The semester ended and the guys went out to celebrate. They went bowling and had a few drinks together before calling it a night. By the next morning, the apartment was dead silent. Roxas stepped into the kitchen and flicked his gaze around the floor.

"Just me an Axel for eighteen days," Roxas muttered. "Perfect." He snuck upstairs and slipped into Axel's room. The red head was still dozing. Roxas slipped on top of him and straddled his hips. "Good morning," Roxas greeted, snuggling up to his favorite person. Axel moaned with a smile.

"Already?" Axel asked.

"Of course."

"Don't I get a break?"

"You had your break."

"Pervert." Roxas chuckled.

"Admit you like it." Axel chuckled.

"Perhaps. Would you care to make a wager?"

"A wager?" Roxas lifted his head. "What kind of wager?"

"If you can keep your hands off of me for one week, I'll buy you as much sea salt ice cream as you want and you can use the rest of the winter break to use me as you please." Roxas frowned.

"I can do that."

"Oh really?"

"Sure. We've done it before."

"When school's going on, maybe. Now we have nothing to do and you're alone in the apartment with me."

"Are you saying I can't do it?"

"Maybe." Axel grinned.

"You're on! When are we starting?" Axel looked at the clock.

"Nine-o-clock." Roxas checked the time. It was 8:58. He slid off of Axel and stood up. When the clocked flicked to 9, Roxas grinned darkly.

"Alright. One week exactly."

"That's right. No hand holding, no kissing, no cuddling, no sleeping together and definitely no sex. Are we clear?"

"You're going to owe me a lot of ice cream," Roxas warned. Axel chuckled.

"I look forward to it."

The week started off well. After two days, Roxas was still feeling good. He tried not to look at Axel as much as possible as they went on with their daily lives. By the third day, Roxas was starting to feel lonely. By day four, he was desperate. He needed to make contact with Axel; his body yearned for it. Roxas found himself sitting on his hands to keep himself from losing the bet. Day five came and Axel walked around the entire day without a shirt. Day six, Roxas locked himself in his room. He didn't sleep the entire night. Roxas passed out from the stress late in the early morning.

When he opened his eyes, he found Axel staring down at him. Roxas blinked. Axel flipped open his phone and showed Roxas the time. 8:58.

"Looks like you're about to win. I'm impressed," Axel complimented. Roxas watched as the phone changed to 8:59.

"What are we doing for Christmas tomorrow?" Roxas asked. Axel grinned.

"I planned out something while you were being a good little boy. It'll be a surprise." Roxas scoffed.

"You and your secrets." He watched the phone's clock hold steady on 8:59. The second it turned 9, Axel was on top of him. They clawed at each other's hair as their lips and tongues tangled together.

"World's longest minute," Axel breathed.

"Shut up and fuck me!" Roxas growled. They tore their clothes off and clawed at each other as they had sex. They both felt desperate as they clung to one another, praying they would never have to go through such torture again.

It was an hour later before Axel hovered above Roxas, panting. The blonde was breathing equally as heavy.

"First time in your bed," Axel commented.

"I prefer yours," Roxas replied.

"See, and I was about to say the same thing. I wonder why that is?"

"Because your bed smells like you."

"You smell me in my sleep? That's kinky."

"What reason would you like my bed better?"

"Because you're in it." Roxas shoved Axel playfully. Axel sat back on his legs, sitting on Roxas's hips. "Alright. Calm down. I like it here because it's so…you. I love everything about you it drives me nuts!" Axel ran his fingers on the edges of Roxas's Slipknot poster. "Being here in your world makes mine seem all the more real." Roxas sat up on his elbows.

"Next year," Roxas stated. "Next year we'll room together. Then nothing will keep us apart."

"Aside from the mountains of homework and notes?" Roxas laughed.

"I guess that might." Axel ruffled Roxas's hair.

"We'll have to get some new people to live with."

"We could always have Sora and Riku move upstairs. Then we can just ignore the lower floor if we need to."

"Aren't you the cold hearted one. Why have them move anyway?" Roxas grinned.

"I caught them at a bad time."

"Ooh, what happened?" Axel leaned closer to hear all the details.

