Yeah, this chapter is way too corny, I know that. I'm sorry, the next ones are definitely better.

Chapter III – Autumn III – I don't care whether your parents approve

It was almost twelve at night when Roxas awoke. He'd heard a weird sound, which was why he got up and checked his window. When he spotted the cause of the sound, he almost fainted.

A well-known redhead was staring up at him with a shit-eating grin on his triangular face. Embarrassed because of him being in pyjamas, he opened the window with a blush. "What are you doing here?", he tried to whisper loud enough for Axel to hear. The older one laughed. "Well, I told you we'd meet today". The blond was shocked. "But it's...". Then he remembered. "You wanted to climb through my window, right?". "Yeah", Axel admitted, "But actually, I wanted to take you out first".

Roxas' blush deepened and he told the almost-burglar to wait while he got dressed. After all these times they'd met after their short fight, he had completely forgotten what Axel had mentioned to him what he wanted to do if they'd ever meet. He reminded himself to leave the window open and carefully climbed down the wall, which luckily had some weird "decorative" bricks sticking out, making it ten times easier to get to his friend.

"There you go", he smiled and hugged Roxas a little too long, before they both got into his car. "You look freakin' cute when you're tired, did you know?". The younger one smiled shyly, "Thanks. Where we going?". Axel chuckled wisely and just kept driving.

The moon was so bright that night that it illuminated the meadow they were sitting on with all its flowers and insects. The stars were twinkling and if he hadn't pinched himself already, he would have believed he was still sleeping and dreaming this pleasant situation. "So, in case you get cold, I've got a blanket and some tea, coffee or cocoa, I didn't know what you liked best. And also some chocolate and muffins". Roxas squealed. "Oh my god, you prepared so much, who are you? Do I even know you?!". The redhead laughed and covered them both beneath the blanket, gave Roxas the cocoa and took out the muffins. He gave one to Roxas and himself each and put the box away again. "You know, I'm not the guy you think I am. In fact, I guess no one knows me. Like, the real me. Xion maybe, but no one else. See, I know this sounds like I'm trying to sell myself to you, but I'm really not an asshole. I mean, what I did to Demyx and a lot of other guys was pretty stupid, but I want to change, you know?". He blinked when his eyes met the blue ones. "Oh. Guess I shouldn't have told you that, huh? You seem surprised". "No, no", Roxas said, "I mean, yeah, I am surprised indeed, but in a positive way. I don't usually judge people, but you seemed like such a macho when we first met". "Yes, I used to be. But... sometimes, when things change, it makes you think". He drew invisible patterns on the blanket, before he added, "And you have to decide whether you still want to hide or just come out, no matter how hard and shocking it may be".

Roxas had listened precisely and almost subconsciously rested his head on Axel's shoulder. "I can relate to that", he quietly says, "From a different point of view, but still. Maybe, ...maybe you and I can do this together". He couldn't believe what he was saying. Since when did he open up to someone like Axel? Well, since he was giving the other boy a chance. "It's your parents, isn't it?". The younger one looks at him disbelievingly. "How'd you know?". Axel smiled. "Xion told me. And I have to apologise for my behaviour. I mean, I could have asked. But... whatever". Roxas took a deep breath. "Yes, it's them. Since I've skipped a class they're all strict and force me to do work I don't have. I'm not allowed to do anything to be honest". The red-haired boy's arm draped around the smaller one's and he pulled him in a little closer. "That sucks. Will you talk to them?". Roxas nodded, simply for the sake of wanting to meet Axel more often.

"Wow, these are delicious!", Roxas exclaimed while munching one of the muffins. "Thank you", the older boy laughed and finished his third one. "Hey, look!". After about two hours of sitting cuddled up beneath the starry sky and just talking, Axel suddenly spotted a shooting star and pointed at it. Roxas only saw the very last of it. "Aw, shame, I barely saw it. But, what did you wish for?". The blond's eyes sparkled in the moonlight, his hair shining and his lips curled into a beautiful, genuine smile. The older one took a deep breath as well as all of the courage he usually wouldn't have needed for this and replies quietly. "That what I'm doing now will have a good end".

With these words, he propped himself on his hand, placed the other one on Roxas' cheek and brought his face closer to his. He heard the blond's breath hitch a little, but saw that he'd close his eyes and did so as well, closing the space between their lips by connecting them.

He replied immediately, not eagerly, but carefully. It had been a luck shot; Axel had had no idea whether his friend was into boys or if he even liked him enough, but it had worked. The kiss intensified only a little, but they held it for a good three minutes. His hand ran softly through the mess on Roxas' head as he placed it on Axel's chest. "Wow". The redhead smiled and placed a kiss on his scalp, enjoying Roxas' hand running up and down his tummy. "I'm glad you didn't push me away", he joked and the blond poked him slightly in the ribs. "Why would I ever? Have you ever looked at yourself?". He chuckled at the sudden self-confidence and makes their eyes meet; bright emerald and aqua blue. "Do you think we're rushing this?". Roxas shook his head. "I don't care. I liked you for some odd reason when we became friends and jeez, I fell for you. Damn, I shouldn't be telling you this, this is so kitschy". Axel smiled at the blush on Roxas' cheeks. "And I'm damn grateful. Without you, I'd be fucking lonely, still". "No problem", the redhead grinned, "I'm grateful for you bringing out bits of the best of me".

They drove to the blond's place with Roxas still drinking cocoa and munching another two muffins. As he started to climb up the wall with Axel waiting on the ground, he turned around with a grin. "Aren't you coming, too?".

Even though Axel had been in this room a couple of times, it still seemed different at night. Something more... intimate. Roxas went to the bathroom to change and brush his teeth, while Axel just sat down on his bed, looking around. It was a cosy and beautiful room, kept in warm colours and with hardly any furniture, simply because it was small.

"Will you tell your parents about us?". The question showed Roxas that Axel was obviously serious with the idea of them dating, otherwise he wouldn't have asked. "No, they wouldn't approve. They'd probably throw me out". Axel grinned, revealing that his "true self" is not entirely different from who he pretends to be. "Well, I don't care if they do, as long as I have you. And anyway, isn't that even more exciting?". The blond punched him in the side and both of them giggled.

When Roxas fell asleep in his arms that night, Axel knew that a change would be worth it.