Don't Think of Me

Sora simply stared at her before it occurred to him that she had known it was him --even with out his hair pulled back-- and she was going to ruin everything. Sora shoved her out of the way as he slammed the door shut and rounded on her; ignoring the confused look she wore.

“Listen, you can’t be calling me Sora when you come over here ok?” Sora said

“Why not?” Kairi asked with a worried look, before it changed to a look of concern. “You’re not in any trouble or something are you?”

“No…it’s just… I really don’t like the name and ….I don’t want Riku to know that it’s my real name…it’s really embarrassing” Sora said managing to look somewhat sheepish.

“Oh… that’s understandable …I had a friend who was just like that and everything…so what do you want me to call you then?”

“You can call me Sky…but please Kairi don’t tell Riku my real name” Sora pleaded.

“Oh I don’t think Riku would make fun of you…Sora is a beautiful name…but I guess Sky is ok as well…I had a friend with that name as well.” She babbled. Sora let out sigh before he gave her his patented grin.

“Why don’t you go and wake Riku up? I’m sure he be really surprised.” Sora said opening the door and allowing her inside. Kairi squealed before running inside calling out Riku’s name. Sora watched her go and rubbed his eyes “I’m going back to bed.

/ Riku’s Dream/

Riku looked around, he was in room that was the most pure white, the bed, the sheets, and everything was white. He looked down at himself, he was dressed in all ebony silk from head to toe.

“What the hell…?”

“Riku…”

The silver haired man turned to the sound of his name and saw Sora standing in the middle of a bed.

“Sora?” Riku asked questioningly as he took a step forward.

Sora smiled before holding a hand up to stop Riku, “You can’t come any closer…you can’t touch, you can only watch.”

Riku halted, and simply stood there, wondering what Sora was up to. With a sultry grin Sora began to dance, around them a soft melody picked up and the lithe body on the bed began to move to the erotic beat.

Aqua eyes widened as the white silk that covered Sora’s body fell pooling around the delicate ankles. Riku’s eye ravished the sight before him, graceful hips, long supple legs, rose bud nipples, and a delicious manhood standing at full attention between the creamy thighs. With a sigh Sora fell back on to the bed bouncing slightly before he spread himself out. When he parted his legs Riku made a slight gurgling noise at the sight, everything was there before him, a dripping cock, and most importantly the quivering pink entrance that he longed to savor.

Sora threw his head back and moaned softly as he began to touch himself, tweaking his nipples, touching his cock with slow deliberate strokes, and prodding at his pleasure point slipping a single finger in.

“Riku…Ohh…” the brunette moaned sensually, writhing at the pleasure he was creating for himself.

Riku watched with his eyes glued to Sora’s hand; wishing so much he could go in there and take its place.

“Riku….Riiiii-kuu!” Sora’s voice began to change becoming more high pitched and annoying. “Sleepy head time to wake up!”

/End Riku’s Dream/

The singer slowly blinked his eyes open looking at the source the annoying sound. He looked to his bedside and saw Kairi standing there, looking at him with a predatory look.

“You woke up…” She said as she leaned down, Riku shivered as she nipped at his neck before nibbling on his ear. “Was it a good dream…? Were you dreaming about me?”

Riku looked up at the ceiling and rolled his eyes, wishing for nothing more than the disappearance than a certain redhead.

Kairi had been following him and pestering him ever since he had given her the tour of the studio. Of course it was his fault in a way because he gave in to her teasing touches and took her into the back room where he proceeded to fuck her into oblivion. None of the girls that he’s had a one-nighter with had ever followed him. Idly he wondered how she found out where he lived and who the hell let her in.

“Kairi I can’t breathe,” Riku grumbled as he pushed her off, taking in a breath of air as the thick smell of perfume dissipated, but only a little. She moved away with a slight pout as she ‘innocently’ brushed her hand over his erection. Riku bit back a moan and glared up at her, pulling away before she could go any further. “So what the hell are you doing here anyways?”

“Oh I just wanted to surprise you, I was hoping you would be home alone but I guess it’s ok. Sky is really nice, he showed me which apartment to go to and even let me in this morning.” Kairi babbled as she flitted around the room touching everything that caught her attention.

Riku arched an eyebrow before silently vowing to talk to Sky about letting people into the house. “Well I guess I’m surprised and everything but…I’m going to take a shower. Why don’t you go off and do what ever it is you do.” Riku growled as he pushed the sheets of the bed off and padded over to the bathroom. He was only wearing a simple pair of sweat pants with no underwear; the pants hung low on his hips showing off the fine boned waist and light trail of silver hair that disappeared into his pants.

“Awww! But I just got here! Please Riku…we can hang out…and I can meet your son!” Kairi whined. Riku rolled his eyes and slammed the door of the bathroom shut. He turned the spouts starting his steaming shower all the while he was grumbling about killing a certain babysitter…

Kairi glared at the shut door before she huffed and walked out of the room. She wandered around the apartment until she came to Sora’s room. The door was slightly ajar so she simply pushed it open and peaked inside.

Sora was on his side still deeply asleep; his chocolate hair fell over his eyes and fluttered slightly with every breath. His lashes created a dark fan over his cheeks and his lips were parted allowing his soft breath to pass. ‘He looks so peaceful and calm….and very handsome.’ Kairi sighed as she looked at him, where Riku had a dangerous somewhat more exotic look about him, Sora had a calmer, more carefree...almost, angelic look.

As Kairi’s eyes took every inch of Sora’s lithe body; however, when she got back up to Sora’s chest she was startled when a pair of intense bluish-sea-green eyes met with hers.

“Gah...” Atem quipped as he looked at Kairi. His little glare intensified when she came closer to him, telling her silently to back off –though she obviously didn’t get the message. “Ora! Ora momma…” He whined as he began to squirm.

“Oh you must be Atem…you are so adorable…Awww do you want me to pick you up?” Kairi said speaking in a goofy and incredibly stupid tone.

“Gah!” Atem cried as he squirmed more, Kairi swooped down and picked him up into her arms, her long nails digging into his soft skin.

“Well if you aren’t the cutest wittle baby I’ve ever seen. Awww you’re sooo cute aren’t you my wittle muffle puff…” she babbled.

Atem gave her a blank look –like he was wondering why some idiot who couldn’t even talk right was handling him-- before he began to sniffle and tears filled his eyes. He suddenly threw his head back and wailed; kicking and flailing his little arms and legs.

Sora jumped awake and looked around to see what was going on, he suppressed a small laugh when he saw Kairi holding Atem away from her while the little baby attempted to kick her teeth out. Getting out of bed quickly Sora came over to Kairi and took Atem into his arms.

“Shhh, Atem… It’s okay...” Sora whispered softly as he rocked him.

Atem sniffled and clung to Sora “ora momma…”

“Argh! That little monster smeared my lip liner!” Kairi cried as she stomped out of the room and into the bathroom, slamming the door shut with more force then necessary.

Sora watched her go before looking down at Atem and kissing the side of his head “Good job.” he whispered softly.

Atem giggled and suckled on his fist “Ora momma!”

“Well that was interesting” said Riku leaning against the doorway.

“Morning Riku” Sora said inclining his head in acknowledgement.

“Iku!” Atem giggled pointing to Riku with a drool covered hand. Riku smiled and kissed Atem’s other hand before flicking him lightly on the nose. He glanced over at Sora with a sideways look.

“Did you let Kairi into the house?” Riku asked with a slight hint of accusation.

“She was knocking on the door and said she wanted to see you…I didn’t know you didn’t want her here.” Sora said with an arched eyebrow, “I mean if she is your girlfriend why wouldn’t you be happy to see her?”

“I’m not a slut or anything and that doesn’t mean I will fuck any bitch that comes into my house.” Riku snapped, glaring at Sora harshly. “That bitch out there is not my girlfriend and I don’t like the fact that you showed her where I live and let her into my house!” Riku didn’t understand why he was being so snappy today, that dream he had…it was bugging him --though he wouldn’t admit it.

Sora stared at Riku with shock all over his face before putting his hand up in surrender, saying light-heartedly; “Hey I was just playing with you…I’m sorry about it.” Sora said with a slight bow of his head.

