Where I'll Return
Part 5: Confused Desires (Revised & Reposted)
A Kingdom Hearts Fanfic
By Meruhesae
Pairings: Riku x Sora
Rating: M
Warnings: Yaoi, shounen-ai, AU-ish, fluff, sappiness, nudity.

DISCLAIMER: Kingdom Hearts belongs to Squaresoft, Disney, Sony, Tetsuya Nomura, the guys in the animation department that do the really cool CG effects, and a partridge in a pear tree.

NOTES: Yes, I know this is very, very late. I won't bore any of you with my excuses as to why it took me so long to rewrite this chapter, but it's here, finally. I would also like to say that, previously this story was deleted from the supposed "graphic content" of this chapter, which, to put it bluntly, was a load of crap. Admins, if this story happens to get reported once more, have the decency to actually read the damn thing before you delete it. Thank you.

On that final note, things get a little more steamy in this chapter, but I repeat, NOTHING GRAPHIC. Warning for nekkie Riku and Sora.

Enjoy!

After leaving Sora in their room to check on Kairi, Riku leaned against the door and let out a long sigh. Okay, so he told Sora he loved him... well, kind of told him. But he didn't use the phrase "I love you" or "I'm in love with you" that would have made Sora realize that his love for him was more than friendship. Just last night he had been ready to confess everything to Sora, but he found out that actually getting the words out of his mouth was harder than he thought.

In the next room, Kairi was still just as unmoving and lifeless as ever. Riku knew that until they found her heart, she would stay that way, but he still felt obligated to check and make sure she was all right. He wondered how Sora would react to seeing her like this. He'd been very upset to learn Kairi's condition, and Riku hoped seeing her in this state wouldn't cause Sora anymore strain. The kid had gone through enough stress already.

Riku went to the corner in Kairi's room and put his hand on the blue orb. One of the black mages promptly answered.

"Yes, sir?"

"My friend is awake now. Please send some lunch to my room, for both of us. Something healthy, and easy on the stomach."

"Right away, sir."

"Thank you."

Taking one last glance back at Kairi, Riku left and returned next door. He found Sora just sitting on the bed, looking at his surroundings. Again, he felt nervousness wash over him. He knew he and Sora needed to have a very long talk, but he had no idea how to go about it.

"How is she?" Sora asked.

"The same. Completely still, and unresponsive. But she's safe, and she won't be bothered," Riku told him.

Sora nodded, then asked another question. "Riku... just who is this... Kuja, anyway?"

"I'm not totally sure, to be honest. But he offered to let me bring you here and tend to you until you got well. In return, he wants us to help him find Keyhole of this world and lock it."

Sora blinked, feeling a little confused. "I see, but... how did you meet up with him?"

Riku didn't get a chance to answer, as they heard a knock at the door.

"Our lunch must be here. That was awfully fast," Riku said, and handed Sora a fluffy white bathrobe. "Put that on. I don't think you want to eat at the table naked."

Sora blushed a bit as he took the robe, quickly looking down and hoped his friend hadn't noticed. He quickly put the robe on, glad Riku turned his back as he did so. He still didn't know why the thought of Riku seeing him nude made him so nervous. He let out a deep breath, mentally reprimanding himself again, telling himself he was being shy about nothing.

Riku then opened the door, expecting to find one of the black mages standing there, only to see that it was none other than Kuja himself, carrying what looked like some kind of treasure chest.

"Speak of the devil," Riku mumbled. Kuja only grinned at him.

"Good afternoon, Riku. One of my servants just told me the good news about Sora. They also told me you asked for some lunch, and I told them to send up enough for three. I figured we could all talk over a nice meal," Kuja said with a bright smile.

Riku only shrugged, sighing. "Whatever you want. It's your palace."

"Excellent. Our meal will be here shortly." Kuja walked in, placed the chest by the door, and stood in front of Sora.

