Disclaimer: I love this game but sadly I do not own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters. But on a different note….KH2!

Parings: Sora/Riku because are the best! Though, Harry Potter and Professor Snape is becoming pretty cool too. RUNS

Warnings: This fic is an AU and a YAOI (which means male/male relationships). R for language, adult behavior, and sexual stuff in later chapters. So, if you feel that this not what you had in mind then please proceed to the next story and do not read mine.

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:Chapter 8 – Things Escalate From There:

Funny how things appear to be a brilliant idea until implemented. Riku was never one to hang silent at the sidelines not when he had something very close to his heart he needed to express. He felt it was best that they reveal the truth between Sora and him, now, instead of later considering the brunette's thoughts on false pretenses. His new lover never lied in any form not since they were children. A small line of sweat began to bead on the back of the tall man's neck as he waited for his sister and Wakka's reaction to their news. The waves of nervousness were not from their possible reaction but from the lack of one. Fuck, one could hear the crickets chirping in the background from the cold quiet both Sky and I were receiving. He was getting irritated. Well! Riku hissed in his mind.

Silence grew. Sora wasn't feeling too confident either. He would do anything for Riku; stand by the beautiful man no matter the situation but this was border lining on tragic. Wakka and Kairi's opinion mattered. They were Riku's family. Without thinking the brunette shifted closer to his lover's side to give comfort he knew he desperately needed.

Besides being annoyed, he could feel the confusion coming off in waves from Sora. It pissed him off that two of the closest people to him were making the love of his life ashamed of what they had begun to explore. He waited his whole life for one real moment with 'the' Sora from his dreams. Now that that has come to pass, he believed for the first time his heart had a place to expand, to explore without harm, to grow within warm gentle hands, Sora's sculpted hands to mold me as he wishes. Riku was Sora's alone, completely and without question.

The blank stares had not waned.

Dark thoughts slowly crept through the brunette. Surprised, he looked to Riku.

Sei, stop it. I'm alright. He thought heard his love say when he looked into deeply colored sapphire eyes and smiled weakly.

Riku nodded. Okay, love. Only for you. But they better say something soon. This is important to me and I'll be damned to letting Sora go over something stupid as them withholding their acceptance. Worst case, fuck'em, even if they are family. Ugly thought, he knew, yet completely true.

Riku took it upon himself to break the ice first. "So…"

Wakka blinked repeatedly; mouth opening and closing a few times before he exercised his vocal skills. "Ah…ya…" What an accurate verbal display of the redhead's brain power or lack there of, Riku mused. Wakka was not sure how to begin or even if he heard the two correctly. "So, when you say 'together' you mean… you… you and Sora…"

"Spit it out, Oxboy!" Riku spat.

"Sei!" Sora scowled. His right hand reached up and gently squeezed Riku's shoulder. Calm down. Hoping the action conveyed his thoughts wanted to.

The tall man's shoulders slump, defeated; his hair slipping forward to hide part of his face, a defense mechanism. "Sorry there, guys. I guess I am a little nervous about all this. You…" Electric green eyes looked first to Kairi then to the other redhead. "You guys…You, Tidus, and family are the most important people in my life. I just want your approval on this." He hated vocalizing his insecurities but he must know.

"About friggin time." A female voice piped up jarring every male present from their stupor. Wakka, wide eyed, stared at Kairi in disbelief. Riku wasn't too far behind his gawking roommate. Kairi shrugged.

Her brother, flabbergasted. "You knew?"

She grinned. Sora rolled his eyes. Wakka hadn't moved from his previous bout of shock. "Yeah…me and Blue Eyes here had a enlightening conversation yesterday." Sora choked, a bright red rush covered his faced. Riku would have questioned his love further if he hadn't looked too adorable. Unable to hold back, a tender smile broke free, completely devoted to the beautiful man standing before him. Sora was captivated by the sight. The brunette lowered his attention to the tall man's lips, his eyes becoming an impossible blue, deeper than the ocean surrounding Destiny Isles. Small bubbles of desire licked along his arms and chest. No tangible evidence to support, he reviled in the knowledge that he affected this beautiful man so. Without thinking, he took a step forward effectively closing all space between them. Caught up in each other, they were unaware of the audience they were still entertaining.

"Um…guys…" The sudden interruption effectively broke the moment. Sora shook his head trying desperately to hide his embarrassment behind the fall of bangs. Riku just smiled tenderly at the smaller man's antics. He grabbed Sora firmly pressing him against his person. Sora answered by burying into his chest. Riku moved his hands to gently cradle the brunette's head.

"What exactly do you mean by together?" Wakka asked.

"Like TOGETHER." Riku answered.

"Like together OR toogetherrr?" Wakka pumped his hips emphasizing the last part of his question.

"Look Ox-boy, I'll be the first to admit that a few of my romantic encounters were like that but…" A very feminine cough abruptly interrupted in mid explanation. The tall man turned slowly, mouth open as if appalled by the implications. Kairi didn't backing down and arched her eye brow as if daring her brother to continue understating his excursions. "Fine! ALL my relationships were only about sex! You happy now, little sis?"

His sister crossed her arms; lips curled forming a small smirk. "Quite."

Riku chose to ignore the woman's cheek and plowed forward. They must understand that this is different, special, and necessary. It was like some dribble you would hear in some mushy, romantic, chick flick, long awaited water to the dried up sea of my soul. He sighed. Yep, that's me. Present mushy, romantic dip shit and loving every moment of it.

"While I had hoped to express the depths of my feelings for Sora, I won't lie and say that we aren't exploring other aspects of our relationship." Wakka's eyes bulged and for good reason. There was never an instant where his silver haired friend showed any interest in batting for the same team as it would. Riku defensively tightened his hold on the brunette still buried against his chest. He had faith in their love for him and his chosen mate. This is his family, they will understand. One of his hands slowly drifted down gently tracing to the small his love's back. Sora sighed contently burring further into his shirt. Riku enjoyed every moment. I will never tire of him in my arms. I belong to him. Even after all these years that I believed him to be a woman, none of this feels awkward. Calming thoughts drifted away bending to the present at hand. "Wakka, Kairi…Sora and I…I guess I just needed to tell you both that I…we…I don't know…" Riku choked on his words, his emotions overwhelming him. A flash of warmth pressed into his mind touching every thought and feeling like honey laying down filling every crevice of a pastry. He knew now somehow it was Sora's doing. It was like a mental caress extinguishing his fears, warming his heart, and giving him the courage to continue. Riku sent back a silent thank you, hoping his love somehow heard him.

"I love Sora. I need him. This may sound stupid but it was like I was a monstrous block of Swiss cheese with holes the size of Destiny Isles. Simply put, Sora filled them. He filled my heart and made me whole for the first time in my life, almost as if the holes were never there. Not to say that I haven't been happy or don't love you guys or…well…fuck….I'm babbling like a retard." He sighed and resigned himself to saying nothing more. Sky's body pressed against him gave him comfort.

Tension was thick and the silence held. Emerald eyes fell on Kairi then moved to Wakka. Kairi sighed and smacked the back of the other redhead with her hand. Wakka yelped then muttered his agitation. Wakka met Riku's glaze then turned to the side. "I guess it can't be helped."

"Wakka?" Sora hesitantly questioned from under Riku's arms. Riku waited for his roommate's decision.

The nervous pair froze as if ready to be executed. Such an odd picture the two made. Almost like having night and day as lovers. The redhead rolled his eyes. I am beginning to sound like a romantic freak, Yevon forbid. Wakka watched them thinking about every moment he spent hanging with them. All times were tallied up and he came to an overwhelming conclusion…nothing's changed. "Ah, shit man. Look…I don't care. Everyone could see that something was happening between ya. Well…maybe I didn't see it as fast but it can't be helped. As long as I don't…" Now, Wakka was sporting a shade of red to rival his own hair color. "I don't want to see ya doing it and stuff. Ya know…no public butt piling." The redhead began to grin gaining more confidence in his words. "I mean who the hell wants to see Sora banging your concave, pasty ass. Some, poor dude might go blind from the reflection from your cheeks alone." Now the redhead's grin was in full force.

Did that asshole just call my butt concave? Riku seethed.

Cough…. Both Wakka and Kairi's heads turn towards the culprit. Sora just turns his head away trying desperately to not look at anyone. Kairi gawked. Wakka's jaw dropped. Riku nuzzled his lover's neck embarrassing him further. The taller man dipped closer to Sora ear to whisper a message for his ears alone. "Loved every moment of it too."

Wakka recovered faster. "WHOH! I was just kidding about he and you…you know…" He hissed in a low voice. "You mean to say that Sora here had first dibs?" The couple didn't answer. Wakka gave a hearty chuckle. "That's rich, YA! Go Sora go!" He brought both of his fists to his chest making circular motions. "Woot woot. Go Soar go." This immediately brought grins to all present.

Riku shook his head. "Ass." Sora snickered.

Kairi came up to the couple and gave them both an affectionate hug. "Who ever would have thought that there somewhere there was a romantic bone in my playboy-gigolo-assholish-peabrain-AND NOW oversexed brother of mine."

If there was a deeper shade of red that was possible, Sora's cheeks were stained permanently that color. Kairi was ecstatic. Riku released a breath that he wasn't aware that he had been holding the whole time. He really hadn't feared their response, it's just all things played better in the mind than when the moment actually came. At least, that was the ways that things had always been for the tall man. Riku released Sora and moved to embrace his friend to express his gratitude. He was halfway around the table when a whirlwind of curses broke the moment. Riku turned around confused to only find himself confronted by his other roommate. The other roommate in question appeared as if he were about to break every bone in Riku's body and savor every cry of pain uttered there of as if his anguish were the best wine offered in the world.

The fuming blonde shoved Riku hard. Tidus was furious. Normally, he held himself together no matter the situation. Through thick and thin, the mountain stood; nothing moved him. However, small disappointments had been piling on one another for a long time. Things in his life were barely holding together. Today, someone played with HIS computer without HIS permission and subsequently made the top of this metaphoric pile teeter bringing the rest along to the ground; which effectively made the blond irrationally lash out at the first person he cam upon. His roommate and good friend happened to be that 'person'. It's not that Tidus was really that possessive of his personal things, but more to do with the fact that the computer represented the only thing left in his life that he controlled…the only thing. Everything else that made sense seemed to have disappeared from his life. Work and the computer were his last link to sanity. Tidus internally laughed at his pathetic idea of an existence.

"YOU BUTT FUCKER TOUCHED MY COMPUTER! DIDN'T YOU!"

All persons present, including the twins, stopped dead with the anger charged burst of obscenities. "Only half of that is true" Riku said nonchalantly. Fucking non-pulsed stoic bastard! Tidus wanted a fight and the quickest way was Riku. This silver haired man had supplied the venue to realize his desire to beat the shit out of something. Riku never reacted the way anyone ever wanted him to. This moment was not any different.

