The Thirteen Trials of True Love
A/N: Thanks to anyone who reviewed, if nobody did, oh well typing this story no matter what, my cat had to be put down, so what better way to move on than type a love story. Here is chapter 2. Sorry Yaoi, Lemon, Smut Lovers, and fangirls.
Disclaimer- I do not own KH or its affliates. I do not own the portayals of the char. Or the smut scenes written here. They belong to TeddyRuxpin and his writing partner.
Second Trial: Time
It was a quiet morning, only the sound of gentle waves and chirping birds blew in on the light breeze through the open windows, but after their brush with Daxwren, Roxas and Sora had been wondering when he would appear again. It'd been four days since their first "test", and Sora was getting antsy. Pushing his spoon around in his bowl of soggy cereal, Sora looked over to his boyfriend and asked worriedly, "What do you think he'll put us through this time?"
Reaching over the table, Roxas took up the brunette's hand and replied comfortingly, trying to hide his own concern, "I'm not sure, but no matter what we'll –"
Suddenly the quiet calm of the kitchen was destroyed by an unexplainable wind picking up. Sora sprang up from his seat and dashed around to Roxas just as a bright flash of light blinded them. Clutching to each other, they looked up and saw the familiar form of the guardian they had just been speaking of.
His white hood fluttered down, obscuring his face as he stepped forward. Gazing down at the boys he said," You need not wait any longer; your next trial is "Time"."
Still holding tightly to Sora, Roxas called over the cacophonous wind, "What is the point of this?!"
"All will become clear in the end…" Daxwren answered cryptically, his voice echoing. His arms raised and the wind picked up. The two lovers watched as his body slowly fell away, like sand into the air.
The house returned to its normal state. Just as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Breathing heavily, Sora stood on shaky legs, looking around at the room in disbelief. Roxas followed suit, also looking shaken. They caught each other's gazes, sharing silently their dread for the upcoming test. Wrapping his arms around Roxas' midriff, Sora mumbled, "I don't like the sound of this…"
"Me neither…" Roxas said softly, stroking the back of his lover's head.
Both felt helpless to the situation, but what could they do? This was a power entirely out of their control. All they could do was take it one day at a time, and be there for each other.
Thinking that he needed to sit before his legs went out from underneath him, Sora tottered over to the living room across the hall. Roxas followed, carrying two mugs of steaming tea with him. Sipping gently, they sat in ominous silence for what felt like ages before Roxas cleared his throat and asked, "Wh-what do you want to do today?"
It was their first day off in a while. Sora immediately thought of having their friends over. Riku and Kairi had been busy with announcing baby news to everyone, and would probably be happy with taking a breather. And Yuri and Hayner were both fairly bad at keeping in touch. Seeing familiar faces right now would be a huge comfort.
"That sounds great!" Roxas said, smiling brightly.
Both turned to their phones and dialed up each group accordingly. All were coming over as soon as possible, excepting Kairi who would arrive later after a doctor's appointment. After hanging up, both rushed around the house, tidying up what they'd managed to destroy in the short couple hours they'd been awake, until they heard the doorbell ring.
Standing on the threshold was Yuri and Hayner, looking exactly the same. Yuri's white blonde curls fell into his eyes as he muttered a soft hello, while Hayner grinned toothily and pulled Roxas and Sora in each for a tight embrace. A short while later, Riku arrived carrying a new video game, to which Sora jumped for joy. All the boys traveled to the entertainment room and got started.
For a while, everyone was happy and thinking how glad they were to be around each other again. Kairi showed up and joined in, making the gathering perfect. But, just as they were shutting off the game to head back to the kitchen to make an early dinner, reality came crashing back.
"Have you heard anything from…Daxwren…?" Yuri asked slowly, sitting at the counter.
Sora froze next to an already rigid Roxas. They looked around to ask how they knew, when Kairi said that she'd filled them in the day before. Picking nervously at the hem of his shirt, Sora explained about his appearing to them just this morning telling them about their new test. All sat in stunned silence while both repeated what had been said.
