Stranger Than Fiction

Chapter Seven:

Attraction

Author's Note:

Here's another chapter. Cheers for the reviews buys a round of drinks for the reviewers. Oh, and Riku wants to express his thanks too. Riku appears and gives all the reviewers a kiss Don't you feel special now?

I was wondering how to write this chapter, seeing as it's important but at the same time it doesn't change anything. It's a kind of… Nice chapter, but I wanted it a bit more… bittersweet?

Thank you for sixty reviews (an average of 10 per chapter!) This is the best I've ever done on a fic before!

Disclaimer:

I don't own Kingdom Hearts nor any of the characters.

The warm weather changed at the end of September, and the leaves began to fall from the trees. October came and went, and the friendships and rivalries became stronger.

Perhaps if someone had looked closely at the rivalry between Riku and Sora, they might have seen a slightly playful hint in it. There was certainly no hatred anymore. At least, not that was apparent.

It was most likely Kairi and Tidus' relationship that brought the two together. They no longer were fighting over a girl that neither of them wanted. Sometimes, those watching the witty exchange of insults, the hidden smiles and sniggers, the passionate competition on everything, would comment that they were more like husband and wife. Some remarked that they could be brothers or childhood friends, rather than bitter rivals.

A few noticed the change in Cloud as well. Although he and Sora were still obviously close, they no longer spent all their time together. Cloud could often be found hanging around with Leon and the older students in his spare time.

Leon… Now he'd shaken things up a little. Until he'd come along, there had been a bit of divide between the years, but he seemed to have time for everyone. He explained to those who asked that he had once been an outsider and had locked himself away within himself. Now he had friends, he liked to be popular.

Some just thought he was an ass. Some just thought he was actually some demon come to steal all their women. Of course, Leon hadn't dated a single person since he came to school, which caused other rumours. Leon was taken. Leon was having a secret affair with a sophomore. Leon was screwing the principal. Leon and Riku were having an incestuous relationship. The rumours became more and more ridiculous. What fuelled them was the fact that Leon never told anyone about his past. He didn't tell them anything specific, rather. People were left guessing and making up their own theories.

Perhaps there were two people in the school who knew Leon. One was of course, Riku, and the two were almost attached at the hip, the other was Cloud, who seemed to have become closer to Leon in a different way to everyone else. It was said that Leon had saved Cloud's life one night. Then Cloud had saved Leon's life. Now the two were inseparably bonded by fate. Although the idea was a romantically warped version of the truth, the two just laughed it off with a shrug.

It was a good job that none of them cared about their reputations…

It was during the first frost of November, when Riku and Leon were walking home from their martial arts training, another change for the two was to take up Kendo, when something began to change…

Riku laughed. He loved the cold weather. He never knew why. Perhaps because he was a big kid and always secretly hoped it would snow. If there was one thing he loved, it was snow.

"You're such a dork…" Leon laughed, ruffling his brother's hair. Riku put on his 'I'm-a-pathetically-cute-baby-brother-don't-pick-on-me' pout and Leon couldn't help but 'Awww…'

"So, what's the deal with you and Cloud?" Riku asked suddenly. Leon choked on his own tongue, catching Riku grinning slyly.

"Nothing's 'going on'! Even if it were, it's none of your business, remember?" Leon snapped. Riku's grin got wider.

"Oh, it's just that I noticed you were flirting with him all the way through Yuna's Halloween party. Not that he looked like he minded," Riku looked at Leon through the corner of his eye. Leon personally, felt like tying his brother up by his fluffy grey scarf and leaving him in the middle of the road for the next car.

"Like I said, mind your own business…" Leon said through clenched teeth. Riku, realising his brother's discomfort, finally dropped the subject.

For a while after that, they walked in silence. Leon was silently fuming. What right had Riku to say anything about him and Cloud. They were friends, that was all. That was all so far, anyhow…

"Say, isn't that Sora?" Riku suddenly said. Sure enough, Sora was running out of a side street. He skidded to a halt, looking over his shoulder.

