Axel idly chewed on a piece of fish as he looked at the waves. There was some serious surf building and he didn't like the way the sky looked at all. Roxas was asleep on the beach but a few fat raindrops were beginning to fall and Axel didn't think the blonde would be asleep much longer.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed. By the time either of them had thought about keeping track, the days had been hopelessly scrambled. But Axel was relatively sure it had been at least two months, perhaps as long as three. And now, some of his early worries were coming back to haunt him. The one thing he hadn't liked about the island was how flat it was and he was unhappily certain they were both going to be reminded why a lack of high ground was a problem. The sky looked really bad.

"Roxy, wake up." Axel gently shook his shoulder and the blonde yawned cutely. Axel smiled at that but the smile faded quickly. "We have a storm coming in."

"Huh? Oh, not again." Roxas complained as he sat up then stared. "Uh…" Axel nodded grimly. They'd weathered storms before but the sky had never looked quite like this. "Tell me this isn't a hurricane?"

"We're on the wrong side of the globe for a hurricane. It would be a typhoon. They're worse." Roxas glared at him and resisted the urge to hit the redhead. It wouldn't help and it wasn't his fault anyway. Axel grinned at the expression on his face. "Sorry Roxy. But that's nothing but the truth. We need to get back to our shelter." It was a little higher and shaded by plenty of trees. They would probably survive, the pigs and goats survived, but Axel was glumly certain that they were in for an extremely unpleasant experience. He carefully tucked his lighter and pocket knife into his pants pockets, thanking god that they were deep pockets. There was no way the fire was going to stay lit so they would need the lighter after this.

The storm hit with the fury of a thousand enraged cats and soon Axel was holding tightly to Roxas, cuddling the smaller blond against his chest as their shelter was lashed with cold rain. They were desperately trying to stay warm but it was a losing battle against the chill spray.

"Shit." Axel muttered as water started creeping in. Roxas stirred, looking down at the water. It was already flowing over their legs.

"Storm surge. Axel, what should we do?" He asked the older boy, but Axel just looked at him helplessly. He only knew that typhoons were worse than hurricanes and high ground was best. Roxas stumbled to his feet, wincing at the rain. "C'mon, lets try to tie ourselves to a tree." It was the best idea he had and fortunately they still had plenty of hide rope. Roxas grabbed it as Axel staggered up, grabbing the edge of the shelter as the wind tried to push him over.

"This way!" Roxas grabbed Axel's hand and pulled the older boy with him, almost having to yell as the storm picked up. Axel tied Roxas to the tree first, knotting the cords expertly then following suit with himself, gripping the smaller boy tightly as the water swirled up to their thighs. The shelter was going to be completely wiped out by this but that was a minor concern. Axel grimaced then stuck one hand in his pocket, holding onto the lighter as he clung to Roxas with the other. The pocket knife they could live without, now that they'd gotten the knack of making stone tools, but they needed the lighter. Axel hid his face up against Roxas' as the blond hid his face against the tree.

Time passed impossibly slowly, and they could only tell the day was done by how the clouds seemed to darken. The rain didn't slacken and as things started going dark, the water reached Roxas' waist. Axel shivered violently as the rain whipped at him, so cold for a tropical storm. Roxas was a bit better off, sandwiched between the taller boy and the tree, but they were both freezing and miserably by the time the sky began to lighten and the winds slacken.

"That was really fucked up." Axel managed to say and Roxas glanced up, alarmed to see the redhead's lips were a bit blue from the cold.

"You okay Axel?" Roxas squirmed around, wincing as he tried to get the ropes undone. It wasn't easy, the knots had tightened from all the water and the hide hadn't exactly been in good condition to start with. Axel finally growled something and used his pocket knife to cut away the ropes. "You still have the lighter?" Right now he wanted nothing more than a good hot fire. Axel nodded.

