Riku held his breath and looked to Axel, who had his neck turned to look behind him, anxious and nervous.
"Congratulations to," Sora clicked the button before the four letter name came up on the screen. "Riku!" Sora shouted proudly before Riku whipped his head around to see the proof for himself.
"I won?" He asked in utter shock as the crowd cheered.
"We did it!" Sora jumped up and down, clapping his hands in triumph as Riku stood to his shaky feet.
"Congratulations Prez. I hope I was a formidable opponent worth the trouble." Axel shook hands with Riku on stage as the silverrete tried to compose his thoughts and happiness as best he could.
"You certainly were. Thank you." Riku smiled politely, just before Axel gave a weak wink.
"Good job Riku. You too baby." Roxas also shook Riku's hand before he kissed Sora on the cheek.
"Thank you Roxas." Sora continued to wear his proud smile before he motioned Riku to the podium for his congratulatory speech.
"I, I really am speechless, despite having prepared a speech for such an occasion, one I was certain would not occur." Riku said into the microphone. "Thank you so much for all of your support, and I promise to continue serving this academy to the best of my ability."
After another quick wrap up speech from Sora, the students assembled into the cafeteria for cake, soda, and other such celebratory snacks.
"Congratulations Riku!"
"Yeah, you did it!"
"Good job Riku!"
Students congratulated the silver haired teen as they passed through the cafeteria.
"Thank you, thanks, I appreciate it." The president smiled back with occasional head nods.
"So, what are the celebrating plans?" Sora asked Riku, who looked over to where Axel and Roxas were sitting quietly in a corner.
"They look sad." Riku whispered mainly to himself, unable to even answer Sora's question as his head filled with curiosity.
"Well, yeah, they lost." Sora shrugged simply.
"I don't like seeing Axel sad. It's not like him." Riku let out an unsatisfied sigh. True he hadn't revealed to anyone, not even Sora, that they were dating, but he couldn't hide his disappointment in Axel's disappointment.
"I thought he was just an opponent?" Sora caught Riku's bluff with his sarcasm.
"He's more than that," Riku whispered, hoping Sora wouldn't notice, but he did.
"What exactly is he?" Sora asked curiously.
"My boyfriend," Riku turned to Sora and confessed, his cheeks a bit red in bliss and embarrassment all the same.
"WHAT?!" Sora jumped up and down. "That's like even better than winning the election! Oh my god! Rikuuuuu!" Sora whined with a playful hit to Riku's arm.
"Oww! What was that for?" Riku asked harshly.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"The timing just wasn't right. We wanted to wait till after the election results came through." Riku answered.
"You two are so cute and so adorable and aww, I'm so happy for you!"
"Thanks. I only wish Axel were happy." Riku glanced back at his boyfriend, who was frowning with Roxas also frowning at his side.
"Awww, well then go cheer him up!" Sora proposed with a bright smile.
"Right. You want to come with me?" Riku gulped nervously.
"Sure." Sora shrugged, seeing no potential harm in it for himself.
"Hey," Riku walked up to Axel, his hands in his pockets as Axel sat on a table with Roxas sitting on its accompanying bench.
"Yo." Axel said, his eyes remaining fixed on whatever it was that was dead straight in front of him.
"You ok?" Riku cleared his throat shyly.
"Yep." Axel let out a deep breath.
"Roxy, what about you?" Sora asked, just to help take the pressure off of Riku.
"I'll be alright." Roxas raised a fist to his cheek and let his face slump on it.
"We, we should go celebrate, go do something." Sora proposed to get rid of the sad energy flowing around those four students while the rest of the school partied happily in the background, not even caring that Riku won, but more focused on the fact that they had an excuse to eat sugar on campus, and try to find alcohol off campus later that night.
"I don't know Sora," Roxas looked disappointed, but when Sora gave an innocent and blissfully unaware pout, Roxas shook his head. "Ok baby, what would you like to do?" Roxas stood up with his hands on Sora's narrow hips.
"I just wanted to show Riku how proud I am for how hard he's worked." Sora looked at his shoes, trying to look guilty to look that much more innocent.
"Of course baby, and you too. You are such a hard worker, and I'm very proud of you." Roxas hugged his boyfriend.
"Thank you. And you're proud of Riku too, right?" Sora asked, as if the question only had one answer.
"Yes, of Riku too." Roxas gave in with a smile.
"Good." Sora said just as Axel stood up.
"You did a splendid job Prez, I'm not at all surprised you won." Axel gave a small smile.
"So why are you so sad?" Riku didn't want flattery, he wanted an explanation.
"For a petty reason. I apologize I am not allowing you to celebrate properly. Come on, let's go off campus and get some good dinner, my treat?" Axel asked to his boyfriend and the twins, who all nodded.
