hope you guys are okay with a bit of skipping. there's not much more to write in, except the actual events and the end of the story : D ...that, and this has been self-beta'd and friend-beta'd and i'm still waiting on another beta and ugh. i just got tired and posted this so... if there are any typo's you guys come across, tell me.
ps. sorry this took so long. augh. i haven't updated in months, but this chapter literally only took me like... a few days to write, if you put all that time together. man. i need to organize myself better and not write like.. 20 fanfics at once. and cowrites. hahaha. GO LOOK AT THEM.
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sweet talk 1o1
16 : my blue heaven - taking back sunday
Sora sighed deeply and leaned over his desk, shutting off his computer monitor for a few minutes. He tended to have a really short attention span when it came to things like studying for tests and writing essays, and it was better if he took periodic breaks.
"Hey, Riku?"
The silverette looked up from where he was scribbling notes in unimaginably tiny print on a note card and brushed his hair out of his eyes. "What is it?"
Sora frowned and cocked his head to the side, reaching up to tug thoughtfully at a lock of hair. "...Do you believe in reincarnation?"
A terribly thin silence stretched between them as Riku stared at unblinkingly at the boy. Sora wasn't really known for asking deep philosophical questions, and he was momentarily caught off guard. Like watching a duck that couldn't swim. Y'know. "You mean like... a human soul transferring into another body in the next life, stuff like that?"
"Yeah, something like that," Sora mumbled, grinning a bit sheepishly at how silly he sounded.
"I... guess so. Why?"
A sigh. A ruffle of sun-stained, honey-brown spikes. "This is going to sound really weird but... but when ever I'm around you, I get this great sense of finality. N... no, Riku! Don't give me that look!" Sora laughed and shook his head, grinning reassuringly at Riku's worried expression. "I didn't mean it like that. It's more like finally, about time."
Sora found himself being stared at once again for a long silent moment, until his boyfriend was unable to contain his snort. Riku leaned across the bed and stretched an arm out, grabbing Sora's hand and dragging the boy into his lap. "You are way too cute."
"It's true!" Sora protested, twisting around in Riku's lap until his knees were on either side of his hips.
"I never said it wasn't. It's very interesting though, I have to say. I guess you're saying that maybe we knew each other in a past life?"
Sora shrugged a bit awkwardly and ducked his head against Riku's neck, inhaling the scent of his cologne. "It's strange though. Normally people aren't aware of these things, are they...?"
"No. Not usually," Riku muttered, running his fingers through Sora's disheveled spikes and feeling the boy relax against him. "I mean, I've never seen people running up to me yelling about knowing me in a past life. But I guess... it's possible. The human soul and heart are both complicated entities..."
Sora pulled away and cocked his head to the side, eyes so wide and so blue that the first thing Riku thought of was an ocean owl. The second was the bright sunshine, bouncing off ocean waves, cradling white foam around a chain of tiny star-fruit islands.
"...You need to stop hanging out with Zexion. I don't know what you're talking about half the time."
"Babe, I think it's always been that w-ouch! Jerk!" Riku grinned and blocked the second blow, bursting into laughter when Sora shoved him down on the bed and made a half-assed attempt at a fight.
"You need to stop hanging out with Axel too, you cocky b-mmph! Mmm..."
x.x.x
Roxas let out a sharp gasp before his arms and legs gave out, and he collapsed into his bed as his orgasm washed over him, face first into the pillow. The body behind him shifted and pulled away, landing into the adjacent spot, and tugged the blonde into his arms. The window had been cracked open just a slight, and the spring breeze wafted through, cooling feverish skin and offering a breath of fresh air.
"Feeling better?" Axel hummed, burying his face into the back of Roxas's neck.
After complaining to Axel for about the umpteenth time that he had a cold, Axel had texted him back, saying that he had a proven natural remedy to help cure him faster. Obviously Roxas agreed to it, and before he knew what was happening, Axel had backed him into his room again, hands trailing almost desperately against his hot skin.
The blonde breathed out a laugh and twisted in Axel's arms, gently pressing their lips together. A bit.
Axel grinned against him and slid his hands down the boy's bare sides, to his waist, and pulled him closer. Roxas let out a content sigh, pressing back against Axel's warm body and relaxing for a few minutes. Neither of them really wanted to move much, but Roxas finally stretched out, reaching for his phone. Axel opened one eye and glanced over the blonde's shoulder, at the small calendar he was scrolling through on the screen. It was only the beginning of April (wow, had they really been together for only two months?) but Roxas had gone ahead to June, where the twenty-first was highlighted in red.
