I definitely considered 7/8 as the anniversary but…I like Squall over Cloud more so I would feel more silly making it 7/8 than 8/7!
Thank you for your reviews as always! I appreciate them!
It was an odd trip down memory lane for Cloud since Leon gave the idea. When Leon took Cloud to the library on their first trip, Cloud at first was confused to why but Leon reminded him they had a date here once. Though Cloud didn't exactly remember the date itself, he just remembered he spent lots of time there with Leon when they studied together. So they spent almost the entire day in silence when they sat down to read. It didn't seem that important of a date but Cloud reminded himself that Leon is probably just taking this slow.
Then of course, the restaurant…Leon took Cloud to a restaurant a couple of days later. Cloud doesn't even remember it but Leon said that's only because they only went there once in which Cloud responded with a why. Leon hesitantly replied it was because they were technically 'banned' from it when Leon started a fight with someone that was hitting on Cloud. That was a more interesting night than the library though, Cloud will admit. Especially when Cloud vaguely remembered seeing…cops.
When Cloud openly stated about his reminder, it caused Leon to tense up and grow nervous. It made their dinner kind of awkward until it started raining.
"Wow, like last time…" Leon murmured to himself but Cloud caught it.
"Well what happened last time besides getting kicked out and banned?" Cloud questioned and Leon mentally slapped himself for letting it slip.
"……You got taken home by the cops."
"What?!"
"You didn't do anything wrong!" Leon quickly added while Cloud's memory suddenly had a flashback. Yes, he definitely remembered being taken home by the cops but he still couldn't remember why they were there in the first place! He remembered being angry…and had the urge to break up with Leon.
"Then what happened?!"
"I did something wrong, the cops came…I got arrested and you got taken home. Then my father bailed me out, and I got about 20 angry text messages from you," Leon summarized without giving much away.
"You still didn't tell me exactly what happened. Can you really get arrested for beating up someone else? Oh my…Did you kill him?!"
"N-No…I just…really hurt this person…" still dodging the answer, Cloud sent the brunette a glare and Leon gave in, "I punched out a girl. But she wouldn't keep her hands off you!"
That was it. Now Cloud remembered that night almost clearly now. It was one thing beating up another male but this was a really petite girl. Leon's punches might've bruised another guy but he could've really hurt the girl…and somehow Cloud believed he did or Leon never would've gotten arrested. Though now Cloud remembered why he was angry at least: it was the worst date of his life.
"Why did you bring me here again?"
"I was honestly hoping you weren't going to remember any of the bad parts but…I basically hoped to make up for that bad date…"
It wasn't a bad night…and Cloud admitted to himself that Leon did make up for it. It was pretty nice after they got past the awkward part of eating together again in a restaurant. Cloud could also clearly see Leon was nervous…still. The blonde would never say it out loud, but it was almost cute to see someone as manly as Leon look nervous because of this. So Cloud was kind enough to let Leon walk him home and walk under the same umbrella. Cloud almost admitted out loud that he did enjoy the night…until they both caught Zack following and spying on them. Zack got his punishment when he caught a bad cold by the next morning, forcing Aerith to tend to him 24/7. When Cloud finally got home on that particular night, another memory flashed in his mind.
He remembered venting to Leon the rest of the night about having the worst date of his life through text. Then of course, the threatening to break up with him part. Leon was getting too possessive and overprotective not to mention has a huge jealousy problem. That bad date finally made Cloud snap. But when morning came along after that bad date, he remembered feeling a little regret and guilty. After all, he was at fault too for not bringing this up to talk about.
Cloud was a foster child…it wasn't fun but he was and dating Leon was the best thing that happened to him because Laguna took him in. That was how he started living with his boyfriend.
Now Cloud remembered that morning after the bad date quite well. He woke up, got ready for the day, and hoped that he can have a talk with Leon about last night's events; he assumed Laguna got him out by now. He opened his room's door only to find Leon asleep against the wall right in front of him in last night's clothes. Before him was a bouquet of roses lying on in front of the door with a large card with only two words on it: I'm sorry
Upon that memory, Cloud knew the real reason why Leon took him to that restaurant: the events afterwards brought them closer.
"We're home!" Sora and Roxas announced in unison and waited for a reply from Cloud.
"Kitchen," he gave a short response and the two dashed to the kitchen. Cloud looked up from his cooking to see his sons and Riku.
"Can I go with Riku to the bookstore and the arcade today? I promise I'll be back before it gets too late!" Roxas asked before Sora added,
"Can I go too?!"
"Yes, you can go, Roxas. No, you can't go, Sora. You're still grounded."
Riku lightly chuckled before Sora groaned, hoping Cloud forgot. Sora then took out some munny to give to Riku, losing the bet on whether or not Cloud remembered.
"But you let me go out with Axel and Demyx!" Sora reminded and Cloud turned the oven off before he turned his body to face the teens with folded arms.
"That's because I was going to be out too and I had no one to take care of you at home since I couldn't ask Zack or Aerith for obvious reasons and…your friend obviously needed you. But you're going out for fun in which: you can't."
"Sorry Sora," Riku shrugged, "But we'll keep you updated if we see any new manga."
"Fine…" Sora dragged himself to the front door to watch Riku and Roxas leave after they both handed their school belongings to them.
"Want to get Sea Salt Ice cream before coming back?" Roxas asked and Sora could hear the taunting in his voice.
"Of course-want to go get a burger now?" Riku suggested and Sora rolled his eyes, knowing the two are just making fun of his predicament at this point by suggesting things they usually do if Sora went with them.
"Of course!" Roxas replied and the two hooked arms before practically skipping off.
"Oh come on you guys!" Sora exclaimed after them, "Not funny!"
The two released each other before going in a wave of laughter. Sora rolled his eyes once more before shutting the door.
"Sora!" Cloud called and Sora made his way back to the kitchen.
"Yes?"
Cloud looked like he was going to regret what he's about to say and he sighed to himself while he continued cooking-what Sora thought was curry and pasta.
"Leon bought you something a while ago. I told him I'll give it you when you're ungrounded. However, it's taking up space in my room so I left the thing in your room."
"Really? Um, thanks Dad!" Sora ran up to his room and there it was, a shopping bag on his bed. He looked inside to find a Moogle plush.
"Ah! No way! A Crystal Bearers mail Moogle!" Sora nearly squealed as he jumped up and down.
Cloud heard the door being knocked on a bit after Sora went upstairs and thus went to open it. Like expected, it was Leon standing there.
"……Sora's grounded so I have to stay home with him and Zack can't watch him because he got sick from when he followed us the other night."
"When we went to the restaurant?"
"Yeah that night…But you can have dinner with us…" Cloud murmured the offered.
"…I'd like that."
So when dinner time rolled around, Sora jumped on Leon and thanked him for the new Moogle plush. The calm dinner they were having was nice, it didn't feel as awkward for Cloud. Though it was probably because Sora did a lot of the talking with Leon and Cloud didn't say much. However the nice feeling didn't last very long when Roxas came back home with Riku, laughing together; they both stopped and Roxas grew furious upon seeing Leon eating dinner with his family.
After a brief fight, Roxas stormed up to his room with Riku and Sora following with concern.
"……I'm sorry," Leon apologized after Cloud fell back in his seat again with a groan.
"Don't be…I'm the one that's sorry. I apologize for Roxas…"
"Maybe I should leave before Roxas calls up Zack or something…I missed your cooking though...thank you for dinner."
Leon stood up to help himself to the door and Cloud hesitantly replied,
"You're welcome…"
It was clear that Roxas wasn't as accepting of Leon any more than Zack was. When Cloud tried talking to him, the two had their first fight in a long time.
"Roxy?" Sora knocked on the door later that night in hopes that Roxas has cooled off by now.
"Not now, Sora," was Roxas's reply.
"You sure you don't want to talk?"
"Positive…"
Normally Sora would keep pestering Roxas to let him in but…Roxas didn't sound as mad as before. So maybe it is better that he gets left alone.
"Well…okay then, Roxas. But we're still going to talk about this later!"
After hearing footsteps grow faint, Roxas turned his attention back to his guest on the tree branch outside his window.
"Shouldn't you be at home anyway, Riku?" Roxas asked and Riku just shrugged as he ate the pizza he brought over to cheer Roxas up. He felt guilty enough not sharing a box of pizza with Sora but he thought himself and Roxas could probably finish it and Roxas needed it more at the moment.
"Don't your parents worry at all?" Roxas asked, noticing how Riku's taking it calmly even though it's practically 8 right now.
"My father's staying at work late today…so it's actually a good idea that I'm not at home or the house might burn down," said Riku and reached into the room to the desk for another slice.
"That doesn't make any sense…"
"Me and…well, 'Mom,' don't exactly function well together without Dad."
"You're on bad terms together?" Roxas asked with concern but Riku just waved his hand, indicating a 'no.'
"I love my family, and my parents will spoil me rotten only if they're both together(and one's not sick...). Otherwise, I have this…weird feeling…like I should be out seeking revenge or something…"
"That's not really a good feeling, Riku," said Roxas with a raised brow but Riku just waved it off.
"I'm fine; I talked to my father about it. So I'm not too worried. Besides, I'm more worried about you. Is it true? Is that man really your other father?"
"No," Roxas immediately stated, "I don't care whether or not he is biologically. I will never see him as a father or call him that!"
"I see…well we sort of have something in common haha…well half in common. Anyway, Roxas: even if you don't see him as father, is he though?"
"I don't know…I never got around to asking Dad about it…" Roxas folded his arms and looked away.
"Because you don't want to hear the truth?"
Roxas stiffened and Riku knew he nailed it.
"Aw, come on Roxas. I'm supposed to be cheering you up. Don't get down because of what I asked. Let's hit the arcade again tomorrow," Riku suggested and Roxas looked up at him again,
"Alright fine…but if you pay for our treat-before-dinner, I will be very cheered up!"
"Ugh…fine…" Riku rolled his eyes at Roxas's smirk that appeared after asking for a free treat.
"Thanks for the pizza too…I would've gone to bed on an empty stomach if you didn't decide to drop by," Roxas sincerely thanked and Riku just shrugged.
"It's no big deal."
The following morning was awkward but Roxas apologized for fighting with Cloud and carefully asked to go out with Riku again but they planned to go out straight after school without stopping by. After a pause of thought, Cloud let him and thus Roxas swiftly left for school. Sora on the other hand, just felt annoyed that his best friend is now spending time with his brother…how many months has it been since he got grounded? Oh wait…barely even one…
Sora left a bit after Roxas with some contained soup from Cloud to deliver to Zack. Sora was also told to go to Zack and Aerith's house after school because Cloud won't be home…
So Sora found the day pretty bright knowing that meant Cloud is going to be spending that time with Leon. Boy is that news going to make Zack mad…but the man was too sick to do anything anyway!!
"Hey! Sora!"
Sora was snapped out of his thoughts while walking to school to see Axel waving at him…from a tree.
"What are you doing?" Sora asked as he approached the tree(and now passing people will think he's crazy for even talking to a tree).
"See uh, okay, I assumed Roxas didn't tell you I'm trying to quit smoking right?" Axel asked, looking down at Sora without falling off.
"No…" Sora raised a brow at that though he wasn't sure if he should get jealous right now or be angry that Roxas never told him, "But what does that have to do with you being up there?"
"Well I am and I'm getting to that part. So it's harder than I thought, I've tried chewing gum, chewing sunflower seeds, and just plain out eating more than I usually do. Roxas said that was stupid…so suggested I should keep chewing but do another activity with my hands so I'm distracted. Thus, Demyx gave me a yo-yo…"
"What did you do? Throw it and it got stuck in a tree?" Sora asked but didn't see a yo-yo anywhere.
"Not exactly…I sort of, okay, I accidentally knocked a bird's nest from the tree! Can you see it down there?"
And the chain reaction started: Sora found the brown bundle and he was next ordered to climb the tree to put the nest down because apparently, the nest had an egg in which Axel did save when he knocked the nest down the first time. However, climbing back up there and trying to put a nest back with one hand, due to the other holing the egg, wasn't an easy task and the nest fell again and Axel didn't think he could make a repeat trip. Luckily Sora came along and now Sora found himself taping the nest to the tree to prevent it from falling again(tape courtesy of Axel conveniently having in his pocket). When he was done, Axel carefully put the egg back in it.
"Where is the mom?" Sora asked after the deed was done and he's now staring at the sky blue, almost white, egg.
"I don't know…maybe a cat ate her."
"Axel!" Sora exclaimed and hand his hands over the egg, "Don't scare the baby before it's even born!"
Axel only started laughing before playing with Sora's hair.
"You're right…I'm sorry. To you and the unborn egg. Now come on," Axel swiftly started to climb down the tree, causing Sora to groan as he slowly lowered himself to the bottom branch. Of course, Axel was already down and told Sora to hurry up but the boy didn't. Last time he tried to hurry up and climb down, he ended up with a broken leg-and Riku ended up grounded for messy with Sora in the first place.
"Sora, come on!" Axel called, "Come on, jump and I'll catch you!"
"No way! I'm not jumping!" Sora exclaimed but didn't dare look down to check if Axel had his arms out or not.
"Trust me! I got you!"
If it was anyone but Axel…he probably would do the smart thing and not jump. But, since we all know he's hopelessly in love…it can't hurt that bad, right?
"I'm so going to die…" Sora whispered and merely releases his grip from the tree branches and lets himself fall. Sora almost felt guilty for actually expecting pain but he was met with strong grip that caught him, just like Axel promise.
"Dang, you're heavy…"
With a light gasp, Sora punched Axel on the shoulder after Axel quickly set him down.
"I'm not that heavy! You're just scrawny!"
