A/N-HOT OFF THE PRESS! Prepare for mama Saïx. He's going into full mama bear mode. RAWRS! And I wrote a pop song. Well….let's just say I'm not going to be on the billboard charts…..oh the sweet corn! Also, for those of you who missed my mid-week update (which happened to be Monday…..), I'd recommend going back to read ch10 so you don't miss anything. It's good stuff. Read and enjoy my readers! New update next week!
Remember, this is the second update this week!
Axel stared out of the passenger window of Saïx's car and watched the city crawl by. Traffic was a mess with everyone flocking to the H0t T0p1c concert. He wouldn't have come at all if Xaldin hadn't bailed the last minute, leaving Saïx to go with Demyx. He determined it wouldn't hurt to tag along, especially since the blonde was still rather quiet from Marluxia's uncalled for assault three days ago. The car crept forward an inch at a time, slowly getting closer to Trinity Stadium.
"For crying out loud, it's a Wednesday night!" Axel whined, throwing his hands up in defeat. "Don't people have better things to do than go to a concert?"
"If it were any old concert then they probably would," Saïx replied coolly. Axel turned around in his seat to find Demyx staring at the center console in the front seat.
"How you holding up?" His response was a soft grunt. Axel sighed and faced the front, flopping back in his seat. "So, tell me about this Terra guy. He seemed really cool at the party," the red head called out to the back seat.
"We went to school together through sixth grade," Demyx muttered.
"What about high school?"
The blonde shrugged. "I guess so. We didn't talk then, though."
"You mentioned he was doing the pyrotechnics for the show," Saïx brought up. He managed to squeeze passed a scooter into a parking ramp.
"It's a collaborative effort since Dahlia doesn't specialize in special effects," Demyx replied. "Terra's not getting paid though. Marluxia's too pompous for that."
"I'm sure he considers it as a good learning experience," Saïx rationalized to lift the younger man's spirits. Parking the car, the trio stepped out into the warm late summer air. They followed the crowds of ecstatic fans down the sidewalk and managed to get to the Stadium without being mobbed by rabid fan girls. From there they split off from the crowd and headed up to the boxes. Xemnas had given them permission to use the company box along with several others from X that wanted to enjoy the show for free.
They found seats in the back row with fifteen other people milling about before the concert began. Axel and Saïx talked quietly while Demyx quietly scrolled through his social media sites on his phone. As the concert's start neared, people began to find their seats. Demyx stuffed his phone in his pocket and pulled his legs onto his plushy chair, wrapping his arms around his knees.
The concert began with a large firework display and fiery jets blasting across the stage. Fans screamed for their favorite singers as the stage went black. Spotlights snapped awake to reveal the four pop stars standing with their heads down. Then the music started, the bass pounding through the speakers.
Vanitas: Tell me girl, what do you know?
Ven: Of a place lost in slow-mo-tion
Sora: Feel your heart beat anxiously
Roxas: Counting off with one-two-three
All: Tell me, tell me
What do you see?!
The music blasted as lasers filled the stage and swept across the audience. The four on stage began dancing in time to the beat.
Sora: I see your face
In a glassy mirror
And I wonder, how the world seemed to get here
Ven: Falling down in time
Not knowing why
Or which way your feet will touch the ground
All: Tick tock tick tock, the rabbit's on the run!
Roxas: Endless trees raise
In the gardens
Of Eden meant for two, all I think about is me and you
Vanitas: So open your heart and let the world in
The queen has bowed down so let the story begin
You lost your mind to the silly dreams we make
All: But then we find the world is a fake!
All: So tell me tell me girl, of a place lost in slow-mo-tion
Where hearts are meant to roam free, just singing with you and me
Roxas: Golden sands
Touching hands
Flying on a magic carpet…
Sora: Deep blue sea
Singing free!
Like a cove of treasure…
Vanitas: Castle walls
Blooming halls
Waiting for their princess to enter…
Ven: To waltz the night away
Music interlude and built up again, the background sounding faintly like a waltz.
