Disclaimer: Do not own.
Comments: Someone asked for it, here it is- a chapter that has Roxas' pov. Now you can get more insight into his mind. B-nothing getting in too deep, huh? Maybe, but he is just going to get in deeper. Thanks for the kind comments. Black Juju yes, I agree about Roxas. Riku didn't help his suspicions when he rejected him either. Axel is back this chapter. Purple crystal dagger, thanks, yeah no one uses that word anymore. ChaosHarbor nope, no one else sees what Roxas sees, they don't spend as much time with Riku as Roxas does or did. Although, Seifer is probably the closest to understanding after Roxas. ZSAngel thanks and probably. Gir-Geek thanks, I like those parts too. But, I'm really liking the Riku/ Sora moments too. As far as Axel/ Sora future, well... this is a Riku/ Sora fic. Crimson Aries, yes a lot of denial from both parties. Okay, I am updating earlier than usual mostly because ChaosHarbor has been waiting for this Roxas chapter forever, or for a little while anyway. Hope you are not disappointed by it.
Chapter 16 The Schemes of Roxas
Sora had just made it home after his session and a quick meeting with Axel. Axel was busy and didn't have a lot of time so they just went and grabbed a bite to eat. They had talked some, but Sora hadn't really known what to say. He was scared that if he said to much he would tell Axel about what had happened the previous day with Riku. That wasn't something he wanted to do. He didn't want Axel to get the wrong idea and think he wanted to end things between them.
"Sora. Hey, you busy." Leon asked as he walked over to Sora. He seemed to have just left Cloud's house. Sora looked over at him and smiled.
"No, why?"
"I thought we could do something. Want to go for a walk?"
"Sure, just let me put my backpack inside."
"You're still carrying that thing around? Schools been over for a while now."
"I know, but I haven't been home until now."
"I see. You always seem to disappear right after school a few days a week. Where do you go?" Leon asked. Sora gulped. He knew Leon meant the days he went to his sessions, but that wasn't a question he wanted to answer.
"Nowhere important." Sora said quietly. Leon understood Sora didn't want to tell him and decided against pushing him for an answer. If Sora wanted to tell them someday he would.
Sora dropped off his bag and they proceed with their walk. Leon didn't have anywhere in particular he wanted to go so they just walked around talking about different things. After walking around for a while they found themselves back where they started in front of Sora's house.
"Sora, I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay, go ahead."
"I was wondering if you would go out with me?"
"Huh? But we just went for a walk. Was there somewhere else you wanted to go?" Sora said, playing dumb. He knew what Leon meant.
"No, that's not what I meant." Leon said, thinking it was cute how naive Sora was. "I meant, will you be my boyfriend?"
"Oh! Um... well... I am kind of already seeing someone."
"Riku?"
"What? No, not Riku. Someone else. I've been seeing him for a while, so I'm sorry, I can't go out with you."
"So this guy is your boyfriend?"
"Not exactly my boyfriend. I wouldn't say we are a couple, but we are dating, I guess." Sora didn't want to say they were sleeping together, so dating would have to do. He just hoped Leon would accept that explanation.
Leon eyed him then shrugged, "Okay, I understand. I'll see you later then."
"Yeah, bye."
The next day
"What exactly are you saying Cloud?" Riku asked. He had met up with Cloud and Leon before school had started. What Cloud had just said did not make him very happy.
"I am saying I quit the game. Sora is a great guy and I don't want to play with him anymore. I like him and would really like to be friends with him. Leon is in agreement with me on this. Right Leon?"
"Yeah."
"So you are going to quit just like that."
"Yes, just like that." Cloud said. "I won't try to tell you what to do, although I would prefer if you would stop too, but that is your decision. I will tell you though that Leon asked him out and Sora told him he was already seeing someone. "
"So? We knew that was a possibility from the start. You do know that he is not as innocent as he lets everyone believe." Riku said. He didn't want them to stop the game, but he would not tell them what he had seen before. That was between him and Sora. Even he had his limits on what he would do.
"All the more reason to be his friend. I think maybe he is struggling with something and he needs people to help him, but he isn't ready to let people in on that." Cloud said.
"What makes you think that?" Roxas asked.
"Sometimes he gets real quiet and seems like he is somewhere else. When he does that the look on his face is pained." Cloud explained. Riku thought about it. He had seen that as well. What he didn't understand was why Sora would not open up to anyone. But he wasn't ready to just let everything go. He would not stop what he was doing even if it was just him.
