Until We Bleed

All I Ask, Is Your Betrayal

Sorry this is so late. I have no excuse, a lot is going on in my life and the lack of consistent internet is a bummer. Sorry, I can't promise a quick update. I hope this will suffice until next time.

...

"You're such a loser," Axel laughed as he ruffled Roxas' hair, "Don't you ever do anything for yourself?"

Roxas glared as he swat Axel's hand away, "Stop treating me like a kid! One day you'll see, I won't need anyone!"

Axel still laughed, though it wasn't with mocking or disdain. There was a clear glint in his eye, admiration, Roxas assumed. And then Axel said the words he never thought he'd hear from the high school senior, "God, I love you."

Roxas' eyes widened, "Wh-what..?"

Axel's eyes mirrored him as he realized what he had said. He grinned sheepishly, "I love you?"

"Like.. How?" Roxas was always too shy when it came to other's displays of affection. Axel's smile was gentle and caring, before he moved and pressed his lips to Roxas'. The young freshman's world finally made sense.

Roxas is shaken awake by Sora. He groans softly, sitting up on the living room couch, not remembering when he had fallen asleep. Sora smiles softly, "Sorry, but it's almost noon."

Roxas sighs and rubs the sleep from his eyes. Sora sits beside him, "Late night?"

"Yeah.." Roxas won't meet his eyes, afraid of the judgment, sure that Riku has told him of the previous night's event.

"I know about the call.." Sora says softly after a moment of silence, feeling the tension. Roxas just frowns, his suspect proved true. Sora gently places a hand on his shoulder, "Do you want to talk about it..?"

Roxas suddenly faces Sora, bringing up something he's meant to ask about for months, "Why did you kiss me?"

He's sure he already knew, and the almost betrayed look on Sora's face did nothing to dissuade him. Sora becomes nervous, picking at his nails and avoiding eye contact, "Um.. Well.."

Roxas waits for an answer, eyes searching, but he has no idea what he's really looking for. Sora continues to avoid looking at him as he stumbles through his explanation, "You see, um.. I, uh.. Well.. I.. I.."

He sighs, closing his eyes, "I.. Have feelings for you, Roxas."

His bright blue eyes open, but there's no glint of the happy boy Roxas has grown used to seeing. There's silence between them before Sora speaks up again, "But you knew that.. What is this really about?"

Roxas had concocted a terrible plan late in the night, the only hope of salvation he can rationalize in his twisted mind. Roxas looks almost pleading, "Do you still have feelings for me?"

Sora looks taken aback, unsure of what exactly is happening. He blushes lightly, thinking over the possibility. The answer, is that he never stopped. This is a strenuous situation, one he's not sure he wants to be a part of, but also he can't ignore the begging look in those crystal blue eyes.

"Yes."

That answer sealed his fate as Roxas repeats those betraying actions from seemingly so long ago. Sora's eyes widen as Roxas gives him the most terrible gift. Roxas pulls back and Sora swears his heart is going to explode. Roxas' eyes are unreadable as he watches Sora's response. The brunet boy just looks concerned as he stares back. Neither of them say anything and Sora's bewildered expression turns to one of shyness, a tint of red staining his cheeks, making his freckles seem to glow. He is cute, Roxas can admit.

"Roxas," Sora groans softly, his voice almost whining.

"You can't tell Riku," Roxas replies, "He'll throw me out, and I have nowhere to go."

Sora looks appalled, "I-I won't just let you be homeless! O-or go back to Axel!"

He sighs, looking away, "I won't tell, but.. Rox.. I can't.. We.. Can't.. Riku's my partner.. I can't.. Just.. I.."

Tears start to well in his eyes and his cheeks redden with emotion. Roxas leans towards him, tilting his head lightly as he puts a hand on Sora's shoulder. He speaks calmly, the most composed he's been since coming here for their help, "Sora, calm down, it's okay. Riku won't know, I won't let anything happen to you. Okay?"

Sora looks back at him, surprised, "What? No, you got it wrong. Riku would never hurt me."

Roxas grits his teeth, pulling back and crossing his arms, "I thought Axel wouldn't, either."

Sora frowns, "That's.. It's not the same.. Riku's not like that."

Roxas shrugs, glaring out the window. Sora looks conflicted, but he smiles softly, "I appreciate the concern, though, okay?"

"What about the bruises on your neck?" Roxas asks without looking at him.

Sora blushes, a hand flying to his neck upon instinct. He shakes his head, "They're not.. They're not bruises."

Roxas glances back at him, looking him up and down, "Aren't they?"

Sora's starting to become uncomfortable, not used to being called out in the open like this. He shakes his head, dropping his hands to his lap, "No. Roxas.. You're sweet, but you don't have to worry about that with me and Riku. No one's getting hurt here."

"Is he rough with you?" Roxas blurts out before blushing and looking away.

Sora looks down, fidgeting, "Um.. Can we.. Not.. Talk about this? Please? There's nothing to worry about between Riku and I, promise."

Roxas nods lightly, running a hand through his unruly hair. Sora smiles lightly, "Um, are you hungry..? I can make you something."

Those icy blue eyes flit back to him and Sora can't breathe. It's ridiculous how one look has him weak in the knees. He swallows and scratches the back of his head, "Uh.. Hahah.. I'm just.. Gonna make you some coffee, okay? You look beat.."

Sora gets up and Roxas grabs his wrist. He looks down at him curious, but also cautious. Roxas stares back with that same look Sora can't decipher. What is up with him today? It's gotta be all this Axel nonsense, it has him on edge. Sora assures himself everything is fine as he smiles pleasantly at Roxas, "You can sit in the kitchen with me, if you don't want to be alone."

Roxas stands slowly and his hold lessens until he's hand in hand with Sora. The brunet thinks nothing of it, he used to hold hands with Roxas all the time when they were in school. He leads the way to the kitchen, leaving Roxas at the table as he moves about to gather the supplies to start a fresh brew of coffee. Sora finishes with the coffee and turns to head back to the table, when he's startled by Roxas standing right in front of him. He laughs it off and Roxas smiles softly, "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

Sora shrugs, "It's all good. Am I in your way?"

Roxas shakes his head, taking both of Sora's hands in his own. Sora pulls his hands away, "Roxas.. You're being weird today.. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Sora," Roxas shakes his head, his smile replaced with an expression of confliction. This worries Sora and he pulls Roxas into a hug, "Whatever it is, you can tell me. We can talk it all out, okay? Like when you would stay the night at my house when we were younger."

Roxas hugs him back, burying his face in his best friend's shoulder. Sora holds him, concern overwhelming him again. What did Axel say to him on the phone? Sora purses his lips, tightening his hold around Roxas. Roxas pulls back after a moment and Sora meets him with a gentle smile, "Do you wanna sit and talk about it? You can tell me anything, I'll do whatever I can to help."

Roxas stares at him, what he knows he needs, he can't truly ask for. He has no other choice, though. It's this or nothing, and Roxas can't handle the nothing. He kisses Sora again, a gentle and bittersweet action. Trying to say everything without saying anything at all. With the kiss, with the grip he has on him, with the need to have Sora keep holding him like this. Sora shivers, afraid and excited at the same time. He knows he shouldn't, but his heart demands Roxas' affections as well. With them so blatantly given, how could he possibly refuse? he closes his eyes and returns the betraying affections.