Days Go By

Axel’s head was hammering. This wasn’t exactly a surprise to him…vodka always left this result on his body. He could take multiple shots of tuaca or whiskey, but the moment he downed vodka he was lost. His eyes opened cautiously, and he whimpered softly as the barrage of pain shot through his senses. His eyes were heavy, his head ached, all he wanted to do was sleep off the massive amount of alcohol he had taken. Whether he would kill Reno for giving it to him was open at this point…Axel wasn’t sure if he was grateful to his brother or if he wanted Reno dead. Why the hell was he awake anyway?

A sharp gasp caught his attention and his eyes cracked open again. Sora stared down at him, his eyes wide. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Ah yes…that was why. Axel had gotten used to Sora’s early greetings, he roused himself from bed the moment he heard the shower start so he could accompany the spiky haired brunet to breakfast before bringing back caffeine for their grumpy roommates.

The pained light that filled Sora’s eyes made Axel sit up quickly, and it was at that moment that he became fully aware that he was not alone in his bed. Roxas lay on his arm, face cherubic in sleep, body spooned by Axel’s. Axel yelped and suddenly understood the look of shocked pain in Sora’s eyes. “Sora…” He whispered. “It’s not what it looks like.”

Sora’s mouth opened but again nothing came out. His face was ashen and his blue eyes were very wide. After a long moment in which Sora’s betrayed eyes slowly swept over them again and Axel felt even worse than he had before, Sora slipped silently back into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

“Shit!” Axel looked down at Roxas still laying on his arm and wondered when the hell this had happened. He vaguely remembered Roxas walking into the room and a fight…he vaguely remembered getting Zexion and Demyx and finishing the bottle…and the rest was blank. Panic filled Axel. What had he done?

A brief inventory of his situation assured him that, if nothing else, both he and Roxas were still fully clothed. That was a relief of major proportions…Axel wouldn’t have been able to forgive himself if he had taken advantage of Roxas while drunk. He carefully slid his arm out from beneath Roxas and slipped down the bottom of the bed, careful not to disturb the blond. Sora had walked in on them. Roxas was probably going to kill him for hurting Sora. Cloud was DEFFINITELY going to kill him…which might not be a bad thing actually because Axel wanted to kill himself.

All right, so that was depressingly angsty and stupid and he didn’t have a death wish, but his head HURT and he hadn’t slept off his drinking, someone had framed him and blew up the stadium, his boyfriend had walked in to find his twin asleep in his arms. God, his life was screwed up. When had it gotten this messy?

Axel knocked lightly on the bathroom door. Hearing no answer, he tried the knob and was vaguely surprised to find it turning in his hand. The bathroom was empty, still warm and damp from Sora’s shower. Quietly, Axel opened the door to Sora’s room.

He wasn’t surprised to see Riku still out cold, and vaguely disliked his best friend for sleeping so peacefully when all Axel wanted to do was pass out and sleep his Saturday away. There was no sign of Sora. “Damn!” Axel whispered, frustrated.

He passed silently through the room and out into the corridor. Where would Sora go after walking in on his boyfriend and twin asleep together on his boyfriend’s bed? Who would he run to? Axel really REALLY didn’t want to think about it, but he had no choice…he knew where HE would go after being betrayed like that…he would go to Reno…which means that SORA would go… “Shit!” Axel muttered again, the headache pounding behind his eyes.

He really REALLY didn’t want to do this, but his life was already messed up enough…he couldn’t justify leaving Sora this way. He hadn’t lied…he liked Sora. The brunet made him laugh. He was cheerful and optimistic and endearingly innocent. He was good company and had a heart of gold. It was no surprise to Axel that Sora could wield the Keyblade…Sora was light. Axel didn’t particularly want to DATE Sora but he DID like having Sora as a friend. Closing his eyes, he knocked on the door to Cloud and Leon’s room.

He was infinitely grateful to see that it was Leon at the door, already dressed for the day. Leon’s dark blue eyes were cold and unwelcoming, but he nodded to Axel. “What.”

Axel hesitated. “I’m looking for Sora.”

