Disclaimer: Not mine.

So, all of you who have been anxiously awaiting some Sora and Riku action, you'll be pleased at a later point in this loooong chapter.

Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Birthday Gifts


Riku drained his third cup of coffee, staring moodily off into space. He was sitting at the kitchen table in the mansion, depressingly alone. It looked like rain again today. It wasn't that the sky was any less blue than it usually was, but after you lived by the sea as long as Riku had, you could always tell the signs of a storm approaching over the water.

He stood up, setting his mug into the sink. Staring out the bay window at the dunes, he sighed.

Nice, Riku. Way to get rejected.

Yesterday in the cave…everything had started alright. At least, he thought it had. He and Sora had made out for awhile, and then he'd tried to take the boy's shirt off. That hadn't turned out to be the wisest move. Sora had gotten spooked and run off, muttering about having something very urgent he needed to do. He'd left Riku sitting alone on the sand, pride shattered. He'd been so incredibly turned on that he'd had to sit there for a few minutes, taking deep, calming breaths.

So the Manhunt game had kind of dissolved into a 'every man go their separate ways' game. Yuffie seemed preoccupied, Tidus was tired, and Kairi had apparently gone home with Sora. Tifa had been pissed off because she'd lost Axel again.

"Gotta keep a better eye on your things, Tifa."

"Shut up, Riku."

He turned on the faucet, rinsing the brown ring stain from inside the mug. What day was it, anyway? Jeez, he couldn't even remember if he had work this afternoon. That was summer for you; one day bleeding into the other and before you knew it you were swept up in the current. Last summer, before senior year, he'd loved it, actually appreciated the fact he didn't have to drag himself up at the crack of dawn and go to school with all the idiots and rejects Destiny Island had to offer. Most of the people he knew (like Axel and Tifa) would be going to college in September. He knew Kairi and Yuffie both had one more year to go, and he wasn't sure about Tidus. He'd barely even exchanged words with the dude until last night.

Riku's cell-phone rang, filling the kitchen with My Chemical Romance's "The Black Parade". He turned off the faucet, flicked water off his hands, and picked up his phone from the counter.

"Hello?"

"Good, you're awake."

"Kairi?" Riku said uncertainly. "How did you get my number."

"I'm magical. Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about Sora."

Crap. She's gonna chew me out for trying to undress the kid.

"Yeah?" he asked, trying to sound cool and unconcerned.

"Sora's birthday is in three days. Did he tell you?"

"No," Riku said surprised. "I had no idea."

"Well, it is, and I'm planning on throwing a party for him at my place, and seeing as you're one of the only people Sora knows on the island who isn't—"

"A complete asshole?"

"I'm not responding to that. So are you in or not?"

"Definitely. What time?"

"Tuesday. Seven."

"Cool." Riku snapped the phone shut. Well, at least now he knew what day it was. Saturday. Meaning he had work this afternoon. Urk.

But a small smile was spreading across his face as he traipsed through the hulking, silent house up to his room. Sora's birthday, huh? Well, he could think of a few nice things he could get him…


Yuffie got to the Open Eye around eleven. She wasn't working today, but she had asked Vincent to meet her this late in the morning to give the place a chance to empty a little. She didn't want any of her friends to see her actually doing school work on a Saturday. She glanced around for the dark-haired boy, locating him at a table toward the back. He was dressed in black again, and Yuffie got the idea that that was most likely the extent of his wardrobe.

How old is he, she wondered? Eighteen? Nineteen? Possibly even twenty? What the fuck was he doing tutoring an idiot like her?

He saw her, smiling and waving her over. Yuffie liked his smile; it was so different than the ones she was used to. Tifa's and Axel's smiles always held an agenda, Kairi's were always a little less-than-trusting, and Tidus looked like an idiot whenever he made an expression. She slid into the seat across from him, noting he hadn't brought any notes or textbooks. She didn't even see a pencil.

"Good morning," he greeted, pushing a coffee toward her. "I bought you a cappuccino. I hope you like them, I didn't really stop to think…"

"I like them," Yuffie assured him. "Who the hell doesn't?"

"Valid point. Anyway, I was thinking we should start with the Enlightenment, it's—."

"Why?" Yuffie frowned. "I already fucked up that test."

Vincent just raised his coffee cup to his lips. "Yes, but I need you to understand what helped herald all the change of thought in revolutionary Europe. That's your next unit. If we had time, I'd start with the Renaissance, but seeing as how we started so late…"

"Okay," Yuffie grunted, suddenly moody. "Go ahead. But how are you gonna teach me anything without any books? And why did we have to meet in the Open Eye?"

