Holy Hell High

[Rikugurl]

Kairi's eyes widened as she looked up at Riku. Did he... really MEAN that? She frowned before looking away. This was... UGH. Her eyes watered as she listened to Sora. If it was a girl that had a crush on Riku... no big deal... BUT HIS BEST FRIEND WHO SPENT SO MUCH TIME WITH!?

She closed her eyes and just turned. Her red hair bounced as she stopped off and turned the corner.... luckily the other direction of Axel and Demyx.

Riku watched her and sighed, shaking his head before looking down at Sora. "Are you alright??"


Axel blinked as he felt something at his neck and "ACK!" He stopped and pouted, looking at Demyx with puppy eyes. He blinked them away though as he listened. As he crossed his arms, he shook his head. "No way... that was one thing I learned from my brother. If people are pissed and you have NOTHING to do with it, stay FAR away. You get into more trouble then being a help... and so far it's worked out for me."

He tilted his head and thought before continuing. "As for Roxie... I'll talk to him about it at lunch."

[Reno]

Sora frowned as the red-head said nothing but merely walked away He frowned, looking towards the ground, but at Riku's question, he looked up, his smile half-hearted. "Y-Yeah... about as good as I can be..." He looked towards the now empty hallway. "Guess that's one friend lost..."

Roxas frowned guiltily. Crap, this was all his fault, AGAIN. How the fuck did he keep fucking up relationships?! He screwed up Ven's and Zack's and NOW Sora's with Kairi's. Yeah, he was a GREAT brother. "S-Sorry Sora..."

The brunette blinked, then looked over at his ashamed looking twin. He chuckled. "Hey don't worry about it. She had to know eventually, besides by lunch you'll be dealing with the same thing!"

Roxas blinked, before looking up, then around at the whispering teens and the looks people were sending him and his brother. Hayner... Pence... Olette....
And he didn't even know if he was GAY yet!
He groaned. "Fuck..."


Demyx raised an eyebrow, before shaking his head and walking past his red-haired friend. "Okay... whatever you say Axel." His friend was just being a coward. He probably didn't have room to talk though.


How could one day be SO good and another be so crappy? It was like coming back from heaven and remembering realty ACTUALLY existed. Between periods he'd ALREADY had groups of people confronting him and asking him questions, jeers and taunts being send from down the halls, and had notes been passed to him in class from people he didn't even know asking him personal questions that made him blush with rage at his tattered chastity.

He wondered if Sora was fairing any better.

Roxas sighed staring through the window into the cafeteria - from here he could see his three friends sitting at the table their food in front of them but being ignored as they talked. From the looks on their faces he could just tell... they knew. And they knew now it was even MORE true since he hadn't joined them yet...

But how could he? His stomach was just a ball of nervousness. He didn't know... if he had Sora's strength. He couldn't just... face a friend suddenly reject him for just one, small, thing and still smile. He... just didn't have that strong of a heart.
He;d known them all for so long...
Hayner had always been there to back him up in a fight, goof off with him when they were supposed to be studying, help him lie to teachers...
Pence had been the one to show him a world of music through artwork, had invited him to try sea-salt ice cream for the first time, had always been able to help him when he didn't understand his homework....
And Olette had always been their to calm him down after Seifer or someone else pissed him off, had always listened when he bitched and moaned and always knew just what to say to make things better....

He wasn't ready to say goodbye to all that. He couldn't, he wouldn't, he-

"Well well, Roxie. I heard something interesting about you!"
Fuck. The day just went from crappy to shitty.
"Heard you like it up the ass."

Roxas breathed out slowly, trying to maintain his cool - he couldn't FIGHT anymore damn it. He'd get thrown out. "Seifer you're picking a REALLY bad day to piss me off." He turned around - and wasn't surprised at the two people that flanked the taller blonde. The adopted brother and sister.

"I think you're mistaken." Seifer said, grinning. "This is a perfect day!"

Roxas growled through his teeth before he turned, starting to walk down the hall. Unfortunately an arm slammed down in front of him, blocking his path. He backed up a step, then looked up at Seifer and scowled. "Alright, fucking get it out of your system. Say whatever the fuck you want. I've heard it all already!"

