Heavenly
xx x ♥ x xx
Ten years old and he had already been in five fights—outside of school. Most of them were with Riku—the silveret would constantly tease him until the boiling point. Sora would holler in frustration and then throw a fist in frustration, not knowing what else to do. Other times Riku would initiate the fight for no particular reason. The older always claimed that Sora had done something wrong. Every time that he would get into a fight with Riku he'd always end up with a black eye and a sore body. Riku sure knew how to fight. After awhile Sora just stopped fighting back and allowed the older of the pair to beat him up at will. Riku usually never hurt him too much and Sora knew that. As long as no bones were being broken he wouldn't tell anyone…
But it was the moments were Riku would tell him how much he cared about him and how much he appreciated that Sora was his best friend that made it worthwhile for Sora. Riku was a bully but he was Sora's best friend and the brunet had come to accept the good and the bad that was associated with the older male.
"Sora," Leon said one day as Sora stared out his bedroom window, looking at the house across the street with eagerness. "Are you still waiting for Riku to come over?" the twelve year old brunet asked.
"Yeah," Sora replied simply, happily drumming his fingers against the windowsill. "He's late, though. But he'll be there sooner or later. He always comes over after school," Sora whispered with a sad smile appearing on his face.
"Sora…" Leon sighed and took a seat beside his brother. "You two made up after the fight yesterday?..." Worry was evident in the older brunet's voice.
"Mhm," Sora said simply, raising his hand instinctively to his cheek. "Riku apologized and everything." Sora nodded and dropped his hand. "So I forgave him because he's my best friend ever. That's what the bigger person is supposed to do, right? Forgive?"
Leon sighed. "Yeah, of course…"
Sora grinned from ear to ear and pressed his forehead against the glass, blue eyes glued to the closed front door of Riku's house. "Then perhaps I'm the bigger person after all…"
xx x ♥ x xx
Sora awoke to an annoying and ever prominent buzzing noise. The annoying buzz was then followed by a ringing noise. A telephone ringing, perhaps? Sora groaned and forced his body out of his comfortable bed. Tiredly, Sora shuffled through his bedroom and traversed down the hallway, cautiously avoiding the broken glass from the night before, as he followed the sound. The source of the sound seemed to be in the living room. The device rang once more before silencing itself. Sora's eyes wandered across the small, but neat, living room that he hadn't really inspected before. Blue eyes finally locked upon a small device—similar to the one that Riku had used.
Sora ambled over to the 'cell-phone' and hoisted it up into the air. Curiously, he clicked a button and watched as a message scrolled across the screen. 'Where were you last night?' Sora scrunched his nose up and eyed the message for a long while before realizing who it was. He had given Riku his number, after all. So this was what heaven had meant by 'his number'. Right.
Sora stared at the screen for a long moment before finally finding the reply button. "Do I just write back or something?" Sora murmured worriedly as he began figuring out the backbone of the device. Click this. Type this.
After ten minutes of hard work Sora had composed the message, 'I was sleeping. I'll see you at Starbucks." The brunet triumphantly sent the message and proceeded to place the phone back down onto the coffee table. Silence reigned through the apartment and something dawned on Sora all of a sudden.
He was alone. He hated being alone.
Even when he had died he had had Cloud there to comfort him. But here on Earth he had no one. All he had was Riku, who he was trying his best to continue detesting. Everything seemed so much worse now that he was alone.
Weakly, Sora situated his body onto the beige couch behind him. The brunet carefully brought his hands up to his face and buried it into them. Blue eyes fastened themselves shut a few seconds later. "I hate my life," Sora repeated weakly under his breath a few thousand times. "I want to go back to Heaven. I want to go back. I'm not going to succeed and I just want to go back to Heaven."
All I want to do is be as far away from Riku as possible. It hurts too much.
Before Sora could be too lost in his thoughts a ringing noise entered his ears again. However, there was no buzzing accompanying the ringing this time. Curiously, Sora picked up the phone and flipped it open. When he heard a voice on the other end he came to the assumption that someone had called him. Perhaps Heaven telling him that he could come back now? God, Sora wished it was them.
"Roxas?"
Sora sighed miserably but nonetheless inaudibly. "Hi, Riku…" he murmured into the device, still not accustomed to using such a foreign thing.
"You don't sound well," Riku answered from the other line. In the background Sora could hear a voice. A voice… and god.
