A/N: Finally! I wrote this evil thing out. I had a very hard time finding the right flow for it and managing the relationship between Roxas and Axel. They are tricky characters... But! Once I got going, I had a lot of fun, and I hope you guys will have just as much fun reading it :)

So, as Demyx and Zexion's story was based veryvery lightly on Sleeping Beauty and Riku and Sora's story was based very lightly on Beauty and the Beast... I give you, Axel and Roxas which is very lightly based upon the Princess and the Frog - No worries, neither of them turn into an actual frog and they are far from being princesses!

The story starts out with some recaps that happened even before the interlude (2) that introduced Roxas to the story. It's scenes that occured during Demyx's story and Sora's. Now you'll find out what Roxas was up too before he the real thing starts :)

Roxas.

Recap. A couple of months ago when Demyx and Zexion would meet.

I missed the air conditioner in my brother's car. Why did we need so much food anyway? It's not like we truly needed to shower every single day. If Sora cut down on the electricity some then Demyx wouldn't have to take on that second shift.

As a night guard no less. Splendid.

Sarcasm rules my world.

Today had been particularly annoying. I do not like the train. I do not like having to walk to the station. I don't like getting up in the morning. I don't even like the taste of breakfast. Breakfast stinks!

Except maybe coffee.

The morning cigarette wasn't so bad either. I could deal with that one, I actually liked that one. Not enough to actually get up in the morning for it though.

As always, the desks in the building I cleaned were covered in paperwork that weren't needed any longer. I felt sorry for the rain forests somewhere far away in the world. The workers had no clue what the meaning of a sponge was. And putting cups into the dishwasher was apparently too much of an effort.

And my brothers wondered why I never cleaned at home.

Sighing heavily, I lifted my head to look out the window, and then I let my forehead fall up against it in utter boredom. The train ride wasn't all that long, but enough to annoy me.

Demyx would say everything annoys me. He isn't completely wrong. I have a huge lack of enthusiasm for everything. I'm afraid I was born that way, it's in my genes or something.

Closing my eyes, I focused on the music coming from my ipod. That thing had cost me a fortune, but after reasonably explaining that in the train I wouldn't have access to a radio, Demyx had allowed me to buy it.

Nine inch nails was my bliss at the moment, and I was sad my stop was already coming near throughout the middle of one of my favorite songs.

"There is no fucking you, there is only me..." I murmured along with the song, getting up from my seat so I could walk over to the exit and jump out of the train onto the platform.

Stretching my arms over my head, I stood still for a moment, randomly looking around me before going on my way again.

Not many people got out in Traverse Town. As far as I could see only two other people besides myself had gotten out. The rest would probably get out at Hollow Bastion.

Taking a left, I lazily walked my way towards the exit of the train station, wondering what we'd eat tonight. Sora most likely had gotten pizza again. Easy access, really. And he got a nice discount.

Inhaling the fresh air deeply, I let a small smile play onto my lips, just because. I felt sort of happy, I wasn't too tired from work, and I was certain I'd beat Sora at Ride or Die tonight. With pizza.

Maybe some beers if we managed to hide the bottles in the trash. Demyx was strict in certain area's. I frowned as I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. Who's watching me? I only turned my head sideways, peeking only with my eyes.

That must be the brightest color of red I had ever laid my eyes upon. Definitely.

My lips parted just a little in a surprised gesture as his green eyes pierced straight into me, letting me know I hadn't been subtle enough.

He was sitting against a brick wall, a guitar case at his feet while he was playing something on his guitar, I couldn't hear though since the music coming from my ipod was muting the world around me.

My eyes widened at the size of the dog lying on his right. It didn't look very dangerous though, considering the amount of happy drool coming out of his mouth. It almost looked like a smile... I shook my head. Ok. I can't keep staring like that, it's rude.

Taking a few steps forward again, the feeling of someone watching me didn't disappear. I knew he was still watching me. But why? Stopping in my tracks, I turned sideways, not trying to be subtle this time since he already had figured out I'd been watching him in return.

When my gaze landed onto his face again, he grinned.

Son of a bitch.

I wrinkled my nose, shrugging as I turned back around and continued to walk towards the exit.

Recap. The next morning.

I sobbed theatrically as the lady from the info channel started screaming at me to wake up. I hate you Demyx. I hate you with passion.

And then Sora. I hate Sora with passion too.

"Roxas! Waky waky time! Get up! Get up! Get up!" Yes I do. Hate. Passion.

Sighing, like I did best, I rolled out of my bed while pulling on my blond spikes a little to feel the damage. Luck better be on my side this morning, because I needed to shower. Stupid coin flipping...

Sora had already made his bed and when he finished fluffing the last pillow, he jogged over to my side, grabbing one of my wrist and then dragged us both down the stairs to find Demyx in the kitchen.

Pancakes...

"I love you..." I murmured, staring in awe at the pancakes my darling big brother was making us. Demyx chuckled, shaking his head, "No you don't. You love pancakes. Sit your asses down and then we can eat," Demyx announced cheerfully, and true to his word, the moment Sora and I sat down he plopped a generous amount of pancakes into our breakfast plates.

Sora asked Demyx about his night shift, and Demyx proceeded to explain to us in detail how it was still as boring as ever. So basically, nothing much to say or inform us off. My mind wandered of while my brothers talked...

Green eyes.

Oh for fuck sake...

I poked my pancakes, hoping they would manage to cheer me up like they had a couple of minutes ago. I frowned as my mind pictured the homeless guy. His red hair so vibrant and his green eyes so... well they were something. That dog still kind of worried me though.

I felt a poke in my cheek, making me break the staring contest I was holding with my pancakes. Demyx. I glared at him, Of course.

"What's up, Rox?" He asked, his tone of voice gentle. He got concerned too easily.

"Nothing..." I muttered. Since it really was nothing. Sora didn't believe me though, nearly choking in his pancake as he scoffed, "My ass. Spit it out." I pinned my glare on Sora instead.

I was taunted by green eyes at the train station. This was lame. Why did I have to look more angry then usual this morning?

Sighing, I leaned back in my chair, scowling at the ceiling instead of either of my brothers or my pancakes. I knew they were staring at me now though. They were patient creatures... They would wait until I finally spat it out. They'd even get to work late, just so they could find out what was on my mind.

Obviously they wouldn't let go, so I explained, "Nothing major anyway. It's just that there's this homeless person at the train station. He's..." I wrinkled my nose and stopped speaking in the middle of my sentence, glancing at my brothers warily.

"Don't laugh." I warned. Demyx shrugged, and Sora followed with the same gesture.

Cringing slightly, I came out with it, "He looks funny at me..." I was shocked at the whiney tone I managed to get out of my throat.

Demyx snorted, returning his attention to his pancakes.

"Ignore him. Everyone ignores the homeless. You do it too. Just do it with this one as well," Sora suggested, showing a piece of dripping with sirup pancake into his mouth.

"Graceful." Demyx scolded Sora, who then proceeded to grin giving us a splendid view of what was going on inside of his mouth. Demyx rolled his eyes, smacking him over the back of his head.

I stared at them.

"It's not that easy guys! I swear. He just looks at me in a way... I dunno it gives me the shivers," I announced, trembling slightly as I remembered how those eyes had watched me. Demyx frowned in slight worry, noticing it really bothered me.

"Well. He doesn't actually talk to you does he? I mean he doesn't bother or approach you right?" My big brother asked.

I shook my head. Demyx bit his lip, giving me an apologetic look, "I can't help you much, Roxas. If he actually bothered you with more then a look, I'd call the train station and have him removed. But since he doesn't, I can't do much." He told me honestly. I sighed, nodding in understanding before I returned my attention to my pancakes.

While my brothers lived their lives to the fullest at the moment, mine became dull. It was like I was put on pause and somebody needed to press the play button before I could snap out of it. I knew I'd have to be the one that had to press the metaphorical play button, I just couldn't find the remote...

Demyx has been dating Zexion for a while now and it seems to be going really well. Putting aside all Zexion's weirdness, I truly believe he's made for my brother. He's a sweet guy, starting to loosen up around myself and Sora as well, which thank god that is finally happening because I was very nearly starting to feel guilty over his tense muscles.

Although we don't talk much, he feels comfortable enough to kick me out of the house when he wants to fool around with Demyx at some point during the day. They're still in that honey moon phase. It's irritating to watch. Although I find everything irritating in a way, this irritated me because I didn't have what they have.

All I had was my precious hand an long showers. Masturbation truly is a wonderful gift from god.

Anyway.

Sora was doing a fishy job at the moment. Some guy that was incapable of moving around at the moment and needed my brother to wait on him hand and foot. I did not like that. The money was brilliant though, so it was a bit hard to put morals before need.

This is how my life was dull. When someone asked what was up with me, all I could answer was, "Nothing much. Just work... You know?" That or I could explain the wonders that happened in my brothers lives.

I never expected a life full of adventure and drama. I never asked for it. I didn't want it. We led simple lives and I was good with that, but boring? I never signed up for boring...

The only thing that made my day somewhat interesting was the homeless guy at the train station. I couldn't find the courage to speak to him. I wanted too, wanted to ask what the fuck his problem is. But...

Groaning in frustration, I looked around the kitchen, wondering why my brothers weren't up yet. Well, why Sora wasn't up yet. Demyx was at Zexion's place.

As if on cue, Sora walked into the kitchen and his happy shiny face was beyond vanished. Frowning in worry, I put my cup of coffee on the table and waited for him to approach the kitchen table. He sighed real deep.

"Wow, what's with all the negativity? Get it away from me!" I joked, hoping it would lighten his mood. It didn't, which was weird.

I reached out, grabbing his sleeve and tugging on it, "Ok, Sora. Sit. Talk." I ordered, pulling him down on the chair beside me. I filled him a mug with coffee and gently pushed it his way. He wrapped his fingers around the mug, staring off into distance as he seemed to be thinking about something. He staid silent while I patiently waited for him to explain.

Numerous kinds of emotions shot over his face while he was thinking of whatever. Guilt, surprise, content, happiness, sadness, pain, depression and then...

He burst out into tears, making me gape and not move one inch in fright of making his mood even worse.

I waited a minute, seeing if he'd stop the waterworks and when he didn't, I smacked him over the back of his head, shaking his shoulders, "Dude! Way to early for tears! Snap out of it!" I shouted, not truly mad at him, just very uncomfortable with the emotional display he was putting on for me.

He blubbered a little, giving me a pouty look, tears streaming down his face. Then he frowned, "Why was your bed still made?" My eye twitched a little and he narrowed his eyes on me.

"And why are you wearing clothes already? You should still be in your pj's. Why are you up before the alarm went off?" He drilled me with questions, making me squirm uncomfortably. I did not want to tell him what I did last night. The fact that I'd never gotten home from work. Not that it was an interesting tale... It was patethic more then anything and my brother didn't need to know about it.

I shook my head, "Stop that! Put the waterworks back on! Much more fun! Leave me alone!" I shouted childishly, feeling nervous. He grinned, probably amused with my discomfort.

Then he pouted again, "Riku likes me..." He muttered. My mouth dropped open, "Mean bastard, Riku? Riku the evil one, Riku?" I wanted confirmation.

He glared at me, "Yes, mean Riku likes me. And I like him too, which is fucked up! why do I like a person that is so mean? Actually he does kind of have good reasons to be a little mean. And he did explain why he was mean with me, and they weren't mean reasons! Roxas... Roxas!" I rolled my eyes, rubbing a hand over his back.

"Breathe, you moron." I muttered.

He did as I instructed while falling deep into thought again.

I sighed a little, knowing full well he was trying to imagine himself with Riku but couldn't manage it, "Did you really look at him? Not what he shows you, but did you really look at him? You said he has good reasons to be mean, that means that he might not be. Did you try to look passed his mean exterior?" I pressed, my hand still on his back. Sora shook his head.

"No. Of course not, it's kind of hard. I caught glimpses of what he is like when he's not hiding behind his protection bubble of rudeness, but very small..." He told me.

"You just said he hides behind the rudeness. So you know for certain he isn't actually mean." I pointed out. He frowned but nodded nonetheless.

"Yeah, your point?" Sora retaliated. I rolled my eyes.

"You might want to go see him and try and actually see him. You're attracted to him, are you not?" He nodded, so I continued, "You like him even though he's mean, right?" He nodded again. "Well then try and pierce that bubble of rudeness, I bet you'll like him even more." I smiled a little at him and ruffled his hair. Knowing this conversation was over, I stood up and began cleaning up my mess before leaving Sora staring at the table before him in the kitchen.

Sighing deeply in relief, I marched up the stairs to the bedroom I shared with Sora. Thankfully he hadn't wondered about my not having been here the night before.

Wrinkling my nose in irritation, I closed the bedroom door behind me before I made my way over to my bed, falling down onto it, face first into my pillow.

Although I didn't have the courage to walk up to Green eyes and ask him what his deal was, apparently I didn't have any issue at all following him around at a certain distance to see what he did with his days. Aside from sitting by the train station.

My tailing abilities weren't very grand though. I'd managed to not get noticed by him for a couple of hours. He'd been sitting on a bench by the train station this time, another bench right behind it, only separated by a high publicity board people could lean against while sitting on either bench. Basically, I'd been sitting back to back with him for hours, the publicity board separating us only.

I'd turned off my ipod, and listened to what music he played out of his guitar. I liked it a lot, it sounded very southern, like he was asking the sun to come out and shine sometime soon and the people that walked by to dance to his music rhythm. His music made things seem more colorful to me.

Which was so fucked up, because I don't see things colorfully. I see things black and white. Happiness can be obtained in one's live, but you have to be rich to receive the gift of it. That's what I believed anyway. I'd seen it over and over. People with money had no issue being happy.

Although I liked my simple live, I knew my brothers and I didn't have the choice but to lead a simple live. I was content, but not happy. I loved my brothers, but there was definitely something missing and I didn't know what it was.

