Days Go By

Axel was in high spirits as he walked down the hallway, Kairi beside him. They paused as they turned the corner. “Do you think this will really work?” He heard the anxiety in Kairi’s voice and turned to glance down at her.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet, princess.” He saw the uneasiness in her eyes and sighed. “It will work. Trust me!” He grinned wickedly. “It worked for Demyx and Zexion, it will work for them too.” He winked. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a beautiful blond. See you.” Turning from his co-conspirator, he headed for his room. He sighed as he thought about Kairi’s words…he should have asked Yuffie or Rikku…neither of them would have started doubting two seconds after the deed was done. He rolled his eyes…girls had no patience.

Still, he was in high spirits as he entered the room he and Roxas were sharing. “Roxie…” he sang out. “…ready to eat pizza until you throw up?”

“That’s an appealing image.” Roxas replied dryly from his bed, legs crossed beneath him. He was dressed in simple baggy gray cotton pants and dear gods…he was not wearing a shirt. Axel thought he would melt into a happy puddle just looking at him, and he took a moment to get himself an eyeful in case Roxas suddenly remembered and covered up again.

It was not that Axel had not seen Roxas in various stages of undress before…after all, he frequently watched the boy change in the locker rooms. There was something more intimate about this though, something far more intense to Axel’s senses. He was aware of Roxas with every fiber of his being. Roxas usually changed in the bathroom and rarely if ever walked around half dressed…what was the occasion? Axel was dying to ask but didn’t dare open his mouth, for fear of breaking the spell. Roxas gave him an impatient look. “Are you planning on standing there like an idiot for the rest of the night or are we going to order that pizza and watch movies?”

Axel grinned. “Sorry. Brain momentarily shut off.” He ignored Roxas’ half amused/half irritated snort and tossed his coat onto the dresser.

“Where’s Sora?” Roxas asked, glancing around. “Didn’t he and Riku want to come?”

Axel grinned lazily. “I’m sure they did but they haven’t gotten back from their ‘not a date’ yet.”

Roxas looked startled, then amused. “I see. How about Dem and Zexion?”

Axel shrugged. He had bribed Zexion by offering to do his laundry for a month if he would play least in sight. “Dunno. I knocked but the ‘do not disturb’ sign was up.”

Roxas blinked for a moment before turning red. “What is it about Christmas, homecoming and Valentines’ Day that always makes people get mushy?” Roxas mused as Axel picked up the phone to order the pizza.

Axel glanced over. “Homecoming is obvious…you’re a loser if you don’t have a date. Same with V-Day. Christmas…” He shrugged. “At the risk of sounding mushy myself, it’s nice to have someone special to spend the holiday with.”

“Hmm.” Roxas replied, pulling a book out from the side of the bed, followed by a gift bag.

Axel snorted. “Nice wrapping job, Rox.” The blond shot him a dirty look.

“I hate wrapping presents. That’s Sora’s thing. Not mine.”

Axel looked sideways at the bags now lining the floor as Roxas put the one he finished with beside the others. “What’d you buy?”

Roxas fixed him with a glare. “None of your business.”

Axel grinned as he spoke into the phone, amused by the way Roxas was glaring at him so fiercely. Did Roxas buy him a gift? Axel was dying to find out. “Yes, I’d like to order a large…”

“Cheese.” Roxas replied instantly. “And pepperoni…”

“Pepperoni pizza. Mmmhmm….cash. Twilight Hotel, Room 14. That’s right. Thanks!”

Roxas eyed a pair of black leather fingerless gloves for a moment before folding them reverently. He added a simple silver keychain and slipped both inside of a small green bag. “Did you know that the room we’re really in is #13? Hotels don’t ever have room 13. Superstition.”

Axel smirked. “Appropriate.” He approached the blond. “Did you get me something?”

Roxas scowled at him. “You shouldn’t ask about your gifts.” He admonished. “It makes you look like a jerk.”

“Which is new how?” Axel asked mildly, watching Roxas lean over to hide his view of the still loose presents. “So you DID get me something!”

“I did not!” Roxas fired back, glaring fiercely now, on his knees to block Axel’s approach.

Axel chuckled as he pounced. “Then you won’t mind if I look.” He wasn’t counting on Roxas fighting back so hard, but he was delighted by the turn of events. They rolled on the bed, both fighting to get control of the other, Axel being careful to roll off the BOTTOM of the bed so he wouldn’t actually do something stupid like break the gifts Roxas had purchased and wrapped.

They crashed to the floor, Axel rolling beneath Roxas to avoid crushing the smaller teen. He hit hard, the air rushing out of his lungs. He wheezed desperately, feeling his lungs constrict painfully. “Axel?” Alarmed, Roxas stared down at him, hands on either side of Axel’s head as he propped himself up to take some of the pressure off of Axel’s chest.

Axel wheezed, but shook his head quickly as Roxas began to roll away. His hands settled lightly on Roxas’ waist.

Roxas went dead still, staring down at Axel with unreadable, wide blue eyes. Neither boy spoke, the only sound in the room Axel’s desperate breath. The first taste of air in his lungs was like heaven, and Axel breathed gratefully. Soon though…his breathing slowed and he became fully aware of the way his hands easily rested on Roxas’ slim hips, of the way their legs had tangled together as they rolled off of the bed, of the unreadable expression in Roxas’ blue eyes. “Did…we miss the gifts?” Axel asked weakly, his eyes searching Roxas’, desperate to analyze the deep blue.

