Author's Notes: March is a month of transitions and fluff.
I'm really happy with how everyone is enjoying the story!
Also, if you have a song that you think fits this fanfic, PM me the artist and song name. I'm such a music whore.
Hereafter we waltz into March, where we have casual touching, birthdays, tickle fights, and pre-made plans.
We're also closer to what we all want.
"Good Enough"chapter seven- March
by: Rosalyn Angel
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Axel made sure to be just the right amount of casual. He didn't have much of a choice—between Riku being a good friend and him liking Sora, Axel had to be ready to brush the flirting off as nothing.
Besides, he wasn't even sure himself. He knew for a fact that he liked Riku; it was too hard to ignore. He just thought a lot on whether or not he should go through with it, and that maybe things were best as they were. After all, he didn't want to goof up again like with Roxas.
But really, when it came right down to it, comparing the ups and downs and Riku to Roxas, Axel reminded himself that there was one way to know for sure. If he did goof up, well, things would work themselves out. And this time, he wouldn't let it take a whole year.
Besides, with Riku parading around in their dorm shirtless, what else could a guy do?
First, he had to subtly coach Riku into noticing him. This was accomplished in small steps: stretching his legs in the morning; standing a little closer when talking; occasional, random gifts; a longer stride when walking; off-handed compliments; and most importantly, the casual touching.
It had taken several years of personal experience, but Axel knew the ins and outs of casual touching. For instance, a hand on the shoulder is nothing big—it could be taken as a comforting or platonic gesture. With the right variations, though, it can become more intimate—move the hand down onto the arm, grip a little softer, let it stay a little longer.
There was also the hand between the shoulder blades; ruffling perfectly fixed hair; 'accidentally' bumping into each other; a playful, teasing arm around the shoulders—
Riku, unfortunately, proved to be a hard catch.
Riku kept looking at him.
Axel sat at his desk, typing at his keyboard, and tried not to feel smug. Riku was completely innocent about it, after all—his eyes were only regarding the redhead for educational purposes. Axel knew this because Riku had a sketchbook in hand.
Riku hadn't said anything before doing it. He just sat on the edge of his bed, yanked out some paper and pencils, and carefully studied his roommate before sweeping his hand across the page. His eyes continually flittered between Axel and his work.
Axel pretended like he didn't really notice or care. It was comforting that Riku had assumed his roommate would be okay with this, and really, Axel was more than okay. He saw it as an opportunity to show off.
And that was why he kept changing position.
He stretched his arms way above his head, giving a fake yawn, and made sure his shirt rode up. He rubbed the back of his neck and moved his fingers slowly around the skin. He grabbed his chin as if in thought and brushed his thumb along the bottom of his lip.
Then he glanced at Riku to see his progress. Riku looked annoyed.
Axel smirked, slouching back. "You want me to pose or something?"
Riku was frowning at his paper. "Sorry. I didn't think you'd mind."
He really didn't. Axel used one hand to tell his online friends he'd return soon and sat sideways in his chair. "It's cool. What are you doing, anyway?"
Riku sighed long and hard and set his sketchbook down. "Practicing. My friend Naminé convinced me to start doing it more."
Axel craned his head around to try and see from his seat. "Can I look?"
Riku glared at his drawing and willed it to become better. "It's not very good."
"It's just sketching, right?" Axel stood up and sauntered over. Riku quickly held the book away. "It can't be that bad."
Riku shook his head. "It can. You're hard to draw."
Axel stood up straight and crossed his arms smugly. "Is that a compliment?"
"Well, your nose is really long."
Axel's smugness faltered—
"And your hair is so weird."
—collapsed into itself—
"So in all the pictures, you're bald."
—and then died.
"Gee, thanks," Axel drawled, sulking back to his laptop. "You're real flattering."
Riku laughed and picked up his pencil again. "I'll show you some later, all right?"
