Jasmine here. JulNoWriMo is going well for me and okay for Cami.
I love/hate this chapter...
We don't own KH or FF, blah blah blah.
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Roxas groaned, rolling over onto his back and blinking his eyes open. He frowned when he only vaguely recognized the ceiling, immediately noting it wasn't his. He shifted up onto his elbows, looking around and realizing he was in Axel's room. In his bed. Wearing only his boxers. Blushing, he sat up and noticed the lanky redhead sprawled out on the floor. Noticing his clothes on a nearby chair, he got up quietly and redressed in yesterday's clothes, grimacing, before walking over to the redhead and crouching down next to him. Tentatively, he shook his shoulder. "Axel?"
Axel startled awake, surprised. Recognizing Roxas's eyes, his vision adjusted. "Rox? Everything okay?"
Roxas sat down as Axel pushed himself up. "Yeah, everything's fine, but... why are you sleeping on the floor?"
"You fell asleep on my lap last night." Axel said, shaking his head to try and dislodge some of the drowsiness, "I didn't want to wake you up to ask if you were comfortable with my sleeping in the same bed as you, so I just slept on the floor." he smiled at his boyfriend, "It's not a big deal. Sleep well?"
Roxas blushed, smacking the redhead's arm lightly. "You should've woken me up anyway! Or just left me on the couch! Or dumped me on the floor! Sleeping like that could not have been good for your back."
"While your concern is adorable, it was fine." Axel chuckled, pulling Roxas over so he was sitting next to him, "I wasn't gonna let you sleep on the couch or the floor anyway."
Roxas's blush deepened and he avoided looking at Axel as he mumbled: "Next time just sleep on the bed with me."
Axel smiled, "Sounds like a good idea. You hungry?"
Roxas looked up at Axel surprised at how easily he agreed to that, searching his eyes for a moment before his gaze softened and he smiled, leaning into him. "Yeah. But I kinda don't want to get up right now."
"Well, you're going to have to make a choice here. We have to get up to eat, or we can stay here." he said, putting his arm around Roxas.
"There is a third option: making a mad dash for the kitchen, grabbing food and then proceeding to eat it in bed." Roxas grinned, his blush fading.
"I think option three wins." Axel smirked.
Roxas grinned, scrambling up. "C'mon, then!"
Axel hopped up, running after Roxas to the kitchen.
Roxas stood in the kitchen, inspecting what was left of the pizza. "Thank god there's still some normal slices left."
Axel chuckled, "Grab me one. I'll get drinks. What do you want?"
"Just water, thanks. You want yours heated up?" Roxas asked, plating three slices, figuring between the two of them they'd get eaten.
"Sure." Axel said, grabbing two water bottles.
Roxas put the plate in the microwave and turned it on. Spinning to Axel, he grabbed his shoulders and tugged him down, giving him a quick kiss before getting the pizza out of the beeping microwave and grinning. "Race you to your room!" The blonde giggled before bolting down the hall.
Axel took off after him, holding the two water bottles.
Roxas laughed as he launched himself into the redhead's room, putting the plate of pizza on his dresser before doing a victory dance. "Hah! Axel! I won! What're you gonna give me for winning, huh?"
Axel grabbed his boyfriend, smirking, "I'm sure I can think of something."
Roxas smiled, wrapping his arms around the taller's shoulders. "Oh really?"
As an answer, Axel leaned down and captured the blonde's lips.
Roxas's lips curved into a satisfied smirk as he kissed his boyfriend, pushing him backwards until he had managed to walk him over to the bed. One more push, and Axel was tumbling onto the bed, Roxas right behind him.
Axel broke away from Roxas, surprised, but that didn't last long before he flipped over, pulling Roxas with him, so that Axel was straddling him, breakfast temporarily forgotten.
Roxas blushed but reached his hands up to slip into Axel's hair. "Axel..." He whispered, gaze flickering between the piercing green eyes that he loved and the lips begging for another kiss.
Axel complied, leaning in and capturing Roxas's lips again.
