Axel's face changed from happy to completely unreadable.

"Oh." The redhead slurred, gazing down at Xion indifferently. "Hi there."

He definitely wasn't happy, that much Roxas could tell.

Roxas began stammering, "H-Hey Axel. Uh, fancy seeing you…here?"

Axel was still staring at Xion. Then, his eyes slowly slid to Roxas's and he stated emotionlessly, "So…you couldn't come to the party so you could…" He motioned to Xion. In his left hand, he held a brownie wrapped in clear wrap. Roxas's heart dropped.

Xion yawned into her hand. "I'm bored." She walked past Axel as if nothing had just happened.

Roxas suddenly found the floor very interesting. Inside, he was freaking out. What do I tell him? Xion just showed up at my house—literally!

"You didn't have to lie to me." Roxas's heart broke even more as he saw Axel break down right in front of him. The redhead's shoulders sagged and his eyes were heartbreakingly sad. "You could've just…told me you wanted to hang out with her." Something then clicked in his head. "Wait. If you were planning on hanging out with Xion, why'd you agree on having me over?"

"I can explain." Roxas said shakily. He took a deep breath and said, "On Monday, Xion told me she wanted to come over instead of going to the party because I didn't want to go. I had no idea she was being serious, so I agreed. I completely forgot about her telling me that. So when she showed up here, I felt really bad about forgetting. I was honestly planning on you coming—not her."

Axel absorbed Roxas's story and he smiled gently. "I trust you, Roxas." Whoa. He just called me by my real name. This is serious. "You don't have to get all nervous. I know you're trying to help her out—I really do understand."

Roxas's lower lip trembled. Why do I feel like this? So…sad? Axel should be the one who's sad! I just blew him off for Xion!

"But I have trust issues." Axel's eyes narrowed darkly. "So it took a lot for me to trust you. Don't make me regret that." He looked like he wanted to say more, but he just closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them, he limply held out his arms and said softly, "Come here."

Roxas didn't hesitate to go to Axel. Axel wrapped his arms around Roxas tightly. Without Roxas knowing, Axel glared heatedly at the wall. Roxas snuggled into his chest, smiling softly.

Axel can be a really understanding person, Roxas thought to himself, feeling relieved. He really can shock me at times.

"So how was the party?" Roxas asked hesitantly, pulling away. Axel's face quickly turned normal.

"It was lame." Axel said with a lop-sided grin. "Well, except the food. The food was amazing." He held up the brownie and said, "I got this for you, Roxy."

Roxas beamed. "Is it good?"

Axel's grin widened. "I wouldn't bring it for you if it wasn't good." He flicked Roxas on the nose and the blonde flinched, smacking Axel's hand away.

"Thanks." Roxas said genuinely, taking the brownie.

"Hey—I couldn't eat all the brownies."

"No, I meant for understanding."

Roxas noticed a strange look come over Axel. A dark, troubled look. It was there for a split second and was gone the next.

"It's fine." Axel said stiffly.

Roxas decided to change the subject. "Wanna go skateboarding?"

That grin was back. "Just don't wipe out on me again, blondie."


"Rox, how come you don't use Facebook?" Sora asked the next morning, leaning over his fraternal twin brother's head to peer into the computer screen. "I didn't even know you had one."

"I made this a year ago." Roxas said offhandedly. "It's pretty much useless so I don't use it often."

Sora gasped in Roxas's ear, which earned him a glare. "You have 15 friend requests."

Roxas clicked on the requests and saw 15 names with profile pictures lined to the left. He knew mostly everyone, but his blood froze when he saw Larxene.

He denied her request.

"Rox, why are you smiling like that?" Sora asked quietly. "It's kind of creepy."

Roxas smiled back at the computer, feeling like a big shot. "I rejected her friend request."

"Who? Larxene?"

Roxas nodded.

Sora rolled his eyes. "You're a real bad ass."

Curious, Roxas clicked on her name and her profile popped up. Apparently she had added 20 photos to an album.

"Hey!" Sora said. "Those are from the party last night."