"Ah, now come on Chickenwuss, I'm hurt." Seifer said, with a smirk. "Do I look like a homophobe?"
Roxas just glared.
"Ouch that stings. But then again I'm not the one hiding just cause of a stupid gossip ring." The glare intensified. "Ah now, what are you gonna do, just run away from your problems? You never ran from me."

Roxas blinked, then his look of hate slowly disappeared into one of confusion. "Are you... giving me ADVICE?"
"Yep, make sure Olette knows cause it's a fucking pain being nice to you."
Roxas raised an eyebrow, then glanced back at Fuujin and Raijin hesitantly, wondering if this was a trick of some sort.


Demyx sighed as he leaned against the wall next to Axel, seeing the red-head staring intently at the table where Roxas' three friends were. "Man, I don't think he's showing up. The whole school's been talking about him and his brother all day. He's probably hiding."

[Rikugurl]

Silver hair fluttered as the boy leaned over his desk. Today... had to be the worst day of school. All he heard in the hallways were something about Sora and Roxas... and even him and Kairi. You would think that in a private school like this, the kids would be more mature... if anything, they were worse.

Thanks a lot to those snotty people that made sure every kid was good enough that walked through those doors.
He even had a cold feeling that he wouldn't be surprised if Roxas or Sora got kicked out of school because of their sexual orientation. And... what happens if word got to Sirocco?

Aquamarine eyes closed, trying to block all these thoughts. No one would really... use gossip as a way to... ask questions.... right?


A substitute teacher was sitting at the desk in front of the chalkboard as the students in front of her worked on a project. The teacher really didn't know much about art... so let the kids do what they needed to. She blinked though when the phone next to her rang and she answered.
"Hello? Oh yes, hi. Mhmm.... I think so.... let me double check." She pulled the phone from her ear and pressed the hold button.

"Is there a Sora Holani here?"
Every kid looked over at Sora... and the brunette could only nod.
The teacher pressed the hold button again before putting the phone back to her ear. "Yes he is. Alright, I'll send him down."
She hung up the phone and looked towards the spiky haired brunette. "Sora, they need you down in the main office. They said you have a message."


Olette sighed as she heard Pence and Hayner talking about what they had heard. Hayner of course was more... rough than the intellectual personality of Pence. She was silent though. She didn't care what anyone said. If it was true or not... so what? Roxas was still her friend... and she was worried about him.

Fuu only crossed her arms and looked away with a frown. What's the point in backing up Seifer's.... advice?


Axel sighed as he looked at the table with the missing blonde. He sighed again as he heard his own talking. Only a few moments later, the redhead stood. "Well... I guess now is the time I have to go looking for him." He smiled down at Demyx before leaving the cafeteria. When he got out, he looked down both ways and to his right... was Roxas and Seifer's gang by the lockers.

Green eyes narrowed as the tall, lean Junior walked down towards them.
The footsteps heard made Fuu look back and frown at the pyro before looking back at Seifer. "Company."

[Reno]

Sora took it all in stride. He smiled at the questions and answered truthfully to each, he looked the other way to the odd looks, he shrugged at the jeers and taunts and made a point in each one of his classes to make sure no one misunderstood who he was.

He wasn't worried about being kicked out. There WERE other gay kids here. Aqua being one of the more... brazen and open of them. Then again, her parents were contributors to this school financially, there was no way in hell they'd kick her out.

He sighed as he painted, glad for the break nonetheless. No one had bothered him in this class so far. He hummed as he got a little more green in his trees - then looked up when he heard his name. He didn't have the heart to raise his hand and only nodded instead, feeling shy as everyone looked at him.

He blinked. "O-Okay..." He set his brush in the mucky water and got up from his seat, taking his bag with him. He didn't worry about getting a pass or anything - it was lunchtime so no one would now the difference - and just left the class and headed for the main office.

It didn't take too long to get there and he stepped up to the receptionist. She looked at him curiously. "Um hi... I'm Sora Holani, my teacher said I had a... message?"


"I mean, you think it's true?" Hayner asked, looking around. "I mean Roxas being ya know... gay? It's kinda... I dunno weird. Gay people don't fight right?"


