Princely Garbs 13

Leon started to wake up, the feeling of something warm holding his hand grabbing his attention. His first reaction to the feeling was to draw his hand away, but the softness coming from the warmth was only able to make him open his eyes instead. He stared up at the ceiling, trying to get his thoughts together, not sure where he was or but definitely being able to tell that he wasn’t home. No, nothing in this room even screamed home, from the tall ceilings to the strange mixture of blue and white colorings on the walls. Just where was he anyway? If he was being held prisoner, then this was a nice bed he was being given.

No…this doesn’t feel like a prison at all…is this the Magic Kingdom?

His hand was encapsulated by a warmth he craved causing him to sit up and look down finding Cloud leaning against the side of the bed he was sitting on, asleep. Looking down, Leon found the reason for the warmth he felt. Cloud’s hand was gently wrapped around his holding it, the grip not completely lose despite the fact that Cloud looked like he was deep in sleep.

But then he’s a soldier, we’re never that far into sleep.

Leon smiled though, hesitating for a moment before he reached down and brushed Cloud’s spiky hair out of his eyes, unable to help thinking how beautiful Cloud looked when he was asleep. Of course he wasn’t ready to admit anything further to himself to follow that comment. He still considered himself a soldier first and foremost. Things like these foreign feelings he didn’t even know anything about didn’t need to be interfering with his work. Being that Cloud was a fellow comrade and also a commander like him, he couldn’t help having his worries sometimes though. He knew there was something else there, something that even Cloud was avoiding, enough so that he’d find any excuse to get away from Leon.

Maybe I’m reading too much into this again.

"Mm…." Cloud shifted slightly, tensing up slightly when he felt the hand on his head. He squirmed slightly, frowning for a second, probably trying to decide what had disturbed his sleep as he opened up his eyes tiredly. From the confused look that shined in his eyes, he probably didn’t expect to see a pair of darker eyes staring back at him in return.

"Morning," Leon said quietly, not wanting to alarm Cloud with a loud voice, the quietness of the room actually making things feel real comfortable.

Cloud blinked, like was trying to register what was happening himself before a slight tint of red glowed in his cheeks. "Uh…m-morning." He rubbed his head turning away as he let out a yawn looking, in that moment, even more adorable to Leon. And that very thought made Leon frown as he tried not to think about it. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I’ve been sleep for a few days." Leon continued to watch the oblivious blond, unable to help staring at how good he looked while he was sitting there, stretching his arms over his head looking pretty flexible. He caught Cloud glancing at him, but the other quickly looked away. This was pretty usual, the whole glance and look away thing. Cloud seemed to be fond of doing it, that or very unaware of his bad habit. "How long was I out?"

Cause it sure feels like I’ve been out for a while.

"Four days," Cloud said standing to his feet finally, before looking down at Leon, having himself under better control now that he was fully awake. "Stay put. I’m going to go get one of the healers to take a look at you."

"Wait." Leon frowned, unable to stop the blond soon enough as the male left the room leaving him to himself for the moment. Once again, it seemed as though Cloud was running away from something. It was something that involved Leon, something that Leon didn’t even know about. At least, that’s how Leon felt about it when he thought about it. If he were in a better position to move, he would have made it to the door to block it and demand answers of Cloud. Instead, he could do nothing but stay in bed and wait for the blond to return with a healer.

He looked down at his chest from where the blankets that had been covering him moments before were now lying in his lap, unused. He couldn’t really remember much of what had happened before now…He did remember seeing those three guys, he remembered he told Cloud to run and take care of the keyblader. So why was he here again and alive? The last thing he remembered was that guy, the one with the eye patch shooting him.

Organization XIII….

There had been two others with that guy too. And they hadn’t done a thing. If only one of those guys could hurt him like they did then what exactly were they up against? Could they really defeat any of them at all? No…whether they could or not wasn’t an option. They had to fight either way, to protect their king, the kingdom, and both princes.


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"Riku, wait!"

