Black and White

Chapter 12

A/n: Hi there everybody, I did a major rewrite of what I'd written (hence the delay). I have the original copy on my other computer. I had almost finished this story two years ago when my son destroyed my keyboard (imagine that) and screwed up my other computer. I couldn't access my password protected account, even with a different keyboard. SO I was rereading this and I always get a blockade when I need to redo something but I got motivated. So… about 20 pages (10Kish words) later, I finished this (:

Here you go~

xXx

We were laying in the pumpkin patch staring up at the stars. It was something that we enjoyed doing and Axel took me there more and more because he seemed to know just how special it was to me. When I was staring at the twinkling lights with him, it was magical. "How many different worlds do you think there are?" I asked in wonder. Axel shrugged and took my hand. My heart pounded.

"Thousands I suppose," he replied.

"Do you suppose where I came from is up there?" I asked. Axel frowned. I'd been talking about my home a lot lately and it seemed to bother him. I couldn't help it. I thought of the people who loved me often, where they were, how they were doing, if they were okay…

"Why? Do you want to go back?" Axel asked neutrally. I shook my head.

"Even if I die, I wouldn't want to move on. I'd make my way back to you, Axel." Green eyes stared at me.

"Why would you want to do that? You're always talking about your God and seeing your family again, why would you give that up?"

"Axel…" I sighed, shaking my head and looking at him. He stared into my eyes and I stared into his. My heart pounded out of control. I was scared to admit what I was going to but I needed to. Even if he didn't want me back, I couldn't go on, not knowing. "You're my home now. I'm… I'm in love with you," I whispered. "If I move on, we'll never see each other again." Something unreadable filled the red-head's gaze. Something I had never seen before and he kissed me. It was soft and sweet.

"If that happens… if you die… I will wait for you to come back to me. I will let no one else into my heart. No one. You are the only one." He promised. I blinked at him confusedly.

"Why?" I asked. His hand gently raked through my hair.

"Because…" he whispered, "You are the only one I have ever loved." I forgot how to breathe entirely.

"Why won't you touch me then?" I whispered breathlessly.

"I want to. I want to so much. But if I do, it may be detrimental to your health and if I start, I don't think I'll be able to stop… It's what I am." I shook my head.

"I don't care…" I whispered. Axel smiled sadly, kissing me again.

"I don't want to hurt you. I couldn't live with myself if I did."

I woke, my newest dream swirling in my head. Axel was gone and so was my fever… but was he the one causing me to get sick? When he touched me… was he hurting me? I frowned, intending to find out. What was the point of having him protect me if he was slowly killing me? And was that why he was being so cruel? Because he loved someone else? Why was I dreaming about it?

I went to the entrance, pushing the vines to the side. It was mid-afternoon and Axel was nowhere to be seen. I looked down at the ground and swallowed. I hated heights. Extremely carefully, I stepped out onto the nearest branch and covered the entrance back up. And then, after slipping a few times, made my way down and began to search for 'Oogie'.

xXx

Axel smiled at the disgusting bag of bugs, attempting to sound disappointed because he hadn't found 'the human' yet.

"Well I got some news for ya'. The little brat came right to me! Wantin' to work for me ha ha ha!" Axel laughed, in disbelief at the boy's stupidity. Roxas didn't know Oogie or what he was in for. How had he found this place? He hadn't followed Axel. The red-head was certain of that. Why would he want to work for that thing?

"Really now?" Axel asked, pretending to be surprised, "The human that eluded me? This I have to see. May I?"

"Go then! See for yourself how he did your job for you! Boy's right outside! Don't you be touchin' him. This one's special," the Boogeyman gloated. Axel smirked, ascending the stairs and going outside. Roxas looked up, horrified when he saw the red-head. Axel was furious. He walked right up to the boy and crossed his arms.

xXx

"You foolish child, you should have stayed with me. Now I don't know if I can protect you."

"From what? From you slowly sucking the life out of me and destroying my health?!" I demanded. Axel sighed.

"From Oogie. I'm not making you sick. I don't know why you've been having fevers, Roxas, or why you're blaming me. It would take much, much more exposure to me for that to happen and I had no intention of doing that to you," he replied, turning his back on me and crossing his arms. "If you want to end up like your friend, so be it. I won't stop you," he told me, making me falter.

"You knew about Demyx?!"

"I know about many like Demyx, yes. I knew about your friend too." He hesitated before walking away. "Goodbye then." My heart pounded. He was protecting me from Oogie? Oogie hurt Demyx?

"Axel, Axel wait, please," I called to him. He paused and I went to him. He was still furious. "I'm sorry, I didn't… I couldn't live with you treating me so horribly. Not when I can't stop these feelings I have for you, not when I can't stop dreaming about you!" Axel hesitated, looking into my eyes for a long moment before his attention snapped to the door to Oogie's lair, his eyes widened slightly. He bit his lower lip.

"Come with me. I don't have time to explain everything right now and if you tell me no, I will leave you be but know this: I don't care if Oogie knows I'm protecting you. I don't want the fate that you're going to get if I leave you, I truly don't," he pleaded softly, "and they're coming for you." I frowned at him, confused at his sudden change.

"If you expect me to trust you, even a little bit, then you need to start by telling me why you were using me," I told him, expecting to get no answers, as usual.

"Freedom, Roxas. You're my way of being free from that thing that took everything from me," he told me, distain dripping from his voice. I blinked at him.

"You can't just leave?" I asked uncertainly. Axel shook his head.

"I need humans, Roxas. Oogie keeps me weak unless I do his bidding." I stared up at him, searching his face. He seemed to be truthful. "Please. Come with me. I will tell you whatever you would like to know. All you have to do is come with me. We don't have time now." Uncertainly, I nodded and he scooped me up into his arms, causing one of the children watching us to speak up.

"Hey, what do you think you're doin' with Mister Oogie's new plaything!" The little trick-or treater dressed as a witch demanded. I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. I was a plaything?

"Yeah!" the little skeleton chimed in. Axel smirked wildly.

