A/N: Thank you guys for the reviews it really means a lot to me! So here we go with chapter 4!
Chapter 4: Pine Boxes and Dates
Roxas POV
When I woke up the next morning I was warm all over and not from the covers heat. There was a small weight pressing on my side and when I turned over I saw Axel. He had his arm slung over my waist and his face had been buried in my hair.
I knew my face was turning a bright red so I tried to pull away as quietly as I could. Rolling over on the other side he continued to sleep as I quickly got dressed in a pair of black booty shorts and a black mesh top with a halter top blood red halter top underneath. No one was awake as I brushed my teeth and made my way outside. This wasn't happening! I didn't like Axel did I? No, nope of course I didn't!
Pulling my phone out I quickly dialed a potential Sugar Daddy. After promising not to back out again we decided to meet at one of the coffee shops downtown for some breakfast.
His name was Vexen. All I knew about him was that he had blond hair and green eyes. Shouldn't be that hard to find right? I hurried as fast as I could in case anyone in the house was rousing around.
The coffee shop whose name was Organization XIII was a small hole in the wall in downtown Twilight Town. The bell jingled as I made my way in, there were tables and booths set up on the left and right and in the middle of the room there was a small bar. A small sign stood near the entrance that said, Please seat yourself.
Looking around I saw Vexen raise his hand up and wave. He was a thin man with his skin stretched over bone and his cheeks looked as if they had sunk in his face. His hair was long and when he smiled it looked like a predator.
Taking in a deep breath I smiled and made my way over. He was definitely not going to be my new Sugar Daddy. But I would humor him. Sitting down across from him in the cracked leather booth I introduced myself.
"Roxas you're beautiful." Vexen said reaching a pale hand out to grab mine. Oh god his voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard!
"Hi Vexen." I giggled batting my eyelashes. I was no longer the Roxas that Axel and Merlin knew. I was a different Roxas, I was now in Sugar Baby mode. If I didn't get my way I'd pout or threaten to leave and find another Sugar Daddy. Before I had found Merlin I learned a few tricks and now with Merlin... with him... with Merlin gone, it was still so surreal to me that he had passed, I could sharpen my skills some more.
The waitress stopped by and took our drink orders and then our food. As soon as she left Vexen took my other hand in his.
"I'm so glad I could meet you today. I haven't found someone to keep me company as beautiful as you." He said.
"Oh I'd love to keep you company Vexen," I purred, "But if I become your Sugar Baby I want to lay down a few rules. I hope you don't mind." I said widening my eyes so that I looked a bit more innocent. Chewing my bottom lip helped to. Seriously I was going to barf in a minute if I had to continue this stupid charade up for much longer.
"Of course, of course baby tell me what your rules are." Baby? Ok I was seriously going to puke now! Clean up on booth five!
"Well... you see," Here I twirled some of my short hair around my finger as I bit my lip. Looking around I motioned for him to lean in, giggling I breathed, "Mr. Vexen I'm still a virgin. I'm just... I'm not ready yet to have sex."
In truth I really wasn't ready to have sex. Most people probably wouldn't consider me a virgin but I still felt like one. I hadn't asked them to rape me! I didn't want it and I know some people would say that I asked for this somehow. I was kicked out of my house and I had no friends or other family to turn to, what else was I supposed to do?
"That's ok baby. I understand I won't pressure you. But if you ever want to, feel free to ask." He said with a wink. This was disgusting! Why was I still here?
I heard the door open and the bells jingle in the background but I didn't pay much attention. That was a mistake. Had I been paying attention I would have seen a very angry and very hurt Axel stalk over.
Grabbing my arm he yanked me out of the booth where I landed straight on my ass. I yelped in pain but Axel scooped me up in his arms and stalked away.
"Excuse me?" Vexen called sliding out of the booth and chasing after us.
"Fuck off you damn pervert!" Axel called over his shoulder.
Vexen didn't follow us after that. Axel I could tell was seething with rage as he stomped through downtown. He carried me on the few errands he had to do downtown before heading back to Merlin's.
"Welcome... home?" Xion said as Axel carried me back to my room. Slamming the door shut he threw me on the bed.
"What the hell Roxas?" He cried.
"What? Your not my boyfriend! You were my father's nurse! That's it!" I answered. My heart was beating fast and I didn't like the feeling of dread and pain that fluttered around my chest. I also didn't like how hurt Axel looked.
"You're right I'm not your boyfriend. I know I don't have any say in what you do but I wish you wouldn't. I really like you Roxas, and I'd really like to take you out on dates. I'd like to be your boyfriend. I know it won't happen today, or tomorrow but I'd I want to be there for you. But I can't do that if you're going to see other men. I don't want to be second place, I want to be first." Axel responded.
His anger now gone he just looked overall hurt. I was the one who hurt him and I felt awful.
"I'm sorry... I'm really sorry." I whispered reaching a hand out.
"Promise me you won't see any more Sugar Daddy's." Axel said.