"Time…? Well, that doesn't sound good." Hayner said, unconsciously pulling Yuri closer.
Sora by now had gone pale, thinking about all the different possibilities.
"Did you find anything else out about him?" Kairi asked curiously.
Roxas shook his head. They still only had what they'd seen in the vision about the guardian from before. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, Roxas muttered, "I just don't get it. Why would he be doing this to us? He has to want something out of it."
"Has he visited you two yet?" Riku asked, glancing to Hayner and Yuri. Both shook their heads.
All fell into silence, thinking the exact same thing: 'weird'.
"Have you tried talking with this Daxwren guy about all this?" Hayner asked curiously.
"What?" Roxas replied, utterly confused.
"I mean, like calling him out and, you know…asking…" Hayner continued, blushing slightly when he realized how silly that sounded.
Roxas and Sora glanced to each other before the brunette said, "No we haven't…but it's worth a try."
"How should we do it?" Roxas asked.
Motioning for everyone to gather in a circle, Sora mumbled, "Um…I guess we could say it out loud…?"
Looking more than a little skeptical, everyone gathered into the circle while Sora closed his eyes in concentration. Hoping that his voice would be heard he called out tentatively, "Daxwren…we need to talk. Please show yourself."
For a moment, everything remained still. And just when everyone was about to move away, a gentle breeze drifted in, accompanied by the smell of citrus. They all watched in awe as a fine mist of white and gold appeared in the center of their circle.
"Why have you called the Guardian?"
"We want answers Daxwren," Roxas replied bluntly.
"I am not Daxwren," the entity said, its misty form undulating before them. "I am Caxryt."
Forming his hand into a fist, Roxas muttered agitatedly, "Sorry, but we didn't ask for you."
"No…but I can give you the answers you seek."
At this everyone's eyes widened. Who was this new guy? Another guardian? Or something else?
"O-okay…well then, tell us why we were chosen for this test?" Sora said, seeking out Roxas' hand to hold.
"Yours is a case that is unique. Hearts linked as strongly as yours and as long as yours defy all odds. To withstand against your human years since childhood is rare indeed. Because of this, Daxwren hopes to discover the whereabouts of his other half after over two centuries of searching for him. He believes that you two hold the key to finding Kyle."
"Why are you telling us this?" Sora asked barely above a whisper.
"Too many have failed and been destroyed. It is an obsession of Daxwren's that needs to come to an end."
Without warning, an intense wind picked up, causing all those gathered to cower in fear. And just like that morning, the Guardian they spoke of appeared to them in a great flash of white light.
"You reveal too much Caxryt, and all for no purpose. Their memories will retain nothing after this…"
"I am truly sorry my friend, Kyle is missed by all, but these children deserve better. You pit them against impossible tasks with no knowledge of what they face. I will not allow you to erase their minds. You yourself said they were special."
Both entities stood facing each other in silence. All the others could do was wait on bated breath for the outcome of the exchange. Finally, Daxwren hung his head and mumbled, "You are right…what has passed shall be known. But no more unless I deem it otherwise."
And like an explosion that was being played in reverse, the wind, the aroma, the figures were all sucked away into whatever place they called home, leaving everyone standing dumbstruck gazing at where they'd just been.
In a faraway voice Hayner said, "Now we know you can call them…"
After a moment of shell shocked silence, everyone dispersed. Yuri and Hayner went home quickly, both telling Sora and Roxas to keep them updated. Kairi and Riku followed shortly after gathering the worried couple into a quick hug before heading home. The lovers watched as their friends left from their front door, both thinking worriedly about what was to come.
~0~
It was hard opening his eyes, but the incessant sound of the alarm going off couldn't be ignored. Reaching out groggily, Roxas slammed his hand down on the clock and groaned irritably. The beginnings of the week were always the hardest. Next to him, Sora merely continued sleeping on. Nudging him, Roxas muttered for him to get up so they wouldn't be late for work.
