(CHAPTER 3 EDITED 2/6/10 Ummm... I fixed some of the interaction between AxelRoxas and KairiRoxas and made Roxas's problems a bit more clearer.)
shugo: Damn, this one is loong. o.o And wow, the feedback isn't half bad.
And... just don't ask about the chapter title. xD I should also warn you that there's a bit of angst here. Not like, ''OMG-I-HATE-EVERYTHING-I-SHALL-SLIT-MY-WRISTS!'' kind of angst.
Just a little. Cuz with every romance comes a little angst. So there. ((evil laugh))
I have a beta reader. :3 fweeeeee!
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Darkness-Heart, AnimeDutchess, Artymas, blockofthewritingkind, Shadow of Darkness 22, De dromer, and tiduskazurakitesora
THANKS FOR REVIEWING CHAPTER 2!
- -- - - - -- -- -- - -
sunshine in a bag
CHAPTER o3 : peach and lime daiquiri
-roxas-
"Too bad you can't buy a voodoo globe so that you could
make the earth spin real fast and freak everybody out."
-Jack Handley, The New Mexican, 1988
I had no sleep last night. Absolutely none. At all. It was just me, the bed, and the ceiling (which, by the way, I was currently staring at). Hey, was that a crack? There? Just to the left-no, the other left-of that swirly patch that looked a bit like my-
Last night was still fresh in my mind. I don't quite get why it bothered me so much. Wait, bothered? I suppose I should say bothers, really. I mean, Axel carried me home. And I kinda, well, liked it... See? That's the problem. I'm not even sure if I was supposed to like it. That's why it's such a problem. Grah, everything is a fucking problem these days!
Like, for example, when you go to Starbucks and ask for a small coffee and they say, "Sorry, we don't have small."
And you say, ''What? What the hell do you mean you don't have a small coffee?"
And they say, "We only have Tall, Grande, and Venti."
And then you think that these companies are crazy because you want a fucking small coffee and the equivalent to that is a Tall. Oh how smart, they're making you think you're getting more for less when they change the goddamn name and keep the cup small, calling it a Tall. Last time I remember, tall was the complete opposite of small. And what the hell is Venti? I mean, it's not normal. You want a fucking Large and they insist on calling it Venti? What kind of Nazi speak is that? Stupid, conformist coffee chains.
Ahem, sorry, getting off topic...
The alarm went off for eleven in the morning even though I hadn't even fallen asleep. Once. Boy, I'm sure gonna be pissed today. I looked past my alarm clock and at the window. It was raining and the drops seemed to splash almost merrily against the window panes. Dammit. The weather report said it was supposed to keep up 'till tomorrow. I just hoped there wouldn't be a thunderstorm. Scare the shit out of me. Yeah, I admit it. And Sora too. Cloud's the only one who doesn't mind. And ugh. Thinking about my brothers isn't making me feel any better. How awful was yesterday? We could barely talk to each other!
I sighed heavily, reminding myself that I'm supposed meet Kairi in less than an hour. Oh joy. No, not that I had a problem with it or anything.
So about Kairi. She's my best friend. Yeah, she. And shut up. I don't want to hear any bullshit about a guy being friends with a girl. I mean, if you're a guy and you don't have one female friend, you need help. Okay, you know what? I just wasted a minute of my life explaining to you.
I swung my legs off the bed and walked to my closet. Slipping into a black zip-up shirt and dark skinny jeans, I went out my bedroom only to be thrown forward onto my stomach.
"Ugghh..." was all I managed, inwardly wondering what sort of Aeon I managed to piss off. I think my knees got rug-burned. Ow. I turned my head-or, turned it as much as someone can when their cheek is pressed into the carpet.
"Good morning, ya little shorty!" Axel chirped enthusiastically (and loudly) in my ear. Shorty? Excuse me? Just because you're, like, a full fucking head taller than me doesn't mean-
"What the hell, Axel!" I shouted, thrusting by elbow back and it'd connect with something. It did and Axel tumbled off me and onto the floor, overtaken by a fit of laughter. I think my eyebrow shot up on its own.
