Title: 100 Steps To Somewhere
Fandom: Kingdom Hearts
Claim: Cloud/Riku
Theme: 034. Hot
Word Count: 4,435
Rating: M
Summary: Sometimes, Cloud figured, at times like these, a simple 'I love you,' is more than enough.
Warning: Expect sexual content between Cloud and underage Riku. Bad Cloud. Bad.
Disclaimer: It's all lies.
Author's Note: How nice to go away for two weeks and come back to the prompt 'hot' during a much-anticipated and long overdue Cloud/Riku reunion. So, yeah, I couldn't resist. It was too easy. Then again, your idea and my idea of 'hot' may be entirely different.
Author's Note 2: I will be updating more often now. I had a busy February between my sister's bridal shower, a My Chemical Romance concert, a trip to Philadelphia, snow/ice storms, and my twenty-second birthday. So, yes, I'm back.
Step Thirty-Four: Frantic Desperation
"Your friends are very colorful," said Riku. He whacked the cigarette pack against the heel of his hand, unwrapped the packaging around the box, and brought a cigarette to his lips. Cloud stuffed his hands in his pockets and smiled as Riku inhaled.
"That's the nice way of putting it," said Cloud. "You could also call them annoying, loud, obnoxious, and pains in the ass."
"You could." Riku nodded, took a third drag, and glanced to Cloud. He was still watching, hands in pockets, and grinning. Riku shifted. "What?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"I missed you."
Riku smiled.
"You're making me nervous. I didn't get ugly while I was away or anything, did I?"
Cloud laughed and shook his head.
"No, you didn't get ugly. You're more beautiful than I remember, though."
Riku snorted and fumbled with his lighter. He lifted his eyes to meet Cloud's and then looked at his lighter again.
"Now you're really making me nervous."
Cloud smirked.
"Do you have a reason to be nervous?"
"I don't know. You can tell me after I let you know everything that happened. You said you were going to take me to your house . . . ?"
"Yeah. Leon and I are sharing a house in the borough. Follow me?"
"Nah. You know, I've spent most of my time since I got possessed wanting to see you again, but now that I'm here, it's just not as good."
"Smartass."
"It's that or profess to you my undying love, affection, and regret that I screwed things up so badly. As I'm still really nervous, I'm going to stick with the jokes."
"Okay. You do that," said Cloud. He walked over to Riku, pulled his arm away from his side, and slid their hands together. "Come on. Everything's going to be okay now."
Riku sighed and put out his first cigarette before lighting up another.
"I missed you, too, you know?"
"Yeah, I know."
They set off across the market and toward the borough. Riku's eyes strayed around the town—at the busy shoppers and workers on their lunch breaks. He took in the shops and homes that when he'd last seen them, were no more than decrepit ruins. Cloud watched him as his eyes wandered. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"We've made a lot of progress with the Hollow Bastion Restoration."
"I see that," said Riku. "So is that what you're calling it? The Hollow Bastion Restoration?"
"Yeah. Aerith thought it might be nice to have an official committee. Make things more organized. I think Leon likes it, too. Honors how important he thinks the restoration is."
Riku nodded.
"Yeah. I remember you saying that he feels some sort of responsibility for what happened here."
"Even though nothing was his fault at all, yeah."
"So I take it that your new house will not have a hole in the wall, then?"
"Nope. I actually open a door and everything to go inside."
"You must be so proud."
"I am, actually. Now I can take you somewhere more habitable."
Riku grinned and puffed on his cigarette.
"How's the Heartless problem around here?"
"Better. They don't come in the market, but they do show up in the borough and out in the bailey. We haven't even gone beyond that point yet. All you have to do is look out toward the castle to see why."
"A lot?"
"Teeming with Heartless. Can't see much of anything but Heartless. It's a mess. Cid's working on a defense mechanism against them, but it's still in the developing stages. Until then all we have to rely on is brute force."
