Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts, Square-Enix, or Disney. The characters and places used belong to their respective owners and universes.

A/N: Thank you all for making it to the end.

-Modelos-

-Final Chapter-

-There Were Specks of Gold-

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes."

Quistis and the head director of the agency were sitting at a table with the silver haired model occupying the seat closest to the door. He eyed the director heading the small get together, a handsome man of 40 with wavy shoulder length black hair.

"I have to say this isn't something I was expecting to hear," he said tossing his hair back with a simple motion.

Riku, clad in a white button up shirt and khaki colored pants nodded, eyes unwavering.

"I'm sorry Vayne, but I'm not going to repeat myself."

"You do realize that breaking your contract with us has consequences?"

He shifted in his seat, "I understand, and I'm willing to take the responsibility. Quistis had no influence in this whatsoever, so if you're angry, be angry with me, not her."

The spectacled woman looked over at Riku, giving him a small nod of her head and smile. Vayne coughed, attention focusing back on him.

"Does this have anything to do with what's happened these last couple weeks? I must say Riku, I thought you'd understand how this industry works. You're a public figure, you have no choice but to deal with these issues in a professional way and keep a level head."

Riku chuckled. "Well, I'm sorry but I guess that's not me."

"You're making a huge mistake here. We have been getting bombarded with offers wanting you for everything. I understand that you wanted a bit of time to yourself, but this could launch your name even further. Do you really want to give that up?"

"I lost my best friends," Riku dragged out quietly, "I had someone threatening my life. I am not going to take advantage of those moments to better my career."

Vayne narrowed his brows, flaring his nostrils. "Don't do this Riku, I can make it very difficult for you. I can make it so you can't ever work in this industry again."

The silver haired model placed both hands flat on the table and scooted his chair back. He looked up, caught Quistis' eye and shot a glare at Vayne. He removed an envelope from his pocket and tossed it over to the dark haired man. Riku walked over to the door, took a hold of the handle and took a step out.

"Threaten me all you want. Next time you lose two friends and have your life in someone's hands, come talk to me. See if you can open your mouth and say the same thing. There's my resignation letter and a blank check for whatever penalty I would have had to pay in severing my contract."

Riku closed the door behind him and walked down the hall, assistants and secretaries murmuring as he passed. He didn't say a word or looked at anyone as he descended through the many stories of the agency building. When he stepped out into the streets of the northern district, he let out a sigh. It was a short 4 years, but a career that offered him so many experiences. He felt absolutely no guilt on turning his back to it. Riku became a successful model, he didn't need to prove it to anybody. What mattered was what he wanted, his happiness, and if it meant leaving it behind then that was the decision he would make. To Riku, he had something much more important he needed to focus on.

The condo was empty, as Riku had everything discarded following the close of the police investigation. All he would be taking with him were the pictures hanging in the halls and sitting in the living room. Riku carefully placed the portrait of him and his parents inside his carry-on suitcase, a treasure that needed to be taken care of personally. He eyed the reddish stains on the hardwood floors where pools of blood once gathered around the lifeless body of Vanitas. It had been only a week since the tragedy, and the memories were still very much alive.

"Riku?"

Sora was standing at the entrance, a bag at his feet. Riku immediately met him at the door and placed his arms slightly at his waist.

"Sora, you shouldn't be here."

"I know I shouldn't, but…"

The blue eyed man gave a sigh, he peered through the empty pocket of space between Riku's arm. He slid away from his touch, taking a step inside.

"I need to do this."

The taller man kissed the side of his head. "Alright."

"Can I be alone?"

"Of course," Riku said, "everything's taken care of. We can go whenever you're done. I'll take your bag with me."

Riku kissed the side of his head once more and walked out of the condo. Sora was left on his own, the empty place almost cavern like. He traveled the short distance to the living room, his attention zeroing in on the residue left on the floor. Sora felt his throat tighten up, his hands opening and closing. He stopped short of his target and sat down, crossing his legs in the process. Sora heaved a heavy sigh.

He silently grieved at Vanitas' side, his forehead pressed lovingly to his brother's one last time before the coroner took him away. He couldn't explain himself, the feelings he was experiencing had no words, there wasn't a way to describe them. Sora was emotionally drained. There wasn't anything left for him to give. What he was looking at was the mere shell of his brother, as far as Sora was concerned, the last bit of Vanitas remained at the very scene where he died. He couldn't have closure, not until he had the chance to sit there and think.

