Sora collapsed onto the pavement. He was so tired. Xemnas was so much harder than he thought he would be, and the things he'd just learned... Terrifying. Was he going to still be himself if he fell asleep and awoke? Or was he going to be someone else?

"... So I see things are going according to plan."

He lifted his head, then smiled a little "Xehanort."

The boy looked as emotionless as ever, but Sora saw that flicker of care in his eyes. He knelt down, and Sora asked "Please... tell me... what's gonna... happen... to me?" Xehanort tenderly cupped his cheek "You will become a vessel far more worthy than any other." he leaned in closer "We'll be with each other forever, my love."

Sora shook his head "I'll... vanish... into you..."

Xehanort kissed his forehead "You will still be in there, somewhere." Sora heard a barely noticeable hint of uncertainty. Sora raised his hand to brush aside a silver bang "I'll see you again... okay?" He was too tired to keep it up, and it fell to the ground with a thump "Not as you... but as Sora..." His eyes were starting to close "YOUR Sora..."

Xehanort gently picked him up "Of course you will."

Sora closed his eyes for what he hoped wasn't a final time.

...

Sora- finished thanking the Dream Eaters for the help with his Mark of Mastery Exam -anxiously tapped a foot on Traverse Town's cobblestone streets. He was waiting, hoping, praying for someone to come and see him. He closed his eyes, trying to catch a glimmer of the silver haired boy in his mind's eye-

"So you came."

Sora jolted at his touch, then smiled a little as his companion began massaging his shoulders with a low chuckle "You're so tense." Sora laughed, feeling his cheeks warm, "W-well, I mean, you fight for as long as I have and things get tense..." Sora kissed his lover's cheek "I missed you."

Xehanort merely stopped his massaging and wrapped his hands around Sora's waist. A silent return of the sentiment. He then asked "You look older, why-"

"Oh, I'm not taking the test anymore so Yen SId's magic wore off..." Sora trailed away upon recalling what had happened. He then leaned against Xehanort a little more "Did you... did you really mean that...?"

"Hmmm?" Sora sighed a little as they sat down against one of the many buildings lining the street "The whole... Make more Xehanorts thing."

Xehanort paused at this remark, then said "My older self did."

Sora crossed his arms around his chest, frowning "You did..." He glared back at him "What was that afternoon then? What was it a ploy just to get me to fall even deeper?!" He then scooted out of Xehanort's arms and stood up "Was it all just a lie?!" He didn't know why, but he was on the border of tears.

Xehanort stood, then grabbed his hand "Sora, I didn't mean it, my future selves did-"

Sora yanked his hand away "They're still you-"

Xehanort suddenly kissed him. Sora sat there, unsure what to do. Xehanort backed away "They never met you the way I have and nor do they remember." He held Sora close "They don't remember meeting the little sky I cherish."

Sora just pressed his head against Xehanort's chest "I'm just so confused."

Xehanort merely rubbed his back and kissed his hair "I expected you to be. Sometimes we all are confused."

Sora leaned in a little more, his legs going limp as he clung to Xehanort like a rag doll "And I can't tell anyone how to deal with all... this, because technically we're mortal enemies and you know what everyone would think-"

Xehanort lifted Sora's chin and gently pressed a finger to his lips "Sora... it will be alright."

Sora nodded a little shakily, and Xehanort merely hugged him close again "Everything will be alright."

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