Hurray for another chapter! It's long and I'm going to warn you now. It gets verrrrrry corny at the end. Be warned.
Saving Axel
Chapter 14: Merry Christmas
Roxas's POV
I woke up when someone shook my shoulder. I sat up and looked at a nurse and I quickly sobered up and stood up.
"I'm sorry," she told me sadly, "only family and married partners are allowed past hours." I nodded and looked to Axel's sleeping form. "Don't worry, you'll be allowed to see your friend tomorrow morning." I nodded and put my jacket on while she left for a moment to talk to someone. I looked to him and I wanted to kiss him so badly, but I keeping thinking of how Demyx kissed him as well, so I just left. I walked down the hall and checked my watch to see it was past eight- thirty and I decided to check of Yuffie since she was here as well. I walked down the hall to the elevator and pressed the third floor button and waited silently by myself.
It was weird…I wanted to forgive Axel; I mean he really had me worried and I do love him, but he betrayed me with Demyx…it makes me just want to never see either of their faces again. It's like my mind is torn between love and trust. I love Axel, but can I trust that when he gets out he won't go back to Demyx? Why wasn't I enough for him the first time? I heard the ding and walked out of the elevator and down the hall. I knocked on the door right as a nurse walked out.
"Are you family?" I nodded and she let me pass. I walked in and saw Yuffie sitting upright on her bad watching Leon sleep beside her. She wore an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose, but that didn't stop the large grin spreading on her face.
"Roxas, haven't seen you around very often." Her voice was slightly muffled because of the mask. I walked up and sat beside her in the other chair. "He told me I have to get better soon because he misses his bed." I smiled, knowing he would say that to Yuffie since he does complain his back hurts when he is home.
"Other than that, Yuff, you need to get better since I'm tired of cooking all the time," I told her and she laughed lightly, but started to cough and I stopped her worriedly. She waved off my hands and I sat back down in the chair. She glanced over to me and smiled lightly and I did as well, but she suddenly stopped.
"Is something wrong, baby?" she asked me and I froze. How would she even~ "You can't lie to me, and you know that." I looked down because it was true. That was part of the reason I didn't come around all that often since I had been having Axel problemsat the time.
"It's just~" I stopped and looked down.
"Does it have anything to do with that Axel boy?" I nodded slightly, but kept my head down. "Did he break your heart?" I nodded slightly until I caught what she said and my head shot up and I stared at her shocked and worriedly. "Roxas, my son is gay, did you really think I would mind, or notice for that matter?"
"I just didn't want to be looked at differently," I told her quietly and she nodded.
"Would you like to explain what he did to hurt you?" she asked and I took a deep breath and fell silent. I felt a frail hand touch my shoulder and I looked up.
"We've been together for…awhile," I started and she nodded, "but during that time he had been…with someone else…another friend of ours. I caught them when you were first brought here. I was so angry, but so depressed by it, I just~" she nodded again. "Then today he collapsed at his basketball game from exhaustion and I told him I loved him still, but can't forgive him just yet. It's like my heart is caught between love and trust and I just don't know what to do!" I rambled quickly to her
"I'm not gonna tell you what you should do, but maybe I'll give you a little story to ponder about Leon." I cocked my head to the side. "When we were still going out in high school, I had never had sex before; I believed in waiting till marriage. Leon, well…he was like every other guy I knew. He wanted it, but he respected I wanted to save myself for marriage, so he went to his good friend Rinoa. They were together to let him express himself the ways he would never do with me. He wanted to keep me the way I was. Now, I'm not gonna say that is why Axel did what he did, every reason is different, but I can tell you I was very angry with Leon when I learned what had transpired, but look at us now." I did look at them. Yuffie was sick in the hospital, and Leon only left her side when he absolutely had to. I knew if it was reversed roles, it would be the same.
"But Yuffie~"
"You figure out what happened next." I nodded and she lowered her bed and relaxed.
"Yuffie, could you not~"
"You're secret's safe with me." I nodded and leaned down to kissed her cheek, and she hugged me lightly and kissed my forehead. "Now go home and get some rest so you can think about what I just told you, baby." I nodded and left the room while she held Leon's hand and fell asleep.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
I woke up the next morning in bed with Muffins curled up by my feet. I stared at my ceiling just thinking about the story Yuffie told me. Why would Leon do that? He was always the loyal man; it just didn't seem to fit his profile at all. I rolled out of bed and sighed. I just didn't know what to do with Axel at all or Demyx either. It was really hard to be mad at either man, but I just can't let it go. I looked to the iPod that was playing on my iHome, and turned it off as I got up and headed for the bathroom to get a shower. I wonder what I should do on my day off today. Maybe I could hit the shopping district and do some Christmas shopping, since I still had presents to buy. I glanced to my cat on my bed and sighed. I put the towel down and picked up my glasses. I picked Muffins up and walked out of my room into the downstairs living room. I finally decided that on my day off I would vegetate on my couch with my cat.
