Notes: Ya'll have no doubt figured out who Zoey and Zander are. XD So let's play with them some more.

In Life and Death
Chapter 23: Happy Birthday

Zoey was sound asleep. It was only just after dawn and she usually didn't get up for at least another hour. So when there was an impatient knock at the door, she didn't budge. When a familiar voice called her name, she didn't answer. And then her blanket was yanked away and she tumbled off the bed with it.

"Get up Zoey."

She heard the voice that time and was instantly awake. "Axel!" She untangled herself from the mass of pillows and blankets that were supposed to be on her bed. With a laugh, she threw her arms around the older boy. "What are you doing here?" She pulled away when she realized it was quiet, not giving him a chance to answer. Larxene and Namine were missing from their beds. "Where are Lar and Nam? They'll want to see you, too! And Zander! And Roxas of course."

Axel smiled broadly, his whole face lighting up. "They're waiting downstairs."

She tilted her head to the side, instantly curious. "For what?"

"For you and Zander. Come on." He nodded towards the door with his head. "Get dressed. We need to leave soon."

"Leave? Why?" She crossed her arms and took a step back. "Where are we going?"

He pressed his finger to his lip. "Shhhh. It's a secret." He whispered with a wink.

Her smile broadened and she nodded. "But you never answered my first question."

Axel smiled. "We're here because it's your birthday. You don't think we'd miss it."

"We?"

He nodded. "Zex and Dem are upstairs harassing Zander."

"Everyone's here? Together?" She squealed and clapped her hands together. "Why didn't you say so sooner?" She spun around and raced across the room to the dresser. She pulled her drawer open and dug a couple things out.

"You didn't exactly give me a chance to with the third degree and all."

She turned to the closet and grabbed a shirt. "It's been months since we all got to hang out together."

"I know. Get dressed and we can go."

She dropped the clothes on her bed and turned towards the redhead. "Well get out then." She stepped forward and pushed him. "No peaking at my goodies."

He laughed. "Yeah. Like I would look."

"Out Axel."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Ten minutes later found them all downstairs, lounging around and waiting in the living room.

"Zex! Dem!" Larxene launched herself towards the pair as she spotted them sitting together on the couch. "Dudes! What have you been up to?"

Demyx was about to answer when Axel interrupted them.

"We'll have all day to catch up. Promise. But now, we have…"

"Everyone ready?"

Axel turned as the silver haired counselor came in, followed by a blue haired man. "Count Xemnas. Count Saïx." The redhead smirked as he bent forward in a mocking bow.

"Watch it, Ax." Xemnas said with a glare.

"Hey. I don't live here anymore." Axel said with a sarcastic smirk as he straightened up and crossed his arms. "You don't have any say over me."

"Axel!" Roxas, who was standing off to the side with Zander, reached out and grabbed the older boy's arm. "Be nice."

Xemnas smiled as he crossed his arms. "Maybe not, but I have say over them. Could ground them all today."

The blue haired man smiled and placed a hand on Xemnas' shoulder. "Xem, play nice." He turned his gaze on the redhead and gave him a stern look. "Axel, you apologize for being obnoxious and behave. Remember that without us this little outing wouldn't be happening."

Axel scratched at the back of his head and nodded slowly. "You're right Saïx. I'm sorry Xem." He held up his hands in truths. "Just poking fun."

A smile spread across the counselor's lips. "Fine. Let's go. All of you. Outside in the van."

Axel dug in his pocket and produced a set of keys. "I'll drive myself."

"Us too." Demyx said, standing up and pulling Zexion with him.

Roxas stepped closer to the three older boys. "Oh cool! Can I go with you?"

Xemnas shook his head before Axel could answer. "No. I have no say with you three. But the rest of you are under my watch. I have to keep my eyes on all of you."

"We." Saïx corrected.

Xemnas looked back over at him and nodded. "Right. We're in charge. So out. Now. Lar, you go to the kitchen and see if Xaldin needs any help with the coolers."

The blonde pouted. "Why?"

"Because you're still working off your three days of dish duty. You're lucky you get to go at all."

She rolled her eyes and slunk off to the kitchen. "You just wait! Another year and I'm out of here."

Xemnas gritted his teeth and grumbled. "I'm counting down."

"So where are we going?" Zander whispered to his sister as he walked beside her.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Axel wouldn't tell me anything."

