Always

Chapter 10

xXx

I was engrossed, lost in my own little world, my fingers moving rapidly, all sense of time gone.

Axel had gotten me a new sketch book on his latest trip. He'd said that he'd found a bazaar with the finest paints and artistry products he'd ever seen in all of his travels and when I'd woken up, surrounded by more supplies than I'd ever imagined having, I hadn't been able to contain my happiness.

I'd taken over the entire couch all day, and was currently sunken into the comfortable fabric. I paused, looking over the design, making a final pen stroke before blowing on it softly and writing 'Oathkeeper' in the corner. I saw a flash of red in my peripheral vision and turned, just in time to see Axel sit on the floor beside me. I smiled.

"Hello, Axel." He smiled back.

"Hey Roxas. Are you ready to go to mom's?" I nodded and his smile widened. "Are you designing weaponry again?" I blinked in surprise, asking,

"Yeah, how did you know?" Axel shrugged.

"You've been doing it in pen, or you never erase, it's like you know every detail before you draw it, which is pretty amazing," he explained. I nodded, appreciating how observant he was. "May I see it?" I smiled a little, handing him the sketch book. Axel gasped, his eyes roaming over the artwork. I had been working on the keyblades more and more in ink, perfecting them and coloring them. This time, I had Oathkeeper and Oblivion side by side, proportionate and colored exactly as they'd been. "Wow, Roxas. These are beautiful." I smiled, kissing the top of his head.

"Thanks, Axel."

"May I see what else you've done?" I hesitated before shrugging.

"Okay."

Axel started at the beginning, his eyes roaming across the keyblades and widening at the creatures I'd seen on the other side. "What are those?" he asked. I glanced at the page he was referring to.

"Those are shadows, and these are nightmares," I explained, pointing to each in turn. Axel looked up at me, noting how serious I was.

"What inspired you to make those?" I shrugged nonchalantly. I didn't want to worry him.

"It's just some stuff I saw when I died," I explained. Axel stared. "Don't worry, I haven't seen them in a long time. I just draw them to inspire myself to draw the keyblades." Axel blinked.

"The what?"

"The keyblades," I repeated, turning the page and revealing Oblivion and Oathkeeper. "I've been thinking of some new ideas too!" I told him, smiling excitedly. I turned the page, revealing my prototypes.

"This is the Kingdom Key, Lionheart, Diamond Dust and Lady Luck," I said, showing him each one in turn. "Oh! My next one is Halloween inspired, called 'Pumpkin Head'," I said, grinning excitedly. "You've been inspiring me too," I murmured, smiling sheepishly, "here, I'll show you," I said, taking the sketchbook and opening it at the back, revealing two circular weapons with spikes, "these are called chakrams! You hold it here in the center and you can twirl and throw them! They'd be great for you because you're so tall. And they're really beautiful but deadly and can cause massive distruct-" I told him, more excited by the minute until his soft lips cut me off. My eyes slid shut and I kissed him back, the sketchbook slipping out of my fingers and falling onto his lap. When he broke the kiss, Axel smiled up at me.

"I'm really happy that you're so passionate about this," he told me. "You should really show mom and Marly. I think they could give you some business pointers and if you're interested, I can give some numbers to get you into the right networks…" I grinned excitedly.

"Wow, really?" Axel nodded, smiling proudly.

"Yes really." He poked the tip of my nose before glancing down to retrieve the sketchbook and stopped, blushing darkly. I quirked an eyebrow.

"Axel?" The red-head cleared his throat and showed me page and I froze before laughing uncomfortably. It was a very nicely done picture of Axel with a very erotic expression on his face. "Uhm, you weren't supposed to see that one…" Axel crowed with laughter.

"I knew it!" He smirked up at me naughtily. I laughed and his smirk widened.

"What?"

"How many more did you make?" he teased. I smirked back.

"Altogether, I probably have two sketchbooks filled with pictures of you." I shrugged my shoulders as his face reddened further. "I believe that over half of them are naughty," I said with a grin. I knew that I was turning him on, just by his expression. After a moment, he cleared his throat.

"That's uhm, that's a lot." His voice was a little husky. I smiled back.

"Mhhhm." Then, before he could get any ideas that would make us miss supper, I said, "I think that sounds like a great idea."

"What?" he asked distractedly.

"Showing your mom and Marly my artwork." Axel blinked.

"Oh, yeah." I smiled and then flipped through the book, ripping out six pictures and putting them into a neat pile. "Uhm, what are those?" He asked, licking his lips. I chuckled.