Sora's body went numb as his face lost all color. Leon. That's Leon's voice. God damnit, Riku. Put Leon on the phone. Please! Please… Please, just this one time be nice to me, Riku! Please! Sora's mind pleaded as he gasped, desperately grasping for words. When he found he was unable to speak he just sat there, making small choking noises. Leon's on the other end… I want to see Leon. I need to see Leon.
"I'm on the phone with a friend, babe," Riku said, obviously not directed at Sora. A moment passed. "So you're coming down to Starbucks again, huh? Don't you have a life?" Riku teased amusedly.
No… No I don't. And you referring to my brother as 'babe' is really making me feel sick so please stop, Riku. Don't torture me. "I suppose I am. And I'm a boring person, Riku. I don't do much other than look for a job and drink coffee," Sora sighed into the device, his body still quite numb.
Riku chuckled and seemed to be utterly amused with the conversation. "That's amusing, Roxas." There was a pause and then Riku bluntly stated for the world to know, "Hey kid, you still have my jacket you know." And Sora could hear Riku snicker from the other end of the conversation. And that snick made the entirety of Sora shiver, and not in the good way either. Riku's snickers were usually never a good thing. Never ever.
"I'll return it, promise," Sora said quickly as he gripped the phone tighter. Why is the room suddenly spinning? Oh god. "You were working and I forgot that I had it on. I'm sorry!" Sora had no idea that he was acting just like that ten year old boy he had once been—begging to not be beat up by the big, bad Riku.
"It's fine," Riku stated nonchalantly from the other end; Sora could hear the relaxation in his voice. "Next time you seem me just give it back. It's no big deal." Riku laughed a bit and then silenced himself. Leon was heard talking in the background for a moment.
"That's good," Sora murmured into the phone and stared down at the ground. If this was the old Riku he would have been entirely pissed at me… Sora thought numbly as he continuously tightened his grip on the phone until the point he was surprised that he hadn't broken the damn thing. Those cell phones were sturdy, Sora discovered.
"Hey, would you object to meeting my lovely Leon?" Riku asked all of a sudden, his voice teasing but albeit that, serious.
Sora paled. "Why? I barely know you. Why should I meet your boyfriend? Is he threatened by me? If he is he shouldn't be." Sora raised his voice, hopefully so that Leon could hear, "Everything is fine! There is nothing going on! Don't worry!"
"Roxas, stop yelling," Riku deadpanned.
Sora sighed and returned to a normal voice. "I don't know why you'd want me to meet your boyfriend. That's a weird suggestion, that's all," Sora explained. Or maybe that's something common nowadays? I wouldn't know…I died too early to know about adult-life… A pout proceeded.
"You're rambling," Riku pointed out, entirely amused.
Sora groaned. "You're not making this easier, Riku," Sora muttered under his breath and then finished with a, "Where do you propose we all meet up? The bar? I thought he didn't like to drink?" And neither do I. Ever since you got me drunk that first time I had beer…I just can't stand to have that much…but you…already know that, Riku. You just don't recall it right now.
"Sure, why not," Riku stated and then called off into the distance, "Leon. You up for a drink later tonight? I want you to meet a friend of mine?" Pause. "You don't have to have a drink if you don't want." A snort of amusement. "Right, okay." Riku then said clearly to Sora, "We'll be there at eight."
"All right, I guess," Sora answered quietly. He paused before saying anymore, however, because he heard the distinctive sound of lips smacking against one another repeatedly on the other end of the line. And was that a…god lord, it was a stifled moan. Sora's cheeks turned a bright red before he gripped the phone so tightly he felt every single groove and ding the phone carried. Riku is…not…making out with my brother while he's on the phone!!
"Mm…" Sora heard. "Hey, Roxas? I'll see you tonight, all right?" There was a startled gasp and then a thud. Riku's groan proceeded. "Ow, the fuck?"
"Riku?" Sora blinked in utter confusion. "Are you okay?" Not like I care…
"I just fell off the couch," Riku deadpanned. "No thanks to my boyfriend." The silveret scoffed and muttered something not audible to Sora nor Leon. "I was trying to connect with him…physically and he pushed me off the couch. How polite, huh?"
More like 'Go Leon'. "Of course," Sora said, trying his best to hide his amusement and glee.
"Anyway…I better go. I don't want to be late for work. I'll see you tonight. Make sure to bring the coat."
