After his quiet, peaceful shower, Riku returned to his dorm to dress into his clean, pressed uniform before he went to his office. The second he sat down in his leather chair, he and Sora spent countless hours organizing the coed soccer game that was to be held to invite students from Twilight Towns Lady Academy to play a friendly game of soccer. This game was scheduled to be held before the big dance that Sora had planned.
"So Riku, who are you going to the dance with?" Sora asked with excitement on the day before the event.
Riku's eyes widened before he shook his head with a chuckle. "To be honest, I've been so focused on getting the game and dance ready, that I've forgotten all about that."
"You mean no one has asked you yet?" Sora asked in shock.
"Why do you sound so surprised?" Riku asked with smirk.
"Well you're the president Riku. Honestly I thought you'd be dealing with hundreds of rejections by now." Sora shrugged.
"To be honest I think it'd be best if, as school president, I went alone." Riku said as an excuse to get out of finding a date and dealing with the petty social drama.
"Actually I was thinking that it'd look even better if you went with the President of TTLA." Sora suggested.
Riku sighed; Sora had a point but Riku didn't want to admit it. "Well maybe she already has a date." Riku attempted his first excuse.
"She doesn't." Both Riku and Sora turned to see Axel standing in Riku's office with crossed arms.
"How do you know?" Sora asked curiously.
"How long have you been standing there?" Riku asked in a furious bewilderment. How could he not go a full day without seeing the redhead? He didn't know if it was some form of a blessing or curse that brought Axel to him so often.
"About three minutes. I have to say, I'm quite shocked at no one's asked you out yet Prez." Axel smirked.
Riku sighed. "Just answer Sora's question. How do you know if the president of TTLA has a date or not?"
"Because, my dear President, she, is my sister." Axel shrugged lightly.
"Your sister?" Sora asked in amazement.
"Yep. Her name is Kairi, and she's not going to be your date." Axel said firmly as he stared at Riku.
Riku cleared his throat in his uncomfortable confusion. "Well that's fine with me; I wasn't planning on having a date, so,"
"Why not?" Sora ignored Riku's reasoning and asked Axel.
"Consider me protective." Axels eyes said sternly.
"You can't hold on to her forever, she's growing up." Sora gave his personal analysis as if he knew better.
"Who said I was protective about her?" Axel asked as he gazed at Riku, who blushed nervously. "True I wouldn't let just anyone date her, but I'm not going to limit her options. She's getting older, but as her big brother I reserve the right to kick the ass of any guy who hurts her."
"Are you saying that I would do such a thing?" Riku asked, trying to understand the random and weird redhead in his office.
"No, like I said, my protectiveness doesn't lie with her in this case."
"Who does it lie with?" Riku asked, knowing the answer but not wanting to admit it.
"You, silly." Axel grinned.
"You can't control what I do or who I go to the dance with."
"You're going with me." Axel said, jumping to the chase.
"And what makes you think that that is going to happen?" Riku's anger grew as Axel smiled.
"Need I remind you that Kairi is my baby sister? If I told her to withhold her seal of approval on this event, then all your hard work and planning goes down the drain." Axel grinned as Riku narrowed his eyes in on Axels.
"Are you threatening to blackmail me into going to the dance with you by abusing your relations?"
"Oh goodness no Prez. To be honest, I know that you're dying to go with me, but I can't rely on that alone to secure my date."
"I'm not going with you, and that is final. If you decide to convince your sister not to let her school attend, I have no problem holding a meeting to inform the entire student body as to why one student decided to ruin all the hard work that was out into this event." Riku bluffed; deep down inside, he was scared. Scared, not because Axel was forcing him to be his date, but scared because he liked it.
Axel shook his head, laughing. "No need to get so serious Prez, I was just joking with you. Damn you are so gullible. To be honest, Kairi wouldn't listen to me anyway; since we both live at boarding schools, we don't talk much. Anyway, it really was a joke, so don't get so pushy; I just wanted to see how you'd respond. Besides, I already have a date." Axel sighed in annoyance.