"Go and tell that disgusting pile of bugs that I'm done and he isn't getting this one," the red-head told her, watching them run inside. Then he looked down at me. "Hold on tight," he told me as an alarm went off. "They're here." I did as he said, and before I could ask who 'they' were, a bunch of those things that Demyx turned into came running at us. My eyes went wide and Axel began to run. I stared at them and then I stared at what he was running toward. There was a huge ravine that had to be at least five miles wide.

"Are you crazy?!" I yelled at him. He smirked.

"Trust me," he told me, I stared at the ground as we got closer and closer to the edge until I couldn't take it anymore and I clung to him, squeezing my eyes shut. When nothing happened after a few moments, I peeked over his shoulder, panic running through me when I saw that we were in mid-air, halfway across the ravine. After several breathless moments, we landed and I stared at him, shaking. He really was crazy!

"H-how did you do that?! Are we safe?" I whispered. Axel glanced back. The monsters were at the edge on their side, snarling at us. I paled when they began to climb down into the ravine, chasing after us. Axel shook his head.

"I slowed them down," he replied, taking off again.

I wasn't sure for how long we were running but by the time we got to the town I'd first woken up in, it was dark. Axel kept running, jumping from rooftop to rooftop before finally jumping down and knocking loudly on a door.

"Sally! Sally please, let us in," he called. When the door opened, I found myself face to face with a life-sized ragdoll.

"Axel?"

"Can we stay here? We need to hide, I'll explain, I promise," he pleaded. She nodded, ushering us in.

"Yes, please come in," she replied.

"Thank you Sally," Axel called, rushing me upstairs. The red-head nudged the door open with his shoulder before kicking it shut then sat me down on the bed and quickly went to the windows, drawing the mismatched-patched curtains and securing the room. "No matter what, don't open the curtains," he told me, "and under no circumstances are you to leave the house. He said you were special. That means that everyone in Oogie's army is looking for you." I nodded and watched him pace.

"Axel," I said quietly, making him pause. "You told me your secret… does that mean… does that mean that you care about me?" The red-head sat beside me, but didn't answer me for a long time and it hurt. "So what? You tricked me into coming with you? Is that it?!" My breath hitched when he was grasping either side of my face and kissing me until I was breathless. Beautiful green eyes stared into my blue longingly. He never looked at me that way.

"Roxas, I loved once… and you're making me feel things that I haven't felt in a long time that I didn't want to feel anymore… That I didn't think I was capable of feeling… but my heart isn't available." I nodded slowly, remembering my dream. If it was real, if they were all real, it made sense. "I do know that I care about what happens to you, and you've given me much to think about," he said softly. I closed my eyes, my head pounding all of a sudden and I hissed in pain, holding it where it hurt. There was an intense feeling that came over me. I wanted to be with the red-head, to fight that decision because I couldn't stop the overwhelming sensation that I needed him. "Roxas… are you okay?" I shook my head and he searched my eyes. "Perhaps you're tired?" he suggested. I nodded.

"Y-yeah… maybe," I murmured wearily. Axel tilted my chin, making our eyes meet. I couldn't look away.

"I'm going to explain to Sally. Rest," He said softly. I felt my body get heavier the moment he said the word.

"Axel… wait," I murmured back. The red-head paused, waiting for me to speak. "Will you stay with me tonight?" He paused, nodding, before laying me down and covering me up.

"Sleep, Roxas," he commanded softly. The last thing that I saw before I fell asleep were those beautiful green eyes.

xXx

Axel stared at the fireplace, the flames almost hypnotic in their beauty, lost in his thoughts.

They ran though Halloween Town, under the glimmering stars laughing like they knew the best secret in the world. Axel turned back, smiling at his companion. Tonight was going to be special. Tonight, Axel really was going to tell the younger red-head a secret. One he'd been keeping for a long time now. That he didn't know how to feel about.

They paused at the cemetery gates, sneaking through one by one, going beyond its reaches and into the pumpkin patch. Axel was finding that he liked making the boy smile and so he had taken Reno here many times before because the younger red-head loved to look at the stars. They lay down, watching the magical sight and Axel kept glancing at the boy, secretively. He'd never done this before and he hoped it would be okay. Several breathless moments passed before he opened his mouth, about to speak, when Reno did.

"How many different worlds do you think there are?" He asked in wonder. Axel shrugged and took his hand, his heart sinking.

"Thousands I suppose," he replied.

"Do you suppose where I came from is up there?" The boy asked. Axel frowned. Reno had been talking about 'home' a lot lately and it made the red-head feel like Reno wanted to leave. To go back to the life he had before. Like he never wanted to see him again.

"Why? Do you want to go back?" he asked neutrally, surprised when Reno shook his head.

"Even if I die, I wouldn't want to move on. I'd make my way back to you, Axel." Axel stared in surprise.

"Why would you want to do that? You're always talking about your God and seeing your family again, why would you give that up?" It made no sense to Axel. Surely Reno would want to be free of this place once he died.

"Axel…" Reno sighed, shaking his head and looking at him. Axel watched him, staring into those blue depths, "You're my home now. I'm…" he hesitated, " I'm in love with you. If I move on, we'll never see each other again." Axel watched him for a moment, all of his anxiety and fears melting away, and he let go of what he'd been holding back. Reno's blue gaze became confused just before the older red-head kissed him, softly, sweetly, making a promise to the boy,

"If that happens… if you die… I will wait for you to come back to me. I will let no one else into my heart. No one. You are the only one." He promised. Reno blinked at him confusedly.

"Why?" He asked. Axel's hand gently smoothed through his hair.

"Because…" he whispered, "You are the only one I have ever loved." Reno stared at him in complete disbelief and Axel didn't have to pry into his thoughts to know what he was thinking.

"Why… why haven't you come back…" the red-head whispered to the flames, startled when a tear trailed down his face. He hissed, wiping it away.

"Axel?" Came Sally's voice from behind him.

"Hello, Sally," he said quietly. A moment later, she was beside him.

"Are you alright?" She was concerned.

"I miss him. I'm missing Reno, but I will be fine," he told the ragdoll.

"What about this one?" she asked, "Do you care for him? It seems that you do." Axel stared into the flames for a long time.

"I do. Roxas reminds me of him… but I can't do it, Sally," He said quietly.

"Perhaps it's time, Axel," she said softly. Axel shook his head. "It's been such a long time, you need to be happy now," she urged.

