Love:: Misunderstanding

Q_Q A chapter a day makes the readers stay. Yes.

 Typical snarlfest of no ownage or munnie-age exchangment. Get over it? I already have, so hah!

 Song lyric kudos at the end if any. Forgive any typos and uh, enjoy :3

---

Chapter Five: Building the Chrysalis

Sirens screamed in the distance and Axel found himself stiffening out of habit.

Not for me. Not for me.

The police car tore past, nothing but a blur of blue and white and shrieking, blinding light. The redhead tucked his hands into his pockets and frowned. They really weren't for him. The car turned out of sight and he kept walking, heaving a sigh when the dirge faded.

Axel imagined he could see a perfect world in that car. It rushed ahead to unknown crimes, to catch and beat down desperate kids like him. The redhead knew well the cold heavy sting of handcuffs as they took away your pride and freedom. He felt strong hands leaving bruises on the undersides of his arms from the harsh yanking as he was dragged to his cage.

They were all criminals without homes… Of course, there were adults too. But how did they get to that position? It was said that you were the product of your upbringing.

The redhead's fingers convulsed into a fist. His father was from a rich family. Everything had been fucking perfect until Axel had…

No.

Not right now. He supposed everyone had their reasons for going bad, so why? Why couldn't he give in all the way and be what most people saw him as? A delinquent. A leech on good society as he sought shelter in the beds of men and women alike, desperate for anyone to take him and make him forget what he was for at least a short while. A troublemaker who was fit for nothing but slinking around in shadows for the rest of his pitiful existence.

He had the appearance, sure. He'd even gone so far as to tattoo scars under his eyes. His hair was a natural thing, and his leather jacket, well.

But why did he still feel the need to not give into his role completely? A harsh laugh escaped his throat and bounced feebly off the damp brick of the closing stores he was wedged between. He knew the answer. He just wanted to piss everyone off and keep them guessing until he closed his eyes for the final time. Yeah.

"Look what vermin I've raised. Shameful."

Water from the ledge above dripped down and streaked across his cheek. The redhead's body coiled and he had to remind himself that even leftover raindrops weren't as thick as his father's spit. Even swimming in gutters, they probably smelt better too. He wiped it away with the sleeve of his jacket as he turned down another alley.

Xigbar was really in for it when he got a hold of that scarred bastard. Pain was easier to give than receive after all.

"Just what I need."

No, a beating wasn't what Roxas needed. He needed to stay away and yet he'd come looking for him. What was it he'd said? To give him homework? His dad must still be laughing if he wasn't passed out again. Roxas didn't deserve this. Axel pursed his lips as he came upon what he'd been searching for.

The redhead blessed whatever compulsion he’d had that’d pushed him to leave the arcade earlier. Mindless button mashing when you hated the world was really the most therapeutic thing around. But that's when he'd heard the cries, the grunts, the pleas that weren't just electronic and controlled.

That's when he'd seen Roxas curled up on the ground while those that beat him crowed with their supposed victory. Axel's lip curled before he could stop it. Thirteen against one was no way to fight.

It was getting dark now, he had to hurry. The redhead wrapped the strap around his wrist and tugged a soggy bundle off the ground before slinging it over his shoulder. The sirens started up again and Axel winced. Yeah, they weren't for him now but they'd be coming for him again…soon. Not before he'd have himself a piece of Xigbar though.

The redhead fancied he could hear a woman scream and laughed softly at the siren's wail as it rushed in the direction opposite the one his legs were carrying him.

_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_

Roxas blinked as his vision rippled and hazed, only to sharpen in teases of detail before slipping out of focus again. Dark static pressed against his open eyes, willing them back into that sweet ether that healed. The ceiling was gray and twisted with each shadow cast from the trees blowing outside in the lazy breeze.

Everything was new, heavy as if Roxas had just been reborn. His lungs stretched until they burned as he inhaled the air that still smelt clean from the storm. The blonde's first instinct was to arch his back and stretch but reality—cruel, cruel reality—gave him pause. He gasped and smothered a whimper as his muscles shrieked, sending a lick of fire up his spine.

"...ngh! Sonuva—" He rolled into the pain, groaning softly as it dissipated into a burning tingle until a disturbingly familiar voice snapped his eyes open.

"I told you to be careful kid. Damn you heavy sleepers anyway."

Roxas smothered his discomfort and sat up to scoot away from the taller boy. He gasped and swallowed a throat-tearing scream. One eye. Jagged scar. The image of Xigbar shimmered in the air as it reached for him before Axel swept through the illusion and forced it to dissipate. The redhead strode forward, confident and deadly as the strengthening dark cradled him. He looked…evil as he came to lean by Roxas's bedside. No, not evil Roxas thought.

More like…he glowed. Even the shadows didn't dare to shield him unless he willed it. Long fingers reached out and Roxas couldn't stop himself from flinching as they grazed across his cheek. Axel ignored it as relief bloomed in his emerald gaze and eased the strained lines around his frown. "A messy one by the looks of it too."

