Chapter Six
Roxas was sitting comfortably on the lounge chair, peering into a book. Sora and Riku were holding onto each other and giggling. They poked each other and Riku snagged a few kisses from Sora, who never let his smile falter. Roxas could smell fresh home cooked dinner drifting down the hall. His mom was making chicken again and Roxas wouldn't have it any other way.
"Smells amazing Mom!" he shouted. Sora and Riku echoed in agreement.
"It'll be done soon, now Riku, are you staying for dinner? If so, you know the drill!" she called out.
"Yeah, I'd be happy to stay. Thanks! Yes, I know what to do," he sighed. Their father would be home soon and Riku was only Sora's secret boyfriend for the fear of their dad. He was very strongly and openly against gays, while Sora and Roxas' mother was perfectly accepting about it. She actually adored Riku, seeing as how he was Roxas' best friend first. When Riku stayed for dinner, he wasn't allowed to hold Sora's hand or anything. That bothered Riku so much because he just loved to hold the bubbly brunette.
"Jesus, why not get a room?" Roxas joked. Sora just stuck out his tongue and Riku dove in for a sweet and passionate kiss. Roxas chuckled and set the book down on the table, checking the clock. Only an hour until his dad got home and a quick family dinner before he was allowed to seclude himself in his room. Roxas' needed a nap so desperately.
But they weren't expecting what was to happen next.
"What the hell is going on here?" roared a voice from behind Roxas. He peered over the chair to see that his dad had come home from work early. Sora unlocked lips with Riku and pushed the silver haired boy off of him. Roxas quickly stood up and started moving backwards toward his brother. He could see the anger slowly building in Cloud's eyes. His mother's footsteps scurried down the hall. She dried her hands on the towel and threw it to the ground.
"My son is a faggot?" screamed the dad. Sora flinched and cowered into Riku. Riku wrapped his arms around Sora protectively. Aerith ran to stand behind the sofa, her hand on Riku's shoulder. Cloud threw his car keys onto the floor and Roxas feared the worst. His face was turning red and as Cloud advanced towards them, the more tensed Roxas got.
"Riku, Riku honey come with me," whispered Aerith. Riku looked up at her with worry and then back down at Sora. Sora's already tearing up blue eyes wanted Riku to stay, but he mouthed the word 'go.'
Sora jumped off of Riku and stood behind Roxas. Cloud didn't even bother to notice Riku and Aerith running down to sneak him out the back door. Roxas pushed Sora back and kept his arm out. He wanted to show to his baby brother there was nothing to worry about. Cloud wasn't going to hurt him, not if Roxas was there.
"S-so what if he's gay dad!" stuttered Roxas. He tried to control his voice and stare down his fuming father.
"I will not have a queer for a son. It's inhuman! This is not in the Book! I want him out of my house. That thing he had attached to his lips better not ever think about coming back," snarled Cloud.
"Sora's your son dad, you're really going to treat him like dirt?" Roxas said.
"I'll treat him whatever damn way I want! I'm father and my word is law."
Roxas bit his lip and tried to think of a way to control the situation. Cloud could get very violent very fast. He never really hit the boys, but he would break a lot of things. Sora stepped past Roxas and cleared his throat.
"Okay, so I'm gay, what about it? I'm still the same old Sora you know and love. Nothing has changed about me Dad, just my preference in a lover. I still like to play sports, hang out with friends, and be a pest to Roxy. None of that has changed. Am I a whole different person because I like guys? Daddy, I love Riku. He loves me, why won't you accept it?" Sora said, trying to sound brave. Roxas' blue eyes never left the back of Sora's head.
Cloud grabbed Sora's collar and pulled him up. Roxas leapt for his brother, but his father stopped him with one look. Aerith was standing in the hallway, watching in horror. Roxas heard her gasp and Cloud released Sora. The brunette stumbled back and Roxas held onto him. Cloud looked down at the ground and sighed. Little sobs escaped from his body.
"Dad, dad? Hey, listen it's not just Sora. I-I'm gay too, a boyfriend and all," Roxas whimpered. Aerith nodded and waited for Cloud's reaction. Slowly the blonde head came up and Roxas didn't dare meet his eyes. His eyes twitched and an evil smile spread on his face.
