Always
Chapter 21
xXx
Last time: "I thought you'd like to spend some time together, just the two of us," he answered. I couldn't help but smile.
"Really, Axel?" He kissed me, smiling all the while.
"Really, baby," he purred. I let him kiss me until we were breathless. I smiled at him brightly and threaded my fingers into his hair.
"That makes me so happy," I murmured, "Thank you." Axel chuckled.
"You can thank me properly tonight, honey," he teased, winking and then kissing me briefly before getting off of me. I watched him fix his clothes with a smile, planning on doing just that.
xXx
I glanced at Axel. We had been driving for a while now, and I still didn't have any idea of what he was up to. It had stopped snowing a while ago. The temperature was steadily climbing, according to the thermostat on the car and I was trying to wrap my head around what he could be planning. He was aware that I was watching him and perfectly confident that I was going to love his surprise, because his lips curved up, and he smiled archly. My heart sped up, my eyes trailed along pale skin and I swallowed. He was so gorgeous. Especially when he smiled at me like that. Sometimes I really hated how attractive he was because I couldn't stand it.
"I've been thinking…" He told me, breaking the silence between us. I blinked, processing what he'd said. He was slowing down, pulling into an outlet and stopping the car. There was a gorgeous view that overlooked the ocean. I stared at it longingly for a long moment. It had been such a long time since I'd last seen it.
"Hmm? About what?" I murmured back. He was quiet for a moment and my heart sank. "Did I do something wrong?" Axel's lips curved upward further and he shook his head gently.
"Do you remember what happened in August?" he asked. I blinked at him, tilting my head. "My birthday," he murmured. I felt my face heat up, instantly reminded of how many times I'd had him. I wracked my brain, forcing myself to think past that. To his party… to our fight... Our eyes met, and he finished my thought for me. "You pinned me."
"That was… an accident. We slipped and-" Axel shook his head.
"I wasn't aware of my surroundings. You did exactly what you were supposed to do," he answered. My heart sped up. "You never told me what you wanted before Larxene took you." My heart was pounding as he stared into my eyes, silence enveloping us once again. "Now that things are calming down, I would like to know what it was," he said softly. I swallowed, watching the ocean.
"It doesn't matter, I can't have it," I said quietly.
"I told you, you can have anything, Roxas," he answered. I didn't say anything for a long time. Axel took my hand, squeezing reassuringly.
"No, I can't. You're running a gang." He squeezed my hand again.
"Say it." My eyes widened at his tone and I stared at him. He was smiling.
"Axel…" Our eyes met.
"I know how you feel. I remember everything that you tell me. Now answer me. Tell me that I'm right, and it's yours." I stared at him in shock. No… He couldn't be serious… "What did you tell me you wish for?" I felt a surge of so many emotions for a second time and blinked as my vision blurred.
"Tell you that you're right?" I whispered, "You… y-you…" I wiped at my eyes. "You can't be serious, Axel." I bit my lower lip, hating how weak I sounded.
"Sometimes, you wish that things were different…" he murmured. I couldn't stop tears from trailing down my face. "Sometimes you wish that we could go somewhere far away and nobody could bother either of us. Right?"
"Yes," I whispered. Axel gently took my face in his hands and wiped away my tears.
"I can't promise it will be all the time, but sometimes, sometimes, we will. Starting today." I gasped breathlessly.
"What?" I whispered. He smiled. When I didn't stop him, he took my lips in a gentle kiss.
"We're here, Roxas." I looked around us in confusion. I didn't recognize this place. The road ahead of us curved out if sight. Axel had pulled over at an outlet that was cut into a cliff. It stretched out, away from the road, revealing a gorgeous view that overlooked the ocean with a cement guard rail that went up to the edge of the spires, but... there wasn't anything here.
"We're here?" I asked. His smile grew.
"Yeah. Ocean City itself. Atlantica." I bit my lower lip.
"But there's nothing here…" Looking absolutely delighted, he answered.
"Heh yeah, you have to look a little closer or you miss it. That's what's so great about this place. Privacy." Axel shut the car off, getting out and stretching. Curious, I followed his lead. He took me to the edge of the rail, and I gasped in realization. We were on top of a house that was built into the cliff. Houses curved all the way around the cliffs, their roofs bending to look like waves. Each was far enough away from the others that there was plenty of privacy. Just around the bend, overlooking it all, was a magnificent looking city.
