Riku stood a few steps back from the group, hands stuffed into his pockets, his eyes drifting toward the horizon. Ahead of him, Sora was surrounded by their friends—Donald, Goofy, Leon, and others—laughing and exchanging farewells. They were making the usual promises to visit. But this goodbye felt different, they didn't even know where they were going.

He shifted his weight slightly, a familiar dull ache running down his side. It wasn't anything new, just the same nagging pain he'd learned to live with. He flexed his hand subtly, hoping no one would notice as he tried to ease the tension in his muscles.

Sora glanced over his shoulder and caught Riku's eye. "You good back there?"

Riku nodded, forcing a small smile, but he didn't move closer. Sora didn't push, but Riku could see the concern in his eyes. The truth was, he wasn't sure where he fit in anymore. After everything he'd done in the past, being around Sora's friends still made him feel... out of place.

Donald and Goofy waved at him, their smiles friendly but tinged with awkwardness. Donald gave a short, stiff nod. "Uh, take care, Riku," he said, his usual quack softened.

Goofy leaned in, patting his shoulder a bit too hard. "Gawrsh, don't be a stranger, Riku. We'll catch up soon, right?"

"Yeah," Riku mumbled, but the words felt hollow. He could feel the tension between them, they were trying, but no matter how hard they tried to hide it, Riku could still sense the indifference. He didn't blame them—they had every reason to be guarded.

Leon stood nearby, watching. Riku caught the longer look from him, a mix of assessment and something else. Probably just caution. Leon walked over, giving Riku a firm nod. "Look after yourself, alright?"

Riku nodded. "You too."

Leon gave him a hard pat on the shoulder before turning back to the others. Riku's shoulder tensed at the contact, though he didn't let it show. He stood there, quiet, like a spectator to someone else's goodbye. These were Sora's friends.

Donald and Goofy were back with Sora now, Goofy's laughter echoing, and Donald muttering something under his breath, though he still flashed Riku an awkward thumbs-up before turning back to Sora.

"Ready to go?" Sora's voice broke through Riku's thoughts, his usual bright tone now filled with a hint of concern.

Riku nodded again, though he didn't feel ready at all. With one last glance at the sunset, he followed Sora toward the Gummi Ship, his steps heavy.

As they reached the ship, Sora was still waving at everyone, calling out over his shoulder, "We'll be back soon! Promise!"

.

The Gummi Ship hummed quietly as Riku stared at the stars, feeling... off. He didn't know why, but the pit in his stomach had been there for a while now. Maybe it was the calm after everything they'd been through, the lack of a clear enemy to fight. Or maybe, it was just him, not knowing what to do with himself anymore.

Beside him, Sora sighed and stopped tapping his fingers on the console. That small, repetitive noise had been keeping Riku grounded, and the sudden silence made the unease inside him stir even more.

"So," Sora said, breaking the silence. What do you say we head back home? To the islands? We're pretty close, only a couple of hours away."

Riku blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. Home. It had been so long since they'd been back to Destiny Islands, and the idea of returning should've made him feel some relief, happiness, anything. But all it did was add to that weird, tight feeling in his chest.

He turned to look at Sora, who was waiting for a response, a hopeful grin already starting to form.

Riku nodded slowly, though he wasn't even sure why. "Guess it is time."

Sora's grin widened, like that was all he needed to hear. "It's been a while, right? I think we could both use a break."

Riku just stared out the window again, his thoughts all jumbled up. A break. Sure. Maybe that was what they needed, but he couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't enough. That there was still something unresolved, something he couldn't put his finger on.

Sora leaned back in his chair, adjusting the ship's course. "I can't wait. I bet Kairi's been wondering where we are. It'll be good to just... relax for a bit, you know?"

Relax. That word felt even weirder than home. Riku hummed in agreement, though the idea of relaxing didn't sit right with him. How could he relax when everything felt so unsettled inside him?

"I wonder if the paopu trees are still there," Sora said, almost to himself. "Bet they are."

Riku didn't answer right away. Sora, who now had his feet kicked up on the dash, humming something under his breath, was completely relaxed, as if nothing in the universe could shake him.

"It'll be good to be home." But even as he said the words, the knot in his chest didn't loosen.

Riku wasn't sure he was ready for it.