"I can't wait…"
Some kid on their floor never finished his Domino's. Not that Axel complained—he didn't let it go to waste. His trips to the community fridge were becoming more frequent, as soon as he found out how convenient it was to steal a piece of pizza that wouldn't be missed.
But he digressed. Riku was sitting at his desk and working, and Axel was sitting at his and not working. He popped the last piece of crust into his mouth and began Flirting Attempt Number Twenty-Two. He had a good feeling about this one.
"How's it going?" Axel asked lightly, leaning over Riku's shoulder and peering at the computer screen.
Riku tilted his head away from the pizza breath, but didn't seem bothered otherwise. "I'm researching for a paper."
It was some foreign artist name that Axel couldn't pronounce. He turned his face to his friend and smirked, staying close. "You work too hard. Relax."
"Unlike you, I want to pass."
"Hey," he said, frowning, "I do well, okay?" Standing up, he stuck his hands into his pockets. Now that he had Riku's attention, he quickly added on: "Listen, Demyx and the band's throwing a party for me pretty soon. You're coming, right? It's this Friday."
Riku turned in his chair and gazed at Axel curiously. "What for?"
Axel grinned like the Cheshire cat. "My birthday. I'll be twenty-one."
Riku ran a hand through his hair. "You didn't tell me your birthday was soon."
"Don't worry," Axel reassured, patting Riku on the back. "There's still plenty of time to shop for a present."
Riku almost choked. Axel's hand was still there. "Present?"
"You bet." Triumphant, Axel went back to his desk and took out his headphones. "I'll be expecting great things, Riku."
If anything was said in protest, he couldn't hear it over his music. After all, he didn't want to spoil his excitement.
Friday came.
Hay21: happy birthday, dorkface
FireGod: Do I get a kiss?
Hay21: NO
SnickerBar: lol
When Demyx came to pick Riku and the birthday boy up, Axel was extremely pleased to see Riku with a bag. It was a gift bag with stringy handles, stuffed with colored tissue paper and hiding a delicious little treat inside. He had a hard time staying still on the car ride over. Seifer remarked on this, saying he didn't have to be so antsy just because he was a legal drinking age now.
But Riku had gone shopping for him.
Of course, Axel teased his roommate all the way, trying to peek inside or lift some of the paper. He loved giving stuff, but he also loved receiving it.
Upon arriving at the house, he discovered one thing: Demyx's mother knew how to host a party.
He had never seen so much food. The woman shopped and cooked like mad.
Axel barely heard all the happy birthdays before he lunged at the snack table. Demyx was right there with him.
Yuffie had on a little cone hat with streamers at the tip, waving around an oblong balloon and poking Luxord with it. The blond dramatically declared he was being molested while Yuffie's father bellowed about no funny business. Seifer cackled and drew his own balloon, drawing Yuffie into a duel. Zexion sat the table, boredom all over his face, as he stared at Demyx diving his Tostito's chip into some dip like an airplane.
It was exactly the type of situation where Riku would normally feel closed off. He'd hang back, cross his arms, and listen without a word. He'd study all the balloons and streamers, all bright and floating and filling the warm house. He'd watch all the normal people bound about and chatter excitedly, and—
Axel walked over to him, away from the rest, and gently grabbed Riku's wrist. "Hey, c'mon. You gotta try this cheese platter. It's awesome."
With one tug from his friend, Riku smiled and let himself be led.
After the initial splurge of junk and snack food, they went downstairs to the practice room where Demyx's mother would later bring the cake. They talked as usual, and Demyx teased Axel about sitting so close to Riku. The redhead would've seen this as a perfect opportunity, if Riku hadn't cut in and assure that they were only close friends.
Axel clicked his tongue.
Thankfully, Demyx's mother came parading down the spiral staircase with a large cake. It had the numbers two and one proudly staked in the middle, already lit, and the whipped cream icing was dyed red along the edges. On its face, little stick figures of the band were drawn, each by their respective identities.
