~o~ Chapter *Counts fingers* six! ~o~

Hi, I'm Roxas Richards and I'm getting the worse news of my life.

"Camping?" I ask in utter disbelief. "With Axel?"

Axel seems just as unhappy, if not unhappier. He dropped his fork when he heard. It fell onto his plate, splashing red eyed gravy all over the table. His mouth was hanging open as he stared at mom. She just stared right back at him, a stern look on her face.

"It's final," she said. "If you want to go, Axel, you have to take your brother. Its the only way that I know that you and your friends aren't doing anything bad! Besides, you guys need to spend more time together. Most step brothers as close in age as you two are really close! I read it in a magazine."

"Therefore, it must be true," dad snorted. He instantly quieted when she shot him one of her looks. With a cough, he said, "That's a great idea, honey! I think Roxas should go, too!" She didn't see him wink at me and mouth, "Have fun."

So, it was decided. I was to go on a camping trip with Axel and his stupid friends. That's not exactly how I planned to spend the first few days of my Christmas break. Oh, well. Guess I have no choice.

We were supposed to be leaving tonight, so after dinner, Axel demanded that I pack. He told me not to wear any 'Nerd Clothes.' I don't wear freaking nerd clothes. I dress like any other teenage boy. Excuse me for not wanting to cut off circulation to my legs with those stupid girl skinny jeans! I mean, dang! I do wear skinny jeans, though. Their just not tight, you know? I don't want to not be able to move just because I want to be in fashion.

Axel came with me into my room to watch me pack. Weirdo.

I dumped out my backpack on my bed and started to pull crap out of my closet, not caring what I grab.

"You know we're going to the mountains, right?" he asks and I groan, dumping out my bag again.

I replace the earlier clothes with my warmer clothes, stuffing in my sweat shirt. Axel is watching me but I ignore his stupid judgmental butt. I haven't talked to him at all since he and his friends had me steal that dead girl's jewelry. I mean, why should I? He's a jerk! How dare he! I've had a nightmare every night since then and every time I think about it I feel so bad that I get physically sick. Like now. My stomach is killing me! I feel like I have to puke...

Apparently, we're going to Cloud's family lodge in the middle of a forest on top of a super snowy mountain. I don't understand how Cloud's family can afford things like family tombs, custom coffins, gold and silver jewelry, nice cars, and now, a lodge, yet he lives in such a crappy part of town! In such a crappy house!

Cloud came to pick us up around nine thirty. It was raining out when we left, the moon hidden behind the stormy rain clouds. Cloud was driving a Expedition now, I noted. Axel and I both got into the back-back where a girl was already sitting.

Cloud is driving, a man a little older then him sitting in the passenger's seat. He had black hair and a smile on his face as he said something to Cloud. Leon was sitting in the front back by the window, pissed off about something. Next to him was that guy Rufus and next to Rufus is one of the guys I remember being on the couch. He has red hair that's pulled back into a ponytail. Next to me where I sat in the middle is a girl with short black hair. She's staring at the rain dripping down the window.

"Good to see you again, Roxas," Cloud said suddenly. Ugh, his voice is making me nauseous. "We haven't scared you off yet?"

"I don't want to be here," I spat at him. "My mom made me come."

The guy up front sighed and looked to Cloud. "What did you do to him?"

Cloud shrugged and kept driving, choosing not to answer the question.

I want to shout out 'What did he do to me? He locked me in a tomb and made me steal jewelery from some dead chick! He traumatizedme!' But I didn't. If I'm going to have to stay with them for three days, I don't want to start crap on the way there.

We were driving for three hours when I started to get tired. The girl next to me had fallen asleep as well as Rufus who was leaning on the redhead who was texting. Leon was talking quietly on his own phone, smiling. The black haired guy was arguing with Cloud about something, but they were quiet about it. God, I swear, their going to crash and kill us all.

What time is it? It has to be only twelve. Long drives always make me tired. The dark isn't helping, either.

I was falling asleep at an alarmingly fast rate, lolling lightly as I fought to keep my eyes open. I was startled awake when I felt an arm go around me and pull me into Axel.

"Are you tired?" he asked. I can't see his face because of how dark it is. Its scary.

Why does he have an arm around me? Oh, god. Why the heck does he have his arm around me! I want to scream and push him away out of fear of him, but his touch is making my stomach tie in a knot and my head numb.

"Kinda," I reply, subconsciously leaning into him. The tired feeling is sinking into my body and mind again, drowning out the butterflies and accompanying the numbness.

He smells really, really, really good. He wears Axe, something that completely fits his manly personality. His cardigan still has the smell of Downy and its a nice mix with the body spray. And he's warm. I can't decide whether the effect all this is doing to me is bad because we're both guys, bad because we're step brothers or bad because he's a mega-jerk. Heck, the way I'm feeling right now, I can't even decide if its bad!

