- Chapter 12 -

Roxas watched with horrified fascination as Axel stormed back and forth in the upper room of the Paopu Prince. The man's face was nearly as red as his hair, black tattoos flaming beneath his skin's tone as he muttered profanities Roxas had never heard before.

"Hey uh-" Roxas timidly lifted a finger to get Axel's attention, exchanging looks with Riku who appeared annoyed and bored, then with Sora who's leg was bouncing up and down uncontroably.

"Damned Saix and his 'charts'… I'd like to tell him where to shove those-"

"Uh-" Roxas tried once more, clearing his throat.

Axel turned quickly, head snapping towards the small blond, "Don't even with me." He snarled.

Roxas flinched, shoulders scrunching up and his gaze returning to the table.

"Come on Axel, cool down," Riku droned, "We all saw it coming. Saix just needs more proof- hours cost money, it's not like they have an endless well of cash."

Axel paused his pacing once more fingers flexing in agitation. He opened his mouth to say something before snapping it shut with a hard 'tsk', and continuing to pace back and fourth.

"S-Say," Sora chirped, "Why don't we go to the arcade? It's been a while since we've goofed off together! Roxas, does that sound like a good idea?" He turned towards the teen, offering him an encouraging smile only to receive a shrug.

You two are killing me Sora inwardly groaned, the smile he wore growing large and more fake by the second. "Ooookaay! Let's do that! Why that sounds like such a fun-cool-swell idea!"

"Hip-hip-hooray." Riku added unenthusiastically.

Sora shot the silver haired man a deadly look before resuming his cheesy grin, "I'll even pay for the first five bucks of tokens! Ah what a generous offer, come on Axel they have that punching thing you love."

"Yea Axel," Roxas timidly joined, "It'll be good for you- just.. pretend the thing is Saix's face. That's what my cousin always does when he's made about something…. Well not Saix's face- y-you get the point."

Axel's pace slowed down the more Roxas talked, the fiery red head finally coming to a slow stop in front of Roxas, "yea, I do. But I wouldn't blame him if he did."

Roxas gave a relived chuckle. What about Saix made Axel this upset? Sure, everyone was disappoint he had rejected Roxas's time increase and all update suggestions they had for the café "until further notice", but Axel was unreasonably mad, like his rejection was something personal. Not only did Roxas think Axel was being unfair towards Saix's decision, but he was snapping at the rest of them now, like it was their fault for not trying harder to convince Siax to rethink everything. As sweet as Axel could be, he could be as equally mean.

Sora and Roxas went with Riku in his car to drive together to the archade, Axel choosing to go seperatly on his motorbike. "So…" Roxas finally spoke up from the dead silence of the car, even Sora uncharictistally silent. "Axel, he uh.."

Sora sucked in a breath and pressed his lips together. He figured that they would have issues with the Man's temper sooner or later, but was really hoping it'd be later.

Much MUCH later.

"He has anger issues from time to time," Riku answered, glancing over to see if Sora wanted to add to his description before continuing on. "He'll usually hold a grudge for a week or so then be over it."

A Week?! Roxas's eyes widened, "I see… So what sets him off? I would rather not be the target of his fiery rage…"

"Whaaa?" Sora smiled, "You don't want a crazyred head yelling at you?"

"I mean, not that, that wasn't the most fun I've had with Axel…" Roxas shook his head and softly chuckled.

"You know," Sora tapped his chin, "There's… not much that you can do. Just give him his space and let him cool off."

Roxas once more heaved a depressed sigh, watching the bright lights of passing buisnesses.

"But you know, I'd be pretty upset if Siax was treating Riku the way he was treating you."

"Oh, but you're not upset with him being mean to me? Only Riku," Roxas crossed his arms.

"well, I am," Sora smiled in the review mirror, "It's just… different."

Roxas's gaze once more returned to our the window. Different how?

The Arcade was packed and smelt like sweaty palms and stale pizza. Had it been anything else Roxas might have felt disappointed. From every wall blinked a variety of colors and images from the screens. Pac-mac munched greedily on dots while from other screens zombies exploded into a million gorey bits.

Riku and Sora filled past him, the burnette dragging his silver haired friend over a game where it seemed like you sliced fruit with movements of your arms.

"Pretty neat place," Roxas mumbled.

"Coming zombie?" Roxas received a tap on his shoulder, glancing over to see Axel standing behind him.

"Maybe- just looking around," A bright electric guitar caugt Roxas's attention, "Hey- want to battle it out on that?"

Axel followed Roxas's slim finger, "And have you whoop my ass? Not a chance." The redhead scoffed and floated passed Roxas, ruffling the youth's hair.

There you go again. Roxas protectively covered his hair and glowered at Axel's back as he stalked over to the game. That's right, Roxas would have kicked his trash, but maybe that's what he needed.

Over the loud noise from the rest of the arcade Roxas could hardly even hear his own game as he played. It shouldn't have been that big of a shock that he was startled by a voice suddenly in his ear.

