Chapter Eight---Midnight Fix

Leon lay awake for a long time. Thoughts kept racing through his mind and he really couldn't catch any of them long enough to make sense. They were like fireflies, dancing in and out of reach, in and out of focus. But somehow, despite their whimsical flight, they were ominous and foreboding to Leon.

The spot next to him on the bed was empty tonight and he was vaguely grateful. It would have been even harder to think with the redhead next to him. Sighing, Leon turned on to his back and stared at the oddly speckled ceiling instead of the oddly speckled wall. This didn't help him with his situation.

His situation, to be specific, was Axel, or rather Demyx. God, he didn't know who was his problem. Axel was caught up on Demyx, who died (tragically, mind you) two years ago. Demyx was obviously the love of Axel's life and Leon didn't know if he even wanted to attempt some semblance of a relationship with someone who relieved the past with every cup of coffee. He didn't want to fight a ghost because, as Leon often found, ghosts always won. How did you fight what was not flesh and bone?

Down the hall, he could hear Roxas and Sora arguing about who the last can of Mountain Dew belonged to. He scowled, knowing neither Thing 1 OR 2 needed any more caffeine. God, especially not Sora. Reflecting on the brunette, Leon smiled. Sora was one of those people you couldn't help but like, even if he was a spastic little shit. It just made him all the more endearing in some weird, depraved way. Roxas…well, Roxas was a little too much like Cloud for Leon's liking but he supposed the blonde was alright. He hadn't give Leon any reason to kill him yet.

Roxas was quiet (er) and self-contained. He was more apt to do things by himself than in a group and Leon liked his general passivity. And while he reminded Leon of Cloud, he was entirely his own person. His hair was more gold than straw colored and his eyes more cerulean than cobalt. He didn't smile as often or as wide as either of his brothers but his laugh…his laugh was like…Leon frowned in thought. His laugh was like something good but he couldn't think of anything. The word for it was on the tip of his tongue but it eluded Leon. Laughter echoed from the hallway as Leon walked to his door, peeking out into the hallway.

Roxas had Sora in a head lock as he drug him out of the living room and into Sora's room. Roxas was smiling, one of those rare, full smiles he hardly used. Leon found himself smiling softly at the sight of the twins. Roxas looked up and caught sight of Leon and quickly released his brother. Leon could have sworn he saw the blonde blush but he turned to shove Sora into his room and headed back out into the hallway.

"Roxas." Roxas paused; thankful the dimly lit hallway hid the shiver that crawled ever so slowly down his spine. He turned and raised a blonde brow, applauding himself on his flawless delivery of nonchalance.

"You can sleep here. I'll sleep on the couch." Leon shouldered past him, allowing absolutely no room for the argument Roxas was undoubtedly going to start.

Roxas slowly climbed into bed, thankful for the lump-less, change and remote free mattress that smelled so deliciously of leather and Leon.