Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts… why do I feel that's going to get tiring?

Side Note: I realize that everything I had ever started writing sounds so confusing!

P.S. I am utterly horrified at this chapter. I had deleted what I previously wrote and now I'm having second thoughts… It holds nothing I wanted and I hope to steer back to the right track I wanted to get at after this one. Please be patient with me as my mind goes into total chaos.

Railroad Tracks – Chapter 2

Because We Meet

Sora woke up shaking as warmth hit him from behind and the cold wind hit his front. He shivered more as warm, skinny arms slid across his clothed stomach. "Axel…" He blinked, sure that he was not Axel and behind him laid his brother. As comforting it was to be held he had to get up. Roxas' phone wouldn't answer itself.

Wriggling out of the embrace, Roxas lazily turned away, swallowing up the blankets. "Hello, Roxas' unpaid secretary."

"Tell that brat to wake up and go answer the damn door." Sora recognized the voice as Clouds', and he agreed and hung up. Turning around, he watched his brother mumble something about sea salt ice cream.

As he walked down the hall, fresh air hitting him, he already missed the warmth. He got cold too easily lately. The front door vibrated when he came to it and heated whispers.

"Shut up!" "I'm not talking." "Don't bang on the door then!" "You do realize you're just causing more noise, right?" "…Shut up." "Why don't you?" "Says the man who's trying to break down their door!" "You actually broke their door down once." "It wasn't all my fault!" "You tackled their door." "Zexion said I was weak." "Do not bring me into this." "Can't you just climb in his window or something?" "Roxas has pepper spray." "Why do I feel you learned that the hard way?" "…None of you business." "Just get the damn door open. Fuck!" "If you want to do that, take Zexion somewhere else." "Guys! Shut up already. Boys…" "I'm right there with you Nam." "That's very sexist of you."

Sora chuckled, leaning his forehead against the door. After sometime the phone in his hand started to ring, a song he probably should recognize but didn't. Outside, the conversation ceased. "Roxas?"

The brunet opened the door, a red-head instantly in his face. "You are definitely not Roxas." Demyx scoffed behind him.

"Thank you Captain Obvious!"

"Demyx! Shut the fuck up!" Sora went back down that hall. The others followed until they realized that a bedroom door had been slammed in their face. "Hey!"

Tripping over pants which were not his, Sora bounced onto the bed. "Roxas, time to get up or Cloud may just kill your boyfriend." He smiled as the only reply that came was a grunt. "Possibly run him over." Grunt. "And maybe even castrate him. Gasp! The horror!" Roxas instantly shot up.

"What…?" he half yawned.

"Our friends are outside. You might want to put on pants before you open the door," Sora said as he watched his brother. He smiled wider when a pair of Paopu pajamas slid over his legs and he started walking to the door. "I'm going to take a shower. See what they want."

"What time is it?"

"Five…"

"Okay, don't waste all the hot water."

Sora smiled. "Yeah, yeah. But by the time Axel is done this morning you're going to need a cold shower." A sock was thrown his way. "Watch it," he laughed.

Just keep laughing today.

Sighing, Roxas' eyebrow twitched. He would not kill his guests. No sir, he would not. But if one more of them threw a pillow at him, there may be a trip to the hospital. Arms wrapped themselves around his shoulders. With hot breath, Axel whispered, "What are you making my Sugarplum Bear?"

"Pancakes."

A deep vibration rumbled through the chest behind him. "Mmm," Axel bit his ear and he dropped the spoon. "Do you have any chocolate syrup?"

Roxas elbowed him after a few seconds of silence. "No, but I'm pretty sure you do at your place. Thanks to you, my chest is all sticky."

"So, maybe I have a few kinks."

"A few?! I have a humongous bruise thanks to you on my –" Axel cut in on his rant as he stuck a finger full of pancake mix inside his mouth. The blond didn't do anything for a while; just let it sit in there, paying attention to the lips that attacked his neck. He gasped and coughed as he was bitten, sure blood had come out. Finally going along, his tongue wrapped around Axels' finger, sucking. The boy chuckled again as Roxas' hands traveled.

