Wow! I'm really impressed with the amount of reviews I'm getting from everybody. They really make me happy! I thank each and every one of you who read and reviewed. You're all amazing! I know plenty of you are still confused, but I swear it will all make sense soon. I promise! Any-who, go on and read.
Saving Roxas
Chapter 3: How to feel?
Axel's POV
"Axel!" I looked up from my plate at Naminé's smiling face from across the table. We were seated at the long, dark, wooden table in the beautiful dining room. Hayner sat at the head of the table with Kairi to his right and Naminé to his left. I sat next to Kairi while Xion sat at the other end of the table, and Roxas was beside Naminé. Roxas wasn't looking up, but I did see Naminé holding his hand on top of the table, but he didn't do all that much about it. He twirled his fork around and stabbed randomly at the food on his plate, his hair obscuring my view of his eyes. All I knew was what I sensed from him…and it was fear. But of what?
"What've you been up to these days?" Naminé asked me politely.
"Um…" I swallowed my food and looked at her. "I've been looking and applying for a few jobs at some hospitals around Twilight and finishing up some school while raising my daughter," I explained. I caught Roxas move slightly at the mention of Xion as my daughter again, but I didn't let on. Whatever was on his mind was his problem. Not like he would tell me anyway.
"Are you a doctor?" Hayner asked, confused.
"No," Kairi spoke up. "He's a psychologist," she clarified for him.
"Really?" Naminé sounded excited. "That's really cool. I'm just trying to be an art teacher," she stated shyly.
"Yeah, but you can actually draw," Hayner complimented.
"Yup," Kairi agreed. "The only thing you can draw is stick figures, and they don't even look like stick figures," she directed at Hayner, and he just glared at her as we all laughed.
"This is a really good stew, Naminé," Xion complimented politely. Naminé smiled to her. "Mr. Strife, may I have a biscuit?" she asked with a sweet smile. Roxas looked up suddenly and stared at her for a brief moment.
"…Sure," he said hesitantly, grabbing one from the bowl and handing it to her. He seemed shocked before returning his attention to his apparently very interesting plate. With how intently he was staring at it, you think it would have exploded by now.
"Rox, are you alright?" Naminé asked halfway into the meal. He looked up at her with distant blue eyes. I silently wished it was me he was looking at. At least I would be able to see those shining blue orbs I love so much.
"Y-yeah," he said hesitantly, putting a smile on his face. It was so fake; how didn't she see this? "I guess I'm not that hungry tonight," he said as he stood up. "Excuse me, but I'm going to bed a bit early," he said heading into the kitchen with his plate. I watched after him as Naminé just brushed his sudden departure off and started to talk to Kairi.
"Dad." I turned and locked eyes with Xion and saw her knife on the floor. "Can you get me a new one?" she asked and then winked at me. If only she knew how much getting some alone time with Roxas was to me. I stood up and had to force myself to walk calmly toward the kitchen. Roxas stood at the sink away from the door and scraped his food into the disposal. I walked closer and placed the dirty knife on the counter beside him.
"You know, I don't even think you said hello to me," I said suddenly and he jumped, dropping the plate in the sink. He turned to face me, but quickly diverted his gaze to the door of the dining room. Kairi had yelled her question of what happened and Roxas promised her that his hand slipped. He turned back to the sink and started the disposal.
"What do you want?" he asked quietly.
"Wow, you actually speak," I stated sarcastically. He shut the water off and turned further away from me.
"You're still an immature ass," he fired back.
"At least I have enough balls to make eye contact, but you won't even look at me," I whispered furiously. He slammed the towel he was drying his hands with down and turned around and glared at me coldly. His once kind, blue eyes, reminded me of when we first met…no…he looks like he wants to kill me.
"What if I didn't want to look at your ugly mug?" he questioned, curtly walking away from me. I trailed after him toward the staircase, quickly running in front of him and stopping him.
"I believe, once upon a time, you loved this mug," I fired back, smirking at him, but he only forcefully shoved me out of his way. And it wasn't playful at all; it actually hurt a little.
"Why the hell did you even come here?" he asked me, and I smiled for a moment before speaking with a much more gentle voice.
"I wanted to see you," I said quietly, for fear someone might overhear, but I still heard loud chatter from the dinner table. He paused and looked away from me. I just watched him breathe and stare at the wall.
"Can't imagine why," he said finally before continuing up the stairs. "I didn't want to see you," he said coldly before walking up the stairs. I stared after him with my mouth hanging open shocked. He didn't want to…
Suddenly, I didn't feel like eating anymore.
