Story Notes: Explicit sexual content below.

Chapter 42
The Three Penguins

Summary:
8 long years ago they met. It started them on a long, painful journey; one that brought them closer together. 7 years since becoming boyfriends, their bond is still strong.

When the invite came to attend the opening of his ex's club, Vanitas laughed and threw it away. When the invite appeared again on the kitchen table the next morning, he frowned at it and yelled into the house in anger, "I'm not going and you can't make me!"

Isa called an intervention. The three of them talked long into the night and fucked well into the morning, and by the end of it, Vanitas complied and agreed, willingly sending back the RSVP. And then Vanitas forgot about it, or forcefully pushed it back into the depths of his mind. Who could say which it was.

Months passed, but when the week leading up to the big event arrived, he couldn't ignore it anymore. His boyfriends' didn't allow it. Shopping had to be done for new clothes. Vanitas felt resentful during the whole process. The surly bitterness inside himself grew and crescendoed only hours before the main event.

Vanitas stared at himself in the mirror of the bedroom's wardrobe, tugging at his collared multi-color paisley shirt. This was not his choice of dress. He had tried to put on his favorite black attire, but had been forced to wear something colorful, with the order to look slightly more festive.

"You're going to a party, not a funeral," Isa had remarked when Vanitas had walked down the stairs in a black shirt, black pants, and a long black overcoat. He had been made to march right back up and get changed into the clothes they had bought.

Vanitas sullenly complied, but it didn't stop the feeling that this was a funeral. Isa didn't understand. No one understood. He punched the mirrored wardrobe door, knocking it off its rails and sending it into the back of the wardrobe. The loud thud rang through the room and out the open door. Vanitas' fist ached and he held it.

Hurried footsteps sounded, a body entered. "Vani, what're you doing? Are you all right?"

Vanitas huffed. Kadaj's voice was a balm for his irritation. "Can you help me with this?" he asked and pulled the wardrobe door out of the cavity of the closet.

"Yeah, of course."

Both men held the door and maneuvered it around until it slid snuggly into its rails again. They stood before the now slightly-warped reflection of themselves, since Vanitas' fist had left a dent in the door.

Kadaj looked at Vanitas through the mirror, concern and worry showing on the part of his face which wasn't curtained behind his silver bangs. "Take some deep breaths, my darling," Kadaj soothed, rubbing his hand up and down Vanitas' back.

Vanitas followed the instructions.

"Do you want me to call Isa up? He's always so good at defusing you."

Vanitas shook his head. "No, thank you. You're helping." He gave his boyfriend a weak smile, which Kadaj gently returned.

"Do you want to talk about it with me?"

"There's nothing to talk about," Vanitas bristled a little.

Kadaj looked at the dent in the door with a pointed stare. "You've been doing so well. It's okay to say you need help. I get tonight is tough on you, but you're being really mature about it, well, for the most part. Will you be able to hold it together for a couple of hours tonight?"

"I'll have to, won't I," he snapped.

"Vani." Kadaj stepped up to Vanitas and held his face between his hands, giving Vanitas a deep look. "This is beneath you now. You're not petty anymore, clinging to a relationship that was never going to work out, right? You're happy now, remember? You have me and Isa. Why would you ever even need anyone else?" Kadaj smiled warmly.

Vanitas flinched and looked away from the taller man. "Because—" he felt the broiling anger rising again beneath the surface, "he was supposed to be mine, forever. He lied and cheated and used me. He's a fucking snake and now I'm supposed to show up like everything is all right? He humiliated me before court, in front of you. I had to go into fucking therapy. Group therapy. Fuck him!" he spat.

Kadaj's visible cool-blue eye narrowed, and he stared at Vanitas wordlessly for a few moments. "You're saying you regret the last five years of our lives together with Isa?"

Vanitas clicked his tongue and lowered his gaze. He hated that he hated so much; that it was all coming back to him like the last eight years never happened. He loved Kadaj so much, loved Isa beyond anything he could ever have imagined. And yet… Roxas. He forced the disgruntled sneer off his face and focused on Kadaj before him; the gentle, comforting touch on his cheeks. Kadaj so beautiful, calm, warm, always affectionate. Thinking about that made Vanitas feel better. "No," he muttered.

"That's a relief to hear. I know you don't mean the things you say when you're angry. I wish you didn't keep hanging on to bad feelings. I wish you didn't have to keep feeling upset that some guy didn't want you."

The sneer returned. He felt so hot inside. "He's not some guy. He was my childhood friend. My best friend. My sanity."

"He's also your biggest pain," Kadaj said quietly.

"Exactly. Why do I have to go and fucking see him?" Vanitas screeched.

"You know why."

Vanitas wrinkled his nose with disgust.

Leaning closer, Kadaj's hair tickled Vanitas' nose. His thumbs stroked Vanitas' cheeks and he quickly pressed a kiss to Vanitas' forehead before saying, "Please remember that we want you. I want you. I love you, and how you're holding on to the past hurts me, my darling."

Vanitas cupped Kadaj's soft hand which held him. He tried not to smile. He didn't want to be placated. He changed the subject, firing himself back up, "Why do I have to go to this bullshit party?"

Kadaj sighed. "You decided you wanted to go, remember?"

Vanitas grumbled.

"Stop being so bristly. I know this isn't you. Let me see you smile." Kadaj rubbed Vanitas' cheeks some more with his fingers, kissed the tip of Vanitas' nose, and pressed a kiss to his lips, which Vanitas reciprocated.

Vanitas loved Kadaj's soft lips. He was a mushy sucker for his boyfriend's cute gestures, touches, and words. Some welcomed heat sparked inside his belly, fizzling out the anger camped out in his chest. The smile he suppressed broke free as Kadaj ended their kiss and pulled away. Kadaj always made him feel loved and wanted. It's why he had turned towards him when all he had gotten from Roxas had been an icy wall of deceit and hurt. He hated how vividly those feelings still stirred up when he thought back on his ex.

"No frowning, my darling," Kadaj said.

Vanitas shook himself out of the thought. He knew he could be better than this. He had gone almost a whole year without thinking about Roxas, since the court order had expired two years ago, but then this invite had come around and Vanitas had come completely untethered. "Sorry. I'm struggling and could… use some help," he muttered and hooked his fingers into Kadaj's waistband.

Kadaj kept his affectionate touches up, his finger traveling down Vanitas' chest and his eyes meandering down. "You're not just saying that because you want us to run late?" Kadaj gave Vanitas a cool-blue stern and pointed stare.

"Maybe a little."

Kadaj laughed.

It brightened Vanitas' heart. He reached out, brushed silver locks behind Kadaj's ears, looking into both of his eyes. Damn, he loved Kadaj so much. Those sumptuous lips and those seductive feline-esque eyes got his heart all aflutter. Kadaj looked even more perfect with his eyeliner on. Vanitas grabbed the collar of Kadaj's shimmering gray shirt and pulled him down into a sultry kiss.

Kadaj wrapped his arms around Vanitas' sides and Vanitas' hands skimmed down his lover's body to the dress pants and the belt, which he unbuckled with a rough jerk. The motion pushed them closer together. Vanitas deftly unzipped the fly, sucked on Kadaj's tongue a little harder and then pulled away from him, ending their kiss. Vanitas pushed the fabric of the pants and underwear down and spun his already half-hard partner around, forcing Kadaj's head down against the mattress of the king-sized bed. Kadaj hummed with satisfying pleasure and Vanitas could easily picture that thin, hungry smile which Kadaj wore so well. He traced his fingers over Kadaj's pale backside, between the two halves. He stepped away from Kadaj, to their bedroom stand, where he pulled out a condom. He quickly slipped it on and pumped a sizeable amount of lubricant into his palm, before heading back to Kadaj's backside.

"You're not going to fill me up?" Kadaj asked, throwing him a look.

"You really want to be leaking out all night?"

"I've got a plug."

Vanitas huffed and smiled down at Kadaj's delicious rump with affection. "If that's what you want."

"Yes."

Vanitas pulled the condom off, throwing it in the direction of the trash can and returned his attention to what needed to be done. He smeared the lubricant he held in the palm of his hand onto his other hand's fingers and pushed into Kadaj's anus, while he pumped himself into arousal. Delicious little pants from Kadaj fluttered around the room, stoking the desire in Vanitas' abdomen. Kadaj pushed his backside against Vanitas, taking his fingers in a bit more.

Vanitas smirked and quickly prepared his lover. He was no stranger to having very fast sessions with Kadaj. It had been like this before they had been official, and it certainly was like this even now. It's the reason there were so many bottles of lubricant stored all over the house. Kadaj's ass was a great stress reliever for Vanitas, and tonight he was very stressed.

Getting himself semi-hard, Vanitas pulled his fingers out and grunted. He pushed his cock into Kadaj and then, gripping hips, pumped himself into full arousal inside of that tight passage. Kadaj was always ready for Vanitas, was always welcoming and made him feel appreciated. It wasn't a chore having sex with the man, it didn't leave Vanitas feeling resentful and resented. It was pure, and good, and fun.

His rapid, needy breathing eased into quiet, pleasurable puffs as he rhythmically thrust into Kadaj, who happily moaned into the mattress. Kadaj was so easy to please, and not just in bed either. Kadaj was open and honest with him. They had always told each other everything. He wasn't left second guessing every half-said and vague insinuation. Kadaj's ass felt so good. Vanitas pounded into him greedily.

He still felt resentful about the past though. He always would. Roxas' mouth had always been so good when Vanitas had fucked him. It had been the only way to shut him up sometimes – the only way to put Roxas in his place – to remind him that—

Vanitas groaned. Kadaj spasmed around him, making everything even more heated and tight. He fucked Kadaj's ass harder, trying to reach his own climax before it all went away – but he couldn't quite get there. His head and body too clouded, heated, angry, worked up over all the wrong things.

He pulled out and made for the wet wipes so he could clean himself off, hating the feel of lubricant dripping everywhere.

"You didn't cum," Kadaj complained whilst panting as he stood up, taking some of the wet wipes Vanitas handed to him, to clean himself and the bed up. "Sa, he didn't cum," Kadaj gave a plaintive whine while he looked down at himself, wiping.

"I can see that. Today's tough for him. He needs something extra, don't you, Vanilla Slice." Isa approached from the doorway. He had probably been standing there since they had started. He always liked to watch.

Vanitas tried to ignore Isa, staying focused on wiping his shaft down. Arms, covered in a white business shirt, went around him, pulling him back against Isa's broad chest. Warm kisses and bites rained down from behind, and hot breaths worked in under the collar of his shirt.

"I hate that you two are making me go to this thing," Vanitas whined some more. He hoped if he complained enough he would finally be excused from going. He knew better, but he wanted to make his boyfriends as miserable as he felt.

"What's another word you can use?" Isa coached between kisses.

Vanitas sighed with exasperation. "Resent."

Isa pulled Vanitas around to look at him. His blue eyes were cold but not uncaring. "You didn't fill up our Cannoli. Look how sad he is." They glanced over at Kadaj, who pouted at them. "Come here," Isa ordered with warmth in his voice, holding out a hand to Kadaj.

Kadaj obeyed and tucked himself back in, pulling his pants up as he went. Isa's hand went to the back of Kadaj's neck when he was close enough, and pulled him into a deep and sloppy kiss. Vanitas watched, feeling the heat coming off both of his lovers. They were beautiful to look at and see together. Vanitas wanted to have a threesome with them, instead of having to go to a stupid party he had no interest in attending. He wound his arm around Kadaj, pulling himself closer and wondering if he could get some action before he grew any more surly, but that hot kiss broke. Huffing breaths sounded. Hands squeezed. Isa leaned down and pulled Vanitas in for an equally deep, but more tidy kiss.

Vanitas could taste Kadaj on Isa's tongue. Normally, it would have been intoxicating, but today wasn't a normal day. He only half-heartedly kissed Isa back.

Isa broke their kiss and spoke against Vanitas' parted lips, "Say sorry to Kadaj." He then pressed a small kiss to the corner of Vanitas' mouth before pulling away enough to let him talk.

Vanitas licked his lips and looked up at his boyfriends. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Daj. My head is elsewhere. I'm… having a really hard time and I hate that you two are making me go to this thing."

Kadaj and Isa exchanged looks. Isa spoke first, "I know we insisted, but you agreed. You know this will make you feel better in the long run. Your heart is just too clouded right now."

Vanitas felt Isa's arm around him give a fond squeeze.

Kadaj tilted his head and smiled, his hair falling and covering his eye again. "I know you have it in you, darling. Sa and I are always here for you," he said with warmth in his voice, which changed and hardened a little as he addressed Isa, "You shouldn't be so hard on him. I enjoyed myself. Yes. I'd have liked it if you had filled me up," he said, looking at Vanitas again, "but it's really nothing to apologize for. You can make it up to me when we come home," Kadaj blinked slowly and his smile widened. He leaned in a little toward Vanitas, who closed the distance and kissed him lightly; an apology but also a confirmation that he would make it up to Kadaj later.

"If this is all settled then, I think we should get ready to leave," Isa put forward, letting go of his boyfriends and stepping back a little.

"Sa, can I… have alone time with you before we go?" Vanitas asked. He wasn't feeling 100%. He hated the anger and resentment. Isa had always made him feel better, even if that had just been through redirecting the anger inside himself and focusing it onto his once-upon-a-time Anger Management group facilitator.

"Of course. Can you go downstairs and finish packing away the dishes, Kadj?"

Kadaj nodded, kissed them both on the cheek and went out of the room, closing the door behind him.

"What do you need, Vanilla Slice?" Isa took up both of Vanitas' hands.