Roxas clicked on the album and rows of pictures were there. He leaned closer to the screen when he saw one with red in it. He clicked on it and the picture enlarged on the screen.

What he saw made him gag. Literally.

The picture showed Larxene and Axel in a tight kiss. The lights above were somewhat dim, but Roxas knew that bright red hair and blonde hair from anywhere. Roxas heard Sora inhale sharply next to him as Roxas gagged.

"What," Roxas choked out, glancing at the screen again, "the hell?"

"That's Axel," Sora explained, pointing to Roxas's boyfriend, "and that's Larxene."

Roxas took a deep breath and looked closer. It was Axel and Larxene. And they were kissing. Roxas couldn't help but look at Axel's expression; his eyes were closed and Larxene's arms were around him, keeping him close to her.

Oh no…

"Shit," Sora whispered. "Did he…is that real? Do you think it's Photoshop?"

Roxas couldn't speak. One moment he was stunned, the next his throat was tight and his sight was getting bleary with tears.

"Axel would never do that," Sora said quickly, seeing his brother's troubled expression. "He wouldn't. I know that, Rox."

"This doesn't make sense," Roxas said shakily, fighting back a sob. No. You have to be strong. Don't be a cry baby. "Axel…Axel hates her. And…" Axel's gay. He's GAY.

"I'm sure there's a logical explanation for this." Sora said brightly, patting Roxas on the shoulder. "Axel always has his reasons."

That's true. But the facts don't lie. Axel had kissed Larxene last night…

Roxas felt anger, betrayal, and…jealousy swell inside of him. He glared at the screen, looked down and saw what Larxene wrote below the picture.

She wrote:

I love my Axie!

Roxas's eyes spilled with tears. With shuddering breaths, he saw the heart next to the description. Shakily, he exited out of the browser and sat at the computer screen numbly.

This makes no sense…

Why would he…?

Roxas tried to think of a reason. Maybe Larxene forced Axel to kiss him? Maybe it was forced…

He felt like his heart had been ripped out and torn in half, stomped on, and eaten by hungry wolves.

Maybe I wasn't enough for him…

His mind was degrading him with negative thoughts, making him assume the worst. He shook his head, tears landing on his lips, giving him a salty taste in his mouth.

I have to call him…ask him about this. There has to be a reason.

Roxas didn't hesitate to call Axel. Axel picked up on the second ring.

"What's up, Roxy?"

"Axel," Roxas tried to calm himself, but his voice said it all. "I…I want to ask you something."

"Roxy? What's wrong?" Axel sounded concerned.

"Did you kiss Larxene last night?" Please just tell me the truth…

Axel was quiet for a few seconds. Those seconds were killing Roxas. "Well, she kissed me. The bitch kissed me."

"She…she kissed you?" Roxas was quiet. He was crying silently, staring hard at the ground.

"Yes. Don't worry, I brushed my teeth immediately afterwards. She's a sneaky bitch, I'll give her that."

Roxas instantly felt better. He wiped at his wet eyes, getting rid of the tears. "So…you didn't kiss her?"

Axel sounded insulted. "You think I'd kiss her?"

"Well…"

"I would rather kiss a frog." Axel hissed venomously. "A nasty, slimy frog, full of diseases. I would never kiss her on my own free will."

Roxas felt stupid. Of course he jumped to conclusions too quickly.

"Sorry," Roxas whispered weakly.

"It's fine. But seriously, you should trust me more." Axel said softer. "I'm…kind of insulted that you'd think I would do that."

"I know. I'm really sorry. I just…I saw the picture and didn't know what to think."

"What picture?"

"Er," Roxas sighed, "does that matter?"

"The bitch took a picture of me?" Axel shouted. Roxas heard someone—probably Kairi's mother, say something in the background. Axel muttered things to her, and Roxas sniffled. He felt stupid.

"Sorry Roxy, I have to go." Axel said. "I'll call you later." Roxas opened his mouth to say bye when Axel continued, "I love you."

Roxas's eyes widened.

Without thinking, he hung up. The call ended. His cheeks felt like they were on fire and he stared at the phone in a daze.

He…he said it again.

