Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ Out of My Element ❯ By My Side ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter 11: By My Side

 

Axel hummed thoughtfully, placing the pen tip to his mouth as he did so before lowering the utensil and writing the finishing touches to his paper. It was Wednesday again, the days after returning home had gone by with nothing of interest. In fact, everyone had seemed to step right back into the rhythm of normal life. Demyx hadn't skipped a beat before returning to school. Axel had gone to work the day after and Reno as soon as they'd dropped the two off. Everything progressed as if nothing had ever happened and it was probably for the best. The weekend following the funeral, Demyx had not eaten well or slept much, not that it showed through his bright attitude. Putting the whole thing behind them seemed to be the best cure for his ailments.

Just a half an hour before, they'd finished eating dinner and now, side by side, Demyx and Axel worked on bookwork. Already, it seemed Demyx was struggling but Axel tried to ignore the fact and continued on with what he was doing. After all, he didn't have time to figure out what Demyx's problem was with the text before him; he had his own theorems and figures to work out.

A low growl rose in the back of Demyx's throat, and Axel glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Pencil clamped tightly in his jaws, Demyx gnawed angrily at it with his pearl white teeth. A moment later he removed the wooden instrument and licked at it just slightly before fiddling with it in his fingers. Why Axel was so captivated by the behavior, he couldn't say.

Silencing the growl, Demyx closed his eyes in frustration and, for a moment, Axel believed the incident was over; he was wrong. Quite suddenly, Demyx slammed his text book shut, shoved it forward, and stood up with a yowl of aggravation, “I just don't get it! Why do I have to even learn this crap?! When in the world would I need to know what pi equals, or how to find the stupid area of a triangle?! Huh?! I'm a musician! I don't care what the difference is between a theory or a law! And I sure as hell don't need to know what 12x12 equals! It's all just too confusing! Multiplications and divisions, and shapes with their stupid-their stupid- Augh! Shapiness!” Slumping over the counter, Demyx covered his head with his hands and Axel turned his head and propped it up on his arm as he watched silently, “I hate math! And numbers! And I hate the stupid symbols and equations!” Letting out a snarl of resentment Demyx lifted his head, “And science! Who cares how the world works as long as it does?! With all its logical reasonings restraining and snuffing out the creative spirit! This is no way to live- Nuh uh! I just wanna sit down, and mix some music, and sing to my heart's content… Is that so much to ask?” Demyx plopped back down into his chair and rested a cheek in his palm as he looked over at Axel, “I don't want to sit in class for hours learning about stuff I'm never going to use, god, it's not fair. Isn't that, like, considered cruel and unusual punishment or-?”

Axel placed his index finger against Demyx's forehead, silencing the teenager. Their eyes met and both just stay still for a moment, waiting for Axel to break the silence, “Music… A composition of sound mathematically spaced, timed, and figured in such a way that it is appealing to the human auditory senses. Each element creating the instrument is tuned to perfection for the piece, reacting with it own physical properties to create sound that travels in rhythmic waves to the listener. Over the course of hundreds of years, each instrument has been crafted from the finest materials to make the desired sound and create music as we hear it today… From the ancient drum to the electric guitar: years of history have been put in to perfecting the math and science of the `simple' art of creating euphonic sound.” Retracting his finger Axel continued to stare at Demyx in silent interest for a second, then a grin lit up on his face and he placed the finger to his own skull, “Got it memorized?”

“Heh.” Bowing his head, Demyx rubbed his forehead lightly, “Yeah, whatever. You make it sound like it comes so naturally, but you're just a nerd.”

“What of it, punk?” Axel quirked a brow, resting his arms on the counter, “I have to be; college kind of requires that of you. Besides, being smart can be fun. You can show up others, outwit them and impress them. There's a lot you can do with the kind of knowledge you get from a higher education… Ever think about getting a degree?”

“Nah. College isn't for me. I told you, I'm a C-average moron. I'm fine with being stupid, after all `ignorance is bliss', right?”

