Chapter 2

Sora Meets Riku Senshi

Dinner was peaceful for Sora. He hid the choker under his shirt and ate in mostly silence as his aunt and uncle, cousin and his boyfriend talked to each other. He felt awkward eating there but ignored it. Roxas's boyfriend left after dinner and Uncle Zack went to the garage only to come back a moment later with large hooks and shelving pieces. The two of them went to Sora's room and spent ten minutes mounting Sora's dads' swords to the wall: both of them resting on the wall opposite of Sora's bed so he can always see them when he falls asleep. Roxas came in and stared at the two swords. "Seems a bit of a waste to have them hanging on the wall," he sighed. "How much do they even weigh?"

"Eighty pounds," Sora said. "Each."

Roxas stared at Sora dumbfounded. "You mean you carried over one hundred pounds in your suitcase with ease!"

"Yeah… I did," Sora said. "I'm used to carrying heavy things."

"Oh…" Roxas said. He started to look around the room, his eyes falling on a picture of Sora and Seifer. "Who is this?" he asked.

Sora looked at the picture and couldn't help but smile. "That's Seifer, my boyfriend. He was with us… during the accident."

"I'm sorry," Roxas frowned.

Sora shook his head and forced himself to smile. "I'm fine," he said. Roxas stared at him and sighed. Without thinking he grabbed Sora's hand and pulled him through the bathroom and into his own room. Roxas closed the door to the bathroom, as well as the door to the hallway and turned to Sora. "You're staying here tonight," he said. "No arguing about it."

Sora looked around. The room was the same format as Sora's, but the television was surrounded with gaming systems, movies, and video games, Roxas's computer was surrounded by his own pictures and hanging on the doorknob of his wardrobe was the outfit Sora guessed that Roxas will wear tomorrow. "I guess… but what about my pajamas?" Sora asked.

"Sleep in your boxers," Roxas shrugged. "I do. Besides, I think tonight you really don't want to be alone."

Sora looked down before nodding. Roxas was right. He really did not want to be left by himself that night. Roxas grinned and clapped his hands. "Right! It's… eight o'clock, I say we eat ice cream and watch a movie! Sound good?"

"Yeah," Sora said, feeling a little relieved. Roxas cheered and walked to the door. "Right! I'm going to get the ice cream, Sora don't you dare move!" He rushed out of the room, leaving Sora to himself. Sora looked around the room and decided to spend the time waiting by looking at Roxas's movie collection. It was very vast. In alphabetical order, Roxas owned what seemed like at least one hundred DVDs of movies and television shows. It looked to be a collection many years' worth in the making, and by the spacing still available Sora felt like Roxas wasn't even close to done. Sora was happy to see one of his favorite movies sitting in the mix and pulled it out.

The door opened and Roxas appeared with two cartons of ice cream. "Right movie night with my cousin," Roxas smiled. "It's been way too long Sora."

Sora just nodded and held up the movie he was holding. "Err, can we watch this one? It's one of my favorites," he said.

"Hmm, alright," Roxas said. "I honestly didn't strike you down for an action fan."

"Seifer made me love action movies," Sora said. "He brought me to see them all the time whenever they would reach us. Sometimes he would drive me to a bigger town next to us because they have a wider selection. We had a deal. For every three movies he brought me to see, I could choose any movie of my choosing. I used to pick different types of movies but as time went on, I just chose movies that Seifer would love. Which were mostly action movies and mafia movies. Lucky for me, I loved mafia movies before Seifer introduced me to very good ones."

"Wow, sounds like you guys have been together for a long time," Roxas said.

"Compared to you and Axel no… actually tomorrow was supposed to be our two year anniversary, although we've known each other for five," Sora said. "Our deal started way before we started dating."

"I see," Roxas said. "Well it's a long one so we might as well go to bed straight after it's done. So…" His hands moved to his clothes and he stripped right in front of Sora, revealing pale smooth lean skin. Sora blushed deeply. It seems that Roxas has no shame at all! Roxas smiled at Sora, "Come on! I don't want to be the only one in my boxers!"

"I…um…Roxas!" Sora stuttered and then yelled as Roxas grabbed his shirt and with one motion pulled off Sora's shirt and vest, revealing his tanned lean muscles and the black choker resting so comfortably on Sora's neck. Roxas stared at the choker, mouthing the words quietly to himself. He stared for a moment before his own face became deeply red, matching Sora's. "Dude!" He said.

"I-I tried to tell you," Sora said, not even trying to hide the tag or choker. "It was our one year gift. I wore it every day."

"But dude it's—it's so sexual!"

"He is… was a very sexual guy," Sora blushed. "There wasn't a time or day wasted where we weren't kissing."

