this chapter is horribly emotional. loads of different emotions and yeah. enjoy it. sorry for the delay, was having a small issue regarding my ideas not flowing. anyhow, the story's back in gear and here's the new dramatic chapter! please leave a review for me.
By Chance
Riku tilted his head to the side. Silver bangs fell delicately in front of his serious aquamarine eyes. Thin pale pink lips were pressed into a line as the male eyed his brunet boyfriend. All was silent throughout the apartment- aside from the strumming of the clock in another room. It was remarkable how quiet the pair was being. Sora's blue eyes were glued to the wooden floor in a display of a silent refusal to look up. A shiver slipped through Sora's tiny frame. Silence once again reigned as supreme. No words were spoken and no actions were taken. Just lifeless stares and emptiness.
After awhile Riku dared to speak. "Sora, what's wrong?"
It was odd. Odd how someone could always tell when something was wrong with you. Was it because they knew you that well or because you were that obvious? Sora said nothing and instead shrugged his thin shoulders. Sora continued to vehemently refuse to meet Riku's gaze, finding the floor a lot more entrancing than the beautiful teenager beside him.
"Sora," Riku said accusingly, this time a bit more stern. Sora stiffened. "Tell me what's wrong." It was more of a demand that a request.
"Riku, everything's fine," Sora lied. The brunet's hands clenched by his sides, out of sight from the silver haired male. "I hate when people ask me that," Sora went on to say, shaking his head to further accent his position.
Riku sighed perplexedly. "Whatever it is, I'm sure it isn't that big of a deal. You can tell me, Sora," Riku reassured the brunet beside him. "I mean, we've been dating for weeks now and I assume that by now you should trust me, right?" Trust. A five letter word that might mean a lot more than love.
"It's nothing you've done," Sora felt compelled to point out. A sigh elicited from Sora's pale lips seconds after. "I just have a headache and I'm spacing out for some reason. Don't worry," Sora continued.
"Bull shit," Riku challenged harshly. "Did you honestly think I would buy that?"
"I -"
"Sora, I'm your boyfriend. I'm expected to know when something's wrong with you," Riku said a bit defensively. At this point, Sora had finally lifted his gaze. At once, their eyes met and it took all that Sora had not to breakdown in tears. "Now, are you going to tell me?" Riku asked expectantly.
"Riku-" Sora croaked. Riku tilted his head to the side in confusion. Without another word, Sora reached out with needy arms and tangled said arms around Riku's neck. A whimper fell from the brunet's shaking lips as he nestled his face into the crone of his boyfriend's neck. "'ku," Sora murmured against the pale skin he lay against.
"What's wrong?" Riku asked, though this time it was a lot gentler. "Sora?" Riku ran his nimble fingers through the brown locks of hair, urging the younger to let everything out.
"Cloud," Sora choked and hugged Riku tighter.
"What about Cloud?" Riku's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.
"He's coming to pick me up later," Sora said in a shaky voice. Sora proceeded to tighten his grip around Riku's neck and yank his body closer so that he was practically in his boyfriend's lap. "I don't want to leave yet," Sora whined, sounding strikingly akin to a two-year old.
Riku frowned immediately. "Sora, it's not like we won't be able to see-"
Sora was offended by Riku's lack of concern or anger. "Riku!" Sora yelled and balled his fists up against Riku's firm chest. "I like being here!" And for Sora to confess to something like that proved how damn worked up he was over this precise moment.
"I can still see you, Sora. I'll come-" Riku attempted for a second time.
"Riku, you don't get it!" Sora shouted in frustration, keeping his head nestled in the junction of Riku's neck. "Cloud'll know something's up if you come over everyday! Cloud'll be angry and-" Sora rambled in a shaky tone but was silenced when he felt a hand grip his cheek and tilt it up.
Weakly, Sora looked up. Riku had somehow managed to place both of his hands on Sora's face - one on both of Sora's cheeks. Aquamarine eyes met teary sapphire hues. "Listen to me. Who gives a fuck if Cloud knows. He can't do anything about it, okay? You're an adult and he can't stop us from being together so stop it," Riku drawled.
