Not that you guys don't already know, but these characters are not mine. The story, The Little Mermaid, is also not mine, but if you are not familiar with the original Hans Christian Anderson version (not Disney) go get familiar there is a lot of symbolism and quality themes in it so go educate your selves, I mean that in a nice way. Otherwise enjoy. I also apologize for not posting last week, I felt a bit uninspired. I am working through this story, I want to see the end of it as much as you guys.
There was a blue hue to the normally purple twilight. It was one of those still, steady days where the warm breeze broke upon you like a wave. I was on my back in the field, the stalks of the golden plants looked like they stretched up forever from the angle. It was warm and familiar. I could feel someone walking. They started at the edge of the field, emerging from the forest and now stood next to me, staring down at my body. I couldn't move my head to look at them. I didn't want to anyways, and after a few moments of stagnant air, the wind picked up, the other joined me on the ground, hand brushing against the earth as it reached up and tangled with mine. "I've been waiting for you. We both might be oblivious to it out there, but the truth is I've been waiting." I didn't say anything. We stayed like this for hours, the yellow bird watching from afar.
The beeping of the alarm clock startled Roxas as he was jolted awake from the sound. Truly exhausted from having been up all night looking at the pictures in the book he had received from Tifa. It had been an exciting night, although a very confusing one and Roxas had replayed the hug Axel gave him a thousand times over in his mind. Secretly he wished that the redheaded doctor had stayed over with him, unsure about the reason why he felt so drawn to him. The desire left him with a feeling that built in the pit of his stomach and left him limp and heavy. He groaned, pushing the thoughts out of his head, and peeled back the blankets being greeted by a burst of cold air. He walked over to the screen on the wall that was beeping furiously at him and clicked off the alarm. The door to the bathroom was cracked open so he pushed it lightly and shuffled inside; hardly lifting his feet due to his lack of energy. Roxas peeled off his clothes and stepped into the shower not knowing to check the temperature and was jolted awake by the icy cold that ran down his back. The nurses usually ran the water for him so he had no idea that it could be adjusted from cold to warm and merely though the icy water was an act of bad luck. Shivering, he quickly washed his hair and body stepping out and looking around for a towel and change of clothes that were usually sitting out ready for him. Roxas looked around the room curiously. It was strange that the items weren't out. There was a cupboard across from the sink. Roxas opened it and happily found a set of towels inside and a supply of soap, razors, and shampoo on a shelf. Below that shelf was a big basket with a sign that read, "Dirty clothes/towels." Roxas grabbed one of the white fluffy towels and wiped his freezing face off. He had no idea where his clothes were but he had no desire to put on the old ones, they felt funny from sleeping in them. Since Roxas had successfully located towels he figured that with further inspection he could locate them; they had to be hiding somewhere… thus he scooped the old up and dropped them in the basket. Opening up the door and going out into the bedroom, looking around and spotting the drawer under the window. He bent down and opened it. Bingo. There were about seven changes of clothes. T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, underwear, cargo shorts all a sparkling white. In a lower drawer he had a pair of white slip on shoes, and white tennis shoes. He pulled on his t-shirt and a pair of white jeans, then sat on the bed and laced the tennis shoes. It was seven. He ran his fingers through his hair and then opened the door and walked out into the living area where he was greeted by a small spread on the table. The food was different than what he was served upstairs. There was a flat floppy white thing with a yellow blob in the center. Next to it was an almost rectangular tannish looking food; there was a bowl of blueberries and a glass of water. He sat down and started to eat the blue berries quietly. A few minutes into the meal the door opened and Axel came in looking very exhausted. The redhead came over and took a seat near him on the love seat. Roxas looked up at him with a soft smile.
"Good morning Roxas," Axel greeted him, leaning back into the love seat.
"Morning," He replied softly. The blonde continued eating.
Axel glanced at him from the corner of his eyes, smirking at the obviously tired expression the boy wore. "How was the first night Blondie?"
"It was okay. I'm just a bit sleepy," Roxas responded softly gazing at his plate where he idly began to push the eggs around.