Roxas bit on his lower lip, his heart racing. Why did I hang up? Why didn't I answer him? What is wrong with me?

He stared at the phone cautiously, as if it might do something. After a few seconds, Roxas was shoved forward from the chair. He landed on the floor roughly, turning around to see Sora standing there, with his eyes wide open. It looked like he just saw a monster.

"ROXAS!" Sora cried, diving at his twin brother. Roxas didn't even have a second before Sora landed on top of them, nearly crushing his face. He grunted; Sora's chin hit his nose. He squirmed underneath Sora, trying to shove his twin off of him.

"Roxas!" Sora said, hugging Roxas tightly. "Roxas! I-I saw him!"

Roxas stopped struggling when he realized Sora only wanted a hug. His brother had the tendency to give people random glomps.

"What the hell, Sora?"

Sora clung to Roxas's shirt like a child, wailing like a baby pig. "I saw him! I saw him with my own two eyes!"

"Saw who?"

"He was so scary! He-he was wearing a tuxedo!"

"Sora!"

"And he was standing right next to the tree. I didn't know he was there. I had no idea! But he was there. He was there."

"SORA." Roxas snarled, shoving his twin off of his body finally. Sora flew back into the wall, blinking his eyes innocently. Panting, Roxas gave Sora an exasperated glare and said through gritted teeth, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Slender Man!" Sora said, as if it was obvious.

Roxas stared at him and repeated slowly, "Slender Man?"

"Slender Man." Sora repeated with a nod.

Roxas ran a hand through his tousled hair and snapped, "Who is Slender Man?"

"He's Slender Man!" Sora said, flailing around his hands. "I played a game called the Slender game and—"

"—The Slender game?" Roxas stifled a chuckle.

Sora sent him a serious glare, pouting. "Yes, the Slender Game. Anyway, in the game, all you do is look for letters."

"Oh, so scary." Roxas said sarcastically. He couldn't lie; he was a little irritated, especially after Sora tackled him out of nowhere. His nerves were on the edge.

"That's not all!" Sora held up his finger. "But before you can get all the letters, BAM! He finds you!"

"Who?"

"SLENDER MAN!"

Roxas just stared. When Sora said nothing, he said, "It sounds stupid."

Sora pouted, his cheeks turning red. "It is not stupid. It is very scary."

"Sora, you're scared of your own shadow."

"Am not!"

"Am too!"

"Yeah, well you were afraid of your closet!"

Roxas's cheeks flushed. "Was. I was afraid! Not anymore!"

Sora huffed, crossed his arms, and grumbled, "Whatever. I'm going to tell Riku about Slender Man."

Roxas watched his twin leave, feeling a bit peeved. He didn't like being tackled (who did?) and it was horrible that Sora loved randomly glomping people. Roxas was, needless to say, sick of being glomped. It got old after the first time.

Roxas jumped when his phone began to ring. He quickly answered it.

"Hello?"

"ROXAS!" Demyx's voice was overly loud over the device. "I FOUND SLENDER MAN!"

Roxas glared at the floor. Demyx too? "…Are you serious?"

"YES!"

Roxas kept his voice calm and collected. "Can you…not yell over the phone please?"

"Oops." Demyx giggled. Yes, giggled. "Sorry. Have you played the game yet?"

"No." And I'm not planning on it.

"Play it!"

"Uh, I gotta go Demyx." Roxas said apologetically. "Can I call you later?"

"Yeah. Don't forget."

Roxas hung up.

Just as he hung up, he got another call. This time, from Wakka.

"Hello?"

Wakka's voice was overly cheerful. "What's happening, mon?"

Roxas struggled to keep his calm. "Hey Wakka."

"Have you played that Slender Man game?"

Roxas's hand tightened into a fist. Him too? What the hell?

"No." Roxas's eye twitched.

"Hey man you need to play it! It's pretty scary, yeah!"

"I'll get right to it." Roxas hung up the phone, not caring that he wasn't being exactly "polite".

"ROXAS!" Sora shouted from the living room.

"What?"

"Someone's here to see you!"

