After listening to Caramelldansen over 100 times (and I'm still listening to it, and I think I wore out the track), I was finally hit with enough.. energy? to finally overcome my writer's block and finish this.

Dear lord. 100 reviews. I think I just died. ((weeps with joy)) Chapter dedicated to Incognito Indigo

So.. I wanted to get this done for AkuRoku day.. but thanks to NOT BEING HOME WHEN IT WAS AKUROKU DAY, I MISSED IT. My devart submission is a day late and this is two days late. ((grumble))

Well, anyway, enjoy. (sorry for the long song snippet XD)

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sunshine in a bag

CHAPTER o9 : blinded

"Sometimes this house feels like a prison, that I just can't leave behind, there's so many rules
I gotta follow, cuz you can't let go. I don't wanna hear it, and I j-j-just can't believe it, all the stupid
things you say, but... One day, I won't take this anymore, one day, I'll be old enough to do what I
want to. I won't have to run away, and you won't be there to say I'm not allowed to.. One day."
-Simple Plan 'One Day'

.x.Roxas.x.

"Roxas, honey, you're finally here!"

I felt myself being enveloped in less-than-comforting arms and get squeezed to death.

"Mom! Easy, you're gonna choke him!' Sora piped up, tugging on Mom's arm.

That seemed to do the trick because she suddenly let go of me. "Oh, but I'm just so happy he's home.." Mom wailed, magically producing a tissue from her pocket and blowing her nose into it. I merely stepped back a bit, feeling slightly creeped out.

"Mom, I was only gone for like.. what, five months..?"

"No, really? I hadn't noticed."

I sighed and shook my head. You're probably wondering what the hell is going on, right? Well, this morning, the day after Christmas, my brothers bounded (except for Cloud; Cloud does not bound) into my-uh.. Axel's apartment, and said that Mom demanded that I was over her house at once. So Sora and Cloud dragged me out of the apartment while I was half-asleep, leaving a dumbfounded Axel still in bed.

...I swear to god, if I hear another girl fucking squeal, I will stab you with a steak-knife. I don't know where I'll find one, but when I do, I'll poke your eyes out. So there.

I let Mom lead me to the kitchen table and seat me in the chair, silently preparing for her mile-a-minute questions. To be honest, right now, I wanted nothing more than to be back in bed. Back in the comfort and familiarity of Axel's presence. ..And I was still tired as hell.

"So, Roxas, sweetie, Sora tells me you're staying with one of his friends, right?"

I glared at my brother who was leaning against the counter and eating an apple, and he gave me a confused look. I just.. wanted to take a two by four and take it through his head. Didn't he hear me when I said I didn't want to go to Mom's? Maybe I could borrow that sword thing Cloud has and run it through So-

"Yeah, Axel let me room with him-"

"Axel? You mean that redheaded boy, right?" Mom asked, leaning forward on the table and resting her chin in her hands. I nodded.

"Oh, that's great that you have a place to stay at. Do you two get along?"

"Hmm? Yeah, he's nice to me."

"Yeah, Rox has the hots for him."

I think my face just turned about every shade of red known to man. "NO I DON'T, SORA!"

"Then why deny it so quickly?" Sora said, giving me a smug look.

No wonder I had felt the need to get out of this house.

"Because.." I ground out slowly, careful to not lose my cool. "I'm already going out with Naminé.."

Sora nearly choked on his apple. "Wh-what?! When did she ask you?!"

"Yesterday. Well, it was from Demyx, but either way..."

Sora stood there for a moment, processing what he had heard before walking away. The look on his face could've said that the apocalypse was coming or something.

"Oh, my baby boy has a girlfriend..!"

Heh.. yeah..

A girlfriend.

...Holy motherfu-

"Anyway, darling, are you hungry?"

"No... But I could go for some coffee," I said, glancing up at my mom. She quickly bolted up from her chair and set to work on making me breakfast, even though I just told her I wasn't hungry.. But whatever. Might as well eat.

I looked over at Cloud, who was silent as usual. It wasn't that he was really that anti-social, or didn't like talking, but sometimes it was just easier to say nothing.

He rested his elbows on the table and arched an eyebrow. I sighed and shrugged. Really, it wasn't that I didn't like Naminé.. It's just that, I barely know her. I know that she's sweet and pretty.. but why did I go out with her again?

Cloud shook his head and stood up. He walked out of the kitchen, ruffling my hair as he went.

x.x.x

The day progressed normally. Somewhat. Mom kept bombarding me with questions and Sora finally stopped being an ass and started acting more like.. y'know. An actual brother. But that might've been cos Riku came over.. Little jerk.

I sighed resting my chin on the table when my cell phone vibrated. I pulled it out of my pocket and flipped it open under the table.

Axel says you need some saving. :D
-Kairi

I could've jumped on the table and started dancing.

Yes PLEASE.
-Roxas

I jumped out of my chair, pocketing my phone. It wasn't that I didn't wanna be here, I mean, seeing my mom was great and stuff, but it making me all fidgety.

