Bout time I finished this up lol Sorry it's been so long. I just couldn't figure out how I wanted it to end. I had one in mind when I started, but as I wrote, it just didn't seem to work anymore. But it's done and that's all that matters :D

Oh also, I now work 2 jobs (one full time and one part time) on top of full time school. Aaaannnd I'm going to move to OR in a few months. So I'm going on a small hiatus. See you all soon!

Roxas didn't want to go to school. After his little phone call with Axel he was confused and a little afraid to see the redhead. But he couldn't afford to let his grades drop. He only had a few more months to endure before he was finally free from this hell and could collect the money that was rightfully his and leave this place behind. No more Rinoa or Vaan, no more working two jobs to support himself, and no more Axel. The last thought saddened the blond more than he would have liked, but it's not like he would ever have a chance with the redhead now. It would be best to just move on and pretend that what happened between them at prom had never happened.

"ROXAS!" Someone yelled as they slammed into his back, making the teen jump, "What are you standing around for?" Xion giggled as she started to pull Roxas towards the building, a tired Vanitas slowly walked behind them sipping on some coffee. He looked like he planned on sleeping the day away, but his girlfriend had dragged him out of bed, "God has everyone here been turned into zombies or something?" The raven-haired girl sighed as she dragged the two boys into the building, "Because if the zombie apocalypse is happening someone needs to give me a heads up. I left my survival gear in my car. Curses for wanting to be healthy and walk on this beautiful day!" She shook her first up at the early morning sky. Roxas couldn't help the small smile that spread across his face. Xion's antics always made him brighten up.

"Sorry Xi, I'll make sure to send a messenger bird your way the next time so you'll be prepared." Roxas leaned into his friend as the small group walked into the building. His spirit was slowly lifting until Xion and Vanitas had to leave him at his locker to go their first classes of the day. That's when Vaan decided to strike.

"Hey 'Cloud'." The dirty blond smirked at his stepbrother's unamused glare, "Have you talked to Axel lately? He doesn't look very happy today. Must be because of you, huh?" His tone was a bit too happy and excited for Roxas's taste.

"Haha very funny. I get it I look like my dad. Good joke." Roxas rolled his eyes, "And what do I care about Axel?"

"Because you love him." Vaan said in an annoying sing-song voice, "It must sting like a bitch knowing he's out there, looking for the love of his life, not knowing you tricked him into believing your sick fantasy."

Roxas glared at Vaan, "What do you mean by that? I haven't talked to Axel."

Vaan just tisked, "Is that so, Cloud." The inflection in his voice telling Roxas that the other teen knew more than he was letting on.

"You're the one who messaged Axel on my phone." Roxas gasped. Everything was starting to fall into place for the blond. It all made sense now.

"Hmm? I have no idea what you're talking about." But the smile on his face showed that Vaan was lying.

Roxas grit his teeth as he slammed his locker shut. A mantra of "Just ignore him" rattled through his head. As calmly as he could, the blond gathered the things he would need for class and walked passed Vaan, ignoring his stepbrother's laughter that sounded behind him. First period was math with Sora. Which meant forcing a smile on his face for the hour-long class.

"Roxxaaaas." Sora moaned as he stretched across his desk, "Did you do the homework last night?" Roxas gave a small nod. Uh-oh, Sora wanted something. Roxas could tell from the brunet's pleading look that he wanted to copy the other teen's homework answers.

Roxas had to pinch the bridge of his nose and try to not let his hyperactive friend annoy him. He already didn't want to be here. He'd rather be curled up in his bed and vanish from the world, "I'm not going to let you copy me. If Cid ever noticed our answers are the same he'll put two and two together and flunk us both."

Sora giggled, "Heh, nice pun."

"What pun?" Roxas gave his friend a confused look.

"Two plus two, and Cid's a math teacher. Punny joke there." Sora gave one last smile before riffling through his bad and pulling out his blank homework assignment, "Okay enough with the jokes. Give me your answers!"