"Hey, you're-"

Roxas jumped back, quickly facing the voice's owner whos hands where thrown up in surpise.

"Whoa sorry! Sorry!" He flashed Roxas a bright easy grin. "You're really good!"

Roxas blinked blankly, "W-What? I can't hear you!" He shouted, the man giving a laugh and nodding.

"You're REALLY good!" He pointed to the game that still ran behind him, his score dropping lower and lower, turning his easy smile into a concerned frown. "Sorry- Hey let me pay for the next game?"

Roxas pressed his lips together.

Stranger Danger.

"Sure." He slowly nodded, watching the stranger. He was awfully friendly, his posture easy going and his sandy blond hair spiked straight up- save for the short mullet that grew from the back of his head. His fashion was nearly as odd as his hair, like he'd just come from a beach, but also a rock concert.

"The name's Demyx!" Demyx grabbed the other guitar and threw the strap over his shoulder. "What's yours?"

"Roxas…" He was really friendly. Not that that was a bad thing, after all, Sora was perky and friendly. Demyx was just… different.

"You wanna pick the song?"

Roxas nodded, walking back up to the screen and selecting a slower song. It was like the man didn't care Roxas was a total stranger, anyone who would talk to him was a good enough friend.

"BOOO," Demyx geered from behind him, "Pick something cool!" There was that carefree grin again.

With a more quick paced song selected each player was able to pick their level- Roxas selecting difficult, watching Demyx from the corner of his eye.

The man bobbed his head to the loud music blasting from the speakers as he casually picked the same level as Roxas, looking over to make sure he was watching before tossing him a wink. "Get ready to swept away by my sweet melody!"

Roxas laughed in spite of Demyx's awkward ways, "In your dreams!"

A count down began, 3…2..1.. and the song began, dots portraying notes quickly scrolling down on the screen. Good turned to excellent, excellent turned to perfect and Roxas found himself grinning as to his side Demyx sang loudly and a bit deftly along to the song. The man was missing nearly half of the notes simply because he was singing- but he was still having a great time.

"Maaan," Demxy hung up the other guitar, looking over their final scores, "You kicked my trash!"

Roxas grinned, "Well, I've been playing my whole life."

Demxy cocked a brow, "That's amazing- Ro-.."

"Roxas," He grinned, "Yeah. On weekends I'll go downtown and play for the crowds."

"Dude, that's amazing!" Demyx grinned with honest enthusiasm, "Hey, you dance?"

"D-Dance?" Roxas was caught off guard. Somehow Demyx managed to be so relaxed but crazily passionate at the same time. "Well not really-"

"You do now! Come on, my treat Roxas!" Deymx reached out and snatched up Roxas's thin wrist, jerking him towards a different arcade game. From the surrounding stage like area flashed bright colorful lights, speakers boomed lively hip-hop near the neon sign reading 'Dance Revolution'.

"Okay, just follow the steps on the screen," Deymx shouted over to Roxas, swiping his gamer card through the slot to pay before the youth could even protest. "It captures your full movement so just do your best!"

"F-Full- wait what?!"

Demyx brightly laughed, "Seriously, just do your best and dance Roxas!"

Demyx's advice might as well have been launch a rocked, because Roxas had no idea how to do either one. He was at least two steps behind the game, big bold red letters continuiously popping up saying "Poor".

"FLIP I KNOW I SUCK OKAY?!" Roxas shouted at the game, clapping his hands together and doing an odd step that was meant to be a single cha-cha. To his side Deymx was nearly in tears, watching Roxas dance around.

"O-Oh g-g-gosh just—R-Roxas! HAHA!" Deymx clutched his sides and finally stopped dancing, "Dude- you just- ooo Roxas."

'FAILED', The game's screen broke into a rude crowd jeering at their failure.

"Aah!" Roxas stopped his foot and cast a quick look over to the sandy blond who was crumbled up on the floor laughing. "Dude, it wasn't that funny."

"But it totally was!" Deymx mustered up enough composure to hoist himself up on to the consol and wipe a tear from his eye. "You danced your sweet little heart out my mini man- let me by you a soda or something," He offered a smile.

Roxas's smile faded quickly, "You're… um- not hitting on me right?" The games, the quick introduction, compliments, and now drinks?

Deymx's eyes went wide, "OH!" His cheeks went red and a hand went up to quickly rub the back of his neck, "not really- I mean, you're cute and all but not my type. You're way too sweet."

Roxas found himself blushing as well. The last thing he wanted was to be called cute. Hot, attractive. But cute? Come on.

"Well.. thanks I.. guess?"

Demyx looked up, a cheshire grin spreading over his cheeks, "I mean, if you have a hot friend you want to set me up with I won't object, but you're… yea you're just not my type. Way too small-"

"H-Hey!" Roxas stuttered indignantly, straighting up and puffing out his chest as if that would make him taller. This action only made his new friend snort.
"Being small's not a bad thing kid-"

"Don't call me kid." Roxas crossed his arms.

