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It had been a few hours after Demyx and Roxas took Axel to the train station and already Roxas was feeling nervous. He was nervous for Axel, mostly, and now he was feeling jittery since Demyx said that he wanted to talk to him. He had a good idea what Dem had wanted to talk about.
He sat on the couch in the living area, nursing a mug of tea between his hands, staring at the dark liquid, but not drinking any of it. Demyx walked in and sat on the loveseat with a sigh, closing his eyes and resting his head back against the furniture. Roxas figured that Demyx thought it would be a good time to talk now while Zexion was upstairs, adding his own personal items and touch to his now shared room with Demyx.
It was silent for a good few minutes. Roxas prepared himself for Demyx's questions and Demyx prepared to ask those questions. The younger blond sipped at his tea delicately.
"You've noticed, haven't you?" Demyx asked.
Roxas returned to nursing his tea, unable to look up and meet Demyx's cool, aqua eyes. He was afraid of seeing the worry, afraid of knowing that it wasn't just him, and no longer being able to ignore it.
He couldn't put it off any longer. "I have." He knew they were on the same page.
Demyx nodded more to himself than anything. "It was bound to happen," he said with a defeated look. "He's been quieter, not much like himself. At least not in front of us. In the presence of company, he springs into it and plays the role of himself perfectly. I should have seen this coming."
Roxas was at a loss for words. He felt an ill sense of jealousy in his gut upon feeling as though he would never have as much insight on Axel that Demyx did. He wanted the secrets, the closeness, the knowledge that Demyx shared with Axel. Demyx was years ahead of him and Roxas knew there was no chance of him ever being able to catch up. He'd most likely always be one step behind, and there was resentment inside of him that he knew he'd have to douse.
"What do we do?" he asked Demyx quietly. He stared down at his tea, unsure of what was to happen. He'd noticed Axel's strange behavior. It was so different from when they had first met. Gradually over the days they spent together, it was like he was losing his radiance that drew Roxas to him. Of course, he didn't love Axel any less, he just knew that something had to be done in order to restore that shine. But he wasn't an expert on Axel like Demyx, and he understood that he'd have to leave the figuring out the details to the experts. He'd help in any way he could.
Demyx glanced up at Roxas, studying him carefully as the younger blond kept his head bowed. He wouldn't be able to fully get a grip on what was wrong with Axel unless he went in for the personal questions that could make Roxas uncomfortable. He'd rather not, but it had to be done.
Before asking, he mulled over the situation. He knew that this was a rocky time of the year for Axel. After he had gotten out of rehab and had been going to therapy, he had seemed better, far better than before his treatment. He was lively, the bright young Axel he remembered. Obviously he knew there would always be the emotional scar left behind by his uncaring parents, but ever since Axel had been adopted into his family, the redhead seemed to be so much better, practically over his past. The pain had always been reflected in those wild green eyes though, and Demyx always had a hunch that whenever Axel looked into a mirror, he was easily able to see his mother's face reflected in his own. He was always afraid of the thoughts that circled around his head.
It seemed that recently his mood had been getting worse. At this time last year, Axel had been quiet and clingy as usual, but overall he hadn't seemed to have any problems. He did have the issue of getting into an argument with his father the previous year, and Demyx had never received full detail of what went down. All he knew was that it wasn't pretty and it put Axel in a right fit, making him one sad puppy for a week, barely eating and moping about. But he had bounced back fairly quickly and Demyx seemed to brush the entire thing off as a minor setback.
This year, it was so hard to tell, but Axel was just…off from his normal self. He joked and was playful, but those moments were becoming slightly more rare. A sort of guilt mixed with concern sat in his stomach heavily whenever he saw Roxas walking around with a bruised neck from Axel's ravishing (which was becoming nearly a daily occurrence). It seemed that now that Axel had access to his favorite distraction from the painful memories, he was taking full advantage of it. How badly could that affect Roxas?
