Questions
Chapter 2
Why are you making this so hard?
Sunday night fifteen minutes before midnight found Sora awake in bed with a cookie in his mouth. Not just any cookie, but a thin mint Girl Scout cookie, his third no scratch that fourth favorite thing in the whole world.
The third were the Samoa Girl Scout Cookies. Even though most of his friends couldn't stand coconut, he loved them. The second favorite thing was another cookie. Not just any cookie, mind you, but the homemade Death by chocolate cookie. Made with dark chocolate cocoa powder, white chocolate morsels and other things he didn't really care about. All he did care about was that Riku's dad, Sephiroth, when given the right incentive would make them. That incentive usually involved begging, cajoling, and or promising to share the batch with his dad.
Sephiroth and Cloud were close, apparently Seph spent time on Destiny before they were born. Why else would Riku have been born there?
Riku, that brought him back to his list. The young man, his best friend since like forever so that meant he was obviously number one. Kairi too, now that she was here or rather now that he knew she was here in Twilight. He hadn't known how important she was until he hadn't seen her anymore. He had cried for days and his mom had patted his head. Riku had helped but he was sad, too. He'd avoided the secret place like the plague, not wanting any reminder of their lost friend. It had been a lonely six years, that had gotten worse after Roxas left.
It had happened just after Tifa announced the date, she had the boys fitted for tuxes one afternoon and Roxas was gone the next. He was supposed to have gone for music lessons, but never came home. Sora had sat up all night waiting, but to no avail. The young man was nowhere to be found. His friends knew nothing, the police had no leads and two months had gone by. Nevertheless, he still had hope.
The wedding had gone on as planned just minus the extra ring bearer. Sora spent the reception in the coatroom crying his eyes out. To his dismay, his father spent it getting drunk. They left after the cake, and even that wasn't soon enough.
It all went back to the important people in his life and fact he was losing them.
It had all started with her. That pretty little redhead with soft purple eyes.
But what was more important was that she was back and that's what counted. If she had came back…maybe…he would too. That little face was more than enough to bolster his hope.. Standing up, he went to the window, not that he could really see his former home. It was well hidden beyond the expanse of city. Sighing he chewed the rest of his cookie making a note to go see Sephiroth tomorrow. If he was lucky, he'd have a cookie to bribe Riku with before dinner.
The marathon had ended at 11, not that anyone had wanted to stop and sleep, as they should have. To remedy the situation, Scarlet dug into the video collection. Four hours later, Reeves carried her up to bed and Kairi tossed out the popcorn kernels. The wood creaked as she slipped up the stairs. The hall was clear; the door of the master bedroom was shut tight. She could hear her father fighting to get her mother to bed. She was such a fussy sleeper. Laughing, she kicked Nami's door once before retreating to her room. Nudging the door shut with her foot, Kairi started shucking her clothing. Stupid Nami. Her sister was still not home, spending her summer at military school. The girl was serving out some punishment. Something she'd done was so obliviously bad that their parents had shipped her out. Kairi had yet to figure what it could have been; Nami was such a spitfire. The girl's wild streak could be attributed to the fact, Reeves had spoiled her. Splitting the girls at such a young age could have also played a factor. She wondered briefly if she would have such intimacy issues due to her parent's callous relationship. Splitting when the girls were young, and then moving back together.
She could remember everything clearly. The tang of the sea, mixing with the taste of her bitter tears. She still had been upset over leaving her friends. A ten year old crying on the Twilight dock, she had just gotten off the ferry. Her mom holding her hand was the only thing keeping her put. She'd wanted to run, back to her old fiends, her old house, her old life. She was muddy and her hair was messy, she had tried to hide in the secret place to stay but she'd been found. All of a sudden, a tall man with dark hair and a fuzzy chin looked at her mother and asked, "What have you done to make my daughter cry?"
And before she could say anything a girl appeared from behind him.
She was taller, with long blonde hair.
Patting Kairi's head she scowled, "Don't cry, it makes you look ugly."
Frowning, Kairi pulled out a nightgown from her dresser.
Drawing it over her head, she sighed. Namine's personality hadn't improved since then.
"Night." She called crawling into her bed.
