I only just realized that I made Zexion's history the same as Riku's, except for minor details.
Honestly that was accidential, but I suppose we can say it was one of the reasons they clicked in the foster home? -winces-


Axel's POV

"You kissed him?" I winced and took a sip of coffee. "Demyx hush before you wake Sora and Riku up. Yes, I kissed him. Well, he kissed me and then I returned the favor?" He squealed and I shot a pleading look to the smirking Zexion. "Demyx." He said softly. The high pitched noise stopped at once. "Sorry. So how did it happen?" I shrugged. "He woke up and then woke me up and he kissed me."

They were quiet for a moment before Zexion spoke up. "Was it any good?" I looked up at him. "it would have been better if he hadn't had that look on his face." Demyx quirked an eyebrow. "What look?" I sighed and turned to look out the window. "The I-regret-doing-that look." I didn't need to see them to know the look they exchanged.


His scent surrounded me, and no amount of body wash or shampoo was washing it off. It was comforting and exciting; my body reacted just from smelling it. I felt comforted by it. I wanted it gone more than anything. He scared me, I thought as I scrubbed my hair for the third time. I had never met somebody quite like him and it scared me. He was wild and immature, but seemed the most responsible out of us all.

He was easy going and serious; he made me want to talk. I felt comfortable around him. I had never been more terrified of a person before. A knock had me jumping and slipping, my head hit the wall and a curse was spat out. I heard the door open and then shut again quickly. "Roxas?" Fuck it all. I poked my head out and smiled. "Sora?" He fidgeted. "Can I shower with you?" My eyes narrowed automatically. We hadn't done that in years. He only did that when something…at once I was murderous. "What the hell did that-?" He shook his head quickly. "No no! Riku didn't do anything I swear. I just…" He gave a helpless shrug and I sighed. "Yeah, come on. But you're going to tell me what's wrong."

He nodded and I went back to rinsing my hair. In record time a blast of cold air hit me and then was gone just as quickly. I finished and looked up; giving a smile at how awkward he looked. "You're the one who wanted to do this." I reminded him, causing him to blush. "Yeah, I know. Sorry." I shrugged and reached for the shampoo. "Turn." He smiled and did as instructed, letting me lead him under the spray and then back out again. I squirted some into my hand and began scrubbing it into his hair as he sighed.

"So what's going on?" I asked, massaging in the foam. "I talked to Demyx." I hummed. "And Zexion." I wasn't seeing where this was going, and he obviously knew this as he took a breath. "They were in the kitchen. With Axel." My fingers lost their rhythm before they continued. "Really?" He nodded. "Right 

before Axel left." When I didn't say anything he gave another sigh. "He's going to talk to his mom." I moved to the side as he rinsed his hair. He caught my arm as I moved to grab the next bottle, and my gaze darted to him. "He's decided to tell her he's gay. Riku went with him." I choked on air. "What possessed him to come out to his mother the day after Christmas exactly?" Sora held my gaze. "He kissed this guy." I flinched. "And he decided he liked him, but he couldn't very well do anything when nobody knew how he was. So he decided to start small." I gurgled, and he momentarily looked amused before he turned serious.

"You like him, and even though I'd rather you be dating a nice guy like Demyx," here we both paused to snort at the image, "I approve." I shook my head. "I don't like Riku, but you do." He shrugged, then grinned. "And yeah, you do like Riku." I shook my head. "I don't like him or Axel." Sora smirked and dropped my arm. "Yeah, whatever." He turned serious again. "If you like him, then go for it. He already knows a bit and he's seen you at your worst, so when something happens he won't be surprised." He said reasonably. I narrowed my eyes at the nonchalance.

"How long have you waited for this?" He grinned. "Two weeks ago." I groaned, smacking him as he turned the water off. "That's cruel, and if I used your logic I could ask when you and Riku will admit-." He scowled. "Don't finish that sentence." I laughed, throwing him a towel. "You did bring clothes didn't you?" He flushed and pasted on a pleading look. "Let me get dressed."