"We'll never get a fire started now though. This whole place is soaked." Roxas spat a curse as he realized Axel was right. There was no way they were going to find dry wood for a day, possibly longer. "Don't worry about. The sand on the beach should dry up pretty fast, we can go sleep down there." Axel was in desperate need of sleep. They'd been standing against that tree all night and he was feeling beyond miserable at the moment. Roxas nodded wearily and the two of them stumbled out of the woods and down to the beach. Curling up beneath the shade of a coconut tree, they tried to sleep as the sun peeked out tentatively from behind breaking clouds.

"Axel? You're not sleeping, are you?" Roxas said after a while, and Axel sighed, opening his eyes. They felt gritty and prickly.

"I'm too tired to sleep. Pretty fucked up, huh?" He said tiredly and Roxas laughed. He knew the feeling.

"Me too. Let's just stay together." Roxas sighed as Axel cuddled him a bit, resting his cheek on the redhead's chest. "I love you Axel." Roxas froze as he realized what he'd said. He hadn't meant to say that, it had just come out. He glanced up worriedly, but saw only tender warmth in bright green eyes.

"I love you too, Roxy." Axel murmured, lips grazing his cheek and Roxas smiled as he felt like his heart could swell and burst. This wasn't the first time someone had said that to him, but it was the first time he returned the feeling and thought it was sincere. Axel closed his eyes, just enjoying the way Roxas felt against him. The little blonde fit neatly into his arms, head tucked just so against his chest.

It took a while for them to fall asleep, still chilled by the winds and battered by the rain, but eventually they did. And when they awoke, they both felt refreshed and almost good despite their ordeal.

"Was that really a typhoon?" Roxas wondered. It had been brutal but nowhere near deadly. Axel frowned.

"Probably a kind of weak one, but yeah, I'm pretty sure it was. Or it might have been a really bad tropical storm. Either way I don't want to see another." Roxas nodded feelingly. "Want some oysters for breakfast?" Axel didn't feel up to spear fishing and Roxas nodded. He didn't feel up to it either.

"Sounds great." The two of them waded into the ocean to plunder the oyster beds. With only two humans and very little predation before, they were still almost pristine. Soon they both had plenty and had fun breaking them open and slurping them down. Axel's knife was still the best way to open them, though. Roxas' stone tools tended to shatter the shells and leave bits of shell in the meat. "Um, Axel. There's something I really ought to tell you." Roxas swallowed. It wasn't something he was eager to share, but he was sure he could trust Axel now.

"What's that?" Axel said, cheerful and clueless as he slurped down another oyster. Roxas sighed, looking down and tilting a shell, admiring the play of colors as the sun hit it.

"I'm not a virgin because I had sex with my band teacher when I was twelve." He said bluntly and Axel coughed, spitting out his oyster. Roxas looked up to gauge his reaction and met shocked green eyes.

"Twelve? How old was this guy?" Axel questioned and Roxas winced.

"I don't know. Forty?" Axel growled something foul as Roxas looked away. "It wasn't really rape Axel. I mean, he took me places and bought me things and he – he said he loved me." Roxas swallowed as he remembered it. The sickest thing about it, he thought, was that it wasn't the sex that bothered him. It was the way it had ended and the way he'd realized the confessions of love had been a lie. He'd just been used.

"Did anyone do anything about this guy?" Axel was quietly furious, Roxas could see, and that actually made him feel sort of good. That Axel was willing to defend him, although it was much too late.

"No. I was already known as a disturbed, problem child so no one believed me." That still irked him. He'd had his problems but he hadn't been a liar. Of course, after that everyone had thought he was a liar too, saying such things about poor Mr. Shermann. "He transferred to another school, I don't even know where he is anymore. I don't want to know." There was nothing he could do about it anyway. Roxas blinked as he felt warm arms around him and looked up into Axel's face.

"That totally sucks Roxy. If you knew where he was, I'd kick his ass for you." Roxas blinked then chuckled, shaking his head.