Riku sighed, “Sorry, I’m just…Argh… never mind…I need to get to work.”

“Oh wait, I needed to ask you something!” Sora said grabbing Riku’s wrist, “I got an emergency --nothing bad-- just I got to be at court house…one of my cousins need my support…Sora said he would fill in for me…I mean if that’s ok?”

The singer rolled his eyes “ Sure thing…don’t’ worry bout it ‘kay?” he said hazily “God, this day just can’t get any worse…” he grumbled.

All of the sudden a gurgling sound came out of the bathroom followed by a stream of curses. Sora and Riku came over to the bathroom; where Kairi had barricaded herself and found water flowing out.

“Shit! Kairi open the god damn door up!” Riku roared as he pounded on the door.

The door opened and more water spilled out, Kairi stood there soaked from the waist down. “I was flushing something down the toilet and it blew up” she cried as she dived for Riku, hugging him tightly.

Sora and Atem both rolled their eyes before turning their gaze to the bathroom. It was in complete chaos, the toilet was gurgling as water continually flowed out of the bowl, everything in the bathroom was getting soaked and the carpet around was getting ruined as well.

“What the hell did you flush down?” Riku growled as he pulled her away from his body. Kairi pouted before letting go and fiddling with the hem of her shirt.

“Girly things…” She mumbled as a bright blush covered her cheeks, knowing both Sora… er Sky and Riku would get the idea.

“Ewwww” Sora and Riku both exclaimed, even Atem joined in making a funny little face.

“Sky call the plumber, Kairi you get out of my house before I have to call security.” Riku snapped as he walked through the sopping carpet and into his room to change. Sora left to do what Riku asked while Kairi whined and followed Riku.

“But Riku! It’s my day off, you shouldn’t have to work…please can’t you spend some time with me…I’ll stop talking for a while…can’t you call in or something?” she whimpered making big puppy dog eyes.

Riku’s eyebrows twitched. “GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY GODDAMN HOUSE!” he yelled.

Kairi gave him a reproachful look before her eyes filled with tears “Fine! See if you ever hear from me!” She cried before noisily running out of the house with huge dramatic sobs.

Sora watched her run out the door with a smirk before he came over to Riku “I called the plumber and he’ll be here sometime today, I need to get going if that’s ok with you?”

“No go ahead…” Riku said with a wave of his hand. Sora smiled slightly at Riku’s ruffled state before handing Atem over.

“Bye Atem, be a good boy.” Sora said waving.

“Gah!” Atem cried with a little pout.

Riku held the little boy to him and kissed his cheek. “Don’t’ worry, Sora will be here…and you seemed to like him” Riku said softly.

“Ora!” the baby muttered before occupying himself by making spit bubbles.

An hour later Riku was frantically running around his bedroom with a hairbrush in one hand and one hand on the towel wrapped around his waist. “Why do I always have to be late?” he growled “Where the hell are my clothes? I set them on the bed I know I did!”

“You set them on the bed when you picked them out, then when you went into the shower you took them with you so they should be sitting on the toilet” Said Sora from the doorway. His hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, with his bangs hanging in his eyes. He wore a simple black t-shirt with the words “Grant me redemption” and a pair of faded blue jeans.

Riku stopped and looked in the bathroom only to see Sora was right. “Thanks…” he muttered before grabbing the clothes and changing right in front of Sora.

Sora’s eyes briefly wandered to Riku’s body, but with a blush he looked away and at Atem who was sitting on the bed trying to chew on the TV remote.

“So when did you get here?” Riku asked as he slipped his shirt over his head.

Sora looked up again and grinned. “Just right now actually, I had to stop by and talk to Cloud and Leon before I got here.”

Riku frowned “Then how did you know I left my clothes in the bathroom?”

The brunette giggled, “Riku… I know you better then you think and it’s a habit you’ve had since forever. You just never noticed.”

“Oh…” Riku said with a raised eyebrow. A while later Riku was done dressing. Sora followed the singer out into the living room carefully stepping over the wet mess of the guest bathroom. “Well…they have to fix this up…I can ask Cloud and Leon if they’ll let you keep an eye on Atem at their house until this mess is picked up.” Riku offered.

Sora shook his head “Heh, its ok, I was planning on going to work with you. I wanted to see Sephiroth; he said he was going to take me and Atem out for a bit.”

Riku narrowed his eyes at a little bit of jealousy hit him. “Oh…and how do you plan on getting there?”

The brunette looked slightly hurt before he covered it up and gave Riku a forced smile. “I was going to ask you… but since I’m sure you don’t want to give me a ride I’ll go ask Cloud” He said coldly before turning on his heal and walking out the door. Atem looked over Sora’s shoulder and gave his father a glare that said it was all his fault, before cuddling against Sora.

Riku let out a frustrated sigh before kicking the wall and stalking into the kitchen for his keys.

On his way out he saw Sora waiting outside of Cloud’s door, it was open and he could hear him telling Leon to hurry up. Sora looked over at Riku and stared at him blankly before dismissing him and watching as Leon came out glaring daggers at Cloud.

“Hey Riku, on your way to work?” Cloud asked as he shut the door to his apartment.

“Yeah… I was just leaving now.” he growled, clutching the keys in his pocket tightly.

They watched him stalk down the hall before evil grins plastered themselves on their faces.

“He doesn’t look so happy…” Leon remarked, a ghost of a smile on his thin lips. “What did you do?”

Sora shrugged as they began to walk down the hall. “I just told him that I was going to go to his work so I can spend sometime with Sephiroth.”

Cloud snickered “Idiot probably got jealous…does Seph know you’re coming over?”

“Eh… no… hold on.” Sora said; he handed Leon Atem before digging out his cell and calling Seph.

Ring, ring

“Hello?”

“Hey Seph, it’s me Sora.”

“Oh Sora, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Is it ok if I come over with Cloud and Leon? I told Riku I was going to spend time with you.”

Seph’s grin could almost be heard over the phone “Fine by me, I’ll see you in a bit then?”

“Yeah, thanks.” Sora said before hanging up, pocketing his cell.

“So, I take it the one winged asshole said it was okay?” Cloud asked, still using the silver-haired man’s nickname.

“Yeah, plus, I gotta hear how you play…you are my replacement…” Sora said giggling as Cloud shot him a dirty look.

A while later after getting stuck in traffic for a while the four of them made it to the studio. Cloud got out muttering to himself as Leon followed with Sora bringing in the rear. Atem looked around pointing at things that he thought was interesting. Pushing the door open Sora welcomed the cool conditioned air.

“Good morning Mr. Strife, Mr. Leonhart” Said the receptionist cheerfully. She turned her eyes on Sora before frowning; she studied him carefully before she squealed and jumped out of her chair and ran over to Sora.

“Sora! I thought it was you, Ohh, I missed you!” She cried as she hugged him tightly.

“I missed you too Sarah, but I… can’t breathe…” Sora said patting her head awkwardly.

She backed off and smirked “About time you got back, the band sucks with out you.”

“Hey!” Cloud said glaring.

Sarah ignored him; however, before going back to her desk “You all are all signed in! Have a good day Sora! And it was nice seeing you, again!”

“Same to you, bye!” Sora said before following Cloud and Leon.

When they pushed the door of the studio they would be working in they were greeted with Seph and Riku standing in the middle of the room yelling.

“You shouldn’t be anywhere near him! I know how you are, you fucking bastard! You’ll use him then toss him like a piece of shit!” Riku snarled, glaring at the elder.

“What, you mean like how you did! You’re just mad because you’re old piece of ass is with me!” Sephiroth retorted, crossing his arms –obviously not giving in to his younger siblings rants.

“He’s not a fucking piece of ass Sephiroth! I don’t want him to be with you! You’ll fuck him up more then I ever could!”

“I bet you would love that! That’s why you broke up with him in the first place! You want to see him get fucked over and die! You don’t give a flying fuck about him!”

“Don’t you ever say that again! He’s more then that! And stop saying shit that you don’t know anything about, you hear me!”

