Days Go By

Roxas was happy that his roommate lost himself when he took a shower. Of course, it meant that he had to listen to Axel sing…off key…which just might kill him, but at least he could get dressed and talk to his brother without an overly hyperactive redhead in attendance. He stuffed his hands into his pockets as he stumbled out of his room and watched the door fall shut behind him. Blinking in the early morning sunlight, he spotted Sora’s silhouette instantly, framed against the window at the end of the hall. “Sora?” He asked blearily.

“Roxas!” Sora beamed at him. “Good morning.” Roxas let out a soft sigh of gratitude as Sora thrust a cup of coffee into his hands. “Want to go for a walk?”

Roxas sipped the brew. Not as good as Cloud’s coffee, but damn, it hit the spot. He nodded. “Sure.”

The twins walked in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts until they reached the door to the grounds, feet padding softly on the grass outside. “So…how’d your date go?” Roxas asked casually, keeping one eye on his brother. Sora’s face went red and he bit his lip. Roxas frowned. “That bad?”

Sora sighed. “Well…no…it was actually really fun. We had a picnic then caught the horror movie playing.”

Roxas snorted. Sora? At a horror movie? That had to be entertaining. He sipped his coffee. “Uh huh…which would explain why you look exhausted, if you had nightmares all night, but doesn’t explain the, ‘I’m going to throw up’ look on your face.”

Sora made a face. “I do not look like I want to throw up.”

Roxas smirked. “Yes, Sora. You do. Now are you going to tell me, or do I have to pounce you and pound you into submission?”

Sora smirked. “Like you could!”

Roxas gauged his brother. On one hand, Sora was tired from an entire night of horror movie induced nightmares. On the other hand, Roxas was also tired due to being up at 7:00 on a Saturday. “Fine.” He replied calmly. “Then I’ll pounce you and THEN tell Axel every ticklish spot on your body for your duel tomorrow.”

Sora paled. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.” Roxas smirked. He had trapped Sora.

Sora squirmed. “Kairi…” He was so red, Roxas was surprised that his eyes hadn’t popped from their sockets. “…kissed me.” He whispered.

“What?” Roxas frowned. “Sora, I can’t hear you when you mumble.”

Sora looked frustrated. “Kairi kissed me, okay?!”

Roxas held up his hands defensively. “Okay, Sora. Don’t bite my head off.”

Sora looked instantly apologetic. “I’m sorry, Rox, it’s just, well…” he trailed off.

Roxas frowned, realizing that Sora wasn’t just freaked out about getting his first kiss from a girl, but was freaked for other reasons entirely. “What?” He asked, swerving to sit on a bench. “You didn’t like it?”

Sora settled down beside him and put his head in his hands. “Yes. No. I mean I don’t know! It was weird. I got all flustered and nervous and I thought I wouldn’t have to kiss her since Riku says that it’s not a good idea to kiss on the first date.”

“Which is true.” Roxas admitted, though he rolled his eyes at the idea of having to agree with Riku about ANYTHING.

Sora shot him a look that was part glare, part scowl and he made a gesture to continue. Sora stared down at his feet. “Thing is…I LIKE Kairi, I do! It’s just…I…”

“Okay, before you go on…” Roxas cut in, taking pity on his brother. “…did SHE kiss YOU or did you kiss HER?”

“She kissed me.” Sora replied miserably. “On the cheek.”

Roxas wanted to laugh but knew that doing so would result in a real fight. “On the cheek.” He replied dryly. Only Sora would get this worked up about a kiss on the cheek. “Well. At least she didn’t steal your first kiss.”

Sora’s head snapped up and his eyes were blue fire. “You’re laughing at me!”

Roxas shook his head. “I’m not.” He chuckled in spite of himself. “Really, Sora.” He tried to comfort his brother hurriedly. “I’m not. Well I am, but I’m not laughing at YOU.” He shook his head again and sipped his coffee. “Thing is, I’m more amused in general. That doesn’t mean I’m laughing at you. Truth be told, I’m relieved to hear she DIDN’T steal your first kiss. It always sucks when you give away your first kiss to someone who doesn’t deserve it or who tries to take it from you.”

Sora studied him and Roxas watched, relieved, as the anger washed out of his brother’s eyes. “Did someone steal YOUR first kiss, Rox?”

