(A/N): Having trouble with the next BB chapter, but trying to keep things moving in the writing department. So - yep.

Disclaimer: Disclaimed.

Anna Sun - Walk the Moon

Axel rolled over with a groan, cracking an eye open when his arm met only the mattress. "Roxas?" The blond didn't answer him. With herculean effort, Axel lifted his head far enough to peer around the dim room. No Roxas. Heaving a put-upon sigh, the redhead levered himself upright, muttering an apology when he swung his leg to the floor and kicked Xigbar in the side. "It's too early, man," the older man complained, already dropping back to sleep as Axel stepped over him.

"Uh-uh," Axel muttered, giving in to a giant yawn. The door jamb had come away from the frame at some point the night before; Axel slammed it back into place with the side of his fist as he passed through into the living room.

Demyx was sprawled across the couch, snoring loudly. There was an empty pizza box at his feet, and crushed beer cans littered the scarred coffee table. Zexion was curled in the adjacent armchair, hair tumbled forward, shielding his face as he slept, unperturbed by the unholy racket his boyfriend was making. Axel shook his head and picked his way across the threadbare carpet, wary of stepping on a stray carpet tack in his bare feet.

Roxas was on the tiny balcony off the living room; he glanced over his shoulder when the door scraping against the jamb betrayed Axel's presence. "Hey," he said, voice still scratchy from sleep.

"Hey," Axel said, stepping up behind him and wrapping his arms around the blond's waist, burying his nose in his hair. He felt Roxas chuckle, then the blond was extending the cigarette he was smoking back over his shoulder. Axel grunted a thanks and took a long drag, resting his cheek on the shorter man's head before he sighed.

"Didn't think you'd be up this early," Roxas said, bringing the cigarette back to his lips.

"Yeah. Well."

"Mm-hmm," Roxas hummed, leaning back into the redhead's embrace.

"Shut up," Axel muttered.

He could hear Roxas' smile in his voice. "Shutting up."

They stood there while Roxas smoked the cigarette down to the filter, flicking it down toward the gutter when he was finished. Axel loosened his hold as Roxas blew out his final breath of smoke and turned to face him. The blond reached up to cup his face, thumbs tracing the dark tattoos on his cheeks before he went up on his tiptoes to capture his mouth in a kiss.

It was slow, still sleep-fuzzed at the edges; Axel made a small sound of complaint when Roxas drew back. "I've gotta get ready for work," the blond said, fingers tickling at the back of Axel's neck.

"Uh-huh," Axel said, bending down to steal another kiss. Roxas' amused huff dissipated against his lips, but the blond only allowed another few seconds before he gently pushed Axel back.

"I'm serious, Axel." Axel reluctantly stepped back, letting his arms fall back to his side. Roxas flashed him a smile. "I'm gonna try to get Demyx and Zexion out of here. Xigbar's all yours."

Axel groaned. "You know I've gotta be at work in an hour, right?"

Roxas' smile only spread. "I believe in you."

"I hate you," Axel grumbled.

"Love you too, jerkface," Roxas said, pecking Axel on the cheek as he moved past him. "C'mon."

Axel blew his breath out in a noisy sigh, a wry grin stealing its way across his face before he turned and followed.