All: So tell me tell me girl, of a place lost in slow-mo-tion
Where hearts are meant to roam free, just singing with you and me
Sora: So take my hand!
Ven: And off we fly!
Roxas: To Neverland!
All: So tell me!
The Stadium broke into roaring applause as the music morphed into the next song.
XxXxX
Axel stretched his arms high above his head. The concert had just ended and people were flooding to the doors, many hoping to meet their favorite pop singer face to face. Unlike them, Axel had no urge to move from his chair. He dropped his arms to the arms of the chair and let out a content sigh.
"Not bad," he commented. He glanced at Saïx nodding in agreement. When Axel turned to Demyx, he frowned at the sight of the blonde looking at his phone. Throughout the concert, Demyx had constantly pulled out his phone only to tuck it away when Saïx reached behind Axel and poked him on the shoulder. It just wasn't like the dirty blonde to be so glum and hollow.
"We're meeting Terra backstage, correct?" Saïx confirmed. Demyx replied with a half-hearted 'yeah' while keeping his eyes glued to his Tumblr page. The silver haired man pinched the bridge of his nose. "Demyx, please put the phone away, or I'll take it away from you." Sea green eyes stared at Saïx in disbelief. The elder held out his hand with his palm open to emphasize his point.
Oddly enough, Demyx placed the phone in Saïx's hand. The man's head snapped up and stared at the device while Axel's gaze flickered back and forth between the electronic and its owner. Demyx shoved his hands in his pants pockets as he rose from his chair and exited towards the door. Axel scrambled to his feet after the blonde while Saïx hurriedly pocketed the phone. The silverette was glad he had long legs so he was able to catch up with the juvenile pair quickly.
They made their way to the backstage area and found Terra rather quickly. The brunette was all smiles as he welcomed the trio with open arms.
"Glad you could make it!" Terra said excitedly. "What did you guys think? Did it look okay?"
"Looked great," Axel commented, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Anything more and you would have caught the stage on fire."
Terra chuckled. "Well, I was under strict orders from Larxene NOT to burn her brother to a crisp so I did what I could without causing too many burns." Axel snickered and Saïx smirked.
"It really did look wonderful. I hope Dahlia continues to do business with you," the silver haired man prayed. Terra scratched the back of his head.
"I hope so, but it's hard to say. Since I was a new hire to X I think they let it slide, but now that I'm working for them full time Dahlia's got their briefs in a bunch. I'll keep my fingers crossed but I won't set my hopes too high. Anyway, I got to go clean up and make sure nothing was left out on a live wire. I'll see you guys around." Terra turned to the quiet blonde. "Nice seeing you again, Demyx." The brunette turned with a wave and headed back towards the stage.
"Man, you weren't kidding when you said he was popular," Axel remarked. "The guy makes it impossible for you to hate him. I love people like that!"
"You just like picking up stray puppies," Saïx chided. Axel stuck out his tongue, making the silvertte chuckle.
All three jumped as they heard something crash nearby. The sounds of muffled shouts could be heard from down the hallway. Axel and Saïx exchanged glances before heading down the hall to find the source. Demyx trailed behind, his face blank but eyes concerned. Axel suddenly stopped the others and put a finger to his lips. The three alternated heights and peeked around the corner.
"I'm so fucking sick of your bitching!" Roxas shouted, shoving Sora into the wall.
"Geez, Roxas, leave it alone!" Ven snapped. "It's not like anyone noticed or cared."
"No, but little miss perfect here has to chew us out on everything!"
"I was making a bloody comment!" Sora exclaimed, pushing off from the wall.
"Knock it off!" Vanitas roared. He forced himself between Sora and Roxas to keep them from fighting. "This is stupid how much you two fight! Just get over each other already!"
"It's not my problem Roxas is an ass!" Sora snapped, grinding his teeth together.
"Oh, because I'm the ONLY asshole around here, huh? Get off my case you fucking bitch!" Roxas lashed out.
"Roxas, you need to just chill out," Ven ordered. The elder blonde whirled around to face his twin.
"Chill out?! You are so full of shit it's not even funny!"
"He's just trying to help," Sora reasoned.