"Will do," Sora replied simply as he glanced out the window. The brunet noticed the rain at once. They always said that rain was God crying. Or angels crying. Well, there were no angels crying up in heaven that caused the tears. There were no broken dreams that formed into tears and fell from the clouds. There was just precipitation in the clouds near the windows…it's kind of depressing. Every single beautiful myth about heaven was wrong…
Sora hadn't even heard Riku hang up for the brunet was too enthralled by his broken view on the place he had dreamt about ever since he was young. Heaven sucks. It doesn't deserve the hype it gets. Sora sighed miserably and tossed the cell phone carelessly onto the couch.
Without another word Sora scurried off into the shower. Maybe he could wash away his heartbreak and tears? Just maybe.
xx x ♥ x xx
If there was one thing Sora hated about Earth it was the fact that he hadn't been here to witness his parents' death. He hadn't been there to hold their hands and tell them he loved them. He hadn't been there and he felt horrid. Sora hadn't even seen them in heaven.
Sora lowered his head into the stream of warm water from the shower head. It wasn't cleansing him—and there was no holy water in heaven either. Just platonic water that was a bit stale to be honest. Sora ran his hand along the blue tiles of the shower in distress. If my parents died…then why didn't they come find me? Did they know I was still up in heaven? Did they…not want to see me? Sora choked back a sob and fought back a few tears. Of course they wanted to see me. What am I talking about? My parents loved me. I need to stop over-thinking things, that's all. I'm only hu-…I can't even say that anymore. I'm not human anymore… what the hell am I then?
Sora trembled as he stared up at the water that was repeatedly hitting his head and drenching his hair. I can breathe like humans…but so can angels. I can talk like humans, but so can angels. I can cry like humans, yet so can angels. So what's the difference between us? Sora lowered his gaze and extended his hand curiously. Do angels bleed? Are we humane enough to bleed? To feel pain other than emotional? Wearily, Sora began to tract a finger over his palm, his fingernail running over every small line on the skin.
Maybe we don't bleed… Maybe we can't even love. I wouldn't doubt that. I mean…we can't do so many other things. Sora glanced off to the right at the fogging mirror that separated the shower from the bathroom. He could see his reflection…that proved that he was truly here. But what happened if he broke that glass?...Would he bleed?
Sora pressed a palm nervously to the glass. His fingertips touched the foggy glass. Cautiously, Sora removed his hand and glanced at the area. There were no fingerprints. No signs that he had been there. But that's just like me, isn't it? I don't leave any traces…It's like I was never there. At least that's how Riku is treating things… Sora choked back a sob and resisted the urge to see if he would bleed if he cut himself. He was curious, damn curious, actually, but the idea of finding out that he was no longer human was something Sora wouldn't be able to cope with.
Finding out that he wasn't the same person he had been would tear him apart.
xx x ♥ x xx
Sora sat on a small chair in the heart of the NBC building. There was a plethora of chairs around the area that were open for the public. On weekends it was impossible to find a seat down in this underground shopping plaza that was connected to the Rockefeller skating rink. However, on the weekdays, the crowd was a fraction smaller and Sora managed to snag a seat and watch the skaters skate about merrily. So that's what Sora did. The brunet took a corner seat and held Riku's coat limply in his hands. He didn't bother putting it on—he just held it.
I wish someone had taught me how to ice-skate, Sora thought drearily as he brushed his thumb along the collar of Riku's jacket. It smelt so nice. It smelt like a mix of coffee and… and indescribable scent. It was a cross between something fresh and homey smelling and something…unique. Something warm, inviting, and utterly entrancing. Sora didn't dare guess what that scent was. Frankly, he didn't want to know the evident truth.
Sora's cheek fell down and rested against the warm coat a few moments later, inhaling the blissful scent. It was strange but Sora oddly liked it. Perhaps he was just weird like that. Perhaps all angels were weird like that and smelt things because they had been deprived of them for so long. Sora shuddered and moved his face away from the coat a bit despondently.
If he had known returning to Earth would have been this hard he might have chosen the incinerator over this.
xx x ♥ x xx
Sora didn't know why he returned here. He didn't even know what it would accomplish. All he knew was that he just needed to see Riku, whether it be to cuss the older out or to throw the jacket at him. There was just this unsettling need that rested in the pit of his stomach that just wouldn't go away. So Sora, being the angel he was, decided to do something about it. And what better than bug Riku at work, on the job? He had done it the day prior, after all.
