Disclaimer: not mine

I'm going to be showing life on the Islands, something we don't really see in the games. The kids parents are never named so I've given them names, and ones you might recognise from various FF franchises, whether they are anything like the character outside of appearance though…

Chapter 20

Sora looked up at the house he hadn't seen in what, two years? At least his Mum wouldn't remember the first several months of it when the Islands had fallen. Thanks to Kairi he knew about the rumours some people had spread, that he and Riku had run off together. They'd come up with a story, but would anyone believe them? He took a deep breath and opened the door, the house as warm and welcoming as he remembered. "Mum?" He called hesitantly, and then winced as he heard a crash in the kitchen. He moved further inside and then she was in the kitchen doorway, staring at him with wide eyes. How different did he look to her? Older and in what would be strange clothes locally. Not like he had anything else that would fit.

She pressed a hand to her mouth, gasping. "S…Sora?"

"It's me," he offered a shaky smile, and then she was closing the gap, pulling him into her arms, and he clung back. "I'm home," he choked out, he would not cry! It was kind of strange to almost be as tall as her though.

She pulled back enough to study his face, a hand moving to trace his cheek. "Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry Mum, I'm so sorry."

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Luna held her son close, able to feel how much he had grown while away, the strength in his body as he clung to her. What had happened to him? She knew the rumours some had spread and she didn't care if they were true or not, he was still her son. She had always wanted him to follow his heart and if it led him to Riku, then so be it. She knew Riku's parents wouldn't see it the same way though, so if they believed the rumours, true or not, she'd be getting a house guest soon.

"It's alright Sora," she whispered, stroking his hair. "You're home safe and that's all that matters." He would tell or not in his own time, she wouldn't press. She could see it in his eyes, her baby boy had been through hell. At least he hadn't been alone, she knew Riku would have done his best to protect him.

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Riku stared at the house, wondering how Sora's reunion was going, knowing it would be better than what he was about to face. He walked up and found the spare key where it had always been kept, letting himself in. He closed the door and walked down the hall only to freeze as he took in some rather big changes…those were baby toys. He heard a baby's laugh and took a shaky breath, for a second wondering if they'd move but…no, that was their wedding photo on the wall.

Riku moved to the doorway and stared at the sight of his mother with a baby in her arms, a baby that looked a lot like her already. He…he had a sister? He'd wanted a sibling so badly when he was little but they'd always said it would never happen, and yet with him gone they'd had a baby. Why? It wasn't like they'd had much interest in him so why have another?

She turned and stared at him in disbelief. "You're back," she said, and he fought not to flinch.

"Yeah," he whispered. "Kairi found us, showed us the way home."

"I see. Well, we needed your room for Mia. Most of your things are in the attic," she told him, and he nodded slowly. "Is it true?" her tone turned cold.

"Is what true?" he asked her curiously.

"You and that boy."

"His name is Sora, and he nearly died to save me," he snapped. "I was the idiot who went out in that storm, if he hadn't come after me…" it was close enough to the truth after all. No one here needed to know Sora had actually died, though not for him. His parents had never liked Sora or his Mum but Riku had never understood why.

"You're a mess, you'll need to cut your hair. You've missed a lot of school too. You'll need to keep away from him until people realise the rumours aren't true, spend more time with Kairi."

Riku felt his Heart sink as he listened to her. He doubted his Father would feel any differently. He'd been gone for two years and that was all she had to say? He walked away before he could say anything, heading upstairs. Sure enough his room was now a nursery so he climbed into the attic and found himself staring at what remained of his childhood. He'd grown so none of the clothing would fit but he began digging around for his most precious belongings, shoving them into a bag, shocked to find wetness on his face. He hadn't expected anything else and yet…it hurt.

He couldn't stay there, not when he could still feel the Darkness in his Heart. Riku used magic to ensure he could pack everything he wanted and then he hesitated, grimacing as he heard the front door, the murmur of voices carrying up the stairs. He heard the scorn in his Father's voice and made his decision, opening the attic window and simply leaping out, landing lightly in the grass, walking away.

A few minutes later he was knocking hesitantly on a familiar door which was soon opened to reveal Sora. "I…" he swallowed, and Sora yanked him inside.

