The next day, Riku rested his still sore head as he decided to use the Academy's Sauna located right next to the giant indoor pool. The silverette walked into the empty sauna in his gym clothes, ready to sweat out any impurities and thoughts of Axel that lingered from the day before.
After just a few minutes of sweating and heavy breathing, Riku realized that the sauna didn't make for a good combination with his concussion, so he decided to hop into the Jacuzzi to relax. Sadly, that plan went downhill when he saw Demyx, Luxord, Roxas, and Axel all in the pool, with Zexion reading on a chair far enough from the ledge to remain dry.
"Hey Riku!" Roxas waved loudly.
"You coming for a swim?" Demyx asked as he demonstrated his true talent with beautiful and effortless back strokes.
"No, just came here to enjoy the sound of the water." Riku coughed. After seeing Axel there, he decided that taking his shirt off was no longer an option.
"Oh, ok." Demyx smiled before he and Luxord decided to race.
"You're going to lose." Roxas warned Luxord, who shrugged off the prediction.
"We'll see." Luxord rolled his eyes before he and Demyx dove into the water.
"This is so relaxing." Roxas sighed happily.
"Yeah, a good swim fixes so much." Axel agreed.
"Zex, how come you never come in?" Roxas asked as Demyx made it back first.
"He doesn't like water. He's like a kitty cat." Demyx blew a kiss as Zexion blushed.
"Wow, I'd think that's non-negotiable for you." Axel chuckled.
"He likes to read, I like to swim, we can each do both, right my sexy Zexy?" Demyx batted his eye lashes while Zexion cleared his throat.
"Yes Demyx." Zexion hid behind his book.
"Damn," Luxord huffed as he returned to the finish mark. Riku ignored them all as he sat down by Zexion, closing his eyes, trying to think of something to do to occupy his time.
"Hey Axe," Roxas swam over to his friend, and the pool went strangely quiet before Demyx and Luxord started arguing again.
"Zexy! He's being mean!" Demyx whined.
"Luxord, stop pissing off my boyfriend or I won't help you with your biology homework." Zexion threatened without even looking up from his page.
"Fine," Luxord muttered.
"Thank you baby!" Demyx giggled. "You're so cute when you're all intimidating and threatening."
"Hey Dem, you want to practice diving?" Axel asked, and Riku couldn't help but open his eyes when he heard the redhead's voice.
"Sure." Demyx hopped out of the pool, and Riku watched as Axel pushed himself out next, his backside facing him. Even though Riku had seen Axel naked before, seeing him in a speedo was somehow even worse, because it was teasing him as Axel's package almost looked crammed into the cloth with his muscles dripping as he walked to the deepest end with Demyx.
"On three," Demyx said and Axel nodded before he made eye contact with Riku. The president gulped as Axel gave a sweet smile.
"Three!" Demyx shouted before Demyx and Axel each made a clean dive.
"How was that?" Axel asked after he resurfaced, catching his breath.
"Eh, Demyx's was better." Roxas shrugged.
"Dammit," Axel huffed.
"Sorry Axe, but the water is my soccer field." Demyx smiled before he swam fluidly back to the ledge. The two continued diving as Riku pretended to lose interest. He wanted to shower since he was still sweaty from the sauna, yet there was something keeping him there. As much as he didn't want to admit that it was Axel's speedo, he knew that the exposed flesh had an impact on his decision to stay put.
Riku sighed as he closed his eyes, wishing he could press a button that would magically make all of his feelings for Axel disappear.
"Three!" Demyx called for the tenth time as Riku kept his eyes closed, trying to ease his mind with some rest.
"Good dive," Roxas cheered as he treaded water.
"Thanks!" Demyx took a deep, loud breath.
"Where's Axel?" Luxord asked, so Riku couldn't help but open an eye for a peek.
"Oh my god!" Demyx quickly went back underwater before he resurfaced seconds later. "Luxord help me carry him up!" Demyx shouted, so Luxord, the strongest of the students there, went down to the bottom of the pool and carried Axel up to the surface.
