Fire

Disclaimer: Don't own…

Ok, so I stayed home from school today to rest my voice for my singing performance in a couple of days. Luckily, you don't have to talk to type. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thanks to all you readers!

Chapter 10

Cloud opened the front door to find his three favorite people sleeping on the living room floor.

"Yes, I need to get my camera!" Cloud whispered excitedly. He ran all the way up the stairs to his bedroom and looked through his desk drawers.

"Aha! Victory is mine!" Cloud said as he ran back down the stairs with a camera in hand.

The picture was priceless. Leon was on his back in the middle of the floor with Sora snuggling against him on his left and Roxas on his right. The icing on the cake was the dopey smile Leon had on his face.

"Wait, this picture needs one more thing…" Cloud thought as he walked into the kitchen. He looked in the drawer under the microwave to find a sharpie.

"Hahaha! I win!" Cloud giggled mischievously.

He walked back into the living room and kneeled next to Leon's head.

Okay, here's the hard part… Leon is a very light sleeper so I have to be careful! Cloud thought as he took the cap off the marker.

Cloud very gently started writing on Leon's forehead.

"He he he…" Leon giggled in his sleep.

Cloud had to hold his mouth to his other hand to refrain from laughing. Sure, he felt a little bad inside but this opportunity was just too good to pass up!

Okay there. All finished. Cloud said as he looked at his handy work.

"I'M A POOPIE HEAD !" was written across Leon's forehead.

"Okay, now for the pictures." Cloud did a little victory dance after a couple of pictures were taken.

"Damn, I'm good!" Cloud said as he went back up the stairs to hide the camera. "I think I should wake them up now." Cloud thought out loud.

He went back down to the living room and decided to wake the kids up first.

Cloud very silently shook Roxas's shoulder. He woke up quickly.

"Whaa?" Roxas said sleepily.

"Squirt, whatever you do, don't say anything about Leon's face okay? I want to see how long it takes for him to realize on his own." Cloud said softly.

"What's on his face?" Roxas said clearly, now fully awake.

"See for yourself but don't give it away!"

Roxas turned to Leon and read the words on his forehead.

"How old are you Cloud?" Roxas asked.

"Still alive at twenty-five!" Cloud said proudly.

"Wow." Was his only response.

"What?" Cloud asked.

"I never knew twenty-five-year-olds could act like they're four…" Roxas thought out loud.

"Yes we can and we actually do it frequently!"

"Alright then." Roxas replied.

"Help me wake up Sora without waking Leon." Cloud said.

"Okay."

Cloud and Roxas gently shook Sora.

"Sora, wake up!" Cloud whispered.

"That's not gonna work, Cloud. Here, I'll help you but make sure you're ready to cover his mouth." Roxas said.

"Okay." Cloud said. "I'm ready."

Roxas got really close to Sora's ear, "Hey Sora, Riku is sitting on the couch waiting for you in nothing but a towel!"

"WHER-mmph" Sora's mouth was covered.

"Sorry Sora, it was the only way I could wake you up quietly." Roxas said sheepishly.

Sora glared at his brother and turned to Cloud. "What's this about?"

"Well, I decided I would play a prank on my boyfriend…" Cloud said.

"Oh…" Sora said and looked at Leon.

He snorted. "You're a genius, Cloud!" Sora said seriously.

"Why thank you, I'm glad somebody appreciates my talents." Cloud said looking at Roxas.

"Well, I'm sorry that I think it's really immature…" Roxas said.

"Well you go hide in the stairway and watch the master work!" Cloud said.

"Okay! C'mon Rox!" Sora said excitedly as he pulled me to the stairs.

They watched as Cloud walked up to Leon and kneeled next to him.

"Hey, Leon, wake up babe." Cloud said smoothly.

"Huh… ah, I can't believe I fell asleep on the floor. Where are the boys?" Leon asked sleepily.

"They went upstairs, they were already awake when I got here. They figured you were tired so they let you sleep." Cloud explained.