"Because this is what began the Enlightenment." He wrapped his knuckles on the table.

Yuffie raised an eyebrow. "Artificial pine-wood?"

"No," Vincent said, laughing. "This." He took another drink of his coffee.

"Coffee?" Yuffie chuckled. "Don't fuck with me."

"I'm not," Vincent insisted. "Okay, maybe it wasn't the only factor, but think back to what you learned about the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. What was the people's, both peasantry and nobility, most-often consumed beverage?"

Yuffie opened her mouth to tell him she had no bloody idea and that this was stupid, but then she forced herself to think. She knew this. She had actually been awake on the day they'd talked about the Agricultural Revolution and the diet of the population during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Oh yeah!

"Beer," she concluded. "They were always drunk off their ass."

"Exactly!" Vincent exclaimed, a little louder than entirely necessary, drawing a few looks from their fellow patrons. "Exactly," he said again, a little lower. "And what do you do when you're drunk, in the renaissance, I mean?"

Yuffie knew this one.

"Run into things. Drive your car—I mean horse—into lakes and cottages and other shit." She tapped her fingers on the table. "Uh…pass out?"

"Good," Vincent encouraged. "And what can you not do when you're passed out?"

"Uh…" Yuffie was thinking how this could possibly tie back to the Enlightenment. "Invent stuff?"

"Yes. Everyone was always drunk, so hardly anything got done. But then the trade routes to China and the New World opened, and Europeans suddenly had a whole knew beverage choice."

"I still don't see your point…" Yuffie said, feeling dumb again.

"I'm getting there. So what does coffee make you do?"

"It keeps you awake. Gets you energized? High?"

"Exactly." Vincent nodded his approval. "So tie it all together."

Yuffie forced herself to think. "So…instead of being drunk all the time…everyone was caffeinated?" She was encouraged by Vincent's nod. "…And they could talk about…things? Like politics and inventions?"

Her tutor clapped twice. "You got it. See? Was that really that difficult?"

"Yes," Yuffie admitted, looking down into her cappuccino. "But I don't mind." She looked up. "Are you really serious, though? Did coffee and tea really make the Enlightenment happen?"

"It was a huge part of it. The biggest slogan in England during that time became, 'tea—the beverage that cheers but does not inebriate'."

Yuffie giggle. "That's fucking awesome."

Vincent smiled. "I told you."


"You're doing what?" Sora demanded.

"I'm throwing you a party," Kairi repeated, folding her arms stubbornly. Sora was sitting across from her at the table, spoon halfway to his mouth and dripping milk and cereal onto the table.

Jeez, the little bastard doesn't have to look at me like I murdered someone…

"Kairi!" he whined. "I don't know anyone here. I mean…I don't like anyone here but you!"

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Fuck you, Sora. I could tell you like hanging out with Yuffie and Tidus. You can just ignore Axel and Tifa. They'll probably just make out the whole time, anyway."

"I don't wanna watch that on my birthday!" Sora yelled, making a face.

"Then I'll shove them in the broom cupboard. Chill, Sora. Besides…" She grinned slyly. "Riku's coming."

Sora immediately went very red. "Kairrrriii!" he moaned.

"What? You totally want that kid, Sora, I can tell."

Sora set down his spoon and buried his face in his hands. It was Tuesday morning, June 24th, the day he turned seventeen. It had been three days since that encounter with Riku, and since then he had avoided doing anything that would put him in any contact with the silver haired boy. He'd run off like a fucking nervous kid—it had been so lame of him. Riku probably thought he was most immature thing in the world. It was just…he hadn't known what would happen if he'd let things progress further, and he really didn't want to lose his virginity in a goddamn cave.

"What time tonight?" Sora asked, looking up finally.
"Seven."

He sighed. "Fine. But let's go down to the beach today, okay?"

"Sure thing," Kairi agreed.


It was lunch hour for Riku.

Well, more like lunch twenty minutes. His boss never let his employees let up for any longer than that. He let himself out of the building into the breezy afternoon. The sea air here was mixed with the smells of the city; gasoline, fried food, and heated asphalt. It all smelled like home to Riku, who lived out on the dunes but nevertheless spent as much time as he could downtown. Now that he was finally out of high school, though, he'd be leaving soon.

He sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets and striding off down the cracked sidewalk, making for a little café he was known to frequent. He'd miss this place. Not the people, or his house, or his parents, just…the place. There was something about Destiny Island that always stirred the sentimentalist in him. One could almost call it his muse, though he wasn't really sure if a landmass could be a muse.