Which made me sound so sentimental and crap, it annoyed me. I am a sap, and I know that. Other people didn't need to be aware though.

Anyway.

The fact that Green eyes managed to make things more colorful for me in a godforsaken train station? Worried me just slightly. It was a weird, not unpleasant, feeling. I didn't like that either. It was unfamiliar and I didn't like the unfamiliar.

Back to my tailing abilities. So I realize I wasn't exactly following him around since he was just sitting there, but I was so certain he hadn't noticed. So certain...

Up until four hours later, he'd chuckled softly, stopping the music he'd been playing endlessly. I'd frowned in curiosity, wondering what had made him laugh. I liked hearing him laugh, it was a melodic sound, colorful... like his music.

"Aren't you hungry?" He'd whispered, making me think he'd been talking to his huge dog lying by his feet. It wasn't the dog he'd been talking too though.

I realized that when I'd heard a ruffling of clothes, a snort slash snore from the dog, right before Green eyes' head poked around the publicity board's corner.

Busted...

"Aren't you hungry?" He'd repeated, slightly above a whisper this time. I'd frozen on spot, swallowing nervously as my eyes darted to his.

He'd tilted his head in curiosity at my lack of response, his eyebrows knitting together in slight confusion before he smiled broadly at me.

And that's when my inner sap melted just a bit. He made me see things more colorfully, his voice gave me soft and pleasant shivers, and his smile seemed private, like he only smiled this way for me.

Which was ridiculous because I barely knew the guy and of course, lets not forget, he was supposed to be my creepy stalker that freaked me out.

Apparently we'd switched roles since I was the one sitting on a bench hiding my presence from him so I could observe him. Ugh.

I'd been annoyed with myself and with him too. So instead of answering him, starting up a conversation or anything that required being near him, I wrinkled my nose in disgust, stood from the bench and walked away from him and the train station.

Flipping over onto my back in my bed, I frowned in confusion at my reaction to him. I didn't mind being rude to anybody, but now it bothered me that I'd been rude to him. And I knew it bothered me right away, otherwise I'd gone home and gone on with my daily routine. Instead I'd gone to see Hayner at his apartment. I'd known it was his night off from the pizza place, and Hayner was always up for a one night stand.

Not friends with benefits. Hayner and I were no longer friends. He'd had feelings for me and I'd been less than careless with those feelings. But we could still count on each other if masturbation wasn't enough. I'd needed physical contact, and Hayner had given me that physical contact.

And now I felt horrible. Not because of how Hayner may feel. I really could care less about Hayner. I should feel bad about that, but I simply didn't.

I felt bad because I shouldn't have been so rude with Green eyes...

Three months later.

My life continued in it's bored daily routine. I got up, ate breakfast, got dressed, went to work. Once done with work, I'd get off the train station, not so much as spare look for Green eyes as I was still embarrassed about how rude I'd been with him. Of course I didn't want to let him know how sorry I was for that though.

Anyway.

I'd get home, eat dinner with my brothers. Sometimes Zexion was there. Sometimes Demyx and Zexion weren't there. Sora had gone back to working for the pizza place since things didn't work out with Riku. He was depressed, but I didn't know what to do about that, so I just let it be.

I'd sleep, and redo all of the above over and over and over...

Until one time... While on the train, going home from a day of work... I realized something. Green eyes was homeless and had asked me if I had been hungry. Not only had I been rude by walking away without saying a word to him. But... He must have been hungry. I mean, I figured he had to be otherwise he wouldn't be playing guitar on a bench on the train station.

Which is how I ended up walking out of the train station, only to return thirty minutes later with a happy meal. I didn't know what he would have liked and you know... You can't really go wrong with a happy meal...

I stood a couple of feet away from him, breathing in deeply and then out, patiently waiting for my courage to pop up anytime so I could hand him the happy meal before it would go completely cold.

He didn't look at me once. Which probably helped my case as after a minute or two I finally marched over to him, closing my eyes firmly shut and then handing him the happy meal, hoping, praying, he would just take it and not scold me for my rudeness last time we'd been this closely present to one another.

I sighed in relief when the weight of the happy meal left my hands, and carefully opened my eyes to see him grinning at me, one eyebrow hooked upwards in question.

"You're a bit odd, you know?" He murmured, gingerly opening the happy meal and taking out it's contents.

I narrowed my eyes on him, not liking that'd he'd called me odd. Of course I knew he was right, I didn't have to like it though.

Snob that I was, I indignantly lifted my chin upwards and then prepared myself to walk away in the most huffed up manner I could muster. I was very nearly on my way, but then he chuckled, sounding slightly frustrated as he grabbed the sleeve of my jacket, giving it a tug so I fell backwards, plopping down beside him on the bench.

I staid still, stiff as a plank as I waited for him to say more.

Why was I this unreasonable with him? Why was I such an asshole? Why didn't I just talk to him like any normal person would?

Because my life was simple enough as it was, I didn't need to bump down the scale some more by falling for a homeless guy. I didn't have anything against them. I just didn't want to be attracted to one. It bothered me. It made me uncomfortable.

Then why did I buy that goddamned happy meal?

Because I missed his voice.

"When I said that you are odd, I didn't necessarily mean for it to be a bad thing..." He murmured, handing me half of his happy meal hamburger. I shook my head at the food, knowing I'd be eating later tonight anyway.

He pressed though, silently insisting for me to take the other half. After a silent argument of, no I will not and yes, you most definitely will... He won and I took the other half, uncomfortably biting into the kiddy hamburger.

We ate in silence, he handed me a couple of fries, and I wanted to smile for him sharing this small meal with me, until he handed some fries to his dog as well.

Wrinkling my nose at said dog, I sighed a little, sitting there silently, wondering what was to happen now...

"Are you my stalker? Or am I yours?" He asked softly, amusement evident in his voice. I shrugged, not knowing the answer to that. I guess we both stalked each other by now.

"What are you looking for?" He asked. Which I found slightly cryptic, yet I knew exactly what he wanted to know. He wanted to know what I was looking for from him. Why was I doing the things I was doing. I shrugged at him again. Not wanting to tell him that I was attracted to him. Because I was. Green eyes...

Peeking sideways, I glanced at his profile, hoping he'd peek my way too so I could catch a glimpse of the green again. He granted me my wish, tilting his head so he was looking back at me with a smile playing on his lips.

I didn't know homeless people could be beautiful...

He chuckled suddenly, reaching with his hand for my face. I froze, wondering what he was up too. He held my chin softly, smoothing his thumb over the corner of my mouth, "Ketchup." He said curtly, as an explanation. I smiled nervously in form of a thank you, before shifting further away from him on the bench, putting more space between me and him.

"You're not going to talk anytime soon, are you?" I shook my head at him.

In a general sense, every time I opened my mouth, didn't matter who it was or what situation I was in, I always said something rude. Obviously with him I'd proven I didn't just need words to be rude, but I knew I could keep it relatively pleasant if I shut my mouth.

He shrugged with a smile, standing up and walking away from the bench. I panicked a little, wondering if he was leaving already. His dog staid at my feet though, so I didn't move either, watching him carefully as he walked towards a trash can, and threw out the now empty happy meal before he turned around and walked back to sit down next to me again.

I didn't miss the fact that he ignored the distance I'd put between us earlier, and simply plopped down right next to me, his right leg now pressing against my left leg.

He rubbed his tummy, sighing contently, "Thank you for that." He murmured. And I smiled back at him just a teensy bit.

"You sure you're not going to talk?" He asked, looking at me funnily as he tried to figure me out by scanning his eyes over me.

I blushed under his gaze, shaking my head again.

"Alright then. Would you like me to play?" I nodded energetically in reply, which led him to grin broadly as he picked up his guitar and started playing that southern tune again.

I don't know exactly how long he played, but the sun faded and the sky turned dark, stars started to twinkle in the dark blue and the moon was nearly full as it brightened the sky with it's white presence. I didn't speak, but neither did he. He played and continued to do so. Sometimes he took a break, lighting a cigarette and I joined him by lighting a cigarette myself. He'd ask me if I wanted him to continue playing and I nodded every time. And every time did he smile and pick up his guitar again.

A while later, I starting thinking that maybe I was being ridiculous not wanting to speak. I wanted to talk to him, but I was afraid of being rude again. I wasn't exactly responsible for what my brain conjured up and the blurted out of my mouth. And I didn't want to mess this up. Even if I didn't exactly want anything to happen with him.

The homeless part really bothered me, even though I knew it shouldn't. I couldn't help myself.

Talking with him may make things more clear though, which is why I was trying to build up the courage to speak and ask for his name.

But then raindrops started falling out of the sky, his dog moving over underneath the bench so he wouldn't get wet. Green eyes quickly tucked his guitar back in it's case and then smiled sadly my way.

"I have to go... So should you. We'll get sick if we stay out in this weather." He murmured, seeming reluctant to leave me. At least, I hoped he was reluctant, because although he was right, I didn't want to leave him.

I smiled sadly back at him, standing back up on my feet as he did as well.

"Maybe I'll see you again some other time? Maybe you'll talk then?" He asked hopefully. I bit my lip and then nodded, silently letting him know that I'd be here if he wanted me to be.

"Good!" He said cheerfully and then before I could move away, he grabbed my shoulder, not harshly but tight enough to not let me slip away. Leaning forward, he tilted his head to the side and placed a soft kiss on my cheek, surprising the hell out of me because I suddenly realized I'd never even wondered whether or not he is gay.

At least I had a clear answer now...

"See ya!" He shouted, making me aware that he was already walking away from me, guitar case strapped over his back, dog walking on his right. He waved, and I waved back.

I stood there, another five long minutes, my clothes soaked with the rain as I tried to process what had just happened.

Then I figured out that I was going to catch a cold and needed to get home.

Which is what I did.

When it rained in Traverse Town, it poured. It actually rained quite often in Traverse Town, while it didn't in Twilight town, which is where I worked. I didn't really know weather wise for Hollow Bastion. I'd gone there more often since Demyx started dating Zexion, but large cities frightened me just a little bit so I avoided it whenever I could.

I'm pretty sure Zexion would be moving in with us sooner rather than later. I just didn't know when. What I did know was that Demyx and Zexion would make a huge big deal out of it and have me and Sora sit ourselves down as if they are about to deliver deadly news. They worried too much. They were like... parents... Ugh.

I hurried my steps along a little as our house became visible in my line of vision, cursing the rain a couple of hundred times more then I already did as I nearly slipped on the curb.

Once at the front door, I checked if it was locked, it wasn't so I could just walk in, before I did that though, I jumped up and down a couple of times, shaking the wetness off of me. Once that taken care off, I opened the door and then sighed in relief as I could feel the warmth of the house envelope me soothingly.

I kicked off my shoes and started taking of my jacket but was startled by Sora's voice, "I thought you were asleep..." He muttered, making me yelp, grabbing my heart as I spun around to see where he was. He was lying on the couch, wearing headphone's, most likely because Zexion and Demyx were asleep upstairs.

"Christ. You nearly gave me a heart attack. Why are you down here?" I muttered, walking over to the couch as I scanned my eyes at his surroundings.

"Chocolate? Bridget Jones? Ah fuck..." I muttered again, plopping down on the couch beside him while he quickly pulled his legs up to make space for me.

I sighed, "Are you still hung up on mean Riku?" He scowled at me, biting harshly into another piece of chocolate.

"Sora... It's been three months. The guy obviously isn't coming back, just let him go already." He shook his head at me.

"I decided that I wouldn't. I don't want to forget him. Although not exactly in the same way as other people, people have given up on him over and over again. I must hold onto him. I must!" Somehow he'd inherited the same love for dramatics as Demyx had.

I hadn't though, which led me to roll my eyes at him, "Fine." I said, making Sora blink, "Fine?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, fine. If you don't want to let go of him, then what are you still doing here? Track his ass down. Use the money he gave you. Since you'll be using it in relation to him you don't have to feel guilty about it." With that I stood, ruffled his hair and then went upstairs to sleep.

I'd managed to avoid telling him what I'd been doing out so late, again.

Two-three months later.

Now lets stop the recapping and start telling the sad story that is I. It's about family, love, friendship, betrayal and the sore realization that I'm much more into dramatics then I care to admit out loud. Although Sora, Demyx and I aren't technically related, live under the same roof long enough and blood connections don't matter. Physically we don't look the same. I share the same hair color with Demyx and happen to have eyes that are very nearly identical to those of Sora. But that was it. No physical resemblance beyond that.

Personality though...

We all pretend to be something more then we are. And I suppose that was one of the main reasons we were so alike in personality.

Demyx liked too believe he needed to take responsibility for everything. Zexion showed him that not everything needed to depend on him. That he could lead a live he was happy with and could do things for himself. Which of course includes Zexion himself into those results.

Sora needed to realize he wasn't a kid anymore. He isn't as naive as he liked to believe. Riku showed him that with his, in ya face rudeness.

And I... I guess that's why I don't really get along with Riku. I'm way too similar to that guy. The pessimism is dangerously present when both of us are in the same room. Doom is around each and every corner and to add on top of that, Riku and I never seem to be able to agree on the same kind of doom. It's depressingly annoying.

Annoying. My favorite word. That, along with negative, irritating, weird and complicated. I liked the words because they were the best description that made me who I am. I was always irritated, things easily annoyed me. When I didn't understand something, it was weird and my replies to anything were in a general sense negative. Which made my being complicated to hang around with. I was a master at depressing the shit out of people.

And never had I met a person who could deal with my pessimism. Even Sora, the most jolly person I knew to be alive and in close proximity to me, couldn't handle my negativity without feeling slightly affected.

I'd worried Demyx many a time with my way of seeing things. Zexion... He'd adapted to our situation easily, and now gets along greatly with Sora, but he still is slightly frightened when in my presence. I know he has that thing that makes him scare easy, but he'd even managed to get a hold of himself around Riku by now.

