Axel stared at Roxas as the blonde stared at their list. Roxas was chewing thoughtfully on his eraser. Axel waited patiently as Roxas double checked their work. Finally, Roxas set the paper down and sighed.

"We're all set. All we have to do is wait," Roxas stated.

"Do you think they'll be surprised?" Axel asked, sipping his tea.

"They better be or this was a big waste of time."

"It gave us something to do." Roxas pondered it for a moment.

"I guess so." Axel chuckled and sipped his tea again.

"You ready for another round of school?"

"Hell no! I'm going to be jammed with twenty one credits this semester. Twenty one! I'm going to die!" Roxas pouted and lightly slammed his face into the counter. "I'm doomed."

"At least you're on track to graduate."

"You always know how to cheer me up."

"I would be a terrible friend if I didn't." Roxas smiled.

The days passed by and soon it was December 30th. Demyx and Zexion returned to the apartment during the afternoon. They looked exhausted but mildly satisfied. They had found a house to stay in eight hours away. Zexion would be teaching English at the middle school after he graduated. Axel and Roxas welcomed them back with muffins and a couple bottles of wine. Demyx and Zexion happily spent the evening unwinding.

The next morning the married couple slept in late. Roxas and Axel were dying inside to surprise the pair they could barely sit still. By lunch, Zexion appeared in the kitchen half asleep. He took a glass of juice upstairs and returned to sleep. Zexion returned to the first floor around four with Demyx in tow. They snacked on pudding and yogurt from the fridge.

Axel and Roxas met them downstairs. They exchanged several glances before Axel cleared his throat.

"You guys want to go to a party tonight?" Axel asked. Demyx instantly perked up.

"Where at?" the dirty blonde asked.

"The club here on campus. They're going to have a New Year's celebration and I thought it would be fun to go together."

"I'm game. How about it, Zexi? Up for some dancing?"

"Just so long as I don't have to talk to another real estate agent, I would be glad to go. God, if they try to sell me another house filled with mice, termites, squirrels or has a giant area rug covering a hole in the floor I'm going to snap someone's neck," Zexion seethed.

"Bad time house hunting?" Roxas asked.

"Don't bring it up. Zexion's pretty OCD when it comes to having a tidy house. Some of those places nearly had the guy clawing his brain out of his nose," Demyx replied with a grin. Zexion scowled and shoved another spoonful of strawberry yogurt into his mouth.

"Well, we're going to leave around nine," Axel said, bringing the conversation full circle.

"We'll be ready by then," Demyx promised. As Roxas and Axel headed back upstairs, they grinned mischievously at each other.

At nine, the four climbed into Axel's car and headed over to the club. It wasn't terribly busy since it was winter break, but there was still a good crowd of upper classmen and freshmen who didn't want to drive home for the holidays. The guys found a small table in the back and ordered a round of drinks. Then they hit the dance floor.

Roxas found himself having a blast. It was only his third time clubbing with his new friends but it was probably the most fun he had a club in his entire life. They laughed and danced. When they weren't dancing, they were telling stories over drinks at the table. Roxas didn't even think twice when Axel hinting he wanted to grind. It almost felt like second nature.

As it grew closer to midnight, the DJ riled up the crowd. A large clock was projected on the wall when there was only an hour to go. As the seconds ticked down to zero, the crowd chanted with the clock. When the clock ran out, everyone screamed "HAPPY NEW YEAR!". In all the excitement, Roxas gave Axel a quick kiss on the lips.

"Happy New Year," Roxas murmured.

"It's been a damn fine year so far," Axel replied in Roxas's ear. Roxas giggled and turned to Zexion and Demyx. They were just as riled up at the rest of the crowd.

"Hey!" Roxas called to get their attention. Demyx and Zexion turned his way. Roxas jerked his head towards the table. Everyone left the floor as another round of dancing started up. "Let's head back!" Roxas suggested.

"Now?" Demyx asked, a bit surprised. "It's still kind of early."

"Nah, we're just antsy to get home. Roxas has something he wanted to do," Axel replied.

"Well, alright, but you're not driving Axel," Zexion stated.

"What?!"

"You've had too much to drink. Honestly, I don't know where you put them all."

"Pft! You should have seen me in high school. This was an appetizer compared to then." Axel shoved his keys in Zexion's hands. He was grateful the dark haired man decided to be the responsible driver for the night. Driving around the holidays made Axel nervous.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Zexion handed Axel his keys back. Axel unlocked the door. He paused for a second.

"You know, you two never got a bachelor party," Axel noticed.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Demyx asked.

"Just saying." Axel swung open the door. Inside stood a small group of people with grins on their faces: Marluxia, Terra, Seifer, Riku, Sora, Lexaeus, and even Vexen. Demyx and Zexion were stunned silent. The counter was lined with cupcakes, various spirits, sodas, and bowls of candy.

