Sorry about the lack of Tuesday update. Life happens. I was feeling in a very Xion-y mood, though, so I posted some Xion and Zexion in Snippets of the Past to make things slightly better. Also, Laci and I have a new fic going up on this account on Sunday. It is called Up in Flames, and it's a vampire fic with Cleon, Akuroku, Soriku, and Zemyx.
Someone asked where the story is actually set-we've been trying to keep specifics out of it, for the most part, but for informational purposes, it's in St. Louis, Missouri. We wanted a place that was familiar, and since it's where I'm from, it made sense.
With that, enjoy the chapter!
WARNINGS: awkwardness, tiaras, limos, and penguins
They had everything worked out, and for the first time lately, Roxas was pleased to say that he had little to do with the organization aspect. As soon as he told his parents prom was coming up, his mother was in a tizzy making preparations. A meal would be served at the dance, or she would have made reservations at a fancy restaurant. She rented out a limo for the night and made sure everyone had their corsages and tuxes and everything in order. After an hour-long conversation on the phone with Xion's parents, she had talked them into accepting appointments to get Xion's hair and nails done.
Roxas thought it was a bit silly for his mom to get all worked up about prom, but he wasn't going to complain. As long as her excess energy was not directed towards him, he was a-okay with it.
One thing that Tifa was not pleased about was the fact that Roxas did not have a date. Roxas simply rolled his eyes at his mom and told her they were going as a group. It was ultimately what they had agreed on. Axel and Roxas and Zexion and Demyx were couples, anyway, and did not really want to invite anyone other than their respective boyfriends. Xion announced that she did not really care whether she had a date or not, and although Roxas offered to set her up with someone, she politely declined.
She laughed when she realized that, of everyone at prom, she would be the only girl with four boys as dates.
Roxas would have invited Sora or Riku, since he knew it would have been more fun if they were there. However, his school had a strict policy against same-sex prom dates. He could have Xion invite one of them, but that would mean the other was left out, and that was hardly fair.
Tifa had one last mission; she said that prom was not any fun without some sort of after party, and she offered to let Roxas use the house and organize something. She wanted to be home to take prom pictures before they headed off, but she and Cloud had to get some work done, so she would be headed back into the office as soon as Roxas and his friends had left.
Naturally, Roxas took her up on it. Tifa was happy, even after Roxas told her it would really just be him and his friends. Tifa said that he could invite whoever he wanted, as long as they did not do anything too stupid.
Roxas invited Sora, since he figured the brunette was already going to be in the house. However, Sora told him no and said he had plans at Riku's house.
The blush on his face did not go unnoticed, but Roxas did not tease him much. Rox figured that, whatever Sora had in mind, it was probably long overdue.
With everything all set up and ready to go, Roxas could just relax and look forward to prom, which he thought would probably be really lame, but he would probably enjoy anyway.
He would be with his friends, and no matter how stupid and overhyped the dance would be, that would make it worth it.
There was a short knock on Roxas' bedroom door. Roxas looked up from his work to see Riku hovering uncertainly in the open doorway.
"Sora's in the room over, you know," Roxas said. "He's only been there for the last half of the school year."
"I know," Riku said, fidgeting nervously. "I'm not looking for Sora."
"Come in and sit down, then. Close the door behind you."
Riku walked in and settled down on Roxas' bed. Roxas spun his desk chair around so he was facing his friend.
"So, then, what's up, if you're not here for Sora?"
"Well..." Riku looked distinctly uncomfortable.
"Is someone dead?" Roxas asked. Riku acting like this was making him incredibly nervous.
Riku blinked. "No. Why would you think someone was dead?"
"Your hands are shaking, Riku. You look like you're on the way to an aneurism."
"No one is dead," Riku promised.
Roxas raised an eyebrow. "Then what IS it? You didn't come here to get nervous and wuss out, you came to ask me something."
"Well..." Riku started again.
"Is it about Sora? He hasn't done anything tremendously stupid that I have to yell at him for, has he?" Roxas asked, narrowing his eyes. "He was fussing at me for not acting like his mom and then expected me to get his ass in shape."
