pairings: AxelxRoxas

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot

A/N just some rambling I want to do. I was lounging around after posting the second chapter of "To Break A Stallion" and the song "Just Another Day In Paradise" by Phil Vassar popped into my head and it kept repeating. So, I went youtube and looked it up and watched the video. I like that song a lot. So then this thought just kind of started forming in my head and this is what came out. Hope you enjoy it, I'm not sure if I'll continue, depends on the response I get from everyone. If you like then shweet, if not meh, deal with it.

xx(x)xx

Just another day in paradise - Phil Vassar

xx(x)xx

The hot sun beat down on the residents of Twilight Town. It was mid-summer and the temperature was high. The inhabitants that dared to venture out on this summer day either covered them selves in a bottle of sun block or decided once they stepped out of their house that it was just too hot. But, children were out, playing and having fun. Cold treats their choice of sustenance. Devoured more for the sake of cooling down then to enjoy the array of fruity tastes. The kids were oblivious to the warnings of their parents to wear sun block, drink water, all that jazz. Mostly dressed in shorts and t-shirts it was the sight of summer. But, there was one particular kid who just ignored everyone all together. A short blond, his hair messy and swept to this side, it hung lazily in his eyes as he stared at the ground. His cobalt eyes seemed vacant of thought as he swayed gently on the swing of an abandoned playground. The sun beat down on the back of his neck, slowly burning the sensitive flesh.

The old play ground was covered in rust and grime. It had long been forgotten by the kids since it was in such disrepair. The slide had long been attacked by local rebels, torn from the hinges, taken who knows where. There were supposed to be three swings, one had been mutilated and twisted into a mess of chains. The other two were relatively intact. Both hanging delicately from the metal bar above. The jungle itself was mostly intact. Its wooden surface covered in spray paint and warped by the years of rain and neglected up keep. Need less to say the only think that seemed to say the same was the bark that had been laid out.

The boys attention seemed focused on the bark below his feet. He wore a simple white t-shirt with khaki shorts that came to his knees. His feet were covered in comfortable sneakers, it was obvious he wore them often. The laces were frayed and dulled. Smeared with dirt and other things. They were covered in ink, his friends and him writing on them when bored. His attention was brought back to the real world by the sound of something swishing.

Bringing ocean blue eyes up he spotted the sound. The first thing that he really registered was, red. Pure, uncensored red. A rich smooth color. The tresses exploding away from the owners head. The spikes swayed and glowed in the sun as the man walked. Second thing he noticed were tattoos under the mans eyes and the third, were the green orbs that locked with his own. Pale yet bright they seemed to burrow into his head. The swishing continued and the boys eyes dropped to look what the red head was carrying. A shopping bag, that held whatever the man had bought, was brushing against his jean covered leg.

His gaze flicked up when the mans slow progress stopped, he stood just outside the rotting wood barrier that held in the bark. They stared at each other, as if expecting the other to do something. The man raised a fiery eyebrow, then narrowed his eyes a moment before breaking the wall and stepped over. The blonde watched in suspicious interest as the man came over. The bag continuing to swish. He knelt down not more then a foot away and started rummaging through the bag.

The blonde took the moment to study this beautiful stranger. He wore a fitted yellow t-shirt that had a Twinkie on the front and HOSTESS in blue letters. He noted the mans slender build, but he looked strong at the same time. His jeans were a dark wash and fitted to show his hips and slender legs. The boy seemed lost in the observation when something was tossed into his lap. He jumped, hands tightening around the swing chains and he looked down. An ice cream in a clear package had been thrown to him.

"You look like you need it kid" the man whispered and stood up. His voice seemed to echo in the boy's skull. It was smooth, like silk, but held a roughness to the edge. Making a lazy turn he started to leave.

"Thanks" the blonde called, the man threw a wave over his shoulder and continued on his way. Soon disappearing down the street to one of the local apartments but the blonde didn't notice this as he reached down to grab the treat.

It was a pale blue and flecks of ice dotted its surface. With ease he opened the package, fingertips taking hold of the stick he removed it from the plastic confines. His eyes slid over the present and watched it glisten in the rays that kissed it with warmth. Lowering it the tip disappeared between rosy lips. His wet tongue tasted the treat and decided he liked it. Recognizing the taste as sea salt his eyes closed and he went back to swinging gently. The coldness of the popsicle sending goose bumps on his skin. Crumpling the plastic in his hand he returned the hand to holding the chain to balance himself.

The blonde had stayed the whole day, wasting it on nursing the popsicle. Licking it slowly, savoring it till only the stick was left and all the flavor had been sucked out of it. The sun was starting twilight and the temperature had dropped slightly. Experiencing goose bumps as a light wind blew over the forgotten playground the blonde stood to leave. Glancing around briefly he began walking. Holding the popsicle stick and the plastic package he wondered if he should come the next day.

But he knew the gang would want him to come hang out. But the only reason he had been left alone that day was everyone else had other matters to attend to. He almost wished they wouldn't bother him tomorrow. He liked just sitting by himself. But then again, he figured he'd bring along something to do.

Walking by street light and the fading rays of the sun he stuck the popsicle stick into his mouth, the faint traces of sea salt teasing his taste buds. Breathing quietly he took in the night smells, there wasn't much, just faint scents. His eyes adjusted to the dimming light and soon the sun had dropped below the horizon to light the other half of the world. His shoes tapped lightly on he pavement and the plastic in his hand crinkled lightly. The night was warm but humid. He could feel the stickiness of it in the air. A hand traveled up to ghost over the heated skin on the back of his neck. He could only imagine the angry red it had turned.

In little time he was pulling out keys from his pocket and sticking them in a gold lock. Turning it and hearing the tumblers clicking he opened the door to artificial light. Walking in and shutting the door he was greeted with the feeling of something soft rubbing against his leg. Looking down it was his cat Lucifer. A rather large black and white cat with an attitude at times but was usually docile. He reached down to give the animal a quick scratch behind the ears and locked the door. Taking his hand back he walked to the kitchen to see his mother placing plates down. A smile broke her lips.

"Hey baby, have fun today?" she asked.

He sat down at the table, noting her green eyes and suddenly found himself comparing them to the mans that day. Hers were softer with years of motherhood behind them. Some hair fell around her face while the rest was pulled back into a braid tied off by a pink ribbon.

"It was……. Nice" he whispered. His father wouldn't be home for the next three days, he was on a business trip. He wasn't really sure what his father did, he just knew the man would be home for a couple days and then be gone.

"That's good, oh, Hayner called earlier" she mentioned.

"Oh yeah? What did he want?"

"He told me to ask you whether you wanted to go to the beach with him and the gang tomorrow"

The blonde was silent as if thinking.

"You don't have to go if you don't want to honey, I'm sure he'll understand"

"I don't know, I like just chilling by myself" he sighed.

"Roxas, if you don't want to go, then don't" she said.

The boy shrugged "I'll call him after dinner"

"Alright, until then, tell me how your day went"

But there wasn't much to tell. It was him, a playground and a swing. The blonde decided to exclude the fact a total stranger gave him an ice cream. The pleasant conversation turned toward his mothers day and soon they were done. Roxas picked up the home phone and dialed his friends number.

It was just another day in Twilight Town.