(CHAPTER 4 EDITED 2/10/10 - I wasn't really... able to salvage this one as well as the other three. Hopefully, it came out better this time around XDD Marly was mentioned, but the situation was not yet explored :'D)
shugo: For those of you wondering, that Starbucks rant is from Foamy. And from my dad too. Cuz we went to Starbucks once and yeah.. hehe. And omg lookit all those pretteh reviews.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Kill-All-Flamers, muddPiEE., blockofthewritingkind, Darkness-Heart, ff-reader, AkuRokuFanGirl, Shadow of Darkness 22, Nil1875, Rockr4Life, and animefan4life12
Ah, and I apologize for.. this WHOLE chapter. It might be odd in some way or another. I wrote it and didn't really check it. Don't ask about the chapter title again. Plus, I was listening to all four of Dane Cook's CD's in a row while writing this and was reduced to a laughing pile on the floor.
Dane: I love the Justice Files. Because I love justice. And I love files. And when the two combine, I could blow a justicey load.
xD aha, sorry if I've just contaminated some of your minds.
Dane Cook is one silly bitch. :D
- -- - - - -- - -
sunshine in a bag
CHAPTER o4: sharpie
-axel-
"My baby's pretty as a car crash, subtle
as a splinter, yeah, my baby's smooth as
sandpaper, warm just like the winter."
-The Pink Spiders modern swinger
"You... You kissed him?" The fauxhawked blonde in front of me blinked, mouth hanging open in shock.
"Yeah..." I laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of my neck.
Demyx hummed in interest and swiveled in his chair, staring out at the display window for a moment. And it was Monday, and the mall was bustling with people. Thankfully for me and Dem, there weren't that many people idling in the music store at the moment, and we simply lounged behind the counter, getting on each other's nerves.
"And he ran out on you?"
"Uh-huh... He's probably pissed as hell at me."
Demyx snorted and turned towards me, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, but why did you do it? Do you like him or something?"
Huh. Did I like Roxas? I mean, to be honest with you, sometimes I just do things on impulse. I'm not even sure what in Gaia's holy name possessed me to kiss him yesterday. I don't remember drinking anything, yet at the same time, my head came up with this brilliant idea and made me shove my tongue down the poor kid's throat.
No. I have no control over my bodily actions.
"I.. don't really know."
"I say you do." Demyx grinned at me, waggling his brows. Yeah, like I was supposed to listen to that?
"... I'm taking a break, Dem."
''Okay!'' He smiled and slumped back in his chair, giving me a creepy, almost x-ray kind of look. I really had to stop hanging out with the kid... He was starting to be able to read my mind. It was horrid.
I sighed to myself and shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans, slouching my way to the food court. Interestingly enough, when I got into the line for Burger King, I noticed a familiar spiky head of brown hair standing in front of me, humming to himself.
I grinned and reached out, poking his shoulder. "Hey, Sora."
He jumped in surprise at the touch, whirling around to face me with wide eyes. It took a moment (one that where I inwardly laughed at him for it) before he realized who I was.
"Ah! Oh, Axel, hey! Skipping work?"
"No, just taking a break without permission," I said, rolling my eyes.
Sora laughed and shook his head, stepping up to get his order. After retrieving his tray (I won't describe his preferred palette, but believe me when I say the kid eats like a lion), and having a little mishap over forgotten ketchup packets (I think he drinks the stuff), he dragged me over to a secluded little table, popping french fries in his mouth."
"Say, where's Riku?" I asked as Sora drowned his french fries in ketchup. "You two are practically joined at the hip."
He snorted softly and shrugged, looking back over his shoulder as if expecting his boyfriend to pop out from behind a plant. "I forgot what store we were in but I suddenly got hungry and ditched him."
I burst out laughing, but the sound quickly died down when Sora met my eyes, a frown tugging down at his lips. "Kairi called me. She said Roxas came over crying. He never cries. Did you do something to him?"
My voice instantly faltered, and I slouched in my chair, suddenly feeling very guilty. Geez, the kid didn't waste any time in getting straight to the good stuff. "Uh, um, I... might've.."
He sighed and averted his eyes to the table, twisting a finger around a lock of hair. I was almost concerned, never having seen him so pensive and serious before. Finally, he sighed and decided to speak. "It's just that... ever since-"
"Sora! I can't believe you fucking left me!"
Sora and I swiveled our heads up simultaneously, only to see Riku storming over to our table with his mouth pulled into a frown.
"I was huuungry!" Sora pouted. Riku opened his mouth to say something but Sora stuffed french fries in his mouth.
