. : : Christmas Roulette : : .

-Day Seven-

After staying up the entire night thinking about Demyx, Axel decides it's time to find the blond. He needed to apologize for his harsh words and try to make it work with him because every time he thought about his future, Demyx was in it. Every time he thought about smiling or laughing, Demyx was involved. Every time he thought about his heart fluttering, his life being more than nothing the blond was there, and he couldn't remember exactly how he was supposed to fill his lungs with air. He had an insane urge to pull a guitar out to sing and dance, like a fool, with the only man he could ever possibly love.

What he had with Demyx after four days was more than he and Roxas ever had in all the months they were together. Whenever he looked at Roxas, he knew how much he loved the blond and assumed he loved him back. But when he looked at Demyx, he could see that the exuberant man cared about him, he could see it in those beautiful aqua eyes. He could see all the good in himself, just by looking at those eyes. And when he looked at Demyx, he knew all was lost. He'd fallen again, despite his better judgment, and now he was ready to give his heart away, one last time.

His game could wait, or maybe even be forgotten altogether. Right now he had to see if the blond would forgive him, and he had to tell him how he really felt. No one should spend Christmas alone, and they had found each other, under weird circumstances, sure, but they'd met each other, and Axel felt like, he may just possibly, be falling in love all over again. He jumped out of his recliner and ran to his phone in the kitchen, noticing that it was only six in the morning, before he pulled the black receiver out of an empty tube of molding ice cream. "Eww."

Holding the contaminated item with two fingers he dialed Riku's number, and then held it as far as possible away from his head, while still being able to hear. "Hello?" An angry morning voice answered.

"Riku, do you remember Demyx?" Axel asked.

"The orphan from the mall?"

"Orphan?"

"The reindeer."

"Um…yeah, what do you mean orphan?" Axel asked curiously. Is this his Demyx they were talking about; that happy, spirited young man, with a smile that could melt even the toughest man? Is that why the blond was alone at Christmas, because he didn't have family?

"We went back the day after we took the picture and Demyx was on lunch break, so we talked to him. He told us that he's eighteen, and just got kicked out of the orphanage. He has a few jobs to pay for this shitty little apartment he has downtown…"

"Address please." Axel interrupted.

"Why?"

"Please Riku. I just, I need it. I haven't smiled in years, but this guy, Riku I need his address please."

Though Axel couldn't see it, Riku was grinning on the other end. "Invite him over for Christmas dinner at mine and Sora's house." He stated before rattling off the address.

Without saying goodbye, Axel hung up as soon as he had the address. He then sprinted through his house, grabbed his keys, ripped his coat off the coat rack, and ran out his door and into his car. Almost in the same fluid motion, Axel put the keys in the ignition, started the car, put it in reverse, and let it skate down the icy driveway. Then he took off like a bat out of hell in the direction of Demyx's apartment.

All the while he was thinking about what they might do today, Christmas Eve, and tomorrow, Christmas Day. It'll be their first, for both of them. He had a feeling that no matter what they ended up doing it would be amazing because it was with him, the most important person in the world. Nothing could be bad when he was around. Demyx could bring joy into the worst of situations. Axel could imagine himself having a bad day and coming home to Demyx, who would wrap his fleece covered arms around him tightly, bringing him all the comfort he needed, through small words of encouragement, light, warm breaths on his neck, maybe a soft kiss here and there. He could even imagine himself doing the same for Demyx. He wanted to know everything about the blond and he wanted to know now. He didn't want to waste one more minute alone, when there was so obviously a man out there who cared about him.