"That's an egg," Axel pointed out. No freak 'in dip Axel, you're a real genius. The redhead flushed at his obvious statement.
The blonde nodded and smiled. "I was wondering what it was called, so thanks."
Axel let out a soft sigh of relief. But the blonde was still sitting there looking up at the other expectantly. Axel leaned forward and continued to point the items on the plate out, "And this here is toast. Those over here are blue berries, and this is a strawberry… Hurry up and eat, you have about…" Axel checked the clock. "Fifteen minutes till class." Roxas began cutting into his egg, surprisingly liking it and finishing breakfast in a couple of minutes. The two sat idly talking for the next few minutes, namely about the annoying buzzing of the alarm that morning, which Axel assured him was normal. At seven twenty five Roxas and Axel got up and walked over to the library where Tifa was patiently waiting to being the finishing touches on his reading lesson. Axel held the door open for the boy, Roxas just looking at him and then quietly walking in. Axel pulled his pager out from his pocket, while waiting to take Roxas to class it had vibrated. Axel sighed and looked in at the boy who went over and took a seat next to Tifa. The redhead then turned his attention at the message on the screen, it was from Xemnas: Come up to Ansem's office when you are finished with Roxas. Axel shrugged figuring it had something to do with the presentation, or the important business Ansem had been working on. Axel had plenty of time to prepare for the presentation. He began the climb to the third floor, Ansem and Xemnas were already talking, a hush falling over them as Axel stepped in the room.
"Axel, have a seat." Ansem politely gestured with a smile across his face. The way the man was smiling caused Axel to be slightly apprehensive. "So our presentation is kicking off at ten tomorrow… uh… I do hope you put on a suit or something for it Axel, and maybe pull your hair back…" Axel was a little shocked at the comment but nodded none the less. "Good, we are going to be having a lot more than sponsors in our crowd." Axel raised an eyebrow at this.
"Really? Who else will be there?"
"Scholars, Axel, and other men and women of science." Axel mouthed an, 'Oh' and Ansem broke out into the loudest gut-busting laugh, doubling over and forcing the man to brace himself on the desk. Axel watched Ansem, completely taken aback and confused by the behavior. Xemnas had a small smile twisting at the corners of his mouth. "They want to give me the Noble Prize," He said as his laugh slowly died down, leaving the man winded. "They want to give me the Noble Prize in Genetics for Roxas' project. We hardly have any data on him, but apparently splicing of DNA is enough to earn a reward." He said again more serious, with a smile still pulling at the corner of his mouth. His eyes were sharp for a brief moment, and then soften with another breathless chuckle. "I was nominated back a few years ago, but with this project I was finally selected. The ceremony is December tenth, so we will be going to Switzerland," Ansem shrugged, failing at controlling his enthusiasm. Axel looked at Xemnas, mouth hanging completely open and a smile spreading. Xemnas, who was now also donning a smile simply nodded as Ansem walked around his office, talking to himself excitedly.
"What?" Axel said standing abruptly, "You're kidding me!"
"I most certainly am not my dear boy," Ansem said turning back to Axel and catching him in a tight bear hug, patting his back, "We couldn't have done this without you Axel." Axel closed his eyes and smiled, letting his limp arms circle round and give the man a pat on the shoulder; he was pretty sure he could have cried. "We couldn't have done it without your success." The elder repeated, and then released the redhead. The statement registered and he gave the other a soft, nervous smile. The next few hours brought about nothing except excited chatter from Ansem and Axel. Xemnas who was undoubtedly thrilled struggled with clearly displaying his emotions and sat the sidelines, joining into the conversations and preparations but mainly serving as a chaperone for the two overly enthused men. They discussed who would go, of course Ansem and Xemnas, but Axel as well was attending, and Roxas too since he was the catalyst for the awarding of the prize. This topic brought up much debate between Xemnas and Axel, the two sharing completely different opinions on what was healthy and important for the boy. In the end Ansem took Axel's side, giving the reason that it would serve as a good learning opportunity, as well as the fact that Roxas would be a good addition to the presentation they would have to give upon accepting the reward. They spent the afternoon chatting about costs and transportation. Ansem had a privet jet that they decided would be their best option for the flight. Around lunch Axel abandoned the group eager to go home and share his news. In all honesty ever since childhood and hearing about the Noble Prize Axel had dreamt that he would one day win it. Although he wasn't the one being awarded the prize directly, it still felt as if he won since he was a large contributor to the group. Axel was proud of the achievement and was proud that it was being recognized with such a great honor and on a global scale. He left the facility and went out to his car and took the drive home. Xemnas and Ansem stayed in Ansem's office and discussed the situation.
