Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, nor do I own Final Fantasy. The characters, stories and world are not mine, nor am I making any money off of them.
Author's Note: Please note that this story contains slash which is male/male pairings. Don't read if you're easily offended, please utilize the back button.
Pairings: Sora/Riku, Axel/Roxas, Cloud/Leon AU
Dedication: This is for Hex, who sees the same thing I see when I play the games and who is always asking for a new story to keep her entertained.
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The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife and Leon could feel it pressing in on him like a weight in the air. Cloud had wandered out over twenty minutes before to the moogle station to synthesize a few items he had found, leaving Leon alone with Riku and Sora. Riku and Sora…who were resolutely not speaking. Leon wished he had had the sense to stay home in Radiant Garden.
The silence that stretched between Sora and Riku was hardly hostile, but it was hot, threatening to burn anyone unlucky enough to be in the same vicinity. Sora knelt near Axel's grave making sandwiches, humming to himself. Every so often he would glance up and his eyes would find Riku, standing near the door and looking out over the city below, before resolutely staring down at his sandwich again, the silence broken by the humming which was far louder as Sora blushed. Every so often when the humming was loud enough to make Sora's head buzz, Riku would stare at his friend, face impassive but eyes blazing. If Sora so much as twitched, Riku would resolutely look out at the city again. It was painful to watch.
Deciding that he was going to kill Cloud for leaving him alone with the brooding pair, Leon moodily rubbed his temples with two fingers. The soft chiming of bells made him jump as it cut through the tension easily, making both Riku and Sora look up sharply. Leon followed their gazes and watched a small golden ball of light whip around the room quickly before making a beeline for Sora. The soft bell chimes filled the air as Sora's eyes went wide. "Tink?"
"What is that?" Riku and Leon made their way to Sora's side and as they neared, Leon could see the ball of glowing golden light slowly solidifying into the tiny figure of a young blonde woman dressed in a short green dress. She didn't appear to notice Riku or Leon, her eyes on Sora's face, her tiny arms waving in distress.
Sora's smile of delight slowly faded and he cocked his head as he listened to the chiming of the bells that seemed to come from the fairy, his arms crossing as he gazed thoughtfully at her. He ignored Leon's question, nodding only once in open invitation for the fairy to continue whatever she was telling him.
Leon glanced at Riku and met the slightly slanted turquoise eyes. Riku shrugged once, making it clear that Sora would get to them when he finished, the only thing they could do was wait. Sora nodded again. "Of course we'll help." He vowed quickly, flashing the fairy his characteristic smile. "You can count on us."
The fairy glanced at them for the first time, sparing Leon no longer than a blink before focusing on Leon. Her eyes widened and she shook her fist at him as the bells chimed again. Sora yelped and hurried to hold out his hand. "No! No! He's not a bad man."
Riku stiffened at Sora's words and a wordless anguish filled his eyes though he turned away before Sora could see it. Sora looked apologetically at Riku. "I'm sorry…I forgot you were in Neverland for a moment."
Riku closed his eyes. "For a moment." He agreed, his voice cold. "Don't worry about it, Sora."
Sora frowned but looked at the fairy again. "He's my friend. I'd trust him with my life." That seemed to be enough for the fairy for a brief moment. She didn't look pleased, but she no longer looked like she wanted to kill Riku either and that was a start. Some of the tension drained from Riku's shoulders at Sora's words and his hard expression softened slightly. "Riku, Leon, meet Tinkerbell. Tink, these are my friends. In a little bit a blond will come back, and that's Cloud. He's a friend too."
The fairy sank down to rest on Sora's shoulder and Sora smiled fondly before focusing on Leon and Riku. "What's going on, Sora?" Riku asked bluntly, raising his eyebrows.
Sora sighed. "Some trouble in Neverland. Peter thinks Wendy was kidnapped by the Heartless. She wasn't in her room."
"What about Axel?" Leon asked, frowning.
Sora's eyes widened and he looked as if Leon had hit him. "I can't let the Heartless get Wendy! Besides, Tink and Peter are my friends. They helped me a lot while I was looking for Riku and Kairi." His face softened. "I don't know what I would have done without their help." His face hardened in determination again. "I have to help them."