It was only when he pulled back that Roxas caught the faint glimmer of drool that coated the gentle hand.

His cheeks stained pink as he scrubbed his face with the side of his long sleeved… he hadn't fallen asleep in this. The blonde eyeballed Axel as three thoughts flitted through his mind in quick succession: 1) He could have killed Roxas or something, 2) He hadn't killed Roxas…or something, so 3) What was he doing here?

As if reading his thoughts Axel held up a strap. Blue eyes followed the strap down and widened on a messenger bag. Roxas's messenger bag. The troll had brought his stuff back!

Roxas paused in his mental tirade to look back at the comfortable sweats that now clung to his slight frame and the backpack suddenly didn't seem so important. He blushed like a stoplight.

"I promise I didn't look…much." Axel's grin was tigerish as he deliberately allowed his gaze to wander the small body, still warm with sleep. "You didn't really want to be in those muddy clothes anyways, right?"

Roxas tried to snarl at him but all that came out was a hoarse croak. Axel burst out laughing and knelt down to rest his head on the edge of Roxas's mattress, angling in such a way where he could peer up at the blonde. He wanted to smack him, really he did. But Roxas couldn't reach that far without his muscles protesting the repeat offense. Lucky bastard, he'd let him off this time.

The blonde grabbed a pillow and laid back down with careful movements. Axel didn't move from his position as he blinked. Roxas traced the broad line of the other boy's shoulders as they rose and fell in the gloom. He hadn't realized the other was so tense until the redhead relaxed.

Axel sighed into the warm, peachy scent that clung to Roxas's sheets. It took every ounce of self-control not to tug the fabric closer and bury his face in the loose folds. Roll around in them until the scent clung to his skin too. Or better yet, the source of the scent itself. He fisted part of the fabric and looked away so Roxas wouldn't see him shaking with need that showed plainly on his face. The other boy was too tired to notice, it was too dark to see. But still…Axel didn't want him to know.

"Are you feeling any better?"

Both occupants in the room froze for an instant, astounded, before Axel's head shot up to glare at the blonde.

"Excuse me?"

Roxas sat up again. He fiddled with a corner of his pillow and shrugged. "I said, are you feeling any better?"

"I'm not the one who—"

"Not that, you moron", the smaller boy snapped. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes with an intense frown. "I mean, about…earlier. I didn't mean to—"

Green eyes widened comically. "I'm… yeah, I mean. I know you didn't." His shoulders slumped as that same fear stole over Roxas's face again. There wasn't a trace of concern in Roxas's expression, no matter how much Axel crave it. The blonde just wanted him gone. Well, his business was done here anyways. "It's late. I should…uh…probably get going."

"No!"

Axel lifted a brow as Roxas scrambled to haul himself up and drape his legs over the side of the bed. He scooted closer to Axel, cupping his ribs but refusing to let pain show even as sweat beaded his brow. With a shaking hand, he reached forward to cover Axel's that was still tangled in his sheets. The redhead shivered and his fist shook a little more.

Roxas squeezed as he swallowed, afraid that if he let go Axel would drift away out of his reach again. "Wait…I…"

Axel moved closer and nudged Roxas's legs apart. He knelt between them and held Roxas's hand against his chest. "What's wrong?"

It was Roxas who made the first move. It was Roxas who reached out to touch him. His skin tingled at where they were joined. With each rise and fall of Axel's chest the warmth spread as his heart thumped like a living drum against Roxas's palm. "Thank you", he whispered. "For everything. I wanted to say I was… s-sorry. Ax…el…I'm so…so stupid!"

The blonde wiggled off the bed in near hysterics as he came to rest between Axel's legs, clinging to him and sobbing against his neck as his body burned in earnest. He relived the encounter with that horrible man, felt Xigbar touch him every time he closed his eyes. The redhead grit his teeth to maintain the last of his fleeting control. With Roxas pressed up against him like this…

"I'm so sorry, Axel", the smaller boy wailed. "I didn't know… I didn't know! I wanted to say sorry that day but you were already—"

"Shh. Shh-hhsh, Roxas it's fine. Hush now." As gently as he could, he pulled the blonde further into his lap and rocked him back and forth as the Roxas sobbed his heart out. This wasn't the time for his selfish desires, his treacherous body. Axel's heart clenched as he was clung to, like he was missed and…needed. His desire was tempered by something that his soul had craved for a long time, and dammit his body could take the backseat for once.

Even if he could feel every curve in the boy's body. The heat from his back soaked into Axel's chest and thawed the coldness there. It would be so easy to take him now; to nudge his legs apart, to guide Roxas’s chin up and drag his tongue along the jerking pulse on that sweet bronzed pillar...no. No, he wouldn't betray Roxas's trust like that.

"I never realized how alone you were", Roxas murmured after calming a little. He slumped against the taller boy, oblivious to the redhead's inner turmoil as he breathed in rich leather, spicy cinnamon, the faint whiff of cigarettes. It suited Axel, he realized. He'd always hated cigarette smoke because it burned his nostrils and masked someone's real scent. With Axel however, it seemed to blend with his essence; intensifying where before it smothered.

