DISCLAIMER: Last night I owned Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy, and all of the characters. It was amazing! But then I woke up.

Woo! Next chapter is out! I'm currently writing this while hyped up on red bull. Really though, it gives my creative-writing abilities wings; hee...

Enjoy:)

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Chapter 5 - To Forgive and Forget?

"Now, are we gonna leave Roxas in the juvenile department or what?"

Riku blinked, momentarily forgetting what he was talking about. "Oh. Oh, right." He laughed awkwardly. "Well, let's go." He stood and stretched. "Sora?"

"Yeah?"

"You are so lucky my parents didn't see your little act of love." He winked at him, enjoying the shocked look on his face and the blush that spread across his cheeks.

Very cute.

"Oh shut up and drive me downtown." He mumbled and walked to the car.

Riku laughed softly and shook his head. Sora was definitely something. And a part of him swelled with happiness that Sora didn't deny the 'act of love' part.

Now then, about Roxas... He'd have to thank him later for getting into trouble. If he hadn't, Sora would have never come over. And after thanking him, he'd have to kill him for getting locked up again.

Chapter 6 - Of Felines, Ice Cream, and Umbrellas

"Professor, come on!"

"I don't hear pleas from delinquents." A long nose accompanied a thin, balding head as it turned away from the begging boy, tilting upward.

"But—"

"No buts. I'll take my leave now."

"Aw, come on Anura, give the kid a break."

Professor Anura jerked his head toward the source of the voice. "Excuse me?"

Riku gave him a haughty smirk. "He's just going through a phase. Why can't you let him off the hook just this once?"

"I remember you..." The sharp-nosed man pointed his finger at Riku, hunching over and stepping forward. "You were—"

"Yep. Two years ago, I gave you the pleasure of my presence."

"Mr. Riku... that's it isn't it? Oh... you were a terrible student." He straightened his posture and crossed his arms, shaking his head from side to side. "Barely passed the class. In fact..." He eyed Roxas. "This... this troublemaker takes after you quite well!"

Roxas ducked his head inside of his cell.

Riku grinned. "What can I say? I'm a role model to many."

Anura snorted. "All of which will end up just as Mr. Roxas here has."

Sora frowned and stepped forward. "That's not true! Riku's—"

Anura's face brightened. "Sora!"

Sora blushed. Great... he was the good boy again. It was embarrassing to be liked so much be everyone all the time. "Erm... hi."

"Young man, what are you doing here with... Riku?"

"I... Riku's my—"

"Lover."

Riku and Sora both felt the heat rush to their faces and shock overwhelm them.

Roxas's grin gleamed brightly. "Yep. They've been goin' at it for—"

"Roxas! This is why you're here. Good bye." Professor Anura pushed through the security guard and walked towards the entrance where Sora and Riku stood glowing like light bulbs. In fact, just the thought of something so... forbidden made the professor blush as well.

"No, stop!" Sora jumped out in front of him and extended his arms to block his way.

"Sora, I enjoyed having you in my class last year and I wish to remember you as a good child. Now please."

"But... sir, Roxas doesn't mean what he does, really. Whatever he did, I know he's—"

"My cat won't get feeling back in his tail for months! He isn't even the least bit sorry!"

Sora's arms limped slightly and he raised an eyebrow at Roxas. "His cat? That's why you're here!?"

"What the hell could you have done to the man's cat Roxas?" Riku stared in awe.

"He purposely chased my dear Rendei with that vile skateboard of his." Anura looked as though he was at the verge of tears.

"No look, I really didn't—"

"And then he ran him over!"

Roxas attempted to interject once again, but with no luck.

"And now, I expect you to stay here and think about what you've done! I've let you off many times before, Roxas Saeya, but this is the last straw." He whispered furiously.

"I didn't try to run your cat over, really! He just jumped out from behind a bush and I couldn't stop!"

"Oh... of course that's how it happened."

Riku grabbed his arm roughly. "Now listen here, teach. Did you see Roxas chase your damn ball of fur?"