Seifer blinked as he heard Fuujin and looked up. "That's fine we're done." He pushed away from the wall and nodded to the other two. "Let's go." He turned and walked off the other two following in the opposite direction. "Don't forget what I said chickenwuss!"

Roxas frowned, his eyebrows furrowing at the strange behavior, before he slowly turned around. He saw his boyfriend.
He bit his lip, glad for the empty halls as he suddenly ran towards the other and flung his arms around the red-head's neck. "Axel..." He'd never been so happy to see him in his life.

[Rikugurl]

The receptionist tilted her head as she looked at the boy. What does HE want? I'm trying to eat my lunch...
"Oh! Right behind you." The woman pointed over the desk and quickly got back to eating.

When Sora turned, there was something a bit unpredictable. Well... someone.
It was Ventus.
"Hey Sora... you got a minute?"
It was kind of weird... visiting his brother at school...


Pence tilted his head and then shook it. "I don't know... I mean... I've never really talked to a gay person before."
Olette rolled her eyes. She didn't know how many more stupid questions she could take.

"You know, did you ever think that maybe Roxas was bisexual? And if he IS gay, so what? You two obviously know that he fights... so doesn't that answer your question??"


Fuu's red eye narrowed in on Roxas before she followed Seifer off with her brother.

Axel's eyes only widened when he saw Roxas RUN to him but smiled in a doofy way as he felt the warm arms wrap around him. "Hehehehe...." He looked down at the blonde and smiled. "Hey Roxie... you alright??"

[Reno]

Sora blinked at the look he was given not really surprised. If they weren't teachers, the adults around here could care less for the kids. He sighed and turned around - but his eyes brightened considerably. "Ven!!!"

He grinned wide and ran over, hugging his brother with more enthusiasm then the poor blond was probably expecting. "After a day like this I have a year!"


Hayner blinked and he looked over at Olette, before shifting embarrassed. "But... what happens if he starts hitting on us?" He said, making motions towards himself and Pence exaggeratedly. "Then what?! That'd be so... so... WEIRD!"


Roxas heaved a huge sigh, before smiling. "I am now..." He looked up at Axel and chuckled a little. "Today's been... well, not such a good one."

[Rikugurl]

"WAAAOOOOOOOOOOA!" Ven fell back a bit but lucky his 'SORA PWNAGE HUG SAVE' mode kicked in. He laughed as he wrapped his arms around his brother and hugged him back, a bit bulky in his long coat. He pulled away and smiled faintly before sighing. "I found out that... Terra has cancer..."

He could see Sora's expression change dramatically but smiled. "Don't worry...he'll be ok. It's a curable one... and he should be out soon.... but tonight is the night I have to move into the studio and.... I think I'm going to be kind of lonely... So.... do you... you know... wanna spend the night over?" He smiled, hopefully.


Olette's eyes went wide before she slapped herself in the face. "Seriously....?" With a sigh, she shook her head, her curls bouncing a bit. "Just because Roxas might be gay doesn't mean he's attracted to ALL men. Besides... who would want to hit on you two anyways...?"


Axel nodded before looking around, making sure the coast is clear. He suddenly grabbed Roxas's hand and rushed down the hallway before dodging into a room. It happened to be the boiler room. It was nice and warm inside as the redhead pulled Roxas behind a large tube and then let go. "Come on~"

He said as he squeezed through a space between two radiators. When they both went through, there was a small space where up to three people could sit easily... and occupying that was a few pillows, a deck of cards and come cigarettes. "This is Demyx's and my hiding place when we wanna... skip some classes." He smiled as he sat down. "So... what's up....?"

[Reno]

Sora grinned enjoying the hug before they pulled away and looked at once another. The mirth was short lived. His eyes widened in horror at the next bit of news. Terra had WHAT?!

"Oh Ven..." He started but the other quickly cut him off. He sighed in relief - thank god for that. Once Ven was finished though he blinked in surprise and smiled widely. "Of course! What'd you think I'd say? No? Silly." He chuckled, then paused. "Hey wait a second, why didn't you just ask me that at home?"


