Chirstmas Carol 2
"Come on lazy bones, up and adam!" A jolly-go-happy voice said merrily as the warm comforter was ripped from the redhead's body, making said redhead groan loudly.
"Come on! My time is short! We got lots to see and little time!" The voice persisted and Axel sighed as he heard something tapping against something else. He then rose slowly from his bed, his night shirt all scrunched up on his body and his hair a mess. The only meaning for it being messy was because of that stupid little spirit that had carried the redhead all through the air and everything.
The redhead man then rubbed his eyes before getting a look at the new ghost that had come to him. This one was surly different from the other. This one was tall, first of all, plus a smile, bright and happy one, was splattered on his face. Then his hair was in a kinda mullet/mohawk style. And he too wore black robes but it seemed as if the spirit didn't like that very much because the robes were adorned with ribbons and bows, blue as the sky.
"Yay! You're up! Good, cause we gotta get going." As the spirit began to talk some more, Axel slid out of the bed, before fixing his nightshirt then ran a hand through his hair.
"And which spirit is gracing my presence now?" He mumbled as he continued to rub his eyes, just to get that little extra sleep out of them.
"Oh, me? I'm the ghost of Christmas present! But you can just call me Demyx, or CP, or GCP, or-"
"Demyx is just fine for me."
"Oh, really? Good, 'cause I really hate it when people call me by my title, we're all people. Why can't people just treat like they want to be treated? Anyway! Let's go!" And with that Demyx grabbed Axel's wrist and began to drag him to the window. As the redhead business owner realized he was being pulled to the open window he dug his heels into the floor boards.
"What are you doin-"
Yet before he could even finish Demyx had leapt them out of the window, hand and hand, and instead of them falling, it was just as if they were floating gently.
"Alright, straightened out your legs and start hiking!" The blonde said happily as he did what he had just said and began to walk on air. Axel though screamed and clung to the blonde with all his might. Demyx frowned slightly before looking at his companion.
"What's wrong, Siny? I thought you liked looking down on the world?" The blonde laughed and Axel gulped as he did remember saying that once or twice, not to people yes but to himself.
"Spirit, please! There is no one on the streets at these times. Please can we walk on solid ground?" Axel begged, still clinging to the black robes of the ghost with all his might.
"Aww, party pooper!" Demyx whined but soon they were descending and even sooner Axel was back on streets of London. Axel gave out a large sigh of relief and he finally removed himself from Demyx's shoulder.
Demyx still though didn't waste any time. He again immediately grabbed Axel's hand before pulling him the empty snow covered streets. Only to stop once they arrived at a beautiful decorated home, which had lights on and merry laughter coming from the inside.
Demyx smiled happily as he heard the laughter and dove right through the front door, leaving Axel to stare, then pulled the redhead in with him. The sharp emerald eyes were met with people and people galore. A party. A party was being held in this home, whoever it was belonging to, Axel didn't seem to care. He was just curious of why he was brought here.
The blonde ghost smiled at him as he then pulled the two of them through the crowd not stopping until they reached the living room, where Axel finally recognized someone. His younger cousin Saix was standing in the mist of party goers, smiling and laughing as if he didn't have a care in the world.
Axel frowned as he watched this. Saix was acting as if everything was fine and dandy, when that was hardly the case. Axel knew all too well of Saix's income problems, and that he was currently not the richest of the bunch. Then to make it all worst Saix's fiancée made himself present by standing next to Saix, passing him a drink.
This just made Axel sick. His cousin was throwing his life away all for love. It was despicable. He knew he taught Saix better than that, but obviously not. Demyx though wasn't making the situation any better for he started crying.
"Oh, aren't they just the most beautiful couple you have ever seen. It's so great to be in love. They are so lucky to have each other."
"Yeah, luckily poor, that's all they are. He's throwing his life away and by next year he will be a beggar in the street. Then he'll come crying to me. But I won't play his game, I won't give him a cent to sp-OW!" Axel screamed as he had been slapped roughly upside the head, by none other than the Ghost of Christmas Present.
"How could you say that! They are in love! Love is the most beautiful gift. Why can't you be happy for him, and not think about the money?" Demyx glared hatefully at Axel, who just scoffed and folded his arms.