Yuffie made sure to point out her ninja star being flung at Seifer's stupid beanie hat. Seifer had, in turn, squirted a gray dot from the icing tube and claimed it to be a bullet going for Yuffie's face.
The band preformed Happy Birthday on their instruments, Seifer growling out the lyrics like a real rock star, and Axel blew out his candles. He asked if he could light them again for sport and was denied. Afterward, he expertly cut the pieces and handed them out on plastic plates, complete with a fork and napkin.
Then he watched Riku eat.
Because really, a fork going into someone's mouth and slipping out clean could be highly provocative. Axel munched on his white cake and tried not to stare, but it was really hard, especially when Riku gave a little satisfied, "Mmm."
He was relieved when everyone deemed themselves full. Demyx's mother beamed, her creation appreciated, and took the utensils upstairs to throw away.
Now came the part Axel had been waiting for. Presents.
Immediately he went for the gift bag that had a little card signed Riku hanging on the side, but his roommate ordered to save it for last. Axel glared and tore through the others to get to the main course. Not that he didn't appreciate them—he loved them, even the gag book on gay sex Seifer and Demyx had bought. There were a lot of DVDs for his television, and a new hoodie from Yuffie because, "That one must be getting so old." Luxord had gotten him a certificate for a local casino; very thoughtful, even though he didn't gamble. Zexion, surprisingly, came through with several new CDs.
After a mushy moment, Axel sarcastically spouting his love for them all, Riku handed him the bag.
Axel could hardly contain himself. He grinned widely and looked at Riku, yanking off the card and opening it. On the inside, it read:
I told you I'm not good at giving presents.
He glanced at Riku with a scrunched brow, but the other had his face turned away.
Ripping through the tissue, Axel worked down into the bag. Wrapping paper and ribbons surrounded him; they could hardly see the floor.
At last, he reached it. It was soft and feathery light. He pulled it out slowly, and gawked.
From his fingertips dangled a black thong. Fire designs were etched along the sides.
Everyone stared. Riku tried to hide his smirk.
And then Axel burst out into roaring laughter that only he and Riku understood.
Riku was watching the people outside Ansem's window, the older man working as usual. Chemistry notes were strewn over the bed covers—Mr. Vexen taught a mean science class. Ansem had made it tolerable, just as Riku expected, so he'd get a good grade and never have to take another science credit again.
He guessed that meant he wouldn't have a reason to visit Ansem's apartment anymore.
Riku heard the flittering of papers behind him. Ansem hummed thoughtfully, and there was the scratching of a pen.
Outside, cars were rolling along the packed streets. People hugged their jackets and each other close. Spring was around the corner, so the temperature often fluctuated. One day would be pleasant, while the next would be freezing. The grass was turning greener though, Riku noticed.
He put a hand on the cold window glass and watched a young woman walk her dog. Her smile was almost visible.
He remembered Axel's boisterous laughter then.
"Axel thought his present was great," Riku spoke suddenly, strongly. "Or 'awesome,' as he'd say."
He didn't hear anything from Ansem.
"He's twenty-one now, so he has a lot more freedom. Said he wouldn't do anything stupid, though."
Riku took his hand off the window. It was getting too cold and clammy.
"He's really fun to be around. Even at the party, he made me feel comfortable."
That was when he turned. Ansem still sat at his desk, intently proofreading over his paper. There was no glance, no incline of the head, no quirk of the mouth. Riku gazed at him for a long time, waiting for something or anything—some imparting of wisdom or acknowledgement.
His work was already done. Riku didn't know why he still had his notes out. He didn't know why he was still there. Even through all the small hints, he didn't know why he hadn't seen it before.
"You don't really care about anything I say, do you?"
There was a short pause. Ansem's orange eyes met Riku's narrowed ones.
A smirk slithered across his dark face. "My apologies. You were talking?"
After a while, Riku broke their eye contact. He swiftly walked to the bed and gathered his things. "I'm going home. Thanks for the help."
