A/N: As always, thank you all for your feedback. I'm pleased to announce that it is ALWAYS "Keyblade"
After a few more minutes of Roxas' non-stop striking, several loud twangs echoed throughout the deserted streets, startling both combatants. Roxas leaped several feet away while Demyx carefully inspected his instrument, face changing from shock, to horror, to rage. "Damn it, Number XIII, you broke Arpeggio! Don't think Superior wont hear about this, or those two Keyblades of yours." Picking up the scattered remains of the broken sitar strings, Demyx disappeared in a bubbling torrent of water. Sighing, Roxas wiped his brow on his sleeve, Keyblades disintegrating. When did that kook get so good? Or am I just rusty from the lack of Heartless? Leaning against the wall, he steadied his breathing and contemplated his options.
The redhead gasped and surged bolt upright, wincing as his head struck the hanging lamp, immediately sitting down again and gripping the clothing on his knees until everything stilled, before slowly patting over his person, checking for further injuries as he calmed his breathing. "That was some nightmare…" Axel mumbled, rolling over to lean his forehead against the armrest. He shivered violently, suddenly alerted to the fact that he'd broken into a cold sweat at some time during his slumber. Pulling off a glove and bringing a bare hand to the back of his neck, he focused his energy into his palm and warmed it, concentrating on the warmth flowing from it and emanating throughout his body. The pyro sighed in pleasure, putting more pressure on the back of his neck before yelping, surprised at the sudden pain. Maybe I hit my neck while I slept? Turning his head slowly left and right, he scanned his surroundings, suddenly feeling as though he was being watched. I'm just being paranoid he thought, rubbing the back of his head and shaking his striking crimson locks. He jumped and whirled around, arms raised defensively in front of his body. Funny… I could have sworn I just heard a Heartless growling. Kicking the couch in disgust at his own irrational behaviour, he threw himself back on the sofa, glaring ahead as he lost himself in his thoughts. Is Roxas okay? Should I go look for him? Nah – I promised him I wouldn't force him back here. But… I promised Xion I'd bring them both back… Can't hurt to just check up on him, I suppose. He can handle himself, right? Axel slapped some sense into himself, cringing at his actions. Have some faith in him, man! You do too much worrying for someone without a heart. It's exhausting, and you haven't slept in days, either! You need your rest, or else what good would you be to him? With that, he promptly fell asleep.
Looking up at the cloudless sky, Roxas shrugged, becoming anxious and impatient for something he wasn't sure of. Scowling, he began kicking another pebble, hands in his pockets again. What am I doing? I can't keep fighting with them like this, can I? No, I can't risk it! It was hard enough fighting off Demyx, but imagine if it was Saix, or… The blond gulped, quickly shaking his head to try and rid it of his thoughts. Xigbar. The boy stretched and yawned, feeling his head clear as his muscles loosened. Axel said I could go back and stay any time I want, right? Why did I act the way I did earlier? He didn't deserve that – he was only trying to look out for me. So, why? Shaking his head to clear it again, he swallowed the in his throat and blinked back the tears threatening to fall. Well, I'll go apologise right now! Running headlong towards the wall, Roxas focused on where he wanted to go, envisioning the interior of Axel's makeshift home. Just before the impact, a Darkness Corridor appeared, the exit closing behind him when he was safely on the other side. As he ran through the other side, he nearly fell back through the portal in shock, silently catching himself as he stared at the redhead's figure curled up on the couch. He looks so… vulnerably when he's sleeping. So peaceful, too. The boy didn't even catch himself smirking at the thought, or the other thoughts that plagued his mind and brought a tinge to his cheeks. Grinning, Roxas slumped in the corner and brought his legs to his chest, resting his chin on his knees. We have a lot to talk about when he wakes up.
Red locks shook as their owner stirred, stretching and yawning, refreshed emerald eyes blinking open to be met with twinkling azure ones. A sleepy grin spread across his face as he took in who was facing him. "Good morning, Roxas. Aren't your eyes tired from staring at my magnificence the whole night?" His eyes narrowed in cheeky response to his own comment, causing Roxas to chortle as they complemented his grin. "I'd be blinded by your brilliance, yes, if it were as strong during the day time. It's only just the start of twilight now!" Axel blinked twice, rubbing his eyes before his grin returned as a smirk. "So it is! Really hard to tell in here, ya know?" Making no move to get up, he instead rolled over onto his back and slumped, creating a space for Roxas to sit. To his surprise, the boy took him up on his offer, carefully sitting down before leaning against his chest. "You're warm" Roxas smiled, and this time it was the pyro's turn to laugh. "What do you expect from a fire wielder?" They laughed together for a few moments, subsiding into genuine smiles and a long embrace, filled with contented sighs.
