Axel's arms and legs felt like someone had filled them up with lead. Each step he took on the cold iron stairway of his apartment building felt like a monumental triumph, worthy of recognition in the form of some medal or place in the damn hall of fame.

Or some shit like that.

God the redhead was so tired he didn't even know what he was thinking anymore.

As he dragged his keys out of his pants pocket and put it into the lock of his apartment door he sighed. Working doubles was really pulling a number on the redhead's mind and body but he needed the cash his job offered. Or job-"s" as the case had it.

At least on the other side of the dingy door was a face that could make his whole world light up. A face that could drag the tiredness out of his bones and make his body feel light as air.

Axel's fingers twitched in anticipation as he turned the key in the lock and pushed open his apartment door, wanting to feel that silky soft hair drift through his fingers and stroke and pet the small but firm body that went with it.

The shadow of his tall and thin form spilled out on the linoleum tile of his entryway, the orange light from the lamppost out on the street casting everything around him in a soft orange glow.

Axel stepped inside his otherwise dark apartment and shut the door, turning on living room light as he stripped out of his long overcoat and hung it on the jacket hook; placing his keys in the small tray that lay below it.

His living room was to the left of the door and a decent size as far as apartments went, filled with low budget furniture that still managed to look nice even if they were from stores like Big Lots and Good Will. There was no real dining space, but after a small closet that hid behind the front door was the kitchen, equipped with a bar ledge above the sink that acted as the spaces sole eating place.

Straight ahead of him was a hallway, a small alcove in the wall cut out to act as a built in mini office area and past that, a single bedroom door and another for the bathroom.

His throat was dry but the exhausted redhead managed to croak out a, "I'm home." Before taking two steps and face planting it into his couch.

A muffled sigh escaped the couch cushion that Axel's mouth was pressed to and after a few minutes of struggled breathing the redhead finally turned his lean body over and lay on his back with his eyes firmly shut. Axel was tired enough that he could of knocked off right then and there, but he couldn't just yet- he had to wait.

For a few minutes nothing but the sound of Axel's breathing drifted through the space of the apartment but then, the soft sound of padded footsteps joined him.

One…Two…Th-

A warm weight was suddenly lying on his chest and the redhead couldn't help the tug of a smile that pulled at the corners of his lips.

Keeping his eyes closed, Axel didn't stir. The temptation to move his hands up and touch the body resting on top of him was strong but the urge to tease was stronger. So the tired redhead kept his eyes shut and his body lax, which in perspective really wasn't all that hard.

An unamused grunt sounded from above him and the warmth moved the weigh shifting and leaning closer towards Axel's face.

Cool puffs of breath washed across Axel's face, tickling his skin and making him want to twitch. When he remained still however, the grunting noise was made again and sharp little pricks of pain flared across the redhead's chest.

That made the redhead cringe and open his eyes, which was the point.

Axel's emerald green eyes opened and met Light Ocean blues, which held the hint of annoyance Axel had just felt.

Axel smiled then, a cocky grin that lit up his face and failed to amuse the figure on top of him.

"Aw come on buddy don't look at me like that."

Big hands reached up and brushed a small cheek before curling around a small ear and stroking. This seemed to semi-please the small figure but those eyes still held its now, somewhat musing, annoyance.

Axel held his tongue to the roof of his mouth and made a sound of displeasure.

"You're not really gonna give me the silent treatment are ya pal?" Axel's voice complained mockingly.

Meanwhile his other hand had joined the first and was scratching and petting the face, ears, chin and forehead of the other, eventually sliding down the length of him and rubbing his back as well.

A pleased rumbling hummed against Axel's chest and he grinned with success. The little touches went on for a bit more, the pair both enjoying the presence and the feel of the other.

Then, previously closed eyes opened and focused on the face below him. Axel smiled as the eyes gave him a pointed look that definitely said: "Shouldn't you be making us food right now?"

"Alright, alright I'll go make us something, even though I'm beyond tired and in serious need of a week's worth of sleep."

Ocean eyes practically rolled, "Whatever." And Axel responded with a pout.

"Oh I am so not exaggerating, do you see these bags under my eyes?"

Blue eyes just stared, holding just the tiniest bit of sympathy within their depths.

Axel sighed and rubbed the soft blonde tuffs of hair that belonged to the tiny body still sitting atop him.

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine just tired."

Little arms pushed up a little body, and a little face leaned forwards , eyelids sliding closed as a small wet nose met Axel's and whiskers tickled his cheeks. Those little puffs of breath washed across Axels lips as he rubbed his own nose against his furry best friend's.

"Love you too, Roxas."