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"She's so cute!" Sora yelled as he hugged Xion close to him. I winced as I heard the breath leave her lips from his bone crushing hug.
"She can't breathe!" Riku pulled Sora back by his hair, and everyone laughed happily.
Sora and Riku had come over when Kairi called them about our arrival two days ago. Sora had gotten a little taller, so the height difference between Riku and him wasn't as severe as it used to be. Sora's brown hair got a little longer too, and Riku's silver hair was pretty much the same length. They still acted the same too which was a comfort. At least they were happy to see me and meet Xion, unlike a certain blond-haired boy.
I didn't know what to do about Roxas at all. I love him still, with all my heart and have for the four years we were apart, but the way he glares at me and stares at Xion just pisses me off to no end. He lies to everyone that he's happy I'm here, but I know deep down he's cursing every minute I'm here, but I don't know why. He hasn't talked to me since our little spat two nights ago, but if we're going out to dinner with Sora and Riku, he'll have to, right?
"Well, if you're done strangling my niece," Kairi started sarcastically while Sora blushed stupidly as Riku face-palmed beside him, "we'll go change really quick and head out together."
"Come on, Xi," I said, and she followed me up the small staircase to our room at the end of the hall. Naminé and Roxas had been in front of us and paused to dress in Roxas's room. I caught a peek of him pulling off his t-shirt before Naminé shut the door in my face.
Goddamn it!
"Dad! Hurry up, I want to talk to Sora and Riku more," Xion explained as I pulled her suitcase down from the highest shelf in the closet of the guest room where her best outfit was stored.
"Are you allowed to call them by their first names? I think it might be Mr. Hokani to you…for both of them," I said absently. If I recalled correctly, Kairi said they got married a few months after they started college classes. Most would say it's too young, but they really complement each other well and are madly in love with each other.
"I guess, but Sora said I could use their first names, just like Kairi, Naminé, and Hayner did. Your one friend hasn't said anything, so I'll just call him Mr. Strife until he does," she told me, and I nodded briefly as I buttoned my dress shirt. I turned around and she was already dressed in her skirt and shirt. It was a knee length blue skirt, and she wore a white blouse as a shirt. She was currently trying to place the barrette in her bangs in the right spot in the mirror. I finished the last button and walked over to her.
"Here," I said, and she held her hair as I put the clip in for her. It was a pink bow…the one her mother got for her sixth birthday. "Ready?" I asked, and she just ran out of the room and down the stairs. I chuckled silently at her excitement and grabbed my phone and wallet before turning off the lights and leaving the room.
"Aw! I love your outfit, it's so adorable!" Sora cheered, hugging Xion close to him. I walked down the steps and saw Roxas was wearing jeans and a black dress shirt and standing beside Naminé who was dressed in a white summer dress. They were linking arms and talking, but Roxas didn't seem all that interested in what she was saying. He was watching something else.
"Surprise, surprise." I saw Kairi dressed in black skinny jeans and a white halter top. Hayner stood beside her, looking bored and dressed a lot like Roxas, but in lighter colors. "Axel's wearing red," she said, regarding my red dress shirt.
"Well, it is one of my favorite colors," I said, wrapping my arm around her shoulder. "Mr. Flamboyancy, can we get going?" I called to Sora, and he paused in complementing Naminé's outfit loudly and nodded.
"So, who are you riding with to the restaurant?" Sora asked curiously.
"Don't sweat it." I waved him off. "I had Hayner take me to the rental place earlier, so just lead the way, and Xion and I'll get there no problem," I said while waving my hand dismissively. He nodded, satisfied with my answer, and we began to file out the door. I followed after Roxas and 'accidentally' brushed his shoulder, causing him to jump slightly and glare back at me.
"I know you went earlier, but what did you rent?" Xion asked me once the others piled into their cars.
"What do you think? My mode of transportation, and your summer and laid back weekend one."
She smiled back at me, knowing just what I meant.
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I pulled up slowly into the spot beside the small compact car that Kairi, Hayner, Roxas, and Naminé were in and put one leg on the ground. There was just something about motorcycles that made me so happy and comfortable. I swung my leg off and removed the helmet from my head. Xion looked at me from behind the eye shield of her helmet before she removed it herself, like she did when I used mine back at home. She pulled it off her head, and Kairi left her door open.
"Axel, you're so predictable," she said as I tossed my helmet in the car while Xion placed hers in neatly before following the others into the restaurant. "What would her mother think if she knew her eight-year-old daughter was practically a pro at riding shotgun on a motorcycle?" she asked me quietly. I just shrugged.
