Log; Ongoing

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

When; evening July 29th-July 30th
Rating; PG-13. Axel can't control his mouth.
Characters; memorizexthis (Axel) and otherpromise (Roxas)
Summary; Axel goes to stay with Roxas and hear the story of why Luxord and Saix stopped believing in the Organization.
Log;

Axel had, despite his cockiness, had a rather hard time finding his way back to the middle of The City where the carousel stood. Which, of course, he wouldn't be admitting to Roxas when he finally arrived at the boy's apartment. Of course not, Axel was above getting lost, as far as he let anyone else on.

In fact, it was then that he first realized that a portal didn't exactly work if you had no idea even which cardinal direction was toward your goal.

But, that was all irrelevant. He had finally made it to the open area around the carousel and he looked around. The sun was setting, so it was easier for him to get his bearings. He looked around, eyes fixing on the numbers emblazoned on the twelve buildings surrounding the carousel. Half of them were shining in the evening light, and he checked those to get an idea of where the others were--only to find that he had just come from the direction of building 7.

Feeling rather like he could kick himself, he turned back toward it and started off in that direction. He pulled up his hood so that any Organization member he may encounter wouldn't be able to automatically assume who he was. After all, where else would Axel go to stay on his first day in The City?

He pondered this, and the danger he could be putting Roxas in, all the way to the entrance to Building 7, hoping to whatever deity might be listening that he'd written the right building and apartment on his hand (not that it mattered, his handwriting was bad enough). So, including the wrong turns he'd made trying to reach the carousel square, it was a grand total of forty-two minutes before Axel finally showed up at apartment 113, knocking with the faintest of doubts that it would be Roxas who answered. After all, that 3 had smudged and now looked an awful lot like an eight. Though, he reminded himself, he could just as easily be called out on being vain.

[ooc; Pardon my obscenely unnecessary narrative. <_<;; God, I hope I'm doing this right...]

Comments

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"Aww, c'mon, Rox, you have to have something stronger than orange juice in that fridge of yours~" Axel persisted tauntingly, but he laughed it off as a joke. Too bad, he really could have gone for a shot or two. "Water's fine by me."

He looked around, finally taking in the atmosphere. It was weird to see Roxas in a place other than the castle, but the more reasonable part of his brain pointed out that it had to happen eventually. Even if Xemnas' brilliant Kingdom Hearts idea had worked out, they would have moved on and out of the castle to enjoy their hearts.

Hearts. That's right. Roxas had one, now. He didn't need to keep searching this place top to bottom for any sort of sign, like Axel did. He'd stolen and sacrificed someone else's for Roxas to get his... and that was becoming more and more difficult for him to come to terms with since he'd encountered that angry goat demon. He'd said he wasn't like those others, like Xemnas, Xaldin and Xigbar who'd taken his heart. But, to find out that it had been a lie...

Usually, lying was something Axel had no qualms with. Anything to achieve his own ends. But, for whatever reason, this was making him feel sick. To make someone else feel this sort of misery... it just struck a chord in him.

He forced himself to pay attention to the situation at hand and looked over at Roxas. "So, this... This is all real." He murmured almost as if he were asking to make sure. "This is our next life."

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel laughed, taking a long drink of the water. Considering it had been something he'd hated the bland taste of before he died, he was awful happy to have some now. But, then, as a nobody, everything tasted bland. Though, it made no difference now, anything was better than the starvation of death. Though, he realized, it hadn't affected him until he was alive again. But, now, he felt the full force of not having eaten for months.

"I'm not going to make you buy alcohol, Rox. I may keep it in your fridge, but I'm not having you buy it." He teased, wanting to reach over and mess up his hair like he would have when they were in the Organization together. But, it still felt unreal, and almost like that would be awkward between them, now.