Anura stuttered and tried to yank his arm free. "Y-you could be put in there right along with your friend, you know, this is harassment!"

"I'll take my chances, now answer the question." Riku's face neared his intimidatingly.

Anura looked over to the security guard. He too looked eager to hear his answer.

Damn.

Sora? The professor looked a the young brunette, but nothing. There wasn't even an ounce of help that was offered to him.

Another stutter escaped him.

"Well?" Riku pushed.

Sora was in deep shock at that moment. Here he was, fighting for Roxas's rights, but instead of being hopeful that everything would work out, he felt a twang of jealousy hit him when he saw how close Riku and Anura's faces were. And what the hell? Professor Anura was nearly fifty and he knew nothing would ever go on between his best friend and the most annoying bird-nosed teacher on the planet, but still... He thought about the Ferris Wheel and how Riku came close to him too. Dear god, he was losing it.

Meanwhile, Anura looked in the eyes of his interrogator, feeling anxious and nervous suddenly. "Well... I-I-I didn't see him... but I—"

"Ha!" A happy hoot emerged from the cell and Roxas did a little spin.

"So all of this is just based on you thinking that Roxas hit your cat on purpose..." It was more of a statement than a question, actually.

"N-n-no! Well, you see... h-how can I expect him to do it on accident!? You've seen what he's done before! You can't blame me f-for being suspicious." He tilted his head and whispered it quietly, squinting an eye at Riku. "You know how he is." He finished his sentence off with an unintelligible mumble; Riku assumed it was to make some sort of point.

A click resounded in the small room and Sora looked to see Roxas patting the security guard on the shoulder as he left his cell. "Ah... life's good sometimes." He grinned at Anura. "Next time, I just might run your cat over on purpose ya old—"

Sora's eyes widened and he ran over to clamp a hand on the mouth of the younger boy. "Shut up! You wanna come back here!?" He turned to Anura, still being held up halfway by an angry Riku. Sora grinned widely and nervously. "C-continue."

Riku glared. "I swear, Roxas, you end up in here again and I'll let you rot." He held tightly onto the old man's collar and dragged him over to the jail cell, shoving him in there. "Lemme borrow this, will ya?" He took the keys from the guard's fisted hand and another click echoed within the building.

Said guard grunted and moved aside, careless confusion radiating from his squinted eyes.

Riku clapped the dust from his hands. "My condolences to your cat, sir." He smiled sugar-sweetly and grabbed Roxas's arm to lead him out.

"C-c-come back here! You can't do this to me!" Anura stumbled as he tried to get up. "Y-you there— guard. Let me out this instant."

Said man smirked and shook his head in disbelief that such a strange man existed. He would have loved to leave him in there, but then his job would most likely be at stake. "Yeah, sure."

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"C'mon Riku, let go!" Roxas whined as they neared the car.

Sora snorted. "If he lets you go, some unknown force'll drag you back to that place."

Roxas rolled his eyes. "I'll be more careful, just let go, okay?"

Riku 's grip tightened and he opened the passenger door. "Get in."

Sora's heart pulsed heavily for a moment when his eyes noticed how tightly Riku held Roxas's wrist. 'Stop it Sora.' He didn't even like Riku like that. Whenever he thought of him holding his hand or being close to his face, his stomach would drop and he'd feel suddenly nauseated. But even so... He looked away and up into the clouds.

It would rain again that night.

"Let's go Sora! What're you looking at?" Roxas stuck his head out the window and looked up at where Sora gazed. He saw a dark bird fly through the leaves of a tall tree and a dark cloud wavering in place. Nothing spectacular.

"Oh... right." Sora blushed at being caught zoning out.

"I'm pulling up the window Roxas, so if you like your head..." Riku pressed a button.

Roxas drew his head back in immediately and watched the tip of the window disappear into the car. Like a guillotine... He smacked Riku on the arm. "If you were a cat Riku..." He threatened.

Sora closed the door after him and Riku drove off. Just as they did, Roxas looked in the rear view mirror to see Anura pointing at their car and yelling what seemed to be obscenities. He grinned and put his feet up.

