Author's Note: Hiya! I've finally found time to update again. I just got back to school from a break and I've been sick, so things have been crazy lately. I hope all of my American readers had an awesome Thanksgiving - I know I did. :D Not much else to say right now, other than I hope you're enjoying the story so far.

Chapter Seven: Don't judge a book by its cover.

~::~

The first thing Roxas noticed as he entered Saix's office was that there was an astounding lack of clutter in it. Every paper and pen had a place, every sticky note, every file, had somewhere that it belonged and most likely stayed until it was needed, and then carefully replaced when it was no longer being utilized. As Roxas was gazing around the room in awe, Saix walked behind the mahogany desk and sat down in the leather chair there, sighing in what seemed like content.

After a moment he noticed Roxas, who was now looking around uneasily, and said, "My dear boy, please, sit down. I promise I'm not going to bite."

Dearboy…? "Um… Okay," The blonde boy walked over and sat down in the chair opposite the blue-haired man. "So what did you need to talk to me about? I'm not in trouble already, am I?"

Saix laughed, a sound that was much richer and less harsh than Roxas had imagined. "Oh, heavens no. Nothing of the sort. I just wanted to get you acquainted with a few rules we have here at Kingdom."

Roxas sighed in relief. "Okay, that's good. I was terrified for a moment there. And if you don't mind me asking, why don't you act like this around the others? You're… nicer, no offense meant, of course."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out, smart as Sora says you are," Saix neatly sidestepped the question. He then turned his head towards a door on his left and said, "Xemnas, darling, our new little stunt double is here. Why don't you come and meet him?"

A deeply tanned man with long silver hair stuck his head into the room. "Oh, is he? I thought he wasn't coming until tomorrow."

"I could've sworn I told you we changed the schedule… Ah well, it makes no difference now," The tanned man came into the room as Saix spoke and came to stand beside him. "Roxas, this is Xemnas, my boss. He's the director, while I'm… what did we call it again?"

Xemnas chuckled. "The lap-dog, I believe. Or guard dog. I can never remember."

"Was it? I thought it was something different…" Saix's brows furrowed.

The other man shook his head. "No, I'm almost certain that was it…"

Throughout this exchange, Roxas was sitting there in complete and utter confusion. Only when Xemnas leaned down and kissed the other man on the lips did he realize what was going on. "Whoa whoa whoa, wait a second!" he exclaimed as Xemnas pulled away and walked back into the other room. "Tell me I imagined that."

"Imagined what?" Saix asked innocently.

"That… You just… Agh, I think you broke my brain!" Roxas whined.

Saix looked like he was trying desperately not to laugh. "I apologize. Now, time to get down to business. Honestly, this place isn't ridiculously strict, but I would like to inform you that first and foremost, all relationships between actors, crew members, and etcetera must be kept to mere friendships for the duration of the movie's development."

"…is that usually a problem?"

"You'd be surprised how often prolonged contact with each other leads those working on productions together to something more than friendship. However, it not only causes unwanted distractions, but break-ups can and will destroy a film if allowed to occur," Saix looked so serious throughout this, Roxas couldn't bring himself to laugh at the absurdity of this. "Anyways… other than that, just make sure you're not drinking or using illegal substances, keeping on the good side of the law, and just generally practicing good moral conduct. Do that, and I'll have no reason to get angry at you. And trust me when I say that is a very good thing. Xigbar can attest to that."

"Wait, did you give him the scar and eye patch?" Roxas's jaw hit the floor.

"Me? Oh, no, that was Terra, one of our set builders. There was an accident with some equipment…" Seeing the horrified look on the blonde's face, Saix cleared his throat. "Well, I really have nothing else to say to you. You may go now."

Roxas stood and made it halfway to the door before he turned around and asked, "Did you really do background checks on me and my family?"

"No, of course not," Saix waved a hand dismissively. "I checked you, your family, and your friends."

Unsure whether he was joking or not, the blonde made a speedy exit, and ended up running smack dab into someone's chest. "Whoa, Roxie, watch out! Don't damage the goods."

