Part 6

The Truth

Over the week between Leon's message and his arrival, Sora decided to do something that he has never done before: He signed up to join a gym. It was a strange, exotic, and intimidating place for Sora. He felt he was two hundred pounds heavier, and everywhere he turned; people would stare at him. Axel and Roxas were with him, thankfully, and he followed whatever the two did to a letter. It was an intimidating experience, Sora did not know what he was doing, but he was happy that he was with Roxas and Axel during it. So far, on the day of Leon and Cloud's arrival, Sora was able to go to the gym most of the week, but always with either Roxas or Axel.

Leon drove into the driveway early Friday night. He was a tall man, fairly muscular, wearing a white shirt with a plain leather jacket and pants. He had brown hair like Sora, however his wasn't spikey, instead it was unruly. Sora watched from his bedroom window as Leon walked up to the front door holding a very large duffel bag, before he heard the sound of the door opening downstairs, followed by his mother's cry of joy.

"Leon! Oh, I missed you!"

Sora ran out of his room and down the stairs to see his brother being smothered by their mother. "Mom, it was barely s few weeks," Leon groaned. Their dad walked in and patted Leon's back. "How are you son?" he asked, "How's Cloud?"

"Cloud's fine, I dropped him off before I got here," Leon said. Their mom let go of him and stepped back.

"Did you eat? Have you been eating well? Dinner is almost ready, come sit down," their mother all but demanded and turned back to the kitchen. Their dad followed and Leon and Sora was left alone.

Leon smirked at Sora, "Well little bro?" he said.

"I missed you!" Sora cried out, and jumped into Leon's arms, the two brothers hugging each other fiercely. Sora felt comfortable in Leon's arms, sighing comfortably, he looked up and smiled ruefully.

"Glad to see you're happy Sora," Leon said. "How are you?"

"Better," Sora smiled, "I was scared about college but now I'm better."

"Ohh? Well that's good," Leon said, he let go of Sora and ruffled his hair. "I saw the pictures you sent me, but I still worry that your new friends are treating you well."

"They are—in fact they talked me into so many things," Sora smiled. "I'm eating again—healthy and moderation but that's a start right? And… and I joined a gym."

"A gym?" Leon said, his face was etched with worry. "Sora—"

Sora shook his head, "It's not like that," he said, "I'm… I'm not like that again."

"Does your friends know?" Leon asked. Sora shook his head. "No," he said, "I did not have the uh opportunity to tell them."

Leon frowned, Sora blushed and bit his bottom lip. "I'm going to tell them, but I just… I'm a little scared. They're all just so perfect and in perfect shape. If they knew that I was… that… I just don't' know how they'll react."

"Well, if they're good friends, they'll understand," Leon said. "But come on, I'm hungry, and Mom's cooking is better than anything Cloud and I can try."

Sora giggled and followed his brother to the kitchen. Dinner was mainly the four of them catching up, talking about Leon and Cloud's third year at college as well as how they're doing in general with work and studies. After dinner, Sora helped Leon separate his dirty clothes in his room.

"So, this Riku character," Leon continued, "What do you know about him?"

"What do you mean?" Sora asked.

"Well describe him," Leon said, "What do you know about him?"

"A lot of things obviously," Sora said. "He's a history major, he's amazing, always call me kitten and kisses my cheek, makes me felt good inside… he hates garlic, I remember he told me once he has a garlic allergy. His favorite color is red, he has a nice car, slim muscle body—"

"Stop, you're describing him, but how is he as a person? Besides amazing," Leon said.

"Oh," Sora blushed. "Well, he's always kind to me… a little mysterious at times but it's kind of alluring. He just has this aura around him that makes me want to try new things, to get out of my shell. He can be serious and cocky at times, like he wants to show off but still want to be humble."

"I see," Leon muttered, "Well, I cannot wait to meet him tomorrow, do you have any plans?"

"No."

"Perfect, we can have a double date then during lunch," Leon said. "Can you text him to see if he is free?"

Sora nodded and texted Riku, who agreed only a moment later. "He says he's fine any time."

