Confessions

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I love the characters tho, and love writing about them in alternate universes! Any likeness to realistic experiences is completely coincidental.

Warnings: Drama, Angst, language, yaoi/yuri

Plot: Confessions of the heart, from one tormented soul to another. Will it end in unrequited love? Happiness? Or heartache? There's only one way to find out, and it all begins with finding the courage to confess your love, however forbidden that act may be.

This chapter's pairing: Axel:x:Zexion

He curled up in a chair, books piled around him like walls to shelter him from the outside world. He sunk into the cushions, pillows surrounding him, his legs tilted to the side and slightly tucked underneath him as he excitedly opened up a new book. He could get lost in his books. He often spent hours in the school library, shut off from the outside world, wanting nothing more than to disappear into one of his fairy-tales and never come back. The real world was a cruel place, he made it a point to avoid it as much as possible.

A loud clatter drew his attention to the main foyer of the library, a librarian walking over and shushing the perpetrators, laughing echoing softly from beyond where he could see. He frowned a bit, glancing back down at his book and flipping the page. Whoever it was didn't make any other racket, and the library slowly faded back into silence. After a few pages were turned, Zexion began to have the sensation that he was being watched, glancing up over the top of his book to see someone nearby. It was a boy about his age with fiery red hair, he was looking through the books lining a shelf overhead thoughtfully, not paying Zexion any attention. He looked away, his slate-grey hair hiding his eyes as he let his mind fade into his story, curling up around the text like it was the only warmth left in a frozen world. When he heard the boy let out a soft sigh he glanced up again to see him scratching his head as if confused, then he turned and looked at Zexion, eyes widening before he blinked. "Hey kid, you're that bookworm, right?"

Zexion glanced back down at his book, scowling. "That's what they say..."

"Do you think you could help me with something?" He pointed to the shelf he'd been searching through a moment before. "I'm supposed to be getting this book for my English class for extra credit, but I can't seem to find it..."

Without even asking for details Zexion reached into his pile and pulled out a book, holding it out and offering it to the other boy. "This one should do. It's for Mrs. Porter's class, right?"

The other boy walked over to him, taking the offered book and glancing at the title. "Yeah, I think this one was on the list..." He glanced down at Zexion, who was once again reading his book. "Is it any good?"

The smaller boy laughed softly, looking up at the red-head with an eyebrow cocked. "Seriously? Of course it's good, it's one of my favorites. Just read it and write the stupid paper..."

"Okay, okay! Sheesh..." Axel replied, frowning and bit and watching the other boy. "You don't talk to people very much do you?"

Zexion sighed loudly and shut his book, crossing his arms over the cover and looking up at the other boy. "I don't go out of my way to talk to senior-class jocks who think it's funny to run around the library making lots of noise."

Axel winced a bit at the smaller boy's words, watching as Zexion got up from his spot and started putting away the majority of his books. "Wait, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you..."

Zexion just shook his head, his long bangs hiding his face, "Don't even worry about it. It's sunny out, I'll just go read in the park." He glanced over at Axel, shrugging. "Take my spot and start reading that book." He gestured to the one the red-headed boy was holding. "It's hard to stop once you start."

The older boy watched him go, curious and intrigued, waiting a moment before following after Zexion out the back exit. He followed at a distance, the bookworm walking across the campus towards the park, several large books wrapped up under his arms and his satchel slung over his shoulder. Axel surveyed the area, shielding his eyes from the sun, looking around with bright green eyes in search of the little recluse before trotting to catch up. "Hey, wait a sec! Would you just talk to me for a minute?"

Zexion glanced over his shoulder, sighing and shaking his head. "There's nothing to talk about. Why are you following me?"

The older boy caught up to his side, hands shoved in his pockets as he looked down at the younger. "I just thought I'd come with you, since it's sunny outside and all..."

The slate-haired boy frowned a bit and glanced away. "Whatever you say..."

"Axel. I'm Axel."

"Zexion..." he replied before adding with an exasperated sigh, "If you're going to stick around do try to be a bit quieter than when you're with your friends?" He sat down in the shade of a large tree, crossing his legs and laying out the books he'd carried from the library, picking up the one he had been reading before and flipping it open again, instantly absorbed in the text.

The other boy sat down beside him, sincerely fascinated. He'd never come across anyone like Zexion before, though he'd seen him several times in the library. He hadn't really thought about saying hello before, they seemed like polar opposites. Perhaps they were, and that's why Axel wanted to know him better. He wanted to know what he was thinking, hidden behind those giant books he loved. "Hey Zex, let me ask you something before you get really into what you're reading, would ya?"

Zexion's eyes flitted up, meeting Axel's with a bored expression. "Spit it out."

Axel chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his head. "I was just wondering, why do you keep to yourself all the time? Don't you ever get lonely?"

The younger boy blinked, letting his book fall to his lap a bit, giving Axel a bewildered expression. "Why do you care? You don't even know me. As a matter of fact, you and your crew tend to ignore people like me as if we have some sort of infections uncool disease that might be catching..."

Axel arched his brow a bit and let out a soft laugh. "Really, is that what you think of me? You don't know me, kid. At least give me a chance to prove your assumptions wrong!"

This seemed to reach Zexion, a small smile twisting his lips as he closed his book once again. "Alright then, Axel. Let me explain something to you. I would rather be without human companionship, because it hurts less being lonely than having a broken heart." He shrugged, "It's simple really. If no one gets close, I don't have anything to be disappointed about. I have no one to miss."

Axel was watching him with a concerned look in his eyes. "That sounds terrible..." He dared to lean a bit closer, asking cautiously, "What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"

Zexion let out a curt laugh and shook his head, "It'll be a long time coming before I discuss something like that with someone I don't know..." He gave Axel a soft look, a small smile twisting his lips, "But I appreciate the offer. You seem sincere enough."

Axel blushed a bit at the younger's smile, deciding he wanted to see it more often. "What exactly do I have to do to win your trust, Zex?"

He met the red-head's eyes, giving him a long, serious look, before saying softly, "Make me believe that there's still good in this world. If you can do that, I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"Still good in the world?" Axel thought for a moment, crossing his arms. "Of course there's still good in the world! Why would you think there isn't?"

"I never see it..." Zexion said, breaking his eyes away from Axel's. "I read about it in my stories, but I never see it in real life."

"What's in your stories?" Axel asked, grinning a bit. "A dragon-slaying knight in shining armor rescuing damsels in distress?"

The younger boy exhaled softly, tilting his head a bit and looking up at the clouds drifting overhead across the bright blue sky. "Happiness... Trust... Love..."

Axel watched him, eyes capturing the shadows passing over Zexion's face as the younger watched the clouds, heart twisting at his words. "You want me to make you believe in love?"

The other boy looked over at him, his expression soft. "If you think you can."

They held one another's gaze for a while, the shadows drifting over them a reflection of the clouds above, the summer breeze gently swaying the limbs of the tree shading them. "Alright..." Axel whispered after a long silence. "I'll try..."

Chapter 10 of Confessions! Look for the next chapter soon, there will be 21 total! :x:Myou:x: