Swap

Summary: Verb. To trade or exchange one thing for another. Poor boys, if only they knew what was really being traded. (Akuroku)(Soriku)(Zemyx)

Author: Musical Enigma

Word Count: 5,537

Disclaimer:

Kingdom Hearts…not mine.

Note:

I'm back. Alive. Deeply sorry that I am just terrible at updating in a timely manner. Rather surprised at the amount of alerts / favorites for this story. A little disappointed at the lack of reviews with so many of said alerts and favorites.

I could make a crap load of excuses as to why I was so late in the making of this chapter, but I'll just say this: I have my creative moments, where I will write, draw, color, or play music at my best. I've noticed that when I come down to writing things (such as this fic) I restart the cycle. Previously, I've been drawing more. I'll have things posted on my deviant art shortly (nothing's there yet) once I figure out if I'm willing to let the world see my…creative blobs.

Hope you enjoy this chapter, which is brought to you by the power of nachos, ice cream, tofu-chicken and Linnea. Oh yeah, and me. Don't forget me either. But mostly props to my awesomeness editor...who I already mentioned haha. She caught a mistake!!! (finally, SOMEONE is doing their job...haha) so yay. 333 her.

Oh yeah! –is attacked by angry readers – I'm changing the story to M just in case…wanna be on the safe side, yanno?

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Chapter Four

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I drowsily arose from my slumber, which had been quite pleasant, overall. I was warm too, which was a first. I mean, I was used to waking up to a window full of happy islander sunshine and a tropical melody that seemed to haunt the land; but I never seemed to wake up warm, no matter how hot it was outside. I would eventually become warm…but it's not the same as waking up feeling cozy and…hmm…safe.

Ah yes, the island life was pleasurable. I still cannot comprehend how Sora managed to live in the city. From studies and such classes known as 'geography' in ninth grade, I gained a sufficient amount of knowledge that the city (more specifically Twilight Town, in Sora's case) was rather cold and miserly with a constant draft. But then again, Sora always did enjoy the rain…

Speaking of which…where is the irritably catchy island tune?

Hesitantly, I peeked through a hazily opened eye and was shocked beyond belief to see, with a hefty amount of blur, that it was dark. Pitch black to be exact. I squeezed my eyes shut in a hurry to figure out what the hell was going on. My heart began to beat irrationally in a state of panic…oh dear god, where was I? Distantly, I picked up the sound of a muted 'pitter patter' from, I assumed, outside. And, in the midst of my panic, I fell back to slumber, still surrounded by a welcoming warmth.

When I woke up…again, I noticed the strange 'pitter patter' sound once more. Refusing to open my eyes due to laziness, I let a lazy smile control my features as I snuggled my face deeper into…wait.

Deeper into…shit. Not good.

Remaining completely limp and creating the effect of sleep, I realized a few key facts as my memory slowly began to fill me in.

Sora, Cloud, Namine, Demyx, Zexion, Riku…

I noticed with a wince that whatever I had claimed as my pillow was alive. I also realized that this 'pillow' was stirring from its slumber with a shudder and yawn. It would have been easier to deal with, had I not wrapped my arms around its…err…torso.

"Sora, we can't just trade off schools because you feel like it!"

"No, it's okay! It's a school program, Rox! It's like studying abroad, only…not so abroad."

"You have such a way with words…"

But then again, it would have also helped had said pillow also not claimed me as its snuggle-buddy, as it too held me in close proximity. I concentrated as hard as I could manage to seem oh-so-innocently confused. Yeah, I could pass this off as a huge misunderstanding. No sweat.

"Why are you packing?"

"I told you already, Demyx. I'm heading off to Twilight Town. Two months without me."

"WHAT?!"

A low chuckle filled my senses as my pillow found me latched onto it. I winced in anticipation of a blow to the head or something similar. Luckily, nothing attacked me unawares. I was pleased, yet rather unnerved at this fact. And suddenly, I felt extremely content.

"Hello. You must be Roxas."

"Yes…"

"My name is Larxene…"

It took me a few seconds to realize that the calming and rather pleasant feeling coursing through me was due to the 'pillow' playing with my hair. Nothing special really, it was just taking certain strands and twirling them nonchalantly. Normally, I would have protested, but it felt very…nice. Unthinkingly, I let out a content sigh and buried my head further into the warmth emitting from the figure beside me. My ears were greeted with another low laugh.

"Hey, this is Sora! Leave me some love, okay? Beeeep."

