After Axel's injury, the boys team won the game, and soon after that the students of the Ladies Academy had to return to their campus. On Riku's behalf, Sora made a pact with Kairi to schedule a rematch and host another dinner and dance before a day long-tournament. Kairi and her vice president, Xion, were very pleased to agree with the proposal, so Sora spent the next three days drafting up plans.
"Do you think this looks accurate?" Sora asked Riku, who spent many hours in his office looking over expense reports and proposals.
"Yeah, that looks fine." Riku said, feeling indecisive. Ever since he hit Axel with the pillow, he hadn't seen the redhead.
"Riku, Roxas said that he just needs more time. It'll be alright." Sora smiled sweetly, sensing Riku's continuing guilt.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." Riku sighed. He had purchased a total of three dozen red roses waiting in a clear glass vase, along with a hand-made get well soon card that Riku's entire staff signed, an apology card which he made by himself with some minor help from Sora, and a batch of cookies that Sora had to make because Riku burned the first two batches. All of this was waiting in Axel's room along with a single red rose on Axel's pillow for when he was released from the nurse's station. Yet, three days later, Riku hadn't heard a single word from Axel.
"Hey, I'm here to drop off lunch." Roxas walked into Riku's office to deliver food to Sora.
"Thank you Roxy!" Sora bubbled up with joy as he received his nourishment.
"No problem baby." Roxas smooched Sora's cheek as Sora held it in place for his twin.
"Hey Roxas," Riku said nervously.
"He's, he's doing better." Roxas cut to the chase.
"Good." Riku tried to smile.
"He said he doesn't want to talk yet, but he does want me to say thank you for the gifts, and that it wasn't necessary but he appreciates the effort." Roxas shrugged, so Riku nodded.
"Please tell him how sorry I am, and how badly I'd like to speak with him when I can." Riku smiled with hurt eyes.
"Don't lose hope." Roxas said before he left Riku's office.
"I'm sure by the weekend it'll all be over with." Sora tried to remain optimistic.
"Sora, the weekend begins in like two hours." Riku laughed.
"See? It goes by so fast." Sora giggled before the two returned to work.
Sadly, Sora was wrong, and when Monday rolled around and Riku still hadn't heard from Axel, he became worried.
"Roxas, please, I can't take it anymore." Riku would never have guessed how badly he missed Axel's voice, his hands, his eyes, and his presence.
"He, he told me that he just doesn't want to talk about it right now." Roxas shrugged. "He doesn't even want to talk about it with me." Roxas winced.
"You sure it'd be a bad idea to just go see him?" Riku asked, tempted to knock on his door and confront him.
"Axel isn't exactly in the best mood when he's caught off guard. I think it'd be better to just wait." Roxas said.
"Alright." Riku grunted.
"Goodnight Riku, get some rest." Sora waved goodbye as he and Roxas returned to their dormitory to enjoy the last few hours of the day.
"See you tomorrow." Riku waved as he headed in the opposite direction towards his dorm. As he continued down a hallway, he couldn't help but pause outside of Axel's door. He wanted so badly to knock, so, he did.
He got no response before he knocked again.
Axel opened after the second knock, his eyes tired and his hair a wild mess as if he had been tossing and turning in bed.
"Hey," Riku said, but Axel remained silent. "Listen I, I really want to apologize." Riku gulped as Axel stood indifferently.
"Can you forgive me?" Riku asked, but Axel didn't move his hand off the door nor his eyes from Riku's.
"Can you say anything at all?" Riku asked, but Axel remained still. "Ok, you're still mad. Well, I'll be in my room if you change your mind and decide that you want to talk." Riku cleared his throat and took a couple steps before he turned around and caught the door before Axel closed it.
"Axel, please, I'm begging you. I can't take it anymore. I hate knowing that you're mad at me. Please? Forgive me? I forgave you the last time I was mad at you. Please?" Riku didn't even care if he appeared desperate, because that's how he felt.
Axel looked down at his feet, his first sign of movement.
"Is that a no?" Riku asked, heartbroken. "Alright, well, I uh, I hope you get the rest that you need, and that you heal quickly." Riku bowed the way that Axel had bowed to him many times before and rushed down the hall. He thought he heard footsteps after him, but in his distress, Riku ran faster and snaked down a hall that hid him from the usual path that ultimately led to his dorm. Riku held his breath, trying to accept Axel's anger and the conflicting emotions that that produced for him as he locked his door. It was going to be a long night.