They made a clean escape from the cafeteria and into the dorm building to change out of their formal suits.
"So, where should we go?" Roxas asked just as they all met up outside the dorm building, all of the boys dressed casually for the recent cold weather.
"I know a good place off campus for some really good food. Nice dining but no suit attire needed. I think it's appropriate for the amazing victories before us." Axel smiled at Riku as he answered his best friend.
"I'm in." Roxas agreed, so naturally Sora nodded along. "So, we taking your car?" the blonde asked the redhead.
"Sure. Oh, that reminds me, I have a congratulations present for Prez." Axel tapped a finger against his temple in memory.
"A present?"
"Yeah; I told you, I knew you were going to win." Axel shrugged.
"How?" Riku was curious as they started to walk towards the student garage.
"Please, you're way more responsible than I am." Axel scoffed.
"Then why did you insist I drop out with dignity and join your side?" Riku had always wondered, but never had the courage to ask until now that he knew he had won.
"Cause," Axel stopped walked with a sigh.
"Cause why?" Sora asked cautiously.
"Well, my family has a lot. Hell, they have everything. They have munny, food, houses, cars, you name it. All my parents want from me is to uphold their name and honor. Kairi is the president at her school, and last Christmas when I went home they told her they were very proud of her. They, they never once said that to me. I mean, she's more mature than I am, and she's a girl so my parents go easy on her. I guess I just wanted to feel like I wasn't letting them down. But it's not really all that important. In the end it's not why I decided to run for President anyway."
"So why did you?" Sora asked, this time with his usual inquisitive nature.
"I ran, because I wanted to get closer to Riku." Axel looked at his boyfriend with smiling jade eyes.
"Awww!" Sora said almost mockingly as Roxas chuckled.
"You two seriously need to hurry up and get it on." Roxas shook his head and continued walking towards the garage, continuing to talk before the others could inform him of the already existing relationship. "So now I'm wondering, what did you get Riku?" Roxas asked just as they stopped outside the garage.
"Nothing big," Axel shrugged as he walked to his garage, on campus, for his car.
"Axel Lea you are not giving me your expensive sports car." Riku shook his head at the idea of such an expensive gift.
"Of course not." Axel scoffed. "Mine's used and a few years old." Axel opened the garage to show his red sports car.
"Thank god," Riku sighed, not sure if he was able to withstand the weight of such a present.
"Which is why I got you the brand new model," Axel flickered on the lights to show a silver car of the same make but new model.
"Holy SHIT!" Roxas put a hand to his head.
"Dang," Sora barely mouthed the word as the car literally shined with a glossy paint.
"I can't believe it." Riku stared at the car in fear.
"If I remember correctly you don't have your license yet but I'll teach you how." Axel shrugged as he unlocked his car.
"Wait! What? No! Axel, what if I crash it?! I've never even tried driving! Oh my god that, I, I don't even want to touch it; it looks far too expensive! I'll crash it for sure! It'll be ruined! I can't even drive!" Riku panicked as all the thoughts overwhelmed his mind.
"If you crash it I'll just get you a new one." Axel said as if it were such a simple question.
"Axel, no, that's, it's, it's way too much munny!" Riku sighed with a hand to his head to calm down his rapidly beating heart.
"Don't worry about it." Axel opened the door for Riku to sit behind him with Sora in the back as well. "I'm going to spoil my prince as best I can."
"I really can't accept this," Riku's eyes didn't return to their normal state as he glared at the shining silver metal.
"Prez, if you had a penny in your pocket and I asked you for it, would you think twice about giving it to me?" Axel asked as Riku quickly shook his head. "Ok, same thing." Axel shrugged.
"How can you even compare the two?! This must be a million times more than that!" Riku rushed his hands to his hair in a mental awe.
"If you don't mind me asking, just how much was it? I kind of want one." Roxas scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Just under a million munny actually." Axel said plainly.
"A MILLION MUNNY?!" Riku tugged at his hair to keep from passing out.
"Yeah." Axel said with calmly blinking eyes.
"Axel, I can't," Riku shook his head even as he sat down and Axel shut his door.
"Riku, either shut up and take the car or I'll steal it!" Roxas sat in the front seat as Axel chuckled.
"You've got a nice car too."
"Yeah, but Sora won't let me go fast in it." Roxas pouted.
"It's dangerous Roxy!" Sora lectured from the back seat.
"Is it dangerous when he's going fast inside you?" Axel asked as Sora gasped.
"AXEL!" Sora bottled up as Roxas laughed.
"Nah he's always begging for more, huh baby?" Roxas turned around as Sora folded his arms and clenched his lips shut. "Aww come on babe, don't be grumpy."
"Riku! Your boyfriend's being mean!" Sora tattled.