"Okay, then. I'm really surprised I didn't hurt my back… the floor is actually not bad to sleep on." Leon said patting the floor.

"Well, are you still tired?" Cloud asked.

"No, I'm officially wide awake." Leon said and pulled Cloud on top of him.

"Leon! What are you doing? The boys are upstairs!" Cloud giggled a little.

"Do you think we should leave?" Roxas whispered to Sora.

"I dunno, I'm really surprised Cloud hasn't slipped up yet. I would have crumbled the moment he woke up." Sora whispered back.

"I guess seeing that phrase on Leon's head is pretty funny. But it's only funny because it's Leon and not anyone else." Roxas confessed.

"Hah! I knew you thought it was funny!" Sora exclaimed quietly.

"We should go." Roxas said simply.

"Huh? Why?" Sora asked.

A pleasure-filled moan permeated throughout the room.

"Yeah, let's go, quickly!" Sora said.

"Ahhh, Leon!" Cloud moaned.

"OH God!" Roxas squealed as he covered his ears!

"Hurry up Roxas! Move faster!" Sora whispered firmly as he pushed Roxas up the stairs.

They ran into Sora's room.

"You know, Leon's gonna feel like a complete idiot when this is over." Roxas thought aloud.

"Why do you think that?" Sora said.

"Well, even though he getting laid, he's also being silently laughed at. I mean, he has 'I'm a poopie head" written on his forehead!" Roxas explained.

"If anything Roxas, I think Leon's only gonna feel like an idiot because he didn't notice it sooner. Not because Cloud was laughing at him." Sora said.

"Yeah, that makes sense. But I think we forgot the last possible option that could happen." Roxas said.

"What's that?"

"Leon could blow up in anger and take it out on everyone."

"Oh yeah…oh shit."

***

Cloud giggled into Leon's chest.

"What's so funny?" Leon said.

"Oh, it's nothing… I just… can't believe we just a sex on the living room floor while the kids are upstairs." Cloud said looking away form Leon's forehead.

"Well, they would have heard us eventually." Leon reasoned.

"I know, but it's funny…" Cloud said getting up slowly to retrieve his clothes.

Leon got up as well and looked for his clothes.

"You know Cloud, you're kinda dirty." Leon said.

"What!" Cloud said suddenly. Did he notice?

"I think we need to clean you up in the shower." Leon smirked.

"Oh, okay then. I guess I am pretty dirty." Cloud said slyly. Phew!

Leon proceeded to sweep Cloud off his feet and carry him to the bathroom.

Oh, well I guess it's time for the sharpie to come off anyway… Cloud thought as they closed the door to their bathroom.

***

"Roxas! Roxas! Wake up!" I heard Cloud yell the next morning.

"Whaa, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I'm in big trouble… for some reason the sharpie won't come off his forehead!" Cloud yelled.

"Sharpie? What are you… oh shit!" From how worried Cloud looks Leon's gonna be really angry.

"Why don't you just confess Cloud? I'm sure he'll understand." I reassured.

"No, he's gonna be angry, really angry! He has to go to work today! He's the Chief Officer! He has authority, he can't have something ridiculous like that on his forehead!" Cloud was panicking.

"Good morning Rox, Cloud? What's going on?" Sora asked.

"The sharpie won't come off Leon's head!" Cloud yelled in despair. "I don't know what happened. Sharpies are never really permanent markers! They usually just come off with soap!" Cloud whined.

"Well… Cloud, did you buy the new extra strength sharpie? Those take like days of scrubbing to get the ink off!" Sora said.

"Oh SHIT! Leon's gonna kill me!" Cloud yelled.

"Well, I guess the jig is up." Sora said.

"Roxas?"

"Yeah?"

"I want you to burry me in my fireman uniform. I always that would be cool…" Cloud looked at his hands.

"Stop being ridiculous Cloud! You should have thought about the consequences before you did anything!" I said firmly.

"But this sucks! My plans always work!" Cloud yelled.

"Well Cloud, there's a first time for everything…" Sora said somberly.

