Disclaimer: still applies.
Snuggles and Sparring
Things seemed to go back to normal after that afternoon, or so Riku thought. He went back to spending most of his time at Sora's house and Roxas went back to spending all his time in his room. It was almost as if nothing had happened. Though, Riku found that he was getting frequently frustrated with Sora.
Monday came same as most Mondays, with too much work after getting too little sleep. Riku had to fight to stay awake in all his classes that day. It wasn't until right before last period that things began to get interesting.
He had been switching his books at his locker, wondering why he bothered lugging the heave things around if he never even looked at them in class when he felt a small hand tugging on the sleeve of his shirt.
"Uh, hey Riku!" A blush found it's way up into the blonde boy's cheeks, a fact which Riku noted with amusement.
"Hello, Roxas."
"I…" It seemed that Roxas had become shier after their little encounter. He looked at the floor. "Sora has fencing practice until six today and Mom doesn't come home until nearly eight. I was wondering if you could maybe drive me home after school? I mean if you don't have something else you needed to do."
Riku watched the boy who was about two years younger than himself struggle to ask something so simple. A smile crept onto his face—he found the whole thing rather cute really and he was agreeing without really thinking about it. "Sure thing. Why don't you meet me here after school?"
"Right." Roxas said looking much brighter than before, "Thanks!" He left quickly having to get to class, and Riku found that his last class went much too slowly for his taste.
As luck would have it, he ran into Sora after class. "Hey thanks for driving my brother home. He didn't seem to want to wait around for me to get out of practice."
"My pleasure.' Riku said shortly. Suddenly Sora grabbed hold of Riku's arm. Following the brunette's gaze he saw a pretty girl with auburn hair walking and laughing with a tall boy with bluish locks. They were heading toward the gym.
Sora set his jaw with a determined look on his face. "Gotta go." He muttered and he was gone not even noticing the annoyed look on Riku's face. Almost immediately the brunette was replaced with his younger brother.
"Hey"
Riku nodded not really feeling all that chatty. The boy waited while Riku got his stuff together and slammed his locker shut.
"Bad day?" Roxas asked.
"Not really. It's just your brother."
"Oh." Roxas got really quiet and fixed his gaze on the floor. The older boy didn't even seem to notice.
The drive home was quite quiet except for Roxas thanking Riku. When they finally reached his home Roxas muttered another thank you and added, "So, uh… good bye I guess."
"You guess?"
"Uh." The boy was turning red again and he kept running his palms on his jeans. "Well, umm, I…. Could you help me with my math homework?" The words came out before he really thought about them.
"Aren't you supposed to be brilliant or something?" he sounded almost annoyed.
Roxas looked hurt and muttered a soft, " I guess."
Riku felt bad for taking frustration out on the poor kid. "You know," he began, "I could eat. You could pay me back for the ride home with some grub."
As Riku followed him into the house, the blond smiled. "Why don't you wait in the living room and I'll get some sandwiches."
He didn't know why being around Riku made him so nervous all of a sudden, but it did. Palms were getting sweaty, throat dry. As fast as he would like to make these sandwiches, he drew the process out as long as possible to stop himself from having to face the older boy.
When the sandwiches were done, he found Riku sitting on the sofa laughing at whatever was on the TV. Sitting beside the silvery-haired boy, he gave the other a small smile and handed him the plate.
They sat in silence for a while, Riku watching some talk show program, which was apparently hilarious despite the fact he was sure the people on it were being completely serious. Shifting so as to make himself a little more comfortable he took a nervous bite of his sandwich, Riku was already finished. That nervous feeling dug harder into the pit of his stomach and he put the sandwich back on its plate. It was probably better not to eat.
Riku's plate was discarded on the coffee table in front of them and Roxas's full one soon joined it. Sitting there one the sofa next to each other, now having nothing to occupy his hands, the blonde wished that he hadn't set aside the plate. It would probably look even more awkward if he picked it up again.
And then he felt something brush the back of his neck. It slid across his shoulders and Riku's arm finally came to rest around his shoulders.
Roxas looked up at his companion curiously who returned it with his own look of "are you really going to question me?" Leaning in to Riku he tried everything he could to get comfortable, but he was suddenly aware of the beating of his heart as it assaulted his rib cage. More than anything he wished he could just relax into Riku's strong arm, but he found himself jittery, wondering if the older boy had in mind.
All sorts of thoughts filled his head at once. Would Riku kiss him? Should he kiss Riku? If they did kiss, where should he put his hands? Didn't Riku's hair look nice today? Were his palms too sweaty to even touch Riku anyways? Did Riku want to do anything I more /I than kiss him? And would he…
Suddenly warm lips pressed against his own. A soft moan escaped his lips as those pesky questions left his head. Never really having decided what to do with his hands, he left them sitting in his lap while Riku's hand snaked around the back of the blonde boy's neck. It was never really a question as to who had control of the situation.
