S!CK
By Candied
Author's notes: SaisaishiDragon- Evil? Maybe, but here's the update! animebuddy- I might have left it there because I'm evil. Enjoy this chapter. PapouGirl and LadyTori- Nope, didn't know you two were sisters. XD There is some happy in this chapter, but not the uber-happiness to come. HellCat- I'm glad you're so into it! It makes me really happy to hear that from a vetran reviewer of this story. Ladyameena22- I hope this chapter will rectify the fact that I left it off at an interesting spot. Akane-luff- I'm glad you didn't destroy anything in the last two chapters, I'd have felt bad if it were serious. XD AJ Can't Hackit- Poor head::gives chicken noodle:: It makes me happy that you're so intent on reading my story, and it brightens up my day to hear it! Mina The Forgotten Memory- Mmmm, cookie cake. Glad you love my story so much, it's inspiring. Child of Halloween- Thank you, thank you, thank you for all those compliments! But seriously, you're feeding my ego. I don't know what's going to happen with that, but I feel really loved. I'll be sure to read your story, so look for my review! As soon as this is posted, I'm off to do that! HoplesslyxXxLost- Aww, I love you too::Huggles:: Keep those grades up so you can read, though! Grades are important. Anyway, glad to have you back! chibi neko doll- Don't pull out your hair! ' It will all come to light soon, I promise. ASKInfinity- Thanks, and no problem. You just keep on reading. evil-music-in-the-background- Don't give up on love, or fanfiction! Next chapter, cross my heart. Emerald Twin Blade- Whee! It makes me happy to hear that! Here's the update, as promised. IceCold- Not likeable suspicions, eh? Well, no answers today, but next chapter for sure. Just let me live until then, ok? ' noike- Glad you love the fic, and yeah, they will get back together (for fear of getting shot as well as the general plot line) so don't give up on me just yet! Trowa- Welcome to the story! Glad you're enjoying it, can't wait to see what you think of this chapter! x fuji x- ::Hands tissue:: Don't cry::Grabs Adam, her paramedic boyfriend and shoves him toward you:: And don't die! You can't die without knowing how it ends!!! kogalover38- Is this soon enough?
This chapter and all chapters are dedicated to the people listed above, and all my lovely reviewers! I don't write this for my health, y'know, I write this for you guys::Group hug:: Now read!
Chapter 15: Captivate Me
When I got home that night, I found my mother waiting for me in the kitchen. She had her brow furrowed, blue eyes staring me down, and her arms crossed.
"Where have you been?" she asked, beginning her interrogation.
"Demyx's," I replied flatly, "I saw Axel."
She bent over at the waist towards me, "I don't want you seeing him, Roxas."
Guessing that she was concerned for my mental state, I replied with "It's okay, mom. We hardly spoke, it didn't tear me up too bad."
She huffed. "No, Roxas... I don't want you seeing him because he's... he's..."
"Gay?"
"No, honey. I've come to terms with your sexuality and his, it's just-"
It was my turn to huff.
"Yeah, right."
"Roxas, that is not it. There's thing you don't know about Axel, honey. If I hadn't stepped in, you-"
"You did what?" Reno had appeared behind her, arms crossed and glaring. He had gotten to the question before I had.
My mother looked like a deer in headlights as she turned to Reno.
"What did you do?" he asked.
My mother stammered for a moment, looking from me to Reno and back before she could form a sentence.
"I-I... I told Axel to stay away from my son," she replied, sounding fearful.
"What is your problem with my son?" Reno questioned, shifting his weight onto one leg.
"Nothing! It's just... just..."
"Just what, mom!?"
"Just something I learned about him."
My mom knew the connection?
"I'm handling that on my own, thank you!" I screeched, furious, "So stay out of it!"
"You know?"
"No, but I'm going to find out from Axel himself!"
"Absolutely not, Roxas! I forbid you to see him!"
A vein appeared in Reno's forehead, pulsing violently. I guessed that it was from him that Axel recieved his wild temper.
"That is not your place, Rita! I can't believe you would do such a thing!"
"Reno, I-" she stuttered, trying to find her voice.
"No! I'm not taking your side on this one! What you did was uncalled for, and I'm going to have to think about whether or not I want to be with someone who would do that to my son! I really don't think I do!"
I saw tears rush to my mother's eyes, and she dropped her head, willing her hair to cover her face.
"I wanted to protect Roxas," she whispered, voice cracking.
"You hurt him in the process, Rita, think about that."
My mother nodded solemnly, and walked slowly to her room so that we wouldn't see her cry.
I felt for her, I really did. She was my mother, after all. However, she had forced Axel into leaving me, and I was not so quick to forgive.