"It's about Sora," Riku confirmed, "but there is no yelling involved. He hasn't done anything stupid."
"Quit being so fucking dodgy, Riku. Get to the point. You know patience isn't something I naturally have."
"He's planning something," Riku finally said. "I don't know specifics and I don't know... well, I don't know anything except for that he practically invited himself over to my house on the night you guys have prom."
Roxas burst out laughing.
Riku looked baffled. "Well, that was not the reaction I was expecting."
"That's because you're naive as hell," Roxas said, grinning. "Riku, think for a second. This is SORA."
"Which is why me not knowing what he's up to kinda worries me..."
"No," Roxas said, shaking his head. "Riku, you're smarter than this. Surely it's clicked by now."
Riku's cheeks turned slightly pink. "I know what you are implying, and trust me, the idea has definitely occurred to me."
"He's planning on sexing you up," Roxas said bluntly. "Or at least going further than you two have."
"You're acting like you're certain about this, Rox. Why are you acting like you're certain about this?"
"Horny short boy intuition?" Roxas said, getting up off his chair and sitting down next to Riku on the bed. "Come on. You're not an idiot. I'm not an idiot. Your biggest cockblock lately has been his issues. Although I'm really not sure he's got them all worked out, from how he's been behaving since he's come back home, he's at least worked on a few things. He's ready, and he must think you are, too."
"I told him I was," Riku said. "On his birthday, I told him I was ready whenever he was..."
"Well, there you go, then. Mystery solved. Is that really all you wanted to talk about?" Roxas asked, poking Riku. "That doesn't seem like it would be worth half the fidgeting you were doing before."
"There's something else, too," Riku admitted. "But you have to promise not to be a jerk about it."
"...Why do I feel like you're taking all the fun out of it by making me promise that?"
"Just promise, Roxas."
"Fine," the blonde said, pouting slightly. "I promise I won't be a jerk. Damn you and your maturity."
Riku shook his head. "It's not a maturity thing, really. I just... feel a bit awkward asking you this, and I needed you to promise ahead of time that you wouldn't hold it over my head later."
"Now, I didn't pro-" Roxas started, but Riku cut him off.
"Yes, you did. That's part of being a decent human being, Rox. You won't hold it over my head later."
"Fine. What's this important question, then?"
"Erm..." Riku bit his lip. "What's it like having sex with a guy?"
Roxas looked at him. "Well, that explains your nervousness."
"Yeah..."
Sighing, Roxas said, "Well, I guess that depends on how you define sex? I'm not really an expert on the matter."
Riku looked confused. "But you and Axel... I mean, you..."
"Nope," Roxas said. "We do lots of making out, and we've given each other handjobs, but that's about it. Handjobs can technically be considered sex, but something tells me you were talking about anal."
"You're serious," Riku said, looking at Roxas. "I can't believe... I mean, you always talk like you two are regularly having sex, and I figured..."
"We like to joke around. We tease and all, because that's the way we are. I've told him I'm ready and all. In fact, I told him I was getting kind of impatient," Roxas said, grinning unabashedly. "But I think he doesn't think I'm comfortable with the idea of a dick up my ass? I don't even know. Either way, I'm afraid I can't help you, kid."
"Well, that was anticlimactic..." Riku said, sighing. "So I'm going into this blind?"
"It's sex, Ri. It's hardly brain surgery. If it feels good and it gets you off, you're doing it right. If it hurts in the wrong kind of way, you're not doing it right." Roxas shrugged. "If Sora has something planned, he's probably done a fair amount of research, which is both slightly embarrassing and probably a good thing. It's sex, so it should be all instinct-y and shit, but I'm pretty sure things can go really wrong if you tear the skin down there."
"Roxas, how do you do it?"
Roxas blinked. "Do what?"
"You just... you never act like anything bothers you," Riku said, frowning. "I mean, you explode when something does, but things like this just seem to bounce off you. Aren't you scared or nervous or anything?"