"Night princess." echoed the voice from the walkie-talkie on her dresser.
Her eyes fluttered shut as she pulled the blankets up and settled down for the night.
And promptly jerked back up as she realized she hadn't gotten either of the boy's numbers.
In the middle of a clear white hallway, Sephiroth paced, heedless of the people rushing past. Riku sat uncomfortably on a plastic chair awaiting the news. They'd been led to the third floor of St Jenova and asked to wait nearly fifteen minute before, but still no word.
Yuffie wasn't answering her phone, or at least she hadn't back when they could still call her. The young brunette had confiscated his cell five minute before, in the middle of a Tetris game. He' been leaning against the wall humming along with the repetitive theme. He hadn't realized how loud he was being until the woman tapped his shoulder. Subdued he wordlessly passed the phone over. She nodded and began lecture of proper hospital etiquette.
With a sigh, he resigned himself to his fate. Sephiroth continued moving back and forth his face an impassive mask. Riku wasn't all that surprised, his old man was not the type to divulge his mood, even in the particular situation.
Footsteps drew his attention from his father, to another member of his family.
Vincent Valentine stopped beside them a little tired, but looking no worse for wear. Heaving a sigh, Riku hugged the man tightly.
His momentary relief gave way to fear and confusion.
"What about Yuffie?"
A soft smile crossed the old man's features.
"She only fainted, probably poor nutrition, you know her."
Riku sighed in relief. Poor nutrition, that wasn't so bad. It could have been worse.
Yuffie was a pretty crazy woman; Riku had no clue how he survived his childhood living with her. As far back as he could remember Yuffie had been there. His father was away in Twilight and his grandfather, Vincent was busy with work. In those years, Yuffie had been his substitute parent. Vincent couldn't do it. He could not raise another child alone. It dredged up too many painful memories. His father had been no different, his heart too fresh with the grief of a lost wife, a woman Riku could not remember. He just couldn't bear to look upon the face of the newborn son that had killed her. So he abandoned his only son with his father and buried himself in his work. Only visiting on holidays and vacation weeks, Riku learned very little of his personality. Since the catastrophe that hit home, he'd been stuck with the man. Sephiroth lived in the city and had an established residence; Vincent had sworn it would be good for them to reconnect. It was a week of awkward silences and eerie similarities. Even after three years, it had yet to improve.
Yuffie had moved back in with her family, until Vincent realized he couldn't live without her and proposed. Sora had been the ring bearer in a horrible suit; Riku had refused the job, but not the new family member. The official outfit looked girly he decided. She'd looked beautiful, and smiled so brightly then. Her father walked her down the aisle. Cid, a family friend, was the best man. The ceremony was beautiful. Sora caught the garter, and wouldn't stop blushing.
Covering his face, he mumbled a prayer for her safety. Hoping she was all right.
"Hiya Baby V."
Riku snapped to attention, staring at the woman before him.
The short woman addressing so familiarly was none other than Mrs. Yuffie Valentine.
She hadn't changed a day. She was still the vibrant smiling woman who had taught him to fold origami cranes and play poker when he was six. Everyday he'd send a paper crane in a big envelope with his messy crayon addresses to his father. Each one he'd poured his heart into and prayed his dad knew he loved him. Riku was a little older now, a little wiser; and so was Yuffie.
Overjoyed he jumped up to see his Gran. Grandmother wasn't the term for her, he was only half her age.
"Hey Lady V." he replied stooping to hug her.
She accepted the hug, but swatted him gently. She hated the teasing about her height.
A kiss to the nose and she released him turning on her stepson.
Sephiroth came forward and accepted the bone-crushing embrace, quite relieved she was all right.
"Hi Little V."
"Hi Yuffie"
The nickname made him smile just as it had when she bounced Riku on her knee.
"Big V, Little V and Baby V." She had insisted and it stuck.
Not that they were very pleased with it at first, except for Riku.
He only giggled and chewed on her hair as she often reminded him.
She spared the teen a look and he shook his head.
They had a long-standing bet on the younger Valentine.
So far, he had yet to crack and call her mom, but she was sure he would.
"What the doctors say?"
She paused as if thinking up a suitable response before answering.
