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He was always an early riser, leaving for several hours in the morning only to come back just in time for his partner to wake up, kiss his cheek in the morning and spend the rest of the day by his side if he could.
This morning, he took it out to run for several miles. He always liked running, it's one reason why he and Sora always would race each other. Not only were they so competitive, but they were fun. Riku smiled as he thought of how they used to do that every summer much to Kairi's and the other children's annoyance. She just didn't understand why they were always at it. Well she had things she preferred and they had things they enjoyed better.
"Hey Kairi!" He waved to his friend who was pinning up posters on a board.
"Hey Riku, still running I see." She shook her head, "I don't know why you like doing it so much."
He just shrugged, "It's fun."
She gave him a look before waving, "Oh and go tell sleeping beauty I said hi, I am going to go back to Radiant Garden and help Aqua with the school that they're building."
Riku just laughed, the name certainly fit. He remembered all those long passings days when Sora would do nothing but sleep. He could only watch as he pressed his face to the flower pod that surrounded his sleeping body, wondering in desperation when it was time for him to awake. If not for the pod, he would have desperately held him closely, crying his eyes out all those long days being separated.
"He's gonna be sad he missed you, y'know." Riku reminded the girl and he could only think of how clingy he'll be when he'll get back. Now a part of him wouldn't mind if he missed more of his friends often. He then realized how dangerous that was and shoved those thoughts away, he shouldn't think like that... That wasn't him.
"I'll make it up to him soon, okay?" She smiled softly, "And how long until you and Sora will be ready to announce you guys are back, finding an excuse to come here without you guys is a struggle especially since I used to feel sad coming back. Thank the destinies for Selphie."
Kairi was somewhat close to the shorter classmate of hers and Sora back when they were in school. She even was with her a lot when the two of them were off doing who knows what during that one year without her. She was thankful she found them because if they were here without tell her than she would be really mad.
"Eh when we'll be ready. It's been a few years now. I'm sure they're fine without us. You've told us plenty."
"Someday they might start a search party for you, not realizing you sillies been here the entire time and even got married while you were at it." Kairi narrowed her eyes, "Everyone will be so upset you didn't invite them."
"It was mainly for us and our families here." Riku tried to explain. "You were there too—"
Kairi huffed, "Yeah if I wasn't I would've throttled the two of you. I'm surprised Sora was okay with a small thing I thought he wanted to invite all his fri—"
"Kai."
"Yes?"
"I talk with my husband and it was fine."
The girl just smiles when Riku calls Sora his husband. It was a funny thing getting used to. She remembered how much they were so desperately in love without even realizing the other's feelings. "I'm glad you're happy. It's nice to see you finally follow your heart after all this time and you were an incredible idiot, both of you mind you— for not seeing it."
"Wow gee thanks Kairi, I thought you had to go help Aqua?" He looked at his make-believe watch that wasn't even on his arm since it currently is on his desk at home with Sora. "It's what time now?"
Kairi faked gasped in horror, "You are so pushing me away!"
Riku just laughed, running off "Catch ya later, it's almost 10!"
Kairi just smiled, "I'm happy for them really..."
She remembers all the scuffles they've been through together and after all of this, they truly deserve time alone where they don't have to be put on any missions.
With them not in the action, she had stepped up and she gets why they don't want to tell anyone they're back yet.
However, she hopes one day they'll be ready because hiding the fact is a lot. She feels so guilty whenever someone mentions how Riku hasn't returned or when they speak of Sora as if it's hopeless and he is truly dead. She wants to tell them, he is alive and okay but she can't. She wouldn't do that to them. She wonders if it seems suspicious, how before she hated going back since before she felt so alone and sad without them, but now with them there, she went back.
She probably should be lucky that she saw them the day they returned, suddenly the two of them appeared in front of her, alone during a mission. It was her heart they used to make their way back to their reality and after her mission, they went to destiny islands and had a lot to catch up on. In the end, she had promised not to tell anyone as they wanted to tell everyone themselves and wanted a brief period without doing anything. That brief period turned to a few weeks into a few months into few years.
