Chapter 8

Riku wakes first, refreshed and starving. He gently pries his hand out of Sora's grip and slips silently out of the bedroom in search of food. Idly browsing through the fridge, he can't help wondering, what the hell is supposed to happen now?

He's home, safe for the moment. Sora's returned with him with a huge target on his back. The seraphs know of his existence and want him killed. If they're dead set on his death, it won't be long until they track him down and kill them both. Axel may help him, but there's almost no chance he'd risk his neck for Sora too. They don't really have many options.

Opting for something simple, it doesn't take him long to settle at the table with a stack of pancakes, leaving some warming on the stove for Sora.

The younger boy arrives shortly after he's finished eating and his face morphs into relief when he sees Riku calmly sitting at the table. He nods his head in greeting and the brunette joins him at the table with his own plate. They have a lot to talk about.

It's so weird seeing Sora at his table again, and this time things are much different. He can't pretend it's just another easy three months of Sora exploring the human world, this time their lives are at risk. At least the immediate problem at hand keeps him from having to consider anything about what their relationship might have been becoming before Sora left.

The brunette seems to be just as curious about him, his eyes keep flicking back towards him, a furrow between his eyebrows revealing that there's a lot Sora's curious about. For now though, he's chooses to ignore it and have a moment of peace.

Sora looks generally the same, even after three years, but then again so does he, so who is he to judge? There are a few subtle differences though. His eyes seem older, no longer possessing that same wide eyed sparkle to the same extent as before. His unruly brunette locks also seem a bit longer and his face has lost some of it's baby fat, however he still looks distinctly Sora.

"Riku?"

"Yeah," he answers, placing his fork down to give Sora his full attention.

"I missed you."

Riku blinks in surprise, that's not what he expected. He'd thought they would at least figure out their plans first. "I...missed you too."

Relief flashes across Sora's face and his shoulders drop. Was he nervous I wouldn't feel the same? "Axel said I messed up and that you could have saved yourself."

"I appreciate the effort."

"So you didn't need any help."

"It's not that. I was just feeling out the situation first to see what they wanted. I wasn't positive I would be able to save myself, but luckily enough, I could. And you too."

"I didn't help, then I probably made things worse."

"Well, now they probably want to kill me more than before since it looks like I've corrupted one of 'theirs.' And they want to kill you for trying to protect me, but don't worry," Riku reassures. "It's all fine, we'll let it blow over until they forget."

Sora stares at him blankly, "You're such a liar."

"What?"

"You know this isn't going to blow over, it's a lie."

"I'm trying to reassure you."

"I don't need to be reassured!" Sora yells, slapping his hands on the table. "I need you to stop lying! You never even told me you were half seraph! Now your friendship with Axel makes sense and why you were so convinced demons weren't all bad!"

"Well," Riku says mildly with a slightly raised eyebrow, "I'm a half demon and you tried to save me, so you must agree."

"That's not fair," he pouts. "I didn't know!"

"Now you do and yet here you are."

"Riku…" Sora deflates, "This changes everything."

"Yeah I know, " he agrees. "There really never was a reason for you to know."

Blue eyes look at him full of restrained curiosity and he knows what's coming. "How did you end up on Earth?"

"Not really sure, I was raised in a human orphanage until Axel found me and helped me develop my magic. I don't know anything about my past."

"That's disappointing."

"Sorry, I don't have an exciting story about an escape from hell."

"That's now what I meant," he retorts with a roll of his eyes. "It means you don't have any allies."

"Nope, just Axel."

"You don't seem too worried."

"Oh I am, but at the same time, I always feel safe in my own home. When Axel eventually shows back up, I'll ask him to help me put some protection magic around the house and play it safe for a while like I told you."

"You really think that'll work?"

"Not sure, but if they don't know where I live now and I'm not going out and giving them a link to us, we should be safe for a while."

"Hmm…" Sora nods in consideration. "That could work. I stayed here for three months before, so we have a little time to work something out."

"Exactly," Riku flashes him a smirk, "The demons will take care of you, don't worry your feathered head about it."

"Not funny."

"Really? I thought it was. Anyway," he grabs their plates and dumps them in the sink before sinking onto the couch and patting the spot next to him for Sora to join. "There's not much to do, but wait."

"You really don't seem bothered at all," Sora replies, joining him in front of the TV.