"BOYFRIEND?!" Roxas whipped his head around once more to look at Riku. When the silverrete remained silent, Axel shrugged.
"Yeah, about that," Axel coughed in his guilt.
"Dang, how did I not know?" Roxas asked himself.
"Prez wanted privacy, and I will give him everything his heart desires, and more." Axel said.
"Awww, he's so cute!" Sora squealed.
"I thought you said I was mean?" Axel asked with a smirk.
"Oh yeah!" Sora snapped his fingers. "Riku! He's being mean!" the brunette whined.
"My boyfriend just paid for my brand new car. I don't think I can say a word against him for the rest of my life." Riku said, his voice numb as if he were still in disbelief.
"You guys, this is going to be the best double date ever!" Roxas said just as they all entered the restaurant.
After a relaxing yet formal dinner, the two couples drove back to campus and said goodbye, each couple to a dorm for the night.
"Thank you, for everything. Dinner was amazing, the car is….is beyond words. You, you really do spoil me, Axel." Riku sat on Axel's bed, read to change into his sleepwear.
"I'm glad you enjoyed today." Axel shed his shirt.
"I just, I feel bad." Riku frowned.
"Why?" Axel rushed to Riku's side with concern.
"Because," Riku looked at the floor before returning his gaze to Axel's eyes. "I'll never be able to give you half of the riches you've already given me."
"Riku, love isn't about expectations, it's about trying to make the other person smile. I know how you were raised, and I know that I want you to experience a time in our life when you get everything you want, because it's what you deserve. In return, all I want is to see you smile. That is how I feel restored." Axel smiled.
"Axel, it's not that simple. If, if you keep giving me such luxurious gifts, I'm only going to feel guilty that I can't ever pay you back." Riku bit his lip.
Axel let out a sigh through his nose, not sure how to express himself. "If these gifts make you uncomfortable then I shall stop. All I want is for you to be happy. However, I do want to express that I'm not looking for anything in exchange."
"But I want to give you something back!" Riku whined. "That's the problem. I, I want to make you smile too. But you're so far out of my league." Riku shook his head hopelessly. "You're out of my league." Riku put a hand to his head as he sniffled.
"Prez," Axel moved to hug him, but Riku swatted his arm away.
"I don't even deserve your hugs! You, you could get sick, touching someone as poor as me," Riku wiped his eyes.
"Prez," Axel sighed in frustration.
"You come from a family that is richer than royalty, and I, I come from a neighborhood where finding twenty munny on the street means life has given you more luck than you'll ever imagine. And here you are, buying me a car worth a million munny! I just, I can't Axel. I can't date someone who doesn't come from my world." Riku let a tear fall down his cheek.
"You're breaking up with me?" Axel asked, his voice calm, his mind anxious, his heart nervous.
"I'm still wondering why you haven't broken up with me yet!" Riku pounded a fist against his head. "I could slave every day for the rest of my life and I still would never be able to repay you for everything you've already spoiled me with!" Riku shook his head.
"Forgive me for speaking out, Prez, but you're wrong."
"Huh?" Riku ran his arm across his running nose in confusion.
"On my seventh birthday, you gave me a kiss. And then, at this last Winter formal, you gave me a second chance to love you again. Those two moments combined are worth far more than all the munny my family ever owned and ever will own. I would be beyond selfish to ask for a penny more. I buy these gifts, because I want you to see how serious I am, about pleasing you and seeing you smile. If you asked for another car, I won't rest until it is yours. If you asked for golden necklace, I will buy the purest of gold. If you asked for a kiss, I will offer you my lips, and if you are serious about ending this relationship, than I shant stop you from finding the lips you do desire." Axel said with a somber demeanor.
"I," Riku sniffled. "I know what I want to ask for." He blinked another tear free.
"Anything, my prince," Axel whispered.
"A hug?" Riku bit his lip before he closed his eyes, leaning his body into Axel's open arms.
"Shhh," Axel rubbed Riku's back.
"I want that kiss now, please?" Riku looked up into Axel's smiling eyes.
"Of course." Axel nodded before lowering his lips as gently as ever onto Riku's. "Better?" he asked just as he pulled away.
"Mhm. I'm sorry, for getting emotional. I, I don't want us to stop being together. I just feel bad. I want to give you everything you deserve too, but I can't."
"Please know that you already are. For every kiss you give me, every time your beautiful eyes look in my direction, I already feel as if I'm being given more than I deserve." Axel smiled honestly.
"You are far more than I deserve, but I am grateful." Riku squeezed Axel's back.
"Such a compliment from such a perfect person." Axel chuckled just before Riku's phone went off. "Probably someone to congratulate the President of TTA, for yet another successful year to come." Axel gave a supportive smile.