Riku's expression hadn't changed. Sora backed away from the two, confused by the sudden mental war exchanging between the two. He was not use to his jovial roommates facing off. If you could really call it that. Sora tried to feel what Riku was feeling but instead encountered a cold wall. His love was trying to hide something from him. Sora began to frown.

Riku lips motioned as if making speech but Tidus couldn't make any of it out. Blood roared in his ears too loud for him focus on outside deterrence. Until…

"YOU SAY BAD WORD!" Two demons from the other room screamed in unison.

Kairi sighed and glared at both men as she brusquely walked past, making her way to the main room outside of the kitchen to calm her twins. Wakka quietly grabbed Sora's arm and directed the brunette to follow Kairi's exit.

A definitive thwack from the front entrance signaled the departure of two excited children and three adults. Riku and Tidus quietly initiated a starting match with no indication of waning in the near future. Small successive clicks provided by the old wall clock made for background music.

Long stretches of time crept by at the pace of decomposing corpse causing the taller man to break first. His green eyes flashed before submitting to studying the table. "You want a beer?" He absently motioned to Tidus who was still standing. The blond merely nodded, grabbed the closest chair, and plopped down discarding all his natural grace. Tidus was furious. The whole day had been one huge cluster fuck. First Cid was busting his balls and now the computer. In all seriousness it wasn't a big deal. He starred at the wall facing to the pantry avoiding Riku. He just felt like he was losing the fine line of control of his life and the idea that someone had up surd that little bit of power in his life was all it took for his temper to blow.

Pshhhhhht!... Pshhhhhht! "Here." Riku placed an open bottle in front of his roommate. Tidus took it without word gulping a good portion before returning it to the table. Satisfied, Riku sat opposite, silently nursing his own. Riku understood that he was in the wrong but there was no doubt in his mind that Tidus was being a GIA-NORMOUS ASS about this whole computer business. What the fuck! Not like it's the first time. Wakka and he had been caught using the 'precious' piece of equipment far too many times. One could count on two hands… er… maybe more like one. It was like an understood game to annoy the other, bros fucking with each other. However there really was a legitimate to use the techno box this time. Information put to good use. A ghost of a smile formed at the edges of his lips at the thought. Gota love the internet, the encyclopedia of the Millennium. There were so many things he wanted to explore with his new and final lover, there was to be no other. Riku's insides turned soft. Sora. Gods, how things finally worked in his favor. Life had finally decided to stop fucking with him. A warm mental hand caressed his mind feeding the places within him that starved for the brunette's attention. Riku wasn't sure why or how they were doing it but ever since they started living together, under the same house, something had been connecting them further closer than their shared dreams. Like a bond of some sort, something deeply intimate. He liked feeling everything that his lover did. His lover. My lover.

Unbeknownst to Riku, Tidus had been closely examining the other man during his inner monolog. He wasn't positive but he could easily guess Riku's thoughts centered on their very own Sora. The expression plastered across his face now was the same look he only gave the brunette. Tidus knew that he could be dense at times but this, he saw THIS coming a mile away and damn did it piss him off. It had nothing to do with the whole man bits purposely touching other man bits but everything to do with Sora's protection. Riku was absolutely the worse when it came to relationships. Shit, Tidus was pretty sure that if asked, Riku couldn't define the word, love, let alone true affection. They were never a blip on his radar. Everyone in the past has always been a piece a meat, a release. When the time came Riku dropped the unsuspecting soul from his attention and turned them away for more appealing dessert. As much he wanted to believe in Riku, Tidus knew deep down that his childhood buddy was going to do the same to Sora. The man would not be able to change; he was hardwired that way.

A small cough broke the tension between the two friends The taller man shrugged as he patted his throat. "Choked a little on the beer."

"Hnn," Tidus returned non-committal.

Riku rolled his eyes expressing his thoughts as how stupid this whole thing really was. "Look, man…..YES! I used your computer. We…errr….look, a situation arose and we…I needed to use the internet for some quick info."

The blonde chugged back the rest of his drink. A sharp clang reverberated throughout the kitchen as Tidus firmly smacked down the empty bottle against the table surface. "Look Riku, I'm not going to lie to you and say that I'm cool with this computer thing. It really fucking pissed me off. To be honest though, that's not what's really bothering me."

Riku's narrowed his eyes, not sure where this conversation is going. "What is?"

He closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "What are doing, Riku?"

"Drop me a bone here, Tidus. I don't understand what you're talking about?"

"The fuck you don't. You think I couldn't see what was happening between you two? What in Yevon's name were you thinking? Leave Sora alone. He is too innocent and kind to be left behind and chalked up as one of your many escapades."

"Wha…?" Now Riku was extremely confused now. He couldn't make heads or tails of what his best friend was trying to tell him.

"Conquests! One more notch to the bedpost! Another dime in the bucket! How many other ways do want me to say it, Riku?"

The taller man instantly flew from his seat, the chair falling to the side. "You actually think that I would do that to him?"

