Author's Notes: See the bottom please::huggles:
Sephiroth's Guide to Love and Deception
Chapter Six: Nocturne in Peaceful Bliss
"Do you really think putting furniture against the door will keep them in there," Cloud mumbled as he continued to study the pieces before skipping two places and taking both of Sephiroth's black pieces and setting them off to the side.
The four teenagers were sitting indian style in the hallway, a few feet away from Riku's door, which they'd barricaded with the desk chair from Sephiroth's room, making it difficult for either boy to pull it open.
"How should I know?" Ri hunched, watching as Sephiroth picked up one of his pieces and jumped not once, not twice, but four times before landing at the end of the board and calmly ordering "King me."
"Jack ass," Cloud grumbled and placed another black piece on top of the first.
"But even if they do get the door open, I doubt Sora would come out here," Roxas added matter of factly, sending Sephiroth a nervous side glance to which the teen ignored as he jumped yet another one of Cloud's pieces.
"I still think we really shouldn't have gotten involved," Cloud grumbled in a disapproving tone. "Sora should want to get back on good terms with Riku on his own basis."
"Nonsense," Sephiroth replied coldly, studying the board again. "They both came to all of us in some form or another, silent or otherwise, for help in the matter and this is exactly what we're doing. Sora is as stubborn as you are Strife and a gentle push never hurts anyone."
Ri and Cloud scuffed in unison. "Gentle?"
"Immaturity begets disastrous results," Sephiorth replied matter of factly, taking a moment to eye the sword that he'd placed beside him, before eyeing Cloud intently. "Besides, there is no point of backing out of this now. Everyone of us has gotten ourselves involved whether it be for the well being of a one's family member, or the ruin of a little ingrate."
"What little ingrate?" Roxas frowned, confused.
"Kairi," Ri said matter of factly, moving one of Sephiroth's pieces and making him snap his head at her to glare–which in turn, made her slowly place it back where it was and shift away from him slightly.
"The red head who sat with us at the table?" Roxas frowned.
"Which one," Ri taunted knowingly and Roxas blushed slightly, looking away–something both Cloud and Sephiroth noted (though Seph could have cared less.). "The girl Ri, the girl."
"Tone deaf? Yeah, that's her," Ri nodded and Roxas shook his head, frowning. "What's so bad about her? She seemed really nice to me. And Sora seems to like her well enough."
"Never judge any individual strictly on their appearances," Sephiroth snapped at him coldly, and glared at the blond as if he were an idiot for not knowing something like that. "Things are never as what they seem."
"You seem like you're psychotic–I'd say that's about a good assessment of you," Roxas frowned. Sephiroth glared at Roxas at this point, calmly mind you, but his eyes were a blaze with fury, his hand slowly gripped the handle of his sword.
"Forgive him Sephiroth, he's an idiot," Cloud sighed, placing a hand over the offending arm and got him to lower the blade–making Roxas nervously move behind Ri who glanced back at him. "What the hell are you doing that for? You're the one that opened your big mouth. If he swings, I move!"
"Gee, thanks!" Roxas snapped and Ri nodded her head. "You're welcome. I live to serve."
"But what are you talking about," Cloud asked Sephiroth, not bothering to move any more of his pieces even if it was his turn. He'd all but lost anyway. "With Kairi, I mean. I seem to remember after the entire ordeal, she was there for Sora. She wouldn't leave him alone, to be honest."
"Yes, I suppose she was, after she fucked Riku over," Sephiroth replied simply, resting the board and tossing his head to the side, motioning for Cloud to move so Ri could take his place, which the blond did.
"She slept with Riku and Sora found out?" Roxas frowned.
"No, he means Kairi messed things up for Riku–in this case–dealing with Sora. Get your mind out of the gutter Roxy," Ri snapped out him. "My goodness, one guy molest you and you can't even think straight."
Cloud inclined his head over to Roxas and raised an eyebrow and smirked and Roxas blushed, frowning at Ri. "H-he started it! And I was just being friendly, geez!"
"Friendly?" Ri scoffed, pausing to hold her stomach as she laughed hard at him, causing him to blush further. "Dude, you didn't even know his name, and the guy had you all over the table! I'm surprised you even know what was happening, let alone who was sitting there!"
