Worth It

A/n: Oh my gosh! You like me, you really really like me! I'm so happy, really, I am. It's so lovely to have this first chaptered fic so well received! A huge thanks to I luv Zexion..., Satsumaimo, kasumixstormm (lovely to see you, as always), and undeniiable . xx! To tell the truth, you guys totally pulled me out of my writers block. And in thanks, you get your SoraxRiku and ZexionxDemyx hints. Perhaps we'll be seeing more of them. Anyhoo, in this chapter we switch to Roxas's POV. Enjoy! (You guys make me sound like a babbling idiot...I swear)

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, won't pretend that I do for even a second, so there's really no need to sue.

When I first met Axel, I never dreamed I'd ever date him, let alone live with him. I was only a sophomore in high school, and he was already out of school. We had a different work ethic. Axel would sit at the back of the class popping bubbles and browsing for shoes on his laptop. I opted for the front of the class so I could record every word our teacher said.

Axel thought I was funny, I thought he was an idiot. While not truly being a trust fund kid, it was safe to say he was loaded. At first glance you might not think so. Take a closer look and you'll realize the holes in his pants were made that way by the designer and that his jacket was suppose to look worn even though it was only two months old. Follow him to the parking lot and you'll get all the evidence you need. That shiny Mercedes? All his. And you haven't even seen the firebird or the jag yet.

Our friendship bloomed in a rather odd way. We really didn't have anything in common, and we never saw each other outside of class. But when Axel decides he likes you, he somehow manages to turn your whole life into a giant pony show for his pleasure. So Axel descended upon me, all smiles and humorless jokes. And I tolerated him. At first Axel just sat next to me, and we would exchange a mandatory 'hello' and 'goodbye'. I really didn't give the guy a lot to work with. At fifteen, I was too wrapped up in myself to really notice his not so subtle hints. Then, I was still trying to find a lawyer willing to take my case.

And while I'm not about to spill the nitty, gritty details of my emancipation. I will tell you that the look my mother wore in court that day is one of the images I'll never be able to get out of my head. Those sad blue eyes still haunt me. My living condition was below average, and my parent's could hardly take care of one child on their combined paychecks, let alone five. I figured, at this point, I would do a better job of taking care of myself.

So, I filed. And won, and was homeless. I wound up on Axel's doorsteps, nine months after the plane crash that killed his parents. He took me in, and didn't ask questions. Soon, however, it got out that I was legally an adult (porn and lottery tickets aside). Still, he never asked, and I wasn't sure if I was disappointed or not.

Life continued on, I still went to school, and Axel still sat around on his ass all day. And now I'm sixteen standing in front of a cage full of baby chickens, and feeling my genetic legacy ooze right out of me. Its awkward, I would assume, for baby chickens to break out of those shells. I completely understand why they would want to though. They've run out of food, and there isn't enough space for them anymore. But still, who'd want to crane their neck like that?

A group of second graders are staring up at me, some more interested in the way I gelled my hair this morning then the chicks. I grin down at them, and offer to read the little cue card attached to the exhibit.

I rattle off about chickens, and how they grow up in the eggs, and why they look different from each other. A harassed mother is smiling over at me, and I continue to educate the kids. Though I can tell they're losing interest, so instead I show them how they can make the chicks follow a finger. Mind you, I'm careful enough to make sure they go one at a time.

Soon enough, the kids are gone and I can see some of my own classmates heading towards the chicks.

"Roxas?" Pence is staring at me, eyebrows raised. "Don't you wanna go make tops? It's not like we actually came here to learn. Oh, even better let's get some ice cream!" Olette appears at his side, grinning and tugging at my hand.

"We never get to hang out anymore Roxas, it'll be fun. We can go watch the silent movie. And then Hayner can pretend he knows all about cars." Behind her, Hayner fumes silently and I can't stop the smile from spreading over my face.

So, we troop down towards the north end of MSI's main floor and landed ourselves in the silent movie theater. We grab a bench, and the four of us can barely squeeze all together. Pence hand the popcorn to Olette, who is the only one we trust to actually hold it. If Hayner or Pence did, they'd it all themselves.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can just make out Hayner reaching for Olette's hand. She happily accepts it, as Pence snags a piece of corn. The movie starts, and all of our eyes snap to the screen, even though Hayner is now blushing.

A few rows away there is a loud giggle as a couple smashes into a bench, eager to take their seats. The boy, shorter than his friend, pulls on his yellow t-shirt and smashes their hips together. I'm not even concentrating on the movie anymore, but at the pair. The shorter boy throws his arms around his taller classmate's neck and quickly kisses him. Soon, the two are making out at the back of the theater, adding their own sound track to the silent film.

