AN: Ok so... I'm gonna rush the next chapter or two. There are some things I know if I keep bottled up i'm going to explode. So time to vent. In a chapter or so, your gonna read something rather depressing. Get ready. ((Author's note within authors note: I've been putting this one off for a very long time. I've had to see that asshole of a father every friday since my mom passed. So to tie it in with the story, Roxas will have done exactly what i've done with this chapter. Put it off.)) Also, in this chapter you hear more about Roxas' siblings. I'm, biologicly, the eldest of four. The elder brother I'm writing about is actually bassed of my elder foster brother, Zekial Magnolia (Zeke for sort). I've known him for six straight years and I can't bare to even THINK about how my little bro used to try and help me out back during those awful visitations with my dad. So I'm subbing it with him. Besides, he was living in georgia during the time I was with that dreadful man anyway. So... it kinda works out. I just cant stand to think how a little kid had to witness that shit and not be able to help so I'm just saying now... It wasn't Zeke, an older more matured person with me, it was my little 5 year old brother. Just thought i'd throw that out there. I try to make a point to show what is fiction and what isn't. So... Without further adue, the story begins.
Chapter 8
The Visit
After the small fire, Roxas and his grandmother refused to allow Cloud to even look at the oven. Cloud was almost supportive of their motion. Sora sat in his room, clicking around on the internet, most likely looking for some free-to-play game like always. It was Thursday.
Sora hadn't seen Roxas in school today, nor had he answered his phone or door. He was worried. If he didn't find something to distract himself soon he was going to erupt. It was then that he heard the song of angels. His father's quacking voice. "SORA! PHONE!"
Sora jumped from his bed and practically flew down the stairs, grabbing the phone from his dad and bringing it to his ear. "Hello," He immediately said.
"Sora? Yeah, it's me, Roxas. I-"
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?!"
"Calm down. I was a-"
"CALM DOWN? NO ONE ANSWERS THE DOOR THE PHONE AND TO TOP IT ALL OF YOU WEREN'T IN SCHOOL HOW AM i SUPP-"
"YO!" It was rare Roxas raised his voice. Sora instinctively knew that whatever Roxas had to say was important. He immediately silenced himself as Roxas began his explanation "I was at court. That custody battle shit has gotten worse. By court order I'm supposed to see Sephiroth, my dad that is, weekly. We've been putting it off, making excuses. But if I keep doing so, I'll be sent to live with him. So tomorrow after school... I have to willingly get in a car with that freak."
Sora was baffled. His last, and first impression of the man was certainly not a good one. He let out a hitched breath.
"If your wondering how I could possibly ever do this..."
Sora froze. Great now Roxas was in his head. Despite his worry for the boy, he couldn't help but let a single thought cross his mind. 'Dirty little mind reader.'
Roxas continued onward. "Before my mom passed, me and my dad were actually getting closer. I dunno what it was, but he was starting to get himself together. I was almost starting to view him as a real father."
"What happened to change that?"
Roxas cringed a bit. He was silent for a minute, but to Sora, it seemed like forever.
'I may have just pushed the wrong button,' Sora thought. "Hey... If you don't wanna talk about it... I understand."
"No... It's ok." He let out a long sigh. "Did I tell you he has a twin?"
"What? Seriously? There's two of him?"
"His brother is nothing like him. All they share is a face. Anyway... After my mother died, a few weeks later him and his brother, Xemnas, offered to take me and my grandmother out for dinner. Afterwords they offered to take us out to Twilight Town so I could pick up a few things. Everything was going fine, I was actually enjoying myself. Once we were there though... Everything went downhill."
"What happened?"
"He made a comment. Just one that sent me through the roof."
Sora waited for him to continue, silence overtaking the two once again.
"He said, 'Now that you mother's gone, I'd like you to come live with me.' I responded 'NO. My mother wanted me to live with my grandmother, So that's where I'm going.' His response to that was 'you may not like me, but i'm your father, so you better listen to me.' Then I asked him 'why can't you just respect my mother's wishes and continue on as we've been going?' Then he made that one comment. 'I don't give a shit about her wishes.' After that I blew. I still can't forget what is twin said. 'What could someone possibly do to make their son hate them this much?' That's why I don't mind Xemnas. He's nothing like his brother. He's kind."
"Wow... I had no idea."
"I was so angry... Had my grandma not come in when she did, I would have gone after him. Would I have won? No. But still..."