"There's good news and bad news…."
The male Valentines steeled themselves, preparing for the worse.
Turning to Riku, she patted his cheek gently.
"I can't call you Baby V anymore."
Pointing towards him, she grinned.
"You're Little V now!"
Gesturing towards Sephiroth and Vincent, she bestowed her new titles.
"Big V….aaaaaannnnddddd Daddy V..." pointing to herself she finished "And don't forget Baby V…."
Her hands came to rest upon her abdomen.
Riku rushed to her and threw his arms about her.
"Congrats!"
"Thanks," She replied giggling "And congrats to you too, You're gonna be a…a um…..a nephew!"
Sephiroth's lip quirked and he patted his father's shoulder.
"Congratulations, I think."
The old man only smiled and embraced his wife.
Riku's opinion on the matter was ignored in favor of his growling stomach.
"You boys didn't eat did you?"
Ever the little mommy, now more so than ever; she shoved them for the elevator.
"Let's go get dinner."
"At three am?"
She shrugged "Breakfast then."
The trio followed her crazed demands down the hall, at least until Riku ran back for his phone.
The entire family had the hospitals staff in light spirits for the rest of the morning.
Joy was infectious; it was exactly the type of epidemic that was good for a person.
The alarm buzzed at five am, rousing one from sleep. Groaning he rose and stretched, hating the sun all the while and Mondays, because no sane person should like them.
His slipper-covered feet navigated the quiet hall carrying him past the mounted swords and bookshelf of magazines.
Stepping over the sneakers, the blond made his way to the kitchen.
Pausing at the sink, he filled a pot and set it on the stove to heat. The ugly cat clock taunted him with its hypnotic eyes and tail. Its hollowed belly making him painfully aware how early it truly was.
Looking back down the hall, he honestly considered going back to bed and the body within it. His boyfriend would be sure to welcome him, even after their fight last night. It was practically impossible for them to go to bed mad. He started back down the hall, but then decided against it. The brat was probably still asleep in the next room, and had made it clear his position on their relationship. As much as he wanted to ignore the adolescent his lover had insisted they humor him, being his elder brother; just at least until he got used to the idea.
That essentially meant no PDA's of any kind. Little brat, some of his best friends were gay. He was just being an ass. Smoothing his ruffled hair, he moved his rant to the shower. By five thirty he was dry, dressed, with mug of Morning Thunder tea, he only drank it for the caffeine, not the taste. Moving back to the bedroom, he pressed a kiss to his own little sleeping beauty.
"I'll see you later, try and stay out of trouble."
A grumbled "love ya" was the only reply.
With a smile on his lips and his workbag over shoulder, he was on his way until he nearly tripped on the skateboard in the doorway.
Pushing it out onto the porch was the only remedy he could afford with the time he had left, he swore to find a better solution later.
The source of his ire the aforementioned little brother rose from his bed not fifteen minutes later, running late for breakfast with a friend. Brushing his teeth and washing his face, he waved his to brother. The sneakers in the hall slid on and he was off, until he could find his beloved skateboard. When he didn't find it inside he began to worry.
Stepping out the door however, his foot struck the very thing he was looking for and down he went.
Zell came out yawning to find the source of the resulting crashes and thumps.
At the bottom of the steps, sat Hyne Dincht, not all to pleased.
"Seifer!"
Just a typical beginning to a not so typical Monday
.Four feet sunk into the covers and subsequently the body beneath it. Putrid arid air wafted down the victim's neck. Rudely jarred from his pleasant dream, including Riku and a bottle of chocolate syrup, Sora rolled over and screamed.
"Dad! Your dog is trying to kill me!"
A quick whistle brought the great fluffy beast down off the boy and out into the hall. Morning had came early, actually rather late.. Checking his clock, he found only scant minutes to get ready for work.
Dashing for the bathroom, he encountered his dad.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" He demanded.
"I tried; you kicked me and started shouting about a door." Cloud muttered dryly.
"Oh." Azure eyes squinted in confusion.
"Aren't you going to be late for work?" Cloud asked, fingers smoothing down his tie.
"Right!" Sora shouted, streaking for the bathroom.
