Riku watched as Xion clung to Axel's body, while Axel looked around as if he were bored or uninterested. Xion smiled so proudly as Axel remained friendly, but Riku could see just how much she cared for the redhead. She sounded as if she'd worship him, as if she loved him as much as anyone could love another, and Riku knew that he was no match. Riku had spent so much of his life trying to perfect his academics and leadership that he nearly forgot all about relationships. He knew that he couldn't compete for Axel's affection; he knew that he couldn't be the boyfriend that Axel deserved, but watching Xion win hurt just the same.
"You look sad Riku." Sora stood next to Riku with Roxas' arm around his hip.
"I'm fine." Riku said, turning to admire the adorable couple. "You two look cute." Riku smiled as Roxas kissed Sora's cheek.
"Thanks. What about you? Who's your date?" Roxas asked Riku.
"I don't have one." Riku said, looking at Axel as the redhead danced an elegant waltz with Xion.
"I still can't believe that Axel is dancing with her." Roxas shook his head, also watching the couple dance.
"Yeah, they look cute." Sora smiled, in his natural love for love in general, but that only irritated Riku.
"I guess." Riku sighed. "Sora, will you watch the floor? I have to use the restroom." Riku briskly walked away, going to the bathroom to calm down. Riku was in the empty bathroom, staring at himself in the mirror to focus on his breathing. He didn't know why he felt so nervous and frustrated, but he felt as if it couldn't get worse. Sadly, he was wrong, cause when a tall redhead rushed inside, Riku felt his cheeks redden with heat.
"Prez? Are you ok?" Axel asked nervously.
"Y-yeah; I'm fine." Riku answered. "Why do you ask?" Riku stood up straight.
"I, I saw you leave the dance floor in a hurry, so I wanted to make sure you were ok." Axel looked away in embarrassment.
"You, you left your date to check up on me?" Riku asked in shock.
"Well, yeah. I mean, I just, I thought that it's better to be safe than sorry." Axel shrugged. "But, you said that you're fine, so I'm going to head back and return to the dance." Axel turned around.
"Wait!" Riku felt himself calling out with no idea what he wanted to say next.
"Yes?" Axel asked earnestly.
"I, I appreciate your caring." Riku admitted.
"Of course." Axel smiled before he left the bathroom. When the door shut, Riku sighed. He didn't know why, but he somehow expected a hug or a flirty smile, or something of the sort.
Riku kicked his shoe against the wall before he shook his head and left the bathroom, hoping to distract himself with something to do.
Riku watched as Sora and Roxas slow danced to cute romantic music. When Riku realized that it was a slow dance, he quickly looked around, saw red, and gasped. Riku's heart dropped as he saw Xion cuddling up to Axel's lean body as he held Xion close. The music sweetly tingled in Riku's ears as he watched Xion rest her head on Axel's chest, their hips swaying lightly from side to side.
Riku couldn't stand the jealousy inside him, and the only thing worse than the jealously, was the lonesome anger that grew because of it. Riku watched with hurting envy for nearly two whole minutes before he accidentally made eye contact with Axel.
Axel was brooding over the dance floor with his height advantage when his scanning eyes met Riku's. Axel smiled innocently, but Riku frowned. That smile was like a tempting tease that only hurt Riku more, and when Riku turned around, Axel's smile faded.
Riku headed for the garden, wanting some time alone to roam in the lighted garden.
Riku wandered aimlessly as he sighed with each passing step, growing bored and depressed because of it.
"If a rose has no one to admire its beauty, is it destined to whither amongst its thorns?" Riku asked hopelessly.
"All roses will eventually whither, but some are worth keeping around for as long as we can." Axel strode up to Riku, his hands in his pockets and his hair hanging straight down, onto his shoulders.
"Axel," Riku loved the sound of the name as it slipped off his tongue.
"You didn't think I'd let you escape all alone with that sad frown on your face, did you? Come on, tell me what's got you down." Axel said, so Riku sighed.
"It's nothing." Riku didn't want to admit how he felt.
"What is it?" Axel pressed.
"I, I'm frustrated." Riku admitted.
"Why?" Axel continued asking.
