I: Insist

"C'mon..."

Roxas glared at the pesky redhead. He had been badgering him for hours and just would not let up. But the blond was tough; he wouldn't give in. Roxas exhaled loudly through his nostrils and went back to his newspaper. "No."

Axel pushed down the newspaper and stared into Roxas' cerulean eyes. His emerald eyes pleaded. "Please?"

"I don't think so," the blond sing-songed. He heard his boyfriend give an exasperated cry before stomping upstairs. He gave each step an unnecessary emphasis to tell the resistant blond how irritated he was, but Roxas wouldn't falter. He knew Axel would be back, asking and begging him once more.

"Please, Roxy, babe." Axel kissed his sweetheart's temple, before moving to his cheek, chin, and then covering Roxas' smiling lips with his own. The blond did allow his guard down just a tad when he was feeling affectionate (or when receiving affections). Maybe it was enough to grant the redhead what he so desired? Axel could only hope. His hand danced up and down his boyfriend's side and the other had its fingers laced around Roxas' hand. "C'mon, sweetheart..."

"I-I don't think so," stuttered the stubborn blond, losing his composure with each passing second. Curse Axel and his ability to be so suave and amorous. He always pulled out the "love and doting" card when he needed something from his cranky beau. And most of the time, it worked.

Although, it was a win-win situation, if one thought about it: Axel was happy and Roxas was given loving attention that made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Too bad Roxas was painfully proud; no way would he admit any weakness. But, in the end, it was quite all right. It was what made love interesting. Living with the flaws and relishing in the positive characteristics. Roxas was prouder than a peacock and Axel had a habit of exploiting his boyfriend's known weaknesses. And without those silly little defects, it would make them perfect little individuals, thus making them a perfect couple. And that's really uninteresting.

"Roxas," the redhead murmured his lover's name, "C'mon. I know you want to." The hand dancing up and down the young blue-eyed male's side stroked down to his thigh. Axel thought he would be bold and slip his hand further around and rest against the shorter male's rear end.

And with a little pinch on his bum, Roxas snapped out of his trance.

A hand shot forward and shoved Axel away from the blond's small frame. The push was so strong that it sent the older male to the other side of the sofa.

"No," Roxas barked, his old, adamant self back. He lifted himself off the couch. "Stop asking," he commanded sternly, walking away in a huff.

Once his boyfriend left the room, the dejected redhead gave out a loud and extended sigh. He pressed his forefinger and thumb against the bridge of his nose in deep concentration.

"My, my, my. I guess this requires a bit more thought, doesn't it?"

As they both lay there, panting and recovering, Roxas turned to the satisfied man beside him. "That," he gulped, "was great."

"Yeah," Axel agreed, basking in the afterglow. He had put a lot more effort into it this time, so he was sure he would be able to get it out of him this time.

Axel danced a hand across his chest, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Finally, after his blond lover had settled his breathing and was concentrating on going to sleep, Axel turned to Roxas and propped himself on his elbow.

"Please?"

Roxas, whose eyes had been closed, opened an eye and furrowed his brow. "Oh my God, Axel. You got me into bed for that?" How long was he going to annoy him? The blond didn't know his boyfriend could be that determined. He was impressed and agitated at the same time.

"I can't believe you."

"What's so bad about it that you refuse to do it?" the redhead complained. "I'll do it too, if you want. It's not that hard, Roxas."

"No," the irritated male refused. He turned away from Axel, back facing towards the disheartened man.

Green eyes were accompanied by wrinkled brows. Boy, this was a toughie. Maybe Axel was underestimating Roxas' unrelenting attitude.

'Now, what's one thing Roxas can't stand?' the man wondered, stroking his chin. He popped his bright eyes wide open.

'I got it!'

"It's nice to be in the mall once in a while," Axel mused, "They have really good food."

"Are you telling me you're skipping cooking dinner tonight?" asked the oh-so pleasant blond.

"Oh, of course not," the older male half-lied, "We just haven't been here in quite some time and I really want a taste of mall food." He nudged his boyfriend in the side. "C'mon, you can't say you haven't missed it a little bit. It is where we met, after all. It's good to go back to places where you hold fond memories," he looked back to Roxas. "Right?"

The blond was trying hard to feign indifference. "I-I guess."

A pleasant grin stretched across Axel's face. He wrapped his arm around Roxas' shoulders. "You hide your emotions well," he squeezed his beau's arm, "but not that well."

"Ax-Axel," the blue-eyed youth murmured, looking all around to see if anyone had caught sight of them. "You know I don't like public displays of affection."

"Oh? You don't?" Axel acted surprised by the news. His hand went down to the small of Roxas' back. "I never knew that."

"Yes, you did, you jerk," Roxas growled. He felt the redhead's hand go lower. His cerulean eyes widened.

"You wouldn't."

"Just say it," the clever man offered, "and I'll let go."

"I-Is this what this is about?" Roxas barked, his arm stretched out to shove him away, only to be caught by the redhead's other hand.

"Say it," Axel purred.

"No!" Roxas struggled against his boyfriend.

"You're garnering more attention to yourself," the older male stated.

The blond saw several curious bystanders passing odd looks at the two.

"Just say it and I'll let go." His hand traveled lower.

Blue eyes darted across his lover's face and Roxas bit his lip. He muttered something softly.

"What was that?" Axel teased.

Roxas repeated it a bit louder, but still incoherent.

"I can't hear you," the redhead sing-songed.

"I love you!" the sunny-haired boy hissed, grasping onto his boyfriend's collar. "Are you happy now?"

Axel smiled in triumph. He knew it was only a matter of time. "Yes." The jovial man kissed his love's nose. "And I love you, too."

And, just for kicks, he grabbed his lover's bum and gave it a good squeeze.

A/N: Ah. See? CP wasn't slacking off!... SORTA.