"What happened?" Roxas followed them as they swam to the ledge. Demyx quickly rushed out of the water and helped pull Axel onto the concrete floor at the poolside.
"Axel! Axel?" Demyx shook the unresponsive redhead.
"Oh fuck!" Roxas started panting.
"Riku what do we do?" Demyx asked in terror, so Riku ran over, his own heart racing with nerves.
"Wake up," Riku whispered as he found himself fearing for the redheads life. He couldn't help but contemplate the odds of Axel actually dying, and all along, Riku had so much that he left unsaid.
"No, wake up!" Riku yelled, frustrated. "Roxas, go get Vexen!" Riku ordered.
"He needs CPR." Luxord gulped, still catching his breath from having carried Axel.
"Riku?" Demyx asked with tearing eyes, so Riku nodded.
Riku had never given CPR, but he had attended classes, so he took a couple deep breath's before he checked Axel's heartbeat, and when he heard it, he nodded to himself. He opened Axel's mouth with his hands and pushed on the redhead's chest, but nothing happened.
"He needs mouth to mouth!" Zexion was also caught up in the chaos as he neared the boys as the crowded over the redhead.
Riku took another deep breath before he lowered his face to Axel's. What if he saved Axel's life? What would change? Would this be the kiss that he craved? Riku put his lips over Axel's, and as he tried to exhale into Axel's mouth, he trembled. He was nervous and scared, and the idea of Axel not breathing terrified him. Riku pushed again on Axel's chest, and when nothing happened, he returned his mouth to Axel's. Could Axel really be that hurt?
The silverrete blew air into the unresponsive mouth before he felt hands on his hips. Upon sudden feeling, Riku opened his eyes, and when he saw Axel grinning at him, he was enraged. Riku pulled his mouth up, but was still in too much shock and worked up on adrenaline to register what was going on.
"Nice and sweaty." Axel smirked as he ran a hand up Riku's side.
Riku felt his breathing increase as did his anger.
"Oh, he is not happy," Demyx whispered not too quietly.
"You DICK!" Riku slapped Axel before he pushed hard on his chest to stand up.
"Prez, wait!" Axel sprang to his feet as he chased after.
"Oh come on," Luxord hollered at Riku.
"He just wanted a kiss," Roxas smirked, standing by the pool entrance, making it clear that they were all in on the prank, and never actually went to get Vexen.
"Prez, hold on," Axel caught the silverette's wrist just as Riku left the indoor pool and started walking down the hall.
Riku grabbed Axel's hand and dragged him into the first closet he saw, which had mops, brooms, and cleaning supplies in it.
"Look, I'm," Axel started, but Riku didn't give him a chance to finish before he slapped his cheek as hard as he could. The combination of Riku's sweaty palm and Axel's wet cheek made the slap sting all the more, and Axel rushed a hand to his reddened face, huffing in shock and pain.
"What's the matter with you?" Riku yelled, angrier than ever before. "You dumbass, you stupid idiotic asshole!" Riku pounded his fist on Axel's chest, but the redhead continued to pant as he kept his eyes blank. "I thought you were dying, and I got so scared." Riku admitted weakly. "I thought you were dying. I've never been so scared." Riku sniffled timidly, afraid of what that meant. Why did he care so much? Obviously he wouldn't wish death on anyone, but the very idea of Axel dying was almost too much for him. Knowing just how badly he feared Axel's death made him angry, and it was that anger that gave him power. "You were willing to fake something so dangerous just for a kiss? Do you have any idea how stupid that is?" Riku continued to yell all while Axel gasped repeatedly. "And you know what you big dummy? The joke is on you! Yeah! I wanted to kiss you yesterday, but now, now I hate you. I hate you!" Riku shouted as his eyes started to water. After all of the sick jokes and pranks, that had to be the worst. "I don't even want to look at you, you big, dumb, jerk!" Roxas punched Axel again in the chest, his eyes leaking steadily as he rested his head on Axel's racing pectoral.