"I don't need it!"
"Just stop for a minute!" Ven pleaded. "You're not making this any better by…" There was a loud crack as Roxas smacked Ven across the face. Vanitas was over to the pair in a second. He slugged Roxas across the check and pinned him against the wall.
"You're out of line!" the elder barked.
"Fuck you!" Roxas spat. Vanitas slammed his fist into the blonde's gut and Roxas crumpled to the floor. The ebony haired man picked his body up and dragged him along the floor to a changing room. Vanitas tossed Roxas inside and slammed the door shut. He whipped out a pocket knife from his belt and lodged it in the lock to jam the door shut. Roxas's body slammed into the wood.
"Wait in there," Vanitas snapped. "Come out when you decided to grow up."
"I'll fucking kill you!" Roxas screamed from inside the room. His fists pounded endlessly on the wood. Sora pulled Ven away from the scene while Vanitas took the rear. From around the corner, the SCREAM trio watched the pop stars leave with pounding hearts.
"My God, are they really this bad?" Axel breathed.
"That's horrible. The treat each other like shit and vermin," Saïx growled. Demyx grunted softly and rose from his kneeling position on the floor. He rounded the corner and paused in front of the door being murdered to death from the inside.
"Hey, Dem, I think we should leave him alone," Axel suggested, also rounding the corner. "Let him cool down a bit." The red head stopped dead in his tracks as his gaze went from Demyx to the knife in the door. "Dem…" The blonde reached out and grasped the knife tightly. "No Dem! Don't!"
The knife was ripped free. The door flew open and Roxas bared his teeth like a feral animal. He backhanded Demyx across the face with a crack. The force was so great it turned the blonde's head to the side. Before Axel could even react, Saïx seemed to warp from around the corner over to the pop star. Roxas was slammed into the wall by the silver haired man with such a force it shook the teen to his core.
"Don't you dare touch him, you ungrateful shit," Saïx seethed. Axel hurried over to Demyx to find the dirty blonde was locked into a daze. The knife was still held loosely in his hand so Axel ripped it free and tossed it down the hall. Roxas spat in Saïx's face, his blue eyes burning. The man's cold expression morphed into one of pure rage. Saïx shook Roxas roughly. "You think you can do whatever you want without consequence but you don't realize how many lives you've destroyed! I'm going to give you three seconds to leave here alive before I decided whether or not I should hunt you down. I have half a mind to lock you away for good and no amount of crying to your manager will free you."
"Go to Hell!" Roxas snapped. Saïx grabbed the teen's hair and yanked upwards hard.
"I've already been there." Roxas struggled to break free and Saïx let him go. The blonde flipped the trio the bird and walked off.
"Then go rot there!" Roxas called over his shoulder. Saïx glared at the teen's receding figure until it vanished from sight. Then his face melted into worry as he turned to Axel and Demyx.
The red head was trying to coax Demyx out of his trace without avail. Saïx hurried over and began to check the younger man's vitals. "Dem, Demyx, please talk to me. Please, don't do this," Axel begged. He turned the blonde's head so their eyes met, although the ocean was hollow, void of life. "You're okay. You're going to be okay. See? It's me, Axel. Saïx's here too. You're okay. Come on, Dem. Don't go back into your shell. We want to see that smiling face."
"I'm calling RG," Saïx stated firmly. Axel stared at his friend with wide eyes.
"But we can get him back!" the red head tried.
"Axel!" The pianist blinked, shrinking back. Saïx placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "We have to. It's only going to get worse." Axel held eye contact with Saïx for nearly a full minute before nodding. The silverette took a few steps away and placed a call. Axel turned back to the unresponsive blonde.
"Dem, we're calling Dr. Rui. We're going to try and get her to talk to you." The response wasn't as he hoped. Demyx began to struggle in Axel's gentle grasp on the guitarist's arms. "Nonononononono, it's okay! Dem, she just wants to talk!" Demyx lashed out and his palm struck Axel square in the nose. The red head could feel blood start to trickle down his lip. He tried to hold the blonde back but Demyx struggled to break free as if Axel's hands were burning him.
