Hello! I got a long chapter for you guys :) lots of (what I hope) exciting thing happen in this one!
Enjoy
The Contract
"Once more!" Axel yelled from the side lines of the training yard. He had Sora and Ventus sparing against one another. They're training had been going on for three weeks now and Axel was still gaging the boys strengths and weaknesses so he could start the real training.
Sora seemed good with both of his hands, but when Axel tried to introducing him to duel wielding the brunet suddenly went off balance. It was quite frustrating for the redhead. He'd have to talk with General Basch about the boy's abilities so he can work on correcting Sora as well.
Ven on the other hand was completely dedicated to his right hand. The odd thing about the blond was he held his sword in a backhand fashion. Something Axel had never seen before. It was odd to say the least. But if the blond was corrected he would switch back to the odd stance without even noticing. Axel figured it was a lost cause to change it. As long as Ventus could hit his target then who was Axel to complain?
Both boys groaned. They were tired and sweaty. But Axel required at least two hours a day under his training. Once they finished up Sora reported to Basch for his military training. To say the least, the boy was constantly tired and bruised up. Ansem was wrong with his assumption that his general would go soft of his heir.
"Again? What was wrong this time?" Ventus groaned as he pushed his bangs out of his eyes. He wasn't used to being pushed so hard and his muscles were sore, making it hard enough to hold his blunt sword.
Axel crossed his arms over his chest. Dark circles underlined observing green eyes, "Nothing was wrong, but to get better you have to get the repetition going. So show me again." Even after a week the prince had to admit that Sora and Ventus had made big improvements. They were a little rusty, but Axel could tell that they'd master the sword fast. He couldn't help but be jealous over how natural they took to it.
The cling of swords clashing filled the air as Sora attacked only to be blocked by Ventus who quickly counterattack, landing a solid hit on his brother's side.
"Good job Ventus." Axel praised, "Sora you need to practice on your footwork."
Sora groaned in frustration and threw his sword to the ground, "This isn't fair! Why does Ven keep beating me? I've been training twice as hard!"
"Because you're concentrating on everyone else but yourself. Forget about Ven and think for yourself. Figure out where you need improvement. Ven's not perfect either." Ventus yelled his 'hey' but Axel ignored him, "It's only been a week. Stop being so hard on yourself."
"So when's Roxas going to be able to come out and train? He's moving around better." The blond asked. He wanted to take a break so badly that he hoped bringing his twin up would help distracted Axel.
And the distraction seemed to work, "He can move around more freely and it doesn't seem like he's in much pain. But he still has a long ways to go." The redhead's tough demeanor he usually got during their training seemed to drop if only a fraction, "But his stitches are holding and he's passed us having to worry about an infection setting in. So if things keep up like this, I'd say he can start at least light training in two weeks." There was a pause as Axel waited for one of the princes to say something else, "Okay enough of that. Sora I want you to work on your blocking and counterattacks. Ventus I want you to try holding your weapon right this time."
~X~x~X~x~
Roxas paced outside his father's study. He still hadn't asked him about Hayner becoming his personal butler. But since things had calmed down and everyone had time to adjust to not only Axel being there, but also his training regiment, it seemed like a good time to ask. He knocked on the door and patently waited to be summoned in.
When he got permission to enter the blond opened the door to find his father alone behind a large desk that was cluttered with papers, "Umm…Father?" He quietly asked. His nerves going off and making him afraid to ask.
"Yes Roxas? What is it?" Ansem put down the document he had been reading over to give his son his full attention.
The price took a seat in the open seat that was on the opposite side of his father's desk, "I was wondering if it was possible to make Hayner my butler. He's been working in the palace since we were both young and he's been my friend for just as long. He knows how to take care of me. And I was thinking since I'm going to start living in a new kingdom that it would be beneficial to me to have someone who knows me well enough like he does."
Ansem looked worried by his son's words, "Roxas," He started, his amber eyes looking over Roxas's shoulder rather than at the boy, "I'm troubled by your relationship with Hayner. You must remember that you are married now. And I don't think that it's appropriate for you to keep this friendship with that servant any longer."
