ABOUT THIS CHAPTER: Woot! I made it to chapter 4!^-^
This chapter, I personally like a lot…but who am I to say? You be the judge, I guess..x3
I don't really have all that much to say about it, other than that I like it..-shrugs- meh.
And to make up for the pathetic short previous chapter, this one is quite long.
Hope you enjoy! Remember to leave your reviews.;D
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A flustered Axel peered up, Roxas looking him up and down, trying hard not to laugh at the helpless expression set upon his face.
The redhead had a pink apron tied tightly at his neck and waist, and when he turned, Roxas could read the letters printed across it's front, "Hot mama…?" he giggled at the words.
Axel shrugged nervously, "It was on sale!" His hands wrapped around a whisk tight, currently halted in it's movements as he stared at the blond staring back at him. "I was…making cupcakes!" he noted, "don't you like cupcakes?"
The redhead dropped the whisk and reached over to pick up the tipped over box laying next to the empty paper that once held the powdered mix, presenting it to the blond, gesturing for an answer as he gently swayed the box back and forth. "It's Betty Crocker!" he explained.
Roxas couldn't help but let out a laugh, this was the around the last thing he'd expected to find the older boy doing, "Your something else, Axel. You really, really are."
Axel, still holding up the empty box, shifted slightly, still waiting.
"Yes. Axel, I like cupcakes." he smiled, "Especially Betty Crocker ones."
The redhead, looking pleased with himself, gently placed the box back in it's tipped over position before grabbing the whisk and continuing to mix the ingredients.
Roxas walked over, resting his thumbs in the waist of the pajama pants. "You know" he looked over at the boy whisking the mixture steadily. "If you use an electric beater, it'll be a lot easier."
Axel smirked a little, "Don't have one. Don't need one." He mixed harder, "I'm already good at beating things - I don't need any help."
Appalled, Roxas slumped over, bringing his hand to the back of the other boy's head, making a swift connection between the two, causing his victim to let out a startled yelp.
Turning to face the disgusted blond, "That wasn't very nice, Roxie" Axel gave a stern look, his tone holding a false seriousness, his foot stomping gently on the tiled floor.
Ignoring the lecture, the blond blinked. "Why do you call me that?"
"Call you what?" The other asked, voice returning to normal.
"Roxie" the shorter boy grunted, growing impatient by the stupid question.
"Cause it's your name, silly. Why else would I call ya that?" letting go of the whisk, placing it gently in the sink next to him, he reached an arm over and playfully mashed the blond's spikes, who in turn, gave a look of displeasure.
"No." he corrected, "My name is Roxas."
"Yea. And mine is Axel. You got it memorized yet?"
The blond tapped his foot and rapped the counter with his knuckles, both motions in sync with one another, clearly unamused.
"It's a nickname, jeez." The emerald eyed boy glowered, chipper leaving his voice as he walked over to the cabinet, pulling out a muffin tray and bringing it back over to the well mixed batter, setting it down beside it gently.
"Already giving me a nickname? After only knowing me for less than a day? Hell, less than 3 hours?!" Roxas scratched idly at the bridge of his nose, watching the other boy carefully pour the batter into each shallow cup.
"Already coming over and wearing my clothes?" he laughed back without shifting his eyes from his current duties, causing the blond to slump in his posture, feeling defeated.
"The circumstances were awkward - " he attempted to defend.
"I'd say they were pretty damn perfect." Axel walked over and opened the oven which had already been preheated. "I don't think they could have been much better." he leaned back, grabbing the tray of chocolate filled goodness and slid it carefully into the waiting oven, closing the door gently behind it, and then promptly setting a timer and turning to look at the other boy, staring at him for a moment. "I rather like you in my clothes. They look cute on you." he smiled warmly.
The blond stopped his movements as the other man studied him happily. "Are you.." he almost choked on the words before they could even escape his lips, "flirting with me?"
Axel peered into the deep blue eyes, laughed slightly, "That depends" he shook his head slightly and waved a hand through the open air in front of him, "Do you like it?"
The blond jerked his head back, unsure of how to answer, unsure, even, of what the answer actually was. "No." he managed to choke out, uncertainly.
Axel closed his eyes, trying hard to hide his growing smile. "Then no" he shook his head gently, "I wasn't."
Roxas glowered, "Then what exactly would you say that you were doing?"
Answering almost immediately, "Just being friendly. Trying to raise some self esteem." his voice sounding sincere, making Roxas wonder if he really meant it or if he had just rehearsed the response mentally beforehand.
Axel walked over, patted his back, encouraging the blond to follow as he walked down the hall, leading him back into the bare living room. He threw himself down violently to the old musty couch and patted the cushion beside him before digging his hand between the arm of the couch and the cushion he sat on, searching for a moment before pulling out a small remote.