Sora winced. "Riku," Sora whispered and painfully looked away. "He's my older brother… His opinion matters to me…"
"And you matter to me," Riku stated firmly. But not as much as Cloud. I'm a horrible person, aren't I?…
"You-" Sora began in confusion and blinked, his cheeks scorching a red beneath Riku's touch from the spoken words. Before Sora had time to question those sincere thoughts, Riku had covered Sora's lips with his own, capturing them into a searing kiss. At once, shivers shot through Sora's body, turning his blood to fire as his toes promptly curled.
"Would you break up with me if Cloud found out?" Riku murmured against Sora's lips. And Riku felt the entirety of Sora tense. No answer came as Riku continued to roll their lips together, sending Sora into a blissful high. "Would you?" Riku asked, this time a bit louder and demanding.
"Riku…" Sora replied uncertainly, leaning into the welcome touch. "Don't…"
"Would you choose your brother over me?" Riku asked, sending the room into an earsplitting silence.
Sora froze beneath Riku's grasp. Blue eyes fluttered open and stared in disbelief at the silveret. Confusion spread through Sora like a wildfire. A community of fear built up in Sora as he stared, wide-eyed, at his boyfriend who wore a demanding expression. Sora blinked thrice and trembled in Riku's grasp. He had no escape. Riku wanted an answer. Not later, but now.
"Don't make me choose, Riku," Sora warned, chewing his bottom lip. "Don't make me-"
"Two weeks," Riku mumbled, bruising their lips together again in an intense kiss. Sora squeaked but the noise was muffled by their lips. "Two weeks and you're willing to end it over what your brother says?"
Sora felt tears appearing in his eyes. If you love somebody, shouldn't your family love them as well? Isn't that just proper? Sora pulled away from Riku's grasp. His body at once missed the fiery kiss. Sora tumbled off the couch and onto the floor, tears threatening to fall. Why didn't Riku understand? "Am I a replacement?" Sora asked in a shuddery voice.
Riku's eyebrows knitted together. "What?"
And Sora began to wonder why he just asked that out of nowhere. "Am I a replacement for Cloud?" Sora demanded, staring up at the seated Riku from his own placement on the floor. Maybe this was where he belonged; at Riku's feet.
"Why would you think that?" Riku practically seethed.
"I-" Sora said shakily. "I didn't-"
"You're nothing like Cloud," Riku said resentfully, almost angered by the brothers' differences. Sora shivered and stared up at his boyfriend with intense fear. Sora's lips mouthed words of confusion but the strangled noises went unheard as Riku arose from the couch and stalked out of the room, down the hallway in an angry fury.
Sora sat on the floor for awhile, trying to process what had just happened. And when he did, he broke down in tears. I don't get him at all…
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sora," Cloud said from beside the brunet.
All was silent in the taxi up until this point. The older brother had dared to break the silence with his brother's name. There they sat, side-by-side, in that yellow cab, headed back to their apartment, away from Riku. Sora had managed to halt his tears for the time being. After Riku's outburst earlier this morning, everything had been uneasy between the couple. Riku refused to meet Sora's gaze and they barely spoke. Riku didn't even give Sora a kiss goodbye. Sora didn't even think that Riku acknowledged that he had left. Maybe Riku was glad that he was rid of him. Was Sora a burden to his boyfriend? Were they even dating still?
"Yeah?" asked Sora weakly, looking to his right to Cloud.
"Leon and I broke up," Cloud stated as bluntly as he could. Sora's eyes widened at once in shock. "Leon didn't think it was fair to me that I rarely got to see him because of his work. I… I didn't want to tell you that our breakup was the reason we flew back. I figured that I'd keep it to myself." And on Cloud's look was intense appearance of shame.
"Cloud! You love him! You should have told him that you knew he was trying his best!" Sora reasoned with alarm, at once forgetting his and Riku's spat. "Call him now!" Sora urged, groping around Cloud's bag for his cell phone.
Cloud reached out and placed his hand over Sora's. The brunet looked up at once and paused all his movements. Cloud solemnly shook his head as Sora sat back up. "Sora, I'm not sure how long we'll be apart. I think that he might need some time to himself," Cloud murmured.
"But you love him, right?" Sora asked curiously, looking at Cloud with confused blue eyes.
"Yeah," Cloud answered.
Sora sharply nodded. "Then win him back!" Sora urged. "If you love him then you should do anything you can to get him back. You're so happy with him, Cloud," he whispered and shyly looked to the ground, uncertain if he was allowed to talk to his brother about his relationship.
"Leon's an amazing person. He'll… he'll come around," Cloud murmured hopefully to himself. "I'll talk to him later."