Riku hummed his way back to his home, always getting looks from various other islanders. Not only was he and Sora the two friends that always were inseparable, but one day they disappeared, never to be seen until several years where they're much older and adults.
Some wondered about their schooling or where did they ran off to all those years. Nobody dared to ask, only staring at the mysteries that were the two of them.
It was better than the occasional judgemental looks whenever he and Sora were together. Sora hated how people were like this so he'd make a point to have a word with them whenever someone had to give their unnecessary input. It was adorable each time. Sora wanted to put the keyblade at a person once, Riku was the only one stopping him from doing so. Also it would cause a ruckus that might make some of the others besides Kairi to check it out.
Kairi had also often thrown her shoes at anyone who had judgemental statements over the love of her two best friends in all of the worlds.
Between Sora and Kairi's responses towards them no one dared to bother them, but it didn't help he still felt hurt that to some people it would always be wrong.
Riku made his way up to his shared home with Sora. It was a cute thing the two of them decided especially since they had plenty of munny from all the times they had to save the world and they might as well put some of it to use.
He saw a sleeping Sora and smiled. He caressed his adorable freckled filled cheeks and leaned down and gave small soft kisses to his said cheeks, over and over again.
"orning' ku'." Sora opened his eyes, lazily, only just smiling, "Did you... you went out running? We have got to run in the evenings together sometime or at least wake me."
"Hey, I don't want to disturb you so early... besides you would complain about the time being so early. I can just imagine it, 'how Riku do you wake up at this time, aren't you tired?" He made his voice a bit higher trying to copy the way Sora sounds.
Sora just started laughing, "Okay first of all I don't sound like that! I don't want to wake up at seven am okay. Also why'd you stop kissing me?" He frowned at his partner, crossing his arms and wanting nothing more but to pull Riki closer and cling onto him like nothing else mattered.
He widened his eyes, blushing, "You like me to continue?"
Sora reached out his arms, bringing the other close to him, "You're so cute when you're bashful like this."
"..Sora." he tilted his head, rosy in his cheeks. He still would get easily flustered by anything Sora says.
"I can't believe I haven't noticed this.." Sora softly only murmurs, taking initiative to kiss him himself. His arms laced around his partner's neck and he could stay like that all day.
He laughed when they were done. "I hid it well.. that's all," Riku could only respond.
Sora shook his head, "Really? Kairi seemed to think otherwise. She constantly tells me things that had happened."
"Kairi?" He almost looked scared, "What did she tell you?"
"She said that once when she first came to destiny islands that you saw her but you had pretended not to see her, just so you could spend all day with me instead."
"Oh that's—"
"In 7th grade you gave that valentine card to me, only for you to not even sign your name. I did not know who it was but you never told me. I just assumed it was Kairi but it was actually you. I wish you had told me cause then we could have been together way sooner. Then you would win the town competitions because you knew the prize was one of my favorite things just so you would see me smile."
"Well—"
"You got mad at my 6th grade teacher because he called me stupid and then you picked a fight with his son who was eight years old and you made him cry! I had to make him feel better which made the teacher give me a nice B. Need I explain more?"
Now Riku was full blow red, "Those things happened a long time ago." He tried to explain, "Speaking of Kairi she had to leave this morning."
Sora shot up, "Without saying bye to me?" He was standing now, arms into fists.
"I know right, how could she." Riku leaned himself against Sora, kissing his hair softly in understanding. "I told her that too, but she said she had to go help Aqua."
"I wonder how Aqua and the others are... I never really got to know some of them but a part of me doesn't want..." Sora whispered softly and then those painful memories came over him. The hooded figure had done everything to mess with that person, the girl, and Strelitzia. His memory was still fragile, Riku knew this too. He felt Riku's ring that laid on his finger and spun in around carefully. "I love you..." Just saying those three words made him feel better as he was glad to have his Riku by his side.
Riku looked and smiled, "Me too Sunshine," he stared at his own ring on his finger, it was everything to him.