Screw shopping. Screw my job. Screw my life. No boy's life should be so complicated.
But you aren't really normal are you?
Shut up self.
Great! Now I'm talking to myself! I absently pet Muffins and scratched her head and sighed.
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Axel's POV
I closed my cell phone right as the nurse brought me my lunch. My foster mom finished giving me an earful about not talking to her and not taking care of myself and being so distant from her when I obviously needed help. It's not like I wanted to cut; I didn't want any attention at all. Hell, I prefer to keep my personal life hidden from people and just act like a crazy fool in front of friends and the student body at my school. I knew I couldn't use the high anyone gets from sex, since that royally pissed off Roxas when he found out; that and I know Demyx won't fold again. And there's no way in hell I'd drink again…I might do something I'd really regret under a drunken haze. Cutting was my only distraction.
I don't like to think about why I do it. I just…do. I know deep down that Roxas shouldn't even attempt to give me a second chance, like he is. He shouldn't even have to breathe the same air as me. Maybe since he knows of my old habits, he'll leave me for good and I can stop hurting him and myself.
"Mr. Lea?" I looked up to the doctor and smiled slightly. "According to your vitals, you'll be able to leave today. Just remember to get plenty of rest and let's try to kick this habit." He gestured to my arms and he turned to leave. I put my fork down and turned my arm to look at the scars. None of them compared to the shit my dad used to leave, or the emotional ones my mom left, but it was a start to not think about them in this hellish time of the year.
I heard a knock on my door and looked up to see Zexion, Demyx, and Marluxia enter the room. I smiled to them, but when I noticed their morbid faces, I looked down to my meal. Marly sat beside me in the chair that Roxas had slept in for a little until he disappeared. Demyx kept close to the door and Zexion stood to my other side.
"Want the good news or the bad news?" Zexion asked me quietly.
"Let's start with the good since I feel like shit," I said and Demyx walked a little bit closer.
"We spent all night trying to make the perfect plan to get all of Roxas's trust back, but it involves a lot from your part…and a bit of Demyx as well if we want it finished by Christmas Eve." I smiled. Zexion always has the best plans, and they always work, so that's something to look forward to. I looked to Demyx's morbid face as he pulled a sheet of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Zexion.
"What's this, guys?" I asked as he straightened the paper out till it was near perfect. They all looked worried and scared as Zexion handed it to me.
"W-we, uh…" Zexion never stutterers; this is bad, "We were looking through the crime section of the Sunday paper and, well, just read," he said quietly and I looked to the small sheet of paper. It said something about a man being up for parole on good behavior. Some guy named~
My eyes widened instantly as I read the name again and again and again. That wasn't possible, it…
"Funny, guys. This is a real sick joke, you know that?" I looked to all my friends like I was insane. "I know what I did was stupid, but this is~"
"We really wish this was a joke, Axel," Marly said quietly. That's when the realization hit me.
"No, th-they told me forever. They said he would never get out~" Zexion looked to Demyx who walked over and placed a comforting arm on my shoulder. "Don't fucking touch me!" I yelled as I swatted their hands away. The lawyer promised with all the shit against him, that he'd never get out again. "This has got to be a joke. This can't be fucking true. NO FUCKING WAY!" I yelled. I was thrashing about and trying to get out of the bed while Zexion called for a nurse while Marly and Demyx held me still. I just wanted to go someplace quiet and scream. They can't let that man free, they just can't! The nurses came in and grabbed a shot of something and gave it to me, causing my limbs to go weak, and I began to feel tired.
"He'll have to stay another day so we can watch his reaction to this drug. What happened?" a nurse asked.
"We told him his father is up for parole," Zexion answered, and I blacked out.
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Roxas's POV
"Get the hell off your lazy ass, Roxas," Sora yelled at me from the kitchen. It was late afternoon, and I hadn't moved from the couch once. "Have you seriously sat there all day?" he asked me, bewildered, "It's not like you." He stormed over and placed a hand on his head and then onto mine. "You don't seem to have a fever." I shoved him and he removed Muffins from my lap.
"I was thinking," I told him and he nodded. "Yuff told me a story about Leon that I have to ponder. I want an answer by the time she gets home…whenever she gets well enough to come home," I told him and he walked over again and grabbed my arm and dragged me off the couch causing me to fall to the floor with a loud thump.