"Wouldn't you? It's not like you have the greatest track record. How many hearts have you broken? Do you even now what it's like for your friends to go from party to party and assured every time front row seats to spectacular cat fights that break out on account of you? Shit, it's now the leading events of entertainment; main attraction performed by yours truly, Riku. Sora doesn't deserve that." As the blond watched a spark briefly flitter in Riku's eyes when Sora's name was mentioned. It confused him until the light bulb came on. Unbelievable, yet the truth laid behind the emerald colored eyes. There was no question now on how far their relationship had gone. No boundaries were left between the two; they were lovers. Then the other proverbial 'shoe' dropped. Anger flared and threatened to rip clear from the blond's chest. "Better yet," Tidus barked. "What he doesn't need is for you to make a WHORE out or him." The last part was said with such acid, intent to hurt.

Snarling, Riku grabbed Tidus' shirt and shoved him roughly against the wall. "What the fuck do you know!" Without warning, concern swelled up and sliced cut through Riku's anger driven haze. A small part of him recognized this divergent sentiment not as his own, but his lover's. He couldn't deal with it at the moment and chose to ignore the brunette's searching questions. Riku knew they, Tidus and he, always pushed each other, skirting the edge. Here, now, the blond had finally crossed the line. "You actually think I would treat him like that…. like a smudge on the side my boot…like trash? You think I treated any of those women like that? It was only for the love of the body and not the heart. I never led them on. They knew already what I was like." He increased his grip on the blonde's shirt tearing slightly at the seams. The blonde remained still. "Why? You want to know why?" Wild emerald eyes grew darker with barely suppressed emotion.

"It was never mine to give. Because he…" Riku's voice broke. For the first time, the heat of his words faltered. "…he's always had it…the love of my heart….Tidus, he IS my heart." Hands fell from Tidus' person. Silver tresses fell over his face as he pushed off from the blond, slowly backing away, eyes downcast.

Tidus on many occasions had been accused of being softer in the head than drift wood. Maybe the heated exchange tempered his attention. Whatever the reason, Riku's words tripped him mentally. Always had? What does he mean, Sora's always had? How is that even possible? He's got to be lying. If I take him at face value, I might as well open my mouth wider so he may pack in more bullshit. I know you best, fucker. I have seen for years all the women you've strung along and I refuse to see you do that to Sora. He's a good man, now a great friend and doesn't deserve to ever feel that, to feel rejection and I'll be DAMNED if I let Riku break him. Tidus turned and raced to the front door eager to leave. "It's bullshit." He growled under his breath not really caring if his friend heard him or not.

"What?" Emerald eyes rose to find the back of his friend walking toward the front door.

"Bullshit, Riku! BULLSHIT!" with that he slammed the door.

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Two pairs of tiny hands delicately traced along the rail framing the porch circling the house. Pale sections of old paint flaked at the twins' light touch. Damn this house needs a paint job as in like yesterday. Kairi was trying to keep her mind off things in general but something about Tidus' current outburst concerned her. He always had a short temper, much like her silver haired idiotic brother, especially with his friends; however, rarely was it more bite than bark. Smiles played along the children's faces oblivious to the tension in the air. She was trying hard not to think of what the two men inside were discussing. Squall stood on the tips of his toes barely leaning over while his counterpart peeped through the bars. It had taken some time to calm them down from their 'Uncle' Tidus' exclamation. Small bouts of giggles filled the air. She watched the trio before her. Kairi wasn't too sure what they were so interested in but Sora and the kids were having fun while she and Wakka were leaning against the house left to their own devices. They had left the two men back inside the house. She had seen many spats before between the two and figured they would be drinking and laughing soon enough celebrating their usual stupidity. Maybe it was a guy thing, to get all that man testosterone thingy out every now and then. She smiled a little at that thought. Wakka arched an eye brow in query and she motioned to him that it was nothing.

Again the twins squealed in delight. It appeared that Sora had the magic touch when it came to her little Squall and Quitis. She tried not to let that bother her, but as hard as she might, little bits of jealousy seeped through every now and then. It should be her instead of some stranger. It should be her that they connected to, wanted to be with. Kairi knows that it had nothing to do with Sora but the fact that there was something else going on that caused this. He was right, children always knew. She just didn't want to admit it.

She let her head fall back against the house wall. I guess Sora was family now. Riku would never settle for less. Back there in the kitchen, She caught the determination in Riku's domineer. He was serious, very serious about his feelings for Sora. Her brother had fallen hard. Watching the brunette, she couldn't help but wonder if there had never been a choice for the two men, as if they were destined for each other. Like fate…like soulmates…like the old wives tale of the poupi fruit had come alive and was using its hands to move them together, molding them. The ridiculous part was there has yet to be the exchange of the legendary fruit. It would help rationally explain the bizarre connection they had, sharing since they were very little according to Sora. There was no reason to believe him but deep within her the claim rang true. The redheaded woman studied the brunette's profile while lost in thought. He was beautiful; long chocolate color bangs that always fell to the front while the rest his hair cropped closely to his head framed his face nicely. Then there were his eyes, so expressive just like her brother's, shifting in intensity as did their moods.

Without reason, Sora suddenly whipped around to stare at the house. Concerned, his brows furrowed and eyes became clear and sharp. It was like he was privy to a disturbing conversation that no one else could hear. Riku? A chill ran up along her back. Her blue eyes followed his line of sight to see the front entrance thrown open.

"BULLSHIT, RIKU!"

SLAM!

The sound of solid wood cracking hard against the door frame shocked everyone silent. Sora and the twins were closest when the blond storm of fury swept past. Three pair of eyes fastened to the Tidus as he marched down the stairs making a beeline for the cars. He never acknowledged the other adults along the way.

A man can really get tired of this crap. Wakka sighed. Sadly the man's tirades were not unusual to him and surrounding friends and family; even though, there were many times they had wished they were.

