Chapter Three
Riku pushed the shopping cart down the aisle and Roxas danced around, looking for the things they needed. The blonde boy grabbed a box of multicolored pasta and Riku's taste buds set ablaze. He knew with that pasta meant Roxas' ever so delicious pasta salad that Riku adored.
"Only three things left on this list and then Sora's party list which only has a few things on it, so we can go home soon," Roxas said, crossing off another item on the list. Riku groaned and leaned onto the bar of the cart and walked slowly after Roxas.
"Why am I with you instead of Axel?" Riku grumbled, not caring if Roxas heard him or not. He really hated shopping and Roxas loved to take his time and admire interesting things he saw.
"Well, because Axel dropped us off here so he could go visit his parents. And if we're getting Sora's present too, he can't be here. So, they're off at Axel's parent's house. We are shopping for the house. Axel's dad gave us some money to get groceries and shit. He sure is lucky his parents are loaded. Wish I could live a life like that," Roxas said, turning into the next aisle.
"You didn't tell me we're getting Sora's gift today! I would've brought my wallet! Besides, how are we going to hide it? Sora's going to notice it as we put the groceries away," Riku said, grabbing a box of pudding mix, hoping Roxas' wouldn't notice until they checked out. Chocolate pudding was Riku's other favorite food, right next to Roxas' pasta salad.
"Don't sweat it Riku. I brought my left over graduation money, so I'll cover you until we get back to the house. Then, I'll tell Sora they're just some stuff I thought I would like," Roxas said, throwing a box of some kind of chocolate cereal into the cart and crossing it off the list. He looked up at the signs, trying to find the aisle with all the sauces and dressings.
"Miss your old supermarket?" asked Riku. Roxas frowned and looked back at Riku.
"This place is so different. Why does Axel's summer house have to be so far away from home? I do miss my market. I miss my house. I really miss my mom. Hell, I'm starting to miss my dad. Now isn't that some crazy shit?" Roxas snapped. Riku frowned and left the cart to go hug his friend. Angry tears dripped from Roxas' face.
"Calm down, let's hurry and get out of here. What time is Axel coming for us?" Riku said, grabbing the cart and dragging Roxas along with him. The spiky haired boy wiped the tears from his face and followed Riku.
"He dropped us off about an hour and a half ago, he then gave us two hours to shop. Even he can't stay with his parents for too long. Trust me, they're snobs," Roxas said, looking around for the right dressing for his pasta salad. Riku tapped the cart, ready to leave the store as soon as possible. Roxas was just milking it in, taking his sweet time to pick out the last food item they needed.
"Hmm, now which one? Do I want two for three dollars with the cheap tasting brand and make a big batch? Or do I want the one bottle that's two fifty and tastes amazing, but makes not as big of a batch as the other one? What if I get one of both? Two of the expensive brand? Riku, which do I pick? It's your favorite meal, right?" Roxas said with a smirk. Riku gritted his teeth and started to tap his foot on the ground and Roxas held one of each bottle in his hand, weighing his options. The silver haired boy was growing frustrated and Roxas loved that.
"Hurry up or I'll ram this cart into you," Riku growled, hands ready to move.
"Sounds like a blast Riku. Try me," Roxas said, tossing in the one expensive brand and pulling the cart away from Riku. He winked back at him and took off full speed down the aisle, bringing the cart with him. Riku grumbled and accepted the small blonde's challenge. He sped down the aisle, thankful that no one was in there.
Riku gave Roxas a good head start and suddenly he lost the kid. Riku slowed down into a jog and looked down the aisle, wondering where he could've turned off to. Pacing himself, Riku scanned the opens sections, ready for anything.
Roxas could hear him coming down. To Roxas' luck, the cart didn't slow him down too much and he lost Riku. Peeking slightly over the corner, he could see the other boy getting close. His hands curled around the handle of the shopping cart like claws and he grinned wickedly.
"Hey Roxas, where are you?" Riku called out, slowing his jog just a bit more. He was almost at the end of the aisle and there was no way Roxas was fast enough to get that far away from him. Roxas saw his chance as Riku looked around. He skidded around the corner, cart speeding after Riku.
