I just want to thank everybody for being so understanding about the slow updates with the story, I really appreciate you guys and it makes me want to write a lot more! I'm deep into the cosplay crunch while working 40+ hours each week, but if you want to keep tabs on what I'm doing my Instagram is DawnstarCosplays! Thanks again for reading! ~ "I-if I EVER get to see my Roxy again, I'm never ever gonna let him go. I sw-ear to you Dem!" Axel mumbles into my pillows, his breath stinking of expensive alcohol as he turns his head towards me. Tears fall down his cheeks and over the tattoos he got on some other drunken night. "Stupid sex don't even feel right anymore- the guy was blond and had gross blue eyes, Roxas' were much prettier and his hair was so much nicer. I want Roxas but he probably hates my guts." He drunkenly cries into my pillows, his body sprawling out onto my oversized hotel bed. I lean against the doorway, sleepily rubbing at my eyes while Zexion clears his throat.
"I should go, you have your hands full. Again…" Zexion's demeanor closes off as he shuffles around me, handing me my roomkey back that I gave him earlier.
"Zex-" Too late. He's already in his own room a few doors down. "Damn you Axel, every night you doing this shit right at the worst times!" I sit on the edge of the bed, putting my head in my hands as he merely sniffles.
"Why don't you just talk to Roxas like a normal human?" I wait a few moments for a response only to be met with long strings of snoring. Damn it…
Axel left, my mother passed away, and with her a part of my father went as well. I've lost almost everything in a matter of months, yet life didn't stop for my tragedies. I threw myself into every fiber of this camp, trying to mend and stitch back together what little there was to be saved. Yet it's getting harder and harder to tell myself exactly why I even bother anymore… then Axel came back and I thought maybe life was finally trying to right itself. I got to remember being with my best friend, even if he is a bit of a diva, and best of all remember all those feelings I still have for him. I know he has that same passion for life after Hollywood lost its glitz and his heart is still in the right place.
When we kissed, for the first time since he moved away I felt truly happy… Until I realized I'm not 13 anymore, hoping that the red headed kid that I gave my heart to would be with me for the rest of my life. It was a nice fantasy while it lasted, I guess. Better to have passionately kissed your best friend then not at all, right?
I thought this is what I wanted, being back in Axel's arms and feeling like my heart could explode with happiness. It was like all my childish dreams actually came true for a pure moment of bliss, but I suppose life isn't through with either of us.
"You want me to move to California with you?" My voice quivers with uncertainty. I attempt to step away only for my heart to pull me back. Part of me wants to scream in his face and send him away, and the other part wants to take his offer and kiss him again… "Do you even know why you're here?! The whole point is for you to help me save the camp, not say screw it and leave again!" His eyes narrow as he matches my brewing anger with his own. He clearly didn't like my answer...
"You're the one who said this place wasn't even worth saving anymore! I get that you've lived here your whole life but there's a lot more to the world than the camp, Roxas!" I really can't argue against my own words, which is highly irritating that it turns out he was listening…
"We were just venting- you can't tell me that life in California would be better than staying on the ranch! At least here no one runs your life like a fucking dictator. It's taken ten years to even speak to each other again, I get that's on both of us but-" Axel heavily sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose, his brows furrowing and his eyes closed.
"I have people depending on me to keep being 'Axel the Rockstar', Roxas. I can't just drop off the face of the earth and play cowboy with you!" I step closer out of anger, wanting to lash out but I know I have to keep a cool head.
"Like I don't have the same problem?!" I counter angrily, my eyes stinging as I hold back. I don't want to fight, Axel… "I have six fucking campers and half of them are regulars from town! I am busting my ass almost single handedly trying to keep this place open because…" Because, why? Cloud is buried with debt, Mom died here, and even Axel chose to leave after everything... "Because it's not fair." I admit, tears threatening to spill as Axel's anger quickly fades.
"I just-" His eyes soften as he gnaws on the inside of his lip, mulling over his thoughts. "I don't-" He rubs the back of his neck anxiously, glancing away before resting his twitching fingers down to his side like he didn't know what to do with them. "I didn't mean for this to turn into another fight…" He reaches out to gently tug me into another hug, his warm hands rubbing at my back. I weakly punch his chest in response, feeling the same way. Just minutes ago we were kissing like teenagers with stolen time, but now we're realizing that stolen time was even shorter than what we thought it'd be…
"This camp was supposed to be my legacy, my mark on the world to say that I did something good for a world that has no place for it." And it cost me everything. "I can't just walk away now, after everything I've done." Axel heavily sighs as he finally grabs my arms, interrupting my weak onslaught of punches. His eyes are soft and heavy with emotion, like he was on the brink of shutting down from all the confusion.
