Title: Expectations
Summary: Society thinks you're a freak. But me? I don't know what to think.
Warnings: boy/boy, bullying
Pairings: Leon/Cloud, a little bit of Riku/Vanitus in later chapters
Disclaimer: Characters and settings are not mine
Author's Note: I just thought I'd put the note in the beginning, so I can point out that Leon was calling them hormonal teens in the last chapter, pointing out how they shouldn't be looked up to, because it does sound easily misunderstood. That last phrase is an extension of what he was saying about how people who don't exist are better role-models than they are. So...I guess that means he was admitting to wanting to jump Cloud? xD
"What should we wear for the party?"
"I don't know about myself, but I know you wearing a dress would be a good idea."
"Yeah, but what theme?"
"Hmm... I'm thinking something with unnecessarily dramatic frills. I think it would make you look cute."
We haven't been at the mall very long, but long enough to know that the bottom of the left wing doesn't have what we're looking for...whatever that is, exactly... I don't feel very confidant about the second tier, either, though. We stop inside Hot Topic -I mean, how the Hell do you go to a mall and not?- and don't expect to find anything you could use for the party. But you have a bag when you tug at my hand. "I have an idea."
"What did you find?"
"By itself, nothing. But, with that sewing machine Aerith let me borrow, some spare fabric, the right base, and a bit of lace, the perfect costume."
"So, what exactly are we doing in here?"
"Getting the base of your costume," you say like it's nothing big.
"Oh, no, I am not going to that party in-"
"Relax. It's not like I'm going to shove you in a tutu and frills."
"What, then?"
"Spandex," you smirk.
"I'm not much less concerned than I was a moment ago."
"Would you like us to have matching dresses, in that case?"
"I'm going to shut up now..."
"It's not as bad as it sounds."
Really, it wouldn't be as bad as it sounded. It's not uncomfortable. It's not very provocative, with the sash at the so thick. It would be fine. If we weren't dressed as Fakir and Princess Tutu, with everyone staring. I don't know who Fakir is. Or Princess Tutu, for that matter. Eventually, I come to realize that they're staring at us because of me in tight spandex or because of you in a heavily ruffled dress. If it were about odd costumes, they would be staring at 'Whipmaster' over there. But I still don't want this publicized.
People usually are staring at us. On campus, in the mall, during weights class. But not at such close range, not point-black, like right now.
The doors opened hours ago, but we come at six, when the music is supposed to start.
The microphone adjusts to something from the small platform. "You guys hear me alright?"
Shouts of approval are spewed from every direction.
"Let's get the rules out of the way, then. I hear there are a few new members in, tonight. Welcome, welcome. I'm Midnight, as most of you know."
"Midnight!"
"The first commitment?"
"Non-violence!"
"The second?"
"Party!"
"All of you should know the third!"
"There are no rules!"
"Good job! If you have any qualms-"
"Get the fuck out now!" three voices demand to the microphone. Three very familiar voices.
"Couldn't have said it better, boys. I'm you're DJ for the next four hours, but, first, I've got a special treat. Lionhart and Strife are back in!"
"What does he mean? This is our first time here," you call over the crowd.
I look closely at the forms just out of the reach of light. Two spikey heads. "He's not talking about us. Take a closer look."
"Make some noise for the fabulous Killjoys! Killjoys? Make some noise!" he calls, stepping out of sight, our brothers stepping out to the light with an obnoxious set of catchy 'na-na-na's, Roxas with a bass and Sora with a guitar. Roxas halts his voice, Sora stopping after finishing the set of na's. The verse is alternated between the two brothers.
Most of the crowd from before thins into the rest of the house, but we're shocked into our places, transfixed by little brothers.
They end the song on a softer note of 'explode.'
"This next song is all about feeling good." They just jump into it, eventually having us understand the line of our matching HT tees, while having the crowd shout 'I'm gay,' at many intervals.
Setting their instruments in their stands, they return to Roxas' mic. "We'd love to play a full set, but it's a holiday, and I like these guys too much to miss out."
"He means 'love,'" Sora stage-whispers, with a giggle.
The third familiar voice's owner appears with an arm around each boy. "We hope you all enjoy the rest of the night, but we're booking it out," Riku says, leading the two off the platform and disappearing into the remainder of the crowd.
You turn to me. "Should we..." You trail off.
