Author Note - Hey, to the two of you who are interested enough in this story to leave me a comment, have another chapter. ^_^
Chapter 2
The Barrier
Summary:
As much as they would like to, there is a small problem…
Axel couldn't get the other man out of his mind the next day. He had dreamed about them grinding together, and had awoken with a painful erection, which he had to deal with.
Axel hadn't been this obsessed with someone since his teenage years when Matthew Rosenthal had been a willing participant in helping Axel explore his sexuality.
He still remembered the guy's name. That's how important he had been to Axel.
In comparison, most guys he slept with nowadays would be unrecognizable to him if he passed them in the street. And their names? All mysterious blanks.
This was punctuated by the fact that he could remember the countless names and faces of his regular patrons. So, since he couldn't recall the names of guys he had been intimate with, he supposed he had some underlying psychological issue which he never cared enough about to try to name. Maybe it was simply liking to fuck and forget. But Roxas? Axel was certain that even if it had been the most disappointing screw in his life he would still have remembered Roxas' name. So, given that this guy had somehow weaseled his way into Axel's brain, it annoyed him that he didn't even know Roxas' full name.
Axel had half a mind to email Roxas through his website. Tell him how amazing last night had been, and how he wanted to see him again. He had even sat down and booted up his much-neglected laptop but then cursed as he realized he had left the business card in his work clothes.
That had been a real low point of Axel's day, and he moped around for a large part of the early afternoon, wishing he had memorized the web address, so when his workday finally started he was relieved.
He pulled clothes out of his locker at work and proceeded getting dressed in a fresh shirt, applied makeup, and put on everything else. He pulled out the business card and studied it hard, determined to commit it to memory this time.
Punk n' sundries. Punk n' sundries. Punk n' god fucking sundries, he chanted in his head as he did all his normal pre-opening checks.
"Hey Axel!"
"'Sup Morrise!"
"Did you have a good night last night? I heard Camilla talking about how you got one of your patrons drunk."
Axel could see the verging-on-disgust judgment on the man's face. They tolerated one another – could even be downright civil – but Morrise was always a bit of a homophobe. As long as he never said anything outright, Axel let it slide.
"Wasn't my intention. He apparently hadn't eaten in ages. I fixed him right up and we had a great night dancing after my shift," he brushed aside coolly.
"All right. Just as long as everything was consensual and above board. Wouldn't want there to be any trouble for Marluxia to have to come down and sort out."
That was one sentiment Axel could definitely get behind. "Everything's fine. I don't take advantage of people, especially ones I'm serving," Axel dismissed with a shake of the head and roll of his eyes. He knew Morrise thought of him as a dirty gay deviant who lured innocent men into his gay clutches, to do terrible gay things to them. Straight men of Morrise's age all thought like that. Nothing to be done about it though, so Axel relaxed and went to open the doors for the day.
He wasn't sure what to expect. He knew what he hoped for – Roxas eagerly waiting outside to fling himself at Axel.
Instead he was greeted by ugly-assed Clarence who had a bit of a drinking problem. He always showed up right on time for opening time on a Sunday.
"Afternoon," Axel greeted and stepped aside to let the man barrel through without so much as a nod of acknowledgment.
Axel huffed with amusement and put out the sign. He looked up and down the street wistfully before returning to his post. Whatever. The night hadn't even started yet. There was still plenty of time for his wet-dream-personified to show up.
As afternoon progressed into evening, Axel watched the changing of the crowd. The wizened old men slowly filtered out or faded into the background as sound-checks for the band went underway.
Axel cast eyes to the front door whenever he remembered but saw no familiar sex-on-legs walk in. It made him wonder, and not for the first time that day, what had happened. He didn't doubt himself one bit. There had been nothing wrong with the way he had acted. No. But there was something wrong with Roxas. Or maybe 'wrong' wasn't the right word. But whatever it was, it hadn't been Axel's doing, he was sure of that.
When there came a lull in the workload, Axel got out his phone and, using as much discretion as possible, looked up the website from the business card.
It was the first one to come up in the search. The site looked very professional and clean - almost sterile in a way. It said nothing of Roxas' personality, which threw Axel a little. He had expected something fun.
He scrolled through the site, checking out the photographs of outfits Roxas had been commissioned to make in the past. They all looked fantastic.
Axel then navigated to the contacts page and found an inquiry box he could fill out.
He began sliding his thumb across the keyboard, composing his plea for another meeting. He was so engrossed in this activity that he failed to hear repeated requests for his attention.
Finally, a sharp shout of his name saw him fumble with the phone and his head snapped up in surprise. "Huh? What, who?" he frantically searched for the source of the irritated bark. It wasn't too difficult to find. There, standing before him on the other side of the bar, stood the golden man of the hour.
Axel's eyes wandered over the weird asymmetrical jacket and pants of white and gold fabrics. It all perfectly wrapped around, "Roxas!" He did nothing to hide the relief over seeing him.
Roxas seemed taken aback by the enthusiasm, but uncertainty faded, and he brought up a smile instead. "Hi, Axel. I've been trying to get your attention for like a whole minute."
Axel felt so dumb. He rubbed his head in embarrassment. "Sorry 'bout that. I was busy writing you a message on your website."
"Writing me?"
"Yeah. I really wanted to see you again. I don't have your number," he let drop, "so I figured I'd reach you through your website."