"Both of my sons, eh?" he said through his teeth. Aerith ran to the boys and pushed them towards the stairs. Sora started to run up and he motioned for Roxas to follow. Roxas took one last look at his mother and father who were just about to start the heated argument. Sora reached the top of the stairs and dragged Roxas into his room. They shut the door quietly and Roxas looked around for a place to hide.
"Roxy! The closet!" Sora said, opening the door. Roxas shoved him inside and closed the door. He pulled Sora into his arms and the first crash signaled the start of a long and loud night. Sora whimpered in his arms and tears shook him. Roxas could feel his pain and he really hoped Riku got out safely.
O~o~O
He didn't wake up screaming like he usually did after those awful nightmares. This time he just sat upright and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The dimly light numbers on the alarm clock beside the bed read six forty-four in the morning. Axel was turned on his side and snoring heavily. Roxas rolled his eyes and stretched his arms out. He had only slept for a good three hours and he felt so weak. Axel had dressed him in a pair of his pajama pants and left the boy shirtless. Roxas was too cold and tired to dress himself after he completed the bet. Axel's pants barely held onto his small figure.
For it being so unbearably hot during the day, it of course it would be cold when he and Sora had to run naked and jump into water. If he got a cold, Roxas reminded himself to go and kick some red head ass. Yawning, Roxas stumbled down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Roxas plopped down on the stool at the island and decided to wait for Riku or Sora to make him breakfast. He rested his head on his elbow and slowly his eyes began to droop again. Hands covered his already closed eyes and Roxas smiled slyly.
"Guess who," someone whispered behind him.
"Is it Rikki Kins?" chuckled Roxas. One of the hands lowered and Roxas sat up straighter.
"Wrong answer," replied the person harshly. An arm wound around his neck tightly and the other hand covered his mouth. Roxas looked up and saw his father's furious eyes glaring back at him.
'I'm dreaming, oh god, please tell me I'm dreaming,' Roxas thought as he tried to break free from his father. He bit down on his dad's hand which caused him to let go of his mouth. Cloud only got angrier and yanked Roxas off the stool. He threw him to the floor and Roxas let out a piercing scream.
Instead of meeting with the hard floor, as Roxas would expect to happen, he kept falling. Falling down into darkness. Cloud's evil laughs followed Roxas as he fell. It had to be a dream. A floor has to end, that's how life is.
Roxas' blue eyes snapped open again and he was on his bedroom floor. He closed his mouth because he knew he screamed and rolled off the bed. Axel was peering over the edge of the bed, his green eyes full of worry.
"What the hell was that? You stopped screaming just as I woke up and when I looked for you… you were on the floor. Some nightmare," he said, reaching out for Roxas' hand. The blonde grabbed it and was shivering uncontrollably. Partly from fright and partly from the weird fact he was freezing. Axel pulled him back onto the bed and into his arms.
"W-what t-time is it?" Roxas stammered. Axel turned around quickly and flipped back to Roxas.
"It's like seven in the morning. How about we both fall back asleep and wake up in like four more hours," yawned Axel. Roxas could only nod and try calm his tremors. Axel, even though he was actually quite warm, pulled the blankets over the two of them and hugged Roxas close to him. Roxas buried his face against Axel and inhaled his scent. It was homely and sweet and Roxas hoped it would stop the nightmare from coming back.
O~o~O
Roxas had the oddest feeling he was being hit with something. Seeing as how he wasn't fully awake, he wasn't sure if he was just dreaming or he was starting to wake up. When he swiped his arm backwards to try and hit whoever it was that was hitting him, he felt his shoulder crack and it woke him up fully. Sora was hitting him repeatedly with a pillow and Axel was still sound asleep. Roxas frowned and pushed his way out of the red head's constricting arms. One green eye opened up to stare at him.
"Wake up sleepyheads, it's already noon!" griped Sora, tossing the pillow at them. Roxas wanted to spit at Sora, but even he wasn't that disgusting. The brunette skipped out of them room, looking for Riku no doubt.
'Speaking of disgusting, I need to shower. Axel made me all sweaty and gross while we slept,' Roxas thought, sliding out of bed. Axel propped himself on his elbow and smiled at Roxas who was running around the room, looking for clothes.