"Good," Sora said with a relieved sigh.
"So, putting side my relationship mishap, how was your sabbatical?" Cloud asked with a small, teasing smirk.
Sora sighed and shrugged. "It was okay," he admitted. It would have been better if Riku didn't start acting really strange. It's just been the past few days…. What's wrong with him?
"I'm sorry that I left you there," Cloud apologized. "At the time I thought it'd be a good idea but then when I got to Bermuda I realized how wrong it was to force you to live there," Cloud groaned and rubbed his forehead.
"It's okay," Sora reasoned, shaking his head. "I had…fun."
"On a scale of one to ten, ten being a complete asshole, how did Riku act?" Cloud wondered, folding his arms to his chest.
Sora cleared his throat. Of course, we are already on the topic of Riku. What if I slip? What if Cloud figures it out?! "Eh… a five," Sora said and tried his best to hide a blush that was appearing on his cheeks. Riku was quite romantic and Sora did have to admit that he missed the other's embrace and smile and kiss. But mostly just Riku.
"Well, at least that's only halfway on the meter," Cloud reasoned and shook his head in dismay. "I'm really sorry, Sora. I shouldn't have ruined your summer like that." And it was obvious how bad Cloud was feeling by the regretful look etched upon his usually stoic face.
"Cloud, don't worry about it. I still have a month and a half or so left," Sora pointed out with a bright smile appearing on his face. "You didn't ruin my summer, doofus," Sora went on to say, playfully poking his brother's shoulder. Sora detested when Cloud was depressed, so therefore the brunet did anything in his power to brighten his older brother's spirits.
"Pizza and movies?" Cloud suggested, arching his brows.
"Sounds good to me," Sora said, his face beaming with a newfound happiness. "Extra pepperoni on my half!" Sora swooned and grinned at his older brother with adoration. I'm going to be okay. Me and Riku will just… have a break and everything will be fine when I see him again. Yeah, that's the plan.
"Of course," Cloud answered with a swift nod. "And extra cheese on my half."
"Of course," Sora echoed. The brunet stuck his tongue out at Cloud and then ducked when Cloud went to playfully swat him. "What movies, eh?"
"Well, Namine is letting me borrow her copy of Whitenoise so why not that?" Cloud suggested.
Sora promptly froze. Cloud knew Naminé. As in Riku's friend? Sora blinked curiously at Cloud and said nothing at first. Cloud had never mentioned Naminé before…so why now? Why now when Sora had met her? Sora pushed aside the odd thought and nodded. "Horror movie, right?"
"She said it's amazing," Cloud pointed out and folded his arms to his chest. "And you know how much I detest romance movies so this one will suit me well."
"We all know," Sora cooed and looked out the window. "Hey…Cloud?"
Silence.
"Yeah?"
"When we get home, can we…talk?"
Cloud looked pensive. "Sure."
And for some reason, they both knew what was in store.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Riku?…"
Riku banged his hands down onto the ivory keys of the piano with utter frustration. Tears stormed up in his aquamarine eyes. His body violently shook as he gripped onto the keys toughly. He said nothing and remained silent, sitting on the bench with a look of distraught. Naminé stood by his side, in the midst of the café, eying her friend with concern. The blonde wearily put her hand on Riku's shoulder, only for Riku to flinch it off. At once, the female frowned and looked down at her hand, as if it had just been burnt. "Riku," she said quietly, as if worried about her friend's wellbeing.
"He thinks he's a replacement," Riku stated coldly, his hands flattening along the cold piano keys. "He thinks I'm using him," Riku said harshly, fury burning in his usually expressive eyes.
"Sora?" Naminé guessed vaguely, eying Riku. She flinched when he barked back with a sarcastic response. "Riku…" she warned, chewing her bottom lip with concern. "You shouldn't have gotten involved with him," she said, "you know as well as I do that you're still healing from Cloud. You don't handle fights well…"
"I'm over him," Riku snapped irritably. "I have job, money, and a life that doesn't involve Cloud. I'm over the rejection. I'm not dwelling on it so stop treating me like I am," Riku seethed in fury, turning to glare at Naminé.
The therapist sighed. "Then why did you tell Axel that Cloud meant more to you then Sora? Shouldn't it be the other way around? Especially when Cloud broke-"
"Shut up!" Riku snapped, looking like he had literally snapped himself. "Don't even bring that up."