Roxas looked stricken and pale all of a sudden. "You didn't send it, did you?" he tripped over hasty words.
"No. And I guess I don't have to, now that you're here," Axel beamed.
After a small sigh, Roxas urged, "Yeah, please don't send anything but legit work order requests." Roxas looked really worried, which in turn worried Axel.
"Yeah, okay, I won't. Is everything all right?"
"Oh, yeah." Roxas' face and stance relaxed. "Of course it is. I just really like to keep my hobby and personal life separate," Roxas smiled, seemingly trying to be reassuring, but his shoulders still seemed rigid and tense.
It didn't sit right with Axel, but he let it go. Roxas had come back. It was reason to celebrate.
"Got it. I won't email you unless it's to make something for me. You want a drink or anything? A snack before we get started?" he chuckled lightly.
Roxas laughed a little. "I did eat something before I left home today, so I'm all good, thanks. But I… I came back to talk to you. I… " head dropped and he looked at his feet. "I feel really bad for how I left yesterday." Eyes returned to look at Axel. "I want to explain myself to you."
Axel liked the sound of that. He was kind of dying for an explanation as well. "Don't sweat it. Just take a seat and tell me over a few drinks, okay? I know you didn't like any of the ones I made you yesterday. I'm gonna try something different."
Roxas frowned. "No. I really need to talk to you first, Axel," he said forcefully, and then tacked on an apologetic and soft, "Please."
It all seemed a bit strange. "Okay. Just gimme a few minutes. My break's coming up soon."
"Okay, I'll wait."
"Have a seat. Let me make you something while you're here."
Roxas looked uncertain. "Maybe I'll just go dance for a bit."
"It's all right. You've eaten. Let me just make you one drink. I swear it won't be as bad as the others," he enthused. Axel didn't want to seem pushy. He had no intention of getting Roxas drunk, he just really wanted to see if he could give Roxas something he might enjoy. Especially if this was the last time they were to hang out. Something about the 'we need to talk' line freaked him out.
Roxas cast eyes between the dancefloor and bar. "Well, all right. But just one. And it better be good." Dead serious look was broken by a smile, after a few seconds.
It eased Axel's mind to see some fun return to the other man. "You got it!" Axel quickly whipped up something fruitilicious and a little bit tart.
"Here ya go. I'll be back to hear your verdict when my break starts." He was painfully aware that he was beginning to neglect the other side of the bar. So, after a chirpy, "All right," from Roxas, Axel got back to business.
He stayed as focused as possible on all the new and old patrons. He checked in if anyone needed a refill, he gave out suggestions to those who looked undecided, for things to try, and he did all this while continuously keeping his bar area neat and tidy.
Axel couldn't help the fleeting glances he threw towards Roxas. He saw the man sipping away at his drink. He looked deep in thought. Axel had to wonder if he was thinking about him.
At last his relief staffer waltzed over.
"Evening, Ax! Everything going good?"
"Hey, Jonah. Yeah, everything's as it should be. Keep the stick sharp. I'll be back in fifteen."
Axel left his apron behind and came around the patron side of the bar. "So how was it?" he inquired, sitting down beside Roxas.
"Mm, better. I finished the whole thing."
"But not great."
"Yeah, not great." Roxas tapped the glass thoughtfully.
"What did you like about it?"
"The… was it orange and apple?"
"Yeah. Guess grapefruit is out of the next drink I make you," he smiled.
"Mm… about that… can we – is there somewhere private we can talk now?"
The mood sank like a stone being dropped down a well. Axel didn't like the serious tone of this at all. "Yeah. I know a place, c'mon."
Axel led Roxas through the staff area and out the back of the bar. He pulled down a metal ladder which connected to the buildings fire escape. Axel gave Roxas a few glances as they clunked up the metal stairs. He still seemed deeply lost in his apparently very serious thoughts, if that frown meant anything.
Axel did not appreciate the amount of time it took to get up to the roof. He wasn't sure what was wrong to warrant a serious talk. They had just met yesterday. It wasn't like they had done anything. They were hardly even friends, for crying out loud.
After an agonizing dragging minute, they finally reached the roof. Roxas sat down on the floor, with his back to the waist-high wall, which encircled the rooftop area. Axel sat down atop the wall, needing to keep his uniform as clean as possible.
The sound of cars motoring by, the occasional beeping horn, and the faint chatter of pedestrians below drifted along the breeze.
Axel looked down at Roxas' mop of spiked hair. He remembered the way it had smelled and felt the urge to sniff him some more begin to rise. "So?" he prompted.
Blue eyes turned up towards him. "I ah–" The commanding courage he had displayed previously seemed to have left Roxas. He looked back down at his shoes.
Axel grumbled internally. "I don't have all day, Roxas. I gotta be back down there in ten minutes." He wasn't trying to be an ass. It was just the reality of the matter.
"Right, right. I um… wanna talk to you about last night."
Axel waited, not knowing where this would lead. Best case scenario they'd see each other exclusively for a little while. Worst case, Roxas was leaving the country.
Roxas breathed deep. "There's no easy way to say it." Head lifted and he looked at Axel. "I have a boyfriend."
Of course he bloody did. Axel had called it… sort of. He sometimes felt like he had the worst luck. "Oh," was all he got out.
