-1Disclaimer: I really wish I did own Square Enix, or Kingdom Hearts, or Final Fantasy, or anything like that. I'd be rich! Yes….but I don' so sorry.

Rated: M or R if you like

Warning: Yaoi, meaning guy on guy action. If you no like that, then don't read this, or anything I write here for that matter.

Song of Desperation.

"Cloud, can you do me a fa-?" Riku walked into Cloud's room, then immediately walked back out. Cloud was in the middle of changing…his…pants…

"Come in, I'm decent." A light blush could be seen on both Cloud's and Riku's face. Though Cloud had been in boxers, it was still an embarrassing act, having your employer walk in on you while changing your pants. When Riku did reenter Cloud's room he felt as if he were going to faint. Cloud was not wearing a shirt, seeing as he had just woken up, and the sight of Cloud's well-muscled chest was making Riku feel more than a little flushed.

"Um Cloud uh…I was wondering if you could t-take over the shop for today? I need to go somewhere and I was h-hoping you could keep things running till I come b-back."

Cloud pulled a shirt out of his closet, and Riku almost drooled when he saw it was the tight black muscle-shirt that he had seen earlier. Cloud normally wore fairly loose shirts, and this was the first time that Riku actually got to see Cloud wear something, dare I say it, sexy.

"Yeah sure, where are you going anyways?" Cloud pulled the shirt on over his head.

"Um, just need to pick up some stuff."

"You checking me out?" Cloud laughed, smiling at Riku.

"NO! WHY WOULD I BE CHECKING YOU OUT??!!"

"Whoa, chill, I was teasing jeez." Cloud held out his hands in a defensive gesture. "Didn't mean to make you angry."

"I'm not angry."

"Your eye is twitching, if that isn't anger I don't know what is."

"I said I'm not angry!"

"Ok chill, sorry."

Riku stalked off. In truth he wasn't angry, he was nervous. Cloud was having a bigger effect on him than he wanted, and it was getting harder for him to not jump the man. But he couldn't help it, Cloud was just so damn sexy. The way he talked, usually without much emotion unless he was riled or playful, the way he got so nervous in crowds, the way his butt wiggled just slightly when he walked. Everything about the man was perfect, especially his writing.

Speaking of writing, Cloud had seemed to have gotten the idea that he needed for his book. He'd often spend long hours in the backroom scratching away on a pad of paper, or scribbling down random notes when something interesting caught his eye. It was almost as if he were desperate for some reason, trying to hurry up and complete his task. Riku silently hoped that it wasn't him, that Cloud didn't hate him for some obscure reason. If that were true Riku would probably die of regret. He wanted Cloud to be happy. He'd fallen for the man even though he'd only known him a week and a half.

Riku was not one to believe in fairy tales, nor was he the type of person to admit that there might be a possibility of love at first sight or soul mates. All that lovey-dovey crap could be reserved for cheap romance novels and Disney movies. What he was experiencing was lust, something that every teenage boy experiences at least once in his life. It just so happened that the object of his desire lived with him.

Riku sighed and made his way downstairs and out the door. He jumped on his bike and rode out of there before Cloud could make him feel worse.

The whole way to Leon's house he kept picturing Cloud in his boxers without a shirt.

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Cloud still found it hard handling the daily rush, especially without Riku there. He wasn't a people person, and the only person he could be around without really being pissed off or quiet was Riku. Most of the customers thought he was snobby, or mute. He rarely talked when he didn't have to.

"Hey Cloudy where's Riku?" Sora walked in, or should I say bounced in. The kid was always too happy.

"He left on some errand, he probably won't be back for a while…Why are you here? You usually only come during the busy hours."

Sora looked away sheepishly. "I'm ditching ok? I hate my class, the teacher is a total prick, so I was coming over here to see Riku and talk about stuff."

Cloud grunted in response and leaned against the counter. "Well if you're going to hang around here and annoy me the least you could do is order some coffee. I at least know how to make that."

"Do you honestly think I have any money? I'm broke, if I had money I wouldn't constantly be over here bugging Riku for handouts, speaking of which…" Sora edged closer to the counter, his eyes intent on a plate of cookies resting there, but his plan was quickly thwarted as Cloud slapped his wandering hand with his own.

"If you want a cookie it's a buck, fork it over or you leave hungry. Riku may give out handouts but I don't."

"Sourpuss." Sora growled. "You're just mad because Riku isn't here to keep you company."

A slight blush rose up in Cloud's cheeks. "What do you mean by that? Are you insinuating that I'm gay?"

"And what if I am?" Sora smirked and leaned on the counter, as if taunting the blonde. "There's nothing wrong with being gay."

"Are you gay?"

"Yep." Sora replied. "And so's Riku."

Cloud's world felt like it was hit with a semi going 300 mph and then lit on fire. Riku…was…gay…

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." Sora smirked. "Or are you just a little shocked by the news?"

"Riku's g-"

"Yes"

"And I-"

"Yes."

"And yo-"

"Yes."

"…" Cloud needed time for this news to sink in. True it made things a little easier, he could be more open with Riku now, but it didn't necessarily mean anything other than that. Riku was a young teen, he'd be interested in other teens, not older men. Not that Cloud was interested in starting a relationship with the boy, no, that might not even be legal depending on how old Riku actually was. But even if it were legal, there would be so many problems, and then you'd have to think about them living together and all sorts of other things…

Cloud's thoughts were interrupted as Sora waved a hand in front of his face. "Man, you look like a deer caught in the headlights, you ok?"

"Yeah fine…" There was also the Zack thing to worry about, he couldn't commit to something as long as that predator was out there…and so many other things to consider. There were a lot of pros and cons to starting a relationship with Riku (if he decided to be interested, or if Riku showed any interest) and he'd have to weigh his options carefully.

A sudden inspiration came to the top of Cloud's head. This whole thing was a great story, almost a fairytale of sorts. If he could somehow take this story, and twist it around to fit the public's demand for entertainment….yes…that just might work…there would be plenty of irony, a smidgeon of happiness, a nice dark twist here and there, maybe magnify certain parts…

"Cloud!"

"Ahh!!!!" What do you want??? Jeez!!"

Sora laughed, mirth sparkling in his eyes. "Wake up man, you've got customers coming."

Cloud looked out the window to check and sure enough, a small pack of teens, fresh out of class, were headed in his direction. "Stay out of my way," he responded to Sora before getting ready for the evening rush.

"You're welcome." Sora mumbled.

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Hee hee, confession in the next chapter! And soon more crap from Zack, he's really going to put pressure on our happy shop owners. R&R!