That night started with homework and ended with various emails he had to send to the many students he collaborated with as part of his never ending campaign. Before he knew it, Riku had passed out over his desk, his pen in one hand, and his laptop still on as he dreamt peacefully.
Meanwhile, Axel reported to his first night back on the curfew committee since his injury.
"Welcome back," Seifer, the boy who took charge during Axel's absence, greeted with his usual sly smirk.
"Thanks." Axel sighed, his head still aching, but not as badly as his heart.
"What's eating you?" Seifer asked, his feet on his desk while he played on his portable game console.
"Nothing," Axel had never been close to Seifer while at the Academy, and given the blonde's reputation as a bully, he wanted to keep it that way. The two left the curfew office in Keyblade building (named after the Office and the ring of keys that Axel, as head of the housing committee, had possession of) and began their usual routine rounds, looking for students violating the curfew rules.
"I hear that you and Riku are having some rough patches in your relationship," Seifer smirked as he walked down the halls, interrupting the silence.
"We don't have a relationship," Axel muttered, not in any mood to discuss such things with Seifer.
"You know, I can help if you're willing to talk about it," Seifer shrugged, but Axel couldn't help but remain suspicious.
"Help? How?" Axel knew that he would decline the offer, but his curiosity caused him to ask.
"Go to his office at noon tomorrow." Seifer grinned before Axel put his hand on the blonde's chest.
"Just what the hell do you plan on doing?" Axel was ready to unleash all of his stored up frustrations.
"Nothing!" Seifer put his hands up in defense.
"Stay away from Prez." Axel warned.
"I don't want him. But if you do, I suggest you go to his office at noon." Seifer winked before he walked down his assigned hallway, leaving Axel to wonder what to do.
"Sora, do me a favor and go over to Vexen's lab and ask Zexion what he estimates the science department will need as a budget to finance the experiments for the chemistry class." Riku said as he jotted down notes from the Comment Cards that students filled out at the dance.
"Finance the experiments for the chem class, got it!" Sora repeated slowly as he scribbled down Riku's words.
"Thanks Sora." Riku smiled, loving the trust and enthusiasm that his best friend had.
"No problem," Sora grinned before he ran off. Riku sighed to himself, trying to focus when he heard a knock.
"Come in." Riku didn't look up from his desk as he continued to read more comment cards. After ten seconds of silence, the school President glanced upward with shock to see Seifer.
"Can I help you Mr. Almasy?"
"Sure can Riku. I wanted to discuss some business concerning the housing department." Seifer took a seat in front of Riku's desk.
"Okay?" Riku cleared the piles of paper from his desk by shoving them in a random drawer.
"Here, these are for you." Seifer held out a plate of cookies.
"Thank you, I'll be sure to enjoy them after dinner." Riku smiled politely.
"Axel knew you wouldn't eat them. He's right. You don't trust anyone, not even the students you pledge to serve." Seifer glared harshly at Riku, who gulped, took a cookie, and ate it.
"You were saying?" Riku swallowed his last bite of the third small sugar cookie.
"Axel made those for you. He said that you're his sugar." Seifer smirked.
"Seifer if you don't mind, I'm extremely busy with my own matters. Please continue with whatever it is you'd like to discuss." Riku wanted to smile at Seifer's words, even if he didn't fully believe them. He knew better than to trust Seifer. He had learned his lesson the hard way growing up that not everyone plays by the same rules he did. It was then when he wondered if he had been wise to let Seifer get to his head by convincing him to eat.
"But I didn't want to discuss anything. You requested my presence." Seifer said convincingly.
"No, I didn't." Riku said confused.
"Yeah, you did!" Seifer leaned forward.
"I," Riku put a hand to his head. It ached. No, it wasn't just aching, it was, airy? It felt heavy yet nonexistent all at once. It was swaying. Was it his head, or was it the room? Riku blinked, his mouth hanging open, and when he saw Seifer grin, he glanced shakily at the cookie plate.
The President's eyes widened as he realized that he had been drugged.
"Fuck," Riku gulped, his mouth feeling dry and weighty.
"That's right, just go to sleep." Seifer smiled, and Riku did just that.
"Mm?" Riku blinked his eyes, which fought against him to stay closed.