"Hello, Sora. I'm glad to finally make your acquaintance. My name is Kuja, and this is my Desert Palace," Kuja greeted, bowing. "How are you feeling today?"

Sora took a moment to examine the tall, silver-haired man. He seemed polite enough, but Sora sensed annoyance coming from his best friend.

"I feel much better. Thank you for your hospitality," Sora remarked back.

"It was my pleasure, really. It's been far too long since I've had visitors. In a home this big, it gets boring and lonely with no one else here," Kuja said with a smile.

"Kuja, what's in there?" Riku asked him, pointing to the chest that was brought in.

"Hmm? Oh, well I figured with Sora still recovering and you taking care of him, that you two might get bored just sitting here. So, I brought you some things to keep you... entertained." Kuja said that last word with that smirk of his, and suddenly Riku didn't want to know what was inside that thing.

When a black mage arrived with lunch, Kuja instructed him to set up everything on the table and serve them. Sora still felt a little light-headed, so Riku helped him to the table. Sora's mouth watered as he saw freshly baked bread and a steaming bowl of what looked like a vegetable and bean stew placed in front of him. He really did feel hungry, and Riku smiled at him as he ate eagerly.

"Is the food to your satisfactory?" Kuja asked Sora.

"It's great, thanks!" Sora said, his mouth full of bread.

"Please, eat all you like, and focus on getting your strength back. I don't know if Riku told you, but once you have recovered, I have a small favor to ask you," Kuja added.

"You want me to lock the Keyhole of this world, right?"

"Yes. Will you?"

Sora took a long gulp of his juice and nodded. "Of course. I'd be happy to."

"Wonderful. I have promised Riku that I won't rush you until you're well, so please make yourself at home here, until you feel up to the task," Kuja said.

"Do you have any idea where the Keyhole might be?" Sora asked.

"Myself and a few others have searched out places we think would have been obvious locations for it, but it hasn't turned up. Now that you're here, maybe we'll have better luck finding it. Once your health is back to normal, we'll get started," Kuja said.

Sora nodded, then thought a moment. "That would take care of this world... but what about the other ones?"

"Other ones?"

"The Heartless are in other worlds too. I have a duty, I need to get back to my fr..." Sora paused when he saw Riku stiffen a bit. "I... need to get back to my mission."

"Well, my only concern is Gaia, whatever you and Riku choose to do after your business here is up to you. I'll leave that for the two of you to discuss. However, I know that you don't have access to a Gummi Ship here, so perhaps I can help you out with that much," Kuja said.

Sora nodded, then became silent as he remembered what Riku had said to him earlier.

"I've no intention of losing you to them again so easily Sora. Forget about them. You're here with me now, where you belong."

Obviously, Riku saw Donald and Goofy as the reason why they'd been driven apart. And somehow, Sora knew that his comrades, Donald specifically, was probably not thinking too highly of Riku right about now. He didn't want to be apart from Riku and Kairi, but he couldn't just abandon Donald and Goofy either.

Maybe, if he could convince Riku that they weren't what he thought, and then get Donald to agree to bring him along...

"Sora, are you listening?"

Sora blinked, his thoughts stopped as he heard Kuja speak to him.

"Oh, um... sorry. What did you say?"

"I said, when you've recovered, I must take you to meet someone before we search for the Keyhole," Kuja said. "But for now, keep working on getting better until your fever's completely gone. As I said before, I gave Riku my word that I wouldn't let you do anything mission-related until you have your health back, and I'm not sure if I want to suffer his wrath, so just rest and relax until then, all right?" Kuja said, winking.

"Um, yeah... I will. Thanks," Sora said, and looking at his best friend, Sora noticed he was being unusually quiet.

After they had eaten and talked a bit, Kuja took his leave, saying he'd be in his study if they needed him. When he left, Riku exhaled and slouched against his chair.

"Finally, he's gone," Riku said.

"Does he irritate you that much? He didn't seem so bad," Sora replied.

