Fire

Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own Kingdom Hearts…

So here is another update! I knew a lot of y'all were wondering what was going on with Axel and Roxas so here you go! Please review! I like it when I hear what people like, even what people don't like (even though it stings a little .) it's all good!

Chapter 26

Back to Roxas

I was the one who woke up first.

I smiled when I saw Axel's sleeping face. Even though his face was so angular, everything was still so… smooth. It was almost contradictory.

And I never noticed, but Axel's skin must have gotten pale from being inside so much. It was like ivory, it contrasted well with his deep red hair.

Do you think he would mind if I touched it? I wondered to myself as I reached for a lock of hair.

I gasped when I ran my fingers over it. It was so soft.

I wonder what it smells like.

I looked to make sure Axel was still sleeping before I brought my nose down and took a big whiff of his hair. It smelled like cinnamon. Must be a shampoo that makes it smell that way.

I took another big whiff.

"That has got to be by far the weirdest… or the cutest thing I have seen you do."

I gasped and looked at Axel's face, which was now awake. I blushed and hid under the covers.

"Awwww, c'mon. Don't be shy! It was cute!" I could feel Axel tug on the covers over my head.

I can't believe he just caught me sniffing his hair like some druggie! I'm so embarrassed!

When Axel finally got the covers off of he me smiled and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Good morning. How are you this morning?" Axel asked and petted my hair.

I blushed a little more. "I'm fine."

All of a sudden Jack came barreling into the room and jumped on the bed. I winced when a paw stepped right on my right ankle.

"OW! Jack! Get off my ankle!" I yelped and pushed Jack slightly so that he wasn't standing on me.

"Is your ankle still bothering you Roxas?" Axel asked while petting the top of Jack's head.

"Well, I didn't really notice until Jack put some pressure on it." I pointed to the dog in an accusing manner.

Jack simply ignored the finger and went straight to my face. I giggled and tried to wipe the slobber from my face.

"Alright Jack. Either chill out on the bed or get off. I have to check what's going on with our guest's ankle." Axel said and Jack settled himself at the foot of the bed.

"Good boy!" I said and smiled.

I watched as Axel found my right foot and inspected the damage. "I know your ankle isn't broken but it is a little swollen so it's probably sprained. I have an ace bandage we can put on it so that it wont become aggravated when you walk on it." Axel said and walked towards the bathroom.

I sat and looked at Jack. I couldn't help but notice that Jack looked a little dejected.

"You know I'm not really mad at you right, Jack?" I said.

Jacks ears perked up and he looked towards me.

"I know you didn't mean to stand on my ankle. It's not your fault." I said and patted his head.

Jack woofed softly and moved up to sit next to me. I smiled and gave him a kiss on his head.

"You're a warm doggie." I said and leaned on him a bit.

I almost fell back to sleep when Axel came back into the room. "Sorry, it took me a little longer to find it."

I yawned. "It's okay."

"Wow, I've never seen Jack so chilled out before. Usually when we have company, he's bouncing off the walls. What did you do?" Axel asked.

"I don't know. He was my pillow for a while." I said.

"Jack! You've been holding out on me this whole time! How come whenever I want you to be my pillow you always run away! I feel betrayed now Jack! How could you?" Axel said in an overly dramatic way.

I laughed when Jack gave Axel the cold shoulder and started to lick my face again.

Axel scoffed. "Bitch."

"I'm pretty sure Jack is a boy, Axel." I said with a smile.

"What! You're taking his side now! You know what? I'm going to die of misery and this is what they're gonna put on my tomb stone. 'Here lies Axel Blaise, betrayed both by his lover and his best friend. May god have mercy on his poor and lonely soul.'" Axel said as if he was dying right then and there.

"You're such a drama queen!" I said with a giggle.

Axel gasped. "Take. That. Back!"

I laughed. "NO!"

"Fine then! Little miss princess is going into the dungeon!" Axel said and swooped me up and over the shoulder.

I laughed some more. "Wait! What about the ace bandage!" I yelled through my laughs.

"The Princess needs to be punished first!" Axel yelled in a mock angry voice.