"You have a date?" Riku tried to use shock to hide his true feeling of jealousy. He didn't know why, but he felt hurt that Axel hadn't asked him. Why? He didn't want to care, but he couldn't ignore the tugging in his heart that caused him pain. That assertion that he wouldn't be Axel's date was merely a bluff, and he didn't want to accept the fact that it would be reality.
"Yeah, one of Kairi's friends." Axel shrugged indifferently.
"Is she pretty?" Sora asked.
"I haven't seen her in years, but I think she's sweet." Axel nodded.
"Well congratulations. I'm still curious as to why you are here in the first place?" Riku asked, trying to sound as if he didn't care about Axels date, or presense.
"Am I not allowed to stop by and say hi?" Axel asked, but Riku only sighed. "Alright, I confess. I came here because Roxas is stuck in a meeting but wanted me to drop this off for Sora. Here you are." Axel handed Sora a letter.
"Thanks Axel!" Sora opened the letter, blushed, and smiled. "Roxy wanted to ask me to be his date, this is so cute." Sora showed off his letter as Axel smiled sweetly.
"He's missed you a lot, and didn't want you to think that just because you're dating, he wasn't going to ask you formally."
"He's so thoughtful." Sora sighed happily.
"Congratulations Sora." Axel nodded.
"Thank you." Sora smiled wider.
"Yes, that is kind of you to carry out the errand. If you don't mind, I'd like to get back to work?" Riku hinted that Axel should leave, so the redhead nodded.
"Say no more, if you want me gone, I'll go. I'll see you later Sora. Bye Prez." Axel waved on his way out.
Riku sighed when his office door shut, sad to have to see something beautiful leave, but happy that the confusion left with him.
"Are you ok Riku?" Sora asked suspiciously.
"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine." Riku responded uneasily.
"Is it just me, or do you get...cranky...when Axel comes in here?" Sora slightly raised an eyebrow.
"I haven't noticed, although I think it's natural considering he is my opponent." Riku made up a clever lie.
"I don't know; it's like you two have been spending a lot of time together lately, but it feels like you want to be mad at him." Sora shrugged innocently.
"Nonsense Sora, I'm sure it's just coming off that way because we are running against each other. The time we spend together is merely a coincidence." Riku lied once again, although he did have a point.
"Hm, that makes sense." Sora nodded thoughtfully.
The two spent a few more hours finishing up the last minute details before they went to sleep, worried for the long day ahead of them.
When Riku woke up, he threw on some work out clothes, rushed to the Academy's gymnasium, and began to help the KidaKama twins decorate for the school dance.
"Hi Riku!" Sora greeted his best friend cheerfully as he too was in a baggy T shirt and gym shorts, helping make banners and posters.
"Morning Sora." Riku sighed his sleepiness away as he prepared for a long day.
"We need to make sure the food is out and ready, as well as the rest of the banners and some balloons." Roxas checked his clipboard as Riku nodded.
"Sora, get Demyx to finish the set-up for the band and DJ; make sure that Luxord and Zexion paid the catering according to the budget, and don't forget to have Marluxia bring the flowers." Riku ran off his own to-do list as Sora saluted him playfully and marched off, all while Roxas shook his head.
"He looks so cute when he's yelling orders to follow orders." Roxas grinned, watching as his twin bossed the tall and broad shouldered Luxord around.
"He's fearless." Riku smiled, thankful to have such a dedicated Vice President.
"Do you think you can help with the balloons?" Roxas asked, since he was overlooking the decorating committee. Riku nodded and went into the back room to blow up as many balloons as he could.
"Well, what do you know?" Riku shuddered as he heard Axel's voice behind him.
"Hello Axel." Riku greeted professionally.
"Hello my Prez. How are you doing?" Axel asked casually as he took a balloon, stretched it, and held it up to the helium tank to fill it.
"I'm alright." Riku got some string to tie to the balloons once Axel filled them.
"Why so stiff?" Axel picked up on the cold shoulder Riku was giving to him.
"I'm not being stiff."
"Yes you are." Axel fought back.