Roxas turned to the doorway just in time to see Axel walk into the room with his usual grin. The redhead waved lazily at Roxas. Roxas grinned back at him, staring a bit at his boyfriend's cut across his face. It still looked painful.

"Hey Blondie," Axel said, ruffling Roxas's hair. Roxas didn't feel angry from Axel's usual antics; instead, he was happy Axel was there.

"You didn't tell me you were coming."

"I thought I'd surprise you." Axel told him, leaning to kiss Roxas on the forehead. He then sat on Roxas's lap, grinned jokingly, and said, "Santa, for Christmas I want a million dollars."

Roxas grinned up at Axel, supporting Axel's tall frame with his arms. It wasn't easy, that was for sure. "I'm afraid…I might not be able to do that."

Axel frowned. "Santa!"

Roxas decided to go along with the joke. "How about a Football instead?"

Axel's face twisted. "No way." He then smirked slyly and said, "Fine. I want my own Roxy doll."

Roxas's cheeks flushed. "What?"

"You heard me. Has your hearing gone bad, Santa?" Axel leaned closer to Roxas to whisper, "I want my own Roxas doll."

Roxas swallowed thickly. "But…why?" Why would he want a doll of me?

Axel's smirk turned into a soft smile. "So I can have him with me at all times."

Roxas smiled at that, and couldn't look the redhead in the eyes. Axel, on the other hand, was amused at Roxas's shyness.

Roxas, without any reason, blurted, "I'm better than Larxene, right?"

Axel blinked. His face turned serious and he got off of Roxas, running a hand through his hair. "What?"

"N-nothing." Roxas buried his head in his hands. Gah! Idiot!

"Of course you're better than Larxene." Axel said gently. "That's like asking if I'm a redhead."

"Do I…kiss better than her?" WHAT THE HELL ROXAS? Roxas could've died. He wanted to wallow in his own mortification or go hide under a rock. Either one would suffice.

Axel turned to give Roxas a mystified look. "Roxas. Do you doubt yourself?"

"Huh?"

"She kissed me alright?" Axel said. "I didn't kiss her. I was the one who came to your house last night to see that you ditched me for some bitch next door."

It took a few seconds for Roxas to realize what Axel was saying.

"She came out of nowhere." Roxas protested, standing up. "I didn't invite her over."

"You told me you agreed on it."

"I forgot! I'm human, remember?"

"Yes. How could I forget?" The two were swallowed in a thick, tense silence. Roxas instantly felt guilty for his uncontrollable mouth and Axel looked like he was trying to stay calm.

"Roxas?" He's using my real name again…fuck…

"Yes?" Roxas's voice was quiet.

"Can we stop fighting?"

Roxas, numb, nodded. "Please."

Axel admitted, "I hate fighting with you. This is stupid. Larxene obviously did this on purpose, okay? Don't let it get to you." He grabbed Roxas's collar roughly, forcing the blonde to look him dead in the eye, and said firmly, "I'm dating you, not her. Got that memorized?"

Roxas cracked a smile. "I got it memorized." Why do I feel so…suspicious all of a sudden? Am I jealous of Larxene?

That's absolutely ridiculous. Larxene has antennas and cold eyes. But…what do I have?

Roxas was torn from his thoughts when Axel had suddenly grabbed him, hoisting him in the air with his arms around his waist. Roxas gasped, kicking out, only to have Axel throw him over his shoulder.

Roxas didn't bother struggle. He's been in this position many times before.

"Axel," Roxas said, "what are you doing?"

"I am kidnapping you for the day." Axel replied, walking through the door. Sora was sitting on the couch with a laptop and glanced up when he saw the two. He quirked an eyebrow when he saw Roxas over Axel's shoulder.

"Guys? Should I even ask?" Sora asked hesitantly.

Axel paused. "Spiky, I'm kidnapping Roxy for the day. Commit it to memory."

Without another word, Axel exited from the house, carrying Roxas with him.

"You know I have two feet, right?"

"You have two left feet." Axel replied with a wide grin.

"Seriously. Where the hell are we going?"

"Somewhere."

"Where?"