"She'd say I was an idiot and laugh before forgiving me," I said after a moment before following after Xion. I held the door for her and was about to hold it for Kairi when Hayner ran up from the other side of the car and held it for her. I smiled slightly before going further into the door. At least someone was treating my cousin like a lady.
"Table for eight," Riku said lightly to the hostess. The place we were eating at was an up-scale place they went to once a month, and we just happened to arrive two days before they were planning on going. The floor was shining, and the walls were solid warm colors with fancy paintings from artists no one has ever even heard of. I saw Naminé pointing out a painting and explaining something with a smile on her face, and Roxas just listened with an empty smile and glazed eyes. I'd hate to think he always treated her like this, or if it was just my presence putting him off. I may hate her for being with Roxas right now, but under all that she's a really nice person.
"Right this way please," the woman said with a smile, leading us through the extremely tall rooms filled with tables of the darkest, solid wood. Riku sat at the head of the table and Sora opposite him at the other end. Kairi sat on Riku's left, and I sat beside her with Xion on my other side. Across from Kairi was Hayner, and Roxas sat across from Xion, but Naminé paused.
"Hayner, why don't you switch with Roxas?" she asked, and I looked up suddenly, and Roxas looked like he choked on his own spit. "The best friends haven't spent all that much time together. They need to bond, so let them sit together," she explained. Hayner shrugged and stood up, and I did too. Naminé sat down across from Xion, and I sat down hesitantly on Roxas's other side, but he made no move at all. I was nervous, and I didn't know why. We talked for a few minutes before Roxas excused himself quickly and ran off.
"What's with him lately?" Kairi asked quietly. "He's usually more open." She sighed, and Hayner shrugged.
"Yeah, he loves this place and seeing his cousin. Haven't seen him smile all night," Hayner added.
Oh, so it has to be my fault he's like this.
"Hello, what will you have to drink this evening?" the waitress asked us happily. The majority ordered water, but Riku and Hayner ordered some pop.
"Um," Naminé said quietly. "What would Roxas want…I'll just get him a~"
"He likes grape pop," I whispered to her. She looked at me curiously, and I nodded.
"Can I also have a grape pop for the other member?" Naminé asked politely, and the waitress nodded lightly before walking off to grab the drinks. "Thanks for the save," Naminé thanked me with a shining smile. I nodded politely before looking to Xion.
"You know the rule," I said, and she nodded, annoyed. Sora looked at me funny.
"Rule?" he repeated questioningly.
"Yeah, one caffeinated drink and then it's water," I explained, and Sora looked appalled.
"That's a horrible rule! She's a kid, they're supposed to be hyped up on sugar!" he called out.
"Maybe you should have had that rule growing up, Sora," Riku said quietly, and we all chuckled quietly to ourselves.
"Who came up with that ridiculous rule?" he asked, and Xion and I stopped laughing suddenly. Sora sensed he made a mistake and grimaced while looking down, embarrassed. I smiled lightly.
"Jessie did," I said, and he looked at me funny. "Her mother. She was always worried that if Xion had too much she wouldn't be able to sleep. I guess I just kept the rule," I said quietly. Everyone at the table was silent until Kairi started up the chatter again, and everyone's mood picked up. I continued to absently stare at my menu. Naminé tapped me on the shoulder.
"I'm really sorry about your wife," she said quietly. "Kairi told me this morning, and I just want you to know if you ever want someone to talk to, I'm here," she said. I nodded politely before pausing. Wife? I guess she means Jessie. "Axel?"
"Yeah?" I looked over to her as she gazed toward the door worriedly.
"Roxas has been gone a long time…can you go check on him for me?" she asked, and I nodded before getting up and walking toward the bathrooms.
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Roxas's POV
Why? Why? Why?
Why does this hurt so much? Why did he even come here? Why does everyone seem to be working against me? Why does he always make me feel this way, even after all these ye~
"Rox? You in here?"
Damn it! Can't he just leave me alone? I don't want to see him anymore! Not ever again!
Axel's POV
"What do you want?" I heard him ask from one of the stalls.
"Your girlfriend thought you flushed yourself down the toilet," I joked. Suddenly the door opened, and I saw how angry he looked. It was a bit shocking. Roxas didn't really get angry; he just got annoyed or frustrated, and both ended in him either snapping and slapping someone or crying. Judging by the dry streaks on his cheek, he was just emotional.
"Go the hell away," he said, about to close the door again, but I stopped it with my hand and pulled him toward the bathroom wall and pinned him there.