They bickered shortly, resulting in Riku sitting in Sora's lap and trying to give the boy a noogie. I decided against pressing Sora for further juicy details, because I wasn't quite sure if he wanted to bring up issues about his brother in front of Riku. The boy was such a mystery, despite the fact that his life was so close to mine. "...Uh, hey listen, my break's over. I'll be leaving you now."
Riku swallowed with difficulty, wincing past another handful of fries, and managed out, "B-break? You mean... when you ditch work?"
I deadpanned, staring at him and then Sora, then shook my head with a sigh and left the table, forgetting that my sole mission had been to get something to eat.
x.x.x
Besides meeting Sora and the food court and not having a chance to wheedle out of him what was wrong with Roxas, it was a pretty average day; nothing out of the ordinary. I came home from work and ordered myself a pizza. Being the 'generous' guy that I am, I saved a few slices for Roxas; he still wasn't back from Kairi's. He must be pretty pissed about last night. Not like I could've helped it if I'd wanted to, but... I really wanted to kiss him. Call me an idiot or whatever you want, but I really wanted to and well, my body just sorta did it on its own... You know, when you don't want to do something, but you sorta do, and the dominant part of your body takes over and-
I hope it hadn't been my libido talking.
...Cue silence.
...Anyway, there was supposed to be one helluva thunderstorm starting around six-ish, and, sure enough, when Roxas came traipsing through the door at a quarter past six he was soaked to the skin. His hair was dark and plastered to his face, and his hoodie was dumping a generous waterfall on the carpet. I could make out his scowl from under the darkness of his hood (which didn't do a good job in protecting him), and the soft curses he uttered under his breath.
"The rain caught ya, didn't it?" I asked, trying to sound friendly and not push his buttons.
"Sh-shut the h-hell u-up," Roxas grumbled, toeing off his shoes and kicking them towards the door. I could tell he was still trying to sound mad, but his chattering teeth somehow ruined the effect and made it a... well, cuter.
I bit my lip to keep from myself from chuckled and pushed myself off the couch, heading to the bathroom to grab a towel for the kid. By the time I came back, I was surprised to find his clothes in a dark, soggy heap on the floor, and the blonde himself standing in the middle of the living room in nothing but his boxers, arms wrapped around himself and body shaking from the cold. I barely managed to squash the urge to give the poor guy a hug and tossed him the towel instead.
"Th-thanks," he managed out softly, running it once through his blonde locks before swinging it over his shoulder.
I smiled, a little glad that he was somewhat tame. By now, I'm sure he was just trying to forget about last night.
"You're welcome," I chirped, unable to conceal my grin. "Now go put some clothes on, you'll catch a cold."
Roxas rolled his eyes at me, shaking his bangs out of his face. "Who are you? My mother?"
"Nope! Just a concerned roommate. I mean, I don't want you to get your sickly germs all over me. That's the last thing I need. Roxas germs."
Roxas just stood there and blinked at me from under the towel with those large blue eyes before huffing under his breath and stalking towards his room. "You're such a queer, you know that?"
Well, Foxy-Roxy, I did kiss you back there.
I followed after him, my grin stretching even further. "Ah, so you've been paying attention?"
Roxas snorted and pulled his closet door open, tugging out a pair of sweatpants and an over-sized t-shirt. "What, are you gonna stand there and watch me change? Creep."
"Roxy, there are nicer ways to ask me to leave, you know that, right?"
I had him glaring at me from the moment I bestowed him with his new nickname
"Out! Outoutoutout!" he shouted at me, his cold hands bracing themselves against my back. I laughed and let him push me out the door, trying not to trip and faceplant on the floor. Roxas stalked out five minutes later, clothed and pissy, and sunk down on the couch, arms crossed tightly over his chest. I walked over, just about to offer him the last of the pizza in case he was hungry when something along the lines of a cannon shot sounded outside. I was just barely able to make Roxas jump in fright before the lights flickered and completely shut off.
"A-Axel?"
"Yeah?"
"I c-can't see anything..."
"No shit, Sherlock."
A burst of light illuminated the window, throwing dark shadows against the wall. Roxas's eyes were wide and bright, face pale and frozen. If I didn't know any better... I swear I just heard him whimper. I went over to the window and peeked past the curtain, where the rain pounded against the glass and thunder rumbled overhead.
"Rox?"
"...What."
"You okay?"
"...What kinda fucking question is that?"
"Don't bullshit me, Roxas. I heard you." I looked back over my shoulder, trying to find him in the dark.
Roxas didn't say anything so I decided to continue.
"You and Sora have the same problem?"
"...Y-yeah.. it's a long story.."