"Well," Riku chuckles lightly, "As a last resort I can always escape to hell. They can't follow me there."

The brunette snatches the remote from him before turning to face the TV and sinking back into the couch,"That's not a solution."

He hums in reply, but doesn't respond. Sora's right, but he doesn't have anything else right now. It's almost positive Axel will be back soon enough, the redhead hasn't helped him survive this long, just to let him die now. Although, he wouldn't be surprised if Axel kept his distance for the most part, self preservation has always been his first instinct before all else.

And speaking of instincts...Sora's aren't concerned with self preservation at all right now. He's been able to ignore the emotions that he's started picking up from the other boy again since his return, but sitting here on the couch with him is awkward, and not just because it's been three years since they've last seen each other. Now that they're out of immediate danger, he's starting to feel the full weight of the brunette's emotions again and they're weighted.

The one emotion he can feel the strongest is yearning, but it's confusing because although it's directed towards him, there's no ending emotion. It's yearning tangled with confusion and desperation which can only mean that Sora wants something desperately, but he, himself, doesn't even know what.

Riku has an idea of what it is and he's still not sure if he should act on it. He's no longer keeping the biggest secret of all from Sora and they've already been outed as knowing each other, still...the timing is terrible. Even more so than before, if he's honest. He likes Sora, his smiles, his strength, and even his stubbornness, though this can't possibly end well for them.

Then again, if they're going to end up separated, why not give in to what they both want? It may hurt them worse in the end, but he's always been a little selfish and now seems like the best time to give in to any wants before it's too late.

"Sora?" He reaches his hand out palm up and waits. Blue eyes flick between his face and waiting hand in confusion, uncertainty written in his expression. Riku doesn't elaborate, simply wiggles his fingers in invitation.

The brunette takes his hand and he's not sure what emotion Sora feels from him, but the answering emotion sent back is just as strong, filling the other boy's eyes with more relief and happiness.

He's tugging and Sora's moving towards him before he even realizes it, meeting him halfway with lips pressed almost frantically against his own. Fingers intertwine together and longing seeps into their kiss. Riku hadn't realized just how much he had repressed since Sora left.

Feeling the softness of the brunette's lips moving against his own brings back everything he had begun to feel for him three years ago. Sora's weight grounding him as he frees a hand to pull Riku closer and moves part way into his lap.

The kiss quickly becomes faster, more urgent and he'd slow it down, but he's well aware of just how little time they may have together. His now free hand reaches for Sora's waist, fingers eagerly exploring the smooth, warm skin that seems to run a higher temperature than him. If Sora's wings were out, he would go straight for that delicate point under his wings, guaranteed to make him squirm nicely, but for now he'll have to make do with using other methods to make him squirm.

Speaking of which, Sora gives a particularly breathy moan as his fingers ghost over a sensitive part of his abdomen and he smiles into the kiss, ignoring when his lip is nipped in retaliation.

"Riku…" Sora pulls back, holding his hand still, and looking at him with that same mixture of apprehension and yearning in his blue eyes darkened cobalt with emotion.

He drags his eyes from the swollen redness of his lips to meet Sora's gaze, "Yeah?"

"I...uh...I don't, just...I'm not sure how…" he murmurs, falling silent.

Fortunately his emotions tell more than his words or Riku would be totally lost, the waves of embarrassment reveal what's really on his mind. He shouldn't be surprised by the turn of events, from what he's learned, Seraphs aren't exactly open about certain activities and it stands to reason Sora might be a bit clueless as to what comes next, despite what the bulge in his shorts is saying he wants.

Riku's definitely not inexperienced and he's headed towards the same state as Sora. The question is, is Sora mentally ready to act on his physical wants? He slides a hand towards the brunette's inner thigh and he immediately tenses, grip tightening like a vice on Riku's other hand. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah," he lets out a shaky breath. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"We don't have to…"

"I know, but…" Sora flashes a quick glance down to his lap. "I think I want to." He settles more fully into Riku's lap and gives him a confident smile.

"My bedroom?" Sora nods and he wraps his arms around the younger boy's waist to lift them both up. Riku doesn't get more than a foot away from the couch before a familiar portal appears announcing Axel's entrance and he's not sure whether to be disappointed that they've been interrupted or relieved that someone with more knowledge is taking over.

The redhead steps into the living room dressed in his usual black cloak and takes one look at them before his lip curls in distaste and he deftly separates Sora from his embrace, dropping him back onto the couch. "You two need to come to Hell with me," he states flatly.