In their struggle, Axel tried to grab one of Demyx's wrists only to miss and hit the younger man's forehead above the right eye. Axel's eyes went wide as a loud gasp escaped his lips. Saïx turned and saw the panic on his friend's face.
"Oh my God, Dem I'm so sorry!" Axel pleaded as the blonde stared back with empty eyes. Demyx no longer struggled. He simply submitted. "Shit, Dem, I'm so sorry! Please, come back! Dem, please!"
There was no response.
XxXxX
Larxene signed the line with a messy scrawl, the pen gliding over the paper. When she looked up, Xemnas and Xehanort were smiling so big they were practically beaming. The elder man slid the paper back across the desk and held it proudly under his fingertips.
"Welcome to the family," Xehanort greeted. Larxene smiled and rose from her seat with the white haired pair. She exchanged handshakes with them before Xemnas led her out of the spacious office. They stepped into the elevator and Xemnas hit seven on the buttons.
"SCREAM is doing a rehearsal right now. You are welcome to join," the man offered.
"Oh, uh, sure," Larxene agreed, hoisting her large white purse higher on her shoulder. "Are they already preparing for the next album?"
"Yes and no. They like to think creatively as a group before branching out to individualize their work. I know a couple of them were working on songs before that didn't quite make it to the finishing touches before we decided on the new album's tracks." The door slid open and they stepped out into a wide hallway spotted with soundproof doors. Xemnas ushered Larxene down to the end of the hall where a several rooms were in use.
One room held Cloud and Xaldin deep in conversation over sheets of blank sheet music. The table they sat in was covered with loose pages and crumpled paper balls of failed ideas. In an adjacent room, Leon and Saïx were working on harmonizing guitar and bass. Across the hall was Axel playing intently. He would occasionally stop and scribble on the music spread out over the piano stand only to start up again shortly after.
Yet they were one short.
"Where's Demyx?" Larxene asked, turning to the manager. Xemnas pursed his lips and didn't meet the blonde's gaze.
"He's far out of town for an appointment. We're hoping he'll fly back in by the end of the week," the white haired man explained.
"Fly?" Larxene's eyebrows shot up. "Wow, this is far out of town. What sort of appointment is that far out of Hallow Bastion?"
"Miss Turner, I would think it be rude for me to tell you without Demyx's consent. After all, it is his own privet life which we are all entitled to. Perhaps you should inquire his whereabouts upon his return."
"Oh, right." Xemnas gave a curt nod and went to the room Axel was playing in. As he opened the door, they were washed over with a wave of sound floating harmoniously from the piano. The music paused as Axel peered over his shoulder.
"Oh! Good morning Xemnas. Larxene," Axel greeted. He spun around on his bench to face the newcomers. "What brings you down here this early in the morning?"
"I thought I'd invite her down to see you rehearse," Xemnas offered. "I know you're all working hard so I won't keep you for long."
"It's fine." Axel smiled warmly. "Say, did we get in the next music festival? I heard Xehanort was pulling some strings."
"You mean the Quickfire Music Fest?" Larxene asked. Axel nodded.
"Xehanort is still working on it but I will let you know as soon as we hear anything," Xemnas reassured the red head.
"Sounds good," Axel agreed. "Does that mean Larxene's singing too?" Xemnas turned to the blonde as if to say 'well?'. Larxene shrugged.
"I guess I could sing. You're only allotted three songs, but if you want one to be Mi Rationalitas than by all means I'll sing. I couldn't let my guys down," she teased.
"And we couldn't possibly leave our favorite new member on the side lines," Axel shot back, making the blonde giggle. "Sounds good. I'll let Cloud know the plan and we'll go from there." Xemnas nodded in agreement. Axel crossed his legs and leaned back against the piano. "Hey, we're almost done working on Tacito and we were thinking it might be a nice add on for the deluxe CD when it comes out instead of a track on the new album."
Xemnas crossed his arms and hummed deep in his throat. "Alright. Let's see how it's progressed," the manager challenged. Axel grinned and hopped up from the bench. He left the studio, squeezing past the pair standing in the door, and headed over to the room Saïx and Leon were working. The door was pried open and Larxene could hear a mixture of melodies playing with Leon's faint background voice.