"Die bitch!" giggled Roxas as he attempted to run over Riku, but the silver haired boy was quick. He tried to press himself against the shelves as Roxas flew by him. He let out a heavy sigh of relief and turned to glare at Roxas.
"Riku! I should've at least tapped you with the cart! No fair man," Roxas said, whipping the cart around and casually strolling over to Riku. Riku slowly stepped away from the shelf, incase Roxas was to charge again.
"Trying to kill me are we Roxy?" teased Riku, knowing Roxas wasn't exactly fond of the name. Roxas' dad actually was the first person to call him Roxy and the name just didn't suit him. He thought it was kind of girly and if Sora had his name, it would fit him better.
"What do I hear Sora calling you? His little Rikki Kins? Or should I still call you Pee Pants Riku?" Roxas replied angrily, getting a rise out of Riku.
"Don't ever think about calling me Rikki Kins ever again. If you do, I'll just wait for a chance that Axel isn't glued to your hip and you'll just wish that I chose to kill you instead," threatened Riku adding a wink to the end.
"Oh, aren't you just terrifying? Ha, get real Rikki Kins, c'mon. Let's finish our shopping and wait for the boys," Roxas chuckled, pushing the cart into Riku's side lighter than what he was planning earlier. Riku mumbled and allowed Roxas to go first. The blonde swayed side to side as he walked, bobbing his head to the very low playing music over the loud speakers. Riku rolled his eyes at his best friend and went to go help pick out Sora's presents.
O~o~O
Sora and Axel volunteered to put the groceries away after Riku secretly took two bags upstairs, hoping Sora didn't notice anything. Roxas chilled out, sitting at the island and playing with his phone. Sora put away rapidly and Axel moved at a turtle's pace, only putting a few items away.
"I'm glad you guys grabbed a bunch of chocolate cereal, Riku and I gobble down three bowls a day I swear. Sora can swallow a huge bowl too," Axel said, putting three boxes of different cereal into the cupboards.
"For a small guy, he sure can eat," Riku said, just making his way downstairs. Sora dropped the cans he had in his hands and ran to Riku, who had his arms already open and ready. Roxas frowned at his brother and went to go pick up the cans. Axel must've had the same idea because they went down at the same time and ended up cracking heads.
"Ow! Jesus Rox! Hard headed much?" Axel yelped, jumping back and rubbing his head. Roxas groaned and pulled his head back, one can in hand.
"Me? Hell, if you didn't have such a big head," mumbled Roxas.
"Ah, but you love my big head," Axel winked. Roxas growled and punched his shoulder, but that only gave Axel an opportunity to pull him into a hug. Roxas leaned awkwardly against Axel, who squeezed him and swayed side to side.
"Guys! Way to pick up the cans!" Sora scolded, pushing them apart and bending down to grab the other cans he dropped. As he came back up, Roxas thumped him in the back of the head. Sora gasped and turned around to glare at his brother. Riku had his back though, he smacked Roxas' arm which made the blonde throw him a death stare over his shoulder.
"Knock it off kiddos, let's finish up in here and go do something!" Axel said, putting a stop to the slapping. Roxas sighed and grabbed all of the plastic bags on the counter and put them all into one big bag. Axel took that bag from him and stuffed it under the sink, just as Sora closed the cupboard door.
"Well, Mr. Big Head, what do want to do?" Roxas said, putting a hand on his hip. Axel put a finger to his chin and looked up into the ceiling, as if that was supposed to help thinking. Sora tapped his foot impatiently and Riku just looked at the ground. Axel snapped his fingers and he smiled widely.
"I've got it! It's perfect," said Axel, throwing his hands into the air. The three of them groaned and waited for Axel to enlighten them with his oh-so-perfect plan.
"What is it Ax? Please God, nothing stupid," Riku said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"It's not stupid! At least, I hope it's not. How about we all go out to a club tonight?" Axel offered. The three of them looked at each other and just burst out laughing. Sora was giggling the most, he had to lean against Riku so he wouldn't fall to the floor.
"Ax, did you forget that one, I hate dancing, two, Sora's only seventeen and three, Riku will just end up hiding in some dark corner like the freak he is?" Roxas managed to say in between laughs. Axel frowned and slumped over, sad that his idea was shut down so quickly.