Hayner blinked then his jaw dropped in shock. "Hey! I think I am TOTALLY hot enough for any gay guy to hit on too!" He puffed out his chest and crossed his arms.


"Ah- Axel!" Roxas said in surprise as he was tugged away. He blinked but sighed and just followed after - like he had a choice. He blinked when he was brought into the boiler room and then led behin it. It was no trouble for a small and short kid like him to fit into -

and his eyes widened in amazement at the little set up. He grinned with childish amusement - it was like a little secret place! He chuckled and sat down on one of the pillows, making himself comfortable. "You lazy asses." He teased before laying down on another pillow and looking towards the ceiling. "Well..."

The story of the morning spilled out. Sora and him teasing each other at their lockers, Kairi overhearing, Riku stepping in, Sora's admittance, Kairi's... blatant rejection as she stomped off, and the gossip that had festered because of it.

"And here I am now, hiding from my friends." Roxas said softly. "I didn;t know if was so damn hard just to like the same sex!"

[Rikugurl]

Ven smiled as he heard Sora's agreement. He really wasn't expecting anything different. At the new question though, Ven looked at the floor. "Well... I wasn't going to go home.... and well.... I kinda....needed a Sora hug...." He chuckled before looking back at Sora. "And... if Roxas's isn't busy, he can come over too!"


Olette just blinked as the stupidity hit her like a wall. In a sigh of defeat, she just threw her hands up and shook her head. "Men..." She added before eating the rest of her lunch. She would need to find Roxas after school before he got on the bus.


Axel spat his tongue out as he lounged back. Yea, what could he say? This place was awesome... and they found it by hiding from the janitor! Even if he was comfortable and with good company... he wasn't all to happy with what Roxas reported. When Roxas finished, Axel's arms were crossed and his eyes closed. "You know, you're all acting like a bunch of high schoolers over this." He chuckled before those green eyes opened and he leaned over towards Roxas.

"Why are you hiding from your friends? They're your friends right?" He smiled as he continued. "You know, I looked up the word friend before and the second definition is:
A person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.
If you claim them to be your friends... why are you worried? At least that Olette chick doesn't seem like she'd give you any flack."

He leaned back and smiled. "Besides... if they have anything to say... they can come talk to me."

[Reno]

"I'm sure Roxas would be happy to join us." Sora chuckled with a smile. Suddenly, the whole of these childish matters didn't really matter - Ven was dealing with something truly upsetting!

"And don't worry you can have another if you want one!" He spread out his arms, grinning. Ven was gonna need a lot of them to get through this.


Hayner snuffed as he realized what he had just said and continued to eat as well. "You're mean Olette."


Roxas rolled his eyes shaking his head. "For one thing Axel," He said, his voice a little testy, "I AM a high schooler and nowhere in my 16th birthday contract that said I had to act like a fucking adult. For a second thing that whole 'if they can't support you they really weren't your friend' thing is a bunch of bullshit. Lastly I don't need you to protect me."

He sat up, glaring at the red-head. "Got all that memorized?"

[Rikugurl]

Ven blinked as he saw those arms widen. Oh man... here we GOOOOOOOO!! "ACK!" He yelped as he was pulled into Sora grip once more... but like Sora had thought.... Ven needed them.


The green eyes narrowed, more from feeling hurt than anything else. "Committed it to memory..." A small sting hit him in his heart that lasted a good few minutes until his eyes narrowed for a different reason.
Anger.

He suddenly stood and looked down at the blonde. "Sorry if we see things a little bit differently. That my life wasn't handed to me on a silver platter while I was growing up. You know, your little 'encounter' with the gun was something I had to deal with everyday and that I had to grow up real quick if I wanted to make it back to my house. I was a lot younger than your fucking 'contract'."

He turned and headed for the exit before continuing. "You know what? You fucking think you know everything? Got everything under fucking control? Fine. I guess you don't need my fucking 'support' either. For all I know, you might find the same definition of 'boyfriend' like 'friend' and that's all a bunch of bullshit too." He pointed at the blonde, some tears of frustration and hurt in his eyes. "And go ahead back down to the gallows and go up against the Turks again. Get that nice shinny gun shoved in your face again. See how far your know it all ass gets without any of my 'protection'. I hope you got that all fucking memorized because that's all I have to say."

