Holy Hell High

[Rikugurl]

Ventus smiled as he wrapped his arms around her. He didn't think there were people like this anymore. Just as he was melting into her warmth, he heard a beep that made both of them look around. The blonde pulled away and looked around before realizing what the beep was from.

He looked over at the temperature monitor and for the first time since being here for Terra did it ever
"It went down!" He cried in excitement as he got out of his chair and to Terra's side. Sure it was just a point but it was... something.
He reached down and ran his fingers through the wet hair. "Stay in there, baby... I'll find us a nice home where you can rest up after you get out of here..."


Tseng frowned as the redhead came up, his cigarette being thrown into the snow. His long legs passed Roxas as he tried to get into Tseng's face but Rude stepped in and stopped him. "What the fuck do you think you're doing, Tseng!" Green eyes blazed under his red hair. "You remember the LAST time you shot someone in public? WELL I DO! Me and Reno had to clean up after you and then we were nailed for it!"

"Yea, and I heard they did some probing to make you two into pussies." Tseng replied back, no enthusiasm in his voice at all. Axel growled, clenching his teeth some. "Look, I don't care what you guys do anymore but don't you DARE hurt my friends!"
Tseng shook his head and closed his eyes. "You're just like your brother... never know when to shut up. Alright... we'll leave him alone on two conditions. You get your ass kicked for trying to be your brother and your friend apologizes to Elena."

Axel frowned and shook his head. "Fuck you! He's not apologizing to some asshole who almost KILLED him over a skateboard!"
"Alright, then we'll keep the skateboard."
Without much more talk, Tseng turned and started to walk away, waving Axel off. With a tug on his jacket, Axel was pulled into the nearest alley by Ruda, Elena in tow.
A few moments later, the sound of pain came bellowing from between the two walls.

[Reno]

"Stay in there, baby..."

The edges of eyelids fluttered. He... liked that nickname. His parted lips exhaled softly, before a soft utterance passed his lips. "V...en..."

Was he dreaming...?


Roxas watched the exchange blankly, his mind still trying to catch up with what the hell just happened. He looked p... and up, towards the red-head, seeing nothing but his back and the mass of crimson spikes hanging from his head.

The conversation for the most part went over his head - all he did grasp was the notion that Axel used to be... 'friends' with these people... he wasn't getting back his skateboard and Axel was about to be-

He blinked confused as the sidewalk was suddenly empty. 'Tseng' was walking away as if nothing was wrong and the girl, elena, and the bald guy... and Axel... were gone.

At the first sounds of pain though, Roxas tensed up. No... No this wasn't right! He struggled to his feet, his legs shaking from fear and pain but he didn't quit. He stumbled to the alleyway... and saw a horrible sight.

Elena and Rude... holding Axel up against the wall while they beat him ruthlessly. A crack in the face, a jab to the ribs, a punch in the gut...

He saw Axel's face, twisted up in pain, grunts and cries of pain escaping his lips. Why... Why was he...

Roxas shook his head, running into the alley. "Stop it! STOP IT!! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!" He reached out and grabbed onto Rude's arm some of the skin revealed as the suit bunched up... He bared his teeth and bit down into the flesh.

There was a pause, then a pained grunt as Axel was momentarily let go by the strong man. And then white exploded behind Roxas eyes as he was hit in the temple. He stumbled backwards, smacking into some trashcans as he fell.

Elena snarled some and glanced at Rude, who seemed to understand her gaze as he turned back to Axel while the blonde woman approached the small male. "Couldn't leave fucking well enough alone, could you? Well, that works for me, I have to pay you back for that pussy shot."

She stomped down on Roxas' chest, right between the breastbones, just as the younger was trying to get up. The blonde grunted coughing some as his air was once again lost.
"Pay... me back?" Roxas hissed. "You should be fucking thanking me... that's probably more fucking action then you'll ever see you ugly fucking bitch!"

"WHY YOU-" Elena's eyes widened and raised her foot about to stomp down again - when... laughing interrupted her.
"Damn Axel! Your girlfriend's got a lot of fucking spunk!!"

