wow. i'm really sorry about the wait ;; it's just theater took away so much of my time then I was commited to writing birthday oneshots that were both like 10k a piece, so that took so much of my time. And then with Nanowrimo going and school and argh! I apologize, really. I promise the next won't be that long of a wait. Promise promise. Please stick with me? By the way, this chapter is longer, as promised,and has more plot development, as also promised. Reviews would be lovely...

By Chance

Riku stared dejectedly at the photographs sprawled across his bed, forming a small, miniature colony. The silveret had printed the digital pictures he had taken weeks prior, as if to preserve the beautiful memory. It was almost sad how pathetic he was.

Each of the twenty photos, which lay upon his neatly made bed, contained a jovial and smiling brunet. In the picture closest to the right the brunet teenager was blushing profusely, hiding his red face with his splayed hands. Beside him was the photographer who had one arm around the brunet, and the other holding the camera above then. His lips pressed sweetly against the brunet's red-hot cheek, the photographer's aquamarine eyes lidded blissfully.

In the second photo was that same brunet appearing quite annoyed. The teenager boy was sitting on the couch, holding a bowel of soup. Beautiful blue hues stared at the photographer with a faint blush.

Riku sighed dejectedly and brushed his thumb over the picture and turned to the third one. In this one he was kissing the brunet full on, his arm tightly wrapped around him as they sat on the couch. Riku swallowed and pushed the picture away, averting his gaze to the fourth one that was another silhouette of Sora's beautiful body. And the other sixteen were just sporadic moments over the course of almost a month. Kisses. Holding hands. Laughs. Smiles. Pouts. Smirks. And he had just fucking screwed that up for one platonic kiss with Cloud.

A frown appeared on Riku's sullen lips as he lifted the last picture into the air. It had to be the most beautiful picture he had ever seen…

And that was when Riku decided against sitting around moping. He had to do something. He had to get out of the house and do something. And surely enough, he figured out what he could do to pass his time and make it worth a damn. So, as quickly as possible, Riku collected his coat and cell phone and left the apartment building.

All the while as the photograph fluttered to the ground … the picture of Sora and him sleeping side by side, falling face down.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Leon, you're such a good cook!" Sora praised happily from his seat at the small dinner table nestled in the kitchen.

Leon, who was removing the makeshift apron he had been wearing earlier to make the dinner, sauntered over. The older brunet chuckled and offered Sora a slight look of gratitude as he slid into the seat across from Sora and somewhat beside Cloud. It was a round table, so naturally, everyone sat next to everyone.

"It is really good," Cloud concurred as he took a spoonful of spaghetti with a grateful look.

Leon, for the past few days, had been careful about his romantic exchanges with Cloud. The brunet made sure not to do that many things in front of Sora, in fear that it'd just cause the younger brother to feel dejected, lonely, and downright bad. Leon was the type to over think situations. Then again, a little extra thinking never hurt anyone so it was better to be safe than sorry, he figured.

But no matter how hard they tried to ignore the elephant in the room, of the matter, it always came back for more. "…I heard that Riku quit yesterday," Leon stated quietly, twirling a few noodles of angel hair onto his fork.

"He punched Roxas," Cloud interjected with a shrug as he continued eating his spaghetti, trying not to prolong this subject for too long. And no matter how hard he tried to avoid this, he knew Sora was going to ask-

"Why?"

Leon stiffened alongside Cloud. "Dunno. I wasn't there," Cloud murmured and offered an apologetic shrug at his younger brother. "They got into an argument, that's all I know." And frankly, Cloud did know the whole story, courtesy of Naminé and Axel. The whole story, though, disturbed Cloud and he tried his best not to think too much into it.

"Oh," Sora stated plainly and lowered his gaze back to his food.

Leon sighed and figured that he couldn't make matters worse. "I spoke to him the other day. Last night, actually, when I was returning home," the older brunet explained as he casually set down his fork and diverted his gaze over to the brunet.

Cloud tensed, not knowing what to expect, and Sora looked up expectantly. "What'd he say?"

"He misses you," Leon stated bluntly and rolled his shoulders into a shrug. "He didn't directly come out and say it but it was obvious. The whole time he talked about you and he had a picture of you and him together with him. And he looked like a mess." Leon sighed and looked over to his own boyfriend with a slight frown. "He's sort of upset that neither of you are really on good terms with him at the moment…"

Cloud cleared his throat and lowered his gaze, similar to how Sora had done. There was no way in hell that Cloud was telling Leon everything that had conspired. "Next time I see him I'll talk to him," Cloud murmured wearily.

