Days Go By

Axel had to bite his lip to keep from laughing as Sora burst through the bathroom door and into his room. The brunet looked like the poster boy for the punk movement and had obviously taken the “you may accessorize to your heart’s content” to heart. He wore about five belts, only one of which was holding up his pants, and a looping chain criss-crossed his pockets from hip to hip. He wore a simple silver crown necklace on a chain and fingerless black gloves. A pair of bright yellow shoes that looked to be about four sizes too big for him finished off his ensemble. Sora grinned and pivoted for him. “What do you think?”

Axel did laugh this time. “What’s with the shoes?”

Sora grinned. “They annoy Cloud.” He replied brightly, cupping the back of his head with both hands. He glanced around. “Where’s Roxas?”

Axel laughed again. “Where do you think?” He motioned to the bed. “Sleeping Beauty is still out cold.”

Sora walked into the room and blinked, stopping just beside the door to the bathroom. “Axel?” He asked uncertainly. Axel turned from where he was stuffing his laptop into his backpack. Sora stood beside a hole in the wall near the door, his eyes wide. “What’s Roxas’ alarm clock doing in the wall?”

Axel walked over to investigate and rolled his eyes as he saw that indeed the alarm clock was embedded in the wall. “So that’s what happened to it.”

Sora stared back at the bump in the many blankets that was Roxas. “He threw his alarm clock through the wall?”

Axel smirked. “Either that or Riku did it last week when he stayed over. I can’t remember.”

Sora stood still for a long moment, his mouth open as if he wanted to speak but wasn’t entirely sure what to say. Obviously deciding that silence was the best policy, he launched himself gracefully over a pile of dirty clothes and onto the pile of blankets that protected his brother.

Roxas gave a startled yelp as Sora landed on him, grunting as he bucked. Sora was having none of it, and bounced slightly as he settled himself onto Roxas’ back. Roxas groaned and the world seemed to hold its breath. Sora grinned sunnily at Axel before bouncing again. “SORA!” As if this slight movement was a cork, instant chaos ensued as Roxas gave a yell and bucked, throwing Sora to the floor. He thrashed violently to escape from the pile of blankets and sheets, only managing to tangle the fabric tighter around his legs as he crashed to the floor beside his brother.

Roxas reached for Sora, but Sora was on his feet in an instant, laughing so hard he nearly tripped over the pile of clothing as he ran for the bathroom. “Morning, Rox!” He shouted cheerfully, darting into the bathroom and slamming the door shut just in time for Roxas to throw himself forward. Roxas hit the closed door hard, bouncing off and falling to the floor where he thrashed against the binding of his bedding, his face a mask of fury.

Axel stared in unabashed amusement, watching the drama unfold, not without a certain sense of admiration as he heard a similar yell from next door followed by the slamming of the door to Sora and Riku’s room. Riku threw open the bathroom door, his face nearly purple. “Where is he?!” He demanded. “I’m going to strangle him!”

Roxas kicked hard against the blankets. “Help me get out of these damn blankets and I’ll let you!”

Axel couldn’t help it, as he stared at his two friends, both looking badly rumpled, hair tangled, eyes wide, both looking mad enough to chew nails and spit out staples…he began to laugh. Leaning against the wall, he laughed until tears trickled down his cheeks and Roxas threw a shoe at him with a look of disgust. Wiping his eyes, Axel chuckled. “Hey Rox? How did your alarm clock end up in the wall?”

Roxas made a sound reminiscent of a tea kettle boiling over, and Riku paused to look at the alarm clock. A bemused look crossed his face as all fury at his roommate disappeared. He blinked first at the clock and then at Roxas. “Hmm.” Nodding to Axel, he slipped through the bathroom door and closed it behind him.

Axel turned to find Roxas glaring at him from his place on the floor. “Are you going to help me out?”