I decided I would play along. "Woe is me! For what is this evil man going to do to me?" I said in a strange high pitch voice.

Axel barked out a loud laugh at my voice. "I'm locking you in the dungeon and after three days, I shall make you my bride!"

"Noooooooooo! How could I ever marry such a foul man like you! Jack! Jack, my love! Save me!" I yelled stretching my hand out towards the dog that seemed excited by the commotion and ran towards me.

"Your love wont be able to save you now!" Axel said as he opened what looked like a linen closet and plopped me down on a comforter.

"Nooooooo! Jack! Don't let him lock me in the dungeon!" I yelled before the door closed.

It was dark when the door was closed and I decided I would listen to the 'battle' going on outside.

"Jack! The princess will me my bride and there is nothing you can do about it!" Axel yelled.

Jack barked.

"Alright! So it's a fight you want! I will not go easy on you just because you are a dog!" Axel yelled and the 'duel' began.

"Hiya!" I heard Axel say and the dog barked again.

"You shall never succeed, Sir Jack! I will be the victor with my final and fatal super move!"

Jack barked and growled playfully.

"KAME HAME HAAAAAAAA!" I heard Axel scream before running noises could be head.

There was a loud crash.

"OW! SHIT!" I heard Axel yell.

I laughed hysterically for about a minute before limping out of the dungeon.

I saw Axel sprawled on the floor. The sofa was knocked over and Jack was sitting on top of Axel, the obvious victor.

"Ahhhhhhh! Sir Axel! Don't die!" I mock screamed.

"But… I thought… you'd never… want to be… my bride…" Axel said as if he was on his last breath.

"I had a change of heart as I was locked in that dungeon! You fought honorably and fairly. I have discovered that it has been you all along! You were always the one protecting me! Jack only loved me for my good belly scratch. But you loved me for just being myself! Please! Don't die! I want to marry you!" I yelled and kissed his lips.

"What is this reviving strength running through my veins?" Axel said as he pushed Jack off of him and stood.

"You're not going to die! For I have revived you with a kiss of true love!" I said happily.

"Hazzah! For I am the true victor of this battle! Sir Jack, you have failed!" Axel said and scratched behind Jack's ears.

I laughed before sprawling on the floor myself. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my entire life. And it was all over a stupid game we made up as we went along. I looked up at Axel, who was actually looking down at me. "I love you." I said with a large smile.

"I love you to, Princess." Axel said before picking me up to bring me back to the bedroom.

When he set me down he took the ace bandage and started to wrap my ankle.

"Does it still hurt?" Axel asked.

"Not really. But then again, I haven't really been walking on it." I said.

"Well, I don't really want you to hurt it further so how about we go for a drive?" Axel said.

"Yeah!" I said. I loved that car.

"Jack do you want to came with us?" Axel asked.

Jack barked excitedly.

"I even know where we can go for lunch. There's this one place I go to with Jack. It's probably the only restaurant that will let Jack come in the building." Axel said.

"Oh, so they allow dogs?" I asked.

"Nope, just Jack." Axel said.

"What? Why just Jack?" I asked.

"Well, one time me and Jack were just riding around and I got really hungry. So I pull up to this random restaurant and tell Jack to stay in the car. So I sit at a table and wait for a waiter. All of a sudden I see Jack running into the restaurant and instead of making a mess like I thought he would. He just walked right over to me and sat. I was so surprised. I mean, this dog acted like he knew how to act in a restaurant. It was really funny. So the owner came over to me and said I would have to leave because dogs weren't allowed into the restaurant."

"So what happened?" I asked, genuinely interested.

"Well, the owner's daughter Belle, she saw Jack and immediately protested. She said that Jack was being a good dog and should be allowed to stay. And that was that. The owner didn't have the heart to tell her no. So it was official that Jack was the only dog allowed in the restaurant." Axel explained.

"That's cool. So how often do you go there now?" I asked.

"Well, the first incident happened when Jack was six months old. So we've been going there once a week since then. So we've been there sixteen times since then." Axel said.

