Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. I wish I did but sadly, they belong to Square Enix. :(

I was able to put the incident almost completely out of my mind, instead completely devoting my time to Roxas. I could empathize now. I knew what it felt like.

I wanted to tell him how much I loved him, but since he thought he's only known me for a few days, I decided not to push it. I figured he would remember in time, and if not I could watch as he fell in love with me all over again. Still... my heart ached for him to remember me. All the things we've done, all the time we've shared together. If only there was a way to make him remember the good while shielding him from the bad.

Then there was school. I knew that Roxas was dreading going back, but he told me Thursday night that he wanted to go. The only reason he agreed to go was because I was staying behind with him and he was worried about me missing too much school. Yeah, right. Another few weeks and hopefully neither of us would have to worry about school. The only reason I agreed to go, however, was to get my revenge on the bastard that assaulted him.

The first thing he did when we got to school that morning was look for his friend Olette, who, if I remember correctly, was currently dating his ex boyfriend. This worried me slightly.

We found the girl near the bus line. She was a tiny little brunette thing with big green eyes.

"Olette!" Roxas shouted, obviously happy to see her.

She turned with a smile toward the voice of her friend, her eyes going wide and her smile fading when she saw him. I didn't blame her. I worried that someone would report abuse to a counselor or something before I could get my hands around the neck of the bastard who did this to him.

"Roxas..." she said as we walked closer to her. I knew she wanted to ask about it, but she held the question back, instead asking, "Who's this?"

"Olette, Axel. Axel, Olette," he said. "Great. Now that introductions are over, there's something I have to tell you." He paused, eyes going wide as a boy I could only assume was Hayner joined the group.

"Roxas," he said, a smug look on his face. "Where'd you get that shiner?"

"Hello, Hayner," he said, voice filled with anger, though I could tell he was scared. "Smug as ever."

Hayner pretended to gasp before saying, "Roxas! I'm hurt."

"Yeah?" Roxas asked, clenching his fists. "Me too. What a coincidence."

I felt a pang of anger at that, but I swallowed it.

The girl, Olette, suddenly asked, "What did you want to tell me, Roxas?"

"Well..." he said, shifting his weight nervously. "Did I ever tell you why Hayner broke up with me?"

She looked up at her boyfriend, who shrugged, and said, "No. Why?"

"Because I never slept with him," he blurted. "I mean... I was planning to." My heart skipped a beat at that. "On our anniversary, which was a week ago. Which was when he broke up with me. But obviously he didn't know that and started dating you before he found out. And..." He closed his mouth, shutting off the stream of words.

"Oh, shove it, Roxas," Hayner said. "You're just jealous that I chose Olette over you."

I had quite enough of this kid's bitching, so I wrapped my arm possessively around Roxas and asked, "Why would he be jealous?"

Hayner looked me over, a look on his face that asked, "Who's this freak?" Kid, if you only knew...

"Wow, Roxas," he laughed. "You so much of a pussy you have to get your new boyfriend to stick up for you? I mean, I obviously knew you were the girl in the relationship, but damn."

My fingers twitched. One more word out of this little punk and I swear...

"He's not my..." Roxas said, cutting himself off and looking up to me. I raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Are you my boyfriend?"

God, yes. Please say yes. "That's up to you," I said, pulling him against me. "You obviously know where I stand on the matter."

He blinked. "Oh... Well I guess he is but that doesn't mean-"

"Whatever," Hayner said, pulling his girlfriend along by the arm. "Come on, Olette."

I stopped paying attention to what was going on when Roxas officially stated that I was his boyfriend. I just... couldn't tear my eyes away from him. He looked up at me and blushed. "What?" he asked, trying to hide his face.

"It's just nice to have a relationship status," I said with a smile. "Come on, let's get you fed."

He gulped as I led him into the lunch room. People were glancing up at us, whispering to each other when they saw our hands connected. A few people tried to say something to Roxas, but with a death glare from me, they decided better of it. I pulled him closer to me as we went to get food.