Riku. He was the annoying son of a bastard that knew exactly what was going on with me. He was enough of a gentleman not to tell anyone about it as he was smart enough to read that I wasn't ready to voice it out loud yet.

My problem: I am unhappy.

Riku knew it, thankfully kept it to himself, but didn't understand it either. He'd told me about this, one of our friday nights. Friday nights had become a thing over the passed month or so. Zexion and Riku would come over at the house, cuddling up with their respective lovers on the couch. Thankfully Kairi and Namine came around as well, keeping me entertained and helping me escape from the depression that was surely to fall upon me by watching the lovebirds.

We'd watch two or three movies, eat the food Zexion and Demyx lovingly prepared in the kitchen and just hang out. Beers would be popped open, Although Zexion preferred tea and Kairi liked to join him in that ritual.

I was the only brother who smoked, so I smoked outside only. Riku had apparently started smoking too, which is when he told me he knew I was unhappy and then proceeded in explaining why he didn't understand why I was unhappy.

We'd finished watching the first movie, and while Sora popped the third round of beers open and Demyx set another pot of tea to boil for Kairi and Zexion, Namine and Zexion did some dishes while Kairi would choose the next movie.

I'd take that moment to go outside and smoke, Riku joining me.

"You ok?" He asked as he came to stand next to me on our drive way. I was leaning against the car and he gently waved his hand, showing me he was the one holding the ashtray.

Riku had come to care for people slowly, which he pretended not too before meeting Sora. He was a good guy really. He made Sora even more happy then he was to begin with. He also made Sora squeal for reasons I'm not sure I wanted to know the details of since they usually would be in the bedroom.

I grunted in reply, "Sure." I muttered, dragging another pull from my cigarette. I frowned at his smoke.

"Since when did you start smoking?" I asked curiously, knowing full well he didn't smoke when we'd first met.

Riku grinned, shrugging it off, "My roommate smokes, inside no less. When I moved in I tried to make him stop or have him smoke outside, but I guess I now understand why he was so unwilling to obey my suggestions." True. I wouldn't like it either if someone new waltz into my life and told me to quit smoking.

Riku sighed, leaning against the car beside me, "I figured, I either move out and move in with a non smoker or I start smoking myself so I don't notice the smell."

I chuckled, "And does it help?"

Riku laughed, "Nope. I still smell it, but at least I don't have murderous tendencies towards my roommate anymore since I'm as much responsible for the smell as he is now."

I nodded, "I guess thats good then."

He wrinkled his nose, "I'm not sure. Sora isn't so pleased with the new habit. And I'm pretty sure Demyx will kill me if I suggest Sora try to smoke and be more comfortable with the smell that way as well."

Now I laughed, "Yeah, I wouldn't do that if I were you, especially because we got Daddy Zexion now too as well. He's even more strict then Demyx is. and Demyx is more strict now that he has Zexion in his life. Don't get me wrong, it's great they found each other, and I'm glad for Demyx... but man..." Riku rolled his eyes, giving me a somewhat affectionate pat on the shoulder for sympathy. It was a weird and uncomfortable gesture, but I didn't point it out as it probably took a lot of courage for Riku to do that in the first place. Not a very touchy feely kind of person.

We staid silent for a moment, both smoking our cigarettes comfortably in the somewhat cold air. It was the beginning of Autumn and the leaves were starting to turn orange, red and brown. I liked this season. Of course I'd never admit out loud that it was because I found the colors so pretty. Instead I'd say, "Because everything is dying." See. Negative. It suits me...

Riku pulled me out of my thoughts, "Tell me something, Rox... Why are you so unhappy?" His voice was soft, and gentle. He was being careful as he probably assumed I'd go on the defensive. He wasn't wrong to thread this issue carefully, I did go on the defensive, yet I couldn't ignore the ever present concern in his tone of voice. And of course... He was the first person ever to notice that I was in fact unhappy. It made me feel strange...

I sighed deeply, hanging my head a little in form of defeat, "I'm not sure. I shouldn't be, probably why you don't understand why I am unhappy. I mean... I have everything I need, right? A loving family, good friends, cozy home, ok job..." I muttered.

Riku hummed in agreement, "Yes, that is probably why I don't completely get it. On the other hand though... I remember being severely unhappy sometime ago. I had everything I needed though. Maybe not what you have... But was I really in a position to complain? When I look back now, I know that I could have handled things a lot better than I did." He tilted his head my way, frowning in my direction.

"But you know? You don't realize you should handle things differently until you got passed that stage. You won't realize you have no reason to be truly unhappy right now until you find what you need to be happy." I frowned in return at his words.

"That's a bit cryptic." I told him honestly.

He shrugged, "Sure, but that's because you aren't happy. And clearly you don't really want to be. Don't take this the wrong way, but I think you need a boyfriend." I raised an eyebrow at that.

"Because sex is the solution to everything?" I retorted.

Riku remained serious, shaking his head, "Not sex, Rox. You need love. Someone that gets you and loves you for it all the way. Sex is a bonus. I see the way you look at me and Sora, or at Demyx and Zexion. Might want to start admitting that and from there on, you'll get closer to what you need. I'm sure Hayner will be grateful for it too." I could hear slight accusation in the last bit of his preaching tale. I knew Sora wasn't happy with how I was treating Hayner. I knew Hayner wasn't happy either. I didn't go to him often, and I guess now I would never go see him again.

I pushed myself away from the car, waving a hand carelessly his way as I made my way back to the house again, "Whatever, Riku..." I muttered, feeling slightly annoyed. Because feeling annoyed was what I did best.

I hadn't seen Green Eyes in about three weeks now after our last encounter. Mainly because it continued to rain most part of the following week and he was never around when it rained. And the week after that I had gotten a week off from work. I'd ended up playing video games the entire time, wondering why my life sucked so.

The happy meal we shared was a memory I held onto rather tightly. Although a bit stiff, it was the closest to happy I had felt since a while. Which was irritating because I just didn't want to be attracted to a homeless guy.

And I'd figured out why I didn't want to be attracted to a homeless guy. Not because I had something against them being homeless, but because I didn't want to be in a relationship where I would be the caretaker.

Demyx was our caretaker, but I'd been the one to decide to quit high school when I'd realized he'd been drowning. Sora had followed my lead because... harsh as it was, it was only fair. Although I didn't have the assigned caretaker role, in our brotherhood, we were all the caretakers. None was above the other. We took care of ourselves and the others. Which is all very nice and equal and shit, but I'd had it. I hated my job, I wanted to be able to quit and start school again to figure out what I wanted to do career wise. I wanted to have options.

Dating a homeless guy... I don't think I'd get more options.

Didn't stop the fact that I was attracted to him though. That I missed seeing his face in the week that followed after our happy meal.

I was on my way back home again, work had been evil today. Cleaning stuff stinks. Although there wasn't much people contact in my job, none actually to be quit honest, I still had to deal with the crap they left on their desks.

I hated the faceless people that left that stuff for me to clean up. Sure I'd be out of a job if they didn't leave shit for me to clean up, but christ.

The guy who worked behind desk number hundred and twenty two had the annoying habit of sticking his chewing gum underneath his desk. Seriously? There's a trash can not one feet away from you! How hard is it? Truly?

Anyway.

If Green eyes was there, I was determined to speak to him. I figured a long term relationship probably wouldn't work out, what with my stupidly high standards and all, but a fling might work. I was attracted to him physically, I had no idea what he was like personality wise. Maybe he was an asshole and a fling would be perfect to drive the edge off. If heartbreak was to be the result, then so be it. I just desperately needed to get my hands on him. Have those eyes look at me lustfully and his talented hands touching me... Run my fingers through that ridiculously bright fiery red hair of his.

Determination still present, I stepped off the train when it got to my stop.

I needed a colorful moment in my life right now. A happy moment. And as far as things went, he was the only one to have been able to give me such a feeling.

I licked my lips nervously, clutching my back pack tightly as I walked over the stations platform in direction of the exit, which would lead the way to his bench.

I swallowed nervously when I could hear the music coming from his guitar. The melody was a happy one. It always was. I didn't understand how he could be so happy, considering his situation. Maybe that was why though, he had nothing to worry about. At least, not rent or anything. And rent was a stressful thing to think about.

Following the music, I slowly made my way over to his bench, soaking him in as I came nearer. He wore the same tattered jeans he always wore, the same long black trench coat, a red sweater underneath that matched his hair. The dog lying by his feet, popped his head up in curiosity as it saw me approaching. Once I was just a step away from the pair, the dog got up on his feet, walking over to me to sniff my legs.

I wasn't actually afraid of dogs... But this one was really big. I'd looked it up on google the other day. Dane dog. They were the biggest dogs out there. Of course it had to be the biggest dog available.

His back aligned right above my hip. I wasn't very tall, sure. But I mean, come on.

Wrinkling my nose a little, I nervously stuck my hand out, offering it to the dog. While googling dogs, I'd read upon a few things. Apparently when you felt scared, the dogs would feel it. Which is why I tried to feel as calm as I possibly could around the huge flee bag. And letting a dog sniff your hand, was kind of like a hello. Like an introduction. Which is why I stuck the back of my hand out to him and let him sniff it.

My fingers shook slightly, but he didn't seem to mind. He probably managed to read off the back off my hand that I used cleaning products daily, was a healthy nicotine addict and that I'd eating a chocolate bar not to long ago.

During this exchange between myself and the dog, Green eyes watched me carefully, a small smile playing on his lips as he slowly ended the song he'd been playing on his guitar. Once the dog was satisfied with the information he'd received on my end, he happily trotted back over to Green eyes and plopped back down on the floor.

I licked my lips nervously again, happy that introduction was over.

"Afraid of dogs?" Green eyes asked, his eyebrows knitted in concentration. He was staring at me expectantly and I realized that he was waiting for me to speak. Finally.

I smiled nervously, "Just the really big ones." I admitted. Green eyes smiled brilliantly when he heard me speak. I'm pretty sure it didn't matter what I'd said. I could have said something utterly ridiculous and it would have still made him happy.

The idea of that made me smile in return.

He patted the bench spot beside him, silently telling me to sit down. I didn't hesitate, quickly did as he asked.

"How are you?" He asked, once I was comfortably seated. I blinked in surprise, realizing I hadn't been asked that question in a while. I mean... Between my brothers we asked how are days had gone by, but never, how are you. And... When it was asked, by my brothers, their respective boyfriends or our friends... it was always that automatic question you used to start up a conversation. Or to be polite.

Did they truly want the answer? You'd never be sure. If you said "I'm ok." Would they be satisfied? If you started blurting out all the issues in your life to them, would they be annoyed?

Green eyes seemed to genuinely care though. Which is why I was surprised.

I felt like I could be honest with him, through and through, "I'm feeling a lot better now, actually." I murmured, feeling just a bit shy. Yet it was the truth.

He nodded his head cheerfully, "I know what you mean. I'm glad you decided to stop by today."

And then something strange happened. He bit his lip, seemingly nervous about something. I swallowed, slightly painful, wondering what was going on in his head.

"Can I ask you some personal questions? I generally wouldn't start a conversation with these, but I'm pretty sure it'll eat me alive if I don't ask straight away and to be quite honest, it has been eating at me ever since you realized I watched you walk by me." He murmured, quickly tucking a bang of red hair behind his ear.

I played with my fingers in nervous gesture, wondering what he was going to ask, "Yeah, ok, sure. Considering how we're meeting, I wouldn't exactly categorize this in 'general' anyway." I smiled quickly his way, hoping he'd feel less weird about his questions.

He breathed in, seemingly steading himself, "Are you gay and are you seeing anyone?" He blurted out quickly. I could see why he'd be nervous asking those questions. I'd be too. With the parting gesture he'd given me last time we'd seen each other, he'd made clear he was gay and interested, which equalled to single in my head. I hadn't given him any such notice though. I got why it would eat at him.

I nodded at him, "Yes I am and no I'm not." I answered.

He rubbed his hands together, "Goodies! We're on the same page then. That's good to know." He said cheerfully, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the relieved expression he was sporting.

We staid silent for a moment after that. It wasn't completely awkward. Maybe a little bit though...

I decided to break the silence after a couple of minutes, "Is it weird I like you, even though I don't know anything about you?" I whispered, feeling vulnerable about exposing myself quite so openly to him. I knew he was attracted to me too, he'd made that clear. But putting your feelings out on display as such, was a bit discomforting.

He cleared his throat, making me pop my eyes up so I looked at him. He was smiling gently and I jumped a little in surprise when I felt his fingers close around my own. I blinked, looking down at our clasped hands.

It felt really nice. My belly was doing jumps left and right, but in a good way. I tightened my fingers around his, letting him know this was ok.

"How about we remedy some of that, not knowing anything about each other ordeal?" He suggested.

I smiled, a little sadly, "Well, I have two brothers who both have boyfriends of their own and then I have these two annoying friends, yet I love them nonetheless. It's Friday and Friday is when they all come over so we can hang out and watch movies together. I'm late already... My big brother is probably whining about how the food is getting cold and my younger brother is most likely throwing a temper tantrum over the fact that he's starving."

I didn't want to leave, but I was in charge of doing the dishes today, along with Riku and Zexion, and they would never let me slide out of that one.

Should I invite him along...?I'd made clear that whatever we had with one another was far from the general kind of relationship two people had with each other. He agreed. But inviting him over already... Maybe not. I kind of liked keeping it to hand holding for the moment.

Which was strange because I was one of those, no feelings all sex, kind of person. I was the king at one night stands. Breaking up with people didn't affect me one way or another. If, on the rare occasion, someone broke up with me instead, I simply shrugged.

I just didn't care about that stuff.

No wonder I was unhappy. Not even Demyx and Sora could truly affect me in any way. I loved them, that wasn't the issue, but if for some reason we'd grow apart one day, I knew I'd be able to deal with it while it would break their hearts.

I couldn't connect to people.

