The paopu fruit.
A legendary fruit that when shared between two people, their destinies become intertwined. They become a part of each other's lives, no matter what. This was the story told to all who lived on Destiny Island. Most people saved the fruit to use during weddings. To them, it was more significant than wearing rings.
Today, Riku's best friend, Sora, was going to share the paopu fruit with his betrothed, Kairi.
"You sure you're ready to go through with this Sora?" Riku asked cautiously.
"Of course I am! I've been dreaming of this day since I first met Kairi!" Sora exclaimed as he finished tying the bow tie around his neck.
Sora was wearing a tuxedo rather than his usual baggy pants and hoodie. His shoes were still giant, but at least they were all black. Riku frowned as he watched Sora fidget and fuss over himself in the mirror, making sure he looked perfect for his special day.
"I'm just glad you were here with me today. I'm happy that you accepted to be my best man." Sora turned and smiled at his silver haired friend.
Although Riku should've been happy to hear Sora say that, those words shot through his heart like a bullet. In Riku's true heart, he loved Sora, and not just as a best friend. He wanted to be the one that Sora was marrying today. The one he shared the paopu with. But he wasn't going to ruin his friends' happiness for the sake of his own.
"I'll always support you Sora. I'm just glad that you're going to be happy." Riku forced himself to smile as big as he could as he rested his hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Thank you, Riku. I know we've been through a lot together, and… I just couldn't be happier right now."
"Hey, Sora! Hurry up! It's almost time!" Roxas called out.
"On my way!" Sora shouted back. "It's time!"
Sora bounced his way out the small tent, leaving Riku alone. He tore his eyes from where Sora just left and walked to the mirror. When he looked into it, his heart sank. His bright, teal eyes were puffy and heavy with sorrow. His radiant, apricot skin was dull and pale. His long, thick silver hair, now thin and weak. He looked like a wreck and there was little he could do to fix it.
Grabbing the nearest comb, he quickly tried to fix his hair into something more presentable. He decided a high ponytail would look nice with his tuxedo, with a few strands left out to frame his face. He then went to wash his face, hoping it with help brighten up his appearance. After splashing the cool water on his skin, he began to relax. He slowly dripped more water onto his face as he continued to calm himself down. He grabbed the nearest towel and dabbed the water off, looking back into the mirror.
"Much better." Riku said aloud, nodding to himself as a small smile dawned his face.
He threw the used towel into the towel bin and braced himself for the ceremony to come.
A few weeks ago…
"So, are you really ok with Sora getting married?" Lea asked.
Sora had just announced his proposal to Kairi and had begun to invite all his friends and family. When Sora had invited Lea, he accepted, but immediately afterward, had run to find Riku. Lea was the only one who knew about Riku's love for Sora, and he needed to make sure he was ok.
He had found Riku buying a sea salt ice cream from the snack bar on the beach of the main island. When Lea asked if he could join him, Riku bought a second ice cream for him and lead him to a nearby bench.
"Yeah, I guess. I mean, it's not like I can stop him or anything. Besides… he'd never want to be with me. Not like that at least." Riku trailed off, his eyes facing the ground.
Lea took a bite out of his ice cream and let the salty sweet taste of it melt in his mouth.
"Yeah, but, you can at least tell him how you feel, right?"
"If I told him how I felt, it'd ruin our friendship. I know it would. I can't do that to him."
"Did Sora notice anything different about you when he told you? I mean, you must've acted hurt or something."
"You know me, I've got one of the best poker faces in the world." Riku could hear the irritation in Lea's voice.
"But hasn't he realized how sad you are?!" The red head slammed his hand on the bench.
"No." Riku said blandly. "School's been keeping me busy, so I haven't been around as much lately, and when I am around, he doesn't even notice I'm there or he'll say hi and then go back to what he was doing. I guess this was what he's been so busy with."
"Wait, so he didn't tell you until after he already proposed?"
"Guess he wanted it to be a surprise."
"Damn. I would say that's cold or harsh but… It's Sora. He's just naïve, and dense apparently."
"Sora is Sora." Riku licked the last bit of ice cream from his stick and tossed it into the trash bin next to the bench.
"I'm sorry man. But, I'm here for you if you need anything ok?"
"Thanks Lea. I really appreciate it." Riku gave the red head a small smile before standing up from the bench and picking up his bag. "Well, I need to go study. I'll see ya later."
"Yeah, see ya." Lea waved as he watch the silver haired teen walk away. Take care of yourself buddy…
Back in the present…
Chatter rose as friends and family took their seats to watch the wedding of the young keyblade wielder and princess of heart. Sora stood at the altar, fidgeting with his bow tie and cufflinks. Riku stood beside him, watching almost in agony as the time got closer and closer to the start of the wedding. His eyes glanced over to Lea, who was sitting beside Roxas and his wife, Namine. Lea gave Riku a sad smile, one that was full of anxiousness and worry. At that moment, a sweet melody began to play from the piano as everyone stood and turned.
Kairi began to walk down the aisle, her long, white dress trailing behind her. The crowd looked on in awe as Kairi continued her way down to her groom. Sora was grinning from ear to ear as he reached out his hand to grab hers. She took his hand as they smiled lovingly at each other before turning to face King Mickey, the one who would marry them.
"Friends, family, we're gathered here today to witness the marriage of Sora and Kairi. These two have gone through a lot together and with each step, their bond has only grown. Now, the bride and groom have prepared their vows. Kairi, if you would please."
