DISCLAIMER
I do NOT own any of the Kingdom Hearts I & II rights.
Warning: Shonen-ai, boys kiss & hugs, language below.
Chapter 25
Hurrying on their feet, Sora and Tifa entered the gym.
"Sora! You..." Olette called, looking terribly worried.
"Nothing's wrong." Tifa reassured.
"O-Okay..." Olette nodded, "The game is really intense right now. It's getting to the end, we're still two shots behind."
Out in the court, two teams were in furious motions. Demyx earned some points with a lay-up; Riku was advancing, but he constantly got distracted and stole glances over to Sora. Just before the referee was going to whistle for the end of the game, Riku got one shot in.
"It's in!!" Olette exclaimed excitedly, "Now we're even! And we've got a free throw!"
"If we make it for the free throw then we'll win!" Tifa stated hopefully.
'Bump, bump.' Riku patted the ball onto the floor two times. The entire gym grew quiet as they waited for the silver haired captain to make his last shot, intensity and anxiety was in the air. Riku stared up at the basket approximately three yards away from him; suddenly it seemed like it's some kind of frightening menace, ready to fail Riku and eat up his soul. The crowd had gotten off from the bleachers and leant on the balcony railing; Riku's other team members stared nervously. The silence made the gym feel awkwardly empty and tense. Slowly, Riku raised the ball up...
"Riku!"
All eyes turned to one brunette.
"I'm looking at you! Basketball player Riku is the person Sora loves most in the world!!" Sora shouted shamelessly.
A faint smile grew on the silver-head's lips as he turned back, focus and finally tossed the ball...
It was in.
"YEAHHHHH!!" All the boys on Riku's team shouted and cheered, giving each other high-fives. Sora gave a joyful jump before the smile on his face diminished slowly, turning into an extremely embarrassed expression as he turned and sprinted out of the gym. Turning back, Riku saw this and chased after. Being the smaller boy as he is, Sora was caught up soon.
"Where're you going?" Riku inquired, stopping the brunette.
"I...I feel so humiliated..." Sora shifted uncomfortably, "I don't have the confidence to be your boyfriend anymore..."
"Why do you ukes have so many weird thoughts?" Riku grunted, panting.
"Riku, you're a great boyfriend!" Sora commented, "But it's just because... I was tired of being the initiative one. So instead of using that kind of uncertainty to carry on such a tiring relationship, why not..."
"No." Riku suddenly said, "I don't want why-nots. I want us to be together, I want Sora to be my boyfriend." With that, he promptly pulled Sora into an embrace, "It won't be tiring if I'm the initiating one. To hug you like this voluntarily, to ask you out on a date, to pick you up on my own, to..." He hesitated at the unsaid word and slowly pulled away so he was looking into cobalt irises. Sora closed his eyes, Riku slowly moved his face closer, their lips barely an inch away...
And they sealed.
"Axel! How can you leave the hospital?!" Roxas pouted in protest, "Both the doctor and Uncle asked you to stay for a night!"
"There's no need!" Axel growled, "I heal fast enough, why the hell do I have to stay in the hospital?! It was just a dislocated ankle, it's ok once it's fixed!"
"You...!" Roxas was going to object but was cut off by his cell phone, "Hello?" He frowned, but his expression soon grew to a joyful one as he gasped, "WE WON!! We won the competition!! Yay! Hahaha!"
"Don't just get over your head there." Axel laughed as he continued walking, "C'mon let's go!"
Walking on a street, two hands suddenly covered Sora's eyes from behind. Sora was startled at first, but quickly gasped when he guessed who is was. He took down the hands and turned around.
"How come you're here?" He smiled sweetly to the silver-head.
"I told you, didn't I? I am going to be a boyfriend that can give you the sense of security." Riku grinned, "I'll come pick you up for a date, and..."
His grin grew sly as he pulled Sora close, crashing their lips together...
'Hm...' Came a deep moan from Riku's throat as he pressed his lips onto his pillow frantically.