The blonde boy shrank away from Axel and then ducked under his arm to run behind Ventus, who was following the redhead. "Save me!"

"Are you seriously still that scared of me?" Axel scratched the back of his head. "Geez, half of the time I was kidding."

"What about the other half?" Roxas squeaked. "Besides, Saix just told me-"

"Yeah, no relationships outside of friendship, I'm acutely aware of that fact," Axel snapped, his tone laced with a touch of bitterness. "Look, kid, cool it, okay? Despite popular belief, I'm not the kind of guy who'd do anything to have his way with someone. I believe I told you before, but I have standards." With that, the irate crimson-haired man turned on his heel and stalked away, hands jammed in the pockets of his jeans.

Roxas stared after in dismay. "What did I say? He was being a dick! Why is he angry at me?"

Ventus shook his head and grabbed Roxas's arm, dragging him off in the opposite direction from Axel. "He's… complicated. I've known him for almost a third of my life and I still don't understand him at all."

"…and how long is a third of your life?"

Ventus thought for a moment, still pulling the other blonde along with him. "A little over six years, I think. Something like that."

"Man, I'm so screwed, then," Roxas muttered, earning a chuckle from the other boy. "Now, where are you taking me?"

"You'll see."

~::~

"…you guys threw a party for me. You're kidding, right?"

The room the two boys ended up in was packed with what seemed like the entirety of the staff at Kingdom Pictures along with a couple of tables covered in food. This confused Roxas to no end because none of them really even knew him yet.

"Roxie, you look awfully confused," Axel materialized next to him and offered him a Styrofoam cup with what looked like blue Kool-Aid in it. "Care to tell me why?"

Roxas was very close to telling him to piss off, but when he saw a group of people coming towards them, he opted for the politest answer he could think of. "I don't get why you're all doing this for me. I mean… I'm just a stunt double."

"Just a stunt double? Roxas, I'm amazed that you don't realize how key your job here is going to be," The group Roxas had noticed stopped in front of them. It consisted of Marluxia, Larxene, Demyx, and Zexion, the latter of which had spoken.

"Are stunt doubles that important?" Roxas raised an eyebrow.

"Well, considering how much of the work they may do in an action movie, doubles can be extremely important. It just depends on the type of film they're involved in," Zexion replied very matter-of-factly. "Now, I think you should stop worrying about work for now and go enjoy some of that cake over there. I baked it myself."

Axel looked like he was trying hard not to burst out laughing as Zexion and Demyx walked away, heading towards another group of people.

"Don't laugh at Zexion, Axel," Marluxia said, staring down his nose at the other man. "You know you're just jealous of his cooking prowess. You burn salad."

"I can burn anything, including your garden, flower boy. Don't forget that," Axel retorted, tone dripping with venom. "Come on, Roxie, let's go get something to eat." The taller man grabbed him by the arm and pulled him in the direction of the food.

As he was being dragged, Roxas asked, "What was that about? You two don't seem to like each other much."

"Oh, we like each other fine most days," Axel replied. "Just not today. He and Larxene have been having… issues lately, and he tends to get extremely bitchy when she's in one of her moods."

"Issues?"

"You don't wanna know. That's all I'm gonna say, kid."

"Don't call me 'kid!'"

"Shut up, lovebirds, we're trying to eat over here!" Axel stopped in his tracks, causing Roxas to collide with him. The redhead glared at the speaker, the man with the eye patch from before. "Seriously, go get a room."

"Xigbar, if you value your live, you'll take that back rightnow," Axel's tone was frighteningly quiet and laced with venom.

"You think you can hurt me, Little Red?" Xigbar sneered over the table at him. "As if! I'd snap you like a twig if you tried to pick a fight."

Axel's face was a cold mask of fury. "Don't you dare call me that, One-Eye."

"Guys, guys, guys! Come on, don't scare off the new guy on his first day!" Demyx's nervous laughter cut through the tense silence that followed. "Save the fighting for later, if you really have to duke it out."

All the fight suddenly went out of the redhead, and his posture slumped. Xigbar gave him one last condescending sneer and then walked away haughtily, chin jutting out in self-righteous anger. Axel sighed and turned to the food-covered table in front of his, glaring down into a bowl of punch as if he was trying to set it on fire with his eyes.

