Commenced With Lust and a Desire With Love
Chapter Four; Paying Your Debt Is Always Best
Disclaimer; I do not own any of these characters or make any profit off this. Kingdom Hearts belongs to Square Enix or whoever else.
slender-raven
The next day, Seifer wanted to mentally punch himself in the face.
He was strolling down the main roads of Twilight Town, his head lifted ever so slightly towards the sky. His green eyes seemed to be in a daze by any bystander. He wasn't the type so walk around day dreaming. Usually he would walk with his head straight forward, willing to look anyone in the face if they were to look back at his. But today was different and it was because of yesterday. He had done something he had never imagined himself doing.
'What was I thinking?' He inquired silently but the question was humming around in his head the whole day.
The older blonde had helped someone, and not just anyone, but a rival. But then again, could he even call him a rival? Hayner was the only one who seemed to actually stand up for their gang aside from the occasional brunette, Olette, popping her head in. That chubby boy, Pence, was usually pretty quiet when around him too but when Seifer had seen the four of them all hanging around each other, he was an avid participant too. But Roxas was usually at the back, just observing the group, making the occasional comment.
'But what do I know? He could be the leader behind closed doors,' Seifer stopped his thoughts momentarily, thinking that was a bit of an over statement, 'But still...'
The green-eyed teen clenched his fists gently, not enough to make his knuckles white just yet. He couldn't help but be irritated. He didn't mind losing the munny, he could always get some more. But to actually reach out his hand to help them? No, he wasn't that heartless. He probably would have helped anyone, if they had looked pathetic enough and Roxas's demeanor was close to that the other day.
Seifer scoffed softly, feeling even more irked just by the thought of the boy. It's not like he had any kind of liking towards the other teen. He refused to believe that.
He couldn't have been happier that Rai and Fuu hadn't been around him today. He was busy with all this thinking and all he would have probably would have heard a bunch of questions as to why he was so quiet. Even the town around him seemed to go about quietly questioning as to why the older teen was being this way. Not that he could even notice, since his thoughts were flooded with yesterday's events.
Growing in even more frustration of his self conflict, he shoved his hands into his pockets and marched down to the sandlot. Maybe someone would be down there that deserved a good beating, someone he could take his anger out on because not only was Roxas the thing making him annoyed, but the heat wasn't helping either. His forehead was soaked in sweat and the only wind that cooling him down was the air he passed as he hurried his strides down to the sandlot.
In about ten minutes, he made it to his destination. By the time he had gone down there, he had taken the beanie hat off of his head, folded and stuffed into his pocket. His blonde hair was in a mess from how many times he had pushed his hair back, trying to get the beads of sweat on his forehead out of his face. But in no less than a minute, the dampness would return. Also, his head was beginning to itch from all the sweat and he was thinking that he probably should have just stayed home.
Seifer almost would have turned around and walked back, thinking the idea of beating the crap out of someone while he was already sweating would just leave him soaked. But as soon as he stepped into the empty sandlot, it turned out to be so not empty. Someone was laying on the ground, near one the benches, inches away from the shade that the buildings brought. For a moment, he expected it to be the few weirdoes around this town that /liked/ sleeping in desert temperatures. But as he took a few steps closer, with the figure in a bit more detail, his green eyes widened.
"What the hell? ...Roxas?!"
It had been hot, just so incredibly hot. Roxas knew the temperatures were rising in this town just about every day during summer. He should have just gone straight home after meeting up with his friend's at the usual spot. It was a quick meeting and decided not to do anything with heavy activity, but doing just about anything in this sun was close to unbearable. But no, he didn't want to waste his day and decided to explore any bits of the town today that he hadn't for a while.
He remembered after walking through the whole town twice, he was close to passing out. The sandy blonde haired boy had then decided to walk back home and wanted to get there the fastest way, which was to cut through the open sandlot and scurry past the narrow, shady alleyways. However, even walking through that bare area, fully warmed to the sun, was like walking into a furnace...Actually that may have been pushing it. But it was still enough to make him just want to walk a couple more ten steps and he'd be in between the cooled buildings.
