July hit with a wave of humidity. The air appeared to be drowning in its own moisture. Roxas found it extremely hard to concentrate on his finals when his pores were constantly oozing out sweat. The first summer session ended and Roxas was set free of his classes. He would have the rest of the summer to hang out with his friends and get ready for the fall.

The biggest concern was for Marluxia's wedding. Demyx, Zexion, and Axel were all helping out the stressed male prepare for his big day. Roxas learned their party going to Japan was going to be rather small. Marluxia's parents were going to meet the party in Japan along with Tifa's family. Terra and Lexaeus came back to join the group but Riku declined his invitation.

Roxas sat on Axel's bed and watched the four party planners work away around Marluxia's desk. Marluxia's face was pressed against the wood, his stress levels through the roof.

"But we already got him a plane ticket!" Marluxia whined.

"We'll just have to find someone else to come with," Axel reasoned.

"Stupid Riku…"

"Cheer up, Marly. Two weeks from now this will all be over," Demyx reassured him.

"Ugh..."

"Do you think Vexen would want to come?" Zexion offered.

"He's in Mexico," Axel reminded.

"We could invite Sora," Demyx added.

"That wouldn't be awkward. The only way he'd go is if Riku was going," Zexion corrected.

"What about Xion?"

"She's still out of country," Axel stated. The four party planners groaned.

"I guess we'll just have an extra ticket," Marluxia muttered into his desk. The guys spent over an hour figuring out if there was anyone else they could invite to go along. They went through address books and old yearbooks for phone numbers. Everyone declined.

"We're getting nowhere!" Demyx grumbled, rubbing his hands through his hair. Roxas went down to his room to grab his phone. He doubted there was anyone he wanted to invite along with besides Pence, but he was currently on a three week RV trip with his family. Pence would take pictures and e-mail them to Roxas, sending him greetings from the far reaches of the country side.

Roxas scanned his room and spotted his phone on his desk. As he picked it up, he glanced over at the other side of the room. Seifer was napping on his bed, a dirty magazine flopped over his face. Roxas blinked, an idea coming into his head. He went over to Seifer's phone and flipped through the contacts.

XxXxX

"Are you sure we packed everything?" Demyx asked, looking over his luggage in the living room.

"If you packed anymore, we'd bring the whole apartment with us!" Axel teased from the kitchen. Demyx scowled.

"What time are we leaving again?" Zexion asked, bringing down another set of suitcases from Marluxia's room.

"Four in the morning," Roxas groaned, sipping his soda.

"You can always sleep on the plane," Lexaeus noted. Roxas frowned but continued to drink his sugary treat.

"Where are we staying exactly?" Terra asked.

"Some upscale hotel, but the wedding's at a ryokan," Zexion replied.

"Where's Seifer?" Marluxia called as he came down the stairs.

"Still in his room," Roxas replied. Marluxia rolled his eyes and went to fetch the procrastinator. As the guys were discussing who was going to drive to the airport, there was a knock at the door. Demyx answered to find a man in a purple suit on the other side.

"I'm assuming Seifer lives here?" the man asked.

"Y-e-s…" Demyx replied, unsure of whom the man was. The man flicked his eyes around the room until he caught sight of Roxas.

"You must be Roxas," he commented.

"Oh, you must be Setzer!" Roxas set down his soda and went over to greet him. As he walked over, they could hear Marluxia chewing out Seifer as they made their way down the stairs.

"Quit nagging!" Seifer barked. "It's not like the planes leaving now anyway!" Seifer dragged his bag into the kitchen and froze. "What the Hell are you doing here?" he growled.

"Nice to see you too, nephew. Do tell me you are capable of watching your brother for an entire week," Setzer replied. Seifer's face turned into shock.

"My…brother?" From behind Setzer's legs peeked a tiny face. It was a boy of five with long silver hair and a blank expression. "Wha…I don't…"

"I was told you had an extra ticket for a trip. It seemed like a good time for you to keep an eye on your brother while your siblings did all of their legal business. I'm sure if you don't screw this up, the court may find the opportunity enlightening," Setzer added as incentive. Seifer pushed past the other guys and knelt in the doorway.

"You never said anything about coming with," Seifer muttered.

"It was a surprise," Sephiroth replied quietly. Seifer smiled picked up his brother, setting him on his shoulders.

