Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Dirge ❯ Warmth ( Chapter 12 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

: Dirge

Pairing: CloudXRiku!

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I don’t own KH, Square Enix does.

Warnings: Yaoi , and violence, and bad language, lots of language.

Music: Flyleaf- I’m So Sick

Prompt: Sin


The following days were spent recovering and talking to Cloud. It seemed that, with Sora injured, the group was unable to do any more work, and although Squall complained about it a lot, Cloud was free to spend the time doing whatever he wanted, namely spend time with Riku.

Not that they could do much. Most of the time Cloud and Riku just spent the time sitting on the roof talking about random things. Somehow, the subject always turned to someone’s past. Riku soon knew the history of every person living in the gang as well as if he had spent years with them. Cloud explained everything he wanted to know, and even encouraged him to ask questions.

“It shows you’re smart.” He told Riku once. “There is no such thing as an honest stupid question.”

“I’ve never heard anyone say it like that before.” Riku responded. “What do you mean by honest?”

“Well, when Zack told me once that there was no such thing as a stupid question I replied with ‘Ok, now can I take all the money and supplies and dump them in the river?’”

Riku tried to suppress a laugh, but he wasn’t able to hide his smile. “You are so weird.”

“Who are you calling weird?”

“You obviously.”

Cloud smiled at Riku and was about to come back with a witty reply when a man waved at them from several buildings away.

“Who’s that?” Riku asked. The man was walking toward them, and he didn’t look happy.

“That’s Vincent….But I don’t know what he’s doing so far over here…” Cloud frowned and stood up. “Stay here.” he told Riku.

The order didn’t please Riku, and he had a strong urge to do the exact opposite of what Cloud asked, but the serious look on both his face and Vincent’s made Riku think better of it.

Cloud met Vincent on the next roof. The angle they were at made it impossible for Riku to read their lips, but at the deepening of Cloud’s troubled expression Riku knew something was up.

Finally, not being able to stand just sitting there, Riku stood up and walked over to where the two men were standing.

As he neared, he heard Cloud say in a hushed voice. “You’re sure he’s moving the date up? Even with Sora’s injury?”

“Yes, that was why I came up. Roxas isn’t ready for scouting and Sora’s too badly injured. As it is you’ll be going with one less person, and security is bound to be tighter after that explosion.”

“We could delay it until Dirge. The extra time might make the difference. Sora would be ready by then.”

“We can’t wait that long. The assets are already running low and you know it. That boy you took in eats more than Axel did, and we’re living off the dregs of our cash. We got nothing out of the last raid, sold all of our stock, and then lost another 100 gold for the kid. I’m sorry Cloud, but you’ll have to use what you have and move forward.”

Cloud licked his lips and looked down. Riku immediately noticed the nervous habit he had of slightly shaking his head so his hair would shift in front of his eyes. “Alright.” Cloud replied. “We’ll do it Squall’s way. We’ll leave tomorrow, think you’ll be ready by then?”

“I’m fine Cloud. And don’t worry, things will go smoothly.”

“Yeah well, this will be the first time going in with only 2 people. If only Sora hadn’t gotten hurt…”

“If onlys won’t do us any good.” Vincent replied. “Cloud you’re starting to fall apart. What’s going on? Squall has had to save this family from going down the drain several times now.”

“I’m sorry Vincent. I….I’m just trying to cope alright?”

“You never should have gotten emotionally involved, you know that Cloud.”

“I was young and stupid. Lay off it alright? I’m fine, I’m over it.”

“I don’t really believe that, but it’s your choice. Just don’t drag everyone else down with you.”

“… Is that all?”

“Yes. I’ll be staying here with you guys until the operation is pulled off. Then I’m out of here, I have other things I need to get done.”

“Fine….”

The two men continued to talk, they still hadn’t noticed Riku standing there. Taking advantage of the oversight, Riku backed up away from them to sit back down where he had been before. Thoughts whirled through his head uncontrollably. Thoughts about what Vincent had said, about Cloud being emotionally attached. Weren’t all the gang members attached emotionally? But then again, Riku couldn’t remember anyone being overly emotional about Sora’s wound. Or even much mourning over the boy Axel. The more Riku thought about it, the more it made sense to him. That had been why Squall had gotten so mad about Cloud buying him, and why Squall always gave Cloud a hard time. The compassion the older man showed didn’t really show in the others. Not even Sora was as warm. Maybe that was what the growing attraction Riku was feeling was attached to, Cloud’s warmth.

“Riku?” Riku’s head whipped up at the sound of Cloud’s voice. Vincent was already making his way down the stairs, but Cloud stood a few feet away. For the first time, Riku was able to look him in the eyes.

“Cloud?” Riku asked. He hesitated a moment, not sure if he could really ask Cloud what was on his mind, then after deliberating it, he moved forward. “Could you come here for a moment?”

Cloud blinked and nodded, then made his way over to crouch in front of Riku. “What?” he asked.

Riku looked to make sure Vincent was gone, then sat up on his knees, so that he was level with Cloud’s head. Before he could convince himself that it would be stupid or sappy, he leaned forward and embraced Cloud tightly while burying his head into the blonde’s neck. Riku felt Cloud stiffen at the touch, but he didn’t care, he just pulled the older man closer and whispered in his ear.

“Emotions are a good thing, I don’t care what Vincent says.”

“You…you heard?” Cloud asked quietly.

Riku nodded against Cloud’s neck and tried to hug the man tighter. “You’re warmer than everyone here, I don’t want you to ever lose that. Please…”

Riku opened his eyes as he felt Cloud’s arms wrap around him tightly. “Thank you Riku. You don’t know how much that means to me.”