Rating: M

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews last time! I am sorry for being slower… I can't really help it. I do hope that you like the chapter;

Disclaimer: The characters are still not mine. Remember, its fanfiction.

Reckoning: Chapter 21

Last chapter:

I wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling myself closer to him. "What are you thinking about?" Axel asked.

"You," I whispered back. "You smell like burning leaves."

"I have a scent?" Axel asked.

"Yeah," I whispered, inhaling deeply, "It's nice." There was a moment of silence then I spoke. "What are you thinking about?" I asked.

"How lucky I was to find you," he whispered. "I love you Rox." I smiled as he rested his chin on top of my head and let my forehead rest against his chest.

"I love you too," I whispered back, unsure of if he heard me or not.

"Good night, Rox," Axel whispered. I could've sworn that he sounded happier.

--

Axel and I visited his mother every single day for as long as possible until she was released from the hospital. Sometimes I would visit with Aerith and Axel, but on other days, I just let them talk while I paid attention to Naminee and Kairi. They both seemed to love me for some reason and even gave me lessons on how to draw one day. They seemed pleased when I made progress in a short amount of time but were still better than me, in my opinion. I didn't mind being around them so much, giving Axel some much needed time with his mother, but it made me feel a little guilty when Axel would halfway pout because they'd pay more attention to me than him when we were both in the same room as them. He seemed to be very happy with the fact that they, as well as the rest of his family, liked me so well though.

On other days, other people would come with us to visit her. Demyx and Zexion came at least two times a week, curious about the woman whom Axel had been searching for, for most of his life. Aerith and Marluxia accepted them right away, but Naminee and Kairi wouldn't go near them until Demyx brought his sitar and played for them one day. After that, they seemed to like them almost as much as me.

Two days before Aerith was released, Xaldin came to see her as well. Aerith, who seemed to be accepting of everyone in Axel's life, talked to him with ease for hours. Axel's sisters, though, were even more reluctant toward him than they had been with Demyx and Zexion. They seemed to be intimidated by tough looking, or very tall people. Unfortunately, Xaldin was both. They might've been afraid of his facial hair too since no one that they really knew had any. So, they stayed close to Marluxia and I until Xaldin surprised everyone by playing a harmonica for Aerith, who'd mentioned that she loved them. Not even Axel had known that he had one or knew how to play. No one had really thought him the type to play one.

After that he let the girls, who'd stopped being so afraid of him, play it, and though they didn't have much luck with playing, they still loved it. Xaldin came back the next day with two more harmonicas- one for each of them. They were absolutely delighted.

Aerith was released only after recovering and having extra tests run on her, just in case. Axel hadn't wanted to lose her like he'd lost Reno, so he did everything in his power to make sure that Aerith had absolutely nothing else wrong with her. Thankfully, she didn't. I'm sure that it would have killed Axel if something else was wrong with her and he couldn't save her.

He and I always tried to go home right before it got dark. Axel, it seemed, had several different methods of transportation and had liked to take me to and from the hospital on his motorcycle ever since he had on the very first day. On that first day, he'd asked me if I'd wanted to since the weather was still nice enough to allow us to travel that way. I was reluctant at first but, after a little convincing, he got me to try it, and when I did, I clung to him the entire time, burying my face into his red spikes, terrified. On the way home, I was more at ease though so he took a longer route so he could go faster and I started to love riding on one. Going at that speed almost made me feel as if we were flying.

Nearly every day after that, that had been our mode of transportation. Tonight and the night before were exceptions though, since Xaldin had come along and had wanted to drive us. I ended up falling asleep on the way home and when I awoke I was, as I was currently, lying in Axel's arms as he slept. He seemed to like to hold me like he was now before falling asleep. I didn't mind in the slightest. It made me feel safe and was comforting and it seemed that in his presence, with his body pressed against mine, I fell asleep more easily.

Tonight seemed to be yet another exception though. It was probably due to excitement because in the morning, I was supposed to go to Aerith's house to keep her company and to help Marluxia. I was mostly excited that I'd get to leave the house for reasons other than going to a hospital. So far, I'd seemed to spend most of my time, since being rescued from my dad, at one or another and or at Axel's house. A change would be nice and I was looking forward to it.