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The tea shop was hopping and Sora was clumsily working the register and taking orders, Kairi rushed around to make the special drinks on the list. It wouldn't be long before Sora could manage making them, but for now, while it was that busy, he needed to stick to the easy stuff. "Hey Kairi! Is Riku in the kitchen?" Kairi swung around, looking for the source of the voice, spotted Axel, and waved managing to spill a caramel hot chocolate on her apron.
"Yeah Axel, he's back there baking something," Kairi said with an eye roll. Axel chuckled and gave her a nod, heading behind the counter and coming around to walk into the kitchen where Riku was working at the counter kneading dough of some sort.
"Hey there Riku," Axel greeted as he slunk up to the counter.
The other man turned and gave a light smile with a soft, "Hey," for a greeting and then continued to knead the dough.
"The place looks pretty busy today. How's the newbie? Break him in yet," Axel said with a bit of a teasing tone.
Riku shrugged off the double meaning of the question and simply answered, "Yeah, Wednesdays tend to be a bit hectic, not really sure why, but Sora is handling it pretty well. Kairi is just showing him the different pastries we have and letting him operate the register. Tomorrow during our slow hours she will start to show him how to make the drinks and use the different machines." He shrugged, "As for me I'm just making some dough for bread. We are running out, and I don't want to be under stocked in sandwiches. What about you Axel? You surely have something to tell me, I can feel the enthusiasm radiating off of you," he said with an eye roll and a smile. Riku always found some sort of amusement from Axel's antics.
"We have been selected to receive the Noble Prize." He paused dramatically. "Well… Ansem has, but it's for my project, can you believe this Riku? We are going to Switzerland!" Axel exclaimed throwing his fists into the air in pure excitement. "They're giving us the Nobel Prize for Genetics." Axel began to excitedly pace around the kitchen. "We have been working on this project forever, well, Roxas' project is really only part of a bigger whole that Ansem and Xemnas have been working towards…you already knew that… but I'm a part of this, and I have helped earn the prize, so Ansem is taking us. He said he couldn't have done it without me, and I'm just," Axel bit his lip smile stretching across his face, "I'm just really excited and I guess proud of myself. Receiving this prize will bring global recognition to the project, and I'm sure the facility as well as the research will expand. It will change our lives. Medical experts will be asking me for advice; do you understand how important this is?"
"No," Riku said flatly hardly taking his attention from the dough he was intently kneading.
Axel stopped and came beside Riku, "It's been my biggest dream since I was a child. That's how important it is. Ever since seeing it in the text books I've always wanted it. And as I said, I am not directly receiving it, but I have helped earn it, so I'm proud."
"Pretty sad dream Axel," Axel tilted his head, deflating a bit with the comment.
"What? What do you mean Riku," He laughed a little, trying to shake off the negative feeling.