"Mmm... just a little while longer left now, huh?"
Roxas nodded, blue eyes fixated on the screen. He'd been doing this every day since the end of March, reaching for his phone and checking the calendar. Over and over again, like a ritual.
Axel smiled and lifted a hand, soothingly stroking the hair on the back of Roxas's head. "Don't be nervous," he murmured, having spent so much time with the boy already that he could not only tune into what he was probably trying say, but how he felt too. It didn't take much. The look in his eyes, the marginally quickened breathing, the tensing of his shoulders making visible lines on his skin... "There's no point in thinking about it now."
There was no response except for the sound of clicking keys. Minutes later, Roxas reached back, holding his phone out. Axel sighed and took it, propping himself up on his elbow.
I know. And you know I don't tend to worry much but it's making me really nervous. What if something goes wrong? What if my windpipe gets damaged or they break something else instead of fixing it. And what if they can't fix it at all? I mean, I've been thinking about the surgery and trying to brush it off because I tend to get my hopes up because I always tend to do that but what if it doesn't work..? Then what?
A twinge of worry cut through Axel's chest and he closed his eyes for a moment, forcing it away. "I know, babe. But you have to remind yourself that this is the 21st century we're living in. Not the middle ages where... where they'd probably stick leeches on you and hit you over the head or something."
That was enough to coax a tiny laugh out of Roxas, even though the redhead couldn't hear it.
"Doctors know what they're doing. Otherwise, they wouldn't be doctors. Right? Besides. I'll be right there for you, from the second you step in to when you wake up."
Roxas didn't move for the longest time before finally rolling over and burying himself in Axel's arms, hiding his face in the redhead's neck. Axel smiled and gently ran a hand down the boy's back, trying to ease his shivers. "I love you, okay? I really, really do. You make my heart pound like I've just run a mile."
Roxas couldn't help but grin and lifted his head, pressing his lips to Axel's throat. I love you more than you can possibly know. I always have. And I'm sorry things had to turn out the way they did. But everything's okay now. So maybe... maybe I'll tell you later. In two month's time. I promise.
x.x.x
"Oh, come off it, Roxas! Do you want me to carry you out the door?" Sora arched his brows, hands planted on his hips, and tapped his foot impatiently against the concrete. Roxas stared at him from the doorway and shook his head vigorously, spikes flying wildly around his face. "I'll just call Axel and tell him to meet us at the hospital, like everyone else."
The blonde scowled and shook his head again, crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest. Axel had just recently started driving again, and was insistent on driving the blonde to the hospital. And Roxas was too nervous to go with anyone else anyway and refused to step out of the house without him.
His brother sighed and glanced over his shoulder, to the car that was idling in the driveway. "He's not coming, mom."
Satsuki stuck her head out of the window with a frown, followed by Yuffie, who was wreaking her usual havoc in the backseat. "Honey, let's go. Axel will get there when he gets there."
Roxas scowled and waved his hand, motioning for them to go.
Sora shrugged and sighed, hopping down from the porch. "Alright, whatever. We'll be waiting for you, kay?"
Roxas nodded and grinned, trying to swallow down the lump in his throat at those words. They hadn't struck him in the most reassuring way, especially considering the way his memories stirred at the slightest prod as of late.
Satsuki gave her blonde son a firm look from behind her sunglasses. "Don't take too long, okay, sweetie? And make sure Axel drives carefully."
"Yes, mom," Roxas mouthed with a smile, watching as the car pulled out of the driveway and slowly drove away from the house. He sighed softly and stepped outside, shutting the door behind him and sitting down on the front steps. His blue eyes scanned the street, fingers nervously pulling at the charm that hung from his neck. The surgery wasn't the only thing he was nervous about. When he got his voice back (if he got his voice back), he made plans to tell Axel everything. About him, about them, even about why Axel was the way... that, well, he was. It was a slightly frightening thought and he just hoped that he could get to Axel first, before his... schizophrenia went out of control. Not that it could technically be called that.
And not that anyone else knows that, Roxas thought with another sigh, leaning back against his front door. If he breaks first, then I might not be able to get through to him. And we'll end up at square one again. And I can't afford to let that happen...
"...xas! Hey, Fox! Wake up!"
