Rating: M

Always

Chapter 5

Summary: Continuation of Reckoning and How Long is Forever?
Axel had always done so much for me… was always there for me… and I found myself wanting to return the favor. After all… he deserved all the happiness in the world, for giving me mine. Akuroku. Roxas' POV.

A/n: Thanks for your support so far! Enjoy the update (:

Last time:

xXx

I went to a nearby liquor store, picking up something at the last minute for our anniversary, which was tomorrow, mad at myself for nearly forgetting it. I stopped, item in hand, when I saw a picture of me and Axel kissing on the beach, as well as a snapshot of Riku and Sora feeding each other cake and Demyx dancing with Zexion.

"Gay romance is in the air…?" I whispered as I read the title of the magazine. What was 'gay'? Was it bad?

"It's so disgusting. Men are supposed to like women." The clerk said in reply, clearly disgusted. I blinked. I wasn't supposed to love Axel because he was a man?

xXx

I looked up at her, tilting my head to the side, utterly confused and her eyes widened when she realized that I was one of the 'gay' men on the cover. "God will punish you for what you've done!" She sneered.

"God blessed my marriage," I replied, somewhat confused by her hate. "Are you sure that's His view, or is it yours?" The clerk just bristled, then glared at me refusing to ring up my items, confusing me further, until her boss who had been nearby scolded her and then apologized to me. By his expression, I was certain that he was afraid that Axel would come and burn his shop down, if he didn't. I smiled at her as I bought a copy of the magazine and a bottle of Chardonnay wine, telling her to have a good day before walking out. If it didn't answer my questions... then perhaps Axel would.

xXx

I found myself on our couch cross-legged, munching on the pizza Axel had ordered since he hadn't known when I'd be back and reading the articles inside the magazine. It was interesting, I could give the writer credit for that at least—but I was also saddened by how unpleasantly biased the magazine seemed to be about 'gay love' and the lies about both Axel and myself that were inside. I'd easily pieced together what it was. I frowned as I turned the page. Axel came into the room and I saw him stretch in my peripheral vision as he made his way to the kitchen but kept reading. He'd been in his office for the better part of the day, as he had been for over a week. I hadn't minded much; he was still behind on a few things and it was giving me the time I needed to plot out a surprise grander than I'd had in mind for last year for our anniversary.

When he exited the kitchen he stopped, a bottle of water in his hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Reading."

"I see that." I nodded. "What are you reading?" I showed him the cover, marking the page with my finger so that I wouldn't lose my spot. Axel bit his lower lip.

"Is our love wrong?" Axel looked upset.

"To some people." I frowned, staring up into his eyes.

"Why?" Axel walked over to the couch and sat beside me.

"Some people think that men should only love women… and women should only love men."

"Why? That is so preposterous!" Axel looked extremely relieved. "The happiest couples I've seen are two people of the same sex, so why would they think that?" The red-head smiled.

"I can't say for sure… but I'm so glad that you don't." I tilted my head to the side.

"Loving you never once occurred to me as being strange or abnormal." Axel smiled warmly.

"Same here." I leant in, kissing him and his smile widened.

"Why did you buy that?"

"I liked the pictures… and I was curious." The red-head chuckled amusedly. I smiled at him. "Are you getting caught up?"

"Yeah."

"Good because you aren't allowed to work tomorrow." Axel smiled coyly.

"Oh and why is that?" He asked, knowing exactly why.

"Because tomorrow, you're all mine." My red-head smiled even more widely.

"Are you going to ask nicely, or is that an order?" I smiled at him as well.

"Please?" Axel chuckled.

"I would never not put you first on our anniversary, darling." My smile widened. "But, I've got more work to do before the day's over." I pouted a little. "I'll be done before we go to bed and then I intend to hold you all night long."

"You'd better," I whispered before hugging him. I smiled when he pulled away, watching as he left.

When I was certain that he was out of earshot, and had waited a few moments after that just for good measure, I dug out my phone calling Demyx. It rang once before his cheerful voice greeted me.