"I went to give Sora my notes for O-chem for next semester. Man was I surprised when I found them both shirtless on Riku's bed. Riku had Sora wrapped up in his arms with his hands down his pants."

"Get out! We're they going to do it?"

"Not after I found them."

"Now that's just weird. I would think RIku would be the last person who would go gay. Makes you wonder." Axel rolled off of Roxas and lay on the bed next to him. "What do you say we go get some ice cream before it closes for the next few days?" Roxas's face instantly brightened.

"Definitely!" Axel chuckled.

"I think the only thing you like more than me is that ice cream."

"That's not true! I'd pick you over a whole swimming pool of ice cream."

"Just a swimming pool?"

"An ocean," Roxas clarified.

"Which one?" Roxas shoved Axel, making the red head laugh. "I give, I give."

"Maybe I'll just have to eat them together." Roxas traced a line up Axel's sternum. His face was mischievous. "Sea salt ice cream served on a hot guy's chest." Roxas leaned down and licked Axel between the ribs. "My mouth it watering just thinking about it."

"Then we'll have to pacify it." Axel pulled Roxas into a deep kiss. The blonde straddled his lover's abdomen.

"Mm, Axel, you're making me hard," Roxas purred. Axel ran his hands behind Roxas and slipped his fingers under the blonde's ass. He pulled Roxas downward towards his groin. Roxas gyrated his hips against Axel's. The red head moaned, his throat full of pleasure. Axel ran his toes over Roxas's calves. He attempted to roll over on top of Roxas, but the blonde slipped out from beneath him. Axel grunted as Roxas pressed inside his ass.

"Go easy on me," Axel warned. Roxas wrapped his arms around Axel's waist.

"And why should I?"

"Because you're typically on the bottom."

"Then you'll just have to enjoy yourself." Roxas pressed his hips against Axel's rear, their legs pressing against each other. He bucked his hips and felt the waves of pleasure wash over him. When he came, he pressed himself as close to Axel as he could. Roxas sat back and wiped his sweaty face. Axel crawled behind him and forced Roxas into the same position he had been in moments before.

"You forget that I have an advantage over you," Axel reminded. As Axel slipped his cock into Roxas's ass, he lowered one of his hands away from Roxas's chest. His hand wrapped around the blonde's throbbing member. "And it's more fun when you both cum." Axel slowly pulsed his hips and ran his hand along Roxas's dick. Roxas gasped, his face flushed.

"Uhn!" Roxas muttered, his breathing escalating. "Oh, God yes!" Roxas's back arched as Axel picked up the pace of his thrusts. He let out a strangled cry as the pain overwhelmed him, sending mixed messages to his brain. Roxas's hands curled deeply around his sheets. He forced his weight onto one arm and grabbed ahold of Axel's hand. Their fingers intertwined as Axel's slid his hand up and down Roxas's shaft.

Roxas came first, letting out a cry as he crushed Axel's hand in his own and in turn squeezing his own orgasm. Axel thrust deeply into Roxas's ass. Roxas felt lightheaded. 'Am I cumming again?' he gasped in his head. His testicles screamed as he rode through as second orgasm. Roxas cried out with tears in his eyes at the unnatural occurrence. He felt Axel cum into his ass and Roxas collapsed, his arm giving out.

"Oh my God, I'm sorry!" Axel could see the pain on Roxas's face. He picked up the blonde and held in in his arms. "I'm so sorry," Axel whispered in his ear over and over. Roxas was in so much pain he couldn't talk. Tears slipped from his eyes unconsciously.

"Axel," Roxas managed to murmur after several long minutes.

"Roxas, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gone that far! I hurt you…" Roxas shook his head. Axel stared down at Roxas in shock.

"It doesn't matter."

"Of course it does!"

"You did it out of love for me. If anyone's to blame it's myself."

"Nonsense! I was the one holding you down."

"And I was the one who didn't say stop." Roxas kissed Axel gently on the cheek. Then he laid his head on the red head's shoulder and waited for the pain to die down. Axel showered Roxas 's head with kisses.

"How can I make this up to you?"

"Never make a wager on our sex life again." Axel managed to force a smile.

