Hi there, Jasmine here. I'm more coherent this time, I think. :D

So, a lot of plans are made in this chapter - things are happening, isn't it exciting?

We (Cami and I) don't own KH or FF.

NOTE: Cami and I do not in any way condone bullying, violence, bigotry, discrimination, etc. We are not supporting any of these things. If reading about these things bothers you greatly, you may want to skip this chapter, or at the very least skip the Roxas/Hayner/Seifer scene. (A scene involving all three characters, not a threesome scene - I feel like I need to make that clear.)

XXXX

Riku leaned forward and changed the radio station to one currently not playing a commercial before leaning back into his seat and grinning at the driver. "So did you pick a restaurant, Sora?"

"Yep." Sora grinned back at him before refocusing on the road.

Riku chuckled, shaking his head. "Are you going to tell me or make me wait until we get there?"

"Make you wait, of course." Sora laughed.

Riku sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. Just wait until next time!"

Sora laughed, but then his smile fell, "Hey, Riku?"

"Hm?" Riku hummed, fiddling with the radio again, trying to find a station that actually played music.

Sora was infinitely glad that he was driving and had an excuse not to look at Riku, "You, uh..." he paused, "Don't need to ask before you hug me, you know." he said, immediately feeling awkward.

"Oh." Riku sat back, forgetting about the radio. "Okay."

Sora glanced at him as he stopped at a light, "Sorry, that was awkward."

Riku shrugged. "Not really. I'm glad you told me. We never were the type of friends to hug a lot, so I felt like I had to ask to make sure you were okay with it. So, it's good to know you're okay with it."

Sora smiled at him.

Riku hesitated but slowly reached out and placed his hand over the one Sora had resting on his thigh, smiling and trying to not look like he wanted to jump his boyfriend, but oh God, did he want to jump his boyfriend. He was just so damn cute!

Sora smiled again, but had to refocus on the road as the light turned green.

Riku let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, grinning and lightly squeezing Sora's hand. "We almost there?"

"Yep." Sora nodded, "Five minutes or so."

Riku nodded, looking around at where they were. "Hey, are we going to that new Chinese restaurant that just opened up somewhere around here?"

Sora gave him a look, "Why can I never surprise you?" he asked, chuckling.

Riku grinned. "You'll just have to try harder next time."

Sora rolled his eyes and pulled into the restaurant parking lot, parking his car.

Still grinning, Riku let go of Sora's hand in order to undo his seat belt, stepping out of the car. He walking over to Sora's side of the car just as the brunette was climbing out and pulled him into a hug. "Thank you."

Only a little startled by the sudden hug, Sora hugged him back and chuckled, "No problem."

Pulling back and smiling softly, Riku reached for and held onto Sora's hand, waiting patiently for him to lock his car before they crossed the parking lot towards the restaurant. This was the first time he was holding Sora's hand in public, and for some reason that little thing made him really, really happy.

XXXX

"Seriously, Hayner, when don't you have soccer practice this week? I want you to meet Axel." Roxas said as they walked along the outdoor path to the building housing their next classes.

"Rox, I told you, with the end of the season approaching, Coach is really packing in the practices. I don't know yet. What're you doing for Halloween?" Hayner replied, rolling his eyes.

Roxas shrugged. "I don't know yet. Probably something with Axel. You and Olette doing anything?"

"We're thinking of going to the haunted house and then pigging out on candy at our house with Pence. You're welcome to come, that is if you have time to spend with us low-lives now that you've gotten yourself a boyfriend." Hayner teased.

Roxas stuck out his tongue then blushed lightly when he said, "I'll ask Axel."

Hayner laughed. "Sure, buddy. You've only been dating for, what? A week? And yet you're totally stuck to this guy's side."

Roxas smiled. "Hayner, that's called a relationship. Beside, I enjoy Axel's company."

"Oh, so are you saying you don't enjoy my company? And here I thought we were best friends." Hayner said dramatically.

Before Roxas could retort, a passerby snickered. "Having a lover's spat, fags?"

"What the hell is wrong with you? Shut up, this conversation does not include you." Roxas growled.

The guy stopped, along with his two friends, blocking Hayner and Roxas's path.

"Aw, what's the matter, fag? Did I upset you? Want a tissue, girly-boy?" The guy laughed, his friends joining in.