"Cause, cause I hate watching when someone I care about is being taken away from me." Riku confessed reluctantly.
"Someone you care about?" Axel asked with a sense of nervousness.
"Yeah." Riku sighed.
"I see. Well, is there anything I can do to help?" Axel asked, so Riku sighed.
"I don't know." Riku shook his head, too hurt to make rational decisions.
"Alright. Just remember Prez, some roses are late bloomers, but that just means that their beauty is so grand, it waits until only those who are willing to wait for it, are left. It's too precious for just anyone." Axel smiled as he plucked a red rose from a bush and held it up to his nose. "And some roses are too delicate to place in just any pair of hands." Axel held the rose out for Riku, who took it curiously.
Axel turned around, but Riku couldn't take it anymore.
"Axel! Please, just, tell me in real words, what's going on?" Riku shook his head, confused.
"Excuse me?" Axel turned around and asked.
"I, I can't take these riddles. You sound so smart and romantic and sweet, but I can't afford to misinterpret what you're saying." Riku frowned in his own embarrassment.
"What do you interpret me to be saying?" Axel asked with a smile.
"It, it sounds like you want to date me." Riku guessed nervously.
"And, if you happen to be right?" Axel crossed his arms.
"Then I, I want you to know that, I," What was he thinking? Was he really about to confess? He worked so hard to push the redhead away, but it was as if Axel was some kind of magnet that always found its way back to him. Could he surrender? Then again, what would be worse? Surrendering his heart to Axel? Or surrendering his shot at love to Xion?
"You?" Axel asked, leaning forward, anxious to hear what Riku had to say next.
"I," Riku gulped, scared of the potential consequences of sharing.
"Prez?" Axel wasn't sure where this was going.
"Well I," Riku started before Xion interrupted.
"Axel!" Xion ran up to Axel in her short black dress and black heels.
Axel sighed to himself and turned around.
"Hey, I thought you went to eat?" Axel asked.
"I was, but, I just, I have to tell you now before I lose the courage." Xion huffed in anxiousness.
"Lose the courage?" Axel asked.
"I love you Axel. I love everything about you; I love your intelligence, your hard work, your soccer skills, your kindness, everything. I love you, and I want to be with you for forever." Xion smiled with hope.
Axel's eyes went wide as he looked around nervously.
"I, I'm so flattered." Axel coughed.
Riku looked back and forth, trying to hold his breath as he anticipated what would happen next.
"Really? Cause I was hoping that maybe we could get to know each other more, exclusively." Xion blushed.
"That, that sounds so," Axel paused, trying to think as Riku frowned.
"Aww, are you two dating yet?" Kairi exclaimed as she walked up in her red strapless dress with her other close friend, Namine. Riku cleared his throat, not sure what to say or do as he wondered if this was planned somehow on the girls behalf.
"I think they'd make a great couple." Namine said shyly in her white halter-top.
"What do you think Axel? Would you like to join me for dinner?" Xion asked with big eyes.
"Oh, um," Axel looked from Xion to Kairi to Riku, then back to Xion. "Sure." Axel said shyly.
"If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to take a little walk before I have to return to start the talent show." Riku excused himself from the conversation as he began his lonely walk further into the garden. As he took the first few steps with his back towards the group, Riku felt a tear trail down his cheek.
He didn't realize how mistaken he had been for assuming that Axel had liked him, but now he knew that he would never make that mistake again.
"How could I have been so foolish?" Riku wiped his silent tears as he reached the center of the garden. "What a waste of time! God I hope he forgets all about this with his precious girlfriend!" Riku took the rose that Axel gave him out of his pocket and squished it in his fist. "Why?" Riku wondered as he threw it on the ground.
"Prez?" Axel ran up to Riku, scared.
"Go away!" Riku shouted.
"Prez, what's going on? You're…you're crying?"
"No I'm not, no thanks to you anyway. Just get out of here and leave me alone." Riku glared harshly as he stepped on the rose and pushed past Axel.
"Prez, please, let me explain." Axel reached for Riku's hand.
"Don't touch me! Didn't I tell you not to touch me again?" Riku asked in an angry annoyance.
"Prez, calm down, please." Axel requested in a sympathetic fear.
