Chapter Twelve: Plans?
Riku
I passed Sora in the halls and looked at him, locking eyes as I followed Cloud to his office. We shrugged in unison, neither of us knowing what was going on. I sat down in the office as Cloud took a seat across from me.
"Riku... You're of age now and I was a bit concerned because you've been dating lately... I would hate for you to be unprepared or anything when you find yourself..." he said, struggling with his words. I relaxed. It was just the Talk. I knew this. The lady who ran the orphanage explained it when we boys and girls turned twelve.
"Mr. Strife, you don't need to explain- I already heard this lecture. I'm good- I promise."
"Oh, good," Cloud said, breathing a sigh of releif. "I wasn't sure how to do this."
"Don't worry about it," I said, brushing it off.
"Yeah," Cloud chuckled. "This is why I like you best, Riku."
"Sora isn't that bad... I mean, shouldn't you favor your own flesh and blood?" I asked, a bit disturbed.
"I realize that, but... Sora has never really been on task with me... He takes after his mother..."
"He is still your son, though, isn't he? I'm only your son by a paper. A flimsy paper..."
"Don't act like you don't belong. You are still as much a son to me as Sora. I just get along with you better."
"Hmm..." I said. We sat there quietly for a while. After about ten minutes I heard the sound of someone scurrying upstairs and falling, then scurrying back up. I sighed exasperatedly.
"Sora fell aga-" I started when the office door burst open and in rushed a screaming Sora.
"RIIIIIIIKKKKKUUUUUUUUUUUU!" he shouted, launching himself into my chest once I had stood up. I caught him and made sure the way I was holding him wasn't intimate in any way and I looked at him while he shook.
"Sora, what happened?" I asked.
"Mom... She gave me the talk and told me HORRIBLE things! And she even showed me pictures of STDs on her phone and she said 'HERPES'!" he whined. I rolled my eyes.
"Sora, you're such a wuss."
"Don't be a jerk I am traumatized!" he cried.
"Listen, you could meet someone on the street and they might be like in those pictures. You have probably come in contact with one before, so why freak out?" I asked.
"EWWWWWWWW!" he squalled.
"Shut up Sora. That's rude."
"Why, are you like that?" he asked wearily.
"No, but if you freak out on some stranger you'll get punched."
"Sorry."
"It's okay."
"Well... I could care less. You two should go to that concert soon- doesn't it start at seven? It's noon now, and it'll take a while to travel," Cloud said, reaching into his pocket. Pulling out his wallet, he fished out 200 munny for us.
"Take this and have fun," he muttered. I took it and put it in my pocked, one of my hands still on Sora's shoulder.
"Thanks," I said.
"Don't mention it. Have fun," Cloud said, pretty much dismissing us. I led Sora out of the room and went to my own, grabbing my bag. Sora left me briefly to do the same and we started downstairs. I turned back to look at him while I descended.
"Don't fall, Sora," I teased. Then I got to the halfway point as he began his protest.
"I am not going to-" he started, but was cut off when he tripped over his feet and went tumbling down.
"I told you," I said boredly.
"You distracted me!" he complained, standing up.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered and started toward the front door, Sora following me closely. I got to the car soon after, Sora jumping into the passenger's seat.
"Ready for a long trip?" I asked.
"Aww, it can't be that bad if we're together," he said cheerfully. I smiled slightly.
"You're so cheesy."
"That's mean of you- I was trying to make things nice!"
"Well, don't try- do it."
"Hmph," he grunted disapprovingly, crossing his arms. I smirked and tousled his hair.
"Hey!" he protested.
"You need to learn how to take it when I tease you. After all, how do you expect to get strong? You can't be physically strong- that was painfully obvious when you couldn't even do a single chin-up."
"It's not my fault you are freakishly strong!" he retorted. I pulled out of the driveway and started to drive.
"You can be freakishly strong, too with at least one of your muscles."
"Huh?"
"Yeah... You can be tougher than steel... With your heart, Sora."
"You think?"
"Of course. I just wish I could be the same way."
"Riku, what do you mean? If anyone has a strong heart it's you."
"I try to be tough... But I feel horrible about my family."