Roxas sighed in content, squirming a bit under the redhead as he was thoroughly kissed. He let his hands trail through the bright red hair of his boyfriend, fingertips massaging their way down to Axel's neck and shoulders, gripping tightly. Roxas leaned his head up slightly off the pillow, pressing their lips that much closer together. Cautiously, he let his tongue slip out of his mouth and flick across Axel's bottom lip, panting lightly, eyes half closed, peering up at Axel through his lashes, waiting for a response.
Axel smirked pulling back from Roxas, "You always like this when you've just woken up? I might make you sleep over more often."
Roxas's blush deepened, though he smirked at his boyfriend. "Only when I have you on top of me." He winked.
"That can be arranged to happen more often." Axel smirked again.
Roxas smiled, tugging on Axel's shoulders. "Less talking, more kissing."
Axel chuckled and complied.
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Zexion sat up, rubbing his eyes. He glanced at the floor, noting that Cloud was gone, and got up out of bed. Stupid Cloud, insisting he take the floor so Zexion could have the bed. Going over to where he had placed his change of clothes the night before, Zexion groaned and internally berated himself as he realized he had forgotten to grab himself pants in his rush. Since he couldn't walk around in his boxers, especially with Demyx here, the genius teen quietly made his way to his bedroom door, opening it and poking his head in, calling out softly, "Demyx?"
Demyx rolled over and glanced at the door, sitting up, "Come on in, sorry." he said. He'd been awake, just laying there.
Zexion hesitantly entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him and leaning up against it, crossing his arms. "Sorry, did I wake you up?"
"Nah, I was up." Demyx said.
"Oh. Good. Um. What did you have planned to do today?" Zexion asked, looking anywhere but at the blonde. His hair was mussed from sleep and seeing him half covered in Zexion's bed gave the older teen a strange pang in his chest that he didn't quite understand.
"Nothing, really." Demyx shrugged, "Homework. You?"
"Actually, I had planned to go to the art history museum today, but I could stay here and help you with your work. Or you could... join me?" Zexion asked, trying to keep the hope out of his voice.
Demyx smiled, "Sure, that sounds good." he said, "I've never actually been."
Zexion's face lit up with a smile. "Then it'll be even more enjoyable! We could go now, if you want. There's a small cafe inside the museum where we could get lunch."
"Sure." Demyx smiled, "Just give me a minute to get dressed?"
Zexion blushed. "Ah, that's actually why I came in here. I forgot pants, sorry." He quickly rushed over to his dresser, pulling out a pair of jeans. "Sorry for bugging you - I mean, we don't have to go now. You could go back to sleep. Or something."
"I was already awake." Demyx reminded him, "I don't mind going now."
"Great! I'll leave so you can get changed. I'll meet you in the living room in a few minutes, okay?" Without waiting for an answer, Zexion fled his own bedroom, shaking his head at himself. He didn't understand it... Making a decision, he purposefully strode to Axel's room, knocking before entering to the lovely sight of Axel on top of Roxas as the two made out on the redhead's bed.
Zexion squeaked and turned around, clearing his throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to Axel. Alone. Roxas, could you maybe keep Demyx company? He should be in the living room in a few moments."
Roxas growled something that sounded suspiciously like "buy that damned lock already" before getting out from under Axel and off the bed, straightening his clothes and giving Zexion a quick look as he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Axel sat up, "You alright? What's wrong?"
Zexion turned to look at Axel, frowning. "I'm not sure... I'm confused."
"Okay..." Axel said, "About what?"
"When I went into my room this morning, Demyx was already awake. He was just sitting in my bed. But I couldn't look at him without this... pang, I guess, in my chest. And it seems like whenever I'm around him, I'm stumbling over my words and what to say. Axel, you know me, I'm nothing if not blunt and articulate. I don't understand why I'm reacting this way..." Zexion said, still frowning.
Axel was suddenly glad that Zexion had asked him about this instead of Larxene, 'cause the merciless teasing would start right about now. "Well, it sounds like you have a crush on him to me."