"Why? So I can risk losing everything again, including Reno when he finally comes back?" he asked, looking at her.

"If he does," Sally said sadly. Axel resumed staring at the fire. He didn't speak for a long time.

"Sally, Roxas can't leave this place. Oogie has been trying to control me, making me weak, ever since he took Reno. He's been luring humans here to use them against Jack. He wants Halloween Town." She gasped, covering her mouth. "Oogie knows I have him. Can you keep him safe?"

"Yes, yes, of course! What terrible news, I'm so sorry, Axel…" she replied. "What are you going to do?"

"Roxas has made me stronger. Tomorrow, I'm going to destroy that disgusting pile of bugs," he told her with a sneer on his face, looking at her again. "Then it will be over."

xXx

Axel walked up the stairs and they groaned softly in protest, only pausing when he got to the second door to the right, opening it gently. When he was inside he softly shut it behind himself. The boy was sleeping peacefully but the fire was dying down and so he added a few logs and then went to Roxas, laying down beside him. Gently, he draped an arm around the boy and Roxas automatically burrowed closer. Axel smiled a little, watching him, appraising him. Perhaps it is time, Axel.

The red-head's fingers smoothed through blond hair and he really thought about it for the first time in a long time, all of the things he'd shut away. All because of Roxas.

Sleep did not come to him that night. He listened to creatures slithering about in the night, looking for the boy that he'd promised to protect. He thought about what Sally had said. About what he was feeling. Weighed it.

Morning came and Roxas stirred, seeming surprised when he discovered that Axel was holding him. "Axel?" he questioned.

"Hello Roxas," the red-head murmured back. Roxas swallowed nervously. "Wh-what are you doing?" he asked. Axel smiled down at the boy slyly.

"You asked me to stay with you and I did," he replied. Roxas shook his head.

"No, you look like you're thinking about something… and you're holding me," he said nervously.

"I am, yes," the red-head said softly.

"Why?" Roxas asked confusedly. Axel's smiled gentled.

"You've given me much to think about and I've been thinking about it," he told the blond.

"You have?" Roxas asked, blinking in surprise when Axel kissed him.

"I have," he told the blond. Roxas looked up at him, breathlessly. His entire body was burning up and his brain was trying to make sense of everything. "Roxas," Axel murmured softly, confusing the boy further. "I need to take care of something. I will be back before dark. Remember, stay here," he said softly, kissing his forehead. Roxas' heart thundered in his chest.

"Okay," he whispered back.

xXx

Axel knew the secret labyrinths of Halloween town—there were doors everywhere, leading from one side of town to the other. One of those, he'd decided, would be the best entry into Oogie's place. He stayed to the shadows, slinking into the cemetery, past the deadly night shade and into the crypt. There, he pressed one of the bricks on the far wall, causing a door to open, and with a glance toward the unlit torches, he caused them to light before slowly stepping inside. The door to sealed behind him.

The door on the other side opened to a part of Oogie's lair that Axel hadn't been to before. It was dark and dusty from neglect. Axel's eyes flashed and the candelabra on a nearby table lit. He picked one up, glancing around the room. There were books everywhere but only one was opened. It seemed to be for a spell of some sort, for unstoppable strength. He glanced through the list, Fang of Vampire, Three tails of Scorpion, Eye of Cyclopse, The soul of the one the Incubus loves, Axel stopped, feeling cold, not quite able to catch his breath. All these years, he'd thought Oogie had wanted him but that was only half the truth. By loving Reno, he had doomed him. His hand shook in fury as he ripped out the page and lit it on fire, the ashes gathering about his feet.

That meant, somewhere, that thing could have Reno's soul. That was probably the entire reason that Reno hadn't come back. Axel was furious. He went to the bookshelves, pulling books out and looking for hidden doors, knocking on the wood. When he found what he was looking for, he grasped the bookshelf, yanking on it and pulling it off of its hinges, even as it groaned in protest. When the secret room was revealed, he stepped inside.

There was one object, in the middle of the room. It appeared to be a coffin but was covered with a red satiny blanket. Axel went to it, pulling the covering aside and he dropped the candelabra. There, inside a glass coffin was an all too familiar face. If Axel hadn't known better, he would have thought the boy was sleeping. Trembling, he touched the glass, his beautiful green eyes filling with tears. "Reno…" he whispered sadly. Chains snaked up from the floor, wrapping around the red-head's lanky body. Before he even had time to realize what was happening, an electrical surge jolted through them, bringing Axel to his knees.

"Well, well, well, look what we got here boys! You got a lotta nerve comin' back here Axel!" The Boogyman cackled.

"Why do you have that body!" Axel hissed, absolutely furious.

"Cause I need his soul to defeat Jack and I finally found it too! Havin' the body drew the little brat right to me til you ruined it!"

Axel's eyes widened as realization dawned on him. Oogie had failed, then. Reno had been reborn. He hadn't gone to heaven. He'd ruined Oogie's plans… That meant Roxas, Roxas was Reno. Regret surged through him. "What have I done…"

"Lock 'im up!" Oogie ordered. "The brat'll come back, so long as I got you! Ha ha ha!" Axel couldn't even fight as they drug him away.

xXx

The next morning I'd woken alone. There was a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and it made me feel sick. For the first time, it drew me out of my room and I went downstairs, almost bumping into the ragdoll from last night.

"Hello, Sally?" I asked. The rag doll smiled at me. She was really nice but really creepy.

"Good morning, Roxas, it's nice to finally meet you," she replied. I nodded. "Are you hungry? Can I get you anything to eat?" I shook my head.

"Have you seen Axel? He said he had to do something and he's been gone for a really long time. He said he'd be back before dark yesterday," I told her, worriedly. She nodded.

"He said he had some business with Mister Oogie," she explained. My eyes widened.

"What? Why would he do that?!" She watched me for a long moment before sitting down.

"To protect you, Roxas," she said. "I told him that I had a bad feeling about it but he wouldn't listen to me." I stared at her, horrified.

"Sally, please! You have to help me, Axel has been gone too long. We need to save him!" She hesitated, and I scoffed. "Fine, I'll rescue him myself!"

