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Last AN peoples! Not the last chapter. Almost, but not quite. Next chapter is the last chapter.
But, I decided that I wanted to have no AN on the last chapter because... well, I don't know.
Anyway, thank you all for sticking with me this past year! This story has been my baby, and in two days, on November 18th, it'll have been exactly a year since I started working on this story. Exactly. To the day XD That's pretty exciting. I can't believe I'm almost done with this!
Thanks again, everyone, for reading this story, making the journey of writing it so damn enjoyable. I love all my reviewers, even the ones who only reviewed once, or said like, nothing. You guys are the ones who made it so I was able to get through with this long epic that I call my baby. I don't even know if any of my stories are going to be able to live up to this one anymore... It's just so awesome to me :)
If you have any questions, fear not, I will answer them. You can PM me if you want to talk about anything, ask questions and so forth. Something About the Rain is going to be 20 chapters long, so you still have more for this story, but it's not about Roxas and Axel; it's about Riku, Ellie, Sora, Kairi, Cloud, and Tifa. Some little things about the two main characters, but it's not about them. It's about how different each character's lives are, and how they're affected by the things in their pasts.
But yeah...
Thanks, once more! I'm sad this is going to end next week, but also relieved. I may or may not have a new fanfic up after a while. I don't know yet.
Love you all! Read, enjoy, review, and I hope you've enjoyed Is there an Elephant in the Room? (Even though there's still one more chapter XP)
~Sunechirei
Full Chapter Title: When in doubt...
Axel's introduction back into work was... well... interesting. It seems Ellie didn't tell anyone that he was back after she stormed off, even though it was another two days before we actually decided it was time to leave the apartment.
The first thing I did after Axel told me we were going to the office was call my mom. I figured that I should do that, as it'd been almost two weeks since I'd talked to her, and in my experience, mothers like to be called at least once a day. She sounded surprised to hear from me, of course, but also happy. Two emotions I'd been expecting out of her.
Naturally, after I'd talked to Mom, she made me call Dad.
His reaction was... um... well, it certainly fit his personality. Basically, he told me that he was disappointed I'd taken off without warning, and I was not going to get paid for my absence. Again, I couldn't help but wonder how the hell he became such a successful businessman. Introverts and politics don't usually mix when it comes to... well, anything, actually. The conversation became absolutely wonderful, though, when I told him Axel and I were going to come to work.
Actually, wonderful isn't the word I would really use... Or would I? I don't know if him sighing heavily and telling me that as long as I don't keep people from working, then it would be fine would be considered "wonderful."
Anyway, other people's reactions.
Pretty much what you'd expect; Ellie ignoring us indefinitely, Kairi nearly crying and hugging both of us, Sora having a confused look on his face and saying a disjointed 'welcome back,' and Riku, who glared at Axel, nodded at me, then went off to go find Ellie.
That was just what happened at first, though. After the initial showing everyone we were back, Axel told me that we didn't have any actual work to do today, as Cloud hadn't been expecting us, so he kidnapped me and took me to his apartment. I didn't really want to go there, but when you're afraid to drive and your boyfriend locks you in his car, you really have no choice but to go with him wherever he wants to go.
Let me tell you something: Sora is a fucking messy person.
I remember when I was staying with Axel and Sora, before I got my own place, and while I was hating my parents, and the apartment had been rather clean. At first I thought that it was just the way both Sora and Axel were, which was weird of me to think. Sora was a complete and total spazz; there was no way he could be neat or have any ounce of cleaning abilities.
Than again, he had been known to surprise me...
Like what happened that day. The trip to Axel's apartment taught me something I'd never known about him before.
Axel, is a neat freak.
You wouldn't guess, right? I definitely couldn't, based on his attitude and flirtatious ways, but when I saw how disorganized and messy Sora was, leaving clothes, dishes, garbage, and other things that shall go unnamed around, it became obvious that Axel was usually the one who cleaned everything in the house.
Then other things occurred to me, like how his office was always so organized, or how when he'd visit me, my apartment/office usually got mysteriously cleaner.
It was weird that I'd never noticed these things before.
It made me think of things I didn't want to, though.
Like Axel wanting to move in with me.