Pressing myself against Axel's chest, I willed myself to sleep, really hoping that I would soon. It was already really late and it wouldn't be good if I was tired tomorrow. Unfortunately, the more I tried to sleep, the more awake I became and I ended up thinking about tomorrow for hours longer.

--

"Rox-as," I faintly heard. I groaned as my name was called for a second time and buried myself under the covers. Staying up so late had definitely not been a good idea. "Roxas," The voice came again, this time its owner was gently shaking me.

"What?" I halfway whined, wanting to sleep more, eyes still closed.

"Wake, up, or we'll be late," the voice came again. I partially lowered the covers, looking up at Axel drowsily. He beamed at me. "Morning, love," he said, "I made you breakfast." I groaned again, trying to hide under the covers once more, but wasn't fast enough and he gripped the sheets, pulling them down to my chest, despite my protests.

I scoffed at him for waking me up, as he grinned. It didn't really register in my mind, being in only in a halfway awakened state, that he was bending toward me until lips pressed against mine. My eyes widened as something warm and wet parted my lips, slowly running across my teeth before parting them as well, making my heart begin to race. His tongue just brushed against mine and, though faint as it was, it still sent jolts up my spine. Then, he pulled away, lips just above mine.

"Time to get up," he whispered, lips brushing against mine before he sat up more, his emerald locking with my sapphire. He smiled again after that. "If you hurry," he said, "I'll take you to the flower shop on my motorcycle."

I opened my mouth to say something, now fully awake, but before I could, he pulled away completely, getting up and going to the door. He looked back at me as he leaned against the doorframe, smiling again. "I'll be waiting for you in the living room," he said just before slipping through the door.

--

I hurried and got ready as Axel had asked. It wasn't until I was getting dressed though, that I saw food sitting on the end of the bed. I smiled, remembering how Axel had said that he'd made breakfast for me. My smile widened when I saw that part of it was toast with strawberry jam. It'd become a favorite of mine. I took a moment and ate what he'd made me.

When I'd nearly finished, I opened the bedroom door before peering out, still munching on the toast. Axel was alone, surprisingly, not surrounded by Xaldin, Demyx or Zexion for once.

"Where is everybody?" I asked, looking around.

"Not sure about Xaldin," Axel said, motioning for me to sit, "but Demyx and Zexion went out last night and haven't come back yet," he said.

I nodded, still eating as I sat next to him. I offered him some toast, but he declined, saying it was mine. "Thanks for making me food," I said gratefully, gripping his hand.

"Of course, Rox," he said, squeezing my hand. He watched something on TV as I continued to eat only looking at me again when I rested my head against his arm after finishing. "Don't fall asleep, again, Rox," Axel said teasingly, "Otherwise you might just have to spend the day with me instead of with Marluxia and Aerith."

I smiled at that. "I wouldn't mind," I said, looking up at him.

Axel halfway smirked. "Wouldn't you?" he asked.

"Nope," I said back.

"But aren't you bored? Tired of hanging out here?" he asked.

"Not when I'm with you," I replied. "I'd be happy just being by your side every day. You're too busy leading your gang for that though," I added, frowning a little.

"Sorry," Axel replied, mirroring my look.

"It's okay," I said kissing his cheek lightly, hoping to cheer him up, "I don't mind."

"Are you sure?" Axel asked.

"Yeah," I said smiling up at him, "now, should we get going?" I asked, "I don't want to be late."

"We could, but we don't have to just yet," Axel said grinning then gripping my neck, inched his face toward mine.

"Axel…" I said warningly, knowing that we needed to get going.

"Yeah?" he asked brushing his lips against mine, making me falter.

"We don't have time to mess around," I said, trying to push him away.

"Mom won't care if we're a little late," he said, moving to my ear, "She loves you, remember?" he whispered.

"But, I care if we're la-aah," I started, stopping mid word when his tongue traced the inner shell of my ear.

"Then I'll speed," he whispered, lips brushing against the spot where his tongue had been. He seemed to take me no longer trying to push him away as a sign that I had no further objections and moved back to his previous position.

"Won't you get in trouble for speeding?" I asked, stopping him for a second. Once that second was over, he locked his lips with mine.

"I like risks, remember?" Axel asked, lips barely centimeters away from mine.

"But…" I started again, stopping when he captured my lips for a second time, gripping my neck more tightly.