Roxas didn’t look away, their gazes locked. “If you break your Christmas Present, I’m going to kill you.” He whispered.

Axel smiled wickedly. “So you DID get me a gift.”

“Yeah.” Roxas agreed. His eyes remained fixed on Axel’s as he slowly leaned down. Their breaths mingled and Axel’s heart stopped beating entirely. Roxas didn’t move, his arms shaking slightly on either side of Axel’s head as he kept himself carefully immobile. Axel grinned as he closed the distance between them.

Axel had dreamed about kissing Roxas from the moment that he saw the boy, and to be perfectly honest…he had never actually thought he would get the opportunity. Roxas tasted like sea-salt ice cream and something sharper, something that was pure Roxas. Axel’s hands slid from Roxas’ waist to cup the smaller teen’s back. He half expected Roxas to pull away at any moment, to demand to know what the HELL he thought he was doing and probably get his ass kicked. Axel didn’t care…this was worth every bruise he would receive.

Axel ran his hand over Roxas’ back, stroking it gently and to his astonishment and utter delight, Roxas gave a throaty moan, his lips parting beneath Axel’s as he shuddered. Axel wasted no more time and slid his tongue over Roxas’ lips teasingly before dipping into his mouth. Axel’s brain had entirely turned off at the sound of that moan, and he was lost in utter pleasure. Yes…he had kissed before, but no kiss was like this kiss. This kiss…was heaven.

Roxas sank down on his chest as if his arms could no longer hold him up, his hands curling in Axel’s hair. Axel nearly purred at the sensation…he had always loved having someone play with his hair…he found it very calming.

Roxas slowly raised his head, and Axel DID purr as he saw the smoky look in Roxas’ blue eyes, his face flushed. Roxas gave him a slight smile. “Did you just purr?”

Axel laughed and twisted, pinning Roxas beneath him. “Damn straight.” He nuzzled Roxas’ neck. He wanted to ask why him, he wanted to ask what Roxas was feeling and what he was thinking but he was terrified that if he did…Roxas would draw away. Axel didn’t think he could handle it if Roxas drew away. He dropped soft kisses on the creamy skin opened up to him and sighed in utter satisfaction as Roxas’ breath caught. “Only you can make me purr, Rox.”

Roxas’ arms tightened around him and Axel happily leaned in, locating the shell of Roxas’ right ear with his tongue before sucking softly on the soft skin just beneath the earlobe. Roxas shuddered. “Axel…”

Axel nearly exploded just hearing Roxas whimper his name like that. That was something he would never get enough of. He jumped as someone knocked on the door, slowly raising his head. The scent of spices floated into the air, and Axel swore inwardly. “Pizza.” He murmured, licking the slender blond’s jawline.

Roxas gave him a glare with blue eyes that were bright with emotion that made Axel’s heart skip a beat. “If you move, I’ll kill you.”

Axel grinned and placed a lingering kiss onto Roxas’ lips. “Aren’t you hungry?” He asked, teasingly running his hands up and down Roxas’ bare sides.

Roxas trembled in his hold, and Axel slowly slid up, pulling the blond up after him, cradling him against his chest. “Yes…” Roxas whispered as Axel lowered him down onto the bed. “…I’m hungry.”

Axel grinned down at the blond. “Are you?” He slid his leg between Roxas’, deliberately twisting his hip so it pressed hard against the spiky haired blond. A wicked grin crossed Axel’s face as he heard the soft cry this produced, and rolled his eyes as someone hammered on the door again. He swore under his breath and got up.

“Axel, don’t make me kill you.” Roxas pleaded.

Axel leaned in and kissed the blond softly. “You’ll want it later, Roxie.” He grinned. “I promise.”

Roxas narrowed his eyes but let Axel get up, open the door and pay the pizza man. Axel was in such a hurry that he didn’t care that he had just tipped said pizza man about 10 munny extra…all he cared about was getting back to Roxas.

Roxas was seated on the bed and there was a gleam in his blue eyes that Axel recognized instantly as Roxas at his most contrary. “Maybe I AM hungry now.”

Axel met Roxas’ eyes squarely and searched for the meaning of his words. If Roxas wanted him to back off…well, Axel might have to go outside and walk around in the freezing cold for a while, but he would do it. The very last thing he wanted was to push the blond when Roxas finally gave in…even if just a little. The gleam he saw lighting up the blue made his heart skip a beat in his chest, and a grin crossed his face. “Baby, by the time I’m finished with you, you’re going to be famished.”

Roxas inclined one eyebrow and gave him his best arrogant look. “You’re awfully confident.”

Axel approached and looked on with amusement as Roxas backed off. “Extremely.” He agreed, a purr in his voice as his eyes drank in the exposed skin. Roxas’ back hit the fake headboard of the bed, and his blue eyes stuttered up to meet Axel’s. Axel grinned. “Nowhere to go, Rox.”

Blue eyes flicked once before Roxas shot left, toward the side of the bed that didn’t have gifts that were in danger. Axel intercepted him, hitting Roxas hard and pushing him back into the pillows. They struggled, but Axel managed to pin the blond’s wrists up over his head. Roxas was deliciously flushed and his blue eyes snapped with defiant fire. Axel studied him with a lazy smile, raising one hand, the other still holding his wrists, running it over Roxas’ side. Roxas shuddered. “I’m going to whack you with my keyblade.”

Axel grinned. “Who said I was going to let you free?” He demanded. “Roxie, by the time I finish with you, you’re not going to have energy to do anything but have a piece of pizza and curl up in my arms.”

