Author's Note: Chapter 10, yayy. Thanks for all your reviews, favourites, alerts, hits, visits... uhmm... Yeah, this chapter isn't as dramatic as the last one. That's basically all I have to say.. haha, yeah. =="

R & R, Enjoy,
V. Plum.

Act IV, Scene II – No More Room.

Roxas leaned on the other side of the living room door, eavesdropping.

"…Great news, Axel! We're all so happy for you!"

"Thanks, I definitely needed something like this to happen." Roxas could hear the genuine smile in Axel's voice, and it made him want to cry. He wasn't the reason for that smile; he was the reason Axel'd needed something as miraculous as his mother awakening to cheer him up. But Roxas wished he were the reason for Axel's smile.

There was no more room in Axel's heart for Roxas.

"So, I'm guessing you'll want to go back to Hollow Bastion." Cloud said.

"Of course. Ay-sap."

"You better get packing then." Leon said. Roxas could hear Axel's grin again.

Suddenly, the door behind Roxas' back swung back, and Roxas fell back with a yelp, stumbling backwards into Axel's chest. Roxas looked up at Axel's face. Axel's grin dropped instantly, making Roxas' heart wrench again.

"Comfortable?" Axel asked sarcastically.

"S-sorry. Uh-m, congrats… with your mum…and stuff." Roxas stuttered, blushing hard and stepping away. He rubbed the back of his neck. Ugh, that sounded so stupid.

"Yeah," Axel started walking up the stairs, "Bye, Roxas."

---

That was two days ago. Now Roxas was in his room, face down in his pillow. Namine sat beside him on the bed, rubbing his back. Roxas hadn't gotten any sleep at all, his insomnia had gotten much worse. Axel had been so dismissive to Roxas when he'd said goodbye. Like he never wanted to see Roxas ever again. God, he'd screwed up so much, it wasn't even funny. How could he be like this after rejecting him? He just wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Preferably a six foot deep hole.

But no, here he was, still alive, going over every minute detail since Axel's confession. The time after that night was horrible. He'd spent the entire time thinking about Axel this and Axel that. Everything he did reminded him of Axel. So much so that he'd decided to just ignore everything outside his room that reminded him of the red head, and just stay holed up in his room. And holed up was how he was going to stay, forever, preferably.

"Roxas… do you want to go downstairs and eat something?" Namine, for some reason, had been extremely supportive. Which was great, because Roxas was cut off from all of his other friends. Demyx and Zexion seemed to be really upset, and Riku was still whining. Axel must have told Demyx and Zexion. The trio were practically best friends, after all.

Roxas shook his head and Namine sighed. He turned his head to Namine and smiled weakly.

"You should go eat something though," Roxas said softly, "stop watching me be a sook, it's embarrassing."Namine giggled a little.

"Okay, I'll bring something up for you later." Roxas nodded his thanks and watched Namine leave the room. Roxas sighed and tried to fall asleep.

---

"Axel…?"

In Roxas' dream, he was in a dimly lit room. He sat at a circular table that was set for a romantic evening. A vase of roses sat in the centre of the table, and the cutlery laid delicately in front of him looked to be made of fine silver. Roxas looked around the room. It was circular, and candles lit the walls. The walls were draped with deep crimson curtains. Roxas sat at the only table in the room. It was centred in the middle. There were no doors or windows and the ceiling was high.

Roxas' leg jittered slightly. He looked down and saw what he was wearing. It was a dark old fashioned tuxedo, with an off white shirt underneath and a tie with silver crowns on it. A pocket watch chain hung from his breast pocket, and his hands were covered with fine white gloves.

"Hello."

Roxas' head snapped up, hurting his neck. Axel sat on the other side of the table, slouching back slightly, his hand wrapped loosely around a wine glass. He was dressed in a similar fashion. A top hat similar to the one he wore at the Halloween party sat on his head. He wore a dark black tuxedo with a crimson red vest underneath, and a wilting rose stuck out of his breast pocket.

"Axel? What are you doing here? What am I doing here?"

"You called for me, stupid. We meet up like this all the time. Now stop asking such trivial questions," Axel snapped his fingers, and a bottle of red wine and a glass appeared on the table, "have a drink." The wine bottle poured itself into the glass. Roxas took a careful sip, grimacing. It was very deep and intense…

"So, I confessed to Roxas today." Axel said casually, though his air was bitter. Roxas frowned in confusion.

"…What?"

