Warning: M/M, Shonen-ai, yaoi, tears, cliché-ness, possible cliffhanger, longer chapter than normal, etc.
Disclaimer: I never will own Kingdom Hearts, never. And that thought makes me want to cry. Do I have to put this in every chapter? Seriously? Maybe I can steal the World Ends With You then… not nearly as popular…plus Yoshiya is a hottie. Oh and the song at the end belongs to Jordin Sparks. It's been stuck on my brain for like ever.
Author's note: HOLY SNAPPLE!!! Love Games has been on ffnet for over a year now! (dances) Happy anniversary everyone! I hope this chapter makes you happy! W00t 18 reviews for last chapter! Awesomesauce! Just for thanks, I'm gonna make this chapter helluva long one. Hopefully you can sit tight through it! Oh, and review responses are at the end!
Thank you to my lovely beta Izzy-Lawliet! You got this back to me so fast! W00t
Word Count: 1969 words
Chapter 9 Recap
Sora raised his eyes, meeting Roxas' gaze. His eyes seemed deeper, darker, piercing into his own. Sora felt himself lick his lips, eyes slipping shut as he felt Roxas move in towards him. Was Roxas going to kiss him? He felt himself take a deep breath, his hips still moving with the blonde's. Would he?
Chapter 10: Let the Games Begin
There was a pause; Roxas didn't lean in the rest of the way. Roxas stopped dancing. The abrupt change in movement forced Sora to open his eyes. It was difficult to make his body stop; he was just too into the beat. It might have had something to do with the fact Sora was only inches from letting himself fall prey to his carnal desires. That was something new, something tempting, and Sora wanted it. Roxas took Sora's hand, giving him an apologetic smile and led him back to their elevated station.
Once there, Sora looked in the direction Roxas was staring. His gaze searched; he felt his heart stop beating, a gasp issuing from his lips.
Standing just inside the club's elaborate doors was a silver haired Adonis wearing his own black leather trench coat. Even from this distance and the lack of bright florescent lighting Sora was able to spot the bright, might-as-well-be-glowing, aquamarine eyes that surveyed the club. It was Riku. It had to be. No one else had that hair or those eyes. The hair was longer than Sora remembered, practically falling to his waist, but the way it fell into those eyes was unmistakenable.
Sora gripped Roxas's hand tight, eyes wide. "It's him. Roxas, it's Riku." Sora barely noticed the acknowledging nod the blond gave him. "Oh my god, Riku." Sora's eyes filled with tears, something he couldn't distinguish from happiness or sadness. The platinum haired man made his way to the bar, catching Axel's attention. The redhead had a lazy smirk on his face, mixing a "foo-foo drink" (nickname given by Axel exclusively) for some half dressed female sitting on the bar.
"What do you wanna do?" Roxas's boy band voice came out in a whisper, only heard by Sora because of proximity. When depressed sapphire eyes met wide, tearful ones, Roxas knew immediately Sora was still hopelessly in love with the boy he grew up with. Only through sheer force of will did the blonde stop his heart from shattering right there.
Sora's grip loosened from Roxas's sleeve, his movements jerky. "I-I-I need to talk to him. I haven't seen him in… in… forever." Before his coma, Sora saw Riku almost every day, and on the days they didn't, they at least spoke over the phone. Sora could remember his dad joking that Sora was as bad as a girl hogging the phone all the time to speak to Riku. As memories flickered by, Sora didn't catch the way Roxas practically deflated in his grasp, eyes darkening in something akin to depression.
Roxas grabbed a small phone on the wall; one Sora wouldn't have known was there unless he was shown. It blended right in and looked as if it was actually a part in the wall. Sora faintly picked up the sound of a ringing, coming from somewhere behind them. Roxas murmured a few words into the handset before hanging up. Sora turned back to where Riku stood, conversing with the now serious Axel. Axel must have said something, because Riku whipped around, aqua eyes searching the club for something.
Aqua eyes didn't meet azure, and instead lit up upon spotting someone else. With a grin, Riku opened his arms to hug the girl that sprinted into them. Her hair was a deep auburn, and she wore some knee length powder pink dress that glimmered in the dance lights. Kairi. That had to be Kairi. The same girl that Sora and Riku befriended when she transferred to the Destiny Isles. If Riku was Sora's love interest, Kairi was the girl he considered his best friend.
And the two were hugging.