Leon paused. He glanced behind him. “Sora…Axel’s here. Do you want to see him or do you want me to kill him?”
Axel paused as he considered this threat. That Leon was willing to kill him for betraying Sora didn’t surprise Axel…Sora had a way of getting under people’s skin and into their hearts. He doubted that ANYONE would like him for betraying Sora…except Vexen maybe…but that was only because Vexen rarely left the sanctuary of the library or his room on the weekend and probably wouldn’t hear that Axel had broken Sora’s heart. Still…he had to think…could he beat Leon at a fight? Maybe…with a lot of warming up before hand and not with this wicked headache. Damn. He was screwed.

“Go ahead and let him in.” Axel’s heart began to hammer. Sora didn’t SOUND pissed or broken…but then again maybe Sora just wanted to kill Axel himself. Axel was in no denial…there were very few people who could defeat Sora in a fight…he was not one of them.

Leon moved aside and Axel cautiously glanced into the room. No sign of Cloud. Well…small mercy. He walked in and his eyes fell onto Sora sitting quietly on Cloud’s abandoned bed. Sora’s face was still very pale and his blue eyes were bluer than Axel remembered. The hurt remained. Axel stared at him and the guilt filled his heart again. Leon frowned at him. “Have you been drinking?”

Axel paused. Normally he would deny, but they all knew better. He closed his eyes and nodded once. “Yeah.” He stared at Sora. “Sora…I…”

Sora shook his head. “Don’t.” He ordered, his voice quiet. “I don’t want to hear you tell me that you’re sorry or that you didn’t mean it.” He looked up at him and Axel found himself pinned by the expressive blue eyes. “You’re in love with Roxas aren’t you?”

Axel stared into Sora’s face and the guilt welled inside of him. He closed his eyes. “Sora…I never wanted to hurt you.” That much at least was true. The plan had been for Sora to break up with him, for Axel to get over it and move on, for them to maintain the easy friendship that had formed…the plan had gotten all screwed up. “I’m sorry.”

Sora stared at him and then stared at the wall. “You were drunk weren’t you?” He asked, as if trying to come up with an excuse for his actions.

Axel paused. “Yes….but that’s not the reason…”

“I know.” Sora’s eyes swung up to him. “I’m not stupid or blind, Axel.”

Axel glanced sideways at Leon who wasn’t even pretending not to listen, his arms crossed as he leaned against the closet door, dark blue eyes stormy and focused intently on them. Sora’s eyes were fierce. “I asked you a question.” He said quietly. “You were drunk weren’t you?” Miserably, Axel nodded. Sora frowned. “If you hurt Roxas I’ll kill you.”

Axel felt a wave of relief hit him. “I didn’t.” He whispered. “I know I didn’t. We were both fully clothed. I just…” He paused and to his horror, felt the pain fill his face “…Sora, I’m sorry.”

Sora’s face filled with an emotion that Axel was familiar with. Spending time with Sora had always been an experience for him. Sora was conscious of everyone around him. He gave up his seat at events to girls or tired people, he went out of his way to help people, and always did it with the same expression of cheerful good humor on his face. This look was less cheerful and more resigned, but familiar nonetheless. Sora’s arms slid around his waist and his head pressed against Axel’s chest. “I know.”

His arms wound around Sora’s back and he clung to the brunet. Roxas was the love of his life…Sora, like Riku and Demyx, was his best friend. Only a few people could make Axel emotional, Sora was one of them. Sora lifted his head. “We’re done, Axel.”

Axel nodded, his heart hammering in his chest. “Sora…I’m so sorry.”

Sora nodded. “I know.” A slight, sad smile crossed his face. “…I was going to break up with you today anyway.”
Axel blinked down at him, startled out of his misery. “What?”

Sora’s lips twitched, and a more familiar, less depressed smile crossed his face. “Can we still be friends?”

Axel stared down at Sora, and an answering, mocking smile crossed his face. “Damn straight.” He pulled Sora in for one more tight hug. “Thank you.” He whispered, kissing the brunet lightly on the cheek.

Sora made a face. “You smell.”

Axel laughed and ruffled his hair. “And you’re a spiky haired brat.” He paused. “You know I didn’t do anything to Roxas right?”

Sora nodded. “I know. You would have been in severe physical pain if you had.”