"I do know his name Rikku!" Roxas insisted, looking rather frustrated. Ri gave him a teasing smirk. "Suuure you do. And here's a hint: it's not 'Sexy Beast'."
Roxas growled irritated. "His name is Axel, ass!"
Ri's laughter died immediately as she and the other males in the hallway simply stared at Roxas, who gave them all a smug smirk.
"Wooow, so you know his name," Ri taunted with a smug look of her own. "After I only said it like, five hundred times to get you two off of me!"
"Er, why were they on you–"
"Alright then, Roxy," Ri continued, ignoring Cloud and his over protective older brother tone. "What's his favorite animal then?"
"Cats, just like he asked me."
"How old is he?"
"Sixteen, he'll be seventeen October 31st."
"Figures. Where'd he go to school before?"
"He didn't because he was too busy being part of a gang called "That Never Was", hence why his mother sent him here to the islands. That and he was getting into far too much trouble, both with the law and with his own gang cause he tried to leave it."
"His favorite cereal?"
"Doesn't eat it. He likes pancakes with lots of syrup and butter."
"Color?"
"Duh. Red."
"Yeah...too easy. Alright–what grade is he in this year?"
"A senior. He would have been a sophomore but after his mother pleaded his case, the dean–"
"Headmaster."
"Whatever. Let him take an entrance test of sorts and allowed him to be a junior instead."
"Well geez Roxas, do you know his favorite sexual position?"
"Any, because he's good at all of them–or so he boost," Roxas replied matter of factly, looking very smug now.
The entire hallway was silent now as all three teens stared at Roxas.
"When the hell did he tell you all that?" Ri demanded, looking flabbergast.
"Between him molesting me and catching our breaths," Roxas hunched, serious as ever.
Sephiroth and Cloud shot each other a side ways glance and Ri simply hunched.
"Fair enough."
Sora didn't bother trying to push Riku off of him. He'd already tested the waters so to speak and doing so only caused the boy to tighten his grip on his wrist and pin him down harder–not that it hurt, but Sora wasn't that stupid. He knew he wasn't getting up any time soon unless Riku allowed it.
Besides, he was too tired to really put up a fight with Riku.
Everything was just too confusing–his feelings, Riku's motives, what the hell was going on around him.
Certainly, he was naive–but he wasn't that stupid. Riku was known for not biting his tongue when something was bothering him–he'd been on the worst end of that stick after all. But as far as he had known, he and Kairi, despite her taking his side on the matter, were on good terms.
The two hardly ever fought as Kairi was one person that most people easily got along with–just like he was. While Riku on the other hand, was more the type that everyone wanted to get along with, get to know, somehow be apart of his life though very few actually got to.
It saddened Sora really–to think that he might be the reason why the two were no longer friends. The three of them had been best friends–and while he appreciated Kairi, he didn't want the girl to just despise Riku just because he and the platinum blond weren't getting along.
It wasn't like it was her fault. No: this was between himself and Riku.
Not that he really had much to say to him though–because truthfully, he just didn't know what to say anymore. Or what to feel. It was like he was overloading and it was becoming to much...
"Sora, talk to me," Riku whispered calmly, his aqua eyes staring directly into his own pools of azure blue.
Sora ignored him, shifting his eyes to the side, feeling his intense gaze now. A troubled frown formed on his lips and he heard Riku sighed.
"Sora, I can't fix what I've done if you don't talk to me," Riku pleaded softly.
"You shouldn't have to fix anything," Sora responded just as softly, though his voice was laced with bitterness.
It was Riku's turn to look away then. "I know."
"You should have trusted me Riku," Sora continued, the hurt flooding his chest again. "You were suppose to know me better than that. The morning after we–I thought you meant what you said."
"Sora..." Riku responed and Sora shook his head. "It wasn't even two weeks Riku. Two weeks. And you just–abandoned me."
"Because I thought you abandoned me, Sora!" Riku cried out, letting go of his wrist and sitting up, giving Sora the option of doing the same but he didn't. "When I saw you kissing that bastard, I thought you'd just given up on something that didn't really get a chance to start yet! I thought you'd abandoned me, my feelings for you–my feelings as a whole! Like it was all just some game!"
"Why would I play with anyone's emotions like that!" Sora snapped, finally sitting up on his elbows as he glared hatefully at Riku.
