Respect Me Not
Warnings: There still are mistakes in grammar, I think. Also Shounen-ai, which means malexmale love. NOT FOR KAIRI FANS! (or Naminé) Also, there might be some drug using, self-destructive activities and maybe some character deaths… Crossovers from Final Fantasy VII and VIII…
Pairings: SoraxRiku, one-sided SoraxAxel and RikuxKairi, WakkaxTidus, CloudxLeon, AerithxCid and maybe some more…
Disclaimer: Still I own nothing. Hmph.
Reviews:
Yayay, thank you all, I never get tired of your reviews!
Chapter 24, Don't Give Up
Next day, Leon was walking around the centre of Tokyo. He really didn't have any place he wanted to go, or anything, he just wanted to go out and get some fresh air… Or, if you really can call exhaust filled air fresh…. Oh well, that's beside the point.
The brown-haired man rolled his grey eyes, before folding his arms. The people in Tokyo were as busy as always. Hurrying from some place to another and so on. Leon was pretty happy that he didn't have to do three jobs in a day anymore, like he used to, just so he would have enough money to pay for his apartment and food.
As he walked past some small store, he couldn't help but notice a small magazine on one of the shelves, which were outside right next to the door. After glancing it for a while, he really realized what was reading on the front-page of LeBlanc's gossip magazine; "Fresh gossips of Melancholic Requiem! Something you never knew about this new band!".
The brunette snorted in disgust. He picked up one of the magazines and opened the page, which was about their band.
Yesterday, after fabulous concert of Melancholic Requiem, we had an unique change to interview them:
So, your first album will be released at the Christmas, right?
"Yes, that's what we have planned." The singer of Melancholic Requiem replied shortly, but firmly.
Leon lifted his eyebrow. Riku didn't even reply to that question, despite the fact that the reply never even was that long. Leon shook his head. He was getting too meticulous now.
Is there anything you would like to tell about the CD?
"Yes, we have lots of things to say about it." Tifa, the basso-player informed, "We've gone lots of things through, and this CD tells about those incidents and how we managed to live through them. Well, I've really experienced everything, just thought that I could say something too, hehehe."
Leon's eyebrow lifted even higher. LeBlanc made Tifa sound like she would be a total bitch. And it was Cloud, who said that anyways… The brunette growled angrily, but kept reading anyways. He was really anxious to see how much mistakes he could find from the text.
-The next question is for Riku. What inspired you to found this band?
"I've always wanted to be a singer. And –of course- if I get really famous, I'll get hell of a lot money, and I'll be able to help poor people, who live in Africa." Riku told us, while frowning thoughtfully, "…And my lover has inspired me too."
Now, we're all anxious to know, who this lover could be…? Could it be the beautiful bassist Tifa? Or is it something we don't know yet? Well, there's no need to worry, nothing can be hid from LeBlanc!
Leon sweatdropped. Riku and Tifa? That was hilarious. LeBlanc sure had pretty good imagination, since Tifa and Riku together was just… Not right. Leon wondered what would LeBlanc say if she'd find out that Riku's dating another man…
-Do you have any love-relationships between your bandmates?
"Yes of course we do." The keyboardist, Cloud replied faster than we could have imagined, "I, for example, can openly confess that I have huge crush on Yuffie, she just never replies my feelings."
At this point, Yuffie hid her head in her palms, and started to giggle madly. I hope we are seeing those two happily married, sometime soon.
Now Leon started to get really pissed off. Yuffie and Cloud! Where did that come from? This whole magazine was so full of nonsense that it was really a miracle that someone believed it. The brunette frowned angrily, but still he couldn't stop reading the article.
-Okay, so one last question: Do you have anything to say to your fans?
"We just want to say that." Irvine, the Melancholic Requiem's manager stepped out now, and talked, "…You're really important part of our lives. This band wouldn't be here now without you. You're more important than you can ever imagine."
Everyone nodded, and agreed with their manager.
"She didn't even ask such a question…" Leon mumbled angrily, few people who passed him by gave him odd looks. Some of them stopped to stare at him. First they glanced the magazine he was holding (which happened to have a big picture of him in it), and then they focused their eyes back at him.