Axel glanced around. “I’m surprised I’m not in severe physical pain now.” He glanced at Leon and then Sora. “Where’s Cloud?”

“He went for a run.” Sora replied lightly. “Lucky for you.”

No kidding. Maybe someone up there liked Axel after all. They had certainly given him an understanding ex-boyfriend. “What are you going to tell him?”

Sora and Leon exchanged a look. “The truth.” Leon replied coolly. “Sora broke up with you.”

No mention of Roxas. Axel wasn’t suicidal enough to ask if they were going to include that little bit of information. He didn’t have a death wish. “Axel…” Sora looked at him now. “Why were you drinking?”

Axel paused. There were a lot of answers for that. After a long moment, he decided on the truth. Sora had earned the truth. “Something happened and Roxas thought it was me. It pissed me off and upset me that he didn’t believe me, that he didn’t even TALK to me about it before blaming me. My brother Reno heard that I was upset and brought me something to dull my anger.” He didn’t mention the explosion.

Sora and Leon exchanged another look. “Axel…” Leon looked more serious than usual. “…that explosion last night had nothing to do with you did it?”

Axel sighed. “Hell no. The dome almost tipping scared the hell out of me. The most important people to me were in the stands. I wouldn’t have put them at risk.”

Sora nodded. “I know.” He paused. “…I’m not going to pry…but there’s a reason that Roxas thought you did it isn’t there?”

Axel thought about lying. He thought long and hard about lying…but he was pretty sure that Leon had suspected him of being an Organization member for a long time now. After a moment, he nodded. “Yeah.”

Sora and Leon exchanged a look. Leon nodded. “I’ll look into it. Discreetly. This is the first prank that someone actively could have gotten hurt.”

Axel heard the unspoken words there…Leon had known for a long time…and hadn’t said a word. Leon was an odd character. Whether he suspected the others, Axel couldn’t guess…he chummed around with a great many people not involved in the Organization, so maybe not. Still, he would warn the others to keep an eye out for Leon. Sora wrinkled his nose. “Axel…go take a shower and go back to bed. You look like the walking dead.”

Axel FELT like the walking dead. He smiled down at Sora and hugged him again. “I really am sorry.” He whispered.
“I know.” Sora looked at him for a long moment. “If you were trying to make Roxas jealous it was stupid. Don’t date someone else to do that.”

Axel grinned at that statement. “Sora…it wasn’t ROXIE I wanted to make jealous.” He had to laugh at the look on Sora’s face and slipped obediently from the room to get a shower and some coffee.

0 0 0

Leon looked up as the door opened, ready to tell whoever was standing there to handle whatever small emergency was happening by themselves. The words died in his throat as he watched Cloud enter the room, his buster sword over his shoulder. Cloud raised one eyebrow at him. “You missed practice.”

“I know.” Leon sighed. “I was helping the crew down at the dome. They think they’ll have it fixed by the next game, but there are no guarantees.”

Cloud gave him a sympathetic look. “Find anything?”

Leon frowned slightly. “No. Marluxia, Vincent, Yuffie, Aerith and Yuna were all there and we didn’t find anything. Whoever did it was good…there was no explosive residue, nothing. There WERE a few firecracker shells but we’re talking standard fireworks, nothing that should have set off an explosion of THAT kind of magnitude.”
Leon had his own ideas about the fireworks, and all of them involved Axel. The pranks that had been pulled over the years never hurt anyone and were usually inventive and amusing. Leon saw no point in actively going after the people responsible, though he had a few ideas who those people might be…Axel was ALWAYS on any list he made. Still, Axel was too smart to be stupid, and Leon believed him when he said this wasn’t his work. Frustrated, Leon ran a hand through his hair.

Cloud headed for the bathroom they shared with Nooj and Gippal, stripping off his shirt as he went. All thought of explosion vanished from Leon’s mind as he saw the planes of smooth skin now exposed to his view. His heart skipped a beat. He doubted Cloud had a clue how he looked shirtless. “Did it occur to you that the explosion might not have been due to an explosive?” He asked, stripping off his pants.

