Thank you so much for those reviews! On with the story!

He was mad when he had his first best-friend fight with Cloud because he realized he really was WRONG and had to be the one APOLOGIZING! He was mad when he caught Sephiroth shoving and literally jumping on Cloud way back in the first grade at a playground. He was mad when Tidus turned out to be better than him at almost everything in their gym class. He was mad when he found out that Aerith had a crush on Cloud. He was mad when he and Aerith had their first couple fight and once again, he was actually WRONG and had to APOLOGIZE! He was extra-extra mad when Squall broke Cloud's heart and Cloud disappeared without a word only to reappear again a few years later. Now, he was down-right 120 percent furious!

Shoving the key Cloud gave him into the door, he threw it open and stomped in. Sora ran out of his room to look down from the stairs, Roxas looked up from his book while laying on the living room couch, and Cloud peeked from the kitchen followed by Leon.

"Zack no!" Cloud stepped out of the kitchen and put his hands out but Zack only carefully, but quickly, pulled Cloud out of his path.

"Squall Leonhart you're DEAD!" Though before Leon could even say or word or really even move, Zack's fist met the side of his face and Leon was knocked to the ground of the kitchen floor. Upon hearing a thud, the twins gathered to the source of the sound; at the same time, some heavy breathing were heard followed by footsteps that came through the front door and followed into the kitchen.

"Is anyone hurt?" Aerith asked in concern while trying to catch her breath. Though Leon groaning in pain gave her the answer, "Zack!" she cried and ran up to the man, pulling him back before he decides to grab a kitchen chair to finish the job.

"Zack, I cannot believe you barged into my house! The house key is for you to drop in for something friendly, not barging in to bash Squall's head!" Cloud exclaimed after he and Aerith got the man into the living room while the twins(well really just Sora) made sure Leon didn't hit his head too hard.

"Well when Tidus slipped that Squall has been at your house, and I know what's going on, I was NOT going to sit back and let you make the biggest mistake of your life!" Zack shot up from his seat only to be pulled back down on the couch by Aerith.

"How did Tidus know that exactly?" Cloud asked, not sure when Tidus became the person that knew what was going on with everyone.

"Oh, Sora slipped that up to him."

Cloud will have a talk to Sora later about privacy…

"Zack, I know I might be doing something stupid but…he-"

"No Cloud! Don't! I forbid you to give him the chance he needs to make your life a living hell again!"

"I do apologize, Cloud," said Aerith while shaking her head, "He was talking to Tidus on the phone for one minute and he ran out the door the next…"

"Aerith, you can't possibly LET Cloud do this!"

"Zack…I don't want Cloud to do this anymore than you. However, Cloud is a grown man with two boys, I'm sure he's big enough to make his own choices."

"This is different!" Zack exclaimed and stood up again, "Cloud, please don't let yourself fall into his petty hands!"

"Zack, I promise I will drop him like a rock if he hints anything in hurting me."

"But Cloud, if you're going to date again, fighting is going to happen," Aerith reminded, "You're going to at least get your feelings hurt along the way."

"I never said we were dating again," Cloud stated, "I'm just…giving him the chance to get the chance to date me again…I think."

"And I still think that's a bad idea!" Zack bellowed for the whole house to hear, "I don't care if it's been…how long has it been?"

Aerith sighed while Cloud's hand slowly met his face.

"Zack, how old are the twins?" Aerith asked,

"…Cloud, how old is Sora and Roxas?"

Cloud only groaned before answering in which he answered Aerith, and then realized how got his answer.

"I don't care if it's been about 15 years…wow that's long…since this whole thing happened! He's not getting that chance!"

"…Well why don't you go yell at Squall to leave me alone?" Cloud suggested and Zack took to that idea right away when he rushed to the kitchen where Sora was tending to Leon, Roxas having left already to his room.

With a heavy sigh, Cloud sat beside Aerith. He knew Zack meant well and the man looked after him since they met and became friends. However, because he's so protective and parent-like is the main reason why Cloud didn't inform Zack where he went all those years ago. Because he knew Zack would steal his parents' car and drive up to Twilight Town and drag him back.

"Are you really giving him a chance to get a chance with you?" Aerith asked and Cloud simply sighed again before he nodded.

"Would you do it, Aerith? If you were in my place and Zack was in Squall's? Zack tells you he still loves you even after 15 years-would you?"

"Hmm…that's a good question but I'm not sure if I can answer that."