"Because I know that I'm right. It is about the money. Who cares if you are in love if you don't have a house over your head? That's the way life is." The redhead spat out and turned his head up toward the ceiling, refusing to see any of the merry making any more. Demyx's glare hardened before he shook his head, then without warning he grabbed Axel's wrist once more.
"I'll show you a place where money doesn't matter at all, but is desperately needed." The ghost only hissed then dragged Axel away and instead of going into the streets again the scene seemed to just change on its own.
Axel looked around as they had stepped into the new place. He tried to figure it out, and soon realized that they had come into a new home. This one though was different. The ceiling was leaking, buckets lying across the floors to catch the falling liquid. It was colder in this one, the small fire not doing its job on warming the home.
But the beds. There were two bunk beds, one being a triple. And it seemed to be the only furniture in the home, but there was a table and chairs plus a stove. Axel was surprised though that there were children running from one end of the house to the other.
Two girls and one boy. The boy had chocolate hair, and one girl had raspberry hair while the other had platinum gold. The raspberry one was at the stove popping a chestnut into her mouth, savoring it until, what seemed to be, her brother came up to her.
"Kairi! You said that we couldn't eat the chestnuts until father came home!" The chocolate haired child scolded but the girl just glared back.
"I was not eating them, Sora! I was merely tasting them to make sure they were perfect for father!" She retorted by sticking her tongue out at him then turning back to the stove. The little platinum haired girl just rolled her eyes and set the table.
The door suddenly opened and Roxas stepped in. "Hello, children."
"Father."
"Oh, Father."
The boy and platinum girl smiled and went to their father's side, hugging him after he set down a large sack upon the floor.
"Hello, Namine, Sora." Roxas smiled as well, giving each child a kiss upon their forehead. Then he headed over to the stove, before giving Kairi a hug and a kiss as well.
"This is Roxas Cratchet's house?" Axel questioned and Demyx nodded with a smile painted lightly upon his lips. Axel didn't know Roxas had so many children or lived in such a house.
"Where is Ven?" Roxas suddenly asked, and it seemed one of the children was about to respond before everyone turned when they heard a creak coming from the stairs.
"I'm here father, I'm coming." A small, very small, boy with golden hair replied as he limped down the stairs. Axe's eyes widen as the child was a crippled. He walked with a crutch and looked sickly pale. Roxas though smiled brightly and came up to the child, picking him up and hugging him gently.
"Hello Ven." He said after giving his youngest a kiss upon the forehead, then set him in a chair at the table that Kairi had pulled out.
"Hello Father, have you seen this wonderful meal." The youngest child replied as he indicated the meal on the table. The small meal, to be precise. There was only a very tiny goose that looked like it should had been for Ven alone, plus the chestnuts and a meager salad.
"Yes it is wonderful. We all must thank Mr. Sinclair." Roxas said as he sat down as well as the other children, yet after he said that Kairi slammed her fist down upon the table.
"Thank Mr. Sinclair, indeed! If that man was here, I would ring his neck! I'm sorry Father, but I have had enough! That man must be taught a lesson. He treats you like dirt after all the years of loyalty you've shown him. And he doesn't even have the nerve to give you the full day off tomorrow. How dare he!"
"My daughter, please. Your brothers and sister, it's Christmas eve." Roxas said softly as he looked around at each of the children, and Kairi sighed before sitting back down. Sora lowered his head as well as Namine.
"I'm sorry, Father. I- I just couldn't hold it in anymore." Kairi said softly and also lowered her head in shame.
"It is alright my dear, please, let us enjoy this meal before it gets cold." Roxas only replied and the family began to eat. Ven smiled as Sora passed him parts of the goose. And it seemed Ven was getting most of the food.
"God bless us, everyone." Ven suddenly said with a wide smile, and the family gazed at him for a moment before Roxas raised his glass.
"Amen, God bless us."
"Amen." The children cheered and Axel watched in awe. He never knew this was the life Roxas lived. Though it wasn't like he had ever tried to understand. Yes, he was a little annoyed about what the girl had said but was any of it false. Of course not. Yet, he would never admit it.
"Spirit, tell me, why do they eat such a meager meal?"
"You already know the answer to your question, I do not have to answer." Axel flinched slightly at the cold reply and sighed. Yes he did know the answer but he much rather have someone else tell him, other than himself.
