A/N: Thanks for the reviews, we have been a bit lazy about responding, but rest assured, we love and cuddle them all.
Sora - A couple of days later
"Everything you do it sends me higher than the moon with every twinkle in your eye..." I glared at Axel's singing as I tried to focus on my conversation with Roxas, but the fact that his very omnipresent boyfriend was spread out over the daybed in Roxas' living room, ukulele in his hands to give him the tune to sing the song on, just- Well how could you ignore him when he was singing songs with lyrics he knew toyed with my current frustration? "You strike a match that lights my heart on fire! When you're near I hide my blushing face, and trip on my shoelaces, Grace just isn't my forté..."
I pointed my glare on Roxas then, "He's not supposed to know me well enough to know I trip, blush and can't be graceful."
"Puppy love is hard to ignore!" Axel continued in the background, leading me to hang my head and groan.
Roxas sent Axel a look and rolled his eyes while tilting his head towards their room. "Go on, you've had your fun. Leave the poor guy alone. Go clean the room, you slob. And if I find all my boxers gone again, I'm going to shave your head."
Axel chuckled low, getting his tall, lanky body off the daybed as he continued to strum on the ukulele, making his way to the bedroom. "Then how are you gonna grab a fistful of it and guide my head when I blow you?"
"That's what your ears are for, jackass. Now scram."
"Oooh, a man with a plan!" Axel growled out playfully, kicking the bedroom door closed once he'd stepped inside.
My eye twitched over at Roxas, "Well, you clearly share a special bond together."
Roxas smirked at me. "Someone's got to keep him on a tight leash." He leaned back on the couch and tilted his head at me. "So, how are things going with Riku? Did you tell him that you went to the same school yet?"
I slid off the couch, just so I could lie down on the floor, sighing up at the ceiling, "And reveal the fact that I used to bully him? Of course not, Roxas, that would just-" Well, I wasn't sure, but I had this gut feeling that told me I wouldn't like the result of things if I did tell Riku. "He's... different, Roxas. When I'm around him-" Popping my head off the floor, I shrugged at my cousin, "But, God, Rox, when he smiles?" I dropped my head back onto the ground, my palms settling over my tummy when those butterflies started fluttering again. "I'm afraid that if I tell him, he won't smile like that at me again." I grimaced, "Not exactly something I want to find out..."
Roxas laid down and leaned over the edge of the couch to look at me. "So, what? You're just going to spend all that time with him, fall in love and just carry that fucking guilt around for the rest of your life? You know that's a bad idea. So, you tossed a few names at him, it obviously didn't affect him, since he doesn't remember you at all."
I sighed, "But it affected me... Dublin is where I can escape from all that goes down in Cork. I want to keep it that way, and, it's not like we can even begin a serious relationship because I'll be going back home and well, see, it's pointless of me to remind him of the hardship he went through all those years ago when in the end I'm leaving anyways."
Roxas glared at me, his mouth tightening in anger. "Sora, what the fuck? Why are you staying in Cork, when you obviously hate it? Just move up here. You know I'd let you crash until you found a job." His eyes narrowed. "What goes on down there? What are you hiding?" His voice was taking on that chilling effect that he used on other people. People who usually ended up scared shitless in the end.
Sitting up, I looked away from him, "I need to stay there for my parents, you know that." I could feel him glare at me, I didn't need to turn and look to know as I pushed up onto my feet, starting to pace my way around the coffee table. "Nothing, all right? Karma biting me in the back of my ass, that's all." When he was about to press me for details, I shook my head at him, "Roxas, stop it, all right?" I wasn't angry with him... I was just upset with how trapped I felt in Cork, and how when I was in Dublin I could let it all go, all the while knowing I couldn't hold onto it forever... It almost made everything worse. "You can't just go around saving everyone from their problems. I'm fine!" Not quite sure he'd pushed me to burst, but even if he hadn't, which was probably the right assumption to make considering the surprised look on his face, I just needed him to stay out of it. "I'm fine, okay?" I repeated gently this time.
"No. You're not." And he gave me the saddest most understanding look I'd ever seen coming from him. "But I can see your mind is made up about this. I can't convince you that you are forcing yourself to suffer needlessly." He stood up and came to wrap his arms around me in a rare hug. "You can stay or visit for as long as you want, anytime. This is as much your place as mine." He pulled back, swiping a hand through my spikes and giving me a small smile. "Come on. Let's grab some ice cream and watch a movie before heading to the bar."
