This story is in the process of being re-written. I will note the dates as the new chapters go up. Please review if you can, okay?

I no own the characters.

Rewrite- Aug 19, 2008

Unavoidable Truth

"What do you mean you never told him?" Sora shouted in disbelief.

"I didn't know when we first got together and it just never came up after." Riku defended himself, realizing as he spoke how pathetic the excuse sounded. It was not a lie, exactly. It had not come up.

"But, don't you think he kinda has a right to know?"

"Why?"

"Why?" Sora looked at him incredulously. "Man, its Sephiroth and he's Cloud maybe. He's gonna totally flip out, Riku. You have to tell him."

"No, I don't." Riku tensely turned away. "It doesn't matter."

Sora stared after him a moment before glancing at Kairi. She too was staring at their mutual best friend. He hoped she had an idea of how to make Riku tell his secret to his boyfriend. This was potentially a huge issue that could completely destroy their relationship.

A relationship they had only found out about a few weeks ago. After the bombshell Riku just now dropped on them, Sora did not want to contemplate what else the silvered teen had been withholding from everyone. He knew Riku had his secrets but he did not think they were so… big.

Kairi slowly took a step forward, biting her lip. "Cloud won't leave you, Riku."

Sora thought about it for a minute, suddenly feeling really stupid. Of course that was the problem. He was such an idiot sometimes, at least when it came to these kinds of things.

Riku snorted. "I wouldn't be too sure about that."

Reaching out, Kairi placed a hand on his shoulder. "This isn't something you have control over."

"I could have told him as soon as I knew!" Riku shrugged away from her. "I should have told him as soon as I knew. I just… couldn't and then..."

"Well, keeping it secret isn't going to make it better," Sora said matter-of-factly.

"I know that, Sora," He snapped at him. "Thanks for stating the obvious. I knew I shouldn't have said anything."

"Hey!" Sora stomped over and angrily pushed Riku. Aqua eyes widened in surprise.

" Don't dare you even think about keeping any more secrets from me! I want you to talk to me! You keeping everything to yourself is what started all of this in the first place! Don't you dare start shutting us out again!"

Riku opened his mouth to say something but it slowly shut and he simply nodded. He hated seeing Sora upset, knowing that a majority of the time he was the cause. Why the other boy had not given up on him completely he had no idea but was eternally grateful for that fact. He never would have gotten through the past six months if Sora had.

"Now," Sora continued, the anger magically gone. "What exactly are you afraid Cloud's going to do when you tell him?"

Riku did not miss the 'when', not an 'if'. One glance at Kairi and he knew she was supporting Sora in this. Of course she would.

What exactly was he afraid of? Rejection? Hatred? If Cloud knew where Riku had come from, would he be able to handle it? Or would he no longer be able to look at him without seeing…

"I don't want him to look at me any differently," he finally admitted quietly. "I know he was teased some by the others when they first saw me because I looked so much like Sephiroth. Hell, the first time I saw Sephiroth, I was shocked."

"I know that in the beginning, it had bothered him a little but he got over it. But now that I know there's a reason, I can't help but worry that if he knows, he'll never be able look at me without thinking about it."

Sora felt bad for Riku. He really did. He had no idea what he would do if he was in this position. Well, that was not exactly true. He knew what he would do but Riku was not like him. For all of Riku's bravado, he was horribly insecure.

"Riku," Kairi's voice was gentle. "He's feelings for you are not going to change. He loves you. You haven't changed. He may have to adjust to this new information but he will."

Riku was clearly doubtful. Suddenly, her eyes brightened. "Remember how you spent all that time and energy avoiding Sora because you had Xehanort's body? You did that because you were ashamed of yourself. When we were all back together, neither Sora or I felt any different about you. It was all in your head."

"That was different."

"No, it isn't," She insisted. "Then, you were our enemy. This time, you're merely related. So in a way, you're better off now."

"Yeah." Sora nodded emphatically. He was not quite sure what he was agreeing with but Riku seemed less depressed now and that was what mattered.

"What if…" Riku rubbed the back of his head. "What if he doesn't see it that way? Or worse, he gets worried I'm going to end up like Sephiroth? I've already let myself be taken over once by Xehanort, what if it happens again only this time…?"

"Then we'll all work together to bring you back." Sora was confident. "Come on, that Jenova chick can't be any worse than Ans-Xehanort's heartless."

Riku considered this for a long time. "I really should tell him."

His two best friends watched him encouragingly. He did not deserve friends like them, especially after everything he put them through. Of course, that was one of the major things he was currently in therapy for.

"All right, I'll tell him."

"When?" Sora insisted.

"As soon as I can."

"Okay." Sora folded his arms. "Next week. I was going to visit Radiant Garden any way. You're coming with."

"Sora, I-"

"Nope," Sora cut off his protest. "You're coming with and that's final. Don't make me fight you over it cause I can beat you now."

Yeah. That was another thing he was in therapy for. He had to kick the superiority thing; it had created way too many problems. Did it really matter if he wasn't the best? Well, he knew the answer to that but he apparently did not believe it; hence why innocent comments like Sora's just now threatened to send him off into a tizzy.

And on that subject… "Whatever. I've gotta go now or I'll be late. See you guys tomorrow."

The pair watched Riku nearly run off. Obviously, he was glad to get away from this conversation. Both worried a great deal about him, realizing there was only so much they could do for him.

"Do you think Cloud will stay with him?"

Sora frowned quizzically. "It's not like Riku has any control over his past."

"That isn't the problem," Kairi chastised. "Riku's been, well, not exactly lying to Cloud but he hasn't been truthful either. Cloud will be more upset that Riku didn't tell him. It shows that Riku doesn't truly believe Cloud loves him."

"Oh." Sora had not thought of it that way. "Trust is a big thing with Cloud."

She nodded. "He'll get over the Sephiroth thing eventually but the lack of trust, I don't know about that."

"It will be alright," Sora spoke confidently. He took Kairi's hand and began walking toward the docks. "I know it will."

Much as she wanted to believe, Kairi doubted things were going to be remotely easy for Riku. She knew the next few weeks would likely be some of his most difficult ones yet.