"I'm sorry. We shouldn't… I shouldn't have – I had too much to drink. I completely led you on, and I feel awful about it." Roxas stood up and fished around his back pocket. He pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and held it out, with a, "Here," waiting for Axel to take it.
"What's this for?" He didn't make a move to accept it, instead looking at Roxas rather confused.
"For all the stuff yesterday. I don't like owing people. And I… well I think maybe you were nice to me 'cause you thought we'd end up… well you know," he shrugged one shoulder. "But we can't because I have a boyfriend who I love a lot. And so, please just take the money." He waved the note towards Axel a little.
Something about this felt offensive. He pushed Roxas' hand away. "I don't want your money. Yeah okay, I was flirting with you yesterday, but just 'cause we didn't get together doesn't mean you gotta repay me for anything. I had lots of fun with you. That's like, repayment enough." Axel couldn't stop frowning.
"You… had fun? With me? Even though we didn't…" Roxas pulled his hand and money back to his chest. There was disbelief in his eyes.
It was kind of weird for Axel. He felt inexplicably sad for Roxas all of a sudden. "Yeah. Of course I had fun with you. I can't say I'm not disappointed that you're taken, but – well what were you hoping to achieve here? Pay me and then leave?" Axel didn't want Roxas to be out of his life.
Roxas had initiated that almost kiss. If he was truly happy in his relationship, that would never have happened, no matter how highly Axel thought of himself in the looks and charm department. Plus, where had said boyfriend been? As if anyone would not want to go out for a dance and some drinks with your hot-piece-of-ass boyfriend named Roxas.
No, something felt off, and Axel needed to be there to snag Roxas if things fell apart. Was that a pretty shitty thought to have? No matter.
Roxas looked at his money sheepishly. "Yeah. Kinda?"
"Can't we be friends? Didn't you say you just moved here? Do you know anyone in the city? If not, I could show ya around." Was he trying too hard? Probably.
"Ah." Brows furrowed in thought.
Axel's watch started beeping. "I've gotta go back, Roxas. You don't have to tell me now. Think it over. You know where I work. I'm here all weekend and every day except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. So, you can let me know what you wanna do whenever you're ready." Axel got up, dusted himself off and headed for the stairs.
Roxas made to follow, silently.
They climbed down the fire escape. Axel tried not to think about how depressing this situation was. There was something about Roxas he thought he could really like. Something which was beyond his looks, good taste in clothing, and his impressive skills in making said clothing. Axel didn't like using such words, but he decided to make an exception for Roxas. It felt like they had chemistry.
He couldn't shake the disappointment. The closer he got to the ground the more it weighed on him; as if Earth's gravitational pull was making the whole situation even worse. Axel tried to ignore it. He led the way back into the building and to the public space.
Once there he finally turned to Roxas. "Think about it, will you? I wanna be your friend. You know where to find me." He raised his hands in a small wave and turned towards the bar.
Axel didn't get far before his name was called out. He turned around, with a, "Yeah?"
"When do you finish work?"
Could it be? Axel's heart pounded a little stronger. "Ten-thirty."
Roxas hesitated before he said, "I'll meet you here."
Some of the disappointed weight slid off and Axel smiled. "Awesome. Catch ya then."
Even on a Sunday night the place was pretty crowded. Full of college and university students who didn't know what it meant to have Monday be the start of the week. It kept Axel on his toes pretty much until the end of his shift.
He hadn't caught sight of Roxas yet, so Axel wasn't sure if he had stayed or if he was actually going to show up at all. But after he had gotten changed into his clothes – jeans, fleece shirt, and his old trusty leather jacket – he went and stood pretty much at the spot Roxas had declared the meeting area.
Roxas wasn't there, but Axel waited and looked around, trying to spot him. The dance floor wasn't as crowded as the night before, so Axel could easily ascertain that Roxas wasn't there. If Axel was still alone in a few minutes he'd check the lounge area and the small function room where the Sunday night karaoke was going off, by the sounds of all the whooping and cheering coming out of there.
Axel didn't have to wait much longer though. The sounds of hurried footsteps made him turn around.
"Sorry I'm late."
"I'm just happy to see you. You wanna dance?" Axel was hoping for something akin to last night.
"Ah–" Roxas hesitantly looked towards the dancefloor and then at Axel, eyes quickly taking him in from head to toe.
Axel enjoyed being checked out, even on the days he wasn't at his most sexy, like tonight.
"Maybe we can do something else?"
Axel got it. Dancing was too sexy when they were trying to work on being just friends. "Pool?"
Roxas nodded eagerly and they headed upstairs where they found an unoccupied table pretty quickly. Axel began setting up the table, while Roxas grabbed two pool cues. "We playing for anything?"
"Well…" Axel had many ideas. Loser has to kiss the winner wherever he wants. Loser can't say no to a date. Loser has to give head. Loser has to let the winner fuck him any way the winner wants. It probably wouldn't fly. "Honor and glory in the knowledge that I'm more skilled than that loser named Roxas."
Roxas' mouth flew open and eyes went wide before he simultaneously pouted and glared dangerously. "It's on like Donkey Kong!"
Axel chuckled and took the cue that Roxas held out to him. "Knowing what's at stake, you wanna break?"
"It's all right. I'll let you have the advantage. You'll need it."
Axel scoffed. "Okay. But when I make you cry, don't say I didn't give you a choice."
