pairings: AxelxRoxas

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot

A/N I'll say it now, I don't care if you might not like it but I'll say it. I fully support Graffiti! It's an art (when done tastefully)!! WARNING!! I myself have never gotten my tongue pierced. The only thing I have pierced are my ears, four times!! lol, but you'll be reading the fruits of my labor to research and study the way of tongue piercing. If you yourself have a pierced tongue and might see something wrong with my descriptions I'd like to know!! None the less, here it is numba 9!!

Hope you enjoy it peeps!!


xx(x)xx

hold onto me pretty baby, if you want to fly - Shiny Toy Guns

xx(x)xx


.: Monday Morning:.

After the events from the night before Roxas couldn't help but feel a little anxious as he woke to the sunrise. Feelings and questions seemed jumbled in his mind. Just what exactly was going to happen? He wasn't sure, he didn't quiet know the internal workings of the shadowy world underneath society. The rules of the game and the pieces that could be played. Watching the clouds turn color slowly he sat up. He was going to go get his piercing done that day. And Axel was going to accompany him. Who would've thought the red head could provide such a sense of security.

Getting up with little effort he started his routine. Still wondering to himself, just who would've done that. Of course he didn't recognize the tags, he had only be spray painting twice. He was pretty sure Axel knew. Deciding on just asking the red head he got dressed quickly. After pulling on his shirt and pants he ducked under the bed a moment to pull out a wooden box. It was dull but he used it often. Popping the lid off he took out large wad of money. Rainy day savings but he'd be using it that sunny day. Counting out the amount and then some he stuffed it into his pocket, sliding the box back under he went down stairs. It reminded him of when they first met, when everything seemed so simple. When everything he did was conditioned and checked.

Lucifer greeted him at the bottom of the stairs and the blonde went into the kitchen, plucking another apple from the basket he was headed for the door when he stopped. Glancing at the stairs he contemplated taking his sketch book but thought other wise. Slipping out the door as he fitfully shoved a shoe on he was jogging out to the silent streets.

There weren't traces of the graffiti on this side of the town but he knew if he walked to the tram commons he'd be just about surrounded. Coming up on the playground he ruffled a hand through his hair and took a seat on one of the swings. The bark was a darker color, swelled from the morning dew.

"Don't get too comfortable!" a voice called and Roxas knit his brow. He hopped up from the metal swing and walked out to the edge of the playground. Looking further down the street he could see the red head walking. Well that's a surprise?

Roxas waved and the man waved back. Not that they didn't already see each, just a friendly greeting. Roxas stood waiting, watching Axel walk from under the shadows of the buildings. He seemed to glow in the sunrise. Hair set a flame and green eyes glinting with a smile. He stared a little longer before looking away a little embarrassed.

The red head finally met up with the blonde "Why're you out here so early?"

Axel shrugged with a smile "I wanted to get here before you but I guess it didn't work" he laughed and Roxas smiled. "So, ready?"

"No ones open this early" Roxas said.

"We're not doing it yet, you want to walk around is what i mean" he asked reaching up to slide a hand through his spikes. They seemed to be tamed for just a moment before popping back up.

"Sure" together they started off in no real direction but Roxas was still intent on getting information. "So, how do you know when this thing is going down?" he asked quietly.

Axel looked over and studied the boy a moment "On Saturday night, Demyx went out with Zexion. He likes to make out on the job, don't ask me why" he said with a laugh. "Anyways, he told me he hadn't seen anyone while they were out there. Which means the jackasses probably went out around 12:00, 12:50 or so and ruined our names."

Roxas nodded quietly, remembering just how furious the man had been the night before.

"So that means tonight, Demyx, Zexion, Larxene, Saix and me are going to go out and meet these punks. I already know who it is I'm just surprised they decided to challenge us. We beat their asses last time" the red head growled digging in his dark jeans for something.

"Who is it?" the blonde asked, watching as the red head pulled out both a cigarette pack and a lighter.

"You sure you want to know?" he asked.

Roxas nodded, studying how Axel tapped the package a bit before pulling one of the sticks out and sticking it between his lips. Stuffing the package back into a pocket he flicked the lighter a couple times before gaining a good flame and lighting the cigarette.

Breathing in then out the smoke curled elegantly in the light. Swirling into itself it disappeared. "It's Seifer, Rai and Fuu" he whispered blowing a small puff of smoke out.

"What!" Roxas exclaimed looking up at him surprised. "I thought Seifer was on the discipl-"

"Roxas, seriously, the kids a fucking bad egg. He lives to do this kind of shit" he said stuffing the lighter into his pocket.