Axel paused. On one hand he would gain points with Roxas by releasing him from his blanket prison. On the other hand it was a delicious sight to see a tousled and shirtless Roxas writhing on the floor. Roxas cursed violently as he struggled against his bonds and Axel sighed in mild regret as he helped his cranky roommate to his feet. “It’s funny…how different you two are.”

Roxas ran his hand through his hair, the anger fading away and a resigned annoyance taking its place. “You’re not the first person to say that. Hayner never understood how we could be related let alone be twins.”

“Oh, you two have more in common than you think.” Axel replied cheerfully. “You’re both stubborn, you both have an odd sense of humor, you’re both adorable.”

Roxas went still, halfway between yanking on the pants to his school uniform. “What?” His eyes widened.

Axel laughed. “Never mind. The point is that you both wield the keyblade too. You’re more alike than people think…but not in the morning. Caffeine?”

Roxas’ eyes went wide with delight and then closed in bliss as he downed half of one of Riku’s Mountain Dews in one swallow. “I may let you live another day. Don’t call me adorable again.”

Axel snorted. “This is the only reason you let me live, Roxie.” He pouted. “Just because I provide you with caffeine.”

Roxas toasted him with the bottle, pulling his pants on and reaching for his shirt. “At least you serve some sort of purpose.”

Axel smirked. “Roxie, given a chance, I could serve you FAR better.” Reaching out, he pulled the blond into his arms.

Not surprisingly, Roxas’ fist sank into his stomach and Axel reeled, wheezing. Roxas threw him a cold look. “You’re pretty confident in your abilities.”

Axel laughed, not taking the hit personally….he would have been disappointed if Roxas had done anything else. “Never had a complaint yet, Roxie. Never had a complaint yet.”

To his surprise, Roxas only laughed, buttoning up his shirt. “Whatever.” Unlike Sora, Roxas didn’t go crazy with the accessories. He pinned a silver charm onto his shirt and slipped a black and white checkered arm band over his wrist. One black band and one white band went around his fingers.

“No multiple belts?” Axel asked, eyeing his roommate with amusement.

Roxas snorted. “People who wear too many belts have bondage fantasies.” He replied without thought.

Instantly the image of Sora naked and bound to a bed filled Axel’s mind. Almost just as fast the image changed and Roxas took his brother’s place. He sighed in contentment. “If you say so, baby.”

Roxas rolled his eyes and slipped his feet into his shoes. Shouldering his backpack, he yawned and drank the rest of the soda. “Ready when you are.”

Axel waited for Roxas to exit the room before falling into step beside him. He sighed contentedly as a shaft of sunlight slid across his face. The courtyard was packed with students milling about before class, bleary eyed and sipping multiple caffeinated beverages. Instantly Axel spotted Riku and Sora. Riku had obviously been searching for Sora, because there was triumph on his face as he pounced.

Sora yelped, squirming in Riku’s hold, violently protesting his innocence while Tidus and Selphie cracked up. Even as they walked, Riku seemed to win the struggle, because Sora relaxed a moment later, pouting before flashing a grin at Kairi as the girl joined their group.

“ZEXY!” Axel’s happy call caught Roxas’ attention, and he hurried to catch up to the redhead’s long stride. Zexion sat in front of Vexen at one of the stone tables set up on the grass, a chess board set up between them. Both looked up as Axel approached.

“I thought I told you not to call me that.” Zexion moved one of his pawns, his gaze on the board.

“You did.” Axel replied cheerfully. “But Demyx gets away with it.” He said wickedly, his eyes sparkling.

Zexion turned the slightest shade of pink. “No point in stopping him.”

“Zex!” Speak of the devil, Demyx bounded over, his eyes sparkling, sitar in one hand. “I want your opinion on something.”

Zexion looked up sharply as Demyx approached, Axel laughing wickedly and winking at Roxas. Demyx’s eyes were puffy and there were dark smudges hollowing them out. His cheekbones were more pronounced, his hair mussed. Rolling his eyes, Zexion reached out and pulled the blond down beside him as he pulled a comb out of his bag. “Did you sleep at all?”