With a sigh of defeat Roxas pulled his homework from his binder and handed it to Sora, "Just make it quick." If Cid hadn't noticed yet, there was a good chance he wouldn't catch on before graduation.

"Thanks buddy!" Sora beamed. He quickly started to scribble on his own paper, making sure to get an answer or two wrong so it didn't look completely copied, "So did you hear, Axel's on the hunt for someone."

Roxas sunk back in his seat, he did not want to hear about his long, lost crush, "Oh yeah, good for him." The teen's voice was bland and bored, trying to show his indifference towards the subject.

Sora looked up from the paper and took in his best friend's sour expression, "Look, from what I've heard, the spiked punch got a lot of people messed up. He probably doesn't even remember what the guy looked like. You still have a fighting chance."

Roxas groaned as he bashed his head on the hard desk, "Shut up. Why would I care about him and whatever he's doing? I'm a nobody to him." The blond teen hoped Sora couldn't see his blush, "Besides, once we graduate I'm moving far, far away. If he even knows who I am now, he'll forget about me soon."

He heard Sora sigh and his homework slid back onto his table, "I don't know why you try so hard to cover up how you really feel. Maybe if you tell him something good will happen and your last months here won't be. And he can always go with you when you leave. Having someone to split rend and utilities with would be nice."

At that moment Cid barged into the room, interrupting any argument Roxas could come up with. In truth, he didn't know what he would have said. He couldn't admit to Sora about how Axel wanted nothing to do with him. That his twat of a stepbrother had taken away any chance he may have had. School seemed to slowly drone on that day.

~X~x~X~x~

If the school day didn't go by fast enough, work seemed to be going by slower. Roxas had a seven-hour shift at his dinner job. Which meant no Kairi to waste time away with. It didn't help that no one seemed to want to come in and get food.

The blond sighed as he rested his head against the bar. There was no one to serve and he had cleaned up the whole lobby. What else was there to do? The cool feel of marble against the blond's forehead was soothing, almost making him fall asleep. Suddenly someone waked him in the head with a menu, making Roxas jolt up and stiffen as he held back a surprised yelp.

"What the hell is your problem?" An annoyed feminine voice demanded. Roxas turned around and was surprised to see his gym class nemesis, "Why would you mess with Axel's emotions like this? He's a wreck because of your stupid little mind games!" Larxene's piercing, green eyes seemed to dig into Roxas's soul and send electric jolts up his spine.

Roxas was instantly irritated at the girl. She never talked to Roxas, except for a passive insult during PE before she would throw a ball at his face. Why was she here yelling at him over something that was none of her business? Then he was confused, "Why would he be a wreak over me?" The blond didn't realize he had asked that out loud until Larxene's glare grew darker.

"Are you fucking kidding me!?" She yelled, drawing the few customers and workers in the café attention to the two of them, but the girl didn't seem to care as she continued to rant at Roxas, "He likes you! Like really, really likes you! I don't know why. You're a scrawny nerd, but whatever, everyone has their kinks." She paused to let Roxas talk, but at the teen's blank expression she let out an annoyed groan, "Seriously kid? Why else would he drag us to these shitty diners? Not to mention leaving those large tips that cost more than our collective meals for your subpar work. Then you two disappeared during prom. Shit, I thought he had finally got the guts to confess to you at prom. But I guess he was too drunk and you tricked him with your mask and fake name and he's just dumb enough to believe it, because now he's looking for some douche named Cloud since he thinks you don't like him!"

Roxas opened his mouth to respond, but no words would come out. He gaped like a fish as his mind was rushed with all this new information. Then it hit him. The only days he made large tips were the days Axel and his friends would stop for food, how the redhead always seemed to make small talk. Plus, how he reacted to being stood up and uncharacteristically upset about it. But Axel also had no problem going off with someone who he thought was a stranger and fooled around with them. Roxas couldn't help he jealousy and betrayal that bubbled through him. It was an odd feeling seeing he was the other man.