"I've got tissues in my pocket, but they've all got your name written on them."
"Won't be needing them, thanks. But I appreciate the thoughtfulness." Axel leaned over the table, lined up his sight and played the break.
The billiards scattered.
"So, where'd you move from?" Axel started the small talk as he circled the table, trying to figure out whether to go for bigs or smalls.
Roxas was quiet for a moment. Axel looked up from where he was testing a shot. Their eyes locked. Roxas looked away and busied himself with chalking his cue tip. "The West Coast," was the generic reply.
Axel gave a low whistle. "That's clear across the country. Any particular reason you moved?"
"Work opportunities," he said flatly.
Axel didn't like these short answers. He gave Roxas another glance before he returned his attention to the game and his options on the table. "What kind of work?"
"You ever going to take a shot, or are we going to be here 'til morning?" Roxas asked, testily.
Axel frowned. "What's eating you all of a sudden?"
"Nothing."
Axel cocked an eyebrow.
"Just take the shot already."
"You're scared, aren't ya," Axel teased.
"Terrified," Roxas deadpanned.
"Good of you to admit that." He finally took his shot. Both men watched the ball roll and knock a big one into a corner pocket.
"Nice. So you can actually aim," came the tease.
"Of course," Axel smiled with self-satisfaction. He walked around the table once more, contemplating his next move. He got the distinct feeling that eyeing Roxas was making the man uncomfortable. "So, c'mon. What kind of job opportunities brought you over here?" he tried again, with the aim to sound as playful about it as possible.
There was some silence before Roxas spoke up, "It's not really work for me. I don't really have a job." Roxas sounded awkward, and then continued with a slight laugh, "It would get in the way of my getting famous plan."
"So you do have a job. You're establishing your own business."
"I… guess?"
Axel had to look up. "Why're you sounding so wishy-washy about it?"
"Because… it's not really work. It's more a hobby."
"A hobby you get paid for though."
"When I sell anything."
"I saw the photos on your site. I'd pay like a thousand for the stuff you make, so even if you aren't churning things out on a mass market scale you must still be making some decent money from it."
Roxas stopped chalking his stick and gave Axel a dumb look. "You'd pay that much?" Roxas sounded completely baffled.
Axel scoffed. "Yeah. Why? How much you charging?"
"Ah… a hundred or two," came the meek reply.
"Roxas! At those prices… you're ripping yourself off. C'mon man. Your stuff's incredible."
"You really think so?" Roxas sounded amazingly skeptical.
"Hell-fucking-yeah. You should have more confidence in yourself. How're you gonna become famous if you keep selling yourself short?"
Mouth opened but no sound came out. Jaw clamped shut again and Roxas shrugged, "Yeah, well I am short. I can't really do anything about genetics," he gave Axel a lopsided smile.
It made Axel chuckle. "Be serious. Your height's got nothing to do with it. And besides, you're not that short."
"Well compared to you I am," he mumbled.
"I am a God amongst men. Both in height and in mad pool skills. Don't compare us. You'll just hurt yourself." Axel winked.
"Oh please. I have yet to see any mad skills from you, so get on with the game already."
"Fine. I'm about to make you weep." Axel returned his attention to the table and proceeded to sink three balls in a row.
Roxas was giggling when the miss happened. "Clearly not the God of Pool, huh?"
"Oh, forgive me, your grace. I don't see anyone calling you that either though." Axel quirked an eyebrow and smirked.
"Mm, I'm not up myself enough to even attempt calling myself a God, unlike some people I know. I would settle for Pool Master though."
Axel snorted. "All hot air, I bet."
"Let's see." Roxas hoisted his stick, walked around the table a few times.
"Quit stalling, oh glorious Pool Master," Axel goaded.
"Shhh, don't rush genius," Roxas waved off and continued walking.
"Genius? Who's full of themselves now?" Axel laughed but stopped by the time Roxas had sunk the seventh ball in a row.
Axel was beyond worried by this stage. "Feel free to miss. Any time now."
Roxas did. "There, that one's just for you. Don't say I'm not generous."
"Thanks. I appreciate the fighting chance," and he actually meant it.
They exchanged devious smiles and Axel got back into it. Clearly, Roxas was packing some skill, so Axel had to slow down and really think about his game. He spent more time sussing out his options, bending over and testing different positions.
"I've got you completely terrified, haven't I," Roxas gloated.
Axel ignored him and kept stalking around the table.
After some time Roxas piped up again, "Take all the time in the world. It won't stop the inevitable."
"Shh, Roxas. I'm doing you a favor."
"Favor?"
"I know you're checking out my butt. I see you looking." He flicked eyes onto Roxas, who started stammering and going red. Busted, Axel thought with satisfaction. The jeans he wore were his favorite for a reason after all. "Now be quiet and let a God do his miracle work."
Roxas did stay quiet.
Axel eventually took his shot and sunk one, two, three balls. He had caught up to Roxas. There was only one left before he'd win the game. "And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a God works his magic. I will sign autographs at the end of the game," he boasted as he jogged a quick victory lap, holding his cue stick aloft.
"Wow. I'm gonna laugh so hard when you miss," Roxas drawled.
Axel scoffed and returned to his position where he lined up his shot. "The crowd will go wild when Axel Rutherford sinks this last ball."
"If he sinks it," Roxas corrected.