"What? Why not? Hayner has always been there for me. I'd feel more comfortable with him in Ignis with me." Roxas felt his heart beat start to quicken. He wasn't expecting this.
"You must understand, our religion takes marriage very seriously."
"Yeah I know." Roxas rudely interrupted, "I've followed Carbuncle my entire life. But that has nothing to do with Hayner."
"It has everything to do with Hayner. And you best not speak to me in that tone again. I will not tolerate any of my children sassing me." The man took a breath to calm himself before continuing, "I have already spoken to King Xehanort about my worries on our clashing views of marriage, and he had agreed that Axel is not allowed to keep his concubine any longer even though their kingdom allows a husband to keep other women. Now how do you think it will look to send you back with a servant who has a close relationship to you? It would be like spitting in the man's face. He went out of his way to go against their customs to please me. And I have no intention of insulting him."
Roxas deflated in his seat a bit. He wanted to scream and cry about how unfair all of this was. Why was everyone out to get him? Why was he the one who had to sacrifice everything? After everything he had given up for his kingdom. No. For all the kingdoms. Why did he have to keep sacrificing his happiness? It wasn't like there was anything romantic in his and Hayner's relationship.
Anger flooded through the young blond. He wanted to get away. And without another word he stood from his seat and stormed out of the room. Roxas started to walk to his room until he remembered that it wasn't his anymore. Over the past few weeks he had started to spend less and less time in there to accommodate Axel and he had more or less moved into Ventus's room. He wanted to scream yet again. He had given up his personal space to make someone else happy.
The blond walked passed his bedroom and went into his twin's room without knocking. Ven was lounging on his bed, trying to relax after such a long day of training. The older blond sat up in surprise when he heard the door bang open.
"Roxas? What's wrong?" He got off the bed and pulled his brother farther into the room, forgetting about the open door, "Are you okay? Did Axel do something?"
By this point Roxas was in tears. His frustrations finally hitting the breaking point. He couldn't find his voice as his throat tightened. Ventus could tell his brother was upset and pulled him into a hug, "Shh…calm down. Everything will be all right." He ran a soothing hand up and down his twin's back.
Roxas clung to his brother and cried into his shoulder, "It's not fair. I get forced into a marriage. Get attacked by my husband. Have to give up my room along with my privacy. And now I can't even take Hayner back with me. Why does everything bad happen to me? Why am I not allowed to be happy?"
Ventus looked up from his brother's neck to see a dumbfounded Axel standing in the hall looking at the twins. Ventus pulled away from Roxas and nodded towards the redhead, "Can you come here?" The question caught the younger twin's attention, making him turn and see the man he resented. Roxas let out a weak whimper. He didn't want to deal with Axel right now.
The redhead ignored Roxas's glare and walked in the room, closing the door behind him, "What's going on?" His question came out almost concerned sounding, throwing Roxas off a bit.
"You two have a lot of baggage to work out. Its been weeks, so it's obvious that someone needs to sit the two of you down to talk about it." Ventus sat his baby brother down on his bed and pulled a chair up next to him, "Now sit and talk."
"And what? You're going to mediate us? I don't see the point since you'll just take his side on everything." The redhead scoffed but sat on the chair that was pulled next to him nonetheless.
"Of course not. I may have a bias. But keep in mind that you're going to be looking after my baby brother when he leaves so you need to be in your right mind as well." Ventus sat down on one of the chairs, "So Axel, you've looked tired lately. Have you not been able to sleep?"
The redhead seemed to tense. His hands were balled into his pants and squeezing the fabric, "I'm just used to having someone in my bed. Sorry it's hard for me to get used to the complete silence of being alone. Plus putting in the extra work into your training isn't helping."
Roxas tilted his head to the side and curiously stared at Axel. He knew the man was lying, but why? "You didn't have anyone in your bed while I was sleeping on the couch, and you seemed to be just fine."
When Axel didn't respond right away Ventus took in the man's defensive body language and something clicked, "You wouldn't happen to be afraid of the dark?"
"What? Of course not! I'm just used to hearing someone else breathing and moving around. It's weird sleeping in complete silence. What's the point of this anyway? I'm not the one with the issues right now." Axel crossed one leg over the other and leaned back in his chair, putting as much distance between himself and the twins as possible.