That perked me up, "Ice cream!" Clapping my hands together, I bounced over onto the couch, watching him intently, waiting for him to serve it. "I'm in pain, Roxas, I'm not supposed to move. You get the good stuff and pop the movie in while I remain seated here, wallowing in my own misery." When he raised an eyebrow, I shrugged, flopping back in the couch comfortably, "Ice cream is a gay's best friend, now chop chop!"
"Only you, Sora, could get me to even think about doing this. I hope you know that. Don't go ruining my reputation." He sent a rude gesture my way, but headed to the kitchen. "Still want both hot fudge and caramel on there? And you're in luck because I do have maraschino cherries this time." His voice called, followed by the clanking of bowls and silverware.
"Gimmie all of it!" I shouted in response, rubbing my hands together gleefully. "It's okay! We're boys, this won't actually make us go fat!"
Riku - a couple of more days later
Pulling up to Pink's again, I decided that next time I was going to take Sora out, I'd push to have me pick him up at his place. I suppose that I didn't mind the bar in a general sense, but I got tired of people staring at me or checking Sora out while we were in here. Probably the safest place to be was at the bar, even if Tidus was there most of the time.
I'd heard that Hayner only worked every other week and I dreaded the few days that he'd be gone if I came by. He was very down to earth, managing to keep the other bartender in line as well as the rest of the employees. More often though, I'd heard that his partner was huge and strong enough to inspire people to never mess with him. But I thought it had more to do with Hayner than anything. He just managed to put people at ease.
Walking into the bar, I let my eyes scan over the area, noticing Sora wasn't here yet, but that made sense as I'd gotten here a bit early. In my defense, it was because Demyx was at mine and Zexion's place and they were, well, loud... Shaking that off, I saw that there were quite a few people already, but not so much so that I felt overwhelmed. Deciding to go sit at the bar and wait for Sora there, I walked in that direction, noticing that while Tidus was missing, Hayner wasn't and neither was he alone. I assumed the guy there was his partner as he matched the description: huge, fit and intimidating. When I sat down on a stool, I could hear their murmured conversation, both of them leaning into each other over the bar, Hayner smiling in a way I don't think I'd ever seen.
"Aerith doesn't mind taking Penelo for the dates you managed to get off." Hayner's partner reached up, tucking a lock of Hayner's hair behind his ear, smiling slowly, "Now we just need to decide where we want to go on our honeymoon, and we'll be all set."
Hayner nodded. "Well, when was the last time you were in the States? I thought maybe we could hole up in a cabin in the Rocky Mountains somewhere, not see anybody for weeks. How does that sound?" He smirked at his partner, eyebrows suggestively rising. I gave a silent chuckle. It seemed like something picture perfect.
His partner looked my way, raising an eyebrow, "Another one of your opinionated friends, or just an eavesdropping stranger?" He asked Hayner. His eyes were sharp and despite the fact that I wasn't intimidated, I definitely never wanted to get on his bad side.
"Just an eavesdropping stranger. Admiring a happy couple is all. Can I just get some water, Hayner? I'm supposed to be meeting Sora here soon." I gave that guy a polite nod and glanced away to give them some privacy.
"Sure, Riku. Seifer, be nice. He's a friend and perfectly normal." His tone was warm yet with a hint of warning as he grabbed me a glass.
"All right, all right," Seifer allowed, backing off with the grumpiness. "You just never know with the people in this place." Reaching over, he stuck his hand out to me. "Seifer Almasy, nice to meet you."
"Riku Cartwright, nice to meet you too." I said, gripping his hand firmly. Releasing his hand, I quickly dug out my phone and grabbed a pen and napkin. "Hey, not that I'm prying, but if you do decide to go to the States, talk to this guy. He's a travel agent and a friend of mine. He'll get you exactly what you want for the best price. Think of it as a wedding gift." I quickly scribbled the number and slid the napkin to Hayner. He grinned and tucked it into his pocket without letting Seifer see it.
"Thanks Riku. So, I'll plan it, and you can pay for it. Sound good?" He smirked at Seifer. "That way you'll be as surprised as I was when you proposed. Karma will be even."