"No, no, we shouldn't. Not tonight. We'll talk to them tomorrow."
"Right," you agree.
We sort of wonder around the 'Fair Game' living room. We're looking for Tifa and Yuffie, but it sounds like they're in the drinking games and we seem to have some sort of silent agreement not to go there. Over the chatter of the crowd -that doesn't seem quite as shell-shocked by us this anymore- and even Midnight's DJ platform in the gala room, we can hear someone yelling at Rude and Reno about their keys.
"Parties aren't as fun when you don't know anyone," you muse with a sigh.
"Were you expecting to know anyone?"
"Not really. But everyone thinks we're too cool to approach, or something.
"Why don't you just talk to them? We're supposed to make them feel unimpressed, anyway."
And it doesn't end very well, usually with a lot of giggling on their parts and a 'Not interested,' from you. Only, just now was more like: 'Not interested!'
"Why can't we be normal?" you whine.
"You guys look fine to me," a black masked red-head says, sitting by me. "Drink?"
"We can't," I answer.
"It's blue cream soda," the stranger says with a wink, pointing at the bottle.
"Well, thanks..."
"I know it's hard to be admired here at first, but they get over it. Soon you'll feel normal again," he assures.
"Who are you?"
"DJ Twilight. But you can call me Axel. Got it memorized?"
"Axel, as in Axel Lea? But I thought you were straight?"
"Pan, actually. You know, able to love any gender. Having a girlfriend doesn't entail being straight. Nice cosplay, by the way. I tried out the phantom from Blood+, but no one seems to get it; they just think I'm a vampire."
And really, it's nice being able to talk to someone. I've never really liked people, never really wanted to interact with them, but Axel just gets it. He really understands being singled out at school, then overly-praised here. But I'm not sad when he leaves, even if I feel we won't see him for a while, because I know that there's always someone out there to relate with.
"Let's get out of here."
An hour later finds us on the couch with hot cider wearing little but blankets, the wind howling outside. It's very quiet, just you on my lap in lazy positions, until- "Have you have you figured it out, yet?"
"Figured what out?"
"You know, are you still just 'Cloud-sexual,' or are you gay?"
"...I have to admit it sometime. So, yeah. I'm gay."
"...Then, will you...you know..."
"Cloud..."
"It doesn't have to be all the way, or anything...it's just... I've been dying for you to touch me, especially now that all my bruises are healed. It makes me feel unwanted when you don't, I guess..."
After two weeks of a sudden hormonal spike, it's very hard to deny you. So hard, in fact, that I can't. There's hesitance. There's plenty of hesitance. Then a confirmation that leads to caressing, sweating, moaning, panting, and all things good that promise to release. There is only you, me, the couch, the floor, and Sirius XM playing Safetysuit's 'Find a way' playing rather fittingly in the background, apple cider growing cold and forgotten.
Sometime after what felt like hours, there's an 'I love you,' that slips out of my mouth, floating into your ears, to which you just about choke back, voice cracking in the most perfect way on 'too.'
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, my Doc manager was acting funny last night.
Lord: Yeah, I know the Yuffie and Tifa pairing does seem kind of out of no where, so I'm glad you don't mind. Originally, I was going to have Aerith be younger in this story and paired with Tifa, but I needed a tender, understanding character like Arrith for the counselor, because her personality is vital in later chapters (very later chapters). As for putting Yuffie with her, well I considered Kairi at first, because I feel like they would get along just fine, but traded that idea for a sense of familiarity from FFVII, because Tifa and Yuffie get along pretty well there (probably because Yuffie's not after Cloud xD) though they don't interact a lot in KH. Long explanation is long.
Sis: I'm glad you like the Children of the Rainbow, and are impressed with their thought processes that go into their work. In this story, Yuffie's parents are rich and never home, which you find out later in the story, which supplies CotR with a perfect event for events, but becomes a sort of mini agitation in a few more chapters.
Kudos to my lovely reviewers, favoriters, and followers, you keep this story going!
Proper credit to the real Fabulous Killjoys: My Chemical Romance! (if you want to know what the mentioned song is: Na Na Na) And of course the second one is Bowling for Soup's 'I'm gay!' Also, Safetysuit with 'Find a Way,' which is my current favorite song. I encourage you to check them out.
Oh my gods, Cloud and Leon said they loved each other!
Hope you all enjoyed~~~