It wouldn't be long, Demyx mused. Not long at all until the struggle within Axel to contain his urges and block out the trauma he faced became overbearing and he snapped. It was what he was most worried about. He didn't want him to relapse, but knew it was all too possible. Especially given that he had been so badly addicted to his drug of choice.
"Roxas, I'm really sorry to intrude, but I need to know," Demyx said. He was unable to look the boy in the eye. He ran a hair through his spiked up locks and bit his lip. "You and Axel have had sex, right?"
He was met with silence and that was good enough as an answer. He guessed that Roxas was just recovering from being asked such a question, and that was why he was taking so long. Demyx picked up on the hesitancy that lingered around the younger teen before he got his answer. "Yes, we have. Just once, and it um…well, it didn't really go all that well." Demyx saw the blush flare to life on the boy's cheeks and he wished that he could take his embarrassment away. He was jolted, though, with a new sense of dread by Roxas' words.
"What do you mean, it didn't go well?"
It was Roxas' turn to bite his lip. He set his cup down on the coffee table and twined his fingers together. He sat back further into the corner of the couch. "I-I mean, it was my first time and all, and he was a little, I don't know, rough, and well, it wasn't exactly the greatest experience for me." His face was burning and he felt uncomfortable. But Demyx asked and he did make it sound like this information was important.
"Just as I thought," Demyx whispered. "You haven't done it since then, have you?"
Again Roxas hesitated. "I know Axel wants to. He's tried to actually, a few times, but he's felt so guilty about the first time that he hasn't pushed me. But we still do…stuff…and he really seems to enjoy it. So I just do what I can." Roxas closed his eyes. He didn't know what Axel was like in bed with anyone else, so he didn't know if this was Axel's normal behavior or not. Some people had more of a sex drive than others, that's what he thought every night as his boyfriend fondled and played with him.
What worried Roxas was that he was sure he heard the faintest, 'Oh god,' from Demyx. He swallowed, though his throat was dry. Neither of them said anything and turned to their own musings. Roxas knew that Demyx knew far more than he himself did and it bothered him. He wanted to know what was wrong. He knew something was wrong with Axel, but he felt clueless as to what it could be. It was a subtle change in the redhead's demeanor to everyone else, and he was still loving as can be. It was just that little 'off' factor that he couldn't pinpoint. Demyx had told him that this wasn't a good time of the year for Axel, but he hardly knew why. Axel's mother's death, sure, he got that, but what could it really be that was driving this?
He did have something else to say.
"There's something else," Roxas spoke. "I know Axel's had past issues with drinking and such." He'd been looking up at Demyx who had his head down, resting on his open palms, and he jumped, not expecting Demyx to whip his head up so suddenly. He wasn't sure what the musician had been thinking when he said that. "I don't know if it's getting worse or what. On Christmas Eve, I had had some rum and when Axel kissed me, he tasted it. He wouldn't stop kissing me. It was like he was trying to get a drink from my own mouth." It sounded gross in his own mind, but it was the truth. That night he'd been kissed by Axel like no other time, and his tongue had licked every corner of Roxas' mouth as though Roxas still had some rum hidden in there.
Demyx wasn't able to say anything. The front door burst open and Marluxia barged into the house with a stuffed overnight bag in one hand and a cat carrier in the other. He sighed dramatically and set his items down. "It's snowing again, can you believe it?"
Demyx looked back over his shoulder and pulled the curtains back from the window he sat in front of. Sure enough, flutters of white snowflakes were falling, covering the already blanketed ground with a fresh onslaught of the frozen precipitation. He then turned his attention back to Marluxia who moved around the couch to sit next to Roxas, slinging his arm around the blond's shoulders. Roxas didn't protest. It was as though he found comfort or reassurance in Marly's touch. That took Demyx back, and he realized that this entire situation must have been eating at him.
"It seems to be all gloom and doom here," Marluxia commented. He looked down at Roxas who was staring at his mug on the table with a look of concentration. The pink haired man frowned in turn and glanced up at Demyx questioningly.