"What are you talking about?" The taller boy's voice vibrated through Roxas’s entire body and soothed a different sort of ache. "I've got more friends than you do", Axel teased. His hands moved to brush against the thin fabric covering the blonde's back as he massaged tensed muscles, bracing his hot palms against sore ribs in a way that made Roxas’s breath hitch in the sweetest way.

The boy hummed, turning to give him more access and slapping at Axel's shoulder gently. "Not like that."

They both fell quiet, knowing exactly what Roxas had meant. But it was okay. They basked in being together, Roxas realizing he missed it a lot more than he wanted to admit. It wasn’t fair because now solitude felt as lonely as everyone always said it was. Before he’d been fine but now…

"I thought I told you to go away", Roxas muttered to try and cover for his sudden girliness. He pushed back to glare up at the taller boy. "You never listen to what I say Axel. What am I going to do with you?" The blonde sighed only to cuddle closer.

Axel smiled; a gentle, genuine, slow pull of the lips. He could see straight through the boy in his lap but then, it wasn't that difficult. Roxas was a horrible liar. Axel's arms stiffened as he got to his feet and set the blonde back on his bed. Roxas protested at first but Axel shushed him again. He bent and laid the bag within reach on the floor before stretching.

"More importantly", he ventured as his eyes wandered around the Spartan room, "How are you feeling?"

Roxas grunted. Axel bit his knuckle to stifle a chuckle.

"I'll pop by school tomorrow and let them know you won't be coming."

"Don't bother", the blonde growled. "I've been through worse."

Axel glanced at him, a brow lifted in surprise. Roxas scowled back. "Okay, so I haven't but whatever. I can't miss school over something like this."

Axel facepalmed and gave him a onceover that made Roxas feel hot despite his situation. "I wouldn't exactly downplay your…condition to something as simple as that."

Roxas's bones twinged to reinforce his statement. The shorter boy moaned and flopped back, albeit slowly. Axel leaned up against the wall and crossed his arms.

"Do you need anything? Water or—" Roxas was mumbling something into his pillow. Axel paused.

"—go…have to…"

"What?"

Roxas pulled the pillow under his chin so Axel could hear him. "If I go you have to come too."

Axel blinked. He gave the blonde a funny look for a few moments, then bent over and laughed until he was clutching his sides.

There went Roxas's pride, flushed right down the proverbial urinal. He growled when Axel didn’t desist.

The taller boy straightened and swabbed at his eyes apologetically after a few moments. "I don't come when I'm called. I come when I want to." He wiggled his eyebrows as Roxas lobbed the pillow at his head. It was a weak attempt and though it came nowhere near hitting its target, Axel made a show of ducking to make him feel better.

"And just where have you been these past few days, hmmm", the blonde groused. "Your dad said…" Roxas paused and bit his lip, tears starting to prickle his eyes.

I said I don’t care dammit. That boy don’t mean shit to me.

"I…don't like your dad", the blonde gasped on the verge of another fit.

Axel came forward and went down on his knees again. He cupped Roxas's face between his hands and rubbed at the tears with his thumbs. "Hey. Hey now, look at me Roxas.”

When he complied Axel shot him a wry grin. “It’s okay. I can’t say I blame you." Roxas hiccupped and fisted the leather on Axel's shoulders.

"I thought I'd never see you again."

The redhead pressed his lips into a thin line. “That bastard's always been overdramatic. Don’t listen to anything he says. Besides, I’m not that easy to get rid of.”

Roxas laughed through the remnants of his tears as he sniffled. Something occurred to Axel at that moment though and try as he might, he couldn't stop the hope that bubbled up to choke him. "You …wanted to see me?"

Out of habit, Roxas almost said no but then he shook his head. "I did. So bad. Where did you stay? Your dad said that you don't come home for days sometimes."

Axel tsked. "The only way he can tell how much time has passed is by how many bottles of alcohol he empties." Though the comment was venomous, it wasn’t a denial.  Roxas draped his fingers over Axel's hands that were still cupping his face. He stroked them with tentative, soft motions that were completely at odds with his earlier contempt.

Who had cared for Axel this whole time then, if his father wasn’t doing the job? Surely not his friends? They were close but even those he’d seen, especially Riku who seemed the closest, kept a cautious emotional distance.

A painful zing against his heart almost made Roxas flinch.

If you lose something, would you appreciate it that much more if given the chance again to keep it?

"You didn't answer my question Axel."

The redhead hedged. "I've been taking care of some business is all", he said, looking everywhere but at Roxas. Axel pulled out of the smaller boy's embrace to click on the gooseneck lamp on the far side of the room.

Roxas cringed at the sudden invasion until Axel adjusted it to the lowest level that was comfortable for them both.

"There", Axel chirped. "Isn't that better than talking in the dark?"

No. It really wasn't because in the dark words felt…truer. It was harder to run from just the sound. In the light, both Roxas and Axel escaped to the glorious, the disconcerting wonders of sight. Roxas sagged against his pillows in defeat. If Axel wouldn't answer this question, that was his business. Roxas was just glad that Axel was back at his side. The blonde sighed at what a hopeless pair they made. "Axel", he murmured.