"Morning sweetheart." Seifer smirked.
"I, can't, can't feel my," Riku could hardly breathe as his chest weighed on him.
"There's nothing to worry about. I'm just going to take a little look." Seifer walked up to Riku, who then realized that he was lying on his couch in his office.
"N-no," Riku huffed just as Seifer unbuttoned the silverette's uniform shirt.
"Shh, it's ok, I'm not going to do anything too dangerous." Seifer chuckled, rubbing his hands over Riku's pale chest.
"Stop," Riku begged, his voice going weak.
"You're so soft, so smooth. I bet you're still a virgin, huh?" Seifer smiled, lowering his lips to Riku's nipple.
"Please!" Riku's eyes closed as he sniffled.
"Funny, you almost had me fooled. Here I thought you were a brave leader, Twilight Town's Prestigious Academy's president. Instead, you're still the same tiny, scared, wimpy little boy." Seifer shook his head, his fingers exploring Riku's skin.
"Help," Riku whined, his voice not yet capable of yelling.
"Who's going to hear you when you cry like such a baby?" Seifer teased.
"Axel," Riku sniffled.
"What's that, baby?" Seifer mocked.
"Axel!" Riku screamed, his throat itching as he rushed his recovery from the drug that was still in his system.
"He should be on his way. He requested that I do this, you know. He wanted you to feel what he's really capable of, so it's no use fighting. Besides, your body is far too weak with this chemical in your system." Seifer fingered Riku's hair.
"Axel!" Riku shouted louder, his chest rising and falling dramatically, not believing a single word from Seifer's mouth.
"He said you're just too fucking stubborn and cocky to know what's good for you. I think he's right. You need a lesson. You need to learn that you're no better than the rest of us. Hell, don't you remember how this all started? I do. I remember. I wonder if the others do. If you don't do everything I command, I'll give the entire Academy a reminder, and you can kiss this office and this entire school bye-bye." Seifer grinned as he tightened his grip on Riku's hair.
"Ah! Ah-Axel!" Riku yelled a third time.
"Riku?" Axel opened Riku's office door, his body freezing when he saw Seifer leaning over Riku's exposed chest.
"I told you to come at noon, but this is what you get for being forty minutes late." Seifer shrugged as he stood up.
Axel stood huffing, trying to control his breathing.
"Well, the bitch called for you, so I think he learned his lesson." Seifer waved over Riku's tense body.
"You little," Axel shook his head as his hands smashed into fists.
"You're welcome." Seifer grinned.
"I'm going to kick your ass so damn hard, and I'm going to enjoy every fucking second!" Axel took the steps necessary to get to Seifer.
"Hey hey hey, I only did this for you buddy, remember?" Seifer smiled with his hands up in defense.
"What did you do to him?!" Axel shouted looking at the way that Riku appeared to be stuck frozen despite his attempts to move.
"I just made it easier for you to enjoy him." Seifer winked.
Axel shook his head before he socked Seifer in the eye.
"AH!" Seifer held a hand over his face.
"Get out!" Axel pointed at the door.
"I was just trying to help." Seifer scurried to the exit, but before he left, he turned to Axel. "You will pay for betraying me."
"OUT!" Axel repeated, and after a sigh, Seifer slammed the door behind him.
Axel buttoned up Riku's shirt as he panted away the last of his adrenaline.
"Thank you." Riku muttered, embarrassed.
"Are you hurt?" Axel asked.
"Just numb." Riku grunted as Axel lifted him up and cradled him in his arms.
"Forgive me?" Axel asked as he walked down the hall and into his dorm, setting Riku on his bed.
"You…you were late." Riku gulped, trying to take the topic off of himself. He was unsure if Axel was still mad at him or not from the concussion, and he didn't want to add to the amount of debt he owed the redhead.
"I'm so sorry Prez. If I would have known, I, I would have come on time." Axel frowned in his guilt. "I didn't think Seifer was actually going to do anything. Luckily Roxas heard my name being yelled as he walked by your office, so he got me. Again, I'm so sorry." Axel shook his head to show his sincerity.
"It's ok." Riku didn't want to burden Axel as he cleared his throat.
"Alright, let's just put you to bed. I'll tell Roxas to inform Sora about your current status, and I'm sure he'll be able to compensate." Axel sat Riku on his bed.
