Agony of Separation
Chapter 1 – Loveless
Disclaimer: Don't sue me. I'm just borrowing these characters because I'm one of those lazy people who don't want to make up any of their own…so I don't own this, people, okay?
Warning: This story is considered to be immoral and condemned to hell by the Christian faith…but I don't care. This is a yaoi and I'm proud of that! So if you don't like that, then you can bugger off! Tee hee, I said bugger…
Author's Note: History class got really boring, so I've been writing this story in my history notes! That's how boring it is…ugh, history should die. This story sort of portrays Riku and Sora older and I suppose more mature. I sort of got tired of writing them as little kids who run around and fart, so think of them as legal for now…Nothing much more to say except that I would love it if you reviewed, but if you didn't that's okay…I'm lying you know. Just make the effort and help me destroy history, once and for all! Unite!
Summary: Sora's life is going downhill. He has no money, no food, and no home. Riku is all he has left, but when he reveals to Sora a way to get money, will Sora take this opportunity, even if it means having to sleep with men?
Everybody who lived in the Destiny Apartments lived alone. Children's laughter can't be found echoing in the hallways, or the warmth of a married couple can't be felt by the neighbors. In fact, nobody knew who their neighbors even were. Such was each person's isolation from the moving world.
The elevator was out of order, haven't been working since the apartment complex was first built. The wooden stairs was the only method to reach the highest floor of the building. Each floor had ten rooms represented by the number of the current floor and a letter.
Sora's room was on the seventh floor; room 7B. Seven flights of stairs lay below him and the ceiling separated his spiked up hair from the polluted air of the sky. Sora was lying on his bed, hands behind his head and eyes following the ceiling fan, aimlessly. The fan spun quickly, threatening to pull away from the ceiling. Sora tried to count how many spinning wings the fan had, giving up when he got dizzy.
His clothes stank and were strained with things he'd rather not know about. The laundry room was out of order and ever if it wasn't, Sora couldn't afford the dollar-twenty-five rinse cycle. The clothes he wore were cleaner than the ones that carpeted his floor.
A loud growl rumbled from his stomach. Having not eaten yesterday, his stomach gave warning that it was monstrously hungry.
The lone dresser in his room held his wallet on top of it. Before, his wallet had many credit cards and bills of cash. But now, his driver's license sat alone in his wallet. He didn't even own a car. Not anymore. It was repossessed after he failed to make so many payments.
The savings account his mother had been saving since he was born was all gone. The last of it, spent on last month's rent. This month's rent was due today.
After a time, the streets outside quieted, the work-hour rush coming to an end. People were arriving at their jobs, checking in for their daily amount of work.
Sora still lay on his bed, with no sign of an attempt to leave it. He no longer had a job. His job at the McDonald's down the streets was lost when they discovered that he had no high school diploma. That happened a week ago.
The phone was on the floor beside Sora's unkept bed. The long chord trailed it back to the outlet on the other side of the room. Without looking, Sora let his arm fall over the bed and picked up the receiver. The number was imprinted in his mind since it was the only number he bothered to memorize. The phone was ringing; Sora sat waiting for Riku to pick up. This was his last resort. Sora had promised himself that no matter what happened, he wouldn't ask for help, not even from his best friend. But there was nothing else left to do or try. Sora was a day away from becoming homeless and Riku was the only who could help.
There was a click on the other end and Sora flung the receiver with great annoyance. Connected to the phone, the receiver didn't go too far and hit the floor with a thud. The phone was dead and the ceiling fan had stopped moving hypnotically. Sora could now see that there were five wings, all motionless now. The electricity had been cut, leavening Sora with nothing but the roof over his head. But if he didn't hurry soon, even that would be gone.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Sora stared up at Riku's apartment. No window was cracked and yellow daffodils hung on the sill, accentuated by the newly painted beige of the building. Compared to Sora's graffiti-painted apartment, Riku lived in a home that was perfect. There was Riku's room. The second window up and fourth from the left. It was the only window with a small palm tree instead of the golden flower. A gift from the brunet when Riku first moved in. How Riku could afford such a glorious place, Sora couldn't figure out.
