A/N: Hello again, and so soon! Won't keep you long, here's the next chap.
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts or the songs used in this fanfiction. I don't remember doing the song disclaimer, so I'm just gonna throw that in there now~
Axel's POV
It was the last period of the day. By this time, I'm usually overcome with the joy of escaping this hellhole, and even more so since it was a Thursday. But…I am conflicted. Finding out about what had gone down between Roxy and Cloud in the past had me feeling depressed. That Roxy had to go through that…that he still has to go through this even now. And Cloud…I haven't even seen him since lunch, besides when I saw him the hallway between classes. He looked like he had fallen into the deepest pit of despair. Then when he saw my face it immediately morphed into disgust. Yeah, not looking forward to that conversation.
"Axel!"
"Wha?!" I shriek. I turn to see an exasperated Demyx and an empty classroom. "What?"
"Class is over, dude. You ready to go, or do you want to continue to waste away in here?"
I quickly gather my things and we head out together. He notices that I'm not my usual happy cheery self that I usually am on Thursdays.
"What's got you going all 'zombie' on me?" he questions. I just look at him and shake my head. "Dude, I'm your best friend, you can tell me anything. Unless…this has to do with the cafeteria-catastrophe?"
"The what?"
"That's what they're calling it. Well, Hayner coined it that. Anyway, does it? Was Roxas okay?"
"Yeah…he's gonna be okay. How was Cloud after I left?"
"Ha, mad as all freaking hell. He stormed off in such a fit. Leon went after him, naturally, and when I tried to ask them about it later, they wouldn't tell me a thing."
"It's…a difficult topic to bring up…it's not even my topic to bring up, really," I argue. I wasn't sure what was okay to disclose, so I will assume nothing.
"Suuucks, no one's telling me anything, I don't know what the hell is going on," Demyx complains. I just roll my eyes and slam my locker shut. "Ready?"
"For what?"
"You know what."
"…what?"
Demyx sighs loudly. "You know, ecretsay-ockray-oncertcay?"
"Speak English dude, you know I never understood Pig Latin," I grunt.
"TLE," he whispers harshly.
Oh right. "Dude, I don't even think they're going to do it anymore. Roxas is in a really crappy mood…"
"Call him and ask?" he says hopefully after a moment.
"…I'll text him." Taking out my phone I send him a text asking if he's still doing the concert.
Roxas: the show must go on :P
Well, that answers that. I nod to Demyx who cheers and drags me off to X. I can't help wondering why Roxy didn't just cancel it. Maybe he felt guilty because last week's performance was cut short. Before we can reach the back stairwell, we run into someone who I didn't think I'd run into anymore today. "Cloud?"
"You…what are you doing back here?" he ask, stunned at first, but then turned the animosity on high.
Demyx decides to answer for me. "What are you doing back here?" Nice counter Demyx.
"Returning science equipment to the old lab for Professor Gellar. Now what are you two doing here?"
We look at each other then back at Cloud, unsure of how to answer. "Well…" Demyx starts.
A brilliant idea dawns on me. "Cloud…do you want to know what me and Dem have been up to this past month?" I ask, recalling Demyx's words, who turns to look at me with wide eyes seeming to say 'WHAT ARE YOU DOING?'
"What? I don't care. Answer my damn question."
Okay, so maybe that pitch worked better on me.
"Look, I want you to see something. I think it will…help you understand Roxy better," I tell him.
"What's Roxas got to do with this? And don't call him Roxy you fucking dickwad."
Ouch. "That's just the anger talking Cloud. Please, just come with us and you'll see." He looks between me and Demyx skeptically, but still reluctantly agrees to come with us.
We go down the back stairs and Demyx opens the door with his key. Cloud has been looking at us like we're taking him to be attacked. I pull him along to the final door. I knock three times and someone answers and asked what sound played, per usual. I answered "Pain" and they nodded. Giving a furtive glance at Cloud, they raised an eyebrow. But one scowl from said blonde had the guy turning on his heel and letting us enter. Once inside we found a good spot in the back. Now all that was left was to wait.
"Axel, what the hell is this? Where are we?"
And explain to Cloud about X.
"Okay. It's-"
"-an underground secret band called True Light's Eclipse," Demyx interrupts. Guess he wanted to explain. "They play every Thursday after-school and they're an awesome rock band. There are four members, Crisis, Omega-"
"Once again, what does this have to do with Roxas?" Cloud says through gritted teeth.