SLAM!

The second physical affirmation of anger reverberated through the sides of the house effectively catching the attention yet again of the twins and present adults. Riku only saw the retreating form of the blond. Eager to catch up, he hastily scaled the stairs in one step and ran after Tidus. Both figures were a blur in the others' vision.

If asked later, Sora was taken aback by the hint of barely contained anger behind his love's beautifully emerald colored eyes, it towered above all else. So many things had changed over the last few days. The brunette watched Riku chase his friend. Something bad was said in the house while we were out here waiting. He felt everything as it happened. The confusion to hurt to rage, all hammered at him while he had played with the twins. The emotions were fierce were starting to make him nauseated, yet he schooled he face and no one was the wiser. Now with both men out, the flood was stronger and swirling in Sora's mind.

Riku, the beast born only to mow over the helpless good folk of the Destiny Isles according to Tidus, caught up with his roommate. Most that lived here, argued that this violent nature WAS his friend's way, all normal. Not even in the same ballpark to the truth, the silver haired snorted. In actuality, the man was for the most part a very laid back kind of guy. Yet today was different and Tidus, friend and confidant, had betrayed Riku in the most awful way. He had opened his heart and bore his soul and got laughed at for his troubles. It hurt.

"Kairi, take the kids inside." Riku whispered as he passed by. He wasn't even looking at her. All of his fury was directed at the blond walking swiftly away.

She went quickly to Sora for his opinion but his attention was glued fast to his lover and did not budge. Something was very wrong here.

"So what the fuck was that? Hey! HEY!" A desperate grab made contact, roughly jerking Tidus' shoulder back; the force throwing him around to glare straight into two intense green eyes blazing with an incredible flame. Almost as beautiful as Sora's. Tidus mused before emotions turned dark once more.

He slapped Riku hand away suggest the gesture as little more than disgust. "Don't touch me."

"What's your deal, Princess? PMS'ing?"

Clear blues heated at his new 'pet' name.

This is not happening. What is up with him? We fight all the time but this is different. "Look, Tidus, I was….that was the honest truth back there and I need…." Riku grabbed his own hair in frustration. "Fuck, out of the two of you I pegged Wakka and his homophobic ass to have more problems with this shit, but you….YOU took the cake." He paused for a moment to collect himself. He needed to calm down and reason with his friend, he needed this from Tidus. He needed his understanding and support and he had to make him understand. He had to tell him however he wasn't sure if he could actually say this. "Look, you are one of my closest friends and I need you to be with me on this. I need your acceptance."

"Why? When, we all know that you will lead him along like a fucking dog to lap at your hand until you tire and drop him like a fool."

"What the…" The sudden appearance of a hand in Riku's face quickly silenced from exercising his long practice art of cursing his friend's existence.

"Am I wrong?" Riku blinked at Tidus. The blond slowly shook his head. "Can you honestly tell me that was not what's happened in the past with the other poor girls all over these islands? Fuck…let's just include all of them because you fuck everyone that crosses your path and leave us to watch them pick up the pieces of their shattered hearts."

"WHAT? Yevon's word are you talking about?"

Now it was Tidus' turn to lose it. "You know EXACTLY what I am talking about! I'll be damned if I stand here and watch you pull the same shit on Sora. He is a good friend and deserves better!"

The two men never were completely oblivious to the audience standing behind them. Kairi was getting upset. Her children should not have seen their two favorite uncles having it out like this. Wakka felt the same; his gaze quickly traveled from the children to her. Their eyes met and he tilted his head to the house. Take them inside. Kairi slowly acquiesced. Wakka blinked his eyes and motioned again to the house. Take them. It will be ok, his eyes told her. She walked over and stood in front of the twins cutting off their view of the escalating fight. Both children looked with tears threatening to break forth. Her heart constricted at the sight. This was hurting them. Kneeling down she gathered them into her arms and stood up to walk steadily towards the house and safety. Both twins buried their heads into her neck; small whimpers leaked from under her hair. Oh, dears. I'm going to give them an ear full when this is over. It's bad enough with Ansem and her, but not with the others.

Wakka silently watched her retreat until she and the children were gone. Then the redhead returned his attention to the fight at hand. He looked at Sora who was held immobile by the flaring tempers. No one would blame him. This is by far the worse fight he'd ever seen between his two buds. The brunette appeared to be torn between defending his new lover and respecting Riku to handle his own fights.

"FUCK YOU! I would NEVER hurt Sora. I LOVE HIM!" Riku was so angry that spit was starting to fly from his mouth.

Sora wasn't too sure what to do. The situation was quickly spiraling out of hand. As if something was itching to get out; a festering wound just below the surface waiting to be torn open. All he was getting from his lover was that he was mad. Ok, mad might be a slight understatement. This connection that was developing between them was too new. He was having a hard time dealing with the heated exchange. His lover's emotions were physically affecting him along their link, if that is what one would call it. He felt a blazing heat traveling up his neck and higher the longer they fought, overload would aptly description. It was hurting him and at times he had to fight down the bile rising.

"Look, I know that I've never been the greatest with relationships but had it ever occurred to you that I couldn't. I am being the honest one here and I think it's YOU that can't handle it."

The blond stopped dead in his tracks. "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean, little thing called being truthful." Tidus frowned. Riku continued knowing full well that he was slinging mud now. "You have some interesting files on your computer."