"All I can do is say I'm sorry for what I've done, but you know that I only did what I had to do for my family. I'm not trying to fight you on this, but you look exhausted, Roxas. And it scares me because I care about you." His shoulders drop as his hands move from my wrists to my biceps, his fingers digging into my arms as he struggles to find his next words.
"What about everything you said back on the trail?" I counter, brushing his hands off along with his words. If he really did care about me then he wouldn't act like this is a one sided choice to make. "You look just as tired too, Axel. It feels like you're breaking a thousand rules just to even be here let alone talk to me, what kind of life are we supposed to have in California if you're on tour and I'm left behind in some empty house?" Axel scoffs, yet I can see the doubt in his expression.
"You don't even know what it's really like down there, and you would obviously come with-" He glances away nervously as his argument falls apart.
"Would I?" I quickly counter, shifting to catch his eyes as I force him to look at me. "From what I've heard I'll just be in your way if Pete even lets me go with you…" Axel's gaze hardens, his tone unsteady as he fumbles for an answer.
"Pete doesn't get to decide that-"
"HE ALREADY DID, AXEL!" I didn't mean to yell, but I can't keep being a quiet voice from the sidelines waiting for Axel to wake up from his Hollywood 'dream'. It's my fault he's even in this position, but knowing that after all this time he's still in some dreamland about what kind of situation he's in. I can't stand by anymore. Not if we want a life together, or whatever that kiss meant. He's taken back by my tone, but I force myself to continue. I know he's lost, and I want to help him but how can I when I feel the exact same way?
"You can't honestly tell me that Pete would be okay with us being together in California, let alone in general. I'm a distraction, and I've already proved that." Axel angrily groans, stalking around the overlook at my doubting. I want things to be easy, but it's not fair of either of us to ask the other to drop their lives before we even know what that kiss meant to us. I thought it meant he wanted to be with me here, but I guess we were both wrong.
"We don't know what Pete will say-"
"How hard did you have to fight him just to even be here, Axel?" I place a hand on his back as he seethes in anger, my fingers digging into the fabric. It's funny, really… After all these years I still can't help but yearn for his burning passion he carries himself with… Even now, angry and frustrated. I understand his reasons, but... He turns on his heel, taking my hand in his as he pulls me close once again. His face is tight with anxiety, yet his eyes are full of fire to fight for our future together. I want to fight for us to be together, but it seems like destiny has other plans for us.
"He can't control everything about my life. It's… It's not fair for me either!" He finally admits, his forehead resting against mine. His expression softens from the hard pressed mixture of dread to frustration.
"Axel?" He gently sighs, his eyes caressing my face as his hands take mine.
"It shouldn't be this hard, it's just not fair. I want to be with you, but I have people counting on me to live up to expectations that I'm starting to not be able to meet anymore." I gently grab his wrist as I lean into his touch, gazing up at him with a bittersweet smile.
"It's like I somehow know exactly how you feel." Axel's lips twitch into a hint of a smile as he pulls me close once again, the same excitement from before still lingering. Our lips meet once again, savoring the time we have together until it's too late.
We exchange slow, burning kisses, moving closer until we're wrapping in each other's arms once again and ignoring any problems the world demands of us. We slowly part of air, my lips still begging for one last kiss. My heart is split between leaving the place I vowed to save to be with Axel, or fulfilling that promise and staying yet losing him for the last and final time… This should be the hardest choice I've ever had to make but being here, in Axel's arms again, I never want this feeling to end.
Axel's eyes slowly open, memorizing every crevice and freckle of my skin. He softly smiles, like the world was lifted off his shoulders as he leans back in. I can't help but match his smile, filled to the brim with newfound excitement.
"Roxas, I… I'm still in l-"
"SHIT!"
Xigbar cackles at watching Roxas fall to the ground and smirks like the devil himself. I watch in horror was he struggles to avoid getting trampled by the spooked horse, my gut clenching every second at knowing that this was going way beyond what Xigbar said already.
"You said no one was gonna get hurt-" He merely shrugs me off.