I fell asleep, not caring to think about it anymore.

~o~

I woke up to yelling. Cloud and that other guy were fighting very heatedly. They had switched sits and now that other guy (Who's name I need to learn) is driving. Cloud is sitting in his seat, his arms crossed, pouting.

I rub my eyes and let out a content sigh, feeling much better. The girl next to me was still asleep but Rufus was awake and texting on his phone, the redhead still doing the same. I look at my own phone screen and see that its almost three in the morning. The rain outside has turned to snow so I know that we're getting higher into the mountains.

Axel is asleep, too. For as long as I've lived with him, he's always been able to sleep through everything.

I pulled myself from his warmth, stretching and sighing again.

Cloud gives up on their argument with one last aggravated shout of the F word. Keeping his arms crossed, he glared out the window.

We were at the cabin half of an hour later. By then, Axel and the girl next to me have woken up, too. We all hopped out, Axel carrying my bag for me. His chivalry is getting weird. One second he's a complete jerk to me and the next he's putting his arm around me and carrying my bag. He's starting to freak me out.

When I get out of the Expedition, my feet sink to my knees into the high snow. I have to trudge through with much difficulty, Axel walking by my side and guiding me to the large log house in front of us. Its huge! Bigger then Sora's house and my own put together, and Sora's house is freaking big.

"Well, looks like Zack's gonna have a hell of a time shoveling this snow off the path," Cloud says and the black haired guy, Zack, sighs.

The snow falling around us is very pretty. Its not falling like a storm the way it was earlier. Its more of a light fall surrounding us and falling delicately to the already white ground. It never rains in Hesperia. Its rare that we even get rain.

After what seems like a century of hard work, getting complaints from everyone including Cloud, we finally make it to the porch. I'm freezing by then, my legs soaked from the snow. Cloud unlocked the door and pushed it open. We were instantly assaulted by warmth that wafted from the house.

The house is beautiful. It has a polished hard wood floor with 'forest fashioned' furniture. A moose head is mounted over the fireplace, some stuffed squirrel skins on the mantle all holding candles between their stiff fingers. There is a big bear skin carpet in the middle of the couches, an old fashioned TV on a oak wood stand with deer horns on top of it.

Cloud dropped his bag and put his hands on his hips, grinning. "Well, here we are, gang! Make yourselves at home."

I look around. The stairs go up into a balcony like hallway. Axel said that we were staying in one of the upstairs rooms together. He lead me up the stairs and to the eighth (Eighth!) door, opening it.

It has one bed. One! This won't do. Even if the bed is a California king, I don't think I can trust Axel and me sleeping in the same bed. Not with the way he's been acting lately. There are framed paintings on the walls of forests scenes and animals and hunting dogs. There are two nightstands on wither side of the bed, one having a snake lamp the other having a jack rabbit lamp. Scary!

Axel threw both of our bags by the flat screen and sat on the bed. I fidget a little before sitting next to him. This is going to suck. This is going to be a sucky time. I'm on top of a mountain in the middle of a forest, snow is everywhere, I'm surrounded by mean people who hate me and I don't particularly like myself and I have to share a room- a bed- with Axel. God, just strike me dead now.

"So," Axel says, patting his legs rhythmically.

"So," I mimic. Well, this is awkward.

"Nice place, huh?" Axel says, looking for an agreement. I just nod. "Yeah, Cloud's family is loaded. More then Leon. I guess that's why their such good friends. Rich people stick with rich people."

"Why did he live in such a crappy house in such a crappy part of Hesperia?" Okay, I know that question is rude, but at this point I don't care if I'm rude. And plus, I just need to know. It's been bugging me for forever.

Axel shrugged and said, "He lives by himself 'cause his mom kicked him out. His grandparents, the source of all the money, wanted to help but Cloud's hard headed."

"Does he have a job?" I ask.

Axel shrugged again and said, "Kinda."

I don't know what he means by 'kinda' but I nod, choosing not to ask. I don't know anything about Cloud, but from what I do know, he could be a drug seller or a prostitute. Or both. I mean, I'm not just saying that because I don't like him. Okay, I am. But still!

Axel yawned, covering his mouth. He yawned like Sora. Sora never opens his mouth wide when he yawns and covers up his mouth and most of the bottom half of his face. Its cute when he does it, but weird when a beast like Axel does.

"I am so tired," Axel said. "Only got like, two hours of sleep."

I nod. I'm kind of tired, too. I woke up much to early. Its like, four. The sun isn't even coming up yet, its so early. But the snow seems to let out its own light so its kind bright in the room, even with only one of the lamps on.

There was a knock on the door and when Axel grunted loudly, Cloud opened the door and walked in. Great. Just what I flipping need.

