A note from Kai: Hey you guys! This is my first Fanfiction on this account. I have written them before, but I stopped uploading on my old account and then forgot the log in information to both the account and the email connected to the account so I'm starting over. Here's my new beginning! In this fanfiction there will be several time jumps to catch you up to the present. The first few chapters are based in the past so you have a background of Roxas's life. The main pairing is AkuRoku – we just haven't gotten to that just yet. There will be Lemons in future chapters. I hope you enjoy reading this!
Pairings mentioned in some way in this chapter – Axel and Demyx; Olette and Pence; Namine and Marluxia; Axel and Roxas
Disclaimer – I do not own anything other than the idea, plot, and story line for this fanfiction.
Breathe Into Me Chapter One - New Beginnings
Three years. It had been three years since my mother died and now here I was standing alone at my father's grave in the rain with a tear stained face. My entire life had been flipped upside down and turned into ruins like broken glass. Everything was gone; they were gone and he had left me. My darling Axel…
Three Years Earlier
A knock at the door caused me to look up from my desk where I had been sketching and stare blankly at the wooden rectangle. "Roxas, dinner is ready." A soft musical voice said from the other side causing my lips to curl into a smile. "I'll be down in a second, mom." I reply, closing my sketchbook as the sound of retreating footsteps echoes in the air. My father considered me a 'problem child' with my constant partying and the many girlfriends I was bringing into the house. My mother though… she supported me through it all. She was always saying that I was just trying to find myself which, in a way, was true.
I slid on a black tank top to cover my bare chest before walking out the offending rectangle and down a flight of marble stairs making my way into the dining room where I was greeted by my mother's warm smile and my father's insure gaze. We always ate dinner together even if we were at the point of wanting to fight all of our problems out. I took my seat across from my mother and to my father's right before picking up my fork to inspect the pasta that my father had made. "Roxas," My mother spoke, pausing until I looked up at her. "Are you going out tonight, honey?" She asks with concern etched into her pale blue eyes. I hesitate before I shake my head and reply, "No, I'm staying home tonight; I have a paper to finish for my history class." School… I might only be a junior in high school but I received about as much work as a literature major in college with my advanced classes. A sigh of relief was heard from my father and I felt myself stiffen as he places a hand on my shoulder. "I'm proud of you, Rox." Staring at him with wide eyes I simply give him a sheepish smile. My father was never affectionate.
The following three weeks were a wonder; I was able to stay party free and bond with my father like I had always dreamed of doing. But, the Monday of the fourth week there was an accident. My mother and I had just pulled into the east wing parking lot of my school when a Ford Pickup truck slammed into our smaller Lexus on the driver's side instantly killing the beautiful woman I once called 'Mom'.
- Three Months Later -
After finally being cleared by my doctor to move to another city my father began packing. Neither one of us wanted to remain living in the same house she had been in. I frown as I begin my terribly long process of packing away all of the belongings I wanted to keep and tossing the ones I didn't. My father and I had agreed that moving to Twilight Town and away from Destiny Island would be good for the both of us. Maybe once we were gone we'd be able to heal… "Rox!" My father's voice came from downstairs, making me sigh and stand from my place on the floor in my room. "Comin'." I call, stepping into the hallway of our home. As I descend the stairs the smell of pizza fills the air causing my pace to pick up. My dad smirks in my direction when he sees me and he motions to the large box on the table. "Are you hungry?"
The next day we were settling into our new home – which was a lot smaller than the previous one. Twilight Town was small… but it was surprisingly cozy. After I had finished unpacking I found myself reaching for my old skateboard and walking outside. Dad had left to meet up with an old friend and although he had offered to take me I chose to stay home. Boarding sounds really good to me right now… It was something I had been had the time to do since the year before mom… I sigh, jumping up onto the black and white skateboard. Pushing off with my left foot I begin to roll though the neighborhood. After a few moments I lift my hands up and gaze down at the many scars that covered from the palm of my hand to nearly my elbow. When I was released from the hospital I tried many different means of channeling my depression: writing, talking, music, cutting, sex, drug, even alcohol. In the end I decided that burning and cutting were the most efficient. Ultimately, I knew I should have started, but now I was hooked.
