Enjoy guys, the next update will be awhile so read this slowly. I say that because I have chapter 11 written but I like to have about three chapters written past the one I update… so I need to restock my chapter supply so I can guarantee quality updates… Yeah I have no life…
The world was no different than when I left it, still in that odd state. Here I was again, on my knees slumped, exhausted. It stank here, it was sour. The sun was beating down on my face, warmer than ever before. The smell churned my stomach like butter. I could hardly see. The yellow bird by my side. Hot. Hot. Hot. And I jolted forward.
It was quick, but from his eyes it appeared in slow motion. Roxas woke in a sweat, head pounding, eyes dizzy. His stomach was nauseated and twisting, lurching, mouth watering. He was hot all over, sweat running off his brow and trickling down the back of his neck. He panted. Grasping the sheets, his stomach lurched again, it was painful and his mouth began to drip with saliva. He felt weak, he was shaking and in a moment his stomach lurched, its contents spilled onto the floor as he heaved himself to hang over the side of the bed. Three more times he fought with his stomach, before he wearily passed out, falling head first over the edge and lying in it. The blue screen was silent; it simply watched the other, pondering what to do. Its cameras were patiently stationed on Roxas as always, the whole room in view for the security on the other end. All it could do was wait for the night crew to notice something was amiss, it took till three A.M.
"Ro…xa…asssss… Rox…aaa…ssssss..." The world was alive. I could feel hands on me, lifting and carrying me across the field to the lake. Across the field to the lake. And laid me there on the bank. It was still alive with the bubbles of rotting men. The fish were there. The fish! And they tried their best to cool me, I was mad with heat; burning, but the water against my head soothed me. It cooled me, chilling to the bone. And I could breathe…
His breathing labored, vomit and sweat clinging to his skin. One of the nurses contacted Doctor Ansem on her cell phone and alerted him to the condition of his subject. He was set in a cool bath. One nurse held him up. The other washed him delicately with a washcloth repeating to him over and over, "It's okay Roxas. You're going to be okay." He kept slipping in and out of consciousness, eyes open, then slipping shut again and again. "It's okay Roxas. You're going to be okay." The fish chanted over and over, Roxas gave them a groggy smile, staring into nurse Aqua's blue eyes. "Hold on Roxas," Her mouth moved but all he could hear were the many voices of the fish. They were new to this world, he had never seen them near the lake, or anywhere in the fields, but here they were. "You're going to be okay," the fish repeated. Roxas nodded before he collapsed in the arms of Aerith. The figure of a yellow, bearded man loomed in the doorway.
҉
It was one of those mornings. The phone rang around three thirty with an alarming call from Ansem. Roxas was sick. In the long run the arrival of Axel at the facility would do nothing for the recovery of the blonde but Axel still jumped in the shower and pull on clothes from the floor. He rushed his morning routine before going outside and getting into his car, speeding past the parked one along the curb, and getting to the facility. The walk to Roxas' room was the longest walk of his life, he felt as if his legs couldn't move fast enough. When he finally reached the door he entered and went back to the blonde's bedroom, opening it slowly and coming in. The floor was freshly mopped, smelling of sterile bleach, and nurse Aqua was making the bed. There was an IV drip ready to hook up; the blonde was still in the bathroom. Ansem came from the bathroom doorway upon hearing the bedroom door open.
"What's wrong Ansem?"
The man was stone faced and calm, "The flu. Doctor Michaels came in earlier; Aerith has him in the tub again to bring down his fever." He gave a smile and patted Axel's shoulder, leading him from the bathroom door. "He will be fine." The elder reassured
"What's with the IV drip then?" Axel raised an eyebrow.
"Replenish his fluids. He is sick, he needs to be hydrated and we have to keep an eye on him. It's just the flu but he still has the immune system of a child. He hasn't been exposed this before, he probably caught it yesterday." Ansem shrugged, "It was bound to happen sooner or later." Axel nodded he understood perfectly well. "He will be happy to see you when he gets a bit better." The nurses had dressed him and Aerith carried him out, Axel quickly went over and peeled back the blankets on the bed for her. She smiled and laid the blonde in the bed and tucked him in. She then began her ministrations to set up the IV and took his arm cleaning it with iodine and put the needle in, taping it down. "I am heading out now," Ansem said, approaching Axel and catching his attention with a gentle hand on his arm. "Feel free to stay with him Axel, he needs looking after," The redhead turned towards the other nodding thoughtfully. The elder male gave one last look at the motionless figure in the bed and then left the room. There was work to be done.
"Do you want to stay? Or should one of us stay?" Axel looked to Aerith, thinking a moment before turning back to the blonde.
"No, I can stay. It's fine for now. I'll contact you when he wakes up. He will probably need some medicine." She gave a nod.
"Just call me if you need anything, there are extra pillows and blankets in the cabinet."