Painted walls all stained with red
I blink and it's all in my head
"Oui!" Axel called out into the room. The music stopped as the duo looked up from their work. Axel jerked his head towards the room with the piano. "Tacito. Xemnas wants to hear it."
"Alright. We'll be right over," Leon replied. Axel flashed them a thumbs up and quickly walked back to his own room. Larxene stepped aside so he could pass and the red head seated himself at the piano. Sheets of music were organized on the stand to make some sort of logical sense. A minute later Leon and Saïx came over to the room and situated themselves on either side of the red head so they could see the music.
Xemnas leaned over to Larxene. "They've been working on this for awhile. It was originally scrapped but Axel started working on it again a few days ago," the manager said in a low tone. Larxene mused over why the pianist returned to a forgotten song but kept to herself as the music started.
It was surprisingly heavy, almost like something from Apocalyptica but without the strings. The melody was staccato with Leon spitting out the single words with a type of venom and Axel singing the lines between. On the chorus, all three voice melded together seamlessly.
Terror
I know you see me
Sitting in my labyrinth
Praying
I hope you see me
But you just walk on by
Blinded
By my own madness
Reaching for the world forgotten
Banished
Into the darkest night
Waiting for the sun to rise
You keep your eyes astray
I keep hoping you look this way
Danger
I know it's looming
Beyond the door of my broken haven
Crashing
I'm slowly fading
The bloody knife held at bay
Damned for all eternity,
I just wish your eyes would notice me
My voice is silent!
Yet I'm screaming in my head
Please notice me
Even though my eyes are dead
Turn your head, catch my eye
Before I fall apart and cry
Don't leave me dying on the floor
But a silent voice can't ask for more!
Hell
It's where the demons lie
And I'm just a whisper away
No
I see you walk away
Leaving me alone to die
Bleeding
The floor turning red
My soul leaking into the carpet
Burned
For all damnation
The fucking world just spits me out
Between all of the lies
All I want it for you to see my eyes
My voice is silent!
Yet I'm screaming in my head
Please notice me
Even though my eyes are dead
Turn your head, catch my eye
Before I fall apart and cry
I want to scream your silent name
But fuck my voice caught in my throat,
And I can't seem to keep my world afloat,
So I let go, and fuck the world because I don't care anymore!
The musical interlude was almost violent in nature. Chords and scales ripped together to create a heart pounding effect.
A slap to the face
A cold hand of fate
Throwing me out
Onto the pavement
Rains pouring down
The streets are all drowned
I can't feel my fingers
Anymore
And then I see it
A figure standing there
They don't see me
So all I do is stare
My voice is silent!
Yet I'm screaming in my head
Please notice me
Even though my eyes are dead
Turn your head, catch my eye
Before I fall apart and cry
In the silence!
Yet I'm screaming in my head
Please notice me
Even though my eyes are dead
Turn your head, catch my eye
Before I fall apart and die!
But my voice is silent
The last chord hung deep in the air as the song dimmed to a close. The trio of musicians turned to face their audience to find they had stunned faces. Xemnas broke into a slow applause, which snapped Larxene out of her daze and she eagerly joined in. Axel looked between Leon and Saïx. Then they all broke into smiles.
"Wonderful. That would be an excellent addition to the deluxe album," Xemnas stated with a light smile playing at this lips. The applause dimmed into silence and the SCREAM trio relaxed a bit.
"Well, I'm glad you liked it," Axel stated, spinning around on the bench again to face the doorway. "It was Leon's idea originally so he gets most of the credit." The brunette scoffed and shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Like I did much," Leon muttered.
Axel gave the man a shove. "Oh, come on! Don't be such an introvert! You're idea, you're credit. You are like the Walt Disney of this song so smile so take a bow." Larxene chuckled at the red head's boisterous rant.
"Indeed," Xemnas commented. He turned to the electric blonde beside him. "Let us depart, as they have much work to get done."