"Get back here, you little runt!" A deep man's voice yelled. Sora looked over his shoulder.

"Run Sora! Please!" Selphie's voice rang out. Riku gave Leon a panicked look. A black car pulled up and Sora was yanked in. The two brothers ran forward, but the car had sped away before they got to it.

"You think he's in some kind of trouble?" Leon asked. Riku didn't say anything. Sora's strange bruises could be related to anything, but if he was wanted by a gang or perhaps even just one man, there could be a problem…

"I don't know… Whoever it was, they had Selphie too… Sora will do anything they want so they don't hurt her…" Riku said quietly. Leon looked down at his little brother, seeing the worry printed on Riku's face.

"You… You like him, don't you?" Leon said, after careful consideration. His tone was heavy, as though Riku's answer was terribly important. Riku turned his sad, worried, aquamarine eyes up towards Leon's storm grey ones.

"Yeah, I think I do…"

Sora crossed his arms and looked out the window. He was kind of glad it was his uncle, not his father. At least his uncle wouldn't hit him. It was probably worse, Cid gave him the silent treatment…

It had been Cid who had found the note that explained that Sora was running away. He'd then found Selphie and forced her to help him find Sora. It had simply been a matter of time.

Sora, Selphie and Cid had always got on. Cid was from his mother's side of the family, and was a kind man by nature. He was happy almost constantly, except now, when he looked tired and drawn.

"Why?" He asked quietly.

"Why? Why? What am I supposed to do Cid? I don't like it there. They aren't parents, they're monsters!" Sora yelled. Cid looked slightly taken aback by the tears in Sora eyes. He saw Selphie's hesitant arm wrap around him.

It was one of those really expensive cars, with seats in the back that faced each other. Cid was sat in front of the two children, for in his eyes, that's all they were, and waited for an explanation that he needed to receive.

"What makes you say that? Did they not let you go out or something?" Cid asked sarcsatically. Sora turned his face up to Cid's, then he unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it off.

Scars adorned his back. Bruises yellow, blue and black were scattered as though someone had got a big paint brush and painted them on liberally. He looked out the window.

"Shit kid… How on Earth did you get those?" Cid's cigarette fell out of his mouth. He quickly stamped it out before he set fire to something. Selphie laughed, her laugh shrill, hysterical.

"Our dad isn't the nicest guy in the world, is he Cid? And mom? She just lets him. I'm lucky, I don't get noticed, I'm only a girl, and a younger girl too. Sora… Sora is the one they gang up on…" Selphie began to sob. Sora didn't move to try to comfort her.

Cid collected himself hurriedly. He was tempted just to leave with the kids, but he knew he just couldn't do that. Something drastic had to happen though… But what? What could he do?

"Shit Sora… I didn't know… Have you… Have you ever reported it?" Cid asked. Sora shook his head.

"My dad has too much money, knows too many people in the system. We'd never get away. Then we're just be in a worse situation. We have two options, get thrown out, or runaway…" Sora's voice trailed off. So Sora had runaway after a beating then?

"I wish I was in the country often enough to be here for you two… You have mobile phones?" Cid asked. Sora smirked.

"Secret ones that our parents don't know about? Yeah, yeah we do…" Sora held his up. At the same time, he received a message. He looked down at the phone, and opened the message.

Sora, it's me, Riku. We saw you get pulled into that black car. You okay?

Sora blinked for a second, then he smiled.

"Who is it?" Selphie asked. Sora showed her and she grinned.

"Told you he wasn't a complete ass!" She giggled. Cid waited for the little exchange to finish. Sora quickly text back.

I'm fine. Since wen ave u worried bout me neway? Was my uncle. He's a bit ruff wiv his words.

He left it there, then turned to Cid.

"Give me your phone, I'll program my number into it," Sora said. Cid gave him his phone, allowing Sora to put both his and Selphie's number in.

"I'll call you at least once a week. If it happens again, tell me and I'll be round in a flash. I'll check up on you two when I can, okay?" Cid asked. Sora and Selphie nodded.

