Gosh, I'm sooooo Sorry about how long this took to get up. I've been in the hospital and constantly sick again. But don't worry this is the 10 and final chapter. Yes this is the end and the 100th reviewer is about to win their pic. So enjoy.

Wonk uoY nahT noitceffA eroM deeN I

Finale

"Riku, I'm so sorry! I thought he was going to kill you!" Tidus apologized frantically as he dropped down beside Riku.

"Sora, please. Don't die…"

Riku cradled Aros's unconscious body as the once cool skin became icy and dead. Riku shook his head. He hadn't meant for this to happen; this wasn't what he wanted. Aros looked up at him with deadened brown eyes as his breaths escaped in sharp intervals. Riku held him close to him ignoring the cold and blood. He gasped when he felt Aros's body twitch in his arms. He could suddenly feel a beating heart within his body that was slowing by the minute. Tidus shook him as he doubled over against Aros. Dizziness spelled over his head as he collapsed on the sand in Aros's blood. Darkness fell down open him like a heavy blanket that encircled his body in a numb oblivion. He could hear the whisper of his beloved's voice.

Everything's alright…

A sea of memories, that's what this was. Aros could make out every moment shared between Sora and Riku and he could see the people who's hearts they had touched. Whispers, shouts, expressions of kindness, embraces of love; all encircled Aros like a security blanket as he slipped away into the abyss below. Falling, reeling, tumbling. His eyes looked down at his destination which was nothing more than a sphere of darkness; the globe of shadows that took a heartless into its womb and kept it safe. He never thought he would be following those who he had always judged as beneath him. He never thought he would return to the heartless city at Darkness Edge. Maybe this was better. He could go back and then he would go to the world that never rejected him. Closing his eyes he resigned himself to silently falling away from the world in which he was neither needed nor wanted. Sora would never rise again, Roxas would fade from memory and he would no longer exist in the world of light.

Sora, I'm so sorry…

"Riku?" he whispered reopening his eyes. He dizzily looked above him at the distancing light.

Sora, please, don't die…

Aros blinked at the brightening light that shined on the memories around him. They all turned into images of happiness that was shared with only Riku and Sora. He smiled at the warmth that embraced him and shielded him from the cold. He didn't even notice that he had stopped falling. All around him began to brighten revealing a single memory to him that outshined all others. Yes, he remembered it. He had nearly forgotten it. The beach again and Riku had came to a second time. Riku had found the strength and embraced him believing him to be Sora. At that moment, he knew he had to find his way to that warmth; that kindness that was his light, his love, his very existence. That became his reason to live. His reason to escape the darkness…

Riku landed softly on his feet onto the stain glass platform. He looked down at the design frozen with in the melted sand. Sora stood dead center with the same sad expression as when he floated sleeping. He saw his own image with his arms around the sleeping Sora. Roxas lay to right with his head bowed in peaceful slumber and the fiery red head Axel stood behind him. A thin arm encircled Roxas's waist and a bronzed hand caressed his face. To his left lay Aros with beautifully stained eyes of gold half opened as if sleep eluded him. His gothic appearance stood out against the light of Sora and Roxas. Something was wrong with this image. No one stood behind Aros. He wasn't protected the way Sora and Roxas was.

He walked forward onto the center of the stain glass and he heard the whisper of his fallen lover around him. He looked at the peaceful face of Roxas that lay against axel.

I never thought of you as my enemy…

He paused at the saddened expression on Sora's face as he slept frozen in glass. He could never forget that look when Sora had been imprisoned in Naminé's pod. It made Riku feel guilty, wondering if he was the cause of those nightmares.

I never hated you…

Shaking his head, Riku approached Aros's picture and saw a black door appear beyond it. As he walked past, Aros's voice was silent. Not a single whisper came to him. He reached for the door to open it but a voice boomed around him.

"Leave! He doesn't need you any longer, Riku!"

Riku pulled his hand away from the door looking around confused. Whose voice was that? "Who the hell are you?"

"No one of importance to you and neither is Aros. Leave him and go back to your pitiful world. You have no place here."

Riku narrowed his eyes and grabbed the handles of the door and swung them open. Darkness blasted from it in a wave that swept Riku off his feet for a moment. The flowing darkness and slowed down to moderate flow onto the platform. Riku got up and cautiously inspected the door to see where it led. All there seem to be was darkness as far as the eye could see. He wondered would he find Aros here. He felt the faint beat within his chest again sending pain to his spine. He doubled over leaning against the frame for support. His eyes narrowed and he squinted to see in the darkness. The moon began to take shape and shine a welcoming ray toward him. He stepped through he threshold onto dark sparkling sand. This was…

"We first met here…Hikari." Aros sat a little ways away near the shore yet he could still hear the boy loud and clear. "This is the place where I got to meet you…my creator."

"Aros?" he whispered approaching him.

Aros smiled grimly. "You have no idea the ways I could've taken your heart and slain you on this beach….but then you have no idea how my heart ached for our bodies to be one. To be so near to my tamer, my owner, my master."