"Do what you want and I will do what I want. Just don't get in my way." Riku told them and headed into the building. Whatever, it just meant that he would not be competing with any of them for Sora's affection now. But there was still that Axel guy. He was still a problem. If Sora had a relationship
with him then he would confide in him and have no reason to turn to Riku. That would not do. He needed a way to separate them.
"The game is over Riku. You are the only one left. How do you intend on keeping this up? Or better yet why? The purpose was to see who he fell for. With no one else playing there is no game." Roxas said.
"I had other reasons for playing this game Roxas. Things that haven't been accomplished yet. If you are just going to try to stop me then stay away." Riku said with anger in his voice. He didn't need Roxas' jealousy getting in his way. Riku slammed his locker shut and walked away, leaving behind a stunned Roxas.
Riku's mood did not improve throughout the day. Not until his last class when he got to see Sora. Sure he could see him at lunch but Sora always at lunch with Tidus, Wakka, Leon, and Cloud. Therefore it was too risky. He wasn't sure that they really would not try to stop him and say something to Sora about what had been going on. It was unlike them to stop a game before it was over.
"So, want to invite me over to your place to hang out after school?" Riku asked Sora after class was over.
"Shouldn't you be asking me to come over instead of asking me to invite you over?"
"I would, but people usually end up coming over to my place. People that you don't really get along with. This way you don't have to put up with them." Riku answered, smiling at him.
"Like who?" Sora asked, a look of confusion on his face.
"Like Seifer and Roxas."
"Oh. Yeah, I guess I don't really get along with them. Too bad, I was hoping Roxas and I could become friends. He seems like a great guy. But he hates me. I don't understand what I did to make him hate me." Sora said. He was thinking about it and didn't realize he was pouting.
Riku chuckled at the pout, "You didn't do anything. He doesn't even know you or he would realize how great you are. Just give him some time, if you want to be friends with him. Let's go to your house."
Still lost in thought, Sora answered, "Yeah, okay."
On the walk home he started wondering why he had agreed to let Riku come over to his place. He had been thinking about Roxas and why he would hate him and wasn't really paying attention to Riku beside him. It wasn't until Riku had grabbed his hand and was pulling him along that he figure out what he had agreed to.
'Oh well, too late to tell him no now.' Sora thought.
Sora and Riku ignored whatever homework they may have had and settled in front of the television. Sora turned on an action movie that the two of them had fun making fun of throughout the movie. Talking about how impossible things in it were, or just plain stupid. They were having so much fun
that Sora forgot about how he was with someone he didn't like. And to Riku's surprise and pleasure, Sora either didn't notice or didn't say anything when Riku moved closer and put his arm around him. Nor did he say anything when he was playing with his ear, giving it small bits and licks. Sora did notice, he just didn't stop it and he didn't know why.
Roxas pov
"I don't get it. What is his deal with this guy? Why won't Riku just drop it?" Roxas said, anger lacing his voice. "He is probably with him right now."
"Probably. Riku doesn't like to lose anymore than I do." Seifer said. He watched as Roxas paced back and forth in front of him. The two of the were outside of Riku's house, but Riku was nowhere in sight. They had stopped by after school to hang out, which was usual, but lately Riku wasn't always there.
"I know, but everyone else quit. There isn't a game to win anymore, so why is he still doing this?"
"Maybe this has become a game with himself, to see if he can get Sora to fall for him or not. Or to see how long it takes. Riku doesn't normally have any problems winning people over, people are always throwing themselves all over him. Maybe because Sora's not it is hurting his ego."
"Maybe. If that is the case, that would explain what he said to me earlier."
"What did he say?" Seifer asked, intrigued.
"He said he had other reasons for playing that hadn't been accomplished yet. So I guess he meant Sora hasn't fallen for him yet." Roxas said as he took a seat next to Seifer on the porch.
"You know him better than anyone, so you know how big his ego is."
"That's true, but I didn't think he would put so much effort into it."
"Doesn't mean anything."
"No, it doesn't. Once he is finished, he'll go back to normal." Roxas said. But he wasn't so sure that was the truth. He had never seen Riku like this before. Seifer could blame it on Riku's ego all he wanted, but Roxas wasn't sure he believed that was really the reason for all this.
"I'm going home. Want to come over?" Seifer asked. Roxas had been lost in his own thoughts, but looked up at the question asked to him.
