Riku walked slowly along the beach, the waves lapping at his feet. His shoes hung over his shoulder by their shoelaces and his jeans rolled up to his knees. As he walked he felt the cold water splash around his ankles. Riku closed his eyes to better feel the gritty sand massage the bottom of his feet. The comforting sound of waves filled his ears, the familiar scent of the salty ocean stang his nose. He breathed deeply, held the moment close, and after a heartbeat let it all go.
Riku's heart felt heavy in his chest. Ever since he had returned to the realm of light he had felt… something missing. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. He cast his mind back to the days before his grand adventure and recalled feeling a burning desire. At the time, he had assumed it was a desire to explore, to see far and fantastic places. He'd whipped his friends Sora and Kairi into a fever pitch as he dreamed of foreign shores. Together they would seek out the unknown.
But that happened, and Riku felt a bitter twist in his stomach as the guilt washed over him like a wave. He'd managed to hurt everyone he loved and destroyed everything he had ever cared about. His eyes snapped open and he watched the sun sink lazily over the horizon. Riku had once thought that he would never see Destiny Island again, never walk its serene shores again. But here he was. And most strangely of all, he still felt the same burning desire, the same emptiness. Only now he wasn't sure what it was he was longing for. It wasn't for adventure, it wasn't for home… What was it?
A face flashed through his mind. A fleeting smile, a warm feeling. A second later it was gone, pushed down to the deepest recesses of his heart. No. It was just his imagination. It was wrong. Riku shook his head. There was no way. He splashed on through the shallows, doing his best to focus on the sensation of water and sand grounding him to his long lost home. He had returned, he had been saved by his friends, and there was nothing more Riku needed. But… there was something he couldn't deny that his heart had desired.
In the distance Riku noticed the paopu tree, bent over as if pressed down by the weight of his own heavy heart. As he approached, he noticed a solitary shape leaning quietly against the tree. Riku's stomach lurched as he realised who he was approaching. For a moment, he stopped still, too afraid to move. He hadn't been alone with him in some time. He wasn't sure how he would be able to handle it. Riku stood as still as a stone, wishing the waves would wash him away.
The paopu fruit was in season. It's sweet scent drifted to him on the breeze, mingling with the smells of the salty ocean. Riku suddenly felt his heart pushing him on, urging him to reach out and take what it wanted. Riku felt hesitant at first, thinking that his days of taking what he wanted were over. But then he realised with a small jolt that perhaps the best kind of love was not taken, but freely given.
Riku disappeared into the shack, ascended the stairs and made his way across the narrow bridge. With every step he took he could feel his heart beating faster and faster. Time seemed to slow down. Riku could feel himself fighting to breathe. He had never felt so nervous in his life. His eyes met the back of a familiar head and he felt his heart soar. He cleared his throat, and the object of his secret desire turned, met his eye and smiled.
"Gawrsh, hey there Riku." Goofy chuckled.
"Hello, Goofy. What are you doing out here by yourself?" Riku asked as casually as he could while he approached.
Goofy looked out over the magnificent sunset. "Sora told us all about this place while we were adventuring together. He said it was the most beautiful place in all the worlds. I always wanted to see it for myself."
Riku leaned against the tree next to Goofy. "Sora wasn't lying. Of all the sunsets in all the worlds, I don't think I've ever seen a sunset as beautiful as this one."
Goofy chuckled and Riku felt his heart soar. "I'm lucky to be here for it." Goofy nooded happily. Riku wondered which of them was truly the lucky one.
"What else did Sora tell you about our island?" Riku asked.
Goofy scratched his head and thought for a moment. Finally he nodded towards the tree they leaned against. "Sora told me this was a very special tree, but he didn't say why."
Riku's heart fluttered nervously. "This is a very special tree. Do you want to know why?"
Goofy's eyes met Riku's and he felt a jolt of electricity shock through his veins.
"This tree is called a paopu tree." Riku said after a moment, licking his dry lips "It's said that if you share the fruit with someone special your destinies will be forever intertwined."
"Gawrsh, really?"
"Yeah. You'll be a part of each other's lives, no matter what."
Goofy smiled and gazed out towards the horizon, watching the dazzling light dance across the water. "That sounds kinda romantic, don't you think?"