"Patience is a virtue!" Axel lightly pinched Roxas's ankle, which still hurt. The blonde flinched but bit his tongue.

An old man was getting his mail but stopped when he saw Axel and Roxas walking by. Confused, he scratched the top of his head and fixed his thick-rimmed glasses.

"Hey there," Axel greeted the man, walking by.

Roxas watched the old man. His old eyes narrowed in suspicion as he examined Roxas.

And then—suddenly, it hit him.

"Axel!" Roxas exclaimed, "Run!"

"Run? But why?"

"YOU!" The old man shouted, wagging his cane. Axel turned around to face the old man. "YOU! IT'S YOU!"

"Me?" Axel asked.

"No," Roxas mumbled, "me."

"Who is this kook?" Axel asked Roxas in a whisper.

Roxas replied, "That's the man who cased me and Xion last night with a shot gun."

"A shot gun?"

"You're a Nazi!" The old man said accusingly, pointing his cane at Axel. "Leave that Jew alone!"

Axel and Roxas just blinked.

Then, slowly, Axel explained, "I am not a Nazi. Blondie here is not a Jew."

"USA! USA!" The man began shouting, running slowly back into his house.

"He's getting the shot gun," Roxas told Axel, kicking his legs. "Run! RUN!"

Axel shifted Roxas, and took off sprinting down the street. Roxas held onto Axel's bony shoulder so he wouldn't fall off, and was genuinely surprised that Axel could run at this speed while carrying him. Shouldn't I be a little heavier?

They got to Axel's car and Axel practically threw Roxas off of him. Roxas scrambled into the passenger seat and Axel revved up the engine. They just saw the old man emerge from his house, wielding the dangerous shot gun, and peeled out of the driveway.


"Your ice cream is melting." Axel stated, staring over at the ground.

Axel took them to the watch tower in Twilight Town. The two went there as much as they could to watch the sun set. Roxas enjoyed the sight; Axel just wanted ice cream.

Roxas didn't even notice his ice cream was melting until Axel pointed it out. He began lapping at the frozen treat so his hands wouldn't get sticky.

"What's wrong?" Axel demanded softly, turning to look at Roxas. The sun was close to setting.

Roxas's eyes stayed on the horizon. "Nothing's wrong."

Axel stared at him for a few seconds but didn't press the matter. Instead, he took a large bite out of his ice cream and began gagging.

Roxas, instantly concerned, began pounding on his back, thinking his boyfriend was choking. Axel tried talking, but it came out as choked gurgles. Roxas pounded his back harder, dropping his ice cream in the process over the edge of the water tower.

"Damn it!" Axel snapped when he could finally speak. "I'm not choking!"

"Oh." Roxas blushed. "Sorry."

They both looked at the horizon as the sun began setting. The two sat silently, with Axel licking his ice cream, to Roxas watching the sky with fascination. When it ended, Roxas felt Axel take his hand.

"Talk to me." Axel told Roxas.

Roxas saw the cut on his face and the horrible feeling returned. He couldn't look the redhead in the eye. Guilt was eating him from the inside out.

"Sorry," Roxas breathed.

"For what?"

"For everything."

Axel rolled his eyes, reached over, and pinched Roxas's cheek. Roxas tried flinching away, but Axel kept a firm hold on his cheek.

"You," Axel said, "are adorable."

"I'm not adorable!"

"Yes you are."

Roxas glared at Axel, his cheeks puffing out slightly. Axel laughed at his expression and freed his cheek. The redhead finished off the rest of his ice cream.

"We need to be careful." Axel said softly, catching Roxas's attention.

"Careful? Of what?"

"Of Larxene." Axel shrugged. "I know she's planning something. I can feel it. She's up to something."

Roxas silently agreed.

"You just have to trust me, Roxas." Axel confirmed, giving Roxas a sidelong stare. Half of the redhead's face was shadowed from the sun setting. "I trust you. We have to trust each other."

Roxas nodded. Everyone knew a relationship needed trust to be maintained. It was rule number one.

But even though Roxas agreed, he had a heavy feeling in the pit of his stomach. It made him feel uneasy.

Suspicion.