He turned back to the window, running a hand through his hair—a nervous habit he didn't even realize he'd picked up. What was he even feeling? Tired? Overwhelmed? It wasn't like any of that was new. Maybe it was the quiet. Maybe today was just an off day; everyone had one of those once in a while, right?

He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped. What was he going to say? Hey, I'm feeling weird, and I don't know why. He was used to taking things on himself and dealing with his problems without bothering anyone else.

Riku rubbed the back of his neck. That gnawing feeling in his chest wouldn't go away. And the more he tried to shake it, the more he realized what it was that he needed.

His gaze flicked to Sora, who now had his feet kicked up on the dash, still humming something under his breath. There was always something so steady about Sora, like he was a constant even when everything else was in chaos. Riku's eyes lingered on him, just a little too long, and his chest tightened in a way that had nothing to do with anxiety.

Sora always made things easier. Even when they were kids, Sora was the one who made Riku feel like it was okay to just be... himself. No pretending, no hiding. Just them. And maybe that's why, without even fully realizing it, Riku had started leaning on him in ways he hadn't expected. Maybe more than he wanted to admit, even to himself.

Riku felt his fingers curl into the fabric of his jacket as the realization settled in. He wasn't just anxious. He wanted something. Something that should've been easy to ask for but felt impossible.

A hug.

Riku wanted a hug.

The thought hit him like a wave. It felt ridiculous—too soft, too vulnerable. He wasn't a kid anymore. He wasn't the type to ask for something like that, not even from Sora. But then again... maybe he was. And Sora wouldn't judge him. He never had.

The closeness he craved wasn't just for comfort. There was something more there, something that he wasn't ready to fully unpack yet, but it was there. And the thought of Sora being the one to ground him, to give him that, didn't feel weird. It felt... right.

Maybe if he just;

"What's up?" Sora's voice cut through his thoughts, light and curious, and of course, he noticed something was off with Riku...

Riku stiffened, eyes darting back to the stars outside. He should say nothing. Brush it off, like always. Keep things simple. But he couldn't shake the feeling that pulled him towards Sora—the comfort he knew he'd find there.

And finally, after what felt like an eternity, he swallowed and forced the words out, a little stilted, unsure, but honest. "Can I... get a hug?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Riku felt ridiculous. A hug? Really? It felt so small, almost stupid. But at the same time, he couldn't take it back. It was out there now.

There was a beat of silence. For a split second, Riku braced himself for Sora to laugh or brush it off—anything that would let him pretend this hadn't happened. But then Sora blinked, his face showing surprise, though not in the way Riku expected. He didn't look confused or weirded out. He just seemed... curious. Like that idea hadn't crossed his mind, but now that it had, it made sense.

"A hug? Now?" Sora echoed as if he were testing out the idea himself. Then, like flipping a switch, his face lit up. "Sure!"

Without any hesitation, Sora leaned over and wrapped his arms around Riku. No questions, no second thoughts. He just did it, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. And for Sora, it probably was.

Riku blinked, caught off guard by how easy it was for Sora. It shouldn't have surprised him. Sora was always quick to give, and quick to help, no strings attached. Riku let his eyes fall shut, feeling the warmth of Sora's arms around him. It was a quick, casual hug, nothing more than a brief squeeze before Sora let go.

It was over in seconds, and Riku should have expected that. Sora wasn't one to linger. He did everything fast, running, fighting, laughing, and, apparently, hugging. Sora just did things instinctively, like his heart knew what was needed before his head could even catch up.

But for Riku? It wasn't that simple.

Even now, as Sora pulled back, Riku could still feel the tension wound tight in his own body. His shoulders stayed stiff, his hands never moved from his sides, and his mind was already analyzing every second of what just happened. Was it weird that he asked? Should he have said something more? Did Sora think it was strange?

He glanced at Sora, who was settling back into his chair like nothing had changed, still wearing that easy smile, like this was just another moment between them, nothing to overthink. It was just so Sora, no hesitation. Sora's carefree energy against Riku's constant overthinking. Maybe they balanced each other.

Sora glanced over at him, eyebrows raised. "Feeling better?"

Riku swallowed and nodded, though he wasn't sure if better was the right word. The knot in his chest hadn't disappeared, but something about that brief touch had made it... easier. Lighter. He still wasn't ready to dive into why he needed the hug in the first place or why it had mattered so much. That was something for Future Riku.

