Rainy Day

As he sat, staring at the rain beating against the window, he wondered: Why did he have to have these feelings? He and Roxas were as close as most brothers. It just wasn't right...was it? And why was he spending so much time thinking about stupid things anyway? It's not like Roxas would ever return his feelings. Best to just forget about it all and keep things the way they were: normal.

Roxas came into the room and plopped down next to Axel on the couch.

"Chips?" he asked, handing the bag to Axel.

"Nah, I'm good," Axel just stared out the window.

Roxas looked at his friend worriedly, "You ok, Axel? You look like you're upset or something."

"Huh? Oh, no it's nothing. You know, just never been a rainy type of person. I prefer hot, sunny days."

"Ah, well, it'll clear up soon enough. 'Til then, I'm sure we can find something to keep us entertained, right?" he crunched on a handful of chips.

"Yeah. So, what do you want to do then?" Axel asked unenthusiastically.

"Uh...I don't know. I was hoping you'd think of something."

Axel rolled his eyes, "Hmm, well, I suppose there's always board games or something."

Roxas cringed, "Axel, there's a reason they're called BORED games. Come on, there's gotta be something we can do around here."

Axel let out a short scoff, "We could draw pictures."

Roxas raised an eyebrow at his friend, "Um, sure, that's a great idea. If we were five year olds! Ooh! I know! How about truth or dare?"

It was Axel's turn to raise an eyebrow in disgust, "Uh, yeah, maybe if we were girls!"

"Ug...why is thinking of something to do so hard?" Roxas set the bag of chips on the coffee table in front of him and stretched out on the couch, his feet on Axel's lap.

"Um, you mind? Your feet smell like they haven't been washed in weeks!" Axel pushed Roxas's feet off his lap.

"Hey! I was comfy!" Roxas flung his legs back onto Axel, slightly kicking him in the ribs.

"Oof! You jerk! I said get off!" Axel threw his feet off once again, "Do it again, I dare you!"

Roxas grinning mischievously tossed his feet once more onto Axel's lap.

"Oh that is it! You are dead!"

Before Axel had a chance to throw them off again, Roxas had jumped up from the couch laughing, and took off running into the kitchen.

"Bastard! Get back here so I can kick your ass!" Axel shouted as he took off after Roxas.

"You want a piece of me?! Bring it!" Roxas jumped out into the hallway from one of the rooms just as Axel rounded the corner to the hall. "I'll take you down!"

Axel laughed, "You're gonna take me down?! Please!" Axel ran at Roxas, arms outstretched to grab him by the shoulders, but Roxas ducked down and slipped pass Axel. "Hey! Where you goin'?! I thought you said you were gonna take me down! Coward!" Axel turned to continue his pursuit as Roxas ducked into one of the rooms. "Ha! Now where you gonna run?!" Axel flew into the room, only to find it empty. He stopped in the doorway and looked around, "Alright, where'd you go? You can't hide forever. The smell of your feet will give you away eventually!" Axel slowly entered the room, looking about cautiously for any sign of movement. He threw the door shut, expecting Roxas to be behind the door. No such luck. Next he moved slowly over to the bed, being sure to keep an eye on his back. Quickly he threw the part of the comforter that was hanging over the edge of the bed back, and stooped down to look underneath. Damn. Not there either. That only left one last place. Axel crept quietly over to the closet door. He placed his hand on the handle and braced himself. Then with a deep breath he threw the door open, "Ah-ha! Mmmph??!!" Axel stumbled backward as Roxas leapt from the closet and planted a big, sloppy kiss right on Axel's lips! Axel lost his balance and fell hard onto his back, Roxas coming along, seeing as his arms were wrapped around Axel's neck, "What the Hell are you doing??!!" Axel screamed in utter shock. Roxas just grinned from ear to ear. Axel shoved Roxas off of him and scrambled backwards into a sitting position. "What was that about Roxas??!!"

Roxas laughed hard, "You should have seen your face!! Priceless!!" Roxas fell over on his back laughing uncontrollably.

Axel sat at the other end of the room, his face hot and flushed. After a moment, and once he'd managed to compose himself, for the most part, he scooted over towards Roxas who was letting out a few last laughs and wiping away some tears.

Axel shoved Roxas, "You ass! Why'd you kiss me?!"

Roxas looked up at Axel still grinning and chuckling a bit, "Oh come on, don't be so uptight. I was only messing with you. Jeez, chill out," Roxas sat up and looked at Axel who was looking away, "Hey look man, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. I was just fooling around."