"I know, I don't know what I was thinking either. But I did it. I said it at least three times." Axel snorted. Roxas' eyes shifted nervously. He took another shaky sip of wine.

"It took a lot of guts," Axel continued, "which sounds weird for someone like me, but yeah…" Axel took a gulp of his wine, "That Roxas, he wouldn't accept it at all. He was harsh." Axel laughed bitterly. Roxas kept looking around the room, unable to look into Axel's eyes. It seemed to be fading to darkness, leaving a spotlight on the table.

"I will never love you', he said," Axel scowled, "Completely tore my heart apart. Destroyed it. Obliterated it!"

"I'm sorry." Roxas whispered. Axel ignored him.

"I'll never love again! This is why I hate relationships! God, he's ruined my life!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Roxas is completely oblivious! Shameless! Cold-hearted! I can't believe I loved him!" Roxas started crying. Axel couldn't hear him.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so, so, so, so sorry!" Roxas apologised loudly. Axel chuckled darkly.

"I was so hoping he'd return my feelings. Praying. But no! I just can't believe I loved him!! What a jerk!"

"I'm SORRY, Axel! I'm so sorry! Oh God, listen to me!" Roxas clenched his eyes shut and clasped the sides of his head, a weird headache wracking through his mind, "Listen to me!!"

"I… can't believe I loved him." Axel whispered. Roxas wanted to rip his hair out.

"I… can't believe I still love him." Axel whispered even softer. Roxas' eyes widened. Then Axel disappeared, fading away into the darkness. Suddenly everything came gushing out.

"I LOVE YOU, too, Axel! I love you so much! Come back! God, please come back! I love you! Axel!!"

---

Roxas shot up in his bed, his skin coated in cold sweat. His head spun from sitting up so quickly and he flopped down again.

"…Roxas?" Roxas turned his head, and saw Demyx, Zexion and Namine sitting next to his bed, staring at him fearfully. There were dry tear streaks down Namine's face.

"I'm… I'm fine." Roxas muttered.

"Are you sure? That was one intense dream, we couldn't even wake you up." Demyx said carefully.

"I'm fine," Roxas repeated again. The four of them fell into silence. Roxas' heart calmed down again. Man, what a nightmare. The room was filled with the constant ticking of Roxas' clock. He sighed. Somebody say something. As if on cue, Demyx spoke again.

"So, uh, Roxas," He started awkwardly, "You love Axel…?"

"Demyx!" Zexion whacked Demyx on the back of the head. Roxas paled considerably.

"Was I…?"

"Well, it was such an intense dream, so…" Namine said slowly.

"What did I say?!" Roxas sat up quickly, his eyes wide.

"Well," Namine licked her lips, "You were screaming, uh stuff like… 'listen to me'… and, uh, 'sorry'…"

"And," Demyx cut in teasingly, "'I LOVE YOU, AXEL! " Roxas paled even more. Zexion smirked.

"Uhm…" Roxas chuckled nervously, "well… if this isn't awkward…"

"Why did you reject Axel, Roxas?" Zexion sighed.

"I don't know!"

"'I don't know!' doesn't cut it, Roxas! Axel's really hurt!" Demyx scolded.

"I know that!" Roxas snapped as remnants of his dream came floating back into his mind.

"Why'd you do it, Rox?" Namine asked weakly. She looked so upset, Roxas looked down guiltily.

"I just… It was… too much to take in at once. I was confused… and… now he acts all cold at me, and it… it just hurts." Roxas muttered with a blush.

"So now you know you love him?" Zexion asked.

"Well, I wouldn't say love… ack!" Demyx shot up into a kneeling position and whacked Roxas on the head hard.

"STOP IT!" Roxas held his sore head and blinked up in shock. Demyx was never this aggressive!

"If you say any more of that confused crap, I will scream! GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEAD. YOU. LOVE. HIM." Demyx pulled on his hair, "And if you need someone to drill it into your thick head every ten seconds, then you must be the stupidest bloody sob in the world! For FUCK's sake!" Roxas blinked up at him with shocked wide eyes.

"My God, you were screaming it in your sleep! What more proof do you need?!" Demyx said, exasperated.

"Well, yeah, b-but it was just a— Ahh!" Roxas squeaked. Zexion knelt up and whacked him on the head as well with a sadistic smirk.

"God, shut up, Roxas." Zexion teased. Roxas blinked up at the two of them, holding his head, his eyes getting slightly watery. Demyx and Zexion smiled down at him warmly.

