Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction ❯ The Gambling Series ❯ Two's Company ( Chapter 7 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Written for another person on DA. AkuRoku shonen ai and Dem molestation (implications)

Xemnas sends Demyx to find Axel and Roxas in Twilight Town and tells him to get rid of Roxas--permanently, which of course doesn't sit well with Axel, but they do end up at the kid's house.

Non Anime: Kingdom Hearts Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Shounen / Drama / Comedy | Type: Shounen-ai | Uploaded On: 12.06.2006 | Pages: 9 | Words: 13.4K | Visits: 294 | Status: Completed

Xemnas had Demyx pinned against the wall, daringly close, one arm propped against the wall, over the blonde's head. His wolfish grin was so close they could have been mistaken for kissing. With his other hand nestled on Demyx's waist, riding low on his hip, one knee was wedged successfully between his legs. A faint whimper escaped the daunted young man, pressed against the wall, and quite thoroughly shaken. Innocent blue eyes were wide and fearful.

"Demyx." His name was a soft croon, Xemnas' hand above his head moving to cup a pale cheek.

"Y-yes?" "I have a job for you to do?"

"B-but I.... I can't tell him...." He whimpered again as Xemnas ran a thumb over his jaw line before finding a smaller hand to weave his fingers with.

"It's an order, no questions asked." His voice was soft though dangerous, a firm note letting the blonde know there would be no more arguments. Demyx was worried though.

Why did he have to be the one to tell Axel?

"Be good and do this for me." Tilting his head he gave Demyx a soft kiss, catching the poor boy off guard and making him tense. When the kiss opened his mouth and got rougher a small cry caught in the back of his throat, his hand squeezing the Superior's, legs shifting wider as Xemnas rubbed his knee against Demyx's groin. Heatedly, his boss parted only long enough to breathe before attacked the notch of his lower jaw. "Good boys are rewarded, Demyx." His voice was still a croon, with a patronizing sort of tone. Demyx was blushing furiously, his eyes averted, his other hand resting lighting on his boss's shoulder. He didn't plan to use Axel just to get his kicks. He wasn't like that. But he would do what he was told. He feared his boss when he was angry, and Xemnas was running on a shorter fuse these days. His temper would give out, and the blonde didn't want to be on the receiving end when it did.

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"Come on Roxas, where are you?" Axel muttered to himself, arms crossed and waiting at an intersection, tapping his foot impatiently. His arms were crossed, cat green emerald eyes disquieted and narrowed as he ran a frustrated hand through his flaming hair, emitting a sigh. He had looked all over the place for that worthless boy and he had yet to find him.

"If I was four feet tall, blonde, and had an emotional disorder...where would I be?" he asked himself. Getting an idea, he turned on his heel to stalk off. Where would the kid be? One a roof top, of course. Where else did brooding teenagers go to get away from everything? Too lazy to trek the distance across town, the pyro instead opened a doorway to darkness, not bothering to care if he was seen or not, stepping through to end up on the other side. He had to catch his balance for fear of falling over when he stepped onto the roof of the tallest building in Twilight Town. Roxas had been hugging his knees, brooding and looking over the town, but when he say the whirling energy of a portal not far from where he sat he jumped back with a short cry, shuffling away.

Axel laughed at Roxas' expression.

"Priceless! Got it memorized?" Roxas had been chased by Axel in the past, and unsuccessfully at that. Now the red head was only a few steps away and the boy was cornered.

"My favorite sandy-haired little boy. Roxas, Roxas, Roxas! Do you have any idea how hard it was to find you? I wasted a good two hours of my nonexistent life trying to track you down and here you are!" His arms were folded, a smug look on his face. He seemed relieved to have found the boy though.

"Axel....?" He had to try out the name as though it didn't sound quite right. But no, he still remembered the obnoxious red head's name.

"You memorized it, good." he thought for a moment, eyes skyward. "Isn't the saying, 'Good boys deserve a reward?'" His grin was feline as he stepped closer to the startled boy, sprawled on his hands and still sitting.

"Er..." A hand was offered to him but he ignored it as he stood.

"If you're here about me coming back to the organization, I'm not going," he said flatly, defiantly as he crossed his arms, matching Axel's stubbornness.

"Aww. Well I wasn't here to sweep you off your feet and take you back, you know. I was just here to steal you away."

He seemed to be intimating at something lecherous, but Roxas only rolled his eyes.

"Go jump off a bridge." His voice was dark, his words a muttered breath.

"A bridge? Would a building work?" Axel turned to the sky, orange and yellow with a seemingly endless sunset of golden hues. His smirk said he was amused, but his eyes said he was hurt by the expression. Roxas shrugged.