Riku leaned into him, and he found himself lying down on the small sofa, the twisted stories of people's lives still playing in the background. Every muscle in Roxas's body stiffened at the other boy's touch. This was all new to him, never having done more than kiss a girl in the past. It seemed that Riku had his share of experience, well he was two years older after all, and Roxas found himself suddenly shy, following through Riku's actions not certain for himself what was going on.
A slender hand slipped up his shirt and he gasped at the cold touch on his stomach.
Riku himself looked down at the boy beneath him. The blonde was small, muscles not nearly as developed as Riku. He looked so much like his brother and he was practically throwing himself at Riku—it was all rather hard to resist. Tasting the sweet lips again, Riku kissed the smaller boy hungrily. There was something inside him that yearned for release, release that the other boy was offering.
And he knew Roxas was nervous and inexperienced, the whole thing seemed to excite him even further. He imagined Sora looking up at him being kissed for the first time, touching him apprehensively never having done anything like this before, trusting Riku to take him to places he had never been. With a moan Riku pressed into Roxas grinding his body against the small firm one beneath him.
In a flash Roxas's eyes flew open feeling the hard bulge that Riku had pressed against him. His breathing quickened and the bigger boy took this as a sing to keep going. Really though, Roxas was a bit scared. As much as he enjoyed kissing Riku he wasn't sure he was ready for anything else yet. He began to understand now, the difference between fourteen and sixteen. It wasn't that he didn't want it, but he just… not like this. Squirming beneath the other boy, he looked up at him with large pleading eyes.
There they were again, those damn eyes that would be the end of him. And they were looking at him with trepidation unsure of what to do next. Of course Riku understood, knew that the blonde was torn between wanting Riku but not wanting this yet. For a moment he was tempted to pretend that he didn't understand, pretend he thought Roxas was begging him for something else. But he found, looking into those eye, that he couldn't do it.
He ran a hand through the blond spikes of the younger boy and placed a soft kiss against his lips.
Roxas felt the weight of the older boy lift from him as Riku pushed himself up onto his elbows. A hand was on Roxas's shoulder turning him to face away from the sofa and Riku was sliding in on his side behind him, snaking an arm around his middle and pulling him in tightly. He let out the breath he had been holding and snuggled closer to the warm body behind him.
Blond spikes rested under Riku's chin and a small form was curled up close to him. So maybe it hadn't been exactly what he wanted only moments ago, but this wasn't bad. Breathing deeply into the blond hair he placed a kiss atop the other boy's head causing shivers to run down Roxas's spine.
Content was the only word Riku could think of to describe this. And for someone who had been chasing hopeless for so long, content was a desirable thing. "What time is your brother supposed to be getting home?"
"Uh, after six I think."
Riku checked his watch, it read four fifty-five. With a half smile and a sigh he pulled the younger boy closer to him, snuggling down into his warmth.
Sora was sweaty, bruised, and tired. His right arm ached, and he wasn't certain he'd be able to use his shoulder tomorrow. The older kids seemed to be having an easy time of this rigorous practicing, and Sora was sore at feeling for the first time maybe he wasn't as good as the kids who were on the varsity team.
To be fair, the way they practiced, together instead of in separate groups, meant that they could fence anyone, varsity or j.v., which meant one could progress easily if they took advantage of the situation. And Axel had said that if anyone showed particular talent throughout the year, they might be allowed to participate in Varsity matches. Of course, it hadn't sounded quite so nice when Axel said it.
Looking around Sora saw Kairi and a few other girls swooning in the bleachers of the gym. Only someone as egotistical as their captain would allow open practices. Of course, Kairi was staring at a tall boy with long bluish hair. Sora watched as the junior gave her a small salute before putting his helmet on brandishing his saber like a trophy. In response, Kairi blew him a small kiss. Something made more of instinct than reason took hold of Sora, and without really knowing what he was doing he was walking up to Saix sword in hand, a determined look on his shielded face.
He didn't know what he had been trying to prove when he went to fight Saix, but finding himself in a crumpled ball on the floor panting and watching the girl he liked go on and on about how good Saix fought was not what he was going for. He was in so sour a mood, he didn't see the figure that was walking toward him, until it kneeled beside him and began teasing off his helmet.
"Now that did not look like fun. Saix is a hard fight, and I've never seen someone go at it so hard! You guys got a history or something?"
Relieved of his helmet, Soar said nothing just stared at Kairi who was nearly falling out of her seat flirting with Saix. Greenish-blue eyes followed his own. "Oh, she's cute."
"Tell me about it," Sora huffed. "Who are you anyways?"
"Name's Demyx." He smiled ignoring Sora's attitude and looking the brunette over. "You're not half bad, but you are kinda small though. You a freshmen?"
"Sophomore."
"Me too! Youngest on the varsity actually!" Just what Sora wanted to hear. Silence was his only response. "You sure don't talk much do you?"
Sora huffed amused, Riku and Roxas both said he never shut up. He turned to study the kid beside him, from his blonde mullet-looking hair to his broad cheesy grin. The kid didn't look like he could hurt a fly, let alone fence.