"Why?" Cloud raised a brow in question and looked at her but she only offered him a sweet smile.

"Because Zack would probably never end up in Squall's place. I love Zack, not Squall. I know you're giving me a scenario, but it's impossible for me to give a realistic answer. Again, I do agree with Zack that it's not a good idea…but it's your choice, Cloud. It will ultimately only be your choice…"

Cloud blinked and took it all in before slowly nodding.

"Thank you, Aerith…you're right. I'm sorry for asking…"

"Don't apologize, Cloud. Listen, just be careful. But I do admit…its pretty romantic of him to look for you for 15 or 16 years and still say he loves you."

"I will kill you!"

"Yeah, I'm sure Cloud's going to be okay with that…" Leon murmured sarcastically.

"You're insane you know that?"

"I'm been told that…numerous times."

Sora heard Zack punch Leon again though not as hard as the first time since Leon didn't seem to have fallen,

"I'm still not letting you near Cloud, Dickhead!"

"Calling me names won't make me stay away from the man I love, Porcupine-Head."

Sora heard another hit and flinched.

"You're dead, Leonhart!"

Sora wanted so badly to just run into the kitchen and stop this nonsense! But Leon and Zack both asked him to stay out of it so that's what he's doing: sitting by the foot of the stairs listening to the fighting. He should be upstairs and talking to Roxas to distract himself but couldn't help but stick around a bit. Especially if things really get out of hand, he'll at least have the first-aid kit ready. By this point, Sora heard even worse names being called at each other…words that Cloud would ground him for life for if ever caught saying them. Now Sora wondered if a fistfight was going on in the kitchen since he can hear a few bumps and thuds and jackets moving through the air(well Leon's since its leather).

Cloud entered the kitchen and he never realized how much of an importance his presence was since Zack and Leon stopped trying to strangle each other and broke apart immediately.

"Can you two…just stop fighting?" Cloud requested, almost monotone, "I do have teenage kids and Aerith as well as myself don't approve of the language you guys use."

"Not until you agree to file a restraining order so this jackass will stay away!" Zack pointed angrily at Leon.

"Gee thanks, asshole. You could've said at least said please," Leon commented sarcastically and Zack restrained himself from hitting Leon only because Cloud was here.

"Zack, you're my best friend so I love you but…I don't think hurting Squall will make a convincing argument…"

"Can I kill him?"

"I dare you to you try!" Leon challenge,

"Zack! Please don't say something like that unless you're joking!" Cloud exclaimed, "Is there really no civil way for you to get your point across?"

"I want to say 'no' but I don't want to stress my poor Cloudy anymore," Zack almost cooed and walked over to Cloud to pulled him close before taking him out of the kitchen while sending a glare at Leon. After sending Cloud back to Aerith, Zack came back to the kitchen and dragged Leon out to the backyard.

"If you took me out here to beat me up, I'm going to end up black and blue by the end of the day," said Leon and Zack only gave him a look as if saying 'that's the point.'

"How do I know you won't hurt Cloud again? You still hanging around Seifer?" Zack crossed his arms and stared at Leon threatening.

"I know where he lives but I can't say we're really 'hanging out' anymore," Leon shrugged as he rubbed his arm, another place Zack got him at…hard.

"Well…if you're so 'in love' with Cloud, prove it!"

"That's what I've been trying to do!"

"Well let me see that! Do you even remember anything about Cloud? Like: What's Cloud's favorite flavor of ice cream?"

Leon only raised a brow at him but Zack only looked proud.

"It's not an 'ice cream' but if it counts: Rainbow Sherbert," Leon responded, causing that proud look to fade from Zack's face.

"…favorite animal?"

"Obviously the chocobo even if he denies it and says Bahamut."

Now Zack just looked annoyed. He pointed his finger at Leon and quickly took in a breath to calm himself,

"When did I finally ask Aerith out?"

"What the hell does that have to do with Cloud?" Leon exclaimed, wondering if Cloud's friend is just mental.

"Because Cloud was the one that made me do it! Finally…" Zack murmured the last part before dropping his arm. He watched as Leon went into thought and highly doubted Leon would know this even if Cloud did talk about it with him.

"I don't remember the exact date but I doubt Cloud did either…I'm going to have to say our second year of high school during Golden Week."

Zack wanted to kill him so bad for being right! Considering that's around the time their relationship started to go downhill!