"Does it make a difference?" He sighed, posture slumped. He didn't want to argue with Axel; he was just being stupid. Obviously taking what the dirty blonde had said seriously, Axel stepped upon the ledge of the building, stuck one foot out, arms still crossed, and with a knowing, almost distraught look, stepped off, disappearing on the other side of the wall. Roxas looked over, astonished and shocked. He hadn't really meant it. He could see the red head falling quickly, plunging towards the ground below. He looked away, not wanting to see the results. He..... had just killed Axel, hadn't he? Closing his eyes, and feeling sick at the thought of the dusty streets painted red a shadow of grief passed over him, and for a moment he stood, a hand shielding his face from--who would see him up here? The birds? For a long moment he hugged himself with one arm. Sure, he had been annoying, nagging.

But still, Roxas could remember the times within the organization. Axel had reawakened those memories and even though it had been hell to go through, it seemed like Axel had always been the one to make it worthwhile--if he could have called it that. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You're not crying are you? Geez, what a wimp. Just like Demyx." It was that annoying voice. With pink cheeks and wide eyes, Roxas jerked his head up to come face to face with Axel, perfectly fine and in one piece. The pryo grinned.

"You...." Oh yeah, the portals, how could he forget? Enraged and flustered, jaw clenched, Roxas wanted to yell at Axel for being such an idiot and tell him how much he hated him, but those thoughts were pushed aside, a certain curiosity and innocence filling him when Axel only smiled pleasantly and cupped the boy's cheek with one gloved hand. The bastard.... Lowering his face, a tear trickling down, Roxas looked away, ashamed for having been worried over the arrogant ass.

Axel's moment of compassion over, he seemed awkward, not entirely sure how to deal with a crying young boy.

"Hey, keep the water works off. I told you, that's Demyx's job." Roxas sniffed and made to walk off, shrugging of Axel's hand, who paused at the gesture, but determinedly grabbed at Roxas' shoulder again.

"Hey." Roxas stalked off, intent on hiding somewhere else where Axel wouldn't find him. Axel got an idea and he laughed.

“Aw, don't tell me you were worriedabout me!” He laughed again at the thought. It was actually why he felt so attached to Roxas, the reason he wanted to be near him. The thought that he cared, if even a little bit. He took several long strides to catch up to the sulking boy, wrapping an arm around his shoulders like an old pal, despite having to lean at a more awkward angle.

“What do you want Axel?” Roxas asked when the other nobody didn't seem like he'd be leaving any time soon.

“What I didn't tell you already?” He grinned when the boy only groaned and rolled his eyes.

“Well I came here to spend time with my favorite little sandy-haired boy! I came to steal you away.”

“I'm not going back to the organization!” Roxas said firmly, putting his foot down and turning on his heel, throwing Axel's arm off as he stared defiantly up at the red head. “I told you I'm not going!” The pyro, though a bit surprised, only grinned again, placing his hands on Roxas' shoulders.

“Hey, I didn't say I was taking you back to the organization. I said I was stealingyou, got it memorized?”

“Ste—” he stopped himself from asking, exasperation etched across his features. He turned to walk off again but his hand was caught.

“Hey, how about some ice cream?” Axel suggested, a little too happily. It was as though Roxas had just said it would be fine if the nobody could hang around all day with him. He was far from it, if that was his line of thought.

His silence was taken for an answer as Axel pulled him into a portal, halting midst the darkness. Managing to unzip his coat and throw off his gloves that landed….somewhere…. he pulled Roxas along before he could register what the pyro had done. Nowhe was worried about his appearances. Stumbling behind Axel, he was pulled along, out of the portal and around the corner from an ice cream stand where several small kids were eagerly jumping at the window to order, a jovial old lady smiling and handing them each popsicles.

“Axel—” His warning was cut off as the nobody flashed a grin over his shoulder. He was wearing a white shirt, something printed on the front, but Roxas couldn't see what. His black pants and boots were no different from any other day, although he did wear a black and white bracelet that looked a lot like the one he, Roxas, was wearing. Scattering the children as he neared the countered, he grabbed Roxas, holding him in front of him closely, an arm hooked about his waist and grinning to the lady at the ice cream stand.

“This little boy would like a sea salt ice cream! Make it two…”

“Axel!” Roxas muttered, embarrassed at how he was being treated. This was exactly why he didn't like the organization. They treated him like a little boy.

“Don't worry, it's on me,” Axel replied coolly, pulling the munny to pay from behind Roxas ear, apparently amusing the old lady. Laughing, she handed them their popsicles.

“Here you go, darlings. Enjoy.” She was still smiling as Axel saluted her, putting his popsicle in his mouth and steering Roxas away from the stand for somewhere to sit.