"It's your brother's birthday tomorrow. He'll finally be of age," Axel said. "Did you get him a present? Wait, is your mom even calling him tomorrow?"
Roxas froze and remember he wasn't sure about the next time she'd call. The last time he did talk to her though, she said she couldn't call for Sora's birthday. Sora's face when he found out there would be no call really hurt Roxas. Seeing his brother so upset just tore him apart.
"I got him a present, but our mom won't be calling us. Today I am making Sora a cake and tomorrow we celebrate. Soon your two friends will be here for the Fourth of July. That is the plan and nothing will change it," Roxas said, shutting the dresser drawer.
"Aw, does Sora know? Man, the kid's going to be devastated!"
"I told him and we're both not happy about it."
With that Roxas left the room and Axel winced as he heard the bathroom door slam. He got out of the bed and slipped a shirt on, deciding to just shower later. The red head walked out of the room and padded down the stairs where a strong smell of eggs and bacon greeted his eager nose. He followed the delicious aroma to the kitchen. Sora was preparing a wonderful breakfast-at-lunch-time-meal while Riku watched him like a lost puppy.
"Smells great Sora!" Axel praised, taking a seat at the island. Sora set a plate next to him and then in front of him. Riku was across from him and obviously Sora was going to be next to him. Minding the hot pan, Axel let Sora scrape some scrambled eggs onto his plate. He did the same with Riku, Roxas' plate, and then his own. A separate plate full of bacon and sausage was set in the middle and Sora quickly slammed a few glasses on the table. Riku ran to the fridge and grabbed two separate cartons of orange juice. One carton had absolutely no pulp and the other had a very high amount of pulp.
"Yuck, who here drinks pulpy orange juice? Nasty stuff," Axel said, snatching the regular orange juice from Riku.
"Roxas and I do. Sora thinks it's gross when it goes down your throat, but I like it," Riku said, pouring himself a glass. Sora sat down, his tongue licking his lips enthusiastically. Axel reached behind him and pulled open the silverware drawer. He yanked out several forks and knives and threw them on the table.
"Well, that's because you and Roxas are freaks," Axel said, grabbing a fork. Sora and Riku followed in pursuit and Sora made his way for a few strips of bacon.
"Ah, but you must love freaks. You're dating one and friends with one. Not to mention, you're a freak yourself. Just in a different way," Riku said, poking at a few sausages and putting them on his plate. Axel looked at Roxas' empty spot and wondered when he would come skulking around in the adorable way he always did. Those bright blue eyes tired, but still sparkling. His soft, blonde hair slightly damp and spiked up, Roxas' preferred hairstyle, alive after a quick shower. Axel just loved everything about the stubborn blonde. Roxas was his princess and he liked it like that.
"So, Rox had this nightmare last night. He like, fell out of the bed and was screaming. Had me scared shitless, it did!" Axel said, shoving a forkful of eggs into his mouth. He noticed that Riku froze for a quick moment before he looked up at Axel. Sora stared at Axel with interest.
"Did he tell you what it was about?" asked Sora.
"No, he didn't. It's not the first time he's had a nightmare where he woke up screaming. Rox never told me what they were about, but I'll ask him," Axel said. Riku set the fork on his plate and looked at Axel.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure Rox doesn't even want to talk about it," Riku said. "Speak of the devil, here's Roxas now!"
The blonde entered the kitchen doorway, dressed in a blue shirt and a pair of jean shorts. Axel felt his breath escape him as he looked the boy up and down. Roxas stretched his arm over his head and his expression looked… well, bored. Axel still thought he was beautiful still, even after the weird snort noise he made. He sure did get a good look at all of Roxas last night and never would he forget it.
"Morning sunshine, food's here for you," Riku said, pointing at his plate. Roxas yawned and shuffled to sit next to Axel. The red head bit his lip and tried to keep his eyes on his food and not the gorgeous boy beside him.
"Man, I'm so wiped from last night. Shit, if I get sick I'm going to kill you two," Roxas mumbled, picking up a piece of crisp bacon and munching on it. Axel shook his head and knew it was time for a witty comeback. Roxas would be expecting it.
