Roxas's PoV

"Roxas!" A familiar voice yells. I know that voice. Self-assured, sly, and seductive. At least that's how he usually sounds.

"Wait, Roxas!" He cries more urgently. Was that…a note of…fear in his voice?

I spin around to face him as he skids to a stop in front of me- there couldn't be more than three inches between us. I watch the sweat trail down his pale face as he catches his breath, doubled-over with his hands on his knees.

"Damn, Roxas. I've been runnin' after you for the last ten minutes. Didn't you hear me calling your name?"

"Yeah, I heard." I reply dully, looking into his bright green eyes, where his perpetual grin doesn't quite reach. He straightens up, running a gloved hand through his spiky red hair uneasily.

"Look, Rox. Xion's bad news. There's something a bit off about her. It's hard to explain right now, but… I need you to avoid her at all costs."

His voice shakes and his hands grip my upper arms.

"Why, Axel? You know what I think? I think you're just jealous because you thought I belonged to you, and you can't stand to see me with anyone else. I'm surprised you didn't have me branded: PROPERTY OF AXEL on my friggin' neck!" I yell at him furiously, my lips curling in a vicious snarl.

He pulls away from me abruptly, shock and hurt evident in his liquid green eyes. But here comes the best part. I lower my voice to a deadly whisper.

"I'm not your puppet anymore, Axel. Got it memorized?"

I watch with detached interest as he visibly flinches, his hand reaching out to hover just above my cheek, his face crumbling like a cookie.

Axel's PoV

"I'm not your puppet anymore, Axel. Got it memorized?"

Got it memorized? How could three little words- words that I had said myself, nonetheless- hurt so much? God, how many times had I said that to him?

FLASHBACKS

On the first day we met. My name's Axel. Got it memorized?

About a week or so since he had started our high school. I had been showing him the ropes. But the kid was a little like a zombie. You couldn't really tell if he was getting any of this. He looked at his class schedule, but had no idea how to find any of his classes. You hafta look around. Sometimes what you're after is sitting right under your nose. Got it memorized?

One evening at our usual hang out – on top of the clock tower in Twilight Town. I turned to him, studying his unruly blond hair, his small form. His deep blue eyes meet mine innocently. I leaned into him suddenly, pressing my lips against his. The boy gasped in surprise, allowing me to slip my tongue in between his parted lips, exploring the inside of his mouth. I deepened the kiss, my hands in his soft golden hair. I pulled away, biting his lower lip as I did. He moaned softly.

I grinned at him in delight. He was a delicate pink- just the way I liked him.

A-Axel… he stuttered, his face stunned and embarrassed.

Yeah, Roxas? Got it memorized?

END OF FLASHBACKS

I never meant for him to feel this way. All those times I told him to do something…and he just did it without question…I had no idea It made him feel like a puppet.

All those times I was ruthlessly dominant…Well he'd just have to get over that. The bedroom is MY domain.

This was all Xion's fault. That damn whore. I know the things she says to him. Telling him I use him, that he is just a form of entertainment to me. I'd smash her face in, but for the fact that Roxas would kill me…Aw, Roxas…can't you see I love you?

Xion's PoV

"Come on, Roxas," I said, taking the blond's hand. His hands were so soft…why weren't mine like that? "You shouldn't worry about Axel anymore. Now you've got me," I smile sweetly, teasing the collar of his t-shirt with my free hand.

"I know. It's just I really hurt his feelings. I could see it in his face…"

"Roxas. Remember what I told you. It's just a façade. I hate to see him toying with your emotions like that," I say coquettishly, tugging at his lips with my own.

He shouldn't be thing about Axel, he should be thinking about me.