Just a few months ago, Riku was in the same situation Sora was in. And when Sora had offered him money, Riku took it hesitantly, saying words like "I don't think I'll be able to repay you…" But the next day, Sora found Riku with his money, plus a little interest. He never asked him how he got it though and it never came up after.
Sora pressed the button next to Riku's name and after a short while, the gate that led into the apartment buzzed. Pushing against the gate, Sora walked into the elevator and exited it near Riku's room. No knock was unneeded; the door was left ajar. Riku and Sora only had each other. Their families were long left behind and their friends had taken different paths. The friendship they shared prevented them from ever leaving. Sticking together through the best and worst times.
Riku was in the kitchen, just turning off the stove, ceasing the bubbling of the pot that sat on it. He wore a plain white apron and had his hair tied into a small ponytail as he tasted the pot's contents. Knowing that Sora was the only person who knew his number, Riku had anticipated the brunet's visit, even if words were never exchanged. Sora brought two plates down from a cabinet and set them on the table. Forks and napkins were set and Riku served the spaghetti he had been making. The sauce was poured over it, covering the steam for a moment. Sora took the fork and stuck it in the center of his food, giving a twirl. He shoved it into his mouth, soothing his stomach's hunger. Riku ate little, mainly watching Sora engulf the meal. He pulled out two beers from the fridge and handed one to Sora. Between putting the food in his mouth and swallowing, Sora would take big swigs of the alcohol. Riku gave Sora more spaghetti without having to be asked.
The red sauce remained on the edges of Sora's lips and Riku took a napkin and dabbed it gently. Sora flinched away, shocked by the sudden movement. Without saying anything, Sora wiped his face with the back of his hand and Riku remained in his seat, holding his hands together. Even though they were the best of friends, closer than brothers, closer than any bond by blood, Riku had never made such an intimate action. They hardly touched or spoke. Their friendship was so strong, that they could communicate without the need for words. And what one felt, the other did too. But lately, Sora had felt distant to Riku. He no longer knew what Riku was thinking or what he did when he wasn't around. Sora didn't know where Riku worked or how he had acquired this apartment.
Sora lifted his plate and carried it over to the sink, turning on the water and putting soap on the sponge. Riku moved beside him and took the plate from his hands. "Don't worry. I'll clean them." Sora couldn't object, since Riku was already washing his plate. Sora had always done his own dishes and Riku had never had a problem with it. Today, however, was different. Sora sat on the leather couch, waiting for Riku to finish. There was television in front of him, but Sora didn't turn it on. A DVD was on top of the television, but Sora couldn't see the title or picture. A box of tissues had been laid out on the small coffee table where Sora often put his legs on. He pulled one out and blew his nose. Riku came over, finished with the dishes, and took Sora's used Kleenex, throwing it away for him.
Sora raised any eyebrow, unused to this sudden treatment of politeness. He didn't like it. "What's wrong?" Sora finally asked as Riku took a seat right beside him with another beer for Sora.
"Nothing's wrong." Said Riku, taking a sip from his beer. "Just being humble to my guest." He put his feet on the coffee table and an arm over the back of the couch, just behind Sora.
"You've never been 'humble' before." Sora stated, mimicking Riku's position.
"Which is why I should be from now on." He didn't even look at Sora. His attentions seemed to be focused on the DVD left on the television. Sora shifted in his seat, unsure of the words needed to ask for help. Thankfully, Riku knew him very well. "When's your rent due?"
"Today."
Riku looked like he was thinking very hard. The beer can in his hand shook a bit and his gaze was empty. Sora thought that he had zoned out, but he then felt something on his shoulder. Without realizing it, Riku had placed his arm around Sora. And without a second thought, Sora jumped up and pushed Riku's hand away.