"Alright," Larxene agreed. She turned to the trio and waved. "See you guys around! Oh, and nice job again. It was really good!" Xemnas ushered the newest member of X back to the elevator. Axel lounged against the piano with his hands tucked behind his head.
"You heard the man, back to work," Saïx stated. The red head pouted.
"Awh! You suck the fun out of everything!" Axel complained, throwing his hands in the air.
"No, you pretty much do that yourself," Leon teased. Axel stuck out his tongue at the brunette while Saïx chuckled and shifted his bass to his shoulder.
"Come on, Leon. We still have a long way to go," the silver haired man reminded.
"Right…" Axel watched the others leave and sat in the silence for a bit longer, unmoving. His eyes stared at the crease where the wall met the ceiling and let his mind wander. Sighing heavily, he heaved himself upright and turned back to face the black and white keys. His fingers plinked random chords before he settled on trying to busy himself with work, yet he found it hard to concentrate the rest of the morning.
XxXxX
He stretched high above his head, his arms popping at the joints, as a loud yawn rippled down his body. His muscles relaxed, he dropped his arms to his sides. Axel shoved his hands into his pockets and continued on his way back to Traverse Towers where he would spend another night alone in the apartment. Although unlike Demyx, he didn't mind the quiet. It gave him time to think. And in truth it never was quiet because his iPod would only leave his ears when he needed to shower.
His thumb ran over the metal side of the iPod in his pocket, feeling the nicks and scratches from years of abuse. He lost track of the number of times people either told him to get a new one or gave him a new device. As he had no interest in a new iPod, he usually handed out the new ones to random people on the street who quickly lit up like a child at Christmas.
The cool September air brushed over him and he involuntarily shivered. He wore a chocolate brown jacket with a burnt orange scarf over his fall clothes of a t-shirt and tan slacks. He felt the need to get out of his apartment as it had been nearly two weeks since Demyx left. The Quickfire Music Fest was only half a week away and if the dirty blonde failed to show within the next forty eight hours, SCREAM had to withhold their position in the concert Xehanort had tried so desperately to earn.
His other hand brushed against his phone where unanswered texts lay in wait for a response. Axel knew Demyx was likely to not have his phone on him but he deserved to be updated on the ways of life back home. It wasn't much, but Axel felt it would help ease the frazzled man.
He inhaled deeply and smelt rich earth nearby. His eye caught a park and his feet quickly changed their course towards the lawns of green. Leaves were beginning to change colors to crisp orange or sunny yellow yet they remained glued to the trees as there had yet to be an autumn frost. Flowers held onto their blooms but they were beginning to wilt under the change in climate. Even the grass wasn't as green as it once was only a week before.
Axel followed the winding concrete path through the park, continuing in the direction of home only with a longer route. His eye caught a splotch of white amongst the rainbow of colors and it drew his gaze. He wandered over to the white hooded figure sitting curled up on a faded yellow bench. Their face was pressed into their knees and arms wrapped tightly around their legs. Axel grunted softly and went around to the front of the bench. When the figure didn't move, he sat on the far side of the seat and draped an arm over the back, his fingers inches away from the person's sweatshirt.
"Leave," the person growled. Axel made no intention of moving. The person bolted upright and slammed their fists into the bench. "Did I fucking stutter? I said fuck o…" Blue eyes met green as Roxas found himself staring at the blank face of the red headed SCREAM member. He slouched over and hugged his legs again, this time only rested his chin on his knees. The white hood hid his messy hair and cast shadows over his already bruised face. Dark circles claimed his eyes and his cheeks appeared a hit hollow.
His eyes stared off into the distance at where the sun was setting on the far side of the city. Ten minutes passed with nothing but a calming quiet spoken between the pair. Axel watched the sunset with the distressed blonde. He pulled out his iPod to change a song and the movement caught the once bright blue eyes.
"Why are you always listening to that thing?" Roxas asked quietly.
"Background noise," Axel replied bluntly, spinning through his music to find the right song.
"What's on there?" The red head looked up from his playlist. Blue eyes were staring at him from the corners of their sockets.