"No, but you're the reason for my issues." Roxas countered. He wasn't seeing what the point in any of this was. He refused to look at Axel.
"Okay there's a good starting point. Roxas what issues do you have with Axel?"
Blue eyes looked the redhead up and down with a scrutinizing glare, "Where to start?" The room filled with silence as Roxas gathered his thoughts, "I hate him." He simply put.
Ventus groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Yes we know that, but why do you hate him? Give us a real reason."
"Arrogant. Self-centered. Homophobic towards me for no reason since I don't like him. Looks down on me. And he just takes what he wants without thinking of anyone else." Roxas quickly ranted with one breath.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Axel growled, "You act like you're the only victim here. I lost my religion, I can't see Xion anymore, and I'm now the laughing stock of my whole kingdom."
"You didn't lose shit!" Roxas looked like he wanted to jump on Axel and punch him in the face, "You get to keep your home. Oh sorry I took away your nightly lay. Sorry to be such an inconvenience." The blond spat out his words with venom.
"Xion was more than that. She was my best friend."
"Yeah well she'll still be in the palace. You can see her whenever you want. I'll never be able to see my best friend ever again."
"Well sorry for taking away your lay." Axel mocked, "I bet you weren't even a virgin when I had you."
Time in the room seemed to halt. Roxas couldn't catch his breath. Why did Axel have to bring that up? He had been trying to forget that night and move passed it. Roxas stood from the bed without a word and bolted from the room, ignoring his brother's calls to come back.
Both Ventus and Axel followed Roxas out the room and saw the blond run to his bedroom. The slam of the door blocked them from following farther.
"Roxas?" Ventus knocked on the door and tried the handle. Locked, "Roxas come out. Please?" He pleaded. But no response came. Dark blue eyes turned to Axel, "We need to talk." The redhead didn't get a say in the matter and was dragged back to Ventus's room, "What the hell is your problem?" The blond snapped once the door was closed behind him, "First of all we all know you weren't a virgin when you and my brother consummated your marriage, so why are you trying to shame him on that. Secondly, Hayner is nothing but Roxas's friend. They've been nothing more than that since they were small. And thirdly, you know Roxas is having a hard time getting over what you did to him, and it seemed he was truly moving on. Why would you dig up old wounds like that? Do you seriously hate my brother so much that you have to keep up his suffering? Or is this just an act to hide something?"
Axel scoffed, keeping his eyes set on a random wall, "No wonder your father wants me to train you three. Weak, soft, and pathetic. He's probably ashamed of you. Do you think I wanted any of this? I've forsaken my soul and pride as both a man and a prince to Lamina. And yet here I am sucking it up while your brother is off crying in his room like a little girl. It's no wonder he was chosen. He even prefers to smell like a woman."
"Insult my brother one more time. I dare you." Ventus growled.
"And you'll what? Hit me? Go ahead and try. I'll take it as a declaration of war. And we both know my kingdom can destroy yours."
Blue eyes widened in shock, "Roxas was right, you are an arrogant ass. Would you really want to sacrifice what's already happened to both of you and start another war? You see us as weak and Roxas as a woman, but you know what? At least Roxas can show his feelings and doesn't hide behind one emotion. At least he knows who he is and is true to himself. At least he can show whether or not he's upset or jealous of…wait."
Axel froze, not liking how the anger drained from Ventus's face and was being replaced with something akin to understanding.
"Axel," Ventus looked at the redhead with pure curiosity, "Are you jealous of Hayner because you thought he and Roxas had a relationship?"
The redhead didn't answer. He refused to. Why would he be jealous of a servant?
"Axel," The blond called again. Green eyes looked over at the boy and he felt his heart clench at the pathetic face looking at him "You don't have to tell me if you have any feelings for Roxas. But please, for both of your sakes, be nicer to him. I can't stand to see him this upset, and I know there's some part of you that feels the same." Ventus slowly approached Axel so he could look him in the eye, "I can get you into his room. But I'll only help if you promise to stop snapping at him. He really needs someone when he gets back to Ignis, and I'd like that someone to be you. I promise you have no one to be jealous of."