"What are you doing?" The brunet was near anger, but took in deep breathes. Riku had to have an explanation for his strange behavior, but he continued to stare at the DVD, still thinking about something.
"Hm?" Riku looked over at Sora, a blank expression on his face.
Sora made no attempt to respond and took his seat next to Riku again. "Never mind." Friends don't ask each other questions, they should be able to trust one another. "Riku…I lost my job and I don't have any money for my rent, and all the food's gone and—"
"Move in with me."
"—and I have no—what?" The beer can in Sora's hand nearly dropped. "What…?" Sora repeated.
Riku still wasn't looking at him. "Move in with me."
"I—I can't just leave! I can't just move in with you."
"Why?"
"Because…" The reasons were too numerous to be said…or they weren't good enough. Why didn't he want to live with Riku? They were best friends after all. The thing that they went through is nothing compared to a simple roommate decision.
Emerald eyes looked upon Sora expectantly. Was Riku really serious about this? "I know it sounds out of the blue, but it would be better if you moved in with me." The band that held Riku's silver locks was untied, letting it fall down his shoulders. "You won't have to worry about payments, food, or anything like that."
"But that wouldn't feel right. I don't want to bother you." This was too unexpected. In all their years together, they had never shared a room for more than a day. Sure, they may have been together all the time that it seemed like they lived with each other, but they never have. Not even a sleep over when they were in their younger years. It would just feel strange. Having to wake up in a place that isn't your own; to rely on others for every little thing, it would make Sora feel as if he was a burden.
"You won't be ahindrance. At least stay until you get a job and a new place." His eyes now stared into Sora's sapphire gems. Sora couldn't look away, his gaze was too mesmerizing. Green, turquoise, emerald, all mixed into his stare; a forest—no,a single tree, swaying in the wind, waiting for someone to taste its fruit. "Please?"
The feeling in Sora's stomach wasn't of hunger anymore, but of confusion. Riku looked so indigent, as if he needed Sora to live with him. There was no way to refuse. "Sure." Sora tried to put on a smile, only coming half way.
At once, the wanting that had appeared in Riku's features was gone. A breeze of relief filled him, but the mask he usually wore was put back on; the mask that deprived him from all feeling and emotion, within and without. Back when they were in school, Riku had been the guy with no friends. Not because nobody like him, but because he refused to be with anyone.
Riku would wander the halls between classes, taking the routes with the fewer amounts of people. Whenever someone waved at him or called out his name, he ignored them and walked on. That just made everyone (mainly the girls) like him more. The uncaring attitude made him unattainable. The scenario of wanting something you can't have. No one was able to break past the wall he had built.
Sora had broken through.
The brunet was just as anti-social, maybe more. Never having been good at making friends, Sora waited for others to befriend him first. But they never did.
Sora waited and waited, sitting alone at the cafeteria tables, in class, on the bus. There was only one person who ever sat next to him.
Riku.
His presence would always be there, right next to Sora when they ate, but he never spoke. In class, Riku always took the seat beside Sora, but never gave him a greeting. And on the bus, when everyone else was chatting away and goofing around, Riku would sit next to Sora and leave with him when they arrived at their bus stop.
It was a shock when Sora discovered that Riku lived only a couple houses away from him, yet never seen each other before.
It had been like that for what felt like an eternity, until Sora finally broke the silence. "My name is Sora" The brunet greeted one day when Riku sat beside him on the bus.
"I know."
"Uh…what's your name?"
"Riku."
Sora shifted in his seat, unable to think of what else to say to the platinum blond. "Err—why do you always sit next to me?" The question had been on Sora's mind for a long time, but never had the courage to ask. Right now didn't seem appropriate, but he started this conversation and he intended to keep it going.