He didn't mention it again after that day with Ellie, but I know he was still thinking about it. He would drop subtle hints about it, mentioning things about how much easier certain things would be if we didn't live in separate places, like keeping secrets and what not.
It was really irritating me. First of all, I didn't know if I wanted to live with him or not. Sure, I loved him, and I didn't want anyone else to have him, but a part of me had doubts about what it meant. I don't really know what part, though, which was the reason I was irritated.
Every bone in my body was telling me to tell him to pack up all his shit and move in with me, except for one. And that one was being fucking annoying and whiny, telling me that this might not last very long, or I would stop loving him if we were always around each other blah, blah, blah.
"You okay?" My stomach fluttered at the sound of Axel's voice. He was standing in the middle of his kitchen, cleaning, staring at me with wide green eyes. It was really funny to see him standing there, like a housewife, or something.
It so did not fit his image.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I snickered. "Just thinking."
"I know, that's why I asked if you were okay. I mean, Roxas thinking? Oh man." I nearly left after that statement. Then I remembered I had no way to leave.
"At least I'm not the one going around cleaning everything I can get my hands on," I teased. A part of me doubted Axel even realized what he had started doing. It was probably just habitual for him to start cleaning.
When he realized what I was talking about, he immediately avoided all eye contact with me, and muttered, "Shut up." I couldn't stop laughing.
Or, I thought I wouldn't be able to stop laughing.
Then Axel said something else.
"You know," he told me, crossing his arms, "if I moved in with you, I wouldn't have to clean up this place."
That shut me up immediately, and I blushed.
"Yeah, I know."
So, you know how I said Axel's a neat freak? Well, I got to see just how much of one he actually was while the two of us were waiting for the rest of the people to get off work.
He cleaned the entire apartment.
By himself.
I tried to help him, but he wouldn't let me, saying that it was his job, not mine, and I should just sit on the couch and relax. Well, once the couch could be seen again. Sora was going to have a heart attack when he saw the state of his living space. I was looking forward to that, but as soon as Axel was done, he told me that we were leaving.
Annoying...
"Why?" I asked as he dragged me out of the apartment and towards his car. "I thought we were going to be meeting up with everyone here. That's what Kairi said, right?" Axel didn't answer me. Instead, he looked down at his feet, like he was sad about something, though I knew there was a smirk on his face.
There was something he had to keep hidden from me.
Another annoying thing.
What is with these friends of mine and keeping me in the dark? I mean, seriously? Was it really worth seeing my surprised expression? I only ask that because when I questioned Axel and Riku about why the hell they never told me anything, I was told this.
"You're really entertaining when you're shocked."
One problem that I've run into, hanging out with people who are at least six years older than I am; they love to use me as an entertainment source. All of them. Well, maybe not Kairi, so much, but she and I didn't really have that many conversations in the first place. She was really only there because she's Sora's girlfriend and I'm friends with Sora. Ellie too. Only really talked to her because she's my fucking lawyer, and my boyfriend's bestfriend/cousin.
If it weren't for those things, I probably would never have a conversation with either of them.
It makes me sound really horrible.
Oh well.
You know, now that I think about it, I never did figure out what Axel was hiding from me. I also didn't get to see anyone else for the rest of that day. The week and a half that followed? Yeah.
The next thing I knew, it was almost Christmas.
And things had gone completely back to normal.
How the hell does that work?
I barely even remember the days that followed Axel and mine "reintroduction" to work. All I know is that they were crazy, mind fucking days that usually left me completely exhausted and wanting to curl up in a ball and sleep. Never to wake again.
But, after those days, something interesting happened.
December 21, 2011. Pretty much everything in my life changed after that day. Again. And it all started out when Axel asked me once more about us moving in together.
"Come on, Roxas! Just say that I can move in! I know you want to live with me. It's kinda obvious with the way you're always wanting me to spend the night," Axel said, trapping me to the wall of my office. It was really irritating me how pushy he was becoming with this whole ordeal. Yes, I did want to live with him. I wanted more than that, actually, but that small part of my brain that was telling me this was too much never left.
It was still there, whining about how I needed to focus on other things in my life, not just Axel. Which was stupid. The only other thing in my life was work, and guess who was always there; that's right, Axel.
He'd basically become my life.