Sora stood up. "I'm coming over. Stay where you are."
Roxas let out a small giggle. 'That's my Sora,' he thought. 'Always worrying.'
"What are you laughing at?" Sora asked half sarcastically.
"You! Haha! You just jump up and say, 'I'm coming over.' Invite yourself, why don't ya?"
Sora sighed. "Shut up," he said for a lack of a better come back.
"Don't worry about it though. I'm already coming over to your house."
"Where are you at right n-" There was a knock at the door. "Hold on a second, Roxas." He opened the door, only to see a well dressed Roxas on the other side, cell phone to his face.
"Sorry, Sora. I'm gonna have to call you back. There's a stray puppy I need to take care of. (Sora: I'm not a puppy! Roxas: Yes you are.)" Roxas took the phone, hung up and placed it in his pocket. "So can we talk?"
Sora nodded, leading Roxas into the kitchen. "Want some hot chocolate,or tea, or maybe coffee."
Roxas's face seemed to light up at the mention of coffee.
"Coffee it is then," he chuckled.
"Thanks... After today coffee is my sovereign light."
"So... About that visit..." Sora opened a large cabinet to the right of the refrigerator, filled with an assortment of teas and coffee blends that Zack had collected in his travels. "Do you have any idea where you'll be going?" He placed a filter into the coffee maker, shoveling spoon fulls of the blend into it, filling it with water.
Roxas sighed, bringing his head to the table. "The cheep bastard will probably bring me to my Uncle Xemnas' house. Which means the only times i'll have to face danger is when i'm alone with him in the car... And when I'm dealing with my little cousins. He wouldn't dare do anything in front of my uncle."
Sora flipped the coffee machine on. "Are you gonna be ok," he asked as he walked over to him wrapping an arm around him.
"I don't know..." He leaned into Sora's chest. "He can go from being a perfectly normal, almost respectable person to being a complete psychopath."
"Why don't you take Sora with you?"
The two looked up to see Zack. "You're kidding," Roxas said. "You honestly think I'd let Sora put himself in danger to protect me?"
"Nope. But I'm his dad, and your superior. So, using that authority, I hereby order Sora Leonheart, son of Zack and Aerith Fair, to accompany Roxas whilst he visits his father."
"Aye aye sir," Sora yelled as he mimicked a salute he had seen Roxas do while commanding a small squad in the ROTC.
"I don't have a say in this, do I," Roxas sighed.
"Absolutely none," the two said in unison.
Roxas sighed. "You are both complete idiots."
Zack laughed as he put an arm around Sora. "That's us."
"Speak for yourself, dad," Sora yelled. he turned to face Roxas. "so when did you say this visit was?"
"Friday... In other words, tomorrow." He slammed his head onto the table. "Ugh! I'm gonna have to smile around that fucker while he acts all honky dorry!"
"What do you mean," Sora asked.
"He acts like a completely different person when he isn't drunk... probably why me and him were getting closer for so long. He wasn't drunk broke, involved in illegal business, or trying to sell me to some perv. But, without warning, he'll snap, liquor or not. God only knows what he'll do when that happens..." Roxas placed his hand on his neck, remembering the last time his father had gone ballistic. He had been visiting him in Midgar. It was a normal day, nothing went wrong, then, out of complete nowhere, he snapped and attached Roxas.
"Well don't worry. We'll be fine. If he tries anything i'll make sure to do... anything to protect you."
"Sora..." He sighed. there was no changing his mind. "Thank you."
"No problem!" He went over to Roxas and wrapped an arm around him. "So we have the rest of the day to waste... what do you want to do?"
Roxas brought his finger to his lip as he thought, then snapped and brought his hands down. "Today's buy one get one free at the candy store! We can get some ice cream and go up to the hill!"
"I'm up for it, so long as your paying," he turned his pockets inside out. "I'm flat broke."
"Kiri's right... You are a lazy bumb."
"Hurtful!"
Roxas and Sora shared a laugh, before heading out, leaving Zack to his thoughts. 'Those two sure are good to each other... I'm glad they met.'
Aerith came and walked into the kitchen, her usual smile on her face. "You know those two are dating, right," she said as she passed by him, not even batting him an eye.
Zack's body tensed up, he froze in place. "THEY'RE DATING?!"
"Yes honey, dating."