"What the fuck is your issue, Roxas?" I hissed, annoyed. Roxas just glared up at me, meeting my challenging gaze, neither of us wanting to back down. "Everyone out there is worried about you, you ass!" He continued to struggle against me, not looking at me. "If this is because I came here, just know I came here because I promised~"
"Shut up, shut up, shut up!" he interrupted. "I don't want to hear this bullshit. I'll go back to the table, all right? Hell, I'll even smile!" he said, trying to push past me.
"Hold it; I have some questions for you since you've been a little bitch to me since I first arrived." I held on tighter to his wrists, and he looked away. "Why aren't you happy to see me? I was happy to see you! I thought you loved me? What's with this Naminé thing, too? Since when were you straight?"
"I'd ask you the same thing, asshole!" he hissed, and I flipped his hands to his sides, his right cheek hit the wall as he turned his head away from me.
"Just tell me why you won't talk to me? Why're you shunning me?" I asked quietly. I lowered my head to kiss his cheek, but before I knew it, his hand broke free and slapped me square in the cheek. I stumbled back, and he rubbed his wrists.
"Fuck off!" he growled before leaving me to stand alone in the bathroom. He just…slapped me? Why would he…
I walked over to the sinks and saw the angry, red mark forming on my left cheek and touched it tenderly before recoiling at the sting. I've been slapped before, but there was a hell of a lot of force on that one. I just wanted to peck his cheek with a small kiss, to let him know I still love him, and that I'm still here for him. I haven't felt this defeated since I was a kid: young and powerless. I wet a paper towel and placed it on my stinging cheek and stood in a stall until the pain faded. I didn't really want to go back out there, but I probably should.
I left the bathroom and saw Roxas smiling and laughing at the table with everyone else. Guess he kept that promise. I took a step back, took my phone out, and texted Kairi quickly.
Taking a quick breather.
I want the spaghetti, okay?
I walked out the front door and sat on a bench beside it and stared at the night sky. The nights were pretty chilly, but I remembered a night from my childhood that was so much colder.
Mom? What are we doing~
Shut up, what did I say?
Don't speak, and stay in the shadows.
Good boy, maybe I'll treat you to pizza when we're done here.
We would take trips every other week night so she could meet with who I thought were her friends. I later learned they were her dealers, but I was just a little kid. All I knew was it was cold, and my mother didn't want me to speak. I felt so useless then, like I do now with Roxas. I heard the door open, and Kairi came out looking concerned.
"Hey," she said lightly, taking a seat beside me.
"Hey," I responded quietly.
"We ordered your dinner in case you're hungry, but you look like you're gonna cry," she said while trying to laugh. I didn't laugh though. She looked at the sidewalk for a moment and sighed. "Why don't you let us take Xion home and you take a ride around town, hm?"
I perked up slightly.
"You'd do that?" I asked, and she nodded.
"I think her daddy needs some time to his thoughts before he comes to his caring cousin to talk," she said smiling lightly, unlocking her car so I could grab my helmet. I was about to thank her, but she stood up and kissed my cheek. "Be careful," she warned before returning to the restaurant. I secured the helmet on my head before backing out and driving down the road somewhere else. I just needed some air.
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Kairi's POV
"Excuse me, but can I get a box for a meal please?" I asked the waitress when I passed her. She nodded happily before running off to the kitchen, and I continued back to the table. Hayner was just getting up when I arrived and he pushed in my chair for me before going off to take a phone call. I sat down, and Xion glanced to Axel's empty seat sadly. "Xion, is something wrong?" I asked her lightly. She looked to me and shook her head.
"It's nothing," she said, taking another bite of her chicken. I looked down to my plate before glancing at Roxas. He still looked pretty distant despite his smile and laughter, but I knew that whatever went on when Axel went to get him put my cousin off. That alone is enough to make my blood boil, and I have a pretty short temper.
"So, Roxas," I started casually, "what did you say to Axel?" I asked curiously, and he paused for a moment in his chewing and looked to the empty seat beside him. I knew he didn't just notice Axel wasn't back. I waited for him to swallow before giving him the 'I want an answer' look.
"Nothing," he said quietly. I couldn't tell if he was lying or not, so I looked to his girlfriend, Naminé. She was bound to be able to tell that stuff since they are together. She just shrugged lightly with an uncertain look, so I just slumped back into my seat. I hated it when my family was upset or distraught, and no one tells me why. I glanced to where Xion was sitting from the corner of my eye to see her holding onto the clip in her hair as she absently ate her dinner. I only sighed again, closing my eyes. It must be hard for him, trying to raise her and balance his online night classes with a job all alone. Then again, he prefers to do a lot on his own. That's one of his flaws.
