With arms wrapped around one another's waists, Riku lead Cloud out of the shack. Sora, Leon and Seiya followed them, Seiya gushing on about how excited she was to have finally met both Cloud and Leon. Sora simply seemed happy that his surprise had worked.

Cloud wore a light weight grey shirt with loose pants and sandals, walking across the sand easily. Riku could not help but notice how comfortable his lover seemed to be. One would think that he was a native despite the pale skin. Riku's skin was just as light colored and he was a native.

As they approached the party site, Riku glanced behind him. Leon had forgone all of his leather in favor of jeans and one of his usual white t-shirts. He wasn't even wearing his heavy shoes; he was wearing sneakers instead. "I can't believe you guys came all the way out here."

Sora chuckled and pointed at Leon. "It was actually his idea. He called me a week ago and said he wanted to bring Cloud here so we got it all arranged with Mom and the others."

Riku smiled happily at the sable-haired man. "Thank you. I know how much you hate leaving the restoration."

"You're welcome," Leon nodded. "It never would have happened if Sephiroth hadn't volunteered to oversee things and the others hadn't agreed to it."

The silvered teen's expression somehow grew even brighter. Leon was trusting Sephiroth with something that meant more to the former SeeD than anything. The Restoration was Leon's entire life and the fact that he left it in Sephiroth's hands was an enormous thing.

"Hurry up, guys!" Selphie called out from the far end of camp where a fire had been started. "Tidus is getting bored!"

The named blond tapped her arm. "I am not! You're the one agonizing over how long we can force Riku and Cloud to stay with the rest of us!"

Riku looked at the girl, affronted. "What has Sora been telling you?"

"Oh, little this, little that." Selphie grinned wickedly as they got closer. "Remind me to set up cameras in your house later today."

Riku opened his mouth but quickly shut it and shook his head. He held onto Cloud tighter and brought the man over to Tidus and Wakka. He was nearly shaking with joy as he officially introduced the rest of his friends to his fiancé.

Sora, Leon and Seiya joined up with Kairi on the blankets, shooting amused glances at Riku and Cloud. The auburn-haired girl giggled and tucked some hair behind her ear. "Sometimes I think he's more girlish than me or Selphie."

"I think it's sweet," Seiya sat with her legs folded beside her. "Cloud is such a wonderful man. I'm glad to have finally met him!"

She twisted her upper body to look beside her. "Oh, and of course you too, Leon! Sora talks so much about you, it's a shame things didn't work, but I can see why they didn't. The two of you just don't… mesh."

Sora blushed a bit and exchanged a quick look with Leon. "Yeah, well, it was worth the attempt."

Leon nodded and rubbed the teen's arm affectionately. As he did, he changed the subject of conversation. "So are you all going to be able to make the wedding?"

"I think so," Kairi glanced over at Riku, Cloud, Selphie, Tidus and Wakka over at the fire. "We're still working on Selphie and Tidus."

Leon angled his head. "What are you telling them?"

"I'm taking them on a trip to Besaid. It's the cluster where I grew up." Seiya rubbed at her bare feet. "Tidus' dad is worried that he won't be back in time for the start of blitz practice but since there's a big team at the college over there, it shouldn't be hard to convince him.

"Selphie's parents don't much like me, however, which is what's causing the uncertainty with her. Selph seems to think they'll come around though."

"Oh, I'll make them!" Selphie announced confidently, coming to the blanket with the others behind her. "I'll just go anyway if I have to. There is no way I am missing my bishie in a wedding dress!"

Riku blinked and narrowed his eyes. "Wait, when did that idea ever enter the picture?"

"Oh, come on!" Selphie dropped down beside Kairi. "It would be totally hot if one of you wore a dress and since you're the girl, it has to be you, Ku."

"Why am I the girl?"

"Oh, please," Selphie rolled her eyes. Next to her, Kairi giggled. "Look at you! You are totally uke."

"Okay, we need to change topics like now," declared Tidus, setting the large platter of cooked fish, crab and clam in the center of the forming circle of people. "I don't need to be hearing anymore than I have about any of your sex lives."

"Ya man," Wakka seconded. The two blitzball players took up spots on the blanket. "It's weird enough already that Riku's gettin' married."

"Well, he always has been the first of us in most things," Kairi shrugged as she picked up a roasted fish. "It shouldn't be that surprising."

Sora abruptly laughed, nearly choking on his soda as he did. "You know what's funny? Every time you girls made us play house when we were little, you always made Riku the priest. It's like you somehow knew he was gay."

Selphie laughed, "Because we do! It's like a sixth sense."

"No, you don't," Cloud countered softly. Riku was snuggled up against him, idly picking apart a kabob of vegetables. "Tifa didn't figure out I was gay until I flat out told her, and even then she didn't want to believe it."

"According to Cid, you were completely wasted at the time," Leon noted. "I would have been suspicious of anything you said also."

"So," Seiya broke the conversation. "Do we have anything actually planned for the evening?"

Sora and Kairi shrugged. Kairi flicked her dark blue eyes at Riku and Cloud where Riku was nuzzling into Cloud's neck. "Well, we weren't sure what was going to happen with the lovebirds over there, so we just figured we'd leave it at the bonfire and see what happens."

Riku rolled his eyes and pulled away from his lover with an exaggerated sigh. "It's my birthday so if I want to just sit here and make out with Cloud I can."

"Of course, sweetie," Seiya smiled sweetly. "You can do anything you want with him. We'll just take Leon with us and go eat your cake without you."

The silvered teen gave her a pained look. "Oh, now you're just being cruel, Seiya."

She chuckled and reached for a clam. Leon smirked at the woman, clearly deciding he was going to like her. Tidus and Wakka snickered while Kairi, Sora and Selphie started up a whispered conversation.

The next twenty minutes passed rather quietly. Kairi and Sora continued the hushed conversation but Selphie and eventually Tidus somehow engaged Leon in a discussion about college. Seiya and Wakka cleaned up the remains of dinner, letting the birthday boy and his lover just sit back and enjoy the moment.

Cloud pressed his nose to Riku's cheek and the teen grinned, rubbing his hand along the man's leg. "I can't believe you came."

The blond smirked against Riku's skin. "Of course I did; I was ready to go the second Leon suggested it."

Riku turned his head to look at Cloud directly. "I'm glad he trusts Sephiroth enough to leave him in charge for a while."

Cloud's expression tensed at the man's name but he quickly banished it. He leaned back a bit and reached into a pocket. "On that subject, your brother gave me something to give to you."

Riku smiled at Cloud's use of the term brother. It showed that Cloud was truly doing his best to accept Riku's relationship to the former general and bane to Cloud's existence. He really hoped that by the time of the wedding, the two would at least be amicable with each other.

"Here," Cloud handed him a double folded piece of paper. He watched as the teen carefully opened it up and began reading.

Riku's eyes scanned the short hand-written note, his aqua eyes getting brighter. He grinned more for a moment before re-folding it and slipping it into his own pocket. He then pressed himself back up against Cloud and laced their fingers together.

Seiya and Sora both got up and left camp, heading for the shack. Riku assumed they were going for his birthday cake and grinned at Cloud happily. "Well, now you and Leon get to actually taste one of Seiya's famous cakes."

"I think it's so cool that you guys are having her make your wedding cake!" Selphie bit her lip happily. "Have you figured out what exactly you want?"

"Well, I know what I would like," Riku shrugged. "But Cloud needs to make up his mind."

"I told you whatever you want is fine," the blond declared softly.

Leon, Tidus and Wakka chuckled. Wakka shook his head and smirked. "Spoken like a whipped husband, ya."

"Oh, don't worry," Kairi glanced over Riku's shoulder. "Seiya has a plan for that reply."

Lifting an eyebrow, both Riku and Cloud looked back. Seiya and Sora were returning, each carrying a large tray with what appeared to be four different cakes on each of them. The mother and son walked easily across the sand with their burden.

Leon whistled lowly. "Wow."

Riku sighed and dropped his head against Cloud's shoulder. "She really didn't have to…"

"Yes, she did," countered Kairi, getting on her knees to take out small plates and forks from a nearby bag. "Doing your wedding cake is huge to her. You are just as much her son as Sora is."

Seiya smiled brightly as she and Sora reached the blanket. They carefully set the trays down and she immediately began pointing at each of the small cakes. "Okay, so, since I don't know what kind of cake Cloud likes, I decided this was the perfect time to find out. We have chocolate, vanilla, lemon, strawberry, red velvet, devil's food, coconut, and angel food."

"I can't believe you did this, Seiya," Riku worried his lower lip.

"Oh, don't be silly!" The petite woman took the knife Tidus handed her and began cutting up pieces. "Most of them have the same base so it wasn't difficult. It's important that both of you enjoy your cake and this is the best way to find out what I should make."

Cloud looked completely overwhelmed. "This wasn't necessary, Seiya. I could have-"

She cut him off by thrusting a plate with four small slices of cake on it. "Eat."

The blond blinked once then took the plate. "Yes, ma'am."

The others snickered and laughed, getting their own little samplings of cake.

-0—0—

The sun was already nearly set as Sora, Riku, Seiya, Cloud and Leon walked down the road to Riku's house. Kairi, Selphie, Tidus and Wakka had split off from them just outside of downtown, making sure before they did that Sora and Leon were hanging out with them the next day.

They did not bother to include the engaged couple.

Riku kept his fingers laced tightly with Cloud's as they walked behind the other three. He kept shooting glances at the older man, simply letting his eyes drink in the sight of one of the most important people in his life.

"Riku."

Aqua eyes turned forward to catch Sora smirking at him. "What?"

"I said Leon is going to stay with me and Mom so you and Cloud can have your house all to yourselves."

Riku chuckled, "How generous of you."

"It's not toward you," Leon commented easily. "He's sparing me the noise since I'm the one who always has to listen to you two back home."

"Oh, well, in that case…"

The sable-haired man glanced behind him and gave his own smirk.

They were a few houses down from Riku's and Seiya began walking backwards. "Whenever the two of you are up to it tomorrow, I need to go over a few things with you for the wedding."

"Sure," Riku agreed as Cloud nodded.

She smiled excitedly as she moved toward them and threw her arms around them. They stopped to let her, only a few feet from the path up to the house. When she released them, she patted both of their faces. "I'm so happy for you two."

"Why do I have the feeling we're going to be hearing that a lot over the next couple of months?" Cloud murmured with a faint smile.

"Okay," Seiya flounced away. "You two go have fun. Try to make sure my boy can walk tomorrow, Cloud."

"Mom!" Sora rolled his eyes.

Riku laughed, tugging Cloud up the walk. "Meh, I'll just make him carry me around."

"That works, too," the woman winked. "Happy birthday, baby."

"Yeah," Sora seconded, giving a brief wave. Leon nodded.

The freshly turned eighteen-year-old smiled at the three of them gratefully. "Thank you, guys. I really mean that. This has been… amazing."

Sora grinned. "Anything for you, Ku."

The three headed down the street and Riku turned back to his lover. The corner of Cloud's lip curled up a bit. Slipping his arm around the teen's narrow waist, he tugged him close.

In response Riku lifted his arms to drape them over Cloud's shoulders. "So, do I finally get to play with my present?"

"Out here in the yard?"

Riku snorted, guiding Cloud backwards toward the house. "Like my neighbors haven't had enough to talk about."

He dropped one hand to open the door, the fingers of the other one toying with the back of Cloud's neck. He lightly pushed the blond into it, Cloud half-falling through. Riku then kicked it closed and immediately found himself pressed up against it.

Cloud's hand came up to frame Riku's, engaging the slightly taller male in a desperate kiss. Riku hurriedly ran his fingertips along the blond's waist, shoving fabric out of his way as he brought his hands forward and began tugging at Cloud's belt. The younger one moaned softly as Cloud moved his lips away from his mouth and along his jaw.

Gripping Cloud's hips tightly, Riku guided Cloud back, keeping their bodies close and taking his turn to trace along his lover's lower cheek and back to just below his ear. He kept his mouth there, kissing and nibbling as he managed to maneuver Cloud to his bedroom. As this was happening, Cloud was already unfastening the teen's pants.

Stumbling into the room, Riku released Cloud's neck. The two men worked frantically to strip one another of clothing, all the while awkwardly making their way over to the bed. In between pieces of clothes there were rushed caresses and deep, needy kisses.

Sliding his hands down to push off Riku's jeans, Cloud bit at his shoulder. The teen groaned in reaction, digging his nails into the man's back. "Do you have any idea how badly I've been wanting this?"

Riku ran a hand along Cloud's spine, down to the end. "Not nearly as bad as I have…" He abruptly brought his hand around to smooth it along Cloud's inner thigh. "I'm the one with the teenaged libido."

Cloud let out a moan as long fingers brushed further in. He pushed at Riku's shoulder, causing the teen to fall back on the bed. The blond stared down at him, taking a moment to look over the naked body of the man he had missed more than anything or anyone in his life.

The silvered one smirked back up at him. "What?"

Instead of responding with words, Cloud simply dropped down to his knees, holding Riku's apart and began kissing his way up from Riku's knee to in between his legs. Riku arched back from the mattress, hands fisting the sheets. Cloud did not rush, almost casually working his mouth along Riku's erection which never failed to drive both of them crazy. He was soon writhing and panting, one hand coming up to tangle his fingers in blond spikes of hair.

When Cloud decided his lover had had enough he released him, chuckling at Riku's whimper of protest. He climbed up on to the bed, straddling the younger man long enough to lean forward and engaged him in a long kiss. He moved it along Riku's cheek as the teen became slightly distracted with taking out some lube from the nightstand.

Riku took advantage of the position they were now in, brushing wet fingers along Cloud's waist and then wrapping his left hand around the blond's hardened flesh. Cloud gasped, almost biting into Riku's neck before moving his head to rest on Riku's shoulder. He let Riku work him for a few minutes, grunting and murmuring against the taller male's skin.

When the need became too great, he pulled away and dropped a very quick kiss on Riku's lips. He then moved his body down, settling himself between Riku's legs. On his own knees, Cloud brought on of Riku's legs up and Riku automatically repositioned himself. Once both of them were placed were they wanted to be and properly prepared, Cloud fixed his eyes upon Riku.

The eighteen-year-old gazed back at him with pure desperation, aqua eyes begging to be taken. Cloud nearly worshiped this expression and he drank it in until Riku quietly pleaded him to do something. The blond smiled and with only partially restrained eagerness, pushed himself inside of the other.

Riku threw his head back, moaning out loudly in ecstasy. It had been too long since he had felt this. His one hand tightened against his own upraised thigh as the free one dug into the sheets.

Once settled in, Cloud took a few careful thrusts before starting up a steady pace. He never took his blue eyes off of Riku's face, needing to see every expression, every emotion that flitted across that perfect face. Every once in a while he would slightly change his approach and Riku reacted spectacularly.

They fell into a rhythm that was all their own. Breath came in gasps and heavy pants as hands occasionally wandered and the couple exchanged a pattern of thrusts and withdrawals, moans and whispers crying for more. The pace speed up and tension built until they both finally could not hold back anymore and found blissful release.

Riku's leg slid off of Cloud's sweaty shoulder and he lay on the bed limply, breath coming in short bursts. After a moment, Cloud dropped his body heavily beside him. Somehow Riku found the energy to turn on his side and lifted his head enough for Cloud to slip his arm beneath it.

Snuggling into his side, he placed a hand on Cloud's lower chest and his ear close enough to hear the man's heartbeat. Cloud idly petted his hair, sighing in contentment. Sleep began pulling at him but he fought against it, not wanting to lose any of this long-awaited for moment.

However, it proved to be a futile effort and he found himself slowly drifting off. As he did, he heard Cloud softly whisper, "Happy birthday, Riku."