DISCLAIMER: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts is not owned by me. Kingdom Heart and I… no.

Well, it's final's week almost, and here I am, writing the third chapter instead of studying. I must be crazy. lol. Enjoy this chapter everyone, because I personally don't consider it a waste of my time; I actually like it. Oh, and yes, it's still the sleepover. I think this is the last chapter for that though…

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Chapter 2 - Early Morning Conversations

Sora felt afraid to turn and face him now.

And Riku couldn't blame him. The red tint in his cheeks grew and grew with each passing second. He was becoming more clear on what he had just done. He just kissed Sora.

That was it. All the proof he needed. The only answer that came up in his desperate search. And he could no longer deny what was right in front of him.

He was attracted to Sora.

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Chapter 3 - Nightmares Bring Us Closer

Sora couldn't turn around. He couldn't bear to face Riku at this moment.

He swallowed the heavy lump in his throat.

Well. This pretty much qualified as a logical reason for Riku's recent behavior.

No, not really… Logical wasn't the right word for it.

How could Riku, handsome as he is, one who could have any girl on the island and probably any girl in the world, kiss him, his scrawny best friend? Sora had trouble getting girls all his life! He'd been told he was immature, shy, too thin, and so many other traits that seemed to suck the confidence right out of him.

But now, Riku was kissing him!? And touching, and holding, and-

"Sora…?" Came a breathy, and very wary voice from behind him.

"What." Sora grimaced at his own reply. It was callous and insensitive, and came out as more of a demand than as a question. And he could tell it hurt Riku as well, since he stayed silent for a little while.

"I… Sora I- I'm not-" He sighed and brought his hands up to cover his eyes in his frustration. Why did the world have to spin so damn fast? Riku could have sworn he could feel and see everything moving round and round. "I'm just trying to say that… It's just- Look, I- I don't know what happened, Sora."

Finally. Since when was he one to speak in such a way? He'd always had a way with words before.

Sora shut his eyes tightly. Would any of this ever fade? Or would it just follow him to the depths of his grave? He and Riku might be awkward around each other forever! No… that would never happen. So would it be alright to turn and sneak a quick peek at him? No eye contact was necessary, but Sora felt uncouth just sitting there with his back turned. With a deep breath, he did as his mind told him to.

Riku felt his face darken a crimson color as Sora turned around.

Good god.

The boy looked positively ravishing! The way the moonlight shone on his eyes, lighting them up while the rest of his adorable face remained shadowed in the darkness was divine.

But no, he wouldn't dare think that way now. He understood what happening with him, he knew that he felt something of a higher degree than just friendship for Sora, but he would not let that get in the way of their current relationship. The relationship of which there was none. And that's exactly how it would be.

"I'm sorry, Sora, I really am. I-I don't know what came over me…"

Sora had to forgive him. He could just brood over it later, but now wasn't the time. "It's okay, really." He forced a smile.

And Riku caught it. The energy it took to push that smile to the surface. It hurt him worse than anything else ever could. Hell, he could endure the thousand tortures of the world and still come out better than he felt now.

His body yet again took action for him, which made Riku want nothing more than to chop himself up into little pieces and divide them across the ocean. That way, there'd be nothing left to make him do as he was doing now; as he did a few minutes ago.

Sora couldn't hold back the tiny gasp that he emitted when Riku's warm arms enveloped him, pulling him to his chest. He had to admit it was nice, but only because it was warm. The fact that it was Riku's warmth, made it awkward.

"Sora, please? I'm really, really sorry. Okay?"

Sora felt like an idiot as he nodded.

Reluctantly, Riku released him. But it was only for the sake of their friendship that he did. He wanted to prove to Sora that he was back to his old self again. That there was nothing to worry about.

At least, on the outside there wasn't.

Looking at him, those sea-green eyes shining brightly with hope and apology, Sora couldn't help it.