The older prince looked away. He didn't have feelings for Roxas, "I have no reason to be jealous." But the light pink dusting the man's cheeks was betraying him.
Ven hummed, "Well that mirror over there," He pointed to one that looked similar to the mirror in Roxas's room, "Open up and it's a straight passage into Roxas's room." The blond winked and started to walk out of his room, "I'll leave you here to get your head together. Take your time." And with that the prince left Axel alone with his thoughts.
The redhead groaned in frustration. Did Ventus expect him to go running into Roxas's arms and tell the boy that things would work out and that he loved him? Ha! Yeah right. Axel sat down on the bed, so similar to the one he had been sleeping on, but there was something off about it. Instead of red, Ventus had gone for a green theme in his room. But that wasn't it. A hand ran over the duvet, idly smoothing out wrinkles.
It was the scent. The flowery smell of Roxas that usual covered him at night was gone. Axel didn't realize how much it had grown on him over the past few weeks. Axel took a deep breath in as he tried to clear his thoughts. He wasn't jealous of Hayner. He didn't care that the moment Roxas got the chance to leave Axel he'd immediately run off to find the dirty blond.
Nope. Axel didn't care in the least bit.
The man sat in silence for a while. Not letting the thought of an upset Roxas bother him. "Fuck it." Axel cursed as he stood from the bed and approached the mirror. He didn't see a handle that he could pull the mirror open with. Fingers traced the object, searching for any secret that might be hidden. Maybe Ventus was just messing with Axel and trying to make him feel like a gullible fool. Then one of his fingers caught a snag. A small hole between brick and glass. Axel managed to wiggle a couple fingers into the small space and pry the mirror away. A small, dark passage opened up for Axel. The redhead was shocked to find it, but not surprised. Every castle had its secrets, and it seemed this was one of Lamina's.
Without hesitation the redhead stepped in, not expecting the secret door to swing shut behind him, "Shit!" Grumbling under his breath the man walked down the narrow space with one hand stretched out in front of him.
The passage wasn't a long one, and Axel didn't feel any turns or drops so it didn't take him long to reach the other side. His fingers made contact with a smooth metal rather than rough brick. Placing both hands on the surface Axel gave a hard push until the wall swung outward, revealing Roxas's room.
The blond, who was curled up on his plush reading chair, jolted in shock. His wide red rimmed eyes looked almost scared when they landed on Axel. The boy whimpered and pulled his legs closer to his body, "Can you leave me alone and tell Ven to go fuck himself for showing that to you?"
Axel climbed out of the mirror and pushed it closed behind him, "I just wanted to apologize for what I said. Fucking sorry I wanted to check on you."
"What's the point of apologizing if you're just going to do it again? Maybe I should rape you and see how well you handle it." Roxas looked away from Axel to stare outside his window.
"Look I can only apologize so much-"
"You've barely apologized at all!" Roxas yelled. His breath coming out in angry pants, "You do nothing but walk around with an air of authority around you and then treat me like I'm insignificant when I get upset."
"Okay look, I'm sorry for what I said okay? I guess I was just…" Axel bit his lip. He couldn't say it, because he wasn't jealous. He really wasn't.
"You were just?" Roxas uncurled his legs so he could properly sit and face the man, patiently waiting for him to finish his sentence.
Axel shook his head, "It doesn't matter what I was. I need to man up and stop pushing my frustrations out on you."
"About damn time too." Roxas muttered almost to himself, "And you really think that makes up for everything? How do I know tomorrow you won't revert back to the way you always are?"
Axel sat on the satin bed and fiddled his fingers as he stared at the blond while he thought of a solution, "Give me until it's time to leave here. If I do anything to upset or offend you than I will personally go to your father and request that your friend join us back in my kingdom. But you're no allowed to provoke me on purpose. Understand? We fight and we have to sit down like adults and talk it out, like now." Roxas nodded his head, "And you're little friend can't piss me off either. He needs to learn his boundaries and respect me. I am a prince after all and he can't speak to me like he already does. He really is lucky I've let him get away with it thus far."
