Across the Shadows

As the days passed, the three of them set into a comfortable way of co-existing.

Yukio was more aware of his his actions, being careful that he didn't leas the other two on, or tease them too much. He also took care to listen to his emotions, allowing his feelings towards Riku and Axel to grow naturaly.

Axel and Riku managed to behave themselves for the most part. They occasionaly had the odd fight, or pushed their advances on Yukio, though he'd put them in their place if the pushed too far.

On one such occasion, Riku and Axel returned to the house, fighting like cats and dogs. Things had been mostly verbal, until Riku took a swing at Axel. The punch connected, sending the stunned red head back a few steps. This was the first time either of them had resorted to the physical during a fight over Yukio.

There was a moment of silence, neither of them not quite believing what had just happened. Then there was a smashing sound from behind Riku, and Axel's eyes went wide. Yukio had witnessed the whole scene, and in his anger, squeezed the glass of water until it shattered. Sharp shards of glass now protruding from his bloodied hand. As a result from this incident, Riku and Axel kept their argueing to a minimum. Plus they discovered just how quickly Yukio could heal without magic.

Things started settling down once again, and the three of them grew closer.

A few weeks went by, then Yukio started noticing that Riku was growing more and more agitated by the day. If confronted about it, Riku would deny that anything was wrong. Yukio wasn't fooled for one second, but since he didn't know what the problem could be, he left it alone for the time being.

One morning, Riku just didn't get out of bed, and would resist Yukio's attempts at trying to cheer him up. Concered by this, Yukio went to find Axel.

Axel was stretched out on the couch watching some random show that Yukio was pretty sure couldn't be classified as porn, yet was more revealing then soap opera smut.

He plopped down on Axel's stomach, since the older one was taking up the whole couch, and snatched the remote away, switching the channel.

"Hey! I was watching that!" Axel complained as he tried to steal back the remote.

"I know... but we're going to watch this now." Holding the remote out of Axel's reach, and turning on the most boring thing he could think of.

"But... but... that's not fun to watch at all!" Whining as he flopped back on the couch, knowing that Yukio wasn't gonna give it up anytime soon.

Arching a brow, he then smirked. Setting the remote on the couch between Axel's legs, pulling his hand back so that it brushed over his groin. A soft chuckle given, as he felt Axel's arousal. "Hmm... it does seem that way."

Axel groaned softly, "hnn... tease."

Yukio smiled, then leaned down to give Axel a kiss on the cheek. "I know... and now that I have your attention..." giving the red head's length a friendly squeeze. "We need to talk about Riku."

For a moment, he thought that Yukio was finaly going to give into him. Then the mention of Riku, and he groaned as to complain. "Gods Yukio, you sure know how to ruin the mood."

"I know...." Smirking for a moment, then swats Axel's chest. "Besides... it's not like I'm gonna give it up that easy."

Pouting up at Yukio, "Well.. you never know."

He snorts, then stands up. "Only in your dreams, Axel. But that's besides the point. Riku has been in his room all day, refusing to get out of bed or even talk to me. I think there's something seriously wrong with him."

Now that he was free, Axel snatched the forgotten remote and changed it back to the show he had been watching. "Of course there is, and I don't blame him. After all, Sora's getting married today."

"Sora?"

Axel nodded, "Yup. He's getting hitched to Kairi. They were Riku's best friends growing up. Riku loved Sora alot... and we all thought that Sora loved him back. But things didn't work out that way, and Sora ended up choosing the girl over him. Really messed him up. Then to add insult to injury, Sora invited Riku to the wedding."

Yukio blinked at this, then unplugged the tv. "So you're just going to let him mope up there by himself all day long?"

"That was the plan...?" Blinking up at Yukio, as he got the feeling his plans were now ruined.

"You have new plans now." Pulling Axel off the couch and into the kitchen. "We're going to cheer Riku up tonight, whether he likes it or not." Looking around the kitchen, then making a bit of a list. "I need you to go get some things." Handing over the list.

Looking over the peice of paper, Axel blinked. "How in the world are you able to plan something like this so fast?"

"Because I'm smart?" Being a touch sarcastic for a second. "I'm the son of the best theif on my planet, remember... I've learned to be quick on my feet. Besides, this is the standard stuff for cheering people up, and offering comfort."

"Well I hope this works. It's not fun seeing him this depressed."

"Then get going," chuckling as he pushes Axel out the door. "The sooner you get this stuff, the sooner Operation Sunshine can take effect."

"Operation Sunshine?"

"Oh shush... it's the first thing that came to mind." Shutting the door after the snickering Axel.

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Later on in the day, Riku was awoken by the smell of something heavenly. Not really wanting to move from his spot, his stomach growled in protest. He tried to ignore it, but his Tummy Monster would just not let him alone. Finally he huffed and crawled out of bed.

His hair was a mess, and he was only wearing bunny boxers when he entered the kitchen.

