Sora had a problem.

A big problem.

One which he found himself mulling over a lot as of late, staring off into space whenever he didn't have the company of Roxas or Riku, the latter of which was causing the whole problem in the first place.

Sora... had a crush on Riku. A rather deep one at that. And lately it had become quite a problem. They were close. Had been living together for years. Riku was his best friend, the person who had been with him through the Roxas problems. The person who encouraged him to meet a therapist, got him on his feet, and helped him find a job after school ended. His support was what got him through the last couple of years.

And Sora was hopelessly falling for him. He probably had been for a while.

Riku had always been there, right behind him, a weight to support him whenever he needed it.

Ever since they'd first met.

"Sora! Sora! Sora!"

His name being chanted like a mantra only made the smile on his face grow larger. Playing football was automatic to him, and he was good at it. Everybody knew it. He was a complete natural.

That particular game his twin had attended. Their mom had been nice enough to let him come since it was their birthday. Twelfth to be exact. Not an important game, not by a long shot, but it was nice. Even at a young age it was nice to have his brother there.

Roxas didn't look happy, though. It was that fact which made Sora's smile falter, a little bit. The blonde kept rubbing his arm instinctively, and Sora knew if he removed the hoodie, a large purple, angry bruise on his bicep would be revealed.

He tried to focus. Tried. His head was swimming, and all he could think was how he wished someone would see. See the bruises that were always covered. Tell a teacher. Tell someone. He didn't want to lose Mom. But it pained him to see what was going on.

Nobody ever saw. Nobody ever cared enough to look.

"Sora, what the hell?"

He was being pulled aside. By the coach, maybe. His mind couldn't focus. He couldn't feel the ground underneath him.

He couldn't breathe. Why couldn't he breathe? The air felt like it was thinning by the second.

"What's up with you?"

"Are you okay?"

"I think he's had enough. Send him out the back. Get someone to fill in for him."

He was being ushered somewhere, then silence. The silence was nice. Fresh, cool air on his face. The multitude of people talking from all angles was gone.

"Hey."

Maybe it wasn't so silent. It was easy to clear his head without the commotion, and when he focused, he realised he was in the locker rooms. A silver haired boy sat on the bench in front of him, hair cascading down his shoulders in spikes. His green eyes seemed calm, trusting.

Friendly.

"Are you alright?"

Sora nodded at the question. The male patted the seat next to him, holding out a water bottle from beside him. The brunette obliged, taking the bottle from his hands and taking a large swig from it.

"My name's Riku. I just transferred here."

Sora half-heartedly smiled. "I'm Sora."

"I know," Riku chuckled. "They seem to love you out there. I can't stop hearing your name."

Sora chuckled. "They do, don't they?"

"I've never been good at football. Too fumbly for me." Riku shrugged. "Never really been a sporty person."

He'd decided at that very moment he liked the silver haired boy. He was mature for his age, but grounded. He'd never clicked with someone so well before. They'd started hanging out after class, and casual conversations soon became a deep friendship. Kids turned into teens and along the way, his feelings became painfully clear.

His biggest worry? Riku would turn him down. Or be repulsed, say he's not gay, and then things would be awkward. Sora wouldn't be able to stay. Neither would Roxas.

Sora fell back onto his bed with a sigh, closing his eyes. He was stuck. Totally and utterly stuck.

Only a few hours later Riku returned to the apartment in a tired daze. All he wanted was to collapse on his bed and sleep the frustration away, only to wake up in the morning and deal with it all over again. Work came with more stress than he could deal with, especially when the case they were working on turned cold. He hadn't gone through a year of law school, graciously paid for by his parents, and worked his way up to the position of a detective for this.

He'd been put on the stingy jobs. The cases nobody wanted to do. Paperwork after paperwork after paperwork. The trip away, before Christmas, was supposed to be his big break. A case that had been on for years was passed off to him, and he'd found something. Though it was a fad, a pointless waste of time. He was right back at the beginning with no leads.

Getting nowhere.

His briefcase ended up on the floor along with a bunch of his clothes. The stifling suit abandoned. Slipping on some casual clothes, he headed to the living room, the smell of food drawing him that way.

He supposed he could eat before he passed out for the night.

Sora wasn't present, and Roxas was lounging on the couch. Strange, but he didn't question it. It was nice to see Roxas up and about again, especially after their talk the other night. He'd changed, more than anyone realised. Sure, Riku didn't agree with his decisions, but he respected Roxas. Respected he could make his own choices now.