"Look, Axel, I still don't know if it's a good idea," was the only thing I could think to say. Axel's face being only inches from mine tends to be rather distracting. Especially when he has your hands pinned to the wall next to your head and his knee between your legs.
"Why not?" His voice dropped to a low whisper. "Surely everything would be better that way." He obviously wasn't going to let me reply to this, as he started moving closer to me, preparing for a kiss, but I didn't want to let him get his way.
As quickly as I could, I turned my head away, making sure he didn't obtain what he wanted. He let out a frustrated growl, and let go of one of my hands so he could turn my head back to face him.
Big mistake.
As soon as it was free, my hand came down and covered Axel's mouth, and I glared at him. "I need to think about it, Axel. Give me a break. We've only been going out for ten months. Almost eleven. That's nothing compared to Ellie and Riku, who've been going out for what, five years? Or Kairi and Sora who've been in love with each other since they were kids. None of them are living together."
"So!" Axel snapped after he'd pulled away from me, letting go of my other hand as well. "We're completely different people than they are. What's going on in their lives should have nothing to do with ours!"
"Besides the fact that we have to talk to them ever single day for the rest of our lives?" It was rather entertaining to see Axel's face darken with rage. Normally, it would be scary, but I knew he wouldn't hurt me. Maybe do something sexual, but that wasn't that big of a deal.
"You're impossible," he growled. I could only laugh.
"No, I'm Roxas. Nice to meet you."
"Stop being a smart alec."
"What's wrong? Can't deal with me screwing with you?"
Before Axel could grab at me again I slipped away from where I was standing and headed to the door so he couldn't keep me in the room. I must say, I've gotten good at avoiding Axel's advances. Once you spent a ton of time with him, he kinda became predictable.
Kinda.
There were still times when he did something I totally wasn't expecting, and I ended up feeling stupid, confused, annoyed, and many other emotions that I usually didn't care about at those moments. I just cared that Axel was being a jerk, or... well... I guess he wasn't really ever being mean to me, but it seemed like it sometimes.
Sometimes...
"I do have a problem with you screwing with me," Axel eventually replied, sounding irritated. "But I can't do anything about it. You're too stubborn." I laughed, opening the door, but Axel's voice continuing kept me from leaving. "I want an answer, Roxas. By Christmas day. Got it memorized?"
I could only nod before leaving my office.
Then I freaked out.
I had four days to figure out how to convince the annoying part of me to let Axel move in, or things were going to get rocky in our relationship. Not that they weren't already rocky, but that's not the point.
There was only one thing I could do.
Talk to my friends.
This was gonna be extremely interesting.
I didn't really know who I should ask, though. Or what I should ask. What do you ask a person when you want to know how to make your brain behave? I supposed I could phrase the question like that, but it would be really weird if I did. Chances are, Sora would laugh his ass off at me, saying I was pathetic and should be able to control my own mind. Than again, he'd been really stressed recently. It was possible he would care less.
So I decided to go talk to him first, trying to figure out how I would word my question, but it wasn't him I ended up talking to. The first person I ran into as I headed down the stairs to the lobby, where I assumed Sora was, happened to be Riku.
Turns out he'd been looking for me.
"Hey Roxie," he called, waving at me with a strange grin on his face. I groaned, but stopped moving, turning to look at him. I was actually surprised to see him in the office still, as it was pretty late, and close to Christmas. Last year, Riku, Sora, and Kairi had taken off a week before Christmas to go home and spend time with their families.
This year, however, none of them even talked about leaving. When I asked Sora and Riku about this a little while ago, they just laughed and told me they didn't want to spend this year in a warm sunny place. I found this weird. Who wants to spend Christmas day in a cold, dreary, snowy place like Radiant Garden when they can be on a tropical island with family?
Obviously, the two idiotic friends of mine.
And Kairi.
Can't forget Kairi.
"What do you want, Riku?" I asked, trying to find a way to get away so I could find Sora. I honestly wanted to ask him first. He'd probably have an answer I understood more than anything Riku said. No, it's not because I'm stupider than he is, but because I'm more like Sora. Or, that's what everyone keeps telling me.
"I never said I wanted anything from you. Just said 'hey.'"
He was so lying.