"Well? Say something!" Riku stood up straight and yelled. Axel remained in his same position, his hand over his cheek, and his chest expanding rapidly, as if he were trying to control his breathing. Riku couldn't be sure, but it almost sounded and looked like Axel was wheezing. He wanted to question it, but his anger told charge as he shook his head. "You have no idea how much I hate you. I hate you! I hate you Axel!" Riku once again hit the redhead in the chest out of frustration, and the second he landed his blow, Axel inhaled loudly, confirming Riku's belief that he was in fact wheezing.
Axel dropped to his knees, his hand moving to his chest as he started to panic, which showed in his shallow breath's.
"Axel?" Riku asked, not wanting to be fooled again, but unable to shake off his true concern.
"Hee!" Axel inhaled with another raspy gulp, in clear demonstration that he couldn't breathe properly.
"Wha, what is it?" Riku looked down at the kneeling redhead, who was on all fours, gasping anxiously.
"Eeze!" Axel's throat scratched as he looked up into Riku's eyes with a watering pair of his own.
"Please?" Riku was trying to guess what it was that Axel was attempting to say. "Please what?"
Axel raised a hand to his mouth and started making gestures with it, and the game of charades began as Riku slowly shook his head.
"I can't fall for this again. I'm still so hurt and angry," Riku backed up as Axel's eyes widened in a panicked fear. There was a raw fear and genuine concern in the green emerald eyes, but Riku couldn't afford to put his heart out there again.
Riku took a deep breath and turned around, listening to the haunting echo of Axel's struggled gasps. The second he exited the closet, he ran into Roxas in the hallway.
"Oh, there you are. Where's Axel?" Roxas asked for the whereabouts of his best friend.
Riku remained quiet, which only frustrated the blonde.
"Riku? Where is Axel?" Roxas swallowed hard, wondering why Riku couldn't answer the question. When a repetitive crash sound could be heard from the closet, Roxas' eyes went wide.
The blonde rushed to the door and opened it wide.
"Oh my fucking god!" Roxas ran back towards the pool, pushing Riku aside on his way, which accidentally shoved him to the floor.
Riku stayed on his ass as the blonde returned with an inhaler in his hand.
"What happened? Are you ok? Axel? No, just, just breathe, it's ok, take your time," Roxas' voice was jittery, and Riku slowly climbed to his feet. "You ok? Alright, just sit tight real quick," Roxas exited the closet while Riku dusted off his gym clothes.
"Riku!" Roxas barked. The school president gulped, knowing that he was about to be interrogated.
"Yes?" Riku stammered to his feet.
"What happened?"
"What do you mean?" Riku played stupid.
"Cut the bullshit Riku! Axel just had an asthma attack. He was throwing shit around his body as he laid on the ground, as if to call for help!" Roxas' eyes started off angry, but then went to hurt and fearful.
"I, I," Riku stammered.
"I'm fine," Axel held onto his chest with one hand and the wall with his other hand, taking small baby steps with trembling legs.
"What happened?" Roxas asked looking back and forth, trying to find answers.
"Prez was just, he was just," Axel tried to talk, but his body was shutting down on him.
"Axe, just relax. Riku can explain himself. What were you doing?" Roxas' eyes displayed his true desperation for answers.
"I, you see," Riku was contemplating on a method to deliver the hard blow of truth.
"He informed me of the immaturity of my prank. The dust of the small cramped closet trigged my attack. He was on his way to get my inhaler when he ran into you." Axel gulped as he spoke.
"But you were throwing stuff, to get attention."
"I was being impatient as I waited." Axel took another deep breath.
"Oh. You sure you're ok?" Roxas didn't look completely convinced, but ignored it to attend to his friend.
"I'm fine. Thanks Roxas. You're a good friend." Axel smiled.
"No problem Axe. You only deserve the best. Come on, you need to go to bed." Roxas shooed Axel in the direction of his dorm building.
"I still need to shower," Axel shook his head with a smile at Roxas' efforts.
"You want me to go too, to make sure you're ok?" Roxas asked.
"Nah, besides, I'm sure Sora is anxious to spend time with you. I'll be alright. Thanks for the help." Axel hugged his friend goodbye before he took small steps towards the shower.
