Why hello there my good friends. It really is good to see you and hope you all are doing well. I missed this story and hope no one thought it was dead. I just needed a long break and time to think on what I wanted to do with my life. After some life changing stuff, I have found my light again.
Also, I wanted to let you all know that I have got addicted to (Dream Drop Distance) Riku and (Birth By Sleep) Vanitas. I think this pairing is super cute and well, for every Sora there needs to be a Riku type right? I even started a community too! So if you see stories popping up, it might just be me lol XD

youkai chick supreme

Nierx

chii-yuki

Citrus Sunscreen

And the many more uke!Riku fans out there!

Disclaimer: I do not Own Kingdom Hearts/Final Fantasy or their Characters.

Cowboys and Cross Dressers!

Chapter 2: Perfected Bonds

Last Time:

Sora blinked hearing the hoofs take off gliding. He opens his window with the lights off and spots Riku going off somewhere into the night. He smirked wondering just where the other could be going off too. It didn't worry him though, because after all he'll find out tomorrow morning. They had some heavy lifting the next day, and teasing Riku would be so much fun.

Nearly six'o clock in the early morning, Sora was ruffly awakened to the smell of pancakes and heavy syrup. Comically, Sora found himself munching on the duck feather filled pillow drooling his dreams away. There was plenty of times that the young man had a mouth full of feathers. Yet, that never seemed to deter his appetite for the fluffy delights that awaited him downstairs. Aerith, their caretaker, was a good cook. She would turn muk into something that was far more beautiful than what it should be. Though to Sora, Riku was the best cook of all time, and he wasn't afraid to shout it out to the whole town either. That included the world as well.

Riku, that's right! I need to find out why he ran off into the night like he did...I wonder is he awake yet.

Sora slowly pulled the covers off of his body and headed to the washroom. He wanted to move quicker, but his body was still groggily from his deep slumber. He stood in front of the bronze rimmed mirror making faces at himself before his thoughts trailed back to the silver haired male again. He pondered just exactly how was he going to get Riku another shot at the traveling agency. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy job, no, but he still had to give it a try. Then, another thought came to him. What if he found out just where Riku really wanted to travel too? He then would try and persuade the agency into letting him go.

The plan was amazing to start off with, but would Riku really tell him that much? Sora slowly found himself frowning in the mirror, because it finally hit him. Riku must have wanted to leave. He must have wanted to leave everyone here, and most of all, him. A few of his chocolate spikes altered to a small limp. He didn't want Riku to leave, but if it made the other happy. He would do anything, even if it meant loosing his best friend.

A knock at the door snapped Sora out of his dreadful whims. Riku groaned on the outside of the door. "Sora! Hurry up I need to pee!" Sora smiled before yelling out, "Okay hang on Riri!" He quickly washed off everything that needed to before coming out of the washroom. He moved out of the way as Riku bolted in. "Thank you!", he quickly got out before locking the door behind him. This was indeed the perfect time to ask at least one question he had. Sora grinned wider than a drunk in a wine collector's storehouse. "Hay Riku how did you sleep?"

There was a short silence that greeted Sora before sudden movement. "I slept well, how about you?" Riku asked while washing his face. Sora nodded as if to agree on his sleeping terms. "I slept well, um I was just wondering how is Dawn doing today? I know she likes to come to your window alot." The silver haired male ran a hand through his locks before answering that one. He wondered if Sora had somehow seen him and her last night. Yet, his lack of mockery in his voice told him otherwise. "Well, she is doing okay, being picky as usual."

"Oh okay." Sora replied quickly with a smirk. "Well don't take too long Riku, I'll eat all your pancakes." While behind the safety of the door, Riku smiled, placing a hand on the old oak door. "Yeah yeah! I'm coming..Sora"

The build-in tavern and inn wasn't the best of places in town, but to the young men Sora and Riku it was home. Aerith was the only woman in town, brave enough to tell her fellow females that having almost grown men live with her meant absolutely nothing to her. she was never scared of them, and was the only one to get them to do her bidding. Ever since that day she saw them wondering the roads on Dawn, she knew they needed a home. So, she thought why not? She figured having the boys around would help her run a better, cleaner tavern. The young brunet wasn't wrong five years ago for her decision, and even now she felt she had did the right thing. In a way, she felt like she practically raised them. So when Sora came running down the stairs, she was not hesitant to pull him by the ear. "Sora! What did I tell you 'bout running in this house? Hun, them pancakes ain't going no where!"

Sora yelped with the sudden pressure on his ear before whimpering a little at her. "Ah! I know I'm sorry! Let go Aeri!" She frowned before sighing, letting the man go. "Sora, you are nineteen years old, you should know better. You don't see Riku ever running anywhere." She preached while making her way towards the stove. She leaned down to make sure the light was still keeping the rest of the food warm. Aerith knew just how much Riku seemed to like staying in the washroom for what seemed like days. Her brown hair flicked over her shoulder quickly just in time before Sora could get a fork full of the waffles.