Axel paused and stared down into Roxas’ eyes. He opened his mouth…though whether he was going to say something wicked that would get him smacked or say something mushy that would probably also get him smacked, Roxas cut him off. “Axel…” He growled. “…if you don’t do something, I’m going to tie YOU to the damn bed and leave you here.”

Axel laughed, delighted by that. “Are you implying that you want me to tie you to the bed, Rox?” He paused…that was a little more than Axel had expected. He studied Roxas intently. Was the boy not a virgin? Deciding he didn’t care when frustration lit up Roxas’ eyes, he reached down carefully, fumbling for something…anything. His hand located something metallic, something that chinked as he lifted it. He blinked in stunned surprise at a furry pink handcuff. He blinked back down at the boy pinned to the bed and inclined one eyebrow. “Do I WANT to know, Rox?”

Roxas turned red. “It’s a gift!” He protested.

Axel choked. “For who?”

Roxas grinned. “Cloud.” Axel howled with laughter, collapsing into bed beside Roxas, releasing the blond as he thought about Cloud actually using the pink things. “I always get my brothers gag gifts.” Roxas looked pleased with himself.

Axel snorted as another wave of laughter shot through him. “What did you get Sora?”

Roxas grinned again. “Socks.” He shook his head when Axel gave him a puzzled look, and the soft click of metal sounded through the room. Axel blinked down and saw a pink cuff firmly around Roxas’ wrists.

“Rox…” Axel licked his lips. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate the mental image of Roxas tied to his bed…in fact he had fantasies of Roxas tied to his bed…but he hadn’t intended on this being their first time.

Roxas stared at him, and the humor vanished from his eyes. “Axel…please.” He whispered. “Don’t let me think about this, don’t let me run away. I don’t want to run from you.”

Later, Axel could ask him just what would make him run. Later, he could ask who Roxas’ previous lover had been to hurt him so badly. Right now, he could deny the spiky haired blond nothing, and he drew Roxas’ free wrist to his lips before lifting it to the top of the bed and looping the chain through the fake headboard before fastening it. Yes…Axel admitted freely to himself that he was whipped…but as he looked down at the blond, wrists caught above his head, still half naked, blue eyes fixed on him…Axel didn’t care.

He began slowly, his lips nuzzling bare skin, brushing lazily against Roxas’ side and up over his chest, avoiding sensitive areas. Roxas squirmed beneath him, and Axel could hear the chain grinding against the board. “Axel…bloody…”

Axel lifted his head and grinned. “Rox, if you don’t want me to gag you, lay there like the good little boy you are.” He leaned in and licked the boy’s earlobe before sucking it into his mouth, his lips moving down to close around his pulse. Roxas trembled beneath him as Axel’s hands came to rest on his hips. “Boys with big mouths…” He breathed into Roxas’ ear, more interested in the gooseflesh covering Roxas’ skin as the breath slid down his throat than in what he was saying. “…need big gags.”

Roxas laughed at that, and Axel grinned before claiming Roxas’ lips again. Axel would never get tired of kissing Roxas. He drank in the soft sounds each suggestive thrust of his tongue into the blond’s mouth inspired, his hands running lazily over the bare skin. Axel lifted his head with a final gentle suck of Roxas’ tongue before releasing him, smiling down at his captive. Roxas was flushed, his lips swollen, sky blue eyes cloudy and heavy lidded. He was beautiful.

Axel attacked his throat, licking, nibbling and caressing, moving down to tease pink nipples into hard peaks, his tongue mercilessly playing with Roxas’ body. Roxas squirmed beneath him, breath coming in gasps as Axel located one sensitive spot after another, biting on golden skin before soothing the inflamed bite with his tongue. He kept his hands busy only by holding Roxas down as he tasted his young lover’s body, earning whimpers as he avoided traveling lower beyond the waist of Roxas’ pants. “Ax…” Roxas began, sounding frustrated and desperate, but his head flung back and he arched against the cuffs as Axel’s tongue dipped into his belly button and swirled before he sucked lazily on it. “Axel!”

Axel laughed and raised his head. “Like that, love?” He asked gently, kissing Roxas again before he lowered himself down over Roxas’ body. His teeth closed on the elastic waist of Roxas’ pants and he drew them down, Roxas remaining unmoving until they had fallen in a puddle to the floor. He grinned as he looked down at the blond. “Commando?” He breathed, delighted.

Roxas blushed. “What is it with you and your teeth?!” He demanded.

Axel laughed. “Roxie, I told you I was hungry.” He teased, smiling down at the naked teen before him. “And you, love…are enough of a feast for any man.” His eyes met Roxas’ eyes as he paused, the grin faltering. They stared at each other and then Roxas’ legs parted, and Axel’s face softened as he settled between them.

He didn’t give Roxas a chance to think about what was going on, his lips again meeting his. He nibbled and sucked on Roxas’ lower lip and tongue as he began a slow grind against the blond. His hips rolled, the denim of his black jeans stroking against Roxas’ bare skin. Roxas cried out into the kiss, and Axel smiled lazily as he moved attention to Roxas’ throat, sucking and teasing as his hips did wicked things to the hard length pressing against his leg.

Roxas writhed beneath him, Axel keeping the friction constant, teasing the blond as he again began to taste every inch of skin within easy reach. “Axel…my god!” Roxas’ gasp was harsh and Axel grinned as he lifted himself and rolled his hips slowly, making the blond moan. He lowered himself down and Roxas whimpered as the heat of Axel’s leg vanished from between his legs. The whimper ended in a harsh cry as Axel merely breathed on the hard shaft between Roxas’ legs, the blond bucking toward him as he came.