"Hm?"

"If I'm at school tomorrow, will you be there?"

It was silent for so long that Roxas thought the other refused to answer this one as well. Roxas curled around a particularly soft cushion, staring at the creamy yellow that the light bathed the room in. It should have been soothing. It wasn't.

"I'll be there", the redhead sighed at length. "I can't leave you alone, even if I wanted to."

Relief and anxiety warred inside him, but relief won out as it stole all his remaining energy. His eyes rolled into the back of his head and the last thing Roxas saw was Axel rushing towards him.

_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_

Roxas blinked at the strip of black obscuring the base of his vision. His pajamas were grey. His bedspread was too, so what…?

He sat up and sighed at the stab in his gut. The blonde could feel himself already starting to heal but the morning after hurt worse than the beating itself. He fidgeted and a black leather jacket that was tucked over his blankets fell away to pool around his waist. Roxas gripped it loosely and glanced around.

He didn't own a…black…leather…

Roxas gaped. At the far end of the bed Axel was sitting on the floor and leaning his back against the edge of the mattress with his knees propped up and his arms crossed. The blonde wanted to stifle a giggle but it hurt too much so he just let it trickle out into the cold morning air. Even in his sleep the taller boy frowned.

It was only when he moved a little did he see that Axel was shivering. Frowning, Roxas let a hiss out through his teeth and extricated himself from bed before draping a blanket over his would-be savior.

Axel's head lolled back at the sudden heat that enveloped him. “Mmm…hmmnnm.”

It was comfortable but it wasn't something Axel was used to. Cold, he knew. Stiffness, he knew. This was…warm, cushioned. He moaned again as his breath hitched with sleeper's surprise. The redhead shifted but remained asleep, his lips parting as the full pout of his mouth relaxed.

Roxas glowered at the curl of excitement from those small noises that washed over him like hot velvet. From those open lips and that tranquil expression. He jumped a little when Axel’s thighs parted as well, easing against the carpet as his legs straightened in a luxurious stretch.

Who knew this brute could actually be…cute? No. Content was more like it. He looked like a child in his slumber, and for some reason Roxas knew he didn't get like this often.

The blonde stole a glance at the clock, satisfied. They had plenty of time before school. Roxas turned with a hot shower in mind when he paused. The boy looked back and crawled down, drawing level with Axel. Curiosity drove his next actions.

There was just enough room in the redhead’s lap for Roxas to fit himself in the firm curve. He resisted that urge however as he hovered closer to the sleeper, tucked safely in his dream.

Roxas licked his lips and eyed Axel’s open mouth, wondering at how something so normal could be this mesmerizing. One hand came up to trace the soft looking orifice when a dark scowl flashed across Axel’s face and he groaned, tossing his head away from Roxas’s touch.

The blonde came back to himself and shot to his feet as fast as his body would allow, bustling out of the room to go scrub his body until it was raw and wash his mouth out with the bitterest soap in the house.

What the hell was he doing?

_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_

What the hell was he doing?

Axel flinched, trying to squirm away from that fevered mouth that ignited an unquenchable inferno in his soul.

“Ssss…mhmm.”

A husky laugh was his only answer as downy spikes tickled against his naked thighs. “Hold still.”

The redhead’s jaw locked at the command as his body tensed to do the bidding of the one about to cater to him.

A small nip at the V between his thigh and abdomen made Axel convulse and swallow a tortured curse. Moist breath stroked him like a physical caress as it panted a trail up to his navel. Without meaning to his back arched and his core rolled against something, anything while a slick tongue invaded his umbillicus with strong twists.

Axel quivered when blunt nails dug into his hips and drew blood, scratching circles around the jutting mounds of bone as his navel received ample attention. Pain swirled with his pleasure and spiked him into a whole new level of intensity that made his toes curl.

Another nip, lower this time. His cock throbbed painfully and it took every ounce of his power not to reach his hands down and ease some of the delicious ache.

 Down, down the wet muscle dragged, laving a slick burning path towards his blushing length.

A smoky voice stoked the kindling fire that sang through Axel’s veins. “I haven’t even touched you yet, and you’re still like this.”

Softness that the redhead realized was a fevered cheek nuzzled against his rigid sex, shooting embers up his spine that fizzled back down to settle at the pulsing tip.

“Hu…hurry”, Axel ground out. “Gh…hhh…please hurry.”

Emerald eyes opened to stare down at his tormentor and hopefully give the person a modicum of encouragement before he was forced to take drastic measures. What he saw lying between his parted legs hurtled all thoughts into a hot, white static. Axel swallowed. Hard.

Roxas stared up at him, pink dusted becomingly against the backdrop of his tan while he curled catlike against creamy thighs and circled Axel’s length with tickling caresses. His eyes were like two shards of heated ice as they trailed over the havoc he was wreaking.