"Not gonna lie, this is nothing like what I expected our next life to be like. Hah, though, both of us getting hearts... that's part of what I was hoping for." He murmured, setting his glass on the table and slouching into the couch. "But, then, I wonder if I even have the capacity to hope, I can't even tell if I have a heart." He looked down at his hands with near-disgust. "It feels like it," he continued, "but then, it always feels like that... when I'm with you." He laughed it off like he always did and smiled over at Roxas.

"But, you've been having fun, right?" He asked in a quick attempt to change the topic. "I mean, Demyx is here..."

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel shifted so that he had his feet pulled up on the couch and turned to face Roxas, throwing his arm over the back of it comfortably. He watched him for a moment, content to just listen to him talk. He laughed softly at the suggestion that he'd already bought alcohol; he didn't bother with a response, because he'd known the blond long enough (or he liked to think he had) to know that he was joking.

"I expected it... to be normal. Like how things were for you in that fake Twilight Town... But, I guess, that's kind of a lot to ask for. After all, for someone who doesn't really exist--" Man, he realized, I've got to stop thinking about that, it's only upsetting Rox."--Either way. I was thinking it'd be nice if the two of us had our hearts in some place normal like that, and didn't have to deal with the rest of the Organization. Maybe Demyx could be there too, if he pulled his head out of his ass and realized the Organization isn't all it's cracked up to be." He laughed a bit at this, resting his cheek against his forearm and quieting a bit. "Sorry, I'm rambling. I'll stop, it's just... it's great, seeing you again."

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel's jaw slackened and he seemed completely distracted from the topic at hand. He stared incredulously at Roxas for a moment, not quite believing what he'd heard.

"Demyx went gay for Vexen?" He asked with a certain bit of venom in his tone when he mentioned Vexen. "What the hell, I thought you said I hadn't missed anything big!" The fire-user seemed to be having a much more difficult time accepting that it was Vexen that Demyx liked rather than it being a man, like most people struggled to grasp.

"Ugh, well that shouldn't take long for him to get over at least," he muttered, shuddering involuntarily. "But, come on! Vexen? Really?" He shook his head again as if he were trying to get a bad taste out of his mouth, or a horrifying image from his mind.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"God, of all the skeevy..." Axel shook his head, making a face at the very thought. "Zexion would have been better than Vexen, even.... hell." He only let it bother him for a few more moments, however, before finding himself desperate to move on. Thinking of Vexen would only prove to anger him.

"I wouldn't care about most of the Organization, but hell, that's the last thing I expected." He murmured, shaking his head one last time.

"So, what about you? You've got a heart now, right? Did Naminé get one too or something? She seemed pretty interested in you last I saw, I'm sure if she got ahold of a heart it'd be something more. I guess what I'm saying, is, did you find someone, too?" Axel felt himself stumble over some of the words uncharacteristically and felt like smacking himself. For someone usually so clever and composed, he sure knew how to come off like an idiot at just the right time.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel realized he'd struck a nerve and sighed, reaching over to put a hand on Roxas's shoulder. It seemed like everyone was leaving, and Roxas was just the type of person to take it hard, too.

"Hey, maybe she'll come back. I did, right?" He offered with a faint smile. He felt bad just plowing on with the conversation after that sort of thing, but he wanted to answer Roxas's question at the same time. So, he hesitated for a moment longer before finally saying.

"I was asking if you'd started liking anyone around here, like Demyx has." He explained, recovering quickly from appearing to be too bothered by it. "I mean, you're my best friend, even if I don't know all about Demyx's affairs, I gotta hear about yours." He teased with a gentle nudge and a smirk.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"Well, I guess you never were quite as charismatic as some of us..." Axel teased with a warm laugh. It felt so nostalgic, to just be sitting around with Roxas like this. As his laughter died away, he nodded. "So, I guess that means it's just you and me like old times. I can go for that."

It felt like an eternity since he'd smiled like this, even if it hadn't been as long as it felt, really. How could he have forgotten his time here? There was a part of him missing, yet he still felt complete. Which reminded him of how much he still had left to hear about what he'd missed.