Shrugging, Roxas said, "What's the point in getting nervous about it? What's the worst that can happen? If it's bad sex, as long as you care enough about each other, you can move past it. It might take a few times to get it right. It happens. It could also hurt, but again, not that big of a deal. Sometimes a little pain mixed in feels good, you know. There are kinks based off that, and if it isn't your thing, oh well. It'll heal. It might be a bit awkward at first, but you'll move past that. If you're worried about diseases and shit, even though you're both virgins, that's what condoms are for."
Riku looked at him. "Isn't there anything that scares you?"
"Everyone's got something that scares them. I'm not a fucking robot."
"Still..."
"Look," Roxas said. "I get scared, just like you. I get nervous, just like you. The difference between you and me, though, is that you worry and stress and fret. I don't waste my energy on that. If something bad is going to happen, it'll happen, and I'll deal with it. The future and shit are scary, sure. Why waste my time worrying, though?"
"Worrying can make you more prepared..."
Roxas sighed. "Riku, it's okay to be scared of sex. I personally think it's a bit silly, but I've had a lot of sex. All of mine was with girls, sure, but how different can it be? You haven't had that experience, and I get that. I can tell you from my experience, though, that you have no reason to worry. As long as you relax and enjoy it, instead of sitting there and freaking out, you'll be okay."
"Okay," Riku said. "If you're sure..."
"Riku, when was the last time I was wrong about something like this?"
Riku was silent, and Roxas gave him a hug.
"Don't worry, Riku. If you're that freaked out about it, read up on it or watch gay porn or something."
When Riku wrinkled his nose, Roxas laughed. "Now is that all?"
"Yeah," Riku said, finally hugging Roxas back. "You know, you weren't at all helpful, but I feel much better now. How did you manage that one?"
"Roxas magic," the small blonde said, releasing Riku and waving his fingers at the taller boy. "Isn't it incredible?"
"It really is." Riku stood up. "Well, thanks, Roxas."
"No prob," Roxas said. "And by the way, if you tell Sora that Axe and I haven't had sex, you're dead."
"If you tell Sora I asked you about it, you're dead."
Roxas laughed. "Deal. Have fun, Riku. Remember to lock your door. Don't want your mom catching you and throwing you a party afterwards."
"Oh god. She would do that, too..."
"I can picture the cake, now. 'Congratulations on FINALLY getting fucked, Riku!' All written in bright pink icing."
"Stop now before you mortify me," Riku said.
"But I'm good at that," Roxas said, grinning, "and you make it so easy!"
"Goodbye, Roxas."
Roxas smiled. "See you, Riku. Take care."
With that, Riku waved and left the room, looking significantly less fidgety and nervous than when he went in.
Doors opened for prom at seven, so they had agreed to meet up at Roxas' house at 6:30. They had to take pictures beforehand, and the place it was being held was about fifteen minutes away from Roxas' house. They did not want to be there right at seven, so they figured they could take the pictures, hang out for just a bit, and head out.
Roxas noticed when Sora left the house to visit Riku. Roxas had an evil grin on his face when he waved and told Sora to have a good time, but he wasn't entirely sure that the brunette noticed. Sora seemed a bit distracted.
Around 6:20, people started filtering in. Demyx and Axel showed up first, and Zexion showed up with Xion not much later.
Tifa ushered them outside for pictures before heading back to work. Since they still had 20 minutes or so left before the limo was supposed to arrive, they went back into the living room.
"So," Roxas asked. "Prom."
"Yep," Axel said.
"Fun," he said, grinning slightly.
"Sure," Zexion said dryly.
"I think it will be!" Xion said, poking Zexion.
"Yeah!" Demyx agreed.
Roxas grinned. "Back at my old school, they have junior senior prom, so this is my second time around. My mom wanted to make this big of a fuss last year, too, but my dad told her to lay off."
"Your mom is nice," Xion said, smiling slightly.
"She can be." Roxas said.