Shuffling across the room to the bathroom, Roxas scratched the back of his head and yawned, trying to convince himself that he was awake. As he flicked the light on over the mirror, the blonde squinted at his reflection. His hair would need a trim again. And the lines at the corners of his eyes were getting more pronounced. As he studied himself he couldn't help but think he was looking older.
Chuckling softly he answered his own inner thoughts with, "What do you expect, it's been three years…"
The blonde quickly went about his morning routine, occasionally poking his head out to yell at Sora to get his lazy butt out of bed. Finally, the brunette rolled off the edge of the mattress to the floor and grumbled something about wanting to sleep forever. Roxas only laughed and caught his lover's eye affectionately. He could see the change in years in Sora as well. His laugh lines were getting to be more distinct. The dimple in his left cheek was ever present now.
Both felt their hearts flutter lightly as they gazed at each other, before turning and getting ready. Just as they were heading down to make breakfast the phone rang. Roxas was the one to answer. On the other end of the line was Kairi asking when she and Riku should leave to get to the premier of their newest movie. For a moment, Roxas didn't understand what premier she was talking about, and then it hit him. The newest movie of Sora's called 'Heroes of Destiny City'. How could he have forgotten? Glancing to Sora he asked the details and relayed them back to Kairi.
As the pair went up to change into their suits, both couldn't help but think about how their love hadn't changed even after three years of life trying to get in the way. Sure they fought and had their moments, but in the end they always came back to each other, stronger than ever.
At the premiere they met up with Kairi and Riku who they hadn't seen in nearly two years since they'd moved for Riku's business internship. Kairi looking gorgeous with her long maroon hair pulled back exclaimed happily pulling the both of them in for a hug and said, "It's so nice to see you two!"
"You too!" Sora laughed. "How're the kids?"
The last time either of them had seen the family was the day Riku and Kairi's triplets had been brought into the world. Sora was especially eager to hear how they were doing, feeling guilty about not actually being in their lives for so long.
"They're great, I'll have to show you pictures when we get the time!"
Holding hands the couples slowly moved towards the theater, meeting up with Hayner and Yuri as they went.
The movie went over really well. Since this was the first movie Sora starred in that didn't have Roxas, the critics were expected to be a little skeptical, but when it was over, all had small smiles on their faces. Sora was clearly feeling sick with worry, so Roxas suggested that they take their party out for a relaxing celebratory dinner.
Mostly the dinner was spent catching up on what had been missed. Laughter and loud conversation filled the restaurant, reminding everyone of when they'd been in high school together. As their dessert was being placed before their respective recipients, Riku stepped away to call the babysitter and check on the kids.
"Wow, this ice cream is amazing!" Kairi gushed, scooping up another bite.
"How come you two didn't get any?" Sora asked Hayner and Yuri offhandedly, also spooning more of the dessert into his mouth.
Hayner merely smirked, wrapped his arm around his lover pulling him close and said simply, "Yuri knows the only dessert I like."
It took a moment for the innuendo to sink in. But just as Kairi and Roxas burst into raucous laughter, Yuri's face reddened with understanding. Sora tried hiding his own embarrassment, but Roxas not being one to ignore a perfect tease asked, "Hey Sora, let's make our own dessert when we get home!"
The faint smile that had been turning up Sora's lips fell away as his cheeks took on the same color red as Yuri's own. They continued bantering like this until Riku came back. Raising a brow at the embarrassed and amused faces, he gave Kairi a quick kiss on the cheek before sitting down. Placing his napkin once again on his lap he shook his head, seemingly knowing what they'd gotten into without even needing to ask, and gave them all a status report on the kids.
"Terra and Aqua got to sleep okay, but Ven won't go to bed. Jasmine thinks he knows we were gone for so long." He said with a sigh. "Can't get anything past him..."
"Well why don't we go and let him know you guys are okay, and meet him?!" Sora asked, trying to escape the uncomfortable sex jokes with as much ease and swiftness as possible.