"You're different." The brunet couldn't decide whether that was a compliment or insult. Riku sensed his bewilderment. "You're not like everyone else who wants to belong in the social hierarchy. You stand out from them in the sense that you don't try to be one of them. They're all just a bunch of fakes who desire only popularity and recognition in the world. That'll only last until their senior year. Then, they will be forgotten by everyone. It's better to not be known then to be forgotten." Riku pulled out a book from his backpack, holding it so Sora could read the title. "Read this. Then we will be friends." Riku almost smiled and got of the bus, heading towards his home before Sora got off too.
As the school bus left and Sora stepped onto the sidewalk, he looked at the book that Riku had given him. He ran a hand down the edged letters of the title, beautifully written in an unknown style of calligraphy. He opened up to the first page and read the dedication. "In dedication to my loving son, Riku. Forgive me."
Taking a second look at the cover, Sora saw the authoress' name, and then read over the title once more. "Agony of Separation."
Sora walked towards his house, the book open in his hands. "Chapter 1 'Loveless'…"
The book didn't make much sense to Sora at the time. The way it was written made it difficult to understand. It was meant for one person to understand and him alone.
The book was kept safe in Sora's apartment, something he would never sell for any price. Little by little the book became more apparent to who Riku was. And becoming best friends with him only added to the effect.
Living with each other didn't sound so bad anymore. The half smile on Sora's face now became a wide grin and he said excitedly. "I'll go get my things!"
Sora's sudden excitement surprised Riku, but he was glad. Glad to finally be with his best friend; to share the same roof and food. To be with each other at all times. Riku had never given anyone this opportunity for more than one reason. Sora's acceptance didn't make him regret it. "I'll help you bring them."
"No, that's okay. You're already doing too much."
"Do you have a car?"
"…No."
Riku let out a small chuckle and grabbed his keys. "I'm driving." He grabbed Sora's hand and walked into the elevator. Sora blushed, but didn't pull his hand away. Sora just thought of it as sign that meant that their friendship just got stronger.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Everything was packed and put away in the back of Riku's car. Packing Sora's entire life didn't take long, considering that he didn't have much. Some clothing was packed, along with the suit he had worn to his mother's funeral a couple moths back. Riku offered to buy him new clothes, but the brunet refused; Riku was already doing too much for him. His toothbrush and wallet were thrown in the there and Sora seemed to be done.
Riku's book, Sora carried with him. He saw the smile on his best friend's face when he held it close, after all those years. The last thing was the crown pendant that hung over Sora's neck, a final gift from his mother. With the cold metal around his neck and book in his arms, Sora climbed into Riku's car and they sped back to his apartment.
Riku carried Sora's things despite the brunet's objections. "There's an extra room when I came here. That one will be yours." He took Sora's things and laid them on the floor.
The room had been untouched. Riku didn't turn the room into something else and left it as second bedroom, even though he had lived alone. A bed was placed in the corner with a dresser that stood beside it. Opposite the bed was a place to put a television. A window was slightly open, the glass was clean allowing for the vision of the outside world. Looking through it, Sora saw that this was the window with the palm tree. And the view! Riku's neighborhood gave birth to small, family-run businesses. The people seemed to know each other and greeted with a smile and a wave. There was even a school, clearly seen behind other apartments. That meant that there were children, a sight Sora hadn't seen for the longest time.
"The kids can get a little loud sometimes, but you get used to it." Riku appeared beside Sora, staring out at the city as well.
"I don't think I'll be able to repay you." Sora muttered, no realizing that he spoke Riku's exact words. Those words sent a chill up Riku's spine.
"You don't have to."
"But I want to. I'll pay you back, no matter what."
A second chill crawled up. Riku walked away and moved to the kitchen. "Get settled. I'll make use something to eat."
Sora said thanks and began unpacking, placing Riku's book in the dresser. "I'll look for a job in the morning." Sora promised himself before unpacking the rest of his things.
-+-+-+-+-+-
"I'm sorry, but the position has been filled."
