Stockholm Syndrome

A/n: For Adrianne

Chapter Four

xXx

The blond couldn't relax as Axel held him. He was restless, because, even though he was more comfortable because his arms weren't above his head, the red-head was holding him.

Roxas stared at Axel for a long time as he slept. He didn't like the man, in fact, he hated him for everything he'd done, especially for how he'd touched him, but, that delicate line of trust he'd somehow managed to gain was a thin thread that he didn't want to snap. He'd decided that he'd do whatever he had to, to get out of this nightmare, even if he had to pretend, and be obedient to fool the red-head.

He closed his eyes, feeling guilty that some of his raw hatred had been somehow diminished. Tears slid down his cheeks as he thought of his family, his friends, his dreams, and how they'd all been taken away. He held onto that loss, letting it fill the void that had been left behind, because it was even worse than his hatred and was far more motivating.

His eyes fell on Axel again. He didn't understand why the red-head suddenly seemed to be concerned about him. He'd made it clear previously that Roxas was just some plaything-. His thoughts halted. That was why. He didn't want his new toy to die yet. Roxas frowned, but considered everything he knew about the red-head carefully. Most importantly, he knew that he thought he was beautiful, and he'd use it to his full advantage.

Still, the kindness he'd been shown today was puzzling him. He was further confused by his own positive opinions of the red-head that had crept into his head when he'd been unaware, mostly because they wouldn't leave him alone. They sat there, like a festering wound, eating at him and it made him feel so guilty. He should never ever think such things toward somebody so vile.

Yet… he had more insight as to how the red-head was and some of that very insight made the blond feel sorry for Axel. He supposed that Axel had had a hard life, made worse by a lack of both love and direction. He doubted that the red-head had ever had anyone who had truly cared about him.

He also based that opinion on the fact that everything the red-head owned was… basic, like it would have been if he'd grown up in those conditions. There was nothing that truly gave any clues as to what Axel's personality was like. The bed was big enough for two people, and judging by its size, Roxas assumed that it was a full. The comforter was black, and the sheets were grey and the rest of the one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment was equally colorless. Even Axel's wardrobe matched. The only bit of color that Roxas had seen so far, apart from the red-head himself, was the blanket covering them.

Axel didn't think that Roxas understood him at all, but Roxas knew that he knew more than Axel thought he did. He was certain that there was more to him, of course, but that knowledge took the razor sharp edge off of his fear… and if he wasn't so afraid, he knew that he could do a much better job of pulling himself together, to get through this.

xXx

Axel woke, surprised to see that the blond hadn't moved an inch when he'd been so adamant about wanting to escape just a few days ago. He stared at the boy. He'd never expected him to be such an interesting little puzzle or to bring so much color into his dull life in such a short time. More importantly, he'd never been so unsure over anything. He frowned and then rolled onto his back, his arm still under Roxas. He was feeling that stirring again, that thawing of his cold heart and he didn't particularly care for it.

With a sigh, he pulled away, his movements careful and precise so that he wouldn't wake the boy. He made his way to the kitchen, boiling some water in a pot. When it was done, he poured half into a mug, to make tea and with the rest, made oatmeal for when Roxas woke up. He needed to eat something more than grapes.

He'd just added sugar to his tea and was about to take a drink when he heard his name being called. Axel took a drink then set it down before making his way back to the bedroom. He opened the pocket door and it slid seamlessly into the wall.

"What." The blond reddened.

"I… need to go to the bathroom…" Axel had noticed that the boy would try to hold out until he couldn't wait any longer, because he disliked being watched so much. He smiled wryly.

"Well then, let's go." Roxas said nothing as he was drug to his feet and then to the bathroom. Axel missed it. Roxas used the bathroom and Axel watched. Such had become their routine. He frowned at the thought of falling into a routine, deciding to change it up a little bit.

When Roxas was done, instead of going to the kitchen, Axel brought him, gasping, to the counter. That flicker of fear that Axel had missed so much was back in those beautiful blue eyes. Roxas turned back to look at the red-head and Axel immediately gripped the top of the boy's head and made him look into the mirror.

"Watch only," he whispered in the blond's ear. Roxas whimpered, watching as Axel kissed his neck, everything else he'd done to him still raw in his mind. His eyes welled up as he thought of his muffled cries and Axel's complete disregard for him as person as he'd violated him. His lips trembled but he forced himself to slow his breathing. He wouldn't let the red-head see him cry ever again. He'd show him that he'd never break him.

Roxas stared at his reflection. He looked pathetic and helpless as the red-head did as he pleased. He could see the disgust in his eyes but tried to hide it and all of his other emotions from Axel. He refused to be so weak.

"No screaming this time?" Roxas shuddered as the question was breathed into his ear.

"I don't like being gagged," the blond murmured back, staring at his reflection unblinkingly.

"Good, because I don't like gagging you." Roxas blinked.

"You don't?"

"No, I don't."

"Why?" The blond gasped as he was turned around sharply. He froze as Axel kissed him, his back pressing into the counter. When he pulled away, Roxas stared at the floor. "O-oh…"

"Let's go eat."

"Axel wait," Roxas said, as the red-head pulled him along.

"What."

"C-can I take a shower?"

"No. You need to eat."

"I'll eat whatever you give me, as long as I'm not allergic to it if you let me… please."

"I'll think about it, after you eat what I made for you." Roxas nodded in agreement. He knew that the red-head was in control and he didn't want to do anything foolish.

"Alright."

xXx

Axel fed Roxas the oatmeal he'd made earlier, and even though it was cold, the blond didn't complain. Roxas even ate some toast and drank more water… and so Axel decided to oblige him.

The red-head found an old belt that he no longer used, measuring it around Roxas' neck for as tight of a fit possible, but one that wouldn't choke the boy, and then he made the premade hole bigger with a knife. Roxas watched in silence as he opened a drawer, taking out two padlocks and a chain. He stared at them, wondering how many other 'toys' Axel had brought home.

Roxas choked a little as Axel guided the end of the lock through the hole he'd made, the chain, and then the buckle, before clasping it shut. It was tight and uncomfortable, but Roxas didn't complain. Then Axel led the boy into the bathroom once again, locking the other end of the chain to the towel rack. He threw a clean towel next to the bath tub. It was grey and looked like it was stained. Then he pulled the blond close and untied his hands for the first time in days.

"The last person I let take a shower did something foolish," he commented, his gaze travelling down to the stained towel. "I had quite a mess to clean up when I was done with him." His eyes met widened blue ones. "Try not to do the same, Roxas. I don't want to ruin more towels." Roxas' heart pounded wildly as he watched the red-head walk away and close the door behind himself.

xXx

-TBC-

A/n: Liking it still? Please tell me your thoughts.