Disclaimer: not mine

Covid vaccines suck. Started this last week but the shot made me too sick to do anything for a few days.

Sorry it's been so long!

Chapter 26

Leon watched as the small group just materialised before them, relieved to see Riku among them, looking in good health if maybe a little tired. His gaze went to the older man as he stepped forward, taking in the interesting facial markings, he'd never seen a tattoo like that. And then he saw the woman and saw the metal seemingly embedded in her skin and over her hand too - fashion, medical…or something else? The second male was very unassuming looking, tall and slender, and hanging back, looking around curiously.

He knew these were the people who had found Sora, that the kid had been totally amnesiac, that Cid and others had been helping trying to find the ship they were on find their home or come here, but other than that he'd kept out of things. He was too buys helping with the ongoing restoration and defence against Heartless.

They didn't have limitless resources, though with trade back up things were vastly better than even the last time Sora had visited, but it was a relief to know they wouldn't be permanently taking on almost one hundred and fifty more people. Before their World had fallen, they could have easily, but it would be difficult to house so many now. Then again, three of them wouldn't be permanent since it was Sora, Kairi, and Riku.

He did his part in welcoming them, it would take a bit to get used to the military ranks they used, though some of the crew were civilians. And then the Commander introduced the young woman and why she specifically had come with the first group.

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"You wanted to see me, Captain?" Sora asked as he entered the Ready Room.

"Please sit," she motioned to the couches at the back of the room and he walked over, hesitantly sitting. "Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you Captain." And now he was getting worried. Was…was this it? Was he being kicked off the ship?

She sat down with a mug of coffee. "I wanted to check in with you Sora, I admit, I haven't done so as often with you as I do Seven. Right from the start you've been the more…easy going shall we say and it's been far too easy to just accept your presence and everything you do for the ship and crew. You've really fit in and I've been checking over your studies for the Academy, your grades are very good, especially considering how different your home is to the average Federation world."

The praise felt nice but now he was really confused. And then she held out her hand and he blinked at the small pip on her palm before looking back at her.

"I sent in your paperwork to Starfleet with the data the Doctor sent to have you registered with the Academy. But given everything that has happened, I am offering you a field commission to the rank of ensign."

Sora didn't know what to say. "Captain…"

"You've more than proven you have the maturity and knowledge for the rank, Sora. You will always have a place with us. And I also know that you want to come home, permanently, one day. When that day comes, Starfleet will lose an incredible member."

He nodded slowly and she reached out to attach the pip to his collar.

"Congratulations Ensign Sora."

"Thank you, Captain."

"You'll find the pattern for your uniform in the replica, all carefully designed by the Doctor." She smiled at him and he nodded, still shocked.

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Kairi watched as the pile of material appeared, urging Sora to pick it up. "Go on, put it on."

He shook his head at her, amusement clear in his eyes but he took a deep breath and then glanced at her again before beginning to undo the seals on his suit. She swallowed, watching as his skin was slowly revealed, feeling her heart racing. Despite sharing a bed, she'd never seen him naked…well, not since they were children. She'd felt the scars and implants through his clothing but seeing them, it made her want to tear the Borg apart. He looked up, meeting her eyes, and she smiled at him.

Kairi lifted her hand and he froze but then he closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths, before he nodded. She closed the distance between them and gently pressed her hand over his heart, feeling it beating faster then normal. And then slowly she moved her hand over his chest, caressing scars, unmarked skin, and implants alike. Sora shivered under her touch, biting his lip, but he didn't pull away. She'd seen him in a t-shirt and shorts for the photo sent to Mickey so she'd seen part of the metal on his leg but never the whole piece.

She slowly dropped to her knees as she continued to touch and explore, hearing his breathing pick up as she did. It was tempting to try something she'd heard of, that Selphie had giggled about doing with Tidus, but she also knew it would be too dangerous. Sora would never forgive himself if she was hurt because of him.

Kairi straightened up and leant in to kiss him. "I love you," she murmured when she pulled back to breath, able to feel his hands resting on her hips, her own wrapped around him. "Now let's see how you look, Ensign."

Sora nodded, smiling shyly before he reached for the uniform again, dressing in it. It was tighter fitting than the normal ones, the material different, but it had to act the same as his normal suits. She smiled and took the rank pip and his comm badge, carefully attaching them where she'd seen on the others.

"There. A proper Starfleet officer," she gently pushed him and he moved to the mirror, taking in how he looked.

"Should I have said no?" he asked softly, and she moved to wrap her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind.

"Why? You were taking the Academy courses, you planned to join Starfleet, didn't you?"

He nodded. "Before Riku found me."

"So why would it be different now? I'm studying medicine, Riku's learning the conn… we're part of the crew now. And even if that changes when they reach Earth, we'll always be linked to them."

Sora nodded, turning to hug her, his head resting on hers, and she could feel the fine tremble in his limbs, had seen the slight pinch to the skin around his eyes. And she was pretty sure she knew the cause; it wasn't the field commission…it was the World they were orbiting.

"We're going to be okay," she whispered.