"Assholes, shut the fuck up. Don't make fun of Roxas - he's more of a man than any of you will be! Love is love, douche, no matter the gender." Hayner snapped, hands clenching into fists.

"That's cute, you need your boyfriend to fight your battles?" The guy sneered to Roxas. To Hayner, he said: "And don't think we all don't know about you. Everyone knows you love taking it from the team in the locker room after practice. How you beg for it like the slutty manwhore you are. Admit it, cocksucker, you're like a bitch in heat, begging to be fucked into the floor."

"Fuck you!" Hayner yelled, going to step toward them as they laughed again but was prevented from doing so by Roxas's tugging on his arm.

"Ignore them, Hay, it doesn't matter. They're the bigots, don't give them the satisfaction of a physical response." Roxas pleaded.

"Fuck, Rox, I can't just let them get away with saying that!" Hayner growled, jerking out of Roxas's grip.

"Look at that - a pair of fairies fighting over a couple of real men! Don't worry, hunnies, my cock is big enough to satisfy you both and you'd love that, wouldn't you, faggots?" The guy yelled, his friends laughing.

"That's it! Douchebag, I'm gonna knock you into next week!" Hayner raised his fist and stepped forward, intent on landing a solid punch to this guy's jaw. He blinked, however, when a fist came out of nowhere and beat him to it, knocking the guy backwards into his friends, who just barely managed to catch him.

"S-Seifer?" Hayner yelled, thoroughly confused.

"What the hell? You some kind of fag-supporter?" One of the the guy's friends yelled.

Seifer pushed towards the new speaker, brandishing his fists, "You want the same? Scram, losers!"

The three shared a look and bolted, the one who had gotten hit complaining loudly all the way that his jaw hurt and they would pay for it.
"What the hell? Why did you do that?" Hayner demanded.

"Because I don't tolerate assholes like them." Seifer shrugged, not feeling that this was a big deal and still a little pissed.

"So you're Seifer? Thanks." Roxas said. "I was afraid Hayner was gonna really go at them."

"I was! Dammit, how can they just say shit like that?" Hayner said before whirling to face Seifer. "And you! No offense, but after everything, you're about the last person I expected to come to my defense, let alone over the issue of being gay."

Seifer raised an eyebrow, "Are you actually, honestly, complaining that I punched someone in your defense? Ignoring the fact that it was more in his," he gestured towards Roxas, "defense?"

Hayner scowled. "Yes. No. Argh! Dammit, I'm so pissed right now!"

Roxas smirked at his friend but otherwise ignored him. "I'm Roxas, by the way. And maybe you didn't hear them, but they were taunting Hayner, too, saying he likes to 'take it from the team', as it were. Assholes."

"No, I heard them." Seifer said, looking just as pissed, "But I started coming over here after they started taunting you." he shrugged, "I'm Seifer. But I guess you knew that."

"Yeah, well thanks to this idiot," Roxas jerked a finger at Hayner, "I know who you are. I feel like I have to say for the record, I never thought you were some kind of stalker. But I wouldn't mind if you stalked me, you're hot." Roxas looked Seifer up and down before smiling brilliantly. "Thanks for coming to our defense."

Hayner gaped at his friend. "Dude, you're already taken remember? What the hell will your boyfriend think?"

Roxas rolled his eyes. "I'm in a relationship, not blind."

Hayner snorted. "Sure. And don't go assuming every hot guy is gay."

Seifer raised an eyebrow, "He was almost assuming right, so it doesn't really matter." he shrugged, "And did I just hear you call me hot?" he asked Hayner, a teasing tone in his voice.

"Wait, how was he almost right? You're either right or wrong, how is there an inbetween? And no! I was just saying... uh... that he thinks you're hot. Yeah, he flirts all the time with hot guys. Not that you're hot! I mean, you're nice looking, but...! Argh!" Hayner blushed and snapped his mouth shut just as Roxas burst out laughing.

"Oh, man, Hay! You've got it bad." Roxas teased between fits of laughter.

Seifer burst into laughter as well. Once he was recovered enough to speak, he did so, "I need to get to class, but I'll see you two around."

Roxas wiped his eyes, grinning. "Sure. You definitely have to hang out with us, I've never seen Hayner this flustered and it's hilarious!"

