A/N: So… I'm tired. But I want to write. Here you go.

Warning: So- you know the drill. This contains male on male pairings, child abuse, and really angst stuff. So if you're an angst fan keep reading. If you lean more toward humor, I've other stories in the works you might want to check out.

Disclaimer: Lawyers said 72 cents isn't enough to buy the Kingdom Hearts games, let alone get it from Disney. Damn you Walt…

Summary: This is the story of poor Cloud. He and his twin brothers live with their abusive father. After a while, his friend Leon becomes suspicious. What happens then?

Remember:

"Talking."

Thoughts.

Time Skip

Emphasis on words.

Self-explanatory.

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Chapter Three

"CLOUD!"

Cloud jumped at the angry voice as it sounded throughout the house. In a flurry of homework papers, the boy rushed downstairs to find his father at the door. In his hand was a stack of papers. The blond paled when he realized what day it was. Report cards… he thought with a gulp.

The man held a wrinkled paper in front of his face. "I thought we had a talk about this!" his father shouted, slamming the door with his foot. Cloud winced and backed up a little. "How hard is it to just get better grades?" the dark haired man asked exasperated. Cloud looked at the floor, stammering an apology.

The man sighed and crumpled the paper. Cloud winced as it was bounced off his head and to the tidy floor. "Listen, you know I'm too busy to hover over your shoulder to make sure you do your damn work. With the twins and all, I'm a very hard working parent. I'm only asking you to keep up in school." His father shot off and began to hang his coat over a chair.

Cloud nodded and silently made a promise to do better. But it was tough. It was even tougher to keep the twins from angering their father and do homework at the same time. His thoughts were broken when his father asked him a question. Cloud felt his face heat. "What?" he asked stupidly. His father raised an eyebrow at him. "I asked you if you liked the negative attention you got." The man said.

Cloud immediately shook his head no. The man patted him on the shoulder roughly and brushed past him. The blond felt his throat dry out as his father went to go look for dinner. It wasn't a very good dinner but his father ate it with little complaints. "I'll let you off with a warning tonight. I've already punished you for the twin's explosion in the kitchen yesterday." The man chewed his food slowly.

On instinct, Cloud had reached up and gripped his left arm. His father gave him a deathly smile. Satisfaction rang out on his features for an instant, and then the steel returned. "Now go do your homework." He ordered. Cloud nodded and quickly ran up to his room, arm still holding his welts.

The Next Day At Lunch

Leon sighed as the air conditioner blasted over his sweating features. He was sauntering through the library after running away from his fan girls. Tidius thought it hilarious to post up pictures of Leon when he was on the swim team. Sadistic ass… Leon imagined photo shopping some pictures of Tidius on a gay swim team… Or something…

Leon was sitting at his table in the back. He would usually claim it on days when the girls got to eccentric. It was propped right below the AC and it leaned on it left leg just right so he could take a short nap. He would have done so if he didn't notice the shy blond quickly dart in, fan girls demanding Leon's presence in the background.

He puffed for a second, holding his folder to his chest. Leon perked up when Cloud began searching his blue eyes around the bookshelves. Cloud soon found his target and smiled. The boy practically skipped over to the darker haired one. Leon felt his stomach do weird acrobatics for a minute. The shorter one sat down and babbled excitedly about passing an exam Leon helped him study for.

"…and I really wanted to thank you because if it wasn't for you I might have failed the class, so thank you, thank you, thank you!" Leon was listening have heartedly. He was more concerned about his weird stomach flip flops. But he paid attention as best he could. Cloud didn't seem to notice as he thanked him another time.

"It was nothing." Leon waved off. Cloud shook his head vehemently, hair glistening before Leon's eyes. "No it wasn't! I was in serious trouble and you've helped me out. Thank you." His voice grew quieter. There was a slight rustling of papers. Leon felt himself come up with an idea that might help Cloud. Or maybe it would help Leon? Who knew?

"Tell you what," Leon proposed, sitting up a little straighter. Cloud cocked his head to the side, waiting for his friend to finish. "I have nothing to do after school these days, so how about I tutor you?" he asked, face starting to get a little hotter. Cloud's eyes lit up and he nodded furiously, unaware of Leon's rise in body temperature. "That would be great!" the blond exclaimed.

After School Again

Roxas was sitting idly on the curb with a sleepy Sora next to him. Sora's mouth stretched in a yawn. The blond twin rolled his eyes and pushed the other away. "Your breath stinks." He complained. Sora shot him a half-glare half-pout. Roxas wasn't really paying attention. He was too busy looking for his older brother. It was starting to get tiresome to wait, but he would do what Cloud said, even if it killed him.

"HEY!" a voice shouted out. Roxas winced and turned around slowly, hoping to God it wasn't who he thought it was. The boy felt his heart sink when his worse fears were confirmed. A silver haired third grader bounced up and promptly sat beside Sora. Sora blinked as Riku smiled at him dashingly. Roxas popped up, ready to hurt the jerk.