"Yeah, sure." I snorted. "If you didn't want anything, you wouldn't have said 'hey,' in such a weird ass voice. Now please tell me what you want. I have something else I need to be doing." Riku's grin disappeared completely when I said this. Why, I don't know, but I really wanted to.
He sighed and turned away. "It's nothing important. I was just wondering if your parents were holding a Christmas party again this year. Or, if they're not, if there's another one that rich people have to go to."
Okay, Riku won the award for 'most random question ever asked in an office building' right there. There were a hundred other questions he could have asked me that would be more relevant to what had been happening the past few days, like 'having fun with all the paper work you got left while you were gone?' or, 'why does your dad make you work on a holiday weekend?'
But no. He asked me about Christmas parties. Not only did I know nothing about those things, but I also planned never to attend one again. Not after last year. And Riku knew this. He knew this very well, as Axel told him and Sora the story about what happened last year, and I vowed to spend Christmas locked alone in my room.
You know, so Axel couldn't make me drunk again.
"I... don't... think so," I stuttered after a while. "But I honestly have no idea. Why?"
"Oh, no reason." Riku started whistling, turning around to walk away. I think he was going to head upstairs to Ellie's office, like normal. The whistling part was shiver inducing, and totally didn't fit his image at all. I would have laughed, if the part of me that was freaking out hadn't taken over. I don't know why, but talking to Riku just made me feel more panicky about moving in with Axel.
So, I called out, "Hey, Riku! What do you do when you're in doubt?"
I nearly hit myself over the head for asking him that. Sure, it was basically how I was feeling, in doubt, but to ask Riku of all people. And him first. If anyone, I should have asked Axel to see what he thought. But no. I asked the guy who hated me when we first met, who I've noticed has a small issue with my boyfriend, and who loves to make fun of me.
This was going to go over so well.
His reaction, however, was not one I was expecting. "Depends on what it's about," he said, smiling at me. He crossed his arms and allowed his eyes to travel to the ceiling, like he was thinking of something else to say. "Sometimes I just go with my gut instinct, but most of the time I don't have any doubts, so it's not a problem. Other times, however, I run away. Childish, I know. Ellie and Kairi have both lectured me on that, but it's just the way I am."
That's probably the most open about himself Riku had ever been to me. Normally he would tell me something that sounded like him, cocky, arrogant, and making him sound perfect, but I later found out it would be a lie. This time, however, he was being completely open about being pathetic and childish, running away from his problems.
I desperately wanted to check and see if Riku had a fever again. Then he would be on cold medicine, which would explain all the crazy stuff he'd been saying.
Then again, he could have just been planning something really evil and wanted it hide it by being modest about something. You can never really tell with Riku which is the case.
"Um... thanks," I muttered in response.
"Why?"
"Huh?" No one normally asked me why I did the things I did. Sometimes they would, probably just to annoy me, but most of the time they just ignored all the crazy shit going on in my life and focused on more pressing matters. Even though they usually weren't more pressing matters.
"Why did you want to know? Is there a reason?"
"Um..." It took me about two seconds of self debating to decide whether or not to tell him the truth. "I was just wondering, in case something happens. You know?"
It was obvious Riku didn't believe me.
I just wished he would act more like he did.
"Fine. Whatevs."
"Wait!"
"What?"
"Where's Sora?" Of course Riku would know where to find the happy-go-lucky guy. I should have just asked him to begin with, rather than inquiring about his question. Then again, I probably wouldn't have figured out the question I wanted to ask, so...
"Don't know. Don't fucking care."
Lovely.
I eventually found Sora, hanging around Kairi's desk in the lobby. She spent half of her time there, half of it next to Dad's office until he found a replacement for Naminé. He still hadn't bothered interviewing anyone.
Anyway, the two of them were standing there, talking in hushed voices about something that seemed important.
What was with everyone and acting weird?
Kairi and Sora never kept secrets from the rest of us. Or, I don't think they did.
I didn't feel like questioning it, though, so instead I just called out to them.
"Hey! Sora! Can I talk to you for a moment?" Sora jumped a foot in the air, eyes darting around the lobby like he was expecting someone to pop out of the shadows and kill him. When he saw me, his gaze relaxed a little bit, but he still looked on edge.