I snapped out of my thoughts when Green eyes laughed. The sound left goosebumps over my arms. He has a very sensual voice, very soft, but deep all the same. It sounded husky all the time, like he was armed with the ability to give the best orgasms ever constantly. If his voice could put me in this state, I wonder how my body would react when he'd actually touch me intimately. Not that the holding hands wasn't intimate, it was cute and comfortable more then sexual though.

"You think too much, you know that?" He said, sounding so sure of himself. Like he believed he knew me. And in this case, I supposed he did since I had been thinking too much.

I bit my lip, internally cursing myself for the stupid blush covering my cheeks, "I'm not exactly myself when I'm around you..." He frowned and I hastily added, "It's not a bad thing. I quite like the way I think when I'm around you. It's just very... Well I realize stuff I'm not sure I want to realize, yet I know I should." I murmured honestly, hoping I made some sense.

Green eyes smiled gently, squeezing my hand in reassurance, "Every person is affected differently by the people they meet. Although you avoided me at first and were slightly annoyed with my presence in general, you are the one that ended up making a generous gesture by buying me a happy meal. While this girl..." He murmured, taking a quick peek at me to see if I was listening to him. I smiled his way, letting him know he had my full attention.

"She comes off a train an hour before yours, ever since she saw me sitting where I was, she would nod at me, acknowledging my presence politely. She'd even smile when I'd wave at her." He frowned in confusion as he didn't voice the rest of his story.

"But?" I pressed.

He shrugged, "I wanted to ask her how she was doing one day, you know? I mean, I thought it would be nice to see if I could get to know her, she seemed like an interesting person and she was the only one acknowledging my presence, so why not, right?"

I nodded, "What happened?"

Green eyes wrinkled his nose, "She got scared and walked away as fast as she could when I was walking towards her to start up the conversation..." He wasn't pleased as he said this. He seemed uncomfortable with the situation still.

Having someone run away from you in fright? Yeah, I wouldn't feel too good about that either. Stings the feelings, truly.

I patted his hand in sympathy, "Girls are weird..." I muttered, knowing full well that wasn't the best answer I could have given, but I didn't feel like coming up with more. And he didn't seem to like thinking back on that moment.

He grinned, nodding his head energetically, "Definitely. I don't get them. They can be cuddly sometimes and I like the fact that they never seem to be able to stop yapping. Makes me feel less of a girl when I'm in their presence... But yeah, they are weird creatures." I chuckled at his confused frown at his own mention of acting like a girl on occasion.

He smiled at the sound of my laugh, seemingly utterly content with the sound of it. Like how I felt when I heard him laugh. It made me giddy and excited to know I had the same effect on him as he had on me.

"Dishes..." He muttered sadly. And I pursed my lips, nodding reluctantly his way in agreement.

"I'd invite you..." I started, not wanting to say the evident 'but' just yet.

"But that may be a little too soon. It's alright, really." He smiled genuinely my way, making me feel better about the lack of invitation.

"See you tomorrow?" I asked, hopefully.

"Of course." He said this without hesitation.

I reluctantly let go of his hand, standing up and slowly walking backwards in direction of the train station's exit. Green eyes waved once while pulling his guitar case over his back, dog jumping up on his feet.

Biting my lip, I turned around and started walking away from him.

I was beyond relieved when he called out a "Hey!" at me, making me spin around, seeing him run towards me, dog on

his heels. He stopped a few inches away from me, his chest very nearly touching mine. I had to crane my neck up, in order to be able to look him in the eye.

This is the first time I realized how tall he actually is. Like... A head and a half. Man, I am short...

He pushed some fiery red bangs behind his ears, clearing his face so I could actually see his face properly, his green eyes shining brightly like they usually did. And because I was staring already, I suddenly didn't seem to shy to stare at the triangle tattoos on his cheekbones.

I didn't understand what kind of person would tattoo themselves on the face, but I liked it on him...

"You're eyes..." He murmured, hesitantly reaching out with one hand and when I didn't flinch back, he pushed a blond spike out of my line of vision.

He cupped my cheek and I automatically leaned into the gesture, chuckling softly at the mention of my eyes.

"Right back at you." I whispered. He grinned broadly and then let his thumb smooth over my chin and the tip of it touched my bottom lip softly.

"Can I?" He whispered, his eyes half closed, looking slightly tranced. I was pretty sure I looked just as dazed as he did.

I wasn't sure my brain was exactly capable of speaking at the moment, so I nodded his way, letting him know that he most certainly could. My eyes darted to his throat when he swallowed nervously right before he inched his face down, pressing with his index finger beneath my jaw, guiding my face up. Following his lead, I tilted my face up, licking my lips very quickly before I parted them slightly, waiting, not so patiently, for him to kiss me.

His other hand wrapped around my waist, his fingers splaying over the small of my back, pressing so I'd take the last small step forward so our bodies were actually touching. I placed one hand openly on his red sweater, hoping I'd feel the skin beneath it someday, the other hand I closed over his shoulder, to keep myself steady as my eyes closed completely while I felt his warm breath fanning over my face softly. He smelled of cigarettes and something sweet. Like apples. I wasn't sure it was apples though, but apples sounded poetic enough for a description, so I just went with that.

I waited. And waited... and waited. I had no idea what he was waiting for and since my patience was already lacking, I just got pushy instead, letting out an annoyed and obviously inpatient noise when he still wasn't kissing me.

He laughed softly at the annoyance and then before I could protest at the amusement, he finally closed the distance and pressed his lips against my own. I moaned softly and internally scolded myself for doing so because I shouldn't be acting quite this virginal about the entire situation. I could have taken the lead when I'd gotten inpatient, and I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I hadn't...

He moved his lips back and forth softly, inching back, wetting his lips and then inching back forward to press them against my own. I gently sucked his bottom lip between my teeth, not using my teeth but just deepening the kiss a little, which led Green eyes to let out a small sigh. I smiled at that, making him smile in return.

Apparently this wasn't going to be a make out session though, this was an introduction to the possibility of future make outs. Which was actually kind of nice... Not rushing things.

He pecked my lips once, twice and a third time and then inched back, but then shrugged with a grin on his face when he leaned forward and placed one last long fourth kiss on my lips. That one had shivers running down my spine in the most pleasant way.

Keeping his forehead pressed to mine, he ended the kiss. I couldn't see his face very well from this close up, but that didn't really matter I suppose.

"What's your name?" I whispered, my lips brushing over the corner of his mouth. I felt the corner of that mouth quirk up in amusement, and I couldn't help but grin back. It was a bit silly we hadn't exchanged names yet... It made it all a lot more mysterious though and romantic and fairy tale like.

Ugh. Mysterious? Romantic? Fairy tale like? Maybe Sora poisoned my pizza with fairy dust to make my evil self... well, less evil. But then, Tinkerbell had never been exactly the nicest fairy on the block. Very envy like and jealous. I was neither of those things, but I'd rather be those then a romantic sap. Of course I was a romantic sap, but nobody needed to know that. Where was I going with this?

Oh my god, my brain is dysfunctional!

He laughed at the deep frown on my forehead, kissing the wrinkles away before he took a step back, one of his hands still holding onto one of my hips.

"Axel." I liked his name.

"Roxas." I returned with a smile.

"Fits you... Ah, this is Cayla, by the way." He gestured towards the huge flee bag, making me blink in surprise at the fact that he was a she. Cayla's tail wiggled happily at the mention of her name.

"See you tomorrow." Axel said, walking away backwards like I'd done a couple of minutes ago.

I nodded and only when he turned around to walk away, did I turn around to walk back home.

"What do you think is wrong with him?" I heard Sora whisper softly behind me at Demyx.

Kairi and Namine weren't around this Friday, and Zexion and Riku had bribed their way out of doing the dishes. Zexion had been quite subtle about it, looking sweetly at Demyx, taking him aside so the others, including myself, wouldn't hear what Zexion wouldn't be doing in the bedroom if Demyx made him do the dishes at the moment.

I had been curious, but I got the answer by the loudness that was Riku, who pretty much had had the same idea as Zexion. It had gone something like this:

Sora: "Come one, Riku honey bunny sweetie pie darling, for me?"

Riku: "No BJ from Riku honey bunny sweetie pie darling, if Sora honey bunny sweetie pie darling makes Riku honey bunny sweetie pie darling do the dishes."

End of their discussion. Riku still had his behind attached to the couch while Sora was now drying off.

Demyx was putting stuff away, while I was doing the dishes. Hands soaked into the warm soapy water while I stared happily out of the window that had view on our tiny back garden.

The 'staring happily' part is what made Sora whisper in worry at Demyx.

"I really don't know. I'm a bit frightened..." Demyx returned, poking my shoulder. And to add to their worry supply, I didn't react to the poke, no glare, no scowl, nothing. It's like they weren't there.

Of course I was very aware of what they were doing, it was just a lot of fun to see their reaction to this side of me.

But then I remembered that I was falling. Kind of harshly actually. I really liked Axel, and I shouldn't. I didn't want a relationship with him, it would make things even more complicated then they already were.

If I was so stead fast on not dating a homeless guy it was because I knew at some point... Some point Zexion and Demyx would be living together, and little by little I started to realize that they actually didn't plan for Zexion to move in with us, but that Demyx and Zexion would be getting their own place by themselves.

I could have handled Zexion moving in, but Demyx leaving? I mean... I'd be ok with him leaving, I could handle that. I wasn't the emotional kind, I just...

And Riku? Riku was a rich bastard, Sora would be moving out anytime now as well.

Fuck! (The scowl was back, Demyx and Sora relaxed) Everything was changing...

Why couldn't I deal with this? Because I didn't want to take care of myself all alone. We'd always taken care of each other in a group. Brotherhood. The brothers. I'd be alone. I wanted someone to take care of me...

Pulling my hands abruptly out of the warm water, I groaned deeply and then marched out of the kitchen, "I'm going to bed." I announced curtly, not waiting around to see if they were bothered by my sudden leave.

It was raining the next day. As it did the day after. Axel didn't show. I was sad he wouldn't show for me even when it rained. I certainly showed even if it did rain.

Over-thinking and paranoid as I was, I sulked while he wasn't there and then I decided to pout at him when he did show on Monday. Not stopping on my way out of the train station to say hello. He hadn't come seen me even if it rained... It hurt.

I ignored him for the following week, the only time he spoke was when he'd managed to grab a hold of me, saying, "I'm sorry, I had too-" I didn't let him finish though, so never did I found out what he had needed to do that weekend when he hadn't shown.

I figured out I was being completely childish that following Monday. Deciding that I should apologize for my behavior to him. Apparently I'd been too late to figure it out though, because he wasn't there that Monday, making me return to my sulking state as I went back home to eat dinner with my brothers.

When I walked into the house, Riku just as soon grabbed my elbow and dragged me out of the house. Sora was right behind him, all toothy grinned as they towed me into Riku's car.

"What's going on?" I asked, settling myself in the backseat, popping the seatbelt in place as Riku started the car.

"Zexion needed the house tonight, special date night with Demyx. I think Zexion is finally gonna ask Dem to move in with him!" Sora said cheerfully. That depressed me even more.

"Cool." I muttered. Lack of enthusiasm ever present.

"Do you want us to drop you of at Kairi and Namine's? You can come back to my place if you want, the couch is available." Riku offered. I'd never gone to Riku's place, didn't think I ever would.

Could I deal with Kairi and Namine's general cheerfulness tonight?

"Will you let me be and sulk in whatever way I want?" I edged carefully. Riku grinned, nodding his head while Sora exclaimed a loud, "Always, Brother dearest!" I smiled just a little and then told them I would be going back with them.

Basically my train ride had been for nothing since Riku lived in Twilight town, quite close to were I worked, actually. It would have spared me the stood up feeling I'd felt by not seeing Axel's presence at the train station. But, whatever.

While getting out of the car, I listened to Riku and Sora's conversation absentmindedly, "Is Red home tonight?" Sora asked Riku.

Riku nodded, "Most likely, he generally is. Why do you ask?"

Sora wrinkled his nose, peeking sideways at me in slight worry, "I'm not sure He and Roxas will get along that greatly, I mean, Red is loud and a bit obnoxious... You know Rox... Especially in the mood he is in now, we might just have to break up a fight. Specially considering Red never gives up a challenge. And Roxas is a challenge..." He whispered, probably hoping I didn't hear.

I did though. I assumed Red was Riku's roommate. I'll just ignore him, I decided.

Riku grunted in a somewhat careless reply, probably not giving a damn about the issues that may or may not entail between his boyfriend's brother and his roommate. Sora and Riku didn't spend all that much time alone together, what with the busy working schedule Sora had and Riku's college schedule. Riku probably just hoped for me to leave them alone so he could get down to business with Sora.

I hoped his room was soundproofed.

Sighing deeply at my thoughts I followed the couple up the last row of stairs, it was quite a long way up. Riku shoved the keys into the door and then before opening it muttered a quick, "Dog alert..." before walking into the apartment, followed by Sora.

I stepped inside, looking around, feeling a bit dazed. It was always weird coming into a new place you knew you had to spend the night at. Not bad weird, just the... I hope I'll get comfortable sooner rather than later, kind of weird.

Having Sora around would probably speed that process up a notch.

I yelped in fright when something bumped against my leg, making me look down. I sighed in relief, patting the dog's head, "Oh, it's just you..." I murmured, scratching Cayla's ear affectionately.

Wait. Cayla?

Frowning down at the dog I looked over her, once, twice and then to be absolutely sure, I crouched down and looked between her legs.

"Cayla?" I whispered at the dog and said dog wiggled her tail happily, barking my way in enthusiasm.

"She likes you..." Sora murmured, sounding amazed at this fact.

"That's weird..." Riku added.

And before I could open my mouth and voice out my knowledge, I heard: "Roxas?"

Blinking up, hand still on the dog's head, I stared at Axel.

"Axel?" I returned the question.

"How do they know each other?" Sora muttered.

"Hell if I know." Riku said, sounding bored as he marched off towards the kitchen.