"Well look who finaly arises!" Axel smirked.

"Can it Axel..." glaring at him. "I'm only down because... I'm hungry...." His anger fading off by the end, seeing Yukio in a purple lacey apron. "You're... cooking?"

Yukio nods and smiles. "Yup... and I hope you do like it." Pausing to look Riku over, then wrinkles his nose. "Though I must insist that you go have a shower and get dressed first... should all be ready by then."

Riku pouted, "Do I have to?"

With a smirk, Axel slipped an arm around his shoulders. "Don't worry, Riku... I'll help you bath?"

He blinked, then pushed Axel away. "I don't think so... I'll do it myself."

"Awe... alright...." Then he pushed Riku out of the kitchen, smiling to Yukio. "I think this is going to work."

Yukio smiled brightly, adding the finishing touches to one of the things he'd made. "Yeah... I think so too."

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Later that night, the three of them were snuggled up on the couch, watching a movie. Riku having mostly forgotten his reason for feeling so glum earlier in the day. Nobody had ever done anything like this, for him before, and it touched him greatly. Sure it still hurt when he remembered what the day was, but he needed to move on from his love of Sora. Today closed any possibility that they could ever find their way to each other.

Though right now, it didn't seem to hurt as much thinking about it. Yukio and Axel had refused to allow him to wallow in self pity, and set this evening up for him. It showed just how much they cared... and for a moment, he even considered the possibility that maybe he and Axel didn't have to fight over Yukio... that maybe, just maybe, Yukio would accept them both.

The thought was pushed out of his mind for the moment, as they watched the movie. It was a horror show, and Yukio was somehow managing to cling to the both of them.

"Is the scary part over yet?" Yukio peeked an eye open to watch even if it wasn't.

Axel laughed softly."Yukio... you have two of the most scariest creatures that we've ever known, under your control.. and this movie scares you?"

Yukio swatted at Axel. "So?.... It's still creepy! AH!" Closing his eyes shut as some poor person was rendered lifeless in a rather gruesome way.

Both Riku and Axel laughed at the poor boy. He was rather cute, and at times it was hard to believe this kid could do the things he could.

There was a knocking at the front door, and it caused them all to jump.

Yukio blinked, then smirked. "Ha! Looks like I'm not the only one who's scared!" Then hopped off the couch to answer the door.

He opened the door to a young man with tussled brown hair and wearing a very formal suit. His face was stained with tears, and he hesitated when he first saw Yukio. "Is... is Riku around?"

Frowning slightly, Yukio looked over the boy who looked barely older then himself. "May I ask who you are first?"

The boy nodded, and mumured. "I... I'm Sora...." Feeling a bit out of place at the moment.

"Yukio, who's at the door?" Riku asked, having gotten up to see who it was. He stopped at the sight of Sora standing there, looking more pitiful then he could ever remember.

"Riku!" Sora slipped past Yukio to glomp onto Riku. The older boy frooze, never having thought that he'd see Sora anytime soon, let alone tonight. Sora was sobbing, and trying to explain everything to him. But Riku heard nothing.

Instead of welcoming him, he pushed him away, certain that this was just another ploy to break his heart even further. "I don't want to hear it SORA! Just leave!" Running away from the person that he hated and loved the most. He managed to make it to his bedroom before he lost control and broke out crying.

Sora trembled, then dropped to his knees, when Riku ran from him. Wondering if this was just how bad Riku had felt when he told him that he was choosing Kairi over him. "I'm so sorry Riku... I'm too late. I never meant for this to happen.... I... I didn't realize until today...."

Axel, having heard Riku yelling, came to see what was going on. He glared at Sora, understanding what was going on. "Yukio, get him out of here... he's not welcome anymore."

Yukio blinked at Axel, then knelt beside Sora, offering him a kleenex from his pocket. "Sora, is it? Tell me... just what did you hope to accomplish by coming here tonight, on your wedding night? Did you want to cruely break Riku's heart again?"

The red head was tempted to throw Sora out himself, but he waited to see what Yukio was up to. After all, even though the boy's tone was comforting, his words had a deffinate bite to them.

"No! I never wanted to do that!" Sora hiccuped as he blew his nose. "I... just wanted to tell him that it was a mistake... that I should have chosen him... that I love him."

Yukio listened to this, then calmly asked. "Are you wanting him because you really do love him... or because you are runnning away from Kairi. Because I am sure that's what Riku thinks.... That you are only turning to him because you're not sure if you really want her. Answer truthfully... your future depends on this."

Sora nodded, gathering his wits about him again. "I... I love him. I have for a while... and when I chose Kairi, I thought these feelings would go away. But they didn't... they've just kept growing, even when I ignored them. I realized today, when I saw her there, standing at the alter in her dress... that I wanted it to be Riku... that I've always wanted it to be him. I've been such a fool!"

