Disclaimer: Still don't own it.

Chapter 7: First Blushes of Love

Sora got dressed. He had been so relieved to see Riku at the airport, so in need of his support. And without thinking, he had acted like that… must have been embarrassing for Riku. Sora mentally chastised himself for doing something so stupid. He could tell Riku must be a little miffed, cause he didn't want to wait for Sora. But then he had asked him to stay. Sora thought that it would be okay if he talked to Riku in private, away from the prying. He hoped that he wouldn't be mad anymore. Actually, when Sora heard the door click shut, he hadn't been able to tell if Riku had left or not.

Sora tentatively opened the door, eyes darting around the room, searching for Riku. He could see the sliver hair over the top of the chair.

"Riku?" The older boy turned, eyes peeking over the top of the chair, smiling. Sora sighed with relief and plopped down in the other chair. He could see behind Riku's smiling facade; there was a hint of worry in the depths of his eyes. Sora found himself getting lost in his eyes, and found it hard to concentrate. He had been gone for what seemed like such a long time, and he had forgotten how Riku had a magnetic pull. Sora's eyes wandered down to Riku's perfect lips, slightly parted.

"Sora? Are you okay?" The music of Riku's velvet voice washed over Sora.

"Oh… Oh!" Sora jerked out of his daze. He noticed the worry in Riku's face had become more apparent. This brought forward in Sora's mind the reason why he had needed to talk to Riku, and with it, a deep sadness. Sora's face fell and grew more melancholy as he began to tell Riku about what had happened. A look of horror formed on Riku's perfect features. His own problems paled in comparison to the things that had happened to Sora. Halfway through the story, Sora began again to cry. The feelings of hopelessness came back to him. He felt guilty, as if what had happened to her had been his fault, as if, somehow, she had died because he accused her of cheating on him. He wished he had never said anything, and he wished, above all else, that she could still be alive. After explaining all of this, dumping this on Riku, he saw that Riku's look of pity was tinged with disgust.
"But… after what she did to you… you can't think that! She was horrible." Riku seemed mad that he felt this way. It was not the response Sora had been expecting. Something more supportive, maybe. Riku saw the downcast look Sora gave him and immediately explained.

"It just because I don't want to see you hurt anymore. It hurts me, to see you like this. So please, for me, try to be happy" Riku pleaded. This answer touched Sora. He knew then that Riku was really his good friend, someone he could rely on no matter what. It took all Riku had to keep from kissing the younger boy. He was so sweet and innocent, clean and pure. The opposite of what Riku was himself.

"Promise me. Don't think about her at all. You have me now." And even though Riku leant forward when he said this, rose his hand to run his fingertips along Sora's cheekbone, Sora had no idea what Riku was trying to tell him. And not knowing how else to tell Sora that he liked, even loved him, Riku gave up trying to tell him in such a subtle manner. The mood was totally different now. No trace of sadness or despair could be seen. Sora felt his heart pounding faster as Riku leaned toward him. His breath came quickly. Suddenly an irrational fear overcame him; he thought Riku might be able to hear his heart. But instead of being kissed, Sora felt Rikus warm breath tickle his ear.

"Promise me, Sora." He inhaled sharply.

"I… I promise" he stuttered. Riku just smiled smoothly and gracefully walked away.

Sora was left all alone. Riku had succeeded in not only drying his tears but making him think- or maybe imagine- things he had never thought of before. Why had he thought Riku was going to kiss him? It made no sense at all. He had never felt that way before with anyone; never felt his heart pound in his chest. It felt like it could have run away. That rush of adrenaline began to slow, and Sora tried to think things out. Why did he feel like that? And even if he did, would he act upon that feeling? He knew he couldn't, or at least shouldn't. it was obvious how Riku felt about him. A friend, that's all. Sora was surprised he hadn't started hyperventilating. Those moments had confused and exited him all at once. He wanted to tell Roxas. After all, they did tell each other everything. Roxas had even explained in detail how his relationship with Axel progressed. And their first kiss… Sora thought about it wistfully. His first had been nothing special. It had been with some girl, and he had later wondered why people so fondly recalled their first kiss. It had seemed silly then. But now, imagining himself with Riku… it would be amazing. Ehh, but what was he thinking. That kind of thing with Riku was merely the stuff of dreams.

Sora was now in the hall outside of Roxas' room. He knocked, got no answer, but just as he was going to turn around and leave he heard a knock. Sora decided to open then door. But as he did, he regretted the choice. He saw Roxas on top of Axel on the bed. And eve through they were both fully clothed, Axel had his hand up Roxas' shirt, making him moan and tremble in pleasure. Sora let out a half gasp half scream and raced downstairs. Riku was running upstairs, and caught Sora in his arms.

