Disclaimer:I do not own Kingdom Hearts
Pairings:Planned Axel/Roxas, Zexion/Demyx, Hayner/Olette.
Note: Enter THE AXEL.
Chapter 7) Moving In.
Our house was the last in Bailey Street – number 13 – not far from the market, and only a 10 minute walk from the Uni itself. I only had two small suitcases, but by the time Cid showed up in the van – Dem's car was out of action, tires punctured from charging over pebbled beaches, in search of "The perfect wave" - Hayner was lugging his sixth downstairs. In the end he'd decided it would be easier just to take everything, and sort it out later. Good thing Cid had a van. Dem was coming with us, set on showing his little brother the campus personally. It was kind of sweet really. For all Hayner was excited, and happy to have made it in, we could tell he was a bit scared too.
One of the things he was worried about was his mum. It was the first time she'd be home alone, and he didn't want her getting lonely. From the way Cid jumped at the job of picking us up, even closing the garage for the day, I didn't think he had much to worry about. Other people might not have noticed the change, with how gruff he always is, but on the rare occasion he offered to pick me up from Hayner's, and talked to his mum, he perked up, hiding a little grin with a turn of his face whenever I shot him a knowing look.
The house was old, peeling black paint lined the wooden window-frames, and the garden was overgrown to the point where the small path leading up to the front door was virtually invisible. It was hardly perfect, but as we arrived Hayner and I looked at each other with the same big grins. This was our adventure. Finally away from home, surrounded by friends, in a place we could claim as our own.
Zexion let us in with a small smile, and barely had chance to start "Welco – " before he was body-slammed by a joyful Demyx.
"Zexyyyy! We're heeeere!"
I held back a laugh as Zexion held his arms out to his sides, looking to the side awkwardly as spikes of blonde hair poked him in the jaw. Dem hung on like a limpet.
"Yes. I noticed."
"Did you miss me? I bet it was boooring here without me and Axe!"
"It's been… quiet."
Hayner lugged the first of his suitcases into the hall.
"Don't expect it to stay that way! I plan to be – " He leapt on top of his suitcase, ignoring the sound of something breaking, "The ULTIMATE FRESHER!" Hands on hips, he posed dramatically, waiting for a response.
Seconds trickled by.
"You sure picked the right course, Noodle." He punched me in the arm.
"Damn straight! Drama for the WIN!"
Cid's goodbye wasn't overly emotional. I didn't expect it to be, but the hard edge his voice usually carried softened as he nodded at me before leaving.
"Do your best, kid. I know you'll be fine." Somehow I get the impression he was reassuring himself, not me.
"Yeah."
He climbed into the van, leaning out of the window to add, "Look after Hayner too. He's an idiot, but he's been good for you. It's not often you find people you can rely on. We both know that."
I wasn't sure what to say to that, so just stayed quiet as he tossed something to me, and drove away with a final wave. I looked down at my hands to find a packet of gummi blocks. I smiled and waved at the van as it turned at the end of the road. As a kid I'd been obsessed with the sweets, and whenever I was sad or hurt myself, Cid would dig into the same pocket of his jacket, and give them to me with a ruffle of my hair. It's like he always kept some on him, just in case. He might not have been good with words, but I've always known he cares, in his own socially awkward way. Silly, how much those little multi-coloured sweets meant to me, but I'd not had them in years. I was surprised he remembered.
I walked back inside to hear a bellow of "DIBS ON THE BIGGEST ROOM!" Hayner was racing up the stairs, suitcase loudly bumping on each of the stairs as he went. Dem charging behind him, waving a finger. "NO! I'm the oldest!That room is mine!"
Zexion sighed and looked at me sorrowfully. "It really won't be quiet here anymore, will it?"
I grabbed the nearest bag, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet..."
A smirk, and he followed suit, picking up a bag, and finishing my quote. "…Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened."
We started towards the stairs, but a roaring in the driveway stopped us. Zexion looked up. "Oh, Axel's here."