"That's because you were out of it when he was at his worst. I'm grateful he's given you the means to get better, but I still don't like him."

"Hmm. He does seem a little odd. But if he wants to save this world, he can't be all bad," Sora said.

"I guess."

"Hey, I know... let's see what he left us." Sora pointed to the chest Kuja had brought them "He said there'd be stuff for us to do in there."

Riku eyed the wooden chest somewhat suspiciously. Kuja had said that there were some things in there that would keep them "entertained" but knowing Kuja he was almost scared to open it. Taking a chance, he brought it to the table and opened it anyway, seeing another smaller wooden box and took it out. Carved in neat calligraphy were the words "Tetra Master."

"What is it?"

"Looks like some sort of weird card game. There's the rules on how to play too," Riku said, looking through the box and examining the different cards.

Sora sifted through the rest of the chest, finding a few more card decks and a few puzzles. He suddenly noticed what looked like a potion bottle near the bottom of the chest.

"Hm?" Sora picked it up, reading the label.

"What's that?" Riku asked.

Sora's brow scrunched up in confusion. "Superslick?" 1

Riku snapped his head up, the card game forgotten. Sora opened the bottle and sniffed it, then tested some of the substance on his fingers.

"It's some kind of gel or something. How is this supposed to keep us occupied? Maybe he didn't realize it was in there," Sora said, then looked at Riku, who was staring at the bottle with slightly widened eyes, his entire face flushed bright pink. "What's wrong, Riku?"

"Um... it's nothing," Riku said, and took the bottle from Sora and put it back in the chest, relieved the younger boy hadn't known what the item was. "You're right, it was probably a mistake." Although Riku knew damn well it was anything but. What the hell was Kuja thinking, giving them lubricant of all things? Even if the man couldn't be in the same room as him, the bastard seemed determined to mock him and piss him off.

Sora looked at his friend in puzzlement. If he didn't know better, Riku almost seemed embarrassed about something. But he shrugged it off, knowing Riku probably wouldn't want to talk about it anyway. Yawning, he ran his fingers through his hair, suddenly noticing how grimy it felt.

"Ugh, you said I was out of it for four days? I must have been sweating a whole lot, and I probably don't smell very good," he said.

"Do you feel like taking a bath? It'll probably help you feel better."

"Yeah. A bath sounds like a really good idea," Sora agreed.

"Okay, I'll go get it ready for you. Um... will you, um... be okay by yourself, or do you... need me to help you?"

Sora blushed a little, that nervous feeling from before returning. "Um... you can help, I don't mind."

Riku nodded. "Okay. I'll draw the bathwater. Just relax for a few minutes, all right?"

"Wow! This is supposed to be a bathtub? It's almost as big as that lagoon we used to swim in when we were kids!"

"It's impressive, I know. I think Kuja has more of them too. I have no I idea why he needs so many," Riku said.

"It looks relaxing." Sora looked at the inviting bathwater, and couldn't wait to get in. But the tub was so huge, it almost seemed like a sin for all that water to be just for him. "Hey, Riku... you said you'd... help me..."

"Oh, um... right. Go ahead and get in. I'll, um... help you wash your back from the edge of the tub."

"Well, since the it's so huge, and there's plenty of room... wouldn't it be easier, if, uh..."

Riku fought to keep his cheeks from turning pink. "You... want me to get in with you?"

"Yeah... I mean, only if you want to. It just doesn't make sense for one person to use all this water just for a bath."

"Well... I suppose I could use a bath myself," Riku said quietly.

"O-Okay." Damn. That feeling again. Take it easy, Sora. Who cares if Riku takes a bath with you? You're both guys. GUYS. There's nothing to be embarrassed about.

