Rating: M

Always

Chapter 7

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: Hello, hello. I'm sorry I've been gone for so long. Life, it's hectic. All I can promise right now is to write when I can /:

Samo, Correct, Roxas doesn't have all of his memories back yet. He has most of it but chunks are still missing. Thank you so much for your wonderful review :D it was very reassuring. Sometimes… I wonder if I'm any good at all when I get a one-word response, so you made me feel like I was going in the right direction.

I do love feedback, so I'm grateful to each and every fan out there who has either helped me to either improve or has encouraged me to continue. Thank you for sticking with me so far, as well as continuing to, I'm very thankful to each of you.

Also, randamanimefan, yes, yes I am still writing this, the story isn't dead (: thank you for the review!

xXx

Sneaky is something I'll never pretend to be or to have ever been good at. Especially if it is in any way, shape or form related to Axel. Yet, I found myself sitting across from Demyx in my favorite ice cream parlor, trying to learn just that: the art of being sneaky. Only because I wanted to properly surprise him for his birthday, of course.

"And you have to act calm. Don't give anything away by overreacting!" Well… I was trying to at least. The idea of keeping things from Axel still made me feel sick to my stomach and so I wasn't giving it my full attention while I poked at my ice cream. I'd always promised him honesty, after all, and he'd done the same for me. It was our mutual agreement, our policy above all else, and I found myself finally interrupting Demyx to tell him as much. His response was an exasperated sigh.

"Roooxas. Have you ever surprised Axel? Like, ever?" My face reddened and I smiled a little, thinking of the necklace and his reaction. My blush darkened a bit while my mind dwelled on the past week and a half. Axel had been more affectionate and just… happy. It made me want to surprise him like that every day, if I could. I blinked when Demyx waved his hand in front of my face.

"Oh, sorry. Yes actually…" he gave me a disbelieving look, "but I've never outright lied to him to do it." There was another sigh before he shook his head.

"Sometimes it's okay to stretch the truth. Especially if it'll lead to you getting laid." I blushed furiously.

"Demyx!" I whispered lividly.

"What? Seriously. Bossman's hot. You can't deny that. He's fit too, so he's probably good at sex. I bet it's awesome being married to him." I found myself resisting the urge to dig a hole and bury myself. Instead I gave him a mortified expression. The blond shrugged before sipping at his milkshake. "Okay, fine, try not to lie if it makes you feel bad, but try not to ruin the party or your chances of awesome sex," he said quite plainly. I banged my head against the table as a mother and her small child walked by. Judging by the dirty look she shot us, she'd heard every word he'd said.

"Demyx!" I whined, resting my chin on my forearms and pouting at him. "That's not why I want to throw a party for him!" He tilted his head at me cutely, innocently. I glared up at him. "And God! Why do you act like I have to try so hard to have sex?!" He grinned impishly.

"'Cause you never share. It makes me wonder if you ever get to." I sat up fully.

"Maybe that's because I think it's private and therefore not up for discussion!" He took another sip of his milkshake, his grin widening.

"Sure, Roxas."

"Just, ugh, enough!" Demyx chuckled lightly, his eyes glinting from mischief.

"Nope, 'cos I don't believe you." I rubbed at my forehead at the irritating sing-song tune he'd said it in.

"What will make this stop?" I asked exasperatedly. He grinned, almost evilly.

"When you see him, the very next time, surprise the hell out of him. Do something you've never done."

"How the hell am I supposed to do that?" He merely shrugged, making my irritation grow. His grin only widened.

"Annd go!"

"Wha-?" I questioned, freezing with my mouth halfway open when someone slid into the booth, beside me. I remained frozen, staring at his smug smile the entire time. Of course. He'd seen Axel enter the establishment. I knew he had. Otherwise he wouldn't be trying to be so ridiculous.