"Wha…what is everyone doing here?" Demyx asked. The four stepped inside the apartment and Axel shut the door behind him.

"What the Hell do you think? We're throwing a party!" Seifer snapped.

"For what?" Zexion pressed.

"YOU, you goons," Axel laughed, ruffled the married pair's hair. They flinched slightly.

"But we didn't ask for a party."

"Too damn bad!" Riku stated. "Now get a drink and crank the music!"

Marluxia turned up the stereo in the basement and they passed out drinks. In their drunken state, as they were all of legal age including Sora who had turned 20 in the fall, they laughed hysterically at everything. They played several rounds of brawl to which everyone did terrible since their reactions were severely impaired but they didn't care. When they got hungry, they devoured the sweets lining the counter.

There came a point when Roxas thought it would be funny to shove a cupcake into Seifer's face. The older male responded by starting an all-out food war. Faces were smeared with frosting, flour littered the counter, and soda slicked up the floor. Sora used the hose on the sink to spray everyone until their shirts were plastered to their chests. Terra retaliated by opening the front door and flinging a snowball at Vexen's head. The guys took their fight outside and started throwing snow at each other. They didn't care none of them had jackets and only half were wearing shoes.

It was nearly six in the morning when they passed out in the living room. Everyone was sprawled out on various pieces of furniture. Sora had claimed the kitchen table and Terra was flopped over the coffee table. Axel lay sprawled on the couch while Roxas slept at the counter, his head buried in his arms. Seifer passed out on the stairs. Vexen lay snoring on the floor. Marluxia lay sleeping against the front door, a snowball still melting in his hand. Demyx and Zexion were tangled on a lazy boy chair with Lexaues passed out leaning against the base.

They woke up around ten the next morning. Everyone was cold, crabby, sticky, and hung over. Everyone took turns taking showers and cleaning up the kitchen. It had been a disaster area. The graduated men said their goodbyes the day after once their heads cleared. The apartment tenants returned to their rooms and went to sleep.

As the month progressed, a new semester started. College was back in full swing and everyone was busier than ever. Marluxia, Seifer, Zexion, and Demyx felt the pressure of their upcoming graduation. Roxas felt the crunch of taking too many credits while Axel was stressed in general. Riku and Sora, once again, seemed the only two unaffected.

It didn't help Axel much that when school started, so did the e-mails. His creepy letters from Xemnas had stopped during the break, in which he was grateful, but they were back and as stalker-ish as ever.

As the month grew close to February, Roxas felt his mind become unfocused. He couldn't help but think back to Axel's Christmas presents and he desperately wanted to do something for Axel. He just didn't know what. Roxas found himself going to Marluxia, once again, for some advice.

Axel was out shadowing when Roxas knocked on Marluxia's door. The pink haired man looked rather frazzled but he wasn't busy when Roxas asked to talk. Marluxia offered Roxas a strawberry Pocky as they settled down to talk.

"I see you ran out of ideas again," Marluxia teased.

"Well, it's different now," Roxas replied, shifting awkwardly in Axel's chair.

"How so?" Marluxia took a bite of his Pocky.

"Well, we're actually in a relationship now."

"You weren't before?"

"Well, not intimately. I feel like I would be going cheap if I just took him out to dinner."

"What about something really big and unexpected?"

"That's what I want to do! But, I haven't figured out what that is yet…" Roxas chewed thoughtfully on his Pocky. Marluxia's face grew stern.

"Just how serious are you two?" he asked quietly. Roxas shrugged.

"Pretty serious. I can't imagine us ever breaking apart."

"Do you think you'd want to take your relationship further?"

"Further? Aren't we already pushing it?" Marluxia shook his head.

"I was talking about marriage." Roxas nearly choked on his Pocky.

"Marriage?!" The look on Marluxia's face told Roxas the man was serious. Roxas felt like protesting but he gave the idea some thought. It rolled around in his brain for awhile. "Well, I guess I never thought of that. I could propose, but it's rather sudden. I don't even have a ring." Marluxia chuckled. He reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a black box.

"I thought this might happen so I came prepared." Roxas gaped at the man. "And yes, you owe me BIG TIME. But you can pay me back as we go." The pair sat in utter silence. Marluxia waited but Roxas just continued to stare. "Um, Roxas?"

The blonde jumped him, crushing Marluxia in an embrace.

"You are the best! I owe you my soul!"

"Yes. Feel free to sign the contract on your way out the door to make it official." Roxas released Marluxia and peeked inside the box. The ring was nested inside. "I hope you make it special." Roxas tucked the box in his pocket.

"I plan on it."

XxXxX

Valentine's Day.