"Riku misses me," Sora repeated quietly, poking his noodles with the teeth of his fork.

Cloud looked over at Sora with an ambiguous expression. "…He got in the fight with Roxas over you, Sora," Cloud admitted, not feeling the need to hide it anymore. If Sora was actually willing to be open and discuss this as a mature adult, finally, then he would be also.

"What did he say? W-why would he hit Roxas?" Sora wondered weakly, tightening his grasp onto the cold metal between his fingers.

"I don't know all the details, but Roxas was claiming that Riku's relationship with you wasn't sincere and that he didn't really care about you. Apparently Riku was angry enough to punch Roxas, of all people, and storm out of the café." Cloud looked over at Leon, eying his boyfriend with a slight depression glimmering in his eyes.

Sora's stomach churned at the idea. "…It's simple, Cloud. He doesn't love me and I accept that. It was fun when it lasted. It really was… but I think I just need to heal… I mean, that's what summer love is, right? You have fun and then you get over it?"

"Riku never just gets over things," Cloud murmured to himself.

"I suppose," Leon interjected and shrugged. "Of course, you don't have to let go and move on if you don't want to."

Sora blinked up at Leon. "Why's that?"

Leon exhaled deeply. "If everyone gave up after the first try, just think where we would be. We wouldn't have all the things in life we had today. Probably not cars, or electricity. Most couples wouldn't be together…and we probably wouldn't be free. Life is a process of errors and trials and redoing. If you gave up after one go, it'd be like throwing away a chance of a lifetime," he explained smoothly.

Sora smiled, feeling a bit better. "Thanks, Leon…"

And Sora didn't even notice Leon snaking his hand around Cloud's from underneath the table, oh so inconspicuously.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"So you want to help in the investigation?" Sephiroth cocked a brow. "Any particular reason you've suddenly taken an interest into this?"

Riku sat on the edge of the police desk, his legs swinging idly back and forth. Aquamarine eyes remained glued to the floor, a picture all the while nestled deep within his jacket pocket. Just for good luck. Just for the memory. After a moment, Riku looked up and over to his brother, offering a sharp nod. "Yeah, I do wanna help. Figure I can give back to my lovely community," he stated sarcastically before adding on, "and I think I have a lead."

Sephiroth's eyes lit up. "A lead?"

"Yeah," Riku reiterated. "A lead."

"And how did you stumble across this?" Sephiroth asked curiously, his thin eyebrows forming an anxious arch as he stalked over to where his brother sat, wholeheartedly awaiting an answer. A lead meant so much for this case. So damn much.

"Awhile back. It didn't occur to me now," Riku stated with a shrug. "It may not be correct but I'm pretty sure it'll lead to something."

"Then, let me hear it," Sephiroth urged, eying his younger brother. "We're in a locked room, no one else will hear. It's just between us brothers." And for some reason, that did nothing to ease Riku's nerves… not like he had any to begin with. His emotions were in hibernation with the lack of Sora.

"He lives on the other side of town," Riku explained and leaned back on the desk a bit, hands gripping the edges forcefully. "A murder, if you will. Only reason I stumbled across him was because he was making contact with my friend's brother. Apparently, he coaxed my friend into meeting him. I knew something was … off, so I followed and sure enough the sick fuck tried to kill him or something."

"And you didn't report this right away because?" Sephiroth demanded.

"I was trying to get over the trauma and not relive it. I'm pretty sure my friend's brother didn't want to either," Riku snorted with a sharp stare.

"Riku," Sephiroth sighed perplexedly. "Do you really hate law enforcement that much?"

"Mostly," Riku agreed and shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, considering that you completely disowned Dad because he was gay and wouldn't give him the time or the day, even when he was in turmoil. So yeah, I kinda do hate cops…I'd say nothing personal, but well, it is personal."

"You're a dick, you know that?" Sephiroth groaned darkly, rolling his eyes at Riku's immaturity.

"I know, you don't like me. We're brothers, we're not supposed to like each other. But it's funny. Cloud and Sora like each other. Hell, they live with one another. And to think I almost ruined that bond," Riku murmured the last bit to himself.

"…Back to the case," Sephiroth nearly demanded, turning his back to his silver-haired younger brother.