"Who is it Sora?"

"It's Riku, Mum," he called back.

She walked out of the kitchen and took one look at him, taking in his bag and he tensed, ready to be told to get out, but then she smiled at him. She walked over and hugged him, and Riku slowly hugged her back, shocked to find he was now taller than her. "Welcome home Riku."

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The tension in the house was obvious as soon as Kadaj opened the door, he found his wife waiting for him, baby monitor beside her. He was glad their daughter took after her rather than him, he didn't need another reminder around. "What is it?" he asked as he sat down.

"The boy showed up today, looked healthy enough. I told him his things were in the attic and gave him the rules. No associating with that boy and getting back into school. He went upstairs and I haven't seen him since. Claimed the brat saved his life."

He sighed, he didn't particularly care for Luna or her son, but he didn't share the animosity for them that Donna had. She'd had ideas for their son that had never come true, yes their boy had been popular with his age mates but it hadn't been in a way that would see him rise in society. Not that there was any great height anyone could rise to on an Island. He just couldn't see him as Mayor one day, he was too active. He got that from him, the same as his looks.

He knew he should have been there more for him but while he didn't hate his son, he couldn't claim to love him either. It had been a relief when Noctis had taken on the role of caring for both boys, ferrying them over the play island when they were little, teaching them to fish and all that. Then he'd died when Riku was six and Kadaj had just been too busy.

He had heard the rumours about why Riku and Sora had disappeared together, who hadn't? He wasn't sure if he believed them or not, the boys had always been close, it could be more like siblings. He knew Riku had asked many times for a little brother or sister when he was young, he could have simply filled that spot with Sora. And yet...it wasn't like he wanted grandchildren from Riku, but such things were unheard of on the Islands and if it was true, the whole family faced ostracism. It had taken years to get where they were and he would not let Riku ruin that.

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"You okay?" Sora whispered, glancing at the floor where Riku was supposedly sleeping on the air mattress, but he knew he was still awake. He rolled over and reached down, to touch his shoulder.

"Fine," Riku whispered, and Sora frowned.

"Don't Riku, please. Don't shut me out," not again. They'd talked less and less about anything that mattered in those months before the Islands fell. it'd be easy to fall back into old, bad, habits now but Sora couldn't accept that, not with how things had changed between them.

He felt Riku shudder under his hand and he frown deepened. He slid out of bed and lay behind him, wrapping his arms around him. "It's okay Riku, I'm here," he promised.

Riku rolled around and kissed him, holding him close, and Sora happily kissed him back.

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Aulea cracked open the bedroom door, relaxing when she proved to herself that Kairi was safely tucked up in bed. A hand rested on her shoulder and she leant into her husband. They had been terrified when Tidus had come running that day to say that some strange man had approached Kairi on the beach but by the time Tidus and Wakka had reached the place, they had both been gone. Word had been sent to every Island in the chain and no sign of either could be found. They had feared for her so to have her home safe and sound…to have brought Riku and Sora back home safely with her…

They slipped away and went to their own room. "What of the rumours?" she asked as they lay together.

"So long as there is no proof then nothing can be done," Regis answered.

She nodded, she would speak with Kairi in the morning and advise her to warn the boys to not give anyone anything that could be taken as proof.

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Luna smiled as Sora and Riku sat together at the table, hungrily eating the breakfast she'd made them. She hadn't been able to help checking on them several times, just to reassure herself it wasn't a dream and that they really were home safe. She'd seen them curled together on the air mattress each time, bodies entwined, their grips almost desperate even in their sleep…although she though each had woken at least once when she'd checked on them. Sora had always been such a deep sleeper, what had they gone through to change that.

She couldn't help running her fingers through Sora's hair as she walked passed his chair, Sora tipping his head back to smile at her. "Any plans for the day boys?" she asked.

"Ummm," Sora looked to Riku who shrugged slightly, looking uncomfortable.

Ah, just what had those two said to him? "You're welcome here like always Riku, for as long as you wish," she told him firmly, and he looked up at her with wide eyes, mostly hidden by his hair.

"Thanks," he murmured, looking away, and her heart broke for him. A brand-new sibling was something to celebrate and yet there he was at her dining table.