With that, the thin redhead was gone and the door to the boiler room was slammed.


That night, the triplets took the trolley to Hollow Heights were Ven's and Terra's knew home was.
They followed their leopard coated brother through the main door and up a flight of stairs, stopping on the second floor and going through another door.
They turned left and walked down a hallway all the way to the end. A shinny key was pulled from one of the pockets and Ven pushed it through the keyhole. He turned it and opened the door, turning on the lights and walking to the side for his two brothers to come in.

"So.... what do you think so far?"

[Reno]

Sora laughed at the other's surprise. "Oh come on as if you didn't see it coming!"


Roxas frowned as the pause went over them, looking down just trying to relax. This had to be the most stressful day of his life and it wasn't even half-over!

He blinked in shock when Axel suddenly stood and looked up curiously, only to flinch back a little as the other glared down at him. Axel was kind of... terrifying when he was angry.

His blue eyes were wide as the other yelled at him, both in surprise that he was getting yelled at and the fact that it was AXEL doing the yelling. He was quiet through it all, unable to even get his brain to catch up and issue an explanation or an apology... or something before Axel was leaving and the door was shutting.

The first thing he thought was: What the hell just happened?!
The second thing he thought was: Did Axel just break up with him...?
And the third: Well fuck, apparently his meddling fucked up his own relationships too.

"God... can't you ever just keep your big mouth shut?" Roxas whispered as he bowed his head and pulled at his blond hair.


The evening couldn't come quick enough. The two brothers had to live out the rest of the day - which for Sora he found it incredibly unnerving to at lunch since Kairi was glaring across the cafeteria at him the whole time but Riku being there with him made it easier. And surprisingly, so was Roxas. Apparently the blonde had missed lunch due to... circumstances. Sora could tell something was up but his little brother refused to say a word - or to eat much of anything.

Things didn't start getting better for Roxas until the bell rang. He skipped P.E. and Dance had been... awkward. Axel hadn't been there. But Demyx was. And the Hindu blond didn't even bother to talk to him. The blonde understood. He had messed up bad. Real bad.

But, as he was heading towards the bus, a voice called to him.
"Roxas!" It was Olette.
They could only have a short conversation - those damn buses waited no more than five minutes for the kids to get on - but he got the gist of it. She said she was cool with him with who he was regardless if he liked girls or guys. Roxas, feeling a little better, did Seifer a favor and told her about the taller blonde noble' act. After that the two shared a short goodbye.

Not long after he got home, he got a phone call. From Hayner.
"Hey man... you know, if you like... uh boys and all it's uh totally cool alright?"
Roxas frowned as he laid down on his bed. "You sure...?"
"Yeah man, we've been buds forever. I uh, guess it'd be kinda stupid to just forget all that for something like this."
"Yeah... guess so." Roxas said softly.
There was a pause.
"Hey Roxas... I have just one question."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think I'm sexy?"
Roxas rolled his eyes and smiled, sarcastically answering back. "Oh yeah Hayner you're fucking hot." The two burst into laughter.

But the pleasure at finding two of his friends okay with him was short-lived as he remembered A he wasn't officially gay, he was just a teenager with sexual issues and B he was now boyfriend-less because he was a fucking idiot.

So when he and Sora gathered some things for their sleepover at Ven's Roxas felt a little relieved. It was like... they were getting away from the hell that had been today.

Sora ginned as he set his back of stuff down carelessly by the door. "Don't ask yet that's no fun! I wanna look around first!" The brunette hurried in, oohing and ahing at this and that as he inspected the small abode. He found the bathroom and the closets and studied the kitchen and especially the bed and the wolf blanket atop it. The moment the he finished he nodded before turning to look at his brother and grinned. "Terra's gonna love it!"

Roxas set his things down much calmer, giving a look around. "Yeah... it's nice." He said unenthusiastically.

"Don't mind him he's just being grumpy cause he and Axel got in a cute little fight."
Roxas glared at the brunette.
"Whaaat?"