"You must be no help whatsoever, then."
"All right, enough out of you. I've been an emotional wreck since you went and got yourself possessed, and now that you're back all you want to do is insult me."
"It's playful banter. Some might call it flirting."
Cloud smirked.
"Call it what you want, but it's mean."
"It's only mean if it's true."
"Well it is true, okay? Why do you think they have me painting?"
"Come on. Don't tell me you're actually no help with the Heartless."
"Oh, I can kill the Heartless, but I'm no help with the defense mechanism. I'm also no help with anything that requires tools. Leon had to actually try and teach me how to use a hammer. It went horribly wrong."
"You can't use a hammer? Who can't use a hammer? It's pretty simplistic."
"I can use a hammer. The only problem is that my fingers tend to get in the way."
"Cloud, have you been bludgeoning your hands while I've been away?"
"Yes."
Cloud frowned, and as the lines deepened in his forehead, the corners of Riku's lips twitched more often.
"It's not funny, Riku."
"It's kind of funny."
"You're a brat."
"You're too sensitive. Learn to laugh at yourself."
"You can't even begin to understand what I've been going through here. Yuffie's driving me crazy. Leon's riding my case about tools, the restoration, and my inability to cook anything edible. Tifa's been on me about getting over you. The bones in my hand are just starting to feel normal again, and I have listen to middle-aged women talk about babies and food all day long. On top of all that, I've known absolutely nothing about where you've been and whether you were even alive or not."
"I'm sorry. I know I should be sympathetic, but . . . babies, food, and your inability to cook anything edible?"
Cloud grunted.
"This is our house," he said, pointing the door. Cloud stepped up, unlocked the door, and held it open for Riku to enter. "Feel free to smoke inside. Leon does."
"Thanks," said Riku.
He hesitated and then passed Cloud to walk inside. Cloud watched him as he passed and peeked into the living room. Riku stood in the middle, arms across his chest, and bobbing one leg as his eyes roved over the interior.
"Make yourself at home," said Cloud, walking in and shutting the door behind him. "We have nowhere else to put you while you're here, and even if we did, neither Leon nor I would allow you to stay anywhere else but with us. We just can't fuck while he's home unless we're quiet."
Riku's eyebrows raised; Cloud snickered.
"You want me to stay with you?"
"Riku, what are you so nervous about?"
Riku sighed and sank onto the couch. Cloud cocked his head and swallowed. Now he was nervous as anxiety gripped his heart.
"It's just . . . everything that's happened. I suppose . . . I suppose I'm afraid that after I tell you everything, you won't . . ."
"What? Like you anymore?"
"Yeah . . ."
"I already know some stuff. After we last talked, I headed back to Olympus Coliseum. Leon called to let me know Sora was in Traverse Town with Kairi and without you. He said you lost your heart . . .
"Anyway, after Maleficent was gone, Aerith, Leon, Yuffie, and Cid all came here to Hollow Bastion to start the restoration. Leon and Yuffie came out to Olympus Coliseum to fight in the Hades Cup. Sephiroth showed up—"
Riku's head shot up, eyes wide.
"Really? What happened?"
"I used the darkness. He's gone for now, but he'll be back. I was kind of distracted. Worried about you, you know?"
Riku groaned. Cloud watched his face twist, and then Riku dropped his head in his hands.
"I'm sorry. That was your chance and I screwed it up for you."
"You didn't screw it up. I screwed it up. I should have focused. It's not your fault."
"I feel responsible."
"Don't. I'll get him next time."
Riku sighed.
"Anyway," said Cloud, "last I saw Sora, he was going off to fight Ansem. I take it he succeeded?"
"You could say that."
"You know what's odd about Sora? I remember him. I remember his name, and his connection to you, and seeing him all those times at Olympus Coliseum, but I can't remember what he looks like. Weird, huh?"
"Naminé," said Riku.
"What?"
"Naminé."
"I don't follow."