"Wow, so Belle must be pretty attached to Jack." I said.

"Yeah. Usually she'll play with Jack while I eat my food. Jack is such a nice dog that it's really hard to dislike him." Axel said with a smile.

"Well, let's go to the restaurant!" I said.

"Baby, you do realize you're in boxers and a T-shirt right?" Axel reminded.

"Oh yeah! I need my clothes!" I said with a giggle.

"I'll go get them for you so you don't have to move."

I nodded and sat waiting for Axel to come back with my clothes.

When he finally came back, he was already dressed and ready to go.

"Here's your clothes. I don't think you'll need any help putting them on but if you do, don't hesitate to ask me." Axel said before leaving the room again.

Fortunately, Axel was right in saying that I wouldn't need help with my clothes so after I put them on I limped out of the room to look for Axel.

"Hey! Don't walk on your sprained foot! You'll hurt it more!" Axel yelled and scooped me up again.

"You don't have to carry me everywhere okay! I can walk! It doesn't hurt that badly!" I yelled, trying to get him to put me down.

"Nope. I'm not putting you down until that foot is better so you're just gonna have to get over it." Axel said.

Then the phone rang.

Axel placed me on the sofa and walked to the phone.

"Hello? Oh hey Leon! Yeah, he's right here." Axel said before giving me the phone.

"Hey Leon." I said into the phone.

"Hello Roxas. How are you?" Leon asked.

"I'm fine. Great actually! Axel, Jack, and I were all about to go and get some lunch." I said.

"You're taking the dog?" Leon asked.

"Yeah! Axel says he knows a place that will let Jack in the building." I explained.

"Oh okay. Well, I just wanted to check up on you to make sure you're okay. Are there any injuries I should know about?"

"It's actually really ironic that you ask that question. Yesterday, after taking a shower I slipped and sprained my ankle but I'm okay! I promise. Axel put an ace bandage on it and everything. He won't even let me walk on it. He's been carrying me everywhere." I explained.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Leon asked.

"Yes! I promise! I'm having a lot of fun here. I hope you'll let me do this more often." I said.

"I'll think about it." Leon said.

"Thanks Leon." I said.

"You're welcome, kid. Bye."

"Bye!" I said before pressing the end button on the phone.

"Here's your phone Axel!" I said and handed the phone to him.

"Thank you, sir." Axel said and kissed me on the cheek.

After putting the phone away, my stomach decided to make an appearance by sounding a loud growl.

"Sounds like someone is hungry." Axel said.

I blushed as he picked me up again.

He carried me out the door and I hid my face in his neck. Is he really gonna carry me everywhere? This is embarrassing!

"Good afternoon Axel! I'm surprised to see you taking someone for a ride. It's definitely a first. I was worried it would just be you and your dog for the rest of your life!" An elderly man yelled from his porch.

"Sorry for worrying you old man! This one's a keeper and I don't plan on letting him go!" Axel yelled back with a bright mirth in his voice.

"That's the spirit son! You three have a good day!" The man said before continuing to rock on his porch swing.

"Right back at you!" Axel yelled and opened the door of the car and set me down inside.

Axel then opened the door for Jack and he jumped in. Once we were all settled Axel started the car and got rid of the top of the car. I smiled as the sun came in.

"That old man seemed really nice." I said softly with my eyes closed, simply enjoying the feeling of the warm sunlight on my face.

I jumped a little when I felt a pair of lips on mine. I opened my eyes to see Axel's bright green eyes.

"What was that for?" I asked when we broke apart.

"For being beautiful in every way." Axel said with a smile as we drove down the street.

I blushed. "Are we driving around first or eating first?" I asked.

"Well, judging by your tummy sounds, we should probably eat first."

I blushed again. "Is it okay for Jack to be in the back seat by himself?" I asked.

"Yeah, he's learned from experience not to jump out of a moving car." Axel said.

"What happened?" I asked concerned.

"We went for a drive and he jumped out only to break his leg, the crazy animal." Axel said looking fondly at his dog through the rearview mirror.