Zexion's frown deepened. "A crush?"
"I can't tell you for sure, but that's what it sounds like." Axel said.
"What should I do about it?" Zexion asked, frown disappearing as he at least had a valid reason now for his actions.
"See if he's interested." Axel said, "Is he gay?"
"Yes, he is. But what if he's not interested? I'm not the most... appealing person." Zexion said, getting frustrated with himself.
"Well, you won't know until you try. Try flirting and see how he responds." Axel suggested.
"I don't know if I can... I've seen you and Cloud and Larxene flirt plenty of times, but I don't know if I can do any of that, Axel. What if I just make a fool of myself? I'm his temporary chemistry teacher!" Zexion was starting to breathe very rapidly, imagining all sorts of horrible scenarios.
"Alright, calm down!" Axel said, hopping up and putting a hand on Zexion's shoulder to try and calm him, "Are you two doing anything today?"
Zexion took several deep breaths before answering: "I invited him to go to the art history museum with me. And he said yes. I'm supposed to be changing right now and meeting him in the living room so we can leave."
"Well, just... observe him. You're good at that. See how he reacts to things. I mean, don't be a creeper, but just see how he responds to compliments and stuff. If you catch him blushing, you're on the right track." Axel explained, trying to think of other ways to break down how to figure out if someone was interested.
"Okay." Zexion said slowly. "Okay." He repeated. "Um, could you check on the status of things in the living room? I'm not sure I trust Roxas alone with Demyx... I'll just change really quickly. Thanks, Axel."
"No problem." Axel chuckled.
Zexion waited until Axel closed the door behind him before hurriedly changing. He dashed into Cloud's room as soon as he was done to grab his keys and his wallet, running across the hall into his own room to get rid of his laundry and run a brush through his hair hastily. Taking a calming breath, he entered the living room.
"Sorry about that." He said, glancing at Demyx and Roxas, who were sitting on the couch, and Axel, who was hovering near Roxas.
"No problem. Everything okay?" Demyx asked, standing up.
"Yes, thank you. Are you ready to go?" Zexion asked.
"Demyx mentioned you're going to the art history museum?" Roxas asked.
Zexion nodded. "Yes, we are." His chest got that pang again when he said that aloud, but he ignored it.
"I've been there myself - it's pretty cool. Have fun!" Roxas said, standing and reaching for Axel, linking their hands.
"Yep, I'm ready." Demyx smiled.
Zexion smiled. "Let's go, then."
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Namine knocked on the door to Reno and Riku's apartment. She had left early Saturday morning when Reno had gotten home from his shift since it became apparent Riku was still extremely upset and sulking in his room. She crossed her fingers, hoping that Riku had snapped out of it by now as she waited for someone to open the door. If not, she'd have to take drastic measures.
Reno opened the door, not at all surprised by the girl's presence, "Hey, come on in." he said.
"Well?" Namine asked, although a quick glance around the otherwise empty apartment had her hopes dropping. "How is he?"
"I know he's left his room, because food is disappearing while I'm at work, but I haven't seen him." Reno sighed.
Namine nodded sadly before mentally squaring her shoulders and crossing to Riku's bedroom door, knocking swiftly.
"Riku? It's Namine." She said.
"I'm trying to sleep." Riku yelled, burying his head under his pillow. The only time his chest wasn't aching was when he was sleeping, so he tried not to think and spend his days laying in bed.
"Riku, open the door. Please." Namine said, trying the doorknob, unsurprised to find it locked.
"Nami, just leave me alone, okay? I... it hurts too much to think right now and talking to you is making me think! Don't you want me to not be hurting?" Riku said.
Barely hearing him, Namine sighed. "Oh, Riku. You have to face this, or it'll never get better. What about work? What about your friends?"
Riku humorlessly laughed. "I never went to work before - why start now? And friends? What friends? My best friend was Sora and now he's... Just leave me alone!"
"Riku! Riku, please!" Namine yelled, receiving no answer.