But that hadn't worked out either. He was already feeling as he was, and any lingering thoughts to recent events weren't the problem this time and he couldn't have been happier than that. He remembered his eyes shutting promptly and when they opened back up, it was as if he blind. It took several seconds to focus before his knees buckled and gave out, falling to the ground and into darkness for the second time this week.
Barely awakening, the sandy haired boy twisted his head around, shifting his neck around benignly. There was a slight edged bump in the crook of his neck, but at least he was now out of the unendurable heat. It still had a warm sensation to it, but it was nothing he couldn't stand in. His overall position wasn't at all comfortable, aside from the slight cushion to his head. His body was just lying straight onto something firm, like concrete. But it honestly didn't bother him too much. As long as he was in the nice, cool shade, he would be just fine.
That is until the boy felt the ice cold splash of water in his face. His eyes flew open as soon as he felt the chill on his skin. Some of the water leaked into his mouth and nostrils, causing him to start coughing viciously. In only a few moments, he regained himself and looked around to see who the one who disrupted his relaxation was. But before he spun around, he had expected it to be one of his friends, trying to play the occasional trick on him. But as he did, he felt his heart almost miss a beat in fear and shock.
"Did you have a nice nap, loser?"
Nothing had even happened yet, and Roxas already wanted to slap his forehead in exhaustion, 'Who else would it be?'
Seifer sat across from Roxas, his legs folded under one another and with a dripping water bottle in his hand. His hat was off of his head as it had been before and his hair was still in shambles. They were both sitting behind the huge bulletin board and lucky enough to be in the shady spot between the buildings and the large board. The older teen leaned against the stiff board, staring at the boy in a humorous way. His lips were barely twitched upwards, but a grin was still noticeable, "It was about time you got up anyway."
"What do you want?" Roxas inquired in apparent annoyance, wiping his chin down to get rid of the beads of water that were tickling his face.
Seifer didn't look the littlest bit stung by the obvious irritation in his voice, "Would you have preferred to been baking out in the sun?"
"What are you talking--," As the younger teen thought back to before he had waken up, his sentence came to a halt. He remembered walking into the Sandlot and then passing out...in the sun, "…Oh, that."
Roxas brought his knees up to this chest, folding his arms onto his legs and laying his chin down on them for support. But as he did that, he felt a sudden sting in his arms where he had put his head. He looked down to his forearms and frowned as he saw how red his arms were. He didn't imagine that he would have gotten sunburn so easily or quickly and just looking at it made it hurt even more.
Seifer still sat where he was, examining the young teen in front of him who was too busy wincing at the pain on his arms to even notice that he was being watched, "Yeah, you got pretty burnt."
The sandy haired teen looked up from his aching arms, noticing that they actually didn't hurt as much when we didn't look at them, "How long was I out?"
The blonde teen shrugged, "Like I would know."
Roxas almost rolled his eyes, but was afraid of how he might have taken that physical response. He almost had to wonder if Seifer was the one to bring him to shade. Or maybe he was lying out in the sun, someone else had found him and put him in the shade, and Seifer was just stopping by to torment him. There was quite a bit of possibilities but maybe he should just ask for himself because he shamefully admitted in his head that talking with Seifer without any insults in every sentence was probably a pleasure to anyone.
"So...W-were you the one that, you know ...'saved' me?" He used the word carefully, because he always imagined saying that to someone to have actually saved him from like a bus speeding down the street.
However, Seifer didn't seem too troubled by the question. He took a sip out of the almost empty water bottle before answering, "Maybe I was, and maybe I wasn't."
Roxas grimaced; he shouldn't have expected to have him to take the question seriously. He sighed exasperatedly, turning his gaze away from him. He was getting no where with him and he thought maybe he should just give up.
But maybe...Just maybe...
As a small idea sparked into his head, he bit his lip hesitantly. He felt his body become slightly warmer than before, "Well, if you were...," The words were usually hard to say with people you weren't on good terms with, and Seifer wasn't any different, "...T-thank you."
