Thank you for reading. Here is chapter 2!
Eight Days.
It's been eight days since Roxas joined the Organization and from what Axel can tell, he's doing much, much better than his first day here. Or at least, so he has been told. He hasn't really seen much of the boy since his inductee ceremony. And from then on out, Axel has been assigned missions that usually take up his whole day. Axel really wishes they would give him a day off. Just so he can do his favorite pastime: Sleep.
Walking into the Grey room, Axel notices the usual members lounging around. Zexion is lounging on one of the love seats on one side of the room, reading a book of some kind. Saix is standing in the middle of the room trying to look important (Axel knows that's just an act), with the new girl beside him. What was her name again? He notices that she still has her hood on, and that she is pretty short compared to the man standing next to her. Oh right. Xion. Axel headed towards the side of the room unoccupied by anyone and proceeds to lean against the wall, crossing his arms, head held down. He stands there waiting on Saix to come to him. It never fails. Saix always came to him, never the other way around. And as expected the Blue haired man makes his way over to Axel.
"Axel."
Axel glances up briefly to look at Saix before returning to his original position. "Saix. It's been a while."
"Of course. I have kept you busy enough."
Axel already knew where this conversation was heading. Sure, Saix kept him busy with the missions he has been issued, but that meant he had less time on his hands (and no day off unfortunately). This also meant that he hasn't been spending any quality time with Saix, and he may be kind of ticked off because of that.
"Maybe I have kept you too busy. You obviously look tired."
Yep. He misses me. Axel looks back at the blue haired man."No, no. I'm fine" Axel replied, smirking. "What? You must miss me. Is that it?"
Saix scoffs. Obviously in denial Axel thinks. "You must be extremely exhausted. I'll be sure to give you a mission that will require less of your energy."
Axel's smirk grows even more because he is positive Saix is in denial. He kicks off the wall, leaning in closer to Saix and whispers, "I'll be sure pay a visit tonight. You would like that. Yeah?" He leans even closer, running a hand through blue silk, and placing a barest of a kiss on his cheek. Letting go, he leans back, smirk in place, looking at Saix for his answer. Of course, as expected the blue raven doesn't respond. But there is a barest blush staining his cheeks, barely noticeable on his pale skin.
Oh yeah. He misses me.
Hearing footsteps echoing throughout, they turn to see someone walking into the room. A short boy with Blond spiky hair and deep blue eyes scans the room. Saix leaves to head towards the boy leaving Axel to his thoughts.
"Roxas." Looking at the blue haired man, Roxas stands there trying to figure out the man's name.
"You will start your work today. I will issue your missions, which the Organization expects you carry out successfully."
Roxas finally comes up with a name, Saix.
"Your first few missions will be pretty simple, just learning exercises for you to understand how conduct each mission. Axel will escort you on your first mission." He turns to look at the redhead. "Isn't that right?"
Sighing, Axel moves away from the wall and head towards the couple. "Oh boy. I guess I'm really the babysitter huh."
Saix gives him a look that clearly says you better do this or else. "Surely you don't mind Axel? It'll give you more free time." Saix turns his eyes back on the blond. "Listen well. The Organization has high expectations of you. Leave when you are ready." The blue hair man walks away from the duo, standing in front of the large bay windows, looking at the heart shaped moon.
Axel gives a small laugh, looking at the boy. "Well, you heard him. It's just you and me today."
"…"
"Sheesh. Are you still in Zombie mode? Quit acting like that and let's get down to business." Axel rolls his eyes and starts to move towards Saix. The kid is cute, yeah, but the whole eerie silent, zombie like state is getting kind of old and a major turn off for Axel. Ah well. At least this will be an easy mission to get through. And not far from home too! Maybe they can hangout at his special place again.
He sees the new girl near Saix and totally forgets her name yet again. It was just on the tip of his tongue! Axel doesn't know why he keeps forgetting the girl's name. Maybe it was because they just presented her to the Organization just yesterday. That means two new kids in less than two weeks. Ah well, He knows she is important somehow but at the moment he doesn't really care. The blond comes to stand beside him and he is also staring at the new girl. Maybe he remembers her name.
"Ah, have you met the new girl? Don't you worry about her; she'll be fine." He pauses for a bit. "By the way, do you remember her name?" He looks down at the boy for an answer.
"It's Xion." Saix hastily answers for him. Axel looks back at the lunar diviner, who still was facing the window. He didn't know the guy was listening. Xion. Memorize that Axel.
"…Xion" Roxas repeated softly.
Axel gives a surprised look. "Ah so you do speak? Well, How about my name?"