Leon was nearly panting and he was grateful when Cloud walked into the bathroom, leaving the door open. The shower started. Leon walked toward the bathroom door, leaning against the wall just outside of it. “Yes but that’s not helping. Too many people here have the skills to make something explode or use elemental magic. Only a certain few use it as a WEAPON, we’re starting from there.”

“We can ask Cid to focus more on that sort of thing during training. See if someone shines with talents like that.” Cloud suggested, and the scent of their soap filled the air as steam washed over Leon’s face. Leon felt himself break out into a sweat. He could easily imagine Cloud’s hands sliding over…NO! He rubbed his temples. He was being a pervert and driving himself crazy in the process. “Not a bad idea.” Leon replied shakily. He was horrified to hear the unsteadiness in his own voice, and twice as horrified when Cloud’s concerned voice filled the air.

“You okay?”

Of all the times for Cloud not to be oblivious! Leon paused. “Yeah. Just tired. Sora was over here earlier.”

He could picture Cloud’s frown. “Why?”

Leon relaxed slightly. “He broke up with Axel and wanted to talk to you about it.”

Cloud paused. “How’s Axel taking it?”

This reaction surprised Leon slightly as he knew how against the match Cloud had been. “Well. They agreed to continue being friends. Sora thinks Axel’s in love with Roxas.”

“Sora’s probably right.” Cloud replied coolly. “And I’ll kill him if he goes near Roxas. Sora was one thing….hell anyone with brains likes Sora…but Roxas is more vulnerable than Sora is. Whatever game Axel is playing needs to stop now.”

Leon paused. “What if he’s not playing a game?”

Cloud snorted. “What would possibly make you think that?”

Leon hesitated. Did he really want to say this? “Maybe…the games are the cover. Maybe he’s content getting Roxas to respond to him any way that he can, even if it means with anger.”

“Then he’s going to end up being treated like Sephiroth is.” Cloud replied calmly. “If he loves Roxas he should tell him.”

“You would feel comfortable telling your roommate that you’re crazy in love with them?” Leon asked, not really intending for Cloud to hear. He wasn’t counting on the shower turning off at that moment.

There was no answer from the bathroom, and Leon turned, heading back toward his bed. “Axel’s not so bad.”

“Maybe not.” Cloud conceded and Leon jumped as his voice came from directly over his shoulder. Whirling, he yelped softly as he caught sight of Cloud standing in the center of the room, the towel around his waist precariously balanced on his lean hips. A drop of water slid from Cloud’s damp hair and down his chest. Leon’s eyes followed it before he had the sense to close his eyes. “But I always thought Axel had enough guts to tell his roommate that he’s head over heels in love with him.”

Leon slowly opened his eyes and met Cloud’s blue gaze. He had been crazy for those eyes since Cloud had wandered into his life four years ago…and he was just as crazy for them now. “Maybe he doesn’t want to screw up his friendship.” Leon murmured and took a step closer to the blond who haunted his dreams. “Maybe he’ll be content with just friendship if it means he can be close to his roommate.”

Leon stared into Cloud’s eyes as he spoke, searching the blue depths for…WHAT he wasn’t entirely sure, but he would know once he saw it. Cloud didn’t back away as Leon took another slow step forward, his eyes widening ever so slightly as he tilted his head slightly to meet Leon’s gaze. “Maybe he doesn’t have to be content with just friendship…if he just asked.” Cloud replied softly.

Leon responded instantly and closed the distance between them. Maybe not. His mind whispered at him. Oh god please don’t let me screw this up! His lips brushed Cloud’s in a gentle, tentative kiss. Leon could feel his own insecurities pouring out of him and flushed. Cloud made a soft noise, and hurriedly, Leon backed away, his heart sinking down into his feet. He had screwed up. Misread Cloud’s words and screwed up. “Cloud I…”

He was cut off as Cloud initiated the next kiss, a kiss that sent waves of shivers up and down Leon’s spine. This kiss was less hesitant and far less chaste, a kiss that tasted, and dear GOD Cloud tasted good. Cloud broke the kiss before it got any more intense, and Leon looked down into his face.

Cloud’s eyes were pools of cloudy blue, his eyes half lidded, lips shining slightly. The sight of his face made Leon’s heart skip a beat. “You…what?” Cloud asked quietly.