"As if. That stupid kid is the reason we're squatting in the damn mud like animals. Hell, Axel used to be able to drink me under the table and now look at him, playing rancher or some shit."
What in the fuck did I get myself into? I miss being able to lounge on the buses couch, my head on Zexion's lap as he reads lyrics to me… I guess that's the reason I'm doing all this… To be able to keep doing that with him. Yet who am I to get in the way of Axel's relationship, just to save my own? I'm pulled out of my thoughts as they start moving again down the trail, but at a slower pace this time behind the rest of the group. Xigbar and I shuffle along with them, trying to listen in but it's not easy trying to stay out of sight as well. Xigbar rolls his eyes, heaving an annoyed sigh.
"All Axel ever does anymore is bitch and whine, yet he's got women lined up outside the bus wanting him and guys shoving phone numbers in his fucking pants!"
"Can you at least bitch in a whisper?" I mumble under my breath only for him to continue on, muttering angrily..
"Oh no, nothing is ever good enough for Mr. Lead Singer, he needs to drag the rest of us to yee haw hell so he can get some hillbilly ass-" I grab Xigbar and stop him from continuing as they begin to argue louder.
"Just chill out man, look!" He finally tunes in to the argument between them, their voices still slightly muffled before Axel takes off down a path, Roxas not far behind.
"Shit, where are they going now?! Follow them, idiot!" Xigbar shoves me onto the trail as he takes off running behind them, forcing me to catch up.
"Being mean is so much work," I whine aloud to myself, looking up towards the sky as if I would get a break. No such luck. I heavily sigh and take off after him, trudging up the hill. I'll follow, but I'm not killing my body over this… The last thing I need is Pete screaming at me because I sprained a muscle or something, although that could mean more time relaxing instead of feeling like a sidekick to some insane plot.
I finally drag my feet up the overgrown path, feeling small among the towering trees. The leaves rustle with each breath of wind, a few fluttering down. I'm forced to step over roots sticking out of the ground and the more I walk the path, the more of the camp I can see. I guess I should be on Xigbar's side about this whole plot to get Axel back, but I'm starting to get why people live out in the mountains like this. The camp isn't very big, surrounded by a thicket of trees and a small lake with a dock. It's like a picture out of a camping magazine that my parents shoved in my face when I was a teenager, begging me to do something other than stay inside playing my guitar. Looking back on it now, I regret not taking the chance. Nature is kind of fuckin' awesome.
"Demyx, what the fuck are you staring at?! Get the hell over here!' Xigbar hisses at me. He grabs my shirt and drags me further up the hill, barley giving me a chance to find my footing. "I found them, they're arguing again. Something about Axel staying or going or some shit." We hide behind a pair of trees, this time a lot closer to be able to hear what they were arguing about now.
The more I listen to them, the worse I start to feel… It sounds like they're both looking for something to grab onto to make life worth it again. They thought they had each other again, but something happened to make them fight once more. I've listened to Axel pine over Roxas for years, even after he started sleeping around he would wind up in my bed crying with a bottle in his hand over how much he wanted it to be Roxas there in the crowd. Yet I'm willingly trying to push Axel and Roxas apart because I'm afraid of losing Zexion. Why should I lose Zexion for Axel's sake?
I glance over at Xigbar who's been quiet this entire time only to realize he's been recording the entire conversation since we started eavesdropping. My stomach twists angrily, my body moving before I can think. I slam into Xigbar, clawing the phone out of his hands.
"That's too far! We're not blackmailing him now-" He growls and shoves me back into the tree, his arm pressing against my throat as he struggles to get the phone back.
"I lost my fucking eye for this band, I'm not gonna let this fucking twink make it all for nothing!" We get into a shoving match over the phone before it thumps to the ground. We both dive for it, but Xigbar is too quick. He shoves me even harder and snatches the phone, desperately looking for the recording.
"SHIT!" My face skids over the grassy hill, snagging on a few stray rocks and twigs. "I'll take your other eye-"
"Demyx?!" I weakly raise my head, offering a nervous smile to a very pissed off Axel.
"H-Hey man, long time no see. What's up?" His eyes burn with anger, physically struggling to stop himself from strangling me. I don't think I've ever pissed him off this much… At least now he knows how it feels to be cockblocked for once.
"What are you doing?" I scramble to my feet, brushing off the mud and dirt now covering my clothes as Roxas rushes to help me up.