"Hey you're Leon!" Someone finally screamed, pointing her finger towards Leon, who frowned to the yelling people. It was rather scary really… it seemed like all of them would have suddenly gone crazy.
"Ohmigod! Can I please have your autograph?"
"Ohh, you're soooo cool!"
"I saw you on TV last night, and I really fell in love!"
"Marry me!"
"EEK- IT'S LEON FROM MELANCHOLIC REQUIEM!"
More and more people started to gather around poor Leon, who dropped the magazine on the ground in shock and confusion. He had never thought that everyone would recognize him yet… Was he that popular already?
…Maybe this was the right time to flee.
Some of the fangirls tried to jump on the brown-haired man, but he dodged the girl. Yes, now he really should run.
He turned around, before the crowd of noisy people would surround him. He started to run. And he really ran… He couldn't remember when he had ran that fast. Must have been when he still was going the school, when some random fangirls had followed him around.
Leon looked over his shoulder, and saw mass of people running right behind him. He frowned, as he nearly crashed on someone. He looked at the man he was about to bump on, and saw the familiar man with a cowboy hat.
"'ello Leon." Irvine greeted Leon, "What's u-… Holy Hell, what's goin' on here?"
"No time to explain." Leon said, and started to run again, this time he was followed by Irvine, who was holding his hat, as he ran by the brunette's side.
Finally they managed to mislead the group of lunatic people behind them. They both panted heavily, as they stood in a dark alley. Irvine looked at Leon, still trying to catch his breath, "What was that all 'bout? Freaking scary if ya ask me."
"Have you read today's LeBlanc?" Leon asked.
"Uhh… no." Irvine said, as fixed the position of his hat, "Why?"
"They're telling some crap about our band. Made me really pissed off." Leon growled, as he folded his arms and leaned his back on a cold wall behind him. Irvine just chuckled, but didn't say anything. The brunette man gave him an empty look, "You think it's funny?"
"No, not really." Irvine said, before patting Leon's shoulder, "…It's just how being famous feels like. Better get used to it, pal."
Sora stretched his arms, while he sat up and nearly hit Riku while doing so. He smiled at his boyfriend, who slowly opened his eyes too. Riku had always been a light-sleeper, and always woke up because of even the tiniest voices.
"Good morning, sexy." Riku mumbled, while pulling blushing Sora back down.
"Rikuuuh… I'm hungry…" Sora whined and pouted, but the grip around his waist just tightened.
"Ah, I love it when you say that…" The silver-haired man chuckled, while nuzzling his nose to back of Sora's neck, "…That 'Rikuuuh'… Say it again…"
"Nuh-uh… I'm hungry, I wanna go get something to eat…" Sora protested, but it was in vain. Riku still didn't let go off him, only pulling him closer to his chest. The brunette let out a desperate sigh, as he turned around in Riku's arms and looked into those mysterious aqua-colored eyes, "Riku… Please…"
Riku laughed, and leaned towards Sora, catching his lips into a loving kiss. Soon, however, he pulled back, and let go off the other one, "Fine… I'm pretty hungry too, in fact."
Sora snorted, as he jumped out of the bed, and ran away, before Riku was able to change his mind and pull him back into the bed. He leaped down the stairs, to the kitchen, where Cloud already were eating bacon and omelette, while reading today's newspapers.
"Good morning." Sora said happily, as he walked next to Cloud and snatched the last slice of bacon and eating it happily. The blonde man snorted and slapped Sora's head playfully.
"Oi, that was mine, you pig." Cloud mumbled, while placing the magazine on the table and looking at his brother, with a disturbing smile plastered on his lips, "So… I hope you didn't stay up too long last night… And you guys were kinda quiet, since I didn't hear anything… Or maybe it was because of the earplugs…"
Sora gave a suspicious glance to Cloud, who giggled quietly, "…And what's that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, nothing, nothing. Hope you two had fun anyways." Cloud added, trying to make his voice sound as innocent as possible, but the dirtiness of his thoughts echoed in his voice. Sora, who was too naïve to notice this, frowned and shook his head.
