I saw that someone else on this site had attempted to do a "Princess Bride" story for kh, but they haven't updated since 2009, so I think that means I can do one too and not get too much crap for it! ^w^ After finishing the beauty and the beast story I did, I got this idea this morning. Princess Bride was playing on tv and it reminded me of that fic that never continued. I decided to do my own version. Again, there will be differences here and there to make it more interesting, and yes, I'm still working on my redone Twisted Fairytale, and pretty much everything else I've ever started. I'm just super excited right now. For those of you who saw my deviantart page, I got a car for Christmas. A FRICKEN car. Yeah, it's my first car that's totally mine. It's used and automatic and I love it already! ^w^ So this story is coming off of a natural high...(Plus the candy I've consumed since yesterday :)) please review and enjoy
Warnings: As usual, this story contains man romance, suspension of disbelief that men could marry in that time period (disregarding the whole alternate fantasy universe thing), extreme corniness, and Roxas playing the bitchy girl with the penis XD
About an hour's ride from the castle, there was a small but prosperous farm resting gently on the hillside. Now, a noble or highborn man might not stop to think twice about such a small scrap of land, though it's crops had been consistently good in previous years. There were a small handful of pigs and cows, those good for milking, and maybe one good horse or two; but it is not for this reason that the farm was well known.
The owner, Cloud, and his fiery wife Tifa ran the place better than the busiest captain runs his ship; together with the farm hands, they presented a clean, well-organized establishment, open to travelers from far and wide to come and stay. They offered good service as a bed and breakfast house, and their milk and cheese, though rarely plentiful, was the envy of farms across Florin.
It was good, honest work, and a pleasure for the couple who served others with joy and pride. And, having settled down for many years to come, the two had a son to help them and continue their good work.
The boy's name was Roxas. Though he was born slight and weak, Roxas remained fierce and focused in his tasks. Instead of taking on the harder labors with his parents, the boy worked from the sidelines, ordering the farm hands around with the confidence of a king. Bold and sharp-tongued, he was a force to be reckoned with. No one thought twice about how fragile he looked, but many did notice how fair he was; his hair soft and golden, so like and unlike his father's, and piercing blue eyes that could put the deepest ocean to shame. He was very pretty indeed, but even the most vibrant rose has its thorns. All who worked at the farm heeded him, and the farm continued to prosper and grow for many years, even into his late adolescence.
Cloud purchased a few more cows over the years, expanding the pastures and stables and drawing in more help where he could find it. Among his loyalest friends and workers, there was another boy who put his heart and soul into the well-being of the little farm...
Axel had always been a quiet child, though he didn't look it in the least. Everything about him screamed to be noticed, from his wild red hair that spiked into flames about his head to his sheer height. The boy who had come to Cloud so young and small grew startlingly into a tall, handsome young man; muscled and strong where Cloud's own son was slight and feminine.
Cloud loved Roxas and Axel dearly, and treated the redhead practically as his own son, but Roxas didn't accept Axel at first. He saw him as an annoyance, as well as a threat to take his place as his father's favorite son. The redhead, in turn, didn't like Roxas, seeing him as a spoiled, pampered girly boy who ordered everyone around simply because he could get his way. There was tension between them for a good number of years, where Roxas would order Axel around, not even bothering to use his name, which became his favorite pastime. The older boy would take the abuse publicly, then privately tease and taunt the smaller boy, aiming to make him as miserable as possible.
Cloud remained blissfully ignorant of the whole affair, and Tifa resolved to let boys be boys.
As time went by, the two boys became more accustomed to each other. Axel calmed to the point of mutely complying with the blond's demands, and Roxas, taking the time to watch him more, began noticing rather odd things about the redhead. How he would smile and talk to himself when feeding the animals, bantering sarcastically with them as if they could talk back. The way his hands, though rough and calloused as they were, would move gently as he polished the horses' tack, or brushed heavy manes. Or the way his green eyes sparkled at dinner, glowing in the low light of the hearth while Cloud poured him another drink.
The blond boy began to blush more often, especially when caught spying. Axel had to have suspected something, because he smirked so much more and sauntered confidently as he went about work, almost mocking Roxas playfully. So he opened his mouth wider, spouted more commands, even when there was nothing to be done. No one else must suspect anything, the blonde thought to himself. He must not let it be known.
Though in truth, he wasn't quite sure what they would suspect. Was it infatuation? Preposterous!
"Farm boy," he snapped one day, finding both of them alone in the stables, "Fetch my horse and saddle. I want to go for a ride."
"As you wish," came the usual reply. What Roxas hadn't expect, though, was for him to return with two horses, each saddled and bridled and ready to go. The blond blinked before replying, annoyed.
"What is the second horse for? Are you so stupid as to think I need two?"
The taller boy shook his head, passing the reins of Roxas's mare to him slowly. "I thought I might join you today."
Roxas scoffed indignantly, snatching the reins away. "Are you suggesting I'm incapable of riding by myself?" He hated being underestimated.
Axel flashed him a charming smile. "Not at all. I merely thought you'd like the company."
Roxas didn't like that smirk he was giving him. It was a wide, toothy smirk; arrogant, patronizing. He had to be up to something, but, feeling curious and really too lazy to drive him off with some poor reason, the blond conceded to let him come along. What harm would it do?
"Very well. But don't bother me!" He stormed away, guiding his slow horse with a heavy hand. Axel just chuckled.
"As you wish."
Out of all his activities, Roxas loved riding the most. If he was troubled, it helped him think. If he felt confined, it set him free. Riding over an open plain, with a horse between him and the ground; it enthralled him. Here, his height didn't matter, his weakness didn't matter. He could go further and faster than any person alive could run or jump.
