Hello again all. Before anything eles I would like to thank XxGoodGirlGoneTobixX for being my one and only review last chapter. I know the rest of you care and at least read it but, it's been a hard month and reviews make my week all better. So please even if it just says hi, I'll be happy. Now then with that out of the way on we go.

Chapter 21- Roxas POV

"Wakie, wakie, eggs and bakie!" Sora chimed, bouncing up and down on my bed.

I decided to ignore him and rolled over to go back to sleep. It was a Saturday and I had the right to sleep in. Sora, unfortunately, decided to be persistent. Suddenly he was on top of me shaking me trying to get me up.

"Come on sleepy. It's eleven and mom wants to have a family breakfast before Riku, Terra, and Axel drop by," Sora groaned.

Wait did he just say eleven! I bolted up in bed throwing Sora off of me and rushed off into the bathroom. Yes, yesterday was Seifer's trial, so today I had to keep my bargain with Sora. I forgot mom insisted on meeting Axel and his family and invited them over for lunch. Did I mention lunch was at noon? I was so late! I jumped into the shower not even bothering turning on hot water.

"Well someone's in a rush," Ven taunted.

"Shut up!" I grumbled grabbing the nearest shampoo bottle.

Ven suddenly threw another bottle in the shower with me, "I know it's girly, but I figure you're the girl in the relationship?" Ven chuckled.

I picked up the orchid scented shampoo and threw it back at my brother, "We're not dating yet!"

"Testy this morning I see. So we're nervous?"

I didn't answer and started lathering my hair with regular shampoo. I heard Ven chuckle and the door close as he left the bathroom.

"Roxas, honey. I know we'll be eating in forty minutes but I still want you to have some breakfast," mom called through the door.

"Fine! I'll be down in a few!" I called back.

I quickly finished my shower and dripping wet and with only a towel around my waste rushed back into our room. Sora and Ven were inside dressed and leafing through my closet.

"I can choose my own clothes, thank you very much," I growled.

There was no answer and clothes came flying at me. A shirt hit me square in the face. As I went to remove it, I saw a belt headed straight for me. Without thinking, I used my other hand to deflect it as and my towel fell right off. I blushed and moved to grab it. This was not my morning!

"Oh, sorry, bad timing!" Axel called and then the door closed.

I paled then turned bright red. Ven and Sora were laughing. AXEL JUST SAW ME NAKED! Before anyone says anything, the time in the basement doesn't count. I wanted to sink into the floor so badly. Ven finally controlled his laughter and threw my favorite pair of boxers at me (yes, they are checkered). I timidly put them on and started dressing my self in the clothes my brothers picked out for me. Once finished, I followed the two of them out of the room downstairs to my doom.

"Sorry we're late," Sora called, "Someone decided it was to hard to wake up this morning".

I blushed slightly and slid into the seat next to Terra and Zexion. The chair suddenly was pulled out from under me and Ven caught me so I didn't hit the floor.

"My seat," Ven chuckled.

I sent him a death glare. The only other seat was between Axel and Sora. Not a good spot to be right now. I sighed and resigned myself to my fate and made my way to that one chair. I gulped and settled in and a light chatter fell around the table. I tried to distract myself with the eggs mom had put in front of me saying 'you need a good breakfast'. Sora, of course, would have none of that and elbowed me in the ribs. I sent a small glare at him. He turned to me and stuck his tongue out. I sighed turning back to my eggs.

"Sorry," Axel muttered.

"Not your fault," I whispered.

Axel chuckled and leaned over to whisper in my ear, "There's nothing to be ashamed of, you're gorgeous".

I blushed and turned away to look at Sora trying to avoid the redhead next to me.

"Now boys, no dirty comments at the table," Mom scolded.

Can I please melt now? Axel coughed slightly and went back to his food and I returned to mine. I was quiet the entire lunch. Finally, mom let us (everyone under 22) leave so she could talk to the adults. I rushed off hoping to hide in the bathroom. Sora stopped me by blocking my way into said room. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me into mom's room closing the door behind us.

"We had a deal," Sora sighed locking the door.

"I will. I… I'm nervous. Plus, with all that's happened this morning… can't I do it tomorrow? Yes, tomorrow would be great!" I said pacing.

"Roxas, if I say you can do it tomorrow you'll come up with another excuse to do it Monday. Then Tuesday, then Wednesday, and so on and so forth," Sora sighed sitting on the bed patting the spot next to him.

I flopped down on the bed putting my hands behind my head and staring at the ceiling. Sora settled next to me. He grabbed one of my hands and entwined our fingers. I looked over at him and sighed.

"I can't do this," I whispered.

"Roxas, we've been over this. I'm looking out for you. All of us are. I won't force you to finish this. I only have one question, do you love him?" with that Sora kissed my cheek and got up, leaving me alone on the bed.

Do I love him? I thought I did. Maybe I don't. I closed my eyes and let memories run rampant in my mind. Memories of all the good times in school: how he made me smile. Memories of the basement: when he was there how upset I was. I felt tears sting my eyes. That day had been the worst of my life and I had been through hell and back.