The redhead jerked violently, tossing his head back away from the beautiful sight as he fought through his haze of arousal. His Adam’s apple quivered with a silent scream as his abdomen contracted in a savage, lewd display. When his voice finally returned it was only temporary and it quavered under the weight of the blonde’s oral attentions. “G…nh! Sweet Jesus…Roxssss—”

He felt Roxas shiver this time as it rippled through his own body and the blonde scooted closer to swipe his tongue against crystalline beads that were dribbling down veined perfection. Lips closed over the muscle, accompanying divinity with small suckles to the underside of Axel’s sex. Down, down the softness dragged until Roxas was mewling against the redhead's root, swirling his tongue around the thick molten trunk and revelling in the musky scent of the damp thatch against his cheek.

Axel grabbed the smaller boy’s shoulders and hauled him up until Roxas was straddling his lap. Roxas shot him a taunting grin before Axel growled and devoured those devious lips. Their mouths crushed together hard, moans swallowed as respective caverns were explored by flicking tongues and nibbling teeth.

The blonde whimpered into their kiss as Axel’s hips bucked up, grinding needy erections together. Axel smiled, floating in the sweet ether of shared sin as his hands danced down to rub against sweaty, bronze thighs before cupping the hardened flesh trapped between their bodies. He tugged up sharply, extracting a ragged gasp out of Roxas as the blonde broke the kiss to bury his lips against Axel's throat.

"Hnn...mmm", he whined, rolling pale flesh between his teeth in a bruising embrace. Axel hummed as he gave another languid stroke to their tangled arousals. 

Roxas was suddenly and forcibly ripped away. Axel snapped to attention as he shot to his feet, somehow managing to dissipate his intense hunger as the blonde cried out in fear and pain.

“Let him go dad.”

“I don’t think so, you little faggot.”

 

“He has nothing to do with us!”

“If he can make you happy he has everything to do with us. Isn’t that right blondie?”

Roxas’s eyes were brimming over with terror now as one hand clutched at the man’s hold while the other reached for Axel.

“Uh-uh, I don’t think so”, the father cooed. “You’re going to help me do something now, okay?” The sinister butcher knife glinted as it pressed against Roxas’s throat. Tears welled in his eyes as the blonde fought against a shiver that would’ve drawn blood.

“Dad”, Axel pleaded, his voice tight. “Stop. Please, you can take me instead. Just don’t hurt hi—”

“Fuck you”, the man hissed bitterly. “Fuck you. I’m gonna hurt you in the exact way you hurt me. Ready?” He sneered down at the blonde.

“No, dad. Plea—”

The blade ripped savagely, drawing a thin red line at first that then splattered crimson against Axel’s face. He clenched his eyes shut as his mouth flooded with foreign scalding copper. Roxas’s—

Axel ripped the blankets off as he came awake with a start. He snarled at the unfamiliar surroundings as he cast around and crouched to protect himself. There was his jacket crumpled up on the bed. Simple furnishings. Axel sagged and picked up the blanket still clutched in his hand. He drew in a deep breath and closed his eyes with a feral scowl. Peach.

Roxas.

A dream.

Axel's eyes snapped open. He must have drifted off at some point during his vigil. The redhead breathed in again and forced himself to calm down. After a while he realized that water was groaning through the pipes. Roxas was in the shower. He was alive. Alive.

A heavy sigh escaped before he draped the blanket as neatly as possible over the bed. His hands shook as he tugged a corner here and smoothed a crease there. Stepping back, he eyed it and crossed his arms.

"That'll do."

Axel jumped as Roxas padded in behind him, toweling his hair. The blonde scowled at the bed and then back up at Axel, scratching his scalp with the terrycloth and wincing.

"What", Axel growled. "I'm no home maker. It was the best I could do."

"Better than what I usually do."

Axel snorted and plucked the towel from him, hiding his fear and relief with the nurturing gesture. The redhead was pleased to find his shaking had finally ceased. "Let me do it. You're going to hurt yourself."

The blonde didn't argue as Axel took over with gentle undulations. Roxas's eyes pulled to half-mast and he hummed with contentment, clutching the towel around his waist.

"The shower's open if you need it.

"I don't."

Roxas raised an eyebrow as he peeked through the fold of the rippling towel. Axel wasn't necessarily dirty, but he was cold and more pale than usual. A shower would do him good.

"I don't", the redhead repeated. "I'll just pop by home really quick after I walk you to school." Axel scratched his chin, saying it like it was the most normal thing to do.

But Roxas froze. He swiveled very carefully to look at the taller boy. "Axel…", he said slowly.

"Roxas…", Axel mocked.

"You'll be late if you—"

Axel strode over to his closet and flung it open. He shuffled through the neat row of uniforms before tossing one to Roxas who caught it against his chest. Then he turned with another one and held the hanger level with his chin.

Roxas blushed. "Point taken."

Axel smirked as he raised a leg to fiddle with the pants cuff that fell to the middle of his shin. "I thought you'd see it my way."

"Won't you need help though?"