"Well? Don't just sit there and puppy-dog-eye us!" Zexion snorted.

"You're wasting time you could have spent getting ready to go to Bastion!" Demyx added.

Namine dropped a duffle bag onto the bed with a smile. Roxas smiled back weakly.

"…Okay."

---

Cloud had been reluctant about letting Roxas go to Hollow Bastion, but Demyx helped convince him. Roxas was almost twenty now, and it wasn't like he was leaving the country all together.

Roxas insisted on going alone. Zexion gave him a slip of paper with Axel's apartment's address on it, and Leon booked a hotel for Roxas to stay in. It seemed like Roxas' first time outside the borders of Twilight Town would run very smoothly.

Namine helped him pack the essentials. He wasn't really panning to stay in Hollow Bastion for too long, maybe a week tops. Namine kept packing warm clothes, as Hollow Bastion was very cold and wet in winter, especially at this time of the year.

Namine and Cloud saw Roxas off at the train station the next morning. As soon as the train pulled out of the station, Roxas became extremely nervous. What was he thinking, going to a whole different city for the first time by himself?! He must have been high on confidence, because now he was freaking out. Roxas took a deep breath.

Calm down, it's not like they speak another language in Hollow Bastion. I'll be fine. I'll be fine once I find Axel.

Roxas sighed and stared out of the window, watching the land fly past, as rain began to drizzle from the sky.

---

It was pouring with rain when Roxas arrived in Hollow Bastion, and it did nothing to sooth his nerves. If anything, it made Hollow Bastion seem even more foreign and intimidating. Roxas headed out of the station, and ran to a taxi rank. He gave a slip of paper with the hotel's address on it and sighed. So far he had a horrible impression of Hollow Bastion.

Roxas stared out the window. They seemed to be going through a shopping district, though it seemed more like a café district. Every second store was a café. Hollow Bastion must be more obsessed about coffee than Twilight Town…

Roxas noticed that buildings were more modern but they were dull in colour, whereas Twilight Town was simple, but more colourful. But perhaps it was just all the rain making everything seem all grey. And all the buildings were massive.

"Here we are," The taxi driver stated, "that'll be $42.75." Roxas paid him and looked out the window.

The hotel was luxurious. A doorman with an umbrella opened the taxi for Roxas, and he slid out quickly. He was escorted to the lobby under the umbrella.

Roxas clutched the strap of his duffle bag when he stepped into the lobby. It was massive, and so clean and expensive. Roxas felt out of place and overwhelmed.

He got his key card off reception, and was escorted to his room, which was number thirteen on level eight.

Roxas dumped his stuff down and looked around. It was luxurious. It had a bedroom, a living room with a kitchen in the corner, and a bathroom with a spa. The living room had a great view of Hollow Bastion, and it was probably even better when it wasn't raining.

Roxas flopped onto his queen-sized bed and sighed. He wanted to just sleep, but he had to find Axel as soon as possible. Roxas lay on his bed for another ten or so minutes before getting up. Axel's address was in his pocket. He rummaged through his duffle for an umbrella, then went downstairs to the lobby.

There was another taxi rank outside the hotel. Roxas rushed over to a taxi and got in, reading out the address to Axel's apartment. Roxas sighed wearily; he was tired already.

---

Axel's apartment was probably only middle class in Hollow Bastion, but it was still stunning in Roxas' eyes. The lobby wasn't overwhelmingly big like his hotel, but the staff were nice. Axel lived in the eighth apartment on the second floor. The hallway was decorated with the occasional flower vase and decorative table. Roxas stopped outside Axel's door and took a deep breath and knocked.

There was no answer.

He knocked again.

Still no answer.

Roxas slapped his forehead in sudden realisation. Axel would probably be at the hospital at this time of day! It'd probably be an hour until he came home again!

Roxas slid down the door onto the ground and curled up a little. The hallway was clean and warm, and for once, Roxas easily drifted asleep.

---

Roxas was back in the dim circular room again. He sat at the same table, the wine bottle and glasses of wine still sat on it. This time, he wasn't wearing old-fashioned formal wear; he was wearing an old hoodie and damp loose jeans. His hair was dripping. Roxas shivered slightly. He wondered if he had to call Axel out again in order for him to appear.

"Axel…?" Roxas said hesitantly.

A few seconds later, Axel appeared in the seat opposite him again. He wore the same outfit again. The eyeliner around Axel's eyes was running a little.