"Riku… I've never-" Naminé said slowly, confusion swarming in her eyes. Never before had she seen Riku this upset. And never before had he directed it directly onto his friends. This was new, and Naminé was hating it.
"I hate that he's so worried about what his brother'll say about us. I'm sick of him acting like what we're doing is taboo. I can't even-" Riku snarled and then was silenced when he felt a small hand smack him. Hard. Riku winced and glared over at the blonde who was fuming.
"Riku!" Naminé snapped and was glad that not many people were in the café. "You're his first boyfriend, of course he's worried about what Cloud will say! He's only human. Stop being so selfish!"
"I'm far from selfish!" Riku argued, narrowing his eyes.
"If you expect Sora to fall into your arms, then you've got another thing coming. I'm surprised tht he even agreed to date you so easily," Naminé fumed and then stormed off, throwing an annoyed stare over his shoulder. And really, that was the first time Naminé had walked away from an argument without resolving it.
"Whatever," Riku groaned and rubbed his forehead. Maybe a stop to visit Sora later would do him some good… After all, he never apologized for blowing up on the brunet…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"It's good to be home," Sora said quietly, inhaling the familiar scent of his home. Yes, it was amazing to be home. The small apartment seemed a lot more homey than Riku's massive one. Although Cloud and his apartment didn't have all the things that Riku's did, Sora loved it. Mostly because it was theirs. And for the two brothers to have such a place was a laudable achievement.
"It sure does," Cloud agreed, placing his bags in the living room. The blond stretched his arms above his head and watched in amusement as his brother dropped his things off beside his own. "No place like home, like they say."
"How cliché," Sora teased and plopped down onto the couch, inhaling in relief. Usually people sighed in relief, but no, Sora inhaled. He took deep breaths of relaxation. Maybe a break from Riku was what he needed? Perhaps.
"You're at home for barely a minute and you're already becoming a couch-potato again," Cloud hummed and stuck his tongue out at his brother. With a sigh, Cloud bent down and opened his suitcase, sitting down beside it. Silently, the blond brother began sorting through his clothing, placing them into separate piles.
Sora watched Cloud, chewing his bottom lip nervously. "Cloud?" Sora asked wearily, swinging his body off the couch. The brunet sauntered over and cautiously nudged his brother on the shoulder.
"Hm?" Cloud asked, glancing up from his sorting. "What's up?"
"I… said I wanted to talk," Sora whispered. "Can we?"
Cloud inhaled deeply and gestured for Sora to sit beside him. At once, Sora plopped down beside his brother and nervously looked about. Color drained from Sora's face as he laced his fingers together in his lap. Well, here went nothing. "Can you ….tell me about our parents?" After all, he had the right to know.
Cloud stiffened and dropped the shirt he was removing from the suitcase. Blue eyes watched the article flutter back into the case as Cloud's hand remained suspended in air, his fingers splayed. Cautiously, Cloud looked over to Sora. "What about them?"
Sora swallowed and nervously began playing with his fingers. "Everything. What they were like… how they died, everything, Cloud," Sora said quietly, his voice barely a whisper. God, why was he so scared?
"Sora," Cloud said, almost as quietly. "Why are you asking now?"
"…I want to know. I deserve to know," Sora said timidly, gulping a bit. "I want to know, please." Sora would beg, if he had to.
Cloud took a deep breath and then brushed his fingers through his hair. "Our mother and father loved us, know that. They were both… dangerous people, in their own sense. They would never lay a hand to us, and they never did. But their jobs…they were risking a lot. Mom's wasn't as daring. She, in fact, had an extremely simple one. A bank teller. Dad, though… Dad worked for the government and was constantly dealing with people he shouldn't have been." Cloud shook his head and rubbed his forehead. "The only reason I know about this is because Dad went against his code of honor and told me about his work."
"So it's like…the FBI or something?" Sora wondered, nervously tilting his head to the side.
"Sort of, but not as… spyish?" Cloud responded and chewed his bottom lip. "Anyway, Dad had this case to try and bring justice to this ruthless duo that were plaguing the town with counterfeit money and drugs. You know, the typical thing. For everyone Dad brought into justice discreetly, he'd get paid. Seems simple, right? Well… Dad bite off more than he could chew and somehow managed to break a deal with one specific man… He… had no idea that Dad worked for the government," Cloud explained.