Riku heaved yet another sigh and lit a cigarette. Cloud grabbed Leon's ashtray off the counter between the kitchen and living room. He set it before Riku on the coffee table and sank into the armchair by the couch. His eyes roved over Riku's face for a few seconds before settling on his eyes.
"You can tell me everything," said Cloud. "It isn't going to change how I feel about you except maybe make me more grateful than I already am that you're back and safe. I have something for you."
Cloud was aware of Riku's eyes on him as he reached into his pocket and held out the small, black cell phone.
"My phone . . ." said Riku.
"It was in your room."
"You went there?"
"I apparently like to torture myself." Riku's eyebrows knitted as he took the phone from Cloud's palm. "What I mean to say is that we were staying in the castle before we got any houses built or the power working. I went to your room . . . I don't know . . . looking for something. You, maybe." Cloud laughed.
"Thirty-seven missed calls . . . from you," said Riku. He laughed. "Sorry. Didn't have my phone on me when I got possessed."
"Yeah. I figured after the thirty-seventh time you didn't pick up."
Riku turned the phone over in his hands.
"I won't lose it again."
"I want to know what happened. Last I heard you had the Keyblade and were off to fight Sora."
"It feels like so long ago."
"It has been."
"Well . . . we fought. He got the Keyblade back. His heart was stronger. He . . . he said his friends were his power, and I just lost it. I wasn't included in that statement at all, and it just . . ."
"Hurt."
"Yeah. So he got the Keyblade back, won the fight. He could have finished me off, but he gave me time to run. I was so angry and hurt, and then Ansem showed up."
"You said he was around already, though, right?"
"Yeah, but it was just his voice before. Then he started gaining a form. Mickey said the more he gained control of my heart, the more of a shape he took. The weaker I became, the stronger it made him. That he probably sought me ought to gain a form in the first place, and the fact I have the ability to wield the Keyblade made me a prime candidate. The king is a mouse, by the way, in case you didn't notice in all the craziness back there."
"Yeah, I noticed, but I expected no less after it was a talking duck and dog looking for their king."
"I think I took it pretty well, too."
"So what happened with Ansem?"
"He was talking about giving my heart to darkness and becoming darkness itself. I felt so lost—like I'd let everyone around me down. My heart was so weak that I couldn't fight him and he took over my body. It was so . . . scary, for lack of a better word. I couldn't speak, couldn't move. I could see everything, I could feel, but I couldn't control my own body. I could feel Ansem's darkness within my heart. I tried to fight against him, but I wasn't strong enough.
"I realized how horrible I'd been about Sora. That Sora was never against me; he was worried about me. Realized that the princess business was all about opening the door to darkness, and Kairi's heart was the final piece Ansem and Maleficent needed. Realized I was never helping Kairi; I was putting her right into their hands. And then Sora took out Maleficent."
"That's what the princesses were all about?"
"Yep. And Kairi was one of them. I felt so betrayed. I knew Maleficent didn't care about me, but I still thought that . . ."
"That you were exchanging services?"
"Yeah. I was helping her in exchange for help with Kairi. It wasn't fair, and it wasn't right, but I didn't mind putting my heart out there to help Kairi, especially since I started this whole mess. Instead I was just getting used. And as it turned out, Kairi's heart—"
"Was hiding within Sora? Yeah, he told us."
Riku nodded.
"Ansem had this Keyblade to unlock hearts. Sora stabbed himself with it, released the princesses' hearts, Kairi's, disappeared, and that's when Kairi woke up. Everything was really fuzzy by then, really hard to follow. My head was a mess, but then Ansem said something about Kairi serving her purpose and that now something was over. He was going to hurt Kairi, I think, so I used what strength I had left to pull myself out of Ansem to give her enough time to run. It was only a few seconds, and then I felt like I was falling, and everything was black."
"Realm of darkness?"