"I don't really understand you, Cloud."
"Haha, don't worry about it." Cloud laughed, and stood up, "So, you hungry?"
"Yeah. Feed me." The brunette replied and sat by the table. He leaned his head on the surface of it, and sighed happily.
Cloud gave him an amused look, while starting to fry some more bacon, "You know if Riku wants something to eat too?"
"Yeah." Said Riku, who entered the kitchen. He sat next to Sora, and smiled at the said brunette, "I hope Cloud wasn't asking weird stuff about us… That twisted pervert. We didn't do anything out of ordinary, or did we?"
Sora blushed and shook his head. He still wasn't sure if he understood the situation, but then again he wasn't even sure if he wanted to understand. The brown-haired man leaned his head on Riku's shoulder. The said silver-haired man chuckled, before snatching the newspaper from the other side of the table and opening it.
Riku eyed the magazine for a while, before tossing it aside. He looked at Cloud, and his features suddenly grew serious, "Cloud. Have you even thought how you're gonna pay your treatment?"
Both Sora, and Cloud became quiet. The blonde stayed still for a while, before he continued to fry the bacon. Riku sighed and shook his head. It was just like he had thought. All of them knew that time was running out. If they didn't do anything, the death of Cloud would be unavoidable.
"I don't know." Cloud replied suddenly, "…I honestly have no idea. And what's the point to even try to find a cure? The doctor said that my chances are minimal."
Sora straightened his back, and stood up. He looked at Cloud, anger and fury filling his usually calm eyes, "Don't tell me you're giving up now, Cloud!" He yelled, while balling his fists, "You can't give up! I won't let you give up!"
Riku and Cloud were both a little taken aback from Sora's sudden outburst. It had been a while since the brunette had yelled like that.
But before neither one of the older males could say anything, Sora already was running towards the front door, and in mere seconds he was out of the house. Cloud and Riku exchanged glares, and deep frowns were plastered on their faces.
Cloud sighed, as he turned around and leaned his hands on the counter next to the stove, "I guess I messed up… But I just honestly don't think that there's much hope left…"
"I'm with Sora though." Riku stated solemnly, "Don't give up."
"Okay, do it Tiddy!" Selphie said, while offering her cell phone to Tidus, who frowned and shook his head. The brunette woman let out a frustrated sigh, "C'mon you have to call Wakka and ask what's going on! Honestly! Just do it, he's your boyfriend, for god's sake!"
Tidus gulped, but grabbed the phone from Selphie's hands. He dialed Wakka's home phone number, and waited for the orange-haired man to answer.
"Hello." Was a rather cold reply, not from Wakka though. The voice definitely didn't belong to Wakka.
"Uhh, hi…" Tidus said awkwardly, "I-is Wakka at home?"
"It depends who's asking."
"I-I'm Tidus…" The blonde boy mumbled, as he gave a shocked glance to Selphie, who frowned thoughtfully.
"Oh yes. He has something he wants to tell you. Isn't that right, Wakka?"
Tidus blinked his eyes, as he suddenly could hear Wakka's voice, "Ehh, Tidus? What's up? Somethin' wrong?"
"I… I just wanted to know what you've been up to…" Tidus asked quietly, his voice shaking slightly, "…You've been pretty distant for few weeks now… Especially yesterday… Is something wrong?"
Silence.
"Wakka?"
"Everythin' is fine. Don't worry 'bout it. Talk to you later, I gotta go now."
And before Tidus could say anything else, Wakka ended the call. Selphie looked at her friend, excitement could be seen from her green eyes, "What did he say?… Hey…? Hey? Tiddy!"
Tidus turned pale as he gave the phone back to Selphie and stood up. He looked into nothingness, before slamming his hand to cover his mouth. Vomiting sounds could be heard from behind his hand, as he fell on the floor, now covering his mouth with both of his hands.
"Tidus!"
Suddenly the blonde emptied the contents of his stomach on Selphie's room's floor. The brunette girl screamed loudly, as she ran to her friend and kneeled next to him. Loud footsteps could be heard from the other side of a closed door, before it was slammed open and Selphie's mother was standing there.