Wait…. So that's what Zexion was talking about?… "That man's father and he were in a sick and sinister operation. Sort of an underground thing. I can barely remember. But I do remember that the sick bastards killed Dad and soon after did Mom in as payback. And…"
"And?" Sora questioned, placing his hand reassuringly onto his brother's shoulder, tears forming in his eyes.
"I was there to watch…both things occur," Cloud said, his voice now on the verge of breaking down.
"Cloud, I'm…" Sora cut himself off and tangled his arms around Cloud's body. Effortlessly, Sora hugged his older brother tight, resting his head beneath Cloud's chin. "I'm so sorry, Cloud," whispered Sora, tightening his grip around his brother. "So sorry this happened…"
"It had nothing to do with you, Sora," Cloud reasoned, his voice strained as he threaded his fingers through Sora's hair.
"You should have talked to me about this," Sora murmured, nuzzling Cloud's neck. "I could have helped you get through this sooner. Cloud, I've always wanted to know…" Tears began falling from Sora's eyes, his heart breaking at the idea of how his parents had died and the anguish his older brother went through by himself.
"I was waiting for when I thought you were ready," Cloud said, shaking his head as he massaged Sora's scalp. "I know I should have told you earlier. I just didn't want you to overreact."
Sora sighed, shivering a bit at the idea that he had met his parent's killer. "Me? Overreact?" Sora said with a hesitant laugh, still holding the blond close. "I'm just glad that you told me, Cloud…"
"You said it yourself, you deserved to know," murmured Cloud, looking off to the side, a bit ashamed.
"Maybe I should have waited to ask you… I mean, you just broke up with Leon and now, here I am, forcing you to remember our parent's death," Sora muttered, feeling a bit bad himself as he loosened his grip around Cloud's neck, just enough to nuzzle his brother's chest. "Would you consider that being a bad brother?"
"Sora," Cloud stated sternly, "never say that again. You're an amazing person and I'm glad to call you my brother. Don't ever doubt yourself."
"I just… don't know sometimes," Sora admitted.
"You're just growing up, that's all," Cloud reasoned and kissed the top of his brother's head before lightly jabbing Sora's shoulder. "Now, let's finish unpacking and have a good dinner. Sound good?"
A light smile spread across Sora's lips, the seriousness fading. "Thanks, again," Sora whispered as he arose to his feet with the assistance of Cloud. Cloud smirked and ruffled Sora's hair playfully.
"Yeah well, thanks yourself," Cloud remarked and then closed his suitcase. "I'm going to take a shower and go straight to unpacking. If you need any help, just call," Cloud informed Sora, nodding his head.
"All right," Sora answered and grabbed his own things, headed towards his room.
And the day was just going to get more complicated.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sora had just entered his room when he heard a knock at the front door. Curiously, Sora dropped his suitcase onto the floor and made his way through the apartment. Apparently Cloud hadn't heard the door over the roaring of the shower. The brunet sighed and went to answer the door, hands clasped behind his head. Once at the door, Sora opened it with a yawn, wanting nothing more than to unpack and go to sleep. It had been a long day, after all.
Sora froze when his eyes made contact with piercing aquamarine. "R-riku?" Sora asked nervously, staring at his 'boyfriend'.
Riku blinked in surprise, not having really expected to see Sora answer the door. Riku cautiously forced a smile and leaned his hand against the archway. "Hey, Sora," Riku said softly, something painful in his eyes. "Can I come in?" Sora blushed a shade of red and silently nodded. Riku entered and watched as Sora closed the door behind him. "Listen, Sora…"
"Riku I-" Sora began and then literally threw himself against Riku's chest, weaving his arms around the silveret's body. The brunet nuzzled his head against Riku's chest and whimpered. "I should have never asked you that. I'm sorry…"
"Listen, I'm sorry for exploding like that. It's just…" Riku trailed off and then realized that Sora was in his arms. A light smile crept onto his lips as he hugged Sora tightly, fingers weaving through Sora's brown hair. "Would you call me a sap if I said I sort of missed you?"
Sora laughed quietly at this. "So… would you consider that our first fight?" Sora wondered, glancing up wearily to stare at his boyfriend with nervous eyes. "Or are we over?… Do you want us to be over?"