At this point, everybody has turned around to see what is causing the noise. Olette jumps slightly, and blushes before whipping around and pointedly staring at the screen. Hayner chokes on his popcorn, and Pence pales. A few of our other classmates have equally shocked reactions, which only intensifies when the shorter boy sticks his hand down the taller boy's pants.

Droves of people leave the theater. Hayner nearly drags Olette out, and Pence has to snap me out of it. As we rushed past them, the boy in the yellow shirt starts to moan out his companion's name.

"S-Sora…"

Outside the theater, the comingled group hears the name and exchange looks of surprise. Sora had always been rather quite, though friendly. He hadn't really stuck out to most of the school's populace, but nobody could claim they had a problem with him.

"Was that Riku Abe?" Questions a girl from the crowd and shock radiates throughout the group again.

Soon, whispers rise up, and a few more girls attempt to stick their heads back in the theater, only to be held back. I stared at the door, and figured it made sense. Riku Abe and Sora Lombardi had been friends since childhood. Maybe friendship had grown into something more…

"Let's get out of here…" Hayner muttered darkly, leading us out of Yesterday's Main street and over to the ToyMaker 3000. The two other boys quickly ran off, examining each machine in earnest interest, leaving Olette alone with me.

We smiled and followed behind Hayner and Pence, grinning as they acted like kids in a candy shop. As I watched my friends, I can't help but think of the two boys back at the movie. I'd never done anything like that with Axel, and we've been going out for over a year. Did Axel want something like that?

I've kissed him, yeah, and we've made out once or twice…but. I've never shoved him onto a bench and put my hand down his pants, certainly never done it in public. Axel never complained about our relationship though, he was always more than happy just to spend time with me…maybe he'd want more. Maybe he'd need more, and I wouldn't know what to give him.

The fact is, Axel has turned into a rock. He's the person who listens to all of my mundane problems, he's the one who feeds me and gives me shelter. Fuck, he even buys my clothes for me. Without Axel, I'd be in a sorry state; both mentally, and physically. I really don't do anything to repay him…

Most defiantly don't stick my hands down his pants…

Axel is, after all, twenty. He's got to have a libido… I don't do much to help the situation. And there's little Sora Lombardi, making out with Riku Abe during a field trip…great.

"You okay?" Olette asked; her tone somewhat motherly, and all-knowing. I fear for her children.

"Yeah, just a little shaken up."

"I'd never have the guts to do that, most people wouldn't. But I've always thought Sora to be brave. I suppose this is just brave in a new way."

"I couldn't do that…I wouldn't even know where to start." Olette smiled and grabbed my hand, stroking my knuckles with a finger, still radiating comforting vibes.

"Axel knows; he's okay with it. I mean, he's dealing with a kid still, he's got to know that."

"That's just the thing though, if I-,"

"If you ladies are done," interrupted Hayner, clutching a green top. "We want to go see the 727, and go through the heart before we go." Pence nodded in agreement, before the two took off towards the yellow stair case. The four of us raced across the marble flooring, and past the crowds of people, grinning and laughing; Pence, already half way up the stairs, already clutching at stitch in his side.

The hour of the trip was spent running around to various last minute exhibits. We each received a United Airlines sticker, and went through the giant heart at least half a dozen times. Though each time we went through, we were reminded how big it used to be. Our final stop was at the gift shop near the exit, were Pence bought some space ice cream.

The bus ride home was rather uneventful, and unfortunately for us, Riku and Sora were on the other bus. I could only imagine the type of torment they were going through right now. My head pressed up against the window of the bus, I dozed in and out, as our bus carried us back to suburbia.

Once returned to our school, we piled back into our respected classes. Luckily, I had multimedia, and was able to spend the remaining five minutes asking our teacher what I had missed. Nothing. So, I went over to my computer and put my head down. When the bell rang, I silently rose from my seat, and headed out towards the parking lot.

Exiting the school, I got onto another bus. Only this time, it'd be bringing me home. Placing my backpack in my lap, I waited for it to take off. Axel had offered to buy me a car once, though I refused of course. Axel buying a car would only bring on more jokes about Axel being my 'sugar daddy'. I refused to drive any of his cars, even if I had my license. The bus suited me just fine, and it gave me a chance to see Naminè. I didn't have her in any of my classes this year.

