A/N: Hi. You guys, I love every single one of you as if you were a molecular organism developed from the chlorophyll of hypochondria's Golgi apparatus. That made absolutely no sense, but I do love you. It's almost over. When it's over I'll give myself a pat on the back for not making it a completely sucky story. Love you~

Dis-Claimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, or any stores, or Apple iPhones. Nope.

Italicized words are Roxas's thoughts. "Quoted Italics," are emphasized.

* * * = new location.

Enjoy.

A few months passed. It was now December, Roxas's favorite month. The day before New Year's Eve. Roxas was at a small cafe with his old friend, Olette. She was visiting from her small town in Cotville, and she was staying with Roxas for a few days. The duo were laughing, enjoying their time together. Ever since the incident at Namine's engagement party, Roxas hadn't seen or heard from Axel and Namine. He decided to brush off the whole thing, and look where he was now. Roxas was going to college (he was on Christmas break at the moment), he owned his own apartment, and Olette was his close friend again, just like in high school. He told people he was happy, but he couldn't help but think about Axel at times.

Roxas took a sip of his coffee, "What are you going to do after this?" he asked Olette.

The brunette woman shrugged, "I don't know. It's too cold to go outside. How about we go back home and watch movies?" she suggested.

"I like the cold," Roxas smiled, looking at his coffee mug, "I guess we could be lazy and watch movies."

"It's not lazy! It's relaxing!"

"Yeah, Olette," Roxas laughed. His laughter soon fainted as he saw a certain red head. Axel and Namine. The blonde man stared down at his coffee, staying quiet, "I think it's time to go," he spoke softly. He hadn't seen Axel in a few months, he didn't know how to react. The red head was smiling as he ordered a latte for Namine and a muffin for himself. Olette gave a confused look and turned to the view behind her. "Let's go, Roxas." she gave a concerned smile and they left after they paid for their coffees. Axel or Namine didn't seem to have noticed them.

"Are you all right?" Olette asked, breaking the silence as they walked to Roxas's apartment. "I'm fine. I just haven't seen them in so long, it's weird." Axel's smile was so cute. "Roxas, we could talk, if you'd like." the brunette woman walked closer to her friend. Roxas shook his head, "There's nothing to talk about, really. So, did you still want to buy a new dress for the party tomorrow?" he questioned. There was going to be a New Year's Eve party at Ventus's friend Terra's house. Roxas was actually excited for this party. Terra's house was about an hour away and it would clear Roxas's mind.

I hope Axel's there...Oh my goodness, Roxas! He probably doesn't even know Terra! The blonde rid his head of these thoughts and looked at Olette. She had been saying something he wasn't listening to. "I'm sorry, what?" he asked, confused. "I was saying let's go to the mall. If you're up for it." Olette smiled. "Of course! They make the best pretzels," Roxas returned the grin as they rerouted their direction to the mall.

The mall was one of Roxas's favorite places to go. He liked browsing, and wishing he could buy everything. But his favorite part was Pretzel Express; it served the best pretzels ever, in his own opinion. The other place he'd like to go was the smoothie shop that was right next to Pretzel Express.

Right now, Olette and Roxas were in a store called My Forever. Olette claimed it had nice dresses for affordable prices. "Find anything?" the blonde asked as he walked over to his friend, holding his sweet pretzel. Hanging over one of Olette's arms were an orange dress and a sky blue dress. She showed the light blue one to Roxas first, smiling, "I like this one because it's a high low dress, but this orange one's really pretty too!" she spoke.

"Which one should I get?" the brunette thought it over, looking at her dresses. Roxas chuckled at her confusion, "Try them on." he suggested.

Her mouth opened, "Of course! Come on, Roxy!" Olette grabbed Roxas by the hand and walked him over to the dressing rooms.

"Should I be in here...?" Roxas asked nervously, looking to see if any employee was looking. He threw his pretzel away in the small trash bin. "Don't worry about it!" Olette smiled, closing the stall door and changing. He liked her chipper attitude but he was scared he'd get kicked out of the store. The brunette woman opened the stall door a moment later, showing off her light blue dress. Roxas nodded, smiling. "I like this, but I'm going to try the other one before I decide." she said as she closed the door again.