While my thoughts were busy wandering my body was moving and before I knew it I was standing face to… chest with a blonde named Demyx laughing like we were old friends. "So, you just moved here, huh?" He asks me with a huge grin plastered on his face. I nod as a reply, focusing more on trying to balance on my board so I didn't end up face first on the concrete. "Well then, Roxas, why don't you come to my party tomorrow night? I could introduce you to everyone I hang out with." He says, not bothering to hide the excitement in his eyes. I stand there; longing and need clashing with each other in a deadly battle to the end. "Alright; where is it?" Demyx smiles brightly as he digs into the front left pocket of my jeans to pull out my phone, leaving me speechless. "I'll pick you up so just text me your address later!" He says while punching in what I would guess to be his cell phone number into my phone. Demyx hands my phone back to me and waves before he turns and walks off in the opposite direction. I knew my dad was going to be very upset with me now that I've gone back to attending parties… but part of me really didn't care anymore. Tomorrow was bound to be one hell of a day.
My phone begins to buzz, waking me from a dead sleep. 'Ah… my head hurts. What time is it…?' Idly I glance at my clock, taking a moment to stare at the red numbers that gazed back. With a sigh I flip my phone into my hands and slide the sleek black device to reveal a white keyboard. At some point last night I had sent Demyx a text with my address and had fallen asleep after giving myself fresh scars. I frown as I scroll through several messages.
"Rox! Dude! How r u?" – Demyx; received at 8:42am
Next. "U still asleep?" – Demyx; received at 12:01pm
Next. "Roxas~ Stop ignoring m3!" – Demyx; received at 3:26pm
Next. "Thts it dude. Im com'n over." – Demyx; received at 5:53pm
My eyes dart back to the clock, panics kicking in full force as the numbers come into focus: 6:01pm. Turning back to my phone I quickly type in, "Sorry, Dem. Come on over." I tap the send button and scramble, flipping out of my bed and rushing to the closet to try and get dressed before the blonde arrived. By the time the doorbell sounded I had been able to throw on a pair of black skinny jeans, checkerboard Vans, a tight white t-shirt, and a black and white checkerboard belt. I had also managed to toss on a thin layer of black eyeliner to make my blue eyes stand out and strap my favorite chain wallet to my pants. Pleased with my appearance I waltz to the front door and throw it open with a grin. Demyx's eyes travel up and down my body and he lets out a small whistle of approval. "You look amazing, Roxas." He says, grinning himself as I take in his light blue jeans and black shirt. My eyes linger on the few chains that hung from his hips and how his shirt clung tightly to his torso. I nod my head to let him know I like how he's dressed before I lock eyes with a slate-haired male. He was a lot different from Demyx… he was darker. "Zexion." The male says, offering a half smile that doesn't quiet reach his one visible eye. Demyx smiles before grabbing my hand and literally dragging me to the smooth deep blue convertible he had driven here. "I'm so glad you said you'd come, Roxas! I can't wait to introduce you to everyone." The blonde says, waiting for Zexion and me to climb into the car. I ended up in the passenger seat while Zexion took the back to himself. Demyx makes a small noise of excitement as he backs out of the driveway and speeds off in the direction of what I would assume to be his house.
The ride there was silent, the only sound being the hum of the engine. A sigh of relief escapes Zexion's lips before he climbs out of the car and rushes into a house bright with lights and leaking laughter and music. I, too, climb out but I decide to wait on Demyx before even daring to make a move toward the house. Demyx slings his arm over my shoulders and stares at the house blankly. "Roxas… I never thought to ask you this but which way are you?" He asks, unusually serious for once. Once I realize what he was asking I let out a breathy laugh. "Gay." Is all I say before Demyx grins and pulls me into the alcohol reeking house. The first thing I notice is the music; techno mixed with a slight bit of trance. The second thing I notice is how everyone had stopped to stare when the two of us walked inside. And the last thing I noticed was Zexion's awed gazed directed at me and a redhead's glare at both Demyx and I. For the first time in a rather long time I began to wonder what I had gotten myself into.
