A/N: Hi there! Here is another update for you all.

Disclaimer: No updates.

Mind Games

Chapter 25: Dessert

The holidays were just around the corner. Kairi was in a busy haze trying to buy presents for friends and family. Between work and shopping, she'd hardly had time to take a moment to herself. The only things that kept her grounded were her weekly lunches with Olette and Xion (a tradition they started after their successful girl's night) and Axel.

He still hadn't moved out of the townhome. In fact, he'd taken over more responsibilities. There were nights when Kairi came home and found that he had already cooked dinner for the two of them. Axel had also picked up some housekeeping chores, like vacuuming, buying groceries on his way home, and cleaning the kitchen after dinner. She appreciated his help and wanted to express her gratitude appropriately.

It was the word 'appropriately' that had her hung up. She'd almost kissed him Halloween night, but she'd held back. Kairi didn't want to start anything with Axel under the influence of alcohol. She felt it was cheap and he meant much more to her than that. That wasn't to say that she discounted his confession. On the contrary, she believed Axel truly meant what he said.

There wasn't a day that went by that she didn't think of how close he'd been to her without blushing and squirming. She tried to hold onto that feeling every morning when she thought about taking off her engagement ring. Even with the extra emotional encouragement, she still hadn't succeeded.

She hovered over the stove, finishing off the meal she'd prepared. The ring glistened under the stove light, taunting her with how beautiful it looked. Sora had chosen the ring especially for her; she was reminded of this fact every time she thought to take it off.

Kairi checked the oven clock. It was nearly 6:30 PM and Axel would be home any minute. She'd texted him earlier that day to ask because she wanted to surprise him with a nice dinner. It was the best way she could think of to say thank you, and slip in the idea of bringing him to Destiny Islands for Christmas.

It was a big step but she felt ready. She trusted Axel with her life. She wanted to show him how important he was to her. And maybe she also wanted to cash out on the promise he made to her. She blushed at the thought.

Kairi finished setting the table just as Axel walked in. She beamed at him as he ripped off his tie.

"Is the power out?" he asked, not noticing the setup on the table. She'd set their plates, the food she'd cooked, and lit the room with three white candles that rested on the dining table. The meal was something she looked up online: honey-glazed salmon, broccoli spears, and garlic potatoes.

Kairi giggled as recognition lit his eyes. He stood at her side and studied the table. "This is why you asked when I was coming home, isn't it, princess?" he questioned with a slight smirk, "You wanted to surprise me."

She nodded eagerly. "Yes, please sit down."

He plopped down in a chair and she handed him a glass of champagne. Axel sniffed it curiously before taking a sip. "Hm, not bad," he commented before setting it on the table. Kairi poured her own glass and settled down in the chair adjacent to his. "So, what's the occasion?" Instead of answering immediately, Kairi was distracted as he undid the top buttons of his shirt and rolled up sleeves. She felt like a hormonal teenager again as her eyes soaked in the angles of his muscles.

"I wanted to show how grateful I am to have you here," Kairi eventually explained. She grabbed his plate and began serving him. She delighted in how he watched her. It was hard for her to believe that there was a time his eyes had given her anxiety.

"Thanks, princess."

She smiled, happy to be appreciated for her hard work. "There's actually something else I wanted to talk to you about," she began as she watched Axel tear into the tender salmon.

He smirked. "Ah, so there is a catch."

Kairi shook her head. "Not like what you might think," she explained, "What are you doing for the holidays?"

He shrugged. "Once my classes end, I have no plans."

"Not going to see family?"

He shook his head and answered between bites, "No one to visit."

She frowned. Now that she bothered to think more about it, Kairi had never asked him about his family. "Oh, really? No other Fierro's in Radiant Garden?"

He looked up from his plate. "My parents are dead and I'm an only child. There are no other Fierro's in Radiant Garden. I'm not aware of any distant relatives either."

Her hand found its way to her heart. She had no idea Axel was alone in the world. Or maybe she did, judging by the employment and living situations he'd found himself in. "I didn't know."

He shrugged. "It's not something I willingly discuss." He raised a brow. "Don't feel bad, princess. They croaked a long time ago. Doesn't bother me anymore."

She paused. Was her request inconsiderate now? She didn't want to flaunt her family in front of him. She bit down on her lip. Maybe it would be better if they both stayed in Twilight Town together.