Frowning, Riku lowered his sword and looked at Sora. He took notice of the sweat soaking Sora’s forehead, causing his brown hair to stick to his forehead, his usually spiky hair actually drooping down. The other panted, the keyblade he’d summoned disappearing from his hands as he rested his hands on his knees to try and help regain his strength. They’d both agreed that Sora needed to practice using his keyblade.

So far, in only three days, Sora had managed to summon the keyblade without hesitation. He was even starting to fight better with it, though fighting and maintaining the keyblade’s physical form seemed to be draining a lot out of him. It made Riku wonder just how long it must have taken the king to learn how to do it? How did King Mickey manage to use his keyblade like it was nothing? He’d only seen Mickey fight in training, but that was enough to know just how skilled Mickey was. And he was…very skilled.

"What’s the matter now?" Riku asked, feeling the need to tease him, more or less wanting to see that cute little pout that always appeared on Sora’s face when he was being picked on. "Can’t handle losing?"

"It’s not like that?" Sora yelled out, pouting before a frown showed up on his face. "I…just…" Riku watched Sora, noticing how the other seemed to be fidgeting under his stare. Unless he was seeing things, he actually saw a little tint of red in Sora’s cheeks.

Nah, must be my imagination.

"You’re worried about Leon, aren’t you?" He remembered the look on Sora’s face when they had returned with an injured Leon in tow. He’d been scared, worried, and shocked, something he was just now getting over. He did calm down a bit after the healers told them all that Leon’s condition wasn’t fatal and that he just needed some rest now to regain his energy. It made Riku feel bad a little for not telling Sora what happened. He himself was relieved that Leon was safe but…a part of him was worried about the fact that Leon was alive when he should have been dead. What happened on the other side of that door that they didn’t know about?

Maybe he’s really a cockroach.

"Um…" Looking down, Sora gave out a sigh as he nodded his head. "Yeah…sorry. I just…after seeing those wounds I’m kinda…worried still." Even though the healers had healed Leon up nicely, he hadn’t woken up for four days. Was he trapped inside his mind now, refighting the battle?

"Me too," Riku smiled at the younger boy, the same boy whom he was infatuated with. At least, he felt he could admit that to himself now. He had an obsession with his best friend. He felt that he might even be in love with him. But…how could he tell him that? Especially since he wasn’t sure Sora felt the same way.

Especially if Sora really likes Kairi….

"You know him. He’ll be ok," Riku continued deciding that now wasn’t the time to be thinking about this. Smirking, he did the Leon pose, giving an exaggerated sigh as he rested his fingers to his forehead looking a perfect copy of the tall brunet that was their commander. "Remember your training, no matter the situation," Riku said mimicking Leon before looking at Sora, "is what he’d be saying right now."

Sora couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped his lips. "Yeah, you’re right." The laugh died on his lips, but he continued to smile, making Riku’s heart beat faster at the sweet look. Why oh why did he have to be so into him? "Still, can we take a break and go see him?"

"Slacker!" Riku yelled out, the smile contagious despite himself. "Let’s go then, big baby."

"Alright!"


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"Leon, you’re awake!" Sora yelled from the door, eyes wide, Riku standing behind him smirking over his shoulders.

Leon grunted in return, though his lips twitched in a smile. It didn’t look like much changed about them, though Riku still held a very protective stance over Sora, as if he were worried something might come out and attack the smaller boy. "I hope you’ve been training while I was sleep."

Riku chuckled as he slid past Sora, his hand resting on Sora’s shoulder for a second. "No change there."

"How are you feeling?" Sora asked as he walking over, his cheeks a bit red, probably from that lingering touch to his shoulder.

"Just fine," Leon said before tilting his head towards the door. "Cloud just stepped out to find a healer."

Riku blinked, actually showing a bit of surprise at the comment. "Well I’m surprised. He hasn’t left the room since we got you back here."

Leon’s eyes widened a bit, surprised to know the blond had even did that. By the way he ran out of the room so quickly, you wouldn’t have known he actually cared.

No…I’m reading too much into it.

Sora beamed, rubbing a finger under his nose, almost like he could see the red blush Leon felt on his face. "You should be lucky to have such a good friend."

