x-CD Store Romance
4:Nouk Café

"…I can't believe you hit on that guy back there."

"What? Jealous, Axel dear?"

"Hell no. Just – god. The guy was emo and ugly. What about that nose piercing?"

"Guys-"

"He wasn't completely ugly. That mohawk was actually quite adorable-"

"You two," Larxne hissed, grabbing the arms of both Axel and Demyx, one irritated, the other cheerfully irritating. "We have the train tickets. Now, if you'll be so kind as to actually board the train now that it is here, before we miss it and have to wait for the next one, I'd be more than overjoyed."

Axel crossed his arms. Demyx rolled his eyes. "Sarcastic bitch." He said playfully.

"Got that right. Now, move. I don't particularly want one of Aerith's ever-widening social group to spot us and tell her that we're all going to eat at some café other than her own, either. She's a stickler for loyalty, to put it mildly…"

Funny how like claws her fingers could be, Axel caught himself thinking as he squeezed in the doors between a cyclist complete with hideously tight-fitting yellow gear and a small, black-garbed Roxas, who was for some unknown reason, grinning. "What're you smiling at?"

Those big blue eyes sparkled up at him innocently. "Larxene is pretty tough, isn't she?"

Axel snorted, looking through the crowd of disinterested people on the train to a set of sliding doors further down the carriage, where Larxene and Demyx had been forced to board; the latter looked decidedly unhappy when a few giggling girls tried to summon him over to them with coy gestures and blown kisses, and the former was obviously caught between wanting to smirk, vomit and feign boredom. "She was born and raised in Frankston." He looked down, arms crossed, at the sound of a snicker. "Mm?"

"Frankston… that place is positively tame." The kid looked positively evil. "My old friends used to go down there and pick fights for fun."

"Cocky little bastard you are," Axel said, amused as he looked down. A sudden jolt from the train nearly made him fall onto the grouchy-looking, rather portly Asian businessman just in front of the cyclist and his bike; he pulled himself back in time, waiting a moment to continue the conversation. "So you think they're easy down there?"

Roxas made a little face. "Yup."

"Ever been in a real fight?"

"Yup," came the answer again. Axel blinked in disbelief.

"So what, it's like, a regular thing for you?"

"Not any more," was the glib reply. "We've turned over a new leaf, to put it in the stupidest way possible."

Axel was full on staring at him now, arms still crossed. He made as if to say something else, but the train stopped suddenly, and the thread of conversation was lost as Demyx and Larxene barrelled down the carriage to join them. Demyx seemed rather put out, gluing himself to Axel's side and informing them sulkily that he'd almost been forced to slap Larxene's ass to turn the teenagers' attention away from him.

Larxene, predictably enough, ignored it, considering she had probably already threatened him with castration and other things more dire for the mere suggestion. "Three stops!" The blonde announced dramatically with a flourish. "Then we shall dine in style!"

"The Nouk isn't that good, Larxene," Roxas said, mouth twisting a little. "One time, we were heading to a Cat Empire concert-"

"Love them," Demyx interrupted dreamily. "Most of their music sounds like it was written just for me…"

"We were going to a Cat Empire concert, and stopped at Nouk on the way, and one of us didn't have the right change and the guy got annoyed, so we stood arguing with him for a while and then our bus went past. Had to run back to the train station and go to the next stop, then catch a few trams to get to the concert early enough not to have to wait in line too long."

Larxene giggled, a very unusual gesture for her. Perhaps cackling was a more appropriate description. "Idiots. The buses are always early. Not late. If you want late, you want trains."

"Mm. We know that now." He looked adorably shamefaced, Axel noted with a grin. He's like a little kid.

The automated voice spoke up. "Now approaching -"

"The hills are alive with the sound of music," Larxene suddenly started singing at the top of her lungs. Several passengers raised their heads to stare at her, most with unhappy looks. The cyclist sighed huffily and readied his bike – yellow to match his clothes – either the next stop was his or he simply couldn't stand her voice. She smirked at him, giving his outfit a derogatory lookover; even behind his riding goggles the others could see him colour angrily. The second the train slid to a stop, he was off; Demyx laughed uproariously, while Axel stared out the window and Roxas looked down, shame on his face again.

