That next morning, we really were grounded. Reno kept us in the living room with ice packs, heating pads, and soup as he gave us another lecture.
"Understood?" He ended by asking Rude, Axel, and I as we sat on the couch, nodding to everything he said.
"Yes sir." We all echoed.
"Good." Reno said before he plopped on the couch, in Rude's lap.
"Ugh!" Rude grunted as Reno got cozy.
"You're not leaving this couch. Any of you!" Reno barked.
"Yes mother," Axel groaned as he fed me some soup.
"Thank you." I slurped up another bite as Axel wiped the side of my mouth where Reno's chowder spilled.
"You're welcome baby boy." Axel kissed me softly on the cheek while Reno clung to Rude.
"I swear to God Rude if you ever leave me again,"
"I won't. I'm sorry. I was just jealous."
"Jealous? Why?" Reno asked, but Rude only sighed.
"I just, I wanted your attention," Rude looked away.
"So you went to a gay bar to get it from someone else?" Reno stood up angrily.
"No. I just went for a drink."
"You couldn't stop by a supermarket on the way and then come back?" Reno put his hands on his hips.
"I was just sitting in the car when I saw Roxas. When I saw him following me, I decided to go to the one place I thought he wouldn't follow." Rude confessed and I gulped quietly. "I just needed some privacy." Rude continued to look at his shoes.
"I don't understand," Reno looked confused and hurt by it.
"Ever since we started talking about having a baby, you've paid less attention to me. I don't like feeling invisible."
"I'm sorry Rude. I really didn't know." Reno frowned.
"It's fine." Rude said quietly.
"I don't like it when you leave me Rude. When Axel told me you went to a gay bar, I mean, what did you expect me to think?" Reno asked, hurt.
"I'm sorry. I just needed to be somewhere where I wouldn't be followed." Rude said as I gulped, remaining quiet.
"But you were followed, and Roxas and Axel paid for it." Reno was getting angry again.
"I didn't intend for it to happen."
"But it doesn't change the fact that it happened Rude! My brother and his fiancé are stuck on the couch, in pain, all because you weren't thinking. Granted, they weren't thinking much either, but still."
"I, I'm sorry." Rude apologized for the hundredth time.
"I don't want your apology; I want your love. I want your full love and support because I'm still hurting Rude." Reno put a hand over his heart.
"You have it Reno. You have all I can offer. I've been working so hard while you've been in the hospital, I didn't realize that I needed some care too."
"What do you mean?" Reno tilted his head as he asked. Rude sighed, as if in shame.
"You said you need my full love and support, but I've been doing all I can to give it. I understand you're in physical and emotional pain…but, Reno, I need love too." Rude swallowed hard before he made eye contact with his boyfriend.
"I, I do love you," Reno said with a timid frown.
"I know, but I need to be reminded of it. I'm not just talking about sex. I, I miss the times when we were romantic."
"I'm sorry, I'm still mourning." Reno bit his lip.
"I felt like you were angry at me, because you only talked to me when you needed something. I want to feel needed, and I want to feel appreciated. I'm not just a friend, I'm your boyfriend and I want to feel that way." Rude confessed, looking a bit nervous, but certain about his words.
"I feel so stupid. You're right. I've been taking advantage of you." Reno hung his head.
"No, I, I just wanted to feel your love. Instead, I felt jealous. I know it's my fault because I don't say it, but I need you to remind me that you love me." Rude finally looked up as Reno gave a small smile.
"Rude, you know that I love you. And I'm sorry if I don't show it as much as you deserve. You really are the only person on this entire planet that I would want to spend the rest of my life with. I'm sorry for hurting you." Reno sat down shyly on Rude's lap.
"I'm sorry for being needy." Rude apologized back.
"Nonsense. Now that I know you were just needing attention, I won't stop." Reno smirked before he kissed Rude's lips.
"Mmmm, thank you mami." Rude smiled back before he made out with Reno.
Axel rubbed his thumb against my hand as we sat, smiling in adoration and hope for the adorable couple before us.