"Sora? Hey, it's Roxas. Just double checking that I have the right room cause…"

Frowning slightly as the soothing fingers abandoned my hair, I felt a feeling of – was it dread? – in my gut. The feeling vanished, however, as the mystery hands came back and began tracing mindless patterns on my back. Refusing to emit any other signs of contentment in my current predicament – so I knew where I was…but who was with me?! – I forced myself with all my might to try and figure out who was making me feel so comfortable…and why this was so.

I tried my hardest not to fall back asleep. I really did. But…it was a challenge, with my eyes closed in a state of mock sleep, a constant 'pitter patter', which I had decided to declare as rain, echoing in the background, the strange amount of warmth containing me, and light patterns run expertly up and down my back…it was all temptation to simply relax and sleep. Of course, this sounds very unintelligent, for I had no idea who was with me. Hell, it might have been a murderer! Well…if they kept up this pattern, I might not mind dying so much…

My brain obviously was not functioning properly.

Drawing a massive blank, I figured I would wait out my mind and occupy myself with the blissful fingers kneading into my skin. I smirked slightly as I recognized letters being traced into my back, causing me to fight valiantly against giving a shudder. Hnn…that was an 'A'. And that…was…oh, an 'X'. 'E'…oh dear, it is a murderer. I can see the papers now: 'College Student Killed Due To Masseuse/Pillow Axe Murderer'. Wait…more letters…'L'?

"So you think I'm dashing, eh?"

"AXEL!"

I bolted upright, eyes wide and a scowl set firmly on my face. I was blushing madly, that I knew, but I figured that it could pass for being 'red with fury'. I reached for the covers that I supposed were keeping me warm, but found none. Nope, we'd fallen asleep on top of the blankets and such. Having nothing to grab and shield myself with (I felt violated, and wished to conceal myself) I scooted backwards hastily into the corner of the bunk bed's ladder and against the wall. Once I situated myself, bringing my knees to my chin and holding onto my legs, I glared again at the creeper and yelled once more.

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

Glaring intensely, I noticed a few things. One being that Axel seemed just as shocked as I was; his wide eyes staring in fear as he looked around wildly, flinging his unruly mass of red hair too and fro. Another thing that caught my attention was the fact that it was around five in the morning. I personally didn't have class until ten. Last, and least importantly, I noted with slight displeasure that it was freezing. The fact that it was raining outside, as I had presumed, did not help this discomfort.

"God Roxas, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" Axel said, eyes still wide and his breathing slightly hitched.

"I nearly gave YOU a heart attack?!" I practically screamed back at him, seething internally.

"Well, I didn't go screaming like a crazy person!" Axel retorted.

"And I wasn't petting you like some creeper!" I snapped back. Axel's face tinted rather heavily to this comment. Seeming to have no comeback to my comment, the redhead got up and stretched. I winced slightly as a few joints were audibly popped.

"It's raining." my roommate muttered lazily. I didn't respond to this open statement, but rather laid my head back down onto the mattress in an attempt to drift back to sleep, "Hey, what are you doing?" and apparently, fate did not like this idea.

"Sleeping" I muttered with a yawn.

"You can't sleep!" came an instant reply. I lazily cracked open an eye from the scrunched up position I had placed myself in, coming in eyesight to Axel's shin.

"Watch me…or, better yet, don't." I muttered bitterly.

"Let me rephrase, Blondie." Axel said, sitting back onto the bed beside my person and glaring down at me through a set of magnificent green eyes, "You can't sleep on my bed."

Okay, I'll admit, I did not expect that one. That would definitely clear up a lot of confusion…such was why Axel was in my – his – bed. I paused, mouth agape, at a loss for words.

"If you didn't notice," Axel drawled on lazily, crossing his legs Indian style, "I'm a bit taller than you and Sora. Won't fit on the top bunk, and there was no way in hell I was sleepin' on the floor, kid."

I sat up as well, mimicking Axel's criss-cross-apple-sauce position. I hesitantly brought a hand to the back of my neck and unconsciously began to rub it in embarrassment.

"Sorry…" I muttered, turning my head away out of habit. Guilt was something neither Sora nor I managed very efficiently. I turned my head back to see if Axel was going to respond to my apology, only to come literally face-to-face with the redhead himself. He had scooted closer to me in the small area of the bed and had a sloppy grin pasted on his features. I felt my face heat up and decided not to move, lest Axel reacted violently. Like when dealing with Sora, make no sudden movements, and you had less a chance of becoming injured.

