Axel slowly opened his eyes as the sunlight peeked through the blinds and struck his lids. He noticed a small face staring back at him with bright blue eyes.

"Roxas?" Axel muttered. His eyes slowly came into focus.

"Not quite," Ven replied. He sat on the floor, staring at Axel sleeping. Axel blinked. "What are you doing?"

"Um, sleeping?"

"In the same bed?" Axel could feel Roxas's back pressed against his own. By the feel of his breathing, the teen was still fast asleep.

"Saves space."

"We have a couch, you know."

"Too short."

"So you decided to cuddle with my brother instead?"

"Why not? He's like a giant teddy bear."

"A possessed teddy bear, maybe." Axel sat up and rubbed his eyes. "You look like you're going to throw up when you sleep."

"Thanks…" Axel slipped out of the bed and dug through his bag. Ven stood up and took a seat on the edge of the bed. Axel left the room with a toothbrush in his mouth. Ven turned and poked his brother.

"Roxas," he stated. "Mom says you have to take me to school today. She says it's the "responsible thing to do" since you came home." Roxas ignored his brother. Ven stood and bounced on the mattress. Then he slammed his body into his brother. Roxas sat up, his face livid.

"Get the fuck out of my room!" he roared.

"But mom says…" Roxas growled and climbed out of his bed and grabbed his keys. All he was wearing was a pair of black shorts. He grabbed a tank top as he stormed out of his room. Ven followed energetically.

"The day Naminé learns to drive…" Roxas grumbled. He shoved his feet into his shoes and ripped the front door open. "Take the fucking bus…" Axel peered at the entryway as Ven put on his shoes.

"He'll be back. Naminé! He's leaving without you!" Ven shouted up the stairs. Naminé sprinted down the stairs with her backpack, still brushing her hair.

"Wait Roxas!" she called as she slipped on her sandals. The siblings hurried after their brother and then drove off. Axel went back to the bathroom and finished brushing his teeth. He dropped off his toothbrush and went to the kitchen. Axel didn't want to pry so he made a slice of toast. As he sat at the table, Roxas's mother came into the kitchen with a scowl.

"Morning," Axel muttered politely. Roxas's mother started making some coffee.

"I didn't catch your name," she barked.

"Axel." She frowned.

"So you're that kid who miraculously lived through that crash. How'd you meet up with my son?" Roxas's mother folded her arms across her chest.

"We had a course together. We talked, had some things in common, and we became friends. Not much else to it." Roxas's mother could tell Axel wasn't telling the whole truth but she really didn't care. She poured herself a cup of coffee and drowned it in cream.

"Don't think I don't know your past. Arrested twice in high school for being under the influence. I'd say you are a bad influence on Roxas but he's already a bad influence on himself." She sipped her coffee.

"What's your problem?!" Axel snapped. Roxas's mother looked up.

"Excuse me?"

"He's your son. Treat him with some sort of respect."

"I've given up on giving him respect. What do you think we went through as a family when we learned our son shot himself? We almost lost him! Then he gets it in his head the world's against him and he forgets about the people around him. If he wants to dress in grunge and never call home, fine. But when he wildly flies off the handle for no reason I will not accept it. Did you know he beat his brother to the point he was hospitalized? I didn't think so!" Axel's blood ran cold. He didn't know about Roxas from his last two years of high school.

"Why do you think people started treating him like a villain? Because he was forced to kill people? Ha! Roxas snapped. When whispers started flying, so did his temper. He played with fire, was burned, and turned into a pyromaniac. Do you have any idea what it's like to deal with someone like that? I can put myself through the threats, the cussing, the bad attitude, but when he starts destroying my home, hurting MY family, and dealing with drugs, I can't stand for it."

"Roxas isn't like that anymore. He's changed!" Axel protested.

"You don't know that!"

"He tried to kill himself!" Axel roared. He stood up so fast the chair was sent sprawling to the floor. "He went through emotional torture you can only imagine about. Why the Hell do you think he was anorexic? Why do you think he was in the hospital after a mental breakdown? He needed help and YOU weren't there for him. You complain when he doesn't call and the second he walks through the door you chew him out without thinking what he might be going through. People change."

"Obviously! But Roxas will never go back to the way he was."

"He doesn't want to. He wants to move on from where he was seven months ago. He has friends, real friends who stand up for him and accept him for who he is today. They accepted him without knowing his past and the accepted him after hearing about it. If anything it made the bonds with his friends stronger. But you wouldn't understand that! You'd rather tear him apart every chance you get instead of helping put himself back together!"

