Chapter Nine
The slap of wind and rain hit his face hard. His breathing became rapid and soon he was tripping over his own two feet. Falling onto the hard gravel, a bit of blood spilled. There were scrapes on his hands and knees, but it didn't stop him. There was nothing chasing him, but he knew he had to be somewhere fast. A flash of lightning, but thunder didn't follow. The sky was growing darker and darker with very few steps he took.
"He's hurt, I just know it. Move faster!" he screamed at himself. Many thoughts rushed through his head.
'It's all your fault. If he's dead, it's because of you. You killed him! Y-you're a monster,' yelled the voice in his head. The only good thing about rain is that no one can see you cry when you go running through it. He felt the hot tears pouring from his eyes mix with the cold rain drops and pushed harder. Cries of pains floated his way, but no matter how far he went, or how fast, his destination seemed further and further away. Looking down for a brief second, he wiped some of the water off his face.
When he looked back up, a huge figured blocked his path. He was knocked to the ground and found himself crawling backwards away from the creature. A vicious laugh boomed over the screams for help. Two glowing red eyes stared him down, but they were still two different eyes. He checked the face of the creature that was moving closer to him as he crawled away.
One side had well kept, light blonde spikes for hair and his red eyes had a tint of a purple like color mixed. His skin tone was fair and that half of the mouth was curved into a devious smile. Cloud. On the other half, long, tangled, black hair that went this way and that way, even in the wind in rain, had an unreadable expression. His red eye was the color of fresh blood and it looked hungry. Its skin was porcelain white. Whatever it was, it sure as hell wasn't human.
"Are these what you're looking for?" shrieked the beast. He could hear some of Cloud's voice in there, but it was more overpowered by the shrill sound of the creature. Too distracted by the voice, he didn't even notice the two unconscious boys in its claws.
"Roxas! Sora!" cried out a voice behind him. He turned around to see Axel, who was dropping to his knees, eyes filled with fright. His head whipped around to see if it really was them. Sadly, the two boys were the brothers. He gasped as the creature threw them to the ground. Roxas had a deep cut on his forehead and it dripped scarlet. Poor Sora just looked like every bone in his body was broken.
"Nasty little things! Yes they are!" said the thing. It looked at the boys for a moment and then spat on their bodies. The creature's neck cracked as it moved one position at a time until it was looking back at him, his head almost completely upside down.
"You're next Rikki Kins! I'll rid the world of such these abominations one at a time!" it cackled. Riku could only cover his eyes as it leapt on top of him. The last thing he heard was a familiar voice, calling his name over and over again. Riku, Riku, Riku.
O~o~O
"Riku? Hey Riku! Wake up! Stop, you're freaking me out," whined a voice. He heard a break when the person said 'up'. Riku groaned and opened one eye at a time. Roxas was on top of him, staring at him with curious eyes. Riku blinked his eyes and shoved the blonde off of him. He stretched out his back and yawned. Roxas crawled over to him and his blue eyes never left Riku for an instant.
"What time is it freak?" Riku said, his voice still thick with sleep. He looked around and remembered that he and Roxas slept on the kitchen floor. Why they did hadn't come back to him.
"It's like, ten in the morning. I just woke and when I saw you… Riku, were you having a nightmare? You looked like you were in pain and you kept calling out mine and Sora's names," said Roxas, sitting on his butt and crossing his legs. Riku leaned back against the island and put his hand on his forehead. Great, he spoke in his sleep.
"I did have one. Your damn face monster thing appeared in it and it like, morphed with your demon father. You and your brother were dead and it was coming after me. I was like, running for you out by the woods, but I couldn't get to you in time," Riku explained, choking on the word dead. Just imagining his best friend and boyfriend dead, no, murdered made him nauseous. Roxas was looking down as he took in Riku's words. It was a nightmare similar to the one he had that night.
"Strange, last night I had a nightmare and, well, I think it was the point of view of the beast thing you were talking about. I don't know, I think so. All saw was Sora and Roxas looking a broken and dead on the ground. I heard Axel screaming out my name. Whoever I was in the dream was laughing and picking up my body just throw it back onto the ground. The next thing I knew, I was awake and panting like crazy. Then I saw you ," Roxas said, trying to keep his voice level. He shuddered and pulled his knees to his chest.