"I know you feel bad... But I'm your family, now, Riku! And on top of that you still have a sister and her adopted family," Sora said. "Now c'mon- cheer up! We have a date and a night to remember planned!"
"Yeah... I guess we do, don't we?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road. I saw him nod and grin from the corner of my eye. I reached over with one hand and patted his knee.
"I'm looking forward to it, Sora," I said, seeing him flush red. I returned my hand to the wheel and proceeded to drive.
After driving in silence for half an hour he spoke.
"Do you love me?" he asked. I chuckled at the question- it was ridiculous.
"Why are you laughing?" he inquired, hurt.
"That was a stupid question... Of course I do. Why do you feel the need to ask?"
"I... I just thought that... You wanted only sex from me..." I laughed again.
"Sora, you over think things- if anything, sleeping with another guy never crossed my mind until I fell for you."
"Oh..."
"Stop being silly. You shouldn't have a reason to question yourself, or proove your worth to me. I already know you're special, and I love that." He smiled at me.
"Thanks, Riku."

After a while, we reached the planned hotel and checked in. We headed up to our room, me carrying all the damned bags. When we got to our room, I hurried inside and threw everything down, then flopped on the bed.
"WOOOOOOOOOO!" I heard him shout.
"Sora, what the-" I started when I felt the air whoosh out of me. I saw Sora's face move in close with a huge grin.
"Riku! Do you realize we have to eat lunch because I'm getting hungry?" he asked cheerfully. I shook my head. He smiled even bigger. "Then we will just have to do what we came here for, right? Then we eat. Then we will have plenty of time to go to the concert and then we sleep and go home!"
"What?" I asked. He sat up straight, having been sitting on my stomach. He pulled his shirt over his head and looked at me, looking a little nervous and really cute at the same time.
"This is making me nervous... So don't make fun of me, okay?" he said shyly.
"I won't. I mean, why would I?" I asked.
"Because you always pick on me," he said seriously.
"Yeah... I do," I said, grinning. Sora smiled back and tentatively leaned in, meeting my lips with a sweet kiss that both of us knew would last for a while and turn into something else...

Eventually, much much later after we got back from the concert, went home and the weekend ended, we walked outside to start heading to school. I held Sora's hand while we walked, happy that we were together, and enjoying the memory of what we shared this weekend.
"Hey!" I heard someone shout from behind us. I let go of Sora's hand, recognizing the voice.
"Hi, Roxas!" Sora shouted loudly and waved.
"Hi. What's up?" I asked. I might know why he was bugging me, seeing how he looked PISSED.
"You know what's up," Roxas said, angrily. I still had a black eye and a split lip from when Sïax kicked my ass this weekend, but I hadn't let that get between me and Sora. "What's the big idea? Do you like to be a jerk to innocent girls? Huh?! You go and lead my sister on and then you go off and kiss up on a hussie? You kind of trampled her self esteem, you know. I get up and she's putting on makeup- she NEVER wears makeup outside of a special event. Why the hell would you do that to her? She thought you liked her!"
"And I did but I guess it was just a crush. Shit happens," I responded. Roxas drew back and socked me in the face. I stumbled back a little but when I recovered from my shock I towered over him, trying to scare him. I shoved his shoulders, Sora watching in horror. "What the hell?!" I asked.
"I hate when people tease my sister- wanna know why people don't tease her like they used to? Me. I put an end to that- she cried herself to sleep Friday! For every tear she shed I'm gonna put an additional bruise on your body, asshole!" he threatened.
"So it's a fight you want, huh?" I asked.
"Riku, don't do it," Sora warned.
"Then it's a fight you'll get!" I shouted, lunging at Roxas. He dodged out of the way and kicked me in the back. I stumbled and started getting up. He dashed over to me and grabbed the back of my shirt to hold me when he brought his knee up and hit me in the chest. My breath got knocked out of me, and I gasped. Then I elbowed him in the side to make him let go. He clutched my side briefly and charged me again. I swiveled around him and putting him in a chokehold, lifting him from the ground. He kicked for me to drop him, one of my arms hooked up under his armpit to avoid choking him.