"We're actually discussing Axel," he informed his friend. "Have you been talking to him lately?"
Marluxia sighed and understood why the two looked so troubled. "We knew this would happen," he spoke softly. His hand rubbed at the back of Roxas' neck and the boy flinched. That was the way Axel touched him when he was trying to calm his nerves and tell him to relax. It wasn't that it was unpleasant when Marluxia did the same, it was the fact that that was Axel's comforting gesture, no one else's. Marluxia ceased the action upon noticing the flinch and returned his hand to Roxas' shoulder.
"So it's not just us that noticed," Demyx said. He felt slightly better that there was some more evidence that there really was a problem with his best friend and that he wasn't just being overprotective and a worry wart. At the same time, it did exemplify that there was a problem that had to be dealt with. But what was he to do? Surely if he suggested Axel doing something like going back to therapy the redhead would deny having any problems.
What really got Demyx was how Roxas was able to pick up on Axel's situation. Axel was a pro, the best of the best at making a performance. There was no better person in the world who could fake being perfectly fine. He was so cool headed about it, that it was damn near impossible for any person to take his everyday behavior and claim that he was suffering. Demyx had never in his life seem such deep pain masked so immaculately. It was a wonder how someone could live a life like Axel's.
Roxas must have some sixth sense, he thought. The ability to see someone, to get to know them so wholly that if they were the slightest bit off, he'd be able to pick up on it. Maybe he was psychic and he hid that fact. He doubted it, but one could never know.
The only people Demyx knew who could get a sense for Axel's conditions were himself, Marluxia, and his own mother. He could count Reno as well. The older redhead had taken to Axel once they were able to spend more time together. He'd acted like the protector especially after all the things Axel had gone through. He knew that Reno texted Axel every once in a while to check in on him and make sure he was okay. It seemed now that Roxas as well, had the ability to see through Axel's expert performances.
"So what do you plan on doing?" Marluxia asked. He looked between his friend and his new friend. He was sure that neither of them had any idea and he wasn't exactly sure either.
Demyx shrugged his shoulders. Roxas didn't make any motion. The three sat, keeping to their own thoughts. Demyx was the one to talk first, "We'll just have to keep an eye on him. It's the only thing we can do right now." He stood up off the couch and walked by the two. Roxas could hear his footfalls as he headed up the stairs. He didn't move, however. Marluxia did, walking around the back of the couch.
Marluxia hadn't been expecting to walk in to find those two having such a conversation. Still, it was bound to happen. He had noticed the most slight decline in Axel's happy behavior, and after being his friend for so long, Marly had grown to learn what signs to look for in order to determine the man's current mood. He had known, those few years ago, that there was something definitely wrong with Axel, and he was certain it had gone far beyond the depression everyone brushed it off as. Turned out he had been right when he found out about his friend's drinking problem. And surely, with a past as rough as Axel's, a relapse was almost guaranteed to happen. It was just sooner than they had all expected.
Marly kneeled down in front of the cat carrier he had recently gotten and opened the door. He peered in, finding the small kitten Thumper staring right back at him with wide eyes. He sighed. The darn kitten had still not gotten used to him. Sure, it hadn't been all that long ago since he found the small feline, but surely after trying since day one, some progress would have been made. There was a bit of progress, but it was virtually unnoticeable.
"Come here, Thumper, you know I'm not gonna bite you." The only thing he could note on was the fact that he wasn't hissed at anymore, or more accurately, not nearly as much. Still, that was a bigger improvement. He did have scratches on his hands and arms, but that was the price you pay when bringing home a stray who hadn't had any previous human contact.
He figured now that he'd let the kitten go on its own, let the small thing wander out when it wanted to or felt that it was safe.
Marluxia picked up his shoulder bag, slinging it over his arm and walked behind the couch where Roxas was still sitting. He placed a hand on the boy's head, leaning down to whisper, "Everything will be fine. Just give it some time, and things will be okay again." Not that they weren't okay still, he wanted to add on. Somehow, he didn't think Roxas would believe that.
