Screaming. Moaning. Gasps of desperation wishing for so long that they had to suck in gulps of air before they could speak again.

Sora choked out water. Air painfully pulsed through his lungs, a soreness that stretched deeper than what his father could ever touch. His lips were tingly and warm, as though someone has been pumping air through them. Maybe some had attempted CPR. Sora blearily opened his eyes, looking at the most beautiful color the sky had ever been. Sora could only dream about such vivid colors, and there it was. Only after death do you see the best things in life, huh. Sora chuckled to himself and felt a burning sensation in his throat- so he tried to grasp it. His whole body ached. The sky dissolved into a single orb centered by a deep blackness, and Sora realized that it was a dripping wet Riku that was hovering over him.

"He's awake oh gosh I'm so happy he's awake!" Kairi leaned closer to Sora, obstructing Sora's view of Riku. Sora wondered, for a second, if Kairi hadn't dried herself as well before he realized that her ocean eyes were crying. "Riku jumped in there and saved you. You were limp, so limp, and I thought you'd never wake up again..." Kairi's tears ran faster down her face.

"I'm..." Sora coughed a bit more, fluid leaking from his lungs. "I'm fine. Don't call an ambulance."

"The hell you are!" Riku stood up angrily. "I'll drive you to the fucking hospital myself. You have a concussion- possibly pneumonia! I'm not going to leave you here to die." Riku glared at Sora, and Sora smiled.

Riku was taken aback. Nearly dead, and Sora was smiling the most sincere, purest smile.

"I can't let you. It's my decision. Thank you."

Was Sora really going to push Riku away after what he had seen under the waves?

Sora stood up shakily. As Sora brushed past him, Riku grabbed his arm tighly, his mouth close to Sora's ear. Kairi was busy packing away the basket. Sora didn't get to taste those strawberries, he remembered sadly.

"When I pulled you out of the water... your shirt lifted up a bit." Riku eyed him questioningly.

"I don't want to talk about it." Sora stated simply. "It was nothing, I tripped when I was little It left a couple scars. That's it."

"Okay." Sora was surprised by how quickly Riku left it alone. They usually pushed and prodded, doing all the things Sora hated, until they were satisfied with some elaborate lie. "I will be there when you do want to." Riku's eyes told him that he knew it was more than a trip, and respected that it was all Sora ever wanted it to be. "You can trust me, if you ever want to." Riku shifted.

"Yeah? Why don't you like it when people touch you? What are you hiding, Riku?" Sora went on the offensive. Riku's hand suddenly released Sora's arm with surprise, his eyes trying to harden but settling on the waves instead.

"I..."

"Yeah, I thought so. Don't ask for secrets when you won't give up your own." Sora faked strength, and straightened up. He walked away from Riku, his feet parallel with the glistening water but never touching. He watched the sun set as he trekked home.

...

Sora woke up with a start, his body shaking. He tried to recall what he had been dreaming about. Scenes drifted before his eyes. Riku's light crystal eyes peering deep into his soul- but Sora wouldn't let their hearts connect. They were too beautiful and pure, especially for someone like him. He wouldn't be able to handle them, and he wouldn't ever agree to it. He wouldn't want to taint the sky.

...

Riku woke up sweating heavily. He gagged, desperate for air. The nightmares that had haunted him from hour to hour and day to day were back. He thought they had finally left him, but it was always inside of him. It had buried itself inside and latched onto his soul with claws so sharp that every breath was painful for Riku. He wanted to stop breathing.

...

"There is time and space in the universe. Sometimes, relationships need time and space as well." Sora leaned against Riku's locker. Riku glanced at Sora. Sora ignored the pain written so plainly on Riku's face. He needed more than just words. Riku needed actions to solidify his belief that Sora was leaving him. It was for the best. Riku closed his expression off, his face telling nothing but the icy blue that were already frozen in time. They were frozen in pain, but Sora knew he couldn't help Riku break that ice without breaking himself.

Sora walked away, and turned back as the warning bell rang. Riku remained expressionless, staring long and hard into Sora's eyes. It was the longest Riku ever had. As he caught Sora's eyes, a rush of students ran between Sora and Riku, escaping, and when the waves of people suddenly died down Riku was gone.

Sora remembered Leon's words. "I just feel like you should be careful around Riku."

Sora wondered if he would regret this moment for the rest of his life.

Not everything ended in a happy ending.

...

I said a reviews lead to a kiss, right? What do you mean CPR doesn't count? If you would like them to actually kiss and have them both be conscious while it happens, then review.

I write things. But if you're across the screen, across cities and possibly across worlds, I can't tell what you're thinking. Please review- let me know what I'm doing right- or even what I'm doing wrong!