Sora felt his stomach drop and for a moment he forgot to breathe. What if the two were dating? Did they hook up while he was in the coma? Or maybe they got married? Kairi always did prefer Riku over Sora, and even though Sora would have given up anything to remain Kairi's friend, the girl always seemed to go with Riku. By now she had to of convinced him to love her, or at least try to love her. Sora didn't think she'd take the guilt route, but it could be entirely possible.
Taking a deep breath, Sora mentally smacked himself. Do you hear yourself? This is Kairi! Dear sweet Kairi! The girl that cried when you stepped on an ANT!
"Do you know her too?" Roxas's breath trailed over Sora's ear. The younger boy shivered slightly. "Have you seen her before?"
"I think that's Kairi." Sora glanced over his shoulder at XIII, eyes filled with an emotion Roxas couldn't place. "She practically grew up with us too. Haven't known her nearly as long as Riku, but I love her like a sister." Sora scratched the back of his neck nervously. "I hadn't seen her for a week even before I got hit by that car."
Kairi and Axel began conversing, Riku occasionally putting in his own input. The trio seemed to laugh before Riku froze. Riku was gawking in Roxas's general direction, recognizing the blonde's hair color even in the dark. The silver haired adult quickly questioned Axel. The bartender smirked (something Roxas would be able to feel more rather than see) and nodded in XIII and newly numbered XIV's direction.
Sora barely blinked before he found his face buried in Kairi's lavender scented hair. His ears finally tuned in, catching Kairi's sobs. "I'm so happy you're okay! I thought you weren't ever going to wake up again!" Her body shook with the force of her tears. Sora clumsily wrapped his arms around her tiny frame (was she always this small?) and hummed.
"I'm glad I'm awake too."
"You have no idea what you put me through!" Kairi pulled back; her mascara was beginning to run. She pulled a handkerchief from her purse, wiping away the stains gingerly. "You're just a jerk!"
Sora cowered slightly in fear of a female outburst. "It wasn't like I planned on it Kairi!" The girl playfully slapped his shoulder. Sora's eyes peeked under his blue dusted eyelids to gaze at Riku. The other leather clad boy watched Sora evenly. His face was detached and even his normally expressive eyes were blank. Either Riku learned how to make his eyes lie, or this wasn't his Riku.
"So," Kairi's sweet voice derailed Sora's train of thought, "What's happened since you woke? Who are you staying with? When did you start working here?"
"Gimme a break, Kairi," Sora managed a smile. He found himself gripping one of Roxas's hands yet again. Something in his mind mumbled 'security blanket' but he ignored it. "If anything you should be telling me what happened while I was out." Kairi's smile didn't falter when she dragged him into another hug. Roxas refused to release Sora's hand, so he was awkwardly added to the mix.
Riku finally opened his mouth to speak, "Who is your friend, Sora?" Sora felt his heart spasm at the sound of Riku's voice. It was still heavenly; a voice that would make the Holy Chorus jealous. Three pairs of eyes turned to Roxas, and the blond had a hard time holding back the squeak that threatened to escape. Even after working at the Organization over a year the almost adult wasn't used to the attention.
Sora took a deep breath, trying to relax. "This is my roommate and friend Roxas. Roxas was there with me when I woke at the hospital." Even in the darkness, Sora's blush was noticeable. "He offered me a place to stay and got me a job here." Sora gave a heart stopping smile. "Thanks again, Rox."
Roxas squeezed Sora's hand comfortingly, something that didn't go unnoticed by a certain silver haired adult. "Oh," Roxas cleared his throat before reaching out to shake Kairi's hand. "I'm Roxas Strife, it's nice to meet you."
"I'm Kairi Kitade, one of Sora's old friends," Kairi happily took Roxas's hand before grasping Sora's cloak tightly in her hands. "We have so much to discuss! Is there anywhere we can talk that's a bit more quiet?"
Sora and Roxas met each other's gaze. She had a point. The club was in full swing with the dance floor crowded and the music blasting nearby in their ears. They were lucky they could understand each other at all over the pumping bass of T.I.'s Live Your Life. "There is a room in the back we could use. I doubt Zex would really care." Sora's grin widened. He let go of Roxas's hand and dragged Kairi across the mass of writhing bodies and into the room Roxas spoke of.
And left Roxas standing on the dais with Riku.
The silver haired twenty year old had his arms crossed, hip cocked out to a side. "How are you Roxas?"
"Better now that Sora's awake," Roxas replied, a faint smirk building on his face. "Are you regretting giving up on him now?"