"One at the burger place Cloud and I love, you know it?" Leon asked. Sora nodded, he texted Riku and looked up at his brother. "He'll meet us there," he said.

"Good, now, you've said you've joined a gym?" Leon asked.

Sora nodded, "Yeah but I don't know what I'm doing there…" Leon sighed and shook his head.

"Typical Sora," he said.

"Sorry," Sora said, looking bashful. "It was a split second decision… my friends were going and I didn't want to be alone so I followed and just did what they did."

"And do you do this every time you go?"

"Maybe." Leon gave Sora a hard look. The younger brother shrank under it. "Yes," he said.

Leon shook his head while Sora stared at him pitifully. "I'll ask Cloud," Leon sighed. "I'm sure I can talk him into making a program for you for free." Cloud was studying to become a private trainer. Sora smiled but said nothing, instead putting extra effort to make sure that Cloud's clothes are sorted neatly into piles.

The next day found Sora, Cloud, and Leon waiting by Scrooge's Burgers, a burger place owned by a wealthy man that Sora has never met before named Scrooge McDuck. Sora was wearing something seasonal, looking around for Riku.

"I'm sorry I'm a little late."

Sora smiled and turned quickly to see Riku walking up to them. The small man ran up and hugged his boyfriend fiercely as Riku returned it. "Miss me kitten?" he chuckled.

"Maybe," Sora smiled. "Ohh! Come on, you have to meet my brother!" he grinned. He took Riku's hand and pulled him towards Leon and Cloud. "This is Leon, my older brother, and this is his boyfriend Cloud. Leon, this is my boyfriend Riku," Sora introduced.

"Hello," Riku said, shaking Leon's hand. Leon squeezed hard, but Riku did not flinch at all.

"Hello," Leon said. "What do you do, Riku?" Leon asked.

"I'm a history major," Riku said.

"No work?"

"Looking."

"I see…" Leon said, "Come on Sora," he looked at Sora, letting go of Riku's hand and led the three inside. It was a generic looking food place, bright lights and retro seating. Leon swore on his life that the place made the best burgers, and Sora liked to agree, however he had never stepped in here for a year. He was a bit afraid that he would go overboard.

The two couples were given a window seat, Cloud and Leon sitting comfortably next to each other as Sora kept blushing at being next to Riku. "Want a milkshake, Cloud?" Leon asked, earning him a sharp look from his boyfriend that made him chuckle.

Riku looked between the two and Sora explained, "Cloud's a bit of a health nut. He takes calorie intakes and all that stuff very seriously."

"And just because of that… I will, since you're paying," Cloud smirked. Leon shrugged and looked at Sora. "Water?" he asked a little hesitantly.

Sora bit his lip, "Umm…" he looked at Riku for a moment, "Actually… Leon can I please try a soda? Diet of course!"

Leon and Cloud looked at each other before Leon nodded, "Yeah, sure," he said.

Sora gave a small smile and relaxed towards Riku. "What do you drink, Riku?" Leon asked.

Riku licked his lips, and said, "I'll have a diet coke if that isn't a problem."

"No," Leon shrugged, "why would it?"

Riku just shrugged in response. A waitress was with them in a moment and handed the four a small menu. Riku looked at the waitress and asked, "How rare do you make the burgers here?"

"Pretty rare," the waitress said, looking bored.

"Then can I have that please?" Riku asked. She just nodded and wrote it down, looking at the other three. Leon and Cloud ordered while Sora looked down at the menu, biting his lower lip. "Umm…" he looked around awkwardly, "I'll uhh have what my brother is having," he said.

The woman nodded and wrote the orders down before leaving. Sora looked a little abashed, which confused Riku. The other two did not react to this, but still Riku was worried. He looked up at Leon and Cloud, and stealthily pulled his phone out and texted Sora.

Riku: You okay kitten?

Sora felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He started to reach before stopping, figuring it's rude. Riku pressed his foot to Sora's, and caught his attention. Sora looked at him, and Riku raised his phone slightly above his lap. Sora's eyes widened and pulled his phone out.

Sora: I'm fine… I'll explain later when we're alone.