“I suppose… At least until reality bites you in the ass, but, hey, do what you like. I'm not your dad or brother; I can't tell you what to do.” Axel shrugged before picking up his pen again and getting back to work.

“Um… Are you angry with me?”

Turning his head slightly, Axel gave him a puzzled look, “Why would you think that?”

“I just thought that since you were going to school that maybe you were disappointed to hear that I have no intentions of continuing with my education.” Voiced Demyx leaning over the counter to get a better look at Axel's face.

“Of course not.” Axel shook his head and cast him a comforting smile before looking back down at his textbook. “I don't make it a habit of telling people how to live their lives. Besides, college isn't for everybody. I was just asking because there are some courses that I thought would be useful to a musician; there are song writing classes, and others on rhythm, and music compositions. Not that I've ever taken any class like that, but you might.”

“Guess you're right, but I still don't plan on going. I can learn about that stuff elsewhere, it's not exclusive to schools and teachers… So, is that stuff really important?” Demyx tapped Axel's book as he inquired.

“Not really, it's not due until next week.”

“Good, come on.” Grabbing Axel's arm, Demyx carted him away from the kitchen and into the front room, where he proceeded to push him down onto the coach and plop down beside him. With a quiet mewl, Demyx curled up happily and turned on the TV, which was on a movie network channel. It didn't seem he cared what was on because he tossed the remote aside before even considering what was playing.

Hesitantly, Axel put an arm around him, closing most of the space between them. A light blush lit up on his face, he could tell by the distinct burning on his skin. After spending most of his time at home with the boy, he was beginning to wonder exactly what this kind of relationship could be called. It wasn't as if he'd had one like it before. Was it the transition from friendship to love? Perhaps he was blowing it out of proportion. From what he could gather, Demyx had been in a very demonstrative kind of a place, where everyone hugged as a greeting.

“Demyx?” His voice sounded like a cat dying, in his own ears; he hoped it didn't sound so to Demyx.

“Hm?”

“Ah… Nothing.” Axel just could do it. Asking a question like that out of the blue just wasn't something you were supposed to do. He'd have to figure out what was going on in Demyx's head in a more indirect way, “I was just thinking I'd do some laundry before I went to bed… So if you have anything in your room that needs to be washed just set it out and I'll pick it up later.” He lied; well it wasn't a true lie. That wasn't what he was thinking about but doing the laundry didn't seem like a bad idea so it would get done.

“Laundry?” Demyx tipped his head back, “Now that you mention it, I was wondering where your washer and drier are… They're not in any of the rooms I've seen.”

“Garage; it's through my lab so you wouldn't have gone in there.” Explained Axel relieved that his ploy had worked.

“Oh… Um, the festival is next week. Actually the school's gotten together with some of the local stores and stuff so it's going to be a like a real street festival. There are going to be food carts and little gift stands and the student planning committee is even planning to put up lanterns and spring decorations.” Explained Demyx, “You're still going to be able to come right?”

“Yeah, wouldn't miss it for the world. You were doing a dance right?”

“Mm hm! And sing something too.” Confirmed Demyx, “I guess I'll join up with some friends later on and catch up with some of the festivities.”

“Friends?”

“Well Roxas and Zell mostly. There's this girl, Namine, that hang out with a lot too.” Axel felt a pang in his chest at the mention of this girl, “She pretty cute and she's not too bad in class so I get her help a lot.” His heart dropped even more. Demyx hadn't mentioned her before and he hoped that she was just a friend, but who was he kidding? Demyx was normal teenage kid, of course he had interest in girls, “She lends me tons of great books to read too. So I might tag along with her and play some games for part of the festival.” Demyx paused, “I was thinking I might invite her over this weekend. If that's all right with you? Unless you had something planned.”

“No, she can come over,” Sighed Axel dejectedly, “I can go out Saturday if you want to be alone.” He added only depress his mood further.

“No that's fine. I was just planning on playing out back in the pool, so don't feel obligated to leave the house.”

