When Distant Hearts Beat As One

Author’s Notes:
I know, I know, don’t kill me, but I have a good reason for not updating this story in such a long time. A few actually: I’m working on quite a few stories at the moment so I’ve been having to divide my time between all of them lately. Not to mention that all of them took a back seat so that I could finish Sephiroth’s Guide (I was so close the ending that I just concentrated on that solely.) and my job. Then I got sick recently and couldn’t do much of anything, so everything got held up for a while.

But now I’m back, on track, and ready to continue the story. You can smack me if you want ::holds out hand:: for taking so long anyway though. I deserve it. ::Looks ashamed.::

I really hope you enjoy the new chapter and thank you guys so much for staying the story, being so patient, and reading thus far!

Now: enjoy the new chapter!!


When Distant Hearts Beat As One
Chapter Seven: Confrontations

Leon’s stormy eyes slowly looked from his guilty looking boyfriend to the tall, platinum haired man standing next to him, glaring back at him in a cold, calculating fashion.

No one was saying a word between them, and Leon could vaguely hear Cloud’s sister and her boyfriend whispering in excited, hushed tones between the two of them. Leon could guess but careless about what they were talking about, as he was far too focused on his own troubling thoughts.

Why the hell was he here? And just what the hell did he stumble on upon walking through the kitchen door? He took a moment to glare further at Cloud, who once meeting his gaze, chose to look at the floor in guilt instead, making Leon’s blood boil further.

The blond was never good at hiding his guilt from him and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t concerned now that he was aware that Cloud apparently did something he wasn’t proud of. He returned his gaze to Sephiroth, who hadn’t stopped staring at him since he’d walked through the door, and Leon let a light sneer appear on his features as he realized that the former was actually sizing him up.

Like competition--or from the smirk that was forming on his face and the light ‘humph‘ he made under his breath, lack there of.

They all remained silent for what seemed like eternity before finally, someone actually spoke.

“It’s good to erm, see you again!” Ri gushed as she rushed over and gave Sephiroth a quick hug, instantly letting go when Sephiroth made no move to return the gesture, just simply glare down at her.

She took a few tentative steps backwards, coming to stand right beside Leon before she turned to him, holding a hand out in Sephiroth‘s direction. “Yeah so, Leon, I believe you’ve heard my brother bitch about Sephiroth; ex-boyfriend who just happens to be standing a little too close for comfort to my brother for Leon apparently by the way he’s looking at you Sephiroth--have you ever met Cloud’s current boyfriend Leon?”

Typical. Even in a tense situation, Ri could find a way to be humorous. Though no one was amused--save maybe Reno.

“Rikku, go away,” Cloud hissed angrily, giving the girl a withering look but she outright ignored him in favor of looking between the two Leon and Sephiroth, whom continued to stare one another down.

“What is he doing here, Cloud.” Leon stated finally, his tone strained as he tried to keep his anger in check. Sephiroth merely arched his brow, his cold, calculating expression never wavering as that same smirk once again returned to his features replying before the blond could. “I find the better question you should be asking is how long Cloud intends on keeping you here upon my return.”

It wasn’t hard to miss the inferno of rage that coursed through Leon’s stormy eyes as he flared up and began to reply but Cloud was quick to step between the two, focused on Leon, and cut him off with his own explanation. “He just came home from ShinRa--he was a S.O.L.I.D.E.R--”

“General of S.O.L.D.I.E.R., Cloud,” Sephiroth corrected him, making Cloud turn his attention to him with a withering, angry glare before the blond added “who was just getting the hell out of my house.”

“For now, if you so insist,” the platinum blond announced, keeping his eyes focused on Leon a moment longer before staring at Cloud in a predatory like fashion, a twinkle of something Cloud couldn’t place emitting from his Mako green eyes.

Leon’s breath caught as a rather smug smirk formed on the taller beauty’s face before he brought his lips, slowly, deliberately, down on Cloud’s, lingering there for a moment, Leon taking a step forward but pausing when he felt both Reno and Ri’s hand on either shoulder, Reno whispering for him to just stay calm, that he was trying to get a rise out of him.

Meanwhile, the blond could feel an electric bolt course though his body as he fought the urge not to melt at the familiar feeling of those perfect, rose colored lips on his--those delectable, deliciously soft lips that he’d craved and deeply missed on his-- before they were slowly pulled away from him, leaving a feeling of emptiness within his being he‘d only felt when the devious man had left him for ShinRa years ago.