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The small ship landed and Mickey was moving as soon as it had, Donald and Goofy right behind him. They were back! They quickly made their way towards Merlins to see three strangers and there… "Riku!" he called but Riku had already been turning, sensing them.

Riku smiled and moved towards them, dropping to his knees to hug him. "I've missed you," he greeted.

"I've missed you too," Mickey told him.

He stepped back and Donald and Goofy moved in for their own hugs as Mickey's eyes went back to the strangers, finding the woman watching them with…disbelief? And then he caught the sun glinting off metal above her eye. Oh! She had to be the one like Sora…Seven of Nine? No sign of Kairi or Sora though.

"Brought Seven to test the waters," Riku murmured. "See how people react to her first before bringing Sora."

Mickey nodded, that made sense. "Well, shall we meet your friends?"

Riku nodded and led them towards the group.

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By the time they beamed back up to the ship, Tom's head was spinning with everything. A mouse! Riku was friends with a talking, very big, mouse! Then there was the talking duck and whatever Goofy was, a dog? He was used to aliens, even unknown species after years stranded but this? They could have warned them!

And then he spotted Sora and blinked at the altered Starfleet uniform with a single rank pip. The uniform was skin-tight like all the ex-Borg's clothing to help support his body and bore the colours of operations since most of his work was with engineering. From the way Sora was standing, he wasn't entirely sure or comfortable and it made sense. He probably hadn't expected to wear the uniform until they returned to Earth, possibly longer depending on how Command took to his past.

Honestly, there'd been a few quiet wagers on when the Captain would give the kid a field commission. Sadly, Tom hadn't won the pot, he wasn't sure who would have.

But he grinned and moved to clap Sora on the shoulder, grinning at him, getting a smile in return. "Congratulations, Ensign."

"Thanks."

He headed off, wanting to just lie down and not think for a bit.

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Riku ran his hands over the gold-coloured shoulders and then down to where the colour became black, remembering when he'd first seen Tuvok in the uniform in the nightmare. It looked strange on Sora but he knew that soon he'd be used to it, just like how seeing Sora in those skin-tight suits had become normal. "Ensign Sora," he murmured, and saw Sora's face redden slightly.

"Riku…"

He grinned and then kissed Sora, feeling him relax. "It suits you," he murmured against his skin as the tension drained away from Sora's body. Riku knew why he was tense; in the morning he'd be with the away team.

Riku was hoping that exposure to another magic heavier World would help Sora access his own. Radiant Garden had been through so much that both Dark and Light were woven through it. The Land of Departure, despite a decade as Castle Oblivion, was pure Light and Riku did wonder if that was why it hadn't helped as much as they'd all hoped.

"Love you," he whispered as he found the seals, hands slipping under, waiting for permission.

Sora's breath hitched a little but then he nodded, and Riku undid them, slipping the material down Sora's body, caressing his skin as he did. He loved touching Sora, teaching him that his body wasn't disgusting or something to fear. He helped Sora step out his boots and the material and then let his hands skim back up his body, feeling Soa shiver, his breathing heavier.

"Okay?" he asked, and Sora nodded.

He leant in to kiss him, smiling when Sora's hands slid under his shirt. So, he pulled back a bit to pull it off and then looked at Sora, questioning. Sora swallowed but reached out and touched Riku's belt before undoing it, reaching for the fastenings of his pants. Now he was the one breathing heavily as Sora pushed his pants down, helping him strip. He let Sora look as much as he wanted, he hadn't seen him fully naked in years after all, not since they were kids. Sora hesitantly reached out to touch and Riku swallowed, feeling cool soft skin and metal run over his chest and then lower, exploring.

Then they were kissing again, hands wandering, and Riku shifted, guiding them to the bed.

"Riku?" Sora looked at him with wide eyes.

"You're beautiful," Riku murmured, gently brushing some hair back from Sora's face. He lay back and tugged Sora down on top of him. "Not pushing," he promised. "Just more comfortable like this."

Sora nodded and kissed him. They lay together on the bed, touching and kissing, and then hesitant fingers wrapped around him and Riku groaned. But he moved a hand to return the touch, watching Sora's eyes widen, mouth falling open. He hadn't seen many signs outside of when they were dreaming that Sora's body could still react normally, even with the Doctor saying relations were possible if dangerous. But now he had proof, he could literally feel it in his hand.

He saw Sora flinch slightly and pressed his other hand to the back of his head, sending a gently cure spell through his fingers.

"Need…to stop?" he forced himself to ask, even as he tried not to move.

Sora shook his head. "Just need…to adapt."

Riku nodded, they'd all seen it, with increasing exposure Sora could adapt to things that caused pain at first. It really got to him and Kairi but Sora insisted and they could never say no to him. It was his body, his decision. "So, go slow," he murmured, very carefully stroking.

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Sora slipped into Sickbay, feeling…strange. Yes, it had caused his implants to flare up more than they had in a long time but it had been worth it. It had felt very different to the touches they'd exchanged in dreams, better and more real. Riku was asleep in their room, Kairi now with him, but he needed to check in with the Doctor. Had he endangered Riku letting him touch him like that? He shouldn't have let things go so far but it had felt good to just let go of the rigid control he held over his emotions and body.

