Anything But the Ordinary

Selphie climbed onto Kairi’s lap to make room for both Demyx and Axel in the back of Roxas‘s car. Riku took the passenger’s seat without a word; his mind clearly somewhere else.

Finally finding the courage to ask what everyone was thinking, Roxas spoke. “How’s he look?”

Riku looked up, snapped out of his thoughts. “He’s… he’s bad.” His eyes turned back to the floor. Everyone waited patiently for him to elaborate. “He was asleep the whole time I was in there. Well, sedated really. His hair was actually down for once and if it weren’t for the bruises and stuff, he’d look really cute.” He paused for a moment, reflecting on Sora‘s usually bright and smiling face before continuing. “He… he had a black eye and stitches in his lip. Um, there were all kinds of monitors beeping and I just wanted to take him away. It was horrible guys, seeing all those machines hooked up to him. I didn’t really get to see much else. I didn’t really want to see much else. God, I just wish I could hold him in my arms and make sure nothing like this ever happens again.” The silverette’s face suddenly turned very serious. “And when I find the guys who did this…” His fists clenched and his jaw locked.

Silence filled the car. No one was quite sure how to comfort Riku. They were all feeling what he felt. They all wanted this to be a bad dream; to have their shy, bubbly Sora back. But they also wanted those two men to suffer, just as they had made Sora suffer. Even Kairi, who was usually very passive, couldn’t suppress her malicious thoughts towards the two attackers. Deciding that there really wasn’t anything anyone could say, Roxas started up the car and headed for home.

Though Riku lived the furthest away, Roxas dropped him off first, knowing he needed the rest. They all wished him goodnight and told him not to worry. The latter being a bit hypocritical, but considerate none the less. The two girls’ apartment was the next closest on the way back. Roxas told his sister he loved her as they waved a goodnight. Once they were safely inside, he headed for his last stop.

Roxas pulled into the driveway and Demyx hopped out. He walked around the car, pausing briefly by the driver side door. “Roxas. Let him explain alright? Quit jumping to conclusions.” That said, he headed inside.

The blonde sat pouting, his arms folded across his chest. “You getting out, or you gonna sleep in my car all night?”

Axel sighed, “Look, I know you’re upset, and I understand why, but you’ve got it all wrong.”

Roxas snapped. “Oh I’m sorry. I must be mistaken. I guess I didn’t see you and Demyx kissing in the kitchen!”

The redhead winced, “Roxas… yes, we were kissing, but not because we’re dating or anything.”

The younger boy scoffed, “So what? You two just fucking like me, Riku and Sora?”

“No. Would you listen to me? Please, just listen.”

Roxas looked away, stubbornly waiting for Axel to explain.

“Ok, look. I… I don’t know how to say this, ok? The last couple of weeks, I’ve been wondering. I mean, I see you and Sora and Riku. And I see Dem sometimes. And even Kai and Selph. And I just started wondering what it was like.”

Roxas raised an eyebrow and glanced at Axel from the corner of his eye.

“I just… this morning, I asked Demyx what it was like to kiss another guy and then he asked me why I was so interested. So I told him: I was curious about what it felt like. He offered to show me, and well, I accepted. No one was suppose to find out.”

The two sat quietly for some time.

“And?” Roxas finally asked.

“And what?”

“And did you like it?”

“Oh…” Axel scratched at the back of his head. “I don’t know. I mean, it was different. Not at all what I was expecting. And I guess, yeah, it wasn’t too bad.”

The blonde frowned, “Then why didn’t you ask me?”

“You know why, Roxas. If I had asked you for a kiss, you would have read too much into it. You would have thought it meant something.”

He wanted to argue but knew Axel was probably right. “…Do you think you like guys now?”

Axel chuckled. “I’ve been thinking about that too, and I still can’t say. I mean, it was only a kiss. There’s a big difference between pressing your lips against someone else‘s and… well, ya know.”

“Ya gonna find out?”

The older boy raised an eyebrow. “Find out what?”

“Well, you’ll never know if you like it or not unless you try it.”

Axel looked away, “Oh. I… I don’t know.”

“Well since I didn‘t get to kiss you, you and I could-”

“You know I can’t do that Roxas.” Axel interrupted.

“Why not?” He huffed.

“Roxas, what if I did agree to it? And we got right down to it, and you got your hopes up and then I totally flipped out and bailed. You would be devasted. I don’t want to use you like that. It would hurt you too much.”

“Not as much as when you rejected me.”

“Rox… I know I hurt you alright? And that’s why I’m not gonna do it a second time. I’m sorry Roxas, but the answer’s no.”

Axel opened his car door. “Rox…”

No reply.

“I’m… I’m sorry you’re hurting because of me.”

The blonde looked away.

Axel sighed and shut his door. He looked on as Roxas threw the car into reverse and tore off down the street.


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Riku poured himself a cup of coffee as he dialed the club’s number.

“Pleasure Island. Zigbar speaking.”

“Hey Ziggy, it’s Riku.”

Some rustling was heard on the other end. “Rowdy, hey, whatcha need?”

“Uh look, I’m not gonna be able to make it in tonight.”

