The House of Chanterelle

The House of Chanterelle

Episode Four

"Ties that Bind"

They took Yuna's car since it was on the first floor of the parking garage. Zexion's stayed parked at the top since he hardly left the office and it wasn't baby proofed. He always did wonder why Yuna had a spare car seat but he never really asked. That was her business and he had no reason to pry. They drove to one of the many Starbucks which was, as always, very crowded. He offered to watch Alicia while Yuna waited in line for the coffee. That's how he ended up sitting at one of the empty tables trying to figure out the off switch on Alicia. Why wouldn't she stop crying? Was she in pain or was she just being annoying? Aforementioned, Zexion didn't know anything about children or parenting at all so it was impossible for him to know what she wanted. He tried holding her carefully and rocking her the way Yuna did. He stopped short of talking baby talk to her like others did. He wasn't even going to go there. Still she continued to cry and he tried to ignore the stares of people around him. They probably thought he was doing something awful to the poor thing. He wished he could have stayed in the office.

"May I?"

Zexion looked up to see a pretty girl with deep azure eyes and licorice colored hair bent over beside him. Her skin glowed beautifully in the fluorescent light of the shop and her gaze was warm and inviting like someone's sister. Her smile was so pleasant it almost made him forget the coffee-drinkers who were still staring at the crying baby. She held out her arms for the baby while still keeping her eyes locked with Zexion's. He wasn't sure where his logic went when he gave Riku's innocent child to a total stranger. Alicia cried as she rocked her for a moment. She looked down at the baby bag they had brought along with them and dug out one of the bottles.

"Ahah!" she whispered removing the cap from one of the bottles and placing it to Alicia's lips. "There you go, angel. You were starving weren't you?"

Zexion watched in amazement as Alicia suckled the bottle without a fuss in the girl's arms. She looked down at him with a cute knowing smile.

"I take it she's not yours, then?"

It took a moment for him to realize she was talking to him. "Um, no," he shook his head. "No, she's my boss's kid. He got busy so I'm watching over her."

"Ah, well for future reference, when she cries in that kinda tone, it means she's really hungry. You gotta be careful with her, cause it painful for a baby to be hungry. You don't want her to suffer."

Zexio found himself nodding. "Thank you, miss…?"

"Oh I'm Kairi Algarve, though we'll probably ever meet again!" she giggled. "Still, formality's always good. What's your name, sir?"

"Zexion Tyr, pleasure to meet you."

She still kept hard eye contact with him and for some reason he couldn't bring himself to look away. She giggled and gave Alicia back. "You know what?"

"Yes?"

"I think we'll see each other again. You're too cute for me not to bump into you again."

Zexion's brow arched ad he was about to say something demeaning in response, which was his natural response to just about everything. But he was caught off-guard by a girl wrapping her arms around Kairi. She placed her fair blond head on the girl's shoulder and hugged her tightly. Kairi smiled at her affectionately.

"Kairi, you got ahead of us!" she said cutely. "You know that wasn't fair at all!"

"It's called a race, Naminé!" Kairi stuck her tongue out at her. "You're just upset that I won! Oh meet my new friend here. This cutie's name is Zexion Tyr; Zexion, this is my girlfriend Naminé."

Zexio nodded to the blonde who smile was sugar sweet. The way she held on to the redhead proved that they were affectionate toward each other but he had never seen a same-sex couple that was so open with their relationship. To tell the truth, he thought they were sisters with how much they looked alike. Naminé kissed Kairi's cheek before releasing her.

"I'm gonna go order us something, Kai. Dem, Rox, and Sor'll be in here when they stop being slow."

"Kay, I just want a cappuccino!" Kairi called out as Naminé walked away. She looked down at Zexion holding his eyes again. "You look overworked. I bet you're one of those business men that show up here all the time aren't you?"

"Obvious," he said a little colder than he had meant but he was still feeling the office follow him.

"Mm," she put her finger to her lip before deciding on something. "You're a little young, but I suppose this will be helpful. After all, it will be nice to see some new blood around the House." She dug a card out of her purse and passed it to him

Zexion squinted his eyes at the picture of a butterfly taking off from a mushroom. "The House of Chanterelle"

"It's a peaceful place to get a good message, a bite to eat, and a relaxing goodnight's rest. For you, I suggest a day trip."