"My mom says she talks too much," Xion said, "so I told her she passed that gene on to her son, and he turned out okay."
"Hey!" Roxas said. "That's not fair."
Axel laughed.
Roxas poked Axel. "Shush, you."
Axel just poked him back, smiling.
"I just cannot believe your mother actually invested in a limo," Zexion said. "It's just prom."
Demyx clapped a hand over Zexion's mouth. "Shhh."
"Dmm mmph me mpph mmm," Zexion said, looking at Demyx.
"I have no idea what you just said."
"Zexion, speak English for once," Roxas teased.
Zexion rolled his eyes exasperatedly.
Demyx removed his hand.
"I said, don't make me bite you," Zexion said.
"Zexion would look good with a tiara," Xion announced, as if the words that just came out of Zex's mouth did not even register.
Axel choked on his laugh while Demyx blinked at them both.
"He would!" Xion said firmly.
"I would not," Zexion replied, equally firm in his belief.
"I think I have one somewhere," Roxas said, an evil grin on his face.
"Get it," Axel said.
"Be right back." Roxas walked out of the room and returned five minutes later. "Zexion, you are required to put this on."
"No."
"For me?" Demyx asked with his best puppy eyes.
"Pleeeease, Zex?" Xion asked.
Zexion looked at them all. "Where did you even get this, Roxas?" he asked grumpily as he put the tiara on his head. It was a cheap, plastic, silver tiara with fake green gemstones spread liberally throughout.
"Long story."
"Aww, Zexy!" Dem said.
Xion gave him a big hug. "You look adorable."
Zexion's face turned red. Demyx kissed his cheek.
"Do I have to keep this on?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Zexion asked his boyfriend.
"Because it's precious." Demyx smiled at him. "Just until we get there?"
Roxas pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.
"I'll keep it on if Roxas promises that picture or any pictures taken with it on my head don't end up online," Zexion said.
"Agreed," Roxas said.
Demyx grinned.
It wasn't long before the limo pulled up. "You guys ready?" Roxas asked.
"Yup!" Xion got up and skipped to the doorway. "Let's go!"
The others followed her lead.
Prom was not bad, Roxas decided, but a little bit boring. It was definitely more fun than junior prom at his old school. Nothing incredibly noteworthy happened, but the music was decent and the food was good. They danced and ate and had fun.
Afterwards, they piled back in the limo and headed for Roxas' house. Roxas got out food and drinks for everyone. He offered alcohol, though he only brought out water and soda in a cooler.
Xion and Zexion, of course, politely declined and grabbed bottles of soda. Axel and Demyx both said they wanted to drink a little, so Roxas let them pick out of the bottles he had stashed away. He grabbed a bottle of beer for himself.
They had made a detour to Blockbuster on the way home to pick out movies, so they popped one in. They were all a bit tired, but they figured they could stay awake for a movie.
About halfway through, Xion was curled up into a ball on the floor. Zexion was watching Demyx more than he was the movie. Roxas was almost through his second bottle of beer, and he was already starting to get friendlier. His head was on Axel's shoulders, and his arms were around his waist.
Axel was absently playing with Roxas's hair as he watched the movie.
Roxas finished the last of his drink. "I'm going for more. Do you need any?"
"I'm good," Axel said.
"Mmkay." Roxas returned a few minutes later. "Remind me to clean all this up tonight," Roxas said, settling back into his seat and leaning into Axel. "Riku won't be around to be the reasonable person who doesn't get hung over and who cleans up after us."
"Mmkay," Axel agreed.
"Sometimes I'm glad my parents practically live at work," Roxas said.
Axel only 'hmm'ed.
"So," Roxas said, looking at the TV. "What's this movie about?"
"Penguins," Demyx supplied sleepily.
"But all I see are people," Roxas said, frowning. "No penguins."
"That's because the people want to take the penguins away from the guy."
"Oh. That seems silly. Let him keep his damn penguins." Roxas closed his eyes and took a swig of his beer.
"Mhmm," Demyx agreed.
"Do you two need to go to sleep?" Zexion asked.
