Rookie

Chapter Seventeen - Days Eighty-Four to One Hundred and Nine

Monday, November 30

Day 84 - After school

xXx

"You're not allowed to miss any more time. I forbid it." Roxas tossed his book bag down after shoving off his shoes. Axel stood smirking in the doorway.

"You miss me that much today, babe?"

"It's not even that! The one thing everyone said to me today was 'Oh my god, are you okay?' 'How are you feeling?' 'What happened?' It was annoying."

Axel didn't complain as the small teen pressed him back, throwing him down on the couch, caging him in with chilled legs. "Did you yell at them?"

Enticing a small moan from his redhead, Roxas pressed their lips together. "No. They were just trying to be nice."

"By being pains in the ass?"

"Well ..." Roxas sighed, closing his eyes as he pressed their foreheads together. "Hayner and Pence ... They kinda took over being my body guards for the day."

"What about Dem?"

"He's still not back at school yet."

"What? Why not?"

Roxas shrugged, falling into the redhead's embrace. A soft smile spread over Axel's lips. "Well, at least they look like they wanna be your friends again. Isn't that a good thing?"

"I guess. But what if I don't want them back?"

"I think you should have more friends than just me, Dem and Xig. Who'll you hang out with when we're gone?"

Both teens froze, realizing what the redhead had just said. Axel stumbled over the words in his mind, finally deciding on the first thing that made any sense.

"Want me to take your mind off of it?"

"How?"

"The way you offered the other day."

Roxas smirked at the mischievous tone.

xXx

Wednesday, December 2

Day 86 - Lunch

xXx

"Hey, Roxas! Why don't you hang with us today!"

The blonde quirked an eyebrow at his old best friend. Hayner smiled warmly at him, falling neatly into step beside the younger. Roxas shrugged, not knowing really if he wanted to be with the two that used to mean the world to him. Pence caught up with them, running down the hall, squeezing past a group of talking students.

"If Axel doesn't mind ... Xigbar and Demyx are still out, but he got back this morning."

Hayner's face fell visibly as Pence puffed behind him, out of breath from his short sprint. The elder blonde gripped his friend's shoulder. "We just wanna hang with you. Not the stalker-creep. I don't care if he is your boyfriend, he still gives me the creeps. Hell, the first time he sees you he wants to get in your pants."

"Things've changed, Hayner. He isn't like that anymore. As you probably saw, he would beat a guy senseless to save me. He's done so much for me. If you hadn't abandoned me so easily, maybe I would hang out with you today. Just the two of you. But, if you want me to hang with you, he's coming too."

Hayner sighed, dropping his head and letting his fingers slide from the younger blonde's shoulder. "You've changed, Roxas."

"For the better, I'd say. At least now I don't have to worry about having my friends leave me."

"Roxas! It wasn't like that! We're here now, aren't we?"

"Yeah, only because you feel bad for me. I know you saw me last week. Who didn't? If someone didn't see, they've at least heard. Everyone knows how close I came to being ... raped. And, were you the one to come save me? Were you the one that knocked him off me? Were you the one that could have killed him? No. Why? Because you left me. You left me because the person that did save me 'creeps' you out."

Roxas turned from the two, huffing. He had been in such a good mood. Why did they always have to ruin it?

"Roxas, wait! I-I'm ... I'm sorry, man."

"You just want to be my friend again out of pity. Everyone just pities me right now. If you don't mind, I'd like to go find the one that actually cares."

Again, Roxas found that hand on his shoulder. He paused, sighing. "Roxas ... I've been a real dickhead. We've been real dickheads. You're our friend. Just remember you can always fall back on us, okay?"

"Thanks, Hayner. But, I have to go now. I've kept him waiting long enough." He noticed the miniscule flash of anger cross over the elder blonde's face, causing a small smile to creep over his own.

"Sure, whatever. See you around."

"Yeah."

"Does that make us friends again?"

"I suppose."

xXxXx

"Roxy! Oh God, everyone's been looking at me funny today!"

"See. I told you."