Riku shrugged and smiled slightly. "So we'll help them."
Sora threw Riku a grin. "Yeah!"
"Yeah what." Cloud walked toward them, tucking a mega potion into his pack, raising his eyebrows as he caught sight of the fairy on Sora's shoulder. "What's going on?"
"We have to make a quick stop." Sora explained quickly. "Some friends are in trouble."
Cloud didn't look surprised as he nodded. "When do we leave?"
"Now. The gummi ship is still in Twilight Town, so we'll have to go back there real fast to get to Neverland."
Leon remembered the blank emptiness of space and frowned. "How do you know Neverland will be there when we get to the ship?"
Sora turned and flashed him a carefree grin, cupping the back of his head with both hands. "I just know." He replied confidently. Cloud and Riku glanced at Sora before looking back at Riku, identical gleams in their eyes.
A chill worked its way up Leon's spine as they turned as one to follow the brunet. They knew…the world would be there when they got to the ship, would be waiting for Sora. Worlds that had not yet fallen, worlds that still clung to light, they called to Sora. The heart of everything responded to Sora and the worlds knew where to find him when they needed him. The knowledge hit Leon like a punch in the gut, and he found himself following Sora, his eyes on the short brunet, cheerfully telling Riku and Cloud about Tinkerbell and Peter and their participation in the Underdome cup battles.
Sora was Riku's light, there was a smile on Riku's face as he listened to Sora's cheerful babbling. What had taken place between the two teens had apparently been forgiven and forgotten, and he smirked as Sora batted his arm playfully. He was Cloud's light too…Leon could see Cloud's face soften as Sora recounted the Olympus Coliseum battles they had participated in as well. Excitedly, Sora described to Riku what kind of attack Cloud specialized in, making Cloud turn pink at the brunet's obvious admiration of his fighting skill.
Sora was the light in the heart of every world he stepped on, locking the keyholes and leaving his light in the hearts of everyone he met. "Leon!" Leon shook himself as he saw that Sora was waiting for him, a grin on his face. "I was telling Riku I beat you and Cloud once."
Leon crossed his arms over his chest. "You had help."
Sora laughed. "True…but I still beat you."
Leon felt his face soften as Sora began to describe that particular battle to Riku, Cloud looking mildly amused. Neither Leon nor Cloud took offense nor did they seem to mind that the slip of a brunet could beat them into the ground if he wished. Sora was the light in the darkness, his strength was hidden until he unleashed it. "LEON!" Sora yelled over his shoulder again, making Leon jog to catch up to the group. As he listened to Sora describe the multitude of Heartless that had taken Radiant Garden and his battle with the members of the Restoration Committee against the Heartless, Leon allowed himself to smile ever so slightly. Sora had left his light in Leon's heart too.
Sora landed the ship softly atop Big Ben. A low fog had settled over the city below, hiding them and the hands of the giant clock entirely from view. Sora shivered slightly, the cool damp evening air washing over him. "Peter?"
He carefully held out his hands to warn the others not to make any sudden moves as a figure slid out of the mist and flew up to land lightly in front of Sora. "Sora!" Peter looked pleased to see him, his elfin eyes lighting up. "You're here!"
Sora smiled. "Of course I'm here!" He replied lightly. "Tink said you needed me. I can't leave a friend." He paused. "You think the Heartless took Wendy?"
Peter scratched his head beneath his jaunty green cap. "That's what it looks like." He agreed. "I went to listen to the stories, and she wasn't there!"
"So how do you know it was Heartless?" Riku asked, raising one eyebrow.
Peter glanced at Riku and his eyes widened as he drew a dagger. Sora's keyblade appeared in his hand, and he leaped in front of Riku before Riku could so much as summon his own blade. "You!" Peter shouted.
Sora shook his head. "Leave him alone, Peter." He ordered, frowning. "He's a friend. He's here to help."
