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Aquaphobia	By : TasogareNoRaikou Category: Kingdom Hearts > Slash/Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 1021 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I do own the storyline, so please don’t steal! I don't write for money, this is just for fun.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
Aquaphobia

Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts. I do own the storyline, so please don’t steal!

Warnings: Yaoi, violence, death…

Spoilers: If you have not played KH2 some of the characters might be new to you.

Pairings: Roxas:x:Axel, Zack:x:Cloud, Yuffie:x:Kairi, Paine:x:Rikku

Plot: Roxas is a mess. His sister haunts him, he has no memories of his past, and he has an intense fear of water. Time heals all wounds, but will his new friendships and a newfound love truly conquer Roxas’ Aquaphobia? Or will he be haunted by his sister forever?
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Chapter Three: Captured in Blue

When Roxas and Axel returned to their friends Zexion was sipping at yet another fruity drink, Rikku giggling at him and swatting the drag queen playfully, the boy flipping his blue hair over his shoulder and grinning cheekily. Sora was blushing furiously about something; mouth slightly agape, while Paine watched with an amused smile twisting her lips. Cloud and Demyx were nowhere to be found, and Marluxia was busy serving drinks along the expanse of the bar. Axel moved from Roxas’ side to Zexion and rubbed the boy’s upper arm while looking to the older girl. “Did Cloud say he could keep drinking like this?”
“That’s his last one!” Rikku replied before the darker girl could. “If he grabs another I’ll take it away from him, Demyx didn’t want him getting too drunk and throwing up in his car on the way back.”
Paine rolled her ruby eyes, reaching for the younger girl’s drink, “I don’t exactly want you throwing up in my car either, baby…” Rikku pouted at her, licking around the rim of the glass slowly. Paine sighed and wrapped her arm a bit tighter around the girl’s waist; the blonde girl giggling and leaning back, kissing her lightly.
Roxas looked away from the girls and up at Axel. “I wanted to talk to Zack some more, do you think we can find them?”
The older boy nodded, “Yeah, I’m sure they’re somewhere on the dance floor.”
Roxas looked from the red-head to Sora, smiling at the brunette. “Will you stay with Zexion? Make sure Rikku doesn’t let him have another drink.”
“I’ll watch him.” Sora replied, smiling. “I’ve never seen him like this, he’s so funny.” Zexion turned and looked at the brunette, winking at him slyly. The younger boy blushed and looked at Roxas helplessly. “Don’t leave for too long, I don’t know when Demyx is coming back, and I don’t want to lose you guys in here.”
“Don’t worry, kid. We’re not going to leave you stranded here with tipsy Zexi.” Paine said, nodding when the boy looked her way. “The boys will be back; knowing Cloud they’re just having some fun.”
-x-x-x-
Axel once again took the lead, making a path for the younger boy as they weaved through the crowd. To Roxas’ surprise it wasn’t hard to find the blonde singer, several people had moved back to watch the lean boy dancing with his partner, who turned out to be tall, dark, gorgeous Zack. Axel didn’t seem shocked at the two boys dancing against one another provocatively, violet eyes locked into blue as they smiled at one another, but it was a complete shock to Roxas. Sure, he has suspected that the older boy was interested in the same sex, but he had never expected the darker boy to be so open about it. With wandering hands and whispered words the two moved together in their own little spotlight, Demyx watching nearby and whispering something to Reno, who was laughing and pointing in Roxas and Axel’s direction. The dirty blonde looked over and met Roxas’ eyes, grinning. Apparently he hadn’t expected it either.
“Hey, cutie.” A voice said, Roxas looking over and meeting eyes with a tall brunette, the boy looking him over sensuously. “Want to dance?”
The blonde, blushing furiously, opened his mouth to reply but couldn’t, standing like a deer in headlights as he stuttered, “I…I-I…”
“He’s taken.” Axel said from behind him, wrapping an arm around Roxas’ waist and pulling the boy back against him, kissing his cheek and watching the other boy’s flirty smile turn into a frown.
“Sorry, hun. I didn’t realize you were with someone.” He said, waving and disappearing back into the crowd, Roxas breathing a sigh of relief and turning towards Axel.
“Thank you,” he said, “I’ve never been good with stuff like that.”
Smiling cattily, Axel asked, “With what? Gay boys flirting with you?”
Blushing, Roxas replied, “N-no! I meant turning people down.”