"What the hell was I suppose to think? You were just standing in the middle of a hallway, making out with some guy!" Riku snapped back angrily.
"I was not making out with Zexion!" Sora snapped just as angry. "He caught me in the hallway Riku–we were just talking at first! Then he just dipped his head in and kissed me!"
"And you kissed him back," Riku snapped bitterly, glaring at the brunette now.
"No! I. Did. Not! I was surprised Riku! It's not everyday some guy comes literally, out of no where and one minute we're talking about math and the next he's got me pinned to a wall and sucking my face out! I was–oh what's the word–surprised!" Sora countered sarcastically.
"And you couldn't get the guy off of you?" Riku replied darkly. "Come on Sora, you're not that weak by any means and we both know that. If a guy was forcing you into anything against your will, you at least would have–"
"Fought? Well, Ri-ku, if you had stayed a little longer like Kairi did for two seconds longer instead of storming off to jump to your own damn conclusions, you would have seen me punch the guy to get him off of me!"
Riku cut his eyes away then and Sora knew he was contemplating what he'd just been told.
"So she saw you get away from him then," Riku stated almost absently, seeming to be in heavy thought, his aqua eyes clouding over in what looked like hatred.
"She tried telling you," Sora replied matter of factly. "But just like you wouldn't listen to me, you probably didn't listen to her either."
"Funny. She was doing fine talking to me in our next class," Riku spat in a rather nasty way, his eyes narrowing.
"Leave Kai out of this, she's got nothing to do with this," Sora snapped and this got Riku's attention. "Oh she doesn't?"
"She didn't make you say what you said to me Riku!" Sora snapped. Riku muttered something to himself that he couldn't hear at all, even if he was really close to him.
And it was pissing him off more than he already was. "What did you say!"
"Nothing. We're not talking about Kairi, remember?" Riku taunted in a rather smug way.
Sora cut him a dirty look and Riku only returned it before sighing, he shook his head. "Look, Sora, I don't want to argue anymore. I'm sick of arguing with you. I didn't get to see you–hear from you–hell, I didn't even know where you'd gone for four damn years!"
Sora started to reply with a comeback but Riku cut him off, continuing. "Look–what I did was wrong. I know what I did was wrong Sora. I've had four years to understand just how stupid of me it was. But you–you don't understand.
"I couldn't apologize. I couldn't talk to you. I couldn't...do anything–whether it was because of my own stupidity or someone getting in my damn way. Nothing, but watch as our friendship go straight to hell–nevermind what we were trying to have before the incident."
Riku sat back on his feet, still pinning Sora down by his legs though now he was staring at him directly again. "Maybe...we shouldn't have tried for it Sora. Maybe then–we at least still could have been friends. Maybe nothing would have happened the way it did–no one, nothing, would have come in between us. It was all just some big mistake in the end."
Sora glared at Riku, hurt. "A...mistake? Why–how could that have been a mistake Riku?"
He laughed bitterly. "Come off it Sora. The whole thing was a mistake! We were drunk–we were just living on the moment of the morning after. We shouldn't have taken it seriously right? Why the hell should have I cared whether you kissed some guy or not? It obviously didn't mean anything in the end–if it had–it would have happened on–"
SMACK!
Riku stumbled on to his butt as Sora tackled him, grabbing him around his collar, glaring down at him as he all but snarled, hurt and tears ever existent in his beautiful sorrow filled blue eyes. "It meant something to me. You meant something to me. You meant something to me before that night Riku, Tidus' 'help' or not! You'd always meant something to me but I hadn't known how much until then! Booze or 'afterglow' or what-the-fuck-ever had nothing to do with that! That's why I said what I said Riku–it came from the heart, not some feeling of euphoria!"
Riku stared up at him silently, his face passive, eyes unreadable.
"That's why I fell apart you bastard! That's why I felt like my world had completely crumbled into shit after you just stood there and told me that I didn't mean a damn thing to you! That I was just some worthless slut that you'd used for humor–enjoyment! Like I hadn't meant anything at all–like the entire ordeal was just some sick joke that I mistakenly thought was real!
"It's why I cried for like, months after it happened– Why I couldn't sleep, could barely eat, hell, I practically ran my own mother over at the chance to get the hell away from here just to get away from you! I couldn't stand having to see you again after what you'd said, after knowing nothing seemed to matter to you! Fine, I took the easy way out but it was the only way to make the pain go away–and damn it, I still won't leave me alone because here I am, once again, here. With you!"