"I don't want to sound rude but… can you take it off? It's giving me impure thoughts that I don't want to think about my cousin," Roxas said.

"I'm sorry," Sora said. He reached for the back of his choker. His fingers stopped at the latch and he looked at Roxas. "Since the accident, there were times where I felt like I was going to shatter. My collar helped me just stabilize myself. Like reminding myself who I am."

"Do you feel that way now?" Roxas asked carefully.

"No… I just miss him, that's all," Sora said. He took off the collar. "Can I hold it at least?" he asked, again sounding and looking so meekly.

"Yeah, of course," Roxas said.

Sora smiled and slipped his pants off. "He was very good to me, you know? The others wouldn't believe me but he knew exactly what I needed when I needed without even asking. It was like he was psychic or something." Sora chuckled. "I'll spare you the details but… it was nice." Standing in his boxers, he smiled at his cousin and said, "Let's just start eating ice cream and watching the movie, okay? I call dips on the chocolate."

"No way dude! The chocolate's mine," Roxas said, happy to roll with Sora's mood change.

The two settled down against Roxas's bed and Roxas turned the movie on. Between them were the open cartons of ice cream and two spoons, one for each. The movie began and they watched in silence, periodically taking a bite of whatever ice cream was closest to their spoon at the time. They were both totally engrossed in the violence and action of the movie, Sora's eyes bulging with excitement every time there was an explosion. In his other hand he held the collar, his thumb stroking the tag unconsciously. The movie lasted for three hours and both boys were more than exhausted as they struggled to stand up. Roxas actually had to carry and tuck Sora into his bed before climbing in afterwards. The blonde barely remembered to turn the television off before both of them succumbing to sleep.

Sora had a week till school started and spent most of his time in his room. Uncle Zack had made a small shrine for Sora's parents so the family could pray for them, which Sora did daily. In his room Sora spent hours at times staring at his fathers' swords and photographs, breaking down crying before stopping himself. They wouldn't want him to be crying, Sora told himself, they would have wanted him to be happy. To smile. Roxas and his boyfriend tried on several occasions to bring Sora out with them, but the small teen wasn't in the mood. He just wanted to be with his fathers and boyfriend. Roxas, however, refused to let Sora sleep alone at night, which Sora was silently grateful for. He didn't know what he would do if left to himself in the middle of the night surrounded by the memories of everything he held dear. Sometimes Sora would sleep in Roxas's room while other times Roxas would sleep with Sora in his. For some reason it never felt awkward.

Sora just wanted time to stop if only for a moment, but unfortunately time kept on moving and their summer vacations were over. Roxas woke him up early on Monday morning, it seems that Axel will be driving them to HHS. Roxas was already dressed, he was wearing a white button-down shirt and dark jeans, a tie hanging loosely around his neck. Sora stared at him for a moment. "There's a dress code?" he asked.

"Nah, I just like dressing like this," Roxas shrugged. "Hurry up and shower Sora, Axel'll be here in twenty minutes, oh and don't worry about breakfast."

Sora nodded and got into their bathroom. There he showered and brushed his teeth in a hurried manner. He went to his room and opened the wardrobe drawers and doors. His mind instantly went blank as he stared, not knowing what he wanted to wear. Should he go lazy professional like Roxas? What if there's an unwritten dress code? Sora might underdress and… Sora didn't want to spend his final year being known as the loser. Back at Destiny Islands he had Seifer protect him from any bullies that would have picked on Sora for his small size but here… Sora doubted that Roxas was as strong as he was. "I guess I should copy Roxas," Sora said to himself.

He found a dark blue button-down shirt and dark skinny jeans that fitted him perfectly. He turned towards the picture of him and Seifer where his collar laid. Sora bit his lip, usually he only wore those when the two went on dates… he turned his back and instead quickly found a tie that used to belong to Leon, which he placed to the side. He opened a top drawer in the wardrobe where he placed all of his fathers' accessories and jewelry. He took his father Leon's necklace, a simple pendent in the shape of a lion, and unbuttoned the first two top buttons of his shirt before he put the necklace on. Sora then looked at the many pieces of bangles that Cloud had amassed throughout his adventures. The boy smiled when his eyes fell on a bangle made of a tortoise called an Adamantoise. It was, according to Cloud, "the strongest piece of shell in the world." Sora immediately placed it on and smiled. He already felt more powerful just wearing it!

"Sora! Let's go!" Roxas called out.

"Coming!" Sora yelled. He picked up his new backpack and stopped before a mirror, mentally reminding himself to smile. He ran down the stairs and saw Axel and Roxas waiting.