“Oh right. I heard about your boy toy.” Coming from anyone else, that particular term might have been considered rude, but Riku knew this was how his manager referred to anyone’s boyfriend. “Is he alright?”

“He’s stable. But he’s not out of the dark yet.”

“Damn. I’m sorry to hear that man. Hey, look, you know what? Take the rest of the week off. You’re not gonna be in any condition to dance anyway. Only a week though. This is a business after all. I’d go broke if I paid all my employees to sit at home. Ya know what I mean?”

“No totally. Thanks man.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Oh yeah. Could you maybe do me one more favor? The security tapes. Could you look through them from last night and see if you can find the two men that jumped Sora?”

“You got it. We’ll see ya in a week Rowdy.”

“Right. Thanks Ziggy.”

He hung the receiver up, grabbed his keys off the kitchen counter and headed for the door. He paused mid reach for the door handle. “Wallet.” He went back into the kitchen and checked the counter. Not there. And in the living room, it wasn’t on the coffee table. The Hell? Where else could it be? “Ah screw it. I’ll find it later.” The front door slammed as he rushed out of the house.


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Riku anxiously followed Dr. Rimell down the hallway. He’d received a phone call earlier that morning that Sora was awake and responsive. The surgeon paused as they reached the brunette’s hospital room. He turned to Riku. “Before you go in, there are a few things I need to tell you. The first is that Sora is in a lot of pain.“

Riku frowned, “Can’t you give him some pain killers?“

“Well, with punctured lungs, it‘s not so simple. Normal narcotic pain relievers, like morphine, depress respirations. So we can’t use those. And anti inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, thin the blood and make it harder for clots to form. About the only thing we can give him is acetametiphine. Tylenol basically.“ Riku hated thinking about his Sora in pain and no way of helping him, but he nodded. “Also be aware that there’s nothing we can do for his broken ribs. Those have to heal on their own, so no hugs. The second thing is that we had to perform an MMF. Simply put, we had to wire Sora’s jaw shut so it can heal. We’ll leave it wired for three weeks, then take a look at it and see where to go from there. But this means he’s unable to eat solid foods and unable to speak. We’ve provided him with a notepad and pen for communicating.”

Riku sighed.

“I know this must be hard, and you have my sympathy. Know that we’re doing everything we can to help him.”

“I know. Thank you.”

The doctor smiled sympathetically and opened the door for Riku who slipped inside. He took a deep breath as the door closed behind him. “So?”

The brunette’s eyes fluttered open and he winced slightly as he tried to shift positions.

Riku rushed over to his side. “Hey, stay still. Don’t worry. You’re fine how you are. How you feeling?” Riku tried hard not to let his worry break through his smile.

Sora smiled back. He held out the one arm that wasn’t in a cast towards Riku. The silver haired boy cautiously leaned down and timidly hugged Sora, remembering Dr. Rimell‘s warning. Sora leaned his head forward slightly and kissed Riku on the cheek. Riku sighed and kissed the other boy back. He pulled back, cradling his boyfriend’s cheeks in his hands as he looked deeply into his eyes. “Jesus So. I thought I was gonna lose you.”

The brunette smiled sadly back at him. He gestured to the table by his bed, pointing at the notebook. Riku circled around the bed and handed him the pad of paper. Sora took the pen in his hand. Unfortunately it was his right wrist that had been broken and he was right handed. This small set back didn’t stop him though as he feverously scribbled something down. Smiling, he handed it to his boyfriend. Riku glanced down at the chicken scratch.

I love you Riku

Riku smiled. “I love you too babe.” He leaned down and kissed Sora on the forehead.

Pulling up a chair next to the bed, he took Sora’s injured hand in his. He looked up at his lover. “So… why’d you come to the club last night? I’ve told you before it’s a dangerous place.”

Sora frowned then began writing something on the notepad. A moment later, he handed it over to Riku.

You forgot your wallet. I was bringing it to you.

Riku looked up, his eyes wide. “That’s what happened to my wallet. But So, you didn’t have to bring it. You know that.”

Sora looked away.

“You just wanted to see me, didn’t you?”

The brunette glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, afraid he was going to be scolded.

Riku sighed then chuckled. “You’re always so impatient.”

Sora attempted to stick his tongue out but quickly realized that was impossible.

Riku stuck out his tongue instead.

Sora smirked.

“Oh, So, I wanted to tell you, your mom’s on her way down too. I called her last night and she said she’d get on the soonest flight over.”
Sora glanced around the room, apparently considering something before scribbling some more on his notepad. Riku watched curiously as the brunette wrote. Finally, Sora handed him the notepad again. A new message scrawled across it.

I want you to tell her

Riku furrowed his brow. “What? What do you mean?”

Sora motioned for the paper again and Riku handed it back to him. A minute later, he was reading it again.

Tell my mom we’re together when she gets here

Riku and Sora had been dating for almost two years now, but Sora had yet to tell his mother. Honestly, he hadn’t even told her he was gay.

Riku’s eyes widened. “What? No, So. She’s already upset. Why would you want to do that?” He quickly returned the notepad.