"Demyx! Hello, I hope I'm not interrupting anything because I was hoping to steal Roxas," he said from beside me, making my mouth snap shut. Hesitantly, my gaze travelled to Axel. He was wearing some sort of cologne and was dressed nicely. Even his wild hair was tamer than normal and pulled back. Something about him seemed different. I blinked, realizing that he'd cut his hair. All the same, he looked very handsome.

"Actually you were. Roxas and I were having an important discussion about-" he began, yelping when I kicked him from under the table. He pouted at me and I tried not to blush. "Oh come on! You owe me now!" Axel glanced from him to me and back again questioningly and I swallowed.

"Uhm, what?" I bit my lower lip, my face reddening. "Roxas?" Then they formed in a thin line and I glared at Demyx.

"Oh no I don't!" Then, I smirked a bit, glancing at Axel, "But I'll do it anyway," and without hesitation, I reached for Axel and pulled him into a kiss. My red-head made a small noise of surprise and I flipped Demyx off as I proceeded to make out with my husband. When he broke away, he grinned at me.

"I'm not even going to ask," he murmured before glancing sidelong, "but I'm going to thank Demyx." I laughed a little.

"What do you need to steal me for?" Our eyes locked.

"If I told you then I couldn't surprise you very well, could I?"

"N-no, I don't suppose so…" He smiled, grasping my hand and pulling me with him out of the booth.

"Bye Demyx, see you soon!" He called and I laughed as he drug me along behind him.

When we exited the establishment I stopped, making him pause and glance back at me. I smiled a little and slid my fingers along his, entwining them. "You don't have to be in such a hurry, you know." He grinned a little.

"What if I do?" I blinked.

"Do you?" He laughed.

"Yes, actually."

"Why..?"

"Because we'll be late," he replied.

"For…?" He grinned but didn't answer my question.

"Just come with me." I smiled a little.

"Okay."

I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm as we walked down the sidewalk. Axel looked happy, with a content smile on his face but said nothing. I didn't either, rather enjoying the comfortable silence that was between us. That is, until I laughed a little as I was led to a small café. "This' it?" His smile simply widened and he led me around to the side of the building. I gasped when he led me through an ivy covered gate and to a secluded outdoor area with a fountain. It was beautiful.

"Yeah. This' it." I sat beside him at a small table. It was breathtaking. "What do you think?"

"It's beautiful, Axel."

"I'm glad that you like it." I let my hand rest on top of his.

"I do." He gazed at me happily, squeezing my fingers gently, but said nothing. Even if he was going to, he wouldn't have had the chance—a timid looking waitress approached us before greeting us, interrupting our conversation, and leaving menus and two glasses of water behind. His smile faded as he glanced at the menu unhappily.

"What's wrong?" I asked, taking a drink of water. He sighed and closed his eyes.

"I have some bad news…" I stopped, my smile fading as well as I lowered my glass.

"…How bad is 'bad'?" Axel exhaled heavily.

"I've got to go on a trip for two weeks." I nodded slowly. "I'm leaving tomorrow. Larxene will be there, so I don't want you to go." I bit my lower lip.

"At least it's only two weeks, right?" Axel shook his head.

"I have another one planned for another two weeks immediately after that."

"O-oh…"

"It isn't for forever."

"Just a month," I murmured, before pouting a little. "I don't want to be without you." His hand rested on top of mine.

"I know Roxas and I don't want to be without you either… but I won't forgive myself if something happens to you." I pursed my lips and stared at the ground. "Rox, I want to be with you more than anyone, you do know that, right?" I stared up at him.

"Yeah," I murmured. His thumb rubbed against my knuckles and my lips trembled, "but I don't want you to be around her. I don't like her and I don't trust her." I shook my head. Tears were trailing down my face.

"That makes two of us," he sighed. "Hey, don't cry. What can I do to make you feel better?"

"Don't go."

"I have to, Roxas." My heart clenched, but I knew that he was right. I frowned, staring at my menu, not really hungry anymore.

