Okay guys, I'm so sorry about the wait. I've been really stressed out lately, and I nearly had a mental breakdown, so I had to take a break for a while. But I'm back with more yummy AkuRoku goodness. Anyway, here you go, Chapter 3 of Sanctuary!
Also, watch for the second chapter of House of Sorrow!
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Chapter 3
The next morning, Roxas was up at the crack of dawn. He could never really sleep anyway, but at least he always tried to stay in bed until sunrise. Realizing he still had at least three hours before school started, he decided to go see Xion.
She was sitting up in her bed, reading a book. Clockwork Angel, the first book in the Infernal Devices series.
"I think Tessa should end up with Jem. But I have a feeling she'll pick Will." she said when he walked in. Roxas had already read the book, enjoying the series himself, and couldn't help but agree with her.
"Absolutely. I found it kind of funny how Magnus mention black hair and blue eyes being his favorite. That fits Alec perfectly." He replied, naming characters from the adjoining Mortal Instruments series. Xion laughed.
"Yeah, I caught that too. Anyway, what brings you to my lair, little boy." asked Xion. Roxas scowled.
"Hey, I'm 7 minutes older than you." he said. Xion smiled.
"Whatever. What's wrong? Nightmares again?" she asked. Roxas shook his head.
"No. For the first time in five years, I had a good dream." he replied. Xion raised an eyebrow.
"What did you dream about?" she asked. Roxas mumbled something.
"What was that? Didn't quite hear you." Xion said. Roxas sighed.
"Axel." he replied. Xion smiled.
"You had a dream about Axel?" she asked. Roxas nodded.
"Aw, that's so cute. You're falling for him." she said. Roxas scowled.
"Am not!" he replied. Xion shrugged.
"Whatever you say." she replied simply. Then she stood up and walked towards Roxas, smiling.
"I can tell. Just wait and see."
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Roxas was just about to leave when the phone rang.
"Hart residence, Roxas speaking." he answered.
"How formal." said a voice on the other end. Roxas frowned.
"Axel? Why are you calling me before school?" he asked. He heard Axel laugh.
"Well, I unfortunately won't be at school today, but I wanted to invite you and the rest of your family over tonight. This time my mother says it's okay. She'll be here too, so she wants to meet your parents." he said. Roxas grimaced.
"Uh…well…I'll find out about that. My…my parents won't be able to come though, they're…not here, so Cloud is with us. Anyway, I'll call you later and give my reply." he said.
"Alright. Talk to you later." Axel replied. Roxas nodded to himself.
"Yeah, bye." he hung up. Roxas sighed deeply.
"Damn it." he mumbled.
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Roxas, as usual, was at school early. There was nobody in his hall, except for a couple making out on a bench at the end of the hall. As Roxas got closer he froze. He suddenly realized just who the couple was.
One of them was Sora, and the other…was Riku!
"Sora…!" Roxas squeaked before he could stop himself. Sora leaped away from Riku, staring at Roxas.
"Roxas! I…I can…uh…" he choked out. Roxas, blushing immensely, turned and left, but not before mumbling "It's alright. You can continue."
Sora watched him go, then turned back to Riku, who smiled.
"You wanna go after him?" he asked. Sora shrugged.
"Nah, I'll talk to him later. Now, where were we?" he asked. Riku smiled.
"Oh, I think I remember."
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Roxas knocked on Axel's door for the second time this week. This time, however, his whole family was with him. The door opened, and Demyx smiled out at everyone.
"About time! Oh, you brought pie!" he exclaimed, leading them inside. Sora and Kairi were laughing. Cloud was shaking his head. They all entered the kitchen, and Roxas immediately smelled delicious cooking. He could see pasta cooking in a pot, and in another was thick red sauce. He could also smell the distinct scent of chicken.
"Oh, my goodness, you're early." she said, noticeably happier than last time. She walked over and shook Cloud's hand. "Renee Ember." she said. Cloud nodded politely.
"Cloud Strife. I would be their older brother." he replied. Renee nodded, smiling softly. It was so comforting, Roxas nearly forgot the frightening woman he had seen the night before. Now that he looked closer, he did notice the blue tattoos under her eyes.
