This Never Happened
Summary: Sora goes to Paradise Island to meet his best friend Riku to forget about Kairi after a bad breakup. What kind of trouble will they find in the entertainment capital of the world? Whatever happens, one thing's for sure, it's gonna be a crazy ride.
Rating: T for profanity, innuendo, and crude humor.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Kingdom Hearts, including but not limited to: characters, character likenesses, lyrics, settings, locations, terminology, and other miscellaneous intellectual property.
Let me tell you how I got here. It's because of this crazy story that I'm about to tell you. It's pretty straightforward and it doesn't seem like it'll go anywhere, but trust me, it'll all make sense if you stick with it.
Paradise Island.
With its blazing blue oceans, sizzling white sands, and glimmering night lights, it was the entertainment capital of the world. Gorgeous men and women, decadent architecture, and natural beauty—the place had it all, and this was where Sora landed.
He was a young man in his mid-twenties—tanned, fit, with a shock of spiky brown hair. He walked out of the plane in usual vacation garb, a tropical themed shirt, unbuttoned, with a white tee underneath.
As a native of Destiny Islands, he was unaffected by the natural splendor that surrounded him. Lush forests could be seen through the glass exterior of the airport. The intense green of the vegetation was offset by the yellow tint of the falling afternoon sun. The scene felt familiar, but Paradise Island possessed a glitz and glamour Destiny Islands lacked, and this was plainly evident by the slot machines that welcomed new arrivals. Already, Sora could see visitors with luggage by their side sitting like zombies and pushing buttons mindlessly in hopes of a big payout. Yup, this was where money went to die.
Sora's blue eyes scanned the lobby for a familiar face. He found his longtime friend, Riku, decked out in the flashiest suit he had ever seen. It was all-white, glistening like snow in direct sunlight, with sparkles that were either induced by delusion or material. Upon closer inspection, the fabric was glossy, smooth, and velvety. The glow must've been because of Riku's charisma. Only he could pull something like this off without looking tacky.
"How was your flight?" Riku asked excitedly, approaching for a hug. Riku had retained his distinctive silver hair but it was shorter than Sora remembered. He was more mature now, and just as handsome as ever.
"It wasn't bad at all," answered Sora, accepting the friendly embrace. "Glad to see you uh...looking well."
"I know I look like a douche, but that's how you're supposed to look here," Riku explained. "Don't worry; you'll be douched up in no time."
"That's a disturbing thought."
Riku picked up one of Sora's bags with good humor splayed on his face. "I've got something more your style at my place. I'm the only one that can make white look this good after all." Sora wouldn't argue with that. Riku looked good in anything. "Let's get out of here."
Sora and Riku were best friends growing up. After high school, Riku moved to Paradise Island to "make it on his own" while Sora followed the conventional path through college. This was when they lost contact. It wasn't until eight years later that Sora heard back from Riku, and what he learned was startling—Riku had become the owner of one of Paradise Island's hottest nightclubs called Destiny. It was an unexpected, yet, entirely appropriate revelation. They resumed their friendship like nothing ever happened.
Sora followed his friend into the parking lot where hot, humid air smacked them across the face. Paradise Island's climate wasn't much different from Destiny Islands, but to those unprepared, it could be quite a shock. Sora credited the humidity for his hair's amazing ability to stand up on its own without so much as a hint of hair gel.
They stopped in a section of the parking lot that was loaded with the most expensive machines Sora had ever seen. Rows of high-end vehicles, from super cars to luxury SUVs, covered the floor like a buffet for car enthusiasts.
"This one's mine." Riku presented his fancy sports car with bombastic aplomb, arms to the side like a car show model. His ride was sleek and angular, bold and yellow, and low to the ground. It held its own against the competition on the floor and then some. He pushed a button in his pocket, unlocking the doors, and they slid upwards in futuristic fashion. Sora let out a whistle. "Impressive."
Riku was a bit disappointed with the reaction. "That's all you got to say?"
"What, you want me to suck your dick too?"
"No." Riku cracked a smile at the suggestion since it wasn't far off from previous experience. "But it's funny you mention that, because chicks dig a fast ride. Give them a spin, unzip your pants, and watch the magic happen."
Sora suppressed a snort. "In that case, why don't let you me borrow it while I'm here?"
"No way. This is my baby, and you never touch another man's baby." Riku placed Sora's bag in the back. "I'm faithful like that."
Sora put on an amused smile as he threw the rest of his luggage inside. Even if he had this car, the only magic that would happen after unzipping his pants was a piss. "Would've been wasted on me anyways."
"Nah, man. It's a guaranteed phenomenon. Speed is an aphrodisiac. I'll show you what I mean, but I'll pass on the blowjob you're gonna wanna give me afterwards."
Sora rolled his eyes as he got into the passenger side. "Just shut up and drive."
The car was definitely meant for two. The backseat was just a formality, and a bad one at that. If anyone sat back there, their legs would be crushed. The interior was cramped but cozy and the seats were so comfortable, Sora felt like he was sinking. That sensation was enhanced by the vehicle's low suspension. Riku applied gentle pressure to the pedal as they left the parking lot, but it was enough to send Sora reeling from the sudden propulsion.