Said blonde gave a disinterested 'hi' as he flopped on the couch, remote in hand. Riku's eyes fluttered closed, head falling back onto one of the countless pillows provided by Sora, body starting to unwind, though he knew it wouldn't last for long.

"You alright?"

He reluctantly opened one eye to see Roxas giving him an odd look, one eyebrow raised. He put up one of his hands in a lazy dismissal. "I'm fine."

Roxas scoffed. "Yeah, you look it."

Before Riku could remark back a familiar voice called from another room, peppier than usual.

"Riku, is that you?"

"Yeah, Sora," he croaked out, the tiredness in his voice becoming apparent. Roxas gave him an 'I told you so' look. He flipped him off in return.

"Would you like a Screaming Orgasm?" Sora asked nonchalantly, innocently. Riku choked, disguising it as a cough, waking him up enough to sit up straight. Not a single coherent reply came to mind. Now he was awake.

"Or maybe Sex on the Beach, if that's more to your tastes?" The brunette called out when he didn't get a reply. Riku was still at a loss for words. "Or how about I give you Blue Balls?"

Unbeknownst to the stunned Riku, Roxas chuckled at that, masking his laughter with his sleeve. Holy shit that was gold.

He pretended to watch the television while their conversation resumed. He didn't know what Sora's angle was, but the gobsmacked expression on Riku's face was funnier than he'd like to admit. Luckily Riku hadn't noticed his shaking form, desperately trying not to make the laughter still emerging from his body known.

"Well? What do you want? I need some practice." Seconds later Sora appeared in the doorway, a cocktail mixer in hand, other hand on his hip.

"You… Were talking about drinks?" Riku finally stuttered out, his cheeks dusted with red. His gaze briefly flicked to Roxas, who was watching the spectacle with an amused expression. Sora rolled his eyes, the shaker still in his outstretched hand.

"Of course, Riku. What did you think I was talking about?"

He opened his mouth only to close it again, shaking his head. "I'm… going to go to sleep. Rough day and all."

Sora frowned, pouting slightly. "Alright."

Seconds after Riku shut his door behind him, Sora had appeared next to Roxas in the living room, placing his head in his now-free hands with a groan.

"Sora? What the hell was that?" Roxas asked quietly with a bemused glint in his eye. "That wasn't you. Where's my brother gone?"

"I-I don't know. I wanted to see his reaction, I guess." His voice was slightly muffled, mournful. Roxas sat up straight, eyebrows furrowing.

"His... reaction?"

"... Yeah."

"Why?"

"No," Sora shook his head, hands falling from his face. He looked torn. "Don't make me say it."

Realization settled on Roxas' features suddenly. He jumped from the couch, a rare, genuine grin spread across his face. "You like him!"

"Wh-What? No!" Sora rapidly shook his head. "Psh. Riku? As if."

Roxas smirked. "And that denial just made it more obvious."

Another groan. "You can't tell him."

"I'm surprised you even realised. It's been obvious for a long time."

Sora gasped, falling into a panic. "No! No, it's not. How?"

"Even if you were too oblivious doesn't mean the rest of us were. He… He makes you light up, you know?"

Sora's eyes softened, a small smile appearing on his face. "Really?"

"Well, yeah. It's like he puts you at ease, totally. You're all smiles and bright eyes around him." Roxas laid back on the couch, putting his arms behind his head. "Are you going to tell him?"

"I… don't know. I can't just say it… But I don't know where to go from here."

"I have a few ideas," Roxas winked playfully, "if you want to hear them."

The next few days took a surprising turn for Riku, arousing his suspicion as the days went on. If anything, it was a good distraction for Roxas, who still hadn't heard anything from a certain redhead. His thoughts were occupied with how to push the two lovebirds together.

While Riku was at work, Sora would pace and worry, unless he was working himself. Nothing seemed to get a reaction further than a blush from him. While Sora was too tense to say anything, his mind filled with doubts, it was up to Riku to step up first. Except he didn't. He just carried on as usual, frustrating the twins to no end. As the days went by, Sora began to loosen up, teasing his affections further. Yet still nothing. Even Roxas began to get frustrated. Riku clearly felt the same, so why wasn't he hinting to it at all?

At least Sora's antics were entertaining. Dancing around the subject was starting to become normal for him. His cheeks would redden whenever he noticed Riku's stare, yet a coy smile would always emerge. The happiness in his eyes… it was something Roxas always wanted for his brother.

