The Dining Room in Castle Oblivion shone with a strange light that evening, it was one of the biggest rooms in the castle and required hundreds of candles to be brightened, so the temperature inside the room was usually very high, unless Axel was there to control the flames.

The members of the Organization XIII were seated around a large old fashioned table. Moods were running high that evening. No one had been allowed to take off their black coats despise of the heat. It didn't help that the main course for the evening had been heavily fried, and was still very hot.

There were mutters all around the table about Xemnas crazy ways. When he took off a glove, everyone looked up, hopeful, but they were somewhat disappointed when he used the glove to slap Xigbar hardly on the back of the head.

"Ooow." Xigbar said in protest. "What the hell was that for?"

"Stop complaining, I know you're hot, I am too, but rules are rules and you have to stick with them."

"Why did you hit me for? I didn't said anything!" he said rubbing his head.

"You were the closest one Number II." he responded trying to keep a straight face.

He grabbed a carrot stick from the vegetable bowl sitting beside him. He munched it thoughtfully; Axel hadn't come down for dinner again. Maybe he had been too harsh with him, maybe he should have sent Saïx, or Zexion to talk to him, maybe he should've stayed with him despise his protests, maybe-

"Maybe," Larxene said interrupting his trail of thought, "we should eat somewhere else. Why do we have to sit all together as a group anyway, no one cares. Why do some members get to stay in their rooms and do whatever they want? And why do some members," she continued looking at Xemnas "get to not wear a coat when the rest of us are boiling alive?"


Axel took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. After meditating it for a while, he decided to go for dinner with the rest of the Organization. He knew that if he didn't they would continue to nag him. He opened the door for the third time that night, and locking it behind him so Vexen wouldn't steal any of his clothes for DNA testing, he made his way to the dining room.

He decided to walk instead of using a portal. Sure they were useful, but he wanted to take his time walking. He was still upset that Xemnas had come to see him, and walking helped him relax.

After thinking of Xemnas words for a while, he decided Xemnas had meant no harm.

He could've sent someone else to talk to him, someone he was closer to, but he had come himself. Maybe he really did care about him. He laughed softly, his confession had been a little extravagant in his opinion, telling him how much he meant to Xemnas, it was almost as if-

He suddenly remembered Xemnas had left his coat on his bed. Knowing Xemnas would get in trouble with the others if they saw him without it, he ran back to his room to get it.


When Axel finally walked into the adjacent room to the dining hall, he was panting and very late for dinner. As he was opening the door, he heard Larxene's angry voice.

"Why do some members get to stay in their rooms and do whatever they want? And why do some members get to not wear a coat when the rest of us are boiling alive?"

"I told you already, I don't know where I left my coat." Xemnas replied patiently.

"Yeah well-"

"Looking for this?" said Axel storming into the room holding Number I's coat in his right hand. The door flung hardly behind him and he walked directly towards where Xemnas was sitting. "Here," he said giving him the jacket, "Don't go leaving all your crap in my room again."

Xemnas smiled broadly at him and took the jacket from his hands. He put it on, glancing at Larxene who turned the other way.

Axel took his seat beside Saïx, who smiled at him, and helped himself to some wine. He took a sip from his cup; it was excellent, as always. He felt someone watching him, and turned to look at Xemnas who was indeed staring at him with an odd look in his face. He held his glance, and Xemnas smiled. "Here's looking at you, kid." he said raising his glass also filled with wine.

Axel blushed and looked at his plate. He saved himself the embarrassment of answering by filling his mouth with smashed potatoes.

He heard someone snort and looked up. He saw Larxene in deep conversation with Marluxia and Luxord, but she turned to look at him and gave him a dirty look.

"Whgpt?" he said.

"Excuse me?" Larxene responded. Everyone went quiet, the tone in Larxene's voice meant trouble.

"What," Axel said again swallowing the mouthful of potatoes. "Why did you laugh, and why did you look at me like that?"

"So what, I can't laugh now? Just because you're all PMS now, doesn't mean the rest of us have to be too. And I didn't give you any looks, why would I look at you? Jesus, you suck."

"Yeah well, you blow. And you're not even that good, or so I've heard." said Axel smirking.

Larxene went purple. "Luxord!" she said indignantly.

"Xaldin!"

"Xaldin? You dog!"

"No! Xigbar! It was Vexen!"

"Vexen?"

"No way Lexaeus!"

"Lexaeus? Oh… ew. No offense big guy."

"Marly, don't be rude!"

"Aw Demyx, don't be mad!"

"Zexi, do something!"

"Do what Saïx? Xemnas!"

"Enough!" the superior bellowed. Everyone quieted down right away. Xemnas had risen from the table. "What is wrong with you people? We can't afford to be fighting with each other over nonsense," he said looking at Larxene "or offending the other members." he looked at Marluxia, then at the rest of the members, stopping on Axel. He took off his gloves. Xigbar instantly covered his head with his hands. Xemnas sighed gravely. "You can finish eating if you want. I'm sorry about the trouble today. Axel, take the heat off this room and come with me please."

Axel gave one last furious look at Larxene and snapping his fingers, decreased the temperature in the room dramatically.

"Follow me." Xemnas said from the other side of the room.


Axel followed Xemnas into the garden. The sun had settled down completely over the horizon and the moon was shining brightly above their heads.

Xemnas was muttering to himself. He seemed to be very nervous for some reason.

"Are you alright?" Axel said looking at him.

"Yes, I just, I don't know what to do. Everyone's on an edge, I understand, but-"
"Hey," said Axel looking at him. "It's ok."

Xemnas smiled "How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"I'm always trying to explain myself the best way I can using so many words, and you, you make feel like it is going to be ok by just saying it."

"Oh, well I, you know…"

Xemnas stopped walking. Axel turned around and stopped too. "Why-?"

Xemnas flung himself at Axel, embracing him tightly. "Thank you," he muttered in his ear.

Axel didn't respond. He pushed Xemnas away as delicately as he could, but Xemnas wasn't bulging. He tried harder, but Xemnas just held him more tightly, he tried sneaking under him, but Xemnas caught him, and in the struggle they both fell down; luckily the grass was soft.

"Geddoff." Axel breathed from under Xemnas.

He rolled off Axel and lay in the grass beside him.

They both stayed quiet for a while, both embarrassed. A shooting star passed quickly in the sky above them.

"Hey," said Xemnas looking at Axel, "Make a wish."

Axel just smiled and looked at the sky. Xemnas turned his attention back to the stars, but spoke again after a few minutes.

"Axel, I have a confession to make."

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Ok, Ill write more later. And it shall be awsome :D -Jun 4th.