Riku stopped and turned his head up towards Axel's direction, "I mean it's pretty fucking sad that your lifelong dream has been to win a fucking prize for Ansem. Big fucking deal, some dumb shits in Switzerland want to give you some prize! Just shut the fuck up Axel! I don't want to hear about that fucking project, or how fucking proud Ansem is of you! The stuff you do up there is screwed up as it is." Riku snapped, sending him a harsh glare. Axel was dumbfounded, feet cemented to the floor. His mouth hang and he tried to say something, words never forming. Suddenly Riku realized what exactly he just done. He blinked, snarl going limp and turning to a concerned expression. "Axel," he said softly. Axel didn't answer. "Axel, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it… I just… I snapped you know? The stuff done in those facilities isn't fucked up or anything… I'm just… I guess I'm just bitter…" There was no answer, Axel turned from Riku and headed for the door. "Wait, Axel," Riku dropped the dough and turned to go forward, running into the counter and cussing. "Axel, I'm sorry, don't leave…"
"Stop Riku," Axel shook his head. "Don't apologize, because I know you meant it." Axel stayed quiet for a moment, "I know you disapprove of what we do in the facility, and I know you fucking hate Ansem, but get over it Riku. Don't put me down because you're pissed you never had a relationship with him, I never had a fucking father either, get over it." The two stood there in silence for a moment. "All I wanted to do was tell you, I was excited. Don't make me keep my work at the facility from you because the facility is more than just a job to me, you know that, and I can't control it." Riku didn't say anything; there was nothing to say, so he merely began to knead dough.
"I'm proud of you Axel," Axel left the room. "I just wish I had what you do…"
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Axel was furious; he had a terrible case of road rage, and now was storming down the hall, taking the back way to the third floor stair case. He was going to pop into the labs. Sitting around and looking through the programs tended to calm him down, or at least momentarily direct all the energy he had towards something productive. He was about the reach the stair case when he roughly made impact with another body causing him to stumble backward, the other person completely falling to the floor and sending their stack of books everywhere. Axel caught his balance, about to turn and growl a few choice words at the other person when he realized it was Roxas. The blonde sat up and rubbed his head. The textbook he had been carrying had landed on his stomach leaving him completely winded. "A-Axel?" Roxas wheezed dizzily. Axel immediately came over to the blonde and pulled him up, causing the other to once again wobble and try to regain his balance.
"Jesus, Roxas," Axel said dusting off the boy, and then bending down to pick up his books. "Are you okay?" Roxas gave him a weak smile and a nod.
"Just a bit disoriented I guess."
"Jeez," Axel sighed, "I'm sorry, this is my fault."
"No, not really," Roxas answered, he gave a small shrug. "I saw you coming. I should have walked faster to get out of your way."
"And I should have watched where I was going." The boy laughed a little. Axel watched him, the rage he had felt moments before melted. Axel felt at peace, and then it clicked, he might as well stay with the blonde for a little while. It would take the edge off his bad mood; Roxas was probably going on a lunch break anyways.
"Hey Rox," The blonde stopped laughing and looked up at Axel expectantly, "Where ever you're going, mind if I join you?"
Roxas nodded and shot him a bright smile, "Yeah… I'd like that."
It wasn't exactly the most extravagant lunch Axel ever had. He excused himself for a moment to go down to the café to grab a sandwich. Roxas sat on the loveseat, his lunch in front of him on the coffee table as he waited for Axel to return. Axel came back in and sat down next to the blonde who was already starting with his sandwich. They sat there and happily made conversation about how their days were going. Axel of course left out the parts with Riku and the news from Ansem, basically lying about the course of the day's events. Roxas informed Axel about the reading lesson with Tifa and how he wasn't allowed to move on to any other subjects until he could read at a sixth grade level and pass the examination with a perfect score. Apparently the first exam was Friday, and he wasn't expected to pass. Tifa would use the test to see where her teaching was lacking so she could patch the holes and get him on to bigger and better things. As for reading, Roxas explained that he needed to read the little mermaid book since he had only looked at the pictures the previous night.
"I could always help you read it," Axel suggested. The two had been sitting there, done with lunch, merely talking and thinking about what they had to do for the rest of the day.
"Yeah you could." Roxas shrugged. "I feel like I should be reading it on my own though, so I don't know." Axel smiled and nodded. "I've been thinking a lot lately, about what you told me and what Doctor Ansem said. I need to learn and do it one my own. I want to be the best." Axel gave him a proud smile.