Rude's fist paused just scant inches from bashing Axel's face in and he glanced down the at the end of the alleyway, seeing two figures. The one who was throwing a metal stick idly in his hands and catching it like it was a baton was very familiar to him. "Reno."
"That's me yo!" The sly red-head grinned but it was not happily. He was pissed. He tossed his head, ponytail swinging behind him before nodded to the man beside him. "Oh yeah, meet my new friend here Rufus. Now, would anyone like to explain what the fuck they are doing to my brother and his main squeeze?"

Elena snarled, pressing her heel against Roxas' ribs. "Get lost Reno. These gringos owe us."
"Ah, I think someone's feeling a little sore just cause she's been told she can't get a decent fuck~"

[Rikugurl]

Blue eyes widened as he heard his name and smiled, those tears coming back once more. "Y-yea... it's me. You.... you're doing better. You're fever is going down." He didn't know that was true or not... but white lies never hurt anyone...


Blood ran down both of the redhead's nostrils as he was pinned onto the brick wall. He was lucky he was hearing a beanie so that his skull could be saved from some bruises.
"AAH!" He cried and was cut off short when he got a fist pull in his gut.

His one eye was black as he tried to get into the fetal position the best he could. He knew he shouldn't of done this but... Tseng would of shot Roxas if he didn't stop it. Why was he going to take a life for a god damn skateboard!?

Though... Axel knew better that it wasn't because of that. No... it was because Roxas put up a fight... and The Turks didn't like that any.
"ROXAS!" The redhead cried as he saw Roxas go flying into the trashcan. DAMNIT! DIDN'T HE JUST TRY TO GET THE KID OUT OF THIS MESS!? WHY THE FU---
He gasped and panted as the beating stopped and a familiar voice came through his battered and bleeding ear.

Reno.
Rude only confirmed it. Axel spat out some blood as Rude let him go, making his stumble but he caught himself with one hand, the other wrapping his arm around his waist.

The blonde walking next to Reno had a nice ivory and black suit on. He wad noble posture and everyone seemed to know who he was even after Reno introduced him.
He was Rufus Shinra.
The son of the Radiant mayor.
Even Axel was never expecting his brother to randomly show up with RUFUS.

The blonde stopped and looked at both Rude and Elena before frowning. "I suggest you both get out of here before I call the cops and give them a very good description of your faces." He pulled out a cell phone and opened it, watching the man and woman give each other a look before backing off.

Rufus walked over to the blonde on the ground as Reno went to the other redhead. He reached his hand out to Roxas, nodding to let him know it was ok. "Are you alright?"

[Reno]

"Mmm...." The brunette hummed back softly in response. Whether he understood what the other just said wasn't really important. He was responding... that was good right?


Elena's eyes narrowed as she noticed the blond and her eyes widened in sudden realization of who it was. Rufus... ShinRa? How did such a lowlife like Reno ever meet...
Shit they had to get out of here!
Rude let Axel go and backed up, nodding to Elena slowly before hurrying out of the alley with her.

Roxas blinked blearily, watching the two run off. W...what? He blinked as another blond hovered over him. His eyebrows furrowed confused and mistrustful until the hand was held out to him. He blinked, before slowly reaching up and taking it, letting the man help him up. "About as alright as I can be, seeing I nearly died." He mumbled sarcastically, swaying a little on his feet. Fuck, his mom was going to kill him...
but at least he didn't get shot. Seriously, his parents didn't need anyone else in the hospital... or the morgue.

Speaking of which...

He glanced over towards the red-head concernedly, seeing Reno crouching over Axel and poking him with the metal stick he had.
"Hey come on Ax! Get off your lazy ass and look tough alright? Can't be a weakling in front of your floozy!"
"He... better not be referring to me." Roxas grumbled.

[Rikugurl]

Axel sighed as he slid down the side of the wall, hearing his brother walking up to him. His green eyes looked up at the other green set, knowing them so very well. He frowned as he was poked though, a spot hitting one of his wounds. "AUGH! FUCK!" He swatted at his brother before wincing... and took Reno's advice. He had to look... tough....ish.

"Get that thing away from me.... got it memorized!?" He slowly pulled himself up, stumbling a bit before Reno caught him under his arm.

Rufus nodded as he patted Roxas down. He could just tell by the way Roxas was dressed that he wasn't a regular here at the gallows. He looked back, seeing Reno walking Axel out of the alleyway before looking back down at Roxas. "Would you like me to give you a ride home?"