"Over? So soon? Never," Riku stated sternly, sliding his hand between their bodies. Moments later, his hand rose to cup Sora's cheek, lightly tilting the brunet's face up so their eyes could meet again. "Everyone has fights, don't worry about it."
"Riku," Sora sighed contently, smiling up at Riku. "Thanks for um… being understanding?"
"Thanks for holding earlier against me," Riku retorted and then leaned closer, brushing his lips against Sora's forehead. Riku was all but pleased when he felt the brunet shiver in his grasps, pressing closer to his body for warmth and reassurance.
"Wanna…uhm, go to my room? Cloud's… in the shower and he won't be out for awhile and-" Sora said quietly and then was silenced when a pair of warm and inviting lips covered his own. Sora immediately squeaked into the kiss. Seconds later, Riku tangled their hands together and began leading them down the hallway, Sora somewhat guiding them to what room was his.
After a few moments, they entered Sora's room and Riku promptly closed the door behind him, groping around with his right hand so that he could lock it behind him. Sora purred softly into the kiss, allowing Riku to hungrily nip his lips.
"Riku," Sora sighed contently into the kiss, arching when he felt Riku's hands traveling along his back, memorizing every single groove on his back. A soft moan produced from Sora's lips when he felt those skillful hands rubbing at the small of his back.
"Kind of dangerous, huh?" Riku wondered, lightly edging their bodies over to amore suiting position on the bed. "Making out when Cloud is home," Riku hummed against their lips as he shifted a bit, allowing Sora to move into a somewhat sitting position onto the bed behind them.
"'ku," Sora hummed, lightly dragging Riku onto the bed beside him, glad to know that he hadn't lost his first boyfriend. He was downright glad to know that Riku wasn't leaving him.
"Sora," Riku answered, quite needy, arms maneuvering Sora's body so that he was pinning the brunet beneath him onto the bed. Sora stared up at Riku, wide-eyed, questions floating about in them. "Ssh," Riku breathed, trailing his lips from Sora's, down to the brunet's neck to gingerly suck, nip, and lick at the tanned area.
"Riku!" Sora murmured, his breath hitching as he arched his neck in offering.
"I mis-" Riku began but silenced himself when he heard a door close and footsteps approach. Riku paled and loosened his grip on Sora's arms. "…I thought you said he wouldn't be done for awhile," Riku whispered harshly, staring down at his dark-red boyfriend with a stunned expression.
"I-" Sora began, but his heart sank when he heard Cloud's voice waft through the air, calling his name.
"Well, isn't this… awkward," Riku grumbled and pushed his body off Sora's and into a standing position. "I'll just go out there and say that you let me in and went back to unpacking," Riku suggested, fixing his clothes so that they looked acceptable.
"Mmkay," Sora purred, grabbing his pillow and promptly hugging it. Blue eyes watched Riku in amusement. "Just be careful, k?"
"Sure thing," Riku said and exited the room, off to find Cloud.
Sora sighed peacefully and nuzzled the pillow. Without a worry in the world, Sora jumped off the bed and headed towards his suitcase. Easily, Sora removed the notebook from the suitcase and fingered the binding with a soft smile. Maybe I should just give this back to Riku now. No more secrets. No more things like that. We'll have an honest relationship and I won't worry about what he feels about anyone but me… yeah, that'll be nice…
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sora didn't cause you too much trouble, right?"
Cloud took a seat on the couch beside Riku, towel-drying his hair as he wore a damp grey shirt and a pair of sweatpants. Usually the blond would wear something more fitting for company, but Riku had stopped by out of nowhere, so this was really a rare occasion. The blond surveyed his friend, thankful that Riku had looked after Sora in his absence. Incredibly glad, actually.
"Nah," Riku replied honestly, suppressing the need to softly blush. Something caused Riku to pause and glance at Cloud a bit more curiously. Was that…depression? Was that sadness? Was it? "Cloud, something wrong?"
Cloud cleared his throat and shook his head. "Nah, everything's fine," Cloud responded.
"Bullshit," Riku snorted and narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Tell me or I will be forced to beat it out of you, right now and here. It's the least you can do is tell me after I looked after Sora and all, eh?"
Cloud rolled his eyes and shook his head. "It's about Leon."
"Figures, boyfriend problems," Riku taunted and then leaned his palm into his chin. "What's up?"
"We broke up," Cloud stated bluntly.