Though…there was a downside to coming to this Starbucks twice in a row… you ran into people you really didn't want to run into.
Sora stood there, utterly petrified as his eyes locked with a pair of shadowy green eyes. Sora didn't know why he hadn't recognized the man from the bar the night he was sent here, but he sure did recognize him now. Sora's stomach did a series of flip-flops as he held Riku's coat flaccidly in his hands, uncertain if it was going to fall out between his fingers at any given second.
"Sora?"
Sora dropped the jacket and gulped down a large lump of nerves. No. No, no, no. Sora looked away quickly, as if to pretend he hadn't heard he man. Thankfully Riku hadn't noticed him enter or the other man's statement for Riku was too indulged with placing a customer's order. Sora swallowed thickly and dared to look back at the man. Oh great, he was eight inches in front of him now. How did Sora know it was eight? Well, for every time his heart skipped a beat stood for another inch closer this man had come. Twisted, it was.
"Sora?" the man reiterated, staring in disbelief at the brunet, arching a fiery red eyebrow. "How the fuck—"
Sora gulped and grabbed the man's arm. Without warning, Sora dragged the red-head towards a corner table and gestured for the red-head to take a seat. Cautiously, the fiery man did such. His green eyes locked with Sora's once more for a moment as silence reigned supreme over the pair. Riku still hadn't noticed either, nestled away in the far corner.
And Sora knew, at once, there was no fooling Axel. He had managed to trick Riku into believing that he was another person entirely after eight years but Axel, oh Axel was a different story entirely. "Axel, please don't say anything. Please don't even ask. I can't tell you." Tears pricked in Sora's eyes. Not from pain or sadness but from fear. Fear that he was going to be found out.
Axel blinked slowly. "How the fuck are you alive?" Axel demanded, keeping his voice down to a hoarse whisper. The man's eyebrow remained arched at an insane angle. "I went to your funeral. You died."
"I'm not supposed to tell," Sora whispered back, just as harshly as he narrowed his eyes. Sora's attempt at being strong and mean only failed. The brunet was far too benevolent at heart to portray such a characteristic. "Please, Axel. Don't…"
"Does Riku know?" Axel said quickly, glancing over at Riku who was making a drink.
"No!" Sora replied with a rapid shake of his head. "And he can't find out, either. I'd die if he found out. Please, don't tell him. Please don't think. I … I don't know what to do. You…" Sora buried his face in his hands. They said to lie. They said to lie. How can I lie to Axel? How can I lie to him, of all people?!
"Sora," Axel stated sternly in a deep voice, "I'm not gonna tell anyone so calm down."
Sora took a deep breath and splayed his fingers over his face, peeking beyond them at Axel. "Go on," Sora urged in a murmur.
"I don't know how you're here, or how you're …" Axel paused and shook his head. "I just want to know why you can't tell Riku. I mean, you seem to have no problem telling me. And I'm not the most trustworthy of people around here." Axel chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood, just a fraction.
Sora groaned under his breath. "He just can't."
"Why not?" Axel insisted, lacing his hands together cheesily under his chin.
"He just can't," Sora repeated in a huff.
"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Axel asked, highly amused. The red-head blinked teasingly at Sora, hoping that Sora would just spill his guts and tell him everything. "Come on, Sora. I'm not gonna go tell him My god." Axel then whined pathetically.
"Why aren't you freaking out? Why aren't you fainting? I'm pretty sure every other person in the world would do that if they just saw their deceased friend of eight years at Starbucks," Sora muttered in disbelief, eying Axel with a very serious look.
"Hey, Starbucks is magic, what can I say?" Axel smirked.
Sora exhaled in defeat. "Whatever…"
A long, dreary silence followed.
"You gonna tell me?" Axel asked persistently, tapping his fingers idly against the table as he cleared his throat. "If you don't, I'll call Riku over and tell him that you're really Sora." A large smirk appeared on Axel's lips. "I can see his reaction now."
"Don't!" Sora hissed under his breath. "Axel, stop making things complicated! I'm going to get in trouble if I tell you anymore! You're not even supposed to know it's me."
"How can I not know it's you?" Axel wondered. "I mean, you've got Sora stamped all over your forehead and body. It's so obvious." Axel sighed dramatically and then went on to say, "At least for me. But you know, I think Riku's blind when it comes to 'stamps'."