As he moved towards the door I fought the irrational urge to hide behind my suitcase. To live with my friends I'd also agreed to live with someone who was clearly insane. I forced my face to remain blank, as the door was swung open. I'd never been scared of anything, or anyone. I told myself that wasn't about to change, even as the hairs rose on the back of my neck.
The rumble of an engine grew, and in a screech of brakes, a giant motorbike came to a stop outside our house. Black, with red tendrils running along the length of the body like fire. Black rings of spikes were painted on top of the bright flames, and though I didn't know much about bikes, I knew enough to realise this one was something else. I wondered how fast it went, if the world would blur into lines of colour. Before I knew it, Axel was walking towards the door. Worn black trousers were draped in chains that crossed his hips, connected to a studded red belt. A lose red and black tie hung messy and unorganised over a black tank top. His bright green shirt was open, and rolled up to the elbow. Different charms hung around his neck on black string, and I noticed chains and wristbands as he reached up to take off his helmet. A fierce grin, blazing green eyes, and red hair held back in a messy ponytail, spikes coming free and sticking out around his face. He pulled off his black fingerless gloves, waving them at me with a smirk.
"Hey Blondie. Do you stare at everyone, or just see something you like?" He winked, tucking his helmet under one arm.
I twitched, and considered just walking away. "It's Roxas. You're the guy from before – with Xigbar – right?"
"Bingo. The name's Axel, got it memorized?" he tapped his head before waving at Zexion behind me, "Yo, Bookworm! Good to see ya!"
A nod and the smallest of smiles. "Pyro. Welcome back." He picked up a suitcase and made his way upstairs, adding "Don't torch any of my stuff this year. Those books were expensive."
Axel let out a sharp laugh as he leaned against the doorframe.
"But they burned magnificently! Sign of good literature!"
"I'm sure Suki would burn just as well. Stay away from my books."
I pulled up a blank. "Suki?"
He stared down at me and I couldn't help but notice how tall he was, and that he was blocking my only exit. "Yeah, she's my baby." I hoped to God he didn't mean actual baby. My head was filled with visions of terrifying red haired children with sharp teeth and wicked smiles.
"Girlfriend?"
He snorted, rolling his eyes and jabbing a thumb in the direction of the bike behind him.
"Suzuki Hayabusac. Also known as the GSX1300R. My little motorized baby."
"Not really little."
"Yeah, my ride's big and powerful."
I choked on nothing, and almost died of relief when Dem came barreling downstairs, Hayner clinging onto his back, grinning as he executed a merciless nuggie.
"Say it!"
"Never!"
"SAY IT! The big room is mine!"
"Gyaaa! No! Respect my authority!"
Hayner cackled and gave him a wet willy.
A slow clap stopped them in their tracks. "Alriiight! Fight, fight, fight!"
"Axel!" Hayner dropped to the floor and landed on his ass as Dem charged in for a high five "You're here! Awesome!" they launched into a ridiculously complicated secret handshake that ended in a flourish of air guitar with matching sound effects. Everyone seemed so comfortable around each other, I started to feel a bit out of place.
Hayner waved a hand in front of my face. "Hey Rox, you with us? Stop letting everyone else do all the work! Grab a case and get carting!"
"On it Noodle."
Axel moved forwards and picked up two of the larger bags.
"Lead the way, little fresher! Soon as we sort this, it's off to The Waterway. It's the first night of Uni, lectures don't start for a week, and I'll disown anyone who's not shitfaced within the next 3 hours! Go, go go!"
Hayner cheered, and charged up the stairs, straight into Zexion, who flailed wildly to keep his balance as an explosion of Hayner's random packing – socks, pens, shirts, boxers, wires and cookies - rained down on us all.
Dem pulled some trousers off his head, looking unsurprised to find a toothbrush sticking out of one of the pockets.
"All those in favour of sorting this later?"
Zexion held up a finger, about to object, but Hayner and Axel were already gone. He sighed. "Suppose it could have gone worse. Nothing's on fire."