And So...?

There I am, minding my own business, gaming in my room, when enters a charging Riku, looking (sexy as hell when he's angry, by the way) ready to charge something over like a bull on crack.

And he's headed right in my direction.

Aw, shit. Did he figure out I tried to let his secret slip to oblivious Sora?

"Tidus! You, me, spar, now."

I blink, and he throws his bangs out of his face, and his eyes look like murder. He looks at me like I killed his mom or something.

"Oooookay Riku, just calm down a bit. What's up?" I say apprehensively, holding my hands up in what I hope is a defensive-looking position.

And all at once, explosion.

"WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED WITH SORA?! WHY IS HE AVOIDING ME?! DID YOU DO SOMETHING TO HIM?!"

Whoa. Yikes. Me no likey angry Riku.

Hell no I'm not about to spar with this guy.

Wait a minute. Did he just ask me if I did something with Sora? Hah! If only he knew. After all, I'm pretty sure Sora's only gay for Riku.

And you know what really sucks? Riku's got a major thing for his stupid oblivious best friend. And not for me.

But to the present.

"What do you mean what did I do to Sora? We just had a chat a few days ago and I think I helped him realize some things-"

He snorts, looking more pissed than ever.

"Really. And just how did you go about helping Sora realize these things?"

Am I really digging myself in this deep?

Dig a hole, dig a hole.

Shit Tidus, what are you doing?

"Okay, look, obviously things are a little confused here. I know you have a thing for Sora-"

"You have no idea what you're talking about." He snarls, and I can feel his glare burn away a little of my soul.

"Just let me finish, okay! Whatever you say, you have a thing for Sora. And when we were talking, he asked my how I figured out I was gay. So I told him that I just noticed I was checking out more guy's butts than girl's boobs, and that I was dreaming of guys rather than girls... All that stuff. So he totally flips a shit and starts freaking out thinking he might be gay or have a crush on someone or something, and he almost knocks the boat over," I chance a look at Riku here, and he seems to be calming down. I consider yelling out 'then we kissed!' but decided here would be a bad time to make a bad joke about something that never happened. "Anyway, I calm him down, we go out to the island and hang out with Kairi. That's all that happened."

Riku sits on my bed, which gives me a mild heart attack, because I've really wanted to have Riku on my bed for quite a while.

Too bad it will never be the way I want it to be.

Oh cruel world, why must I crush on the one I can never have?

Crap.

So now it's silent, and I can almost hear him think. I take the chance to admire him while he isn't looking so he doesn't get creeped out by the fact that I might be sightly obsessed with him.

"So... you're telling me that Sora might think he's gay?"

I sigh, resigned.

"Pretty much."

"Oh," he says, pausing for a minute. "And nothing... happened between you guys?"

"Not a damn thing," I smile a bit, "You know I don't get any action on this island."

He chuckles, much more relaxed now, and I'm happy I could make him laugh. After he came back, he just looked so... somber.

All the time.

Except around Sora, but everyone knows that.

"Well," he looks a bit sheepish. Sweet! I get a Riku apology. "Sorry about earlier. I guess I'm just a little-"

"Territorial?" It's my turn to interrupt him. His smile fades and he nods. "Well I think you should tell him what's on your mind. You guys have been through everything together, he's your best friend. Just let him know."

Another snort.

"Right, so he can keep avoiding my like I'm his homework."

I think on that a bit. Hm. I'd much rather see Riku happy, even if it isn't with me. So how can I be sly about this without just busting out with it.

"Well I think he might like you back."

Riku looks up, shocked.

"Come on man, you're so far out of the closet that it's a speck on the horizon. Well, at least to anyone who's been there." I say, and his expression is completely unreadable. Well, I guess it's still a bit deer-in-headlights, but it's hard to tell with his bangs in his face.

"Just... do me a favor and don't let Sora know. I really think it'd freak him out. I mean, really, really make him lose it. And... i don't... I don't want to lose my best friend."

I shake my head at him.

"Riku, sometimes you're as stupid as Sora. You guys have been friends since before you were born, there's nothing that's gonna split you guys apart."

"I'll tell him in my own time." He sighs. "Besides, maybe this will fade..."

My amused smile drops, and I can't help looking at the ground. Riku may be my crush, but...

"Crushes come and go, Riku. But love, real love... That never really goes away."