Maybe that was why it was so easy for him to help without a second thought. Sora had this way of making the impossible feel possible, of shrinking Riku's tangled thoughts and worries until they didn't seem so heavy. Even now, Riku could feel the tension starting to unwind.

Riku took a quiet breath, trying to relax. It was funny that no matter how much Riku tried to be the strong one, the protector, the guy with all the answers, Sora was always the one who managed to pull him out of his head. And the weird part was that Sora didn't even seem to know he was doing it.

"Yeah," he muttered after a minute of silence, glancing at Sora from the corner of his eye. "A little better."

But as the words left his mouth, he knew they weren't entirely true. Sure, the hug had helped, but there was still that knot in his chest; it was something that wouldn't go away so easily. And from the way Sora had gone quiet beside him, Riku realized Sora knew it too.

Riku could feel Sora's gaze, like he was trying to see past the small, forced smile Riku had given. For all his carefree nature, Sora had always been able to read him. It was something Riku never fully understood how Sora could sense when something was off, even when Riku didn't say a word.

Sora tilted his head slightly, studying him for a second longer before he shifted in his seat, leaning a little closer. Then, without saying anything, Sora held out his hand, palm up, waiting. His expression was soft, no questions, no pressure, just an unspoken offer.

Riku blinked, caught off guard. His first instinct was to brush it off, to say he didn't need it. He wasn't a kid who needed to hold someone's hand for reassurance. But when he looked at Sora and saw the quiet understanding in his eyes, that old tension slipped away. Sora wasn't judging him. He never did. He just... knew.

Before he could overthink it, Sora gave him a small, teasing smile, the kind that said, It's okay, you can trust me.

And just like that, Riku's hand moved on its own. Slowly, tentatively, he reached out and placed his hand in Sora's. The moment their fingers touched, Sora's grip tightened, not hard but firm, reassuring, and he slid his fingers between Riku's, intertwining them.

Riku's breath caught in his throat for a second. His hand wasn't small, but somehow, in Sora's grasp, it felt that way. It was such a simple gesture, but it carried more weight than Riku could name. It made the knot in his chest loosen just a little more.

Sora didn't say anything. He didn't need to. The silence between them wasn't awkward or tense, it was just... there, comfortable in the way only Sora could make it.

Riku looked down at their joined hands as Sora absentmindedly brushed his thumb over Riku's knuckles. It was so casual, so easy, but for Riku, it meant everything. It was exactly what he hadn't been able to put into words. He exhaled slowly, feeling the tension in his shoulders finally beginning to melt.

Riku's gaze lingered a moment too long, drawn to the soft curve of Sora's grin, the way his eyes sparkled with that quiet warmth. It made Riku's chest feel too tight, like he couldn't quite catch his breath. And that realization sent a surge of confusion through him, because what did it mean if he wanted to stay like this?

Sora didn't look at him the way Riku felt himself looking at Sora. Did he? No, Sora was just being himself, carefree, caring, always there when Riku needed him. That had to be it.

But then there was the way Sora's fingers held his, firm yet gentle, and the way his thumb kept brushing over Riku's skin. The way he leaned in was just a little closer than usual. It made Riku question whether he was wrong.

"You know," Sora said softly, his voice breaking through Riku's tangled thoughts. "It's okay... not to be okay."

Sora had always been able to see through him, cutting right past his defenses. He didn't ask if Riku was fine, he already knew better. He didn't pry, didn't push, just... said it. Simple. Easy.

Riku dropped his gaze to their joined hands again, his heart still racing. Sora's words echoed in his head. It's okay not to be okay. He knew that, didn't he? But every time Sora got this close, something more than just comfort stirred inside him—something deeper, something he didn't have a name for.

"I know," Riku muttered, though even he wasn't convinced. The words felt automatic, like another layer of armor. His fingers tightened around Sora's hand, not letting go. As if pulling away now would mean losing something important, something he couldn't quite put into words.

But how was he supposed to say that out loud? What did it mean if he wanted more than just this, more than a hand to hold?

Sora didn't move; his grip remained steady, as if waiting for Riku to figure it out. To understand what he needed.

"It's just..." Riku started, but his throat felt tight and dry. His gaze flickered to Sora's face again, only to find Sora already looking at him. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to blur. It was just the two of them, sitting quietly in the Gummi Ship, hands entwined, and Riku felt like he could fall into the warmth of Sora's eyes if he wasn't careful.

