After almost 8 years since publishing Fractured Love and after almost 11 years since I published Shattered Dreams, I'm bringing this story to a close. I have a lot of a mixed feelings about this. I'm happy because I feel so bad that it's taken this long. But I'm starting to think I took this long to finish it because it was honestly very hard to finish it after working on it for so long.

I'm now a college graduate myself and despite the fact some of the writing from these two stories makes me cringe because of how inexperienced I was in both writing and in life, some parts are still my most treasured pieces of writing. These versions of Sora, Kairi, Riku, Selphie and also my OCs (Jake, mostly lol) are all very dear to me and they will always have a special place in my heart.

I can't thank you enough for reading these two stories and I hope you've enjoyed them.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor the lyrics that are used to set up the theme for the chapter. The lyrics are from the song "One Bedroom" by Yellowcard

OXOX

FRACTURED LOVE: One Bedroom

What good could I do
in a life without you?
What more could I lose
than what I've found in you?

What words could I use
to say all this to you?
What verse could I choose
to give myself to you?

I wanna love with you and live,
live right here forever

OXOX

With the game tied at 3 and less than two minutes remaining in the third period, the opposing team decided to forfeit their goaltender for an extra forward and my team and I were doing everything in our power to keep the puck out of our net. After blocking the shot of another player, Andrew fired the puck to where I was lingering towards the back. Handling the puck carefully and skating as fast as I could, I cleared the center line. As I sent the puck flying across the ice, I felt other players' sticks against my arm and legs but they were too late.

I threw my hands up excitedly as the puck went into the net and the light went off at the top, my teammates' bodies colliding into mine as they hugged me excitedly.

"Way to go!"

"That was AWESOME."

"We've totally got this now!"

I hugged them back, repeating "Thanks!" to each person. Skating over to the bench, I tapped my glove against everyone else's before taking a seat towards the middle of the bench once the next line had gotten up to take our place. Taking my glove off and wiping off my face with the back of my hand, I looked up at the timer and saw that there were 15 seconds left. Though it was unlikely, the other team still had a chance to score so the game wasn't over yet.

The face-off started just as I looked back down, the other team winning it. "C'mon, guys." I mumbled, watching them do their best to keep the puck as far away from our goalie as possible. Finally, the final buzzer went off and all of us jumped off the bench and onto the ice to join our teammates.

"WE'RE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!" James shouted, the rest of the team bursting into cheers. Everything felt surreal as we all congratulated each other. I was the last one to leave, still in disbelief and trying to take everything in. When I made my way off the ice, I was surprised to see Kairi at the end of the tunnel rather than outside the locker room like she usually did. Since the game was at another university, Kairi was the only one able to make it.

"You did it!" She jumped towards me and I caught her clumsily, nearly tipping over due to the fact I was still wearing my skates.

I hugged her tightly, repeating, "Yeah, we did it!"

"Congrats." I heard Riku's voice from behind her and looked up.

Letting go of Kairi and walking towards him, I smiled, "Hey, you made it."

"Well, I've missed a lot of your games and then haven't been able to stay the whole time for others, so… I figured this way I can somewhat make it up to you." He hugged me as well.

"Thanks, but it's okay. I know you're busy." I hugged him back briefly before asking, "So the fact that you're here means you're not working tonight, right?"

He nodded, "Yeah, why?"

"Do you wanna go get dinner with us?" I glanced back to Kairi before looking back at him.

He seemed unsure, looking up at the ceiling, "I mean, I don't want to intrude if it was a planned date."

Kairi waved her hands, "No, no, no. It's fine. It was just something I suggested to him right before the game."

Riku stayed silent for a moment before finally answering, "Alright, I'll go."

"Great. I'll let Kairi tell you the specifics so I can go take a shower and change. See you there." I smiled again before turning the other direction, adding to Kairi, "I'll be back in a couple of minutes."

She nodded, "Okay, I'll wait in the lobby."

"Okay." I replied before heading off to the locker room, catching Jake on his way out.

He laughed, "Still feels like a dream, right?"

"Definitely. I mean scouts could be looking at us now. How crazy is that?" I gave a nervous laugh.

He smiled, agreeing, "Yep, pretty crazy… It'll feel even more like a dream when we actually play the first game." Looking out into the hall, he added, "Well, I've gotta get going. Leaving for the beach tomorrow morning. Still can't believe you and Kairi aren't going anywhere for spring break, especially since you have a free place to stay."