"What?" I muttered self-consciously after around…oh, ten seconds of staring into Axel's piercing green eyes. I could tell he was examining me, and I personally did not enjoy said examination.

I did not, however, expect Axel to stick out his tongue and lick the tip of my nose in response.

My nose.

My mouth unhinged itself in a gaping stare and Axel chuckled, rolling backwards like a crazed armadillo and falling gracefully off the bed. He stood up a moment later and began rummaging through the closet.

I couldn't contain my frustration at his actions any longer. This guy practically rapes me in my sleep, invades my personal bubble, licks my nose, and toddles away to go do whatever? I think not!

I scrambled off the bed, falling off of the ledge as well. Unlike my roommate, however, I did not fall so gracefully, and managed to slam my shin against the metal frame of the bed. Shoot, that was going to bruise. Nevertheless, I scurried over to Axel's side to investigate.

"What was that?" I asked in annoyance as the green-eyed man, apparently done with his own unkempt pile of clothing on the floor, began examining my own garments. I snatched away a pair of my pants in an attempt to focus him and thusly retrieve answers.

"You're cute." Axel said with a shrug. I huffed indignantly, scowling at the fact that the redhead was still rummaging through my things. I seized a shirt that made its way into his grasp as well.

"That doesn't mean you can go around licking my nose!" I cried. It took much effort to not burst out laughing at the total absurdness of the comment I had made, really. Even Axel paused to put in a snicker. He paused just long enough for me to steal away my jacket from his kleptomanic fingers. Seemingly satisfied with the array of clothing he had pulled out; Axel shut the closet door and turned to me with a manic grin.

"So, Roxie, tell me, what can I lick?" Axel said in a low voice, keeping a perfectly straight face. I froze, totally thrown off by the question. Not bothering to snap back at the disturbing remark, I refused to show my red face to the man with hair that could, at the time, rival it, and walked purposefully away to the bathroom with clothes in hand. A bark of laughter sounded from the other room, unnerving me.

Finally alone, I did my usual routine of preening, having taken a shower the previous night before. I hastily threw on the clothes that Axel had stolen from my luggage, rather surprised at the fact that they matched. I threw the old articles of clothing into a bin dedicated for such purposes. Not all too excited about going back out into the room with the crazed man who wanted to…err…lick me, I stood before the mirror a good few minutes, trying in vain to flatten the one side of my hair that seemed to enjoy defying gravity. I eventually gave up however, consoling myself with the fact that Sora's whole head of hair seemed to stand upright, whereas mine only did on one side. Then, pouting slightly at the fact that I was lopsided in that case, I walked back outside to the main room.

Opening the door rather hesitantly upon my exit from the bathroom, I cringed rather visibly at the squeak it made as it rubbed against rusting hinges and the worn carpet. My breath caught as I stepped out of the smaller room, nearly colliding with Axel in the process. He gave me an odd look, quirking an eyebrow, before going into the room I had left. A few seconds later, I heard the sound of rushing water and sighed, left to my own devices. Not that I was clinging to the man who had previously tried to rape me, no; just that…I really didn't know anyone else. And unlike Sora, who could, when necessary, be a social butterfly, I tended to stay on the quiet side. Not to mention the fact that it was only five thirty, and not many (sane) people were up anyhow.

So I moseyed over to my book bag, retrieving my long forgotten and dead cell phone, hastily plugging it into the nearest outlet beside the bed. Quite proud of myself, I turned to the clock once more, smiling in triumph. And…it was still six thirty. My smile failed and I threw myself onto the bed with a thump. Who cared if it was Axel's bed anyhow?

And, for some strange reason, I felt colder than I've ever felt before.

-x-x-x-

I should have known the prospect of sleeping through an entire night undisturbed was too good to be true. Instead, I woke up to the most adorable sight of Blondie trying to bury a hole into my stomach with his head. I smiled internally as I lathered shampoo into my hair, rinsing and choosing not to repeat in my haste to get back to a certain blonde-haired person in the conjoined room.

Finishing up with my bathroom activities for the morning, I stepped into the main room, whistling cheerfully. Sure, I knew it was rather insanely early, raining and miserly outside, but hey! What's a little bad weather when getting to know the almost illegally cute new roommate? I stopped my warbling whistle once I caught sight of my new little buddy.

He was back on my bed, curled into a ball and…shivering? I crept over to Roxas, trying desperately to be silent. Once I got close enough, however, I realized he was asleep once more. On my bed. Didn't I tell him about my bed…and how it was…err…mine?