"Just as well I don't know, then. You'd only get yourself in trouble." Roxas paused for a moment, looking down. "You're not disgusted?" That was the reaction he was afraid of, and he was tensed against the rejection… but then he relaxed as warm fingers stroked his hair, sliding down to the back of his neck. Roxas sighed and closed his eyes, leaning into that touch.

"Why would I be disgusted that you were seduced by a teacher? I just hope he used a condom." That was a bit of a concern. Roxas shook his head, not opening his eyes.

"No, but I got tested at a clinic last year." He'd thought about that after his unceremonious dumping. "I'm clean. You?" Roxas opened his eyes as he felt warm breath against his ear.

"I should be fine, I always used protection." Axel kissed his throat and Roxas shivered, feeling a flash of desire. "Except with you." Roxas sighed as Axel cuddled him for a moment. "And as much as I enjoy this, I can almost feel my skin sizzling. We should get into the shade." Despite their tans, they could still burn and Axel had no desire to add more peeling skin to his already admirable collection. Roxas blinked then laughed.

"So romantic! Good idea though." They made their way back to the shade and finished off the oysters, just enjoying each others company.

By the next day they had their fire burning again, although it was very smoky. That was probably a good thing, and Roxas sang to himself as he fed it more branches.

Well, I went down to Mos Eisley for a converter
Hell, ya know how hot it gets on Tatooine
Well then I saw that there cantina
I'll go in for an Orangina
I heard it was rough but how bad could it be?

Well I walked through the door and the music stopped--dead
All manner of man and beasts were starin' at me
Seems just one week before their Twi'lek slave girl walked out the door
And I guess I was the next best thing they'd seen.

I lost more than my heart in that cantina
I left my manhood there on Tatooine
Son, it don't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek
But if you spread 'em both for Jabba, son, you ain't a man!

I was hit over the head by ol' Han Solo
I'da never guessed that pirate was a homo
I woke up next to Chewbacca
I was smeared in Wookie caca
And what they did to my poor nipples was a no-no!

Ol' Greedo greedily grabbed his green weenie
And he yanked that sucker til it wasn't so teenie
He pulled me into Jabba's hut
He stared intently at my butt
And then he oota-toota'ed me with his zucchini –

Axel had been staring dreamily up at the clouds, but the song finally penetrated his awareness, and not because of the lack of tune. "Roxas. Is that song really about some dude getting assraped by all the characters of Star Wars?" Roxas looked up from the fire with a grin.

"You bet it is! Want to hear the rest?" Axel looked like he didn't know whether to laugh or be appalled, and he finally settled on laughter.

"Sure, why not?" He'd never imagined a song like that even existed, and the fact that it was so country made it even better. Roxas hummed then sang again.

Well, a guy walked up and said "My friend doesn't like you."
I said 'Sorry.'
He said 'I don't like you either, you better watch your self!' - I think his name was Tom Waits
And then some old dude who taught Vader
Chopped his arm off with a sabre
That later made for one red hot anal invader - owwwww

I was broken on the floor beat to a stupor
Then I was saved! There at the door were 10 storm troopers!
But then my hope faded away,
I didn't know they cloned 'em gay
And they each took turns storm troopin' me in the pooper

I lost more than my heart in that cantina
I left my manhood there on Tatooine
Son, it don't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek
Which is why I still go there every week!

"Psh, he secretly loved every moment of it." Axel commented as Roxas laughed. "Why else would he go back every week? Nice song Roxy."

"Voltaire is the best, I have all his songs. Pirated, mind you." Roxas just didn't have the money to get all the music he wanted. Axel laughed.

"I'm sure Voltaire appreciates that!" Axel picked up a piece of coconut, popping it in his mouth and chewing… then suddenly sitting up. "Holy fucking SHIT!" Roxas stared at him as Axel bounced up and waved his arms, then turned to look at the ocean and gasped.