"Deal."

XxXxX

Christmas morning dusted the campus in a light snow.

Roxas slept in, breathing in the smell of his sheets. He couldn't exactly make out a distinct smell, like Axel's bed, but it was a calming scent since Roxas knew it was the scent of himself. He brought the sheets closer to his face. They were warm and soft from being washed with far too much fabric softener. Roxas smiled to himself. It was a good morning.

It was quickly interrupted by his door slamming open and a small mass jumping on top of him.

"Ouch! What the Hell, Axel!" Roxas growled, sitting up. He was surprised when he found himself looking at his reflection.

"Morning Roxas!" Ven said cheerfully. Roxas was both stunned and confused.

"What are you doing here?" he finally asked.

"Axel invited us! We're going on a ski trip!"

"Now?"

"Yeah! Hurry up, you lazy bum. Dad's waiting for us in the car."

"Dad's coming with?"

"So it Naminé and her boyfriend, but that doesn't matter. Let's go!" Ven bounced up and down excitedly on the bed. Roxas slipped out of the covers and sighed, straightening his shirt. He went to his wardrobe to pack when he saw a bag sitting on the floor. Roxas opened it and found his belongings already to go.

'Axel…' Roxas thought coolly. He dug around for a pair of warm clothes and headed to the bathroom to get changed. When Roxas was ready to go ten minutes later, he slipped into his dad's suburban. Ven sat up front with his dad. Naminé introduced Roxas to Wakka, a senior from high school, while they sat in the middle seat. Roxas crammed with Axel in the back.

"So where are we headed exactly?" Roxas asked.

"You'll see when you get there," Axel teased. As they pulled out of the campus, Roxas suddenly realized something was strange.

"Hold on! Why aren't you guys on vacation?" Roxas pressed.

"We didn't want to go this year," Ven stated, playing his 3DS.

"And mom was okay with that?"

"No, but when we went without you last year it was a disaster."

"Where did you go?"

"Austria. Mom was practically screaming the entire time."

"That's strange. Usually she's only screaming when I'm around."

"I think since you weren't around, she was frustrated and had to take it out on someone. I mean, you did kind of fall of the face of the earth."

"We only heard from you when the hospital called," Naminé added, looking downcast.

"Sorry. I was just trying to leave my life behind," Roxas admitted.

"It's alright. We didn't blame you."

"Besides, leaving was good for you," Ven stated.

"How so?"

"You changed," Naminé noticed. Roxas felt his face burn a bit.

"I felt pretty normal when I went home last," Roxas commented.

"Only when you were in the house," Ven stated. "When we went out to dinner that one night, you were a completely different person. You smiled, you laughed, you talked…I haven't seen you do that in years."

"Well, I had some help," Roxas muttered.

"You have some good friends," Auron commented, finally speaking up. Roxas smiled lightly.

"Thanks, dad."

"See! He is a changed person!" Ven shouted, turning around in his seat. Roxas stuck out his tongue at his brother. Ven matched it with equal gusto.

"Face the front, Ven," Auron reminded. Ven gave a "hmph" and turned around, returning to his game. Roxas hated to admit it, but he was grateful to see his family. His siblings were his corner stones during the darkest times of his life. He turned to Axel.

"I take it this was your doing?" Roxas asked quietly.

"Guilty," Axel admitted with a grin. "I thought it would be fun to hang out with your family. Besides, this sort of counts as a trip for them."

"You didn't invite my mom, did you?"

"The only person I really invited was Naminé. We were the ones exchanging e-mails. I told her to bring anyone who wanted to come so it was an open invitation."

"Well, thanks." Axel ruffled the blonde's hair.

"Anything for you." Roxas smiled and leaned against his boyfriend. Axel slipped an arm around the younger man's shoulders. Roxas got a text from Pence wishing him a Happy Christmas. He texted back with a smile.

'I really do have some great friends.' Roxas thought.

The drive took several hours. It turned out the resort Roxas stayed at over the summer was also a winter resort. The large rise of a hill behind the hotel was covered in snow for happy skiers and snowboarders. After checking in and dropping off their bags, the group headed outside. Ven was staying with Roxas and Axel while Naminé and Wakka shared a room with Auron. Ven and Wakka got beds to themselves.