Riku nodded again. Cloud took a deep breath and tried to push the pain away. Riku was sitting across from him, safe and whole. His heart didn't need to ache or worry; Riku made it through. Everything was going to be okay.
"I could hear sounds, but I couldn't see anything. I didn't even have a body. I was scared that I failed, and both Sora and Kairi were dead. Mickey spoke to me through the darkness, though. He told me . . . he told me that he was talking to me all along, but the darkness in my heart covered his words. That he had the Keyblade for 'this side,' and he'd be there soon. He said my heart overcame the darkness, but I couldn't take back my body, so I was left there in the place where all the stolen hearts go. He said that to close the door to darkness, two hearts and two Keyblades were needed—one for each side. When Sora defeated Ansem, my body returned to me and the door out appeared, but I had to stay in the realm of darkness."
"To help close the door . . ."
"Yeah."
"So were you in the realm of darkness all this time?"
"I don't think I was there all that long, actually. I don't remember much. Time felt so long there. I was living inside my head, reliving memories . . . then I woke up in this hazy place, and there was a whole new voice talking to me."
"Ansem?"
"DiZ."
"Who?"
"He pretended to be Ansem . . . found me in the darkness and gave me a card that led me to Castle Oblivion."
"Castle Oblivion?"
"There are these cards made of your memories, only . . ." Riku gulped. "That's where I was. The cards recreate places in your memories and the people of significance you met there. DiZ pretended to be Ansem. Tried to get me to accept the darkness, because even though Ansem was defeated, his darkness was . . . is . . . still in my heart."
"So . . . what happened?"
"I had to go through all these floors of the castle going through my memories, only I didn't meet anyone good. The only beings I encountered were Heartless and people who live in the dark. I was here in Hollow Bastion and all I found was Heartless and Maleficent. I had to go through Monstro again. I even looked for Leon and your friends in Traverse Town, but they weren't there. I was alone. I was fighting the darkness, and I kept meeting these men in black cloaks. They're part of some group called Organization XIII that's clearly up to no good. Sora was in Castle Oblivion, too, and that's where Naminé comes in.
"Naminé is a witch who can control Sora's memories and the people he's associated with. She was forced to change Sora's memories by Organization XIII to make him forget Kairi because some of their members wanted to use Sora against their superior."
"I take it that didn't go well."
"Naminé told Sora all his memories were distorted, so he was given a choice to keep his new memories and lose the old ones or forget all about Castle Oblivion and have his old memories again. He chose to get his old memories back, so he's going to be asleep until his memory is fully restored. She warned me that I'm going to forget him, and so will the people who knew him until his memory is back."
"So that's why I can't remember what he looks like?"
"Yeah. He'll just keep fading until he's gone completely. Then he'll just come back one day, and you'll remember everything again."
"What about DiZ?"
"I don't know who he is. He creeps me out. He found me in the darkness and wanted me to choose whether I would face Ansem or go to sleep like Sora and let Naminé lock away the darkness in my heart. I chose to face Ansem."
"Would you have forgotten everything, too?"
"Yeah, and I wasn't about to do that. One of the members of Organization XIII made this copy of me. I mean, exactly like me except he had a mind of his own."
"A copy of you?"
"Yeah. My replica. He wielded the darkness freely—supposed to be an example of what I could be. He didn't fear the darkness like I did. We fought twice. He ran off the first time. The second time, he was out to kill me—take over my identity. I killed him."
"You look upset."
"He . . . he was so much like me, and I don't . . . not just the way he looked. He sounded like me, thought like me . . . I could anticipate everything he was going to do and say. Killing him was . . . I didn't want to, but he made it so that it him or me . . ."
"Killing him was like killing yourself."
Riku's breath hitched.
"Yeah. I didn't want to forget that. I wanted someone to remember him. I know it sounds screwy—"
"It makes a lot of sense, actually."