"I'm going to keep kissing you until you stop protesting and kiss me back," Axel whispered, grinning again then pushing me down onto the cushions before pressing his lips to mine for a third time, slipping his tongue into my mouth. I called his name, breathing heavily when he pulled away. All I got as a response were his warm, soft lips pressed to mine once more. This time, I gave in and gripping his shoulders as my eyes fluttered shut, kissed him back. I let him deepen the kiss, shuddering when he did. He seemed to like that and delved in deeper, making me moan into his mouth. Axel kept it up until I pushed him away because I'd needed to breathe. I was more than ready to let him kiss me again but he didn't, just stared slightly at something behind me. A little confused, I followed his gaze until my eyes met with Xaldin who looked like he'd accidentally stumbled across us while he'd been brushing his teeth. Now he was just standing there, toothbrush in his mouth eyes a little wide, possibly afraid of what Axel's reaction might be since he'd been caught watching us or possibly just unable to look away.

Axel smirked slightly at the raven-hair's expression. "Good morning Xaldin, I see that you spent the night." Xaldin nodded dumbly. "Sorry for distracting you," Axel said before returning his attention to me. I stared up at the red-head, my sapphire locking with his emerald, knowing that my cheeks were a light shade of pink. He smiled down at me when I looked at him uncertainly, just before kissing me one more time. I made sure that it was brief though.

"I kissed you back, now it's time to go," I said, pushing him away, knowing that we really would be late if I didn't stop him. Axel laughed at that.

"Fair enough," he whispered, "Those were my terms after all, weren't they?" he asked, getting off when I nodded then helping me up. Xaldin must've slipped away when Axel'd kissed me again but had reemerged from the bathroom, toothbrush gone, by the time I'd sat up.

"Sorry for intruding…" Xaldin said, looking downward as if he were a little embarrassed.

"Don't worry about it, Xaldin," Axel said gripping my hand. "I would've probably made Roxas late if you hadn't," He said, smiling at me mischievously. I felt my eyes widen as he led me to the door and Xaldin laughed, seeming to be much more at ease.

--

Axel parked in the driveway to Marluxia and Aerith's house. We'd arrived five minutes early, much to my surprise. I'd thought that we would've been late for sure, even with Axel's speeding.

I took off my helmet and pouted at him when he'd turned off the engine and had looked back at me. "What's wrong?" he asked, taking off his own helmet.

"You would've let me be late. Even though I said that I didn't want to be and," I started, stopping when the red-head smiled.

"I was just kidding," he said. "I didn't want Xaldin to think that I was angry with him. I had every intention of getting you here on time, I promise."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said brushing my bangs out of my eyes before getting off of the motorcycle then took my hand, helping me do the same and leading me toward the house. "Alright, Rox," Axel said when we reached the front door, "I'll come back around at a quarter to six," he said. "Mom wanted us to eat with them, okay?"

"Okay," I said nodding.

"If you need me before that, call any time. I will always answer for you," he said. I slipped an arm around his waist, halfway hugging him to show thanks.

"Of course," I said, smiling up at him just before he knocked. Aerith answered the door a few moments later, beaming when she saw us.

"Axel, Roxas, come in," she said, voice bright and beautiful. It seemed to be completely better now.

"I'm sorry but I can't stay," Axel said after stepping inside.

"That's okay honey," Aerith said, "you've already taken so much time for me." Axel hugged her briefly, thanking her for understanding, before kissing my forehead then pulling away.

"I'll see you two later then," he said waving as he slipped through the door. He smiled at me as I said goodbye, then Aerith and I watched him go.

"Would you like to help Marluxia right away, or do you want to spend some time with me, Roxas, honey?" Aerith asked, shutting the door when Axel'd disappeared from view.

"With you, if that's alright," I said, smiling at her.

"Of course it is honey," she said smiling back. "Let me show you around," she said, proceeding to give me a tour of her home and then the adjoining flower shop. I enjoyed seeing everything but liked the flowers and other various plants best.

"So, Roxas," Aerith said pausing in the greenhouse, "tell me about yourself."

"Uhm… there isn't much to tell," I said. There really wasn't.

"Oh? Well there must be something worth sharing," she said, smiling at me.

"Uh… no not really," I said, really wanting to change the subject and looking away, making her pause for a moment.

"Hmmmm… why don't you tell me how you and Axel met?" She asked, smile widening, "That's probably interesting."