"Just go with Xion already!" Riku shooed Axel away, who shook his head.
"Not until I get to tell you the truth!" Axel shouted back, taking Riku's shoulders in his hands.
"I said don't touch me!" Riku slapped Axel with all that he had, watching as Axel cupped his own cheek.
"Well, I won't make that mistake again," Axel nodded with a broken smile as Riku stood frozen.
"I," Riku wanted to apologize, not knowing where to begin.
"I'm sorry I aggravated you." Axel bowed with a single tear falling down his cheek.
"Axel," Riku reached for Axel's cheek, but the redhead left Riku standing alone under a lamppost.
"Axel!" Riku shouted, wanting to take it all back. Riku sighed, sat down, and spent the next hour alone while techno dance music boomed from the ballroom.
After Riku had enough space as he could allow himself, he returned to the dance as Sora interrogated him about his absence.
"I'm fine, it's ok." Riku gave the most convincing fake smile that he could.
"If you say so." Sora sighed.
"Riku, the dance is a hit! I think we should host more events like this." Kairi smiled, so Riku nodded.
"I couldn't agree more."
"Would you like to join me for dinner before the talent show begins?" Kairi asked and Riku felt like he had nothing better to do, so he agreed. Throughout the entire meal, Riku was filled with guilt to no end. All he could think about was how much he wanted to take his pointless act of violence back. Sure, he was hurt; but that's no excuse for a President to hit someone. The worst part was that it wasn't the first time Riku had slapped Axel. He knew that if he didn't straighten things out and make all necessary changes, then a pattern would form that could ruin his reputation, and perhaps even his 'friendship', or whatever it was technically called.
While the other students at his table made small talk about the dance and the differing academies, Riku stared at his plate, munching on smile bites to keep himself busy while waiting for the talent show to begin. When the time for the talent show arrived, Riku left his guests and joined Luxord in the back room.
"Alright, are you ready?" Riku asked, handing Luxord the schedule for the nights events.
"Naturally. Demyx and his band will close after my final act. That's pretty much it." Luxord shrugged.
"If anything goes wrong, I'll be there to take over. Remember, you're in charge of cleaning up the entire event, as punishment for having me cuffed to Axel without a spare key handy." Riku glared.
"Oh come now, don't act like you didn't enjoy it. We all knew that you were only pretending to be angry."
"I'm afraid you are mistaken." Riku said quickly before he rushed back to the ballroom, helping Sora take down some of the last decorations while Luxord began the talent show in the auditorium.
"You seem, stressed?" Sora guessed correctly as he and Riku began throwing away the trash.
"I just hope the auditorium is still standing by the time Luxord is done." Riku sighed.
"Well, I can finish here alone so you can oversee the talent show if you'd like," Sora shrugged.
"It's ok Sora, this is a lot of work, and to be honest I like being around you. You keep me sane." Riku threw in a laugh to calm down his best friend.
"Aww, glad I could help!" Sora cheered up. "You know, maybe we can invite Axel," Sora flirted, unaware of what had happened between the two.
"It's fine. He uh, he's busy with his date." Riku sighed, throwing more empty cups into a bag.
"Riku? You two really do fight a lot, or at least you pretend to be. Maybe, maybe you both could, I don't know, try to get a long more?" Sora suggested.
"Sora, you make it seem like I want to be angry at him, and I don't." Riku grew angry at himself.
"Hmm, well maybe you can show it more, that you aren't angry at him." Sora shrugged happily.
"It's too late. It's fine, I, I don't want to talk about it." Riku sighed angrily, hurrying up to finish before Sora rushed back to the auditorium to take over as Master of Ceremonies as was originally decided by Luxord. Olette, from the Ladies Academy, was the first Master of Ceremonies, and when Sora rescued her during the intermission, Riku knew that the talent show was in good hands. With his deep trust in his vice president, Riku was able to relax enough to wait in the backroom, thankful that the redhead was nowhere in sight.
Two hours later, Demyx's band was wrapping up the event, where both schools were saying goodbye before the students from the Ladies academy returned to their campus.