Sora undid the robe he was wearing and let it fall, and quickly got in the water, moaning at the feeling of the warm water enveloping his stiff limbs. He dunked his head under the water, wetting his hair. When he lifted his head back up, he noticed that his friend was busy taking off his own clothes, and Sora saw Riku's bare, muscled back facing him. Blushing again, Sora turned his back. Gods, what was wrong with him? It was just Riku, for crying out loud.

He heard Riku's pants drop to the marble floor, and felt his friend get into the bathwater, sitting behind him. He tensed for a moment as he felt a warm cloth being run down his back, then relaxed.

Riku squeezed the cloth and let the warm water run down Sora's back. He tried not to stare as he did his task, and started thinking of other things to get his mind off of the fact that he and Sora were naked in a bathtub together.

Riku thought back to what Sora had said during lunch. Before, Sora had said...

"...I have a duty, I need to get back to my fr..." Sora paused when he saw Riku stiffen a bit. "I... need to get back to my mission."

Of course, Riku knew Sora had meant to say his "friends." His friends. He had his friends now, his true friends, why couldn't he see that? But no, he was still thinking of that stupid dog and that damn duck. They hadn't been the ones to help Sora get better. They didn't love Sora, care for the boy like he did. How had Sora been so taken by them?

"Riku? What's wrong?"

Riku looked at Sora, realizing he had stopped washing the other boy's back as he'd been deep in thought.

"Riku, you seem... upset. Upset, and sad. What's wrong?"

Riku took a deep breath. Now. I have to tell him now.

"Sora, I... I don't want you to go back to Traverse Town."

Sora closed his eyes. He knew they would have this conversation eventually, so it might as well be now. "Riku..."

"You can't go back to them! I've risked so much just to get you here, even though Maleficent..."

Sora's head snapped up. "Maleficent? So you have been working with her. Why, Riku? She's evil, she helped destroy our world, our home!" Sora cried.

"And what about you? How could you let yourself be tricked by those stupid people you called your friends? They fooled you, and they put you in danger!"

"Riku... it's not like that! They were helping me look for you, and Kairi too! Don't you see you're being used?"

"You're the one that's being used, Sora. Maleficent helped me find Kairi, and now I have you back too." Riku began stroking Sora's hair, gently pulling the wet bangs away from his eyes. "You shouldn't be out there fighting. I have to protect you and Kairi, but... you most of all. You're too trusting for your own good sometimes, Sora."

Sora blushed a little at the gentle touches Riku gave him on his cheek, trying to make sense of what his friend was saying.

"Riku... you don't have to protect me. I'm not a little kid, you know, and..."

Riku pressed a finger against Sora's lips to silence him, leaning in closer. Sora's eyes widened in surprise.

"I know you're not. Sora, I... I have to tell you something. And I want you to listen, and hear me out."

"W-What is it?" Sora asked, not remembering when his friend had ever looked so serious.

Riku's voice softened. "Sora, do you remember what I told you this morning? About taking care of the ones we love?"

Sora nodded, trying to figure out this side of Riku he hadn't seen before. The way Riku was speaking to him, that tone of voice... he didn't recognize it. It was calm, gentle and... loving. Sora was awed by how surreal it all seemed.

"I didn't lie when I said I loved you. I meant it, down to the core of my heart and soul. I... I know I didn't really say it in so many words, but... I guess I'm saying it now..."

Shock, disbelief and confusion hit Sora all at once when he finally understood that look in his friend's eyes, the same look that Riku had been giving him all morning, and last but not least, realized just how close his friend's body was to his own. It was only when he realized their close proximity when he snapped out of it to speak.

"Riku, this is... Riku, I..."

Riku sighed. "I know what you must be thinking. It's wrong for me to feel this way, because we're both boys, right? And I know that you like Kairi a lot, I know she likes you a lot. But it doesn't change the fact that I love you, Sora. I mean, I care for Kairi, I don't want to see her hurt any more than you do, but I can't stop the way I feel. I love you, I'm in love with you, and I have been for as long as I can remember. I can't help that."