"Roxas," he whispered, sending shivers down the boys' spine as the wet trails he left tingled under his breath. He hummed in answer, the finger in his mouth still, not wanting to let it go now. But he did as pancake mix was splattered on his cheek.

"The he –"

"Sorry," Axel mumbled as he licked it off slowly.

"A-axel…a-ahh!" Roxas flinched as his lower back connected with the countertop. A hot hand went below the waistband of Sora's pants and a tongue shot into his open mouth. Roxas shot forward when more pressure was added against his member.

"Say the word and we can be in your room…" Axel said. Roxas, too confused found himself lifted somewhat off the ground, hips bucking as something other than a hand moved against him, holding in a load moan. He was about to nod vigorously if someone hadn't cleared their throat from the doorway.

"The kitchen is for eating food, not people." Roxas curled, hiding in Axel's neck as Cloud came in, taking up position at the stove. "Anyways, we need somewhere to eat and apparently since this is a kitchen, we need you to stop sucking face. There are too many kids here…" Cloud sighed. He looked around. "We need a bigger kitchen."

"We need," Roxas said in a strained voice from behind Axel. "A bigger place."

"I think Cloud needs a bigger di–"

Said blond whacked the kid over the head with a plate. Glaring, Cloud hissed, "Don't. Finish. That. Sentence." Axel held up his hands in defeat.

Somewhere from the house, in his room maybe, Sora yelled, "Showers free!"

"Thank god!" Roxas half shouted, wincing and not noticing as he was followed by a hungry eyed teen.

Cloud sighed. "I need my own place."

It was probably wise for them to leave. No, not probably. It was definitely wise for them to leave. Whenever ten teens and a grumpy adult converged into one, very small kitchen nothing good ever comes out of it. Always bad. Be it the good kind of bad, where food is flung into your face – "I swear, my hand slipped Zexy." – or the bad kind of bad.

Though that always came at the most spontaneous, unfortunate times. Unlike the flying spoon heading toward your face, the bad kind was never seen.

Plus, Demyx and Larxene couldn't be more annoying when sitting next to each other.

Yes, for the sanity and good of everyone at that table, it was best to leave. Though, Zexion never quite made it to mentioning it to Demyx. That, right there, could have changed everything.

For the most part, everything was going fine. Despite Cloud making a quarter of the breakfast and having to dig through slightly burnt pancakes, everything was going fine. Demyx and Larxene had eaten most, seeing who could stomach more without throwing up. Larxene had him beat by two. But Demyx, being the stubborn ass he is – and Zexion means that in every literal sense – was not about to give up.

The three girls whose names he barely remembered sat conversing with each other, Hayner paying little to no attention, only dragged in due to being latched to one of them. Olette? Maybe. But Zexion also paid them no mind; too busy deflecting any more advances from the devil blonds across from him.

Sora and Axel were also off in there little world, trying not to laugh at Roxas, who had the biggest blush on, reaching to his ears. Zexion would imagine that maybe smoke should be coming out of his ears by the anger that radiated off him. Blue eyes, cold compared to their brothers warmth, glared.

But all in all, it would have been very much in everyone's interest to disperse. But, it occurred to none.

Cloud, over his morning faze as far as anyone could see, turned and started talking to Sora, unaware of Roxas' problem. If maybe he had been in that conversation and stopped a few misplaced words, nothing would have been reminded and Demyx wouldn't have been in such a bad mood later.

Sora was already visibly paler, but ignored by all. He offered, loud enough for anyone to hear if they be listening, that he'd kindly take his brother's plate up. Apparently, no hint was received.

"She might respond to you."

Zexion threw that sentence around inside his head. Clearly, Cloud had only wanted to help. The twinge of anger in his voice was obvious, but only out of care. The plate Sora held still slipped out of his fingers. That is when everything got quiet. The brunet only laughed, claiming he was a 'clumsy goof' and should not have butterfingers.

But Soras' hands were far from clumsy. He might have been the bounciest force in the universe, but he was far from uncoordinated. So Cloud's – "That guy is such an idiot! God, if he can't figure out Leon is totally in love with him he could at least see something is wrong with his brother!" – natural response of, "Sora? What's wrong?" was expected. Not appreciated, but expected.