"When Kairi comes back we should celebrate everything we have done, I know you'd like that." He ruffled Sora's hair which was getting a bit long now down to his shoulders. He smiled at his partner, "I love your hair, y'know. It's so cute now with what you've been doing with it." He kissed his locks suddenly.
"I was thinking it's kind of nice longer and I get the appeal. After all yours is long and pretty too." Sora couldn't help but only stare at Riku.
"I never said pretty... though it is adorable." Sora made an expression and leaned his head against Riku.
"Well I am and Riku your hair always has been gorgeous, you have no idea." He suddenly announced to Riku's surprise. "I was always so jealous when I was younger just look at yourself." Sora would sometimes openly flaunt Riku making him almost lose himself.
Riku stared wide eyed, not sure how to respond.
Sora laughed at his lack of movement, "Did I break you again?"
Riku shook his head, "no.. I'm just surprised sometimes."
Sora smiled, "Good cause I'm going to forever remind you! I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you so much!" He cried out in excitement, before laughing into Riku. Sometimes he just had to remind Riku how he felt. "I'm so glad you're here with me. Being apart is so awful. I don't know why you'd always run away back then but now I'll never let you go," he held onto the hand Riku's ring laid just to prove his point.
"You can take me anywhere you want, I'll follow." He held Sora close and hummed softly, "With you there I'll be okay."
"Now about Kairi, how dare she run off." He nodded. "I know doing things is important but not saying goodbye to me?" He got up and started walking all around.
Riku just watched in amusement. He told Kairi that he would hate it.
"Right? So what are you going to do about it?" He'd love how he'd get whenever he'd miss out on something especially when it's because decided to leave without seeing him which he hated.
"We'll throw a festival!" He clapped his hands.
"A festival?" He narrowed his eyes, "Are we allowed to? I thought only the mayor could?"
"We can," the question was instantly brushed off, "being Kairi's friends of course and we'll have everyone on the island participating except Kairi who decided to not say goodbye cause she would have known if she did."
Riku raised his eyebrows, "She'll get mad. What kind of festival?" He was still intrigued and might even decide to go along with it. Planning a festival seemed fun and it's not like they did that much regardless.
"An autumn one. One with tons of candy too like paopu gummies!" He grinned those were always his favorite kind of snack. He would know cause that's how Riku accidentally confessed to him.
"You love those..." He smiled softly, "What about some Sakura flavored snacks?"
"Yeah and ube ones too. Kairi loves that one kind." He gave a toothy grin and Riku kept smiling softly, placing a kiss on his cheek.
Kairi on the other hand was helping Aqua. She suddenly sneezed. "Huh? Was someone talking about me?" She wondered out loud. She then was looking at more of the leisure that Aqua had decided.
"Kairi, focus." Aqua gently reminded the girl. They still had a lot to do and they couldn't be distracted, "I was thinking we divide it by elemental and physical attacks—oh and by the weapon too. It wouldn't be good to put someone who couldn't wield a keyblade with the ones who could."
Kairi nodded her head, "Yeah that sounds good, it would definitely be better to focus on their weapon of choice instead. And Aqua, I'm sure this school will be great if you're one of the teachers and with all the knowledge you have from the late Master Eraqus."
Aqua smiled sadly, "Maybe but there's some things I will change from what he did."
Eraqus cared about each one of them, however he also did some things that had hurt Terra, Aqua, and Ven in the process and many of his teachings were old fashion. For one all darkness is not bad.
"I think it's a good idea. We will make sure everyone is prepared and prevent getting thrown out into the world at such a young age. I was speaking to Ven and he was way younger than any of us." Kairi was excited to be able to teach other people about keyblades and magic seemed like fun. She also wanted to help them get better so they wouldn't have to be self taught.
Aqua agreed, "Yeah, it's too bad Yen Sid wants to retire. He could have been someone to help out. I wonder who could take his place and Mickey has been busier with things at the castle as of late so I'm not sure how much help he could with any of the new keyblade wielders."
She didn't know Yen Sid as much as others but she did know that Riku did not like the old master. When she told him the news she had a feeling instead of mourning, he would definitely be celebrating.