He gave his boyfriend a stern stare. "I want my medicine from you."

Isa frowned a little. "You want it really rough?"

"Yeah."

The stern look didn't leave Isa. "Okay, but afterwards, we talk."

"Only if you win." Vanitas glared dangerously, excitement building inside himself.

"You know I always do. Take your pants and shirt off," Isa ordered, unbuttoning his fly and slipping off his shirt to reveal his well-toned arms and a muscular chest beneath.

"Yes, boss." Vanitas delivered sardonically, but his heart undeniably raced with desire for the anticipation of their fight. As soon as clothes were removed, Isa yanked Vanitas onto the bed where their wrestling match, for who would penetrate who, began with a deep, clashing kiss.

Vanitas was physically a lot smaller than Isa, but that never stopped him from trying to get on top and fuck his boyfriend's ass out. Their hands grappled for a sure perch, their legs tangled and tried to pin. Their palms slapped dully against each others skin while they pressed kisses, nips, and bites onto one another.

Kadaj was soft, gentle, and compliant. He was easy; always wanting to take, in his ass and his mouth, preferably at the same time, or both Isa and Vanitas in his ass at the same time. He was the perfect conduit through which to pacify the other two's domineering personalities. But when Kadaj wasn't there Isa's punishing, forceful, and subjugating will was exerted on Vanitas. Vanitas was equally forceful and demanding, but when it was just him and Isa, Vanitas never won, despite his best efforts. He struggled now too, but put up a good fight despite feeling happy how things were not in his favor. He would never admit to Isa that he loved losing to him. He would never just give in without a struggle.

They rolled around on the bed, pushing and pulling. Their cocks rubbing together, making them moan and grit their teeth whilst hands smacked, scratched, gripped, slid, and eventually pinned. Vanitas got pinned against the mattress with his arms stretched up above his head. Isa's heavy weight pushed on Vanitas' thighs and he looked down at him with a smug smile. Vanitas struggled, kicking, and writhing as best he could, trying to topple the man off himself. Isa bore down on him harder. His grip intensified and one of his hands slid down Vanitas' body and gripped his cock, beginning to pump him slowly. Vanitas' huffy breath caught in his chest.

"Isa," he strained.

"Have you had enough?"

Vanitas violently bucked his hips with defiance. Isa quickly shifted, slipping off but trapping Vanitas in a headlock and hoisting him up against himself; Vanitas' back was pressed against Isa's chest, and the squeeze around his neck intensifying. Vanitas frantically grunted and clutched at the strong arm, trying to pry it off himself while he used his whole body to buck and push against the other man. Isa grunted with the struggle, put his full weight against Vanitas, and rolled them over so he was on top. Vanitas strained to shake Isa off to no avail. He was hot from the struggle and aroused. A part of him relished the lack of control—needed to be dominated into submission—but to hell if he ever went quietly into the night.

He kept bucking even though he knew full well he was about to lose their battle for dominance. Isa pressed a cool lubricated digit against his asshole. Vanitas roused with defiance and tried to writhe his way to freedom but his arms were stuck under himself and his whole body was pinned so he didn't get very far. Isa's thigh went between his legs, wedging there and locking Vanitas down even harder. Heavy panting sounded in Vanitas' ear and then Isa said, a sultry timber to his voice, "I love you fighting me so much. I can't wait to plow you into submission."

Vanitas savored the shudder that traveled down his spine and the throb that made his own erection so much harder. It was easy to forget how turned on he was when they fought. It was nice to be made painfully aware of it as Isa's lubricated hand left a cool trail over his backside as he meandered over Vanitas' body, towards his anus and then pushed his finger in.

Vanitas bucked against the discomfort, pushing Isa's finger deeper inside himself and growled with lust as the second finger went in. He bit down gently on Isa's arm which was still around his neck; no longer strangling but just pinned there along with Vanitas. He breathed sharply waiting for the stretching to finish and fighting with himself to keep the pleasurable sounds deep in his gut.

Isa kissed the side of his face, muttering, "I'm going to ram you so hard – plow your ass – smash all your stupid thoughts out of that head of yours, when I make you cum."

Vanitas squirmed against Isa's hold, his heart racing. He clenched down against the intrusion of Isa's third finger. He grit his teeth and swallowed down the moan of pleasure that wanted to flow out at Isa's words, and at the pressure his boyfriend exerted on his body, both within and without. Isa finger-fucked Vanitas slowly while leaving kisses on his shoulders and back. Vanitas hated how much he loved it. He loved how much it burned – how tight all his muscles felt as he tried to keep it all inside – he loved Isa's hot cock rubbing against him with his desire dribbling all over his thigh.

Isa brushed Vanitas' prostate, making him suddenly gasp and whimper. Isa chuckled low in his throat. "You going to stop fighting me now?"

"Make me, you sexy shit," Vanitas snarled and jerked, struggling against Isa's firm hold and heavy weight.

Isa hummed with laughter, "You're coming around, I see" He quickly released Vanitas, rolling him over and pinned him down again with his body like before. He smiled down at Vanitas who glared dangerously, but then couldn't keep the smirk at bay. Isa swooped down, pressing his lips to Vanitas' and pushing his tongue inside. Vaniats whimpered and sucked on him. The small sound in his throat turned into a deep groan as Isa pushed his cock against his asshole.

Isa's strong grip on Vanitas' wrists stopped him from pushing Isa off himself, or at least that's what Vanitas told himself. It wasn't that he had already submitted to his boyfriends' power play. To show he still fought him, Vanitas sucked on Isa's tongue with great force before wrestling and trying to push his tongue into Isa's mouth instead. He just about managed it too when Isa's firm, thick shaft pushed in. Vanitas gasped into Isa's mouth and clenched around the sensation of being stretched open. He cried out; a mix of protest, pain, and pleasure. Isa relentlessly pushed into him, until his heavy balls slapped Vanitas' backside, soft at first and then harder as Isa thrust in and out of him. Vanitas shivered and mewled pathetically, but he couldn't shut it off.

As Vanitas succumbed, Isa eased off his strong hold. His hand slipped down onto Vanitas' cock and pumped him. He lovingly interlaced his other hand's fingers with Vanitas'. Isa showered kisses and bites over Vanitas' neck and shoulders, breathing heavily, and moaning after every couple of thrusts. "We love you, Vani. Me and Kadj. We love you so much," Isa breathed, with no less authority in his voice.

Vanitas arched his back. It was supposed to be in protest but Isa's head hit him in the right spot and a filthy moan came out.

"There you go," Isa rumbled, his voice thick with lust and the strain of maintaining the wonderful rhythm that Vanitas was feeling.

He tried to keep up the pretense of his denial of pleasure, but Isa's relentless stimulation of his backside, and the long strokes up and down his erection, were too good. Enjoyment and pleasure grew. Vanitas grabbed at Isa and wrapped his legs around his boyfriend's hips and backside, increasing the pressure applied to where Vanitas needed it the most. "Sa," he groaned, pleading. Everything melted away as Isa's grip around his shaft filled him with incredible heady pleasure. The rocking in his ass sent shivers up his spine and made his toes curl.

Isa ramming into him, balls slapping, sweat dripping. They moaned against each other. Hot breaths blew. The relentless assault on his penis and backside burst Vanitas wide open. "I love you," he uttered. Once, twice, three times with increasing urgency. He came, clenching around Isa, spurting hot cum on his abdomen and onto Isa's hand. The tingle of Vanitas' orgasm buzzed through him and he felt Isa jackhammer into him, his face contorted in beautiful agony and then – Isa's mouth opened, a silent, satisfied cry fell out as his own climax swept through him. A warm fullness in Vanitas' backside sent a sick pleasure through him, which mingled with the intense orgasm pulsing through him. Isa thrust two more times and then sighed, his face softening and he slowly sank down against Vanitas' relaxed and clammy body.

They breathed heavily against each other. Vanitas felt exhausted but also wonderful and calm. "I love you," he muttered again, with more strength than before.

Isa hummed and kissed Vanita's collarbone. "I love you too. How're you feeling now, Vanilla Slice?" Isa leaned back a bit so he could see Vanitas' face fully.

Vanitas puffed and smiled. "You know."

"Clearly I don't. Talk to me, my small angry bean. I haven't had to properly pin you down in years. Why're you holding on still?"

Vanitas grimaced. "I'm angry that he gets everything he ever wanted and… I hate him that he—" Vanitas sighed. "I don't know. He ruined my life."

Isa cocked a blue eyebrow at him. "You have a great job, a roof over your head, two men who'd do just about anything for you. You're catastrophizing."

"Why can't you just let me hate him?" Vanitas whispered.

"Because, my sweet Vanilla Slice, hate hurts you more than the person it's directed at. Kadaj and I don't want to see you hurting yourself. Don't let today undo all the good work you've done on yourself in the past. Remember to stay calm, take responsibility for how you're feeling, and don't focus on the bad."

Vanitas rolled his eyes but he appreciated the reminder. He gave a soft, "Thanks, coach," but moments later said, "If you and Kadaj hadn't made me RSVP—"

Isa kissed Vanitas into silence. "Try again. You're still blaming and resenting," he pointed out as he pulled back.

Vanitas gave a grumbling sigh. "It… it just hurts. I feel… sad. A-abandoned. He was supposed to be… the guy I spent my life with." Vanitas looked away, which was hard because of how close Isa was to him.

"It's normal to feel sad." Isa's fingers brushed at Vanitas' hair. "You're about to see the guy who meant a lot to you and has hurt you a lot."

"Yeah, he hurt me, so why do I have to see him again?" Vanitas tried to glare but it didn't hold any weight behind it.

Isa smiled and gave him a tender kiss on the lips and pulled out of Vanitas, which made Vanitas mewl, embarrassingly enough. "To make peace. He invited you for a reason." Isa gave him a yet another loving kiss on his brow and climbed off. Vanitas sighed and lay there cooling off, while Isa wiped himself clean.

"I can't believe it's been so long. I… can't believe he still makes me so angry," Vanitas nearly growled.

"You miss him."

Vanitas snapped his head around, glaring at Isa. "I don't."

Isa threw him a skeptical look and Vanitas deflated. He had confessed to all his most fragile feelings years ago, after their initial night together of torrid, enraged fucking. It hadn't even been 'love-making', it had just been seething anger that had broken Vanitas down and Isa had been able to take it all, and give back as good as he had gotten. In a small voice, Vanitas voiced a fear he harbored, "What if he just wants to see me to hurt me more? You ever think of that, Brains?"

Isa cocked an eyebrow. "If that's the reason I'll let you cum in me tonight."

The anger seeped out of Vanitas. "Really?"

Isa nodded.

"Prepare your pristine ass then. I'm riding you tonight." He got up, no longer feeling placid from his post-orgasm. The feeling of his own semen, and the idea of Isa's leaking out of his backside, completely freaked him out. Isa held out a wet wipe to Vanitas before he could go too far. Vanitas took it and frantically wiped his cum off his stomach and groin.

Isa laughed. "If you weren't so oppositional we could have put condoms on."

"If you weren't such a stubborn fuckhead and let me have my way I could fuck you senseless and not have to worry about… this," he felt like throwing up just thinking about the feel of the sticky substance sliding out of his body. The grossed out shudder mobilized Vanitas again and he walked towards the ensuite bathroom to shower and cleanse himself.

Isa chuckled. "You're such a cute vanilla slice."

"Shut up," he smiled as he went, slamming the door behind himself and made to wash up before going to the funeral of a party. At least Isa and Kadaj would be there. He hoped their presence would calm him enough.

A large crowd had gathered outside the newly refurbished building. It sat in the busiest part of Pensacola's entertainment district, surrounded by shops, restaurants, clubs, and bars; a prime position for the nightclub and boutique. It wasn't completely ready yet. The main floor housed the bar, boutique, and function room, with the aim to host various weekly fun events and to be hireable for hen/stag nights and miscellaneous things. There was also an area for intimate live music, with an elevated stage and small runway for any future fashion events taking place there.

The second floor was the dancefloor, with a much larger stage at one end to host bands and DJs. The third floor was half-refurbished with the pool tables and arcades ready to go, but some of the washrooms and some of the flashy lighting systems, still needed work. The fourth floor was another large empty space and a much bigger event space for conferences or weddings, and the roof space beyond that was still off limits as the rooftop bar, spa, and garden beds were a work in progress, but were likely to be finished in a few months' time.

It had taken forever to get ready and leave for the nightclub and boutique's grand unveiling. Roxas fiddled with his hair even as they stood on the fourth floor, looking out the large window which faced the front of the club and the main street. They watched the crowd gathering in the forecourt, where a couple of benches stood and a row of low trees and landscaped garden filled the space.

"You look ridiculously good. Stop messing." Axel caught Roxas' hand and kissed it. He received a fragile smile.

"How can you be so calm? This is the most exciting thing we'll ever do in our lives. Why aren't you freaking out?" Roxas' thin and shrill voice trembled. His hand went to playing with the key and bell attached to the chain around his neck, instead.

"Because I'm a cool cucumber, that's why."

Roxas gave a short, agitated, barking laugh.

Axel took up Roxas' hand again, kissing knuckles and distracting his boyfriend from the nervous habit. "There's nothing to be nervous about. We have been planning this for seven years now. I've been planning this for even longer than that." He squeezed Roxas' hand gently and released him. "Our dream's become a reality. We have my nightclub - maybe less punk themed than I imagined, sure, but still our own club. You've got your clothes brand up and running, and your outfit is amazing, as are all the things you've ever made and are producing. The staff have all been briefed, the guest list filled to the max, and Reno says all the cameras are working and security won't be an issue. So relax and have fun tonight." Axel gave his boyfriend a loving smile.

