Author's Notes: Written last fall. This is kind of the way I see Riku's relationships with his friends, based on the game and the manga. Angsty stuff is angsty. Please R&R! Disclaimer.
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He had wanted them both, but had won the heart of neither. And the worst part was that he had lost them — to each other.
Riku wasn't one to be bitter. He shook his head, a humorless laugh parting from his lips. Oh no. Not he, he who had saved both of their lives. Not he, who had loved each so profoundly, risking everything for their happiness. And it was natural that he should think that he would be included in the happiness of at least one. That wasn't too much to ask, was it? Was it?
He peered out from behind the tall, dancing tree at his friends. His nails, just starting to look healthy again, gouged into its bark as he contracted his fingers stiffly. There they were — happy and glowing as two young people in love could be. Linked by their hands, they strolled down the shimmering beach in the light of the blood orange sun. He leaned over, kissed her cheek; the tree suffered more damage.
Then, as Riku watched, he reached into his pocket and pulled out something — and object so familiar Riku could have scraped his eyes out with wretched hands. The paopu fruit — a silly little myth, a stupid little legend that he had actually believed in. Had wanted to share, with one of the two deepest in his heart. And now, they were sharing it — with each other.
Riku's hand slipped into his own pocket, fingers, clumsy with maddening agony, fumbled to grasp the shriveled object. He slowly drew it out, and, eyes still on the betrayers, the liars, the murderers of the heart, squeezed its last sweetness onto the glittering sand.