There was a complete silence that fell over the room as he continued to glare down hatefully at Riku, still holding him by the collar while the platinum blond only looked back up at him calmly, letting everything he'd said soak into him.
Sora waited a moment longer, his emotions running into overdrive when Riku still hadn't said a word to him. He shook him slightly, tears steaming down his face now though he still looked so angry. "Say something damn it!"
"...What is there to say," Riku finally replied calmly, sitting up slowly and taking Sora's hands off his collar, holding them tightly as the brunette tired to pull away from him.
"Would anything I say matter Sora? I hurt you. Deeply. And the pain you obviously still feel is too deep for you to get over. I could apologize until I'm blue in the face. Try to explain myself with equal effect. Btu in the end–what would it matter? Would it make you forgive me Sora? Would it make everything–anything–go back to the way it was before that moment in the lunch room?"
Sora stayed quiet and still, simply crying as he refused to look at Riku any longer.
"It doesn't matter what happens anymore–because in the end, nothing can be changed. Not my actions or anyone else's. Not my feelings or yours. "
"So what, y-y-your just going to g-give up?" Sora sobbed angrily. Riku tilted his head to the side. "Why shouldn't I? What reason do I have? There's nothing worth fighting for."
SLAP!
"Why aren't I worth anything to you, damn it!" Sora screamed hatefully, smacking Riku again with his now free hand before platinum blond grabbed his wrist again, pulling it to Sora's side and holding it there so he couldn't hit him anymore.
He watched calmly, patiently, as Sora continued to rant–ramble–hell he wasn't even sure what he said anymore–before he just got tired and finally breaking completely down, he fell forward in almost limp fashion, his head resting on his chest.
He felt Riku's chin rest on his head but he made no effort to try and pull back from him again. He was tired again–now psychically and mentally.
"Sora, you're worth more to me then you could possibly imagine," he heard Riku begin in a muffled tone as he spoke into his spiky chocolate hair. "You may possibly the be the only thing truly worth me fighting for–but I had to know Sora. I had to know if I should even try anymore. If there was even a slight chance that...things could work.
"That through all the bitterness you feel. The hatred. The sorrow–that you still cared. That I was still worth something to you."
Sora pulled away softly, looking up at Riku with a weary expression, his eyes red now from all his sobbing, though tears still ran down his cheeks. Riku gave him a soft smile as leaned down and kissed his tears away.
"...I'm sick of making you cry Sora," Riku replied softly, into his skin as he continued to kiss his tears away. "I'm sick of hurting you. Not seeing anything but the goofy smile plastered your face–just for me. No one to talk to. No one who understands me. No one who cares about me. Your kisses. Your touch. Everything–I've missed it so much Sora. I don't want to argue with you anymore. I don't want you to hate me anymore."
"I just...want...you," Riku replied, cupping his face and making Sora look up into his eyes. And Sora could see it all there–the sincerity, the hurt, the...love. Right there for his pleasure to see. Just like in the past–just for him. Riku only let him in.
"We don't have to be lovers. You don't even have to be my friend if you don't want. But damn it Sora–I just want us to be...something. Anything but this. I can't stand it anymore. I need you in my life someone–anyway but this."
Sora close his eyes softly and without really thinking about–almost naturally-reached up and gave Riku a kiss. Sweet. Gentle. Tender.
And when he pulled away, Riku stared at him slightly confused and Sora sniffled. "I don't...hate you. And I forgive you Riku–I think I did a long time ago. It was why I was so mad–because even after everything you did–I forgave you."
They stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity before Riku darted his eyes away, a single tear streaming down his cheek, making him chuckle.
"Aw fuck."
Sora couldn't help but laugh. Riku–well he never cried. Ever. In the years that he'd known him, even when he was younger, he'd never once cried. Gotten angry maybe, or even sad–but never cried.
He wasn't sure why...but seeing Riku cry–for him to display such emotion just for him made him feel better than he had in years. But never the less, he froze when Riku abruptly pulled him tight against him.
"So long," he whispered softly, and Sora could feel his heart beating in time with his own. "It's been...too long Sora. Just...holding you like this. Please Sora, just let me hold you a while."