Seifer waved it off flippantly, "Whatever, I'm still stuck on the fact that an Irish boy is giving us two Yankees direction in the USA." Turning to me, he smiled, "Thanks." And then he looked back at Hayner, "Gotta go, Hubby of mine, need to get back to the apartment and pick up the phone when Penelo calls." Leaning over the bar, he grabbed Hayner by the neck, pulling him close so he could plant a soft kiss on his lips before backing off again, offering me a salute and then walking off to go do, well, what he said he was going to do. I watched him go, then turned back around in time to catch a lovesick look on Hayner's face.
I smirked. "Whipped."
He snapped out of it and flipped me off. "Oh and you're not? Pfft, I've seen the way you drool on Sora. Don't pretend that you don't." I shrugged, unable to completely deny it. If only there wasn't that nagging feeling that he wasn't telling me something. Well, it wasn't so much a feeling as a blaring truth. I'd never known anyone to talk as much as he did, without actually saying anything. It was ridiculously adorable and endearing, but I was very curious about him. Fortunately, we were going on a proper date tonight, with a private dinner and hopefully a walk in a park, complete with ice cream. I figured that if I could keep his attention and no distractions, things would come together. I took a sip of water and glanced at my watch. There was still about fifteen minutes before Sora was supposed to show up.
"So, how long have you known Sora? Are you guys pretty close?" Considering how often Sora had thrown himself behind Hayner and his feet, I figured they were pretty good friends. And since I had to wait for him, I didn't feel bad about learning everything I could about him. Hayner gave me a weird glance, and I felt a sense of foreboding. They hadn't...been involved, had they?
"Um, I just met him actually. Apparently he comes to visit Roxas every couple of years or more if he can. That day you walked in was the first day he came to the bar as well." I was slightly taken aback. It hadn't seemed like he had just met these people. Of course with his personality I suppose I could understand how easily he made friends. But then, if he was only visiting Roxas, where the hell was he from? And just how long was he visiting for?
"So, where the hell is he from?" I bit out.
Looking like he didn't want to answer, Hayner pursed his lips. "Cork. He said that's where he knew you from. But I figured that couldn't be right, because don't you live here in Dublin?" 'I do remember you from somewhere, and I was really mean to you'. Sora. He'd known exactly who I was. Exactly from day one and from his behavior he'd hidden from me. Because he'd been there when I was bullied, ridiculed and attacked. And from his words...he'd been one of them. Barely remembering Hayner's question as my mind was reeling from the information he'd given me, I answered quietly...
"I spent part of my childhood in Cork. It...wasn't pleasant. Please excuse me." Not giving him a chance to say anything more, I stood up and quickly exited the bar, heading straight for my car ignoring his exclamation following me.
Why? I did not understand what I was feeling right now, but first and foremost, Hayner's words had sent my mind back to those days before we'd moved. The harassment, the taunts and teasing. Enough to have me hide and scurry around like a coward, praying each day that I wouldn't get caught without a teacher present. And Sora...sweet and funny Sora, he'd been there. I tried hard to remember my tormentors hoping that I wouldn't see his face in my mind, but my memories were cloudy from that time. I'd put a lot of effort into forgetting everything about that place and now when I was finally curious about it, my efforts had paid off. I couldn't remember blue eyes, or spikey brown hair, but neither could I remember anything else about it either. Only the feelings of self-loathing and fear I'd lived with.
My body was on auto pilot now, and I found myself back at my flat, then remembered that Dem and Zex were home. Oh well, I had my own room and I needed to think. Really hard about this. Because now I was questioning everything about my time with Sora. He'd told me I was a 10. A 10. So, was he only regretting his actions now that I didn't look like I did back then? Thankfully, Dem and Zex didn't glance at me twice as I made my way inside and directly to my room. Closing the door, I went to my bed and lay down on my back, starring at the ceiling. My mind was going a mile a minute, and I could barely manage to process my surroundings.
Had he been so shocked by how much I'd changed that he hadn't wanted to ruin his chances with me by reminding me he'd bullied me in school? That really seemed likely, but how could I tell? I mean, nothing really seemed like he was that way now, but I'd only known him for a few days and even then, he'd been very closed up or random at times. Was that the reason he was always so nervous? Worried that I'd find out?