“Ahem, are…we disrupting anything?” Leon said glaring at the two men. Both of them looked at each other for a while, and looked like they were about to strike the other, but Sephiroth backed off.

He turned and made is way to the sound control panel and sat at the chair, still fuming.

Riku glared before he picked up his guitar and began to strum a few cords of one of his more rowdy songs.

Cloud and Leon took their spots , Cloud took his place at the drums with a mild glare on his face while Leon took up the bass. Sora took Atem to the sound room and sat down next to Sephiroth. Atem squirmed and crawled into Seph’s lap and giggled as tugged on his uncle’s hair.

“Ehwaff!” he cooed. Seph smirked and ruffled the baby’s hair before he began doing his job. He locked the rooms off before setting up the recorder; he grabbed the little mike and talked into it giving instructions.

“Ok, we need to finish up with this CD, we have three songs left, and the same one’s you’ll be doing at the ‘Death Rave’ in Los Angels. Let go through with them and see how they sound.” He said in a monotone, Atem reached up and grabbed the mike trying to put it in his mouth before he looked out the widow and saw Riku.

“Iku da!” he cried out reaching out with his cubby hand.

Riku looked up and his deep scowl softened into a smile before he stopped playing and waited for Sephiroth’s cue.

Seph turned the mike off and began to flick switches and hit buttons before giving the sign for Riku to start.

Cloud carefully played the keyboard in a slow morbid tune before picking up the sticks and beating on the drums in a steady beat while Leon and Riku brought in the bass and lead guitar.

“I...I came here by day, but I left here in darkness and found you, found you on the way…” Riku sang as he strummed at the guitar. Sora noticed though that Riku was more focused on playing then his voice, he could hear the slight strain in it. “Now...it is silver and silent, it is silver and cold. You in somber resplendence...I hold.” Sora sat back and continued to watch Riku and make little mental notes. All the while Riku’s and his eyes were locked on to each other.

“Your sins into me, oh my beautiful one. Your sins into me!” they all sang together. Sora nodded, they all sounded good together but something was missing. Sephiroth looked over at him before looking back at the band playing. He could see it in Sora’s eyes, the brunette wanted to go out there and play again, he knew that inside Sora’s head he was listing all the things he could do to help the band sound better.

“As your rapturous voice escapes I will tremble a prayer and I'll beg for forgiveness.” Riku continues still strumming away. The tune was rowdy yet sad at the same time.

“Your sins into me...” Leon and Cloud joined.

“Your sins into me, Oh my beautiful one…” Riku said looking strait into Sora’s eyes.

“Light...like the flutter of wings. Feel your hollow voice rushing into me...as your longing to sing…”

“So I...I will paint you in sliver, I will wrap you in cold, I will lift up your voice as...I sink.”

“Your sins into me, Oh my beautiful one now!”

“Your sins into me, as your rapturous voice escapes I will tremble a prayer, and I'll beg for forgiveness.”

“Do you want to go out there Sora?” Sephiroth asked as he leaned over to adjust something.

Sora looked over at him with mild surprise “Me? But Cloud is playing my part so what good would I do?”

Sephiroth grinned, “Oh, I’m sure, in that cute head of yours, you already figured it out.” he said. Sora just blushed and looked back out at the band. “Go out there right after the last part with Riku. When Leon’s doing his part go tell Cloud and…I’m sure you know what to do from there.”

“Your sins into me…”

Sora looked out and sighed. He wanted to, but he wasn’t sure…but…

Sora stood up and grinned. “Be prepared for a better song” he said before walking out there. Riku shot him an odd look but kept singing anyways.

“Your sins into me…”

Sora hurried and ran over to Cloud smirking at his bewildered look. “I’m taking over, sorry to say but I think you’ll be better off playing the lead guitar. I’ll take over drums.” he said quickly before running over to Riku. Sephiroth stopped the recording while Sora finished giving orders. Sora ran over to Riku and took the guitar out of his hand. “You need to focus on your singing.”

Riku glared before snatching it back “I’m perfectly fine.” he growled, his earlier anger surfacing again.

Sora just looked at him before taking it out of his hands again and giving it to Cloud. He came back to Riku and stared at him before reaching up and gently massaging Riku’s ears while he whispered softly to him. “Just try it out ok? You have a beautiful voice but if you’re focusing all the time on playing then you can’t do it right. Just trust me...”

Riku stood back looking more relaxed. He gave one last hard look at Sora before nodding. “Ok, just this once.” He said before going back to the mike.

Sora smiled before sitting down and nodding to Sephiroth to continue.

“Cold in life's throws…” Leon sang softly while strumming.

“I fall asleep for you…” Riku sang back just as quietly.

“Cold in life's throws…”

“I only ask you turn away…” Riku sang before turning and facing Cloud who looked like he was having the time of his life as he played the notes. Even Riku had to admit he played well.

“Cold in life's throws.” Cloud sang with a slight toss of his head

“I fall asleep for you.” Riku sang louder.

“Cold in life's throws.” Cloud sang once more with a smirk.

“I only ask you turn,” Sora began to pick it up “As you seep…” Cloud and Leon joined in building it higher “Into me…”

“Oh my beautiful one now!” Riku and Sora sang. Leon and Cloud’s eyebrows shot up. They sounded perfect together; it was like their voices melded into one perfect harmony. Idly Cloud wondered what they sounded like in bed, if they sounded that good singing… Cloud shook his head and kept playing.

“Your sins into me, Oh my beautiful one! Your sins into me. As your rapturous voice escapes I will tremble a prayer…”

“And I'll beg for forgiveness.” Leon sang out

“Your sins into me, your sins into me, Oh my beautiful one!”

“Oh!”

A few people from around the buildings had begun to gather and listen in. Riku was lost in the music.

“Your sins into me, Oh my beautiful one, your sins into me. As your rapturous voice escapes I will tremble a prayer!”

“And I'll beg for forgiveness…” Leon sang out once more.

“Your sins into me” They sang to Riku.

Riku smirked before singing back “Your sins into...”

“Your sins into me…” They sang back with similar smiles.

“Your sins into me, Oh my beautiful one” Riku finished with a toss of his head. The whole studio was silent before some of the crewmembers and even a few of the other bands cheered and clapped.

“Whoo! That was great!”

“The best I’ve heard all year!”

“You sound better Riku, who’s the new drummer?”

“The was some hot shit!”

Riku turned and looked at everyone with a smiled before he waved them off. “Hey c’mon I got work to do, if you wanna listen then go buy our damn CD.”

The group laughed before filing out. Riku looked over at the drums where Sora was fiddling with the sticks. He came over to him and leaned on his shoulder “Thanks for the help.” he said.

Sora looked up and smiled “No problem, you guys sounded so shitty I had to do something.” He joked.

Riku gave him a mock glare before lightly socking him on the head. “Ass, just cause the mighty Sora is back you think we sound better?”

“Of course, you’re nothing with out me.” Sora said with a cheeky grin.

Sephiroth came out of the sound room with Atem squirming in his arms. He handed Sora Atem before looking at the group. “Well, I would have to say that you guys sounded a hell of a lot better this time.”

“That’s only because I’m perfect on the guitar.” Cloud said strumming a few cords. Riku gave him a slight shove before leaning on Sora again.

“Which leads me to something.” He said seriously before looking at Sora “Could you come back? At least for the rest of the recordings and maybe our concert?”

Sora looked up slightly shocked; he turned and looked at Leon and Cloud who were nodding their heads in agreement before he looked up at Riku. Sea green looked into his before closing and nodding. Sora looked up at Sephiroth and shrugged. “Why not?”

Sephiroth grinned “Perfect, this is going to be the best concert we’ve ever had!” he said, he looked at Sora and gave him a charming smile “Well I guess we should get going on our little date, no?”

Riku glared at Sephiroth and unconsciously tightened his hold on Sora. Cloud noticed and just grinned before nudging Leon who saw as well and rolled his eyes. Sora just looked a bit worried before he smiled “How bout we take everyone with us, you know to celebrate or something?”

“I like the sound of that…” Cloud began but Sephiroth cut him off.

“If the whole crew is coming then we need to get a few more songs in, especially that last one that Riku fucked over last time.” Sephiroth said as he turned and walked back into the recording studio.

