Sora stared down at Riku, whose face was beginning to swell.

"How dare you bring that up! We swore never to speak of it again! And don't try to change the subject. What does THAT have to do with anything?"

"I've never forgotten it. How it felt so… right. I wanted to be with you Sora. I was going to talk to you about it, but then Kairi showed up. You guys got close, and then started dating. I tried to forget, but I couldn't. So I waited. I was waiting for the day you and Kairi broke up. But time passed, and kept passing. You guys seemed to be getting closer. Then, when you started talking about marriage a few months back, I was crushed."

He paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and wiped the blood from his mouth.

"But I kept my cool, and tried to be happy for you. Then, one day, Kairi mentioned that she was getting bored. She said she wanted to try new things with new people. Inside, I agreed with her. If you guys broke up, then I might have a shot. But I knew how happy she made you. So I stood up for you. I wanted you to be happy. I tried to convince her to stay with you."

He paused again and looked up at Sora.

"But she wouldn't listen. She knew he couldn't break up with you. You would die. But she couldn't JUST be with you anymore. I saw this as a window of opportunity. But before I could even make a move, she threw herself at me. I knew it was wrong, and I didn't enjoy it took much. My only thought was, if some way, I could get you guys apart, then I would try. Then, I would get my chance. So, I went along with it for a while, and then, yeah, you know…"

Riku rose to his feet and leaned against a wall. Sora looked so freaked out.

"When you walked in, my heart skipped. You had finally caught her. I' not the only one she's been with. There was also Leon, and cloud. And then there was also this gang bang at Ansem's house. I thought I had finally gotten my chance. But it seems pretty clear now that my chance has long drifted away."

He looked down at the floor.

"Why didn't you tell me? You're my best friend..." Sora asked after a moment of silence.

"Would you have believed me?"

"Probably not." Sora stared at his feet. What could he say? So, Riku wasn't the only one? He had been betrayed by so many he knew. Why was the world against him? Riku walked over to sora and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm so sorry." He said with pure sympathy.

Sora threw his arms around Riku and cried. Riku embraced Sora, not knowing what to do.

Later at Sore's apartment

"How could I be so blind?" Sora sobbed. "What did I do to deserve this?"

"Sshhh... it's not your fault. Shit happens." Riku placed a hand on Sora's shoulder reassuringly.

"But it always happens to me! This just isn't fair!" tears continued rolling down Sora's cheeks.

"Nothing's ever fair. That's the way life is. Oh, Sora, please stop crying. You're going to make me cry too!"

Riku felt so bad watching the love of his life crying his eyes out. His heart yearned to comfort him. He wrapped Sora in his arms and caressed the back of his head.

"Take deep breaths and please try to calm down." Riku was steadily getting more and more worried.

"You're hella gonna dehydrate yourself ya know." He said trying to lighten the mood. Sora laughed slightly, and returned Riku's embrace.

Once he had finally calmed down, Sora sat back and looked at Riku. His eyes were swollen and red from crying. A small smile came across his face.

"Life sure does suck, huh?" he shook his head. Not in disbelief, but just in utter realization of how much time of his life he had wasted on Kairi. When he enlightened Riku of this, Riku shook his head.

"No, you didn't waste time on her. You just gained experience that you will take with you into future relationships form now on. Don't look at it as wasted time, but rather a lesson. You learned things about yourself and the people around you; and also the true nature of those people. You can now see and judge people for who they truely are."

Sora thought this over for a moment.

"Well, you were one of those people. How am I supposed to think of you now?"

Riku raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

"However you want to. I'll understand however you choose to see me."

He looked down at his hands and nestled them in his lap. Sora placed his hand on top of Riku's. Riku looked up and met Sora's eyes.

"Riku, I don't hate you. Even though I should. I just can't bring myself to. I've known you forever. And even though I'm hurt that you would do something like that, (Riku looks down again. Sora reaches over and raises Riku's head) at the same time, I'm glad you helped to open my eyes to what she was doing."

Riku smiled at Sora.

"Thank you Riku."

Tears swelled up in Riku's eyes. He was so glad Sora wasn't deserting him. Sora actually forgave him and to top it all off, his actually thanked him! Again, they embraced each other. But this time, Riku felt Sora kiss him on the forehead.

Riku looked up at Sora.