"I'm glad you have decided that. I imagine you will do perfectly." The Blonde gave a light laugh; he was a lot happier than he was that same morning. "So where are you heading next?" Axel asked, he was expecting the boy to go back to reading, but Xemnas also had control of the schedule thus it was very possible he would go to something else.
"I guess in that other room right down the hall," Roxas gestured to the hall containing his bed room and gym, "It's a class with Terra, a gym and health class I guess."
Axel nodded, "That's an important class. I remember having something similar... but I thought you weren't starting any other classes till you could read?"
"Well I guess Ansem… wait…you had classes like these? I thought normal children went to school and their parents taught them most of the basic stuff."
"Well they did," Axel added quickly, "But I still had a gym and health class…" Axel trialed off, looking at the blonde for a moment and then quickly averted his eyes. Roxas was giving him a very critical look, as if he was examining him, after a second or so he leaned back in the seat and sighed.
"What was it like to grow up Axel?" Axel remained quiet, giving a small shrug. Roxas curiously looked at him, from the lack of response.
"I don't know…" He started, not really finding the words, "Boring I guess. I uh…" Axel just shrugged and looked at Roxas. His face wasn't showing it, but the green eyes couldn't hide the hurt Roxas bit his lip; it had been a bad question. Roxas leaned forward and wrapped his arms around Axel, there was a moment of shock as Axel sat there with Roxas' arms around him, but then he smiled, returning the embrace. They parted and Roxas stared up at the redhead, the blue eyes pulled Axel into their depths. "What was that for?" Axel asked turning his expression to a smirk.
"It was a hug; you do it to comfort friends." Roxas said softly. It was at that moment that the atmosphere in the room shifted. They pair were looking at each other, Prussian blue being absorbed into the green a magnetic pull between the two. Roxas didn't know what was happening but felt himself leaning into the redhead, face flushing. Axel brought a hand to the others cheek and caressed it softly. The door swung open.
"Hey Rox, I'll be in the gym setting up. Go change okay?" Axel swung around, knocking the blonde back, luckily Terra had come in busy clicking as his watch. The man looked up and waved. "Hey there Doctor. If your need him that's fine, just have him come in when he is done."
Thank the lord that the situation had worked out in Axel favor. Axel simple stood up and returned the smile to the man, keeping his cool. "Nope, he is all yours." The other nodded and proceeded to the gym. Axel looked back to Roxas who was sitting there with a confused glare plastered on his face. Axel pursed his lips, what had commenced moments ago was completely inappropriate and should have been allowed to happen. In fact Axel wasn't sure where the sudden urge had come from. "Roxas?" The blonde looked up at him questioningly. Axel paused a moment, being caught in the blue eyes, he smiled softly. "I'll see you later tonight." Roxas nodded and got up walking quickly to his room and closing the door. Axel shook his head, this wasn't good.
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Once inside his room Roxas closed his eyes and leaned back against the door, letting his knees cave out from under him, he slid down until he was seated there. His heart felt like it was beating a thousand times more rapid than normal. What just happened? The way Axel had been looking at him drew Roxas in, the mere memory caused his cheeks to flush. Roxas didn't understand. There was a knock on the door behind him, "Hey Roxas, hurry up and get changed. I'll be waiting for you. Put on some loose fitting pants and close toed shoes." It was Terra.
Roxas let out a soft, "Okay," and listened as the other man went back to the gym. Roxas sighed letting his eyes fall closed for a moment and then getting up. He went over the drawer and pulled out the baggy pair of shorts, removing his white pants and slipping them on. He then pulled on the tennis shoes. Roxas didn't feel up to going to class, but he knew he had no choice remembering what he was. Roxas left the room and headed to the gym where Terra was waiting for him, the room full of different types of equipment that Roxas had never seen before.
"Hey." The man was inspecting the equipment with a pleased smile, giving a small wave to Roxas as he came in. Terra turned and addressed the blonde again after he finished gawking at the machines. "We're going to start with wellness and health." Roxas nodded stepping further into the room and letting the door click closed. Terra fumbled through his stuff and pulled out a book for Roxas, who merely turned it over in his hands a few times looking at the front and back cover. Roxas cracked the binding of the book, opening to a random section in the middle and was confronted with a diagram, causing him to blink a bit.