"Well, he'll find out soon…" Cloud said. "Are you coming to the Fire department with me, squirt? I know after what happened yesterday you probably don't want to come."

"I'll go but could I just stay on the loft? I don't really want to talk to anyone." I really didn't want to go but I really don't want to hurt Cloud's feelings. He's already starting to have a bad day.

"Really? You'll come? That's great! I love you, squirt! You can stay on the loft but wont you be bored?" Cloud asked.

"Most likely, but I really just don't want any attention directed at me." I said.

"Well, what kind of music do you listen to?"

"I'll listen to anything really, but I really like rock and classical music I guess." I said. We didn't really get a chance to listen to music at the orphanage. I usually would find music on TV that I would like. But there was this one girl named Xion at the orphanage, she had a violin. She said it was the only thing she had left of her mother's. She would play it all the time; of course she was adopted quickly because of her musical talents. But I always liked the songs she would play.

"That's great because that's basically the only two music genres I listen to. You can listen to my ipod on the loft. Does that sound good?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah, thanks!" This was so cool. I've never had an ipod before!

"Well, I'm going to wait downstairs for my death." Cloud slumped.

"Stop bein' a baby Cloud!" Sora yelled as he moved towards the bathroom to get ready.

***

We were all down dressed and ready to go.

We were also ready for Leon's explosion.

"Good morning everyone." Leon said as he came down the stairs.

Though most of the words were gone the word 'poopie' was still very present on his forehead.

Sora and I said good morning while Cloud was moping at the table.

"Are you okay Cloud?" Leon asked concerned.

"No." Cloud pouted.

"What's wrong?"

"Did you look in the mirror when you were getting dressed this morning, Leon?" Cloud asked.

"No, I never do. I've put this uniform on so many times that I don't have to, why?" Leon asked.

I watched as tears ran down Cloud's eyes. "Oh, Leon I'm such a horrible person! Go look in the mirror!" Cloud wailed.

Leon's face looked puzzled as he walked to the downstairs bathroom.

"CLOUD! WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO TO MY FACE! IS THIS SHIT PERMANENT!? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?" Leon yelled through the bathroom doorway.

All of the people in the kitchen winced. This was not good.

"It was just a joke, Leon! I didn't think we had bought extra strength sharpies! I promise I wouldn't have done it if I knew!" Cloud rambled quickly.

"What am I supposed to do about this, Cloud!? I have the word POOPIE on my face!" Leon screamed.

Sora and I giggled but immediately regretted it.

"And YOU TWO! WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP HIM!?" Leon bellowed at us.

"He was already finished with your face when he woke us up, sir!" Sora said frightened.

"Please Leon, calm down. Cloud didn't mean to… he thought it would just wash off!" I tried to reason.

"THERE'S STILL THE FACT THAT IT'S STILL ON MY FACE AND IT OBVIOUSLY WONT COME OFF TODAY!" Leon yelled.

"I'm sorry! I'm SORRY! I didn't know it would stay on! I'm sure if you find Tifa she'll have some cover up that you can put over it until it goes away! I'm sorry!" Cloud wailed. You could tell he felt awful about what he had done. And it really wasn't his fault. He really didn't know those sharpies were stronger.

"Look, Leon. Can't you see Cloud's really upset? He felt horrible when he noticed the sharpie didn't come off this morning. He really didn't mean to make you so upset. And you have to admit it is a little funny." I said sheepishly.

"I'm really sorry, Leon…" Cloud said softly.

"You guys are gonna be the death of me… Cloud c'mere."

"No." Cloud pouted.

He sighed. "Cloud, I'm sorry I got so angry, you know I have a horrible temper. Please come closer?"

Cloud moved an inch towards him. "There, I moved closer."

Leon grabbed his arm and pulled him close. "Smartass."

"You like it though…" Cloud said.

"Okay, now that everything is forgiven, you guys should go to work!" Sora said.

"You're right Sora, you ready to go?" Leon asked.