And how long was he going to wait til he told me that he didn't even live in Dublin? Or was he just hoping for a one-off with me before heading home? That was another frustrating thing. Just how long did I have with him? He was unattached, or he said he was and it felt like he was, but then again, I hadn't pegged him for a bully either. I groaned and rubbed my face. Who was the real Sora? The sweet funny guy that I'd seen and immediately wanted from day one, or the bully he'd told me he was, who kept secrets about himself?
Wait. I crinkled my forehead. Maybe I was thinking about this the wrong way. If Sora was really like the bully he said he was or had been, there would have been no apology or anything right? And he did. He was constantly apologizing about that and putting himself down to the point I'd become seriously worried about his self esteem. Saying that he was a 5 was something we'd argued about on occasion. Most of his behavior at this point was very odd. Almost like he was...punishing himself. Punishing himself for something he'd done wrong. Fuck. Jumping up, I wrenched open my door, ignored Dem and Zex again and was back out the door, my car keys in hand.
Sora
Listening rather numbly to Hayner's explanation as to why Riku wasn't here to begin our date, I sat back onto one of the barstools almost limply, hearing Roxas's voice in my head loud and clear telling me that he'd warned me, that I should have just told Riku about our shared history right away. Of course I hadn't listened...
"No one can find the rewind button, so cradle your head in your hands..." Seriously, Axel had an annoying gift he clearly wasn't aware of right now as he was singing to the crowd in the bar and not me personally. "And breathe... Just breathe... Oh breathe... Just breathe..." Feeling a bit claustrophobic and in need of air, I gulped, inhaling shakily, but not really able to exhale.
"See you in maybe a year or so..." I murmured at Hayner, not leaving him time to respond as I slid off the barstool and quickly rushed my way out of the bar, heading back to Roxas' flat so I could grab my stuff and run, it being the only thing I knew that worked best for a solution when it came to difficult situations such as these.
Axel
"...So cradle your head in your hands..." I sang into the mic, a smile playing on my lips as this song was one of those soft ones that weren't painful for me to sing. "And breathe... Just breathe..." I continued, looking over the crowd, my smile turning into a grin when I spotted Sora, only the amusement slipped when I saw that the boy seemed to be working through some harsh looking feelings. "Oh breathe... Just breathe..." My singing not needing much of my brain's attention as at this point it had become automatic for me. Frowning, I started humming, letting the lyrics fade into the melody for a moment, the guitarist behind me not skipping a beat as he dragged out his solo to give me a small break while I watched Sora rush out of the bar. I'd jump off the stage and run after him, but I was sure I didn't need to physically involve myself in order to be kept up to date.
Fifteen minutes later
Laughing at something someone whose name I couldn't remember right now, said, I lifted a finger to excuse myself when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, leading me to quickly move behind the bar, nudging Hayner out of the way when he was about to tell me I wasn't supposed to be back here, and continued to ignore him as I stepped into the reserve, sighing in content at the lack of noise in here, before picking up my phone.
"So what's going on with Sora?" I hmm'd in understanding, nodding my head along with the string of curses Roxas let out, and I wasn't surprised to hear Riku's name tossed in there as my blond would never use those names on his cousin.
"Are you running after him to stop him, or?" I cringed when he barked. "Okay, I'm guessing that is a yes." Some more shouting. "And that means you failed. Well, I've told you before, Rox, Sora runs really very fast for a guy his size." Rolling my eyes when he started cursing me out, I waved my hand flippantly even if he couldn't see.
"Yes, yes, I'm a gigantic asshole. Just give me a minute." Pulling the phone away from my ear and pressing it against my shoulders, I moved back out of the reserve and into the crowded area to start scanning, hoping to locate a mop of silver hair.
Shrugging, I lifted the phone to my ear, "He's not here. But, you stay put, wait by the phone in case Sora calls, and I will keep my eyes wide open to talk to Riku the moment he walks back in here." Roxas protested, naturally. "Look, blondie, I will handle Riku, not you. Your cousin really likes this guy, or else he wouldn't have packed his bags and run back to Cork. If I allow you to handle Riku, your big mouth and short temper will most likely kill whatever possible chance is left between them."
I paused, smiling as I listened to his reply to that. "I know you hate me. I love you too." Hanging up, I shoved the phone back into my pocket and then sighed, keeping my eyes open as I said I would, to be aware the moment Riku walked back into this place.