Sora felt warm tears pool over his eyes and slide down his cheeks. His best friend was in love with him. In love with him. As in, that kind of love. And by the sound of it, he had been for a long, long time. Riku... dear gods, he had no idea.

Riku hung his head a little. "I know you must hate me for what I've done, Sora. But... I needed to find Kairi, and you. I didn't know what else to do..."

Hate? No, no, he couldn't let Riku think... He sat himself up a little to hug his friend, surprising him.

"I don't hate you Riku, please don't think that! But... you can't trust these people! Riku, please, if Kuja is with Maleficent too, then we need to get Kairi out of here, and..."

Then, to his utter astonishment, Sora found himself being silenced by a gentle kiss pressed against his mouth. His eyes went wide, his body went completely still. His breath caught and his voice seemed stuck in his throat. He opened his mouth to try to protest, say something, but no words came out. Riku took advantage of the parted mouth and slipped his tongue inside, causing the smaller boy's breath to catch again.

Stunned, Sora felt Riku's tongue caressing his, totally at a loss for what to do or how to respond. He felt his face flush and his body grow hot as an unfamiliar warmth coursed through him, and he knew it definitely wasn't from his fever.

This feeling... I... what's happening to me? I shouldn't be letting him do this. But... I...

Sora suddenly remembered the dream he had, faint visions of Riku's voice whispering to him, kisses being trailed along his neck, making him feel safe and so very warm...

Without realizing it, his eyes slid shut and his body relaxed, giving in to the warmth that Riku offered. When Riku put his arms around him to pull him close, he didn't try to stop it, he just welcomed it, leaning into the kiss.

Feeling Sora respond to him, Riku became bolder, the gentle strokes of his tongue in Sora's mouth quickly turning fierce and heated. Sora shivered despite the warmth he felt, but did nothing to end the barrage of breathless kisses the two of them were sharing.

It felt so... strange, being kissed by Riku, but not really in a bad way. He'd always wondered what kissing would be like, but it never crossed his mind that he would ever kiss anyone but a girl. But the way Riku was kissing him... it was so wild and electrifying, that Sora couldn't help but like it. The fact that he did like it was what surprised him the most.

Slowly, Riku ended the kiss, and let their foreheads touch so they could catch their breath. After a few moments, he looked at Sora apologetically. "I'm sorry, Sora. That was your first kiss, wasn't it?"

"I... uh... y-yeah." Saying anything else seemed impossible to Sora, his mind was so jumbled.

"I don't mean to sound selfish, but... I didn't want anyone to give you your first kiss but me," Riku told him.

"I... that was... if you tell me that was the first time you've kissed someone, I don't think I'll believe you, Riku."

Riku chuckled. "I have kissed before, in fact I've done a lot more than just kissing, Sora."

That's what I was afraid of. Sora thought, then turned red. "With... a boy?"

"Yes."

"So, then... you've actually, uh..." Sora looked down, not meeting his gaze. Riku just went on.

"Yes, Sora, I have. But after I lost my virginity, I... felt guilty. As if I'd betrayed you, even though I knew you didn't feel the same."

"Oh, Riku ... I'm sorry. I really had no idea..."

"Shh... it's okay." Riku pressed another kiss to his friend's lips to quiet him. "It's not your fault, so don't blame yourself. I just needed to tell you the truth, Sora. When I saw how sick you were, I couldn't stand it. The thought of you dying, it made me feel so guilty, I told myself when you got better I'd tell you everything."

"Riku, I... I don't know what to say. I..."

"You don't have to say anything. Just tell me... did you like what we did just now?"

Sora's face turned bright red, and he looked down and spoke softly. "Yes."

Riku tilted Sora's chin up, and met his friend's gaze, caressing a lower lip with his thumb. "Then... can I kiss you again?" He'd stolen Sora's first kiss out of selfishness, now he wanted the boy's consent.