Riku watched, frozen by his nerves and paralyzed with a confusion that couldn't explain the day's events. He wanted to put everything on pause and try to catch up with everything that was already said and done.
He watched silently as Axel disappeared further down the hall, and once the redhead turned around the corner, Riku felt his body chasing after, in an impulse decision that required no recognition or effort of thought.
"Axel," Riku found himself holding the redhead's wrist without even realizing it.
Axel turned his neck, looking down with hurt and exhausted eyes.
"You, you didn't have to lie for me," Riku gulped, wondering why he was even saying such things. Axel remained silent as Riku looked away. "I'm sorry." Riku apologized, hating the guilt that built up inside him. He wanted to be forgiven, he wanted Axel to smile and crack those inappropriate jokes, because as much as he found it annoying, what he hated most was seeing Axel so serious and upset.
"Axel, please, say something. Anything." Riku grew disgusted at his own desperation, but a part of him didn't even care. "I didn't mean to get so worked up, I just, I was scared." Riku admitted, having to look away in embarrassment. "I thought you were seriously injured." Riku looked back into Axel's eyes, which seemed to open a bit more with concern and understanding.
"I'm sorry I worried you so." Axel replied quietly before he continued to walk again, but Riku wouldn't let him escape that easily.
"Why did you do it?" Riku had to ask. "Was it really just for a kiss? There are so many better ways to,"
"I wanted to see if you really cared about me," Axel remained calm and timid as he whispered.
"What?" Riku didn't know why, but such a confession startled him.
"After all the years we've known each other, after all the times I've tried to earn your attention, all I ever seem to do is make you angry. I couldn't help but wonder if you've meant every single insult you've thrown at me, so I figured the only way to find out the absolute truth was to get as close to death as possible."
"Axel, that's so stupid!" Riku shook his head.
"Is it? Every time I see you, I worship you, and whenever I talk about you, I exalt you. I know I have my playful immature side, but I still can't help but wonder if I'm wasting your time, and mine. I know drowning myself to get your attention was immature, and I admit that it was a cruel joke, but what I find to be the most cruel joke is being in love with someone who can't even smile in my direction." Axel shrugged hopelessly, leaving Riku to feel so lost and dazed. He never realized just how serious Axel had been about loving him, and he felt pathetic for needing such a foolish prank to see the truth.
"I'm sorry, I won't be bothering you anymore. Please understand, though, that my love for you has in no way lessened or disappeared. I just care about you too much to keep upsetting you when all I'm really wanting is to get closer to you." Axel said stoically before he took another step, which Riku hindered by tugging on his wrist.
"It's my fault. If I wasn't so cold to you, then, then you wouldn't have had a need to attempt such a drastic test. I'm sorry, I should have been more understanding, as a perfect president strives to be." Riku gave a modest bow of the head. He was stunned when he heard Axel chuckling lightly.
"Prez, anyone can love anyone if they're trying too hard to be perfect. True love, whole and sincere, exists when there are faults and errors. I love you for who you are and how you are, and that means when you're cranky too. I guess, I guess I was just a little needy." Axel shrugged it all off, and to Riku's surprise, he was happy to see the redhead smiling and moving past the entire incident.
"I, I do not get cranky." Riku muttered, not knowing what else to say.
"Uh, yeah, you do, all the time." Axel winked, displaying his usual playful demeanor.
"No, you're just too happy and peppy all the time in comparison." Riku pointed accusingly.
"Guilty as charged." Axel ruffled Riku's straight hair.
"So," Riku looked down at his shoes, wondering where the two stood in regards of their friendship, if Riku would even consider their knowledge of each other as such.
"So," Axel echoed.
"Are we, are we good?" Riku needed to know, so that he could move on with his busy life.
"Yeah, we're good." Axel gave a friendly smile.
"Good," Riku nodded. "You should go shower, so you can rest." Riku coughed.
"You should shower, you're all sweaty." Axel smirked back.
"I guess we both need to shower," Riku shrugged.
"Oh?" Axel returned to his normal, immature self.
