With some effort, the group trekked slowly through the snow to the next town. There they found a quiet inn, where they could regroup and recover from the train fiasco. Under Demyx's nervous, yet watchful eye, Zexion was tended to and given a bed. Luckily, no major damage had been done.

Rox knelt by the fire and rubbed the chill from his fingers and toes. Demyx sat on the bed beside Zexion, occasionally fluffing his pillow or adjusting the covers as he felt necessary. Axel had gone into town to find their next mode of transport to Destiny Islands. They would likely be walking to the nearest harbor town, gaining passage across the sea on a cargo ship.

"He better get legal tickets this time." And for a damn good ship. Rox did not want a repeat of yesterday.

"You should have faith in Axel," Demyx said cheerfully. "He'll pull us through, no problem. He always has."

"No problem? That train almost got us killed!"

The older blonde hushed him quickly, eyes darting to their sleeping companion. "Not so loud! I know that part of the trip was kind of a...well, a-"

"Disaster?"

"Yeah...I suppose that's true. But we don't even know what happened there. For all we know, someone planned an attack on the train and assassinated everyone but us!"

Rox shook his head. "Don't you think we would have seen bodies, Demyx? There was no one on that train when we left the baggage car."

The whole incident was so strange. Where had all the people gone? He was sure he saw many get on the train with them. Had they all vanished?

"Oh, yeah..." The other man shrugged, making Rox really want to smack him. Their lives had been in danger, and he was acting like nothing happened! Who was to say this wouldn't happen again?

"No point in wondering about it. I doubt we'll ever know." With that, Demyx got to his feet and headed for the door. "I'm going to go see about getting us some water. Can you help him if he needs it?"

Rox nodded, turning back to the fire as the door shit behind him. His feet were tired and sore and cold from all that walking. Was all of this really worth enduring, just for the slim chance that he would find his family?

"It might not even be my family," he admitted aloud, curling into a ball on the floor and hugging his knees. This could just be a waste of time, and then what?

He was a homeless, worthless orphan then. Now he'd just be homeless, worthless orphan in Destiny Islands.

"At least it will be warmer there."

"Who are you talking to, kid?"

Rox looked up quickly, startled. He half expected Zexion to be up and about, not having heard the door open so quietly. Axel stood just a little behind him, looking down with an obnoxious, cocky grin once more. The boy frowned at him.

"No one. Just thinking out loud." He got up and brushed his pants off, then looking at the redhead seriously. "Do we have a ship?"

"You bet! And better yet, it's got actual rooms for passengers! We won't have to ride with the cargo!"

Rox raised an eyebrow. "A prince traveling with the cargo? That sounds dignified."

"You won't have to suffer the indignity now or ever after, Your Highness." Axel tousled his hair, making him groan and smack the hand away.

"But you did get us legal tickets, right?"

The redhead placed his right hand over his heart with a mocking smile. "On my honor. All we have to do is walk to the next town by Friday. That gives us four days to catch our breath, and for you to start memorizing your lines."

"Lines?" The boy looked incredulous at that.

"Lines, dates, people, places. All the good stuff you need to know to be Roxas."

"What?!"

Several things happened at once. Demyx returned to the room, a large jug of water tucked neatly beneath one arm, just in time to see Zexion sit up in bed, brushing his long bangs from his face for a moment and scowling. Rox stomped forward, tense, angry, eyes burning with a sudden ferocity of betrayal, as Axel stepped back, unsure.

"Are you telling me I have to prove I'm Roxas? Oh no. No no no! You never said I had to do that!"

"Uh, yeah? Did you miss the memo, kid? You can't just walk in there and expect the prince to welcome you with open arms! These things need procedure!"

"You never said I had to do that!" the boy accused, jabbing him harshly with his finger. Groaning with frustration, he turned from him in an instant as he stalked over to the fireplace instead. "Show up, yes. Look nice, sure. Accept a name change and a big brother I don't remember well, fine. But lie?" He looked over his shoulder, blue eyes simmering. "I can't do this. You can't make me do this, you asshole."