THUMP.
.
.
.
THUMP.
.
.
.
THUMP.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT NOISE, YO?!" Reno shouted.
THUMP!
Sera murmured something about it being Axel.
"Well fuck, he turned into a loud masturbater all of a sudden." His aunt gave him a vicious glare.
"... Okay, okay I'll go talk to him." Reno sighed, getting up from the table and stuffing his hands in his pockets, heading for the stairs.

He reached Axel's room quickly (it was like two feet away) finding the red-head throwing a beat up baseball at the wall, glowering. "Jeez what'd the wall do, yo? Laugh at your ugly face?" Reno joked, shutting the door. Axel just glared more and threw the ball again but Reno swiped out and caught it. "Alright little bro, spill, what's wrong? And don't you say nothing because you KNOW I can get it out of you."
He sat down on the bed giving his brother a look and crossing his arms.

[Rikugurl]

Ven frowned as he heard Roxas. Nice? Did Roxas have any idea how much time and money he put into this place!? He was about to say something when Sora quickly explained.

A fight... with Axel?
Already?
Shit, he was one to start... him and Terra had pre-relationship fights. "Well, forget it now, we're having fun tonight!" Ven grinned as he pulled Roxas into a head lock before heading to the phone. "So... what kind of pizza so you guys want??"


Stupid.
.
.
.
Blondie.
.
.
.
Stupid.
.
.
.
Stupid....

The door opened and the redhead looked back to see another familiar redhead. "Should you be at Rufus's?" He growled before throwing the ball again... but it didn't come back. The lanky teen put his hands on his hips and as looked down at the shitty looking carpet. His green eyes glanced at his brother, seeing that look of his that read 'come on' all over it.

A frustrated sigh let out as the purple tattoos lit up under the dull lighting. "Roxas... he has... I tried to.... ugh...." He shook his head as he tapped his foot.

[Reno]

"Ah!" Roxas cried as his brother grabbed him. "Ven!" He cried struggling against the other. He sighed as he was let go rubbing his neck.

Sora laughed at the question. "Shouldn't you know these answers by now Ven? You've only lived away from us for like three hours!" He laughed at the look he was given. "Pepperoni!"

"Tch Canadian bacon and pineapple. Way better." Roxas said, smirking just a little. He was cheering up.


Reno raised an eyebrow. "Wow that's a reason to be upset." He rolled his eyes and threw the ball at his brother's, hitting him right on the head. "Come on details man, details!!"

Axel glared at him, but reluctantly, and with much coaxing on Reno's part, he got the story. The coming out to the whole school, the whole school's response, Roxas and Axel's talk and then fight behind the boiler.
The steamed red-head made full use of his room to stomp and steam in as he growled and huffed angrily. Reno just let him, only asking questions when necessary like - 'What did he say?' and 'What did you say?'

Once it was all down, Axel heaved a huge sigh and fell back down the bed, looking a little better at having gotten it off his chest. But only a little. He obviously missed the blond, but was still incredibly pissed at him.

Reno regarded him quietly, humming in thought then finally nodded and reached into his pocket, pulling out a shiny coin - a quarter - and set it down on Axel's crate. "You might need this later, yo."

He turned and looked at his brother, his face serious. "You know what Axel? You're a fucking idiot." He got a glare from the other. "You acted like him saying that he wasn't mature or that he didn't want you to protect him as a whole fucking personal attack to you and not just himself expelling anger and crap - I mean Jesus Axel, don't you remember how pissed YOU were the first week or so of school at that rich place when you were the hot topic there and the whole school was pointing at you when you walked down the hall? The kid with hand-me-downs and crap? I'm mean, you didn't like to let anyone know it got you down or pissed off but Aunt Sera and I knew the minute you got home."

The elder looked at the younger, raising an eyebrow. "Come on Axel, think about it. He's not a fucking girl. He doesn't want protection, he wants to stand on his own two feet. And you know bastard, homophobics are like a fucking disease around here, especially in that rich, snobby community. The gay aren't good enough for them. Unlike here were no one gives a damn, that's were the idiots actually care about your personal fucking life. Roxas lived THAT life - image is everything and that crap. He knows if he is who he is, he'll be shunned. Of course he might not be 'mature' or anything to face up to it right away but hey neither are you idiot. You sit around and play video games with your hippie friend all day and smoke pot - yeah REAL mature. And no street fighting doesn't make you more mature, it makes you stupid. I should know."