"HA! Now get up and get dressed. Dad wanted to take us to dinner." He turned from me and returned his attention to Muffins. I loved how Sora made it seem like I was his brother and not his cousin. It was nice. I got up and ran up the stairs to get a shower. I walked into my room and closed the door and my phone went off. I grabbed it and saw it was a text from Demyx. Deep down, I really just wanted to ignore it, but then again, I still wanted to be his friend. Why do I have to be torn like this? I left my phone alone and decided I'd look at it later after my shower. I set the hot water and sat on the floor and stared at the tiles.
Why would Leon do that…why would Axel do that? I need to think about what both stories share so I can figure out whatever Yuffie want me to get from this story. They were in high school. So am I. There was a problem involving a friend that they went to screw around with. Maybe I'm over thinking things again, since I do tend to do that. I stood up and removed the rest of my clothes and got into the shower and closed my eyes as I let the hot water cascade down my body, warming me from sitting on the freezing tile floor in here. The warmth made me think of how no matter what, Axel had such warm hands that made me so calm and relaxed.
I got out a half hour later and wrapped a towel around my waist and checked my phone for Demyx's text.
Hi, um, i no u hate me but u should no Ax is staying another day
That's strange. They told me he would be out by later today. I guess something~
Or maybe Axel and Demyx are hooking up again. That dick!I threw my phone down on my bed angrily and hurriedly dressed, not caring if my hair was dry. I pocketed the thing and grabbed my iPod as well while plugging it in as I walked down the stairs, wearing my glasses again. I sat on the couch and stared at my shirt with Metallica blasting in my ears. I felt Sora watching me, but I didn't acknowledge him since I just wanted to vegetate here like before. After a few minutes, I felt someone shake my shoulder and I followed Sora out of the house and into Leon's car. He sat in the front, and I sat in the back as we drove out of the driveway. I knew they were talking, even trying to get my attention occasionally, but I stared out my window.
Why did I even think, or hope, I could forgive Axel? Maybe I'm better off without him. Just thinking about all the changes I made to myself when I was with him makes me sick. I used to be a straight A student who kept to their self and wore glasses and just barely got by socially. With him, I had been an almost straight A student who talked to more people and wore contacts so he could…admire…my…eyes. He made me a person and not just "Sora's cousin". He made me~
NO! He betrayed me! Why do I still think about all that mushy shit he told me?
"Roxas." I look up since my playlist was over and looked to Leon. We were parked by the nice little Italian food place in the downtown area. I got out and left my iPod in the car and stayed silent as we got a table for three.
"So, Dad," Sora started and looked back and forth between me and something behind me. He started to talk with Leon and I sat quietly for a long time, only talking when I was ordering my meal. I felt my phone vibrate, but I really didn't want to look at it at all. I was pissed enough as it is. After a few more minutes, I excused myself to the bathroom, rose from the table, and headed to the bathroom. I opened the door and washed my hands quietly and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I had been getting used to looking at how I used to dress with Axel. I fixed my glasses and walked out the door to see Leon on the phone and Sora texting on his. I walked over and sat quietly and ate the food that had been delivered in my absence in silence.
"Well, Yuffie should be home by Christmas Eve in two weeks, what are we gonna do?" Leon asked us. I looked to Sora who looked to Leon.
"What we normally do, I guess. We'll buy presents and~"
"I'll make Christmas and Christmas Eve dinner." They both looked at me like they weren't sure about that idea. "I've watched Yuffie do it for years; I think I can do it just like her." I put some noodles into my mouth and let them ponder that. They eventually agreed on the idea and discussed who they would invite and what Leon should buy Yuffie for Christmas. I had looked at my phone and read the message from Olette in silence.
Hayner's missing!
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Hayner's POV
Goddamn parents! They just had to fight when I'm depressed enough as it is! Then I have to not notify my friends and take a train to Sunset Hill and fall asleep on the hill and miss all trains heading back.I was stuck here, and I could barely navigate this hell hole during the day! I walked aimlessly through the town looking for some abandoned place to get out of the cold. I really didn't want to be out here~
I turned sharply and looked around for the noise I heard and saw a few figures running off in the darkness. Would it really kill them to put up a few street lights around these parts? I walked for a little more and saw a bright flash of light in the distance. It looked like rain earlier…that damn weatherman better not be right. I walked a little longer and realized when I saw the same dirty, small house I had only thirty minutes before I knew I had just walked in a big circle.
Fan-fucking-tastic.
"Hey, haven't seen you around these parts." I turned to see some shadowy figures come up out of nowhere. His voice was cold, and I knew he didn't want to give me any directions. I backed up only to realize all I had behind me was a wall. How perfect. Shit like this belongs in the movies!
"Get the hell away from me!" I called out, hoping it didn't sound as weak as I thought it did.