"And if he doesn't? What if Hayner pisses you off and you revert into calling me names and mocking me for being raped? Then what?"
Axel clenched his fist into the blanket and swallowed what little of his pride remained, "If that happens then you can do whatever you'd like to me. Beat me. Starve me. Hell you can even lock me in the stocks if you'd like. Do whatever you see fair."
Roxas seemed to think about the offer for a few minutes. Mulling over the offer. Without saying a word Roxas went to his desk and pulled out a piece of paper and quickly started to scrawl over it, "Come read this."
Axel got up from the bed and read over what the blond had written. It was almost word for word what the redhead had proposed, "A contract?"
"Yup. So does it sound good? We can add other things in it. Like if you kick me out of my bed I get to lock you in the dungeon for a day."
Axel plucked the pen out of the blond's hand and scribbled his signature at the bottom of the page, "No, this is good. But don't we need a witness or something to make it more legal?"
Roxas was handed the pen and he added his own signature, "This is just for us. As a reminder that we both agreed and can't go back on our word." The blond rolled up the paper and stuck it in a desk drawer.
Axel gazed down at the blond and stuck his hand out. Roxas hesitated but shook it, "Starting now I'll try to better myself." The redhead vowed.
"Starting now I'll do my best to be less sensitive and do my best to not set you off."
The two men shook on it. Small smiles on their faces with the knowledge that things would be slightly easier for them.
Roxas took in the redhead's slumped poster and the dark bags under his jade eyes, "So, when was the last time you had a decent night's sleep? You look dead on your feet. No wonder you've been so moody." The blond looked longingly at his bed. After his emotional distress and crying he wanted to take a nap before dinner. But Axel looked like he needed the sleep more.
Axel rubbed the back of his neck as he studied the exhausted looking boy next to him, "I could say the same about you. All that crying must have worn you down." The redhead looked at the bed as well, "Let's take a nap. We wouldn't want your parent to question why we're so tired at dinner now would we?" How Roxas stiffened at the suggestion did not go unnoticed by Axel, "It can be a test for how civil we can be. I mean we shared that bed at the inn, and this one is a good three sizes bigger. It's just nap. Are you really that afraid?"
Roxas's eyes left the bed to gently glare at the taller man, "Are you trying to break the contract and start a fight this early?"
Axel laughed and walked towards the bed, "It was a joke Roxas. You need to lighten up a bit." The redhead kicked off his shoes and laid on top of the blankets. He reclined his head on the soft pillows and closed his eyes.
Roxas gulped as he looked at the relaxed man. He could do this. It was just a nap. Axel would stay on his side of the bed and Roxas would stay on his. Taking a deep breath Roxas copied Axel, kicking off his shoes and laying down on the bed. He curled up in a ball with his back facing the redhead as he let sleep overcome him.
~X~x~X~x~
Roxas woke about an hour later. The heavy breathing next to him seemed to speed up. The blond turned around and saw Axel rolling form side to side, muttering under his breath. The man looked distressed. Roxas reached out, ready to wake the man thinking he was having a nightmare.
"Roxas." The name slipped out of the redhead's lips in a moan. Roxas froze, "Fuck." Axel rolled on his side facing the blond.
Roxas didn't know what to do. His eyes caught a bulging outline in the redhead's pants. Roxas was frozen in spot. His mind racing. He was too afraid to move. What if it woke up Axel? What would the man do if he was still in his aroused state?
Axel blindly reached out and gripped the blanket. The man gasped and quickly sat up. Roxas clenched his eyes closed and pretended he was asleep, "Fuck," He heard the Axel groan, "Why does this keep happening?" Roxas felt the bed shift. He held his breath, suddenly afraid of what would happen to him. But instead he heard Axel climb off the bed and walk into the bathroom.
Roxas stayed still until he heard the shower turn on. The blond slowly sat up. What had just happened? By the sounds of it this wasn't the first time this had happened to Axel. Roxas suddenly felt the need to get away. He slipped his shoes back on and quickly bolted from the room.
The blond idly walked the halls. He didn't know where he was going. All he knew was that he just wanted to get away. That was when he found himself in the kitchen.
"Oh, my young lord, did you want a snack or something?" A chubby lady who was stirring something over the stove asked.