“I can walk by myself, ya know,” the boy grumbled, holding onto his ice cream and eyeing it warily, as though it were poisoned just because Axel had bought it for him. Wandering, they didn't have far to go before they had reached the tram station, and so Axel sat Roxas on the ledge, hoisting him and smiling as he finally got a grip on his popsicle stick. The younger nobody finally got a good look at his shirt. It had a heart and said `Hentai Boy' in big black characters. The boy sighed, giving his ice cream a small, disheartened lick. It was familiar: cold, sweet, yet salty and blue tasting. Axel stood, propping himself with crossed arms on Roxas' lap, tending to his ice cream with favored licks, watching the boy with gleaming eyes. He finished his popsicle, chewing on the stick and waiting for Roxas to finish eating his ice cream.

“You eat so slow…” the red head commented, one hand cradling his cheek as he watched his favorite nobody, his other arm curled around the side of Roxas' thigh, hand settled on his butt. Roxas just shrugged, licking at his melting ice cream and watching the sky, puffy clouds lazily passing by overhead. For a moment, he was captivated by the deep blue of the sky, until he felt a cool tongue lapping across his knuckles. Blushing faintly and looking down, Axel was licking at the dripping ice cream on his hands like a feline. He smiled, emerald green eyes merrily matching a crystal blue gaze, and he grinned.

“I told you, you eat slowly.” Roxas was apprehensive, but allowed Axel to hold his hand in his own, finishing the half of the ice cream that hadn't been eaten. He looked away when Axel closed his eyes, bobbing his head suggestively. Roxas shifted uncomfortably, blushing and wondering what Axel had come here for. What a pervert. He could feel the pyro's mouth and tongue steadily lapping and swallowing the ice cream on the stick, and he wished he could let go and just let Axel eat the damn ice cream by himself, but his hand was trapped in both of the red head's.

“Mmmmmm….. it tastes like you, Roxas,” Axel purred in a low voice, licking his lips after he finished.

“W-what?!” Roxas nearly cried, flustering an even deeper shade of red and trying to wiggle out of Axel's grip before remembering he had a sheer drop behind him. He sat deathly still, eyes wide with embarrassment. Axel grinned, spitting Roxas' stick out.

“It was almost like indirectly kissing you… just knowing your lips and tongue had been eating the same ice cream I just ate….” He sighed dreamily. The light haired brunette groaned, covering his face with his hands. A pair of warm hands slipped into his, pulling them away and tugging Roxas to his feet.

“Hey, let's go to the beach!” Axel suggested pulling the boy towards the tram station without waiting for an answer.

“The beach? But…. Axel wait! Stop. I can't go to the beach in this. It's too warm,” Roxas protested, pouting and pulling his hands back.

He just wanted to curl up on his bed and wake up, thinking it was all a dream. But, no… it wasn't. He knew it wasn't. Not with the way that nagging feeling that something was missing seemed to disappear whenever Axel showed up. Not when everything felt slow and lazy, like there was all the time in the world, whenever Axel pulled him close by the hand. He hated how he was babied and he didn't know how to act when the pyro gave that look that made him blush, that curious and expecting look. He was jostled out of his mesmer as he was guided up the steps, and after stumbling Axel picked him up, cradling him.

“Don't tell me you forgot how to walk now too,” he sighed good-naturedly. He set Roxas back on his feet before he could protest, as they neared the ticket booth, pulling out munny for their tickets.

“Two please.” Fingers laced with Roxas' he waited patiently as the tender ringed him up, depositing two tickets through the window.

“Have a nice trip.”

Axel gently tugged on Roxas' hand leading him along. He smiled at the fact that the boy didn't seem so stubborn anymore. As they headed to the boarding area, Axel looking around, he paused, taking in his surroundings. The tram pulled up conveniently, and so, Axel and Roxas boarded, handing over their tickets and find a seat. Settling into the fairly small and close quartered compartment, Axel sat with his legs sprawled across the seat, leaving no room for Roxas, which was okay, because he didn't want to sit next to the pyro anyway. Before he could find another seat, however, he was pulled backwards by the waist and pulled into Axel's lap, arms wrapping around his middle and snuggling close. Roxas could feel warm breath on his neck as Axel sighed, burying his face in the crook of his neck. A blush flushed from his neck to his ears, a bright pink, and Roxas could only sit, not sure what to do. Why did Axel had to be so….so…..

“Ah it's been too long,” the pyro murmured against Roxas' shoulder, making him shiver. After a short moment, the tram started off, rumbling to their destination.

They were soon sheltered by a long dark tunnel, Axel taking the opportunity and the cover of the shadows to slip one hand under Roxas' shirt, resting on his belly, fingers tracing over pale skin and making muscles shy away with contact. He smiled to himself. Roxas started to pull away but Axel kept him still.

“Just relax,” he soothed, his other arm reaching across the boy's small chest, cupping his cheek and pecking the other with a small kiss, fingers running through sandy hair. He settled back, slouching even more. Their ride was smooth and, in Axel's opinion, over way too soon. Sure, he could have jumped through a portal, but that would mean giving up the chance to spend his time with Roxas like this. After a while of traveling, maybe a good ten minutes at most, just enjoying being so close to Roxas, he began pressing small kisses to a slender neck, eyes closed happily and seemingly half-asleep.