I was worried Sora… Trust me, I was scared for you…

The next day at school, Riku didn't meet Sora's eyes. He knew he would blush, and that just wasn't him. He felt scared, scared that Sora would freak out…

"I think I'm becoming obsessed with text messages…" Sora said, finally. He had been texting people all morning, and the little clicks and beeps were getting rather annoying. Kairi sniggered.

"Yeah, only because of that 'Bob' guy. You know, you really shouldn't have told Selphie… She told Yuffie, who told me. Luckily, I only told Tidus," Kairi saw the look on Sora's face. He blushed bright red, but he looked a little bit… Happy…

"Bob?" Riku asked. Who was this Bob? When did it happen? It wasn't supposed to damn it! Sora blushed.

"Um… He's a guy who's been sending me text messages… He's kind of like… Well… He's my boyfriend. He refuses to tell me his name so I use the name 'Bob'. There, go on I know you're dying to say it…" Sora trailed off miserably. Riku blinked.

"Dying to say what?" He asked. Sora frowned.

"Fag, or queer or something…" The brunet replied. Riku chuckled.

"Why would I?" Riku replied. Sora didn't know what to reply to that… Riku looked into Sora's eyes, seeing the confusion he laughed.

"I know 'Bob' as you call him. In fact, I know him probably as well as you do. He's very… direct in a vague way, right? And he likes 'berries'?" Riku asked. He took in Sora's shocked expression with a hint of glee. So Sora really liked Bob huh?

"He's texting you too?" Sora asked. Riku pondered his answer for a second. Riku knew Bob well enough, because in fact, he was Bob. He had originally created the character to wind Sora up. Sometime during their texting, he'd begun to like it, to take it seriously…

"No. Well, not in the same way he's been texting you… I'll tell him what you call him…" Riku grinned at Sora's disbelieving stare.

"Who is he?" Sora demanded. Riku chuckled, hoping that he didn't give it away.

"That's for me to know and you to find out…"

Sora spent the rest of the day badgering Riku about 'Bob'. Of course, it made Riku feel all strange at first, but eventually it got the better of him.

"Is he really good enough for you to keep on at me like this?" Riku snapped during their physics class. Sora blinked, then a dreamy smile passed across his face.

"Yes! Yes he is!" Sora replied. Riku snorted.

"You haven't got a clue, Sora. You don't have a clue who the hell he is. How can you possibly care that much? You're naïve Sora!" But inside, Riku felt a little tingle in the pit of his stomach.

This lusting after the brunet was beginning to get the better of him. What was he supposed to do? Sora talked about Bob/Riku like he was some kind of God. Riku wondered if he admitted he was 'Bob' if Sora would still be as infatuated.

"Maybe I am, but I'm happy that way," Sora replied. Riku rolled his eyes. Happy being ignorant… Somehow, he wasn't sure if Sora was telling the truth. Perhaps the way that Sora had been annoying the hell out of him all day contradicted that statement slightly.

"Master Leonhart? Your brother is outside," Jally said suddenly. Riku looked to the door to see Leon, looking rather ill, outside. He got up, a little glad at being pulled away from Sora.

"What is it?" Riku asked. Leon was looking exceptionally pale.

"I'm going home, not feeling too good. No doubt I have one hell of a cold. I want you to just get some things I promised I'd get on the way home. Groceries. I wrote them down here for you," Leon handed him a scrap of paper. Sure enough there was a grocery list.

"Anything else?" Riku asked sincerely. Leon smiled at him.

"A DVD to watch later? One for mom, one for us?" Leon suggested. Riku nodded, then hugged his brother before darting back inside the classroom.

Sora watched Riku leave the classroom, feeling more than a little disappointed. He really wanted to know who Bob was, but he was afraid now, after what Riku had said. Perhaps it was better not knowing who he was? Perhaps it was better talking to him through text message, finding out about him…

He watched as Leon handed Riku and bit of paper. They talked for a few more seconds, then to the class' surprise (as most found the muted conversation from outside far more interesting than the intricacies of physics) Riku hugged his brother. Leon ruffled his hair affectionately, and Riku walked back into the classroom.