Roxas walked over slowly, and eased himself down next to the redhead, "Nice hiding place." he laughed uneasily, pointing at the small device in the other's hand.
"I know, isn't it?" he laughed back, "Gotta hide it or else Demyx will make off with it." laughing, harder still.
"He…steals remotes?" the younger asked, unsure if he had processed what the other said correctly.
"Yea. The bastard looses his own all the time, so he just steals mine." Axel flashed a small smile.
"He sounds…like a jerk." Roxas half whispered, hoping it wouldn't offend the other who sat beside him, pressing a button causing the TV to glow into life as voices came from it's muffled speaker.
Axel began to laugh hysterically, causing Roxas to shift away from him slightly, almost growing frightened of him.
"No." The redhead finally chuckled. "He's a great friend - Just.." his laugh barked louder than before, "Sometimes he's not…how do I put it?" he tried to think of a way to describe his friend, "He's just not the brightest crayon in the box, ya know?" he wiped at his face, trying to sooth his fits of giggles, which finally subsided.
"Oh, I …see." Roxas said faintly, growing quiet.
Flipping through the channels, he glanced over to Roxas, who had his head hung down, watching his own hands as he picked at a hangnail on his left thumb. Axel frowned, looking at him, "What do you like to watch?" he offered him a crooked smile, gesturing to the TV.
Roxas looked up at him, then peered to watch the dancing images flicker across the tiny screen. "Anything." he shrugged, "Comedy, I guess." he scratched at his throat, figuring that the other man wouldn't settle for just the first part of his response.
Axel clicked the button a few more times, until a stand up comedian stood on the screen. The red haired boy glanced over, awaiting confirmation that the selection was okay, the other boy nodding his head firmly, understanding.
They sat in silence, watching on, awarding the TV with slight chuckles every now and then.
Roxas fidgeted, a little uncomfortable, and looked around the room. "What time is it?" he asked finally, realizing he wasn't going to find a clock anywhere in his sight range.
Axel leaned over the arm of the couch, then pulled back up, "10:38" he answered. "Why?"
"I - should really get going. Sora will probably be worrying about me."
Axel flinched slightly, looking upset by the other's words, then leaned in, eyebrows tilted in sorrow, "But! You have to have a cupcake!" Just then, the timer called for him from the kitchen, and the blond muttered, "Speak of the devil.."
The redhead sprung to his feet and rushed down the hallway, leaving the blond alone, slightly confused before he got up to follow.
Finally reaching the kitchen, the blond smiled at the redhead, who was shaking his hand frantically, gasping, "Hot! Hot!"
"Burn yourself?" he asked calmly, leaning casually against the door frame, one hand swinging loosely at his side, the other rested firmly on his hip.
Axel looked up and closed his eyes in a happy smile, "Naaaah! I don't get burned." he instantly stopped snapping his hand through the air, "I love the danger of fire."
Roxas rolled his eyes, as Axel pulled the cupcakes loose from the pan, placing them on a small rack he had pulled out earlier, "Whatever you say." Roxas shook his head, sarcasm in his voice.
Axel pulled up two cupcakes and walked, hips swaying slightly, over to him. "They're a little hot." he warned, "But that's how I like 'em." he winked, handing one over to Roxas, who snatched it with a glare, "Do you ever give up?" he hissed. "Nope. I only try harder." Roxas couldn't help but smile at the other's playful tone, taking a careful bite of the hot cupcake, the delicious taste caressing his tongue.
Axel propped himself up onto an empty space on the counter, allowing his feet to swing, kicking the cabinet below gently, happily chewing the treat. Roxas walked to the table, pulled out one of the chairs and sat down, back resting against it, feet extended, mimicking Axel's happy bites.
A silence ensued for a moment, broken soon there after by the boy on the counter, "So, who's Sora? Your boyfriend?"
Roxas nearly choked on his previous bite. Leaning forward, trying to catch his breath, "GOD NO!" he snapped, "He's my brother!!" his look stern as he patted his chest, recovering from the incident.
"Oh!" Axel's eyes lit up, jumping from the counter and plopping down into the seat next to Roxas, shifting it close to the boy. Then, leaning in, elbows propped on the table, head resting against his palms - face glowing, "Is he as cute as you?" he beamed, delighted.
Roxas, blushing slightly, grimaced backward, "Wha - what?" he shut his eyes hard, shaking his head in disbelief at the question. "He's my fucking brother! I don't know!" He snarled, "I don't know about you, but I don't exactly check my siblings out."
Axel only leaned in further, blissfully unaware of the glaring eyes staring him down, "What's he look like?" pleased, he started bopping his leg rhythmically under the table, interest sparked.
"Well…" Roxas reluctantly responded, "He's got brown hair - spiky" he shrugged, looking away from the eager face staring at him, "blue eyes like mine, skinny…" he shifted uncomfortably, "not much else to tell, I guess."