Sora mocked a scoff. "I don't get you."
"And I don't get you either. Now, explain to me how the hell you're here and why you'll get in trouble and by who before I have a damn complex!" Axel said with a hoarse tone in his voice. Axel was so serious that serious wasn't even the right word to describe it. It was just…that serious.
"Axel…"
"You joined the mafia, didn't you? Is that what it is, Sora? You faked your own death and joined the mafia. I can't believe you. All this time--," Axel began in a dramatic sigh. The red-head was cut short when Sora smacked his hand with his own. A snicker and then sigh. "You gonna tell me now before I start devising more ludicrous ideas?"
"You…can't tell a soul," Sora reminded, his voice drenched with fear and restraint. "Not anyone. No one. If Riku finds out…god, Axel. You know why Riku can't find out."
Axel sighed. "Yeah, I do."
Silence.
"I'm…an angel," Sora whispered, his eyes glancing off to the right.
Sora expected a round of hardy laugher. Sora expected Axel to yell at him for lying. Sora expected Axel to tell him that that was a great joke and to get to the point. Hell, Sora even expected Axel to get up and tell Riku that Sora was Sora and to have a ball beating the hell out of him. But no. All Axel did was tilt his head to the side.
"You don't say," the red-head said and then blinked a few thousand times. "Where's the wings?" And the scary part was was that there was no mocking or ridicule in that question. Just genuine curiosity.
Sora let go of a breath he wasn't aware that he was holding. "We don't have those. No halos either. Nothing. It sucks. It really does, Axel. It's…not like what I thought. I can't tell you anymore about it, I'm sorry. They'd probably …send me to the incinerator if I slipped up anymore…all I can say is that I'm only down here for a month."
"Why?"
"…I…" Sora didn't say anything and instead pointed in Riku's general direction.
"I…don't get it," Axel murmured, eying Riku and then Sora. "What does he have to do with this? Are you like here to kick his ass? Because you don't have to, Sora. He's changed. He's not a dick anymore. In fact, he's my friend. It's weird. He's … a completely different person."
Sora shook his head. "You know, I just can't believe that, Axel."
Axel nodded in understanding. "Yeah…well, it's true. But really, what does he have to do with this? Why would an angel be sent back to Earth because of a human? I'm not catching on, Sora."
"I'm surprised that you're not laughing at me and calling me clinically insane," Sora murmured in shock, stealing a glance over at Riku who was tending to a huge, twisting line. Rush hour at Starbucks, oh joy. At least it smelt nice in here still.
"Well…if I hadn't been at your funeral I'd have my doubts," Axel stated uneasily and then cleared his throat, not wanting to bring up bad memories for the pair of them. "So, Riku. What does he have to do with this?" Axel questioned for the third time that day.
"Apparently I'm supposed to save him. You know, keep him from making bad decisions, committing sins, killing himself…that sorta stuff," Sora grumbled and lowered his gaze, cheeks a bright red. "It's horrible, Axel. Of all the people to stick me with it had to be Riku. Riku!"
Axel sighed sympathetically and offered a weary smile at Sora. "I feel your pain, Sora. If I were you I would be a total wreck if I had to deal with Riku for an entire month nonstop. I feel even worse for Leon, though. He's dating the guy! Which is surprising, considering I never thought Riku was gay. That's…really shocking, to say the least," the redhead explained.
"Have you seen them together?" Sora wondered, sounding mildly curious. He was putting his afterlife into Axel's hands now. If Axel told anyone about anything Sora had said…Sora didn't know what'd happen. He was still mystified as to why Axel so readily believe every single word that escaped Sora's mouth. It was odd, but Sora didn't press on the matter. It was better than a round of interrogation and denial, anyway.
"I have," Axel said with a nod. "They don't kiss much. Leon's a distant person nowadays…I mean, after your parents died and all…"
"I heard," Sora whispered brokenly.
"How?" Axel cocked a brow.
"I…went to call them last night," Sora murmured, a bit ashamed at his defiance to the rules Heaven had laid down for him. So far he had broken two. Just great. "The person that answered said that the people that lived there before them were deceased…I…asked them to verify who they were…they said it was my parents, and that they had been friends with them…I didn't know them, though. I didn't bother asking who they were…all I knew was that my parents were dead…"
"Didn't you seem them in heaven?" Axel mused, a worried look crossing into his gaze.