"Oh…okay." Sora left the office of his third interview. None of them had gone well. He didn't have any previous experience, no high school degree, and no real skill in the working field. The jobs he had applied to were those that needed a résumé and Sora just didn't have the experience to make one. At this rate, Sora would have to resort to custodial work and that was something he didn't want to do…again.
Sora had one more interview before heading back to Riku's and calling it a day.
The secretary told him where to go and Sora obediently went where he was told. The room was poorly lit, the blinds were closed halfway. A strongly built man sat at a desk with his hands folded. "Please, take a seat." His voice was low and deep as he motioned to the chair opposing him.
"Thank you, sir." Sora pulled the seat, making it scrape against the tiled floor. The man made no sign of annoyance and Sora took his seat.
"I'll make this interview quick." The man began, twiddling his thumbs as he spoke. "We're short on employees and will welcome anyone—"
"I'm willing to work hard and—"
"I haven't finished." The man silenced Sora, irritation in his voice. "Now, as I was saying, we will welcome anyone except those who are as incapable as yourself. You see, this job requires at least a high school education and it doesn't seem you have your GED. I'm sorry, but your lack of credentials will not go you this job or any job as a matter of fact." Sora sat still in his chair, incredibly disappointed. How was he going to repay Riku without a job? The thought ran through his head, over and over. "You may leave now." The man began looking through papers, forgetting about the brunet's presence. Without screeching the chair, Sora left the man's office and walked the streets back to Riku's apartment.
"How'd it go?" Riku asked when Sora arrived. He was sitting on the leather couch and closed a book, getting up to see the brunet.
Sora shook his head and let his head hang low. "Not good. No one will take me because I never finished high school."
Riku recalled having the same problem when he was looking for a job, but luck had been on his side and he found a place that took him in. "Don't worry about it. You'll find one." Riku reassured and handed Sora a beer.
"I hope so." Sora opened the can and drunk the foam that erupted.
The rest of the week wasn't too kind to Sora. Every interview ended up the same way. And every time, Sora ended up back at Riku's apartment with no job acquired; all the rejection that Sora received had more effect than what he let show. The constant deprivation of a job took the hope that Sora had held onto until he lost it all.
By the end of the week, Sora's job hunt came to an end and Riku had to pay the rent alone. It was true that Riku didn't mind supporting his best friend, in fact, he was ecstatic to be around him all the time. Riku finally felt the empty void inside him fill up when he would come home to find Sora sleeping soundly on the couch. The sight was just too adorable to disturb…and tempting to remain. At such nights, Riku would leave and eat out.
The Traverse Tavern was where Riku would run off to. What looked like a small bar on the outside that Riku discovered one night on a midnight walk, was always filled with lights, dancing, and alcohol in the inside. It was one of Riku's guilty pleasures.
The neon lights danced madly, increasing the heat of the room. The small space between everyone on the dance floor, gave little room for actually dancing, but the people were doing anything but. The alcohol coursing through their bodies only brought them closer, sexual tension building. Loud music boomed, controlling everyone's movements. An increase in rhythm brought an increase in body contact.
Although this place wouldn't have had any connection with Riku, he found the Traverse Tavern to be an outlet for him, especially now with Sora around all the time. Also, this was what most people would call a gay bar. Not one real woman could be found in the Traverse Tavern.
"What'll it be, Riku?" A young, blond bartender was wiping the inside of a glass. A bandana was tied around hair m and his hair was untamed and let loose. Riku's many visits earned him the right to call the blond, Tidus.
"Shots."
The bartender nodded and filled two shot glasses with tequila. He brought over the salt shaker and a lemon bowl. Riku took a lick of the slat and toasted the glass before chugging it down. The alcohol burned as it slid down his throat and Riku sucked on a lemon wedge, easing the burning sensation. Already, Riku felt better. He took the other shot glass and repeated the process, never letting the strong liquor's effect show.
The bartender served Riku some more and took a couple drinks with him. After five empty shot glasses, the music began to play loudly and with an up-tempo beat. The tequila was taking its toll on Riku, giving him the strongest desire to dance. Tidus couldn't have looked more appealing at that moment. "Wanna dance?" The words weren't slurred, but Riku was getting there.