I smiled and gave Axel a kiss on the cheek before unbuckling my seatbelt and moving to the back.

"Woah! Roxas! Be careful! We're in a moving car!" Axel said and slowed a little.

"I know, I got it!" I said and sat next to Jack before putting on my seatbelt.

Jack gave my face a lick before resuming his position with his hair blowing in the wind.

I giggled as Jack's tongue seemed to blow in the wind as well.

I really felt like screaming at the top of my lungs about how happy I was. There was literally nothing I would change. I felt so free. I felt so alive. I couldn't contain this feeling of liberation and exultation.

So I decided I would let it out. When we reached the top of a large overpass I lifted my arms and the air and yelled.

"WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO! YEAH!" I laughed when Jack let out a howl to match.

I sighed in contentment and looked to the sky. I don't think it had ever been so blue.

"I'm glad that you guys are having fun." Axel said from his place in the drivers seat.

I beamed at him and sighed again. "I wish it could always be like this." I said.

"What do you mean?" Axel asked.

"I can't even explain how good I feel right now Axel. I feel invincible, like nothing can touch me. I feel like I have nothing to worry about even though there are probably more than a hundred things. I feel like I've been waiting for something for a long time and I've finally found it. I'm so happy." I said started to laugh as if I have just said the punch line of some hilarious joke.

"You're high on life, kid." Axel said and continued to drive.

"Yeah, I guess I am." I giggled and hugged Jack to me.

The dog sniffed my hair and looked out to the town again.

When we finally pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant, which was ironically named 'Jaques,' I managed to hop out of the car and stretch a little.

"Well, here we are." Axel said and picked me up again.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Axel really was the main ingredient to my happiness.

When we broke away we were gasping for breath. "Wow, if I'm gonna get one of those every time I take you out for a ride, I should do it more often." Axel said in a dazed tone.

I giggled. "I know I've said this already but, I love you."

"Man, I will never get tired of you saying that. Today has got to be the luckiest day of my life. And I just realized that I've been doing nothing but horse playing all day, but I have not had one cramp in my stomach. Which means I'm really recovering. And it's all thanks to you." Axel said.

"Awww, I'm sure Jack helped too, right Jack?" I asked and got a bark in reply.

Axel laughed. "Let's go inside, shall we?" Axel asked.

"We shall!"

When we got inside, Axel was immediately bombarded by people.

"Bonjour Monsieur Axel! Comment allez-vous? Ah, I see you brought a friend, ou un amour, peut-être?" An old man said. I assume he's the owner.

"Bonjour, Mr. Planchet! I'm fairing well. Roxas, this is the owner Mr. Planchet. Mr. Planchet, this is my boyfriend Roxas." Axel said with a smile and I blushed.

"Enchanté, Monsier Roxas. I hope that you enjoy your meal here at Jaques."

"Monsieur Axel, Monsieur Axel! Ou est ton chien?" A small child asked as she tugged on Axel's pant leg.

"Jack should be around here somewhere. Oh! He's right behind you Belle!" Axel said and laughed when Jack attacked the girl with doggie kisses.

"Why don't you sit down?" One of the waitresses said and brought us to a table.

"Thank you." I said to both the waitress and Axel as he sat me down.

"I wouldn't tag you as someone who speaks French Axel." I said.

"That's because I don't. I've been here enough to understand what they're saying, but not actually say it myself." Axel explained.

"I still think that's pretty cool." I said and looked at the menu, which was in French.

"Ummmm, Axel? Could you tell me what the menu means?" I asked.

"Oh! Sorry. Here are the appetizers, these are the lunch specials, dinners, and drinks and desserts are on the back." Axel explained.

"Could you possibly just order food for me? Think of it as a test to see if you know what I like." I said with a smirk.

"You know I don't back down from challenges, you're so on!" Axel said excitedly.

"Âllo! Je m'appelle Jean-Pierre. Voudriez-vous une boisson?"

"Two glasses of Limonade please." Axel said.

"Oui, Monsieur."

"That's so neat! You knew what he was saying! I'm guessing his name was Jean-Pierre?" I asked.