Sora set Atem in his lap and pulled out a pair of earplugs stuffing it in the baby’s ears. “That way your ears done start hurting…” he said before kissing the top of his head.

Atem cooed and say back calmly looking at the drum set in front of him. “Ora momma”

“Ok people, let’s start with ‘Don’t think of Me’, and then from there depending on how that one goes we’ll move on to the next one” Sephiroth said through the mike.

Sora’s eyes widened, he knew that song…he was the one who wrote it. He had no choice but to play while the whole thing went through. As the song played, Sora remembered everything he had felt that whole night.

The pain and sorrow and the mind numbing hurt.

As Riku sang…the words…they all meant something…a new meaning came to him and he understood.

After a while of recording they called it quits. As they walked out several people stopped to comment on how well the recording telling Riku that he had sounded great and the over all quality was twice as good as it was before.

Once outside they headed down a familiar road for the movie theater, however as they walked Sephiroth and Riku kept bumping into Sora trying to get closer to him.

Riku shot a glare at Sephiroth , while the older sibling shot a similar glare back.

Atem just looked between the two and rolled his eyes before taking a nap in Sora’s arms. On their way to the movies they passed Antoinette’s house, the old women that Sora had befriended. She was sitting on her porch when she saw them approach.

“Sora! Is that you?” she called; Sora turned and looked over at her before smiling brightly.

“Of course , how are you?” He asked as he walked over. Cloud and Leon followed him with Riku and Sephiroth bringing in the rear, still shooting glares at eachother.

“Oh I’m fine just taking a rest, doctors orders,” She said calmly as she folded her wrinkled hands daintily. Atem giggled and reached out for her, Sora lifted him and Atem fell into the women’s arms, giggling before he cuddled against her.

“What’s been going on? Why did you have to go to the doctors?” Cloud asked watching as the old women lifted Atem into the air before handing him back to Sora.

“I’ve been sick lately…and I am old…money’s been tight for me and well…my time is coming soon.” She said before looking up at them with a kind smile. “Here, come inside let me make you some tea.” She said getting up, however as she made to stand she wobbled and collapsed. Leon quickly caught her and held her up. “Oh, thank you...”

“Antoinette I think we should get you in bed.” Sora said worriedly. He handed Atem to Riku before following Cloud and Leon into the old women’s house. They settled her down into a bed and tucked her in.

“Oh… no need to fuss over little ole’ me” she said waving them off. Cloud and Leon walked out of the room to get her some water while Sephiroth left to take Atem outside, the little baby was getting fussy and upset. Riku stood there and watched as Sora sat on the edge and talked with the old women.

“Sora dear, who is this fine young gentlemen?” She asked looking at Riku.

“Oh, this is Riku.” Sora said looking over at the singer absently.

Light blue eyes bore into sea green before her wrinkled face split into a smile, “You are a kind-hearted boy Riku, but your curiosity…keep a firm hold on it or it will take all that you hold dear away and you may never be able to get it back.” She said softly.

Riku raised an eyebrow before nodding; he was slightly unnerved by the old woman.

“Sora, get something out of that drawer over there” the elder said pointing; Sora went over and pulled out the only thing that was in there. A faded picture of a couple smiling with twin blushes on their cheeks. Sora handed them to Antoinette who took them and looked at them with fondness before she spoke.

“When I was a young girl I had fallen in love with this soldier boy, he was so handsome.” She said with a warm smile. “And our story is just like yours…”

Sora and Riku sat together on the love seat in the room unconsciously sitting closer so that their shoulders leaned against each others. Antoinette shifted to get comfortable and folded her hands before letting out a sigh.

“He was as bright and curious as they came. He always questioned everything, he always wanted to know why things were the way they were.” She paused, placing an old hand to her face, her eyes reflecting how she was going through a recollection of memory. “We spent so much time together…” She sighed, “When we got older he asked me if I would like to be his sweetheart and, of course, I said yes.” She began; again she seemed to fade into those long-since past memories. “He was no more than a private when I met him, and I was a model. Kind of an odd couple…” She laughed, but the laugh seemed… tired.

“ Those years we spent together were glorious. I loved him so much and I knew he loved me. He continued to grow in his ranks in the military and I continued to get richer as a model. Believe it or not, I was a very attractive girl when I was young. I was offered fame on a silver platter and I took it the second I could. My lovely solider boy simply followed me where I had to go, not once did he utter a word of disagreement.” Her face suddenly got very sad and she reached over grabbing a tissue from her bedside cabinet.

Sora was watching her with rapt attention, as was Riku. With out realizing it the two were sitting very close now and Sora’s hand being held by Riku’s.

“So he never said anything, even when you did all the moving and had all the people fawning over you?” Riku asked with a slight frown.

She smiled “Oh no, more then anything he wanted me to realize my dreams. He didn’t care if it hurt him …he always would do what was best for me… never what was best for him.” She dabbed her eyes softly with the tissue.

Riku glanced at Sora and carefully pulled him into his lap. Sora gave him a questioning look but Riku simply gathered him and held him tight “I just want to hold on to you. I’m not going to try anything, ok?” Sora opened his mouth, ready to retort, but when Riku’s arms tightened around his waist softly, he nodded still frowning before he carefully relaxed into Riku’s embrace. Antoinette smiled sadly before she went on.

“One day, I was out at a shooting when I met the most handsome young man I hadn’t seen in years.”

At Sora and Riku’s confused look, she explained. “I had gone to school with him in highschool.”

She continued.

“He was going to be my new photographer for my summer shoots. I knew he… fancied me --just by the way he looked at me. He told me eventually how much he wished to bed me but I couldn’t…I told him…I told him I was already in love with someone else…but… then, he touched me…a simple touch… and I was lost.” She said whispering softly “A simple touch eventually turned into a quick peck, which turned into full blown kisses, which led to long stays at the studio and heated love sessions.”

“What about your lover, what did he say?” Riku asked frowning slightly.

Antoinette gave him a very sad forlorn smile “He didn’t say anything, and I knew… he knew what was going on. He held his tongue, loving me all the same. Never uttering a word of hatred at me when I would stay late and come home with the stench of sex…he never said anything, but he was dieing…slowly, I was killing him, I was breaking his heart, the same heart that I had wanted to be with forever.”

“So what happened?” Sora asked.

“Well, eventually, we broke up. I left him telling him I wanted to live my life with my new lover and that he could find someone better. I on the other hand was free…until I found myself missing the little things …the goodnight kiss, the intellectual conversations, the meaningful love sessions…I began to miss it…and I wanted it back…so I looked for him …I tried to find him…and when I did….my world shattered.” She said, her voice had begun to shake with repressed emotions and tears welled up in her old wrinkled eyes. “He was gone, he was with someone else. He even started a new family and everything, a cute little boy with his eyes and a lovely woman by his side.”

“He was happy, and I couldn’t steal that from him, not like I had when I had left him …I didn’t want to see that look in his eyes…the look of nothingness…of absolute misery that would make even angels weep…I left him…no matter how much I wanted him….” She was openly crying now, her frail body shook with her sobs as memories came flooding back. Sora got up and held her stroking her hair; Riku just stared deep in thought switching his gaze from Sora to the old women.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin your day…” Antoinette apologized after Sora had managed to calm her down a bit.

Sora just gave her a crooked smile “Its ok, it’s good to talk. Ya know?”

“Please …don’t make the mistake I made Riku…” She said looking over at Riku, her eyes burning into his as if looking into his very core. If it weren’t for his pride, he would look away. “Don’t let the thing you love the most slip through your fingers…don’t wait until there is nothing more to wait for…”

Riku stared back steadily before he looked away and got up “I’ll be outside.” he grunted, not even daring to look Sora in the eye. He could already feel his gaze on him.

Sora watched him go with before looking back at Antoinette, her eyes were red rimmed and tears were still falling. “Thank you for telling us your story.” He thanked.

The old women smiled softly “ I know it hurts Sora, but… promise me you’ll wait for him a bit longer…I know he still cares for you deeply…it’s in his eyes…he’s very aware of this situation…and you need to come out and stop hiding …the first thing to fixing a relationship is to end the secrets.”