"Can you tell Axel that I'm sorry." Roxas tried to keep any bitterness out of his voice. He regretted letting himself getting dragged to stupid prom, he regretted letting Vaan inside his home. But most of all, he regretted letting Axel get to him so much, "I did not send him those messages arranging for us to meet up. That was a sick prank from Vaan. If he truly believes Cloud is the right person for him, then he should go find him and leave me alone."

Larxene groaned and face palmed, "Fucking seriously? You're Cloud! Anyone who isn't a complete moron knows that. Look, I don't like you. But for some unknown reason Axel does. And as his best friend it's my duty to make sure he's happy. So, you're either going to go tell him about your alter ego or whatever it is, or I will." Her eyes narrowed with the threat before storming off, making sure to slam the door on her exit.

Roxas stood there for a couple of moments. Frozen. He could feel his world slow down and heart speed up with panic. Would Larxene really out him? And what would Axel do once the truth came out? The blond reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. He unlocked it and started to scroll through his recent calls list, looking for Axel's unsaved number. His fingers trembled over the call button as he tried to work up the nerve to call the redhead.

"Roxas!" His boss yelled as he walked out from the back, "Get back to work."

~X~x~X~x~

Roxas found himself face planted on the disgusting gym floor for what felt like the millionth time that period.

"Sorry squirt." Larxene called as she snapped her gum, hand on her hip, "Maybe don't get in my way next time? Thanks."

Roxas groaned as he picked himself up, ignoring the laughs that came from Vaan. Ever since she confronted him at his job a week ago, Larxene had gotten more abusive towards the smaller blond. Roxas wished she would just tell Axel what was going on and be done with this, "Fuck off Larxene." Roxas thought he said it lower, but the sight of everyone halting in place and staring at the teen like Death himself was standing behind Roxas made the blond realize that they all heard him.

"Want to repeat that?" The girl had developed a small twitch under her eye as Roxas grew on her nerves.

At least she was giving him a way out, "I said 'fuck you!'' Good job Roxas.

"Ha!" Vaan laughed so hard he was doubled over, "Kick his ass!" He managed to yell at Larxene between his laughs.

Roxas was frozen in fear. He really wished the fucking P.E. teacher would get his fat ass out of their office and supervise his students for once instead of ogling the newest issue of PlayBoy. He could feel Larxene size him up, trying to figure out if he would be any fun to fight.

After a long pause that felt like a life time to Roxas passed over the gym, no one dared say a word or move in fear that Larxene's wrath would somehow pass onto them, "Nah." The girl finally said, "I'm not in the mood to deal with a pissy Axel today." And with that she threw a dodge ball at a lanky teen who was gawking at her.

~X~x~X~x~

To tell or not to tell. It had been a week since Larxene's threat and he hadn't heard anything from Axel, which he guessed was a good sign of Larxene not telling just yet. He hadn't seen Axel around at either of his jobs since he had stood the redhead up for their "date". And as much as he didn't want to admit it, Roxas missed the redhead. And not because of the large tips, but he genuinely missed him. His smile, the way he laughed, and how fun he was. How great of a kisser he was…

Roxas juggled his phone from hand to hand as he sat on his raggedy couch. Pete sat on the floor by the teen's feet, his yellow eyes darting back and forth as he watched the swinging charm hanging from Roxas's phone. A paw occasionally lifting to give a half-hearted swat.

Axel's contact information mocked Roxas as the blond stared at it. He knew any moment now Larxene could be out exposing his dirty little secret.

Wack!

Roxas's phone was swatted out of his hand by a fat hairball, "Pete!" Roxas helplessly watched as his cat carelessly stepped on the call button and sat his fat ass down on the phone, "No! Move!" The blond jumped off the couch and swatted at Pete to get the cat to move. All the while listening to the line ring.

"Hello?"

Fuck! Roxas panicked as he tried to shew his cat away, "Move your fat ass!" But the cat just glared up at his human, daring Roxas to move him.

"Excuse me?" Roxas could hear Axel say, "Jesus Chris, Roxas, did you butt dial me?"