"Oh, you're right! It's my grandma!" Riku jumped to his feet and answered his phone with excitement. "Hi Nana! Yeah! Yeah, uh-uh, yep, well guess….Yeah, yeah I won!" Riku failed to hold back a smile, causing Axel to smile as he watched. "Yeah, I won. No, no my competitor was a tough opponent, I really didn't think I'd win." Riku looked to his boyfriend before becoming distracted once again by the phone conversation. "Thank you, I really did try. Thank you. Umm, well I'll probably stay on campus again this year. I'll miss you too." Riku said quietly as Axel sat up straight, hearing the sorrow in Riku's voice. "I wish I could too, but, just one more year. Then, then I can go home, right?" Riku asked anxiously. "I've been saving, so if I continue to save for another year I might be able to. I wish I could go sooner." Riku went quiet, listening to his grandmother on the other end before he sniffled. "I know Nana, I'm happy you're proud but I, I miss you." He sat down on the floor, his back to his boyfriend. "I'll try to be strong, I just wish I could go back, just for this weekend. It isn't easy spending so much time away from you. I miss you so much. I miss your cooking too." Riku tried to laugh, but the inner pain showed through, and when he started crying, Axel watched with wide, unsure eyes. "I love you too. I, I'm not." Riku wiped his eyes. "No, I'm not crying." He said as he choked on more tears, causing Axel to give a silent laugh in admiration. "I'm trying." Riku said with a strained voice. "Ok. I love you too. Bye Nana." Riku hung up his phone and continued to clean his face with his sleeve, too embarrassed to even turn around to see Axel.
"You ok?" Axel sat down by his boyfriend on the floor.
"My Grandma uh, she uh, she called to ask who won the election," Riku sniffled, trying to cheer himself up.
"I'm sure she's incredibly proud of you." Axel rubbed Riku's shoulder.
"I just miss her. I haven't seen her in three years." Riku sighed.
"What? What about summer break? Autumn break? Winter break? Spring break? All the major holidays?" Axel asked in utter shock. Riku only shook his head. "What's so special about this weekend?" Axel had been curious since Riku had mentioned it over the phone.
"My eighteenth birthday." Riku whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?!" Axel panicked.
"Because, I knew you'd only try to spend more munny than I'm worth!" Riku fought back.
"Prez no such amount exists!" Axel argued.
"Axel, I, I never tell anyone my birthday, cause no one ever asked, cause no one ever cared." Riku gave a pathetic smile as Axel sighed.
"My prince, how could you think such fallacies? I care! I can't believe I went so long without knowing." Axel shook his head in disbelief.
"I've worked hard to keep it secret to everyone; well, except Sora." Riku chuckled lightly.
"Why don't you go home this year? It's a special age, to turn eighteen." Axel asked.
"For the same reason why I haven't been home in three years; I could never afford it, so I just stay on campus." Riku coughed.
"One plane ticket coming right," Axel started, but Riku shook his head.
"No, I can't, I'm not going to use you for your munny."
"You aren't using me." Axel shrugged back.
"I will not have you pay for my plane ticket. If I can't afford it then I can do without it." Riku nodded, sure of himself.
"Riku, come on, let's not go through this anymore and just let me help you. You might as well get used to it. I'm serious when I say whatever it is you desire, it shall be yours." Axel said.
"I can't live that way, I just, it's not what I'm used to."
"Well it's what you deserve."
"Axel, I'm serious. You are not allowed to buy me a plane ticket." Riku said sternly.
"Alright. That is my restriction. I shall not buy you a plane ticket." Axel nodded.
"Or a bus ticket or taxi ticket and I'm not driving that brand new car all the way," Riku started, but silenced himself when he saw Axel dialing his phone. "Who are you?" Once again Riku stopped short, just as Axel began talking on the phone.
"This is Axel Lea, and I'd like to request my private jet to escort the President of Twilight Town Academy to Hollow Bastion. Yes. Hang on," Axel moved the phone away from his mouth as Riku stared at him with wide eyes. "Prez, when do you want to go?"
"What?" Riku could barely speak.
"When do you want to go home? How about Friday?" Axel asked curiously. Still lost in everything that was happening, Riku nodded. "Arrange for the jet to be ready to fly on Friday strictly at six in the evening. There will be a limousine escort to pick him up from his dorm three hours prior and drive him to the very door of the jet is that understood? I want there to be food and drinks available every step of the way from the second you greet him until he arrives at his destination. Who am I speaking to? Great, I'll make sure to memorize it, because I am holding you personally responsible for his well being on this trip, is that understood?" Axel said clearly as Riku tugged on his arm, his brain suddenly working. "Hang on," Axel put the person on his phone on hold. "Yes?" he asked Riku.