"Mom! Tiddy he-" Selphie said, but before she could finish her sentence, Tidus stood up, few tears rolling down his cheeks, "…Tidus?"
"I-I'm sorry… I'll clean this mess up…" the blonde said, while tears made their way down from his eyes.
Selphie's mother folded her hands and shook her head. She pointed at Selphie's bed, "No can do. You can take off your dirty clothes, so Selphie can find you something clean to wear. Then you're going to lay down, while I clean this mess up."
Selphie nodded her head, and ran out of the door, to search through her brother's closets. Selphie's mother, left too, so Tidus could undress in peace.
The blonde pulled his shirt off, before removing his pants. He hugged himself for warmth, while waiting for Selphie to return with some clean clothes. He didn't understand why he had just thrown up. Maybe the thoughts of Wakka in bed with someone else were just too disgusting for him to handle. Or maybe the sudden urge of crying he tried to fight against, had pushed him over the edge?
"Okay, here are some clothes. They might be a little bit too big, since I borrowed those from Seifer." Selphie said, as she threw a pile of clothes to Tidus, who caught them, "I'll go get my mom so she can clean up. Dress up and lay down, okay? You'll feel better when you wake up."
Tidus nodded and watched Selphie to disappear behind a corner. He quickly dressed up in Selphie's big brother's clothes, before jumping onto the brunette woman's bed. He buried his head on the pillows, while inhaling a deep breath of Selphie's scent. It was somewhat comforting.
The blonde man sighed heavily. Maybe he should try to get some sleep. He wondered if Cloud, Sora and Aerith were worried about him, since he hadn't gone home all night. Or maybe they haven't even noticed his absence.
Soon Selphie's mother came back, and started to clean up the mess on her daughter's room floor. Tidus pretended that he was already fast asleep. Even though Selphie's mother had always been like a mother to him too, this was something he didn't want to talk to her about.
Selphie's mother was done cleaning up pretty fast, and left soundlessly the room. Tidus rolled around on the bed, still unable to sleep.
"Wakka…" he mumbled into one of the pillows, "…I hope you really you didn't do it…"
Sora mumbled something angrily to himself, while walking through a dusky park. The morning sun shone coldly behind large trees, making the snow glitter brightly. Angelo, who had wanted to come along, looked his owner for a while, before waving his tail and barking happily.
The brunette rolled his eyes and shoved his hands into his pockets. It was rather cold, and he had forgotten to take his gloves with him. Angelo walked next to him obediently, and he didn't need a leash, unless they went to a place, where cars drove. Rinoa had done really great job training Angelo.
Sora found an empty bench, nearby a small pond and sat down. He let Angelo run freely on a snowy field, since he didn't see anyone around. He inhaled a deep breath of clean air, yet cold air. Everything seemed so peaceful and quiet.
Still, he couldn't believe the things Cloud had said. Giving up wasn't an option. There has to be some way to save him… Sora was ready to go work to a strip-bar, just so he could get enough money for Cloud's treatment… Okay, maybe not a strip-bar, unless it was absolutely necessary.
Cloud would survive, Sora was sure of it. Or he would make sure of it…
"Hey."
Sora jumped slightly, as someone suddenly sat next to him. He looked and saw a familiar man, with blood-red hair, "Axel?"
Axel nodded his head and chuckled lamely, "How's it going?"
Sora glanced the other man suspiciously, while slowly moving towards the other side of the bench. Axel noticed this and laughed.
"Don't worry, I'm not up to anything suspicious."
The brunette frowned, before relaxing slightly. He sighed and shook his head weakly, "Sorry…" he mumbled a simple apology, before looking down at his shoes.