"Oi! Rikie!" A low and rough voice echoed, "Why're you acting so weirdly?"
Riku stopped his actions, "Sora...how come your voice became so coarse?" He turned slowly to the source of noise, his eyes still closed in dreams, and opened his eyes, only to be welcomed by the big face of his wrinkled grandma.
"Waah!!" He yelled, jumping from the bed.
"...Do I look that horrible?" The old lady inquired with slight shock.
"Eh...? Grandma, how come you're here?" Riku groaned, rubbing his eyes.
"You haven't gone home for so long, can't I come to see you?" The lady asked, "Hey... You were having a nice dream, huh?" She asked curiously.
"What? A dream?" Riku echoed, his voice and brain were going slow from sleepiness, "I forgot."
"I know what it's like." She chuckled, "If it wasn't a good dream, why would you sleep up to 12 in the noon?"
"12?!" Riku gasped, "Crap! I'm late for the date!!" He scurried out of bed and into the bathroom, quickly squeezing toothpaste onto a toothbrush and started to brush his teeth while his other hand fixed the disheveled strands of silky hair. His grandma peeked in.
"Grandma, I didn't know you were coming." He mumbled through the bubbles, "I'm going out with my friend, so don't be mad at me!"
"You little kid, you're dating with someone!" The old lady exclaimed, "Rikie, did you...kiss your lover?" She crowded her fingers into two bird-beak shapes and pressed the beaks together as a gesture of kissing. The silver haired boy abruptly stopped his motion and spit out the bubbles hastily, "I don't think you should ask this kind of questions..." Then he proceeded to make his bed.
"Don't worry! I have experiences!" She laughed, "So, did you guys kiss?"
"Er... I guess that one counts." Riku replied sheepishly and tossed his messenger bag over his shoulder.
"Then what?"
"There's no then."
"You're good-for-nothing!" She gave his head a playful shove, "Don't be like your grandpa; I remember that back then he was too unromantic, I nearly divorced with him!"
"Grandma, you're really annoying..." Riku frowned and proceeded to leave his apartment.
"Annoying?!" She followed him, "This is some of my knowledge! The ukes are just like girls, they want the 'mood'! Got it, Rikie?"
"Ok ok, fine I get it!" Riku rolled his eyes irritatingly and turned slightly to his grandma, "I'm leaving."
"If you're my grandson then be like a man!" The old lady advised, "Be more initiative!"
"Initiative what?!"
"Kiss him!" She replied meekly. The silver-haired boy only rolled his eyes once again and left.
'Tick' 'Tick' 'Tick'
The hand of the clock swifted as time ticked away. Sora shifted, boring holes into his watch and sighing. The drink before him was half-empty, and it was already his second one.
Sprinting and panting, Riku dashed up to a cafe, and proceeded to run in until he reached Sora's table.
"I thought you were going to miss the date again." Sora remarked sourly, "I was sitting here like an idiot for more than an hour!"
"I'm sorry." Riku said through his gasps as he sat down, "I won't do it next time. Sorry, So-chan."
Sora only continued to pout. Oh crap... Riku thought, if Sora is going to stay mad for as long as I was late, then the next hour... The brunette stayed silent, looking seemingly unsatisfied. They sat like that for a while, until Sora suddenly raised his hand slowly up towards Riku's face... and brushed off something near his lips.
"You've still got toothpaste on your face." Sora sighed, "Alright, seeing as you rushed here, I forgive you." Riku let out a sigh of relief. "But did I say you can call me So-chan?"
"Huh? I can't?"
"Hm..." Sora pondered thoughtfully, "It has a nice ring to it... Alright, So-chan is exclusive for you to call me."
Riku chuckled lightly as he proceeded to put his bag down.
The luggage wheel rattled as Wakka pulled it out and loaded it onto the car.
"Um... Be careful with the gas. And be sure to lock the windows and doors when no one's home." Aerith noted as she and Roxas walked from the house to the driveway.
"I know, I know."
"And, we'll be back at the afternoon the day after tomorrow."