I shrugged, "It's been hectic so it'll be nice to just do nothing for a week. Well… mostly nothing. I've got some assignments I'll probably push off till the last minute. Plus we'll probably take advantage of Selphie's beach house a lot during summer, so don't want to get burned out on it just yet."

"Gotcha. But I expect an invitation when you do start taking advantage of it." He pointed at me expectantly.

"Sure." I laughed, "See you later. Have a good spring break."

"Thanks, you too!" He gave a wave before heading out.

A lot of the other guys were on their way out too, congratulating me again for the goal and asking about my spring break plans briefly before leaving. Taking off everything and throwing it into the locker, I grabbed the towel out of my duffel bag and headed to the showers.

To be honest, they were terrible. They were always cold unless you were one of the first ones there, and even then, it was only warm for maybe five minutes. But since home was over thirty minutes away, they were the only option so I did my best to make it as quick as possible.

With fresh clothes and wet hair, I threw my duffle bag onto my shoulder and left the locker room to find Kairi. Playing with her phone, she looked up when she heard my footsteps and smiled, "Ready to go?"

"Yes, please. I'm starving." I nodded towards the door, urging her to get up.

"Alright, alright. Hold your horses." She slid her purse over her shoulder before standing up and grabbing my hand, "Okay, let's go."

Getting into the car, I leaned back in the seat and stretched out, "Oh man, I'm gonna sleep so well tonight. We won the game, I'm getting to eat restaurant quality food for the first time in forever, and I know that I don't have classes in the next week. Is this heaven?" I questioned with a laugh, looking at Kairi.

She rolled her eyes but smiled, replying, "I guess so."

"And I have a beautiful fiancée to top it off." I nudged her arm, "Definitely heaven."

Kairi glanced at me, still smiling but now seemed flustered, "I'm already paying for your dinner, what else do you want from me?"

"Nothing." I laughed, trying my best to kiss her as we stopped at a stoplight but only managed a quick peck due to the restraint of the seat belt. "I'm not allowed to compliment you without expecting something in return?"

"Of course you are. I was just joking." She turned into the parking lot of the restaurant.

"And I'm just teasing you." I replied with a grin.

She put the car in park, turned it off, and began taking off her seat belt. Looking up at me briefly, she said in a playful tone, "Well, stop."

"Maybe I will. But… maybe not. We'll see." I took off my seat belt as well before getting out of the car.

Stepping out as well, she ignored me and said, "C'mon, Riku's waiting inside."

"Alright, alright." I waved my hands, giving up, as we walked across the parking lot. Just as we walked through the front doors, we found Riku sitting on one of the benches in the waiting area. "Hey, time to eat!" I greeted.

"Sounds good to me." He answered, getting up and following us to where the hostess stood.

After we sat down in a booth, I asked, "So are you doing anything fun for spring break, Riku? Or just working?"

"I have a couple of days off but I don't really have a plan for what to do with them." He laughed, "But I guess it's better than nothing. What are you two doing?"

"Absolutely nothing." Kairi grinned.

Riku looked back doubtingly, "Really, nothing? Not even going home?"

I shrugged, "Well, yeah. Maybe that. But mostly we're just gonna be relaxing for the first time in forever."

"I find it hard to believe that you haven't relaxed at all recently. I recall you always being a bit of a slacker." He crossed his arms.

I rolled my eyes, "Well, I've worked really hard for the past couple of weeks."

"He really has. I don't remember the last time I caught him being lazy, actually." Kairi chimed in.

"Huh. That's hard to believe, but alright. I guess you deserve it, then." He uncrossed his arms and leaned back against the seat.

"Gee, thanks." I replied sarcastically before the waitress came up to our table and asked us what we wanted to drink. "Uhh, coke." I answered.

"Sweet tea." Kairi chimed in.

"Just water, thanks." Riku added last.

The waitress nodded before hurrying off. "I guess we probably need to stop talking for a minute and actually look at the menu, huh?" I suggested, reaching down to flip it open, "I mean, I'm starving so that's what I'm gonna do."

"No, you're right. We should figure it out before she comes back." Kairi followed suite, as did Riku. After the waitress had returned and taken our orders, Kairi commented, "It's really nice to have the three of us together like this. I feel like so many times we've always been in a rush while seeing each other."