"Atlantica…?" I murmured.
"Yep." He pointed to some islands not too far off of the coast. "The Destiny Islands are right over there."
"How do you, uhm, get in?" I asked. "Why have hidden houses if someone can see our car?"
"Heh. Well, why don't you find out?" he asked, handing me a small box. It had a ribbon on it.
"What's this?" I asked, blushing.
"We're staying here for a few nights." I blinked at him.
"We're what?" I asked. He chuckled a bit.
"Oh Roxy, I'm not just getting you a kitten for your birthday. Is that what you thought?" My blush darkened, and I opened the box, gasping softly. There was a key-sized replica of both Oblivion and Oathkeeper, gleaming brilliantly on a silver keychain.
"Axel… what?" He smiled.
"I hope they're accurate. I borrowed your designs. I've got one too." I stared at him, dumbfounded and he showed me his keys, alongside two spoked wheels, one key had a Chakrum entwined in its design. "You said they were for me, so I didn't think you'd mind if I borrowed your concept," he said with a smile.
"I love it," I whispered, taking them from him and staring in awe. "Who made the keyblade design?" I asked, running my finger along it. Axel grinned.
"I did." I blinked up at him.
"You? It's beautiful," I told him, smiling. Axel kissed the top of my head.
"Thanks babe. Now, c'mon, I have a few things planned for you before it gets dark," he murmured, taking my hand and leading me. The outlet began to close behind us, concealing our car and I gasped. Axel chuckled in amusement. "We're actually inside a hidden gate. There's an RFID chip in the keys that open or close it, depending on proximity," he explained.
"That's wow, cool," I told him. He laughed a bit, squeezing my hand.
"Yeah, I suppose it is." Axel mused. He led me to steps, which led to a beautiful house. From what I could see, the entire front was floor to ceiling windows and there was a pool. He began to descend toward the house and I hesitated, two steps above him. Axel's gaze met mine. He was smiling at me archly again. "Let me guess, I didn't have to?" I tugged him closer, making him stumble a bit from the unexpected action. Axel's lips parted as if in question when I gently cupped the side of his face with my free hand.
"Why here?" I whispered. His fiery hair swayed gently in the breeze and he hesitated, searching my eyes. I blinked in surprise.
"Well I..." he murmured, raising his hand to cover mine and squeezing gently. "I know how much you love the ocean," he said, smiling warmly. My heart was pounding as I stared at him speechlessly for a long moment. Then I smiled.
"You do know me best, don't you?"I murmured.
"I'd like to think that, yes. In a lot of ways I do," he answered. He smiled softly. "But sometimes, you manage to keep me guessing." Axel's breath caught when my hand slid down his face, trailing to the necklace. I stared into the gleaming pendant, lost in thought.
"You didn't have to do so much. Is this your way of returning the gesture?" I asked him. Hands cupped my face, raising it. I got lost in his gentle gaze. His fingers gently smoothed across my skin. Axel closed the space between us. My eyes fluttered shut as he deepened the kiss.
"No," he breathed against my lips. My heart was pounding as our eyes met again. Axel was smiling. I swallowed hard. "This is me, keeping my promise. I told you, anything. I meant it." Grinning, he gestured for me to follow him.
I took his hand with a small smile. "Okay." I watched him as he led me down the steps. His hand was firmly clasped in mine. The breeze was gently making his hair sway. It looked very striking against his black shirt. When we got to the bottom, instead of going to the house, he took me toward the ocean. The pool was beautiful, blending seamlessly with the ocean view. Like it could go on forever. He took me to the edge, leaning over the rail and putting an arm around me when I stood beside him. We were overlooking a massive decking system. On one layer there was a hot tub, further down was another layer which led to a seating area, with comfortable looking lounge furniture. At the bottom was a platform that went over the water and… "Is that… did you buy a boat?" I asked. Axel's lips curled into a satisfied grin.
"What if I did?"
"Why would you need to? I mean, we're just staying here for a few days right?" Axel chuckled.
"I said that, didn't I?" I stared up at him, wide-eyed.
"What?" I whispered. Axel's grin only widened.