"How do you like that?" Riku asked, enjoying the look on his friend's face. "That's just a taste of what to expect."
Riku had intended to give Sora the ride of his life but a patrol car put a damper on that idea. The cop was sticking to his bumper ever since they left the airport. Riku switched between the highway and the streets to shake him off but it didn't work.
"What the hell's this guy's problem?" Riku couldn't keep his eyes off the rearview mirror. He was seriously considering leaving him in the dust but thought better of it. Getting arrested probably wasn't on Sora's itinerary. The siren flared up and Riku shook his head in exasperation. He pulled over to the shoulder. "What did I do?" he asked Sora. "I wasn't speeding or anything."
Sora shrugged. He didn't notice anything odd about Riku's driving. They waited patiently as cars on the highway zipped passed them, teasing Riku with their freedom.
The patrol car opened to reveal a lumbering officer with a belly barely contained by the uniform. Riku rolled down the window and a hideous face took its place. The officer's jaw bobbed as he chewed gum, sending ripples through the rolls of flesh hanging from his neck. Riku and Sora were reflected off the officer's aviators.
"How can I help you" —Riku read the badge— "Officer Pete?"
"Look who we have here, the owner of the hottest club in Paradise City, Mr. Riku. You know, I see your mug every time I go down Paradise Lane. I can't lie, it's a handsome one."
"Um...thanks?" The exchange had become awkward quickly. If he was going to get ticketed, just get it over with already.
Officer Pete grinned, showing a lopsided gap-toothed smile. "You didn't do nothing wrong, but in case you ever did, perhaps I could look the other way for a little scratch on the back?"
Riku kept a pleasant smile. "How about a free pass into Destiny?" He reached into his shirt pocket slowly—wouldn't want to give the officer the wrong idea—and pulled out a coupon. He always had some for occasions like these. A free pass was usually enough to get anyone off his back with minimal hassle.
"That's what I call a scratch. Much appreciated." The officer shamelessly slipped the pass into his front pocket. He peered inside, forcing Riku to lean back, and observed the dash before pulling out. "Now this is one fine lookin' beast you got here. What's the top speed on this monster? Something like 200?"
"230," Riku said proudly.
"Be a shame to have all that horsepower go unused. This little stretch of highway is my route for today. Let's just say I'm not a fan of restraint. Feel free to let loose, if you know what I mean."
Riku regained his previous vigor. "Why thank you very much, officer."
"Just returning the favor. You have a good day now, Mr. Riku."
"You too, Officer Pete." Riku shot his friend a grin.
"Someone's popular," Sora teased.
"Some days, I wish I was nobody, but being somebody definitely has its perks. Let's get this show on the road, baby!" He stepped on the gas and the ride lasted all of twenty seconds before they hit gridlock. "You gotta be fucking kidding me!" A thin trail of smoke could be seen rising in the distance. There was a car accident and traffic was backed up for miles.
"If it makes you feel any better, that was the most thrilling twenty seconds of my life, but I guess you get that all the time."
"Shut up."
Sora laughed. He didn't mind the setback; he was never much of thrill seeker. He preferred relaxing rides like the Ferris wheel because he could sit back and enjoy the view.
Paradise City's skyline rose from the horizon in breathtaking fashion as they inched forward on the highway. Next to towering skyscrapers were unique monuments, curved structures, and creative designs that threw function into the wind. It was all about style and aesthetics. There were gigantic pyramids, stacked pagodas, austere castles, and shining palaces—all manner of architecture thrown together like an archaeological scrapbook. There was a building for every kind of mood, feeling, or fancy.
Sora was getting sucked in and he made no attempt to resist. He came here one reason and one reason only: to forget all about a girl—more specifically, to forget about his ex-girlfriend, Kairi.
Kairi was the most beautiful girl he had ever known. She was gorgeous with her bright smile, silky auburn hair, and dazzling blue eyes. He had the pleasure of being with her for over ten years. A decade was a long time, but long enough for perfection to fade. Everybody thought they would be together forever—he did too—but some people weren't meant to be.
They had changed. The indiscretions he easily ignored became unforgiveable transgressions. What was once simple became incredibly complex. They knew everything about each other and then nothing. The end stage of their relationship was especially volatile, switching on and off until the light bulb shattered. Their latest breakup wasn't the first, but he was determined to make it their last.
As long as he remained on Destiny Islands, the temptation to come back to her remained. He would lose himself in her body, her touch, and her scent. The dim hope that stirred in his heart would be squashed the next day when hurt and misery inevitably arrived. It wasn't worth it. He had to get out. When Riku extended an invitation, he gladly accepted and jumped on the first flight out.
He didn't have a plan. There were no expectations. Maybe he could find a nice girl, dine on fine cuisine, dance like crazy, win it big at the tables—whatever. He wasn't looking for anything special; just anything to take his mind off reality.
He wasn't Sora anymore—at least, not the Sora that was Kairi's boyfriend for the last ten years. He was just Sora, a man with a name in a city where names didn't matter.
Just forget about her.
And have fun.
A/N - Please review/favorite/follow, or at least one, or any combination of the three. This story is a tribute to one of my favorite authors. I'll do my best and update as much as I can.
Bouncing off.
~demtitties