"Roxas, Roxas, Roxas…" I muttered, making a clicking sound betwixt the top of my mouth and my tongue. Sitting down on the bed beside said boy, I unconsciously began running my fingers through the golden locks once more. Call me strange – I never did this to Sora – but his hair was soft and silky…and I mean, he seemed to enjoy it. What's a little hair petting between friends, eh?

Sighing gently in his sleep, I soon found myself with a lap full of Roxas. Taken aback by this move – the kid had literally scooted himself onto my person – I froze, my hand hovering above his hair. Smiling, I took mental notes on the Kodak moment that seemed to play out before me. But as adorable as the kid was…

I really didn't feel like staying indoors.

"Roxaass" I hummed, shaking the lump upon my lap unceremoniously. I was acknowledged through a series of groans, moans, and a muffled complaint. Remembering Sora, I tried again.

"I made waffles…" I sang out, stopping my hand from further fondling with the blond boy. To my surprise, Roxas didn't move the slightest at my mention of food. This shocked and intrigued me. Sora would be up and running by now, causing early morning chaos and bringing forth numerous complaints. Apparently, Roxas wasn't into the whole 'running-through-the-halls-at-six-in-the-morning' thing.

Bored and immobilized, I leant back against the wall, propping myself in a more comfortable position. Roxas didn't even seem to mind – he was too busy trying to burrow a tunnel through my stomach with his head again. Which was cute, granted, but I'm not particularly fond of being rammed in the gut by a head of blond hair. Not to mention, I was still bored. Twirling a strand of golden hair around my finger, I nuzzled my face into the mess of soft blond hair and inched my mouth next to his ear.

"I want to hold you close. Skin pressed against me tight. Lie still, close your eyes girl. So lovely, it feels so right. I want to hold you close. Soft breath, beating heart. As I whisper in your ear –"

"Finish that, and I swear to god I will murder you."

Startled, I flinched backwards, hitting my head on the back wall. Roxas, apparently awake now, shifted his head slightly, remaining in a ball-like position. Only a single, piercing blue eye was visible to me, staring with a familiar glare. I smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of my neck with a hand.

"Mornin' princess."

Roxas's glare narrowed and his eyebrow twitched. I gave a shit-eating grin in response. Muttering something inaudible, Roxas simply shook his head and rested it back down on my chest, which had me taken aback. Shocked beyond belief at the fact that this gorgeous individual voluntarily cuddled against me, I felt frozen in time. I felt my face heat up and my breath catch, lost for a minute in my throat.

Such an action had never occurred to me before…I mean sure, I've had many a relationship, but none of the people involved seemed to care for talking or cuddling or bonding. They were more in for the 'wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am' (or sir, in my case) and I was completely fine with that. But a real relationship wasn't built on such…err…activities. Faith, trust and pixie dust – something like that – created a true relationship I suppose. Glancing down at the epitome of beauty, I felt myself unconsciously smile. Maybe this is fate's way of helping me out for once…

But of course, that's way too sappy for me.

"Roxas…hey, Blondie." I prodded the kid in the nose repeatedly, smirking as I did so. Roxas scrunched his nose in possibly the cutest manner ever and attempted to shrink further into a ball. I continued my pestering until, with a scowl, Roxas got hold of my bothersome finger. How, you ask? Simple.

He bit it.

And…he left said limb in his mouth.

So there I sat, rather amused as Roxas kept his mouth firmly shut over my poor digit. A second later, Roxas' eyes flew open in a wide frenzy, sitting him upright. We stared into each other's pupils for a minute, until Blondie realized something was off. Unintentionally, the kid did…something…with his tongue and…boy did it feel awesome. I let my smirk widen into a rather sadistic smile as Roxas twirled his tongue around my finger once more. Slowly, realization dawned on him and mortification crossed his face at a rapid pace.

I think that had to have been the quickest I have ever seen anyone run out of a room. The kid was so fast, it was crazy. Roxas had scrambled backwards off the bed, tripped over himself running on the carpet, tripped over himself yet again trying to get up, ran headfirst into the door, and finally, on all fours, scrambled to the outside world. I simply watched in amazement as he made his escape, sock and shoeless as he scampered into the six a.m. rain. Rather astonished at the quickness of the escape, I stared unblinkingly at the place where Roxas had previously been.

And at that moment, my finger was the happiest limb on my entire body.