Zack simply stood there, frozen. He seemed to turn to stone. He ran over to the window to see Sora give Roxas a teasing peck on the cheek. He opened the window and yelled out "SORA LEONHEART! I W-"
Aerith pushed him out of the way and called out. "Sora, Roxas, run. Fast. I'll tame the beast."
Sora seemed to cringe up. "Crap... He didn't know?... Right... RUN!" He took Roxas by the hand and ran at top speed, Roxas rag-dolling behind him as he yelled in protest.
*.*.*
It was 5:30. Sora and Roxas walked into the house giggling. "I still cant believe she actually slipped on the cone," Sora exclaimed.
"I know! She just steps right on it and woosh! off she goes like a rocket. Hahaha," Roxas chimed in as they made there way up the stairs.
"Sora... Roxas..." The two boys stopped their accent up the stairs, to meet the glare of Zack Fair, Aerith reading a book on the couch opposite to him. "So when did you plan on telling me you two where dating," he asked, venom in his voice.
"Well," Sora started. "We thought you knew. Everyone else did. Even mom."
Zack had been smacked in the face with the white glove known as stupidity. His anger subsided. "Well then... We have to set some ground rules."
"No we don't," Aerith chimed in.
"Wha- what?"
"They've been fine so far so we'll let them continue as is." She closed the nova, and tossed it at Zack's head. "Right then! I've gotta get something ready for dinner, care to lend a hand, Roxas?"
"Sure," he exclaimed happily. He was always more then delighted to lend a hand in the kitchen. Then, a thought crossed his mind. "Would you be open to try something new," Roxas asked.
"Well I'm sure if it's a recipe from you or your mom it's bound to be delicious."
Roxas singled for Aerith to come closer. He whispered something in her ear.
"Let's do it! We can go get the ingredients at the deli now." She stood up and grabbed her keys.
"You'd really be willing to do this?"
"Of course! Let's go."
"A- alright."
With that the two were out the door, leaving Sora and Zack to look at each other puzzled
When the two returned, Roxas had one small grocery bag in his hands. "Dinner will be ready in an hour," Roxas said, a beaming smile on his face. Whatever the two had planned, Roxas looked ready to burst with happiness.
*.*.*
"DINNER'S READY," Aerith yelled.
Zack and Sora came running. They had been eagerly awaiting Roxas's new concoction. Roxas giggled at their rushed reaction. "We still have to wait for one more guest."
"Who, Roxas? All the phones were inside. You couldn't have called anyone," Sora asked.
"Wait for it..."
Like clock work, furious knocking was heard at the door. Roxas answered it to see an excited Cloud. "I smell Stromboli." He pushed past his brother and entered the kitchen, seeing the tray in which loaf sat on set atop the stove.
Roxas let out a hardy laugh. "I swear, Cloud, if bombs smelt the same as my cooking you'd replace German Shepherds in airports!"
He merely shrugged as his mouth watered from the smell of the all to familiar meal. "It's a gift," he said as he reached for it, only to have his hand slapped away Aerith.
"We wait until the food is on the table before devouring it in this home, Cloud," she said as she slipped on a pair of oven mits.
"It has to be on a table," he asked, only to have the other four laugh at his gluttony for his brother's dish.
Aerith grabbed the tray and set it down on the table. Again Cloud reached for it. It was Roxas' turn to slap him away, a small fire in his eyes, a sense of venom in his voice and a bread knife in hand. "Oh, Brother... Sit down and wait to be served otherwise it'll be your hands that come off the tray rather then slices of Stromboli.
His hands quickly retracted as he took his seat opposite to Sora. "Alright... Don't burn my eyes out with that glare, eh?"
Roxas sat next to Sora with a sigh. "Be lucky you didn't get stuck with Cloud as a brother, Sora... He's either a pain in the ass or... Well there is no 'or.'"
Sora let out a small giggle. "Are you saying you'd rather have Leon as a brother?"
Roxas' eyes widened tenfold. "Hell no!" Again the five shared a laugh. Once it subsided Roxas pulled their supper towards himself. "Well, lets dig in!" He cut several slices of loaf, serving them evenly to each person at the table. It was quite an odd dish, but a favorite of the Strife's and other relatives. Once cut, its contents were revealed. It appeared to be pepperoni and a cheese of some sort.
Zack was the first to bite into it. His eyes seemed to shine. "Roxas... Whats in this? And how'd you make this?!"
He smiled, proud of his work. "Nothing. Just pepperoni and provolone. It's real easy to make. Just get some pizza dough, roll it out, place the pepperoni and provolone in a layered, circular pattern, roll it up, dose it in egg to make it stick, then cut some slits in the top, throw it in the oven and boom, your done! It was my mom's signature dish."