He didn't see Ansem's eyebrow rise, because he was already showing himself out.
Axel had taken great care to not remind Riku that today was Saint Patrick's Day.
Riku was in the shower while Axel sat at his laptop, browsing some joke sites. The younger had to leave for his Storyboarding class, so he wouldn't be in the restroom for much longer.
Sure enough, the water was turned off. Axel heard rummaging and waited excitedly. Everything depended on whether or not Riku wore green. Given that he didn't like wearing green, this was highly likely.
Several intense minutes later, the doorknob turned. Riku exited, wearing overly baggy jeans and his favorite black, sleeveless zippered shirt. Axel gave a nonchalant wave and pretended to be interested in his computer screen.
Flirting Attempt Number Twenty-Seven.
He glanced back to see Riku concentrating on finding a lightweight jacket from his chest drawer. Perfect.
Ever so quietly, he got up from his seat and sneaked over, avoiding all the squeaky floorboards. Now, Axel was a crafty guy—he used whatever he could to his advantage, be they real or legend.
Those pesky leprechauns.
Taking a moment to admire Riku's wet hair and the small patch of neck that showed through, Axel readied his pinching fingers and attacked.
Riku was not appreciative. He spun around with a deep scowl, hand shooting up to hold the abused neck. "What was that for?"
Axel feigned innocence, hands in his pockets. He leaned forward with a smirk. "Those leprechauns just aren't happy with you. Shouldn't you be more considerate?"
Riku's glare melted into a thoroughly confused look. "What are you talking about?"
Axel sighed and crossed his arms, slowly shaking his head. "All they want is a little respect."
Riku regarded him for a while longer. "You're so weird."
He returned to his drawer, shifting some clothes around. Finally, he spotted his white vest under some other shirt. He began to pull it out, arms up and leaving his sides vulnerable. This was his mistake.
There was a sharp prick on his waist. Riku hadn't expected another pinch, especially on his side, so he ended up biting down a yelp and jumping away from the attacking fingers.
Riku was completely ready to snap around and give Axel an earful, but upon meeting his face, all Axel did was stare. The redhead was smart and observant. Between the jump and yelp, he was able to figure something out.
"… You're ticklish."
Riku was wide-eyed and frozen. He searched for words to deny it, but only came up with: "No, I'm not."
Axel let his brightly lit eyes travel to the spot where he had pinched. Then he stared at that, too. The little cogs in his mind were turning.
His pointer finger slowly reached out. Riku watched it, determined.
One poke later, Riku was clenching his jaw and shutting his eyes. Axel was giddy.
"You are ticklish!"
"Axel," Riku calmly began, eyes still shut, "I am not—"
If he had looked, he would've seen Axel reaching out both hands in half-fascination and half-awe. Unfortunately, Riku was so intent on convincing Axel that he was not ticklish that he dug his own grave.
An indescribable feeling bloomed along his sides, and a very large desire to double over and escape exploded in his stomach.
Riku choked out some words, something like "no" or "stop", between several sharp breaths. He bent down, legs buckling and trying to cover his waist or curl into a fetal position. Axel was grinning widely and dancing his fingers over all possible vulnerable areas. Riku had his mouth clamped shut, gagging some laugh that came out more as a snort.
Axel stopped and regarded his roommate. The wet silver hair was hanging in his face more than before and he was hunched over, shoulders up high and muscles tense, using the dresser as support. Riku glared at him.
There was a short moment of peace where Riku glanced at the door and Axel cracked his knuckles. There was also an understanding of what was to come.
Honestly, it was too good to pass up.
When Riku tried to bolt to safety, Axel was not forgiving. Riku was more muscular, but Axel was fast, cunning, and knew his weakness. The younger man's arm was caught and yanked back; their bodies collided roughly and Axel got a mouthful of wet hair. His escape averted, Riku went for grappling—their hands clasped and tried to force the other down and away, Axel twisting free from time to time to aim for Riku's side. It always made Riku distracted just enough, giving a bark of unwanted laughter, for his roommate to gain the upper hand.