Just playing out back in the pool? There was no just about it. If they were actually going to be in the water, Demyx would be wearing his swim trunks- Axel had to pause on that thought for a moment, remembering the morning in the hotel. It was a rather pleasant subject to toy with in his own little word- But! Augh! Namine would be wearing her swim suit, and with Axel's luck it would be a showy two piece and the two wouldn't just be swimming out there. Life wasn't fair. Karma just knew how much Axel disliked water, so the one person he was interested just had to love it.

“Um… Something wrong?”

“Oh, no. I was thinking… What this Namine like? I hope she's not into anything I should be worried about.”

Demyx grinned and gave Axel a playful nudge in the side, “What's this? Acting like a parent again and making sure I'm with the clean crowd?!” He laughed, “She's fine! She doesn't do anything any normal girl wouldn't do. She's too nice a girl to get involved with drugs or gangs or anything.”

“And you mentioned someone called Zell? What about him.”

Demyx got excited. Sitting up Demyx placed a hand on Axel's face, “He's so cool, Axel!” He exclaimed tracing a design on Axel's face. “He's got this wicked tattoo on his face and he can play guitar and drums! So he's going to be helping me the music at the festival! I'm so jealous of him! He's way stronger than I am, and even though he's kind of goofy like me, he's got lots of friends! I'm lucky that he even noticed me!”

“Uh huh.” Axel gently removed Demyx's hand from his face, “But he's a good kid right?”

“Yeah, yeah! Hey, Axel, when'd you get your tattoos?” Asked Demyx running his fingers down Axel's arms before taking Axel's hands in his own. Axel had several tattoos. The most obvious were the ones beneath his eyes and the second most obvious were the ones on his hands. The markings on his hands were designed in a way to match his facial designs in both simplicity and color; they were simply a circle with three triangles spaced pointing downwards towards his fingers. He had one other tattoo; the one on his stomach. Demyx had seen it several times but had never asked about it.

“I got mine when I was a little younger than you are now. It was about my junior year in middle school. I'd been asking my brother about it for months and he finally gave in and took me to see this local guy.” Axel voiced casually, “It wasn't too painful, I expected it to be a lot worse.”

“I wish I could get a tattoo.” Hummed Demyx enviously. His hands slipped from Axel's and he pulled Axel's shirt up and away to reveal the design on his stomach. The tattoo was located over his navel and two of the major points were on the axis of his stomach, pointing straight up and down. Axel shivered as the cool air washed over his bare skin, “I like this one a lot.” Demyx smiled, tracing over it with his fingers, “What is it?”

“A chakram…” He replied, realizing all too well his voice had lowered from arousal. Inside, he hoped that Demyx didn't notice the subtle changes that Axel so clearly noticed when he was getting excited.

“Chakram?”

“Yes. It's is an old melee weapon that was used during times of war or tribal conflict. They've long since lost their popularity.” Clarified Axel, clearing his throat in a pitiful attempt to get his voice back to it's former tone.

“Then, it's a symbol of your strength… You're very strong,” Demyx flashed him a smile before settling back down, resting his head on Axel's chest while he still traced over the outline on his stomach. It was the sweetest kind of torture for Axel. Though it pained him to think that Demyx was interested in someone other than him, he still couldn't help but enjoy this sort of contact, “Smart too...”

Soon the movie on the TV screen ended and Demyx retreated to his room for the night, leaving out his worn clothes that had accumulated in his room. It was very regular thing for a teenager's room to be cluttered with old and dirty things; you know, instead of actually taking the time to put it in say the hamper in the bathroom?

With a heavy heart and quite the satisfied tingling on his stomach, Axel gathered the pile of clothes in his arms and headed for the washer and dryer. Of course, he had to set the entire pile back down two more times to open the door, first to the lab then to the garage. Once within the cool and dank cement area began to sort through the clothes that needed to be washed, according to color or washing directions. However, he often paused, feeling the material with his fingers and gazing down at the mixture of color and textures, while he made sure that nothing had been left in any pockets. These pauses were especially long with Demyx's clothes.

