A/N: And here goes the third chapter! It's in Axel's point of view now and it should give a tons more background info - but I've left out a lot of details, just so I won't spoil anything for you. ;]

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. If I did... oh buddy.

₪ Chapter 3 ₪

~ Axel POV ~

I pressed the End Call button on my phone and slide my cell deep into the pockets of my jeans. I had just got off the phone with Larxene and apparently she was extremely bored. The reason I knew that was because nine times out of ten she was almost always the last one to arrive to our little get-togethers. Maybe, just maybe she wanted to see me? Heh, I simpered at the thought. My speculation was that she was eager to see Marluxia. Ugh, even thinking about him got me riled up.

But it was laughable really. You see, Marluxia and I weren't always on bad terms. No. Actually it was simply the opposite of that.

It had all started in our sophomore year when we all decided to form a band. Demyx was our awesome bassist and Marluxia was on the drums – and I admit he wasn't too bad. Then that left Larxene and I; she was our vocal's vixen while I shredded on the guitar most of the time. I also sang but that was only whenever Larx wanted me too (which was funny, because most of the songs we covered didn't have girls singing lead, but I digress). Anyway, the band was pretty hot until Mar decided to fuck it up. Oh yes, he as a matter of fact did, so much that's it's almost an understatement – but that's another story for another day. To make a long story short, it ended up with the band breaking up at the beginning of our senior year because he and I couldn't "get along". But that was bullshit… well perhaps not completely. I didn't want to see him. He didn't want to see me. However, in all honesty, I never spilled the real reason to anyone – not to Demyx, not to Larxene, absolutely no one. I guess that aspect of it further upset them, especially Larxene. But it was something that he and I had to deal with. Selfish? Maybe, but I had to protect the rest of the band – and in the end, I think it turned out better than I expected. The band still met at jam sessions, minus Marluxia.

But nothing gold can stay and that was just it. Something had to give and that something was Demyx. He proclaimed it just wasn't the same without Marluxia and INSISTED we tried to make amends with each other, hence this little shindig at my place. Even though it was more or less a start over for the band, I myself really wasn't looking forward to it – at least, that is to say, with him in the picture. Oh yeah. Really wasn't.

But it was just something that had to be done.

Like a reflex, I shook my head at the thoughts. Having them flood back into my memories all at once was mentally wearing me out. Thinking of something else to do, I called out to Roxas… but there was no response. Curious to know what he was up to, I made my way into the living room. I rolled my eyes as I caught a glimpse of him "strumming" frantically on a guitar – well guitar controller that is. Of course he had to be playing some Guitar Hero. Instead of bothering him, I redirected my attention to the kitchen. Might as well put on some food now since Larx was coming, right?

I was just coming out of the kitchen after popping some pizza's in the oven when I heard my doorbell ring… five times in a row. Damn.

"Dude, could you get that?" called Roxas from the living room, tied up in expert mode. Boy wasn't he a help – I let out an agitated groan. There was only one person who rang the doorbell like that and that was Demyx. Now, don't get me wrong – Demyx was a good friend of mine – but he could be so flipping annoying sometimes. I went over to the door and opened it only to be assaulted by plethora of pink hair.

Son. Of. A…

It just had to be this kid who stood right in front of me, huh? I swore I felt angry nerves coming along.

Trying to keep a straight face, I looked past Marluxia, not even greeting him, and locked eyes with Demyx – trying my best to channel my feelings of pure displeasure into him. Except, Demyx and I were never on the same brainwave and he instead drew a big smile.

"Hey Ax! How's it going?" Peachy Demyx, just peachy. Before I could reply with a bit of sarcasm, Marluxia imprudently chimed in.

"Axel, why the hell are you making us waiting outside? Did you open the door to just stare at us or what – gonna let us in anytime soon?" Ohoho, you know the nerves? They were seriously plucked and I was thoroughly getting irritated.

My glare shifted to the twat. He had his arms crossed, with a smirk that I so eagerly wanted to punch off his face. But instead, I just forced a copycat smile and leaned against the edge of the door's side.

"Be my guest… princess." I muttered, sneering as I motioned the pathway into my house like he was blind.

Mumbling 'whatever', his arms fell to his side and he shuffled past, bumping my shoulder in the process. I looked back almost incredulously and there he was with that smirk still painted on his stupid face. Oh man, that was strike one for him today.

But I could tell I wasn't the only one who noticed the tension – lo and behold Demyx did too. I yelped loudly when he yanked me outside and crudely flung the door behind him shut. Confused, I looked at the brunette very surprised, wondering what the heck that was all about.

"Axel, can't you stay cool for just once?!" He asserted in a whisper, but I could tell that if he had the chance he would yell at me. "Your attitude sucks!"

"What the hell are you talking about? I was staying cool. It was that bastard that wants to bitch about every little thing…" I shook my head in disbelief, I really couldn't believe this. Why was everything my fault? If this was how tonight was going to go down I wanted nothing to do with it. "You know, maybe this shit won't wo—"

Demyx barred me from saying much more. He promptly grabbed my shoulders and roughly slammed me into the column of my front porch.

"No! I know what you're going to say! 'This isn't going to work' – That's BS, bump that!"