The young business man could only stare at her big blue eyes with a dazed expression. He wasn't sure what made him pocket this card instead of declining it but he was nodding politely and doing so. Kairi smiled at him and brushed her hair behind her ear.

"I'll see you there, maybe…Sunday?"

"That sounds perfect, thank you," he found himself saying.

"Zexion, I got all the coffee!" Yuna said.

If Zexion had been able to clear the cloudiness I his head, he would've been able to see the brief meeting of eyes between Kairi and Yuna. He would've been able to see the slightest of smiles pass between them on glossed lips and the barest of touches she gave to Yuna's hand. Kairi's eyes left Zexion and she waved goodbye to them. He watched her rejoin her girlfriend and wrap her arms around her waist for a moment before he decided that he needed to get his head out of the clouds. He picked up Alicia's carrier and helped Yuna with some of the coffee. He brushed off Yuna's apologies about the waiting ad walked out of the door with her. On the way out a group of people were coming in. A short blonde and brunette both brushed past him in a hurry. He managed to hold on to the coffee but he dropped Alicia's carrier when he bumped into a taller individual. He didn't have time to gasp before the stranger grabbed the carrier before Alicia was disturbed. Zexion found himself captured by the color of a clean crystal lake and a strange dirty blonde Mohawk with a carefree smile.

"Hi there!" he said cheerfully. He handed Alicia back to him. "Be more careful, next time!"

With a wink and a smile, the blonde walked away to rejoin his group. Zexion couldn't help but look back. He didn't do it because he was in love with the blonde at first sight he was too practical for such nonsense. He didn't do it because he was carnally attracted to the man; that was just stupid. No, he did it because he'd never seen anyone who a) looked as strangely as that fellow had or b) had ever looked at him the way that stranger did. What was that look? And why did he look Zexion, of all people, with such a look?

Yuna watched the confusion and analytical process going on behind Zexion's violet eyes. She smiled secretly knowing the House of Chanterelle would have another under its wings. She was glad the plan had gone through flawlessly.

Riku sat across from his father wondering what the hell he did to deserve this on a rainy Sunday morning. Huh, a rainy Sunday morning, that was ironic. Sephiroth Crescent stood proudly tall with his waist-length silver hair in a low ponytail as he gazed out the window at the rain. His black Armani suit was tailor made to fit his intimidating form He'd ordered Riku to sit down and they had been like this for the past few minutes. Riku wasn't stupid though; he knew not to say anything until his father was good and damn well ready to talk to him.

"So you're back to visiting the house again," he asked in a smooth baritone voice.

Riku covered his surprise at his father speaking fairly well. He was getting much better at this. "Yes, sir."

"According to Freya you hadn't been there since the news of my grandchild's conception. I had assumed you'd gotten bored with the White Imperial and left while you could." Sephiroth turned so that his catlike eyes were locked with Riku's softer ones. "I was wrong."

Riku shivered and felt a light pain in his tattoo. Sephiroth approached him and stopped just behind his desk. Riku was glad the distance between them was still pretty far; there was less of a chance for Sephiroth to grab him but that didn't stave off the fear that he would attempt to do it anyway. He hid the nervousness and looked his father straight in the eye, trying his best not to be the one to turn away.

"You've returned and Sora welcomed you back into his affections. I wonder how long that will last now that you have a child."

It was Riku's turned to be arrogant and proud. "There's no chance of Sora turning me away. Not now not ever."

"Why? Because you love each other?" Sephiroth laughed condescendingly. "I thought I raised you better. Love is meaningless to people like us, Riku."

"Is mom's love meaningless to you?"

"Of course not, but your mother is more practical than you are. That's why it would break her heart to know you're in love with a whore than with your own wife whom you have such a beautiful child with."

Riku fought not to flinch at Sephiroth mentioning his mother. "Have you…been to see her?"

Sephiroth sat down and rested his chin on his hands. "She is well, Riku. She is simply waiting for another chance to see her grandchild."

"I'll take Alicia to go see her sometime this week," he said getting up.

"Sit down, Riku. I didn't say I was done with you."

Riku didn't sit; an act of bravery on his part. "What else do you want? I already apologized for missing the meeting and I spoke with the partners to reschedule."

