2. Calm Before the Storm

Riku left work at the Belle River Terrace at five every day, sometimes went for ice cream with Sora, and headed home. He would fix himself a snack, then play video games until his brother arrived, usually at half past seven.

The apartment door clicked shut, and he heard the rustle of Xehanort's jacket on the coathooks in the hall.

"I'm home," Xehanort called, poking his head into the main room. "Video games again?"

"I'll study after dinner," Riku replied absently. By now it was automatic. "What is it tonight?"

"Your favorite."

"What's the occasion?" Riku asked, swiveling to eye Xehanort suspiciously. The teenager couldn't cook to save his life, so he relied on his older brother to cook for him. Xehanort usually only cooked Riku's favorite—beef stew—when he needed a favor.

"Nothing special," Xehanort said. "I'm just feeling pretty good today."

That was an understatement. He was practically glowing. There was something very… alive about him. Riku raised his eyebrows.

"You're going to Ansem's tonight, aren't you?" he inquired innocently. Xehanort grinned, not fooled for a minute.

"Yes, in fact," he said. "Then to the doctor's."

"Yeah, I could tell," Riku sighed, turning back to his game. After a moment, Xehanort sat cross-legged beside him.

"What's up, Riku?" he asked quietly, reaching over to pause the game.

"Nothing. I'm just tired."

"You liar."

Riku bristled slightly under his brother's searching gaze.

"No, I'm fine. Just thinking."

"Look, do you want me to stay home?" Xehanort asked. "Because I will, if you ask."

"You don't have to stay."

"I don't have to go, either."

Xehanort pulled a controller over to himself.

"I'm staying. Come on, let's play."

"You really don't have to do this."

"Riku."

Xehanort looked at him seriously. Riku shifted, uncomfortable.

"I want to be here for you. You don't have to be alone all the time. That's why I'm here. I just want us to have some fun time. Brother stuff."

"Look," Riku said. "I'm fine, honestly. Go be with Ansem. You love him."

"I love you, too."

"Yeah, but that's different. What you've got, that's something special. Not everyone gets to have someone like Ansem. You deserve each other."

"But…"

"Fine. If it bugs you so much, you owe me this weekend. We'll do brother stuff then. Okay?"

Xehanort hesitated, still looking concerned. Then he smiled.

"Thanks, Riku."

He stood.

"I'll go make dinner. We can eat together, at least."

Xehanort had been like this for as long as Riku could remember. He had been the cook of the family, even before their father died.

Riku couldn't remember his mother, who had died when he was three. Xehanort hadn't had any better luck with his, since his mother had died when he was six. With a lack of motherly affection and their father gone for work most of the time, they'd grown closer. Even ten years and different mothers between them made no difference. They were as close as full brothers.

Xehanort was often anxious about Riku. They had only evenings and weekends to spend much time together, since both left early for work or school and Xehanort didn't get off until seven. Even that time was uncertain, since Riku often went to movies with his friends and Xehanort often went to spend his evenings at the captain's flat.

However, Riku never felt neglected. He knew Xehanort cared from the sack lunch which waited on the counter every morning, often alongside a steaming breakfast. He knew from the taped reminders on the TV to study, however often disregarded they were. He knew because every birthday, he got exactly what he wanted.

"We're all we've got," Xehanort periodically reminded him. This was true, even with the cousins. It would take just a court order to plant Riku in another home, with strangers. Riku could remember the time that one of the places Xehanort had worked at went out of business. The social worker had been especially unforgiving that time. That was the first time he saw his brother cry, when Xehanort thought Riku was in bed and asleep.

Riku had started looking for part-time jobs the very next day.

Xehanort was the breadwinner, since the police work paid well, but Riku did what he could to pitch in. It was the least he could do.

"I feel guilty about leaving Riku alone so much," Xehanort murmured, resting his head in his hands. "I almost didn't come here tonight. I wouldn't have, if he'd asked me to stay."

Ansem smiled at him. He was a tall man, deep-voiced and blond.

"I'm glad you did," he said, and pressed a kiss to Xehanort's bare shoulder. The younger man flashed him a smile.

"I know. But I do worry."

He leaned against Ansem's side with a sigh. The captain stroked his hair.

"Sometimes I can't wait until Riku can legally live on his own," Ansem said. His breath tickled Xehanort's ear, and the younger man shivered. "Then I won't have to share you. I'll have you all to myself."

Braig leaned around the plastic barrier to peer at the photos decorating Elaeus' desk.

"That your kid?" he asked. "He's cute."

"Jonathan," the large man replied, picking up one of the framed pictures to give him a closer look. "He's five."

"He looks like you," Braig commented. "Gonna be a big kid. How's Nancy?"

"She's fine. Still teaching second grade, but she's thinking about moving up to third."

"That's nice," Xehanort put in, coming up at Braig's shoulder. He took a sip of coffee and yawned.

"Late night?" Elaeus asked. Braig snorted and elbowed his friend, smirking.

"I'll bet."

"I had a ridiculously late doctor's appointment," Xehanort answered, not rising to the bait. "It was the only time he could fit me in, and I was up anyway."

Before Braig could start snickering again, his phone when off and he dug it out of his pocket.

"Hey, Mayes here."

He listened for a moment, his smirk fading. He glanced quickly at Xehanort, who was regarding him curiously, then at the floor.

"Calm down, ma'am, we'll be right over."

He hung up and looked gravely around at them. It was unusual to see him so serious.

"Get Ara and Jack. We have a crime scene."

"But the captain isn't here yet," Xehanort said. Braig's mouth tightened.

"Yeah, small wonder."

"What do you mean?"

Braig looked down.

"That was his neighbor. I'm sorry, Xeha. Ansem's dead."

A/N: Dun dun DUNNNNNN.

(Kudos if you can tell me where Riku works! And don't just say the Belle River Terrace...)