Sora was absolutely terrified of thunderstorms. Last time a big one hit the city, he showed up at my apartment and glued himself to my side, since Riku was at school. I couldn't get the poor kid off me until Riku dropped by to pick him up.
"C'mere."
"I can't see anything!"
"Then follow the sound of my voice!"
"No, you come here!"
I rolled my eyes in exasperation, and felt my way back across the room, trying not to trip over anything. Another crashing boom took me by surprise and I tumbled forward, my legs hitting the side of the couch and my upper body falling over on top of a smaller, shakier one.
"Why, hello," I purred, smirking up at him. Roxas narrowed his eyes, bright in the dark apartment and shoved his hands against my shoulders. My smirk turned into a full-blown grin.
BOOM!
The body beneath mine froze, and the heart in the chest pressed against mine fluttered. I shifted my weight and slid off him, dropping down into the open space right beside his hip. He tried to edge away from me, gain some distance, but thunder rumbled and an earsplitting clap seemed to shake the furniture. Before I knew it, I had an armful of a shivering blonde. Light flashed through the dark room and Roxas tensed, gripping tightly at my shirt.
"Heh, Rox, calm down! It's not that bad," I murmured, trying to sound comforting. "C'mon, lets find some candles, you'll feel better with some light."
He didn't protest, and even let me take him by the hand to lead him into the kitchen. It was even darker in there, with no window, and I used my hand to feel along the cabinets. "...They should be somewhere on top, I think..."
"You can't reach up there," Roxas said, voicing my own thoughts.
"Uh huh, that's why you're gonna help me."
"...How, I'm shorter than you."
I smiled innocently in what I hoped was his direction and slipped my hand out of his grasp. I found new purchase on his narrow hips and tightening my hold, slowly lifting him up. "Like this." He shook in my arms from surprise, teetering dangerously and gripping my shoulders.
"Ah! Axel, what the hell!"
"Well, hey, now you can reach the candles."
Roxas only grumbled incoherently at me and stretched out his body, fingers sliding over the dull wood. Before long, we were situated back on the couch, with about ten little tea-light spread out over the coffee table. The rain wasn't letting up outside, and, in fact, I'm sure it was coming down even harder than before.
"You weigh like a piece of paper. Are anorexic or something?"
"I could say the same thing about you," he grumbled, glaring at me and shifting around until he was laying back against the armrest.
"Huh, oh really?"
''Your hips, like, jut out. You have girly hips."
I swatted his hand away when he poked at me and grinned. "Oh yeah? Well.. you have a girlish frame!"
He crossed his arms and quirked an eyebrow, a half-hearted smirk pulled at his lips. "Ah, so you've been checking me out?"
Interesting response. I half expected him to lash out and blah blah blah, attack me, but spending the night at Kairi's seemed to have calmed him down. It was almost like he was... flirting a little with me, despite having a complete meltdown the night before.
"Uh huh, well it's kinda hard not to when you step out of the shower half-naked!"
Roxas opened his mouth to retort (probably with something nasty from the looks of the scowl on his face) when there was a rumble and he tensed.
"...So you were saying?"
x.x.x
We managed to pass an hour together peacefully (yes, shocking, I know) and made a half-assed attempt at getting to know each other a little more.
"Favorite Jolly Rancher flavor?"
"Watermelon."
"Color?"
"Orange. You?
"Green."
"Oh, really?" I inquired, lifting my brows at him. "You don't look like a green sorta guy."
Roxas tilted his head at me. ''I suppose I don't look much like anything, huh?''
''Nah, just, uh... agh, never mind.,." I frowned, furiously wracking my brain for another acceptable question. "So, uh, who was the last person you went out with?''
Roxas smirked at me and crossed his arms. "Why do you want to know? Are you implying something?"
"No, I'm just curious!" I replied honestly, giving him my best pout. Maybe I'd finally be able to make sense of all these... problems that seemed to be circling him.
"Neh, a guy named Marluxia," he said, shrugging offhandedly. "But, uh, it didn't go too well."
"Why? What happened?"
Roxas narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing me as though thinking of whether to tell me or not. "Things. I don't really feel like talking about it right now. It's personal information, no offense."
I shrugged, not having actually expected for him to come out and tell me in such a short time. Sure, we've known each other for over a week, but... even so, I shouldn't be prying. "So.. you're completely one hundred percent gay?"
He laughed at me as though I said something extremely amusing. "I'm bi. I thought we already had this conversation. Anyway, a lot of girls these days are real ho's, y'know?"
I nodded, a small laugh escaping past my lips. "Yeah, that's true. Too bad about, uh, what's-his-name. It really sucks when things don't work out, yeah? When there's a relationship, and a relationshit."