"But who else is with them then?"

"Ummm, no doubt they'll being Vincent. Rai's very, very distant cousin" he laughed a little. "Umm and the last one, more then likely Kadaaj. He's Fuu's older brother."

Roxas stared a head letting the information soak in. "So what did you mean you'd fight for my tag?" he asked.

Axel blew another long trail of smoke out "Well, it's like this. The only reason you haven't seen any of Seifer's gangs graffiti all over the place is because we beat them a couple months ago. Which means they can't use their tags for at least a year"

"Who decided that?" Roxas asked.

"It's pretty standard actually,get beaten by another gang and lose privlages to tag. Some gangs just skip town after getting beat. Anyways, since only five people can come, and you've never done this. I'll fight for your right to use your tag" he replied tapping his cigarette and ash fell to the ground.

"But shouldn't I fight for my own tag?" Roxas asked.

Axel shook his head "Roxas, you've only done this twice, just hang back and let us do it, alright?"

The blonde sighed "Alright"

"So, if we do beat them again, which we probably will, we'll have a party. Of course you're invited" he said nudging the blonde.

Roxas smiled and nodded. He looked ahead and found they had wandered into the sandlot.

"You brought money right?" Axel asked letting more smoke spill from his lips.

"Yeah, and some extra" he replied.

"Good, good, just to let you know, the initial piercing doesn't hurt, but the swelling can get uncomfortable" he flicked more ash off the end off his cigarette.

"Well, at least I'll be home alone" he replied ruffling a hand through his own hair then stuffed his hands into his pocket.

"Yup, the swelling only last like two or three days so you'll be fine" he smiled and dropped his cigarette, crushing it under his shoe they continued to walk, leaving the sandlot to walk through some of the back alleyways.

"So, do you guys actually fight?" Roxas asked.

Axel looked over at him and laughed "Yeah, Fuu, that bitch, she bites hard" Axel stopped suddenly and Roxas joined him. The red head pulled his shirt up a little bit to reveal his side.

"Right here" he pointed to a scar that was roughly two inches. "I got that from Seifer at the last fight when he decided to bring a switch blade." Roxas studied the old wound, wondering just how bad the fights could get. The red head let his black shirt fall back and started walking again.

"Then it really is like a fight" Roxas said.

Axel nodded" Basically yeah, I don't care if they're kids, I'll beat the shit out of them to protect my territory" he said.

"Territory?" Roxas asked as they passed a bulletin board with job stuck to it. Papers squeezed against each other to show someone needed help.

"Yeah, at the moment The Organization is control of Twilight Town. We used to own Traverse Town, but we got chased out. Long story, don't want to talk about it" he sighed.

"Oh, so you guys moved in and took Twilight Town from Seifer's gang?" They meandered down to the tram commons and Roxas could already see some of their work.

"Yeah, it was easy" he laughed. "We'll just have to beat them again tonight" he ruffled a hand through his hair and looked at some of their tags.

"Well, good luck ahead of time I guess" Roxas smiled and Axel nodded, both continuing to walk with idle conversation.


.: Around 7:50 am :.

Roxas fidgeted nervously as he sat in a rather cold chair. Axel had lead him to a tattoo and piercing shop. Having paid and picked out the barbell he was going to use he waited anxiously. Axel standing off to the side, the employee was getting things sterilized.

"I thought you said you knew a guy?" Roxas asked, the person on shift at the moment was a woman.

Axel shrugged "Guy, girl, same term" he laughed and Roxas smiled. "You'll be fine" Axel said looking over at the boy and Roxas smiled weakly.

"I can't believe I'm getting this done" he said with a breath laugh.

"Well, you'll have fun" he whispered.

Roxas knit his brow "What do you mean?"'

The red head smiled "My friend said it's pretty fun when kissing someone" Roxas blushed slightly.

"Oh yeah?" he whispered and Axel smirked.

"You'll have to try it out sometime" the red head said with a shrug. The door opened and the woman walked in. Blue gloves and a tray of what the person would need to pierce the boys tongue.

"Ready to get metal?" the girl asked with a smile. She was quiet the outgoing one. Her hair was a mess of beads, barrettes and other assortments. She wore short shorts and a bikini top, her ears were covered in piercing.

Roxas nodded "As I'll ever be"

"Good" she pulled a stool over and sat down in front of the younger blonde. "Stick out your tongue" she instructed taking the cap off of a special pen. Roxas did as told and she looked closely before poking his tongue with the pen. "Lift your tongue" and the boy did so.

