Christmas Eggnog

Roxas learned rather quickly that Axel insistency was just about as unbreakable as his stubbornness. The remaining few days of his vacation was spent avoiding and running into Axel throughout the day.
He would be at work and suddenly have a cup of coffee, just the way he liked it, on the counter, a grinning Axel behind it. After that, he would have to spend the next hour with the redhead talking with him. To make it very clear, Roxas only replied to him in order to keep his sanity, or so he told himself. While closing up the shop, Roxas would find Axel there, ready to walk him home no matter how late it was.
One day, Roxas had confronted Axel about his behavior and he only received a grin and an, “I told you I was serious. I’m not giving up, got it memorized?” Roxas promptly let the subject go. The one thing he wasn’t able to let go of was the strange feeling that was growing inside of him.
Whenever he heard the ring of the bell, his heart jumped, wondering if it was Axel. Walking with him at night, hearing the teen say he was protecting him, made Roxas’s heart swell in a way that frightened him. Of course, Roxas was denying any type of feelings towards the redhead, claiming that they were not there, even if he knew they were.

It was now two days before his time off from school would end. Roxas had only an hour left in his shift and he was staring anxiously at his phone, waiting for the text that usually came by now from the redhead. Chewing his lip, Roxas didn’t even realize what he was doing as his eyebrows furrowed at the break in the daily ritual.
“Maybe he’s just busy…” he murmured to himself an hour later when Axel had yet to contact him. Of course, Axel was pretty popular. He couldn’t always want to spend it with Roxas.
The blonde frowned at the thought as he headed off to the café, planning to meet the others there and discuss what their plans were for the day, trying not to be bothered by the absence of the redhead. Somehow, without realizing it, he had become accustomed to having him around.
Roxas arrived at the café and his friends followed within minutes. They all ordered their drinks and sat there chatting about nonsense.
“I can’t believe vacation is ending! What a pain!” Hayner complained.
“It does seem like it went by rather quickly.” Olette added. Pence nodded in agreement.
“We never got the chance to go on that trip.” Roxas mentioned, gaining the three’s immediate attention.
“Oh, you’re right. Darn, we were all looking forward to it too.” Olette said as she remembered.
“It’s not a big deal. We’ll go on the next vacation. It’ll be warmer then.” He smiled and the others nodded their agreements. In truth, Roxas had been so busy with the “Axel drama,” that he had completely spaced on it, even though it was his idea.
The four of them had planned to go on a road trip, maybe visit their old town. But now, with vacation just about over, they didn’t have the time. It didn’t bother Roxas as much as he thought it would. Briefly wondering why, the blonde followed the three out as they headed for the movies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three days. It had been a total of three days since Axel had come to harass Roxas. Three days of peace that Roxas should have been enjoying. Three days that should have been spent forgetting about the entire situation with Axel.
But no. On the contrary, the redhead was all he could think about. He plagued his thoughts like some kind of incurable disease. The only peace at mind he got was when he was with his friends and too busy to let his mind wander. But, Roxas wasn’t the wild teenager he used to be. He would much rather spend quiet time at home, so sadly, his poor mind was not allowed much rest from his thoughts.
Currently, Roxas was grabbing his school bag, ready to head out the door. His vacation was now over, and it was now time to go back to school. The blond was anxious to go back, not knowing how anything would go. He hoped that things would go back to normal, angry with himself for allowing things to get this bad. Even more so than that, was the fact that somehow he had allowed Axel to get under his skin despite what he had told himself. Roxas hated to admit he was upset about Axel’s lack of communication, but he was grateful that it had ended now rather than later. Sighing at his own stupidity, Roxas walked silently the rest of the way to school.

Roxas walked into his first class and took his usual seat towards the back. He quietly took out his books and minded his own business, pushing his glasses up along the way. A laughing voice resonated throughout the room. Looking up, Roxas scowled as Axel came strolling in with his pack of goons. The blonde watched as the group sat down at their respective desks and he sighed a breath of relief. He saw Axel wave at him but Roxas simply turned his head away stubbornly.
Class began and Roxas opened up his history book, turning to the page they were working on. He nearly jumped out of his seat at the sudden vibration in his pocket, signaling he had gotten a message. Discretely pulling out his phone, Roxas read the text message he’d gotten.