"Come with me!" Riku's eyes went wide with excitement.
"What?" Axel was a bit surprised.
"Please? I've never flown before. I….I'm scared," He looked to Axel in fear. Axel nodded before resuming his phone call.
"You've been released from your duty of ensuring his safety and happiness as I will accompany him on his trip. Please prepare my luggage for a weekend's length and make sure my usual snacks are in the jet. Thank you." Axel hung up.
"I can't believe you just did that." Riku gulped with a hand to his head.
"You said no buying a plane ticket. You didn't know I owned a jet, did you?"
"Is it your families?" Riku had to ask.
"No this one is mine." Axel put his phone in his pocket. "Well, they bought it for me so I guess it's theirs, but we have our own."
"Damn." Riku let out a deep breath.
"Come on Prez, you should pack." Axel smiled.
"Oh my god! I should call my Nana! She'll have to prepare and clean, but I should warn you," Riku paused his excitement for a brief moment. "It's a tiny house. And it's old. And the town is a bit run down. Basically, it's nothing at all like you're used to." Riku frowned. "Now that I think about it I probably shouldn't have invited you." He sighed.
"Why not?" Axel took offense.
"Cause, when you see where I live you're going to want to dump me and my poor ass." Riku sighed.
"Prez that is ridiculous. Besides, I love your ass." Axel smirked before he kissed Riku's cheek.
"Axel," Riku chuckled. "Seriously though, I'm, I'm nervous. I, I can't help but be embarrassed of where I come from. I'm ashamed of my own history." Riku frowned.
"Don't ever be ashamed for who you are. Especially since you're such a wonderful person." Axel smiled in comfort.
"Thank you." Riku smiled humbly. "Anyway, I should call my grandmother!" Riku said with excitement as he rushed to dial the number. "Hello? Nana? Listen I, I'm coming home!" Riku said happily, a smile across his face as Axel smiled in return. "In two days, I'm bringing a guest is that ok? You'll love him, he's, he's really sweet. Axel, Axel Lea. Yeah, he is from the Lea family. He goes to the Academy. Well, I met him at the day care, back when I used to go. Mhm, we play soccer together and," Riku gulped; he knew his grandmother wouldn't care about him being gay, but he knew telling her he was in a relationship meant she would want to discuss it. "and we're dating." Riku bit his lip. He went silent as Axel watched, trying to read facial signs as best he could. "Yes he does, he's always trying and does everything he can to make me happy." Axel smiled at Riku. "I do. Ok I will. Nana!" Riku whined. "But!" Riku sighed. "Fine." He muttered before he extended the phone to a clueless redhead. "Here, she wants to talk to you."
Axel cleared his throat nervously, not knowing what to say to a woman he had never before met, but someone who he knew was very important, because she was clearly important to Riku.
"Hello? Yes ma'am, it is. It's a pleasure to meet you. Yes ma'am. No ma'am. Thank you ma'am. As you wish, Nana." Axel gave a small smile. "Yes he is. I understand. Of course. It was wonderful meeting you. I look forward to it as well. Goodbye." Axel handed the phone back to Riku.
"So, what do you think? Yes he's very proper." Riku chuckled. "He's sweet. Alright, sounds good. I can't wait!" Riku jumped up in the dorm. "I love you Nana!" He started to tear up once more. "I, I can't wait to be home." He wiped his eyes. "Yeah, he really is." Riku looked to Axel, who was looking back at the silverrete in a serious and thoughtful manner. "Bye Nana." Riku sniffled before he hung up.
"You ok?" Axel asked once more.
"Mhm." Riku nodded before he gave a nervous smile. "I'm going home." He said with excitement.
"Yeah, for your birthday." Axel smiled along.
"It's the best present ever! Thank you!" Riku hugged his boyfriend.
"It's the least I can do for your birthday." Axel said humbly.
"Gosh, I'm so excited I don't think I'll be able to sleep." Riku sighed happily as he changed quickly into his pajama's.
"Won't you try? You worked hard and your body needs to rest my prince." Axel changed into sleep shorts and hopped in bed.
"Yeah, guess you're right." Riku scooted in next.
Two days later, Riku and Axel were greeted by one of Axel's servants who escorted the two boys to the limo.
"Dang, I've never been inside of one of these before." Riku looked around the spacious interior in awe.
"Not even for school events?"
"Well, they're always on campus, and so am I, so, no." Riku said plainly.
"If you want I can take you on dates in limo's." Axel offered.
"No, it's fine, I just, I'm excited it's my first time." Riku answered shyly.
"You're so adorable." Axel admired Riku's mild blush as they rode to the private airfield where Axel's personal jet was waiting for them.
"I, I'm a bit nervous." Riku gulped when he and Axel climbed up the staircase that led to the jet's interior, right behind Axel's assistants who moved their luggage to Axel's bedroom within the small jet.