It'd been ages, Roxas thought, since they had last been here. The Usual Spot wasn't exactly the most ideal spot for the winter time. It wasn't the best shelter from the winter chill, but luckily they did have a space heater there that Pence had gotten from his dad before it was thrown away. So they had a somewhat reliable source of heat, but it was still kind of cold. That was why they didn't meet up there in the winter. But, they had made a tradition between the four of them, that they meet up there at least once during the winter as to not let the place feel forgotten.
Wrapped up in one of his sweaters and one of Axel's sweatshirts, Roxas curled his arms around himself to act as a shield against the cold. He sided up closer to Hayner on the couch and his best friend offered an arm around his shoulders. The dirty blond's scarf was starting to slide slightly off the side of his shoulder.
Pence and Olette both stood by the space heater, the girl holding her gloved hands out in hopes of warming her frozen fingers and chasing away frostbite.
"Remind me again why we do this?" Hayner asked. The rest shook their heads, unable to answer. They all knew why they came out here, it just seemed that someone had to voice their extremeness each time.
"It's been a while since it's been just the four of us, huh?" Olette said. She smiled at the heater though the gesture was meant for her favorite friends. Her eyes sparkled by the yellow light that contrasted the unseen drab gray skies. It reminded her of the sun, something they hadn't seen in a few days.
"We always knew we wouldn't get to meet up as much like we did in high school. College is different," Roxas said, almost sulkily. He would have preferred being able to live as he had in high school, him Sora and his parents, and not having to worry about a job or more difficult school work. He was grateful, however, to have Axel, Demyx, Zexion, Marluxia and every other new person that entered his life. That was something he wasn't willing to part with. Though it seemed as though so much was cutting into his time with his friends. They were all leading busy lives now, and he knew that they wouldn't be able to get together as often as they had.
"It seems like so much is going on. And like so much has changed," Olette said. "Like me and Pence," she said, nudging her boyfriend's shoulder. "And Roxas and Axel. It's like we all have relationships and are starting to settle down, becoming adults."
"You're next, Hayner," Roxas said in a slightly joking tone. "We need to pair you up with someone, then we'll all be complete." Hayner didn't smile or glare or show much emotion to what was said to him. Roxas regarded him curiously. He knew his best friend, and that was not the reaction he had expected. He looked up at the other two, finding Pence seemingly oblivious and Olette continuing to stare at the heater.
"Yeah, well. I guess I should tell you something," Hayner said. He glanced over at Roxas and found very intent eyes staring him down. He knew Roxas was incredibly intuitive and he knew that Roxas knew something was up. Olette already knew the situation and Pence would probably have a heart attack when he heard. "So there's no real way to say this rather than straightforward. And that's that I'm dating Seifer."
In the distance a train whistled, the only sound to break the silence. A breeze swept the area, causing Olette to tug her coat tighter around herself. She was completely unfazed, having already known this information. She turned her green eyes to Pence who had blanched and was staring, slack jawed at Hayner. She scowled and tapped his chin, signaling to him to shut his mouth. She peeked at Roxas, finding his expression nearly unreadable.
The blue eyed blond was the first to speak, surprising the girl. "How long?" he asked simply.
"About a month and a half," Hayner replied, glaring furiously at the dartboard. He was biting his tongue, waiting for some kind of outburst. His arm remained around Roxas' shoulders and his friend didn't shrug out of the hold angrily. That was a good sign, he concluded.
"Okay," Roxas breathed, his breath vaporizing before his face, "Okay." It took him a moment, but before long he smiled up at Hayner. "You're happy, right?"
Olette looked up this time, watching Hayner carefully. Just days ago she had seen Hayner in a fit because Seifer was confusing him and making him question just what he should do with their relationship. She hadn't known if he had made a decision as of yet, and perhaps he still hadn't. She was concerned, as always with her friends.