"What? I can't hear you," Demyx says loudly. Cloud sighs and is about to repeat himself, but there's sudden cheering. "Oh! Show's about to start!"
TLE came out on the stage. They looked as amazing as ever. However, Roxas still stood out the most to me. He was in a big long-sleeve black shirt so his shoulders and a black and white beater were exposed. He had on a silver chain looping around his left side of his black skinny jeans. On his feet were a pair of converse that were painted in black. That's so Roxas.
Sora was wearing the same thing, except his shirt was white and his sneakers weren't colored in. There was also something else different. His cheery demeanor was down a few notches. He actually seemed very upset. I look back at Roxas who looks pissed. Uh-oh.
"Why are Roxas and Sora…?" Cloud trailed. Before I could answer they started up.
If I had to
I would put myself right beside you
So let me ask
Would you like that? X2
And I don't mind
If you say this love is the last time
So now I'll ask
Do you like that? X2
No
Chorus:
Something's getting in my way
Something's just about to break
I will try to find my place in the diary of Jane
Tonight was a little more metal than what I've heard, but the crowd was eating it up. Roxas sang into the mike while the sweat flew off of him. As well as…tears? Riku was back-up singing, which was strange because usually Sora did it. When they finished, everyone screamed for more. Guessing they didn't want a repeat of last week. Axel grabbed my shoulder and pulled me slightly down.
"What is this?" he yelled so I could hear.
"Roxy and Sora are in a band," I answer.
"Axel!" Demyx shouts as I get glares from nearby onlookers.
Oh right. "Well, down here they're Xero and Pandora, respectively. Then you have Crisis on drums and Omega on bass."
"But why…?"
"I don't know. Get out the stress from the week. They like to play rock music. Enjoying the fans undying adoration," I try to explain.
Cloud just looks back at the stage at his cousins, who still look like they just found out their puppy's been shot.
They go on to play "Lacrymosa" which sounds really cool sung by a guy, and with a lot more guitar. They play their hearts out, as they always do. Roxas' memories still seem to be affecting him from the way he's singing and what he's singing.
"True Light's Eclipse will be waiting for the next obscuration," says Sora this time. He doesn't say it with any emotion, and the crowd squeals for the "bad boy Sora." Roxas turns to walk off first, Sora leaving last. People begin to make their way out and I grab Cloud and quickly drag him to the side exit. He protest, but I continue to drag him through the throng of people. Once we get out he snatches his arm away.
"What is it now?" he groans.
"Just wait a minute. I think they'll be coming out soon-"
"Roxas, stop running away from me! Just tell me what's wrong." I can hear someone yell from inside the building.
"Has it ever occurred to you that I might not want to say what's wrong? Has it ever even occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, I don't want to tell you what's going on in my life for once?!"
"But we're twins! We tell each other everything!"
"Just because we're twins, that doesn't mean we have to tell each other everything! God Sora, I don't want to tell you everything! I don't want to hear about your perfect life, and how much better people like you, and how you're just, just, aaugh!" The doors burst open and Roxas freezes in his tracks at the sight of me and Cloud. "Great. Just. Fucking. Great. What? Do you have something else to yell at me that you didn't already?" he says to Cloud.
"Roxas," Cloud starts.
"Cloud!" Sora shouts when he sees him after exiting the building.
"Sora," he answers back in greeting.
"Axel…?" Sora says once he notices me.
"Hey…" I respond. I'm not sure what I should do here exactly.
"Cloud, why did you and Rox fight today?" he says running over to him. "Rox won't tell me."
"Maybe I don't want you to know because it's none of your damn business," Roxas spits.
"This is my business! Cloud is my cousin too, or have you forgot?! I wouldn't put it past you since you guys ignore me half the time anyway!"
"So that's what this is about? Just getting attention? Did you realize that Cloud was all I had? I had no one!"
"I was always on your side!"
"Yeah well, it's hard to be on someone's side when you're not there!"
"I'M NOT THE ONE WHO MOVED YOU TO AUNTIE'S HOUSE!"
"I NEVER SAID YOU WERE!"
"You two need to stop yelling at each other, it's not getting you anywhere," Cloud intervenes.