It took Leon nearly a full thirty seconds to comprehend what the blond was talking about. “I…” Just say it, you idiot! Why was it his internal voice always sounded like Yuffie? Really…how messed up was that. As if it wasn’t bad enough she berated him when she was around, why did he have to be enough of a masochist that she did it when she wasn’t too? You know you want to! The internal Yuffie-voice insisted. You’ve been waiting to say it since the day he walked into your life, now SAY IT!

Dear god he wished she would shut up. Cloud took a slight step backward and, alarmed, Leon’s gaze slid up to Cloud’s eyes. There was uncertainty and slight panic on his face, as if he just realized he had made a huge mistake. “Iloveyou.” Leon gushed in a quick sentence that was NOTHING like him. He didn’t talk like an idiot. Who was that fool using his body?

Cloud froze. “What?”

Leon reached out to stop the blond from retreating. “I love you.” He whispered. “I have for years.”

Cloud stared at him. “Why didn’t you say anything?” He asked slowly.

Leon took a step closer and was infinitely relieved when Cloud didn’t pull away. “I would have contented myself with just being your friend.” He murmured. “You were so adamant that you weren’t gay to Sephiroth…and I didn’t realize it myself until recently. I knew I…you…well…” Leon felt himself flushing. “…You’re under my skin, Cloud. I just didn’t…” Leon let out a long breath. “…realize I was gay too.”

Guilt filled Cloud’s face. “I see.” He paused. “…I’ve always been gay. I just don’t want to put up with Sephiroth. Aerith knew after two dates. I TOLD you we weren’t dating.”

Leon’s lips twitched. “I believe you.”

“Finally.” Cloud rolled his eyes. “So…how’d you find it out…you know…that you’re gay?”

Leon closed his eyes. Cloud was not going to like the answer. Leon had never thought about how to tell Cloud all about this, because he had never imagined having Cloud like this. “…Seifer.”

Cloud’s eyes hardened. “Seifer.” He spat. “You dated SEIFER?!”

Leon looked away. Dating was not exactly the word he would use. “Let it go, Cloud.”

Cloud looked way too pissed to let it go. “You dated Seifer. The same asshole who scarred your face.”

“After we broke up.” Leon finished in a whisper.

Cloud froze. “What?” He asked in a deadly whisper.

Leon closed his eyes. “After we broke up.” He repeated. “The incident happened AFTER I realized that…well…you’re the only one I want. Even if you didn’t want me back I’d rather be celibate and alone than give you up.”

Cloud looked torn between wanting to kick some ass and smile. The second response won out as a slight smile crossed his face. “Hey…Leon…”

Leon looked at the blond questioningly. Cloud’s eyes met his and the emotion in them took Leon’s breath away. “I love you too.”

Leon pounced. Cloud smelled clean and fresh (which had nothing to do with the soap he had used in the shower) and Leon could not get enough. He pinned Cloud against the wall as his lips explored the lines of Cloud’s face, slipping over his neck. He was startled and insanely pleased when Cloud moaned as Leon lapped at the droplets of water slipping down his throat, raising his head to stare into Cloud’s blue eyes. His heart skipped a beat as he saw the intense desire in Cloud’s eyes, and the impatience too. Leon grinned as he lowered his lips to Cloud’s, taking his time as he nibbled softly on Cloud’s full lower lip.

Always in the past it had been Seifer all over him, Leon submitting to the teen who obviously had more of a clue about sex than he did. Still…it had been one of the things that was uncomfortable about their relationship, and Leon felt himself melting now as he felt Cloud tremble against him, Leon’s hands exploring the smooth skin he had dreamed about. Cloud opened his mouth in protest as Leon drew his head away, but he was cut off by a shuddering gasp as Leon’s fingers traced the line of the towel teasingly, dipping along with the lines of Cloud’s hips and stopping with the towel. Cloud made a soft, whining sound as Leon withdrew his hand, and Leon laughed as he leaned in and kissed his blond love.