“But I can’t let just let him back without at least him knowing some of what I suffered.” Sora said, “He needs to learn his mistake…”

“Oh he will…he is going to learn what it feels like to lose the most important thing in his life” Antoinette whispered as her eyes began to droop.

“Huh?” Sora asked tilting his head

“You’ll see…” She waved him off, shaking her head. “But forgive him…it…it wasn’t his fault…” She said before slipping off into a slumber.

Sora frowned, wondering what she was talking about. With shrug he got up and tucked her in before leaving the room and moving out into the living room.

No one was there so he came outside and looked around. Sephiroth was sitting cross-legged in the grass with Atem who was attempting to stand up and walk. His little legs wouldn’t allow it though but he worked to get his balance. Cloud and Leon were sitting on the porch swing while Riku stood in the far corner, hiding in the afternoon shadows under the lone tree in Antoinette’s yard.

“Is she ok?” Cloud asked.

“Ya…I’ll come back over here tomorrow to see how she’s doing…you guys ready to head out?” Sora asked, placing his hands on his hips.

“Sure let’s get out of here” Cloud said, holding Leon’s arm and taking the lead, rambling on about seeing a movie, maybe seeing that old one that had been out for a week or so. Sora followed him stopping to help Sephiroth up and take Atem back. The little baby tugged and gave Sora a look as if to say: “How could you leave me?”

Sora giggled and kissed Atem’s nose, the silver haired baby scrunched his face up making Sora laugh even more. Sephiroth walked right beside Sora smiling down at him warmly, something that was unusual, especially for him.

Riku brought up the rear; he had a look of deep thought on his face as they walked. He looked at Sora then back at Sephiroth before he quietly whispered, “I’m going to try one more time Sora…if Seph is really the one you love…then I tried…”

Sora sighed as he took his seat, in one arm he led a large tub of popcorn and in the other he had Atem who looked ready for a good nap. Sephiroth sat on his left while Riku took his right, Cloud and Leon had gone off into the high seats in the far corner --so they could grope and make out with no worry of being seen. They had picked a sappy romance movie to watch, so a lot of people weren’t there, only a few dotting the seats here and there.

Riku looked at Sora before taking the popcorn from him “Hey Seph, can you grab Atem?”

Sephiroth gave his brother a questioning look, shrugging it off and picking up the baby from Sora’s arms. Atem’s eyes were already drooping so he just curled up against Sephiroth and sailed off into dreamland, snoozing lightly. Riku gave Sora the popcorn back before he sipped at his soda looking intently at the screen.

Sora just held onto the popcorn tub looking at Riku before looking back out at the screen. A few of the previews were rolling, something about how a group of super intelligent kids were going to save the world. Riku just sipped away at his soda watching Sora from the corner of his eye.

Sora chewed thoughtfully on his popcorn, however; he was getting thirsty. He looked over at Riku who stared right back at him. “Can I have some soda?” he asked, reaching for it.

Riku arched an eyebrow before he slightly playful smirk formed on his lips.” You want my soda?” He grinned, pulling it out of Sora’s reach.

Sora pouted, tossing a piece of popcorn at Riku’s head “I helped pay for it, so hand it over.”

“I don’t know…this is really good soda…” Riku said sipping up more; Sora shot him a glare before he reached out to grab it again. Riku moved it away from him, almost smacking the lady next to him in the head. “Nuh-uh, say please and I’ll think about it.”

Sora paused before he gave Riku a challenging smirk as well “…if you give me that soda…than I’ll give you some…” he paused before pulling out a box of Sour Patch Kids and held it out “I’ll give you a few of my cherries….”

Riku looked at the box then back at Sora before he nodded “Deal…now… gimme!”

With a small laugh Sora gave Riku a few cheery sour patches before grabbing the soda and taking a drink…only to find it was empty. He glared at Riku hearing his stifled chuckling. He was about to start shooting un-popped popcorn at Riku, but stopped when another cup of soda was shoved under his nose. Sephiroth looked at him calmly holding the soda out to him before his lips curved into a small smile. Sephiroth seemed to be doing a lot more smiling today than he had in the past couple of years Sora had known the manager.

Sora smiled back before taking it, a small blush dusting his cheeks. He sipped at it daintily, not noticing the deadly look Riku was shooting his brother.

Sephiroth only grinned at Riku before mouthing, “He’s mine…”

“Not if I can help it…” Riku mouthed back.

Sora found himself lost in the plot. Two lovers brought together by destiny, harshly torn apart by fate. One giving up everything if it meant happiness for their mate. Sora sniffled at the sappiness of it; it was sweet. Riku stifled a yawn finding the acting to be a bit too melodramatic. When the main character began to start crying again for the 5th time in just 4 minutes Riku growled and got up; excusing himself to go to the bathroom. Sora glanced up at him, wondering where the singer was going off to now. Riku just stalked off, muttering under his breath about the stupidity of the movie and how he could probably be a better actor then all of them.

“Do you honestly like this movie?” Sephiroth asked whispering in Sora’s ear.

Sora shivered, “Not really… but…” His face flustered at the fact that he was lying about not liking it… and that Sephiroth was so close.

“You know, we can take advantage of this to tease Riku…” Seph said softly “That is if you want to…”

“What are you going to…” Sora’s words halted when Sephiroth began to lean in.

Riku came back in from the bathroom just in time to open the doors and see Sora and Sephiroth precariously close, their lips just mere inches from each other.

With a low grumbling growl, he hurried over intent on stopping them, when their lips met and Sephiroth pulled Sora to him in an intense kiss. Riku narrowed his eyes before he stalked over to them and pulled Sora away.

Sephiroth glared up at his younger brother and practically snarled “What are you doing!”

Several people turned and shushed them, but with a glare from Sephiroth they shut up. “I need to talk to Sora alone and then when I’m done you can fuck him in here for all I care.” Riku snapped before dragging a dazed Sora with him into the lobby and then into the men’s room. Luckily it locked from the inside so after making sure they were alone Riku locked the door before he settled his gaze on Sora who looked flushed and slightly out of it.

“Sora…? Hey…snap out of it!” Riku said lightly slapping Sora’s face.

Sora blinked before he focused on Riku “Sephiroth kissed me…” he muttered softly.

Riku just gave him a look, crossing his arms over his muscled chest. “Sora, I’m going to ask you something and you better give me a strait up answer. Don’t even try any of your evasion shit ok?”

The brunette looked up at him and gave him a slight nod “OK.” he said with a hint of nervousness. This wasn’t good.

Riku sighed and ran his fingers through his hair before he spoke “I want to know Sora: Do you really feel something for Sephiroth? The same feelings that you used to have for me?” Riku asked with a slight narrow of his eyes.

Sora swallowed hard and looked at Riku through his hair, sighing softly “I’ll never have the same feelings towards anyone that I had for you…but… right now…Seph…Seph is pretty close”

Cold aqua eyes studied Sora before a twisted smirk fell upon his lips “Really? So, you’ve finally moved on …when you told me that you never could…” He whispered brushing Sora’s hair back and leaning in closer “You said I would always be your one and only love Sora…and now you’re telling me my brother is going to replace me?” His lips were now inches from Sora’s. Wide beautiful summer blue eyes stared back at him; he could easily see the emotions that were swimming in them…hurt, anger, loathing, love…and a small hint of… lust.

“B-But you lied too Riku…” Sora mentally slapped himself for stuttering. “…You told me the same thing …that I was the only one you could love.” Sora whispered back as he moved closer to Riku “And then you left me…you didn’t let me love you…you ran away from it…” Blue stared into the sharp elegant aqua jewels that had once made his heart flutter.

“I never ran away Sora… you… you’re the one who’s running away from telling me the truth…” Riku growled before he pushed his lips to Sora’s and kissed him roughly. Sora’s eyes fluttered shut before he pulled Riku to him and kissed him back with ferocious passion.

The kiss they shared was not one of love, it was not even one of lust, it was a kiss of anger, betrayal, jealously and a tide of emotions pent up. Riku’s hand slithered down Sora’s body coming to the hem of his jeans. He easily snapped them open and dragged the zipper down. With skilled hands, he dug into the loose pants and wrapped his hand around Sora’s half-hard cock.