“Axel,” the brunette said flatly, almost a whisper, as though reprimanding the pyro for his actions, and at the same time not really seeming to mind. Roxas sighing, head rolled to one side on Axel's shoulder and looking out the window, the scenery flashing past.

His hand was placed over Axel's on his stomach, his shirt riding up and he clutched at it, leaning and exposing his neck more for Axel to attack, which he complied with once the gesture was made. Roxas stuttered a protest but his voice caught in his throat. Why was he doing this? Why did he do this to him? Why….did he make him feel like that?

"Axel!" Roxas cried out, blushing fiercely and trying to keep quiet, despite no one else having boarded with them. The pyro had been kissing Roxas' neck and had been gently biting—until he hit a soft spot, making Roxas squirm. Axel giggled.

"Something wrong? I'm just being affectionate...." he said innocently, pouting and sticking his bottom lip out when Roxas just pulled away, ignoring his comment. Rubbing his neck and approached the cabin door.

"We're here already."

Stepping down, the tracks ran not too far from a hall ledge, leading to the sand below, stairs leading down to the beach and providing a sitting places to watch the waves when the tide pulled in.

"Whew! It sure is hot!" Axel exclaimed, fanning himself. Not that he could talk, considering he was wearing less than Roxas and he did control fire. Roxas rolled his eyes.

"Then why are we here? I told you I was too warm already but you wouldn't listen to me." The boy wandered onto the dock area, standing beside a bench before taking off his shoes and jacket. He was still too warm, but at least it was better, and with the sea breeze blowing he was comfortable enough. Grinning, Axel took the hint, stripping off his shirt and throwing it atop Roxas' clothing on the bench. The sandy haired kid turned away, giving up on trying to make any sense of the red head.

"Nothing wrong is there?" Axel continued to mock, innocently. "Should I take my pants off too? It ispretty hot in here...." He had unbuttoned his pants, kicking his boots up and growling playfully at Roxas, who ignored him, walking down the wooden steps to the beach below.

Frowning slightly, sticking his tongue out childishly at Roxas' back, he left his pants undone, riding lower as he walked and threatening to fall off. He caught up with Roxas in the sand and grabbed his hand, lacing their fingers, the sound of crashing waves meeting his hears. He sighed happily, matching Roxas' slow, shuffling pace, remaining silent, but pulling the boy a little closer, practically bumping into him as he walked.

"Come on Roxas, let's go in the water." He tugged at his hand, meeting resistance, but it broke easily, as though the brunette had given up hope of ever winning, and so he followed, like a weary horse.

"Aw come on! Show a little more life! Have some fun, why don't ya." Roxas didn't say anything, hoping that if he remained silent and didn't say anything, that the pyro would just leave him alone. His feet found cool water and immediately his pants were soaked, water crawling up the fabric around his shins, the spontaneously combustible man coaxing him in farther, until they were wading in knee-deep water, sloshing through the murky water. It was cool and refreshing, the heat of the day washing away with the metronome of the ocean. For a long while Axel lead Roxas through the waves, headed in no particular direction, chatting about absolutely nothing and just happy that the boy acknowledged his chatter with a nod or shake of the head now and again.

Axel jumped when something brushed his leg, turning out to be nothing but a stick, but he could have sworn it was a jellyfish or something else out to eat him. He would have landed in Roxas' arms, provided the smaller nobody could have held him.

"AHH!" He ended up jumping behind Roxas instead, using him like a shield, and successfully splashing him with water.

"Something bit me!" The boy sighed, smiling grimly, amused that something as small as a fish or a piece of seaweed would startle his obnoxious companion.

"Bit you?"

"Yes! It bit me!"

"Ok... let's see it then." Axel paused, staring at the spot that he had been assaulted.

"Well, it wasn't really a bite. It was more like... it attacked me!"

"Something hit you?" Roxas didn't seem to believe him, looking skeptical as he tried to shake Axel off of him.

"Well...it attacked me! I'm telling you!"

The red head crossed his arms, determined that something had indeed lay finger on his delicate skin.

"Like this stick?" Roxas asked, holding up a branch of driftwood, rather small and light, darkened by the sea water.

"Uh.... no! It was bigger! It had claws and huge teeth!" Axel whined, backing out of the water and turning away. He gave a pitiful whimper.

"Come comfort me Roxas!" He plopped down in the sand, holding his arms out for the boy, but the brunette just glared, sitting several feet away from the red head and staring out over the ocean, the breeze ruffling his hair, the overhead sun in the middle of its descent, a fiery orange, threatening to set the horizon's clouds on fire.

