Ventus kept his lips shut as Larxene's body was carried away. She was given a brief respectful silence and a few prayers to send her soul to peace, then life continued.
For Axel, the guilt settled so thickly in his stomach that he did not eat for the next day. All the while, he waited for Ventus to say something, to expose him to the world and rip him from Roxas's grasp faster than expected.
He desperately longed for Roxas's touch again, even if the nightmares continued. However, he dreaded bringing harm to Roxas.
Of course Axel had told Roxas the truth about Larxene's death, and though Roxas assured him it wasn't his fault, Axel believed otherwise.
"I'm bringing so much pain to this family," Axel groaned, "I can't stay here..."
"No, please don't leave..." Roxas begged.
"Sooner or later it'll all be over anyway, so what's the point of me sticking around?" Axel replied.
"Aren't I enough?" Tears formed at the corners of Roxas's eyes.
"Yes, but..." Axel faltered.
"'But' what? You're just going to let everything fall into place the way it's supposed to instead of interfering? You're going to let me drift away like Saïx did?" Roxas interrupted.
"Don't bring him up, you know you mean more to me than Saïx ever did! I can't bear to bring any harm to you, and if that means I have to disappear then..." Axel faltered again, his heart clenching.
"Then what?" Roxas muttered.
"Then...so be it."
Roxas swallowed thickly, his tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Don't cry..." Axel mumbled, drifting over to him and wiping Roxas's tears away with his thumbs.
"I can't help it," Roxas replied, "I don't want you to leave."
"I'll only bring more harm to you." Axel insisted.
"Do you think that matters to me? Nothing in the world matters unless I have you." Roxas gripped onto Axel's hands.
Axel shook his head, chuckling. "Why did I have to fall so in love with you?"
Roxas knit his brows, but he quickly smiled. Closing his eyes, he pressed his lips to Axel's.
For a long time, the two of them let the cruel world slip away.
Ventus's eyes seemed to stick to Axel during their evening meal.
The entire table was silent, the lack of noise burning Axel's skin.
Finally, much to Axel's dismay, Ventus spoke out, "It's a shame poor Larxene's life was taken so quickly, and at such a young age. She was a very diligent slave, was she not?"
The others around the table mumbled in agreement.
"It's an even larger shame that Larxene was murdered." Ventus added.
The silence grew louder, and Axel's stomach dropped.
"What do you mean to say, Ventus?" Ansem asked, sitting up straighter.
"I mean to say that Larxene's death wasn't an accident." Ventus stated.
"I-it isn't right to speak of the deceased." Roxas stuttered.
"We're not speaking badly about her, I only speak good things about the departed." Ventus said. "Besides, isn't it a bit suspicious that there was only one witness to Larxene's death?"
Ventus turned his head, his eyes resting on Axel. Axel swallowed thickly.
"You, Axel, you were the one true witness to Larxene's death, correct?" Ventus asked.
His words felt like poison seeping into Axel's skin. "Y-yes, it is true."
"And how did Larxene die?"
"Sh-she slipped on the steps outside." Axel answered. So far, none of this was really lying.
"But why did she lose her balance, and why was she even outside in the first place?" Ventus continued.
Axel's heart pounded, threatening to burst from his chest. "She was chasing a rat outside." He decided.
"Then why were you there?" Ventus smirked.
"I was helping her." Axel replied.
"Ventus, what is the meaning of this?" Ansem sighed.
"This slave is the one who really killed Larxene!" Ventus shouted, standing.
"That's not true!" Roxas shouted back, also rising.
"Who are you to vouch for him? He's just a slave, isn't he? Or...is he something more?" Ventus sneered.
Roxas shifted, looking away.
"Is it possible you and this slave have an affair between you?" Ventus drifted over to Roxas with the demeanor of a snake closing in on its prey.
"You don't know what you're talking about," Roxas insisted.
"I don't? Then how do you explain what I saw when we returned that night from the Saturnalia feast at the house of General Eraqus?" Ventus asked.
"Wh-what did you see?" Roxas wondered.
"Your slave lay in the same bed as you, passed out with the smell of sex in the air." Ventus stated.
Both Axel and Roxas froze, their secrets exposed. Axel had anticipated this, but now that it had happened he could do nothing to stop it.
"Though it's not uncommon for masters to use slaves for whatever purpose they desire, I believe something stronger exists. What is it, Roxas? What is it this slave to you?" Ventus hissed.
Roxas stayed silent, his lip trembling.
"If he really means nothing to you, then let him face his punishment for murder; let him be executed in the morning." Ventus said.
"Ventus, you treacherous wretch!" Roxas shouted.
"What's wrong? You're going to be the master of the house someday; what's one meaningless slave to you?" Ventus wondered.
"He means more to me than you ever will, brother or not!" Roxas yelled. "A true brother would never spill another's secrets. And what is this for? What do you have against me?"
"What do I have against you?" Ventus repeated. "I have everything against you! You're the younger twin and you're the one whose going to inherit everything!"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Roxas asked. "Take the house, I don't care! Take Xion, too! All I care about is Axel!"
"Favete linguis!" Ansem shouted, rising to his feet.
Silence fell over them again.
"Roxas, Ventus, go to your rooms. I don't want to hear another word from you tonight." Ansem demanded. "And as for Axel, I will not have him executed."
The two of them sighed in relief.
"However, I will be sending him back to the gladiator school." Ansem finished.
"No, please don't take him away!" Roxas begged.
"I'm sorry, but this is how it must be." Ansem replied. "Now both of you, go to your rooms."
"Just, please, let me say goodbye..." Roxas pleaded.
Ansem wavered for a moment, then agreed grudgingly. He ushered everyone out of the room, sending them off to bed.
Roxas sniffed, the tears already flowing down his face. "I can't let you go..."
"I'm sorry," Axel said, "but I'm glad I risked everything for a few moments of happiness."
"I...I'm glad, too..." Roxas managed a weak smile.
"We'll see each other again." Axel promised.
"Of course..." Roxas agreed.
Axel leaned in, savoring the taste of Roxas's lips one last time. He combed his fingers through Roxas's hair, feeling its softness.
When they broke apart, the guards were already waiting to take Axel into custody, and they met eyes for the last time.
Translations
- De Fumo In Flammam - Out of the smoke and into the fire
- Favete linguis - Hold your tongue