Kairi turned and grabbed a small white piece of paper from her Maid of Honor, Aqua.
"Sora, ever since I met you, I knew we would always be together. You've saved my life many times, and now you're saving it again. I can't explain how much I love you, for there are no words to describe it. Sora, I am yours until time itself ceases to exist."
The crowd wiped at their eyes and sniffled as Kairi finished her vows and handed the paper back to Aqua, who was tearing up herself.
"Sora?"
Sora nodded at the King and fished his paper out of one of his pockets and began to read.
"Kairi, you have always been in my heart, no matter what trials I went through. I…" Sora choked a bit, then moved on. "I've never been good at these kinds of things, but the one that I want you to know, is that I love you and I've never been happier."
Riku nearly lost it at those words, but he continued to stay strong. He wouldn't ruin this wedding.
"Now, the paopu fruit please."
Queen Minnie brought forth the paopu fruit and presented it to Kairi and Sora as they each took one half. Riku could hardly stand to watch as each second was ripping his heart to shreds. He looked over to Lea, who had a painful look of concern on his face.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may share the paopu!"
And at that moment, Riku's heart burst as he watched his best friends bind their destinies. He clapped with the rest of the crowd and put on a fake smile, but on the inside, he was dying.
Sora swept Kairi off her feet and carried her towards the after ceremony with his other friends and family to celebrate.
But Riku didn't follow. He couldn't move. He felt so weak.
As soon as everyone else had left, Lea rushed to his friends side and caught Riku just as he was about to fall. And that's when he couldn't take it anymore. Riku burst into tears as he clutched to his red headed friend tightly. Lea held him close, trying to comfort the silver haired teen.
Luckily, the noise of the after ceremony was so loud that no one could hear his cries of despair, but Lea felt helpless to quiet his heartbroken friend. He couldn't think of anything that could calm him down. Then he had an idea, a dumb one, but he decide to do it anyways. Lea leaned down and kissed the silver haired teen.
Riku's eyes shot open as tears continued to stream down his face. He tried to push Lea away, but Lea wouldn't stop and instead, deepened the kiss. Riku eventually stopped resisting and gave in. He was too tired. He was too hurt. As Lea began to pull away, he gazed into Riku's eyes.
"…I'm sorry. But, I hate seeing you so hurt and, I know this isn't the right way to help... I'm still in love with Roxas too, but... I couldn't think of anything else to do…" Lea explained slowly.
Riku blinked a few times in shock then looked down as he remembered. Roxas was Sora's twin, but he had been married to Kairi's twin, Namine, a few months ago. Lea had been in the same boat as he was now. The silver haired teen nodded in understanding.
"Thank you Lea. I appreciate that you did that for me. I'm sorry about Roxas."
"Hey, no worries man. Honestly, I think… I'm starting to get over him. He… he doesn't really hang out with me anymore and it's pretty annoying. I deserve to be happy, you know?"
"Yeah, absolutely."
"So, actually, I… I was thinking…" Lea hesitated and grabbed Riku's hand. "Do you think, we could give us a chance?"
Riku's teal eyes stared at Lea's equally teal eyes. After a moment, he began to contemplate Lea request.
"Y-you mean, like, date?" Riku stammered out.
"Yeah, I mean, I know this is a bad time to ask, and, you don't need to answer now, but, I just thought that it might, you know, help us."
"Help us?"
"Help us move on. Cuz let's face it, Sora and Roxas aren't going to be leaving Kairi or Namine. They're married now. We can't just hope it doesn't work out and keep waiting for them."
"I… yeah, you're right, but..." Riku cast his gaze downward
"So, let's give us chance. We need to move on so, why not?" Lea gripped Riku's hand tighter.
The silver haired teen closed his eyes and tried to clear his racing mind. Could he just let go of all those feelings he had for Sora so easily? Could he really betray his own heart and start something new? Riku had never even seen Lea in that way either. But… Lea was right. He needed to move on. Sora wasn't going to be his, and he lost his chance to tell him…
After a few minutes, Riku finally opened his eyes and looked straight at Lea.
"I… I can't say yes. I'm going to need more time. To be honest, I've never thought of you in that kind of way and jumping into something like that… I would only hurt me more right now." Riku explained quietly.
Lea smirked and let go of Riku's hand. The red head turned his gaze upward to the now pink and orange sky of the sunset. He breathed in the cool, ocean air and closed his eyes.
"I understand. I know that if anyone had asked me something like that after Roxas had been married, I'd say the same thing. So don't worry about it. Take your time and heal." Lea patted Riku's shoulder playfully. "Just know that I'm still your friend."
The red head then pushed himself up and extended a hand to the silver haired teen. Riku graciously accepted it and allowed himself to be pulled up.
"Welp, we better head to the party. I'm sure someone is looking for you." Lea said cheerfully.
"Yeah, guess I have no choice." Riku smiled sadly.
The two slowly walked together back to the party as they prepared their façade of happiness. Riku told himself he wouldn't ruin Sora's wedding, and he was going to make sure he followed through. Before they entered the large party tent, Lea stopped Riku one final time.
"Hey, give me a call if you wanna hang out ok?" Lea offered happily.
"Yeah. Thank you, Lea." Riku nodded and smiled back.
A/N: Hey guys! So here is the first chapter of my new story! This is gonna be a long one, so please bear with me! Feel free to comment anything you'd like, I enjoy feedback! Until next time!