sora suddenly said, which was colder than anything he ever said.
“Whoa, Sora? Isn't that a bit harsh?” Tidus was surprised at his friend's words. It was quite out of character for Sora.
But still he was like anyone and he felt awful hearing about this.
“He's not going to accept anyways.” He quickly said to make it sound better. It was as if it was within reason, “He's probably just going to throw them away or give them to me or Kairi.”
“He never cared much for these things, did he?” Tidus wondered out loud.
“Sora!” He heard Roxas’ voice. “It's Valentine's Day.” He was given a heart shaped stuffed animal.
“Uhh Roxas?” Sora was confused. He thought it was only for romantic relationships not nobody or brotherly relationships.
“I'm giving them to all my friends. Xion and Naminé got one too.” Roxas reassured him, “I was gonna give one to Riku as well, but I ran out.”
Roxas definitely did not run out. Roxas and Riku had an odd relationship. Roxas wasn't over what Riku did and they still fought like children.
Roxas purposely decided to not give him one.
Meanwhile Riku was in his classroom as Wakka tried talking to him. “So who is it? Who is it that you got your mind on?” He asked, expecting it to be a girl.
Riku never really spoke about one except for Kairi and Wakka figured now it is finally time that he is.
“I'm worried about Sora.” He confessed to Wakka. It didn't mean a thing since he was always worried. He must have seemed like a worried friend, right?
Wakka opened his mouth, “Oh. Sora! Yeah, yeah— you're best friend.”
Riku nodded, “The one and only.” He smiled lightly and stared at the items on his desk that various people gave him.
He didn't want to accept any of them, but they forced them into him before running off. He was just going to give them to Kairi or someone. Usually in the past he would give them to both her and Sora, but he definitely won't now.
He also noticed that something happened between Kairi and Sora. It hasn't really been the same between the three of them in general, but they were always closer. It even made him jealous at one point, thinking they were going to end up together and forget about him.
However, now it seems like Sora and Kairi haven't spoken much. He'd bring Sora up to Kairi and she'd reveal that they haven't spoken lately.
After the lecture was over, Riku sighed and got his bag. He wanted to find Sora. He headed to the outside hall where the massive fountain stayed and colorful trees grew.
Just that moment, a girl bumped into him and held his wrists.
He blinked, “Uhhh..” He sighed, not again.
“I want to talk to you please. I know you're unapproachable but still. Please—” The girl latched onto him not letting his arms go.
He sighed, “No. Sorry, I can't. I'm busy. And not interested.” Riku's words were choppy.
She stood there feeling crushed. “Please I handmade all these chocolates for you!”
“I don't like sweets or chocolate for that matter.” Riku shrugged, though he was particularly good at it. Sora loved sweet things. And he'd eat anything Sora gave him… within reason.
The girl's face fell and as he walked away she tried to reach out, but her words fell.
Just then he saw who he was looking for, “There you are, Kairi.” He stood there smiling.
Just as Sora was about to leave class, a girl entered the room and went up to him, “Say are you Sora?” He blinked, never seeing this person before. She was an upperclassman, no doubt.
Don't tell me, was he getting a Valentine?
“Um yeah. I'm Sora!” He pointed to himself with his thumb.
She smiles, "Your friend, Riku… Could you give this to him?”
It was a love letter and a box filled with something. How ironic.
This girl was giving him— Sora, Riku's actual boyfriend to give to Riku in hopes he would accept it.
Sora didn't want to accept it. Especially with giving something to someone to deliver to another. He really wanted to tell her he was seeing something, but he held his tongue. “Umm Oh. Y-yeah.”
This was going to be an awkward conversation for him and Riku later.
Just then he saw Tidus come over, “That girl… What did she want?” He obviously saw her give Sora something and suspected another thing.
Sora shrugged, “She wanted to give something to Riku.”
Just then Selphie came running over, “Guess what! I just saw Riku gave Kairi chocolate!?!” She exclaimed with much excitement.
