Chapter 2
Cake Anyone?
Riku left the restaurant with a small headache. He could all ready feel the pressure of what they were asking him to do. They seriously expected him to hop out of a cake and perform at someone's birthday party? How could they count on him to keep that kind of appearance. It would not be easy.
Riku suddenly felt self-concious. Was his body even that exciting to look at? In the past everyone has always said he had a nice body. He knew he was built well, but what about when everything had to come off? Did they really want him to go that far?
He passed by a gym and decided he wanted to exercise. He walked in and smiled at the clerk at the desk. He had a membership card as he often came here. He flashed it to her and headed to the locker room. It was empty. Most of the time it was. More woman came to this gym then men for some reason. He found the locker he kept stuff in and opened it. He took off his shirt and ran a hand down his abs. He was in good shape, at least he had that much. He kicked his shoes off and took off his pants and boxers. There it was. Riku stared at it for a while. It definitely not small, but was it really something to flaunt about. He would not feel comfortable showing it off if the other guys just laughed at him. Maybe he was just nervous.
He dressed into his work out clothes and walked into the gym. One woman was running on a treadmill and sweating profusely. Riku sat down on a weight machine and started to do his normal routine. In the middle of his exercise, Riku heard another person enter the gym. He looked over to see it was that boy he had saw twice today. Is this really a coincidence? Riku wondered.
The boy stolled passed him without so much as a glance. Riku felt a bit insulted at first. Did he really not recognize him. Then again, he was wearing a hood. The boy never came back into the room. Riku wondered if he had went swimming in the pool. He suddenly had the urge to go swimming himself. Perhaps it was a bit of attraction, but Riku could not help it.
He walked into the pool room and saw the boy backstroking in the water. The light perfectly shining threw his hair and brightening his beautifuly tanned skin. He was like a dream.
"Do you need something?" the boy suddenly asked. Riku did not even realize he was staring that long. It was hard not to.
"Oh...no. Sorry, just couldn't help but notice how good of a swimmer you were," Riku said, immediately hating himself for saying it. What a stupid thing to say.
"Oh really? Thanks. I swim a lot," he responded, shaking his brown hair out of his amazing blue eyes. He smiled up at Riku, nearly making Riku loose his mind on how adorable he was. "Did you come in here to swim?"
"Yes," Riku said, though, he really had not.
"You aren't swimming in that, are you?" the boy asked. Riku found his smile to be contagious. When he smiled, Riku smiled.
"Um, yeah, well I just have to take my shirt off. I forgot my swimsuit," Riku lied, taking off his shirt, but noticing the boy was not watching him do so. Riku wondered if he did not look because he was not interested in Riku or he was just being polite. The boy pulled himself out of the water.
"You want to race?" he asked.
"Race?" Riku asked.
"Yeah! Come on!" the boy asked with an excited smile. He looked like a teenager, but clearly had the mentality of a small child. Riku rather liked that quality. Riku laughed.
"Sure. Let's race," Riku told him. They both got into position at the same side of the pool.
"On the count of three," the boy said, readying himself to dive in. "One...Two...Three!" They both dived in, the boy getting the lead quickly. He did appear to be fast, but Riku was sure he could beat him if he really tried. He missed being competitive when he thought about it. He quickly gained speed and started to gain on him. They both reached the end and touched off before going back. Riku pressed against the wall to boost off. Riku reached the boy near the middle, then finally swam ahead of him to the end.
"Hmph." Riku muttered jokingly. The boy did not look mad, but impressed.
"Wow. You are pretty good," he admitted. "I am not used to losing against anyone."
"Oh? Beat your friends a lot do you?" Riku asked.
"Well...To be honest, I don't have that many friends," he said with a diverting look.
"It's okay. I don't either actually. Mostly because...well, I just don't," Riku said, not wanting to say his job got in the way, which would lead to him asking what his job was.
"Oh really? A guy like you? You seem like you would have tons a friends," the boy said smiling. Riku wondered if the boy was trying to flirt, if even a little.
"What would make you think that?" Riku asked, smiling back and raising his eyebrows. Perhaps, he was more than attracted to this boy and perhaps he was trying to get a bit flirty, but it was not that serious.
"Oh, I don't know. You just do," he said.