Tidus stopped wiping the glasses and took Riku's hand, eagerly heading to the dance floor. The crowd of dancers encircled the new pair, moving around Riku and Tidus. The music raged on, raising hands in the air. Riku wrapped an arm around Tidus' waist and began to move to the music, feeling it control his muscles. Tidus bucked his hips towards the platinum-blond, breaking the open space that was between them. Riku responded instinctively to Tidus' movements, entwining his hand behind the blonde's neck. The rainbow of lights changed Riku's hair, from green to blue, from red to yellow. Tidus moved his hands through Riku's hair, able to smell the vanilla-scented shampoo he used.
Riku's back was to Tidus, his back pressed close to the blonde's chest. Rough hands swarmed around his chest, pulling at the shirt that covered more than it should have. The music slowed, bringing the couples closer together, if that were possible. Tidus placed his head in the crevice of Riku's neck, sucking softly on the pure skin. Riku's head flung back, giving the blond total access to his neck. They swayed in unison, entranced in the music and colorful lights. He closed his eyes, concentrating on what Tidus' vampirism methods of pleasure. Riku held Tidus' head close, not wanting him to stop the sensations that went across his neck.
Sora's image entered his mind. Sora's lips, sucking on his neck, making his mark. His slender body, pressed up against him. His delicate fingers, running through his hair and across his chest. His hand, trailing the hem of his pants, down into the most intricate part of his body.
Riku's eyes snapped open and he found himself still at the Traverse Tavern. Tidus had his hand inside his pants and was going further when Riku didn't object. Riku pulled the blonde's hand out and dodged through the crowd of dancers. He saw Tidus' disappointed face when Riku stopped his actions.
The air outside was cold and fresh, something needed after being in the Traverse Tavern. The moon's crescent shape was waning and the stars began to twinkle out of existence. The streets were bare, not a soul in sight. Hands in his pocket, Riku walked back to his apartment, taking his time.
His keys jingled as he unlocked the door to his apartment. Momentarily forgetting about Sora, Riku turned the lights on and stumbled inside. The door behind him was slammed shut, waking the sleeping brunet.
"Riku?" Sora called, covering his eyes from the bright light. "Is that you?" His voice sent tingle through Riku's drunken body. "Where have you been?" The concern Sora had made Riku feel guilty for being at such a place.
"I went for a walk."
Sora glanced at the clock that sat over the television. "At three in the morning?"
"Yes."
Sora knew he was lying. Being friends for a big part of their lives allowed for Sora to know when Riku spoke the truth or not. Yet, he decided not to pursue it any further; it was too early to argue.
The brunet yawned and stretched his arms before plopping back on the couch, too lazy to go to his room. "I'll get a job in the morning. Promise."
"The place where I work at can give you a job." Riku spoke the words before he could stop himself. Suddenly, drinking so late at night hadn't seemed like a good idea.
Sora's face brightened and became wide awake. "Really? Why didn't you mention it before?"
"Forgot."
He was lying again. "Okay. We can go together in the morning." The brunet offered a smile, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
"Okay…"
Riku carried a blanket out and covered Sora with it, staring at the brunet's sleeping figure. In the night, that was all Riku could do. Sleep didn't come as quickly as it did to Sora and the alcohol seemed to prolong it even more. This was what Riku had been trying to prevent all week. Sora had never asked what his job was and Riku was thankful for that. But after all that, it was him who let the words slip out. Now, Riku would have to share the truth with his best friend. The mere thought of it made Riku's stomach squirm or was it the tequila? Either way, Riku ended up in the bathroom, hunched over the toilet.
-+-+-+-+-+-
Sora was up that morning with high spirits. His teeth gleamed after being brushed and his hair was damp when he left the shower. Sora decided to wear a suit, not wanting to blow what may be his last chance. The iron rid it of its wrinkles and Sora carefully put it on. The suit fit tight around Sora, broadening his shoulders. The pants didn't hide a single thing, snug on his legs.