"We'll be back tomorrow for the game." Kairi hugged Riku goodbye before everyone returned to their rooms, except for Riku. Riku was adamant about finding Axel and apologizing as much as was necessary to get any possibility of a second chance.
"Axel? Axel!" Riku chased after the tall redhead who stood outside his door, key in lock to enter inside.
"What do you want?" Axel groaned.
"I wanted to apologize." Riku bit his lip nervously.
"For what? Hitting me? Yelling at me? Which is it?" Axel asked with annoyance, keeping his back to Riku.
"For…forget it." Riku stood up proudly, frustrated at Axel's frustration.
"Ok, well, thank you for wasting more of my time." Axel rolled his eyes as he unlocked his door.
"Your time? You were the one who groped my ass that day of practice and then again today, and you're the one who played that nasty prank on me in the locker room that I could get your ass expelled for! That's not even including your attempt to play dead, which could also land you in big trouble if I reported you." Riku kept his voice down in volume, but not in rage.
"Are you?" Axel asked, turning around. Riku tried to look Axel in the eye, but all he could see was the red bruised cheek that he had slapped.
"N-no." Riku admitted quietly.
"Goodnight Prez." Axel sighed in annoyance as he opened his door, walked in his dorm, and then slammed the door.
Riku stood there, lost, before he felt his eyes hurting. He turned back and walked to his dorm, closing the door before he changed into sleep clothes and curled up in bed.
Author's Note: Wow, what a crazy chapter. Axel sets everything up so nicely, Riku is just about to finally confess his feelings, and then Xion comes along. Safe to say I don't like her, sorry to those of you who do, but at least she's helping Riku see his love in Axel lol. But anyway, poor Riku, I honestly don't blame him for his outburst, even though it was more dramatic than it needed to be. So much happened in such a quick time, and I'm sorry if it feels rushed, but I just have SO much writing to work on between all of the stories I have, and the amount of HW that I have is starting to pile up. Ugh, college is a pain. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter, despite its quick pace! Note, the story will continue in this fashion (moving quickly), so heads up lol. Thanks for the understanding!
To Rikuobsession: Yeah, you'll have to read the next chapter to see how that all goes down, between Axel and Xion, but you do have a point that Xion helped Riku to see what he's missing out on! Good predictions, and I wish I could hug Riku too! Lol
To Luckycat222: Hahaha, you and I can both dislike Xion together. I pronounce her name as Zai-on, not She-on, so Idgaf about her at all lol. Namine is a close guess!
To xSonya: hahaha, I know right? I wish I could tell Riku to go get with Axel already! (ok, so I can, but that wouldn't be as fun, now would it?) lol. Aww, your prediction is SO CLOSE! Good job! Who knows how things may change in the next chapter
To Jenny-Xenj-Harris: There will be conflict, just hang in there ^_^ Thanks for reviewing!
To ZeltaFrost: Aww, isn't it so frustrating how Riku is stopping himself from being in the perfect relationship! You'll figure out more about Axel bringing Xion in the future! Aww, that's so sweet of you to say. Thanks, my guy crush invited me out to spend time with him, his bf, and another mutual friend, but I just couldn't go. Besides, since I stayed behind, I have time to post this, so I guess it all worked out in the end lol. Still though, that comment of yours was just so amazing. Thank you.
To kindofabadger: Isn't it torture? So not fair! Lol Hmm, your predictions are always so spot on its scary. Makes me think that my writing isn't good enough, like it's too predictable? Lol, I don't remember when I wrote so much (what you referred to in your last review) but I wish I had that time so I could do it again, post and update as often as often as I'd like.
To Cirxe145: haha, I love that "Xion the enemy of yaoi". Cockblocker for sure! Lol. OMG I love that you don't like Xion cause I don't like her either! Yay we can be Xion hating buddies lol. It would be funny, sadly not in this chapter, maybe in future ones, guess only time will tell! Thanks for reviewing!
To Keyblade Master13: No need to apologize for the language, I don't cuss in real life but I do it all the time in my writing, so its all good lol. Man, your prediction is so sexy! Can't spoil anything, but patience, that's about all I can say, sorry! Thanks for the review, Love, Sarabellum ^_^
Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing!
Heart, from Japan, Sarabellum