"What? I don't know what you m…? Wha…what?" The blonde didn't know what to say. All brain functions stopped. Please say that he isn't talking about that… But looking at his friend's face, Tidus found to his horror that that was exactly what he was talking about. He never thought for a moment that anyone would find out about that. The blonde knew he was in the wrong and that this was his own damn fault but he had hoped he could forget…but nooooo…Riku had to stick his fucking NOSE where it DIDN"T BELONG. "That's none of your business. You shouldn't be looking at other people's stuff!" Tidus growled.

"That's certainly true and I'm sorry for that but…this makes it worth crossing that line." The other man sighed, suddenly all anger drained away and was replaced with tangible concern for his friend. "Why, Tidus?" The question barely above a whisper.

"THAT'S MY OWN BUSINESS!" His fists clenched tight against his sides, the nails biting so hard that blood began to drip down in between his fingers. "My choice, my decision!"

"The fuck it is. What are you afraid of? Are you not man enough to take a risk and live?" Last part was spoken more as a snarled.

No warning. Tidus suddenly launched himself sand sprayed behind him, fists flying.

This is going to hurt. Was Riku's last thought before his head snapped back and pain shot up the right side of his jaw, a second connecting near his eye. His head exploded with pain as he fell hard against the ground. The sand absorbed some of the force but it still hurt. Sora immediately raced to his fallen lover. Wakka ran towards Tidus throwing himself between him and his silver haired friend. He focused completely on Tidus leaving Riku to Sora.

Tidus' eyes were wild and his breath was coming out in short harsh pants. "Hey." Wakka began hoping to get the blonds attention. He abruptly snapped out of his reverie and quickly looked to the redhead then back again to two on the ground. The brunette was attending Riku. Sapphire colored eyes searched Riku's injuries. No one could miss the love and adoration the brunette held for his lover and to see it returned by brightly lit emerald eyes. He was mad, mad at Riku for evading his privacy, mad at not knowing what lie between Sora and his best friend, and lastly mad at himself; he had been wrong. Tidus wasn't thinking anymore. He had to get out of here. Ignoring the redhead, Tidus determinedly walked towards the jeep leaving everyone to their own. Once he reached the vehicle, in one tick he had the engine turned over, pealed out on the drive area, and sped off down the road to an unknown destination.

Sora held Riku's head in his lap. "You ok?"

His lover chuckled. Two ugly looking marks began to rise to the surface of his face. Sora lightly traced each one, making sure not to irritate the tender flesh too much. Riku stared at his love then settled for Sora's hand and brought it to his lips. "Yeah. Think so. The twins?"

Sora smiled leaning in touching his forehead to his lover's. "Inside."

Riku instantly regretted that his niece and nephew had to witness their uncles' fighting. The brunette's smile faltered. He knew. He couldn't say how Sky knew what he was feeling but he did. "Good."

"Your face?"

He chuckled some more leaning into Sora's gentle ministrations. "It hurts a bit. He hits harder then you'd think." Riku looks up at Sky tenderly forcing a heartfelt smile against the brief flash pain. "I'll be ok." They both looked to where the Jeep had been sitting earlier.

"Is he coming back?"

"I sure hope so, Sky. That was my baby he took on a joy ride."

"Sei." Sora said in a disapproving voice.

The other man's trademark smirk faltered. Sora's eyes saddened witnessing his love's hurt. Everything was in turmoil in Riku's head and Sora could feel every bit of it, saturating all of his senses. Nothing bad per say just a heightened awareness, now that the fight is over. Yes, there is definitely something perceptible, tangible growing between us. There's not really a name that I can attach to this, maybe a link, bond. Almost like one of those typical fantasy novels where the star-cross lovers feel their life mates or like something found in those cheesy erotic Harry Potter fanfictions I've read online here recently, compliments from prevy roommates. Two words, sick shit but I digress. Grabbing one hand securely and lightly lifting from under Riku's back, the brunette helped the other man to his feet. The redhead came up to the other side making sure his friend was alright.

"Riku?" Wakka questioned. No other words necessary. He was asking why the argument, the verbal war, the temper tantrum that followed and inevitably led to Tidus hitting his closest friend, all of that supported by one word.

Emeralds eyes closed and lamented the fight from ever occurring. "I'm at a loss." Bold red colored eyebrows arched disbelieving his friend's admission to own weakness. "He caught Sora and I using his computer earlier. Then from there he flew off the handle."

"He took your Jeep."

Riku growled at the redhead; every intonation laced with sarcasm. "YA! You think!"

"Come on." Sora grabbed the meat of his lover's shoulder, giving a small sound shake. "No good to think about it right now. We should be more worried about him. Will be he ok?" He squeezed to emphasize his point and distract his lover from going into a fit over Tidus. He a felt a strong hand firm grasp over his taking comfort from his presence. Riku was more shaken up by the fight then he was led to believe. No one spoke for a long time. The rhythmic push and pull of the ocean played in the background.

"He was acting weird earlier, ya? You know, before we got here." Both men looked to Wakka.

"Huh." Was the only indication that the taller man heard. Riku continued to stare intently at the road, small part of him hoping that this was all a joke. Never happened, but it did and now he was standing outside the house wondering what was really going on with his best friend. He would never admit it but his blond friend had hurt him deeply. Sure, all friends fought but this was different.

"This is the worse one yet."

Exactly, Riku agreed. He sighed letting hot air rush out, expelling all the frustration with it. He will have to sit down later and examine this….this gi-nomous crap of a headache the blond has turned the day into. "Come on, let's go back inside and check on sis and the kids."