"My Axel porn. I don't want to show that off to your mom." Axel stared up at me. Yep, he was visibly aroused.

"Jesus, Roxas…" he groaned. I set them on the coffee table and then slid down beside him. I smiled at him innocently.

"Are you ready to go, Axel? Or do you need a minute?" Axel laughed.

"What I need right now is one of two things."

"Yes, what would they be?" I asked him.

"A cold shower… or to mercilessly pound you into the floor," he groaned. My breath hitched.

"Option number two sounds nice," I whispered back without thinking. Axel moaned and before I knew it, I was under him, getting the life kissed out of me, moaning and whimpering.

"Mmm… you're so sexy," he groaned. I gasped for air, trying desperately to catch my breath. "But I can't." He was moving quickly and before I knew it, he was gone. I blushed as the shower turned on but smiled, straightening my clothes when I sat up. My hands touched my tingling lips for a brief moment and then I stood, getting ready to go.

xXx

When we got to Axel's mother's house, Axel knocked on the door and then wrapped his arm around me. It didn't take long before she was greeting us with a happy smile.

"Hello boys!" Then, her brow furrowed. "I was just about to call you. I was beginning to wonder where you were." Axel smiled charmingly.

"Sorry mom, something came up." Aerith shook her head.

"It's alright baby! Come in, both of you, make yourselves at home."

"Aerith, do we still have some time before we eat?" I asked, gripping my sketch book tightly, my heart pounding. She nodded.

"We sure do, Roxas. What's up sweetheart?" I smiled nervously.

"Well, I… I've been sketching out some ideas and Axel thinks I should show you and Marly," I explained shyly. She nodded.

"Okay, I'll go get him, make yourselves comfortable in the living room, sweethearts," she replied, vanishing into the greenhouse. Axel squeezed my hand, his breath tickling my ear as he spoke.

"I'm going to find Namine and Kairi, okay?" I nodded.

"Alright, Axel." He smiled and kissed me before pulling away. I watched him go and then settled down on the couch, waiting for Aerith and Marluxia to come back. When they did, I smiled nervously. They, however, seemed to be excited.

"Where did Axel go?" Aerith asked politely.

"He uhm wanted to go see his sisters," I explained. The brunette smiled in understanding.

"I'm sure he's missed them," she said. I nodded in agreement.

"So, Roxas, show us your ideas," Marluxia urged. Nervously, I opened my sketchbook and showed them Oblivion and Oathkeeper. Aerith gasped.

"Wow, honey, they're so beautiful." Marluxia nodded, his expression thoughtful, and examined my work for a long time before speaking.

"I don't think you'd have any problems selling them, either as art or weaponry. I've never seen an idea like this before, but I think you would have a wide range of customers and you already have some business expertise from selling flowers. I think that if Axel knows the right people, you'll be very successful. You could probably even sell prints or originals of your artwork. It's very good." I smiled up at the pink haired man, much more at ease.

"Thank you Marly."

"Do you have any more?" Aerith asked curiously. I nodded then showed her and she seemed to be falling more and more in love with each design. "Those are wonderful, Roxas," she said, clasping her hands together. "You're so talented." I smiled, beaming up at them.

"Thank you, both of you, you're so wonderful!" Before they could reply, we heard a shriek of laughter. Aerith smiled knowingly.

"Marly, I told you Axel would be next." The pink haired man laughed out loud and I stared at them in confusion. Aerith just smiled. "The girls gave Marly a makeover last weekend… I'm sure they're doing Axel's make up as we speak." I smiled, guessing she was right. Axel would do just about anything for his sisters. "Their room's down the hall, if you want to see, Roxas," Aerith told me. My smile widened.

"I do," I murmured curiously.

Stealthily, I made my way down the hall and peeked into the room. Axel was facing away from me, but it did look like he was getting a makeover. It made my heart melt. From what I could see, they'd pulled his hair back into a low ponytail, but had braided a strip of it on the side.

"What do you think, Nam? Red or green?" Kairi asked, holding up two small containers.

"Definitely red, Kai." Axel chuckled.

"Am I beautiful yet?" he asked.

"You're always beautiful, nii-san."

"Yeah!" Namine agreed. Axel must have smiled because they looked happy. "Roxas isn't going to be able to resist you when we're done with you." Axel laughed.

"Thank goodness," he replied, making his sisters laugh.

