Fame and Fortune

Chapter Eight: Superior

Axel didn't think that he'd ever forget the feeling of being trapped between a multitude of sweaty, disgusting bodies. And this bar—Club XIII—was really no exception. Everyone was loud, and drunk, and trying their hardest it seemed to grind against Axel's ass the longer he stood by the bar, waiting for Twilight to get on stage. He hadn't seen Demyx yet, at least, not up close. He'd recognized his stupid looking hairstyle when Zexion was talking to him by the doorway that lead backstage. But then Demyx disappeared with Zexion to the back, and Axel was left to his own devices, fending off drunk assholes and weird people that wanted to stick random objects up his butt.

The lights suddenly dimmed, and the crowd silenced as Roxas walked up stage, right to the microphone, smiling when he met Axel's gaze. His outfit was that first one Axel had picked out when they went shopping, and he couldn't exactly see the accessories in the blond's ears, but he saw the glint they gave off in the spotlight. Roxas smiled, taking in a deep breath. "Hello, Club XIII!" the crowd beneath him cheered, and a red eyebrow raised at how wonderful the volume of the mic was. "This is your superior speaking, and I hope you're ready for some fun!"

The guitar started as the drunkards cheered, sloshing alcohol all over themselves and the floor. A pink haired man smiled rather sexily at the crowd, playing an amazing riff, before the bass guitar kicked in as well as the keyboard. The clean shaven blond handling the drums began hitting the bass, and Roxas' wonderful voice echoed through the room.

Compared to the last concert, Axel had to admit that this one was a lot better. The volume control was perfect; the instruments weren't too loud and the lead singer's voice was heard perfectly. The fans were too drunk to know the words of the songs, so they stayed quiet during most of the lyrics. And Roxas held his body with much more pride than he had the first time around.

The show lasted somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half. Axel stayed by the bar, confident that Roxas was going to come and find him to bring him to that party he was talking about. He sat against the counter, drinking down a soda, when a light tap on his shoulder caused him to turn around and glance behind him. Roxas stood there with a broad smile, and Axel, without even realizing it, lifted a hand to run a finger against the smooth texture of the flame earring. "So Zexion wasn't joking."

"Neither was I," Roxas replied, grinning even wider. "When I asked if I should get my ears pierced, I was being serious."

"I didn't think you'd go through with it the same day."

Roxas shrugged, tugging on Axel's sleeve. "Come on, the party's this way. Demyx is already there."

Axel stood and followed Roxas to the hallway he'd seen Demyx vanish into earlier. He tapped Roxas on the shoulder, "By the way, you did a much better job tonight than before!"

"Really?" Roxas grinned over his shoulder. "Thanks, Ax!"

They entered the back room, where Axel finally saw all the other band members up close. "Axel, this is Marluxia, our guitarist, Xion, our keyboardist, and Luxord, our drummer." He turned to the blond. "You bring the alcohol?"

"Of course," Luxord said, a thick English accent coating his tongue. "Who do you think I am?" And from inside a cooler at his feet he pulled out a couple of beers.

Ooooooh we're getting to a really steamy point of the story. Next chapter will be the party, and then after that? You'll have to wait and see.

RosieVIII: Thank you, darling! I'm bad at leaving reviews unless I'm super excited, so it's nice that you at least tried; it means a lot! I hope you enjoy whatever words I spew onto this keyboard!
Shirai Phoenix: Darling. Once again. My eating habits are fine.
Chriss-Meister: Axel's denial runs so deep. And it's only going to get so much worse, so stay tuned!

Reviews make me super happy! Please, please, please review!

-Eternal White Rose