"Aw," the main guy said as he stepped closer until I was pressed against the wall and he pulled out a switchblade. Shit. "We just want a little bit of fun, kid." With that he slashed my arm and I kicked him as a reflex, but it didn't stop him because some of his buddies ran up to pin me to the wall. Great; how can my luck suck this much? Who the hell'd I piss off up there to deserve this? He leaned forward as if to kiss meand I clenched my eyes shut and moved my head as far away as I could.
"Travis. Back off." I opened an eye a bit and saw another hooded figure in the dark and like I had feared, it began to rain. Could this get anymore cliché?
"We call him, Seifer."He put a hand on my lower stomach and I caught his smirk. "I'm willing to share if you~" Seifer quickly walked up and ripped me from their grip and pulled me to his side and stood in front of me.
"He's my property, but if you wanna try again, I'll set Fuu and Rai on you and you won't like that," he threatened and they all grumbled and walked off. We stood in the rain for a long time until my arm was pulled. "Come on," Seifer said. For some reason, I got mad.
"I had everything under control, Seifer~" I started, pissed off, only to be cut off by his laughter.
"You call that handling the situation? Damn, you are stupid." I turned from him and started walking off. "Hayner!" I kept walking, holding my now throbbing arm. "Where the hell are you gonna go? They'll just come back, chicken wuss! I assume you missed the train since I know you don't live here."
"Neither do you!" I turned and yelled. I continued to walk until it hit me. He had a point; I didn't have a place to go, and like hell I wanted to sit in the rain until morning. I turned to him, and his silhouette was still visible in the downpour. I walked toward him and he nodded and started walking away. I followed wordlessly.
We reached a small apartment and he opened the door and waited for me to get in. he removed his hoodie and threw it on the floor beside the door. I saw he was still wearing that beanie and instead of his usual clothes he wore a red long sleeve shirt and black jeans. I shed my jacket and laid it on the nearest chair. The apartment was small and smelled like beer, and there wasn't really any kind of variety when it came to color. The carpet was stained in spots and I saw Rai and Fuu in the kitchen area playing cards.
"Did you find out what Trav was up to?" Fuu asked quietly as she looked to him. Seifer gestured to me and I grinned stupidly. She looked down to the cards in her hand before grabbing another.
"Is Kelvin back yet?" he asked and the two at the table shook their head. "Come on," he ordered me and I followed him down the tan hallway until we reached a room that I assumed was his. He went to his drawer and sifted through it a bit. "Have a seat on the bed," he told me without looking to me, and I sat down. The bed was bigger than mine and the sheets were black. All over the walls were pictures of bands and various awards the Twilight Town Disciplinary Team won. "These are some of my older clothes. Get changed; don't want you getting sick." He awkwardly left the room and closed the door behind him. I grabbed the black sweatpants and saw the clean pair of boxers as well. Why was he being so generous?When I was dressed, I was wearing black boxers, grey sweatpants, and a green shirt. I examined my arm that was still bleeding, but without the water making it look worse, it looked okay. I heard a knock.
"Come in!" I called and Fuu walked in with a first aid kit and I heard some yelling. She shut the door behind her. "What's going on?" I asked the silent, white haired girl.
"Seifer is asking Kelvin if you can stay the night. Believe it or not, this is more tame than most arguments between the two," she explained and dabbed my wound with cleaning alcohol and I cringed at the sting.
"If they fight, why does Seifer stay here?" I asked and she looked to me and back down.
"I've asked him too, but he doesn't ever answer. I assume it has to do with business purposes. If we run the old man's deals for him, we get a cut of the sale and a place to stay when needed. Rai and I actually live here, but Seifer just chooses to stay here. He's your neighbor, right?" I nodded slowly. There was a time we were the best of friends and being neighbors was so convenient. Then when his dad started drinking and his mom got sick, he came over more frequently until one day he just stopped. We became enemies at that point.
"Thank you," I told her as she finished wrapping the spot.
"You're welcome." She smiled and left me alone. I sat and looked around the room again. The room seemed to fit Seifer. Displaying what he loves most and bragging about his awards that are on display. That was when I noticed a small picture beside his bed and a folded sheet of paper. I picked both up and gasped at the picture in shock.
It was a picture of Seifer and me when I was in third grade and he was in fifth grade at his birthday party. I unfolded the sheet of paper and smiled at my terrible drawing skills of his birthday card. I heard the door open right as I returned the paper and picture to their rightful spot.
"You're in the clear, Hayn." I smiled slightly at the use of the nickname he gave me when we were still friends. He sat on the opposite side of the bed and we were settled in a comfortable silence, "You gotta be careful around these parts at night, okay? You know what Trav~"
"Thank you, Seifer," I interrupted him, "for all you've done for me tonight." There was more silence and then he got up and headed for the door.