Roxas jumped and jerked away from the door, almost toppling off the porch. His blue eyes snapped open, taking in the sight of Axel stepping out of his blue BMW and crossing the front lawn to him. He had that usual cocky smirk plastered on his face, an eyebrow arched, as if though he just caught Roxas doing something he shouldn't have. That look always made Roxas feel like a childish troublemaker, even if he did like it, but there was something off with it today. Almost like he put in on just to look normal. He didn't bother dwelling on it too much and jumped up from the steps throwing himself into Axel's open arms.
"Hey, kiddo," Axel murmured, sliding his arms protectively around the blonde's waist and burying his nose in the boy's blonde spikes, inhaling his scent. "Did everyone already leave?"
Roxas nodded and leaned up, pressing his lips to Axel's and tugging him nearer. I was waiting for you.
Axel hummed happily, his grip on Roxas's waist tightening, and deepened the kiss, tongues sliding together for a brief moment. Fingers gripped harder and bodies pressed closer, warmth enveloping skin into one until they reluctantly pulled away from each other. Roxas looked up at him with hazy blue eyes and Axel matched the look, the corners of his mouth lifting up into a smirk. "Don't get carried away, or we'll never leave. C'mon, you ready?"
"Yeah," Roxas mouthed, letting Axel take his hand and lead him to the car.
"So, um. I kind of got you a present," Axel mumbled with a shy smile after they got situated in their seats. Roxas blinked in surprise and then smiled, waiting as Axel twisted around and rummaged through the bag in the back seat. Out of the bag came a fluffy chocobo plushie, with large blue eyes and a plush heart on a red ribbon around his neck. The blonde almost melted when Axel handed it over, and clutched the toy bird to his chest with a silly little grin. "I take it you like him? Heh, good then." Axel leaned over, kissing Roxas gently and then leaned down, pressing his lips to the scar on the side of the boy's neck before pulling away and shifting the gear into drive.
It was only then that Roxas realized how much had changed between them, from the first time they met until they were so comfortable around each other that it was like a second nature.
Back to the way things were supposed to be, Roxas thought to himself.
"You ready?"
x.x.x
"Roxas!"
The blonde gasped in quickly, the breath suddenly knocked out of him when Rikku practically tackled him into the floor, her arms tight around the boy's neck. "Mmmm, we've been waiting for, like, ever!"
Roxas squirmed in the girl's arms, glancing over her shoulder. Not only was his family there, but so were Riku and Kairi... and Olette and Hayner and Larxene (filing away at her nails) and even Demyx and Zexion. Satsuki was currently over at the front desk, filing out forms and signing papers.
"'Bout time," Hayner grumbled, sinking in his chair with a pout. "I thought Olette was going to have a panic attack if you arrived any late-ow!"
The brunette girl grinned innocently and crossed her legs. "Sorry, my foot slipped."
"How about I slip my fist?"
"... So how are things with you and Seifer?"
"Fuck. You."
Roxas grinned at his friends and pulled away from Rikku. She waggled her brows at him and leaned down, lips to his ear. "So that hot red-headed chick is Axel's sis?"
The blonde nodded and looked Rikku up and down. But I don't think she's into girls.
"Oh, I'm sure I can change th-"
"Roxas, honey, can you come here for a moment?" Satsuki motioned for Roxas to come over, a tall blonde-haired man in a white coat standing at her side. Roxas took in a deep breath, his stomach twisting uncomfortably, and glanced down. Axel smiled and reached for his hand, threading their fingers together, obviously not caring as to what anyone else thought. It was enough to calm Roxas down significantly and the boy walked over, Axel at his heels.
"Baby, this is Dr. Ansem. He's the one who will performing your surgery."
A look of surprise passed through Roxas's eyes and was gone almost immediately. He held out his hand and smiled in greeting.
"Pleasure to meet you, Roxas," the man said, with the same British accent that Roxas remembered all too well. "I think I should inform you that your friends and siblings each threatened to hurt me in various ways if you died, and I can assure you that you are in good hands." He said it so seriously that Roxas couldn't help but laugh and grin over his shoulder. "Ah, and... who is this?" Ansem looked over the frame of his glasses, his eyes fixed on Axel.
"His boyfriend," the redhead replied with a smirk, and Roxas heard the undertone of pride in his voice, making his heart ache.