Tossing off his pajamas Sora grabbed a toothbrush. Turning on the shower, he dived in. Ducking under the cold spray, he groped for the soap. Scrubbing with one hand and brushing with the other, he made quite a comical sight. So intent on making it to work on time he didn't realize he dumped a entire tube of toothpaste in his hair. Lathering in the mint cream, he discovered his mistake when he placed the toothbrush back into his mouth.
"Bleah!"
Spitting out soap bubbles, he applied more shampoo to the sweet smelling conical mess on his skull.
It was nearly eight when Hyne arrived at his destination. The train had been packed with the work rush, so he was stiff in places he didn't remember he had. On the plus side, he was pressed against a girl. A hot girl, in one of those cute little maid uniforms on her way to work. The lithe little blonde hadn't stood still for an instant. Humming to herself as the train jostled passengers, she moved with it, almost as if she was a dancer or something. She gracefully shifted from foot to the other during the trip. Her golden hair wound into two braids fluttered almost as much as she did. Plus indeed.
Rushing from the platform, he ran the last block and a half to the complex.
A much nicer neighborhood than most, his own included. Sunset Terrace was the upper crust of the suburbs. In most situations, characters of his nature, disposition and pedigree were frowned upon in the vicinity of most residents, but Hyne was a special case. The most polite well-behaved hoodlum ever, his ma would be proud. At least that's what Zell claimed anyway.
Waving to Mr. Bunansa, he stepped into the elevator. Stopping at seventh floor he walked to the fifth door and knocked. On cue, the door swung open and the riot act began.
"You're late"
"'I know, I'm sorry."
Stepping inside the stylish apartment, he abandoned his shoes and moved for the kitchen.
The living room was white with heirloom painted scrolls hanging from the walls.
The scrolls painted in ancient watercolors showing dragons and samurai. Between them lay framed photographs with ribbons and stories to tell.
Wandering across the carpet Hyne couldn't help but stare. Nestled inside the little wooden windows lay faces he knew all to well. They were his closest friends and occasionally himself. Every time he looked at them he was reminded of the man who took them.
He was more than a photographer, he was an artist; he loved taking pictures and he was good at it. To date, Pence could claim he was the only non-family member to claim a candid portrait of Roxas.
"So how's Roxas?"
Claiming a seat at the kitchen counter Hyne accepted an offered glass of orange juice.
Heaving a sigh, Pence returned to scrambling eggs.
His kitchen was immaculate, just one more another thing he was fanatical about.
In the words of his close friends, he was a kitchen Nazi; the sad part was it was mostly true.
"He's planning on leaving." He muttered, hardly believing it himself.
"What? Where's he gonna go? What's he gonna do? Did you talk to him about it?"
"Of course I talked to him about it. I tried to convince him to stay…"
"…How exactly?"
Hyne earned a swat to the head for his trouble.
"Not like that. You know I've stopped chasing straight boys."
"If he had tried "that", I might have gotten some sleep."
From the hallway, in wobbled the young man in question, he yawned and smoothed out his tussled hair. He wore a baggy pair of boxers, and pink fuzzy slippers.
Claiming the empty seat next to Hyne, he greeted his friend with a wave.
He was just incoherent enough to accept the mug of coffee from Pence.
After the first sip, however he reached for the sugar.
"Yuck." He growled glowering at the ceramic cup containing the vile black liquid.
"I put sugar in it…" Pence countered, pulling bread for the toaster.
"Debatable." Roxas muttered, stirring the liquid as he emptied the bowl.
Swirling the dregs of his OJ, Hyne weighed his options.
"You could always stay with us." He looked from his glass, a grin blossoming at the thought.
"No… I couldn't, Zell's got his hands full with your Mom away."
"She wouldn't mind. She'd love to have you."
"Thanks but no thanks, Seifer hates me."
"He hates me too,"
"That's because you're always an ass when he's around." Pence pointed out as he shuffled more bread into the toaster. The brown bovine shaped appliance was a house-warming gift from his ex.
Roxas had joked that it lasted longer than the relationship.
"I just don't think he's good boyfriend material." Hyne sputtered.
Glancing from them both, Roxas deigned to drink his coffee.