Screw it. With a heave Roxas picked his cat, with a loud meow of protest from Pete, and tossed the cat onto the couch. He snatched up his phone, shaking it from nerves, and brought it up to his ear, "Axel? Sorry my cat stole my phone and I guess he wanted to talk to you." The blond weakly laughed as he tried to play it off.

"Oh, well is that all?" Roxas could hear the annoyance in the teen's voice.

He was about to say yes and hang up, but Pete did go to all the trouble of making it so Roxas had to talk to Axel, "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to go get some coffee?"

Axel didn't answer right away, making Roxas pull his phone away from his ear to make sure the line hadn't disconnected. Finally, with a tired sigh Axel said, "Where and what time?"

~X~x~X~x~

Roxas sprinted down the street. Of course, his luck would make him run late. Right before their meeting time Rinoa had called him, just to lecture him on something stupid. He didn't even know since he tuned her out. And now he was almost a half hour late.

The blond rushed into the small café, sweaty and out of breath. He scanned the room, looking for a head of bright red hair. Blue landed on Axel and Roxas could feel his heart start to pound. Okay, this was it. He was finally going to come clean to Axel.

As he approached the teen, Roxas noticed him on his phone, staring at the screen, "Hey, sorry I'm late. Step-mom tried to intercept me again."

Axel didn't say anything. He just stared at his phone. Roxas's eyes darted to the floor as he uncomfortably shifted his weight back and forth on his feet. The tension between them grew to abysmal levels, making Roxas feel like he should just leave, but before he could walk away he was pulled back by Axel's voice, "Is it true?" Green eyes mixed with anger and confusion focused on Roxas, "Is it?" He held his phone out for Roxas to see the screen.

"I hate to be the one to tell you, but you really do deserve to know. Cloud isn't real. Its Roxas lying to you." The sender of the text was Larxene.

Roxas was too late.

"I…" Roxas took an uneasy step back as he tried to find the words, "I was going to tell you. That's why I wanted to see you."

Axel brought his phone back as he typed out a quick message and tossed the device. He rubbed his face with a frustrated groan, "Why don't I remember? Fuck! Why does it always have to be you!?"

"Always me?" The words passed through dry lips. Roxas licked them. His mind had gone blank at Axel's obvious rage, only hearing the last part. He was a nobody to Axel.

"Always you." Dangerous green eyes zeroed in on Roxas like he was helpless pray, "Always in my head. You're everywhere I look. And the one time I think I can finally get over you. Over something that I know that will never happen, it turns out to be you again!" The redhead's rant brought unwanted gazes from the other café patrons, but the teens ignored them.

Roxas felt his legs go numb. Without thinking he sat in the seat across from Axel, refusing to look at the older teen, "You wanted to forget about me?" The blond couldn't help but feel upset over that. Sure, he never thought Axel would have any feelings for him to begin with but knowing that the redhead wanted to forget about him by chasing after someone else was a bit of a blow to his pride. But Roxas always knew he never had a shot with Axel.

"You got to be kidding me, Roxas!" Axel barked out a dry laugh, "I've liked you, for a long time. But you never seemed to notice or care about me. I even tried to buy your attention whenever I went to one of your jobs, but even that didn't seem to work. Then I got that text from you asking me out and I was just so happy. And then," Axel hesitated for a moment, "you never showed up. Now I find out you played me at prom. Like all of this was some prank. So, I decided to move on. I don't need to be strung along like this Roxas."

"Axel," Roxas finally looked at the redhead and felt his heart break at how broken and distraught he looked, "I'm sorry. About everything. I had no intention of hurting you like this." He wanted to reach out and try to comfort the other teen, but he could tell from Axel's body language that the touch would be unwelcomed, "I've always liked you too," Roxas whispered, slightly hoping that the redhead hadn't heard his closely held secret, "I tried to push my feelings away, thinking I was nothing but a nobody to you. At prom, I freaked. You said all of those things and…and I don't know why I didn't tell you my real name. I was just scared. I'm sorry." He looked down, ashamed of himself. Looking back, telling Axel who he really was from the start would have saved him from a lot of this drama, "As for standing you up, I never messaged you. I don't even know your number. I think Vaan got a hold of my phone while he was at my house and was messaging you."