"Mickey was there with me through some of it. I was afraid of the darkness. Depressed, regretful, and so sorry to everyone for everything I put them through. I wanted to get out of there just so I could find everyone and apologize. I wanted to see you again even if it was only for a few minutes just so you'd know I tried to fix things."
"Riku . . ."
"I went to this fake Destiny Islands. My friends were there, but they couldn't hear me. They disappeared. One of the Organization XIII guys led me there. He pretended to be Sora and blinded me with the light. I started to fade, and then Kairi was there, only it wasn't Kairi; it was Naminé. She told me that there was light and darkness in my heart, and that I needed them both. That they both belonged to me, and I needed to use them both. Light to see through the dark and dark to see through the brightest light. I followed the darkness straight to him and the Sora illusion shattered.
"You know, at the beginning of it all, DiZ . . . Ansem . . . said I only met dark beings in Castle Oblivion because I threw away the Islands, my friends, family, and then darkness itself. All that was left in my heart was darkness, so that's all I resonated with in Castle Oblivion. That my heart only knew how to throw things away."
"Riku . . ."
"I thought when I went to Olympus Coliseum, I'd at least see you, because we have the darkness in common, but you weren't there. I felt so hopeless."
Cloud stood from the chair and closed the gap between them. He took Riku's hand.
"It's okay," said Riku. "Once I let the light and dark merge, that's when I met DiZ without the Ansem cover. I met Naminé. Chose to face Ansem. I couldn't beat him on my own, but Mickey wouldn't let him take me. Mickey saved me. Ansem's still in my heart, but I'm never going to stop trying to get rid of him. I guess he's my Sephiroth."
Cloud laughed.
"It sounds like your Sephiroth is just as annoying as mine is."
"Yeah, I guess so. Anyway, Mickey and I got out of Castle Oblivion and we came looking for you."
"So you chose to let dark and light merge, then?"
"Yeah. Mickey says he's never seen them mingle in anyone they way they do in me. It feels like I let my light slip into darkness before, but now dawn is coming. The worst part in the darkness is over, and now it's turning into light."
"Was that so hard to tell me?"
"Yes."
"Have a cigarette."
"I love you."
"I love you, too."
Riku withdrew his hand from Cloud's and tapped a cigarette from the pack. He brought it to his lips and lit up.
"So you've just been restoring Hollow Bastion?"
"And failing to kill Sephiroth, yes."
"You really want me to stay here with you?"
"Yes, I do. I'm sure Leon will insist. Mickey could stay here, too, if he doesn't mind. You don't mind, do you?"
Riku shook his head. Cloud smiled and shifted on the couch to rest his back against the armrest, allowing one leg to dangle over the edge. He pulled the ashtray closer to his end of the coffee table, swung an arm around Riku's waist, and brought Riku's back against his chest. Riku tensed, exhaled, and sank back into Cloud.
"I don't think any differently of you. I'm proud of you, going through all that and coming through with your head up."
"I think . . ." Riku shifted. "I think I learned something from it in the end. Now I know that it's okay I have some darkness in me . . ."
"It is okay."
Riku put out his cigarette, twisted in Cloud's arms, and rested his head against Cloud's chest. Rough fingertips brushed through Riku's hair, rubbing at his scalp, and Riku leaned into the touch. Cloud smiled, pulling Riku closer.
"I'm so grateful for you in my life. You're always there for me, even when I think you shouldn't be," said Riku. He closed his eyes and exhaled.
"I'm grateful for you, too."
"Why? I haven't done anything for you."
"Yes, you have. You've been such an inspiration to me. I could be moody and miserable about what happened with Sephiroth right now, but I'm not because of you. I mean . . . a lot of bad shit just keeps happening to you, but you keep trudging along despite it all. It makes me want to keep trying."
Cloud twisted his head to look at Riku, placed a finger under his chin, and directed his face up. Their eyes locked.
"I do that for you?"
"Yeah, you do. So you can keep making me want to keep trying, and I'll keep being a stable place for you."
"It's a deal."