"Yep." Axel said.

After a couple of minutes the waiter came back with two glasses of what looked like lemonade.

"We would like two Croque Monsieurs."

"Ah! C'est mon favori! Ils sont très fantastiques!" Jean-Pierre said.

"I agree!" Axel said.

"Okay, what just happened?" I asked.

"I ordered food for us and he said that it was his favorite food and that the food was fantastic."

"Oh." I said and took a sip of my drink. It was lemonade but it was carbonated. I was surprised.

"One point for Axel… I like the drink." I said.

"Hell yeah!" Axel said happily.

I smiled and looked to see Belle giving Jack a belly scratch.

"Oh Jack, ever the simple minded dog. Give him a couple scratches in the right place and he loves you." I said shaking my head in amusement.

"Yep, that's Jack." Axel said with a little pride in his voice.

After maybe twenty minutes of waiting our food came and I smiled at what it was.

It was a really fancy grilled ham sandwich.

If there was one simple pleasure I enjoyed, it was ham sandwiches.

"You win." I grumbled.

"Damn straight I won. I'm awesome!" Axel said proudly.

I shook my head at his silliness and took a bite of the sandwich. I was oozing melted cheese and it tasted so good.

I hummed in appreciation. "Merci!" I said.

Axel laughed. "There we go! You know French too!"

It was around five o'clock when we actually left the restaurant. During the three hours we stayed there, I learned a lot about the Planchet family and I played tag with Belle and Jack. Of course I was 'it' most of the time because I couldn't really run. Well, I probably could have, but I know Axel would have interfered.

So now we were driving back to Axel's house. He had said that Leon and Cloud were going to pick me up there. Even though I didn't walk or run much, I was still tired from the fantastic day I had. So I wasn't surprised when I finally drifted off.

Axel's Point of View

When I finally pulled into my driveway, it was around 5:45. The setting sun was covering the surface of the earth with a blanket of warm light.

I got out of the car and smiled at the sight in the back seat.

Jack and Roxas were sprawled across the back seat in a deep sleep. I really didn't have the heart to wake them or move them from the spot and decided to just watch them sleep until Cloud and Leon arrived.

The light settled nicely on the contours of Roxas' face. The light even gave his hair and ethereal golden glow.

As I sat there and watched them sleep I realized that this was it. This was what I always wanted and that I would sooner drag myself through the fires of hell before letting this go. I smiled at that thought and turned when I heard a car moving down the street.

When Leon's car drove in front of my house, I knew that this was the ending of a breathtaking day.

"Hey guys." I said as Leon and Cloud got out of their car.

"Hey Axel. You look like you had a good day." Cloud said with a smile.

"I had a great day. I'm actually going to call the doctor to see if I can come back to work tomorrow." I said.

"That's awesome! I gotta tell ya, the garage isn't nearly as lively as it is when you're around." Cloud said.

"I'm hoping that's a compliment."

"Believe me, it was." Cloud said.

"So where's Roxas?" Leon asked.

"He's sleeping in the back seat. I didn't have the heart to wake him." I explained and led them to my car.

Cloud gasped at the picture of Jack and Roxas and Leon smiled softly.

"That's so cute." Cloud whispered.

"I know right." I said and brushed the hair from Roxas' forehead. "Roxas, Leon and Cloud are here to take you home." I said softly and smiled when Roxas' eyes fluttered open.

Roxas sat up and rubbed at his eyes. He was just too cute.

Jack woke up a second later and started to lick Roxas' face.

He giggled and patted Jack's head. "I'll see you later buddy." He said through a yawn.

"Man, I must have really worn you out, huh Roxy?" I said and scooped him out of the car.

"I guess there is such a thing as too much fun." He said groggily.

I handed Roxas to Leon and bid him farewell.

"I love you, Ax." He said before drifting off in Leon's arms.

I smiled again. "Love ya too kid." I said.

"So I guess we'll see you tomorrow, hopefully." Cloud said.

"Yeah, until tomorrow." I said.

Jack and I remained outside until the sight of Leon's car disappeared as it turned the corner.