It would almost be a shame to leave, but if the colleges he'd applied to accepted him, he would be long gone. Riku didn't want to go to school in Japan, no, he'd sent his applications to several universities in the United States, and a couple in England. His English wasn't brilliant, but he knew he could learn.

The Café Mulatto took up a wide street corner, but it wasn't crowded at all at this time of day. Three o'clock was a bit of a bizarre time for a lunch break, as Riku repeatedly told his boss. But did the son of a bitch listen..? Anyway, the only patrons were two girls holding hands across a table toward the back and a scruffy blond boy sitting on one of the stools at the counter. There was a heated debate going on between him and one of the waitresses.

"Sir, the price for soup has been raised. I'm sorry." She didn't sound sorry, in fact, she sounded blatantly exasperated. Not the best form for a waitress, but Riku got the impression that anyone would get a little perturbed from talking to this kid for more than a few seconds.

"Fuck that!" he was saying, loud enough to make the two girls in back look up. "I paid this much for it last week, and I'm not paying anymore. So fuck that!"

"Sir, you already ate the godda-." She swallowed her anger. "Your soup. You already ate it. You have to pay for it. I could lose my job if you don't."

The boy shrugged. He looked about sixteen or seventeen, blonde, and kind of out-of place. His raggedy punk clothes did not look like he'd gotten them from a Hot Topic; they looked authentic. Meaning he wasn't a poser.

Wow, just when you thought you had the world all figured out. Someone authentic comes along.

"I don't give a fuck about you and your job," the boy went on. "I just know I ain't gonna spend all my money on a fucking bowl of soup. So eat me."

The waitresses' mouth dropped open. Riku doubted anyone had ever spoken to her like that in her life.

"Here," he said, swooping in before things turned nasty. He dug into his pockets and slapped a folded bill down on the counter. "I'll pay."

The blonde's eyes snapped on to Riku, filling first with anger, and then with indifference. He shrugged. "Whatever. You wanna be a hero and shit, that's your problem."

He turned on his heel, heading out of the café. Riku cast the waitress a sympathetic look. "Assholes suck."

The girl smiled. "Yeah. Can I help you?"


Sora's birthday was lame. That was really the only word for it. Nobody seemed to be in the mood for partying. Both Yuffie and Axel seemed really distracted, and of course Tifa was her normal 'I am the queen, kneel down and lick my expensive shoes' self. In compensation, Kairi acted obnoxiously happy, quickly getting on everyone's nerves. The only thing Sora really enjoyed about the couple hours was Riku. He was as charming and entertaining as ever, though he seemed exhausted yet again.

"Sorry about this," Sora muttered, shrugging toward the floor where Tidus, Axel, and Yuffie were engaged in an epic Halo battle on Kairi's PS2. Tifa was sitting on the couch, taking up the whole damn thing and staring moodily into space.

Riku laughed softly. "Believe me, I've been to worse parties. A lot of them involved getting seriously fucked up and finding myself on some random person's bedroom floor, but…"

"Sounds…fun," Sora answered, almost bitter. That was just another reminded that Riku was both older and more hardcore than he was. Why the hell was Riku interested in him?

And yeah…was he even interested in him?

Yeah right, Sora, he thought, pouting. Like he was gonna jump you in front of everyone.

After their encounter in the cave a couple days ago, Sora had been expecting Riku to give some indication of what had passed between them. But no, he hadn't even mentioned it. Was he playing hard to get or had he just forgotten about the whole incident.

"Here," the boy muttered, pulling a wrapped box out of his pocket and sliding it across the table, narrowly missing a bowl of cheetos. "Got you a present."

A wide grin split Sora's face. "Yay! Presents!"

Riku laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Just open it."

Sora didn't need telling twice. He ripped the gold paper off, opening the small white box. "Cool!" he exclaimed, holding up the thick silver chain. He squinted at the pendant. It was a crown with three points. It hung to his mid-chest when he put it on, and he smiled even more. "This is awesome."

"I'm glad you like it," Riku said. "I saw downtown today. It just made me think of you, I've got no idea why…"

"Maybe I'm just princely," Sora said coyly.

Riku laughed. "Don't flatter yourself."

Around midnight, everyone pretty much said to hell with it and trooped out. Riku left first, saying he really needed to catch up on his sleep. In the foyer, just before he left, he drew up close to Sora, fingering the silver pendant. For a moment, it seemed like he was going to lean in for a kiss, but he pulled away, slipping outside quietly.

Sora was left feeling extremely hot and shaky.