"Bienvenidos a Casa Del Mar," he whispered back. My impossibly wide eyes widened even more. I remembered flashes. Music, lights, sitting next to him and seeing this exact same view, and I grasped the railing to steady myself. Axel hummed thoughtfully, and held me close. "Do you remember now, amore?" I held him back, remembering a market place by the sea, with the biggest selection of art supplies I'd ever seen. Just like the ones Axel would bring home for me. I remembered getting out of the car and exploring these cliffs. I remembered signing papers with Axel. But the details were hazy.
"Pieces. Why? Were we here before?" He was smiling gently.
"We did so much traveling, it's a shame you can't remember." My face reddened.
"We did?" Axel studied me, nodding slowly. Pensively, like there was something on his mind. I closed my eyes, trying to remember. "I think this is my newest favorite spot," I admitted. "Right here, next to you."
"Here?" I looked up, into his eyes. Axel was watching me curiously. I smiled thoughtfully and nodded my head.
"Yeah. I think our best moments together are when we don't plan to, but we get to spend time together, just the two of us. We don't get to do that anymore. So I'm really happy that we are. Besides. Just look at that view," I whispered, brushing his hair out of his face. The sun was setting and he looked absolutely gorgeous in the fading light. Axel was quiet for a long time before humming thoughtfully.
"Ok then. This can be our spot. No one will be here but us." I laughed, shaking my head.
"Axel, you don't even know where we are."
"Yes I do, Atlantica's right over there," he murmured, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me onto his lap. I frowned.
"That's not what I meant."
"I know. That's why I'm going to find out," he murmured in my ear, making my eyes widen, "and I'm going to make it official. We're going to live here." My heart was racing, before it was breaking. I grasped his hands.
"We both know that can't happen. We don't belong here. Silly." I smiled back at him and it felt painful to hide behind it. "We'd better get going huh? Demy and Zexion will worry about us." I couldn't read his expression. He was leaning close and answering before I could wonder.
"We both know that I keep my promises Roxas." My heart spiked and then crashed painfully.
"Maybe one day we'll be somewhere only we know," I answered, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice, "but it can't be now. I'm not sure it can be anytime soon, Axe. I know that when I marry you, we're going to have even less privacy. It just wouldn't work."
I gasped. My heart was racing as my eyes met his. He smiled archly. "Why don't we go, somewhere only we know?" he asked gently. I nodded dumbly, completely breathless.
"Axel, w-wait," I gasped, reaching for him. He turned to me, tilting his head curiously. "This, is this the spot?" His lips curved up.
"You do remember." He smiled cutely, his lips fitting with mine. "That makes this so much more special." I swallowed.
"I probably don't remember everything, but I..." Axel shook his head gently.
"Baby," he chided playfully, "you don't have to remember everything. You should know that by now." I nodded slowly.
Our fingers twined together, and he led me to the house. I could already tell that it was gorgeous. He brought me inside. The floor plan was open, and the whole house was done in shades of black and white, which really accentuated the ocean view. Everything on the lower level opened up to the view, and there were stairs winding up between the kitchen and the living room, before curving out of sight. There was a bedroom with a bathroom on the lower level as well. Axel squeezed my hand leading me to the staircase. It was incredible. Just below a window there was what looked like a huge bolt and nut. It almost looked like a piece of art.
"What is that?" I asked.
"Hm? Oh, a support. That's one of the rods that was drilled into the edge of the cliff to keep the house from sliding into the ocean," he answered. I marveled at it for a moment longer before following him upstairs to a huge spacious room. There was another bathroom with a huge closet and a very large room that overlooked the ocean and led to a balcony. There was a huge bed, as well as furniture to the right and to the left, there was an art studio. What had me glancing at Axel with wide eyes was that there were finished pieces of art and there were clothes in the bedroom.
"Have I-we been here?" Axel smiled.
"A few times," he answered, "we bought it together, but it just got completed." He hummed thoughtfully. "Wanna check it out?" I nodded dumbly. "Ok I'll be downstairs." I watched him go, then went to the art supplies, sitting down in a comfortable chair and looking though the paintings. There were many ocean views, and so much art supplies it was almost overwhelming. I smiled, despite the shock. Then I got up to check out the room. Some of my paintings decorated the walls, and simple things like shells that Axel and I must have found on our adventures together. There was also a windchime made of shells, much like the one Axel and I had put together on our honeymoon. The bed was covered in a plush white comforter. Everything about this place seemed so luxurious. It was like the perfect getaway. I hummed murmuring aloud.