If Roxas had been able to see sudden look of shock on the opposite's face, he may have chuckled. Seifer was taken back by the thanks, and it hadn't been that he had never been thanked before or anything. If he ever did anything nice for anyone, which was a surprise of its own, they would thank him. But it was simply because it was from Roxas. He forced a gulp down his throat, trying to utter any words to say back to him, "...I've been saving your butt a lot lately, haven't I?"
Roxas turned his eyes back to Seifer, and he couldn't help the small, dumb grin on his lips. 'So, it was him.' He was almost relieved and pictured the thought of his rival possibly carrying him over to the shade. There could have been so many different ways to do that too. Maybe he had thrown him over his shoulder? Dragged him across the concrete (Roxas became a little paranoid, hoping that the sun was the only thing that made him arms so red...)? Or maybe even bridal style? The younger teen wondered why he felt a little roused by the last suggestion.
Seifer sat there, waiting for an answer, even though he wasn't exactly looking for one. His eyebrow quirked and watched as the boy's face turned the faintest hue of red. 'What is he thinking?' He wondered and thought of the only way to get the boy's attention. He threw the plastic water bottle at Roxas, hitting him in the shin gently, "Are you there, loser?"
It had most certainly got his attention as he looked up, and remembered he still had a question to answer, "Y-yeah, I guess so." Then it didn't take him long to remember that Seifer had just given him munny the other day too. His eyes widened now in realization, now hoping that Seifer hadn't saved him. He was sure he owed him twice as much now and Seifer wouldn't let him live it down either until his end of the bargain was finished. Maybe he should just stay quiet about it...
"Oh yeah, I gave you some cash the other day too," The older blonde said as if he had just remembered then looking at Roxas suspiciously, "You went to the beach, right?"
Roxas wasn't sure exactly what to say, but was relieved he didn't say anything about owing him anything. He cleared his throat quietly, finding it a bit difficult to talk now, "N-no, we didn't..." Out of curiosity, he looked up to him and saw Seifer's face twisted in a very clear irritation, "B-but I didn't spend the money on anything else, I promise!"
The other's face softened, but he still looked annoyed, "Then what did you do with it?"
"W-well...," He figured it would be best not to lie, picturing Seifer the type who knew everyone's business and if you lied, he would know, "Like you said the other day, I - you - gave me enough for myself but the other three still didn't make enough money so we couldn't go today. We were going to go do some extra jobs today, but it was hot. But I..."
"...Do not tell me the reason you were out today was because you were working." The older blonde queried, which could have been replicated in the same was as 'why would you do that?'
Roxas's lips were painted in the same foolish smile as he had only a few moments ago, letting out a small chortle, "Yeah, sort of," He looked down, contemplating that his black and red sneakers would be safer to look at, "It just felt like, y' know, cheating..." As he finished the sentence, he humorously thought that he may have sounded too much like Rai.
The older, more blonde teen still sat there in silence, rolling his eyes as soon as Roxas looked back at him. Even though he seemed to be reflecting the whole conversation and was about to say something lengthily, he answered with a short, "Whatever."
Roxas glowered, getting the idea that Seifer would probably do that to just about anyone. Sighing, he wondered why he hadn't gotten up and let it all just end there. But something was tugging at him, like the idea of the rival doing two good things to him and he hadn't repaid him. He bit his lip in frustration of what to say. Should he let it slide and live like nothing had even happened? Or would he return the favor? It's not like he had to agree to do anything too drastic, "So, about you helping me these days..."
"What of it?" He answered nonchalantly, tilting his head back and looking into a direction that didn't have Roxas in his eyes.
"Do I owe you something?"
Seifer's head lifted slowly back up to it's original spot, and he didn't look phased at all, "Do you really want to?"
The smaller teen jumbled the answer around his head for a few seconds, "Yeah, I guess."
"Be my slave." Seifer smirked, not as his answer, but that Roxas's eyes became so large with shock.