"Roxas, wait, I have an idea…"

xXx

It took about a week to get everything ready and, at that time, I walked in the darkness, something telling me the way to go, just like last time I was lost looking for Oogie's lair. Sally had given me a cloak to help disguise myself and the night helped as well. A fog was beginning to roll in when I reached Oogie's lair and I felt intimidated. I knew that Axel was most likely in the lower part of the fortress. That was where it would be hardest to escape. I looked around, looking for the best way in, circling the building before finding an elevator, stepping inside and lowering it to the lowest window.

I froze when I saw him. He was chained to a wall, his eyes were covered, probably so that he couldn't manipulate anyone. He looked so sad, so helpless. I climbed out, shaking as I climbed down. The elevator obviously wasn't meant for this level. When I finally made it, I went to him, gently untying the cloth around his eyes but Axel didn't open them. "Axel?" I whispered, shaking him. His head fell limply to the side. Alarmed, I took his face into my hands and kissed him again and again before hugging him. "Wake up, please wake up," I pleaded. "What did they do to you?" I whispered.

"Roxas?" he murmured softly. I nodded my head, lowering the hood and looking down at him.

"Yes, I'm here," I whispered. Axel shook his head frantically, still weary, not yet himself.

"No, go! You can't be here! Leave, just leave me! Please go, you shouldn't have come!" I looked into his eyes, he was on the verge of tears. I'd never seen a reaction like this from him before. It was alarming.

"Nonsense, I'm getting you out of here," I told him, using the skeleton key Sally had given me for the lock. It clicked open and Axel's arms fell to his sides. I grabbed his hand. "C'mon, we have to go."

"Roxas, wait," Axel whispered. I watched him curiously as he took my hands. The gesture was foreign and strange. Those beautiful eyes were glimmering. "If we don't get out of here, I want you to know how sorry I am. For everything. If I would have known-"

"Aw, ain't that just sweet, the new plaything came back for mah pet!" Oogie's voice startled us both. "Bring me that human!" Axel snarled furiously and even as he stumbled, he pushed me behind him.

"He came back to me. You will not take him again!" He roared. The Boogie man laughed as about a hundred living dead humans surrounded him but all I could do was stare at Axel in confusion.

"Jus' try an' stop me! I'll make you watch him die again an' then I'll finally break ya'. I'm gonna take that soul and Halloween Town will be mine!" He promised, howling with laughter. What he was saying confused me. I had died before? I had been here before? Why had Axel apologized to me? I had come to him again? It didn't make sense. Nonetheless, I called out to the strange creature,

"I don't think so! I brought some friends so that I could rescue Axel and they've been listening to every word you've said! Right guys?"

Werewolves, witches, ghouls, and most importantly, a furious lanky skeleton, who I'd learned was the King of Halloween, stepped forward from their hiding places. Jack was the first to speak, "How dare you, Oogie?! Look at all of these souls you've brought here to destroy… all the lives you've ruined, just to have allies. You will never get away with this! It is time for you to pay for the crimes you have committed against Halloween Town!" The other monsters were agreeing, nodding their heads and yelling at Oogie. The Boogy man took a step back before pointing at me.

"Get 'im, NOW!" he roared. Axel pushed me into the corner, away from him, growling. I stared at him in bewilderment.

"You will not touch him!" The red-head snarled, absolutely furious. He pressed his hands to the ground, his whole body trembling as the monsters ran toward us. All I could do was stare as fire shot out of the ground, simultaneously engulfing each and each and every one. They howled in pain and alarm but all I could do was stare at the red-head. I'd never seen Axel do anything like that before and I was amazed. Then, the monsters from the town lurched forward with their makeshift weapons and Oogie snarled, hitting a button and disappearing into a secret passageway. Axel collapsed as Jack and the others tried to pursue the Boogie Man.

"Axel?" I whispered. There was still fire everywhere and Oogie's lair was beginning to burn. "Are you okay? Please be okay…" I pleaded. The red-head nodded. He was breathing hard. "We need to get out of here before this place collapses!" Axel shook his head.

"There's something that I need to do." All I could do was watch as he picked himself up, stumbling as he went in the opposite direction and through a door. Nervousness filled me when part of the ceiling collapsed but the red-head emerged holding something, cradling it like it was very dear to him. I stared in confusion. It wasn't a something but a someone. I watched him numbly and he glanced at me. "Let's go," he said and I nodded, trailing behind.

xXx

We went to the pumpkin patch, sitting in the pale moonlight. The red-head still had the boy in his arms, holding him tightly. All I could do was watch. Was he hurt? Was he dead? Who was he? Why was he so precious to Axel? Then, the red-head whispered,

"Ashes to ashes and dust to dust, my love," kissing the boy's temple. I gasped as it caught fire, right there in the red-head's arms, realizing then that the boy was Reno.

"He… he was dead?" I whispered. Axel looked at me, once the ashes flew away. His eyes were shimmering.

"He's been gone for five hundred and sixteen years. Oogie kept the body secretly because he needed Reno's soul," he said quietly. I nodded my head, trying to comprehend. "I burnt it so that it can never be used that way again."

"So why did he want me?" I asked. Axel smiled sadly.

"Your soul is the one he wants. He still wants you." I stared at the red-head.

"What? But you just said, you said that Reno is the one he wants…" Beautiful green stared into my blue.

"Roxas, you are the one I've been waiting for. I didn't know but, you came back to me, and so I tried to push you away by being cruel to you," he whispered. "I'm sorry." I stared at him, unable to think of a single thing to say. "That is why you've been having dreams. They're memories."

"Axel," I whispered in disbelief. "What are you saying?" Axel watched me patiently.

"You're reborn, Roxas. Reno's soul was reborn into your body," he explained, finally breaking eye contact and going silent. "Roxas, I don't expect you to want anything to do with me," he told me. I blinked and shook my head.

"Axel I, no, I forgive you," I said quietly, "You were trying to get away from Oogie and keep your promise. I get it." Before I knew what was happening, the red-head was hugging me tight. I hugged him back and we just stayed that way for a long time. "What happens now?" I asked. "Are we safe?" Axel shook his head and I felt a spike of fear.

"As long as Oogie is out there, you will never be safe," he told me.

"What should I do?" I whispered, trying to keep the fear out of my voice. Axel pulled back, looking into my eyes.