Thirty minutes later
"The big big bang! The reason I'm-" I cut off my singing, eyes pinning on the guy that walked into the bar. Riku... There he was... "I'm alive, blah blah blah blah blah blah!" I sang out, quite proud I managed to make 'blah blah' sound musical before pushing away from the mic, jumping off the stage and leaving some people staring rather blankly after me as I crossed the bar, eyes fixed on the mop of silver hair. Once I reached him, I was glad to hear the guitarist telling the crowd we were clearly taking a short break, and if they weren't happy with that, well, nothing they could do about it because I'd just walked off.
Seating myself on the stool beside Riku's, I leaned onto the bar, "Riku... We need to exchange a few words, you and I."
He whirled around and away from Hayner who he'd been talking to, giving me a blank stare before he recognized me. "Axel. Where is Sora?"
"Yeah, so about Sora..." I started, placing an arm over his shoulders, which he just as soon shrugged off. "He's in a train." I paused, because I could. "Back to Cork."
"What? I thought...wait...is he supposed to be going back to Cork right now?" His expression was pained.
I shook my head, giving him a friendly smile, "No. Sora just doesn't know how to confront difficult situations." I shrugged, "It's an O'Malley gene, Roxas does the exact same thing. Don't tell him that though, because he'll kill me for having told you it and he'll just deny it if you ask." His expression told me he wasn't too interested in knowing details about that particular cousin, so I returned speaking of the one he did want to hear about.
"Look, Sora is really private about his life in Cork. I don't know what goes on down there, he won't talk about it, and from previous experience? Well, I wouldn't push because he'll jump on another train to wherever. I know that all doesn't sound so good, but I can assure you that Sora will come back to Dublin." I smiled genuinely now, "Whatever goes on in his life in Cork? Manages to suffocate him harshly enough in order to force him to go to Dublin and get a breather at his cousin's place, so... He'll be back."
Riku paused, biting his bottom lip before nodding slowly. "But...how long? How long before he comes back?"
"Promise me you won't jump his ass for once bullying you, and I'll try and use my skills to make Sora come back sooner than he usually does." I'm sure I could bribe him somehow. "Whatever he did to you back then? He's changed enough over the years to feel so bad about it now, he's too afraid to even tell you about it, willing to call quits on his vacation and returning to Cork. It's a big deal, honestly."
He waved his hand, dismissing my words as he'd clearly come to terms with what Sora had done to him. Too bad he hadn't managed to work through it before Sora had run off. "I know that already! He's punishing himself for something that I could care less about. I just...want to tell him that it's okay. I don't blame him." Riku ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "What can I do to help you get him back sooner?"
I flicked his nose, turning on the stool to sign Hayner for a beer. "Don't do anything, did I not just tell you Sora ran out of here because he wants to avoid you? If he so much as hears you have anything to do with my pushing for him to get back here? Whatever blackmail material I got on him will become useless."
"So, I'm supposed to just sit around and hope he comes back because some red-headed freak says so?" He bit out. What was it with the insults while I was trying to help? "Why would you even help me with this anyways?"
I nodded at him, lifting my beer at Hayner in form of thanks, "Yes, because a red-headed freak who knows more on Sora's situation than his own cousin, says so. Believe me, I know exactly what to say in order to get Sora back in Dublin. Give it a month." I promised. "And if I'm helping, it's because when Roxas hears I performed this very good deed?" I chuckled, swallowing some of my beer, "He won't shave my head." Pushing my bottle into Riku's hands, I patted his head before jumping off the barstool to return to the stage because let's face it, I was still technically supposed to be working.
A/N: I thought that I'd share a little bit about how this scene went, if you guys were at all curious. Firstly, it would have been soooo easy to have Riku be a giant douchbag about the bullying thing. You know, dragging it out and all that. But that would have been quite cliche and really wouldn't have fit in with his personality as he'd already forgotten all about the bullying. Secondly, Riku was more surprised and upset about the fact that Sora hadn't told him that he was only visiting Dublin. That, on top of the bullying surprise, was just enough to send him on a 15 minute breather. You'll notice he did go back really quick, having worked through it all himself, just not quick enough. I (alice) believe that this is how a normal person would respond, and how I believe Riku's character would work through it. I hope this gives you a hint of insight, but feel free to ask questions of us:D