"Well, have fun then!" The blond wished innocently.
"Hm-mm." Aerith nodded with a smile, "And..." Those two are right at their golden ages, I was afraid that if they... Maleficent's words resurfaced; Aerith was struck with silence.
"Rox!" Axel's voice caught attention, "The water's boiling!"
"Oh crap!" The blonde exclaimed and stuffed the bag in his hand to his mother, "Mom, this is a present for Grandma! Have fun! Bye-bye!!" With that, he scurried back into the house, leaving his mother to look at him concernedly.
"It's about time, Aerith!" Wakka called from the SUV, "We should go! Didn't you say you wanted to go somewhere else before getting back?"
Said lady nodded and seated herself into the car, but continued to look very worried.
"What's wrong?" Wakka asked during driving. Aerith only shook her head slightly, but wasn't very convincing.
"You were so quiet today." He continued to remark, "Are you feeling sick?"
"Wakka, can you pull over over there?" Aerith asked, her eyes sticking to something near the sidewalk, "I want to buy some flowers first."
"Oh okay." The orange haired man obliged and pulled into a lot, letting the auburn haired lady to go into the flower shop.
Back in the house, bumping sounds emitted as the knife hit the board while Roxas was cutting a turnip. Axel gave the newspaper he was holding a frustrated flap and removed his gaze from it.
"Hey! What are you being all busy on?" He asked from the sofa.
"I'm cooking dinner." Roxas explained. Axel turned to glance at the clock; 1:30 PM. He groaned and walked into the kitchen, hands placed on Roxas' shoulder to turn him around, "Hey, if you're cooking dinner at 1:30 in the afternoon, then why don't you just roast a turkey and prepare for Thanksgiving?!"
"...You're so annoying!" Roxas pouted and returned to his chopping.
"Come here!" Axel grunted as he headed back to the sofa.
"What?"
"Just come here!"
Roxas sighed and dumped the knife down before walking towards Axel. The redhead pulled Roxas by one arm and yanked the boy onto the sofa silently, then proceeded to place his head onto the blond's lap.
"I want to take a nap." Axel explained, his tone a slight ordering one.
After placing a bundle of flower onto Cloud's grave, Aerith returned to the car with Wakka.
"Wakka." Aerith whispered.
"Hm?"
"I hope you won't mind me coming here to visit him all of a sudden..."
"Of course not." He reassured, "We should. Aerith, even though we haven't officially talked about this before, but I want to use this chance right now and let you know that..." Wakka paused, "I never thought of comparing myself to someone you loved before, or replacing anyone. I just want you to know, from now on, you can rely on me."
Aerith moved over to lean her head on his shoulder, "I know."
"So, I hope you can share your feelings with me, and share your thoughts with me." Wakka finished. Aerith didn't make another sound, for she was still worried...
"So what now?" Roxas asked.
"Big Fat Thighs Pillow!!" Axel laughed.
"Go to hell!" Roxas hit the redhead's torso multiple times, "Who has got Big Fat Thighs?!"
"It's comfy..." Axel purred, causing the blond to chuckle.
"You're really like a kid..." Roxas noted.
"I think tomorrow's got a good weather..." Axel said with a decreasingly dim voice. Roxas looked out to the clear sky through the large French window and looked back at Axel, who was already seemingly asleep.
-- Aerith's hometown --
"We're leaving Aerith to you then." An old, nice lady smiled to Wakka and Maleficent.
"Aw, you are so courteous," Maleficent chuckled, "It's our luck to be able to have a good daughter-in-law like Aerith."
Said lady couldn't help but let out a gleeful giggle. "Aerith, be grateful that you can marry someone so nice." Her mother remarked once again, Aerith nodded.
"I..." Wakka started, "I feel very touched. Since childhood, I was always considered lucky by the others of the same age. I have everything I need, and everything were going just right for me. It was almost like I had a perfect life. This might sound weird," He raised his brows embarrassedly, "But whenever the others tell me that I'm lucky, I would think it's weird, like, 'why do they all say that?'. Until I met Aerith, I finally understood what they meant by 'lucky'. Only was it then did I actually feel lucky." Maleficent sighed contently, placing a hand on her son's arm comfortingly. "Because of Aerith, I finally feel like I was actually alive; happily alive."