Sora broke the kiss and moaned loudly. His lips were swollen and bleeding from the harsh nips Riku had given him, he licked at them sucking his own blood before he reached down and grasped the front of Riku’s crotch giving it a hard squeeze.

“Why Riku? Why can’t I forget you? Why can’t I just get on with my fucking life?” Sora snarled as he tore Riku’s pants open and grasped the erection he found there. “Why do you have to always come back and make me remember?”

Riku hissed as Sora handled him, he moved his hand up and down over Sora’s cock bringing it to full erection before he glared into the others eyes, he moved them both until he had Sora pressed up against the wall. “You’ll never be able to forget me Sora. I’m the only one who ever made you feel this way…I’m the only one. You’ll never go on living because you can’t let me go, Sora, no matter how many times we say goodbye, you can never let me go!” He gave the organ in his hand a firm squeeze, shivering as Sora let out a sensuous moan “It’s you Sora who can’t forget, its you who won’t allow yourself to forget me. And, with out realizing it, you keep coming back to me and you refuse to say goodbye forever!”

Sora moaned as Riku began to pump faster, he began thrusting his hips against the singer while speeding his hand on Riku’s cock up. “But I want to Riku! I’m tired of waiting for you to admit you messed up! I want you to tell me, I want you to show me how sorry you are! I’m stupid to have ever loved you, because it seems that the only thing you brought me was pain.”

Riku growled before he removed his hand leaving Sora hanging there his eyes boring in to Sora’s “So then those years when you told me that I made your life heaven…”

‘Don’t say it…’ Sora’s mind clenched.

“…Those nights when you said there was no way you could live with out me…”

‘Don’t…’

“the nights that-”

“SHUT UP!”

WHAM

Sora panted his arm still extended from the punch he delivered.

Riku staggered back and looked at Sora with shock written all over his face.

“Riku, you made my life a heaven and hell! You used me like I was a fucking toy that would always be there when ever you wanted to play! I loved you so very much Riku, I would have done anything for you! ANYTHING!” Sora screamed, he came closer to Riku his blue eyes swimming with fury.

“To you I’m nothing but a whore! Last year on your birthday…you just grabbed me and used me again…you didn think about how I would feel you just fucked me like I was nothing!”

Riku stood there is hand on his cheek before he looked at Sora and shook his head “Why won’t you understand Sora! I was confused with what I was feeling!” his eyes narrowed “Why can’t you understand me? Why do you have to go as far as to go with my brother! He’s going to hurt you worse then I ever did! He’ll never love you! He’ll use you until he’s bored and moves on …I know what he’s like!” Riku didn’t seem to understand… he was describing himself.

“What do I matter to you Riku? I’m nothing to you anymore; you don’t love me. Why should you care about what I do with your brother, huh?” Sora demanded his frame trembling.

“Because you’re my best friend Sora! I’m always going to look out for you.” Riku growled before he scoffed “Don’t think I’m doing this because you think I might be falling for you again…because I’m not. I’m doing this only because you are my friend…nothing more …nothing less.” He stuffed himself back into his pants before glaring at Sora again “ I pushed you away Sora because what I was feeling for you was wrong…I should never have let it go that far…and I’m sorry I did….and I hope you would understand that.”

The brunette quickly stuffed himself back into his pants before he looked at Riku “I do understand Riku, but you’re stupid. If you had just told me that before you went and did like you wanted…if you had taken me aside and talked to me and told me why instead of cheating on me…” Sora shook his head before he unlocked the door and walked out talking over his shoulder his voice bitter and cold “I hate you Riku, you played with the wrong person…I’ll never love you again you mother-fucking bitch…”

“Well good! See if I care, you little bastard!” Riku shouted back before he kicked a stall door.

Sora stormed back into the theater, he came over to Sephiroth and leaned over so he wouldn’t bother the other people. “I gotta go. Sorry. I’ll talk to you later though, OK?” he whispered softly.

Sephiroth looked at Sora gently handing Atem over “I’m taking you home” he said softly.

“But you don’t have to. What about Riku?” Sora whispered so as not to disturb those who were still trying to enjoy the movie. Sephiroth gave him a cold stare and motioned for him to start moving. While Sora shimmied out of the isle, Sephiroth went to the back and grabbed Leon and Cloud, who both looked very disheveled.

“What the hell?” Cloud growled glaring at his manager.

“Not right now, let’s just get back to the complex.” Sephiroth grumbled before turning on his heel and walking out into the lobby where Sora was cradling Atem.

Cloud and Leon followed, still miffed about being bothered. Once they came into the lobby, Cloud poked Seph. “So why did you drag us out so early?”

“You two are going to take Atem home while I talk to Sora.” He said softly before picking up his little nephew and handing him to Leon. Atem made a little noise in his sleep before literally latching on to Leon and continuing to sleep.

“What about Riku?” Leon asked adjusting his arms so as Atem wouldn’t fall.

“He can find his own way home. C’mon, both you get going. I don’t want Atem out in the cold like this.” Sephiroth’s orders were quick and left no room for argument.

Cloud grumbled as he followed Leon out of the theater earning a few stares from people.

Sora stood there watching them before he looked up at Sephiroth. “What do you want to talk to me about?” he asked curiously.

“Here is not the place to talk” Sephiroth said before he took Sora’s arm and led them out into the cold air. Sora shivered a bit but was startled when Sephiroth placed his coat over him. The two walked in silence as Sephiroth led them to an unknown destination.

Meanwhile, Riku had long since come out of the bathroom. He stood in the shadows, listening to Sephiroth give orders. He silently followed his brother and Sora as they walked, keeping his ears sharp and curious as to hear what his brother had to say.

Sephiroth had taken Sora to a park; which was rather empty, the cold weather having driven most of its normal inhabitants away. When they finally stopped they were at a gazebo at the top of a small hill that overlooked the children’s play area. Sora sat down on one of the benches wrapping the coat tighter around him. Sephiroth took a seat next to him and put an arm around Sora.

Riku went behind the gazebo and leaned against the side, hidden well by the bushes. He could just see Sora whose nose was turning pink, his eyes narrowed as Sephiroth’s arm came around Sora.

“So… what did you want to talk to me about?” Sora asked fidgeting slightly; he felt uncomfortable with that arm around him.

“What happened with you and Riku back there?” Sephiroth asked as he dug into his pocket pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. He looked at Sora calmly, his jade eyes kind “Talk to me…I don’t bite.”

‘Bullshit.’ Riku thought watching his brother.

“…We just had a little talk…about our relationship…” Sora muttered rubbing his nose a bit. “I don’t know anymore, Sephiroth…I want to give up on him…but, I can’t and I don’t know why…why can’t I just let him go and end my suffering?” He finished before burying his head in his hands. “Why can’t I just live without him fucking up my life?”

Seph blew a thin wispy line of smoke into the air before he took a breath “You desire to know the art of living? It is contained in one phrase: make use of suffering.”

Sora looked up at him his brows furrowing “What?”

The silver haired man leaned in closer to Sora speaking softly “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, thus they prefer a suffering that is familiar. Rather than something as foreign as new pain.”

“Seph… you’re scaring me” Sora said scooting away from him as an emphasis.

“The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt.” Seph said poking Sora lightly in the chest before his hand trailed up the brunette’s neck to his face where he cupped his face and looked at him, his jade eyes calm. “Pain is inevitable; suffering, though; is optional.”

Sora just sat there staring at him “I don’t understand…what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“That is for you to figure out …because as soon as you do…you will find the answer to your problems…the real truth.” Seph said as he leaned closer, his lips hovered over Sora’s and he stared into the azure depths. “Or… you could just keep running away…and take an easier route….a route with little stops…that can give you lust and erotic pleasure to mask your hurt , to bury that hatred away to where it can lay and slowly consume you until you are but a shell of what you were.” He then leaned all the way forward claiming Sora’s mouth; his tongue slipped through the surprised lips and caressed his tongue. Sora just sat there in a mild shock but deep in the pit of his stomach he felt a tickle of pleasure.