"No, I think I'll just go home. Later."
Roxas sat on the couch staring at the television that wasn't on. He had been planning on turning it on, but his mind wander to other things. He needed to do something to keep Riku away from Sora. He had already tried talking to Riku and that hadn't worked. Maybe he needed to try going through Sora. But he wasn't sure how to do that. He hadn't even spoken to Sora since he had moved there. He had pretty much shown the other he didn't like him. He was always glaring at him or cold to him when Sora had attempted to become friends with him. So it would be hard for him to try to approach him like a friend now.
Even if he did try to be friends with him, what would that accomplish. If he told Sora about the game, Riku would be mad. Then that would make the whole thing pointless. He wanted Riku back with him, not hating him. There had to be other options.
What did he know about Sora? He knew that several of his friends said the really did want to be friends with him, including Leon. That surprised Roxas more than just about anything. Leon didn't take to people too easily. Roxas had become friends with him through Riku and Seifer. He knew they all thought Sora was great. Cloud had said maybe Sora was struggling with something. And Riku had said Sora wasn't as innocent as everyone thought. That had to be it. Find out what Sora is hiding, then he can get Riku back. He wouldn't be able to do this on his own, he needed help. And he could think of two people to talk to. One of them he wasn't sure he could find. It was worth a try though.
Sora pov
Wednesday morning Sora walked to his locker and found Kairi waiting for him. He hadn't talked to her much since she had shown him around on his first day. There were occasional hellos, mostly on his part she seemed to usually ignore him. After a while he stopped saying hello to her. So he was quite surprised to find her waiting for him.
"Hi, Sora. It's been a while. How have you been?" Kairi asked, smiling sweetly. Sora half smiled in return.
"Fine. Is there something you needed?"
"Can't a girl say hello to a friend?"
"I didn't think we were friends since you always ignore me."
"Hmm, I don't remember ignoring you. Maybe you just thought I was."
"Oh, maybe." Sora said, not that he was buying that. He wasn't so stupid that he couldn't tell when someone was ignoring him.
"Anyway, I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me tonight. You know, a date."
"A date? Why?"
"You're silly Sora. If I am asking you for a date, of course it is because I like you. I thought we could get to know each other better over dinner."
"I don't know." Sora remembered the things he had been told about Kairi by Tidus and Wakka. Cloud had even agreed with what they said. She wasn't someone he could trust. They had suggested he stay away from her, but he didn't know if she was really as bad as they made her out to be. He had never seen her do anything bad.
"Oh come on, you don't have to think of it as a date, just dinner between two friends."
"If you put it that way, I guess it would be okay. But I won't be able to meet you till about six."
"That's great." Kairi said. She told him where he could met her and they would go to the place from there. He still didn't know why she suddenly decided she like him, and he didn't like her in such a way, but he didn't see the harm in at least trying to be friends with her. He had been taught not to make a decision on someone based on other peoples opinion of them, that everyone deserves a fair chance.
Sora didn't see the smirk that appeared on Kairi's face as she walked away.
Flashback, the night before
"You know Riku is bi, right."
"Roxas, everyone knows that. It doesn't matter, right now he is just playing around. He'll figure out where he belongs some day." Kairi said, cupping the phone to admire her freshly painted nails.
"Yeah, well, normally he is just playing around, but this time I think he is serious."
"What makes you think that?" she asked. Roxas noticed the concern in her voice even though he was sure she tried to cover it.
"I've been his best friend for as long as I can remember, I can tell when things are different. It's different this time. I thought I would tell you since everyone knows the two of you belong together." Roxas lied. He knew Kairi would bite at his bait. She would help him and not even realize she was. He didn't feel sorry for her, she was always using other people. It was time she became the used and not the user.
"You're right, we do. So who is he playing around with this time?"
"That new kid, Sora."
"Sora? Why him? He's nothing. I can't see why Riku would show any interest in him what so ever."
"Even still, he is."
Kairi was quiet as she thought about what Roxas had said. She was sure Sora like her since he was always smiling and trying to talk to her, but she always just blew him off. But this could work for her. Since Sora liked her, if they started dating, or at least Riku thought they were dating then Riku would have to back off. She could take care of this little problem before it became too big of a problem.
"I'll take care of it." Kairi said.
"Ah, okay. Bye then."
end of flashback
Roxas pov
Roxas watched as Kairi walked away after making a date with Sora. He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face. One down, one to go. He just needed Kairi to keep Sora occupied for a little while while he tried to get the dirt on Sora. For that he would need the other person he had in mind. Although he didn't know if that person would help him. But maybe he could be persuaded.