"Ah, well, don't you worry either." Ansem smiled, the action much more kind than what Roxas remembered. "He will be sleeping the whole time. Won't feel a thing, I can promise you that. Now then, if you will just let me have a word with your mother, and then we can get things rolling."
Sleeping... the whole time? That sounds familiar too. Roxas swallowed thickly, starting to feel sick from his nervousness, and nodded. Oh god, ohgodohgodohgod, I'm gonna throw up...
Satsuki winked him and pushed him to the back of the waiting room with Axel.
"Wow, Rox, you look green," Yuffie piped up happily, earning herself a glare from her brother.
Thanks, Yuff.
"Oh, don't give me that look. Here, this'll make you feel better." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a peppermint candy, pressing it to Roxas's lips.
"So, nice chocobo, Roxas," Zexion hummed, nodding at the toy that was still clutched in Roxas's arms. The blonde looked down and promptly turned red, having forgotten that he was still carrying it around.
"Zeeex, how come you never get me stuffed chocobos?" Demyx whined, tugging at his boyfriend's arm.
"I didn't know you liked chocobos."
"I don't."
"...Huh? But, then... wait. What?"
Roxas grinned and rolled his eyes, letting Axel pull him into his lap after he sat down in an empty chair.
"Okay, so," Kairi started, leaning forward in her chair and effectively capturing everyone's attention. "Rox, Ax, you need to help us. We're stuck between sushi, and chinese."
Axel raised an eyebrow, resting his chin on top of Roxas's head. "What are we talking about again?"
"Well, we need to celebrate when Roxas gets out the hospital, moron. Come on, get with the program."
"Okay, I'm all for the sushi," Hayner spoke up with an excited grin. "It-ow! Why the fuck do you constantly have to hurt me?!" He glared at the girl sitting behind him, gingerly rubbing his arm.
Olette shrugged with a smile. "Because you never fight back. And Land of Dragons would so out-do sushi."
"Are you serious? Atlantica Sushi is the best."
"Okay, whoa, hold up. We are not eating dead fish," Demyx spoke up, narrowing his eyes at Hayner.
Riku rolled his eyes, looking utterly annoyed. "You know that they have sushi without fish, right?"
"...They do?!"
"...Yes, Sora. They do."
"Hah! Even I knew that."
"No you didn't!"
Larxene slammed her nail-file down on the arm of her chair and everyone jumped, heads whipping in her direction. "...If we are eating anything... then we are going to eat steak."
Roxas laughed to himself and shook his head, leaning back against Axel's warm chest. He was slowly started to feel a lot better, especially from the way his friends were bantering over food like a bunch of small children. And especially from the way Axel's fingertips were gently stroking his sides, lulling him into ease. He turned back and pressed his lips to Axel's when no one was looking, mouthing "I love you" against his lips.
"Mmm.. love you too, babe. I'll be right there when you wake up."
"Roxas?"
The blonde jumped in Axel's arms and pulled away, finding Ansem standing behind him with his mother. "Are you ready?"
x.x.x
"Oh, Axel. What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting you today..." Aeris frowned in confusion and brushed her bangs away, lifting her eyes from the pile of papers that were spread across her desk. "Axel?"
The redhead closed the door behind him and locked it before crossing over to the couch and wordlessly sprawling himself face first into the cushions. From what Aeris could see, he didn't look too well; his skin was pale and covered with a fine sheen of sweat and his fingers were shaking slightly. He looked sick, and it sent off warning bells in Aeris's head.
"...Axel? Honey, are you alright?" She pushed away from her desk and walked over to the couch, kneeling down on the floor until her skirts puffed up around her legs. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at the hospital with Roxas?"
"I was," came the muffled response. "He's in surgery right now. And I needed to see you."
Aeris frowned in concern and tilted her head to the side, lifting a hand to run her fingers through Axel's spikes. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Axel sat up so abruptly that Aeris almost fell back on the floor, green eyes darting around the room. "The meds stopped working. I can't block out his voice anymore."
"...His?"
"Yeah. His." Axel sighed shakily and passed a hand over his face. "As in, my own."