Roxas slowly blinked at me, breathing out a soft, disbelieving laugh. I grinned back, feeling myself bristle with pride for cheering him up. He must've noticed, because seconds later he scrunched his nose and stuck his tongue out. "...So, you like horror movies?"
"Mm, yeah. I was watching something last night but then you had to interrupt," I scoffed, jabbing a finger at him. We suddenly both became awkwardly silent the moment those words left my lips. Last night..
I frowned and averted my eyes to the edge of my shirt. "Uh, say, Rox-"
"Just forget it and shut up," he said, turning his head away from me.
As if. Sure, I had enjoyed the kiss, and had wanted to kiss him in the first place... but I felt guilty as hell for upsetting him that badly. "No I won't. I'll keep thinking about it 'till I explode, so... I-I'm sorry... for kissing you." I finished sort of lamely and shrugged, chancing a glance up to Roxas.
He sat there silently for a long while, contemplating my apology. Even in the horrible lighting, I could just make out the way his cheeks darkened. "I-it's cool,'' he muttered, coughing awkwardly. "Just... don't do it again..."
It was there where I was a little stumped. There he was, blushing up a storm and telling me not to kiss him again... even though he kissed me back last night. So I took the dangerous road, and decided to simply... test him a little. Just to see how he'd respond.
"Hey, Roxas, think fast!" I grabbed the cushion lying innocently behind me and chucked it at his face.
He quickly reacted and moved out of the way.
"Aw, you're no fun," I pouted, huffing at the unfairness of it all. "Give me your pillow!"
"What? No! Get your own!"
"Hey! That's technically my pillow."
"Yeah, well, it's mine at the moment."
I grinned coyly and lunged forward grabbing the pillow, and he pulled it back, making me fall right against him, our noses bumping together. Roxas tensed beneath me, breath catching in his throat.
He tried to look at anything else but me. I watched him carefully, waiting for him to pull away, but he never did. So I tilted my head slightly and leaned forward, our lips brushing, making Roxas blush even more. He finally looked up at me, his sapphire orbs locking with mine, dark and swimming with an emotion that I couldn't quite understand. Confusion, maybe? At this point he was splayed back against the couch and I was leaning forward, straddling his hips. I held his gaze, one of my hands sliding up his arm, over his shoulder, lightly up his neck and jaw. His face was hot beneath my fingers and I smiled, dipping my head down those last couple of inches until out lips met.
He didn't respond to my kisses, but his hands, curled tightly into the front of my shirt, didn't push me away.
So I pressed on and ran my tongue along his lips, coaxing him to open his mouth. He hesitantly complied, lips parting under mind and his hands unwound from my front, slipping up until his fingers were threaded into my hair. So my surprised, he pressed back when I brushed my tongue against his and pulled me a little closer. The long-forgotten sound of thunder boomed outside and Roxas whimpered. I stroked his cheek with my thumb, hoping to calm him down and he wrapped his arms around my neck. The kid was responding just the way hoped he would... The way I wanted. I moved away and Roxas let out a sort of disappointed little moan, but it was okay because I pulled down the collar of his shirt and licked the dip of his collarbone, kissing up to his jaw line. His skin was warm and soft and clean from the rain, and I pressed closer, seeking out a pulse point below his jaw bone and giving it a light suck.
"Nngh, A-Axel..."
We must've been on the same brainwave or something because we both suddenly flew back from each other, clutching at our chests and gasping for breath. I could tell he was blushing as hard as I was. All I managed to do was laugh nervously, one phrase running over and over in my mind-
What the fuck just happened?
Roxas was the first to break the silence.
"I..I'm going to bed," he stammered, running into his bedroom as though I was planning on raping him on the spot.
I sighed and fixed my eyes on his bedroom door. Now I felt like ramming my head into a wall repeatedly sixteen times. I hope I hadn't scared him too badly. And at least he didn't run off this time. Plus, there was one tiny little thing that gave me some hope. He had kissed me back. Responded willingly. Had denial written on his forehead in proverbial sharpie.
x.x.x
shugo: ARGH! This chapter was so horrible.. ((tears)) I might have to go back and edit it.. I dunno. I got lazy and didn't really check it all the way through.
And now.. I have a sudden urge to write a cloudXsora fic so I'm gonna start on that. Cuz there aren't enough of those. And I think that's one of my new favorite couples.. o.O
And someone please lookit my deviantart page! (link in pro) I drew a soraXriku pic!
Review and make me happy. I shall give you... um.. let's see.. who likes donuts?