"Oh my god!" It was a ship going past, a big ship. If only they could catch attention! Roxas threw some water on the fire, enough to throw up a great cloud of smoke without putting it out. For a moment he thought it wouldn't work, but then the ship seemed to slow. Axel let out a whoop as a smaller ship was lowered into the water and Roxas grinned widely.

"Who are you people?" Someone from the little boat called as it pulled up, and a young man helped them on board. Axel felt almost faint with relief. The island had been wonderful in some ways, but getting back to civilization was just amazing.

"I'm Axel Bashanova and this is Roxas Gray. We were on Flight 288." Axel said, and had the satisfaction of seeing jaws drop. The people manning the boat were all in uniforms, he noticed. Crystal? He'd never heard of it, but he was going to be blessing it forever now.

"There were supposed to be no survivors from that crash. Amazing!" The rescue boat got underway, heading back to the ship, and Axel blinked as he saw all the curious people on the deck. This was a cruise ship! Not only were they heading back to civilization, they were going back in style. "You'll have to come with us to Auckland, probably. The consulate there will be able to get you back home." Axel grinned widely, putting an arm around Roxas, who smiled.

"I've always wanted to see Australia." Actually, he'd never felt that particular desire. But right now, it sounded like the best thing in the world.

This was going to be an amazing trip.

"This is amazing Axel." Roxas had never been on a cruise ship in his life and had had no idea what to expect. He hadn't expected this degree of luxury. They had been put in one of the few unoccupied quarters on the ship, and it had turned out to be a surprisingly nice cabin with a balcony. They were being treated pretty much like passengers, although they couldn't purchase anything. But the other passengers were agog and were often willing to treat them to a few drinks at the bar. And all of the things that didn't require payment, like the pool and buffet, were open to them. Axel had finally gotten his hamburger although it had been a much better one than Burger King would ever offer.

"You have no idea Roxy." Roxy eyed him curiously as Axel held up a brochure he'd found somewhere. "This isn't just a cruise ship, it's an expensive cruise ship. Top of the line, good as it gets. And we're on their world tour ship. Man, I could never afford this in my life." Well, that wasn't exactly true. He could have afforded one of the shorter trips if he'd saved for some time, but for Axel it just wouldn't have been worth it. The amount it would take could easily fund three or four normal vacations for him. As for the world tour, he really couldn't have afforded that in his life. Although that was largely due to the sheer length of the full world tour.

"Oh. That must be why everyone is so much older." It was a stretch to say the people on the ship were all elderly, but none of them were young. Mature was the best word for it. Roxas thought the youngest person he'd seen had been thirty-five. Most were over fifty-five. Axel nodded.

"Only the older folks and independently wealthy get that much time off work." A younger, successful professional might be able to afford the cash but probably couldn't afford the time. "Still, this is really awesome. Enjoy it Roxas, we'll never see a trip like this again." Axel said with a grin. Roxas laughed but then turned serious.

"Axel? When we reach Auckland, they're going to send me back to Baton Rouge and you to Vancouver. We – we might never see each other again." Roxas felt his breath catching in his throat and swallowed as Axel winced, standing up and walking over to sit beside him, gently taking his hand. They had twin beds, but they rarely used both of them.

"Roxy. Look at me." Axel gently cupped Roxas' cheek, looking deeply into vulnerable blue eyes. "You've got my e-mail address and I've got yours. As soon as I have a new cell phone, I'll send you my number. We'll keep in touch and when you're out of the home, I'll send you the money to come to me if you still want to and sponsor you for citizenship. Although mom might have to adopt you to do that." Roxas blinked at the thought.

"That would make us brothers, technically. Gross Axel." Although he'd be willing if it let him come to Canada. Axel shrugged with a grin.

"Hey, whatever works." Axel gently stroked soft blonde spikes as Roxas leaned against him, closing his eyes. "Don't worry, we'll make it." He wasn't looking forward to being separated from Roxas for several years, maybe even as long as four, but he'd take it for as long as he had to.

One way or another, they would make it together.