Roxas touched his brother’s shoulder lightly, trying not to think about Seifer. “It doesn’t matter anymore, Sora.” He replied quietly. “It’s in the past. The thing is, if you didn’t like it, then think…do you want to go on another date with her, or do you want to end the whole thing here?”

Sora bit his lip. “I had fun…” He said quietly. “…but…I don’t…”

Roxas shrugged and stood up again, holding out his hand to his twin. “Then think of it this way, Sora. If it’s that awkward for you, then it’s not worth it. You should feel comfortable around the person you date, otherwise it’s pointless. You can’t be yourself and you can’t live a lie.”

Sora looked relieved as he took Roxas’ hand and they strolled back toward the castle. “Okay…do you think she’s going to be mad at me if I don’t want to go out again?”

“Probably.” Roxas sighed when he saw Sora looking alarmed. “I’m not going to lie to you, Sora. Girls see things differently than we do. She probably thinks you liked it. Most guys would. You didn’t. That’s not a bad thing. She might be hurt, and that’s understandable but not your fault. And if she gets mad at you…well…that just proves that she’s not meant for you, otherwise she’d understand what was going through your head.” He smiled at Sora. “Besides…it’s just one date. It’s not like you agreed to be her…” They re-entered the castle and started for the cafeteria to get breakfast. He stopped dead as he caught sight of the redhead making a beeline for them. “boyfriend.” He said weakly.

Sora’s face went ashen before he turned bright red as Kairi threw herself onto him, arms circling his neck. “Sora!” She cried happily. “Good morning!”

She made the move of swooping in to place a light kiss on his lips, and Roxas lunged forward. Sora, looking slightly frantic, his face so red it was nearly purple, gently but firmly pushed her away. “Give me a break, Kairi.” He said, laughing weakly. “It’s too early.”

His brother was way to nice a person. Roxas shook his head. He would have told the girl where she could shove off jumping him like that. Kairi pouted at him. “Aren’t you glad to see me?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder.

Sora smiled at her, and the smile was more genuine than previously shown. Inwardly, Roxas smacked his head. Stupid Sora. “Sure I am!” He replied brightly. “I mean it’s always good to see you, Kairi.”

Roxas stared at his brother in disbelief. “Sora…”

Sora looked at him sharply, clearly saying that he had no intention of hurting Kairi’s feelings. Roxas wanted to shake his twin until his teeth rattled. Sometimes it was necessary. “Kairi, this is my twin brother, Roxas. Rox, this is Kairi, my…”

“Girlfriend.” Kairi cut in, smiling at Roxas as she took his hand. Roxas glared at her and she quailed slightly, paling beneath his scowl.

“Roxas!” Sora frowned at him.

Roxas turned his glare on Sora, who frowned in reply. “Sora, this isn’t your girlfriend.”

Sora looked frustrated. “I know that!” He snapped, shaking his head. “That doesn’t mean you have to be rude!”

“What do you mean I’m not your girlfriend?!” Kairi looked crushed, and Sora’s frown promptly turned into guilt. “We went on a date!”

“Well…” Sora sighed. “…yeah. I know. It’s just…see…”

Kairi looked hurt now. “You don’t like me?”

Sora held up his hands. “No! I like you!”

“Then I’m not pretty?” Kairi countered, the hurt turning into something Roxas instantly recognized…anger.

“No, you’re beautiful.” Sora was looking more and more upset now.

“What he’s saying…” Both twins whirled around to watch Riku as he came into the cafeteria, looking annoyed, Axel at his side. Axel grinned at Roxas, who rolled his eyes. The grin widened. “…is that you’re a great girl and he likes you…he’s just not ready for a girlfriend yet. That’s all.”

“Right!” Sora looked relieved, smiling at Riku in wordless gratitude. “I’m not ready for a girlfriend yet!”

Roxas winced and wished that his brother’s tone hadn’t made it clear that he was using this as an excuse for something far deeper. Kairi’s eyes narrowed. “Well…I’m not breaking up with you, Sora Hikari! I’ll wait until you ARE ready for a girlfriend!”

Sora looked stunned and Roxas exploded. “Get it through your thick skull!” He yelled, not caring if the entire cafeteria heard them. “He doesn’t like you like that! It was one date, it’s over and done with! Leave him alone!”