Curious gazes and drunken smiles consumed the occupants of the room as Demyx pulls me further into the house. "Hey guys! This is my new buddy, Roxas. Make him feel welcome!" He calls, raising his voice over the music. A soft blush makes its way to my cheeks as a few men let out low cat calls and several females surround me, pulling me away from Demyx who was simply grinning away, and into the kitchen which was obviously their source of alcohol. "So, Roxas, do you party often?" A pale girl in a white dress and a jean jacked that only covered half of her torso asks while handing me a drink. I nod, smiling softly at her as I reply, "I used to but it's been a while." At that moment a tan girl with brown hair that seemed to flair out in specific places giggles – completely wasted from alcohol – and leans into my side causing me to wrap my arm cautiously around her waist in fear of her falling. I look over at the pale blonde girl beside me questioningly. "Oh, forgive me! My name is Namine and that's Olette. She's a major flirt and doesn't hold her alcohol very well." We stare at each other silently before we both break out into laughter at Namine's words.
Namine and I walk Olette into the main room and pass her off to her boyfriend, Pence, before we travel to the dining room where a good bit of people were gathered around the big table. "Roxy! Nami!" Demyx's voice calls, silencing the room. Shocked, Namine steps back and I stare at the boy as if I was a deer in headlights. Demyx approaches us and slings his arms around both of our shoulders. He frowns, staring at me intently. "Roxas! Why aren't you drunk yet? AXEL! Get him another drink!" I throw a sheepish smile and a glance at Namine who simply grins as she shrugs and spins out of Demyx's hold to grab another drink and walk to stand next to a tall male with pink hair. "What's going on?" I whisper to Zexion as Demyx shoves me over to the boy. Zexion chuckles and replies with "Spin the bottle. It's a drunken tradition at Dem's parties." I nod, noticing that I could smell the alcohol specifically from Zexion's mouth as he spoke even though I wasn't directly facing him.
A tap on my shoulder make me turn to face a tall, skinny redhead; my own ocean blue eyes locking with emerald green gems. "The name's Axel. Commit it to memory." He says with a smug smirk, handing Roxas a cup filled to the brim with some alcoholic beverage unknown to me. I return his smirk with my own before downing the drink like it was nothing instantly thanking my sinful desires to party. "It's Roxas but I'm sure you already knew that." I reply, staring at his amused expression. He nods and runs his fingers through my hair playfully as he goes to join Demyx on the other side of the table. At Demyx's demand the game begins and through my own drunken haze my eyes don't miss how Axel kept looking my direction, or how Demyx and Zexion's kiss had turned into a make-out session, or how Zexion leaned into me and whispered in my ear, "Axel and Demyx are dating." I also didn't miss when Zexion walked away and when Axel followed him outside. Several minutes after the two had left I found myself very bored of the game so I decide to walk out in the direction the other two males had gone.
Was I surprised when I saw Zexion crying and Axel making no moves to help the other male and only stood off to the side smoking? Sure I was! "Hey, Zexion, are you alright?" I ask, throwing a glare at the tall redhead as I sit next to the tearful boy on the porch stairs. Zexion's shaking figure leans into me and I wrap my arms around him completely forgetting Axel's presence. "No, I am not. Demyx knows I like him – I have for years and yet he's dating Axel and has the nerve to make-out with me. I hate him!" I frown at the slate-haired male's words before looking up at the sky. "You don't hate him, Zexion. You love him. I was in your position my freshman year in Destiny Island with a boy named Tidus so I know what it feels like. Maybe you should talk to him when Axel's not around to find out how Dem really feels?" I instantly stop talking, whipping my head around to look at the redhead how was grinning. 'How could I forget he's here?' Zexion though seemed unaffected by the redhead as he rose to his feet and walked back into the house, leaving me alone in the night with the one I had just mention. I was alone with Axel.