Axel was starting to think he had officially killed his relationship with his best friend.

Through all the annoying and obnoxious things he had put Roxas through throughout high school and now even college. Nothing had made him react like him telling Roxas he was in love with him.

Sure, there had been times when Roxas wouldn't even look, let alone speak to the red head when he was mad but he never had totally disappeared.

Axel barley saw his little blonde friend these days. And it's not like he wasn't home or anything, the kid would just hide from him. When he walked into a room, Roxas would walk out. When he went into the room that they shared, Roxas would pretend he was asleep.

It was starting to get to the red head.

Like right now for instance, the blonde was nowhere to be seen. Where the hell could he be? It was driving him crazy.


-Little did he know that the 'little blonde' was right next door-

"And that's how it happened, what do I do!"

"Umm, can you please repeat all that for me?"

Roxas took another swig of his beer. Beer that he had purchased at the local gas station, and barged into his neighbors flat with.

He needed advice with how to handle his situation with his best friend. A week of awkwardness had past and it showed no signs of getting better. Who better to ask than a next door neighbor who Roxas discovered just so happened to be gay?

He had been out the door on his way to work the morning after Axel's confession and saw the couple kissing in their doorway. One of them had been on their way to work as well, he seemed like a musician to Roxas. Weird hair style (not that he could say his own was any more normal) ripped clothing and of course an instrument in his hand. Was it called a sitar?

The one Roxas was currently talking to had long, bluish grey hair that covered one half of his face. He seemed quiet and reserved. Roxas was surprised he had let him cross the threshold of their apartment in the first place. Although, Roxas hadn't really waited for permission, it was more like he knocked on the door, it opened, he walked his happy ass in there sat down and opened the first can.

"Well, if you'd ask me it seems pretty obvious that you return at least some of his feelings for you."

"But were guys!" Roxas whined pathetically.

"You're telling me this?" his neighbor replied as he lifted his own beer can to his lips.

"And we're childhood friends; I just don't know how to get around it."

"Well you know, umm…"

"It's Roxas."

"Roxas, No matter how close people are when someone you don't expect confesses their feelings for you, you either run, or you're disgusted. Doesn't the fact that you're agonizing over the thought of your friend loving you at all indicate that you at least return some of the feelings he has for you?"

Well, Roxas didn't know just how to respond to that. He hadn't exactly run from Axel, but he had been ducking him this past week. And he didn't feel grossed out; just a little surprised, but was surprised good enough?

Eventually Roxas responded, "But…I'm not sure if what I'm feeling, is love exactly, and if it is what if it's not the same love? Like, what happens when he wants to have sex!"

"I really can't give you that kind of advice." Roxas' neighbor said bluntly. "But, no matter what you might be feeling you can't leave this to sit. You need to give him an answer, and sooner rather than later would benefit you both."

"Yeah…" Roxas trailed softy.

888

Unlocking the front door and walking inside his and Axel's apartment, Roxas barely had opened his mouth to call out an "I'm home" before pounding footsteps shook the apartment and Axel's large body barreled into him. Wrapping him in a tight embrace as the tall red head almost caused them to topple over.

"Roxas! Thank god!"

"What the hell!" Roxas shouted as he struggled in Axel's tight hold.

"You came home." Axel sighed in relieve, stilling Roxas.

"Why wouldn't I come home?" Roxas asked somewhat confusedly.

Axel pulled back, forcing Roxas to look up at him. "When I realized you weren't here I thought you had left me for good, I tried calling but your phone was off so I'd just assumed…"

Roxas heart was beating strongly in his chest as his best friend held him in place. He could pull away though, if he wanted. Just one step backwards and he would be out of his embrace; Axel would let him go because Axel loved him. Roxas stared up at Axel, about a million and a half thoughts running racing through his mind.

With nowhere else for his eyes to go Roxas focused on Axel's face. And it was hard not to admire. Long, angular, sharp cheekbones, strong chin, eyes a stunning emerald green. They were a beautiful contrast to his pale skin and fiery red hair. The inverted tattoos under his eyes added just enough of that dark and dangerous vibe that made all the girls drool over him.

"I think…" Roxas started eventually, "I might love you."

Axel's eyes just about popped out of his skull at those words leaving Roxas' lips, but he continued.

"But, I'm not sure if it's the same kind of love, I think they're similar but I don't know…" Roxas looked back up from the floor he had been staring at, "So…if you give me some time, would that be…ok?"

When Axel only stared at him Roxas thought something may have short circuited in his friends' brain. Just when he was really starting to become concerned Axel pulled him back into a tight hug.

"Thank you."

Were the only words that the red head said, and amazingly Roxas found his arms settling around Axe's waist and returning the hug.

Well, that was the only thing that Axel said, until he asked Roxas for a kiss.

Needless to say he didn't get one, at least on that particular night.