The battle was strenuous. Their breaths were short, straining against each other, Riku biting out playful threats that Axel was going to die for this, while the redhead just chuckled and tickled him again.
Axel thought, somewhere in the back of his mind, between trying to stay alive and win, that Riku's laugh was really nice.
Eventually, after a tickle to his stomach, Riku's hands slipped from Axel's arms and merely went on the defensive. He collapsed to the wooden floor, curling up and covering as much skin as possible, hiccupping between laughs and pleading for it to just stop. Axel knelt by him, the victor, and relented.
They took long minutes to catch their breath. Riku uncurled and managed one more threat of impending doom.
Axel was still smiling, hands on his knees. He looked at Riku's flushed face, his long hair all over, eyes closed and face pointed to the ceiling, one arm flung over his heaving stomach.
Riku's aqua eyes opened. From behind thick silver bangs and dark eyelashes, he returned Axel's gaze and maybe even blushed. "What is it?" he asked quietly.
Axel swallowed once.
Be ready to brush it off.
"Nothing," he said lightly, grinning. "You should just see yourself. It's… funny."
Riku rolled his eyes, running a hand down his face. "It's your fault. I'll probably be late for class, too."
"Nah." Axel sat back. "You'll get there on time."
"Maybe," Riku murmured, taking a deep breath. "But you owe me for this."
Axel laughed lowly. "Whatever you say."
It was a weekend night. They were meeting Demyx and Seifer at a café.
"Are you almost ready?" Axel said, watching Cartoon Network. He swiveled his spiky head around to see Riku pulling on his white and yellow vest.
"Yeah, in a few minutes," Riku answered, grabbing his brush.
"Riku, your hair looks fine."
He glared and quickly ran the brush through. "That's because I actually take care of it."
Axel chortled and clicked his TV off, standing to retrieve his hoodie. "What, and I don't?"
"If you do, it's hard to tell."
Axel was about to respond, but Riku's cell phone buzzed on the desk. Riku knitted his brow and walked to answer it.
Sora.
He stared at the caller's name. It kept ringing in his hand. It had been so long since they saw each other or talked. Sometimes, Riku had even been able to forget.
"Aren't you going to answer that?" Axel asked, pocketing his car keys.
Riku blinked. "Uh, yeah." He flipped it open. "Hey, Sora."
Axel paused.
"Riku, you're there! Great. How've you been?"
Riku glanced at his friend, who was sitting down.
"Fine," he said softly, one hand in his jean pockets. He faced away from Axel and spoke to the wall. "What's going on?"
"It's been a while." Sora's voice was still the same. "I was just wondering if you wanted to get together tonight, like a movie or something. We could hang out at my place afterward."
Riku looked over his shoulder. Axel had his eyes on the door.
Sora wanted to see him tonight.
"There's this new movie that's really great. I think you'd like it. It's showing in about an hour, so we can still catch it if we meet up now. What do you say?"
"Hey," Axel called out, green eyes anxious, "we shouldn't keep Seifer and Demyx waiting for much longer."
"Riku?"
Axel stood up and walked over. He put a hand on Riku's shoulder and urged him away, nodding to the door. "Come on. We gotta go."
Riku raised his eyes to him. The hand on his shoulder tugged a little.
Sora wanted to see him.
But Axel was ready to go.
"… Sorry, Sora," Riku finally said. "I already made plans."
There was a short silence. "… Oh. Well, that's okay! Maybe another night. I'll call you."
"Yeah." He turned to face Axel. "I'll talk to you later, okay?"
"Okay, Riku. See you!"
He hung up and stuck the phone into his back pocket, suddenly feeling quiet. Axel smiled and waved him to the door.
By the time they reached the car, Riku was already laughing.
-March, end