The redhead snorted derisively. "Nah, the old man is so zonked out by now he won't know if it's me or—" The words caught in his throat. With considerable effort he swallowed and hitched his lips into a smirk. "Anyways, I'll be fine. In and out. Bada-bing, bada-boom."

"Don't ever say that again."

Axel snickered as Roxas herded him out of the room so he could get dressed.

_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_

Roxas was supremely proud of himself for only breaking out into a full body sweat. And running out of breath. And…

Ugh, he felt like shit. But the important part was that Axel had dropped him safely off at school and disappeared. The blonde didn’t know why Axel was so vehement on making it a solo mission given the nature of his father, but in the end had deemed it best not to argue the issue. He was now currently situated in his first period, nervously awaiting Axel's promised return.

He felt his pencil droop in his hand as he stared ahead, making a pointed effort to ignore the gaze drilling holes into the side of his skull from a certain Riku. A ripple stirred through the room as the door slid back. Axel strode in and raised an arm at the professor before hustling to his seat. She glared but didn't think much of it as her pen squeaked out an exercise on the whiteboard.

"Pair off", she barked.

The classroom exploded with the rustle and scrape of friends making a mad dash towards one another. A few loners played paper-rock-scissors and split off into their respective duos.

Riku visibly deflated with relief as Axel turned his desk around. "So let's—"

"Sorry man. I'm going with him today, okay?"

Riku's jaw dropped as the redhead scooted closer to Roxas who appeared both mildly surprised and supremely relieved. They bent their heads together and began murmuring in low tones that made the silver-haired wunderkind lift a brow. The blonde touched Axel’s elbow with his brow crinkled in concern while the other boy twirled one of his spikes between two fingers and wrung a few water droplets from it.

Riku frowned. It wasn't raining outside.

Roxas laughed softly and nodded his approval as Axel's chest puffed proudly.

Riku's frown deepened. He flinched when someone tapped him on the shoulder. One of the loners grunted at him and motioned towards the board without saying anything. Sighing, Riku looked back at his friend and the blonde before shuffling off with the person whose name he only vaguely remembered.

_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_

As the week passed, Roxas healed with a swiftness that startled and pleased Axel all at once. Xigbar—pussy that he was—opted on not showing up for that whole period and by the end of a couple more days, all Roxas felt was minor stiffness here and there. Most of his bruises had vanished but a few stubborn ones clung to his skin, reminding Axel of what could happen if he wasn't too careful. So he stuck close.

The redhead tapped a bundle of papers on Roxas's head as he bent to pull his shoes on. Straightening, the blonde wrinkled his nose at him and snatched them away. "I think the choice is unanimous then. You'll be coming to my house."

Axel nodded as he propped the base of his foot against the shoe locker. They'd fallen into a comfortable rhythm, barely noticing that their company was exclusively for the other since Axel's return. Axel's friends were noticing though, but all the same they kept themselves scarce because there was a rare bounce to the redhead's step that they'd only seen once before, with one other person.

If he was finally able to move on…

Roxas tucked the strap of his bag on his shoulder and heaved a sigh. "Slutsky is such a tyrant."

Axel shook his head and smiled, his red spikes bouncing in the way they did whenever he was particularly amused. "He's old. And a teacher. And old. Need anymore be said?"

The blonde snorted. "Not really. That pretty much covers it, I guess."

As they left the schoolyard with their elbows touching and laughter tingling their lips, neither noticed a pair of dark eyes narrowed on them from around the corner. The person belonging to that piercing gaze kept watching until the two boys were out of sight before tucking a strand of hair behind a pale ear and turning to walk in the opposite direction.

_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_o_

Papers were scattered in organized chaos, sighs heavy in the air. Both boys slouched over their respective piles with sour expressions as they whittled away at the research report. Roxas glanced up and felt his blood flutter at the sight that Axel made across the table. His head was bent and a frown marred his ivory brow. The palm of his hand covered his mouth and a most intense frown as he regarded the swimming words below. His red spikes fanned around him and Roxas fancied that the other boy looked like a regal lion; fierce and untouchable yet compelling in that even though you knew it could rip off your arm, you still wanted to pet it.

More and more, Roxas wanted to be close now that he realized he couldn't turn his back on Axel. Every day he noticed something new and infinitely more exciting about the redhead whether it was the lazy lean of his hips, a slight drawl that crept into his voice when he got tired, the way he chewed his tongue when he was mulling something over.

Such little things that made Roxas feel silly when each small discovery lit a fire in his blood. It wasn't right. He wasn't gay, but…

Axel was appealing. And the taller boy really did care for him. He was attentive, patient whenever Roxas thought he might explode from stress or whatever else plagued him. He was good looking, catching the attention of most people—both guys and girls—as he walked Roxas to class. The blonde was still hesitant around people and Axel had noticed this as well. He took it upon himself to act as a buffer between the blonde and the rest of the student body; keeping their questions at bay, preventing them from pestering with stern glances or promises to hang out later that he purposefully neglected.

Roxas would never admit, even to himself, just how grateful he was for Axel's presence. He found himself spiraling; at times from his chronic panic attacks, at times because of his mother—she'd been getting steadily worse and Roxas had been avoiding her until the majority of his injuries healed. In their house it was all too easy.