Demyx shook his head. “The muse visited last night.” He smiled at Roxas. “Morning, Rox.”

“Morning.” Roxas looked a bit out of his league, his blue eyes wide.

Ignoring the game entirely, Demyx strummed his instrument and Axel pulled Roxas away from the group. “You okay?” He asked, concerned by the look on his friend’s face.

Roxas nodded. “That’s an odd pair for you.” He motioned to Demyx and Zexion.

Axel laughed wickedly. “Yes well, Demyx has a lot of persistence. Like a siren he called to our recluse through music, and eventually even Zexion had to respond.”

Roxas glanced around the busy courtyard, locating the other members of the Organization. Marluxia lounged by Xigbar, obviously discussing something to do with the dueling team, as they had waylaid Cloud, who was looking irritated. Lexaeus was in the grass holding a blue Struggle bat and smirking at his brother, Hayner while Pence and Olette looked on. At another of the stone tables, Luxord and Larxene had attracted quite a crowd, the blonde girl cursing as she threw down a fan of cards, Luxord smirking at her before saying something that made her face turn bright red. Xaldin sat with his back to a tree, book in one hand, coffee cup in another. Saix was nowhere to be found, but Axel spotted Xemnas near the doors to the school and knew that Saix couldn’t be far away. “Why don’t they sit together?”

Axel grinned. “Less conspicuous this way.” He replied lazily. “Nobody wants to have to answer awkward questions, and we all run with different groups.” He waggled his fingers playfully to Larxene, who flipped him off before scowling at Luxord. “We’re all pretty friendly though.”

Roxas frowned. “Awkward questions about…”

Axel laughed. “Patience, Roxie. Patience. You’ll find out soon enough. Suffice to say that we don’t want anyone seeing us as a group.” He spotted Leon, the brunet’s face bordering on homicidal. Following Leon’s fierce gaze, he spotted Cloud…Sephiroth making a beeline for the blond. “Oooh…let’s go get a good seat.”

“For what?” Roxas demanded, but Axel had pulled him forward, ignoring his protests.

He fell into step beside Riku, who was looking disgusted. “Why won’t he just give UP?! Cloud isn’t gay!”

Axel laughed. “Because he’s not BLIND, Riku. CLOUD is flaming.”

Roxas choked. “That’s my BROTHER!”

Axel snorted. “Talk about the last to know.”

“What’s going on?” Sora demanded, hurrying up behind them. “I was talking to Kairi and you just disappeared.”

“Didn’t want to disturb your time with Kairi.” Riku replied with more venom than Axel had expected. He glanced sideways at his best friend, but Riku’s gaze was fixed on Sephiroth. “My brother’s about to make an idiot of himself. Again.”

Sora looked as if Riku had slapped him, hurt blooming on his face. He opened his mouth, but Axel shook his head, recognizing Riku’s tension.

Sephiroth reached his target. “Cloud.”

Cloud stiffened noticeably and Marluxia backed up a step, but stopped when Cloud fixed him with a glare so severe it could flay skin from bone. “Sephiroth.” He greeted quietly. “What can I do for you?”

Sephiroth’s eyes were hot as they swept over Cloud’s body. “What can you do…that’s a matter of debate, Cloud.”

Cloud flushed ever so slightly. He opened his mouth, but a cold voice cut him off. “I hear we have a few new members on the team this year.” Both turned sharply and the relief in Cloud’s gaze was evident, though his face remained expressionless.

The figure that stood just behind them was darkness personified. He hooked his fingers into the belt loops of his pants and looked at them with red eyes the same color as Axel’s hair. “I also heard I missed a false dawn practice. What a shame.”

Cloud inclined his head. “Vincent. How was your summer?”