"...What are you high on?"
Axel rolled his head towards me, and I shivered at the animalistic smirk on his face. And at that, Axel jumped on top of me, only this time it was much more uncomfortable, since he was sitting on my stomach and pinning my wrists to the floor. I frowned at him and his stupid smirk and his stupid red hair and his stupid tattoos, but I think it passed off more as a pout because Axel suddenly said, "Aw, Roxie's cute when he's pouting."
And then crazed red-head leaned down, and I felt his lips brush against mine and my heart leapt into my throat. Right where my breath was stuck. Lovely. With my luck, I would probably choke and die.
"Wh-what the shit?" I yelped out and braced my hands against his shoulders, roughly shoving him aside. "What the fuck is your problem?!" I scrambled away from him, otherwise I'd probably smack that innocent smile right off his face.
"Okay! You know what?" I jumped to my feet and stalked to the kitchen, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge and then heading into the bathroom to grab my toothbrush, squirting toothpaste on it in the process.
"You are crazy. I'm going to Kairi's," were the only words I spared him as I walked towards the door.
But considering the fact that I had a toothbrush in my mouth it came out more like "Yoo ah cwazee. Ah go-in' thoo Kai-ee's."
Axel's brows shot up, and so did the corners of his mouth. He looked far too amused for his own stupid good. And yes, I did receive weird glances from people as I walked to Kairi's house with a toothbrush sticking out of my mouth. And yes, I did flip them off.
x.x.x
Kairi was probably the only person who was part of Sora's group of friends... yet still my best friend. I preferred to keep to my own group of friends instead of traipsing around after Sora like a lost baby duck with a spoon in his brain, but Kairi happened to be one of the few people I was extremely comfortable with and had known for a long time. I didn't bother sucking up to Sora's other friends, but Kairi was something more. She was the only one who knew of my situation, and had the decency to keep things to herself. The fights, the bad influences, my ex...
"... I think Axel likes you," Kairi laughed at me from her walk-in closet.
"No he doesn't!" I protested, throwing my hands in the air and falling back on her bed. The comforter puffed up around me and I grinned. "I think he just likes seeing my expression afterward."
"No, he likes you! I know him, okay? Just trust me." Kairi paused and stuck her head out from the closet, eyes wide in shock. "And you like him!"
"How'd you come up with that conclusion?"
"Oh, please, I can tell. Besides, Naminé told me how you were checking out his ass."
I propped myself up on my elbows, giving Kairi a completely deadpan expression. There was no way she was possibly serious about that. I mean, there's no harm in appreciating a nice piece of ass right? Doesn't mean I have to spread my legs for the owner right? Or even like him for that matter.
"Don't give me that look," she scolded, waving her finger at me like I was a two-year-old child sneaking cookies before dinner. "You know you were checking him out."
"Nu-uh," I protested, crinkling my nose in distaste. "I don-AHAHA, Kairi, what are you wearing?!"
She had finally stepped out, dressing in black flats and an a-line sort of dress that went down to her thighs. And get this: The dress was dark pink with a thick strip of black going around the middle. Remind you of anything?
"Oh, my God!" I barked out a hysterical laugh, nearly toppling off the bed. "You look like a fucking Powerpuff Girl!"
Kairi frowned and I didn't even have time to think when she threw her shoe at me. It made contact with my head with a loud thump, and bounced off. "And there's a problem with that because?"
"No no, there isn't a problem," I snickered, dodging another shoe.
"All right then, lets go."
Kairi grabbed the keys to her car and we headed out the door. Unfortunately for me, I failed my last driver's test, while Kairi passed with the flying colors of the rainbow. And because she now has a license, she has a car. And said car is a white Lincoln. And let me tell you, for a two-door car, the thing's pretty massive, and it did not come cheap. Did I mention she was rich and practically lived in a mansion?