Kairi looked down, she was right. "Sora would love teaching others. He always loved to do that." Kairi widen her eyes in realization to what she had said.
Aqua's eyes soften, "Yeah? I mean you knew him the best out of all of us. The others miss him a lot and we haven't heard from Riku in several years. Maybe he would like doing that."
She nodded nervously, "Y-yeah.. he definitely would if he wouldn't have to keep saving the world over and over again. Riku too to be honest, the two of them could do anything together."
"I have to agree Kairi," a voice whispered, much quieter.
Kairi and Aqua spun around to find a smaller blonde girl smiling shyly.
"Oh when did you get here Naminé?"
"We just came here to say hi before heading out again. We're exploring different worlds now that things are much calmer. Oh and by we I mean Vani, Ryū, and I were also looking around."
Vanitas and Ryūto were similar to Sora and Riku but the two of them hated to be compared to them. The same was with Roxas and Ventus or Naminé and Kairi. Yeah they looked similar, but they were their own person completely.
Vanitas had darker hair and had much more of a tan. Also his freckles were higher on his features. Ryūto on the other hand had dyed his hair black several years ago while still having both silver and purple highlights. He even picked out the name Ryūto or Ryū for short. He wanted everything to be different from Riku since he didn't want to be constantly referred to as the replica of Riku either even if he still had some similar memories of his childhood.
A part of him still loved Sora even though, he knew it was just the false memories acting up. He didn't blame Naminé at all for it and because of her he had fake unique memories to fond over that the real thing didn't. He wanted to go back to the islands with Naminé and Vanitas by his side. Now that he finally felt like himself, he wanted to try something as himself —not with the memories of Riku— and actually experience some things such as trying the paopu.
When Riku was younger, he had split a paopu with Sora and that was recorded in Ruyuto's memories. But this time he wanted to share one with both Naminé and Vanitas as a mark of their friendship.
Back on the islands, Sora pressed his lips together, dragging Riku along with the music. He held his carefully, leading him under the sunset, their fingers clasped together and faces enraptured with the other. Kisses were placed on his cheek and to his lips. They still danced throughout the eve, feeding the other a snack every so often.
Riku smiled, "This is actually pretty fun. Now I wish Kairi was here."
Sora, still slightly annoyed, "Ah she'll get over it. She should have said goodbye then."
Riku could only shook his head and cupped his husband's cheeks. "I should let you do more things when you're upset. It's cute what you can accomplish when you're not sleeping."
"Are you saying I'm sleeping all the time!" He widen his eyes.
Riku shrugged with a sly grin, "Maybe...I am."
Sora removed Riku's hands and started thrashing him to the ground a bit too playfully.
Age didn't matter when it was the two of them they would always do this no matter what. They rolled around, still smiling and grinning regardless. "Come on... Sora.. I thought you were better... than that," he gasped between breaths.
"Get real, look at which one of us is winning!" Sora repeated back the phrase he use to say back to Riku when they were younger.
The two of them burst out laughing and smiled amongst themselves.
At that very moment it was just the two of them and as they held each other, Sora went in for a kiss...
"Kiss me once... Kiss me twice..." Riku held Sora's cheeks, never once closing his eyes as he felt his partner's lips that had only kissed him thousands of times once again on his. "...cross the line."
"Please.. once is not enough." Sora's words were quiet. Nothing else mattered because they had the other.
Riku pressed his forehead against Sora's and smiled softly, "You're everything."
"As your mine."
Riku was still blushing after that statement. "You're blushing." Sora poked his cheeked gently.
"Yeah because of you. When you say all those sweet things I can't help it. My heart can't believe it sometimes." He almost looked away, hoping his hair would cover his cheeks this time.
"Your heart huh?" He raised a challenging look, "Oh yeah?"
Riku nods, "Yeah, it always stays with you."
This time it was Sora's turn to blush and he closed his eyes, "And you called me the sap."
Riku feigned offense, "I still beg to differ," he leaned in about to kiss Sora, this time initiating it himself when he suddenly paused, "...Naminé?"