The blond answers without looking at him, "It's Axel."
"And our boss's name?"
"Xemnas."
Well at least the kid is speaking back to him finally, Axel thinks. He didn't know if he could work with the blond all day if he was going to be a stiff zombie.
"Well let's get this show on the road. See you later Saix." Axel gives the blue raven a small grin and opens a dark portal beside him. He steps through, and with one more glance at the raven, disappears in the darkness, with Roxas tailing behind him.
Twilight is a little town close to the world that never was, with very few heartless running around. It's the perfect place to teach the newbie the rules of the games. It's also why it is Axel's favorite world to escape to after a long grueling mission. As they arrive in the underground tunnel of the town, the duo steps out the portal, it closing behind them. Roxas takes a look at his surroundings, noting the many gates and pathways it seems to have. Roxas hopes he doesn't get lost.
Taking a look around as well, Axel decides that this is the perfect place to teach. Some of the gates are closed, and some path ways are blocked off, making it easy to navigate through. "Alright! Let's get started." He turns to look back at the blond.
"First things first. What we do on missions. Missions are… um."
Axel looks up thoughtfully. "The point of mission is… uhh."
Roxas holds his head down. "I don't understand."
Scratching the back of his head, Axel gives Roxas a sheepish look. "Well of course. Let me give you a demonstration that will explain what we do on missions." Since he can't really explain what a mission is, it will be easier to show him.
Axel calls forth his weapons, which appear blazing in his hands. The action surprises Roxas, and he looks on in amazement. Axel smirks at him, thinking that the blond is cute no matter what expression is on his face. Axel hopes to see a range of expressions, especially an expression of pleas---
"What are those?" Roxas speaks so softly, but it was loud enough to break through Axel's thoughts.
"These are my Chakrams. Cool huh? Your weapon is the key blade. Go ahead and call it out and we'll get started on the basics."
Roxas looks down at his hands wondering how to call forth his so called 'Key Blade'. He holds one of his hands at his side, thinking hard, and suddenly something appears in his hands. So that's called a key blade. Huh.
Axel spends the day teaching him the basics: jumping, climbing, and navigating through areas, where not to go, what to do once they complete the objective. Roxas understood for the most part. But it seemed as though the kid was a blank slate. He really didn't know how to do any of the things he taught him and asked the dumbest (but cute) questions. Like when they finally found the chest, as it was their mission objective.
"Is this the chest?"
"Yep. Well done Roxas." After a few minutes just standing there staring at the chest, Axel looked at the boy who was still staring at the chest.
"Um. What are you waiting for?"
"We found the chest. That was our objective right? So aren't we done? Shouldn't we head back?"
Axel scratches the back of his head. "Umm. You know, there's this thing about chests. They have things inside of them."
The blond gives a confused look. "So that means I should open it?"
Axel gives the boy a blank look. "Yes, that's generally what we do." Sheesh, he couldn't believe this boy was really this clueless.
Roxas hits the chest and it opens revealing a potion inside. They take the potion and head back to where they started. Axel then tells Roxas about RTC (return to castle) and show him how to open his own portal. Of course he isn't ready for that apparently, and makes one for him. Roxas started head towards the pool of darkness, but Axel remembers something and suddenly stops him.
"Hey! Not yet. Let's end this mission the right way." Giving a small devious smirk he says, "Come with me."
They ended up on top of the same clock tower. Roxas barely remembers being here but Axel says he was here a week ago. Holding two ice cream Popsicle in his hand, the redhead breaks them apart and hands one to Roxas.
"Here you go. The icing on the cake."
Roxas takes the treat and hesitantly takes a bite. Once he decides it's edible and pretty good, he takes another.
"Hey! Did you forget the name of the ice cream too?"
Roxas looks down at his feet dangling off the edge of the tower. "Umm…" Roxas gives a small shake of his head.
"Sheesh. Get it memorized already. It's Sea Salt ice cream." Axel looks off into the horizon. The sunset is really pretty in this town. Vibrant hues of oranges, reds, and blues paint the sky. A gentle breeze blows through, softly ruffling red and blond spikes. "So, how is it?"
"It's salty… yet sweet," The blond gives a soft reply and takes another bite of his treat.
"Well good. You barely ate your share the last time."
Roxas turns to look at him; he really doesn't remember the last time they met and tells Axel so.