"Zex and Dem wouldn't either."

She smiled. "It's fun, isn't it?"

He nodded. "Happy birthday."

"Fourteen down."

He laughed. "Four more to go."

"Then we get the hell out of here." Roxas said as he came up behind them and squeezed in between. "We'll all have to live together. Or next door or something."

Zander nodded.

"I can't imagine not living in the same room and above you guys. It's weird enough not having Axel and the guys not down the hall anymore."

Zoey smiled at the blonde and poked him. "You miss him, don't you?"

Roxas nodded. "Yeah, I miss them."

"Not them." She shook her head and poked him again. "Him."

"Stop chatting and move your asses."

"Hey!" Larxene came up behind the group with a blue cooler in her hands. "If the Count cusses, who gets him in trouble?"

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"We're at the beach? You woke us up at the crack of dawn to take us to the beach? In November?"

Axel knew that neither Zander nor his sister would guess they were spending the day at the beach. Yes, it was November. But it was also still quite warm out as they filed out of the van. Larxene hefted a cooler of drinks down the trail to the beach. Roxas and Namine each held bags as they followed. Xemnas and Saïx were still in the parking lot. Zexion and Demyx unloaded the oversized umbrella and blanket from Axel's car.

Axel, Zander, and Zoey were already on the beach. The redhead smiled at the shorter brunette. "You like the beach."

"November." Zander repeated, stepping closer to the redhead.

Axel shrugged. "It's pretty much empty."

"November!"

He spun around and looked towards the water. "The weather is fantastic. It's pretty warm for this time of year."

"Which is November." Zander snapped and threw up his arms. "Hello? Are you deaf?"

"Breathe in that salty air!"

"Dude! What sort of idiot goes to the beach in November?"

Axel spun around and pulled the younger brunette into a tight hug. "I've missed bickering with you."

"Let go!"

Axel laughed and hugged him tighter, spinning around in a circle.

Demyx was laughing as he fell backwards on the blanket Zexion had just smoothed out. "Axel, if you suffocate Zander, we'll have no reason to celebrate."

"Hey! Zoey's still here. It's her birthday too." Larxene said with a laugh as she joined the boys on the blanket.

"Oh yeah!" Zoey started bouncing up and down as she clapped her hands together. "Then I'll get all the presents. Go ahead Axel."

"Haha. You all are so funny." Zander twisted out of the older boy's grasp and pouted slightly.

Zoey launched herself at her brother, knocking him to the ground. "Oh come on Zander. Stop it. I think it's great."

"Get off Zoey." He pushed her off.

With a laugh, Zoey got up and brushed the sand from her shorts. "Although if we had been told, we could have brought our bathing suits."

"In a bag in the back of the van." Larxene said, pointing towards the van.

"Really?"

The blonde nodded. "Yep. So get changed and let's start the party." She gripped the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head.

It was then that the two counselors came walking down from the parking lot. Xemnas' eyes widened as he caught sight of the skimpy bikini top Larxene wore. "Larxene! Where'd you get that? Two-piece bathing suits are strictly forbidden."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh come on. We're like the only ones here and all the boys old enough to look don't like girls."

Xemnas sighed and rubbed at his forehead. "Lar…"

"No one's going to know. None of them will open their mouths." She looked around at her gathered friends and smiled. "Seriously. We're very good at keep secrets."

Roxas groaned and shook his head as he sat down to take his shoes off. "Are you trying to get us in trouble?"

Demyx laughed and leaned closer to Zexion. "Boy I'm glad we don't live there anymore."

"If anyone finds out, I'll say you told me to wear a shirt and I took it off when you weren't looking."

With a sigh, Xemnas covered his eyes with his hand. "Put on a shirt."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

They spent the morning celebrating. Xaldin, the chef at the school, had packed them breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, and even baked a birthday cake. They sang happy birthday and passed out presents. Closer towards the afternoon, everyone, Counts included, donned their swimsuits and went running into the water.

It was nearly three in the afternoon when Larxene, a towel wrapped around her waist, joined Axel, Demyx, and Zexion. The three boys were sitting on the blanket, under the beach umbrella they had brought.

"Lar, you'll have to come stay with us when you get out."