"That wasn't really called for," Axel said as the train started again.

"Like hell it wasn't," the blonde snorted. "And if these people didn't know that was Richmond, I think they're all stupid. It's, like, the main swapover point…"

The rest of the trip continued without incident.

-x-x-x-

"Demyx, stop stalking the emo kid…"

Musician in question huffed as the boy – or possibly girl – gave one last scared look behind him and fled; Demyx arranged his expression from the crazed grin he'd been sporting for the kid's sake and crossed his arms. "But it's boring, not doing anything… and that one was nearly as pissy as Zexion…"

"I know. Believe me, I know. Not about the kid, but – we're nearly there." As if to prove her point, Larxene darted across the path and around a corner; there was a chalk board out the front proclaiming that the Nouk was near. "And you've been following him since we left the train station." She called back over her shoulder. "That's just not healthy."

"And hot chocolate's supposed to be better for you?" He said resentfully, following the other three into the dark café.

"I didn't mean physically," she shot back.

Axel just coughed pathetically; his total input into the conversation so far. In concern, Roxas moved in a little closer to him – the kid was just too cute, he laughed to himself silently, then scowled as he sniffed and coughed again.

Larxene was already at the counter, ordering for the whole group. The fact that this was a common occurrence didn't stop Axel from feeling irked.

Whatever. The woman was already walking outside, intending on soaking up the sunlight at the only available table on the footpath. He simply shook his head and followed.

They chatted about inane things until their orders came – Larxene wanted to know more about Aerith's obsession with the guy she had labelled Chocobo Head, Demyx was trying to relate a little tale Marluxia had told him the other day but was finding it hard when every couple of sentences were interrupted by Larxene kicking him and glaring ferociously, Roxas was looking over his shoulder every minute with a longing gaze, clearly hungry, and Axel… was being Axel. Surly, apparently pissed off and not willing to communicate.

In other words – typical.

This was another one of those things that Roxas didn't know, though. Poor, unsuspecting kid that he was, he actually thought, there must be something up… he usually talks more than this, doesn't he? Warily, he reached over, and poked him softly.

Startled green eyes stared into blue ones. "…The hell?"

Larxene guffawed, literally; quite a scary sound coming from her. "Freak you out, eh Axel?"

"Bitch."

"Wow. Your literate state astounds me."

"…Whatever." As Larx sighed, Axel looked over at Roxas again. "So what'd you do that for?"

The kid was already blushing. "But aren't you being… weird?" Larxene muffled a snort, and Roxas quickly continued. "Like, quiet? Don't you like talking?"

Sea eyes glimmered knowingly; Demyx bent across to Roxas, fully prepared to share his knowledge of Axel. "It's not usual for Axel to take to someone so quickly… are you sure he actually talks?"

Scowl. He leaned forward. "Of course I talk. I don't usually sing my words like you have a habit of doing."

Blue eyes held amusement; Roxas was finally adjusting to the way Demyx and Axel interacted.

Larxene sat quietly for once, looking at Demyx and Axel for a while, before she turned her attention to the boy beside her. His fair spikes of hair fell into his eyes, but he made no move to brush them away as he watched the redhead exchange witticisms with the musician. An angelic smile graced his lips. Larxene blinked, then softly smiled to herself as she leaned over to him. "Told you you'd get used to him," she murmured.

Roxas glanced at her almost guiltily, startled.

Guilt? What does he have to feel guilty abou-

"Hot chocolate?"

All four responded to the waitress with yeses.

-x-x-x-

"I'm bored." Larxene complained loudly, stretching, twelve minutes later. Her hot chocolate sat close to her right hand; it was nearly finished.

None of her three companions bothered to respond to her. She scowled, then arched a blonde eyebrow at them. "Fine. Be that way. Hey, Dem…"

"Mmm?" It was pretty hard to talk around the famous wedges and sour cream of Nouk.

"What's your favourite element?"

He swallowed quickly, licking his lips as he looked at her. "The hell?"