Roxas's mother remained silent. She tightened her grip on her coffee cup. Then she sighed.

"Fine. Call me a terrible mother. I'm never home and what I say never comes out right. I do what I do out of love for my children. I want them to be happy, including Roxas. If he can find happiness where he's at, then he's free to stay there for as long as he wants." She took her coffee and went upstairs.

Axel returned to Roxas's room and changed into some clean clothes. He pulled out a book for one of his literature classes and started reading. Roxas came back a half an hour later. He had large black bags under his eyes. Roxas flopped onto his bed and pulled the covers over his head. He peeked out at Axel. The red head was reading with his ear phones in and his slim pair of glasses resting on his nose.

"Go back to sleep, Roxas," Axel ordered, not looking up from his book. The teen obliged. He found his headphones on the corner of the bed, placed them on his head, and started a new playlist. Roxas fell asleep in minutes.

Two hours past. Axel continued to read while he waited for Roxas to re-awaken. There was a knock at the door. When no one answered, the door crept open. Roxas's mother stepped inside the room. She was surprised Axel was busy doing homework but seeing Roxas sleeping didn't surprise her one bit. She went over to the bed and sat on the edge. Then she shook the teen's shoulder.

Roxas groaned loudly. His mother slid his headphones from his head since the music was no longer playing. Roxas rolled onto his back and squinted up at his mother.

"Hmm?" Roxas groaned.

"I just wanted to see how you were doing." His mother placed a hand on the side of Roxas's face. "You look healthier."

"Doctor's orders," Roxas replied flatly. His mother removed her hand.

"Is school going alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"I'm just checking. Do you have plans for next year?"

"Summer classes."

"Are you behind?"

"Trying to get ahead."

"Well, if that's what you want…have you looked for a place to stay next year? Or are you planning on staying in the dorms again?"

"Axel has space at his apartment." His mother pursed her lips. "It's on campus. There're eight guys living there. I've already talked to them and applied for the opening."

"Are you rooming with someone again?"

"Yeah. He already knows." Roxas sat up and rubbed his eyes with his fists.

"Well, so long as you're happy with where you are, that's all that matters. It was nice seeing you again." His mother stood and kissed Roxas on the forehead. She left clutching the edges of her robe. Roxas sighed and turned to Axel.

"Are you planning on doing homework all day?"

"No. Just say the word and we can do whatever you want."

"'Kay. I was thinking of taking my brother and sister out to eat tonight."

"Oh. Have fun then." Roxas threw his pillow at Axel.

"You're coming too!" Axel threw the pillow back at Roxas.

"Alright then. Where are we going?"

"I'll have Ven and Naminé decide."

"Speaking of Ven, I think he's suspicious."

"About what?"

"You know…" Axel nodded to Roxas and himself.

"If Ven is as dense as he was growing up, then he won't figure it out until he's at least ten." Axel chuckled.

"Have any plans until this evening?"

"No." Axel set his glasses down and put his MP3 on the desk. He crawled onto the bed, straddling Roxas's legs.

"Maybe we should make some then." He licked Roxas's neck.

"Not with my mom home!" Roxas hissed.

"She won't notice if we keep it quiet." Axel found Roxas's mouth and their tongues swirled together. Roxas lost all of his thought processing capabilities again. He and Axel shared a multitude of kisses as the morning wore on. Eventually they settled down on the bed together, simply staring at each other's eyes.

"Hey Roxas?"

"Hmm?"

"Is there anything you wanted to know about me that you already don't know now?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I have this nagging feeling like I don't know you enough."

"You know me plenty." Axel leaned in so their foreheads were touching.

"I want to know everything about you."

"Okay. Did you ever like someone before me?"

"I went on a couple of dates in high school. They didn't add up to much. What about you?"

"I dated Aerith for about three months. She was my first real crush. Looking back, it probably wouldn't have worked out. I think her heart really belonged to Cloud, only he was too dense to see it. You're the first person I ever felt a burning desire to be with."

"Is there something you always wanted and could never have?" Axel questioned.

"Plenty, but I really didn't care too much. If I had to pick something, I'd have to say a day at the beach."

"The beach?"

"Yeah. I've gone plenty of time with my family but I never did much there. I never wanted to swim since people would stare at my chest. I would always run into my classmates there too, which never helped. They would take one look at me and scramble to make sure they got as far away as possible."