Axel laughed and pushed Demyx. "Stop inviting people to move into my apartment. First you, then you drag Zex along, and now Lar? Damn. There're only two bedrooms and it's already small enough."

Larxene laughed and threw an arm around the redhead's shoulders. "Oh come on. I can sleep on the couch."

"You? The couch? Yeah right."

"You won't even notice I'm there."

Axel caught a certain blonde's gaze from across the beach and smiled. "I'll be right back." He pried Larxene's arm off, stood up, and stepped away.

"Whatever. I'm moving in in a few months."

Axel's thoughts were already elsewhere as he inclined his head, motioning for him to be followed, and headed off.

With a wide smile, Roxas waited until no one was looking and ran to catch up with the redhead. He fell in step with him, matching his pace. They walked in silence until the voices behind them faded off. Every once in a while their arms brushed against each other as they moved.

"I miss you." The blonde said softly, breaking the silence. His gaze was on the sand beneath his toes as he stopped and hung back.

Axel's smile widened as he stopped and turned. "You do?"

Roxas dug his toes in the sand, feeling suddenly embarrassed. He felt the green eyes on him and a blush reddened his cheeks. "I haven't seen you since you moved out four months ago. I miss you being just down the hall. Every time I turned around, you were there. When I needed you, you jumped in to save me. When I had homework problems, you helped explain them to me. Or when I got in trouble, you'd sneak in and help with whatever punishment I got. You were always there, one step behind me. And I..." He sighed and kicked at the sand. "Axel… don't make me say it…"

If it was possible, Axel's smile widened. He nodded slowly as he lifted his gaze and spotted Xemnas off in the distance, watching them. Damn nosey Count. "I know, I know." He lowered his gaze and let out a sigh. "I know it sounds horrible, but with college and working full time… I just don't have time for anything else. I really don't. Dem and Zex moved in last month and I've hardly gotten to see them."

Roxas still hadn't lifted his gaze from the sand under his toes. His shoulders hung as he let out a sigh.

"Roxas… can you look at me? It's weird talking to the top of your head."

Timidly, the blonde lifted his head and met the taller's gaze.

Axel instantly felt guilty. "Okay." He sighed and scratched at the back of his head. "Maybe I could call more and cut back a couple hours and find the time to visit more."

Roxas smiled. "I'd like that."

"Maybe in four years when you can move out… you can move in with me."

"With you?"

He nodded. "I figure by then Dem and Zex will be shacking up in their own place. And since Dem invited her, he can have Lar too."

Roxas looked away again but there was a smile on his face.

"We should get back before the Count comes after us."

Roxas grabbed his arm before he could get too far. He held fast and grabbed for Axel's collar, pulling him down slightly. Roxas still had to stand on his toes to make up for the near foot in height difference.

Axel was caught completely off guard as the timid blonde's lips were pressed against his own. He froze as every cell in his body told him to grab the boy.

It was just a small peck and lasted only a few seconds but Axel still felt breathless when the blonde released him and ran back. He stood there and watched until Roxas turned into a blur. He lifted his hand and ran a finger along his bottom lip. They curled into a smile as he started back at a slower pace.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Hey Roxas."

The blonde's face was still flushed and his mind was elsewhere when he ran into his roommate. "Sorry Z."

Zander grabbed his arm, steadying the blonde. "Dude. Are you okay?" Worry clouded his eyes.

"I… was…" Roxas stammered slightly and looked down. "I was… just talking… to Axel…"

Zander released him and rolled his eyes. "Do you still think it's a phase?"

Roxas shoved his hands in his pockets and didn't answer.

He shook his head slowly and crossed his arms. "Whatever dude. I still think it's weird."

Roxas frowned slightly and looked up at his roommate. "Why? Because he's a guy? Or the age thing?"

Zander shook his head. "No. The dude's like out brother. It'd be like… me dating Zoey."

"Oh gross Zander!" Zoey came up behind the pair of boys with Namine in tow.

"I was making a point." The brunette explained.

She crossed her arms and stuck out her tongue. "I don't want to be involved in your point."

"What's the point about?" Namine asked softly.

"Roxas' crush on Axel."

"Zander!" Roxas threw both a glare and a punch at the brunette.

Roxas ducked away from him, laughing loudly. "Dude chill out. We all know about it."

"You're comparing Roxas liking Axel to you and me dating?" Zoey's nose wrinkled. "Again, gross."

