Shugo: ohmegaaahd ((dies)) this... is SO past overdue... this is like.. a CHRISTMAS chapter and it's almost the end of january! ((gets shot))

Okay, seriously, chapter six waslike... the corniest... gayest... cheesiest thing i've ever written.
AHAHAHALOLOLOL ((dies))
maybe it wasn't. whatever your opinion is.

thanks for reviewing at least XD

Well... hope this chapter isn't as bad as the last. Roxas was fun to write. Like, seriously :D

Though... there is some pretty pointless information...

hey, what can I say? I went a little overboard.

if anyone finds any mistakes.. i am SO gonna

go back to fix them XDDD

oh yeeeeaaaaaaaah. new beta reader! :DDDD
Lorien Moore you are too amazing for doing

this and putting up with my insanity at the same

time. i totally love you. ((chocolate falls from sky))

-- - - -- - - - -- - -
sunshine in a bag

CHAPTER o7 : happy holidays, you bastard

''I'm wrecking this evening already and loving every minute of it,
ruining this banquet for the mildly inspiring and...''
-Panic! At The Disco 'There's A Reason These Tables Are Numbered, Honey. You Just Haven't Thought Of It Yet.'

.x.Roxas.x.

After that night, things slowed down.

To me, it felt like everything stopped in its tracks.

November quickly worked its way far into December. A few day before Christmas actually. And it seemed like I was in an idle state while everything else speeded by me. I think the relationship between Axel and I slowed down too. Not that we really had one to begin with but, y'know, friendship-wise I guess. I think we drifted apart, even a little. Exams were coming up in maybe three-four months but I had already started studying for them. Donneven give me that look. I like a head start, okay? Is that OKAY with you? Yeah, thought so.

Anyway...

Amazingly as it seems, Axel had stopped trying to start up random make-out sessions with me. That is, after that one time he tried to seduce me in the restaurant's broom closet.

...But we won't get into that right now, now will we?

Speaking of the restaurant, Axel was right. After the first couple of days, I was already into the flow of how things worked there. There was that one time when Yuffie was carrying empty wine glasses. Apparently, the party she was serving drank all the wine and then complained that they had asked for iced-tea. Bunch of assholes, right? Anyway, I was walking to the table she had been serving moments ago with plates of soup on a serving platter in one hand and a pitcher in the other. The iced-tea. I half-expected the party to say they wanted the tea, just not iced. Well, they seemed to really have pissed Yuffie off and she wasn't paying attention where she was going so we nearly had a head-on collision. She had stumbled and flew forward. At me. So I swerved to the left and had to practically spin around her. Rikku had, by that time, run forward and was catching falling wine glasses. And I simply stared back at them while a few other workers whistled. Axel included.

Yuffie had said that if this job ever became a pain in the ass, I would be amazing at catering. I just shrugged the way I usually do when I receive compliments.

Well, back to Axel.

So, last night, Axel had chased me around the apartment using a piece of broccoli and cornered me in his room.

NO, nothing happened. Honest. Would I lie to you?

I'm serious.

But here I was, lying awake in Axel's bed at six in the morning with his arms wrapped loosely around my waist.

Okay, okay. So maybe I lied to you a little. A little. Everything really had slowed down. Until he started trying to seduce me again, that is... which was last night.

I nearly had a heart attack when I had realized where I was. But I kept quiet because if I had woken Axel up, my heart would start running a race and I'd have a heart attack and a coma. Despite the fact that things between us slowed down and stopped, my feelings for Axel decided to accelerate unbelievably.

Yes, I admit that I, Roxas, actually have feelings for him, Axel.

Please, feel free to shoot me.

Yeah, I was trying to hard to prevent this when Axel was at it, but now that Axel stopped doing anything to me, I guess it allowed my feelings to get stronger. I don't get it either. I mean, how the fuck can you get closer so someone you've been trying to push away? And here I was, blushing up a storm.

But honest to goodness, I couldn't tell him how I felt. All those things he had done to me... he was teasing. I could tell he was just tugging at my emotions and pushing my buttons. I must say, I miss the constant teasing. If he hadn't stopped, I wouldn't be in this situation right now. Damn him.

...Jesus, I'm starting to sound like a girl.

I sighed an managed to turn myself on my side and away from him. I didn't want to see his face now, I didn't want to see his face when he woke. I just plain didn't want to look at him even though I knew it wouldn't help me in any way, shape or form.