Hayner nodded, as though convincing himself rather than the others. "I think I am. He's so much different when it's just me and him together. It's obvious he cares." Putting Olette's mind at ease, Hayner let out a small smile. "It's nice. Better than I thought it would be. He's still a pain in the ass, but…it's hard to describe. He's just not as much of an asshole." Hayner chuckled softly. "I still want to punch him sometimes, though."
Roxas smiled, feeling his friends sincerity. Unable to help himself, he hugged Hayner 'round the torso and laughed along. "As long as you're happy. That's what matters. Even if it is Seifer."
For what seemed like hours the friends talked and joked as though they were back in their senior year of high school. The nostalgia of being back in their favorite hangout allowing them to forget their current lives and let them live in the recent past once more.
"So what are the plans for your birthday, Roxas?" Olette asked, having wondered what they were going to do for the twins' 19th birthdays.
"We're thinking of having a New Year's - birthday celebration at the Annex. Reno told Sora that he had to be there that night or he'd knock the poor guy out, strip him naked, and set him on display chained up in the middle of the dance floor."
"That's cruel and unusual punishment," Pence said, mildly disturbed.
"And from all that I've learned," Roxas said, "Reno isn't someone to mess with."
The silence reigned once more as the wind picked up again. The already dull sky was beginning to grow darker, none of the four having kept track of time. The days were shorter, nighttime approaching faster than any other time of the year. The temperature was continuing to drop and they all knew it was getting to be time to head on out and back into the securities of their homes.
The desire to let their inner reminiscing continue left the group sitting together even longer.
"Things are different, huh?" Pence said.
They all knew he was right. Things were different. No one needed to say anything to confirm it. They already knew.
Surrounded by hot water, Roxas sank down easily into the bathtub. He hummed with pleasure as the heat relaxed his muscles and put him at ease. There was nothing like a hot bath. Especially since after the group had departed from the Usual Spot, they had engaged in a snowball fight, ending with Hayner and Roxas throwing Pence in a snow bank, then Olette coming up behind them and pushing them both in after. Then she instructed them that they all go home and get warmed up before anyone got sick.
He hadn't warmed up right away, and Roxas was still feeling the chill of the outside, as though there was still snow down his shirt and pants (thanks to Hayner). His bath was quickly warming him up and he smiled with bliss. Above all, he enjoyed the alone time he had in order to ponder, and get a good sense of what he was feeling with everything going on.
What had surprised him before and even now was the seemingly lack of reaction he had to Hayner coming out about Seifer. Roxas was conflicted, not being able to comprehend whether this sort of thing should have been expected or not. He really hadn't been completely blown away or even all that shocked when Hayner told them. Had he been waiting for something to happen between them all along? It hardly seemed like something to even consider when looking back over all of the years of abuse those two had thrown around at each other. But what about before that?
When he had first moved here from Destiny Islands, Seifer and Hayner had been best of friends. He ended up joining that friendship briefly before it was broken up. It had been fun, he could readily admit. Being friends with Seifer wasn't at all a bad experience and he had a part within him that missed those days. But when they had fallen apart, it was worse off for his best friend. He had watched, alongside Hayner, Seifer's ultimate downfall against the battle of drugs and bad behavior. They split, gathered new friends and didn't really talk.
Seifer seemed to always be the one to start the fights. Roxas had never understood why Seifer would pick fights with them. He was still trying to understand why, and with new revelations coming to him, he was starting to think up an answer. He must have been jealous, or something along the same line. No matter what was thought or said, it was Hayner that had taken the first step into really breaking their friendship. He talked with Roxas more often, then Olette and Pence when they came into it. Seifer had, in truth, been almost forgotten.
Then Seifer met Rai and Fuu and things went from there. He probably hadn't forgiven or forgotten that Hayner was the one to leave him. So, the taunts and fighting was probably just to get his old friend's attention. That had to be it.
Roxas stared at the wall before him unblinkingly. It made total sense. It would explain how their intimate relationship could have gotten started so easily.