"Aren't you the least bit curious?" Sora walked after his boyfriend, dumbfounded by the lack of interest on Riku's part.

Riku shrugged while he dug for food in the fridge.

Both Axel and I were staring at the couple and then after a moment we stared at each other again. Axel reached out with a hand and I took it without much thought, letting him help me back up.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, curiously, no accusation whatsoever. That was good.

"Sora is my little brother. Our older brother, Demyx, needed the house for himself tonight." I explained.

Now it was my turn though, and accusation was most definitely present, "What the fuck are you doing here? You're Riku's roommate?" I shouted. I heard a small "uh oh" coming from Sora and Riku simply groaned, then dragged Sora with him in direction of what I assumed to be Riku's bedroom.

Axel waited for the door to click closed, his eyes fixed on mine.

"I'm Riku's roommate, yes." He answered.

I frowned. This wasn't making any sense. He was supposed to be homeless. And I repeated just that, "You're supposed to be homeless..." I pointed out. Axel laughed softly, his shoulders relaxing as he made his way over to the couch, gesturing for me to follow him.

"I know I'm supposed to be, I'm not though. It's for a college project I have going on. I'm working on my psychology degree and I needed to find a subject in which I could observe human behavior. Morning classes I do theory and after my lunch break I sit at the train station for a couple of hours, pretending to be a homeless man to see how people react to it. The results are quite interesting so far." He explained cheerfully. Cheerful my fucking ass.

I scowled at him, "I'm your freaking essay?" I shouted at him, making him cringe back slightly at my loud outburst. He wasn't cringing in fear though, he laughed while doing this.

"No. You're not part of my project. You just happened to pop into my life while I was undergoing my project. I didn't include you in it, I knew that would be asking for trouble later on if anything was to happen between us." And then before I could burst out in shouts again he added quickly, "And don't say I should have told you sooner! You are very hard to make contact with, mister. First you rudely walk off after stalking me for a couple of hours. Then you silently apologize for it and don't speak to me. And you know... When you finally did talk to me... I was just happy that we were finally talking and make regular human contact... My project was the last thing on my mind."

He was a little bit right about my behavior. I hadn't exactly allowed him to tell me much about himself.

"And then I didn't show that weekend because my teacher moved the deadline of my project. I had to finish writing the observations for Monday. I wanted to come and tell you what was up, but I just didn't have the time..." He murmured, sounding genuinely sorry.

I guess I could understand why he hadn't shown. He'd obviously been working on this project for months. I knew, cause I'd seen him around for months. Throwing that down the drain and probably loosing his degree over that? Yeah... I got why he hadn't shown in order to be able to finish his essay.

"And then you ignored me." He pointed out, sounding annoyed, yet he had a grin plastered on his face.

I had the decency to blush just a little bit at that.

"I... I just..." I muttered out, but he didn't let me finish, simply leaned forward, his hand on the back of the couch, both of us sitting sideways on it so we were facing each other. His other hand slid up to my neck, and he quickly tilted his head so he could press his lips against mine.

I was momentarily surprised by the action, but soon after melted into his touch, whimpering slightly at the feelings that coursed through me while he kissed me, making me feel like a complete idiot for being so sappy. But whatever. Axel didn't seem to mind.

He broke the kiss, his forehead still pressed against my own, "It wasn't fake. You're real..." He whispered. I sighed in relief, smiling before I pressed my lips against his again.

"You're real to me too..." I murmured against his mouth.

"That's good..." He replied, sounding a bit dazed as his hands slowly circled my waist, pulling me closer to him.

"It's good you aren't homeless..." I added, following his lead by sitting up so I could lie on top of him.

Before I got to that moment though... That moment that would make me feel like I was in heaven. Because lying on top of Axel would certainly make me feel close to paradise. Before that though, obviously I had to screw up.

I wasn't yet sure why though.

Axel froze, his hands closing over my shoulders instead as he pushed me back onto my own space, sitting back up himself. A frown engraved on his forehead.

"What do you mean, it's good I'm not homeless?" He asked carefully.

"Well..." I started, but he didn't let me continue, jumping off the couch, his shoulders tightened in a defensive position.

"What? Wouldn't I be good enough for you if I had been homeless? What was that kiss about then, huh? Why did approach me at all if you had no intention of... Of this!" He gestured his hand back and forth between us.

I opened my mouth, hoping I could explain now. I know I hadn't been fair, but he had to understand that I was just terrified. I was feeling completely lost. Everything in my life was changing. Demyx was moving out, Sora would soon too. My brothers... My life would be changed. My routine would be gone. I...

"Scared..." I whispered, but Axel didn't hear me.

"A one night stand to drive the edge off? Something like that? Well you know what!" I cringed at the loudness of his voice, feeling beyond vulnerable and unable to speak anymore.

"You can forget it. You are real to me Roxas. I'm sorry I'm not real to you." He clipped out, wrinkling his nose in disgust at me before he turned on his heel sharply, leaving me staring at his retreating figure mutely as he marched over to what I presumed to be his bedroom, slamming the door in my face.

A couple of seconds later, he opened the door, whistled for the dog, Cayla ran into the room and then Axel slammed the door again, and then I could hear the key turning, telling me he was locking himself up in his room.

I didn't even get a moment to realize what just happened, when I felt a hand tighten on my shoulder. Blinking the two small tears out of my eyes, I looked over my shoulder to find Sora looking down at me, sympathy written all over his face.

"You need home, don't you?" He said softly.

The tears fell down then.

"I do..." I blubbered, grabbing a hold of Sora's hand and never wanting to let go.

Riku drove us home, no judgement or annoyance towards me in any way. He actually gave me a quick hug before he gave Sora a more elaborate goodnight once we were at the house.

We waited for Riku to drive off before entering the house. Demyx and Zexion were surprised. Not angry we had interrupted them. Just surprised.

How amazing was that? I'd just interrupted one of the most important dates of their lives together and they weren't angry. Just worried.

I hadn't cried in years. I didn't like to cry. I know crying is never fun. But I really didn't like it. I broke down then though.

Zexion wanted to leave, but I didn't let him. He was part of Demyx now and although I was a bit reluctant, it would be wrong of me to send him away.

Zexion's small fear for me disappeared with that.

It took a long couple of hours, deep into the night, to explain everything to them. I did so blubbering at first, then I became numb and then I became scared when I had to tell them why I was so reluctant on dating a homeless person.

It wasn't because he had been homeless. It's just that I was feeling homeless what with my brothers leaving. Dating a person without a home, was like that last straw I couldn't handle. I felt homeless myself. Why would I want to add to that?

Demyx smacked me over the back of my head of course when I'd told them about my fears of them leaving me. Sora had scowled, a true one. One that rarely graced his face.

Zexion had grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the house, popping a cigarette between my lips and telling me to suck it up.

He waited for me to pull on it a couple of times before he started his lecture. Or what I presumed to be his lecture.

Instead though, "I'm sorry, Roxas..." He whispered. I frowned at him.

"Why?" I asked.

He smiled sadly, "I didn't mean to take Demyx away from you. I'm sorry if it seemed like I did." He murmured softly.

I shook my head at him, "You didn't, Zex. Demyx was never mine and never to be taken away from me. What you share with him is great, you two are great together. I wouldn't change that for the world. I'm just having a hard time accepting the happenings of what happens around your relationship... It's always been just us three. Our parents... I remember them and it was good times. But becoming an adult? It was just us three. So it feels like it always has been just the three of us. Seeing that change? It's... It's not bad, it's just strange to accept."

Zexion shook his head, "I'm sorry I thought you didn't care. I believed you didn't mind the change. I was always looking out for how Sora may react to the changes that entailed by me coming into your lives, but I never figured I had to be watching you as well." Before I could protest he held up a hand and continued, "I know you don't need looking out for, Roxas. I know you believe that. And you're right to believe so. But you're still having issues, aren't you? I'm sorry I didn't look out for how you'd react while I did with Sora."

I closed my mouth, repeating his words over in my head, "Sora has Riku." I murmured.

"Exactly. I'm sorry I didn't see you needed someone too. Whether it'd be this Axel or anybody else." He sighed a little.

"Demyx isn't gone you know? He'll still be around." I shrugged at him.

"Sure, but you'll be living in your own place. Soon enough Riku will pop the question at Sora as well. How am I going to keep this home... Our home? I know it isn't much, but I love this place. I don't want to loose it. With Demyx and Sora leaving... I won't be able to keep the rent." I pointed out wisely.

Zexion chuckled, "You really think Demyx would do that? Move out and let you fend for yourself? Did it ever occur to you that Riku, like me, understands that some people just can't separate?" He turned around, sighing heavily as he gave me a pointed look.

He placed his hands on my shoulders, steading me before he continued, "Riku and I may not be the best of friends. God knows we're far from alike. But we both have icky pasts. To put it poetically, I needed saving, as did Riku. Demyx was mine and Sora was Riku's. We both get that Sora and Demyx wouldn't be the persons they are without their brothers. You've managed to stay afloat by staying together. Riku and I know that."

I frowned at him in confusion, "What are you saying, Zex?"

He gave me a quick smile, "When I met your brother... like. When we actually talked. I knew Demyx was a package deal. You're brothers, but Demyx cares for you like a father. Package deal. When I asked Demyx to move in with me tonight, I knew it would never do for me to ask him to move in by himself. I asked for him to move in with me, while bringing you two along." He paused, letting me sink that in.

"A house is just a house, Roxas. Walls don't matter. It's what lives inside that matters. I just want a bigger place." Then he amused me by looking slightly horrified and annoyed all at once.

"I need a bigger bedroom, Roxas! I need a bedroom that is far away from your bedroom and Sora's. I don't like having the idea of you two hearing us when I'm being intimate with your brother. It bothers me!" I grinned at the annoyance he was showing me. The bastard had managed to cheer me up with just one small talk.

"You want us all to get a bigger place?" I asked, sounding a bit hopeful.

He rolled his eyes, "Package deal. I get it. I knew it from the very beginning. I was never bothered by it. But I seriously just need to be able to have a private place with Demyx. One were his younger brothers can't hear every detail of what we are doing. And I'm pretty sure Sora would like to have his own room as well, can't be comfortable having Riku sleep in the same bed as him while you are sleeping in a bed not two feet away."

I wrinkled my nose, "It's not like they do anything while I'm in the room..." I pointed out.

"I'm sure. But I'm also sure they must be annoyed not to have the option. Riku and Sora aren't ready to move in with each other yet. They haven't been together that long, and they like to take things slow. But being forced to always go to Riku's apartment in order to get intimate..." Yeah, ok. I got it.

"And you know, I have pots of money. When I say I want to get a big house with you guys, I truly mean a big house." Zexion said, a glint in his eye.

And that is were I started to dream of the big house Zexion was going to get for us all...

Zexion tugged me along with him back in the house. Sora and Demyx were chatting together, but quickly shut up when Zexion and I sat back around the table with him.

"Did you hear the fan freaking tastic news?" Sora shouted at me, jumping up and down on his seat, the jolly face back, thank god. Sora scowling is not a nice sight.

I nodded my head energetically back at him.

And then Demyx said something that both shut me and Sora up.

"You'll be able to go to college."

Zexion smiled as Demyx announced this, that last little weight of tiredness hanging around the air of Demyx all the time, completely gone now. He always wanted for us to go back to school again. He'd always felt guilty... Zexion was making sure Demyx was getting better... And in doing so, he was healing both me and Sora at the same time.

"Thank you." I blurted out at Zexion, making him nod at me in return.

"So when are we moving?" Sora shouted, balancing on the hysterical as we all launched into what, where, when and how.

"I want my own room and my own tv!" Sora shouted.

I thought about Axel, but pushed him out of my thoughts just as quickly. I would deal with that later.

"OH! Can we get a pool and a bubble bath, and and our own skate park?" Sora added.

"I'm not that rich." Zexion said with a chuckle.

Sora shrugged, "Riku is. If you soundproof my bedroom walls, I'm sure he won't mind chipping in." Demyx smacked him.

"Don't be rude." Zexion scolded. And I laughed because they really were like parents.

Axel could come back to haunt me later. I needed to soak in the goodness that was right now.

The following days we all huddled up at breakfast to check out the news paper and see what houses we could find. We'd circled a few of them, meaning we'd check them out in greater detail later. One evening Zexion's dad came over. He was finally back from Zanarkand. He'd been working in a lab for the military, helping the researches there in weaponry.

And now I finally realized why Zexion's father hadn't come to the hospital when Zexion had been in his short coma. He hadn't been able to leave the base, a strict contract that he'd signed, specifically saying he couldn't leave until his job was done.

He was amused by me and Sora, liking our constant banter, and was eternally grateful towards Demyx for helping Zexion come out of his shell.

Zexion truly had changed a lot over the last couple of months.

Demyx had been worried of course, meeting the parents and what not. He had nothing to worry about though.

Although our situation was far from regular, His father seemed to understand and accept. It was also made clear that Zexion cared for us as much as Demyx did that night. It made me feel good...

Sora and I had made clear that Demyx and Zexion should look for the houses by themselves, that it was to be their house and that although we'd be living there too, we'd be the ones moving out at some point whenever we were ready to do so. The house had to feel like their home before anything.

So they did that, while Sora and I slowly started to wrap our heads around the fact that we would be going to college sometime soon. I didn't know what I wanted to do education wise, neither did Sora really. We'd never thought of it. Hadn't let ourselves think of it as we'd thought it would never happen for us anyway. Why dream when the dream can't be attained?

It was becoming real now though. Zexion and Demyx would continue to work. It wasn't really necessary what with the pots of money Zexion owned, but Zexion liked his job at the coffee house. He was good, but he still learned to adapt while working there. He liked it. And Demyx needed to keep working for his pride. He had always been the caretaker, and although he was willing to let Zexion take care of him and me and Sora... He still needed to continue working for his own mental health. I completely understood that.

He was an actual nurse now. He'd worked real hard to get there. And he liked it.