"I'll just leave his bags with you then." Zexion and Demyx went to get Seph's bags. Seifer remained quiet, pensively thinking. Once his uncle had left, he turned to the rest of the group, his face dark.

"So which one of you dirt bags thought it would be funny to invite my family without permission?" Seifer's glared rested on Roxas. Roxas shrugged.

"I just extended the offer. Your brother was the one who accepted," Roxas replied. Seifer glanced up at his brother.

"You couldn't have missed me that bad." Seph just hugged his brother tighter around the head. For the first time, Roxas saw Seifer smile. It wasn't much more than a smirk, but he could tell the man was truly happy.

When everyone retired early, Seifer stopped Roxas as he was leaving the bathroom.

"Do that again and I'll kill you, understand?" Seifer hissed.

"Sure." Roxas brushed past Seifer to head back to their room.

"Hey chicken wuss!" Roxas turned. "Thanks." Roxas smirked. He gave Seifer a nod and headed off to bed.

The party got up early to get to the airport. They drove in three separate vehicles. Roxas glanced in the rearview mirror of Axel's car. Seph was fast asleep in Seifer's lap. The elder brother gently ran his fingers through his younger brother's hair, his gaze lost outside the car window.

Everyone got through the airport and past security. Then they boarded the plane and left for Japan. The ride over was a mixed bag of emotions. Everyone bounced their moods from excited to anxious to nostalgic to stressed to exhausted and back to excited again. Roxas got to sit with Seph for a couple of hours. They played puzzle games on Roxas's phone. The boy was actually really smart. He would usually figure out the solution before Roxas, but the blonde didn't mind. Even if Seph didn't smile, Roxas could tell he was having fun.

When they landed in Japan, it was late at night. Everyone had jet lag as they took taxis to their hotel. Then they went to sleep. They had a couple of days before Marluxia's wedding so they took in the sights while Marluxia spent his time with his bride-to-be.

The day of the wedding arrived and everyone headed to the ryokan early. Tifa had pulled out all of the stops to make the wedding traditional. She even had the guests put on yukatas and kimonos. As the group of guys changed into their yukatas, they couldn't stop talking. They all had fans to tuck into their sashes. Demyx was particularly pleased.

There were other accessories to choose from as well. Seifer had a katana strapped to his sash while his little brother put a sakura blossom clip in his hair. Axel had found himself a pink bamboo parasol. He smirked whenever Roxas looked his way.

The wedding started and everyone felt a sense of butterflies in their stomachs. Tifa looked gorgeous while Marluxia's countenance was finally one of happiness. As the pair exchanged their vows, Roxas felt Axel slip his hand around Roxas's palm. The blonde gave it a squeeze. Axel leaned gently against his friend, his expression showing a mixture of happiness and bliss.

After the wedding, there was a large banquet set out. The food was delicious. Roxas felt horrible as he ate some traditional ramen. His prepackaged ramen now seemed rather sad. After the food, there were fireworks. While they were watching, Roxas felt Axel tug at his hand. Roxas followed the red head away from the crowd. He was led to the garden of the ryokan. The fireworks continued above their heads.

"What did you think?" Axel asked, turning back to Roxas. The blonde knelt by the pond and peered at the koi fish lazily swimming.

"Marluxia was so happy, and I was really happy for him. I'm glad he finally got away from his stressful life to spend time with the one he loves," Roxas replied. Axel sat on his knees next to Roxas, his parasol sitting on his shoulder.

"Yeah. It kind of makes you think. So little time has passed since I first met Marluxia and so much has happened since then. I have to wonder what's going to happen in the next few years."

"What do you mean?" Roxas asked, turning to Axel.

"With us, I mean."

"I'm not sure I'm following." Axel sighed.

"Would you ever want something like that?"

"Marriage?"

"Er…yeah…" Roxas averted his gaze to the ground.

"I guess I don't know. I'm really happy with how things are." Roxas turned back to Axel. "I really love you, you know. I just don't want to jinx things." Axel pulled Roxas close to the blonde was leaning against him.

"When you put it that way, it makes it sound like you're cursed," Axel teased. Roxas shoved him playfully.

"You're the one who's cursed."

"Me?!"

"Yeah, cursed with your damn good looks." Axel smirked. He lifted Roxas's chin so they stared each other in the eye.

"Calling me sexy now?"