He sagged against the cuffs, chest heaving as he shuddered in the throws of his orgasm. Axel smiled at him before lowering his head to the pearly liquid resting on Roxas’ tight stomach. The muscles jumped as Axel’s breath slid over bare skin. Roxas breathed hard, straining to look at Axel. His head flung back a moment later as Axel’s tongue began to clean the mess over his stomach. “Axel…” He whimpered.

Axel raised his head and grinned at the blond. “Like sea salt ice cream.” He teased, licking the blond’s stomach again. “Salty…and sweet.” He smiled as Roxas laughed, his tongue gently trailing over the silky skin until it was entirely clean.

Still, he followed the curve of Roxas’ hips and to the soft flesh already hardening as he breathed softly. With a wicked grin, his tongue slid up the shaft that grew firmer against his tongue. Roxas shuddered. “Geez! Axel!”

It was more a gasp than a complaint, but Axel raised his head just the same to grin at the blond. “What?” He asked innocently. “There was a spot there.”

Roxas gave him a dry look, his body shaking. “Uh huh.”

Axel laughed and dipped low, his tongue tasting every inch of flesh as it swelled against him. Roxas was trembling in his hold, and Axel put his hands on the blond’s hips to keep him steady as his lips parted and he drew Roxas into his mouth.

Roxas nearly screamed, his body going rigid, his back arching as he pulled on the cuffs around his wrist. “Axel!”

Axel hummed softly to himself and sent vibrations up the boy’s shaft as he began to move his head, his mouth sucking hard and tongue caressing each inch. Roxas had been reduced to one long moan, his entire body focused around the sensations Axel was producing. Axel hummed to himself as he lifted his head and grinned at Roxas. He slid a finger into his mouth, coating it with saliva…best he could do under the circumstances.

As if reading his mind (and surprisingly still coherent enough to understand), Roxas shook his head. “Down…in the bag where you found the handcuffs.” He was gasping, his body spasming every so often.

Axel smirked. “Another gift for Cloud?”

“Leon.”

Axel laughed. “Handcuffs and lube. That’s why I love you, Roxie.”

“Really?” Axel had been digging through the bag and had just located the strawberry flavored lube when he lifted his head. There was an unreadable expression in Roxas’ eyes.

“Yes, baby.” Axel purred. “I love you more than anything.”

“Enough to leave now?” Roxas asked quietly.

Axel paused and regarded the blond captive. “Yes, Rox.” He replied gently. “Enough to leave now, walk outside and roll around naked in the snow until I DON’T want to jump your ass.”

Roxas laughed and a darkness in his eyes lightened. “Axel…” He pulled at the cuffs. “…please…”

Axel could deny him nothing. He sucked Roxas back into his mouth and heard his name being cried out as he coated a finger in the scented liquid, pressing only the tip of his finger against Roxas’ opening. Roxas thrust down on him, and Axel heard him nearly crying as he began to time the thrusts of his finger with the movement of his head. He loved Roxas like this, his free arm looped securely around the blond’s waist to avoid mishaps. Another finger joined the first, and then a third. Axel wasn’t thinking about the preparation of his lover anymore, he was thinking only of the way Roxas was mewling his name as his fingers continued to slide against his prostate. “Axel, god!” Roxas bucked his hips, and Axel felt liquid fill his mouth.

He took his time to raise his head and smiled in satisfaction at the blond. Whatever reservations Roxas may have had about this that required him to be bound down, they were gone now. Axel purred happily as he stripped languidly and reached up, unlocking the cuffs.

Roxas sagged, blue eyes opening slowly. “Axel?”

Axel pulled the blond into his lap and set each of Roxas’ legs on either side of his body as he settled his lover. “Roxas…” He whispered. “…I am not going to make love to you for the first time with you handcuffed to a bed.”

Roxas fixed him with a blue stare as Axel lowered his right hand to coat his erection. “Axel…” He sighed softly, their lips meeting.

Axel raised Roxas’ hips slowly and positioned him, breaking the kiss. It would hurt…he knew it would hurt. While it was obvious Roxas was not the virgin Axel had thought he was, he was still so tight…Roxas met his gaze squarely, and slowly lowered himself onto Axel. He bit his lip as he slowly impaled himself on Axel’s lap, stopping only when he was firmly resting against Axel’s legs, his body shuddering. Axel kissed Roxas firmly, tongue playing against the blond’s as he experimentally rocked his hips slightly. Roxas jumped in his arms, gasping. Two more and Roxas was growing hard for a third time against him.

Axel raised his head and grinned at the blond. “Fiesty aren’t you?” He teased.

“Axel, you ass.” Roxas was gasping, shivers rolling up and down his spine. “Move!”

Axel laughed and gently lowered Roxas down onto his back, taking his legs and tucking them up over his shoulders. “If you say so, baby.” He thrust.

Roxas cried out and dimly Axel became aware of himself speaking Roxas’ name like a mantra as he moved within the boy. One hand found Roxas’ erection and he stroked it in time to his thrusts, reveling in the sensation of the silky heat around him. Roxas cried out as he came again and Axel could have sworn that the toes near his head curled as he arched against Axel’s arm, bracing him. Axel followed a moment later, calling Roxas’ name as ecstasy overtook him.

They collapsed together, Roxas’ eyes already sagging, Axel cradling him against his body. Axel smiled at the sleepy blond and kissed his lips gently, pulling out from the blond’s body and making him shudder. “I love you, Rox.” He whispered. “You have no idea how much.”