"Lemme go, you bastard!" Roxas shouted. Then he threw his head back and hit me in the face. I dropped him and he hit the ground in a crouch, then swung his legs around and knocked me down by taking out my legs. He stood up and rushed to me, kicking me in the side. When he went in for another kick I caught his ankle and pulled it out from under him, making him fall. We both got up and ran at each other, a fist drawn back ready to lash out when we heard footsteps rushing toward us. Suddenly both Roxas and I were pulled back, whoever holding me had their arms wrapped under my arms, trying to lift me off the ground periodically to inch me back. I noticed a grey hoodie pulling back Roxas the same way, and I was unable to see most of his features.
"Punk-ass!" I spat at Roxas.
"Cheating bastard!" Roxas shouted back.
"Alright, boys- that's enough," a voice I barely recognized said. A dark crimson hood walked up wearing baggy black jeans with huge holes in the knees and blue converse sneakers. That gave him away just before he removed his hood. I saw a strand of pink hair in the corner of my eye and while Roxas was struggling some blue hair fell into view from his hood. I looked back at the redheaded ringleader walking between us, squirming halfheartedly for the pink haired guy to let me go.
"That was a good fight- I'm almost disappointed I had to stop it; I would've liked to see who won, but I couldn't risk it. Now- fill me in," Axel said.
"I already know who would've won- me!" Roxas said angrily.
"That's what you think, shorty!" I shouted. That got him mad- I could tell by the way he squirmed in reaction.
"You won't be saying that when I kick your ass!" Roxas called back, now fighting to get loose.
"That's enough," Axel said. "Now I think we can resolve this civilly. Zexion- go tell Demyx that it's all clear and he can bring Naminé out," Axel said, snapping at the shorter silver-blue haired boy behind him. Zexion retreated to where Demyx was, his arms wrapped around something... Naminé.
"What the hell is this?!" Roxas shouted. "You! Get your damn hands off my sister!" Roxas shouted towards Demyx.
"Why are you worried about him touching her? Didn't bother you when he kissed her at the game!" I shouted. I was still admittedly upset about that.
"What?" he asked.
"Yeah. And she let him do it!"
"Lying asshole!" he screeched and turned his head, biting into the Sïax's arm. Then Roxas threw his head back, hitting him in the jaw. Roxas then brought his foot up and kicked him in the shin, causing him to drop Roxas briefly before making another grab. Roxas dodged it, however and punched me in the gut before being dragged back again, this time Axel hanging onto one arm and the Sïax man the other. They both wrapped a leg around one of Roxas's, dialing him of any more rash actions. Demyx and Zexion returned with Naminé between them.
"Sora, get Riku and Naminé away from here," Axel commanded.
"Why should I? Your group is a bunch of punks," Sora said, crossing his arms.
"Kid, don't cross me- if I told him to Marly there wouldn't hesitate to break his arm. Go!" Axel warned.
"O-okay," Sora stuttered. He walked over to Zexion and Demyx's side and grabbed Naminé's wrist. "Come on, Riku- mom won't like it if we're late," Sora continued and started walking away.
"Fine, but just so you know, Roxas- I want you to cut this whole vendetta shit over me dating your sister- it's over between us anyway. And I'll be the one kicking your ass, small fry!" I warned.
"Pfft," Roxas scoffed. Then he stuck his tongue out at me.
"I'm gonna-" I started, struggling to get to Roxas, but "Marly" turned to face the direction Sora was running after a quickly retreating Naminé and shoved me.
"Get the fuck outta here," he said, kicking me in the ass. I glared and rubbed my rear for a second before chasing after Sora. I noticed Naminé was crying... That was probably why Sora was hurrying so fast.
"Move," I heard someone say bluntly as they sped past me. I watched him hurry towards Sora. Demyx...
He hurried ahead of Sora, quickly catching up with Naminé. When he reached her he gave Sora a look that said 'Keep your distance, I got this.'
Sora slowed down and I caught up to him. When I reached him I laced my fingers through his.
"Don't worry about her," I said. "It does bother me, but I know Demyx will be able to make her happy. Besides, I still got you to worry about," I added, giving Sora a playful noogie.
"Hey," he protested, laughing.
"I'll always be there for you with open arms as a lover..." I said, catching his attention. He turned an adorable face full of wonder to me.

"... and as a brother, Sora."

(note: sooooooo sorry it took so long! please forgive me!just been busy, and I apologize.)