They'd always loved each other. It was just jealousy that had prevented it from happening sooner.
He wasn't put off by the relationship, not in the least. And after having come to that realization, he was even more accepting of it than before. He was sympathizing with Seifer now. He had been the forgotten one, and that had to be hard after having such a close friendship with someone since they were in diapers.
Roxas just hoped now that everything would work out for them. He was sure that at some point, further down the road, things between the two rivaling blonds would cool down and their frequent argument would sizzle into occasional spats sometime.
It made him wonder how he and Axel got along so well. Sure enough Axel easily got on his nerves and annoyed him, but they had never really had many fights or arguments (aside from the monstrosity that time at the Annex and after, something Roxas was completely shutting from his mind). Could things possibly remain that way between them? They could, it was possible. But it was more than unlikely. They would argue in the future, they would fight, maybe go on for hours, days, without talking to each other. He'd rather not let something like that happen, but some things were inevitable.
It hit Roxas then, hard enough to actually startle him, causing the water surrounding to ripple and form waves that splashed against the side of the tub. He was thinking of his future with Axel. The implication that they would stay together for years to come, with no definite end. Was this relationship so serious that he was allowed to think such ways? There was no guarantee how long his relationship with Axel would last, and it pained him to think of it ending. Staying with Axel just felt right, but that wasn't enough to warrant reassurance that it would happen.
Still, they both admitted their love, which Roxas had been completely serious about. But didn't couples say 'I love you' and still have things fall apart? Naturally they did. Those three words didn't grant you a lifetime of happiness, that was for sure.
Beside that, there was the issue with Axel's current condition that was of more importance. Demyx made it out as though he had been expecting this to happen. What worried Roxas most of all was that there was some underlying reasoning that went beyond an alcohol addiction and it was something he wasn't privy to, and that really bothered him. He was entitled, in his own opinion, to know about Axel. His boyfriend knew about him, knew about him being parentless and the things he'd been through.
He, on the other hand, was completely in the dark about Axel's childhood. He had facts that were few and seemingly far in-between, and there were more than enough missing gaps that would make even the most composed man curious. Something bad, that's all he knew. It wasn't anything good. It killed him, but keeping his mouth shut from asking too many questions was what he knew he was supposed to do.
What he didn't know wasbwhat he was supposed to do for Axel. He had come to understand that the sexual acts were Axel's distraction from whatever he was trying to not think of. That was his role, being there so Axel didn't have to think up those horrid memories, whatever they might be. He touched his neck, knowing full and well that there were unhealed marks there. It was becoming painful for him. His neck was Axel's favorite spot and it hurt with the buildup of bruises there. Sometimes he wondered if those bruises were going to turn permanent and never go away.
Axel had tried to have sex with him again. He knew he wanted to, it was obvious enough. He had even asked if Roxas would be willing to, as he promised complete control and gentleness. But he had been apprehensive and not fully convinced. His first time hurt, there was no point in lying. He wanted to give Axel a second chance to show him how enjoyable it really could be, but he just wasn't sure. He had been apprehensive the night he gave himself to the redhead, and he was continuing to wonder if he really should have done that and if he should do it once more. The chances of the pain were too great, and he didn't want to hurt like that again.
At this point in his thinking, Roxas realized that he wasn't relaxing at all. The depressing thoughts were weighing heavily on his mind and heart and he'd rather not think about these things anymore. He sighed dejectedly, upset about not being able to really enjoy his bath and stood up out of the still very warm water. He dried himself off, toweled his hair then dressed for bed. He'd be sleeping by himself tonight, no warm body to cuddle with. It was a cold feeling, but at the same time, it would be a little break and he could enjoy the bed all to himself.
The lights in the house were off when Roxas stepped out of the bathroom. The exception was the glow of the TV downstairs. As Roxas took the few steps to his bedroom he could see the faint silhouettes of Demyx and Zexion together on the couch and by the sounds of it, they weren't watching the movie that was playing.