Sora blinked, "H-huh what?" Recognizing the name of the girl that he wanted to save and finally meet after she repaired his memories. He had to thank her once he told everyone he came back.
"No—no I uh see her." He clarified. That was not something you mutter when you're about to kiss your current partner, "Why is she here? Two others are there too, though I can't tell who else it is."
Sora crossed his arms, wanting to be kissed by his Riku still even though they have received thousands of precious kisses from each other at this point. "Can we get back to what we were doing now?"
He just smiled at his antics, his eyes softening.
Riku just laughed, "As much as I want to love.." Sora couldn't help beam at being called that.
"I'm your love," Sora kept grinning ear to ear and as if everything was magical, his eyes lighting up like the thousands of fireflies in the air. He almost pressed his face into him smiling.
"Well I..." Riku instant turn red, "Love you forever and ever and Sora you are so distracting you know."
Sora leaned in with the hopes of getting another kiss, but Riku changed positions and held Sora close. He whined at the fact and poked him, "Well why not?"
Riku couldn't with his adorable partner who always was amusing each time, "We have to make sure they don't see us unless you want to do keyblade wielder things and there is a good chance you'll end up separated from me because for some odd reason they didn't find you a master." Riku instead finally responded, but before Sora could feel bad for not being named a master Riku stared at him in the eyes, "You have every right to be a master too, y'know!"
Sora sighed, avoiding Riku's very eyes, "But I failed.."
"Because of Xehanort which wasn't even your fault. It could have happened to anyone. It could have been me even and none of us— not even Yen Sid— knew that it was going to happen so for him not to name you because of that is absolutely ridiculous." He crossed his arms. Riku wasn't a fan of the old master especially how he treated Sora after losing his powers, "I would like to see him do all that you do. He practically doesn't do anything, I could do it way better than him anyways and instead I'll actually have keyblade wielders especially newly awakened ones and help them know what to do."
Sora looked down, "still... Because I was by myself I couldn't do it if only I had—"
Those words hurt to hear. Riku couldn't help but froze instantly, "Sora I thought we went through this. You are strong by yourself too. It doesn't just come from everyone else and your connections but just from you and you should absolutely become master." He wanted to show how much the master was wrong and that he deserved it more than anyone.
His eyes showed nervousness as he tore away from his gaze, "yeah but..."
"How do you not see it, you've done so much yet you look down on yourself so much." Riku held his hand on his palm as he softly caressed his features. "You already did so much, sunshine.."
He looked down and in his hands he held his partner's. His forehead leaning into his as he softly pressed his lips to his, his arms around him.
So much for not trying to kiss him.
"Riku.." he softly could only whisper against him. "Maybe so but I'm still not a master.",
"Hm and I'm not doing anything Keyblade master like am I? It doesn't matter right now because when I'm with you I'm just yours—" he shifted himself so he was practically laying his features against Sora's chest, despite being the taller one. His ear press close to his heart, hearing it beat faster than ever. Riku smiled softly, "Hmm, Sora?"
Sora softly rested his own head on top of Riku's closing his own eyes, "That's why we said we weren't going back for awhile besides things are okay and once we do I'll show them I can do it."
"I'll make them acknowledge you as master or I'll announce you as one myself, and bring you with me if I have any tasks to do." He smiled fondly, "but it is just us two, so just promise me one thing: don't give up on yourself" He held him close despite being the one laying on his chest.
He smiled and nodded, "Of course." He kissed his cheek softly, embracing him fully as he laid by his side despite the rest of the festivities still going on. None of the others noticed they were laying there and neither did Naminé and the other two saw them.
When Riku was distracted it really didn't matter if he previously said them kissing had to wait. When they did that he couldn't keep an eye on them, but they were lucky for the time being that the three of them had plans to go somewhere away from them.
"Sora once we get back I... Want to help other wielders instead," he whispered.
Sora's ears perked up, "Really? It would be fun wouldn't it."