In case I

The sentence was unfinished, but Riku knew what it said. “Sora, I know you’re in a lot of pain, but you’re not gonna… you’re gonna be fine, ok? I… I promise.”

Sora sighed, winced slightly then wrote again.

Please. Just in case. I want her to know how important you are to me

Riku cringed. When it was worded that way, he had a hard time denying his brunette lover. “But So… you‘re suppose to be taking it easy. This‘ll stress you out too much.”

Sora’s eyes pleaded with him.

The two had a brief staring contest before Riku cracked with a loud sigh. “I… alright… I’ll tell her. We’ll tell her. But, just be prepared, ok?”

Sora nodded happily.


The two boys spent the next hour “talking” about what exactly happened the night before. Riku assured Sora they’d catch the two bastards responsible and make them pay. Just as Riku leaned in to kiss Sora’s forehead, the door clicked open. The older male pulled away quickly just before a tall brunette woman cautiously stepped into the room. “Sora? Oh Sora, baby!” She rushed over to the bed. Riku panicked and jumped in front of her. “Riku?”

“S-sorry, Tracy. But uh, you gotta be careful with him. I don’t know if the doctors told you, but he’s got broken ribs and a punctured lung. And they can’t give him any pain killers. So, no hugging.”

Her expression softened. “Oh my baby…”

Satisfied that Sora’s mother now understood, he stepped aside. She walked calmly to his bedside. “Hey So-So. You in a lot of pain?”

Sora scribbled something down on the notepad and handed it to his mother. She took the pad and turned to Riku then back to Sora. “Sora, what.. What’s this?” She asked slightly panicked.

Riku stepped in. “Oh, sorry, um. He… his jaw’s broken. They had to wire it shut.”

Mrs. Lambert peered at her son tenderly. “Oh baby…” She glanced down at the notepad.

Hi mom. Thanks for coming. I’m ok. Love you.

She smiled up at Sora, tears forming in her eyes. She leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. “Baby… why would anyone even do this to you in the first place?”

Sora glanced away timidly, then turned his gaze to his boyfriend.

Riku took the hint and cleared his throat. “Um, Tracy. Uh… the reason Sora was jumped… um…”

Sora’s mother had turned her full attention to the silver haired boy.

“Uh… Sora and I have been meaning to tell you something for a long time now, and I tried to tell him now was not the best time, but he’s insisting we tell you now, in case something happens to him. Which it won’t.” He shot a pointed look at the brunette. “But um, see, Sora and I…” He glanced around the room, skirting around the topic for as long as he could. “We… we’ve been seeing each other for almost a year and a half now.”

Her eyes widened as she gawked at the boy before her. “You… you what?”

“We… we’re dating ma’am. Sora’s my boyfriend.” Riku’s gaze fell to the floor and the rest came out in a nervous rush. “I… I’m sorry if this comes as a shock but I really love your son and he loves me, and I’m sorry if you don’t condone this, but we’re both adults and nothing anyone says, even his mother, will make me love him any less.” Riku's eyes were glued to the floor as his rambling died off.

Sora’s mom continued to stare. But then, ever so slightly, a smirk pulled at the corner of her mouth. And she chuckled. Riku looked up shocked. “Oh Riku.” She shook her head. “Honey, that’s so sweet. Standing up for your boyfriend against his mother.”

The older boy perked an eyebrow.

“Riku, I’ve known Sora was gay for years now.”

Sora started. He hadn’t even known that long.

“I am his mother. I did kind of raise him. It’d be pretty sad if I didn’t notice something so obvious.”

Sora pouted. Riku stared on in complete disbelief.

Mrs. Lambert chuckled. “I do have to say though, I never would have guessed you were gay too, Riku. I mean, you don’t seem it at all. And I really would have never guessed you two were dating. I suppose it makes sense though. Explains why you were always hanging out with Sora, instead of running around with some girl.”

“Er, yeah, I think they’d call that cheating,” Riku commented.

Sora’s mother snickered.

Riku blushed.

Sora blushed.

“But it’s fine hun. Really. I can tell you care a lot about my Sora, and I’m glad you two make each other happy.“ She smiled brightly at Riku and he felt a weight lift from his chest. Why had they waited so long to tell her again?

After that the evening went by fairly quickly. Now that Mrs. Lambert was in the loop, Riku and Sora had to catch her up on two years worth of happenings. They laughed and reminisced and Sora all but forgot about his pain. It was like nothing had ever happened. Aside from the frequent nurse check ups. Before they knew it, nine o’clock had rolled around and visiting hours were over.

“I promise we’ll be back tomorrow So. I’ve got the whole week off, remember? You get some rest and I’ll see you bright and early, first thing in the morning.” He leaned down to kiss Sora goodnight but hesitated.

Mrs. Lambert caught on. “Oh, don’t mind me.” She turned towards the door.

Both boys chuckled bashfully, turning lovely shades of red. Riku leaned over once again, this time claiming Sora’s lips with his own. He gave him a firm, but not passionate kiss. He didn’t want to hurt his jaw. “Get some rest, ok? I love you So.”

Sora smiled back and quickly grabbed his notepad. He flipped to the very first page, and held it up for Riku to read.

I love you Riku

Riku smiled.