"Sure, it's still early enough." Kairi conceded, checking her watch.
"You guys go ahead; Yuri and I have a dessert to make…" Hayner said with a smirk, taking up the tab and dragging a silently protesting Yuri off.
"What was that about?" Riku asked, helping Kairi put on her shawl.
Everyone exchanged glances and laughed, but chose to leave Riku in the dark. For his own good of course.
Roxas and Sora pulled into the driveway just behind Riku and Kairi. On the ride over the pair had talked about how excited they were to see how much the triplets had grown. The last time they held them, their eyes could barely open and they could fit in the crook of their arms.
The house was quiet except for the sound of a soft voice speaking lowly, and a giggle answering it. When they rounded the corner to the living room, they saw the babysitter telling little baby Ventus a story using puppets. Every time she used a silly voice and bobbed the toy around he'd giggle sleepily. Sora and Roxas felt their hearts melt in response.
"Do you two want to put him to bed…?" Kairi asked lowly, careful not to let her child catch on to her presence and break the scene before them.
"A-are you sure?!" Sora replied worriedly, thinking about his inexperience.
She nodded and smiled sweetly, "Of course, it'll be easy since he's past his bedtime."
As they moved into the living room, Ventus caught sight of his parents, his eyes widening in his chubby face. Completely disregarding the puppets, he pushed himself up and tottered quickly over to his mom who lifted him easily. Steering his cheek to her lips with her hand she muttered, "How's my baby doing?"
He nuzzled against her, letting his large blue eyes close and finally let how tired he was catch up. Moving carefully, Kairi stepped over to Sora who stood frozen and gently began transferring the half asleep infant into his arms. He really had gotten big. Roxas watched affectionately as his lover slowly climbed the stairs after Kairi to the children's room.
And when Ven was tucked into bed next to his siblings, they came down and poured drinks. Roxas held out his glass and announced seriously, "To the most beautiful family in Destiny."
They spent the rest of the evening chatting in soft tones, until Riku said, "Kairi and I have something we want to ask you two."
The pair waited as the others exchanged glances. Kairi finally continued, "Roxas, Sora…if anything were to ever happen to us, it would mean a lot if the kids had someone to take care of them properly. We want to know if you'll accept being their godparents…"
"Are you sure?" Sora and Roxas asked in stunned unison.
Riku merely smiled and replied, "We couldn't trust anyone more…"
Neither of them had to think about their answer. Both nodded and accepted their roles without question. Shortly after, they said goodnight, and promised to be back the next day to meet the kids properly and spend some time playing and getting to know their godchildren. When they got into bed, the lovers pulled each other in close and fell asleep happily thinking of how their lives had changed for the better.
~0~
Aqua-marine eyes opened lazily as the rising sun cast its early morning glow across a still dark sky. Sora sat up, realizing sadly that there was no way he was going back to sleep. That dream had been so vivid…
Turning, the brunette looked to the other side of the bed and caught sight of his lover still dreaming peacefully, his arms looping a pillow childishly. Smiling, Sora recalled the day six years before when they'd gone to see the triplets. It had been the start of a new, mature chapter in their lives. But, still it seemed like time was just slipping away.
At the feel of the bed moving with his partner's awakening, Roxas too woke. His own blue eyes met the others and smiled, taking in just how beautiful the other was in this light. Despite new lines on his face, he still was the man he'd fallen in love with so long ago. Unable to hold himself back, Roxas reached out and hooked his arm around the brunette's waist, tugging him down so they were once again nose to nose. Laughing, Sora tangled his fingers in Roxas' mussed blonde locks and kissed him chastely on the forehead.
"I love you, you know that, right?" Roxas muttered, closing his eyes and taking in the moment for as perfect as it was.
"Oh, come here," Sora said, pulling the blonde up and over him. Roxas could see in Sora's eyes that he was wanted, and as Sora's hips brushed against his own, he could feel it.