“Love you too, idiot.” Roxas replied sleepily, and Axel laughed, pulling his lover against him as they lay on the bed…pizza entirely forgotten.

0 0 0

Roxas’ eyes felt like they weighed a ton, but he doubted he could sleep, though he was deliciously warm, spooned in Axel’s arms. He sighed in utter satisfaction and turned slightly to look at his friend and roommate, his eyes slowly tracing the lines of Axel’s strong jaw. Axel was beautiful when he slept…hell…Axel was always beautiful…but there was something gentle, something soft and vulnerable about Axel when he slept.

Roxas trailed a kiss over the tattoo beneath Axel’s right eye and ran his fingers through fiery red locks. He smiled slightly as Axel purred at the sensation even in sleep…Axel purred. It made Roxas want to laugh and kiss him all at the same time. He did neither, instead slipped silently from bed. He was making a choice…and he needed to make it clear now.

When it was Roxas had fallen in love with Axel…Roxas still had no idea. Hell, half of the time he didn’t even LIKE Axel. The older teen was annoying, irritating, a terrible tease, rude, a smart-ass…damn…his mind traveled to Axel’s most wicked smile, the way his green eyes sparkled when he was thinking of something that would probably land them all in detention for the rest of their miserable existences. Roxas loved him…he couldn’t help it and he suspected that he had loved Axel even back when he had been dating Sora. Sora…that was another issue Roxas wanted to take care of. He needed to talk to Sora before tomorrow. He didn’t think that Axel was going to tell the world they had…Roxas blushed…but he WOULD be incredibly satisfied and probably clingy too. Having Sora walk in to see Axel “helping” Roxas get dressed was NOT how he wanted to tell his twin he was sleeping with his twin’s ex-boyfriend. God his life was screwed up. He sighed…he would have to tell Cloud too…or Cloud would probably beat the crap out of Axel…which might be funny, but Roxas could beat Axel himself.

Well…Cloud first. He was the least likely to turn homicidal or make him feel like an ass. Roxas snorted. He never thought he would choose Cloud to tell about…questionable news first. Grabbing his discarded pants, he slipped them on and pulled a T-shirt on over his head before glancing back at Axel’s sleeping form. God…he was beautiful. Roxas slipped silently from the room.

His bare feet padded softly on the carpet as he headed down the hallway. He looked at the stairs for a very long moment with distaste…stairs sucked. “Roxas…are you all right?” He turned as he heard Luxord’s voice just behind him.

The tall blond had piercings in both ears, his eyes sparkling as he smiled at Roxas. Roxas inclined one eyebrow. “You’re still up?”

“Insomnia.” Luxord replied smoothly. “And the fact that Xig refuses to turn off the TV. You would think he’s never SEEN a TV before.”

Roxas laughed. “Well we do get HBO.”

Luxord rolled his eyes. “Don’t remind me.” He eyed Roxas. “Axel piss you off?”

Roxas paused. “Nah.” He ignored Luxord’s look, trying very hard to keep his face impassive and his body temperature level. “Does this place have an elevator?”

Luxord gave him a dry look. “What’s wrong with the stairs?”

Roxas turned bright red. Okay…so he hurt. Axel had been a careful, considerate lover…but he still hurt. The thought of climbing four stories worth of stairs made him feel vaguely nauseated. Why did Cloud have to be so freaking high up? Sora was worse, he and Riku were on the seventh floor. He felt the flush go all the way down to his toes as Luxord came to a conclusion and inclined an eyebrow. “I knew you would give in eventually.”

Roxas swore. “If you don’t want me to shove my keyblade somewhere uncomfortable, shut UP.”

Luxord chuckled. “Sounds kinky but it might piss Axel off if I played with his toy.”

Roxas scowled at the blond. “I’m going to kill you.”

Luxord chuckled. “No you’re not. There’s an elevator at the end of the hallway.”

Roxas shot him the finger as he passed, keeping his steps even and his head held high, feeling Luxord’s eyes on his stride. “Rox…”

Roxas turned slightly as he punched the button for the elevator. “What.”

Luxord was still smirking but his face softened slightly. “Are you taking a walk of shame or is it a good thing?”

Roxas was stunned by the question and for a moment he was torn between confusion and wanting to murder Luxord. “Does it matter?”

Luxord gave him a dry look. “Yes.” He replied coolly. “I don’t blackmail my friends. I might bet them but I won’t blackmail them. If you’re taking the Walk, I won’t tell the others I saw you tonight.”

Roxas stared at Luxord silently. He hadn’t been expecting that…he hadn’t been expecting it at all. That was really…decent of him. “It was good.” Roxas felt himself turn red.

Luxord grinned. “Really good if you’re a blushing virgin.” He winked. “Or not a virgin as the case may be.”

Roxas shot him another obscene hand gesture before getting onto the lift and punching the button for the 4th floor. He glared until the doors closed and then leaned against the wall. The anger had been for show…in all fairness, Roxas wasn’t really upset…and Luxord had been surprisingly cool. Roxas smiled to himself as he headed down the hallway to confront his brother.

Leon answered the door and gave him an unreadable look. “Roxas, is there a reason you’re awake this late at night?”

Roxas managed a smile. “Looking for Cloud.”

Leon’s eyes swept from the top of Roxas’ head to the bottom of his feet. “You need me to kill him?”

Roxas froze. “Why would I need you to kill him?”

