I can't believe it's over. -cries- I want to thank you all again for sticking with this story. Thank you all so much from the bottom of my cold black heart. Lol (I'm half joking about my heart.) I hope you all enjoyed it. I'm now off to write for two of my other stories (plus a secret story for the month of October). Thanks again.

"I can't believe it's been three years since the last time we stood under this tree." Roxas whispered, his breath visible in the cold winter evening. His face tinted pink while his chin was tucked beneath a red and black striped scarf. His hands tucked into the pockets of gray winter coat. The blond stared up at the gray billows blocking out the blue sky and yellow sun. He let out a soft breath as he admired the white flakes drifting down to the powdered the ground with a thin blanket of snow. Beside him came a small chuckle.

"Right, it was when you finally decided to give me chance and go out with me." Axel smiled, his own face a light pink from the chilly air. He blew on his black gloved hands, trying to warm them up. He gazed across the park, from the tables and benches, to the play grounds both up and down the hill. Nobody else was around them since it was Christmas Eve. Families and friends stayed indoor to celebrate the holidays together.

Even the two teens had spend a little while with their friends and family over at Sora's place. It became a new tradition over the past few years.

Cloud was still recovering that first year and as if a miracle had happened, Tifa woke up two days before the the holidays. It was an emotionally happy day for the Strife family. Ven had begged his mother to never sleep for so long again and Roxas had begged her to never scare him like she did again. Even the teen's father was relieved to see her awake and well. She was after all the daughter he never had.

Sora offered the family to join them for Christmas that year so a story could be told. A story of how Roxas and Ven came to live with them until Cloud was ready to go home. The family excepted the offer and spent the holidays there. It was a peaceful time with no drama. Meaning no Hayner. Everyone just want to relax and enjoy what was happening in the now. Even Vanitas, who still didn't like Ven very much, played with the child like a respectable little boy.

"I've missed you, you know?" Roxas said with his eyes trained on the sky. He took his left hand out of his pocket and reached to hold Axel's right.

The redhead gave his hand a gentle squeeze while his own eyes stayed locked on the swings below the hill. He pressed his back against the tree, squeezing Roxas' hand once more. "I know. I've missed you too. I hate how we can't see each other as much as we want to."

"Me too." Roxas leaned his head against the tree, eyes staring at the naked branches above them. He sighed, watching as his breath ghosted by. "But it can't be helped. We go to different colleges. It sucks but it's what happens. I'm just happy I can still be with you without my father getting on my ass about it."

"I thought I was the only one allowed on your ass?" Axel chuckled, ducking when Roxas went to playfully smack him. He caught his wrist and pulled the blond toward him so he could give him a quick kiss. "You know I'm joking." He whispered, barely an inch away from his boyfriend's lips.

"I know." Roxas utter back. He blushed when his eyes met with loving green. He jerked his hand out of Axel's grasp and wrapped them around his neck, locking his own black gloved fingers together. He felt Axel's arms move around his waist, hands resting on the small of his back.

The two stared at each other for a moment before they let their lips meet in a soft yet passionate kiss. Roxas' eyes fluttered shut and his heart pounded against his chest. He didn't think he would ever be able to get over the shy heart throbbing feelings that Axel made him feel. Each time they saw each other during their breaks from school, it was like a whole new spark ignited between them.

They broke the kiss and just held each other in silence. The two have been dating for three years straight. Even after the news they gave each other about having to go to different colleges; they made their relationship work. Though Roxas was doubtful that Axel would keep loving him after a while of not seen each other, the redhead was able to prove him wrong. Roxas was grateful and it made him love Axel even more than he had already.

Roxas nuzzled his face against Axel's chest, enjoying the nice touches that his scalp was getting as Axel's ran his finger's through his spiky locks. He closed his eyes and thought back to the dinner that made his relationship truly possible.

It was the first Saturday after winter break started. One day before Tifa woke up. As requested, Roxas and Axel had went to his father's new home. The now nineteen year old remembered how scared he was and how awkward the air was. He remember them eating Chinese and sitting around the table. The meal was silent and the blond couldn't take it. He spoke up and told his father that no matter what he had to say, he would never stop being with Axel. And the redhead agreed with him. He told the man that he may not like him or just not like him for dating his son, but he too would stop at nothing to be with Roxas.

Of course the man tried to argue with out raising his voice for once. He just couldn't understand why they would choose to be that way and that it was a sin against nature. The two teen explained themselves again. Saying it wasn't a choice and that they fell for each other. Roxas again told his dad that he didn't find other men attractive at all and that the thought of being with any other man that wasn't Axel sickened him. He told him that Axel was special and that he didn't care that he was a guy because he fell for who Axel was and not what was between his legs.

The blond then asked his father about his mother and what had drawn him to her. His father got quiet as he thought about it. He said he loved the women from the moment he saw her and the more he got to know her, he was sure she was the one for him.