Pulling out a jacket Demyx wore quite frequently, Axel stared at it unhappily. He would bet one hundred dollars that she didn't know that Demyx always wore this jacket with his gull T-shirt. Namine, Axel knew Demyx better than she did no doubt about it. And her name, what kind of name was that? One that should never be used. Stupid girl.

Axel hugged the jacket tight, hoarding it protectively. Jealousy was an ugly thing. He knew it, that's why he only brooded silently when he knew no one else was watching; quietly contemplating some way of ridding himself of such nuisances. With a `humph' of distaste he pressed his nose into the denim fabric, gratefully inhaling the ocean bay sent with just a touch of some type of cologne or gel.

“I bet she doesn't even know what happened. She's just some bimbo girl looking for the next hot rock star to turn up at her feet.” He grumbled angrily. Of course, none of this was true. He frowned, this was so sad. Jealous of someone he'd never even seen before… And smelling Demyx's clothes! What was he?! Some kind of sicko pervert who gets kicks out of stealing little boys' clothes?!

Shoving the jacket into one of the bins, he glowered at it in disdain. No, he would not continue sticking his snoot in some random peace of clothing for some sort of sensory high. He was an adult, far beyond the twisted level pedophiles slunk to. Still… It had smelt pretty good, like the beach pines and firs mixed with the open sea breeze. It was a waste to wash away such an exotic smell.

He reached out to grab the article he'd so viciously scorned but shook his head and withdrew, “I will not.” He stated firmly in a clear voice, speaking always made it easier to obey. Picking through more of the clothes, Axel casually removed tiny papers, pins, and pencils from pant pockets and continued with his duties.

Most of the pile was done now, and most of what remained were Reno's clothes. So he'd gotten past the most tempting clothes. Except… There was always some exception. Near the bottom of the pile, Axel came across a pair of boxers and a tank top that Axel for sure knew were Demyx's. They must have been mixed in somehow during his sorting duties. Of course, now he'd let his guard down and his temptation came back with a vengeance.

The boxers were soft, a very fine cotton mixed with some other appealing fabric. In color, they were a faded blue with white spots on them, which appeared to be bubbles dyed into the cloth. At this Axel smiled, it was cute. Bubbly underwear. The tank top was plainer, just a white, but still very appealing in Axel's mind. The garment appeared older and more worn than the underwear, which made it all the more special. Though it was just cotton, it had been worn enough to be very soft to the touch giving Axel the idea that the article of clothing was well liked by his teenage companion.

It was a sticky situation. Now Axel stood, holding the two clothes in each of his hands. For now he was staring, but split seconds later, after a quick look out, his face was buried in them. The smell sweat and skin filled his nose and a shudder ran through him. Groaning, he could feel his eyes roll back in delight at the scent and the feel of clothes on his face. To think that his face was touching something that had-

“Ah! That is so wrong!” He yelped pulling the clothes away and hitting his head down onto the washer, “That's it! I'm a sicko! I couldn't help; it was soooo good.” He groaned smacking his head against the cold metal several more time. Despite the light pain and distraction, he could still feel his body reacting wildly to the act he'd committed, “I can't believe I did something so demeaning and embarrassing!” He yowled, scolding himself before finally just resting his head on the machine, then he tipped his head and looked at the clothes he concealed next to his stomach. He wanted to smell them again, have his face in them, but in all good conscious how could he?

Face burning hot, throat tight from the soft cries of longing; he threw the clothes into their appropriate bins. That was that. They were going to be washed and then they would smell like normal clothes: detergent!

Unloading the washer, he stuffed the wet clothes into the empty drier and reached over for a bin. His body resisted; nothing that smelled so good should be washed away. Gritting his teeth, Axel turned from the basket holding the undergarments and instead picked up the dark blues and denims. It contained clothes of Demyx's but none that were so heavenly smelling as the ones he'd turned away from.

Dumping the clothes in, he turned on the washer and turned to go. He paused just before the door; something in his gut was preventing him from just leaving. Hand on the doorknob; he looked back over his shoulder weakly. The whites were sitting there, oh so temptingly calling to him. All he needed to do was turn the knob and go. Just turn the knob… and go.