I looked away biting my lower lip as memories of my life before I met Axel came rushing to my mind, and tried very hard not to get upset.

"Roxas?" Aerith asked reaching for me when I didn't respond. I took a step back, not wanting to be touched at the moment. I didn't know what I'd do if I was. I'd thought about Vexen for the first time in quite a while and I wasn't reacting well to it.

"Can I… can I tell you another time?" I asked, still not looking at her.

"Roxas, what's wrong?" she asked as I backed away when she approached me again.

"Nothing," I said. Aerith didn't seem convinced, since I was sure I was acting strangely, and looked like she wanted to press but didn't because Marluxia opened the door to the green house, joining us, before she could.

"Good morning you two, I dropped the girls off at preschool," Marluxia said smiling. "Are you ready for me to teach you what you need to know so that you can help me, Roxas?" He asked.

I took a deep breath, smiling to hide how I was feeling. "Yeah," I said.

"Great," Marluxia said, looking happy. "If Aerith will excuse us, I'll show you what the different flowers are and how to take care of them." Aerith watched me for a moment longer then nodded.

"See you around lunch time, boys," she said, smiling the brilliant smile she and Axel shared for Marluxia just before leaving.

--

Marluxia, who had been happy just because I was there to help him, was even happier because, though I was still upset, I caught on fairly quickly. He'd shown me a wide variety of flowers- roses, daisies, carnations, and my newly discovered favorite, chrysanthemums, then the other items in the store. After that, he showed me various arrangements for different events, allowing me to even try arranging a few until we stopped for lunch.

After eating, Aerith insisted that I spend some more time with her, which I did with a little reluctance, afraid that she'd question me about my past more.

"Do you know how to cook, honey?" Aerith asked when we were alone. I shook my head, a little surprised that she'd asked that. "Want to learn and make dinner with me later?" she asked, smiling when I nodded. After that, talking became easier for me again and we picked up a conversation about the flower shop when I asked how it'd been started. Apparently, Marluxia's father and his father had been florists as well. The question of, did Aerith want to know more about my past kept nagging at me though until I finally had to ask.

"Are you still wondering about my past? How I met Axel?" I asked when we'd sat down at the table.

"Of course, sweetie," she said, "but you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was just a bit concerned when you acted the way you did when I asked," she said pausing for a moment. "You know I wouldn't think any less of you if you did drugs or something bad in the past, right?" she added. She seemed to have been thinking of possible reasons for my behavior.

I sighed audibly. "It wasn't me that did drugs, it was my father," I said quietly. I looked up, locking my eyes with hers. "You're a wonderful person and I trust you," I said, continuing when she looked at me curiously, "so I'll tell you about my past because… because you want to know… and I trust you." I said, pausing for a moment, wondering where to start.

"Okay, honey, if you're sure," she said. She'd sounded a lot like Axel just then- something that'd made me smile and nod.

"My parents, I assume, never had a very happy marriage," I began. "My dad got addicted to drugs shortly after or before I was born. I'm not sure which, and then he became paranoid and abusive after that," I said seeing that I had Aerith's full attention. "When I was six," I continued, "my mother and I tried to leave him. He killed her right in front of me as retribution," I said pausing when she gasped.

"Oh, Roxas, I'm so sorry, honey," she said, stopping when I shook my head.

"There's more…" I said, making her eyes widen slightly before she nodded and told me to continue. "After he killed her, I wasn't allowed to leave the house," I said, absentmindedly running my fingers along the table top, "So, I taught myself how to read and write and read my mother's books a lot. I didn't really have anything else to do for the next six years," I said.

"Six years? But you're not twelve-"Aerith started.

"- I'm sixteen, I know," I said interrupting her.

"My dad would take me outside every year on my birthday, said it was a present or something. That's how I figured out when it was, otherwise, I was locked inside," I said, "I even had bars on my windows."

Aerith shook her head at the last part. "When is your birthday, Roxas?" she asked.

"January thirteenth," I said.

"That's not too far away," Aerith said, "Only a month," she said, sounding a little excited. "It's even supposed to get cold enough to snow, a rarity here in Hallow Bastion." Her enthusiasm died down when I merely shrugged. "Why aren't you excited, honey?" She asked.

"I look at my birthday as more of a reminder. Not a good one," I said.

"Why?" Aerith asked.