"Uhh, listen Mom, I forgot to tell you. Kairi and I are getting together so she's gonna be here in a few minutes."

"Oh? Getting together?" She looked at me over her shoulder from where she was washing the dishes.

"Mom, don't look at me like that, you know we're just friends."

She smiled at me and turned back to the dishes. "Just like you're friends with Axel?"

That took me aback and I blinked at my mother's back. "What?"

"You seem to be very fond of that boy."

"Fond? Mom, we're just friends! I have a girlfriend, y'know. Why would I be fond of him in that way?"

Mom only 'hmm'd in response. I crossed my arms and looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to continue, but she didn't. Did she know something that I didn't? Huh.

I was knocked out of my thoughts when I heard the doorbell ring and Sora shout, "I'll get it!"

I grinned, running into the living room.

"Kairi! What are you doing here?" Sora asked, bouncing slightly. Riku waved at her from over the couch.

"Sorry, no time to talk, buddy. I'm kidnapping your brother!" Sora blinked in confusion as Kairi grabbed my black coat (the one Axel gave me yesterday) and wrapped my scarf around my neck, using it like a leash.

Do I look like a dog to you? Wait... don't answer that.

Mom suddenly ran in, a small box wrapped in white paper in her hands, She smiled at me and held it out. "This one's from all of us. Sora, Cloud, and I. Riku, too."

I couldn't help but smile back as I took the gift from her. "Thanks you guys-ack! Kairi! Don't pull so hard!"

About five minutes of me gasping for air like a fish out of water, Kairi finally stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. Everyone grumbled and walked around us, probably going to return their gifts of something like that.

"Christ, Kai, are you trying to kill me?!" I hissed, yanking the scarf from her grip. She smiled apologetically as I gingerly rubbed my neck.

"Sorry, Roxy." She patted my head with a gloved hand and I pouted at her.

"Well then," I sighed, slipping my hands into my pockets. I wish I had grabbed gloves on the way out. "Thanks for saving me and stuff."

Kairi shrugged and grinned at me. "No problem. I needed something to do anyway."

I nodded and stood there, rocking back on my heels. Kairi quietly stared back at me. I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"You wanna do something today?"

Kairi smiled brilliantly, and I mean brilliantly, and looped her arm through mine. "I thought you'd never ask."

I chuckled, letting her walk close beside me. I admit that I'm guilty of not spending time with my best friend over the past few weeks. I guess I had been so caught up in Axel's company that I forgot the company of Kairi.. and my family. I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not. I suppose I just got used to Axel, is all.

"So what're we doing?" I asked, once Kairi began pulling me down the familiar street to her house.

"Mmmm, I was thinking popcorn, hot chocolate and twelve hours worth of Disney movies?"

I grinned. I couldn't resist hot chocolate or popcorn and the thought of them both together was sending me to chocolate-y-and-buttered-popcorn-flavored euphoria. And, haha, really, who can resist Disney movies anyway, right?

...Right?

Oh. Fuck you.

I don't even know why I'm talking to you.

x.x.x

I dragged the comforter from Kairi's bed to the floor. I was leaning against the bed while Kairi was rummaging through her stacks of DVD's across the room. A flat-screen plasma TV was hovering against the wall above her.

"Roxas, I think you're the only guy I know who'd agree to watch Disney movies with a bunch of girls."

"Well, maybe, but not all Disney movies are gay and frilly. Like Pirates of the Caribbean."

"Ahh.. well that's true."

"And what do you mean by 'with a bunch of girls'? I thought it was just us."

Kairi laughed and waved her hand dismissively at me. "Oh, well, Rikku and Yuffie called while you were in the bathroom and they said they wanted to come over. You don't mind, do you..?"

"I.. no.. I guess not."

"And I invited Axel, too. Otherwise you'd be the only guy here and I thought he'd get pretty lonely without you keeping him company." She threw a grin over her shoulder and I stuck my tongue out at her.

"I didn't think Axel was one of those Disney types."

"Who doesn't like Disney?"

"...True." I sighed, leaning back against the bed. Was a bad thing that I got a fluttery feeling whenever Axel was mentioned or was around? I mean.. sure I was attracted to him.. but that was all, wasn't it? It'd just go away. I mean, he is my friend and all, it'd be wrong if I-

Ding dong.

"I'll get it!" Kairi shot me a grin before bounding downstairs. I sat there, listening to the voices from downstairs. I stared at the ceiling for a bit and then pulled the little box my mom gave me from my pocket. Making sure Kairi and the others weren't coming up, I pulled the wrapping paper off. The box was black and velvety and sitting inside was a three-pointed crown keychain. Sora has one just like it only it's a necklace. I couldn't help but smile as I ran a finger over the silver. The sound of voices and the smell of popcorn and chocolate brought me back to earth, and I quickly closed the box, stuffing it back into my pocket.

"Roxas!"

"Roxy!"

I was suddenly tackled down to the floor by two teenaged girls. I grinned and shoved them off.