Sora, looking as if they had all backed him into a corner, bolted. Roxas swore under his breath as both Riku and Kairi made moves to go after him. “If either of you goes near my brother for a few hours, you’ll answer to me.” He snarled. “And I KNOW neither of you can beat me in a fight.” Kairi looked stunned, Riku rebellious as Roxas took off after Sora.

Roxas found him streaking across the grass, and he had to run to catch up. “Geez, Sor!” He yelled, catching his twin’s wrist. “You run faster than I do! Slow down!”

Sora frowned at him. “Did you have to yell at her?”

Roxas pulled his brother’s forehead to his own the way they did as children, their breaths mingling. “You weren’t going to.” He whispered. “She would have forced you into something you didn’t want to do.”

Sora looked away. “I don’t get it.” He said quietly. “She’s beautiful and funny and everything a sensible guy could want in a girl.”

Roxas snorted. Sure…and pushy and manipulative and a pain in the… “So what’s wrong with me?” Sora whispered. “She kissed me. Most guys would be flying by now! What’s wrong with me?”

Roxas could think of a few reasons why Sora wouldn’t have any interest in kissing Kairi, but he wasn’t sure that his brother could handle them. “She’s just not the right person.” He soothed, opting for a neutral, and entirely true, response. “You’ll know when the right person kisses you…or when they’re just right in general really. You get all warm and tingly and your heart pounds but it’s not because you’re terrified they’ll kiss you but because you’re terrified they WON’T. Your heart will be doing flip-flops and your world will turn to gold.”

Sora smiled at him. “Have you had a kiss like that?”

Again Roxas’ thoughts turned to Seifer. “Once.” He agreed quietly. “It was worth it.” He smiled at his brother but there was a darkness in the back of his mind. It had been worth the pain Seifer had put him through later. It was just too bad it had gone down that way.

Unexpectedly his thoughts turned from Seifer’s cold blue eyes to a pair of green eyes that were never cold, but were burning coals. Yelping, Roxas shook his head to clear the image of Axel’s smirking face. Sora looked at him, concerned. “Roxas? What’s wrong?”

Roxas wanted to clean his mind out with soap, and it was all he could do not to start pounding his fist into his head to clear the images. “Nothing! Nothing! Just a bad thought!” He shook his head violently. “Ugh! Get out of my head!”

Sora was laughing now as he looped his arm through Roxas.’ “Rox, come on! It can’t be all that bad!”

Oh not bad at all…Axel did not look bad at all when he was dressed in that towel or when he wasn’t dressed at all for that matter…he violently shook his head again. “Oh Sora.” He laughed in spite of himself at the look on his brother’s face. “If only you knew.”

Sora’s eyes instantly sharpened with interest. “If only I knew…what?”

Roxas smiled at his brother even as he banished dangerous thoughts of the redheaded idiot from his mind. “Nothing, Sora. You’ll figure it out, eventually.”

Roxas looped his arm around Sora’s neck and inspired a yelp, followed by Sora’s arms circling his waist as he knocked Roxas to the ground. The laughing tussle that followed suitably distracted his twin from further analysis down a path Roxas didn’t want Sora to walk yet…though he had a feeling…that Sora would join him down that path soon enough, if his silver haired roommate had anything to say about it….which meant that ROXAS was going to have to have a talk with Riku sometime soon.

0 0 0

Riku blinked as Roxas took off after Sora. He sighed and rubbed his temples. “It’s too damn early for this.”

Axel only laughed. “I knew following Roxas down here would be a good idea!”

Riku rolled his eyes, yawning. “And you had to drag me down here after you.”

Axel looked utterly pleased with himself as he pulled Riku through the breakfast line…which was almost empty as nobody in their right mind was awake this early on a Saturday. “Yes.”

Riku growled but allowed Axel to shove a Mountain Dew into his hands. “Why?!” He demanded. “Some people think it’s necessary to SLEEP occasionally, Axel! I stayed out late last night on that stupid date, and when I FINALLY manage to get back to sleep after that tyrant had us up at 2:00 in the morning thinking that False Dawn was a GREAT time for freaking practice, and you wake me up to follow Roxas because you’re obsessed with the boy.”

Axel sighed and grabbed Riku’s arm, hauling him forward, precariously balancing his tray piled high with a bagel, a bowl of cereal, two apples, an orange, enough butter to clog his arteries for the rest of his existence, an English muffin and a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage. “You’re not actually planning to eat all that are you?” Riku had known Axel for most of his life. He still was not used to Axel’s eating habits.