Axel frowned his brow, "How wasted was I at prom? I don't remember saying anything about you. Hell, I should have been able to recognize you."

Roxas couldn't look at Axel and instead focused his gaze on the coffee cup that sat in front of the redhead, "You were pretty much gone by the time I bumped into you. Vaan was hitting on you, and when he finally left you alone you told me that you would rather have me than him."

"Huh. Well it's true. Or at least it was."

Roxas felt his heart drop at that. Well at least he didn't have to wonder about a relationship with the teen anymore. He laughed bitterly at the thought. All this time he fought against himself about his feelings for the redhead, and if he hadn't chickened out, if he had just stayed honest with Axel, he could have had something with Axel, "I'm sorry I couldn't be Cloud for you.'

Axel grunted in annoyance, "I never wanted Cloud. Or haven't you been listening?" Roxas could feel those toxic green eyes bore into him, but he refused to look up, "I'm mad that I had to find out about all of this through Larxene, and I am still annoyed with all of this bullshit that's been going on, but I think," He paused. Roxas finally looked up at Axel, his breath trapped in his throat, "I think I can forgive you. One day. Maybe."

"I'll be waiting." Roxas felt a smile tug at his lips. So not all was lost.

~X~x~X~X~

School would be coming to an end soon. The decorations for graduation littered the halls. Caps and gowns had been ordered. And Roxas had gotten his acceptance letter from the University of Destiny Islands. He even had a meeting with his father's lawyer about his inheritance at the end of the week. Axel had started to stop by at his jobs again too. Which was nice.

"Thought I'd find you here." Axel almost purred as he leaned next to Roxas's locker as the blond tried to gather his things.

The blond just laughed as he slammed the door shut, "Really? At my locker? Got to admit, those are some detective skills you got there."

"I know right?" Axel seemed quite proud of himself, "Do you work today?"

Roxas shook his head, "Nope. Completely free tonight." The blond couldn't help the stupid smile on his face as he swung his bag over his shoulder.

Axel looked nervous suddenly. He refused to look at Roxas as he focused on a random spot on the floor, "Well in that case, do you want to go do something?"

A wide smile spread across Roxas's face and butterflies wreaked havoc in his stomach. He would have to thank Larxene for helping him come clean. Everything was finally looking up for the young blond, "Yeah. Anything in mind?"

Before Axel could answer though, Vaan appeared out of nowhere, ready to swoop Axel away, "I don't understand why you'd waste your time with this piece of shit?" The teen wrapped himself around Axel's arm and held the redhead close, "You know he's a liar, right? The little tramp took advantage of you at prom." He glared at Roxas as his grip on Axel tightened, "I saw the whole thing. Him getting you drunk taking you into the bathrooms, then coming out covered in…. well, you know what it was." Big, brown eyes looked up at Axel, "Forget about him. I'm so much better."

Axel's shocked look quickly melted into one of affection as the taller teen leaned into Vaan's touch, "You're right, you know." Axel leaned down so his face was close to Vaan's. Roxas scowled at the scene. He wasn't jealous dammit. They just weren't an attractive looking couple is all. Axel lifted Vaan's chin so deep brown eyes bore into green, "I do know what that was." He laughed at the teen's confused expression and pushed him away, "And I only do that with someone I like. Wasted or not." He looked at Roxas and gave him a wink, making the blond blush, "And we'll be having more fun like that again."

Vaan backed away from the couple with a horrified look, "What the fuck is wrong with you? He took advantage of you and you're going to go back to him? What's wrong with me? I'm better in every way!" The teen cried as he kicked at the floor, tears gathering in his eyes.