She placed her palm on the door before her face hardened. "You leave me no choice. I told you you were coming out of there and facing this by the end of the weekend and I meant it."
Namine walked over to where Reno was sitting on the couch, sitting beside him and pulling out her cell phone. "I'm calling Kairi. Since Riku won't listen, maybe she can get Sora to do something to fix this. It is not physically or mentally healthy for Riku to stay like this."
Reno nodded, "Sora's not in better shape, actually. He's been coming to my bar every night. I've been trying to get him to loosen up and give me details since he doesn't recognize me, but so far, nothing."
Namine nodded. "That actually doesn't surprise me. Those two have been best friends for practically their whole lives. Frankly, Sora's being an ass for not realizing the awesome thing he had right in front of him all along, and Riku is taking it too emotionally and not trying hard enough. Hopefully my sister can knock some sense into Sora, so that this can be fixed and everyone happy again." The blonde dialed her sister quickly, thankful when she picked up on the first ring.
"Hey, Nam."
"Kairi, Riku still won't come out of his room. He sounds just as awful as when the incident first happened. And Reno has just informed me that Sora has been coming to his bar every night getting drunk. Is there any way you can beat some sense into Sora? I can't reach Riku right now, literally. They need to fix this, and you're just the person to make Sora realize this. Please?"
Kairi sighed, "I'll give it a shot. Sora hasn't been speaking to me either, though, so no promises... I'll head over to his place and see if I can kick his ass."
"Well, I hate to condone violence... Maybe just verbally kick his ass? And thank you, Kairi. We really need to make them end this. If Sora could just come over and talk to Riku, or even call him... something. Try your best, okay?"
"I'll do whatever it takes. I'll let you know how it goes." There was a click and Kairi hung up.
Namine closed her phone and sighed. "She's going to try."
Reno nodded, "Hope she gets results."
Namine gave him a strained smile. "Now all we can do is wait."
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No one was home when Kairi got there, but she sat down on the front porch, figuring it wouldn't hurt to wait for a little bit. If no one had shown up by the time she got bored of Tetris on her phone, she'd go home and text Sora asking him to come by.
Not that he would, but whatever. She wasn't going to wait for him forever.
Luckily, she didn't need to-Sora parked his car about ten minutes later, getting out and walking up to the porch.
"Kairi?" he asked, surprised.
"Hey." Kairi said, shutting her phone and standing up.
"What're you doing here?" Sora asked, awkwardly.
Kairi sighed, "Fuck, Sora." she muttered, "I haven't changed at all since the last time you saw me, why the hell are you being awkward?"
Sora managed a small smile.
Kairi smiled back, "Alright, enough of that. You need to talk to Riku."
Sora stiffened, "Why?"
"According to Nami, he hasn't left his room since he left your house." Kairi said, "It's getting ridiculous and unhealthy and you're the only one who can fix it."
"If you know all this, then I'm sure you know what happened while he was here." Sora said, sighing.
"Yeah." Kairi said, "The basics, anyway."
"And so you know why I can't go." Sora said.
"No, that I don't know." Kairi said, "Riku's your best friend, Sora. You've known him for years. What's different between now and a week ago?"
"He doesn't want to just be my friend anymore, Kai!" Sora snapped, "If I go crawling back to him, he's gonna have to live with my not being interested in him forever, and I think that's worse than him sulking in his room!"
Kairi startled, "Sora..."
"What?" Sora snapped.
"You obviously care about him." she said, "What you just said makes it sound like you're not going to talk to him because you don't want him to feel worse."
Sora frowned.
"Am I right?" Kairi asked.
"I guess..." Sora continued to frown.
"Well, do you WANT Riku back in your life?" Kairi asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Of course I do." Sora said, not hesitating.
"Then you need to talk to him. You say you're not gay, but I've NEVER seen you be interested in a girl before." Kairi said, "So, how do you know?"
Sora hesitated this time.
"Exactly." Kairi said, "Is Riku worth giving it a try, Sora?"
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This is actually one of our shorter chapters... Huh.
Please review and let us know what you thought of it! :D