"Riku?" Roxas spoke as he was sitting on the couch, idly scrolling through job sites on Sora's laptop. Unfortunately, they all needed the experience he didn't have. The other male, who was lying down, arm draped across his eyes, shifted slightly so he could see the blonde, eyebrow cocked in a questioning look. Sora had gone out to grab them some food for the week, leaving the two alone in a quiet, empty apartment - a perfect opportunity to ask Riku something he'd been mulling over for a while. Reno had closed the bar for a few weeks as a goodwill gesture, although Sora assured it was because he wanted a peaceful holiday with his new boyfriend on some fancy resort.

Either way, Sora wasn't complaining about the time off.

"How would you feel about throwing a party? For New Years?" Roxas moved his gaze from the laptop to Riku, who was now fully turned and looking at him like he'd just muttered a different language.

"...A party? You?"

Roxas huffed, returning his eyes back to mindless scrolling. "Sora's never been to one. He always worried too much about me to leave for long."

Riku's face softened, though quickly grew amused. "Wow, you do have a heart. Who knew." He deadpanned. "Sure, why not. Just don't go overboard. And I'm not helping."

"Some best friend to my brother you are."

"Your party, not mine."

Roxas rolled his eyes, closing the laptop as he moved to cross his legs. "Know anyone that would want to come? I was thinking of getting the gang back together." He faltered as soon as the words left his mouth. "Well, apart from Hayner."

"Who, the idiots I work with?" Riku laughed, moving to lie back on the sofa after chucking an object at Roxas. After fumbling to catch it he realized it was Riku's phone. "Kairi, Naminé, Olette, Pence… All their numbers are in there. Don't get your hopes up though, party boy."

He was determined to make it special, for Sora. And… maybe he had an underlying plan, too.

"Naminé? It's Roxas. Are you and Kairi busy New Years?"

"-your fault-"

"stop"

"you shouldn't have been born, you-"

Roxas awoke in a sweat, bolting upright, mind disoriented. Snippets of unsettled dreams faded as he awoke further, noticing it was in the dead of night. He laid back down with a heavy sigh, his gaze fixed to the ceiling.

Although a few messages sat on the display of his screen, none of them were the person he really wanted to talk to. He could ring him, possibly even invite him to New Years. He knew he wouldn't pick up, though. Or reply to his messages. Axel made that clear enough.

Maybe Axel really was done with him. If he was… busy, he would have sent a reply by now. At least bothered to get in contact, one way or another. It was so… strange.

His screen taunted him with a glowing two, his mind awake enough to let him know he wasn't going to sleep anytime soon. Sighing deeply, he sat up, letting his legs dangle beneath him over the edge of the bed, his skin barely touching the cold wooden floor. The temperature was harshly dropping outside, frost licking the edges of the window panes. He wouldn't be surprised if snow began to fall soon. He smiled at the thought, always loving the sight of snow and the flakes as they fell delicately. Sora's happiness was the part he looked forward to the most. He could always remember the wonder in his eyes from snow, no matter his age.

Standing upwards he stretched his arms above his head, his shirt skimming lightly above his hips. Maybe a walk would clear whatever was bothering him.

Donning a faded pair of jeans, he grabbed a hoodie from the floor, similar to the one that had probably been thrown away, fishing his lighter and a pack of cigarettes from the pocket before slipping it on, the hood skimming across his spikes. With his shoes in hand he left the bedroom, tiptoeing across the floor to the front door. Sora's snoring could be faintly heard, signaling that he was fast asleep. He didn't doubt Riku was too from how overworked he'd been recently.

Within seconds he was out the door without a sound, the art of sneaking out a second nature to him. Slipping on his shoes he double checked the spare key was under the doormat before heading down the deserted hallway. He was sure the two wouldn't appreciate being woken up so early in the morning just because he forgot his keys.

Emerging into the fresh air outside was a welcome relief. Streetlights dotted around illuminated his path slightly, light frost and ice already settled on the ground, his breath forming a cloud of vapor and rising up into the air. It felt eerily silent around him, though he ignored that fact as he turned to settle into a walk, raising a cigarette to his mouth and balancing it between his lips as he pulled out his lighter. After a few attempts, due to the chill of the air, he finally got the flame working, just managing to light it before it went out. Cursing, he took a drag before shaking it, freezing when his hand hit a solid object. Well, half solid.