Suddenly the scene changed, not as that they were leaving the house but the time more changed. Now Roxas was tucking Ven into bed and the other children were already asleep. Axel figured that Roxas was about to go to bed as well but he only headed over to the fire and dragged the sack towards it as well.
Roxas sat upon a small stool and began to open the sack but Sora suddenly jumped out of bed and came to his side.
"Father, you must rest." The child said and the blonde father just gave his oldest son a smile.
"No, I have to do Mr. Sinclair's laundry. If I do it now then it'll be ready by the time I leave tomorrow." Sora shook his head and grabbed onto his father's hand.
"Please, Father, let me! I'll do it. You must rest so that Mr. Sinclair doesn't scold you for being tired tomorrow." Sora pleaded but suddenly gasped as Roxas began to cough, violently. Roxas brought out a white handkerchief from his pocket and brought it to his lips.
"Father! Father!" Sora said, sounding very afraid, as he fell to his knees, gazing at his only parent with fear in his eyes. Roxas coughed into the cloth only a couple more times before removing the fabric from his mouth.
"I'm…I'm fine, Sora. You must be quite, you'll wake the others."
"Father, have you taken your medicine tonight? The doctor told you to take twice each day, especially in this weather!" Sora only said as he ran to the cabinet and got a small container of large white pills. Sora also got a glass of water from a jug before bringing it over to his father. Roxas smiled softly and then took the medicine.
"We might have to survive on less soon, the medicine looks like it is getting empty. That doctor charges a lot for the medicine." Sora commented as he put away the glass and container. He then came to Roxas again and helped him up.
"Now rest, Father, I'll take care of the laundry." Sora finally said as Roxas climbed up the triple bunk bed all the way to the top.
"Sora, you're a very good boy."
That was the last word of Roxas before the scene darkened and Axel gasped as they appeared into a graveyard. The redhead twirled around, looking for Roxas and his family everywhere only to see the blonde spirit sitting on a bench in the snow covered graveyard.
Axel quickly ran to him and fell on his knees, gazing up at the ghost.
"Spirit, please, take me back! I must know what happens to Ven." Axel pleaded but Demyx only looked at him with cold deep eyes.
"He'll die. If nothing changes, he'll die. Simple as that, but why should you care? Let him die and decrease the surplus population." Axel paled with horror as he remembered those very words leaving his lips, and he had said that right in front of Roxas too. The redhead suddenly began to shake his head.
"No…no…no, no, no. Spirit, I didn't mean it! I-I didn't mean it, I swear!" Axel tried to apologize but Demyx only sighed and removed the business owner's hand from his robes.
"Spirit, please I was wrong. I know that now. Tell me this though, if Ven was to die, what-what would happen to Roxas?"
"Though it is not shown, Ven is Roxas most cherished child. If Ven is to die, I see that Roxas will soon to follow. Now you tell me this, Axel. What are to become of his other children? Will they become peasants, or beggars? Beggars do not survive in these times Axel, what do you say to that?" Axel though remained silent and frozen as he thought over what the spirit had said. Then Demyx sighed once more, running a hand through his hair.
"My time is up. The final Ghost will appear to you when the clock strikes three." The blonde spirit announced as he pointed up to the clock that gazed down upon the graveyard from the clock tower. The clock currently read 2:58. Axel again looked troubled.
"Spirit, please, don't leave me. I've learned more from you then from anyone. Please, tell me there is more you can teach me, show me!" Axel begged with a quite whimper as Demyx then placed his hand upon the redhead's shoulder.
"Go forth, and learn from him now." With that Demyx disappeared leaving Axel alone in the graveyard. The red haired man sighed as he sat on the bench where the blonde spirit had just been, lowering his head into his hands. He could only imagine what the new spirit was going to show him.
He then heard something behind him and rose to his feet, frightened as he saw a tall black cloacked figure.
"Are you the spirit whose presence was foretold to me?" Was all Axel asked as he stepped closer, looking the spirit up and down. The spirit had its face hidden in the darkness of the hood and the black robes seemed to flutter behind his tall body. The Ghost though just nodded slightly in response.
"Do you not speak? Well, that is alright. Please, Spirit, take me where you wish. Teach me what I am to learn." Axel smiled and nodded as well, before the Ghost of Christmas Future wrapped his arm around Axel's shoulder and lead them into a dark portal.