"Just shut up," Riku followed Axel's lead and also acted as if nothing had happened. "By the way," Riku had one last thing on his mind. "If you ever attempt anything as stupid as that again, I don't care if you really are dying. I'll kill you myself." Riku warned with eyes as serious as ever.
Axel gave a small smile before he nodded. "Ok. But only if we seal our deal with a hug."
"Ok," Riku figured that he could at least give the redhead a single hug to make up for the asthma attack he triggered. Riku stepped into open arms, immediately realizing just how welcoming Axel's embrace still was, despite the most unusual of days.
"Mmm," Axel exhaled into relaxation, encouraging Riku to exhale as well, leaning against the firm, well toned body as Axel remained in nothing but a blue speedo.
Riku kept his arms relaxed around the slender body, against his desire to squeeze and hold for dear life.
"Prez?" Axel interrupted Riku's dreaming.
"Huh?" Riku snapped back into reality.
"You smell," Axel smirked.
"I, I was in the sauna." Riku gulped.
"You shouldn't tease me so coldly," Axel shook his head with a small smile.
"What do you mean?" Riku felt slow for not catching what seemed like an obvious joke.
"I cannot hide my true feelings, despite how immature or perverted you think them to be, but, you sweating is a bit more appealing to me then I'd care to admit." Axel ran his hand to the middle of Riku's back.
"You shouldn't tease me so coldly," Riku played the same words right back onto Axel.
"What ever do you mean Prez?" Axel went along with the conversation.
"You're all wet and dripping, holding onto my body, saying such dirty things." Riku gulped. He didn't know where his mind was leading him.
"Hmm, good point." Axel laid a soft, gentle, ghost-like kiss on Riku's temple. "Come on, let's go shower." Axel took Riku's hand and led him into the mens locker room, which was followed by an awkwardly silent undressing session.
"I'm so hungry," Axel patted his flat stomach.
"Me too," Riku ran a hand over his muscular abdominals.
"I'm so jealous!" Axel whined, which shocked Riku.
"What?" The president wasn't sure what Axel was referring to.
"You're muscles are like, all concentrated and it makes you look buff." Axel pointed right above Riku's exposed manhood.
"Well you have more muscle, it's just distributed evenly throughout your longer torso." Riku shrugged, not wanting to think about such things with his entire body out in the open.
"Eh, I guess. Still, you're in great shape." Axel put his speedo into his locker, standing naked.
"So are you." Riku commented in return.
"Thanks Prez. I guess as captains, we need to be role models." Axel smiled politely.
"I do try. Anyway, we should hurry." Riku wanted to rush things along so they could shower in privacy, or so they thought.
"I swear this is becoming like a regular thing," Axel joked as he entered the shower naked.
"Good to see you two aren't fighting anymore." Roxas smirked as Axel and Riku walked into the shower.
"Great timing." Axel smiled back.
"Roxy," Sora whined, feeling uncomfortable, just as Riku was.
"Well, we're actually finishing up. Or should I say, just getting started." Roxas winked.
"You're so immature." Sora hid behind his twin.
"And yet we make a great couple." Roxas turned around to face his boyfriend.
"It's all about balance." Axel smiled, noticing how Riku blushed.
"We'll catch you guys later. Play nice." Roxas warned playfully before he escorted Sora back to the lockers.
"So," Axel stretched his long arms.
"So," Riku shied up in the silence.
"Relax, I'm not going to bite." Axel slapped the back of Riku's arm lightheartedly.
"I guess I just still feel, bad, for earlier."
"You and me both. But hey, life is full of mistakes. Stop worrying about the and just own them." Axel smiled, as if the world was really that simple.
"I wish I had that attitude and mindset." Riku sighed.
"You can if you try." Axel shrugged.
"If I lower my guard just slightly, everything will change, and I don't think I'm ready for that." Riku admitted quietly.
"Well, just do what you're comfortable with, and understand that that is as much as you can do for yourself." Axel shampooed his hair.
"You really waste no time moving on," Riku couldn't get over that thought.
"Like I said, life's too short. Take the stick out of that cute ass of yours and just live a little." Axel sighed into relaxation as cold water rinsed the shampoo out of his hair.