"Um, Axel?" Roxas flinched as he whipped around to face him. "What was that about, if you don't mind me asking?"

With a sigh, the taller replied, "Xigbar… He's just like that. Always looking for a good fight, and he tends to pick on me. Something about redheads having awful tempers. Just ignore him."

"But you didn't ignore him," Roxas regretted saying this the moment he saw the dangerous glint in Axel's eyes.

"Axel! Yuffie stole my wallet again!" A shrill voice forestalled any reply. Xion came running up, her expression the epitome of annoyance.

"Oh, Jesus," Axel slapped his forehead with his palm before turning to the short, black-haired girl. "Where did you last see her, Xi?"

"Over there!" She pointed towards a set of double doors that looked like they led outside. Axel sighed and walked briskly in the direction Xion had pointed, leaving Roxas alone with her. The raven-haired girl turned to his and smiled. "Hi. I'm Xion."

"Roxas," he replied. "Is Yuffie the girl that was on the ceiling earlier?"

Xion pulled a face and nodded. "Yeah. She's like a monkey; really good at climbing things and a kleptomaniac. It's not a good combination."

"Axel, come on! I stole that fair and square. I'll never learn how to be a ninja if I'm not good at sneaking around and stealing things!" Yuffie's whine could be heard from across the room as she entered, following Axel as he strode back towards Roxas and Xion, a pink, sequined wallet in hand. The short girl kept trying to jump in front of him and take it back, but every time she did this, the taller merely held up his arm and her attempt was thwarted.

"Here, Xion," Axel handed her the small object as he stopped next to them. "Put it somewhere safe. And if Yuffie steals it again, don't be afraid to find her and smack her. Seriously."

Yuffie puffed up in righteous anger. "Hey! It's only training! I give all the stuff I steal back eventually, anyways!"

As Xion rolled her eyes, Axel replied with a hint of sarcasm, "Keyword here: eventually. That could be months from now, Materia. Just lay off of Xi for now. Go steal something from Leon or Vexen. That's always funny."

Yuffie's expression brightened considerably. "Okay. See you later!"

Xion turned to Axel after her stunt double disappeared into the crowd. "You're condoning theft? That doesn't seem like you at all."

"Aw, let the girl have her fun. Just be glad she's not taking your stuff this time," Axel grabbed Roxas and pulled him away again, leaving Xion to ponder this.

"Why do you keep pulling me around everywhere?" The shorter boy swatted at Axel's hand. "I'm getting tired of this."

"Well, there are a couple of reasons," Axel explained, glancing around nervously. "The first of which was Yuffie, but she's not a problem anymore."

"And the second?"

An unfamiliar voice exclaimed angrily, "Axel!"

"Oh shiitake mushrooms," Axel hissed under his breath. "Run!" Without any further argument, Roxas bolted after the redhead, though he was unsure what was going on. The two of them ducked and weaved their way through the crowd, but even when they were out of the room entirely, Axel kept going after a swift glance over his shoulder. He suddenly pulled Roxas sideways behind a sheet of plywood and held him against the wall, one hand over his mouth, the other on the wall behind him. "Don't move, don't make a sound, don't even breath."

"Axel?" Out of the corner of his eye, Roxas saw someone pause outside the doorway to the room they had just left. "I know you're here somewhere." The mystery person was dressed in a pair of strange, baggy beige pants and a tight-fitting brown tank top. His dark brown hair was slicked back on the top and then spiked out in a little crest. "Come out, you coward. You can't avoid me forever. And if you've got Roxas with you, Riku said he's going to skin you alive."

Roxas tried very hard not to gasp in terror as Axel pressed him closer to the wall, hand still over his mouth, but not blocking the overwhelming scent of vanilla that clung to the taller man's clothing and skin. Then, a hair stuck on the fabric tickled Roxas's nose. He wiggled his nose to try and dislodge it, but only succeeded in driving it into his nasal passage.