The two of them appeared on the dark streets of London, which were strangely not crowded. Axel looked around for a moment before looking back toward the ghost.
"Spirit, why are we here?" He asked then the spirit pointed forward into the crowd. Axel looked to where the finger was pointing only to have his eyes go wide.
"Aeirth." He whispered.
In the crowd, his maid stood there, her head lowered to the ground and she was dressed in black, which clashed horribly with the big pink bow that was still in her hair. Axel didn't understand what was going on. Why was she alone when she was suppose to be in his home?
"Aeirth?" A deep voice suddenly asked and the girl looked up.
"Cloud? Oh Cloud, hello." Aeirth replied as she stepped closer to the baker. Axel growled slightly. He had always hated that man.
"Aeirth, I heard what happened. He didn't leave you anything." Cloud said, making Axel all the more confused. Who didn't leave here what?
"No…no he didn't. I don't know what to do. Cloud please, I need someplace to stay, please." Aeirth suddenly asked with a plead in her voice but Cloud only stepped back.
"I'm sorry…" He whispered and was about to walk away but Aeirth grabbed his arm.
"Cloud please! I beg you! Don't leave me. I love you! I've always loved you. Please!" Cloud brushed her off and sighed.
"I'm sorry, Aeirth, but it's too late. I-I already have fallen in love. I'm sorry…" With that Cloud walked off, leaving Aeirth heartbroken in the rain, crying softly into her hands. Axel tried to run to her, but the ghost had taken his arm and softly dragged him into a new portal.
"Spirit, please tell me. Is this Christmas Day?" The spirit shook his head and held up his hand, five fingers pointing toward the skies.
"Five days before Christmas?" Axel asked only getting a nod in response. He nodded his head as well before turning back toward his teacher.
"Then tell me, why is this future so grim? Is there no happiness in this time?" He pleaded to know, yet the spirit only pointed to behind the two of them. Axel turned to see what he was suppose to watch now but smiled happily as it was the door to Roxas's house.
"Roxas Chratchet's house! Oh Spirit, thank you! There must be some happiness here." Axel said as he went through the door, only to freeze in horror. Sadness was drowning out the happiness of the house.
"Oh no…"
"Kairi…Kairi, you're crying again." Sora said softly as he came up to his raspberry haired sister and patted her back.
"No, no no it's just the dim light." Kairi responded as she wiped at her eyes with a white cloth, getting rid of the water.
"There we go. The dim light always makes my eyes weak. Oh, I could never show weak eyes to Father, not for anything." She said and Sora nodded slowly. Namine was again setting the table, though tears were collecting at the corner of her eyes.
"Hello children." Roxas's voice sounded quitter and Axel noticed how much paler Roxas's face had become. Kairi and Sora went to their Father and hugged him, yet Namine stayed at the table, wiping her eyes.
Roxas smiled softly as he came to her, kissing her gently on the forehead. Axel watched with sad eyes and his breath hitched. This couldn't be true.
Kairi and Namine began to sit down but Roxas took Sora's shoulder, bringing him to the side.
"Sora, Saix Erald talked to me today on the streets. He said he would be able to get you a job as a paper boy. The hours are long, but the pay is good. Does that sound good?" Roxas asked but Sora just smiled.
"That sounds wonderful, Father. I'll be happy to work for him." Sora said as well then sat down, though his face grew sad once more as he accidently bumped into the empty chair that hadn't been moved from the table.
"My children, we mustn't be sad. This is the way of life, of meetings and greetings. We-We shall never forget of Ven. He will live on in our he-hear-" Roxas couldn't finish for his cough racked his body. All the children shot up from their chairs and ran to their father's side. Roxas didn't stop coughing though, and what was worst was that blood stained the white cloth.
"Roxas!" Axel yelled as he tried to reach out to the blonde yet a hand had landed on his shoulder, pulling him backward.
"NO! Spirit let go! Roxas! ROXAS!" Axel screamed though he was soon leaning against a brick wall, which he banged his fists against. He had to get back. He had to get back to make sure Roxas was alright.
"Spirit!" Axel suddenly turned and fell to his knees, clinging to the spirits robes with a tight grip.