When Riku came in Sora's room to see if he was ready, he quickly rushed out, cheeks flared. The tight –fitting clothing made Sora exude sexiness, even if he didn't notice it himself. A final glance in the mirror and the brunet was ready to leave. Riku grabbed his keys, fearing what may happen later on.
"We're here." The car braked in the parking lot behind an old, rundown building. Sora gazed out the window, unsure if they were at the right place.
"This is where you work?" Riku nodded, stepping out of the vehicle.
Pigeon droppings infested the floor around the building, but not a single bird could be seen. A metal gate was closed, but left unlocked. The building's façade was cracked and the paint chipped away, but no window was cracked or shattered. Some things weren't making any sense.
Riku pushed past the creaking gate and headed straight to the entrance. One of Riku's many keys opened the door.
Inside contradicted the outer appearance, putting Sora's doubtful thoughts to shame. The building's interior was filled with life; people running around, carrying out the commands they were given. Sora saw men with cameras and other men posing in front of them. Bright lights flashed on the people wearing clothing that Sora had only seen in magazines. Some wore extremely tight clothing that made their muscles bulge out as well as other things, while others wore loose pants with a casual shirt. Even if the clothes they wore were different, what they all shared was that they were handsome beyond all reason. The most beautiful of men seemed to all be in the same room and one of them was walking up to Riku.
"Hey, Riku. Leon wants you on set right away." The man had light blond hair, pointing in all directions. His eyes were of a pure blue that only Sora's could rival. Just noticing the brunet's presence, the blond turned to him with a hand stretched out. "My name's Cloud, newbie. You must be Riku's friend." The blond sadistically grinned at the final word, stretching it out purposely.
"I'm Sora." Hesitantly, Sora took the blonde's hand and gave it a weak shake. Sora turned to Riku who was staring off in the distance. "Riku, what is this?"
The platinum-blond was pulled from whatever thoughts he was consumed in and looked over at Sora's confused expression. "I have to go. Cloud, please answer all of Sora's questions…" Riku then whispered something in Cloud's ear that Sora didn't hear. "…except for what I do here."
Cloud nodded and ushered Riku away, having Sora all to himself. "Why don't I give you the tour?" Seeing as Sora didn't have much of choice, he agreed to it, following the handsome blond. "I'll take questions at the end of the tour." He said, trying to sound like a tour guide.
Their first stop was in an empty room, painted all white. "This is the 'Thinking Room' where guys can come and think." Obviously, the brunet thought. "In case inspiration is needed, most guys come in here to get it. It's a relaxing room where you can be alone and think…and other things." The blond added.
Sora internally made a face of disgust, but followed Cloud to another room. "This is the 'Changing Room'!" He said excitedly and ran through the endless racks of clothing. As the name implied, the room was filled with clothes of all kinds. One could change in the middle of it and no one would care as Cloud demonstrated, trying on a pair of faded jeans and a grey t-shirt that allowed for Sora to see through it. "C'mon! Try something on! This room has everything."
Cloud didn't give Sora a choice. He tossed him what he found suitable and Sora reluctantly dressed in front of him. "How do you I look?"
Cloud took a couple steps back to get a better look at the brunet, then, let out a loud whistle of approval. "You'll fit in just fine here." The blond circled Sora, checking out every corner of his body.
Sora felt uncomfortable in the leather pants he was given. It felt as if he wasn't wearing anything at all. Also, the black tank-top that read 'Hardcore' in white, exposed his midriff and had the sleeves torn off. His crown pendant hung outside the shirt, clinging with each sway of the body. Sora caught something that Cloud tossed his way. A spiked bracelet that he helped Sora put on, completing the ensemble.
"Much better than that suit you were wearing. Now let's continue the tour!" Sora wasn't sure if he wanted people seeing him wearing something so…revealing.