After everyone else had left, Kairi apologized profusely for throwing such a lame party, full of 'dumbasses' and 'losers'.

"It's okay, I had a good time," Sora told her truthfully.

Kairi shrugged. "I'm gonna go to bed, I think." She traipsed up the stairs to her room, leaving Sora to lock the front door and retire to his own room at the end of the back hall.

For some reason, this party had left him entirely exhausted. Honestly, he was usually in better shape after running a couple of miles. Turning down the hallway toward the guest room, he paused.

He'd thought he'd heard footsteps.

"Kairi?" he called, glancing over his shoulder. There was no answer.

Probably my over-active imagination, he thought wryly.

Well, at least he thought it until he was grabbed from behind and slammed against the wall.

"Argh!" he yelled, struggling, cheek stinging from the impact.

"Shhh." The voice was low and soothing, and Sora felt a little tingle run up his spine. "Calm down. It's only me."

"Riku?" That spicy cologne had reached his nose and he could feel soft, nimble fingers kneading the muscles of his back.

"I've got another present for you, Sora."

The hands turned him around slowly, until he was face to face with the silver-haired subject of his constant desire. A few shining strands had slipped from behind his ears, drifting in the slight draft the air-conditioner sent through the hallway. His eyes were half-lidded and glowed with that impossible luminescence that seemed to come from the boy's very core. Once again, it made Sora think of a demon.

He wasn't sure whether the thought was terrifying or arousing. Perhaps it was both.

Sora swallowed thickly, willing his heartbeat to slow back down to a reasonable pace. "Another present?" he stuttered, his hand drifting up toward his neck to pull at the pendant.

"Yep." He leaned in, pressing warm kisses to Sora's jaw. His mouth opened and his tongue darted out, licking down to the little pressure point under his ear. He sucked lightly, making the younger boy squeak. Riku pulled back slightly and gave him a swift kiss to the mouth. His hands came up, sliding slowly along Sora's sides and resting at his hips. Drifting down to his knees, he looked up through thick lashes, the intent in his eyes making Sora shake in anticipation.

"After you rejected me and all…" Riku was saying, fingers crawling up Sora's legs and resting on the button above his fly, "I was planning on making you beg for it. But it is your birthday." He pressed his knuckles to the lump forming in the crotch of Sora's jeans, making the brunette jerk into his hand. "So just sit back and enjoy the ride."

Oh god oh god oh god. Sora couldn't help the mantra from running through his head as Riku unbuttoned his pants, chuckling softly as he realized the kid was going commando. Well of course, in pants that tight. Hot breath ghosted over the head of his already half-formed erection, making him shiver and grind his hips back against the wall.

Oh shit, is he really gonna do it?

This question was answered a moment later when his cock was engulfed in a rush of warm heat. Sora gasped, feeling it all the way into the pit of his belly. His fists smacked against the wall and he jerked his hips before he could stop himself.

"Shhh," Riku muttered, pressing a little kiss to the tip. "Just hold still and I'll make you cum like you didn't even know you could."

He spoke this in a throaty whisper that forced Sora to stifle a little moan. Who'd have known he'd like dirty talk so much? But he took Riku's advice and tried to relax his tense body, entwining his fingers in his soft silver hair. An agile tongue wrapped around the head of his dick and his eyes slid shut as Riku began to suck lightly.

Damn, the guy was good at it. Or at least, Sora thought he was. It wasn't like he had anything to base it off of. Though he'd fooled around a little with a whole slew of boys since he'd come out over a year ago, none of them had ever been considerate enough to offer him a little head.

But, shit, it was good. So good he was beginning to feel dizzy. He could hear the blood pounding in his ears, feel the way his nerves seemed to be on fire. Riku began to suck a little harder, sending jolts of intense sensation through his abdomen.

"Rikuuu," he moaned, feeling the heat creeping further down his shaft. The silver-haired boy responded by humming a low note in his throat, sending a ripple of shivers through the cock in his mouth.

"Fuuuck." Sora's fingers tightened in his hair. He could feel the pressure building in his stomach, making his whole body shake with tension. One of Riku's hands came up to fondle his balls, and he came hard, releasing into the hot mouth and feeling his body go limp with the force of orgasm. Riku got to his feet, holding the shaking, flushed boy up. He smiled softly, smoothing Sora's hair away from his sweaty brow.

"Happy birthday," he muttered, giving his softening cock a gentle squeeze and Then he was gone, leaving Sora to sink to the floor in a haze.

Yeah, yeah, a little odd, but definitely sexy. Leave me a review and tell me if you approve!