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They had everyone.
And yet he still feared.
It was a reasonable fear he would argue. He wondered if their efforts would be enough.
The seven Guardians of Light were with them now. Kairi, Lea, Ven, Aqua, the King… Riku. Everyone was there. They even had Donald and Goofy…
And yet….
Sora felt fear.
He still doubted his and everyone’s abilities, though he knew it was not his place. He knew he should be strong, and that it felt so wrong to cut everyone short when he knew they were strong enough, but he couldn’t help it.
This was all so much bigger than he ever could have imagined. Was it so wrong of him to feel so small?
Kairi’s voice droned in the background of his panicked mind. Sora felt as if he were going down a drain. Swirling into the abyss of who knows where in his own worried thoughts.
“I know we can do this Sora.” She’d said. “I’ll protect you.”
“And illl protect you.” He’d responded.
They’d shared a Paopu fruit, which felt wrong. He… he felt like he’d shared something that wasn’t his to want to give in the first place. But Kairi asked… and she was on of his friends.
He can’t say he didn’t wish it was someone else that he’d shared it with. He can’t help but say that he felt he’s let them down in more ways than one. He can’t help but-
Suddenly, a hand on his back drew him from his thoughts.
Sora looked back to see Riku there.
“Breathe.” Was all he said. One word. One simple word that had his chest aching and his eyes burning with unshed tears.
Sora felt a sob bubble in his throat. He sniffled as fresh tears spilled from his eyes. Riku hurriedly came to meet him face to face. Riku took Sora’s hands in his and he watched him cry.
“What’s wrong Sora? Why are you crying?” Riku asked gently.
“It’s stupid…” Sora whimpered as he tried to stop himself from crying, only for more tears to come.
“It’s not stupid if it’s what you’re feeling.” Riku brought his hand up and cupped Sora’s cheek. He wiped away a tear with his thumb. Sora leaned into his touch craving the way his touch alone made him feel safe.
“I’m scared for tomorrow.” Sora whispered with a sniffle. “I’m scared that I’m going to let everyone down and lose everyone… lose you.”
Riku smiled softly. He hopped up on the Paopu tree next to Sora and shook his head.
“Nothing could take me from you. Not Heartless or Unversed, or even those weirdos in Organization thirteen.” Sora giggled softly. Riku smiled fondly. “No Darkness could ever take me from you again. Do you understand me?”
Sora’s gaze was intent on his hands. He felt Riku’s fingers gently touching his jawline as he made him look at him.
“There you are.” Riku whispered oh so gently, Sora feared he would melt before he ever got the chance to fight. “Do you understand me, Sora?”
Sora nodded slowly.
“I understand.” Sora smiled softly.
Riku smiled and brushed Sora’s hair away from his forehead and pressed a soft kiss against it.
Sora leaned against Riku, his head resting against Riku’s shoulder.
The sunset was beautiful. It was always the same, but with Riku… it felt so much more magical and peaceful. Sora could almost forget his fear. He could almost forget why he was panicked in the first place.
“I’m sorry…” Sora whispered after a long while. “Kairi and I shared a Paopu fruit. I wanted to share one with you.”
“I know. I saw.” Riku said. He pressed another kiss to Sora’s head. “It’s okay.”
“But I shared one with her!” Sora sat up and pulled away. “I feel like I’ve done something wrong!”
“But you haven’t done anything wrong.” Riku said, softly caressing Sora’s face. “You and Kairi are friends. She likes you a lot and wants to remain apart of your life.
Sora bowed his head. Riku slipped down from the tree so that he was right in front of Sora. He took Sora’s hand in his as his other hand made sure Sora was looking at him.
“There’s something you don’t know about the Paopu legend though.” Riku smiled when he saw he caught Sora’s attention. He tilted his head.
“What don’t I know?” Sora asked. Riku hummed.
“There’s two types of sharing when it comes to the Paopu fruit. There’s the type of sharing that you and Kairi did…” Riku grabbed one of the Star shaped fruits from the tree and held it in front of Sora. “…then there’s this version.”
Riku split the fruit in half. He gave one half to Sora and the other half he kept.
“When you share one Paopu, it’s much more… intimate.” Riku said. Sora smiled.
Riku held the Paopu in front of Sora’s lips and Sora did the same for Riku. The both took a bite and the salty yet sweet flavor filled their mouths.
It didn’t taste like betrayal this time. It was all the right feelings. His heart swelled with happiness and joy, sharing this moment with Riku.
“Now nothing can take me from you.” Riku said. “Not Ansem or Xemnas or Xehanort. No Darkness can take me away from you.”
“You said that already.” Sora laughed softly.
“I know, but I want you to hear it again to know that I’m not lying to you.” Riku kissed the back of Sora’s hand. “Nothing will take me from you, and nothing will ever hurt you. Not while I’m alive.”
“And you called me a sap.” Riku leaned up and kissed Sora. Soft and gentle and oh so full of love.
“I learned from the best.” Riku chuckled softly. “I love you Sora.”
“I love you too Riku…” Sora whispered pressing another soft kiss to Riku’s lips.
“Believe in yourself. We’ll be fine tomorrow. We’re strong and we’re together. We’ll beat Xehanort. Then… we’ll live normally.”
“Yeah… that sounds amazing.” Sora hummed. “Living normally with you and all our friends…”
“Exactly.”
Their friends were gone. Sora had lost everyone. Everyone but Riku, but even now he might lose him.
The darkness swirled around Riku… and he was gone.
And soon… so was he.