"Sora!"

The young brunet jerked before slamming the fork back down. "What?! I wasn't going to eat it!" She cocked an eyebrow at him before pointing a knife at him. "I'm watching you mister." All Sora could do was grin. His expression seemed to lighten even more as Riku walked down the stairs in all his glory. Sora gawked in awe watching Riku make beautiful strides across the kitchen, silver flowing strands that seemed to be minutes behind him. Now Sora wasn't into the male body or anything, but Riku seemed to always spark something within him. Riku caught him staring before sticking his tongue at the other boy bragging, "I took your eggs."

Sora remained quiet at the challenge. He just smiled before placing his hands out to interlock with Aerith and Riku. They began to say grace, yet Sora had another prayer in mind. Please God up in Heaven, don't let Riku and I ever get broken up. I would miss those secret smiles he gives, and most of all that strength he gives me everyday. Amen.

Once breakfast was all said and done, Riku and Sora was gently ordered to get to their chores for the day. Sora was happy to do this job, because it meant plenty of time to ask Riku where he wanted to travel to. Riku on the other hand, didn't like this slient time with the other, only because it very difficult to ignore Sora when he picked up heavy things. The brunet grabbed a large crate of Roddenberry carrying it to the storage house before glancing at Riku. "Riri-I have been wondering how to get you into the travel agency." A large clunk rung out of the storage house before Riku was even able to look at Sora. "Really now?"

Sora bit his lip. "Well, yeah. I mean maybe if I tell them where your dream place is they might let you go." A large box was placed down by the albino before he could answer. "I don't know Sora, that's the thing. I don't really know where I want to go. Hmm, maybe Paris. I heard that it's beautiful there." He sighed while staring up into the sky. Sora frowned while scratching the back of his head. "Um, Riku I kinda want to ask you something. Now I know, I have no right in asking you. But this means a lot to me so please don't turn me down Riku."

Turn him down? What is he talking about? Riku glanced back down to earth, mostly to Sora.

"Riku I have been thinking about this for a good moment now, and I hope you understand. I know I have no right in asking this but, please."

What the hell is he TALKING ABOUT? Riku panicked.

"Riku I-I really want to be with you, I really do, so please don't say no!"

"Sora is this a joke? Are you playing around with me, because it's not funny!" Riku growled at the brunet as the other tried to explain.

"R-Riku no, I just don't want you leaving me behind. Please say I can come with you! We have been best friends for far too long to just split up now! Please, if you are going to Paris bring me with you! I promise I won't be a burden to you anymore!"

The silver haired male paused clearly stunned at what he thought was a confession. Yet he was wrong in one way, Sora was confessing just not for the thing he so wished for. Placing his head down almost to the point of no return, Riku huffed out a 'sure'. Sora wanted to smile if it weren't for the fact that Riku didn't look so happy about it. He slowly moved towards the silver haired male tugging him into an embrace. "Riku I'm sorry, I had no right in asking you. I didn't mean to intrude in your space. I get it, you don't want to be anywhere near me. I-I understand. I just hope that you take care of your-"

"Shut up..."

"Ri-"

"I said shut up...I don't want to hear anymore..."his voice cracked.

Sora glanced into his arms looking at Riku whom still hadn't moved away from him. He leaned to the side to try and see his face, but was only greeted with tears. The brunet quickly went into protective mode and held the other tighter to give as much support as he could. "Riku, please don't cry, I haven't seen you cry since we were kicked off our family ranch." Riku slowly nodded and tried to enjoy the warm embrace that he wished he could call his own. He allowed Sora to rub his arms a little longer until the town guards walked by.

"Naw ya'll stop that huggin, it's ain't right. Stop that now."

Sora glanced over to look at them, getting ready tell them a thing or two about it. Yet, Riku beat him to it by pushing him off, glancing at the officers. "Oh so sorry gentleman, you see I felt a little faint with all this heat. You know, can't help it with being an albino and all." He joked at his own appearance, not caring about the sickly stares he was given by the officers.

They raised up their belts in a threateningly manner. "Well, try to keep out of the sun if you gonna keep passing out. We'll be watching you." They turned slowly and started to talk amongst themselves. Yet, they made sure that Riku could hear 'funny looking queer' as they dissipated into the sheriff's building.

Sora moved to go after them to make them apologize to Riku, yet the platinum blonde grabbed his forearm. "But Riku, they just insulted you! I can't just stand here and let them get away with that, let go!"

Riku slowly shook his head while smiling at the brunet. "Sora don't worry about it. I'm not insulted by what others think or say to me. You don't have to defend my honor." He smiled a little again while tugging on Sora's arm to follow him. "Come on, there is something I have been meaning to show you. I think it's that time that I do." The brunet silently growled on the inside of his head, and permanently placed those two guards on his hit list. Yet, with Riku pulling on him he reluctantly began to follow the other. Riku kept pulling the other towards the stables where Dawn stood there watching a yellow butterfly flutter around her. She moved her hooves as she watched the pair come closer towards her. Sora quickly ran up to her, rubbing her soft mane.