Cloud introduced Sora to the photographers next. "These guys are pros. They can make anyone look hot. You'll be seeing a lot of them. Then there are the models. One hundred percent of hot, steamy, man beef, each and everyone one of them, myself included. If everything goes alright, you'll be among us beautiful people. Our job is to wear the newest and best designer clothing. We make the designer's already fabulous clothes look even better and we get paid for it! If you play your cards right you can get into the special program here. That's where Riku is—" Cloud stopped himself before he could go any further. Than with a quick change of the subject, he made Sora forget about the special program. "See that guy over there? His name's Roxas. He's one of the top models here. Designers specifically make their latest styles just for him, hoping that he'll showcase it. Who knows? You might be as good as him."
"Me?" Sora choked out.
"Sure, why not? You're really cute. Okay, you're totally hot in that outfit. Having you noticed the stares you've been getting?" Sora looked around, seeing that the blonde's words were true. As they walked, heads turned and odd sounds were made. One of the models even howled, angering the photographer. Sora's cheeks were tinged with rouge, sort of flattered and disgusted at the same time. Sora never considered the possibility of a relationship with another guy. He had only been with the only girl who would put up with his silence. Kairi.
Cloud placed his arm around Sora's shoulders, giving the appearance that the brunet belonged to him. The models groaned in disappointment, returning to their photo shoots. "And that concludes the tour for now. I'll take questions now."
"Um…where am I?"
The blond stared at Sora and laughed at the boy's innocence. Cloud ruffled Sora's hair, grinning madly. "Welcome to Wicked. The best model agency in the city."
"Who's the kid?" Roxas showed up, surprising the brunet with his stealth.
"This is Sora"
Roxas eyed Sora, checking him out. His eyes moved up Sora's leather pants and paused at the apparent bulge before eyeing the slender body that lay beneath his torn shirt. Then their eyes met. Sapphire gems, united in a glance of crystal perfection.
Sora took the time to look at Roxas. In body size, they were similar. Slender and well-built without too much muscle. His hair pointed in odd directions, falling over his eyes and aiming at the sky. It gave him a sort of dirty appeal to him.
The top model seemed to nod, approvingly. His hand moved to the back of Sora's head, his fingers tracing the edges of his shirt. Then, in one quick motion, Roxas pulled Sora closer and their lips locked. Sora's eyes opened wide with shock, seeing all the models and photographers who were now staring at them. Something wet pressed against his lips, making Sora gasp. Roxas inserted his tongue and massaged the brunet's with his. Without knowing exactly why, Sora found himself playing with Roxas' tongue with his own. His eyes slowly closed, blocking out everyone else except for Roxas and the kiss. As quickly as it had started, Roxas pulled away, leaving Sora wanting for more. "You're mine." He said in a clear voice that everyone heard, claiming Sora as his own and off limits to everyone else.
With that, Roxas walked back to his photo shoot, leaving a stunned and confused Sora behind. Cloud seemed to be just as shocked as the brunet, mouth agape and eyes wide. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to make sure that what he has just witnessed wasn't some strange fantasy. "Did Roxas just kiss you?"
Sora nodded, touching his lips where Roxas left a tingling sensation.
"This is big—No, this is huge! If Roxas likes you, then you're going to be at the top in no time! Wow, this is too much to take. I need to lie down for awhile."
"Are you alright, Cloud?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine, but wow! You're a lucky guy, Sora. You have no idea how lucky you are."
And that concludes chapter one! Don't get mad at me if you don't like Sora and Roxas…because I'm still loyal to the Riku and Sora pairing! I'm just doing something different for now…different is good? Right? Of course I am! I'm glad if you're reading this because that meant you read everything up there, so hooray! I'm happy now! All that's left to do is to take your mouse, move the little arrow to the bottom left of this page, click on the where it says 'submit review' and write something nice! Please do so, because I'll love you for all eternity if you do.