"Don't be afraid. I will protect you," he promised and I nodded.

xXx

Axel watched the boy. Roxas had fallen asleep on his shoulder hours ago and finally, when he'd felt it was safe to do so, he brought the boy back to Sally's home. Now, he could only watch him, so many thoughts and emotions coursing through him.

Forgiveness wasn't something that he'd expected or deserved from Roxas. Reno certainly wouldn't have forgiven him for what he'd done. Yet the boy had given it to him so willingly. It puzzled the red-head. Roxas, he'd decided, was different than he'd thought he was. He wanted to discover who Roxas was. He was different from Reno but, he was younger than Reno had been. They shared their stubbornness, their relentlessness, their bravery, Axel would give Roxas credit for that, but he knew that there was much that he didn't know about the boy.

Roxas tossed about in his dream, he was on the verge of waking and Axel remained distant. He didn't know how to react. The emotion was gnawing at him, even as those blue, blue eyes fluttered open. Roxas caught him staring and blushed.

"Uhm… hi," he muttered groggily. Axel looked elsewhere.

"Hello," he murmured back. A soft touch made the red-head's skin prickle.

"I'm uhm, not sure what I should say… or do…" the boy said quietly.

"Me either," the red-head admitted softly. Roxas opened his mouth to protest but Axel continued to speak, "All I've done is damage, you can't deny that." The blond scoffed.

"So let's start over," he told the red-head, "I'm Roxas, you're Axel, I don't have to use you and you don't have to use me and-" Axel laughed mirthlessly.

"It will never be that easy, Roxas. You will never forget," he told the boy. Roxas bit his lower lip.

"You're right. I won't," he said quietly, "but I won't hold onto it either. I already told you, I forgive you, Axel." Beautiful green eyes studied cerulean blue. There was sincerity behind those words. "Now, you need to forgive yourself, or there will never be anything between us but distance," he told the red-head softly. Axel watched Roxas for a long moment, and then another. The boy was becoming bolder, he'd sounded like Reno just then, and it made Axel want to kiss him until he was a gasping, moaning mess. He fought his instincts.

"Roxas," he groaned helplessly, his control lapsing. Before he could stop it from happening, Roxas kissed him and he lost it. Lips and bodies molded together and it wasn't long before the little one was gasping, arching into him from underneath. Axel explored that warm mouth, rolling his hips into Roxas' and the boy cried out into his mouth, his hands trembling as they tugged at Axel's clothes, telling him that he wanted them off. Axel broke the kiss and Roxas moaned in aggravation.

"Love me, oh God, please," he whimpered.

"I do," the red-head whispered back, his voice soft, satiny. Roxas watched him, the fire in his eyes telling Axel just how much he wanted him. "And I will," he told the blond, making his heart jolt, "when it's right." Roxas blinked in confusion.

"What?" he asked. His heart was thumping wildly. Axel's eyes lidded and Roxas got lost in that beautiful gaze.

"I'm Axel," he told the blond gently. It was soothing and not the least bit mocking, "and you're Roxas. You don't have to use me, and I do not have to use you," he said softly, "right?"

"Right," Roxas whispered back, stunned. Axel nodded.

"Good," he said kissing the boy softly before looking into confused eyes. He smiled a little. "I did that because I wanted to." Roxas looked up at him, breathless.

"Stay with me?" he asked. Axel nodded.

"I will."

xXx

It was just over a month later and I'd fallen irrevocably in love with the red-head when he approached me with some news. With a secret of sorts. I looked up at him when he sat beside me, so many emotions reflecting in those beautiful eyes.

"I need to tell you something," he told me, gently brushing his fingers against my cheek.

"Okay," I whispered back, feeling hopeful.

"I've been working with Sally and Dr. Finklestein trying to find a way to protect you, and we finally did it," he said. I smiled at him.

"Really? That's, that's great!" I said. Axel smiled, nodding.

"There's more," he told me. I nodded, letting him continue. "The best way to keep you safe… the only way to guarantee it… is to banish you from Haloween Town." I froze, a million thoughts running through my mind at once.

"What?! I thought I had to die to leave, Axel. What are you saying?" I asked, feeling stricken.

"That is why I asked Sally and the Dr. Working together, we've come up with a potion that will allow you to leave but, it will also keep you from returning. Even if Oogie finds you, he can't bring you back, body or soul," he explained, showing me a smile vial. "I need for you to drink this, Roxas," he told me. I shook my head. My heart felt like it had been stabbed with a knife.

"What? How could you say that?! I won't do it. No! I won't!"

"Roxas, this isn't about you or me! It's about everybody in Halloween Town!" I shook my head, refusing to look at him.

"No, you can't make me do it! How could you even suggest something so cruel?"

"I need you to be safe, don't you understand that?" he told me. My eyes stung from oncoming tears.

"Axel, I'll never see you again," I whispered back.

"Roxas… if you stay and the residents of the town learn of the threat you pose, they will come after you. Please, drink it…" he begged softly. I looked at him finally, tears trailing down my face, "Please don't make me force you," he whispered. Sobbing, I shook my head.

"Why would you do that?!" I demanded. Sadness filled those beautiful green eyes.

"Because, I love you," he told me, raising my chin and pressing his lips to mine sweetly. Then, he wiped my tears away. "I doomed you by loving you. That's why Oogie wants you. I have to protect you." I shook my head.

"I can't do it, Axel," I whispered, looking into his eyes pleadingly. Those beautiful emerald eyes turned a shade darker and I found myself paralyzed.

"I lost you once, I won't lose you again," he whispered to me, his voice silky smooth. It made me shudder. "Nothing will keep me from you. If this is the price I have to pay to make sure you're safe, I will make sure it is paid, Roxas," he purred softly. I shuddered again and he prowled toward me slowly and tilted my chin, making sure our eyes stayed locked together. I felt myself relaxing under that intense stare, my panic only spiking when he pressed the vial to my lips, commanding that I 'open' them. I did. My senses became foggier and he told me to 'drink'. I did. I felt tears slide down my face as I swallowed. Axel held me as my vision went blurry and I saw something that I never thought I'd see. That beautiful creature was crying. I reached up, tangling my fingers in that soft, soft hair, my vision going in and out of focus as he put something in my pocket. He smiled sadly, pressed his lips to mine, and I was gone.

xXx

Axel held the boy, crying for a long time, kissing him once more before they disappeared into the night.

xXx

I woke to the sound of birds. The sun was shining and the grass was tickling my face. My brows furrowed and I sat up slowly. Everything came crashing down on me when I realized that I was home.