Roxas looked around, still uneasy about the whole thing. Olette came out with her orange dress. It was short and puffy, a bubble dress. Around the waist was a sparkly belt, and the torso was like a tube top. She looked gorgeous, "This one." Roxas grinned. Olette put a hand on her hip and looked in the mirror, "I agree. What're you going to wear?"

Roxas shrugged, "Probably just something casual."

"It's New Years! What if you meet, like, a really cute guy?" She blushed slightly, closing the door to change back in her regular attire. "I'm not really looking for anyone, Olette." Roxas sighed as he fiddled with his thumbs.

Over the few months, Roxas had came close to getting into a few relationships with some guys. As soon as he'd get really close to them, Roxas would lose contact with them. He felt like he wasn't ready for a serious relationship. To sum it up, he was scared. Scared he wouldn't be able to date right, or good enough for the other person. Roxas bit his lip, he didn't like thinking of these thing anymore. He even cut down on arguing with himself.

"Roxas, you're so cute, you could have anyone you want. Have some confidence," Olette punched her friend as they walked out of the dressing room. I can't have I want, Olette.

The brunette coaxed Roxas into eating at the food court together, as it was lunch time. Roxas bought a slice of cheese pizza and then bought Olette the same, only hers had pepperoni. They grabbed a small table with two chairs. "So, how's college?" Olette started. "Good. It's so much better than online classes, I'm actually around civilization now," Roxas laughed. The brunette woman smiled, chewing with her mouth closed, "You should come and visit Cotville again! Xaldin's Place has become so boring."

Too many memories. Too many good memories, Roxas thought. He nodded, "I'd love to."

The friends finished their lunch and went to get a pretzel before they left. A slate haired man was working, his hair covered one of his eyes. It was Zexion, one of Roxas's classmates. "Hey, Zexion!" the blonde greeted as he approached the Pretzel Express. "Roxas. Hello..." Zexion said rather quietly, it seemed like he was embarrassed that someone he knew saw him like this. "I didn't know you worked here. I've been coming here for so long, I felt like I knew all the workers," Roxas talked.

"Well, yes, but I worked in the back. I just got promoted to cashier. What would you like?" Zexion replied. He was short, only a little taller than Roxas.

"Yes, two pretzels, please."

Zexion grabbed the two pretzels with a thin sheet and placed them in paper bags as he handed them to Roxas and Olette. "Oh, my God! Roxas!" a happy voice chirped behind him. The blonde man turned around to see an excited Demyx waving his arms.

Demyx was there at the engagement party when Roxas's secret was spilled, and Demyx seemed to have gotten over the whole thing. He was conspicuously more happier now that Larxene had broken up with him. "H-hi, Dem. What's up?" Roxas spoke nervously. He hadn't talked to Demyx in a while.

"Dude, I haven't heard anything from you. I've been trying to call you!"

"Demyx... You don't have my number..." Roxas laughed.

"Oh, yeah... Well, you know what? Give me your number!" Demyx took out his phone.

Olette had now started talking to Zexion. It was a slow day at the mall, which made him happy because he wouldn't have to work that hard. Roxas gave his number to Demyx, then the mullet haired man whispered, "Roxy, give me a dollar."

"What, why?" the shorter blonde whispered back.

"I want a pretzel."

Roxas looked behind him, seeing Zexion smile kindly at Olette as she started a conversation with him. "Roxas, I need to know that man." Demyx spoke. Roxas laughed, walking over to the Pretzel Express counter again. "Zexion this is Demyx. He works at IHOP." the youngest blonde introduced.

Zexion looked at the musician, "Hello, Demyx. I've never been to IHOP."

"Really? You should go sometimes, I could get you a discount." Demyx smiled, leaning on the counter. "You're very kind, but I can manage for myself. Did you want a pretzel?" Zexion asked, clueless that Demyx was trying to flirt with him. "No," Demyx grinned, "I just thought you were really cute. We should hangout sometime."

The short, slate haired man's cheeks turned a light pink. "Um, t-thank you..."

"Come on, Olette, let's go." Roxas linked his arm to his friend's. The brunette nodded, smiling at the two other men. "Wait, where are you guys going?" Zexion was uneasy about being left alone with Demyx. He didn't know what to say or how to flirt back. "Home. I'll text you, Zexion!" Roxas waved.