[Reno]

Reno chuckled as Axel tried to get up and failed. He reached out, grabbing the other's arm. "Whoa now! Alright let's get you home and cleaned up, yo?" He tugged at the other's arm and smiled helping him out of the alleyway and down the sidewalk.

Roxas watched the two leave before glancing at Rufus shaking his head. Hell no, he wasn't ready to go home yet... his parents were gonna be thrown in jail after what they do to him when they find out he got into ANOTHER fight. And of course, no matter what the hell he said, it's going to be his fault. His fault he had a brick thrown at him and a gun pointed at his head all for his fucking skateboard!

"No... that's alright. Me and Axel have some... stuff to do. Thanks though." He doubted they'd be doing any dancing today either. At least this time they had an actual reason, not an excuse. But damn it he didn't come all this way just to... run off. He was braver then that! A little brush with death was nothing! If Axel could deal with it, so could he!

And... maybe he was just a little concerned about the red-head. He walked out of the alley slowly, his knees screaming at him as he leant down and picked up his backpack and started after the two red-heads.

Reno glanced back and grinned. "Ah your little minx is following us!"
Roxas' eye twitched. How many derogatory terms for a female did this guy know?! "You know, I don't know how you can possibly NOT see this... but I'm a GUY."
"Oooh and snappy to~ Quite a catch bro."
"Argh!"

It wasn't too far of a walk to Axel's apartment... but for Axel's and Roxas' hurting bodies it seemed like miles. Then finally a door was opened and-
"AUNT SEEEEERA!" Reno called. "WHERE'S THE FIRST AID KIT, YO?!"

[Rikugurl]

Rufus nodded and couldn't help but grin as he watched the blonde kid run off to follow. Sure he wasn't a gallow kid... but he was sure in hell tough like one... or just stupid.

The mayor's son walked behind the three, keeping his distance and looking around, making sure Tseng and his group was no where to be seen.
As they reached the apartment complex, he waited outside, as if keeping watch.

The woman in the kitchen yelped and dropped her dishes as she heard the call. "GOD DAMNIT RENO! YOU---" She paused when she heard the first aid kit. He hurried out and her eyes widened to see Axel slouched over his brother. "Oh god! What happened!?" She ran her hand over Axel's bruised cheek. "This was Tseng and the others...?" When Reno confirmed it, she growled. "Damnit."

She was about to go to the bathroom when she was a blonde behind them. This was the first time Roxas was in Axel's place... and she could tell that the strong smoke and burning of the incense were hitting him hard. That wasn't her major concern though as she saw the bruises on his face too. "Oh dear... you too...?" She looked down at Reno and nodded. "Get them up into Axel's room, I'll be in there shortly with some bandages."

Axel's eyes widened. HIS ROOM!? NO WAY! HE DIDN'T EVEN GET TO CLEAN IT UP AND--- Reno was already helping him up the stairs.
Shit... now Roxas was REALLY going to see how... horrible he lived.

[Reno]

Roxas blinked as he stepped inside, and then coughed a little. Holy shit what the hell were they burning in here? The whole apartment?! It smelt disgustingly like vanilla, cedar, sage and lavender - not a good combination. He blinked dizzily, catching himself on the wall and looked up blearily at the woman.

This... must be Axel's aunt? The one... that Axel told him about when he admitted... that he wanted to dance for. He could see why, she was... probably one of the only few people Axel had to... care about him.

"Alright, one step at a time..." Reno teased to his panicked brother. When was he gonna learn that nothing short of pixie dust was gonna make his room look magical? Besides, if he learned anything from Rufus, hiding who you were didn't make things better. Reno kicked open the door helping his brother in and sitting him down on the bed.

Roxas stumbled after carefully holding back his sounds of pain as he climbed the stairs, little shots of pain running from his knees and up his spine. Holy FUCK did that hurt.

He hesitated at the threshold however when he got to Axel's room, catching himself against the door frame. This... was how Axel... lived? His eyes dimmed with sadness... and a very strange feeling of inadequacy.

He saw the small TV the strewn video games, the beaten beanbag chair. He noticed the unstable-looking TV stand, the nightstand crate that looks like it had been stolen off the docks, the dresser that's bottom shelf was missing and there were scratches and breaks in it. And then the single lightbulb that lit up the room, reminding him very much of an interrogation area... not a bedroom.