"Spit it out."

"Uh…I was going to ask you if you wanted to come with me to Destiny Islands for the holidays," she confessed hesitantly, "But it's okay if you-"

He silenced her with a smile. "I'll go."

Her heartbeat quickened. "Really?"

"Sure, it's about time I meet the King and Queen, don't you think?"

Kairi rolled her eyes. "You know I'm not an actual princess, right? Don't expect anything lavish. It is an island."

"You're a princess in my eyes, Kairi. That's all that matters." She blushed and quickly shoved food in her mouth to excuse herself from speaking. He laughed at her. "Then again, you eat like an animal so I can't be sure my opinion won't change."

She stuck out her tongue at him. "Just enjoy my cooking!" she demanded, "But not too much. I also have dessert." The gleam in his eyes at the mention of dessert was more mischievous than she expected. What was he thinking that she meant by dessert? The possibilities made her stomach fluttery.

Axel seemed to quicken his pace. He'd finished his plate before Kairi even ate half of hers. She gaped at him. Had he even chewed?

"So where's this dessert you spoke of?" he asked with a smirk.

Kairi popped another bite of broccoli into her mouth and then hopped out of her chair. "Oh, um, let me grab it from the fridge," she announced. She had a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. There was something different about the way he was looking at her.

Before she'd even reached the refrigerator, Axel had grabbed her from behind. She shrieked; her screams quickly turning to laughter as he hoisted her over his shoulder. "Put me down!" she cried, lightly kicking her legs as he casually walked the distance to his room.

He slung her down on his bed and Kairi was grateful the lights were off. She was sure her face was completely scarlet. He plopped down beside her and pulled her into his arms. Despite her erratic heartbeat, she managed to settle and nestle her head in his chest.

The last time she'd cuddled him had been in this bed. The bittersweet memory flooded her with warm feelings. She'd missed his embrace more than she'd realized. However, as nice as the moment was, she had to interrupt and point out, "Axel, I thought you wanted dessert?"

He pulled away from her slightly. "Wait, you actually made dessert?" The moonlight illuminated the shocked look in his eyes.

"Yes?"

He released her. "Oh…I thought you meant-I'm sorry, princess," he muttered with a nervous chuckle, "I don't know what got into me." Axel turned to swing his legs out of the bed, but Kairi grabbed his arm and pulled him back down. "Okay, now you're sending me mixed messages."

Kairi bit her lip. "I did make dessert but-"

"Stop doing that."

She blinked. "Doing what?"

"Biting your lip, stop that."

She hesitated, "Can I ask why?"

"You're making me jealous."

Kairi felt as though someone had shoved her into a sauna. Sweat crept across her skin, but it only strengthened her resolve. She was going to go through with this. She was going to tell him how she felt. She opened her mouth to confess but it came out as a squeak, and instead, she buried her head in his chest. A fresh wave of embarrassment washed over her as she gripped him tightly.

"This is a first," he replied casually, "It sounds like a cat really does have your tongue." His long fingers stroked her back through her violet, turtleneck sweater.

She took a deep breath, catching the scent of his cologne. It was now or never. "Axel, I've thought a lot about what you told me on Halloween," she began shakily, "And I-I want to make good on your promise."

"Look at me, Kairi." She complied. His eyes were so soft they gave her shivers. "Tell me what you want me to do."

If heads could explode, Kairi's would have. She swallowed some nervous saliva. This was the moment she'd daydreamed about. It was time to see if reality would be just as wonderful. "I want you to kiss me."

"I can do that," he darkly chuckled.

Axel's hands swept up her back and cradled her neck. He leaned over her, placing his leg between hers. The way his knee brushed her skin had her shivering again. He placed a light kiss on her forehead before shifting his attention to her lips. He hesitated, an inch away, and simply watched her. She groaned with impatience.

"Are you sure?" he whispered.

Kairi smiled. "I'll prove it to you." She reached around his back and plucked her engagement ring from her finger. She brought it to his eye level so he could see. "I'm sure."