"Yeah! Let's go!" Sora yelled.

Leon kissed Cloud's lips then his forehead. "Be safe and stay away from permanent markers!" Leon said as he walked through the door.

"You too, POOPIE!" Cloud yelled back!

I laughed.

***

When Cloud and I got to the garage, I walked slowly behind him looking down at my feet. The last thing I the firemen to see was my embarrassment.

"G'mornin' Cloud, Mornin' Roxas!" Zack said.

"Hi…" I said softly and ran towards the loft.

"I'm sorry about that Zack… he's still a little upset." Cloud apologized.

"No, it's quite alright. I don't blame him after all the drama he's had to deal with."

I watched as Cloud walked up the stairs. "Here you go, I think you're smart enough to figure out how to use it." Cloud said as he looked down to the floor below. "Are you gonna be okay, squirt?" Cloud asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." I said.

"Alright then! See ya!" Cloud said as he ran and jumped off the loft with a double summersault on the way down.

I smiled… It was really cool to think about how that that guy was my guardian. He's really cool.

I looked to the ipod in my hands. Okay, first I have to turn it on. I looked for an on button and found it at the top left corner of the device. I watched amazed as the thing turned on. It was fantastic. I tapped the screen where it said music and watched the screen change. I scrolled down the songs and picked one randomly.

It was classical music. I looked down at the name of the song. It was Mozart's Symphony number 40. It was fantastic. The music started somber but hastened. Like it was urging me to get up and do something. Then it changed into this playful melody that soon found itself back into its hastened urgency. I listened more and it sounded the same as the beginning but different at the same time. I loved it; I couldn't stop listening. I had never been so engaged in a song before! There was so much excitement and there was pain too. I was sad when the song ended to move to a new song.

But I liked this song too! This one didn't have a name on the screen. It just said track 1. It wasn't a classical one. It was one of those ballad type songs. It gained intensity as the song went on. But what amazed me the most was what the song was saying. The singer was singing about how even though there are so many things he wants and that even though life makes it hard for him to get these things, everyone has this problem and he'll try his hardest to turn his pain into resolve to always move forward. It really touched me and I found myself listening to it over and over.

I didn't even notice when Axel entered the garage because I was so engaged in the music.

"Hey everyone! I'm back! You don't have to cry I promise!" Axel yelled.

"Hey!" was everyone's response.

Cloud walked up to Axel. "Roxas is here but he's on the loft and really doesn't want to be bothered."

"Are you asking me not to apologize to him today?" Axel asked.

"No I'm not going to stop you if you want to apologize, but I don't really think he'll listen to you.

"Oh, well I'll try later."

The song was so great! I had probably listened to the song like five times now but I couldn't bring myself to stop pressing the back button. It was so beautiful. After a while, I started to realize that I had the song memorized already. I wondered if I sang really softly, I wouldn't be noticed.

I opened my mouth and started to sing the song. I made sure I was really quiet. I really didn't want anyone to hear me. As the song went on I got lost in the music.

"Hey, Xiggy! Why did the monkey fall out of the tree?"

"I don't fuckin' know! Why!"

"Because he was DEAD!" Marly laughed.

"That was by far the stupidest joke I have ever heard." Saïx said.

"Shut up dude, hey Xiggy, why did the other monkey fall out of the tree?" Marly asked.

"Dude, I don't know!" Xigbar yelled.

"Because IT WAS STRAPPED TO THE DEAD MONKEY!"

They all laughed.

"Wait, guys! Shhhhh! Do you hear that?" Axel said.

"Hear what?" Zack said.

"It sounds like singing…" Cloud said.

They all quieted and listened.

"Yep, that's definitely singing. Is your kid doing it?" Reno asked.

Cloud turned to look at his son on the loft. He smiled when he saw his mouth forming words.

"Yeah, it is." Cloud said.

"He doesn't sound half bad. In fact, he sounds really good from what I can hear." Marluxia said as he listened.

"Wow, he's really good, Cloud! Wait… is that my song he's singing?" Axel asked.