"Not for you maybe…but Zell lov- likes him and you know it."
The slip received a glower, but he continued
"You're just being a brat!"
Silence reigned in the bright apartment.
Taking a breath, the blonde looked to his friend fury in his eyes.
The doorbell chimed, saving Hyne from answering.
"I'll get it." Roxas mumbled hopping down from his stool.
In the doorway stood the last member of their group, she smiled cheerfully and kissed Roxas.
From his seat, Hyne frowned, though this time for a different reason entirely.
Turning back to the eggs, Pence hid a smirk.
Sora Amyas Lockhart rushed into the Butterfly, ten minutes late. Skidding across the floor, he tossed his accoutrements into his locker. Slamming it shut, he ran for the front an apron clutched in his fingers.
The restaurant half of the establishment was mostly empty. A patron or two sat in the pleasant silence watching the day begin. Bright light from the window illuminated the clean tables and full bottles of ketchup.
In contrast, the arcade corner looked like a graveyard, the eternally flashing screens beckoning like so many lonely graves. Their computer chip souls pleading to be put to rest. Unfortunately, no brave exorcist would be in until about noon.
It was always slow on Monday mornings, summer or not.
A familiar blonde leaned over the counter waving an empty mug. She gave the harried young man a wave as he passed. Returning the gesture, he attempted to sneak by his boss.
"Good morning Sora…" Squall greeted.
The man was perched behind the register, newspaper suffering in his unyielding grip.
"ehhe… Hey Squall…" he replied nervously tying his apron.
"Any luck on the replacement?" He wondered trying to change the subject, hoping Squall wouldn't dock his pay, again….
The last cook had left in a hurry, angry at the boss' lack of empathy and Axel's constant propositions to get in to her pants. . The Boss had summarily decided since Axel had chased off the previous cook, he could fill the vacant position, he'd even gone so far as to putting the man on probation. Axel had only shrugged and taken his reassignment. Even though he had no prior experience. He would remain until he quit or they found someone, better. Squall to his credit wasn't trying all that hard
"There've been a few offers…" The slight hitch in his voice put the young man on edge.
"Squall…" The boy began in earnest "Tell Rinoa no."
The bright woman had offered to take a position; unfortunately it wasn't one that would prove to be sanitary or profitable, well not unless anyone was interested in making porn.
Smothering a cough, the scarred man waved the boy off to work.
Sora started moving across the room, before he got too far however Squall spoke up.
"And you're late…again."
"er, Sorry?"
"Don't let it happen again…"
"Right!"
" Why don't you fire him?" Axel asked leaning over the counter.
Squall looked over at the boy, bouncing enthusiastically over to the patrons sitting in a booth.
"He's cheerful, unlike you," The man began counting off on his fingers "He follows directions unlike you. He doesn't harass the customers, unlike you. and he works for practically nothing"
Rikku smirked into her nearly empty cup.
"I suppose it doesn't hurt that he also accepts tokens?"
Flipping the page the man resisted a chuckle.
"Cheap bastard." Axel muttered rolling his eyes
"I haven't fired you yet…" The statement held an implication of a threat.
"No, but I can't help it that you just want me for my body" the redhead replied saccharinely
Ignoring the man had become almost second nature, almost.
"Just get back to work."
"Yes master, anything you say master." Axel simpered, hunching and slinking through the double door with an over pronounced limp.
Returning from his foray across the diner, Sora scanned his notepad before shouting out the requests.
"Two burner spec-iiials, a side of torched tots and a pink calorie cup for twwoooo!" Sora shouted towards the back.
"I wish he wouldn't try to create diner lingo." Squall sighed, refilling Rikku's mug.
"In English, you moron!" Axel shouted from the serving window behind the counter.
"You are so lame." Sora insisted with a sigh "Two burgers, an order of fries and a strawberry milk shake with a double straw."
"Thank you!" echoed the bereaved shout from the back.
"So Sora, know where you're going this year?" Rikku inquired rocking on her stool.
"Of course" he replied offering her the sugar canister.
Squall had opted for them after the third fire alarm and successive sprinkler discharge.
"Any one who's anyone goes to Midgar State."