"I won't ever leave you again, Reno. I love you." Rude buried his face in Reno's neck, sighing loudly as he tried to relax.
"You better not. Still, I'm so proud of you for kicking the bad guy's ass." Reno changed moods once again and kissed Rude's cheek.
"Thank you baby." Rude combed Reno's long ponytail as it draped down Reno's back. Rude seemed pretty entertained with that as Axel held my hand tightly, and I tried to squeeze back with the little energy I had.
"I wish I could hold you properly." Axel frowned. "I shouldn't have told you to ride my motorcycle. I'm sorry." Axel apologized with hurt eyes.
"It wasn't your fault. You were just trying to protect me." I smiled.
"I really want to hold you right now." Axel sighed, clearly frustrated.
"His back is shredded Axe." Reno said disappointingly as I squirmed to adjust my body.
"It's alright." I scooted into Axel's lap.
"Rox, don't rush," Axel said cautiously. I took Axel's hands in mine and wrapped them around my hips and circled them on my lap, lacing his fingers together as I put my arms around his neck.
"I love you." I whispered as Axel squeezed my lower tummy.
"I love you too babyboy." Axel kissed my temple.
"I'm sorry that I ruined your motorcycle." I gulped, still feeling like shit for that. The thing looks like trash, all scraped up on one side with scratches ruining the black paint.
"Rox, I, I don't care about that. I'd rather that thing be totaled than see you in the pain that you're in now." Axel put a hand on my cheek. "I wish I could have saved you."
"You did. Luxord would have killed me if you didn't show up and save me." I smiled, proud of my fiancé.
"I wish I could have done more." Axel gave a cheap smile.
"I wish you all could have used your brains more." Reno rolled his eyes before he opened the door to let Sora and Riku inside, since he called my twin to inform them of what happened.
"Roxas? Are you ok?" Sora flipped out when he saw the bandages on my back.
"I'm fine." I said as he tried to hug me, but paused, not sure how to do so with my injuries.
"You three really couldn't take down one guy?" Riku asked as Rude shook his head.
"Trust me, he wasn't easy to take down."
"Yeah! Come on Riku, way to make us sound bad." Axel scoffed as Riku rolled his eyes.
"Rude made it look easy." I grumbled.
"Aww, I'm so proud of you." Reno switched moods once again as he sloppily kissed Rude's cheek.
"I don't think we'll ever see that bastard again." Axel said angrily, and I nodded.
"I sure hope not."
"From now on, no one is allowed back there, understood?" Reno put his hands on his hips. We all nodded.
For the next week, I stayed with Reno and Rude, on the couch, as the couple worked on their communication skills. I didn't mind sleeping on the couch, since I needed the space to let my back heal, and it did help the couple get the privacy they needed to work things out.
Reno explained how he saw me as the son he truly wanted, which was flattering considering I always thought I was some huge fail. Rude expressed his concern for not being loved the way he used to before all the baby business occurred, and now the two are working hard to improve the way they communicate.
The depression that Reno seemed to be stuck in while he was in the hospital was fading away, and with the medication the doctor's prescribed him, he was starting to return to his normal self. It was great to see him smiling and opening up to Rude, and as weird as it sounds, their routine goodnight sex seemed to help. I never meant to overhear it, but Reno never had a problem being….vocal…when he….finishes…so even though I always had the TV on, I still managed to hear their intimate moments.
It didn't bother me though, because I found their story to be really inspirational, so now Axel and I are using the same methods of honesty and consideration as we talk.
After the bar incident, we all somehow silently agreed to not speak of it. Axel's been treating me really nicely, as if that one decision I made to offer myself to Luxord really affected him.
I really wanted to address it, but since no one had mentioned it since, which now totals to three weeks, I decided to just ignore it.
"Rox, do you want to go see a movie? I want to take you out." Axel asked as he picked me up from Rude's and Reno's.
"We went out last weekend." I raised a suspicious eyebrow.
"Am I not allowed to take you out two weekends in a row?" Axel asked with a modest smile.