"Are you okay?! Here, I have some band aids for those cuts." Axel's anger immediately fades into admiration as he watches Roxas dig in his pockets with 'love struck fool' written all over his expression.
"Of course you would have band aids on hand," He teases as Roxas hands them to me.
"Ninja Turtles?" I question as I apply them to the cut along my nose and a few on my forehead and cheek. "Fuckin' rad!" Roxas breaks out into a relieved smile at knowing I was still okay, taking the trash and shoving it back into his jeans.
"It's my most requested band aid, I'm just glad I still had some left. Are you sure you're okay? Do you need to see the nurse or anything?" He asks once more, his worrying very comforting.
"Nah I promise I'm okay, just a rough fall." I sheepishly grin back only to be met with Axel's death glare once again.
"Decided to take the scenic route back to the bus?" He sarcastically jokes with a biting tone.
"I-I uhm,-" I glance back to the tree line, breathing a sigh of relief as Xigbar steps into view. He pants and wipes his forehead free of non-existent sweat, putting on a show.
"Demyx, there you are! I was looking all over for you man. Hey Flamesilocks, fancy seeing you here. Did I miss out on a party?" He slings an arm around my shoulders and leans in with that lecherous grin I find repulsive. "Hey kiddo, giving our star the 'celebrity treatment'?" He winks before giving Roxas a long once over. I grimace on the inside as Axel attempts to step in front of Roxas who merely offers a handshake with a neutral smile.
"My name is Roxas, I'm assuming your Axel's bandmates?" I quickly shake his hand before Xigbar gets a chance, nervous to why Xigbar's switch seems to have flipped so suddenly.
"I'm Demyx, and this is Xigbar. We got separated from the rest of the band when the paparazzi showed up out of nowhere. From there I guess we just got lost and followed the voices." I lie through my teeth while Xigbar glances at me and subtly nods in approval. "We didn't mean to interrupt though, we should be heading back to the bus," Axel suspiciously glances between us, his arms folding over his chest. He settles on a steady frustrated stare from being intruded on especially when having a moment alone with Roxas of all people.
"Pete will storm the place sooner or later, so you better leave. Now." His eyes narrow as he directs his words towards me. It makes sense, I'm one of the only people who knows how much being back with Roxas means to him especially after how he acted when he first came. It doesn't make what I'm doing any better to remember that I'm supposed to help him with Roxas, not hurt…
"Ah you're probably right like always Ax, it'll be a long walk back to the bus though." Xigbar sighs, rubbing his chin like he was lost in deep thought.
"I can give you a ride if you want!" Roxas easily offers with an innocent smile while Axel's deepset glare intensifies behind him.
"T-That's so nice of you to offer, but we couldn't impose-" Xigbar tightens his grip and crushes me in his arm as he laughs with no trace of humor.
"Nonsense, we're happy take your offer! Any friend of Axel is always a friend of mine, kiddo." Roxas' helpful smile falters, obviously perturbed by Xigbar's new nickname for him.
"Great…" Axel steps forward and places a protective hand on Roxas's waist.
"I'll come with-" Roxas quickly shakes his head and steps out of Axel's reach.
"You should stay and rejoin the group, I don't want you to miss anything else because of our detour." He offers a weak grin but his tone waivers like he came up with that excuse on the spot while Axel's expression turns uneasy.
"Are you sure? I don't mind-" Roxas nods once again with a more steady grin as he backs up to his horse.
"Of course, no problem! It won't take long."
"Oh. Well, if you're sure then." I bite down on the inside of my cheek as the situation turns tense, a lot of unspoken words lingering between the two. Roxas finally breaks the awkward silence as he grabs his horse's reins.
"We have to take the horses back to the stables, so if you two were comfortable you can ride with us or you can walk-" I made my way over to Roxas, giving a relaxed smile.
"I'll ride with you, Roxas! I've always wanted to ride a horse!" I also don't trust Xigbar to be that close to him… Who knows how far he's willing to go after the video incident. For once Axel seems to stop glaring at me at my suggestion only for Xigbar to start sending me looks. The ride back to the stables is extremely tense, only a few words between Roxas and I exchanged with simple questions here and there. We stop in front of a large barn stinking of manure while horses wait inside.
"Wait here guys, I need to get these guys back in their rooms then we can leave." A few moments later I watch anxiously as Axel and Roxas head into the barn and out of sight. Xigbar nods to go follow them as he leans against the barn doors, trying to listen in. I was never totally okay with this plan to begin with, but now I really feel sick to my stomach… I gently touch the bandages covering my face as I follow Xigbar and listen in as well.