In Blondie's haste, however, I noticed a familiar key on the desk that belonged to said escapee. I hummed unworriedly, standing and heading towards the shiny object. Once it was in my possession, I twirled it a few times on its keychain before pocketing the item. Now I was certain Roxas would return to my loving arms, begging me for affection. I did after-all, hold in my possession his entrance into the room.

An unfamiliar sight took hold of my attention, however, and I found myself meandering over to a red, beeping item on the ground. Upon closer inspection, I noted it as Roxas's cell phone. Without a moment's hesitation, I began my investigation into my new roommate's life.

I mean, if I wanted this kid to be mine, I'd need some background information, right?

I flipped open the cellular device to be greeted with at least seven missed calls from a certain 'Sora S.' Who better to get information from than a family member? Without a moment's hesitation, I pushed the green 'talk' button on the phone and waited.

A long, shrill beep was the reply to my patience, as the phone yelled at me to let it charge. I pouted at the object, but to no avail. I'd have to wait out the completion of phone revival. My stomach growled in a rather angry manner, placing me into a rather tricky dilemma.

I could go and eat in the cafeteria, wait for Roxas to come back, or watch the phone charge. Grinding my teeth to pass the decision time, I sprung up and ran out the door and downstairs to the student center and cafeteria, hoping that I would be quick enough to not miss Roxas when he returned.

-x-x-x-

"And then, he said…uhm…something! I forget, but it was really funny." Sora laughed at his own story that seemed to make absolutely no sense to anyone except himself. But I didn't mind. I felt something within me pause, almost like a sensation of free-fall, as I gazed upwards to meet those brilliant blue eyes, looking at me with the utmost concern.

"Are you okay, Riku? You haven't touched your food." Sora glanced feverously betwixt myself and said food. I smirked, reaching out a hand to mess with the spiky locks that created a messy mop of hair for the object of my affection. To my surprise, it was soft to the feel, and the urge to bury my face into the golden strands overcame me. But of course, I kept my posture and refrained from shoving my face into his hair. In my opinion, it was a rather good idea. Sora half-scowled at my action, but easily laughed it off as he attempted to flatten out the area my hand had invaded.

"Sora, we just got the food. Literally, like ten minutes ago." I laughed as Sora glanced down with a look of utter confusion at his empty place, which had previously held at least three times my own portion of lunch, "Not everyone has the…err…talent to eat food at such a rate, kid."

Sora smiled sheepishly, rubbing a hand at the back of his neck in the most adorable manner as a blush crept over his face and he refused to look me in the eyes. Finally, silence reigned between us and I was able to eat, rather than answer questions at a rapid pace.

"Well, in class, this one kid…"

I quirked an eyebrow upwards to see what Sora was ranting about this time, but he was already long gone in his own imaginative world. Shrugging mentally, I continued to munch away at my food, noticing only with slight annoyance every so often when Sora would unconsciously snatch a french fry from my plate.

Internally, I cursed myself for falling for such a talkative person. I mean, sure, Sora was great. He was funny, imaginative, absurd, random, lovable, cute…but he was definitely not what I normally looked for in a guy. Sora was…different. And boy, did he confuse me to the fullest extent.

"…but then she said that blowing would only irritate the skin, but he was all 'no way' and so we did an experiment and…err…Riku, are you sure you're okay?"

I had paused in mid bite of my sandwich and felt my own face heat up. I hadn't the slightest idea as to what Sora was talking about (I was eating, okay? Definitely not a good multi-tasker) and I sure did tune in at the wrong time. It might have been better had Sora not been talking so loudly either. I visibly slouched into my chair and gave a grin in response to Sora's inquiry.

"I'm fine."

"If you say so."

Nodding as Sora launched back into a completely different story, I set down my sandwich, not exactly hungry anymore. So I sat and listened contently, digging my mind out of the gutter throughout the process.

"And that's why…hey Riku?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you gonna eat that?" Sora made possibly the most elaborate hand motions I had ever seen, nearly sending an innocent bystander flying with multiple flinging motions. All in reference to my half eaten sandwich too. I nodded.

"It's all yours, kid."

Smiling, Sora dug into the food as if he hadn't eaten in weeks. This was a brilliant lie, however, because I had literally just seen him down two slices of pizza, a six-inch sub and three fruit cups. Despite these truths, Sora sat chowing down, giving us around…oh, I'd say…a minute of silence?

"Thanks Ri. So anyways, isn't blue weird? I mean, no offense to it, but what is 'blue' flavor? It's not blueberry…it's like a mixture…"

How I ever fell for Sora will always remain a mystery to me. At that point in time, however, I sat listening intently to the mystery of the 'blue flavor'.