"Please Spirit! Speak to me, tell me Roxas will survive! Please I beg of you! I never wished for any of this! What ever I said, I meant it yes! But that was then! I've changed now! I beg of you! Please tell me that all of this can be changed!" Axel pleaded as tears began to roll down his cheeks.
Once again the spirit didn't respond, he only pointed toward a alone grave, some distance from them. Axel looked to the grave, rising to his feet.
He took a few steps toward it and his breath was lost from him as he brushed back the snow. Axel Sinclair, etched onto the stone in large letters.
"No..no…no…oh Gods, no. Spirit, I'm not the man I was. I've changed. I'll honor Christmas in my heart forever. I'll respect the past, present, and future. I'll do all that and more. Just tell me, that those words on that grave can be changed. Please, Spirit!" Axel was now again by the spirit's side, and clinging to his robes once more, sobbing loudly in the black fabric.
He then lightly tugged on the cloth, though when he did he fell forward landing softly on what he thought was going to be the snow covered ground, but it was nothing of the sort. It was in fact his bed, yes the sheets were a little unmade, but it was his bed none the less.
Axel sat up, looking around quite confused to say the least. It couldn't have all been a dream, could it?
He then jumped from his bed and ran outside into the hallway, though, he had done so fast that he had ran straight into Aeirth, who gave out a small yelp as her master ran into her.
"Master Axel? What is the meaning of your rush?" Aeirth asked calmly as she straightened out her apron and looked to her Master to make sure he was unharmed.
"What's today?" Was all that Axel asked, in a slight pant, and a smile was crawling upon his lips.
"Today? Sir, it's Christmas Day."
"Christmas Day? Really! I didn't miss it! Oh that is great! But why are you here then if it's Christmas Day. You should out buying something nice for that special someone and yourself. Out with you!" Axel smiled brightly and he took the brown haired maid's shoulders, turning her around and started pushing her toward the stairs. Aeirth immediately turned back to her master and looked worried.
"Master Axel! What has gotten into you? Are you ill?" She asked with so much concern Axel only laughed out happily!
"My dear I couldn't be better! I'm so well that…um…well heck I'm just well! Now go on, go out and experience this great day. I must get dressed and do the same." With that Axel kissed her on the cheek and skipped back into his room, only to come back out moments later completely dressed and was down the stairs even quicker.
Axel bowed and said 'Merry Christmas' to all the people he passed as he briskly walked to his cousins house. He then saw the two donor collectors that had come to his business the other day and smiled as he approached them.
The two saw him coming and the small blue silver haired one cowered behind his ginger haired partner.
"Good day, gentleman. Merry Christmas, are you still accepting donations?" Axel asked with a wide smile and the ginger haired one looked confused before smiling softly.
"Why yes, Mr. Sinclair." He said and the silver blue haired one looked confused, though Axel brightly grinned.
"Oh wonderful! Put me down for…" He leaned closer to the two and whispered the amount. The two other's eyes widened greatly.
"That much! Mr. Sinclair, that is…Oh my, I don't know what to say. That will be wonderful for the shelter. I-I just wish there was something we could give you." Though before Axel could say anything, the smaller partner came up to him and held out his crimson red scarf. Axel took it and the blue haired man nodded.
"A gift? A gift for me?" Axel asked but the man nodded again making Axel smile once more.
"Thank you. Ten times that! You gentleman have a very merry Christmas." The two partners waved as Axel then left down the street. The redhead came to a house and he straightened up as he knocked on the door.
Saix opened the door and paled as he saw who it was.
"Cousin? What are you doing here?" He asked though Axel stepped right in and slammed a hand right on the blue haired man's shoulder.
"Saix, I've come here to tell you…" Axel hard serious face faded and he smiled happily as he gave his cousin a large warm hug.
"…Merry Christmas Day! And that you better but me down at the top of the list for you Christmas Party tonight." Axel finished but smiled even happier as Xemnas stepped into the room.
"Oh, Xemnas! Wonderful to see you, Merry Christmas! Now you better take good care of my cousin, oh and put me as the best man at your wedding!" Axel said and gave Xemnas a hug as well before giving his cousin a kiss on his cheek and heading toward the door before freezing.
"Actually Saix, I'll be at Roxas Cratchet's house. Come meet me there, one hour before the party starts, please and thank you!" After that was said, Axel ran out the door, closing it behind him to not let in the cold.