"I can smell your fear," Axel winked. He did a few more practice draws of his stick, mentally mapping out the trajectory the ball would take. "Kiss my ass, Roxas," he said as he wound up to take the shot.
"Okay."
Axel slipped, hitting the ball at an awkward angle and missed his target. He stood up, "Hey!"
Roxas shrugged with one shoulder and gave a smug smile before taking up his cue stick once more. "You're about to lose, Mister Rutherford. God no more, you shall be."
Axel was a bit stressed. He had missed his chance. He hoped Roxas wouldn't make it. And as he watched he began feeling confident again. Roxas was taking his time finding a good spot to hit the cue ball from. It helped that the ball was smack bang in the middle of the table. "Having some issues there, Pool Master?"
"No. I got this." Roxas tried reaching a good position on tiptoes first and then resorted to hopping on the table and sitting on the edge of the cushion. When that still wasn't working right he bent down and more or less lay on the table.
"A Pool Master like yourself surely knows that one foot has to be on the floor at all times to not make the shot a foul, right?"
"Of course," Roxas grumbled and slid back down, dangling one leg.
Axel moved around the table to Roxas' side so he could make sure the rules were upheld. As he watched Roxas struggling to keep contact with the floor whilst getting in a good position to make his shot, Axel started laughing.
"This game is rigged towards tall people," Roxas exclaimed.
"Aww. Poor Pool Master."
Roxas continued to struggle. Eventually he slid off the table completely and reassessed what he was doing. He walked around some more, tried to stretch awkwardly and attempted holding himself, and the cue stick, in different positions.
In the end he came back to where he had first attempted to lay across the table. He sighed. "Can we make an exception and move the cue ball?"
Axel shook his head and Roxas contorted his face in thoughtful annoyance.
It made Axel chuckle. He stepped up to Roxas. "There is one thing we could do."
"We?"
Axel nodded. "I can give you a boost."
Roxas looked skeptically confused. "Whaddya mean?"
"Can I show you?"
He looked at Axel, then the table, then Axel again. "Yeah, okay," he nodded.
"Turn around."
He squinted at Axel and then slowly did as he had been asked to do. Axel stepped up behind him, wound arms around Roxas' waist and hoisted him up.
"Woah, what's happening?" Roxas' hands splayed out across the table surface as he braced and stabilized himself.
"My feet are on the ground, and by extension so are yours. So just take your shot."
Roxas threw Axel a look over his shoulder. "You're not gonna drop me or something cheap just as I'm about to shoot, are you?"
Axel squeezed Roxas' sides. "You're in safe hands, babe," he winked.
Roxas reddened slightly and turned around, "Okay then."
He moved a bit and wiggled against Axel's hold until he found a good position and alignment between the ball and his stick.
Axel thoroughly enjoyed holding Roxas' backside against himself and let his mind wander to having a naked Roxas pressed up against him like this. His mind cleared however as he watched Roxas finally take the shot. "Corner left pocket," Roxas said.
The cue ball launched straight at its intended target and sunk.
Roxas cheered and Axel helped him get off the table. He let his arms linger against Roxas' body and kept himself pressed to his back.
"Very nice shot, Roxas. You're the true Pool Master."
Roxas turned around and grinned up at Axel. "The honor and glory is all mine?"
"It's all yours," he rumbled with a soft smile. There was something so gorgeous about seeing Roxas happy.
They stayed pressed together, looking and smiling at each other until it seemed to register to Roxas what they were doing. He couldn't really step away as he was wedged between the table and Axel. He found some reprieve by looking away briefly, but moments later returned with an adorably shy smile on his face. "So, what do you want to do now?" The smile turned cheeky, "Losers pick."
Axel cocked an eyebrow and huffed in amusement. He wanted to dance but figured it might not go down so well. "Karaoke."
Roxas nodded and Axel grabbed his hand, leading the way down the stairs.
The karaoke room was dark and filled with groups of people. Once their eyes adjusted they found somewhere to sit. Axel produced a book full of songs which they could choose from. They perused through the extensive list and eventually had a solid ensemble of five classic glam rock ballads and one special song that Axel had picked out without Roxas' knowing.
The paper slip was submitted to Jonah, who hosted the karaoke night, and then Axel and Roxas waited for them to be called up to sing. When they were, they sang with whim and vigor. They played their air-guitar solos when the instrumental interludes happened and cracked each other up with laughter as they one-upped each other with the ridiculousness of their moves. After their last duet, they retreated back to their seats, giggling as they finished eating their snacks.
When Axel's name was called out again Roxas looked at him with surprise. "I thought we were done."
"We are, but I'm not. I've got a special song, just for you." Axel winked and left for the front of the room, big smirk on his face. When he reached the microphone he bowed his head, cleared his throat, and began his final song.
You should take it as a compliment
That I got drunk and made fun of the way you talk
You should think about the consequence
Of your magnetic field being a little too strong
And I got a boyfriend, he's older than us
He's in the club doing, I don't know what
You're so cool, it makes me hate you so much
Whisky on ice, Sunset and Vine
You've ruined my life, by not being mine - Axel winked and watched Roxas sink down in his chair, hand covering his face.
You're so gorgeous
I can't say anything to your face
'Cause look at your face
And I'm so furious
At you for making me feel this way
But, what can I say?