Roxas looked a bit calmer as he breathed deeply and gave Axel a nod. "We made it, haven't we—we've become the famous ones."

Axel chuckled. "We will be after tonight, and all our old classmates can go suck it."

A laugh burbled out of Roxas. Relief painted his face. "All right," he nodded. "You're wonderful, and right. We've planned this. Everything's been leading to this. Let's go down there and get her opened up to the public."

"Attaboy!"

They shared a kiss and left the function room, locking it behind them and made their way down the stairs and outside to the front of the crowd. They were greeted by familiar faces and flashes of cameras from various city newspapers, and other more widely reaching lifestyle and entertainment magazines, both off and online. Axel had worked hard to drum up hype and publicity. He figured if the nightclub ever failed, he had a pretty good shot at being amazing at PR and event promotions. Not that he needed a backup plan. Their business was going to flourish.

Axel took front and center stage, thanking everyone for coming, enlightening the crowd about his dream and how meeting Roxas had solidified and turned it into a reality. With those formalities out of the way he and Roxas pulled away the curtain that covered the large plaque with their clubs name embossed above the wide, double-door entryway.

"Welcome to The Two Penguins. Let's go dance, drink, and sing!" Axel boomed out across the crowd.

Cameras flashed, big grins were given. Reno was right there with his security team checking off names as people entered through the large doorway. Axel and Roxas greeted and thanked everyone as they entered, explaining where things were and that they were happy to give tours if needed.

They saw so many familiar faces; all their friends and family. There were a lot of unfamiliar faces as well; a host of journalists, reviewers, and some big names Axel had been able to drum up, and their entourage.

Roxas' heart admittedly stopped when he saw Vanitas, sporting a paisley shirt under a navy blazer and matching navy trousers. Roxas exchanged a fleeting glance with Axel, who had been against inviting the destructive ex, but Roxas had insisted on wanting to build bridges. Roxas had bit the bullet and sent an invite, though he had never truthfully expected a positive response.

Yet here Vanitas was, with his two requested guests; a silver-haired man Roxas recognized from many years back, which left him feeling surprised but also a little bit glad, and a blue-haired man whom Roxas didn't recognize.

Roxas and Vanitas didn't say much to each other. They shook hands with Vanitas, barely making any eye contact. At least his guests were more polite and exchanged pleasantries, and then the three of them were gone, disappeared into the crowd, and Roxas had more hands to shake and smiles to give until everyone was inside.

The music blared, the drinks flowed and the club, at last, was imbued with life. In a moment of quiet, Axel felt himself tearing up as he looked around at the people walking around, dancing, drinking, and using the spaces for their intended purpose. Roxas rubbed his back and said, "You okay, baby?"

"I'm just so happy." A few more tears squeezed out as he looked down at Roxas' shining, big smile.

"We did good, Ax. Let's go and enjoy tonight."

Axel nodded and kissed Roxas, before starting into the crowd.

It was an hour into opening night and Axel was having an amazing time. He had been separated from Roxas a few times as they each had specific roles to play and people to show around, but he caught sight of Roxas in his glamorous threads of a monochrome asymmetric design and headed for him, as he stood, picking at his necklace whilst chatting to some man with a bluish tint to his hair, though it could also just have been the lights they were standing near. As Axel got closer he recognized the man from earlier, having been one of the two people accompanying the degenerate-piece-of-spat-out-chewing-gum otherwise known as Roxas' abusive ex. He stopped in his tracks and his face pulled into a mask of disgust as he saw Roxas talking to all three of the men. His fists clenched and his breathing became a little stilted. He tried to relax and stop grinding his teeth.

Axel had questioned Roxas about why he wanted to invite Vanitas, back when they had worked on the guest list together. Roxas had argued passionately that the ex was one wound in his life he couldn't heal until they met again. Axel hadn't understood and still didn't get why it had to be tonight of all nights, but he had rolled with his boyfriend's wishes. He was, however, also very safety oriented and didn't trust Vanitas as far as he could throw him, so Axel called his brother up and ordered him to follow Roxas when it became apparent that he was going off to have some alone time with his ex.

Axel trusted Roxas completely, the turbulence of their earlier courtship forgiven and forgotten with the passage of time, but Axel definitely didn't trust Vanitas. He still remembered how much his eye hurt from that punch in the alley so long ago. He felt proud of Roxas for being mentally at a stage where he was able to work on forgiveness, but Axel wasn't prepared to ever forgive the torment which had been wrought on his dearly beloved boyfriend.

He watched Roxas and Vanitas ascend the stairs, to probably head up to the closed function room, and caught sight of Reno slipping after them. As much as he didn't like his brother, he felt better for having him on surveillance duty. Axel went back to mingling.

Sora had been so excited for his cousin - excited about Roxas and Axel having found each other and sticking together for all these years - excited that they were living their joint dream. It was hard for Sora to keep his emotions in check on opening night. He had never visited Pensacola, which was probably a bit slack, considering how often Roxas came to visit the family, ever since he had Axel in his life. So, of course, he had made bookings as soon as he had received the invite for tonight.

He had spent several days in the big city, touring it with his friends and his uncles and aunts. This was a very big deal in the family, so everyone that could turn up for it did, even those more elderly and less likely to even know what a nightclub was. Which, on second thought, was quite possibly why some had agreed to come; they hadn't known better.

Sora had been up and down the place five times over. He couldn't wipe the grin off his face or push the excitement out of his bones. He didn't know when he had last been this happy… maybe when he had refurbished and christened his dream boat; The Paopu. He weaved his way through the crowds looking for Roxas because he had been watching the runway models and needed to scream at Roxas for being amazing. He had told his cousin half a million times already how amazing everything was, but he needed to say it one more time. He bounced from floor to floor, experiencing everything, loving the atmosphere, music, and activities, and burst with happiness as he went about his mission of finding Roxas. He went to everyone he knew, asking them if they had seen Roxas. No one had a clue, so Sora changed tactic - he looked for Axel, and laughed at himself for not having thought of that in the first place.

Axel was super easy to spot, though admittedly, Sora had almost… well maybe he had pounced the brother by accident. But this time he was sure he was looking at Axel, and not Reno. For one, Axel wasn't wearing all black. Maybe that should have tipped him off and could have saved him a very embarrassing slamdown by the security proficianado.

Sora bounded toward Axel, dressed in a shimmering red satin suit. He picked up his pace as Axel began moving off toward the bar, which followed the edge of the room. Sora stopped, hitting an invisible brick wall. He felt sick, he felt tingly, he felt ready to burst into tears and scream and laugh all at once. There, a little way off, stood silver haired, blue eyed perfection. Sounds and smells of the sea surrounded Sora and drowned out the music. He could hear it so clearly, the buoy's bell tinkling with the rise and fall of the incoming tide; the seagulls squawking and the wind rustling through the palms.

Sora couldn't find his voice. He couldn't go to the man. A lifetime of searching and he couldn't. His body wouldn't move in that direction. Fear and nausea gripped him, a knife in his stomach. His hand instinctively went to his locket, to his only physical proof that the past had ever happened. He was so desperate to go over there, to talk to him. He tried again to move his feet, before silver hair disappeared from view, but it was like his legs had cement cinders attached to them.

He watched, getting bumped a few times by people moving around him. He bore his gaze into the back of the silver haired man, who was talking to a woman whom Sora knew to be Naminé's girlfriend, Kairi. He half hoped that his destined, meant-to-be soulmate would somehow feel him staring at him. But the more he stared, the less likely it seemed to have any effect on the other man. Sora wanted to kick himself. Kick this freeze his body was experiencing. His mind raced for something. He needed to know who this man was. He needed a name or he felt he'd throw himself in the ocean next time he was out there. Maybe he could… that's when it hit him, he could ask Axel.

Eyes reluctantly pulled off silver and went in the direction he had seen Axel disappear to. His legs were already moving, desperate for an introduction, desperate to put his lifelong search to an end. The slow stumble had turned into a full on run, all the while dodging and weaving through the crowd. Spotting Axel by the bar, talking to one of his staff, he closed the remaining distance and grabbed Axel's arm like a vice, making the man turn around sharply.

"Hey, Sora—everything all right? You look kinda pale."

Sora huffed. "Who's that?" He pointed behind himself to where silver haired destiny and Kairi stood, looking to be saying good-bye to one another.

Axel looked over. The crowd was too dense. He shook his head. "Who?"

Sora grunted with frustration. "Over there!" he hooked Axel with the crook of his elbow, maneuvering him right next to himself and pointed at the man of his dreams.

"What? Kairi?"

"No!" he squeaked with aggravation. "The guy she's talking to! The one you were talking to before!" he clarified.

Axel bobbed his head around to see a little clearer. "That? Ooooh—that's Riku."

Sora stared and blinked and stared some more. His grip on Axel loosened and he let go completely. "Riku? That's Riku?" he shouted. "The guy you were dating and giving Roxas a hard time over?" Roxas had cried to him about it a couple of times when the Axel-drama had still been in its seemingly never-ending progress.

"I wouldn't put it like that but… yeah," Axel rubbed at the back of his head.

Sora shook his head and refocused. "Can you introduce us? Please?"

"Why don't you just go over there and say hi. You know his name now."

"I… I can't. He's… I think he's my soulmate," Sora's voice dropped as he looked at the man in white pants and matching jacket; his walking dream. Sora's knees felt weak. A tremble ran through his limbs.

"Your soulmate?" Confusion furrowed Axel's brow. "The kid from the beach?"

"Yes," Sora pleaded with a whine in his voice.

"You sure?"

Sora nodded, still staring after Riku, who disappeared into the crowd. Over the years he had told more and more people about it, half to convince himself he wasn't crazy. "Ninety-nine point nine percent sure." He gripped Axel's shoulders and shook him. "Please, Axel. Can we stop talking? He's walking away!"

Now it was Axel's turn to stare, with his mouth agape. "Well, shit. Fuck, quick, we gotta catch him before he goes." Axel slipped off his seat and grabbed Sora's wrist. "He'll be leaving for an overseas trip in the morning."

"Wha—"

Axel pulled Sora through the crowd, toward the big double doors leading out to the front of the building. They walked so fast it was nearly a run. They were out in the cool early-spring night air in a matter of moments. A few people mingled outside, but it was a lot more peaceful than inside.

"Riku! Hey, Ri, wait up, man!" They slowed down, Sora felt so nervous he half-hid behind Axel as they walked the last remaining steps toward the tall, well-built, handsome, dream-come-true man, who turned around on hearing Axel call out to him. Sora's breath caught in his chest. The silver-haired Adonis looked even more like an ethereal picture of perfection up close.

"What is it? You know I need to pack."

"I know but… you know how I told you about Roxas' cousin?"

"Sora Durrington?" Riku laid eyes on Sora, looking curious and uncertain.

Sora shrunk away, staring at Axel's back, his mind completely blown over the fact that his name had come out of that mouth! Sora breathed erratically. He braved a peek around his human shield once more, to look back at the once-boy, now grown into an incredibly handsome man, who he had been looking for most of his life. Sora's soul was completely captivated. He wanted to die from happiness and embarrassment… but he also really wanted to live as well. Never more so than at this very moment.

"Yeah. I found him after all. I know you wanted to meet him, so here he is. He also really wants to meet you, so—" Axel pulled Sora out from behind himself and gave him a small push, forcing Sora to stumble and come to a stand-still just before the tall and stunningly attractive vision of beauty before him.

"Bye, have fun!" Axel called out.

"Ax—" Sora squeaked weakly, turning to stare after his security blanket, only to find him already halfway up the walkway, heading back to the club.

He turned back around, his heart racing uncomfortably in his chest. He had never been so scared to talk to someone in his life and didn't appreciate being alone with him, for Riku was Sora's mermaid, his white whale. To come face-to-face with him… a dream, a nightmare, an opium high – it felt completely overwhelming, and Sora suddenly didn't feel like enough. What had he accomplished with his life? He had spent it searching for this moment. He had built a boat, wrote a book – he was lame and pathetic. But something Axel had said snagged in his brain. He swallowed the lump in his throat, wet his lips and tentatively asked, "You… wanted to meet me?"

"Yeah, you're really Drake Francis Flint?"

Sora's heart thumped at Riku knowing his pen name. "Y-you've heard of me?"

Riku's eyes went wide. The smallest hint of amusement curled his lip up. "Yes. I've read your debut book, The Depth of Love, at least six times. I…" Riku's mouth fell open, he shook his head ever so minutely, as if searching for words. "The way you describe the ocean is just…" a deep-rooted smile unfurled on Riku's lips and reached all the way up to his eyes.

Sora's heart was going to combust. His cheeks blazed with his own blush.

Riku went on, raising his arm and rubbing at his neck. He looked away as he said, "It's the most romantic love story I've ever read. It's like… it spoke to my heart." His tropical sea-green eyes fell back onto Sora. "You're amazing. I'm so glad—no, honored—to meet you."

All the words hit Sora at once. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? He just stared, mouth hanging open and the bubble of happiness growing bigger and denser, threatening to burst. Sora didn't want to make a complete fool out of himself by saying something stupid, so he ended up saying nothing at all, and just kept staring while a tremble and buzz grew inside his body.

"I hope I'm not being too forward but… can I… ask you a question?" Riku said.

Sora blinked rapidly and nodded.

"Your name… your pen name… Drake Francis Flint…"

Some embarrassment roused inside. "I know it's not the most original or unique name, but I just thought…" Sora raised both his arms behind his head and kicked at the ground, "why not call myself whatever name I liked best?"