‘You’re not going to let us become history are ya?’ Roxas resisted the urge to growl as he read Axel’s lame joke. Scoffing, he flipped his phone closed and put it back in his pocket. He could clearly see the set of emerald eyes that were watching him, but he chose to ignore them.
It was only a few moments later that Roxas felt the familiar vibrating once again. Already knowing who it was from, Roxas almost didn’t read it, but he did.
‘What’s with you?’ Roxas pounded the keys of his phone in reply.
‘I don’t want to talk to you.’ Almost immediately after there was a reply.
‘Now why are you mad me?’ Roxas debated about whether or not to give Axel an answer, but he decided he might as well.
‘Haven’t heard from you in a few days. Finally get tired of playing your scam?’
‘I have a reason for that!’ This time, Roxas really didn’t give Axel an answer. He put his phone back in his pocket and concentrated on his work.
When the bell finally rang, Roxas quickly gathered his things to get out as fast as he could. Not quick enough, Roxas had just gotten towards the door when his arm was grabbed.
“Roxie let me explain. Don’t just write me off like that.” Roxas glared up at the redhead with burning eyes.
“I don’t have anything to say to you. Let me go.” He pulled his arm away from Axel and walked into the hall, heading to his next class. He almost groaned as Axel caught up with him.
“I had a family emergency. My dad was put into the hospital so I couldn’t contact you. I wanted to but I had to stay with him.” Axel desperately tried to explain why. “I couldn’t call you. I should have, I’m sorry.” Roxas saw the stressed look on Axel’s face and was almost tempted to believe him but he had had enough with being pushed around. Staying just as stubborn as ever, Roxas didn’t say a thing.
“Look.” Axel pushed Roxas lightly against a wall to stop him from walking. “If you’re mad at me then that means that you missed me, right? Doesn’t that mean you were going to give me a chance?” The redhead hoped this was the case as he searched Roxas’s eyes, knowing they would give the blonde away.
“I wasn’t. So maybe you should stop thinking you know what others are thinking. I have to get to class…” Roxas pushed Axel away and he heard a groan behind him.
“Why don’t you go check the hospital records if you don’t believe me? Damn it, you are so stubborn!” Axel said in a raised voice, getting a few interested stares in return. Roxas kept up his silent treatment and thought Axel would leave it at that until he felt a hand swipe his hat off his head. Seeing that it was Axel, Roxas glared at him.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Give that back.” He growled out. His blonde locks fell limply around his head and Roxas could already hear some murmurs from the noisy passerby’s. Axel only grinned and crossed his arms.
“Nope.” He walked off and Roxas nearly shouted in frustration. Already people were starting to put two and two together and realize that he had been the blonde at the party. Roxas slinked into his next classroom and promptly banged his head against his desk.
“What’s going on with you buddy?” Roxas didn’t have to lift his head to know it was Hayner that said that.
“Axel stole my hat.” He grumbled into his desk. The blonde flinched when he heard Hayner burst out laughing.
“Seriously? Aw man, you’re that upset about it?” Hayne said through his loud laughs. “It’s no big deal Roxas. It’s just a hat.” Roxas grumbled to himself and sat up only enough to set his head onto his crossed arms.
“Hayner, don’t be so insensitive, there’s more to it than that.” Olette said, sitting on the other side of Roxas and giving him a gentle rub on his shoulder.
“What happened?” she asked, giving Hayner a look that told him it was something really personal. Automatically understanding, Hayner started talking to another friend of his. Roxas turned his eyes over to Olette but didn’t raise his head.
“He told me his dad was in the hospital, and that’s why he hadn’t called me, but I don’t want to believe him…” Roxas murmured softly. Olette gave him a warm smile.
“Because you like him.” The statement made Roxas growl and give Olette a mean look, but she continued anyway. “You liked having him around, and you were upset that there was a chance he wasn’t serious. Just think about it, okay?” She asked gently. Roxas nodded softly to say he would at least think about it, and let his mind wander the rest of class.

The rest of the day involved Roxas being approached by a few brave souls with questions about the party. Said brave souls could be seen running away only moments later from a furious Roxas.
The horrid day couldn’t end fast enough for the poor blonde, but when it finally did, Roxas sped out of school at the speed of light.
Finally away from the stares and murmurs, Roxas was finally able to express how truly angry he was. Of course, the best way to do that was to continually kick the rock that was currently suffering such rage. The blonde grumbled as he made his way back to his house. The conversation with Axel replayed again and again in his head.
Without even realizing it, Roxas had unconsciously started walking to the hospital. So engrossed with his thoughts, he didn’t even notice until he stepped foot into the main lobby. Startled, Roxas looked around the spacious room. He spotted a receptionist and mentally went “What the hell.”
Approaching the woman, he gave her a smile.
“Hi. I was wondering if you could tell me if there is a Mr. Yamada here?” Roxas had no idea why he was even bothering to ask, but somehow he felt that he should. The woman began typing on her computer at his request.
“We have a…James Yamada here.” Roxas felt his blood run cold.
“What’s he in here for?” He asked in a bit of a shaky voice. The woman once again began typing.
“Hmm…It seems he was in a very terrible accident. He is in the extensive care unit. Room 79.” Roxas nodded slowly at the information. Once again, without knowing why, he found his feet walking on the own accord towards where room 79 would be.
“Hey Nicole, was that the kid that the hot redhead told us about?” Another girl sat down next to the woman who smiled.
“Yes. He said a cute blonde would come by asking about his father, and to go ahead and tell him about what happened.”
“Ah…Young love.”

He wasn’t lying….His father really was badly injured…He was telling the truth…
Those words kept repeating over and over in Roxas’s head as he walked. They were like a never-ending cycle, laughing in Roxas’s face that he had been wrong.
He reached the room that Axel’s father was being kept in and stared at the door. He wasn’t even sure why he was here in the first place. It’s not like he could just walk right in; he had no valid reason to be there. Chewing his lip, Roxas didn’t notice anybody coming up behind him.
“So you decided to come see after all.” Roxas jumped at the sudden voice and turned to see Axel standing there. His bag was still over his shoulder, so Roxas guessed that he hadn’t been home yet.
“Uh. Yeah…Sorry I should go…” Axel’s arm wrapped around Roxas’s waist as the blonde tried to move past him.
“Wait. You can go ahead and come in.” Without waiting for a reply, Axel dragged Roxas into the room with him.
“My father won’t mind. He’s drugged up pretty heavily.” Axel said, nodding his head over to the man laying unconscious on the bed. Roxas slowly approached the man and looked down at him. His face was swollen and his body was covered in bandages and bruises.
“What happened to him?” Roxas asked. Axel shrugged.
“He was on his way home and got into a really bad car crash. He just got out of critical condition. I wasn’t going to go to school, but my old man wouldn’t have liked that.” He explained, taking a seat and patting the space next to him on a mini sofa. Roxas shook his head.
“No it’s fine. I’m not staying. I just…” He paused, not knowing what to say.
“You just?” Axel pressed, leaning forward to stare closely at the uncomfortable looking blonde.
“I don’t know. I didn’t even realize I was headed here until I ended up in the lobby.” Roxas said in an exasperated voice, sounding fairly defeated. “I guess…I should apologize, for judging you so harshly. I’m really sorry about your dad.” This made Axel chuckle.
“Hey. No hard feelings. Hopefully this will make you reevaluate your other judgments on me.” The brilliant grin that Axel gave made Roxas look away.
“Uh…Maybe you’re…right.” He couldn’t believe he was saying this, but Axel had a point. Even though Roxas didn’t understand why, he really wanted to get to know the real Axel; maybe he’d even be surprised by what he saw.
Axel’s own surprise showed clearly on his face. He could barely even believe his ears.
“R-really?” He asked and jumped up when Roxas nodded almost shyly. The blonde gasped as he was suddenly encompassed in a strong pair of arms that were holding him tightly. His feet actually came off the floor and he freaked out until Axel finally set him down.
“It’s only an agreement for me to think about it…” Roxas murmured, but there was no denying the light shade of red that was painted across the blonde’s face. Axel saw it and let him go without argument.
“Let me give you a ride home.” Once again, without even waiting for an answer, Axel’s grabbed his bag and headed towards the door.
“H-hey! I never said-“ Roxas was cut off by a hand covering his mouth.
“I wouldn’t make you walk home, Roxie. Just come with me.” Axel stared down at Roxas with way too much intensity than what he was comfortable with. He nodded behind the redhead’s hand, hoping the eyes would turn away from him.
It worked. Axel’s eyes turned away from him and Roxas was dragged out of the room, again.
“I can walk by myself.” Roxas grumbled, not at all liking the treatment. Axel chuckled to himself and while he removed his arm, he rested his hand lightly against Roxas’s lower back.