Cloud, like Leon himself, believed in keeping his own council. Neither Leon nor Cloud believed in exposing their emotions, though Leon admitted that people who spouted their emotions like Sora and Axel had their own charm as well. Still…to hear that soft whine out of Cloud, to get a return kiss like he was getting, with Cloud moaning as Leon’s tongue leisurely thrust into Cloud’s mouth suggestively, it was deliciously heady and made Leon desperate for more…he alone could make Cloud Hikari respond without a mask on, without him holding something back…and Leon loved him all the more for it.

It was Cloud who pushed Leon back, shuddering with every brush of Leon’s tongue against his own, the back of Leon’s legs hitting the bed and crumpling, making him hit the bed hard, Cloud sprawling on top of him. Cloud grinned as he broke the kiss and got a good look at Leon beneath him. “Tell me…” Cloud murmured conversationally. “…are you a top or a bottom?”

Leon turned red. He could feel himself turn red, his mouth opening before closing again. Cloud snorted with amusement, blue eyes sparkling. “Never seen you shy before.” He teased softly.

Leon shot him a rude hand gesture and Cloud snorted again. “God I hope so.” He whispered, and Leon felt his heart skip a beat. Their eyes met and held, and the amusement left Cloud’s eyes, which warmed with affection. “You really didn’t know.” Cloud mused.

Leon shook his head wordlessly. “Neither did you.” He pointed out.

Cloud snorted and nibbled softly on Leon’s throat in a way that made Leon’s entire body ache. Cloud’s eyes remained on him as he undid the knot around his waist and his body was exposed to Leon’s view.

He had seen Cloud’s exquisite body naked before, of course. They had been roommates for four years, and they commonly shared a locker room…this was beyond different, beyond anything Leon could even imagine. He watched the way Cloud’s muscles rippled with each movement, barely noticing as Cloud slid his hands beneath Leon’s shirt and pushed it over his head. Only the feeling of their skin touching as Cloud lowered himself back down to meet Leon’s lips shocked Leon out of his contemplation of the blond’s body.

Leon loved the feeling of his skin against Cloud’s, still slightly damp from his shower. Flipping Cloud over in a single movement, he trailed kisses over Cloud’s exposed skin, tasting and delighting in every inch. He watched the way Cloud’s muscles tensed in anticipation and then trembled as Leon paid homage to them, delighted in the soft gasps, in the low moan as he located one dusky nipple and then the other, teasing both into life. Leon could not get enough, and he only stopped when Cloud pushed something into his hand.

Stopping dead, he stared at the lotion in his hand and then looked at Cloud. Cloud grinned slightly, his blue eyes luminous. “Later.” He promised, as if knowing that Leon’s only desire at that moment was to taste his lover, to make him writhe. “Right now I need you.”

Like Leon could deny Cloud anything within reason, and he couldn’t deny him this now. Slowly, Leon slid his pants down his legs, biting his lip to stifle the moan as his erection was finally freed. He lowered himself over Cloud, his heart hammering against his chest as Cloud’s legs parted in open invitation. Leon paused. Seifer had drowned him in pleasure, but he had hurt. Leon did not want Cloud to ever think of him that way.

Cloud stared at him with such open trust and a vulnerability that Leon had never seen on him before, and without words, he coated his fingers, sliding first one and then two into Cloud’s body. Cloud cried out instantly, not looking as if he was discomforted in the least, his back arching as he welcomed Leon into his body. Leon’s fingers lazily traced Cloud’s body with his free hand as he gently teased and stretched Cloud’s entrance. “Leon…” Cloud gasped as Leon’s hand lightly brushed his erection. “…god please!”

Leon smiled down at the blond and kissed him slowly, the kiss becoming a low moan as Cloud’s hand cupped his own arousal and stroked it softly. He nearly fell over at that, and Cloud grinned mischievously as Leon whimpered. “Tease.” Leon kissed him.

“Leon…” Cloud’s arms circled his shoulders and their lips met in another soft kiss, Leon coating himself in lotion before breaking the kiss and taking hold of Cloud’s legs. They stared into each other’s eyes, neither speaking as Leon slowly entered his lover for the first time and Cloud’s back arched as he accepted him. If Leon hurt him, Cloud didn’t show it, only pushed against him, trembling as his legs slid around Leon’s waist. “God, Leon…” He whimpered. “…move!”