"Terra?" Roxas asked quietly, a frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. "What is this about?" Terra came over to Roxas sighing and laying a hand on his shoulder.
"Well, part of my job is to teach you about the reproductive system. You're going to learn it in Biology but I have to teach it to you as well. It's a part of maintaining good health. You know, hygiene, socialization, drug use… although I can't see you using… but…" As Terra went off on a tangent Roxas just stared at the image, and then turned the page and began to flip through the rest of the book, which he found to be strikingly thinner than his other text books. "Why don't we start with the book?" Terra walked over to the table and motioned him over, "I frankly hate teaching it, so we might as well get it over with. We will divide our time between the book and using the equipment, okay?" Roxas followed, turning to the first page. The rest of the lesson was spent putting Roxas on a workout routine. It wasn't until later that Roxas joined Tifa in the library the strange lesson was dancing around his mind.
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Axel was on the complete other side of the building working on the presentation with Xemnas. He had been reflecting on the afternoons events, concluding that the almost kiss was a result of pent up rage and that he really had no desire to kiss the boy, let alone any sexual feelings for him. He repeated that in his head yet a small part of him called the bluff. He was scheduled to go down and talk with Roxas during a period of time called, 'Guidance.' He really wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing since the boy was still fresh to the world and didn't have any deep inner conflict. He also knew that sometimes doctor Even would have to take over that shift due to his schedule which seemed to be getting busier, thus the change of councilor might throw the blonde off. There were a lot of patients coming in lately, and Axel helped maintain the cells in labs two and three to check to make sure each developed into a perfect zygote. He was permitted to terminate anyone that was deformed, and some of the cells just didn't take to each other. Axel wasn't the only one who monitored the lab, in fact this week he hadn't been up there due to Roxas' project taking off. For the male couples and women who could not carry their own children lab three housed the tanks with the growing fetuses. Coincidently Xemnas had left prior in the evening to check tank 24, the parents were coming in at five to see the fetus, so he had to make sure everything was in top shape, god help him if they walk in and it's dead. Axel finished up work around six and headed down for a coffee and then to wait for Roxas. Roxas came in a little late, dinner and Axel already waiting for him at the table. "Axel?" Roxas startled upon seeing the other man on the couch, but the startle turned into a broad smile. "I didn't expect you to be here so early."
"I got finished with my work early, so I decided to come down and see you." Axel shrugged. "Me talking to you is actually part of your schedule," he informed, watching Roxas from the corner of his eye as he took a sip of his coffee. The other smiled momentarily, "So any new striking information to share with me?"
"Oh, oh! You wouldn't believe what I learned today." Axel raised a curious brow at the blonde, cueing him to continue. "Sex." Roxas stated bluntly. The redhead's confused expression was quickly falling into a smile, laughter threatening to come out as Roxas nodded sagely, repeating what he had said. "Sex, I know everything about it now."
"Sex?" Axel asked.
"Yes Axel, sex."
Axel turned away, eyebrows raised; he was trying to keep a serious expression while holding back his laughter. "So you know everything about sex?"
"Yes I do." The funniest part, for Axel, was the blonde's dead serious expression that he kept the whole time. Roxas believed that knew everything about the subject.
Axel brought a hand up and rested his chin against it, looking off into the middle distance. The pitch of his voice was a tad higher as he forced back a laugh, "So, uh, who taught you about sex?"
"Terra did," Roxas said shaking his head, "He has a whole book about it. There are pictures and everything."
"Pictures of sex?"
"Penises Axel," That was it, Axel could not keep in his laughter anymore, and almost threw himself off the couch as he doubled over. Roxas raised his eyebrows at the redhead. "Axel? Why are you laughing?"
"Because of you," Axel sent Roxas a large grin, "You're so freak'in serious."