Roxas had only been snowboarding a couple times before, but that was back in early high school. Leon had tried to teach him since Roxas was so keen on skateboarding. Roxas wasn't the best but he managed to stay on his feet. He was the only one who was going to be snowboarding. Everyone else had rented skis. They took the lift to the top of the hill and waited for an opening.

Roxas glanced at Axel. The red head had his hair pulled back and a set of goggles on the top of his head. He smiled when he noticed Roxas staring.

"Like what you see?" Axel teased.

"Where did you learn to ski?" Roxas pressed, changing the subject.

"Marluxia. We had season passes here our freshman year. I think he was just trying to get my mind off of high school, which in retrospect worked I guess." Axel chuckled. "Good 'ole Marluxia. He always seems to know how to make things better." Roxas chuckled.

"Agreed."

They spent the afternoon tearing up the hill. By seven, everyone was exhausted and pink in the face from the wind burn. They ate a large dinner at the restaurant inside the hotel, ordering six different appetizers to go with their entrées. When they went back to their rooms for the night, they found the day catch up with them. Everyone fell asleep almost immediately.

The next morning they rose early to get to the hill. They paced themselves a bit more since their legs were sore from the day before. After lunch, Roxas and Axel excused themselves from the group. They went to get hot chocolates and returned to their room to have a break.

Axel curled his arms around Roxas as they sat on the bed, cups of hot deliciousness in their hands. Roxas leaned back against Axel's chest. They sipped their beverages quietly.

"It really doesn't feel like Christmas," Roxas admitted.

"I suppose not. Used to presents?" Roxas shook his head.

"We never exchanged gifts for Christmas. The only gifts we got were on our birthdays."

"No presents for Christmas? I think that's a sin." Roxas chuckled.

"It was supposed to be a family thing. You know, the "greatest gift is our family" sort of bullshit. I never really liked it since everyone bragged what they got for Christmas when we got back to school. I sometimes broke the tradition and bought Ven and Naminé something. They always wanted to get me something too but I told them not to. I wasn't worth it."

"What are you talking about? You're always worth it," Axel interrupted, nuzzling the blonde's head. Roxas smiled lightly.

"Thanks, but you're not family."

"Not yet." Roxas flushed. "Sorry, finish your story."

"Well, they bought me something that first Christmas after…that happened."

"What did they get you?" Roxas pulled back Axel's scarf. Axel was still wearing Roxas's dog collar. The red head touched the collar with his fingertips. "This?" Roxas nodded.

"That's why I cherished it." Axel felt his heart clench and tears in his eyes. He set down his hot chocolate and rubbed his face.

"God, Roxas, you give up too much. You don't have to do so much for me." Roxas turned and set his beverage down next to Axel's. Then he pried Axel's hands from his face.

"You're worth it." Axel felt a tear slip out of his right eye.

"I must look like a ten year old girl," Axel muttered.

"Not at all." Roxas leaned in and kissed Axel gently. Axel pulled Roxas closer, running his hands through the blonde's hair.

"Whoa!" Roxas leapt back, shocked to hear his brother in the room. Ven was staring at the pair with an awkward expression. "Roxas, why are you kissing a guy?" Ven asked. Strangely, Roxas laughed. He rolled on the bed, lost in a fit of giggles. Axel and Ven watched him with some concern. Roxas finally got up and went over to his brother. He scooped up Ven and spun him around, planting a kiss on his brother's cheek.

"Something wrong with that?" Roxas asked.

"Ew! Roxas! That's gross!" Ven struggled against his brother's grip. It only made Roxas laugh harder. He tickled Ven, sending the kid into a fit of bubbly laughter. Axel slipped off of the bed and strode over to the pair. He pried Ven out of Roxas's grasp.

"Back you fiend! No one touches the princess!" Axel shouted.

"Princess?! I'm not a girl!" Ven protested. Roxas hissed.

"She's mine to eat!" Roxas growled. Axel grabbed the TV remote and held it in front of him like a sword.