Pleased the blonde nodded at him.
"It's a good choice what with the Soldier and Seed programs, the core curriculums, not to mention the Blitz team and all those gaming groups."
"Exactly how do you know so much?"
Hiding a grin behind her mug, she managed a nonchalant shrug.
"No reason."
"Why did you decide to go?" Axel inquired
"It's kinda a tradition"
"Riku's going huh?"
"Yeah, but that's beside the point. Both my parents went too."
Squall's aforementioned newspaper crinkled drawing everyone's attention.
"What's with him?"
Rikku smothered another smile.
"Didn't you know? That's his alma mater"
"Really?"
"Order up!" Axel called sliding a couple of styrofoam box through the window.
Taking the boxes, Squall placed them on the counter top as Rikku dug in her tiny pockets for gil. Sliding him a few notes, she kissed him on the cheek before claiming her parcels and slipping out the door.
"Later boys."
Sora nodded packaged napkins bundled in his arms. Axel waved leaning on the order counter. Squall sighed flipping an errand bang out of is face before returning to his paper, or at least attempting to. His two employees on shift were eyeing him suspiciously.
"She wants you boss." Axel muttered as the door chimed shut.
"She doesn't,"
"She's here almost as much as me." Sora chimed in sauntering past, to fill the napkin holders. "And I work here."
"I have a girlfriend"
"It's a wonder too, you being so emotionally stunted, What did you do hit her with a rock?" Axel asked, drumming his fingers on the counter.
"I'm not a barbarian."
"Yeah, but you are a heartless cruel taskmaster with no sense of common decency."
"You're going to cut into your lunch break if you keep this up."
Sora jogged back to the door greeting the latest customers. Shuffling a few menus under his arm, he led them to an empty booth.
"Does this mean I can take my break now?" He asked as he passed by.
"No," Squall answered and finally gave up on the paper.
"She still wants you." Axel laughed, and disappeared into the back of the kitchen.
In a few minutes breakfast, was served and Hyne was fighting with Roxas for the syrup.
Olette sighed and swiped the bottle before the conflict degenerated even more.
"How are your classes?" Pence asked offering her a piece of toast.
Even though it was summer Olette was taking a supplementary course in magicks. In freshman year, she excelled in the mystical arts and had decided to continue the program. The cute brunette was the only reason Hyne and Roxas weren't repeating the grade.
Basic spells and potions class was required for all freshmen and the two were hopeless. Hyne, with no skill in magic, quickly grew bored of the subject and Roxas was completely inept. The property damage the teen had caused was enough to expel him completely. Still with a little bit of coaching and many weeks of training Roxas manage a tiny and unstable fire. The quivering flame gutted and sputtered before quickly dying out. Roxas passed with a D.
"Fine, Master Merlin's substitute is beastly though."
"Really?" Roxas serepitciously claiming the sticky confectionery condiment.
"Yeah, Master Yen Sid, he's an older sorcerer with no sense of humor whatsoever. He's bit of a perv too. Nobody likes him much, but he's good at what he does."
"Which is?"
"Elemental magicks… Yesterday, he flooded the whole classroom, which wasn't all bad we got to practice our transformations."
"I bet you make a lovely angel fish " smiled Hyne over his pancakes.
"Lionfish actually."
"I overhead one of the juniors talking about the tougher transformations." Pence remarked finally sitting with a plate of his own.
"Like what?" Roxas asked, casually drowning his flapjacks in a flood of syrup.
"Lions….maybe even a mermaid." Olette announced brightly.
Her eyes glittered at the prospect of such a challenging feat.
"Mers? Isn't that dangerous?" Hyne's face paled. "We're still having border problems with 'em"
"Nah we're fine, as long as we stay within 60 miles of the coast."
"How do you know that?" Pence asked, "You seem very informed on the subject."
"Er.. No reason," She amended quickly. "I just asked a few people, that's all.
"Speaking of which…" Hyne stood up and cleared his throat.
His face twisting into an uncharacteristic frown.
Drumming his fingers across the tabletop, he looked over the assembled teens.
"Roxas…some cops have been asking around for you…"
We don't need no stinking author's note.
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Muu & Yuu