"I don't know how to ask for more," he admitted, voice low and strained. It wasn't just about the handholding anymore. It was something else, something deeper that Riku couldn't quite put into words. But it was there, and it was real.

Sora's thumb continued its slow, soothing rhythm over Riku's knuckles, sending a shiver through him. Sora was so close now, their shoulders nearly touching. Riku's mind screamed at him to pull back, to stop before this went somewhere unfamiliar.

"You don't have to know how," Sora said quietly, his voice soft but sure. "You just can. You don't need to explain it."

He didn't want to let go of Sora's hand. But saying that out loud? Asking for that? What did that even mean?

"I don't want to let go," Riku admitted before he could stop himself. He wasn't sure if he meant it literally or something more.

Sora's gaze softened, and he squeezed slightly. Then don't, he said simply, as if the answer had always been that easy.

For Sora, maybe it was. But for Riku, this felt like stepping off a cliff into the unknown. The way Sora looked at him, the way his voice dropped just a little lower, made it feel like something unspoken hung between them, something real and undeniable.

So, he didn't pull away. For the first time, he let himself stay. He allowed himself to be in this moment without running from it, without trying to figure it all out, without overanalyzing it.

"Thanks," Riku murmured, though the word didn't seem like enough. It was all he had. But the way Sora smiled, wide, open, and understanding, told him it was enough.

Always so gentle and reassuring, his Sora, and he gave Riku's hand another light squeeze. "You don't have to thank me, Riku. Anytime."

But Riku felt like he did. He always would, but for once, things didn't have to be so complicated.

.

The ship touched down softly on the sandy shore of Destiny Islands. As Riku stepped out, the familiar sound of waves filled the air, and the sand crunched under his boots. A sense of ease washed over him—after everything, this place still felt like home. He hadn't realized just how much he'd missed it.

Ahead of him, Sora had already kicked off his shoes, laughing as he waded into the water, letting the waves splash up against his ankles. "Man, it feels like forever since we've been here," he called back, his voice light and carefree. "I've missed this place."

Riku watched him for a moment, unable to stop the small smile that tugged at his lips, and kicked off his shoes. He followed Sora to the water's edge, feeling the breeze brush against his skin. For a moment, he just stood there, letting himself take it all in the waves, the sky, and the feeling of being home again.

Sora flopped down onto the sand, patting the spot beside him. "C'mon, Riku. Just sit for a bit. We're home now, no need to be all serious."

Riku hesitated, glancing at Sora. His friend was sprawled out on the sand, gazing out at the ocean with that same, easy smile. For a moment, Riku wanted to be like that, to just let go and be as carefree as Sora seemed to be. But it wasn't that simple for him. It never was.

Still, he walked over and sat down next to Sora, planting his hands in the sand behind him as he leaned back. The cool breeze felt good, and the sound of the waves filled the silence between them. It wasn't awkward or heavy, just... quiet. Peaceful. Riku closed his eyes for a moment, breathing in the salty air, and let himself relax just a little.

However, no matter how hard he tried to push it away, it was always there, always reminding him of the mistakes he'd made, of how many times he'd let the darkness in and had hurt his friends, his Sora.

"Sora..." he started, his voice barely above a whisper, uncertain. His fingers dug into the sand. "I've made mistakes. A lot of them."

Sora turned to look at him, his grin fading as concern flickered across his face. "Riku."

Riku shook his head before Sora could say anything more. He needed to get this out, to say it. "I don't want to repeat them. I just... I want to keep you safe." His voice wavered, but he kept going. "Sometimes I think... I'm not strong enough to protect you. What if I let you down?"

No matter how much he fought, no matter how far he'd come, there was always this fear that he would fail again, that he'd let the people he cared about most get hurt again.

Sora's expression softened. "We all mess up, Riku. I have too. But what matters is that we learn from it."

He reached out and placed his hand on Riku's arm, squeezing it gently but firmly. "We protect each other, remember? It's not just on you."

Riku's gaze fell to the sand, his jaw tightening. It wasn't that simple, not to him. "But what if I'm not enough? What if... it's too late?"

The fear in his voice was raw, and it hung between them. He carried these doubts with him for so long, since he betrayed the people who meant everything to him. No matter how many battles they won, no matter how many times Sora had forgiven him, Riku couldn't shake the feeling that one day, he'd fail again. And this time, there'd be no fixing it.