"Axel?! Axel, no!" I called out, rushing to the forest but when I reached the edge, a force field stopped me. Tears ran down my face as I hit it again and again. "No, no, no, no!" I cried, falling to my knees, sobbing. It was then that I realized I was still wearing his clothes. Reaching into my pocket, I found the note he left me.

I am so sorry but until we win this war, you are not safe. I could not tell you this in person in case we were followed but do not forget this: In seven years' time, there will be an eclipse. Halloween Town will cover your moon, making it look like our sun. The door will open. If it is safe, I will come for you.

xXx

I reread Axel's note, crinkly and worn from age. My fingers trailed across the beautiful scrolling as I thought back on the past seven years. Every night I had dreamed of him. Memories of the time I spent in Halloween Town and of the years that Reno had. My mother seemed troubled. She said that I was different and I supposed I was. I was completely heartbroken.

She tried to take the strange clothes I was wearing when I returned away from me, tried to burn them, so I hid them. She took me to the priest, said that I'd been touched by something evil and she wanted her little boy back. She was right but, he simply thought I was traumatized by my strange experiences in the forest. I never told anybody about Halloween Town. I never told anybody about Axel.

The years had dragged by slowly and I had tried to fit back into my old life but, I'd changed. I was like a new piece trying to fit into an old puzzle. I couldn't fit in. People whispered. My friends didn't accept me. Everyone was superstitious and afraid of me because I was 'the one who came back' out of countless others.

Finally, after a few years, I had gotten an apprenticeship with an eccentric named Cid, engineering new technology and selling it to the townspeople. We were the odd ones. It seemed to help me pass the time but people still avoided me, tending to say that I was moody and strange, nothing like my old, cheery self. It was late, nearly midnight after my third year of knowing him, on all Hallows eve, when Cid, who usually kept to himself, commented on my behavior.

"You ever fall in love, kid?" he asked, looking through one of his devices, up at the starry sky. I hesitated for a moment, I'd been cleaning up for the night, before looking at the old man.

"I am in love, Sir," I replied, "why do you ask?" Cid smiled knowingly.

"Cause you're acting like you're lovesick," he murmured, chewing on some tobacco. "Been actin' that way since you came back from wherever it is you went to. You're twenty-three now, and don't have time for none of the girls." I hummed, shrugging and resuming cleaning. "So where is she?" He asked.

"Who?" I asked distractedly.

"The love of your life," he said. I sighed. He was watching me expectantly.

"Far away," I said dully. He smiled a little and said,

"C'mere boy, quit yer poutin'. I wanna to show you something I ain't never seen b'fore." I sighed, continuing to polish the object but obliging the old man and peeking through what he called a 'telescope'. I dropped the orb I was holding and it shattered. There was an orange star I'd never seen before and it, eerily enough, seemed to be shaped like a Jack-o-Lantern. I stared up at the sky. I could see it visibly, beginning to eclipse our moon. Just like Axel said. I was shaking. "What do you suppose that's gotta be? Funny that it showed up on the eve of Halloween, ain't it?" Cid asked.

"I don't know sir, but I've never seen anything like it either," I told him. Cid seemed disappointed. "Would it be okay if I left for tonight? I can come in early tomorrow," I asked. Cid nodded, looking through his device again.

"Yeah, yeah, sure," he muttered distractedly. I nodded, getting my things and going.

xXx

I sat on the edge of my bed, watching the moon, wearing Axel's clothing for the first time in a long time. They finally fit me. There was a storm brewing outside but eerily, the blood-orange of the moon was clearly visible and I watched. Slowly, the moon was becoming orange, black triangles appearing for the eyes and the nose of the Jack-o-Lantern, the bottom half of it still needing to appear. It reminded me of the door to Halloween Town. The townspeople were frightened and superstitious, gawking at it in fear until the whole face appeared. One woman screamed, another fainted, but I stared at it breathlessly, wishing and wishing but nothing happened. Hours passed and slowly, people trickled to their homes long after the rain had begun. Tears prickled my eyes. Morning was approaching and still nothing. Axel wasn't coming if it wasn't safe… and if it wasn't safe now, I didn't know if he would ever come. I rolled onto my side, crying silently for what felt like forever.

The wind picked up, rattling my window and it burst open. Grumbling to myself, I got up and tried to force it shut but it wouldn't stay. Finally, with a huff, I snapped the curtains shut, muttering under my breath about stupid storms, Jack-o-Lantern eclipses, and broken promises, startled when a faint glow lit behind me. And then another and another. I froze. When the fireplace jumped to life, I spun around. Then, I found myself staring at the beauty sitting on my bed. I was paralyzed, a million things trying to run through my mind as it shut down. I couldn't think of a single thing to say.

There was a warm, gentle smile on his lips, a soft fire in those emerald green eyes. His long fiery hair was about him, braids and feathers entwined throughout the spikes, slightly dampened from the rain and starkly contrasting his black clothing. I fell to my knees, not quite able to catch my breath. He was gorgeous. He rose, stepping toward me, slowly, gracefully approaching. My heart was pounding out of control. He knelt before me, his warm breath tickling my lips.

"Hello, Roxas," he purred. My heart stuttered to a stop. My mouth worked uselessly, my entire being overwhelmed by him, his warmth, his scent… everything. And then, he touched me, his fingers smooth as silk as they threaded through my hair, down my face, and across my lips before wiping away my tears, leaving me gasping. I whispered his name, feeling butterflies take off in my stomach. His smile widened and a soft touch lifted my chin just before our lips molded together. Just like that, my entire body was on fire. I felt alive again.

"Axel," I whispered again, my eyes welling up, but this time, not because I was sad. "You really came back for me, you," I sobbed. He nodded.

"I have, yes," he told me, kissing me again, deeper this time, and my eyes fluttered shut. When our eyes met again he was watching me closely, playing with my hair gently.