''Rox, look this way.'' I jumped, making a leap off the bed, but Axel arms were still secured around my waist. So technically, all I managed to do was flail. And let me tell you, that will get you no where.

I huffed in frustration and turned to face his way. ''Yes?'' I asked, using quite a lot of willpower to keep myself from blushing.

Axel only looked at me with a puzzled expression. I gave him the same look back.

''Tell me again why you're in my bed?''

''...You were chasing me around the house with veggies.''

''...Oh yeah. Y'know... Roxas... I had put down the fork long before I began running after you.''

I only blinked slowly at him. ''Really.''

''Yep. Well, anyway, lie back down. It's still early and I want my pillow back.''

''What are you-'' But before I was able to finish my sentence Axel had already pulled me back down and was using me as a makeshift pillow.

Do I look like I'm stuffed with feather's to you? No. Didn't think so.

I sighed. I shifted around. I sighed even louder. I squirmed around some more.

''Will you quit that?'' Axel mumbled.

''Or what?''

''Or this.''

He was suddenly on top of me holding my wrists above my head and straddling my hips. I merely squirmed without too much enthusiasm. He'd let me go at some point anyway. So I waited. And waited some more...

Okay, I've been waiting for about five minutes already and I think I lost all feeling in my legs and arms.

''Do you mind?'' I had meant it to be more intimidating and mean but my voice just wasn't up to it this early in the morning so it came out as a simple question. Even Axel raised his eyebrows.

He smiled at me and lightly bonked me on the head. ''Sure thing, sunshine.''

I rolled my eyes at the nickname, not even bothering to fight it anymore... I think I'm getting attached. I rolled off the bed and promptly fell to the floor where my left knee made contact with the floor. I winced visibly and let out some sort of half-assed whimper, holding my leg as I sat on the floor.

''What was that, Roxas?'' Axel questioned, his head poking over the edge of the bed.

''Well, you have just witnessed one of the most clumsiest just-woke-up people on earth.''

''Ah. That's what you are. Compared to me, then I must be the most coordinated person on earth.''

Sighing, I rolled my eyes at him again. ''I'm so sure.''

I stood up making my out of the room. Not before making a quick glance at the window. It's been raining for two weeks already. I'm not even lying. But this time I just had to stop and stare. Fixedly.

''...Axel?''

''Mm?'' he muttered, managing an attempt at getting out of bed.

''C'mere.''

''Give me a good reason.''

I sighed. That was Axel for you. ''Get over here or I'll kick your ass.''

He supposedly found that a good reason because he was already standing next me, staring out the window.

''Now, tell me if I'm seeing right,'' I told him as he squinted at the brightness.

''Snow,'' he breathed. ''It snowed last night...''

I don't what it is about the first snowfall of winter that makes people all excited but all of a sudden Axel and I were whooping and jumping up and down and grinning our asses off.

I pushed open the window and leaned out. My finger met the snow on the ledge and cold air hit my bare chest and I shivered. But, God, it was amazing. It was like someone came through the city last night and painted it white. They were probably cleaning this stuff up already farther into the city. I sighed. It would only be a matter of time before they came here. But holy shit... It was beautiful.

I breathed in, feeling the cold, fresh air (or as fresh as you can get in the city) cracking in my lungs. Boy, that had felt good. Something about the snow just makes everything seem so... new... and clean. Just... wow...

x.x.x

I was sitting on the floor under the window with a pillow behind my back and a pre-test packet on my lap. There wasn't really much to do and whenever I was bored, and it depended on my mood on what I wanted to do. And now... I felt like going through the pre-test. Or... continuing. The packet was fucking huge! Not even joking. Ask Axel. He has one too. Though I have to tell you, I was kind of... surprised when he told me that he'd decided to take an attempt at Traverse and Trinity. But that meant that we might not be going to the same college and-

''Roxas,'' Axel suddenly spoke from the couch where he was watching TV. I looked up at him so fast that I think I heard my neck crack. ''Jeez, what is up with you, man? All I ever see is you with you nose buried in that stupid thing.''

''Yeah? Well, I've only seen you look into it once.''

Axel shrugged. ''So? Doesn't mean I have to take it apart and try to decipher it. Magnifying glass included and all.''

''Well, how else are you supposed to study?'' I asked him, quirking an eyebrow.

''Memorize it. Eventually it all comes back to you.''