"Shouldn't you be saying: Thank you, Axel?" Axel pointed out a smirk and Sora merely pouted before reaching for the school bad he put down earlier to climb the tree and then murmured a thanks. Axel started walking Sora to school and Sora was sure he was probably late…During the walk, Sora realized he hasn't spoken with Axel by himself since the night he snuck out. Though he hopes this time there won't be a problem when Axel leaves.
"So tell me, Sora: How did you cheer Demyx up? You're so good with people!"
"H-Huh? Well I don't know," Sora shrugged, half-lying.
"Come on, there's got to be something!" Axel pushed, "I mean just yesturday, Demyx actually went up to Zexion and apologized, though I don't know why, and said he hoped they can still be great friends. He did all that with a smile! And I'm just happy Zexion agreed! Then Demyx came up to me to ask who I thought he would be good with…"
"What did you say?" Sora asked with curiosity.
"Like hell I would know!"
"Oh…um…what about Roxas? As his best friend, would you know his type?" Sora asked, though he felt stupid for even letting that escape his mouth.
"Roxas? Um…I don't know…probably your pal, Riku."
What an expected-whoa! Rewind that!
Sora's eyes widened and he looked up to stare at the crazy-red head walking next to him.
"What?! Why would my brother, who is your best friend, date my best friend?!"
Axel only responded a shrug, as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Well this is based on the few times I've actually talked with that silverette but…why not? I mean, they're both mature and intelligent-"
"Hey!" Sora cut in, "I'm smart!"
Axel only let out a small wave of laughter before playing with Sora's hair and continuing.
"I'm talking about school-wise. Roxas would always talk to me about how he and Riku usually hit the arcade and the bookstore after school together, unless you're with them, and later go to Riku's house to study together. I just thought after spending so much time together without being 'best friends,' something would happen."
And that's when Sora realized a very important fact…
"Wait so…you're not interested in Roxy? As in that way I mean?"
"Me? Sora! I'm way too old for him! You know that!"
"You're not THAT old, Axel…"
"I know, I know, but…okay, listen…" Axel placed a hand on Sora's shoulder, putting them both to a stop, "I admit, I had a crush on him. But I was a hormonal-driven teenager…well I kind of still am-but anyway: I just…don't think it will work. Roxas is 15 and-"
"You don't want to be called a pedo, go to jail, and you don't want Dad to kill you?"
"Yeah that's pretty much it…especially after that incident the first, and last, time I was at your house."
Well that was easier to figure out than Sora thought.
"But you didn't want to…wait?"
"Waiting? Sora, I'm not the kind to wait! Got it memorized? You should know that! And besides, I'm not really gonna tie myself down to a relationship! Maybe one day…but not now."
"Oh…" Sora's hope just fell by at least half as he remembered Demyx's words from the night he snuck out, "Okay then…but can I ask you a question regarding a relationship anyway?"
"Uh…I guess so?" Axel shrugged as Sora stared holes into him.
So Sora explained Cloud and Leon's situation to him, doing his best to simplify it and not use names.
"So do you think…after all that time, should he forgive him?" Sora finished and Axel scratched the back of his head in thought.
"I believe…strong emotions like love can last a very long time; whether it's for friendship or a committed relationship. So I guess…Guy A shouldn't really forgive Guy B, at least not right away. Because no matter how sorry or guilty he feels, he still needs to make up for his mistakes! But eventually, if he truly does love that person, I think forgiveness is possible and is deserved. Just hopefully Guy A doesn't take too long to forgive."
"How long do you think it would take until the forgiveness is handed out?"
"Oh I don't know…a year maybe. Hopefully not more than that."
"A whole year?!" Sora exclaimed though he quickly covered his mouth from the sudden outburst,
"Well it's just my opinion. Why do you ask, Sora? Oh, is this for one of your fanfics again?"
"Uh…" not able to think of anything else, Sora just went with the flow, "Yeah…"
"Hmm…interesting plot. What pairing and what fandom?"
Sora mentally cursed himself as he had writer's block and felt stupid for not seeing that question coming since Axel always gets a little nosy with his fan fiction even if he doesn't read them!
"Gah! I gotta think up two characters that act similar to my parents?!" Sora exclaimed, trying to give a convincing answer.
"Uh…I don't think you…um…play the game…" Sora said instead
"Is that so…?"
Sora slowly nodded and Axel shrugged before turning to start walking again.
"Okay then!"
The boy released a sigh of relief before following Axel and the two had a more casual conversation…this was totally worth being late for school.
Notes:
-I am probably completely off on how foster-care works so forgive me if what I did is not possible. I made him a foster child because I needed Cloud to be parent-less.
-You thought I forgot about that present way back didn't you?
Next chap: Leon takes Cloud to one of their most favorite places and Cloud gets some visitors.