Riku chuckled. "Francis Drake the explorer and Captain Flint, from Treasure Island, right?" An eagerness sat in Riku's eyes and lifted the corners of his mouth.

Sora stared, open-mouthed, and his hands dropped to his sides. He laughed, not knowing whether to be embarrassed or flattered that Riku had picked it so easily. "Yeah."

A big smile burst onto Riku's face. "Have you read Porto Bello Gold?"

"Yes!" Sora jumped a little and leaned toward Riku. "I read that book at least once every year." His heart beat wildly.

"Is it safe to assume you've also read Bawlf's reconstruction of Drake's journey?"

"Yeah, yes," Sora nodded like crazy. "It's so incredible! To think how exciting it would have been to go on that voyage and discover so many things! I honestly could talk for hours." He laughed brightly. This was it. This was what he always dreamed about; an effortless, meant-to-be connection. His soulmate. His Riku.

Riku nodded along, smiling with excitement. "Flint," Riku chuckled, "I mean Mr. Durrington—"

"Sora, please," Sora said, almost breathless. His body blazed with tingles of pure joy.

Riku smiled and hummed. "Sora, I would love to keep talking about this, but I do need to get going. But… can I just say that I'm a huge fan and the reason I was hoping to meet you is because I co-own a bookshop, and I would absolutely love to have you as a special guest at a book-signing event. I don't know if you'd be at all interested. I've had a few people ask me since your book came out last year. You don't have to give me an answer now. I know we are at a party and this isn't the right time—"

"Yes! Yes, I'd be happy to do it," Sora jumped in.

"Oh," Riku huffed with a small surprised laugh. "We haven't even talked about your appearance fee."

"I'll do it for free!" Sora clenched his fists. He was so over the moon right now.

"Oh no. I couldn't ask you to do that," Riku's hands went up defensively and he waved them about.

Sora grabbed Riku's hands, pulled them down, and leaned in close to the other man, who smelled like fresh mint. Sora focused. "Oh no, I insist." He looked up into Riku's wide eyes, feeling happy to drown there.

Startled, Riku blinked, and looked taken aback, though he didn't shirk away. In fact, after a moment of complete bewilderment passing over his face, he leaned in a little closer, his breath caressing Sora's lips. He looked Sora over, as if seeing him for the first time. "Do I… know you from somewhere?"

Sora's heart was going to burst through his chest and clobber Riku into the ground with how much it wanted to be joined with his. Touching Riku felt so right that his mouth began to motor along with the yearning he felt, "Yes. We met years and years ago, on Destiny Islands. You were there with your wooden sword and I found a stick and we played for hours. Do you remember?" he asked breathlessly. Surely he must. Sora remembered it like it had happened yesterday. "We followed a creek from the beach to a cave somewhere and drew pictures on the walls using stones. You said you had eaten a paopu fruit and that you had the seed to prove it and we were going to meet the next day, but I couldn't make it because my parents decided it was more important to go on a stupid cruise—not that it was completely stupid because we saw dolphins and sea turtles and I got to touch a sea urchin and starfish and stuff—" Sora took a breather, recentering himself. What had his point been? "But then, just as the sun was going down I came back to the beach where we said we'd meet, but you weren't there anymore, but… but I found this!" Sora finally took many breaths and let go of Riku's hands. The loss of contact physically hurt him. It's like an arctic chill snap-froze his skin, where strong warmth had been only seconds before. Now shards of ice cut into his palms, making him fumble with his locket, to take out the star seed. He got it undone and held it out for Riku to see.

Riku leaned in and then looked stunned. His mouth fell open, eyebrows rising high, and he blinked rapidly. "Sora? You're… what?… Yeah, no. I… that… yeah," the bewilderment cleared. "You were the kid with the ocean in his eyes and the sunshine on his face and… and I remember all of that." He blinked with slow, dawning realization, as if waking from a dream.

They both stared at each other, Riku in disbelief, and Sora in an ever-deepening state of shock. He couldn't fathom that he had finally found him.

Riku swallowed something down, shook his head and said, "I waited all day, but then I had to go."

Sora shivered from sheer joy. He fought back the sting of relieved tears. "I found you."

"I…" Riku's mouth flapped a little. "You really looked for me? You really…" They both looked down at the seed Sora still held out, "held on to this silly seed for all these years?" Riku asked quietly.

"I've held on to you all these years." Sora didn't break eye contact as he closed his palm and put the seed away.

Riku looked slightly red. "Why would you do that?"

"I…" he bit his lip. Could he say something to drive the love of his life away? Did he sound crazy? Deranged? "You'll probably think it's really dumb but… we're soulmates. When we first met I didn't know what it was, but I knew I wanted to be your friend. And now I know you're the most important person in my life. I hope you don't think this sounds creepy, or like I'd…" Sora shrugged, "do something crazy. I just… I just know we are meant to be together, to know each other, to be friends or…" Sora stopped himself. He would definitely freak Riku out if he went on.

Riku stared back wordlessly, stoking panic in Sora's heart. What if Riku ran away? What if he had already freaked Riku out!

Riku slowly said, "Soulmates? Like… Axel and Roxas?"

"Yeah," he winced a little, fearing the worst, but hoping for the best.

Riku was silent for so long that Sora really began to panic. He could barely stand still. He had to ask, "I'm not scaring you, am I? I know I can be like super intense but—"

"No, you're not scaring me. I just… I feel… happy? meeting you? I can't… really explain it, but… I… believe you. I feel it… in here," Riku tapped his chest. The wonder on his face vanished, swallowed by a frown.

Sora looked on, worry draining his own smile. "What is it?" he whispered.

"I guess… I'm feeling a little annoyed right now?" Riku's face darkened further. "I was eager to meet Drake Francis Flint all day today—I spent all day waiting for the boy with the ocean in his eyes and the sunshine on his face on the beach thirty years ago. And I met both today, only to be leaving tomorrow. I wish I could spend more…" Riku wore such a stern expression, but then it was like the clouds parted, revealing the radiant sun, "Do you… ah, I hope this isn't weird, but do you want to come back to my place and help me pack? We can talk more that way."

Fireworks exploded in Sora's heart and a giant grin engulfed his face. "Yes! Yeah! I'd love to! Let me just go tell my friends so they don't freak out and wonder where I've gone."

Riku was all smiles. "Sure."

"Don't go anywhere," Sora shot back, panic seized him. This could all go away so easily.

"I'll be right here. Don't keep me waiting all day though."

"Never again!" Sora huffed out with relief, grinned and ran back inside to freak out and share his amazing news with someone real quick, before embarking on an evening with his soulmate. Sora's heart and head swam. He was delirious with joy.

Axel slid onto the barstool next to Petra Shaw, who was being served a mojito, one of her favorite drinks. Over the years Axel had struggled to visit Atlantica, especially around Christmas time, but he still had gotten over there at least once a year, and it was usually spent knocking back drinks with Petra at the Shaw family home.

"Trudy looking after you?" he asked, and signaled the bartender that he didn't want anything, and that she could keep serving other patrons.

"She is wonderful. Charming, observant, great mixer, and the right amount of chatty. You did well hiring her."

"Thanks." Any compliment from Petra was worth more than gold. "You like the place? Have you been up to the function hall yet?"

"I've seen it, yes. Very sweet of you to name it after me," she laughed. "You know you're old when buildings and things start being dedicated to you."

"You, old? Never, gorgeous lady. Roxas and I thought it was the least we could do to thank you for all the financial support you've given us."

She waved her straw at Axel which she had taken out of her drink and then took a big gulp from. "I want to see my boy happy. I'm so proud of all he's accomplished in the last few years. I always knew he could work hard and achieve things if he just set his mind to it, and had positive support around him."

He leaned in and smirked. "You saying I'm a positive influence?"

"Don't flatter yourself too much," she teased back with a smile.

Axel chuckled. "It's okay. I know I'm mostly just a support for his magnificence. I'm very proud of him too."

They shared a smile.

"You've been very good for Roxas. I was very afraid of him ending up in another relationship like the last one. I'm happy you proved me wrong, Mr. Rutherford."

"I'm happy to oblige, Mrs. Shaw. I love Roxas so much. I wouldn't have gotten here without him, and not just because he has a very generous mother either. I had my dream, but the reality is, without Roxas striving for his own dreams and goals, I would have let mine wash away. He kept me accountable. He made me want to work towards this," he gestured to the space around them, "more than if I had been left to my own devices. He always pushes me to be better," he said more as an aside to himself, with a bright smile.

Petra nodded and smiled only the way a mother could, full of joy and relief. "I'm always happy to hear you talk like that about my baby boy. You two are good for one another."

Axel felt good getting the ongoing confirmation from Petra that she liked him and approved of his relationship with her son. "Thanks, mom."

She rolled her eyes at him with a smile and continued drinking from her glass. Axel swivelled around in his barstool to look out at the club. He could hardly believe this was real. He wondered if he'd wake up tomorrow to the disappointment of it all having been a dream. If this were a dream though, then he willed himself to erase Roxas' ex from it. He spotted Vanitas' two companions watching the runway show. It made him grumble.

"Have you seen him?" Axel asked quietly, but still above the noise.

Petra rolled her eyes derisively. "Unfortunately, yes. Whose idea was it to invite him?"

"Roxas'."

Petra sighed some more. "That's my baby, I guess. He never could stop caring, even for terrible people."

Axel thought that a blessing in some regards. "Why'd you raise him to be so accepting?"

"How else would he put up with you?" She gave him a cheeky look.

Axel clutched his heart. "You wound me!"

She tittered around her drink. "Speaking of wounds, any reason why the roof isn't completed yet? I was looking forward to floating in the pool, sipping mojitos."

"In this weather?"

"I assume the pool will be heated."

"Ah, yes, of course it will be," Axel laughed nervously before turning serious. "There were just some last-minute changes that need approval from the building corporate."

"Like a heated pool?"

"Like a heated pool. The builders are on standby. We should get confirmation in a few weeks and then have that section up and running in time for your birthday. We'll invite you over."

"That will be wonderful, and by then it should be easier to see if my investment has paid off for you two."

"I can't thank you enough for chipping in to help fund this."

"Really, it's all right. What did you say my benefits were again?"

Axel counted off on his hand as he said, "Free drinks, free venue hire, priority bookings and your son has to visit you three times a year, minimum."

"Excellent. I'll accept Roxas only coming around twice a year. I expect him to be busy running this place with you."

"Ha! Bargain!"

"Auntie! Auntie! Axel! Axel!" Sora came running up to them.

"Hello, Sora. Would you like a drink?" Petra said.

"No, I'm about to head off."

"Did you hit it off with Riku?" Axel asked.

"Yeah. I'm going to his place to help him pack and talk. I'm just letting people know."

"Okay, Sora. Is this Riku a friend of yours?" Petra asked.

"No. Just met him. I gotta go." He made to turn.

"Message me and I'll arrange for someone to come pick you up if you need a ride back to your hotel," Axel got in before Sora dashed off.

"Hopefully I get to stay the night," Sora winked and with that headed in the direction of the front door.

Axel laughed and Petra seemed a bit alarmed.

"He's just met the guy? I always thought Sora the sensible one."

"It's all right. Riku's a good friend of mine. No stranger danger there. Plus, Sora is ninety-nine point nine percent sure Riku is his soulmate."

"The boy from the beach?"

"The very same one."

The nerves had vanished once the club had been officially opened, only to have them return when Roxas had spotted Vanitas again after about an hour of mingling and giving people tours. He hadn't known what his reaction was going to be upon seeing Vanitas again, and walking side by side with him up the stairs to the empty function hall, wasn't giving him any more clarity either. He tried to keep his cool, tried to contain his nervous fidgeting with his necklace, by shoving his hands deep into his pockets.

He had wanted this, needed this… but now that it was finally here he wasn't sure how to proceed or what he wanted to say. Their ascent was a quiet one. He focused on the soft jingling of the bell around his neck – both a comfort and a quiet ache – while he tried to convince himself that this was the right thing to do for himself, and Vanitas.

They reached the function hall, a large space with wooden floorboards, neutral tone walls and a ceiling with a large chandelier hanging from it. The space currently sat bare as no functions were booked just yet. Roxas led the way and walked them over to stand by the big arched windows overlooking the forecourt, as it would give them something other than each other to stare at. This already felt very uncomfortable. He didn't want to exacerbate the situation. At least he was fairly certain that all feelings for the man next to him seemed to have died. The good, and also the bad. Roxas was just left wanting to make peace with him. Maybe even be vague friends again. At least he wanted to come out of this feeling amicable.

"Thanks for accepting the invite," he began. "I didn't think you would."

"I nearly didn't. My boyfriends made me come here," Vanitas said, a very familiar grumpy expression on his face and in the very way he held his body, all rigid and closed off.

Roxas tried to ignore it. He wanted to at least pretend that they could be civil to each other for this little moment in time. "What were their names again? They seem nice."

"Isa is the taller one. Kadaj has the most amazing hair," Vanitas relaxed his shoulders a little as he said that, and a smile played on his lips.

Roxas smiled at seeing the change in Vanitas. It had actually been a huge shock to know Vanitas was in a relationship with two other men, and that the three of them seemed to get on really well together, from what limited interaction he had experienced with them all down on the ground floor. "I'm glad that they make you so happy."

Vanitas shut down again and just humpf'ed as a response.

Roxas fought hard to keep the grumble inside. "It's nice to see you still together with Kadaj."

"Why? Did you think just because you failed to keep my attention that a better man wouldn't be out there for me?"

