For Roxas, the next few days of classes went by far too slowly.

Sometimes he wondered what kind of job he would find when he graduated. Philosophy didn't lead directly to a career but it was a degree and there were plenty of jobs out there that just needed some kind of college degree. He was also taking classes in creative writing. Maybe he could be an editor? Roxas shrugged the thought away and tried to concentrate on the classroom debate. He needed to graduate before he could worry about his future.

Roxas trying to find the keys to his apartment when he got the shock of his life.

"Hey." The blonde nearly jumped out of his skin and jerked away violently at that soft voice. Axel was standing behind him, amused and a touch taken aback. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"Uh, no, it's my fault." Roxas got his breath back and tried to remind himself that he was safe here and that surprises were not always bad. "I shouldn't be so jumpy. Can I help you with anything?" Axel hadn't reported him to the landlord but they hadn't spoken much since the day he'd nearly squashed the redhead. Roxas shoved away a feeling of pleasure at the way Axel had looked him up. The other man probably just needed a cup of sugar –

"Actually, it's more what I can do for you." Axel said easily and Roxas blinked as he pulled out a little paper slip. What was that? It had pretty lights and figure skaters on it? "I said I would get you a ticket to one of my performances. This one is for next week Saturday, if you can make it?" Roxas took the ticket, feeling a little numb. Axel had been serious?

"Sure I can!" He found himself saying with genuine pleasure. Then he gasped as Axel gently touched his cheek for a moment, smiling warmly. With anyone else Roxas would have been offended at the contact but with Axel it just seemed right.

"I'll see you there." Was all he said before walking away to find his own apartment. Roxas watched him go, a hand pressed to his cheek.

He could still feel Axel's fingers there and a deep, treacherous part of him wanted to feel them again.


"I need someone to talk to." Roxas mumbled to himself. "But who?"

The week was dragging by like a constipated rhino. Roxas was looking for Axel whenever he saw a flash of red and dreaming about him all the time. He knew it was just an infatuation based on physical attraction but he couldn't seem to get it out of his mind. And he didn't trust it. The blonde had had painful experience with that kind of attraction before and didn't want to go that way again.

But who could he talk to? None of his teachers. He didn't know the other students. He couldn't talk to his old friends from Cali. Could he? Roxas paused as he thought about it. There was one person he might be able to open his heart to. Maybe. He wasn't even sure how to get in touch with him though.

Once he got home Roxas began searching the internet. It wasn't hard to find the Facebook account of the person he was looking for and leave a message on his wall. It did take hours for that person to call him back.

"Hello?" Roxas answered the phone as he muted the TV. It was probably just a telemarketer. But maybe…

You wanted to speak to me? Roxas felt a great relief as he heard that cool, calm, orderly voice. He and Riku had never been close, not really. But right now that was a good thing. Although the silver hair sounded suspicious.

"I – I need help with something." There was a leaden silence and Roxas spoke hastily. "Not that! I, um, I'm not sure about something. I need someone to talk to." Roxas could almost hear Riku lifting his eyebrows. But the silver haired man sounded as cool and unconcerned as always.

I see. You haven't made many friends? Roxas winced and made a quick, muffled negative sound. Hm, alright. What do you need help with? For Riku this was a new experience but he wasn't going to turn Roxas away. He felt rather bad for the blonde haired boy.

"There's a guy. I almost killed him with my couch." Roxas quickly related the whole scenario and blushed as he heard Riku quietly laughing. "It's not funny!"

You almost crushed someone with your couch. It's hilarious. So I'm assuming this person did not break your legs? Riku said a touch more seriously and Roxas shook his head before remembering the silver hair couldn't see him.

"No. I bought him a coffee and a poppyseed muffin. Riku, he's… he's gorgeous." Roxas rushed out. "He has red hair and green eyes and tanned skin and –" Riku's laughter drifted through the phone and Roxas couldn't help but smile. Riku had a nice laugh, soft and pleasant to listen to.

I can see you like him. You think your parents might approve? Riku asked and Roxas made a soft affirmative sound. His parents didn't like that he was bi and would much rather he found a nice girl, but that wasn't the most stringent of their requirements. So what's the problem?