Riku wiggled his nose, glancing at Sora and making a face. "Course that means he hasn’t bathe for three days straight." That of course brought a bout unbidden thoughts of Cloud naked in the bath. Leon could smell the scent of soap on that beautiful naked body as water cascade from his hair to his-

Leon cleared his throat as he looked at the two teens, staring back at him in curiosity. "How has training been?" He might as well change the subject, right? Right. Besides, it’s not like it’s any of their business what goes on in his mind. Honestly, he should train himself to have better control of his thoughts, so they wouldn’t run away from him again like that. Last thing he needed was to have a tent poking up underneath the blanket, something he really didn’t want to have to explain to any of them.

"Ah, you’re awake."

"King Mickey!" Sora turned around, a small blush appearing on his cheeks as he stared at the tall male with black hair walking over to them. Strange, one teen looked elated while the other was…angry? Leon took note of how Riku was glaring over at the guy. Wait, who was this Mickey guy anyway? "He’s the king of Magic Kingdom," Sora yelled out excitedly, answering Leon’s unasked question with no problem. "He’s so cool and his fighting skills are so awesome!" The way Sora’s eyes were sparkling like star-filled night, Leon could tell he admired the king. The king himself looked pretty relaxed, smiling kindly at them all. But being a soldier himself, Leon could see that the other was also ready for battle, weapon or not. And the way Sora spoke so highly of him…he must be something.

The guy named Mickey laughed as he smiled down at the short boy staring up at him in adoration. "I’m sure I’m not as great as your commanders. They must be far more skilled than I am."

"Like a mouse with a piece of cheese," Riku muttered, though it was loud enough that the others heard him.
Mickey blinked at him before laughing.

"A mouse with cheese, how rich," he said smiling Riku with a glow in his eyes. "I guess you could say I’m like a mouse…in many ways."

"Hehe, yeah." Sora added resting his hands behind his head. "I think mice are cute," he continued, blushing slightly not even noticing the angry look Riku tossed the king’s way. Well…that look definitely can’t be good. Apparently, Riku was harboring some really nasty feeling towards this king. "Oh that reminds me." Sora blinked and glanced up at Mickey again. "I really want to know…can you transform like how Chip and Dale did?"

"I could…but I won’t." Mickey laughed at the disappointed look he got. "It’s not quite time yet for you to see. It’s in that form that I use my keyblade best though. But," he said, holding up a finger to stop Sora’s protesting, "If you keep practicing like you’re doing now, I’ll definitely let you see it."

…See what? What does he mean transform?

Could they even trust this guy to begin with? He didn’t even know a thing about this Mickey guy, king or not.

But if Cloud trusts him….

No wait…why would something like that matter? Wasn’t Cloud the one they needed to be careful of? But he found himself feeling that maybe he was wrong to begin with for even thinking that Cloud would betray them. Besides…those glowing red cheeks and that innocent stutter had to have meant something….

Or…am I just hoping it did?

Leon frowned slightly. For all he knew, Cloud was just trying to trap him…but then again he’d known the guy for a pretty long time, at least twelve years. If Cloud had wanted to harm him then he wouldn’t have bothered coming back, he wouldn’t have gave out such a worried yell when the red shots fired from their enemy’s gun.

He wouldn’t have stayed with me day and night worrying….

"Your boys have been doing a good job with training," Mickey said gaining Leon’s attention again. He seemed oblivious to the glare Riku was still sending his way. Well…if he did notice, he didn’t give any indication of it.

"Oh really?" Leon looked to the two, seeing a smile on one face and a sour scowl on the other. Well, at least one of them appreciated the compliment. Then again, who was he to say anything? He wasn’t much for saying thank you and you’re welcome himself. Maybe the most respect he’d give anyone, besides his king, was a quick nod for thanks. The most his king got out of him was a quick fist against his chest over his heart, more or less his salute to the king. Thankfully, Ansem didn’t expect much else out of him, which was indicated by the knowing smile the king gave him.