After school, Roxas found himself on the other side of town. That is where he had seen the person he was looking for. He didn't know how he would find him though. Roxas had left school early to come over here. He would go to the school here and hoped he saw him coming out. That may be the only chance he had.
Roxas was in luck, the one he was looking for was headed right towards him. He just hoped this somehow worked. He didn't really know what he was going to say, but figured it would be all right.
Normal pov
"You lost?" Axel asked the young man in front of him that seemed like he didn't belong. He had never seen him at school so he was either new or just visiting. The boy looked up at him and something sparked in his eyes. Like the boy recognized Axel.
"No, actually I was looking for you."
Axel smirk. "Why? Do I know you?"
"I've seen you before. Maybe you remember my friend Seifer. The two of you got into a fight after we made you and your friend, if that is what he was, mad on a bus."
"I fight with a lot of people. Let me think. Made me and my friend mad on a bus... the guy with the scar on his face?"
"Yeah, that's him."
"So why are you looking for me? Your friend wanting a rematch?"
"Probably, but that's not why I am here. I came to talk to you about your boyfriend, Sora."
"Since when was Sora my boyfriend? You seemed to have your facts mixed up."
"I assumed he was because I was there at the club when he rushed out after seeing you making out with another guy."
"You assumed wrong. I chased after Sora, anyone at this school could tell you that, but he didn't go for it."
"Is that true? It didn't look like he didn't go for you." Roxas said. He watched as Axel looked around at the other students who were walking passed. Roxas was starting to believe that maybe what ever was between Sora and this guy was suppose to be a secret. If that was the case he wouldn't be able to get this guy to talk, at least not at the school.
"You don't want to talk about this here?" Roxas said, pulling Axel's attention back to him. "Then let's go somewhere were we can talk."
"Let's not. There is nothing to talk about." Axel glared at him, but it didn't make Roxas go away.
"Let's do or I'll start yelling right here that you and Sora are sleeping together. And before you threaten to beat me up or something like that, I don't doubt that you can, but can you before anyone hears?" Roxas had no idea if they were sleeping together or not, it didn't matter as long as the threat worked.
"Fine, let's go." Axel said and walked away with Roxas following him. He had been planning on meeting Sora after his session, but it looked like that wasn't going to happen. Axel lead Roxas to his house. After getting settled in on the couch the talk started.
"So what is it you want? You said you want to talk about Sora, what about him."
"My friend, who means a lot to me, has taken quite an interest in him. I want to put an end to that."
"Your friend, huh? You mean someone you like as more than a friend."
"Okay, yes, I like him as more than a friend. We're very close and have shared a lot." Roxas said, not sure that he wanted to tell this guy to much about his relationship with Riku.
"So you're having sex with this guy?"
"That is none of your business."
"That's a yes. I don't see why you came to me though. I told you Sora is not my boyfriend."
"Maybe, and Riku isn't mine either, but that doesn't mean you're not in some sort of relationship with him."
"Riku? Was he one the bus with you that day?"
"Yeah, he was sitting by me. He stopped Seifer from fighting you on the bus by saying it was our stop. Silver hair, green eyes." Roxas noticed the slight change in the others expression, something he had said had gotten his attention. He just wasn't sure what.
"Silver hair?" the red head asked.
"Yes."
"I didn't think Sora would go for a guy with silver hair considering..." Axel trailed off, but it had been enough to peak the interest of the other.
"Considering what? Rumor has it he seems to have something against that hair color, but no one knows why."
"Don't expect me to tell you."
"So there is something. What is it?"
"I said I wasn't going to tell you."
"Why not? Why are you keeping his secrets too?"
"What's your name?"
"Roxas. Your's?"
"I'm Axel. Roxas you don't need to know what he has against that hair color."
"Ass. I don't see what the big deal is. Why won't you just tell me?"
"I won't betray him that way."
"Isn't he betraying you? Aren't you two together and he's making out with someone else?"
"You don't listen for shit. I said we aren't together. No, he isn't betraying me. If he is interested in your friend then I'm happy for him. Maybe it's a good thing if he's found someone with silver hair. Maybe that will help him."
"Help him with what? You act like he has some serious problems, but I don't see that. That guy is always smiling and happy. How could a guy like that have problems that he needs help with?"