"I have something I want to show you."

Sora reached inside his jacket and pulled out a slightly wrinkled photograph and placed it directly on the floor.

"Do you see it?"

A younger Cloud stood with Alice in the unfinished baby room of their home. Alice had a brow raised, appearing annoyed at the person holding the camera and Cloud was smiling from ear to ear.

"I know. Who are they, right? Who are these people and why should I care? That's exactly what you would say Vanitas."

He dug back into his pocket, carefully removing another photograph. Sora placed it next to the other.

"I would have had no idea who they were either."

Cloud was hovering over Alice, both dressed in creamy white hospital gowns and caps and two crying babies being held next to them. Sora looked down at it, feeling his chest swell.

Sora couldn't figure out who the blonde man was in the driver's seat as he sat in the back cradled in Riku's arms. But every single time Sora looked up he would be staring at him through the rearview mirror. They were, however, kind eyes that did little to disturb him. He wouldn't have the opportunity to find out exactly who he was until after the police were done with all of them. Going through the city on a rampage and then the entire ordeal with Auron, it had to be questioned and explained. The entire time Cloud would be looking at him, yet unable to say anything. And when that question finally popped up:

"Who are you?"

Sora wasn't prepared for such a ludicrous sounding answer. His father had abandoned his mother before they were even born. What gall did he have to stand in front of him after what he had just gone through and spew such absurdities? What did he have to gain by lying to a perfect stranger? Was the world so hell bent on breaking whatever was left of him? Sora was angry. But when he made to turn away, Riku held onto his hand. Sora peered at him, the silver haired man shaking his head slowly.

"Please listen to him."

Sora leaned back on his hands. "We were never alone Vanitas."

The woman in the gardens of the facilities, the beautiful almost childlike woman was their mother, Alice. Through cruel and unfair circumstances, they were removed from her when they were toddlers and placed into a system that told them they weren't wanted. There was never any effort by those in power to explain to them what was true. How different could their lives have been if they had only known? Could they have been able to bring her back from that derelict state she was in?

They were never given that chance. By the time Sora and Cloud returned to the facilities that acted as her home for over eighteen years, it was too late. They were all brought together at long last, but it was far from a happily ever after. Alice's mind had deteriorated to a point where nothing could ever bring her back. He was with his wife after so many years, but it was bittersweet. For Cloud, the last coherent and blissful memory of Alice would be the very day his boys were born. It was a sad scene watching a grown man crying in the lap of his wife, the blonde woman caressing his hair and asking.

"Who might you be?"

It would ultimately be concluded by Dr. Lulu that Alice was constantly grieving for a child she never bore. While her mind could see she had twin boys, her body had physical memories of Aerith's presence. That influence would lead to the sudden change in attitude, the spiraling depression soon after giving birth. Something in her mind would click, convincing her that Aerith was still out there, that she still existed. She never would have been known had it not been for the blood work the emergency room processed in attending to Sora. Alice would forever chase that desire to find Aerith, leading to the point of madness. But even if it was for a moment, Alice was able to finally see her when Sora walked into the gardens for the first time. Even if Alice would never come back, at the very least, she had reunited with Aerith in the end.

"I don't know why I have to be telling you this at all," Sora stated into the empty air, "You probably know all of this right now, better than I can ever understand."

Sora reached over and picked up the photographs and placed them directly on the floor Vanitas had died on. He sniffled, wiping away at the corners of his eyes.

"But I wanted you to hear it from me."

Sora stood up, turned his back to the living room and walked towards the door. He glanced over his shoulder, a part of him wishing he would soon wake up from everything. But it was a childish notion to have. There wasn't any easy way of getting past all of this, the facts would not go away. Sora had to handle everything coming at him at once, be it good or bad. The difference now was that Sora didn't need to face it on his own. Sora took a hold of the light switch at the door and flicked it off, bathing everything in shadows.

"You ready?"

Sora sat up against the seat of the car, looking over to Riku and offering him a smile. "Yeah, I'm ready."

The car began to pull away from the curb. "He called me while you were up there."