"-have to go?"
"I'm just being nice to your friends, what's the big deal? I'll be right back."
"We were kind of in the middle of something, we still need to talk."
"I know we do, Axel, it's not like I'm taking your place in the band." Silence, then a shared sigh. "I won't be long. I'll let Aqua and Terra know the situation, I'm sure they're freaking out about what happened to us. Just stay here and they'll come get you. Try to have a good time?" More silence, then a heavier sigh than before. The sound of typing on a phone gets louder as footsteps approach, causing Xigbar and I to retreat a few feet back like we weren't listening.
"Okay, follow me guys. It might be a little cramped in my truck but it beats having to walk all the way back." Roxas's casts one last glance back to the barn where Axel leans against the doorway only for Xigbar to ruffle Roxas's hair like a child.
"Thanks a million kiddo, gotta save our strength for our next big show. Well, if we even get to play in San Fran." I elbow Xigbar in the ribs as Roxas looks between us.
"Oh sorry Xigbar- what did you say?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it." I cut in, moving between them as we trail beside Roxas. "Just excited to get a chance to play for a good cause is all," I flash Roxas a smile while Xigbar glares daggers into the back of my head.
"That's really nice to know, I've been so anxious that I was being selfish by keeping Axel here." He seems to relax, like the guilt was riding on his shoulders this whole time. Of course someone as good as Roxas would be worried about something like that…
"I mean- we do lose a whole week of rehearsal by waiting on Axel, but it's no biggie! Sure we won't be as polished for our fans who paid a lot of money to come see us- if they even can, but when it comes to Axel who are we to say no! Just his bandmates," He trails off, watching Roxas' expression fall with each word. The tension is back in Roxas' shoulders, looking even more anxious than before as he digs out his keys. His hands shake as he unlocks an old run down truck, his expression now turned into a sour pout.
"I'll uh, need some direction to where you're parked." His once kind tone is now tainted with nerves, his mood dampened. Xigbar merely smirks at me before shoving himself into the truck, forcing himself next to Roxas and forcing me on the outside. Roxas struggles to start the truck, the key turning over multiple times before he finally swears angrily and slams the gas. It lurches to life but the jitter causes Xigbar to fall forward due to lack of seatbelt. I'm forced to hide my grin, staring out the window as I quickly cover my mouth with my hand. "Sorry, don't want you to lose your other eye in my truck." Roxas smirks slyly to himself as Xigbar readjusts. I can see why he gets along with Axel so well…
"Like a rusty truck could take me down, as if. This is the badge of a hero, you know." Roxas glances at him as we pull onto the dirt road leading out of camp.
"Oh here we go," I mumble as I slid down in my seat.
"I saved our manager's life when a stage light wasn't set up right by the crew they cheaped out on. I saw the light fall and without a second of hesitation I pushed Pete away and took a light to the face. When I came to, my eye was missing and I'm left with this handsome scar." Xigbar exaggerates his story, making it out to be some selfless act when in reality he pushed Pete because they were arguing. He never saw the light coming down on him, but of course neither of them will admit to the truth. "I literally sacrificed a part of myself for this band, but who cares? Axel's the talent, if he decides to stay and ruin our one chance at playing in Europe, will I be upset about it? As if!" Roxas' knuckles turn white as he grips the steering wheel, his jaw clenched as he remains silent.
"We uh, we're parked at the Destiny Inn." I quietly pitch in only to be met with tense silence.
"But Demyx is right, charity is so important to us," Xigbar continues to prod at Roxas, who refuses to say anything more yet seems to get angrier with every word. The truck flies down the roads and past other cars, Roxas' foot almost pressing to the floor by the looks of it. "I'm sure bailing your farm out of debt is the right choice here after all, not like I would ever ask something like that of my famous friends, but I suppose that's just me-"
"Xig, enough." I command, the will to defend Roxas growing as I sit up. He casts me an annoyed glance before smoothing it out into a smirk.
"Just making conversation with my new friend is all." More like pushing him to snap, but sure… Thankfully it's not much longer when we pull into the parking lot of the motel, the bus looming over the other cars in the lot.