"Don't worry; I've flown in this jet plenty of times and will be with you the entire way." Axel smiled comfortingly.
"So, when we get there, Nana will probably want to talk for a while. But I'm sure she'll have dinner started," Riku began nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of having his rich boyfriend and poor lifestyle collide.
"I'm happy with whatever we do, so long as you're happy." Axel said as he sat down in one of four luxurious seats, two facing the others with a small table between them. "What are you doing?" Axel asked when Riku sat next to him.
"Sitting," Riku answered plainly.
"But I can't see you if you're next to me," Axel said before he glanced at the empty chair straight across from him.
"But I can't hold your hand from across." Riku argued innocently before Axel chuckled.
"You're right. I apologize, my prince." Axel smiled politely before taking Riku's hand.
"We're ready for lift-off." The pilot said before the jet rose off the ground. With his hand squeezing Axel's and his eyes tightly shut, Riku held his breath for a whole minute before Axel was able to soothe him.
"Don't worry, we're ok." Axel kept Riku's body close to his before the two enjoyed cake and sparkling apple cider that was prepared especially for them.
"This, this is not so bad," Riku gulped before they hit turbulence.
"Shh, it's fine." Axel rubbed Riku's arm as Riku rushed his eyes closed.
"I don't like this part." Riku gritted his teeth as the jet bumped up and down through the air.
"Come on, let's go in the back." Axel unbuckled his seatbelt and told the main assistant that he and Riku were going to rest in his quarters before they had to be seated for landing. After opening a small door, Axel guided Riku to a bed in his tiny private room. "There we are." Axel laid down with Riku beside him.
"This is scary." Riku said, much like a small child, as he held onto Axel's chest.
"It'll be just fine." Axel cooed with his hand running up and down on Riku's ribs.
"I," Riku started but paused when the jet made a sudden, small drop.
"Shhh," Axel himself tried to hide back his discomfort just as the jet rose up again.
"I'm getting sick." Riku put a hand on his stomach.
"Ok, come on," Axel sat himself and his boyfriend up, his hand firmly massaging Riku's back as Riku tried to relax.
"Oh god," Riku gasped when the jet bounced again.
"It's usually not this bad," Axel tried to remain positive.
"Shit!" Riku clasped Axel's shirt tightly between his fingers.
"I'm sorry baby," Axel wished he could take the turbulence away.
"Are we, are we almost there?" Riku rushed to ask.
"Just a quick nap away." Axel gave a gentle smile. "Why don't we try to nap through this?"
"I don't think I can." Riku shook his head.
"Let's try," Axel suggested as Riku gave a sigh.
"Ok." Riku laid down in Axel's arms.
The redhead was thirty minutes into his nap when his twitching boyfriend woke him up by mistake.
"M?! You ok?" Axel woke up startled when he felt Riku jolt at his side.
"Sorry," Riku gulped, his head overwhelmed from worrying.
"We must be close." Axel sat up and ran his fingers through his hair.
"I hope so." Riku sat up next, his head resting on Axel's shoulder.
"You're so precious my Prince." Axel chuckled as he rubbed Riku's arm.
"I just hate the way my stomach feels." Riku groaned.
"I'm sure you'll feel better when we land." Axel said encouragingly. "Then we can celebrate your birthday."
"Oh, I forgot." Riku snapped before he went to get his backpack that was placed in Axel's quarters before the jet even took off.
"What is it?" Axel asked curiously.
"I, I have a present for you too."
"You do?" Axel raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"Yeah. It's a bit random, to give it to you now, but I don't think it's appropriate to open it in front of Nana, so," Riku coughed in guilt as Axel grinned.
"Oh? An inappropriate present? My boyfriend knows me well." Axel joked before he took the white box that Riku extended to him. "Prez, this looks really fancy." Axel gulped, a bit nervous on how to address his concern. He didn't want to embarrass Riku, but he didn't want Riku to go broke either.
"It really isn't." Riku shrugged.
"I hope you didn't waste your munny on a fool like me." Axel tried to smile light-heartedly, but Riku saw through it.
"Look, I know it's nothing compared to what you always spoil me with, but I, I tried." Riku bit his lip.
"Prez, I didn't mean it mockingly. I really am honored you would go out of your way to get me something, and I just don't want you to feel pressured, ok?" Axel tried to clarify his concerns.
"It really isn't costly, I just hope you still enjoy it." Riku said genuinely.
"I'm sure I will." Axel smiled before he opened the box to see a round green gem. It was clear by its size that it was not a real emerald, but it was shining proudly nonetheless. "What," Axel started but stopped when he turned the box to the side to see what the object was. "You bought me a jade gem butt plug?"