"Hell isn't an element. And you guys really need something better to say than hell all the time. Y'know, elements – like fire, earth, air, wind, water-"

"Ohh. Water, then."

"Righty." She thought for a moment while Roxas leaned forward in interest. "Fish, shark, whale – ooh, I like that one – seashell, river, flood…"

The musician smirked. "I think we've already discussed this, Larx. Y'all can call me Aquarius, or waterbaby – I'm quite partial to that, especially when Axel says it-"

"Never said it before in my life." Axel grunted, grimacing. "And-"

"Oh, you will soon enough, when I seduce you with my stunning good looks and charisma…"

"And never will, either." He seemed to have forgotten he was sick, gazing off into the distance. Or maybe he was simply mulling over the fact. It was also possible that he had deliberately retreated into that part of his mind that blocked out Demyx. Roxas was quite sure that such a section was permanently installed in Axel's mind, ready to be switched on at a moment's notice.

"Aquarius… 'This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius, the age of Aquarius…" Larxene sang, grinning and snapping her fingers with the beat. She turned to Roxas. "Think you've got the hang of it yet?"

He nodded, blue eyes curious, and of course, wide. Never played this game before…

"Cool. Righty. Me now." She grinned toothily at the three males. "I like electricity the most. Lightning."

Axel snorted, blinking to focus his eyes as he came back to the present, arms crossed. "And I suppose this has nothing to do with the way you manage to zap people when you touch them…?" He ended it on a questioning air, frowning when the blonde cackled.

"What?" Roxas twisted in his seat, frowning. "You never zapped me…"

She grinned, blue eyes flashing. "You were wearing that there great hunk of leather," she informed him, pointing to his coat and apparently ignoring the fact that the rest of them sported almost identical jackets. "And leather ain't a good conductor of electricity. See?" She ran her hand lightly over Demyx's sleeve; he stared at her suspiciously.

She made as if to remove her hand, then suddenly dropped it onto his hand. He yelped and jumped up, nursing his hand. "Shit, woman! How many times have I told you-"

The sadistic woman smirked at him. "Demyx here seems particularly susceptible to this little trick of mine," she told the newest addition to the CD store staff sweetly. "Another reason why he seems so suited to water. Anyhow. Back to the game. Thought of a song?"

"Two." The boy replied instantly.

"Oh? A quick one…"

"'Electrical Blues' and 'Thunderstruck.'"

She smiled in appreciation. "Picking the old-school ones… good choice. Sing a few bars?"

Roxas shrunk.

"Guess not, then." She shrugged. "Axel. Your turn."

He coughed. "Really need to ask?" A quick glance at the table made them all look at the lighter beside his hand. "Fire."

Larxene frowned as Roxas picked up his sandwich. "Fire… uh…"

"Heat comes from fire," Demyx offered helpfully. "And light."

"Oh…" Larxene blinked, then smiled slowly. Oh…"This little light o' mine, I'm gonna let it shine, this little light o' mine, I'm gonna let it shine…"

Roxas choked on laughter and a mouthful of duck and salad sandwich. "The Seekers? You picked The Seekers for him?"

I'm not sure whether to be insulted or pleased…Axel quickly chose the former as Larxene continued the song.

"Every day, every day, every day in every way, I'm gonna let my little light shine…"

Demyx applauded politely as she finished with a rather impressive rising vibrato, causing other customers to glance about at them. "Nicely done."

"Why, I thought so too." She dimpled at him, confusing the man for a minute – he didn't know Larxene possessed dimples.

Axel sighed. "Roxas, pick a song. A good song, before I summon my – what is it Demyx loves to say? – old duck pets to kill you."

"…Duck pets?"

"Gave them to Zexion. He keeps making up new inventive ways to cook them, but he cares for them too much." Axel shrugged. "He's even named them now – Huey, Dewey and Louie."

"…Why did you bring them up?"

A thumb was pointed in the direction of his sandwich. "They might be angry at you for eating Uncle Donald, ya?"

He laughed, and wolfed down the remaining portion of his sandwich. "The Used. 'I Caught Fire'."