Finally Sora spoke, "You're on the Varsity?"
"Well," Demyx blushed and rubbed the back of his neck with a free hand and started talking in a quite rushed voice, "I'm more like the water boy for the varsity team, but I fence well enough and get to go at it in matches. And I do get to wear the Varsity Fencing jacket." His toothy grin was proud.
Sora snorted in response.
"You know you never did tell me your name."
"It's Sora," he said with a smile beginning to enjoy the other boy's company. "I'm on the Junior Varsity, but you probably knew that already."
The blond nodded standing up and stretching a hand out to Sora. "If you're looking for a more fair fight, why don't you an I have a go?"
Accepting the hand and readying himself, he picked up his saber and saluted his companion to begin their bout.
A few parries and a couple of reposts later, Sora decided that despite the blonde's docile appearance he was actually quite a skilled fencer. They turned out to be well matched and both were enjoying themselves so much that they didn't even notice Axel had walked up to them until he began to speak.
"Well if this isn't a nice little match, Dem seems like you've found yourself some competition."
The younger boys took off their masks and turned to their captain. Sora didn't know whether or not the comments was meant to compliment him or not, but he muttered a "Thanks," just to be safe.
Axel smirked, "See Demyx here's got a lot of form. Real pretty style, but he's not the most, shall we say, aggressive. Very good though, most kids on the J.V. team wouldn't be able to touch him." Sora watched him trying to discern the meaning behind his words. The tall red head got closer to him after giving him a few appraising looks. He leaned forward closer to Sora and spoke in a low serious tone. "I saw you go up against Saix, and he's a hell of a good fight. Yeah you got your ass handed to ya, but you made him break a sweat. You've got spark kid, something you don't see every day. Use it. If you keep up like you are now, we might make some room for you on the Varsity team."
"Yeah?" Sora perked up immediately. "Really?"
"If," the redhead cut in, "You work you ass off."
And with a turn he was gone leaving the brunette in a bit of shock. Maybe he had been wrong about the whole favorites thing after all. Maybe his merit would get him somewhere.
"Wow Sora," Demyx piped up, "Axel doesn't usually talk to kids on the j.v. team, especially not at the first practice. You're lucky! Or maybe you do actually have talent."
"Or maybe," another voice spoke in a much higher tone, "he thinks you're cute."
Demyx laughed. "No way Larxene, you know Axel prefers blondes."
"Yeah," the girl said, "it's just too bad he doesn't like boobs." It was known by the returning fencers that she had been chasing Axel her entire freshman year only to find out at the end of the year he wasn't privy to women. Though it had been overall disappointing, it had turned her into one of the best fencers on the team even if she was only a junior. "Now, Shorty, let's see if you're worth all this fuss."
Finally noticing her white ensemble, Sora started. "Wait, you fence?"
"Got a problem with that?"
"Guess not." He grinned.
"Good, because I'd hate to have to hurt that pretty little face when it wasn't behind that mask. Now, get ready."
Sora left practice that day feeling much better than he had after try-outs. Making two new friends, both of whom were on varsity, surly couldn't hurt things either. Demyx, it turned out, didn't drive yet and when he found out Sora did, he asked him for a ride home. Sora found this new friend quite interesting and very different from the two boys he usually hung out with. Where Riku and Roxas were both closed off, Demyx was open, friendly, and he had a great sense of humor.
In the short ten minutes that Demyx was in the car, Sora learned that Axel had though Demyx was cute last year and Demyx had to politely tell him that he really only dated women, that Demyx played at least three musical instruments and could list another five that he wanted to become familiar with, that he lived with just his grandparents because his parents had gotten in a car crash when he was just a baby, and that Demyx's favorite food was pizza and his favorite pizza was covered in barbeque chicken. The wealth of information bewildered him, and he wondered for a moment whether he ever sounded like Demyx did when talking to Riku or Roxas.
It was a well after six when Sora came home, Roxas had fallen asleep on the couch and Riku rather liked the feeling of holding the smaller boy in his arms. When he heard the keys rattle in the door he snuck out from behind Roxas and sat on the floor leaning on the couch.
Sora followed the sounds of the television to find Riku watching T.V. while his brother napped on the sofa. "You two certainly have gotten close lately," Sora remarked.
"Yeah, well," Riku joked, "I'm looking for a replacement for my best friend who never seems to be here anymore."
Sora smiled. "Well, I'll be here Tuesday, and on Thursday, and all weekend too! And since you guys like hanging out so much you can come to my match on Friday if you like."
"I guess. Might be fun to watch you get hit around like that."
"Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I don't plan on getting hit!"
They started laughing as Riku muttered a "Yeah, okay," as they left the room to go upstairs leaving Roxas alone in the dark living room.
AN: well hope you like it. They're will probably be lots more of the fencing team because it is fun to write and of course lots more of Roxas making-out. ahh. Reviews are appreciated.
Thank you everyone who reviewed last chapter! It made me itch to get this out faster. Love you guys!
