"Thanks for coming out tonight." Ventus said as the trio walked down the darkened street.
"Did you think we wouldn't." Cloud asked with a shrug.
In his arms, Roxas shifted, tugging at Cloud's shirt sleepily and mumbling something incoherent as he nuzzled against his older brother's chest.
"Heh," Leon chuckled. "These two are out."
"Careful." Ventus chided his cousin. "Sora's drooling."
Leon looked over his shoulder at his little brother and snorted. "Little bum. He's going to get my jacket all wet."
Cloud whispered something to Roxas who settled against him as they continued walking.
"What are you saying?" Leon asked with a smirk.
"Nothing." Cloud replied innocently.
Ventus put his hands behind his head and smiled. "They just wanted to see Aqua."
Leon gave an innocent smile as he shifted Sora's weight on his back. "Speak for yourself. I was there for the music."
"And Rinoa." Cloud chided.
Leon smiled. "Maybe. I know why Tifa was there."
Cloud flushed which drew a laugh from Leon. Sora moaned and snuggled against the ruff of Leon's coat, trying to burrow against the warmth of his brother's neck.
"Careful." Ventus said. "You're going to wake them up."
"If they wake up they're walking." Leon replied with a smirk.
Cloud looked down at Roxas' sleeping form nestled against his chest. "I'll carry him the whole way home if he's that tired."
"This was his first time out." Ventus said as he reached over and ruffled Roxas' hair gently so as not to wake him.
"They had an excuse too you realize." Leon said with a wicked grin. "Kairi and Namine were there tonight. They couldn't get rid of these two."
"Did you guys see Zack?" Ventus asked. "He was all over Aerith. I thought they were going to just skip the foreplay and get to the intercourse right there on the table."
Cloud's voice was hard as he came to his friend's defense. "Ventus, drop it. They've been dating for two years."
"You're just defending Aerith." Ventus responded easily.
Leon laughed. "He's got you there Cloud."
"Be quiet both of you." Cloud replied sullenly.
Leon's expression softened. "You know you should just move on. Tifa likes you, and she's not too insane."
Cloud didn't say anything, looking straight ahead into the night. The silence dragged on for a few more moments before Leon broke it once more.
"Xion is going to throw a fit when she hears that Zack was there and she didn't get to come." Leon said conversationally.
"Is she still crushing on him?" Ventus asked in disbelief.
"Of course she is, and she still hasn't forgiven Aerith for stealing 'her Zack'." Leon replied with a grin.
Ventus shook his head. "She needs to find someone her own age."
"That's what mom and dad said actually." Leon said with a chuckle. "Doesn't change anything though."
"Why didn't she come anyways." Ventus asked curiously.
"Mom and dad didn't want her out so late. I had enough trouble convincing them to let Sora come with us."
Cloud nodded. "She is a bit young to be out all night. These two couldn't handle it obviously, and normally you can't get Sora to sit still for two seconds."
"I think seeing Kairi and having Riku playing in the band was what convinced him to come along." Leon remarked with a smirk.
Cloud frowned. "Riku's trouble."
Ventus shrugged. "He's not too bad. Just rough."
Leon interjected before the inevitable fight could materialize. "Sora likes him and Riku keeps Sora out of trouble so I'm not going to worry about it."
"You do realize he's always getting into fights at school." Cloud countered.
"Sora's my little brother, I'll worry about him." Leon replied. "You worry about your brothers, I'll worry about mine."
"We are cousins." Cloud reminded him. "We live in the same town and have been going to the same school since we were kids. You expect me not to worry about him?"
"They're in high school. I think they're going to be okay." Leon said in exasperation. "Besides academy boy, you're not from around here anymore."
"Don't start on that." Cloud snapped. "You're going to the academy this year too once summer is over."
Leon smiled. "Yep, I've already got my dorm room."
"What are Sora and Xion going to do without you around?" Ventus asked worriedly.
Leon's smile turned to him mischievously. "I thought I'd foist them on you."
Ventus' expression was horrified. "Oh no, I am not going to have them following me around all the time. Especially not with Sora starting high school this year. That's the last thing I need, another little brother following me around."
"Well Xion will do what she has been doing I imaigne. Hanging around with Roxas and Axel and their little gang." Leon said as he tried to mollify his younger cousin's alarm.
Now though Cloud was very severe. "Axel is still part of that group isn't he, that club sponsored by the principle and deans?"
"You mean Organization XIII?" Leon asked, Cloud nodded. "Yeah he's still a member, why?"
"I don't want Roxas involved in that."
Leon snorted. "Oh come on, it's just a school club. What are they going to do? Take over the world?"
"Get Roxas into trouble." Cloud responded, his arms tightening around Roxas protectively.
Ventus sighed. "You need to loosen up. Maybe I will sic Tifa on you after all. Give her your dorm room at the academy or something."
"Don't you dare." Cloud snapped.
Roxas shifted, his brow furrowing as he reached up and draped an arm over Cloud's shoulder. The trio went silent as they waited to see if Roxas would wake. When he didn't, they continued but in hushed tones.
"Seriously Cloud." Ventus asked severely. "What is it with you and Tifa? You two used to be best friends."
Cloud didn't answer, looking away guardedly.
"He's just sullen because Zack got Aerith." Leon supplied.
When Cloud didn't argue Ventus sighed. "Just forget it...and in any case Axel thinks of Roxas as his little brother. He'll take care of him."
"He's not Axel's brother." Cloud grumbled.
Ventus looked over at Leon beseechingly but his cousin just shrugged helplessly. They both knew that Cloud could be stubborn.
"Look, what if I ask Professor Valentine to keep an eye on Roxas, would that be alright?"
"I guess." Cloud muttered. He hardly sounded convinced.
Leon look up at the street sign they were approaching and stepped off the sidewalk as he turned towards home.
"Night you three. See you tomorrow."
"We're still going to the beach in the morning?" Ventus asked.
"Of course." Leon replied. "Unless Cloud wants to spoil that too."
Cloud glared at him, his expression put upon. "Fine. I just...did you have to invite everyone?"
"Hell yes I had to." Leon replied. "It's the only way to do it. I'll even bring the camera and we can have Tifa pose in a bikini for you." Cloud flushed and Leon laughed. "You know she would."
Ventus was smiling. "See you tomorrow Leon. Tell Sora thanks when he wakes up."
Leon nodded. "Will do. Night."
With that the group split as they all headed home. Ventus continued trying to get Cloud to loosen up to no avail while Leon chuckled over the stake of his coat, now thoroughly doused by Sora's drool. All agreed that it had been a good evening, and even Cloud was looking forward to the next day despite his sullen griping.