...

Eleven

...

"Axel, hey!" I opened the door at a rather irrate knock.

"I'm not a damned postman," he growled, shoving an Amazon package at me.

I rolled my eyes, "Thank you for picking it up for me."

"Whatever... How did you even manage to order something online?"

"I called my dad and had him do it for me," I shrugged, hugging the package to myself, "You know, I could have just ridden with you to town and helped with your deliveries and stuff."

He glared holes through my head, "I don't need help. Just keep the online shopping to a minimum. I'm not stopping at your PO Box every time I go into town."

"You're so damned salty," I chuckled, "I've got to run to the General Store. Thanks again!"

"Weren't you literally there like an hour ago?" he raised an eyebrow as he stepped aside.

I shrugged, "That was just to see Luxord. Now I actually need to buy something."

"Ew... You seriously like him?"

That stopped me in my tracks, "You know what, Axel? Yes I fucking do. And I don't appreciate you treating me like I have a fucking disease just because I'm gay. I'm sorry I ever asked you to do something for me; I should have known better. How about you just go the fuck home and live your miserable life far away from mine?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... Roxas, I don't have a problem with you being gay. I have a problem with you moving here and potentially stealing my business. I have a problem with whatever strange thing you have going on with my dog. I have a problem with your choice of starter Pokemon. But I do not have a problem with you being gay."

"Wonderful. I'm glad you approve of my life choices," I grumbled snarkily, marching down the path.

I huffed all the way into town, feeling rather grumbly after my interaction with Axel. I think Sora could tell, because normally when I walked by him he would say hi and stop to chat, but today when we passed each other in town he just kept on walking.

I stalked into the General Store and started creeping up and down the aisles in search of what I needed, but I wasn't having much luck.

"Roxas...?"

The way I turned on Luxord must have scared the shit out of him because he recoiled like I was about to bite him. "What?"

"Jeez... what's got your feathers ruffled? You seemed in good spirits when you left earlier."

"Just had a visit from the jerk fairy," I sighed, trying to loosen up, "I'm sorry..."

He tilted his head to the side, "I do wish you wouldn't let him get under your skin so much."

I whined softly and let myself fall forward into him, resting my head on his shoulder and sighing heavily, "I was just trying to do something nice and it totally backfired on me..."

He wrapped his arms around me and chuckled, "What're you talking about?"

"Nothing... Do you have any wrapping paper and ribbon?" I mumbled into his soft flannel shirt, loving the way he smelled. It was so clean and manly.

Luxord pushed me away from him and looked me in the eyes, "You bought him a birthday present, didn't you?"

My cheeks flushed red, "It's nothing..."

"Roxas Michaels, you are just too kind for your own good," he laughed, pulling me down the next aisle, "We don't have a huge selection, but it'll work?"

I pouted up at him, "Am I insane to think that maybe I can get through to him?"

"You're not the first one to try, but maybe you'll be the first one to succeed. I think it's sweet of you," he told me, leaning down and kissing me softly. "You're still coming tonight, right?"

I nodded, "Yeah... I was just going to wrap his gift and leave it on his doorstep, because I seriously don't think I can handle interacting with him again."

"I don't blame you. Now go so you can come back later," he told me, swatting me towards the counter, "Larxene can check you out."

...

My dad had ordered exactly what I told him to, and I was really glad that it worked out that way. I had been a little nervous trusting him to order it, but he did pull through.

I wrapped everything carefully, my OCD kicking in just a little bit as I tied the ribbon around and pulled out the card I'd also ordered online to fill out. I wasn't really sure what to say, so I just kind of started writing.

'Happy Birthday, Axel. Now we can battle and you can choose your shitty fire starter. (Water type is still the best.)'

That was good. ...Right?

Yes, I bought Axel his very own shiny red 3DS XL and Pokemon Y. I wasn't sure what exactly compelled me to spend so much money on him, but it really seemed like a gift he could use and appreciate. The money aspect didn't really bother me... what did I need it for anyways?

I waited to drop it off until closer to the time I was supposed to meet Luxord and the guys. I didn't bother knocking or ringing the doorbell... He'd find it eventually. It was a clear night, and his porch was covered anyways. I really didn't want to risk running into him.

I felt like I'd walked back and forth to and from town about a billion times that day, but I was happy to do it in order to see Luxord. Something about him was just beginning to feel ...comfortable.

"Roxas!" he greeted me as I walked into the General Store yet again, pulling me into a hug, "It's good to see you for the third time today."

I chuckled, leaning up to give him a quick kiss, "So you said the game is held upstairs?"

"Yeah, we always sit at the kitchen table. Makes life easier. C'mon, everyone is here already," he said, grabbing my hand and pulling me up the stairs.

"Were you just sitting down here waiting for me...?" I raised an eyebrow as I followed him, "I could've found my way upstairs."

He shrugged, "I got too excited I guess."

"You're rather excitable, aren't you?"

