Step one for updating. Open word document. Lol, now I HAVE to update CoB! Wo0t! What a way to start the year ne? I mean jeez, last year I was upchucking what ifs the least I could do is update both of them on break. Like I said before, I'm reeeally glad I wrote down chapter gists. Lol

On with the show?

Coin Operated Boy…

With his pretty coin operated voice…

Riku cautiously opened the door to his apartment. He rolled his eyes at himself. It's not like he can wake up by himself anyways…Still… Riku cautiously peeked into his bedroom. Sora lay on the bed, peacefully 'asleep' and fully clothed, the exact same way Riku had left him. Riku slowly walked over to the bag of quarters and reached for one for Sora. He hesitated, pulling back.

Maybe I should have some lunch first, Riku thought, already walking back out towards the kitchen. Why not put off the inevitable? It's not like Sora's going anywhere…

----((we pause for Riku to stall))----

Sandwich eaten, Riku then slowly returned to his bedroom. Enough is enough, it's time to face this, Riku thought, trying to psych himself up to wake up Sora. He looking longingly back at the door. I didn't really get that much work done this morning…No! Enough! Before he could analyze it any further, he took a quarter out of his pocket and stuck it in Sora's coin slot.

"What shall I learn today, Master?" Sora blinked and sat up. "Riku, I-"

"Listen, Sora," Riku began, cutting him off, "what happened this morning-"

"Master, I was talking," Sora responded sharply. "Mind your manners."

Riku was stunned into silence. Did my…puppet just reprimand me? He had little time to reflect however, as Sora began to speak.

"After our day out in the park and you teaching me about love, I have decided something very important. I love you, Master!" Sora looked at him, smiling, expecting Riku to be happy at this news. Riku's eyes widened as he backed slowly away from Sora, who swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

"Listen, Sora…this morning was a mistake."

"Mistake?" Sora said, confused as he tried to register what mistakes he, a perfect being, could commit. "That's impossible. You wanted—"

"I know what I wanted, Sora, but I shouldn't!" Riku cried, staring at the ground. "I mean--!" He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Sora, the point is that we are friends."

"But—" Sora tried to protest.

"What happened this morning has nothing to do with our relationship," Riku continued, staring Sora down harshly, "it was my mistake for misleading you and I am sorry. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get some work done." Riku turned away from a crestfallen Sora, who had begun to twitch, but made no move to tell Riku to give him anymore quarters.

"T-thinking of you a-always, Master…" Sora muttered as he fell back onto the bed.

Riku paused in the doorway, inhaling sharply. He shook his head and continued to walk down the hall towards the living room. It's better this way…

--------((aw.))--------

The next day, Sora woke up without protest or complaint. The day continued precisely to routine, which confused Riku. He looked up from his laptop as Sora came out of the shower, whistling a little tune.

"Sora, why are you in such a happy mood?" He looked so sad yesterday…

Sora shrugged. "If Riku is happy, then I am happy," he said, before going to the kitchen to get some breakfast that he didn't need to eat. "What will we be doing today?"

"Actually," Riku said, trying not to sound guilty, "I have a…meeting tonight."

"A meeting?" Sora asked, intrigued. "What's that? Can I come?"

"No, Sora," Riku said as he attempted to explain without hurting Sora's feelings, "it's sort of…a bonding experience…with me and my friend," he looked up at Sora for his reaction. "Sort of like how we are."

"Oh," Sora said, understanding. "As friends!"

"Yes Sora," Riku said with a fake smile, "as friends." Why do I feel so guilty? There's nothing wrong with this! I am going to dinner with a human being!

As Riku argued with his inner dialogue, he failed to notice Sora's downcast eyes and sad smile as he headed back to the bedroom.

--------((aw.))---------

The dinner went well. As did the next one, and the next one. Riku soon taught Sora how to fill himself with quarters, so he could be awake when Riku wasn't home.

This is nice, Riku thought as he and Roxas walked back to his apartment for the third night in a row.

"This is nice," Roxas said as they reached Riku's apartment.

Riku chuckled. "You read my mind." He winced when Roxas looked at him expectantly. "Roxas, I would invite you in if I could but I don't know if my roommate—" is up and moving by himself or not, he finished to himself.

"I understand," Roxas said before pinning Riku against the door. "The fact that you would invite me in is enough for me," he whispered into Riku's neck. "We could go to my place tomorrow…" Roxas murmured as he placed little kisses up and down Riku's jawline.

Riku inhaled sharply, arms curving up around Roxas' back. "S-sure," he said, pulling Roxas up for a kiss. Roxas hands' tangled themselves in Riku's silvery hair before breaking free to trail down Riku's chest and rest on his stomach. Riku broke away for air, panting.

"Goodnight," Roxas said, smirking as he walked back down the hall.

"Goodnight," Riku returned as he opened the door to his apartment.

"Riku, you're home!" Sora said as he saw Riku enter from the living room! "Riku, you're winded! Is something wrong?"

"No, Sora, everything's fine," Riku said, trying to catch his breath. What am I going to do with him?

---------((To be continued….))----------

::scrubs eyes with soap:: gasdjfklsjkfsd! Plot development chapter! Don't worry, all hell is going to break loose so they can get together soon. XD

R and R!

~freaky-hanyou