A displeasurable heat prickled Roxas' skin. He wanted to be amicable but… it was impossible. "Van, I'm really trying here."

Vanitas crossed his arms over his chest. "Why bother? You should have tried harder when we were still together." Cold hazel eyes turned onto Roxas.

Roxas grunted with restrained frustration. He turned to face Vanitas square on. "Goddamn you. I did try. Why are you like this? It's been eight years."

Vanitas wrinkled his nose. "That's my line. It's been eight years. We were together for nearly eight and now it's been another eight. What do you want from me? I was happy! I forgot about you, and you sent me this fucking invite? For what?" Heat rose to his cheeks, reddening them, and also straining his voice.

Roxas' heart beat too fast. His hands grew cold and sweaty. Fear bubbled up inside himself. A need to… placate… to… appease. He felt sick like he hadn't felt since leaving the other man. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. He knew Reno was outside of the room, listening, watching, protecting, because of Axel; his wonderful boyfriend who cared so deeply for him and had warned him against inviting Vanitas.

He opened his eyes again and gave Vanitas a hard look. "I stupidly enough wanted a chance to end it right with you. I thought we could meet up, be happy for each other, and then move on. I'm trying to tell you that I'm happy that you found love in your life, Van. I'm relieved that you've been with Kadaj since we moved to Pensacola. I'm glad that through the fallout of our relationship, we could find men that make us really happy." Roxas really meant that. He had cheated on Vanitas with Axel, and Vanitas cheated on him with Kadaj… there seemed to be something poetic about the fact that Roxas and Vanitas were still together with their respective men.

"I gave my everything to you, always, and it was never good enough for you," was all Vanitas said, his arms unfolding, but his fists and jaw clenching.

Roxas frowned. He didn't want to get back into the same circular arguments like they had always done in the past. "I told you what I want from you; why I invited you. What do you want from me? Why did you come here? Was it just so you could feel more miserable?"

The hate in Vanitas' eyes cleared for a fraction of a second, his eyes widening a little and the bitterness faded from the sour line his mouth was drawn into, but his face hardened again… though not as tight as before. Vanitas turned back to look out the window. "Honestly, I want to see you fail. I want to tear you down. I want you to be miserable so you know how you made me feel."

Roxas turned cold. He swallowed the hard lump in his throat.

"But…" Vanitas continued with a heavy tone, "you are finding success. You have a hideous beanpole that somehow makes you happy. You're one lucky guy. I… envy that," Vanitas finished in such a quiet mutter that Roxas hardly heard it. "I can't hold this inside anymore because it will destroy me before it ever touches you. And that isn't fair."

It was so twisted and so completely Vanitas, but Roxas still felt shocked over hearing the confession from his ex. "I want you to be happy, Van. But I won't bring myself down to make you happy. Not anymore. You're happy, aren't you?"

"Why do you care? What's it to you? You trying to lighten your guilty conscience?"

"I have nothing to feel guilty about. I wasn't the right person for you. I wasn't ever going to be the one to bring you happiness, and you weren't my right person either."

Vanitas seemed to simmer down instead of erupt. It was strange to see. Vanitas wasn't forthcoming with anymore conversation though. Roxas peered out of the window wondering why he even decided to bother with trying to make amends with Vanitas. His eyes scanned the semi-busy and rather-beautiful forecourt, especially when viewed from above. He did a double take as he watched a brunet and silver haired man walk toward the main street together, holding hands. By the wild gestures and bounce in the brunet's step Roxas could safely assume it was Sora… but… with Riku?

A sudden memory of Sora telling him something about silver hair a long time ago made him want to run down there and ask Sora if he had found his soulmate. Roxas also was happy to find any excuse to not be here with Vanitas right now but… the two men seemed to be leaving. Roxas burned to know how this had all happened. He breathed his excitement down though and instead decided to ask, "I know how you met Kadaj," it was a thorn in his side, but Kadaj seemed nice from the limited interaction Roxas had ever had with the man, so he wasn't going to let it bother him, "but what about the other one? Isa? How did you end up in a polyamorous relationship?" That seemed like a story worth hearing about.

Vanitas stayed quiet for a while. He continued to stare out the window. Roxas wondered if he was wasting his time, if he should just go downstairs and be with people who cared about him.

"I was mandated by the courts to attend anger management classes," Vanitas said, tension strumming his cords.

"Yeah, I remember," Roxas muttered. Was it wrong to take some sick pleasure from it? He still felt like justice had been served.

Vanitas shot him a glare and Roxas suddenly wondered if those classes had ever worked for Vanitas.

"Isa was the group facilitator."

"Oh…" Roxas blinked. "Wow. That's…" Roxas didn't know the word. Romantic? Ethically inappropriate? Very dubious?

As if reading Roxas' thoughts, Vanitas, clearly very defensive about the whole thing, snapped, "We did everything above board. I attended for six months and then we lost contact for two years before starting our relationship."

Roxas decided not to go prying into that exact topic. "How does that work with the three of you? You always struck me as a one-love kinda guy."

"It works very well, actually. Why have one when I can have two? We're all open and honest with each other." Vanitas side-eyed Roxas as he pointedly said, "We don't hide things. We work through our problems and sexual hangups like grown-ups."

Vanitas was sharpening his claws and trying to dig them into Roxas. Despite all the years that had passed, Roxas still remembered this feeling, this kind of talk. But it didn't have the same effect on him as it once had. Roxas simply shrugged it off, like water off a duck's back and chose not to engage with it. "I'm really happy to hear that. You deserve to be happy," he said and meant every word of it.

Vanitas wrinkled his nose. A quiet huff left him and something seemed to ease off his shoulders. "What about you and the pole? You guys built this place. I take it things are going well?"

Roxas smiled with relief that Vanitas seemed to be trying at having a half-decent conversation with him, and thinking about Axel always made Roxas happy. "Things are going really well. He makes me really happy and we work great together."

Vanitas hummed and silence descended on them. The sound of the billiard balls knocking together and the faint jaunty tune of some video games, drifted up through the open doorway from the floor below. Roxas figured that noise wouldn't be an issue if the door was closed and was happy that their soundproofing had paid off.

He returned his attention to the uncomfortable atmosphere between himself and Vanitas. He figured this would be as good as it got. He had clearly expected too much from Vanitas. He decided he wanted to leave it on the best note possible, and to get everything off his chest that he wanted to say, without inflaming the situation. Carefully, he said, "You hurt me deeply, Van. For years and years. You left me with scars. Maybe that will make you feel happy. I don't know. But you don't define me. You only made me stronger, and I want to… thank you for that. And… even if you don't want to hear it or give a shit, I'll still tell you that I'll always care for you. You're part of my history, my life. I still have photos of us when we were younger. I still remember the happy times." He looked over at Vanitas; a thoughtful, sullen expression creased his stern brow. Roxas continued, "I'll always want the best for you. But I'm glad it's not my responsibility anymore. I'm glad you found happiness and that I am far away from you."

Vanitas turned his head and looked at Roxas. He studied him for a long moment, a deeply indifferent expression on his face now, like Roxas was white paint on a white canvas with no point or use to anyone. But then he blinked and a softness and hesitance came over him, "I… suppose I should thank you as well."

Instantly suspicious welled up and clung to Roxas' words, as he said. "For what?"

Vanitas' face tensed up again. Heated, he spoke, "For being awful. For forcing me to move us to this city. You're right, I wouldn't have met Kadaj or Isa if you hadn't ruined my life."

Roxas huffed with exhaustion. "You'll never change, huh?"

"I won't. And I don't see why I need to. I have two guys who absolutely love me and wouldn't change a thing about me."

With great indifference Roxas said, "Glad to hear it," and he did mean it.

A tight-lipped smile spread across Vanitas' face. "All good then? Can I rejoin my boyfriends and try to have a good time in this place before I leave and never see you again?"

"Yeah. Sure. You and your boyfriends are always welcome here. I'll even pretend like I didn't see you or know you if I do catch you around."

Vanitas barked with a grating laugh and walked off, bumping hard against Roxas' shoulder as he did so, eliciting a sharp tinkle from Roxas' bell. The sound stopped Vanitas in his tracks. He turned around slightly. "Why are you wearing a bell? Are you the beanpoles pet now?" Vanitas chuckled in a wry manner.

Roxas wrinkled his nose. "It's Cheshire's."

Vanitas raised his brows. "Oh, how is she doing?"

Him talking about her was the worst barb for Roxas. He prayed that Vanitas wasn't being a colossal cunt right now, to ask him such a question, as he replied, "She died two years ago." It still left a deep ache in his heart to be reminded of the hole her absence left in his life. He didn't make a habit of wearing the bell, but had thought he could use a little more comfort today.

"Oh." Vanitas' expression fell into something akin to sincere sadness. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay."

"Two years ago…" Vanitas looked thoughtful, "would have made her… sixteen, right?"

It touched Roxas that Vanitas managed to get that right. "Yeah. She was old. It was her time."

Vanitas hummed and looked to the floor in reminiscence before looking back. "You always took the best care of her," he said with no discernable malice in his words. The softness in his eyes vanished and was replaced with indifference. "I'll go now." He turned toward the door and his heels clicked against the floorboards, but about halfway across the room, he stopped and said, with barely a look over his shoulder, "I'm glad you won't forget me…. Bye." He resumed his walk, a haste in his step.

A sad smile crossed Roxas' face and a sting grew behind his eyes. "Bye, Vanitas."

Roxas watched Vanitas leave the room and with it also the tension inside his body slipped away. That had felt like… some sort of closure. Roxas could find peace in that farewell. He smiled, though a sorrow still sat in his chest. He looked down at the forecourt where more people mingled and enjoyed the plants being illuminated by garden lights strategically placed, and also using the retaining wall, hewn out of large blocks of stone, to sit on. Roxas smiled at seeing people enjoying the space he had designed. He was happy his architecture degree, which he had completed online last year, had come in handy.

He took a deep breath. "Did Axel really think I needed a babysitter?" he asked of the room and heard a familiar laugh from beyond the doorway.

"Yo, everything's going so well that he needed me to do something or I get bored and start looking for trouble." Reno came into view with a swagger, his black blazer unbuttoned, and hands deep in his pockets.

Roxas huffed out a laugh. "Well, I'm glad you were here. I got a bit worried with the thought of being all alone with Van for a moment there."

Reno nodded. "Guy sounded like a piece of work—not that I was listening in or nothin'," he drawled with a laugh.

"Oh no. Of course not," Roxas said sarcastically, but laughed about it. "Everything's really going okay downstairs?"

"That's what the voices in my head are sayin'," Reno tapped at his earpiece.

"Cool. Guess I'll go back and find Axel so he doesn't worry anymore." He began moving toward the hallway. "Can you lock the door?"

"Yo, sure thing, boss."

Axel walked in from the chilly roof where he had checked that everything was ready. Now he just needed to find Roxas. He hoped he was all right, and wondered where his boyfriend had gotten to, and whether he was still talking to the dirtbag. Axel hoped he wasn't. It had been close to an hour since he had last seen Roxas. He went down the stairwell taking two steps at a time, as the elevator was locked out of bringing people up to the top floor and roof at present. He got to the fourth floor where the door to the function hall stood. He checked it; locked. He went on to get to the next set of stairs that led down to the clamor of the arcade floor.

He passed the restrooms in the hallway, took a double-take and stopped. A light shone under the door of the male toilets. Axel wrinkled his nose and walked over, pushing the door open and stepping foot into the well-lit, clean space with dark-gray tiles and white basins.

The urinals were clear, and 2 out of the 3 stall doors stood open. Axel walked over to the third one, slow, menacingly; his footsteps falling heavy in the quiet room. "All right, whoever's in here, I need you to know that these toilets are non-functional right now so you better not be doin' anything in there, or I'll have you scooping it out with your hands."

Stillness greeted him and he went to lean against the basin adjacent to the stalls, looking at them, his arms folded over his chest. The doors nearly went to the floor but not all the way. Axel could see the bottom of soles. He cocked an eyebrow.

"I'll call security."

"It's just me," said a familiar voice which Axel struggled to pick for a moment.

"Hayner?"

"Yeah."

"Who else is in there with you?" He tried hard to keep the smirk out of his voice.

"N-no one."

Axel huffed. "Then why're you on your knees, bud?"

There was more silence.

"Squall Leonhart," a deeply quiet voice said.

Axel threw his hand over his mouth trying to keep the snort at bay.

Flustered, Hayner hurriedly said, "We're very sorry about this. We just wanted some privacy."

Axel took a deep breath, calming himself enough to say, "You better swallow, Hayner. I don't want you two leaving a mess behind." He pushed off the basin to the sound of small, probably deeply-embarrassed grunts. Axel grinned from ear to ear.

"Yeah, again, sorry," Hayner repeated.

"Enjoy. But don't forget to turn off the lights." Axel left the restroom and cracked up laughing as quietly as he could manage. He straightened up again though when he saw his brother leaning against the hallway wall.

"Some security you're turning out to be. What did we even hire you for?"

"Yo, I know they're in there—"

"Yeah, bet you do. These doors were locked. You let them in?"

Reno smirked and let out a bold-faced lying, "No."

Axel rolled his eyes. "What was the payoff?"

"No payoff. Just wanted to do something nice for the guys."

"Sure," Axel drawled. "You're probably gonna try and grill 'em for details."

Reno smirked deeper.

"You sick shit." He turned back to the restroom door, knocked loudly and yelled, "Yo, don't tell Reno anything!" and walked off while giving his shithead brother a self-satisfied look for having foiled his perverted plan. He headed for the stairs to resume his search for Roxas; he burned with need to tell him about what he had discovered.