He gave him a wide grin, then laughed and pounced on Riku, sending him falling back onto the bed. It was hard being mad at him, and knowing Riku, it was probably just his brain telling him that the person he was holding was feminine, so it was alright to be affectionate. After all, he did use his mom's shampoo this morning, maybe that was it.

Riku's eyes widened as he did this, but he cringed as his head hit the wall with a loud thump.

Sora's melodious laughter echoed in the room. "Sorry Riku, but you deserved that."

Riku smirked at him, "Really now? And why's that?"

Sora sat up, obviously not realizing he was straddling his male friend. "'cause you gave me a good scare awhile ago. You think I'll just forget and move on?"

Riku snorted. "Well yeah. A good friend would."

He beamed at him. "Guess that cancels me out then!"

Riku glanced at him from the corner of his eye. Did he have any clue of their position?

No, just forget it Riku.

But he couldn't.

So he did the next best thing. He smiled to himself, everyone should learn to yawn by will. "I'm tired, can we go to bed now? My arms are kinda sore from all the hanging I did earlier." He ended with a laugh.

Sora laughed softly too, happy to have the old Riku back. "Sure. I'll get mom to take out the splinters tomorrow."

"What splinters? The tree could pass as plastic with how smooth it is. If I get one splinter, I'll be surprised."

Sora shook his head and climbed off of Riku, a light blush appearing on his face. Of course it would; after all that had happened between them, now he was straddling him.

Getting off completely, Sora crawled under the covers and waited for Riku to follow suit.

Riku did. He laid his head on the pillow and brought the cool blankets up over him. It was kind of unpleasant, to be honest. He had just been outside under cold rain, slipped in the shower and spent a good deal of time naked and wet in Sora's breezy house, and now he was laying in a heat-deprived bed in nothing but boxers and wet hair. But Sora's close body provided at least a little bit of heat, so he felt content.

"Riku, you cold?" Sora blinked at him.

Riku had pulled all the covers to his face and buried hid head into the soft pillow. And he didn't even know it.

"Oh, um, no. I'm fine. It's just kinda chilly."

Sora frowned. "I'd give you something else to wear, but mom's pretty much boycotting laundry until I decide to help out with the chores some more."

Riku laughed. That was so like Kanoko. "Then do some extra chores, it's not like it'll kill ya."

Sora scoffed. "How do you know? You've never done a single chore in your life."

Riku grinned proudly. All too true…

"Tell me, have you ever picked up a dirty plate?"

Riku nodded. "As a matter of fact, I have."

Sora raised an eyebrow. "You liar."

Riku winked at him. "I've picked up at least half a dozen dirty plates back when we made mud pies."

Sora stared at him incredulously. All the memories were being brought back tonight, and all were really quite strange. "We were, what, four? How do you remember that far back? I can't even remember what I ate for lunch yesterday!"

Riku let out a merry laugh. "That's only 'cause you've got the memory of a newborn, kid."

Sora scowled. "Don't call me 'kid'."

"I'm older, so that gives me the right to." He smirked.

Sora sighed. There was no use in fighting with him, Riku always made it a joke and lightened the mood. Either that or he'd win.

Riku smiled, knowing that Sora wouldn't push it any further. It was no big deal if he did, but still, Riku didn't feel like talking much anymore. He felt tired.

"G'night Sora."

Sora looked over at him quickly. "Night…"

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Closer.

Whatever it was, it was getting closer to Sora.

He felt his throat contract, he couldn't breathe. Something was taking away his precious air. And behind him, nearing ever so quickly, was a fear Sora didn't know of, but still struck something deep within him that made him run.

The path was dark and warm. Unpleasant warmth. And humid. It was like breathing in and out the same air, over and over again. His lungs twisted painfully in his chest, and Sora opened his mouth to scream, to call for anything that could possibly help him.

But no sound came out. Nothing.

He ran; he continued to run fast and far. But it came closer to him with every step. It matched Sora's own pace, occasionally speeding up.

He couldn't outrun it, he couldn't breathe. There was no more air. It was hot and frightening. And he was all alone, aside from whatever evil followed him closely.