"Yeah. I mean, I know you could buy one with real jewels but I, I just wanted to let you know I want to be intimate with you. I really do appreciate how you spoil me." Riku grew a bit red in the face.
"You are so thoughtful and kind. Your gift truly is among one of the best I have ever been blessed with. Thank you, my prince." Axel set the box on his bed to hug Riku. "When will I have the honors to try it on?" he asked with a smug grin.
"Well, I was thinking when we fly back to the dorm, after the weekend." Riku shrugged.
"I see. So you give it to me now to torture me for the next two days?" Axel asked with a chuckle as Riku laughed in guilt.
"I thought it would be fun to give you something to look forward to." Riku shrugged.
"I am very much looking forward to it." Axel smiled, kissed Riku's temple, and then listened to the pilot's instructions to sit down and fasten their seatbelts as they began their descent.
"I, I hope you like it." Riku blushed up at the idea of such actions associated with his gift.
"I love it. I just want you to know that you don't have to do anything you don't want to, ok? We're on our own pace, no one else's." Axel gave a small kiss to the tip of Riku's nose.
"Thank you. I trust you." Riku smiled shyly before the jet made a smooth landing.
"See? That wasn't all too bad." Axel unbuckled his seat belt as he and Riku exited the jet.
"It wasn't all that great either." Riku shuddered before they entered yet another limousine.
"You ok?" Axel asked when he noticed how Riku continued to anxiously glare out the window.
"Yeah, it's just, it's been a while." Riku swallowed hard at the memories that flooded his mind. He saw the nearly run down stores he used to shop at when he needed food; the gas station that sold soda and candy he used to buy when he made extra munny in the summer; he even saw the gate to the high school where he was supposed to attend.
"I'm sure your grandmother will be so happy to see how amazing you are now. You truly are a person to be proud of." Axel took Riku's hand and rubbed it gently with his own.
"Thanks." Riku said, a bit nervous, hoping to live up to such expectations.
"We should be close," Axel checked his watch just as the driver pulled into the parking lot for an old apartment complex.
"We're here."
"We are?" Axel looked outside to see a grey staircase and grey building with a few old cars parked in the spaces available.
"Yeah, I'm up there," Riku pointed to a white door on the second floor.
"Here's fine!" Axel told the driver before he and Riku left the limousine.
"Look, before we get inside," Riku paused as Axel's assistant got their bags out of the limo.
"What's wrong?"
"I just, I want you to know that if you don't like, this type of lifestyle, well, I understand."
"Prez, I love you, every bit of you. So I know I'm going to love everything about you, your history, your present, and our future." Axel smiled as Riku smiled back.
"Our future?" he was desperate to hear it again.
"If it makes you happy, then yes." Axel held an arm out for Riku to grab onto as he escorted Riku to the second floor of the apartment complex via the worn out stairs.
"I'm a bit nervous." Riku said just before he knocked on his door.
"Don't worry, I'm sure everything will be just fine." Axel whispered right when Riku's grandmother opened the door.
"Oh, oh my, Riku!" An old woman with short white hair opened the door.
"Nana!" Riku threw his arms gently yet excitingly around his grandmothers neck.
"How are you baby?" She asked with a wide grin.
"Happy to be home." Riku took a deep breath inward before he let it out.
"Welcome home sweetie." Nana rubbed Riku's back, giving it a loving pat.
"Thanks Nana."
"And who is this tall, handsome young man?" Nana looked over to Axel.
"This is my boyfriend, Axel." Riku said happily.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Axel shook hands with a slight bow.
"My, such a gentleman." Nana gave an impressed eyebrow raise.
"Isn't he? He is really proper." Riku smiled along.
"Thank you, both of you." Axel gave a humble smile.
"Come in, both of you, come in. Dinner is on the stove and we have much catching up to do." Nana waved both boys in. For the entire weekend, Axel watched as Riku smiled and laughed more than he had ever before witnessed, which put a smile on the redhead's face. True he was not used to the tight living spaces nor the lower class conditions, but he was more than trained to have manners beyond comparison, which made Riku all the more happy.
"Get some rest, you'll be leaving early." Nana kissed Riku's forehead goodnight.
"Night Nana," Riku yawned before he fell asleep on the pull out bed the couch transformed into, the very bed he and Axel and been sharing during their stay.
"Goodnight dear." Nana kissed Axel's forehead as well as Axel smiled.
"Goodnight." Axel looked back to Riku to make sure he was truly asleep before he sat up. "Nana?" Axel asked, as Nana had requested him to address her.
"Yes?"
"Has Riku always been so hard on himself?" Axel wanted to know at what age did this boy seem to lose his innocence.
"Oh yes. He was always curious about the world, even as a baby. As a child he asked many questions, but once his mother passed, he fell into a deep quiet.
