Small Favors

True to his word, Roxas and Axel stepped out into the station plaza as the clock tower gently chimed four a.m. over Twilight Town. Axel carried Roxas's skateboard so the boy would have a free hand to hold.

"Since we're here and all, wanna do something? I mean, we came all this way."

Roxas raised an eyebrow, glancing up at the red-head, "at four in the morning?"

"I dunno. Can't we crash on a station bench or something until the sun rises?" Axel shrugged, making Roxas snort and shake his head.

"What? You got a better idea?"

The blond bit his lip, eyes lighting up, "yes, actually, I do. This way."

Roxas led the taller boy down through Station Heights, cutting through to a back alley.

"There was a place me and my friends used to hang out, especially during the summer. But, they all got pretty bitter when I left, none of them have spoken to me since," the fence gate was locked, but after a little rummaging through his duffel, Roxas produced a key and unlocked it. He pulled Axel though and locked it again behind them.

"We called it 'the Usual Spot'," he pulled back an old red curtain and motioned the boy in. Axel glanced around the dim, setting the skateboard against the wall. There were old boxes and posters, a dart set and even a small sofa, but it was cold and unused.

"Looks like no one's been here since I left," Roxas found some matches and lit a lantern so they could see with more than just moonlight. "We can crash here."

Axel had been reading a poster about some sort of Struggle tournament when a thought occured to him.

"Roxas, if your friends here aren't speaking to you, where did you plan to stay?"

The blond looked a little sheepish, setting down his bag. "Here, probably."

Axel shook his head, plopping down onto the small sofa.

"You kill me sometimes."

He motioned Roxas over to him, which the blond went with hesitant footsteps.

"Yes?"

"Come here," when he was within reach, Axel snagged him by the waist. Roxas gave a startled yelp when he was pulled down onto the sofa, but he hardly complained when they were laying down, Axel's arms about him. He toed off his shoes and nestled comfortabley against his chest, fingers idley brushing up to the bandage on his neck.

"You don't have to worry about going back to school, Roxas. I won't let anyone hurt you. If they even try to tease or torment my boyfriend, they'll end up with a face like Seifer's."

Roxas blushed a little, but furrowed his brow, raising his head to look at Axel.

"What exactly did you do to him?"

"I slammed his face against your open locker door, giving him a huge split that cuts down between his eyes. He had to go get stitches."

"....Geez, Axel."

"He was asking for it," Axel kissed Roxas's forehead softly. "No one touches my Roxy like that."

With a smile, he nuzzled Axel's chin, "you're so great."

"Thank you," Axel chirped, tilting his head down so he could return the nuzzle. He rubbed the boy's back gently, chilled fingers finding the hem of his shirt where his hoodie had ridden up. Smirking, he slipped a hand up warm skin, making Roxas gasp very softly.

"Incidentally, it would seem that I am the only one at school who hasn't seen you naked."

Roxas shivered when cold hands slid up over his back and down his sides, hot breath speaking in his ear.

"A-Ax-"

"A little ironic, wouldn't you say?" Axel shifted their position on the couch, kneeling over the blond who's face was beginning to turn an adorable pink, "and a little unfair. I think I should...fix this problem."

Roxas squirmed a little when his shirt was inched up. He clutched the red-head's upper arms, biting his lip.

"Axel, m...not so sure about this."

Nervous blue eyes looked up into unreadable green ones, Axel's fingers had stopped. Roxas felt shy under tht gaze and looked down and away. After a short moment, he felt his shirt get smoothed back down. "...Ax?"

"If you're not ready to do anything like that, we won't," Axel rolled back onto his side, pulling the blond warmly against him. Roxas frowned into the black material of the boy's shirt.

"...Sorry."

"Hm?" Axel tilted his head down, "what are you apologizing for?"

"I w-..I want to do...it with you, but m'just," he gave a slender shrug, "scared."

Axel smiled a little but sighed, "Roxas, you don't have to apologize. I'm perfectly fine waiting."

He kissed the top of the kid's head and snuggled in closer, "so don't worry about it."

Roxas nodded and rested his head against Axel's shoulder, feeling the day catching up with him.


"Here," Roxas handed Axel an ice-cream pop that was an unusual blue color. Roxas was already working away on his own.

"What is it?"

"Sea-salt ice-cream."

"Sea salt?"

Roxas rolled his eyes, "just eat it."

Their train was set to leave at noon, so they stood and looked out over the train station plaza, waiting. Roxas felt comfortabley happy for the first time in a while, leaning against Axel's side. When a certain thought flitted back to him though, he gave a slight frown.

"Axel?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry I skipped out on your first show to go to that stupid party. Like, really, really sorry."

Axel was silent a moment before he shrugged, "don't worry about it. I already forgave you for that."

"But I stood you up."

"And I was very bummed out, because I'd actually planned on making a move on you then, but, like I said, I've already forgiven you."

Axel finished off the ice-cream and chucked the stick in a bin, turning towards the station.

"C'mon Roxas, let's go home," he held out his hand.

Roxas met his smile with a small one of his own and took the offered hand. "Kay."

"Besides, I told Cloud I'd have you back before dinner."

"...You called my dad!?"