"I promise." I whispered. Nodding Axel made his way over and pulled me into a hug. Pulling back for a moment our eyes locked and he leaned down and gently pressed his lips to mine.
Face turning red he pecked me on the lips again and again until I grew flustered and pushed him away. That night over dinner I learned Xion had already started the arrangements.
Since Merlin never requested to be buried or cremated it was up to me to decide. Over dinner we all talked. I decided in the end that I was going to have him buried. I couldn't stand the thought of having him cremated. Tomorrow Axel and I would go look for caskets together while Sora and Riku were going to go to the florists for me.
Xion was the one who found Merlin's will and offered to start making calls to Merlin's other family members so that the will could be read.
When we went to bed that night Axel joined me again. I didn't ask him to but if he didn't sleep in the bed with me I would have complained. I enjoyed my new habitants and I was really enjoying the help. I wasn't sure if I could have gotten through this all on my own without crying every few seconds.
Plugging in my Moogle night light Axel didn't comment or laugh he just pulled me against his chest and threw his arm over my waist. Burying his face in my hair we fell asleep pretty fast.
The next morning was a blur as we headed out to the funeral home look at coffins. It was all so long and tedious. There were oak coffins, pine, and cherry wood. Did we want a dark finish or light? What color pillows? Were the flowers picked out because that somehow affected what coffin we should get. I was getting overwhelmed and the man at the funeral home was getting angrier and angrier at me every second.
Finally when I could take no more I burst into tears. Pulling me to his chest Axel soothed me right there on the floor as I had my meltdown.
"Sirs could you please take this outside? We have other customers here." The man reminded me of a potbellied pig. He had a giant bald spot on his head and he wheezed everywhere he walked.
"Could you shut the hell up?" Axel cried. "He just lost his father!"
"I'm s-s-sorry! I'll take this one!" I stammered pointing to a random coffin towards the back. We set up the arrangements paid for it and quickly left. Thankfully when we got home Xion had just finished with her duties.
"Everything ok?" Xion asked rushing over to pull me into a hug.
"I'm tired I'm going to take a nap." I responded pulling away and heading down the hall to my room.
I didn't ask Axel to join me and he didn't follow thankfully. Closing the door behind me I climbed on the bed and promptly fell asleep.
Axel's POV
"Did I... did I say something wrong?" Xion asked obviously hurt by Roxas tone of voice.
"No it's not you. The funeral director was a total ass. Roxas broke down in tears and the director got angry so I told him to shut his fucking mouth that Roxas had just lost his dad. I'll be glad when this is over, its really starting to take its toll on him. I don't even think he's had time to mourn Merlin yet, its like he's just going through the motions." I whispered turning to look down the hall.
"He will Axel give him time." Xion said patting me on the back.
Sitting down on the couch Xion explained to me what she had done while we were gone. She told me how she spoke to Merlin's three kids and how horrible they were. They were going to come down in a week for the reading of the will. Sora and Riku came home soon after. They had picked out white roses as Merlin had once expressed to Sora how much he loved them.
There were some more calls to make for the funeral home but Xion told me not to worry that she'd do that tomorrow. Sora and Riku were returning back to work tomorrow so that left me some time with Roxas. I planned to take him out on a date to keep his mind occupied.
We ate dinner together that night but without Roxas. He stayed holed up in his room and when I asked if he wanted anything to eat he shooed me away. Later that night I crawled in bed with him wrapping my arms around him and burying my face in his hair.
He didn't say anything he was quiet and I assumed asleep so shortly after I fell asleep to.
The next morning I was the first to wake up. Just as I was about to press a kiss to Roxas cheek he turned over and I ended up pressing my lips to his. Eyes snapping open he pushed me away and pulled the covers up around his body.
"Axel what the hell?" He cried taking his pillow and slapping me with it.
"I meant to kiss your cheek! I swear!" I whimpered as Roxas beat the shit out of me with his pillow.
"You liar! Get out! Get out!" He cried.
"Wait no! Roxas!" I meant to grab the pillow but instead I grabbed Roxas wrist and pulled him so that he was lying on top of my chest.
Face turning a bright red he tried to squirm away but I locked my arms across his back holding him close.
"What are you doing?" He asked eyes wide with fright.
"This." I whispered pulling him down for another kiss. It was innocent just a pressing of lips. Eyes closing he moved his lips against mine as I brushed a strand of hair away.
When he pulled back I allowed him to leave but instead he just lay there.
"Hey lets go out today. On a date just you and I." I said.
A smile, a real smile lit up his face and he nodded excitedly. "Yeah I'd love that!"
We got dressed and I took him out to a small diner so we could have breakfast. The sun was out and it was a warm spring day. Once the waitress had us seated I reached over to take Roxas hand in my own.
"Tell me about yourself. I want to know everything." I said with a smile.