"Well while you party life away, I have to work." Riku sighed in annoyance.
"You don't have to do anything. Even if you stopped living, life would go on," Axel shrugged.
"Wow, that's depressing," Riku muttered, surprised that Axel's 'pep-talk' took such a turn.
"Well the depressing part would be how my life would end next, but even when I die life will go on."
"And the point of all this is, what exactly?" Riku wanted to cut to the chase.
"Well, don't worry about the inevitable. Just enjoy what you have while you have it cause you really can't guarantee how long it'll be there."
"So you think I should party life away because the opportunities may escape me?" Riku put a hand on his hip as the water flushed down his sore body.
"Nope; I'm saying that you shouldn't do anything that makes you unhappy. I mean, yeah we have to do homework and it doesn't make us happy, but the real reason we do it is so we can get good grades so that we can get into a good college. So in the end, the reward will make us happy. So it no longer remains something we have to do but something we want to do, and if that alone isn't reason to do something, then you're going to be miserable no matter what." Axel spoke so fluidly that it made Riku question how long the redhead had spent thinking about his approach on life.
"I see," Riku whispered, not sure what else he could say.
"Anyway, I have homework to do, and since I want to get into a good university to get a good job and enjoy life, it makes homework worth doing. I'll catch you round Prez." Axel began to walk off as Riku thought to himself, analyzing the lecture he felt he had just received.
"Oh, Axel," Riku snapped out of his phase just as Axel was about to leave.
"Yes, my Prez?" Axel turned his neck around with a small towel around his waist.
"I, I'm glad that you have that mentality. I don't, I don't think it's healthy for both of us as captains to be bickering in front of the team." Riku nodded, to himself, as if he were happy with his selection of words.
"Are you trying to tell me that you hate fighting with me?" Axel's lips curled into a smile as Riku blushed.
"I said no such thing," Riku gulped.
"You know, I like things the way they are, even if it means that we're playing this cat and mouse game. I was foolish to try to rush it. We all know who wins in the end Prez, but go ahead and keep running. It's only driving me closer to you." Axel winked before he left, leaving Riku to wonder to himself why the tall redhead had to always be so sure of himself.
Author's Note: Gah! It's been forever since I updated this story! I have several confessions and announcements to make, about this story and my others. I'm extending this story (shocker, not) and I'm extending A Taste Of Loneliness (by a WHOLE LOT). If you haven't started A Taste of Loneliness, please do, cause it's going to pick up super soon, I'm really excited. Also, No More Broken Promises is being extended, and new twists are being written as you read!
I wont lie, I wrote this chapter last minute, and never even intended on adding it into the actual story. I think it's a bit too unrealistic and unnecessary (I don't know why I'm admitting this lol) but I spent enough time on it for me to be too lazy to delete it, and I do believe that in a weird way, it works. Sorry for my pointless ranting. I guess I just want to say that I understand if any of you didn't like this chapter or didn't think it worked, but like I said, I wrote it and at the moment, this story has been on pause for me because I'm still trying to figure out where to go next, and so any extra chapters for this story are needed .
I really hope someone is reading this author's note, because I'm still a bit unsure of where I'm going to be taking the next few chapters. I don't want to give too much away, but I spent A LOT of time working on a series of scenes that I'm currently considering deleting. They are very heavy, angsty, and throw the story in a certain direction. The entire rest of the story as I have it is written to fit along side those scenes, but now I'm wondering if its too heavy and dramatic, but if I take out all of those scenes, it will be a LOT of work, it will mean that I have to delete so much writing that I spent a lot of time on, and I'd have to figure out what I'm going to substitute it all with.
SO I'm asking YOU, what kind of story would you like to read? Would you prefer for this story to stay mild and sweet and cute, or would you mind if I throw in one of my signature dramatic scenes? In the end, I'll probably just do what I feel is best for the long run, but I am VERY curious and interested in reading what you all prefer reading. Please comment or even PM me your opinions/preferences! I really appreciate it. The sooner I hear back, the sooner I can make any necessary adaptations to this story, which means the sooner I'll be able to update. Thanks!