So now I knew that he had said he didn't love me out of blackmail, and that he was hurting as much as I was. I had guessed that he was hurting before, but now I knew for sure, with solid proof.
"Reno?" I asked, giving the red-haired man a concerned look.
"Yeah?"
"No matter what anyone tells you, you're a good dad, and I know Axel would be proud right now."
He smiled a little and ruffled my hair. "Thanks for that, Rox. I think your mother and I are through, though."
I grinned. "I'll be happy to call you 'dad' when Axel and I are together again. We'll still be family."
He laughed. "I'll look forward to it."
After that, I went to bed, barely able to hear my mother's sobs as I drifted to sleep.
When I woke up the next morning, I was alone, even though it was a saturday.
I rolled over and looked at my alarm clock, which proudly declared that the time was 10:15. I sighed and sat up, rubbing my aching head.
Lately, I had been worrying even in my dreams.
"Tomorrow," I reassured myself, "Tomorrow Axel and I will settle things and everything will be okay."
I got out of bed, and made my way to the kitchen, making myself a bowl of cereal.
"I'd kill for some of Demyx's home cooking," I muttered, unsatisdied by my Coco Puffs.
With Demyx cooking, I had eated better than I had the rest of my life. My mother was a terrible cook in all honesty, and we normally resorted to TV dinners or take-out. Pizza used to be a big part of my life.
After my mediocre breakfast, I showered and dressed.
I pulled the slip of paper with Naminé's number out from the pocket of yesterday's jeans, and grabbed the phone.
After a few rings, a disgruntled woman picked up. "Hello?"
"I'm sorry, did I wake you?" I asked out of courtesy. When I got a softer-sounding 'no', I continued.
"This is Roxas, is Naminé there?"
Geeze, her parents even answered her phone.
"Yes," the mother said, "What do you want with her?"
"I was hoping I could take her out tomorrow for dinner and dancing," I answered.
"A date?"
"More as friends, really. I only met her once, but I'd like to be friends."
"Come over today. We have to meet you first, then you'll get your answer."
Talk about strict!
"What time?"
"We will expect you for dinner at six. Do you know where we live?"
"Afraid not, ma'am."
"Seventeen Sunset Way, it's in the center of Twilight Village."
Ahh, the rich part of town. Apparently Naminé's parents were loaded.
I scribbled the address down onto a piece of paper.
"I'll see you then, Mrs... Oh, I didn't catch your name."
"Mrs. Motosua." she answered.
"See you then, Mrs. Motosua."
"See you then."
I hung up and sighed. Apparently Demyx hadn't exagerated about his parents.
He had told me to dress conservatively if I had to mee them, and really put the charm on.
I looked at my clothes. Baggy pants and a band t-shirt. Yeah, I'd have to change.
Call me a dork if you must, but I rehearsed greetings and answers to questions in the mirror for a good part of the day. Hey, I was nervous! I had promised Demyx that I would pull this whole thing off, even if it killed me. Which it just might, by the looks of it.
After changing and re-changing a number of times, I finally settles on a plain black sweater and some jeans that were somewhere between tight and baggy.
I made sure that I had my wallet and keys, left a note for my mother, and left to go have dinner with Naminé and her parents.
Thankfully, I had left hella early, because I got ridiculously lost. All those ritzy houses looked the same to me, what with their perfectly manicured lawns and elaborate gardens. When I finally found Naminé's house, I was all of twenty seconds early.
After knocking on the door, I was greeted by the woman I had spoken to earlier on the phone.
She let me in and checked her watch.
"Punctual," she commented.
"Good evening," I replied.
"The dining hall is this way," she said, leading me towards it.
I saw where Naminé got her looks. They looked almost identical, save that the older's hair was pulled into a tight bun.
When we finally made it to the dining room, Naminé and her father were sitting at the table, waiting for us to join them.
When we were seated, Mr. Motosua turned to me.
"What's your name?" he asked, giving me the once over.
"Roxas Hikari, sir." I answered, bowing my head slightly.
Dinner was served, and we started to eat.
"So, Roxas, where did you want to take my Naminé?" Mr. Motosua questioned.
"I was thinking the Gathering. Provided I have your permission, of course."
He seemed pleased with my answer, nodding his head and allowing the softest smile.
"Nice restaurant. Expensive. You have a job?"
"No, sir, my mother feels it would affect my schoolwork."
"Smart woman. Do you make good grades?"
Score 1 for Roxas.
"A's and B's. The B's are in science. It's not my strong point."
"Do you drive?"
"My mother feels that it is improper to drive until age 18."