"What's wrong?" I asked self-consciously as he continued to look at me. He smiled softly.

"You've grown," he murmured. I blushed. His smile widened and he looked pleased. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, his voice as sweet as honey. I stared into his eyes for a breathless moment, before reaching for him, touching him. Axel smiled, letting me do it.

"I've wanted to do this for seven years," I told him nervously. Emerald eyes sparkled and he leant closer.

"Does that mean you want to come with me, Roxas?" He whispered softly. I looked into his eyes, terrified but excited at what I was about to ask,

"What happened to Oogie?" I whispered. Axel smiled wickedly.

"Ashes to ashes, we burnt him to dust. Victory is ours, peace is restored. The Boogieman is no more, I saw to that myself," he told me. I smiled at the red-head. He watched me for a long time. "Does that please you?" I nodded.

"If I had to live without you again, I don't know what I'd do," I said softly. Axel's gaze gentled. "Come then," he beckoned softly. "Tonight, the door is open and you may return."

I took the hand that was offered to me, coming only a head shorter than Axel when I was on my feet, now. I clung to him when he swept me off my feet and he commanded the window to open. A fierce wind slammed the glass against the house and the curtains billowed into the room. The fire went out and everything was black. Even the eerie moon was obscured. Then, that beautiful creature took me away, out the window and into the night.

xXx

Axel watched the boy, no longer quite the child he was, but still a child in many ways. There was a small smile on his face. Roxas was sleeping soundly, peacefully, in the soft candlelight. He'd transitioned well, this trip to Halloween Town. Dr. Finklestein had warned that the boy might not and so Axel was pleased. Softly, he trailed his fingers along Roxas' exposed skin, along the clothing he'd chosen to wear. It was the same clothing he'd left in, those seven years ago. Axel watched that slumbering face. The boy had a beauty about him that had only grown with age. The red-head held hopes, for who he'd become.

When Roxas finally stirred, Axel withdrew his hand, watching and waiting. Slowly, bleary blue eyes opened, his eyes adjusting to the dark before widening in recognition, trailing to the four poster bed, to the old writing desk, to the trunk. The boy recognized the room. He sat up, turning and looking straight into Axel's eyes.

"I wanted for you to feel welcome and so I prepared for you," he explained, seeing the confusion in those pretty blue eyes.

"I… I thought that you didn't want me to be in here," the boy whispered confusedly. The red-head watched the blond for a moment, speaking softly when he did.

"All of the things in this room belong to you. I didn't know then but, they always did," he told the blond. The boy's heart spiked.

"Including you?" he asked. Axel's eyelids lowered and he slowly prowled toward the boy.

"Do you want me to belong to you?" he purred softly. Roxas reached up, his fingers threading into silky hair.

"All the time," he whispered back, kissing the red-head gently. When he pulled back, Axel's bright eyes were foresty, a beautiful deeper green. "I love you, Axel." Axel hesitated and Roxas knew why. The red-head could see it. The boy took the red-head's beautiful face into his hands and Axel let him do it. "For seven years, I've been dreaming about you. About what I've experienced, both this time and the last. I've been longing for you, but you were always far away and I didn't know if you were coming back," he whispered. "Until now." The red-head stared into beautiful blue eyes levelly, waiting until he had Roxas' full attention before speaking.

"Roxas, I loved you, long before you were you," Axel said softly. "Now, I need to know you," he told the blond. Roxas blinked in confusion and Axel gave him a small smile. "I don't want to replace you with Reno nor Reno with you. You might have the same soul but you aren't interchangeable. I know about you but I do not know you, not really. We are little more than strangers. Do you understand?" Slowly, hesitantly, the boy nodded.

"What… what do you want me to do?" Roxas whispered, feeling rejected.

"Shhh," the red-head murmured softly, "none of that," kissing the boy just as softly. "You don't have to do anything, Roxas," he told the blond. The boy wanted to protest but he held back, nodding instead, trying to think of something to say but feeling overwhelmed. A soft touch to Roxas' hand drew his blue eyes to beautiful green. "Tonight, the whole town is celebrating Halloween," he told Roxas gently, "would you like to go? Are you feeling up to it?"

Truthfully, Roxas felt very tired but he nodded his head and smiled at the red-head. "Okay," he murmured back. Axel smiled, taking his hand and leading him to the door. Roxas blinked in surprise. The corridor was well-lit. When they'd ascended to the top, there was no longer a hidden door, but curtains drawn on either side. The room was still filled with books but it was much nicer. There wasn't any broken decrepit furniture, the house was clean and beautiful, much like the first time he'd seen it as Reno. His amazement only grew as he saw the rest of the house. He hesitated.

"Did you do all of this for me, Axel?" he asked quietly. Axel smiled at him.

"Most of it, yes. Truthfully, you are the reason I'm not miserable anymore," he told the blond. Roxas stared in amazement and those beautiful green eyes lowered. "You saved my life again," he purred softly, "allow me to repay you." Roxas shuddered as the beauty urged him forward and out into the night.

xXx

We walked together to the festival. I couldn't think of anything to say. My heart was pounding out of control and I felt a little dizzy, I was so overwhelmed. Axel didn't stop until we were in the middle of everything, watching me as I seemed to be lost in my thoughts rather than paying attention. We were both startled when a small man in a wheelchair addressed the red-head.

"What are you doing, Axel! He shouldn't be out and about! Not yet," the creepy Doctor scolded the red-head.

"I'm fine," I insisted, the red-head watching me closely as Dr. Finklestein shook his head at me, a slight snarl on his lips.

"For all you know, you could fall over dead any minute now!" He informed me. Axel stared at him, wide-eyed.

"Tell me that isn't true," he commanded.

"Oh, it's highly likely, Axel," Dr. Finklestein replied with a very serious frown. Axel frowned and looked back at me. "You, boy, tell me now, are you tired, dizzy, light-headed?" I crossed my arms at the Doctor.

"Tired, yes, but I don't see what difference that makes?" I replied. Dr. Finklestein tugged Axel down, muttering that I was still as stubborn as ever before murmuring something to him. The red-head's frown deepened. He muttered something about me not being ready yet and the Doctor shook his head, insisting.