"Aw Roxas! Don't say you don't care about me!" Frowning slightly, annoyed that the other nobody didn't seem to be paying any attention, he crawled over, sidling up, snuggled next to Roxas, leaning back on his hands, laying his head on a smaller shoulder. The brunette just closed his eyes a moment, looking away as though to collect himself before very reluctantly patting Axel's head, making him grin.

"Don't overdo it," Roxas warned, before the maniac could press him against the sand and do something stupid like cuddle him unconscious.

Axel whined, wiggling a little closer, but obeyed, sighing contently and watching the horizon, the sea becoming more brilliant with the lowly dipping sun. It would disappear soon. The pyro doubted he could spend much longer with Roxas, so he had to make it count. But even so, he couldn't push it too far or the boy would just drift further away from him. They sat for good long moments, Axel inching until he was hugging Roxas with one arm, his other behind the boy's back and propping him up. His cheek was nearly pressed against a patient Roxas' trying to reason out a good way to grab the boy by the face and kiss him silly, when there seemed to be a disturbance in the middle of the ocean. He barely noticed, more absorbed in his fantasies, so he didn't respond at first when Roxas said something.

"What is that?" he asked curiously, frowning.

"Uh huh," the pyro responded dreamily, snuggling up to Roxas, just about to make his move, when he nearly came face first with the sand, the kid having stood up to get a better look at...whatever it was out there.

“Hey!” he cried out in surprise, jumping to his feet and dusting the sand off. He gazed out to sea, standing next to Roxas and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. It looked like a school of fish being chased, jumping from the water, but as it drew nearer, they got much bigger, and they weren't jumping. Roxas stiffened, realizing what they are.

"There you are! Do you know how long it took me to find you two?" a voice behind them complained. Spinning on his heel, Axel faced Demyx, wary but a little surprised.

"What? Why? Why's the wimp of the organization here?" the red head asked, pulling Roxas protectively close. Demyx cringed slightly at the reference, but quickly shrugged it off, regaining his composure.

"I was sent for Roxas. Come here." He beckoned the boy over in a kindly manner.

"Like hell!" The audible noise of sloshing water grew closer and soon Demyx's dancer nobodies had joined the blonde, surrounding the trio and keeping anyone from escaping.

Axel growled, fire at his fingertips, wary of catching Roxas on fire, pressing him even closer and glancing around for perspective.

"What do you want Demyx?" he snarled, not liking being threatened, especially in the presence of the boy. He'd have kept his cool longer if Roxas hadn't been there, when he didn't have someone worth protecting. Demyx almost jumped back at the hostility, gulping instead. Why did Xemnas have to send him? Although he had initially resisted, Xemnas was rather convincing.... Demyx sighed, in a dejected sort of way.

"Look, I was asked to retrieve Roxas and was told he wouldn't come willingly. I was also told he'd be with you, Axel, so the back up plan was to ask you to do it instead," the blonde explained, looking a little worse for wear.

"Yeah? Do what?" Axel sneered, arm hooked around Roxas' waist and keeping him close. A sobering, pleading look crossed the blue eyed nobody's face, his dancer nobodies unable to keep still, moving fluidly.

Quickly straightening himself up and wearing a rather blank, though somehow grim expression, Demyx replied.

"Eliminate him. Do away with Roxas." Green eyes widened, first in slight shock, then disbelief and he chuckled. Roxas had paled. It took them forever to catch him, whether it was from Xemnas not caring, or otherwise, but why would they want to pick him off now of all times.

"Why now?" he asked, arms crossed as he struggled out of Axel's grip. A hand remained on his shoulder, however. Demyx shrugged.

"That's just the way the Superior is."

"It's because he's a bastard who likes to play games," the red head supplied fiercely, pacing, never keeping the boy, or Demyx for that matter, out of his sight. Roxas still seemed unconvinced.

"'Cause he was too lazy to do anything about it until now."

Demyx frowned upon hearing how lowly his boss was spoken of.

"You're a traitor," the blonde said simply, as though thinking aloud to himself. "Xemnas has a lot of ordeal to go through, a lot of stress, and a huge burden on his shoulders. If you're going to quit the organization...he'd rather you be gone entirely. I think it's more of a moral thing...."

"What moral? Killing off the kid has morals?" the red head spat, flickers of fire turning into a small flame in one palm. Demyx flinched.

"Don't talk to me! Talk to Xemnas. Maybe he'll tell you." He was hesitant as he spoke. "I.... I don't know all the details, but why would I? Xemnas has a lot of things he doesn't tell anyone, but I believe what he says. I was told before the eyes don't lie and I know it's true. If Xemnas is in pain and says he's not his eyes say so!"

"Oh please!" Axel exaggerated, fed up with everything as he rolled his eyes.

"It's true!" Demyx retaliated, voice raised a little.

The nobodies alongside him seemed to become more excited as well.