"You make it sound as if I'll be taking a nap." The redhead said amused, lips curing into a smile, "The only thing I need is the file about our new project and the stack of documents from Xemnas' desk. They should be under the file. It's in a folder labeled… B I believe. My laptop should also be up there." Aerith nodded, turned, and left; the other nurses already gone. She shut the door quietly behind her. Axel went over to the blonde's bed and brushed his hair off of his face lightly, giving the other a soft smile. He took it upon himself to straighten up the room a bit before Aerith arrived back and handed him off the appropriate files and his laptop. He stood to greet her and then returned to his place against the wall picking up the folder and opening it to look through the files. Xemnas had helped coordinate the beginning of the project based on some of the plans Axel helped write up. He had no doubt that the project was running smoothly, Xemnas was a more then capable man. Axel let out a sigh from disinterest and set the folder down. He pulled the laptop case onto his lap, unzipped it and opened it. After opening, logging on, and looking through his email just in case he had received anything he exited out and sigh again. Roxas was lying with his back to the redhead; he gave off of groans every now and then, which were often accompanied by some sort of movement. He watched for only a moment before moving his hand to his pants pocket and pulling out the pamphlet from the day prior. The phrase, 'Staying true to the will of God,' was printed across the front with a picture of the white hilltop facility printed in grey with a line through it. He opened up the pamphlet and looked through the information. Inside was a larger picture of the blonde. Axel chewed at his lip and glanced up at the other. He briefly skimmed the text explaining why god forbids humans to make life like Roxas, and proving to the simple minded why he was the antichrist. The remainder of the pamphlet explained the unjustness of the facility and what it does, everything from abortion to karyomapping, and aiding those who cannot produce children on their own. Axel winced at the clarity of the pamphlet, there was a great deal of time and research put into it. He turned to the back. 'For those righteous enough to make a difference.' There was a web address printed in bold under another paragraph of preaching and ranting. Axel furrowed his brows and pulled the laptop up farther on his lap, typing in the address and being brought to a site decorated with the glowing images of Jesus Christ. There was a black box with white text labeled, 'Our mission.' He read on. 'It is our mission to eliminate the unjust doings of the government and corrupted corporate world to protect the innocent from harm. We have a number of missions, the newest being the elimination of the projects orchestrated by the International Facility for Genetic Research and Experimentation (IFGRE). They have in their possession a creation made against god's will deemed the 'perfect' human. Created from multiple strands of DNA, he goes against both god and nature in his ability to retain information like a super computer. Their plan is to integrate his DNA into the normal population by selling his DNA and make the global population their idea of perfection. This must be stopped before it is too late...' Axel furrowed his brow. Their information was off the mark. There was never a plan to integrate Roxas' DNA into the population… or was there? The redhead looked at the other tabs, one in particular titled, 'Targets.' He could have laughed at the extremity of the website, but instead paled at his name, and clicked the link pulling up a profile. There was a picture of him standing on the stage of the auditorium, face donning a look of mild annoyance, then a list of information.
Axel, Last Name Unknown.
Title: Geneticist
College Attended: Unknown
Age: 21
Hair color: Red
Eye color: Green
Place of residence: 56 Crystal Plaza (Apartment located above the establishment Tea Shop)
Axel felt the bile in his stomach rise as he scrolled down the page and took in what looked to be a rough sketch of the layout of his apartment, labeling his bedroom and times when he was home. It then stated his roommate's name and information, informing the viewers that he was Ansem's son.
Location at current moment:
Axel abruptly stood, knocking the laptop back off his lap. He was pressed against the wall, breathing frantically as he stared down at the computer screen viewing the city map that shown a red blinking dot on the location of the facility. Roxas let out another pained noise, the fever was waking him. Axel gave the other a worried look and then took a deep breath, trying to collect himself. He looked around nervously and then got back onto the floor and grabbed the computer and pulled it towards him. He stared at the map for a moment, a chill going up his spine then slammed the screen shut. Axel quickly stood and went out the door, closing it so he didn't wake the blonde. He then retrieved his phone and dialed Ansem's number. It rang a few times and Ansem picked up the phone. "Hello?"
"Ansem, I have a problem."
"Is it Roxas? Do I need to send someone down?"
"No, no!" Axel reassured, "although that might have been a problem easier to solve. Yesterday in central park I saw-"
"I know Axel."
"You do?" the words felt like weight lifting. He about collapsed back, supported by the wall he let his head lean against it.
"Xemnas told me about it, I'm so sorry." Axel closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath and nodded to himself. "Axel?"
"Yeah I'm here." He answered softly.
"I'll call Aerith, why don't you come up; I'll meet you in my office."
"Yeah, alright." Axel shut the phone. He opened the door to Roxas' room gently and then stepped inside, collecting his things and putting the laptop back into its case. He gave the blonde one last look before exiting the room and taking the elevator to the third floor where he proceeded to Ansem's office. The door was cracked open so he let himself in, taking a seat in the comfortable leather chairs positioned across from Ansem's larger chair at the desk. He waited a few minutes before the elder doctor came in, gave him a weary smile and shut the door, taking a seat.