"Besides the fact that he doesn't throw a tantrum like a child when he doesn't get what he wants?" Axel rolled his eyes but he stopped when he saw how torn Vaan looked. With a heavy sigh the redhead said, "Look, there's nothing wrong with you, but I like Roxas. I have for a while now. There's nothing you or anyone else can say to make me change my feelings."

Roxas felt his breath catch at the little confession. He didn't know how much of it Axel meant, but it was enough to make him jittery with happiness.

But Vaan didn't share the sentiment, "This isn't over." The dirty blond growled before storming away.

"He doesn't know when to give up does he?" Axel asked as he wrapped his arm around Roxas's shoulders and guided the smaller teen through the school.

Roxas shook his head and leaned into Axel's warmth. He couldn't shake the happy smile on his face, "Not at all."

~X~x~X~x~

Axel and Roxas had a nice date. The older teen took Roxas to the aquarium where he learned to his amusement that the Loch Ness Monster was Roxas's favorite animal. Demyx also happened to have a job at the aquarium and was able to sneak them into some of the attractions that would have cost them to get into. One of which was a conspiracy type of short film that showed how the Loch Ness Monster was more than just story.

When closing time came the boys realized they never stopped at the food court to get anything for diner. That's when Roxas got the bright idea to invite the redhead over and make them something to eat.

Not like they got very far.

Roxas grunted as his back made impact with the wall inside of his entryway. He had barely gotten his front door open before Axel was on him. Lips crashed together and Roxas clung to Axel's shoulders and pulled the redhead closer. It was like living prom all over again, except the buzz going through Roxas was sheer joy and excitement, not alcohol.

The teens moaned each other's names as the clumsy stumbled through the living room, pawing at each other's clothes. Roxas tumbled onto the couch, not caring about the meow of displeasure as Pete was pushed off. The two were lost in their own world. Completely absorbed with one another.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The three distinct knocks rang throughout the small apartment. Axel sprung off of Roxas like he had been shocked.

"Roxas!" A woman yelled on the other side of the door followed by more knocks, "Roxas Zackary Strife Open this door right now!"

Roxas bristled at the sound of his stepmother's voice. His only saving grace was the fact that his door automatically locked when it was closed. He brought his finger up to his lips, signaling to Axel to be quit. Hoping Rinoa would figure he wasn't home and leave them be. Axel nodded in understanding and sat on the couch. The two sat in an awkward silence as the banging continued. Rinoa yelled a few obscene words about how Roxas was a whore and disgrace to his father's memory then stormed off. The sound of her heels echoing through the halls and digging into Roxas's ears.

"Hey," Axel gently lifted Roxas's head so the blond had to face him, "I don't know who that was, or what her deal is, but she's a bitch. Don't listen to her. You're not a disgrace. I've seen myself how hard you work. Hell, how many teenagers can say they can successfully live on their own? And you even finished high with amazing grades while working two jobs. Your dad would be proud of you."

Roxas sniffed at the kind words. Axel was right, and he wished Cloud really was there to see everything he had been able to do, "My dad's name was Cloud." He pulled Axel's hand off of him, not able to look the redhead in the eye anymore, but he didn't release the appendage, "He died in combat during the Shinra wars. It was my fault. I wrote him a letter telling him about how my stepmom was treating me, asking him to come home. There was an accident and they found him with the letter. If I hadn't bothered him he wouldn't have been distracted and would have come home." Roxas let go of Axel in favor of curling in on himself on the other side of the couch. Grief washed over him as he thought about his father. Sure, he was able to do so much at a young age because Cloud had died, but he could have done so much more if he hadn't sent that stupid letter. If he had just waited it out, Cloud would have returned home and saw how Rinoa treated Roxas. Like how she had locked him away in the basement with no clothes, and skinny from malnutrition. Rinoa and Vaan would have been out of his life sooner. Not to mention he could share off his accomplishments with Cloud. He missed his father.

A warm arm wrapped around the trembling blond and pulled him into an even warmer body. Axel didn't say anything as he let Roxas cry on his shoulder, gently rubbing his back.