"Yes." Axel pulled Roxas into a kiss.

"You'll regret that when we get back to the hotel," Axel whispered in his ear.

"I look forward to it," Roxas whispered back.

XxXxX

With August, the humidity backed off into a flat summer heat. School was starting in less than a week. Marluxia returned from his honeymoon only to find stacks of e-mails waiting for him. Riku and Sora moved in early to avoid the moving day rush. It was suddenly decided everyone was going to the beach. Roxas perked up at the idea.

Two days before move in day, everyone packed into two cars and drove three hours to the shore. The ocean was beautiful. The water reflected the sky perfectly, making the water appear aquamarine.

They played Frisbee until lunch, their skin covered with sweat and sand. After they ate, they let the sun soak into their skin for a bit. Then they hit the water. They played several rounds of chicken and went body surfing when the waves were high enough.

By midafternoon, Roxas was beat. He went back to his towel and lay down in the sun. His mind drifted away as he unconsciously fell asleep. He woke an hour later to find Zexion reading next to him.

"Sleep well?" the dark haired boy asked, never looking up from his page.

"What time is it?" Roxas muttered. He sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Nearly five. I think we're all getting a bit hungry. We'll go eat soon." Roxas stretched and brushed the sand from his skin. He flinched as he brushed his fingers of his shoulders. Roxas peered behind him and groaned. A large sunburn had formed on his back where it had been exposed to the sun. "Forget your sunscreen?"

"Maybe." Roxas picked at his peeling skin.

"You're not supposed to pick at it," Axel called, coming back from the water. Roxas frowned. Zexion tossed the blonde a bottle of lotion.

"You bring this with you?" Roxas asked.

"My hands get dry," Zexion replied, turning his page.

"Here, I'll help," Axel offered. He sat behind Roxas and rubbed the lotion into the burn. Roxas hissed as his skin felt fiery hot. Axel's cool hands feel good as they rubbed deep into the muscles of Roxas's back. Roxas closed his eyes, feeling sleepy again.

"How's it feel now?" Axel asked, murmuring in the blonde's ear.

"Mmm," Roxas replied. Axel chuckled. He pulled Roxas into his lap and wrapped his arms around the younger man's waist.

"You're so cute when you sleep"

"Kawaii," Roxas muttered. Axel chuckled and gently brushed Roxas's hair with his fingers. Roxas was soon asleep again. Axel smiled warmly.

"He's finally warmed up to you," Zexion noticed.

"Took him long enough. Imagine his reaction if it were last year," Axel mused.

"You'd probably be kissing the asphalt."

"Probably."

"How did you two meet?" Zexion closed his book and turned to Axel.

"I suppose we met once or twice in high school. We never officially talked until the day I changed schools. Even then I didn't think much of him. Then he walked up to me in the library one day and I swore I recognized him from somewhere. It bothered me until I remembered but Roxas wasn't the same person. His emo attitude drew me in. I was just curious to why he was so different. Then he would occasionally let down his guard and I'd see a completely new side of Roxas I never knew. It was so innocent and I wanted to keep him that way forever."

"What do you think drew Roxas to you?"

"I don't know really. Maybe because I was there for him or maybe because I looked irresistible. He's a mystery but I love him all the same." Axel kissed the top of Roxas's head. "What drew you to Demyx?"

"His smile. I remember running into him at the library all of the time. Then we were in a group project together for a class. He could never focus and his punkish look turned the others off. There was a day when I was waiting for the rain to stop. There was no one around because they had already left. I forgot my umbrella that day. Out of nowhere, Demyx stuck his face in mine with a grin plastered on his face. He offered me shelter under his tiny umbrella and he walked me to my dorm. I still remember the look on his face when I smiled back at him as I said my farewells. His cheeks blushed so bad it appeared he had a fever. I was genuinely concerned but Demyx stammered out he was fine. One day I struck up the courage to ask him out but he had a girlfriend at the time.

"It wasn't until later in the year when he asked me out. I was so flustered I could hardly stay standing. He kept rambling under his breath about hanging out because he wanted to know me better. I had to put a hand over his mouth to stop him from talking! We went to a movie. Our hands brushed in the theater. He looked so cute when he blushed. That night he brought me back to the dorm. Before he left, he hesitantly kissed me on the back of the jaw with his hands stuffed in his pockets. From there we spent nearly every day together. He even wrote a song for me. I was embarrassed at first but now he sings me to sleep with it."