"Go to sleep, kid." I nodded and he closed the door, but stopped right before it closed, "Your welcome." I barely heard him and I smiled without stopping. Maybe it was a good thing I got attacked tonight.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Roxas's POV
"How does that idiot forget his phone?" I yelled into my phone as I talked with both Olette and Pence.
"We don't know," Pence sighed. They were using Olette's speaker phone at her house. "We don't even know what happened that caused him to leave without telling anyone at eight in the morning and just not come back!"
"It's raining and I'm worried!" Olette howled into the phone.
"Relax, Letty," I told her. "Hayner's a big boy, he can fend for himself, I'm sure," I told her. I heard a beeping. "Hold on guys, I got another call." I pressed the button. "Hello?"
"Roxas?" I paused because I didn't know this person.
"Yes, who is this?" I asked cautiously.
"It's Seifer Almasy. I just want you to know Hayner's with me at Sunset Hill. He's fine and sleeping right now so…tell that brunette chick, since she worries a lot," he told me awkwardly.
"Okay, thanks," I spoke just as awkwardly. He hung up and immediately brought me back to my friends. "Guys, Hayner's with Seifer." I heard the gasps and after a few minutes they subsided.
"Well, if Hayner's okay, I guess I can relax," Olette sighed. "Bye." She hung up and I did as well. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes since I was so tired. Today had been going great until Demyx's text and then Hayner going MIA for a little bit. I just wanna have some ice cream on the tower with Ax~
No! Not again! I covered my head with my pillow. I don't know if I should throw it under the bridge and forgive him completely or never forgive him and just keep him as a friend instead.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Axel's POV
My aunt has been so paranoid about me being alone that she forced me to stay with her all week. Renowas pretty happy about that since he kept trying to get me to talk to some damn therapist, and Kairi hated it. She glared at me at dinner like I was the root of all evil and I really wanted to know why.
Today, I was reading the music Demyx had given me and sighed at the mere thought of our stupid plan to get Roxas's trust and love back. I don't know why I'm bothering anyway; he deserves better than my tainted ass. I'm so screwed up. He should have someone more like Riku. Maybe Riku has a secret brother…
Riku is always the best to Sora and does anything for him. That man won't even sleep unless Sora is smiling. Maybe I could have been like that once upon a time, but I really try. I do!
"Axel?" I turned and smiled to Zexion as he sat on the bed beside me, "I guess you were thinking again, huh?" I looked to him and idly wondered yet again if he really could read minds.
"How do you know?" I asked him and he gave me a serious look.
"Well, I smelled the smoke." He cracked a rare grin and I laughed and looked down to the lyrics again.
"What's the success rate for this plan, Zex?" I asked him and he looked down.
"Knowing all other things you put Roxas through, what he now knows you do, and other things going on with him, I'd say…50%." I sighed. Not very good numbers. "If you don't want to do it, we'll think of something else," he told me and I shook my head.
"I'm still giving him the present I bought him a few months back and going through with the plan." He nodded.
"Well, your aunt said dinner was ready and I was allowed to stay. We can practice afterward, okay?" I nodded and followed him down the stairs to the dining room. I saw Kairi setting the table while my aunt Jean brought the food to the table. I looked around for Reno, but I couldn't find him.
"Auntie Jean?" she turned to look at me, "Where's Reno?" I asked her and she shook her head. I guess Reno wasn't joining us then. When we were all settled I caught the glares from Kairi, yet again, and I tried to ignore it, but it happened all dinner until I just got fed up with it. "Kairi, can I see you in the hallway for a minute?" I asked, and she followed me. We stood there for a few minutes in silence.
"Why am I here, Axel?" she asked me in a bored voice.
"You're gonna tell me what your problem is with me."
"Wha~"
"I see your glares, now tell me what I did to piss you off," I hissed with force.
"Well, because of you, my parents barely talk to each other without arguing, Reno is never around because he's working extra hours to afford you help, and for some reason, you hurt Roxas!" I looked to her shocked and then to the right. Her glare lightened and she looked down, "Axel, I'm sorry. I didn't~"
"It's okay," I told her as I flashed her a warm smile. She didn't seem convinced.
"Can you just tell me what you did to Roxas? You two seemed like really good friends, and he was coming out of his shell and then…he just suddenly locked himself in the shell again."
"I did something distasteful and he caught me doing it. Don't worry; I'm in the process of fixing the problem." She nodded and I led her back to the dining room where she seemed much more relaxed about my presence. I remained quiet though. I didn't know everyone was this worried about me.
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Roxas's POV
I'm on the verge of a breakthrough, I know it! I had been thinking about what Yuffie told me that night at the hospital for the past two weeks. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and I knew I had to hit the store today before they were cleaned out of what I need. I put the paper of possible outcomes down and grabbed my backpack off the floor and ran a hand through my hair and ran down the stairs and to the door.