"I don't like it. Make it stop."

Roxas smirked as the elder teen gripped him tight, lifting him up off the ground, twirling around when he knew that there was no one around to get kicked. The laugh that choked out through Roxas' bewildered squeals caused Axel's heart to swell and he pressed his nose firmly into the blonde's chest. "Oh, my Roxy, you make everything better!"

"Axel! Put him down this instant! This is no playground!"

Axel winced at the harsh feminine tone from behind him, quickly lowering the dizzy blonde to the floor, holding him up with his arm clutched around his chest. "Sorry, Ms. Lockhart. I was just happy to see my little Rox-as safe and sound."

"That's how you show him you're happy to see him safe? By endangering his life?"

"He wouldn't let me go flying." He did once, but I landed 'safely' on the bed. Roxas wanted to add but knew that it would scar his math teacher. Axel gripped the blonde closer, smirking at the brunette woman who sighed.

"Oh, Roxas, now you have me worrying for your safety."

"Don't worry, ma'am. I'm keeping him safe."

"You had better, Axel. He's a star student. If I see his marks start to drop, I'm blaming you!"

The teacher sighed once more before moving past the two. As she moved out of sight, Axel leaned down and gave the blonde a small peck on the forehead. "So, babe, what'd'ya wanna do?"

"Going home would be nice."

"Oh really? Why?"

"You said yourself people were looking at you funny. I've had to deal with it for days now and it isn't getting easier."

"Ah, I can see your point. But, I kinda like how people are gawkin' at me. They all think I must be some kinda warhero or something." As if to prove a point, eyes watched them as they passed by a pair of students, looking up at Axel with apprehension.

"Hey, wait a sec! You're that dude that creamed that other dude, right? You're that Axel dude, right?"

"Yeah? What's it to ya, kid?" Axel, unsure of the younger's intent, moved slightly in front of his blonde. The student blushed deeply before rushing back to his friend.

"I know him. He's been in my class since first grade. First time he's ever even looked at me," Roxas said in awe, glancing over his shoulder at the teen.

"Then he's a prick. C'mon, let's just go find a place to sit, kay?" Roxas nodded, allowing himself to be led to a decent spot. It was almost an unspoken rule that they were not to go back to the music room without their two best friends. It just wouldn't feel the same.

xXx

Friday, December 4

Day 88 - lunch

xXx

"You're back!" Roxas grabbed the elder blonde around the waist as he was led into the music room by a jittery redhead. Demyx wrapped his arms around the smaller teen happily.

"It's been a long week without you two, ya'know." Axel scolded, flicking Xigbar in the forehead.

"Hey, I had to do what I had to do. Prick had it comin'."

"At least we're back now!"

"Why did you have to stay away, too, Demyx?" Roxas whined, causing a hurt expression to flow onto Axel's face.

"What? I ain't good enough for ya? You gonna leave me for Dem?" Axel wailed, falling to his knees dramatically. Xigbar sighed, chuckling while Roxas laughed.

"Yup! Demyx, you'll love me, right?"

"Ah! Roxy, you just broke my heart!"

Demyx hugged the smaller blonde tighter, sending a reassuring glance over to his own lover. "Yes, Roxas! I'll love you!"

"You'll sing to me?"

"I'll sing to you!"

"You'll fuck me?"

"Eh ... Well ... I can sing to you, but ... That ... " Demyx stuttered, his cheeks growing red, his eyes wide. Roxas pouted playfully.

"Why does no one wanna fuck me, Xigbar?"

The black-haired teen moved closer, patting the smaller boy on the head, leaning down to look him in the eyes. "I'll fuck ya."

"Really?"

"No. I'd have my own gun aimed straight at my head. I don't think that even messin' around with your hot little ass would make up for that. Besides, I've already got my own blonde bombshell."

Roxas huffed, worming his way out of the elder blonde's embrace. Crossing his arms in mocked anger, he sat himself down on one of the desks, sulking. Axel, standing from his spot on the floor, laced his arms around his little blonde.