Wakka hesitated once more looking to the retreating road; He had missed whatever had set off his childhood friend, something huge. "He needs to cool off, that all." He whispered more for himself. The redhead shut his eyes and shook his head quickly dispelling any unfavorable thoughts and followed the others inside.

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Wakka took the empty plates from the table, meals finished, satisfied bellies, and sleepy grins. Kiari had already taken to the showers as the rest of the adults finished cleaning the dishes and putting away leftover dinner for another time. Mostly likely later that night if the bottomless pits that live here have anything to say about it. The repetitive nature of washing lulled Wakka into calm meditative state. Not much really registered until a hand briefly squeezed his shoulder. Confused, the redhead looked up to see amused Sapphire color eyes staring back silently motioning him to look down. Wakka brows shot up in consternation when he locked onto a shock of brown hair attached to a tiny form. Squall had both of arms wrapped around Uncle Wakka's leg rubbing his face back forth. It was something he had always done as a baby up to now whenever he started to get tired. His heart melted. Adorable. Absolutely adorable. He smiled scooping up the young boy into his arms.

He wasn't alone. Quitis was already being carried by Uncle Riku while Sora shook his head mouthing the words 'too cute'. The tall silver haired man walked closer to whisper, not wanting to wake the two. "Where do you wasn't to put them?"

"Can we sleep here tonight?" Kairi spoke as she walked toward the three men.

"You can take my bedroom, ya?" Wakka supplied.

"You sure?"

"My room has the biggest bed and could fit you and the kids. I can take the couch or…." He blushed and paused trying to decide if he is correct to assume. "or I can take Sora's room." He supplied quickly.

Riku gasped in mock embarrassment. "Why, Wakka! You shameless prev. We would never…."

"Shut up, Riku!" His sister scowled, trying to keep her voice barely above a whisper. "You mostly definitely would."

Riku chuckled while Sora blushed. Discussion thankfully closed, thought the brunette.

She nodded reaching for Quitus. Riku kissed the tiny blonde head before handing over the sleeping girl to her mother. Kairi then suddenly kissed the other redhead on the cheek expressing her thanks and moved towards the mentioned room. Riku caught Wakka's attention; raised his brow while titling his head as if suggesting some ulterior motive for his sister.

Wakka promptly shot him the finger. You sick fuck.

Always. Riku grins.

Sora grabs his love's neck steering him to Riku's…no…their bedroom. Riku didn't resist. Why would he with that 'shitting eating grin' plastered all over his face. No question as to what he was thinking. Sora wasn't about to complain either. He's had the preverbal taste and now he wanted more, to consume all there was offered.

Silence filled the air as both men journeyed side by side, not saying a word. Sora sighed happily. This is nice. Talk later but now, this is nice. He closed his basking in the feeling of Riku. It was always calming to be near him, his presence alone seeping into his body while his emotions coated his own. What a day, was Sora's last coherent thought as he and his love closed the door to the bedroom.

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The faint smell of sex lingered in the air as if it was a light feather slowly descending to the ground.

"Sei, quit playing."

"Does it tickle?"

"No!"

"You sure?" Bouts of laughter flared. "You don't sound too sure."

"I…heheh...I'M SURE…gasp…hehhehheheh…no…heh…tickles!"

"mmmm still hearing no…..try again, Sky."

"HAHHAHAHAH….YES!" Torturer continued to assault his victim.

"Sky, yes what?"

"HAHAHA…YES….IT…HAHAHAHHA….TI..CKL..ESSSS!"

Hands stilled. "Ok." Sora breathed large amounts of air trying to calm down. Arms snaked around his waist pulling him closer to Riku's naked skin.

"I'll never get use to this."

"Mmm? What's that, Love?" Lips gently ghosted over the back of Sora's exposed neck. He groaned blissfully from Riku's ministrations.

"All of this. You, me, us. I don't want to ever forget or take for granted. I love touching you here." Taking Riku's hand and pressing it to his chest.

"Mmmm, I like that. What else?"

"I love you touching me here," Now, placing the hand over his heart.

Sora's meaning not lost, Riku gathered the smaller man closer hugging him firmly against his chest. "Yes. Sky, I have always known your touch there."

Both men laid still together content with the moment. "So, you going to tell me about what happened with Tidus or are you going to continue stalling?" Sora spoke breaking the comfortable silence.

"But I thought you liked MY way of stalling?" His breath brushed lightly along his neck sending tiny shivers down Sora's spine.

Oh! By all the Gods I most certainly do. Sora silently celebrated. However, incredible as it was, there had been something desperate in their love making. I know our current level of intimacy is still very new to me, his feelings and knowing when he is bothered are not. I can tell. He thoughtThe fight between the two friends cut Sei deeply. It's time they talked about it. "Yes, I did and I still do, now quit stalling."

Riku gently disentangled himself from Sora, rotating on to his back. He stared at the ceiling. "Gods, Sky." He sighed. "I really don't know."

"You don't know?"

He turned to face the brunette gathering some of his bangs. He twisted and twirled the soft strands through his fingers marveling at the softness. "So soft." He whispered.

"Riku."

Riku propped up his head onto his fist. He watched the light play across warm pools of blue. "It started out with the usual bullshit, pissy, stuff." Sora gave him a lopsided grin. "You know what I mean. Sky. He somehow figured out that we had used his computer and flipped. Yeah, he flipped alright. It was when you all went outside so that we could hash out his hissy fit when the over used cliché 'all hell broke lose' happened. Even I, his lifelong friend, through thick thin, was speechless."