"Back!" Roxas tackled the pair and they fell to the floor, laughing hysterically. When their giggles died down, Ven turned to his brother.

"So why were you kissing Axel?" Ven asked. Roxas sat up on his elbows.

"Well, we're sort of dating," Roxas replied.

"Sort of?!" Axel protested, sitting up.

"Okay, we've been dating for awhile."

"Aren't guys supposed to date girls?" Ven asked.

"Typically," Roxas replied. "But if two guys love each other just as much, it really shouldn't matter."

"Wait, you guys love each other?! Don't people find that creepy?"

"Only if they care," Axel stated, kissing Roxas on the cheek. Roxas could tell his brother's nine year old mind was thinking deeply.

"So, my brother's gay," Ven finally stated.

"Sure," Roxas replied flatly.

"What about the girls you liked in the past?"

"My heart moved on."

"Seriously?" Roxas nodded. He lay down so his head was on Axel's thighs, his gaze up at Axel's face. Ven stared at the pair. 'I know kids get teased about that at school, but they're so open with liking each other. Honestly, Roxas looks the happiest he's ever been. Even when we were skiing he was always stealing glances at Axel.' Ven crossed his legs. "So how serious are you guys?"

Roxas glanced at his brother. Then he pulled back Axel's scarf. Ven's eyes went wide.

"No way! You loved that collar!" Ven protested. "You even got it customized."

"It's my promise to Axel that we'll meet again after we die."

"Wait, you guys are planning a double suicide?!" Ven exclaimed.

"NO!" Roxas barked, sitting up. "We are not committing suicide." Ven let out a sigh of relief.

"You scared me there, for a moment." Roxas's face softened and he pulled his brother into a hug.

"Sorry. It's a long story," Roxas muttered.

"It's okay. You didn't hurt me this time." Roxas couldn't help but smirk.

"You had to bring that up again." Ven chuckled.

"Sorry. So are you and Axel going to, you know, get married and junk?"

"We might," Roxas said, this voice thick and saucy.

"Awkward, Roxas. That was really awkward." Roxas chuckled darkly. "Don't be a pedo." Axel fell over laughing. Roxas pouted at his brother.

"I'm not a pedo!" Ven slipped out of Roxas's arms. Roxas frowned at Axel. "Why are you laughing?"

"You two are priceless!" Axel cried, holding back tears as he rolled around on the floor. The brothers exchanged looks. Then they pounced on Axel. They laughed as they tickled each other senseless.

XxXxX

It was late in the day when everyone retired. They would be leaving in the morning. While Ven was in the shower, Roxas found himself drawn to Axel. They started to make out and it turned into a series of tongue wars. Roxas's fingers clawed at Axel's shirt. Axel kissed Roxas's neck, licking the nerve he was so famous for. Roxas moaned.

"God, I just want to fuck you," Roxas growled, his groin growing hotter.

"You keep saying that but you seem to be the one who always get fucked," Axel replied, talking into Roxas's neck.

"Because you're selfish," Roxas gasped, letting out a loud moan as Axel gave his crotch as squeeze. The blonde was already hard.

The bathroom door opened and Ven stepped out. He found his brother being smothered by Axel. Ven felt extremely awkward watching.

"Um, the bathroom's open," he stated. Roxas turned his head to his brother, a heavy blush on his face.

"Okay," Roxas replied shakily. "Tha..." Roxas hissed as he held back a loud moan. Axel was still devouring his neck. "Axel," Roxas warned. The red head climbed off of Roxas. As he stood, he picked up the blonde and threw him over his shoulder. Then he headed to the bathroom.

"Thanks Ven. We'll be out later," Axel stated.

"Wait, you're showering together?" Ven asked, strangely shocked.

"Of course. Who else would wash Roxas's back for him?" Axel slipped inside the bathroom and locked the door. Ven was left standing in the middle of the room, lost and confused. He grabbed a key card and went to his dad's room across the hall.

"What's up, Ven?" Auron asked.

"Dad, I think Roxas is having sex in the bathroom." Auron chuckled.

"He's old enough to do what he wants."

"But that's gross! I mean, how does that even work?!" Auron ruffled Ven's hair.