"It's a little late for that, don't you think? If you didn't understand the terms and conditions of our little agreement here, that isn't my goddamn fault." The redhead crossed his arms and glared back petulantly.

As all this happened, Demyx had set the jug down, and was now looking between the two of them with great concern. He seemed eager to speak, but couldn't find the room or the words. Zexion kept silent, watching the blonde thoughtfully.

"I won't do it, do you hear me?" Rox spat. When Axel grabbed his arm, opening his mouth to speak, the boy snapped. "No!" He slapped the older boy hard and left the room, slamming the door as he went. The other two looked at him, gaping with varying degrees of surprise and humor.

"What are you looking at?" Demyx looked away, instantly cowed, but Zexion rolled his eyes and lay back in bed, gazing at the ceiling. Axel stomped around for a minute or so, muttering and swearing under his breath all the while.

"Fucking brat can't even play along! The fuck is with this fucking piece of-"

"Axel!"

He paused, shooting Demyx a look that was almost murderous. His partner laughed awkwardly, raising his hands in defense.

"I just thought that...well, maybe you shouldn't be so hard on him, you know?"

"Perhaps you should go after him and talk to him about it," Zexion said simply, his expression blank. "Seems more productive than sitting here fuming about it."

"Fuck off, you ass! What, you're saying I should apologize? To him?" The redhead laughed bitterly. "Yeah, right! That brat is stupid and naive and-"

"Your ticket to riches and fame."

Both Demyx and Axel froze. The blonde looked nervous instantly, running to the bed and grasping the smaller man's hand tightly in both of his.

"You know? Y-You...you won't tell him, will you? He would hate us for that!"

Axel said nothing as Zexion looked at him coldly, ignoring Demyx.

"I don't like the kid much, but he is a far better person than either of you two. But no, I won't say anything. It's your mess to do with as you please." Demyx smiled, hugging him with relief until he was pushed away. "I appreciate you saving my life, and for that I'll keep quiet. But be warned that you're stacking a house of cards, and sooner or later, it'll come crashing down on you."

"Gee, thanks," the redhead returned snappishly, as he crossed his arms again and pouted. "Not like we can move on now."

"That's not true!" Demyx said, putting on a cheerful face again. It did not quite reach his eyes, however, and they crinkled a little as he stood and walked to the door. "Let me go and talk to him for a while! I'm sure he'll change his mind!"

His partner watched him go, muttering, "When pigs fly out of my ass."

Zexion turned away, resigned to sleeping until this issue was sorted out.

He tried not to picture a certain blonde's hurt expression as he drifted off.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rox didn't go far. He didn't dare while the snow was falling so heavily, but near the inn he had spotted a little frozen pond with a wooden bridge. It was quiet, secluded; a nice place to just be alone and think. So he trekked through the heavy snow, thankful that he had been bought sturdier boots. The ones he had had before were worn and holey from many years of use, and these were lined with fur on the inside. Now dried, they were warm and comfortable. In his hurry, he'd forgotten to grab his scarf, but oh well. It wasn't very cold just yet.

The boy brushed the snow from the railing and leaned on it, looking out over the water. He was just so angry! How could he go through with this when he was so unsure? He couldn't live with himself if he was lying to someone, especially if that someone knew how it felt to be lost and alone.

Wiping a tear from his cheek, he covered his face and whined.

"How can they expect me to do it?"

He let the tears fall for a few minutes, looking at the pale, frozen surface below and wondering how he could find the strength to go back. He barely noticed the presence behind him, as Demyx walked up and stood beside him, leaning on the railing as well.