"It's about trust. He might not admit he's fine but you have to trust what he says! I don't like a lot of things he says or does, but what can I do it? I'm doing the best I can, and I'm only delivering a message. Don't shoot the messenger just because you don't like the message." There was silence, Axel growling as the fire burned itself out in a puff of smoke.

"So what?" Roxas asked. "If I don't come back with you then, Axel has to?" Demyx nodded.

"A lot of good that'll do," Axel answered sarcastically, standing behind Roxas and placing his hands on his shoulders. "Like he—we—can't run away?" The pyro was taunting now. Demyx only shrugged.

"He'll find you."

"So why did he send the yellow-belly to deliver the news anyway? Why couldn't he get his lapdog, Saix to do it? He would too. Or maybe he didn't want a fourth of his organization dead in one day."

The blonde shook his head, perturbed.

"Ask him." He gave Roxas an apologetic look. He knew he couldn't capture the boy without a fight, and if was a fight for his life, he'd lose and die. He'd fought Axel before, trained against him, and sometimes he couldn't help but think the red head was holding back on him. In a situation like this, that was bad. It meant if, Axel were desperate, he wouldn't hold back. And Demyx would be dead. He didn't want to fight anyone, and he wasn't particularly fit for fighting, at least not very well. He took a deep breath.

"Well, you have three options, Axel. Do nothing and have Xemnas find you," he said, ticking the numbers on his fingers.

"Hand Roxas over now and forget about it, or do it yourself. Get rid of Roxas completely." He took a step back, about to leave entirely and report back the castle, grab a sea salt ice cream on the way maybe, when Axel's halting voice caught his attention.

"Demyx, if you ever could have loved someone, do you honestly think you would let them go this easily?" The blonde turned to face the pyro, a somewhat astonished look on his face. He knew the answer. He'd been there, he'd done that, he'd bought the T-shirt, the mugs, the magnets.....

"I wouldn't know." He had opted for a Xemnas-like answer, gently touching his chest, over his heart. He gave a faint smile, then stepped backwards into a portal. Yes, some ice cream might calm him down.

Roxas stood, a little flustered.

"Love?" He wasn't sure if he had heard the idiot correctly.

"Yes Roxas, love." His tone had died from annoyance to a soft, gentle tone. He ruffled sandy hair, the boy promptly trying to dodge his hand. Running fingers through his hair, he flashed the red head a disgruntled look.

"Xemnas.... wants me? He wants to eliminate me. He wants me to disappear," he said quietly, a little stern, as though thinking to himself aloud but not sure what to make of everything.

"Like that's gonna happen." Axel rolled his eyes again, seeking to hold Roxas' hand and having to settle for placing on around his shoulders, steering them back the way they had come, walking down the beach, the tide coming in with the setting sun, catching the ocean afire and tugging at their feet. They were silent a moment.

"I still don't understand what Xemnas wants to do with you," the pyro said flatly, a frown of disapproval on his face. He wasn't certain if he was expecting an answer or not, but it was another moment of silence before he got one in the form of a low reply.

"It's like Demyx said. I'm a traitor. I'm going against what the Superior—what hewants for Kingdom Hearts. He says it's his obligation and duty to fulfill it and have us regain our heart. But, I'm out of the organization. I don't want to deal with his silly games or his 'planning.'" Roxas seemed defiant, words bitter as he spoke.

"You're not hurting anyone. So he doesn't want to be wrong? Or he's just taking the gravity of it to a whole new level?" The smaller nobody shrugged.

"Ask him if you see him again." He sighed and stopped, shrugging out of Axel's touches. "I want to go home now. Don't keep looking for me." He began walking off, making a beeline for the rocks off the side of the shore, a short climb back up to the roadway that would lead him to the tram and back to inner workings and bowels of Twilight Town. The pyro jogged to catch up to him.

"Nonsense! You know that thing about love? It's not like I was joking." Roxas didn't reply, which made Axel frown. Did the kid just not care or something? All he ever seemed to want to do was be let alone, but how could he? Sulking so much like that was just begging for him to be paid attention to, and Axel was glad to give it. He liked the feeling he got around Roxas, but whenever the boy rejected him..... it just didn't turn out right.

"Well, I'm not making promises I won't keep. I want to stay a little longer, okay?" Roxas sighed, grumbling, and heading back to the dock for his clothes.

Why didn't he use a portal? Cause he didn't want to think that he was a nobody? a part of the darkness associated with the organization?

"I want to go home—alone." Roxas didn't leave a whole lot of room to argue, but Axel was stubborn.

"We will, don't worry. If I only have three options, Xemnas is gonna hafta get off his lazy ass and come find me. If he's that adamant about getting to you, then he'll hafta get through me!" Axel spoke with conviction.

"I can take care of myself, you know," the brunette stated wryly. It only made Axel smile.

