Devil beside You chapter 22

DISCLAIMER

I do NOT own any of the Kingdom Hearts I & II rights.

Warning: Shonen-ai, boys kiss & hugs, language below.

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Chapter 22


“I’m almost there.” Axel growled to his cell phone, “Old man, what do you want this time? …I get it.”

The redhead approached a building and walked in.


Flash, flash, beep flash, beep flash. The camera buzzed from time to time when the photographer focused on Aerith and Wakka who were posing. “Yes, that’s great.” Flash</i> “A little bit left, yes, good! Now smile more, c’mon! Be cheerful!” Beep flash

“Hey Axel!!” The orange-haired man greeted gleefully when the redhead turned the corner into the photography studio. All crew members ceased their actions when Wakka ran towards Axel and brought him forth to the photographer, “Here, here. This is my son, he’s handsome, ya? Whoever with a pair of eyeglasses will have their glasses explode when they see him; the ones without eyeglasses their eyes will spit fire.”

“Shut up!” was the redhead’s roaring response.

“Look at his shy expression!” Wakka continued to exclaim, “It's especially attractive! Come on, let's take a picture!”

“This is so stupid, I'm leaving.” Axel rolled his eyes irritably and turned to leave, only to halt when he saw a gorgeous Roxas dressed in complete ivory suit, rosy pink obviously tinting his cheekbones. The redhead could tell his heart beating faster as he stared awestruck at the dazzling blonde in front of him.

“Why are you all dressed up like this?” Axel asked in a slightly annoyed tone, trying to hide his dumbfounded expression away.

“Well...because Uncle Wakka and Mom want me to take photos with them.” Roxas replied a slight bit nervously. Wakka nodded in an idiotic expression.

“And you, Axel!” Aerith added cheerfully, “I really hope that we can have a complete family photo.”

Axel turned to her, “I...w-”

“You won't disappoint me, right?” Aerith asked.

“I would be a jerk if I don't do it, right?” Axel wisted around.

“Yeah!” Wakka clapped his hands excitedly, “Look at my son, he's filial, gentle, considerate and hands-”

“If you don't shut up I'll disappear right now!!” Axel howled again.


Flash. “Wow, you guys are all so good-looking.” The photographer complimented, “Your two sons are very handsome.”

“Ehh....” Aerith looked to the blonde who was standing behind Wakka (Aerith and Wakka were sitting in front; Axel and Roxas stood behind them), “So Roxie has grown...”

“So, Roxas you've got a girlfriend?” Wakka turned around.

“No I don't!” Roxas pouted.

“Eh? Last time I saw you holding a pretty Christmas tree, didn't a girl make you that?” Aerith crooked an eyebrow.

“That was my art project.” Axel interrupted, “I gave it to Roxas because he was the one who designed it.”

“Oh...” Aerith hanged her head, “So that's what it was...”

“Yeah,” Wakka nodded, “You took it the wrong way...”

“Aww...” Aerith sighed, “Well Roxas, if you have a date, remember to introduce her to us!”

If I could've, I would've, Mom... Roxas whined mentally.

“Actually,” Wakka suddenly started, “Even though we aren't officially married, but I want Aerith and Roxie to come live with us after the New Year. And when we do that, we'll put this complete family picture at home, ya?”

Aerith giggled and nodded shyly. So...we're really living together now... Roxas gulped. Axel smirked, that means, Roxas and I are living together... Now isn't that great news?

-- Next week --

Roxas slowly fluttered open his lashes. Axel's face came into focus. He's my future brother, Axel's face moved closer, Axel.

“Wait!” Roxas grabbed the redhead's chin and stopped his motion, “Axel, what're you doing?”

“Roxas, let us be dangerous brothers.” Axel smirked mischievously. Roxas screamed and jumped from the bed, avoiding the redhead; but Axel was faster and forced him down into a kiss, and then...


'THUMP!'

