Chapter 7: Starting Over

"Just lift it a little more higher."

"There."

Roxas and Ven set down the cool, metallic wheelchair at the top of the stairs. Ven wheeled it over to Xion, who was sitting near the railing, watching as the two brothers carried up the chair. She tightly wrapped the warm wool blanket that Roxas recently bought for her around her. The cool air burned against her already burning face.

"Sorry we live upstairs," Ven apologized with and awkward laugh. "This will probably be a pain in the neck for a few more months", he said as he helped the still frail girl into the wheelchair. "Now let's get you inside before it starts snowing." Ven wheeled Xion down the walkway to the very last door.

Roxas slid in front of them and unlocked the door, swinging it wide open. "Welcome to your new home, Xion."

Xion peered inside of the small two bedroom apartment. Ven wheeled her in the tiny living room. It was 3 times smaller than her old one. However it felt more like home than her mansion.

"Here's our lovely apartment." Roxas swung his arm out to present his home. "As you can tell this is our living room." He ran over to the next room and pushed opened these large shutters to reveal a part of the kitchen. He leapt up and perched himself on the sill. He pointed to his left to a red door. "That's Ven's room. He's usually asleep in there during the day."

"And down that hallway is one of the bathrooms, the laundry room, and Roxas's room-which is the blue door," Ven pointed out to Xion.

Roxas jumped off the sill and landed on the front of his feet making for a soft landing. "And this is where you'll sleep." He patted the large fluffy couch that sat across the room. "I know it's very different Xion, but I hope you don't mind."

Xion wrapped her hands around the wheels and rolled over to the couch, leaving a trail in the carpet. She lifted herself out of the chair and plopped down on the couch. Xion sank in slightly into the large cushion.

"It feels really soft," she said in a soft voice. "It's like sitting on a cloud."

"Except you don't fall through the couch like you would on a cloud," Ven added. He chuckled at his own joke as Roxas rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Shouldn't you be going to work now?" Roxas tossed Ven's keys at him.

Ven caught them in his opened palm. "Okay, Roxy. I best be going to work now." He walked over to Xion and patted her head, smoothing out her black hair. It grew an inch and a half longer over course of a few months she was at the hospital. "I hope you like it here, Xion. And call me if Roxy gives you any trouble and I'll come over and beat him up for you." He let out a small chuckle. He turned around and then headed out into the night.

Roxas walked over to Xion's wheelchair and folded it up. He then placed it in the broom closet and walked back over to Xion. "How are you feeling, Xion?"

"I'm feeling a lot better now. Not 100%, but better." She paused to allow Roxas to sit down next to her. "My fevers are lower and I only get them like once a week, but the go away quickly after I take some medicine. I have an easier time walking, but I still need some help. I kinda miss school."

Roxas leaned back and allowed the couch to absorb him. "We got an A on the project."

Xion titled her head to the side. "Really?"

"He allowed me to do it by myself and I worked really hard. It's an A- but hey! It's good enough." He smiled affectionately at his female companion.

"I'm proud of you, Roxas."

Roxas fought his mouth to hide a big goofy smile. He quickly looked toward the kitchen. "You wanna celebrate over some ramen?"

"Sure."

Xion watched Roxas walk into the kitchen.

"I wanted you to come home with me because I thought you would be lonely at the hospital since some holidays are coming around," Roxas said from in the kitchen.

Xion listened to him swinging and slamming cabinet doors open and closed. It was followed by the sound of plastic tearing and the faucet running. "I really enjoy the snow. Not as much as I enjoy the beach."

There was a slightly pause of momentary silence in the kitchen.

"Let's go to the beach after we graduate." The sound of the microwave soon followed suit.

"Doesn't it say not to microwave in big bold letters on the side?"

"I'm a bad boy. You really think I'm going to listen to a cup of ramen?" Roxas retorted jokingly.

Xion cupped her right cheek. She closed her eyes and softly whispered, "You just fell into the wrong crowd."

Roxas came into the room with two steamy bowls of intsa-ramen. "Be careful. It's hot," he cautioned her as he handed Xion the bowl of ramen.

He sat down next to her and handed her a nice pair of red chopsticks with a cool golden design. Xion stared at her bowl of ramen. The steam warmed her face. "It smells good."

"Tastes good, too," Roxas added as he slurped up a bunch of noodles.

Xion twisted her chopsticks in the broth and grabbed a huge chunk of the beef noodles. She cooly blew on them before shoving it her mouth. It stung her tongue as she chewed. "It's really good. I never had the beef flavored before."

"It's my favorite." Roxas titled his head back and opened his mouth the scoop the rest in his mouth.

Xion took her time to savor the flavor of the ramen. "It's been awhile since I ate somewhat solid food."