Before he could answer Hayner was on him. The dirty blond had been in the corner peeling potatoes, but had stopped the moment he saw Roxas come in, "No Brahne he's fine." The boy grabbed Roxas by the arm and pulled him out of the kitchen, "Hey what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Roxas bit his lower lip. What Axel's dreams was no one's business and if gossip got around the castle Roxas knew that Axel would flip out on him, breaking the contract. "It's nothing. I just woke up from a nap and I'm still a bit drowsy." Hayner didn't seem to believe the smaller blond. Time for a distraction, "So Axel and I finally came to an understanding."
"Yeah?" The servant seemed to actually perk up at that. Happy that his best friend wouldn't be completely miserable anymore.
"Yeah. We agreed that if he upsets me again then you can come to Ignis." The prince's appearance seemed to brighten, "But neither of us can purposely push his buttons. Oh and you have to treat him with more respect."
Hayner blew air out of his nose, "Look I'm happy you two are finally going to start getting along and all, but do I really have to be a factor in all of this?"
"Because I'm your best friend and you'll do anything to make me happy."
"Yeah and going with you will make you happy. But at what cost Rox? I have some pride too you know. I don't want to suck up to that jerk."
Roxas rolled his eyes and playfully shoved his friend, "Then I guess you won't get to see all the pretty Ignis servants there. Plus the main thing is that if you piss Axel off once you're out. But Axel gets a few chances to prove himself and work things out with me if he messes up."
"Yeah I was talking to that nurse that tagged along. She's pretty cute. Loyal as fuck to her kingdom though. She refused to go on a date with me because she doesn't want to stay." Then an idea seemed to light up in those brown eyes, "Say if Axel loses this deal then I can go there right? Oh boy she can't reject me now!" Hayner patted Roxas on the shoulder and quickly took off down the hall.
"Well then." Roxas muttered. He'd never seen his best friend chase a girl this hard. The blond sighed. Great he was alone with his thoughts again. He started to walk to his twin's room, but Ventus was just walking out.
"Oh you're finally up." The older blond smiled, "I was just coming to wake you and Axel up for dinner." Roxas looked taken aback for a second, "I went through the passage because Axel never came out and I was kinda worried that one of you killed the other." Ventus laughed, "You two sure did look cute while sleeping. So I take it everything went alright? Or did you really kill the poor guy and just set him up to look like he was sleeping?"
Roxas groaned and ran his hands over his face, "Shut uuuuuup." He moaned, "We reached an agreement that I'll fill you in on later, okay?" He looked at his brother from in between his fingers, "So food's ready?"
"Yeah. But we should still go wake up Axel. You know it's kind of the nice thing to do." Ventus looped his arm with Roxas's and pulled the younger down the hall, completely unaware of Roxas's slight struggle to get away. Ventus opened the door and frowned at the empty room, "Where the hell could he have gone to?"
Roxas was about to mention the shower, but the bathroom door chose that moment to open revealing a fully dressed Axel who was finishing drying his hair. His green eyes landed on the blonds and Roxas could have sworn the redhead was blushing, or it was just from the lingering heat from the shower.
"Hey Axel, dinner's ready. I thought I should come get you instead of the maids since I didn't want them walking in on a possible murder scene." Ventus winked, "But I can see that that didn't happen. How was your nap?"
"Ummm…." Axel looked at Roxas before quickly looking away, "It was alright. I feel a little bit better."
Ventus smiled at that. He was completely oblivious to Axel and Roxas's uneasiness. The three left the room and started to make their way down to the dining room. Roxas hung back from the small group, lost in his thoughts. He could barely look at Axel. He jumped when he felt a hand touch his arm.
"Hey, you okay?" Axel whispered so Ventus wouldn't hear them talking. The older twin was walking a few feet ahead, "You kind of look like a zombie. I don't need you walking into something and getting a black eye. I'm pretty sure your father would take my head if he thought I was beating you."
Roxas tried to laugh at that, but it came out weak, "Please, if my father really cared about you hurting me then he would have done something when you cut me."
"Roxas." Axel growled in warning, "Don't start."