“So flirting with you is okay?” the red-head teased, watching the younger boy blush a deeper shade of red.
“Hey guys! Less talking, more dancing!” Reno said as he stepped up to Axel’s side, sticking his tongue out at the other red-head. “You can debate Roxas’ sexuality when we’re not at the club!”
Pressing a hand to his burning face, Roxas turned to look at Demyx, who’d grabbed his arm and was pulling him deeper into the dance crowd. “Come on, Rox, show me your moves!”
Laughing and following after his friend, the two blondes faded into the sea of dancers, Reno and Axel standing together, watching them go. “Do you like him?” Reno asked, Axel looking over at him with a smile.
“Do you like him?” Axel asked, “He’s cute, but I think he’s straight.”
Returning the younger boy’s smile, Reno replied, “That’s never stopped me before.”
Smiling, Axel turned back towards the crowd, just barely picking out the two boys dancing together and laughing. “No, it never has, has it…”
-x-x-x-
Demyx pulled Roxas in close as they danced together, grinning as he leaned in and asked, “So, what do you think?”
The younger boy laughed softly, leaning in as well and replying, “What do you mean what do I think?”
The dirty-blonde grinned and shook his head, watching Roxas with a knowing smile as they danced together. The younger boy rolled his eyes and smiled back, turning his back to the other boy and looking out over the crowd to try and distract himself from the pounding in his chest. What did he think about Axel? He was tall, built, drop dead sexy… Roxas squeezed his eyes shut and tilted his head back, letting his thoughts drown out in the throbbing bass resonating through the club. What was making him think like that? He’d never been attracted to a boy before, other than second-glances every now and then towards Zack, and even that had been a fleeting crush that ended more than a year ago. Axel reminded him a lot of Zack actually, they were both kind, compassionate, understanding, patient…they never pressed him about his past. Never asked too many questions, but somehow they were both close to him… He caught himself again, Axel was close to him? He barely knew him! But Axel had been there before, when a part of himself that he kept hidden from even his closest friends had been out in the open laid raw and bare, and had held him, comforted him. He hadn’t run away, hadn’t shunned him or thought he was weak. Axel had seen a part of him that no one besides Aerith had witnessed since his family had died, and somehow it made him feel like Axel knew him better than even Sora or Demyx did.
A hand on his shoulder had him opening his eyes and turning to look over his shoulder, the dirty-blonde boy at his side smiling at him softly. “Don’t think too much about it,” the other boy said, a soft understanding in his eyes, “We were just curious, that’s all.”
“We?” Roxas asked, leaning in close again.
Demyx laughed a bit and cupped his hand on Roxas’ shoulder, replying with a grin, “Sora’s not the only one who’s been giving off the gay vibe, you know?”
Roxas’ face turned red, the boy ducking his head and looking off towards the back of the dance floor, catching Reno and Axel watching them and chatting silently. Oh god, what have I gotten myself into… he thought to himself as green eyes smiled over at him, a smile twisting Axel’s lips. He couldn’t stop the butterflies fluttering in his chest.
-x-x-x-
Monday seemed to come quicker than usual, the week passing in a blur. By Wednesday Roxas was starting to become restless, and on Thursday afternoon he was itching to try out the pool one more time, if only to test the theory that his newfound friends might be there. In all honesty he really just wanted to see if Axel would be there, but he was trying not to admit that to himself.
Sora came with him this time, the younger boy bolting ahead of him into the gym and making his way down the halls to the locker rooms, Roxas following slowly behind. He tried not to think about what had happened last time, about Yuffie falling unconscious into the pool, but as Sora tugged him into that domed, echoing chamber that reeked of chlorine it was all that he could think about, and he instantly began regretting his decision to come. Sora, oblivious to his inner turmoil, happily made his way into the pool with a splash, shaking the pool water from his long dark spikes and looking up at the blonde who still stood motionless at the pool’s edge.
“Come on Roxas, the water’s warm! It feels great!”
Taking a deep breath he smiled at his friend. He couldn’t make this weird, Sora had no idea what Roxas was feeling. He didn’t want to ruin a perfectly good afternoon with one of his best friends. He could do this. He could. Roxas walked over to the steps leading into the shallow end, stepping cautiously into the water. The staff must have raised the heater in the pool; the water was warmer than last time, almost the temperature of a nice hot bath. It was soothing, seeping into his tense muscles and slowly willing him to relax. Sora had wading over to him, watching him silently; a thoughtful expression across his usually carefree face. Roxas noticed and smiled at him, “You’re right, this is nice.”