Roxas' hands slid down along Sora's still lithe body as he pressed their lips together in a hungry kiss. Their bodies slowly began moving together, getting lost in the pleasure of touch, until finally Roxas couldn't wait any longer. Tearing his and Sora's clothes off, he began pressing his member against the other's entrance. The brunette's facial expressions as he continued forcing his way inside was entrancing. Licking at his lips and panting, Sora begged for his lover to hurry.
Neither lasted much longer; their need for each other was too great. Both lay back completely spent, chests heaving as they attempted catching their breaths. After a few minutes of recuperating, Sora – who was thinking how filled-out Roxas had become over the years – was about to roll over and suggest another round, the doorbell rang. Jumping slightly, Sora blushed and wondered silently who that could be. Beat red, he quickly sprang up from under the sheets and hurriedly cleaned himself off. Roxas followed suit, smiling to himself at his lover's reaction to the house caller.
"Do you think it's the director?" Sora asked as they padded to the front door.
Roxas shook his head, "Not this early."
Shaking his head, Sora placed his hand on the doorknob, coughed slightly, and then swung the door open to reveal two familiar heads of hair. Terra and Ventus stood on the threshold smiling widely up at their godparents. Sora couldn't help but smile. Eight years old, and already they were their own people.
"Hi," Ven called up, grinning sweetly.
Terra, studying the two curiously asked, "You two feel okay?"
On his way to moving aside for the boys, Sora froze in horror. Did they look like they'd just been having sex?! Oh no! He really didn't want to be having that kind of a conversation with them this early! Recognizing that his lover wasn't about to answer anytime soon, Roxas ushered the two in and answered cheerily, "Just fine! You woke us up, that's all!"
"W-want some breakfast?!" Sora squeaked, rushing to close the door.
The four made their way to the kitchen as Roxas asked, "Did your Mom and Dad have to leave for work early this morning?"
The blonde suspected that that was why the boys were here: to get a ride to school. Scrambling up onto the high stools around the counter the brothers nodded. Terra said, "Yeah, Aqua couldn't find her shoe, so she's a little late."
"Well, alright, as long as she makes it to class on time."
All dug in to their freshly made pancakes and talked about the most recent developments, such as a new cartoon and how hard math was getting. When the phone rang, it seemed so utterly normal. Sora broke away to answer, not thinking much of it. But the look on his face as the unnamed woman on the other end began speaking, alerted Roxas.
Only half smiling now, Roxas glanced nervously to the boys and then asked, "Who's that?"
Fat tears began silently streaming down Sora's face as he sank to the ground, unable to hold himself up. Worry knitting his fair brows together, Roxas knelt next to the sobbing brunette and asked what was wrong. Leaning in close, he heard Sora whisper thickly, "Riku and Kairi are…dead…"
At first, he thought he'd heard it wrong, but then Sora continued to explain that their car had been in a multi-car pileup on the highway. They'd been pronounced dead at the scene. Shock was written plain on his face as the news sunk in.
"W-what's wrong…?" Ventus' small voice asked from behind them. Glancing over his shoulder Roxas felt his own eyes well up at the sight of the brothers clutching each other's hands worriedly.
How could he tell them?
Turning back to Sora, he pulled his lover in close for a moment, before muttering softly, "You have to be strong right now. Our godchildren need us."
Those words hit Sora like a ton of bricks. Riku and Kairi were dead, and three eight year olds had just been left parentless. Realizing that these children would never see their parents again sobered him up fast. Standing shakily, Sora motioned for the boys to follow him into the living room after giving Roxas a reassuring glance.
Just as they sat down, the doorbell rang. Roxas went to go let in the last of the family. Aqua trailed in after a gaunt Roxas nervously. Finally, Sora muttered, his hands clenched tightly explained what had happened.
