AN: Sorry I didn't update last week. And sorry for the crappy chapter. I was sick last week and had writer's block this week.

Also, sorry but I'm not listing the reviewers this chapter. I got no new ones, so the list is the same as the last one. Plus, something happened while I was writing out the Author's Notes. I wrote everything out and it didn't save so everything was lost. I don't want to do it again.

I'm going to write a story on Fiction Press titled Dusk and Apples if I can't think of a better title. It's a guylove vampire story. I hope some of you go check it out when I write it, hopefully tomorrow or sometime next week. My name is exactly the same there as here. Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own it


"Riku? Riku, sweetie, wake up."

I groaned, throwing an arm over my eyes in blatant defiance of the hands shaking me. My back and neck hurt, not to mention my throat felt like someone had shoved a red-hot poker down it. I was in no mood to get up.

"Riku, get up this instant." I felt myself being shaken harder, so that I was forced to open my eyes. I kept them at slits, hoping that the glare would have the full effect with so little visual.

My mother was standing over me, hands on her hips. I gradually became aware that I was not in my room sleeping, but out in the living room. Well, that at least explained the body pains.

"It's late. What are you doing sleeping out here?"

I struggled to remember, but my mind slipped around it every time. I kept coming up blank, and simply shook my head dazedly. What kind of person is expected to think clearly after just waking up?

"Well, you need to get upstairs and get into bed. You'll catch a cold out here."

I was in no mood to protest. My bed was much more comfortable, and if it got me away from my mother then I would gladly go. I mumbled a quick "'Night," before stumbling up the stairs clumsily.

I fell readily into bed, relaxing as soon as my head hit the pillow. Why had I been downstairs anyway? This was much more comfortable. I couldn't recall…

And then it hit me, knocked the breath out of my as my eyes snapped open in realization. I clutched my pillow tightly, waiting for the sobs from before, the horrible crushing depression. But it didn't come this time. This time all that came was the feeling of emptiness in my chest. It felt like my heart had been removed, as cliché as I knew that sounded.

Why?

That was the only thing I could think. He had told me he loved me. He had let me touch him; had allowed me to be closer than, I suspected, anyone ever had. So why, then, did he think he could leave just like that and expect me to be okay?

I curled into a tight ball, hands clutched above my head, knees on my chest. I couldn't cry, but small gasps would escape my lips every so often in a semblance of sobs. I hated it; it made me feel too weak.

I couldn't fall asleep, so I simply laid there for hours on end, desperately trying not to think of the brunette that I'd been with only a few days ago.

It wasn't fair. I was entitled to some happiness in my life, wasn't I? Sora had been all I needed, and now he was gone.

I think I might have dozed a little, but I was still aware of the minutes ticking by so slowly I could have destroyed that damn clock. When my alarm rang for me to get up, I simply turned it off and rolled onto my other side. No way was I leaving this bed.

My mom, on her way out the door, noticed I wasn't up and came into my room.

"Riku? Time for school…"

"I'm sick," I answered quickly, not even bothering with the pretend sore throat or weak voice. If she didn't call me off, I would skip.

She came into my room and sat on the edge of my bed, pressing a hand to my forehead. There were a few seconds of silence before she 'hmm-ed' and said, "Well, you do feel a little warm. I'll call the school. Feel better, okay?" She leaned down to kiss my cheek and then, thankfully, left.

I curled up into a little ball under the blankets, inexplicably angry. Though I couldn't tell if it was because my mom was for once in her life acting like a mom or that she wasn't doing it well enough. I childishly rubbed at my cheek violently, as if by mere force I could wipe away the small kiss. It didn't matter anyway; no matter how many times my mom kissed me, or called me sweetie, I would fight her every step of the way. It was too late for her to start caring now, and if I had anything to say about it we would be strangers when I finally left home.

I might have laid in bed for hours, or even mere minutes for all my sense of time. Either way, I was suddenly struck with the strong urge to get up and move. I felt fidgety, restless. Throwing off the blankets with perhaps more force than necessary, I grabbed the first clothes my hands touch and put them on. I moved in a haze, barely noticing what I was doing until I was out the door.

Almost in a confused way, I looked around. I realized just then that I had absolutely no idea where to go. I considered the islet just off shore, but the idea made my heart clench painfully; definitely a no.

My legs moved of their own accord, bringing me down off the porch and into the street, ambling down it at a slow pace. I let them take me where they would.

My mind was a thankfully empty buzz as I walked through the empty town. Thoughts of Sora were kept locked away in a tiny box in the back of my head, to be released far from now. My mother was also a low priority in my mind, taking a backseat to thoughts about the birds flying around and the smell of the ocean from here.

I don't know how I got there, but I found myself at the restaurant Larxene worked at. I went in without a second thought. With any luck, Larxene wouldn't be there.