Tears of joy welled up Aerith's eyes. Peace and tranquility was in the air...
Roxas' heart was heavy when he strolled among the cemetery with Axel. They stopped a few feet before reaching Cloud's grave, for they saw a bale of flowers lying neatly there.
"What's wrong?" The redhead breathed.
"Mom came." Roxas gave a faint smile.
"How do you know?"
"Because lilies are Dad's favorite."
"Dad must've stopped by with Aunt Aerith." Axel remarked, "I think Dad's mood is the same as mine."
Roxas let out a vague sigh as he approached the gravestone and placed the bundle of flowers in his hands next to Aerith's, then he clasped his hands together and closed his eyes, whispering wishes in his mind. Axel squatted down next to Roxas, thank you, Uncle Cloud, even though I've never seen you. Thank you for bringing me the best gift in the whole universe. Please be rest assured, I will protect Roxas. Bringing your uncompleted part along with me, and complete it with all my strength, making Roxas happy.
Looking at the lilies, Roxas recalled his memory...
"Don't be so stubborn, Aerith." Aerith's mother persuaded sadly, "Leave Roxas to us. You're still young, your life is still very long. Why should you bring a child with you and force yourself?"
"I appreciate your offer." Aerith tipped her head gratefully, "But I've decided to live on with my son. I will add up Cloud's love and protect Roxas."
Standing in the hallway, a completely black dressed Roxas gazed down sadly.
Mom is always forcing herself like that... She worked so hard alone for me. Finally, someone who can protect Mom has appeared; someone that can give Mom happiness... Roxas shivered to the cold breeze of the ocean. Seeing this, Axel wrapped his big sweater around the blond's shoulder, pulling him into a warm embrace, "This'll be warmer."
The two boys chased along the beach, playing innocently and feeling completely carefree. The wind seemed to wash away all their temporary problems and sadness.
"Has it been a long time for you since you last came to a beach?" Roxas asked, sitting back-to-back with the redhead.
"I came with Demyx and those guys this summer." Axel answered, "We were checking people out."
"Checking out?!" Roxas retorted, turning to face Axel.
"There were hot guys and girls!" Axel teased, "They were wearing bikinis! Oh yeah they were hot!"
"Bikini?!" Roxas shot Axel a threatening glare.
"What?" The redhead asked innocently, "I didn't know you back then!"
"..." Roxas played the sand with a finger, "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah?"
"What do you like about me?"
"...I don't know." Axel shrugged purposely.
"You're so mean!" Roxas gave the redhead's arm a pinch, it's not like you're gonna die giving a sweet talk once in a while...
"Then what about you?" Axel asked, "I guess you have an answer since you asked?"
"I'm not gonna tell you!" Roxas pouted, "If you're not telling, then I'm not telling either."
"You say it first, then I'll say it." Axel taunted naughtily.
"Hey!"
The redhead chuckled and stood up, walking to the coastline, "It's your choice!" Pouting, Roxas stood up and ambled up to Axel, "Alright, I'll tell you! I...I like everything about you; the good things and the bad things."
"Show me examples of bad things." Axel challenged.
"Oh you've got tons of them!" Roxas sniggered, "Such as... you have bad tempers, you're mean and you're annoying. You big Devil!"
Axel abruptly turned to Roxas, making the boy fear and ran away with a squeak. "You can't get away from me!" Axel laughed as he managed to pull Roxas down, both lying on the sand with Roxas on bottom, "I love you for saving me when I'm in the worst devilish mood." He whispered, smiling before pressing his warm lips onto Roxas' familiar pink ones.
A/N: Well, I was reading down the chapter, and whoa! I found so many mistakes! Gah I must've been unconscious when I wrote this... Hopefully it's all fixed now and comprehensible.