Sephiroth stared at his son, his eyes almost jade in color. "I have something else to discuss with you."

When the silver haired man rose from his chair Riku let his panic show. He swiftly backed away toward the door which was far away in the huge office. Sephiroth grabbed his wrist and threw him against his desk. The older man pushed him down by his neck pressing his cheek to the expensive wood. He struggled hard even though he knew he couldn't overpower his father. His blazer was pulled down trapping his arms and then his shirt was made quick work of baring his undershirt and back. Sephiroth's hand fell on the Chanterelle Brand on his shoulder making him freeze

"A Paris Peacock, ne? When were you going to tell me that Sora chose you?

"It was none of your business!"

He was flipped painfully onto his back and was forced to look into his father's eyes. He felt small and insignificant under the power of this man who had driven his mother to a breakdown in her love for him, this man who had taken away everything that mattered to him in order to make him stronger, the man who had forced Freya on to him and this meaningless life of high society roulette. All of this was weight put on him by this man and the burden of a heavy secret. Sephiroth took him by the throat and held him down on the desk, pulling off his jacket all the way. When his fingers reached for his slacks, Riku's fears were realized.

"NO!" he shouted but his mouth was quickly covered.

"Silence boy, do you really want your beloved secretary to walk in and see you like this? She might end up like your mother after seeing something so traumatizing."

Riku trembled but stopped fighting. He wasn't weak, no not by a long shot but neither was this man who called himself his father. The weight of him bearing down on him alone was enough to stop his struggles. As Sephiroth began assault his neck making him hold in whimpers of discomfort and disgust, his mind went elsewhere. How old had he been the first time this happened? He was thirteen wasn't he, yeah; he'd brought home his first girlfriend. This was his father's idea of punishment for allowing a middle class girl to distract him. He'd broken up with her the next day. That's right, he'd tried to get rid of Axel this way too…but Axel wasn't the type to be gotten rid of and eventually Sephiroth couldn't do anything about it. Then he met Sora. Sora…his soft hands and kind words…where was he right now, he wondered.

"I'll protect you, my heart, my love, my darling."

"Let him go!" Riku's mouth moved but he was not the one who shouted those words. He was not the one to turn his head and look directly at the man above him without flinching. "Let…him…go…"

"Sora…its been a long time," Sephiroth smirked. "How is Cloud?"

"I said, LET HIM GO!" Riku's body used strength that was not his and shoved Sephiroth to the ground. "You…are not to touch what is mine ever again! Do you understand me, Sephiroth? You were discarded, get over it!"

"Oh but Sora, he's my son and that makes him my property!"

Riku felt his lips curl into a smirk that if he had Sora's fangs, they would glint in the light. "Not for much longer. Keep your disgusting hands off of him!"

In the blink of an eye, Riku felt control return to his body and he stumbled a bit. He was weak and had to use the desk for balance. Sephiroth got to his feet and grabbed Riku by his elbow, dragging the poor boy to the door and slinging him out of it. He hit his knees hard causing a groan of pain to come from his lips.

"Shit!" he cursed.

"Don't come back until I need you, you ungrateful little brat!"

Riku growled and got to his feet. He straightened his suit and glared at Scarlet, his father's whore of secretary, as he passed.

"What the hell are you looking at!" he spat leaving.

He managed to make it to his office bathroom before breaking down. He sat on the floor trying to hold back tears and clung to the warmth he'd felt that was Sora's power. He knew the brunette was one of the strongest Butterflies at the House, but he hadn't know the power could feel so good.

"He won't hurt you…"

He laughed to himself almost crying but he didn't. There was no need when he'd been saved; that would be a waste.

"Riku?"

He jumped at the sound of Axel's voice and did his best to straighten his dishelved appearance. He fixed his hair in the mirror noticing an illusion of Sora behind him smiling in a serene comforting way. Out of habit he looked back and as expected found nothing. Taking a deep breath, he made sure his appearance was healthy and stepped out of the bathroom. It felt good to know that someone out there cared enough to watch over him.

"Oh there you are," Axel grinned sporting a nice swollen cheek. "Dad had a field day with my ass."

Riku laughed though it sounded more like a shaky breath. "I bet."