When I entered the kitchen, I spotted Axel lounging on the couch, cartoons on the TV, and his head in Larxene's lap. She grinned at me, running a hand through his hair.

"Hey trailer trash!" She greeted. Frowning, I set my backpack down on the island and leaned over the back of the couch, observing the TV. In my defense, Axel smacked her thigh. She only laughed, and pulled at his hair. Hissing, Axel sat up, turned to look at me and smiled.

"How was your trip?"

"Fine." I answered. Axel frowned, and scooted over to where I was, head craned back so he could grin up at me stupidly.

"You got to piss around MSI all day, and you're saying it was just 'fine'." I nodded, and Larxene just rolled her eyes before standing up.

"Jesus! Sorry my vagina is such a buzz kill. I'll leave."

"Larx…" Axel stared at her as she collected her purse. He stood up, like he was going to go after of her, but thought better of it.

"No no, its fine. Trailer trash is upset, I get it. I mean, bros before hoes right?" She said grinning. "Though our case is just a little warped."

"Just a little." I affirmed. Laughing again, she blew Axel a kiss before marching out the door. At her departure, Axel flopped back down on the couch, though still watching me.

"I…don't work tonight…" I said weakly, though I got nothing more than a grunt from Axel.

Larxene and I had never gotten along. I think we felt threatened by the other. Larxene was one of Axel's friends, and he didn't have many. In fact, Larxene was most likely his best friend. Someone once told me that best friends and boyfriends rarely ever got along fine. Especially if one came from outside the 'group'. Well, I was a definitely outsider. Larxene had been his friend since preschool. A story she was quite fond of telling when she was drunk.

"I don't have any homework; we could like…go out?" I suggested just as timidly.

"Don't strain yourself." It didn't sound mean; I think he was commenting on my verbal constipation. "Roxas, just sit down." So I looped around the couch, and settled in next to him. My eyes snapped onto the TV.

"Uh, Axel…" I don't even know how to start. How are you suppose to ask someone if they want more out a relationship, the images of Sora and Riku still haunting me.

"Yeah?" Eyebrows raised, he shifted so he could look at me.

"I was wondering…if uh…" And there's the verbal constipation all over again. Axel just grinned and turned back to the TV.

"You just tell me when you can get it out, okay?" I nodded, attempting to gather my thoughts.

So I attempted to gather said thoughts. I extended the proverbial butterfly net and attempted to catch metaphorical butterflies. So I sat and thought for the next few minutes. All the while, Axel just grinned up at the TV, his smile widening at the occasional joke.

"Wanna make out or something?" I suddenly blurted out. At this, Axel bolted up, like he'd been electrocuted. We stared at each other for a few tense seconds before he started to laugh. He literally doubled over and started tearing up.

Frowning, I stood up, and attempted to march off to my room; if that's how he was going to take my not-so-subtle advances, to hell with him. Still laughing, he grabbed my wrist. He pulled me into his lap, and rested his chin on top of my head.

"What are you? A seventh grader? Maybe we can go see a movie or something afterwards, your mom could drive us." Axel continued to chuckle at my misery, before he ducked down and kissed me on my nose. "Seriously, you don't have to ask." He sobered up a little. "If you want to 'make out'," air quotes and everything, "just do it. I won't complain."

"Well, now you've ruined the mood." I muttered darkly, glaring at him from under my bangs. "You didn't have to laugh at me. "

"I had no choice. I haven't been asked to make out since I was twelve." I squawked, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Who wanted to make out with you when you were twelve!"

"Demyx Peterson. Wasn't my type though, a bit too hyper. I felt really bad about it. 'Cause nobody ever asked me out before. Well, I didn't feel all that bad about it after he had to be forcibly separated from Zexion Scott. Nice to know the boy moved on." He told; eyes glazed over, hopefully from the flash back to seven years ago.

Rolling my eyes, I pushed him down, and attempted to climb on top of him. Axel said nothing, but his eyebrows were in danger of migrating to the back of his head. And so, I kissed him, or rather shoved my lips onto his. And in the process of our very awkward make out session (Axel's really boney), I was able to shove a hand down his pants.

And so I, Roxas Thomas, gained one small victory over Axel. Over it was all; fighting against verbal constipation, boney hips, and general stupidity; worth it to keep Axel at my side.

A/n: As always, review! Believe me, the only reason you guys are getting this chapter so fast is because of all the lovely reviews. How about...five more reviews, eh? How does that sound? So, if you liked it, review. If you didn't, feel free to pop my bubble. But please just review.