"I have his address if you need it," Riku stated and passed the slip of paper to his brother. "I'd prefer to remain anonymous, as well as Sora."

"Of course, it's our policy," Sephiroth muttered and eyed the sheet of paper. "So you're fairly certain this guy has something to do with the Organization?"

"Mostly," Riku said and shrugged once more. "I figure that I might as well also tell you that he should be convicted for the murder of the Kayaki family."

Sephiroth frowned. "…Wait…"

"What?" Riku asked lamely, still not amused. No, not one bit. He hated being here more than anything. Cops and police stations were not something he liked or enjoyed. He detested the damn things, truly.

"…That's my partner's cold case," Sephiroth mumbled to himself. "He's been trying to crack that for years. Why didn't you tell me this sooner?!" Sephiroth demanded in an intense fury.

"Like anyone would believe me." Shrug.

"We could have searched for evidence to prove your statement!"

"Eh, not worth it." Shrug.

"You're saying putting the Kayaki's murder away in prison isn't worth it? Are you that cold-hearted?" Sephiroth demanded as he sent an icy glare directed at his brother. "Do you even realize what we stand for here?"

"Eh… justice, I suppose. That's what you convey to the public, right?" Riku deadpanned, shrugging for a final time as he began fiddling with his jacket zipper, as if finding it far more amusing than his conversation with Sephiroth.

"Riku," Sephiroth deadpanned with a sharp glare. "If I didn't believe in our justice system I wouldn't be working here and putting my life on the line every single day." Scowl. "And I'd appreciate it if you would stop acting like a crybaby over the past and just accept the fact that I'm your brother. Dad has nothing to do with our relationship."

"So the fact that you hate gays is what… only between you and Dad?"

"Precisely," Sephiroth sighed and rubbed his temples vigorously. "He made his choice and I made mine. I don't want to talk about this any longer…especially to you. Can we please just get back to the case?" Sephiroth flickered his gaze up hopefully to his brother.

"I suppose I can help."

"Good. Then you're coming with me and my partner right now to stake out that house for conformation. If he's the guy you claim he is, we'll question him," Sephiroth explained with ease as he crossed his arms to his chest and began to pace back and forth once more. He was a nervous man, truly.

"Are you mad? The guy will shoot us if we come into his house saying we're the police," Riku stated gravely.

"Then we'll just have to be careful," Sephiroth answered swiftly and marched across the room. Moments later, he stood by the door with coat in hand. "Ready?"

"…You're a moron," Riku concluded as he pushed his body off the desk and over to his brother. "Fine… but don't say I didn't warn you…" Crazy idiotic Sephiroth running into danger with his shiny, police gun, ugh. They were going to get killed.

But hey, Riku had nothing left to lose anyhow.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sora curled his fist up against the door and breathed in deeply. Shakily, Sora rested his hand down against the cold wood of the door. Willing up all the courage he could muster, Sora knocked on said door and closed his eyes, his breath hitching in his throat. When there was no answer, Sora knocked again, his heart dropping. Still no answer.

And that was when Sora collapsed down against the door, his back sliding downwards against it. Now Sora sat on the floor of the apartment level, his knees hugging tightly to his chest. Weakly, Sora rested his cheek onto the tops of his knees and suppressed a whimper. "Riku," he whispered painfully and hugged his legs closer to his body.

It was obvious.

Riku had gone out to move on. Riku was out doing something and not moping around like Sora had been. Sora should have told him there was hope. Sora should have stopped being so damn stubborn and just gave Riku another chance. And now Riku was out somewhere else, probably falling for someone new. Sora's stomach churned as he nuzzled his cheek further against his warm knee.

"I miss him," Sora admitted, digging his nails into the rough jean material.

And then Sora just allowed himself to cry because frankly as long as no one saw him, he was okay with crying. He was okay with being depressed, as long as no one saw or knew. In the privacy of himself, he wept for his first real relationship that had ended too soon.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"It's cold," Riku lamented as he followed his brother down the frigid streets of New York City. Wasn't it supposed to be summer? Summer did not entail breezy weather that was anything but scorching hot. Today was odd, Riku knew from the start, and the weird weather just added to it.

"Just zip up your jacket," Sephiroth asked laconically as his gaze turned to the third male. "See, Riku? Demyx isn't complaining about the weather, now is he?"