She walked over and put down a plate of waffles, before reaching out to brush his hair out of his eyes, freezing when he jerked back, hand coming up defensively. "Oh Riku," she whispered, and he reddened in shame. "Well, first things first, no matter how much you boys hate it…." she grinned as they squirmed, "clothing shopping. I doubt either of you has anything that fits so we need to fix that."

"Muuummm," Sora whined, pouting, and she heard Riku chuckle.

"Eat up and then wash up boys, best to get this over and done with."

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Riku dumped the bags on the bed, staring at the piles of clothing she'd insisted on buying both of them, grinning when Sora collapsed theatrically. "I'd forgotten how…forceful your Mum can be."

Sora groaned. "Can't…move…"

"Well I'm not putting your away," he warned.

It had been smart to hit the stores so early, very few people around. Word of their return hadn't spread yet since they hadn't shown up on the main island until late evening. Now that they'd been seen though, it wouldn't take long. He heard talking downstairs and then Kairi's familiar laugh, looking over to see her in the doorway.

"For someone who can last so long in battle, shouldn't shopping be easy?" she teased Sora, who tossed a pillow at her.

"Miss us already?" Riku asked her, and her expression turned serious, making Sora sit up in alarm. Hearing the warning her mother had passed on made his heart sink to his shoes. And what had they done straight away? They'd shopped together, would Ms Luna being with them be enough to keep tongues from wagging. He took a deep breath; they couldn't live by seconding guessing everything they did outside of the house. They would just have to act normal when anyone could be around…he was glad a ship would be arriving in a few days, just in case. He felt Sora take his hand and squeezed it gently, at least Mayor Regis was willing to look the other way unless faced with definite proof.

"It's not like I mind you being cute together," Kairi pointed out. "If people know the three of us are somewhere together they'll be less likely to think something 'inappropriate is going on."

"Thanks Kairi," Sora grinned at her.

"Besides, I have a lot of work to catch up to you two," she flicked her wrist in a familiar move, and they both nodded. It made sense to keep working and train her. Who knew when they might be called on again? "That's a lot of bags, need help?"

"Thank you!"

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Donna walked down the street, forcing herself to smile as people congratulated her on the return of the boy, Mia strapped to her chest. She was unsurprised to hear he had been seen out with Luna and her son, having assumed he had gone there when he never reappeared, how he had gotten out of the house without her noticing she didn't know. It wasn't like he could jump out the attic window, there was nothing to break his fall or anything.

Apparently she had taken both boys shopping for new clothing that morning which led to some quick thinking on her part to ensure people didn't think she hadn't been willing to buy what Riku needed. She would now have to pay the other woman for whatever she had bought and hopefully a haircut.

She had never wanted the boy in the first place, time with Kadaj had just been some fun but when she'd gotten pregnant he had done the honourable thing. He had given her a good life, working hard to support their family, but she had known from the instant he saw the boy that he didn't really want him. Something about the fact Riku looked so much like him had upset him, which was why it had taken so long for them to end up with a second and he was so much better with Mia than he had been with the boy. She'd had so many plans for her son and he had ruined them all, she'd hoped he would remain gone.

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"Sora! Riku!" familiar voices yelled their names and then their three friends were running up to them, laughing and hugging them happily.

Soon they were all over on the Play Island as if nothing had changed, except everyone quickly noticed that Riku was no longer holding himself apart, looking down on them. That made them all happy. Thankfully, they didn't seem to notice the way Riku and Sora both held back majorly when challenged to fights with old wooden swords. It was like nothing had changed…except them.

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Riku sat frozen as his hair was brushed back and fiddled with, feeling Sora take his hand. It was stupid, it was just a haircut! And from a woman he'd known all his life, who had cut his hair for years. But letting anyone near his face was hard after so long in another's body and wearing a blindfold. Thankfully, she seemed to realise that and worked quickly while still being gentle.

"All done," she soon told him, holding up the mirror for him. It no longer fell in his eyes but it had been kept long for now. he wasn't sure if he wanted it short or not yet so she'd just neatened the mess it had become.

"Thank you."