"So, if I remember correctly, you owe me a story." He pointed out, still eager to hear what had led to someone as loyal as Saix abandoning the Organization.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel looked on intently, seeming quite pleased enough in just listening to what Roxas had to say. It felt strange to be the one who needed catching up, but from what Roxas was telling him, he was more than happy that he hadn't been there.

His hand clenched into a fist at hearing that Xemnas had just decided that they'd go around stealing hearts again. It made him feel sick to even think of, but there was a definite chance that it wasn't just because it was a stupid, selfish plan that had failed before. No, it was mostly because he knew that he and Roxas hadn't been strong enough to simply walk away like Luxord had.

"And Saix?" He asked, throat dry at the question of how much worse this story could possibly get.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel looked away, running a palm over his face and up through spikes of crimson hair. It wasn't surprising, Xemnas had always used people without a single thought of the consequence, and, as a general rule, it didn't take much to set Saix off. He relinquished a sigh, looking back over at Roxas.

His eyes were unfocused and he seemed detached, trying to piece together exactly what the consequences could have been that Saix was so frightened by. He sat like this for some time before he finally spoke up again, voice almost bitter.

"At least some of us were smart enough to get out." He murmured, a new sensation building in his chest. Guilt. He'd participated in taking the heart of someone like that goat demon he'd spoke to; the one he swore up and down himself that he wasn't like the others.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

The gesture didn't go unnoticed, and Axel was pulled from his own guilty thought process. He scooted closer to Roxas, putting a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. It was the most comforting gesture he could see fit to use without feeling like he'd overstepped his bounds. Realizing it still felt cold, and it would be better to be awkwardly jumping back into their friendship than letting Roxas continue beating himself up like this, Axel moved his arm over his friend's shoulders.

"Hey, don't apologize. I asked you to tell me. It's my own stupid fault, yeah?" He persisted, trying to divert his thoughts. "Besides, I'm all caught up now, so it's fine. It's fine." The redhead repeated, not bothering to hide the concern in his gaze.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel nodded, not bothering to move his arm away, feeling rather comfortable himself and knowing full and well it had at least done something to calm Roxas down. The last thing he needed was his best friend going into hysterics right now, after all. So, he just smiled and nodded.

"You'll be the first to know," he assured, rubbing Roxas's arm gently. "For now, though, it's fine. Just calm down, stop trying to take the blame for everyone else's mistakes." Axel gave a soft chuckle at this. "Like you always do."

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"That's right," Axel agreed, reaching up to muss Roxas's hair with a smile. "Smile a little more." He teased, leaning back forward, draping his other arm over his knees so he could look at Roxas. It still felt so surreal for them to be sitting here like this, talking as if they'd never been separated.

"It's been a long day," he realized finally, looking over at the clock on the wall. "I don't know about you, but I'm tired. This has been... a lot to take in." He exhaled deeply. "Mind if I crash on your couch?"

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"Alright, alright." He stopped, laughter dying down. He stretched, letting a languid yawn escape him. "A spare room sounds great, I just wasn't sure how big this place was." He stood, offering Roxas a hand up from the couch.

"How long did you say you'd been staying here? This is a pretty nice place, they don't have a 15-year-old kid working, do they?" Axel pointed out, looking around with sudden realization. When he looked back to the blonde, he laughed a little. "Come on, 'a little tired' my ass, you look like you're ready to pass out, Rox!"

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"How about this--you go get some rest, I can find the room on my own." Axel dissuaded, draping his arm over Roxas again, this time almost patronizingly, as they headed toward the rooms. "You don't worry your pretty little head about me, you just go sleep," he murmured insistently, peeking through a doorway.