Sora smiled again, dipping down to his knees so the water was up to his shoulders. “Hey Rox? Can I ask you something?”
“Of course,” the older boy replied, sitting down on the last step and sighing softly, “What is it?”
Sora watched him for a moment, moving his hands back and forth slowly underwater, before saying, “Last weekend, when we met Kairi and Yuffie, they told us about what happened; about you saving Yuffie. They said that you pulled her out of the pool when she fell and hit her head, that you gave her CPR and got her breathing again.” He looked up at Roxas, tilting his head ever so slightly. “You never told me about it, you never told any of us... I mean, I didn’t even know you could swim! You never want to come to the pool with me, and you know I’m thinking about being on the swim team next year, so I’ve started coming a lot...” He hesitated, then added, “It would have been nice if you had wanted to come with me. We could have kept one another company.” He watched Roxas, the blonde boy lifting one of his legs slightly out of the water. “I guess what I’m trying to ask is…why didn’t you tell me about it? Or tell at least one of us… When I think about it, even though you’re friends with all of us, you never really talk to us about anything personal. Is it…is it because you don’t trust us enough?”
At that Roxas looked up, meeting Sora’s concerned look. “No, of course not. I trust you, and Demyx and Zexion.” Sora didn’t seem convinced, Roxas reaching over and touching his arm. “Of course I trust you! All of you! You’re such good friends, I’m so glad that we met. It’s just…” His voice grew soft, blue eyes moving to dance across the water. “There are some things I’m afraid to talk about. Things in my past that I don’t even know if I can talk about…”
“I would like it if you’d talk to me, Roxas,” Sora offered tentatively, “I mean, if you ever wanted to, that is.”
Roxas squeezed Sora’s shoulder for a moment then sighed and took a step forward into the water, mimicking the younger boy and sinking down to his knees. The heat from the pool instantly flooded over his skin, a shiver running down his spine as his core temperature adjusted. “Did they tell you…about me freaking out afterwards?” he asked, looking over at his friend.
Sora tilted his head, seeming to choose his words carefully, “They said that you were really upset, and Yuffie was kind of worried about you. She asked if you were doing okay. I told them everything was fine, as far as I knew.”
Roxas nodded, looking away absently. “It really scared me, seeing her fall like that.” He thought about saying more, but something kept the words in this chest. He had never confided in anyone besides Aerith, the therapist he’d been seeing since the crash. She was obligated to keep client-therapist confidentiality, which somehow made it easier to talk to her, knowing that no one but her would ever know. Blue eyes flitted back to glance over Sora, the brunette watching him silently. Sora was fun, bubbly, chatty, and Roxas was sure he could keep a secret if he was asked to, but the same thought kept repeating itself in his mind. Aerith wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone about what Roxas told her, but if he told Sora then all he could do was trust that the other boy wouldn’t say anything to anyone… He didn’t know if he still had that kind of trust inside of him, not after everything he’d been through.
Chatter suddenly filled the air, Roxas looking up to see several lean, long-legged boys walking together towards the quarantined far side of the pool, rows marked by floating buoys to form several lanes. He watched for a moment as they tossed their towels and things on top of a few chairs then made their way to the deep end, pulling on goggles and laughing at one another’s jokes. It was part of the swim team, a few juniors from the look of it, undoubtedly here to do their daily laps before heading back to their dorms. Roxas heard a sigh, turning to look at Sora, who was watching in a slight state of awe. “I want to be doing that…” Sora whispered, his eyes sparkling as one of the boys dove into the pool and started swimming. “They’re so fast…”
More of the swim team began making their way into the pool area, Roxas and Sora watching from the shallow end silently, the blonde fully aware of a certain red-head who had just entered with a few of his friends. Sora noticed him first, lifting up out of the water and waving excitedly while calling, “Axel! Look Roxas it’s Axel!”
Roxas grimaced as the walls echoed with Sora’s excitement, most of the boys who had gathered laughing softly. Axel and another boy walked over to greet them, the tall blonde smiling and saying off-handed to his companion, “Freshmen…”
Axel laughed softly and nodded, the blonde nudging his side and laughing as well. “Hey kids, isn’t it past your curfew? Time for the big kids to use the pool!”