"Perhaps I'm just considering the odds of Roxas having been paid to put me on balloon duty just as you." Riku glared through harsh eyes.
"Why are you always accusing me of being some kind of creepy stalker?" Axel asked, insulted, all while he blew more balloons.
"I'm just saying it wouldn't be surprising were it true." Riku shrugged. "What else could explain all of the 'coincidental' time we spend together?"
"Umm, how about the fact that we attend a very small, private, expensive all boys academy and we both have high positions that oversee a lot of students, making it easy to run into each other?" Axel asked but Riku only sighed.
"Guess that makes sense too." It went quiet for a while before Axel cleared his throat.
"You know, we make a great team." Axel smiled once the boys were half way done.
"Well we've been playing soccer together for years, so it would make sense." Riku rolled his eyes.
"True, but look at this system. I'm filling the balloons, you're tying such beautiful bows, we're like an unstoppable machine." Axel tapped his hip into Riku's.
"Don't speak too soon; look, we're almost out." Riku pointed to the nearly empty helium tank.
"Damn, now what?" Axel asked.
"Well we have enough balloons to fill the ballroom, but we still need a few more to place around lamp-posts and chairs." Riku pointed out.
"Alright, guess we'll have to blow these ourselves?" Axel shrugged.
"Ok, so should you blow or should I?" Riku asked.
Axel shook his head, laughing before he gave a playful shrug. "Well if you're offering to blow, I won't decline." Axel cleared his throat as he put his hands over his shorts.
"I meant nothing of the kind!" Riku turned a deep red as he pushed Axel away.
"Hahaha, oh come on Prez, you know I'm just joking. I already explained; I wouldn't dare pick a flower before its bloomed." Axel smiled sincerely before he walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Riku asked, sad to admit that he was actually sad about Axel leaving.
"To get another helium tank. Try not to miss me." Axel winked as he left. Riku shook his head and continued working.
When Axel returned, the two spent fifteen minutes finishing their task before they were each called to separate tasks to help set up for the dance.
After two hours of decorating the school garden, Riku returned to the ballroom to finish the last of the decorations.
"Riku! Glad I found you. We just need to hang the main banner up there and then we're done!" Roxas smiled.
"Ok, leave it to me." Riku nodded as he got a ladder.
Riku climbed up to the top, ignoring his strong dislike for heights as he tried to complete his task.
Riku felt the ladder shaking and in fear, he decided to climb down as quickly as he safely could. In his nerves, he slipped, mentally preparing for the fall when he winced. No crash. Riku gulped, feeling something on his butt as he turned his neck around to see what it was that caught his fall.
"Hey Prez." Axel winked as he squeezed his hands.
"Whoa!" Riku jolted, slipping further until Axel carried him off the ladder and set him on his feet.
"What am I going to do with you Prez?" Axel shook his head as Riku cleared his throat.
"Thank you for your unnecessary assistance." Riku coughed.
"Unnecessary? I'm sorry I'm not capable of being heartless by watching you fall."
"Grabbing my ass wasn't necessary." Riku glared.
"Whoa, Prez, watch the language! Besides, I missed that round juicy squeezable ass of yours."
"So much for 'watch your language.'" Riku sighed, ignoring the uncomfortable comment that Axel made.
"Well you're the president. It's expected if you to be as pure and respectable as possible." Axel shrugged.
"What do you mean by 'you miss it'?" Riku couldn't help but ask.
"Well I haven't had a tap of it since that one day at practice. It's been a while, but I'd like to think of this as a thank you for saving your ass from meeting the ground with a painful smack."
"Thank you." Riku blushed, feeling bad for owing Axel a display of gratitude.
"You are most welcome." Axel looked around and when no one looked, he tapped Riku's butt lightly.
"Axel!" Riku growled in a low whisper.
"I'm sorry; I can't help it." Axel shrugged.
"You shall refrain from touching my body from now on." Riku ordered.
"As you wish, my Prez." Axel bowed before he walked off to get ready. Riku sighed, shook his head, and returned to his dorm to take a quick much needed nap.
"Riku? Oh Riiikuuuu!" Sora knocked on Riku's door.
