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Seven

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After a couple of days of well needed rest and healing, I found myself wandering around my farm and wondering how on Earth I was ever going to get it all in order. The barn was sturdy enough but it was absolutely filthy and in no condition to house an animal. The chicken coop was a different story. It was completely run down, and I was actually a little afraid to walk inside for fear of it falling apart on me. On top of that, it was filthy as well. It smelled disgusting and it was covered in old dried up hay. Thankfully the fields didn't look too bad, just a little overgrown with weeds. I'd probabaly be out there for hours before I could even think about planting anything.

"How're things looking?"

I really wished that Hayner would stop sneaking up on me like that, because he literally gave me a heart attack every time I saw him. "Well, I'm pretty sure a light breeze could topple the chicken coop but other than that everything is pretty much just dirty and over-run with weeds."

"I'd go see Luxord to pick up some cleaning supplies, and then talk to Sora and Van about fixing up the coop," he suggested, "Did you check the tool shed to see what you have?"

I nodded, "Yeah, there was a watering can, a hoe, a sickle and a fishing rod."

"Good, that should definitely get you started. Once you start making some money you can see Xigbar to upgrade to better tools as well."

"I was thinking I could maybe stop by the library and check out some books on farming techniques so that I can really work the land to it's best potential," I mentioned, "I did a lot of research online before I moved out here, but I have a feeling that the books here will really shed a light on this particular land."

He chuckled, "I'd say so; your grandfather wrote half of them."

"Seriously? I didn't know he was a writer as well..." I trailed off into my thoughts, wishing that I'd gotten the chance to see him more often. Maybe reading his books would shed some light on who he was as a person so that I could get to know him better.

"Roxas, you with me?" he laughed, waving his hands in front of my face as I totally spaced out.

I nodded, "Yeah, sorry... I was just thinking about my grandpa. He left me this entire farm and I really never even knew him."

"He was a pretty great person," Hayner smiled, "You remind me of him quite a bit, actually."

"Really? My mom kept telling me that I was a lot like him but I never really believed her, I guess."

He shrugged, "I definitely see it, and I know Olette does too."

"I should head into town and pick up everything," I sighed, half wishing that I could still be lazy. My side still hurt, but it had become more of a dull ache that I could handle with just one of the pain pills instead of two, which definitely left much more of my wits about me.

"Do you mind picking up some taffy for me from the General Store? There's a rumor going around that Luxord finally got some more in, and it's absolutely delicious."

I chuckled, "Sure, no problem. Let's just hope that I actually remember."

"Thanks. I should get back to the farm and help Pence milk the ladies. Jezebelle really does not like him."

On my way into town with my leather messenger bag slung over my shoulder I couldn't help but feel a certain air of relief that I wasn't in the city anymore. Everything about the country just felt so freeing. Feeling my boots crunch in the dirth path rather than skid against harsh pavement, feeling the breeze ruffle through my golden hair, hearing birds chirping and animals shuffling about; all of it was just absolutely wonderful.

I smiled a little to hear the genuine brass doorbell ring as I stepped into the General Store. "Hey Luxord," I greeted him, giving him a small wave as he stood behind the counter, "Where's Larxene?"

"She's over at the library attending one of Namine's art classes," he told me, setting aside the book he'd been reading.

"Oh... I didn't know Namine taught."

He nodded, "Actually, nearly everybody in town teaches some class or another for the kids based on their strengths and all that. Zexion covers most of the main subjects like Math and English, but sometimes Demyx will have a class on fishing or Sora will have a class on Carpentry just so that they can learn some of the more valuable skills they need to know around here."

"I did wonder how school worked for the kids. So it's all based out of the library then?"

"Yeah. It's hard with some of the age differences between the kids, but we try to group them the best we can," he told me, moving from behind the counter and stepping closer to me, "How's the busted rib?"

"Still aches, but the stabbing pain has mostly stopped unless I try to bend over too far," I said, quickly realizing that I wasn't going to be able to just walk in and out of any of the stores here without having a conversation.

He frowned, crossing his arms over his chest, "I outta kick that guy's ass for hurting you like that. Some welcome, eh?"