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Aulea looked in at the sound of laughter, watching Riku and Sora fight for the second controller as Kairi happily held hers well out of reach. Kairi was so much happier since they had returned last month. The rumours had quieted some thankfully, despite everyone knowing Riku was living at Sora's home. His blank reaction to any mention of his parents made the reason obvious to her at least, that home had never been a happy one and his vanishing for so long would not have helped.

She didn't know what she thought of the idea of the two boys…together, oh she hadn't seen anything but… well. Maybe they'd grow out of it? Especially once back at school and exposed to a lot more girls. They'd always competed for Kairi's affections before, so she thought it was a result of being alone together for over a year. She would love to see Kairi with Riku, as much as she adored the ever-cheerful Sora, she thought Kairi needed someone a little more mature…then again, Sora had changed while gone. There were shadows in his eyes now that not even his father's death had caused.

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Riku ran into the room, finding Sora huddled on the floor, gasping for air, power fluctuating around him. He quickly knelt and wrapped himself around him. "Breath with me Sora, you can do this," he whispered. The last thing they needed was Anti-form appearing with both their mothers downstairs. Their fighting had sent Sora running and Riku had quickly followed when he'd felt flickers of Darkness.

He'd been keeping good control of his own Darkness, only having had it flicker a few times, and he hadn't even worried about Sora since he had no reason to go into Drive Form on the Islands. Apparently that didn't matter so much now, wonderful.

Riku held Sora close, rocking him slightly, even as he kept up the comforting words, kissing what he could reach, and slowly the Darkness retreated, Sora relaxing against him.

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Sora held his Keyblade, ready to fight, Riku across from him and Kairi ready to referee. Riku drew his hand back to summon Soul Eater except…that was not what appeared. Riku stared dumbly at the blade in his hand, eyes wide. It was similar to his old blade but the power it radiated… Sora grinned and whooped in delight, rushing forward to hug him and then looked at the brand new Keyblade.

The once curved wing was now straight, and the Keyblade's guard was composed of one angelic wing and one demonic wing, similar to the guards of Sora's Oathkeeper and Oblivion Keychains, respectively, which made him happy to see. A dark angelic wing had been added to the top of the original blade of the Soul Eater to act as the teeth of the key. Its token was oddly the Heartless Emblem, but without the spiked bars crossing it. it was amazing….and so Riku.

Kairi too rushed over to examine the Keyblade, gushing in joy. "What is it called?" she asked.

Riku stared at it in awe. "The Way to the Dawn," he whispered.

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This…this was why he'd felt Soul Eater changing for so long, somehow it had become a Keyblade when he was returned to his own form. He had become worthy of a Keyblade again and he bit his lip, no way was he going to cry! He had been so stupid, the fact that his Keyblade had gone to Sora should have been a massive sign he was on the wrong path, instead he'd accused Sora of stealing it, of just being a delivery boy to get the blade to him…he'd been so wrong.

"Come on! Let's test it out," Sora grinned at him, and Riku nodded.

He needed to work out what he could and couldn't do now after all. And Sora needed to see if he could still access Roxas' Light attacks and second Keyblade since he'd admitted he could barely feel his Nobody since they'd returned.

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Sora buried himself under the control panel of the ship that had been sent for their use. He'd picked up a lot of maintenance skills during his two journeys. Problems weren't likely in a ship Cid had worked on, but he wanted to make sure the systems were the same as the ship from Disney Castle. The last thing he wanted was for something to go wrong in space where the Heartless could attack, especially if they were in a hurry.

Riku was working with Kairi today and he couldn't bring himself to stare at a textbook. They'd missed so much school and he had never exactly liked school in the first place. There was two months left of the current school year and then summer vacation…there was no way he was going to catch up in time to be in the right grade anyway. Riku might which would mean technically he'd be graduating. Maybe he should just drop out all together?

As much as being home was nice, mostly because of his Mum…he couldn't see himself spending the rest of his life on the Islands. He knew he'd be welcome in Radiant Garden, they all would, and they could do good there. They could help with the ongoing restoration and in keeping the Heartless numbers down at least.

TBC…

So now all three have a Keyblade. Well, technically Riku's had his since the beach, he just hadn't realised since he hadn't tried to use it. Figured they needed time to relax and all after all the fighting.