"He gave me tickets to go see him at a show but Riku… how… I don't… how do I…?" Roxas swallowed hard and heard the silver haired boy sigh softly.

Oh Roxas. Just ask him. I know it's scary but it's the only way. Why don't you ask him out for coffee again? That's nice and neutral but he'll get the message. Riku gently encouraged him. Roxas winced at the thought but Riku was right. And really, he did feel encouraged. He hadn't thought of something as small as coffee. It was a good place to start. Do you mind if I tell Sora about this? He'll be happy you've found someone interesting. Roxas hesitated for a moment. The reason he hadn't called Sora directly was partly because the brunette was way too hyper for him but also because he was an information sink to their mother. If Riku told Sora his family would know everything. If you don't want me to that's fine.

"Um, no. No, that's okay. You can tell him." Roxas quickly decided. He was sure his parents wouldn't object to Axel and he didn't want to put Riku in the position of keeping secrets from Sora. He had no doubt the silver haired boy could keep them faithfully. He also had no doubt Sora would make Riku's life miserable if he found out he'd been keeping secrets. Sora believed in complete openness. "Um, has…" Roxas hesitated then blurted out the question. "Has Olette been asking about me?"

Roxas. It's better you don't know. Riku's voice was kind and Roxas swallowed. That meant she had. Just let the past go. You're better off in where you are.

"Yes. You're right." Roxas rubbed his eyes for a moment. Riku was certainly right. Sometimes the silver haired boy could sound so wise. He ruefully reflected on how lucky Sora was. Did he have any idea how easy he had it? Probably not. "It's been good talking to you. Thank you." Riku wasn't really his friend and wasn't obligated to be his sounding board.

It's nothing. Hit me up on Facebook if you need help again. Roxas smiled to himself as he hung up the phone. How often did Riku check that? Quite a lot if his friends list was any indication. Not the mention all the FarmVille notices. Settling in at his computer again, Roxas opened a document and hesitated. Write his report or play Fallout 3? He knew he would regret it later but right now the game had a great allure. Finally he shrugged and watched the Vault Dweller loading screen.

He still had a week left on that particular essay. He could put it off a while longer.


"Oh wow!" Roxas watched wide-eyed as the figure skaters did a complicated pattern on the ice. Most of these skaters weren't great, but they'd been extensively drilled to form the pattern with their bodies. The result was beautiful. It looked like a flower on the ice.

He'd never seen the dancing on ice before. Roxas had known it existed, of course. There were always advertisements in the paper for it and he knew it was sponsored by several local businesses. Apparently all the money made went to the various skating programs and scholarships for skaters. It didn't make a lot but it was a great way to promote figure skating and gave the junior skaters a place to showcase their talents.

Not just the juniors though. They left the ice in a choreographed series of twirls and bounces and the first pair of intermediate skaters came out. To Roxas' disappointment neither was Axel. They did a beautiful routine set to a rock song he didn't recognize. Then there was a female figure skater doing a solo to classical music. Roxas found it a bit boring but there were some very nice jumps. Unfortunately a few of the landings were lacking. But then, she probably wasn't looking to go to the Olympics. There were several other routines but Roxas was waiting for –

"Ah!" Roxas leaned forward as Axel swept into the arena. He was wearing an evening suit and Roxas' blinked as he heard the song. He knew that song but where had he heard it? Then he heard the announcer.

Axel McCarthy performing to Tomorrow Never Dies! Roxas laughed at himself as he suddenly remembered. That song was from James Bond! No wonder Axel was wearing a suit and tie. Although no one could ever mistake him for Bond with the bright red hair.

Axel seemed to really be enjoying his performance and Roxas watched, entranced. The music hit a peak and Axel suddenly did a jump. There was applause from the audience and Roxas was amazed. He didn't know much about figure skating but that had to be a triple something and Axel had made it look so effortless. There was acting in it too… Roxas blushed as the redhead seemed to point directly at him. That had to be an illusion, Axel couldn't know where he was sitting. Could he? Axel spun on the ice and Roxas swallowed hard. He really was just as slender and muscular as he'd thought. He was vaguely aware of the announcer nattering about footwork and toe loops but ignored it. All that mattered was the flashing red and black moving smoothly across the ice.