Reno crossed his arms, "And furthermore, what do you WANT from Roxas, yo? You want him to feel bad for you cause you lived a hard life? That what you want? PITY? Cause that's what I'm getting here. You want him to feel bad that he isn't LIKE YOU. That he can't understand you because 'oh poor me I grew up in the slums wah wah wah'! Of course he ain't gonna fucking ever fully understand you Axel - especially not after a week of dating!" He tossed his head, his red hair flaring out behind him.

"Fuck, Axel. When me and Rufus got together I never asked him to be anyone else but himself - because I adored who he was. He cares about people and means it when he does, not just faking it like most politicians. I loved the fact he saw more in me then some street rat with anger issues. Now you can't expect ROXAS to be anyone but himself, to have any other experiences and beliefs and stuff other than what he grew up with. That's not the fucking point of a relationship!! What you're asking from him is to be you and if you want that, marry your own fucking reflection, yo!"

He shook his head. "Hopefully the kid's not stupid enough to think that that'd be a good reason to come down here and prove to you he's just as tough as you or something." Reno grinned cruelly. "But hey, you're the one telling him to come back down here to prove he's a real somethn'-somethn'. Guess if he dies in an alley it's all on you, yo."

Reno stood and walked out of the room, leaving Axel to think about what he said, shaking his head. What an idiot.

[Rikugurl]

Ven stuck out his tongue but nodded. "Alright, alright~~" He picked up the phone and dialed their favorite pizza joint.
"Hey, can I order an extra large pizza, half peperoni and half HAM and pineapple?"
There was a pause. "Yep! For deliver."
He gave the guy on the other end the address of the apartment complex and the number of his studio.

He hung up the phone and smiled. "20 minutes!"


Even as Axel listened, that bump on his head hurt like fuck.
That's what Axel did though... he listened. Axel was a good listener... to his brother.

The redhead sighed as Reno left and looked down at the floor. Reno had been wrong about one thing. Axel didn't want pity... he just wanted Roxas to understand that there are a lot of things worse than some stupid rumor...
And he knew Roxas wasn't going to come down here to prove anything.

The kid was smarter than that.
Reno's guilt trip didn't work on him so well this time... but something else did. He DID remember those first few months he joined Hollow Bastion... and how hard it was to hear all the kids talk about him. He supposed... even snooty rich kids have their bad things. Things that kids like him couldn't give much of a damn about.

His green eyes looked down at the quarter... and all he could think about was the night at the ice rink.
He still didn't understand... this whole relationship thing. When was he suppose to protect Roxas and when wasn't he? When should he say something and when should he just keep his mouth shut? With all the street smarts he learned... he never learned anything as complicated as this...

HOW THE HELL DID RENO DO IT!?

He sighed as he rolled off of the bed, taking the coin and pulling on his coat. He didn't bother to bundle up real well... the pay phone wasn't that far away. He walked down the stairs and out the front door, not bothering to see his Aunt looking out from the living room.
He walked outside and down the steps, down the sidewalk to the payphone. The quarter was put in and he picked up the phone.

A familiar number was dialed and the tone came up.
Two rings... and a woman answered.
"Umm, hello, Mrs. Holani. I was just wondering if Roxas was there."
The woman said that Roxas was staying over his brother's for a sleep over.
"Oh, ok... umm... could you tell him that I called? It's me, Axel Xipil." There was some more talk and he nodded. "Thanks. Have a good evening." He hung up and sighed. "Man, oh man..."


The last slice of peperoni was taken and the box was thrown at the kitchen. "HEY! NO FAIR! I SAID PAUSE!" Ven cried before he shoved the slice in his mouth and started to hit some buttons. All he heard was his brothers laughing as they sped by him. "Mour AAAw muncha ITHEADS!" The blonde narrowed his eyes as he swerved around other drivers.