"Axel, be, be careful. Something tells me that Seifer meant his threat." Riku warned, groaning as his legs started to regain feeling.
"I'm not concerned about that. If Seifer wants to try to attack me, I welcome it. I'd like to think that I'm in the best shape of my life with a family rich enough to scare his, so I really don't think he'd be wise to target me." Axel said as he tucked Riku in the blankets.
"Axel, be careful." Riku repeated, his eyes starting to weigh down.
"Prez, you should sleep the rest of the drugs off. Would you like me to stay here and watch over you?" Axel sat down at the foot of Axel's bed.
"No, I'll be fine." Riku yawned.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. I'm just going to nap, then it's back to work." Riku rolled onto his side, mumbling in exhaustion.
"As you wish, my Prez." Axel smiled before he quietly shut Riku's locked door behind him
.
Author's Note: I haven't written anything in like, over a week maybe, it's been a really long time. I've been super buy studying Japanese, trying to further my experiences here in japan, and I actually went out on a date with someone who doesn't speak any English, which is what inspired me to dedicate all of my free time to learn more Japanese since he wants to go out again and I really do too. SO yeah, I probably wont be writing as often, but I'm still here!
To LovedLikeALoveSong: Yay, I'm glad that you liked it! Yes, he is confusing, but you'll see why the conflictions are there. Hahaha, man, I can't wait to write a lemon for this pairing, I haven't yet, but I'm pretty sure I know who'd top lolz. Thanks for the offer! ~Sarabellum
To xXThe Luna Diviner7Xx: Aww, thank you, good to hear! I hate having it sometimes but you have to embrace who you are and make it work ^_^
To Nowa-ikari: Axel will soon share why Riku is intimidated, and that is such a good song, I love skillet! Monster is my fav by them XD
To The Lonely Blitz: haha I'm just glad to see that you're still here, and I'm sorry it took forever. Your name doesn't directly assimilate with KH stuff very easily lol.
To luckycat222: Haha, sorry for your exploding emotions! I try to do a lot of changes, to keep readers on their toes, and I'm glad that you like this pairing, I've grown to love them myself!
To Jenny-Xenj-Harris: haha, yay, thank you for reading!
To SitarLover: YAY for fangirling! I'm really happy to hear that you like this story! Thanks for the review!
To kindofabadger: I played sports for years, and I miss them dearly, although now that I stopped im quite lazy, but starting to play hockey again ^_^ Hahaha, I like that last suggestion, maybe he just needs to get laid :P Right? Sora is adorable. It seems like they are both on opposite ends at the wrong times, but things seem to be normalizing! Hahaha, I haven't written the lemon yet, but I know who will top, it's just a personal preference for me.
To xSonya: Thanks, and it looks like they are slowly making up ^_^
To Keyblade Master 13: Hahaha, I like that, 'it's a Riku thing' he really is a bit thick.
To Hidden Moonlight: I never liked Xion either, and yes, I agree with Riku's issues. It shall all be explained soon enough!
To ZeldaLinkWolflink: Hi Trinity, I'm Sarabellum! Aww, yay, I'm SO happy to hear that my stories inspired you to make an account, that is so sweet! You are too kind, and I appreciate all of your reading/reviews! You can find my tumblr and deviant art on my profile page, along with nearly 40 KH stories! Thanks for the review, and welcome to fanfiction!
To ZeltaFrost: Yeah, I never liked Xion, or Larxene, so they both can suck it while Axel and Riku make love, I mean make up ;) hahaha. Axel would be the perfect romantic, cause he's nearly perfect lol. Wow so much has happened since your review….i actually went out on a date with the 1st japanese guy I became interested in about 3 months ago, although since I couldn't speak any Japanese nothing ever happened but now I can communicate with him (although just barely) so we had a really long date and it went…..very well . I shall leave it at that haha. Thanks! Hope all is well with you too.
To RoxasVentusikari: Hahaha, well I mean, Larxene would be the one to give someone a concussion, although I did that once, so I guess I shouldn't compare myself to her lol. Lol, I know, I just had to stop it with Roxas entering the room, sorry for the torture lol. Yes, there will be a chapter where one character 'fills in' the missing links, so you'll see. Yes, things are going pretty good, so good, I hardly have time to write lol. Thank you for the review, I hope things are going amazingly awesome for you! ~Sarabellum
Thank you everyone for reading and for the support.
Heart, Sarabellum