"I can see why."
Cloud snickered. "Tch... I remember when she tried teaching us how to make it. You have to be a genius to cook that stuff. I burnt it every time I made it."
"You don't have to be a genius," Roxas said. "You just don't know how to cook."
"Says who?"
"Says every fire you start whenever you touch a stove."
"Name one."
Roxas gave a mischievous grin. "Hmm let see... The french toast, the lemon chicken, the baked potatoes, the thanksgiving turkey, the steak, the ham, the Stromboli, the pizza, the pudding, the apple pie, the pumpkin pie, the blueberry pie, the cherry pie, the pasta, the raman which I can't even begin to explain how you could possibly set that ablaze, my birthday cake, the candy apples, the salmon, the eggplant Parmesan, and, most recently, the breakfast you tried making me and Sora while I was sick. The list goes on. Should I continue?"
Cloud buried his face in the table, defeated. "No, you've made your point."
Sora giggled at Cloud's shame. "Remind me never to let him near our stove, ok dad? Hehehe!"
Cloud rose his head, a glare of utter death in his eyes. "Drop it, Sora. NOW!"
Sora cried out in fear, hiding his face with his hands. He spoke meekly. "Y- yes sir!"
The rest of the meal went on like this. Idle conversation, the teasing of each person, all smiles. It was moments like this that Roxas cherished. No arguments, no courts, no father, no school work, no worries. Just smiles and chat over a nice warm meal, the one he loved by his side. It was pure bliss.
God only knew the personal demons he'd have to face and the emotional stress he'd have to endure the next day.
Dinner ended soon enough. They had polished off the Stromboli. Not even a crumb remained. Cloud, Zack, and Aerith talked in the living room while Roxas and Sora began a game of cards. Tonight's game was Slap Jacks. Roxas dealt out the cards. Once the two of them were dealt an even amount of cards, the game began. The two rapidly threw down their cards, waiting for a jack to appear.
"So," Sora said. "You mentioned cousins?"
"Yup." Slap. It was the Jack of Diamonds. Sora win the pile. "Dammit... They're ten and four."
"What are they like?"
"Like any kids, really. They kinda remind me of my little brothers out in Midgar. They are around their age too."
Both Roxas and Sora's eyes remained on the game, keeping focused on the pile.
"I thought Cloud was your only brother."
Slap. It was the Jack of Hearts. Roxas had slapped first.
"No. I have three other siblings. Cloud is just the only one I really know. My cousins remind me of them though."
"What are the names of the other three?"
"Tiddus, Vaan, and Selphie. Selphie lives here on Destiny Islands somewhere."
"Your oldest?"
Slap. Roxas had claimed the Jack of Spades. The two were running low on their current cards.
"Uh-huh. Tiddus is the middle child, Vaan is his younger brother, and Selphie is youngest, but she's only ever met me."
"How about Cloud? Does he know any of them?"
"He knows Tiddus and Vaan, but not Selphie."
Slap. Jack of clubs claimed by Roxas. He was winning,
The two finished off the rest of their decks and went on to their winnings.
"So is their anything I should be prepared for while I'm there?"
"Well... A possible mental breakdown and allot of fakeness."
"Gotcha."
From that point on, the two had changed the topic to gossip around the school. The match ended with Sora's victory. After a quick gloat, Roxas and Cloud prepared to leave. Sora had walked them home.
The next day, 4:49 pm~
There Sora sat in Roxas' room, holding the Strife close in his arms, Roxas' head resting on Sora's shoulder. They sat in silence as Sora rubbed Roxas's golden hair lightly in a attempt to ease his mind.
"Sora..."
Sora's heart jumped at the sudden break of silence. He looked to his shoulder to see Roxas near tears. "Whats wrong, Roxas?"
"I'm scarred," he said as he wrapped his hands around him.
Sora pulled him into a warm embrace, not daring to let go. "Don't worry... I won't let him touch you."
Roxas sniffled at the reassurance, trying to avoid any water works. "Ok," he said with a tad bit of a shake in his voice.
Again they sat in silence, Roxas had managed to calm himself down. 12 minutes had passed. Roxas' grandmother stepped into the room. "Roxas... I just got a call from him... He's coming up the walkway now... Are you and Sora ready?"