Blond hair tickled against a tanned nose as the redhead went to kiss Roxas' head and he pulled back quickly, sneezing into his black-clad hand. Axel's involuntary reaction made said boy giggle so hard he didn't register what his friend had tried to do. Patting his shoulder comfortingly, the blond got up and and shifted so he was on his knees facing the older male. "Axel?" Said man's only response was a vague "mhmm?" as he casually examined his hand. Suddenly aware of the intensity of the boy's gaze, the redhead sat up and looked him in the eye, giving him a proper reply. "I've been… more than a little confused lately… about everything. About my life, our situation, my existence. My feelings…" Crimson hair bounced as Axel nodded, silently urging him to continue. "Nobodies don't have hearts, so we can't technically "feel", right?" Emerald eyes looked thoughtful for a long moment as the man nibbled at his lip, pausing to glance about as if the air around them held all solutions, finally looking at Roxas when he decided upon his answer. "We have lost our hearts, yes, but there are supposedly other ways of getting them back than through Kingdom Hearts." Azure eyes critically observed unblinking green ones, watching for any signs of a lie. "Like how?" Sighing, the redhead closed his eyes and leaned back, biting his tongue to keep his face from revealing his thoughts. "Demyx said that we do still have hearts, somewhere deep inside us…" Green eyes shot open again and the pyro lurched up, arms wrapping protectively around the boy. "When did you talk to Demyx?" Roxas gave his answer and tanned skin paled as the blood drained from his face. "Um… do-c-can you wield two Keyblades now?" Startled, the boy nodded, blue eyes wide with shock. "H-how did you know?" Axel shrugged, sighing. "I… had a nightmare-he didn't hurt you, did he?!" The man surged forward and quickly patted over his arms and body, searching for injuries. "A-Axel, stop! That tickles! Don't worry, I'm fine." They laughed together, a scarlet hue to Roxas' cheeks.
"…What happened to me in your dream?" Emerald eyes glanced away, their owner reluctant to divulge details. "That's… not important, Roxas." Blue eyes bore into his when he looked back. "But Axe-!" The boy was silenced with a gloved finger placed gently over his lips. "Roxas, please hear me out! We have a lot to talk about, yes, but actions speak louder than words, and… I guess… what I'm trying to say is…" Axel was hushed by a soft pair of lips latched onto his own, their owner's face a brilliant red, eyes screwed shut in embarrassment. The boy pulled away, panting softly as he looked down. "S-sorry… it seemed… like a good-" He never got to finish his sentence as he found himself in a tight embrace, firmer lips pressed against his own in a slightly desperate manner. Axel pulled back, grinning as he observed the youth's reaction. "You don't know… how long I've wanted to do that" he beamed, eyes sparkling with overwhelming happiness. Roxas beamed back, almost crying from the sheer pleasure of his situation. "But, Axel! Don't you need a heart to feel like this?" The elder grinned, hidden knowledge bringing a gleam to his eyes. "Heart or no, people feel good doing what they think is right, or what they think they'll enjoy. Which means this can't be anything but right, right?" Blue eyes sparkled as the boy's face lit up with joy and laughter. "Right! Best friends eat ice cream together, laugh together, and"
"Love together." Axel finished for him, smirking. Roxas giggled and placed a playful kiss on the redhead's nose, earning one back. They gave each other a mixture of chaste and deep kisses for the rest of the night, falling asleep in each other's arms.
"Axel?" Said man yawned, sleepily opening his eyes to look at the blond in his arms, smiling. "Yes, Roxas?" The boy bit his tongue, choosing his words carefully. "I realise now I was wrong." Axel's face fell as he soaked in the sentence, dreading what he though would come next. "Last night was…" The redhead gulped quietly, holding his breath. "Probably the happiest memory I have! I've decided I want to stay with you, wherever that may take us, so… I'm sorry that I said I hated it here." Vibrant red hair shook as the man chuckled, silently berating himself for assuming the worst. "Apology accepted. I'm sorry I put you through that. I only chose it to be temporary until we could get away from the Organization for good, but then I found it kinda cozy, and I guess I forgot to ask how you felt about it, so I'm sorry for that." He was pulled into a tight embrace and kissed on the nose. "Apology accepted."
A/N: For those of you who bothered to read my profile, you would know that I loosely base most of my stories off my thoughts and mood. Due to being banned from all technology for over a week thanks to selfish and stupid actions on my part, I was a little depressed and slept a lot of the time. I was restless, and angry, and hurt, and lazed about staring at the ceiling or walls as I curled up under the covers and tried to sleep my depression away. After a few days of this, it suddenly dawned on me that I could be using this time away to write fanfics, so I grabbed a notepad and jotted down my ideas. This is one of the various products of these events. A surprise visit from my boyfriend thanks to my parents for my good behaviour really set the proper mood and ending for this one, so I hope you enjoyed it! ^_^