"Sorry, Roxas." Deymx placed a hand on the youth shoulder. "Look, there's a lot of dudes looking for someone petite and cute to-"

"I'm not into guys!"

"Sorry-" Deymx lifted his hands up in defence, "My bad- my bad… Well Roxas, you're plenty good looking to get some girls then."

Roxas threw his nose in the air, "Dang right."

"I mean, if I was a girl I might like you- but my type is fisty and crazy."

"You'd really like my friend then!"

Deymx's brows lifted, "You seriously have someone to set me up with?"

"Yeah, he's way intense, but he can be really cool too- here let me introduce you!" Roxas reached out and grabbed Demyx's hand when he stuttered out a protest, weaving through the games in serach of his red haired coworker. It was too perfect! Axel could use a good distraction from Siax's nagging and maybe meeting someone new would help him get over his heart break from his ex!

"I-I dunno Roxas."

"He's really cool trust me- AXEL!" Demyx froze, jerking back Roxas's arm, "Ow hey!" Roxas looked back.

"I need to go right now-"

Axel turned around, curiosity turning into a sour frown. Fire danced in his eyes the moment he saw Roxas and Demyx's hands together.

"A-Axel," Roxas offered a smile, suddenly feeling like his brilliant plan wasn't so great.

"What the hell is this?" He pointed to their hands, Demyx quickly ripping his hand out of Roxas's.

"It's not what it looks like-"

"This is my new friend-" Roxas tried again, palms suddenly sweaty, "D-Demyx why don't you int-"

"Shut up-" Axel snapped towards Roxas, taking another fierce step forward. "What the hell is this?"

"Axel it's not what it looks like," unlike Roxas, Demyx stood his ground, chin lifting slightly to be at better eye level to the red head. "He didn't know he was just-"

"You know each other?" Roxas gripped the edge of his shirt to keep from shaking. It seemed like the music had dropped, and the noises of the arcade disappeared between the two's tension.

"Yeah Axel's my-"

"Ex," Axel spat bitterly, "I thought I told you I never wanted to see you again!"

"Oh that's rich!" Demyx gave a harsh laugh, "if I recall it was me who broke it off with you!"

So this was Axel's Ex. The one he was thinking about, the one who he said he wasn't over. If what Axel said was true, then he was completely blowing his chance to get back with him- and it was all Roxas's fault.

"Axel please let me explain, Demyx here was just being a friend," Roxas placed a hand on Demyx's arm. "He's totally not in to me! He really like you Axel!"

Axel's eyes flashed, quickly grabbing Roxas's wrist and forcing it off of the other man's arm. With one harsh movement he pushed Roxas back and stepped between them. "You shut up."

Roxas's brows furrowed up, his shaking hands covering over his mouth.

That hurt. Not his arm, but something in his chest stung and his stomach twisted.

"Hey- you leave him out of this!" Demyx pointed around Axel, "It's not his fault, he was just trying to help Axel. Gods, this is why I broke up with you! You haven't changed a bit."

"Oh, I haven't changed? Still picking up losers at arcades, you're disgusting."

Roxas flinched.

Loser?

"Check your temper Axel," Demyx warned coolly.

"Don't you dare-" Axel loomed forward, a small tug coming from behind.

"Axel- s-stop," Roxas's voice shook.

For a moment Axel stopped, hard look breaking.

"Seriously Axel, stop trying to act all cool- he's not even into guys."

"You little-" Roxas's spell was broken and Axel was back on Demyx, grabbing fistfuls of his collar.

"AXEL!" Roxas lurched forward and grabbed at Axel's hands. His friend was out of control, the day was going from bad to worse and somehow Roxas felt fairly responsible. He had to get Axel out of the building as soon as possible, a scene was already being caused and the last thing they needed was the police showing up and throwing Axel in a cell for the rest of his life.

Maybe not life but Roxas certainly felt this warranted serious action.

"Please just listen!"

"I said- ENOUGH!" Axel 's fury turned on Roxas, the man roughly seizing Roxas' shoulder and shoving him back.

Roxas went tumbling backwards, crashing into old Pacman himself, bright red oozing from his left arm and tears springing up in his bright blue eyes.

The arcade went silent for the two. Axel, realizing his mistake and finding his whole world crashing, and Roxas feeling utterly betrayed and hurt beyond words.

Demyx was quickly forgotten about, Axel's full attention on the blond who slowly collected himself, holding his slowly bleeding arm. "Oh my gods- Roxas I-I didn't mean-"

Roxas sniffed, bangs hanging over his eyes, "You're the worst."

Those three words cut through the air like a knife and pierced Axel's heart. He felt raw, sick and completely helpless as he watched Roxas trudge away, and out the door. He couldn't say anything or even do anything. Normal he'd probably explode into a raging fit, but that's what got him in this mess in the first place.

His hands hung limply at his sides, his body buzzing as the overwhelming urge to throw up passed over him, "What… did I do?"