You're gorgeous
You should take it as a compliment
That I'm talking to everyone here but you
And you should think about the consequence
Of you touching my hand in the darkened room
If you've got a girlfriend, I'm jealous of her
But if you're single that's honestly worse
'Cause you're so gorgeous it actually hurt
Ocean blue eyes looking in mine
I feel like I might sink and drown and die, Axel crooned.
You're so gorgeous
I can't say anything to your face
'Cause look at your face
And I'm so furious
At you for making me feel this way
But what can I say?
You're gorgeous
You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah
There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have
You are so gorgeous it makes me so mad
You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah
There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have
Guess I'll just stumble on home to my cats
Alone, unless you wanna come along, oh
Axel grinned and winked again. Roxas was peering at him through the gaps in his fingers.
You're so gorgeous
I can't say anything to your face
'Cause look at your face
And I'm so furious
At you for making me feel this way (feel this way
But what can I say?
You're gorgeous
You make me so happy, it turns back to sad, yeah
There's nothing I hate more than what I can't have
You are so gorgeous it makes me so mad
You're gorgeous(1)
Axel took a bow after his performance, and sauntered over to Roxas. "Hey, gorgeous," he sang as he flopped into the chair next to Roxas.
"How're you not dead with embarrassment?" Roxas squeaked, hand slowly dropping away, exposing the look of mortification on his face.
"I've sung worse. Want me to demonstrate?"
"No!" Roxas yelped. He grabbed Axel's arm and dragged him out of the room, towards the dance floor.
They stood together, letting the music wash over them. The dancing wasn't grindy or sexy. No. It was fun though. Very fun. They got into a dance-off. Roxas started it with a half box step and a challenging look. Axel accepted, following suit and completed a full box step. And then it was on. They kept adding to, and one-upping each other.
There were moonwalks, heel spins, split leaps, floor flips, arabesques, robots, pirouettes, and many more.
By the end of it all, Axel and Roxas found their way back up to the roof for some fresh and cool spring air, as they were both dripping with sweat. They lay on a small blanket which Axel had produced from a box and were looking up at the light-polluted sky, shoulder to shoulder. Empty water bottles surrounded them and for a while there was nothing but heavy breathing until their heart rates calmed.
"It was a good fight, Roxas," Axel said up to the sky.
Roxas gave a glance, "You only won because of your damn legs."
"Don't be a sore loser. Yes, it was my legs, but if you could do the splits you could've impressed everyone too."
Roxas laughed. "How did you even manage that in your jeans?"
Axel turned his head and winked. "Well, they're pretty elastic, which comes in handy when impromptu dance battles happen."
"Is that why you bought them? As battle armor for the hundreds of battles you fight each year?" Roxas giggled.
"I fight thousands. People come from all over the world to fight and also witness the infamous Axel, King of Dance, sway his hips."
Roxas snorted at that, which made Axel grin. "Plus, they have the added benefit of being very form fitting, which makes my arse look amazing in them."
Roxas smiled softly, "Yeah, they do."
Axel smirked, purred with delight and waggled his eyebrows at Roxas suggestively.
Roxas' smile faded, and he turned his head back up at the sky. The city ambience filled the air. The night was peaceful, and Axel felt content being up there with Roxas at his side.
"What are we doing?" Roxas muttered quietly.
Axel turned his head. "Huh? Hanging out after a night of mad fun. Chillaxing, yeah?"
Roxas raised his arm at the elbow, pulling Axel's along with it. "Then what's this?"
Axel looked at their interlaced fingers. They had been holding hands since they lay down together and he wasn't entirely sure who had initiated it. "Look, if we were two straight girls no one would bat an eyelid. It would be cute, and we'd be talking about how and when our periods would sync up."
"But we're not." Roxas sounded tired.
"So? If we were two straight guys you could assume we were sensitive BFF's. People would applaud us for being cool bros."
"But we're not straight."
"Yeah, okay we're not straight, or girls. We're two gay guys holding hands. So what? Our periods could still sync up though."
Roxas gave a breathy laugh. "So, you're saying this is nothing."
Axel didn't like the sound of that. "I think we both know it's not nothing."
"Then can you stop brushing me off and give me a straight answer?" Roxas said softly and wiggled their clasped hands around a little, which were still held aloft as evidence.
"Shouldn't I be giving you a gay answer?" Axel chuckled.
"Axel," Roxas reprimanded with no ferocity behind it.
Sadly, his attempts at a good-natured blow-off were failing. He gave a sighing hum. "Fine. There's no denying that we like each other. We're already such good friends and it's only been two days. That's why we're holding hands. I don't see a problem with it. And I don't think you do either… I mean… not like you're letting go or anything." Axel gave a squeeze and hoped it would be well received.
It was. Roxas returned it after a few seconds and lowered their hands.
"I don't want you to worry. I know this won't go anywhere. You have a boyfriend after all." Axel felt sad having to admit that.
Roxas nodded with a slight smile, seeming relieved that Axel acknowledged it.
"I don't intend to get between you and him. But I still like hanging out with you like this… which I know probably sounds like an oxymoron."
Roxas sighed. "It… does seem complicated. I don't know anyone here. I don't really want to give this up."
"I don't want you to, either. You know, people have all kinds of different relationships. Maybe this is just how it'll be for us. Holding hands, being all touchy-feely. It doesn't have to mean anything more than us being really good friends. Or if it's a problem for you, tell me and I'll be less… all over you. I'll admit that I am making an effort to find excuses to get my hands on you." Axel kept his eyes on Roxas, looking for any signs of discomfort.
