Rainy Day

"Well, we can check friends and coworkers off the list, now we just got our families," Axel said to Roxas as they clocked out for the day.

"Yeah, I know. I've been thinking about that. Hey, do you really think we need to tell them?" he asked.

Axel looked at Roxas stunned, "What? I thought you weren't afraid of-"

Roxas cut him off, "Yeah, yeah, I don't care who knows, but I'm just saying, why tell them when it's not really necessary? I mean, sure if they ask us, we'll tell them the truth, but if they don't ask, why bring it up? Ya know?"

Axel thought about it, "Well, I guess that kind of makes sense, but it also kind of sounds like you'd rather avoid it all together."

Roxas sighed, "And you wouldn't? I mean, be honest, sure you don't care who knows you're gay, even your own family, but are you really gonna enjoy telling them?"

Axel thought again, "Actually, yeah, I am," Roxas cocked an eyebrow at his boyfriend, "You're the first person I've ever dated that I'm proud to call my own. You're not some hoochie I found in a bar. You're my life long friend who they already know and, once they get pass the whole gay thing, will be glad I ended up with you. A well rounded, smart, responsible young man.

Roxas blushed slightly as he listened to Axel dote on him, "I'm both flattered and amazed. How is it that a man who's idea of fun is videogames and paint ball, can be so insightful?"

Axel shrugged, "I'm secretly being abducted by aliens at night and having my IQ gradually raised?"

Roxas laughed, "And you have such a bizarre imagination."

"All the more reason to love me," the redhead said chuckling.

The two of them hopped into the Firebird and buckled up, "Alright. I guess if you're so excited about sharing the news, we can tell your family first. So how do you think Riku's gonna take it? Younger brothers always kind of look up to their older siblings," Roxas glanced out the window as he waited for Axel's reply.

"Well, we weren't really ever that close. I mean, we didn't hate each other, but we just kind of kept to ourselves, unless we needed the other for something. So, I don't think it'll effect him much. My mom and dad, however, that's gonna be hard. My mom always wanted me to stop dating trash and find a nice woman to settle down with. And dad, well, let's just say he's not the most tolerant man. I really have no idea how he's gonna take it," Axel went quiet, becoming lost in thought, but eventually asked, "So what about you? You've just got your parents to talk to. How do you think they'll react?"

Roxas snickered, "Well, you know my mother. She's tolerant of everything and just wants everyone to do what makes them happy, so that'll be easy. My dad...hmm...I think he'll be shocked, maybe even a little upset, but my mom will convince him that it's a wonderful thing in the end."

"Wow," Axel replied, "And you're worried about telling them? Sounds like it'll be a walk in the park."

"Yeah..." Roxas replied sheepishly, "I kind of know they'll accept me no matter what, but that doesn't make it any easier."

Axel nodded, "Yeah, it doesn't. But I'll be right there with you, so don't worry."

Roxas smiled at the tall redhead in the driver's seat, "Same."

They pulled into their parking lot and jumped out of the car. They headed up to their apartment and went inside, "So, when do we do it babe?"


Axel asked as he plopped down on the couched and threw his feet up on the coffee table.

Roxas looked up from untying his shoes by the front door, "Huh?"

Axel turned the tv on, "When do we tell our families?"

"Oh," Roxas replied as he walked over to where Axel was sitting and joined him, "I don't know. What were you thinking?"

Axel looked over at the blonde, "Why not right now?"

"What?!" Roxas exclaimed, shocked.

"What? What's wrong with now. Get it over with like a band-aid and move on with life."

Roxas suddenly looking pale, replied, "I...we can't bother them right now. We don't know if they're busy."

Axel laughed a little, "Alright, settle down. We don't have to tell your's right now. We can wait, but why don't we go tell mine?"

Roxas swallowed, feeling a little calmer, "Really?"

"Yeah, sure. Why not? Come on, it'll be fun. We can see how close I was at guessing their reactions," he elbowed Roxas in the side.

"I guess...if that's what you want to do," he said cautiously.

Axel jumped up from the couch, turned the tv off and headed to the door, "Like a band-aid. It'll sting a little at first, but then it'll be over."

Roxas got up from the couch, put his shoes back on and followed Axel out the door to the car.


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They pulled into Axel's parents' driveway and got out of the car. Axel took a deep breathe, "You'll be with me, right?"

"Huh?" Roxas said, unprepared for the question, "Yeah, of course. I'll be right here."

Axel smiled, "Then I can do this."

They walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. A few minutes later Roxas's mother answered the door, "Oh Axel! Roxas! How are you guys? Come in!"

Roxas smiled, "I hope we're not intruding by dropping in like this."

"Oh no, you're fine. We just finished dinner. Come on in," Axel's mother ran ahead of them into the living room and turned the television off, "So what'd you guys need? Just dropping by?"

Roxas grinned at the floor, "Uh, no actually there's something important we need to tell you guys."

She looked up from straightening the couch cushions, "Is everything all right?"