"Riku's dad'll kill you if you get his car dirty."

Riku slapped his leg off. "Listen to Sora."

Roxas smirked. "That's your job though, isn't it? You're the one who listens to him... at night... in your bed... when you— ow!" Roxas gripped his head. "Jeez, Sora, you can't take a joke!"

Sora's reddened face scrunched up into a weird mixture of shame, shock, disgust, and anxiety. "You're the one who can't shut your mouth!"

"Boys, boys, calm yourselves." Riku chuckled. It scared him how much Roxas's comment excited him, but he let it slide.

The rest of the ride home was awkward. Roxas, however, was pleased at how Riku basically proved him right about the two boys' "relationship".

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Sora stretched and let out a yawn. "It's not even noon yet and I'm beat!" He grinned sleepily while he scratched the back of his head. Despite the awkward thoughts that came to him rather often, it was actually a fun morning. He wouldn't do it again, but it was still rather enjoyable.

Riku walked past him after shutting the door rounding the car. He ruffled his hair, smiling at the brunette. "Wanna take a nap?"

Sora immediately stiffened and his face went beet red.

It took a moment to register, but Riku blushed lightly as well when he realized just how Sora took that comment. His hands shot up in defense. "N-n-not together! Just... if you're tired... I'll let you go home and sleep."

Sora exhaled, relieved. "Oh..." He smiled brightly again, this time up at Riku. He didn't like the awful twist their friendship had been experiencing. It was better in the past when there wasn't so much tension. Maybe they could get back to that...? If that was the case, then what was the point of extending the awkwardness? "Nah! How 'bout we go get some ice cream?"

Riku blinked a few times before laughing softly. His hand reached out for Sora's soft, brown locks, but said boy ducked his head and stepped away.

"Not again, Riku!" He laughed, but his tone was serious. Sora liked his hair and all, but it seemed like Riku like it more... and it wasn't even his!

The older boy rolled his eyes. "You know you like it." He winked playfully.

"Yeah right!" It was frustrating having Riku mess up his hair over and over again, just when he felt carefree about his appearance! Who would like having a noogie every few minutes? Not Sora. Well, not much.

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The walk to the ice cream shop was long...excruciatingly long. It had gotten colder as the day went on, and even though it was only half past noon, the temperature had surely dropped at least twenty degrees. There would definitely be a storm that night.

But the length was only partly due to the cold.

The twenty minute walk to the shop soon became twenty five minutes, then thirty, then forty five. Some of the roads had darkened and the palms surrounding the streets made them look menacing. Sora had refused to go through it.

So Riku had to take him the there the long way.

Therefore, the long, cold walk to buy the cold ice cream was very... cold. Riku wanted so badly to warm his body with Sora's, maybe even just grab his hand to channel warmth from one body to another.

But no.

Sora wouldn't stand for that and Riku did not want to make him unhappy.

So he settled for "accidentally" bumping arms every once in a while.

"Riku?" A shudder ran up and down Sora's spine.

Riku tried to keep how cold he was hidden from Sora. Sora never did like when Riku complained, so he wouldn't risk annoying him. "Yeah?"

"I'm cold." He sniffled.

Riku sighed, exasperated. Yet here Sora was, complaining. But he couldn't help feeling terrible about it. It was his fault after all that Sora was cold. He was the one who insisted that the ice cream shop was close and they didn't need a car. He looked down at him, watching as Sora hugged himself and lifted his shoulders to trap in as much warmth as he could. Riku grinned mentally.

He could now base any further actions on Sora's benefit.

"C'mere." Riku took hold of the hem of the younger boy's shirt and dragged him off to a nearby bench. "Let's warm up before we keep going."

Sora gulped. 'What?' "Warm up" by Riku's standards did not mean finding a building to thaw in. Rather, it most likely meant using body heat, seeing as Riku had recently aqcuired a liking for human contact— namely from Sora.

As the walked to the bench, which seemed like it was acres away, the passed a few people who stared at them.