"Uh, sure, what do you need?" He grinned like an idiot. I could only roll my eyes.
"Well, I kinda wanted to talk to you in... um... private. Do you mind?" The two adults standing on the other side of the room exchanged glances. I think they were ones of confusion, but it could also be amusement I noticed in their features. It made me scared to think about it. After all, they could have been making fun of me.
"Yeah, no problem." He walked over to me, waving goodbye to Kairi, and the two of us headed out of the lobby in complete silence. There were only two other rooms on the first floor; the back office for the receptionist, and a strange storage closet. The first one didn't seem private enough, and the second seemed too... um... creepy to ask Sora a completely normal question.
Guess which is which.
"So, what did you want to ask me?" He eventually asked as we climbed the stairs to the upper levels. I don't remember getting into the stair well, but it worked. No one ever used them, after all.
"Well," I began, sighing, "I have a small problem about something, and I don't know what to do about it."
"So you came to me to get help? Roxie, I'm honored!" Sora took a quick bow, toothy grin spreading across his face. "So, what do you need to know? What's got you all confused? Does it have to do with work? Axel? The madness of Ellie and Riku? Parents?" He seemed so excited for absolutely no reason. It made me want to crack up.
"I was just... um... wondering if you... um... well, what you uh... what you do when you're in doubt about something?"
That took way too long to get out. I was so embarrassed to ask the question, which was stupid, and the fact that Sora had a dumb look on his face didn't make it any better. It was like he happened to be mocking me at that very moment, making me feel useless and annoying. I honestly don't know where those feelings came from, but hey, what can I say?
"That's what you want to ask me?"
"Y-yeah."
"Honestly, I don't know," he replied. "I guess you could say I go on a run, or practice fighting with Riku. It always helps me clear my mind."
I couldn't help but wonder how Riku and Sora had survived this long in the world. One of them ran away from all his problems, and the other exercised and beat someone up. These two must have been dropped on their heads as babies or something. That would make everything about them understandable.
"Alright, thanks," I said, nodding. Of course, he hadn't really helped me, but I figured it would be a good idea to thank him anyway.
"You know, if you really want a good answer to that, you should ask Kairi or Ellie. I'm sure they'd have a better answer than any of the guys you asked. Well, besides Axel, but he's a different story," Sora explained, heading back down the stairs. "I suggest you start with Ellie. She'd be more willing to help right now when she's not as tired."
"I'm never in doubt."
That was all Ellie said to me. I'd just come right out and asked her after entering her office. She seemed busy, typing away at her computer, which is why I asked as quickly as I could. The atmosphere in the room was heavier than normal, and it was kinda freaking me out.
Any moment, and Ellie could snap.
"O-okay." I laughed nervously, then tried to say something else, but Ellie interrupted me.
"Now get the fuck out of my office. I don't want you in here right now."
That pissed me off.
"Okay, that's it! What is your problem with me!" I snapped, slamming my hands down on Ellie's desk. "What the hell have I ever done to you that made you so mad? Sure, I didn't tell you Axel had come back from Hallow Bastion, but you know what? I wanted to spend some time with him! I'm the one who went down there and found him, brought him back, tended to his wounds, and so on! I deserved to have some alone time with my boyfriend! So why do you hate me so much?"
"I don't hate you," Ellie replied, eyes narrowing.
"Like hell you do-"
"You just irritate the shit out of me."
Of course. "Why do I irritate you so much then? What have I ever done?"
"Nothing. You just irritate me."
"Fine! Be difficult!" I didn't want to deal with this chick anymore, so I turned around to leave, planning on storming out angrily. You know, make an impression.
"You wouldn't understand, Roxas," Ellie's call stopped me in my tracks. I waited patiently for her to continue, irritation rising. "It has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with how fucking obsessed Axel is over you."
"Why would that irritate you? You're not a part of it."
"I told you that you wouldn't understand. Now please leave."
This time, I did, grumbling to myself about the conversation. Ellie had certainly ruined my mood for the day. I just hoped Kairi could help me cheer up a little bit.
She was in the back office in the lobby when I found her, going through papers, looking extremely stressed out and frustrated. It was as if she were worried about something that you wouldn't think she would ever fret about.