"He really looks out for you," Axel stated. Zexion nodded and turned his gaze to the water. Demyx was laughing as Seifer threw Riku across the water. When he noticed his lover staring, he gave a wink. Zexion returned it with a small wave.

They went to eat as the sun starting turning the water orange. Everyone ate twice their fill of fresh seafood and barbeque. Then they went back to the beach and had a campfire. Bags of marshmallows were passed around. The guys toasted to a great year before devouring their sugary treats.

Marluxia had rented out some rooms at the beachfront hotel so they wouldn't have to drive back late at night. Axel and Roxas were roomed with Demyx and Zexion. Marluxia got a king bed to himself with Riku, Sora, and Seifer shared a double room. Seifer got his own bed.

As the night grew later, Axel took Roxas on walk along the beach. They remained silent as they let the water gently wash over their toes with each passing wave. Roxas looked up at the moon and let the silvery light splash against his face. He turned when he heard Axel taking off his shirt.

"What are you doing?" Roxas asked.

"Going for a swim," Axel replied with a grin.

"But we're not wearing our suits."

"Who said we needed them?" Roxas felt his face flush.

"Axel, people will see."

"No they won't. We're far enough down the beach no one will notice. Besides…" Axel went over and kissed Roxas hard on the lips. "We might not get another chance for awhile." Roxas chewed on his bottom lip. Axel went back to his shirt and placed his shorts next to them before diving beneath the quiet waves. Roxas took off his shirt and scanned the beach. "Come on, Roxas! The water's getting cold," Axel teased. Roxas took a deep breath. In a rush he pulled off his shorts and leapt into the water.

As he surface, he wiped the water from his eyes. Axel swam in a lazy circle around him. Roxas splashed him.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"Showing off."

"What? You can swim too, you know."

"You look better doing it," Roxas muttered. Axel stopped swimming and sculled over to his friend. A smile pulled at the corners of his lips.

"Oh really?" Axel asked quietly. He pulled Roxas in close, kissing the blondes neck. "If you ask nicely I'll teach you." Roxas murmured something under his breath. "Hmm?"

"Please?" Roxas said a bit louder. Axel smiled. He pulled Roxas into a kiss. The blonde wrapped his legs around Axel's waist, making him taller than the red head for a change.

"Who said you get to be on top?"

"Me." They went into a serious bought of kisses and lickings. Roxas ran his hands through Axel's hair while Axel dragged his fingers over Roxas's back.

"How far do you want to go?" Axel muttered as he was released from Roxas's lips.

"All the way."

"You sure?"

"Always." Axel smirked.

"You're choice." Axel adjusted Roxas's position so he was sitting lower on the man's hips. They were brought face to face. "Hang on." Axel leaned back and they went under the water. They ran their tongues over each other as the salty taste of the ocean leaked into their mouths. As they broke the surface, they gasped for air.

Then they returned to passionately making out. Roxas's breath was hot and heavy against Axel's neck. His eyes were pleading each time their gazes met. Axel ran his fingers over the heated area pressed again his groin. Roxas moaned and continued to devour Axel's neck. Axel shuddered as Roxas ran his teeth down his nerves.

"Axel…" Roxas breathed in his ear. "You're teasing me."

"Because it's fun." Roxas moaned again.

"Just fuck me already." Axel giggled.

"Patience."

"No," Roxas protested.

"Someone's cranky." Roxas gasped in Axel's ear, his breathing getting faster.

"No, I…uhn! You…God yes!" Roxas felt his body scream with pleasure.

"Who knew you were such a sadist," Axel teased. Roxas dug his nails into Axel's back. He threw his head back, his cheeks covered in blush. His legs tightened around Axel as he hit his climax. Roxas ground his teeth together. Then he gasped as his muscles instantly relaxed. He slumped against Axel, his breathing heavy.

"Feeling better?" Axel asked. Roxas nodded, gently kissing Axel's neck. "Good. I think it's time we get you to bed."

"No…" Roxas groaned.

"What else were you planning on doing today?"

"Staying up all night."

"Is that all you thought about today? Getting into my pants?"

"Maybe." Axel rolled his eyes.

"I guess I can't lie. It was extremely tempting not to molest you while you slept earlier. I had to have Zexion chain me down."

