Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or any of the drugs mentioned in this fanfiction.

A/N: This chapter starts like right after the last one. Sorry, the last one was getting a little long so I just cut and paste at the part where it seemed best, so if you're just coming back to this, you might wanna read the end of the last one just so you know what's going on. Hope you like! Read and review please!

With Effects Akin to Narcotics

Chapter Three

I'm not sure how long I cried, or how long he held me like that, but a different band was playing when I finally lifted my head and sniffled. "I'm sorry, Axel," I apologized, wiping away my tears. "I shouldn't be dumping this on you."

"Don't say that," he replied. "Despite how weird it is, I'm glad you came to me for this."

I furrowed my brow, but smiled. "Me too, actually," I agreed.

He pulled out a can from a cooler someone left near the chair and popped the lid open.

Before I realized what I was doing, I asked, "Can I have that?"

Axel looked at me curiously. "You drink, princess?"

I gave him a look. "Just give it," I said, and he handed it to me. It burned my throat a little as it went down, and I crinkled my nose at the taste. "Ugh," I said, letting my tongue loll out of my mouth for a moment.

Axel laughed and stood up with me, keeping his arm around my shoulders. "What, was that your first beer?" he asked, looking at me with his familiar smirk back on his face.

"What?" I asked, feigning insult. "Of course not! What do you think I am? Some pathetic little..."

Axel looked at me out of the corner of his eye with his eyebrow raised and a steady smirk on his lips.

I sighed and let it go. "Was it really that obvious?" I asked meekly.

"Clear as day," he said, not helping. "But don't worry; you'll get used to it."

I shook my head and shoved the beer into his free hand. "Are you kidding? I'm not gonna get drunk. I only wanted a sip." He gave me a look, and I met his gaze evenly. "Besides, why would I wanna taste that again? It was disgusting!"

He laughed and threw his head back as he gulped the beer down greedily. He licked his lips thoughtfully, then looked at me again. "Tastes pretty good to me," he protested, a mocking glint in his eye.

I bumped him in the chest with my shoulder. "That's just 'cause your brain is clogged up with smoke."

He let a little chuckle at that. He held the beer out to me as we neared his car, where his little gang was waiting. "You sure you don't want some?" he asked.

"I told you, Axel, I'm not gonna get drunk."

-----{with effects akin to narcotics}-----

I watched as Kairi tripped over her own feet and clutched onto the edge of the bar table, her other hand holding on to a tall glass of Budweiser. She giggled to herself at her drunken klutziness, then took a long drink of her beer.

Not gonna get drunk, huh, Kairi? I thought, smirking. You were sold with that first sip.

I hid my scowl as Larxene found her way to my armchair. She sat on the armrest, and I discreetly moved my arm away. "Sup?" I asked goodnaturedly.

"Why is she here?" she asked, getting straight to the point. She was good at that.

I turned to look at her. "Her parents just died, Larxene. She should have some fun and get her mind off of it."

"Well then why didn't she go find her little prep friends and go shopping?" She cast a look of hatred in Kairi's direction as she laughed at a joke from Marluxia.

"Well, it's sorta two in the morning, and who cares, anyway?" I let my eyes travel back to Kairi, composing my face into a mask of uninterest. "She came to me, and who am I to turn her away?"

Larxene looked back at me and leaned in close, lifting my chin up to hers with a finger. "The Axel I know would've kicked her out on the curb and threw the butt of his cigarrette in her face."

"Larxy, I'm still the same me." At her doubtful look, I continued. "Alright, fine. Give it another half hour, and I'll take her home."

She smiled and kissed me, her tongue flicking out to lick my bottom lip. "I'll be waiting when you get back," she whispered hotly in my ear, then walked to the other side of the basement, taking up conversation with Vexen.

I breathed out through my nose. Larxene may be creepy and annoying, but damn, she was great in bed. If only there was a way to let her know that I only wanted her for sex... Naw, that'd screw everything up. Better just keep pretending I actually liked her.

I turned my eyes back to Kairi. Marluxia's head was hidden by hers as he whispered something into her ear, and she giggled, her face getting red. His hand found her waist, and she jumped a little, but otherwise stayed drunk and stupid.

My eyes narrowed slightly. Of course Marluxia was trying to get some. But from Kairi? I knew he had a thing for virgins, but come on! That's going a little too far.

My legs tensed and I pushed myself up with my arms, but then thought better of it. Why did I care? She was seventeen. It was about time she lost it; she was too innocent for her own good.

I'd lay low for a while. Stop them if they went too far. Yeah, that'd be fine. Marluxia'd just be a little ticked, but who cares? He'd just go find Namine and take care of himself, then be fine.

Just lay low. Just watch.

-----{with effects akin to narcotics}-----

My face heated up as Marluxia whispered words into my ear; I could hardly understand what he was saying from the loud music, but I could guess. His breath tickled my skin, and I couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath as he put his hand on my waist.

Mmm, damn, he was hott. His hair was a little unusual, but in a cool way. And his eyes were so striking; almost more than Axel's! And he had that whole tall, dark, and handsome thing going for him.

He pulled back and looked me in my eyes. "Hey, how 'bout we move over a bit? It's a little loud."

"Yeah, yeah, that'd be cool," I said, my words meshing together. I set my drink down, thought better of it, took another big gulp, then followed him to a couch on the other side of Axel's basement.

I sat down next to him. "Yeah, it's quieter over here." I giggled a little. "It's funny; I could hardly hear what you were saying over there."

Marluxia smirked. "Just this." He put a hand on the side of my face and kissed me hard, parting my lips and slipping his tongue inside.

I closed my eyes and kissed him back, leaning into him. I made a sort of "mmm" sound in my throat and opened my mouth wider, letting my tongue dance with his. This was way better than that time with Sora! God, why hadn't I done this before?

His hand on my face moved back to grab my hair at the back of my head and force my face closer, deepening the kiss even more. His other hand found my waist again and moved under my shirt, setting my skin on fire. The tips of his fingers traced the lace of my bra, and my heart started beating overtime. I stretched a leg over his and pressed myself against him, feeling his hard muscles against me, the heat of his skin burning mine.

"Ahem."

Marluxia reluctantly broke the kiss to glare at Axel, who stood in front of us with his arms crossed and his eyebrow raised familiarly. "What do you want?" he asked, less than cordially.

"I think it's about time I took Kairi home," he replied, his tone conversational.

Aw! I didn't wanna go home!

Then something in my head snapped. Home...

I stood up and looked at Axel in what I hoped was a threatening glare, but was probably more like a tearful plea. "I don't wanna go home," I said quietly, feeling very small.

Axel was silent for a moment as he looked at me in something that resembled either pity or sympathy, then sighed. "Alright, fine. But come with me; I don't want you doing something stupid while you're drunk." He looked pointedly at Marluxia.

"I'm not drunk!" I protested, but suddenly felt very weak at my knees. I took a step toward Axel, but my legs gave underneath me.

He caught me at my forearms and gave me a look. "Of course you're not, princess," he said. "'Course you're not." He leaned down to pick me up bridal-style, then carried me away from Marluxia and the couch.