"Don't think so? Cause I sure feel a lot better after getting all this off my chest. So why don't you join in, oh great peace-keeper?" Roxas responds. Cloud glares at him and doesn't say anything.
"Why do you always have to attack people Roxas? That's your problem, you never want to believe in the people around you!" Sora yells.
"Well you know what your problem is? You believe in everything. You want to believe in this fantastical world where everything is right, and everyone loves each other, and you're surrounded by people who don't find you annoying and unnecessary!"
"Are you sure you're saying that to me? Or are you just trying to convince yourself!" Sora yells back. Tears are spilling from his eyes now.
"Are you happy now? Is this what you wanted?" Cloud says, going over to Sora. When he tries to hug him though, Sora flinches back.
"Don't touch me. You never cared before, so don't pretend that you do now!"
"Sora, what are you…?"
"I know that you love Roxas more than me! I'm just an unnecessary waste of space!"
Cloud sighs and runs his hand through his hair. "You were never a waste of space to me Sora. I may have been closer to Roxas, but that doesn't mean I love you any less." Sora wipes his eyes and looks up at Cloud. He genuinely smiles at him and Sora returns it.
"So that's great. Now you've got your happily ever after, just like always," Roxas chuckles bitterly.
"Why do you have to be this way Roxas?" Sora questions exasperated.
"Like what?"
"Like a pessimistic asshole! Like the world is always out to get you! Like everything is about you and how much your life sucks! Well maybe your life sucks because you don't ever try to make it any better! You just complain about everyone else and assume that everyone is living in a fairytale, when in actuality, we're in the same hell as you! We've been right here with you the whole time, and you've just been too wrapped up in your own mind to see." Sora and Cloud stand together and face Roxas who looks like he's about to have a nervous breakdown. Cloud steps over to him, but doesn't make a move to touch him.
"Roxas…what I've been trying to tell you this whole time…is that I'm a coward." Roxas looks at Cloud, confused, but doesn't say anything. "You wanted to know the reason why I turned on you right? It's because I was a scared kid who didn't have the balls to tell his parents he was gay. I had suspected it, and was only affirmed after I met Leon. It was around that time that Auntie was hospitalized and you were sent to my house." The three of them had somber looks on their faces. Roxas' mom was hospitalized? "You had all this confidence. I hadn't known where it came from, because you used to be little Rox who always hid behind my legs. But then the thing with her happened and…" Cloud trailed off. Who was…her? "I know how much it must have took to come out like that, knowing what it would do, but you did anyway, and I respected you so much for that. That you had done something I had never thought of doing. I supported your decision and was appalled at the way your parents and my parents alike treated you. It was horrid and I wanted to tell them off every day but…I'm a coward. I didn't want to go against my parents, in fear of what they would do to me. So when they suspected I was gay as well…I took the scapegoat. I'm sorry Roxas. I was all you had then and even I turned on you. I can't ever apologize enough, I can't ever be forgiven." Cloud dropped his head in his hands. Sora rubbed his back consolingly.
I look over at Roxas but hi face is hidden by his hair. He walks forward to where Cloud is and stops in front of him. "Cloud…I didn't know. I should have figured you'd be in the same position as Sora. But still."
"I know, I know," Cloud sighed, defeated. He wiped at his eyes. Wow, Cloud was crying. "I understand if you'll never forgive me."
Roxas shifted closer to him until he looked into his eyes, blue meeting blue. "It's good that you understand what you did. I guess it's also good that I forgive you." Cloud's eyes widened and Roxas smiled.
"Rox…Rox!" Cloud cheered. He engulfed Roxy in one of the warmest looking hugs I've ever seen. Sora fidgeted until Cloud and Roxas opened their arms up for him to join. I felt a little left out, but they had a whole family hug going there that I didn't want to interrupt.
"Better? Family again?" Sora questioned in a much lighter mood than before.
"Sor. We never stopped being family," Cloud answered.
"Yeah. Just because we fight, doesn't mean we disown each other. We're family no matter what. Which is part of the reason I forgave Cloud." He ruffled Roxas' hair, who puted and swatted his hand away.
"I guess you're right. I'm surprised, we never usually fight Rox. Oh…sorry, I don't mean to be unrealistic again," Sora says sincerely.