*************************

They had made it back into Twilight Town veiled mostly in silence. They had taken the tram back without much insistence, despite Axel's initial want to use a portal, which was easier, faster, and cheaper, but he avoided it since he appeared to be correct in his guess. Roxas didn't want to have anything to do with the darkness. As isolated and depressed as he came across sometimes, he didn't want to have anything to do with the organization. He just wanted to forget he didn't technically exist. He had friends, and a nice home, and that was all he needed. He went to school, he bombed tests, and he still had to clean his room. He was just as normal as any kid and he was fine with that. Why go through the trouble of Xemnas' sadistic games, killing people, destroying things, just to draw attention for a few hearts to be sacrificed to Kingdom Hearts? And all just to gain what he already had!

"You're awfully quiet," Axel observed. They were on the way to Roxas' house, and it didn't seem as though the pyro could be shaken off. He was much too stubborn and determined. What would the kid's parents say anyway? Axel wasn't wearing his cloak, but bringing a much older looking teenage into his house wasn't exactly something they'd be used to. They'd be back from work by now, and dinner would have been set aside for whenever he came back.

Sure, the age difference wasn't a whole lot, but Roxas was still a child in his parents' eyes and Axel looked more than a little sketchy. Flaming, spiked, red hair and tattoos on his face—he was sure to come off as a rebel, and his parents would never let him get away with it. Nonetheless, convincing Axel to go was a lot harder than pulling teeth.

"Give me a nice goodnight kiss and I'll leave," the pyro tried to reason, but Roxas just grit his teeth and refused.

"I am not going to kiss you!" He clenched his fists, annoyed that Axel wouldn't just let him in the house, but he blocked the doorway and there was no other way around.

"Why not?" The taller nobody crossed his arms and stuck his bottom lip out, a rather pathetic attempt at pouting.

"Because," the brunette attempted to reason, "it's gross and unethical!"

"Kissing isn't gross...."

"Yes it is!"

"No it's not, and in case you forgot the few other times, I'll remind you."

He grasped Roxas gently by the shoulders, keeping him in place merely out of catching him off guard with his touch, and despite the boy pulling back, he placed a soft kiss on his lips, slouched over in order to reach him. Roxas stood stiffly, and after a long moment it didn't seem like Axel would part—In fact, he drew in even closer, head bent down and tilted, flaming hair brushing Roxas' cheek. He wrapped an arm around small shoulders, the other wrapping around a thin waist, small hands against his chest, weakly keeping him at bay.

'Dammit Axel,' was all Roxas could think, a blush rising to his cheeks. Why did he have to feel so helpless and defenseless when Axel acted like that? The pyro slipped his tongue out, pressed against pink lips for entrance, entering more out of inexperience than want. He gave a quick taste, wanting to linger, but not wanting to overwhelm Roxas either. He wanted the kid to know how sweet and gentle kisses could be. No, he wanted to remind him. He pulled back, only a few inches, slowly, before looking fully at a boyish face, emerald eyes searching a deep blue.

Roxas breathed softly through his mouth, lips parted and still a little slick. He closed his mouth, still rather shocked at Axel's temerity, unsure of where to go from there.

“Is your house safe to go into?” the red head asked, tenderly brushing his knuckles across Roxas' cheek. He only seemed to blush even more. They stood at the bottom of what could have been a hotel but was really a few houses crammed together, two story apartments. Almost forgetting the question when Axel leaned a little closer, he had enough sense to at least shake his head.

“Not really. I'm sure my parents are still downstairs.” He had brooded about it before but were they really his parents? He was a nobody after all…. No, he wouldn't think about it now. It would just depress him. Besides, he still had to get rid of Axel some how.

“Hmm…. You think they wouldn't like me?” he asked, flashing a coy smile. Roxas looked doubtful, as if asking, `is it not obvious that they wouldn't like you?' The taller nobody grinned a little sheepishly.

“Never mind.” He scooped Roxas up in his arms, smiling down at him, almost wolfishly, a mischievous glint in his eyes, seen even from the front step lights of Roxas' house.

“I'll just use a portal.” Before the kid could say anything, he was whisked into the darkness, Axel having forgotten his disdain for anything Organization XIII-like.

Roxas' room was dim, his glow in the dark stars and moons, as well as the mostly full moon outside shining silver faces through the window, gave Axel sufficient light to see by.

“Nice….room,” the pyro commented, looking around. Knick knacks sat here and there, a lamp in this corner a chest of something over there. He had a small bed, making it cozy, but Axel would live. Roxas shrugged, taking his jacket and shoes off. He wanted to curl up and go to bed, but he didn't want to change in front of Axel. Even going into the bathroom wasn't safe, locked door or not; the pyro could always walk or stick his head through a portal for a peek or two. He opted for staying in his shirt and boxers, his pants somewhere on the floor. Of course, the red head didn't miss anything, his grin broadening.