"Something wrong?" Axel asked, even though there wasn't even a slightest bit of concern in his voice. But somehow, Sora could tell that the redheaded man cared, he just didn't know how to show it…
"It's just…" Sora started, feeling tears coming up to his eyes, "My brother… He… he has a brain cancer… and… everyone says that he won't make it…"
Axel frowned, as he watched the younger male to press his hands against his face. He didn't know what to do, so he just reached out and patted Sora's shoulder gently, "Well…" he said, "…I-I think that you guys shouldn't give up…"
Sora looked up at Axel, his eyes wet, but his lips were curved upwards, into a sweet smile, "Thanks Axel. Those are mine thoughts exactly, yet… Cloud said that he was gonna give up… But I'm not gonna let him!"
"That's the spirit!" Axel smiled, and patted Sora's shoulder again, "Look, I'm going shopping for some Christmas presents, and I was thinking if you wanted to come along… it would…. Maybe cheer you up?"
Sora stood up and nodded his head happily. He whistled to Angelo, to come back to him and started to walk towards the city, "Okay! I need to buy presents too… Kinda forgot that it's Christmas tomorrow… Ehehee…"
Axel chuckled and stood up too, and caught up with the other one, "Haha, let's go then."
"I wonder where Sora went… he has been gone 33 minutes and 20 seconds now…" Riku mumbled, while glancing out of a window every now and then. Cloud just shrugged and leaned his head on his palms. Riku bit his lip, "What if something happened to him? What if someone came and kidnapped him again? Or what if someone tries to rape, rob or molest him?"
"Riku…" Cloud said, "Sora's a big boy. He'll be okay."
Riku hmph-ed, and remained quiet for next 20 seconds (which was a new record so far), "…But what if someone really came and-…"
"Riku…" Cloud interrupted Riku's explanation, "…You're really making me nuts… Of course I'm worried too, but Sora's probably okay."
"Probably?" Riku cried out loud and banged his head to the kitchen table.
"Riku, please." Cloud moaned and rubbed his temples, "You're giving me a headache… Why don't you go to look for him, if you're so damn worried?"
Riku looked at the blonde man, with deep frown in his face, "…Cloud? Are you okay?"
"To be honest, no, I'm not." Cloud replied and leaned his forehead on the table. Riku's frown became even deeper as he looked at his friend, concern filling his features. The blonde lifted his head from the table and gave Riku a weak smile, "Don't worry about it… I'm just angry at myself, because I cause so much sadness to Sora."
"Cloud… Are you sure you won't try to find a way to get enough money for your treatment?" Riku asked.
"I don't know." Cloud replied simply, as he slowly turned his head, so he could look out of the window, "What's the point to even try… If there's no hop-…"
"Shut it already Cloud. Stop talking like that, no wonder you're making Sora feel worse and worse day after day!" Riku stood up, causing the chair behind him fall on the floor with a loud noise. Cloud blinked his eyes few times, before rubbing his temples again.
"You're right… I'm sorry." The blonde man said.
"Don't apologize me." Riku stated, and lifted up the chair from the floor and sat down again, "…You think that we should go out to look for Sora?"
Cloud shook his head. The silver-haired man just sighed and kept his eyes locked out of the window.
"If he's not home in next 30 minutes, then we'll go look for him." Cloud said and Riku nodded in agreement.
"You're right… Sora's probably okay… Yet, I just can't stop worrying…"
"Well…" Cloud started, "I can't say that I wouldn't be worried too… After he got kidnapped once…"
The silver-haired man nodded his head again, though he didn't think that Sora would get kidnapped again. Lance just tried to scare him, but he just couldn't break up with Sora. He just loved him too much.
"I guess I should tell my mom about my cancer…" Cloud suddenly broke the silence. Riku looked at him, his eyebrow raising. The blonde chuckled awkwardly, "Uh yeah… Aerith doesn't know about it yet… You think I should tell her?"
Riku shook his head, "You're hopeless Cloud… You know that she'll find out eventually anyways… Oh… and by the way, where is she?"
Cloud looked over his shoulder, to their living room, then shrugged, "I've no clue…"
CC: Hmm… Seems like you guys would like this story to be never ending. Though, I can tell you that it would get boring eventually, if this story was never ending... That's why I'm gonna end it, sooner or later.
Riku: Yay.
CC: …… I'm gonna tell Sora never ever kiss you again.
Riku: What! NOOOO!
CC: xD Just kidding. Review?