It was such a big deal because he never once participated in any kind of activity especially towards girls.
Roxas' jerked his head over and Sora stood up, “WHAT?!” They both exclaimed in equal surprise.
That didn't make sense.
Roxas knew about Riku's obvious feelings for Sora and being his other knew that Sora had feelings for him. To his knowledge, they were at the point where they thought the other didn't feel the same and danced around in hoops.
“Well you missed your chance Sora.” Tidus gently reminded him as he swung his arm around Sora's neck.
“No wait, that makes no sense. He doesn't even feel that way for Kairi.” Sora wanted to say he doesn't feel that way for girls in general, but it wasn't his place. “Selphie, are you sure?”
She nodded her head, “Yeah! I'm sure. Come see for yourselves.”
Roxas and his other exchanged glances before going into the hallway.
Sure enough Riku stood there with Kairi. In her hands were chocolates.
Roxas walked forward with his arms crossed, “Riku? Kairi? What gives? I thought you were seeing someone else?” He was frowning.
Sora looked down, there had to be some kind of explanation. Why were there hearts, cards and chocolate in her arms?
Riku would never… right?
Still, his face held worry
Riku and Kairi shifted apart and looked surprised. Seeing there was a crowd, he just sighed.
Naminé stepped up, “Come now, go to class. It's nothing to spectate about.” She was able to get everyone to move along.
“Roxas? What do you mean by that?” This time it was Riku who spoke.
Could he have figured out that he and Sora were together? Would he approve?
“Riku doesn't like sweets, remember? And he doesn't like when they give him all these Valentine's so he's giving them to me.” Kairi finally explained to the confused group of five.
Selphie stood there. “You're basically throwing away chocolates that all these girls put their heart and blood into. How could you!?” She pointed her finger at his chest, pouting.
Riku crossed his arms, hating that it suddenly became a problem. He never liked receiving them. “I’ve never been interested.”
Naminé then spoke up, curious about Roxas' words, “Wait are you seeing someone, Kairi?”
Kairi looked down and then away, “Yeah… Roxas' friend— Olette.”
“A girl?” Tidus was confused by the idea of Kairi being with another girl.
Riku widened his eyes in surprise. Sora looked down.
“It doesn't matter who you love. Love is love.” It was Xion who spoke this time. She smiled looking at Naminé endearingly. “We're also dating.”
Sora kept getting more surprises. He didn't know that many of his friends were. Maybe they didn't need to hide it after all.
Sora and Riku shared a look before Riku nodded. “Well… I'm gay.”
“Dude, no offense but that's not anything new.” Roxas deadpanned. The others silently agreed.
“Huh?” Sora looked at everyone else, “You guys already knew?”
They all shuffled awkwardly. They figured it out and figured out that he is in love with Sora. Explaining would be difficult.
“I mean I knew too.” Sora then continued to say. Riku kept nodding.
Roxas was about to open his mouth when Riku beat him to it, “I'm not sure how everyone knows, but yeah. Also, we're together too.”
Sora jumped into Riku's arms and grinned, “Yippee! This is just so awesome. Hiding that was just so awful, you know?”
Riku smiled affectionately, blocking out everyone else. “You’re so adorable.”
Sora chose that moment to kiss him, “Hm maybe I am.”
Riku was blushing, “Y-yeah…”
Kairi smiled at them warmly, "Aww, you guys' are so adorable. It's about time."
"Not to mention Riku's painfully obvious feelings." Roxas decided to add.
Riku's cheeks flushed pink, "Could you guys not?"
"Besides we've been like this since he found me at the Quadratum." Sora helpfully added as he intertwined his fingers with Riku's. Sora leaned against his boyfriend as Riku put his free hand around Sora's waist.
Riku led Sora back to class hand in hand and they knew everything would be fine.
It was Valentine's Day and they could finally shower each other with love without feeling afraid that they will lose their precious friends.
At the end of the day they shared the fruit of legend before finally kissing once more.
It was perfect.