"No."
"Nope," Roxas agreed. "I'm still wide awake."
Despite his 'no', Demyx curled into Zexion's side, hugging his empty drink bottle like a teddy bear.
"I love you," Zexion mumbled to Demyx. "I'm going to take this away now, okay?" He reached for Dem's bottle.
Dem whined at him.
"When I'm back, we can cuddle. I'm warmer and softer than this."
"S'my new teddy."
Zexion looked around. He grabbed a small pillow from the sofa, taking the bottle from Demyx and replacing it with the pillow. "I'll be right back, okay Demyx?"
"Mmh."
Zexion rinsed out the bottle and disposed of it, and by the time he returned, Demyx was almost asleep. Zex grabbed another pillow from the sofa, set it under Demyx's head, and laid down next to him, wrapping his arms around the blonde.
"Night, Demyx."
"Love you, Zexy," Dem muttered.
"Love you, too."
Roxas was almost through his third bottle when he realized that he and Axel were the only ones still awake. "Axelllll," he said cheerfully, his voice slightly slurred.
"You sound like Larxene. Stop."
"Whoops. Sorry."
"Anyway, what'd you want?"
"Are you actually watchin' the movie?"
"Yes, those baby penguins are fucking adorable."
"Oh." Roxas frowned. He was potentially being cockblocked by penguins. He was not sure how he felt about that.
Axel kissed his cheek. "They are cute, but you're cuter. Don't look so sad."
Roxas smiled. "You're cute, too, Axe." He used the hand he had wrapped around Axel's waist to gently pat Axel's belly.
"I know." Axel smiled.
Roxas set his bottle down. "I like you better than penguins. I like people, 'specially people of the Axel variety."
"Aww, that's sweet."
"I don't like birds."
"Shh, don't let the penguins hear you. They bite."
"But don't they have beaks?" Roxas looked slightly confused.
"Yes?"
"Teethybeaked bastards."
Axel just looked at him funny. "Don't talk about my mother that way."
"If you're part penguin, the deal is off. I've got kinks, but that sure as hell isn't one of 'em," Roxas said, poking Axel.
Axel attempted to imitate a penguin.
Roxas stared at him. "That shouldn't be funny. I think I need another drink."
"Noo you don't."
"Mmhm," Roxas said, reaching down to pick up his empty bottle.
Axel wrapped his arm around Roxas, trapping him. "No."
"But I've only had three," Roxas pouted, holding up two fingers.
"That's enough for tonight, or do you want an exploding head in the morning?"
"Three isn't enough for an awful hangover for me."
"Exactly, so you're stopping now."
Roxas pouted. "You're no fun."
"You'll thank me tomorrow when you don't feel like you're dying or something."
"But I'm barely drunk..."
"Shhh. You don't have to get wasted every time you drink."
Roxas did his best puppy dog eyes.
"No."
"Can I at least clean out the bottle?" Roxas asked, holding it up to show Axel.
"I'll do it later, when I get around to doing my own."
Roxas wrinkled his nose. "Stale beer doesn't smell as good."
"It doesn't smell good to begin with."
"Shhh, you'll hurt its feelings."
"Don't care."
Roxas sighed. "You've got your penguins, I've got my alcohol. It's nice and fuzzy and doesn't always smell the best, but it's nice enough that it doesn't really matter."
"That sounds like a baby penguin."
"Exactly!" Roxas said, grinning. "Penguins and alcohol're practically the same thing."
"Then we won't have either."
"But... if penguins are good for you, alcohol is, too, right?"
"No."
"Well, damn. All the penguin lovers I've ever known have lied to me."
"Sorry, Roxy."
Roxas set down the bottle and settled into Axel's arms. "Does that mean we're turning the movie off?"
"Yes it does. It's over anyway."
"Oh. I didn't even notice..."
"Mhmm."
Roxas turned the TV off. "There. Now that the evil penguins are vanquished, I have you all to myself."
Axel nodded. "Yep. Although, I argue that they aren't evil."