"Oh! I got it! Why don't we camp out tonight? Like, with a bonfire and tents and stuff! It's supposed to be comfortable tonight! I found some tents in the attic. You guys up for it?" Sora suggested, stopping his laughter like that.
"That's actually not half bad of an idea! Knowing the four of us, it'll take a good three hours to set up the tent. Axel will be too busy trying to shove one of the tent poles up my ass, so there's something to slow us down. Riku will try to start a sword fight and Sora, you're just clueless and give up as soon as you fail at trying. Anyway, it's worth a shot!" Roxas said, taking a stab at all of them. Sora pursed his lips and Riku and Axel went off to mumble and talk to themselves, trying to deny Roxas' claims.
"Riku, don't you remember the summer after freshman year? We all tried to go camping and that's what happened? It was right after you and Sora started going out in secret and Dad took the three of us on a camping trip? Right before I met Axel too, so I can only guess with him. With you two, it's rather obvious. Don't deny it," Roxas said, leaning against the counter, smiling.
"Hey now, you asked for the fight!" Riku blushed, shoving Roxas slightly.
"Yeah! And all those poles, ropes, pegs, it's all too confusing!" Sora defended.
"Not to mention, I will not shove the poles up your ass, there's already one there!" Axel said bitterly. Roxas whipped his head over to Axel, who only raised his hands up and shrugged. Riku scoffed and Roxas accidentally stepped on his foot.
"Well, let's do this!" Sora said, moving on. They nodded in unison and ran up the stairs to go grab the tents. Roxas smiled and knew it was going to be a good night.
O~o~O
"No! That one goes here! Ouch! Damn it Axel, watch where you're swinging that thing," grouched Roxas as he directed Axel and Riku what to do. As predicted, Sora gave up on the first attempt at connecting two poles, so he was sitting on one of the logs that Axel had found. Before they started with the tents, Axel dragged out the metal fireplace and started a small fire. Also as predicted, Riku started a tent pole fight with Axel and at least one pole found its way to Roxas' ass.
"Look Roxy, you're not much of a help. Just go sit with Sora. Axel and I set up the first one, so I think we can manage the second one," said Riku through gritted teeth. Roxas rolled his eyes and strutted to go sit with his brother. Sora patted the spot next to him and Roxas plopped down, staring intensely at the fire. The brunette raised an eye brow at his brother and poked him.
"Strange boy, aren't you Rox?" he laughed. Roxas shook his head and then looked at his brother with a smile.
"You know it little bro," chuckled Roxas.
"My birthday is soon and I just can't wait to talk to mom! I miss her so much," Sora said excitedly. This caught Roxas' attention.
'Rox, can you tell Sora I'm sorry I can't call on his birthday. Your dad will be home all day and that just won't be safe. Aw, my poor baby Sora, he can't even talk to me now. Too bad he's out and about. Well Rox, if by some miracle your father leaves then I'll try to call. Good bye for now my little ray of sunshine. I love you and your brother both,' Roxas remembered. He grimaced and forgot to tell Sora that. A week ago he had talked to their mom and she told him, but Roxas never got around to telling Sora.
"Uh, Sora, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Mom isn't sure if she can call us on your birthday. When you were out with Riku, like a week ago, she called and told me. I guess I forgot to tell you," sighed Roxas. He saw the frown form in Sora's eyes, but the smile on his face never even faltered. The kid really never stopped smiling!
"Oh, well, I guess that's okay. I'll just wait for the next time she calls," Sora said, his voice dropping a little. Roxas felt awful for ruining his brother's good mood, but he would have had to tell him sooner or later. If he told him later, then Sora would be waiting all day on his birthday for a call that was never coming.
"I'm sorry little buddy. Really, I'm sorry we're in this mess," whispered Roxas, putting an arm over his brother's shoulders. Sora just put his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.
"Rox, what the hell did you do to my baby?" Riku said, pushing Roxas off the log and pulling Sora into his arms. Roxas landed on his butt on the ground and his gritted his teeth. Axel laughed and helped the angry blonde up. They sat on the other log and relaxed by the fire. Riku and Axel got the second tent up in record time, after they figured that hitting each other with the poles did not help the situation.