Zander rolled his eyes and held up his hands. "I simply said Axel's like our brother."

Zoey crossed her arms. "What about Zex and Dem?"

"Again… brothers in my head."

She rolled her eyes at that one and ran a hand through her unruly silver hair. "You and I are the only ones related. Leave the other boys alone."

Roxas felt mortified.

Namine smiled as she elbowed the other blonde gently. "I think it's cute."

"Does everyone really know?"

Zoey nodded. "'Fraid so."

"Shit… even Lar?" Roxas asked slowly. "I'd expect her to not be able to keep her mouth shut."

Namine's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "She can be sensitive about some things."

Roxas' gaze was on the sand, seemingly his new favorite pastime. "Can we talk about something else now?"

"Yes." The normally mousey blonde turned to look at the twins. "How does it feel to be fourteen now? Any different?"

Zoey shook her head and Zander shrugged. "Same." They said in unison and then stuck their tongues out at each other.

Namine giggled and Roxas laughed. "Do you know how long this is going to last?" She asked softly.

"Huh... It is getting late." Zoey said as she looked around.

Zander turned and started walking off. "Let's find the Counts."

The four youngest friends found the two 'Counts' walking back from the water towards their chairs and towels. Saïx reached them first and bent down to grab the towels. He turned slightly and tossed one at Xemnas.

The silver haired man caught it and threw it around his shoulders. With a sly smile, he came up behind the other and gave his ass a pinch.

Saïx dropped his towel back on his chair and spun around to slap the hand away. "Hands to yourself."

Xemnas grabbed his waist and pulled him close. "Who's going to stop me?"

Neither had noticed the waiting teens. Zoey cleared her throat loudly to alleviate this.

Saïx froze and Xemnas released him. With a sigh, the elder Count turned towards the kids and crossed his arms. "Can we help you with something?"

Zoey attempted to suppress a smile as she spoke. "We were just wondering when we were leaving."

Saïx turned and retrieved his watch off his chair. "Wow. We lost track of time." He turned the watch over and held it up for Xemnas to see. "With the evening traffic, we should probably leave in a half hour to get back in time."

Xemnas nodded. "You have thirty minutes. So you should start packing up in a few. Go find Lar and say goodbye to the guys."

All four nodded and headed towards where Larxene stood with Demyx and Zexion. Axel joined them soon afterwards.

Xemnas watched them for a moment before lifting the towel from his shoulders and sitting down in his chair.

Saïx was silent for a few minutes as he sat down as well and started toweling himself off. "So… are we going to report him?"

"Who? Axel?" Xemnas leaned back and shook his head. "Nah. It was all Roxas. He didn't do anything."

Saïx ran a hand through his long hair, working out a few knots that had formed. "Maybe. But one day he could."

"He doesn't live at the school anymore." He glanced over at the group of kids for a second before returning his attention back to the man beside him. "We don't have any say over him."

"But over Roxas we do." Saïx pointed out. "He's still underage."

"Axel knows that. He's a good kid. A smartass, but basically good."

Saïx shrugged and ran the towel through his hair.

"We'll keep an eye on them when he comes around. They get any closer and I'll have a talk with Ax." He rose from his chair, laughing slightly. "Do you know how many times I caught Demyx and Zexion sleeping in the same bed?" He laughed louder and shook his head. "Never reported them." He smiled as he ran the towel along his arms. "I really can't say anything. I remember a certain scrawny kid sneaking in my bed when we lived at the school."

Saïx jumped up and pushed him hard, knocking him backwards in the sand. "I was never scrawny."

With another laugh, Xemnas picked himself up and brushed the sand off. "Yeah, you were."

Saïx rolled his eyes. "Tell me again why I tolerate you."

"Because I'm fucking hot and I've got a huge…"

"Ego?" The blue haired man interrupted. "Modest too, aren't you?"

Xemnas just smiled.

"Dry off and stop horsing around."

With a laugh, Xemnas grabbed for him again.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"So how long do you think they've been doing it?" Larxene asked with a smirk as she peered at the Counts.

Roxas' mouth dropped open, Namine blushed and looked away, and Zander glared at her. "Lar!"

"Dude." Demyx lifted his arms, pointing at the present company. "Underage kids present."

"What about you two?" She turned towards him and Zexion. "How long have you been at it?"