Dawn neighed proudly while leaning down for Sora to get the good spots. Aerith had already finished her part of the job, cleaning the stables. She stood up from tending the other horses she had for sale or to borrow. "Were are you guys headed off too?"It was Sora and Dawn's turn to stare at Riku.

"Well, I wanted to show something to Sora, it's a secret though so..." Aerith smiled before closing her eyes, giving off a soft hum. "Dilly Dally Shilly Shally, be back before dinner. I hope you finished all the chores before you start going off to God knows where?" Sora quickly hopped onto Dawns back kicking the latch open before making her go. He leaned down to quickly grab Riku by the waist causing the other to yelp. "See ya later Aerith!" Sora yelled before Dawn took off in another direction. Aerith huffed blowing her brown bangs from out of her face. The remaining dust from the large animal was all that was left, she had to just giggle.

"Oh Sora you and your weird way of showing how much you are a rebel. I just hope you will finally figure out what's the most important thing in your life." She sighed while looking at the large chicken clucking at her to finally release the seed that was left in her hands. "Alright, I hear you Missy Lou"

Dawn slowly came to a slow trot as Sora raised Riku up higher to place the other in front of him, almost sitting him on his lap. He grinned a little seeing Riku frizz up at his sudden touch, making the silverette glare. Sora gingerly poked his tongue out at him before making Riku turn around and grab the reigns. "I know, just shut it and steer, Riku." There wasn't much that Riku could say really, he actually couldn't say anything at all really. He moved to get more comfortable in his position pausing when Sora leaned his head on his right shoulder. The little things like this never made Riku truly grieve, just blush like a mad man. Yet, that only made Dawn glance back to look at her master fluster up. He glanced down at her, and he could have sworn that she mocked at him like, 'oh my, master you like that don't you?'

Riku sighed before tugging on the reigns to make her move into the direction that he wanted. She neighed softly and turned to her master's command. She was led more towards the west where the desert wasn't so hot and humid. She kept on running and at a certain point took over. She knew this trail all to well, and was even wondering did her master finally wanted to show Sora their secret spot. She neighed loudly and pushed on forward faster than any other horse could do.

About thirty minutes later, Dawn and company finally reached the secret oasis. The palm trees swayed in the gently breeze, giving off that calm notion. Sora moved off of Riku's shoulder to take in fully what was being shown to him. Dawn slowed down a tad bit as if she was a tour guide, moving here and there to give Sora the full view. The brunet moved a little to watch as the small trickling rivers flowed down hill. He had never seen something like this before, and he was from a wealthy family, yet they never had anything like this. Riku moved the reigns towards the left to make her go down the hill a little to show the other more of the beautiful land. As soon as he did that, all that Sora could see was land full of plant life and sea creatures. He had to admit, he didn't have a thing for fish, but seeing the rainbow colors changed his mind. He looked up towards the sky and saw toucans croaking, which he thought was a cross between a frog and a pig sound. Riku chuckled a little at Sora trying to pick a fight with the bird. He clearly never heard of such a thing before, yet Riku the first time coming there didn't either.

The group stopped the moving tour to rest near the spot that clearly was made into a resting area. It was compressed leaves the size big enough for a grown man and his horse. Sora stared at Riku as the other got off of the horse. He did the same before commenting about what he saw last night. "Hay Riku, so this was where you and Dawn ran off too." Dawn and Riku stared at Sora before looking at each other. Yet, she flicked her master in the butt before walking off to take a drink of water from the flowing river. The platinum blonde ran a hand through his hair before sighing. "Yeah so what, I like to come here when I'm depressed."

It was the spiky haired one to move, he walked slowly towards Riku in a sneaky fashion. "Really? So that either means you were depressed last night, or your depressed now." He announced while pushing the blonde up against the resting spot palm tree. "So which one is it Riku tell me.." Riku gasped clearly shocked by the sudden attitude coming off of the other. This was not expected, especially to Riku. Sora was usually easy to read, and it wasn't hard to see where and what his ideas where most of the time. Though, this was all new to him. Riku had never seen Sora so aggressive like this before. "S-Sora I don't have to explain my self..." That's when Sora leaned closer into him and nuzzled his neck all lovingly like before whispering deeply. "Got cha'"

There was an awkward stillness that roamed over the both of them. And then there was a loud smack that rung in the mini tropical land, provided by Riku. Sora laughed out while he was getting beaten up by the silver haired man. He didn't know why he made such a reaction come from Riku, but he loved it. It showed that whatever Riku was going through, he could still make the other laugh. So to Sora, that's all he needed, a smiling Riku.

Well, that's that guys. I hope you liked it. I know it has been a long time. So, I'm still sorry about that. And if you see any mistakes please tell me.

Love

~Yuki