When he finally arrived at the address Riku gave him he wanted to believe it was the wrong place, that maybe he'd read it wrong, but he knew it was right. This is where his Demyx, yeah he was claiming him now, this is where that beautiful blond that held the power to save his life lived. Axel stepped out of the car, and looked across the street to see a small group of homeless people shivering on the ground next to a building that looked like it may break if someone sneezed. Actually, Demyx's building looked like it may collapse if you looked at it funny. As he walked up the steps of the building he heard a couple screaming at each other on the floor above him, making him desperately want to kidnap Demyx and make him live with him. He was going to press Demyx's call button when he noticed the front door was already opened. It appeared as though someone had broken the window in order to get inside, and they no longer bothered to lock it. Shrugging Axel walked in and made his way up the stairs until he arrived at Demyx's door.

He knocked softly on the door, though it seemed to be enough force to both open it and break the chain that was supposed to be keeping the blond safe from intruders. Quietly he walked forward and called out, "Demyx." No answer. As he walked farther into the room he heard a quiet sobbing and followed it until he found the blond he'd fallen in love with crying in a corner of an empty room. His head was buried in his hands and his knees were pulled up to his chest. A tiny needleless pine tree was standing next to Demyx, or trying to stand; it seemed to have snapped at some point and was only hanging on by a small piece of its trunk. Despite the trouble the tree seemed to have been through, it was still proudly displaying two ornaments that looked like they were homemade.

When Axel got even closer he realized what Demyx was wearing. The blond was covered, head to toe, in warm clothing, in reminiscent of something he'd just seen on those homeless people. At this point he realized how cold it was in the apartment. Apparently the 'few' jobs Riku had mentioned were not enough to keep up on payments. "Demyx." Axel called lightly into the room, and the blonde's tear-filled aqua eyes immediately met his.

"Wh-what are you doing here? I'm not giving the gun back." Demyx struggled to speak as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

"I wanted to invite you to spend Christmas with me, and my friends, but mostly with me. Demyx I lied to you. I do care about you. Ever since the day I met you, you've consumed my thoughts every second of the day, and I've fallen for you. It scares me…to allow someone that sort of power over me again, but I want to be with you Demyx. I want to spend every Christmas with you. I don't want to just be friends Demyx, I want much more than that. I want to spend the rest of my life getting to know everything about you. And don't you dare stop glomping me or anyone else for that matter, and don't stop using those ridiculous nicknames either, because I wouldn't have you any other way, I want you just the way you are."

Demyx's tears turned to happy tears as that bright smile grew across his face and he pulled himself up from the floor. Then he rushed towards Axel, ready to glomp. Axel prepared himself for what he knew was coming and caught the blond as they crash to the floor. Demyx's eyes met the redhead's as he lay on top of him, and their noses were nearly touching, "You mean it?"

"I do, get it memorized." Axel smiled lifting his head just enough so they're noses were now touching. He wanted to go further, he wanted to taste those lips, but he didn't want to overstep his bounds. He was still surprised he'd been forgiven so easily, but then again when you love someone…Does that mean Demyx might love him? Before he could think of an answer to that question the blond closed the space between them and pressed their lips together, tenderly kissing the redhead for the first time.

After a short meeting of lips Demyx pulled away and smiled that wonderful smile again. Then like a child going back for another curious taste of something new, Demyx leaned back down pressing their lips together again. Axel wanted more than the innocent contact and couldn't help it when his hand started sneaking up Demyx's side feeling the soft skin and the hard muscles beneath the clothing. Then he poked his tongue out, licking Demyx's bottom lip, wanting more and more. He was completely surprised when he felt the blonde's tongue join his, curiously exploring its surroundings, almost as if he'd never done this before. Not to say it was bad, Axel quite enjoyed it, it just seemed as though Demyx was very curious, and guessing at what to do next. So Axel made himself read to stop at any signs of discomfort from the blond. However none came, Demyx only deepened the kiss, and explored Axel's body with his hands even further.

Axel never wanted it to end, but at some point breathing would become necessary. And when that moment finally came Demyx ceased his actions but didn't move from his place on top of Axel. Instead he laid his head on Axel chest, slowly exhaling and inhaling, sending shivers throughout the redhead's body every time a warm breath would float across his neck gently caressing each rise and fall. Roxas had done this, of course, but with Demyx it felt different, if felt right, if felt perfect, he felt complete. "Demyx, I-I think I love you."