"Axel, are you sure-"
"Yes, I'm fucking positive it's not just me thinking! Dammit, I don't know what to do! I couldn't stay there for another minute even if I wanted to, he was literally driving me crazy! I can't... I can't fucking keep my control anymore..." The muscles in the redhead's jaw tightened and he tore a hand through his hair, breath coming in short, quick gasps. His head was throbbing, vision spinning-
He left you, you didn't matteranymore to him-
-he was sure he was going to be sick-
-you meant nothing, and he wouldn't listen to you anyway, he would never go back with you-
-and it was like something dark was trying to writhe its way out of his chest, crawling through his veins-
-worthless brat, you sacrificed yourself for him and he left you, didn't even try to listen, all this "I'll be waiting for you" bullshit doesn't mean anything because he'll just destroy you again-
Axel pressed his palms against his eyes, fingers winding into his fiery spikes in an attempt to stabilize himself, calm down, anything, because it felt like the world was spinning out of control and he was going to disappear from existence if it didn't stop-
-you have a heart now, you should understand the feelings that were so foreign to you then-
It wasn't even the fact that he was feeling them in the first place. They were overpowering him, drowning him and crushing his breath-
-he'll just bring you more pain, you don't need him, you don't need himyoudon'tneedhim-
He could vaguely hear Aeris's soft voice, shaky and concerned, her fingers gently tracing the outlines of his face. He kept hearing calm down, spoken over and over like a mantra, and for a few precious moments, he blocked the voice out (the voice that was so much like his own) and opened his eyes, dull and dark green. He felt like he was dying somewhere inside.
"There, there, it's alright..." Aeris brushed the back of her hand against his cheeks, and only then did Axel realize he had been crying.
The redhead sucked in a slow breath, trying to regain a normal breathing pattern, and looked up, staring around the room in shock. Aeris blinked and straightened out, following his gaze and let out a soft little gasp, fingers fluttering to her mouth.
All the flowers in the room were blackened, burned to frail skeletons.
x.x.x
Roxas breathed in and crinkled his nose, taking in the scent of that unmistakable hospital smell. Something was beeping softly, rhythmically to the side, offset by a set of synchronized breathing on the other side. He opened his eyes, blinking quickly against the morning light that streamed in from the window and carefully turned his stiff neck. A loveseat had been pulled up right to the edge of his bed, and Sora and Yuffie were curled up against each other in the cushions, sound asleep with their heads resting against each other's.
Huh..? Where's... Axel?
He leaned up slowly on his elbows, feeling dizzy and just a little bit weak, and waited for the spell to pass before reaching out and nudging his brother's knee. Only then did he notice the IV that was taped to his arm.
"Mnn... quit... wrigglin', Yuff..."
Yuffie frowned and punched Sora sluggishly in the side, not even bothering to open her eyes. "I didn' do anythin', stupid..."
Roxas found himself smiling slightly and then remembered the reason he was laying in a hospital bed in the first place. Well, he supposed that now was a good a time as any to try it out.
So he licked his dry lips and took in a deep breath. His voice was soft and hoarse and cracked from years of disuse, but it was definitely Sora's name that left his mouth.
The aforementioned brunette's eyes snapped open and he practically bolted upright in the chair, nearly dislocating Yuffie's jaw with his shoulder. "R-roxas..!"
"Nngh.. Roxas? He's awake..?" Yuffie blinked sleepily and stretched out, rubbing her eyes.
Roxas grinned widely at his siblings, barely having enough time to prepare himself for the onslaught of screams and hugs and kisses. He couldn't help but laugh, really laugh, his voice shocking Sora and Yuffie enough to make them pull away.
Sora smiled softly and quickly swiped a hand over his eyes. "Wow, I almost forgot... the way your laugh sounded."
"Ooooh, Roxy, I'm so happy for you," Yuffie squealed, throwing her arms around the blonde's neck and squeezing. He could just barely feel the sore spot on the side of his neck, covered with tape and gauze. "And I'm so, so happy you're finally awake..."
This caused Roxas to frown in confusion, eyebrows drawing together. The heart monitor on the other side of the bed picked up slightly. "Fi... finally... a... wake?"
Sora bit his lip, almost looking a little guilty. He sighed and scratched the back of his neck, meeting his brother's nervous eyes. "Um... you... you sorta had trouble getting out of anesthesia. And right when you were about to come around, you just... went into a coma."
Roxas blinked, trying to process this information as quickly as possible. "How... long?" he asked, voice just as raspy as before.
"Um... three days, not counting this one. Oh, here." Sora reached down, rummaging through the bag that was at the foot of the chair and pulled out a water bottle. He unscrewed the cap and pressed the bottle to Roxas's lips, smacking the blonde's hands away when he tried to hold it himself.