Cloud leaned forward to catch Riku's lips and twist a hand in his hair. A soft moan sounded from Riku's mouth, and Cloud felt his stomach tighten. He licked his lips and allowed his eyes to close. Their foreheads together, nose to nose, Cloud brushed his hand across the back of Riku's head, and as Riku breathed, the warm air ghosted over Cloud's lips.
"I love you so much," said Riku.
"I love you, too."
"When do we get to have that reunion sex you were talking about?"
Cloud smiled.
"Eager to get me into bed?"
"I want to feel you. I've been alone for so long . . . I . . . I want to know you're really here."
"I'm here, Riku. I'm not going to let you go again."
Cloud cupped Riku's cheek and pressed their mouths together. Heat swelled within his body as his mouth traveled down Riku's neck, and the arm Riku previously held into his body stretched around Cloud's waist and across his back. Layers of clothes came off to land across the living room, because they never parted long enough to move into the bedroom. Later on, Cloud would briefly make a mental note to never let Leon know about this.
As Riku's hands ran over his chest, arms, and back, Cloud noticed just how different this was than the first time they'd had a sexual encounter. The first time was all nerves and exploration, teasing and playful. Riku wasn't shifting this time, wasn't nervous as he ran his hands over Cloud's body's, wasn't awkward as he littered kisses over Cloud's shoulder and across his chest. It was different from anything Cloud had ever experienced. The heat that filled his entire body didn't only swell in his cock, but rivaled the swelling in his heart. His breath was shallow as he leaned his head back, still stroking the back of Riku's head with one hand.
The way Riku whimpered when Cloud rolled him onto his back increased the heat in Cloud's body. His breathing quickened, his heart pounding, as he dipped his head to place a kiss behind Riku's ear. Riku's arms stretched around him again, trailing down his back, stroking his ass. Cloud groaned.
"I missed you so much," Riku breathed.
This time was full of soft moans, whispers, and almost silent gasps. Their hands moved with deliberation—there was nothing quick or fast about it. When Cloud entered Riku, the light touches turned to a rocking desperation, completely out of rhythm, frantic to be as close as physically possible. Riku pulled Cloud's body closer to him, arm swung around his lower back. Everything was fuzzy; nothing was quite real. Cloud felt intoxicated, and he buried his face into Riku's neck when he came.
"I love you," said Cloud a few minutes later after they'd both used the bathroom and dressed.
They lay on the couch together, Riku's back against Cloud's chest, post-coital cigarette in Riku's fingers. Riku smiled and sank farther back against him.
"I love you, too."
Sometimes, Cloud figured, at times like these, a simple 'I love you,' is more than enough.
Oh, I know, I've been horrible about updating, but it will be more frequent now that the mess that was the second half of February is over.
Until March 20th through the 22nd, because I have Taste of Chaos on the 21st in Camden, NJ. Getting to see The Used. Am too excited.
FYI: I didn't die driving in the ice to Hershey. Obviously. Though I might have worried a few of you. Sorry about that.
Anyway . . .
Dear readers and reviewers of Chapters 32 and 33:
ChibiFrubaGirl: Yay reunion! Yay! Okay, I'll admit I was a little pissy at you when I read the review for chapter 32 about your snow day because while you were eating cookies and enjoying the day off, I was shoveling my car out of a foot of ice, but I forgave you. lol. Anyway, I'm glad you like snarky Leon, Cloud, and Riku. Geez. A lot of these characters are snarky, huh? Hope you liked this one, too. It is hard to top perfection.
Deathsdancer(not signed in): I hope you liked the reunion, and the continuation of the reunion, and I hope you will continue to enjoy the reunion through the next segment. So . . . yay!
DragonChild: Sorry I ended chapter 32 where I did, but I hope 33 showed that it was necessary. They are together now, so you can be happy.