Sora felt unnerved. He knew it was because of their attire— Sora wore a sleeveless shirt and baggy shorts while Riku was a tight-fitting tank with loose capri pants. They were clothes for a warm summer's day... not for a day of just over sixty degrees.

Damn storm season.

Nevertheless, Sora thought that he and Riku looked like a couple. Maybe it just seemed that way to him because Riku was acting so strangely... Since Riku was starting to feel stronger about Sora than just friends (and Sora could most definitely tell), he felt a little paranoid that everyone could see that. And thank god Riku wasn't holding his hand; that would kill him.

Sora shook his head. 'Stop it.' It was wrong to be thinking so lowly of Riku as if he were revolting. That wasn't how best friends were.

Sora's face set into a determined frown. He would be nice to Riku and say only the right things, but he would not allow himself to be held by another guy so intimately. Sora was not gay. And Riku wasn't either! He was just... confused...

While Sora thought hard about the upcoming hugfest Riku had in mind, Riku was biting his lip and thinking about something completely different. Sora didn't need to be dragged anymore, for he was following on his own accord, but Riku continued to keep his hand fisted around his shirt. Each time Sora stepped forward a little too much and Riku didn't walk fast enough, Riku's hand would bump against Sora's bare stomach. He prayed Sora wouldn't realize that it was being done on purpose, and he knew he should have stopped.

But it was so gloriously warm! And Riku felt dejected that this might be the only time he would ever get to touch Sora's skin.

The approached the bench. "Here, sit." Riku yanked on Sora's shirt until he came around and sat on the bench.

"Ya know, I could've sat down by myself, you didn't have to shove me down." Sora pouted, already breaking his promise to himself about being nice.

Riku chuckled. "Yeah, but I'm cold and I can't wait for you to sit down properly."

Sora let a smile escape him. "And you're gonna sit down properly?" He reached out for Riku's wrist and pulled him down onto the bench.

Riku gasped as he fell beside Sora; thigh by thigh, shoulder to shoulder.

Very close.

Sora laughed. "Now were even."

Riku stared at him for a short moment, hesitating before pulling his arm away from Sora's hold. He smiled playfully. "I was careful when I made you sit. You," he poked Sora in the chest. "weren't."

Sora blinked.

"So we're not even." Riku leaned forward, bumping noses. He had no clue what the hell he was doing... again.

Sora's cheeks were tinted with a light blush. He enjoyed the warmth that Riku eminated immensely! But... he was so close. He wouldn't... kiss him in front of all these people... would he?

Oh he would. They both knew it.

But god was smiling down upon Sora that afternoon. An icy droplet of rain fell and hit Riku on the nose. Then another on his shoulder, and on his hand—which currently rested two long fingers on Sora's lower thigh. They both shuddered from the sudden chill.

Okay, so maybe it was an unfriendly smile, but it did stop Riku's actions.

The rain came faster and harder, and soon, Riku and Sora were drenched. Sora shuttered and stood. "Riku! C-come on!"

Riku's hair covered his face on both sides and he struggled to get it away. Water dripped down his nose and into his mouth, which he spurted out. "Where?!"

They were on a long street with only the beach on one side and a line of palms on the other. The closest thing to shelter was the bench they were sitting on.

"I don't know,; t-t-to find somewhere to s-stay!" Sora shuddered violently. The rain had nearly turned to snow with how cold it was. There went another fifteen degrees. "Riku, I'm cold, p-please!"

As if an angel watched over them, a couple walked past and looked at the two boys with pity. The woman whispered something to the man and he looked slightly annoyed, but he nodded.

Riku watched as they ran to their car at the end of one side of the street. The man walked the lady around to her side of the car and she got in. But, instead of jumping in the car and driving off, the man circled around the car and ran over towards Sora and Riku, handing them the umbrella and pulling up his jacket over his head to keep the rain from hitting him. "Always bring an umbrella when it's raining, boys!" And off he went, with barely a smile.

Riku quickly ducked under the umbrella as the car drove off and pulled Sora under with him.