They were out right now, looking at a couple of houses. It was Saturday, so Sora and I were on the couch, playing video games.

"You think I'd be good at video game programming?" Sora asked, or wondered out loud. I'm not sure.

"You certainly have a knack for winning at them." I returned, slightly absentminded as I was trying to run away from zombies.

"I think I'd like that. Working with video games. Concept stories. Role playing games. I'd have fun." Sora said, his voice slightly less absentminded then mine.

Ah, I see. He was carefully approaching the subject of college with me.

I smiled, "Sora, if that's something you'd like to do, then you should do it." I told him, believing it all the way.

"I'd be good at it?" He asked.

"You're always good at something when you're determined to be good at it." I told him honestly.

"Thanks, brother dearest." He said softly, genuinely.

"Sure."

"What about you?" He asked, the carefulness back.

I shrugged, "I have absolutely no idea." Still trying to run away from zombies.

"Maybe you should start picking up you pencils again. You were always good at art. I don't get why you stopped doing that same time you dropped out of high school." He said gently.

I blinked. That wasn't stupid... "That isn't stupid. That's... I don't know how I forgot..." My character died in the game while I was contemplating the 'how' of forgetting such a big part of my teen life.

"We forced ourselves to forget, Roxas. I have millions of story ideas for games. I just never let myself develop them in fear of dreaming too much and getting those dreams crushed." He mumbled.

"It hurt enough already..." We both whispered at the same time.

Now Sora's character got eaten by zombies too.

I dropped the control in my lap and looked at Sora, who mimicked my actions. I smiled at him, sticking my fist out to him. He bumped his fist against my own, "We did good." He nodded at me in agreement.

"We can pick up where we left off from now on." Sora added.

That was true...

Axel... Oh yeah, he was ready to haunt my mind again.

Sora was somewhat of a mind reader sometimes, "Remember how you put things in perspective for me when it came to my previous icky situation with Riku? You really helped me, Rox. You made things clear when they were vague, and I am so happy now. Riku... I know it's corny, but he's my soul mate. I love him so much and what I have with him makes my days that much brighter. You played your part in making it work between me and him. Maybe you wanna stop worrying about me and Dem so much and start thinking about yourself... k?"

I plopped back down in the couch, staring at the ceiling above me, "What do you suggest I do? He didn't let me explain myself..." I muttered, knowing full well he was suggesting Axel for a way to start thinking about myself for once.

Sora plopped down beside me, staring at the ceiling also, "Well. He probably cooled down over the last couple of days. Actually, I know he did. I talked to Riku, explained the situation to Riku..." I became alert now.

"And..." I pressed. What had Riku done?

Sora patted my knee in reassurance, "Well, I told him not too, but Riku wanted to do something for you. I told him how you helped me when things were weird between me and him. He wanted to help you this time around. He talked to Axel..." And? And? And? And? And?

Sora chuckled at the expression that was plastered on my face, "And... Well... I'm not sure I get it, but Axel told Riku to keep it to himself and that the only person he wanted to hear explanations from was from you, Rox." I jumped off the couch, ready to race my way to Twilight Town right now and start explaining shit.

Sora raced after me, grabbing me before I was out of the door, "First of all, it's chilly outside so put on a jacket. Shoes would be a good idea as well, and... Axel also said 'If he wants the Prince, he better start accepting the frog'... Riku didn't get it, I'm not sure I get it either. You guys are weird, by the way. But you know, I'm sure you'll get what he's saying." My brother announced, pushing my jacket into my face and then holding onto my legs so I would just put the damn shoes on already.

Once I was outside, I stopped in my tracks and frowned at Riku standing on the driveway, just getting out of his car. He grinned at me, dangling his key cars in front of himself, offering them too me.

"Make sure to keep the car in tact and bring it back tomorrow so I can drive back home tomorrow night in order to get to college Monday morning." Was all he instructed, throwing the keys my way.

"Hi honey!" I heard Sora shout behind me, and I dully noticed that Riku frowned at the nickname.

While I got in the car I heard Sora say, "Honey no good? Hmm... How about sweetheart then?" Riku grunted a negative in reply, making me grin just a little at their own personal weirdness.

"Sugar?" Sora continued to pester his boyfriend with terms of endearments and I pretty much got the idea Riku didn't want pet names in any way whatsoever. I didn't stay till the end of the argument slash conversation though as I had to get my ass to Twilight Town.

I did not speed. Amazingly. Demyx would have given me the evil eye and Zexion would have found a way to ground me for at least a day. Or something.

Anyway.

I ran up the stairs of Axel and Riku's apartment building, strongly believing I needed to transform into superman right fucking now because my running abilities weren't fast enough for my current convenience.

And superman probably had a ton more courage than I had. And I really needed courage now. I'd seriously pissed Green eyes off. I understood why... I think I did anyway.

I'm not sure I did. I mean, I get the situation wasn't exactly perfect, but I figure there had to be some personal history to the matter for Axel to react so strongly to it. That would be tough to work through.

Also, I needed courage because I had never, ever groveled before in my life. I knew how to dump people and break their hearts... I'd never actually tried to mend one. Let alone my own. I had no idea it could have broken in the first place.

I watched the door fearfully but then decided to suck it up and knocked.

"Who the FUCK is there?" I cringed at the grumpiness Axel managed to display with his voice through a closed door. This couldn't be good. This is scary. Oh god... Oh god... Fuck. My palms are sweating? They are sweating. Christ...

"It's me..." I squeaked, the fear evident in my voice. I kept my eyes pointed at the ground, and closed them quickly, dropping my head down entirely when the door swung open.

He smelled of cigarettes and alcohol. The apple smell was gone...

"Did Sora tell you what I told Riku to tell him so Sora could tell you?"

I blinked. Wha?

Right. I nodded, "I get the Prince if I accept the frog." I murmured softly, my head still drooped down.

There was a moment of silence and then I felt Axel's fingers hook underneath my chin, so he could lift my gaze. I was embarrassed that my eyes were tear filled, but he didn't seem too mind... I think.

"Then why are you here..." He whispered so so softly, looking pained. I frowned, a tear spilling over my cheek as I didn't understand what I'd done wrong... I thought... I thought...

"I thought you wanted me to explain..." I replied, just as soft.

He smiled a little, nodding his head, "I do... But..."

I sobbed. And I hated myself for it. That 'but' totally killed me.

Axel's eyebrows knitted in worry and then to my completely fucked out with no logic surprise, he circled an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to him. I finally breathed when my head was nestled against his chest, his chin on top of my head. A soft 'hush' escaping his lips as his hands soothingly ran over my back.

"I don't understand!" I muttered miserably.

"Obviously..." Axel returned sadly.

And now, I was mad. Jesus. I pushed him away harshly, tears probably everywhere, cheeks completely red and well I probably didn't look so good in a general sense, truly, "Then tell me! Explain what you expect of me!" I shouted at him.

Apparently he didn't like me being angry, and it just angered himself, "Fuck you, Rox! Explain yourself first and I may just explain what is going on in my head!" He shouted back, his arms flailing wildly by his sides. I realized soon after, I had done the exact same thing.

A fucking cartoon fight. Splendid.

Sarcasm rules my world.

"Complicated things piss me off!" I shouted back out of nowhere. I mean, I knew they did piss me off, but I'm not exactly sure why I found it so important to inform him off this right this instance.

Axel scoffed with fake amusement, "And you aint complicated?" It wasn't a true question. It was a statement. And I didn't like it.

"You make me complicated!" I punched him in the chest, which I had hoped would have made him back off. Instead the evil genius grabbed my hair and then pulled me flush against him, kissing me angrily.

Angry kisses were brilliant.

Make up sex was good. But angry sex? Dear lord, the sparks that would fly...

Wait? Were we going to have sex? Right now? We hadn't talked!

Without brain permission whatsoever my hands decided that, yes. Yes we were going to have sex. I knew because I had already pulled Axel's shirt off and was now extremely occupied and concentrated on his jeans buttons.

He didn't seem particularly upset with my idea as I was stripped down to my boxers already.

He slammed the door closed behind us and then pulled me with him to the couch, and then pushed me flat on my back onto it before he pretty much dropped himself on top of me.

I groaned loudly, my nails digging in his back as I felt his erection push harshly into my own. I sucked some air in sharply as his teeth nipped down my throat, making my eyes roll into the back of my head as he settled in a painfully slow and torturously good rhythm with his hips on top of my own. Ohmigawd that felt sinfully good... And I didn't care much about sins in a general sense, so if I worried about them it meant he was doing a deliriously good joooo, "Oh, fuck!" I hissed, moaning loudly as his hand wrapped around my erection.

He chuckled against my cheek, "Are you a virgin?" He asked, sounding amused, yet seriously worrying about it at the same time.

Considering Sora is my brother... And he most likely spend more time with Sora then he had with me... And the times he had spend with me... Yeah, ok, I got why he might have an idea I was indeed a virgin.

I wasn't pleased though, so I smacked him over the back of his head and glared as best I could while he continued to work the rhythm with his hand, "Fuck you, Axel. Fuck you hard."

He raised an eyebrow and then dipped a finger further down between my legs, making me squeak rather loudly and I blushed because now I knew exactly why Sora squealed in the bedroom.

I moaned his name as his finger gently teased my entrance.

"I intend for it to be hard, love..." He murmured cheerfully against my mouth. I moaned again at the mention of... love.

"You never said though..." He looked worried again while he continued to pleasure me quite masterfully.

I gulped, shaking my head, "I'm not. I'm not a virgggg-" I think my insides very nearly collapsed in form of delight. When did he put lotion on his fingers? Which is how I ended up frowning up at him, glancing back and forth at his face and between my legs.

He chuckled softly and then kissed me roughly, "You scream like one..." I rolled my eyes at him.

Ok, so we'd established he was pretty damnedy good in bed. Let's repay the favor, shall we?

Smirking at him, I tilted my head up and slowly kissed my way down his neck, my hands trailing down his back slowly. He shivered beneath my touch, but that wasn't enough. He needed to make noise. He better make some noise for me. I was determined, damnit!

I lifted a hand between our faces, licked my palm slowly while making sure he was looking and then reached down, enveloping his erection without hesitation, and without breaking our gaze. He seemed to like it when I was looking at him.

Running my hand slowly back and forth, I made sure to put pressure where I knew I liked it and where most my previous partners had liked it. A small sigh escaped his lips.

I pursed my lips. Running a hand over his bottom, I let a finger dip between the crack, making my way down. No noise yet. Pressing at his entrance, I sped the pace up with my other hand and right when I started to believe he maybe wasn't one to make much noise, he finally led out a long guttural moan.

"There we go..." I cooed softly, smiling as I kissed the corner of his mouth. He seemed slightly sheepish, and I liked the cuteness of it.

He kissed me softly now, tenderly. It was almost painful. Painful because it felt so right. So good. I didn't know if I could handle it. Especially because I had no idea if we would talk afterwards, or during or ever. Would we talk? Were we alright? Please let this be more than just a one afternoon stand...

"Think later..." He murmured softly, sounding as sad as I felt.

I nodded mutely, parting my lips and pretty much offering my entire self to him right now. He took what I offered, removing his hands from down below and guiding my hands back up. He held my face and I grabbed his shoulders. His hips settled between mine and instead of the mind blowing angry sex I thought we were going to have, we settled into a slow and soft rhythm, dragging out the moment as long as we could, staring at each other mutely while we pleasured ourselves together.

I'm not sure how long it lasted. It seemed like forever, but it probably wasn't. We'd builded up the moment slowly, and when we neared the end of it, anticipation building, moans filling the air and our skins sticky with sweat... I came with his name escaping softly from my lips and he followed by kissing me passionately.

I think we lay there, him collapsed on top of me for about an hour. We didn't say anything to each other. His fingers were softly playing with my hair while his face was tucked into my neck. My hands moved slowly up and down over his back, enjoying the fact that I was touching his skin so intimately.

I swallowed painfully, opening my mouth to speak, "You want me to leave, don't you?" I whispered shakily.

Axel sighed deeply, "I don't want you too, but you need too..." He whispered back.

"Why are we making this more complicated? Why can't we just..." Why couldn't we just what? I had no idea what I meant myself.

Axel kissed me, "Come back to me when you know technicalities don't matter." He said softly, encouragingly. It gave me some hope, but it couldn't really drown out the misery my heart was putting me through at the moment.

I nodded at him, silently telling him that I would. I would come back. Axel smiled a little before he pushed himself off the couch and then walked butt naked back into his room, giving himself and myself some privacy.

I found the bathroom, I cleaned myself up, got dressed and then walked out of the apartment without seeing Axel again. Getting in the car, I numbly drove back home, ignoring the curious questions Sora shot my way and the worried look Riku was giving me. I went upstairs, closed the door and then collapsed on my bed.

A couple of weeks later.

Riku wanted to kill Axel for hurting me, but I told him not too bother. Axel had a point to his actions somewhere, and although I wasn't sure what that point was yet, I was sure it was a reasonable one. And if it wasn't, I didn't care. I hadn't been reasonable with Axel, so I supposed he was allowed to be a bit unreasonable with me as well.

I wasn't so much hurt as I didn't understand what I needed to do. Not with Axel anyway. I did realize something with what happened.

I needed to fucking apologize to Hayner. And another hundred of one night stands, but those truly didn't matter. Although I'd been rude, there had been no feelings involved in those situations. Hayner though...

We were moving out of Traverse Town and to Hollow Bastion. It made sense, Both Demyx and Zexion's jobs were there and of course, most colleges were there as well. Sora was taking a degree in literature, english and history since he realized that although he wanted to work in video games mostly, it was stories he wanted to write, not program actual games. We hoped that with those degrees it would open some doors for him in the gaming world, story wise. He was determined, so I was pretty sure he'd make it at one point or another.