"He was the one who helped Hook kidnap Wendy the last time!" Peter accused, his eyes flashing. "How do you know he didn't kidnap her again?!"
Riku looked as if he had been slapped, and he turned slightly, looking sick. Sora's eyes narrowed. "He was with me, Peter. He's a friend. He's going to help us. He didn't kidnap Wendy."
Peter looked at Tinkerbell as she floated slightly in front of his face and he nodded once, looking at Riku with open hostility before falling back to float lightly in the air near the side of the clock. "We have to find her."
Sora nodded, not liking the pain they almost feel coming off of Riku and not liking Peter's distrust. It was ironic…that the places that Riku had frequented were the worlds they visited now…and Leon could tell that Sora didn't like it. Each hostile gaze ate away at Riku and his heart darkened with guilt. "Sure we will."
A slight grin crossed Sora's face and Leon narrowed his eyes as he saw it, recognizing it instantly. Glancing over his shoulder and meeting his eyes, he winked and grinned at Cloud before stepping off of the side of the clock and plummeting toward the ground.
"SORA!" Riku's anguished yell of denial and shock merged with Cloud's and a harsh yell that Leon dimly realized was his own.
They all lunged at the side of the clock but Peter hovered in front of them, shaking his head. "Careful." He cautioned, a slight, elfish grin crossing his face.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BE CAREFUL?!" Riku looked panicked, his face ashen as he stared down at the wall of clouds below. "SORA!"
"What?" Leon felt his heart leap into his throat and he, like the others, whirled around to see Sora grinning at them, hovering for a moment in the air above the gummi ship before floating down to land lightly on the stone. He bowed elaborately as Peter began to laugh, floating backwards over the cloudy abyss below.
Riku lunged forward before anyone could stop him, fist clenching in Sora's shirt as he dragged the keyblade master forward. "Never NEVER do that again!" He whispered, his voice raw. When Sora's eyes went wide, Riku growled softly under his breath. "I thought something happened to you."
Sora instantly looked apologetic. "Riku…"
Riku shook his head. "Don't scare me like that, Sora. You…I couldn't…" Unable to get the words out, he released Sora and looked away.
Sora reached for Riku and the silver haired boy looked as if he had been shocked with electricity as Sora slipped his hand into his and their fingers intertwined. "I'm sorry."
Riku looked down at Sora and Leon watched a violent battle of emotions all hidden within the boy's aquamarine eyes. Finally he smiled slightly. "How do you fly like that?"
Peter laughed behind them. "It's easy!" He called cheerfully. "You just think happy thoughts and they lift you into the air!"
Sora grinned. "That and pixie dust." He agreed, holding out his hand to Tinkerbell.
The fairy floated over and they watched as gold pixie dust fell lightly over Riku's head. Sora grinned at his friend. "Ready?" He asked mischievously.
Riku stared at him. "Ready for what?!" He asked, looking unnerved. Sora led him out toward the edge of the clock. He looked at his friend and grinned. "Trust me." He said, blue eyes sparkling.
Leon glanced sideways at Cloud as Sora led Riku right off the side of the clock.
Cloud crossed his arms over his chest. "You have to have light in your heart to fly." He said quietly and Leon could hear the pain in his voice.
"You can't fly anyway." Peter told them, his legs crossed as if he was sitting on the air like a cushion. "You're too old."
Cloud recoiled and Leon frowned. "Too old?"
Peter nodded. "You're an adult." He said as if that explained everything. "And adults…well…" He shrugged apologetically and scratched his head. "Adults think too much." He gave them a serious look that was at odds with his good humor and elfin features. "You can't hold onto your happy thoughts…and so you get weighed down."
Cloud flinched and Leon reached out to touch the blond's arm. "Cloud…I'm going to say it because Sora's not here to say it." He said quietly. "We'll find your happy thought. We'll find your light."
Cloud's hand cupped his for a moment and squeezed it tightly. He pulled away a moment later and watched Peter soar up into the air, Tinkerbell's light at his side. "Leon…you know why I'm here. I'm still searching…but what are you doing here?"
