N: Name

Whenever Axel had a question about the class or homework, he would always have an answer. Whenever Axel needed a pencil, eraser, piece of paper, gum, highlighter, or even a few coins for an extra drink, he always had an extra. He always gave, but Axel always took and never gave anything back. He had even gotten in trouble because he was letting Axel copy off his test. Axel had gotten a warning for academic dishonesty but he was scolded, his test was thrown away, and detention for a week. He had muttered something about 'overprotective relatives' but Axel had thought nothing of it and brushed it off as hearing things. Sure Axel had felt bad but it wasn't his fault he pushed his test into Axel's hand and it somehow had floated closer over to him.

The only thing that annoyed Axel was that he didn't know his name. Being one of the most popular kids in school, Axel knew almost every name from freshmen to staff members. The only name he didn't know was the name of the blonde in his physics class. Axel was always late and missed role call and he didn't bother come to class whenever they had a substitute. It aggravated him, but he never let his frustration show. At the moment, Axel called him Max and he despised it with a burning passion; but it made Axel happy because he can knows he can make him show some other expression other than just the blank expression he always spots him with.

Axel mentally slapped himself for being late again for the fourth week in a row as he sprinted to his physics class. How his friends always distract him from coming to class late every time just astounds him. The teacher looked up from his podium and stopped his lecture when he heard a knock on the door. He knew it was Axel; it was always Axel. Axel noticed how everyone looked up to see who their savior was, but Max. He was slightly disappointed but brushed it off as the teacher opened the door.

"Mr. Sinclair, this has got to be the tenth class in a row you have been late to. Your tardiness has got to stop. The next time you are late; I am sending you up to the office with a referral." Axel snorted in amusement; the teacher had been saying that ever since his first lateness. The teacher heard the noise and sent an evil glare to Axel as he walked back to his podium to resume the lecture. Axel started walking back to his seat next to Max, but decided he wanted to have a little fun with the teacher.

"Aric, how many times do I have to tell you, my name is Axel?" The teacher sighed in annoyance, set his papers back down on the podium and glared at Axel.

"And just how many times do I have to tell you to show me, as a teacher, respect. To you, a student, my name is Mr. Sparks and only Mr. Sparks. If you see me outside of school, Aric is fine. But when we are in school and I am your professor and you are my student, you will address me as Mr. Sparks. Now please, have a seat Mr. Sinclair, so that I may begin again." Mr. Sparks disliked having Axel as a student very much; not because he was obnoxious, it was because Mr. Sparks had been teaching Axel for the past four years and he always did the same thing.

Axel was about to retort again but Max yanked him down by his arm and told him to 'shut up and sit down'. Axel was watching Max so he didn't see Mr. Sparks's quick but enraged glance toward Max; but he did notice him shudder because he had seen the look.

The class went by, Axel didn't know weather it was fast or slow because he really wasn't paying attention. He had gotten himself so far into 'La la land,' he hardly heard the dismissal bell ring, signaling the students were free to leave school and enjoy the weekend. He quickly snapped back to reality and stacked his books together when he noticed Max was just sitting there in him seat, not making any move to leave.

"Hey Max, what are you doing just sitting there? The bell rang, you can leave now you know."

He turned his face to Axel and he noticed such depression in his electric cobalt eyes and the look mad him feel like his gut was wrenching in such guilt, but he knew he hadn't done anything wrong…recently.

"I know, but I have to stay after. Didn't you hear Mr. Sparks's announcement? I was pretty sure everyone heard him." He spat out with such venom, Axel actually felt himself walking away slowly.

"Alright then, see you Tuesday Max." Axel wanted to chuckle as Max pouted, but he was still thinking about that look he had given him earlier.

Axel had made it half way down the hallway before realizing that he had, yet again, missed Max's real name when he said that Mr. Sparks had announced him to stay after. He ran back to the room, still expecting Max to be there. The door was closed, but what he saw in the classroom shocked him to no end.

The only people in the classroom was Max and Mr. Sparks; Mr. Sparks was fuming and pacing the floor and Max looked like he was about to burst in tears, but also trying to keep a straight face. Axel didn't know whether to break up what ever was going on, or just watch what was going on; he opted for the latter. Mr. Sparks seemed to have stopped pacing, he stopped in front of Max and it seemed like he had asked a question. Max made a move to respond but before he could respond, Mr. Sparks raised his hand and slapped Max across the face. He was knocked to the ground, the water works busted out as Mr. Sparks walked back to the front of the room, and got his things and began to exit the room.

Axel raced around to the closest corner, and managed to not be caught by Mr. Sparks as he left the class room and started toward the staff parking lot. Axel was furious as he realized Max was still in the room. He bolted back to the room and Max was still on the floor. Axel crouched down beside Max and placed his hand on him shoulder. Max jumped at the gesture, but he didn't care, he needed someone there and at the moment he didn't care who it was. He threw him arms around Axel's neck and cradled his head in the crook of Axel's neck as he sobbed. Axel placed his arms around the lithe blonde and held him as he cried.

After about fifteen minutes, Max's sobs had decreased and now he was just sniffling and enjoying the warmth he was feeling from Axel. He kept him arms around him neck and Axel also kept his arms around him. He lifted his head from Axel's neck and the two locked eyes for a moment before he looked away again, blushing.

"Thank you Axel, for being here, I'm sorry I got your shirt wet-" Before he could continue, Axel placed his index finger against his lips to quiet him.

"You don't have to apologize for anything, it wasn't your fault. Why did he hit you Max? Was this the first time this happened or what? If this isn't the first time, how long has this been going on?" Axel felt himself becoming enraged again but Max tightened his hold around his neck and he cooled off. It seemed that he had this sudden urge to protect him.

"Axel, Mr. Sparks is my uncle. After my parents died in a car crash, I was placed into the care of my uncle, Aric Sparks, because he is my closest relative. Ever since the crash, he has been blaming me for killing his brother because they were on their way to pick me up from a friend's house. He says it's my fault they aren't here anymore and his depression from losing his only brother is put as anger towards me. This has been going on for three years. Are you telling me you have never noticed the glares in class? I have been getting asked that by at least everyone."

Axel felt immediate guilt. His brother had been the other car in the car crash that killed Max's parents. His brother was coming home from a college party and he was drunk. Axel's brother was only in the hospital and had made it out alive; albeit he is in prison for murder and driving under the influence. But, Axel mostly felt guilt because his brother was the cause of Max living with his uncle.

"Have you thought about contacting Child Services or the police about this? My dad is a cop and I'm definitely positive he would help you out. Here, come with me, we will go see him. Is that alright Max?" Axel got on his feet and outstretched his hand to Max who took it without hesitation. He smiled as he pulled Axel down for a kiss. Axel was surprised at first, but he had always liked Max, it was mostly the reason he always teased him. The two parted, Axel grasped Max's hand and they made to leave the room when Max pulled Axel back and kissed him again. Axel looked to Max in question as he giggled.

"And by the way, my name is Roxas. Roxas Hart. Now you can stop calling me Max." Roxas smiled and Axel beamed as he realized he had made Roxas smile, and he now had a beautiful name to match his equally beautiful boyfriend.

Two weeks later, Aric Hart was placed under arrest for child abuse and Roxas was placed in foster care, but he didn't mind one bit because he had two months until he turned eighteen. On his birthday, Axel had given Roxas a key to his house; his parents both adored Roxas and knew that he wouldn't have a place to live once he was too old to be in foster care. Axel and Roxas become inseparable, Axel proposed three years later, and they remain together until they pass away peacefully nearly eighty years later after having four kids, three boys and one girl, and two grand children, both girls.