"Music."
Roxas scowled. "Be a smart ass," he grumbled. Axel found a song he wanted to listen to and opened it. The music trailed through his ears into his brain at a low volume. He placed the device back into his pocket and returned his gaze to the nearly set sun.
"You wouldn't like it anyway," Axel clarified. "Nothing but trashy metal and stuff."
"Hm. You're right. I wouldn't like it." Roxas moved his arms so they were crossed on top of his knees and his chin rested in his makeshift nest. "If you don't want anything, then leave me alone. I don't have the patience for other people right now."
"Can't a man enjoy a bench?" There was no reply. Axel let the subject drop and let the song play out in his head. Somewhere in the middle he felt something brush against his fingers. Glancing over he found Roxas had scooted closer although the blonde made it appear as if he hadn't moved at all. Axel forced back a smirk as to not give away the pop star's schemes.
"If you're here for an apology, I'm not giving one," Roxas spoke up.
"Not looking for one," Axel shot back, keeping his eyes forward. Roxas frowned and stared at the red head in disbelief.
"Really?"
Axel shifted in his seat to make himself more comfortable, crossing his long legs. "Nope. You were stressed. People do stupid things when they're not in their right mind. Take me, for example. I'm sitting on a park bench watching the sun set with someone who wants to kill me."
"You're not stressed. You're just being an asshole," Roxas rebutted. Axel shrugged, not refuting the comment. He poked the blonde's back and Roxas swung an arm back. There was a muffled smack as he backhanded the man's arm. Axel withdrew his arm to his lap while Roxas curled his back into a nest for his chin.
The silence returned and the sun slipped below the horizon. As it was still early enough in the year, the sun's rays left a lingering presence of light to keep the city lit for at least another hour. Axel started to zone out and he lost track of how long he sat still until the bench shifted. He turned to find Roxas curled up on his side using his arm as a pillow. Axel uncrossed his legs and patted his thigh.
"I'm not sticking my face in your crotch," Roxas replied flatly. The red head rolled his eyes and removed his scarf, piling the fluffy fabric onto his leg. Without permission, he pulled the blonde across the bench so his face was pressed into the scarf.
"Just be quiet for once, will ya?" Axel requested as the teen opened his mouth to protest. Roxas snapped it shut and dug his face deeper into the fabric.
"You touch me and I'll kill you," he warned. Axel returned his arm to the back of the bench so Roxas had room to doze. The blonde drifted off into an uneasy sleep, his cheek unconsciously nuzzling the spicy smelling scarf. Axel pulled out his iPod, which was thankfully in his left pocket, and changed the song to something more soothing. He replaced the device and softly hummed along with the melody.
At some point his phone vibrated and the motion woke the teen. Roxas blinked the bleariness from his eyes and slowly sat up. He rubbed his face like a small kitten. Axel picked up his scarf and tossed it over to the blonde. Roxas jumped as the fabric hit his face.
"Hang onto that. The weather's getting cold," Axel stated. Roxas stared at the fabric in his hands. His fingers tightened around it and he tied it around his neck, hiding it beneath his sweatshirt. His arms dropped to his lap as well as his gaze.
"Why did you stay?" Roxas asked quietly.
"Should I have left?" Axel shot back, raising an eyebrow at the teen. Roxas opened his mouth to shut it again. Then he shook his head.
"I'm just…" The blonde failed to find words to finish the sentence.
"HEY!" Axel turned to find the clone of Roxas himself jogging over to the bench with a livid look in his eye. "Get the Hell away from him!" Ven shouted. Axel rose and shoved his hands into his pockets.
"Sorry to have intruded upon a public bench," the red head growled. He caught Roxas's eyes and found them to be pleading.
"Please, go," Roxas mouthed silently. Axel frowned but obliged. He turned and headed for home while Ven went to the elder blonde.