There was a tiny smile, and then the cutest darting of eyes. "You really like me?"
"Yeah, I do. Why's that so hard to believe?" He rubbed small circles against Roxas' hand.
"Maybe because it's been two days." He smiled, lifted their hands again and looked at their interlaced fingers.
"You're okay with this, aren't you?" Axel squeezed again.
There was a long pause.
Axel began to worry. He didn't want Roxas to call it quits between them. It was so frustrating how much he liked this guy. Frustrating to be caught up in wanting someone who was taken. Axel truly didn't want to cause problems for Roxas though. But he was also selfish and wanted to see how far he could push things.
"Yeah," Roxas breathed out eventually.
Axel's shoulders relaxed. He hadn't realized how tense he had been. "Awesome. Tell me if I'm coming on too strong and making you uncomfortable though. I'll dial it back. And don't let my friend Lucy catch us doing this," Axel squeezed Roxas' hand again. "She'll ship us in two seconds flat and have a fanfiction written about us by the end of the day," he laughed.
"Really? That would happen?"
"Yeah. She'll ship anything with a pulse. She loves finding the romantic angle and running with it. Blames her job as a sports journalist. All that bromancing on sports teams gets her all hot and bothered," he chuckled.
"No, I mean meeting your friends."
"Oh. Of course. Why wouldn't you? You're a part of the larger fabric that makes up my social network now. And since you don't have a job," Axel did air quotation marks, while still holding on to Roxas, "you'll have plenty of time to come hang out with me before I go to work. And we can do things on my days off. A bunch of my friends go to university, so they don't really have anything to do all day anyway," he laughed. "That sound good? You'll come and meet my friends?"
"Ah… yeah. That does sound like fun. I can probably do this week. Not so sure about next."
"Why's that?"
Roxas worried at his lower lip for a moment before speaking, "Going to spend time with Vanitas."
"Oh, that's your boyfriend, right?" Axel already didn't like the guy. What a pompous name.
"Yeah."
"Why isn't he hanging out with you right now, if you don't mind me asking?"
Again, Roxas took his time answering, and when he spoke, it was slow and measured, "He's still back at our old home. He's a business consultant manager, so he has a lot of portfolios and people to overlook. Makes it a bit hard for him to just up and leave. So he sent me ahead to get everything ready and to get Cheshire settled in."
"Cheshire?"
"She's our cat." Some energy returned to Roxas, "We adopted her from a shelter. She was abused as a kitten, so she is really sensitive when it comes to change, and she's super slow to warm up to new people and places."
Damn, they had a cat together. That was like the gay equivalent of having a child together, Axel grumbled in his head. "Poor thing. How's she doing with the move?"
"Really well, actually. The first two days she was meowing like crazy all day and night, and she wouldn't come out of her carrier. But she's super relaxed now. You wanna see photos?"
"Yeah, sure." But he kind of regretted it because Roxas finally pulled his hand out of Axel's and went fishing for his phone.
Roxas pulled out a really old model – one Axel hadn't seen in years. He was formulating some joke to make about it but got completely distracted by Roxas suddenly pressing himself against Axel's body as he scooched close and rested his head on Axel's shoulder. Roxas held the phone aloft and began scrolling through photos.
God damn, Axel liked the feel of him there. He pulled his arm out from beneath Roxas and wound it around the other man. Roxas sunk down a little and nestled more comfortably against Axel's side.
"This is when we first got her. See how manky she was? Full of mange. But it cleared up and was completely gone after a month." Roxas quickly zoomed through a bunch more photos to ones of a much happier looking cat.
"Man, is that the same cat? She looks completely different."
Roxas tilted his head to grin up at Axel. "Yeah. I gave her heaps of baths. She smelled so fruity," he beamed with pride.
"You bathed a cat? Multiple times? Roxas! How're you still alive to tell the tale?"
Roxas gave a giddy laugh. "It wasn't easy. My arms and legs looked like a slashers victim. But she learned to appreciate it after a while. Or at least stop trying to use me as an escape ladder."
Axel laughed with amusement and lazily traced his finger back and forth along Roxas' stomach, just above where his pants sat. It was automatic and natural and when Axel noticed himself doing it he didn't stop. He decided to let Roxas tell him when to quit. And as it stood, Roxas was clearly not bothered by it. He continued talking and flicking through images.
"She will actually come and sit at the edge of the bathtub whenever I have a bath, and swat at the water."
"You think she's trying to murder it?"
Roxas chuckled. "Never occurred to me. Maybe she is. Plotting her revenge on the nasty water."
"As long as she doesn't get revenge on you. I'd hate to see you get hurt."
Roxas' happy smile dipped and quavered for a moment. "Oh look, this is us taking a siesta," Roxas enthused with great passion.
Axel looked at the selfie Roxas had taken with his cat. Both wore sombreros. "Where'd you get a mini sombrero from?" he laughed.
"Dollar stores are amazing places."
"Did you cut little holes in it to fit her ears?"
"Yeah," Roxas grinned.
Axel laughed in sheer delight. It was so dorky and so cute.