"Shit! It's cold!" Riku shook his hair and, while Sora held the handle, he squeezed out the water. He looked over at Sora, who trembled. His eyes were cold and he held onto the umbrella with both hands, as if one hand would surely drop it.

Riku stepped a little closer and wrapped his arms around Sora, pulling him back to the bench. He pulled Sora's head to his chest and held tightly onto his shoulder. "Just for a little while, okay?" He spoke into his ear. Riku saw the small hairs rise on Sora's neck as his warm breath hit his frozen skin. His heart leapt. "Don't want you catching pneumonia." He chuckled halfheartedly. Sora was so warm.

Sora's heart pounded furiously inside of his chest. This time, couldn't see anything wrong with the situation. Sora and Riku were both soaked and freezing, so it was okay that they were so close... right? But he was being held by Riku. He again broke his promise to himself, darn it!

"R-Riku, we sh-shou—"

"Shh..." He whispered soothingly. "Just relax. I promise I won't do anything." That last bit stung him as he said it. He had to reassure Sora that he wouldn't try anything because Sora didn't trust him...

Sora sighed shakily. "Just this once..." He hated how quick he gave into Riku.

Riku smiled and pulled Sora closer if possible. From the corner of his eye, he noticed that Sora's left leg was exposed to the rain and there wasn't enough of the umbrella to cover up both of them completely. His brows furrowed in thought, then the imaginary light bulb dinged. He gripped Sora's leg right under his knee. The shorts he wore rose up as they sat down, so Riku had the privilege to touch his skin once more.

At the sound of Sora's gasp, Riku nuzzled his face into the boy's wet hair. "Don't worry so much, Sora." He laughed huskily.

Sora's skin tingled where Riku's hand was located. Why was it there?

Riku soon showed his motives by pulling Sora's leg up and onto his lap. "There. Now you're not getting wet." The smile on his face would not go away. He couldn't believe how lucky he had gotten today!

The brunette couldn't help but smile too. Riku was always so thoughtful... and this really was much better than before. "Thanks, Riku."

Riku took a deep breath, feeling wonderful. "No problem, smallfry."

Sora grunted in annoyance, but quickly laughed right along with Riku.

Said silver-haired boy shivered. He was happy Sora was warm, and he was warming up too! But... much of his body was still uncovered.

Sora noticed Riku's tremble. With a quick thought, Sora stuck the umbrella handle in between their bodies, which were close enough to be able to hold the umbrella in place and right-side up. Hell, they were close enough to kill any blood cells that might have ventured between them. His right arm slid under Riku's back and his hand gripped his upper arm, while his left arm snaked around his waist. He buried his face into Riku's chest to keep the older boy from seeing his blush. Maybe now Riku would be warm... he owed this to him.

But Riku did notice Sora's embarrassment. It wasn't that difficult to see. He smiled anyway, face bright red and stomach exploding with butterflies. Sora was so cute.

"Thanks."

Sora smiled, his heart swelling. He didn't know what to say to him anymore. His body totally stiffened when Riku began moving the hand that still rested on his leg up and down.

"Friction equals warmth. You're the good student aren't you? You should know that."

Sora looked up at him. "Well yeah, but I'm too cold to think now..."

Riku quirked an eyebrow. "Too cold? I thought I was keeping you warm?"

Sora frowned. "Hardly."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah!"

Riku grinned and placed his forehead on Sora's. "You're such a liar." He mocked.

Sora's breathing quickened. Here we go again. Riku always got him into these situations. He knew Sora was quick to anger and he took full advantage of it in times like these. And the worst part was, Sora knew what he was doing, but he was drawn to the small spats they had that he kept going. "At least I'm not annoying..." He mumbled.

Riku laughed genuinely. "Good comeback." He rolled his eyes.

Sora felt a smile tug at his lips. "I'm t—"

"Too cold to think of a comeback now?" Riku whispered, gazing deeply into Sora's sapphire eyes. They were the most beautiful eyes he'd ever seen.

Woah.