In a split second, Sora was falling. The path he'd been following so desperately was no more. And though he could not see where he was falling, he could feel the wind pass him by as he descended.

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Sora shot up in the bed, gasping for air. No time to scream, just breathe. He panted and gripped his head in his hands.

Riku awoke as well, a worried expression on his beautiful face as he saw his friend. "Sora?" He whispered, sitting up to gently rub the younger boy's back. "Hey, you okay?"

Sora shook his head. Though the dream may not have been scary overall, he still felt afraid. Just the simple feeling he got in his dream, while running, while falling, was enough to make his mind spin with anxiety and fear.

"Another nightmare? Sora, you didn't take your medicine, did you?" Riku's façade slowly turned to one of anger. "You idiot, you know you have to take it every day! How long's it been since you took it!?" He shouted, forgetting completely that Sora was so fragile at the moment and Kanoko was slumbering peacefully in the room just down the hall.

Sora scowled. "I haven't had a nightmare in two weeks, I didn't need it anymore! It's not that such a big deal, Riku!"

Riku leaned in dangerously close. "Tell me, Sora, is this proof that you don't need it or that you do?"

He growled low in his throat. Why was he putting so much pressure on him? Why was he so mad!?

"How long has it been? When's the last time you took your medicine?" Trying to be calm was difficult. Especially since this was the case.

Since about a year ago, Sora had been having nightmares. Frightening ones, from the looks of it. At first, he'd wake up in tears, or would be too scared to go back to sleep. And even if he did, the nightmares always came back. But eventually he learned not to scream or cry or go mad. But it made him a more fearful person. Everything that happened, Sora would be hesitant about. He'd be reluctant about going near strange people, about being alone, and especially about being in the dark.

Although Sora couldn't remember much of what happened in the past like Riku could, he had an uncanny ability to repeat ever dream and nightmare he had up to at least a few hours after he'd had them. Then never sounded scary, to be honest. And not just to Riku, but to Kairi, Tidus, Roxas, and Kanoko too. Everyone thought it was a sad excuse for a bad dream. But it triggered something in Sora that made him act as crazy as he did when he woke up. It scared him, though no one, not even Sora, understood why.

So because of this, a few weeks ago, Kanoko sent Sora to see a doctor. And Riku was the one to go with him. The doctor clearly said to take one every night to slow the section of his brain which produced the dreams from doing so.

And he did.

"Well!?" He pushed, getting agitated. If Sora didn't take his medicine, who knew what those dreams might do to him...

"It's only been a few days!"

Riku panted. "A few days? How much is a few, Sora?"

"A little over a week. That's all…" He mumbled.

Riku understood it quite well. Angry and somber, he laid down, turning his back to Sora.

Sora felt his throat tighten, but this time because he'd made Riku angry. "Riku, I-"

"Good night."

"Riku, please, don't be-"

"I said good night."

Sora closed his eyes. Another mistake on his part. He sighed. Thank god this day would eventually end, and he wouldn't have to live it over and over again.

He held his breath as he laid down, releasing it as his head hit the pillow.

Oh boy… it was dark.

Sora closed his eyes, but felt uneasy. Opening one, he found himself being startled by a menacing shadow on his wall.

Stupid. It's just a tree.

Why didn't he take his medicine? It wouldn't spared him this night of anger and restlessness.

He snapped his head to the window as the branch hit the glass.

Only wind, it's okay, Sora.

He took a deep breath. Why was it so dark? He felt scared again, like he used to. Turning slightly, he looked at Riku.

His eyes widened. Riku was shivering. He was cold!

Now that he thought about it, his hair was wet, and he was cold before. It was dry now, but maybe Riku was sick?

A boom of lightning lit the room, scaring Sora half to death. By the time it was over, he was gripping Riku tightly, one hand around his waist, the other aver his chest, pressing his face against his warm, smooth back.