"I'll fuck you, Roxy," he hissed in the blonde's ear. Roxas forced himself not to react, but shivered despite his best efforts. Feeling teeth nip at his ear, the blonde tensed.

"Oh? When?" He managed to ground out.

"When the time is right. You're still a little kid. You don't need to have that taken away yet."

Roxas huffed, but gave into the redhead, falling back into his embrace. Axel hummed happily before releasing the younger teen, turning and sitting beside him on the desk, grabbing him around the stomach as he faced his two best friends.

"I didn't tell you; Reno came to visit."

Demyx went wide-eyed while Xigbar searched the redhead's face for any signs of a panic attack. There weren't any.

"When?"

"Last Thursday."

"What? And you didn't think to tell us sooner? What did he want?"

Axel smirked, relating the visit to the two, leaving out the last warning that the elder redhead had left him with.

xXx

Friday, December 25

Day 109 - Early Morning

xXx

"Merry Christmas, Axe."

The redhead woke groggily, looking around his room with blurry eyes. "Hunh?" He asked, mildly confused by the weight on his back and the warmth brushing against his cheek.

"It's Christmas, silly. Wake up so we can go get Mom. Then we can open the presents."

Axel had to force his hand up to wipe at his sleep-filled eyes, wrestling it out of Roxas' grip. Looking over at his alarm, he groaned loudly. "Rox, my body hasn't even thought about waking up yet. It's only six in the morning!" The redhead nuzzled into his pillow, closing his eyes once more.

"But Axel! C'mon! Make an exception?"

"I'm on holiday. I have rules about getting up on holidays. No time before ten."

"I wanna open my presents."

With a sigh, Axel shifted, almost tossing the small blonde residing on his back onto the floor. Catching Roxas before that could happen, the redhead pulled him down so that their chests rested together as he moved to lay on his back.

"Mmm, this looks familiar. But your presents will be there still when everyone is ready to get up."

Roxas nuzzled into the crook of the redhead's neck, sighing. Axel pulled him even closer as he wrapped his arms around the small boys back. "You can be patient now?"

"I guess."

"Good. You're such a good kid, Rox."

"Aren't you happy I'm yours?"

"Every day."

xXxXx

"Okay, c'mon, eight o'clock, boys. Roxas? Axel? Whe-" Yuna cut herself off as she gazed into her adopted 'son's room after checking in on the disappeared Roxas. She smiled as she saw Roxas sleeping peacefully on the redhead. Axel's eyes drifted open slowly at the sound of her voice at his door before they opened wide in shock. It was the first time the two had been caught in any sort of intimate position by the woman. Her smile only broadened. "Don't worry about it, Axel. I trust you."

Axel smiled in relief, leaning his head back with closed eyes. He winked at Yuna before moving up to Roxas' ear. "Hey Rox!" The blonde jumped at the loud voice, being brutally shoved from his dream world. "Present time." Roxas shoved down on the redhead's chest grumpily, blushing when he heard his mother's laughter.

"Jerk."

"Roxas, be nice."

The blonde glowered as his mother moved down the hall, laughing. Axel still held a firm grip on the boy. Deciding to push his luck, he pulled the younger teen down for a quick kiss before breaking it off. "Time to go get dressed, babe. I can't wait to show you what I got you."

xXxXx

Roxas clung to the glinting black key that hung on a chain around his neck as though it were something that would save his life. Smiling at the bliss on his love's features, Axel gripped the CD's that had been given to him.

"Well, boys, I think that this was the best Christmas yet."

"Do we get to help make the pancakes?"

Axel quirked an eyebrow at the little blonde. "Pancakes?"

"Yeah! Tradition. Open presents and then make some breakfast."

"Oh. Makes sense." Emerald orbs turned with cerulean to plead with the woman. She smirked, rolling her own eyes in humour.

"You mean you want to take away the joy of slaving over a hot stove, making a ridiculous amount of pancakes for a couple of troublemaking teenagers?" Yuna joked.

"Can we help Mom?"

"Please? Sounds like a ton of fun!"