"Oh! Yeah, yeah. Everything's fine. Don't worry," Roxas looked over at Axel who hadn't said a thing yet, "Right Axel?"

"Huh? Oh! Yeah. Nothing's wrong mom. Is dad home? And Riku?"

"Uh, yeah, just a minute," she ran off down a hallway and disappeared into a room. A minute later she came back out accompanied by Axel's father.

"Hey. How ya doin'?" he asked Axel, patting him on the shoulder.

"Hey dad, I'm fine. I just have something to tell you guys and I figured there's no time like the present," Axel tried his best to smile although he was extremely nervous. Some movement caught Axel's eye and he turned to see Riku coming down the hall, "Hey Riku."

"Hey," he replied.

Axel looked around, trying not to seem nervous, "Well, since everyone's here, I suppose I can tell you," his two parents and younger brother looked at him wondering what he possibly had to say, "Well, I've found someone really special this time. Not some floozy like usual. This time they're really sweet and funny and kind and they have their head on straight. No drugs. No alcohol. And definitely not a slut. Actually, you already know them."

Axel's mother perked up, "Well, who is it?" she asked eagerly.

Axel took a deep breathe, "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my boyfriend," he gestured towards Roxas.
Axel's mother's mouth continued to smile while the rest of her face contorted into confusion. Axel's father was absolutely stunned and Riku's eye's simply widened, "Hahahaha!" suddenly Axel's father burst into laughter, "Geez! You come up with the damnedest pranks. I almost believed you there for a second."

"Um, sir," Roxas mumbled, "he's telling the truth this time. We're really dating each other."

Axel's father's smile slowly faded into a look of disgust. He shook his head disapprovingly and stormed out of the room. Axel's mother looked helplessly after her husband and back to her oldest son, "Um, Axel, you're really not joking? Because if you are, I think you better tell your father right now."

"No mom. Roxas is my boyfriend," he was going to stand his ground.

She thought for a moment, then forced herself to smile, "Well honey, you know, this is a shock. A big one. But Roxas is a good boy. Not a slut like you usually date," Axel snickered at his mother saying the word 'slut', "I mean, if he makes you happy," she glanced back at the hallway her husband had gone stomping down, "then I guess I'm happy for you," she tried her best to look approving.

Axel smiled at his mom, "Thanks mom. I know it's a bit of a surprise, but I'm glad to know you're still on my side."

"Well," she cleared her throat, "I think I'll go make you guys some sandwiches. Turkey ok?" they both nodded and she disappeared into the kitchen. She needed time to digest the news. That just left Riku.

"So?" Axel asked his brother.

Riku looked at the ground thinking, then walked slowly over to his brother and leaned close to whisper to the both of them, "How did you find the courage to do that?"

Axel laughed, "I just decided it was my life, I'd let them know what's going on, and they could deal with the info however they liked," he shrugged.

Riku thought again, then leaned back over to the two, hesitated, then said, "...I'm gay too..."

Axel and Roxas pulled back stunned and stared at Riku, "Seriously?!" Axel whispered.

"...Yeah," he looked around to make sure his parents weren't listening, "I've even got a boyfriend, but I'm too scared to tell mom and dad."
"Well Hell, tell 'em now!" Axel said enthusiastically.

"But don't you think it'll be too much for them, and I don't wanna like step all over your guys' toes," he looked at his older brother concernedly.

"Hey, don't worry about it. We'll back you up, and it'll be fine. Come on, don't be afraid to tell them who you are," Axel patted Riku's shoulder reassuringly.

"You really think I should?" he looked back and forth between Axel and Roxas.

"Of course!" Axel said.

"If that's what you want to do," Roxas added.

Riku glanced back to where his father had stormed off, "I think dad can wait, but I guess I can tell mom."

"Well, go on then," Axel said giving Riku a little shove towards the kitchen.

Riku took a deep breathe and made his way to the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway and fidgeted, "Uh, mom?"

"Oh, hey honey. Whatcha need?" she finished up making the sandwiches.

"Um," he glanced back out at his brother and back to the kitchen, "Actually, I wanted to let you know...that...that I'm gay too," he spit the end out quickly.

She accidentally dropped the lid to the mayonnaise while trying to put it back on, "Riku, that's not funny. Don't tease me like that."

"I'm not joking mom. I'm being serious," he looked to be on the verge of tears.

She glanced over at him and noticed his terrified expression, "Oh honey," her face grew concerned, "You're not joking, are you?" she walked over to him and gave him a hug, "I'm sorry. I thought you were playing around. It's ok. I'm not mad. You're father's probably not gonna be too happy," she looked down at him, "It's alright honey. I guess my two boys are just more alike then I knew. I still love you both dearly though, you know that right?"

Riku pulled himself together and nodded his head, "I love you too mom."

"Here help me take these sandwiches to the boys," she handed Riku a plate and they both headed back out into the living room. Riku handed a plate to Axel and his mother gave one to Roxas.

Roxas and Axel took the sandwiches and looked at Riku with an expression that asked 'did you tell her?' Riku nodded, "I told her."