"Alright blondie, enough staring. Get in here."
Roxas was broken from his trance and looked ashamedly at Reno and Axel - though Axel refused to look at him. He walked over slowly, sitting down next to the red-head. The bed was covered by ratty pillows and rag-like blankets and the mattress was losing all it's stuffing. "Axel..."

[Rikugurl]

Axel winced as he heard his door get kicked in. HEY! HE NEEDED THAT! At least his door looked nice. He walked towards his bed and with his brother's help, was sat down onto it. His green eyes could only look at the dusty floor as he heard Roxas stopped.

Yea... this wasn't like Roxas's home at all.
Roxas could probably understand why Axel had gasped when he saw the Holani house. It was like a mansion to this dump.
But this dump... was the only home he ever knew.

He felt the bed springs moan as Roxas sat down next to him. He had heard this extra groan every time him and Demyx shared the bed. The green eyes looked up over those odd purple tattoos on his face and could only give the other a smirk. "I'll be alright..."

Before anyone could say anything else, the woman came into the room. "Oh jesus, Axel.. you're room's a mess." She put some bandages, a bowl of hot water and some herbs on the wooden cart of a nightstand. "Reno, go get Mr. Shinra in here and fix him up a nice pot of tea, will you?"

The redhead commented before leaving the room that oddly smelt like burnt pepper.
Sera got on her knees before grabbing a cloth and wiping Axel's face down with the warm water. "What did you do now, huh? Didn't I tell you to stay away from those people?"
"Y-yes but... I... they...."
"Enough." She unbuttoned his coat, pulled his hat and shirt off while looking over at Roxas. "You alright, dear?"

[Reno]

Roxas frowned, looking ready to argue with the red-head. He was NOT okay... but Sera came back and interrupted them. He frowned a bit and looked down at his hands.

"Okay okay," Reno said, grinning at the two on the be. "Now you two lovebirds play nice, yo~"
....Did everyone in Axel's family have a dorky thing they said a dozen times a day or something? Yo and Got is memorized... oh boy.

His cheeks darkened and he looked away quickly as Axel's clothes started to come off. He shifted awkwardly at the question and just nodded silently. He couldn't help but peek at the red-head though. He was... so damn thin. And covered in bruises now, thanks to him.


Reno stepped outside, finding the blond easily. He chuckled, unable to stop himself from thinking of the blond as some sort of watchdog. "Yo~ Ruf, feel like... tea?"

[Rikugurl]

Water with warm oils and herbs was dabbed onto Axel's wounds and cuts. "You're lucky that your brother found you in time. You could of gotten yourself AND your friend here killed." The woman continued to scorn her nephew. "Ouch..." He hissed but sighed. Usually he would fight back, telling her it was Roxas who he was trying to save from being killed. "They wouldn't kill me..."

"Well you're damn lucky that your confidant about that." She frowned and handed him his bandages. "You a big boy so fix yourself up."
She looked over at Roxas, her mood changing to one of niceness. She knew Roxas was a child to to the famous Sirocco Holani who printed pretty much everything and anything in Radiant. She ALSO knew that if they found out that their son was injured... they could get sued!

THERE WAS NO WAY THEY'D HAVE THE MONEY.

Out of the kindness of her heart and the worry on her wallet, she was concerned about the boy. "I'm sorry for everything that happened. I TOLD Axel to tell you not to come down here, especially alone."
Axel only rolled his eyes as he wrapped a bandage around his upper chest. HE DID TELL HIM!

She took one bandages and some ointment, gently rubbing it on Roxas's bruised face. "I know natural medicine will take longer but it's better for you than that chemical stuff."
Roxas should of been use to that... seeing that Carina thought the same thing.
"I'll have Mr. Shinra drive you home when you're feeling better. I'd let you use our phone, but I wasn't able to pay the phone company this month."


Rufus looked up and grinned. "Tea? Tea's not my bag, baby, but alright." He replied in a British accent as he nodded and walked up the steps and into the house. He too had to gasp for air as Reno led him to the kitchen. He was shocked this place never had a fire before.

[Reno]

Roxas was quiet, listening to the two. He felt guiltier by the second as they talked. Damn... if he wasn't so damn stubborn... this never would of happened.