"Sorry I kept you waiting. I was on the phone. Have you seen it?"
"Seen what?"
"Their web site Axel."
The other turned his head down for a moment and gave a nod. "That's why I called, in all honesty."
"Yes I see, so you know that they have been watching you?" the redhead nodded. "Why didn't you tell me you had people snooping outside your house?" Axel looked up at him shocked, "Don't deny it Axel, Xemnas informed me last night."
"I didn't want you to worry and had no idea it was this extreme…"
"Well I called the head of police; they assured me that the website would be taken down immediately and that they can investigate who is operating that organization and charge them for criminal harassment." Axel shrugged.
"Won't it just piss them off? I don't want them hurting Roxas, what if one of those psychos come in with… I don't know… a gun and tries to shoot him?"
Ansem gave the other a weary look. He came from his spot across from Axel and sat beside him, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Don't think about it Axel. Roxas is safe here. We have taken precautions with just that in mind. No one will get past the guards, only people with IDs and people escorted by a doctor can come back to these offices now." Axel nodded again, he looked weak. "And as for you, I called for someone to install a security system in the shop and your house."
Axel furrowed his brows, "When are they doing that?"
"Sometime today."
"Well Riku doesn't know about how in depth this issue is," The elder man bit his lip. "He will be furious. I need to go talk to him, explain the situation."
"I…I think that is a wise choice, he tends to be headstrong, I doubt he will let them in otherwise."
"Should I leave now?"
"No, it's only four," The redhead flushed.
"My mistake," he chuckled.
"Head over around eight."
"What do I do until then?"
"Well if you don't mind, I would like to talk to you for a little longer." Axel gave a nod and relaxed back into his chair. "I want you to tell me every time something strange happens. Any little noise that is off, any suspicious character, tell me about them when it happens so I can report it, or have Riku report it to the police, but he will have to clarify that it pertains to the case dealing with our facility."
"Alright," Axel sighed
"Has Riku noticed anything?"
"No, I think he feels uncomfortable sometimes, but if I blow it off he tends to blow it off too." The elder Doctor rolled his eyes.
"He should stick to his instincts." He redhead chuckled.
"Sorry." The Doctor smiled at him. They took a few moments to process the information. "So, what does this mean for the Noble Prize?"
Ansem cocked a brow at him, "What do you mean?"
"Are we still going to receive it, wouldn't it be dangerous when there is such a larger group of people conspiring against us? That would be a prime target, plane issues."
Ansem chuckled, "You are truly dulling your mind watching those sketchy horror films. Yes we will still be flying out for the Noble Prize and it will be a safe trip, this will all be blown over by then. Don't worry yourself with that Axel." The redhead gave a short nod and weary smile.
"So are there any other security changes?"
Ansem leaned back and pondered this. "No not really, Roxas will undergo some stricter rules. You know, the usual escorting from class, his free times will be supervised, and he needs to be in his room with the lights out by nine… that's really it, just to make sure he is safe and not out in the open alone, not really much change at all, I doubt he will notice the difference."
How long would it be before the he awoke? His breathing was soft, he was asleep.
҉
Axel left the facility around five and quietly climbed the stairs and got into bed. It took a while to silence the thoughts that kept racing through his mind. When he was able to relax them he was able to closes his eyes. Minutes, that's what it felt like, but the clock said hours. Axel climbed out of bed at roughly nine and took a cold shower before getting on suitable clothing. He found Riku downstairs in the kitchen mixing together flour and sugar for cookies.
"What happened?" Riku asked. His back was turned to the redhead.
"Roxas got the flu. He was vomiting his guts out this morning. I'm going to go back later to watch him, make sure he doesn't die." The redhead gave a weary chuckle.
"I'm shocked." Riku stated, he turned and brought his bowl to the other counter to mix in a few more ingredients, he was smiling. "I would have guessed you'd be there now."
Axel returned the smile, "Yeah, I know right? Trust me as soon as I get back I fully intend to go right in and watching him all night." Riku snorted at that.
"Sounds a bit creepy to me, but if that does it for you then great." He was kneading the dough.
The redhead rolled his eyes. "I'm actually here to discuss something important."
"Wow you're really full of surprises today, aren't you?" Riku was in a good mood.
"Ansem called someone to install a security system in the shop and upstairs." The other furrowed his brow, mood ruined.
"Why the hell would he do that? We are perfectly capable of taking care of ourselves, tell him no. I don't need him, or anything he has to give."
Axel sent him a weary smile. "We both knew you would say that."
"Well if he knows me so well tell him to shove it and stop pissing me off."
"Riku they are stalking me."
"What?"Riku stopped what he was doing.
"Remember the people I told you about in the park?" the silver man gave a nod, "Well they have a whole profile of me on their web site. I'm labeled as a target. They probably think I am working with the devil."
Riku snorted at that, "You are."