"I think I love you too Axel." Demyx whispered into his neck, sending more shivers through his body.

"Demyx, I spent all my money on Roxas' present, but I want to give you something." Axel started.

"What did you get him?"

"Keys." Axel answered, and he felt Demyx's face twist in confusion across his chest. "His dad designed these keys, before he died, and he told Roxas he was going to make them for him. He died before he had a chance to. Roxas has told me so many times that he wanted to get those keys made, and hang them on the wall. So I made a copy of his dad's designs and got them made. It wasn't cheap, but I thought it'd be worth it to make him happy."

"Do you still have them?" Demyx asked.

"Yes."

"I think you should still give them to him, even though he hurt you."

"I planned to, it's not like I can do anything with them."

"That's one of the things I love about you Axel. You're such a caring person. You're a great man; I can't imagine why Roxas would just give you away like that." Demyx commented as he lifted his head to look into Axel's eyes. "What did you want to give me?" He asked curiously.

Axel used one of his arms to lift himself and Demyx into a sitting position in which Demyx was still straddling his legs, and he could continue to hold him close. "It's nothing impressive, or even great for that matter. But Demyx, I was wondering, maybe, will you accept my heart, the torn up, ragged tiny thing it is, as my gift to you. It's yours to hold and cherish, or do whatever you wish to it. Just please, please don't break it, it's been through a lot and that's all I have left."

"Axel, that's the greatest gift I could ever ask for or receive. I'll cherish it more than my own life. I'll do everything in my power to keep it from getting hurt, and I'll do everything, even if it seems impossible, to patch it up. I'll use my own heart to protect it, by keeping it safely wrapped up in my warm comforting walls," At this Demyx wrapped his arms around Axel, "and I'll keep it there for the rest of my life."

Axel new it was possible that Demyx's words could be just as empty as Roxas' but they didn't feel empty. Deep within himself, he knew Demyx was telling the truth, and he knew that they'd be together forever, because this was indeed, the man he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with. Christmas Roulette, had completely left his mind, the only thing that would ever concern him now, was the blond he held in his arms, his Deer Demyx.

***

-Epilogue-

After spending most of Christmas Eve moving Demyx into their new home, and the rest of the night sitting by the fire drinking hot chocolate and watching Christmas movies, Axel and Demyx found themselves at Riku and Sora's door. "I wanna knock!" Demyx exclaimed, jumping up and down, causing his antlers to fall over a bit. Axel smiled and gave his new boyfriend a nod of his head, at which point Demyx quickly ran forward and rapped his fist against the door, smiling back at Axel as he waited, causing Axel's stomach to do flips. Life was good, it was strange to know he'd come so close to losing it.

"Axel!" Tifa, Sora and Roxas' mom exclaimed as she answered the door. "Oh, after Roxas told me what happened I was so afraid you wouldn't be coming to Christmas, I'm so happy to see you. And who's this?" She pointed at Demyx who waved and smiled at her, in that perfect way that would make anyone melt.

"This is my new boyfriend. His name is Demyx, and I met him because Sora forced me to get my picture taken with Santa. Demyx was a reindeer." Axel pointed at the antlers Demyx had decided to wear in the spirit of it being Christmas Day.

"It's nice to meet you Demyx," Tifa greeted, "come on in both of you. Oh, and you brought presents." She noticed the two large packages in Axel and Demyx's arms. "Why don't you just place them under the tree, we were actually just about to open them now, and then we'll be having dinner."

Axel nodded and grabbed Demyx's hand as he lead the blond through the house, and into the incredibly decorated living room. "Axel, I thought this was Sora and Riku's house, why is their mom here?"

"She comes over for holidays. Neither Sora nor Riku can cook all too well. Be grateful she's here, she's pretty much the mom I never had."

"She seems nice." Demyx whispered as they entered the room and all eyes fell upon them. "They're looking at us."