To Demonicangel2012: Yes, thank you so much for reviewing, I appreciate every single one ^_^ Hmm, those are good thoughts, although I think this last chapter was extremely unexpected, by everyone, including myself! I really didn't intend or adding it at first. No problem! Thank you for reviewing, and if you'd be so kind to read my author's note and share your opinion, I'm looking for any feedback I can get! Thanks =)
To ZeltaFrost: Congrats! Lol. Haha Axel is just too cute for words, and sometimes too sexy for words ;) hahahha, thanks, I was going for tension and frustration, and I'm glad to hear that you felt it during that end scene. Did you read my author's note? Do you think I should keep my angsty scenes that are very dramatic and heavy, or erase them and start over? Gah too much construction needed, I don't even want to think about it anymore . Thank you so much for listening to me rant lol.
To Rikuobsession: Hahaha, I can see how trusting Axel would be a bit risky, given his maturity level, but I don't think he's as immature as he's making himself sound. Haha leave it to Axel to pick out such gifts. Aww, yes, the kiss scene….or the lack of a kiss scene, technically! I love all jokes, and yours was awesome ^_^ Thanks, it's not easy, especially now that they are more obvious about their relationship on facebook which makes me want to puke, but if she's happy, then I want to be happy for her. It's harder than I thought it would be, but what kind of friend would I be if I only wanted her happy if I was benefiting too? I don't know, I don't want to keep thinking about it lol. Yes, rambling is fun, especially when you have someone cool to listen to it =) Oh, and if you read my Authors Note and have any suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them. Thank you.
To The Fabulous A.J: Yeah, I see your point. Riku did seem to be taking it much harder than the average person, but I don't think it's sole cause is PTSD. I think Riku has that kind of personality where he never experienced something like that before, and the newness of such feelings terrified him. The idea of loving someone and being loved seem so foreign to him that being as close as he was to Axel physically in that scene was probably too intimidating. But I do agree, that it'd make more sense if he was a victim of something. I can't say much else because I haven't made up my mind as to what I'll write next, and I don't want to accidentally give anything away in this story! Thanks for reviewing.
To Kindofabadger: Hahaha, I'm so sorry! That was a bit rude of me to leave you all hanging like that, but I just couldn't help myself XD Haha, yes, I think Axel is slowly but surely breaking through whatever walls Riku has built up. Right again! I can't reveal the reason why Axel wants his job so early, now can I? Then again, maybe I already have given it away in a very discrete way? O.o you'll never know….well, you will, just not yet ;) hehehe. Yes, the twins are too cute for their own good, and sleepy Riku was so adorable! I'm glad you liked it ^_^
To Cirxe145: I agree that Riku is in denial, but I feel that the denial is mainly against himself. I can't give too much away, especially since I'm not sure if I'm going to keep my dramatic scene in the story. I might, and I might not. I cant decide! Yes, they do have to speed things up and get together, but once again, I can't reveal anything .
To Luckycat222: Aww, you're too kind! Thank you so much! I feel bad, because I really want to continue this story, but I'm not sure where I'm going with it. I wrote some really heavy, good, yet dramatic scenes. I feel bad for having such big deep chapters (haven't posted them yet) so I'm wondering if I should just cut them from the story. They are pretty intense, but if I delete them, then I'll have so much writing to do to make up for all the lost scenes, and I'll have to figure out where to go next. But if I keep them, I'll have to figure out what I want to do with such heavy dramatic scenes. So yeah, as of right now, I'm kind of avoiding this story =( I'll try to work on it more soon, but all of my attention is going to my bigger story A Taste of Loneliness, which is also getting a lot of construction done thanks to my inability to stop extending stories =P Thank you for reviewing!
Thank you everyone for reading and following. If any of you have any opinions concerning the dramatic scenes that I may or may not delete, please let me know! I really can't decide if I should put you all through the experience of reading it, but then again, it does have the benefits that come with such scenes. Too hard a decision to make . Anyway, thank you!
Heart, Sarabellum