The woman sighed, chuckling. "I don't see why not. But, Roxas, you are not wearing those new pants! Those are for school." The blonde pouted, giving his mother puppy-dog eyes as he ran his hands over the jeans he had tried on earlier.

"Fine. But you have to make Axel change too!"

"What?" The redhead asked incredulously, looking himself over. He hadn't tried on anything except a pair of socks that he had found in his stocking. "I'm not wearing anything!" The words caused the blonde to snort, his momentary grumpiness floating away.

"Just go get changed, Roxas, or else we'll have to get started without you!"

Sighing, Roxas made his way back up to his room to put his pajama pants back on. While he was away, a knock sounded at the door and the two left sitting with the gifts glanced at each other in confusion.

"I-I'll get it, then?" Axel stammered, his eyebrows raised. The woman nodded. Peeking out through the window before opening the door, Axel snorted in amusement at seeing their guest.

"I, um, hope ya don't mind me droppin' by?"

Axel grabbed the man standing before him in a tight hug before stepping back. "Yuna, would you like to meet my brother?"

"Reno?" The woman stood, coming over to see the guest. A warm smile lit up her face as she took in the crimson hair tied back in a ponytail.

"Y-You must be Roxas' mom, righ'? Nice to meet ya."

"Oh, come in out of the cold! Make yourself at home."

"I-I really shouldn't. Rude's still out in the car and he'll start to wonder where I ran off to."

"Invite him in. Do you like pancakes? We were just about to make some. You're welcome to stay if you would like."

Reno blushed, looking down as he shuffled his feet, an arm hidden behind his back. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the kindly woman. "Really?"

"Of course. Axel's told us a lot about you. I'd like to hear more."

A wince played across the man's face. "O-Oh. W-Well, ... I guess ... I mean, yeah. Y-Yeah, I'd love to have pancakes."

"I'll go start them now. You two go sit down. You're letting all the cold in."

"Do you ... Um, do you mind if ... my ... my ..."

"Rude? Don't worry, she knows about him too," Axel urged, laughing at his brother's embarrassment. He remembered how hard it had been those first few days that he had to adjust to having a mother. Now, his brother was set out of his comfort zone with this woman that was so friendly towards him. Giving an encouraging nod, Axel forced his brother farther out of his safe place.

"O-Okay, then. Do you think it would be okay if ... Rude came in too? He doesn't live up to his name, I swear!"

Yuna kept that warm smile on her face. She really was the perfect mother. "Of course, honey. You're Axel's brother and you mean a lot to him so you are welcome in this house. The same goes to Rude." Reno couldn't help but smile, feeling warmth rising through him.

"I-I'll go get him then. Thank you so much, ma'am."

"Yuna. Call me Yuna, please. No need to be so formal."

As if to clarify that the decision was final, Yuna turned, still with that smile on her face, heading towards the kitchen to begin making breakfast. Axel smirked at his brother who watched after her, dumbfounded.

"Wh-What just happened?"

"Seems like you've got a mom now too."

"I just came here to drop off your presents though."

"It's Christmas. Lighten up."

xXxXx

"Rude, I think you just met your cooking match," Reno moaned, placing another square of pancake drizzled in maple syrup into his mouth. The bald man looked away, lips pursed, hurt crossing his features.

"Told you she's amazing, didn't I?"

"Oh, Axel."

Axel smirked at the woman, purring softly as Roxas gripped his knee to get him to shut up as Yuna blushed. Already the two teens were playing with their newest presents. Reno had gotten the pair of them the latest models of high-tech phones. So new they were that they weren't even thought about being put out on market yet. They were the 'test subjects' as Reno had put it.

"Oh, Axe, I've been meanin' to ask ya; have you been gettin' the money?"

The younger redhead nodded, too absorbed in something he had found on his phone to really pay much attention to his elder brother. "Dad hasn't gotten to it?"

"Dunno. Haven't checked in a while."

"Well, don't you think you better?"

"Should I? It's your money."