His will buckled. Snatching the clothes from the bin once more, he pressed his nose to the garments. He shivered with pleasure as he breathed in the scent, his skin prickled, and his knees grew weak. Leaning heavily over the washer, he clutched both the boxers and shirt close to his face as he relaxed against the machine.

“I'm weak I need it…” He whined in excuse. Demyx hadn't slept in bed with him since the hotel and he sorely missed his company: the warmth, the smell, the soft sound of him breathing. It just wasn't fair. Axel hadn't been able to sleep the whole night through the entire week; he was haunted by dreams of Demyx, some a little more welcome than others. Just one night sleeping side by side and Axel couldn't stop pining. This wasn't exactly what he'd call healthy.

Sadly he dropped the clothes back in the basket and headed for the door again. He had class tomorrow; he needed to get to bed.

His hand was on the knob again and he rested his head against the door. Maybe he could get away with it, just for tonight. From the corner of his eyes, he glanced at the hamper. No one would know, except him.

Guiltily, he swallowed the lump in his throat. Walking over to the bin, he picked up the tank top. It was less conspicuous. With another glance around, he wrapped both arms around it and fled from the room. Upon entering the main part of his house, he stepped into stealth mode, slinking about like a cat so that he wouldn't catch Demyx's attention. It would be hard to explain why Axel was sneaking about holding a piece of clothing like it was gold.

Once safe in his room, he sighed happily and curled up under his covers. Grabbing an extra pillow, he laid the tank on top of it and cuddled up beside it. Arms around the pillow, each breathe he took was filled with Demyx's scent and he was calmed. Even if it was wrong, it felt nice to mimic the presence of the teenager. If nothing else, he'd have long and pleasant dreams tonight.

Axel sighed irritably tapping his pencil to his books as he glared angrily ahead. When he'd woken up that morning after a very good rest, he found that something had lit up inside him. He could feel it under his skin, sprung from jealousy and fueled by Demyx's persisting affection. It just burned him up that right then Demyx could be sitting next to that girl, talking with her and enjoying her company.

SNAP!!!

The pencil in his hand finally gave in, unable to withstand the abuse Axel was unconsciously dealing it cracked down the middle sending small splinters of wood flying over Axel's books.

“All right, I'll crack. What in the hell has got your bloomers in a twist?” Voiced Luxord from his right, tearing Axel from his ever growing violent thoughts. Axel gave a snort of annoyance and frowned down at his pencil, “Come on, love, tell ol' Luxy what's wrong.” Class had yet to start because they always arrived early to get seats in the very front of the room. They had plenty of time to talk.

“Demyx met someone.” Spat Axel disdainfully, “She's coming over this weekend to `play' out back in the pool with him.”

“Aw, sweetcakes, I'm sorry. Are you sure he's interested in her?” Luxord inquired leaning over and placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, “What exactly did he say about her?”

“He said she was cute.” Came Axel's grumble of a reply as he sank further down in his chair and rested his head on his arms, “He said that he hung out with her all the time now and they even share stuff together! I can't compete with her, she's his own age and she's a girl. How could he in his right mind pick me over her, huh? Who was I kidding, thinking he might actually be interested in m- Yow!” Axel brought his arms over his head and recoiled, “What'd you do that for?!” He snarled rubbing the sore spot on his head where Luxord had just struck him.

“Talking like that's not going to do you any good! You're a wonderful person!” Luxord objected, “And even if you're not the nicest guy around, you're sure as hell a good lay-“

“Shut up! I told you never speak of that! Never!”

“Sorry, forgot. But what I'm saying is that you just can't give up on him yet.” Voiced Luxord, toning his voice down. Glancing around Axel ducked his head down again; their raised voices had caught the attention of some of the other students who'd arrived early as well, “I think it's about time you stopped pussy-footing around and made a move on him already. He's not going to be available forever, you're time's running out,” Luxord tapped his wrist as if pointing to a watch, “Take a chance at love, it won't kill you.”

“I can't do that… I'm not the type of guy who can just come out with these kinds of things.”

“I know; you like others to move in on you but sometimes things are worth reaching out for. Look at me,” Luxord touched Axel's cheek turning his head so they looked eye-to-eye, “A lone fire can't burn forever in place… Do you understand?” Axel was silent, his emerald eyes scouring Luxord's; then he finally gave a nod, “Good! By the way I need to spend a couple of nights at your house.” Luxord smiled brightly patting Axel on the cheek.

“What did you do?” Axel seethed, gritting his teeth together. This was how it began last time; Luxord knew Axel couldn't refuse to help a friend in need so Luxord had spent the week at Axel's house. It had seemed like an okay idea at the time, he'd known Luxord for nearly six months. Sadly, Reno and Rude were away for some vacation time together nearly halfway across the world. That week had been one of the most impulsive weeks Axel had ever had, and it was the one he regretted the most.

“Ah, yes. Well, you see. They opened up a new casino in town, just next to my usual bar so I'd stopped by to see how things were coming along. I met a delightful young man there and started up a conversation. One thing led to another and I lost my savings plus a few weeks advance pay.” Luxord laughed, “Ah, yes, I was in a bit of a pickle when the landlord came by looking for rent. So here I am, utterly homeless again with only my car and a few of my essential belongings.”

“You know, `one thing led to another' usually ends with `and now she's pregnant'. That would have been so much more convenient for me.” Axel growled through his teeth, “I thought you said you were going to counseling for you addiction.”

“I was, but I lost that money in horse-racing two months ago.” Hummed Luxord, still happily lost in his own little world, “So I'll just follow you home today, all right?”

A heavy sigh, “Fine… But you better behave.”

“I'm a gentleman! How could you even propose that I'd make a move when it was unwelcome?” Inquired Luxord with innocence, placing his fingers to his jaw in a queer manner.

“Because that's what happened last time, you player!” Axel snapped bristling at the mere mention of the incident.

With a hum, Luxord stood, “That's not how I remember it going down.” He began. Oh no, Axel had opened the doors too wide this time, “Dining on some of the most exquisite food I'd ever tasted in my life, we opened an aged red wine a 67 if I remember correctly. It was perfection to say the least-“

“Luxord shut up, right now.” Axel warned, his hair standing on end.

“Then it was an hour out in the park, walking off the buzz you'd acquired during dinner. The moon shown so nicely on the pond, ducks snoozing quietly beside it. Other young couples walked with us at a distance trapped in their own separate worlds-“

“Stop.”

Luxord sat atop the desk bring his hand to his face to his a grin, “You were chilled and I offered you my jacket and you accepted so graciously.” Raising a leg up, Luxord rested an elbow to a knee as he continued with the tale, “Once we arrived home, you invited me up to your room, who was I to deny such a request? The night was still so very young and the house cool from the northern wind seeping in through open windows-“

“One more word and I'm going to-“ Axel was slowly rising in his seat, a predator readying for the kill.

“For how quiet you are in class, and how subtly you expressed your feelings I had no idea that you'd be so wild in bed.” Axel snapped, striking out he grabbed for Luxord's neck but the gambler fell back over the desk and made a break for the opposite end of the room. He meowed liked a cat and batted a hand, “Aren't you frisky today? Pent up sexual frustration?”

“I'm gonna rip out that tongue of yours and make you eat those words, god damn it!” Axel leapt over the desk and chased after him, nearly tripping and falling over a chair in the process.

“Oh, scary!” Luxord exclaimed in a feminine voice before fleeing up the auditorium seating, stepping lightly from desk to desk, “How about I just grab some toys from my car and have you play dom and we call it even?” He inquired playfully pausing halfway near the top.

“I'm seriously gonna kill you if I get my hands on your scrawny ass!” Axel lunged, missed, and slammed hard onto a desk, “Get back here and accept your punishment!”