"Hello?" I asked as Demyx continued some story. "Blondie?" I paused, brow furrowing before stepping outside and shutting the door firmly. "Axel, where are you?" He gave a tired laugh. "We're at some coffee house down the street." I leaned against the wall. "Are you alright?" He gave a choked sound and suddenly Riku was on the phone. "Roxas?" I gave a noise of acknowledgement. "It didn't go too hot and he's…do you think you could get down here?" I paused, swallowing. "All of us or just me?" I could almost see him run a hand through his hair as he sighed.

"Just you, and I'll come back and get them." I gave another noise of acknowledgement and the call ended. I took a breath and walked back inside. "Axel…" I hesitated. "I'm going to a coffee shop down the road. Riku will be here soon." Sora looked at me for a moment. "That bad?" He asked quietly. I shrugged. "Apparently."He bit his lip. "And he wants you to be there with him?" I shrugged again, grabbing the car keys from beside the door. "Apparently." He gave a sudden grin. "You're going?" I flushed. "Shut up." I made sure to slam the door harder than necessary.




The shop was inside the bookstore Zexion had taken me, the back part, and I walked through the crowd of people as quickly as I could. I noticed Axel's hair as soon as I stepped inside and made a beeline for his table. Axel looked up as I approached and my throat tightened at his red eyes. He gave me a grin, crossing his legs under the round table casually. "Hey Roxie." His voice was raspy and only confirmed the redness was from tears. Riku craned his head to look at me and stood up in the same motion. "I'll go on and get them."

I nodded, tucking the keys into my pocket and taking his seat across from Axel. "That's your drink by the way; I haven't touched it." I nodded again, wrapping my hands around the steaming cup and looking into the brownness; unconsciously mimicking Axel's position. We stayed silent as Riku walked out and eventually I took a sip of the drink. He deemed it time to speak. "I, uhm, I talked to my mom." He cleared his throat and took a quick sip. "We haven't really spoken since she found out Zexion was dating Demyx, and that I knew about it and was still friends with them." I took another sip and wondered why people deemed me somebody they could spill their life stories to.

"Her and my dad has always been kind of…weird. Major religious people but nobody is really sure what their religion is." He paused and crossed his arms, clearing his throat again. "But apparently…" He trailed off and gave me a sharp look. "Did Riku tell you why I went there?" I shook my head. "No, but Sora did." He nodded and resumed looking miserable. "Apparently not liking girls is a no-no in their book." His voice cracked at the last word and I took another drink to remove the sudden clogging –I must be coming down with something- from my throat.

"So when I told them there was nothing they could do to change my mind they disowned me." He stuttered over the last two words before burying his face on his arms. I stared at him, unsure what to do. Technically this was my fault; if I hadn't kissed him this wouldn't have happened. I wanted to comfort him, but everything I could think of involved physical contact of some kind, and I wasn't big on that. On the other hand I couldn't get over the fact that Axel was crying. I never pegged him as the crying type. Get mad and hit things yes, but not cry.

Some insane part of me wanted to laugh, even though I found this far from humorous. I wondered if my parents were still alive, would they accept the fact that I was…what was I exactly? I didn't have a clue. I looked at Axel again and remembered this morning; remembered how even now if I tried I could still feel him against me. I remembered Namine and holding her, kissing her. I still didn't have a clue, but a sudden whimper had me berating myself for getting lost in thought. Hesitantly I scooted my chair closer and skimmed my hand on his shoulder, unsure of how he's react. He turned and buried his face in my chest. My arm closed over his reflexively, even as I tried not to flinch away.

It wasn't different from holding Sora really, I thought as I wrapped my other arm around him. His hair is mostly in my face but I find I don't care, especially when his hands grasp at my shirt. I never thought I'd enjoy comforting somebody, but I do. An ache starts in my chest at the noises he makes and all I want to do is make them stop. The minutes pass and gradually his shaking stops but he doesn't move and I don't move him. "I'm sorry." The words are out before I realize it; my thoughts vocalized. He pulls back and I only then realize he's practically in my lap.