Definite gay thought. Things like these always bothered him a bit, but he ceased to worry about it, since it was obvious that he liked Sora. A lot. A lot a lot.

Sora stared back with similar thoughts. Riku had pretty eyes, that was undeniable. Even the most macho straight man in the world would have to admit. But it scared Sora to no end when he thought things like this about Riku.

Ugh! He hated teenage drama and here he was experiencing the biggest drama of his life!

"Yeah..." He murmured, not able to get his voice to rise above a soft whisper. "So do something about it." Only after saying it, Sora realized what he said. 'Oh no!'

Riku panted short breaths, eyes moving from Sora's eyes to his luscious pink lips. "You want me to do something about it?"

Sora mind was spinning. His inner self was screaming at him, throwing mental bombs and giving slaps that would put a pro-wrestler to shame. 'Say no! Say no! Oh my god just say no!'

"Yeah." Inner-Sora keeled over in defeat, panicking.

Without wasting another moment, Riku pressed his lips to Sora's soft ones, tightening his hold on him.

Sora's heart beat a thousand miles a minute, his brain was screaming against this but he couldn't hear it. His eyes fluttered closed against his will and his hand securely fisted around Riku's shirt.

Riku felt as though his breathing had halted. He pushed closer, tilting his head. The feeling of Sora's mouth covering his own was blissful. He was so warm; so delicate. Riku slightly parted his lips against Sora's, closing them again around the brunette's lower lip.

It took all Sora had not to moan out loud at Riku's action. This was his second kiss, but his first real kiss. He couldn't move; it seemed as though he was trapped between Riku and a hard place, and Riku seemed like a better option. A blush spread across his cheeks as he felt Riku's mouth open once more and a wet tongue lick his bottom lip. Riku was being extremely gentle and it was hard not to admit that this whole experience was somewhat... arousing.

Riku pulled his tongue back in and pressed closer, nipping at his lip.

Amazing.

Sora's lips were on fire; his entire body was on fire. He had forgotten the cold, forgotten the rain. It was only himself and Riku. But when Riku bit his lip, it brought forth a sensation Sora hadn't known. And that's when it happened.

He moaned.

As soon as he did, Riku pulled back, being brought into reality by the delightful sound of pleasure made by Sora.

This was wrong, and Sora didn't want this.

Sora gasped as Riku suddenly pulled away. But then he realized what he had just been doing—what they had just been doing. And his face threatened to explode. He looked away and slammed his head down on Riku's chest, squeezing his eyes shut.

Riku's eyes were closed too. He took a deep breath and panted. 'Dammit.'

Why was everything always so awkward!?

Sora counted to ten before opening his eyes again. This time, he couldn't be mad at Riku for the kiss because Sora didn't pull back... so it was technically his fault too.

The rain had slowed and Sora decided it was time to go. "Riku...?" He whispered, afraid of what his voice might sound like if he spoke loudly and clearly. It might sound as though he was going through puberty again...

Riku hummed in response. Who knew it was possible for a hum to sound so guilty.

"Um, it-it's... we should go now, the storm's getting better." Sora mumbled the last part, tired of talking to him without bursting into tears.

Riku stiffened as he felt Sora move away. A rush of cold air hit his skin when the younger boy stood and took his warmth with him. Raindrops fell atop Sora's head as he waited for Riku to stand. "Uh, you can use the umbrella. I-I'm hot now, so I need some cold air." He stretched nervously and swallowed the heavy lump that had formed in his throat.

He was freezing.

Riku felt guilty and hurt that Sora didn't want to share the umbrella with him.

No.

Sora was cold. And he would use the umbrella.

Sora looked up in wonder when he felt the rain stop hitting him. The umbrella... He turned to face a grinning Riku, anxiety radiating from him.

"Kanako will murder me if I let you get sick."

Sora laughed through his teeth. "I guess so... erm... let's head back. I think we have, um, ice cream at my house too."

Riku smiled. He felt a little better as he walked close behind Sora, but not close enough to touch him.