"Thanks again for the ride, Roxas! And for the band aids," I get out of the truck and impatiently wait for Xigbar, whispering for him to move his ass. He's done enough damage for one day. He follows with a mere wink to Roxas who sighs heavily out of frustration as we walk around the side of his truck towards the bus. "Way to play it cool," I reprimand under my breath. Xigbar ignores me and heads to the driver side, leaning against the open window.
"You should meet our manager Pete, thank him in person for letting Axel take time out of his busy life." Before Roxas can protest Xigbar opens his door for him, the piercing squeak making both of us wince and no doubt alerting Pete and Zexion to our arrival. We would be staying in the motel, but Pete said he was worried it would have been infested or some other bullshit excuse even though he's staying in a room himself. Probably just didn't want to waste money on us, even though he'd hardly notice.
Roxas trudges behind us, his once smiling demeanor now tainted with anxiety and doubt. And it's my fault, which makes this entire plan even harder now that I know he's a good person… Pete storms out of the bus, casting Xigbar and I his patented angry scowl. His jaw juts forward as he rests his chubby fists on his hips.
"Where have you boneheads been all day?! And what the fuck is on your face Demyx?!" Before either of us can even begin to explain he waves us off with a growl. "Yeah shut up, ain't' worth my time. Get on the damn bus, both of you. And get those things off your fuckin' face." Even Xigbar doesn't challenge Pete's attitude as he immediately heads onto the bus, giving me a sly wink as he does like it was all going so smoothly.
"Bye Roxas… I hope to see you again." He gives a curt wave, a touch of happiness replacing the pain placed by Xigbar and I for a brief moment. As soon as I get onto the bus I rush to a window, carefully inching it down so Pete doesn't notice I'm trying to listen in while Xigbar merely laughs himself to the bathroom. Roxas and Pete seem to have an awkward standoff, not speaking until Pete finally chimes in.
"You realize you had your chance, right?" Silence. "You know, that was some real shady shit you pulled back then. You would have made it in Hollywood with that kind of trick." Roxas anger seems to finally show it's face as he crosses his arms over his chest.
"Axel is the one who wanted to sing, not me. Why didn't you send him home when you found out?" I can't see Pete's expression with his back turned to me, but I can tell he's fazed by the question.
"I already wasted money on him, I wasn't giving him a free ride back either. At the first sign of trouble his deadbeat dad bounced, and I felt generous, so I gave him a second chance to prove he can be worth my time. Ten years later here we are." Roxas' anger seems to only grow as he digs his fingers into his arms.
"How generous of you." Pete clicks his tongue and rubs at his fat chin.
"You still sing? After Axel is finished playing make believe we can really test you out. Xigbar's been getting testy and his popularity is down, you got just the face to replace him." It takes Roxas a moment to process Pete's offer, mulling it over a lot longer than I thought he would. Pete wickedly chuckles and digs in his pocket and produces a crumpled business card. "Not so quick to say no, eh? Why don't you think it over, it'll be our little secret either way." Pete turns on his heel and I catch a glimpse of that evil in his eyes.
"Wait! Have you… Told Axel what I did?" Pete glances back at Roxas who clutches the business card in his shaking hands.
"...No. I was tempted, but I didn't want to make him miserable before he can even be worth my money. I'm just that nice I suppose. Gettin' soft in my years." He laughs to himself, his large belly shaking as he throws his head back while Roxas merely drills holes into the card with his gaze. "Like I said, think it over. I'm all about second chances."
What the hell could they be talking about…? I knew about Axel's dad vanishing, but I never heard anything about 'what Roxas did' that Axel doesn't even know about. I feel like I just stumbled onto a conspiracy… Pete lumbers onto the bus, it creaking under his weight. I quickly take my seat like I wasn't watching, grabbing my phone and pretending to text someone.
"Hey boss," I greet as he leans over me and stares out the window at Roxas.
"Shoulda came back for this kid if I knew he was just gonna drag our asses back to this stinking shit hole. If he joins at least I can finally justify getting rid of Xigbar." He mutters aloud before standing back. The truck door creaks close and not long after the rumble of it tearing back down the road makes Pete grin that horrible smile. "Our little secret." He winks at me before heading off the bus and towards the motel. Zexion finally pokes his head out from his cot, gently closing his book.
"Nice Ninja Turtle band aids. What happened?" I weakly smile and wave off his concerned question.
"Nothin, just clumsy is all!" He softly laughs and returns to his book. "I like your face the way it is, please be more careful." I slump over in my seat, resting my head in my hands as I heavily sigh. What have I gotten myself into...