Axel was there to catch him, to pull him from the delirium that teased at the corners of his mind with escape. A benign bodyguard. And those lips…

Those lips would be at the shell of his ear, whispering. An anchor. Expressive, plump, and undeniably a feature that tickled Roxas's imagination with possibilities he would have kicked himself over if given a moment to ponder on them.

But they were there and made Roxas's stomach clench in the most delicious way whenever they were close and low, speaking words only he could hear.

Xigbar was like a distant phantom now. All that existed was Axel. Axel and—

A bolt of electricity sizzled through his body and Roxas spasmed, his pencil flying out of his hand. Axel's head snapped up and he was behind Roxas in an instant, hands searching and lips breathing a steady rush of comfort as pain and pleasure collided in the blonde's body from muscle cramps and the redhead's touch.

"Breathe", he commanded as Roxas gasped. His whole body trembled and tears pricked his eyes as the seizes came and went. When he was aware of himself again, his head was tucked against the hollow of Axel's throat while the taller boy's cheek rested possessively against his downy spikes. Roxas shivered again, this time for a wholly different reason.

"It's okay", Axel mumbled as he rubbed his cheek against the top of Roxas's head. "I've got you."

The blonde pulled back and swallowed. Little bits of fire trickled in his veins as his cheeks heated up. The two boys stared at each other for a long moment. Roxas raised a hesitant hand and traced Axel's mouth with his fingers, his expression dazed as that softness finally dipped under his touch just as he’d imagined it would. The redhead remained perfectly still, not even daring to breathe as he let Roxas gently explore the planes of his mouth and jawline.

The lock on the downstairs door clicked and pulled them out of their trance, each scrambling to put some distance between them and what could have just happened if they hadn't been interrupted. On the tail end of that guilty thought was another.

Roxas did a double take at the clock on his bedside table and scowled. It was only seven. His mom shouldn't have been home for another…

Her usual time was about one o'clock in the morning but come to think of it, Roxas hadn't been the only one doing the avoiding around here. Roxas took a deep breath and got to his feet, heading down the stairs with Axel following silently.

The blonde cast around the empty living room and wandered into the kitchen where a faint rustling was coming from. He stopped short. His mother was bent over the kitchen counter and Roxas's elation instantly bloomed into poisonous concern. He hung back at the threshold, unsure if he should let her know he was there or not.

She was coughing again. And shaking: a horrible quaking that forced her entire body to spasm from the force of it. She sat on the stool and seemed to catch her second wind after a minute. Only then did Roxas choose to approach her.

Maybe it was an inherited thing, but it seemed that neither Roxas nor his mother wanted the other to see when they were in the throws of suffering. They fretted after one another too much. Roxas couldn't let her know how bad he knew it was getting. He loved her and her pride and she would tear herself apart with guilt if she knew just how much her son was aware that her grip was no longer as steady as it used to be, how her breathing was no longer free... how she paled from exertion over the smallest tasks. It wasn't fair really, she was so young but sickness, whatever it was, had forced her appearance into haggardness.

The blonde put his hand on her shoulder and she jumped and turned. Her skin had a sick grey sheen to it that made his stomach turn but he smiled and kissed her on the cheek without letting on.

"Hi mom. How was your day?"

No 'you're home early'. No 'what's wrong?' No 'are you okay?' That would ruin everything.

She nodded and swallowed, dabbing at the sweat that beaded on her head discreetly. Roxas winced as her eyes widened on the last of his bruises. She gently grazed a hand over his temple and was about to question their origin, when Axel stepped into the kitchen. She glanced at him with a degree of surprise and pleasure, putting her son's physical maladies out of mind for the moment.

Roxas had never brought anyone home before and he cringed, knowing his mom had realized this even before he had. He could practically hear the gears turning in his mother's head. The apprehension evaporated though when her expression turned from calculative to relieved. Even if Roxas felt he had been thrown together with the redhead via some cruel twist of fate, the weight lifting from her shoulders made it all worth it and then some.

"Who is this dear?"

Roxas turned and blushed at the grin on Axel's face. Something else struck the blonde at that moment. Though they had made their own silent resolution, nothing had been voiced out loud. The shorter boy gulped before cementing his friendship with the vexing redhead.

"Mom, this is Axel…" She waited patiently as he scuffed his toe on the tile. "A friend." She smiled. "We're working on a school project", he finished lamely when neither of the others offered anything more forthcoming.

Roxas felt Axel behind him as he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms with a satisfied grin like a fat, well fed cat basking in the sun.

Roxas's mother poked her head around her son's shoulder and bowed respectfully while he inclined his head, returning the gesture.

"It's nice to mee—"

His greeting was cut short as, before their eyes she fell from her stool. Axel, instead of Roxas, dove and managed to catch her head just before it would have struck the floor. She was lying so still…

"Mom? Mom! Are you alright? Come on. Mom, talk to me!"

What's wrong?

Are you okay?