"What's up, Rox? How was Christmas?" Rikku asked, sitting cross-legged across from me.

I shrugged, scratching my cheek a little. "It was okay. You?"

"Yeah, it was wicked. My parents finally got me a Wii. It's pink!"

I chuckled, turning to the raven-haired girl sitting beside Rikku. "What about you Yuffie?"

She shrugged, leaning back on her hands. "It was pretty good. I met an old friend of mine that I haven't seen since like.. middle school. He stayed for dinner. Vincent's his name."

Rikku whistled, nudging Yuffie with her elbow and raising her eyebrows.

"Hey! It's not like that!" Yuffie snapped, and I swear I saw her blushing. "He's just a friend.."

I grinned, watching Rikku and Yuffie bicker, jumping slightly when I felt something brush the top of my head. Looking up quickly, I saw that it was Axel. He laying on the bed above me, on his stomach with his arms dangling on either side of me.

"Well, hello there, sunshine."

I scowled and swatted his hand away, hearing him laugh.

"HEY!" Kairi screamed from downstairs. I jumped in surprise. Let me tell you, that girl can scream your ear off if she wants to. "CAN ANYONE COME AND HELP ME?! Goddammit.."

Rikku and Yuffie exchanged glances and bolted it out of there. I didn't blame them. An angry Kairi was a scary Kairi. But they didn't have to leave me here.

..With Axel.

..Alone.

I took a deep breath, trying to control the flutter in my stomach.

"So, how were the 'rent's?"

I sank lower to the floor so that I could easily look up at Axel. "It wasn't so bad.. Mom was fussy but not like always."

Axel smiled down at me and I couldn't help by smile back. "By the way, tell your brother never to break into my apartment like that ever again. That was fucking scary, yo."

My smile grew into a grin and I chuckled. "Yeah. Don't ask me how he did it. I think Cloud taught him, though."

Axel laughed softly and reached down, ruffling my hair. I huffed, not bothering to move away. It's not like my hair wasn't a mess anyway. It was a bit odd, because that uncomfortable flutter died down and was replaced with a wave of peace. It was like I couldn't make up my mind-

The sound of giggling and chattering roused me from my thoughts. I looked up to the doorway, seeing Kairi, Yuffie and Rikku stumble in with two bowls of popcorn and mugs of hot chocolate.

Pretty soon, we were all sprawled out in front of Kairi's huge TV, fighting over popcorn and stealing bowls from each other, yelling at each other to quiet down...

A grin was present on my face even many, many hours later.

x.x.x

Axel and I were walking back home when it started snowing again. Usually, it feels weird if you think about it snowing after Christmas. But.. It wasn't so bad now. It was late and quiet and the soft glow from the streetlamps made everything seem.. serene?

"Hey, Rox."

I blinked and looked up at him. Axel dug around in his coat pocket before pulling out a small box wrapped in gold paper and held it out to me.

I only stared at it in surprise, eyebrows raised. "..What is it?"

"A bomb. What do you think it is?"

I raised an eyebrow and took it gingerly. Because, well, with Axel, you never know. He cleared his throat impatiently, his way of telling me to open it. I blinked down at the little box in my hand and then proceeded to peel off the wrapping paper. The box was velvet, almost the same kind my keychain was in. I flipped it open, a smile spreading slowly over my features. It was a pendant. Silver, with four points, it looked more like a miniature shuriken than anything else, yet it was still pretty damn cool.

I looked up at Axel, my smile fading. "Axel.. I.. thanks. I wish I had gotten you something, too.."

Axel gave me that Cheshire grin of his and waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, it's fine. Don't worry about it."

I stuffed the box and the wrapping paper into my coat pocket and threw my arms around Axel, hugging him tightly. "Thank you so much!"

"Hey, hey, it's no big deal." I smiled, feeling Axel's long fingers brush through my hair. The smile quickly melted into a look of surprise when I felt myself being lifted into Axel's arms.

"H-hey! Put me down!" I cried, kicking out and feeling warmth rise to my cheeks.

"What, you don't want me to carry you?" Axel tilted his head at me, looking confused.

"Er.. you don't have to, Axel."

"But you look tired."

Now that he mentioned it, I was pretty wiped out. Twelve hours of Disney movies did that to you. Plus, my eyes hurt a bit from the screen.

I sighed, relaxing into Axel's hold. At least he was warm...

Axel smiled at me, shifting me slightly before continuing down the snowy sidewalk. I fell asleep moments later (from what Axel told me), still in Axel's arms with my head on his chest and the pendant still dangling from my fingers.

x.x.x

OMG DONE WITH THIS CHAPTER. ((weeps with joy))

Well. Some of chapter ten is already written and I think I know what I want, too... maybe I'll get it up earlier..

And things will start getting better with the whole Axel and Roxas thing. You'll see ;) ...I hope.

Anyway. Review my little pawns-I mean, precious little things. Wow. I sounded like Nuka. Lion Kiiing ftw 8D

Soyeah. REVIEW. PLEASE. It's srsly my food and air :)