Axel realized what was happening as Roxas jerked his head back, but before he could do anything, Roxas pulled off his hand and sneezed. The redhead shoved him in between two boxes nearby and threw a tarp over him before the brown-haired man ducked under the plywood and confronted Axel. The blonde peeked out from a gap between the wood and the plastic so he could watch the events that were sure to unfold.

"There you are! Why the hell are you hiding under here? It's not stable!" the other man snapped. "This is part of my set supplies! If you broke anything…"

"Jess, Terra, cool it. I didn't do anything to your precious supplies," Axel rolled his eyes. "What do you want? I've got things to do."

"You owe me a hundred bucks," Terra replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "Remember our little bet? You lost it."

"Oh, I did, did I?" Axel's eyebrows arched. "If I remember correctly, the time we set for it isn't up just yet. I've still got a whole week. Go ask Reno - he'll agree with me."

"Bullshit. He'll only agree because he'll lose his job if he doesn't. Pay up, or else."

"Or else what? You forget which one of us is the multi-millionaire here."

Terra's serious expression morphed into a sly smile. "Or else I'll tell Saix about your little escapades with the aforementioned stunt double, Xion, and Ven…"

Axel's condescending smirk faded into something akin to horror. "You wouldn't."

"Oh, I would," Terra grinned wickedly. "Now, about that money…"

"Axel! Roxas! Where the hell are you?" Riku's voice forestalled any further conversation. Roxas, taking this moment of distraction, slipped out from under the tarp and crawled out the other side of the plywood tent. "Terra, thank God, you found them-… Where's Roxas?"

"I'm right here. Have you been looking for me?" Roxas walked around the other side casually, hands in his pockets. "I just went to the bathroom. Did something happen?"

Riku breathed and audible sigh of relief. "Oh, uh… No. Not really. Your brother was just wondering where you disappeared to. You know how he gets."

"Yeah," Roxas replied, coming to a stop when he reached the small group. "He's such a worrywart. Are we gonna go back to the party, then?"

Axel shot a sideways glare at Riku as the silverette grabbed Roxas and all but dragged him back towards the room they had been in previously. Roxas was able to steal one last glance over his shoulder at Axel and Terra before the door closed behind him.

Riku let him go as soon as they were inside. Roxas rubbed his wrist, wincing in pain. "Stay away from Axel, okay?" Sora's boyfriend suggested in a tone that was more commanding than anything else.

"If you'd give me a legitimate reason to stay away from him, then maybe I would!" Roxas retorted, starting to get sick of all the secrecy.

Sora, with impeccable timing, as always, materialized next to his brother and gave him a huge hug. "Roxas! I thought you ran away or something."

"Nah. Bathroom break. Sorry, bro," the blonde replied, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I didn't mean to scare you so much that you'd send Riku to find me. I'll tell you next time I run off somewhere."

"It's okay," Sora said cheerfully. "I just wanted to make sure you didn't get lost. This place is pretty big and you don't know your way around, so… You know. A little help might have been necessary."

"Hey, I'm not that bad with directions!" The two of them laughed, but Sora's faded into silence when he saw the expression on Riku's face.

"Riku?" His voice was gentle. "Is something wrong?"

"Nah. Hey, why don't you go and get some of the cake Namine baked before it's all gone? I'll catch up in a second," As Sora ran off with a nod and a grin, Roxas turned to follow him, but Riku grabbed his arm yet again and pulled his ear close to his mouth. "Roxas, I'm not sure why you're so reluctant to trust someone who's known Axel for the better part of his life, but really… He's not the kind of person you want to go messing around with."

"Then what do you suggest I do if I can't avoid him forever?" Roxas retorted. "When he's not being a pervert, he seems perfectly fine to be around."

"Don't judge a book by its cover," Riku replied, letting go of his arm and brushing past him in one movement. "Seriously. That guy is bad news."

~::~

Author's Note: *dramatic pause* Dun dun dun... No, not really. At least, not yet. :D Well, I just went through my plot outline, and it looks like we're in for a long story here. Like, really long, by my standards. Hopefully everyone will keep on reading/reviewing/favoriting until the very end! Adios for now, amigos!