Author's Note - Okay, I've edited this one just slightly, because I wanted Julie to know Adam a bit before she invites him around for dinner, so I've had her knowing him longer as a working compainion. :) xxxx

Pasta

Roxas loved to cook. Even from when he was very young, he would always clamour to help his mum baking, and suchlike. At first, he helped to ice cakes, and decorate gingerbread men, but as he got older, he moved onto cooking dinners, and baking whole cakes, soufflés for his friends and family. It was true; Roxas was a genius in the kitchen.

Right now, Roxas was cooking something simple, tomato pasta. It had always been one of his favourites, and one of the first recipes his mum had taught him. It was a special meal, for both of them, and Roxas really cared about his mum. Cooking was a subtle way of expressing his gratitude, that's how he saw it.

He heard the jingle of keys, and the click of the front door opening. Without looking up, he called a hello to his mum.

"Hi, Roxie!" His mum – Julie - sauntered into the kitchen, dumping her bag in the corner. "Anything you want help with?"

Roxas looked up from his simmering pasta. "Can you grate some cheese for me?"

"Sure, honey." Julie danced over to the top cupboards, opening one of the many doors and pulling out the cheese grater.

She grabbed the cheese, and her neon green apron, pulling it over her head before grating the cheese over a chopping board.

"I'm a kitchen raver!" She giggled to Roxas in a singsong voice.

Roxas smiled. His mum was what one would describe as eccentric.

Her hair was a shock of blonde on top, and dyed bright red underneath. It was pulled up in a hasty ponytail, making it spike up in random places. Her eyes were bright blue, and surrounded by black kohl. Tattoos encircled her lower arms like bracelets.

Roxas, in contrast, had very pale skin, honey blond hair, and a tendency to blend into the crowd. The only things they really had in common were the bright blue eyes, and love for cooking.

But they needed each other more than anything, ever since Roxas's dad – Mark – left. Roxas knew how much that had hurt his mum. She always looked as though she could handle anything, but in truth, she was very easily broken, just like him.

In those first miserable nights, without Mark, they discovered through the pain, just how much they really needed each other. And then, they finally began to heal, stitching each other's wounds up, with immortal bonds.

So, whatever happened now, Roxas knew that they could make it through anything. They would never be hurt again.

His thoughts were interrupted by Julie's excited voice.

"Oh my gosh, Roxie, I talked to this amazing guy at work today. His art is out of this world. I've spoken to him a bit before, like we're friendly, but I never thought that he was interested in me. And, hell, he is so hot!" She giggled childishly, pulling a slip of paper out of her jeans pocket. "And look, I got his number!"

Roxas was surprised; his mum hadn't been so carefree with guys since his dad had left. He smiled, this was good though, and it meant that his mum definitely was getting better.

"And Roxie, I hope that you don't mind, but I kindof asked him over for dinner tomorrow." She looked at him in anticipation.

"Of course I don't mind, mum." Roxas grinned. He loved to see him mum so happy. "As long as I get to do the cooking, of course?"

She beamed. "Definitely, hun. I'm so glad that you don't mind."

"It'll be fun, I like catering for other people." He went to get the serving dishes out for the pasta.

"Oh, and his son's gonna come over too, he's about your age, and hopefully, he'll be a looker like his dad." She nudged him, winking.

Roxas sighed. "Mum, I don't necessarily fancy every guy I meet."

Suddenly, the musical chime of 'Jingle Bells' rang out, as their doorbell was pressed.

"I'll go and get the door, Rox." Julie said, as Roxas took the pasta off the heat. "You serve up, yeah?"

"Sure."

Julie danced off to the door, giving Roxas a moment to think about the mysterious son of his mother's current desires. He was surprised that he felt so nervous about tomorrow, and meeting him. Anyway, Roxas was always big on first impressions. He began flicking through pages of his favourite – memorized, of course – recipe book in his mind. He was gonna have to make something pretty damn special. He smiled. And he had the perfect idea.