Roxas lightly touched Xion's hand to pause her from eating. "Take your time and eat slowly. It's alright if you can't finish."

Xion looked down at her bowl. She barely made it halfway through, but her she already felt full. "Here. I'm too full." She hand the now warm ramen to Roxas.

He hesitated. "You sure?"

She nodded and placed the bowl into his big hands. "I told you I'm full."

Roxas accepted Xion's bowl. "Just tell me when you're hungry again. Anytime you're hungry."

Xion grabbed her blanket, feeling the soft fabric between her fingers. "Thank you for the blanket."

"After you told me what happened to yours, I just had to. I wanted you to feel happy."

Xion giggled. "Roxy."

Roxas felt his face grow hot from embarrassment. "Not you, too, Xion!"

Xion stopped giggling and took a deep breath. "It sounds funny."

"My parents used to call me that." Roxas dropped his head down and leaned over.

Xion regretted saying anything. "I'm so sorry, Roxas. I-I didn't know." She felt herself grow misty eyed.

An eternity passed by in silence. Xion felt her body shake as she felt the guilt consume her.

Roxas sat back up with a smile on his face. "It's kinda cute when you say it." He looked at her mortified face. "Xion! Xion. Don't cry. It doesn't bother me at all-Ouch!"

Xion gave him a swift punch to the arm. "You're an asshole!"

Roxas laughed. "You're the first girl to call me that."

"That's because I'm not stupid. I'm not blinded by 'love'. I can see who you really are."

Roxas jumped up. "I'm surprised. Every girl I meet always fall for me the moment I smile at them." He offered his hand to Xion. "Bring your blanket."

She begrudgingly gave him her hand.

"You'll love this." Roxas led Xion into the kitchen. Her slippered feet slid against the smooth tiles. Roxas pushed the blinds the side to reveal a large glass sliding door that lead to a porch. He slid open the door for Xion.

The air was fresh, crisp, and cold outside. Xion held the blanket tightly around her. Roxas pointed in front of them. In the distance was the city with its tall buildings and bright lights. It sparkled beautifully in the distance. "I can see the entire city from here."

"It's lovely," Xion whispered.

"I usually bring girls that I really like up here to impress them."

Xion threw Roxas a questioning look.

"I only brought you here to show you this to cheer you up," Roxas explained. "Since you're living with us now, I thought you should know about this. Whenever you're sad, you can always come back here and gaze at the city. It always calms me down."

Xion reached her hand out. A tiny snowflake drifted down and landed into her open palm. "It's snowing."

Roxas looked up at the sky. Tiny white dots came flowing down. "Even more beautiful." He looked back down at Xion.

"You know, Roxas. I never believed in love."

"Why not?" he asked.

Xion leaned over the railing to get a closer look at the city through the light snow. Snow started sticking to her. "I grew up without love. When I was younger and Vexen would beat me, I used to think that some knight in shining armor would come in on a white steed and would take me away from there." Xion let out a small sigh. The air fogged up under her nose. "But then I grew up and realized that no one cared. No one would love me."

"I care. Doesn't that matter now?"

Xion didn't respond. She didn't know how to respond correctly. "I'm just a nobody, Roxas."

Roxas placed his hand on Xion's shoulder. "You're somebody to me, Xion."

Xion smiled a bittersweet smile. "That sounds so cheesy."

"Usually girls eat that shit up when I say things like that."

Xion laughed. "Maybe I have a dick."

Roxas laughed with her. "Probably bigger than mine." He leaned over the railing with her.

He looked down at the street below. The snowed started slowly piling up.

Roxas felt his blood freeze. Down the road was a black car with tinted windows. He pushed back from the railings and grabbed Xion, pulling her back inside. He quickly slammed the glass door shut and locked it.

"Roxas?"

He ignored Xion as he rushed through the apartment, locking every door and window.

Xion stood there confused. "Roxas, what's going on?"

Roxas came back panting. He grabbed Xion's shoulders. "Don't worry, Xion," he said frantically looking around. He avoided making any eye contact. "Just go to bed."

"But why?"

"Just go to bed!" he repeated harshly.

Xion did as he said and walked over to the couch. Roxas ran back to his room and slammed the door. He paused behind the door to clear his mind. "Dammit!"

He angrily kicked around his dirty clothes on his floor as he made his way to his bed. "Why is this happening now?!" He grabbed his phone off his pillow and quickly pressed a few buttons and pushing it up to his ear.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"H-hello?"

"Axel!" Roxas shouted. He heard the sound of bed sheets rustling on the other end.

"What's up, Roxas?"

"They're back!"

Silence. It felt like forever before any response.

"Don't worry, Roxas. I got it taken care of."

Roxas sighed. "Thanks man." He tossed his phone back down and fell back on his bed, bouncing up as he hit the mattress. "I thought I was finally able to start over."