"Rox!" I chuckled.

"Hey, Demy," I said, smiling. "Did you get everything for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, sure did."

"Do you want me to reimburse you for anything?"

"Nope! Don't you dare try to be sneaky and reimburse me that way, either!" I laughed as he caught me.

"Okay, I won't, I promise."

"What time do you want me to come by?"

"Six-thirty. I'll have Axel outside so you'll be able to sneak in without being seen." I could almost see Demyx smiling on the other end.

"Oooh I can't wait!" I laughed.

"Me either," I whispered, swaying from side to side contentedly. My red-head was still clueless! It was going to be perfect! "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Okay Rox! Have fun!" I smiled widely.

"Hey Dem?" I said, before he could hang up.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being such a good friend."

"Not a problem!" I leant back, stretching.

"Byee tell Zexion 'hi' for me." Demyx smiled.

"Alright, do the same for me with Axel."

"Okay." I smiled after I'd hung up, humming to myself for a few moments, trying to decide what to do. I turned the TV on, flipping through the channels for the better part of the next twenty minutes then shut it off. There was nothing interesting on. I thought for a moment or two then smiled widely and got up, heading for Axel's office, wanting to ask for some paper… I'd completely filled up my sketch book.

When I got there, I knocked softly but there was no answer. I opened the door, poking my head in. I smiled a little, after that. Axel had fallen asleep on top of his papers. He'd been working so hard lately… I didn't blame him for being exhausted. I turned around, going back down the hall and into our bedroom, grabbing a blanket. When I got back to his office, I covered him with it and gently kissed the top of his head. I just didn't have it in my heart to wake him up. I glanced around the room. I still hadn't explored it, even after finding out that it existed and that I was allowed to come inside. I smiled as I did because of the first thing that stuck out to me. On one wall, there were pictures of us and of his family—they covered the entire wall. I smiled. We looked so happy together.

I paid closer attention to the photographs as I approached them, my smile widening. There was a photograph of us at a theme park with his sisters, horseback riding, eating cotton candy… I smiled as my fingers brushed against a large photo of myself. It was in black and white and I was holding Namine, who was sleeping in my arms. I loved them; they were all wonderful. There wasn't a photograph that I didn't like. I glanced back at Axel and smiled softly before going to him, just… happy because that wonderful man was mine. My eye caught his half full black and white checkered coffee mug. I picked it up, taking it with me when I realized that it was cold, gently shutting the door behind me as I left, washing it, as well as the other dishes that were in the sink, before going to bed.

xXx

When I woke, I was surrounded by flowers. There were red roses everywhere. I gasped, wiping my eyes as tears started. It was beautiful… Smiling, I smelled one, and then stretching, I got up after glancing at the clock. It was eight in the morning. I put on a hooded zip-up sweater then went to the door, wanting to find Axel.

When I went out into the living room, I was greeted by a delicious aroma and as I peeked in the kitchen, I saw that Axel was cooking. He flipped the pan and what was in it, and I smiled. Then I snuck outside, so that I could get my surprise ready for him. I smiled when I had everything mostly ready before sneaking back inside. I got into the living room, still in my boxers, one of his t-shirts and my sweater just as he came out of the kitchen.

Axel smiled at me. "Good morning." I smiled back.

"Good morning." He sat what he'd been making on the coffee table, alongside some orange juice he'd already placed there.

"I was just about to wake you up." I went to him, glad I'd gotten back inside when I had. "I let you sleep in since it's been a while." I laughed a little.

"Yeah it has." Axel laughed a little and then smiled.

"Happy anniversary," I smiled widely.

"Happy anniversary, Axel." I smiled and then stood on my toes. His hands found my waist and his forehead rested against mine.

"Are you sure you're okay with me being a guy?" I grasped either side of his face, kissing him.

"Of course I am," I whispered. "I wouldn't change anything about you." Axel smiled before kissing me again. "I'm so grateful that I'm married to somebody so wonderful." Axel smiled.

"Me too."

-TBC-

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