"Woah… looks like I have two hotties joining me today," Axel smirked when Sora stepped off of the stairs. The redheaded teen was again wearing form-fitting clothes and his absurd amount of bangles and bracelets.

"Is… is this too much?" Sora blushed.

"Nope," Axel smirked. "I'll be waiting in car." He kissed Roxas and walked out of the house.

"Sora, you know you didn't have to exactly copy me," Roxas chuckled.

"Sorry… it's just I didn't know what to wear," Sora blushed.

"It's okay, I like it that you did though," Roxas smiled. "Come on, we have to say goodbye to Mom and Dad or Dad's feelings will be hurt." The two walked into the kitchen where Uncle Zack and Aunt Aerith were both reading newspapers. "We're leaving," Roxas said.

"Okay boys, have a good first day at school," Uncle Zack said. "I might be late coming home, someone decided to load some new recruits on me and they're just awful."

Aunt Aerith looked up at both of the boys and said, "Be safe, okay?"

"We always are Mom, bye," Roxas said.

"Bye Aunt Aerith… Uncle Zack," Sora said.

The two left the house, and Sora saw that Axel was waiting for them… in a red sports car. "Woah…" he breathed. "How did you afford this?" he asked.

Axel smirked and just winked at Sora as Roxas entered the passenger seat, again kissing Axel. Sora got into the back and Axel turned to him. "A couple of rules here," Axel said. "Only you two are allowed to eat in my sweet baby, because you're such two hotties. And any food you drop, you have to pick up with your tongue." He smirked at Sora, making the boy think he was joking. Sora laughed hesitantly only to see the serious look on Roxas's face.

"He's not joking and it is very disgusting," Roxas said. "I didn't talk to him for a week afterwards."

"Oh."

"Don't worry, I have plenty of napkins," Axel said. Sora leaned forward and saw that Axel had a deli bag next to him. Roxas opened it and pulled out two sandwiches wrapped in tin foil. He gave one to Sora along with a handful of napkins. Axel rolled up the windows so there was no change of food or napkins from escaping and the car immediately filled with the aroma of bacon, egg, and cheese on rolls. "From the best deli in the city," Axel said. "Eat up Sora. When you're with me and Roxas, you eat like kings." Axel chuckled as he started the car and pulled out of the driveway. Heavy rock music began playing.

The food was delicious. Sora couldn't help but moan after he took the first bite of his breakfast sandwich. His breakfast was done too far soon, the tinfoil clean of any crumbs. "Man! You eat fast," Axel laughed smiling. "Unlike Roxy here." Roxas only finished half of his sandwich.

"It was delicious," Sora smiled. "I couldn't help it."

"Well, that's great to know," Axel said. "Good on you for having an actual appetite unlike Roxas here!"

"I have a normal appetite," Roxas argued. "It's not my fault you and the other guys eat four times a person's supposed to eat."

"I uhh always had a huge appetite," Sora interrupted, not wanting the two to argue.

Axel snickered and Roxas rolled his eyes. "I remember," Roxas said. He turned to Axel and said, "On our tenth birthday this boy ate almost three whole pizzas and didn't gain a single pound!"

"Nice! I wish I had that skill," Axel said. "I had to work hard to keep my body."

"Please! Have you seen the size of your dad? I'm surprised you're not a huge wall of muscle like him," Roxas laughed.

"Yeah but my mom on the other hand… no offense to her but—"

"Your mom looks lovely don't you insult her!" Roxas yelled.

"I'm not," Axel laughed. "It's just between her and my dad it's hard staying this lean."

"Who's your dad?" Sora asked curiously.

"Lexaeus, but everyone just calls him Lex," Axel said. "Tall guy, even taller than be if you would believe it."

"And massive! I swear when I first met him I thought he was going to lift me up with his pinky finger!" Roxas said.

"But he's a softy once he likes you, which he definitely will Sora so there's nothing to worry about," Axel said. "Anyway… we are here."

Axel pulled into a large parking lot next to a standard tall red-bricked high school. There were already students milling about, talking to each other and crowding around certain cars and the school entrance. Sora moved to open the door but Axel stopped him by keeping the doors locked. "More rules," he said.

"What?"

"First, give me your phone," Axel said. Sora did so and Axel put in his number. "Right," Axel said giving Sora back his cellphone. "Stick with Roxas and me, Sora, and you'll have no problems what so ever."

"Really?" Sora asked.