"Haven't been in a long time... I guess you're changing that about me," he looked over his shoulder, flashing me a handsome smile.

I smiled back, "Now lets go own at some poker."

...

I had to say, poker night with the guys went astronomically better than I expected. Luxord and I were a vicious little team, but everybody was in such good spirits that we just had a great time. Of course, as with any good poker night, there was a lot of beer and junk food involved. By the end of the night I was definitely stumbling back to my house with Luxord as my kind escort.

"Jeez, Rox... how many beers did you have?"

"Welll... I wasn't playing poker so I had to do something!" I giggled, spinning around in a circle happily.

He caught me as my foot slid in the dirt and I fell backwards, chuckling and turning me to face him, "We're never going to make it to your house if you don't start walking."

"Well how am I asposed to do that?" I cocked my head to the side, staring up at him with glazed eyes.

"All right, Roxas... One foot in front of the other. Don't make me carry you home."

I huffed and started stomping down the path towards my house like a child throwing a fit while he chased after me to make sure I didn't fall again. Luckily, I made it to my front porch without incident. "I had fun tonight, Luxy."

"Ohh, goodness... You need to go inside and chug some water," he opened the front door, guiding me into the house.

"Stay with me," I pouted, clinging onto him as he sat me down on the couch.

He laughed, "I'll be right back. I'm just going to get you some water. And maybe some bread..."

"With butter and honey?" my ears perked up at the mention of a snack.

"You're ridiculous," he ruffled my hair, "Next time I'm monitoring your alcohol intake."

I bit at his hand, reaching up to smooth my hair out. "Nobody fucks with my hair!" I announced, swatting at him as he walked into the kitchen.

Two pieces of toast and four glasses of water later I finally had my wits about me again, "Jesus... how bad was it?"

"You were just silly," he told me, sitting next to me on the couch with his arm around me, "You kept begging me to stay with you though."

"I do remember that..." I mumbled, blushing softly. "Remind me to cool it with the beer next time, okay?"

He nodded, "Think you'll be okay now? I don't think you'll have a hangover... Chugging a lot of water usually helps with that. You just need some sleep."

"I am pretty tired," I yawned, stretching out my limbs and wincing as pain shot through my ribs.

"Still hurting?" he furrowed his brow in concern.

I grumbled, "A constant reminder that my neighbor is a fucking twat."

He snorted in an attempt to mask his laughter, "I need to get back and make sure that Larxene hasn't tried to sneak Zexion into the house in my absence."

"All right... thanks for taking care of me," I leaned up and gave him a kiss, sighing softly, "Good night, Luxord."

"You gonna sleep down here?" he chuckled as I sprawled out on the couch.

I shrugged, "Why not? It's a comfortable couch."

"Good night, Roxas," I could hear the smile in his voice as he flipped the lights off and left me to sleep.

...

I wasn't sure how long I had been asleep when a sharp knock at the front door scared me so badly that I fell off the couch. Before I could even pull myself to my feet, Axel came flying into the living room in a flurry of red, flipping the lights on and pacing back and forth.

"Uhm... hello?" I blinked a few times, hissing at the sudden bright light.

He jumped halfway out of his skin when he saw me sitting on the floor, "What're you doing down here?"

"I think the better question is 'what're you doing in my house?'" I snapped, heaving myself back up on the couch.

"Did you...? Was that...?"

I assumed he meant the gift, "The birthday present? Yeah, it was from me. I know I was a couple days early, but I figured-"

"Why? Why would you do something that nice for me?"

"Fuck if I know..." I ran my hands through my hair, yawning heavily. "Could this really not have waited until morning?"

He looked at me quizzically, "Roxas, it's six a.m. I found the package when I came outside to take care of the animals."

Right, my alarm was upstairs. "I'm exhausted..."

"Roxas... why did you do this?"

"Because... you deserve to know that somebody cares. And I do. You might be a total asshole most of the time, but I know that there's something more there."

Axel looked at me wildly and I could tell that his mind was racing. "Roxas, there's something I need to tell you."

"Okay?" I stood up, trying to cross the living room to grab some more water from the kitchen. My mouth was dry as hell, and he was starting to irritate me.

"Stop and look at me," he grabbed my arm, forcing me to stare up at him.

I growled under my breath, "What?"

"Just... thank you," his eyes softened a little as they met mine.

"You're wel-"

I didn't even get halfway through my sentence when I was cut off by his unreasonably warm lips descending over mine. The kiss absolutely took me by surprise, but what really had me confused was how every fucking inch of me did not want it to end. I could have stayed there for the rest of my life locked into that kiss with him, but it was a fleeting moment that ended too quickly.

"Axel..." the word caught in my throat as I stared up at him in shock.

And just like that, he turned on his heels and raced out the door.

...

A/N: *hyperventilates*

Sorry the update took so long! But I think you all shall forgive me with the end of the chapter there. ;P

I'm not gonna chat much more because I wanna go upload this, sooo... Remember to review! Love you all!

Simply Rexene