"Rox!" Hayner protested, glaring at his best friend.

Seifer laughed, "I'll be sure of it. Later." he walked off.

"Oh, shut up Hayner. You wanted to be friends with him, right?" Roxas asked.

Hayner frowned. "Yeah, but not if he's going to flirt with me."

Roxas rolled his eyes. "You're the one who started it."

"I know, shut up!" Hayner snapped.

Roxas chuckled. "Fine, fine."

"Wait, he didn't answer my question, dammit! How can you almost be right about him being gay?" Hayner asked, looking confused.

"Again, I question how you got into college. Did Olette write your entrance essay or something?" Roxas asked.

"What? No!" Hayner yelled.

Roxas rolled his eyes. "He meant he's bi. You know, swings both ways?"

Hayner blushed lightly. "O-oh."

Roxas snickered. "C'mon. Let's get you to class before your brain explodes."

XXXX

Axel plopped onto his bed and fished his phone out of his pocket, checking the time. "Roxas should be out of class by now," he mused, before dialing his boyfriend's number and leaning back to wait.

"What are you wearing?" Roxas asked, not even bothering with a 'hello'.

Axel raised an eyebrow but answered the question anyway, "Jeans and a red shirt. Yourself?"

Roxas laughed. "Sorry, I needed to make Hayner leave, and that was the most hilarious way I could think of. Jeans and my green oversized hoodie. What's up?"

Axel chuckled, "Ahh, I see. I wanted to see what you were up to, if you wanted to meet up later, or anything."

"Sure! Maybe you could come over my house? I was planning on making Zexion that pie tonight. Oh, that reminds me - I've got a question for you."

"Sure, that sounds good." Axel smiled, "And hmmm?"

"What are your plans for Halloween? Do you usually do something with your friends, or would you be willing to go to the haunted house with me, Hayner, Olette, and Pence? You could finally meet them!"

"Hanging with your friends sounds good." Axel said, "Larx and I usually scare the kids that come to our house." he shrugged, "But there's all night for that, and we've been doing it since we were 14."

"Great! We can go back to your house afterwards and you can still do that. Another question - are we dressing up?"

"Actually, I had an idea about that." Axel smirked, "What do you say I dress up as a magician and you as the rabbit I pull out of my hat?"

"You want me to wear a bunny costume?" Roxas asked, making sure he had heard right. "Like, a real rabbit or more playboy bunny?"

"Well, sweetheart, that would be up to you." Axel chuckled.

"I'll surprise you."

Axel chuckled again, "Alright, sounds good. Can't wait."

"Just don't be disappointed, because either way I'm going to look ridiculous." Roxas laughed.

"You could never look ridiculous, Roxy." Axel grinned.

"Roxy, huh? Makes me sound like a girl. Or a porn star."

"I'd sure hope that if you were the latter I'd have heard about it by now." Axel teased.

"You'll be the first to know if I suddenly want to become a porn star. And I sure hope you have realized by now what has become my biggest secret - I am, in fact, not a girl, despite the love of baking."

"I don't know," Axel said, taking on a flirty tone, "You might have to prove the second one."

Roxas laughed. "Thank god no one else can hear your side of this conversation, although I have gotten some weird looks for saying 'porn'. Oops, said it again. Maybe for your birthday I'll give you absolute proof. For now, you'll just have to trust me. By the way, when is your birthday?"

Axel laughed, "Maybe I'll make you figure it out."

"How can I do that? Isn't that just one of those facts you're supposed to know and share with your significant other? That and all the other couple-y things, like how you drink your coffee. Um, Ax? How do you drink your coffee?"

Axel laughed, "Black, mostly. And my birthday's March 3rd, so I have a long time to wait, it seems."

"Cream and three sugars. In case you're ever on a game show and the final question is how I take my coffee. Now you'll win!"

"Good to know. What time should I meet you at your house?" he continued to laugh.

"Is four too early? I have no problem admitting I want to spend as much time as possible with you." Roxas said, grin evident in his voice.

Axel smirked, "Four's perfect. See you then."

"Can't wait!" Roxas hung up, goofy smile on his face. Standing from the bench he had sat down on, he headed to the library to get some work done before Sora'd pick him up and he'd get to hang out with Axel.