Leon shrugged and opened the door to let Roxas into the room. Cloud lounged on his bed, a book in his hand. He glanced up as Roxas entered. “Why does he need to kill Axel?”

Roxas rolled his eyes. “He doesn’t. It’s not worth his trouble.”

Shit. Wrong thing to say. Roxas was a smartass, but he could tell by the look on Cloud’s face as Cloud’s eyes also took in his messy hair and haphazard clothes that Cloud was coming to ALL the wrong conclusions. “Stay here.” He ordered, getting up.

“For crying…” Roxas summoned his keyblade and stepped in front of the door. “Either of you make a move and I’ll make you regret it.” He promised. “Sit down and I’ll tell you why I’m here.”

Cloud looked shocked. Roxas had never threatened him with the keyblade before…but damn it, Roxas wanted to keep his lover alive for the night. He blushed. Damn. He didn’t want to think words like that until he was done with this. “Axel didn’t hurt me and he’s not fighting with me. We…” Roxas paused.

Cloud pinned him with a blue stare. “Tell me you’re kidding.”

Roxas shook his head slowly. “No.” He was relieved he didn’t have to say it aloud.

Cloud stared. “Did you tell Sora?”

Roxas gave him a look. “I was kind of busy. I wanted to tell him tonight so he doesn’t walk in tomorrow to see Axel all over me.”

“Good of you.” Cloud muttered sardonically. “What were you thinking?”

Roxas shrugged. “I wasn’t.”

Cloud snorted. “No kidding. You slept with your brother’s ex-boyfriend.”

And thank you, Roxas now felt like an ass. He ran his hands through his hair, frustrated. “I KNOW, okay? I know. You don’t have to tell me.”

Tense silence fell between the brothers. After a moment, Cloud looked at Roxas. “Were you drinking? Was this a mistake?” He asked flatly.

Roxas felt anger replace his shame. “Hell no.” He fired back. “It was no mistake, I kissed HIM.” He stopped and looked away. “I love him.”

There was silence that stretched between them, and slowly, Roxas looked up to meet his brother’s eyes. Cloud gave him an apologetic look before nodding once. “You want me to tell Sora?”

Roxas shook his head. “No…I need to tell him myself.” He felt sick at the idea.

Cloud nodded once. “Next time just tell me…don’t screw around. I was ready to kill him.”

Roxas smiled tiredly. “Yeah I know, but if you kill him I would be sad and then you’d feel bad.”

Cloud chuckled. “Sad day when I feel bad about murdering Axel Uotani.” Roxas smirked before nodding at Leon and slipping from the room.

He walked to the elevator like a man walking to his doom. He had to tell Sora that he had just slept with Sora’s ex-boyfriend. He would rather throw himself off of the hotel roof. Still…he didn’t take his time or hesitate as he made his way down to Sora’s room…hesitating would have screwed him over, he knew he would lose his nerve. He knocked on the door. Each blow sounded too loud, like someone pounding the nails into his coffin.

For a moment he didn’t hear any answers, and nobody came to the door…but then he heard a faint sound, like someone was yelling.

Roxas frowned and tried the door, not surprised to find it locked. He sighed and summoned his keyblade, unlocking the door. The room was dark, and as Roxas glanced around, completely empty. For a moment he thought he must have been hearing voices and would have turned, when he noticed that one of the small chairs had been pushed beneath the doorknob to the bathroom. “Sora?”

More noise, and this time it was DEFINITELY yelling…and it was coming from the bathroom. Bemused, Roxas crossed the room and pulled the chair out from beneath the knob. He opened the door, and stared in surprise as both Sora and Riku fell out of the tiny bathroom, landing in a heap at his feet.

“I’m going…” Riku sounded hoarse, like he had been yelling for quite some time. “…to kill him.”

Sora nodded his agreement, taking Roxas’ offered hand and getting to his feet. He rubbed the back of his head. “I’m going to let you. Why did he do it?”

Roxas blinked at his brother and his brother’s roommate. “Who locked you two in the bathroom?”

“Who do you think?” Riku snapped.

Roxas gave him a patient look. “I wouldn’t ask if I knew.”

“Axel and Kairi.” Sora offered.

On second thought, Roxas knew he should have expected this answer. The Kairi part was a surprise, but the Axel involvement was not. “Axel locked you in the bathroom.” He reached down and helped Riku to his feet.

“Yup.” Sora confirmed, his face oddly flushed. He glanced sideways at Riku and looked away again.

Roxas sighed…and now he knew WHY Axel had locked them in the bathroom. “Idiot.” He whispered.

Sora smiled tiredly at him. “Thanks for coming, Rox.”

Which reminded Roxas why he was here in the first place. He sighed. “Sora, I need to talk to you. Can we go out to the hall?” Where there was more of a chance of witnesses? Sora shrugged and nodded, following him out. Roxas paused. “Sora…” He didn’t know how to say it. ‘I shagged your ex-boyfriend’ was the only thing that came to mind. He wanted to laugh but kept his mouth shut. “What would you say if I dated Axel?”

Sora shrugged. “Okay. Rox, was there anything else? I’d like to go to bed…I couldn’t sleep in that bathroom. Riku tried to sit in the shower but it was too small…everything was too small…”

Roxas stared. “Sora did you even hear me?”

Sora nodded. “Sure…you want to date Axel.” Date him…sleep with him…but who was he to pick and choose words?

“You’re not mad?” He asked, vaguely surprised. It wasn’t that the break-up between Sora and Axel hadn’t been mutual…but he expected a little more resistance, something about what a jerk Axel was or SOMETHING.