"Bought it together, huh?" I stared out at the water. It was gorgeous, but I didn't remember anything else. I hummed again, deciding to find him. He was outside, lounging on the furniture, watching the water and waiting. He'd put on aviator sunglasses and smiled at me when I joined him.
"Ready baby?" he purred. I nodded slowly, still trying to wrap my head around all of this. Axel stretched then offered me his hand. I took it and he led me to the boat, helping me inside. I watched in silent fascination as he got it started, then lifted the seats and pulled out two life jackets, handing me one. When we were ready to go, he opened another compartment, digging for a moment and pulling out another pair of sunglasses. "These are yours," he murmured, handing them to me. I hesitated for a moment before putting them on. Then he took our phones and secured them in the same compartment. I watched as he untied the boat from the dock, suddenly nervous and not knowing what to do.
"Uh, where should I sit while you drive?" I asked. Axel glanced back at me, his lips curving up into a grin. Strong hands grasped my hips, guiding me to the steering wheel.
"No, you're going to do it," he answered.
"Me?" I whispered back uncertainly.
"Yeah." He chuckled. "Think of it as your first of many driving lessons." I listened, trying to hide my nervousness, as he instructed how to steer and pull the throttle to adjust the speed.
"Oh God, what if I crash?" I muttered, completely full of dread Axel chuckled.
"Then I'm glad we have life jackets." I scoffed at him. He was smiling wryly. "Better keep those pretty blue eyes on the water," he told me, lounging comfortably and grinning like a satisfied cat. I squinted at him, still finding it amusing that he resembled Cinder. I smirked slowly, before following his suggestion. Axel hummed curiously and his brows rose. "What was that about?"
"I was just thinking about how much Cinder looks like her mommy," I murmured nonchalantly. I saw Axel's jaw drop in my peripheral vision and snorted in amusement.
Axel and I bantered playfully. I followed his guidance, going to a docking system that was a floating marketplace made up of different boats. It was amazing, like being in a completely different world. There were so many amazing things I'd never seen before. I found myself drawn to a particular merchant, from the Land of Dragons. Axel was excited to try the food. I was excited to see their wares.
"Did you know," I murmured, capturing Axel's attention, "that the chain on your necklace is made from dragon hide from the Land of Dragons? Dragon hide might not look like it, but its extremely strong and flexible." The red-head played with it absently.
"I didn't," he murmured, intrigued. "How about the gem?" he asked. My lips quirked up.
"Atlantis," I answered absently. "Rare beauty is hard to find." My eyes lingered on him and he smiled gently, his cheeks warming.
"Is that why it took me so long to find you?" he asked playfully. I laughed aloud.
"Seriously Axel?" I asked, unable to stop giggling. Our fingers twined together and he pulled me close. I gasped in surprise just before he kissed me on the forehead. He peered down at me, still smiling playfully and humming thoughtfully. I felt my cheeks reddening.
"Very," he murmured back. I swallowed, feeling insecure because of the people around us. I knew it was silly. They weren't even staring at us, like they would in Hallow Bastion but…
"We should get a souvenir," I blurted. His smile became wry.
"Sure. I saw something you might like," he teased. I swallowed, not sure if I was going to like this or not. His lips curved upward further and he gave me furtive smile and gave my hand a gentle tug. As he led me, my heart skipped a beat before jolting into motion and I could feel my blood rushing. I let out a breathless laugh despite myself. Axel paused, watching me with interest.
"They make bondage equipment out of dragon hide… of course they do..." I murmured. Axel chuckled, hugging me from behind.
"Ooh look babe, they have toys and lube too," he purred into my ear.
"Wait. This is what you want to get?" I whispered, my jaw dropping.
"It is now," he murmured huskily into my ear. My brain stopped working. I could feel my blush spreading. My ears were burning. "I'm up for trying new things if you are." I hid my face in my hands. I was so embarrassed but so turned on. Deep breaths Roxas. I peered up at his face. His smile had dimmed and my heart fell.
"Yes, okay, fine. But you're buying it while I wait outside." Axel smirked at me, and I swallowed harshly, realizing that I had just agreed to something I'd never dreamed of doing. I hurried out of the shop and didn't dare to look back. When I got outside, I just focused on breathing and trying to get my face back to normal.
xXx