"Hey, Sora!" I greeted happily and he laughed.
"I guess you're close to figuring out the meaning behind that story, huh? Maybe you can apply it to your life and stop being a depressed emo-kid all the time." He elbowed me playfully and I shoved him off and he did it again. "You walking again today, or will you accept Riku's offer to drive you?"
"I'm feeling lazy today so I accept." I smiled to him and he frowned for a moment.
"Why don't you wear your contacts again?" he asked and I looked down.
"They're a major hassle," I lied. Like hell I would tell him that I liked not seeing the feature Axel loved most about me. It will make it a lot easier if I decided to forget Axel completely. Sora opened his mouth to continue asking, but, thank god, Riku chose that moment to pull up in front of the house. "Ah, look at that. Riku's here, so let's go!" I called as I ran toward his crappy truck. Sora followed after me and I opened the door to his truck. "Thank you, Riku!" I whispered to him and he looked at me confused.
"Alright, then," he muttered when Sora finally sat in the front seat. "Here's to the last day before break!" he stated in an upbeat voice. I turned my music up and smiled at the sky since it had started to snow lightly. I listened to Think Twice by Eve 6 and suddenly hit the next button. It was like a reflex. Why do I think of him when there is any kind of mention of fire? Some of the lyrics remind me too. Ugh, no. I will not spoil today by acting all depressed because I miss Axel~
I did not just say that.
He hasn't been around at school lately where I can see him. I know he's here since he shares classes with Sora and Riku and they tell me he's there, but he hasn't sought me out. I don't look for him because, well, I can't compel myself to do so. It's weird; I kissed Axel at the hospital with every intention of forgiving him, but now I berate myself when I think of him. I'm starting to think I'm bipolar…or secretly a girl in never ending PMS. God damn my weird thought process.
Riku parked the car and we piled out. I paused my music and looked around for Naminé. Ever since I became bipolar (I've decided I am), I've been hanging out with Naminé a bunch. She would call it dating, or at the very least an intermittent fling, but I call it "I'm lonely". I feel like I'm using her…but then again, I'm afraid to be hurt again by Axel. When I spotted her, she ran up in her white coat and matching scarf and gloves of a more off-white. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and she smiled brightly and locked our arms.
"You still gonna invite the amount of people Yuffie does Christmas Eve?" she asked me as we walked toward the building. I felt Riku and Sora's lingering eyes on me as I walked inside with her. I turned my head slightly and smiled lightly when I spotted Hayner yelling at Seifer like usual, but it seemed lighter somehow. She pulled me toward the music room and sat me at the piano and I sighed as she removed my gloves for me. "Just a quick song!" she pleaded. I positioned my hands over the keyboard and hesitated.
"Which one?" I asked her. Over that past two weeks I've played her numerous songs.
"That one you played me the first time you played for me. Oh, what was it called…" she trailed off as she sat beside me. "Wow, I plead with the teacher to let me in here before class starts and I can't remember the name of the song I wanted you to play." She laughed and I did as well.
"Dearly Beloved, right?" I turned to see Zexion standing in the doorway of the room.
"That's it!" Naminé cheered, but seemed a little upset that someone walked in. Zexion walked over and placed a sheet of paper in my hand and walked off. I guess Axel must have bragged about me writing a song for him. Can he keep anything to himself?
"Dang!" Naminé huffed as she glanced to the clock, "The bell's gonna ring soon…maybe another time?" she asked politely. I shrugged and looked to the note and stuffed it in my pocket to read later.
"I don't own a piano, so if you really want to~"
"I'll ask her again tomorrow!" she smiled sheepishly after interrupting me and stood up and kissed my cheek and ran off embarrassedly. I held my cheek and looked where she had just left and sighed. Apparently screwing around with my head and emotions is just really fun. I walked toward homeroom and walked through the door right as the bell rang. I sat in my seat beside Hayner.I pulled the paper Zexion gave me from my pocket.
Roxy
Hold your breath!
Hold my breath? What the hell does that mean?
"Mrs. Gainsborough?" the intercom started and everyone quieted down and looked to the teacher. It was a male voice that wasn't who usually did it…a female secretary from the front office normally did. Guess she has a day off.
"Yes?" she called loudly.
"Tell Roxas Strife to report to the auditorium at this time. Thank you!"
"You heard him, Roxas," she told me as everyone who was staring at me went back to what they were doing originally. I gathered my stuff and walked toward the door wondering why I had to go. Did I forget to finish a question on midterms? No, I double checked…for once. I ran up the stairs and toward the doors. Maybe I won something? Nah. I saw the door of the auditorium and walked toward it. Maybe Saix thought I cheated on the math test since I do have an A in his class now. I guess if Axel isn't cheating on me or almost dyinghe can actually tutor me and I learn. Suck…on…that…Saix?