Sora didn't hesitate. "It's never too late for us, Riku." His voice was steady and confident. "We face everything together. That's what makes us strong."

It wasn't the first time Sora had been so sure, but it still hit Riku just as hard. How could Sora have so much faith in him after everything?

He glanced back at the horizon, the setting sun casting long shadows across the sand. "Together, huh?" he muttered, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips.

Sora's grin widened as if he could already see the shift in Riku's mood. Always.

Riku nodded, exhaling slowly. Maybe Sora was right. Maybe he wasn't carrying all this alone. As the waves continued to crash softly in the background, Riku allowed himself to relax a little more, letting the weight of the past lift off his shoulders just enough to breathe.

They sat there in silence for a while longer, the sky slowly darkening as the sun dipped below the horizon. The air around them cooled, but the peace of the moment lingered.

"I've been thinking," Sora said suddenly, his voice breaking the comfortable quiet. There was something more thoughtful, almost serious, in his tone.

Riku looked over, raising an eyebrow. "About?"

Sora's eyes stayed on the ocean; the smile he had didn't quite match his usual goofy expression Riku was used to. "About us. About what's next."

Riku's heart gave a strange flutter at those words, but he kept his face neutral. "What do you mean?" He wasn't sure where Sora was going with this.

"I mean... we've been through so much. We've fought together, and saved worlds together. But I've been thinking lately... maybe there's more to us than just that. More than just fighting and all the battles." He paused, looking him dead in the eye, and this time, there was something different in them, something deeper. "Do you feel it too?"

Riku swallowed, suddenly aware of the warmth spreading through his chest. He didn't know how to respond at first, but deep down, he understood what Sora was getting at. There was something that had been shifting between them for a while now. A quiet feeling that had grown stronger over time.

"Yes," Riku admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've felt it."

Sora smiled at that, his face lighting up in a way that made the knot in Riku's chest loosen even more. There was relief in Sora's eyes, like he'd been hoping for that answer all along.

Sora shifted a little closer, his shoulder brushing against Riku's. "Do you think... it could be something good?"

Riku's heart was racing now, but not from fear. He let the question hang in the air for a moment, letting the weight of it settle. It wasn't easy for him to acknowledge these kinds of feelings, especially when it came to Sora, but he knew the answer. He had known it for a while.

He hummed, a small smile finally breaking through. "I think it could be."

For the first time in a long while, Riku didn't feel the need to overthink, didn't feel the need to question everything. Sitting here with Sora, with the waves gently lapping at the shore and the sky fading into twilight, everything felt... right.

Sora bumped his shoulder against Riku's in that familiar, playful way that was so Sora. "Awesome," he said, the simplicity of the word holding a weight Riku hadn't expected.

The air between them settled back into a comfortable silence, but this time, it felt different. Riku didn't feel the need to say anything else. For now, sitting here next to Sora was enough.

Sora's eyes sparkled with something bright and hopeful, and before Riku could react, Sora leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. It was soft and brief, but it sent warmth flooding through Riku's entire body.

Sora pulled back, his cheeks a little pink, but his grin was wide and unapologetic. "Just felt like doing that," he said with a small laugh.

Riku blinked, his heart racing in a way he wasn't used to. He opened his mouth to say something, but all that came out was an awkward laugh; "You're impossible."

Sora's grin only grew wider. "Aw, Riku, you giggled!"

Riku shot him a look, his cheeks warming. "I did not giggle."

"Oh, you totally did!" Sora teased, bumping his shoulder playfully. "I've never heard you make that sound before! Should I be concerned?"

Riku rolled his eyes, trying to act annoyed, but the blush on his face gave him away. "I'll remember this the next time you try to act tough."

Sora chuckled, unfazed. "If making you laugh is all it takes to mess with you, I'm doing it more often."

Riku huffed, but despite himself, he couldn't help the small smile tugging at his lips. "You're impossible," he muttered again, but this time, it was softer—almost fond.

Sora smiled at him, beaming in that easy way he always did, and Riku, without thinking much about it, leaned over and rested his head on Sora's shoulder. Sora didn't say anything and didn't make a big deal out of it. Instead he just let out a soft sigh, leaning his head gently against Riku's.