Roxas gave a nod. "Yeah... I'm ok so long as I have Sora with me."
He and Sora stood, they had yet to release each others hands. Within a simple five seconds, a knock was heard at the door. Ms. Strife was hesitant to answer. To their demise, there stood Sephiroth in all his unholy glory. He was dressed casually. "Hello Mrs. Strife," he said as he walked in. "Where's Cloud. I wan-"
"He's working." Roxas had cut him off. He was petrified by fear, unable to move. And yet he radiated an aura of pure hate. His body shook as he looked upon his father, the man that had caused all the hurt in his life. "Plus I doubt he'd want to even look at you."
Sephiroth brushed off Roxas' comment of Cloud's disgust. "Ah... Yes he dropped the military, job and took up mercenary work didn't he? What's he working on? Assassination? Theft?"
"Guard duty, 'Dad.' He's working for the museum while they set up the new diamond exhibit. He wouldn't dare take an illegal job. He's no bounty hunter." Roxas' lip curled. Had his fear not been holding him back, if he didn't have just a few thoughts floating around in his head, he would have attacked him, and Sora and Ms. Strife could tell. One could feel the blood lust, the hate, the fear, and the anxiety that radiated off him like a savage animal.
"Right." His phone rung. Sephiroth reached into his pocket, and answered the call. "Hello? No, I just got to his house now. We'll be there shortly, Brother."
"Knew it," Roxas mumbled under his breath.
"Well tell them to wait, they'll see him when we get there. Sure." He handed the phone to Roxas. "It's your cousin, Ienzo."
Roxas let out a sigh of relief. 'Finally,' he thought. 'Someone I actually regard as family.' He brushed the phone against his leg before bringing it to his ear. "Hey Ian."
"ROXAS!"
Roxas held the phone away from his ear in an effort to avoid going death.
"Are you really gonna come over today and is Uncle Sephiroth really coming and I heard about Aunty really sorry about that by the way and are you really bringing a friend and... And and and a-"
"Wow! Slow down buddy! Your gonna chew my ear off. You can talk to me when I get there, ok?" There was a soft smile on his lips, the hate seemed to all but vanish.
"Hehe! Ok!"
"Tell your brother Zexion I said hi, ok?"
"ZEXION, ROXAS SAYS HI!"
"Alright buddy... I'll see you when I get there ok?"
"Ok Roxas. Bye bye!"
"Alright Ienzo, I'll see you later." With that he hung up. The deadly aura immediately returned the second he looked back to his father. It seemed to flare to an all time high as he handed the phone back to him. Just his fathers touch was enough to send him through the roof.
Sora patted his back in an attempt to clam him down.
"We should get going," Sephiroth said as he put his phone back in his pocket.
"My friend Sora is coming with us," Roxas said, suppressing the anger in his voice.
"I don't have enough room in the car, Roxas. Just come alone wi-"
"It's not optional. He's coming weather you like it or not."
The two locked gazes. There was a fire that burnt between the two. Each knew of it, neither dared to feed it.
Sephiroth knew it would be useless to argue. "Fine. Lets go." He preformed an about face, and headed out.
Ms. Strife threw a worried look in Roxas' way as he and Sora followed Sephiroth in suit. He nodded in response in hopes to reassure her in some way.
The three made the their way into the parking lot in silence, not a word was spoken. None were needed. Sephiroth pointed to a worn down looking truck. "Pile in and we'll be off. Roxas can sit in front with me and-"
"I'll sit in the back with Sora."
Sephiroth sighed. "As you wish."
Sora, Roxas, and Sephiroth made their way to the truck, Sora and Roxas claiming the back, Sephiroth the front. He started up the loud diesel engine, pulling out of the parking lot. Roxas snuggled close to Sora, secretly fearing what was to come.
AN: As of 5/29/2014, my story has ended. I started writing this chapter about a week or two ago. The light is out of reach, I'm trapped at the end of the tunnel. The custody battle has ended. My light, crushed. My Dad, Micheal won. Today, 5/29/2014, is my last day with my grandmother. He's won. I've been sentenced to a life with the devil. And to be perfectly honest... I'm scared. The story will continue until it leads to today. Then, it ends. With a possible epilogue, of course. Maybe a sequel. Though my grandma may be getting visitations, life, from here goes down hill. I guess to make everything a tad better, I can make the story split. The real ending, leading to a squeal based off true events, and a fictional ending, happy, the way I wished it to be, leading to a fictional story.