"Well, maybe I just feel like being a complete ass and bitching about everything just to tick you off," Riku answered in a dark grumble as he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets, not liking the cold feeling that was surrounding him. Perhaps it wasn't so much the weather but the feeling of dread of returning back to that house. The place he had saved Riku, almost lost his life, and frankly realized he really did like the brunet.

"Come on guys, lighten up!" Demyx interjected as he spread his arms out into the air. "Be glad that the heat wave is broken!"

"Why aren't you in uniform?" Riku wondered as he glanced back at the dirty blondish man that was following suit after the two Karada brothers. "I thought it was mandatory considering Sephiroth here is wearing his."

"Don't have to be," Demyx answered with a softened grin. "I suppose he just feels like it. Isn't that right, Seph?" Demyx wondered meerily.

He's too perky, Riku thought lamely and shrugged. "Or perhaps he just likes feeling important so he flaunts around town in his pretty little police outfit."

"Riku, cut the shit out," Sephiroth said through gritted teeth.

Riku only snorted and continued their trek to the building. "The guy's fucked up in the head," Riku explained to Demyx as he slowed his pace to walk beside the other man. "He's probably psycho or has some mental problem."

"Hopefully he doesn't play that card," Demyx answered with a gentle laugh. "So many murders try claiming they're insane to get off without the death penalty."

"Figures," Riku scoffed and strayed his right hand out of his jacket pocket and into the small pocket within his jacket. Wearily, Riku returned with the photograph, hugging it closer to his heart.

Demyx leaned over curiously. "Who's that?"

"…My bo-… my ex," he murmured quietly, displaying the picture for Demyx and keeping his voice quiet so that his brother would not overhear the conversation and figure out that his charming little brother liked boys just like his father did.

"He's cute…" Demyx remarked and eyed the photograph. "Why'd you guys break up?... If you don't mind me asking?"

Riku groaned and tightened his grip on his only link to Sora. "…My own damn stupidity, that's why."

"Can't you get back together then?" Demyx wondered, obviously striking up a conversation to pass the time and push Riku's anxiety away. It was apparent that Riku was nervous about returning to the house, and Demyx easily noted this at once.

"I've tried," Riku admitted. "He deserves better than me, though. So I don't blame him for rejecting me."

"Love's a crazy thing, isn't it?" Demyx asked with a sad smile as he gave once last look at the picture and then back ahead to where Sephiroth was standing a street corner. Curiously, Demyx hurried his pace alongside Riku and rushed up to the silver-haired police officer with growing inquiry.

"We're here, apparently," Sephiroth stated professionally and gestured to the building behind them.

"Yep, that's the place," Riku stated with an overdose of resentment in his voice. "Didn't think I'd be back here so soon," he mumbled as he pocketed the photograph once more.

"Here, allow me to handle this," Sephiroth informed the other two men as he waltzed up the steps to the house and proceeded to knock on the door. One knock. Two knocks. Three knocks. Sephiroth groaned in distaste when no one answered. "I just want to be done with this damn Organization massacre already," Sephiroth muttered as he waited for someone to answer the door.

Disregarding what Sephiroth had told him, Riku marched up the stairs beside his brother and banged his fist against the door. "Open up!" he demanded, anger at once seeping into his veins. No response. "I said open up you sick fuck!"

"Riku!" Sephiroth snapped his head over to stare in surprise at his brother. "What the hell are you doing?" he demanded as the door opened once he had finished speaking.

Sephiroth turned his gaze to the dark-haired man. "Excuse my brother's obscenity… he needs lessons in manners," Sephiroth stated coldly and offered a weary look at Zexion who was now standing at the entrance of the building, inside the door, holding it open.

"It's fine," Zexion drawled tastelessly and eyed the silveret with a smirk only to be seen in his eyes. "Is there a particular reason you're banging at my door?"

Sephiroth cleared his throat. "If you don't mind, I've come to ask you a few questions regarding a murder case that happened years ago that was just recently reopened."

"Oh? Which one?" Zexion stated emotionlessly.

"The Kayaki family murder one," Sephiroth stated smoothly and glanced over his shoulder, eying his partner who was staring at the conversation with curiosity. "Would you mind answering some questions for us?"

"Depending on what they are," Zexion stated curiously, arching his brow at the cluster of men.

"Alibis and whatnot," Sephiroth said.

"…If you're accusing me of something or whatnot, then I'd prefer if I had a law present," Zexion informed them platonically.