Sora leaned against Riku's broad shoulder. "What did he say?"

Cloud had extended his hand, told Sora with a warm smile that he was always welcome in his life. He understood that the years apart, that never knowing one another had played against them. But if Sora would allow him, he'd love the opportunity to get to know him. The brunet hesitantly embraced the blonde man, unsure of what to feel or say. It was a warmth he had never known before, but a warmth that expressed so much. The simple gesture would be enough for Cloud, it rekindled the faith he always had.

"They made it back to Zanarkand. Cloud wanted to make sure you knew." The holidays were over, yet the streets were still hanging onto the celebratory colors as they passed. "He's going to retire from his job to care for your mother. He also wanted to thank you for allowing part of Vanitas' ashes to be buried in Zanarkand."

The World That Never Was held too many bad memories and negative emotions. It may have been where he lived his entire life, but it didn't mean he was in any way saddened to leave it. If Sora was going to be leaving it behind, having part of Vanitas' body rest in the country where they were born made all the sense in the world. His memory deserved that much.

There was also the stomach turning fact that Auron, despite being blinded at Sora's hand, managed to get away. When the authorities stormed the warehouse where Sora had been taken to, he was gone. How he managed to accomplish an escape, they couldn't figure out. With his influence and shifty ways, there were many possibilities. The only thing that brought Sora a sense of peace was that even if he was still lurking somewhere out there, Auron was no longer the same person. He had done something so horrid to him, drove him to one of the darkest moments in his life, but he overcame it. And as the saying goes, with most of the pun intended, an eye for an eye.

"Do you think you'll be able to talk to him without feeling strange?" Riku asked, caressing his hair.

"I think it'll always be a little strange," he replied, "look at how we met."

"Give it time Sora, that's all both of you can offer each other right now."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"Your dad is still there, mine isn't," Riku added, "you have a chance I won't ever have."

The sight of departing and arriving planes came into their line of view. Their car came up to the drop off zone and stopped with the driver getting out to hold the door open for Riku and Sora. They thanked him as he got their other belongings from the trunk before walking into the cavernous airport lobbies. Sora's heart was beating so hard Riku could feel the vibrations as he rested his hand on his back.

"Hey," Riku said pulling Sora's face towards him, "you okay?"

Sora licked his drying lips. "I don't know I guess…are you sure you want to do this?"

Riku pulled him towards a corner, resting his hands on Sora's shoulders. "I made my point to them Sora."

"But this is your career," he replied, "what do you plan to do back home?"

The silver haired man looked up to the rafters. "It doesn't matter what I do. The only thing I care about is having you there with me."

"Won't you regret it?"

++++++++++"Never Sora…never…"++++++++++

Sora was out on the verandah of the two-story house, arms resting against the railing overlooking the quiet streets down below. He looked over his shoulder, smiling at the presence of the silver haired man.

"Hey, how long do you plan on being out here?"

"Forever if I could," Sora replied concentrating again on the open view as a pair of gulls passed by cawing loudly.

Riku, sporting white dress pants and a matching dress shirt, walked out of his bedroom and onto the verandah. He joined Sora, sliding an arm behind his waist as he looked out. Riku leaned his head over, nudging Sora's spikes with his nose and causing the brunet to chuckle.

"You're going to mess them up."

"As if they'd move," Riku shot back with a grin, "come on, you need to get dressed."

"I know," Sora quietly replied, "I just don't know if I'll get used to seeing all this. Even after these past 7 months."

Riku rubbed his hand up and down Sora's back. "You will Sora, you will. Now, let's go, we'll be late if you don't get dressed."

He left his side and walked back in, leaving Sora to his thoughts. The spiky haired man gripped the railing with both hands, stood up tall and breathed in deep. A smile spread across his face before he turned on his heel and walked back into Riku's room.

The horn was loud, but to the residents of the islands it was nothing they hadn't heard before. A ferry closed into port with a small group of people patiently waiting for it to dock. Riku and Sora, along with his mother Kida were amongst those making the trip across the waters towards a small, private island. Despite the many technological advances in the world, Destiny Islands held onto the rustic aspect of traveling by boat or ferry. Yes, it meant getting somewhere took a bit more time, but for many the journey across the seas was what mattered.