Riku's eyes widened and he gasped. That startled him, needless to say, but it made his heart flip, too.

"Sora?" He heard the said boy whimper in response, and felt all anger he held for him disappear.

So what now? Sora wasn't letting go or loosening his grip, and Riku couldn't deny that it felt wonderful being in his arms. He made up his mind. It would benefit the both of them.

Sora tightened his hold on Riku. He was scared, very scared. Right now, his heart could stop if he was alone. But he wasn't, thankfully.

Sora opened his eyes and blushed, as he realized he was holding his best friend so closely. The blush deepened as Riku turned around in his arms. Sora stared into his aquamarine eyes, oblivious to the fact that he was still holding him. Only when he felt warm arms encircle his waist, did he bring his hands up to push Riku away. "Ri-"

"Shh…" He soothed.

Sora's arms went limp on Riku's chest. Why was he doing this? Wasn't he angry? Talk about mood swings...

He looked down at him. Sora looked adorable, but he was so scared. Riku pulled him closer, wanting to be as near to him as possible.

It was unbelievable how agonizingly wonderful Sora's skin felt aginst his. The warmth the boy emitted would drive anyone to the asylum.

Sora looked up at him.

"It's okay now." Riku said as he rested his forehead against the younger male's. "I'm here now. Go to sleep."

Sora ignored their close proximity and shook his head. "I'm-"

He gave him a lopsided grin. "Don't worry, I'll protect you. I always do, don't I?"

Sora's heart pounded in his chest and his stomach did a quick flip. He was nervous about going back to sleep, but happy to have Riku there. He smiled and closed his eyes. Riku wouldn't let any harm come to him, he was sure of it.

I trust you.

Riku moved his arms up a little farther, so that one held Sora tightly around the waist and rested in the middle of his back, while the other laid between Sora's head and the bed. He had to bite his lip from moaning aloud. This was pure torture, but it was glorious torture.

Sora had wrapped one arm delicately around Riku's waist and let the other sit on his chest. He had pulled himself so close already, but it wasn't enough for Riku. He'd make it enough though, he wouldn't have Sora running from him again.

Riku gently rested his head on Sora's, inhaling his sweet aroma. This would be a nice night, he concluded. And if Sora showed any signs of a bad dream, Riku would wake him up and soothe him to the best of his abilities.

"Riku?" A whisper.

"Yeah?" The smile in his voice was obvious as he absently rubbed Sora's bare back.

"That feels nice…"

Riku beamed. He could almost see Sora blushing as he pressed his face against his chest. He kind of wished that he could.

What made his smile falter, however, was the tiny sweeping motions Sora was making on Riku's lower back.

Almost as if reading his mind, Sora smiled into his skin. "You scratch my back, I scratch yours…"

Riku had to laugh at this. "Neither of us are scratching, you dork."

Sora chuckled. "You know what I mean."

Riku nuzzled his face into Sora's hair. "Yeah, whatever, go to sleep now."

"And if I don't want to?"

He smiled at Sora's teasing manner. Sora was tired, but he was afraid to go to sleep, so he stalled. Riku noticed. "I'll make you."

Sora's face heated when Riku began caressing his back even more intimately that he had been doing. But it was in a comforting way. His touch trailed up to the nape of his neck, when he circled his fingers.

Sora felt embarrassed as a moan escaped him. "I'll go to sleep." Giving up would make Riku stop, right?

Riku closed his eyes. He was sure Sora could hear his heart beat erratically. Sora had moaned. Riku wanted to hear it again. But the chances of that were slim to none.

"I'll be here if you get scared, Sora." He reassured him.

The brunette smiled yet again. "Thanks." His lips felt dry now. Without thinking, his pink tongue popped out to swipe a quick layer of moisture across his bottom lip.

It missed.

Riku stilled instantly as he felt something warm and wet touch his skin. Did Sora just… lick him?

Sora blushed like there was no tomorrow. Oh god. What did he do!? "Sorry!" He squeaked. "I-I was just trying to…"

Riku pulled him closer, "It's okay, it happens. Now sleep."