Sephiroth slowly brought his lips to his ear then, his eyes trained on Leon as Cloud shivered lightly at the feeling of his warm breath blowing lightly on his lobe before he finally spoke softly, loud enough only for the blond to hear. “I will return for you Cloud. And next time, I won’t let your silly little delusions of a current lover or denials of what you truly desire free you from the inevitable.”

Cloud’s mouth opened slightly at his words as they sank in, blinking only once Sephiroth pivoted, stilling glaring at Leon though it had changed into a simple, challenging glare before without another word, he simply left the room, Ri and Reno both quickly parting to let him through.

Leon simply glared at Cloud as the room remained quiet, a moment later hearing the front door slam shut, before the brunette, anger starting to get the better of him, simply closed his eyes, took a deep, calming breath that wasn’t helping and too, stormed out of the room, toward their bedroom.

The trio left watched his retreating back before Ri gave her brother a sympathetic smile. “Hey…uh…Reno and are gonna head for his house…so you guys can--”

“Right, right, just go Ri, I’ll call,” Cloud sighed, heading out of the room and after his lover, the pair waiting for the inevitable door slam of the bedroom door before glancing at each other, Reno smirking and letting out a long whistle before the pair quickly started for the front door--intent on getting outside before all the screaming and yelling began.

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Sora walked slowly along the beach, letting his bare feet sink slightly into the cool sand with each step he took.

There were far too many things on his mind and he simply, didn’t feel like going home, listening his sister teasing or his brother and Leon’s conversations of what needed to be done about his condition--or help him if his mother called to smother him from miles away, about decorating rooms and buying cribs…

Sora’s ocean blue eyes looked up at the setting sun that had almost reached the horizon of the water, casting a beautiful orange hue against the beach.

Riku had done an excellent job putting a lot of his worries to rest: it felt good knowing that Riku had as much clue about taking care of children as he did but was more than open to the experience. He promised that they would go through the ordeal together and while Sora was absolutely grateful that Riku wanted nothing more than to help him with the baby, he had to wonder why the teen was just so…willing.

Not that he wanted Riku to completely abandon the baby and leave him to do it alone but even he, who had a tendency, according to his friends, to be completely oblivious to things to the point of naivety, noticed that Riku seemed almost--jubilant at the idea of raising a baby of all things…with him.

They hadn’t been the best of friends for a few years, though recently they were doing a good job if he could say so himself, on mending the relationship. Maybe Riku simply saw it as a chance to show that he really wanted things--as much as they could be--back to the way they were: when they were best friends, always hanging out and being together. Maybe the baby was a way to do that again or at least, get back on the track of doing so.

And Sora would be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to the prospect and even excited at the idea himself: he’d definitely missed having Riku as a friend and he hadn’t realized just how much until the pair had been spending time together recently--and he couldn’t be around him.

And while having a baby was a bit on the extreme side to say the least, it was a great way for the pair to bond again and become close, if not closer, than they had before.

And while the idea made Sora more than a little happy, there was just one, tiny snag that he knew would be a problem sooner, though hopefully, later.

“There you are!”

Who was it that said you called trouble when you thought about it? The brunette froze in his walking, simply waiting as he heard panting getting close--Kairi must be running to get to him--trying to keep himself as calm as he possibly could.

There was no way he could tell Kairi about the baby--he knew the girl was going to get angry once he admitted where he was all day if he chose to do that--but to tell the girl that he was expecting to have a child for a person in which he knew she despised?

“Sora, I’ve been so worried,” she announced in a big sigh of relief as she tackle-hugged him from behind, Sora’s eyes widening in panic as he stumbled forward to keep his balance, quickly squirming out of the girl’s embrace, forcefully prying the girl’s arms from around his stomach, concerned that the way she’d hugged him may be doing damage to his precious cargo.

He faced Kairi then, reflexively angry that she could have harmed the child before, upon seeing her own alarmed and worried expression, he remembered she always hugged him like that from behind and that the girl currently had no knowledge of his current state--so of course she wouldn’t know it was a bad thing to do--he relaxed and gave her a large, sheepish, apologetic grin, the girl placing her hands on her hips and glaring at him.

“Not so happy to see me, huh?” she snapped and Sora placed a hand behind his head, scratching the back of it as the fleeting admittance of ‘No, actually...’ flew through his mind before he spoke. “Come on Kai, I haven’t seen you all day! Course I’m happy to see you--and sorry about just now, you just kinda spooked me.”