Riku smiled softly, "Of course you'd think it would be fun too, but I mean just look at us and how we were. We barely had any guidance, the one person who was supposed to guide me was taken over and then you— you had no idea what you were doing either. You only had Donald and Goofy who frankly didn't give you much advice. Then I was led astray..." He looked down at that moment. He would do anything to warn himself. "So if I could prevent that and teach young wielders then maybe they could be better than us."
"You could take Yen Sid's job. He doesn't do anything useful." Sora muttered with annoyed intent.
Riku just laughed, "Yeah I could! I don't like him anyways and I'd be way better."
"Exactly and I could be your assistant." Sora kept nodding his head in agreement.
However, Riku shook his head, "Nah you'd be another master like uh... Terra's old master Eraqus!" He pressed his hands together, smiling.
"Y'know what... I'd like that," he gently hugged him. The two of them smiled as they held hands and began walking back. They raced back to their own house, never changing and still they got distracted and laughed at their silly antics. Riku shook his head, "I love you so much..."
"Me too!" He jumped, crashing into his arms, making Riku fall back. The two of them were still smiling despite being on the floor.
But little did they know their secret wasn't so secret anymore...
When Naminé, Ryūto, and Vanitas arrived at destiny islands, it was already in the evening meaning the festival Sora and Riku decided to throw was already happening. However, Ruyuto couldn't understand why that was happening when Kairi was staying away. He might have no memory of her from any of his false ones but he knew it was her who lived here.
Why would she miss a festival like this? Naminé on the other hands, have been having strange feelings like she could feel Sora and Riku but that had to be impossible since they weren't here.
"It's a festival?" Ruyuto looked around, "There used to be so many here, but why would Kairi miss something like this."
"She usually has been the one who put them on. Though I'd imagine why she might not want to anymore without her two closest friends." Naminé only spoke quietly.
Vanitas just sighed, "does it matter? So what the princess missed a special festival."
Ryūto paused, he had a point but it was just a bit odd. He didn't even recognize this one and he remembered all the festivals as in his memory Riku went to each one every year. However, with this festival, it was so different, almost disorganized, but not at the same time. He would pull his hair out if he tried to think about this anymore so he stopped. "Yeah okay, fine."
The music played as they walked passed the beach, various people danced with each other, a pair of two hiding behind the trees as they comfort each other, but Naminé, Vanitas, and Ryūto didn't notice the two.
"I don't remember a festival like this before.." Ryūto smiled fondly, "I want to experience it for myself this time, y'know and maybe everything was different because it's not me."
"Ryū, remember you're not Riku. Just like how Vanitas isn't Sora either."
"I'm not stupidly annoying nor happy go lucky." Vanitas immediately bit back, not wanting to be reminded of how his face was just a copy of Sora's. At least it was different from Ventus. Perfect little Ventus that could do no wrong and cared too much about some makeshift family of siblings. Though as much as Ventus's existence annoyed him, Vanitas did care about him in some way because he was his old home.
"We know Vani," Naminé kept smiling as they walked through. She liked how lively it was and how everyone was dancing and how there were so many snacks.
"And Ryūto, since Riku is off doing who knows what as he is save to find his boyfriend that leaves you here to find yourself without him and make your own memories and experiences."
Ryūto blushed Red, "Sora's not my... I mean Riku's..." he hated how a part of him still responded to that name.
Vanitas frowned at how he slipped up again. He hated to see him like that, "You still have a crush on Sora?"
Ryūto turned away, "Who can blame me? I'm meant to and that's not something I can easily change and it's not just because of his memories but what happened in castle Oblivion too. He's the first person to see me as myself and not him."
"I'm sorry." Naminé looked down.
"Hey don't apologize it's not your fault, it's okay. Really. I don't... You were threatened." He smiled lightly, looking at Naminé.
"I don't get the appeal of Sora. Everyone likes him, he's just smiley."
"That's not really true. That's a cover. Riku could always read him no matter what and he smiles just to make everyone else feel better despite seeing little value in himself it's why he's always so quick to sacrifice himself." The dark haired smiled quietly, only slightly blushing. He wouldn't ever tell Sora and it wouldn't ever happen because.. because he wasn't Riku and that's okay. "He saw me and said everything I had was unique to my own self and he didn't feel those feelings, it was all me."