''Eventually,'' I repeated.

''Mmmhmm.''

I closed the packet and threw it on the table and sat down next to Axel on the couch.

''Okay, fine,'' I huffed. ''What do you propose we do?''

''You wanna go out later?''

''O-out?'' I choked out, my eyes wide. He. Was. Asking. Me... Out? And he had said it so casually too.

''Yeah, out. Like, y'know, outside?'' He looked at me, giving me a cocky grin.

I frowned and hit him hard over the head.

''Easy, man,'' Axel laughed. I crossed my arms stubbornly and turned away from him. Just... aggghhh... he's so frustrating.

''Yeah,'' he said finally. ''I meant out as in out on a date.''

I actually looked behind me to check if it really was me he was talking with. Honestly. ''With me?'' I asked, blinking at him.

Axel only laughed and ruffled my hair. ''Yes, with you, silly.''

My jaw literally dropped, I'm not lying. This better have not been some cruel sick joke.

Axel leaned forward, his warm breath hitting my neck. ''So what do ya say?'' he asked me, tilting his head to kiss my jaw. I only looked away, sure that my face color had surpassed red and he gave me a cocky grin. If he kept it up, my face color would permanently change. Yeah, not pretty.

''Sure,'' I said finally, shrugging. Wait... I-what?

''Cool,'' he said, leaning back against the couch and continuing to flick past the channels.

And only a couple of hours later, I found myself walking along the street next to Axel down to Starbucks. And all it's Fritalian glory. Or was that Dunkin' Donuts? Anyway.

''So tell me,'' Axel said as he stirred his coffee with a straw. ''Did you have a recent girlfriend? Like... y'know.. before...''

I nodded, taking gulp of my own coffee and feeling it burn my throat. I coughed a couple of times. ''Before Marluxia? Yeah.''

''What was her name?''

''...Orette. She was one of those girlfriends who was just... well... a girlfriend. There was no past to us, and obviously as you can see now, no future.''

This was so weird. Here I was on a date with Axel and he was asking me about my girlfriend. Uh-huh...

''What do you mean, just a girlfriend?''

I sighed, thinking of a way to explain. I knew what I was talking about but I wasn't sure how to word it. ''Like... well... we started dating before we even really knew each other. And we learned so much about each other after that. And since we haven't known each other before, there was nothing to lose if something happened. Like... we weren't really friends, I guess. And then we suddenly broke up. Can't remember why though. But... I think... I think I would've like to become a real friend to her.''

''Oh,'' said Axel. And the way he said it made it seem as though he really did understand. ''I think I know what you mean. Like, it's different when you go out with someone you don't know as opposed to your best friend. Something close to that, right?''

''Yeah...'' I replied, smiling slightly. ''Something like that.''

We were quiet for a few more moments before Axel asked, ''Did you like her though?''

''Orette?''

''Duh.''

''Oh, yeah. At one point I was almost convinced that I actually loved her. But... it never worked out.''

That was the last thing that was said before moments of comfortable silence stretched between us. My hands were finally warm enough that I removed my gloves and I reached across the table, my thumbs stroking those diamond-shaped tattoos underneath Axel's eyes. Axel simply grinned and raised his eyebrows in a questioning way.

''Why'd you get em?'' I asked.

He shrugged. ''Ahh, y'know, was pissed at the time. Your normal parent-tries-to-control-teen-with-raging-hormones drama. I guess... I guess I got them because I wanted to show people that I was old enough to make decisions on my own. That, and they're fucking cool.''

We both laughed before someone stepped up to our table. She had on a long winter coat and her blue eyes shone from underneath her blonde bangs which were matted down with a hat.

''Naminé!'' Axel exclaimed so suddenly that I literally jumped. ''What're you doing here?''

She shrugged. ''Hi Axel, Roxas. Just, you know, passing by. I saw you through the window. I was actually on my way to your place, but since you're already here I guess I don't have to... Well, anyway... I was actually gonna tell you that I have a party this Christmas Eve.''

''Oh, okay,'' Axel replied.

Naminé smiled at us. ''Just wanted you guys to know that. Kay? Later you two.'' And with that she turned and left.

I looked at Axel, tilting my head questioningly.

He took a sip of coffee and shrugged. ''Every year, someone throws a Christmas party. Guess it was Nami this time. And like... even though it's the city and stuff, I'm friends with a lot of people who are friends with other people and so on. So I know a lot of people. And we've been doing this since we were little.''