"'M just not feeling so well Cloud."

"Do you want to stay home from school?"

"No, I have to work on my paper."

"Okay." All of a sudden, Demyx shot up in his chair. At first, Zexion thought he might run towards Cloud, fists clenched, swinging at the man. But instead, Demyx was half-way to the bathroom. Seconds later, the sound of gags and 'plop's of (what Zexion imagined chunks of cinnamon waffles) water from the toilet.

Larxene grinned, maybe a little green. No, definitely green. "I win!"

Yes, Zexion was sure leaving would have been the most wonderful idea.

His throat was sore. A scratchy feeling spread, unreachable to fingers, and the brunet instead cleared his throat many times. Making noises he knew not of, the sensation spread throughout his chest. He rubbed his throat, vaguely paying attention.

He didn't notice the kids playing with red, blue and green bouncy balls, waiting for parents to get off the phone and drive them to school. He didn't notice the early birds, singing for the world to hear their melodious tune. He didn't notice Demyx' hand being too tight around his own.

But he did notice that his hand was being held. Axels' was always hot, burning. But very comforting and filled him with confidence and energy. Roxas' was strong and very protective. Demyx' filled him with fun and made him want to go around, playing pranks. But sincere too. Though none held that feeling he wished for. None held that sensation which was out of his reach at the moment.

So, he let the scenery fly around him, molding into something else. Pictures and strange objects whirred past darting eyes. He leaned his head against the window, not caring that Cloud would get mad for leaving a mark, just wanting to melt into these strange images.

Roxas was calling him, like always. He hummed back and not sure if he was answering, Roxas started to talk. Talk and talk and talk; all everyone did was talk. And no matter what people said, talking doesn't help. Too many words and phrases could be tied together to make something better forgotten known. But that didn't stop them from talking.

"Never can get too much of school," Sora mumbled, this time noticing the tightened grip from Demyx and Roxas stopping his rant.

Naminé stayed away. He didn't really want her too, even though she might have thought it. He could tell, even this morning that she was keeping a distance from him. He wished to leave Demyx' side, even though the overwhelming urge to skip school and go lay somewhere very quiet, just to laugh and fill the vicinity with noise kept him very well near Demyx. He missed her childish eyes, so much like his own and her comforting touch. Like Kairi's missed one, it held a bond he didn't want to break.

But he did stay by Demyx' side and she did not come near him.

"Sora?" He looked up slightly to glance at Demyx who grinned. "I need to get to class. You have journalism, right? If you want –"

"No, I have it too Demyx. I'll go with him." The blond next to him glanced at Zexion, who had already known what he was going to say. He nodded for Sora to come, which, with great hesitance, he did. He only looked back as Demyx waved happily, but adidn't look away fast enough to not notice his frown. "Did you do the homework?"

"Ah," Sora glanced over to him. Zexion wasn't mean. Just cold and distant and not what Sora wanted. But he still grabbed his hand that swung only slightly at the boys' side. Zexion made sure his grip was only just tight enough before walking on.

Continuing with silence, Sora couldn't help the chill that ran down his spine. Zexion made him feel small and like a child. He wondered if Demyx ever felt the same. Almost withdrawing, he looked up into those very light blue, maybe even lavender eyes. And he knew.

"Sora," Zexion said, holding open the door. "Are you coming?"

Sora smiled up at him. Zexion knew. And that was going to make this class much longer.

Luckily, Marluxia announced that today they should just work on the school's paper, each with their own topics and that they were free to go anywhere to work on it. Sora moved quickly, out the door and down a flight of hidden steps. Though he was pretty sure Zexion wouldn't follow him, and instead go to Demyx' class.

He was pretty sure.

The basement was odd. It was old, smelled like chips all the time and its AC seemed to never turn off. So Sora cursed that he didn't bring that extra jacket. It was a significant difference as he only walked down the stairs. When he finally did make it, the TV was on. The History Channel was telling a story of Hitler. But his eyes were drawn to the ping-pong table some seniors brought down here last year. And he wasn't so much as staring at the table, more so the person on it.