Axel frowned, his green eyes searching Riku's. "That son of a bitch did it again, didn't he! I'm gonna go in there and set his ass straight!"

"NO! no," Riku said grabbing Axel's arm. "No," he said again shaking his head. "No…"

Axel gazed down at the near broken state of his friend. He relaxed and turned to Riku taking him in his arms. Riku could only stare at the ceiling while Axel rubbed his back affectionately.

"Stop making me worry about you, Riku," Axel whispered.

"Heh…now who's gay?" Riku replied.

Axel chuckled and hit his best friend playfully on the back. "Douche."

"Say, Axel?" Riku said after they had pulled apart.

"Yeah?"

"Let's see if Yuna'll watch Alicia."

"What? Why?"

"I wanna get drunk."

Axel eyed him suspiciously. "How drunk?"

"Um…'I might let you sleep with me and not remember it in the morning' drunk."

"Hot damn, that's my kinda drunk!" Axel said wrapping his arm around Riku's shoulder. "Drunken sex for the win!"

Yuna unlocked the door to her studio apartment and carried Alicia in with the baby bag. She sat the bag down on the sectional couch and carefully placed the carrier on the coffee table. Alicia shifted only a little in her sleep but remained that way. Yuna sighed in relief and looked around the empty apartment.

"Tidus?"

"Yeah babe, I'm here! I just got out of the shower."

Yuna smiled and met him on the stairs. He wore nothing but a towel, his bleached hair dripping water down his gloriously tanned skin. She bit her lip and tried not to blush. Even after all this time they had been together, she still had not gotten over her embarrassment of seeing him naked. He smiled and touched her cheek, kissing her gently on the worn lip gloss.

"Mm, cherry, my favorite," he said licking his lips.

Yuna shied away. He laughed a little and noticed that she was still in her work clothes. "Awe man, Yuna, you're just leaving the office? Hold on let me help you."

"Tidus, no that's not-oh!"

Tidus swept her off of her feet and took her back downstairs where he sat her on the couch gently. He got down on the carpet not concerned about being practically naked save for the towel and unstrapped her four-inch heels. He took each foot and rubbed it a bit to sooth the ache she knew he felt. Delicately he ran calloused hands over the sore spots of her feet making them tingle and give in to the nice sensations. Yuna let her head fall back and enjoyed the foot rub. She didn't even protest when he unhooked her garters and slid her stockings down, rubbing her legs gently as he did. He reached up and untied her hair from its high ponytail so that it fell around her shoulders in drooping layers. They looked into each others' eyes with the kind of love that most people didn't have. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers.

"Starting to feel better?" he asked against her lips.

"Yes, very much so," she replied softly.

Tidus helped her out of her suit jacket and shirt and pulled her over to him so that she sat between his legs where he could easily touch he back. He began to rub her shoulders and loosen the tension in them. Yuna sighed comfortably and leaned into the loving press of her boyfriend's fingers. This was why she loved him so much. Even though he didn't make as much money as she did, even if she had to work two jobs to help support them both while he paid for school, she didn't mind. He went out of his way to make her happy, to make her smile, to relax her, to serve her. He did so much for her that most men never even thought to do. Chanterelle had beautiful men who'd offer her temptations beyond her dreams. She'd served people who wanted to take her away from her job and take care of her for the rest of her life, but this…this was how she wanted it.

Tidus was her everything. She was older than him by five years and he was sometimes immature, but he was fun. He was very smart even when he tried not to be and he treated her like she was the only thing that mattered in the world. He was her world and she would not do anything to jeopardize that. She would work her hands down to the bone. She would work until her back gave out and her ankles snapped because of those stupid Prada heels. She would make sure they had a roof over their heads, clothes on their backs and food to eat while Tidus finished his degree. All this she would make happen by herself. The reason? Well, because Tidus had stayed…

Yuna got up, stopping the wonderful motions on her shoulders. "I should go put her to bed and have a shower."

"Alright, babe," he said with smile.

She picked up Alicia from her carrier and placed her in the crib near the dining area. Covering the little darling up, she pet her gently and tried to still the tremble in her hands. A single tear hit the pillow next to Alicia's face and she forced herself away, wiping away the evidence. Sighing and composing herself she left the crib and turned off the light. She was glad that she hadn't gotten rid of it. She was about to walk by Tidus when he grabbed her hand pulling her down on his lap. His arms encircled her, so strong and sure that she melted into it. He put his head on her chest while she rested her chin on his head trying to keep the tears from coming.