''You've lived here for a while?''

''Since I was born.''

''...Have you ever been to see the ocean?''

''Once,'' he said, leaning back in his chair to look out the window. ''When I was five. My... my mom took me. But I don't remember much...''

''Oh'' was my only reply. I had been in this city for... over two months? But in that one moment I just felt so left out of everything. It actually hurt a bit. I didn't really know anyone. And I couldn't believe Axel had only been to the ocean once and forgot it! It sounded like he was imprisoned here or something.

''So you coming?'' Axel asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

I shrugged and finished the last drops of my coffee which were already cold.

''Some date, huh?'' Axel spoke again, this time with a roll of eyes.

''It was okay,'' I said, laughing softly.

''Yeah, I had an ecstatic time!'' Axel said, waving his arms dramatically.

I could only grin at him. Seriously. ''Ax, I could've cared less how good or bad this date was. I mean... you still asked me out anyway, didn't you? It's the thought that counts, isn't it?''

Axel suddenly leaned over the table, his breath warm against my ear. ''How about I treat you to something better later today?''

...I am sooo going to kill him. And god will I enjoy it.

''What do you say Roxas...?'' he whispered, gently nipping at my neck to which I responded to with some half-assed whimper. God, this was so fucking embarrassing... I was literally radiating heat. A-and... as much as I don't want to admit it... I was actually getting aroused. Oh god, this isn't happening...

''Shut up, Axel,'' I muttered, pushing him away.

And when we got back home, as much as I thought that he was going to like... rape me or something, he didn't even lay a finger on me.

x.x.x

And so, a few days later...

Bang bang bang!

''Roxas? Roxas! Dammit, open this damn door already. GOD! I should've dragged his sorry ass to bed instead of letting him stay up until seven... in the morning! ROXAS!''

More banging from outside my door.

''Go away,'' I groaned, turning over on my side.

I hear a series of clicks coming from the door handle. He's actually trying to pick the lock... jeez.

''I said GO AWAY!''

The door suddenly burst open and a very pissed off Axel stormed in.

''Goddamn, this isn't even allowed to be called sleeping in. It's five in the afternoon! FIVE! We're supposed to leave in an hour to Naminé's! This isn't sleeping in! It's a fucking coma!''

Axel pulled off my blanket and I simply curled around my pillow. Then he took to pulling me by my arm even though I had the other one hooked around the bedpost.

I heard him 'tsk'ing behind me as he let go of my arm. ''You leave me no choice, Rox.''

I rolled my eyes. Or as much as a person can roll their eyes while they're closed. But I didn't care if I rolled them or not or if my eyes were open or not because I suddenly felt Axel's hand.

...In my pants.

''JESUS CHRIST AXEL! WHAT THE FUCK!''

He just gave me a semi-perplexed look and shrugged. ''Hey, I did say that you left me no choice. Now get your ass out of bed or I'll do it again.''

Yeah, that made me wake up. I kept grumbling even as I brushed my teeth and dressed in a pair of jeans and a dark green t-shirt that looked like it was splattered with white paint. And then came the problem where I couldn't find a sweatshirt. I had like... FIVE. There was no way they could all be in the laundry. So I checked anyway. They were.

''Axel?'' I called, poking my head into his room. He was just pulling on a shirt.

''Mm?''

''Do you have a sweatshirt I can borrow?''

''Yes but you can't.''

''But Axel!''

''Jeez, Rox! Calm down, I'm joking.''

My vision suddenly darkened as he threw a dark brown sweatshirt at me. I pulled it off my face and over my head. The sleeves had little holes for the thumbs.

''You can have it if you like,'' he said, looking at me. ''It's too small for me now anyway.''

''Thanks...'' I mumbled, playing with the drawstrings... Wait a sec... ''Too small? Hey! Just what are you implying!'' It might've been ''too small'' for him,'' but on me it was a bit big.

Axel only chuckled and threw his car keys at me. ''Here. Go start the car, I'll be down in a bit. And remember. Red Acura. Not blue. Reeeeeeed.''

''Shut up!'' I snapped, stomping out the door.

I think you can get what he's saying. And if you don't by now, I hate you and won't explain it or talk to you ever, ever again. Hmph.