His room was cast in dark shadows when he walked in. He had turned the lamp on the computer desk on and it offered a faint yellow glow that illuminated the room enough so that he wouldn't bump into or trip over anything as he got into bed. Letting out a yawn, Roxas turned to said bed and stopped when he found it wasn't empty. He stared, tiredly, at Marluxia who was lounging on the bed with one of Roxas' books in his hands. He couldn't tell which one, given the room was too endowed with shadows to see.
"You do know it's not good to read with in the dark," Roxas spoke. He was very tired now and would like to sleep. Sitting in a hot bath always made him tired. He shut the lamp off and the room filled with darkness. There was a small nightlight plugged in (Axel had it, claiming he'd always trip over something whenever he had to make a late night bathroom run) but it hardly offered enough light for reading. Roxas heard the thump of his book hitting the floor and scowled. Ignoring the fact that there was someone else in his bed, he climbed in and curled beneath the blanket. He expected Marluxia to take the hint that he was going to sleep, but the older man never left the bed. No matter how much he would have preferred to stretch out in bed, he didn't have the energy to kick Marly out.
"You know you whimper in your sleep sometimes."
Roxas was jolted but he didn't move. "Are you going to tell me you're a creepy stalker?" That was most definitely not what he had been expecting to hear.
"Axel told me. You're also clingy, apparently, and sometimes you move around a lot." Marluxia remained still, even as Roxas turned over and stared at him.
"Why would he tell you these things?" Roxas questioned. Did they have some weird pack, that Axel would tell Marly everything about him or something? Because at the moment he was a little sketched out that someone else would know so much about how he slept. It wasn't exactly the way to make someone feel comfortable around you.
Marly simply chuckled though. "He talks about you all the time to me. It's like you are the only thing on his mind, and a lot of the time, I believe it. It just means that he cares and really loves you. He did the same thing when he was with Demyx. It's how I found out that Dem talks in his sleep sometimes." With no response from Roxas, he went on, "I know you take good care of him. And with what's going on with the guy right now, he's going to need you more than ever. I'm not much of a sentimental guy, but you should know that I think you're just what he needs. And things are going to be really tough and he may not respond to your help, but don't give up on him. That's most important."
Roxas hadn't been expecting this at all. He didn't take Marluxia as the guy who gives you the advice or tells you such things. It was all the more reason to really listen to his words and take them to heart. "Yeah," he replied finally. "I'll take care of him."
Across the room, Roxas' phone rang from where it sat, charging, on the computer desk. "I know who that is, and I take it as my cue to leave." Marluxia got up and out of bed, reaching Roxas' phone before the blond could get one foot on the floor.
"Are you calling to tuck me in over the phone?" Marluxia spoke. Roxas couldn't hear the exact words, but he heard his boyfriend's voice and his body flooded with warmth and he settle back down into the bed.
"Now now, I only came over here to substitute for you. Roxas and I are having a grand old time, you can bet your beloved motorcycle I'm keeping him nice and warm for you." Roxas frowned, knowing that Axel couldn't, in any way, believe that. Marly chuckled as he handed the phone over. He spoke loudly with the intention of Axel hearing him, "When you're done talking to him Rox, we'll pick up where we left off." And at once, he was closing the door behind him.
"Joking or not," Axel said, "that's not funny."
"You know as well as I do he's joking. How was your train ride?" Roxas questioned. He felt elated to hear Axel's voice, even if he had been kissing him goodbye at the train station just that morning.
"Boring as hell. Screaming kids really aren't great. Let's remember to not get you pregnant," Axel quipped. Roxas laughed softly and felt at ease. He was happy to hear Axel being his goofy self. It gave the impression that there really wasn't anything wrong with him. "I figured I'd give you a loving goodnight, since I'm not there to cuddle with you."
"It'll be a lonely night without you," Roxas admitted. "But I think I can manage. A nice big bed, all to myself."
"Enjoy it while you can, I'll be there to take over tomorrow."