"Things aren't always how they seemed to be. People aren't always as they seem to be."
"So your saying he is just pretending to be all innocent and stupid. He is just playing with everyone, probably thinks it's funny how we all buy his act." Roxas said. He was getting angry. He knew he didn't like Sora because of Riku before, but now he had an even better reason not to like him. He was making fools out of all of them.
"It's not how you think it is. He isn't laughing at anyone. If you do anything to hurt him, I'll make sure you hurt in return. Understand?"
"I don't see why everyone is always protecting him. He is just a fake."
Now it was Axel's turn to get angry. Before Roxas even knew that anything was happening, Axel had grabbed him by the collar and yanked him closer. Axel's face was just inches away and Roxas gulped. He could see the anger on the others face and logic told him he should be scared. This was the guy that had fought evenly with Seifer, so trying to fight him would be like trying to fight Seifer or Leon. He had always known it would be better not to put himself in a position where he would have to face either of them in a fight and here he was face to face with someone just like them. This could be trouble.
"What the fuck do you know about him or his situation? Nothing. Stop talking shit when you don't know anything. Leave Sora alone. If I find out you've been fucking with him, not getting your little boyfriend back will be the least of your problems."
"Why don't you put a leash on him. Then you can watch over him all the time and make sure no one ever hurts him."
"Why should I do that when I can just beat the shit out of people like you that thinks it's fun to hurt others."
"What? I... I don't. I don't want to hurt him, I'm the one getting hurt."
Axel let go of him. Roxas fixed his shirt and looked down. Axel had seen Roxas eyes water slightly and was afraid he would start crying. If he did, it wasn't because of what Axel was doing, but because of the guy he liked that was interested in Sora.
"You really like that guy, don't you?" Axel asked as he adverted his gaze somewhere else. He would let him wipe his eyes without him seeing.
"We've been best friends for a long time. We know each other better than anyone else. I'm use to Riku playing around with other people, but he's never serious about them and he always come to me." Roxas said, his voice low. When Axel didn't respond Roxas continued.
"But this time feels different. I think he doesn't even realize it himself, but it's not the same as every other time. I saw him with Seifer slammed against a locker, Riku looked like he was about to kill him. I've never seen him act that way towards one of our friends over someone."
"As his best friend, if he really is serious about someone shouldn't you be happy for him? I think maybe you are just afraid of losing him completely, even as a friend. But I doubt that will happen."
"But, I-" Roxas started, but was interrupted by Axel.
"Just because you have been close to him for such a long time, it doesn't mean there is anything there more than a strong friendship. Anyone would get upset at the thought of losing someone that important to them. The question is; are you really sure you are in love with him? Maybe because the two of you have been sleeping together you have convinced yourself that you are."
Roxas didn't know what to say.
"Just think about what I said. Maybe you should find someone else to be in a relationship with. That may help you find out what your feelings really are."
"Maybe." Roxas said. Axel turned back to face Roxas.
"Besides, if this guy is playing around with others and coming back to you when he gets bored with them, don't you think you deserve better than that? If he loved you, then he wouldn't be doing that."
"He doesn't love me."
"Then what is the point. All your doing by continuing to love him, or think you do, is hurting yourself. It is time to let him go and move on."
Roxas looked at Axel and a small smile appeared on his face. He certainly hadn't expected words of wisdom from the red head in front of him. From what he had seen of the guy before he had expected him to be a jerk, not like what he had seen today. Axel had shown that even though he probably could be a jerk, he was also protective of the people he cared about, like Sora. He also understood about peoples feelings.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but you remind me of Seifer. You seem rough on the outside and you have a tough attitude, but when it comes down to it your not a bad guy. You really seem to care about some people. Seifer is like that too. People that don't really know him or don't really talk to him don't see it, but his friends know it."
"Is that suppose to be a compliment? Would you go out with that guy?"
"In a way it is a compliment, maybe being compared to him isn't necessarily one, but the other things I said was. No, I won't go out with him for other reasons. I didn't say you're completely like him but in that aspect you are. That's not a bad thing."
"If you say so."
TBC
Wow, this is my longest chapter in this story so far. Hope no one thought we had seen the last of Kairi. And Roxas and Axel really meet and talk. Nice. This chapter shows what Roxas is willing to do to try to keep hold of Riku. And man, I seem to have some habit of making Axel the voice of reason, maybe because of those flashback scenes in the game where he is saying he cares about Roxas.