Axel dresses casually in the mornings. The other members, eager to display their professionalism to a fawning Superior, wear the standard black robes – even Xigbar is no exception. Axel, on the other hand, invariably shows up, day after day, in plaid sleeping pants and a tight black sleeveless shirt. He sticks out like a sore thumb… but then, he always does, so no one seems to mind.
Saïx has always had a dream – a fantasy really – to go up behind Axel during these early-morning group meetings, put his arms around him, stick his hands in Axel's pockets, and lean his head on Axel's shoulder. Morning after morning, he has pictured it – although, of course, he was never foolish enough to act on it. After all, Saïx is above such things, and unlike Axel, he has some sense of propriety and self-control.
Still…
Late one morning saw the kitchen almost deserted. Axel dashed downstairs late, having overslept; Saïx had lagged behind to do the breakfast dishes. When he heard the groggy redhead fumble his way to the table, Saïx's hands clenched and unclenched in the dishwater. It was only the two of them… but, dammit, surely it was one too many, surely Axel would go and blab. And anyway, Saïx knew better…
Axel was walking to the teapot when it happened.
Warm, strong arms encircled him from behind, the hands delving deep into his pockets with a shocking but comfortable familiarity. Something soft nuzzled against his shoulder. Axel craned his neck awkwardly to see. Ah. So that was who. After a moment of feeling decidedly surprised and awkward, Axel smiled – not the mocking grin Saïx had been dreading, but a real, gentle smile.
He reached back and fluffed Saix's hair. "Tired?"
Saïx closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, drinking everything in with a sense of deep wonderment. He had never been so awake. "Mmm-hmm."
Axel chuckled a little. Then he popped the question. "Y'wanna go back to bed?"
Saïx opened his eyes, looking hesitantly into Axel's own. Axel was grinning now, one eyebrow raised – an infectious expression, its meaning unmistakable. Liquid fire seemed to drop down into Saïx's belly, but Saïx just smiled back, dazedly, and nodded, hugging him a little tighter. So they did.
It was just as simple as that.
A/N: Yeah. Don't I wish it were.
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