(And why did I not move in with her, you might ask. Two words. Overprotective. Father. You know the type, the one who almost has a seizure when his baby girl comes home babbling about her first boyfriend.)
x.x.x
I officially hate shopping. With women. And just women in general. Plus shopping. Ugh, Kairi skewered my brain...
An hour or so, right before I felt the driving need to throw myself out a window, my back pocket began vibrating like crazy. I fumbled for my cell phone and flipped it open. Text message.
Why, hello, shorty, having fun on
your little shopping spree? :P
-Axel
I frowned at the phone, wishing with all my might that it would explode if I stared at it long enough. It didn't.
So I punched in
Go screw something
-Roxas
How mature. I know. But the whole shopping thing had irritated me, and Axel only added on to the effect.
"Rox, you okay?" Kairi asked, peering over my shoulder.
"How in the four corners of Ifrit's hell does Axel know my number?"
Kairi visibly tensed behind me and grabbed my arm. "Roxas-let's-go-over-there!" she shouted loudly, dragging me into American Eagle.
Kairi.
I let it go for now, but not for long... After a visit to about twenty different stores-I lost count at thirteen-we were sitting in the food court, sipping away at smoothies. My cell vibrated in my pocket again. About time. Uh.. not that I was expecting it or anything...
'Screw something?' Like you?
Sure I could do that.
-Axel
I blinked slowly at the phone, wondering why in the name of Shiva I was cursed today. I let out an angry breath through my teeth, practically stabbing at my phone's keys.
STOP MESSAGING ME!
-Roxas
"You gave him my number, didn't you?" I grumbled unhappily, glaring at my phone.
Kairi poked her index fingers together nervously and averted her eyes. "I... uh... might've..." She cringed, possibly waiting for my explosion.
Instead, I took a breath, trying to steady myself.
"And why exactly?"
Kairi sighed, frowning slightly. I didn't like when she frowned. It meant she was being serious, she was going to say something that would make me think about it later, something that might possibly hurt. Plus, it didn't look good on her. She looked better when she was smiling and carefree. Like Sora. He... he looked better when he was smiling too...
"Roxas, you need to get over that fact that you and Marluxia are over." And she looked straight into my eyes as she said this. And, dammit, it was hard to look away, and my chest constricted, both from her eyes and her words. "Everything is over now. It's okay. It's alright to relax, be a little happy."
"So you just want Axel to bang me? Or the other way around?" I ground out bitterly. I didn't mean to sound so... mean, but it almost felt like she was trying to set me up. Especially when I was still hurting.
Kairi's amethyst eyes widened at me, slowly. "No!" she cried out, shaking her head frantically, her eyes shining. "I would never want anything to happen to you that would hurt you! Especially not like that... not ever again. You've just been.. so insecure lately." There were tears brimming along the edges of her eyes and guilt was making my stomach twist. "A-and I know Axel.. I w-was hoping he would b-be able to loosen you up a b-bit, make... you smile for real again..." I watched with a frown as her shoulders started to shake, her hands clutching at the edge of her dress as salty tears dampened the fabric.
A few people in the food court stopped and stared, so I edged closer to her and slung an arm around her shoulders.
"Kairi," I whispered, feeling myself smile. I got off my chair and sat in the one next to her. Kairi hiccuped and absently rubbed her eyes with her wrist. I pulled her into a tighter embrace and felt her small body shake against mine. "I love you, Kairi," I murmured, dipping my head closer and nuzzling my nose against her hair. "I'll be okay. Just give me some time."
"Ch... love me like a sister," she grumbled back, a tiny laugh flitting around the edge of her voice. She sighed softly and lifted her head, leaning her forehead against mine. "I just worry about you way too much, you dummy," she whispered, and I felt her lips brush against mine, the scent of strawberries overwhelming my senses. My back pocket vibrated, signaling that I had a text message, and jerked me back to earth.
"You gonna answer that?" she hummed, widening her eyes at me.