"I can't believe it, Selphie's finally getting married," Kida expressed in a somewhat dreamy sense.

"Mom, you're a little embarrassing," Riku laughed, dressed in an elegant white suit.

Kida pursed her lips and lightly smacked the back of Riku's head. "Don't ruin the mood, it's a happy day," she said.

Sora, dressed almost identically to Riku minus the long coat tails, found their banter comical. It was amazing how close their relationship was, the concept of a loving and trusting parent was something so foreign to him. He would look at them every morning when he got up from bed, Kida in the kitchen brewing coffee and chastising a disgruntled Riku for not throwing the trash out. It was small, insignificant bickering that would end with the two of them looking at one another and laughing. Sora would stand near the kitchen entrance admiring their interaction and harboring a saddened sentiment for as much as he wished, he knew that love and connection would be something he could never have with his own mother.

"Hey, anybody home?"

He broke out of his train of thought, Riku's hand waving in his face. Sora grinned before storing that feeling in the back of his head. The ferry had finally made it to port and the residents were busily filing onto the vessel.

"Sorry, let's go."

They boarded the ferry, the horn chiming a goodbye to land as it traveled over the waters. They walked inside, finding a table with sparkling champagne for the guests to enjoy on their little trip. Kida raised a glass, Riku and Sora not too far behind.

"An early toast to the lovely bride and groom," she proposed.

"To the bride and groom," Riku and Sora followed suit. They clinked glasses together and took a sip. They made small talk with other guests, walked around the deck until the private island they were making their way to came into view. It was an early summer afternoon, and the sun was relentlessly beating down. Riku used his handkerchief to wipe away at Sora's forehead.

"I'm okay, I can do it myself," Sora teased taking the cloth from Riku and dabbing his forehead.

There was a path from the shore decorated with marble pillars leading all the way into the center of the island, almost creating a sort of valley. A beautiful villa stood in the center of the valley, a large and grand structure with giant crystal clear windows. There were gardens and fountains set before the entrance, all meticulously kept and lush.

"How wonderful," Kida said, "who owns this island again?"

"Edea Kramer, Selphie's boss," Riku replied. "She insisted on taking care of the arrangements."

"So is she going to be wearing one of her dresses?"

"Seems like it."

Kida let out a sigh. "She's a lucky girl. Do you have any idea how much Edea's custom wedding dresses go for?"

"Sounds like you wish it was you in that dress Ms. Nedakh," Sora said with a smile.

"Now Sora, what have I told you?"

The spiky haired man rubbed the back of his neck, Riku nudging him in the side. "Sorry, Kida."

"That's better. No formalities with me Sora, got it?"

He looked at the ground, almost in a bashful way. "Got it."

Kida leaned in and left a kiss on his cheek before treading on into the villa. Riku came up behind him, taking a hold of his shoulder. Sora stood there for a moment, touched by the act. Was this how a mother was? The bubbly feeling in his stomach, the affectionate feelings Kida showering him with, was this a mother's love? Sora felt his eyes water before wiping away at them with Riku's handkerchief.

"You okay?"

"Yeah," Sora said, "I wish you'd stop asking. I couldn't be better Riku."

Over the course of the next hour more people began to arrive, creating quite the spectacle. Even though Riku was childhood friends with Selphie, he wasn't able to catch a glimpse of the lovely bride until the beginning of the ceremony. Kida was eagerly chatting with Selphie's mother Belle and going off about just how beautiful everything was looking. Riku and Sora, however, were able to catch up with the groom Irvine.

"So glad you were able to make it," he said embracing Riku. "And this must be Sora?"

The brunet smiled at Irvine, offering his hand and was instead smothered with a hug. Riku chuckled slightly, patting Sora's back as he pulled away from the friendly embrace.

"Very nice to meet you Irvine."

The members in attendance were let out into a spacious back garden, rows of chairs lined up delicately on the grass. Beneath a canopy of paopu flowers and vines stood a clergyman, book in hand awaiting for the masses to properly settle down. Riku pointed Edea Kramer out to Sora and Kida, the famous designer decked out in a black lace gown. Who in their right mind would be wearing black in summer weather was all they could think of. They were only one row from the front, and Riku could see Irvine growing nervous as he walked up to the altar. His groomsmen and best man stood in a small line on his side, a few faces he recognized from his grade school years.