"Kairi?" Sora called to me looking concerned. I shook my head, smiling gracefully to him. He was satisfied with this and went back to talking to Naminé about something. I took a bite of my food and silently hoped Axel would find his way home okay.
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Axel's POV
The answer should be~
"Dad?" I looked up from my computer and saw Xion sitting up in the bed.
"What is it?" I asked her. She had been asleep since I came home a few hours ago. I hoped not to wake her when I got in, but I had to finish this test before I went to bed. She got up and walked toward the desk, and I turned toward her more. She hugged me close to her, burying her face in my neck and crawling up into my lap. I pulled her up and rubbed her back quietly. We didn't say anything because I knew what was wrong already. I guess it's that paternal trait you get when you have a child. I knew it was a nightmare that woke her, but judging by my damp shoulder, it was a nightmare about her mother.
"It was really scary," she whispered quietly. I picked her up and decided to forget the test for now. We may not be at our house, but curing her nightmares was a simple task, so doing it here would be easy. I carried her down the stairs until I reached the plush living room. I set her on the couch and grabbed the blanket and sat beside her, covering her in it.
"Funny or distracting?" I asked her lightly.
"Distracting," she answered. I knew it had to be really bad if she didn't even want to cheer herself up. I flipped through the guide until I found a cool documentary to watch about soap. I tried to make it more interesting by adding my own special brand of commentary and got her to laugh a few times. I didn't know how long we were watching TV together until I felt her quiet breathing on my arm, and she wasn't talking anymore. I carried her back to bed and brought my school stuff to the living room to finish in there. I had just about finished when someone joined me.
Someone I really didn't want to see right now.
"What are you doing?" Roxas asked in a groggy voice. I didn't look at him, determined to treat him like shit since he was doing the same to me.
"Nothing that concerns you," I said coldly, hoping he would get the hint to leave me alone. I felt his gaze for another minute or so and then he began to walk toward me.
I paused my working and looked up at him as he sat beside me. He leaned back and turned the TV on again. "The hell are you doing here?" I asked bitterly.
"I live here, ass," he explained, and I looked back at the question on the computer screen. I had to explain some tell-tale symptoms of schizophrenia. Roxas leaned over my shoulder and watched the screen curiously. I couldn't help but remember the times Jessie would poke her head over my shoulder and do the same thing. The eyes would widen at the big words I was using and melt into admiration of my ability to understand the words. They both did that same thing. "You're crying, Axel," he stated, and I turned my head and felt my cheek.
He was right, but why was I crying?
Damn emotions are a mess because of him and Xion's nightmare. I wiped my eyes furiously.
"The fuck do you care?" I snapped. I felt the couch shift as Roxas got up and left the room. I sniffed and placed my head in my hands for a moment. I missed Jessie so much.
I desperately need someone to talk to.
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"The gym?" I asked curiously the next day.
"Yep," Naminé verified, walking into the room. "We go every Wednesday before afternoon classes," she explained, pouring a bowl of cereal for herself. Kairi placed a plate of pancakes in front of me and handed me the syrup.
"I thought it might give you something to do instead of waiting around all morning for Xion to come back," Kairi explained. I looked to her suddenly, and she placed a hand over her mouth as her eyes widened. "Oh, right," she said, her speech muffled by her hand, "Sora and Riku wanted to take her out for a little bit to give her a tour of the city, take her shopping, that kind of stuff," she explained.
"I never agreed to this," I bit out around my mouthful of pancake.
"I did!" Xion called as she walked into the kitchen and sat beside me. "I didn't want to tell you because I thought it might upset you if I went out without you."
"Of course I'm pissed!" I shouted.
"Yeah, but at this point you can't really say no, can you?" she asked smartly. I was about to argue, but stopped myself. She did have a point. I turned back to my food and continued to eat. "Besides, you used to go to the gym with mom all the time," she said quietly, and I paused in my chewing. Jessie… She seemed to be a common thought ever since I came here two days ago.
"Do you want to come? We bought a guest pass so it won't cost you a dime," Naminé assured me. I glanced at Xion as she nodded her head encouragingly, and I eventually nodded while the girls smiled happily. I continued to eat my pancakes with Xion apologizing over and over again. I wasn't paying too much attention at the moment. There was a knock on the door, and Kairi got up from the table and walked into the front hall.
"Just remember to be careful," I reminded her. "Sora is a bit unstable at times. If he freaks you out, just stick with Riku. Riku is the smart one…and calm one…normal one~ Ouch!" I yelled suddenly and turned to see Sora standing behind me, glaring.
"Hey," Riku called out, grabbing Sora's arm. "No need to do it twice, babe," he said, and Xion got down from her seat and ran to get her coat.