"Rox, I swear, if you give me reoccurring nightmares, I'm seriously going to consider ripping you to shreds," Riku said, with not a single hint of a joke. Roxas was going to open his mouth to laugh, but when he met Riku's stern glare, he shut it quickly.
"Hey, did anyone put the cake in the refrigerator?" Roxas asked, starting to stand up. Riku sprang up and held out his hand. Roxas grabbed it and used it to pull himself up. His legs had fallen asleep and slowly the blood was rushing back. Riku yanked open the door to the fridge and quickly peeked.
"We're good. Axel must've put it in there because I don't remember doing it, you didn't, and obviously Sora can't. He might eat it all," Riku snickered, shutting it again. Roxas nodded and made a mental sticky note to remind him about frosting and decorating the cake. He and Riku picked cake decorating tools a couple days ago.
"Man, I got to shave," Riku said, rubbing his chin. Roxas laughed and leaned against the counter.
"You don't have the ability to grow a beard nor a moustache. Neither do Sora and I. The three of us are baby faces. Freaking Axel, he can grow whatever he wants. No way in hell will I allow him to even have a bit of stubble. I hate how it feels on my face when he kisses me. It's so scratchy!" Roxas said, putting a hand to his cheek. He absolutely loathed facial hair, only because he couldn't grow any. Even his legs weren't all that bad. Riku was hairy than he was and it grossed him out.
"Sora is a baby and so are you!" chuckled Riku. Roxas gritted his teeth and clenched his fist. He was the same age as Riku. Riku was only older than Roxas by a month. A mere month, so why was he calling him the baby? Axel beat him by days, so he wasn't that young.
"I'm not a baby! Don't call me that," Roxas growled. Riku smiled and placed a hand on Roxas' head. He glared up at the taller boy and if looks could kill, Riku would be dead.
"You're just like your brother I swear. It seems you two both have an issue with being called a baby or child."
"I'm nothing like Sora. Don't compare me to him."
"Oh but Roxy, I can compare you two all I want! That's the joys of being the best friend of you and the boyfriend of the other. Axel can't do shit."
"What did he have to do with any of this?"
"Not exactly sure, I guess I'm just so used to him being joined to your hip."
"I can say the same for you and Sora."
Riku smiled widely and began digging through the cabinets for his beloved chocolate cereal. Roxas ran around to grab bowls and spoons. His mind was so tired and he could barely move still. It's been such a long time since he had got a decent night's sleep.
Strangely, Riku was moving quickly and just shoved Roxas out of the way. He slammed two bowls and spoons to match onto the island and ran back to the refrigerator to grab milk. The cereal was already onto the table and before Roxas to grab it to pour himself a bowl, the box was in Riku's hands.
"Snooze you lose, Princess," Riku teased, reaching out for the milk. Roxas yawned and took a seat. Riku slid the box to him and had his first spoonful to his mouth. It seems the hare was beating the tortoise so far.
"Don't call me a princess either," Roxas muttered, looking into his bowl and not really caring.
"Alright, here's the game plan. We finish breakfast and begin to work. I'll start setting up the decorations and you frost the cake. After you're done, help me finish. Then we can go take our showers and get ready all before Sora gets home. Axel can grill up some hot dogs and hamburgers again. Get your phone and text him to tell him. I think it's still in the hall from when I called Sora. Sound like a plan?" Riku said in between giant mouthfuls. Roxas stuffed his own mouth and as milk dribbled down his chin, nodded. Swallowing all of the cereal, his tongue dashed out to lick the chocolate from his face.
"You still have the stuff we bought for the cake, right? Candles, frosting shit, all of it. Oh, the decorations are in the spare bedroom," Roxas said sleepily. Maybe he could squeeze in a nap in between everything. Probably when Riku hogged the bathroom. His hair just had to be completely perfect.
"Yeah it's in the cupboard over there and," Riku said, pointing to a cabinet door, "the presents are in there too?"
"Of course, Sora never goes in there so I figured it'd be a good hiding spot."