Axel laughed. “Of course I am.” He replied cheerfully. “I’m a growing boy.”

“Yeah. And your stomach’s the only thing growing on you.” Riku shot back, scooping an apple off of his friend’s tray.

“I was going to eat that!” Axel protested but sighed as he settled down near the huge windows. Riku smirked, sitting across from him and taking a bite from the fruit. Axel looked at himself anxiously in the reflection of the glass. “I’m not getting fat!” He protested.

His eyes narrowed when Riku burst into laughter, choking on the piece of apple he was eating. “Stop laughing at me.”

Riku wheezed and downed half of his Mt. Dew. “Stop being a psycho and I will.” He countered. “I’m telling you. You eat like that every day and you’ll get huge.”

Axel smirked. “I’ll GET huge. Meaning I’m not huge now. Meaning I have time to snag me a hottie BEFORE I get huge so when I do, he’ll still love me the way I am.”

Riku snorted. Unlike the rest of the school, Riku had long since grown accustomed to Axel’s eccentricities and the fact that he was unashamedly gay. “Sure. Until he realizes you’re out of your damn mind and dumps you on your ass.”

Axel looked utterly pleased with himself as he began to eat. Riku winced and turned away. Watching Axel eat had to be the most unappetizing thing on the planet. “It would take a strong man to dump me on my ass.”

Riku laughed at that. “Sora can dump you on your ass. He’s hardly a man.”

Axel sighed reflexively. “True, but strength…Sora and Roxas are unparalleled.”

“…and we’re back to Roxas.” Riku rolled his eyes. “Seriously. You’re obsessed with your roommate.”

Axel waved his fork around and glanced outside. Riku followed his gaze just in time to see Sora tackle Roxas, whose arm was around his neck. The twins fell into the grass, rolling on top of each other, both trying to pin the other down…and both failing miserably.

They were laughing, and Riku caught sight of a flash of bright blue. Sora’s smile was brilliant as he lurched to his feet, yelling something that made Roxas lunge at his ankles, knocking him to the ground again. Riku laughed in spite of himself, pleased to see that whatever the drama this morning, Sora wasn’t going to lose that goofy smile he always wore. “mmmhmm.”

Axel’s murmur made Riku look over sharply. “Mmmhmm what.” He asked suspiciously.

A knowing look was in Axel’s eyes. “And you have the balls to tell me I’m obsessed.”

Riku rolled his eyes. “You are.”

Axel smiled as he looked out of the window again just as Roxas began to tickle his brother, Sora crying for mercy. “Yeah…but damn. Who wouldn’t?”

0 0 0

Cloud paced the grounds. This was normal behavior for him when Auron called an early morning practice, the blond was incapable of going back to sleep and irritated Leon if he went back and paced the room. Cloud did his best not to irritate Leon. It was healthier.

He could hear his brothers laughter over the hill toward the school. The sound made him smile slightly…he always knew the sound of Sora’s laughter, it was lighter and purer than anyone’s he had ever heard. Paired with Roxas’ throaty and almost sensual chuckles, they complemented each other perfectly. He smiled again and walked up the hill.

There were his brothers, both battling for dominance in the grass, both laughing too hard to actually gain it. He could see their roommates near the window, both watching, Riku at least pretending he wasn’t. Axel didn’t bother, and Cloud could see the brightness in his green eyes even from where he was standing.

Another person watched his brothers as well, nearly hidden from behind a tree. Cloud’s eyes narrowed slightly as he caught sight of a tall, broad figure…a figure he would know in his sleep. Walking back down the hill to double around so he didn’t alarm his brothers, he crossed to the low willow tree and to the figure standing hidden in the shadows. “Can I help you with something?”

Seifer Almasy whirled around at the sound of Cloud’s voice, and it was all Cloud could do to keep from hitting him. Seifer’s eyes widened slightly before the familiar smirk crossed his face. “Cloud…didn’t see you there.”

“No.” Cloud agreed silkily. “You were too busy ogling my brothers.”

Seifer snorted. “Why would I ogle your brothers?” He asked dismissively.

Cloud’s eyes narrowed. He had always disliked Seifer, ever since they had been children. That dislike hadn’t changed. “I turned a blind eye to your liaison with Roxas.” He said flatly. “I won’t anymore.”