Riku's eyes widened to triple their size. He doubled back on the couch and blinked thrice. "You guys broke up? Are you serious? You were in love with that guy!"
"It wasn't working. I didn't see him enough," Cloud answered and shrugged his shoulders.
"So you ended it because of that?" Riku wondered, staring at his best friend curiously.
"I see you more than I see him," Cloud admitted and then froze when he felt Riku's intense gaze upon him. "…What's with the look? You don't believe me?" A sigh. "Pathetic, huh?… I gave up the chance to date the only person who I actually ever saw enough to consider a boyfriend. Amusing, isn't it?"
Riku stiffened and eyed Cloud. "Don't bring that-"
"…And maybe I regret it," Cloud admitted, his voice falling to a whisper. "Perhaps I regret throwing away the chance to be with someone who truly did love me, you know? I mean, I know Leon did and it just didn't work. But with-" Cloud began.
"Cloud," Riku warned, watching his friend.
"I mean, you even offered to watch my brother for a month. That's true friendship. Something that a relationship needs. God, I'm such a pompous moron, aren't I?" Cloud said with a shrug, holding his head in frustration.
"Cloud, you're not an idiot. You're just-" Riku began but froze when he felt a hand on his cheek. "What are you?…" Riku said nervously, flinching when he felt those cold blue eyes setting upon his own aquamarine, making him weak.
"I'm falling apart, Riku," Cloud admitted in a whisper, incredibly close. "I feel like I'm losing control of my life. No matter what I do I ruin my relationships, I feel like I'm losing Sora…and I barely have a job. My life is falling apart," Cloud whispered, his breath hitching. "And you're the only thing that's stayed the same, so please excuse me for wanting to hold onto that."
Riku, any other time, would have lunged at the heartfelt words but the beautiful brunet in the other room tugged at his heart. "Listen, Cloud, I'm flattered and-"
"I really had no right to turn you down like that. I'm sorry," Cloud apologized and before Riku had time to protest, Cloud had leaned forward and captured Riku's lips into a searing kiss that brought back every single detail of that one night they shared together. The core of Riku melted and turned into a fiery, sloppy mess. Riku leaned into the kiss, his mind turning off as his thoughts ceased.
Cloud shifted into the kiss, his hands slipping into Riku's silvery hair as he moved to deepen the kiss, brushing his tongue along the familiar curves of Riku's lips. Riku gasped in a dull surprise, lips parting at once. And it was amazing how he could so easily submit to the older and dominant the younger and-
Cloud suddenly broke the kiss, as if he had been shot. Blue eyes widened in shock as he looked off to the right, scorching a dark red. "Hi, Sora…" Cloud said timidly, embarrassed that his brother had caught the pair kissing.
Sora trembled as Riku swiveled his head around, their eyes meeting from across the room. Sora blinked in obvious hurt and took off towards his room, running faster than he ever believed he could, tears about to pour from his eyes.
"Fuck! Sora!" Riku said and pushed away from Cloud, off the couch (almost tripping) and down the hallway towards Sora's room.
"Sora, Sora wait," Riku said quickly, sticking his foot in between the door before Sora could slam it shut. Riku's flustered eyes met Sora's and he winced when he realized he was the reason for those tears streaming from Sora's beautiful face. "Sora, I didn't-"
"Is that why you wouldn't admit I wasn't a replacement?!" Sora shouted, trying to close the door but couldn't due to Riku's obtrusive foot. "I hate you, Riku! Just leave already! I can't believe you!" Sora hollered, not even really aware of what he was shouting at this moment. All that he knew was that he was shouting and it felt so good and yet so damn horrible.
"Sora, I didn't! Cloud didn't!" Riku attempted, trying to reach his hand through to grab Sora's hand to calm the brunet down. However, all he got was a book thrown in his face and then a door slammed shut.
Riku growled when he realized that his foot had been jammed. Riku growled and kicked the door, grabbing the book that he had been thrown at him. "That's really mature, Sora!" Riku shouted irritably and headed towards the living room where a confused Cloud stood.
"I didn't think it'd upset him that much," Cloud said nervously, blinking in surprise at how drastically Riku and Sora had reacted to the kiss.
"Fuck it," Riku hissed, making his way to the front door. "Sora's never going to speak to me again," Riku rambled in anger as he exited the apartment, slamming the door shut behind him, not even sparing a glance to his own notebook in his grasps.
What had Cloud done?….