"So, what do you guys want for dinner? I'll cook something up quick, because I'm starved," Axel said, standing back up. Roxas looked up at the gorgeous red head and smiled. Axel was a pain at times, but still, Roxas was dating him. He had to like him at least, right?
"Well damn, just go pull out some left over soup from the fridge and bring it out. That's easy and Sora did make great soup last night," Riku said, nuzzling his boyfriend's cheek. Sora blushed and took in the compliment.
"Alright, be back in a bit!" Axel said, running for the house. Roxas laid down on his back and put his hands behind his head. The sun was slowly starting to set and the sky was mixed with reds, blues, pinks, and oranges. There were only a few clouds in the sky and even they were full of color. It looked really pretty and peaceful.
O~o~O
It was around midnight when Riku decided to tell a scary story. Roxas was just so tired and could barely keep his eyes open. Axel kept him pinned to his side and an arm wrapped around the blonde tightly. Sora held Riku's hand and watched him tell the story with fear in his eyes. Riku was known for his wild imagination and could scare all, well all except Roxas.
"From the house echoed a blood curdling scream and the sun slowly peeked over the clouds. The tiny little neighborhood was unaware of the horror that happened at the house. They didn't know of all the poor souls now forever trapped, doomed to roam around, and lost for eternity. You could say that Hell was just a house on the corner of Elm and Traverse. You could say that, but they might be the last words you may ever speak," Riku said, finishing the story. He whispered the last sentence and had Axel and Sora shaking in their shoes. Roxas just yawned and watched the fire. It was the thirtieth time he had heard that one.
"Hell is just a house on the corner of Elm and Traverse. Well damn Riku, I'm still alive!" Roxas said when he looked over and saw his brother trembling. He smiled in his mind and decided to have a little fun.
"Rox, don't take things so serious… dear God!" Riku shouted, catching onto Roxas' game the moment Roxas started to fake his 'death'. The blonde let his blue eyes roll back as he collapsed backwards, causing Axel to jump and shriek in fright. Roxas tried to remain motionless, but he was having difficulty controlling his laughter.
Sora got up and peered over his seemingly lifeless brother with Axel. Riku crossed his leg over his other and then his arms over his chest. He grinned at the two idiots who actually thought Roxas was dead and tried not to laugh too.
"Uh, Roxy? Are you dead?" Sora said, poking Roxas' knee. Oh, he was going to let him have it. With the second poke to his knee, Roxas sprang up, curling his fingers into curls and growled.
"Beware! I'll kill you!" roared Roxas. Sora screamed and ran back to Riku. Axel jumped again and clutched his chest and let out a sigh of relief. Roxas and Riku were dying of laughter and Axel jus frowned as he sat back down.
"Wow, I didn't think big brave old Axel would fall for that. Hell, I knew Sora would. He's gullible, but Axel? Really? You scream like a girl!" Roxas taunted. Axel pouted and pushed Roxas. Sora was still shaking and clinging onto Riku for dear life. Riku was laughing and trying to console the freaked Sora so he wouldn't start hyperventilating.
"It's probably because I'm tired," said Axel, trying to build up his confidence.
"No Axel, you're a damn coward. Remember the haunted house?" Riku said, Sora starting to calm down. Roxas could see Axel's face turn almost as red as his hair.
"Dude, what happened? I never see Axel blush, so this has got to be good," Roxas said, leaning against Axel again. Once again, the arm was wrapped around him tightly, but this time tighter. Roxas felt squished, but warm.
"Okay, so it was like, sophomore year and the week before Halloween. Axel told me he wanted to go to this new haunted house that was supposedly extremely scary place..."
Roxas didn't hear much more after that. His eyes drooped close and soon he was out like a light.
O~o~O
Screams echoed down the hall and the brunette clung to his older brother and buried his face in his chest. The blonde murmured for him to be quiet so they weren't heard. It was so dark in the closet and they have been hiding in far corner of the closet for too long. The screams were dying down and a loud crash before the slamming of a door. The brunette gulped and looked up with scared blue eyes.
