"And why would that be?" I asked softly, frowning in confusion.

"There's just… something about you that makes me want to open up and spill all my secrets. Something that makes me want to never leave your side. I just feel… at home with you." He said balling his hands into fists and scowling at them.

"Why is that so bad?" I asked putting a comforting hand on his knee.

"What's so bad? Well let's put it this way, if I do spill all my secrets to you, you won't want to know me anymore! You'll deny knowing me! And it will put you in danger!" he said jumping to his feet, knocking my legs aside.

"What if I said nothing you said to me would make me not want to know you? What if I said I would do anything for you no matter what?" I asked standing up and pulling him against my chest in a comforting hug.

"Then I'd say you were a big dummy." He said sobbing against my chest.

"I promise you Roxas, no matter what I'll always want to be with you. And whatever you're facing that's dangerous you now have me, we'll face it together. Okay?" I soothed him gently my heart breaking at the sight of his tear stained face and the sound of his sobs.

"O-okay." He choked out snuggling against my chest. I sighed. Could I really love this boy already?

I gently sat down and gently pulled Roxas on to my lap and held him tight.

"So, you want to tell me what has you so worked up?" I asked gently. He looked up at me and sniffled.

"Well…there is more of a reason to Naminé and me moving around so much than just my mum being dead. My father is a drunk…an abusive one at that. At first it was just me he abused but then he moved on to my mum as well and soon Naminé too. One night he came home thoroughly wasted and started beating me quite badly, mum tried to stop him… he killed her in his rage. Now Naminé and I are on the run. The police are looking for him but he's smarter than them so he evades them with ease. So we have to keep moving to avoid being caught. I'm hoping that we won't have to move anymore I like it here even though I've only been here a day and a half." he said trying to stifle his sobbing. I looked down at him and felt that I too was on the verge of tears. This beautiful boy who seemed to have it all together had it so bad.

"Roxas…why would I think any less of you for what your father did? I'm not going to let that happen again? I Axel Theodore Flynn solemnly swear to protect you with my life." I said wiping a tear from his pale cheek.

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep." He sniffled slipping off my lap.

"Who says I can't? Now enough with the depressing talk! You better eat those jellybeans or you're in big trouble mister!" I said putting the bag of jellybeans back in his lap. He looked down at the bag and grinned before opening it and shoving a handful of jellybeans in his mouth. I looked at him and burst out laughing, his cheeks were so stuffed with jellybeans that he looked like a hamster.

"Wha?" he asked around the jelly beans frowning in confusion.

"You look so cute!" I squealed squeezing him in a tight hug. He swallowed loudly.

"What? I'm sure you have something you're addicted to." He said crossing his arms and pouting at me.

"Hmm…nope nothing that I can think of." I smirked grabbing a jellybean from the bag and popping it in my mouth. Roxas gaped at me.

"Nothing? Really? You have no guilty pleasures?" he asked incredulously.

"Nope, at least not at the moment but hey… things change right?" I said standing up and grabbing his hand.

"C'mon I'm tired; I'll show you where the spare room is." I lead him down the hall to the spare room and grabbed an extra blanket from the cupboard.

"There you go, if you need anything else my room is just down the hall and please don't get jellybeans everywhere." I said chuckling at the small blonde who had the big bag of jellybeans cradled against his chest.

"Thanks Axel, for everything." he said reaching up on his tip-toes to kiss my cheek. I smiled and nodded before walking down the hall and into my room. I pulled off my shirt and pants and climbed into bed. I lay on my back staring at the ceiling for what felt like ages before rolling onto my side and closing my eyes.

'Roxas…you've been through so much. I feel responsible for some reason… I feel connected to you in ways that I can't begin explain. Why couldn't it have been me instead of you? Why couldn't I have been the one to take the beating? from now on it will be me, I won't let them hurt you Roxas. As long as I'm around and as long as you will let me… I WILL protect you.' I vowed silently. I sat up as I heard a bump down the passage followed shortly but Roxas's silhouette in my door way.

"What's up spikes?" I asked softly trying to see his expression.

"I don't want to be alone…" he said walking closer and standing next to my bed. I smiled and pulled the covers back shifting so he had space to slide in next to me.

"Come on the, I'll keep you company." I said patting the bed next to me. He slipped in next to my and to my complete and utter surprise wrapped his arms around me resting his head on my chest. I was about to comment when he silenced me.

"Don't ask questions…please….just hold me." he said , his voice trembling slightly.

"Okay Roxas, whatever you want." I said wrapping my arms around him tightly.

"I'll hold you if that's what you want." and with that being said I closed my eyes and welcomed the gnawing fingers of sleep to take over my mind but just before sleep completely took over my brain I heard

"I want to protect you too Axel, I might not be big or strong but I still want to try."


Woah... i bet you guys weren't expecting THAT to be the rason Roxas moved around so much!

Reviews are much appreciated ^-^

any ideas would be appreciated too!

have a swell day h'yuck!

xxx Jarebear2