Rox was bitterly awaiting the moment when the older blonde would open his big, fat mouth and spew more optimistic bullcrap about trust and friends and all that, but it didn't come. Demyx stayed by his side quietly, not speaking, humming a soft, barely audible tune to himself as he watched a distant flock of bird fly over the pond, heading south. Rox saw him smile awkwardly, seeming both here in the moment and incredibly distant at the same time. He wondered what he was thinking about...

The younger boy was caught off guard for a moment, then settled into the silence appreciatively. He never knew his new companion was capable of subtly...

The time passed away slowly, as Rox was beginning to realize how cold it really was. He shivered a little, but didn't move to walk away. He had no money to get a drink or food anywhere. The only place he could really go was back to the inn, and he wasn't ready to face that loudmouth, egotistical, inconsiderate, degenerate-

"Are you worried about this trip?" Demyx asked quietly.

Rox, distracted from his previous thoughts, eyed the other boy warily.

"I don't think I should trust it. Not Axel, or even you for that matter." He turned to face away from Demyx completely, sulking. "I can't be a prince. There's just no way."

"You haven't even tried to find the truth though. You've been so busy telling yourself that it can't be true."

"But it can't! Look at me, Dem!" He turned back to the older boy, grasping at his worn clothes. "I'm not even remotely prince material here! I'm nothing!"

Demyx said nothing, just looked at him with surprising calm as Rox looked down at the frozen water. He could see just the barest hint of his reflection.

"I look in the mirror and all I see is a worthless, skinny little no body with no past...and no future. I don't think I belong anywhere, but I'm definitely royalty."

The other boy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, drawing his gaze briefly.

"You know what I see?" He looked down at the tiny reflection, and Rox hesitantly followed suit. "I see a smart, witty, capable young man, who, on a number of occasions, has demonstrated command and authority equal to any royal worth his salt in this world."

The younger blonde looked up at him, surprised and unsure, and Demyx laughed. "If you aren't royalty, kid, you're certainly something. You'll find your way, no problem."

"How can you be so confident? You barely know me..."

"True. Can't argue there. But here's the thing, Rox: my father was a member of the imperial court. I've seen my share of royalty in the limited time I've been around, and I think you can do it." He cupped the other boy's chin and lifted it so that he would meet his eyes. "I'm serious. And hey, if it doesn't work out, no problem, right? You're family must be somewhere in Destiny Islands. If you aren't a Strife, I will stick with you and personally see that we find the right people."

Rox was speechless. He felt touched by Demyx's kindness, and a bit guilty that he'd thought so little of him before. Sure, he could be boisterous and annoying, but he seemed to mean well and really care for his friends. Rox stepped closer and hugged him, feeling a few happy tears slip from his eyes.

"Thank you."

Demyx smiled back, more earnestly now. He spied a flash of red over his shoulder and smiled wider.

"No worries. Besides, there's nothing left for you back there. Everything and beyond waits in Destiny Islands."

Rox nodded, wiping his eyes and gathering himself for this task. He had to believe he was Roxas, had to have faith in himself and who he was. It was hard, but he would do it. Somehow, he could learn to do it.

They broke apart as Axel stepped onto the bridge, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He looked to be here begrudgingly, and Rox was far from happy with him at the moment, but the blonde decided to let him speak.

"Ready to be a royal, kid? Can we move on now, or are you going to throw another tantrum?"

Demyx winced as Roxas stepped between them, glaring defiantly at the redhead.

"Listen, you asshole. I'll get my lines memorized, fine, but you have to stop being such a jerk to me. Take this seriously, prove that you aren't just messing around, and I'll buckle down and learn whatever it is a big idiot like you has to teach me."

Slowly, the boy's face grew into that familiar, aggravating smirk.

"Sounds fair, Rox. Let the lessons begin..."


Sorry it's been a while since I've updated this story. Writer's block, final exams, papers, and all sorts of stuff be happening. Oh well. I'll try to get this back up and running again so that I update more frequently. Thanks to all of you that reviewed, favorited, watched, etc. You help me get back on track.

Merry Christmas 2012! :)