The blonde glanced at Axel who still was leaning against the wall, a smile in place as he watched the boy. Roxas resisted the urge to smile and felt something wipe at his tongue. Pulling his attention to what was happing to his tongue the woman had wiped saliva away with a paper towl. She gingerly wiped some of the saliva away and held a mirror up.

"Make sure its centered" and Roxas looked into the mirror. Studying the black dot he nodded. "Great! This will barely hurt!" she said with a giggle and in a flash a surgical clamp was on his tungue holding it still. She grabbed the thin metal bar from the tray and came back around to position it.

Roxas watched, it shone threateningly in the artificial light, glinting as she placed it on his tongue. Closing his eyes he felt pressure as it pierced the soft muscle. Wincing he felt a chill go down his spin at the feeling of the cold metal in the middle of his tongue. Opening his eyes she was screwing in the ball at both ends. He could taste the copper in his mouth as the small wound began to bleed lightly. She wiped the blood away then smiled.

"You're all done sweetie!" she giggled and Roxas retraced his tongue into his mouth, tasting more of the blood. "You can go spit in the bathroom down the hallway, come up to the register and I'll give you instructions on how to take care of it" she informed pulling off her gloves.

The younger blonde got up, slipping out the door to see further down a door with the sign on the door that said "bathroom" and he scurried over. Turning the light on he leaned over the sink and spat, the blood was deep red and he opened his mouth to look at it in the mirror. Examining the piercing he decided it had been a good decision. Turning the water on he washed the blood down and turned the light off. Returning to the counter were Axel was standing talking to the woman.

"Okay, listen closely because I'm not going to repeat myself" she said pointing at the boy. "Don't! Talk to much, that can cause irritation. Don't eat hot or spicy foods, that can hinder the healing. Don't rinse to much with mouthwash because that'll destroy the bodies natural bacteria killing... things-" she trailed off as if thinking. "Salt water or diluted mouth wash is recommened"

"Oh! Don't put anything dirty in your mouth such as fingernails, pens, and absolutely no kissing for the first ten days" she pointed between the two and Roxas turned red.

"W-We're not like that!" the blonde said embarrassed.

She giggled "Sure." she winked and Axel laughed, the younger blonde feeling thoroughly embarrassed. Anyways, don't play with the piercing or try to take it and you should be good. Things you should do, eat cold and soft foods. Oh! Throat lozenges are always good to suck on, they'll greatly reduce the period your tongue will be swollen for." she informed with a smile. Roxas nodded soaking in the information.

"It'll be tender and swollen for a couple days, discharge is normal, you'll salivate more, that's all normal" she mentioned as if ticking things off in a list in her mind.

Roxas nodded, it seemed like a whole text book of things to remember. "Got it all?" she asked.

"I think so" he smiled.

"I'll help him" Axel smiled ruffling the boys hair.

"Well, you're all done Roxas. Enjoy the new piercing!"

Roxas nodded and as they walked out waved to the woman. "Well shorty, you got yourself a fine piece of metal" Axel said as they walked, the inhabitants of Twilight Town were bustling now. The tram was running and people were crowded on the streets.

"Now what?" Roxas asked.

"Want some ice cream? I took the day off so we can hang out" he laughed.

"I feel special" the blonde joked.

Axel laughed "You should" he ruffled the boys hair and Roxas blushed slightly.

"Lets just go get some ice cream" he said batting the red heads hand away.


.: Clock Tower :.

Having decided to retreat to the tower both sat, sea salt ice creams in their hands. Roxas licked at the frozen treat. His tongue was indeed tender, too much force and he winced. It was hard not to just roll and chew on the piercing, it was a foreign feeling but he firgured he'd get used to it.

"You know" the blonde whispered.

"Hmmm?" Axel bit the side of his ice cream.

"I wonder how my friends are doing, I haven't seen them in awhile" he muttered looking out at Twilight Town.

Axel shrugged "Who knows"

"Can we just hang out here today?" the blonde asked.

The red head smiled "Sure, I didn't feel like walking around anymore anyway"

Roxas smiled "Cool"

Silence descended on them, tongues lapping at frozen treats. The sky was a beautiful sapphire color. Clouds floated by in no particular direction. Wandering forever, just wandering where the wind took them. Sunlight warming both the inhabitants and the clouds themselves. Another sunny day in Twilight Town. The people none the wiser to the events that would take place that night.