Chapter 8: The Start of Something New

Leon moved silently through the streets, hands in pockets and watching his feet. There were only a handful of people out and he completely ignored them. He kept his mind focused on one thing only: he would make things right with Cloud and Riku. It did not matter what he had to sacrifice to do it.

Sora and the ducklings were skateboarding around the Postern and when he approached, Sora stopped to regard him carefully. In a quiet voice, he stated. "I saw Riku and Cloud by the falls."

Leon nodded once, wishing he could say something that would reassure Sora. The boy did not need to be involved in this. He felt even worse, that he had not realized in the beginning that he would be. There seemed to be even larger consequences to his emotions than he had anticipated.

The younger brunette gave him a weak smile. "You guys are all friends. You'll get this figured out. Just remember to listen to your heart."

That was what had gotten him into this mess. Of course, he could not tell Sora that. He gave the boy a curt nod and moved off in the direction of where the other two had last been seen. He hoped them being together was a good sign.

He walked steadily, consciously settling out his mind so that when he found them, he would be ready for anything. He would let them lead the conversation and decide what would happen next. All that mattered to him was that both of them were happy.

Leon left the path and wove his way through the trees. The falls were still mostly hidden from the general public. It almost been by unspoken agreement that they remain that way. All of the Committee had found a nice little retreat there.

Cloud leaned against a large tree trunk near the water's edge. His back was facing Leon, his arms folded before him. He did not react until Leon was beside him.

Bright blue eyes flicked over for a moment before returning to their fixed gaze ahead. The younger man adopted a somewhat relaxed position, also looking out. They stood together for several minutes.

"Are you sorry?" Cloud whispered.

He could have been referring to so many things. Leon understood Cloud had asked that specific question intentionally. The blonde was much more analytical than any one believed.

The sable-haired man went for straight-out honesty, "For kissing Riku, no; for hurting both him and you, absolutely."

Cloud did not reply so Leon simply continued. "I didn't want this, Cloud."

"Then what did you want?"

Leon grimaced. "I wanted things the way they were those first two days Riku was here. I want a simple, uncomplicated relationship with the man my best friend loves with everything he has. I want to have that easy, unbelievably tight connection that even I don't understand with that best friend back."

Cloud remained silent.

The younger man did not know what else to say at this point. He figured at this point, it was best to let Cloud lead the conversation. The blonde would know what he needed to hear.

"When did you know?"

"I didn't know for sure until yesterday." Leon sighed then corrected himself. "Maybe I knew before that but I just could not acknowledge it. I started noticing something was different after the picnic."

"I don't know what to do." Cloud spoke slowly. "I never even considered this to be a possibility. I don't want to lose you but…"

"I understand."

The pair stood in silence.

Cloud suddenly turned. He locked his bright eyes on Leon but they were completely unreadable. "You are my closest friend since Zack. The two of you are the only people I have ever truly trusted. I'm not that close to Riku yet."

Leon had no idea where Cloud was going with this train of thought. He simply forced himself to stay focused on the other man, and not look away. He knew they were approaching the apex of this particular conversation.

"Anything you tell me, I will believe;" Cloud stated carefully.

"What about Riku?" Leon struggled to keep the edge from his voice. He found the idea that Cloud would take his word over Riku's, the man the blonde had clearly stated he intended to spend his life with, ridiculous. Riku had not betrayed him.

Something in Cloud's eyes changed. They actually softened a bit. "You really have fallen for him."

Steel-colored eyes narrowed.

Cloud sighed and turned away. He took a few steps toward the water, folding his arms before him. "I don't how to deal with this, Leon. I knew you would get along with Riku but I never expected this."

"I didn't want this, Cloud."

Cloud laughed once. "Do you honestly believe I wanted to fall in love with a fifteen-year-old kid? No one plans for this kind of thing."

Leon supposed not. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and waited.

The blonde turned back toward him. His lower jaw was tight but the rest of his expression was showing signs of pain and concern. "Riku told me last night that he really cares for you. He doesn't want us to stop being friends over him."

Leon nodded. Then an idea suddenly struck him and he started. "He didn't leave, did he?"