I was going to go to a university that offered several formations I was interested in. One being Digital Media, which would teach me how to use illustration programs. I liked my pencil, but I wanted to draw on the computer. I did take on a set of traditional art classes on the side. Nude pencil drawing, still life charcoal exercises and then there were theory classes that would teach me about anatomy, perspective and lighting. I was excited, and I was happy. I truly was.

The house was amazing. It was right in the center of Hollow Bastion, but slightly on the outskirts, considering that although Zexion had pots of money, Demyx just wouldn't allow him to spend it all on... I quote, "One goddamned house."

It had four bedrooms, one being the master bedroom. Sora and I would have our own bedrooms for the first time in years. Demyx and Zexion obviously were taking the master bedroom and the fourth bedroom was going to either be an office, a guest-bedroom or a game room. We couldn't decide on that one yet.

Living room was huge as was the kitchen. We had a garden with a basketball court integrated in it and Zexion expected me and Roxas to use it. Not that we played that sport to begin with, but Zexion would be sad if we didn't put it to good use. Demyx said that if we didn't use it for sports, we could always turn it into a terrace considering the pavement on that court was awesome.

There were two bathrooms, one attached to the master bedroom, so instantly just Demyx and Zexion's bathroom and Sora and I shared one. But it had two showers and three sinks, so it was like... awesome. We wouldn't have to flip coins anymore. Although when seeing the bathroom, Sora and I couldn't seem to decide which one we liked best. So I'm pretty sure we'd end up flipping a coin over which one would shower in the left and the other in the right.

There was a garage and a study somewhere attached to the living room and kitchen. So I figured that the guest bedroom slash game room would definitely not be an office since we had an actual room dedicated to that purpose. Zexion had suggested to turn the fourth bedroom into an office so Sora and I would have our own working space for college work. And of course, Zexion kind of wanted to turn the study into a library as it had these awesome wall shelves on every wall. And although I personally didn't see the issue in turning it both into a library and office at the same time, Zexion dramatically pointed out he wouldn't be able to read comfortably if both me and Sora would be doing our homework in the same room. We were the whiney kind of kids that would sob about every single homework assignment we had to finish.

Which is where Sora pointed out that we could just do it at the kitchen table and still turn the fourth room into a game room.

Of course Demyx wanted it to be a guest bedroom in case we had guests. Like Zexion's father, or Namine and Kairi.

I pointed out that they never slept over and that the people that did were Zexion and Riku. Since Zexion would be living there too, problem solved on that matter and Riku would just be sleeping with Sora anyway.

But Demyx didn't like to loose so he continued to nag on about the guest bedroom while Sora held tight to the Game room and Zexion was appalled by the idea of us doing our homework at the kitchen table when a room was available for us to just study there.

It was all rather amusing really.

Anyway.

We were packing our stuff away in boxes and that is when I realized I needed to apologize to Hayner for my idiotic behavior towards him in the previous.

Riku was helping us pack and tossed me the keys without so much as a look when I asked him if I could borrow his car.

Getting in, I drove off into Traverse Town city center, trying to think very hard whether Hayner was working at the moment or not. I'd forgotten his schedule over the last couple of months and Sora didn't work there anymore. Sora tended to forget anything work related when he quit the place.

I didn't work my cleaning job anymore either. It was weird at first, but I was slowly getting used to the idea of going to school again. I was glad Zexion had managed to give us a couple of weeks to get the idea settled in our minds first before actually attacking the ordeal.

Parking in front of the Pizzeria, I still couldn't remember if he worked, so I decided to ask Cloud. Cloud shared an apartment with Hayner, so he would know.

Walking inside, I waved at Olette and she cheerfully welcomed me inside.

"Is Hayner working today?" Olette shook her head.

"Nope. He's probably up in his apartment. Cloud?" She shouted rather loudly over her shoulder, making me take a step backwards.

"What?" Cloud snapped back from the kitchen.

"Hayner up in the apartment?" Olette asked for confirmation.

"Affirmative!" Cloud shouted back, and I was pretty sure that was all we would be getting out of him.

Olette nodded and then saluted my way, pointing upwards in gesture off, "That's where you'll find the apartment." I knew that. And she knew I knew. But Olette was funny that way.

Saying goodbye, I exited the Pizzeria and the circled the building to find the entrance to the staircase that would lead to the apartments above the restaurant. I made my way up quickly, and then knocked on the door, patiently waiting for Hayner to open up.

I frowned as nobody opened after a while. Cloud had said he was home... Cloud was like, never wrong. Shrugging, I did as I remembered doing so often, and opened the door to the apartment, walking in like I owned it.

Making my way into the small living room, I froze and then stared at the naked butt pointing in my direction.

That wasn't Hayner's. I knew Hayner's ass, and that wasn't his ass.

"Roxas?" Ah, Hayner was underneath the unknown bottom.

"Hi." I waved sheepishly at the couple as they scrambled onto their feet, pulling their pants back over their hips. I couldn't help but chuckle at the fact that they hadn't even taken the time to kick them off completely.

Hayner narrowed his eyes at me, "What the fuck are you doing here?" He used the word fuck a lot, so I wasn't exactly offended at his crude tone of voice.

I scratched my head. What was I doing here? Right, "I came to apologize for how careless I was with you in... previous encounters." I murmured, letting my eyes scan over the new boy. He was pretty. Not my type, but neither had Hayner been. Neither had many of my one night stands been.

All I wanted now was Axel though.

Hayner didn't know that of course, so he possessively placed an arm around the new boys shoulders. New boy snorted, and patted Hayner on the head. Hayner was shorter then new boy.

"Nice ass..." I commented in form of introduction to new boy. New boy grinned and stuck his hand out. Hayner in the meantime, glared as fiercely as he could manage.

"I'm Seifer." The new boy announced as we shook hands.

I frowned, "Riku's ex, Seifer?" I asked curiously.

Seifer wrinkled his nose, "I wouldn't exactly categorize me as an ex, but sure we fooled around once or twice. I actually came down here after I... Recovered. Wanted to see how he was doing. Ended up meeting Hayner instead though, got..." He smirked delightfully as he wiggled his eyebrows at Hayner, "Distracted..." He finished huskily, making Hayner blush furiously.

"You told him he's dating my brother now, right?" I asked Hayner, just out of curiosity. Hayner nodded.

"Hey, I'm not here to start things up with Riku again. Like I said, we weren't much more then a fling. Military ya know? Being gay in there doesn't exactly make you the receiving end of the highest praise. But we understood each other, he was a good friend of mine and from what I heard he got as badly beaten up as I did. Just wanted to make sure he was alright." I smiled quickly at Seifer's honesty.

"He's doing good. Real good. Sora makes him happy and Sora keeps telling me how much brighter his days are now that Riku is in his life." I frowned at that, so did Seifer.

"Riku making someone brighter?" Seifer asked, not entirely buying it. I shrugged, not knowing what to tell him.

"Can Sora be possibly any brighter anyway?" Hayner added in confusion. I snorted at that.

"Jup!" Popping the p. I looked back at the door and then back at the couple, "I'm sorry I interrupted. I did knock and Cloud said you were home... so. Anyway, I won't be in your way much longer. I just came down to tell you that I am sorry for how I treated you, it wasn't right, and I apologize for it. Also, We're moving." Hayner blinked.

"Yeah man, it's ok. Don't worry about it. I mean, sure I was a bit bummed about the whole situation for a while, but things got a lot clearer when Seifer decided to knock it out of me." Hayner grinned, toothy and everything.

My eye twitched.

"Sex is an awesome remedy." Seifer said, nodding wisely my way. As if I hadn't gotten the meaning of Hayner's words...

My eye twitched again.

"Anyway. You want the new address or should we just leave things as they are? Oh, I can give you Riku's number if you want it?" I directed the last bit at Seifer.

Hayner wanted the address and Seifer wanted the number.

Then they shooed me away, and I did, letting them get back to their... knocking. Cute.

A week later we were all moved into the house. Zexion and Demyx trusted me and Sora to make the house look cozy while they were gone to work, and we did our best of bests not to disappoint them. They weren't.

The house was huge though, so the small amount of furniture we had didn't exactly fill the house up. Sora and I had used the remainder of both our salaries to buy new stuff to fill our rooms up, and we'd also bought new plates and knives and forks and spoons and cups and stuff. We were pretty sure Demyx and Zexion would want to go shopping for loving room decoration themselves, so we left it up to them.

Zexion's father had send all of Zexion's old books back to him, so the study did become the library Zexion had wanted it to become. The fourth room had become both an office and game room and a guest bedroom. The guest bedroom part wasn't as obvious, since the couch Sora and I used to sit our asses down on to play games, could fold out for whatever guest needed to crash for a night or two. The office part was forced upon the room by Zexion. He really didn't like the idea of us doing our homework at the kitchen table. He was just weird like that.

We settled in rather fast, making the home homey within a week and a half, feeling at home by then as well. Zex had been right, walls don't matter, what lives inside those walls does.

Or neighbors on the left were a friendly elderly couple. They'd invited us over for tea, and when they'd realized Demyx and Zexion were a couple, they'd just smiled. The opposite thing had happened with the neighbors on the right side of our house. A family of four, mom, dad and two kids. Boys. When they figured out they had a frat house full of gay men living next door to them, they'd become so squeamish, they nearly moved the moment we'd settled in.

They figured that may be excessive though, so just politely told us they weren't comfortable with it, and that tea wouldn't be a regular occurrence at all. Meaning: Never again.

That was alright.

Riku spend a lot of time at the house, helping us out whenever he didn't have to go study. He never spoke of Axel and I never asked. It put Sora on edge, but Sora got on edge rather easily so it wasn't hard to ignore it.

It was when I'd been lying on my bed, looking out the large beautiful window that gave view on the flowery garden we owned that I realized what Axel wanted. Or what I thought could possibly make things right again.

Patience would be needed.

My studies wouldn't start in another three weeks, so I could be patient. I think. It's not like I had anything better to do. That was a bit strange, no longer needing to get up to go to work anymore. It was very easy to get used to that.

Anyway, the next day, I got up at eleven, brushed my teeth, ate some breakfast, played a game with Sora, walked around in the garden, read a couple of more pages of the book Zexion had suggested I read and then I'd gone into the city of Hollow Bastion to go eat lunch with Demyx at the hospital, popping by at the welcome desk to say hello to Kairi.

Demyx whined about a patient that was particularly annoying. Sponge baths could be evil, apparently.

Once done with lunch, I crossed the street and say hi to Zexion, ordering a coffee to go. He was happy to see me, asking me what I was doing here and I honestly told him that I was going to try and make things right with Axel. He smiled at me in encouragement, not adding words to it.

Hopping on the train, I turned on my ipod and grinned at how depressingly doom-ish I was when I used to take the train to work so long ago before actually making contact with Axel. He'd certainly made things colorful...

I got off at the stop in Traverse Town and then walked over to the bench that had started everything between myself and Green eyes.

He wasn't there, I knew he wouldn't be today, but I was going to sit here every day until he decided to show up. And I knew he'd find out at some point during the day, because I hadn't forgotten to mention where I was going to Sora. And knowing Sora as I do, I knew he'd tell Riku. And Riku would subtly slip the info to Axel.

Why this was so important to Green eyes, I had no idea. But I was willing to do this for him if it made him understand that technicalities didn't matter to me anymore.

I had handled the situation horribly and I shouldn't have been bothered by his status in life, whether it was real, or fake.

Sure, I had my reasons, but I shouldn't have used him as I had. Which is what I had done. Because before I'd found out he wasn't in fact homeless, I had had no intention to start a real relationship with him. Didn't matter what my reasons for that was, it had been wrong.

I'd wronged a ton of boys, I'd apologized to the one that it mattered too and now I was going to apologize to the one it not only mattered too, but it also mattered to me. Hell, it mattered so much.

I blinked out of my thoughts as Cayla placed her head onto my lap, bringing out the puppy dog pleading eyed look so I'd pet her. I obliged her, patting her head and scratching her ear a little as I looked around to see if Axel was near.

He wasn't near, but he was there, standing at the exit. He whistled and Cayla ran back to him. Once at his heels, Axel patted the dog and then gave me a quick wave. I returned the wave and that's when he turned around and left.

I frowned at first, but then a slow grin spread over my face as I comfortably settled back onto the bench, waiting for the train that would get me back to Hollow Bastion.

This is where my morning routine started. My routine hadn't started with mornings at first like it had with my brothers. Mine had started messily. There had been no real routine inside the routine. Now though? Things had changed for me, I was doing alright and a morning routine was possible.

So, like I did the day before, I got up around eleven, brushed my teeth, ate some breakfast, played a game with Sora, walked around in the garden, read a couple of more pages of the book Zexion had suggested I read. Then I got ready to go to the city center of Hollow Bastion and this time around I ate lunch with Kairi since Demyx and Zexion were eating lunch together today at the coffee shop.

Once that done, I got on the train and listened to my ipod until I got to Traverse Town. Getting off the train, I walked over to our bench, sat down, and waited.

Twenty minutes later, Cayla came to a halt before me, asking me to pet her again. Of course I did and while I did so, my heart sped up because Axel was walking this way. I licked my lips nervously as I carefully watched him sit on the bench behind me. We were sitting back to back, publicity board separating us. Only this time, this time he'd be the one that would stay silent.

I continued to scratch Cayla's ear affectionately, as I wetted my lips and then collected my courage back together, "I know you're not going to talk. I don't have a guitar, and neither do I know how to play it. I hope you don't mind if I use this moment to explain myself. Not because it changes anything or excuses everything, but... you'll know more about me." I said, loud enough so he could hear.

Sighing deeply, I started, "Demyx, Sora and I aren't blood related. We were adopted by the same two people and grew up together and become each others brother in that way. We all have icky pasts, really. Demyx was abandoned in a supermarket and entered the social system that way. Sora... God. How he's so cheerful now, I don't understand, but... His mother was a prostitute. He was eleven when he joined our family. We don't really know what happened before his mother went to jail for prostitution. Sora got legally emancipated from his mother at age sixteen. My parents... I never knew my father and my mother wasn't exactly sure who it was to begin with. She'd been very young, high school drop out, like myself really. She died of cancer when I was five and that is how I ended up in the family with Demyx. Sora joined later." I breathed in, steading myself as I didn't really like to talk about this part...