"If anything happens to her," I turned and fixed Sora and Riku with the coldest glare I could manage, "you'll regret it," I threatened, and Sora nodded worriedly. Riku nodded once, directing Sora to the door. Xion ran back into the room right as Roxas walked in. She ran up and hugged me, kissing my cheek before running toward the front hall. Roxas stared after her confused and slightly angry. He has no right to be angry with her.
"Roxas," Kairi called to him. He turned to face her, and she smiled, handing him a plate. "Do me a favor and find Hayner's gym bag so Axel can use it," she said. His eyes widened slightly, and he cocked his head to the side.
"Can I ask why?" he asked curiously.
"I'm going with you guys to the gym," I spoke up. He turned and fixed me a glare, but I just smiled right back at him with as much sarcasm as I could manage. I'll treat him like shit until he treats me normally again. This should be fun, not to mention a trip down memory lane.
"That's great," he retorted sarcastically, smiling a cold, hollow smile.
"I'm glad you're excited," I fired back at him. I was almost sure someone, Naminé or Kairi, would have picked up on the tension in the room, but if they did, they didn't say anything.
"Well, let's hurry up!" Naminé cheered, sitting beside Roxas and kissing his cheek. I returned my attention to my breakfast.
I'll get him back…I know it.
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I was getting tired.
Roxas ditched me after we changed and went to lift some weights while the girls decided to swim at the pool. I didn't know what else to do, because not many things prevent me from thinking about my current problems, and all hell breaks loose when I think too long. So, I decided running on the treadmill was the way to go, ignoring the safety cautions, because what fun can be had when your obeying the rules? I just got on and started to run.
Running was always my strength, especially when I was younger.
When I started smoking and drinking after my father's first arrest, I had to give it up, but after a half a year in rehab, I was off of everything. Now, running was hard because I just haven't done it in a really long time. Last time I was in a gym was when Xion was at kindergarten, and Jessie and I would go to the local gym. After she died, I sold off our remaining time to a friend and haven't been in one since.
I was listening to my music rather loudly and just looking around. I spotted Roxas a few times when certain people moved, and I saw he was getting stronger. I saw him lifting dumbbells, and at one point he was bench pressing. I guess Naminé wants a man with muscles, and that thought made me laugh.
Roxas wasn't the type to do a lot of lifting and get ripped muscles. He was too feminine for that, but if anyone valued their lives they wouldn't tell him as much. I increased the speed a little more and wiped the sweat off my brow and kept running. I caught sight of Hayner walking in and waving to Roxas. He was still dressed in normal clothes, coming back from classes I guessed. Roxas in turn came over, and Hayner handed him something, and the two talked for a few minutes. Roxas was fanning himself with the paper he was given and pulling at his shirt collar, revealing just a little bit of skin.
Damn it! Fucking tease and he doesn't even know it! This is just ridiculous! Now I'm staring at him, and he's turning me on! How can I focus on being a jack ass to him if I'm horny? Ugh, I need to focus. Changing the music from suggestive to normal and~ is he taking his shirt off?
Roxas took his shirt off and placed it in his bag before he wiped his sweaty chest off with a towel before pulling a clean shirt from his bag. Now I know why he brought that bag in. He walked closer to me, and I forced my eyes forward as he got on to the treadmill beside me and was placing the emergency cord to the waist of his pants. I kept running and turned up the level again in hopes that the even faster speed would keep my mind off of the sexy blond beside me. I just need to focus. The pace I was going looked like I was running away from some wild animal, but it was just a distraction to keep my mind off Roxas. I can handle any speed.
It honestly was a great plan until Roxas got off a half hour later and poured cold water over his head, wetting his already sweaty shirt. He began to dry off with a towel, drying his hair in a way that looked like post-sex hair. That was when I lost it and gave him my undivided attention.
Too bad when I gave that to him it took me about a millisecond to remember I forgot to turn off the treadmill that was almost at full speed.
It took me about two more milliseconds to fly backward and hit the wall, and man did it ache before I lost consciousness.
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Xion's POV
"Do you like this one?" Sora asked, holding up a yellow dress, and I shook my head. Riku was across the room of the store in the mall leaning against a wall with four bags on each arm. After a few hours of shopping he hadn't once complained. It was pretty admirable, his tolerance level. "Oh! How about this pink one!" he held it up and placed it in my arms. I guess to be with someone like Sora you needed some serious tolerance.