"Well, if you get sick I'll be your nurse. I'm sure you'd love to see me in a sexy nurse outfit," winked Axel. The punch to his arm was just expected. It would be weird if he didn't get it. Axel smiled and leaned against Roxas, who just pushed him off.
"I love you too Princess," Axel teased, blowing Roxas a kiss. The blonde just grumbled something that sounded like, 'yeah I know you do.' That just hurt Axel. He didn't quite understand why Roxas didn't say he loved him back. Not once throughout their whole relationship did he say it and they've been dating since junior year. Both of them have graduated high school already!
"So Riku, we've got some wrapping to do. Meaning, Sora, you and Axel should just go outside and oh, I don't know, have Axel play a little baseball with you. Ax, you got mitts? Sora's got an arm so be careful. After, I'll make Sora's cake and then we can all do something, sound like a plan?" Roxas said, giving them the whole day's schedule. He just loved to have everything organized and planned out before hand and Axel has just gotten used to that.
"Fine, but Axel, when Roxas says Sora has an arm, don't think he's kidding. The boy maybe small, but he's got guns," Riku smiled at his boyfriend. Sora pecked at his lips and went back to devouring his food.
"Yeah, I won't take it lightly. I saw him punch Rox. That looked like it hurt," Axel laughed. Sora blushed and grinned wildly.
"It did hurt. Little dick," Roxas grumbled. Axel laughed louder and put an arm around Roxas. That's when something hit Sora.
"Oh my god! Tomorrow I turn eighteen!" he gasped, throwing egg from his plate into the air. It hit the table, getting egg everywhere. Everyone burst out laughing and brushed some egg off of themselves. Riku rubbed Sora's head and Roxas called him a ditz, but smiled anyway.
'Absolutely nothing like his brother. They're polar opposites, but they usually get along so well. Hell, are the only things they have in common are their eyes and the fact they're gay? Damn, it's easy to tell them apart. I couldn't handle Sora, he's too hyper for me. How does Riku do it?' Axel thought, putting a piece of sausage into his mouth. Roxas was definitely his type. Small, quiet, cuddly and someone he could joke around with. Roxas was all that. Being extremely hot was just a bonus Axel was grateful for.
If it wasn't for Riku introducing him to Rox, he wasn't sure what he'd do without the blonde angel. He'd probably be bored with his life and be miserable. Roxas makes things exciting. At the beginning of summer when he asked if he, his brother and Riku could stay at his family's summer home for the summer, Axel was all on board for it. He didn't even care it was at night when Roxas called to come pick them up as soon as possible, it was thrilling.
Soon Roxas would meet some of Axel's friends and the whole group would be complete. It would be the best summer of Axel's life. Friends, fun, and the love of his life all together… it just made Axel tingle with joy. Now if he could just get Roxas to love him back, life would be perfect.
O~o~O
Roxas looked the hair dryer over and over again. It wasn't very girly with floral designs and crap. The thing was blue and very plain, something Sora would like. The brunette obsessed over his hair and he broke his last hair dryer. It seemed like the perfect gift for him. Yet, as Roxas twirled it around, he wasn't sure Sora would like it.
"Riku, I like your gift for Sora so much more! Flowers, chocolates and what was the other thing? Oh yeah, sex," Roxas said sarcastically. Riku frowned at him and threw the tape dispenser at him.
"Hush the hell up about the sex part. You're just jealous because your younger brother gets action and you don't," he growled. Roxas rolled his eyes and reached for the green wrapping paper they got. Riku tossed him the black permanent marker and slid the scissors across the floor.
"It's not that I don't get it. Trust me, I could get it very easily. It's just… I don't want to do it with Axel. What if we do, uh, it, and I fall in love with him and then he just dumps me? Obviously he's more experienced at it then I am and he thinks I'm boring!" Roxas blushed, realizing he was about to get into a deep conversation with Riku.
"Okay first, you're sounding like a damn chick. Second, wait, you're still a virgin aren't you? Ha, that's why you look so uncomfortable. Your cheeks look so damn red! Anyway, third, Axel's absolutely nuts about you! I don't think he'll leave you if you suck in bed. Personally, I would leave your ass, so that's why I'm glad Sora's amazing," Riku said, grinning wickedly. Roxas clenched his teeth and had an urge to stab Riku with the scissors.