Riku nodded, "Yeah, between midterms, my job, hockey practice for Sora and other miscellaneous things, we've always got something going on."

"At least it'll be summer, soon." I pointed out, "I mean, I know you'll still have to work but without any classes or hockey for me it'll be a lot easier to see each other." Pausing, I questioned, "You've never been to Selphie's beach house, have you? I mentioned it briefly to Jake and he expects some sort of trip to happen so you're definitely invited if it does."

He laughed, "Thanks, that'd be great. I can't even tell you the last time I went on a real vacation."

"Let's do it! We should go sometime in June; when it's not too hot but the water shouldn't be freezing cold anymore." Kairi suggested excitedly.

"Yeah, go ahead and pick a time to ask off from work and we'll work around your schedule." I added as well.

Riku looked down, sheepishly rubbing his neck, "Wow. Thanks, guys."

"It's no problem at all. We'd love to see you more." She giggled a little bit, "I mean, you were our roomie for a little while. We miss you being around."

"True, but I know you definitely like the alone time, too." He joked back.

I grinned, answering, "I mean… yeah, I can't complain too much." I felt Kairi's foot nudge my shin and looked to her to see her looking somewhat embarrassed. I just shrugged and smiled, motioning that there wasn't anything to be embarrassed about.

Shortly after that, our food arrived to our table and our chatter nearly ceased completely as we all dug into our dinners. And by the time I had finished eating, I was ready to pass out from the combination of exhaustion and satisfaction. I remembered the goodbyes to Riku we had in the parking lot, but much of the car ride home was a blur as I dozed in and out the whole way home. To be honest, I didn't even really remember even making it up the stairs to our apartment and to our bed.

I woke up the next morning to a room full of sunshine and felt extremely refreshed. I spread my arms out across the bed and let out a small yawn before turning my head to the doorway and saw Kairi peeking in.

"Good morning, sleepy head. Or should I say good afternoon?" She walked into the room and took a seat on edge of the bed closest to me, still dressed in her pajamas.

Looking at her suspiciously, I questioned, "Is it really afternoon?"

"It's past eleven, so it's pretty close." She motioned towards the alarm clock on the night stand which read 11:21 AM.

"Damn. I really got to sleep in, huh?" I commented, turning my head back over to look up at the ceiling.

"We were out pretty late last night and you were really tired so I didn't want to wake you." She angled her body closer to me, "Besides, it's officially spring break."

I closed my eyes and smiled, "Thank goodness."

"So, what exactly do you wanna do on our first day of break?" She asked curiously.

"I'm not sure." I answered honestly before opening my eyes again and turning to look at her, "But I don't particularly feel like getting out of bed for a while."

Kairi smiled mischievously and asked, "So I'm guessing you want me to come back to bed, too?"

I nodded and pulled my arms back in towards myself, scooting over a little to make room for her, "That would be nice, yeah."

She stood up and folded back the comforter and sheets before sliding in next to me, commenting, "Alright, you've got me."

"Perfect." I slid one arm underneath her and one over her to pull her closer to me, the warmth of her body comforting enough to easily pull me back into sleep. And it seemed Kairi had felt the same effects, her eyes already shut. "Do you wanna go back to sleep?" I questioned softly.

Her shoulders shrugged, "I don't know, maybe." She pulled my arm closer to her so that my hand was resting right next to her cheek, "We'll see."

Letting out a small laugh, I commented, "Hmm. That's a little ambiguous."

"Let's just lay here for a couple of minutes like this. If we fall asleep, we fall asleep. I just wanna enjoy… this." She made a circular motion briefly before wrapping her arms back around mine.

"Sounds good to me." I smiled and closed my eyes again.

I had almost dozed off before I felt Kairi turn over and briefly moved my arms to make it easier for her. Her back now facing towards me, I kept my right arm in the space between us and used my light hand to lightly move up and down her side.

Beginning to fall asleep again, my hand stayed in place at her hip before I felt her shift again. "So you don't want to sleep." I commented before yawning.

"No, not really. It's hard for me to fall asleep once I'm up." She flipped over again to face me, a small smile on her lips.

"I can always sleep." I laughed.

She shook her head against the pillow, "Believe me, I know."