"Roxas, I'm sorry, but we need to leave soon," he told me.

"May I ask why?" I asked irritably as Axel thanked the creepy little man. The red-head took my hand, leading me toward the square. When he looked down at me, he appeared to be worried and I felt my anger fading away.

"It has to do with you coming back to Halloween Town. You weren't meant to, Roxas," he explained. "I was warned that returning would most likely take a toll on you." I blinked at him, alarmed.

"Am I going to be okay?!" I asked him. Axel smiled a little.

"I wouldn't have brought you back if it would have meant endangering your life, Roxas," he replied, pausing when we got to a group of cheering monsters. I gasped in amazement. There was a scarecrow on fire, dancing and juggling the flames. Everybody gave a cheer, even Axel, when it jumped into the lake and emerged as Jack. I smiled, impressed, clapping. Then Jack spotted us and gave a big skeleton grin.

"Axel, you found him! The boy that helped to save Halloween!" Everybody gave a cheer, just for me, and I was astounded. Then, Jack was shaking my hand and asking me all sorts of questions, thanking me for my bravery as I tried to follow everything. Axel could see that I was overwhelmed. I heard him say something about catching up next week, that I was tired from the trip, and then gasps of horror as I blacked out. The last thing I remembered was Axel catching me.

xXx

Axel watched over the boy for the next three hours and it was agonizing. Worry filled him and Dr. Finklestein's words crossed his mind. He didn't know if he was ready for that, he didn't know if Roxas was. He left the boy, pacing about, only pausing when he got to the bedroom, just standing there, feeling overwhelmed. He tensed when he heard movement behind him.

"Axel?" Roxas was murmuring behind him, sounding tired and confused. The red-head hesitated.

"Roxas, we need to discuss something," Axel said quietly. The boy watched him confusedly.

"What's wrong? I'm sorry for passing out… Did I-?" Axel shook his head sitting down on the bed, staring at the fireplace and Roxas fell silent.

"It's what the Doctor said to me. He thinks we need to renew our connection, he thinks it will help you to adjust." Roxas blushed as he stared into those hypnotizing eyes, coming closer and closer to the red-head, settling between his legs. Axel watched him, wordlessly, from the bed, frowning for a long moment before finally speaking. "I understand if you aren't ready for that, after what I put you through. I don't know if I am." The blond shook his head and grasped his shoulders, kissing him gently, again and again and Axel grasped his hips, eventually kissing him back. With a soft moan, Roxas pulled back, only to discard his shirt, his hands trembling before kissing that beautiful creature again. Axel listened to his thoughts and fought his instincts. He hadn't touched Roxas like this in a long, long time. His fingers twitched uncontrollably. Then, Roxas began to tug at his clothing, gently taking it off, before whispering,

"If it means being here with you, I'm ready." Axel watched him, shirtless. There was a pink tinge to Roxas' cheeks. The look in his beautiful blue eyes told Axel how aroused he was. The red-head was losing it, and fast.

Roxas gasped when strong hands grasped his pants and tugged them down. Before he could form a single coherent thought, Axel's hot mouth was surrounding him, pleasuring him, and he was screaming out at the agonizing pleasure. Axel was the only one he'd ever shared his body with and it had been such a long time. Just as his body began to tremble, the red-head grasped his ass, pulling back and staring up at him. Roxas knew then, Axel knew.

Thoughts raced though Roxas' mind, his body was painfully aroused, and he couldn't quite get over the look in Axel's eyes. The red-head was watching him like he was ready to devour him. Then, Roxas was moving. His back pressed down against cool sheets and Axel was on top of him, taking the rest of his clothes off. Roxas panted, his trembling hands touching that beautiful body, Axel's hot mouth taking his before working down his neck, biting and sucking, playing with the boy until he was sobbing from pleasure. Roxas' whole body was shaking when Axel finally spoke,

"May I be your first, again?" he purred softly. Roxas' eyebrows furrowed and silky smooth fingers brushed his arousal. "Here." Roxas gasped, Axel's hot body nudging the tip of his erection. "I want to make love to you."

"Yes, Axel, please," the boy moaned, "You're the only one I want… That I'll ever want." A small little smile came across the red-head's face, lighting his eyes. He pushed himself down, his body taking the smaller boy with ease. He watched the little one, drinking in each and every beautiful expression. Roxas couldn't stop gasping, moaning, trembling. And then, Axel moved, fast, faster, rolling his hips and Roxas screamed as his orgasm hit him, blacking out from the pleasure. When he came back to himself, Axel was still on top of him, kissing him everywhere, his fingers buried inside of him. One of them brushed his prostate and Roxas moaned softly, groaning at the sting when they moved. Axel's mouth met his, both of his hands grasping Roxas' legs, spreading them and pushing them up. The little one's heart stuttered and Axel didn't hesitate to press into him.

Axel angled his hips, pulled back and rammed forward so hard into Roxas' prostate that the boy screamed and scrambled to hold on, his nails digging into pale flesh. Axel did it again, making the blond's eyes roll back. Roxas pressed closer, trying his best to move with the red-head, to work with him, but he couldn't think, he could barely hold on, Axel was scrambling his brain from all the pleasure he felt. Then, Axel touched him and he came, all over the red-head's hand. That beautiful creature made a pleased sound, angling the boy's leg, pushing it to his chest, before thrusting harder and harder. Roxas felt like he was going to die, it felt so good, and then Axel groaned, gasping and coming hard. The blond, shuddered at the feeling, moaning and holding him, long after he was done.

They lay in silence and Roxas just listened to that beautiful creature breathe. Finally, Axel raised his head, smiling softly, he kissed the boy tenderly. Roxas' heart raced, even after Axel broke the kiss. Axel kept smiling and Roxas brushed strands of red out of his face.

"What are you thinking about?" The boy asked softly.

"You," the red-head said simply.

"Me?" Roxas asked. Axel nodded.

"Yes, you, dear one," he told the boy. Roxas smiled a little.

"What about me?" he asked the red-head. Axel lay beside him, their limbs still twined together.

"Everything, Roxas," he whispered back, kissing the blond softly, "everything…" he murmured as they fell asleep, each of them unable to even imagine how beautiful their life together was going to be.