"...What?"

"It's not negotiable. They'll be looking for you and they may not know where you live yet, but they'll definitely be scouring this realm looking for you. It's the safest place for everyone right now."

"Everyone except Sora. He can't survive down there, he barely lasted three months on Earth."

"Not my problem." Green eyes turn to focus on Sora. "Riku's going whether you come or not. It won't be for long, but make your decision."

"Riku?" Sora questions.

"Axel, aren't you the one that said things were getting shaky there? I'm pretty sure we'll be safer here."

"Things are getting dangerous there, but I guarantee you it's better than here. Let me guess, you thought about putting protection spells up and lying low? That won't work. The seraphs are actively searching for you, any magic that strong will only act as a smoke signal for them to come investigate what's hiding here."

"Oh."

"That's right. Now I've cleared it with Zex and Dem, you can stay with them for the time being."

"Zex and Dem?"

"Two of Axel's friends," Riku answers. "We can't afford to be picky right now. If Axel's right, we can't even protect ourselves without calling them to our location. As much as it sucks, I don't think we have a choice."

Sora takes his hand with a resigned, but determined nod. "If that's what we need to do, then we'll do it. Besides if I can handle Axel, I'm sure his friends won't be too difficult."

Axes snorts, "Yeah okay, seraph. Don't let them hear you say that, they just may try to prove you wrong and we wouldn't want any unfortunate accidents, right?"

"I may not, but I don't think you'd care."

"Well, aren't you wising up?" He smirks back.

"I've learned."

"Then Riku, gather some things and I assume you'll be able to travel with him the same way you escaped?"

"Yeah," he nods, "Shouldn't be a problem. Although, I may be a little tired afterwards."

"Plenty of time to recover once you're there."

Riku nods and gives Sora's hand a reassuring squeeze before letting go to gather a few things. He's not sure of just how long they'll be there, but with Sora unable to subsist indefinitely without seraphic energy, it won't be for long.

Once he's out of the sight of the other two, Riku drops to his bed, fighting the urge to scream in frustration. He's felt fairly invincible since Axel found him and taught him, it's been nearly seven years of complete control over his life and in the course of a day, it's all gone. He's been captured once and he doesn't stand a chance against that many seraphs if they catch him again. It's hard not to mourn his loss of security, the confidence that came with knowing exactly what he was doing and that no one could harm him without his permission. He also knows that Axel has some kind of mysterious plan in the works and he's not sure if it involves him or not, but he knows it's probably not in his best interest if it requires so much secrecy.

For Sora's sake, he won't admit just how much stress he's under now because one of them has to keep it together and since they're going to his place of origin, far more dangerous than Earth, it'll have to be him.

Hauling his duffel bag over his shoulder, he heads back into the living room where Axel is impatiently waiting, extending his wings on the way. Riku stops in front of Sora, smiles at him reassuringly, and tugs him in close to wrap his wings tight around them both. Without another thought, he walks them both through the portal, and Axel follows behind him, collapsing it after him.

~~~~~
"What do you think, Cloud?"

Cloud tilts his head in the other man's direction, "What do I think about the fact that Sora just followed two demons into a portal to hell? I have no idea what to think, Leon."

"Okay, what are you going to do?"

"If you're asking if I'll tell them where Sora is, the answer is no."

"Thank the heavens," Leon sighs in relief. "I don't think I could stomach what they would do to him after this."

"How could you think I would tell? You should know me better than that," Cloud scolds.

"I do, but you're also known for being obedient and loyal."

"I am being loyal."

"To them, not us."

Cloud blows out an unamused exhale and fixes the brunette man beside him with a glare, "I'm not going to turn them in."

"Them?" Leon questions with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, them. If I turn in the halfling, I'm turning in Sora too. Besides, he doesn't seem too bad."

"No," Leon agrees. "But, he also doesn't seem particularly strong. I can only wonder if he'll actually be able to protect both of them from every other demon down there."

"I'm not sure, but it's their best chance at survival for now." Cloud spreads his wings and leaps up into the sky, a strong flap sending him towards their own portal home. Leon gives one final glance back at the now empty house and flies off after him.

Good luck Sora.

~
And as they fly away, one more pair of lavender eyes linger on the house, conflicted between duty to their race or the emotions of the heart.