He looks at me carefully, but he can feel I'm not talking about him.

"Thanks, Tidus."

"No problem, Riku. I'm always here," I say, forcing my smile back on my face. Hey, I'm not Sora, but I'm a happy guy, right?

And with a nod, he leaves.

And I'm left with thoughts of tan skin and red hair and a funny accent wrapped in one package.

---------------------------

I feel like my stomach is going to explode. Fucking butterflies.

Sora thinks he might be gay!

Shit, stop it Riku, it doesn't really mean anything. He could just be confused, and what's more, it probably isn't you he has a crush on. He's probably been avoiding you because he thinks you'd flip on him if he told you he thought he was gay.

That has to be it.

But I wonder who he has a crush on?

God, when I thought that Tidus had done something... anything... with Sora, I could swear I felt my entire chest fall to the ground with me still standing. And then there was that awful jealous rage, where I just wanted to take Tidus - my friend of 10 years - and pummel his head straight into the ground.

I wanted to beat the gay out of him so he'd leave my Sora alone.

But as it is, it makes sense. Tidus would never force himself on anyone, he's not even really comfortable with making moves on any guy yet, much less Sora. Innocent Sora.

So, Sora thinks he's gay.

Well, maybe I could at least flirt some, maybe I could distract him away from whoever he's crushing on.

Shit, no I couldn't do that. If this person could make him happy, could I really crush that chance at happiness?

Damn, sometimes I just want to hold his hand.

--------------------------

My name is Sora, and I'm walking on sunshine!

Well, I'm actually floating because my stomach is filled with nerves and knots and I probably have gas (I know you wanted to know that, but it's my head so sorry!), because this week and weekend I'm testing out Kairi's theory.

Hmmmm... Maybe I could try more hugs? Would he mind if I held his hand dragging him somewhere.

Man. I just want to touch him. All over.

This is so weird! A few days ago I thought I was interested in girls... and now I'm having dreams about sexing up my best guy friend!

But when I really think about it, is it really that much of a surprise? I mean, I cried when I saw him, actually cried. And I missed him so bad, so terribly... I wanted to see him safe so much, and he just kept running away....

And then Tidus started checking him out and that kinda peeved me a lot. And really Sora, you didn't know why? Gah I'm dumb sometimes. Bad Sora.

But Riku just isn't gay!

What if I just end up embarrassing myself, as usual?

Well, then it'll just be usual.

Besides, Riku won't ever leave me again. He promised.

And after everything, why would something like this bother him? Exactly! It wouldn't!

I think Kairi is right. I'm gonna invite him to spend the night Friday, and if the next two days go okay, and he doesn't seem all weirded out when I sit close or touch him more, then I think I'll step it up. On Friday I mean. Maybe.

If I don't crap my pants. (It's not my fault I'm prone to that in nerve-racking romantic situations!)

As I'm walking home, cogitating (Kairi taught me that word the other day after I asked her what it meant because she said Riku cogitates too much), here comes the new found object of my affections.

Poop.

Act natural, Sora!

"Riku! Hey!" I wave, walk/running up to him. He looks pretty surprised, and I can tell he was just having a major 'I'm Riku and I'm all mysterious and cogitating' moment.

"Attack the moping Riku, he must go down!" And before he can say another word, I'm on him like white on rice, knocking him to the ground and straddling his abs.

Man they're solid.

No, Sora. Not now. Friday. Friday.

He smiles up at me, pushing me off him. "Fine, fine. What are you doing? I thought Kairi had a paper for you to write."

What?

Oh, yeah.

"Well I got out of it because I didn't 'feel good.' Heheh!" I laugh, knowing it's a complete lie.

He looks at me like he know it's a complete lie.

"Okay," he shrugs. "Wanna go play video games instead?"

Guess he's just gonna let it slide. Major relief for me... Go Sora! Good days!

So unlike those bad ones when I didn't have him.

"Yes! My house or yours?"

"Well, your's is two houses down..."

I can feel myself blush.

But opportunity!

"Alright, my house it is then!" I grab his hand and start running, "Maybe mom will have dinner ready and you can eat with us!"

"Sounds... uh... great!" I hear him half call.

-----------------------------

I'm Riku, I hate natural reactions, and I'm blushing.

Because he's holding my hand.


A/N: AHHHHH the sweetness! It burns my teeth tingly!

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