"Because… on my twelfth birthday, I met Vexen as well," I said, stilling my hand when she covered her mouth at the mention of the man who had killed her son. Aerith took my hand after a moment, squeezing it lightly as if telling me that it was okay to go on, so I did. "My dad had gone to him for the first time to get drugs, which he was way past addicted to. How he even remembered my birthday every year is beyond me," I said.

"Vexen… seemed to take an interest in me from the very first moment he saw me. I remember him taking my dad to the side… talking to him… then giving him something. I was left alone with him after that, very confused. Dad had never left me alone in the outside world before so I had the feeling that something was wrong right away," I said, having to stop as I remembered that day and felt the sting of oncoming tears.

"…what happened honey?" Aerith asked, gripping my hand more tightly.

"Vexen… uhm.. he took me with him to a secluded bedroom and… he… he raped me," I said, looking down as a tear slid down my cheek.

"Oh my God, honey," Aerith said, "I had no idea…" moving closer to me and hugging me tightly as more tears spilled down my cheeks.

"For the next three and a half years," I continued, feeling strangely numb as fresh tears streamed down my face, "My dad traded me for drugs. Thankfully… I don't remember most of it since he put me on something because I made a horrible scene every time he took me out of the house after that encounter with Vexen. I didn't really want to go outside after that… but dad made me and each time, I got raped. I'm pretty sure that it was Vexen who raped me the most." I said pausing for a moment as Aerith ran her fingers through my hair. "One day, after those three and a half years… Vexen decided that he didn't like sharing me with others, since dad did business with his rivals," I continued. "He also didn't seem to like the fact that I was unconscious as he raped me, so he made a deal with my dad so he could keep me, so that he could make sure that I remembered everything he did to me." I said, shaking a little. "Once he did… he got very… possessive of me and the first time Axel and I were even in the same building, I wasn't even allowed to look at him."

"How did you two meet then?" Aerith asked softly, crying herself.

I explained how I got Vexen to let me go to the bathroom if Xaldin, who at the time I thought was working for Vexen but really was working Axel, went with me. Then how Axel came into the bathroom and I'd been absolutely terrified of him and also explained how he'd saved me after our second meeting and had taken me with him.

"Axel isn't making you be with him, is he honey?" Aerith asked, gripping me more tightly. "You can tell me if he is," she said.

"No," I said, wiping my eyes. "Axel's been great to me, actually. He's never forced me do anything I didn't want to do and he's always there for me." Aerith smiled as I paused. "When we met for the second time, after he'd gotten me away from Vexen, he asked me to let him into my life… but I couldn't at first," I said, feeling guilty.

"That's okay, Roxas," Aerith said, giving me a squeeze. "I'm sure it was hard for you to let people into your life after going through what you did," she said.

I nodded before continuing. "Axel was patient with me, and kind, especially after finding out what Vexen had done to me," I said. "He waited for me to give him an answer, and before I even had, he gave my mother a proper funeral." I paused for a moment, deciding to leave out the part with Luxord and Axel nearly dying. "After some time, and joining his gang, I was finally able to," I said.

"You did say that you weren't in that gang anymore, didn't you?" Aerith asked. I nodded. "What made you decide to quit?" She asked.

"Getting kidnapped… twice," I said. "It made realize that I could be taken away from Axel more easily if I wasn't close to him or people that I trusted, as well as scared me a lot. Being with Axel is more important to me than being in a gang."

"I'm sorry that Marluxia did that to you," Aerith said.

"It's okay, really," I said, "I forgave him. Besides, it turned out to be for the better, don't you agree?" I asked looking back at her.

"Yeah, honey," Aerith said smiling and nodding. "Roxas?" She said, continuing when I hummed, "Thanks for telling me about your past. It can't have been easy," She said.

I nodded. "Thanks for caring enough to ask, Aerith, it means a lot," I said as a response.

"Of course honey," Aerith said, pulling away. "Now," she said gripping my shoulders, "let's make dinner, okay? I want it to be done by the time Axel gets here." She beamed at me when I nodded.

--

-To be continued-

A/N: There was chapter twenty-one... did you like it?

I think I mentioned that information (about Roxas' past) in another Author note a while back to answer a question sent by Samaloo. I wanted Axel's mom to be the one that he told all of that to in detail though, so there it was.

Review to let me know how I did/ if you want to know what happens next soon?

--until next time