"Shhhh," Roxas said, putting a finger to Axel's mouth. "No more penguins. Just Roxas and Axel."
"Works for me," Axel said, the words muffled just a little by the finger.
Roxas beamed and removed his finger. "Good." He leaned in and kissed Axel.
Axel kissed back, and after a bit, Roxas broke the kiss. "Can we have sex?" he asked bluntly.
"No. Our first time will not be with you drunk."
Roxas frowned. "I already said I'm not that drunk..."
"That doesn't matter, Roxas. The fact is that you still are."
"Not really..."
"Not really drunk is still drunk. It's not happening for the first time, unless that not really is not at all."
"Then I'm not at all drunk," Roxas declared, seeming to think that saying it made it true.
"Doesn't work that way, Rox."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Axel said.
Roxas sighed. "Fine," he said, kissing Axel again.
Axel kissed back for a moment. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Roxas said. "I'm just impatient, is all. Sora was gunning for sex tonight, and Riku was asking about it. He was shocked when I had to tell him we still hadn't had petnetrating-pene-you know. Sex."
"Oh."
"Mmhm," Roxas said. "It's okay, though. You're probably right. In the morning, I'll probly look back and regret asking you."
"I just want it to be at a good time with nothing influencing either of us, no matter how small. It feels less... one-night standsy that way."
"If it's important to you, then okay," Roxas said, burying his face in Axel's chest.
"Love you."
"Love you, too. And... Axel?"
"Yeah?"
"If you were a one-night stand, neither of us would be here right now."
"I know."
"Good." Roxas raised his head slightly, kissing Axel on the neck.
"We should sleep," Axel suggested.
"Not drunk or sleepy enough for that," Roxas said.
"Sad, because I am."
"You can use my bed."
"I'm fine right here."
"You sure?" Roxas shifted so less of his weight was on Axel.
"Yep."
"I can snuggle with you until you fall asleep."
Axel smiled. "That sounds nice."
Roxas smiled back. "Perfect." He kissed Axel on the cheek. "Should I clean up the bottles now or wait until you're asleep?"
"Stay."
"Okay."
Axel smiled again, closing his eyes. It wasn't too long before he was asleep, just like the others.
After kissing Axel gently on his forehead, Roxas got up, grabbing the empty bottles and trying to carefully navigate his way through the sleeping bodies spread out around the room. When he was finished cleaning everything up, he returned to the living room, curling up next to Axel until sleep finally came to him.
Riku slowly opened his eyes. As he woke up a little, he noticed a few odd things.
He was wearing no clothing.
The person next to him, who he looked and verified was Sora, was not wearing any clothing, either.
He was still really tired.
His brain slowly filled in the rest of the details.
There had been a bit of awkward discussion before Sora had finally just kissed Riku, and the tension melted away. Clothing slowly started to come off, and Sora gave Riku the blowjob that he had been trying to give him for ages. Riku knew it was probably a bit clumsy and all, but having nothing to compare it to, all he could really say was that it felt really, really good. He felt guilty for leaving Sora there, though, and when he mentioned it, Sora suggested fixing things by going just a bit further.
Just a bit further ended up being all the way. Sora told Riku to top. Sora had known for a long time that he would eventually be doing this with someone and that he was tiny and not the most aggressive. Riku had come to terms with things much more recently, and Sora figured he would be more comfortable on top.
Afterwards, they were both tired and happy, so they cleaned up and cuddled for a bit before falling asleep.
Riku shifted slightly, and he heard Sora mumble something. "You awake?"
"Mmph," Sora said.
"I'll take that as a yes."
One sleepy blue eye opened ever so slightly to look at him.
"You're adorable like this," Riku said, smiling and kissing Sora on the forehead. "Have I ever told you that?"
"Hmm."
Riku snuggled closer to Sora. "Go back to sleep. I'm sorry if I woke you."
Sora mumbled something, and the eye closed again.
"Love you," Riku said, closing his eyes and relaxing against the brunette.
Sora was already back asleep.
[TBC]