"Clever, oh, I'm done. Hurry up so you can get to work," Riku said, dumping his nearly empty bowl. How he ate so much so fast confused Roxas. Maybe he didn't have a huge bowlful like he usually did. Riku did seem a bit hyper. Roxas watched him leave and took his sweet time finishing his cereal. No need to give himself a stomach ache like the one Riku was going to get.
"Don't rush me either boy. I move at my own pace. Today it just seems I'm slow," Roxas yawned. He shivered and grabbed his arm to warm it up. It must be unseasonably cold because there would be no other reason why he'd shiver.
Eventually he finished his cereal and finally got to frosting Sora's cake. Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, green and blue writing, and that all just equals a damn sugar high for Sora. Roxas smiled at the idea of his brother, completely going nuts and poor Riku having to deal with it. Hell, he was even considering camping outside for the night with Axel. Roxas had no idea what those two would be up to in the night. And he didn't want to know.
O~o~O
"Over here! No! Damn it Roxy, you just stabbed me with a tack," growled Riku. Roxas was snickering below him. He was just handing Riku the thumbtacks to hang up the happy birthday decoration in the doorway. Honestly, he wasn't purposely trying to prick the silver haired boy with the tacks, it was just extremely funny when he did. Riku was talking to himself as he snatched up the pin so he could finally hang the last decoration. Roxas spent a good hour decorating and making the cake flawless. Riku had gotten barely anything done by himself. There was another good two hours. Sora was to be him in about another two hours and both of them looked horrendous.
Riku stepped down the ladder and smacked the chuckling blonde in the head. Roxas yelped and rubbed his head. He just wanted the hit him back some days, but he knew it'd hurt when Riku fought back. Roxas learned that from experience.
"I'm getting in the shower first! Go to sleep or something, you look positively awful," Riku said, racing him up the stairs. Roxas sighed and trudged up the stairs. He took in all the colorful decorations and repeating of Happy Birthday everywhere. Maybe he was jealous, maybe he wasn't. Roxas never really had a party. His parents couldn't afford one and even when he and Sora finally graduated, only a few of their family members and their boyfriends came over for a picnic. Not much of a party. Little Sora was getting an eighteenth birthday party with his brother and his boyfriend. Oh, and Axel. When Roxas turned eighteen, Riku wished him a happy birthday and got him a card with some money in it. All Axel did was try to pressure him into the bed. That was a night they nearly broke up.
"I'd like a party for once. I'll just pretend the Fourth of July party is for me. A late birthday party," Roxas said, trying to make himself smile. It didn't work. Frowning, he pushed open the door the door to his bedroom. Before he went to help Riku, Roxas snatched up his phone to text Axel and now he could feel it vibrate in his pocket. Roxas yawned as he pulled it out to read the text.
"Alright, I'll grill. Can't wait to see you later babe, missed you last night. Sora got his ass pinched hard and was on my case on it all night. Finally he shut up when Riku called! Love you babe," Roxas read aloud. He groaned and flopped belly and face first onto the bed. Roxas buried his face in the pillows and closed his phone. Still having that cold feeling, he pulled the thin sheet up to his chin and curled up. His eyes wouldn't stay open any longer and soon enough he was asleep yet again.
O~o~O
Too soon, a hand was on his shoulder, shaking him to wake up. Roxas really didn't want to get up so he closed his eyes real tight, hoping to fall back asleep. It seems Riku felt like being a total douche that day. He jumped on top of Roxas and squeezed him until he woke up.
"Wake the fire truck up Roxy! You have to hop in the shower. It's not all that hot out today so I recommend pants and a light hoodie!" Riku said, sitting on Roxas. He bounced up and down, trying to wake poor Rox up. All he wanted to do was sleep, but of course Riku ruined that for him. Mixing a yawn and a sigh, Roxas pushed Riku off of him and onto the floor. Riku yelled in surprise and slammed onto the floor. He jumped back up and had a hand in his hair.
"I'm okay!" he shouted. Roxas rolled his eyes and threw the covers off. He rubbed his eyes and slowly slid out of bed. Riku was going through his dresser drawers, looking for clothes. He flung a pair of snug jeans, a plain shirt and a blue pair of boxers at Roxas. Still mostly asleep, Roxas just let them drop to the floor, not bothering to catch them.