"Well I mean you can, but you don't have to." I felt bad.
"But I want to spoil you." Axel said after he drove me on his motorcycle back to his place. It took me about a week after the accident before I was willing to get back on that thing, and only because I trust Axel's skills to ride it. Axel was able to touch up most of the kinks that were a result of me crashing it, but the paint still needed to be fixed, which would cost more munny than Axel said was worth, considering our wedding is only getting closer.
"I appreciate it Axe. Is it just me, or are things…different?" I asked, wanting to address my curiosity, but I didn't want to bring up bad memories.
"What do you mean?" Axel asked as he parked his motorcycle.
"Well, ever since, you know, Luxord, I don't know, I just, I feel like things are ….different." I didn't know how else to word it.
"Different how?" Axel asked, not looking at me as he closed his garage door and we stepped inside the house.
"Like, you're trying to buy me a bunch of random stuff." I flat out confessed.
"Do you not like my gifts?" Axel asked, sounding hurt.
"No, I, I love them. The roses, the teddy bear, the candy, they all make me smile. I just, I don't want you to feel like you have to." I whispered, hoping that I wasn't hurting his feelings.
Axel nodded. "I'll admit that I, I feel really," Axel paused to think, "touched, that you would do what you did that night. You were willing to follow Rude in the dark night all alone, going to a place I know you hate, just to keep my brother happy. And if that wasn't enough, you stood up for me, when I was helpless. I, I hated the way I felt when he had me pinned." Axel dropped his backpack from his lifeless hands and squatted against the counter in the kitchen with his hands in his hair.
"I felt so worthless. I wanted you to leave, cause I didn't want you to see me crying." Axel looked up at me with hurting eyes. I sat by him and rested my head on his shoulder.
"You've seen me in my weak moments. Besides, you were being so brave. You fought for me. I love saying that." I smiled as I kissed Axel's cheek.
"I tried, but I lost." Axel sighed.
"But you tried." I repeated, kissing his neck as I put an arm around his shoulders. "And I love you for that."
"I love you too." Axel kissed my temple and gently placed a hand on my still sore but healing back.
"I'm glad we had this talk." I smiled.
"Me too. See, we are making great progress, my beautiful fiancé." Axel smiled as he smooched my cheek.
"Yeah, we are. We're awesome like that." I laughed.
"Yes we are. So, is that no to a movie?" Axel asked and I shrugged.
"Honestly, I'd rather watch one here and snuggle." I blushed.
"Mmm, I could definitely use some good snuggling." Axel growled playfully in my ear as I giggled.
"You know that I love you, a lot, don't you?" I asked with a blush as Axel smiled.
"Yeah, I know." Axel combed my bangs out of my face as I fantasized about our wedding. "What are you thinking about?" Axel asked me as we gazed cheesily in each other's eyes. It was as if I was living in some romance movie, but it all felt so natural.
"About saying 'I do'." I confessed.
"I can't wait. You know that I'm proud of you, right?" Axel asked as I looked away.
"Yeah." I said quietly.
"Why do you look so sad?" Axel asked, putting a hand to my cheek.
"I'm just, I'm just sorry that it took us so long before I got my act together."
"No one's perfect Rox. We worked hard, especially you, and now it's paying off." Axel cheered me up, like always.
"Right! Now, let's start that movie." I stood up and led Axel to the living room, where we snuggled on the couch and watched a comedy.
Once the movie ended, all I could think about was Rude and Reno, trying to start their own family.
"Axe?" I sat up, wanting so badly what they wanted.
"Yeah?" Axel asked, not really paying attention as he scrolled through the TV channels.
"I, I want a baby." I said and Axel sighed.
"Why don't we focus on getting married first?"
"Why can't we talk about it?" I asked, upset.
"I think we should tackle one thing at a time."
"Tackle? Why do you make it seem like a bad thing?" I was hurt.
"It's not." Axel shrugged in defense.
"Well you're making it sound that way." I argued back.
"I'm sorry, I just don't think we're ready yet."