After downing over half of the bottle, Roxas pulled away and cleared his throat. There was a dull throb in the side of his neck when he did that, but it wasn't so bad, and his voice came out clearer this time. He was almost worried about how he was going to sound, and interestingly enough, he could swear his voice was deeper than the last time he used it. Puberty, duh. "Where is everyone...?"
"Well, mom went to go pick up some food," Yuffie said, slumping back in the chair and pulling at the loose threads on her shorts. "But we know she's just doing it to take her mind off you for a bit. She's a wreck."
"Zex and Dem and Larxene had to leave because they have a test at school that they can't miss but we're keeping 'em updated. Um, Riku left with mom under our orders just to make sure she didn't drive into a pole or something... Hayner and Olette had to leave for school too, but Rikku stayed with Kairi until last night."
Roxas frowned and sat up, noticing the strange way his brother said the last part. He could practically feel his stomach slowly dropping. "And... where's Axel?"
Sora bit his lip again, looking downright uncomfortable this time. "Er... well... I was getting to that. See... um. When you were in surgery, Kairi got a call from Aeris. She was asking for you. Apparently there's... there's something wrong with Axel. They had to quarantine him."
"Q... quarantine...?!" Roxas choked out, voice escalating and cracking on the last syllable. Oh, no no no no not now, I can't be too late, fuck fuck fuck-
"C-calm down," Sora stammered out, jumping up and pushing Roxas back into the bed before he could get himself worked up. Already his blue eyes were wide wide wide and panicky, the heart monitor beeping rapidly beside them. "Yuffie, wanna go get Kairi? And maybe a doctor?"
"Will do, captain..." The girl shot a worried look at Roxas before sprinting out the door, shutting it behind her.
"Let me go...!" Roxas protested, still to weak to resist his brother's hold. His heart was pounding in fear and worry, and he could feel the vertigo washing over him. Axel had spiraled down at the worst possible time, into a place that would be hard to reach. After all... he had been stubbornly trying to resist Roxas since the moment they met.
Sora narrowed his eyes in a silent warning and Roxas relaxed almost immediately, flinching away from the look. "Look, calm down, okay? They won't let out of here any sooner if you act like a maniac, got it? Axel is... well, okay. They have him under surveillance at the place Aeris works. And the sooner you calm down and heal up, the sooner they'll let you out of here. Understand?"
Roxas flicked his eyes back up, blue meeting blue with the same angry intensity, but still falling short by a bit. "...Yes," he finally mumbled, voice hissing and cracking. This isn't really the time to tell me to calm the fuck down. I can't be angry with him, though... He doesn't know. He doesn't remember anything. He let out a heavy sigh, letting the hand on his chest push him back into the hospital bed and tried to relax. Minutes later, Yuffie came through the door, dragging Kairi and Ansem behind her.
"Oh... Roxas..." The blonde lifted his head, barely having enough time to take in the sight of messy red hair and puffy blue eyes before he was enveloped in a pair of thin, shaky arms. "I'm so glad you're awake..."
Roxas relaxed and wound his arms around her waist, lifting a hand to stroke the back of her head. He could tell how much of a nervous wreck she was, especially with what happened to her brother. "It's okay..."
He heard Kairi sniffle loudly before she pulled away, dabbing at her eyes with her wrists. She tried to smile, fanning her face with her hands, but it cracked into something half-hearted and not really there. "How're you f-feeling?"
"Okay... Throat and neck are... a bit sore... but, y'know..."
The redhead nodded at glanced down, fingers twisting nervously in her lap. Roxas couldn't blame her for being more worried over her brother than him. He was family, blood. "So what... happened?"
"W-well... see, Aeris called me, right?" Kairi paused, swallowing thickly, and Sora stepped closer, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. "Sh-she said something like... Axel went mad or something... a-and there was something about a fire, I don't really remember that well a-anymore. S-so I asked her if I should come over and said she n-needed to see you and th-that was it. But, like... I could just tell by her voice that something b-bad had happened..."
Roxas bit his lip, passing a hand over his face and raking his fingers through his hair. "When is... the soonest I can leave?"
"Doc still has to check you out," Sora mumbled, glancing back at the door. Roxas groaned and fell back against the pillows, throwing his arm over his eyes. He wanted nothing more than to jump out of bed and find Axel, but he knew he wouldn't be able to get away with it... and the sooner he calmed down, the sooner he would get out.
