~ Epilogue: Chikai ~

Sora's cake was strawberry, with a soft, pink frosting and real strawberries lining the edges. "2 At Heart" was written across the top in a deep red edible paste. Kairi made it – none of that store-bought shit, she said. And even though Axel and Riku had gone to Spec's down the road for cheap piña colada mix, Sora was perfectly content to sit at their table, and eat the cake.

He was on his third slice. And why shouldn't he? Turning twenty meant that he had the right to at least twenty slices. That's what he told Riku, and it had earned him a hair ruffle and a dollop of icing on his nose. Roxas got a picture that would likely end up printed and on the fridge.

"Kairi should have baked two," Riku commented idly next to him, staring at the TV in the living room that had the latest Final Fantasy flashing across the screen. It was Riku's birthday gift to him, though Axel was getting first trial on it.

"Or twenty," Sora supplied, grinning cheekily. He took another bite of cake, savoring the sweet flavor.

"I will never understand how you aren't three hundred pounds," Roxas slurred from his cozy spot on the couch – Axel's lap, surrounded by his boyfriend's arms as the redhead attempted to play. Roxas was content to be a hindrance, blocking Axel's view with his hair and leaning on his shoulder just so that he struggled to keep both hands on the controller.

"You're just as bad," Axel replied, "You're the one we're buying Zebra Cakes for."

"Lies," the blonde said lazily; it was clear he was a little tipsy but the length he held the 's' at the end of his word. "Ax," he complained with no other explanation.

"One more mission," Axel mumbled, "Then we'll go to bed."

"You guys, too?" Sora pouted, "It's like, only one."

"Only one, he says," Roxas snickered into Axel's chin. It earned him a peck.

"I'm still awake…" Sora mumbled.

Riku snorted, glancing fondly at Sora stuff his face with cake like the child the cake claimed him to be. "It's your birthday, of course you're hyper."

He nodded enthusiastically, taking another bite of his cake. "Yeah, 'cause I'm like, a super adult now. An adult-y adult."

"Still can't drink," Riku said. "Legally," he added with a pointed glance at the auspicious red cup next to his plate.

Sora took a sip just for show. "Fight me."

"Later," Riku replied, more out of habit than intentional innuendo. Still, Sora smirked behind the cup.

Axel paused and looked to Riku. "Hey, if we go to bed, what should we do about them?" He was referring to the slumbering trio next to him; Xion and Kairi were leaning on Namine, all fast asleep as of an hour ago. Though Sora had no idea how they managed to stay that way, with Kairi's ugly snores. It was probably the alcohol.

It wasn't like they could go anywhere, even if they woke up, since Xion drove in, and Kairi and Namine's dorm was at least a thirty minute walk. Clearly, one they wouldn't be making. But it wasn't a big deal; they'd stayed over plenty of times.

"We've taken the extra blanket – we can give it back," Sora supplied, only needing his peripheral vision to confirm Riku agreed.

"You don't think Nami will wake up and puke?" Axel mused, noting the line of drool off her face.

Roxas, half-awake now but always ready to defend his twin, argued, "She didn't drink that much."

"Says you," he retorted, "you had twice as much." He saved his progress on the game screen, and shut off the game. He tried to get up but Roxas was busy being a koala, clinging to him by the neck.

"I'm not drunk," Roxas argued. Axel gave him a smirk that showed he greatly disagreed. "Don– don't gibe me that look."

"We're off," Axel told them, helping a stumbling Roxas to his feet. He sent a sweet smile to Sora, "And happy birthday, Sora."

"Happy birthday!" Roxas added with undue enthusiasm. He stumbled his way to Sora and gave him a hug; though they weren't so rare anymore, it was equally true Rox was a happy drunk. "We love you."

"Thanks, Rox. Love you, too," Sora giggled, returning the embrace warmly, "Night night!"

The blonde staggered back. Axel waved as Roxas pulled them toward their room. Meanwhile, Riku got up and retrieved the blanket Sora mentioned, and an extra, and laid it neatly over the drunk, slumbering pile left on the couch. He left the other blanket folded next to them.