"Maybe we should take a trip over the summer."

"I'd like that. Just to two of us?"

"You know the others would hate us if we didn't invite them. Marluxia would find some way to black mail us into inviting more people." Roxas chuckled.

"I suppose you're right. Okay, we'll make it a trip then."

"Deal." Axel kissed Roxas's forehead.

"What about you? Is there something you always wanted?" Axel thought about it for a moment.

"Just a night alone with you." Roxas's cheeks flushed. "I always wanted to get together with someone who really cared about me. Little did I know I would end up with you." Roxas pushed Axel playfully. "Admit it. You would be completely lost without me."

"I would be dead without you." Roxas kissed Axel softly on the lips.

There was a soft knock at the door. Axel and Roxas sat up and quickly made themselves presentable. Roxas's mother poked her head in a moment later.

"Are you two eating lunch?" she asked.

"Um, sure," Roxas replied, trying to get his brain to work again. He could tell his mother suspected something.

"There's stuff for sandwiches in the fridge and chips in the cupboard. Feel free to help yourselves."

"Right. Thanks mom." Roxas's mother stopped short.

"Alright, what's going on?" she demanded.

'Shit!' Roxas thought. 'I haven't said thank you to her in years.' His mother marched over and held her son's chin tightly in her fingers. She studied his face, her eyes dark. Axel felt the color drain from his face and he forced himself to keep from swallowing. Instead, he resorted to biting the inside of his cheek.

"Since when did you start taking lessons in manners?" Roxas's mother hissed.

"I...uh…" Roxas tried to explain. She turned her gaze from her son to Axel. She removed her hand from Roxas's face only to slap him.

"You filthy whore!" she spat. "To see you sink yourself down this low. You're not my son anymore. When you leave tomorrow, don't bother with coming back. You're not welcome here." She turned to Axel and slapped him across the face too.

"You're just as sick! Taking advantage of people when they're emotionally unstable." Roxas lost his temper. He stood and shoved his mother backwards.

"What do you know about him?!" Roxas snapped. "He's cared for me more over the past seven months I've known him than you have in three years! What does it matter to you if he's a guy? Why can't you let me be happy?!"

"If you want people talking about you behind your back the rest of your life, then go right ahead! Be this man's bitch! See what I care when you come crawling back with a broken heart." Axel lowered his gaze to the bed, his hair covering his face in shadow.

"I could give a damn about what other people think!"

"You don't even realized you can never be together! Society won't allow it. Is that what you want with the rest of your life? To be a fag to some guy you hardly know?" Roxas slapped his mother across the face. "DON'T HIT ME!" she screamed. Roxas lunged at her, slamming her against the wall.

"DON'T FUCK WITH ME!" Roxas roared. He slammed his fist into the wall, breaking the drywall and creating a hole. He crushed his mother's throat in his free hand.

"Roxas!" Axel leapt from the bed and ripped him off of his mother. Roxas kicked and bared his teeth but Axel held firm. Roxas's fist smashed into Axel's face, giving the elder male a black eye.

"I should have you arrested," his mother seethed. "Take your precious bitch and leave!" she barked at Axel. She ripped open the door.

"You're just a blind old hag!"

"And you're an insufferable teenager who's lost his mind!"

"I care about him!"

"Then just leave it at friendship. You don't have to destroy your life any further."

"Just listen to me!"

"I'm done listening to you!"

"I LOVE HIM!" Roxas spat. His mother paused, taking a step back.

"What?" Hot tears started to fall out of Roxas's eyes.

"I love him. I know you and dad have had it rough for awhile now, but I remember when you used to be happy together. All my life I just wanted you two to be happy again. Now I've found someone I want to spend the rest of my life with. So what if it's awkward or sick. I don't care! I just want to be with him. He's everything to me…I'd die without him! If you never want me to come back, I can do that. I'll disappear from your life. You'll never have to see me again. Just please don't take this out on Axel." There was a long period of silence.

"Let him have what he wants, Sasha." Auron appeared in the doorway, his business jacket tucked in his arm.

"Auron!" Sasha exclaimed.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" Roxas croaked.

"I had a feeling something like this might happen so I stopped by to make sure you were both alright. Not very discrete sleeping in the same bed as a "friend"," Auron commented, talking to Roxas. He turned back to his wife. "Roxas can make his own decisions. If he wants to be with Axel, then so be it. I, for one, won't stop him. He has the right to know I'll support him, no matter what strange decisions he makes." Auron turned back to Axel and Roxas. The black eye on Axel's face was darkening.