The performance was over all too soon and Roxas smiled as Axel bowed and waved at the audience before grinning and tossing his boutonniere into the audience. A girl caught it and everyone laughed. Axel blew her a kiss before leaving the rink.

That was pretty much the end of the show. All the junior skaters came out again to do another pattern, using little colorful boards to create a wave effect that made the audience ooh and aah. The show was finally over and as Roxas went out he wondered. Could he find Axel? Or would he have to hunt the redhead down later? Pausing, he decided to get a drink. There was a vendor and he was really very thirsty.

"So did you like it?" Roxas nearly jumped out of his skin at that soft question. Axel laughed and gripped his elbow as the blond staggered. "Woah there! You okay?"

"I'm fine. You just scared me." He turned to smile at the redhead. "I was just getting a drink." Axel chuckled softly.

"Let me get that for you." Roxas thought about protesting but didn't as Axel moved in front of him. "What would you like?"

"Um, just a soda." Soon they were at the front of the line and Axel ordered an orange juice and a soda. Several people congratulated him on his routine and Axel accepted the compliments with a modest smile. "That thing with the flower was a nice touch." Roxas commented as walked outside, sipping their drinks.

"A bit of humor goes a long way at things like this." Axel said with a smile. "It's different from actual contests. Would you like a lift back home?" Roxas goggled a little at the redhead. Axel had a car?

"Sure!" That would be more than welcome. He'd anticipated taking an hour and a half or maybe even two getting home on public transit. In a car it would take more like a half-hour. The car, when he saw it, impressed Roxas even more. It wasn't a super expensive car but it wasn't cheap either and it looked very new. "That's a nice car." He commented, running a hand over the sleek paint job. It was jet black with red accents. Axel grinned.

"It was a present from my grandma. She's proud of me, for some odd reason." Axel said lightly and that made Roxas wonder. What was his family like? They clearly had some money even if they weren't rich. It was reassuring. Roxas' family would like that. The blonde slid into the car and smiled at the comfortable seats. Axel pressed a button and he blinked as he felt…

"Axel? Is that a butt warmer?" The seat was getting noticeably warmer. Axel laughed.

"It is! Isn't it great?" Roxas made a face but decided it would be great on a very cold day. Today didn't seem quite that cold though. "I get cold easily. Weird for a figure skater, I know, but in the rink the exertion keeps me warm." Axel said more seriously and Roxas nodded. That made sense. They chatted about various inconsequential things on the way home. Roxas managed to make Axel laugh as he tried to explain the topic of his paper.

"You picked why is the sky blue? Roxas!" Roxas blushed and reminded himself that Axel wasn't into philosophy. Or book learning of any sort really.

"It's supposed to be a challenge Axel." He said stubbornly and the redhead laughed again.

"Write five pages on why the sky is blue? That would be a challenge alright. I know I couldn't do it. 'It is because I looked up and it was blue.' Done." Axel grinned as he pulled up to their apartment complex. "Well, we're here." Roxas hesitated as Axel shut off the engine. He'd been putting this off and it gave him butterflies in his stomach but he just had to ask.

"Axel?" Roxas swallowed as the redhead looked at him quizzically. "W-Would you like to go for coffee on Monday? After my classes?" He suddenly blurted out. Axel smiled slowly and reached over to touch his hand.

"I would love to." He murmured before adding. "If you go to lunch with me tomorrow. I have a coupon for Galaxy Pizza and it's going to be expiring soon." Roxas smiled at that. That was a good pizzeria and normally he'd have been worried about the expense, but if Axel had a coupon…

"Sure, I would love to. Should we leave around eleven?" Roxas said warmly and Axel thought about it a moment before nodding with a smile. "I'll see you then." He got out of the car and they went up the stairs together, parting on the second landing. Roxas smiled to himself as he went into his apartment, oblivious to the mess, and flopped onto his new leather couch. "I love you." He patted the couch fondly. If it hadn't been for winning that contest and having to get rid of his old couch, he'd never have met the fascinating redhead.

Things were looking up in the world.