The blond looked down at the ground. He didn't know why he brought that up, "Sorry. I think bringing up your past mistakes is turning into a habit for me. Please be patient with me." Roxas sighed.
"Okay. If I'm allowed chances then it's only fair you are too." Axel agreed. He looked down at the timid looking blond, "But seriously, are you okay?"
"Yeah. I think I might be getting sick." How was he supposed to ask Axel about what he had been dreaming about? Hell for all the blond knew, Axel had been dreaming about Xion and Roxas walked in on them. Yeah, that was probably it. "So, how did you sleep? Any better since someone was in the room with you?"
Axel blushed. It had to be a blush, Roxas knew it, "I guess. I mean it wasn't for that long so I'm still tired." Then something came out of the redhead's mouth that shocked both of them, "Are you going to sleep with Ven again tonight? Because I mean, it's your room. I kind of feel bad about taking it over."
Roxas frowned, "I don't know. Maybe? I wasn't really planning on sleeping in my room again so you can have space. Let me think and I'll let you know after dinner."
"Okay fair enough." The redhead smiled.
~X~x~X~x~
Roxas groaned, "Do I have to?" He practically whined. The blond was laying on his twin brother's bed. His eyes were closed and arms were spread out in front of him. Dinner had ended a couple hours prior and Roxas never gave Axel his answer. He could feel those green eyes on him the whole time and could barely think. What was going on with Axel? Was it because he was regretting the contract? Or did Roxas simply have something on his face that only the redhead saw? Whatever the reason though, it was bothering the young prince.
Ventus was busy digging through his wardrobe looking for a set of pajamas, "You haven't even tried to sleep one night with him. Roxas, you need to get used to it sooner or later. I won't always be around for you to sleep with. I want to know my baby brother will be fine until I can see him again. So for the sake of your relationship and my health, please go back to your room." The older twin turned to give his brother a pleading look. It wasn't just for his sake, their whole family needed to know things would be okay. The blond walked over to the bed and peered into matching blue orbs, "Please?"
Roxas pouted, hoping his pathetic kicked puppy look would soften Ventus up. But the older blond didn't look convinced, "But Ven," He moaned, "I did sleep with him the other night. Remember at the inn? So since I already did one night I shouldn't have to do this, right?" He hoped his flawed logic would work.
"And see you lived!" Ven cheered, "Now why not try to beat your high score and go for two nights with Axel and not dying?"
Roxas groaned but slid off the bed, "Fine. But if he so much as rolls onto my side of the bed I'm coming back in here."
"Sounds like a deal to me." Ventus hugged his brother, "Be nice and no biting your husband."
Roxas's eyes narrowed, "I'm always nice and he'll get bit if he deserves it."
"See you'll be fine. Now scoot, I'd like to sleep at some point too you know." Ventus shooed his brother off of his bed, "Good night and sweet dreams Roxas.'
"Yeah, yeah. You too." Roxas muttered as he walked out the room and into his. He found Axel already dressed for bed and curled up under the covers, "Sorry I'll just be a moment then you can sleep." The blond quickly pulled out a change of clothes from wardrobe.
"It's fine. I still have to check on your stitches." Axel stretched to wake himself up a bit. He had gone out to do some personal training after dinner and was probably exhausted.
Not wanting to be a bother Roxas hurried to change and brush his teeth. He walked out of the bathroom shirtless and holding the things Axel would need to change his bandages. The redhead accepted them and had the blond sit on the edge of the bed.
"These are looking a lot better." Axel observed as he lightly ran his fingers over the large injury, stopping just above Roxas's hip. The blond blushed as his body was studied, "Does it still hurt?" Green met blue and Roxas had to look away.
"Sometimes if I stretch one way too far." Roxas's stomach twitched when he felt the cool gel spread across his abdomen. The two were quiet as Axel finished dressing up the blond's wound. Axel blew out the candles as Roxas crawled under the covers. The blankets were pulled up to his nose as blue eyes trained on the redhead until all the flames were out and they only had the moon peering out from behind the curtains as a light source.
The bed shifted as Axel laid down on the other side, "Is this okay?"