Nodding slowly, satisfied with Sora's answer, he helped him back to his feet. "If that is the case, then go talk to him... he may not want to listen, but you must find a way to make him understand. His heart is fragile now, so take care... if you do not, then I will summon unto you something that is even darker then the heartless."

Axel almost fell over with Yukio's threat to Sora. Sure the kid had a heart of gold, but it seems he also has a rather nasty cruel side as well. Could he be anymore desirable?

Allowing himself to be helped up, he nodded to Yukio. "I... I understand... and, I'll try my best." He offered a faint smile, then quickly left to try and talk to Riku.

"I'm following him..." Axel growled, not about to leave Sora and Riku alone.

Yukio grabbed him arm and shook his head. "No... you're not. You're going to stay down here with me, while those two talk things over. They do not need any interuptions."

"But... how can you just let this happen? Don't you care for Riku at all?"

"Of course I care for him. I care for him a great deal. That is why I am willing to allow this to happen. Riku deserves his true love."

Axel snorted, "What makes you think that Sora is his true love?"

Yukio smiled softly, and lead Axel back to the couch. "It's obvious, one just has to look at them to see it."

Not really convinced, Axel arched a brow as Yukio climbed into his lap. "Alright.. I'm able to sense the love those two share for each other... Sora's just been confused about his feelings... but I think he understands them now."

"Whatever." Axel shook his head, not really sure why Yukio was pushing this. "Why are you so hopeful they'll get work things out and get together?"

"Remember the names of my weapons?" Yukio snuggled against Axel.

He nodded and blinked. "Yeah... Heart's Desire and Lust Forgotten... but what does that have to do with anything?" Wrapping his arms around the boy.

"They represent what I believe in most... what I believe to be the most important thing to a person. So... what is the heart's greatest desire, and what is left when lust is forgotten?"

"That is something I can't answer or even know where to start to understand. You see, I have no heart. I can only imagine feelings. Funny isn't it?"

Yukio frowned softly at this. "But... you can't survive without a heart. I mean, your body needs a heart in order to pump blood through your veins to keep you alive."

Axel laughed at Yukio, as the boy became even more confused. "In a way, I guess I am dead. See, I'm just the left overs from someone loosing their heart to the darkness. If you want to 'feel' my heartbeat, then go put your hand on Riku's chest. As long as Riku lives, I live."

He took a moment to let this all sink in, not sure what to think. In this silence, Axel felt something wet against his neck. "Yukio... are you crying?" The boy only nodded, almost clinging to him now. "Why?"

"As you said... you can only imagine emotions.... So... why have you been persuing me, if you can't feel love?"

He smiled softly, running a hand through Yukio's hair. "But I can imagine it... You see, there is this boy... you remind me of. He made me feel as though I have a heart. He no longer exists though." Shrugging slightly, "Or maybe it's because of Riku... maybe I can feel his feelings."

"I... I hope that what you feel is what you imagine it to be... and not just what Riku is feeling."

Blinking, Axel looked down at Yukio. "Why do you hope that?"

Offering a faint smile as he wiped away his tears. "I'd rather know that what you think you feel, is your own... and not just the feelings of somebody else...." He paused, working up a bit of courage. "Since... the way I feel for you is real... and not just some murmur of another's emotions."

"You... like me?" Yukio nodded, blushing faintly. "Well how about that. If it makes you feel any better, I don't feel Riku's feelings." Taking the boy's hand in his own, and bringing it to his lips or a kiss. "You make me feel like I have a heart too. That's the truth and what I feel. Got it?"

Yukio nodded and smiled brightly, "I got it...." A fluttery feeling in the pit of his stomach as it all sunk in.

"So... what now?" Riku and Sora were still talking it seemed, so the rest of the night seemed to be cancelled.

"Well... how about you take me back to your place tonight?" Yukio blushed as he asked that.

"Yukio!" Axel blinked, almost scandolized. "Only moment's ago you declared your feelings for me, and now you're ready to take it to the next level so soon?" Then ground his hips up against the boy.

"Axel!" He whimpered with a little moan. The red head could be so evil at times. "That's not what I meant!" Swatting his shoulder as his face flushed a little more.

"Then what did you mean?" Pouting a little bit.

"It's just that... I don't think I'm going to get very much sleep if I stay here tonight.. with Riku and Sora."

"Do you really think they're going to be fighting that loud?" Frowning a bit. "Maybe we should stay here for the night."

Yukio shook his head, "No!... Er, I mean... I don't think they're fighting anymore. Infact, I can sense them doing the exact opposite of fighting."

Axel was confused for moment, then blinked as it clicked in. "Oh... Oh! No way! So soon?" Yukio just nodded. "Ewe! We are so outta here!"

Yukio giggled, then hopped out of Axel's lap. "Just let me leave them a note, and I'm ready to go."

With that done, they locked the door as the left. About halfway home, Axel just had to ask. "So, what do your weapon's names mean anyways? You never told me."

Yukio smiled shyly up at him, reaching out to hold his hand. "They mean Love."