"Well, surely a boy as adorable as you doesn't have much trouble finding friends," Riku added with a sexy smile. The boy blushed and his eyes went wide.
"Uh..." the boy stated. Riku wondered if he was pushing it a little. He did not want to come on too strong, even if he was really attracted to him.
"Sorry," Riku said. " Didn't mean to embarrass you." The boy gave a small smile and looked up at him.
"It's okay, really. You think I am adorable, do you?" he asked, smirking wider now. Riku suddenly felt like an idiot. What was he doing? He getting attatched. He could not do this, not now. He could not risk it. He had to get out before anything else happened. If this boy did like him as much as Riku liked him, then it would lead to a relationship Riku could not get into. He would end up hurting them both.
"I...uh...I have to go. I forgot to...meet someone," Riku said suddenly. The boy gave a put-off look and frowned.
"Did I say something wrong?" he asked suddenly, pulling himself out of the pool with Riku.
"No...I just have to go. Sorry. Bye," Riku said, running out of the room to the locker room to change. "Shit! I am so stupid!" Riku yelled to himself as he changed. He was not sure what to do. Sure he could go back and ask the boy if he wanted to hang out sometime, but he promised himself he would not get into a relationship. If he did, it would only make his job harder. He would have to lie about what he did. Well, he did not have to lie, but what kind of person would accept what he did? Riku tried to just forget about it.
He left the gym in a bit of a depressed mood. He hated living like this. He never felt this strong a feeling before. No matter how hard he tried, he could not resist the thought of simply going back and telling that boy how he felt. He did not even get his name. He would probably never see him again. Maybe that was best. He could not let his heart interfere with his job.
Walking the streets, he could not help but notice all the happy couples. So many, holding hands as they strolled happily down the sidewalks like they were the happiest people alive. Looking into each others eyes like they did not need words to communicate their love. Riku wanted that happiness. A happiness he has denied himself for years. He decided to sit on a bench and just rest for a bit as he thought.
He tried to think about everything but the boy, but he could not. Not even the thought of what he would be doing tonight let the memory of the boy go away. Riku imagined himself curling with the boy in a soft bed as candlelit illuminated their faces. He imagined turning to the boy and softly pressing his lips against his as they stared into each others eyes without so much as a word needed to express their love. He imagined waking in the morning as the sun rise danced across the boys tan face, then watching his eyes open and letting the sun sparkle in the blue oceans of his eyes. He imagined cuddling on the sofa while they watched a scary movie, holding the boy close as he jumped at the scary parts.
Riku stopped, wondering if it was even healthy to think this way about someone he had just barely met. He glanced at his watch, noticing that there was still so much time before his 'performance' tonight.
He stood up and suddenly heard his name being called.
"Riku!" It was Tidus, with Selphie by his side with a less than amused look. Riku ran through every curse word in the book to himself before responding.
"Hey guys," he said. Selphie looked like she wanted to attack him
"Where have you been? I swear I called like a million times!" Tidus said.
"I am sorry. I have not been feeling well at all," Riku said, wondering if they would buy that.
"For a month?" Selphie asked.
"Come on Selphie. It's no big, it was not like he was avoiding us," Tidus said, laughing. Riku let out a painfully fake chuckle.
"Are you sure you are okay? You actually look rather pale now," Tidus said. Riku did not realize his emotion were showing. He was usually really good at hiding them.
"I am just a bit tired," Riku lied.
"I am gonna go. I need to get to the hair salon before it closes," she said with what Riku had thought been a bit of spite.
"Sure," Tidus said, waving her off.
"What is up with her," Riku asked.
"You serious?" Tidus asked. Riku looked at him confused.
"Yes," he replied.
"Let's see, does the fact she invited you to come to her play down at the theatre ring a bell. The fact she finally got the lead role that you said you knew she could get. The fact you promised her time and time again that you would be right there with her on opening night to see her performance," Tidus said. Riku suddenly remembered all of this. It had been a month. He could not help but forget. He had pressing maters to attend to.
"Dammit! I am so sorry," Riku said.
"Don't tell me, tell her," Tidus said.
"I have been so busy I did not even remember," Riku said, regretting it as soon as he let it slip.
"Busy? With what, I thought you said you were sick?" Tidus inquired.
"That is what I meant," Riku said, knowing that would not suffice for an explanation. "I was really weak and dehydrated so I had to really focus on my health, you know. The doctors were constantly nagging me about exercise plans and stuff."
"Really?" Tidus said. He did not seem to fully believe him. "Whatever man, either way, you really pissed her off. You know that is serious business at that theatre. A lead role is not easy to grab when you are against forty other people."
"I know, but I am sure she will get the next one. When is the next play?" Riku asked.
"Tomorrow. She has a small part as a maid. I think she told me she had seven lines," Tidus said.
"Shit. How the hell could they degrate her like that?" Riku asked furiously.
"That is how that stuff works," Tidus said.
"How am I going to make it up to her?" Riku asked.
"You could start by coming tomorrow...and bringing flowers, lots and lots of flowers," Tidus said. Riku suddenly had the urge to eat.
"You want to grab lunch?" Riku asked, feeling like he might as well spend some time with his friend now before another enduring job came along.
"Sure. Let's go to Italian place," Tidus said. They walked down the street to the restaurant of Tidus' choice, which was packed. The line was all the way outside.
"Are you kidding?" Riku asked.
"It is worth it," Tidus said. "So, you sure nothing else was going on this past month?"
"Yes," Riku said firmly, hoping not to sound defensive.
"Selphie was really counting on you, you know that. You are a big inspiration to her," Tidus stated as the line slowly progressed.
"I know Tidus," Riku said, deciding to change the subject, something he was masterful at. "So, have you and Selphie decided to go steady yet?" Tidus' eyes went wide at the question.
"Well...no, not exactly," Tidus said.
"You did not tell her you liked her then?" Riku asked.
"No...it is hard," Tidus said.
"That is why? If you are not careful she will find someone else," Riku told him, as they began to actually make their way into the restaurant.
"You think I don't realize that. I don't want to risk our friendship...plus, I feel like she might like someone else," Tidus explained.
"Like who," Riku asked.
"Um...you," Tidus responded.
"Me? No, I don't think so," Riku said. They were now close to getting a table.
"I do. I have a feeling," Tidus said.
"Well, I'll tell you what. I promise you don't have to worry about me for competition. She will be your's, okay?" Riku said. Tidus looked relieved.
"You are a really good friend," Tidus said. The waitress greeted them looking tired and over-worked.
"How many?" she asked.
"Two, please," Riku informed her. She grabbed two menu's and glided through the room with amazing skill considering the commotion, though he imagined she was used to manuevering the crowded tables. "Here you are. Someone will be here to get your orders shortly." She left quickly.
"Is this place always like this?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, pretty much. So, you said I don't have to worry about you for competition with Selphie, why is that? Do you have someone on your mind?" Tidus asked. Riku did not really feel like talking about his love life. The fake or real ones. Riku nearly laughed at his own sick humor.
"Um...not really," Riku said trying to sound like he definite.
"Come on now. I am sure you have somebody out there. Maybe that is why you have been so secretive lately," Tidus suggested.
"Drinks?" a different waitress asked.
"Uh, lemonaid," Tidus said.
"Water," Riku ordered.
"Now, who is it? Do I know her?" Tidus asked. The question hit Riku hard. He was expecting it, but it still bothered him. How was he going to tell him it was not even a her? Wait, he did not even have him any way. And he was not planning on it either. He needed to stop thinking like that.
"It is no one, actually. I do not have or will have anyone," Riku said, a bit of depression rolling out of the words he spoke.
"Are you sure? It is all right, I don't care who it is. Listen, even if it is Selphie-" Tidus started.
"It is not Selphie," Riku said, annoyed that he was about to just let out his secret. He felt like telling Tidus. He was a good friend. He would not judge him.
"Well, then what is wrong. Something is not right. You made it seem like one thing one minute, then you completely changed it," Tidus said.
"Look Tidus, I do not have a girl, nor am I going for one," Riku said, trying to hint at what he was going to tell him.
"Riku, I don't understand," Tidus said, not catching any part of the hint.
"Tidus, I am not interested in girls, at all," Riku said, clutching his napkin harder and harder as he spoke. Tidus still did not get it, apparently not even imagining Riku could be into guys.
"Well, okay. I guess if commitment scares you and all it is not a big deal," Tidus said as the waitress brought drinks.
"Ready to order?"
"Large pepperoni pizza," Tidus said. Riku nodded in agreement and waited for the waitress to leave, which seemed like it was taking forever.
"Has nothing to do with commitment either. I am gay Tidus," Riku told him, now moving his hands down to clench the edge of his chair as he waited for Tidus' reaction. He blankly stared at him as though he had told him he was dying. He regained his normal expression and took a drink as he tried to form a word.
"Well...you know what, that is okay. I mean, I am surprised...really surprised. You did not come off that way. It is wierd in a way, but I don't care. Really, it is fine," Tidus said, a bit uncomfortable.
"Listen, it is not a big deal, right. We are still friends?" Riku asked, becoming nervous with his reaction.
"Yeah sure. I just...you know I like Selphie," Tidus suddenly said. Riku looked at him, puzzled.
"Yeah, we were just discussing that...oh," Riku suddenly understood why he was acting that way. "Tidus, I know you aren't gay. I am not into you don't worry. There is this guy I like, but it would not work, so I am good with being alone," Riku said.
"Oh, right," Tidus said, looking relieved. "Sorry, I just did not want to have to upset you. Why would it not work with the guy you like though. What's wrong?" Tidus asked. Riku felt a lot of respect towards Tidus suddenly. He was never able to talk about this with anyone before. He usually was very closed with Tidus, but now he felt like telling him everything. Unfourtunately, he could not really tell Tidus the reason it would not work. He had to move to a believable reason.
"I am pretty sure he is not gay, so I can't," Riku told him. Their pizza was set on the table.
"Well, ask. I mean, it can't hurt right. Hey, maybe he will turn out to be. You never know. It never hurts to ask," Tidus told him. Riku laughed and shook his head.
"What?" Tidus asked, taking a slice of pizza.
"Ever consider taking your own advice?" Riku asked.
"What...oh...hmmm...I guess I should," Tidus said. They ate their pizza in relative silence as they both pondered the people they liked and what they were going to do about it.
"Well, I guess I need to consider asking Selphie then. You should do the same, Riku. Don't try supress your feelings, okay? You will regret it," Tidus said. Leaving money on the table, Riku pushed the money back to him.
"I got it," Riku said. Putting his money down. Tidus left the restaurant, but Riku could not stop running Tidus' words through his head. Is it really worth it, Riku wondered. It was almost time to go to work, so he headed home. On his way back he started to get nervous. Hopefully this would be over with quick.
He got to his apartment complex and Cid greeted him.
"What the hell you run out of here so fast earlier. Like your damn pants were on fire," Cid laughed.
"I am in a hurry Cid, it can't be helped," Riku said, using the stairs.
"Shit! You people and your damn priorities. Y'all need to learn to just relax," Cid said. Riku got to his apartment and used the restroom. Jack was supposed to be there any minute. Riku looked out his window to see if the limo had pulled up yet, but nothing was there.
"Come on, let me get this night over with," Riku said to himself.
"What the hell?" Riku heard Cid yell a couple minutes later. Riku looked out the window to see the limo. He realized that it was going to be hard to explain to Cid, but he would just ignore him for tonight. He ran down the stairs and out the door, ignoring Cid's question of if it was for him.
The door opened and Jack moved down the seat so Riku could get in. Riku shut the door behind him.
"Well, I must admit, I was a little curious to see if you were even going to come," Jack said.
"Trust me, that thought was on my to do list for a while," Riku said.
"It'll be fine. Don't worry. Only an hour or so. No one will see you and we will be right next door if something happens," Jack said supportingly.
"Thanks. Well, were is the outfit?" Riku asked with little enthusiasm.
"Over there. Go ahead and change," Jack said, picking up a magazine to read. Riku undressed and realized he even had a very special underwear arrangement too. A skimpy black thong.
"Fantastic," Riku expressed sardonically. He slipped on the thong, hoping Jack was well absorbed in that magazine. He slipped on black tuxedo-type pants that were capable of being pulled off with a simple tug. He put on a white button up shirt that only buttoned half way, revealing much of his chest. He than saw the a set of black cat ears.