"Okay, almost done!" Kairi informed him, "What do you think, Nam?" The little blonde peered at her brother and smiled.

"He's perfect!" They gave one another a high five. "C'mon Axe, let's go find Roxas!" Before I could move, Axel was turning and I was staring. They'd done a pretty fantastic job. Axel's brilliant eyes were framed with black on the inside and a little on the outside. His lashes looked thicker and the hint of red above his eyes really made them pop. There was also a clear gloss on his lips, making them shine. It reminded me of when we made out. Axel was, well, stunning. He caught me staring and smiled.

"Hey there." I gaped at him for a moment longer.

"Hi," I gasped finally. He turned to his sisters.

"I think you did a good job," he said, making them giggle.

"Boys and girls, supper is ready!" Marluxia called. Axel's sisters called 'coming!' in unison running off and leaving us alone. Axel gave me a cat-like satisfied smile.

"Well, what do you think?" He asked, leaning back in the chair he was sitting in.

"You're gorgeous," I gasped. "Wow, Axel, just… wow." Axel sauntered toward me, his grin widening.

"You approve then?" He asked. I swallowed, he was standing right in front of me and I couldn't breathe.

"I do," I whispered. Axel smiled gently and took my hand, tugging me along. I paused after the first few steps, making him turn around because I wasn't moving. He watched me, appearing to be confused. I opened my mouth, then shut it before speaking.

"Axel, about my designs… I'm not sure yet," I murmured shyly. Axel smiled, his green gaze gentle.

"You don't have to decide anything now but…" I glanced up at him when he paused. "You should think about it." I nodded.

"Okay."

Axel's hand ruffled my hair affectionately. "Let's go eat, okay?" I nodded my head, agreeing.

"Alright."

xXx

I stared up at the ceiling. It was dark outside, the air was sticky and I was hot. Even if it hadn't been, it wasn't the biggest thing on my mind. Marluxia and Aerith had loved my designs... but what if the rest of the world didn't? Nervousness bubbled in my stomach uncomfortably and I turned my head, watching Axel for a long moment before turning away with a sigh. Then I sighed again, tossing and turning. I couldn't get settled. Finally, I sat up, pulling the sheets back as I ran a hand through my messy hair and slid out of bed to locate my clothes. Then, I crept out into the living room, careful not to wake Axel.

My hand found the light, switching it on automatically and I opened a few windows before settling on the couch, enjoying the breeze as it touched my skin. I closed my eyes, thinking for a moment longer. Then with a sigh, I found my art book, clicked the pen and began to design.

I wasn't sure of how much time passed before my eyes grew heavy. I lost count of how many pages I'd filled. I did, however, stop abruptly when the cushions beside me shifted. I smiled tiredly.

"Good morning, Axel," I murmured before continuing.

"Are you alright, Roxas?" the red-head asked. "It's two-thirteen in the morning." I paused again, looking at him this time. He was in his boxers, studying me seriously.

"I'm fine, promise. I just got hot and couldn't sleep," I told him. Axel smiled a little.

"I can turn on the air," he suggested. I nodded in agreement and he got up. I watched him close the windows and turn on the cooling system before he sat beside me again. "Will you come back to bed with me?" I paused, staring down at my sketch book for a long time, admiring what I'd done. Who cared if someone else didn't like what I created. It was more important that I was happy with it, right?

"Axel?" I asked. He hummed in response just before our eyes met and my heart hammered in my chest. "I..." I paused to take a deep breath, "I want to do it."

"Do what, Roxas?" he asked.

"I want to talk to the people you know," I told him. Axel's lips curved upward into a smile.

"Alright, but…"

"But what? I want to do this-" I began, worried he'd changed his mind right when I'd made up mine. He cut me off with a kiss, breaking away as he chuckled amusedly.

"But, it will have to wait until tomorrow morning when they're awake," he replied. I blushed. Of course. He took my hands and I blinked. "Come to bed with me?" I nodded and his smile widened. Once I'd stood, he kissed my forehead, leading as I followed. When I laid down, he covered me up and I shivered. The sheets were much cooler, now that the air was on. Axel smiled and kissed the corner of my mouth before climbing into bed beside me and pulling me close.

"Good night, Axel," I whispered when he closed his eyes. "I love you." Axel smiled and rested his chin on top of my head.

"I love you too. Goodnight Roxas," he murmured back. Before long, we'd both fallen asleep.

xXx

A/n: Hey there, I hope you liked the update (:

Thanks for reading, I appreciate it!