Until We Bleed

Consequence

Hi, sorry for the long wait. It was too long, and that's all I have to say. I hope you enjoy, and I'll try to be more productive for you guys, you deserve that much from me.

...

Roxas knows what he's doing is wrong, he knows this and yet he can't bring himself to care. Because if he allows himself to care, he'd have to give up his only hope of getting over Axel. Sure, he knows using Sora like this is beyond messed up. Sora's his best friend, Sora actually cares about him. How is Roxas repaying all of that kindness and years of friendship? By basically forcing him to cheat on his partner. Riku doesn't deserve it, Sora doesn't deserve to do it, but Roxas wants it. He wants someone to love him enough for him to forget about Axel. But it's not working, and Sora always looks so guilty now. 

Riku almost caught them kissing the other day, and Sora looked like he was going to burst into tears. Roxas is sure Riku knows something is going on, but he has yet to confront them. Riku's his friend, too, so why is he okay hurting him like this? And Sora? Sora doesn't deserve this, either. Roxas knows this, but as the days go on, he can't help but care that his actions are going to tear them apart. He doesn't really want to ruin their relationship, he doesn't even see Sora in a romantic light and yet here he is, manipulating Sora, playing with his emotions.

I have to stop, it's not working anyway. Roxas sighs, sitting on the living room couch alone in the dark. Two weeks since he kissed Sora the first time, two weeks too long to realize his desperate attempt is only hurting the people who care about him. The lights suddenly flicker on and Roxas turns towards the stairs, slightly confused as it's two in the morning. Riku is standing at the edge of the staircase, anger burning in his eyes. They just stare at one another for a few moments before Riku storms over to the couch and crosses his arms, "I'm giving you one chance, and one chance only. Tell me the truth, Roxas. Who's idea was it to cheat on me? Sora's or yours."

Roxas is taken aback, Sora actually told him.. Riku just glares, awaiting his answer. Roxas frowns lightly, standing before facing Riku fully, "I want to talk to Sora."

"Why?" Riku scoffs, "To get your stories straight?"

Roxas' eyes narrow, but he says nothing. Riku shakes his head, "I can't believe this, I opened my home to you, multiple times and this is how you repay me?! By fucking my fiancé?!"

Roxas blinks, he didn't know that, "You guys are getting married?"

Riku laughs bitterly as he starts to pace behind the couch, "Not anymore."

"Hey.." Roxas suddenly feels so bad, he didn't know they were going to get married, he didn't expect Riku to break up with Sora. If they're not getting married anymore, they must be breaking up, right? Movement at the top of the stairs gets Roxas' attention, and he stares solemnly, seeing Sora standing there, just watching them. Even from here, he can tell Sora's been crying. They must have had the quietest argument ever, because Roxas heard nothing before Riku came downstairs. Roxas looks back at Riku, "Did you hurt him? When he told you?"

That stops Riku in his tracks. He looks at Roxas with a look of shock and disgust, "What?"

"When Sora told you he cheated, did you hurt him back?" Roxas clarifies, even though he's sure Riku knew exactly what he meant before.

Riku just stares at him, blinking in confusion for a moment before he answers, "No, of course not. I would never raise my hand against him. I'm not going to hit you, either. I'm angry, not a psychopath."

"Good.." Roxas replies softly, glancing away, "It was me, though. Sora didn't even want to, I convinced him because I knew he had feelings for me."

The room is silent, no one really knows how to react. Sora had told Riku he did it unbidden, and now it's clear he wanted to protect Roxas. But Roxas doesn't need protection from Riku, he meant what he had said, he wouldn't lash out at either of them like that. Riku sighs, running a hand through his hair, "Do you have feelings for him?"

The question catches Roxas off guard and he looks back at Riku questioningly. Riku just stares at him and Roxas frowns, biting his bottom lip lightly. The answer is that he doesn't, but he can see Sora watching them, and clearly Riku is unaware of this fact. Sora's his best friend, but does he truly want to be with him romantically? The answer doesn't change. He sighs, shaking his head, his voice soft when he speaks, "I don't."

The bedroom door upstairs slams shut and both Roxas and Riku look to the stairs and Riku curses. He looks back at Roxas, "I'm not kicking you out, but whatever you were doing with Sora, it ends now, do you understand? He doesn't deserve to be hurt like that. And after everything I've done for you, neither do I. How can I trust you again, Roxas? Now every time I leave you alone with Sora, I'm going to wonder. I don't want that stress, so just.. If I'm not in the same room with the two of you, stay away from Sora, got it? If you can do this for me for a month at least, I'll trust you again."

He then turns and rushes back up the stairs. Roxas sits back on the couch, heaving a heavy sigh. Riku's too forgiving. He closes his eyes, leaning back, Is that really all he wants from me? There has to be more to it, right? They're both just.. Too good. I don't deserve friends like them. He opens his eyes and sits up before standing and walking over to the stairs. He was going to simply turn off the light and try to go to sleep. He looks up the stairs, he can hear their voices, but not what they're saying. He sighs and turns away, flipping off the light and making his way back to the couch. He lies down and pulls the blanket up that's always just left on the couch for him. He closes his eyes and sighs, hoping that he didn't ruin their relationship too much. He never wanted that to be the outcome. I've said it once, and I'll say it again. I'm just too selfish.