Vincent Valentine was an enigma and something of a legend in the halls of Radiant Garden. He had an allergy to sunlight and kept his skin wrapped in fabric, hiding his face from the world. He was content by himself, but a few people had managed to breach his defenses. Nobody knew why he favored Cloud and Aerith…or why he had chosen Zack as a lover. “Adequate.” He replied calmly. “We only just got home yesterday.” He nodded politely to Sephiroth and then to Leon. “So I hear your brothers are here.”

Cloud blinked then glanced behind him to see that both of his brothers were watching. He opened his mouth, presumably to introduce them, but was cut off by the warning bell.

Leon approached the group. “Ten minutes, everyone. Get moving.” He cupped Cloud’s elbow lightly before the blond could get away. “Everything all right?” Cloud nodded, his face impassive. For a moment they stared at each other, Cloud’s eyes softening ever so slightly before he ran to catch up with Vincent.

Axel shook his head. It was pathetic. They were going to have to do something about this. The sexual tension in the air…well…he glanced down at Roxas, who had lost interest in the scene and was talking with Hayner…maybe he was only responding to his own tension, but the whole thing seemed simply unbearable to him.

Axel grinned as he caught sight of Riku watching Sora apologetically out of the corner of his eye. He was going to have to do something about it…and he knew just the people to help.

0 0 0

Sora yelped when Axel pinned him to the lockers as everyone made their way out after practice. “What…”

He stared up at Axel, noticing for the first time how much BIGGER Axel was than him. Axel smirked. “Relax, Sora. I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to make sure that you stick around so we can talk.”

He pulled away and Sora rubbed his biceps where Axel had grabbed him, rolling his eyes. “And you couldn’t just ask?” He regarded his brother’s roommate curiously. “What’s up?”

Axel’s grin turned wicked. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed the sex in the air…” He laughed as Sora choked. “Obviously not. This place is practically OOZING testosterone.”

This was such an unappetizing mental image that Sora felt vaguely sick. “Right.”

Axel laughed again. “The point…is that I might need some help, and I don’t know anyone better than you. Watch your brother with Leon, watch Demyx with Zexy.”

“And you and Roxas?” Sora knew where this was going. “I don’t know if it’s occurred to you, but Cloud and Roxas will eat me alive if I set them up.”

Axel sighed dreamily. “As much as I’d like to say you could fix up Roxas and myself, but I’d like to keep my balls, not have them kicked into my throat.” Sora choked again. He was never going to get used to Axel’s blunt manner. “Maybe I’m wrong and it’s not there…and then again maybe it is.” Axel grinned. “I’ll make it worth your while, Sora.”

Sora frowned. “How?”

He gasped as he was once again pinned to the lockers. Axel leaned over him, and Sora could feel the heat radiating off of the older teen. “You don’t like Kairi right?” Sora bit his lip and Axel took that opportunity to go on. “…so…date me.”

Sora blinked. “What?!”

Axel laughed. “Date me.” He said again. “You really are…cute.” He ran a hand through Sora’s hair. Sora batted it away, his heart beginning to hammer. “Just…trust me, Sora.”

Sora frowned. “I don’t even know you.”

Axel grinned. “Date me and you’ll get to know me a whole…” He inched closer to Sora. “…lot better.”

Sora stared up into the exotic green eyes. “And Roxas?”

Axel shrugged. “I’m not replacing Roxas. You’re cute. You’re funny. You don’t want to kill me in the morning.”

Sora tilted his head. This was true. “I…” He paused. He could almost see Cloud’s disapproval. “I…I’m not…”

Axel looked down at him for a long moment before laughing. Reaching out, he intertwined their fingers, releasing Sora from the lockers. “I know you’re not ready.” He said, his voice softening slightly. “And I get that. Really. I won’t overstep any boundaries.”

Sora paused. “But you…” Axel raised one eyebrow and Sora found himself blushing. “Are a guy.” He finished lamely.

Axel laughed. “Brilliant observation, Sora.” He drawled. “Look. Before you say no on that basis, do you like me.”