Riku nodded and both slipped their phones away.

"What did you two just do?" Leon asked.

"Nothing," Sora said with an easy smile. "Cloud! Did I tell you? Roxas got me a job! He's an ew friend of mine—he and I work at the Starbuck on campus at my college!"

"Really? That's brilliant Sora," Cloud smiled, "you have to start somewhere, right?"

"Yeah," Sora nodded.

"How is the writing going, by the way?" Cloud asked. Sora's cheeks went red. "What's the matter?"

"I just… haven't been writing that much is all," Sora said, "I just… I don't know." He sighed, looking downtrodden.

"That's a bit too bad," Cloud said, "but I guess you are still getting used to college."

"Yeah," Sora sighed, "but it's a bit weird… I mean I find my days so busy nowadays!"

"That's nothing to be worried about," Leon said, "you have a life now, friends to spend time with. You're going to need to reorganize when you can write."

"I guess…"

"Anyway, I want to know more about you Riku," Leon said, turning his attention from his brother to the boy next to him. "What did you say your last name was, again?"

"I didn't," Riku said, "but it's Caelum. My name full name is Riku Noctis Caelum."

Leon nodded and thought for a moment, "Caelum… I do not know your family," he said.

"We keep to ourselves, but my cousin owns a restaurant downtown," Riku said. "The Coffin?"

"I've heard of that, "Cloud nodded. He looked at Riku for a long moment, his eyes searching for something that Sora nor Leon couldn't tell. Satisfied, Cloud leaned back and said casually, "Anyway, Riku Caelum, you want to be a historian?"

"Yeah," Riku nodded, "Mostly because of Hollow Bastion."

"Funny," Leon commented, "because that's why my brother's a writer, right Sora?"

"Yeah," Sora nodded, "I told him." Leon gave a curt smile and nodded.

"What do you do Leon?" Riku asked, "you and Cloud go to another college, right?"

"Yeah, we got to Twilight University," Leon said. "I'm studying criminology."

"You want to be a police officer?"

"Detective," Leon corrected. Riku nodded, making a small sound. The waitress returned after a short silent period, and placed the four burgers in front of them. As soon as they left, Leon said, "I will be blunt, Riku, how much have you done with my brother?"

"Leon!" Sora yelled.

Leon shrugged it off, his eyes on Riku. Riku returned the look, and said, "So far we just hold hands and kiss each other's cheeks."

"Just the cheeks?"

"Yes," Riku said. "Though, I am more than certain that we will be kissing for a long time."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Riku nodded. "I can feel it in my bones, we were just made for each other," he smiled at Sora gently and took his hand. "I've never felt this way before."

"I see…" Leon said, a disappointed look on his face. "Sora?"

"Yes!" Sora jumped in surprise.

"How do you feel about Riku?" Leon asked.

"Leon, you can't just ask your brother like this," Cloud said. Leon just gave him a glance and shrug before looking back at Sora.

"I… I feel that same," Sora said. "Like as soon as I saw him… I just knew that we would be in each other's lives forever."

Leon's disappointed face stayed the same until Cloud picked up a fry from his plate and slowly pushed it into Leon's mouth. "Lighten up," he grumbled. He looked at Riku and gave an apologetic look, "I'm sorry Riku, Leon here is just really quick to make assumptions about people… especially when they are about people who spend time with Sora. We really are happy that you guys are dating, and that you and your friends are getting Sora out of his shell. The past three years have been tough on him, and Leon and I just really worry about him and want the best."

"Cloud…" Sora blushed, his face turning red as he tried to sink into his seat.

"It's true," Cloud said. "There isn't a night that neither Leon or I worry about you Sora."

"…let's just eat," Leon grumbled, and he started to eat without another word. Cloud sighed but followed suit. Sounds of chewing and drinking filled the space between the four of them for the next few minutes. Sora felt both anxious and at ease as he ate, looking from Riku to Leon in between bites. Small talk started soon, Sora thought that Cloud started it, or maybe he did, as they talked about this and that. Riku and Leon joined every now and again, however at the end, while it wasn't the worse first meeting, Sora was a little apprehensive walking out with his brother and boyfriend.