It took me a couple of tries to get the key in the lock since my hands were shaking from the cold. After I finally got it (six tries!) I sat myself down in the driver's seat. I've only been in Axel's car once and that was when we went to get groceries. But that was the time I offered to come along. And it was the time I was completely exhausted from work and ended up crashing the second I sat down. Yay.

I stuck the key in the ignition and turned it, hearing the engine roar to life. Speaking of roaring engines, you should've heard it when you switched gears. Here was this tiny car that could wake up whole neighborhoods. I swear! I haven't ever actually driven this car though. I pretty much forgot how to drive stick. So I was going to take my chance this time.

I finally heard a door creak open and snap shut and seconds later Axel was tapping on my window.

''You got a permit, kid?''

I nodded. Another few seconds later, he was getting into the passenger's seat.

Um... wow. I never actually thought that he'd let me drive.

''Uhh, h-how do we get there exactly?'' Didn't think of that now did we, Roxas?

''Route 5, exit 37, 65 Speno Lane,'' he replied smoothly, closing his eyes and leaning back against the seat.

''Oh.'' Okay. Now we know that.

...Now let's see if I can remember how to back up.

I pushed down the brake, let go of the emergency brake, pushed down the clutch and shifted into Reverse. Setting a foot on the acceleration I eased my other foot off the clutch. The engine stopped once on me before I managed to get out of the parking lot and out onto the road.

''Not bad, Rox,'' Axel said. It was then that I realized he had been watching me the whole time.

''Eh, I forgot everything already,'' I said, shrugging.

''Anything else you forgot how to do?''

I pouted, glancing at him. ''Why do you want to know?''

''Curious.''

I tapped the steering wheel, thinking for a few minutes. ''I forgot how to play guitar... How to sing, even though I'm a horrible singer anyway.''

Axel cut me off with a laugh. ''Well, when we get to Naminé's I'm gonna have to make you play something for me. Her brother has a guitar.''

''She has a brother?''

''Some blonde dude named Seifer.''

''...Some blonde dude.''

''Yep. Some blonde dude. So, what do you play? Do you, like, make up your own stuff?''

''Nah,'' I said, shaking my head. Passed exit 23. ''I like listening to different bands and picking up on the melodies and once I have that down, the lyrics. Heh, in high school, me and a bunch of my buddies would always throw shows in our school gym or our garage. It was fun...''

''So what songs did you play?''

''...Lots.''

''Name them.''

''But that's too many!'' I huffed.

''From the top of your head?''

Okay, it was getting hard trying to concentrate on the road while a list of song floated through my head. Exit 24...

''Um... well, we did a lot by Fallout Boy and Panic! At The Disco... some by October Fall... uhh some by Sugarcult... some others that I can't remember... and... oh, we did, like, two songs from Story Of The Year 'cause I only knew two songs by them.''

''That's pretty cool- Roxas, concentrate on the road!'' Axel hissed at me and turned the steering wheel himself.

''S-sorry...'' I mumbled after we avoided a near-collision with a mini-van.

''S'okay,'' Axel said, ruffling my hair lightly. I felt his hand linger on top of my head for a moment before he pulled away, the warmth going too. ''...You're just probably a little sleepy, that's all. Either that, or you're thinking too much. Don't hurt yourself now.''

''I'll kill you. I'll fucking stop this car in the middle of the highway and kill you,'' I dead-panned.

''Sure, Roxy,'' he said, waving a hand dismissively.

Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back to the road as we were both enveloped in silence. The streetlamps blinked on finally when the stars began to appear. Funny, it was cloudy this morning, but the night sky was clear. I was actually glad that I had someone to spend Christmas with. In all my other years, I'd stay with a roommate for about a week, two weeks tops. So I never really got to know anyone. Not like I wanted to know them anyway. Just... some people in this world are total bastards and we can't do anything about them except imagine them burning in the deep fiery pits of hell.

...Wow. That's deep.

But... Axel was different. He came up to me first and tried to get me to open up... and I did. Slowly, but I did. And I still am. He still doesn't know everything about me and I still don't know everything about him. Maybe we'll never find out. Maybe we just need some time. But out of all the people... I'm happy it was Axel. He's just so... likeable. Everything about him is. I don't know how it can be everything, but if you ever meet one of these sort of people that you totally like, like everything about them, from their hair style to their sense of fashion to their personality, then you'll know. That's the person you love everything about. There's one other reason... but... I'll just wait to say it to him. HAH, you don't know. And I do. So, NAH. Right...