“Well…sure, I guess…I mean….”

Axel went on quickly. “Gender doesn’t matter, Sora. The only thing that matters is that you like the person you go out with.”

Sora paused. After a long moment he nodded. “Sure…I….Okay.”

Axel’s face lit up and another wicked grin crossed his face. “Thanks, Sora…I promise…you won’t regret it.” Squeezing Sora’s hand lightly, he slipped from the room and left a confused brunet in his wake.

0 0 0

Riku was waiting for his slender roommate the moment Sora walked into the room. “Sora, look I…” He stopped dead as he caught sight of Axel right behind him. “Sora?”

Sora’s face was bright red and he turned in the door. Axel wasted no time, taking his hand lightly. His eyes were wicked as he kissed Sora’s hand lightly. “See you.” With a chuckle, he turned from the door and continued on to his own room.

Sora looked stunned, sitting down hard on his bed. Riku frowned. “What was all that?” He demanded, closing the door.

Sora shook his head. “I…I dunno.” He replied before smiling slightly. “Axel asked me out.”

Riku felt his heart clench. “He did WHAT?!”

Sora looked up, startled by his reaction. “He asked me out.” He looked a little defensive, and Riku’s stomach clenched as well. “Why?”

Riku scowled inwardly. What was Axel pulling? Did he change his attention from one brother to the other? Why? Never mind, it was obvious…Sora had more patience with him than Roxas did. Sora was more energetic than Roxas was. Sora smiled more than Roxas did. Everyone loved Sora. Of course Axel, who was unabashedly gay, would take an interest in the spiky haired brunet. “That’s…great.” Riku tried to sound happy for his roommate.

If it was so natural, why the hell did he want to kill Axel? He didn’t. It was as simple as that. He didn’t want to kill Axel for dating Sora, he wanted to kill Axel for grossing him out with gay romance on his doorstep. With his luck Axel would end up making out with Sora on Sora’s bed, forcing Riku to watch. He would rather eat nails. Sora tilted his head. “Yeah.” He agreed with a slight smile. He frowned and pinned Riku with his blue gaze. “You…I’m sorry Axel interrupted you, did you want to say something?”

Riku stared at him, looking for a sign of sarcasm, a sign that Sora just wanted to hear him apologize. He saw nothing but sincerity in that gaze, nothing but the apologetic and slightly embarrassed smile. Letting out a long sigh, Riku decided not to let Axel’s infatuation with the boy ruin his friendship with him. He liked both Axel and Sora, it seemed stupid to be annoyed at them for wanting to be happy. Together. He ran a hand through his hair and wondered (not for the first time) why he bothered to keep going back to that thought. “I wanted to apologize.” He said quietly and saw Sora frown slightly. “I was cruel to you when we saw Cloud and Sephiroth together. I know I shouldn’t have been.”

Sora crossed to him and touched his shoulder. “Don’t be silly.” He said quietly. “It’s awkward right? The fact that Sephiroth…” He trailed off.

Riku nodded. “Yeah. You know how I said I admire him for waiting for Cloud? For loving him so much he could wait forever for him?” When Sora nodded, Riku snorted. “I also hate him for it. He’s such a headcase. He’s in love with someone who doesn’t like him, who will never like him, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he tried to force him to. He keeps making such stupid scenes and upsetting people. I don’t get it.”

Sora paused. “I’ve never been in love, Riku…but it seems like if you are, it would be worth the wait. I just hope that Sephiroth finds someone else to give his heart to. Someone who can return it.”

Riku stared at him, dumbfounded. Sora smiled at him and turned away, digging out his Donald Duck and Goofy pajama pants. Sitting down on his bed, he began the tedious task of unbuckling each belt. “You…really mean that don’t you?”

Sora looked up. “Mean what?” He seemed to replay the conversation and smiled again. “Sure, Riku. Everyone deserves to find their light, the other half of their heart. Even headcases.” He drew his shirt up over his head. “Riku?”