Sora, who had at first been gawking in awe at the tall, muscled swimmer, frowned slightly. “We were just…”
Axel immediately interjected, “Zell, stop being an ass.” He shoved the other boy playfully. “They don’t know to just ignore you like I do.”
At that Sora lightened up, realizing the older boy had just been teasing them. He stuck his tongue out at Zell, the tall blonde laughing and running a hand through his hair, the lightning-like tattoo across his left cheek twisting as he smiled. “Damn, were we ever that cute?”
“You weren’t.” Axel replied smoothly, Zell shoving him and rolling his eyes before walking back towards the deep end. Roxas coughed softly to hide his laughter, a soft smile curving his lips as he met Axel’s eyes. The red-head was watching him intently, perhaps a bit more so than he should have been; causing Roxas’ heartbeat to quicken in his ears.
Sora, who had been eyeing the swim team silently, suddenly said, “I’m going to go talk to the captain for a minute, I’ll be right back.” He grabbed the hand rail next to the stairs and pulled himself quickly out of the water, padding across the tile to the team captains who had gathered near the diving boards.
“How are you?” Axel asked, Roxas turning to look at the other boy as he grabbed onto the lip of the pool and slowly slid his legs into the water, sitting on the edge and watching the younger boy with cat green eyes.
“Good,” the blonde replied, lifting himself a bit out of the water and wading over to the older boy, “You?”
Axel shrugged, “Can’t complain.” He hesitated a moment then said, “The other night at the club, it was nice hanging out. I’m sorry if I put you on edge.”
Roxas blinked, startled for a moment, then laughed and said, “No, of course you didn’t! Why would you think that?”
The red-head watched him for a moment then turned and looked out over the water, “You haven’t shown up in almost a week.” The glanced over at Roxas for a moment and added, “I was starting to think I’d scared you off.”
The younger boy blushed lightly, “No, you didn’t. I just…couldn’t bring myself to come back.”
“Because of Yuffie?” Axel asked, concern in his voice. “She really is fine, Roxas. She’s been in and out of the water ever since, it’s like it didn’t happen for her. She doesn’t remember it, anyway.” He smiled softly, “Not to mention Kairi threatened to beat her if she decided running by the pool was a good idea again.”
“I’m glad she’s okay…” Roxas said softly, his thumb pressing absently against his hip-bone, tracing the scar there.
Axel noticed his movements, watching the other boy silently for a moment, then softly asked, “Is it because of your sister?” Blue eyes darted up to meet green, Roxas searching Axel’s eyes. He opened his mouth then shut it again. He was too ashamed to say it. He swallowed around the words clustered in this throat, then nodded once; a small, wounded movement that the other boy wouldn’t have seen had he not been looking for it. Axel sighed, reaching out to where his fingertips could brush against the blonde’s shoulder, offering softly, “I could help you, if you wanted me to.”
Roxas shook his head, “I don’t think it’s something that you can help me with, Axel…”
“At least let me try.” The older boy replied gently.
They held one another’s eyes for a long moment, azure searching bright green, and then the younger boy nodded his consent.
-x-x-x-
Zell took Sora under his wing, the brunette following around the tall swimmer eagerly throughout their practice, talking non-stop about joining the swim team. The blonde boy seemed fairly amused at the younger’s enthusiasm, timing him on laps and seeing how he fared against some of the newer members of the team. After a few warm-up laps Sora was keeping up with his competition, the captain of the swim team walking over to watch with a few other seniors. “Kid’s got spunk, that’s for sure.” Zell said, grinning and motioning towards the freshman. The others agreed.
Axel was helping Sora with his breathing in the deep end when the swim team captain called the end of practice, several of the swim team members taking to the diving boards to show off their more artistic skills before leaving for the night. Roxas watched from the edge of the shallow end, trying not to think too hard about the way Axel’s abs twisted as he hoisted himself out of the pool, or the way his long red hair clung to his broad shoulders when it was wet. The red-head offered a hand to his shorter companion, helping Sora out of the pool as well, the younger boy laughing joyfully and trotting over to one of the diving boards. Zell cuffed Axel on the shoulder brotherly and then motioned towards Roxas, asking something softly under his breath. From the way Axel laughed Roxas could only guess what the older boy had said. The red-head patted his friend’s back then waved casually, Zell smiling and turning his attention to Sora, who was poised delicately at the end of a diving board. Roxas watched his friend curiously, waiting for the boy to dive, when suddenly Sora twisted to the side and flipped backwards twice before landing flawlessly in the water. Needless to say Zell was ecstatic, clapping loudly and cheering.