Vanitas stared darkly, "You still seem to chase after him though. You wanted to go here. It's not your home but you wanted to go because of memories that aren't yours."
"Vanitas!" Naminé stared at the words he said.
"It's not that! I'm not him, I am myself! I want to experience it for real with real memories with the two of you that's why. It is to show I am myself!" He held Vanitas' hand who instantly tried to flick him away.
"You also sacrificed your chance for your own life for Naminé here just like what those two idiot lovers would do." Vanitas raised his voice and pointed his finger at Ryūto's chest. I remember seeing you around Riku and then you disappeared. "I remember seeing you around Riku and then you disappeared."
"I was so upset he did that, I demanded DiZ to make him a body too!" She crossed her arms, "Riku helped too."
"Well we're all here now." Ryūto moved the conversation away from him.
Naminé still gave him a look.
"I didn't want to be brought back." It was Vanitas who spoke up, "but they did anyways. I was content being nothing floating in nothing but darkness yet for some reason they thought I should come back too. I couldn't even go back to Ventus Wentus because they wouldn't let me. They thought I'd be up to something. I don't care that much about corrupting anyone." He just scoffed, "I did that because it was my purpose in the organization to combine with Ventus in hopes I could be free from all the pain I felt every day from living but that was all just a lie."
"I didn't realize. Maybe that's why the three of us stick together." Naminé gave Vanitas a squeeze with her hand.
"It's because you get it."
"You aren't as annoying."
The three held hands as they finally got to the boardwalk. There was the tree with the fruit. He wanted to try it this time for himself and not based off any memory that belonged to Riku.
Ryūto only smiled, "We're here."
In his hand was a paopu, he grinned at both his friends awkwardly. He ripped the fruit into three, "Here try it!"
Vanitas hesitantly picked it up, "uh you want us to eat this?" He frowned at the citrus smell and shrugged. "At least I had worse things."
Naminé shook her head at Vanitas and tried the fruit out herself. Unlike Vanitas she didn't mind it and the taste was surprisingly sweet. It was also slightly sour but in a good way.
"Oh! Vanitas it's not all bad."
He shook his head, "Nope. It taste weird. It makes my tongue feel weird too." He wasn't a fan.
Ryūto just laughed, "Okay you two we all tried it and that means we're friends forever!" The connection didn't have to always be romantic. Even if Riku meant it that way, the three of them were different. The taste was different from what he thought or remembered. Like Naminé it was sweeter. However, also like Vanitas it had this strange feeling on his tongue.
Vanitas rolled his eyes, "That is so stupid. You sound like Sora."
Naminé only smiled, "It's sweet. I'm glad we're friends Ryū." The girl squeezed both of their hands gently despite Vanitas' glaring look when she did that.
"Can I go now?" Vanitas slapped their hands away before realizing, "Wait a minute we didn't even do this stupid ceremonial thing right. I thought I remember you telling me you had to feed the other person which I would kill you if you even dared to attempt that."
Ryūto just shrugged, "Yeah but that's okay I just wanted to share it as friends. I'm not Riku and none of you are Sora."
Vanitas stared at him, "And you know that right?"
Ryūto looked down, "Yeah. I'm still trying to find myself after all."
Naminé was smiling, Vanitas wasn't scowling, and Ryūto was happy.
Just in the distance between two figures quickly ran across the beach, holding hands, laughing and fumbling around. That laughter and the way they moved it was like the two people who everyone has been looking for.
Ryūto blinked, "There's no way... I know that voice. His hair may be longer but that face is him."
Naminé nodded, "That's Sora's laughter too."
"But why are they here and why doesn't anyone else know?" Vanitas stated, already knowing the answer. If that was Riku and Sora that means they were back and nobody knew. It was almost evil that they didn't tell anyone. He didn't know they had it in them to not even tell anyone.
The three of them exchanged glances, "Kairi."