The opposite became flustered, clasping his hands together and twiddling his thumbs together in a nervous manner that only satisfied Seifer even more. Roxas's eyebrows narrowed and his lips were twisted in a frown, "I-isn't there anything else...?"
The shade of red on Roxas's cheeks made Seifer's face soften, snorting as he answered, "That was a joke, stupid," his eyes narrowed and he smiled, but more smug than endearing, "But if there's nothing else..."
"I am not being your slave." The other boy asked, his face stiff and eyebrows quirked in bother.
"Shut up, I said that was a joke, remember? It's a boring idea anyway, having you do everything I tell you. I prefer to see your reactions." As he completed the sentence, Roxas could have sworn he saw his eyebrows lift for moment, as if he was planning to do things to get a reaction out of him, "But, I guess I do have something in my mind."
Roxas could feel himself scooting backward. The other teen looked too calm for this to be good, when he would usually seem more sinister in his words and features. He was much too reluctant to ask, but he did anyway, "And what would that be...?"
Seifer suddenly became puzzled. He had the answer in his head, but should he had actually say it? 'It's not like he will take it seriously anyway.' Swallowing any feelings of apprehension, he opened his mouth to speak, "How about a good ol' peck on the lips?" Behind his adamant exterior, he was actually calling himself stupid so many times in his head. That was not the right approach at all.
Roxas on the other hand, looked far from calm. His face hadn't turned as crimson as expected, but it was still noticeable. His heart was beating a little faster too, "A-are you serious?" He knew he had heard right and didn't need to ask for a repetition.
Seifer could feel his face warming up but he wasn't so sure it was turning any shade of color (that, or he was in denial). The situation was becoming more awkward but he couldn't just leave it hanging, that was not the type of person he was, he always had to finish things. He stared Roxas in the eyes, making sure to look as if it was no big deal to him, "Yeah, we're not going to end up frenching or something."
"But...why?"
"Look, do you want me to think of something /worse/?" The eldest teen said, feeling quite miffed. Couldn't Roxas just get through this without being so difficult? But he shouldn't have really cared anyway. He wasn't the only one making a fuss out of this. He knew there was only one real way out of this very awkward situation. He forced his lips to twist into an almost amused expression and pushed a laugh out of his throat, "…Hah! Did you actually think I was serious? Just forget about all of that, okay? I just wanted to see how you reacted."
He closed his eye promptly, just desiring some sort of magician make that scene disappear. He couldn't apprehend why he was thinking this way. As his green eyes opened, they expanded just as fast with his head even dart backwards too. Roxas was right in front of Seifer; his arms spread open and on both sides of the other's bent legs. His face was around a foot away from Seifer's, but even that distance was enough that they both knew they were too close in each other's personal space.
"Just what are you trying to pull?" Seifer scowled as he questioned him.
"H-hey, this is what you wanted, right?"
"I said to just forget about it. I just wanted to see your dumb reaction." The blonde teen began to glare straight into Roxas's eyes, which were still surprisingly fixed on his eyes too.
"But then what else am I—!"
"Fine, then just do it!"
They were both silent and stationed still next to each other. Even though Roxas was unsure of what to do, he pushed his face nearly centimeters away from Seifer's lips before closing his eyes. He wondered how dumb he might have looked, how hard he was trying to make it seem like a real kiss. He swallowed hard in his throat, deciding to sneak a peek just before he would continue on.
Roxas had presumed that Seifer's eyes would be open, just to at least have the satisfaction of seeing him putting effort in trying to really repay him. But as soon as Roxas slipped an eye opened, both eyes widened when he saw the one in front of him with his eyes closed as well. His cheeks dusted in a light shade of pink out of surprise and embarrassment.
'N-no way! Is he really taking this seriously?' Roxas thought to himself inquisitively.
"…Are you going to do go through with this or what?!" The smaller one flinched, startled as Seifer snapped at him.
"Uh…y-yeah…" He trailed off, closing his eyes again and leaning forward, '…He must be planning something.'
As Roxas continued to push his grip and head forward into the other teen's space, he stopped abruptly as he heard small sounds from behind the bulletin board. He didn't really assume anything at first, keeping his eyes shut and trying to focus on the impatient teen in front of him.