Larxene pouted. "How come you keep coming up with all the good ones? Fine. You have to sing some now."

I wanna but I don't… I really don't wanna…"If you sing with me?"

"Who?" Demyx queried.

The boy shrugged, feeling self-conscious all of a sudden; at least, more so than he had been before. "Dunno. All of you?"

He got a measuring look from Axel. "All right. It's only one stanza right…"

Larxene nodded. "That's the deal. Ready? Start."

A deep, not-so-composing breath first, then… "Seemed to stop my breath, my head on your chest waiting to cave in…"

"Nice." Demyx grinned, then held his hands up in apology when the blonde woman kicked him under the table. "I know, I gotta join in…"

"-so kiss me like you did, my heart stopped beating – such a softer sin…" Roxas stopped. "That's enough. That's more than enough. And I'm never going to do that again."

Larxene hadn't joined in once. Neither had Axel. Larxene, in fact, looked as though someone had just tossed her larynx to the lions and poked her eyes a little more out of their sockets. With a blunt machete, possibly. Then she shook her head, ice eyes serious. "No way. You're singing again."

"What?" Roxas yelped. "No."

"One day, kid," the lightning quick woman said in a deceptively honeyed voice, "I will make you eat your words. Got that?" Or maybe I'll make Yuffie do it…

Roxas gulped. She's… really scary like this…and that's the most evil grin I think I've ever seen...uh-oh, what's Axel thinking…

"-isn't that right, Axie?"

"Don't call me that."

"C'mon, all you need to do is tell Roxas what his singing was like…"

"Larx, you're acting as clingy as Demyx was earlier today." The woman made a disgusted face at the unexpected insult. "Besides, I don't know anything about music, remember?" He pushed himself away from the table, looking anything but pleased for some reason.

"All you need to do is say something to him…" Larxene growled and swung herself out of her chair in a smooth motion, grabbing a handful of red spikes and muttering into the startled ear offered to her, "Just say something. He needs the boost in confidence. And you're," she hissed, "believe it or not, he really likes you and-slash-or looks up to you. So do something."

Oh. He blinked. So that's how it is…he pulled away from Larxene stiffly, looking down. Is it just me or has he been perpetually red since he had to sing? "Why're you still red? Ah, shit, Larx, don't kick me like that – and don't freakin' glare at me either!"

Roxas had flushed anew at Axel's words, looking down. This is kinda awkward… Larxene, if you are telepathic, I hope you get this message – I hate you, never do that to me again. Then he gulped, and quickly modified the wording; if Larxene was telepathic, he never, ever wanted her to hear 'I hate you' coming from him. The consequences of such a phrase were probably terrifying.

"-good. And don't kick me again, you lightning-loving freak."

"What?" Man, I zoned out… what did he say to me again?

Green eyes locked on to blue all of a sudden, and Roxas wasn't game to move. "I said," The red-haired, skinny and imposing man said softly, "that your singing was great. Really good, even if I'm not a good judge."

"Oh…" Roxas was speechless.

"Now let's go." He shrugged off the arm Larxene tossed around his shoulders and strode away, ignoring the questioning gazes on his back.

-x-x-x-

"You know…"

"What is it, Demyx?"

Demyx smiled, for once not seeming devious. "We never asked Roxas what his favourite element was." He pointed ahead to where the boy wandered along the oak-lined path, staring above him at the cloud writing.

"What the hell does 'BOLE' mean?" He called over his shoulder, earning two shrugs and a dismissive grunt from his companions.

Demyx grabbed the hands of his two co-workers and dragged them until they were level with their younger addition. "Hey, Rox?"

"Eh?"

"How do you like our little outing in the park so far?" Calm sea eyes crinkled with laughter. "And… what's your favourite element? We never got around to asking that."

"Uh…" he hesitated. "Can you answer me something first? Please?"

"Sure. As long as it refers to my sex life, or some form of sexual activity."

Roxas flushed. "It… doesn't…"

"Don't ask, then – god damn you, Larx, stop hitting us every time we tease the bugger!" He massaged his aching scalp as Larxene smiled across at Roxas, an invitation to continue.