“You got what you wanted, Axel, now leave. Okay?” Roxas grumbled, trying to abate his exasperation. Why did Axel have to follow him? He didn't need more people reminding him of who he was, the fact that he didn't exist.

“Oh? I didn't get my goodnight kiss though,” he protested, his voice low and teasing, arms folded across his chest. The boy had been climbing into bed, situating himself under the covers, pulled tight about his shoulders. He blushed faintly at the still fresh memory.

He kept his voice low, rather annoyed now. He wanted to just go to sleep! He'd had a long day already.

“You already got one.”

“No I didn't. I kissed you. I said you had to give me a goodnight kiss.” Axel approached the edge of the bed and sat down, leaning over and though to try and peer into Roxas' face. The brunette tried to hide under the covers, but Axel managed to pry them loose, keeping him from hiding.

“Well?”

“Well nothing. Go home.” Roxas held a pillow tight, inching away from Axel and closer to his wall and window, staring firmly at a crease in his bed sheets. Axel was silent a few moments before deciding what he wanted to do. A shuffling of clothing was heard and seconds later Roxas could feel the red head joining him under the sheets, pulling the blanket over himself and snuggling close, now shirtless. Roxas shied away, groaning in complaint, but Axel had wrapped one arm around his small waist, the other ruffling sandy hair good-naturedly. He pressed a kiss to a slight shoulder, eliciting a very faint shiver.

“Goodnight Roxas,” he crooned softly. The other nobody bushed. His parents checked on him sometimes to make sure he was home safe and sound before they went to bed… what if they found him with a stranger in his bed? What would they think?

“Yeah, whatever,” he mumbled in reply. It'd take forever to get to sleep now, what with the idiot hanging on him and all. After a few long moments, relaxing enough to figure Axel wasn't going to pull anything sketchy or weird on him, he exhaled softly, closing his eyes. Axel buried his face between Roxas' neck and shoulder, breathing against his skin. It almost seemed as if he were asleep. The brunette fell into a half consciousness, then a deeper sleep, warmth radiating from the body pressed against his back. He felt content and relaxed, even if it was Axel, and in a way, it was nice.

************************

He awoke to a softly tickling brushing one cheek. Eyes eventually fluttering open when he couldn't ignore it any longer, he mumbled something in his half-sleep before focusing on the face meeting him, smiling lazily. Blue eyes went wide. Axel was still here? He felt fingers stroking his hair, strands of red fiery man tickling him as Axel leaned over to watch him as he slept.

“You look so…. beautiful, so innocent, when you sleep,” Axel said softly, still smiling. Roxas closed his eyes again. He was dreaming right? He felt soft lips trail down his temple, down his cheek and to the corner of his mouth. Making a sound of protest, Roxas opened his eyes halfway, heavily veiled by thick lashes, the pyro kissing him again, only it was much more…intimate. One hand against Axel's broader chest, speaking in protest for his lost words, the other hanging onto the pyro's shoulder, he whimpered softly as Axel pressed closer to him, roving tongue seeming more curious, and coaxing.

When Axel parted he breathed deeply, blushing, but Axel only drew back long enough to look deeply into his eyes before groaning softly and kissing him again, a little more fervently, a little more forcefully. Roxas whimpered again, the other shifting his weight so that he straddled the boy's small hips, still giving him enough room not to be uncomfortable. It felt a little odd to Roxas, but almost natural, like he'd kissed someone that way a dozen times before. He might have held vague recollections, but he had never bothered trying to remember any of the time Axel kissed him before. It was pleasant, but still a little foreign, everything being presented to him in a rush, and he didn't know what to do with it all. He was still sleepy from having just woken up, not entirely alert, and was relaxed enough to even start kissing back a little, lips working their way around both tongues, trying to battle back for his mouth.

Axel groaned softly again, appreciatively, and smiled, having to withdraw.

“Could I get a good morning kiss then? Since I couldn't get my good night kiss?” he asked, innocently, though almost lewdly. Roxas just stared, half dazed. He swallowed thickly before managing to sit up, the pyro half sitting as well and leaning on one hand. Knowing the red head, he'd hang around endlessly, unless Roxas could keep him to his word. Licking his lips, he glanced at Axel, nervously it seemed, in a way. Finally finding some logic and reasoning, he gingerly closed the gap, the other smiling adoringly the whole time, and placed a ghost of a kiss on Axel's lips.

“You can do better than that,” the taller nobody murmured against kiss-stained lips. Blushing and mentally kicking Axel, he took the challenge, pressing his reddened lips to the pyro's. He lingered a little longer than anticipated, seeming to get caught up in the action completely and pulled back rather hastily, almost abruptly.

Axel kept smiling but it wasn't lecherous; it was genuine.

“Let's just see if Xemnas will come after us now, huh?” He ruffled Roxas' sandy hair, much to the brunette's distaste, hair already wily from sleeping on it. He just rolled his eyes.