Axel grinned, "See! Told ya it'd be fine!" he chuckled, "So what's his name?"

Riku blushed and looked away. Their mother looked at Riku shocked, "His name? You already have a boyfriend?"

"Yeah," Riku replied without making eye contact, "We've been dating since last August actually," his mother's eyes widened.

"Why didn't you say something earlier?" she asked.

"I was scared. Of how you and dad would react. But when Axel came out to you, I decided I was being a baby and needed to stand up for myself too," he looked over at his mother.

"Oh sweetie. I know your father can seem intimidating, but you can always tell us anything. This is just how your father reacts at first, but he'll come to his senses. Trust me," she smiled comfortingly at her son, "So," she chuckled nervously, "what is his name?"

Riku blushed a little more, "Uh, Sora," he looked over at Axel and Roxas who were finishing their sandwiches, "His sister actually works with you two. Don't know if you know her or not."

"What's her name?" Axel asked.

"Namine," he replied.

Axel laughed out loud and Roxas sort of choked on his sandwich, "Namine?! Seriously?! Wow, that's weird!" Axel hollered.

Riku was confused, "What? What's so weird?"

Roxas snickered, "Oh, earlier today, Demyx accidentally outted us at work, and Namine came over and told me she had had a crush on me, but she was happy for me and Axel."

Riku laughed, "Wow, that is weird."

Axel's mother had a perplexed look on her face, "Roxas sweetie, why didn't you accept her offer?"

Roxas was taken aback by Axel's mother, "Because...I'm dating Axel. I'm not gonna just dump him 'cause some girl likes me."

"But, wouldn't you rather be with a nice girl instead of your friend? I mean, I can understand that you two are close to each other and all, but are you sure it's love? I mean, how long have you been dating? Maybe you two just got lonely and confused your friendship for love."

Axel laughed at his mother, "Mom. I'm pretty sure we're gay. I'm sorry to break it to you, but it's not just a phase or something," he grinned at his mother's naivety.

"But surely you don't wanna kiss each other, let alone...other stuff. You're both men."

Axel continued laughing, "Yes mom. We kiss. And we enjoy it. We even enjoy the 'other stuff.'"

Axel's mother wasn't sure what to say, "You mean, you two have...ya know."

"Heh. Yes mom. Yes we have." Axel turned to see that Roxas was blushing at the subject of conversation.

"Uh, well, ok then, I guess. I don't really understand, but I suppose if that's what you like," she turned to Riku, "You and this other boy haven't...yet, have you?"

Riku cleared his throat, "Uh, no mom. We, uh, we kiss, but we haven't done that yet," he averted his gaze, uncomfortable with the question.

"Oh thank God," she sighed, "Well, you're gonna have to forgive this old woman. I don't really understand any of this, but as a mother, the main thing I want is to have my boys happy. Of course I would have loved grandchildren, but I guess I'll get over that."

"Oh don't worry. Roxas is getting a sex change, so you'll still have grand kids," Axel said completely seriously.

Axel's mother's eyes widened, "What?"

Axel nodded his head, "Yep. He's gonna be real purdy."

"Oh, uh..." she looked at Roxas not sure what to say.
"He's just kidding, don't worry. I plan on being a man for the rest of my life," Roxas rolled his eyes at Axel who had burst out laughing.

Axel's mother scowled at him, "You are so ornery."

"Hey! It made the whole gay thing seem less important, right?" Axel chuckled.

His mother's face slowly grew into a grin, "You know, I was worried that you were gonna start acting differently. But I should have known better. You're still gonna be the little trouble maker I've always known, aren't you?"

"Don't worry mom. I'll always be your terror," Axel stuck his tongue out.

The four of them sat for another hour talking and laughing about other aspects of their life before Axel and Roxas decided it was time to head home, "Well, thanks for the sandwiches mom. I'll call you later."

"You two drive safely. I love you," Axel's mother called from the doorway.

Riku peeked out from the front door, "Axel! Thanks!"

"Hey! No problem," Axel called back, "Love you guys. Tell me when dad's cooled down. See ya 'round," Axel closed his door and waved as he backed out of the driveway and headed home, "See, what'd I tell ya? Piece of cake. Your family'll be easy."

Roxas nodded, "Yeah, you were right. I mean, your dad didn't exactly seem thrilled, but your mom's pretty sure he'll be ok with it later."

"Yeah, that's my dad for you. Doesn't do change well, but he'll be fine. Especially if my mom says so," Axel smiled at Roxas, "I'm glad you were with me. I don't think I could have done it without you."

Roxas furrowed his brow, "What do you mean? You looked perfectly calm to me."

"Haha! Wow, I must be a better actor than I thought. I was terrified. Now I know what you meant about being scared even though you're expecting the best. But don't worry babe, I'll be right there with you when you tell your parents."

Roxas smiled, "I know Axel. That's why I love you," Roxas leaned over and kissed Axel on the cheek.

"I love you too Roxas," not another word needed to be said as they drove home in content silence, their hands holding tightly onto one another's.