Eyes wide, he turned, expecting to get a punch in return, until he saw who he hit. Demyx stood opposite him with a similar, stunned expression on his face. He raised a hand to rub his forehead, a slight red mark forming where Roxas probably hit. Seconds later a giggle rose from Roxas' throat, unable to stop himself at the dumbfounded expression.

"Hey!" Demyx pouted, though smiled slightly at the situation. "You hit me, and now you're laughing?"

Roxas shook his head roughly, using his cigarette-free hand to muffle laughter. "I'm so sorry."

"That sounds so sincere as you're still laughing." Demyx rolled his eyes. "So, what's got you out so late?"

"Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd take a walk." Roxas took a drag, shrugging. "Could say the same to you though. Don't you live on the other side of town?"

"You got something troubling you? And… I like to jog, I guess. This area has some nice scenery, and this time of night is always more peaceful. Less watching eyes."

"Maybe. Don't know. If I do, I'm not really sure what." Roxas took another drag, which Demyx looked at in distaste. "Makes sense. How are you, though? How's…" He trailed off, biting his lip. He almost automatically said Axel, the name just halting on his tongue before he spoke it.

Though it seemed Demyx knew who he was about to say. He almost didn't want an answer. Didn't want to hear that Axel was fine, being his usual flirtatious self, picking up anyone and everyone he could. People that were less effort, maybe. Didn't want to hear, didn't want confirmed that he couldn't be bothered with a guy that was a jumbled mess of emotions.

"... Axel?" Demyx finished for him, his face becoming somber. Roxas furrowed his eyebrows, getting a different reaction than he expected. Though Demyx seemed reluctant, so, maybe…

"He's... Well, I don't know." He shook his head, sighing. "We haven't talked since that night a few weeks ago, when he found you. He's barely home anymore."

"... What?" Roxas blanched, confusion evident on his face. And disappointment. If he was out, maybe he had moved onto someone new. Spending time with his latest catch. Or scouting out all the bars in town where he could spend the night with anyone willing.

"He hasn't talked to you since, has he? I guess I owe you something." Demyx seemed like he wanted to hold his tongue, but he carried on. "When he got in the car, holding you in his arms, he didn't speak a word, according to Riku. Everyone was stunned. Your brother and him quickly got you into the house and let you rest. Sora assured you would be okay, and we trusted him, ya know? Axel came out looking like a ghost, and again, no word. Kairi and Naminé left in silence.

"He shut himself in his room and has been avoiding me ever since. Refusing to speak to me. Still does." Demyx closed his eyes, another sigh slipping from his lips. "And no word to you either?"

"I thought he was ignoring me." Roxas confessed. "Because of that night. For all I know he may well be."

Demyx shook his head. "I can't speak for him. But if I know him at all... This isn't him. How he's acting. If it is, then… That's not the Axel I know."

The two stood in silence for a while, Roxas' cigarette burnt out and forgotten. He'd convinced himself that Axel didn't care, that there was no other option. Even with knowing what Demyx had just told him… How was he supposed to get through to him?

"Hey… I almost forgot." Roxas started, an idea forming in his mind. Maybe he'd get answers this way, even if it meant closure. "I'm throwing a surprise party for Sora - New Years. You should come… bring as many people as you want. God knows I don't have connections."

Part of him didn't expect Axel to come but… he had to hold out hope. A thing he'd lost years ago, something he didn't really think he'd expect to feel again. It was funny how much he'd regained solely from Axel. He just hoped… he'd see him again.

"Can I help set up?" Demyx asked eagerly, his expression changed in an instant. "I love parties! Oh gosh, Sora's going to love this!"

Roxas laughed slightly at his enthusiasm, nodding gratefully. The previous topic was clearly forgotten about already. "Sure. Riku's already refused to help."

"Party pooper."

"Like always." The blonde rolled his eyes. "So, I'll see you Saturday?"

"Saturday it is."

Saturday came around quickly, the winter chill still evident in the air, though the sun managed to burst out briefly. Despite that, it felt like there was a storm in one particular house. Specifically brewing in Axel's bedroom.

"Axel!" Demyx hammered his fist against the closed wooden door, the loud noise reverberating around the silent house. "Open this goddamn door or I'll do it for you!"

"What the hell do you want?" A groggy voice barked back, muffled under what was probably a mountain of pillows. Demyx sighed, shuffling on his feet.

"Roxas is throwing a party for Sora. You're coming with me whether you like it or not." He growled, crossing his arms roughly. "If I have to drag you out of that bed I will."

One way or another, Axel would be getting out of that bedroom. Otherwise Demyx himself would go insane.