XXXX

"Can you grab me a drink, too, while you're up?" Cloud called after Leon. He was currently sitting on the couch in the brunette's apartment watching some made-for-tv action movie and spending more time making fun of it instead of actually watching it.

"Of course." Leon smiled, heading into the kitchen.

Cloud snorted. "You're missing it - they just flipped the car over and magically disarmed the bomb underneath it."

Leon walked back out holding two drinks, "Magically? Wasn't this supposed to be a realistic action movie?"

Cloud took one of the drinks, taking a sip and placing in on the nearby table before answering. "Apparently, they redefined 'realistic' for this movie. And thanks."

Leon chuckled, sitting down next to him.

"I mean, they aren't even trying!" Cloud exclaimed just before his cell phone started ringing in his pocket. Pulling it out, he recognized the number and picked up. "Hey."

Leon glanced over, but stayed quiet to let Cloud speak.

"Really? Yeah. Well, that's nice but- C'mon, it's not like that, I- Fine, fine. Let me ask." Cloud rolled his eyes, pulling the phone away from his ear and covering the mouthpiece with his hand. "What're your plans for Halloween?"

Leon shrugged, "I don't have any. Why?"

"Would you be willing to go with me to Zack's to watch cheesy Halloween movies and help him and Aerith dole out the candy?" The blonde asked.

"Sure, sounds good." Leon nodded.

Cloud smiled, putting his phone back to his ear. "He said yes. Yeah. Yeah. We'll be there - you guys need anything? Okay, can do. What time? All right. Bye, Zack." He turned to Leon, "Thanks. We don't have to stay long - we can leave whenever you want."

Leon chuckled, "It's fine. It sounds like fun."

Cloud raised an eyebrow. "You've never seen Zack on a sugar high before. Aerith's probably the one who made him invite us over just so she has some help keeping him contained."

Leon chuckled, "Well, I still think it'll be fun."

Cloud smiled softly. "Thank you."

Leon smiled back, "No problem."

"Oh, and Zack asked if we could buy some pumpkins and bring them with us. Have you ever carved a pumpkin?" Cloud asked.

"When I was a kid, yeah." Leon nodded, "But not in years."

"Well, that's still more experience than me. Zack insists this will be fun." Cloud said.

"You've never carved a pumpkin?" Leon asked.

Cloud shook his head. "No. I mean, I've seen them, but I've never actually carved one myself. Most of the places I lived at didn't want us kids getting in trouble with them or couldn't afford to get them and by the time I was on my own, I wasn't going to waste money on buying a pumpkin just to cut it up and stick a candle in it."

"Ahhh..." Leon said, "Well, at least you'll get to carve one now." he smiled.

Cloud offered a small smile. "Yeah. Is it as hard and messy as it looks?"

Leon raised an eyebrow at his wording.

Cloud's smile grew. "What?" He asked innocently.

Leon shook his head, putting his arm around Cloud and ignoring the question.

Cloud sighed, leaning in to Leon before asking, "Hey, did you go all out for Halloween as a kid? Costume, trick-or-treating?"

Leon glanced at Cloud, "Yeah, until I was nine I did." he said.

Cloud reached up to run his fingers through Leon's hair. "I bet you were a cute kid, especially running around with a cape or dressed as a zombie or whatever it is you dressed as."

Leon rolled his eyes, "I'm sure my aunt still has the pictures if you want to see them that badly."

Cloud grinned. "I would love to see them! Can I ask you something? It's kind of personal, and we haven't really been dating for very long."

Leon shrugged, "Go for it."

"You said your aunt has the pictures - what about your parents?" The blonde asked hesitantly.

"They died when I was fifteen." Leon said. "I stayed with my aunt after that."

"I'm sorry." Cloud murmured, looking down and regretting that he asked.

Leon shook his head, lifting Cloud's head so he could look at him, "Don't be. It was years ago, it's fine."

Cloud placed his hand over Leon's cupping his face. "They must have been wonderful people."

Leon smiled at him, "I guess. I mean, I miss them, don't get me wrong, but I'm not going to wallow in it, especially not ten years later."

Cloud returned his smile, nodding.

"So," Leon said, an amused tone in his voice, "Is blonde your natural hair color?"

Cloud smirked. "Are you really a brunette?"