"No matter what happens…even if you find someone better than dumb old me, I'll always love you."

"Tidus…"

"Go take a shower, babe. I'll be waiting in bed."

She did as she was told, unwound in the shower. Her screaming muscles melted under the hot spray and she felt her headache leaving. She washed her body of the day's grime glad to see it end and that she'd made it home with her sanity intact. Her hand found its way down her stomach and she paused, tracing her manicured nails over the scar over her stomach. A choked sob escaped her throat, making her use the tile wall to support herself. Tidus stayed, she reminded herself as she turned off the shower. Tidus had stayed, she told herself as she dried off and blow dried her hair. Tidus had stayed, she told herself as she slipped on a nightshirt and covered the scars of her past. Tidus had stayed…

She went into their bedroom where he lay on the bed waiting for her. He'd pulled on a set of pajama pants while she'd been out and held his hand out to her for her to join him on the bed. She took his hand squeezing it tight while she crawled into bed with him, her head coming to rest on his chest. He smelled like the ocean like he always did on Sundays. The weather just before the rain was probably ideal for beach going, the waves being perfect. Tidus probably had a lot eager students today. She nuzzled his chest and let the smell of the ocean take her away. Tidus's hand slid into her hair and massaged her scalp as she drifted off into dream land knowing that the man that held her had showed her the ultimate devotion. He'd remained true to her even after they had told her that they had no future, after they had told her there was no hope.

"Yuna?"

"Hmm?" she hummed sleepily.

"Does it still hurt you?"

She shook her head. "Mm-mm, the pain's all gone. The only thing that's left is…"

"That empty feeling, right?" he kissed the top of her head. "I know. I just, wanted to know if you were still hurting…and how I could make it better for you."

"I know one way…"

"Yeah, what's that?" he asked tilting her chin up.

"Stay with me…always?"

Tidus smiled gently at her and there was so much love there that she wanted to cry at how easily she could've ruined all this. His eyes alone told her that she didn't even have to ask him. He would always be there. "Yuna, I love you."

"I love you, too," she breathed out as her eyes fell shut.

Axel awoke to the smell of tropical hair conditioner and breathed it in deep as he tightened his hold on a sleeping Riku's waist. His head was kicking his ass and he wanted to sleep a little longer. He had been dreaming about Roxas and wanted to keep dreaming about him but the sun wouldn't let him. Careful not to wake his temporary roommate, he reached up and snapped the blinds shut so that the room was once again dim. He settled back down and pulled Riku's lithe body closer to his. Riku groaned his sleep.

"Axel?"

"Yeah?" he moaned irritably.

"Did we fuck?"

"Um…" Axel lifted his head a bit, staving off the nausea he felt and glanced at their current state. He was shirtless but still in his dress slacks while Riku was in his undershirt and black slacks. He pouted in disappointment. "Noooo."

"Okay," he said simply falling back asleep.

Axel nuzzled into his hair and nibbled at his ear. "Mmmm, you smell like a girl."

"Thanks…" he replied absentmindedly.

"Can we do it now?" he teased, running his hand down Riku's stomach. "Just to get rid of the hangover?"

"No..." he whined. "I'm sleepy but I'm sober…idiot…"

"Party pooper."

"Go back to sleep, you jerk."

Akino: Sorry it took a while. this was short but I really wanted to showcase Tidus and Yuna's relationship because this story is about her too and this will come up later at her job. So yeah stay tuned. Now to explain some of the sick things going on. Remember, there is no part of this story that isn't plot essential. Just have to remember that the story isn't just about Roxas and Axel though it is mostly. ^_^

Sephiroth in this fic isn't the type to rape just for the hell of it, he uses the idea of sex to scare the living shit out of Riku so that he does what he wants. Something you will see again later along with the reason for it.

Axel and Riku's relationship is like this, they're so good of friends that they can be as close to each other as they want to be and not jeopardize their friendship. It's a type of love that allows them to support each other and hey, if they happened to sleep together once in a while, more fun for the fan girls!

Also, sorry about any mistakes a missed.