"Well that doesn't really matter. Today starts your new life officially. Since you know, you are officially part of the Org and started your missions. Axel turns to look at the boy and finds deep blue eyes staring back. "So Roxas, are you enjoying yourself?" Axel is surprised how softly his words came out. It's as if the boy's gaze has him under a trance. The blond nods once. "This place, it's somewhere to relax, after missions," the redhead says. Axel can't look away. He must be really in a trance because all thoughts are about Roxas at the moment. Axel can't help but think but how attracted he is to this young boy. This young boy, who had just joined the Organization. The wind blows softly, and Axel reaches a hand out, ruffling the blond spikes. Full lips, form a small pout and Roxas gives a small glare. Axel grins at the boy, thinking how adorable he is. But he has to put those thoughts behind him. He has another waiting for him back at the castle. That someone has been with him for as long as he can remember. Someone who Axel will do anything for, someone he remembers loving once upon a time when he had a heart. It would do no good to try and get involved with the boy. He would risk too much. So Axel shakes his head to clear his mind of his thoughts then turn to look at the setting sun.
Roxas continues looking at the redhead, and thinks about his new life. Maybe this guy will help him out a lot on the many things he still has to learn. Today's mission was fun, but Axel was right. This is the icing on the cake. Roxas wondered if Axel comes here after every mission. And does he always come by himself? Roxas didn't know. But what he did know is that this ice cream is really good, and the view is breathtaking. He wouldn't mind coming here again.
Once they finish their ice cream treats, Axel decides it's about time to go. He does have someone to see after all.
Heavy boots can be heard clanking down the dormitory hall, two pairs of feet heading towards the end of the corridor. Axel scratches the back of his head as they pass his room, and briefly glances at the door across from his, No. VII. Sighing he scratches his head again. He should really pay Saix a visit but, Axel had a really good time with the kid today. He even opened up and spoke to him! He can't help but want to spend a little more time with the boy. So he can, you know, get to know him a little better.
They reach the key blade bearer's room and come to a stop outside of the door. The boy seems hesitant for some reason. Axel wished he knew what exactly was going on in the kid's head.
The boy looks up with confused eyes, as if he is unsure of what he wants to say. Axel decides to help him out.
"Well kid, it was fun. Gotta do it again sometime." He ruffles short blond spikes, making him pout a little. Axel loves that look on him.
"Thank you Axel," Roxas said quietly.
Axel grins down at the blond. "No problem. See you later, Roxas."
With that Axel turns around and head back towards him room. He hears Roxas's door open and close so he knows the boy is now in his room. But just as he reaches his door, he hears another open, and he is praying and hoping it isn't the one across from him.
"Back from your mission?"
Thankfully, the voice doesn't belong to the person he was expecting. Axel turns to regard the Organization member also one of his so called friends.
"Hey Dem. Yeah, just finished."
Demyx gives a sloppy grin. He doesn't have his black coat or any part of his uniform. Just sweats and a tee, he must have been lounging around. "I heard Saix say that we all will be taking turns teaching him the basics. I hope he doesn't assign me to teach."
"Demyx. You never want to be assigned anything."
"You got that right." The dirty blond gives a small laugh. The musician was so lazy.
"Hey! Are you doing anything? Let me show you my new attack I just mastered! It's so cool!"
Axel scratched the back of his head, looking down at his feet. He really didn't want to be bothered with anyone. He just wanted to relax and reminisce on his day with Roxas. As soon as he thought that he immediately thought that at a time like this he should feel guilty, knowing he should go see the one who is still waiting on him, and probably listening to this conversation in his room. If he is in there that is.
Axel turns his gaze back at Demyx with an apologetic look. "Sorry Dem. I've got places to be. People to see. You know how that goes."
Demyx gives a knowing look. "Oh I see. I guess some other time then?" He starts walking down the corridor, without waiting for a response. Axel wonders where he is headed.
"Yeah. Some other time" Axel responds, even though the sitar player is long gone.
The redhead quickly opens the door to his room and steps inside. He figures, that if he is going to see his lover he should clean up a bit before he does. Even though they really didn't do much on their mission, Axel still felt dirty. He takes a quick shower, throws on a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt, the only clothing they were allowed to wear when not on duty, and heads out the door. It's really convenient that Saix's room is right across from his, easy to sneak in, easy to sneak out. If he wanted to sneak to Roxas's room, it much harder to sneak, but he's quiet, he can do it. Not that he would want to sneak to Roxas's room. He had Saix's room to sneak to. Yeah. No point in that thought at all. Right?
Axel shakes his head to clear his thoughts. He had to stop thinking about the new kid. He lifts his hand and knocks quietly on Saix's door. After a few moments and no answer, he assumes he was still working. The redhead sighs and scratches the back of his head. Well at least he tried. But the door suddenly opens silently, and Axel steps into the room, shutting it behind him.
To Be continued...