"You're so sweet," Sora cooed. "Maybe leave the bathroom door open for them, just in case," he added more seriously.

"Yep," Riku agreed, opening the door before returning by the table next to Sora, but didn't sit down. "Wanna go out to the balcony? Let your stomach process all that sugar for like, twenty minutes?"

"Pfft," Sora scoffed, putting his fork down, "I have the metabolism of a cheetah. A... tiger. A large cat." Still, he stood, grabbing Riku's hand.

"Don't I know it," Riku replied, smiling wryly. He led them to the balcony, a small, concrete shaded space with the lovely view of the back of another apartment building and its roof. There was only one plastic chair out, all the others having been relocated inside for the party, so they leaned against the railing. They had a couple cacti on the floor in the corner next to them, thriving with the dry, hot weather. But for now it was cool, though, because it was late; they couldn't see many stars in the night sky from the orange city glow all around, but it was still pretty.

They were quiet for a moment, breathing in the night air, until Sora giggled to himself, leaning his temple again Riku's shoulder. "I think this is the best birthday I've had."

"Yeah?" Riku encouraged, "Kairi was pretty determined this year."

"Everyone got to come, that's the best part!" He giggled again, "Even Larx got me something. Twenty dollars for the poor college student."

"She likes you more than me," Riku commented ruefully, "She gave me like, ten, last time."

"Nahhhh," Sora refuted. He looked up at the sky, then back at the railing. "Just think, two years and we'll be like, doing real jobs and living in a house."

"You make that sound like it's guaranteed," Riku replied, turning to face him. He settled a hand on his hip, casual, like it belonged there (it did) and soft. His thumb began circling idly; it almost made Sora sleepy.

"It is!" Sora said confidently, "We're gonna get like, a house with a huge living room and turn it into a game room." Riku snorted, but Sora continued, "And we're gonna have like, seven cats. I'm going to name them Anna, Elsa, Ariel, and–"

"Seven princess cats?" Riku quirked his brows like the idea was ludicrous, but was listening anyway. It was Sora's birthday, after all.

"Uh, yeah," Sora retorted like it was obvious. "Elsa would like you the best. Anna would be my furr baby."

"I resent that," Riku teased.

"Elsa will be a big, fluffy, grey cat. And will love you," Sora reaffirmed, his smile snarky.

"Fine," Riku said, playing along, "Which cat will love Axel?"

"Hmm," he tilted his head in thought, "My first instinct is Merida, but Ariel would work, too. They both ran away from home and have red hair. So it like... works."

"Axel would definitely resent that," Riku added again.

"Well you asked!" Sora laughed, leaning in to kiss Riku's jaw. Despite all Sora's best efforts – drinking gallons milk in high school – Riku was still a head taller.

"What else?" Riku asked, pulling Sora closer. He could rest against Riku's shoulder with ease, but he was having more fun looking up into his beautiful aqua eyes.

It was distracting. "What else what?"

"What else are we doing in two years?"

Sora grinned brilliantly; he loved their "we". "You're taking me to Disneyland for graduating."

"Such confidence," Riku was brushing Sora's hair back from his face on the side; it still gave Sora shivers, but it was comforting too. "Which one? Tokyo or California?"

"Well if I have a choice, we're going to Tokyo. And you'll have to drag me home."

"That can be arranged." He looked to the side, hand settling against Sora's neck. "But that's two years off. We're still celebrating your birthday."

"Yeah, that's true," Sora agreed, intrigued by Riku's pointed statement. It occurred to Sora that Riku asked them to come out here, but hadn't considered an ulterior motive for it. "Though it's like, pretty late – it's technically not my birthday anymore."

"Doesn't count," Riku countered. Riku stared into Sora's eyes so long he thought he'd be kissed. But Riku's hand left his hip, instead shuffling inside his pocket.

Sora smiled slyly, "Why? Did you get me something else?"

"Maybe," Riku said, grin soft and somewhat nervous.

"I told you you didn't have to," Sora said sweetly, curious and apprehensive.

"I wanted to," Riku retorted, before demanding in a soft rumble, "Open your hand."