Sora gave him a look like HE was being weird. “No. Why would I be? I broke up with him. You can have him.” He turned red. “I didn’t mean it like that. Axel’s a great guy, not something I threw away, and it’s just…”

“He locked you in a bathroom.” Roxas finished for his brother.

Sora grinned. “Yeah.”

Roxas laughed. “I’ll put a leash on him.”

Sora sighed. “Thanks. I’ll go talk Riku out of killing him now that I know you want him.”

Roxas sighed. What WAS it about Axel that made people want to murder him? He was going to have to devote most of his time to ensuring the continued existence of his lover. It was a good thing Axel was good at what he did, or this would NOT be worth it. Roxas blushed at the thought and backed away from his brother. “Rox?” Turning, he glanced at his twin. Sora eyed him. “Do you love him?” He asked seriously. “Because if you don’t, maybe you shouldn’t go out with him…he really cares about you.”

Roxas stared. “How do you know?”

Sora smiled sadly. “I know.”

Roxas didn’t ask…what went on between Axel and Sora was their business. “Yeah.” He said finally. “He’s a pain in the ass but I love him.”

Sora smiled at him. “Good.” He opened the door. “ ‘Night, Rox.”

Roxas thought, not for the first time, about what a cool brother he had. Occasionally Sora came off as naïve or even silly…and then he would do something like this…and he still wondered why everyone liked him. “Sora, don’t ever change.” He ordered quietly, ignoring Sora’s startled glance at him. “Sleep well.” Turning, he started back for the elevator. One more person he had to see tonight…and then he could curl up in Axel’s arms without guilt.

Seifer was sharing a room with Hayner…god, that was poetic irony. Roxas wanted to throw up as the door to room 207 opened to reveal them both looking curiously down at him with sleepy eyes. “Roxas?” Seifer looked torn between being happy to see him, concerned to see him or pissed because it was nearly 2:00 in the morning.

Roxas decided not to give him a chance to think, grabbing his wrist and hauling him out into the hallway. “I need to talk to you.” He let the door swing shut, but not after seeing a pained look cross Hayner’s face.

Upon further reflection of the past, Roxas was not surprised that Hayner and Seifer had found each other. They had a lot in common…both were prone to being hotheads, both had an overused sense of justice, both disliked being disrespected. Both were proud, confident, prone to bragging, but where Seifer could occasionally get crazy, Hayner was all talk and no action, a good balancer for Seifer’s occasionally reckless mood swings.

Roxas turned to face Seifer. “I want you to leave me alone.” He said quietly but firmly. “I have a boyfriend and I’m happy with him. I want you to leave me alone. Don’t touch me. We can be friends…if you want that…but we’re not ever going to be anything else.”

Seifer stared at him. “You came all the way here to tell me that?!” He asked incredulously.

Roxas nodded. “Yeah. Because when this is over I’m going back to him and I didn’t want him to kill you if you tried to hit on me tomorrow.”

Seifer snorted. “Don’t act like you care, Roxas.”

Roxas shrugged. “I do. Believe me or not I don’t care…but I loved you.” He said firmly. He could admit it and it hurt less…he had Axel. Axel would never even THINK about cheating on him, Roxas knew that. Axel wasn’t that kind of guy. He was a pain but not a cheater.

Seifer reached for him, but Roxas backed up to avoid his touch. “Just…don’t do something stupid.” He said quietly. “Find someone else…someone you might be able to be loyal to.”

Seifer frowned. “Roxas, that was in the PAST.”

Roxas returned the frown. “Not for me.” Seifer looked stunned and Roxas ran his hands through his hair. “I didn’t forget, Seifer. I almost screwed everything up because I couldn’t forget what you did. I almost lost the love of my life because of you.”

Seifer stared at him for a very long moment. Finally he spoke. “Rox…I…I still…” He looked frustrated and upset, his eyes distant and angry.

Roxas felt his heart clench. For all their bad history and his sometimes bitter feelings, he had loved Seifer passionately at one point in his life…and that love was very hard to forget. “Maybe it’s fate.” He offered.

Seifer snorted. “Screw fate.” He replied. “This is my fault…and I know it.”

Roxas hesitated. “You lost me…you don’t have to lose him too.” When Seifer turned, Roxas gave him a half-hearted smile. “Don’t be an asshole about this. If you don’t want him stop leading him along.”

Seifer studied him, and Roxas gazed silently back. After a moment, Seifer nodded. “If he hurts you…I’ll kill him.”

This time the smile was not forced in the slightest. “Please. I can hurt him myself.” Seifer snorted and slipped back into his room. Roxas studied the door for a long moment before turning away and starting back down the corridor to the elevator. That hadn’t gone exactly the way he had pictured it…and he knew things would continue to be tense between himself and Seifer for a while, but at least for now…it was okay…and that was a relief to the middle Hikari brother.

Axel’s eyes opened as he walked back into the room. “Rox?” He asked tiredly. “Where did you go?”

Roxas shrugged. “To tell Sora I banged his ex-boyfriend.” He replied shamelessly.

Axel’s mouth fell open and he sat up straight, all sleep gone from his face. “Sora…oh my….” He looked sick. “…Sora…”

Roxas shrugged. “Sora didn’t seem all that upset when I told him. He was too busy focusing on the fact that you locked him in a BATHROOM.”

He watched the guilty look on Axel’s face melt into a more familiar grin. “Oh yeah. Forgot about that. Was he naked when you found him?”