"I'm proud of you, you know," Sora said quietly, his voice serious but filled with warmth. "Of everything you've been through. Everything you've accomplished."

Riku's throat tightened at Sora's words. He wasn't sure how to respond, he wasn't used to this kind of honesty. However, the doubts Riku had carried for so long didn't seem as loud anymore.

After a moment, Sora shifted slightly. "Hey, remember that time your hand was hurting, and you asked me to tie your hair?"

Riku froze, feeling the heat rush to his face again. "Not the side ponytail story again, Sora! You promised not to bring that up."

Sora let out a bright laugh, leaning back just enough to grin at him. "Come on, it was cute!"

Riku groaned, rubbing his face with his hands, though his blush was impossible to hide. "No."

Sora nudged him with his shoulder, still laughing. "It wasn't that bad. And hey, you asked for help that time, right?"

Riku peeked at him through his fingers, narrowing his eyes. "That was different. You know sometimes my arm hurts."

Sora's laughter softened, his voice taking on a more affectionate tone. "And that's why you asked for help. You can do it again, you know. Give yourself some credit."

Riku, finally had an epiphany and realized Sora was right—things didn't always have to be so heavy.

Sora looked up at the stars, his expression thoughtful. "So... what do you think comes next?"

Riku frowned, caught off guard by the question. He hadn't really thought about the future in that way. "I don't know, he admitted. I've been so used to fighting, to chasing after something... that I haven't really thought about what happens when it's all over."

Sora glanced at him, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "You ever think about just... staying here? Living a normal life?"

Riku hesitated, his gaze dropping to the sand. "Sometimes. But I don't know if I'd be good at it." The idea of a peaceful, normal life felt strange to him. It wasn't that he didn't want it—part of him did—but it was hard to imagine after everything they'd been through.

Sora nudged him playfully with his shoulder. "Come on, we'll, figure it out together."

"Well," he said softly. "Guess we will."

Sora stretched his arms out above his head and let out a relaxed sigh. "Honestly, I think we've earned that break. A real one."

Riku chuckled. "Um, you're probably right." For the first time in a long while, he felt like he could believe that. They could use the rest.

After a moment of quiet, Riku reached out and took Sora's hand. He realized, right then, this was exactly where he wanted to be. With Sora, things didn't feel so uncertain.

Sora glanced at their joined hands and grinned. Instead of letting go, he stood up, still holding Riku's hand, and offered him a tug. "Hey, let's walk around. It feels weird just sitting here when we haven't been home in so long."

Riku raised an eyebrow as Sora pulled him up. "What there to see? It's the same island."

Sora grinned, giving Riku's hand a playful squeeze as he shook his head. "It's not about seeing something new. It's about being back here. With you. Come on."

Without letting go of each other's hands, they began walking along the shoreline, the waves lapping gently at their feet. The sand was cool beneath them, sinking slightly under their steps. Now and then, Sora pointed out something small, like a rock they used to jump over, or the tree where they had tied up their old raft.

"This place hasn't changed," Sora said quietly, his voice filled with nostalgia. "But we have."

Sora was right; of course he was. The island felt the same, but nothing else did. They weren't the kids who had once dreamed of leaving this place. They left faced worlds beyond their wildest imaginations and came back changed. Stronger. Different.

"Yes," Riku said softly, his voice thoughtful. "We really have."

They walked in comfortable silence for a while longer, hands still intertwined as the stars blinked above them. Without warning, Sora stopped and turned toward him, his eyes catching Riku's. Before Riku could ask what was going on, Sora leaned in and pressed another quick kiss to his cheek, gentle and soft, but with just enough weight to make Riku's heart skip a beat.

Riku blinked, feeling the warmth rush to his face as his breath hitched. Sora pulled back with that same wide, unapologetic grin he always had. "Just felt like doing that again," he said, his tone light and teasing, but the look in his eyes said something more.

Riku huffed, half-amused, half-shy. "I noticed."

They didn't need to say anything more. They kept walking along the beach, hand in hand, the quiet shared between them as easy as breathing.

.

Later on, just as the stars began to peek through the sky, a familiar voice rang out across the beach. "Sora! Riku!" Kairi came sprinting toward them at full speed, tackling both boys in a tight hug that sent them stumbling backward into the sand. "You're finally back! I missed you both so much," she said, squeezing them tighter.
Finally, they were home.