~X~x~X~x~

Roxas didn't know when it happened, but he found himself waking up on the couch. The steady breathing under him told Roxas he had fallen asleep on top of Axel. The older teen's hands rested on Roxas's back, while the heavy weight on Roxas's back told him Pete was sleeping on him. With a heavy sigh the boy rested his head on Axel's clavicle.

"It's not your fault."

Roxas perked up at the sound of Axel's voice. He shifted his head and saw green eyes looking at him.

"With you dad. It's not your fault. It's Shinra's. Don't beat yourself up over it anymore, okay?" The large hands on Roxas's back found their way under his shirt and rubbed comforting circles into the tense muscles.

Roxas tried to take in a deep breath as he thought about what Axel had said, but the fat cat on his upper back made it hard to take in air, "It's still hard." The blond admitted as he nuzzled into the teen under him, "I really miss him. My mom left when I was a toddler, so I don't really remember her. Dad was always there for me, making sure I was happy. Rinoa came along with Vaan one day, and I don't know what she did, but not even a year later they were married and he was sent out for a long assignment." Roxas gasped as claws dug into his shoulder blades, "Shit Pete. Fine I'll stop talking if it's bugging you so much." The teen pouted as he relaxed into Axel's body.

The redhead's body vibrated as he chuckled, "That cat's got you whipped huh?"

"Yeah. But I love him anyway. He keeps me entertained. Not to mention he's the one who made me talk to you."

One of Axel's hands left Roxas's back so he could scratch Pete behind the ear, "Good kitty." He cooed as Pete nuzzled into the palm of his hand, "Heh, I think he likes me."

"He's not the only one." Roxas felt his face heat up. He did not just say that. So lame.

Axel shifted, making Pete jump off Roxas and run into the kitchen. The redhead moved Roxas so they could both sit up, "Hey Roxas," Green eyes looked away from Roxas and focused on the dingy carpet, "I know we're both graduating soon and probably going to different places once college starts, but I was wondering if you wanted to date. See if there's something here."

Roxas shot up at that so he could clearly see Axel's face, "Really? After all of the shit I put you through?" The blond balanced himself on Axel's stomach, making sure he wasn't putting too much weight on the redhead.

Axel sat up as well so he was level with Roxas, "I've liked you for a long time now." He easily admitted, "Yeah, prom was pretty fucked up, but I think I can move past that. Everything after that was because of Vaan, and not your fault that I reacted like that."

"I'm moving to Destiney Islands after graduation. I already got my ticket out there and a place set up." He frowned at Axel's cast fallen expression, "Sorry. I wasn't expecting this," He motioned between them, "to happen. I just wanted to get far away from Rinoa and Vaan as soon as possible."

"Don't apologize for that. I can see why you'd want to move away as soon as you can." Axel gave Roxas a soft look. He reached out and grabbed Roxas's hand in his, "And so you know, I'm taking a year off from school to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life. Moving wouldn't mess up any of my future plans."

Roxas couldn't help but smile at their connected hands, "Really? Mr. Valedictorian didn't get any scholarships or a list of college acceptance letters?"

"N-no, I did." Axel admitted, "But I just can't figure out what I want to major in or what career I want to peruse. Figured a year of working a crap minimum wage job will give me some sort of perspective. And," Axel held the word out, "I did get a full ride from DIU."

Roxas perked up, "Really?"

The redhead hummed, "Mmhmm. Maybe I can get ahold of them and take the scholarship. I can always do gen ed until I figure out what I want."

Roxas's body acted without his permission as he leaped at Axel, knocking the teen down onto the couch, his lips firmly pressed against the redhead's, "So we're really doing this?"

"Looks like it."

The two couldn't wipe the stupid, happy smiles off their faces as they stared at each other. After going through so much, they can finally put high school behind them and focus on what's really important. Surviving early morning classes. Oh, and each other. Focusing on each other was also important.

Like it? Hate it? Let me know!