"Roxas? What are you doing here? Where's…?" Roxas sighed in relief.

"Oh, thank God, you know it's me?" Roxas said hopefully.

"Well yeah, obviously." Axel frowned, confused.

"And… and you can hear me?"

"Again, obviously." Axel rolled his eyes. Roxas sighed again.

"Good because I need to talk to you." Roxas said. He looked into Axel's eyes, determined.

"I'm listening." Axel took a sip of his wine. He used the same glass as the one from last time.

"Okay, so," Roxas licked his lips nervously, "first I want to say that I'm really so, so sorry. And that day on the station tower, I was just confused, and I was tired, and the situation with Riku and Sora was wearing down on my nerves. A-and I was just really shocked. But, uhmm…" Roxas rubbed the back of his neck. Axel sat silently, listening to Roxas intently.

"I'm… not trying to blame it on anyone, it's really all my fault." Roxas nodded guiltily.

"It is all your fault." Axel agreed, propping his elbow up on the arm of his chair, and resting his chin on it.

"It's my fault that…" Roxas paused,"…that you think I hate you."

"Hmm, yes, it is your fault." Axel agreed again.

"And…" Roxas paused again, his heart beating rapidly, "It's my fault that…" Axel sat patiently, waiting for Roxas to continue. Roxas' voice got caught in his throat. No, Roxas thought, I can't stop now!

"It's my fault that…"

"Yes…?"

"You… don't know… that… I love… you." Roxas mumbled under his breath.

"What?" Axel asked, frowning.

"It's my fault that you don't know that I love you." Roxas repeated.

"I heard you the first time."

"O-oh." Roxas gulped nervously.

Axel smiled genuinely, and began to laugh.

---

"Roxas…?!"

Roxas' eyes shot open instantly. He looked up to see Axel standing over him in shock.

"Axel…"

"How long have you been sitting here?!" Axel ran a hand through his hair.

"Uh, an hour and a half-ish…" Roxas shrugged. Axel sighed wearily. He leaned over Roxas and unlocked his door.

"You might as well come in then." Axel stepped around Roxas and he got up and followed, his joints stiff. Roxas closed the door behind him.

"What the hell are you doing in Hollow Bastion, Rox?" Axel stood in front of him, holding his head in a hand. His apartment was quite tastefully decorated, but a little messy. Two guitars, one acoustic, the other electric, sat leaning on a wall. There was an expensive entertainment system and posters here and there. Roxas stood just inside the doorway shyly.

"I wanted to talk to you."

"Could've just called." Axel muttered.

"I wanted to tell you face to face." Roxas said firmly and patiently. This had to work out as well as it did in his dream. Axel gave a small frown and sighed.

"Where're you staying?"

"Leon helped me out." Axel snorted. Roxas stepped closer to Axel slowly. He felt awkward standing in the doorway.

"So? What'd you want to talk about?" Axel asked bluntly. He looked as though he wanted to get rid of Roxas as soon as possible.

"It's about what you said on the, uh, station tower a few days ago."

"Ah, that," Axel started walking towards Roxas, "Here to gloat? Break my heart even more?" Axel paused, "or confess your undying love to me?" Axel's voice was cold and hurt, and very sarcastic.

"Well, actually, I'm here to—"

"'Cause whatever it is," Axel placed his hands on Roxas' shoulders, "I really don't give a flying fuck." He turned Roxas and began pushing him to the front door.

"But- if you'd just listen…" Roxas said pleadingly.

"I don't give a shit."

"But I came all this way…!"Axel leaned over Roxas again to open the door. Their close proximity made Roxas blush.

"Good for you, but you wasted your time. My ears are deaf to your words." Axel pushed Roxas out the door. His words reminded Roxas of his nightmare.

"Axel, please." Roxas turned to Axel with pleading eyes. Axel faltered for a split second, but then he composed himself.

"Roxas, you had your chance. You screwed it up. I have to help my mum now, and I don't have time for your nonsense," Axel sighed, "Just… go home, Rox." Axel's voice wasn't hateful or hurt, it was just tired.

"No, I won't." Roxas protested defiantly. Axel just sighed again.

"Fine. Suit yourself. Just don't come looking for me again."

And then he closed the door in Roxas' face.

There was no more room in Axel's heart for Roxas.

God, he was so jealous of Axel's mother.

---

Looks like Roxas is gunna have to work harder than that. Stay tuned!