"Riku."

The silver-haired man turned to Leon who called him. Leon walked up to him and placed a hard hand on his shoulder. "Keep watching Sora," he said. He squeezed before continue walking. "Sora, I'll see you at home," he called out and waved.

"See you Sora," Cloud said, giving Sora a quick hug before walking after Leon.

Riku blinked confused while Sora breathed a sigh of relief.

"That went umm…"

"Really good," Sora smiled. "Leon doesn't like talking emotions to people. This is the best response we can get from him now."

"Then that's perfect kitten," Riku smiled. He pulled Sora to him and kissed his cheek as he wrapped an arm around.

Sora smiled before having a thoughtful look, "Riku… are you free this afternoon?"

"Yeah, why?"

"There's just something I need to tell you… it's important," Sora said. "Sitting there with you and Leon just had me thinking… and… I rather you hear it now from me before you figure out from someone else."

"Of course baby," Riku said. "Come on, we can talk in my car, I've parked close by." Sora allowed himself to be walked by Riku, the couple moving away in the opposite direction of Cloud and Leon, towards a familiar old red sports car. Like always, Riku held the door for his kitten before getting in himself. "Would you like me to drive us somewhere private?" he asked.

"Yeah," Sora breathed, nodding. "I need to get my thoughts together."

"Would you like music or would that be distracting?"

"Music's fine…"

Riku nodded and started the car. Immediately, it roared to life and music blasted from the stereo. Riku lowered it and began to drive. He drove out of the city and towards an overlook, away from the city, that had a perfect look of their home, as well as Hollow Bastion. They were the only ones at the overlook, the afternoon sun was still high, and it was in that moment that Sora realized that Riku's windows were tinted.

"Are you ready now kitten?" Riku asked.

"Yeah…" Sora nodded. "You see… you and Roxas and Axel… your bodies are just so… you're perfect, all of you, and you might think that my body is perfect too but… it's not, it never was. When Cloud and Leon were here… I had a problem… I was always overweight, not terribly so but… it caused some concerns. My classmates bullied me for it, I could barely run a mile… but that was not the worse shape I've been in my life. Cloud and Leon, they were my anchor, they kept me leveled… and then they left. I… there's no pictures of myself during that first year they left, I've destroyed them out of anger. I just kept eating and eating and—there was just a hole in me that Leon and Cloud filled but now that they were gone, away at college, I was at the full mercy of my bullies and I just kept eating hoping that the food would fill that hole. It didn't… I just felt emptier, more hateful and angry—not at people, but at myself. When it ended, I was Two hundred and seventy pounds. I needed surgery, they took some weight off, but after that I just wouldn't eat. My stomach was in pain, I felt so weak and disgusting but still… I just didn't eat anything. Sometimes I just had a banana for a day, other times I ate nothing. That's how I spent my Senior year, starving myself and just letting the bullies win day after day. I just… I don't want you to run away or throw me out Riku…"

"Why would I ever do that kitten?" Riku said.

"Because I'm not perfect," Sora said, "I never was skinny until now—and even then I feel uncomfortable, I feel disgusting. I am disgusting Riku."

"No you're not," Riku said fiercely. "You are not disgusting Sora, you are beautiful!"

"But—"

Riku placed his hands on Sora's cheeks. "I don't care about how big you were, I don't care if you gain a hundred pounds in the future or keep the weight off. All I care about is your happiness, Sora. We are meant for each other." Sora stared at him confused. Riku debated for a second before nodding to himself.

"There is something that I need to tell you kitten," he said, his eyes and Sora's meeting. Sora couldn't look away. "You are my mate," Riku said. "You are my love, my kitten, my soul. I love you Sora Hikari."

"How—how can you say that?" Sora whispered. "How can you say so certainly that we're mates?"

Riku took a deep breath. The car seemed to darken, Riku seemed to grow in power and stature as his cerulean eyes seemed to glow, pulling Sora in as he opened his mouth and two sharp fangs grew. "Because my kitten, I am a vampire. Prince of Vampires."