"You really don't have to do this," Demyx protested ineffectively.

"Yes I do," Axel replied. "You spent every free moment of almost two months looking after me while I was all busted up, and then after I got sick, and not only did you not complain or expect anything for it, you don't even seem to be aware that you did anything spectacular, or even worth mentioning. You deserve something nice after all that. And stop blushing."

Demyx could feel his face growing redder anyway. He hadn't done anything spectacular. Taking care of your friends when they couldn't take care of themselves very well was just the right thing to do - he couldn't be the only Organization member left with a conscience - obviously, otherwise Axel wouldn't be taking him to Twilight Town for a day off - so why did he think it was so amazing? He was just doing what he was supposed to.

But Axel would never believe that. So Demyx kept his mouth shut on the subject. Instead, he asked "Where are we going?"

Axel shrugged. "Wherever you feel like. I owe you. I'll buy you anything you want, so long as it actually fits in my budget and it doesn't involve bug candy."

Demyx blushed again. Now he would be reluctant to point out anything he wanted, because he knew he'd be spending Axel's munny instead of his own. That was something else it seemed useless to mention. "That's nice of you," he murmured instead.

Axel ruffled his hair. "And please, whatever you decide you want, speak the hell up. Don't just make me guess. After all, I missed your birthday too."

"That's because I never mentioned it when it passed."

"That's no excuse, little brother. And just so you know, your face is incredibly red." Demyx blushed even deeper, and Axel laughed. "Look at you. How can you go through life being so readily embarrassed?"

"I'm not embarrassed," Demyx protested. Pointlessly.

Axel grabbed his neck and gave him a noogie. "What say we start with some ice cream?"

"Axel, did you not notice the snow or what?"

Axel released him, then tweaked his blue scarf. "What's snow have to do with it? Oh, I forgot, you actually get cold, don't you." He smirked, obviously confident in his immunity to winter temperatures. "How about some hot chocolate, then? Most of the ice cream shops are either closed for the season or have switched over to a winter menu anyway."

"Fine, hot chocolate sounds good..." Demyx rubbed at his ears. "Preferably inside."

"I take the ear rubbing to assume you'd like some earmuffs too? Can't let those precious ears of yours freeze off, now can we? Otherwise you wouldn't be able to hear all that lovely music!"

Demyx was blushing so furiously at this point it barely mattered. "Axel -"

Axel almost doubled over laughing. "Your face is just priceless," he gasped. Then he straightened up and calmed down a little. "Seriously. Don't let your ears freeze off. Put your hood up until we get inside, then once we're done with the hot chocolate, we can go find you some earmuffs or something."

"Ax...why are you doing this?"

"Because I owe you. Because I like you. Because you're so damn shy you wouldn't dream of doing it yourself. Because it's fun to have a little brother to fuss over."

Demyx raised an eyebrow. "Fun?"

"Yes. Fun. Now do you want to argue the point all day or do you want some hot chocolate?"

Demyx was forced to concede defeat. "...I want hot chocolate."


AN: Aww.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, got it memorized?