"…no, it's fine. I think it's good to think of the world in a brighter view. Gives you hope." Roxas smiles and both Cloud and Sora 'aw' at him which brings back on his usual slightly angry face.
I clear my throat (cause you know, I'm still here) and they all look at me. Their faces immediately become embarrassed as they recall everything that just happened and add me in as a witness to all of it.
"Oh gobs, I forgot Axel was standing here!" Sora says loudly, his embarrassment only lasting briefly.
"Axel, swear to god, if you tell anyone you saw me crying I'll rip off your testicles through your mouth," Cloud threatened. Ah, now that was the Cloud I knew.
"I can't believe all that happened in front of you. God Axel, I'm so sorry," Roxy cries, face flushed.
"No need to apologize Roxy. I'm just glad that you guys aren't at each other's throats anymore. This is one less thing that makes you unhappy, which makes me happy. I wish I could have been of more help."
Roxy smiles and jogs over to me. "Axel, you were a bunch of help. During lunch, and even now. You brought Cloud to see TLE, right?"
"Yeah," I confess.
"I saw you guys. If I hadn't seen Cloud anymore today, I would have went home angry as fuck and ignorant to the truth. Thank you." He takes my hand and holds it in his. I squeeze back and stare into those beautiful blue orbs. I'm unconsciously leaning down to him, and his eyes are slowly fluttering shut.
It's Cloud's turn to clear his throat. We separate quickly at the disturbance. Cloud looks pissed, Sora's giggling, and Roxas is blushing up to the wazoo. "Can I help you?" I ask.
"Once again, that's my baby cousin Axel. Your man-whore status has not been revoked," Cloud grills.
Before Roxy can blow up again, I place my hand over his mouth. "I understand, but as I said before, please give me a chance. I promise I would never do anything to hurt Roxy, and my feelings are sincere." Roxy stops struggling and looks up at me. I wink. "Well, we'll be on our way, like we originally planned." He looks at me questioningly. "We were going to hang at my place, remember?" Recognition crosses his features and he nods.
"See you guys later!" he calls after removing my hand from his mouth. Cloud starts to protest but Sora pulls him away and tells him not to interrupt us. Wow, Sora's being helpful!
We take my car to my place again. On the way there Roxy is calling people to let them know he's alright. I can hear Yuffie yelling at him which makes me chuckle. Once we get to my place, I stop Roxy before he heads up to my room. "Hm?"
"Roxy…how are you feeling? Truly? We can talk about it, or we can rest, relax," I offer.
He stares at me again with that confusing expression. I'm not sure what he's thinking about or what he wants to-
Roxas pulls me down and places his lips against mine.
...I literally can't react.
He pulls back after a few seconds before I even get a chance to respond. Oh, I'm such an idiot! How could I have let that sweet opportunity go to waste? Whatever, the more important question here is ROXAS JUST KISSED ME…that wasn't question. Okay, WHY DID ROXY JUST KISS ME?
"Um…Roxy?" I say dumbly. He giggles at my reaction.
He's giggling. How am I supposed to react to this appropriately?
"I know I'm sounding like an old record but…thank you Axel. You take such care and consideration with me, as well as patience. I know I'm short-tempered…"
"And short," I add quietly. From the fist connecting with my arm I guess he heard me.
"Anyway, I know I'm flawed…and you accept me as I am."
"Warts and all," I joke, causing him to chuckle.
"Yeah. You're pretty incredible, you know that?"
"Well yes, but I'd never admit it." He smirks and pushes me against the back of the couch in the living room where I sit on the edge of it. Now nearly height-level (I still hover a good inch above him) he takes my face in my hands and reconnects our lips. I get to the program this time and return the sensual kiss.
"'Thank-you' kisses?" I question when we separate.
He shakes his head. "More along…'I-like-you'?"
"Are you asking, or telling?" I ask, pulling him closer by his waist.
He slides his hands down to my shoulders. "I like you Axel." He kisses me again.
Not wanting to stop, but at the same time knowing I have to so I can ask what I do next. "Will you go out with me?"
He smiles so brightly that my eyes glisten in his brilliance.
"Yes."
Yaaaay! And it's official! Woo-hoo, who's pumped? I know this guy is! Anyway, I know I said I'd have a lemon a few chaps ago and what-not, and didn't, but now I can say there will be one in the next chap, so look forward to it!
Chriss-Meister~