"Doctor?"

"Good morning, Sora…is something wrong? I understand you're nervous about going planet side,"

"It's not that," he cut the EMH off. He took a deep breath and explained what had happened.

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Kairi was aware of what Sora and Riku had done last night while she was on shift and her only complaint was not getting to watch. But it had probably been spontaneous and Sora would have felt more at ease without someone watching.

She was almost bouncing with excitement; she had missed everyone the last few months and was happy to hear the King had come to see them. She just hoped it wasn't too much for Sora. Who hadn't been there when they woke, was he still Regenerating? But before she could ask the computer, he joined them in the mess, handing Riku something out of sight.

"The Doctor said that…if we do that again then to take the same precautions as when exposed to Seven or mine's blood," he murmured.

Riku nodded, blushing ever so slightly before quickly digging into his breakfast.

Once they were done, they headed for the transporter room, finding Harry waiting for them with B'Elanna and Neelix.

"Ready?" Harry asked, and they nodded.

The six of them stepped onto the platform and then they were in Radiant Garden.

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Ansem stood with his Apprentices, waiting for the arrival of the trio. Mickey stood with Donald and Goofy to the side, the two court members all but vibrating with nerves at finally seeing Sora again. He had not personally seen an image of Sora but he had been warned the boy had been…altered. He hoped they might be able to offer aid of some sort but without knowing what had happened they had to wait.

Six figures materialised before them, three in what appeared to be a uniform, as well as Kairi and Riku plus someone non-human. And then Ansem blinked, realising one of those in uniform was standing with Riku and Kairi. He was taller than Ansem remembered, slender but not skinny. His hair was not quite as wild perhaps and…he fought down the horror as he took in the metal literally embedded into Sora's skin. That was…

He heard the soft noise Ienzo made, saw Demyx wrap his arm around him. That was something that had taken time to get used to but the once Nobody had grown a new Heart and while he still had most of his powers, he had no real memory of his life before becoming a Nobody. Just snatches, not enough to find his home World. So Radiant Garden had become his home and as the youngest two, he and Ienzo had gravitated together. Ansem knew Demyx had been thoroughly threatened should he ever break Ienzo's heart. And Demyx looked as shocked and saddened as everyone else by Sora's condition and the way Sora flinched back behind Riku and Kairi.

Riku turned to Sora, saying something Ansem couldn't hear, taking his hand, and Sora let himself be pulled forward.

"Sora!" Donald and Goofy yelled in unison, unable to stay back any longer, rushing towards the young man who froze and then cried out in pain, hands pressed to his temples.

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Harry turned to Sora immediately as he cried out in pain, reaching for the kit that Tom had made sure he brought, everyone knowing the meeting could be very emotional for Sora…which his implants would not like. He grabbed the hypospray and moved towards Sora, it was a pain reliever mixed with a mild relaxant. Seriously, he was not a medic of any kind, Tom should be the one with the medication, not him!

But Riku waved him off, speaking quietly with Sora, Kairi pressed to his other side. Harry glanced at Neelix and B'Elanna, she was the ranking officer after all. She looked concerned but nodded, trusting Riku for now.

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Riku's heart sank as Sora grabbed his head, crying out in pain, moving quickly forward to tuck him into his body, lifting his hands to rub Sora's temples, sending a gentle cure spell through his head. "It's okay Sora, just breath, you know the drill," he murmured, even as Kairi pressed to Sora's side, running her hand up and down his arm.

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"Sora?" Goofy asked, hating seeing him in pain. Was it…was it their fault?

Pained blue eyes lifted to meet his before closing, Sora taking deep, slow breaths. Gradually, Sora straightened up, face blank. Goofy almost recoiled, he'd never seen Sora like that…emotionless.

"Okay?" Riku asked, and Sora nodded. Riku then looked at them. "Take it easy," he chided.

"Sorry," Goofy offered. "Are ya okay, Sora?" he wanted to run to the boy but obviously that wasn't good. He didn't want to make him hurt.

Sora looked at him and it was still unnerving to see such blankness. "Goofy," Sora murmured.

"Do you need to go back?" One of the strangers asked.

Sora shook his head. "No, the implants are repairing themselves."

"Do you need an Elixir?" Donald offered one of the rare restoratives and Sora was obviously going to refuse but Kairi stopped him.

"Sora, your magic levels are still too low to use, what if this could help?" She asked.

The idea of Sora not being able to use magic was weird, sure, he hadn't known how when they met. But he'd learnt so quickly and he was powerful. He glanced at Donald to see he looked worried and shocked.

Sora looked between them but then took the Elixir, staring at it, before using it. He shuddered, Riku holding him up.

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Sora closed his eyes, feeling something going through him, he felt…stronger. The pain was gone which was good and he cautiously let go of the iron control he'd had to learn for his emotions. He opened his eyes and suddenly Radiant Garden was so much…so much more. Brighter, richer…more…there?

TBC…