"I can't believe it, Riku! It's done….."
"I know…. It feels strange, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess the adventure is over…."
We sat in silence for a while, not knowing what to say.
"You know, Riku? I'm just glad to have you back."
Riku laughed. "I hope so; you spent enough time looking for me!"
"I'm serious! When I woke up, and I remembered that we had to leave you behind….. I would have gone to the ends of the universe to find you, Riku…."
A flash of… something skittered across his face. Longing? No, it couldn't be…
"Really, Sora?" he asked softly. "You really care that much?"
"Really, Riku. I…. I love you."
His eyes shone, his expression one of almost pain.
"Sora, I…." he raised his hand, trailing his fingertips along my jaw. I leaned forward and captured his lips with mine. I pulled back quickly, unsure of myself, of Riku's feelings. I was so scared of him rejecting me, I almost missed the words I wanted to hear most.
"I… I love you too."
He leaned in, and kissed me, and I was lost to sensation. The feel of his warm lips on mine. His hand cupping my face. His silken silver hair twined in my fingers. The rough sand on my skin as he pushed me to the ground. The incredible feeling of knowing that this was not the end of the adventure, but only the beginning….