Roxas showed Axel more photos. Some silly, some not so. There was one of him and his cat, wearing glasses and matching Halloween outfits. Roxas also skimmed over other photos pertaining to his hobby, happy food snaps, and other seemingly random stuff.
Axel was acutely aware of seeing no photos of Roxas and his boyfriend together. He decided to hold his tongue.
"Hold up, can you go back a few?"
"Huh? Why?" Roxas scrolled back.
"Why'd you take a photo of that?" He vaguely pointed at a photo of what seemed to be a close-up of a sidewalk.
"Reference. I like the texturing. I might be able to replicate something like that on leather. Who knows."
Axel whistled. "I dig how passionate you are, Roxas."
"Thanks," Roxas gave a small nervous laugh and continued scrolling, until, "And this is the last one I took just yesterday."
It was of Roxas in his sexy clothes from the previous day, and little Cheshire wearing a matching vest.
"Very cute, Roxas. Looks like she puts up with a lot."
"Yeah. She's the best cat ever." Roxas slipped his phone in a front pocket and continued lying snuggled against Axel. "Do you have any pets?"
"No." Axel moved his arm up and started playing with Roxas' hair, stroking strands and twirling tufts around his fingers.
Roxas seemed unfazed. In fact, he tilted his head a tiny bit towards Axel's hand. "Oh, why not? You don't like animals?"
"No, I do. But the idea of looking after something that's dependent on me is kinda scary."
"Oh. It's not that bad. You'd be surprised how dependent you get on your pet. It's like a symbiotic relationship. I don't know what I'd do without Chesh some days. It's nice to feel wanted and needed. Van always says I'm crazy – that she doesn't see me as anything but a food source, but I swear she's happy to see me every day."
Roxas' words struck Axel quite hard. It was inexplicable. Why would he say such a thing? Did Roxas not feel loved in his relationship? That thought actually caused a twinge in the corner of Axel's eye.
"Well, I believe you," he said, and internally yelled, take that, Vanitas. "My Aunt Amanda has this cat Gertrude – yeah, don't even ask about the name," Axel laughed as Roxas gave an infinitely baffled but amused look, "anyway, this cat always sits by her bed whenever Aunty feels unwell. And my Uncle Ben died a few years ago. Gertrude wouldn't leave my Aunt's side. Not even to go eat."
"Yeah?" Roxas said quietly.
"Yeah. Animals are amazing like that."
Roxas nodded and then his face turned all sad. Eyes shimmered, reflecting the dim ambient light around them. He sniffled and quickly sat up.
Axel followed suit. "Everything okay?" He rubbed at the man's back.
Roxas nodded but kept his back turned. "Yeah. Yeah. It's just a really nice story."
"Okay. But if something's upsetting you, you can tell me," he kept rubbing.
"Everything's fine, but thanks, Axel."
Axel saw hands go up to face. It looked like Roxas was wiping at possible tears.
"I… can give you a hug if you want. I know I'm skinny, but friends say I give pretty amazing hugs. And I'm not even making that up. You can ask 'em." Axel stilled his soothing motion and rested hand on Roxas' shoulder, giving a light squeeze.
Roxas chuckled a little. "Nah, it's all right," he turned his head a bit. "I think the only thing I need is to go back to my cat, who loves me and get some sleep." Roxas raised himself, wiped elbow against his face and turned around again.
Axel also rose alongside Roxas. Words were swimming in his head about the cat not being the only one who could love him, but he left it well alone.
"Thanks for today, Axel. I had a lot of fun."
"Same. Will I see you tomorrow?"
"Ah," Roxas sniffled and looked around himself. "I think I'll stay home tomorrow, but… did you say you have Tuesdays and Wednesdays off?"
"Yup."
"Maybe we can hang out with some of your other friends then?"
"Yeah, sure. That'd be awesome. We meet up at The Kingdom for lunch at twelve-thirty on Tuesdays. Want me to text you the details?"
"No, it's fine. Can you just tell me the address? I'll remember it."
"Ah, one-fifty-five Earl Street… it's off Fourth. Can't really miss it. It's got a ginormous crown sitting on top of the building. You gonna be okay finding that?"
"Yeah, of course."
"Cool. Well, I'll see you on Tuesday then."
"Yeah." Roxas bent over and started picking up the water bottles.
"Nah, man. Leave that. I'll sort it out," Axel took the empty plastic bottle Roxas had fetched out of the man's hand, brushing at fingers as he went. Axel just couldn't help himself.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. You look really tired. Go home and cuddle Miss Cheshire."
Roxas gave a weary smile. "Thanks, Axel." He got up on his tiptoes and kissed Axel on the cheek. "Good-night."
"Night, gorgeous. I'll miss seeing you tomorrow."
Roxas huffed in amusement, shook his head a little, and gave the cutest smile Axel had ever seen. Nothing else was said between them and he watched Roxas make his way off the roof.
Axel listened to feet clanking down metal stair after metal stair and then breathed in deep. The cool night air soothed his racing heart. He wondered what it must be like to date Roxas. If he was already feeling this amazing just being friends… friends. Would it kill him if they never became anything more than friends? Could Axel be happy for Roxas if he ever chose to do something like marry Vanitas?
Axel shook his head and began tidying up. Those were such stupid thoughts to have. They had literally only known each other for two days. Axel would surely get bored soon enough, as the novelty of having the hots for forbidden fruit wore off.
Song - Gorgeous by Taylor Swift.