I was so shocked by his boldness that I just shut up. Damn, Demyx was scary when he was upset. I looked him in the eye, anticipating the chew out I was going to receive.

"Look. I don't know what happened between you two, and believe me I'd like to know, but that is YOUR guys's business… ," he hesitated, "BUT if you two's problems are strong enough to break up the band, then it becomes everyone else business!" His angry eyes bored into mine and the sincerity of his words echoed throughout my being like an empty fortress, but I still tried to stand my ground.

Yet what he said next was enough to tear me down.

Demyx's grip slackened before dropping to my arms – and his once piercing blue-green eyes were downcast to the ground, half-lidded as if they possessed a distressing thought. He spoke, his voice low and fleeting. It sounded like he was somewhere else in his mind.

"And you know, this will probably make her smile too. She won't have to cry anymore."

At that point, I think my heart shattered within my chest. How could he bring up something that hurtful? I hated how he was rough handling, blaming, and lecturing me all at once in the first place, and NOW he had the audacity to go and slice open old wounds. I was seething inside, straight up pissed…

But no matter how I tried to turn it he was right.

Out of all of us, Larxene was the most affected by the drama and, if anything, she blamed herself for it.

I sighed. Annoying as he may be, Demyx had the talent of pulling heart strings like the ones on his guitar.

"Fine, fine. You know, you really are a master manipulator – growing a spine there I see!" I said buoyantly giving into his whole guilt trip grandstand. His head sprang up, surprised at the sudden change in atmosphere. Stiffening, Demyx gave a timorous laugh and held his hands up surrender style.

"EH! Well I'm sorry! I, uhhh, just wanted the best for the group and—", I stopped him with the wave of my finger.

Naturally, I smiled and punched him playfully in the arm. "Nah, Dem. It's fine. I know what you mean." I really did and I think he felt more reassured, because he responded with a grin of his own.

"Come on, we should go in. I bet they are wondering what we are doing out here." Demyx suggested, lightly rubbing the area I hit him.

"Oh shit yeah, the pizza! Snap, I totally forgot!" I opened my front door and rushed into my house, hoping to the heavens that it didn't burn.

Roxas was standing over the table and swiftly turned around when he heard me enter.

"Eh heh…" he stood there looking at me slightly apologetic. I eyed him, confused until I noticed what he was hiding. That little bugger ate almost half of the pizza…

I would have been mad, but instead I busted out laughing.

"Duuude! HA… How could you freaking eat all of that?!" I doubled over, arms to stomach, amazed at his colossal appetite.

Seemingly proud of himself, Roxas' put his hands behind his head. "Well, that's what happens when you play videogames for morning, noon, and night!"

Dang, he played videogames in the morning? And noon? How was that possible – we were at school at that time! Man, that kid was certainly something else.

We both were cracking up, shrieking laughter all throughout the house. We were roaring so loud that that was probably why Demyx plugged his ears with his Skullcandy's. If there was one way Demyx would drown out a person speaking, it was through the blaring of music. But at least he was slightly entertained; he had his hand over his mouth so I could tell he was giggling at our shenanigans. However, pissy little Marluxia was not amused. I watched him as he sized me up, lips pursed ready to say something smart.

Undoubtly, he surely did.

"Damn, why must you be so loud Axel. I'm going outside." Okay, one: this was my house – I could be as loud as I wanted. And two: what the—? Didn't that little prick see Roxas laughing too?

My easy going temperament was gone and replaced by a peeved disposition. Boy he sure did irk me – and why was he telling me this anyway? He could LEAVE for all I care.

"Suit yourself," was all I said, holding back my burning sarcasm that I so desperately wanted to throw at him. I couldn't let him get to me – I had to shake it off.

He huffed and rose from the couch, making his way to the door. Roxas, in turn, gave me a scrutinizing look. He was probably wondering why I was being so haughty towards the pink hair fiend but, blunty, he didn't need to know. I was just about to break Roxas' silencing glare when I heard the front door swing open, hitting the wall (that door was probably eff'd up from all the manhandling). Now I really felt like telling that asshole off – that is until I heard a familiar squeal.

I rounded the corner of the kitchen and saw her. Yep, that was Larxene alright. But I couldn't properly greet her. Nope. You know why? Because he was hugging her and she was hugging back. I paused at them, just staring. I felt so out of place in my own home. No, this wasn't where I wanted it to start, above all not her in his arms.

You remember those nerves? I am convinced something just snapped.

A/N: Hmm, I think it's pretty evident that Axel and Marluxia really do not like each other. I know, I know - I'm pointing out the obvious. But why do they dislike each other? Well, all I'm going to say is that it goes much deeper than the eye can tell. Hurk hurk~

So, with that said, R&R for me please! I hope I didn't suck in this chapter too much. I wanted to write it so that it gave a lot of info, but I think it may seem rushed? I realllly don't know... _"

Oh and as a heads up, I think from here on out I'm going to be writing in regular old third person. I at least wanted you to see through the eyes of the characters themselves. However, now since the story is truly unfolding, I think it would be best not to complicate things. ;] Of course I may revert to first person if need be. It all depends on the situation. :DDD