"...Fine." I finally relented, squashing down in the inhumane urge to simply chuck it and just sit here with Kairi without interruptions for the rest of my life.
Roxas, do you hate me?
-Axel
I stared at the screen for a long moment, just a bit taken back.
"What did he write?"
"He.. he's asking if I hate him..."
"And what are you gonna saaay?"
This was hard. To be truthful, I didn't know if hated him or not. It was a pretty neutral feeling. At moments he was likable, at other moments I wanted him choke on his breath. I mean, I didn't really hate him, there wasn't really a reason for me to, but there were moments where he made me want to cringe. But... I had to give him credit. It had barely been a little over a week and already he was trying to squirm into my space. I started to type in I don't know, but stopped halfway through.
No, I don't hate you.
-Roxas
I bit my lip. Sure, I was still wary around him, especially after my previous relationship encounter, but... I guess... he was okay.
"So how about we get going?" Kairi asked, tugging at my arm and slipping her hand into mine. "Ice cream?"
"As long as it's sea-salt."
"...Dammit, that means I have to drive across town, don't I? Damn you."
I only gave her a bright grin, feeling it stretch across my face with less effort than before. After finally relocating her car and setting off, I sat there silently in the passenger's seat, flipping my phone in my hands.
I guess that's good enough.
Cause. I like you Roxas.
-Axel
Some hesitation. I was hoping he didn't mean it that way.
You do? WHY?
-Roxas
I don't know. Because you're
really not as bad as I initially
thought you were. I don't know
do I really need a reason?
-Axel
Maybe. Gotta go now.. Talk
to you back at the apartment
I guess..
-Roxas
x.x.x
When I opened the door, Axel was sprawled over the couch, watching what looked like a horror flick on the Sci-Fi channel and tossing popcorn into his mouth. I rolled my eyes after hearing him cackle when some girl got her head severed, and kicked off my shoes, stepping farther inside the apartment.
Once he noticed I was there, Axel lowered the volume and turned to look at me with a smirk and a cocked eyebrow. "Well, if it isn't blonde, emo and short."
"I'm not short. I'm just growing very slowly," I protested smartly, giving him a pointed look.
Axel hummed and his eyes flicked downwards, towards my mouth, where a Popsicle stick was poking out past my lips. "Ice cream?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Me and Kairi went to Scrooge's." I shrugged and ambled into the kitchen, spitting out into the trashcan. I kind of hovered around the fridge for a few seconds, wondering if I was hungry or not, and when my stomach didn't make any whiny noises, I decided to head back to my room and crash for the night. When I turned around, I instantly noticed that Axel... wasn't on the couch anymore, but standing right in front of me. I frowned in confusion, but all he did was give me a small, simple smile.
My brain instantly shut down when Axel placed his hands on either side of me, cornering me against the counter. When he leaned down, the warm scent of cinnamon and Old Spice rushed into my head, and our breaths mingled even though my own was caught in my throat, and I couldn't swallow, couldn't process simple thoughts, couldn't do anything. My breathing was becoming shallow and Axel's eyes strayed on my lips before flickering up to my eyes. His body was inches away from mine and my head was ringing with warning bells, and I didn't know what to do. Push him away? Run? Move... closer?
Part of me demanded answers, writhing about in a panic. I wasn't used to being so close to people again, even the possibility of considering closeness sent fear rushing through my blood. But at the same time... that other part of me wanted to step closer, wanted to trust the guy who took me in without questions, the guy who was making an attempt to make me feel comfortable despite not knowing a thing about me, or why I was this way.
That same part of me idly noticed things about him that I hadn't before. How a strand of his hair stuck out randomly at the top, how those diamond tattoos under his eyes were violet and not black, how his eyes were so bright green, how close he was...
I gulped as his warm breath whisked across my cheek and stopped at my ear.
"You smell like Sea Salt ice cream," he murmured, and the feeling of his lips brushing against my ear sent involuntary shivers racing up my spine. "Do you taste like it, too?"
My eyes widened, mind blanking for a moment. Was he really suggesting what I thought he was?