"I have big, red, spiky hair, and you, my loving boyfriend, are wearing antlers, we are bound to attract some attention." Axel explained as he placed his box next to the tree and did the same with Demyx's. He then dragged the blond to the couch Sora and Riku were sitting at, and sat down, keeping Demyx as close as possible, and always touching.

"Glad you made it Axel." Riku smirked. "Roxas told me about the gun."

Axel's eyes went wide before recovering and directing a glare at his ex, who was watching him with a rather confused face. Actually, as Axel looked around, everyone seemed somewhat confused. Roxas and Sora's older brother Cloud and his boyfriend Zack were staring curiously at the newest blond in the room along with their sister Naminé and her girlfriend Kairi and Roxas and his own boyfriend. "Oh," Tifa walked into the room. "I'm sure everyone is curious about the new addition to the room, forgive me, how rude of me, I should have introduced him. Everyone, this is Demyx, Axel's boyfriend, and our new family member."

Roxas eyes immediately snapped to Axel's and then he smiled at the redhead. It wasn't any sort of mocking or cruel smile. It was a smile that told Axel he was happy for him. He was happy the redhead would no longer be hurting because of his poor actions, and he was happy he'd found someone who loved him the way he deserved to be loved.

"Alright, let's pass out these presents now. Hmm, both of these are for you Roxas, from…Axel?" Tifa stared confused at the card.

"I got them before you broke up with me. They're still yours though, and even though you hurt me, I really want you to have them. I put a lot of time into getting them for you, and I'd hate for them to go to waste in my garage." Axel explained and Demyx nodded as he gently rubbed Axel's thigh, not going unnoticed by the rest of the room.

Still slightly confused, Roxas tore the wrapping paper off and set the newly revealed box down so he could open it. As his fingers slowly lifted the lid the true gift was revealed and Roxas' hands immediately flew to his mouth as his stomach dropped, and the lid slammed closed. Tears filled his eyes, and a shaking hand moved to open the box again while one stayed across his mouth. Axel looked away when he saw Roxas take the key out, and all of the sibling knew instantaneously what it was. Demyx wrapped his arm around Axel. "It's really an amazing gift you gave him Axey, but not quite as good as what you gave me." Demyx smiled.

"My God Axel, how much did that cost?" Riku whispered while the rest of the family was too busy being enraptured by the key.

"That one, or both of them?" Axel asked.

Riku's mouth dropped, "You had both of them made?"

"Yeah, I told you Riku. I wanted to get Roxas the best gift I could think of. And I did. Money didn't matter."

"Wow."

At the sound of more excited murmuring and oo's and ah's, Axel, Demyx, and Riku, turned to see that Roxas had opened the second present. "Axel, this is..." Roxas tried to speak, but the tears were starting to overpower him.

"Axel sweetie, what he means is, thank you, thank you so much. You really didn't have to do this, and he really appreciates them, as do we all." Tifa explained, as she wiped a few tears from her eyes. "They are exactly how he designed them."

"You're welcome." Axel smiled, and pulled Demyx closer to him. Someday he would get to know Demyx well enough that he'd be able to get him a gift just as great as those keys. But for now, he was just happy that he hadn't spent the holiday alone. That he'd had the greatest man in the world by his side the entire time, and that he'd always be there for him. Life truly was good, and he was so sorry he'd almost given it up.

Axel owed everything to Demyx's good timing. During the move, he'd found his gun in Demyx's apartment. Curious, he opened the chamber to see where the bullet was, and was utterly shocked to see that it was in line with the barrel. Had Demyx not barged in on him, demanding where his Christmas decorations were, and once again, when he brought him a wreath, he'd be dead right now. He never would have experienced the joys of having Demyx by his side, and he never would have known just how wonderful life could be.

. : : ҉ : : .

The End

and

Merry Christmas 2009

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*the beginning of this chapter was influenced by Uncle Kracker's "Smile"

I hope you all enjoyed.