Axel snapped wide awake as a startled scream sounded, ripping through the whole cabin. It wasn't quite blood-curdling, but it sent his heartbeat ramming into his ribcage. He sprang from the bed in a flash, sprinting down the hall in the direction of the terrified sound.

"What's going on in here?" When he reached the living room, Axel found his guest tossing and screaming, eyes tightly shut and a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. Axel stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do.

Must be one hell of a nightmare.

Another scream brought him out of his reverie, and at once the redhead was at the boy's side, grasping his shoulders as gently but firmly as he could.

"Hey, kid! Take it easy, will you? Calm down!" Thrashing like that was dangerous. Axel didn't feel like wasting his efforts by letting the boy hurt himself, so he gripped hard, trying to hold him still until he awoke.

Suddenly, those eyes shot open as a scream ripped itself from trembling lips.

"Demyx!"

The boy struggled against him for a moment before lifting his gaze. He gasped, looking even more panicked, but Axel held firm.

"It's alright. It's alright, I won't hurt you. You were dreaming." The older boy spoke soothingly, slowly relaxing his grip but not ever letting him slip away completely.

After a moment, the blonde seemed to release that whatever danger he'd imagined was gone. Those blue eyes blinked rapidly for a while as he gazed around the simple abode, finally coming to a rest back on Axel. The redhead met his gaze evenly, waiting for him to adjust.

"Um... Can you," the boy began, looking down between them before coming back to Axel. "Can you let me go?...Please?"

The redhead looked down and quickly realized that he was still holding the blond by the shoulders. With a slight cough, he let go and backed away a step, closer to the fireplace.

"Sorry about that..." he said, raking a hand through his fiery hair a tad sheepishly. "I'm glad to see you're awake now. You looked pretty bad when I found you..." he trailed off, his smile not unkind as he regarded the young blond.

The boy blinked and promptly blushed, though that could have easily been a result of the fever.

"O-Oh..." The blond head then turned slowly to the side, gazing curiously. "Where am I?"

Axel smiled wider and gestured to the surrounding room with an animated sweep of his hand.

"Well, kid, you happen to be in the finest accommodations this side of the border forest! By the by, the name is Axel. Pleasure to meet you!"

The boy smiled for a moment, and all Axel could think of was how cute he looked. Within a moment, however, it vanished, as the boy sat back on the couch and stared blankly ahead, looking deep in thought.

Of course, Axel was never one to tolerate being ignored. After a minute of infuriating silence, he strode forward purposely, stopping just before the couch and towering over the huddled figure reclining on it. Another minute passed, and the boy looked up quickly, as he seemed to notice only now that the redhead was there. Then Axel slid his hand under the boy's chin and lifted, coaxing him to meet his gaze evenly.

"This is the part where you tell me your name, Blondie..."

The boy frowned at him briefly. Perhaps he'd struck a nerve of some sort, but Axel didn't really care. He waited patiently, relaxing but not relenting, as the blond looked away nervously.

Please tell me he remembers his name at least... Axel pleaded internally. It worried him initially, but he didn't have to wait long for the answer.

"...xas..."

Axel blinked, then leaned closer until his ear was only an inch or two away from the blond's face.

"I'm sorry...what was that?"

Those blue eyes looked a tad unsure, as if debating whether or not revealing himself was a smart idea. Not waiting for the boy to decide, the redhead smiled warmly and stepped back a bit, placing his hands on his boney hips.

"It's okay, kid. You're safe here..." he said firmly. "Knowing your name is just easer than saying, 'Hey' or 'You" all the time, am I right?"

The boy stilled looked a little hesitant, but he sighed softly and nestled back under his warm blankets, seemingly resigned.

"It's Roxas..."

Then there was another silence in the room, broken only by the natural sounds of the forest outside. Axel looked a little shocked, finally forcing himself to ask the question.

"Roxas? As in the prince of Strife Castle, Roxas?"

The blond curled inward slightly, defensive, his tone nervous and meek as he replied.

"Y-Yes."