Saix stood there and Xemnas chuckled lightly.
"Um…what just happened?"
Axel ran as fast as he could all the way to Roxas's house, only stopping as he could see the door. He straightened out his clothes and laughed lightly before putting on another serious face. He then made sure all the laughing was out of him before pounding loudly on the door.
"Coming." Roxas called before he opened the door. He looked into Axel's cold green eyes before gasping.
"Mr. Sinclair! What-What brings you here?" The now scared blonde asked and Axel only narrowed his eyes as he saw Kairi came to stand behind him.
"Roxas, I said for you to come into work today." Axel snarled deeply and Roxas flinched.
"Bu-But, sir, you said I don't have to come in until this afternoon. It is Christmas. Didn't you say that I could have the morning to spend with my family?"
"I said that! That's completely a lie. I would like to tell you right now that I would never say something like that."
"And I would love to knock you off the pavement!" Kairi yelled as she jumped in front of her father and put up her fists, ready to punch Axel in the face though Roxas quickly put his hands on her shoulders.
"And furthermore, I would like to announce you as my official partner."
"I'll kill you cause how dare-"
"Pardon?" Kairi and Roxas said at the same time as they stared up at Axel with wide eyes. Axel smiled, his serious face melting away.
"Yes, Roxas. I'm making you my partner and am raising your pay by four times." Axel continued and stepped a little closer. Kairi smiled and laughed jokingly as he stepped behind his father again, before pushing him closer to the redhead.
"Mr. Sinclair, I-I really don't know what to say…" Roxas said smally before bringing Axel inside, but the redhead only placed his hand on the blonde's shoulder.
"Roxas, I would also like to invite your children to my cousin's Christmas party, while I talked to you. We shall our own party here." The children all gasped in surprise and Ven smiled brightly as a new knock came to the door. Roxas opened it and moved aside with a smile.
Saix stepped in and took off his hat.
"Hello, Cratchet's and cousin. Well, Axel I'm here, are you ready?" Saix asked but frowned slightly as Axel shook his head.
"Saix, I would like you to take these children to the party and…" Axel smiled as he picked up Ven, holding him gently.
"…Make sure this little one gets plenty of food and drink." He then passed Ven to Saix, who looked to Roxas. Roxas though didn't know what to say. Kairi and Sora ran to their father and pulled on his clothes.
"Oh please, Father, can we go!"
"Yes, Father, please! We'll be good!"
"Oh-Oh okay." Roxas finally said smally and the children cheered as they followed Saix outside after yelling goodbye to their Father. Axel closed the door quietly and smiled as he then approached Roxas again.
Roxas blushed as Axel backed him up against the wall, stammering as the redhead then placed his hands on either side of the blonde's head.
"Mr. Sinclair…"
"Call me Axel." Was all the redhead whispered as he leaned forward almost to place his lips against Roxas's but suddenly Rox brought the cloth up to his lips and coughed. Axel pulled back looking concerned.
"Have you taken your medicine today?" Axel asked before dashing over to the cabinet and getting the container plus a glass of water. When he came back Roxas took the pill and sighed.
"Axel, I-"
"Roxas, let me speak first. I want you and your family to move in with me. I'll help you. You and Ven need medical attention and a warm shelter. I will provide that. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that you needed my help."
Roxas stared up at his new partner before shaking his head.
"Axel, I-I couldn't possibly ask you to do such a-"
"I'm not asking you, I'm telling you." Axel said as he leaned in closer again and this time kissed Roxas's upon the lips, gently and softly. Roxas's face flushed once Axel pulled away before he gazed at the redhead once more.
"A-Axel…"
"I love you Roxas." Roxas remained frozen after hearing that but suddenly relaxed in the hold of the redhead before smiling.
"I love you too. I…I thought you would never notice." Roxas then admitted as his face was taken over by a blush once more. Axel smiled gently as he brushed his fingers against the blonde's cheek.
"Merry Christmas, Roxas."
"Merry Christmas, Axel." With that the two leaned toward each other and shared a gentle kiss once more, yet it surly would not be the last.
~The End~
Well that's the end. I hope you all have enjoyed and I'm sorry I haven't been uploading onto here lately. This was one of my better stories on DA and I hope it's just as good here. I know it's early or late or whatever but Merry Chirstmas to all of you!
~Bye Bye!