I asked Roxas to point out the guys who were involved in the locker room incident. He looked around, pointing to a table behind ours and looking away. I looked up at the three boys sitting there. One of them, the one who had originally called him out on Monday, was staring at Roxas.

"Seifer Almasy, Tidus Fleming, Rai Jin," I said. I chuckled, mental images of crushed faces and blood splatter filling my head.

"What?" Roxas asked.

"Just thinking," I said with a chuckle. "I have a promise to keep." A thousand times worse. Hope you boys are ready.

The bell rang for first period, interrupting my scheming. I was slightly surprised to find Roxas going to what was supposed to be my first period class. I'd never gone before, so I never realized we had a class together. All through the class, people were whispering about us. I was contemplating just grabbing Roxas and kissing him in the middle of class to answer the most irritating question going around, "Are they, like... going out?" I decided not to cause too much of a commotion though, and simply reached across the table and took his hand.

We didn't have anything else together except lunch. It seemed like everywhere we went together, whispers followed us. It was really starting to get on my nerves.

Finally, sixth period gym, the class I had with all three of those jerks, rolled around. It was sort of difficult to initiate my revenge, since the coach was Seifer's father, but he soon muttered something about a free day before disappearing into his office.

I smiled, walking calmly over to where the three of them were standing, and tapped Seifer on the shoulder.

He turned around, eying me, and said, "Well if it isn't faggot number two. Hey, heh, do you give or take?"

He was totally surprised when my fist slammed into his face. His flunkies tried to tackle me before Seifer got back up, but a swift kick to one's throat and a jab to one of the other's very sensitive nerve bundles incapacitated them, allowing me to concentrate my full attention on Seifer, the one who, according to Roxas' reaction to him, very brutally molested him.

People were crowding around us now and someone was running for the coach, but I didn't care. I waited until Seifer picked himself off the floor and swung at me to make my next move. I caught his punch, twisting his arm behind his back, and reached around to his throat. I squeezed hard enough to cut off oxygen without completely crushing his trachea, and said, loud enough for everyone around us to hear, "Do you like fucking helpless victims, Seifer? Is that what you did to Roxas? Got your boys to gang up on him in the locker room and beat him senseless before you shot your load on him?"

I threw him to the floor. The coach was on his way, so I didn't have much more time to totally destroy him. I delivered a swift, ruthless kick to his crotch, then one to his face, and then another to his right wrist, snapping it.

"You won't be jacking off very comfortably anymore, you rapist son of a bitch," I yelled at him before dodging Coach Almasy and running off.

Okay, so it wasn't a total loss. I managed to injure Seifer, probably beyond repair, and at least send the other two to the hospital. Not as much damage as I'd hoped, but enough to satisfy me. I went to the mostly-empty library, waiting patiently for the day to end.

The librarian kept glancing over at me, but didn't make a move toward me. That is, until a very angry Coach Almasy started screaming over the intercom, "Axel Flynn, please report to the main office. Teachers, if you see Axel Flynn, please direct him to the main office. God da-"

"I'm going," I said to him before he was even out of his seat.

There were so many teachers in the office that I had to shove my way in. I don't know what they expected, but seeing me barge in grinning from ear to ear left them quite startled as I happily made my way to the principal's office.

"YOU!" Coach Almasy said, jabbing me in the chest. "I'll have you expelled for this! No, I'll have you arrested! I'll see to it that you spend a lot of time behind bars. I've got connections, boy!"

I sighed and said, "Then I guess I'll see you in court. After all the evidence I have against your son will make sure he goes away for a long time, longer than I will for the assault charges."

He paused before asking, "What do you mean? You better not be going around making false accusations against my son!"

"They're not false, I assure you," I said. "I have hard evidence, proof, that your son raped another boy in the boy's locker room of your gym this past Monday night."

"W-What evidence?" the principal asked, finally speaking.

"DNA," I said. "Semen found on the boy. There will be no problem getting a match to Seifer. I also have photographs, taken after the fact, documenting the bruises. There are some very clear knuckle patterns there. I'm sure you won't have trouble identifying them either. Anyway," I said, making my way to the door, "You set the date, and I'll see you in court. Bye, now."