"Hey." Riku opened his door and then let out a low whistle.
"Riku!" Sora blushed as he covered his cheeks with his hands.
"Look at you," Riku smiled, observing Sora in his slick tuxedo.
"Thanks. Roxy helped me." Sora smiled.
"You look great Sora. Roxas is a lucky twin." Riku laughed.
"Hehe, I think I'm the lucky one. Roxy looks amazing." Sora sighed happily.
"You two are perfect for each other, you know that?" Riku asked, having the slightest feeling of jealousy tugging at his heart.
"Aww, you're so sweet Riku! I'm sure all the girls will ask you to dance tonight. Which is why I'm here. The President of TTLA will be here shortly, so you should put on your tux, now." Sora pointed a finger at Riku.
"I, I don't know how." Riku shrugged helplessly.
"I'd help, but Roxas had to tie my tie." Sora scratched his head.
"Can you call him while I put on the slacks and dress shirt? Maybe by the time Roxas comes I'll be ready for my tie." Riku suggested, and Sora nodded.
"Alright. I'll call him right now!" Sora got his phone out of his pocket as Riku closed the door to change.
"Sora? I'm ready." Riku opened his door.
"Yeah, um, about that," Sora laughed nervously.
"What?" Riku raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"Well apparently Roxas also didn't know how."
"So how did he help you?" Riku asked.
"Apparently Axel did it for Roxas, and then Roxas quickly did it for me, but now he forgot. But don't worry! Axel's on his way." Sora smiled cheerfully.
"Of course he is." Riku shook his head with a sigh.
"Don't get too excited." Axel smirked as he walked up to Riku. Riku's eyes widened as the tall, lean redhead strolled up casually, his long red hair fashioned up in a neat pony tail with a few strands in the front falling elegantly down, highlighting his bright green eyes. Riku gulped as he noticed just how fitting Axel's tux was, and how much it flattered his muscular arms and long legs.
"I'll try not to." Riku muttered, looking into the distance before he got too carried away.
"You, you look great." Axel coughed nervously as he reached for Riku's tie.
"Th-thank you." Riku blushed lightly.
"Riku does clean up nice, doesn't he?" Sora joined the conversation.
Axel's hands shook as he took the tie around Riku's neck.
"Yeah, like the most beautiful of roses." Axel smiled shyly as he fumbled his nervous fingers.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Riku asked as Axel's clumsy fingers delayed progress.
"Sorry," Axel apologized, keeping his eyes on the black cloth.
"You ok?" Riku asked and when Axel looked up to gaze straight into the silverrete's eyes, both boys froze.
"Yeah." Axel whispered quietly.
"Um, we have ten more minutes!" Sora reminded Axel before he scurried off to order more people around on Riku's behalf.
"You look beautiful." Axel said calmly as he blushed with red tinted cheeks.
"Thank you." Riku bit his lip nervously.
"Be, be careful." Axel coughed.
"With what?" Riku asked.
"Don't let just anyone touch you. I know I already violated that rule, but you're too precious to waste for just anyone." Axel smiled poorly before he turned around.
"Axel," Riku reached out of Axel's hand. "Wh-why are you saying such things?"
"Because, it's like I said. You're like a flower, but you haven't yet bloomed. I'd hate for anyone to pick you too early." Axel frowned so seriously that it scared Riku.
"Wha-what does that mean?" Riku asked, confused.
Axel smiled and shook his head. "We're late for your speech."
"I don't care, just tell me what you're talking about!" Riku ordered, angry.
Axel walked up to Riku, held his hand up to Riku's cheek, but didn't touch it. Axel stared at his raised hand, but then frowned. "It's like you're so close, but not there just yet." Axel smiled slightly.
"Why are you teasing me?" Riku huffed huskily, nervous and frightened by it.
"Because as badly as I want you, I want to respect your borders." Axel lowered his hand and bowed. "I'm sorry if by touching you earlier, I lost your trust. You are my President first and foremost." Axel stayed bowing as Riku shook his head.