I bet most little kids would be freaked out by two guys being together, but my Uncle Reno is like that with Uncle Rufus, so I'm used to it. Yeah, it's still kind of odd, but it isn't like I care all that much. Sora and Riku are really nice, and I've only really known them for about a day, but it feels like I've known them forever. I'm probably going to miss them the most when Dad and I have to go back home after our two weeks are up.
"Sora? Can I go try these on now?" I asked, and he placed the three shirts he had in my arms and nodded, leading me toward the dressing room. I closed and locked the door behind me and placed my coat on the hook in the room and looked at my reflection in the mirror for a minute. Dad always told me I looked so much like my mother, and at times I worried that I was hurting him when he looked at me.
Mom used to tell me that Dad was really special, how he was a one-of-a-kind guy. She would tell me how well she could relate to him and vice versa. A lot of kids used to pick on me because my parents were so young, but I was always happy with them. Sometimes my parents were more like older siblings to me than like parents because they never showed much affection. Yes, they would hug, but I never saw them kiss like other parents, but I always assumed it was a privacy thing.
I miss seeing my Dad smiling for real, but now that he's here he seems a little better. He still seems sad, but at least he gets to see his old friend Roxas and the others. I'm still trying to figure out when they took those photo booth pictures, or the reason why they did in the first place. Roxas seemed really distant for the two being such close friends before.
"Xion!" Sora yelled "Hurry up; I have more shirts for you!" I sighed and began to try on my clothes.
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Axel's POV
My head hurt like a mother fucker.
I think Roxas ran over, but my vision was so blurry I couldn't tell. I felt hands on my shoulders and I looked forward…er…what I thought was forward. The whole room seemed to be spinning.
"Hayner, get the girls!" I heard Roxas call out. A few more colored blobs came to fill the space after the one ran off. "Axel, look at me, okay?" I heard him say.
"Which…one?" I questioned distantly. As my mind tried to zero in on Roxas, it only confused itself more by adding quite a few others. "Sleepy…" I said, planning on shutting my eyes.
"No!" Roxas called, concern lacing his voice. "Not yet, just…someone have a light?" I closed my eyes as I heard rustling around me. I'd hit my head before and just slept it off. It's like a hangover; it'll go away after a good nap. "Axel!" he barked, and I felt him forcing my lids open and a bright light flashing in them.
"Ah!" I cried out at the sudden hostility, and the fact my head hit the wall again.
"Sorry," I heard him mutter quietly. "Your pupils are dilating, so that's a good sign," he said, relieved. "Can you get up?" he asked me, moving closer to me. I could feel his breath on my cheek, and it felt nice. He seemed nicer right now…not so much of an ass.
"You're not an ass," I muttered sleepily before giving into the sleepy feeling and slumping toward the side.
Roxas's POV
I caught Axel before he hit the floor and caused more damage to his head. I sighed, and the crowd began to shift nervously.
"Glad you noticed," I muttered into his ear in response to his earlier comment. He was right, I guess. Seeing him in pain again really hurt me, not to mention the ghost throbbing I felt in my right shoulder. I heard the small crowd murmuring amongst themselves about if someone should call an ambulance or if Axel was all right. I assured them of his state, and soon Hayner, Kairi, and Naminé returned. Kairi looked scared and furious at the same time as she fell to her knees beside me. I was letting him use my chest as a pillow and felt small flashbacks of times where we would do this.
Axel would fall asleep after just talking in his room for hours, and I would stay awake, watching him sleep so peacefully. It made my heart ache.
"Is he all right? What happened?" she demanded of me, her eyes ablaze with anger.
"He's fine," I assured her. "He was just being Axel," I told her, trying to bring a smile to her face. She sighed and nodded after a moment. "He just needs to rest, but we need to get him home first," I told her, and she nodded. Hayner came to my other side and we hoisted Axel up so we could try to carry him out. Luckily, he was pretty light, so carrying him between the two of us was pretty easy. I placed him in the front seat of my car and leaned over him to buckle him in. I paused when I felt his breathing on my neck and shivered slightly.
"N-no," I heard him whisper quietly. I turned to look at him as his eyes twitched and scrunched. A nightmare.
"Roxas." I turned suddenly and shut the door after Axel was strapped in. "I'll take Axel's motorcycle home, so take Kairi, and Naminé will drive my car back, okay?" Hayner explained, and I nodded. I got in the driver's seat and waited for Naminé and Kairi to return with our things from the locker room. I looked to the seat beside me and moved Axel's head back to the upright position as he whispered quietly in his sleep.
Did he usually have nightmares? Maybe if I just~
No, I don't care. Stop it! I can't care about him.