"He looks so handsome," Kida whispered, patting Riku's leg, "I can't wait to see you under an altar like that."

Riku immediately felt his eyes grow wide, taking that moment to look over at his mother in embarrassment.

"Mom!" he half whispered, half shouted. "What the hell is with you today? You're never this embarrassing on purpose."

Sora was stifling a laugh, his cheeks showing signs of an early blush. Just as much as the comment was meant for Riku, considering that they were together kind of insinuated Sora would be the lucky partner. The silver haired man mockingly glared at Sora in return.

"You're not helping either," he said trying not to grin.

A light, airy ballad began playing and everyone in attendance rose to their feet. Riku looked towards the very back to see Selphie delicately stepping onto the pristine white carpet with her father at her side. He felt his stomach fluttering at the sight.

"Beautiful," Sora whispered, voicing his exact thoughts.

Her gown was form fitting, laced with glittering jewels and showing hints of soft yellow. It had always been her favorite color so in some regards, Riku was glad to see her signature color somewhere on the gown. This was the most spectacular and ravishing he had ever seen the spunky, sometimes tomboyish woman. As she walked, Kida was already holding back her tears. As she neared the altar, Selphie looked over at Riku, winking at him and mouthing a silent "thank you". They watched as Selphie's father Basch lifted Selphie's veil, and for the last time, handed her over into Irvine's hands. With a motion from the clergyman, everyone took their seat as the ceremony began.

With night falling, the music and laughter was loud. Hanging lanterns were strewn throughout the entire estate, illuminating everything in golden hues. Riku had long since left the villa, having found a path leading through the south of the valley and to a lagoon-like beach. He was sitting without his blazer on, pants rolled up to his knees as he sat near the soft, billowing waters. A half empty beer bottle was set haphazardly in the sand, a nice buzz already coursing through his body. He laughed at the thought of Selphie being smashed before they even got to the cutting of the cake. She was quite the character.

"Hey, how long do you plan on being out here?"

Riku looked over his shoulder to see Sora standing there with a smile. The silver haired man reached an arm out to him, beckoning Sora forward. The brunet followed by removing not only his blazer, but his dress shirt and pants as well. Riku was slightly taken back by his actions, but simply stared.

"What are you doing?" he asked, not entirely against Sora's sudden impulse to get naked.

"Too much champagne," Sora replied with a slur.

"I can see that."

Sora walked towards the water before chucking his underwear off to the side. Under the radiant moon, Riku could make out every little detail. Sora's entire back was covered with an intricate tattoo, a pair of black wings pierced with hanging chains. Riku spent every painful minute with Sora, holding him in his lap as Reno made special trips to Destiny Islands over the course of the past 7 months to work the design into his back. The redhead wouldn't do such a thing for just anyone, Sora was a special case. And what a special case it was. The black ink was mixed in with Vanitas' ashes. Sora would always have his brother with him. This was simply taking it one step further.

Sora was standing in the shallow waters and facing Riku. The brunet reached out to him, hand facing the heavens. Without a word, the silver haired man removed his clothing, leaving it in a small pile as he walked towards Sora. Despite it being night, the air was still warm. Riku took a hold of Sora's hand, his fingers lacing with the younger man's.

"What are we doing?" Riku asked, a little unsure.

"I don't know…"

They were both a little tipsy, having partaken in the wedding reception festivities. Sora reached up to him, taking a hold of Riku's face and standing on the tips of his feet. The taller man leaned into the kiss, a soft touching of their lips. The two kneeled in the water, Sora progressively forcing Riku onto his back. The older man shuddered at the touch of the cool water, his hair flowing freely over the surface. Sora was straddling him, his blue eyes hazed over.

"Do you love me?"

Riku looked up at the brunet, running his wet hands through his spikes. Sora pressed himself further onto Riku, a tongue flicking out.

"I said…do you love me?"

Riku's sea foam green eyes were hazed over as well, his teeth digging into his bottom lip. Sora hovered over him, a hand at Riku's neck. He closed his eyes for a moment, placing his cheek against Riku's

"I love you Sora..."

Sora's lids fluttered open, specks of gold flashing in his eyes.

++++++++++Modelos++++++++++