“Spooked you how?” she questioned in disapproval. “I always do that and I called out to you before I came up!”

“I was kinda in my own little world a minute ago,” he laughed quickly. “I heard my name and just stopped, I really didn’t recognize who was calling me…kinda in and out, you know?”

She stared at him a moment longer, looking very unconvinced and making the brunette squirm a little as he gave her a reassuring grin, finally lowering his arm to his side before she crossed her arms over her chest and let that subject matter go--for now. Thankfully.

“Well…where have you been all day?” she questioned, sound a little less snippy and far more concerned. “The guys haven’t seen or heard from you all day and when I asked Leon, he refused to tell me. Is there something wrong I should know about?”

“Not really,” Sora replied, his mind scrambling for an excuse to give her now that he knew Tidus and Wakka were no longer available and Leon had unintentionally or not, cast suspicion on his whereabouts. Finally coming to the conclusion the truth was best, he sighed and finished. “I was just hanging out with Riku today.”

Kairi’s expression instantly hardened and he saw that unmistakable flare of anger in her eyes before he quickly added, “For old times sake Kai!”

“And just,” she began in a cold, snaky tone. “how many times are you two going to hang out for ‘old times sake’ Sora?! Why do you insist on hanging around someone that is so bad for you! Just look at the people he--”

“Kairi, you haven’t been hanging around Riku or his friends, you don’t know what they do on their free time or how ‘bad’ they are!” Sora cried defensively. “And I can hang out with him when I want! Just because you don’t like him--”

“And you know why I don’t like him Sora!” she snapped angrily and Sora replied. “No, Kairi, I don’t! You never told me what happened between you and Riku so how am I suppose to understand why you don’t like him?”

“We had a bad breakup Sora, what’s not to understand?” she snapped and he countered. “You never told me exactly what happened Kairi and you know that!”

“Even still, it’s obvious how much Riku changed and what he’s like now!” Kairi insisted and Sora gave her a unconvinced look of his own. “I reiterate: you haven’t been around Riku to know what he’s like now Kairi. He hasn’t ‘changed’ at all! Maybe the company he keeps is different but Riku himself hasn’t changed! You act like he’s a skipping school to do or sell drugs, drink and party all the time, the way you talk about him!”

“Well Selphie saw--”

“I don’t care what anyone saw Kairi! The way I feel about someone isn’t influenced on anyone else’s gossip, let alone Selphie’s!” Sora finally snapped and Kairi gave him a suspicious look.

Selphie was his friend, more so Kairi’s then his, but to be quite frank, she wasn’t he reliable source when it came to information, as she always had the gossip on ’he said, she said’.

Kairi continued to glare at him, seeming to be in thought, before she finally spoke again. “And just how do you feel about Riku, Sora?”

There was a moments pause, Sora glaring at her in confusion before it dawned on him what she was insinuating, making him flare up in anger. “Kairi, I can’t believe you! Just because I want to be friends again with someone who’s been my best friends since we were, like, kids?!”

“Well you’re going out of your way to spend time with him now Sora, including avoiding me and telling people not to let me know your with him!” Kairi accused sarcastically. “It’s something to think about under these circumstances…”

“Kairi, if Leon or Cloud or whomever didn’t want to tell you where I was, that’s because they didn’t want to, not because I told them not to,” he snapped, his fist balling up at his sides. “And just because I’m choosing to put aside your differences with Riku so we can be friends again and hang out doesn’t mean I’m cheating on you for him! How stupid do you sound--you don’t even know if Riku is--and obviously I’m straight since I’m with you!”

“See! That’s exactly why I don’t want you hanging out with Riku Sora,” she snapped angrily, but began to have that triumphant smirk she always possessed when she thought he‘d been had and that she was about to prove a point and win the argument. “We were a lot happier when he wasn’t in our lives! Now all we do is argue!”

“The reason why we argue is because you want to control who the hell I decide to be friends with!” Sora snapped and Kairi shook her head. “ And now your cussing.”

“Hell isn’t a--”

“I’m not trying to control you Sora, I’m just looking out for your best interest!” she exclaimed, cutting him off. “Don’t get angry at me because I’m trying to save you from making such a huge mistake by letting Riku back in your life!”

“No, Kairi, the mistake I made was letting Riku out of life because the two of you can’t get along!” Sora screamed in fury, causing the girl to recoil a bit. He rarely got angry but when he did, even Kairi knew better than to push--though it was a little late now. “Trying to influence my decisions and try to force me to be friends with people of your choice and who you like isn’t looking out for me, it’s controlling me!”