Riku’s eyes widened as Sora let out a soft moan and began to kiss Sephiroth back his small hands tangling themselves in the silver locks. Sephiroth grinned into the kiss and brought his hand to Sora’s ass, fingering the crevice with a light prodding of his fingers. Sora mewed softly and moved closer to Sephiroth seeking more of his touch. Riku growled softly watching them. ‘What the hell are you up to, Sephiroth? What did all that shit mean...and why do I feel so fucking jealous of you!’

Sephiroth pushed Sora away ignoring the soft whimper; he looked once more into Sora’s eyes and licked his lips. “What route do you choose Sora? The route of hope and forgiveness? Or…” he paused before leaning and giving Sora a devouring kiss while his hand grazed over the smaller one’s crotch. “ The route with all the one niter’s and regret?”

With that Sephiroth got up tossing his cigarette to the floor and crushing it with his foot. “If you ever want to attain the thing you hold the most dear… you have to give a little. Just because you were not at fault doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay a bit more.”

Sora lifted his hand to his lips that were swollen from the demanding kisses, he looked at Sephiroth with a confused look “But I already was told I would have no chance…he already told me no…”

The silver haired man rolled his eyes “You are the stupidest person sometimes…is it worth it to keep trying when you know you don’t even have a small chance? The answer to that is yes, it is worth it, why? Because when life doesn’t give you a chance…you make one…and take it.”

“But...” Sora began but once more Seph cut him off.

“I expect you to be at rehearsals on time, if you need a ride call my cell phone and I’ll give you a ride. Tell Atem I said ‘hi’. And remember what I told you, OK?” Seph said before he leaned in again and gave Sora a soft peck. “Be safe on your way home…”

With that he left leaving Sora sitting there still wrapped in his coat. The brunette sat there trying to make sense of what he was being told to do. “God, I hate this…” Sora muttered before he got up. He decided to take a walk around the park to clear his thoughts and try to understand what Sephiroth was trying to tell him.

Riku moved from his spot and continued to follow Sora while he tried to figure what Sephiroth was telling Sora. He grumbled to himself trying to shake the image of his brother and Sora together out of his head.

He lost Sora in the park somewhere, and soon after, found himself sitting on the swings, his expression blank.

Later that night, when Riku got home, he found Sky in the living room with Atem in his arms. The little baby was half awake, his aqua-blue eyes wandered over to Riku, where they settled on him, before shutting.

“He’s been waiting for you to come home” Sky said softly speaking in his slightly high pitched voice. His long brown hair hung in his eye a bit as he looked up at Riku and smiled a bit. “You look tired. Why don’t you get to bed and I’ll take Atem?”

Riku shrugged “Doesn’t matter… I can take him if you want.” He muttered as he walked to his room. He opened the door and came in looking at his large empty bed wishing for a split second that Sora would be there waiting for him. A slight shake of his head banished such thoughts. He stripped down to his boxers and slipped into his lush sheets.

Sky came in a few minutes later with Atem dressed up in his PJ’s; he gently laid the baby down and covered him with a soft blanket. “G’night Atem. Sweet dreams…”

As Sky made to get up Riku’s hand shot out and gripped his wrist “I have a question...” he said softly. Sky tilted his head and nodded for Riku to continue “…Do…do you think that it is wrong to be with a guy at all? I mean to love them?”

“Love knows no gender so it is never wrong” Sky answered softly. There was no hesitation.

Riku looked at him steadily before nodding and letting him go. “OK, then…thanks.”

Sky smiled a bit before getting up and leaving the room walking to his own. He laid down and stared up at the ceiling lost in thought until his eyes could no longer stay open and he fell into a restless sleep.

The next day the morning was pretty average, Riku got up, careful to not bother Atem, and took a shower. When he came out into the living room with nothing but a towel around his waist he was startled when he saw Sky sitting there rocking a sniffling Atem.

“What happened?” Riku asked worriedly, not minding his current state of undress.

Sky rocked Atem stroking his hair before looking at Riku “I think he fell off the bed, I heard him screaming from my room and I came in and found him on the floor.” He answered softly “…But he’s OK. Just a little bump”

Riku came over to Atem and leaned over kissing his forehead “I should have moved him more to the middle of the bed.”

Sky looked up at Riku before he cleared his throat “Umm… Riku? I need to talk to you about something.”

“Alright….talk” Riku said as he disappeared into his walk in closet and got dressed. Sky fiddled with Atem’s hair a bit before he spoke.

“I…I’m going to have to quit…” he said softly.

Riku’s head popped out of the closet and stared “What! Why!”

“A good friend of mine is really sick…and I need to take care of her. She can’t afford a nurse so I want to help her out.” Sky said, looking at Riku through his hair. “I hate having to leave you and Atem… but this is very important. Sora knows who my friend is and he said he’ll help you take care of Atem if you need it.”

“I don’t know..” Riku said quietly before shaking his head “but it’s OK. I mean I wish I could have gotten to know you better, but it sounds like that friend of yours could use you more then me. I’ll talk to Sora about…when do you have to leave?”

Sky fidgeted again “Today, if I can…She’s really sick…” Sora almost felt bad for lying but he had thought about what Sephiroth had told him. He was going to try for Riku again, just one more time but not with out making Riku pay a little bit. “Sora said he’d fill in.”

Riku sighed, “That’s fine then…”

Sky got up, setting Atem on the bed in the middle so he wouldn’t fall. “I’m already packed…so I’ll be going now. But...” he pulled out a pen and wrote something on a piece of paper before coming to Riku and handing it to him. “Here is my address that you can find me at…if you ever need anything.”

Riku looked at the address before looking back at Sky and nodding “Maybe I’ll come hang out with you sometime.”

Sky nodded before he turned and left. Riku sat there and listened as the front door opened and shut. He stood there leaning against the doorframe before he sighed and pulled out his cell phone and dialed for Sora’s cell.

RING

It was Sora’s cell phone ring tone… just yards from the door.

“Hello?”

“Hey.”

“Hey Riku, what’s up?” Sora didn’t sound happy to hear from him.

“My old babysitter, Sky, just quit, when you get out of that taxi and come back from your little spin around the city come to my house…”

“Alright. Talk to you later.”

“Bye…” Riku hung up the phone and stared at the cell before he shook his head “You’re so stupid Sora…or should I say: Sky?”

Sora tied his hair up again into a high ponytail leaving some of his bangs hanging in his eyes. He knocked on Riku’s door before opening it and letting himself in. He looked around and spotted Atem playing with a few toys propped up against the couch. The little baby’s hair was sticking up in different directions glittering in the morning sun. He looked up as Sora approached him his big turquoise eyes shining with laughter, his little toothless mouth formed a smile before he raised his pudgy little arms out. Sora smiled softly and leaned to pick him up when there was a sudden flash of light. Both Atem and Sora looked over to see Riku with a camera in his hands smirking.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help it” Riku said smirking. Sora pouted as he lifted Atem up, the baby boy looked at his mother before imitating him and pouting his lips as well. Riku snorted before he lifted the camera and took another picture.

“Let me guess: You couldn’t help it?” Sora said in a deadpan voice. Riku shrugged putting the camera away and crossing his arms.

“You ready to go?” he asked tilting his head slightly.

“Oh, what, you’re actually going to give me a ride this time?” Sora asked sarcastically. Atem stopped pouting before he began doing his favorite activity: spit bubbles.

Riku shrugged as he grabbed the keys. He was already dressed in tight leather pants with three chains dangling on one side and a tank top with a corset neckline finished with his customary silver and black cross. All of his earrings were in place a wild mix of studs and small hoops. In all Riku looked like a rock star…and a sexy one to boot. “You have my son with you and I don’t trust that blonde idiot to drive with him in the car. C’mon Seph will grill our asses if we’re not on time…” Riku shrugged, before he looked at Sora and sneered “But I bet you would like that…him on your ass.”

Sora glared at Riku “Can we just get going?”