Zexion nodded and turned back to Demyx who was gazing at him. The shorter man turned a deep shade of red, "When would you like to...to hangout?"

Roxas and Olette sat on Roxas's suede couch. They were watching some scary movies and it was dark in the apartment, making the mood of the room eerie. Roxas was laying down with his legs on Olette's lap. She never minded. The blonde thought the movie was boring, so he rested his eyes and thought. He thought about Axel. He thought back to that night in Cotville when they stayed up all night talking, just talking. Roxas wanted to relive that moment.

He could imagine it now. Hell, he could even smell Axel's lavender scent. The red head had smelled like that because he just took a shower; he always smelled like that after a shower. Roxas loved it.

He thought about that night. That perfect night.

Axel and Roxas sat on the suite bed in their pajamas. Roxas wore his checkered pajama pants, black socks, and a large, black t-shirt. The older man was without a shirt, exposing his toned torso, and had dark grey sweats with his mismatched socks.

"My feet are cold," Roxas stated.

Axel smiled and scooted closer to the blonde, "Give me your feet." he spoke.

Roxas did as he was told and laid his feet on Axel's lap. The red head started massaging his lover's feet, warming them up. It felt amazing. Axel did this as an occupation and Roxas felt like a client. The only difference was that the customers had to pay for this pleasure, Roxas received the treatment for free. The younger man looked at the other, smiling to himself. He was grateful to have someone like him, even if he wasn't officially his.

"Can you tell me about your family?" Roxas asked.

Axel looked up from his action, "What do you want to know about them?"

"Like do you have any brothers or sisters? How'd you grow up? What does your dad do? What does your mom do?" Roxas grinned, wanting to know everything.

The red head laughed, "Well, my mom and dad were both doctors, so you could imagine my dad's disappointment when I didn't become one," he laughed again, but then his face became somewhat sad, "And my mom died when I was five, in a car accident," Axel forced a reassuring smile to Roxas who had a concerned look on his face.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have brought anything up." the blonde sighed.

"It's okay, you wanted to know. I don't have any siblings either. Just my dad and I. But, I do have a lot of cousins," Axel resumed to massaging the blonde's feet.

"...Are you rich, Axel?"

"Rich?" the red head repeated.

"Yeah. You have nice things."

"My dad has money. Not me, though. Since I'm the only kid, he gives me really good presents."

Roxas chuckled, "You know, you're pretty lucky."

"How so?"

"You have a well-off family. When I was growing up, I didn't have anyone, only Ventus."

"Okay, tell me about your family." Axel continued kneading his lover's feet.

"My dad left before I even got to know him,"

"What an asshole." Axel commented.

"Let me finish!"

"Alright, alright. Pardon me."

"And then our mom put us up for adoption because she couldn't handle us, or something like that. Then, Luxord took me and my brother in as his own. He's like a father to me," Roxas looked down nervously, "I promised myself I'd never leave someone like my mom and dad did my brother and I. The least I could do is give them an explanation before I go. I couldn't hurt someone like they hurt us."

"Great inspirational story, babe. You deserve a kiss," Axel smiled as he leaned in to the blonde. Roxas gave a small laugh before he kissed his lover. He pulled away shortly and laid down, closing his eyes. Axel poked his belly, "Don't fall asleep on me, blondie." he said, hovering over the smaller man.

Roxas laughed as he held his stomach. He was ticklish there, not anywhere else, just his stomach. Axel started to tickle the younger man as he sat on top of him. "Axel, stop!" Roxas closed his eyes tightly, his laughter getting louder. The red head continued to move his fingers playfully against Roxas's stomach. "I can't breathe!" the blonde squirmed. Axel grabbed Roxas's wrists and pinned them above his head. The smaller man was breathing hard, regaining his breath.

Axel looked down at the perfect face beneath him. "You're so gorgeous," he said. Roxas gave a lopsided grin, "I'm tired," the blonde spoke. "It's only two in the morning." Axel responded, letting Roxas go and laying underneath the covers.