''Exit, Rox. We're gonna pass it.''

I blinked. The exit was slowly coming up while I was on the other side of the highway. There was no way I was going to make it to the other side without missing the exit. Hunh.. I looked around a bit to catch sight of any hiding police cars. None.

''Hold on,'' I muttered. I pushed down on the brake and managed to swerve in behind the car in the lane next to us. After that, it was just a matter of slipping in the right places. I caught Axel looking at me again, grinning.

''What?'' I asked with a quirked eyebrow as the car slowed at a red light.

He shook his head and chuckled. ''Nuthin.''

x.x.x

''Roxas! Axel! You came! I almost started thinking you wouldn't be coming.''

Naminé grinned at us, practically bouncing up and down on her feet. ''Well, don't just stand there! C'mon in. You look cold.''

I nodded and proceeded inside shakily. It was freezing out and I didn't even wear a coat. So, beside the fact that I was freezing my ass off, we were here... at Naminé's... FINALLY. We-I literally passed the street six times. And then the house twice. I don't see how though. It was the biggest house on the street! A mansion. Literally.

Once we were inside I looked around. All of the walls were either white or warm cream colors. The ceiling was high and smack in the center hung a dripping chandelier. And the people... I only recognized about...a fifth of them. Great.

Naminé sure did know a lot of people.

Anyway, she showed me around a bit. It was your typical house. Except with more rooms. And furniture. And room. And... yeah.

Whatever. Ignore my mood. I don't particularly like being in big crowds. Especially when I know so few people.

Anyway, there's not much to tell. Christmas music was blasting somewhere farther in the living room, people were dancing or going in and out of the kitchen. Guess I couldn't find solitude in there. To make it even worse, Axel drifted off somewhere and I couldn't see him.

A squealing, flying blob of blonde instantly brought me from my thoughts.

''Roxas!'' said the... blob... clinging to me.

''Rikku... I... can't breathe...!'' I gasped out, feeling her constricting arms blocking my air passage.

''Oh! Haha, sorry, sorry!'' she said, quickly letting me go. I rubbed my neck a few times, catching my breath.

''You enjoying yourself?'' she asked. I dunno. Was I? For some odd reason, I just wanted to get the hell out of here. But... Rikku was with me at the moment soooo... I guess it wasn't that bad.

''Um.. yeah. It's not to bad. Listen, have you seen Axel?''

Rikku shook her head no. ''Saw him a few minutes ago. He's around here somewhere, though!'' Yeah, like the thought would make me feel better. Not really.

And just like that, she skipped away somewhere. I had only blinked and she was gone. Great.

So I took to spending about half an hour leaning against the wall, having people I didn't know come up to me saying they heard about me through Axel. I finally got fed up with that I headed outside to sit on the front porch. The last thing I saw before closing the door was Sora (yes he was there) looking like he had been or was going to cry, clinging onto, you guessed it, Riku.

x.x.x

I was able to think much clearly once outside. I sat down on the cold steps, breathing in and feeling the cold air cracking in my lungs. Something cold fell on my face. Only when I looked up did I realize it was snowing. Great. Now I'm going to be even colder. I knew I should've brought a jacket or coat or... something. I sighed seeing my breath escape in a huge puff of air. For some reason or another, I didn't feel like I should be in there.

A shiver ran through me. I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt up and pulled the sleeves over my hands. Didn't help much. A light suddenly spread out in front of me and I saw my shadow in the snow. Then it was gone.

''Hey, Roxas,'' a voice whispered into my ear.

I yelped and jumped at the unexpected voice. Said voice laughed. Wait...

''A-axel?'' I asked, turning around. Sure enough, it was.

He chuckled and sat down on the steps next to me. He was silent for a moment before turning to me. ''I was looking all over for you. Why are you out here?''

I shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. ''No reason. Just wanted some fresh air.'' I trembled at bit as I tried to keep my body from shaking from the cold. It just made me even colder.

''You didn't bring a jacket?'' Axel asked with a raised eyebrow.

''D-didn't think it'd be so cold...''

''Rox, it's snowing. Duh, it'd be cold.''

''G-good for y-you.''

I heard the sound of a zipper and felt something nudge my knee. I turned to look at Axel, seeing that he was holding his coat open.

I tilted my head at him. ''...e-eh?''

