A week had passed since the two had returned to the Castle That Never Was. Saix had managed a few angry comments at the state of Xigbar and Roxas, but the sniper had told him off promptly. Xemnas had asked them to rest before they reported to him(mostly wishing for them not to track mud and water into his office).

II~XII~II~XIII

Falling hard, falling hard

The two to pick from, which one to discard

Breaking chest and fracturing heart

Who's your real counterpart?

II~XIII~II~XIII

Xigbar sighed, stretching as he exited his room where Roxas stood waiting.

"Guess we better report to , eh?" Xigbar yawned, having just woken up.

"Yeah," Roxas agreed, opening a portal for them into the plain, yet lavish office of their Superior Xemnas. It was the only room was any colors other than gray, white, and blue; A deep blood red for the curtains, which was quite odd considering the Superior disliked colors. The silver haired male sat at a desk near a massive window, reading over papers, oblivious until Xigbar spoke up.

"Uhh, Superior dude, we're here to report on Fantasia." Xigbar said, yawning slightly.

"I see.. Well, your findings?" Xemnas replied with a question prompting for their oral reports.

"Well, it was rainy and muddy, and we heard animals, but we never saw anything." Roxas answered, hands by his side as he let out a breath."We didn't see any Heartless, but we kinda got lost."

"And what else?"

"Well, it goes from day to night real fast," It was Xigbar's turn to explain."And the jungle is kinda like a maze. There might have been Heartless but we don't know for sure."

Roxas stared at Xigbar as he explained the last of the details, for once seeming so serious.. It was kind of charming. He looked quite handsome in the moonlight from Kingdom Hearts, enunciating his scar, eye shining in the light. He had to admit, but he found himself attracted to Xigbar, but at the same time... someone else, a certain pyro... but he felt more towards the sniper standing tall next to him. He would be happy with either of them. He hadn't realized he hadn't been paying any attention when a finger poked the side of his head.

"C'mon, kiddo, time to go," Xigbar said. he had already opened the door to Xemnas' office, holding it open so Roxas could exit before he let it close with a deep 'clink'.

He watched as Roxas walked down the hallway slowly, blond locks bouncing slightly and he almost grinned. Every day that passed, he found Roxas a more beautiful, more fun, and without him noticing, inching into his heart little by little. A few days and their relationship was getting better and better, as long as Axel didn't show up and start flirting like a mad man. He could sense the pyro was exactly liking Roxas and he being together, but he could care less. Xigbar couldn't believe it and he wouldn't admit it for fear of his pride, but he could almost say... he had a crush on Roxas. And his good feelings stopped when he heard the loud call of a certain pyromaniac, who rushed up to Roxas, wriggling his eyebrows flirtatiously. He growled loud; The sight of Axel near Roxas... made him angrier than a hornet whose nest had been trashed. He wouldn't admit it out loud(he thought it might ruin his character) but he might have been a little jealous.

"Hey there, Roxy..." Axel said, grinning."How was Fantasia? I missed asking you since I was on a mission."

"Shit, like Xigbar said a few days ago," Roxas chuckled.

"I see..." Axel trailed off, but one could both hear and feel the underlying tones of irritation and disdain in the layers of his voice, directed at Xigbar. It seemed sometimes like Roxas almost idolized Xigbar, always staring at his direction and grinning happily when he got missions with the man; It made him nauseous.

"Hey, Axel. Roxas, you wanna hang out later?" Xigbar questioned airly, ignoring the pyro, who visibly cringed.

"Sure, I don't think I have a mission." Roxas laughed, but his laughed began to fade as he saw Axel's face, full of underlying anger, revealed only in his emerald eyes.

"Hey, Xigbar, if you'll excuse us," Axel sneered, almost hissing Xigbar's name hatefully."I need to talk to Roxas."

"Alright then," Xigbar shrugged, inwardly flinching slightly. He couldn't believe he was getting worked up like this over Roxas, and with Axel no less. He was angry, but he didn't show it... he had never felt like this. Not as Braig, and not as a Nobody.

He watched silently as Axel walked out of the room, followed by Roxas. He figured he might... 'listen in' on their conversation. He opened a portal as the two walked off, chatting to each other. He figured they were heading to Axel's room, most likely. Xemnas' office was on the fourth floor and there rooms were on the third, so as Axel and Roxas started down the stairs, he took his position on the ceiling above the hallway, a random point in the wall providing him cover. He waited a few minutes, before he saw them approaching the top of the stairs, walking up to Axel's room, which was only two doors away from the stairs.

"Roxas... I need to ask you something important..." Xigbar heard Axel say, as he peeked out from behind a wall closer to the pair.

"What is it Axel?"

"Well... this is going to seem weird." Axel stopped for a moment, scratching his thick mane of firetruck red locks, bending closer to the blond.

"What's going on...?" It was Roxas turn to trail off.

"I want you to be my boyfriend."

Everything abruptly stopped for Xigbar. Axel was there. Kissing Roxas. It felt like his insides were being torn apart. A hand moved towards his chest, clutching the fabric with rage and pain. Why...why...why?