xXx

Roxas fumbled with the door that had slammed shut before he could stop it, but when he opened it, Axel was gone. He cursed under his breath, torn between chasing after the red-head and leaving the animals. He slumped against the doorframe, trying to make a decision, finally letting out a long sigh. He knew he couldn't leave without locking up and telling Zack, at least. Besides, Axel had asked him to let him go and even if he didn't want to, he knew it was best. He would be back when he was ready, Roxas just knew it. They had been through so much, but Axel always came back to him. There was no reason for him not to, now. He thought for a long moment, trying to be reasonable, and, making up his mind, he retrieved Axel's keys, leaving the shelter and locking it behind himself.

Roxas pressed his fingers to his lips, his body still humming with arousal, his feet sinking into the sand. Absentmindedly, he made his way to the back porch. He hadn't felt like this in a long time and he knew that it meant something. He felt something for Axel and it was more than a simple attraction. By the way his heart was racing, he knew that he needed to find him… but he also knew that he needed to give him some time. Inhaling the salty air deeply and then exhaling harshly, he shook his head. He also knew that Axel was very good at being elusive when he needed to be. Especially when he was scared. He didn't want to, but he definitely needed to wait. Probably.

The blond sighed softly, hating feeling so torn, and made his way into the house, his eyes scanning for Zack. He hated to admit it, but Zack knew Axel better than anyone else right now. If he wanted to figure out the right thing to do, how long he should wait or if he should find him, Zack was his best chance. He heard the sounds of the television playing and made his way to the living room. The raven-hair was watching a movie, huddled up under a blanket. It took him a moment before he noticed Roxas, who was watching him awkwardly from the doorway, trying to figure out what to say.

"Hey there kiddo," he said cheerfully. Roxas grimaced. "Where's Axel?" Zack asked curiously, his eyes scanning the space behind him. Roxas frowned.

"I don't know. He ran away from me. Here," he murmured, tossing the keys to the raven haired man who blinked in surprise and caught them at the last minute. Zack stared down at them for a long time and then watched him carefully when their eyes met again.

"Where… did you get these?" he asked. The blond exhaled heavily and sat next to him on the couch. He knew that he needed to explain. The truth couldn't hurt… especially if he wanted Zack's advice, right?

"Axel forgot them when he ran out of the shelter to get away from me." Zack hummed softly and watched him thoughtfully.

"So he showed it to you then?" he asked. When Roxas nodded, he continued, "Did you… lock up?" he asked carefully, trying to get a feel for the situation. Roxas nodded again, making the man smile. "Thanks." The blond opened his mouth and then shut it, opting for watching the cheesy romance Zack had playing on the television instead. Somehow it made him feel worse.

"Where is he? Is he going to come back?" he asked quietly, doubting himself. The other man shrugged.

"When he wants to be alone, he disappears. Don't worry, he'll come back when he's ready," he replied.

"When will that be?" Roxas asked, feeling anxious.

"That depends on what you did, kid," Zack replied, looking at him expectantly. The blond sighed.

"I… kissed him and I told him that I could see that he was different." Zack hummed interestedly, making the blond look up at him. "He told me I'm confused and that I need more time."

"Well… do you?" Zack asked. Roxas shook his head determinedly.

"No, I…" he thought for a moment, before answering the man. "I would have never done that if I wasn't sure." The corners of Zack's lips lifted and he nodded.

"So, what has you so sure?" he asked, just above the sound of the television. Their eyes met for a long moment. Zack merely watched him curiously.

"He was really happy, being around the animals. I could tell that he enjoyed it and he… he helped start a shelter because of me. He didn't even know if he was going to see me again, but he did it to make me happy," he said quietly. Zack smiled gently.

"You liked it then?" he asked.

"I love it, I can't believe that he'd go that far, just for me…" the blond murmured back. Zack's smile widened.