Cloud was hot, tight and like heaven, and he writhed beneath Leon as Leon’s hand found his erection and stroked him with each thrust into his body. Leon was so caught up in Cloud and the expressions on his face, he knew he couldn’t last long, but he kept moving, determined to push Cloud into utter ecstasy.

Stroking into Cloud, he knew the instant he touched the blond’s prostate, because Cloud nearly screamed, his head flinging back with utter pleasure. Leon gathered Cloud into his arms and stroked against that spot, rubbing himself over Cloud’s erection, impaling the blond until Cloud cried out and tightened around him. Leon gratefully lost himself to utter oblivion, seeing stars as Cloud shook and gasped in his arms, Leon trembling beside him.

Gently, tenderly, Leon lowered Cloud to the bed, carefully slipping from his lover’s body, kissing him gently. Cloud’s blue eyes were dazed but utterly content, and he kissed Leon’s throat lightly. “I needed to feel you come with me.” Cloud whispered. “The first time.”

Leon’s heart skipped a beat and he melted against the blond as Cloud’s arms wrapped around him and they curled around each other. As he watched Cloud’s eyelashes fall to pillow lightly on his cheek, Leon knew…he would do anything to have a future with this boy.

0 0 0

Roxas headed toward the meeting spot for the Organization meeting. Demyx, Marluxia, Larxene and himself had spread the news that it hadn’t been Axel’s fault…and that it was possible someone was trying to frame them. He had also learned from Marluxia that no sign of the cause of the fire was evident on the stadium. The Organization was going to do something about it.

“Roxas!” Roxas turned on the staircase and his eyes widened slightly as he watched Seifer make his way up the stairs to stand beside him. “I want to talk to you.”

Roxas had little to no interest in talking to Seifer. Roxas was badly confused by everything going on and wanted to focus on one mystery at a time, and the first mystery was who was trying to frame Axel. Later he could think about Seifer’s kiss and how it felt to fall asleep in Axel’s arms. Later he could consider the fact that Sora had just broken up with Axel and neither seemed upset about it (in fact, Riku was ecstatic about the turn of events, though he did a good job of hiding it). Later…right now he didn’t want to have to think about millions of things at once.

“Seifer.” He replied coolly. “I’m in a hurry. I have a meeting I have to get to.”

Seifer held out his hand to keep Roxas from moving. “That’s not important right now.”

Roxas’ eyes narrowed. This was one of the reasons they had broken up…Roxas hated the way that anything he needed to do wasn’t important. “Yes, it is.” Roxas replied evenly. “And if I’m late someone’s going to come looking and then I’ll get in trouble.”

Or Axel would kill Seifer, a far more plausible idea after Axel’s reaction to seeing the kiss the night before. “I need to talk to you.” Seifer insisted. “And I can’t wait. I want you, Rox.”

Roxas stared at Seifer as if he had lost his mind, stunned out of his escape attempt. “Are you crazy?!” He hissed, glancing sharply around. He grabbed the front of Seifer’s vest and hauled him a few steps up and into a deserted classroom hallway. “What the hell are you doing saying that out loud where everyone can hear you?!”
Seifer stared at him. “You embarrassed about our relationship?” Seifer asked smoothly.

Roxas’ eyes narrowed dangerously. He recognized that tone. “We don’t have a relationship, Seifer. You ended it when you cheated on me with my best friend.”

Seifer’s eyes narrowed in reply. “You don’t hate Hayner.” He replied calmly.

Roxas could hear the anger behind the words. “No I don’t hate Hayner.” He replied quietly. “Hayner didn’t know we were going out.” Telling his best friend that he was gay hadn’t been high on Roxas’ list of priorities.

Seifer had been content hiding their relationship and Roxas had had no interest at all in changing that. “You did.”

Seifer rolled his eyes. “I said I was sorry.” He took another step forward and pinned Roxas against the wall, hands on either side of Roxas. Roxas turned his face. “It scared me when the dome nearly fell.” He murmured.
Roxas felt his face flame. Seifer HAD gotten him out, and then had…NO! He didn’t want to think about that damn kiss…or about the fact that Seifer was looking at him and using the same voice that Axel had the night before…Seifer leaned over him, and Roxas tilted his head away from the unwanted touch, exposing his throat.