A hand on his shoulder stopped him. Roxas turned his blue, blue eyes up to green ones. Great, he thought sarcastically. The red haired freak was back too. Axel smiled as he forcefully pushed Roxas back down to the curb. Sora looked to Roxas and the blond shrugged. There was nothing to do, they seemed like they weren't going to do anything now.

Riku and Axel threw each other grins of triumphs. Riku started the conversation. "Sorry about yesterday guys. Really." He said while holding out his hand to Sora. Sora tilted his head, almost like Cloud does, to stare at the hand. Riku laughed at his naivety. "You shake it. It's a proper greeting." He explained. Roxas growled and shoved the hand away from his brother.

"We're not morons." He defended. Riku shrugged and sat down next to the chocolate haired boy. Axel decided it would be best if he was the one doing the talking. "Ignore Riku. He's a brat. An only child." He waved off. Roxas just looked at him in a dead-pan glare. "You have a sibling?" he questioned. Axel marveled for a second that the six year old knew the word "sibling."

"Uh… No." Axel answered. The blond felt himself grin slowly. The flame haired child found it a cute sight, but wisely kept it to himself. After that, an awkward silence rained down on them. Luckily for them, Sora jumped up from his spot and started running away. The rest of the boys leapt up to see Sora jump straight into Cloud's arms. Roxas calmly walked up, noticing Cloud came with a friend.

Sora was all smiles as Leon offered him a piggy back ride. Roxas looked up to Cloud, expecting an explanation. Cloud grabbed Roxas' hand and walked back to the curb. "We're going to Leon's house. I have to study and he's offering to help me." The older blond said to the younger. Roxas felt his face fall as he remembered the screams from the other night. Roxas looked over to Leon, who was happily toting the hyper active twin.

He felt a small scowl bloom on his face. Stupid idiot better help Cloud otherwise I'll kick his as- butt. Roxas thought with a vigorous a child should never know. Leon saw the terrors waiting for them and felt himself frown. "Are you pip-squeaks terrorizing these guys again?" he asked seriously. The two shook their heads innocently.

"Nice to meet you two again." Cloud greeted with a smile. Riku felt himself bounce excitedly. Axel, on the other hand, looked away shyly. Roxas sighed. Cloud had that effect on everyone. Sora giggled to himself and made the note of the two latest Cloud-Smiled-At-Me! Victims. Cloud didn't seem to notice, then again, he's kind of thick headed and you have to beat over the head with the truth for a while for him to finally get a clue. God damn blondes.

Riku jumped up as Leon sat Sora down on the ground. "By the way, I'm Riku! This is my friend and neighbor, Axel." He added. Cloud felt himself chuckle at the boy's excitement. "I'm Cloud. Roxas and Sora's older brother." Cloud informed. Axel nodded; he gathered that information the other day. Riku though, looked wide eyed and overwhelmed. Like it was stated above, stupid blondes.

Leon coughed getting everyone's attention back to him. "Now that we all know each other, we should probably get into the car." He drawled, finger pointing to his aunties car. She was squealing and taking some pictures of the boy's new friends. Leon sat in the front seat. The three brothers sat in the next three seats. The two friends in the back row. Then the mini-van pulled out and down the left street. Cloud realized Leon only lived a street away.

As they stopped, Leon unbuckled and hopped out. Cloud blinked and followed suit. Roxas and Sora leapt out after their brother. With one look, Axel and Riku always thundered out. The lady in the front sighed and drove down a block so she could put the car away. Leon waved goodbye and walked up the drive way to side gate. Through that they entered an unlocked side door.

Leon hosted them in to the kitchen for something to eat. "C'mon." he said over his shoulder. Cloud wiped his feet on the mat before stepping in after him. Sora and Roxas politely copied their elder sibling. Axel made an effort while Riku just walked in lazily. Leon walked around his sparkling white kitchen counter. Blue daisy drapes were hanging over the windows. The room gave off warm and inviting sentiments.

Cloud's home wasn't like this at all. It was neat and tidy, but defiantly masculine. No trace of a mother or any feminine charm. Certainly no welcoming feelings either. Leon was shifting through the cupboards, looking for something to eat. "Well, we have some instant ramen." Leon suggested after a while. Sora, who was watching Leon avidly, looked over at Cloud. "What's instant ramen?" he asked.

Riku jumped up on the counter. "What do you mean? Its instant ramen!" he answered incredulously. Roxas grabbed Riku by the foot and pulled him off the counter. Riku made and noise and fell to the floor. He glowered at the blond twin. Axel looked over at Sora, ignoring the two boys mentally tearing each other apart. "Haven't you ever had instant ramen, Sora?" he inquired. Sora shook his head no.