"Well, believe it, kid." Roxas nodded, remaining silent as they watched the movie together and wondering how he should ask for Zack's help or if he should. They didn't know each other yet or really trust each other and that was mostly his fault. He felt tense as the minutes ticked by.

"Zack, uh…" he stammered, making the raven-hair hum softly. "Will you… help me find him?" the blond asked finally. Zack hummed again, this time thoughtfully, tilting his head at the boy.

"We should give him some time…" he murmured back. Roxas worried his lower lip between his teeth, making the raven haired man smile despite himself. Maybe… Roxas was ready to make things right between him and Axel… and that was something that Axel had definitely been needing, "…but yeah, definitely." Wide blue eyes stared up at him.

"Really?" he gasped, making Zack's smile widen.

"Yeah. He's too stubborn for his own good. Knowing him he'll brood too long and wreck things," he replied, grinning. Roxas smiled back gratefully.

"Yeah he is," he answered. Zack nodded.

"Two conditions though," he said teasingly. Roxas felt his stomach clench but the man kept smiling.

"Okay," he said determinedly, nodding his head. If it was for Axel… it would be worth it. Zack's brows rose, as if in surprise.

"Alright," he said, holding up a finger, "first, I'm gonna need some help at the shelter tomorrow, since that slacker will probably still be hiding." Roxas laughed, nodding his head and feeling much more at ease. "Annd, second, I wanna know your intentions if you want me to help you find him." Roxas blinked, feeling a weight settle in the pit of his stomach. His face reddened.

"Well I uh, I don't know. I don't want to hurt him or anything, I just want to tell him how I feel," he admitted. Zack watched him for a long moment.

"You already did that and he ran away. What makes you think it's going to be different, now?" Roxas swallowed.

"Now I know… that I care about him, and I need him to understand that," he answered honestly. The raven-hair's gaze gentled.

"Alright." Roxas gave him a tentative smile.

"Thanks, Zack."

xXx

The next morning, Roxas woke to someone gently shaking him.

"Mmn, Axel?" he mumbled. Something about the light touches and the scent he was smelling was familiar… He snuggled deeper into his blanket, inhaling deeply.

"Nope!" Came the cheerful reply. Roxas jolted to awareness, crying out in alarm when he opened his eyes and realized he was face to face with Axel's roommate. The raven hair laughed good-naturedly and shook his head. "Remember what I said last night?" Roxas nodded swallowing in an attempt to get his heart out of his throat and back into his chest where it belonged. Zack stood, smiling wryly. "Well Axel's slacking and I need your help."

"O-okay," he muttered back. The raven-hair nodded, his blue eyes glimmering in amusement.

"Go ahead and get ready. I made breakfast but I need to head over there now," he said brightly. Roxas groaned inwardly. God Zack was disgustingly cheerful. He nodded, making the man beam at him. Silently, Roxas watched him go.

His heart sank and he wondered about Axel, hoping that he was alright. Slowly, he sat up, realizing that he'd fallen asleep on the couch next to Zack, who must have covered him with a blanket. He looked down at it, his heart lurching at the soft red material. Axel's scent was clinging to it. He stretched slowly, taking it with him to the red-head's room and tossing it on the bed so he could search for some clothes. He definitely needed to find something more presentable than what he was wearing, and so he went to the closet to rummage through Axel's clothes, but stopped with a small smile when he saw his bag next Axel's shoes. He felt somewhat silly for not checking there sooner. Axel had said they'd be sharing a room, after all. It only made sense for his belongings to be in here. Gently, he tugged it out of the closet and set it on the bed, pulling out some clothes.

When he looked presentable, he made his way to the kitchen. He was hungry and he knew that Zack was a good cook, and so he had probably made something delicious. Really, it could have been disgusting and he would have eaten it. He was absolutely starving. His nose was already confirming what he was hoping and his eyes lit up when he saw pancakes waiting for him.

Maybe Zack wasn't so bad after all.

xXx