"We'll talk about this job business in the morning, because I still say really working is a far cry from the odd jobs you pulled in Twilight Town," he said as he pushed open the door. "This yours?" He asked, looking down at the blond when he saw a slightly disheveled bedroom before them.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel chuckled, taking another swipe at Roxas's hair. He really couldn't help but make fun of him, it was too much fun. He stretched again, dragging it out a little. A certain sense of awkward tension seemed to draw itself up between them, but Axel tried to ignore it.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, Rox. Thanks for letting me crash here." He smiled warmly, pushing the flaps of his coat aside so he could shove his hands in his pockets. "See ya in the morning, then." He turned and headed down the hall toward the spare room, feeling the slightest bit empty, as if their parting had lacked something more familiar.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel sighed, leaning into the door as he opened it. The guest room was nice, much neater than Roxas's room. He laughed a bit, wondering how long it had been since it was last used. His laughter quieted when he began to wonder if it had perhaps been he who last used it. He leaned against the door again to shut it, remaining there for a few moments.

"This is so fucked up." He established quietly, just in case Roxas might have been able to hear him through the wall otherwise. He heaved another sigh, heading over to the bed and stripping off his boots. Next came the jacket and his hand hovered at the button of his pants before deciding to leave them on while he slept.

He pulled himself onto the bed, under the covers, and started to drift off as soon as his head hit the pillow. He hadn't been kidding when he said it had been a long day. His last conscious thoughts were of Roxas, and wondering if the blond was thinking about the whole damned thing, too.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel yawned, rolling over in bed at the first knock. He'd been having a quite pleasant dream and being pulled from it wasn't exactly high on his to-do list. He grumbled something inaudible into his pillow, starting to slip back into sleep's warm embrace.

At the second knock he pulled the pillow out from under his head, pulling it over him instead. He hadn't even managed to begin to fall back asleep when he heard the third knock. He realized that Roxas probably had something important to say if he was being so insistent, and groaned.

"Come in," he beckoned, sitting up with another wide yawn. He looked over as the door opened. He'd never been a heavy sleeper, and that wasn't Roxas's fault, but he still hadn't ever been the type to jump for the door when he was awoken.

He turned to get a good look around. Finding a digital clock on the night table, he ran a hand up through his hair; it was already pretty late in the morning. How'd he managed to sleep so long? Axel shrugged off the thought, he apparently hadn't noticed how exhausted he'd really been.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel scratched his head, still slowly waking up. He caught fractions of his friend's sentence as he stumbled his way out of the bed, nearly getting caught up in the sheet. He muttered something incoherent about people being too damn awake in the mornings but headed over to the door so he could hold a conversation with Roxas.

"Don't know why the hell you're hanging out in the doorway," he said bluntly, leaning on the edge of the door for support as his body tried to make the final adjustments to being awake. "Want to do...? Oh. You mean like, go out and do something. Uhh... Dunno. The City's pretty big, so maybe if you just want to show me part of it, that'd be nice." He realized, rubbing his bright eyes with another masked yawn.

He was trying so hard to keep from suggesting it wait a couple of hours. It was eleven already, he should be getting up. It'd be a waste of a day to sleep more. Besides, hadn't death been enough rest? He stretched a bit and nodded.

"Yeah, let's just go take a look around? Maybe, we'll find something to do, you never know," he said with a final, fully awake decisiveness.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel shot a mocking glare at Roxas's implication but didn't see fit to argue too much. He merely nodded and chose to focus, instead, on Roxas's agreement to his suggestion for the day.

"Do you know a place where we can grab breakfast?" He asked with a laugh, realizing he hadn't eaten at all since he'd been back. His stomach rumbled low and, in doing so, proved his point. He merely raised an amused brow at Roxas at this, not seeming too embarrassed by it.

"You know, to most people, 'come in' means more than just opening the door and standing there, but whatever." He shrugged and guided Roxas out of his way, not bothering to pull his coat back on and merely heading out of the room shirtless. "First thing's first, though, mind if I use your shower? Unless you like that I don't remember the last time I took one." He taunted.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, Bud." Axel murmured, turning to head down the hallway in the opposite direction. When he reached the bathroom he gave a sigh of relief; he realized it probably would have made more sense to shower last night, especially since he'd been sitting out there talking with Roxas for a good amount of time.