When Seifer opened his mouth to answer, Cloud lunged in and shoved the blond against the tree trunk, pinning him there in an instant. “Get this through your head, Almasy. Stay the HELL away from my brothers, BOTH of my brothers. They’re too damn good for you. Stay the BLOODY HELL away from Leon.”

Seifer’s eyes, which had been wide, narrowed and the smirk appeared. “I see. So that’s what this is about. Playing the jealous lover, Cloudy?”

Cloud’s eyes narrowed. “Brave words for someone who would cleave your head from your shoulders without a second thought.” He breathed in reply and was pleased to see the blond’s eyes widen.

“You broke my brother’s heart.” He slammed Seifer against the tree. “And then I show up to find out that you scarred Leon’s face and nearly killed him…” He slammed Seifer back into the tree. “And then I see you standing here eyeing my brothers. Leave my family ALONE.” He hissed.

Seifer’s eyes narrowed. “It was an accident. We were both using gunblades.”

Cloud wanted to kill him. “Accident?” He laughed mockingly. “That was no accident and both of us know it. You’ve always been jealous of Leon. The only reason…” He slammed Seifer against the tree again. “…I’m not going to kill you myself is that Leon left his mark on you as well.”

Cloud released Seifer and watched with satisfaction as Seifer reached up to touch the scar that stretched across his face. “You know the difference between you two?” Seifer stared wordlessly at him and Cloud smiled coldly. “Leon makes it look good.”

Without waiting for a reply, Cloud slipped out of the shadows and into the sunlight, heading directly for his brothers, both of whom were laying on the grass, Roxas breathing heavily, Sora still giggling half hysterically. Cloud smirked when he caught sight of them. “Well well. What have we here?”

Twin pairs of blue eyes met his, and Sora beamed at him. “Cloud!”

Cloud’s face softened. He loved the way Sora always greeted him like he had been away for years. He glanced up to see Riku and Axel still watching them. “You have an audience.”

Both of his brothers looked up, surprised, and followed his gaze. As was in their natures and personalities, Sora waved to Riku and stuck out his tongue, and Roxas flipped Axel the bird. Both reactions got a laugh out of their respective recipients. Cloud smiled slightly. “Sora, I want to talk to Roxas. Can you grab me a bagel or something?”

Sora nodded. “Sure.” He made a sympathetic face at Roxas as he passed, obviously thinking Cloud was going to chew him out for flipping someone off in full view of teachers.

Cloud waited for Sora to disappear inside before looking over at Roxas. “I ran into Seifer.” Roxas went stiff. “He was watching you two.”

Roxas snorted. “Let him watch. I don’t care.”

Cloud frowned. “Well I do.” He sighed. “I haven’t asked you what went on between you two, and I still won’t. I will say that if you get involved with him again, things I’ve turned a blind eye to will become mine, and I’ll be in your business.”

Roxas’ face tightened. “Back off, Cloud.”

Cloud shook his head. “No. He pissed me off and that means I’m going to go overprotective brother and insist you stay away from him.”

Roxas studied him. “You’re not just upset about me, are you?”

Cloud shook his head. “No. But it doesn’t matter. Just listen to me, Rox. The guy is bad news.”

Roxas’ eyes were dark. “I know that, Cloud. I want to know what pissed you off and put you on the rampage.” His eyes narrowed and Cloud felt the blue pierce him. He waited and watched as Roxas came to the correct conclusion. “Something happened with Leon didn’t it?”

Cloud sighed. “What makes you think that?” When Roxas threw him a dry look, Cloud nodded. “Yes. Something happened with Leon. That scar across his face? That’s Seifer’s work.”

Roxas looked as if Cloud had sucker-punched him. He wheezed and looked away. “Why?” He finally asked, staring at his feet.

Cloud snorted. “How the hell should I know, Rox? For the same reason he liked to beat the snot out of you as a kid, for the same reason that he kept you a secret and made you feel like…”

Roxas lunged forward and his hand pressed against Cloud’s mouth. “Shut UP, Cloud.” Roxas hissed. He looked up and Cloud knew he was looking to see if Axel was still watching because he gave Axel the middle finger salute again before glaring down at him. “Point taken. I’ll avoid Seifer more than I already have.”

Cloud nodded. “And watch yourself around Axel.” He warned.

Roxas had been rolling off of Cloud and now went stiff. He frowned and then scowled. “There’s nothing going on between me and Axel.” He ignored Cloud’s dry look, following Sora into the building.