Nuiwatari: Hello, Nui's sister. Thank you for the capslock explanation. I was afraid I was being shouted at. Anyway, YOU ARE WELCOME FOR UPDATING! THANKS FOR SAYING I AM SO AWESOME! YOU ARE AWESOME, TOO!
FrEaKyAoIFaN: Yeah, now you don't have to feel bad for poor, tortured Cloud. Riku's alive, safe, Cloud knows this, and all is well in happy Cloud/Riku land. Most of the time in KH2 Riku is going to look like Ansem to Cloud, but like Sora and Kairi can 'see' Riku in there, Cloud will be able to as well. Their hearts resonate together. Hope you enjoyed this segment.
-find.me.please-: Was it really a story twist? Ah, well. Sorry about that.
koyuki-san: Apparently chapter 32 inspired lots of jumping up and down and screaming. I guess it was kind of a long wait. A bit overdue. Yeah . . . ::cough cough:: I figured the paint was white, by the way, but you can make it whatever color you like. I wasn't creative when it came to color, I guess, though it'd be insanely funny if it were red. You and Cloud are like me with your coffee, then, because Cloud's coffee dependency comes from none other than yours truly. Yeah, I know, Riku arrives and everyone's a snarky little bitch. I explained the lack of disbelief at the mouse-king here. I mean, honestly . . . yes, this is Donald, the talking duck, and Goofy, the dog-thing. They're looking for their king. A mouse? Why am I not surprised?
Mizuki hikari: Looks like I inspired more desperation than I anticipated with the way I ended chapter 32. I hope 33 and 34 satiated your needs.
prettykitty3000: I'm sorry I made you hide behind the couch for two hours. 'Twas not my intention. You're welcome for the "Not Interested" line. Stay tuned to the next chapter for the second part of the "Not Interested/Whatever" speculation between Cloud and Leon with Riku thrown in the mix. Yay! Also, sorry I took so long, as you were dying inside. Bridal showers and birthdays are unavoidable, and I would have died had I not seen My Chemical Romance live again. You know, before I see them again in April and May. ::cough cough: . . .I'm starting to feel insane.
Koji Inari: Ah! So that's where you've been. I had wondered. You're usually one of the first to review. Get your grades up. I need you.
Mangled Euphoria: I just want to tell you that you are too cute. Love your myspace. Anyway . . . heh . . . Thanks for the wonderful compliments. They make me smile.
Futile Faith: I will not comment on the writing capabilities of the other Cloud/Riku writers, but yes, there needs to be more for the wonderful pairing. I keep going to read some, and alas, the first story I would click on is mine. I'm like, "Oh, yes! Multi-chapter Cloud/Riku! Yay!" And then I go, "Ah, crap. Yeah. I wrote that. I should update . . ." I'm glad you love my story. Widely-known secret: I love it, too!
Tong Ki Yang: Do I hear the sound of story pimpage? Yay! Thanks for not only reading and enjoying, but sending it to someone else to read and enjoy. That was sweet of you.
Sipota: Ah, yes, more action. It's always about the action, isn't it? Hm . . . Yeah. There needs to be more Cloud/Riku. One day when I finish this overgrown child, I will write another Cloud/Riku. Help the cause, you know?
namikun masaki: I truly love your review. I never thought I'd actually write a one-hundred chapter story, but . . . oh, damn, I just got all excited, signed up for it, and went, well that's that, then. Got a little scared, and then realized I committed the better part of a year to these two moody brats. Oh, well. The only negative effect is I can't start another Cloud/Riku until I finish this for fear of getting things confused and not actually finishing this story. Oh, yeah, and I can't read any other pairing for either one anymore because they just are now to me. ::sigh:: It comes to be a problem when there aren't many other Cloud/Riku stories. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Feel free to enjoy all 66 to come.
I make no promises on when I will update again. Just know that there will probably be another one by the end of the week. Yep.
Leon, Yuffie, Tifa, and Cid all have to properly meet Riku. Will be fun in that sadistic kind of way, I think.