Roxas rode through the forests, too; he wove in and out of trees easily, like he had been navigating them all his life. Surprisingly, Axel followed him with ease; even going so far as to race with him one time. Pulling up beside the blond's horse, he flashed a cheeky smile his way, goading him to ride faster, faster. And Roxas, stubborn as he was, did not back down. When they had cleared the trees, the two of them sped over the grassy fields, over flowers and stumps and everything in their way. Despite himself, Roxas even laughed aloud once, feeling himself flying freely, as though in the open sky. It was more fun than he usually had, even with riding.
Stopping on one of the hills for a rest, the two boys threw themselves down on the grass, content to let the horses wander and graze for a while. The chores would be fine left up to the other stablehands. For a long time they lay almost side by side, staring up at the sky, never saying a word to each other. It was pleasant, and peaceful; a light breeze would pass by occasionally, blowing the cool air and the smells of flowers and pollen all over them.
Then, finally, Roxas seemed to notice his companion, and he rolled on to his side to observe him, quirking an eyebrow.
"Why did you follow me? It can't be because you genuinely enjoy my company..."
Green, cat-like eyes blinked up at the sky for a moment, then fell to him.
"No real reason. It seems to me, though, " he murmured, turning himself to lay on his side as well, "that you've been watching me for some time now."
Roxas's cheeks flared at this accusation, and he immediately stuttered to correct. "I have not! T-That's purely a matter of opinion!" Turning away, pouting, he crossed his arms. "You're too sure of yourself, farm boy. I don't like that one bit."
"I'm sorry." But he didn't sound apologetic at all. On the contrary, he sounded even more pleased with himself. Roxas scoffed.
"You have no idea how obnoxious you are, do you? You're impossible! You're rude, conceited, arrogant, you-"
He found himself uncomfortably close to the redhead's face. At this point, the boy's words caught in his throat, as he caught sight of dazzling green eyes watching him intently; a little too intently. For several minutes they both lay there, unmoving, as Roxas struggled to find his voice again. He wanted to pull back, yell at him, but he was too entranced; captivated by this boy in front of him.
Then a large, calloused hand touched his cheek, caressing it sweetly. Roxas's eyes widened as he felt the warmth and care in those fingers, and suddenly he felt his words coming back to him, even through the slight confused haze of his mind.
"What the hell are you doing, farm boy?"
Axel only smirked at him. There was nothing malicious or overtly teasing in it, and yet to Roxas it looked a bit wild, intense. The hand on his cheek pulled upwards a bit, drawing his eyes up until they couldn't help but meet Axel's.
"Roxas..."
The blond shivered at the tone, more surprised than anything that Axel had called him by his name. He had purred it. But Roxas wasn't given long to think about what he'd said. Suddenly warm lips touched his, moving slowly, and Roxas was so shocked that he couldn't even process the act.
For a moment he lay there, frozen and confused as Axel took control, rolling over top of him and deepening the kiss. His heart told him that he wanted this, though he couldn't help but feel a little angry at it for leaving him in the dark for so long. Really, infatuation? Why so much trouble over something so silly? Yet, even as he pondered that, all his bottled up feelings flared to life and moved him, driving him to match the redhead's intensity. It was so warm and...loving...
Axel broke away with a gasp, rolling back onto his back beside Roxas, who laid, panting in the same spot as ever. Then, silence. Nothing. It was a great while before either of them spoke again, even though they had caught their breath in no time at all.
Roxas tilted his head to the side, gazing at Axel through delicately lowered eyelids.
"What...W-What was that about?"
Axel smiled again, simply this time. His smirk was gone, and as he pushed himself back up into a sitting position, he looked down at the young blond affectionately, petting his face softly again.
"I know you don't hate me, Roxas. If you did, you would have pushed me away right from the go."
There was his name again. Since when had Axel become so bold?
"i-I don't... I don't understand!" That didn't explain why...
"Don't you?" The redhead raised an eyebrow at him slightly, the hand on his cheek pinching a bit. Annoyed by the condescending gesture, Roxas growled and slapped his hand away.
"No, I don't! Why must you act this way? All I want is a simple answer!"
But Axel did not reply. Leaning down, he pressed another little kiss to his lips, surprising him when he pulled away just as quickly. He began running his hand through the soft, choppy blond hair, rubbing at his scalp in a way that made Roxas sigh despite himself.
"You love me, don't you?"
The question struck him as odd. Instead of arguing back, Roxas leaned further into the hand at his head, so relaxed that he could barely think about it. Is that what these feelings had meant? Spying on Axel and admiring his little quirks from afar? Was that love?
Looking up at the boy who'd intrigued him so much, Roxas admitted that he was handsome and kind. His hands were so gentle, despite being put to work each and every day, and when Roxas's eyes locked with Axel's, the boy's heart stirred and fluttered with sudden...hope. Hope that Axel shared his feelings. Even hope that they could be together; like the friends they always should have been, but more...
With soft reluctancy, he replied, "I think so."
"Heh...fair enough..."
His companion said nothing else, looking out over the hills and trees they had ridden through together. He watched as the horses trotted to and fro, finding new spots to graze as the clouds lounged lazily overhead, barely moving at all. The redhead then closed his eyes and smiled simply, letting a small gust of wind lightly ruffle his hair. His hand fell away, slack against the grass, as he sat and enjoyed the peace and nature.
Finally, Roxas was fed up with the silence. Apparently unnoticed by the older boy, he pulled himself to sit up as well and took hold of Axel's chin, turning it to force Axel to look at him again. He seemed to be waiting for something; what exactly, Roxas couldn't tell, but he was certain he knew what he wanted.
"Show me your feelings for me, farm boy," he commanded, stealing his lips for a rough, demanding kiss. Axel replied with fervor, pulling the blonde against him.
"As you wish..."