Riku sat beside him. "Is it too late…is it to late to say it?"

"Riku…you denied me…"

"The heart that beats here belongs to us…" Riku touched his chest.

Aros gazed up at him, his eyes aglow in the silver light. He gave a small smile that reminded Riku of Sora's shy smiles when he was touched. "You…you remembered, hikari"

"Aros, tell me how can I bring you home."

"Home…this is my home. I have no place, my purpose is only to wait for something that may never come to me."

"Aros-"

"I should've never tried to step outside my bounds. I just knew how smart it was, that all my bases were covered. What I hadn't counted on was Kairi's obsession and him…well there's no point to worrying about it now."

"I didn't understand you at first, I thought you were someone who was trying to take Sora away from me. But you were trying to put us together to satisfy us both."

"Not only that but I wanted that affection…I needed it. You think that a shadow can't feel. It's because of you that I need that love so much. I need more affection than you know, RIku…and that is what kills me."

Riku's hand ventured across Aros's back and onto his shoulder drawing him close to the blonde. Aros looked up at him confused. "Riku?"

"I'm sorry. I just want you to come home. You, Sora, and Roxas, I want the three of you back." He leanded and spoke against Aros's lips. "Who was I to make you wait, Sora?"

"But…"

"No more. Help me bring you back to us, Sora?"

"This heart that beats belongs to us…" Aros pressed forward and kissed Riku's lips.

This heart that lives is our sanctuary

This heart that loves heals you and I

This heart that breaks kills us all

This heart that beats…is mine…

Tidus and Wakka backed away from the fallen bodies of the heartless and Riku as a white glow shined between them. It glowed bright enough to blind them and then immediately died. Tidus approached the pair slowly but jumped when he saw Riku rise slowly and gaze around at their surroundings. He blinked unfocused and looked down at the still form of the heartless that Tidus had slain.

"Sora?"

Wakka and Tidus looked at each other confused. "Sora?"

Amber eyes opened to the sound of Riku's voice. The wound within his chest had been sealed and nothing remained but unmarred porcelain skin. Riku helped him to sit up and held his face in both hands peering into hazed eyes that looked at him strangely. Pale lips mouthed his name and Riku leaned forward and kissed him passionately. He had completely forgotten about the audience he had until her heard a squeal from Selphie and feral growl from the bound Kairi. He looked back at them actually slightly embarrassed. Aros turned his face back to him and pulled him into a dominating kiss. He pulled away and smirked at the drunken expression on Riku's face.

"Let's go save my others."

RIku nodded in agreement.

Sora sat staring out at the ocean from the shores of their island. His cinnamon hair blew softly in the sea wind as he watched the waves cover his bare feet. His azure eyes watched the golden orb kiss the horizon in the sway of evening. Twilight panted itself across the sky in an elegant watercolor of calm. The island transformed into hills of emerald majesty that glowed like a wonderland behind him. The wind blew the smell of fresh water and healthy earth into his lungs. His eyes fell shut when a hand touched his shoulder and squeezed it slightly. Roxas settled beside him in the sand watching the deep blue turn a crimson shade against the setting sun. Sora rested his head against Roxas's shoulder. The blonde kissed the top of Sora's head with a hint of sadness in his eyes. A faint smile crossed Sora's lips and he pulled away. The sun set and faded beneath the horizon as the moon ascended above them. Roxas suddenly smiled when he felt the wholeness he had always long for fill his body. Sora's smile turned into a grin and he looked over his shoulder.

"We've been waiting, Aros"

Footsteps reached Roxas's ears and he turned completely around to see Aros standing there with that overbearing smirk that angered him to the point of murderous intent. He tilted his head and flashed a single pearl fang before joining them on the other side of Sora. He stole a nip and Sora's neck before Roxas had a chance to hit him again.

"It's good to be home."

"One thing, though. Aros, Roxas?" Sora began. "Why is it that Riku was able to save all of us? What stopped Kairi from killing me when she unlocked Aros?"

Roxas laughed and Aros's smirk widened. "You never noticed all this time, ne Sora?"

"Noticed what?"

Roxas laughed harder. "When I explained the feeling of submission when I met Riku I was describing how it felt to finally come into contact with my heart!"

"But…I thought…wait what?"

Aros pulled Sora to his chest. "You feel that?"

"I don't feel anything?"

"Exactly. You heart is not within you Sora. It hasn't been for a long time. Riku has been harboring your heart for a very long time. Protecting it from harm and yourself since the day Roxas and I was born."

Roxas stretched. "A strong heart is really vulnerable with a bumbling idiot like you protecting it!"

"Hey!" Sora pouted.

"But, there's nothing to worry about now!" Roxas declared.

"Yeah, Riku loves us…each and every one of us," Aros whispered.

"Yeah, everything's alright."