"Really?" Axel whispered in shock.
"I can't blame the poor dear. He was so young when she passed, and he needed her. A year later his father left, saying that Riku was just too expensive for him to look after. Food, diapers, schooling, it was hard for all of us but I too was working double shifts while cooking, cleaning, and attending Riku. When his father left, it hit us hard financially and physically, but it Riku hardest emotionally and mentally. A part of me still believes he blames himself for the weakness of a selfish man." Nana sighed in despair.
"No wonder he's so hardworking and persistent."
"He truly is, and I'm very proud of him. He swore to me that one day he would take care of me, although I'm sure that day isn't coming anytime soon." Nana winked back with a chuckle.
"And his dad?" Axel asked.
"Never saw him again." Nana cleared her throat. "The day he left, yelling and screaming, Riku was crying and apologizing. Do you believe it? A six year old boy, apologizing that he has to eat and grows out of old clothes and shoes? I was angry at his father, but there was nothing I could do but try to comfort Riku. Naturally, he wanted to go with his father, even after such horrible words were said. Riku packed his bags, and even though his father refused to take him, Riku waited by the door every day for a month before he realized he wasn't going anywhere."
"Oh my god," Axel uttered quietly.
"He had his little backpack with some clothes, and sat there and say that that was the day his father would return for him. It was hard, but I had to tell him the truth. When you grow up around here, you learn from a young age how to handle the hard cold truth. I think deep down inside, a part of Riku is still waiting cautiously, while another part of him is doing all he can to forget it ever happened." Nana nodded to herself.
"He has come so far." Axel wished there were other words to say, but he knew he had to keep his voice down as it was.
"He has, and he is happy now, and I'm sure you've helped contribute to that." Nana stood up from where she had been sitting on the pull out bed and turned off the small table lamp. "Goodnight sweetie."
"Night." Axel echoed before he got ready to sleep. He knew he wanted to make it up to Riku, even though it wasn't his responsibility to do so. That next day, the two flew back to campus, arriving in Riku's dorm just as night fell.
"Thank you so much, for taking me to see Nana, for the cake on my birthday, and for being so thoughtful." Riku smiled as he sat on his bed.
"Anything for you, my prince." Axel smiled with a gentle bow.
"Surely you can't think that after seeing my home, I'm still worthy of such a nickname." Riku frowned.
"Prez, it isn't about any of that. It's about this." Axel put his hand over Riku's heart. "And I love you for it."
"Thanks, sorry I just, man it's been a long weekend. Lots of memories, old ones, and good new ones too." Riku smiled thankfully at the redhead.
"I am very pleased to hear that."
"Speaking of pleased," Riku grunted.
"Yes, my love?"
"Well, you still have to try it on." Riku blushed.
"It?" Axel knew what Riku was referencing, but he wanted to hear the innocent teen be specific.
"The present I got you." Riku coughed.
"Yeah? What kind of present was it again?" Axel asked with a wink.
"Axe!" Riku protested.
"Just a reminder?" Axel begged.
"The, the plug," Riku mumbled.
"You going to help me put it in?" Axel leaned forward.
"Um, well, s-sure," Riku gulped.
"Really?" Axel was surprised that he was surprised.
"Yeah, let's get started." Riku shrugged before Axel took the box holding his gift out of his backpack.
"Please, do me a favor?" Axel leaned his body right up to Riku's.
"Yes?" Riku asked shakily, nervous at the intimacy before him.
"Show me, where does this go?"
Author's Note: ALRIGHT, so a couple things. ONE: this isn't the end of the story. The lemon will be posted in 2 chapters. The NEXT chapter will be my version of this story if AXEL WON the election. That's right. Originally I couldn't decide who should win the election, and I kept changing my mind over and over so sorry it took me so long to update, but I wanted to write both versions before posting any one version. SO if you wanted Riku to win, here you have it, and if you want Axel to win, you'll read it next chapter. I just wanted to show what my take on both versions would be like, so hope you understand and like it. And once again the lemon will be last. Sorry that this chapter went by way too fast, hopefully it wasnt too bad. So next up, Axel's version.
Also, poor Riku with his past and Axel is so sweet trying to help and they make a cute couple, no? I feel bad for putting Riku's version first, but I couldn't decide and well I guess I originally planned for him to win anyway so yeah, enough rambling sorry.
Thanks everyone for your support and patience. I'll do authors reviews/notes at the end of the Lemon, all at once if that's alright. Just super busy right now and to be honest I really don't have time nor the energy so yeah, the lemon will come as soon as I can get it down and I plan to post Axel's version within 24 hours which means it'll be up by the time most of you read it lol. Hope you liked the chapter!
Living Legacy, Sarabellum