The room was pitch black and no one seemed to be here…did I come early?
I took a step forward and a single light illuminated the small stage where a piano sat untouched in the middle of the stage. I walked forward hesitantly, wondering what kind of joke this was. Maybe I should leave…this could be dangerous somehow…oh my god! Is that the one…IT IS!
I ran forward when I realized the piano was the one I saw when I was out at the music store a month ago. I ran my hand along the shiny black paint and saw the red bow atop it and pulled it off and threw it to the floor. I walked around to see a letter with my name on it lying on the bench. I grabbed it and opened it as I sat on the stool.
Roxas,
I know you haven't seen much of me lately, but I hope you can at least enjoy this. I know I did a bad thing and really hurt you, but even though you claim to somewhat forgive me, I know you're lying. That's why I felt compelled to do what I did…I hope you can at least love me again the way I still love you, and maybe give me another shot before throwing in the towel.
It wasn't signed, but I had a gut feeling that this was from Axel. I looked and saw sheet music sitting on the stand titled To Show you my Love. I turned the note over and laughed lightly when I read what was written there.
P.S. I know you want to play it!
So play it, Roxy!
I placed my hands on the keyboard and looked to the notes and began to play. I smiled at the sound. I loved playing. That's when I heard a voice…
"I wanted to write you a song."
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Axel's POV (1 hour ago)
I rubbed my eyes as Zexion drove us toward the school. By us, I mean Demyx, Marluxia, Larxene, Zexion, and myself. I was too tired to do anything at the moment, but I knew that when I got to the school, and our plan was put into action, I'd probably wake up more.
"Perk up, Axel!" Demyx elbowed my stomach and I sighed again.
"There's a really big chance this won't work, and I'll embarrass myself in front of Roxas." He looked away from me and sighed. Larxene slapped the back of my head and I yelped in surprise and pain.
"Ouch! What the hell, Larx?" I whirled around to glare but she smiled to me and leaned in more on Marly, knowing he wouldn't let me go any farther.
"Think positive, Axel, or it will fail," she told me, and I huffed and turned to face the window right as the school came into view. When Zexion parked we all piled out knowing our jobs in the plan.
"Axel, come on." Zexion gestured to me and I followed him while the other three headed toward the school entrance while we ran around the side where a small moving truck was parked. "Brought it here last night, since they delivered it yesterday," he told me as we ran over to unlock the back. I smiled when I saw the sleek, black piano. I got up into the truck and helped Zexion lower it down the ramp so we could get it into the school. We walked toward the back door ramp and we paused at the door.
Demyx's POV
I ran off from Larxene and Marluxia as they grabbed the music and went to write the notes for us. I ran toward the office and grinned when I saw Mr. Xemnas walking into the office at the time.
"Mr. Xemnas!" I yelled running toward him. He turned with a cross between bewilderment and annoyance on his face. He sighed.
"Yes, Demyx?" he sighed. I mentally sighed, knowing the only reason he knew my name was because I was sent to the office so many times. I think he knows Axel that way too, but that was two years ago.
"How would you like to make Mr. Saix a very happy man?" I asked teasingly. He looked shocked for a moment, but it quickly changed.
"I am not involved in any way with~"
"If you give me your set of keys, I will make sure Zexion will help cover three class periods in a row for you." I held my hand out hoping to every entity I knew that he would say yes. He looked around and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket and placed them in my waiting hand.
"Third, fourth, and fifth period today Demyx." He walked into his office and I mock saluted and ran toward the back of the school.
Axel's POV
"Remind me to beat the shit out of Demyx later," I told Zexion as I blew more hot air into my hands. I hated the cold and only enjoyed it when I was near Roxas. He liked the cold, but his cold was a comforting one…if that makes any sense at all. We heard some jingling on the other side of the door and it suddenly opened and a breathless Demyx stood there and helped us wheel the piano into the school building.
"Forgot to ask, Zex," Demyx huffed as I cursed at the door being closed when I needed to pass through it, "How do we get it out of here?" Zexion grunted as he pushed the cart forward with much effort since he was so small.
"I paid some janitors to do it," he panted and I waved happily toward Marly and Larxene as they stood by the auditorium doors. Demyx tossed them the keys and helped Zexion push while I walked it backward. We easily wheeled it down the small aisle and with tons of struggle got it on the stage. At this point all of us were tired out from the weight of this thing while Larxene finished folding the letter and placing it in the envelope.