The weather was surprisingly warm for being so early in the year. Roxas made sure to dress his best, turning to his trusty black cargo pants and red long sleeved shirt. He clipped his dog tag to his red collar and tried to make his hair a little less wild. Roxas had planned a double date for dinner with Pence and Olette. Things hadn't worked out between Olette and Hayner, although they were still friends. With some encouragement from Roxas, Pence got the courage to ask Olette out to dinner. She happily agreed.

Axel drove Roxas over to the restaurant and they met up with the shy couple. They talked over dinner and caught up over various parts of their lives. Pence mostly talked to Roxas while Olette engaged with Axel. Once they finished eating, they split their ways.

When Axel parked in the parking lot of the apartment complex, Roxas stepped out of the car and headed away from the door. Axel raised an eyebrow.

"Let's go for a walk," Roxas suggested. Axel shrugged, locked his car, and followed Roxas without question. They walked hand in hand in the park. The sun was setting on the horizon, making the sky red. Roxas felt extremely nerous.

'I never discussed this with Axel. What if he rejects me?! Fuck, my hands are sweating. I really hope he doesn't notice.' Roxas thought anxiously. Axel gave Roxas's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Something wrong?" Axel asked.

"Not at all," Roxas lied. Axel could spot Roxas's fib but he didn't comment. They stopped in the middle of the open park and watched the sky change shades of scarlet. "Hey…um, Axel," Roxas started.

"Yeah?" Axel was a bit concerned. Roxas was acting strangely.

"Would you ever want something like Demyx and Zexion have? I mean, a lifetime commitment?" Axel scratched his head.

"You mean marriage? Well, I guess I never thought about it much," Axel admitted. "I suppose I would be up for it, so long as it was with you." Axel smiled warmly. Roxas felt his heart melt. "Why? Why'd you ask?" Roxas slipped his hand from Axel's and gulped. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "Roxas?"

The blonde forced himself down on one knee and pried open the black box in front of Axel. His eyes were pinched shut and face cast downward. Axel stared stunned at the ring. It was white gold with a ruby inlaid on the inside of the band. There was also an engraving. Passion, it read in scripted letters. Axel blinked, unable to speak. Roxas's hands started to tremble.

"Would you marry me?" Roxas asked so quietly it was almost a whisper. Axel took a deep breath and smiled. He lifted Roxas's face. The blonde had tears in his eyes.

"I'd be an ass to say no to that face, but that leaves me with a problem." Roxas felt his heart clench in fear. Axel knelt down and reached into his pocket. "See, Marluxia gave this to me so I could propose to a certain blonde I know, who I happen to love unconditionally." Roxas's hands flew to his mouth, tears pouring down his face.

Axel opening an identical box to reveal his own ring. It was the same white gold band only there was a diamond on the inside next to the word Passion in scripted letters. Axel leaned closer to Roxas.

"Roxas, would you marry me?" The blonde whimpered and nodded. Axel pulled the ring from his box and slipped it onto Roxas's finger. Then he took the ring from Roxas's box and slipped it on his own finger. Roxas collapsed against Axel's chest, sobs racking his body. Axel rubbed his back gently.

"How the Hell are you so calm?!" Roxas spat.

"Because you're here with me." Roxas crushed the fabric of Axel's shirt in his fists.

"But I'm a wreck!"

"A beautiful one at that." Axel leaned down and kissed Roxas softly. The blonde reached up and tangled his fingers in Axel's hair.

"You never answered me…"

"Do you need an answer?" Roxas's eyes were pleading. "It's a yes. Got it memorized?" Roxas choked out a laugh.

"Yes, yes I do." Axel swept Roxas up into a passionate kiss. Then they curled up together to watch the sky turn black. As the first stars appeared, Axel hoisted Roxas onto his back. The blonde wrapped his arms around Axel's neck as the red head carried him back to the apartment.

'This is mine now.' Roxas thought. 'And I'm his.' He rested his head on Axel's shoulder. Axel smiled and carried the blonde smoothly all the way home. When Axel brought Roxas upstairs, he was already asleep. Axel tucked him in bed and kissed Roxas on the forehead. Then he returned to his room and changed into his PJ's. As he crawled into bed, he felt hot tears slip out of his eyes.

'God, that was scary. How the Hell did I manage to keep it together?' He wondered as he drifted off to sleep.

XxXxX

Marluxia drove Axel and Roxas off campus to a small town where they held a small ceremony. There were only a few people who opted to come. Demyx and Zexion were there along with Riku and Sora. Marluxia was Axel's best man. Pence was Roxas's.

Axel wore a black tux with a red tie. Roxas wore a white suit with a blue tie. The whole time the pastor spoke, Axel and Roxas's hands were tightly clasped. After the vows were given, they wrapped their arms around each other, their lips pressed together. Demyx and Sora cheered wildly while Zexion smiled contently. Riku's face was a blank slate besides the light smile brushing against his lips.

It was a new start and a new beginning.

XxXxX

Xemnas drummed his fingers on the table.

"Axel," he seethed. "What have you done?"