Leon frowned. He hadn't wanted to tell them…hadn't wanted to hope. "I'm looking for Rinoa." He said quietly. "If her heart is still intact somewhere, if her nobody still exists, maybe I can still save her."
Cloud stared at him. "You do love her…don't you?"
Leon sighed. "I don't know anymore." He replied quietly. "I didn't even really know her." He looked away, out at the clouds below them, pretending he was searching for Sora and Riku but knowing somewhere that they were fine. "I want to find her, Cloud. It was my fault she got hurt in the first place."
Cloud snorted. "Taking the world on your shoulders aren't you?" He asked bluntly. When Leon looked up sharply, he saw the blond staring back calmly. Apparently in light of psychoanalyzing Leon's mind, Cloud had found his calm strength again. "Well think about it. She might have gotten taken if you had warned her or not."
Leon scowled. "Maybe." He agreed tightly. "Maybe not."
Cloud shrugged. "No…maybe not..." he motioned out to the world around them. "But you can't fly either. Not with her weighing you down."
Leon's scowl deepened. "What would you know."
Cloud stared at him with blue eyes that made Leon draw in a shaky breath. Those eyes could pierce his heart and enter his soul. "I know that you're looking for your light too, Leon." Cloud whispered. "You take too much on your shoulders. The loss of our world, the loss of Rinoa."
Leon flinched as if Cloud had punched him. "How do you…"
Cloud snorted. "I'm not a fool, Squall." He muttered. Leon wheezed at the deliberate use of his old name. Only Yuffie occasionally called him by that name, but this was different, deliberate, deadly to his senses. "I know you blame yourself for not keeping us all safe in the beginning, for losing our world. Your heart wasn't the only dark one there. Your heart was not what opened the way to darkness." Cloud advanced toward Leon, who backed up quickly. All too soon the side of the ship dug into his back and Cloud pinned him in place with hands on either side of his head. "We'll find YOUR light too, Leon."
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They plummeted through the clouds and icy air rushed by Riku so fast he couldn't even draw breath to cry out. The clouds broke and he saw the lights of a city spread out beneath him as they fell. "SORA!" He managed to gasp out, his hand crushing Sora's.
Gold dust floated lightly around Sora and he pulled on Riku's arm, slowing their descent slightly but not enough. They were going to hit and they were going to hit hard. "You have to stop thinking about it, Riku!" Sora yelled, the wind making his spiky hair fly out behind him. "Just trust it!"
Riku couldn't think. He was too terrified to think. The ground was rushing up to meet them and he was pretty sure they were going to die. I was a pity…he had never managed to tell Sora…
Sora growled above him and lowered to meet Riku, pulling Riku into his arms to try to slow his descent. Riku felt his heart fly up into his throat as he felt Sora's body around his, Sora's legs tangling with his. "Believe!"
He believed in Sora. Riku remembered sunny days on the island with Sora, play fights, races, lounging around in the sand or on the paopu tree with him. He could remember how happy he had been when Sora had found him and had stuck by him despite his giving into the darkness. He remembered how it felt to wake up with Sora's head on his chest. Sora…
Sora's laugh of delight startled Riku out of his memories, and Riku yelped as he realized they had stopped falling…and were now floating just above the top of a church, only a few inches away from impaling themselves on the steeple. Riku blinked at the gold dust around his body and then blinked at Sora, whose arms were still clasped tightly around his waist. "We…"
Sora laughed again. "We're flying, Riku!" He yelled joyously, tilting his head back.
Riku's arms slipped around Sora's waist and he pulled the brunet against him for a moment, breathing hard. "I believe, Sora."
Sora grinned. "I know." He replied, blue eyes almost glowing with delight. "I know, Riku."
Riku's arms tightened around Sora's waist and he stared down into the eyes of his happy thought, into the eyes of the boy who possessed his heart…and always had. Reluctantly Riku let Sora go but couldn't give up contact entirely, taking the brunet's hand again. Sora grinned at him. "Shouldn't we go back to the others? What about Wendy?"