Riku barely shook his head, but Roxas understood the gist. "There was no guarantee he was going to wake up, Roxas. You know that. The doctor told us multiple times just to stop visiting."
"I've never been one to listen to authority."
"I figured as much." Riku's bright eyes narrowed in contempt. "Are you pursuing his heart? Do I have competition?" He didn't have to see Roxas's nod to know the answer. "How many lies have you fed him? Did you tell him I never visited? Or did you refuse to even acknowledge my existence?"
Roxas averted his gaze. Staring in Riku's eyes made his heart break. He knew he had no chance with Sora; if Riku wanted the boy's heart all he had to do was say the word and Sora would hand it to him willingly. How could anyone hope to contend against that? "I did tell him you visited occasionally. Never did specifically state you stopped visiting." He raised his gaze to Demyx and Larxene at the DJ's booth. The two were laughing and joking as they remixed songs and added beats not usually there. "I was kind enough to allow him that comfort."
"Thank you." XIII lifted his head up and stared at Riku in shock. "You didn't have to do that but you did." Roxas scratched the back of his neck in nervousness. He couldn't think of anything to say. "If you keep up with the nice guy routine I'll have a hard time trying to take Sora from you."
Roxas scoffed. "You take Sora from me? I'm the one who should be taking Sora from you." He fiddled with his gloves. "If anyone has a chance of Sora giving his heart to, it'd be you." Roxas licked his bottom lip before straightening. "I guess that just means I have to work harder."
The phrase brought a smile to Riku's lips. "That you will." Riku and Roxas watched as Sora and Kairi emerged from the back room with matching grins. At least Sora enjoyed himself. Sora stood in the doorway as Kairi gave him a hug, a kiss on the cheek and made her way back to Riku.
"We're going to be late. You know Dad'll freak if I don't make it back home by two." Riku nodded, letting Kairi drag him away. "I'll see you later Roxas."
Riku gave a small wave, "Bye." Roxas stood on the dais, watching the beautiful mayor's daughter and his rival for Sora's love practically strut out of the club. Roxas could have been thinking about how he was going to make his way into Sora's heart or how difficult it was going to be to face off against Riku. The only thing his brain could process was how right the song was.
"Why does love always feel like a battlefield? Why does love always feel like a battlefield?"
END OF CHAPTER / REVIEW RESPONSES
Minikimi – Thanks so much for your review again. Hopefully you won't be murdered or anything. I'm watching too many of your fics to live peacefully if you were to drop off the face of the planet. Lol I don't think Xemnas realizes he's only encouraging the behavior.
Kichou – Hehe, Xemnas molesting Sora huh? (evil laugh) perhaps later?
Becauseimthefavorite – (stares in shock before laughing) I enjoyed reading your review. Reminds me of how I react when certain stories I watch are updated. Lol I think this chapter answered all your questions, so if you have more, lemme know. : )
Saruvi – Thanks, here's your update
xXxSmidgexXx – hm… any suggestions for better songs? I was thinking
Dark and light heart – I think this chapter answers that question, don't you? Hehe
Vexen7 – sorry about the wait, I've been trying. Grades survived, thank you! : )
Tinker16 – hehe, I love writing cliffhangers. Makes me feel all warm inside
Ashumix – Thanks! I'm glad you like it so much. If anything, I'd keep writing just knowing there is someone out there that loves it. ;) just remind me if I ever start complaining, hehe
StoryTagger – Thanks for the review! I was trying to figure out how to get the specific skills in there and was worried about it. Guess I did a good job!
Killois – Thank you for the compliment then! And your review!
Lyssah – Yes, I know how horrible cliffhangers are. I suffer from them frequently with my fav fics. Thought I'd employ the powers of evil fic writers to torture my readers into begging. Did it work? Lol
Orti – Longer chapters? Coming up! I'll do my best, promise! And I'll try to write the chapters quicker too. Summer laziness and all….
Linear15cannon – You don't sound pushy at all! Swears it! Once it gets farther in the story, and Riku-kun has had a chance to prove himself I'm gonna make it where the readers get to choose who gets Sora. Might even try to make it a two endings… pick your choice kinda thing. But that could be extremely difficult (shrug) And thanks! Not many people tell me I'm awesome!
Goddess-chan123 – hehe, yes I know. XP but don't tell anyone!
Dark-ranmaru, The Only Love for Soujiro Seta, Roxie13 – Thanks for your review!