“Nu uh! You gotta catch me if you want your fun!” Luxord teased rushing down the row, running atop desks, “Oops, `scuse me miss!” He apologized, nearly trampling a young woman's books in the process. It gave Axel some time to catch up a little, “Eek! You're getting good at this game! You been workin' out?” Mocked Luxord turning back sharply and dashing past the redhead.

“Shut up!” Axel skidded and unable to stop soon enough crashed into a fellow student. Without any type of apology he scrambled to his feet and leaned heavily over the stationary desk. Panting for breath, he rested his forehead down for a moment, “-gonna… Kick your ass.”

“You're getting old! You're gonna need to get in shape to run with kittens like Demyx, cougar.” Taunted Luxord, his voice very near.

Axel looked up, his eyes scanning the classroom. Luxord was nowhere in sight, “You're older than I am!” He objected angrily, crawling atop the counter, “Where the hell did you go? I'm super pissed with you.” Jumping down he walked to the aisle and began to make his way down the stairs, “I'm going to catch you, handcuff you to a lamppost, beat you with a stick, cut open your gut, and set your organs on fire with some pretty fireworks.”

“Well that doesn't sound nice,” Complained Luxord popping up from behind a desk. Axel caught sight of him immediately and quickly ran after him. Jumping the desk, Luxord escaped to the front of the room where they came face to face at long last, “Good to see that you don't give up easily- You really did have a lot of stamina from what I remember of our wondrous week together.”

“Augh!” Axel cried out in frustration at the reminder that it had not just been a one time thing; it lasted throughout the entire week! What had he been thinking?! Swinging a leg up, Axel made to kick at Luxord's face but Luxord ducked.

“Oh! Flexible as always!” Luxord yelped as Axel landed a punch in his gut. Doubling over, Axel struck his back with an elbow before he let out his out cry of surprise. Luxord's arm caught him around the waist and he was picked up. Before he could be thrown down, Axel grabbed at Luxord's leg bringing it out from under him and they both tumbled to the floor.

A low chuckle sounded in the back of Axel's throat, “Ha, caught you… Ya big oaf.” He panted detangling himself from Luxord to place a knee on the elder's stomach, “What now, big shot? Huh?”

“It's nice to see young people so active now days.”

Axel winced and shyly looked over his shoulder. Their professor stood over them, a brow raised in inquiry at the sight. His hair hung over his shoulder in a pony tail and he wore his normal pinstripe suite, though it looked funny on such a scarred man. Ducking his head down, Axel got up and cowered like a whipped dog, “Sorry sir.” He mumbled quickly before rushing to hide himself among his books.

“Our behavior was intolerable, please accept my humblest apologies. It'll never happen again, Professor, I swear… Please don't kick us out of your class.” Luxord pleaded in a strangely respectful manner, probably still on the ground, though Axel didn't dare look up to check.

There came a hearty chuckle, “Boys will be boys, come now, off the floor.” Axel peeked up from his book to watch as the Professor reached down and pulled Luxord to his feet, “Now be a good boy and run on back to your seat.” Luxord gave a curt nod before slinking over to his seat and quietly bowing his head shamefully. The man he had a crush on had just caught the two of them roughhousing and laughed at him, that must have hurt to some extent. Axel himself was embarrassed enough that he'd actually behaved like that in front of other people.

Leaning over, Axel gave him a soft nudge, “You all right?”

“Yeah… Um, so I'm staying the night, right?”

“Of course.”

 

 

 

 

Yup, we're back to the home life again, and it seems all the coast incident is forgotten… Or is it? It's not really a mystery…. This was a fun chapter, I enjoyed it.

This chapter's laundry scenes were inspired by my lack of undergarments this week… I don't know where they went, but I don't have them and they're not in the laundry room… If someone's been stealing my clothes to sniff them, I swear to god!!! *shaking angry fist* I'll find them and I'll steal back my clothing while pummeling someone in the process!!!

Just so we're clear, there's nothing going on between Axel and Luxord anymore! There was that one week though where there was, but it's over and not in this story! They are just friends (no longer with benefits, as much as Luxord would love that) Like Demyx says `Don't be mad!'