The brunette melted with a content sigh into the embrace.
Right. It all just felt so right to him now. He was still upset. Even a little bitter. But there wasn't anywhere else he'd rather be right now then with Riku–having him hold him just like this.
He wrapped his own arms around Riku's waist as he rested his head comfortably on Riku's upper chest, the silver haired blond leaning back to lay down on his bed, bringing him with him.
They didn't have to kiss anymore. They didn't have to do–anything right now. Just being together was enough for both of them.
Neither spotted the many faces peering at them through a sliver in the door before it shut with a soft click--though at that point, they wouldn't have cared either way.
"...What do you think," Ri whispered with excitement as Roxas quietly lifted the chair from the door and began to carry it back to Seph's room, the long haired sex on legs watching him intently, making the boy unnerved.
"As long as he doesn't hurt Sora again, I don't care," Cloud whispered matter of factly.
"And what about Kairi?"
"Should she try to present a problem again, she will be dealt with accordingly," Sephiroth snapped, as his eyes narrowed and his grip on his sword tightened. His mako green eyes seemed to flash before he strolled back into his room, fingering for Cloud to follow him before he walked through his doorway–and Roxas came jogging out and into Ri's room.
Ri smirked after Seph, shaking her head and strolling back into her own room as Cloud entered the room he was sharing with the slightly insane older teen, clicking it shut behind him. Sephiroth only watched him from his bed, laying on his back with his arms behind his bed.
Cloud thought oddly about pouncing on him but thought better of it before sitting on the side of the bed, and leaning back, placing his head on Seph's stomach, ignoring the eyes watching him intently.
He knew he wouldn't protest. Cloud could get away with a lot when it came to Seph–and that was before he'd given him is 'Welcome Home' present.
"They should be fine now," Cloud began softly. Sephiroth only continued to stare at him, saying nothing so he continued. "We really...shouldn't get involved anymore."
"And we won't," Sephiroth replied matter of factly. "If we don't need to be. However, I meant what I said Strife. Should the girl interfere again, I will personally see to things. It was only by Riku's request that I didn't get further involved once he explained things."
"We don't know her side of the story."
"I wouldn't care either way. My views are jaded to that of those I care for," Sephiroth admitted and Cloud 'hmphed' in humor. "So I would believe my brother long before I would the word of a jealous hearted slut."
"Sephiroth–"
"You're little nuisance makes my brother happy. And like wise, you know this. And since he is your little nuisance. . .I suppose I should take care of him as well since you seem to care about his well being so much."
Cloud looked at him.
"And if by doing so, this means being rid of any particular problems that could surface–then I will."
They both stayed silent for a moment, just staring up at his ceiling.
"Thanks Sephy. I like knowing how much you are devoted to my happiness."
"...Shut up Strife."
"I love you too."
Author's Notes:
:Dances with her chibis: I'm having so much fun writing this! And you guys are so awesome with your reivews. I really enjoy reading all of them, a lot make my day. I can't thank you guys enough for the support. :Sniffle: You guys...are so awesome...:huggles:
Time to clear a few things up again! Whoot!
1.) I know Axel and Roxas are moving fast but that's actually how it was suppose to be. (That I already had the part in this chapter written out before I posted the last chapter.) Originally, the part was just Axel going straight to Roxas and giving him his undivided attention, ignoring everyone else in the room--but then I realized A.) That was kinda boring. B.) This was Axel. C.)I laughed after I wrote it the second way.
But all and all, it's just suppose to be undeniable chemistry between the two--that Axel choses not to ignore. Or let Roxas ignore either. :winks:
2.) Ooooh how I wanted SLASH in this chapter between Riku X Sora. Like mad, hot bunny make up sex. But in the end, I had to remember a few things (that have yet to be explained fully) along with the situation as a wholeand well, I decided the sweet thing was better. They'll have their time, don't you worry. Just not...yet. :ignores cries from Sora and Riku chibis:
3.) We'll be meeting quite a few other characters in the next chapter...including Leon. :gasp: And whoever said Zexionx Demyx...damn you for reading my mind::chucks a Kairi chibi at you:
4.) You will come to find that I looooove cliffhangers. Bawhahahahaha!
Thanks as always and leave feedback! Or Kairi chibis will rain down upon thee!