Axel shifted his shoulders back and forth, one forward, the other back. Smile plastered wide across his features, thoughts obviously running through his mind. "Heh." His eyes went to the ceiling as Roxas's head spun to gaze at him.
For some reason, he felt the need to shoot down the thoughts he was sure the slender other was having. He felt the need to drag Riku into the conversation, "He has a boyfriend." he snapped, wishing directly after that he could take back the words, fearing the redhead might think something of the fact that he mentioned it at all.
Without shifting his gaze from their fixed spot on the ceiling, he sighed slightly, "Shame", Pursing his lips, he tapped his index finger against his cheek, head still resting on his palms. "I've still got you though, right Roxie?" he smiled, "Unless you still feel like you don't swing that way?"
Ignoring the last statement, Roxas asked his own question, repositioning himself comfortably in the chair, "How about you? You got a brother? Sister, maybe?"
Surprised by the sudden question, he nodded, "A brother."
Roxas brought his eyes to meet the green gaze, "He older? Younger? What's he look like?" he continued, mimicking Axel's previous mood.
"Heh. What is this? Payback or something?" Axel grinned, leaning back in his chair. The blond, looking on sternly, said nothing. "He's older. So if you think I'm a pedo, I don't think you wanna go getting cozy with him." he laughed, trying not to sound defensive. "And…Looks? Hmm. He looks like like me, I guess. Right down to the red hair." Axel stopped, then added, "His name's Reno. But I don't see him much. He lives out of town."
Ending the conversation, Roxas rose up and walked over to the doorway. "Thanks for everything, Axel. But I really need to go now."
Axel shot up and walked over to the window above the sink, gazing out for a second, then turning back to the other boy he pleaded, "Oh come on, wont you at least stay until the rain stops?" his eyes hopeful.
Roxas gave him a soft half smile, "I don't think it's going to stop anytime tonight."
"I know." The redhead smiled, "That was kind of the point." his smile suddenly showing his teeth. "We could have a little sleepover!" he paused as the other boy frowned, and cautiously added, "No homo stuff involved! Promise!" he lifted his hand to his chest and the other to the air in front of him, hoping to convince his new friend.
Roxas, still frowning, shook his head. "Sorry…but I really can't." He headed down the hall and gently opened the door to Axel's room. "Wait out here." his tone soft, Axel quickly called back, "It's okay. You can keep them." obviously referring to the clothes.
Roxas smiled and walked in, gently scooping up the wet clothes he had left behind earlier, before walking back out and closing the door behind him, pushing past Axel gently and headed for the door that led to the dark, gloomy streets.
Gripping the knob, he turned back to face the tall slender man. "Thanks again - for everything." he smiled sweetly, "You're a really nice guy, I'm glad I got to meet you." he offered his hand out for a shake, shocked, when the redhead grabbed him, forcing him into his arms for a friendly hug, instead.
"Friends?" The redhead asked, clutching the other tightly.
"Friends." The blond confirmed, laughing slightly as Axel finally let him go.
"Can I walk you home?"
"No. It's fine. I can make it on my own." Roxas shook his head, confidence touching his voice, twisting the knob.
"Well, at least take this." Axel reached over, grabbing the umbrella, offering it out to the other boy. Roxas looked at it, uncertainty settling in his eyes. "It's okay." Axel encouraged, extending his arm out further toward the blond, "I have another one."
Roxas nodded weakly, grabbing the offered umbrella. "Thanks."
Axel smiled and watched from the door as he descended slowly down the stairs. "Be careful!" he called after him. "You'll come back sometime, wont you?" he added, worry almost devouring his tone.
Roxas kept walking, but stared over his shoulder, opening the umbrella, gripping the wet clothes under his arm tight. "Someday." he answered.
The redhead smiled, then gently shut the door. Roxas smiled, too, knowing that Axel was probably still watching him from the window.
The house fell far behind and the world was silent, except for that gorgeous song the rain continued to play into the night air.
And maybe, Roxas smiled to himself, this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
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AN: Yay!! Another chapter! And hopefully you all enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed writing it.^-^
Heh, sorry, no smexy mansex yet. I want it to get steamy first.;D
Okay, so hopefully the length of this chapter makes up for the lack of length in the previous one.
Some things to look forward to in the next chapter is a little Soriku goodness..err…Riso? (Idk, I think soriku sounds better, but I think riku should be seme - with my stories' sora, anyway.)
If you liked this chapter, please leave me a review!;3
Reviews will encourage me to move my lazy ass and WRITE MORE!!! TTxTT
If you have any ideas for events to take place in the story, feel free to share. Im open to ideas and - though I wont necessarily use them for sure, I'll consider every suggestion.^__^
Oh, and Im still open to title ideas, though im thinking of naming it "Life Lessons". Idk, what do you guys think?:x
As always, hope you enjoyed and I hope to see you again next chapter!:3