"Ah, Roxas, so you are finally awake." The blonde peeked out from under his arm, watching Ansem step into the room with Yuffie at his heels. "How are you feeling? Are you speaking alright?"
"I'm... okay," Roxas acknowledged with a slightly forced smile. He controlled his breathing, his facial expressions, hell, even the amount of times he blinked while Ansem checked him out, reading his pulse, pressing at his wound, shining a light into his eyes... Bright blonde was all he could see for a few minutes after that. The man really needed a change of hair color.
x.x.x
The cell phone's square screen lit up and Roxas's name flashed across it, the device buzzing loudly against the table. Aeris's head shot up, brown curls frizzy and tangled, fingers skittering along the table until they hit the phone.
"H-hello...?" she mumbled, rubbing her bleary eyes and brushing stray pieces of hair out of her face. For a moment, there was nothing but static, until finally, the voice she wanted to hear cut through, crystal clear.
"Ms. Gainsborough? It's me... Roxas."
"Oh, honey, hello.... I'm so glad to finally hear from you..." The brunette sighed in relief and leaned back in her chair, running her fingers through her haphazard curls. It was the first time she felt this relaxed in days, as though her muscles had been in an iron grip the whole time. "I heard that you couldn't wake up after the surgery. Are you alright?"
"Just fine..." There was a soft chuckle on the other line, but was strained and laced with worry. It seeped like poison through the phone. "But that's not important. What about Axel? Is he okay...?"
Aeris breathed out a soft sigh and lifted a hand, rubbing the bridge of her nose to ward off a sleep-deprivation-induced migraine. "He's a little bit better... He isn't as violent as he was a couple of days ago. The same day you woke up, actually. But you should still come see him as soon as you possibly can. You remember where the facility is, right?"
There was a thick, momentary silence, followed by a soft gasp. "Y-yeah, I do... Sorry, I'm still a bit sleepy from all of the medication... I should probably have someone drive me, huh...?"
In the background, Aeris could hear Roxas's mother's soft clucks of concern, and she smiled. After all, Roxas had only been awake for two days. It was understandable why she would be so concerned. "That would be preferable. I don't want you to get into an accident in your haste."
About half an hour later, though it felt much shorter to everyone else, Roxas, his mother, his brother, his brother's boyfriend, his sister, and Kairi were all crowded together in Aeris's office. There was much shoving and elbowing and cursing from the male party, which was cut short by a very nervous Kairi. Despite how worried she was, she couldn't accompany Roxas and Aeris to the room that had been set up for Axel, and clutched at Riku's and Sora's hands instead, leaving small, crescent-shaped indents in their palms.
"I think I should warn you," Aeris said when she stopped right beside a tall white door, labeled eight in black roman numerals.
How appropriate, Roxas thought dryly.
"I'm still not quite sure how stable he is, but I think it's safe to let you inside. Just be careful. If he tries to hurt you, or anything, I'll pop in, alright?"
Roxas nodded, shifted impatiently from foot to foot, eyes glued to Aeris's hand as she reached into her pocked and pulled out a bright silver key. The door swung in seconds later and opened up to the darkness, the only light coming from a window that had been built near the ceiling. Roxas took in a slow deep breath and brushed past Aeris, reaching behind him to grab the handle and close the door behind him. He didn't care what state Axel was in; all he cared about was being alone with him.
Even in the dim light, he could tell the room was completely white, from the long white table that stood against the back wall, to the tall white twisting vase that was overflowing with white flowers (surprisingly, none of this was broken, or burned), to the simple white bed in the corner of the room.
Roxas cocked his head and squinted his eyes, trying to adjust them to the lack of light and make out the figure that was sitting inertly on the edge of the bed. All he could see was two specks of glowing peridot, brighter and more vivid than he ever remembered, from flitting memories, to the vivid dreams. There was a soft chuckle from across the room, laced with something dark and angry and inhuman-
"How nice to see you again... partner."
x.x.x
SO I FINISHED 358 FINALLY. (i stalled because i picked up phoenix wright and just COULDN'T put it and its blatant GAYNESS down. it was epic) So i FINALLY understand EVERYTHING HAHAHAHAHA. it's great. awesome game. last time i cried like that was when i played crisis core and zack died and cloud was just all D: and i BAWLED my EYES out.
anyway...
merry christmas you guys. or happy holidays, whatever it is that you celebrate : D
have fun and review ((lotsoflove))