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He opened his eyes and he was underwater again, so he assumed he was dreaming again. He had to be. There was no way this was real, his mind said, awed, frenzied, thrilled.

It wasn't supposed to be this way… another part of his brain told him, in a whisper that was promptly stomped on, locked away and forgotten. Because right now, this was all he wanted. Their lips fastened to each other, their breathing altered, unadjusted, inexistent on this underwater vision.

Eventually, his lungs screamed, raged, trashed. He felt like he was going to implode, but his fingers were still seeking for the hidden crevices of the other's clothing to hold on to, his arms sneaking up his back, lacing them together. And yet, he wouldn't let go. If the dream had to end… well, he'd end it on his terms.

The other boy's lips broke away from his own and in the younger one's mind, the tally of their ongoing competition came up: Sora 1, Riku 0. He had won! The older boy had given up first. And then he remembered… oxygen!

They both kicked off the ocean's floor and made for the surface. Sora inhaled, but the breath of life didn't seem as sweet as it used to be. He knew now, his oxygen was elsewhere.

But when you open your eyes, he won't be there, that small portion of his brain snickered and Sora hurried to open his eyes, shaking his dripping bangs, eager to prove himself wrong. And indeed, Riku was still there. Just as soaked as Sora and looking just as incredulous.

Had the space between dream and reality really been breached? Well, maybe it had, but reality was going to kick in now. Riku was certain. Sora would yell both their heads off and then storm away, probably to find solace in Kairi.

So… if Sora was about to unleash his righteous anger on the overtly bold Riku, why did he keep getting closer and closer, with that predatory look on his face? Suddenly, and for the first time in Riku's short life, he was afraid of his best friend.

"Why ever," --Sora sloshed forward, making a b-line for Riku-- "did you think," --the brown-haired boy put his hands on his hips-- "that you could stop kissing me just like that, huh?" He shook hair out of his eyes and went on, now wagging an accusatory finger in Riku's direction. "You're supposed to be the one that never quits!"

"Er," Riku hesitated, wondering briefly if he had heard Sora correctly and, if so, what excuse could he possibly give. "We were about to drown?" he offered, a hint of his usual smirk forming on his face.

"Oh." Sora blinked, deflating. "Okay."

They stared at each other for a while; reality was seeping in, filling them in the same way water had threatened to fill their lungs, moments ago.

Sora's fingers curled and uncurled, undecided fists. I want him to, but what if he's regretting it? He took a difficult step forward, still knee-deep in the revolving water. His eyes zeroed in on his target: the other's still wet lips.

Riku glanced away, white noise enveloping his mind. I want to, but what if he rejects me now? The dead weight of soaked clothing wanted to drag him down again. Yet… almost gravitationally, he felt himself move forward, his outstretched arms eager to circle the other's slim waist.

So they met halfway, with the force of a tidal wave. And this time, their embrace felt like an interlocking of keys and tumblers, all falling neatly into place with a satisfying, and nearly audible, click.

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