"Are you really making me put these on?" Riku asked.
"Hey, it was requested," Jack stated, not looking off his magazine.
Riku put them on reluctantly. He decided not to wear shoes or socks. He sat down and waited.
"Here we are," Jack stated after a few minutes of silence. He put his magazine down. The limo stopped and Jack got out, instructing Riku to follow. Riku saw the large cake he was intended to come out of sitting near the doors to the house. It was on wheels.
"Oh," Riku sighed.
"Hop in," Jack said. Riku opened the cake and climbed in the surprisingly soft inside. "Have fun," was the last thing Jack said before closing the cake. Riku felt himself being rolled into the house. He tried to evaluate the amount of voices. It seemed like about seven gentlemen. They were turning up some music as the cake entered and laughing. This was so embarrasing.
"Okay boys, now for the enertainment of this evening, for our good friends birthday," a man said. The music as loud now and that was Riku's signal to come out. He took a big breath and pushed up out of the cake to see the guys standing around laughing and cheering as he came out. The music fueling his attitude, Riku moved his hands down his body seductively, quickly finding the birthday boy. He moved his finger to his lips and licked it while keeping unblinking eye contact with the guy who was literally losing it with excitement. He flipped his silver locks of hair, playing with the guys mind.
"Are you the birthday boy," Riku said deeply as he began to slowly pull open his shirt.
"Hell yes I am!" he said. Riku stepped out of the cake now and removed his shirt. He was not sure what to do now. He could not really dance or anything so he assumed he could get right to sexual activity to make these guys happy. Riku caressed his face and plastered an innocent look on his own face causing the guy to go wild with pleasure. Riku moved to take off his pants, he tugged them off and received several cheers from the crowd of friends.
"Damn!" one guy said, checking Riku out. Riku moved closer to the birthday boy and sat him down in a chair were he cupped his growing erection.
"How's that feel," Riku asked.
"Oh man!" the guy shouted, letting his own hands find Riku's backside. Riku licked the guy's lips then moved his lower section up to the guys face. The guy pushed his face into Riku's bulge. Riku pulled down his thong, letting the guy get a little taste of his length before putting it back. Riku started to make out with him, hoping that this would be enough and he did not have to do this treatment to any other of his friends. He pulled his tongue out of the guys mouth and stood up.
"I am next!" Another guy said. Dammit, Riku thought, turning his attention to the guy. No one else seemed interested, so this guy and he was done. Riku decided to play rough.
"Come here," Riku said. The guy complied. Riku pulled at his hair and began nipping his neck roughly.
"Oh, man," the guy cried.
Riku sucked at his neck now, then began nibbling his lower lip. The seemed to actually enjoy it quite a bit, but he did seem to be fine when Riku stopped. Riku was probably being just a little to rough. Good.
Riku managed to slip into another room and he quickly began searching for a set of keys. He moved rooms quickly, looking in drawers and in coat pockets. He made it into the kitchen and surveyed everything. Nothing was here. Why were keys so hard to find?
He made it into the bed room and suddenly, someone stepped in behind him. The birthday boy.
"Well what are we up to?" he asked.
"Whatever you like," Riku played.
"Good answer," He said, advancing on Riku who now noticed keys were in his back pocket. Riku found himself falling on the bed as he pretended to caress the guys butt. He finally got the keys loose and threw them on the floor. Riku let the guy stroke his cock before somoene called him. "What?" he yelled angrily. "Hold on." Riku smiled as he left the room. As soon as he left, Riku grabbed the keys and left through a different door. He did not intend to stay any longer, he did not care about the extra money from this guy, the company would pay him just fine. This guy was pushing towards sex. Riku was not exactly the greatest person in the world, but he did not go around letting guys have sex with him for cash.
He quickly found a window to climb out of. He prayed no one would see him, since he was only wearing a thong. He sprinted next door and found the limo. He climbed inside and panted deeply.
"Wow. Finished all ready?" Jack asked, mildly amused. Riku threw him the keys.
"Yes. I decided the extra money was not worth letting that creep screw me," Riku said smiling.
"Whatever. Here is your pay. Get dressed and we will take you home. Unless you would much rather stay in that."