Axel let out a guttural noise before fiercely pressing his lips to hers. Her engagement ring dropped to the floor somewhere as she wrapped her arms around him. He ravaged her lips. Months of pent up tension oozed out of her in moans and desperate squeezes. His tongue slid across the surface of her bottom lip. She let him explore further, growing restless with desire. She wanted to feel more of him. Instinctively, her thighs clamped around his leg. He responded with a groan, freeing one hand from her neck to squeeze her butt.

He broke their kiss and smirked. "I can't tell you how long I've wanted to do that." Kairi was breathless. All she could do was gasp for air and study the way his tattoos brought out his eyes. "You all right, sweetheart?"

She nodded. "Please keep calling me that."

"Sweetheart?"

"Yes, that."

He licked his lips. "Oh, so it's not harassment anymore?" She shook her head. "What else do you want then, sweetheart?"

Kairi unraveled her hands from his body and reached for his shirt buttons. He watched with a smile as she undid every button and tugged for him to take it off. He obliged her and let the shirt fall to the floor. Kairi lightly placed her hands on his hard chest, allowing them to caress down to his belly button as she'd angrily watched Larxene do. She'd enjoyed the eye full she'd gotten at the Halloween party, but she had been too cowardly to touch him herself. Now she had no reason to resist.

She lifted her head and placed a gentle kiss on his Adam's apple and several more across the length of his collarbone. She paused on his right shoulder, daring to brush her tongue against his skin. He tasted delicious. She met his eyes, reveling in the effect she had on him.

Axel dropped his other hand to her waist and rolled her on top of him. She repositioned her legs so that she was straddling his hips. He motioned toward the hem of her sweater with his eyes. She eagerly complied and lifted it over her head and off her arms.

"That's a nice little lace number," he complimented.

She blushed, strangely embarrassed by compliments on her bra despite all that had transpired. "I didn't plan it," she argued, "I didn't know how far this would go…"

"I look forward to seeing something you planned then." He winked. Axel hoisted himself up, leaning against the headboard of the bed. Kairi steadied herself on his shoulders moving toward him for another kiss. He evaded her lips and went straight for her neck. She gasped as he began to vigorously suck and lick between her chin and shoulder. His hands gripped her hips and pulled her into his pelvis, letting her rub against the hardness of his pants.

She struggled to maintain any sense of composure. Axel felt good, dangerously good. There was no doubt in her mind she'd succumb to his ardor if she didn't pull away soon. But how could she? He kissed his way back to her mouth and lightly bit her plush, bottom lip. Kairi ached with pleasure.

He ghosted kisses across her cheek, allowing his lips to hover next to her ear. "What else do you want, sweetheart?"

Her answer was a hungry moan. She laced her fingers through his spikes and pulled his face to her wanting mouth. They kissed wildly. She was slipping away, losing herself in the motions of his tongue. Her own hips burned to grind against Axel's lap. It took all of her willpower to pull away before she lost control.

"Axel," she breathed, "I have to stop."

He pulled back. "Are you okay?"

She nodded and rested her forehead against his. "Yes, I'm fine. I just don't want to get ahead of myself."

"As you wish."

Axel was so understanding, so patient. She wondered how he could be that way. Kairi gave him one, last chaste kiss and then crawled off him. She missed him as soon as she'd moved away, but she knew she was right. It would be a mistake to sleep with Axel now. She didn't want to jeopardize everything by moving too quickly.

She hopped off the bed and pulled her skirt back down to her knees; it had hiked up her thighs.

Kairi glanced around the room, squinting in the darkness to find her sweater. She thought if she turned the light on, the magic of what happened might be broken.

"Kairi."

She turned her head and found his mouth on hers once more. The surprise made the contact even more tantalizing. He kissed her with such fervor it made her legs buckle. She nearly tumbled down, but Axel held her firm, bending over to strengthen his kiss. As quickly as he'd moved in, Axel pulled away with a knowing look.

"I like being able to do that to you," he whispered. She had no words. He looked even more pleased by her speechlessness. "Oh, and here's your shirt, sweetheart." He tossed it to her easily but she barely caught it. "Now, tell me about this dessert."

Kairi had completely forgotten about the pie waiting in her fridge.

A/N: So, let me know what you thought...haha. We had some developments this chapter. Also, side question for you all, is the sexual interaction too much for you or are you wanting more? There will be more sex in this story. I have actually already written some scenes, but I'm curious as to the preferred level of explicitness. If that makes sense?