"Would it be all right if we stepped inside your ho—?" Sephiroth began but was cut short.

By a curt, "No."

"…I suppose we need a search warrant then," Sephiroth sighed and turned around. "We'll be back tomorrow, then, with that warrant. If you want a lawyer present, then I suggest you get in touch with one tonight." Sephiroth didn't bother waving the man off. The silver haired police officer just begrudgingly stomped off the stairs to go complain to Demyx who was looking quite dazed and confused. Riku figured that Sephiroth was just pissed that he couldn't solve a case right away.

"How's lover boy?" Zexion whispered as he leaned against the threshold, eying Riku with an arched brow.

"Fucking great," Riku hissed back. "Just telling you, I'm going to make sure they put your ass in jail for everything you've done. Don't be surprised when they convict you of murder."

Zexion yawned. "I'm sure they will. They have no evidence to prove such a thing."

"…I'll find proof that you did something," Riku snapped as he leaned closer, glaring at the man. As he moved, the photograph fluttered out of his pocket and onto the ground. Confusedly, Riku went to quickly pick it up but Zexion had stepped on it and collected it before Riku had a chance to.

"I see you're dating him," Zexion drawled, poking the picture. "Interesting…isn't it?"

Riku caught the danger in the man's eyes. "Sora has nothing to do with this. Sora didn't even tell anyone what you did to him. That you lied and tried to kill him," Riku stated coldly. "I swear to god if you bring him into this I'll kill you myself."

"Such big words," Zexion muttered. "If you were going to kill me you would have when you had the chance."

"…Don't talk down to me!" Riku snapped.

"Riku, let's go!" Sephiroth called from behind him, sounding quite annoyed.

"I'm fairly certain where I'll be able to find Sora to convince the brunet I had been lying about the murders," Zexion stated with a silent chuckle as he made a waving movement at Riku. "Better get going before the big bad police man gets angry at you."

Riku blanched and then scowled. "If you touch him—!"

"Riku!" Sephiroth repeated angriliy.

"—I'll kill you. I'll fucking kill you," Riku concluded and gave Zexion one last menacing look and stormed down the steps, fists clenched by his sides, not even thinking to recollect his picture. Instead, he grabbed his brother and Demyx by the sleeves and dragged the pair of men away from the house, beyond frustrated.

And all Zexion could do was laugh to himself a bit chillingly as he peered down at the photograph Riku had so graciously left him. Beautiful…

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Riku nearly beat the elevator's up button in when he left the police station an hour later. The silver haired male was beyond description regarding his emotions. He was worried, he was pissed, he was frustrated, he was excited, he was confused… so many different things in such a small amount of time. There would be a way to prove that Zexion had taken part in the Kayaki murder and there had to be proof that Zexion was part of the Organization. There just had to be and Riku was going to find it, even if he did have to converse with his brother about it.

But if Zexion laid one finger on Sora, he'd… he'd kill the damn bastard.

Riku exited the elevator, massaging his forehead. Right now he just wanted to go back into his room and sleep. Sleep sounded like the best thing at the moment that would clear his foggy mind. Riku wearily turned the corner of the hallway, making his way to his apartment. However, he stopped halfway, dead in his tracks.

Sitting on the ground, curled up against the door, sleeping, was the beautiful brunet himself. Riku's heart dropped then stopped briefly as he stared at him. Cautiously, Riku made his way closer and crouched down beside the brunet.

"Sora?" he whispered, noting that the brunet was lightly snoring.

Riku frowned. "Oh god, Sora," Riku murmured and resisted the urge to hug or touch the boy. "Why are you here?" he asked deaf ears as he eyed Sora. "…You really shouldn't be here. I mean, I thought you told me there was no hope and that I should just get on with my life. And yet here you are…"

Sora stirred a bit but remained sleeping.

"I really wish you would let me touch you…I've missed you so damn much. So much, Sora… this past week has been hell, really it has." Riku resorted to sitting on his knees and speaking to the slumbering brunet. "God…"

Sora stirred again and opened his weary eyes. At once, the blue spheres widened. "Ri-!" The last syllable was cut short when Sora flung his arms around Riku's neck, drawing the older closer to him in a tight hug.

"Um?" Riku stated as he felt his body being crashed up against Sora's knees. At once, Sora flattened his legs and tugged Riku closer, burying his face into Riku's soft, silvery hair. "S-sora?" Riku wondered as he felt his face being crushed against Sora's shoulder.