"Are you able to take care of Roxas for the rest of your lives?" Auron asked. Axel nodded sharply, his face serious. "And you're both okay with this lifestyle?" Both of the boys nodded. Auron sighed and adjusted his glasses. "Alright then. Roxas, do as you wish. You have my blessing with you."

"But Auron!" Sasha protested.

"It's clear to me those two are closer now than we ever were. Don't be so blind."

"Me? Blind? I'm just thinking rationally!"

"No, you're thinking superficially. What more proof do you want that they want to be together?" Auron asked.

"Proof?! What proof? They're just not thinking…" Sasha stopped talking. Roxas had turned and pulled Axel into a drawn out kiss. Axel's face flushed slightly, fully aware Roxas's parents were watching him. Roxas released his friend, turning his gaze to the floor. Axel released his grip around Roxas's chest and took on of the teen's hands in his own.

"I'll be damned," Sasha whispered. "They really do care." Roxas and Axel stared at Roxas's parents, waiting for them to say something more. Their grip tightened on their hands. Sasha sighed and walked over to Roxas. She brushed a stray hair out of his face.

"This is what you want?" Roxas nodded. Sasha let out a long drawn out breath, rubbing her temples. "Fine then. I see nothing we say will persuade the other." She put a hand on Roxas's cheek. "You really aren't the same man you were three years ago. Maybe the reason I've resented you so much is that I can't let go of the person you once were." She removed her hand and turned to Axel briefly. "Take care of him. There's nothing more I can give." Sasha turned and left the room, her heart severely shaken and broken.

Auron turned back to the boys. "It would probably be best if you don't come back home," he stated. "I don't think your mother can take it. If you ever want to see Ven or Naminé, let me know." Auron walked over and put a hand on Axel's shoulder. "Stay strong." Then he gave Roxas a hug. "See you, kid." Auron turned and left, leaving to head back to work.

The pair stood in silence, neither daring to move. Finally, Roxas collapsed to his knees. Axel knelt next to him.

"Are you okay?" Axel asked quietly.

"I'm fine." He traced Axel's black eye with his fingers. "Does it hurt?"

"I'll get over it." Axel kissed Roxas's forehead. Roxas leaned against Axel, unsure what he should feel. His emotions were rolling all over the place. "Want to take a walk? It might help calm your nerves."

"I'm not sure if my nerves are the ones that need calming. You're white as a sheet," Roxas noticed. Axel rubbed his face vigorously to get his blood flowing again. Roxas lead Axel outside and they walked around the neighborhood. They went out for a late lunch but their stomachs were still queasy so they didn't eat much.

When Ven and Naminé came home from school, the house was calm again. They were excited to be going out to eat with their older brother.

The group left for the metro and they spent the night out on the town. Roxas took them to various small shops before they went and ate. Both Ven and Naminé grew to like Axel and soon he was like another member of the family. They went to a late night movie before heading home to get Ven to bed.

Roxas and Axel packed their bags before curling up together and going to bed. Sleep didn't come easy for them. It took several hours before Roxas drifted off into his dreams. At the sight of the teen's peaceful face, Axel was finally able to relax and find some sleep of his own.

The pair woke late. Auron was already at work. Ven and Naminé were at school. Roxas's mother, Sasha, wrote a note saying she was going shopping and wouldn't be back until late in the afternoon. Roxas got the hint. He and Axel had a small breakfast before getting on the road. Axel slept for part of the car ride but Roxas didn't mind.

They made it back to campus and Roxas decided to stay at Axel's apartment for the night. As he opened his bag to search for his PJ's, he found an envelope buried in his clothes. Roxas studied it but there was nothing remarkable about it. He opened it and found a letter from Naminé.

"Good luck, Roxas. We'll miss you." was all it read. Behind the letter was one of Naminé's drawings. Roxas's eyes widened as he recognized it. It was when they were out to eat the night before. Axel sat on the right, looking away from Roxas as he talked to the waiter with a smile. Roxas sat on the left with a scowl as he looked off into space. A smile crept on Roxas's face as he noticed the lower half of the picture.

Axel's free hand was holding his under the table.

Roxas folded the picture and put it back into his bag. A smile crept onto his face. Then he went to go find Axel.

here...