"He really didn't mean to do it. He was just worried about his dog," I wasn't sure why I was defending him; he was a dick that entire night.

"Well, you let me know if he gives you any more trouble. I'll set him straight," he assured me, smiling warmly.

I chuckled uneasily, "Thanks, I guess..."

"Roxas, would you like to maybe get a drink with me tonight at Oblivion?"

His question completely caught me off guard, but I tried my best to hide the shock on my face, "Uhm... I'm sorry, what?"

"Right; I've just made a complete fool out of myself... I thought-ignore me. I don't know what I was thinking. Go ahead with your shopping."

I stood there for a minute like a gaping fool before finally saying something, "How did you know?"

"I could tell immediately by the way you reacted to Larxene's flirting," he admitted, blushing madly, "I suppose I got a bit too excited to find that I wasn't alone anymore and jumped the gun a bit."

"Actually, a drink sounds good," I even surprised myself as those words came out of my mouth, but I figured it was pretty harmless. "But can I ask a totally horrible and offensive question first...?"

He smirked, "I'm 35. Larxene was a drunken teenage accident. Is that too terribly ancient for you?"

My cheeks flushed dark red as he answered before I could even ask, kind of feeling like an asshole, "Not at all. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound completely rude..."

"You said yes, and that's all that matters to me. How about I pick you up at seven?"

I laughed, "You make it sound like it's not a five minute walk down the street."

"Hey, it's five more minutes I'll get to spend with you," he turned up the flirting hardcore now that he knew I was at least vaguely interested. "I really didn't even think about it though... Are you sure you want to come out to the entire town?"

"I came here to start over and be myself, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. I would hope that everybody can find a way to accept that," I told him, moving to browse the first row of shelves as I spoke to him. I was so sick of hiding who I was and pretending that it was okay. I was gay; it was just a simple fact of life.

He breathed a sigh of relief at that, following me as I scanned the shelves. "Anything in particular you're looking for?"

"I need some cleaning supplies so that I can start cleaning up the barn. It's in pretty bad shape," I explained as I browsed, "But I'd like to just kind of check out what you have as well."

"Well let me know if you need any help. We carry all natural cleaning products that are safe to use around animals, though I do hope you realize that barns are going to be a bit dirty no matter what you do."

I chuckled at that, "I do understand that, but I've got a bit of OCD that really won't let up until I at least give it a good initial overhaul."

"Got it," he grinned at me as we heard the doorbell ring.

"Duty calls," I teased, "I'll be fine, you should man the counter."

As I looked through the store a million thoughts were running through my mind. I really wasn't sure how I felt about Luxord. He was definitely an attractive man; he pulled off his short platinum hair and goatee well and he was definitely one of those tall, buff looking guys that I was generally drawn to. He was older, yeah, but what was ten years? We were both adults. Still, something had me hesitating about the idea of dating him. Maybe I would be pleasantly surprised and end up really liking him. Who knew? I just hoped that I wouldn't have to break his heart and lose a friend.

...

A/N: For some reason, this chapter just felt weird to me. Sorry if it isn't as good as the others so far. I really didn't want to have Axel in this one, because I'm trying really hard to take their relationship nice and slow. (Unlike my other stories where they go from zero to fucking in like three chapters.) Either way, let me know if it was just me thinking that this chapter was strange or if I'm not totally nuts and it really was.

Yes, I know... I brought in Luxord again and made him a side pairing with Roxas. I don't know why I've been so drawn to that little crack pairing lately, but I kind of weirdly like it? I also have a strange attraction to older men, which might have something to do with it. But hey, Axel is 32 in this story anyways and I know y'all will still like it! ;P

Something about watching the words scroll onto the screen as I type is totally mesmerising me tonight... why? I have no idea. No, I'm not on drugs. XD

I'm pissed at myself because I'd been updating every day and then over the weekend I got hella sick and didn't update at all Friday or Saturday. :( Sorryyy. I'll try to be better about it now. And the next chapter is going to be their date, so that'll be super interesting!

I have rambled quite enough, I think, so I shall bid you all farewell for the evening. (It's 2 a.m. lol) Remember to leave a review!

Simply Rexene