He could hear Seifer give a slight groan as he whispered out, "Ugh, you're the slowest--"
"Not here either? I thought he at least be here, y' know."
Roxas and Seifer's eyes bulged as they heard the all too familiar voice, both turning their heads around in painful angles just to make sure no one could see them. The most they could see were the exaggerated, long shadows of the muscular teen.
"Vacation?" Another recognizable voice spoke up as well.
Seifer felt his body freeze instantly, slapping his hand quietly against his forehead, 'You've got be kidding me…'
"You don't think he would really leave without saying anything, would he? That's messed up, y' know!"
Seifer was uncomfortable enough as it was, and he could tell Roxas was just as scared as he was with how tight he was holding on to him--
Yeah, that was still a problem.
The older teen didn't want to risk getting caught by saying anything, so he tried as gingerly as he could to ease him off of him. He caught his attention as soon as he gripped on his arm, Roxas looking up at his face in just as much fear and humiliation as he was a minute ago. The shorter teen tried as well as he could to try and push off him without making any noise. They both would freeze as they heard the shuffling of their clothes in between their meager movements.
As soon as they both up on their feet and a good distance from each other, Seifer glared at Roxas, pointing his finger to the ground and mouthing the words, "Don't move at all." Roxas didn't even want to move from his spot, but just watched as the taller teen shuffled quickly from behind the bulletin board and out into the roundabout.
It seemed as soon as he was free into the circle, the two noticed him instantaneously. Rai bustled over to him while Fuu took her time, but in her own way, she seemed just as delighted.
"Hey, buddy!"
"Uh, hey there, guys." He said without a stutter, but his tone had still been hesitant enough for the two of them to notice, their eyebrows cocking upwards in bewilderment.
"Is something the matter, dude? And why were you hiding behind there? We were looking everywhere for you!"
"Worried." Although she had been speaking about the very emotion, her visage said otherwise.
"H-huh..?" Seifer attempted to pleat his words together and was trying his hardest to not tilt his head to just make sure out of the corner of his eye to make sure that Roxas wasn't and did not move at all from his place, "…It was just pretty hot out today. I couldn't find you guys either so I just hung around over there, you know, in the shade."
He had really hoped they were buying it because from the way that they glanced at each other, faces twisted in a combination of disbelief and even something that looked like worry, he couldn't tell. They stared back him, silent until the utterly quiet girl spoke up, "…Suspicious."
Seifer had honestly been somewhat taken back by that, but tried to keep his composure as collected as he could. He rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in a way that he tried to make himself seem more like a leader than a child who was pouting, "Whatever. Believe what you want. But I'm out of here," He walked directly between the two of them, not giving any precision to where he was going. All he knew was that he wanted to get away from this place now.
Even though their leader was giving off the vibes that he didn't them, they glanced back each other before turning back towards Seifer. Rai was first to run after him, "Wait, Seifer! At least let me buy you a soda or something'!"
Just as Fuu was about to follow behind the two, a sound trickled through her ears. Her head angled backwards quickly, but didn't see anything or hear the sound again. It was a mixture; one between a set of footsteps and gravel twirling on the concrete. Even as Rai and she had entered the Sandlot, it was as if she had been aware of a presence other than just the two of them and Seifer.
Her lips parted, breathing in sharply before breathing back out to whisper something to herself--
"Hey, Fuu! You comin' or what?"
The distinct voice brought her out of her trance, turning back in their direction. She didn't have a need to shake her head in incredulity before speeding off after them.
Just because she didn't have answers yet didn't mean that she was wrong.
A/N: Annnnd that seems like a good place to stop! I should really be giving you guys a longer chapter for being gone so long. I never really stopped working on this, I just didn't know how to write some certain things out. Even now I'm still not too pleased with the result, haha. I noticed some things were messed up in the last chapter but this is just a fanfic. You can get over it~ Feel free to critique if you want (more so on the writing and not spelling errors. I'm too lazy to actually go back and fix all those up).