"Axel, stop." Riku touched Axel's shoulder and lifted his torso back up.
"Did I do something wrong, Prez?" Axel asked, but Riku shook his head.
"Call me Riku; stop calling me beautiful, quite bowing, and what is with you acting like I'm royalty?" Riku put a hand to his forehead.
"Because Prez," Axel combined a smile and a frown in one. "To me, you're greater than all riches and royalty that exists. You're like a precious rose, on the verge of blooming." Axel shrugged.
"Then just say what you feel as you feel it. I can't take all these riddles." Riku shook his head.
"I'm sorry Prez." Axel bowed again, and Riku was about to complain when Sora returned with a furious look on his face.
"You have two minutes to start your speech! Let's go!" Sora took Riku's arm and dragged him to the ballroom.
Riku delivered his welcome speech before the president of TTLA, Kairi, gave her speech, officially starting the dance with dancing, food, and music.
"Riku, it's wonderful to meet you." Kairi shook Riku's hand.
"Thank you; it's great to meet you as well." Riku gave a friendly smile.
"My brother says that you're an amazing President." Kairi said enthusiastically.
"Does he now?" Riku stood on the podium with Kairi, looking around for vibrant red hair.
"He talks about you a lot, the few times he takes the time to call." Kairi shrugged.
"What, what does he say?" Riku asked, but Kairi laughed.
"Just that he admires your soccer skills and your leadership abilities."
"He's too kind." Riku said politely.
"Would, would you like to dance?" Kairi asked, so Riku cleared his throat. He remembered what Axel said about him dancing with his sister, but he wasn't too sure how to decline.
"As much as I'd love to be honored by a dance with you, I'm afraid my attention is called to the food table to ensure that the spill is picked up after." Riku apologized as sweetly as he could.
"Oh I understand. I'll be here monitoring the dance floor if you find the time." Kairi waved as Riku walked off.
"Smooth let down." Sora winked as Riku gasped, looking around himself to try and see where Sora had been hiding.
"Where you listening the entire time?" Riku shook his head in shock.
"Just for a little bit." Sora shrugged innocently.
"What do you think so far?" Riku asked and he and Sora gazed around the dance floor.
"It's going great. Demyx and Zexion look so cute together in the DJ booth! Marluxia stopped bugging Xigbar, and it looks like Luxord is dancing with some blonde girl with weird bangs that look like antlers. Ooh, Axel looks like a great dancer." Sora said and Riku finally found himself interested in the conversation.
"Who's he dancing with?" Riku asked.
"Some girl with short black hair." Sora shrugged.
"Sora, go dance with Roxas. I'll handle the rest for the next shift." Riku patted Sora's back as Sora thanked him and ran off.
Riku wanted a reason to talk to Axel; he thought for any possible excuse that he could sound natural enough to strike up a conversation. After three minutes of pointless thinking, Riku heard his name.
"Riku, this is Xion, Kairi's best friend." Axel introduced his date.
"Xion, it's nice to meet you." Riku offered his hand.
"It's a pleasure." Xion shook Riku's hand. "So, you actually play soccer with Axel, don't you?" Xion asked with a smile.
"Yes, I do." Riku smiled back.
"Is he as talented as I believe?" Xion put an arm around Axel's waist as the tall redhead rolled his eyes while she wasn't looking.
"Axel is a great offensive player with tenacity, endurance, and great leadership." Riku said, doing his best to contain his jealousy.
"Awww, I knew it. He's just amazing like that." Xion placed her other hand on Axel's stomach, as if she owned the right to.
"He is." Riku nodded with a firm face as Axel smiled.
"Thank you. It means a lot to receive a complement from the President of Twilight Town Academy." Axel bowed lightly.
"Isn't he just so perfect?" Xion smiled up at Axel.
"You are too sparing with your complements." Axel said modestly.
"Axel, will you go get me some water? I'd love to continue dancing with you after I've had something to drink." Xion begged.
"Of course." Axel nodded with a small bow to excuse himself.
"Isn't he just perfect? I mean seriously, he's like Prince charming, except hotter. Don't you think?" Xion asked with daydreaming eyes.