"Wait," Coach Almasy said. "It was that Strife boy, wasn't it?"

I nodded.

He sighed and said, "Okay look, I'll make sure nothing like this ever happens again. I assure you, Seifer will be severely punished for what he did. Would you be willing to drop the sexual assault charges against my son if I dropped the assault charges on you?"

"That's not good enough," I said. "I want him to face the full extent of the law for what he did to Roxas. He deserves to go to prison for it. Let him see what it's like to be somebody's little bitch."

"Look," said the principal. "I understand that you're upset, and you have a right to be, but we're offering you an out here. Young mister Almasy will face the consequences of his actions. If you value your own well-being, you'll let this go."

I sighed and said, "Fine. Whatever. Just wait though. I'm not going to say, 'I told you so,' when he grows up to be a full-blown sex offender, though."

"You understand though," the principal said before letting me go, "that I'll still have to suspend you for five days, yes? You did break school rules."

"S'only fair," I said, huffing as I marched out of the office.

I wanted to see Roxas so bad right now. He had gym seventh period. The bell had only rung a few moments ago. I still had time to head him off. I wanted to be alone with him, but I guess being with him at school was better than nothing.

As it turns out, I didn't have to wait very long at all to be alone with him. After a few minutes talking, he decided that, since I'd been suspended and no one would even notice him missing from gym, it would be a wonderful idea to just ditch and go home.

As we were about to head home, however, Roxas stopped me, "Axel, wait," he said.

"Yeah?" I asked, wondering if he was having a moral debate about ditching class.

"Could you do me a huge favor?" he asked with a smile on his face.

"I couldn't say no to that face," I answered. "What is it?"

"Well..." he began. "You see... I want to see my step-mom. To see if she's okay after... what happened with my dad. I was also wondering if she'd go with me to see my mom."

"Sure thing, Roxas," I said. "But I'm not taking you back to that house."

"No, no," he said, holding up his hands. "She works at the day-care center just a couple blocks from here.

"Sure," I said with a smile. "Buckle your seatbelt."

It took us all of two minutes to get to said day-care center. I was a little nervous going in, and I had the right to be. Children usually have a very strange fascination with me. This was proven yet again when, almost as soon as I walked through the door, a two-year-old ran over and grabbed my legs.

I saw Roxas smile, calling for his step-mom, Tifa. They talked for a while, and more children began attacking me. I noticed them glancing over at me and Roxas blushed. I didn't have time to contemplate it before one kid reached up and... bit... my hair.

"Ah," I said, prying the child's hand away. "Gosh, kid, you're gonna get yourself killed. Do you know how many chemicals are in that hair you just shoved into your mouth. Go. Find something else to play with."

Thankfully, a few minutes later, Roxas saved me from the clutches of numerous tiny children, explaining that Tifa would be off work shortly and we'd be headed to see his mother. The way he talked about her... I didn't want to ask.

A while later, Tifa was walking out, having handed over her shift to a younger brunette boy.

"OKay," she said. "Let's go."

I ushered them to my car and asked, "Where we heading?"

"Sunset Hill Cemetery," Roxas said quietly.

That's why... I nodded, taking off in that direction.

It didn't take us long to get there. I glanced over at Roxas, who had grown very sombre as we passed through the iron gates to the cemetery.

I parked the car and Tifa got out, opening the door for Roxas. "C'mon sweetie," she said, taking his hand and wrapping her arm around his shoulders as they walked.

I waited by the car, caught up in my thoughts. I wondered what Roxas supposedly remembered about his mother, and whether or not he remembered her death. There was just so much wrong with this false life of his... and he didn't even realize that it wasn't his at all.

I watched from afar as he knelt by his dead mother's grave, tenderly touching the headstone. The whole situation was just so... sad.

My thoughts were interrupted by my phone. I took it out and opened it, tensing when I saw the "VII" on the Caller ID. I had been dreading this call, and to have it come so soon was maddening.

