I liiiiive!! Sorry guys... but here it is! Chapter 10! It's a bit short, but better than nothing, right? :/ I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: Despite being at a new college, the rights to these characters did not come with the apartment.

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Axel swallowed hard. How was he supposed to continue on for the rest of the evening after hearing that? He knew he came on strong sometimes, but Roxas really didn't like him? He sighed, running a hand through his hair, and leaned against the nearest wall. He could fix this. He would have to. He'd never wanted anyone more in his life, and he was going to lose him because he couldn't control his libido. Then it hit him. Tonight would be a chance to show his totally not overwhelming, gentlemanly side! That would surely make Roxas fall madly in love with him! …Right?

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Leon drove up to the parking lot in front of Cloud's apartment. Without a word, he stepped out of the car and went to the other side to open Cloud's door for him. Cloud whispered a "thank you," receiving no reply or even grey-eyed acknowledgement.

Leon walked him silently to his door, his mind obviously elsewhere. Cloud chanced a "goodnight," leaning in slightly, waiting to see how the other man would react. Before he knew it, he was wrapped in a tight embrace. Cloud blinked, very much taken aback at the gesture, and slowly returned it. Leon pulled back a bit to allow some space between them, hooking a finger under Cloud's chin and lifting it to give the blond a deep kiss. It ended all too soon, as Leon drew Cloud back in for another tight embrace.

Leon kissed his head and whispered against his skull, "Don't worry yourself too much over this. I'll make it work out. She had to know sooner or later. Just… give me some time to work things out with her. Then there's the matter of my parents…" He groaned at their mentioning and buried his face his Cloud's blond spikes.

"I'll wait for you, Leon. Take as much time as you need," Cloud responded despite knowing that he wouldn't be able to handle being away for the brunet for very long.

Leon nodded and gave him one last kiss before departing, leaving Cloud alone on the doorstep.

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"Roxas, would you please pass the beans?"

"…Sure, Axel." He did as asked, but not without a questioning glance toward the redhead. Axel had been acting like this all throughout dinner. What had gotten into him?

"So Axel, how old are you anyway?" Sora ventured. Axel surely didn't look 18.

"I'm 21, but you shouldn't worry about Roxas being with me. I'm very responsible. No drinking at all when I'm around him, right Roxy? Er, I mean, Roxas." He coughed and bowed his head after shooting Roxas a nervous glance.

Roxas studied the other three males sitting with him at the table, trying to decipher if they were in on this charade together. "Right… Nothing too heinous… yet."

Axel choked out a laugh. "Ha! 'Yet'… That Roxas. Such a kidder."

Roxas couldn't take it any longer. "Okay," He slammed his fork down on the table, "What is going on here?"

Axel giggled nervously. "Whatever do you mean, Roxy- ahem- Roxas?"

"That!" He pointed an accusing finger at him, "Right there! You…" he searched for the words, "constantly correcting yourself!"

Axel shook his head animatedly. "What are you-"

"Don't! Don't pretend like you don't know what's going on here, Axel."

Riku and Sora exchanged confused looks as Axel attempted to mimic their expressions.

"I… I…" He stuttered, gaze flicking between the blond and the table.

"You, what?" Roxas urged impatiently.

When Axel spoke again, it was barely a whisper, "I just wanted you to like me…"

Roxas's expression faltered before hardening. He turned to his other guests, then back to Axel. He grabbed his hand, tugged him from his seat, and turned to his other guests, adding a polite, "Would you please excuse us?" before hurrying out of the room, dragging Axel along with him.

He led him into Cloud's bedroom and shoved him onto the bed. "Were you eavesdropping on me?"

Axel shook his head, clearing away the initial shock. "No, I-"

"Axel, please. Tell me the truth." Roxas folded his arms across his chest, looking down at the older man.

Axel raked his fingers through his hair, tugging at the ends. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just-"

"Sure, right. Just walking past." He rolled his eyes.

"Will you let me finish?!" Axel bellowed back. Roxas flinched; fell silent. "Thank you. As I was saying… I was just going to get you because Riku said that you seemed…" Axel drew in a breath, "…repulsed by me. I went to get you to prove him wrong, but I guess he was right."

Roxas was speechless. He was prepared to be angry at Axel, not feel sorry for him. He wasn't good at these types of things, but anger was a language he spoke fluently. "Axel…" He took a seat next to the redhead, fingers automatically going out to sooth the other male, but he withdrew and placed them on his own lap instead. He inhaled a staggered breath, preparing for a long talk about their feelings, but it had to be done. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I just… You weren't supposed to hear that. I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I didn't mean that I don't like you. It's just hard because all my life I've thought of myself as being straight, then you come along and shatter that image. It all happened so fast. The pace we were at was probably fine for you, and it was fine for me too, I thought. I was just going on impulse, but now my head is swimming and I can't figure out what's right for me to do. And now that Sora and Riku have shown up, I keep second-guessing myself. They seem so much more natural than we do. So… I guess what I'm saying is that I would like to slow down. I think I'll take you up on that date you mentioned earlier." Roxas let out a soft, expectant smile.

Axel blinked a few times, taking it all in, then he was beaming. "Really, Rox? You want to?"

Roxas couldn't help but beam back. "Sure, Axel. Of course."

Axel grinned even wider and bent forward, kissing Roxas softly on the lips, then pulled back suddenly. "Um… er… sorry. Was that okay?"

Roxas nodded and pulled Axel back down, returning the gesture.

The two sat, foreheads pressed together affectionately, for a moment longer before Cloud burst in, ruining the moment yet again.

"-oing to have to burn my sheets now." Cloud angrily called back to Riku before his gaze fell upon the two. "What are you doing in here?! Get out!"

"But-" Roxas attempted to protest but was cut off.

"I don't want to know!" Cloud threw his hands up. "Just get out."

Roxas immediately hopped up and left, Axel in tow. When they had gone, Cloud grabbed fistfuls of his hair and let out a frustrated groan. He collapsed on his bed, immediately forgetting all the things that might have been done there, and covered his face with a pillow, wishing that sleep would overtake him and hopefully when we woke up, it would have all just been a dream.

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Here's hoping the next chapter won't take as long! *kicks writer's block and locks it in a box in the closet under some really heavy stuff*