Sora landed lightly on the tip of the steeple. "We'll find Wendy." He said with easy confidence. "But first…" Their fingers intertwined and Sora floated lightly into the air again. "Let's fly."
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The nice thing about Captain Hook's ship was that the very top was big enough for the ship to land on. That was good because Sora could imagine Cloud and Leon rioting if they had been forced to be left behind. Sora glanced sideways at the pair. Neither Cloud nor Leon had said much of anything since they left the clock tower. This normally would not have alarmed Sora…both were very quiet people…but something in the silence had changed. Something in the silence…actually reminded him of the awkwardness that had formed between himself and Riku after waking up snuggled close.
"Well well…bilge rats always come back." They whirled to see the Captain himself, sword drawn.
Riku's face hardened. "Hook."
Sora sighed. "I see the crocodile didn't get you."
Hook glared at him. "Who's that?" Cloud asked, swinging his own massive sword with a sweep of the air.
"Captain Hook." Peter shot down from the sails, dagger out. "He's the one who took Wendy!"
"And you'll have her back, Pan, if you stay in exchange." Hook replied, glaring at Peter.
"You can't trust a pirate." Riku snapped in reply.
Sora couldn't help but smile as the memory of a particular pirate flashed through his mind. "No." he agreed. "You can't trust the word of a pirate." He could almost see Jack Sparrow smile.
Hook smiled at them, a slow, curving smile. "Perhaps not." He agreed and threw himself at Peter as Heartless swarmed the deck.
"Finally." Sora looked sideways at Cloud, who looked utterly pleased with the turn of events, if the way he threw himself forward to battle Heartless was any indication.
Leon only smirked before nodding slightly to Sora and Riku before jumping down onto the deck to join Cloud, the two men encircled quickly. They stood back to back, swords at the ready and seemed utterly at peace with the world as they slowly inched their way toward the main mast…where Wendy was tied. "Look at them." Riku said with mild amusement.
Sora felt a rush of air and looked up to see three Heartless ships and a multitude of flying Heartless, all of them swooping down to attack Peter, Cloud and Leon. Sora grinned at Riku, who was already floating lightly an inch above the wood. Their eyes met and Sora felt something in his heart lurch. Riku smiled as his keyblade appeared. Sora grinned in reply, feeling the comforting weight of Oblivion in his hand as they shot into the sky.
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Sora could feel the lifted hearts of his companions the moment he landed on the deck. Hearts filled the sky and he stared up as he watched them disappear. "I'm coming." He whispered. "I'm coming."
Riku's hand found his shoulder and Sora smiled at his friend, Riku smirking in reply. "Peter!" Wendy, newly untied, Cloud looking immensely pleased with himself as he dug his sword out of the wood of the mast, Leon looking on with an expression of one part disgust and one part amusement., threw herself at Peter, her arms circling his neck. "You saved me!"
Riku glanced at Sora who shrugged and grinned in reply. None of the four adventurers spoke so much as a word to correct her, and Riku's smirk grew as they saw that Peter wasn't going to say anything either. "Of course!" Peter replied with a smile.
Cloud inclined his head at the ship and Sora nodded, turning. "Sora!" Sora turned as Wendy called his name and smiled at her, cupping the back of his head with both hands. "It's nice to see you, Sora." Wendy smiled at him, running to stand just before him.
Sora grinned. "You too, Wendy." He nodded around. "This is Riku, Cloud and Leon, my friends."
Wendy's eyes widened as she saw Riku but after a moment she smiled at him. "Are you leaving so soon?"
Sora nodded. "We have other friends we're looking for."
He watched Leon, Riku and Cloud enter the ship and stepped inside when Wendy called his name again. Turning, he saw her standing beside Peter, Tinkerbell floating lightly ahead of them. "Sora…will you come back?"
Sora smiled. "Of course!" He replied happily, eyes soaking in the sight of his friends. "Our hearts are connected! I'll be back before you know it."
"Take care, Sora!" Wendy called and waved, Peter grinning at Sora as they lifted off.
Sora smiled as he slipped up into the air, staring at the bright jewel of Neverland until it was just another bright star in the sky.