“Sora--!”

“Look, I’m sorry that you hate Riku and vise versa but I’m determined to mend the relationship I lost with him! We were friends Kai, best friends--all three of us--and if we can’t have that again, then…I guess that’s fine too!

“But I’m not just going to continue to cut Riku out of my life for your benefit! Just like I remained friends with Selphie when she and Tidus had their big falling out before dating, I’m doing the same, here and now! And nothing you can do or say is going to change my mind! And if you can’t handle that Kairi, then we’re going to have serious drawbacks to our relationship because I won’t back down!”

Sora finished with a deep intake a breath, trying to calm himself down quickly, remembering finally that he probably shouldn’t be getting himself so upset in his condition, the pair watching one another in silence, Kairi glaring at him in disapproval and anger while Sora returned the glare.

The sun had nearly sank beneath the ocean now, just the very top of the orange orb visible now as dusk set in completely, shades of purple and light blue beginning to stain the sky in preparation for night.

Finally, the red head spoke, in a flat, dead tone. “Fine.”

Sora said nothing, only glared. “Fine Sora. If you just have to spend all your time with Riku,” Kairi snapped, now hugging herself and glaring at the sand bitterly. “Then fine. Go right ahead. Disregard my feelings and do what you want.”

Sora sighed, rolling his eyes slightly and taking a few steps forward, engulfed the girl in a hug that she did not return. She simply continued to hug herself. “Kai, don’t be that way. I’m not going to spend all my time with Riku, just like you don’t with Selphie and your own personal friends. All I’m asking is that you give me the chance to be friends with Riku without you trying to pull an exorcist on me every time.”

Silence.

“I won’t bring Riku around you. I’ll try not to even talk about him around you Kai. But I’m going to be friends with him Kai,” Sora spoke, putting inference on his last words. It took a moment, but the red head finally looked up at Sora, a pouty expression on her face as she finally wrapped her arms around Sora’s upper chest, and laid her head on his shoulder.

“I’m never going to like him--again--Sora. And I hate the idea of you guys hanging out together again but…if it makes you happy and your so instant…as long as you don’t abandon me for him or anything or pick up any of his nasty habits--”

“Kairi…”

“That he may or may not have but I think he does…then I guess…I’m okay with it Zo-Zo,” Kairi said finally, before stomping her foot, burying it a small ways in the sand and glaring up at him. “You’ve been with him all day and you didn’t call!”

Sora snorted softly and hugged her close again, relief washing over him that she wasn’t so angry anymore and that he could now openly hang out with Riku without her questioning it.

“I missed you,” she playfully sniffled, stomping her foot again and Sora pulled away from her gently--or tried…but she latched on and hugged him closer, giving a whiney pouty nose that made him outright laugh.

“Then I’ll just have to make it up to you, won’t I Kai,” Sora announced in a mock, sympathetic tone and she looked up at him with overly wide eyes and hopeful ‘o’ on her lips. Sora laughed at the expression and pulling away, began to guide her toward the dock. “Let’s go to my place--we’ll get a blanket and I’ll fix a basket of your favorite stuff. Then we’ll come back to the beach for a--”

“Moonlight picnic! Oh Sora, how romantic!” Kairi gushed, hugging him excitedly, but thankfully, not around the stomach (probably afraid of a similar reaction now from when she’d arrived) before pecking him on the cheek and letting out a small squeal of happiness.

The sound made Sora smile outwardly but in his mind, he couldn’t help but feel anxiety. Not that he minded spending time with Kairi--she was his girlfriend after all--but he was certain that while she’d given up--for now--about him hanging out with Riku, the subject was doomed to get ugly once she found the actual reason the pair would be spending so much time together.

And their previous encounter on the beach moments before told him all he needed to know: that there was no way in hell he would tell her he was pregnant any time soon.

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Author’s Notes:
Another chapter finished, go me! Some of you are probably wondering why Leon and Sephiroth didn’t get into a full blown fight and the answer is: right attitude, wrong time. Yes, the pair will actually get into a fight of sorts, just not yet.

I’d like to thank you all for reading the new chapter and again, sorry I’m so late with the update, but I hope to update more regularly now. (I’m working on quite a few stories now so I’m trying to manage which days to update and work on each of them, LMAO.)

The next chapter with contain much angst and SLASH, just to warn you!
Until then though:

Happy Reading!!