"You really like him, don't you?" Riku asked with a small smile, appreciating the attention that Axel was receiving so honestly.
"Well yeah. He's so sweet, and kind. He's such a gentleman, and he also has a great sense of humor. He's so smart, great at soccer, and he's caring too. I just wish I got to see him more often. He's perfect." Xion blushed.
"Yeah, he sure is something." Riku said, identifying something in his stomach that he hated to admit as jealousy.
"He's what every girl wants. He listens intently, talks with confidence, yet has the heart to understand. I seriously don't know how he's still single, but I'm hoping to change that before it's too late. I only wish I could be the one to love him the way he deserves." Xion giggled.
"Good luck." Riku smiled politely, but he couldn't ignore that tugging within him that caused him to despise everything about the short black haired girl. Why hadn't he noticed all those things about Axel before? Better yet, why did he notice, yet always refuse to accept what he believed. He knew that Axel was all that and more. He knew how sweet, beautiful, and all around perfect Axel was, but he still wouldn't allow himself to embrace what he was experiencing.
"Here you are." Axel handed Xion her water.
"Thank you." Xion took some sips before Axel took the cup.
"If you're finished, I'll dispose of the cup." Axel said before he excused himself.
"Seriously, how is he single?" Xion asked with a nervous smile.
"I have no idea." Riku said, wondering himself. It was no secret that Axel had been hitting on him repeatedly, but Riku still felt unsure about what the redhead really was thinking.
"I have to get him tonight if I ever want a chance to be happy with him. Oh I hope he likes me!" Xion squealed with dreaming eyes.
Riku watched as Axel headed back through the crowd, and for reasons he couldn't explain, he yearned for the redhead's attention. He missed the foolish grin that Axel so cockily gave; he missed the way that Axel would make his face flush and his hands sweat as his brain turned to mush. He missed Axel's affection.
"What'd I miss?" Axel shoved his hands in his pockets as he rejoined the duo.
"Not much." Xion smiled.
"So, what do you guys feel like doing?" Axel asked, looking bored.
"Oh, um, I was wondering if you'd like to dance with me?" Xion asked with a twinkle in her eye. Axel looked at Riku, cleared his throat, and nodded.
"I'd be honored." He offered his arm and walked off into the middle of the dance floor.
As Riku watched Axel's back fade into the masses of dancing couples, his heart sank. What was this feeling of disappointment? It was as if watching those two walk off together sickened him. Riku caught himself biting his lip, hurt and feeling so pathetic for it. He felt pathetic, because it was then when he realized that he didn't deserve Axel.
Author's Note: Oooooooh, ok, so here is the dance scene at last! BUT, Axel and Riku aren't dates, and in fact, backwards 'progress' seems to be made. Any predictions for the rest of the dance? What about for the soccer game?
To luckycat222: Aww, glad the last chapter made you smile. Hahaha, thanks! It means a lot to hear.
To X-Sonya: Thank you so much for following this story, and for reviewing! Haha, I decided to go for a tortuously slow story, where the tension builds up as high as it can before collapsing. Guess you'll have to keep reading to see when that is hehe. Thanks for the hugs!
To kindofabadger: Haha, that shell has to break soon, don't you think? Thanks for reviewing, as always ^_^
To Xiola-Nobody: Hahaha, yes, you most certainly can dream, I do it all the time, even with my own fics lmao. Aww, thanks! Honestly, when I started writing this, I didn't think Axel and Riku could be any more conflicting as a couple, but now I'm a full believer in AkuRiku (and as always, akuroku, and even akudem) lol.
To Zelta-Frost: Yeah, the 'tease' word is never good, but I feel like that sort of thing happens a lot. I was just working up the nerve to tell my crush I like him, then he confesses he has a bf. Talk about bad luck. Aww, yeah, poor Riku will have to break sometime maybe it's sooner than you think? Thanks! Yes, my school year is extremely busy, but I don't want to take a break from writing. I hope yours is going great!
Thank you everyone for reading and following and reviewing ^_^
Heart, Sarabellum