Just when I thought he was going to pull away and laugh it off as some stupid joke, just to piss me off, he surprised me yet again.
Before I knew what was happening, his lips had crashed against mine, hard and hot. My heart jumped, sank, and exploded all at the same time, the warning sirens screaming at full blast. I gasped out against Axel's mouth from lack of breath and surprise and he took it as an invitation trailing his tongue along my bottom lip. My body responded on its own accord and my tongue flicked against his. I felt Axel purr into my mouth and his body moved closer, pressing me against the counter. My head was spinning by then, too confused to make sense of anything, far too spazzed out by trying to control my... uncontrollable body.
...And it was over as fast as it started.
Axel pulled back with nothing but a thin line of spit connecting us and an infuriating smirk on his face.
"Mmm... I never really did like sea salt... but that was pretty good."
A sudden, rampaging wave of emotions hit me like a tsunami. I wanted to shout a him, yell at him, hit him... I was so mad right now. How fucking dare he play with me like that? How dare he tug at my emotions, and scare me like that, watch me panic and grin at it?!
Gritting my teeth, I shoved him back, ignoring his startled expression, and stalked to the door, throwing my shoes on as quickly as possible just to get away faster.
"I'm sleeping over Kairi's," I snapped, throwing the door open and practically sprinting into the hall, because Axel was coming after me now, reaching for my arm.
"Rox?"
"Don't touch me!" The shrilling begging surprised not only Axel, but me too. I couldn't remember the last time I sounded like that. I narrowed my eyes angrily at his and jerked my arm away, stalking towards the dark staircase. I just wanted to get away from him, from his confusion, his face, his eyes... He knew shit about me and thought he had the right to do that to me!
It was raining outside, and I didn't hesitate to run, concentrating on only the sound of my footsteps pounding against the wet concrete. Kairi's house was a half-hour run away and I didn't stop for a second, not even well I called to let her know I was on my way.
"Kairi?"
"Roxas...? Hey, what... what's all that noise?"
"Kai, I'm... sleeping over your place."
"Huh? Is something wrong?"
''N-no, nothing wrong! Everything is fine. I'll see... see you soon.''
After ending my call, I shut off my cell phone in case Axel tried messaging or calling me. And when I arrived at Kairi's, soaked to the bone, she didn't dare ask me why I was crying. Yeah, I fucking cried. Me. Roxas Strife. Crying, and for the first time in a long time. It took Kairi three cups of tea to calm me down. She didn't ask me what was wrong either, because I didn't feel like telling her and I think she somehow knew anyway. In the end, I simply stripped to my boxers collapsed on her bed, mentally and physically exhausted.
"Roxas? Rox?" I felt her sit down on the bed beside me, and her warm hand was on my bare back, rubbing wide, gentle circles.
I didn't want to speak or look up or anything. So I pretended I was asleep.
x.x.x
shugo: HAVE MERCY ON ME THAT WAS MY FIRST MAKE-OUT SCENE!((cries)) Role-plays don't count...
Ahem...
Okay, before anyone asks or anything, no, Kairi did not kiss him. And if it looked like it did... well the end of this chapter makes up for it I guess. And I didn't make Kairi a bitch because I actually like her. I even support soraXkairi and roxasXkairi. Though not as much as rikuXsora and axelXroxas. Cuz yaoi is teh pwn :D SO DON'T HATE ME!
Plus, I feel that the KH girls are getting neglected... So there.
And yes, I have imagined Kairi dressing up as Blossom. And Namine as Bubbles. And Yuffie as Buttercup. 8D I'm queer.
Omg.. I was looking at AkuRoku fanart on DA while writing this. ((insert squeal here)) And I finally made my own account! ((tears of joy)) Uh... okay... so..
And I will be using that reply button. So check your emails and stuff... I'll probably be replying to a few of your reviews. Note 'few' cuz I'm lazy. xD
So review! Review I say! I'll dance! I have brownies! ((cries))