“What the HELL?!” Roxas’ eyes widened in shock as Seifer growled warningly. Seifer’s fingers found his throat. “WHAT is this?!”

Roxas blinked at him. “My neck.” He replied coldly. “What of it?”

Seifer poked his throat hard enough to make him wince. “This. Someone’s MARKED you.”

“Marked me? What the…” Roxas paused as he thought that through. He could certainly remember kisses but had Axel…his stomach clenched. Axel had nibbled on his throat. He glared up at Seifer. “What of it?” He demanded, taking the opportunity to twist away. “We’re NOT going out!”

Seifer glared at him. “I tried fighting fate but it did no good. You’re my fate, Roxas. You’re mine.”

Roxas frowned in reply. “Let me make this clear to you, Seifer.” He replied coolly. “You and I aren’t going out. You CHEATED on me.”

Seifer stared at him for a long minute. “I’m sorry about that, Rox. I know you don’t believe me but I am. I…” He paused. “…would you give me another chance?”

It wasn’t often that Seifer dropped his façade and let someone look at him and Roxas well knew it. Part of him softened slightly toward the tall blond, the part that remembered that Seifer had been his first kiss. He had been the one to teach Roxas how to Struggle. They had shared many memories together. Seifer had even been his first...Roxas brutally thrust that thought away. For every good memory of Seifer there was a bad one to match it. The reminder of THAT was enough to harden Roxas against Seifer again. “I’ll think about it.” He replied flatly, knowing that a flat-out refusal would earn him more of Seifer being a pain.

Seifer gave him an unreadable look beneath his hat. “I won’t wait forever, Rox.”

Roxas gave him a cool look. “Then don’t.” He turned and bolted up the stairs, ignoring Seifer’s call of his name. When he arrived on the broken balcony he was breathless. Everyone stared at him. Xemnas raised one eyebrow disapprovingly. “You’re late.”

“Got held up in the hallway.” Roxas replied dryly. “Seifer. What did I miss?”

“Nothing.” Larxene drawled. “Xemnas is just being dramatic.”

Their leader gave her a dirty look and she smirked in reply, glancing at Roxas. “What happened to your neck?”

Roxas threw Axel a dirty look. “Ask him.” Instantly he knew that was the wrong thing to say as all gazes followed his.

To his surprise, Axel didn’t smirk, he only gave them an unreadable look, though the corners of his mouth twitched. “Let’s get this over with. Marly and I missed practice looking over the dome and if we don’t do a little work Cid’ll have our asses.”

Roxas found himself missing the characteristic smirk. Somehow Axel seemed…duller without it, his eyes were less green, his hair less red. Roxas had the strangest urge to comfort him…and then shook his head wondering what the hell he was thinking. Comfort Axel? And end up in bed with him again. He snorted.

“Right.” Marluxia snapped to attention. “The explosion looks magic based. It wasn’t an explosive detonated, it was magic.”

“Who could make the dome explode by magic?” Lexaeus asked, running a hand through his hair. He glanced at Roxas. “Seifer detained you?”

Roxas stared at the tall senior and paused. Lexaeus was Hayner’s brother…slowly he nodded. “Yeah.”

Lexaeus frowned and glanced sideways at Axel, whose eyes had narrowed slightly. “Who would want to frame Axel?”

“We don’t know anyone is.” Vexen replied in a bored tone. “Nobody has a clue it’s us.”

“Not true.” Axel replied instantly. “Leon has a clue.”

“LEON?!” The cry went up and Axel shrugged.

“Yeah. He about told me when Sora broke up with me this morning.” He paused and a strange mix of emotions crossed his face...happiness, guilt, depression and resignation. Roxas made a mental note to ask Sora what had happened later. “He doesn’t think we did it though or he would have turned us in.”

Xemnas held up his hand. “I’ve heard enough. We’re going to find out who set the explosion on the dome and why. Don’t call attention to yourselves.” His eyes fixed on Axel. “We protect our own.”

Roxas found his eyes on Axel again as he moved forward to talk to Demyx, and they remained on the redhead long after they got back to their room and turned out the light.