Roxas bit his lip and tried to calm his nerves. What had happened earlier was a fluke. Everything would be fine, "Yeah."
The air that surrounded them was filled by an awkward silence. Roxas was wide awake but knew the man next to him was on the verge of sleep.
"Roxas?" Axel caught him off guard, "What's your favorite animal?"
"Foxes. Why do you ask?" In the moonlight Roxas could see Axel shift and those bright green eyes staring at him.
"I don't know. Just thought it'd be kind of nice to get to know you a little better." Axel sounded sincere. Maybe Roxas should humor him.
"What about you? It's no fair if you're the only one asking questions and not answering them as well." Roxas turned so he could face Axel.
"Horses. I've always enjoyed riding them." Axel curled his arm up under his pillow as he tried to get more comfortable, "Food?"
"Anything with chocolate in it. Ven's the same but with caramel."
Axel laughed, "Twins till the end. I'm not a fan of sweets. You can have my portion of anything chocolate."
Roxas gave the redhead a toothy smile, "You got yourself a deal." Axel chuckled at that, but stayed quiet as he waited for the blond to ask a question, "Umm….tell me about your brothers and Kairi."
"Well Reno's pretty cool, though he sometimes acts like there's a stick up his ass. But that's mostly due to him taking his job as my father's heir way too seriously. But we were pretty close when we were younger and I think I can call him my best friend. Kairi isn't a force to be reckoned with. You're lucky she took to you so easily. Vanitas…I don't know. I never really bonded with him. He grew up training constantly so he could be the very best in the military. I guess he figured if he wasn't getting the throne he might as well do something. But I think he likes the violence that comes with fighting."
"Vanitas kind of scares me." Roxas admitted, "Probably more than you do." The last part was almost a whisper, but he saw Axel tense up at it. Suddenly Roxas felt guilty, "But you can be okay sometimes."
"Well that's good to know." They were both quiet, lost in their own thoughts. Then Axel spoke up, "Maybe we can smuggle Sora into Ignis and ship Vanitas back here. Then there'd be one less person for you to worry about."
Roxas laughed at that. He unconsciously shifted closer to the redhead, "That'd be nice. Tell me more about your family. What was your mother like?" When Axel didn't answer right away Roxas started to worry. Queen Lightning was a sensitive subject for Axel, and the last time he tried to talk to the blond about it Roxas had thrown it back in his face.
"She was…" Axel was hesitant, Roxas could feel the man's anxiety radiating off of him, "She was a lot like your mother. She was very material and doted on me and my brothers. I remember one time Reno and I were playing tag in doors and Reno broke a vase. My dad got so pissed but mom could get scary if one of us was crying. So Reno's standing there balling his eyes out while my father's yelling at the top of his lungs. My mom, she comes storming down the hall with a sword strapped to her side. She threatened to cut my father in half the next time she heard him talk to any of us like that again." Axel's voice sounded light and happy. But then the redhead's mood changed, "Then, when she was pregnant with Kairi, she was constantly sick until they finally put her on bedrest for the remanding months. Her usual happy attitude changed. It was like she knew what was going to happen." Axel sighed, his eyes closed, "I think she would have liked you." He finally said his voice cracking.
Roxas gave a small smile and reached out for Axel, wrapping his fingers around man's elbow and giving a sympathetic squeeze, "I would have liked her too." He felt the redhead tremble. Roxas let go of the man and lifted his hand until it came in contact with a wet cheek, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."
Axel shook his head, "No, you're fine. I need to stop crying over something stupid like this."
"It's not stupid." Roxas moved closer so he could run his fingers through long red hair, "She was your mother, there's nothing wrong with missing her." He felt the man relax a bit under his touches. The blond didn't want to admit it, but seeing Axel so venerable was a nice feeling. It made the man less intimidating and more human.
"Thank you." Axel whispered, his tears still running down his face, but not as much as before Roxas began to comfort him. The feeling of Roxas's hands combing through his hair reminded him of his mother. Just the way she would calm him on rougher nights. He released a content sigh as his breathing slowed.
Roxas felt Axel fall asleep, but instead of fully pulling away, he traced a wet tattoo on the prince's high check bone silently wondering if things could work out.
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