Concern tickled the back of his mind where he staked as the place that he and Sky shared. "What happened? I don't know why but you are holding back. I can feel it." Sora softly stroked his love's face careful to not touch the ugly bruise there and followed the lines of his jaw to his neck. Riku's eyes feel shut from the sensation. "I won't break, Sei." He gently urged.

"I told him about us." The taller man screwed his eyelids harder together. "He said I was making you a whore and that I treated you no better than the women that graced my bed from before." A small chuckle reached Riku's ears persuading him to look again to his love. What's so funny?

Sora smiled. "Was that all? Sei, don't listen to him. Don't let that hurt you. I know that certainly isn't true."

"You believe me?"

"Always. You have to admit, though, we really put him on the spot with our news of us you know…how you and I are…"

"Mmmm…and what's what are we?" He purred.

"To pull a Riku, romantically involved ass bandits." That earned a genuine laugh from his lover. Sora smiled. "I can't imagine there are really that many people here on these small islands that prefer their own sex, though our situation was special to say the least. Tidus cares very much for you and is loyal to the end of ends. He'll come around."

"I really wish I could believe that. Sky, I think I really over did it this time."

"Sei?"

"I was being stupid and…and I read something I wish I hadn't. I can't tell you right now. I want to though; believe me please." Sora stared at the other man concerned. "I promise I'll tell you later. It's nothing bad per say I just need to think about it."

"Ok. I won't pressure you." His lover's body deflated as he sighed with relief. What happened? Sora wanted to ask.

Deft fingers grasped Riku's chin directing him to face his beautiful brunette. Lips tenderly descend against his. He knew in the back of his mind somewhere that Sky was telling him in his own silent way that they will definitely have this conversation again. Not because Sora needed to know but because he knew that Riku needed to talk about it.

Riku agreed to end present line of conversation and time to start a new one. "So, where do you think Goldie Locks went with my baby?'

"You mean that glorified lawnmower on wheels?" It took all self control Sora could muster to keep from laughing at the gapping fish impression Riku was attempting.

"L..LA…LAWNMOWER!" He sputtered.

"Mmmm."

"Bad, Sora, BAD. Be prepared to pay tenfold later tonight."

"A man could always hope."

Riku's turn to hum his approval, "So?"

"Who knows. Your parents maybe?"

"You met Cid. He's caustic at best. Tidus would explode within five feet of my father."

"You said he is good friends with Cloud, right? Good bet he went there."

"You're probably right. However, I willing to bet the hair off my balls that he only lasted thirty minutes." Deep azure eyes questioned, why 30? He chuckled, "Image one pissy Tidus standing before one very solid and opposing front door to be opened by one stoic Cloud. Words exchange.

Cloud — Silence.

Tidus— fidgets.

Cloud— stares at Tidus. "You can stay only if you help set up the house and get it ready for the coming party."

Tidus— Shrugs. "Sure. Whatever."

Enters Ansem. Why? Because for some obscure reason Cloud deems him a good friend and oddly enough so does Tidus. Ansem will most likely be staying there the whole time setting up the sound system and preparing other things up until the party. I think he was dropped on his head when he was a baby.

Tidus and he-bitch exchange words. Even though reluctant friends, Tidus is not in the mood.

Tidus— "I hate you."

Ansem— "I hate you too."

Cloud­— Glares, hard enough to kill, and scare both mens stifft.

Things quiet down then...

Ansem— "I fucking hate you!"

Tidus— "I really fucking hate you!"

Abino whore taunts and Blondie blows his top and tears out of it.

"Where would he go?"

"The only other place I can think of is Anders. But that may be just as bad."

"How so?"

Riku smirks. "Image the most maniacal manipulative information scouring leech asking for your soul in exchange for innocent food and lodging."

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Sounds of drizzle pitter pattered along the front porch. The blond shivered. He hadn't really planned for the rain, but he wasn't really thinking when he left. One might say that it was the same when he left Cloud's house. He and Ansem were friends, not great friends, but they grew up together and that counted for something. Yevon, can he push my buttons at the most inopportune times. And today was one of those times. Everything was cool until he just had to mention his distaste for Riku and his anger erupted. So now he was standing here waiting…well, he wasn't sure what he was waiting for. Dammit, Tidus get it over with. He hesitated then his knuckles hammered against the door heralding his presence.

It opened. A strong gaze scrutinized and evaluated the lone individual and reason why Tidus looked like a lost wet dog. "How long?"

"Not sure. At least until Cloud's yearly bash."

An eye brow lifted, curious. "You know the rules."

The blond resigned himself to the inevitable. "Yes Uncle. However, may I wait until after dinner before I spill my guts before you and the world?"

"Take all the time you need as long as you tell me everything. There are extra clothes in the spare." The blond only nodded as he shuffled through into the house. Mr. Anders watched him disappear down the hall before he closed the door for the night.

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A/N: Yeah, I know. Runs behind bus to hide from rocks flying at me Let's just say that this chapter was a complete WHORE and life majorly happened. Bus backs up and runs me over instead and the crowd cheers Right. Ok, hope you like this chapter, next one is hopefully going to bust some stitches then from there next chapters are angst baby angst then the end. Well, sort of like that. I am thinking 4 more chapters.

Those of you that read Torn Edges, YES, I am working on the next chapter. cringes I have to endure an arm sized stake up my butt, compliments from my friends, until I post it.

Anyhoo…. :)