The elder redhead glared at his brother. Feeling the silence in the room build around him, Axel glanced up to notice everyone looking at him. "Money?" Roxas was the first to speak, eyeing the elder teen suspiciously.

"Yeah. I'll tell you about it later."

His tone ended any further questions that were to be asked. Instead, Reno turned to Yuna. "These are fresh strawberries, aren't they? Where would you be able to find something this good this time of year? I need to know so that I can send Rude out to go get me some! These are delicious!"

xXxXx

"So, what was this about money?" Roxas inquired, looking up at the redhead standing beside him, washing the dishes. Axel didn't meet his gaze, visibly gritting his teeth. It seemed with pent-up anger that he rubbed the cloth against the frying pan.

"It's just something that Re's done for me over the years. I've never needed a job because he puts money into Dad's bank account for me. Anything I needed, I would just dip in there and take out the money."

"What'd he do that for? Isn't that kinda dangerous?"

"Dangerous?"

"Well, yeah. If your dad used the money while you were still around, he would have just bought more alcohol and hurt you more. And, besides, it isn't your account, so it would be illegal for you to get money out of it."

"That's why I'm getting Re to stop the payments. He's a rich bastard, but I feel bad taking so much from so many people. So, I'm going out and getting a job. That way I can pay your mom back for everything."

"You know she wouldn't accept money."

Axel shrugged. A few moments ticked by while the two took in each other's company. Finally, Axel put his cloth and plate down before moving behind the confused teen. He leaned down, putting his chin on the younger's shoulder. "You're really lucky, Rox."

"Oh?" The blonde nuzzled into the touch.

"You've got such a wonderful mom."

"And she thinks of you more like a son than just some person her own son met and brought home like a pet."

"I still don't feel right living here and not doing a thing to earn my keep."

"Does that really matter?"

"It does to me. I'm gonna go job hunting tomorrow."

"But that means ..."

"I know, I know. I won't be around as much, but I'll still be around. I dunno how you haven't gotten sick of me yet. Most people would have a long time ago."

xXxXx

"Why a key?"

Roxas was examining his pendant while he lay on his bed. Axel gazed up at him from his spot on the floor where he was already taken in by a book that he had received from Demyx. Smirking, the redhead marked his page, leaning his head back to brush against that of the younger teen.

"Some corny, stupid reasons."

"Like?"

Axel laughed, blushing lightly. "Not tellin'."

"What? Why not?" Roxas sat up, turning to support himself on hands and knees. He crawled closer to the redhead, leaning over him to mimic spider-man. With a smirk, Axel caught his lips in a messy kiss.

"I already told you. Stupid corny reasons."

"I still wanna hear them."

"Fine." Axel sighed. "I got a key because of what it is supposed to represent. A key locks and unlocks, right? Well, just pretend it is a key to me or something. It means that you get to hold me close and make sure no one else can get at me. I am your treasure."

"Wouldn't that make you seem a little full of yourself?"

"Which is where the stupid comes in, silly."

"I like it. You are my treasure."

"And, did you notice the gem? It's the same color as your eyes, ya'know. God, took me forever to get that."

"Was it with Reno's money?"

Axel looked down, mildly ashamed. "Yeah."

"Well, I love it. I'm gonna hold on to it forever."

With a crack of the joints, Axel got to his feet before plowing into the startled blonde. Roxas almost let out a soft moan as Axel's teeth trailed down over his neck, his small body being pinned beneath the redhead. "A-Axe... W-We can't. M-Mom's home." Moving up to take the blonde' lips as though he hadn't even heard the words spoken, Axel groaned, pushing himself away.

"I know. It kinda sucks. You're such a God, Rox. Promise you keep that key. Promise to keep me."

"Don't talk like that. It always makes me feel like you're gonna leave me."

Another soft kiss was laid on the blonde's lips, but that was the only answer he got.

xXx

To be Continued

xXx

So, Reno's better now, right? He's such a dawl. :D I rewatched Advant Children last night and just couldn't stop squealling at him. (But don't worry, I love you more, Sky. :D)

~xbuttonsx~