'Stupid. I told you to say no.' Inner-Sora was becoming a real pain. Sora sighed. Riku was so close to him. A part of him wanted to slow down or just stop suddenly so that he could feel Riku's warmth on him again. He shook his head.

"Oh!"

Sora jumped and halted, turning around with wide eyes, glowering at him for surprising him.

Riku walked right into him.

Well, he got his wish! Sora blushed. "What?"

Riku pulled out his phone. A guilty smile lit his face. "I think it's dead now..." He laughed nevously. "Too much water."

Sora just stared. Then he burst out laughing. "You mean... we could've called for a ride?" He should have been mad, yet here he was, laughing.

Riku's smile widened. "Yeah..." He was both happy and angry that he didn't call for help. "So, ice cream at your house?"

Sora smiled brightly. "How about after a nap? I'm kind of tired." He yawned sleepily. It was a long day thus far and Sora couldn't wait for it to end.

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The walk to Sora's house was devastatingly silent. Neither of the two boys spoke a word or even looked at one another. So many emotions were building up inside Riku and Sora that if someone didn't say something soon, someone was sure to explode.

"Sora?" Riku looked down at his feet as they shuffled behind Sora's.

"Hmm?"

Riku groaned. Why was expressing his feelings always such an arduous task? "I'm sorry about, you know..."

Sora averted his eyes to the cloudy sky. "It's no big deal. Don't be sorry..."

Riku's eyes widened noticeably. Was Sora being serious? He really wasn't mad? A smile graced his features and before he knew what he was doing, one of his arms encircled Sora's neck and the other ruffled his hair. A loud, happy laugh escaped him.

Sora gripped the arm that choked him for support. This was a surprise. "R-Riku!?"

He let go and cleared his throat, dusting Sora's shoulders off. "Tell Kanoko I said hi!"

Without realizing it, they had reached Sora's home and Riku was shifting his weight from one leg to another.

"So..."

Sora put on a smile. "I'll call you when I wake—ah!"

Riku moved away from his sudden hug and stared into Sora's eyes. "You call and get the ice cream ready. I'll take vanilla." And with a wave, Riku ran home, umbrella still clutched in his hands.

Sora walked in and closed his door.

"Sora?" Kanoko's head peeped at him through the kitchen door. "Hi honey, how was your date?"

Sora blushed. "Mom! It wasn't a date...!"

Kanoko stepped out into the open and patted him on the head.

"And what's with everyone touching my hair?! Can't you guys just leave me along for a minute!?" He quickly climbed the stairs to his room and slammed the door.

Kanoko sighed and smiled cheerfully. Things were looking brighter in Sora and Riku's future.

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Sora leaned against his bedroom door and slid down to the floor. He closed his eyes and gripped his chest to calm him pounding heart. 'Why is this happening? It was like a date...'

The day started off terrible, then just when things had gotten better, life decided that the dark, black pit into oblivion looked inviting and dove right in.

Not only had he allowed Riku to kiss him, he had moaned in response to Riku's lips moving against his. He had told himself he wasn't gay; that he loved girls, not guys, but he let himself be kissed by his best male friend.

How could he live with himself now? His mother would surely have a field day when... well if he told her, but things between Riku would never be the same again.

However... one thing was for sure. That was the best kiss he had ever had in his life. Granted, it was the only real kiss, but Sora doubted there would ever be a better kiss.

And that confession made him break down.

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Chapter 6 came out pretty fast, shockingly enough! I'm more or less excited for it. There are many points of this chapter that I liked, and many that I didn't. I am very proud of how the characters are turning out and how Riku and Sora's relationship is progressing:) I'm just not happy with how the chapters end up sounding in the end... maybe it's just because I'm the writer and they say your worst critic is yourself. Dunno. :P It's just, my past chapters are sounding much better than my recent ones... so I'm a little disappointed. But I hope you guys liked this. And I'm sorry that it's one of the shorter chapters of 'Vicissitude'.

Thank you so much for the reviews, guys! They really make me happy. :) Oh, and insailyfreakishgirllime, thank you for stalking!!!

- Dragon