Everyone watched him, and he just lapped up the attention. Sitting down next to Sora, Riku grinned at him.

"What?" He asked.

"That's going to fuel that incest rumour," Kairi joked. Half the class laughed, including Riku himself.

"Can I make it clear that I have never, and shall never, screw my brother?" Riku asked. The class were still tittering five minutes later as the conversation continued. In the end, Kairi managed to twist Riku's words to make it sound as though he'd been having a passionate affair with Leon.

Sora felt sorry for Riku, who was trying his hardest. Kairi was great at debate however, and didn't give him time to think like most people.

Sora looked over at Cloud, who was the only one not laughing. The blonde was frowning, his arms crossed. He looked slightly sulky… Sora couldn't help it, he wrinkled up his nose and made an 'Aww' sound. This caught Riku's attention.

"Huh?" The silver haired smart-ass said. Sora gestured to Cloud, who'd zoned out, a pout on his lips. Riku smirked.

"Let him get on with it," He said his voice low so as not to let Cloud know what was being said. "He'll get his share."

Sora pondered this entire sentence's many meanings and decided that there could only be one logical explanation of that. Leon liked Cloud back.

"When are they going to actually get together then?" Sora asked in his conspirator's whisper. Riku grinned.

"Dunno. When they do I guess…" Riku and Sora watched the zoned out Cloud, shaking their heads in almost synchronisation.

"Poor, poor Cloud… He doesn't even get a knight in shining armour, he gets an ugly mutt on a mule… Shame…" Riku sniggered and went back to trying to sound as though he wasn't having a relationship with his brother.

Cloud wandered out of the classroom. Lunch, great. This is just another opportunity for there to be even more rumours spread about Leon. Doesn't it get him down?

"Hey!" He heard someone call. He ignored them. He wasn't in the mood for talking to people right now. He appreciated that Sora had realised that and gone off with Kairi somewhere. Riku had tagged along of course, he pretty much always did nowadays for some reason. Probably to annoy the hell out of Sora…

"Wait!" The person yelled again. Cloud walked faster, if he made it to the car park he could just wander of the premises, then take a little walk down a few alleys and they'd be gone…

"Cloud!" Damn, he couldn't ignore that. Reluctantly he stopped, not turning around. His heart began to beat faster when he saw that the person who was trying to get his attention was in fact, Leon. Leon… The person he'd been thinking about all day…

"Why didn't you stop?" The brunet questioned. Cloud bit the inside of his cheek. The truth?

"I wanted to be alone for a while," Cloud said. Leon's face fell, and Cloud felt guilty immediately.

"Oh… Oh right…" Leon's face became falsely cheerful. "Okay, I'll see you later…" He turned, but Cloud couldn't help it. He grabbed Leon's hand, blushing as skin made contact. Leon didn't face him but didn't pull away either. Encouraged, Cloud tried to speak.

"No, I don't mind if you come with me. I just wanted to think, but I don't want to be… lonely…" Cloud forced the last word out. What are you doing? Are you… grovelling? Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic…

"If you want some time alone, don't worry about me I-" Cloud withdrew his hand, walking in front of Leon. His eyes were hidden underneath his long unruly chocolate hair.

"No, I want you to come with me," Cloud said. You could make that sound dirty… STOP IT BRAIN! NO! DON'T EVEN THINK THAT!

"I want to go with you too…" Leon said finally. Cloud felt the blush giving way to a smile. Leon looked up, and smiled too.

"I've had the worst day," Cloud began. Leon chuckled.

"At least no one thinks you're having an affair with your brother…" He replied. Cloud glanced up at Leon, wondering why this was the first time Leon had mentioned it. And besides, wasn't he supposed to be going home? What was he doing here?

"Um… Why are you here?" Cloud asked suddenly. Leon looked slightly offended, then the question sank in. He grinned.