"Liar." Axel chuckled.

"Not by much." Axel kissed Roxas on the lips. "Come on. You can walk back to the hotel." Roxas slid off of Axel's hips. Then he frowned.

"Shit, we forgot towels."

"I've yet to see a pair of wet shorts kill someone."

"They chafe!" Roxas protested.

"Then I'll just have to find Zexion's lotion bottle."

"Hey!" The pair turned to the beach. They found a man with short blonde hair and a trim beard glaring at them. "The beach is closed. You need to get back to your hotel."

"Sorry. We had the sudden urge to go swimming again," Axel joked. The man's frown deepened.

"I honestly don't care what you felt like."

"You wouldn't by chance have a towel?" Roxas asked. "Our friends stole ours."

"Steal your suits too?" Roxas's face paled. The man went to his dune buggy and fished out a pair of towels. He tossed them out in the water to the pair. Axel and Roxas wrapped the wet towels around their waist and were herded back to the hotel, clothes in hand.

When they got back to their room, Demyx gave them a strange look.

"What were you two up to, pray tell?" he asked.

"Swimming," Axel replied casually.

"I see. Didn't your fill during the afternoon?"

"Nothing I could get away with in public." Demyx flicked his gaze back and forth between Axel and Roxas. Then he stood and went towards the bathroom.

"Zexion's in the shower. I think I'll go join him for a bit. Make yourselves at home. Oh and Axel? Don't break Roxas before school starts." Axel grinned wickedly.

"Huh?" Roxas asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"You're in our territory now, Roxas. Public rules don't apply here," Demyx replied with a dark grin. Then he slipped into the bathroom.

"What?" Roxas turned to Axel. Axel pressed Roxas against the bed.

"It means we can do whatever we want tonight, them included. Maybe we will stay up all night." Axel gave a low chuckle. Roxas smirked.

"Bring it on."

XxXxX

Zexion opened the bathroom door to let the steam out. Demyx had his arms wrapped tightly around his waist. "So much for a quick shower," Zexion stated.

"They needed their privacy," Demyx replied. "Besides, once we get going, we won't even notice each other." Zexion smirked, brushing out his hair with his fingers.

"Ready?"

"You don't even have to ask." Zexion led Demyx out of the bathroom towards their bed. They paused to watch Axel and Roxas for a moment. The pair was devouring each other's mouths. Their hair was damp with sweat.

"Aw, they're all grown up," Demyx cooed. Zexion elbowed him gently.

"My turn, tonight."

"Oh, you're no fun." Demyx pulled Zexion onto the bed, tickling his sides. Zexion giggled and shoved Demyx playfully.

"Don't distract them." Demyx glanced at Axel and Roxas. They carried on as if nothing else was going on in the world. He looked up at Zexion on his lap.

"What do you want to do tonight?"

"I'm thinking of a little Simon Says." Zexion leaned down and kissed Demyx longingly on the lips.

"You know I'm no good at that game."

"All the more reason to play." Zexion kissed Demyx's neck. "Why don't you start off by taking my breath away?" Zexion whispered into his lover's ear. Demyx kissed the dark haired man until his breath was ragged. "I never said Simon Says."

"Told you I was bad at this." Zexion smirked and their lips met again.

XxXxX

Morning came and everyone slept in late. Roxas woke up tangled up in Axel. His chest hurt from being weighted down the entire night. Roxas kissed Axel's forehead.

"Morning," he whispered. Axel slept on. Roxas rolled them over and straddled the red head. He suddenly realized why Axel said it was so hard no to molest him. Roxas just wanted to run his hands all over his lover. He leaned down and kissed Axel below his navel. Axel moaned and shifted. Then he opened his eyes.

"Pervert," Axel murmured. Roxas smiled and continued to work his way up Axel's chest, planting kisses along the way. Soon their lips met and they kissed softly.

"Did I wake you?" Roxas asked.

"You didn't let me sleep!" Axel chuckled and wrapped his arms around Roxas. Then he motioned for Roxas to look to the other pair. Zexion was curled up next to Demyx, their hands intertwined as they slept.

"They look cute together."

"What was that term you used yesterday?"

"Kawaii?"

"Yeah. They're real kawaii…just like you are." Axel kissed the top of Roxas's head. They fell back asleep wrapped in each other's arms.

Summer vacation was finally over.

A new year was about to begin.