"So, your room or mine?" Axel asked casually, in the same tone one would use to discuss the weather. Larxene smiled wickedly and pressed a finger to her bottom lip, thinking.
"Mine. Yours is a pigsty. Lets make, hmm… 10 o'clock. I have a few chores that might run late." She leaned over to give Axel a quick, caressing kiss. He responded, sliding a hand through her blond hair and lightly biting her lip. She sighed at the faint, coppery taste of blood. "Don't be tired." She pulled away from him, walking slowly out the door and passing Roxas on the way. "You can come too, if you want. I'm sure it would be educational."
"I'll pass." Roxas tone was about as warm as the walls of the castle, and the disapproval on his face was obvious. Larxene shrugged and exited. Normally she would have stayed to tease him, but she really did have pressing business. When she was safely out of earshot, Roxas looked at Axel. The Flurry of Dancing Flames had an amused smile on his face. "You really shouldn't use her that way. It's… disrespectful." That made him blink.
"Roxas, are you defending Larxene's virtue?" Axel asked with a laugh, and Roxas colored and looked away. "Because I have to tell you, I think she's slept with everyone except you and Xemnas. Well, maybe not Vexen." Axel scratched his head thoughtfully. "If he's got a dick he's keeping it well under wraps."
"Axel!" His friend exclaimed, exasperated. "I just mean that you shouldn't use someone for sex that way." Axel lifted his eyebrows. Roxas was a romantic? A smile tugged Axel's lips and his heart… if he'd had one… seemed to warm. It was really cute if tremendously misguided.
"Roxas, I love you, but sometimes you don't get it." Axel leaned back against the wall. "We're Nobodies. The heart may be gone, but the body has needs. If Larxene weren't around to help, I suppose I'd have to go pick up some chick in a bar. Or worse, romance some girl… when I can't give her anything but a broken heart. I can't hurt Larxene and she doesn't give a damn about disrespect."
"I still wish you wouldn't," Roxas muttered, then sighed. "You deserve better." Axel grinned, stepping forward and throwing an arm around Roxas' shoulders.
"Ah, Roxas! If only you were a chick." Roxas made a theatrical gagging sound at the thought, and Axel laughed. "Come on… let's get some more of that ice cream of yours."
Later, when physical needs had been met, Axel lay beside Larxene in the rumpled sheets and thought about what Roxas had said. He looked sadly at the Savage Nymph. She looked innocent and sweet asleep, her tension finally eased.
No, I don't deserve any better Roxas. And neither does she. We're nothing, Nobodies, and this is as meaningless as the rest of our lives. He touched her cheek, tracing the soft skin, and she sighed but didn't wake. The only one who might deserve more is you Roxas, because you're the only one who would even consider it. He gently slid an arm around Larxene, cuddling her close.
Taking what comfort he could, to ease the ache where there should have been a heart.