"Yo, tell Roxas I miss his sweet ass!" Reno shouted after.

Axel stopped, snapped his attention behind him and stuck his finger up at his brother, aggressively barking, "Fuck you!" and hurried down the stairs.

Roxas was down on level 3, catching up with friends enjoying the gaming area of the club. Terra, Aqua, and Ventus were playing a fighting game, Lucy, Alfie and Dee were racing each other, and there were many more people enjoying themselves.

He was about to head down to the dancefloor when he heard his name called out. He turned around to see a tall man with long dark hair approaching, wearing an amazingly bright smile on his face.

"Zack, hey," Roxas greeted and got scooped up into a massive hug.

"We've been trying to find you all evening but we keep getting distracted trying everything out."

"You mean you're getting distracted by everything," Cloud said, coming up beside Zack and slinging his arm around his boyfriend's waist.

Zack laughed and wrapped his arm around Cloud's shoulders.

Roxas grinned up at them. "You two enjoying yourselves?"

"Hell yeah. Amazing place, Rox." Zack held out his fist. Roxas bumped him.

Cloud smiled and nodded. "I'm not one for nightclubs but if this was in Atlantica I'd definitely come around if asked out."

"Aww, thanks, Cloud," Roxas beamed. It was a great complement from the normally very reserved man. "I'm so glad you two came all this way. Axel and I really appreciate it."

"You're so welcome. Thanks for inviting us. I know we haven't been keeping in touch much. I'm sorry about that," Zack said.

"It's cool. Ax and I've been really busy as well these last few years. We get it."

They grinned at each other.

"Where's your other half, by the way? He gave an awesome speech," Zack said, with hands on his hips as Cloud pulled away a little, since prolonged public displays of affection weren't his thing.

"He'll be floating around—oh, there he is!" Roxas waved at Axel, who he spotted coming down the stairs in a huff.

"Roxy." Relief and delight lit up Axel's face and he made short work of the distance between them. He embraced Roxas, kissed him on the corner of his mouth and quietly grumbled, "We should not have hired Reno. We should never have stooped to his level."

Roxas looked up at him with concern. "What happened?"

"He called your ass sweet," Axel grimaced fiercely.

"I'm sorry, baby. Reno will only be here for the first month to oversee everything and then he's gone."

Axel huffed out the heavy feeling inside. "Yeah. Ah… so tell me, how'd it go sorting out the trash?"

Roxas scoffed with amusement and rolled his eyes. "I'll tell you later."

"Okay."

"Is everything else all right? You're puffing and look really red." Roxas lightly dabbed at Axel's face.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I've just been running up and down the stairs forever looking for you."

Roxas laughed. "Aww, poor baby."

"I'm terribly unfit."

"Ah, lucky you. Zack here can help you out," Roxas directed Axel's attention to the other couple standing by.

Zack laughed and produced a business card. "Any day or night, except Sundays because no one likes to exercise on a Sunday," he winked at Roxas, who laughed.

Axel looked over with surprise, completely having missed the other two men standing by. He took the card and pulled Zack into a hug. "Hey, man. Good to see you again. If I'm ever in Atlantica for more than a week I'll think on it." He pulled away from Zack and greeted Cloud with a more demure, "Hey, Cloud," since he knew the man didn't like anyone but Zack touching him.

"What have you two been up to? It's been a long time," Axel remarked, slipping the card into his pants pocket.

"Oh, y'know, trying to keep the kids in line so they don't badger Cloud with too many requests," Zack smiled at Cloud and made a kissy-face at him.

Cloud smiled back affectionately and took up Zack's hand. "We actually wanted to tell you two some news in person." He exchanged a look with Zack, who nodded eagerly.

Roxas and Axel watched on as both men reached around their necks and pulled out dog tags from under their shirts, holding them out to be viewed.

Roxas didn't even need to see them wearing each other's names before he knew. "You two got married?" he gasped in utter delight.

Cloud blushed and put his tag away first, closely followed by Zack tucking his chain away too. Zack said, "No, not yet. Engaged to be, though."

Roxas and Axel exchanged elated looks. "Congratulations!" they both sang out in unison and gave the happy couple hugs and pats on their backs.

"When's the big occasion?" Axel asked.

"Third of March next year," Zack informed.

"That's so long away," Roxas observed. It was only the end of March right now.

"We have a lot of things coming up before then and we figure it will give everyone enough time to prepare for it. You two are actually the first who we've told about this." Zack pulled Cloud close to himself and rested his chin on the top of Cloud's head.

"Aww, we're honored. Thank you, Zack. Thank you, Cloud, for sharing this big news with us," Roxas gushed.

"We're the ones who need to thank you, Roxas," Cloud said, with a smile.

"Me?"

Zack hummed. "You helped me get my act together."

"Aww, guys. I'm so touched. I really didn't do anything, but… thank you." He looked at them, he looked at Axel. Happy tears were gathering in the corners of his eyes.

"We want to invite you two to be our guests of honor and to be a part of our wedding party," Zack said, as Cloud pulled away from him and took out a small flat box from his pants pocket. He handed it to Roxas.

"That is so sweet of you two. Thank you," Axel said while Roxas opened the box, inside of which lay two dog tags with Axel and Roxas' names on them and the date of the wedding.

"We accept, don't we, Ax?" Roxas looked up at his boyfriend.

"Yes, we do."

The men exchanged more hugs and thank you's, and congratulations between the four of them. Then Zack started grilling Roxas about the flower arrangements that were set up all over the place for decoration. Roxas led the party down to the first floor to find Aerith to introduce them. Roxas and Axel left the three of them excitedly chatting away.

"I can't believe they're getting married," Roxas gushed. "I'm so happy for them!"

Axel nodded. "I don't think I've ever seen Cloud that happy before."

They both smiled at each other.

"I'm shocked they invited us. That is so nice of them." Roxas' head still reeled from the conversation.

"Well, you're important to them, and me."

Roxas looked a little abashed but didn't stop smiling. "So what now?"

"Hmm… is there anyone else you need to catch up with before we go to the roof," Axel asked.

Roxas thought a little. "Ah… I wanted to hang out with Hayner, but I haven't seen him since I introduced him to Leon." Roxas looked around the space where people mingled and drank, enjoying themselves.

Axel laughed, raucous and loud. "Oh, oh, babe, do I have something to tell you." He led the way to the stairs to go up, figuring the elevator would be way too packed. "I was looking for you when I saw a light in the restroom up on the fourth floor. I went and had a look and guess who I found in there?"

Roxas furrowed his brow as they started their ascent. "Hayner? Is he okay? That restroom isn't functional right now."

"Oh," Axel laughed even more. "He was more than all right. I found him in a stall on his knees—"

"Oh my God, are you sure he was okay?"

"Don't interrupt, babe," Axel giggled excitedly. "I'm getting to the good bit."

"Good bit?"

"Why'd you think he'd be on his knees?"

"Throwing up? In pain? Sick?" There was a deeply concerned worry creasing Roxas' brow.

Axel waved his hand. "No, no, no. Think nightclub, in a restroom, on your knees, what do you picture."

Roxas stopped in the middle of another flight of stairs. "What… he… he was blowing someone?"

Axel tried to keep the shrill and hyper giggle inside, but failed as he kept walking.

Roxas followed. "With who? Oh my fucking God!"

Axel giggled more.

"No, you gotta tell me! With who?" He grabbed at Axel's elbow. Axel took two steps at a time to get away.

"Think about what you told me before."

Roxas followed at a faster pace, thinking. He then stopped in his tracks. "Leon?" He hooked up with… Leon?" Roxas practically screamed and ran after Axel to catch up with him.

Strangled sounds of laughter left Axel and he burst out laughing, tears prickling his eyes. "Yes," he wheezed.

Roxas stepped up next to Axel. "Seriously? They were hooking up?"

"Yeah," Axel wiped at his eyes. "What did you do to them?"

"I didn't do anything," Roxas sounded incredulous. "Hayner was telling me about wanting to go camping so I introduced him to Leon because he knows a lot about that stuff."

"You mean about pitching tents?" Axel snorted and headed up the last flight of stairs.

"Stop it," Roxas giggled. "Why is them hooking up so funny to you?"

"Oh, I'm not tryin' to be mean about it. I just think it's hella funny. I always thought Squall was the biggest stick in the mud, but there he was getting his cock sucked in an out-of-order restroom," Axel squeaked with laughter and stopped, trying to catch his breath.

Roxas tittered. "Well, I'm happy for them. Hayner must really have made an impression for Leon to let his guard down like that."

"You mean his pants!" Axel howled.

"Stop it," Roxas sniggered and smacked Axel.

"Okay, okay," Axel took a few deep breaths as Roxas pulled him up the remaining few steps. "God, why'd we buy such a tall building with so many stairs?"

"If you weren't killing yourself with laughter you'd be fine."

"Maybe," he said, skeptical.

With a smile in his voice, Roxas said, "And you know why we bought a tall building. We had tall dreams." Roxas yanked Axel into his arms and they hugged.

"Oh yeah." Axel nuzzled into Roxas' neck. "I want you to interrogate Hayner in the morning."

"Oh, you know I will."

They grinned at each other and Axel pulled away from Roxas and went to unlock the door to the roof. In truth, it was still a construction zone at the moment.

The rooftop bar was set up with an enclosed canopy so it could still be used during the colder months and to protect it from the elements. The infinity pool and jacuzzi sat empty, needing some work done on them. A landscape and herb garden were coming along quite nicely, and pavers were currently waiting to set and harden. It was by far the crowning glory, or would be once it was completed.

Roxas and Axel stood up there taking in the mess, but for both of them it was beautiful to behold.

"I still can't believe we actually got here," Axel marveled. "This is really real, right? Pinch me."

Roxas did.

"Ow." Axel rubbed his bicep and Roxas kissed it better, as well and nuzzled into the arm as they both giggled.

"It's really real. You did an amazing job rustling up all those media people. Our club will be in, like, at least ten magazines and online editorials, right?"

"More like twenty," Axel smiled proudly.

Roxas squealed and grinned.

"I wish we had gotten the roof done though," Axel lamented.

"Yeah, I know. It's a shame, but it'll be done soon enough."

Axel grabbed Roxas' hand and led him through the construction zone. "It might take a little longer, actually, and cost more money."

"Why?"

"We need a heated pool."

"We do?"

"Yeah, we do. For your mom."

"Oh," Roxas chuckled. "Well, if she wants a heated pool she can pay for it."

"I'll let you bring that up with her," he winked.

As they walked past a big block of construction materials, an area that had been cleared of rubble and building materials, came into view. A thick blanket lay spread on the floor with a fluffy pillow on top of it, and an ice bucket with a bottle of something inside, sitting next to the blanket.

While Roxas sat down on the blanket, Axel walked over to a small electric lantern which stood on a pile of construction material. He turned it on and illuminated the space around them with soft orange light, and then came and sat down beside Roxas. "Today has been crazy busy."

"The last three years have been crazy busy." Roxas took Axel's hand and rubbed his knuckles.

"Yeah. But today has been busy and stressful in a different way."

"God, tell me about it." Roxas sighed, letting out the tension he hadn't even realized he had been holding.

"How did it go with Vanitas?"

"Oh, yeah, right. That happened, didn't it."

Axel laughed and nodded. "Sure did. That memorable, huh?"

"It was… something." Roxas leaned against Axel's shoulder. "He didn't murder me, but thanks for sending the Reno police after me."

"Aww, I'm busted?"

"You are," Roxas grinned, reaching up and guiding Axel down into a kiss. "Thanks for thinking of me."

"Always and forever," Axel stroked Roxas' cheek lightly. "I still wish Reno would fuck off, though."

"I'm so sorry, sugar. If I had known it'd be such a problem for you I wouldn't have—"

"It's okay. I thought I could handle it. I was wrong, but we can't change the past."

"Aww." Roxas furrowed his brow and looked at Axel with upset.

"No, I'm okay, really. It's just shit when he's around, but you're right, he won't be here forever, and it's not like I see him every time we go back to Atlantica. I'll suck it up."

"Still… I wish we could change the past. Just a little."

Axel smiled at his boyfriend with softness and brushed some hair out of Roxas' gorgeous eyes. "We can't, but let's leave that in the past. Tell me about how it went with the lunatic. You've been stressing about this as much as opening day. Are you feeling better now? Was it worth it?"

"Yeah, I guess? He…" Roxas grunted, "was still the same way he's always been. Playing games, trying to make me feel terrible. But," Roxas interjected before Axel could swear his head off and stomp back down to find Vanitas and beat him up, to defend Roxas' honor, "he admitted to it. He admitted to how much he hates me, so… that was new, I guess."

"Fuck, Roxas, shit. I should have come with you. I'm so sorry, babe."

"No, no, it's fine. Really, it went well, considering. We ended it on what I felt was a good enough note anyway. I don't care about how he feels. He can do whatever he wants with what I told him. The important thing is that I did tell him how much he's hurt me. I got to tell him that I've moved on. I got to tell him that no matter what, I'm in a good space where I can still care about him in my own way, without actually caring about him, if that makes sense." Axel nodded. Roxas smiled and continued, "And meanwhile he's stuck in resentment land. So… I win," he grinned.

"Hell yeah, babe. You totally win!" Axel raise his hand and they high-fived. "Way to show him!"

Roxas laughed long and loud.

"I take it I'll never have to see his face again? Never have to invite him to any other special events?" Axel asked, hopeful.

"Definitely not. If he comes to our club that's on him and he'll be treated like any other patron. What other kind of special events have you got in mind?"

