A/N: Ah yes, this chapter more or less is from Axel's pov of last chapter. I thought it'd be important to show how he is feeling about everything that is going on since his view hasn't been shown for a couple of chapters. Enjoy.

10

If someone asked him when it was decided that there was something more than a mere thought of pure friendship towards a certain blue haired, bookworm, Axel could honestly not reply. It had to be somewhere between the fact that actually had a growing concern for the well being of said individual and the subtle if not noticeable jolt of anxiety that fluttered between the two of late. Yes, the schemer seemed to have been avoiding being alone with the redhead for quite some time. Well, to be precise, since the day he found himself waking up not in his own bed, but in his bed. Damn it, Axel. Of anyone that you could have picked to want to 'buddy' up to, it had to be him. Not to mention the fact that he could slam that damn book in your face and you wouldn't be able to see straight for over a month. Good, fucking, job.

That had not been the end of the pyro's troubles. And he thought he was doing so well to hide those inconspicuous 'feelings' he had developed for the other lithe man. Oh yeah, did I even mention, you fell for a dude! Axel's inner monolog was a real pain in the ass. He tried his best to act normal, to be his usual charming, cleaver self and go on with life without a second thought. Only the nights that he stood over Zexion's still, sleeping form was his secret that he would take to his grave. ...You are already dead you idiot... And that's just creepy... He was not sure why he even wanted to find himself alone with the schemer either. It helped that Zexion seemed to bolt out the door every time they found themselves in such a situation. Then there was the gift exchange. Every night he would click on the fire materia and stare at it from its spot on his night stand. It would glow until he could not keep his eyes open any longer, and after his nightly vigil over its giver, and would turn it off before drifting off to sleep.

But none of that seemed to matter when Zexion came up to the clock tower. The present void of not realizing just how much he wanted to close the space between them became evident. Roxas was worried about him. Axel blinked. That was not surprising as the redhead was avoiding any sort of conversation that would lead to him possibly slipping up about his newfound attractions. Nothing was helping that. Not Roxas' constant questioning if he was feeling okay and certainly not Retribution's constant banter every night he watched Zexion sleep. But Axel was Axel and he could play anything off like it was his personal birthday. The gentle smile and offer of sea salt ice cream since his best friend decided not to show, those where the thing Axel was best at.

That is until it became evident that there was something wrong with Zexion as well. It had gone unnoticed since they never spent time alone anymore. At first the redhead was genuinely concerned when Zexion stumbled away from the edge and towards the clock's wall. And then he had to say those words to him. "I can't be here with you."

Axel had gone furious. He even took a few seconds before moving in. "What do you mean by that?" His words were tight as his chest was.

"I shouldn't..."

The wall depressed slightly when his fist connected with it. Axel hated it when people danced around the subject. "Damn it, Zexion! Tell me what's wrong!"

He lost the ability to breath correctly when he looked down into the sapphires that were clear as day. "Y-you... No, there is supposed to be something wrong with you!" And then it clicked. Just as Zexion's hands shoved against his chest but the strength to push him off gave it all away.

"Of course there is!" His shouting caught the others attention. Axel wanted to hope. It was as needy as his desire to act on the idea of speaking his secret.

"What?" Biting his lip was the only thing that kept Axel from pouncing as Zexion looked deeper into him.

The warm hands occupying his chest disappeared and frustration took over. "Now tell me what's the matter!"

"Or what?"

"Or I'll... I'll..." He could not think of anything clever to say so instead Axel squeezed his eyes closed. It far from helped his situation "Oh, to hell with it!"

Axel had not really been intending to kiss Zexion. It just sort of happened. He half expected to find himself unconscious and without his childhood memories anymore. So he stood there frozen, lips poised in a motionless stance waiting for retribution. Until by some odd design of the universe, Zexion kissed him back. Axel let out a gasp of air when he felt wandering hands along his chest and thigh. The movement screamed out a desire that echoed in his head. Zexion wanted him as much as he did. Axel pulled the younger man in to deepen their kiss. His body ached to feel the other's skin, to run his naked fingers through blue hair, to pull back those bangs and sink his mouth into warranting flesh and drink the taste that was Zexion.

Summoning fire was child's play compared to this feeling. Axel felt like his entire body was alive with searing, hot flames. Licking his own lips he felt Zexion part his mouth, desiring for more. He moaned softly and concentrated on making their kiss more passionate, melding their bodies into one complete form. Thoughts of pressing his partner against the wall, panting as he unzipped the cloak to nibble on the hot, shivering skin beneath it found its way into Axel's head. And he would have acted on the desires if not for a single sound.

"A-Axel?" They pulled apart, his lungs stinging for air. "Zexion?" Opening his eyes to look upon the one he wanted, Axel realized it was not Zexion who was speaking. But before he could register what was happening, Zexion was pulling away.

Axel blinked and the warmth in his arms was gone. The sounds of a portal being opened caught his attention and a tall, blue haired figure ran into it. "Zexion! Wait!" He called out. "What are you-" But the portal was gone and so was the schemer. Turning around, completely confused, emeralds looked upon the object of distraction. "Roxas?"

The keyblader opened his mouth in shock. Slowly their eyes met. "I... I didn't know..." Guilt must have flashed across his face. "You didn't want me to know..."

This time Axel looked away. "I'm sorry, Roxas."

Roxas blinked a few times. "You care about, Zexion." It was not a question. "And that's why you haven't been yourself lately."

"Yeah..." He scratched the back of his head, red spikes waved about. "I guess I'm not good at hiding things am I."

"No you are." A smile slowly formed on the blonde's face. "I'm just your best friend and can tell when something is bothering you."

Axel sighed and the excited thoughts of finally confessing his pent up desires floated out of reach again. "I don't think it's mutual." He frowned.

An uncomfortable cough answered. "Um... well from what I saw..."

"He ran away from me, Roxas."

The blonde blushed. "That might be because I showed up. I'm sorry."

Axel blinked a few times. "Oh..." Things started adding up and his brain started thinking normally again. His body started fidgeting and he looked down at his best friend. "I-"

"-Need to go find him." Roxas cut him off from whatever it was he was going to say.

But Axel smiled at the approval, unaware of the disappointment that Roxas felt. "Right!' He opened a portal. "Um... please don't tell the others."

Roxas nodded. "I promise." Then Axel was gone. The smile faded and all that the keyblader could do was let gravity help him find the ground. He let out a long sigh. "Damn it, I should've known." There he sat, watching the sun finish setting as another pair of blue eyes watched him, wishing away the pain and regret from the young, blonde keyblader.