I propped myself up onto one elbow and looked down at her, "So, what now?" Kairi just gave a shrug in response, to which I commented, "You're helpful."

"Well, I thought we both agreed that we weren't doing anything this break." She imitated me, propping herself up on her elbow so that she was only a few inches away from my face, smiling mischievously.

"I wasn't that serious. I wanna do some things."

"Like?" She immediately retorted.

I leaned in closer to her, "Like…" I kissed her briefly before pulling back and finishing, "This."

Her eyes barely open and an amused look on her face, she answered, "Hmm. I guess I'm okay with that."

"In that case…" I kissed her again but this time she pulled away, turning onto her back and resting her head on the pillow. Just as I was about to ask if something was wrong, she tugged on my arm and guided me towards her. I complied, twisting onto my side and partially leaning over her to catch her lips again.

She gripped one of my shoulders lightly while her other hand rested on my side, kissing me back eagerly. Following her lead, my hand traveled down her side from her waist to her hips, stopping just at her thigh and massaging her skin there. Making a humming sound, Kairi pulled me down against her and closed the gap between us, one of her hands wandering back to my neck to run her hands through my hair.

I moved my lips to her neck, glancing at her expression to make sure she was still okay as I did so. Seeing a smile on her face, I grinned a bit myself as I leaned in against her skin. Not much more than a minute later, I heard her call out softly, "Sora."

I slightly tilted my head upward to speak against her ear, "Yeah?" She didn't sound distressed or even nervous, but I was still worried that she was uncomfortable.

Giving a slight shiver from my breath against her ear and laughing a bit at herself, she turned to me and said in a calm tone, "I'm ready."

Blinking and leaning upward so that I could lock eyes with her, I asked seriously, "You sure?"

"One hundred percent sure." She lifted her head to kiss me, pulling away with a wide smile.

I smiled back and kissed her as well, speaking softly, "Just tell me if we need to stop or take it slower, okay?"

"I will." Kairi nodded before pulling me back down to her by wrapping her arms around my neck.

XOXO

"So when exactly is the wedding?" Selphie questioned as the trio walked down the sidewalk of their neighborhood. When she looked at me, I gave a big shrug and pointed at Kairi. "You haven't talked about it at all?" She questioned in disbelief.

Kairi smiled sheepishly, "Not really."

The younger girl pouted, "I was hoping you were being quiet about it because you wanted to surprise me when you got here..." Pausing, she asked, "I am your maid of honor, right?"

"Of course! Who else would it be?" She gave a small laugh in disbelief that Selphie would even ask that question.

"But seriously, it is a good question. When did you actually want to get married, Kairi?" I went back to Selphie's original question, "I guess I kind of have been pushing off asking…"

She bit her lip, thinking, "I don't know, we just have so much other stuff going on right now between school and the playoffs are about to start for you, too. And you're in the process of changing your major now, too, on top of that." She shrugged, continuing, "I really don't mind just being engaged for now. I could honestly wait until we're almost done with college or even after graduation."

"That's honestly perfect with me." I agreed, feeling a bit relieved that she felt the same way, "My brain's a bit too scrambled for anything else at the moment."

"I was kinda sorta hoping for next summer or something like that so we could get started on planning. But it's okay, I'll wait." Selphie chimed back in with a laugh.

"We can always start planning for a couple of things here and there! I definitely don't want to try and cram everything into one year like a lot of people seem to do. It seems way too stressful." Kairi shook her head, one hand on her hip as she spoke.

Selphie's grin grew and she clapped her hands together, "Great! I've got a couple of websites for you to check out when we get home, then."

Kairi laughed cheerfully, agreeing, "Okay." She looked over to me, "Sora?"

I shrugged, "I guess I can look, but I'm sure I won't be much help. I'll just borrow your laptop to entertain myself and you can call me over when you need me."

"It's just for fun and to start getting some ideas, definitely no pressure." She intertwined her hand with mine.

I gripped her hand a little tighter and nodded, "Okay."

For so long I had worried about making everything perfect for her because I thought that's what she deserved. But it was finally starting to sink in that perfection wasn't really a thing that could be accomplished and as long as we were both happy, that's what really mattered. We'd had plenty of problems in the past, between ourselves and from other sources as well, and it was clear that we'd have plenty more in the future. But as long as we had each other, we'd be okay; I knew that for sure.