"Saix," I answered.

"Xemnas summons you," he said flatly.

"Look," I said with a sigh. "Now's not a good time." Please, just give me another day or two to process this.

There was a slight pause, and then, "You wish to be hunted?"

"No," I answered. "It's just too short-notice. I can't get away at the moment."

There was a pause, and murmuring in the background, then,"Come as soon as you are able, but Axel?"

"Yeah?" I sighed.

"Best not to keep him waiting."

I was about to reply when the line went dead.

Shit. I closed my phone and placed it back in my pocket, looking up just in time to see Tifa and Roxas heading back over. Keep cool, Axel. Now's not the time to be breaking down.

"I'll walk home from here," Tifa said after hugging Roxas.

"But..." Roxas said, puzzled. "You live on the other side of town."

"I'm not living with Cloud anymore," she answered. "I told him that if he ever laid a harmful hand on you again, that would be the last of me. I feel bad about leaving him alone, but after what he's done to you he deserves no less."

"Couldn't agree more," I said, smiling at her. "You sure I can't see you home, Mrs. ...ah... ma'am?" Please? Buy me just a little more time.

"Still Mrs. Strife for now," she said, returning my smile. "I appreciate the offer, but I'll be just fine." Before walking away, she added, "Oh, and I'd like to thank you for doing everything you've done for Roxas. He deserves to be happy for once."

I felt myself blush as I said, "I wouldn't have it any other way."

The drive home was silent. I think Roxas tried to say something once or twice, but I couldn't bring myself to even try to understand his words. I drove as slowly as I could while still going fast enough to avoid suspicion. Even so, it didn't take long enough at all to get home.

I parked in front of the garage, but left the engine on.

"Are you okay?" I asked, keeping my eyes straight ahead.

"Yes," he said. I could feel his eyes on me when he asked, "Are you?"

I tensed and lied, "Yeah. I just have to leave for a while." I glanced over at him, asking, "Are you going to be okay here by yourself?"

"I'll be good," he promised. "Why do you have to leave?"

"I have to settle something," I answered. "I won't be gone long." I hope.

"Okay," he sighed. "I'll see you when you get back."

"Roxas, wait," I said, stopping him before he exited the car.

"Yeah?" he asked, eyes searching my face.

I had to tell him now. I didn't know what mental state I would be in when I got back. I had to tell him while I still had a relatively clear head.

"What is it?" he asked, moving forward.

I took a short breath and leaned in, touching our lips together and holding him close to me. I wanted to remember his hands, his touch, his lips. I wanted to drink in as much as I possibly could of Roxas before I became fouled by Xemnas.

I pulled away at the thought of the other name. He didn't deserve to be in my thoughts when I was with Roxas. I leaned into him, our foreheads touching as I whispered, "I love you."

I heard him gasp, but I kept my eyes closed. I had to learn how to control my blasted tear ducts.

He pulled away from me and I opened my eyes to find his searching mine. "I love you too," he said.

I closed my eyes again, smiling as I kissed him. I wanted to stay with him, but... I knew that the longer I stayed, the more trouble I would be in. "I have to go, though."

"Okay," he said, not wanting to leave as much as I wanted to stay. "So I should probably get out of the car."

"Yes," I said, chuckling halfheartedly, "that would probably be a good idea. Though I wish you didn't have to."

"Okay then," he said as he exited the car. "Bye. Have a good time doing... whatever you're doing."

"I'm sure I won't," I said, not meeting his gaze as I drove away.

A/N: So I know I haven't updated this in forever. I'm sorry. I just got my laptop and am trying to catch up with everything else. I know this may be getting boring, since it's just the same information in another person's point of view, but I promise it will begin to get better in a bit... I hope. "Insult to Injury" (AoA's sequel) is into it's final stages of planning and will be completely written as soon as I get the chance. I want to write it all out before I upload any more. Be sure to also check out "Ashes to Dust" my Demyx/Zexion story which is based on the true story of the abuse and (attempted?) suicide of a dear friend of mine. Thanks for reading and please please please review! :D