"Do you find it weird that I was sleeping at your doorstep?" Sora asked nervously, chuckling soon after as he inhaled Riku's scent.

"A bit stalkerish… but sweet I suppose," Riku answered just as apprehensively as he eased against Sora's body, his arms, in response, wrapping around Sora's torso. Riku pulled his head away from Sora's torso and a few inches back, allowing their eyes to meet. "What do I owe this honor to?"

"I uh…missed you," Sora admitted and then shyly looked away. "I just… thought that you know, we'd see each other everyday and argue and stuff…but then when you didn't come today I was…er… disappointed?"

"Sora, when you break up with someone you don't see them everyday," Riku stated with an arched brow.

Sora appeared genuinely surprised. "You don't?..."

"No Sora, that's what a relationship is for. To see them all the time and be with them. Hug them, kiss him, hold their hand." Riku trailed off and sighed. "Why? Does it bother you that you don't see me everyday?"

"…Sorta," Sora confessed.

"I suppose we can meet up for lunch or something everyday and talk and whatnot," Riku suggested with a shrug and looked off to the right. "I mean, friends do that a lot. Though I sorta can't go back to the café now that I knocked Roxas out. Axel and him would murder me for setting foot back in there without intending to apologize. So I suppose we'll have to find a new hangout…and me a new job. Oh god, this is—"

"Riku?" Sora asked quietly, cutting off Riku's ramble.

"Hm?" Riku looked back, despite his urge to continue venting.

"I… can you kiss me?" Sora whispered nervously, swallowing hard as he looked downward shyly. "Y-you don't have to, though. I mean, if you like someone else don't. I want you to be happy and I don't want you to feel uncomfortable…So you don't really need to--!"

Sora's statement was ended by a gasp of surprise when his lips were covered by Riku's. The brunet squeaked as his body was pushed harder back against the closed door behind him. With ease, Riku rested one knee on either side of Sora's spread out body, his hips resting dangerously over Sora's. They didn't notice though, at the moment, considering their lips were tightly pressed against one another's.

"Riku," Sora whispered into the kiss, nearly melting into it as he greedily leaned impossibly closer, his hands drifting into Sora's hair. "Don't…don't stop," he whispered against Riku's sweet lips.

Riku brushed his lips once more against Sora's in response, his hands resting squarely down onto Sora's shoulders. The silver-haired male rolled their lips together, covering all of Sora's and then not. After a moment, the older resorted to hungrily nipping the teen's bottom lip, sucking it between his own before letting it go. He did that a few times, savoring the cute sounds that Sora produced whenever he became daring.

When Riku swiped his tongue against Sora's lips (something they hadn't done in over a week) Sora jerked in surprise and lifted his hips, accidentally arching them against Riku's. The brunet gasped, his hands tugging Riku's hair in response as a small course of that unknown pleasure filtered into his body, leaving him a bit breathless.

Riku took Sora's open mouth as an invitation to enter. Coyly, Riku entered Sora's mouth, swiping his tongue along Sora's hot and trembling mouth, his gums…everything. Riku adored the muffled sounds Sora made and the way the brunet shyly tugged him closer, hugging their bodies close.

Riku pulled away after a moment, breathlessly breaking their lips with a soft, wet click. The aquamarine-eyed teen stared down at the ground and struggled to catch his breath. "Wow…that was…damn."

"Riku," Sora whispered quietly, gasping for air as he rested his head against Riku's chest. "I miss you," he repeated quietly, a small, pained tear forming in his right eye.

"You…"

"…Please… can we…?"

"Get back together?" Riku guessed hopefully, reaching down to intertwine his fingers with Sora's. If you're dating me, you'll be safe from that psychotic bastard. We'll be happy and we can help Sephiroth end this case. We'll be happy and things will finally start going right again. They will.

"…yes," Sora whispered so softly that Riku wasn't sure he had heard right.

"What?"

"You. Me. Dating. Now…please?" Sora asked sheepishly, keeping his gaze down.

"…All right then," Riku decided with a beautiful smile appearing on his lips. "I'll have to agree to that statement…"

Sora grinned widely and hugged his boyfriend close. "Can I er…spend the night? I don't really wanna let you go and stuff…"

"Sure, why not," Riku chuckled and nuzzled Sora close.

I won't let anyone hurt you, Sora. Not now. Not ever. Not even me.