Sora didn't think it was possible, but he thought he felt his face get even redder. Not completely understanding why, he nodded at Riku's question, hypnotized by the intense look in those green depths.

Again, Riku's mouth was upon him, and this time Sora parted his lips in welcome. Sora whimpered a little when he felt that skilled tongue working his mouth again, and didn't protest when he felt strong arms encircle his waist. He only put his arms around Riku's shoulders, once again surprised at his own actions.

Sora didn't know what to do, what to think. Sure, he loved Riku. But... knowing that Riku loved him in that way... strangely, he wasn't disgusted by it. Riku was a pretty good kisser, and after all... that was one hell of a first kiss. He would always remember it, that was for sure.

I love you... I can't help that...

Again, Sora felt himself relax his body, letting Riku kiss him. Gods, Riku, what have you done to me? I never would have thought... kissing a boy... but you're not just any boy, Riku...

Sora gasped when he was pulled up so he was straddling Riku's lap, a hand going around the back of his neck to push their mouths closer. Riku's free hand rested on his hip, gently caressing his side.

Sora's head was swimming. This warmth... this embrace... so familiar. Last night... was last night possibly...?

"Nnn... ahh... R-Riku?"

"Hm? Do you want me to stop?"

"Riku... was last night a dream?"

Riku went still. "Last night?"

"I think I was dreaming, but... did you... did you kiss me?"

Riku lowered his head. Uh-oh. Busted.

"You did, didn't you?" Sora said.

"I'm sorry, Sora. I hadn't meant to take advantage of you. It just happened. I should have controlled myself."

Sora reassured his friend. "It's okay, Riku. I... I'm not mad."

"You're not?"

"I thought I was having a dream, where you were keeping me safe. I can't explain it, but I felt... at peace, somehow. But it all seemed real to me in a way, and now I know, it wasn't a dream at all."

Riku cupped Sora's face with his hand. "You just looked so beautiful. I couldn't help myself."

Sora's gaze lowered, and he was sure he had just broken the universal record for the amount of times a person could blush in one day. "I'm not beautiful, Riku."

Riku smiled. "You always were too modest for your own good." With that, Riku kissed him again, and again Sora opened to him, leaning forward so their chests were touching. Riku wrapped his arms around the slender boy, once again feeling bold as he deepened their contact. He sucked lightly on Sora's tongue, earning a moan from the boy, and Sora did his best to keep up, his tongue shyly meeting Riku's.

Also, for the first time, Sora noticed something hard was pressing against him. His eyes widened a little as he realized what it was, and also saw that he was nearly in the same state. Apparently Riku noticed as well, because he moaned and lifted his hips against Sora's ever so slightly, pressing their flesh together.

"Riku!" Sora cried, trying to regain his breath.

Riku began kissing along Sora's neck, tongue darting out to lick the wet skin. Riku nibbled on an ear, and whispered into it.

"Sora...I'm not letting you go. I... I won't do anything you don't want me to, and I can't make you love me, but... can you at least give me a chance? I won't lose you to them again. I couldn't stand it if you left me again."

"Riku... I'm sorry. I missed you, I really did, and I looked for you but..."

"I know. It was them, all them. I know now... I should have known you wouldn't abandon me... abandon us. They've been hindering us from the start, don't you understand? They dragged you into their stupid mission and..."

"Riku, it wasn't..."

Another kiss, another sentence cut off.

"Please, Sora. Let's not talk about it now."

Sora felt his lips claimed once again by that warm mouth, once again taking possession of him, caressing him. They kissed a bit longer before Sora broke the kiss to the best of his ability, gasping. "Riku, please... just listen to me for a minute, okay?"

Riku pressed more kisses to Sora's neck. "I'm listening."

"Riku, I... I don't know if I can do this. This... makes everything... so confusing..."

"I know that, Sora. Now that I've said I love you, we'll never be best friends again. That's what you're thinking, right?"

Sora was silent, and this time his tears did not stop.