"According to you I'm never ready," I rolled my eyes, irritated.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Now Axel sounded offended.
"You're always holding me back cause you're scared, but I'm ready!" I was getting really emotional, because I wanted to have Axel's baby so damn badly. I hated how it was ruining our perfect day, but it was bothering me so damn much, I couldn't ignore it.
"Rox, relax. Let's just work on the wedding, and deal with everything else after." Axel shot down all my energy just like that.
"We're going to be married Axe! There are things that need to be discussed before that happens."
"Like what?" Axel stood up, curious.
"Like our careers, our schedules, our chores, and babies!" I stood up as well.
"We already agreed that we'd continue working the way we already are, and you'll move back in and we'll split our paychecks evenly to pay off any bills and expenses. Our schedules are set by our jobs so there's really nothing to talk about there, and as for chores, you do the cooking and I help out with the cleaning on my days off, so I think we're set." Axel shrugged but I only shook my head.
"Way to ignore the most important part."
"Rox, I said wait." Axel said, as if he were in charge of me.
"Are you pretending to be my parent or something?" I folded my arms, disgusted.
"I'm putting my foot down." Axel said, as if that made any more sense.
"I'm your fiancé not your child!" I yelled.
"Well you're acting childish." Axel shrugged.
"So are you!" I shouted.
"Would you stop yelling?" Axel's voice raised as I shook my head.
"NO! I have an equal say in this relationship and if you can't respect that then we shouldn't even be together!" I huffed after I released everything stored up inside me. Axel put his hands to his head, not in anger, but in exhaustion as he sighed.
"Ok, I'm listening." He said calmly and patiently. I didn't expect him to cooperate, so I gulped, thinking of what it was that I really wanted to say.
"I, I want to talk about kids, now." I remained strong.
"Ok, let's talk." Axel sat down, so I sat down beside him.
"I want to have kids." I didn't know what else to say.
"And we will." Axel gave me a cheap smile, as if to say that he didn't want to fight with me anymore.
"We will?" I half asked, half repeated after him.
"Yes," Axel nodded.
"So then why were you being all difficult earlier?" I held my head, frustrated.
"Because I know you want to go all into detail about how many kids, and what genders, and how far apart in age, and all of those details when in reality, I don't have the energy to talk about it right now." Axel shrugged so simply, it bothered me.
"Axel, it's our future kids we're talking about. I, I want you to be excited about it." I couldn't hold back my frown.
"Rox, I have been working double shifts and picking up overtime for the past three weeks to pay for the wedding. I don't even know how I'm awake right now," Axel gave me a sorry pout, so I stood up.
"Ok." I put my jacket on.
"Where are you going?" Axel asked as I got out my phone.
"Reno's." I sent a text to Reno as I put my shoes on.
"You're really that upset?" Axel stood up.
"No, Axe, I just need space and you said it yourself, you're too tired to talk to me, so why should I bother staying here?" I didn't wait for an answer, cause I wasn't sure if I was lying to be dramatic and prove a point, or if I was actually being honest with myself.
"Babe, I don't want you to leave. I just want to relax with you, and talking about such important things should wait until we're both ready emotionally and mentally." Axel tried to reason with me.
"I know, so since you need to wait, I'm going to wait somewhere else." I didn't see why he couldn't understand my point.
"Hun, what did I do?" Axel put a hand on my shoulder, but I knocked it off.
"Really? You just demeaned my hopes and dreams and you're asking what you did wrong?" I asked in a disgusted shock.
"Roxas, would you just listen for a second?" Axel put a hand on his head.
"No." I turned around.
"Quit being so stubborn." Axel grabbed my wrist.
"Let me go!" I didn't want to feel trapped.
"Unbelievable. We've been doing so good for so long and now we're fighting." Axel let go of me as shook his head angrily.
"I just wanted to have a family with you cause I love you! Not my fault you don't care." I crossed my arms.
"I do care, but I want to prioritize our wedding, because I care about you more than anything." Axel put a hand over his heart.