"Me? Well, I complained I didn't feel well, made myself sick, (don't worry, I've brushed my teeth), gave Riku all my chores and then got myself the lunch hour and your free lessons. Then I thought perhaps you'd like to hang out down the mall for a bit?" Leon explained. Cloud looked away. 'Hang out down the mall'… Wow… It had never been so appealing before…

"Sure, I mean, why not? We can go now if you like. I don't mind skipping the registrations, my mom doesn't really care about free lessons," Cloud said. Leon smirked.

"I think I'm turning little Cloudy into a bad boy," He teased. Cloud laughed. If only you knew what I do with my imagination when you're around. BRAIN I HATE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL!

"Was already a bad boy before, but had no one to be a bad boy with," Cloud replied. Leon raised his eyebrows. Shit, two meanings there… Oh well… Too late now…

"C'mon, I know this really good ice cream parlour hidden away down one of the side streets in town," Cloud shoved his bag into his locker and lead the way. Leon walked behind him, going through their conversation so far and wondering if Cloud was hinting at anything...

Riku grabbed a basket and got all the groceries. It was while he was getting the milk that he realised someone was watching him. Selphie was stood there, watching him with wide eyes. What? Did he have something on his face or something?

"Full of surprises today Riku, eh?" Sora asked. Riku glared at Sora, putting the milk into the basket. He noted that all Sora had clutched in his fists was candy.

"Oh dear… That'll make you fat that will," Riku commented. Sora handed the chocolate and sweets to Selphie and peered into Riku's basket. Milk, bread, lettuce, eggs, pizza and two DVDs…

"Why are you getting that?" Sora asked. Riku rolled his eyes.

"Because my mom asked me to. Well, more precisely, she asked Leon to, but he's ill, so I had to instead," Riku didn't like the way Sora was suddenly grinning.

"Leon's ill? But he and Cloud skipped class to go to the mall together this afternoon. Guess he was lying to you…" Sora laughed at Riku's face. He would have just dropped the basket and walked out, but he knew that he'd have to get it because of his mom.

"I'll kill him…" Riku growled. He stalked off to the checkout, and was surprised when Sora helped him pack the bags. The brunet also carried one for him until their ways parted. Sora was heading into a classier part of town, while Riku was heading to the more middling area.

"I'll see you tomorrow Riku," Sora handed him the bag. Riku felt tempted to ask why he'd helped, but he knew that would sound… Wrong? Hopeful? Spiteful? Ungrateful? One of them.

"Thanks a lot," He smiled. Sora smiled back then crossed the road, waving goodbye. Riku nodded once to acknowledge it and walked the rest of the way home alone, plotting ways to get his revenge.

Cloud pulled Leon into an ice cream parlour tucked away down a side street. It didn't seem like an ice cream parlour at all, more like an old English tea-room. However, Cloud pointed out that the menu was purely ice cream.

They picked a table that overlooked the sea, watching as the waves crashed against the beach. The grey sky made it a slightly depressing sight, but Leon watched, entranced. Sure he'd seen the sea before, he'd been brought up in New York, but… He'd never seen it like this. It seemed like all it would take was a big wave and it would cover the island…

"It's lovely here, isn't it?" Cloud said after a while. Leon nodded his agreement, watching the sea still. Their ice creams were put down in front of them. It was then that Leon took in what he'd ordered.

He had never been one for overly sweet things, so he'd ordered what the parlous called a 'Sweet and Sour Shaker'. Whatever that was.

Now Leon knew what it was. It looked expensive… It had large pieces of fruit in it and lemon and lime ice cream. He looked over at Cloud, who had a simple vanilla thing.

"Those things are hell to stomach…" Cloud warned. Leon hesitantly scooped up a little and put it in his mouth. He immediately felt the sour effect take hold. He spluttered and pulled a face. Cloud laughed.