Axel shrugged. "Just… events."

Roxas chuckled and kissed Axel's hand. "That was a really beautiful speech you gave, by the way."

"Thanks. It came from the heart. You mean the world to me. This is our shared dream and without you it wouldn't have been possible."

"Without your support in my life I wouldn't be possible." Roxas could feel the emotion welling up in his chest.

"Roxy," Axel whispered and pulled Roxas in for a tight hug. They held each other for a while. The sound from their club drifted up into the night and joined all the other sounds of city life filling the air.

"I wish we could have built our club somewhere where we could see the stars," Roxas lamented, looking up at the inky dark with only a few spots of light barely visible.

"I'll take you glamping again soon. Once the business is doing well and won't need our constant attention, we can go on a small vacation," Axel promised.

"Can we really afford a vacation?"

"I did say small. We'll make it work."

Roxas nodded and smiled. "Yeah, okay. I'd like that. We could use a break. We haven't been out of the city in four years."

"We go see your family all the time."

"C'mon, sugar. That's hardly a vacation."

Axel chuckled. "Yeah, true. Vacation's not the be-all-and-end-all though. At least we get to see each other every day. It would kill me if I couldn't touch you at night. You recharge my batteries."

"Both literally and figuratively," Roxas poked his tongue out.

"I need a wireless charger. You know how much work it is to bend over and plug in the cable?" Axel bemoaned.

Roxas chuckled and waggled his eyebrows, "I wouldn't know about bending over, but I know all about plugging in."

Axel purred and snuggled down, kissing Roxas' neck a little before grabbing the bottle from the ice bucket and producing glasses from behind it. "I hope you're planning on giving me a great birthday present tonight."

"What, our club opening isn't good enough?"

"It's not." He popped the cork on the bottle and poured the sweet-smelling carbonated alcoholic drinks for them.

"You sure your brother hasn't wired any security cameras up around here yet?"

"While I wouldn't put it past him, I'm also very sure he hasn't. It's happening tomorrow, so tonight's our only chance to fuck and get away with it without dick-for-brains trying to blackmail us, or use it for his spank bank," a disgusted look crossed Axel's face.

Roxas laughed. "You have a lovely family."

"Don't I know it."

"To us." Roxas clinked his glass against Axel's.

"Happy seven years, Roxas."

"And many more to come."

They both took a sip and kissed.

"Review?" Roxas asked, huddling against Axel as the March night was rather chilling.

"Review? Hmm… the pressure with getting our dream up and running was insane. I hope things will get easier from here on out, because I miss you. I love sleeping with you, living with you, but I miss relaxing with you. But if we can get that vacation happening, and get it happening soon, then I'll feel better."

"Got it. Rest and relaxation," Roxas nodded.

"Oh, and maybe more sex. That would be nice too." Axel playfully nuzzled Roxas and kissed his temple.

"Yeah. Being this tired all the time sucks," Roxas sighed. Life getting in the way sucked.

"What about you, Rox. Anything bothering you?"

Roxas thought about it. "You pretty much said it all. We've been too crazy busy to enjoy our time with each other. Maybe we can enjoy each other right now though?"

Axel hummed pleasantly. "Yes, I'm so here for that!"

They downed the contents of their glasses and put them aside. Roxas climbed on top of Axel and kissed him down against the blanket. They explored each other's mouths deeply and carefully, taking their time and savoring the moment. Their hands caressed and rubbed over and closely under clothes as well.

With the stress of the past years they hadn't been as free to indulge in each other's bodies, so when they did find time, and had the energy, it was made even more special. Roxas still got hard when he looked at Axel, and he knew he had the same effect on his boyfriend, especially as he ground and rocked against his groin right now.

Hands moved over each other, undoing buttons, clasps, and zips. It was quite cold up on the roof, even with them being out of the wind, so clothes stayed mostly on, but considerably loosened and anything that was excessive, like suit jackets, were discarded.

They brushed against each other's erect nipples, huffing lightly through their kisses. Roxas tugged Axel's pants down and off, feeling smug about being able to keep his own pants on, but he wasn't going to say anything to gloat, just in case.

"I know what you're thinking and trust me when I say you're gonna have an ice-cold butt as well tonight, it's not just me," Axel warned, reading Roxas' mind.

"We'll see about that." Roxas rubbed the head of Axel's erection with his palm, forcing a groan of satisfaction out of the other man. He then bent down and began sucking on Axel's head with enjoyment, humming as he worked Axel deeper down into himself.

Axel's moans grew louder and he pushed his hips up. "Your distraction techniques won't work," he said, struggling to keep a menacing tone in his voice.

Roxas hummed to himself and smiled as he stroked Axel's backside, but then he pulled off. "Have we really not done this in so long that you forgot the lube?" Mild panic set in.

"Check the bucket."

Roxas did. He leaned over, reached for it and pulled the bucket over to himself. He inspected the contents. Whole chunks of ice were still in there, not even partially melted. He reached in with a shivering shudder, felt around and brushed against something that didn't feel like a tube or bottle of lubricant. Roxas pulled out a zip-lock bag and stared at the little dark green box inside. He could almost feel his heart stop.

Axel propped himself up on his elbows and smirked. "Take it out. It won't bite."

Roxas looked between the very obvious ring box inside the bag, and Axel. He gulped, opened the bag and fished out the box. He could feel his hand shake with more than just the cold, as he held the velveteen box and looked at it. Axel sat up all the way, the smirk on his face growing broader.

"W-what… is this for real?" Roxas stammered.

"Seems pretty real to me. Open it," Axel husked, leaning in a little.

Roxas looked between Axel and the box. No way was this a proposal. No way. They had never talked about it in any seriousness. There had only been a handful of off-hand jokes over the years, so this couldn't be for real. They discussed all major life events, and this was right up there with moving in together and becoming business partners.

He pushed the lid open to reveal a plain white silk inlay and two rings laying pillowed within. Axel picked up one of the objects, took the box out of Roxas' trembling hand and closed it, setting it down. Roxas stared in complete frozen shock.

"What's the meaning of this?" Roxas croaked as Axel took his hand in his.

"The meaning is this; I love you, Roxas Harlan Shaw. You are my greatest friend and lover. And now," Axel looked at him with the softest smile, his warm breath brushing Roxas' lips and nose as he quietly said, "you're also my business partner. I'm so glad the promise we made each other stood the test of time. I'm so grateful that despite all the times we could, and possibly should have given up on each other, we didn't. Never completely. And I know for myself, despite all my doubts and misgivings, the promise we had kept my hope alive, for better or worse." He gave Roxas an apologetic look. "I know I got a bit complacent and blasé at some stage, but it also made me want to try again to be everything you needed me to be for you. Those two little penguins you had me buy for us all those years ago were, and still are, really important to me."

Roxas looked at Axel through blurring eyes. "You're being so sentimental again."

"It's this time of year, babe. You mean the world to me, and I can't get over how lucky I am that we found each other and fought for each other."

Roxas bit back the tears and sniffled. "I'm so lucky too. You've been so amazing. You've put up with so much of my shit and… you helped me get better and to leave the past behind, and… I'm so grateful that you indulged me and got us the penguins. I don't know what I would have done without our promise holding me together. They've been really important to me too."

Axel's eyes were wetter than before. He wore a brittle and adoring smile. "I know. That's why we named our club what we did. And that's why I had these rings made. Here—this one's yours. Look at it." Axel pressed the ring he had been fiddling with into Roxas' hand.

Roxas' brain still felt fuzzy with shock and excitement. He blinked rapidly and wiped at his eyes to clear his vision and inspect the band. It was an almost pearlescent white on the outside edges and the inside had a dark silver band running through it. "It's very pretty."

"Look closer," Axel husked, a cheeky smile on his face as he pointed at the ring.

Roxas laughed a little, loving his goofball boyfriend for the reference which should have been forgotten by now, but it meant the world to Roxas that it hadn't been. He inspected the band closely, both inside and out, turning it around. Even with the lamplight, it was still too dark to see properly; the nearby neon signs and the streetlights scattering ambient reflections distorted the ring quite a bit.

"Here, lemme help," Axel reached for his discarded pants, rifled through the pockets and got out his phone to used as a torchlight.

In the now whiter light, Roxas could see much clearer. The white of the ring glistened, the silver shimmered. As he turned the ring between his thumbs and index fingers, he saw a break in the smooth dividing line between the white and silver parts. He looked closer and was able to make out the shape of two little silhouetted penguins, bowing their heads together.

A surge of love and adoration ran through Roxas. "I love it. Thank you." And then a sudden thought hit him, "I haven't seen our penguins in a really long time. Did we put them somewhere?"

"You're looking at them."

"What?" Roxas looked down at the ring.

"I had them melted down and used the metal for the silver in these rings."

Roxas stared. His mouth fell open. "You murdered Flippers McBlubberbuns and Pecky McFlappyfeet?"

Axel gave Roxas a perplexed look. "You named them?"

"What about little Egg Piko?"

"You even named their egg?" Axel had an aghast expression on his face.

"You murdered them!" Roxas looked at Axel with wide eyes.

"I – I'm sorry? I didn't know you named them. In my defense, I thought it was romantic? Now they are forever merged together in a river of silver. Never to be parted?"

Roxas dropped his distraught stare. "I'm only messing with you," he laughed.

"Why, you!" Axel attacked Roxas with fingertips and kisses to the bare skin around his upper chest and neck, and then moving his soft pecks to Roxas' mouth. Giggles died away and turned into pleasurable hums for a few moments before they parted again.

"This is really sweet of you. Thank you, Ax. I like the idea of them being together forever. Even if you did melt them down and caused unspeakable suffering to the small family."

"God, Rox, stop. You're gonna make me feel bad for animal-shaped hunks of metal." Axel rubbed his head.

Roxas giggled. "I love how soft you are." He captured Axel's lips before a quip about being completely hard could leave that gorgeous mouth.

Roxas couldn't keep his mouth on Axel forever though, so the inevitable, "I'm also completely hard for you," came tumbling out of Axel between kisses.

Roxas laughed a little. "I can see and feel that." Roxas copped a feel, stroking Axel's erection. "You getting cold?"

"Fucking freezing my nuts off."

Roxas huffed with amusement and rose, straddling Axel's bare lap. He slid his hand down between them, and cupped Axel's shrunken-in-on-itself sac. "Better?"

"A bit."

"Will you slide the ring on for me?" Roxas held out the ring and then his finger, once Axel picked up the metal object.

Axel held Roxas' hand and slowly slid on the ring. "I love you so much," he said with affection in his voice and kissed the ring on Roxas' finger when he was done.

Roxas smiled and leaned over to get the other ring out of the box. He held Axel's hand and slid the ring on his finger too. "You are everything to me, Axel. I love you, you big sappy goofball."

"Hyuck."

Roxas scoffed and chuckled in amusement but then quietly said, "Hey, Ax."

"Hmm?"

"These rings…" he swallowed the lump in his throat, "these aren't engagement rings or something, right?"

Axel didn't respond for a few moments, but eventually said, "They aren't meant to be. Are you thinking about it because of Zack and Cloud?"

"Maybe? I guess… this just seems so… specific, and for it to be tonight, on the holiest of Holy Axel-is-a-sentimental-teddy-bear days."

Axel wore a tender expression. "Are you worried? Do you want these to be engagement rings? I know we never talked about it, but… these can be whatever we want them to be."

Roxas hummed and nodded faintly. He looked at his hand, at the ring, at Axel. He kissed him. "I don't know what I want right now."

"Well I do."

"What?"

"To slide myself up and down on the princess."

Roxas snorted, feeling relieved for the change of topic. "Still need lube for that."

The heavier conversation was forgotten about and Axel reached over and produced a tube from under the blanket, and also pulled out another blanket which Roxas had thought to be a pillow at first. The man had truly thought of everything.

Roxas stripped his pants off, they both discarded their shirts, so not to dirty or wrinkle them too badly, and huddled under the heavy blanket together. Their fingers explored and stretched each other open comfortably, while they stayed toasty warm, surrounded by their combined trapped body heat.

"You're a scheming genius," Roxas praised as he pushed himself against Axel's sphincter.

"Thank you. Now let me have my birthday present already." Axel nudged his hips and took Roxas in. They both moaned with satisfaction and took their time satisfying each other on the roof of their joint dream. Roxas did see stars in the end, and they cuddled before deciding it was time to rejoin everyone below, lest anyone get too suspicious or wonder where they had gotten to.

The party continued well into the early morning of the next day, though a lot of Roxas' relatives headed home before midnight. There were remarks made by the more astute friends and relatives regarding the ring on Roxas and Axel's fingers. They both managed, for the most part, to reassure everyone that they weren't engaged to be married, and Roxas was especially relieved that Sora wasn't around to become absolutely hysterical about the whole thing. Though Roxas nearly became hysterical with excitement when Axel told him what exactly had happened to Sora and Riku.

The adrenalin and joy of the night eventually left them, as the last party-goers exited the building. They left Reno and his team to do a final sweep and closing, as they headed home in a cab. They quietly chatted about the evening, while they leaned against each other, holding hands, in the back of the cab.

A lull came over them where they both began dozing off, but Roxas asked very quietly, "Do you think we should get married?"

"You're still thinking about it?"

Roxas nodded.

"We're both pretty tired. You sure you want to talk about this now?"

Roxas stifled a very badly timed yawn. "I guess I just want to know what you were thinking when you got us rings. Rings are loaded, and all the questions we got from family and friends proves how loaded they can be."