"No," Sora answered despondently. "I thought I would, but apparently not everyone is reunited at the pearly gates. Which really sucks. Everything about heaven I hate. It's like a crowded office building. There's nothing to do and it's…horrible!" Sora kept his voice low but he made sure to add emotion and emphasis to every single word.
Axel sighed. "There goes the rumors."
"Tell me about it," Sora said in a broken tone before glancing over his shoulder to Riku. "Riku doesn't believe in after-life, he said. How am I going to get him to Heaven if he doesn't believe in that stuff?" Sora lowered his gaze, worry nipping at the lining of his stomach.
"Sora," Axel said, his voice stern and laced with compassion. "I know this is really tough for you…coming back eight years later and not even knowing your parents had died…but I'm sure you'll pull through it and find a way. I mean, come on kid, you overcame everything when you were alive. Even me. And that's an accomplishment." Axel smirked, hoping to lighten Sora's mood.
"I guess," Sora sighed and then tensed when Riku began making his way over to the pair. "Let's…drop the subject. Riku's coming," murmured Sora under his breath, just loud enough for Axel to hear.
Axel nodded briskly and turned to Riku who, moments later, arrived. "What's up?"
"I didn't realize you two knew each other," Riku said as he placed his hands idly on his hips, exchanging a glance with Axel before glancing over at Sora, his gaze softening noticeably. Axel then gestured for Riku to take a seat to which the silveret gladly accepted.
"Oh, we've talked a few times," Axel explained with a coy look.
Sora paled. Sora hadn't told Axel about his fake name. Oh crap. "Yeah…" His eyes were widening with fear. I messed up again. No. No, no, no.
"Roxas," Riku turned to Sora with that continuous look that Sora couldn't describe. "Leon's really excited to meet you."
Axel choked on his own spit from Riku's statement but covered it up with a cough. It was obvious what Axel was thinking. Sora, however, gulped, nodded, and forced a fake smile onto his lips. "I'm excited to meet him too."
Axel cleared his throat and looked innocently to the left, as if he knew something. As if he was hiding something. Sora supposed it was his secret. What else could it possibly be? Regardless, Riku kept his gaze securely on Sora. "Do you guys want anything to drink? It's on the house."
And with an order placed, a light and airy mid-afternoon conversation began between the three adults. Sora felt lost at times and tried his best to keep in character, though he was finding it increasingly hard. The façade Riku was putting up was amazingly real-like and Sora was having difficulties even comparing the old Riku with this new, kinder one. Where did the Riku that used to beat on him, lie to him, make fun of him, and torture him go? Did he just vanish?... And Axel. Why did Axel believe his heaven theory without inquiry? Why didn't Axel, like most people, laugh his head off and claim Sora had just escaped from the mental ward…? All of this was far too complex and far too much for Sora to comprehend. However, one question stood clear in the angel's mind: What was going on?
xx x ♥ x xx
"Sora, deep breaths," Axel cooed, placing his hands comfortingly onto Sora's tense shoulders as the brunet stood wearily near the entrance of the bar. "Just go over to Riku and Leon, introduce yourself to your brother, and smile like you're meeting for the first time. Everything will be fine. I'll be right there. If he suspects something I'll… I don't know. I'll think of something." Axel nudged Sora forward encouragingly. "Come on, sport. If you stand there long enough you're going to get a loitering ticket or something."
Sora scoffed under his breath and shot his long-lost redheaded friend a glare before turning his attention back to Riku and Leon. There they sat, at the bar. Leon was beer-less, in contrast to Riku's wine glass that was clasped in between his fingers. The brunet appeared a bit void of emotions. His hands, though, were laced in his lap. Not within Riku's, which caught Sora off guard. He had expected Riku, of all people, to flaunt their relationship to anyone who glanced over.
Sora timorously ambled towards the bar, swallowing down his pride. Leon will know it's me. Leon will know it's me. There's no way he won't. He's my brother. He'll know something is completely off. He'll know. Oh god, he'll know for sure. Sora's mind kept going on and on like a broken record as he found himself tiptoeing ever so slowly over to the bar.
That was, until, Riku noticed Sora and jovially waved the brunet over, using his fake name and--…and Leon knew that name. Cloud often called Sora it when Leon was near. Sora stood there, making light of yet another error of his. Two errors in one day? What kind of angel was he? Weren't angels supposed to be perfect? Sora sighed miserably and sauntered over, no spring whatsoever in his step. Best face his horrid death now then later—figuratively, of course.