"It's unfortunate your parents couldn't make it. Where are they?" she asked. Cloud seemed to tense up, and he threw a quick glance Roxas' way. He shrugged.
"They're out of town for a while. Cloud's watching us." Xion said. Cloud and Roxas silently thanked her, and Renee nodded.
"Oh well, another time perhaps. Anyway, I'm making chicken parmesan. I hope you like it!" she said. Roxas and Sora stared, drooling at the though of such delicious food.
"If you don't close your mouths we might have to search for higher ground." said Axel, coming down the stairs. He waved happily, and Roxas waved back.
"So, welcome to our humble abode, and to Roxas and Xion, welcome back." Axel said, bowing theatrically. They all laughed, and Axel brought them into the living room. Everyone sat, except Kairi, who was standing next to Lea, flirting with him. He seemed generally amused, and Roxas could tell that Lea liked it. Naminé was sitting with Demyx, who was teaching her how to play a game of cards that could last for hours and only needed two people. Sora was sitting with Cloud, arguing over something, while Roxas was sitting next to Xion on the most comfortable couch in the world. Suddenly Axel dropped himself next to Roxas.
"Hey there Roxie." he said. Roxas frowned.
"Don't call me that." he protested. Axel laughed.
"Sorry, I just thought it was cute." he replied. Roxas rolled his eyes and was about to hurl a well thought out insult at Axel when Renee stepped in.
"Dinner is served!" she called. Everyone stood and rushed to the kitchen, not wanting to waste a single moment they could be spending eating.
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After dinner, Roxas found himself alone on the deck in the backyard. As he was about to turn back to the house, he saw Axel standing in the doorway.
"I thought you might be lonely out here." he said, smiling. Roxas smiled weakly. "Oh come one. That was hardly a smile." Axel said. Roxas couldn't help but laugh. Axel nodded. "Better." he said.
"Is there something you wanted?" Roxas asked. Axel shrugged.
"Not really. Just thought you might like the company." he replied. Roxas smiled.
"Your mom is a really good cook." said Roxas. Axel laughed.
"That she is. I always say 'If you can find better food, then you're in France.' Actually, she makes good French food too, so I guess that doesn't work." he said. This time Roxas laughed. Axel smiled.
"I've always wanted to try escargot." said Roxas. Axel laughed again.
"Snails? They're not actually that bad. Especially when they're smothered in cheese and garlic. They have some at a new restaurant downtown. I'll take you sometime." he said. Roxas blushed a little at the thought of Axel treating him to snails. Then he laughed. The whole idea of it was kind of ridiculous.
"Sounds good." Roxas said. Axel smiled.
"Great." he replied.
"Roxas! Time to go!" called Cloud from inside. Roxas sighed.
"Guess that's my cue. See you later Axel." he said, turning to go. Then his foot caught on a loose board and he tripped. Axel grabbed his arm, spinning him around to lift him back up.
Roxas wasn't sure how it happened, but he ended up with Axel's arms around him. The red haired boy looked down at him for one second, then bent down and kissed Roxas.
Roxas didn't even think. He didn't hesitate. He just kissed back.
A knock at the glass doors snapped them back to reality. Roxas whipped his head around, ready to see Cloud staring at him. Instead he saw Xion. She was smiling, giving a thumbs up. Roxas heard Axel chuckle. Then Xion made a 'hurry up' gesture, and walked away.
"Well…that was interesting." Axel said. Roxas blushed deeply, then started walking towards the door.
"Night, Axel." he said. Axel sighed.
"Night Roxas." he said back. But Roxas was already gone.
"Damn. I hope that wasn't a mistake."
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Roxas went to his room the second they got home. His lips were still tingling. Axel had kissed him. And he had kissed back.
And as much as Roxas hated to admit it, it felt good. Maybe Xion was right. Maybe he was falling for Axel.
Only time would tell though. Tomorrow he would go to school, and see what Axel did. Then he would decide what to do next.
Despite his intense anxiousness, Roxas fell asleep quickly. And for the second time in five years, Roxas had a good dream. A dream about Axel. About Axel kissing him.
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Aw, how cute. Anyway, please review! I need reviews!