"Roxas, are you okay? What did he say to you?" Ven pressed. Roxas curled up on himself and muttered 'nothing'. Ven's glaring eyes looked back at the receding figure of Axel. You did this to him, he seethed. You're the one driving Roxas insane! I'll destroy you for that! Ven helped Roxas to his feet and offered the elder a place to stay for the night. Oddly, Roxas declined saying he wanted to go home so Ven offered a ride to which the elder blonde accepted. No words were exchanged between them. Ven attempted a one sided conversation to which no amount of coaxing would get Roxas to open his mouth.
As the limo pulled away, Ven stared out the back window as Roxas disappeared into Twilight Towers. He felt bad Vanitas had locked him in the changing room as the elder teen was just as stressed out as he was. Ven vowed to make it up to Roxas and his sights set on the red headed demon himself.
Roxas slipped into his apartment and pushed his hood back. Larxene poked her head from out of the kitchen and gasped at the sight of her brother. She scurried over and wrapped him in a warm embrace. Her fingers ran through his unwashed hair, soothing him.
"I'm so glad you're home," Larxene whispered. She pulled Roxas back and kissed him on the forehead. "Can I get you something to eat? Or do you just want to sleep? Or what?"
"I'm just tired. Would you mind if I showered and went to bed?" Roxas asked, his blue eyes wide and hopeful. Larxene kissed his forehead again.
"Of course. How about a sick day tomorrow? We can watch bad movies and I'll get some funnel cakes from the Golden Saucer." Roxas's face instantly lit up.
"You know, that sounds really nice. Thanks." Roxas leaned up on his toes and kissed his sister on the cheek. Then he went to the bathroom to take a shower. Larxene watched the bathroom door shut and her heart melted. It was nice to see her brother acting like himself again although having him look like shit in the process was a bit alarming.
When Roxas retired for the day, he dumped his clothes into the hamper and paused at the sight of burnt orange. Roxas fished the scarf out of the lump of fabric and took it with him over to his bed. He tucked the scarf under his pillow and crawled under the blankets. Then he fell asleep with the faint scent of ground cloves and autumn filling his senses.
XxXxX
Axel stepped off of the elevator and sighed, letting the stress melt away from his body into the plush carpet. He fished his keys from his jacket pocket and opened the door to the apartment. As soon as it was open, Axel staggered back as something latched onto him. Once the initial adrenaline rush passed, he peered down to find a glob of dirty blonde hair hugging him tightly.
"Demyx!" Axel exclaimed, returning the embrace. The blonde let go and smiled brightly at this friend.
"Hey there. Miss me?" Demyx asked.
"You've been gone for two weeks. Hell yes I've missed you! How are you? How's Rui? Why the Hell didn't you text me!"
"I did text you, you bone head." Axel remembered he had gotten a text earlier and checked his phone to find a message from Demyx stating he was home He shoved his phone back into his pocket. "As for me, I'm doing better," Demyx continued. "We went through a couple of sessions and after a few teary phone calls to Xaldin I felt better. He and Saïx made me muffins! We still have some left!" Demyx dragged the red head into the apartment and Axel shut the door behind them. As they entered the kitchen, Axel was surprised to see the other band members shoving muffins in their faces around the island. A couple waved as their mouths were to full to speak.
"Eating without me?" Axel chided. He snagged a muffin from the counter and bit into the top. Cranberry orange with white chocolate chips. It was fall in a baked good, minus the pumpkin that would be arriving around late October to nearly every food establishment.
"All the time," Cloud shot back, spraying crumbs all over the floor. Demyx picked up what appeared to be his third or fourth muffin and began eating.
"So we're going to the Music Fest I take it?" the red head asked.
"We confirmed it with Xehanort. In one week we'll be at Trinity Stadium with thirty five other bands, groups and solo artists. We are going to rock the house!" Cloud held up the remains of his muffin. "To SCREAM!" he toasted. The others lifted their muffins and tapped them together.
"To SCREAM!" the cheered. "Yar!" They burst out laughing, Saïx nearly choking on his pastry, as they celebrated late into the night. They felt as though nothing could tear them down.
And that was precisely what Ven was planning to do.
A/N-Back to witty banter! HAHAHA! Because otherwise I feel like I'm going to drown you in angst with serious notes all the time…so, unicorn fairy mushrooms! XD