"Of course, you're lucky your cousin only hangs out with the best of the best," Axel said with a wink. He unlocked the doors and moved to open Sora's door before the teen could reach the door handle. Axel escorted Sora out of the car before doing the same with Roxas. "Right boys, let's go," Axel said with a huge grin on his face as he slipped an arm around Roxas's waist. Sora walked next to Roxas and his cousin reached out for his hand, holding it. Sora couldn't help but noticed that the other students naturally stared at them before moving out of the way. Not once did they had to bang shoulders or push past any of the students, they just moved out of the way before Axel, Roxas, and Sora could reach them. It was strange but for some reason Axel and Roxas treated this like an everyday event.

The three went into the school's office and obtained their school schedules. Sora looked at his and Roxas's to see that they were exactly the same. "That's lucky," he smiled.

"It is," Roxas nodded. "Come on, let's go pick out lockers."

Axel led them out of the office and down a hallway. Sora was surprised to see that lockers didn't line up the walls, instead there were sections of the building that were left for nothing by lockers. Rows and rows of blue lockers on both sides of the room. "We have the same locker section every year," Axel said. "Usually we just pick a locker at freshmen year and stay with it throughout. But there are a lot of people who like to switch things up."

"Axel's and mine are next to each other's," Roxas said.

"813 and 814," Axel smirked.

"I see," Sora nodded. They were the only ones in the locker room and Sora immediately saw a rather large-ish locker with the number 103. He moved towards it and opened the locker, smiling when he saw it was empty.

"Sora, you can't use that locker," Roxas said.

"Why not? It's Seifer's birthday," Sora said pointing to the number. "October 3rd."

"Yeah, trust me Sora, that locker just can't be yours," Axel said.

"And why not?"

"Because it's mine," a voice said. Sora turned to see a tall boy with a fit body like a professional soccer player. He had silver hair that reached the end of his ears, aquamarine eyes, and a confident look as he stared at Sora.

"Riku! Be nice to him," Axel said. "He's Roxas's cousin."

"Roxas's cousin?" this boy, Riku, said. "I see…" He stared at Sora. Their eyes met and Sora swore he could feel an electric shock travel throughout his body. Riku's eyes were like a predator's, sharp and lethal. Sora swallow. The only other person who had eyes like Riku's that Sora ever met was Seifer.

"The name's Sora," Sora said. "Sora Strife." He stared at Riku in a challenging way.

Riku just smirked. He grabbed Sora's hand and squeezed hard. "Riku Senshi. And that is my locker."

Sora squeezed Riku's hand in equal strength. If there was one thing that Seifer taught him, it was to never back down from a challenge. "Roxas just told me that people change their lockers often. This number's important to me."

"Sora… you should really give him the locker," Axel said. He looked slightly afraid, his eyes shifting from Riku to Sora. He moved to intervene but Riku stopped him. "No need Axel," he said. He turned to look back at Sora. "You have a strong grip," he said. "Normally a person your size would be crying."

"My dads taught me to be strong," Sora said. "Military men, the both of them."

"I see…" Riku said. "My family taught me to be strong too. Sora Strife, tell me, what is your schedule?"

"Same as mine," Roxas said. "Riku seriously, let go of him."

"No, don't," Sora said squeezing even harder. If he can carry two swords that weighed eighty pounds each in a suitcase with ease along with other stuff, he can handle a guy like him. Riku met his squeeze. He didn't even look to be breaking a sweat! With his free hand, he pulled out a schedule of his own and handed it to Roxas. "Compare them, will you Rox?" he asked.

"S-sure…" Roxas said. He looked at them for a moment. "They're the same," he said.

"Well," Riku smiled, his grip keeping the same. "That makes things easier. We'll simply share it. This locker's actually supposed to be two lockers but they messed up. I have plenty of room left when everything is in. You can have that half."

"Alright, but one condition," Sora said.

"What is it?"

"You let go first," Sora said. Riku looked down at their squeezing hands and laughed. He let go of Sora's hand and a smile replaced his serious look.

"I'm impressed Sora Strife," Riku said. "You're the first guy I met who could keep up with me. Even Axel here can't squeeze that hard."

"Like I said," Sora said. "My dads raised me to be strong."

"He's not kidding Riku," Axel said. "You should have seen what was in his suitcase. Swords, Riku. Swords. And huge ones at that."

"Really?" Riku asked, looking at Sora, clearly impressed.

"They were my dads'," Sora said. "I had to bring them."

"One of them was almost as tall as Sora," Axel said, "And he was carrying it like it was nothing!"

"Very interesting," Riku smiled. "Sora, I want to introduce myself again." He offered his hand. "My name is Riku Senshi, and it is wonderful to meet you."

"Sora Strife," Sora said taking Riku's hand and shaking it. Maybe Terra was right, and this was the beginning of Sora's next adventure.

A/N: Please leave a review and tell me what you guys think of this! Thank you!