He made a disgusted face at the thought, wondering faintly why Roxas hadn't brought it up. Though, Axel reminded himself, he'd seemed pretty moody about something or another--didn't quite seem like he'd gotten the whole story. He let it slide, however, and shut the bathroom door behind him, going over to fiddle with the faucets on the shower.

Roxas would tell him when he saw fit, he was sure of it. Even if, in the meantime, Axel was going to be bothered to no end by the thought. He smiled, really smiled, at the memory of Roxas in The World That Never Was, always letting things simmer under a stoic look until he exploded--usually at Axel. Surely, he couldn't have changed too much?

He stripped off his pants and boxers once the water was heated and stepped inside, reveling in the warmth. He turned the heat up enough so that steam was probably spilling out from under the door frame. He allowed himself a private chuckle at the thought, and dug around bottles until he found soap.

He took a little long than intended to finish showering, but he'd just been enjoying that he could again. In retrospect, it was pretty immature of him to be so easily amused. Not that Axel cared, he just toweled off and pulled his pants back on, making a mental note to get some more clothes while they were out today. He didn't have but his one coat here, and with his luck it reeked of death or emptiness.

He slung the towel around his neck to let the slightly matted spikes of his hair rest on it so that he wouldn't go dripping all over Roxas's nice floors and pulled the bathroom door open, heading down the hall to the main area of the apartment where Roxas had said he'd be.

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"No, I'm still showering, can't you tell?" Axel teased, looking rather amused at Roxas's jumpy response to his entrance. He crashed on the couch next to the disheveled-looking red and blond blob, comfortably sinking into the fabric. "Man, I hate to tell you this, but I think whoever got you that sweater was screwing you around. Red is just not working with your eyes."

He held in a laugh at how tired Roxas looked suddenly, wondering if perhaps he'd fallen asleep while the redhead was showering and that was why he'd jumped upon Axel walking into the room. He mentally shrugged the thought off, reasoning that he would have done the same.

"So. You said you had an idea of where we were headed?" He suggested, patting Roxas's shoulder definitively. "C'mon," he stood. "I'll grab my coat and we can leave."

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, Rox," Axel called as he started down the hall to his room where he'd discarded his boots and coat. "I'm not the one who told you to wear it, don't blame me!" He shouted as he yanked the boots back on, stuffing his pants legs into them haphazardly. He grabbed his coat, taking the towel off his neck and dropping it in the bathroom hamper before heading back into the main room.

He look down at Roxas, still curled up on the couch, and laughed. He pulled the leather over his lanky arms, shaking his head at the blond. When he'd pulled the zipper up to his collarbone, he offered Roxas a hand up off the couch.

"C'mon, I'm starved."

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel pulled him up, half-heartedly releasing his hand and leading the way toward the door. His mind was somewhere else entirely, and it became evident when he missed the doorknob on his first attempt to open it.

He was too busy thinking about what they could get done in their little afternoon outing. While food had been his primary concern, such things like finding decent work and more clothes than the coat he'd worn upon arriving. Suddenly aware, he looked down at Roxas, stepping out of the apartment after him.

"Hey, Rox, you said I was here once before, right? Did I have an apartment? Or a job?"

[memorizexthis.livejournal.com]

Axel merely nodded at the inquiry and seemed far from assured by Roxas's words. In fact, he seemed to be more detached with his questions answered. He headed down the stairs, glad that he was managing to hit each one despite his lack of focus.

"I wonder if I should go see if it's still there. Maybe, it'll bring something back." He hadn't mean to say it out loud, and it took him a minute to realize that he had. Axel looked down at Roxas quickly to gauge his reaction, then averted his eyes back to the stairs.