"Thanks for picking out my clothes Mommy," Roxas yawned, rubbing his eyes again. Riku could only turn around and grin. He turned back around to go look for a hoodie, but had no such luck.
"You can borrow one of mine. Looks like you're stupid enough to forget a jacket or something. It's like windy and pretty chilly for summer time. Think ahead next time," Riku said.
"Well sorry, can't do much when I was hurrying to pack and leave my house before my enraged father came home and more than likely beat Sora and I until we were dead. Hard to plan for summer when you're under pressure like that," Roxas said hotly. Riku froze and turned around, his smile gone.
"I'm sorry Roxas. I kind of forgot about that whole situation. This summer so far has been near perfection. Now that I think about it, it's my fault. I'm the one who got Sora busted. All this is because I was at the wrong place at the wrong time doing what your father thinks is the wrong thing," Riku sighed. He ran over and hugged his best friend tightly, remembering all that he could from that dreadful night.
"So what you're saying is that you're the cause of my nightmares?" Roxas said, hugging him back. Riku pulled away to look at him with an evil smile.
"No, that's all because you're completely insane Princess," Riku teased. Roxas grimaced and slapped Riku in the chest.
"What did I say about that? Only Axel can call me that and even then I still hate it."
"Alright then Princess! Just go shower, we haven't got much time left."
Roxas bent down to pick his clothes up, just to throw them on his bed anyway. Riku left to go find him a hoodie to wear. The blonde rushed into the bathroom and ran for the hot eater nozzle. Time to burn away unwanted memories and scrub off the sadness. Like every shower he took.
"Pull yourself together Rox, you'll see mom again. Dad will accept you and love you like before. He's got to be missing his only sons. We were so close, Dad and I. Obviously he still loves me. A little thing like being gay shouldn't make him hate me entirely, right?" Roxas lied. He began to undress as the hot water kicked in and steam slowly started to refill the room. Inhaling deeply, he took a step inside the boiling hot water and let it burn.
Riku was going through his clothes, throwing everything onto the floor. He knew he packed at least three sweat shirts, where could they have gone? Not only did he not remember giving any to Sora, he knew Axel didn't take one. Disappointed, he moved to leave the room and check the hall closet.
'I can't wait for Sora to come back. We're going to have so much fun tonight and I just know he's going to love my presents. I mean, he couldn't afford one himself, so why not give him mine? I'll think of it as us going steady. Heh, going steady. It sounds so old fashioned! Plus, we've got to be past that part, right? I love Sora so much, more than anything. We're destined to be and nothing's going to fuck it up,' Riku to himself happily. A smile wasn't going to leave his face for the rest of the day. He was just too content and knew the day was to be magical.
He dug around in the hall closet, still not sure he would find one. It was already filled with Axel's crap. Finding something of his own was to be difficult. Sora just had to keep everything organized and if it didn't fit, Sora didn't want it there. Why couldn't he make his way to the closet? It was one of Sora's most annoying habits, but Riku wouldn't change a single thing about him. No matter how annoying.
"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Sora! Happy birthday to you," Riku whisper-sang. He continued humming the song as he looked through the unorganized closet. Riku could hear the shower running and wished Roxas would hurry up so that he wasn't so late with getting ready. All that blonde hair had to be perfectly spiked. Roxas wouldn't admit it aloud, but Riku knew he was just as obsessed with his hair as his brother. Roxas won't admit it, but they're scary alike.
Roxas was the annoying, yet cute boy that everyone could love. He was stubborn and didn't really like nicknames. Sora didn't have a nickname because he was never really given one. This could only make Riku think the brunette just didn't like them either. Roxas always thought he was right, as did Sora. Both were strong boys whom you could depend on. Not only were they someone you could depend on, they both just loved to be held and having the feeling of comfort. The brothers just want love. After the display their father gave them, Riku thought the only two people Roxas could love would be his own mother and Sora. Of course, he counted Riku as a brother, but he didn't love him. Axel, sadly, was also counted out. Riku knew Roxas wasn't in love with him back. He just knew Roxas too well and could see it in his sparkling blue eyes. Eyes just like Sora's.