"Our parents died in a car accident about six years ago. They got hit by a drunk driver on a bridge. The car crashed into the water and... well they never got out alive."

I smiled at the memory of Demyx fighting to keep Sora and me together with him, "Demyx was an adult by then and with the help of a friend of our parents, the Doc, he got custody of us both. Sora and I were fifteen at the time. Demyx twenty. He had to take on a full time job to pay for everything while taking care of two annoying fifteen year olds. He didn't have it easy. I realized this... I dropped out of high school and got a full time job as well by the time I was sixteen. Sora followed my lead. Demyx felt guilty about it all this time, but it's not like he had much of a choice, we were drowning. And you know... It was just his responsibility to take care of us. We all needed to take care of each other..."

I pursed my lips at the sky, "I was quite angry with the entire situation. I actually was up until very recent. Loosing my parents? Yeah, I didn't deal with it as well as I thought I did. I stopped caring about everything, or I believed I did anyway. I slept with random guys, didn't stop to catch their names. I hurt a friend in the process. I apologized to him, because you managed to make me think. Just think. Which apparently wasn't happening so often as I thought it was. I was thinking, but not in the right way..." I wrinkled my nose in frustration.

"I hurt you in the process... and that hurt me too. I thought you had hurt me and in the end I hurt myself. Don't get me wrong though, you have some serious explaining to do when it comes to your angry outbursts, because even my crap behavior doesn't explain those. But. I didn't treat you right. I... I didn't look at you while you were looking at me..."

Then I chuckled, "I freaked out about the homeless thing not because you being homeless bothered me so much. I was attracted to you nonetheless, so believe me, I have nothing against the homeless. The reason I freaked out though... I felt homeless myself... I thought Demyx was gonna leave to live with Zexion and that Sora was gonna leave to live with Riku. As I said... I wasn't thinking right and with that state of mind I believed they were just going to poof out of my life like my parents had. My home was gone and I strongly believed a person that was labelled as homeless was going to be able to give me that home back."

I turned my head, peeking at the publicity board, knowing Axel was behind it, "I know it isn't fair, but that's why I deleted the option of an actual relationship with you out of my mind. I was scared, Axel. Just scared. Everything was changing and the way I feel about you was so new... I hadn't actually felt like that for anyone, ever. You make things colorful... Things sound like songs when you speak. I feel whole when you're close to me. I'd strongly believed of being incapable of feelings such things for years and suddenly I realized I could. It was a bit shocking, and then fact that things were changing at home... It just was too much. That's why I reacted the way I did. That's why I was pleased when I found out you weren't in fact homeless, because I thought that, finally! Something is going right!"

And then, "I don't want the Prince and neither do I want the frog. I accept both, but..." And then in a sappy moment of silence, I did as he had that one time, turning myself around on the bench so I could peek passed the publicity board and actually look at him.

I smiled at him when he peeked back at me, "Just want you, Axel." I told him sincerely.

I kept on staring at him as he swallowed nervously. He didn't know how to look at me or where exactly. I could see that all I had told him had been slightly overwhelming. I guess I got that, our pasts weren't exactly the happy tale of the fairy district.

I waited patiently for him to get up and leave like I had that time he'd asked me if I was hungry. I smiled when he did get up, understanding that he needed to do this for whatever reason. He as quirky, and I had known that from the beginning. It's one of the many things I loved about him.

He walked away, Cayla on his heels. I sighed a little, settling back into the bench, waiting for the train that would bring me home.

I yelped in surprise as I was pulled off the bench, onto my feet, standing an inch apart from Axel. He was glaring down at me full force and I gulped because this wasn't supposed to happen yet. I hadn't reacted this way... What was he doing? This wasn't going according to plan!

"You know how you're all sappy and romantic inside but don't admit it?" He asked, trying to smother the grin that was threatening to appear. I nodded mutely.

He returned the nod, "Yes well. By now you must have realized I don't like to keep things bottled up like you do. I actually don't care what people think and admit things rather openly and publicly. So, without further ado..." He cupped my cheeks, leaned down and kissed me roughly. There was a hint of desperation in the kiss and I quickly matched it's pace.

He ended it quite abruptly, glaring down at me again, "You annoying little brat! Why'd you have to go all honest on me, hey? Now I have to forgive you a lot sooner than I planned on. Not fair!" He was so contradicting. He said these things while pulling me close to him, hugging me tight as he finally comforted me for all the things I'd just told him.

I hugged him back tightly, inhaling deeply in form of delight, content and happiness because I was close to him again.

"I always get my way..." I muttered sheepishly against my chest.

He pulled back a little, a grin on his face, "Yes, well. Although you managed to work your magic on me this time, don't expect it to happen all that often in the future. I will build up a defensive mechanism that'll destroy any cute attempt of redemption you throw at me."

I gasped in mock terror, "I won't always win?" He rolled his eyes at me and I grinned up at him.

I frowned in concentration, "Please tell me we're ok, Axel. I need us to be ok. I don't like it when things aren't ok with us..." I whispered, sounding slightly fragile.

Axel pushed the blond locks out of my face, tilted my head up, "Promise. No more funny business. No more freakishly depressing misunderstandings. You wanted me and now you got me. You won't get rid of me..." He murmured, pecking my lips on random occasions between words.

I sighed in relief, giving him my happiest smile yet. It pleased him.

Detaching himself from me, he held my hand and then guided me over to the platform that would get me to the train that would bring me hope. I was nearly pouting when I realized he was going to leave, but then he said, "Now show me that killer house of yours because Riku has been talking none stop about it for days now and it's been itching at me!" He announced cheerfully, magically removing the pout that had threatened to form on my face.

I nodded at him, "But only if you tell me on the train why the hell you are such a bomb." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and I only smacked his arm in return, "Time bomb in the anger department, you moron." I added.

Axel rolled his eyes, but nodded at me in confirmation. We waited for the train and then staid in the hallway of it when it got us back to Hollow Bastion since Cayla was with us.

And then he told me.

It wasn't anything I had expected. It wasn't some horrible experience he'd gone through. It wasn't nothing dramatic. It just was.

He'd grown up in a happy family, parents and an older brother. He'd figured out he was gay early on and quickly come out to his family. They'd had no issue with it in any way whatsoever. His brother, Reno, had teased him a little but that he could handle.

And that was it. That was the reason he took all these things so personal. He'd gotten through something that most people went through painfully without much issue whatsoever.

He didn't understand why people couldn't just accept others for who they were and are. His parents had clearly taught him that everyone had good in them and everyone had bad. Some people were just bad, like murderers and rapists, but those were out of the equation when it came to this view on things.

Whether you be gay, bi or straight. Homeless, a prostitute, or on drugs. Working as a police officer or an office manager. Had two kids or twelve instead. Liked cows while others didn't. Read sappy love stories when others preferred horror. Whatever, really. It didn't matter. Axel strongly believed this. And I agreed. He just thought I didn't, and it had upset him.

That was all.

"You're cute, you know?" I told him as I walked down the street of my new neighborhood.

"I know, right?" He said, totally shameless.

Axel didn't so much as wait for me to open the front door, instead simply threw it open and announced his presence to my family, "Axel's in the house darlings!"

Riku threw a pillow at his face while the rest of my family welcomed him less rudely.

Dinner was really good. Really good. Not sure I remember the food, but Axel's hand on my thigh? Hard one to miss. Distraction to it's fullest. Sora was amused. Demyx was clueless. Zexion was uncomfortable and Riku ordered for us to get a room.

Getting a room we most certainly did.

"Ohmyfuck..." I moaned as I lay flat on my back on my bed, Axel's feet dangling off the end of the bed. It wasn't the most graceful view, truly. Didn't matter. The bed wasn't long enough to have us both lying down on it while Axel went down on me. Which is all that mattered.

I swallowed deeply, my fingers pulling tightly on his fiery red hair while he concluded business with my erection down below. He was very convincing and I would most definitely sign the deal at the end of our meeting.

"Time to scream, Love..." He murmured huskily, grinning up at me before he continued. My eyes were far gone to the back of my head and screaming was involved.

Cuddling was nice. It'd never really cuddled with anybody else but Axel. Although our last cuddle had been somewhat sad considering the way we left things afterwards, it still counted. I didn't want to cuddle with anybody but Axel. Although I strongly believed experience was helpful in relationships. I didn't care that I was a virgin at cuddling.

We fell asleep. I know I'd been tired cause of the roller coaster of emotions I'd dumped on myself earlier during the day. Axel probably was for the same reasons. It was beyond uncool how glowy I must have looked when I woke up next to him. I was so happy, I could beam sunlight with the smile I was sporting.

Not. Cool. Or so my annoyed, irritated, negative and depressed beyond doom previous self would have claimed.

I still claimed it. I hadn't changed into a rainbow just yet. But I didn't mind admitting these types of things to Axel. He was the only one who was privy to thy rainbow me.

"Jesus! You really aren't a virgin are you?" I peeked up from between Axel's legs, giving him a wide grin as he blinked down at me in amazement. That's right you genius bastard. You may start screaming in utter pleasure now, thank you very much.

And he did.

Axel was the kind to just collapse and fall asleep after an orgasm. I hadn't realized that the last time cause I'd been so busy tormenting my own brain. Now I did though. He snored softly, not loudly. Just loud enough to make it cute, and luckily not loud enough to keep me up since I fell asleep shortly afterwards.

I woke with the sound of his guitar playing in my room. I'd totally not noticed that he'd had it with him. Didn't matter though. I didn't move much, not wanting to startle him and I simply wanted to let him believe I was still asleep. I knew he didn't care whether I listened or not, but this felt different. It was different. Before he used to play instrumental pieces, no voice. This time though...

I knew his voice was melodic...

"Stars shining bright above you, Night breezes seem to whisper, 'I love you'...

Birds singing in the sycamore trees, Dream a little dream of me."

I stared at him, never wanting him to stop singing. The silly idiot could turn me to a puddle of goo whenever he wanted with this tool at his disposal.

He turned his head, peeking a look at me as he grinned, knowing exactly what I was thinking and probably deciding on the fact that yes, He was going to use this awesome tool whenever he could get away with it.

"Say nighty-night and kiss me. Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me.

While I'm alone and blue as can be... Dream a little dream of me."

He nearly stopped again, but I crawled over to the foot of the bend, circling my arms around his waist and shaking my head in an energetic negative, not allowing him to stop.

He chuckled softly, kissing the side of my head while he continued to pluck on his guitar.

"Stars fading but I linger on dear, still craving your kiss.

I'm longing to linger till dawn dear, just saying this.

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you, Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.

But in your dreams whatever they be, Dream a little dream of me..."

He ended the song and I pouted. Not because he'd stopped, I couldn't possibly force him to keep on playing and singing forever. But you know...

"You know how you said I had this irresistible cuteness you couldn't possible ignore in future arguments?" I said and he nodded.

I grumped, "Yeah well you just beat me. I'll never win when you manage to bring the sappy in me full force out with that tool." And that's why I was pouting.

Axel chuckled, putting the guitar on the ground before he gave me his full attention by pushing me back on the bed so he could settle on top of me comfortably.

"You're an artist, Rox. You're a sentimental and over-sensitive little fucker through and through. It's a law. Get over it."

He smiled down at me happily and I smiled happily back up at him.

"Is it too soon to tell you that I love you?" He whispered.

I shook my head, placing a soft kiss on his yummie lips.

"Nope." I popped the p and grinned.

We hadn't said I love yous right that instant. It was the next morning, or afternoon really, when we got up and both dragged our asses into the bathroom that we did. We'd been sharing a sink and after a lot... LOT of arguing a toothbrush as well. He obviously hadn't brought his and when I told him "Eeww... No." When he'd made the suggestion, he'd launched himself into a long and stubbornly reasonable explanation as to why it really didn't matter whether or not we shared a toothbrush.

1. We swapped saliva on a regular basis, what with the "Never let me go because when you're around I'm horny twenty-four/seven ordeal." Make out sessions were awesome.

2. To avoid having to do laundry to often, we swallowed when sucking was involved.

And that was it really. I mean, he totally had me with that last one.

So I reluctantly let him use my toothbrush and while I glared at him constantly while he was using it, he managed to grin while brushing his teeth and he didn't so much as spill the toothpaste. Graceful moron.

He chuckled and I rolled my eyes cause he was pretty much reading my mind.

Anyway. The I love yous?

He leaned down in my side so he could place a kiss against the side of my head while I was trying to righten the horrible events going on with my hair. He'd managed to mess up the hair that never went wrong...

I was terribly focused on the matter as he grinned at my annoyance.

"I love you..." He murmured, nuzzling his face into my neck.

I dropped my hands to my side, turning away from the mirror so I could actually look at him for real.

I'm pretty sure my eyes were huge since his widened a little when I fixed mine on his.

"Pretty..." He murmured and I smiled.

"Love you too, Green eyes."

Lovemaking occurred more than once later that day. And thanks to Axel, masturbation would suck forevermore.

The end!

A/N: Thanks so much for reading guys! I appreciate it. Leave me a review if you wish, I do love knowing what ya'll think.

The song Axel sings at the end is: Dream a little dream of me by... Well a lot of people sung it, I'm not sure who was the original artist. I'll be honest and tell ya'll that I was listening to the glee version :)

I know I ended the last two chapters with -lets make happy love and know everything is right in the world again!- scenes, but I hope these two were hot and heavy enough to pardon the fact that I didn't write it out all the way :)

Also, This story is complete. But you may find the continuum on my profile! Turning Points 2 - Cloud and Leon's story open the continuum, and then Hayner and Seifer's story are the second chapter of Turning Points 2 - That one is complete as well :D