"I am serious," The blonde said raising his voice a little, he was getting embarrassed and slightly annoyed that Axel would laugh at him.
"I know you are that's what's funny!" Axel sat up, catching his breath and giving him an apologetic smile. "It's just… Roxas you know nothing about sex." Roxas furrowed his brows, angry at the accusation. He surely did know what it was; he had spent a whole two hours with Terra learning about it! Axel sighed at the angry face Roxas was giving him and leaned back in the love seat, "If you know so much about it, then tell me Roxas."
Roxas blinked, shocked from being put on the spot, then folded his arms and stuck his nose in the air. "Sex is what girls and boys do together to make a baby…" He looked at Axel who was donning a wolfish grin. The blonde flushed and dropped a bit, "Do I have to say specifically what they do?" Axel nodded, folding his arms in the same fashion as the blonde did, and taking joy in the blush that had risen to Roxas' cheeks. His brows furrowed, "Well the boys put their… well it's kinda like…" Roxas mumbled the last few words. Axel just gave him a hearty chuckle shaking his head making the boy give him an angry glare once again but the rage was far outweighed by the embarrassment.
"You're not wrong Roxas. You have the concept but you're forgetting something important," Axel shrugged, "Or maybe you weren't told." Roxas looked at Axel waiting to be told the answer; he didn't want Axel to laugh at him anymore so instead of arguing he simply listened. "Two people have sex when they love each other Roxas. And it doesn't have to be a man and a woman, it can be two men, or two women as well."
"But two people of the same gender can't make a baby… I don't understand why they would have sex."
Axel shook his head laughing again. "Love Roxas. They do it out of love."
"Love?" the blonde questioned.
"Yes… and it feels pretty good too." Axel blurted with a chuckle. The blondes face scrunched up in disgust.
"It does?" Axel nodded. Roxas raised a brow at the elder male, "And how would you know? Have you had sex before?" Now it was Axel's turn to blush. Anywhere else he would have proudly admitted that yes, he was not a virgin and had a number of different sexual partners in his life but in front of Roxas, someone who was completely innocent, Axel couldn't help but feel guilty. Axel gave Roxas a steady nod as a reply, the blonde in return thought about this and signed. "I suppose I'm the only one in the whole facility who hasn't, right? Sex is a common thing?" Axel had to keep from laughing and simply gave another nod. "Right," Roxas said looking down and blinking, he then looked back at Axel. "Then it's my goal to have sex too. I want to know what it's like."
Axel startled at the declaration, "Roxas," Axel quickly cut in, "That's a terrible goal. Sex isn't something you just go out and do, you have to find someone you love first. When you love someone it's much more special." Roxas stared up at Axel.
He was embarrassed once again, biting his lip and shrugging. He hated being wrong. "Okay Axel." The two sat quiet for a moment. There wasn't much to say after the awkward sex conversation, yet Roxas felt like there was so much more. Axel looked at his watch, it was getting late, but he wasn't ready to leave the blonde. "What do you do when you're not here at the facility?" Roxas asked, he had been watching Axel and noticed that he checked the time. "When you leave where is it that you go?"
"Home," Axel stated.
"…Oh, I heard about that place..." Roxas smiled, "A place where only you and your family live, right?" The redhead nodded. "Tell me about it…" Roxas said relaxing back into the loveseat.
Axel paused a moment, watching Roxas, "I have a place in the city. My friend Riku has a teashop, above it was empty so we renovated it to a house and live there together."
"Tea shop?" Roxas repeated, cocking his head to the side.
"Yeah, it's uh… It's like a store. He makes different types of foods and drinks there, tea being the most popular, and sells them to people." Roxas' eyes widened at the suggestion.
"Wow, could I go there sometime? I want to see your store and house." He smiled, "It sounds really cool."
Axel gave him a weak smile, "Maybe someday you can, but I'm not sure that will be anytime soon." The boy drooped slightly; he understood what Axel meant completely.
"Its fine," he said, "It's not your fault." The two paused. "So, what's your friend like?" Roxas asked curiously.