"Roxas, it's all my fault isn't it?" he whispered. The blonde took Sora's sweaty hand and squeezed it lovingly.
Roxas frowned and said, "It's just as much of fault. I should've told dad that I was the only one so that he would just explode on me and leave you alone. It'll be okay though Sora I won't let him hurt you and neither will mom."
Sora nodded and took in a deep breath as the screams grew louder again and they listened to the sound of approaching footsteps. Roxas scooted a little forward and tried to shield Sora from whatever was coming. He gulped and watched in horror as his dad opened the closet door open with an insane look on his face. A smile that didn't match his wild eyes was spread on his face.
"Hello homo," he chuckled darkly. Their dad grabbed Roxas by the collar of his shirt and dragged him out of the closet. He pushed Roxas away and moved further into the closet to grab Sora. The brunette yelped from shock as he slid across the hardwood floor. Roxas crawled over in front of him and stood boldly. Their mother just made it into the room and she dove to kneel beside Roxas.
"Aerith, move," their father said sternly.
"No Cloud, I will not allow you to harm my babies," she retorted. This only made Cloud get angrier.
"You all know how I feel about gays and you bring one into my house and to add it both of my sons are just a bunch of homos? I never want to see it back into my house again!" Cloud shouted.
"Riku's not an 'it' dad! I love him and he loves me, can't you see that? Rox, tell dad Axel loves you and you love him," Sora said, peering over Roxas' shoulder. Roxas felt his heart stopped. What could he say? Roxas didn't think he loved Axel. He knew the red head loved him, but did Roxas really love him back?
"Oh Rox, say you love me," moaned Axel, sounding sad and miserable.
"I can't! I don't!" screamed Roxas as he flew up. The heavy sweat dripped down him again. Roxas panted and wiped sweat off his forehead. Axel must've brought him into the tent sometime after he fell asleep. This time, he didn't wake up Axel. He sleeping heavily, but someone else sure did hear him. The zipper on the tent unzipped and aqua met blue.
"What the hell Roxas?" whispered Riku frantically. Roxas carefully stood up and walked over to Riku, who helped him out. The blonde stripped of the large shirt and paced outside in shorts. Riku zipped the tent back up and looked at Roxas.
"I saw that part when Sora and I were in the closet. It ended around when we were out and Cloud was calling you an 'it' and Sora was defending you. Then he said that Axel loved me and I loved Axel. I wanted to agree with Sora, but I remember I just sat there that night. I heard Axel's voice, he sounded sad and like, disappointed. Riku, I can't say I love Axel. I really can't because I don't know if I love him!" cried Roxas. Tears streamed down from his blue eyes and Riku ran over to grab Roxas into a tight bear hug. The blonde sobbed into his shoulder and hugged his best friend back. Riku just stood there, letting Roxas let it out.
"You don't have to love Axel Rox. You can love whoever you want. Sure, you may fall for him, but you never know actually. Don't worry Rox, I'm always here for you. Best friends for life, right?" Riku said, pulling Roxas back a bit so he could look at him.
"Right! We'll be friends forever. Uh Riku, we are still going to keep these dreams a secret from Axel and Sora. I don't want them to worry more than they have to. When the time is right, I'll tell them," Roxas sniffled. Riku grinned and held up his long pinky. Roxas rolled his eyes, but locked pinkies anyway.
"Here's to another pinky promise. Come on, help me start a fire. There's still another hour before sunrise," Riku said, dropping Roxas' hand. The blonde smiled and just followed Riku, glad to know he had such a good friend.
Author's Note:
This was quite a long one. Like, it's an extra two thousand+ words XD
I guess I was on a roll :D
I do actually like this chapter. Well... parts of it at least.
Really, I hope this makes up for the bad quality of Chapter Two.
I feel awful for making Sora the innocent little baby of the group XD
Actually, Sora isn't so innocent. Just ask Riku. He'll tell you just how devilish that boy is. Shiver. o.O
Anyway, I don't really have much to say!
So, this was Chapter Three!
Let me finish saying, I accept criticism, ideas, ECT. And I'll reply to questions and such.
Tell me what you guys think of the story so far :D
Review and favourite c: