A/N: The next chapter will be different. I'm getting trouble expressing Roxas feelings so I'm going to change the story to first person. I will try to make it a smooth change.
Cloud and Roxas were having breakfast in the kitchen. Cloud was enjoying his black coffee and the younger blond was savoring his pancakes. Looking at Cloud no one would guess he could cook so well but Roxas knew better.
Clearing his throat Cloud asked "So, about last night…did you have fun?" he looked up from his newspaper to see his son's face.
"Kinda. I ended up spending time with Sora. Which reminds me dad- why haven't you said anything?"
"I didn't know he was here" muttered Cloud.
That's it? Roxas thought that his dad still talked with the family. Or that he would ask about his cousin "Sora seems to believe that aunt Tifa told you. Don't you talk with them anymore?"
Cloud seemed in deep thinking and Roxas decided not to press for an answer. Not with this source anyway. He would grill his cousin for answers later. His father only talked when he wanted.
Roxas put his plate on the sink and went up to his room. After making the bed and getting dressed he decided to go to his computer. When he was logging in in League of Legends he saw Hayner there. Roxas didn't know if he should talk to his best friend or not. Last he remembered they weren't on the best terms. But God decided that this wasn't his decision to make and Hayner sent him a PM saying that they needed to talk. Roxas sent him another saying to come over.
Hayner got there after an hour. Roxas opened the door to let him in and no words were exchanged while they went upstairs to Roxas' room. Cloud had left for work some time ago so they were alone. Roxas thought this was a good thing in case things got out of control. His dad was suspicious yesterday and Roxas would have to explain shouts if his father were there to hear them.
When they got to Roxas' bedroom, Roxas took a seat in the end of his bed and Hayner took the desk chair.
"Talk about awkward huh?" Hayner was the first to attempt conversation. This was fine for Roxas because he had no clue about what to say.
"Yes. Personally I'm not found of it."
"Me either… Look Roxas I'm sorry. I thought a lot about this and I can't pretend that you don't already know. I was pissed that your ex called. I really didn't like when you guys broke up because you were hurt. Yes, in a twisted way I was happy but I didn't like to see you like that. At all. The other day, when he texted you I was afraid that you would try to patch things with him."
Roxas could see some logic in what his best friend was thinking but that didn't magically solve the problem. Perhaps it even creates another. "Hayner, I loved him but not anymore. I told you that I'm over him. I have been for a long while. Why don't you listen to that? To me?"
"I did, believe me. It made me happy for like a week straight. But maybe it's time for me to come out with this. You know I like you Roxas". Hayner was looking Roxas in the eyes and the blue eyed blond was trying really hard not to look at any other place. The temptation was there.
"Hayner… I thought I had said-"
"I know what you said. But… I don't like you anymore Rox. I pretty much love you. And I need to know: Is there someone?
"I…wha..no?" Roxas was somewhat in shock. He was more than aware of Hayner's affections but he never thought his friend would say those words out loud. Roxas always thought they had a silent agreement that one was interested but the other wasn't.
"Then give me a chance. You didn't love Ventus when you got with him. You tried. That's what I'm asking. All this awkwardness around us and our petty fights are the results of me not being honest with you. But I want to change that. I love you and I want you to know that."
"Hayner..I-" Roxas wasn't prepared to have this conversation but Hayner had already started and even if Roxas would like to talk about something else, Hayner would have none of it.
"Don't overthink this. I'm not stupid. I know that you are not in love with me. Hell you don't even like me like that, but can you try?
"But I…"
"Please Roxas?
"Let me talk dammit! Do you even know why I never considered this? You are my best friend Hayner. And trying this could really fuck our friendship. I won't risk that. I like our relationship like it is now. And I totally thought we would talk about our fight, not this."
"I don't like how we are now. And we are talking about that. Can't you see that we have been having fights over nothing? That our vacations are being shitty? And all because of this feelings. I can't accept a 'no' if you aren't even willing to try. Please Roxas."
"I don't think it would work Hayner…
"A date then. Not a relationship. Let's have a date. Let me show you that we can have a good time!" Hayner was looking at Roxas in earnest. He really wanted this. If it didn't work at least he could say he tried.
"Hayner, I know we can have a good time. We have been friends for years and we know how to have fun." Roxas was trying to allude to their friendship but Hayner was focused.
"Don't shot it down without trying, please Roxas.
"I'm not sure Hayner. Can you really promise me that we won't ruin our friendship over this?" Roxas tried another tactic.
"No I can't. I know I'll never stop being your friend but if things really don't work out I'll need my space. But we will always be friends. I promise you that. Please try this Roxas."
Roxas looked defeated. "A date, ok? When? And please don't you dare say tomorrow." If saying no wouldn't work Roxas would have to wait to say it again. Right now he just wanted space and time to think.
"Erm..the next weekend?"
"It's a date then."
Hayner could barely contain his joy. "I really have to go now. My mom is expecting me for lunch, but we'll talk right? Before the weekend?"
"Sure Hayner." Both blonds stand up and when they were about to exit the room Hayner got closer to Roxas to kiss him in the cheek. "I know the way. Thank you Roxas".
When Roxas heard the front door closing he let himself fall in his bed. What the hell just happened? He agreed to have a date with his best friend, that's what. He knew that it was a bad idea especially because of Hayner's goodbye kiss. It certainly felt weird and kisses are not supposed to be weird. Roxas decided then to go with the date and just turn his best friend down- again.