"Yes, they have," Mickey continued, glancing out the corner of his eyes at the two boys. "Sora is especially getting really good with the keyblade. He can now summon it without so much as a hesitation, and his fighting skills with the new weapon have been improving greatly. It’s obvious he’s of the royal blood of Kingdom Hearts." He smiled down at Sora, resting a hand on the young male’s shoulder. "He’s just like his father was."

"Aww geez, it was nothing," Sora said rubbing a finger under his nose, though he was grinning like crazy causing Riku to frown at the look.

"Two of my best friends will be coming back soon," Mickey said turning away from them. "So until then, why not just relax and have a nice dinner." Mickey glanced over at Leon as if he knew the other was about to protest. "Thinking and plotting normally comes best on a full stomach and a nice fulfilling rest." The smile stayed on his face as he glanced at the three of them, the look in his eyes leaving Leon to wonder just how old this guy was. He couldn’t have been more twenty something…but his eyes seemed to say he was far older than that. "I’ll contact Merlin soon to see how things are going in Radiant Garden," he said looking at Sora smiling. "So just be patient a little longer, please." He walked over to the door and opened it, pausing again before he looked at the young keyblade master. "In the mean time, keep practicing with the keyblade. There will be a time where you will have to-"

"Leeeeoooooonnnn!" A fast blur ran past them all, attaching itself to Leon leaving everyone staring around in confusion before figuring out what it was. "You had us scared to death!"

Leon lips twitched slightly as he tried to dislodge the girl from him then gave a sigh of defeat, instead just patting her head slightly. "Sorry Yuffie. I’m fine now."

"You better be!" She sat up, sending him a mock glare, not that a real one could have defeated the glare king. "Cloud would have been sooooo upset if something had happened to you!"

…Wait…what?

Leon felt his cheeks redden and closed his eyes, grunting with a hand against his forehead even though none of that helped to slow the rapid beating of his heart. "Being fellow comrades," he started, saying something he was always saying the others when it concerned him and Cloud, though why he always felt like he had to explain himself, he wasn’t sure, "it is only logical that sometimes-"

"Oh, don’t go pulling that whole comrade thing!" Yuffie yelled out, resting her hands on her hips as she really did glare down at him this time. Not that he felt bothered by her glare. He didn’t think he did a damn thing wrong. And honestly, he didn’t. He was only telling the truth. "Cloud really lo-"

"If you guys are done talking about me when I’m not around," Cloud said, blushing and looking a bit offended as he stood at the door, almost missing Yuffie’s startled jump as she glanced at him guiltily, "I brought the healer." He looked at their faces for a second, eyes pausing on Leon the longest before he turned walking off.

"Ah, Cloud wait!" Yuffie didn’t hesitate to chase after him. The rest of them could only stare after the retreating blond. This wasn’t surprising, at least it wasn’t anymore. Normally, Cloud wouldn’t have cared or said a thing about it, but there were a few times he seemed to really be frustrated at the others, especially with anything that involved him and Leon.

Does that make me special…in a creepy way?

"Yuffie’s big mouth has done it again," Riku said under his breath.

"Naturally," Leon replied, trying to will the light pink color in his cheeks to go away. With Mickey looking at him in confusion, he sighed and decided to try and explain it the best way he could. "Yuffie’s big mouth is normal, no matter what the topic is."

"Oooh."

Sora blinked, still being the oblivious of the group, his thoughts having not made it past the last comment Yuffie had been about to say. "um…what was she going to say?" he asked, causing three pairs of eyes, four if you considered the healer still standing at the door, to look at him.

"Maybe when you’re older," Leon said smacking his forehead. He wasn’t looking forward to having to sit down and talk to the boys about the facts of life, things like…the birds and the bees. Or the bees and the bees in their case.

"Oh yes," Mickey said earning the attention of the group again, each pair of eyes looking at him with different types of emotion shining in them. "I came to tell you all that dinner’s ready. You can go eat when you’re ready."

"Oh man, I’m starving too!" Sora yelled out grinning like an idiot.