"Alright smartass, one more: When did HE, not you, first told you he loved you and where?"

"You do realize that's possibly the easiest question you could've asked me right?" Leon asked though it was pretty much true, "Our one year anniversary under our favorite cherry blossom tree."

"Wow…I honestly thought you wouldn't remember…" Zack murmured and growled to himself while looking away, "Do you even remember when your anniversary is?"

"August, 7th…" Leon replied without hesitation.

"…Damn you…"

Roxas sighed out loud to himself before falling from his view of the window and into his chair. Kicking off the floor he rolled to his desk where his laptop laid waiting.

"Were you spying on Leon and Zack?"

Roxas thought his heart was going to jump out of his skin when he heard the unexpected voice.

"Sora! Don't sneak into my room like that!" he growled angrily before turning himself around to see Sora,

"I'm not, I'm still at the door," he smiled and pointed to the ground where his sock-covered feet showed he has not entered Roxas's perimeter yet.

"Ugh…whatever…what do you want, Sora?"

Sora's smile faded as he walked into the room and took a seat on Roxas's bed,

"Are you mad at me, Roxas?"

The blonde only sighed before spinning himself around to face his laptop again.

"I don't know, Sora…this is a lot to take in. Just two days ago I find out Leon's my other parent and yesterday I find out Dad's actually considering in letting that man back into his life! When Zack burst in today…I was so sure he could convince Dad out of it…but I guess not."

"I see…Roxy tell me: Do you hate Leon? Because if you do, why? For some reason, I can't bring myself to hate him. Is there something wrong with me?"

Roxas sighed again and folded his arms before once again, spinning around to meet eyes with Sora.

"Of course I hate him. I hate him for the obvious reasons and I don't believe he should ever be forgiven. As for you, Sora; no I don't think there's anything wrong with you but…I think you're just too nice."

"Oh…then Roxy, what if Dad does take him back? Will you be okay with it?"

"Dad won't take him back…if he does, then…I don't know. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there…oh yeah before I forget, Axel called. He asked us if we wanted to head out to do some shopping with him to cheer Demyx up."

"Why, what happened to Demyx?"

"He confessed his love for Zexion who shot him down…hard."

"Ooh…then yeah! Of course I wanna go! Did you ask Dad yet?"

"In the middle of all this? Of course not!"

Of course Sora ended up being the one asking. He did so after Zack and Aerith left followed by Leon. After giving Cloud an hour to himself he popped the question.

"When?"

"I think…this Sunday?"

"…Alright then."

Sora was surprised Cloud let him go. He assumed Cloud forgot he's supposed to be grounded…or maybe…

"Really? Oh I get it! Leon's taking you somewhere that day too right?"

"Sora, take the yes and go," Cloud ordered with a warning tone.

"Okay!" with a bright smile, Sora gave Cloud a quick hug before heading up the stairs to tell Roxas.

Before long, that Sunday came. Though the week was aggravating for both Roxas and Cloud. For one, Leon came over to visit daily, trying to strike a friendly conversation with Cloud and help around the house when he can. He also tried to get on good terms with Roxas though he never did. Leon coming over is what annoyed Roxas the most and acted more coldly towards him than Cloud ever did. On Cloud's end, he more or less felt like he rather have a heart attack than face Leon but did so head on anyway. What really annoyed Cloud was that when Leon comes over…Zack follows not long after. It almost felt like raising another set of 2 boys. Aerith usually comes by before dinner to drag her husband away and Leon took that as his time to leave as well. Still, now it's Sunday which meant the whole family will be out today and Cloud will have to spend it without worrying too much even though he normally would never allow his kids to go out on a day with Axel by themselves.

Axel showed up around noon and gave Cloud a friendly wave before leaving though he only received a warning glare back. Leon had already arrived by 10 but waited along with Cloud for Axel. So after Axel took the boys, Leon and Cloud left the house as well.

"Look Demyx! Isn't that the cutest thing ever?" Sora pointed at a store window where all the plushies laid out for all to see.

"Yeah…" he groaned in answer though he wasn't even looking. The young man only stared at the ground.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"This is not working…" Roxas whispered to Axel while Sora tried to get Demyx to at least smile.

"I know, I only asked for you two because I know Sora is like the best person to ask for this job!"

"When did he confess to Zexion exactly?" Roxas questioned and watched Demyx sigh before walking away only to have Sora follow and try his fruitless efforts to get Demyx to smile even by force.