"Well... um... I really like going to the ocean. Merlin took me once. We had so much fun together. I swam a lot and he helped me build a sandcastle. I don't go to school... I'm actually home schooled. Merlin was super smart in all subjects so he home schooled me." Roxas explained.
"If you don't mind my asking why are you home schooled?" At this question his face turned red and he looked away ashamed.
"Um... well... I was bullied a lot during school. Once my friends found out what I had been kicked out of the house for they stopped hanging out with me. They were afraid they were going to catch the gay from me. They somehow found out that I was a Sugar Baby so they called me a whore... and I dropped out. When Merlin started teaching me I was really behind on schooling so he was working to catch me up." He said his eyes never meeting mine.
"I'm so sorry Roxas. That's horrible!" I cried getting out of the booth and crossing over to his side. Scooting in beside him I kissed his cheek.
The waitress came soon after dropping our food off. After making sure we were ok she was gone again. We ate our breakfast in silence and after I helped him in the car and we took off. Twilight Town was known for having a large mall so after parking at the entrance we started in.
I saw him look over at me a few times out of the corner of his eyes. "What's up Roxy bear?" I asked reaching over to take his hand in mine.
Squeaking he tried to pull away. "P-p-people are s-s-staring!" He stammered. "And don't call me Roxy bear!"
"I'm sorry do you care if someone is watching us hold hands?" I asked pulling my hand away and shoving it in my pants pocket.
Shaking his head he tugged my arm until I pulled my hand out. Interlacing our fingers together he tugged me forward. We shopped for a while, I bought Roxas a Moogle plush that he was drooling over when he wasn't paying attention. He bought a few books but nothing much.
"There staring again." Roxas whispered at one point as we made our way into a small cafe to get some coffee.
"Hmm?" I asked handing Roxas the hot mug and some cream and sugar.
"Girls... there staring at you." He sighed looking away.
"So? I'm staring at something far more beautiful." I replied smiling and reaching a hand out to take his in mine.
Jerking his hand away he growled something downed his coffee and stomped out of the cafe. Leaving my coffee untouched I grabbed our bags and raced after him. When I saw him he was just getting in the car and buckling up waiting for me. Hurrying over I stashed the bags in the trunk and opened the drivers side sliding in.
Tears were gathered in those wide blue eyes and as soon as he saw me looking he turned away. Cranking the car I pulled out of the parking space. We were quiet for a while and I figured if Roxas wanted to talk he would, and if not then he wouldn't.
"Why do you care?" He sniffled as I slowly made my way down the road. I figured instead of going home I'd take him to the abandoned park where I had first chased him down.
"Care about what Rox?" I asked turning down the street that led to the park.
"About me so much? Was it because the old man asked you to? I don't understand." He mumbled turning to look at me.
Tears were making silent tracks down his cheeks and he did nothing to wipe them away. Parking the car again I headed out and opened the passenger side helping Roxas out. We both selected a swing beside each other and just sat there. Reaching over I wiped the stray tears away and smiled.
"Of course not. It was my idea to follow you that first day not Merlin's. I just really like you. You're so amazing Roxas. You were so kind to Merlin, you could have ran all over him and not cared but you stayed beside him all the way. Your interesting and wonderful and I really like that about you. I love how caring you are. I love your smiles no matter how rare they are." I responded.
Roxas hummed letting me know he heard me. We played on the swings for a while before I took him to a small restaurant for dinner. That's where I presented the Moogle plush to him. He squealed in happiness as I handed it over.
"Oh thank you Axel! I'm sorry I didn't get you anything..." He said dejectedly.
"Don't worry about it. You were all but drooling over it. I'm glad you like it." We talked for the rest of the dinner about our likes and dislikes.
I took us home and that night I crawled into bed with him but not after making sure to plug his Moogle night light in. Kissing his cheek he turned a bright red as I threw my arm over his waist and drew him close.
That week passed by rather fast. I continued to keep Roxas mind occupied away from the approaching funeral but it looked like the time had come. I was able to attend the funeral with Roxas but later that night an emergency had come up so I wasn't going to be able to attend the reading of the will set up for tomorrow.
The funeral was beautiful but I was worried for Roxas. He sat there in the pews of the church quietly not saying a word and not even crying. He was like a statue. Even when we got to the grave site and I held his hand in mine as they lowered the coffin and the roses were thrown in he didn't say a word. He retired early that night and after explaining that I was going to be gone most of the day tomorrow but I would be there for the will he just nodded and went to sleep.
What really worried me were Merlin's children. Xion said that they were apparently "too busy" to come to their own father's funeral but they would be here tomorrow for the reading of the will.
I promised myself that night that I wouldn't leave Roxas with those petty vultures. I did my ritual for the night of kissing Roxas cheek and throwing my arm over his waist and drawing him close. Burying my face in his hair I soon fell asleep.
A/N: Well let me know what you think! I hope you guys are enjoying it so far. I'm steadily working on Of Red Wolves and Blond Tails sequel. So let me know what you think and I'll try to update soon.
xoxo Royal