"Roxas, this is my boyfriend, Leon," Riku stated calmly, a protective glimmer flashing in his emerald eyes as he gestured to the stoic brunet who sat beside him.
Sora didn't dare meet his brother's gaze. His heart clenched tightly and he found himself at a loss for words. All he could possibly think of to say was, 'Leon! I missed you so much! I'm so sorry I left you and went to Heaven!' Tears formed in Sora's eyes and he had to force them to disappear. It hurt so badly. It truly did. Biting back all the pride and morals he had left, Sora extended his hand for Leon to shake, not noticing how badly he was trembling.
Leon's eyes flickered up to Sora's. There was a moment of hesitation before Leon shook the hand, glancing from Riku and then to Sora for a silent moment. Something was said wordlessly between the two lovers and Sora desperately tried to figure out what it was. Was Riku telling Leon that he wasn't a threat? And why did Sora suddenly feel so bothered by that fact?
"Pleasure to meet you," Leon said at last, his hardened expression melting away into something halfway acceptable as a 'good first impression'.
"You too," Sora forced out, wearily smiling at Leon as he quickly took the seat on Riku's other side. Sora had completely forgotten about Axel at this point, and a good thing too because the redhead had already wandered off aimlessly, in search for a dance partner to burn the floor up with. Sora would have been entirely irked if he had noticed.
Silence spread between the three males once more.
If I'm an angel why don't I have any angelic powers? Like mind-reading, or the ability to fly? Why must I be like everyone else on this planet…and yet not be. Why is this so god damn unfair? Sora thought bitterly as he fidgeted anxiously in his seat. All he wanted was for this month to be over and to return to Cloud and hopefully seek out his parents back in Heaven. Please. I want to see them. Let me go back now.
"Well…" Riku drawled as he tapped his fingers against the bar counter. "I didn't expect things to be this awkward," he laughed uneasily, his eyes being hidden behind a veil of silver. And even when Riku was awkward he sounded so eloquently seductive. That hadn't changed.
"Heh," Sora murmured and sheepishly looked to the silveret, making sure not to move too close to Riku for his own reasons. "I suppose…"
"Someone, strike up a conversation before I die from the awkwardness," Riku begged teasingly before chuckling under his breath. Leon's gentle laughter was heard. Sora's ears perked up when he heard the sound. Leon…laughed? Leon rarely laughs… Sora smiled faintly and shifted a bit more comfortably this time.
"I don't know anything to talk about," Sora admitted as he swung his feet back and forth. I just love how calm I am staying being so close to my brother and Riku. I must be numbed or something. Perhaps Heaven is controlling me so I don't freak out entirely and make an entire fool out of myself? That could be it! Sora laughed under his breath.
"How did you and Riku meet?" Leon asked simply, his hard gaze turning to his brother.
Sora flexed his fingers against the counter. "Here," Sora murmured, trying not to sound too incoherent. "I stole the last drink from him."
Leon snickered and shook his head to the side. "Pretty pathetic, huh Riku? Now you're getting your drinks stolen from you." Leon chortled ever so quietly and laced his hands idly upon the counter, his body language doing more talking than himself. Leon obviously didn't want to be here, yet at the same time…did. Something was definitely up between Riku and Leon, and Sora was desperate to know what.
"Whatever," Riku muttered, a slight tinge of red appearing. "You don't have to ridicule me, you know."
Leon rolled his eyes. "If you consider that ridiculing you're softer than I expected." Riku flashed Leon a dangerous glare at that statement. All Sora could do was laugh uncontrollably for his own reasons. Riku? Soft? That was utterly amusing!
"Oh, shut up, Leon," Riku said with a grunt following afterwards.
"Make me."
"Don't tempt me," Riku answered curtly and turned to Sora. "See what I have to put up with, Roxas?"
Sora laughed gently and offered another weary smile to both Leon and Riku. Perhaps being around them both again wasn't as bad as he earlier anticipated. "I suppose I do."
Leon scoffed loudly. "Now, don't you two gang up on me. I'm an old man, you see. I have senior privileges."
Riku snorted in disagreement. "Old man? You're a year older than me!" Riku shook his head in disbelief and patted his boyfriend on the shoulder. "Leon, you really need to stop with the old business. You're young."
"You're in the prime of your life!" Sora added on, just figuring he'd put that in. If Leon thought he was old…then Sora didn't want to know what else he thought. Hopefully a bit of optimistic conversations would cheer Leon up…that was, of course, if Leon was sad to begin with. Riku wasn't doing all that good of a job of informing Sora about his own brother. Oh well.
"That you are," Riku concurred and snickered at Leon. "So brighten up."
Seeing Riku talk like that is …like a snail running. "Yep," Sora agreed despite his wandering thoughts.
"Ganging up again," Leon remarked with a shrug.
"Oh, be quiet," Riku demanded as he rolled his eyes at Leon and took a sip from his wine glass. "We came here to have fun, not to argue about being old," Riku reminded with a flirtatious look on his face. "So, what say you, Leon? Care to dance? Loosen up?"
"I'd rather not," Leon answered honestly with a swift nod of his head, eying Sora and then Riku for a long while.
"But--…" Riku argued but figured it was pointless so cut himself off.
"You should," Sora concurred, a helpful looking appearing onto his face. For some reason I actually want them to be happy. What the hell is Riku doing to my mind? Turning it soft and towards his favor or something? Sora groaned and rubbed his forehead anxiously, trying to dismiss all his thoughts about heaven, angels, and his mission. And Riku in general.
"I don't dance," Leon answered honestly with a decitenly large, sad smile. "Never have. Go ahead and dance without me, I'll be fine," the older brunet urged as he gestured for his boyfriend to make his way over to the dance floor.
Riku cocked a brow. "Fine, ruin my fun," Riku answered mockingly as he swung his body off the stool, leaving his almost empty glass on the counter. The silveret snagged Sora's wrist and promptly dragged the brunet off his seat as well. "I'll just have to dance with Roxas then," Riku said. He was obviously joking…right?
Leon rolled his eyes and yanked on Riku's sleeve. The silveret turned from smirking at the confused Sora to Leon, only to be met in a searing kiss. At once, Riku dropped Sora's sleeve altogether and eased into the kiss, pressing closer to his seated boyfriend.
Sora never felt so damn awkward in his entire life. Riku and…his brother were kissing. In front of him. Mouth to mouth. And there was probably tongue involved! Sora's stomach twisted and knotted as he stood there, turning a ghostly shade of white. With a loud and audible gulp, Sora quickly looked away as the two males continued kissing. I hate this. Why did I agree to this? Why did I even come tonight!? And if Sora hadn't been so determined not to cry he probably would have broken down by now.
When they finally broke apart for air, Riku's eyes were glazed over, as well as Sora's brother's. The older brunet stared at Riku for a long moment, eyes flickering with something unknown. Riku returned that heated stare before cautiously looking back to Sora.
Sora didn't want to intrude any farther. "I'm sorry but I have to go…I have to get up early tomorrow to go job searching. I'm sorry. It was really ncie meeting you, Leon. I'll…see you around, Riku." Sora squeaked at the end when he noticed how flustered Riku looked. The brunet quickly tore his gaze off Riku and sprinted away from the bar before Riku had time to protest on his deperature.
And for no reason at all, Sora ran out of the bar and down the crowded streets of inner New York City because really, now he knew one thing.
They were all so much happier with him dead.
xx x ♥ x xx
"Axel!" a thirteen year old Sora declared as he hugged his red-haired friend close. "You got to protect me! Riku's…looking for me!" Sora huffed out in-between deep breaths. It was obvious that the brunet boy had just been running prior to this and now was attempting to catch his breath.
"What'd you do this time?" asked a fifteen year old Axel with an arched brow. "Did you make fun of him or something to set him off like that?" Axel was utterly amused. "If he touches you I'll kick his ass, don't worry."
Sora sighed and finally let go of his other best friend. Riku was his best friend too…and Axel and Riku were equal to Sora. "I…" Sora lowered his gaze.
"What'd you do?" Axel reiterated, placing his hands idly onto his hips.
Sora gulped down a lump of nerves before glancing to the right and left to make sure they were alone outside. "Pinky promise you won't tell anyone else?"
"Of course," Axel said with a stern and never quavering voice.
"I…kissed him on the cheek and ran…"
Axel blinked in surprise. "And he…"
"He…"
"He?"
"Hekissedmyneck." And that was, frankly where it all started.
xx x ♥ x xx