"The night I asked you to come," Axel replied with a shrug as the two followed, "Zexion was pretty harsh too; however, I thought Demyx would be alright but apparently he liked Zexy way more than I thought!"

"Why did Zexion reject him? Did he say?"

"I think Zexion said something about him being annoying and…not high on his standards?"

"Ouch…"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Come on Demy! It's alright! It's not the end of the world! I know! Let's eat some sea salt ice cream together! We'll eat the pain away!"

Demyx grumbled something that Sora did not catch but he led the sitar player towards Scrooge's ice cream place. Sora looked behind him to see Axel and Roxas conversing with each other and a tight knot was felt inside him. The boy quickly shook his head, mentally scolding himself not to get jealous and distracted when a friend was in need! But then…that thought gave him a stroke of an idea! A dumb idea…but an idea.

"Hey Demyx…" Sora nudged and Demyx only gave a grunt for a response.

"You know…I'll confess my love for my crush! That way…we can cry together when I get rejected!"

That was the first time Sora saw Demyx look at him with a different emotion other than an ocean's worth of sadness.

"Sora…you can't be sure you're going to get rejected…" he said just above a whisper.

"Yeah but…I probably will…" Sora shrugged with sadness in his voice, "I mean…" he unconsciously looked behind him and saw his brother and Axel still conversing with each other, "Ah…I just don't have that high of a chance!"

Demyx and Sora looked at each for a few short moments before Demyx sighed and looked ahead so he knows where he's walking.

"Who do you like, Sora?"

"Well I thought everyone knew but…Axel…" he whispered and because of the hint of red on his cheeks; Sora didn't dare look back.

"Really? I thought you were totally into Riku!" Demyx almost exclaimed for all too hear but no one heard it besides himself and Sora.

"N-No! It's Axel…but he and Roxy are best friends so…he never looks at me as anything but the 'brother of Roxy' I guess."

"Sora…if I wasn't feeling so down from all this…I would be telling you to go for it but…now I'm afraid that you'd feel what I'd feel too…"

"I told you, Demyx! We can just feel sad together if you want! You're not alone and you can find someone else to like!"

"Yeah I guess I can…man Sora, you're too nice sometimes. Now you're making me feel all guilty just by being sad!"

"S-Sorry!"

After another sigh, Demyx cracked a small smile and played with Sora's hair,

"You're a good kid, Sora…well since I'm depressed and all: I hope you guys buy the ice cream for me!" he shouted the second part for all to hear.

"When you say 'you guys' I know you're talking about me!" Axel shouted back before muttering to Roxas, "Apparently I'm paying for all you guys aren't I?"

"I have money, Axel, I can pay for Sora and myself."

"Nah…my treat!"

Sora blocked out Roxas's reply because he saw the blonde smile…

Demyx threw an arm around Sora, or what he can of his arm because of the huge height difference, and shouted for the world to hear,

"Come on! Let's order triple scoops and make Axel pay for them!"

Sora lightly chuckled and replied with a "Yeah!" while practically skipping with Demyx for the ice cream. Normally, Axel would make a comeback remark but…this is Demyx's cheer-up day. Not only that…

"Wow, I can't believe Sora did it!" Axel exclaimed in awe, "I mean, Demyx is not totally cheered up but that's more progress than what I could've done in a month!"

"Yeah…sometimes I think his very presence makes people feel good," said Roxas with a smile as he watched Sora and Demyx scan the ice cream choices and noticed how Sora can't decide between popsicles or the scoops.

"Your brother is just that amazing then," said Axel with a chuckle and approached the other two, hoping he's got enough money for them all. Though from that comment, Roxas's stomach slightly tightened; but the feeling quickly went away when he saw Demyx crack a smile…however, a feeling of worry swept over Roxas when he saw Sora ask for a single scoop of sea salt ice cream and looked away from the other two with a worried and sad expression.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"Find someone else…why didn't Dad or Leon do that?" Sora questioned to himself as he waited.

"Sora…"

Sora responded by looking at Roxas who approached him when Sora went away in his thoughts.

"Yeah?"

"Is something wrong?"

"N-No! Nothing!" Sora quickly fake smiled, not exactly wanting to confess that the only thing 'wrong' was how much today reminded him that he'll never get a chance with Axel…

Notes:

-Did anyone notice anything about their anniversary? August 7th, aka: 8/7. Get it? One of the Strifehart days?

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