Biting his lip, Roxas decided to try and ignore it as the duo walked out into the parking lot. Axel led him to his five-seater car and let his hand fall in order to unlock the doors.
“Hop in.” Roxas nodded and got in on the passenger side. It felt odd sitting in Axel’s car, not necessarily a bad feeling, but an odd one.
The ride to Roxas’s house was rather quiet. After the blonde gave the directions, no other conversation was made. Roxas kept glancing over at Axel unintentionally, always expecting him to say something, but he never did. Unsure if he should say something, Roxas nervously fidgeted with his hands in his lap, none the wiser to the small grin that was on Axel’s face.
Of course, Axel would have normally started a conversation, no matter how minimal, at this point. However, the sneaky redhead wanted to know if Roxas would strike one up on his own. Axel had seen the blush, and that had to mean Roxas felt something for him, right? Plus, Axel could find no greater pleasure than to tease the feisty blonde. He just had to make sure he didn’t overdo it and mess up his chance because Axel imagined he wouldn’t get another one if he did.
Unfortunately, it seemed Roxas was either too stubborn or too shy to say anything, which disappointed Axel a little bit. He wouldn’t let it ruin his happy mood though. Instead, he turned on some music on low volume and continued driving.
On the other side of the car, Roxas was far from the good mood Axel was in. His heart was filled with many conflicting emotions and he had no idea how to go about sorting them out. He began chewing at his lip, unable to help himself. He gasped in surprise when a thumb gingerly caressed his slightly swollen lip. Their eyes met and Roxas cursed himself for blushing at the serious expression on Axel’s face. Maybe it was how much more intense the emerald coloring of his eyes were when he had on a serious face, but Roxas couldn’t help but find himself frozen whenever those eyes were turned on him.
Axel barely allowed himself to glance at the road because he couldn’t bring himself to turn his eyes away from the deep sapphires staring up at him. His thumb rubbed gently against Roxas’s lower lip once more before he allowed it to fall and put the hand back on the steering wheel. Regretfully, the redhead turned his attention back to the road.
“That’s a bad habit you have Roxie.” Axel smiled, thinking that something needed to be said. Roxas brushed a stray hair out of his face.
“I suppose it is. It’s just something I do when I’m thinking or nervous.” He explained.
“Which one are you?” Axel asked, intrigued to know the answer. Roxas’s eyes widened at the sudden question.
“Ah. I was just thinking.” He murmured softly.
“What about?” Axel continued to do his best getting Roxas to open up to him. It was working, but apparently not well enough.
“Nothing in particular…Why are you so curious?” Roxas looked over suspiciously at Axel, who chuckled at the tone.
“Can’t a guy want to know what his crush is thinking about?” That statement made Roxas resist the urge to blush as he looked out the window. Damn it…Roxas thought to himself.
“A crush, huh?” Axel took a quick peek over at the blonde next to him before answering.
“Well yeah. What else did you think you were to me. On second thought…I don’t know if I want you to tell me. I can’t see it being anything good.” Axel’s hand gripped the steering wheel as possibilities of what Roxas did think of him.
“You’re probably right. About not wanting to know. But I’m wondering if I was at least a little wrong about you.” Roxas admitted. He felt better saying at least that bit out loud.
“Ha. I’m hoping you’ll realize you’re entirely wrong about me.” Roxas found himself smiling just a little at the comfortable environment and was about to answer when Axel said something first.
“We’re here.” Amazed, Roxas looked and saw that they were, in fact, pulling into his driveway now. He sat there for a moment, and then shook his head and unbuckled his seat belt.
“Thanks for the ride Axel.” He smiled to show his gratitude as he got out of the car. Axel leaned over to stare at Roxas from the open door.
“Anytime. I’ll see you tomorrow Roxie.” Grinning, Axel watched Roxas walk up the porch and unlock the door.
“If he turns around he likes me…Come on Roxie, you can do it. Turn around…” Axel murmured to himself as Roxas opened the door to his house. He took a step in before pausing, and he turned his head a bit to stare back at the car before walking inside. Axel put his car into reverse and he chuckled.
“Atta boy Roxas.” He said as he pulled out of the driveway, heading back to the hospital. On the way there the redhead thought of how close he was to making Roxas his and he couldn’t help but be anxious for the next day when he got to see his little blonde again.