Axel turned sharply to face Roxas, "Yeah, well I don't find that kind of thing is funny," he hissed.

Roxas smirked, "Oh come on, it was just a measly kiss. Not like it meant anything. I'm not gay or nothing, you know."
Axel blushed a little, but didn't say anything.

Roxas sighed, "Look. I'm sorry, I didn't think it'd make you so mad. I mean, can't you usually take a joke? What's so different about this one?"
Axel still said nothing, just continued to stare at the floor.

Roxas now starting to feel a bit guilty and worried put his hand on Axel's shoulder. Axel quickly shrugged it off, "Fine, whatever. If you're gonna be an ass about some stupid joke, then I'm not gonna stick around here," Roxas stood and started to walk out the door.

"It's not a joke to me," Axel mumbled.

Roxas stopped and turned around to look at his friend, who now seemed strangely...hurt? "Wait, what's going on? What aren't you telling me? I'm lost."

Axel sighed, "Nothing, just leave," he continued to stare at the floor.

Roxas, confused, came back over and sat next to Axel on the floor, "Hey, what's up? I'm really confused. It was just a joke, you know. It didn't mean anything."

Axel scoffed, "Yeah. I got that. Meant nothing. Good for you."

Roxas still confused, but starting to perhaps understand what Axel was trying to get at, asked, "Did you want it to mean something?"

Axel looked up abruptly, "What?! No!! What are you, stupid?!"

Roxas's eyes widened, "You did! You did want it to mean something! Oh my God, Axel, are you..." Roxas stopped mid-sentence, while Axel just sat uncomfortably.

Finally Roxas continued, "Are you...gay, Axel?"

Axel shrugged, "I don't know...maybe..."

Roxas was now struck with fear and he wasn't sure why. This was his best friend, he should be able to handle anything he told him, right? So why was this making him want to get up and leave? "Uh...Axel...um..."

"Look, Roxas, you don't have to say anything. Just leave ok. It's fine. I'll deal," Axel's look of hurt had now transformed into frustration.

"Axel, you're my best friend. I'm not just gonna leave you."

"What? You're not freaked out? Please," Axel sneered.

"Yeah, ok, so I'm freaked out. I just kissed my best friend as a joke, only to discover that it's something he's into. So yeah, I'm a bit freaked, but I'm not some ass who's gonna leave his friend behind just 'cause he's weirded out."

Axel sat quietly for a moment, "....Thanks, Roxas...."

"So...like, how long have you known?" Roxas questioned uncomfortably.

Axel shrugged, "Just as long as I've known you, I guess."

Roxas sat for a moment, then his eyes widened, "Wait. Are you saying you don't just like guys, but that you like...you like me?"

Axel's face grew hot once again, "Uh...I've always liked you Roxas. I mean, at first I just liked you as a friend, maybe even a brother, but recently I've started to feel different. I wasn't sure how to deal with it myself, so I just ignored it. This is making you uncomfortable, isn't it? I'm sorry. Look, let's just forget it."

"No, it's fine, really. Even though that sounds weird, it's honestly not freaking me out. Perhaps I just adapt quickly, or something, but I'm really not minding you liking me. I mean, heck, I'm kind of flattered. I've always looked up to you, and now you're saying that you sort of admire me."

"You're really ok with this?" Axel asked worriedly.

"Uh, yeah. I think I am, actually. Heh, weird."

"Well...do you think...like, do you think you like me back?"

"Uh.....I don't know Axel. I mean, honestly, right now I wish I could say yes, 'cause I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I just don't know about that right now. I'd have to think about it."

"Yeah, ok. Duh, that was stupid of me to think that."

"No, you're not stupid, Axel. I mean, you're my friend after all and I do have standards," Roxas grinned.

Axel stood up and offered a hand to Roxas, "Well, now that we're done discussing the fact that I'm in love with my best friend, how about we get some lunch?"

"Heh, sure," Roxas grabbed Axel's hand and stood up, "Wait, in love? I thought it was just a crush. Wow, I'm good. Not only did I get a man to fall for me, but he's completely head over heals."

"Oh shut up, you bastard," Axel said as he shoved Roxas, "Just for that, you're paying."

"Aw, you're not even gonna treat me to dinner? Some date you are."

Axel rolled his eyes, but couldn't help letting out a small chuckle, "Keep it up, and you can walk there in the rain."