He crept up behind the redhead, rubbing his shoulders and whispering "greetings, Dear" into his ear. Axel whirled around, ready to slap him, stopping short with realization. "Oh, it's you..." he whispered, sighing heavily. "Don't do that, man! I thought you were Marluxia." Luxord stared at him, stunned. "Is everything alright?" Axel nodded, chin on his hand. Sitting on the couch next to the redhead, he swivelled around and stared at his averted eyes. Finally turning to face him, Axel gave a Cheshire grin, half-lidding his eyes playfully. "I know I'm beautiful," he whispered seductively. "But it's rude to stare." Luxord blinked twice, unaware that he had been staring, before looking at the empty fireplace instead of Axel, gentleman that he was. "Sorry, Dear… Not even a log? You're sure something isn't troubling you? It's unlike you to desire to ignite thin air outside of battle." Receiving no response, he turned to look at a downcast face. "Axel. Listen to me." Hearing his name, Axel's head shot up to track the sound, frowning slightly, emerald eyes fatigued. "Love, I know there's something. Something that's eating away at you. No matter how bad it may seem, you can always tell me – I'm here for you. Always." Axel absentmindedly thumbed the tattoo on his cheek, as though wiping away the tear it represented. Luxord quickly wrapped his arm around his shoulders, not caring that Axel wet his cloak's hood.
"Feeling any better, Love?" Stifling a groan, his tear-stained face simply nodded, lying on Luxord's shoulder. "Guess I'm just burnt out, is all…"
"Burned out? A pyro?" Groaning, Axel looked up at him sadly. "Please, stop with that nickname…" The British man's jaw dropped, mouthing unspoken words. Finally finding his voice, he asked the question on his mind. "Why are you rejecting it now? You've always loved it in the past! Axel… please tell me what's going on!" Sitting up and shaking his messy red locks, he clasped his trembling hands in his lap, staring sightlessly at his twiddling thumbs. "I… I can't…" Grabbing his shoulder to steady him and make him look in his eye, Luxord lowered his voice. "You can, Axel. You're brave, you're strong, you're fiery and resilient. Only a few of the many reasons why I love you. Now, to leave even someone such as you like this, it must be horrible, almost beyond imagination. And considering you gave away a vital clue, I've prepared myself for the worst. So, fire away." Silence. "…Axel?" Observing the shuddering bundle before him, Luxord discovered that Axel was weeping again. "H-he…"
"He what, Axel?" Gulping hard, he finally succeeded in sharing his devastating burden.
With a thud, Luxord slumped back into the couch, chest rising and falling with sharp breath, unseeing eyes darting around the room in front of him. How did I not see the signs? I should've felt the absence of body heat during all those moments of contact. Should've recognised it as something other than shock or fear. I'll kill 'em all! I'll kill 'em all if they refuse to give it back! I'll make 'em give it back, or else- His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle hand on his sleeve, turning to stare into a sharp, stern face. "Don't do anything drastic, Dear." Glaring at his lover, his eyes soon softened, gazing away in shame. "Sorry… It's just… I can't believe they did that to you! I want them to give it back, or I'll make 'em pay-"
"Luxord! Listen to yourself! That's not very gentlemanly." Luxord gaped at him, before sighing, placing his head in his hands. "You're right… I'm sorry, Love. You're probably worse off than I, even though you can cope more easily. Forgive me." Tightening his grip on the other's arm, emerald eyes scanned his face. "There's nothing to forgive. I just have… one request… Will you fulfil it?" As he turned to face him, Luxord nodded once, azure eyes taking in the relief that washed over Axel, relaxing. Smiling sadly, Axel lay his head back down on Luxord's shoulder, quietly mumbling "Please don't leave me on my own. Even if you choose to go down there, even if I wont be able to give a flaming boost, just take me with you. Please…" Nodding his promise, Luxord gently removed Axel's hand from his sleeve, taking it in both his own. "Together."