"I was going to." Riku's voice was quiet yet somehow loud enough to be heard across the way. He stepped out of the shadows of the trees, several feet from both men. "I almost did, even after Cloud begged me not to."

The teen looked tired and worn, his hair hanging limply before his dulled eyes. "I went so far as to pack my bags. Then, as I was closing the last one, I realized that leaving wasn't going to help the situation. If anything, it was liable to make it worse. I became afraid you would start blaming one another for my running away. Or you'd blame yourselves and completely withdraw from everyone you love."

Riku really did know them well. He also obviously cared enough about both of them to be unwilling to cause either of them more pain. Leon felt his admiration for him increase.

Silver hair fluttered up a touch as Riku stepped forward. "I will not be the cause of a broken friendship. If I have to remove myself from the picture, I will, but understand that it will break my heart to do so."

Leon did not think his heart could hurt any more. He was wrong. He drew in a breath in an effort to keep from breaking down. He heard Cloud's broken breath and knew he was doing the same. Riku did not fight back his emotion.

"So before I say anything else ,I need both of you to swear to me that no matter what the future brings the two of you will always remain friends," Riku rushed out, the last few words choked. "Losing Sora as I did taught me that there is absolutely nothing more important than friendship."

Steel-blue eyes turned to meet Mako-blue ones. They studied one another for a mere moment before both nodded firmly. Regardless the outcome, they would find their way through it.

Leon and Cloud looked back Riku, who had watched them closely. Leon knew that he had gotten much more out of the exchange than either he or Cloud were likely aware of. He simply hoped he read it correctly.

The young man worried his lip. He turned away and sat on one of the large rocks. He laced his fingers together, resting them on his upper-legs. Studying them for a moment, he lifted his head and shook it. His lengthy bangs parted enough so that his aqua eyes could be seen clearly.

"Do not interrupt me," He warned. He turned his gaze toward Leon. "I already told you how I feel. I do not want to lose you as a friend over this. However, I also understand the pain of unrequited love. If you do not think you can simply be my friend, do not force yourself to."

Leon nodded slowly. He somehow understood that he did not need to decide this now. He had never been the overly emotional type before this.

Suddenly, he straightened. He took a slow breath and settled his heart. He would not allow his emotions to dictate his life. He could love Riku with all of his heart but he could set that aside. So long as the other remained a part of his life, he could deal with a little heartache.

He gazed easily into Riku's eyes, again noting just how expressive they truly were. …And he was allowing Leon to read them openly. He knew just how significant that was. Leon did not verbally speak but he made certain Riku understood.

Riku smiled...those eyes of his brightening some. "I look forward to being your friend, Leon."

"Same here, Riku."

The teen then turned to Cloud. He regarded his lover solemnly, their conversation silent. They had formed such an intimacy that they did not need explain what they wanted.

Leon watched them in awe. Though he knew it was likely that they had spoken the previous night, it was still horribly telling how much they were obviously communication just through a look. Their relationship had passed another hurdle.

He felt an immense relief.

Riku stood, walking up to Leon slowly. He lifted his arms and embraced the man tightly. After a moment, Leon returned it equally. Riku whispered to him. "If I had met you first…"

Leon chuckled lowly. "You would probably still be a basket case. I'm terrible with this emotional stuff."

Riku pulled away. "Maybe, but I doubt it."

He moved on to his lover. They regarded one another before Cloud reached up and traced Riku's jaw. Cloud placed a rather gentle kiss upon his lips and merely whispered, "I love you."

"Through everything…" He muttered back.

Cloud smiled and though the scene hurt to watch, Leon grinned at it.

Riku turned to stand between them. He shook his head a bit, bangs shifting back in place to hide his eyes. "I don't know about the two of you, but I need a really long nap."

Leon and Cloud looked at each other around Riku's back. A nap did sound really good….

"Yeah, let's go home."

--0—0—

And another story ends. This was such a tough thing to write because I truly felt torn about the whole thing. Thank you to Page of Cups for trusting me with this idea (I hope I did it justice). Also to Riku-Rocks for fixing my errors and being a sounding board when I was uncertain about things.

…And of course all of you who have read. Please let me know your final impressions.