He sighed as he felt the medicine rubbed into his bruises and battered skin. "I'm... the one who should be apologizing. It.... it was my fault this happened." He tried his best not to meet the woman's eyes. "Axel DID warn me from coming down here on my own I just uh... didn;t listen."

Well, it sounded like a good idea at the time...


Reno chuckled at the accent, shaking his head and leading the other inside. "Now don't choke yo." He teased when he heard the other coughing. Suppose it took awhile to get used to it...

[Rikugurl]

The woman stopped as her eyes widened. "W-well then... you should of listened to him. Hopefully when Rufus runs for mayor, he'll be elected and help us people down here that everyone had forgotten. You know---"
"Auntie..." Axel sighed as he looked at her. Axel didn't want Roxas to get an ear full about what she thought of people who had forgotten about the gallows. Someone like Roxas wouldn't take it all to well... seeing that he was living a 'fine' life.

She nodded and handed Roxas a cloth. "You two can help each other... I need to get downstairs to make sure everything's alright. The stew if almost ready so I hope you boys are both hungry." She headed out of the room before stopping. "Oh, and I'll leave a quarter on the table downstairs. You can use the payphone on the corner to call your parents. Just have SOMEONE got with you, please, dear." She left and headed down the stairs and into the kitchen where she saw Reno making some tea and Rufus was at the table.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Shinra..."


Axel sighed as he looked down at the water. At least... it was really hot in his room so there was no shivering at his bare chest. His green eyes looked over at Roxas, seeing him work on himself slowly. "I'm glad you're alright.... I was really worried back there." He said as he opened a band-aid and placed it gently over a cut on Roxas's face.

[Reno]

"What about thanks for me I was there too, yo!!" Reno whined.


Roxas sighed as Sera left the room, and went about cleaning the scrapes on his hands wincing every now and again. He blinked though when he heard Axel and blushed a bit as the band-aid was placed on his face.

He looked towards the red-head, cheeks red with shyness. "A-Axel... T-Thank you... for saving my life." He looked down towards the bed, shifting uncomfortably. "Not a lot of people would... do something like that for me. I... I really owe you..."

[Rikugurl]

Sera looked over at her nephew and huffed. "Haven't you had enough praise? You cleaned up, went to college, learned how to fly a helicopter, saved your brother plenty of times and nabbed yourself a fine gentlemen." She crossed her arms as she glared at him. "You're lucky you got out of there alive too."

Rufus tipped on his chair and smiled as he took his tea cup and took a sip. "You got praised for nabbing a fine gentlemen?" He snickered.


Axel's own cheeks started to redden as he looked away. All he could think about was that night that Demyx and him started to... and he said...
"Sure there are.... you got your parents and your brothers.... and of course those.... interesting friends you got. I'm sure a lot of people would save your life... not just me. But... I'm glad I did... cause.... then I wouldn't have a dance partner... to lead me."

He could feel the bed jerk and the green eyes looked over, seeing those bright blue eyes. Yea... he'd let Roxas lead. Seems like he was going down the same road as his brother. He had a heart for a blonde fine gentleman...
Gentleman...? Yea right.


Rufus and Reno left a hour later and the smell of the stew was over powering the incense. Roxas and Axel did go make that quick phone call... and to Axel's surprise, Roxas told his parents that he would be staying over Axel's house.
When Sirocco asked to talk to Axel's mother, the blonde hesitated and told him that she was busy. Sirocco sighed but agreed and threatened his youngest that he had BETTER be in school the next day.

The two ran back to the apartment complex and sat down for dinner. There wasn't much, seeing that Sera had only made enough for Axel and herself... so the two split their helping and made another bowl for Roxas.
Even if they were poor... Sera still made the best stew around.

That night, Axel made up his bed the best he could. Like Demyx, Axel didn't want Roxas to sleep on the couch because well... he didn't want him to be impaled by the springs that were begging to poke out.
He tried to make it as comfortable as possible, putting down extra pillows and even used his bean bag as an under pillow for their heads.

He knew that it was going to be fucking hot in his room... at least him not smoking a bone tonight would keep the heat down a bit. He looked back at Roxas and smiled faintly. "Uhh... You might wanna... just sleep in your boxers. My room gets really hot since it's right under the boiler..."