They fell off from the bed...or rather, Roxas fell off from his bed.

The blonde gasped and sat up from the cold floor, “It was just a dream...W-Why did I have such a dream? That's soo embarrassing...” Roxas mumbled while his face blushed to the shade of a tomato; he quickly crawled back into the bed, wishing that no one heard him falling off from the bed.

“Good morning.” A voice startled him.

Roxas turned sharply around, only to find Axel lying sideways on the other half of his queen-sized bed leisurely.

“It's time for breakfast, brother.” Axel grinned. Roxas eyed him suspiciously and slowly raised a hand to...pinch the redhead's cheek.

“Arghhhh!” Axel yelled.

Roxas sat up from the bed, “This time's real...”

“How dare you to pinch me!” Axel sat up too and attacked the blonde's cheek, squeezing the flesh to bright pink, “Do you surrender? Do you surrender?”

“OKOK I SURRENDER!!” Roxas raised a hand and soon his cheek was released while his hand was taken. Axel pulled Roxas back so they were lying next to each other on the bed.

“Hey Roxy,” Axel turned to face the blonde, “How come you still sleep with your shirt on? It's not sexy at all.”

Roxas did nothing other than pout.


Aerith was placing dishes onto the table while Axel walked downstairs.

“G'd Morning, Auntie.” He greeted and proceeded to sit next to Roxas.

“Morning!” Aerith replied gleefully.

“Axel,” Roxas frowned to his breakfast, “Can you knock the door next time before coming into my room?”

“I did.” Axel replied as if Roxas was supposed to know, “But you didn't wake up.”

“Now, now, Roxas,” Aerith said, “How can you be so lazy?”

Roxas pouted and was about to protest until Wakka's voice caught away all the attention, “Aerith!” He posed in his new suit on the staircase.

“Honey!!” Aerith exclaimed in joy and rushed towards her fiancé.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” Wakka continued, “How is my suit?”

“You're so handsome!!” Aerith clasped her hands in adoration.

“This is a new suit!” Wakka remarked, “I suppose that I won't embarrass you on our wedding?”

Aerith gasped, “It fits you really well!!”

“Really?” Wakka asked, “Is it making you fall in love with me once again today?”

“HEY!! Old man!!” Axel bowled, “You're making me have heartburns every morning! It's getting difficult to breath and I feel drowsy and nauseous!”

The other three gave out rapid giggles; Aerith wrapped an arm around Wakka's and they walked as if they were in a marriage ceremony.

Mom will officially marry Uncle Wakka, Roxas thought, it's been a week since we moved from our old apartment... We left the home that I grew up in, the castle that my father Cloud built for us. I know that memories will not be forgotten; it's just that for Mom's sake, I'll lock it deeper in my heart, deeper in the most precious corner.


'Roxie, let's go to school hand in hand!' The image of the tall, strong Cloud holding my hand resurfaced, 'Yay! I love you, Daddy!'


“What's wrong?” Axel's voice snapped Roxas from his memories.

“Huh? Nothing...”

“Let's go to school happily altogether today!” Wakka sat down.

Axel grimaced, “Not again...”

“Yeah!” Roxas nodded merrily to Wakka, “Let's all go to school happily!”

-- University --

The car arrived at the main entrance and all three climbed out of the vehicle. Wakka strolled broadly in the school.

“Hey that's the Principle!” A student noted, “And that's his son, that means he's the next Principle!”

“Eh? Who's that boy?” Another student inquired, “He's always around with the Principle's son...”

“Next time don't let my dad's passion get into your head, got it memorized?” Axel growled quietly.

“I'm regretting it too...” Roxas pouted.


“Hey, how are things going with you and Axel now?” Sora asked Roxas as them and Olette walked towards a class.

“…There’s nothing to report about…” Roxas replied dully.

“Nothing at all?!” Sora frowned, “That’s impossible; aren’t you guys living together now?”