Axel hummed in acknowledgment. "I was thinking that I love you. I think of the rings as a reminder of our love for each other, of being together, of supporting, and holding each other. It's our promise to always be there for each other."

Roxas smiled into Axel's arm. "That is so very sweet."

"Thank you. These rings are an extension of our penguins. I never really thought about them when they were sitting on our bookshelf, and then I got this idea for the rings—I thought it would be more practical and be more of a constant reminder—rather than staying forgotten and covered in dust. I moved them, y'know. I put them somewhere else for a whole year and you never said a word, so I thought making them into rings would be okay."

Roxas laughed, a little embarrassed. "Woops."

Axel chuckled. "Woops, indeed. Anyway, nowhere in that thought process was an idea of engagement or marriage, but… I'm also not against it. I just… didn't think about it that way because we never talked about it, I guess. I know we're cool for keeping small secrets to surprise each other, but… that's too big of a secret to not talk to you about. But I'm sorry if it's made you mad or upset with me or something."

"Oh, no. It's nothing like that," Roxas quickly tried to smooth things over. "I'm not… upset or anything and… while I think we probably should think about it a bit more when we aren't half dead with needing sleep, I do think I don't have any strong feelings about it either way. It doesn't mean much to me, but if you wanted to…"

"It doesn't mean much to me at all either." Axel kissed the top of Roxas' head.

"So we can leave it?"

Axel hummed in the affirmative. "I think we can, but our families seemed pretty excited, and I think Lucy once mentioned to me about being best man?"

Roxas gave a tired chuckle. "Maybe we can get them all to pay for everything if they want it so bad? Money's too tight for us to be doing anything, really."

Axel hummed again. A silly and fun thought popped into his head though, "If they really wanted us to get married, maybe we could do a small commitment ceremony. In a park somewhere. In the summertime. Have a picnic."

Roxas giggled. "Can we have a jumping castle?"

"Don't see why not." Axel gasped, "Oh, maybe we can get penguins for hire. Years ago I had to get reindeer for one of Marluxia's crazy parties. I vaguely remember seeing penguins on the list of animals the company had available."

"Oh yeah, I remember that. You were totally going to get the penguins, but your boss shut the idea down and you were so sad," Roxas giggled.

"Ugh, thanks for reminding me."

Roxas tittered some more. "We can totally have penguins. And a snow cone machine."

Axel nodded eagerly. "Yeah. It could also be potluck to save on catering. But… I'd let Sora organize everything because I'm done with organizing things. I'm so burnt out from just getting tonight up and running."

Roxas hugged Axel as tight as he could while sitting next to him. "We'll work on fatigue management. Things should get… sort of easier now. I've drafted up all the business plans, and I think the system I've got up and running will make our lives easier."

"I can't thank you enough for taking on all the admin stuff. It would do my head in."

"It's what I'm here for and what we agreed on. But I'll need you to learn some stuff eventually."

"I know, babe. I'm more than willing to do my share. But I'm glad you did all that number-crunching stuff, so I could concentrate on getting all the practical stuff planned."

Roxas nodded. "We make a good team."

"We do."

They sat quietly for a time, holding hands and fondling the rings on each other's fingers.

"Hey Ax…"

"Hmm?"

"Did we just plan out our commitment ceremony that we totally don't care for?"

Axel chuckled. "Guess we did. Wonder if Sora would be offended to not be part of the planning committee."

That made Roxas titter and then hum thoughtfully, "I wonder how Sora's doing. I wonder if he'll be too busy sailing the world with his soulmate to be part of the planning committee for our ridiculous commitment ceremony, or future family Christmases, for that matter—does Riku like boats?" Roxas looked up at Axel with sudden concern.

"He's absolutely crazy about them. I seriously have no clue why I never put two and two together. Silver hair, boats. He's always going to Destiny Islands for Christmas. And… I mean, when you told me that Sora wrote a book and what it was about, I told Riku about it immediately. He was so excited to get his hands on a copy of it."

Roxas hummed in thought. "I feel a bit sad that it took so long for them to meet. We should have really introduced them to each other before now," he said with remorse.

"Nothing to be done about it now. Can't change the past."

"True. At least they'll have each other now. You think Riku will like Sora?"

"Yeah, completely. Riku has a hard shell but deep inside he always wants to feel loved and special. I couldn't give that to him because I only ever wanted you, but Sora…. They are soulmates. Sora will make Riku feel so wanted and loved that he won't even know what to do with all of it."

They both chuckled and fell silent again. Axel felt a deep happiness over that knowledge and a relief over Riku finally getting the kind of love he had always wanted. He pulled Roxas a little closer to himself and nuzzled him. Loving Roxas came like second nature to him. He figured if Sora could be right about them, he would surely be right about his own supposed soulmate.

The cab delivered them home and Axel shook Roxas lightly to wake him up. After many yawns and the cab fair getting paid, the pair lumbered up to their apartment, stifling more yawns.

The grogginess lifted a little from Axel as he suddenly remembered something while he slid the key to their apartment into the lock. He paused. "Uh… hey, Rox…"

"Yeah?" Roxas leaned heavily against the wall next to the door, looking at Axel with drooping eyelids.

"I know we always discuss everything before we do anything big, but… how would you feel if I did something without your consent, but only because I'm ninety percent sure you'd really love it?"

Roxas stopped rubbing his eyes and gave Axel a suspicious look. "There isn't a surprise engagement or marriage party behind our door, is there?"

"Ah, would you love it if there was?"

Roxas stared at Axel before nearly shouting, "No!"

Axel laughed, "See, I knew that, so the answer to that is, 'Hell no'."

"Oh good," Roxas relaxed a little. "What is it then?"

"I—" Axel drawled, "How do you feel about having a house guest?"

"A house guest?" Roxas groaned, rubbing his eyes and face to try to keep the exhaustion at bay. "You invited someone over? Ax, I'm so fucking tired. Why didn't you bring this up before now? Who is it? And why would I love them?"

Axel opened the door and finally let them both into their three-bedroom home. He flicked on the light switch even though it was already getting light outside, with the rising of the sun.

"Well, it's a her for one, and secondly she's more a stranger to me than you."

Roxas gave Axel a befuddled look. "Why're you talking in riddles? My brain no-workie, babe." He pulled his shoes and jacket off, stowing and hanging them up respectively.

Axel laughed gently and also took his shoes and jacket off before taking up Roxas' hand and gently leading him to the spare room while he said, "I'll try to get to the point then. I know how upset you were when we had to put Cheshy down. I know you didn't want to move on and get another cat—"

Roxas stopped, pulling them both up short. Axel turned around, wearing a soft smile.

"You—" Roxas let his mouth hang open. His free hand clutched at the key and bell around his neck. The possibility of what Axel had done… his brain felt too foggy to believe it.

"Let me show you." Axel tugged Roxas back into motion and led him into the spare bedroom where he flicked the light switch on, revealing Cheshire's old scratch post, a fresh-looking kitty litter tray, a bowl with fresh food and water in it, and as Axel stood aside, Roxas saw… a cat carrier. Axel let go of Roxas' hand and his head felt even more foggy than before.

"I know you said you were done with pets; cats especially. I know you still love and miss Cheshire; you wear her bell when you have challenges to face and need extra comfort. I know nothing could ever replace her, and I'm certainly not asking you to ever replace her. But," Axel drew out before continuing, "I do know that a certain Miss Magella has wormed her way into your heart. So after talking to Merida and adopting her—under your name, of course—I seriously hope I haven't overstepped a boundary here. I wanted to surprise you. Surprise!" Axel said softly and swept his hand toward the carrier.

Roxas stared, open-mouthed, at Axel, at the carrier, with its open door and only just making out the timid little creature inside. It had been love at first sight, nearly five months ago at the shelter he still regularly volunteered at.

"Roxas? I know you're tired—'m tired too. You still with me, buddy?" Axel asked, looking uncertain and he probably shouldn't have brought this up right now but… well, Roxas would have eventually discovered the cat, so…

Roxas blinked rapidly and nodded.

"Okay, well, I know we always talk about stuff, but… I have this feeling that you wouldn't allow yourself to have a cat again, even though you might really want one, so I just saved you the trouble of having to choose. I hope that's okay." Axel chewed the inside of his mouth. "And I'm sorry for springing this on you right now. I thought we'd be home earlier than this, and I didn't want you to get a shock when you wake up to find her. I'm probably gonna be passed out until six tonight. You always get up way before I do."

Roxas knit his brows with affection. "Axel…" he turned away from his boyfriend and slowly walked over to the cat carrier. He stood by the side of it and bent down, supporting himself with hands on his knees. Exhaustion weighed on him. He was ready to sleep for the next 24 hours but… "Magella, hey girl. It's me, Roxas." He heard her little call. That was all it took for him to break. He collapses onto his knees, crumpling from exhaustion and feelings too big inside himself to name.

"I'm sorry," Axel rushed to his side hugging his sobbing boyfriend. "I'm sorry. Oh my God, Rox. I'm so sorry!"

Roxas clung on and pressed his face against Axel's shoulder to soak up some tears.

"I'm sorry," Axel still apologized, rubbing Roxas' back, "I should have discussed this with you. I'm sorry. We can take her back."

Roxas shook his head, sniffled, and pulled back a bit to look at Axel. "No. You're right, if we had talked about it I would have said no. I'm so glad she's here though. Thank you." He threw his arms around Axel, who sighed with relief and hugged Roxas back tightly.

"I'm glad I can read you like a book," Axel chuckled against Roxas' ear.

"Me too."

They pulled apart and sat on the wooden floor, their backs pressed against the wall and holding hands. They sat together quietly for some time, waiting to see if the cat would come out.

As nothing seemed to be happening, in hushed and calm tones, they talked with each other—

"How did you pull this off? We left the apartment together yesterday. You had no time to set this all up."

"I made Merida my accomplice. I hope it's okay to have Cheshire's old post here. It's in pretty good nick. Everything else I got new though."

"You're wonderful," Roxas smiled, tears still rolling out as he blinked.

"I know, right?" Axel chuckled.

Roxas rested his head against Axel's shoulder and giggled too. He was still exhausted but this surprise also gave him a rush of new energy as well.

There came a little plaintive meow and Magella stirred inside the carrier. Both men fell silent and watched and waited. After a little while, she poked her head out and blinked at Axel and Roxas. Her little nose twitched and she came padding out. Roxas could hardly believe she was in his home. He had sometimes fantasized about adopting her, but his love for Cheshire always swamped him with guilt, so he had told himself he'd be ready for a cat in a few more years. He was so glad that Axel had forced the issue like this.

Magella rubbed herself against Roxas' legs and arms and gave Axel a wary sniff.

Axel watched on with a great smile on his face. Roxas, albeit tired, looked over the moon at having the little black and white cat schmoozing up to him. He had never seen the cat before now. She was completely black bar for her four white paws, a band of white fur running around her neck and up the side of her head, all the way to the tips of both her ears, and a white belly, which Roxas rubbed as she threw herself down into his lap.

Roxas giggled.

"She's very cute," Axel observed.

"Isn't she," Roxas beamed. "She likes to be scratched right here the best," Roxas demonstrated. A loud purr emanated from the cat. "And she's super friendly once she knows you. Her favorite hobby is sleeping in all morning, like you." Roxas giggled.

"Ahh, a puss after my own heart."

Roxas tittered and played with the cat's paws.

"Why'd you rename her? Merida said her name was Boots; seems fitting enough." Axel touched one of her paws, gently stroking and then backed his hand away again.

"She looks more like a penguin, don't you think? Black all over, with a big," he drawled with exaggeration, "white belly, and the markings around her face."

"Hmm." Axel smiled as he saw what Roxas referred to, "She does a bit."

Roxas nodded eagerly. "The markings actually look a lot like the ones on the Magellanic Penguins."

"Do they?" Axel laughed. "I'm supposed to be the one who loves penguins so much. Why do you know that species specifically?"

Roxas smiled happily and leaned his head against Axel's shoulder. "Years ago when we went to the aquarium you told me we were two of the penguins they had." He lifted his hand and looked at the ring adorning his finger. "I named our penguins after that pair. They happened to be Magellanic Penguins."

Axel hummed in pleasant surprise. He also lifted his hand up and brushed his fingers against Roxas', interlacing their hands, their rings side by side. "Wow. Seems very fitting for Magella to be with us. She makes a nice addition to our duo."

Roxas nodded and pulled their hands to his mouth, kissing at Axel's fingers. "Our family." He also rubbed Magella behind her ears with his free hand and watched her hop off him to cautiously explore the room. "When I saw her… it just felt like it was meant to be, y'know? With the name. I didn't plan on adopting her, but… thank you again for doing it for me."

"You're really welcome. I'm glad I can make you happy."

They nuzzled against each other.

"I'm sorry that I can't thank you properly tonight. I'm just so—" Roxas yawned, "so fucking tired. I'll make it up to you when I wake up."

"Nah, babe, your smile is all I need." Axel cupped Roxas's chin and kissed him.

Roxas hummed and smiled. "Really? You're gonna say no to a blowjob?"

Axel grunted. "Never gonna say no, but all I'm saying is that I don't need it. I do need sleep though. You think Magella will be okay for a few hours?"

"Yeah. Looks like she's got everything she needs in here. I'll get her acquainted with you when we get up."

"All right then." With a groan, Axel rose. He held out his hand and pulled Roxas up. They shared a kiss and quietly went to bed, leaving their little addition to their family alone to explore her surroundings.

The End.

Author Notes: It's the end of the story. A review would be lovely. I've sunk 22 months of my life into creating this story. It's been fun and awful, rewarding, and torturous. I hope you enjoyed the journey.