"Not funny Riku," Axel rolled his eyes. "Look, this is serious. They have stuff on you too, it stated that you are Ansem's son," Riku sobered, "They know everything down to my routine and… and where I am… so I don't know if I'm being stalked and they update it constantly or-"
"Oh shit you could have one of those little tracking bugs, you know those metal fuckers who crawl up your nose while you sleep." Axel raised an eyebrow at that. Riku shrugged, "It was on some television show Sora left on… don't ask…"
"…Well I hope it's not creepy robot bugs but…. You never know." Axel paused; Riku had begun to work again. "I was just warning you. I kind of would like the security system put in… It would make me much more comfortable."
"Whatever Axel." Riku griped, "I get it."
Axel rolled his eyes, "Yeah whatever to you too dickhead." Riku laughed at the name and Axel exited. He had to go back and check on Roxas.
҉
It was hot, and I had to hold myself up with my arms. The fish had returned to the middle of the pond, swimming there. The bodies were still piling up on the banks. I wasn't alone this time. I could feel someone watching the scene too. It was the redheaded man. He didn't speak this time. And we watched the bodies. I knew he was worried, I didn't have to look at him to tell. I wanted to uproot myself from this spot, pull my legs from the ground and walk to the tree and cling there. I wanted to, but I had to stay here, I had to stay. The golden grasses of the fields seem like a story, a memory, a place I had dreamt. Where was the quiet quaint world I once knew? Where was simplicity and peace? I closed my eyes and let myself drift.
Roxas' eyes fluttered opened. He didn't say anything; He felt weak and could hardly move. Axel who had been flipping through a few medical textbooks, positioned against the wall under the blue screen startled when he saw Roxas looking at him. Axel immediately dog-eared his page and stood, coming over to his bedside. "Are you feeling better?" Roxas responded with a shake of his head, 'no'. The redhead pursed his lips, bringing a hand up to brush the hair away from his forehead.
"What's going on?" his voice was hardly audible. "I feel like I can't move. I'm freezing, yet am so warm."
Axel gave him a smile, "You have the flu. Don't worry, its common, and in a few days you will be better." The blonde nodded.
"A virus… I read about it in one of my textbooks…"
"Sadly yes, and your immune system still-… "
"It's weak because I haven't been exposed like other people. I also didn't receive antibodies from my mother like infants do, so I pretty much better get use to colds until my immune system builds up."
Axel paused, "Yes," he stated dumbfounded.
Roxas sighed, "I feel terrible."
Axel shot him a weak smile, "You will, I think you slept through the start, Aerith told me that you vomited everywhere and then fell in it the first night." Roxas wrinkled his nose in disgust. "Hey, don't worry, one time I had the flu I threw up right on Doctor Xemnas." Roxas smiled, "He was really mad."
"I can imagine, that's really gross."
"Yeah, then he got sick too so he was even more mad."
Roxas' eyes widened. "He got sick? How?"
"Well I puked on him, so the pathogens got into his system."
Roxas sat up quickly, "You have to go," His face drained of color with the rapid movement, "You will… get sick." He said slowly.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Axel quickly grabbed the other, laying him back slowly, "Stop that! Just lay here! You are too sick to be moving around." Roxas gave him a distressed look. "I don't need you passing out on my watch. Besides, don't worry about me, I'm healthy, I won't catch that." Roxas bit his lip and nodded.
"How long have you been here?" Roxas was staring at the ceiling.
"Eh," the redhead thought about it, "I have only been here for an hour, it's about noon."
Roxas perked an eyebrow at that, "How long have I been asleep."
"Well you haven't really been asleep. You probably don't remember it but you have woken up many times. You puked three more times, but not on my watch. It's Tuesday, by the way. In fact I wasn't here at all Monday; I was needed in the lab…" Axel shrugged.
"Wow…" Roxas looked at the other. The blonde was pale and skinnier than normal; his skin was stretched over his cheeks giving him a more 'deathly ill' appearance than what was reality. "What am I suppose to do?" Roxas complained. Axel gave him a confused look. "I've missed class, and I've been awake for a few moments and am already bored stiff."
"I don't know? Sleep I guess." Axel shrugged and sent the other an apologetic smile, "It seems dull but I lay money you can't walk, you're as white as a ghost. You have to stay here."
Roxas sighed and stared up at the ceiling. After a few moments of silence he addressed the redhead again. "Will you take me out there to watch the television? I can't sleep, I feel tired, but my mind isn't." The redhead gave him a stern look. "I promise I would move I'll just lay there and watch television."
"… I guess so." Axel sighed, "I'm bored too so let me just call Aerith in to help move you, okay? You also need to eat." Roxas nodded as the other pulled out his phone and dialed Aerith's number. "Hey, Aerith, Roxas wants us to move him to the couch to watch TV… I agree but he says he can't sleep… I will make sure he doesn't walk around." The redhead sighed, "I know…yeah I understand. Hey, look I'm a doctor too. I know- well age doesn't matter I know just as much as-… fine Aerith. Yeah, we will be waiting."
Roxas furrowed his brow at the one sided conversation, Axel clicked the phone shut. "What was that all about?"