"You a momma's boy?"
"I respect her wishes, if that's what you mean."
He smiled. "Good boy. Funny hair."
Score 2 for Roxas. Just one more...
"It does that on its own, sir. Not even super glue will keep it down."
At this, he laughed, and Naminé shot me a smile.
Score 3 for Roxas. I knew I was in.
"I like you, Roxas. Polite, but with spunk. You may date my daughter."
Naminé giggled.
"Actually, sir, I was looking for friendship."
"Well the offer will stand, should you change your mind."
"Should I decide to take it, I will still ask your permission." I stated.
If only he knew I was in love with a man, he would not like me so much.
After dinner, Naminé and I were excused to her room, with the door open, of course.
"We're not going to the Gathering," I admitted, once we got in the room.
"I guessed," she said with a smile.
"We're going to see Demyx play at the club."
Naminé looked like she would shreik with joy. "Really?"
"Really, really."
"You'd do that for me?"
"And for him, of course."
"You're just like Hayner said. You really are a kind soul."
I smiled. "You ever seen him play?"
"Not publicly, no."
"He's amazing. We're going to have a blast. Afterwards, he wants to spend time with you."
The girl looked on the verge of happy tears. "Thank you, Roxas."
"It's nothing."
I saw Sora, sitting on Naminé's bed. He was smiling softly.
"You're a good other, too," he told me.
I grinned.
-----------------------------------
I woke up, without the beeping of my alarm clock (In a moment of pure genious, I had turned it off), to an earth-shattering headache.
I grumbled and sat up, rubbing my temples. The light shining in made me slightly homicidal, and I would shoot it, were it possible.
Sadly though, one can't murder light, so I stood and trudged over to Demyx's.
"Good morning, sunshine!" he called all too cheerily from the kitchen.
"I'll set your hair on fire," I threatened, slumping into a chair next to Zexion.
Demyx squeeked and brought me some coffee.
"Sleep well?" Zexy asked, looking at me quizzically.
I grunted.
"I heard you ran into Roxas."
Grunt.
"Hey, if you don't snatch him back up, Demyx and I could always use him to spice up things in bed," he said nonchalantly, trying to get more of a responce out of me.
He got just that when his coffee set fire, as well as his newspaper.
"Do it and die," I answered, green eyes threatening.
He didn't move, save so that Demyx could extinguish the flames.
"There's the Axel I know. It's nice to have you back."
I glared.
"You going to quit drinking? I only ask because you're not drunk before breakfast this morning."
I nodded. After what Roxas had said, I knew I wasn't capable.
"Good. It got old, you drunkenly trying to bed my boyfriend."
"Sorry for that."
Demyx laughed nervously.
As sarcastic, quiet, and rude as Zexion could be, he was a good friend. He'd put up with a lot of crap, listened when you needed him, and left you alone when you asked. Good guy.
"Don't worry about it," he replied.
I slurped down my coffee, ate my bacon and smiling chocolate chip pancakes- courtesy of Demyx- and had a second helping before I noticed a notebook lying on the table.
It was blue with "Roxas" scribbled in big letters across the cover.
"What's that?" I asked the blonde sitar player, pointing.
"Huh?" He looked at it, "That's uh... Roxas'. He, uh, accidently left it here the other day."
I raised my eyebrow. "Why'd he bring it?"
"H-he needed help with algebra."
"You suck at algebra."
Demyx's face flushed, and he smiled weakly. "Yeah, I know. But Roxas didn't know that."
"I'm going to go, then. I don't want to be here when he comes to get it."
"He called! He won't be here until later, stay!" Demyx cried out.
I looked at him questioningly. "What is with you, Demyx?"
He shrugged. "I... Well... Roxas met Naminé."
I froze.
"D-does he...?"
"No! She only let it slip that we all knew Hayner. Anyway, Roxas arranged it so that she could come see me play tomorrow."
Sweet little Roxas.
I grinned. "Well, good for you."
"Axel?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm nervous. I haven't been face-to-face with her in years. Would you- Would you come for emotional support?"
"Will Roxas be there?"
"I think he's just dropping off Naminé and leaving."
"I'll be there."
I wouldn't find out until later that Demyx was silently congradulating himself on his acting skills.
Author's note: Ok, so you still didn't find out the connection, but you will for sure in the next chapter! I promise! And the plan in its entirety. Seriously, don't hate me. There might even be a little fluff. It will be a heart-wrenching happy happy joy joy chapter, so don't kill me yet. Oh yeah, and no, Roxas won't really be picking up his notebook from Demyx's. Thought I'd clarify. And well, you know what to do. Click that button and review!