"Yeah, it is. You really should have kept playing with that band of yours, Axel." Cloud said.

"Well, we all wanted to move on. But how did he get a hold of my music?"

"I burned all the songs on that CD you gave me onto my ipod. He's listening to it right now." Cloud said.

"He likes my music!" Axel did a small victory dance.

"That doesn't mean he likes you though!" Xigbar added.

"Shut up dude, everyone knows that the songs a musician writes are really just their innermost thoughts and feelings!" Axel said.

"I wish he would sing louder!" Zack said.

"Yeah Cloud, make him sing louder!" Marly and Xigbar said.

"Umm, I'll try. Hey Roxas!" Cloud yelled.

I jumped when I heard my name. Did I sing too loud?

"Yeah, Cloud." I said blushing.

"Sing louder! Your voice is pretty!" Cloud yelled.

I blushed and kept my mouth shut. They heard me singing… that's so embarrassing!

"Roxas, please sing! We all want to hear you!" Cloud yelled.

"Please sing Roxas!" They all yelled.

I blushed. Were they being serious? Did they really want me to sing?

"Please." Axel added.

Axel wants me to sing? I was pretty sure he hated me…

"We're being completely serious squirt! Sing!" Cloud yelled.

What do I do? I don't want to embarrass myself more than I already have! If I close my eyes and pretend I'm home, maybe it won't be so bad…

I closed my eyes and let the music take me.

"Your son's voice is great, Cloud." Axel said.

"Thank you, maybe you should tell him that." Cloud replied.

"I will…" Axel said staring up at the loft.

Xigbar coughed "Pedophile!" he coughed again.

"Shut up dickhole! You don't know shit!" Axel yelled angrily.

"Shhhh, just listen to the music." Cloud said as he looked at the loft.

They all quieted and listened.

When the song was over I opened my eyes a looked around. What I saw was all the firemen staring in awe at me.

"Ummmmm, okay. I stopped now…" I said and waited for someone to move.

"That was fantastic Roxas, please come down here and sing more songs to us!" Marly said.

"Thank you, Marly. I really don't think I should come down there…" I said blushing.

"Why not?" Lexaeus asked.

"Because every time I go down there, something bad happens…" I said blushing even more.

They all looked a little guilty when I glanced back down at them.

"Squirt, I promise there's no reason to be afraid anymore." Cloud said softly.

"I just don't wanna get hurt again." I mumbled.

"C'mon, Roxas. You can sit with me and I'll make sure no one bothers you." Cloud said.

"Ok, but I don't wanna be bothered." I said as moved to get up.

As I got up my foot, which had fallen asleep, buckled and I found myself scared shitless as I fell of the loft.

"ROXAS!" I heard Cloud yell as I was falling down.

It was like slow motion, my last thoughts coming and going at a seemingly normal pace. I was certain that I was gonna die so I closed my eyes as I was falling.

What I didn't expect was for something to break my fall.

Or I should say someone.

I opened my eyes and looked down to see Axel under me.

"You okay, shrimp? You should be more careful." Axel smiled gently.

What the fuck was going on? One day he's a total asshole to me, and the next day he saves my life. I don't get this at all!

"I'm fine… thanks." I said and scrambled quickly off of him.

I run up to Cloud who embraces me tightly. "Squirt, you scared the shit out of me! Don't sit so close to the edge! God! Do you want to give me a freaking heart attack? Thank you Axel." Cloud rambled.

"It's okay Cloud, I'm fine, see?" I looked up at him and gave him a big toothy smile.

"Go sit over there, squirt. I'll be right back. Guys I need your help with this." Cloud said as he went up to the loft. Almost all of the other firemen followed.

I watched as Axel came up to me and sat down. Didn't I just say I didn't want to be bothered?

"Are you sure you're okay, Roxas? You fell from pretty high." Axel asked.

"I'm fine. OUCH!" I yelped as Axel poked my side.

"Doesn't sound like you're fine… you should let someone look at that." Axel said.