Sora ran out of the room, Mickey starting to follow behind him before he paused by the healer, talking to him. "Do you think you could run make Commander Leon here a plate of food before you start? With three full days of rest, I’m sure he must be quite hungry. And please, take your time with it."

"Yes, Your Highness," the healer said before he bowed and left out of the room.

Mickey watched the healer leave before turning to Leon with a smile. "Please, relax and rest as much as possible so that you can heal quickly."

"I will thanks." Leon sat there in the bed, watching the king walk out of the room. Riku glared after Mickey’s retreating back before he turned starting to follow him out.

"Riku…."

Riku stopped walking but he didn’t bothering turning around. His shoulders were tense as if he knew what was about to be said…then again maybe he did know.

He’s not dumb…never has been.

"You seem to be having a problem with the king here," Leon said frowning when the boy didn’t even bother to look at him.

"No…I’m not." Riku started to move again, heading for the door.

""Is this about Sora…or your wedding…." Riku stopped walking again, that being enough to gain his attention even though it was obviously the last thing Riku wanted to be reminded of. "I can see you don’t like King Mickey, probably because you feel like Sora’s getting too attached to him."

"That’s…not…."

"Still, your obligation should be to princess Namine," Leon said easily, not giving Riku a chance to finish his sentence. Even if he did disagree with prearranged marriage, sometimes it was required of a kingdom for several reasons. In this reasoning, it’d bring Radiant Garden closer to Hallow Bastion, giving a better alliance between King Ansem and King Sephiroth. "…why marry someone I don’t know or even like?"

"Because, you need an heir…you need a woman." Leon frowned, the words feeling dead to him. Maybe this wouldn’t have been necessary if Riku had actually had a brother or a sister, but being the only living child to his parents didn’t really help the case. The same could be said of Sora, at least as far as he knew anyway. Without heirs, the bloodline would die…then who would lead the country? Well there was Kairi, but she wasn’t ruler material, at least not in a world where men made the dictatorship. "You need someone who can bare children."

"I don’t care about that!" Riku blurted out loudly, not caring whether anyway had heard him or not. He was wired, probably more than he should have been since he’d been holding all of this inside. But this wasn’t his first time voicing his disagreement on this…hence why he had to meet with the king on so many occasions. In fact, Leon still wasn’t sure what caused Riku to finally agree in the first place. "I never asked to be a prince!" A true statement. No one asked to be put in the position they were in. Maybe if Riku wasn’t the prince…maybe if Sora weren’t a prince of his own land…maybe then….

"And just like how you have obligations to your kingdom, so does Sora," Leon continued. "Sora is the only survivor to his kingdom. He will need an heir for his kingdom to survive. Someone he knows he can trust…someone like Kairi."

"…Are you done?" Riku didn’t bother to look at him. He looked calm, but the clenching of his fist at his sides showed otherwise. Riku was not happy…and who was Leon to blame him? If the situation were swapped, he wouldn’t be happy either. If he was being told he couldn’t be with Cloud beca-

Wait…why am I thinking about Cloud?

Leon noticed that Riku seemed to be waiting for a reply, and he frowned before giving a slight nod of his head. "Yes…for now," Leon said, eying the boy’s back noticing the tension in his shoulders. After this, he was probably planning to go vent his frustration, probably with some hard training. That was just the way Riku got. When he was mad or upset, instead of crying, instead of yelling and screaming, he’d grab his sword up and he’d fight. Normally at the air if there was no training dummies to practice. "Go get something to eat then get some rest for tomorrow."

"…" Riku didn’t say a word as he left out of the room, letting the door close behind him. Rather he’d do what Leon said or not, he didn’t know. Why? Why did this all have to be so difficult? Leon sighed as he rubbed at his forehead tiredly. He was getting too old for this.

"Mr. Leon sir?" The voice drew Leon’s attention back to the door to find the healer standing there, a plate of steaming food on a plate in his hand. "Are you ready, sir?"

"Yes," Leon said giving up. "I’m ready." Though ready for what, he wasn’t sure. He felt like the question was for something else all together.

TBC...