"Good morning," Axel murmured, smoothing a hand through Roxas's spikes.
"Good morning," Roxas groaned, rubbing sleep from his eyes. He sat up, reaching out for Axel's embrace. Axel sat on the bed and embraced him, running a hand through Roxas's hair.
"I have a Saturnalia present for you." Roxas let go and reached over the side of the bed, pulling out a neatly-folded new toga.
Axel's heart dropped into his stomach. "B-but I didn't get you anything," he stammered.
"Don't worry about it, just take it." Roxas smiled. "Naminé made it for Father, but she made a mistake on the size. I think it will fit you, though."
Axel drifted over to the mirror, unfolding the toga to try it on. It took a moment for him to put it on, and when he finished he turned to face Roxas. "How do I look?"
"Like...like a god..." Roxas mumbled.
Axel found his statement ridiculous and burst into laughter. Roxas blushed, turning his head aside.
"I'm not fit to be a god," Axel said, "but thank you. It fits perfectly and I love it."
"You look great in it." Roxas slipped out of bed and shuffled over to him, embracing him again.
"I didn't get you anything," Axel repeated.
"Your company and your love is enough," Roxas murmured.
"But I have to give you something." Axel insisted. "Isn't there anything I could give you?"
Roxas shifted his weight on his feet. "Um...do you want to go down to the town later to see what's going on for the Saturnalia?"
"I suppose..." Axel replied, seeing the odd embarrassment Roxas seemed to possess.
"I have to get in the bath before the morning meal," Roxas said, "would...would you care to join me?"
"In the bath...?" Axel questioned.
Roxas shifted again. "Yeah..."
"Why?" Axel found himself laughing a bit, though Roxas seemed completely serious.
"Because..." Roxas mumbled.
"Do you want to see me naked?" Axel smirked. "Is that what you want for your Saturnalia present?"
"Maybe...well, part of it..." Roxas admitted. "Come on, before anyone sees."
Roxas grabbed Axel's toga, pulling him into the bathing chamber down the hall.
Axel pumped the water into the bath, waiting for it to heat. He stripped his new toga off slowly, not by choice but more by circumstance since it had been so difficult to put on. Roxas fidgeted on the spot.
"What's the matter?" Axel teased in a low voice.
"Please don't talk!" Roxas shrieked suddenly.
Axel raised an eyebrow and helped Roxas undress. "I don't understand, you're never this shy when I dress you for the day."
"B-because I'm not fully naked in front of you and you're not fully naked in front of me!" Roxas squeaked.
Axel chuckled. "I'm not really staring, but I will if you want me to."
"No! I mean...only if I can stare at you..." Roxas said.
He turned to face him, and they stood nude in front of one another. Silence hung in the air like humidity, and Axel's cheeks burned.
"I-I'm going to get in the bath now." Roxas decided, slipping into the water. Axel joined him, relaxing in the large tub.
The two of them sat in the water, still silent.
"I suppose I could get you something while we're out today, but then again I don't have any money." Axel mentioned. "Oh, I do have that solidus you gave me; I could spend it on your Saturnalia gift."
"No, you don't have to do that." Roxas insisted. "I want you to spend that solidus on something that matters."
"But that matters to me." Axel stated.
"Something important," Roxas decided.
"That is important."
Roxas groaned. "Please, I don't want you to spend the solidus on me; I already have enough meaningless objects, I just want your company."
Axel sighed. "Alright. Then we'll just go to town to enjoy the Saturnalia."
Roxas nodded, closing his eyes.
After their morning meal together, Roxas and Axel took a walk down to the town rather than being escorted. When they were out of sight, they linked their fingers between each other's to keep their hands warm.
The snow had melted, but new flurries now sprinkled themselves upon them as they strolled.
In the bustling city, music from a small band wafted through the air. Surrounding them were large groups of people dancing and laughing.
Roxas tugged Axel's sleeve, pulling him into the fray and whirling around with him. Axel, never having danced before, found each movement jerky and dizzying. He tripped over his own foot, pulling Roxas closer to him as he fell. Roxas landed on Axel's chest, staring down at him in surprise. Blush spread across their faces, and they chuckled shyly.
Roxas hoisted himself to his feet, and held out his hand for Axel to take. Though Axel was much heavier than he appeared, Roxas managed to pull him to his feet.
The two wandered to the edge of the river running through the city, stopping to purchase a small amphora of wine to warm themselves. They sat at the frigid water's edge, pouring each other a goblet full.
"I'm really grateful I was able to meet you," Roxas said, smiling into his goblet.
"As am I," Axel agreed. He raised his goblet. "To-whatever brought us together."
"I toast to that." Roxas clinked his goblet against Axel's and they took a swig.
In the blissful silence, Axel watched the river flow by. "You know, I haven't had the dream about Isa drowning since the day I reunited with him; I decided to put you above him, and now I sleep soundly."
"I'm glad to hear that," Roxas replied cheerfully.
"I'm sorry you were so alone before me," Axel said solemnly.
"It wasn't very long that I had to wait for you to come along. I thought about you since the first time I saw you in the arena during battle. I admired you so..." Roxas mused. "I cannot wait for the day which I free you from slavery."
"But when I am free, I will no longer be with you since you will have Lady Xion to keep you company." Axel remembered.
"Yes...but I will know you're free and happy." Roxas suggested.
"I won't be as happy if I'm not with you; sometimes I believe I'd rather stay in slavery if it meant to be close to you." Axel admitted.
Roxas stared at him directly. "Y-you don't really mean that..."
"I do sometimes," Axel affirmed.
"That means so much, that you would sacrifice freedom just to be with me...but that makes me even more determined to set you free." Roxas stated.
"I want to be free with you," Axel insisted.
"As do I, and I understand Xion wants to continue to postpone the marriage until she has developed feelings. I desperately wish for some way to make everyone happy..." Roxas sighed.
A brief silence settled around them, then Axel asked, "Are you absolutely sure you do not want me to give you something for the Saturnalia?"
Roxas's lip quivered the way it used to when he had something important to say.
Axel raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"
"Well, I haven't been honest with you..." Roxas spoke slowly, "but I do want something from you..."
"Did you see it in the city? I can still get it if we have time-" Axel began, but Roxas interrupted him.
"I-it's not something you can buy-well, I suppose you could buy it-but not something you can own..." Roxas fidgeted slightly.
"Roxas...?" Axel demanded softly. "What is it?"
Roxas's answer stumbled out of his mouth, "I-I want to have sex with you."
Translations:
- Vinum et musica laetificant cor - Wine and music gladden the heart