Author's Note:

I feel bad about starting a new story when I already have one waiting to be updated. But until I get my notes for Frame of Reference, my Harry Potter fanfic, I can't continue it. So I figured I'd busy myself with something other than a smutty oneshot.

Last night, playing KH3 on my PS2, I realized that poor Riku always gets jipped. I mean, he's so sexy but he never gets any! So I'm here to fix that, and I'm planning on doing it right. Any romance of Riku's has to be a little dark and twisted. Plus, poor little Olette never gets any either, and I love her so much more than Kairi and Namine!

So be ready for a few twists and surprises. Enjoy.

"It's late."

There was a moment of silence, and from the darkness came the sound of a deep inhale and exhale of breath. Silver smoke rose into the night sky, made visible by clouded moonlight.

"Yeah…it is."

Tidus let out a noise of displeasure and lunged at the figure in the shadows. His fingers touched nothing but air.

"Honestly, Riku. Cigarettes now? You know Sora won't be pleased."

Another deep inhale and exhale of breath. Silver smoke moved in a cloud towards Tidus' face. The young man coughed and sputtered, waving his hands as if to push the poisonous air off his deeply tanned skin.

"That's not nice," Tidus wheezed. Riku chuckled slightly and moved from the warm depths of the cove's hollow into the cool night air. His bare toes squished against the moist sand covering the beach. Destiny Islands, though small, was as quiet and beautiful as ever.

"Sorry, kid. I promised I wouldn't smoke or drink in town, but out here it's fair game." A breeze pushed across the still ocean waters and combed itself through Riku's long, silver hair. It was almost wild now, left unkempt and uncared for. A light brush of silver stubble dotted his sharp cheekbones- a young man's beard.

"You're not that much older than me, Riku. Cut it out with all this 'kid' crap."

Piercing green eyes looked over Tidus, obviously amused. The blonde boy was tall and covered in lean muscle now. He wore black slacks, rolled up to his knees, a white button-down shirt, and a thin black tie. It was the standard uniform of Destiny Islands' high school.

"Age has nothing to do with it. It's experience that counts." Riku mused, taking another drag off his cigarette. Tidus looked sadly at his friend and leaned against a twisted palm tree.

"The darkness really changed you, didn't it?"

"…you came down here for a reason, kid. What's up?"

"You're missing the goodbye party. Sora and Kairi are leaving at dawn, you know that." Riku shuffled his feet in the sand awkwardly. His own black slacks dragged along the ground, soaking in the salty water. His tie, loosened, hanged low around his neck.

"Come on, Riku! You can at least go say goodbye! I mean, it'd be even better if you went with them, but I guess there's no convincing you. Even if you are ignoring a summons from King Mick-"

"Shut up. That's none of your damn business."

"What if the Heartless are coming back? They could need you!"

"SHUT UP. Don't talk about what you don't understand." Riku pushed the remains of his cigarette against the stone lip of the hollow etched into the cove's wall. Orange flecks of light fell to the sand with a slight hiss.

Destiny Islands was never supposed to know what really happened- the Heartless, the Nobodies. They should never have been told, but Sora was convinced it was the right thing to do. There were so many questions when they returned, and so many people who had gone missing. Missing people that nobody remembered. Sora couldn't stand that.

"They won't be coming back. It's not possible." Tidus kicked at the sand as Riku slipped a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, opened the lid, and counted his remaining supply.

"The least you could do is say goodbye."

"Go back, Tidus. I don't belong there."

"Of course he belongs here! I'll go talk to him…"

Kairi reached for Sora's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. The Keyblade Master stopped in his tracks, turning to look at his girlfriend with sad eyes. She smiled encouragingly in return.

"He just needs time. It might be too soon for him to go off on another adventure, considering what he's been through."

"But we don't even know what the summons is about! It could be anything." She arched a thinly shaped eyebrow in response.

"You really think the king is inviting us to a party in our honor? Or a wedding?"

"Maybe." Her lover smiled winningly, so carefree and innocent. "Nobody knows the mysterious ways of King Mickey."

"Except Riku," Wakka interjected. "I mean, he was with him when you closed those…doors, right?" Sora's smile slipped. A dark-haired beauty at Wakka's side touched his arm in warning, forcing a blush across his dark cheeks. His hand closed over hers affectionately and laced through her pale fingers.

"I thought everyone agreed not to talk about that," Lulu whispered in his ear.

"Sorry. But you unda'stand what I mean. If Riku isn't worried 'bout the summons, I think it's okay for him to stay."

"I just worry about him." Sora sighed. "The drinking and the long nights out. He skips school and refuses to socialize. I think he's depressed."

"He's getting downright mean," Tidus huffed. "I'm sick of his attitude."

Sora looked helplessly around, waiting for someone to speak on Riku's behalf. But nobody spoke. They all nodded in agreement and muttered similar comments of their own. Kairi cleared her throat in an attempt to clear the tension in the air.

"Alright, I think it's time we all went home and got some rest. Our gummi ship will be here in the morning. I think we should deal with Riku when Sora and I return…when he's had some more time to…recover…"

Sora kissed her cheek and smiled again. "Good thinking, my princess."

Outside, beneath the dull moonlight, a figure in shadows lit a cigarette and watched as Sora's house cleared of people. There were hugs and a few tears and many promises. Riku inhaled and exhaled deeply, filling his lungs with smoke. As Sora helped a very pregnant Lulu down a set of wooden steps, he glanced suddenly towards the shadows.

But there was nothing there.

Author's Note: Okay, it's a short chapter, but an introduction is always necessary. So Destiny Islands is growing up, and Riku doesn't fit in quite right. Our silver-haired fox feels powerless... Next chapter, 'A Wish Your Heart Makes'.