Until We Bleed

Conflicted

"Leave now, or I'm calling the cops." Riku crosses his arms, eyes narrow and dangerous.

Axel scoffs, "Come on, man, I just want to talk to him."

"And he doesn't want to talk to you." Riku replies, a hand on the door in preparation to slam it.

"Axel?" Sora whispers to Roxas.

Roxas nods, he can't take his eyes off his boyfriend. Sora looks on in worry, not sure what to do about any of this.

"Just let me in," Axel groans, "I need to clear things up."

"Like how you raped him?" Riku raises an eyebrow, "Yeah, I'm not letting you in, so you better just go."

"I didn't rape him!" Axel retorts, anger flaring, "This is exactly what needs to be cleared up!"

Roxas winces as Axel's voice raises. Sora quickly stands and walks over to Roxas, whispering, "Come on, I'll take you upstairs."

Roxas just nods, finally tearing his gaze from Axel. He stands with Sora's guiding hands and they leave the kitchen, heading for the stairs. Axel sees Roxas however, calling out to him. This causes Roxas to stumble and stop, looking at Axel from where he stands. Riku's still blocking the door, but Axel's taller so Roxas can see his face clearly. Sora puts a hand on Roxas' arm, whispering to him, "Roxas, come on."

"Roxas! Roxas, wait!" Axel smiles softly, "We just need to talk, okay?"

"Leave now, or I'm calling the police." Riku warns again, he really doesn't like being talked over, especially not literally.

Roxas feels conflicted. He wants to go hide, but he wants to talk, too. He doesn't know what to do, so he tears his gaze away once more as he decides to let Sora drag him away up the stairs. Riku glares at Axel, "See? I told you he doesn't want to talk to you. Just go, Axel. You need to leave him be."

"I won't just abandon him," Axel frowns.

"You're way beyond that." Riku shakes his head, "If you come near my house again, I'll have the cops on the way before you even reach my door, do you understand me?"

Axel frowns, glaring back at Riku. The two men glare one another down in silence for a few moments before Axel rolls his eyes and steps back, "Fine, whatever. He can't hide in there forever, and we will talk about this."

"Go near him and I'll call the cops, too." Riku states, "You raped him, Axel, he told me so himself. You have no right to be anywhere near him."

"But I didn't!" Axel huffs, "Why does he think that?!"

"Why would he claim you did if you didn't?" Riku sighs harshly, "Just leave."

Axel glares before turning and walking away. Riku shuts and locks the front door before going upstairs and calling out, "He's gone, guys!"

"We're in here!" Sora calls back from the bedroom. Riku comes into the room and Sora's sitting on the bed next to Roxas, who's trembling as he stares at the floor. Riku walks over and kneels in front of Roxas, his voice soft as he speaks, "Are you alright?"

Roxas nods, wiping his eyes as he looks away. Sora sighs softly, his eyes sad. He meets Riku's gaze with worry. He doesn't know how to react to this, what to do about any of this. Riku stands slowly, "We can go back downstairs now, finish breakfast."

"I'm not hungry.." Roxas almost whispers, staring at the floor.

"Would you like to be left alone then?" Riku asks gently. Just like Sora, he doesn't know how to properly deal with this situation, but he's going to try his damn hardest. Roxas is still his friend, after all. Roxas glances at them wearily, he doesn't know if he wants to be alone. He doesn't know anything anymore. He shrugs and looks back at the rug like it's the most interesting thing he's ever seen.

Sora puts a reassuring hand on Roxas' shoulder and Riku sits on his other side in silence. They stayed like that for quite awhile before Sora finally convinces Roxas to go back downstairs. He sits back on the couch while Sora and Riku clean up their half-eaten breakfast. Riku's silent and Sora keeps glancing back at him. Riku raises an eyebrow, speaking softly, "What's on your mind?"

"Should we call the police on Axel?" Sora asks just as softly, "I mean, should we put Roxas through all of that? What if he doesn't even want to press charges?"

"That's his decision," Riku replies, "I won't do anything he doesn't want, unless Axel keeps coming around here. I don't trust him to think clearly right now, and I won't let that put you or Roxas in danger."

"You think he might try to do something?" Sora asks, his eyes lightly widening.

"I don't know, but I'm not taking chances." Riku states.

Sora nods lightly, glancing over at Roxas in the living room. He sighs softly, "I'm worried about him, Riku.."

"I know," Riku moves behind Sora and wraps his arms around him, "But he'll be okay eventually. Things like this just takes time."

Sora nods again, reaching up and taking Riku's hands in his own. He's glad he still has Riku around to keep things steady. If he had lost Riku.. He doesn't know what he'd do without him. Roxas stares out the window with a blank expression, but his eyes shine with his conflicted feelings. He's still waiting for everything to make sense for him. He's not scared, he's just sad, and he can't stand it. He finds he can't stand a lot of his emotions lately. What is wrong with me? Roxas closes his eyes, listening to his own soft breathing.

He can hear the murmurs of his friends, though he can't hear what they're saying. Sora releases his hold on Riku's hands, and Riku steps away from him before leading him into the living room. They sit beside Roxas, mirroring their positions on the bed from earlier. No one speaks, Sora and Riku just want to be there for Roxas, even though it's not much. Roxas opens his eyes and looks between his friends, eyes softer now. They're both smiling lightly at him and he returns the smile before looking away again. Maybe everything will be okay again soon.