When the stunned silence subsided, and the kids knew that it wasn't a sick joke, they cried. All wrapped their arms around their Godparents and stayed there mourning their loss. Finally, when the clock chimed loudly above the mantle signaling the beginning of the afternoon, Roxas helped Sora carry the kids up to the spare room and put them all under the covers. Both then stood outside the door completely at a loss for words.
"Why don't you stay with them and I'll go call the school?" Roxas asked, wrapping his partner in a tight embrace.
Sora nodded deftly, and headed back into the bedroom. Roxas could see the devastation in his features, and felt horrible. His best friends had just been killed. Turning resolutely, Roxas headed back down stairs and called the school, telling them that Terra, Aqua, and Ventus wouldn't be attending for the next couple of days. The blonde then phoned up Yuri and Hayner, thinking that they'd want to know. By now Roxas was beginning to feel the emotional drain, but the phone calls weren't done yet.
Next on his list was his and Sora's lawyer. Roxas told him the news and was placed on hold while he was to contact Riku and Kairi's lawyer and start putting the steps in motion for official custody of the triplets. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he listened to the lawyer go on about the CPS (Child Protection Services) wanting to come in and inspect his home.
"Tell them its fine, but we're not letting those kids get put in some foster home. They need the only family they have left right now, and if they don't get that, then they can see me in court."
"Very well Mr. Fujioka."
Setting the phone down on the receiver a little more harshly than he planned, Roxas began making his way back up to the spare room. At the door, he peered in quietly and saw that all four occupants of the bed were sleeping; albeit a little fitfully, but sleeping nonetheless.
"Good…" the blonde breathed, tiptoeing softly into the room.
As carefully as he could, he slipped into bed, wrapping his arms comfortingly around a fretful looking Aqua and let his mind calm.
He didn't stay for long, however. His body grew restless, so he padded down stairs to the sitting room and poured himself a strong drink from the liquor cabinet. Once it was nearly finished, he heard someone coming down the stairs. Terra emerged from around the corner, following the lights to where Roxas stood.
"Hey, what're you doing up?"
Gripping his arm protectively, Terra shrugged and mumbled, "…bad dream."
Suddenly, a sob wracked the small boy's shoulders as he cried forcefully, "I had a dream that…that Mommy and Daddy are…are –!"
Rushing forward, Roxas scooped the little brunette into his arms and proceeded to rock him gently. He couldn't bear to hear him utter the last of that sentence. It was too unfair. This was something these children shouldn't have had to face so soon in life.
"It's alright…" Roxas cooed stroking the boy's back. "Shhhh…"
Terra finally quieted down again after a few minutes of Roxas speaking softly, and when he did, the blonde carried his new charge into the kitchen and proceeded to mix up a mug of hot cocoa. While he was stirring in the powder to the milk, Aqua decided to journey down after not being able to sleep again. Soon, Sora carrying a sniffling Ventus also joined the group gathered and took their own steaming mug. Sora caught Roxas' gaze, and in that look, Roxas could see how vulnerable his love was. But also in that, he could see how truly thankful the brunette was for his partner.
All sat around the counter in silence, sipping on their drinks as they each thought of the past, the present, and the future.
~0~
Intense blue eyes blinked as they gazed down curiously at the stack of get-well-soon cards spilling over the desk. At first the person the eyes belonged to couldn't quite understand what reason those had of being there, and then it hit him. Sora shakily reached out and remembered what the doctor had told him and his lover just the other day in his office.
Cancer; both had stage 4 cancer. The fear from those words still put knots in his stomach, but the brunette couldn't help but smile. It was alright that life would be coming up short for the both of them. They'd lived full, privileged lives with children that they loved and loved them back.
"You know…you're still sexy, even though you're bald."
Sora laughed as Roxas wrapped him in his arms from behind. The pair had gone in for two rounds of chemo so far. The effects were already becoming apparent. Together, they'd shaved their heads to spare the horror of watching their hair fall out in clumps.
"You're not so bad, either." Sora answered turning and embracing the taller. Both were in pain today; Sora his liver, and Roxas his stomach. But it didn't matter much to them. They were in it together.