I wasn't a very lucky person, it seemed. She was busting tables when I came in, and looked up as the bell rang. Her mouth sort of dropped open in a look of surprise.

"Riku? What are you doing here?"

I shrugged and sat in a random booth. Unfortunately, she didn't take the hint and sat across from me.

"Why aren't you in school? You look awful, Riku…"

"Didn't fell well," I mumbled, laying my head down in my arms. Larxene felt my forehead, like my mom had. Somehow, when she did it, it seemed a lot more sincere.

"You don't feel warm," she said. "But even if you do feel sick, you shouldn't be out. You should be home getting some rest."

"I had to get out," I said, lifting my head. "I couldn't stay in there any more, I just couldn't, Larxene." I shook my head. "You so much better than she is, Larxene. Why can't I stay with you instead?"

Larxene frowned. "Are you talking about mom? Is that what this is all about?"

"Yes," I sighed. "No…some of it. I don't know…"

I felt a hand on my head, stroking my hair. "If you need to stay here for a while, go ahead. I'll keep an eye on you, Riku." She leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "I have to get back to work or they'll fire me. Don't leave, okay?"

I shrugged, not promising anything. Who knew when the urge to get up and go would strike again?

Some blonde guy came to take my order, but I wasn't hungry. I told him I didn't want anything, and he went into a long rant about how I couldn't stay here if I didn't order anything. To shut him up, I ordered a large basket of fries and didn't eat any of them.

Larxene stopped by my table frequently, trying to get me to eat something or say something, but I remained stubbornly silent. I loved her, but I just couldn't tell her what happened.

I heard the bell above the door jingle, indicating that someone had come into the restaurant. I didn't look up until a voice said, "Well, well, look who's here. Didn't expect to see you here, cutie."

I looked up and got the shock of my life when I saw Tidus standing over me with a grin on his face. He was dressed in his usual revealing outfit that looked much too girly for any guy to ever be comfortable in. But I guess he didn't have anything to hide. Who knew how the guy managed to stay in such good shape?

"What do you want, Tidus?" I said evenly, trying to stare him down with a death glare. It had no effect on him, however, and he sat down across from me, reaching for the basket of fries.

"I'd think that you would know what people come into restaurants for," he said, biting into a fry. He grimaced at it and pushed the basket away. "Why so glum, chum?"

"It's none of your business." I turned my death-glare on him once more. "Don't you have guys to go fuck or something?"

"Ouch." Tidus clutched his chest in mock of a wounded expression. "That hurts, Riku, that really does. For your information, I have many other interests that don't include guys." He paused. "Okay, I have many other interests. Seriously, though, you look awful. Come on, you can tell me what's wrong. Is it Sora trouble again?"

I turned my head away to stare out the window, pointedly ignore him.

"Riku," Tidus whined, slapping the table to try to get my attention. "Come on, I'm your friend aren't I? Tell me what's wrong so I can help you."

"I don't know what delusions you harbor to think that we're friends, Tidus," I growled coldly.

There was a pause. "What do you mean? Of course we are."

I turned to glare at him once more. "What makes you think I'd want to be friends with some homeless male prostitute?"

Something flickered across his face, and his smile faded. A pained expression replaced it and he started to fidget with his hands. "That…that was uncalled for. I have to do what I have to do."

I wanted to make him stop grilling me, but now it seemed I went too far. I felt guilty now. "Ah geez, I'm sorry Tidus. I didn't mean it like that."

"Then how did you mean it?" It was his turn to glare at me. "I don't see how that kind of thing could be taken well." He stood up. "I think I'll leave now. I wouldn't want to sully you with my presence."

"Wait." I grabbed his arm as he passed. "Please don't leave, I didn't mean it. Look, I'll tell you what's wrong if you stay." He paused, seeming to consider it, and then sat down across from me once more.

I told him everything that had happened since I'd last seen him: How Sora and I had had a fight; how we'd ended up sleeping together; our whole relationship; and our break-up over the unfortunate circumstances, as I so put it.

He was silent throughout the whole recap, and when I was done he thankfully didn't seem angry anymore. We sat in silence for a while as I stared down at my hands awkwardly. It was a surprise, then, when he laid his hands across mine in a sort of comfort.

"You don't deserve that," he said quietly. "Losing out to a woman is…painful. I know that it's not going to be easy to get over that." He reached forward and brushed some hair out of my eyes. "You shouldn't be out here alone. Come on, I'll take you home."

I stood up with him, stunned. "But…my sister…"

"I'll tell her you're leaving. Wait here." He disappeared for a few seconds into the kitchen, and then reappeared by my side. "Let's go."

I couldn't do anything as he pulled me along, a strangely serious look on his face. I wanted to say something, ask him what he thought he was doing, but the words died on my tongue and I just let myself be led.