Roxas yawned again, his eyelids dropping. Still, he smiled as he snuggled into the pillows, the phone warm as it pressed against his ear. He could imagine Axel right beside him, feel his warmth and his breath against his cheeks. He squirmed with the need for Axel. How could it be, so quick, he had become dependant on Axel. They'd been a couple for a handful of weeks. It was so fast. It seemed impossible. But his love wasn't questionable. He felt so devoted, so entrapped.
"You're tired," Axel stated. "You should sleep. I'll talk to you in the morning, okay?"
He didn't want to stop talking to Axel, but he really was tired. It was late into the night and he'd gotten up early. "Mmkay," he agreed.
"Then sleep well, baby. I love you."
Roxas wanted to believe that everything concerning Axel was okay. The way Axel was talking to him now was convincing enough. But as he was warned by Demyx, Axel was an incredible actor and he had to learn what was real and what was immaculate acting. Still, he'd go on hoping that everything would be okay, despite the forewarning feeling that rested like led in his gut.
"I love you, too. Sweet dreams."
"Something's wrong," Riku figured out and vocalized his realization. Sora was climbing into bed after shutting the lights in the room off. The brunet was frowning and wrapped himself around Riku, his brows drawn together.
"It's just a bad feeling I've got. It's been looming for a few days, but it feels like it's getting stronger," he informed the other. He pushed himself up, coming up to the same height as his boyfriend and cutely rubbed their noses together in an Eskimo kiss. "I'm sure it's nothing."
Riku swooped in for a real kiss to which Sora responded eagerly. He had come to love Riku's kisses and felt like he didn't want to go a day without them. When Riku kissed him, he felt a bubble being cast around them, allowing him to be free of anything bad or harmful and just be protected. With a teasing lick to his lips, Sora felt the coldness of separation as the silverette pulled away.
"I wouldn't say it's nothing," Riku mused. "I know you and your brother. You're both extremely intuitive. If you have a bad feeling, I'd take it as warning."
Sora scoffed, rolling his bright eyes, unseen by Riku in the darkness of the night. "You sound like we're predicting the end of the world. Really, I've had feelings like this before and nothing has happened. I went without feeling things and have had something bad happen. It's not a reliable way to tell what the future holds."
The pair settled down to drift off into sleep. "You're right, but who knows. You should see if Roxas has had any bad feelings lately."
"I'm telling you it's probably nothing," Sora argued. He flopped down on Riku's chest and slithered a hand beneath the cotton shirt the older teen was wearing. He rubbed circles along the other's back and smiled as a hand stroked the back of his thigh.
"Alright, no need to get cranky." Riku was unsure of where Sora's defensiveness came from, but if he felt like there was something foreboding among him, he'd probably be the same way. He just took to stroking the boy's leg and kissing his forehead. He would think Sora had already drifted off, judging by his sudden silence, had it not been for the lack of deep, even breathing.
"You really think something might go wrong?" Sora asked quietly.
Riku shrugged, closing his eyes and yawning. "Who knows. We can't predict the future. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."
The brunet didn't reply and closed his eyes, though he was unable to sleep. He didn't like the feeling he had, and he was sure that it wasn't just him suffering from it. He felt very anxious, and not in a good way, and there was no explanation for it. He'd had feelings like this before, but it'd been a while since the last time.
'Roxas is feels it too,' he thought. He wasn't able to sleep. So he stayed awake for the night, pondering just what could possibly happen.
Sorry, this chapter is a bit shorter and not as entertaining as the last one. I needed to kind of set things up (though, sadly, there wasn't much to set up) for the next chapter. I think overall I needed to confirm things, like Roxas' views on the things discussed.
I can firmly say (as of now, in my head) two more chapters. One more main chapter and an epilogue. And if it turns out to be more, then I'm cramming everything in two chapters. That's final.
Again, new story after this one. I'll most likely post the prologue the same day the next chapter or the epilogue of Truth is posted. I'll leave a author's note confirming it for those who are interested in reading it.