"Hey, you alright?" I asked when I walked into the room. I swear she jumped two feet in the air, dropping whatever papers were in her hands.
"Shit!" She cried, bending down to pick everything up. Feeling guilty, I trotted over and began to help her. "Oh, thanks Roxas. I didn't mean to drop them, or cuss. I've just been feeling kinda out of it recently, plus now that you and Axel are back, things get done much faster, leaving me with more to do, and it's just been draining me." She laughed nervously, avoiding all eye contact with me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know that's what happened-"
"It's not your fault. If Naminé hadn't left, this wouldn't be an issue at all." I flinched at the sound of Naminé's name. I still felt so bad about her leaving, blaming myself for everything that happened, and everything that went wrong with her.
"I'm still sorry," I told her, helping her up. "Anyway, I didn't mean to startle you. You seem busy, so I'll just-"
"No, no, don't go!" Kairi grabbed my arm with the hand that didn't have papers in it. "I know that you want to ask me about doubt, and I have an answer for you!"
"How-"
"Sora told me."
Sora had? I thought he'd just gone back to whatever job he was doing and leave it alone. I wasn't expecting him to go to Kairi and tell her what I asked. That was kinda irritating. "Why would he say that?" I eventually asked, feeling my anger rise.
"Do you know what you're like to Sora?" Kairi asked me, placing the papers on the table. I could only shake my head. "You're like a little brother to him, Roxas. He doesn't always act like it, but I know he looks at you and sees a little brother. You guys are a lot alike, plus you look similar. The fact that you asked him about this actually made him happy." She paused, smiling, but I was just confused. Sora thought of me as a brother? Where did that come from?
"For as long as I've known him, he's wanted one. He hated being an only child in his family. So, when you showed up here, innocent, vulnerable, and fun to mess with, as he puts it, Sora immediately took to you as a sibling. You won't see it, as you're an only child, but he treats you like he would a younger brother." Another smile. "And as Sora's girlfriend, I feel obligated to help you out."
Gotta love Kairi.
What would I ever do without her?
"Thanks, Kairi," I managed to say.
"Now then, you want to know what I do when I'm in doubt? Well, I talk to people. I find someone I'm close to and I talk to them about what problems I'm having. And if this problem of mine deals with a specific person, I go and have a conversation with them about what I'm in doubt about. They always appreciate it, and it helps clear up confusion." Next thing I know, Kairi's pushing me towards the door. "Go talk to Axel, Roxas."
I nodded, and reached forward to open the door, until I heard something.
Yelling.
From the main part of the lobby.
And the voices sounded like Riku and Ellie's.
Kairi and I exchanged glances of confusion, and I wondered what was going on. Sure, both of them had seemed irritated recently, especially Ellie, but I never thought they'd get into a fight. I didn't think it was possible for the two of them to really fight about something, but the way they were yelling at each other...
I couldn't make out what they were saying, however. It sounded really muffled, as though someone had put duct tape over their mouths.
But then, it all stopped.
That made me worried.
I threw open the door to the office and stumbled out into the lobby, Kairi close behind. Behind me the stairwell opened, and I recognized the footsteps of Axel and Sora, as well as their voices calling out to me, but I could only ignore them.
Standing in front of me, front facing the front doors, was Ellie, completely frozen, silent, and shaking slightly. Standing not too far away from her stood Riku, his eyes narrowed, jaw clenched, and his hands were curled into tight balls. I don't know what Ellie's reaction to the argument was, other than the signs from her back, but Riku looked not only pissed, but embarrassed as well, like he'd done something he wasn't supposed to.
No one in the room spoke for a minute, everyone's eyes on Ellie and Riku, but then Ellie's head bowed, and she did something I was not expecting; she bolted out of the building.
Not just ran, not just jogged, bolted. Moved so fast it was hard to believe she was human. She passed Riku avoiding all contact with him and disappeared beyond the glass doors, Kairi running after her. Riku, on the other hand, had looked down at his feet, and I think I heard him cursing. Finally, he too ran off, though towards me, rather than away.
"Riku?" I heard Sora ask. "What just ha-" His voice disappeared with the sound of the stairwell doors closing, leaving me alone in the area with Axel.
"Um...," I garbled, "I take it you guys want the rest of the day off?"