He sighed. Riku's skin was smooth and soft, and it didn't taste awful, he admitted. But he'd have to be careful.

Stifling a yawn, Sora gave in and closed his eyes.

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So. Sora was having the sleeping issues. He was the one with the nightmares and he was the one who couldn't fall asleep.

How ironic was it then that it was Riku who was wide awake and aggravated that sleep could not find him as easily as it did his friend.

He wasn't cold anymore, that was a plus. And he was comfortable and happy now that Sora was in his arms.

He smiled. What a picture they must make!

He blushed in spite of himself. He wasn't some love-struck schoolgirl. This wasn't how he should be acting!

Riku sighed as he rubbed Sora's back. He had such a soft body. Not saying he was fat, Sora was very lean. But his skin was tender and it felt so good to hold. And they lay there in nothing but their boxers. Skin against skin.

Riku halted. Oh no. He shifted in his spot and felt just how thin those boxers were.

Crap.

Attempting to arch his back somewhat, Riku pushed Sora a little farther away. But Sora didn't approve. His sleepy self grabbed Riku's hips and pulled him closer, nuzzling his head into his chest.

Riku sighed and counted to ten, thinking of the most unattractive things possible. But Sora wouldn't leave his mind. The boy was the exact opposite of unattractive, what with his long, slender legs, his lean torso, his dazzling eyes and luscious lips…

He'd just have to take his mind off of him. Simple as that. But… how, when Sora was practically attached to him at the moment.

He tried again. Riku carefully moved away from Sora, but again Sora would not release his tenacious grip.

"Hn… no…"

Riku paused. Another nightmare or just a response to his actions?

He settled for the latter.

After another minute or so of pushing, pulling, and sighing, he gave up.

Fine. If everything was against him having his way, then fine! He wasn't angry, but he was annoyed, and in his annoyance, he shifted lower so that he neck to face with Sora and pulled even closer if possible.

A shudder ran up and down his spine as Sora buried his face in his neck, his breath tickling the sensitive skin there.

Riku took a deep breath. He'd sleep now. In the comfort of the arms of his Sora, he would sleep.

His? Riku smiled. His. That sounded nice…

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Ack! You people don't know how amazingly happy your reviews make me! I swear, I open my inbox and before I even read the thing, I've got a wide grin on my face and I feel warm all over. Thank you very much! But I feel unworthy of the sweet comments you all leave me, lol.

Dualism - You reviewed again! And again I have absolutely nothing to say. I wish I could express my thanks and joy whenever I read your reviews but it's impossible! I'm ecstatic that you like it, and thank you very much for the compliments! Please review again! (I know you said I shouldn't ask you to, but it really can't be helped… :P)
ASKInfinity - I did, did I? Well, what do you know? I write the story and become a hero! lol. Thank you for reviewing, I'm glad you liked it so much! Do review again!
Spark of Life - Ah, I see. I was trying something new this story, usually I don't do that. It was meant to be insight to both characters point of views, but I suppose it came out badly. lol. I started it off at a certain point rather than just from the beginning, but you're right. I should just write what both feel and think in the same section instead of splitting it into half a dozen little ones. Thanks very much on the tip:) I tried to fix it in this chapter… how'd I do? lol.
Simply Hated - You don't have to read this if you don't like the pairing, lol. I'm happy you're giving my writing a chance, but seriously, if it does you any bit of damage in any way, please just set it aside. But thank you nonetheless!
u k i r a r o s - Aww, I love you too! lol. I love all my reviewers to bits and pieces!
quiche-me - I was wondering where you were. lol. I'm happy you liked it! And I love the phrasing, lol. "make like bunnies do until the sun comes up", creative. :)

Thank you also to:
- NightHawk
- jka1
- dead edged blade
- Muffy
- apie
- Riku-Rocks
- kh4eva16
- evilgoddess1990

Please review again!
Dragon