Riku was on the floor of the closet, sifting through the random jackets, shirts and hangers when he finally saw something that looked familiar. When he pulled it out, it was a light gray jacket he used to wear when he was a freshman. Seeing as how he was a lot bigger than back then, he must've given it to Sora. No way could it still fit him. If it looked like it could fit Sora, it should fit Roxas. Smiling about his accomplished mission, he kicked all the extra crap back in and slammed the door shut. It wouldn't close all the way, leaving a small crack open, but he didn't care.
"Close enough! Hey Roxy, you done yet?" Riku said as he walked by the bathroom. He quickly rapped on the door and walked into Axel and Roxas' bedroom. Riku threw the jacket onto the bed and left just as fast as he went in. The shower was no longer running, so Riku figured Roxas would be able to hear him better.
"Rox, when you're done, I left the jacket on the bed. It should fit you and still make you feel warmer outside. It's getting even windier, hell, I might just move the party inside totally," Riku said, standing in front of the door. He could hear what sounded like sobs coming from the other side. Pursing his lips, he was debating whether he should bust on in and see if he was okay or not. "Roxas? Rox, are you okay? I'm coming in!"
Riku pushed open the door and moved his hand through the steam. Roxas must've taking an extremely hot shower. The noise actually was crying. In the bathtub sat Roxas, curled up into a ball and crying. Riku ignored the fact he was naked and that the tub was still very wet and hopped in to comfort his best friend. Roxas was weeping loudly and Riku tapped on his shoulder. The blonde slowly uncurled, his face beat red and soaked. He was still crying as he moved over to let Riku sit.
Reaching over for a towel, Riku snatched one and handed it to Roxas. Sniffling, Roxas attempted to wrap it around his waist. Riku grabbed another and set it down to where he was going to sit next to Roxas. He placed an arm over Roxas' shoulder and pulled him close.
"What's the matter Princess?" Riku asked, trying to lighten the mood. Roxas wrapped his arms around his legs and buried his face into his knees. Riku tried to hear something, but all he could hear was Roxas' mumbles. "What's that? Say it again, but so I can see your face."
Roxas looked up at him, face twisted in pain and despair and said, "No one loves me. Daddy just gave up on Sora and I. He doesn't want us back and Mom isn't doing anything to get him to let us come back. She doesn't care anymore. No one does and now it finally hits me. I'm worthless and according to my parents, so is Sora."
Riku flinched at his words and could feel a pain in his chest. How could Roxas sit there and say that? Riku was always there by him, giving him support and keeping him happy. That's what best friends do, right? Obviously he loved Sora and Roxas. They were so close to him.
"Don't say that! You and Sora are definitely not worthless. You two mean the world to me! Who would I be without my best buddy and the love of my life? Axel is utterly in love with you, never deny that. It's too easy to see. You should see the way he stares at you! It's not in some creepy, pervert way either. Sora loves you. I love you. Axel loves you. Your mom without a doubt loves you too. She risked getting hurt by your insane father for you and Sora! Also, deep down I'm sure your dad still loves you too. You two are his only sons and your family has had too many good memories for him to just drop it all and completely loath you Rox. Everyone cares about you Roxas. Sora too! You two are special guys that invade everyone's heart and never leave, understand that?" Riku explained, shocked that all of that came out of him. He never expected to say half of that. Roxas probably thought he wouldn't say that either. Sad, blue eyes stared up at Riku, looking for something.
"I-I understand. You're special to me too Riku. Axel too! Sora is my baby brother and I'll always love him, no matter what," Roxas said softly. The tears were slowing, but hadn't stopped yet. Riku smiled weakly and squeezed Roxas.
"C'mon, you have to get dressed. It's not the first time I've seen you naked, but I want it to be the last time," Riku joked, helping Roxas out of the tub. The blonde held onto the towel and nearly slipped as he got out.
As Roxas walked into his room, there was a weird fluttery feeling his chest and his stomach felt all twisted up. He wasn't sure what it meant, but he liked it.
Author's Note: