There were a few technical problems, such as Sora's microphone shorting out at odd moments, and one of the cables connecting Roxas' electric piano to the soundboard wasn't working. But those were worries for Wakka, the head roadie for The Others. The committee's job wasn't to make sure the show was a hit, it was to make sure Ansem's sons were safe. Despite all that the rehearsal went well. They met the other members of the band, Demyx and Titus. Demyx played the guitar and Titus the drums.
The rehearsal lasted a few hours, in which Seifer came over to Leon to introduce Yuna, his girlfriend and the lead singer in the band that would be opening for The Others at the festival. Cid quickly noticed and started yelling at Leon through the headset they each wore.
It was three in the afternoon by the time they left. Sora announced he wanted a hamburger, "With lots of pickles," he added, rubbing his hands together and licking his lips.
"You are so nasty," said Roxas.
"Oh c'mon, Roxas. You know you loooove them," he said, wiggling his fingers in Roxas' face.
Roxas knocked his brother's hand away. "Ya know," said Cid. "There's a burger place a few blocks from here." Sora cheered and hopped up and down. Roxas sighed. "You okay with that, Roxas?"
"Yeah," the blonde replied with another sigh. "It's fine."
The restaurant was an old fashioned burger joint called Timeless River. It had everything you could imagine, from a jukebox in the corner to waitresses on roller skates. They each ordered a burger- Sora's with extra pickles- except Roxas, who only ordered fries. To which he picked at and only ate a few. "Somethin' wrong, kid?" asked Cid.
Roxas shook his head. "Just not all that hungry." Cid eyed him suspiciously then shrugged, taking a bite of his burger. Sora took a big bite of his own burger and a pickle fell out of the side. Roxas gagged and had to turn away.
"So," said Riku, "why don't you like pickles?"
Sora laughed. "Do you wanna tell them, or should I?" Roxas glared but Sora continued. "They used to be his favorite up until he was fourteen."
"Sora," Roxas said warningly.
Sora ignored him. "One day I dared him to eat a whole jar and drink the juice. He ended up throwing it all up. What a waste." He shook his head in mock disappointment. Riku snickered but stopped when Axel shot him a dirty look from across the table.
Roxas didn't notice this exchange as he was looking at the three kids sitting next to the jukebox. They had been playing the same song over and over again this entire time and it was growing more and more annoying every minute. The song was about to end and one of the boys was now fishing in his pocket for another quarter. Roxas jumped up and walked over to the jukebox. He pulled a quarter out and put it in the machine, hitting the first song on the list. 'Anything but that stupid song.' he thought to himself. Once the song started playing he went back to his table. He sat down and was aware of his group staring at him. Perhaps he looked a bit crazy when he jumped up unexpectedly, only to rush over and play a song from the 50's on an old machine. He ignored them and popped a fry in his mouth. He heard a cough from his left and looked up. It was one of the three boys. Maybe he had come over to tell him off? "What?" asked Roxas uncomfortably.
"Um," said the boy nervously. He was wearing a red hat and holding a napkin in his hand. "Are you Roxas Lee from The Others?" When Roxas nodded the boy's face lit up. "Could I have your autograph?" He held out the napkin and a marker. Roxas took them. "Make it out to the three ducks, kay?" Roxas quickly wrought in the napkin and handed it back. "Thanks!" said the boy, looking at the napkin in awe. "I love your music so much," he said, now looking at Roxas in earnest.
"Uh, thanks." said Roxas. The boy walked away to go show his friends the napkin. They all cheered.
"Why didn't they ask for my autograph?" pouted Sora.
"They probably just didn't see you," said Roxas consolingly, patting his twin on the back. Sora nodded but continued to pout. He pushed his hamburger away and sat dejectedly in his seat. "Hey, Sora," said Roxas in an excited voice, poking him in the side. "You wanna go look around the city?" Sora gave a slight smile and nodded. Roxas turned to Cid. "Can we?"
Cid thought about it. It was obvious Roxas was trying to cheer his brother up. Though why Sora was moping over not being asked for an autograph, Cid didn't understand. From what he'd heard, Sora was the more popular of the two. So what if for once his brother got a little more attention than himself? "You won't be able to go alone," he said.
"Oh yay!" Shouted Sora, jumping up out of his chair. Roxas laughed. For the first time that day he wasn't frowning, glaring or looking bored out of his mind. And Axel took notice.