"I love him…" I whispered to the dark room, "I can do this!"

With that I jumped off of the bed and made my way to my brothers and my own room. I could hear laughter coming form inside. I could make out Sora's chuckling voice and Terra's too. With a bit more time I managed to make out Riku's quite voice and Ven's soft one. No Axel. I knocked on the door softly and Ven answered.

"Did you really just knock on your own door?" Ven chuckled.

I smiled and shrugged, "Um, can I speak with Axel?"

"He went outside," Terra called coming to stand behind Ven, "I think he's smoking. He only does when he's nervous".

I sighed and thanked them quickly. I rushed into the bathroom and grabbed a medical mask and threw it on. Ven got them so I could be around Sora when he decided to smoke. I usually had one or two in my backpack with me at all times. I rushed downstairs and out front. There was Axel leaning against the side of the house. I gulped before I made my way over to him.

"Rox!" Axel immediately put out the cigarette.

Apparently he knew I was slightly allergic, "Hey. Can we talk?"

"Yeah? What's up?" Axel asked sliding down the wall into a sitting position.

I sat next to him bringing my knees to my chest and setting my head on top of my knees. I looked over at him and smiled a little he smiled back and ruffled my hair slightly. I batted his hand away in annoyance.

"No touchie the hair!" I growled.

Axel chuckled slightly removing his hand. I pouted at him and he smiled back at me. I sighed and moved to set my head on his shoulder.

"Now then, what did you want to talk about?" Axel sighed.

"Well…" I started, "I was wondering…" where did my courage go? I buried my face in his shoulder and spoke as quickly as possible, "Would you like to be my boyfriend".

I felt Axel look down at me. I could feel myself blush again. He moved his hand under my chin and tilted my head up to look at him. He was smiling and I couldn't help but give a small shy smile back.

"I would love to," Axel whispered.

Axel suddenly started laughing. I frowned and turned away from him angrily.

"Sorry," Axel laughed, "Your mask".

I reached up and touched the mask and couldn't help but laugh as I pulled it off. I forgot I was wearing that stupid thing. I came back from my little fit realizing I just laughed, a true laugh for the first time in three years.

"That was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard. You have to laugh more often," Axel smiled.

I smiled back and couldn't help it: I sealed our lips together. I smiled into the kiss liking the way it felt. It was short but sweet. He pulled away and our eyes locked.

"I love you," I whispered.

"I love you too," Axel purred kissing my forehead.

Our lips came together again. I noticed that he was being cautious with me. I wrapped my arms around his waist pulling myself closer to him.

"Axel and Roxas sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," Sora, Riku, Ven, and Terra called from our bedroom window.

Axel and I pulled apart quickly and I buried my face into his chest in embarrassment.

"What are you boys, in first grade?" Axel called up to them.

I heard my window close and pulled away from Axel a little.

"Now where were we?" Axel asked.

We were inches away from another kiss when another voice came up behind us.

"Hey, what are you two doing outside?" Sephiroth called.

I turned to see not only Seph, but Cloud, Leon, and Zack too. I jumped to my feet and tackled my older brother.

"Long time no see!" Zack called happily.

I nodded releasing a very tense Sephiroth, "Why are you guys back?"

"Well," Cloud started.

"To put it simply the war is ending for good today," Zack cheered.

"WHAT!" I noticed the window had been opened again.

"You heard him," Leon chuckled, "Let's get inside and we'll explain.

***(One very long explanation later)***

"So Kairi is putting an end to the whole thing right now?" Sora clarified.

"Exactly," Leon nodded.

"So then, you boys are home for good?" Mom smiled.

"Exactly mom," Cloud sighed.

"You'll need a place to stay. You are all welcome here for now."

"No need," Zack and Leon said.

"Yeah, I have a place a few blocks away," Zack chuckled.

"My mom would want me home," Leon sighed.

"All right dears, but my home is always open," Mom chuckled.

"Well then," Zack and Leon both rose and glared at each other, "we should head home," They continued, "Stop copying me!" They both screamed.

The rest of the room burst into laughter. I snuggled into Axel's arms. All was good. Everyone was home. Life can truly be normal. I couldn't help but thank whatever higher being was up there for letting me live like this again. Plus, spring break was next week. I'm sure we'll enjoy that. All of us, together.

Wow, the next chapter is the last real chapter. Then we have a short epilogue and then the beginning of the sequel, Forgive and Forget. Crap… I just realized… I have to start writing said sequel. Classes have been crazy. I have 5 credits worth of work to do for a 1 credit class and then all my other classes and finals! I'm so screwed! It might be a while before I get to writing the first chapter of the sequel. Until I manage to write said first chapter I can't put up the last chapter of this. Well, the epilogue. Still. Unfortunately that brings up another issue. I have to write a good portion of A Pirates Life for me right after finals. I promised them 5 chapters by the end of may and have yet to write one! I'm sorry. Once summer sets it all will get better and I will be updating at a good pace. But, you still get the next chapter next week.