The couple proceeded to explain that it was almost the same with them. Only without falling at first sight, aside from Axel. After that, the conversation got quiet again. The teens held each other's hands under the table with baited breath. Both watching Roxas' father take in the information and think things through. They prayed that he would finally see reason. Instead the man got up from his chair and went to his room without a word.

It wasn't until Christmas Day did he finally speak to Roxas again about the subject of his relationship. He told him that he would give it chance and try to understand where his son was coming from, as long as he swore that he still thought girls were attractive. The blond laughed and told his father he did but not as much as Axel was. They shared a hug and had a regular conversation that didn't involve Roxas' love life. It was the best gift Roxas had ever gotten from his father.

"What are you thinking about?" Axel asked his lover, stopping his caressing on Roxas' head.

"Mm, about when my dad finally gave us a chance." Roxas dropped his arms from around Axel's neck and wrapped them around his torso. He tiled his head so his chin was pressed against the young adult's sternum and so that his blue eyes could stare back into green. "It was one of the happiest days of my life."

"I was pretty happy too. I'm glad he came around because what I'm about to do makes getting his blessing easier." Axel's eyes shined with a grin plastered on his face.

"What are you talking about? His blessing?" Roxas quirked a brow, confusion written all over his face as he stared up into the smirking face of his lover. "Axel?"

"Oh nothing." Axel chuckled while rubbing his nose against Roxas' nose.

The blond wiggled freed and took a step back. He placed a hand over his nose with an annoyed look on his face. "Geeze Axel, your nose is cold!"

Axel chortled and flicked Roxas' head. The blond glared at him, kneeled down, picked up some snow, and made a snow ball. His eyes trained on the snow in his hands the whole time. When he looked back to find his target, he gasped to see Axel kneeling down on one knee. His eyes widened at the sight and his hand dropped the ball of snow back to the earth. His heart rang in his ears and his pulse raced as his face flushed.

"Axel?"

The man chuckled and took Roxas' hand in his own, making sure they had eye contact. "Roxas Strife, I Axel Weild, ask you for your not only your hand, but for your heart and soul. I ask for your love and for everything in between. Be it anger, sadness, jealousy, happiness, or even random times of hatred. I ask for it all with my entire being that you do me the greatest honor in becoming my husband.

I knew from the moment I first kissed you, no from the moment I first saw you that day, sitting at the table, crying alone; that you would be something special to me. At least I hope you would be. I'm more than glad that you have become the most important person in my life. I ask that you allow us to spend the rest of our lives together. In short Roxas, will you marry me?"

Roxas breathing hitched, his eyes glazed over with tears that swam down his pink cheeks. He struggled to smile and keep his over joyed sobs at bay. The whole time Axel stayed in his position in the snow, waiting for Roxas to collect himself. He wasn't sure if it was the right time to ask his lover but he did know that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with the blond.

Roxas pulled his hand away and before Axel could even look disappointed, he was tacked to the ground, barely missing the tree behind him. He felt Roxas' lips against his own, arms locked around his neck, and hot tears dripping on his face. He smiled happily, holding his lover close to him as they made out, ignoring how cold his back was getting.

"Of course I'll marry you." Roxas whispered above Axel's lips once he broke the kiss. "I love you." He sealed their mouths again in a passionate kiss that left them both breathless.

"And I love you." Axel whispered back as soon as they stopped their lip locking. He dug into his pocket, with Roxas still on top of him; and pulled out a small, dark blue, velvet box. He opened it to show his fiancé the ring he bought him.

"Axel, it's really nice but you didn't have to. I'd be fine if it was a cheap twenty five cent ring. Just as long as I can be with you." Roxas smiled and gave the redhead another kiss.

"I'm so damn lucky to have you." Axel flipped them over, ignoring Roxas' protest of how cold the ground was, and pulled off the blond's glove. He took the silver, sapphire encrusted, ring out of the box and places it on Roxas' ring finger. He kissed the ring and then Roxas' forehead. "I had a feeling you would say that but I couldn't help himself, and I love you more for it."

"And I love you." Roxas smiled happily.

The couple stood up, dusted the snow off their backs and held hands, making their way back to Axel's car. "Ven's going to want to be the best man." Roxas laughed kissing Axel's cheek.

"My little buddy actually helped me pick that out for you." Axel laughed at Roxas beat red face. "I can't wait till the day I can see that face every day of my life."

"Mm, well then, we better get home so you can see more."

Roxas said with sly smile on his face. He let go of Axel's hand and slipped into the car.

"You little tease." Axel chuckled and got into the driver's seat. Together they went back to Sora's back house and made love until it was time to join everyone for dinner. That evening, Roxas and Axel didn't leave each other's side for anything or anyone else. Besides bathroom breaks.

They were happy and they were content with life.

Over the next two years the couple slowly planned out their wedding. They had it at that same park where they first met, under the tree Axel proposed under. It was a small wonderful wedding that neither man would ever forget. And with that they spent the rest of their live in complete bliss with family of their own.