Track Two:

"Pardon Me"

So I apologize to you

And to anyone else that I hurt too

I may not be a perfect soul

But I can learn self control

--Weezer

"Sorry."

Demyx looked like he had decided that his jaw would do better attached to the floor than the rest of his face. Axel folded his arms and hunched his shoulders, trying to draw himself in, fade away. I can't believe I'm doing this… He leaned against the doorframe, trying to be nonchalant, and looked away. Demyx blinked. And again.

"Did you just apologize? To me?"

"I'm not saying it again."

"You did, really?"

"It's not that unbelievable." Axel pulled his arms in, hugging himself tighter. He knew this was a bad idea, he knew from the start, but he had done it anyway.

"Axel, the Flurry of the Dancing Flames, egomaniac, slutty redhead, and all around unfeeling ass, just apolo—"

"For fuck's sake, Demyx, shut up. I'm sorry, okay?" He looked down quickly, and when Demyx didn't speak again, he tilted his head carefully so he could see Demyx without actually looking at him. Demyx was smiling.

"I forgive you." Axel had to blink a few times himself to make sure he had heard correctly. He brought his head back up and cleared his throat, tried to smile.

"Well…good." His voice was rougher than he wanted it to be, and he winced. He sounded all emotional. If there was one thing he wasn't—but obviously, that wasn't true, because he was. Demyx leaned in and kissed him, softly, drew back still smiling.

"That was nice. You should apologize more often." Axel rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, sure. I'll get right on that." But even sarcasm didn't change the almost blissful expression on Demyx's face, and it was kind of creeping Axel out. It was even creepier when Demyx wrapped his arms around Axel's neck, and just snuggled in against his chest—warm and safe. Safe? "Don't get used to it, drip, this was a one time thing."

"Mmm-hmm."

"Don't 'mmm-hmm' me. It's not happening again."

"Whatever you say, Axel. Whatever you say."