Sora did, his palm up and open, but did nothing to hide his curiosity, leaning in attempts to see whatever was in Riku's hand before he gave it to him. With a chuckle, Riku pressed a small box into his hand; it was a deep navy blue with a little bow on it. And Sora had no clue what it could be.

Sora had a tease on his tongue ready to say, but couldn't when he looked up and Riku was looking out over the balcony. He was blushing, tension clear in his shoulders and still posture. "Uhm. Can I open it?" Sora asked, knowing it was a dumb question, but Riku was making him nervous.

"Yeah, it's–" He swallowed, started again. "It's not what it looks like, really."

Sora didn't know what it was supposed to look like. So he carefully untied the bow, the excitement and curiosity quickly catching up to him; he loved a surprise.

He lifted the box lid, ready to scream 'thank you' because Riku could get him anything, and Sora would be ecstatic, but paused when he saw the contents. They were two gold bands, rather simple and medium thickness.

Riku started talking before Sora could even ask. "I just– You've been talking about graduating and the future so much– our future, and I... I wanted to tell you I'm all in."

Sora averted his gaze from the rings to Riku, who was watching him apprehensively. With wide eyes, he drank in Riku's face – pale and handsome and soft with the meager night lights – and his words, wondering if Riku was saying what Sora thought he was saying.

"You're my best friend, and the best boyfriend ever, and I love you so fucking much it's–" Sora's heart skipped a beat, "It doesn't have to be like," Riku got a little stuck, the crest of his cheeks getting pinker, "marriage, but–"

"Marry me," Sora blurted, unable to contain himself for even one more second. His smile was practically splitting his face, pulling Riku closer again as he'd backed away to give Sora space. Space Sora didn't want. "Ri, marry me?" He cupped Riku's cheek, searching his eyes earnestly, begging him to see that Sora was one-thousand percent serious.

Riku froze but broke just as fast into a laugh that almost sounded like a sob. "Are you sure... you're okay with us? Me?" His face was tilted to the side in insecurity, but he still held Sora close like he couldn't stand Sora being anywhere else.

"How many times do I have to tell you, Riku," Sora said, voice airy in pure bliss, "you're all I want."

And then Riku was kissing Sora so fast he didn't have time to even breathe, fingers brushing the back of Sora's ear and his other hand in the dip of his back. Sora was still gripping the box in one hand, the corners digging in – but thank god it was, so Sora knew for sure this wasn't some wonderful alcohol-produced Birthday dream. He kissed Riku back like it was the last thing he would do, deep but sweet and the only thing holding Sora back from crying. They held each other there like time was stopped, while he mapped and remapped the shape of Riku's lips.

When Sora pulled back, he teased, "It's not official until we put the rings on." He pulled the box closer to his chest, gazing at them breathlessly. "Which is mine?"

"That one," Riku said, popping it out of the velvet casing. Sora held out his left hand expectantly, an excited grin on his face. With a blissful smile of his own, Riku slid it down Sora's finger. It fit perfectly.

"How did you know what size to get?" Sora asked in wonderment, admiring the band.

"Aha, Roxas," Riku admitted, "Your hands are almost the same size, so."

"You know he'll never let you live that down," Sora giggled, and set about retrieving Riku's ring from the box.

"Yeah, but it's totally worth it," Riku said sweetly. He held out his hand, too.

Even after all this time, Sora's hands still shook; it was a permanent part of him. Normally, Sora didn't mind, but the shaking made it difficult to put the band on Riku.

"Fuck, I'm so bad at this," Sora laughed, somehow more embarrassed about this than the actual engagement itself, "I hate my hands."

"I love your hands," Riku said, steadying him with his right hand.

"Oh?" Sora said almost absently, concentrating. He was able to slide it on easy after that, a perfect fit. And suddenly, they matched.

Riku intertwined their fingers happily."Because I get to hold them."

Sora hummed happily. "You're such a sap." He put the box they came in on the sad plastic chair and then launched himself back into Riku's arms, hugging him so close, he could hear Riku's heart pounding in his chest.