“What?” Roxas pouted, “You know that when Uncle and Mom are there, how can we possibly do anything?” But… I had that kind of dream… Roxas recalled.

“Roxas, you’re blushing…” Olette tilted her head innocently as she placed a hand over the blonde’s forehead, “Are you having a fever?”

“It definitely is a fever.” Sora sighed, “A feverish Roxas.”

“Hey! You’re the one being pervy here!” Roxas fired back.

“But logically,” Sora said, “Guys like him think with the lower half of their bodies; don’t you think he’s slow?”

“Sora, you said ‘he’s slow’,” Olette asked, “Are you talking about Riku?”

Roxas quickly gave a triumphant glance towards Olette and stuck his tongue out to the brunette.

“I’m talking about AXEL.” Sora rolled his eyes and emphasized.

‘Ring!’

“There’s the bell!” Roxas said, “I’m going!” And he proceeded into the classroom. Sora smiled sarcastically towards Olette, “Olette, remember to pay attention to class, and use your brain!” He poked her temple, “Or else you’ll always be so thick-headed.”

-- Later in the afternoon at Axel’ house --

Aerith shuffled out of the kitchen with a pot of tea and poured some into a cup, then she handed it to Maleficent who was sitting in the sofa.

“Thank you.” Maleficent received the cup and sipped, “Aerith.”

“Yes?”

“About the marriage...I was thinking that we should go to your hometown and make an announcement first.”

“Really? I was thinking about the same thing!” Aerith exclaimed excitedly, “I think you, Wakka and I should go back there and just make note to them so they can come during the ceremony!”

“Yes...and what about the boys?” Maleficent reminded.

“Well, I asked Axel and he said he doesn't want to go.” Aerith said, “And I think it would be better if Roxas would stay with him so he won't be too bored. You know, Axel isn't the type to do the housework and manage a home...”

“So you plan to just leave the kids here?” Maleficent asked slightly shocked.

“Yeah.” Aerith nodded, “After all, the announcement is just one of the processes in a marriage. The kids will think that it's boring.”

“Well you sure have a point,” Maleficent sighed, “but...”

“What's wrong?”

“Did you know that Axel is um...bisexual?” The witch-like woman asked.

“Well, I've heard from Wakka that he did like some guys before...” Aerith replied.

“Well, maybe I was just worrying too much, but even though those two boys are becoming brothers, they aren't exactly blood-related after all...” Maleficent remarked.

“But I think they're getting along really well.” The auburn haired lady smiled.

“That's what I'm worrying about, I'm afraid that they get along too well.”

Aerith stayed silent for a second before gasping and laughed, “Oh, Mom! What makes you worry about things like this?”

“Well if something actually happened, then it's too late, Aerith.” Maleficent frowned, “Those two are right at their golden ages, I was afraid that if they...”

“Mom...” Aerith's expression grew serious, “Is this how you think of my son?”

“No-”

Maleficent was cut off when the front door swung open.

“Mom! We're back! ...” Roxas exclaimed loudly as he entered the house, but stopped dead in his track when he saw Maleficent, causing Axel who was behind him to bump into him.

“Roxas what is your pro- oh, Grandma.” Axel noted plainly and started walking past all the others to the stairs that leads to his room.

“Wait, Axel.” Maleficent ordered coldly, “I have something to say.”

All eyes turned to the wicked woman.

“Axel, you're Wakka's son and the CEO-to be of our enterprise, you need to have a good titled family.” Maleficent said, pulling out a portfolio from her purse, “I've arranged marriage with you and this girl.” She opened the folder to reveal the photo of a pretty ice blonde haired girl.

WHAT?! Roxas screamed mentally, I thought she was going to let me choose!

“Definitely. No.” Axel bellowed.

“You'll take it even if you don't want it!” Maleficent yelled back.

“I'm already an adult!! You can't make me!!!” Axel roared before storming upstairs; Roxas chased after him instinctively. The other two women just sat there silently.