He looked around the room, smiling as always. "Nice, huh, Axel?" He made a point to address Axel. "I used to love coming here as a kid." He looked and noticed me for the first time, his smile gone and replaced with a blank look. "Your bunking with Roxas? There are free rooms, you know."

"I know," Axel said, bumping my shoulder with his own. "I just don't want him to stay alone. Hate to say it but I don't trust you guys with my step brother. I mean, with the shit we're gonna be doing, I want to keep him on good terms."

Ah. So that's why he's been so nice. He doesn't want me telling on him. What are we, five? And, haven't I already proven that I'm not a tattle tale? What the heck are they going to be doing, anyway? Geeze, I have a headache.

Cloud nodded his understanding and said, "Fine. Just don't get cum all over the sheets, you bastard."

When he left, he slammed the door. Man, someone is one angry camper. I turned to Axel and asked, "What the heck was all that about?"

Axel shrugged. "He loves me. You hungry?" I shook my head. "Okay. I'll be right back, then."

He left, too, leaving me all alone in the room. Now that I'm alone its kind of creepy. All the dead animals and whatnot. The floor in front of the bed has a deer skin in front of it. Who has deer skin rugs? I mean, I can understand bear, but deer? Geeze!

I was sitting there for ten minutes when I realized that I had to pee. I sighed and stood up, not really wanting to leave the safety of this room. But I did for the seer hope of being able to fine a bathroom by myself. So I leave the room in search of the porcelain throne.

I take one step out and I'm already lost. Do you know how many rooms are in this hallway? Thirteen. Thirteen! I counted. He has thirteen stupid rooms in this stupid house that is just a vacation home. I hate Cloud, I swear, I am going to kill him in his sleep. I've always disliked the fact that all of the worst people get all of the best stuff.

I found the bathroom and I don't know how I didn't before. It had a half moon carved into the thick wood with the indent painted black. Above it in the same fashion are the woods 'Latrine.' Its because of how early it is that I couldn't find it before. Don't judge me.

After 'leaking the snake' as my father would say, I left the bathroom. Leon was leaning over the railing, still on his phone. Being the creeper I am, I listened to his conversation as I passed by.

"-llshit. Just come out here. Have that slut- I mean, have Kairi- bring you out. Okay. See you soon. Love you." I never would have imagined Leon saying that he loved somebody! Wow.

My hand was on the door handle when someone laid their hand on my shoulder. It surprised me to where I turned around quickly, flailing my hands like a mad man and hitting the person who had touched me on the bottom of his chin by accident.

"Ow! Shit!" Zack rubbed his chin and pouted. "Jesus! This is my money maker, man! Ow, ow, ow..."

"I am so sorry!" I covered my mouth and kept apologizing until he waved his hand and told me that it was fine.

When he was done rubbing his chin he said, "God... Anyway, I wanted to talk to you." I stared at him expectantly and he shook his head. "In private. Is this your room?" I nodded nervously and he opened it, scrunching his nose. "One bed? Aren't you sharing this with your brother?"

"Step brother," I say, stepping in. He steps in after me and closes the door.

The look he's giving me is making me nauseous. I feel like he's going to jump on my and rip out my jugular with his bare teeth. I don't know why this man whom I have never talked to before would want to talk to me in private. Jesus, does he hate me, too, because of Cloud? He's going to kill me and throw my body into the snowy forest for the hungry hunting animals that have no food right now because all of the prey is in hibernation.

He says, "What did Cloud do to you?"

"What?" I furrow my brow at him. What kind of question is that?

Zack explains, "I mean, to be in the group. You know, like how he made Rufus his slave and had Axel break into the classroom of the dead science teacher and steal all her old stuff. What did he make you do?"

I pressed my lips in a thin line. This is Cloud's boyfriend, and, no matter how much I hate Cloud, I don't want to say something that might mess up his relationship. Even if he deserves it. I'm not that mean.

I shrug nonchalantly and say, "It was nothing, really." He gives me a look and I crack, sighing. "He locked me in his family tomb." He gives me the same look, stronger this time. "And... made me steal some jewelery from one of the bodies..."

Zack cursed and said, "I was wondering how he got that necklace back!"

"What?" I give him an odd look, confused.

He walks around the room, looking at all of the stuff. At some things he nodded approvingly, at others he snorted. While doing so he said, "That chick you stole from was probably his older sister. You know how families always have that one golden child? Yeah, that was her. And Cloud was kind of the black sheep, hated by most of the family because he was the child of an affair or something. Anyway, that was a necklace he got from his grandma, and she got it through a drunken bet and to mock him she wanted to be buried in it or whatever. Is that a deer rug?"

While my brain was processing all of the new information, he turned to me again, the look on his face desperate. "Hey, um, I know that this is weird and kind of personal but, do you know if Cloud's been messing with your brother?"

"Step," I push. "And, no." Even though I so do! Oh noes, I'm a liar! I'm going to burn in Dante's inferno for all eternity for this! "I don't think that he'd cheat on you." Not that I know him.

Zack sighed, relieved. Now I feel bad. "God, thank you so much. I wouldn't think that Axel would do anything, anyways. We're good friends, kind of. And from what I understand he likes someone. Or something. Hey, are you hungry? I'm hungry. Lets go eat, yeah?"

I shook my head saying, "No, I'm fine."

"Oh. Okay, well, you should go to sleep 'cause your gonna be up all night."

"Why?" I ask. I have no idea why we're out here, much less why I would stay up all night.

"Oh," Zack says, looking around again. Does he have ADD? "We're having a party. A big one. People are comin' from all over, a bunch of bands, their band is playing, there's gonna be a stage, alcohol, drugs, hot girls, blah blah blah. You know, Cloud stuff. He likes girls, you know that? Is that a snake?"

The door opened and Axel walked in. He stopped when he saw Zack, his brow furrowed. "Zack? What are you doing in here?"

"Huh?" Zack turned from gawking at the lamp, a bored look on his face when he saw Axel. "Oh, hi, Axel. I'm just talking to your brother."

"Step," I say.

"He's pretty cool," Zack goes on. "Why haven't I met him before? Huh? I like him. Hey, Roxas, have a boyfriend? Because I have a brother around your age. Or are you straight? Because I have a sister around your age, too. No, wait, she'd three. No, I have two sisters and one of them is around your age. How old are you?"

"Um, I'm single, I'm straight and I'm sixteen," I say, trying to get all the questions out of his babble.

Zack laughs and points at me happily, looking back at Axel. "He speaks Zackanese! Awesome! I love this kid!"

Aw, I'm flattered. Finally, one of Axel's friends who like me! Hallelujah!

Axel isn't so happy, though. He has his lips pressed in a thin line as he gnaws on the corner of the bottom one. "Yeah, well, he's going to sleep."

"Ooh," Zack says, baring his teeth. "So snappy, Axel. I get it, I get it. I don't judge. Nope, everyone knows that Zack Fair doesn't judge. Well, I'll see you guys later. By, Roxas! It was awesome talking with you. 'Scuse me, Axel." The whole time he was talking he walked across the room doing all these had motions as he made his way to the door. Once it was closed, Axel turned to me.

"What the fuck did he say to you?"

I put my hand up in defense. Geeze, I have no idea why he's so mad! I say, "Nothing! Why?"

He pursed his lips at me and shook his head, still giving me that accusing look. "No reason."

He walked over to the window, looking out. I watched him, wondering why he was getting so mad over something so stupid. He might not like Zack because he's into Cloud and Zack has Cloud and he doesn't, but I'm not jumping to conclusions. Okay, I am.

He steps away from the window and pulls off his black and red cardigan, throwing it to the ground. So messy. Then he takes off his shirt and throws that to the ground, too. He's pretty muscular. Has a nice little six pack going on. He has a tattoo on his chest right above his heart with his mother's name, Rikku, in cursive with the date of her death underneath it. How sweet! My mom obviously doesn't know about it.

He looks up at me and smirks. "Like what you see?"

I make a face. "God, no. What are you doing?"

He rolls his eyes and starts to pull off his pants. Then he realizes that he's still wearing his shoes and sits down on the floor, the pants to his knees, and starts to untie the black sneakers. He throws them across the room where they hit the wall loudly and hits the ground. "I sleep in my underwear. Don't you?"

I frown. "Well, yeah, I guess. Sometimes. But not when I'm sleeping in a bed with someone else. Its... weird."

Axel stands up, using the wall for help, and finally pulls off his pants completely. He wears boxer briefs because you can't wear boxers in skinny jeans, even if their not that tight like his or mine, and he sure as heck won't wear tidy whities.

Axel is blinding me with how god like his body is. Way to make a boy feel bad about himself. Here I am, all small and scrawny. It makes sense for Axel to be well sculpted. He was in football for a while so he had to work out, and even after he dropped out he kept working out at the school gym.

Axel sat on the bed and watched me expectantly. I reluctantly took off my own shirt and shoes, but I kept my pants on when I sat on the edge of the bed.

I just knew that it was going to be an awkward night.

~o~

A/N

I know that this is really really really late. All my fanfictions are late right now because my internet arrangements are all messed up. So, I am so sorry! :(

I dyed my hair again! :D I know that you guys can't see me but I thought that I would say that. I wanted to covered up the bleached parts that I had so I just lazily dyed it all black again. Because, like I said, I'm lazy and didn't want to go through the hassle of making the bleached parts the same brown as the rest of my hair because I knew that it would be a hassle. I even took new pics for my Facebook, and I never take pictures~! :)

Review, guys! See you soon! :3