The team had taken the two boys around the main parts of the city, pointing out their own favorite spots, and hidden walkways that the average tourist wouldn't notice. They had just finished looking over the bailey and were heading back to the market place when Roxas spotted two paths leading away from the bailey. "Where do those lead?"
The group turned around. "That leads to the city's computer lab," said Leon, pointing to the right. "And that," he pointed to the left. "Leads to what we call the great maw."
"Well can we go check 'em out?" Asked Roxas.
"No can do, kid." said Cid. "The computer lab is off limits to civilians, an' the great maw is a hell of a hike. And the sun's settin' already, it'd be insane t' try and clime that big mountain in the dark. Hell," he added with a disapproving look at Leon. "Even in the light of day it's an accident waitin' to happen."
Leon chuckled. "Well some of us don't mind a challenge." He slapped Cid on the shoulder. "C'mon," he said to the twins. "We've gotta get you back to the hotel now."
"Aww!" Whined Sora. "No fair."
"Okay," said Cid. "Tonight, Cloud and Axel are going to be sleeping in the room right through that door." He pointed to the door across the room. "If you need anything, just yell, they'll be in here in two seconds."
The twins nodded, Sora more enthusiastically than Roxas. Both the boys went into the bathroom to get ready for bed.
Axel was getting something out of his duffel bag when Riku came up to him "So," he said in a hushed voice. "That's Roxas? A lot more moody than I'd expected."
Axel scoffed. "He wasn't like that when I met him."
"Riiight," said Riku teasingly. "You know, it's okay if you're into the whole emo thing. It's none of my busi-" he was cut off by a punch to the arm by Axel. "Ow," he said, laughing and rubbing the spot on his arm. "Dick." Axel just smirked and shook his head.
Cloud was in the other room sitting on one of the beds and setting the alarm on his phone when Leon came in. "Hey," he said, crossing his arms nervously.
"Hey," Cloud said, standing up and putting his phone in his pocket.
"I know now isn't the best time," said Leon, unfolding and refolding his arms. "So when this mission is over we should talk. I have a lot to tell you."
Cloud nodded, knowing Leon was right about now not being the time for discussing this, but wishing he'd say more. He thought he might get his wish, as it looked like Leon was about to say something, but the brunet shook his head and made to leave. "Leon," Cloud called, stepping forward to grab the other man's arm. Leon stopped but stayed facing the closed door. "Whatever it is," he said solemnly. "I may not like it, but I'll never hate you."
Leon turned with a sad smile. "You say that now..." He placed a hand on the side of Cloud's face. "Just remember, even if you do end up hating me, I will never stop loving you." and against his better judgment, Leon leaned forward and kissed Cloud softly on the lips. When they pulled apart he rested their foreheads together. "I'm sorry I didn't come home last night."
Cloud gave a soft, sad laugh, "It's okay." He wished Leon could stay. He didn't care if they talked or not, just so as they could lie together and sleep. But he knew he couldn't. They had a job to do. Or more importantly, he had a job to do with Axel. He laughed at that.
"What's so funny?" asked Leon.
"I'm going to be stuck in a room with a pyro the whole night." Leon laughed as well, which in turn had Cloud laughing more. They fed off each others mirth til they were holding one another up as their knees began to get weaker by the second. It seemed terribly ironic that someone who was so petrified by fire should be teamed up with someone who got so much joy from the mere mention of the word.
They finally stopped once the redhead in question came through the door. "Am I interrupting?" he asked uncertainly.
Leon shook his head. "No, it's all right." he said to Axel. "I should be going anyway." He turned to Cloud and smiled, "I'll see you tomorrow." He gave him a quick kiss then left. As he walked down the hall leading to the elevator it dawned on him that that moment he had just shared with Cloud could very well be the last. As he stepped into the lift he promised himself that no matter what, he would tell Cloud everything. He deserved to know the truth. Even if it meant losing him forever.
Guys... I love pickles. Not gonna lie. Roxas don't know what he's missin'. Well actually he does... And he really doesn't miss them at all XD
FFFUUU SORA! Why 're you such a drama llama? Feelin' sorry for yourself... I slap you. * Slap* Lol actually Riku's gonna end up being more of a drama llama than Sora XD Just a heads up.
The song the three kids were playing was "Who Put The Bomp" by Barry Mann. And in my head those three boys are Huey, Dewey and Louie Duck =]
And the song that Roxas played was "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins.
And as for Roxas and Sora's last name being Lee, I chose it because Christopher Lee was the voice actor for Ansem The Wise, their father.