"What is it?"

"They.. Axel… Roxas…" The shock on Sora's face gave away what he had seen. Riku chuckled and led the boy downstairs.

"Don't let that bother you. Its not the last time you'll be seeing it, I bet." Sora stared at Riku, eyes wide, mouth agape. It seemed there was a lot he had to learn about relationships. What if he and Riku did that? What would it feel like? He wanted to know. Sora stared off into space, every once in a while glancing involuntarily at Riku's rosebud lips.

He went through the rest of the day like this, caught in a dream-like state. It was obvious to those around him that something was up, even if they couldn't tell exactly what it was. At dinner he didn't join in the chatter like usual. It was actually a rather quiet night, with Sora staring at Riku, Riku deep in his own thoughts, and Zexion being his naturally taciturn self. Axel was left wondering what was going on.

The next day was the same. Roxas tried to ask Sora about his out-of-the-ordinary mood during their first break, but didn't get enough time. Finally, when lunch came around, Roxas stole Sora from some of the older boys and brought him to a secluded area where they could talk without fear of interruption.

"What's up with you lately? You haven't been paying attention in class; you need people to call you twice to get your attention. What's wrong?" He questioned.

"Oh, nothing… it must be that I'm still in vacation mode."

"That's what I thought at first to but, it's something else. I'm sure of it."

"No, there's nothing else." Just then Riku and a few other upperclassmen walked by. Or rather, there were a few boys following Riku, practically worshiping him like a God, and at the same time, demanding answers to the latest gossip.

"Is it true that you and Zexion are going out? That you met late last night in the library?"

Others tried to be more suave. "You wanna go out next weekend, Riku baby? I know of a great club…" The mob was led away by Riku's quick steps, followed by Sora's wide eyes. Wide with jealousy and tinged with anger.

"Ahhh. I get it. It's Riku." Roxas smirked.

"It- it isn't!" Sora blushed a furious red.

"Something must have happened over Christmas break," here Roxas saw Sora's face fall when he mentioned it, "and I know it has to do with Riku."

"Well.. when was the first time you kissed a guy?" Roxas looked surprised, but answered anyway.

"I was 13, and a boy in my class confessed to me, and then he kissed me." Sora looked like he was taking careful mental notes.

"Does it feel the same as kissing a girl?"

"Well, I don't know. I've always been attracted to only boys. I've never kissed a girl before." Sora looked at him in amazement.

"Have you ever done it with a guy?" Sora didn't even hesitate anymore. But this time, Roxas did.

"You mean…"

"Have sex. With a guy. Do you know how it feels?"

"U-uh. You'll have to find out on your own" Roxas stuttered and looked away, Sora thought, remembering what he and Axel had done. They talked some more about kissing, and Sora explained how he had suddenly wanted to kiss Riku. And Roxas came up with a plan.

"Tonight, after he goes to bed, you can do it. Kiss him when he's asleep." Sora loved the idea, and decided that that night he would do it. He was almost hopping with anticipation. The boring fifth hour of class slowly ticked by, second by second, until gym came around. Sora was looking forward to expelling some of the pent-up energy.

He got there and dressed early, and was out of the locker room before everyone else. He silently went through drills by himself, warming up. He was so focused on getting the movements right that he jumped when Sephiroth, his instructor, came up from behind.

"Sora. Bend your knees more. Hole your hand higher. Is the weight too much for you? Poor thing." Sephiroth's sarcastic words cut Sora almost as if he had really been wounded. He didn't know what he had done wrong to deserve such reprimand.

By the end of class, Sora was almost in tears. He had tried so hard, but Sephiroth would not let him rest, cruel remarks flying the whole time. He changed and showered as quickly as he could, almost running back to the dorms. Although the exercise had cleared his mind, for the most part, of thoughts of Riku, he was stung with the verbal abuse given. However, he had only a few hours until it would be time to sleep, and he couldn't wait.

All throughout dinner Sora was glancing at Riku expectantly. Riku couldn't figure out what was going on. But it ended soon enough, and they were both in bed. Riku asleep, Sora pretending. Slowly, so as not to make the springs in the mattress creak, Sora stood and tiptoed over to Riku's bed. He was lying on his back, the perfect opportunity for Sora. He leaned over, a shiver gracing his bared skin, and delicately pressed his lips to Riku's.

Okay, I don't know what to say. Other than, thank you for reviewing! It means a lot to me, and keeps me writing :D