"Riku?" Axel chuckled, "He's an asshole- oh… I meant that he's not very nice. He teases me a lot and we fight, but it's because we are both stubborn." Axel paused, "He, uh… he is blind."
"What's that mean?"
"Blind?" Axel asked, the blond simply nodded, "It means that he can't see… his eyes don't work." Roxas' eyes widened, he couldn't imagine it.
"That's terrible." He said softly. "Why? What happened?"
"Nothing really happened. He was just born that way." Roxas nodded
"Is that common, to be born blind?"
Axel shrugged, "Nah, not really. Most of the time people come to places like this facility and have their babies checked. If they have the gene that causes it then they are terminated."
"Terminated? As in they die?" Axel nodded, observing the change from shock go to repulsion in Roxas' face. "That's terrible Axel. He could have never been born."
"Yeah I know and so does he. His father is a pretty famous guy so it's shocking that he is still here."
"Who is his father?"
There was a delay in response time. Axel pondered the idea of telling Roxas, there really was no harm in it, but then again it was the doctor's privet life… "Doctor Ansem." He stated slowly. Roxas' eyebrows rose so fast one could have sworn they would shoot right off his forehead.
"That guy has a son? Wait, he has a wife?"
"Had a wife. And yeah, but she died. Don't ask me how, I don't know." The redhead shrugged, "But no more personal questions about Doctor Ansem, okay."
"Alright," Roxas gave a nod; their time together was drawing to a close. The remainder of their time was spent chatting about Roxas' classes and the stuff he had learned that day. Roxas' told him about the teachers he had met, there were four new ones and all of them made him a bit nervous, but Axel reassured him that after a while it would be fine.
"Roxas," The petite burnet nurse popped her head in the door. She came in when seeing Axel there too. "Sorry to disturb you two, but Xemnas send me to check if you were in bed."
"Oh," Axel checked his watch, "Is it really that late?" It was ten O'clock, the redhead blinked surprisingly at his watch; he had been there for at least four hours. Axel looked towards Roxas, who was giving him a questing look. "We went over our time Roxas; I have to leave you now. I'm like… half an hour over what we're allowed."
"Alright," Roxas sighed, standing up from the seat. "I'll see you tomorrow Axel." He gave the other a soft smile, and then headed back to his room.
Axel watched him walk, sighing as he collected his things, "Xemnas wants to talk to you." Aerith stated giving him a small smile, she was always smiling. "You know how that man is, always a grump, although he didn't say if it was good new or bad."
"Okay Aerith, thanks for the heads up," Axel chuckled; Xemnas was probably one of the scariest men in the facility. He waved to her, and the two departed, closing Roxas' door for the night.
҉
Love. Love. Love. That word kept popping up. Love, what is it? Roxas removed his shirt and pants. He sat on the edge of the bed and peeled off his socks, the dot of brown between his toes greeting him. But he paid no mind to it and discarded the articles into the basket. He returned to his bed, telling the blue screen to turn the lights off, which it did, and laying down and closing his eyes. The blue screen bid him good night in a white blinking text. Its harsh light caused his eyelids to form interesting patterns in the darkness matching his thoughts. Axel. He wished the redhead could have stayed. He became bored when he was alone, not that he was alone often, but still. Love… The blonde sat up and asked the screen to turn on his lights, which it did, and he looked around the room and sighed. The white binding of a book caught his attention. And he remembered the story, the images. Axel had told him it was a love story. There is was again, love. He got from his place on the bed and stretched to get the book, cracking open the binding and looking down at the image of the pale woman with black flowing hair. The Little Mermaid, a love story. He nestled back into the pillows and read. He cried. He cried when he realized how distance she was from the prince, the longing she had to be able to walk with him. And he cried when he held her in his arms, but most of all he cried when the princess came, and the prince longed for her. He cried with her and for her as she cast herself to the swallowing foam of the sea. He cried for her. He cried almost two hours before he cried himself to a state of calmness where a redheaded man hushed him, and lulled him to sleep. The blue screen turned off the lights.