-x-x-x-

I huffed angrily as I trod, barefoot, along the campus sidewalk, passing multiple buildings, students, faculty and the occasional bird. I had three hours to kill before my first class, but there was no way in hell I was going back to the dorm. Not with Axel in there.

I sighed deeply, scolding myself mentally. It wasn't Axel's fault that I, for some inexplicable reason, cuddled with the guy. It wasn't Axel's fault that I have a certain attraction towards warmth. It wasn't Axel's fault that I was walking through the rain barefoot.

Hell, if it weren't for the redhead, I'd probably be out here in just my boxers.

Nevertheless, first impressions are important. Moreover, I've made a few terrible ones. Walking in on the new roommate naked: bad. Ranting and talking to myself: worse. Cuddling with the guy: you fail at life.

It's not that Axel's opinion mattered all that much to me – other than the fact that I'd be living with the dude for two months, he wasn't a major influence in my life at the moment – it's more of the pressure to be accepted by everyone. Pausing, I glanced down at my feet, which were slowly tinting purple. I suppose walking around barefoot in icy water wasn't exactly the best way to make a good impression either.

Frowning as I dug through my pockets to retrieve a cell phone and the time, I cursed myself for not having been more careful with the battery of said item. This meant I couldn't call Sora either – my brother always has a way to make the stupidest of mistakes look like nothing. Not to mention he'd understand my need for warmth; he's a major cuddler too. Except Sora talks in his sleep whilst coddling…

Noticing I was smirking in the memory of my twin, I stopped my power walking (the only reason I figured this was so was due to the wobbliness that possessed my legs) and sat on a sopping wet bench. Not that it did much – I was already soaking thanks to the early morning jog through the rain, and freezing cold.

It was when I began to lose feeling in my hands that I began to worry slightly. I mean, it was, after all, raining and cold as heck, but I guess my walking and fury at the fact that I had been cuddling with my new roommate distracted me from the prospect of hypothermia. I laughed bitterly, wishing I could call Sora, or Demyx, both of whom loved playing in the rain. I'd tell them that they'd die if they didn't wear shoes whilst doing so (I caught Sora dancing in the rain naked once, so I suppose this would apply more so to him). Then I'd die, setting an example for all the little children who question their parental figures in such aspects of 'must I wear clothes?'

I paused in this thought; however, due to a pair of white slip on shoes, attached to dark navy blue pants invaded my vision. My eyes traveled upwards, revealing upon the person a long sleeved white shirt layered beneath a pink sweater vest. His – I could only assume it was a 'he' due to the lack of breasts – face was defined and pointed to an extent and was surrounded by layers upon layers of pink tinted hair, with signs of dyed mishap, as a darker mahogany could be seen near the roots. He held a pink umbrella and, to my great amusement, a garment bag filled with two to three different sparkly outfits that looked as if they'd be perfect for girls going to a club, perhaps.

Despite his appearance, the guy seemed distraught. He looked me up and down, in my drenched glory, and an imaginary light bulb seemed to flicker on in his head. This new look of accomplishment frightened me, and I scooted against the back of the bench until the slippery wood dug into my back.

"Hello, I'm Marluxia. Or Marly…Mar-Mar, anyhow, I need some help…" the guy – Marluxia – discreetly shoved the garment bags behind his person, "So…you willing to help me? I'll be your best friend!"

He looked at me with the hugest shit-eating grin known to man. Strain and stress were evident factors in his morning, and I'm sure the rain wasn't exactly helping him either. Having nothing better to do, I warily eyed the bags in his hand. Eyes shifting from my feet to the skimpy clothing, I chose the dry route over sitting for another two and a half hours in anticipation of my first class.

Not to mention I was completely lost by this point.

"So…what do you need me to do?"

"Oh, just come with me…err…?"

"Roxas."

"Right. Just come along, darling, and we'll get you dried up so you can help me!"

"Whatever."

Standing to join the pink haired man beneath his umbrella, I we walked off towards a different set of dorms. Every so often, Marluxia would side step in order to prevent me from getting his pristinely clean clothes dirty, or he'd look me up and down, muttering off numbers. I really didn't notice much of it though – I personally looked forward to dry, warmth in exchange for a few minutes of help. Not like I didn't have time to kill anyways.

-x-x-x-

Okay, I know that it's terribly hard, but find it in your heart to click the purple button and leave a review. PLEASE!

For those who guess the song Axel sings, I'll…do something. Special. Yes.

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Anyhow…thanks.