"Do you do this all the time?"

"Do what?" Axel blinked, startled from his reverie. He had an uncomfortable habit lately of walking about with his head in the clouds – it was starting to get to be an annoying tendency.

The kid was regular as clockwork with his blushing. "Go out during the day…" he trailed off, not really sure how to phrase the question.

Larxene shook her head. "Nope. Each weekend, though. Today was an exception because of Axel."

"Then… why am I here?"

"As their personal sex toy." The woman deadpanned. Twin smacks resounded as Axel and Demyx both whacked her over the back of the head. Roxas, of course, went even redder.

"You can't bash us for doing something you do yourself…"

"What he said." Demyx had never looked so sulky; doubtless, pissed that Larxene was infringing on his realm of sexual innuendo.

There was a sigh. "Fine. Anyway, Roxas, you didn't answer yet. What's your element?"

Roxas glanced around, nose wrinkling. Dappled light decorated the browning grass beneath the trees; the funny thing was that he'd already thought about the question, and not just when it had been asked of everyone earlier. "Light, actually."

"Light…" Axel mused. "Like, that supposed to, uh, make you pure?"

Compliment? "Does it help if I say shadow too? Light and dark?" The blue-eyed boy retorted, folding his arms. He looked defiant for some reason.

"Meh. Okay then…" Axel glanced across to Larxene. He suddenly turned into a typical teenager… what's up with that? "Got a song for him?"

Larxene was frowning, looking down. "Uh…" A furiously thinking expression was in place on her face; obviously this one was baffling her.

"Hey! Dickhead! Axel!"

Roxas spun to face the source of the venomous tone; he nearly opened his mouth to speak until three black shapes pushed past him.

Axel stood at the head of the group, arms crossed. Demyx and Larxene flanked him in a similar fashion; obviously this sort of thing had happened before. A long moment passed with the three figures in trenchcoats looking over the person who'd just verbally assaulted one of them. "Oh, is that Jasmine I see behind you?" said the redhead suddenly, peering over the shoulder of a very angry young man.

It must have been her name; an attractive dark-haired girl decked in blue glanced around the youth. "Bastard." She hissed.

"Touché. What'd I do this time?"

Yup, it's definitely happened before…Roxas sighed inwardly, satisfying himself with the odd glimpse when Larxene shifted her stance. It wasn't his fight.

"I'm Aladdin."

It hadn't been his fight, anyway. However, a familiar name was enough to make Roxas gape for a moment. Aladdin? What the hell does he want with Axel? Roxas' mind worked furiously – he tried to worm his way around Demyx – slowly, very slowly – without being noticed.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Aladdin crossed his arms, glaring at Larxene. "This bastard, he used my girlfriend, then just threw her away!"

A blonde eyebrow arched at the angry statement. "So? He does it all the time. Axel screws everyone over; girlfriends and normal friends alike. He's done it to me-" she peered across at Axel. "How many times?"

"I don't usually count."

"Mm. Well. Tell your girlfriend… tell her not to take it to heart, since she can't seem to speak for herself." Jasmine, hovering at the furious boyfriend's shoulder, flushed with embarrassment and resentment.

"She ain't the only one. Get used to it." Said Axel coldly.

"Shut it, Aladdin." Came a small but firm voice. Roxas pushed his way to the front; Larxene and Axel frowned at him; Demyx gave a tiny grin at this new development.

"Roxas?" The black-haired guy sounded confused. "You…? You hang out with a dickhead like this?"

He shook his head. "He's not all bad," Roxas, by far the shortest in the group, said softly. "Once you get to know him." He frowned a little when the angry man went to say something.

Instead, Aladdin hmphed and crossed his arms, looking over the group for a while. "Saw Sora the other day," he began in a bored voice.

Roxas tensed noticeably. "Don't bring him up-"

"-Pity you couldn't have turned out more like him, kid." He finished, biting off each word angrily.

Roxas glared for a moment, apparently forgetting everyone except himself and Aladdin, then suddenly turned and stalked away.

Roar, hear me roar, I am le editing.

This has been TALLYYYYYYY.