Riku shrugged grabbing Atem’s car seat as he walked out of the door. Sora followed him Atem propped on his hip and a diaper bag on his shoulder. As they walked out Leon and Cloud were halfway out of their apartment… in the middle of a morning make-out session. Riku rolled his eyes smacking, Cloud on the side of the head as he passed. When the pair got down to the parking complex they set up Atem’s little chair and strapped him down before getting in themselves.

The trip to the studio was silent with Atem’s occasional babbling in the background. Riku parked the car on the side of the street before he looked over at Sora who was staring off. He reached over and flicked Sora’s nose “C’mon we’re here already.” He said offhandedly.

Sora blinked looking at his nose causing Riku to chuckle softly as he got Atem out. Sora pouted, grabbing the diaper bag and following the singer into the studio. They both signed in before heading up to their recording studio, Leon and Cloud had somehow beaten them there and Sephiroth was next to him in his usual crisp suit looking professional and sexy at the same time.

“Good you made it on time…today we’re going to record a bit more …and attempt to write something. We’re still three songs short and we need to come up with something soon.” He began before taking a gulp of his espresso. “The arrangements that Sora made last time are going to stay the same, so go start warming up already.”

All four of them nodded before getting up and doing as they were told. Sora handed Sephiroth Atem, who immediately clung to his uncle and smiled his cute baby smile. Seph smiled at his nephew, placing a little chewing toy in his hand and going to the sound booth. Riku went to the mike and began his vocal warm-ups while Leon and Cloud tuned their guitars. All of them were warming-up except Sora, who was propped on his little stool with a notebook and a pen in his hand, writing furiously on a paper.

“Hey kitten, just ‘cause you were sooo great yesterday, doesn’t’ mean you can slack off today!” Cloud said plucking a few strings and making the proper adjustments.

Sora looked up and him and shot him the birdie, continuing his scribbling. Riku, having finished his warm-ups, came over to Sora and looked over his shoulder. “What’s this?” He grabbed the paper, holding it out of Sora’s reach as he skimmed through it.

“Hey give that back!” Sora cried grabbing for his notebook. Riku kept it away from him while he read it over. His eyebrows shot up into his hairline as he read it. Sora had fully composed a song already, he had written out the notes for the bass guitar, with a keyboard accompaniment and the drums and he even had the notes for the vocals including backups. Riku’s eyes scanned the lyrics and he nodded humming the tune to himself. Sora finally managed to snatch the lyrics from him; his whole face was bright red “Don’t look at that.” He huffed.

“Can we use it?” Riku asked crossing his arms. “It’s good Sora, like all your other works.”

Cloud wandered over and peeked over Sora’s shoulder reading the notes before he began to strum a few of the cords. “Oiy! Leon! Get the keyboard out!” he said before grabbing the notes ignoring Sora’s glare-of-death.

“C’mon Sora! It’s not as if you’re gonna use ‘em for anything else!” Riku sneered, knowing he was being an ass to the one who could save them and their record from plummeting down to earth.

“We’ll pay for them if necessary.” Leon offered, smacking Riku’s head as he carried the keyboard over.

Sora looked at Riku before looking out at Leon and cloud who were looking the notes over playing a few them. “…Alright…” he muttered before going to the drums and waiting.

Riku smirked and came to cloud taking his part of the song and setting it up on a little stand. “Alright people, take your placed and let’s practice!”

Leon sat at the keyboard his fingers hovering over the keys while Cloud took the bass and waited as well. Riku waited for Sora to start before he began to sing.

“It's like you're a drug …It's like you're a demon I can't face down…It's like I'm stuck…It's like I'm running from you all the time” Riku sang, but, before he could keep going, Sora stopped playing and shook his head.

“You need to sound more morbid and sad.” he pointed out. “Put emotion into the song Riku. Don’t just sing. Now start from the top.” Sora said before starting again.

Riku shrugged.

He did it over. “It's like you're a drug …It's like you're a demon I can't face down…It's like I'm stuck…It's like I'm running from you all the time.”

Sora nodded his head and kept playing the beat slow and even. “Now try and sound like you know you fucked up but accepted it.”

“And I know I let you have all the power…It’s like the only company I seek is misery all around…” Riku sang, the over all song was sounding very slow and sad but he kept singing.

“It's like you're a leech…sucking the life from me…It's like I can't breathe …Without you inside of me…”

“And I know I let you have all the power …And I realize I'm never gonna quit you over time…”

The drums began to rumble before Riku picked up that Sora was telling him to get louder at that point.

“It's like I can't breathe! It's like I can't see anything! Nothing but you …I'm addicted to you! …It's like I can't think …without you interrupting me …in my thoughts…”

“In my thoughts…” Sora sang softly.

“In my dreams …” Riku sang back.

“In my dreams” Sora followed before he kept playing.

“You've taken over me …It's like I'm not me …It's like I'm not me.”

“It's like I'm lost …It's like I'm giving up slowly …It's like you're a ghost that's haunting me …Leave me alone.”

Riku nodded his head before he kept singing his voice filled with emotion, he created a mood that the rest of them could feel.

A feeling of helplessness.

“And I know these voices in my head are mine alone …And I know I'll never change my ways …If I don't give you up now.”

“It's like I can't breathe …It's like I can't see anything …Nothing but you ...I'm addicted to you …It's like I can't think …Without you interrupting me!”

“…In my thoughts.”

“Leon, Cloud, both of you repeat after him/” Sora said slowing down “Sing the best you can but aim to sound like an eco, a forgotten memory…”

Both men nodded before repeating after Riku. “…In my thoughts”

“…in my dreams …” Riku sang, giving them a smug grin.

“In my dreams…” Cloud sang back before sticking his tongue out.

“You've taken over me …It's like I'm not me …It's like I'm not me…”

“Alright that’s good for now, next part is quick. Riku make it sharp, desperate and cutting.”

“I'm hooked on you, I need a fix, I can't take it. Just one more hit, I promise I can deal with it, I’ll handle it, quit it. Just one more time, then that's it. Just a little bit more to get me through this!” Riku sang quickly while managing to put a hint of erotica into it.

“Same thing again but all of us sing it with him.” The small brunette commanded.

“I'm hooked on you, I need a fix, I can't take it. Just one more hit, I promise I can deal with it, I'll handle it, quit it. Just one more time, then that's it. Just a little bit more to get me through this…” they all sang together , Sora’s voice was the highest but it still sounded good, Cloud was after him, followed by Riku, and then last was Leon with the deepest.

Riku grabbed the mic, really into the song “It's like I can't breathe!…It's like I can't see anything!…Nothing but you …I'm addicted to you! …It's like I can't think …Without you interrupting me …In my thoughts…”

“In my thoughts…” Sora sang softly.

“In my dreams …” Riku sang back.

“In my dreams” Sora followed before be slowed his playing.

“You've taken over me …It's like I'm not me …It's like I'm not me…” Riku whispered softly at the end before he stopped his head bowed.

“That was good, a little rough on a few parts, but good.” Sephiroth said leaning on a table. He looked over at Sora and quirked his eyebrow. “Sora, is there any other songs that you have?”

Sora put the sticks of the drum down before he nodded “Just a few more songs…but I only have the lyrics…not the actual music.” He answered before he pulled out a black book. Seph came over in three easy strides; he took the book before opening it up and reading a few of them. Some he marked the page to go back to later, other pages he ignored.

“We can use these, of course that is if Sora doesn’t mind..” he muttered still looking at them.

“Good ahead, I don’t mind” Sora said fiddling with the drumsticks. Suddenly the cell phone on Sora’s hip began to vibrate, the brunette looked at it before getting up “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.” he walked out of the studio and answered.

“Hello?”

“Sora?”

“Oh! Hi mom, what’s wrong? You sound like you were crying?”

“Oh Sora! It’s…It’s-- Oh, god!”

Sora heard the phone drop and his mothers wailing before his cousin Yuki picked it up.

“Sora, it’s about Atem…we found out something.”

“…what?”

“Are you sitting down or something? Is someone there with you?”

Sora looked around; Riku was poking his head out of the studio door giving him a look. Sora motioned him over before going back to the phone. Frowning “Riku is, why? Yuki what the hell is going on?”

“Atem is going to die…before reaches his first birthday…”