"All I can say is he better forgive you, damn it!"Marly panted as he fell backward with a thud onto the stage. I laughed lightly and hopped up and looked around and sighed as I thought of how I wanted to do this. This was so going to be a waste of time, not to mention corny…ugh.
"You ready to do this, Axel?" Zexion asked quietly as Demyx let him lean on his shoulder. I shook my head.
"Hell no, but I'm gonna do it anyway." I took the bow from my pocket and slapped it on top of the large instrument and took the sheet music from Larxene and placed it on the piano neatly. I really hope I can make this song sound as sweet as Mike Schmiddoes.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
Roxas's POV (right now)
"I wanted to write you a song."
I wanted to stop playing, but I just couldn't. I knew Axel was quietly singing because he always told me how much he hated singing for people.
"A song you could sing forever," he walked up beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder, "and I wanted to rhyme and to bend phrase and time into something clever."
I smiled, what was he singing?
"But you deserve something better," I frowned. What was he doing? "If I could make all the mountains spell your name, and all the old street cars dance in the rain; and promise to hold you for all my days, it wouldn't be enough… to show you my love." I almost started crying but I moved over slightly and let him sit beside me and continued to play.
"I wanted to write you a verse, of all of the things I love in you; of your beautiful smile, and the truth in your eyes and the way you always knew," I blushed slightly as I played the same rhythm. "That you deserved something better." I felt him wrap his one arm around my waist and he leaned in closer, "If I could make all the mountains spell out your name, and all the old street cars dance in the rain, and promise to hold you for all my days; it wouldn't be enough…to show you my love~" I abruptly stopped playing and tackled him with a hug making us both topple to the floor with me on top. I stared down into his green eyes and he stared back into mine.
"Axel…" I started.
"I didn't even finish Roxas, and I practiced so muc~" I forced my lips onto his and that must have shocked him since he didn't kiss back at first or for a little while. I was about to pull away when he pulled me back to kiss me deeply. I felt like I was in heaven, but we sadly had to pull apart to breathe. I lowered my head onto his chest and closed my eyes just thinking. I think I finally know what the purpose of Yuffie's story was…I was over thinking things.
She forgave him because she loved how he loved her.
"And when I'm ugly, I know you love me" he kissed my forehead, "and you know all of me," and he kissed my cheek, "and I wouldn't wish that on anyone." He and I met in one last kiss and I smiled when we pulled away.
"I thought you hated singing, Ax," I asked him and he laughed a laugh that only he can: deep and warm.
"Oh, I do, Roxy, but I love you more and if this was the only way to do it than I'd do it." I snuggled into his chest again. "It was this or sing to you over the intercom across the entire school so…I'm glad I can be here right now." He lowered his right hand to intertwine with mine while his other hand gently rubbed my back in small circles. We both just forgot about school for the moment and just relaxed in each other's arms.
"Do you want to come to our Christmas party?" I asked and he nodded with closed eyes. "We ever gonna go back to class?" I asked and he shrugged. "Let's get back to class," I said and he nodded and we left the room holding hands.
"You do know that that piano is yours, right?" I almost fainted at the news and he let me lean on him and laughed again. "Merry Christmas." He kissed my cheek and for once I didn't check to see if anyone was walking around.
XxXxXxXxXxXxX
I had got home and texted Axel all night long and he even arrived super early to help me cook on Christmas Eve. We had invited Kairi, Hayner, Olette, Pence, and Axel to the party along with some other people our parents new, but since Yuffie just got home she sat in her room resting still since she was told to take it easy. I knocked on her door and opened it carrying a plate full of food and her medicine.
"Thank you, Roxas." She smiled as I watched her take her three pills. "How's the party?"
"It's not as fun without you, Yuffie." I smiled and turned to leave but hesitated at the door.
"Yuffie?" I asked.
"Yes, dear?" she asked and I turned to face her with a small smile.
"That story was fake, wasn't it?" She looked down embarrassedly. "Leon didn't meet Rinoa until college and she had already been engaged at the time."She smiled slightly. "Thanks though."
"Glad I could help," she called lightly and I was about to close the door when Leon came marching past me and into the room closing it behind him.
"Roxy!" I turned at the nickname and I glared at the red-head who broke the rules.
"What did I say about coming upstairs?" I asked as I walked past him.
"To not to, but I was hungry for another special cookie for me!" he pleaded and I laughed and went to get him one, but before I could descend the stairs he pulled me back and kissed me on the lips. It wasn't particularly deep, but it was enough for me and we slowly walked down the stairs, appearing to all as really good friends. I smiled calmly and happily to my friends and family and Axel did the same to some of his friends.
Inside, I was jumping for joy because I had Axel back.
Best. Christmas. Ever!
Was it an overload of cornyness? Review!