The ring of the holographic phone cut through the silence sharply. The pair broke apart and stood in front of the screen, noticing excitedly who the caller was. Reaching out, Roxas hit the answer button and up popped the image of their Godson Ventus.
Smiling the young man exclaimed, "Hey Uncles! I'm on my way home! Oh, and I've got Vanitas with me!"
"Great! How are you two getting along, anyways?" Roxas asked slyly.
Sora nudged the other, shooting him a warning look. Who their Godson chose to spend his life loving was his business. Ven merely laughed and replied, "He's great, can't wait to see you two again. Oh, Aqua wanted me to tell you that she'll be getting in a little later than planned, but to still count on seeing her for dinner! And Terra can't make it until this weekend unfortunately."
"That boss of his is going to work him to death!" Sora grumbled angrily.
"Yeah, but he says their yearly presentations are coming up, and doesn't want to disappoint. You know Terra. Well, talk to you guys soon!"
After hanging up, the lovers decided that going down to the living room to rest before the kids got there would be a good idea. Helping each other, they settled in to the couch and snuggled close; talking about how nice it will be to see their Godchildren again.
An hour later, Ventus and his boyfriend Vanitas showed up, carrying groceries. Vanitas was a lanky young man with smoldering golden eyes set against ebony hair that gave him an air of mystery and seriousness. Compared to Ven, he looked almost sinister. But the Godparents had to give their parenting some credit. Vanitas was a good kid. He was unfailingly loyal and kind to Ven, and in all honesty, was like his other half. The parents couldn't be happier with who their child chose.
The young couple cooked and doted on Roxas and Sora while they waited patiently for Aqua to arrive. And when she did, they migrated to the dining room to begin their feast. To their surprise, however, the doorbell rang. Standing with a bottle of wine and a huge grin on his face, was none other than Terra. He'd managed to leave work early after threatening his boss with serving his two weeks' notice. Now the whole family was together, and everything couldn't be better.
Later, after bidding the younger crowd goodnight, the lovers slipped up to their bedroom and curled up under the covers, holding each other close as they finally let how tired their bodies were catch up. Sleepily Sora yawned, "Today was perfect…"
Looking over at the man beside him, Roxas couldn't help but feel his heart swell. Tonight it was telling him that this was their last night together. Stroking Sora's hand Roxas muttered, "I'll always love you, no matter how much time goes by..."
Sora could feel something was on Roxas' mind. Taking up the other's hand he asked softly, "What's the matter…?"
"…ever since we were kids, you've been the only one." The blonde continued wincing as his stomach throbbed painfully.
It was so important for Roxas that Sora understand. Finally, the brunette whispered, "Me too…"
Pressing their heads together, Roxas chuckled sadly and asked, "Hey Sora…?"
"Yeah…?"
"Want to die peacefully together?"
"…I wouldn't have it any other way."
Still holding each other close, the lovers closed their eyes, breathing deeply and thought back on their life together. So much had happened, but they regretted none of it. And as their minds passed into the world of dreams, death came and swept them away.
~0~
It was hard to open their eyes. Sleep clung to them as both Roxas and Sora sluggishly sat up in bed. But as they set eyes on each other, both realized what had just happened. The Trial of Time had just played out in their dreams! None of that had been real!
In utter disbelief Sora cupped Roxas' cheek and said shakily, "B-but, we died…"
"That was an illusion."
Both started at the sound of Daxwren's echoing voice. The Guardian stepped forward and continued, "A false reality was created to test your love. But time could not separate you. You have passed yet another test."
Neither could speak. All they could do was sit holding each other and think about was how real that had been. Daxwren, seeming to sense that the pair weren't about to interact, said ominously, "I will see you soon…your third trial waits."
When the guardian had disappeared in the brilliant flash of white, Sora couldn't help but laugh and then cry in relief. And so, the lovers that had grown old together in their dreams held each other close, relishing in the fact that they had another lifetime to do it all over again.