Riku's breath caught in his throat. He nodded his agreement.
"Sora never told me about that, I wonder why." Goofy pondered aloud. "He did tell us a lot about you and Kairi though. He said you guys used to spend a lot of time here, with this tree."
Riku smiled. "Best place on the island to catch a sunset."
Was Riku imagining it, or was Goofy shuffling closer to him? He frowned a little at his own foolishness.
"Have you ever tasted the paopu fruit, Riku?" Goofy asked. His eyes seemed impossibly large and deep. Riku felt like he was about to fall in.
"I haven't tried it, no."
Goofy's smile was almost shy. "Well, do you want to try it out?"
Riku felt his heart skip a beat. Surely…?
Goofy sensed Riku's hesitation and moved closer still. Their noses were barely inches apart as they looked into each other's eyes.
"Only if you wanted to, Riku…" Goofy whispered. Riku shivered.
"I never thought this would happen." Riku breathed, not daring to look away from Goofy's gaze.
Goofy chuckled a little. "Why not, Riku? I've always had such strong feelings for you."
Riku reached out, to touch Goofy's shoulders, to ground himelf, to make sure this moment was real. At the last second he faltered, doubts and insecurities swirling through his heart. But it didn't matter, Goofy was brave enough for the both of them. He closed the gap between them and wrapped his strong hands around Riku's middle, pulling him close. Riku felt his sweet breath on his jaw a second before he felt Goofy's soft lips press against his own.
It could have been a moment or it could have been a year. When they broke apart, Riku's heart was singing with joy. Goofy stepped away for a moment and pulled a fresh paopu fruit out of his pocket.
"Riku, do you want to share a paopu fruit with me?"
Riku felt like he was melting. "Yes, Goofy, let's share a paopu fruit."
A voice cut through the air like a knife.
"What are you guys doing?"
Riku and Goofy lept apart like they had been eletrocuted. Riku looked around frantically but he already knew who had seen them.
Sora stood on the bridge, hands on his hips and a sour expression on his face. "Am I interrupting something here?"
Goofy chuckled bashfully. "Kinda!"
Riku wished for a moment that the ground beneath him would swallow him up. After a split second, he wished the ground beneath Sora would swallow him up instead so he could continue to enjoy this delicious moment alone with Goofy.
Sora's blue eyes shot between Riku and Goofy accusingly. Riku and Goofy looked at each other shyly.
"How long has this been going on?" Sora demanded
Goofy shrugged. "Maybe thirty seconds? I don't think we were ready to tell anyone about us yet."
Sora took a menacing step forward. Riku felt himself shrink away. But Sora's next words sent a bolt of surprise through his entire body.
"You knew how I felt about Riku, Goofy! How could you?"
Goofy chuckled bashfully, rubbing the back of his head. "I know, you told me, but after I met Riku I just couldn't help myself."
Sora crossed the space between them in a matter of seconds, and before Riku could react he had reached out and slapped Goofy's face. Riku found himself lunging between them and staring down at Sora threateningly. Sora looked up into Riku's eyes and withered. Tears sprang from his deep blue eyes.
"I've loved you since we were children, Riku."
Riku felt his heart harden. "I'm with Goofy now, Sora. Go home."
Sora turned on his heel and dashed away. Riku watched him go, sadly. He would go to Sora later, to make sure he was okay, to say sorry. But right now his mind transfixed on one thing. He turned to face Goofy, who was sadly rubbing his pink cheek.
"Are you okay?" Riku asked gently, allowing his long arms to snake around Goofy's shoulders comfortingly. Goofy leaned into the embrace.
"Gawrsh, I hope Sora isn't too mad."
Riku kissed Goofy's cheek, tenderly. "He'll be okay. He's tough."
Goofy sighed in Riku's embrace. They shared a long moment of heartache together, comforting each other, forgiving each other. Riku felt his heart grow lighter and lighter.
"There was something you wanted to share with me?" Riku asked.
Goofy's smile was sly. "I thought you would never ask."
The fruit was sweet, but sweeter still were Goofy's kisses. The sun slipped down beyond the horizon and the world around them darkened, noticed by neither of the lovers. It didn't matter. There would be other sunsets. There would be other nights. Riku and Goofy had each other forever, to have and to hold, together at last.