"Alright! You try some," Leon held out his spoon. Cloud leaned forward, and Leon found himself transfixed. Cloud's lips parted slightly, his mouth went around the spoon… Leon blamed it on teenage hormones…

"Ugh!" Cloud's face screwed up and the moment was lost. But Leon still felt the pangs of… of whatever it was… Damnit! What was wrong with him. Cloud was his friend, even though he might have a teensy little crush, that didn't give him the right to act like a lovesick fool…

"That stuff is nasty," Cloud said. Leon nodded in agreement. Cloud pushed his ice cream to the centre.

"We can share if you'd like…" He suggested. Leon cleared his throat.

"No, it's yours," He found himself say. Cloud chuckled, then scooped up some ice cream.

"Then I'll have to force feed it to you," He said, resting the cold spoon on Leon's bottom lip, waiting for him to open his mouth. Leon opened it slightly and took the ice cream. Cloud's eyes were slightly wide, as though wondering what he'd just done.

Leon opened his mouth. Why couldn't he just say it? 'Cloud, I really like you. Do you like me back? If not, can we just pretend this never happened?'

"Cl-Cloud, um, I-I, er…" Leon cleared his throat.

"I think we should leave," No, that's not what he'd been trying to say. Cloud looked confused, then at the two barely started ice creams. Leon felt guilty, knowing that Cloud had probably been about to enjoy that.

But he needed to be somewhere where there were people. He needed somewhere where they wouldn't be alone with nothing to talk about except each other. It scared him that Cloud might not feel the same. If he stayed here any longer he was going to say something he would regret.

Damn coward…

Damn straight!

"Um… Okay…" Cloud stood up. When they went through the door, Leon felt Cloud's hand brush against his own and felt a shiver run through him.

Perhaps it was hopeful, but he thought he saw Cloud tremble slightly too…

Riku lay on his stomach.

I heard from Riku that you were obsessing with me today. You like me that much Sora? We've only known each other a few months…

Riku loved playing with Sora's mind this way. As Bob, Sora wanted him. For now, that would do…

I dn't think I can verbalise or write wot these txt msgs have ment 2 me…

"Bullseye!" Riku whispered. He then felt his conscience nagging at him. What if Sora knows it's you and in fact, he's the one playing you? How would you feel then?

"Fucking fantastic," Riku said aloud, and text back.

Love you.

He didn't mean it. Even as Riku, he didn't mean it. Sure, he wanted Sora, but it was more of a physical need than anything. He wanted the physical closeness of a relationship again…

I love you too.

Riku smiled. So Sora was in love with Bob? Or was he just saying it because Bob said so first? Maybe it was a mixture of both? Riku put his phone down, he'd had enough being Bob for one night.

He had two phones, both he and Leon did. One phone was for their private use, to do with as they pleased. That was the one that Riku was texting Sora off. The other way one that went straight to the house. If there was a problem with their mom, that one would be phoned and it would ring loudly and clearly until they picked it up.

"Have a nice time?" Riku asked, seeing Leon in the doorway. He smiled sheepishly.

"Kind of. I very nearly made a fool of myself in an ice cream parlour, but apart from that I had a good time. What DVD did you get?" Leon asked. Riku held it up and Leon grinned.

"Cool, I've wanted to see that," He settled down on the couch, and waited for Riku to press play. He'd hired out 'Kill Bill'. Riku had already seen it, but Leon hadn't, so he'd got it out again. They watched it together.

Riku smirked when Leon went to bed. A few minutes later he heard a cry and Leon ran out in his underpants.

"Riku!" He yelled. His little brother was gone however, locked in his bedroom.

Leon spent fifteen minutes changing him marmalade coated bedclothes…

Ending Notes:

Don't know where that last bit came from to be honest… I could just see Riku being really evil and sitting there putting a nice even spread of marmalade on Leon's bed.

Note to kids: Only do that if you're brother or sister have been very very mean. Okay? And to use a frog is much more fun, because then they have to catch it. Also, it makes a nice pet after…

Anyhow, please review. I hoped you like this chapter. Sorry about the slow pace again, but there are another ten chapters before the next couple get together…