Charcoal Concerto
Summery: The sequel to "A Sketch, A Song, and All That Can Happen." Riku and Sora's relationship after the events in the last story. AU, Yaoi, RikuSora. Rated for language and sexual situations.
Disclaimer: I still own nothing, not even the computer this is typed on (it's almost fully paid for). The characters are property of Square Enix, unless otherwise noted. The song "Soft & Warm" belongs to the band Voxtrot, which I highly recommend.
A/N: Wow, I don't even think I can offer any excuse. I have been working on this thing since July, and this is all I have. I apologize for my lack of writing. To the story!
Chapter 2:
"Wow, so you're studying music too?" Sora asked as the three boys made their way toward the coffee shop.
"Yeah, don't let his Pacific surfer dude looks and attitude fool you. He is a master of the strings. His guitar blows mine outta the water," Riku replied.
Demyx laughed, "Well, I was raised in a house of music. It's part of my family history. My mom's an operatic singer and my dad's a percussionist. Both of their parents were into music too."
"I wish my whole family was into art," Sora sighed. "That way it would be easier to tell them that it's what I want to do. Instead, my dad's pressuring me to do something 'useful' as he calls it. An actual career. Preferably something with math since it's been one of my best subjects."
Demyx looked over at the sulking brunette. "There's a lot you can do with art. There's always advertising, web design, all that stuff," he ruffled Sora's hair. "Or, you can tell your dad to go fuck himself and get yourself disowned and THEN you can do whatever the hell you want."
The trio walked in silence for a few blocks, until Demyx burst out, "I know what you can do!"
Sora, startled by the blonde's sudden outburst, jumped away from the overly-excited musician. After he had calmed his widely beating heart, he asked, "What are you talking about?"
Demyx grinned, "You can design rock art."
From the confused look on Sora's face, Riku took over explaining, "Rock artists design things for bands like posters, album covers, tee shirts, stickers, patches, buttons, you name it."
Demyx nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah, it's perfect! You can design things for me and Riku and other guys. It's great publicity for everyone."
Before Sora had a chance to respond, he was ushered into the dim coffee shop. Demyx took his hand and led him to a small table in front of an equally small makeshift stage. Riku took a seat to his right while Demyx made his way onto the stage, setting down his guitar case.
"I'll go get us some drinks. Be right back," he said as he skipped off to the counter, greeting other people as he passed. When he reached the counter, he seemed to be making small talk with the barista, while he seemed to be openly flirting with the blonde. And, from what Sora could tell, Demyx was loving every minute of it.
Riku let out a huge sigh as he rested his head on Sora's shoulder, eyes closed, "It's so draining spending time with him. I have no idea where all of his energy comes from."
Sora chuckled and rested his cheek on Riku's head, the scent of his shampoo filling his nose, "Yeah, he makes me tired from just watching him."
Riku turned his head and buried his face in Sora's neck, "I'm sorry that we haven't been able to spend more time alone together."
"Well, you'll just have to make it up to me tonight when we get back to your place then, won't you?" Sora whispered into his ear, sliding a finger down Riku's chest and stomach, ghosting over the boy's clothed member.
Riku took in a harsh breath and grinned evilly, "Yessir! Whatever you wish shall be granted." He leaned in and gave Sora a chaste kiss, wishing he was home with the boy doing far more with far less clothing on.
They had broken apart before Demyx returned with their drinks, a huge grin plastered on his face. He placed the three orange mochas on the table and took his seat on the other side of Sora. "You guys looked like you were having fun. I think everyone else thought so too. But it's okay, since both of you are so good looking, I don't think any of us minded your little display," he said, taking a sip from his cup.
Sora and Riku didn't have to feel uncomfortable for long, thanks to the appearance of a girl on the stage. She sang a couple of songs while accompanying herself on the guitar. As cute and talented as she was, she didn't have the same stage presence as Riku, Sora thought as he watched her performance. There were a few more performances before Riku and Demyx. Sora sat and drank his beverage, listening to Riku and Demyx's commentary on the other musicians.
Finally, 8:00 rolled around and the coffee shop was nearly full as the two made their way to the stage. Demyx, in a tight-fitting powder blue tee shirt and dark ripped jeans, took hold of the mic. "Hey everybody! I am the fabulous Demyx and that sexy specimen of a man over at the piano is Riku. We're planning on putting on one helluva good show for you guys tonight, so we'd appreciated it if you guys could make a little noise for us."
Everyone in the audience clapped and several whistles, cat-calls, and confessions of love for the two musicians were heard. Demyx went over to get his guitar out of his case and Riku adjusted the mic at the piano.
They played a couple of songs Sora had heard Riku play before, but with Demyx on guitar, they sounded even more amazing. Demyx played a couple of songs on his own, his voice echoing throughout the small café. Sora could finally understand what Riku was talking about when he said Demyx was a god of the strings. He really looked like a rock star, so out of place in such a small place.
It was getting to the end of their set. Riku had just finished playing a few Billy Joel and Elton John covers when he announced that the next song would be their last of the night. "Alright everybody, you've been a great crowd. Dem and I want to thank all of you for coming out here tonight. We only have time for one last song," he looked over to Sora, "so I hope you like. It's called "Soft & Warm.""
His fingers danced along the keys, his soft melodic voice stretching over the audience:
Everyone loves a man, who lets the hardest people build him up and cut him down to lovable size
And somebody holds a candle, by right it tastes all longing
Words are remembered: us and them, you love, you despise
I've seen the years go by in triple lines of gray
Oh, you were always on the ground
You're always on the ground
If I could catch you, I would hold you for a day
Oh, won't you do this when you can
Do what you can
Demyx came in with his guitar and vocals, backing up Riku, their sound melding in perfect harmony.
I've seen the hardest people soften in the spotlight
Won't you stop and breathe, tell me what you want to feel
I could draw on all these things, baby I feel this beauty pull me to a
Soft and warm, I know this all I need, why don't we learn to grieve
Baby I'd leave you for the person you used to be
Everyone has a secret, so bite your mother tongue
And let the truth bleed over you, you open sheep-skin
You can never describe the future, but you can paint the past
In shades of blue, or money used with neumonic charm
God, shake this sickness, won't this decade ever end?
Oh, it's be going on for years
Been happening for years
Can't face the truth, why can't things just be begin
Because they always end in tears
They always end in tears
I've seen the hardest people soften in the spotlight
Won't you stop and breathe, tell me what you want to feel
I could draw on all these things, baby I feel this beauty pull me to a
Soft and warm, I know this all I need, why don't we learn to grieve
Baby I'd leave you for the person you used to be
You are so young, so feel alive
And one day you will live on your own
As the final note played out on the piano, the café erupted in applause. Riku, however, paid no attention to anyone other than his little brunette sitting in the front row with a gleaming smile on his face, eyes bright and full of pride.
A/N: Okay, here's the deal. I am planning on only one more chapter of this story then I'm done. I promise you guys a lemon. I have no clue when I'm going to get it written. My friend wants me to write something for her before December because she's compiling stuff from writers she knows and is getting it published. So, after that is done, I promise I'll get back to this story. Thank you all for sticking with me!