Roxas did the same, placing his head on Axel's chest as the red head pulled him closer. The best part about laying down like this, at least to Roxas, is that he could hear Axel's calm and steady heartbeat. Sometimes, his and Roxas's heartbeats would have the same rhythm, making the blonde fall even more in love with him. "Let's try and stay up," Roxas traced the older man's toned stomach.

"That was the plan, blondie." Axel replied.

"When's your birthday?" the blonde asked, wanting to keep a conversation.

"January first, I'm a New Year's baby."

"Cute," Roxas chuckled, "Mine's March twenty-seventh."

"Funny. I don't remember asking when your birthday was." Axel smirked. Roxas glared at him and pinched his skin, "Asshole."

"You're the asshole!" the red head scrunched his nose as Roxas pinched him.

"Kiss me," Roxas ordered. Axel gave him a quick peck. It was hardly a kiss.

"Axel!" the younger man whined. "Don't fuckin' boss me around, asshole." Axel smirked again. "I can do whatever I please." Roxas smiled, showing off his teeth.

"You could do me," the thin man spoke, "Or I could do you."

Roxas blushed. Sex was always good with Axel, but tonight, all he wanted was conversation. He wouldn't let temptation get the best of him. Even if he does have those beautiful eyes, that sexy body, and that pleasurable moan that makes me want to- Shut up, Roxas! No sex tonight!

"You want to have sex?" Roxas asked, biting his bottom lip.

"To be honest, yes. Of course I do. We could just lay here if you'd like, baby."

"Why are you so perfect?" Roxas mumbled more to himself than to Axel.

Axel laughed, "Believe me, I'm not perfect."

You're perfect for me...

"Did you go to high school?" Roxas asked a few minutes later. "Well, duh. I had to so I could get into college. I had braces in high school." the red head replied, showing his straight teeth.

"Brace face!" the younger man teased. "Fuck you!" said Axel, laughing, "I looked damn good with and without braces!"

"And another thing-" Axel went on, suddenly interrupted by a pair of lips kissing his own. The red head kissed the smaller man back harder, more sensual. Roxas had never loved kissing someone as much as he did with Axel. However, the blonde still wanted to talk with the other man. In a way, he wished he could kiss and talk at the same time. Roxas pulled back before things became too sexual; that would lead to sex. No sex tonight. Just your voice and mine. "Talk to me," Roxas laid his chin on Axel's chest, who was regaining his breath.

"About what?"

"I don't know... What's your favorite color?" Roxas tried to gather up something to talk about.

"Guess."

"Red?"

Axel shook his head. Roxas looked around the room, thinking of other colors, "Green?"

Axel shook his head again, a smirk on his face.

"Blue...?" Roxas said slowly. The red head nodded, cupping a hand on Roxas's cheek. The younger man leaned into the hand as he gave a small smile, "Why blue?" he questioned.

"Your eyes." Axel replied quickly.

Roxas blushed. My eyes? What about your eyes, Axel? They're beautiful emerald greens. Those eyes make me so nervous and yet, I can stare into them all day long.

"Okay, babe, now tell me a story about yourself." Axel tangled his fingers in Roxas's hair as the blonde laid his head back down on the other man's chest. An arm was around Roxas and now on his hip, making him move closer. The smaller man had his own arm around Axel's stomach, hugging him. Nothing could be better than this.

"I don't know what to talk about, Axe." Roxas sighed, looking at Axel. The red head's eyes were closed and his breathing was loud and steady. He fell asleep. He looks so cute, Roxas reached for his iPhone under the pillow and quickly took a picture of the sleeping man, cherishing the moment. "Axel." the younger man whispered. No response; he was fast asleep. Roxas gave him a small kiss on the lips, deciding he should go to sleep as well. "I love you," Roxas whispered ever so quietly.

The blonde opened his eyes. He had taken a nap and dreamt about the night he and Axel shared together. I just had to wake up into reality. Roxas was still on the couch, his feet on a sleeping Olette. It was around nine at night. Roxas decided to just go back to sleep, maybe relive more of what could have been. No, no. I'm fine without anybody. I don't need anyone. Especially him. God, I can picture him right now with me. He'd be sitting down, in Olette's place, wanting to kiss me like I do him right now.

Stop it, Roxas! The past is over!

I wish it wasn't.