"I know," I murmured. I glanced to the side, sighing heavily. "Excuse me for a bit, okay?" His fingers squeezed my hand gently.

"Are you coming back?"

"I don't know yet."

"Please, stay." My fingers curled into a fist and my hand shook as my knuckles turned white.

"Just let me go, Axel. I don't want to fight."

"Roxas… I want to spend time with you. Please."

"No!" I stared up at him and our eyes locked. "I'm upset, so just let me be!" Axel stared at the table sullenly. Then he let go of my hand and rested his own beside mine.

"Okay. I understand."

I stood, walking away and crossing my arms as I left him. It was beginning to rain but I hardly cared as I wandered down the sidewalk. My breath made a visible plume when I exhaled angrily. Tears started streaming down my cheeks again, mingling with the raindrops trailing down my face and I let myself cry, not bothering to try to stop myself. I gasped, readying myself to attack when a hand grasped my arm. Axel's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Roxas wait." I shook my head, more tears trailing down my face. I didn't want him to see me crying.

"Leave me alone."

"Let me take you home and I will." I hesitated. "Please, it's raining. I don't want you to get sick."

"I want to walk."

"Okay then, we'll walk together." I bit my lower lip. "I don't want to leave you out here by yourself, Roxas." I stared up at him, more silent tears streaming down my face.

"I wish you would." Hurt flashed across Axel's face for a moment before he looked away. I felt bad, but said nothing and we stood there in silence, listening to nothing but the rain.

"Fine, be alone in the rain," he sighed. I turned away, shivering a little. That is, until he put the jacket he'd been wearing over my shoulders. "Just… be safe and stay warm. Please." I stood there, crying for what felt like forever until my resolve broke.

"Axel-" I called, turning, but he was gone. Sighing miserably, I began to walk forward, clinging to his jacket. It smelt like him and that made my heart ache. Biting my lower lip because I knew I was wrong, I pulled out my phone to call him but when I flipped it open, I saw that it was dead. "Awesome…" I muttered, wiping my eyes and shaking my head before beginning to trek toward our house, hoping to clear my head.

The rain picked up as I walked and before long I was soaked. Lightning flashed across the sky and I stopped under an awning to rest. I chewed on my lower lip for a long moment before closing my eyes, leaning against the stone building and exhaling heavily and wondering how to apologize.

An unfamiliar voice startled me out of my thoughts.

"What're you doing out in the rain?" I froze for a moment before turning.

"Uhm, well, I-" I glanced at a girl I'd never seen before. She had short silvery hair that came halfway down her neck and dark eyes. She was wearing khaki pants and a blue tank top. There was also a camera around her neck. "I got caught in it, I suppose. What about you?" She shrugged, staring at me for a moment or two. "Uhm… what?"

"You have really pretty eyes. I was wondering if I could take your picture." I blushed, watching as her fingers trailed across her camera gently. It reminded me of Demyx and his Sitar- I found myself wondering if photography was her passion.

"S-sure, if you want." She smiled a little, raising her camera and adjusting it before snapping a photo.

"Thanks, uhh?"

"Roxas. You are?"

"Fujin, but my friends call me Fuu." I smiled a bit.

"I like it." I stared out at the storm for a moment, contemplating going back out into it. The house wasn't much further, after all, and I did want to get home sooner rather than later.

"I should probably go."

"Out into the storm?"

"Yeah..."

"Wait. Why don't you wait it out? Come inside and warm up. You can have some coffee while you wait, yeah? I can probably get you a free one since my brother owns this place." I smiled at her.

"Yeah, that sounds good," I replied, following her inside the establishment.

The café had a cozy feel to it. It was small but tidy with a retro décor. I smiled a bit at the scent of freshly brewed coffee as my eyes roamed. There was something about this place that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but liked a lot.

"What do you like?" She asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. I shrugged.

"Just about anything. I'm not picky."