"She lectured me," Axel sighed, "She wants you to stay in bed but said okay and that it was my fault if you got worse." Roxas laughed, "She also said she wanted you to try to eat and use the bathroom before we move you and she will decide from there if you can have your IV out."
"IV?" Roxas questioned.
"…Yeah, the thing beside your bed. It connects via needle to your arm. It's just fluids, you had an immensely high fever and with the amount of vomiting, you needed it," Axel walked back to his bed and laid a hand on his forehead, "You still have a pretty high fever, it's probably time for another round of medicine…" Roxas bit his lip and lifted his arm to look at the needle. Until now he hadn't even noticed it, but now that he knew it was there his arm arched and felt uncomfortable. Axel gave him a curious look and noticed the conflict. "Roxas," He said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder, "its fine… you need it. Just don't look at it, okay?" Roxas nodded his head, squeezing his eyes shut. Aerith had arrived, Axel helped her with the door as she pushed in a cart of food. She left it to the side and immediately went over to Roxas.
"How are you doing sweetie?" she said in a mothering voice, gauging his temperature and commenting to herself on the result. "Any pain or nausea?"She asked. Roxas shook his head 'no'. "Are you hungry?"
Roxas thought about it, as a matter of fact he really hadn't noticed his stomach, his attention had been taken by the overall ill feeling. "A little I guess…" he was still focused on keeping his eyes off of the IV sticking uncomfortably in his forearm. "Aerith, can… can you remove this." He gestured to his arm. She gave him sad look, and then checked the bags. The bag was just about empty, and he was awake, fever was down significantly and he hadn't thrown up since the morning. Aerith had only administered the drip due to Doctor Michael's and saw no real need for it any longer. She nodded and began to take out the IV. Roxas' face paled and he looked away, eyes finding Axel's who gave him a soft understanding smile. Once she finished she gave a sigh, and took the equipment by the door.
"Axel, help him sit up please," she asked politely and Axel went over, supporting the blonde's back as he slowly lifted himself up from the mattress. Axel helped orient him so that he sat sideways on his bed, legs cross and back leaning against the wall. Aerith had pulled the cart over; there was chicken broth, water, saltine crackers, and a few pills. She worked on unfolding a wing on the side of the cart that she was able to put up to the blonde like a table. "You don't have to eat it all, but try a few bites at least." Roxas nodded and slid the bowl over to him, picking up the spoon and carefully bringing some to his mouth. His arms were heavy, he felt as if they would slide off his shoulders if left suspended in the air for too long. He ate silently, apatite fading and six bites later; he could no longer force any in his mouth without the threat of vomiting.
"You alright Roxas?" Axel asked coming to his side. Roxas simply shook his head; his face was stark white, stomach churning. "Do you need to go to the bathroom?" Axel asked, Roxas nodded pushing the cart away. He tried to get up, collapsing in Axel's arms. The redhead supported him and as they made it to the bathroom, the blonde broke away, grasping at the toilet and emptied the contents of his stomach into the porcelain bowl. After he finished Axel helped him to the sink where he washed his hands and brushed his teeth. Sighing and looking in the mirror.
"Thanks Axel."
Axel simply shrugged, "No problem." He helped him back to the bed; the blonde climbed in and sighed.
"So I guess I won't be allowed out to watch television then after all?" Axel looked towards Aerith who had a stern look, clearly telling Axel no. The redhead bit his lip.
"Come on Aerith, we're both bored in here." She threw her hands up in frustration
"Fine, but I don't want to hear it when you both are sick." She left the room, Axel laughed at her antics, she loved them both dearly.
Axel then went into the bathroom and grabbed some spare blankets, telling the other to 'wait here'. He laid them out on the loveseat, creating a little bed and then went back inside to get Roxas. "Here Blondie," he said, stopping him before Roxas stood, "It will be faster if I just carried you, grab your pillow." Roxas gave him a confused look but obediently grabbed hold of his pillow. Axel bent down and lifted him into his arms, carefully carrying him out and to the living area where he gently deposited him on the loveseat. Roxas shifted around and got himself comfortable, giving Axel a thankful smile. The redhead handed him the remote, which Roxas turned over a few times in his hands before finding the power button and turning on the device. The voice from the television buzzed in his ears, it was an animal documentary with a man narrating the actions of chimpanzees and their interactions as a family unit. Axel watched the blonde, he was staring curiously at the screen, sure he had seen a television just the other day, but Axel was certain that it was the foreign animals it depicted this time that really go his attention.
"I saw these before," He mumbled, Axel quirked a brow.
"In you textbooks?" Axel asked. Roxas nodded.
"Yeah, page 196 in the history textbook, and all through the biology textbook." Axel nodded sagely. He enjoyed when the blonde could become completely engaged in his activities, although he didn't want him to turn into a couch potato. The redhead figured that Ansem or Xemnas had hand selected the programming; Roxas probably would only ever see educational programming pertaining to earth science, the universe, or animals. Axel was quite confident that anything with images of people and daily life would be banned from the screen to keep him from desiring the outside world more than he already did. "What's your favorite animal?" Roxas asked, he peeled his eyes from the screen and awaited the answer patiently.