Roxas shook his head as he slid into bed beside Axel. “No. Hoarse from yelling and totally exhausted but sadly with all clothing still on the way he put it on earlier today.”

“Damn!” Axel shook his head. “What do I have to do to get that jerk to tell him how he feels?!” He looked grumpy. “Sora deserves someone like him.”

Roxas turned to look at his companion. “Did you love him?” He asked quietly. His brother as a rival…he hadn’t been expecting that. Inwardly, Roxas froze…he was no Sora and he knew it.

Axel wrapped an arm loosely around his waist, and Roxas relaxed slightly beneath the casual embrace. “Sora is an easy person to love. I had hoped to calm him down about dating…and then to get Riku to make a move. That was it. But yes…I guess I probably did. Sora’s too good for a guy like me.”

Roxas snorted. “Oh so I’m not?”

Axel gave him an uncharacteristic serious look. “You’re too good for me too, Rox.” He whispered and kissed Roxas in a way that made his toes curl in pleasure. “I’m a lucky bastard that you love me anyway.”

0 0 0

For Riku, the night had been a particular torture. Being locked in a small room with Sora Hikari was turning the blade that had been shoved into his heart. The worst part about the whole thing was that he couldn’t even destroy Axel for initiating this, because he knew that Axel didn’t have a truly malicious bone in his body. He acted on passion and instinct, but he rarely set out with an intent goal to hurt someone…and he usually found a way to fix what he had destroyed if he did. In this case, Riku knew that Axel had only been trying to help him…but Riku had let them down. He hadn’t been able to tell Sora how he had felt, and he didn’t feel right about taking advantage of the size of the tiny bathroom. Miserably, he began to get ready for bed. The night had been a disaster.

Sora entered the room again looking thoughtful, his eyes distant, gaze serene. Riku inclined an eyebrow as he saw the look. “You okay?”

Sora nodded absently. “Sure.” He replied, tilting his head. “Roxas wanted to tell me that he’s dating and probably sleeping with Axel.”

Riku, who had been in the process of taking off his shoe, dropped it in shock, his foot hitting the floor hard. Hissing in pain, he felt the jar of the impact shoot up his leg. “Sleeping with? They’re having sex?!” He demanded, unsure if he was more shocked about the news that Roxas had finally given into Axel, that Axel had casually moved from one brother to the next then back again or that Sora was saying the words “sleeping with” so casually.

Sora shrugged. “Roxas looked like it. His shirt was on inside out and his lips were swollen.”

Riku stared at his friend as Sora sat down on his own bed to pull off his shoes. Sora looked thoughtful, still very quiet. While he didn’t look UPSET by the turn of events, there was an expression in his eyes that was difficult to identify...wistful sadness? “I’m sorry, Sora.”

Sora blinked at him. “For what?” He asked, looking genuinely surprised.

Riku blinked back. “That you two have only been broken up for a little while and he’s already with your brother.”

Sora shrugged. “I expected that.” He replied mildly, the expression back in his eyes.

Riku sighed. “Then what is it, Hikari?” he asked bluntly. “Before you try to tell me nothing’s wrong, don’t lie to me, you’re bad at it. Something’s bothering you about all of this.”

Sora looked up and Riku was lost as he caught sight of Sora’s deep blue eyes. “Axel really loves him. He REALLY loves him. I knew it when I walked in on them together, even though I know they weren’t sleeping together back then. There’s a light in his eyes when he looks at Roxas…that wasn’t there for me. I don’t know what he was thinking when he dated me, because his heart belonged to Roxas and always has.”

Riku got up to sit beside Sora. Sora was taking this really well…if someone had dated HIM in order to get Sephiroth for instance, Riku would probably pitch a fit. No, he would DEFINITELY pitch a fit…and Sora had found Axel and Roxas together? Why hadn’t he told him? He looked at the spiky haired brunet beside him. “So what is it?”

Sora turned and smiled at him. “Exhaustion.” He replied instantly. “It would be nice to have what Roxas and Axel have…and I would be cruel to try to keep them from it just because I’m tired and frustrated myself. That’s a darkness my heart doesn’t need.”

Riku stared at him. “Sora…” He whispered. Before he could lose courage, he kissed the boy’s forehead gently. “…you deserve someone who will hang the stars for you.”

Sora flashed him a tired smile, but his eyes had brightened and his face was tinted a light pink. “Maybe. What I WANT is something totally different.”

Riku tilted his head. “What DO you want?”

Sora laughed and got up, pulling his shirt up over his head. Riku watched helplessly, his eyes drinking in the lightly sun-kissed skin revealed to him. “It’s a secret.” Sora replied with a grin over his shoulder. “I can’t tell you.”

Riku got up and approached, their bodies only inches apart. He longed to run his hands over Sora’s smooth sides as he grinned down at the boy. “How come?”

Sora grinned back. “Because Christmas wishes won’t come true if I say them out loud.” He replied happily. “Instead I just have to hope for the best.” He yawned and casually, his arms looped around Riku’s middle, their bodies pressing together. Riku froze for a moment before he wrapped his own arms tightly around Sora’s back, cradling the brunet against him. His hands itched to explore the expanse of skin open to him, but he kept them firmly in place. “Thank you for the movie, Riku.” Sora said shyly, and Riku tightened his grip on Sora before reluctantly letting go.

Axel could call him a coward all he wanted…but Riku wasn’t willing to ruin the best thing that had ever happened to him. Sora was Riku’s light…and Riku was determined to keep him no matter what the cost.