I stared out at the rain, shivering a little and pulling Axel's jacket closer to myself. Before I could catch myself, my mind was wandering toward him. I bit my lower lip, missing him and wondering what he was doing, how he was coping with me going off on my own, until I heard footsteps approaching. I turned just in time to see Fuu sit beside me.

"Here you go." I smiled, thanking her and taking a sip when it was cool enough. It was actually pretty good.

"It's good. I'll have to come here more."

"Yeah? Maybe you can meet Setzer next time." I smiled.

"Yeah, maybe."

"He's the biggest flirt I know… but I bet you'd get along with him," she teased, making me blush. She paused when she noticed my left hand. "Oh, you're married?" She inquired, "You look so young." I laughed.

"I get that a lot. About looking young." I murmured before glancing out the window. "Oh hey, the rain stopped. I should probably get going."

"Ok, I'll see ya around, yeah?" I smiled.

"Yeah. Thanks for the coffee."

"Any time."

"Bye Roxas, it was nice meeting you!"

"Yeah, you too."

"Oh wait, let me give you my number, if you ever want to hang out or something, if that's cool." I smiled at her brightly.

"Okay."

"Here, let me see your phone and I'll save it."

"Oh, it's dead… sorry." She chewed her lower lip thoughtfully.

"One sec, 'kay? I'll be right back." I nodded, watching her disappear for a moment or two. When she came back, there was a piece of paper in her hand. "Here, I wrote it down for you." I smiled brightly.

"Thanks."

"Not a problem. See ya' around." I glanced back at her as I made my way to the door while stuffing the paper into my pocket and grasping my coffee with my left hand.

"Yeah, sounds good."

The walk home was relatively quiet and peaceful. I even got to enjoy the warm beverage I'd acquired along the way. It would have been completely enjoyable, had my clothes not been so wet. I shivered, wishing the cold would dissipate. At least the coffee was helping, I supposed.

I was grateful when I got to the front door, but I hesitated. My stomach clenched due to anticipation and I closed my eyes. I waited a moment more before taking a deep breath, opening the door and going inside.

The house was quiet, almost eerily so. It wasn't until I'd taken off my shoes and gone into the living room that I found out why. Axel had fallen asleep on the couch, his fingers clutching the pendant of the necklace I'd given him, even as I walked past him. I hesitated at the doorway leading to our bedroom, watching him for a long moment. He looked so peaceful, sleeping there, that I couldn't help but smile.

When I finally turned away, I took off his jacket and my shirt, leaving them in a crumpled pile on the floor, only hesitating to sneeze and shudder. I hoped I wouldn't get sick. I wanted to prove Axel wrong …for once. As I began to walk toward the bathroom I unbuttoned my jeans, taking them off when my feet met the cold tile. I shivered a little, stepping out of the rest of my wet clothing and turning on the shower. When it was hot, I got inside, shuddering at the warmth before relaxing. It felt good.

I closed my eyes, thinking of the girl I'd met. Vaguely, I wondered if she knew who I was but doubted it, since she hadn't made a big deal out of it. I shook my head, trying to shake her from my mind. I had other things to consider… So, instead, I thought of Axel and bit my lower lip. I supposed that I was in the wrong when it came to our argument but couldn't help but still feel a little angry with him. I didn't like the idea of him being around Larxene for two weeks, alone. The mere thought was hard to digest and I couldn't understand how he could agree to it, after what she did.

I stared at the wet tile for what felt like forever before washing my hair. When I was done, I didn't shut off the water. I simply let it pound against me while I tried to quiet my mind and my doubts. That is, until it ran cold. Then, I shut it off and reached for my towel, drying off. When I was finished, I wrapped it around my waist, combed my hair and walked out of the bathroom.

When I did, I froze. The clothes I'd been wearing were gone.

I rushed out of the bedroom, nearly tripping as I went. When I got into the living room, I immediately noticed that Axel was gone. Hesitating for only a moment longer, I hurried to the laundry room. I froze in the doorway, just as Axel started the washing machine.