"I really didn't need to know that asshole. And how do you know Axel's crazy about me? D-does he talk about me?" Roxas said, pulling the wrapping paper over the hair dryer.
"Talk about you? I think that's all he talks about! Rox, are you finally falling in love with the ginger?"
Roxas' blue eyes widened and he wasn't sure if his cheeks could get any redder or any hotter. He moved his hands even quicker and tried to not look at Riku. Roxas knew the silver haired boy was smiling and ready to go off on Roxas about it.
"No Riku, I just really like him, okay?"
Riku shrugged and pulled out a box from behind him and waited patiently for Roxas to finish up. Roxas was taping up one more thing as he passed his all to Riku. He watched Riku already start to cut and measure. Roxas grabbed the marker and wrote his and Axel's names on it, with love.
"What else did you get him?" Roxas said, eyeing the box with curiosity.
"It's just something I had saved for him. He didn't get one after all. You can see it tomorrow. The chocolates are also in the box. Two presents in one, saves time and wrapping paper," Riku smiled. Roxas noticed that his long hair swayed as he moved and he could even see his gleaming eyes from under all that hair. Roxas felt the corners of his mouth twitch and his heart beat quickened. Something was pulling him to get closer to Riku, but he didn't know what. Slowly and quietly he crawled over to Riku, who as too busy wrapping to notice him. Roxas gulped and stopped in front of Riku.
"R-Riku?" he stuttered. His throat was tight as Riku picked his head up. Riku jumped in surprise from the sudden closeness. Roxas ignored that and leaned closer, confusing the hell out of Riku. Before he could go any further though, Roxas heard a familiar ringing coming from the next room. He pulled far away from Riku and ran for his phone.
"Roxas! What the fuck was that about?" Riku shouted after him. Roxas knew he was being followed, but he wanted to get to his phone. Only one person ever called him with that ringtone.
He pressed the talk button before the ringing stopped and put the phone to his ear. A smile spread on his face.
"Rox, explain to me what… who called?" Riku said, watching Roxas. The blonde just shook his head and ran for the front door. Riku sighed and followed him, interested to find out who called. Such a nosy man he was.
"Sora! Phone call for you!" Roxas yelled out to his brother. Sora whipped the baseball at Axel and dropped the mitt. Axel caught the ball, but was caught off balance at the fierce throw. Sora ran to the door and reached out for the phone. Roxas set it in his hand and Sora wondered why he was so smiley.
"Who is it?" Axel called, throwing his mitt to the ground and running to catch up. Sora motioned for him to be quiet as he placed the phone on his ear.
"Hello Sora, did you miss me?" said a woman's voice as it came from the phone. Sora's eyes lit up and his smile matched Roxas'.
Sora was capable of whispering one thing. "Mom?"
Author's Note:
Wello hello all! Chapter six is up in record time!
It's longer than last week's yet again. Maybe I'll set the average chapter length to four thousand instead of two thousand. *shrug*
Anyway, I wrote like the whole chapter after Roxas' second nightmare today because I'm currently downloading the game 'Amnesia: The Dark Descent' and need something to do to keep me occupied until it's done! So, why not put the chapter up?
ROXY HOW DARE YOU SURPRISE RIKKI KINS LIKE THAT. YOU'RE SUCH A CREEP ROXAS.
Oh yes, I have no idea why I wrote that part. Or do I? ;)
It's contest winners time!
The Favourite Cosplay Group Cookie Winners:
Amaroq25 [Nice! You're the only one!]
The answer was indeed StruckCosplay. They aren't very popular, but they are really talented Naruto cosplayers and just plain hilarious. Anyone who said Parle Pro is close. They're my second favourite!
ADeadBlackRose, all of the above does not count. You silly goose.
This Chapter's Cookie Contest:
Chocolate Dawn is the opposite of the song's actual name. Meaning, what's chocolate's opposite and what's dawn's opposite? Figure it out!
What is the name of the song and the artist who wrote this song?
**This song may play a part in the next chapter! You'll just have to see!
Finally...
Review & Favourite :]