Roxas was cooking. As shocking as it may be, he was. If he knows how to cook? Not really. But he was trying. After Hayner had gone home Roxas decided to busy himself with stuff. Any stuff would do, he wasn't feeling picky. He turned his computer off because that damn machine seemed to be the incarnation of Mephistopheles. First he spent a lot of time in his bed thinking and when he was satisfied that he had reached a good understanding of all that had happened he started doing chores. First he heated lasagna and after eating it he cleaned not only his dishes but the whole kitchen. Then he went to do his laundry. After that he searched in the house for books about cooking. Trying to decipher if he had all the ingredients at home was what had taken almost all afternoon. He had thought about just checking if it was feasible to cook a recipe he picked and then maybe paint something in his bedroom but his lack of cooking knowledge shocked even Roxas himself. When he looked at the freezer all he saw was meat. How the hell was he supposed to know what kind of meat was to grill or to stew or whatever!? After defrosting some meat he deemed it capable of being grilled. Roxas didn't really want to see his dad' face. While he was setting everything on the counter he entertained the thought of his dad actually liking the meal.
When Cloud entered his house he didn't immediately realized where his son was. He took his time to put his things away and when he finally entered the kitchen he just...stopped. Was really Roxas —his son— in the kitchen with his apron and cooking? Cloud first reaction was to subtly check for burns or any cuts. He was satisfied when he saw none.
"Hi dad. I made dinner today. Hope you don't really mind the mess."
Cloud took a second to look, really look, at his kitchen. Nothing was broken or burned. But Roxas surely did a mess. Well, at least Cloud didn't need to cook tonight and for that he was happy. The table was set and Cloud took his seat without saying anything. Roxas thought that that was strange and looked at his father. Oh no. His father was frowning and that could only mean questions. It wasn't like Roxas didn't saw that coming, I mean HE was COOKING. Roxas set the food on the table and took his seat too. Cloud's very first comment was: "This fries have a very interesting shape. Are they…what are they?"
Roxas couldn't help but let a small smile appear in his face. "Dunno. But they're fries and that's ok right?"
They resumed their meal in silence. Roxas knew that his father wanted to question him but that he wouldn't. He would wait until Roxas seek his advice or at least started the conversation. After all, Cloud had tried to talk this morning and Roxas just dismissed the opportunity.
"Dad, I'm mad."
Looking back that wasn't the best way to start a conversation. The word "mad" used like that could be interpreted wrong.
"Hayner was here and we talked. I didn't tell you but we had an argument and that's why I wanted to go out tonight. To clear my head."
"An argument?"
"Dad…what would you do if you knew you were doing a wrong decision?" Roxas looked at his father trying to get an answer that would help him in his situation with Hayner.
"I wouldn't do it."
Roxas looked at his father with disbelief. "Dad we always make wrong decisions at some point…"
Cloud looked at his son and grinned. "That's not what I meant. If I knew a choice was wrong I simply wouldn't choose it."
Roxas thought for a moment. Well too late for not choosing the wrong one. "And if you had already made that choice?" Roxas pressed.
"Son, I have no idea what you're talking about and that makes it hard to help you."
Roxas was uncertain. To tell his father or not? His father wasn't a social butterfly but he was married right? He must have had a lot of people interested in him before that too. Why is it always weird to share this stuff? In the end Roxas decided to tell his dad because he really could use some advice.
"Hayner is still... you know… interested. And he kinda wanted me to.. you know. And-"
"Roxas, say the words. They help communication. We already had the gay talk. I know that you-"
Cloud didn't look comfortable and Roxas took the hint. Cut the crap and let get this over with. "Dad, I agreed to have a date with Hayner. But I know I want to just get it over with I don't like him like that, but he just wouldn't give up!"
Cloud scratched his chin in thought. "You know you're not interested. Go with it and say you didn't like it. But please don't kiss him or something if you want to reject him."
Roxas groaned. "I know that. That was the plan already." Cloud looked at his son as if he had grown a second head. "What is the problem then?!"
GOD, Cloud was not cut to do this. This thought was running through both blond heads.
"I want to know how that will affect our friendship and I don't want to ruin it." The younger said. Cloud let out a deep breath, a clear sign how this conversation was taxing them both.
"It will affect it the way you both let it happen. Son, do your best to keep things just like they are now. But don't risk yourself too much. There are things meant to last and things that just…don't. Relationships are made between people. If it fails, the fault is always of all the people in that same relationship. Reject Hayner's love and try to keep the friendship. That's all you can do, the rest is with him. You can't control everything."
That was probably the biggest speech his father had ever said, but Roxas was grateful. It helped him.
"Thank you dad." Murmured Roxas. Cloud crossed the table and put a hand on his son's shoulder before put his and Roxas' plate in the sink. Roxas offered a small smile to his father and went upstairs.
The blue eyed blond was contemplating painting something when he cellphone buzzed. He seriously hoped it wasn't Hayner when he looked at the screen.
1 New Message(s)
333-589-645
He didn't recognize the number but opened it to see what it was.
Hi there cutie ;)
For the love of God. Roxas already had his plate full between Ventus and Hayner. Who was this now?