"Roxas!" I looked up and unlocked the car so Kairi could get in. She leaned forward and stroked Axel's hair affectionately while I tried my hardest not to be jealous of her touching Axel.
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Axel's POV
It hurt to move. It hurt to try to open my eyes. Hell, it hurt to hurt! I drifted in and out of sleep, each time finding someone different sitting next to me. This time when I came to, I felt a warm hand in mine and something cold on my head. I tried cracking my eyes and found that the light wasn't as blinding as it had been before, like someone had the courtesy to dim the lights. I tried focusing, and for a moment I thought I saw someone I was sure was dead.
"Jess?" I croaked, and the head turned to me.
"No, try again," I heard. The voice started out just like hers, but morphed into a different one, a more comforting one. The long hair I thought I saw was really just a shadow, and because of the lack of light in the room, the hair looked darker. "Axel?" the voice questioned, and I made out two beautiful, sapphire colored eyes.
"Roxas…" I trailed off, looking at him with a light smile. I totally blew the 'be a dick' out of my head and felt truly safe and happy. His smile soon melted into a scowl, and I began to regret waking up to see him here.
"You're an idiot, you know that?" he said. "Scared us all half to death, asshole," he cursed. I felt the cold sensation around my head shift, and he stood up. "Just lay down, I'll get your daughter," he said bitterly before leaving my side. As much as I hated it, I felt alone again.
I remembered watching Roxas and then falling off the treadmill, but after that, it's all a blur. All I know is Roxas was concerned and actually cared when he tried to help me at the gym.
"Dad!" I looked over slowly, trying not to dizzy myself as Xion hugged me as I laid on the couch. "I was so worried! Why didn't you wear the emergency cord or anything? What were you thinking?" she bombarded me. I sighed and patted her head gently.
"Later, dear," I sighed. "Daddy feels sick and tired," I said, and she crawled onto my chest and laid down on top of me. I placed a hand on her back and closed my eyes, ready to take a rest.
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3rd Person POV
"Well, Alec, you look good in orange," the cold voice chuckled.
"Well, I'm surprised it took you this long to visit," Alec responded. His hands were handcuffed behind him, and he sat at a table in a small, windowless room.
"They don't trust you out and about, huh?" the other questioned Alec, rising from his seat.
"Nope, apparently I can corrupt quite easily. I'm surprised they let me have any visitors at all," Alec chuckled to himself quietly. The other man turned and stood behind Alec, placing his hands in his pockets.
"It is rather shocking," he started, "The Boss of the underworld from Twilight Town all the way to Agrabah. I probably would have given you a worse sentence," the man said. Alec huffed and narrowed his eyes.
"That bastard child of mine was convinced death would be too good for me and so was the jury," he explained. "Death would be better than this torture, I can assure you that," Alec said sadly. The other placed a hand on his right shoulder and sighed.
"That may be true, old friend, so I guess I can give you my gift early if that's how you feel," he said, pulling out his left hand from his pocket. In his hand was a shiny, silver blade.
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Axel's POV
"Hey." I opened my eyes slowly as Xion held my ringing phone in my hand. "It's an unrecognized number," she told me. I groggily took it from her hand and pressed the call button.
"Hello?" I asked tiredly, wondering how long I had been asleep.
"Axel Lea?" the voice said from the other end.
"Yes, may I ask who's calling?" I questioned.
"This is Chief Kelly of the Twilight Town Police Station. I'm afraid I have some troubling news," he said, and my blood turned cold. Was something wrong with my adoptive parents, Cecil and Snow? Or maybe something happened to Marluxia and Larxene? What about Zexion and Demyx?
"Yes? What is it?" I asked impatiently. Xion picked up on my worried tone and grabbed my open hand.
"Your biological father, Alec Jackson…was found dead in his cell today," he told me. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to absorb the news. My voice was on autopilot, and I thanked the man before hanging up. Kairi walked into the room after Xion called for her. My hands were shaking, and my heart felt strange.
The man who ruined my mother's life, drove her to insanity, and made my life a living hell was…dead? Impossible. Alec just didn't… Should I be happy or sad? The man ruined my life, the way I saw people and acted. I hated him with all my heart for what he did. I told Kairi, and soon I ended up telling all the others, even Roxas. I hated my father and had wished so many times growing up that he would just die.
But why can't I stop the tears rolling down my cheeks?
Dun Dun DUN! Tell me who saw that coming. Sorry Roxas is being such a dick at times, but I made him sorta nice when Axel had his epic fail. Inspiration for that came from when I almost fell off a treadmill when I was distracted in gym class. The Weather Channel can do that to ya! Reviews are the fuel to the fire that is Saving Roxas.