“Hmm.” Riku glanced up over his book, pretending that he wasn’t watching Sora the entire time.

Sora tilted his head. “You don’t really…you don’t really have a problem with me and Axel do you?”

Riku rolled his eyes. “No.” He replied quickly. “It was just a surprise to me. I didn’t know you…swung that way.”

Sora looked perplexed. “Neither did I.” He replied honestly. “But Axel asked and he….well….it didn’t seem right to say no when I said yes to Kairi. He asked me to give him a chance, said he wouldn’t try to force me to do anything I didn’t want to.”

Riku frowned. Axel had manipulated Sora into accepting him? Sora would never say no when someone begged him to trust, when they begged him to give them a chance. That wasn’t in Sora’s nature and he damn well knew that Axel was aware of that. He glanced at Sora. “I know.” He said with a forced smile. “And I’m happy for you. Really.”

He waited for Sora to fall asleep, waited until he heard the familiar sound of the sleeping boy in the bed near his own. When he was sure that Sora would not awaken, he slipped silently out of the room and through the bathroom. The light was on in Roxas’ and Axel’s room, Roxas bent over a book with a pencil in his mouth as he studied the pages, Axel lounged on his bed, pretending that he wasn’t watching Roxas. Riku scowled when he saw it. “What are you playing at with Sora?”

Roxas looked up sharply, but Axel only smiled wickedly. “What do you mean?” He asked sweetly. “I asked Sora out, and Sora accepted. It’s only right to walk him to his door and I can’t very well invite him to my room, it’s crass to make out with your boyfriend in front of your boyfriend’s twin.”

Roxas’ mouth dropped open in shock. “WHAT?!”

Riku stared. “You didn’t tell Roxas you asked out his brother?” He asked incredulously.

Axel smirked. “No. It isn’t right to discuss your personal life with the brother of your boyfriend.” He said lazily.

Roxas got up slowly. “You…you’re dating SORA?!” He asked, a slight squeak in his voice.

Axel looked over and nodded. “Yeah.”

Roxas lost it. “ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!” He demanded. “YOU’RE SITTING THERE TALKING ABOUT MAKING OUT WITH MY BROTHER AFTER TALKING ABOUT NOTHING MORE THAN FEELING ME UP!”

Axel sat up slowly. “Make no mistake, Rox.” He said quietly. “I liked you. Feeling you up…well hell, it’s fun to watch you turn funny colors and threaten to kill me…but there’s only so often a guy can take being rejected, and Sora…well…he didn’t.” He stretched. “As for feeling him up, I’m not going to. I’m not going to force him to do ANYTHING, Rox…and I would have hoped you would have realized that.” He turned. “And you, Riku…I LIKE Sora. Get over it.” Riku felt his heart clench as Axel got to his feet and strode for the door, slamming out of it.

“Damn it!” Riku swore under his breath. He glared at Roxas, not really angry at the boy, just angry at the situation.

Roxas frowned. “If he hurts Sora I’ll break his face.” He said quietly. “But I would do that if ANYONE took an interest in Sora.” He looked troubled though as he sat down, troubled…and a little hurt.

Riku hurried out after Axel, who, surprisingly was standing just outside of the door, arms crossed over his chest. “Ax…”

Axel glanced over. “Don’t start with me, Riku.” He said tiredly.

Riku bit his lip. “I was just surprised. You seemed to like Roxas and then switching to Sora…it just didn’t seem right. I don’t want him hurt.”

Axel frowned deeply. “I won’t hurt him!”

Riku nodded. “Yeah. I know. I’m sorry.” He sighed. “It seems to be my day for apologies.”

Axel seemed to consider this, then smiled. “Good.” Riku sighed, relieved. Axel never could hold a good grudge. He patted Axel lightly on the arm before turning and heading back for his room. In the hallway, Axel grinned to himself. Phase One was coming along nicely.