Fit body, tight shirt, silver hair – it was really hard not to stare. The curves of the boy's muscle, making intricate designs on his pale arms, contracted as he threw and caught a football ball over and over again. His legs languidly drifted off the end, not even and inch above the floor, his pants hiding most of his shoes. The shirt he wore was unbuttoned, revealing a slim line of skin, just as pale as the rest of him. The ball was thrown up again, catching Sora's eyes as it twisted in the air.

"There's no playing with balls in here."

He didn't expect the response.

"That's not what you said last night," the boy said just a little louder than the muttering he was doing when he came down here. Sora immediately blushed at the statement. He didn't mean too, it just sort of happened. The male with silver hair quickly turned, realizing what he said and sat up. "Sorry. Kind of a knee-jerk reaction." Sora nodded, would have smiled if the Aqua eyes that pierced him weren't so distracting.

"I'm Sora."

The boy cocked his head to the side. "Riku."

After that, it became much quieter. Riku stopped muttering, didn't go back to tossing the ball and just sat there. His feet swung back and forth and he tossed the ball between his hands. Sora just sat. His eyes scanned over the TV, watching as Hitler's picture came up many times, old black and white ones popping up very often.

When it ended, some stupid phrase spouting from the narrator, Riku was next to him. Sora couldn't have said when he moved, though he looked very comfortable. "So," he said.

"Sora!" The brunet jumped as Demyx tackled him, laughing, grabbing his hand. "Were have you been? Class is about to start. Zexion should learn to not lose you. Who's this?"

"Riku."

"I don't know any Riku."

"I would guess not." Riku pushed himself off the chair at that moment. "It was nice to meet you. I have to get going." Sora nodded to him, smiling like always. Sora waved with his free hand, tightening his grip on Demyx. Riku looked back.

"Bye."

10/27/09 – Started

10/30/09 – Finished

I realized I put three Sora third person POV's in a row. Oh well. It's so much easier for me to write about depressing children. Though I'd have to say I'm far from depressed.

Side Note: I will take this time to thank all my reviewers. Sorry if you're not mentioned (and for this horrible update. Don't worry, next's should be better)). I will keep check and make sure you get in next time.

Thanking Corner:

XOmarX – Thank you for being my first reviewer.

luckless-is-me – To state above, I realize that everything I had ever started writing sounds so confusing! I never ever come right out and state a problem. I kind of pisses me off. Sorry! But I'm glad you reviewed.

Chyuouko No Miyuzu – Yes, that made sense. Thank you for the comments and approval on my writing style. I have the worst confidence and it raised my spirits. Thank you!

YaoiLovingJew – (Side Not off yours: I am sorry your name never comes out on this. I've tried everything. So, for now, your name isn't going yo be spelled right. Sorry!) No. Riku was not taken away by death. Couldn't write a RiSo story if he was taken away by death from the beginning. But it did also cross my thoughts as I was writing and reading over the first chapter. It's like you were in my head!

Victoria – Hmm, metaphor…? That would be the idea. And I did love the summary. I actually had that summary first and I was like 'I need a story to fit this or I will kill myself!' and tah-da! This is what came out. Though the summary won't be put into affect till later. Description really is my only redeeming skill. Repetition – years of reading Poe. And I did think the end with Axel and Sora was cute! But I wouldn't expect anything to come out of that… But I would love to hear your theories on my story. I love reading them.

Permanent Chaos – You. Have. Made. My. Life. Don't worry; I am probably a bigger prude than you. I read through this story many times, fixed and replaced so many things, then posted it and fixed things after that and I still spot mistakes which I will probably fix when I post this. I, myself, am surprised at how well I've written these relationships and astounded that I didn't just spout anything out. I get so nervous when writing or speaking! And I guess character/relationship growth is a thing to look for. That ending… I found it quite enjoyable. It was cute and I'm so happy I wrote it. Thank you for the most awesome review ever and I look forward to your next! Thank you!

Please review!

Penelope