XXXX

Demyx opened the door to Zexion and his roommate's house, letting Zexion in before walking in after him. "So, I think you completely confused Yuffie in class today."
Zexion frowned. "She should have said something then... I try not to go too fast but it's hard to remember being at that learning level."

"Yuffie's too much of a hardass to actually admit that she doesn't understand something." Demyx shrugged, "Especially when you're the teacher." he sent Zexion a smile.

"...She hates me." Zexion said, dropping his bag near the kitchen table and opening the refrigerator to grab a drink.

"Only a little." Demyx frowned. "Besides, it's mostly my fault she hates you anyway." he put his bag down as well and leaned on the counter, "She was pretty much the only person I really hung out with before you showed up, and now she can't tear me away from you."

Zexion closed the refrigerator door, turning to face Demyx with a light blush dusting his cheeks, nervously twisting a bottle of water in his hands. "I'm sorry. Of course you can hang out with your friends! I'm sure you have other friends - you're amazing, so you've got to be popular, right?"

Demyx blinked, surprised, "Yeah, not really. Just Yuffie." he said, "Besides, I'm not hanging out with you because I have to, I'm hanging out with you because I want to." he said, smiling at Zexion.

Zexion's blush deepened and it was his turn to blink in surprise. "They don't know what they're missing, by not being your friend. You're amazing. I, um, I'll be right back!" Zexion fled the kitchen, quickly walking into his room and closing the door behind him, leaning against the wood. His stomach hurt. Again.

Demyx stared after him before muttering to himself, "Alright, gotta lighten up on the flirting, apparently."

Zexion took a deep breath. He can't just leave Demyx alone out there! He's supposed to be tutoring him! Okay, you can do this. So, every time he talks, your stomach flips. That's okay. And he's cute. So what? Really, really cute. According to Axel, that's even better. This is normal.

"I hate normal." Zexion muttered before opening the door and walking back into the kitchen, sitting down and putting his face in his hands, mumbling, "I'm sorry, I'm not good with people. Socially awkward is the proper term, I think."

Demyx shrugged, "I don't think you are at all. I think you're underestimating yourself." he said, smiling a little, before changing the subject, "So, what are you doing for Halloween?"

Zexion looked up, relieved to not find Demyx laughing or sneering at him. He doesn't even think I'm awkward? Blushing lightly, he said, "Nothing."

"You aren't doing anything?" Demyx asked, surprised, "Not even dressing up or watching scary movies or handing out candy?" he paused, "You should dress up."

Zexion shrugged. "I don't understand the point. It's a holiday for little kids - I don't enjoy those types of movies, I rarely gorge myself on candy and don't see the need to give it out to random strangers, and why should I pretend to be something I'm not by dressing up?"

Demyx frowned, "Well, there isn't really a point." he said, "It's just something fun to do. You're never too old for Halloween, anyway. Come on, you should dress up with me." he grinned.

Zexion hesitated, his stomach flipping again at the plea on the blonde's face. "I'd look ridiculous."

"I don't think you will." Demyx said, completely sincerely.

"You're really going to dress up? As what?" Zexion asked, avoiding that statement entirely.

"I dunno yet." Demyx said, "I'm thinking something zombie-related. OOH. Zombie rockstar." he grinned.

Zexion found himself smiling back. "You'll look great."

"Thanks." Demyx continued to grin, "But seriously, pleeeeease dress up?" he pouted.

Zexion blushed, his gaze dropping to the table. "As what?"

Demyx thought for a moment. "Hmm... Oh! How about a mad scientist?"

Confused, Zexion risked glancing up at him. "Mad as in crazy or mad as in angry?"

"Mad as in crazy." Demyx said.

"How do you dress as a crazy scientist? I don't know if I can do that..." Zexion said worriedly.

"I'll help." Demyx grinned, "Come on, please?"

Zexion looked up into the blonde's blue eyes and opened his mouth to protest, but the look caused him to blush and he gave in. "Okay. But you have to promise I won't look like a fool!"

"I promise!" Demyx said with a huge grin.

Zexion smiled back before saying, "My roommates are never going to believe this."

XXXX

Sooo much happening! Are you getting excited for Halloween? 'Cause I know I am!

Thanks to everyone reading and reviewing! Let us know what you thought of this latest chapter! :D

*waves frantically* Bye!