A/N: This was inspired by a long running AU roleplay with a friend. This started as a one shot, then it had two chapters, now it's going to have three and I'm not sure whether it's going to get any longer than that. I support MaruRoku and think it should have more fics that it does, even if they're like this. (Poor Roxas...)
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of the characters within it. I don't even claim to own this plot.
--
"Hey, Roxas. Want to come get some ice cream with me?"
Roxas jumped up at the suggestion, "Really?"
Marluxia smiled, "Come on. My treat. Just you and me."
Roxas lost a bit of his enthusiasm, "But, Axel said…"
Marluxia's kind smile turned into a smirk. Typical, overprotective Axel. After he'd seen the bruises, he'd done everything to keep him away from Roxas. He'd latched onto the blonde almost obsessively. It had been hard to find even a few seconds alone with Roxas, much less have any time to do much beyond a quick kiss. It was just enough to let Roxas –and Axel- know that he wasn't giving up. Typical, overprotective Axel, who was gone on a mission for several days, maybe even a week. Marluxia had no doubt that Axel had left strict instructions for Roxas not to spend any time alone with him, but it wouldn't matter. He'd gotten Roxas thinking he was desperately in love with him at this point. Nothing Axel said could change that.
"Its fine, Axel doesn't have to know. Even if he does find out, what's wrong with us just going out for a snack?"
Roxas thought for a moment, then nodded, "Let's go!"
Marluxia turned to leave. He'd have any thoughts of Axel out of his mind in less than an hour.
--
Roxas practically skipped down the street, his fear of dropping his recently bought ice cream the only thing keep him from doing so. He was finally getting to spend some time with Marluxia! He was right, Axel didn't have to know. He didn't understand why the redhead was so concerned. He'd freak out any time he saw a few bruises. But it really wasn't Marluxia's fault! He was angry… everybody gets angry sometimes! It was nothing that wouldn't heal.
"What's wrong?" Marluxia voice jolted him from his thoughts, "You're quieter than usual."
"It's nothing!" Roxas quickened his pace to keep up with the taller man's stride, "It's just… Axel…"
"Stop worrying about Axel. It will all be fine. He wouldn't want you to sit around all day while he's gone, would he?"
Marluxia had a point. Besides, there was nothing wrong with any of this. If Axel just saw how nice Marluxia usually was, he wouldn't mind the occasional scrape. Roxas smiled up at Marluxia, and found himself beaming when the older man smiled back. He certainly didn't.
--
Marluxia had slowed down considerably to avoid getting too far ahead of Roxas. The closer they got to the castle, the more the blonde dragged his feet, reluctant for the outing to be over. Marluxia had been unsuccessful in getting his mind off of Axel. Still, with Roxas so obviously enjoying himself….
"Roxas?"
"Hmmm?"
"Why don't you come back to my room when we get back to the castle?"
"I'd love to!"
Marluxia laughed softly, earning a confused look from Roxas. He hadn't needed to worry about Roxas remembering Axel's request after all.
--
It had been several weeks since Roxas had been able to go up to Marluxia's room. Every time he tried, Axel always showed up and asked him not to. And he couldn't really say no to Axel. He always looked so concerned when he heard where he was going.
Nothing had changed about it, though. The same dark pink sheets lay on the bed, the small writing desk with carved roses growing up the legs still rested in the corner, plants still grew in every available container, giving the room a feeling of being alive. While he was taking all this in, Marluxia scooped him up from behind and placed him on the bed, receiving a fit of giggles in return.
"It's all still the same…"
"Do you not like it? Should I change it?"
"No, no!" Roxas blushed, "I love it!"
"Then I'll keep it this way." Marluxia smoothed the younger boy's hair, though it immediately sprang back to its previous position.
Roxas's eyes darted around the room again. They stopped on a picture of him with Axel and Marluxia. He'd seen the picture countless times, but he'd never really stopped to look at it. Roxas had raised one arm to wave at the camera, and his sleeve slipped back, revealing a large bruise on his forearm. Axel was looking down at it, and while he was smiling, he looked so sad…
What was he doing? He couldn't betray Axel like this! He couldn't bear to think what the redhead's face would look like when he heard how he'd spent his absence breaking his promise at every opportunity. He climbed off the bed, but felt Marluxia's hand grab his arm.
"Where are you going?"
"I-I'm sorry! I can't do this! Not to Axel! I promised him…" He shrugged off Marluxia's hand and ran to the door.
Locked.
Marluxia's hands grabbed him again, but not gently this time. He barely had time to think, to realize what this means, before he felt himself being swung across the room. He heard himself cry in pain as his lower back collided with the side of the desk. He felt his shoulders being held against the wall. Before he could stop himself, tears started flowing.
"Marluxia, I'm sorry! Please, don't!"
--
Axel. That was the last name he wanted to hear right now, in this room. That bastard who insisted on getting between him and Roxas. His Roxas.
"I'm sorry! Please, stop!" Another strike met with another scream. And another. And another.
Suddenly, Marluxia stopped. He let the boy go and watched him slide to the floor, shaking with sobs.
"I'm so sorry… Marluxia… I'm sorry… So sorry… Mar- I'm sorry…"
Marluxia glared at the resilient boy. Of course he's sorry. He's always sorry. But he still listens to Axel. That's what he has to stop. That's what has to be trained out of him.
Then Marluxia's eyes softened, and he knelt to the ground. Roxas threw both arms around him, still sobbing. He'd learned his lesson for now. Perhaps Axel would, too. After all, all of this was his fault.
Marluxia stayed on the ground, stroking Roxas's hair until the sobbing stopped. The blonde was practically in his lap.
"Marluxia?"
"Roxas?"
"Make me feel better."
Marluxia picked him up and carried him over to the bed. Perhaps things would get better from here.
--
Roxas snuggled against Marluxia's bare chest. All the pain from just a few hours ago seemed to melt away with his touch. It had been quite a while since they'd last… well… He blushed at the memory of Marluxia's hand stroking his thigh. He felt the brunette's eyes on him and felt him shaking with silent laughter. All this didn't help, and the blush just deepened.
"You know," Marluxia whispered, "That's exactly what you look like when-"
"Marluxia!" He could tell by the tone of voice where that thought was going, and it just made him squirm more.
Axel… well, Axel would never find out. Marluxia certainly wasn't going to tell him, and as for the bruises and scrapes… well, he'd just have to make sure he fell down a particularly long flight of stairs tomorrow. Even if he did find out… Roxas was happy now. Right now. He'd just ask him to back off, so that there could be more moments like this.
The clock on the wall ticked softy, informing them it was two in the morning, "Go to sleep, Roxas."
Roxas closed his eyes and felt himself drifting off, if somewhat reluctantly. He didn't want morning to come; He wanted to stay like that forever. As he finally drifted into sleep, he heard Marluxia whisper one last thing to him.
"Dream of me."
And, much to Roxas's embarrassment the next morning, he did.