"Thank you so much for you hospitality," Roxas said, his legs under the warmth of the family's kotatsu. Axel, Marluxia, and Reno looked at him.
"You're so well mannered," Reno smiled. "You must have a very nice family." Marluxia nodded in agreement to his brother's statement. Roxas eyes, which were regaining a nice blue color, averted up and he stared at the disbelievingly. He sighed and set his glass of milk down.
"Yeah," the blonde said, forcing a smile. "My family is so nice." He picked up his milk and looked away, taking a sip of it as his mind wandered off. Axel watched him, none of Roxas' strange habits going unnoticed. There was something wrong with the boy. He's so young, but he seemed so troubled.
Sora and Riku came back into the house wielding similar wooden swords. They fought each other playfully and giggled Sora accidentally fell backwards. Riku took the younger boy's hand and he pulled him up, continuing to hold his hand. They stared at each other for a few minutes before sitting at the table and talking.
Reno and Marluxia looked at each other and laughed, "Young love," Marluxia said, receiving a nod from Reno. Roxas stood up, looking absolutely horrified, the hairs on his neck stood slightly as the cold air hit his once warm legs. He stared and breathed heavily, as if he were recovering from shock.
He turned and tried to hide the quavering in his voice, "I have to go."
Axel observed Roxas and he frowned. He stood and looked at him, "Hey now, why don't you come and stay the night. Sora too? Huh?" The blonde turned to look at Axel, his face somewhat sullen. He shook his head, tears trying so desperately to force themselves out.
"No. Sora can, but no for me." Roxas jerked his arm away and rushed out of the house. Axel watched him and frowned, something was definitely wrong.
Roxas went back home and sat on the couch. He closed his eyes and let the tears stain his cheeks. He knew this was going to happen. When Sora would make better friends, friends that were more like himself. Roxas knew he'd be left alone again. Left alone for the rest of his life. He doubled over and hugged himself, his breath hitching.
"Why...Sora..."
"Why what?" the familiar brunette's voice chimed, interrupting Roxas' thoughts. Roxas looked back at him, cracking a weak smile.
He wiped the tears and shook his head slightly. "It's nothing."
Sora frowned and walked to him, sitting next to his blonde twin. "Roxas...why are you always sad?" he asked, stroking his brother's cheek.
Roxas looked away and stood up, "Just go play with your new friend. I have homework to do." He got up and started towards the stairs, walking up each stair with caution. Sora watched him, taking note of his carefulness. He bit his lip and stood up, standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Roxas...why do you have owies all over. Does someone pick on you?" Sora asked, clenching his fists. "I'll hurt whoever hurts you!"
Roxas stopped and laughed, his back still facing Sora. He shook his head, his laughs getting louder as they drawled out. "Sora. No you wouldn't. You wouldn't." He got to the top of the stairs, "No one is hurting me. I'm fine, so drop it already!" Sora shook his head, narrowing his eyes.
"Roxas! Tell me if someone is hurting you. You are not a clumsy person!"
"Yes I am!" Roxas looked down at him and he frowned, narrowing his eyes. "Sora. Go play with you new friend, I'm fine! I don't need you to protect me!" he yelled.
Sora was quiet his bottom lip quivered and he began to cry. Roxas watched him from the top of the stairs, "Hey...Sora..." he softened his voice. "Sora I'm sor-" he suddenly gasped as an unseen force pushed him, making him teeter at the stairs. He turned so his back was facing Sora again and he saw his mom, smiling sadistically down at him. He reached out for her as his balance was lost, but she didn't so much as flinch.
Sora screamed, covering his mouth. He caught Roxas as he came down and he held his blonde brother's limp immobile body. "Roxas! Roxas wake up!" he yelled, shaking Roxas several times. "Mom! Roxas fell!" he cried, stroking his brother's bleeding cheek.
Their mother took her time down the stairs, taking in the sight of the blood that had stained the white carpeting on the stairs. She grinned and took Roxas into her arms, staring at him. "He just needs rest. He's fine. He's sleeping.
Sora watched her carry Roxas upstairs. His legs collapsed under him and he layed his head on the stairs, crying Roxas' name.