"Uh," the redhead scratched his head, "To be honest I don't know…" Roxas furrowed his brow.
"Why not?"
"I guess I've never had a pet," He shrugged, "Only really ever seen them in books. I mean I've always liked the look of cats… Tigers are probably the most interesting, but as for animals I haven't ever seen them in real life… save birds and what I've seen passing pet shops and people walking their dogs," Axel trailed off, mumbling the last few words.
"Pet shop?" Roxas' eyes lit up. "Like a place where you can buy animals?" Roxas bit his lip eagerly; he quickly crawled over to the redhead and stared Axel down, "Take me."
It took a moment for Axel to register what was going on. He gave the blonde an uncomfortable look; bringing his hand to the other's shoulder to push him back down onto the seat. "I don't know if that's a good idea."
"Why not," the blonde whined.
"Well Ansem would shoot me if you came home with some little furry thing."
"What if you came home with one?"
"Riku would beat me…or worse," the redhead deadpanned. The blonde frowned, sighing and looking back towards the television. Roxas had his arms folded, disappointment clear on his face. He was guilt tripping Axel, but was interrupted as he let out a large sneeze, jolting forward. Axel smiled leaning over to pat his back as the other looked at him wide eyed.
"Wow."
"First sneeze?" Axel chided, the blonde simply nodded. "How'd it feel?"
"A bit painful, but my head feels better." Axel laughed.
"Yeah you'll have that." He sat back in the loveseat, eyes removed from the other. Roxas directed his attention towards the television as well, delighted by the sight of the furry animals jumping around. He then looked towards Axel, the man's attention was elsewhere, his green eyes focused, fingers tapping the arm of the chair. Roxas wondered where the redhead's mind was wondering off to. Axel looked at the blonde and raised an eyebrow at him; the action caused a light flush to rise to the blonde's cheeks, he averted his eyes. "Like what you see?" Axel teased. Roxas wasn't sure how to answer, was it suppose to be literal or a joke? He didn't want to seem awkward so simply gave a nod. Axel laughed at that reaching over and putting an arm around the blonde and pulling him gently to a hug. "It was a joke Roxas."
The blonde bit his lip, "Yeah, I wasn't sure," he shrugged.
"I know." The redhead shot him a wolf-like grin which was met with a giggle as Roxas softly wrapped his arms around the other and laid his head against the taller male's chest. Axel was alarmed by the action, not that he disliked it, but out of fear that Xemnas would walk in. What the silver haired man had said the pervious Sunday had never gotten the chance to leave Axel's mind. It had simply been pushed aside by other worries but now surface clearly. Axel sighed, gave the other a smile and prompted him to release. "You need to lay back, I don't want you moving." Axel stated which was the truth, but more of an excuse. Roxas obediently sat back.
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Xemnas let out a groan, bringing a hand to his brow in frustration. He had been working on the prototype for awhile now. Axel had suggested making a replica of the gestational tank's computer keep the organs alive. His notes were there, changes had been made and about twenty pairs of eyes looked it over. The donor had arrived that morning and was in Roxas' old room, hooked up to an IV and tucked into a bed. It disturbed the silver haired doctor; he looked like a sick, thirty year old man, a patient in a hospital bed soundly asleep. Xemnas pushed the image from his mind; he had to complete this for the safety of his own project. It was more programming than anything. The computer parts had been ordered and put together, it was a bit larger than a normal house hold computer. It acted like a brain and attached to a machine which was about the size of a dining room table. It housed all the necessary pumps and filters, in addition to tanks containing the chemical compound that mimicked blood. That would mix with nutrients and become oxidized, exiting through the right side of the machine, looping out to the organs and back in with unoxidized blood. It was how Roxas had been kept alive, but the matter wasn't could they do it, but how many could they keep alive at once from one machine? One machine alone was expensive to produce and maintain but if there was a need for more than one it would definably hurt the facilities finances. Xemnas leaned back again and pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath he returned his eyes to the screen and began typing. A few members of Xehnort's team, Doctor Siax Eberstak and Doctor Vexen Knowls, were helping assemble the remaining parts of the machine, the latter leaving a few minutes later to fetch the fragile tubing the resembled veins.
"Can I assist you?" The blue haired Doctor approached Xemnas causing the other to glance up from his work briefly. The man was from Germany, his voice still held a faint accent, he was strong jawed and built handsomely with long swooping blue hair that would seem unprofessional to some.
"I'm about done. I will have both Ansem and my college Axel take a look at it, and then we can begin testing." Xemnas went back to typing.
"How many organs Doctor?"
"The whole body, I like to aim high." He deadpanned. The other simply gave a nod.
"We can begin harvesting the donor if you would like and keep the organs on ice."