"Sora, don't cry. Please?"

"I just... I just don't know what to feel right now. Now that this has happened... it won't be the same, will it? When we get home, if we ever do... what's going to happen to us?"

Riku held him tightly. "I don't know, Sora. I don't know what the future holds. All I know is that I do love you, and I understand if you don't love me back. But I won't let you leave me again, Sora. I won't. Sora, please... I know I don't deserve it, but please give me a chance."

Inwardly, Sora was still coming against himself for not noticing Riku's feelings. Even before this had all happened, he'd been acting strangely, sometimes not looking at him when they talked or even avoiding him. He'd assumed it was because Riku liked Kairi, and Riku knew Sora liked her too, and might have been jealous of him... but it was Kairi herself that he had been jealous of. This new revelation was the last thing he'd expected—no, the last thing he had expected was for Riku to kiss him, and that he would like it. Even though he'd sided with the Heartless, Riku had yet to do him any harm. In spite of all that had happened between them, he still trusted Riku more than anyone, and he knew that the older boy would never hurt him.

"Riku... I don't want to be separated from you, either. I don't know if I love you in—in that way or not, but... I do know that I need you. I've always needed you, Riku. If it means having you back, I'll do anything."

Riku held him tighter. Kuja was right. Now that he's away from those morons... he's more like the Sora I know. My Sora.

"Then... that's enough. As long as you need me, Sora, that's enough. And... I will never force anything on you, Sora. I want you to know that."

Sora exhaled, knowing his friend spoke the truth. "I know you won't. I trust you, Riku."

Riku smiled, kissing his friend again. He suddenly realized that the bubbles in the bathtub had dissolved, and the water was now lukewarm and almost cool.

"I guess we didn't do much bathing," he said.

"I... guess not. But... I am feeling a little tired," Sora said.

"I'm sorry. I should have known better to put you through more strain when you're feeling sick. Come on, let's get you rested." Riku helped Sora out of the tub, and found some clean robes for them to put on.

"Um... am I going to sleep naked again?" Sora asked.

Riku chuckled. "Well, your fever's gone down, so I guess it's okay for you to sleep in the robe. I should have asked Kuja to get you some clothes to sleep in."

"It's okay. The robe is comfy."

"I'm going to check on Kairi again. It's still quite early in the day, but go ahead and sleep more if you need to, Sora. I'll be back in a few minutes."

When Riku left the room, Sora looked back at the huge bed, once again feeling nervous. He didn't know what to make of his new "relationship" with Riku, if he could even call it that. But he couldn't deny that Riku had made him feel something, had awakened something deep within him he desperately wanted more of.

As he crawled into bed, he wondered, with some worry, just what was going to happen when Riku came back.

END PART 5.

1 No, I did not just make up the name of this item. In Final Fantasy 9, "Superslick" is the item you need to find to help out the moogles in a side quest. Apparently, it has all different kinds of uses, from hair gel to even, yes, lubricating oil. Sorry, but I found myself just having to mention it. Couldn't resist, hehe. ;

Special thanks go out to my ever-faithful beta reader, future co-conspirator of KH boysmut (mwahaha), and my dearest and best online buddy of all, Uzumaki-sama. (Yes, Uzu-chan, I'm sucking up to you!) I know my long absences probably frustrate you to no end, and yet you're always there, always faithful. I know I couldn't be without you. BIG HUGS

I hope I was able to give everyone a nice Christmas/Hanukah/whatever you celebrate present with this chapter. I cannot thank everyone enough who has stuck by my story all this time. I've already got about half of the next chapter written, but don't expect it until sometime after the New Year. I'm leaving town for the holidays and will have no opportunities to write anything in the coming weeks. I wanted to get this up and wish everyone a Happy Holiday before I left. Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you, to everyone to who reviewed and has waited so long for this chapter. I love you all dearly and appreciate every one of you! Do review again, please?