"No! Axel, wait!" The red-head turned, startled. He looked concerned when I rushed to the machine and opened it up, rummaging through the wet clothes and slowly but certainly realizing that I was wasting my time. Sighing in defeat, I rubbed at my forehead irritably. Axel shut the washing machine and cleared his throat.

"Was there something you needed, then?"

"Forget it." Axel hummed.

"That's interesting." I frowned up at him, irritated mostly at myself.

"Why?"

"I was hoping you could explain something to me." I blinked at him confusedly. "What's this?" He asked, holding up the piece of paper I'd been searching for. I sighed in relief, smiling a little.

"It's a phone number, Axel."

"I know that. Whose is it?" I scoffed at him.

"Why does it matter?" I asked, reaching for it. He pulled it away. "Axel."

"Tell me."

"Why were you snooping through my stuff?" I asked, defensively.

"I wasn't. I always check pockets when doing laundry, dear. You're lucky that I do." Feeling impatient, I crossed my arms.

"I made a friend while I was out. Okay? Now give it back." One of his eyebrows rose.

"Male or female? Do they know who you are? They probably do."

"Really, Axel? It's none of your business. And if I want to be friends with someone besides the people that work for you, I can! It isn't like you have restrictions on who you see!" I cried out in surprise when he sat me on the washing machine with a scowl on his face.

"Stop it! Stop being so stubborn about that already and listen!" He sighed. "Look, I'm sorry about Larxene. I'm aware that you don't like her and I don't blame you." I pouted at him. "But she and I won't be the only ones there, Roxas, so I don't understand why you're so worried. Amongst other things, I intend to discuss our boundaries and that she is to stay away from you unless she can be nice, because if she makes another attempt on your life, I'll kill her myself."

"I don't trust her, Axel. I don't like it." His gaze gentled.

"That's how I feel about this," he replied, gripping the piece of paper. "I don't know who they are… I don't like it."

"You still trust me, right?"

"Of course I do."

"Then don't worry about it." He frowned. "Look. As long as you trust me and my judgment, I'll trust you and yours."

"Let me meet them first. Please?" He whispered, raising my chin. I exhaled shakily.

"What if I don't want you to?"

"Please."

"Axel… I don't think she knows who I am. If you meet her, she won't treat me the same way. I want to have friends who like me for me. Not because they're scared of you." He frowned, looking regretful.

"Roxas, darling, I'm not so sure that that's a possibility." I sighed.

"Don't feel bad. I made that choice—the choice to be with you."

"It's still my fault, more than yours."

"I don't blame you, Axel." I made a small noise of surprise when he pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you for that." I pushed against him after a long moment, wanting to be on my way. I didn't want to forgive him yet.

"I'm still upset about Larxene," I muttered. His hands began to roam, touching, feeling in the right places…

"Can I make it up to you?" I groaned in response, feeling my resistance rapidly slipping away. Axel smirked, pleased, and before I could answer, he was kissing my neck and pulling me close, making me moan quietly. The vibrations from the washing machine alone were making my entire body tingle. When he touched me I couldn't breathe, and I hated my inability to stay mad at him. Pouting, I pushed him away.

"Not right now." Frowning a bit, he tilted his head to the side.

"Why not?"

"B-because I don't want you to." Axel chuckled.

"I don't believe you." I gasped when fingers trailed up my spine.

"A-Axel. No." He sighed.

"Why?"

"Because all I came in here for is that telephone number. Now give it back." He bit his lower lip for a moment before holding it out to me. I didn't hesitate and quickly took it from him, trying to ignore his bothered, hurt, expression, even after I left the laundry room, deciding to apologize tomorrow. I hadn't lied, after all. I was still upset and only wanted to apologize if it was genuine.

xXx

-TBC-

A/n: Hiii. I hope you enjoyed the update (:

It'd be super amazingly awesome if you let me know your thoughts.