"Nope! Cloud always cooks. From time to time I've had ramen, but not the instant kind." He explained. Leon looked over to Cloud, suddenly intrigued. "You can cook?" he asked. Cloud gave a nervous laugh and nodded. Riku laughed from his spot on the floor. "Hasn't you mom ever cooked for you?" he joked, rising slowly to wipe off imaginary dust on his little boy jeans.

Sora glanced up to Cloud. "Did mommy ever cook for you Cloud?" he questioned. Cloud's eyes widened at the question. Leon looked confused as Cloud hid his face behind golden bangs. Roxas glared at his twin and walked over to grab Cloud's hand. "Yeah, Sora. She cooked for me every night." He replied quietly. Roxas squeezed lightly, Cloud squeezed back. Sora looked away for a moment.

Leon felt an unease stirring deep inside his stomach. "Alright! Instant ramen it is!" he boomed. He succeeded in making Cloud look up and give him a grateful smile. He returned it as he threw some cups of ramen in the microwave. After the lunch was done, the four little ones went outside to play imaginary games. Riku grabbed on to Sora's arm and tugged him out.

"Let's go. You can be the Blade Wielder while I can be the Almost Bad Guy, 'cause I'm cool like that. We'll see who wins." Riku begged as he brought out some toy swords. Sora lit up in a grin and he grabbed a toy. They raced outside before Cloud could warn them to be careful. Roxas rolled his eyes and lingered by Cloud for a moment. Finally Axel threw away his cup and grabbed the back of his shirt. "I have some cool robes I want to show you!" Axel said. Roxas struggled desperately to be released.

Leon chuckled and Cloud shook his head. Soon Leon brought out some books and placed them on the table. While Cloud was bringing out his folder, Leon was watching Sora nurse a wound he had given to Riku's head. "Your brothers are really cute." Leon said absently. Cloud snorted at the comment. "You live with them, and then tell me their cute." He reprimanded. Leon smirked and threw a waded up paper at him.

"Meanie." Leon taunted. Cloud blinked at the word "meanie" coming from the big, tough guy Leon. Once he snapped out of it he blushed, realizing he was staring at said guy. "Weirdo." He countered. Leon gave him a weird face and then began flipping open his books. The pages making a whoosh sound in the process. Then they began the tutoring slowly. The quiet settled around them warily.

After a while, Leon could not keep from questioning Cloud. "What… Cloud, your mother… What…?" Leon couldn't find the words to his question. The blond had stiffened when he heard the words fly past the brunet's mouth. He kept his eyes trained on his homework. "She's dead." He answered. "Died during the twin's birth. They couldn't stop the bleeding." Leon watched Cloud closely.

Leon didn't realize what he did until it was too late. Cloud felt his eyes grow misty. Leon squeezed tight. "How old?" he asked into the soft, sun ray hairs. Cloud's nose was assaulted by the scent of Leon, earthy Leon. "I was a year older than my brothers." He choked back. Leon hands rest on the small of Cloud's back. "I'm sorry, even though it doesn't mean much." Leon whispered.

Cloud shook his head. "No. It always means something…" he whispered back. Leon felt the hug coming to an end. He squeezed hard one last time before pulling away. Slowly, he felt the warmth leave him. Cloud smiled, wiping his eyes to make sure he wasn't crying. That was nice… the blond thought as Leon's face went up a shade in color. They went back to studying, not really realizing that they had an audience.

Outside, Sora had his nose almost against the glass. Riku was watching with confused eyes. Axel, on the other hand, was smiling. "They're cute." He pointed out. Riku turned back with a shrug. He pulled Sora with him since the boy looked so off of it. "My cousin is just extremely weird." Riku tried to explain. Sora sat on the grass in a pout, still trying to figure out the big deal.

"Why did he do that?" he asked in frustration. Riku sat down next to him. Then, he leapt and tackled Sora to the ground in a bear hug. Sora squeaked and felt his face light up in a fire. Riku pulled back after a moment. "That's why he did it." Riku said, tingling almost from the hug. Sora slowly felt something make him smile. And all the while, from the cold metal swing set, Roxas spied the boys.

For the first time, Cloud let down a barrier and Sora gave some one a real smile instead of his fake ones. The young blond felt his heart beat tightly. Why was it… that his brothers could feel a hug and he couldn't? Roxas swung indolently in shame. That got hugs because they needed it. That was why. They suffered enough for his sins. Roxas' hands began to turn red, like burns, against the icy chains.

TBC

A/N: So, as obviously, in this one Leon's feelings are starting to run for Cloud. Riku and Sora have one of those cute kiddies crushing going for them too. Nothing much for Axel and Roxas though.

Yikes for Roxas. If you can't tell, Roxas has some serious issues. I have yet to explain. The next chapter is all about Roxas though. So far you have two mysteries to uncover about Roxas. If anyone can guess, I will dedicate a whole chapter to you!

Alright, see you next time! Loves to you all!