"When you're older, Ven. Just be happy that your brother is happy."

"Well, I am happy. Axel's really nice. Usually gay people are all creepy and in-your-face, but Roxas is still, well, Roxas." Auron smiled.

"You're growing up too fast, Ven."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Not at all."

Back in the bathroom, Axel had stripped away Roxas's clothes and most of his own. Roxas lay on the ground, his chest breathing heavily and his eyes filled with lust.

"You look so damn sexy," Axel growled as he slipped out of his boxers.

"Just fuck me already!" Roxas replied breathlessly. Axel gladly obliged.

After a round on the bathroom floor, they turned to the shower. The hot water cascaded over their bodies as they passionately fucked each other on the shower floor.

"Axel…" Roxas breathed as the red head licked his erection. He gasped as Axel's teeth gently ran down the sides of his cock, ending with a heavy sucking. Roxas moaned as waves of pleasure coursed through him. Axel wiped his tongue around the tip.

"Beg me," Axel growled.

"Please!"

"Harder."

"God, Axel, please! Make me cum!" Axel sucked harder. Roxas felt himself hit his peak. His back arched and he let out a strangled cry. "Please, make me cum!" he begged. He could feel Axel smirk on his cock. Right before Roxas his his orgasm, Axel slowed, drawing out the climax. Roxas went nuts. He squirmed and clawed at Axel's shoulders. "God, you are like nirvana…"

"Do you want it?" Axel teased, licking the tip playfully.

"YES! I want to fucking cum! Stop torturing me and blow me already!" Axel chuckled.

"I don't think you want it." Roxas moaned loudly as Axel licked the length of his cock.

"Please, Axel," Roxas gasped.

"Hm, well, alright." Axel devoured Roxas. The blonde jerked as he hit his orgasm. As his body relaxed, he panted heavily. Axel greeted him with a kiss, letting Roxas's fluids run down his own throat.

"Why do you enjoy torturing me?" Roxas whined.

"Because it's fun and you enjoy it." Roxas opened his mouth to protest but was silenced by his lover's kiss. "Don't deny it."

"Okay…" They locked lips and let their hormones calm down. By the time they shut off the water, Roxas was practically asleep. Axel helped him out of the tub and dried them both off. Roxas wrapped the towel around his waist and went to get changed, Axel following close behind. They pulled on their PJ's and crawled into bed, spooned next to each other.

XxXxX

The next morning Ven woke to find the pair spooned together. He smiled at the sight. Roxas truly looked happy. 'And that's what matters.' Ven thought.

The group packed up before lunch and headed back to campus. Roxas's family spent the night at his apartment since they didn't want to drive the rest of the way home. Auron was exhausted. Roxas didn't mind. He spent time with Ven and Naminé, and even Wakka. Auron and Axel got along well too. It was like a big reunion.

When Roxas's family had to leave the next morning, Roxas felt a little sad. Despite his love/hate relationship with his family, he found deep down he truly missed them. He gave hugs to his siblings and even Auron gave his son a large hug. As they drove off, Roxas felt a weight sink in his stomach.

"Hey Roxas," Axel called from inside. Roxas stepped inside the apartment, shutting the door behind him. Axel sat at the counter. There, on a small plate, sat a cupcake.

"What's this?" Roxas asked, walking over.

"You're Christmas present."

"But I didn't get anything for you!" Roxas protested. "And you already set up the trip for me! Now I owe you two presents." Axel chuckled.

"Nah, I'm just doing this because I feel like it. You don't owe me anything."

"Are you sure?" Axel stood and kissed him on the forehead.

"Positive. Now eat your damn cupcake!" Roxas smiled and picked up his treat. It was an almond cake with raspberry filling and a cream cheese frosting. It was scrumptious.

"So what are we going do to the rest of our break?" Roxas asked as he popped the rest of his treat into his mouth.

"Not do homework." Roxas laughed.

"I double that. Anything else fun planned?"

"Nah, I just figured we wing it."

"We should throw a surprise New Year's party for when Demyx and Zexion get back."

"You know, that sounds like a great idea. Demyx is a wild fan of parties."

"Then let's do it!" The men set to planning straight away.