Riku held him just as close, pressing feather-light kisses into Sora's neck. Sora mumbled, eyes welling up, "This really was the best birthday ever." A couple tears strayed down his face but they were the happiest tears he'd had.

Riku chuckled; his voice was thick, too. "I don't know how I'll beat this next year."

"I don't know, either," Sora admitted, clinging, "And now I'm fresh out of ideas for your birthday."

They pulled away just enough to see each other's faces. Riku wiped the tears off, soft and slow and admiringly and wow, Sora was the luckiest guy alive to have Riku as a ... as a fiance.

For a second, Sora felt solemn – thinking about everything they'd done together since meeting in Daybreak Camp. Thinking how Riku practically was adopted into the Stride household for months, present almost every dinner until Axel ran away. Thinking when Sora got to spend the night the first time at Riku's, but only because with Riku and Axel sharing a room, they couldn't do anything nefarious. Thinking how, next time, Roxas came over, too, and Riku and Sora bought Sonic and hung out in the car under the stars for hours. It was sad at the time, but funny now, that when they came back, Roxas hadn't left yet, because he didn't want to go.

Remembering when Riku took Sora to see Mikey the first time, a hot summer day, so hot the grass was more yellow than green on every grave. There was a new plot next to Mikey's, with bright, sad, fake flowers. And Sora cried, and Riku told him it was okay.

Thinking how Sora would lust after Riku in his uniform as a bartender, him sitting at a table studying and pretending he was eighteen so he was totally legally there, sipping a Shirley Temple. Sora insisting that his tips were kisses, and maybe a little more on his breaks. Deni never said anything, anyway. Larxene and Axel did, though – silver hair did not hide hickeys well.

Remembering when Sora graduated, and Deni shut down the bar for Sora and Kairi, and Genori bought way too many pizzas, and Sora, Riku, Kairi, and Axel got drunk on Dr. Pepper and dreams, that "the future" was starting and all their plans were possible. Roxas and Namine drove down the next weekend, and they all got the normal version of drunk, sanctioned and kept secret by Larxene and Deni.

Remembering when they moved into their new apartment, and it was weird that first night, because it wasn't just a sleepover, it was Their Room and everything was More Serious.

Thinking how Riku was heartbroken when Larxene called in tears that Deni came home with someone, only for everything to be fixed a month later because Larxene finally confessed, and now Riku had two mothers that acted like toddlers.

Remembering all the ramen and Lucky Charms nights, because they couldn't afford anything else.

Remembering all the concerts that Sora crowd-surfed, and Axel kept Riku from freaking out at the thought of Sora getting hurt in the rough moshing, Roxas the instigator.

Sora had millions of memories that he cherished, all made within the last three years, and now, they were promising the rest of forever.

"Hey, guess what?" Sora finally said, voice barely above a whisper, licking his lips and spinning the ring on his finger.

"What?" Riku indulged him, so close Sora could feel his breath brush across his cheeks.

"You're my miracle," he told him, knowing how cheesy it was, but meant it anyway.

Riku grinned like he held the world in his hands, and gave Sora eskimo kisses, cupping his jaw. "And you're mine."

~ Fin ~

A/N: If you thought I wouldn't take the full version of Chikai and run with it, you're dead wrong.

Also, here is Tuc Tuc's version of the epilogue: "And then Sora and Riku fucked in the back of Larxene's car. The end." And I'm here to say, they probably did.

Just for a little more explanation, as soon as Axel turned 18 he ran from home, and Riku begged Larxene to let him stay. So, they shared a room for the rest of their senior year (though Axel got his GED instead), and worked at the bar together. They went to community college during Sora and Roxas's senior years nearby. Then, once Sora and Roxas graduated, they all (by all I mean Kairi and Namine, too – Xion went to another university but visits often) applied to university together and got to move into an apartment. Rent is a lot cheaper shared across four people, so there you go. And if Roxas seemed a little OOC in this, it's because he's drunk and in love. And I stan.

With that, You Are My Miracle is finished! Thank you again for reading, it's been a wild ride. I hope you had as much fun as I did :)

Happy fanfic-ing! ;) You know I'll be back, bc I have no self-control.
~ Hannahble