"I'll get it eventually, anything else?" I said impatiently.

"Yeah, I wanted to say that I am totally and completely sorry for the way I've treated you these last couple of days. I know you must hate me-"

"I don't hate you." I interrupted.

"You don't? But I was so horrible to you!" Axel said.

"You were and it really hurt, but I don't hate you." I said.

"So, you forgive me?" Axel asked.

"Not yet. I wanna know why you were so mean to me! I didn't do anything to you and you just poked at my insecurities until I crumbled and I'm really hurt by it." I pouted slightly as I looked at him.

"I… I just… something was happening to me and I took out all my frustration on you." Axel said.

"But why? Why me!? You could have taken it out on anyone here. Why did you pick on me?" I yelled.

"I was in denial about something that involved you."

"What!? What are you talking about? I've only seen you like three times! How could your problem involve me?" I yelled again.

"Please, Roxas, trust me when I tell you that I'm over the denial now so there's nothing to worry about."

"But I can't trust you! You've been horrible to me. I want to know what's going on!"

"You sure you want to know?"

"Yes! Tell me!" I demanded.

"Come closer I don't want anyone else to hear…" Axel said.

I inched really close to his face.

"Tell me!" I demanded again.

Next thing I know his lips were on mine. I'm still completely confused, why is he kissing me!?

He pulled away and looked in my eyes. "Do you get it now?"

"No please explain!" I said blushing like a tomato.

He smirked. "Me, Axel, fell for the little shrimp."

"You like me?" I asked, trying to get this in simple terms.

"You could say that." Axel said.

"Please, a yes or a no."

"Yes." Axel replied.

"I want to tell you something Axel. Listen." I said.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Ever sense you pulled me out of the fire… I've felt… different towards you. I can ignore it sometimes, other times I can't."

"When can't you ignore it?" He asked.

I blushed. "When you were walking towards me soaking wet and shirtless…" I mumbled.

Axel smirked. "I see, so you couldn't resist me, huh?"

"Shut up. You're too arrogant."

"Oh but you like it!" Axel leaned in again. I just sat there I really didn't know what he wanted from me.

"This is the part were you meet me half way and we kiss…" Axel said.

"Oh." I blushed. "I'm sorry, I've never done this before."

"No kidding." He smirked and leaned in to attach his lips with mine.

Oh jeez! I don't wanna look like an idiot! What do I do!?

Axel shifted closer and placed his hand on my face. I jerked away when I felt something wet run across my bottom lip.

"What the fuck was that?" I asked.

"That was my tongue, open your mouth next time and I'll show you what your supposed to do."

"Oh… ummm… could we try this again?" I asked bashfully.

"My pleasure, shrimp." Axel moved in again.

I pushed a little closer and got settled. I waited for his tongue and when I felt it I opened my mouth.

I was slightly weirded out by this but I managed to relax when his tongue slid in. I started to focus on what I was feeling and I realized that I was happy.

Sure I was a little freaked out but I was happy.

I very tentatively poked my own tongue in his mouth. I got a sigh in response.

Was that good?

Axel put his hand on my waist and pulled me closer.

"OW! That hurt!" I yelped and pulled away.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you had hurt yourself there." Axel said.

"Why don't you stop making out with him and make sure he's okay!" Cloud yelled from the loft.

We both blushed a little.

"Alright! I'm on it." Axel said and turned to me. "Can you lift up your shirt a bit so I can see what's injured?"

I blushed more and lifted my shirt. He looked at the bruises and moved his hands to my ribs. His hands were warm…

"I know this seems obnoxious but does this hurt?" He prodded.

"AH! Yes, that hurt!" I yelped again.

"Looks like you bruised a rib, shrimp."

"That sucks because I sleep on that side." I pouted.

"Awww, my cute little shrimpy won't be able to sleep." Axel said.

"Please don't call me…" I paused and turned purple when I felt his lips on my ribs.

"There we go! Is it better now?" He asked.

I just nodded.