Xemnas cringed, "No, I would prefer to wait until the machine was completely together. Has your team began to put in the tubing? I want to see the tanks full and machine together by the end of tonight. We can receive organs in the morning." The other male simply shrugged and proceeded to leave, most of the staff had left on break by that point. The Doctor simply stared at the screen face illuminated in the white glow as he scrolled through. With a few finishing touches he could call his job done. It took roughly ten minutes, and the he reclined in his seat. He would wait for as long as he could, he didn't want to be there when the donor was needed. He left the tanks unfilled, amniotic fluid elsewhere. It wasn't his problem. Xemnas stood from his seat and went down the hall walking to the room. He cracked the door open, standing in the doorway and looking over the motionless blonde figure. He was a man of thirty years, short blonde hair. His facial hair trimmed but the stumble was moving in. Of course the Facility had to get their money's worth from him, all his hair would be sold to the highest bidding company and this man would go under the knife. Never once opening his eyes. Eyes, the one organ that could not be completely transplanted. Xemnas wondered what the use for those would be. He never tormented himself with looking into the grotesque proceedings of the Organ Donor business, but he had wondered what their purpose was since he knew blue cornea's were of the most value and the only transplantable part of the eye since retina's required stem cells to grow. He figured that as soon as he was harvested the cornea and bone marrow would be shipped out to some poor desperate man laying in a hospital bed much like this man, only with a wife by his side. The door was shut. He stood in the room.
As for that matter, after all of this work was said and done would the slaughter house Xehnort ran really be over or would it just be at a lesser extent? Bone marrow, stem cells, hair, skin, ovaries, corneas, blood, spinal fluid… all of that and more would be done away with. There would be no more sources for people to use thus medical science would step back and what was recently curable would no longer be so. Was that worth it as well? Xemnas closed his eyes taking a seat in a chair in the corner of the room and holding his breath. Was it worth it? His hand touched his pocket, slipping in and clutching a gold linked necklace. It was a locket and he fought himself, giving in and opening it. He though she was beautiful and for once in a long while his heart ached again. "Why did you have to be so stubborn," he muttered at the piece of jewelry, fingers tracing the picture. His voice was hardly audible; it surly would have cracked if he had spoken any louder. He kept back his tears, standing and proceeding to the side of the bed as he shoved her back into his pocket. He was asleep, he would remain this way for the rest of his life. At least he wasn't leaving anyone behind, nor would he miss anyone on the other side. Xemnas left the room.
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"Time is up for today," Ansem said as he entered the room. Axel turned to look at him confused. They were on the couch still, Roxas had drifted asleep despite his claims to be fully awake some four hours ago and Axel had been studying up on the use of stem cells on organ growth. Ansem came to the side gazing at the television which was a documentary series the showed the behavioral patterns of different felines on the African plains. "Has he been asleep long?" Axel simply nodded his answer. "Good. Well you do know what time it is, right?"
"Since you're here I would assume it's late." Axel stated, he was bored and tired; he wanted the elder man to just spit out what he needed to say and call it good.
"Roughly eight thirty, not late but I would like him to get into bed." Axel nodded, standing and going over to the blonde where he gently shook his shoulder to wake him. His response was a groan and Axel scooped him up.
"Grab the blankets please." He said to Ansem who did just that, walking ahead of the pair and opening the door. Axel deposited the boy on the bed. Roxas kept groaning and stretching but never fully woke up. Ansem helped tuck the other in and they left the room together. Once outside Axel stretched and gave a loud yawn. "What did I miss today?"
Ansem rolled his eyes and gave a light chuckle, "What do you mean miss? This project has been going on for… probably a week and I have only seen you in the lab once." The redhead laughed, sending him a smile.
"Awe, do you really blame me? After you gave me that weekend off I haven't been feeling like doing any of that stuff. Besides, I'm better with planning and research, and Xemnas is better at assembling and making constructive changes."
"You think after twenty one years you would be sick of playing second best to him." Axel furrowed his brows at the elder.
"Second best? Wha- What the hell Ansem, you know I'm way smarter than that old man."
Ansem sighed, "I don't know Axel, you really think he would let the student surpass the teacher?" Axel glared at him.
"I know what you're playing at," He pointed and accusing finger at the elder Doctor, " You're trying to light a fire under my ass in hopes that I'll go on a working frenzy and take care of that project up there. Well I'll have you know that it's not going to work, Xemnas and I will move at our own pace, keep you old wrinkly nose out of our work," Axel folded his arms, giving the elder a playful glare. Ansem was undoubtedly amused with the comeback, smiling widely before sighing. He gave the redhead a firm pat on the shoulder.
"I forget your age sometimes, you really are just a child you know." Axel scowled at the comment opening his mouth to say something but being cut off abruptly by the Doctor. "And for your information Xemnas has left you in the dust. He followed your plans without you and the machine is just about ready. You need to come in early tomorrow and help harvest the organs." Axel gave him a concerned look, but was cut off once more. "Right now you need to take a look up at the program to make sure everything is running smoothly before we continue, you do have a pretty good eye for that system, I will admit that since your arrival I have became rusty with my computer skills," he gave a chuckle.