Zexion pushed her. "Shut it, Lar."

She laughed and pulled the gray-blue haired boy down with her in the sand. She flipped him over and attempted to pin him.

"Before Lar and Zex kill each other…" Zoey said with a laugh. "The Counts said we're leaving soon."

"Seriously?" Larxene whined as she untangled herself from Zexion and pulled herself up. "Can you guys have another birthday tomorrow?"

"Oh yeah. That'll go over well." Zander said with a laugh.

"We got to be going soon anyways." Axel said, looking at the sky. "Need to spend all night studying."

"You?" Larxene laughed as she brushed sand off her legs. "Studying? All night? Oh there are so many things wrong with that picture."

"Be nice, Lar." Roxas said softly.

"I'm always nice!" She threw an arm around the younger blonde and ruffled his hair.

"Come on. Let's get going." Zander said as he turned. "You may enjoy being in trouble, but the rest of us don't."

The group made their way over to where the Counts sat, dried off and dressed. They stood up in unison and began folding their chairs. Xemnas turned to address the group. "Namine and Roxas, you two help the twins pack up their stuff. Larxene, you've got the coolers. And you guys can handle your own junk."

Larxene's mouth dropped open. "Why do I have to carry them all by myself?"

"You're still working off your punishment."

She rolled her eyes and threw up her hands. "Oh come on!"

Xemnas lifted a finger to wag it at her. "Maybe next time you'll think twice before sneaking a boy in your room after curfew."

Her face reddened.

"You did what?"

She turned and glared at the blonde. "Oh shut it Dem."

Zexion was smiling then. "Anyone we know?"

"His name's Marluxia." Namine said softly. "He's got pretty pink hair."

"Namine!" Larxene spun around to face her youngest roommate. "How the hell do you know that?"

She shifted uneasily under the stare and lowered her head. "I wasn't exactly asleep."

Demyx's mouth dropped open. "While they were in the room?"

"Oh you have no room to talk."

"Alright. That's enough. Not another word. Pack it up."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"You have to come visit more often." Zoey said as she hugged the three older males one by one.

Zander nodded. "Yeah. Don't wait for our next birthday."

"In the van." Xemnas said as he and Saïx got in the front.

"Catch you later." Larxene said and grabbed Namine's hand after the younger blonde waved goodbye.

"Yeah. Later." Zander waved and followed.

Zoey giggled. "Thanks again Axel. It was fun."

"Hey!" Demyx said as he and Zexion leaned against the car. "We helped too."

She stuck out her tongue at them.

"Bye." Roxas muttered without looking up.

"Hang on there, Roxy." Axel stepped forward and grabbed the boy's hand. "We'll visit more. Promise."

Roxas nodded, pulled his hand away, and slipped into the van beside Zander.

Zoey stepped closer to the redhead and stood on her toes to whisper in his ear. "Zander told him everyone knows."

Axel's eyes widened and his voice dropped. "Everyone? Shit. It was bad enough when it was just you."

"Oh it was never just me." She giggled. "He'll get over the embarrassment."

"Zoey! Now!"

She giggled again as she waved at Zexion and Demyx. "Bye guys."

Axel backed up and sat on the hood of his car. With a smile, he waved and watched as the van pulled away and drove off out of sight.

"Dude." Demyx pushed off the car and stepped around to the front where Axel was. He put his hand on the oldest's shoulder. "We need to get you a boyfriend."

Axel shook his head and brushed the hand off. "Nah. I'm good."

"At least a date. Come on." The blonde persisted.

Axel shook his hand again and stood up. "No."

"It might get your mind off… something."

"Or someone." Zexion commented.

Axel laughed at that. "Like I said, I'm good."

Demyx rolled his eyes. "It's unhealthy."

"Not to mention illegal."

Axel held up his hands as he walked towards the driver's seat. "I haven't done anything."

"But you want to." Demyx said with a smile.

"Hey. Nothing wrong with dreaming."

"Four years dude."

"Four won't always be such a big number."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

End of Chapter 23. Stay tuned for Chapter 24: No Records

Author's Notes: I really enjoy the silly, nearly pointless chapters with only the kids. Too bad there's only one more. Then they get separated. Hint hint, wink wink. That's not really spoiling the story, is it? You had to have known something bad was going to happen, right?