"I, I don't want to hear it," I looked away; I didn't want to feel guilty. I knew that Axel had a point, but I didn't want to admit it.
"Then that's not my fault." Axel said quietly.
"Wow, way to blame me for everything, as always. Anything else that's been fucked up that you want to blame me for?" I rolled my eyes, looking for an excuse to throw things back in Axel's direction.
"Quit being a bitch." Axel reached for me but I pulled back.
"After you quit being an ass!" I yelled.
"Well there goes our perfect relationship." Axel sighed loudly.
"Yeah, it's all my fault, like always." I shook my head.
"Babe, stop. It's not your fault but you keep thinking that way and then you get mad at me for no reason."
"Cause you're blaming me!"
"I didn't say that you fucked up! I just said that we're fighting! God dammit would you stop making yourself the victim of everything?" Axel sounded upset at me.
"Well when you stop making me the victim maybe I will!" I got defensive.
"Baby, please," Axel tried calming down in an attempt to calm me down, but it didn't work.
"Don't call me that, I'm mad at you." I started walking towards the door until Axel got in front of me.
"Rox, I'm sorry. Let's try to work this out, ok?" Axel smiled but I scoffed.
"Goodbye Axe." I had enough as I left his house and started walking.
"Roxas! Rox it's a ten minute drive, let me at least give you a ride." Axel chased after me to the porch, barefoot.
"No, I don't want to touch you." I folded my arms.
"Baby, why are you being like this?" Axel asked, but I ignored him as I kept walking down the street. I didn't bother to turn around, but I didn't hear him following me, so I figured he gave up.
I don't know what caused me to snap the way that I did, but I just wanted Axel to understand how badly I wanted to have kids with him. I didn't mean to get angry at him personally, just at his reasoning. Either way, it was too late to turn back, and I figured that I might as well give both of us time to cool off.
Author's Note: So, things have been busy, and kind of rough. Not really in the mood to bother you all with my personal drama, so I shall skip straight to the story review.
Ok, so we just saw more of Reno and Rude's healing, as well as yet another conflict with Axel and Roxas. This baby conflict is the highlight of the story, so get cozy lol
To Luckycat222: Yay, glad to hear that you liked the last chapter ^_^ Sorry for the long wait.
To NakanoHana: Yeah, I hear ya. Some things work for some couples, not for others. Hahaha, no I mean, you're not the first to try to give fictional characters advice, and you shant be the last lol.
To ZeltaFrost: Aww, I know, self sacrifice has always been so emotional for me. Happy 17th birthday (sorry its late), and thank you for the review. Looks like there is some conflict between them though! Wonder how long it'll last.
To kindofabadger: Haha, yes, I like to keep people on their toes and I'm sure most of my readers expected the unexpected. I can't remember how I decided to use the 'mami' nickname, but I love it too ^_^ hahaha, yes, I use my roommates and friends all the time in my fics ^_^ thanks for reviewing!
To Xiola-Nobody: Awww, I like that! "Roxas is with a redhead that will kick ass for him". That's so sweet! Awww, I'm sorry. I miss America, but I don't think I've ever missed Mexico . Every time I went, I never had that great a time. Congrats on the niece! I know, I love Rude so super much! ^_^
To Vampy-Tels: Awww, thank you so much for that lovely review! Yes, please read any and all of my stories that fill your yaoi desires ^_^
To Otwamewliart: Yes, I understand, I'm the same way. Yay for no suicides on Reno's behalf lol!
To Josefina Eagle: Aww, thank you for reviewing! Means a lot to me. Glad to hear that you like this story.
To RoxasVentusHikari: Yes, Rude has saved the day, just like the sexy cutie he is lol. Predicting the almost rape? Lol, yes, bonus points for you hehehe. A wedding spoiler? Hmmm, well, once I write it, I'll let you know . haha, yeaaaah, I should let you know that I haven't even written the wedding scene yet. I know, I'm slacking . Yes Luxord is annoying in this story! Thank you young, avid, and wonderful reader!
Thank you everyone for reading!
Heart, Sarabellum