"For what?" His voice is ragged again and I can't stand his watery eyes. I look away. "It's my fault right? If I hadn't…" I trail off. He doesn't move. "If you hadn't what?" His voice holds a slightly playful tone that pales in comparison to how he normally is, but it's a start and I'm relieved. "If I didn't kiss you this wouldn't happen." He gives a low chuckle. "Roxie this has been a long time coming; I just finally found the push I needed." Somehow I'm looking at him again and he's smiling, I shift and the smile drops, like he just realized where he is. He started to pull back with mumbled apologies but my grip tightens. He stops and looks confused. I turn away again but my grip doesn't loosen. Another minutes passes in silence before his head is tentatively nestled on my collarbone with a sigh.

"What does this mean Roxas?" He has his serious voice again; the one I've only heard twice before. I try to swallow but my mouth is already moving. "I don't know." That isn't reassuring but it isn't a lie. "But I think I don't mind it, so it's alright." I'm surprised to realize that isn't a lie too. I feel him grinning and pinch his arm, causing a muffled curse but the grin doesn't go away. "Then it was all worth it." He mutters, and I feel like a douche. A worthless, self-hating, undeserving douche. "Honestly I leave you two alone for half an hour and you cozy up?"

I glance up (when had I dropped my head on Axel's?) when Riku speaks up, obviously amused. I go to scowl but Axel looks up and beats me to it. "Shove it Riku. It isn't my fault you aren't getting any." It takes Sora and Riku both blushing for me to understand. "He better not be anytime soon either." I basically snarl. He tactlessly moves behind a grinning Demyx. "This is wonderful! Roxas doesn't look as murderous as he did and Axel doesn't look suicidal now!" We both glare at him, not that it does any good. "We aren't together." I state. They turn to look at me.

Surprisingly Axel doesn't, and instead opt to take a drink. "We aren't together." He confirms, and my face matches the others. "Then what are you?" He gives a careless shrug. "At the moment? In Roxie's arms. Relationship wise? No idea." He leans back casually and I decide I like it as long as I'm the one in charge. "But I don't mind that." He gives me a grin that's all teeth and I decide I agree.

A sudden crash has us all turning, and I blink several times. For a long moment we just sit there, staring at each other. He suddenly croaks out my name and I stand up. He staggers forward and without a thought I'm wrapping him in a hug. I notice he's taller than me now, and shaking. We finally pull away and more staring issues. "I thought…we all thought….oh god Roxas I thought you were dead." I finally realize the shaking are sobs and we're hugging again. I'm torn between laughing and crying even as I wonder why the hell he's there.

"After you left things…they just…Olette tried for suicide and we all…" he stopped and shook his head, laughing awkwardly. "I can't believe you're alright." Roxas tried to speak but he couldn't. It was just too much, too soon. A soft cough and Roxas turned at the timid sound as Sora stepped c loser. His eyes widened and he stepped forward with a grin. "Sora?" The brunette gave a laugh and they clasped hands. It was then he noticed the extensions. "Who are they?" He asked quietly. I sighed and gave a vague wave of my hand.

"They're Demyx, Zexion, Riku, and Axel and we have a lot to talk about." He looks at me. "Hell yeah we do." I nod. "I suppose you'll be coming along?" Zexion at least as the grace to give me a chance for privacy. "Only if you don't mind." I shake my head. "I don't think so." I turn back to the blond and give him a rare grin. "I guess you'll get to see the apartment." He nods and Demyx speaks up. "Who is he?" I sigh and look back at him. "Hayner."


Alot of you will probably wonder how Axel got over the fact his parents disowned him so quickly.
A) He didn't.
B) He was expecting it.
C) Roxas acknwoledged they have a 'thing'.
So no, we will be hearing more from darling Axel fairly soon.

And now Roxas' past returns with some unanswered questions and harsh realities. To go ahead and warn you, Zexion's past will also be popping up fairly soon. Isn't that exciting?