The illusion of normalcy splintered as she shuddered and gasped in Axel's arms. "Mom!"

She grimaced and coughed over and over until blood coated her hand. Her chest convulsed and with each gasp, more color drained from Roxas's face. He was trapped inside his own body that wouldn't move, no matter how loud he was screaming inside. Roxas was completely helpless and if Axel hadn't acted….

The redhead shifted as he glanced up at Roxas, who looked to be on the verge of another attack.

"She needs to sit up."

Roxas flinched as his deep voice broke through the paralysis. Where minutes before his body had tingled with the essence of life itself, now it was being robbed of all feeling, all heat. His expression melted into one of blankness.

The blonde crashed to his knees with Axel's eyes on him, the realization that everything was now going to change hitting him hard. No matter how much she wanted it, no matter how much Roxas loved her, her condition couldn't be ignored anymore.

She gasped for breath and clutched at her chest as Axel placed a warm hand on her back and helped her to lean forward. Calmly, he looked at Roxas and—as if he knew the insidious stillness and shock that was descending on the blonde intimately—ordered his body into action.

"Run some water into a pot and put it on the stove. Set it to high heat. Wait until it boils and pour it into a bowl then bring it to her room. If she breaths in some steam, it'll help clear her airway."

The words seemed to be coming from far away, but Roxas strained to catch them anyways. He didn't want to be useless, not when she needed him. Activity was just what he needed to offset this sickening surprise… and he welcomed it greedily.

With each flustered motion, Roxas felt himself returning to the real world and it settled heavily in his bones, caging him here so he couldn't escape again. The pot felt cold, water pulling his arms down as they strained to stay steady while the choppy liquid rose to the rim. He swung, ignoring the splatters that hit the floor and assaulted his ears, setting the pot on the stove and cranking the heat on with a trembling hand.

Meanwhile Axel picked the woman up off the floor—feeling sick at how easy it was to lift her small frame that was still coughing in little fits—and carried her to her room. When the water came to a boil, Roxas poured the scalding liquid into one of the soup bowls he’d set on the counter and carried it upstairs.

He paid no mind when it sloshed over the sides and instantly raised boils on his burned skin. If anything, his grip tightened and he moved faster.

She was propped up on her bed and Roxas set the bowl gently on the pillow resting in her lap. She leaned forward and took great gulps of the steam and, gradually, her breathing steadied. She sunk back, closing her eyes as exhaustion took hold of her.

For Roxas's part, he fell into the chair by her bedside and just stared at her sleeping form for some time. He'd even forgotten Axel was in the room until the redhead came up behind him and set his hand on the back of the chair.

There he stood, setting the precedent for their lives in the many years to come; a savior of more than just Roxas's body. Axel was the anchor for his sanity. A silent, powerful comfort.

Roxas took the initiative to speak this time, even though his lips felt swollen and numb. "Thank you….if you hadn’t… I …" The words were clumsy and toneless, sounding strange to the blonde's ears as if someone else was saying them. As if someone else was stepping up to be pathetic in his place. He shook his head and ran his hand over the blisters that had formed on the crescent of his thumb and forefinger. Axel's expression was blank.

Roxas swallowed and took a breath before trying again.

"I froze at the exact moment I shouldn't have. Thank you for what you did. I'm usually not this much of a wreck, really."

Axel snorted.

"…… I don't understand…"

"You're damn right you don't."

Roxas's breath hitched at the sudden venom in Axel's words.

"If she were my mother, then…" He trailed off with a growl as he raked a hand through his hair. "I'm sorry Roxas." The blonde flinched but allowed Axel to take his hand and trace the burned flesh with a cooling caress.

Axel glared down at the blisters and tugged Roxas's hand to make him stand. "Let's get these tended then we'll come back up here to see what we can do, okay?"

Roxas nodded and swallowed the tears that scalded him inside. He couldn't really feel his hand. All that was important was his mom who looked so small as she lay in bed. The blonde glanced back one final time at her just to kick himself in the teeth before allowing Axel to take his hand and lead him downstairs.

TAKE NOTE HERE:

This next scene was almost impossible to write the first time and I can't promise that it'll be up to standard because…well, dammit. It’s going to be fucking difficult. You might be wondering why I'm choosing to do what I'm about to do and leave Axel's dad relatively untouched. Well, keep wondering. That'll keep you reading.

For the record that was totally on purpose and yes I'm sticking my tongue out at you (and not in the good way). Anyways, stick with me through this next one, mk?

Also, a question; do the long chapters put you guys off or are they okay as iz? If you haven’t already been able to tell I’m so long winded I piss myself off at times. But meh, if it works it works right?

SHIT WILL START MOVING AFTER THIS. I have the ending of the fic planned out and ready to rumble. Be warned. THERE WILL BE MANSEX >:U Sooo much MANSEX and…maybe some Xemnas to boot…in boots…thigh-high-spiked-stiletto-boots to be exact x3 Bad Hachi. Bad, bad girl! *slaps self*  

Thank you for bearing with me through my ramblings! Loves~~~<333