------Three Months Later----------

Riku stared into the bi-colored eyes of the brunette beneath him. The amber and blue eyes were wide and unfocused from the passing trip into heaven he had been on. A perfectly tanned chest heaved up and down against his own pale one as he kissed his lover's neck. Small hands clawed at the sheets while the blonde took advantage of the younger boy's moment of weakness. His teeth grazed over sensitized skin causing small purrs to strum from his lover's delicate throat. A small whine came to his ears as his tongue encircled a hardened nipple.

"Riku, you promised," he gasped hoarsly. "You promised I could be on top this time."

Riku smirked as Sora arched against his gentle caresses. "Did I really? I must've been out of my mind temporarily when I made that promise." He bit into the soft flesh of Sora's chest.

"Ah!" Sora moaned out a soft "why?"

"Because, I know who's idea it is to be on top. The minute I do let you, you'll let that nympho take over again!"

Sora laughed before moaning again when Riku's hand found its way to his half hardened erection. "But you love it, Riku. Even though you won't say it, I know he makes you scream better than I can."

Riku felt his body relax and shiver as Sora's trained hands tangled into his hair. "I can let him oout right now if you want. I don't mind."

Riku nuzzled Sora's chest while still fisting his lover's erection. Sora panted and clenched a fistful of the platinum silk that was his hair, just the way Aros always did. It satisfied him to know that Riku had weaknesses like this that he could exploit at any time. He leaned closer pulling Riku to him and bit the pale throat that had already been marked by passion bruises.

"I bet you prefer his fangs over my teeth, Riku."

Riku gripped the sheets starting to consider that maybe being dominated wasn't such a bad idea. Sora smirked and sucked on the mark he had just made. His right eye began to fill with crystal amber becoming a duplicate of the left and his skin began to lighten to the point where it matched Riku's. The blonde could see the splashes of obsidian filtering though Sora's cinnamon brown spikes. He ran his fingers through the soft raven locks and heard a deep purr, alerting him that he no longer held Sora. It was confirmed when his hair was roughly pulled making him tilt his head back and hiss in pain and pleasure. Pearl fangs sunk into his skin pulling a cry from him.

"Judging by that cry, hikari, I think you missed me," Aros whispered. Riku anted and gasped when he was pushed down onto the mattress. Aros straddled him and pinned his wrists to the bed. Riku arched as their groins connected and cursed when Aros's nimble fingers wrapped around his arousal. Aros's eyes watched him writhe beneath him at every stroke and bite.

He learned so much during his trysts with Riku. As long as Sora's heart stayed within his hikari's heart he could see what he saw and know what he knew. He could live in the light through Sora and Riku with only nights of unrestrained lust and passion as the price. The year had been heaven for all of them and they were finally able to grow and change. Most of all, Riku loved him. He loved each of them individually. Riku dominated Sora, contested with Roxas, and submitted to Aros. It all depended on the situation. Speaking of…

Riku clawed the sheets arching his back high as he came in Aros's hand. Aros smirked and licked his fingers slowly sliding his tongue around each digit. "Look at the mess you made, Riku," Aros whispered huskily. He pressed his index and middle finger against Riku's parted lips and shuddered when the blonde drew them into his mouth. Aros Busied himself by lapping at a nipple. "Good boy Riku. We can't let t all go to waste."

Riku's response was a soft moan as those same fingers pressed inside of him. He was amazed at how unabashed and just plain lewd his body turned under Aros's ministrations. It had become exception and craving of him over the past few months when Aros topped him. He had become willing to try anything as long as Aros did not stop. Aros didn't mind the transition from sexy dominate to wanton slave.

Riku pushed back against Aros's fingers and arched as they curled against his spot. "No more!" he gasped. "That's enough!"

Aros smirked and pressed Riku against the mattress. He roughly pulled away his hand and watched Riku writhe. He snatched the recently used bottle of lubricant that lay upon the sheets and spread it over his palm He oiled himself and pinned Riku to the bed, pressing himself into his lover slowly. This was the best part, being joined with his light and heart in the consuming flames of true passion. It almost felt like the flesh had disappeared and their spirits merged. Every gasp, every breath, every moan and scream unlocking the door for them as they climbed the stairway to heaven and opened the gates of paradise. Aros would be bathed in the light that gave him life and bask in the glow of his lover's embrace as his name spilled from the blonde's lips in love and sweet release.

But even as they lay, he couldn't help but feel the tug at the back f hi hazed mind. Naminé held Kairi out of reach of them now. She had taken over and she alone had healed the madness within the girl but the darkness had escaped. Riku was strong enough to resist the darkness that lived within him because of their love. Still, Aros wondered if he was strong enough to resit the pull of the darkness calling to him.

"I love you Aros…" Riku managed to whisper while pulling Aros against his chest. Aros breathed a sigh from deep inside. Oh, god, how long would he be able to live in this euphoria, this dream of his? IF he wished to stay in the light's embrace, then…

"I love you, Hikari."

Then what horrors waited for him….

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Konoko: I'm going to admit that the end didn't come out as good as I'd hoped but it's the best I could muster with essay after essay klling my ass. College is freakin hard. Anyway, I hoped you enjoyed and please wait patiently for the sequel which is coming soon!