I stood up quickly to try and convince myself that I was less vulnerable that way.

"Yep it's me Roxas! I can see you've still got some cuts and bruises there? They look like they're healing nicely…It'd be a shame to stop the healing process. If it was stopped you might even end up with a few scars…" He had a sinister grin on his face whilst pretending to show sympathy for me. I glared at him the whole time.

"Stay away from me Seifer!" I shouted. He just smiled.

"What're you gonna do Roxas? You going to throw some bread at me?" He smiled gesturing towards the picnic.

I shook my head angrily. "I mean it! Axel will be back any minute and-" I stopped as he cut me off short.

"And what Roxas? You think your boyfriend is going to beat me up? He's as much of a pacifist as you are. He can't protect you" He grinned.

I looked down. I shouldn't even be thinking of dragging Axel into my battles. He'd already done so much for me the first time. To actually hurt Seifer would be completely different and I knew it as much as he did. Then it clicked. He knew about me and Axel!

"How did you…?" I asked not able to finish my sentence.

"Oh please! A picnic in the park has first date written all over it. Also, the way you both look at each other makes me feel sick!" He shouted.

I smiled at the last part because the way we looked at each other; if other people noticed that meant that there was something special there.

"Stop smiling! When everyone finds out you're gay at school it's going to make your life HELL!" He grinned.

I shook my head. "I don't even care. What me and Axel have is much better than any hurt you can cause me and I wouldn't throw it away. You're not even worth my time" I turned to walk away.

"Yeah that's right! Run away! Faggot" I heard him shout from behind me.

That word sent anger through my veins. At that very moment I felt an adrenaline rush giving me empowering strength. The worst part was that my conscience was telling me to use it. I turned to face him.

" 'The fuck did you just call me?" I asked listening closely for his reply as I approached him. I came within inches of his face he didn't look even slightly intimidated.

"You heard me…you're a Dirty. Little. Queer." He stated clearly. I watched his lips move as he spoke the words. I felt all the adrenaline rush into my right fist as it reached his cheek. I saw him stumble backwards. He held his cheek.

"That's it Roxas. You're gonna get it now! This is far from over!" He ran away from me and he wasn't worth my energy. I let him run as the adrenaline wore off. I looked down at my hand. It was bruised and it hurt more than I expected.

"What was he shouting about? He didn't hurt you did he? Are you okay?" I heard a voice from behind me. I turned to see Axel. I smiled excited that he was finally back.

"I'm fine I'll tell you later it's not that important" I smiled. Axel smiled back.

He looked up. "Quick the sun is setting! He gasped as he grabbed my hand and ran over to the picnic blanket.

He handed me a can of cider and a packet of gelatine sweets.

"Surprise" He smiled. I smiled back. We both sat down and watched the sunset together.

When the sunset was over and we had packed up the basket our hands intertwined as we began the walk home.

"I had a really great first date with you today Axe" I smiled.

"Me too Rox" He smiled back.

His expression became confused as we approached the house.

"Axe what's wrong?" I asked.

"What happened between you and Seifer?" He asked.

"Does it matter?" I asked.

"Well, yeah. Since he might be behind that!" He pointed to his car.

I looked over to it. The car had all of the windows smashed completely and the reinforced windscreen has a huge dent in it.

"Holy shit!" I gasped.

Axel stopped to look at his car. He placed the basket down on the ground and used both hands to push his hair back forcefully with frustration.

He turned to face me after rubbing his temples for a few moments.

"Rox…I need to know what happened." He sighed.

I nodded. After a very long explanation cut short he smiled.

"I'm proud of you for standing up for yourself" He smiled.

"What are you going to do about your car?" I asked.

He sighed. He picked up the basket and unlocked the door.

"We have no proof so I'll just have to pay for repairs" He sighed.

"What so he can smash them again?!" I asked becoming annoyed at myself for bringing this upon Axel.

"It's fine Rox. Don't get mad…get even" He grinned.

I became worried about the never ending cycle I could see coming but I also wondered what Axel planned to do. I just hoped it didn't come back to haunt us. I followed Axel into the kitchen as he put some of the left over food in the fridge.

"I'm sorry Axe" I said feeling sad that I had caused all of this.

He stopped packing food into the fridge and closed it. He walked over to me and lifted up my chin.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. None of this is your fault. Seifer's just an ass and we'll get him back so don't worry Rox" He smiled.

I half smiled back but I didn't feel any better. He kissed my lips softly which made me slightly happier. My smile became genuine.

"Come on. Lets watch a movie" He smiled. I nodded. I helped him pack away the rest of the left over food and drink and then we went into the lounge and snuggled up on the couch. Axel had brought some movies from his home and I chose a horror one. It looked really good. I read the back of the case and it was inspired by true events where some people had been kept hostage in their own house by 2 psychopaths who tortured them for days. When I read the words at the opening titles 'This film was inspired by true events' my spine shivered. I felt chills go all the way from my neck to the bottom of my spine.

Axel fell asleep half way through the film which scared me even more as I didn't have his comfort and security. I was on the edge of my seat for the entire film. The ending scene scared me the most. It had so many jump scares and it didn't have a happy ending. As the ending credits lit up the screen Axel woke up. He rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it Rox?" He asked weakly. I didn't reply.

"Hello? Earth to Roxas?" He asked mocking my silence. He waved a hand in front of my face as my fingers gripped the arm on the couch and my eyes stayed glued to the screen. He simply wrapped his arms around me. He turned off the TV and picked me up.

"Bed time for us Rox" He sighed. I stayed stiff. I felt the same amount of scared as I was when I watched my father beat my mother. I was disappointed that a film could scare me that much. Especially since I was so used to watching horrors and had never been scared by one before.

When he got up the stairs he placed me on my bed and put the quilt over me.

"Night Rox and if you need anythign I'm in the next room okay?" He kissed my forehead my eyes fixated on him as he left the room. I rolled over onto my side and tried to think about something other than the film. I didn't succeed. The horrifying images kept flashing into my head to the point where I couldn't do it anymore. I jumped out of bed and opened my door. I stood outside Axel's door for a while.

"Axe…Axe?" I said repeatedly. He opened the door wearing nothing but his boxer shorts. I was too scared to take notice.

"What's wrong Rox?" He asked rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"Will you come and keep me safe?" I asked. He smiled at me.

"Of course I will" He smiled. I smiled back. Now that I was less scared I had more time to appreciate his figure and the fact that we were going to be snuggled up and he was only wearing his boxer shorts. I noticed that I was still in my clothes that I had worn to go out. I took that as an opportunity to get undressed in front of him as he sat up in my bed waiting for me. I left my boxer shorts on also but let the rest of me completely exposed. It felt strange but also comfortable. I felt safe and secure when Axel was with me. He made me happier than I had ever been and I just had to hope that I made him feel the same way.

I got into bed and I faced my back to him as he spooned me. He kissed my cheek as we lay there in the warmth and love of each other's company as we fell asleep