Green eyes rolled at me. ''Get over here.'' When I made no move to... well, move, he reached out and grabbed my wrist, pulling me forward. I landed with an 'oomph!' against his chest and his coat closed around the both of us. I looked up at him and blinked. Our faces were so close that our noses touched.

''What are you doing?'' I asked, frowning.

''Heh, keeping you warm, sunshine.''

I frowned even more at that. Blushed too, I think.

''Stop caaalling me that!'' I whined.

''You know what, Roxas? It's a little thing called 'live with it'.''

My bottom lip jutted out.

''Now, c'mon, you can tell me what's wrong,'' he said, smiling.

I though for a few moments before replying with, ''You'll laugh.''

''...Try me.''

I sighed and pressed the side of my face against Axel's chest. The warmth easily spread through me, calming me down.

''It's just... like... I­-I barely know most of the people in there and... I... I feel out of place. Like I don't belong.''

Axel simply gave me a quizzical look and raised his eyebrow.

''A-and...'' I continued slowly, ''I sorta... panicked? When you walked away. Like, I thought I'd be able to see you and all despite the people, but I didn't.'' I tugged on a lock of his crimson hair.

''Ohh,'' was all he said. Then he fell silent, his eyes moving away from me. Finally he spoke up again, ''Sorry, Rox. I didn't think about that. I forgot how you are, I guess.''

''What am I like, then?''

Axel cocked his head to the side and looked down at me. ''...You're... really closed up. Or you were when I met you. And it's hard earning your trust. You don't open up that easily to people either and you sometimes act cold... and for you, it takes a bit more... to finally get to your heart.'' He unwound an arm from our somewhat awkward embrace and placed his hand against my chest. I hoped he couldn't feel how hard my heart was pounding. He probably did though, because his eyebrows raised and his smile turned into a smirk. I stuck my tongue out at him and moved his hand away so I could lean against his chest again.

''...Guess I opened up to you,'' I finally said.

''Funny how things work. In the beginning, you acted like you hated me.''

I cringed, remembering the first day I moved into Axel's apartment. ''I... sorta did actually... but I was wrong.'' I was too quick to judge, too quick to hate... and to quick to close myself from the rest of the world.

''Mmm.''

I sighed, completely relaxing against Axel. I could fall asleep right then and there. But the feeling ebbed away when I felt one of Axel's hands move away from my back and pull my hood off my head. And then something started brushing against the tips of my spikes, irritating me to the point I had to look up.

''Mistletoe,'' Axel said, smirking slightly. The small clump of leaves hung from his fingers above my head. I could only blink stupidly at him. And then his mouth pushed against mine and all I could do was lean back with wide eyes. He leaned back finally, still close enough that our lips brushed and his warm breath mingled with mine. Before I could stop myself, I leaned back in, kissing him again. Moments later we broke away, both with less air than we had to begin with. I instantly leaned back against Axel, closing my eyes.

''You tired?'' I heard Axel ask, his hand running through my hair. I gave a small nod. He easily stood up, sliding one arm under my knees and the other under my back.

I don't remember much after that but I can recall Axel asking Naminé if she would let him put me in the guest bedroom. And stairs. I remember stairs. And a bed. An unbelievably soft and comfortable bed. The mattress sinking as Axel sat beside me and stroked my hair. His lips against my forehead. And then darkness.

I must've woken up some hours later since the clock on the bedside table told me it was midnight. I frowned, wondering why I woke up. I was still as sleepy as god knows what.

''Hey... wake up, Rox..''

I managed to open one eye but decided against it and rolled away to try to fall asleep again. The prodding in my side wouldn't allow it.

''Roxas...''

''Mmnn...'' I mumbled, refusing to move. I heard Axel sigh and practically saw him roll his eyes. I felt his arms slip under me and lift me up. Yet I still didn't open my eyes.

Axel carried me from the room to downstairs where I heard Naminé whisper ''Hope you had fun. Merry Christmas.''

"Yeah, had a blast,'' Axel replied softly. ''Merry Christmas to you too, sweetie.''

The sting of cold air told me we were finally outside. I felt myself drifting off again. No driving for me tonight. I hope Axel didn't have any alcohol..

x.x.x

Shugo: yay!! chapter seven is finally done!

((dances))

took me a damn while.
that wasn't what i really/
wanted for the ending
but i forgot what i did
want so i just ended it

there. sowwwyy.

mmyeah.

reviewkayplzthnxbai.