Axel gave him a light smile. "I want to get out of here, so will you be accompanying me to the lab?" Ansem shook his head 'no' the other simply shrugged.
"I have things I need to do."
"Then I will meet you tomorrow after everything is up and going." The elder gave him a nod. They both left the room, locking the door, lights shutting off. Axel bid him a good night and proceeded into the elevator. He fiddled with the programming in the main computer for an hour before judging Xemnas' work to be flawless. From there he exited and went to his car parked next a few others black in appearance from the night. It had been getting darker later, it was fall, but the air around still smelled like summer. He was dreading the winter like always. Leaving the parking lot he waved at the other car exiting, going home and entering the dark shop. He proceeded up the stairs opening the door and greeting his silver haired room mate who was sitting on the sofa with Sora who was pressed closely to the other male as Sora watched a horror film.
"Hey Axel," Riku said softly from his place.
Axel couldn't hold back the smug grin that was pulling at the corners of his lips, "Uh, hey there Riku, enjoying that movie?" Axel's tone suggested to Riku that any response would instantly bring some smart ass comment or teasing from the redhead so he simply answered with his middle finger making Axel laugh.
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I couldn't stand this place. The lake had changed. The world was dark. The smell of bloated, rotting skin filled my lungs. Where were the fish? The lake had been invaded by the bodies, and I was rooted there, staring at them. I wanted to stand up, I wanted to leave, but the yellow bird made me stay. He watched it too. The water began to move. It began to lurch forward and back, like waves on a beach. As it went back the lake expanded, forward and far back till it grew to an ocean and I was planted in the damp cool sand blue water meeting sky in an endless dance until they became one with each other. It smelled like fish. The waves came back in and with it brought a man. He was face down in the shallows, pushed into me by the wave as if some act of fate. I flipped him over and examined his features. He had a defined hansom jaw and cheeks with a longer nose that spoke of an Italian decent. His hair was long, red, and sopping wet plastered against his face, neck, and shoulders. I simply examined him. There was a chirp from behind and I glanced back at the yellow bird. He chirped again. I looked to the ocean. It was far off, far and slow moving, but there. Black sky met churning green water and sent tidal waves. They weren't reaching use yet, they were far away. I looked down at the man in my arms and pushed his blonde hair back, picking pieces of seaweed from his beard. I stood and grabbed onto his arms and as I pulled him from the water, his skin was rejuvenated. I laid him on the bank to dry in the sun, a man came up behind me, "I have been waiting for you," He stated. I kept my eyes ahead, the yellow bird nearby in a tree. A hand firmly grabbed my leg. I turned, blue eyes met sad eyes. He had gotten to his knees gasping again and again, choking and vomiting water. He managed to hold my eyes with his, gasping, voice loud and rough, "H E L P M E." he tried to repeat it but fell back into the sand, breathing heavily and looking up at me. I couldn't speak.
Roxas woke in a cold sweat, it was abrupt. He sat strait in the bed, holding his chest and looking around rapidly. He was in his bedroom and wondered when Axel had left. He glanced at the screen who was displaying the time and date clearly. September second, eleven forty P.M. He felt the need to move. He felt the need to go upstairs to his old bedroom. Roxas slowly peeled back the blankets. He knew something would be waiting for him up there. He had to see what was going on. It was an urge that he couldn't fight. He stood on fatigued legs slowly stepping and exiting his room. He came to the door, the glass that kept him in but allowed him to stare out at the dark empty hallway. He tried the door pressing his forehead to the glass with defeat. It was locked. It was always locked. The lights had come on due to his movement and in frustration he gave the glass a hard punch with his fist gritting his teeth and growling. He let himself slide to the floor.
It was in that moment that Xemnas was leaving for the night. He was exiting the elevator when he noticed the light on in Roxas' room; he thanked whatever power made him take the back way out of the facility and went over to inspect, noticing Roxas on the floor in front of the door. He pulled out his keys, unlocking and opened the room; the lack of support startled the Blonde. He stared up at the silver haired doctor who merely gave him a curious look.
"I suspect that you being out of bed at this time means that you are well enough to begin your studies tomorrow, right?" Roxas just continued to stare up at him. Xemnas sighed, "Why are you out of bed, Roxas?" His tone was softer than normal and he extended a hand to help the other up, "Don't tell me you were trying to escape again." Roxas bit his lip, which earned him a glare from the elder.
"It's not really like that but…" He paused and cast a nervous eye at the doctor, "I feel like I need to go up to my old room. Is something up there Doctor?" Xemnas gave him a weary look, a bit surprised in his inquiring.
"It is as empty as it was when you left. Your urge to check it I will admit is strange, I suggest you go back to bed and stop worrying yourself with trivial matters." Roxas looked him over and gave a nod.
"Goodnight Doctor." Xemnas nodded and waited as the other slowly walked back to his bedroom and closed the door, locking it, and left.