“Well he’s full of surprises.” Axel said as he slid into the water beside Roxas, the blonde looking over his shoulder at the other boy with a grin.
“He’s showing off for your friend, he really wants to be on the swim team…”
“From the sounds of it Zell’s talked the captains into letting him join late. Normally he would have had to have started out with us at the beginning of the semester, but it seems like he’ll be a strong addition to the team.” The older boy smiled at him softly, something in his eyes causing Roxas’ breath to catch in his throat. He looked away slightly, trying desperately to resist the blush crossing his cheeks. Axel chuckled softly, reaching over and taking Roxas’ arm, pulling him backwards much to the blonde’s surprise.
“W-what are you doing?” he stammered, hyper aware as his back pressed gently against the older boy’s chest.
Axel chuckled again softly, leaning in and whispering, “Giving you an excuse for that blush across your face.”
Roxas stammered again, unsure of what to say in response, the blonde gasping as strong, warm arms wrapped around his torso and waist. Axel continued to hold him gently, the younger boy blushing furiously but slowly relaxing, tilting his head up and glancing over his shoulder to meet brilliant green eyes. “I…”
“You never said I couldn’t flirt with you.” Axel whispered, fingertips brushing against Roxas’ taut stomach teasingly. “And you do seem to enjoy the attention.”
Roxas laughed softly, lowering his eyes, “You’re not afraid to speak your mind, are you?”
“Not when it comes to things I’m truly interested in,” the older boy replied softly, “and you intrigue me.”
“Why?” Roxas asked, looking back up at the other boy.
Axel smiled down at him, replying softly, “Well you’re cute, for starters…” At Roxas’ embarrassed expression the red-head laughed, then replied in a deeper tone, “I think it’s the way you looked that day, when you pulled Yuffie out of the pool. You were brilliant, and so alive, but everything about you was cold, detached. When I held you it was like you were in another place, and I couldn’t reach you.” His gaze softened, searching Roxas’ clear blue eyes. “And I think it’s the way you spoke about your sister. You seem so lost, so broken, but you’re so strong…” Roxas watched him, speechless, amazed at Axel’s uncanny accuracy in describing his inner turmoil, though the other boy barely knew anything about him. “You don’t even realize it, do you?” Axel asked gently, his cat green eyes locked into Roxas’ azure, “The way that your heart reflects in your eyes…”
“Do another! Let me see!” Zell called from the deep end of the pool, Sora laughing and calling back to the other boy.
“Alright, give me a minute to breathe!”
The two looked to the far side of the pool to see Sora on to the diving board once again, performing another trick for his Zell, grinning happily at his audience. He bounced a few times then arched into an eloquent flip, spiraling over his heels into the water. Roxas laughed to himself, Axel feeling the movement and squeezing him gently. “After they’ve left, do you want to practice?”
“I’m a good swimmer, I just…” Roxas shuddered despite the warmth surrounding him. “I’m afraid of the water. It reminds me of her.”
“Then why do you come here?” Axel asked, relaxing his grip so Roxas could turn and look at him.
The younger boy placed a hand on Axel’s chest absently, looking towards the darker blue waters of the deep end. “I want to be on the track team, but that means I have to do gym and swim practice too.”
Axel made a sound of realization then sighed and relaxed back against the lip of the pool. “Well, that does pose a problem now doesn’t it? I guess that just means we’re going to have to conquer your fear of water.”
Roxas shuddered at the thought of swimming, shaking his head firmly. “I don’t know if that’s something I’ll be able to do.”
The red-head at his side placed a hand on his back, rubbing gently. “Luckily for you I’m a Grade-A swimmer, and I have the patience of a saint.”
The younger boy smiled, “You would do that for me? Help me with my Aquaphobia?”
“Of course I will!” Axel replied, then grinned impishly and held up a finger. “On one condition.” Roxas looked at him questioningly, the other boy leaning in and saying with a soft smile, “You have to let me take you out.”
-x-x-x-
Roxas sighed for the umpteenth time, mussing over his hair once more before forcing himself out of the bathroom and into his bedroom, staring at the clothes piled at the foot of his closet and beside his dresser. Now that he had finally managed to make his blonde spikes eloquently disheveled to his satisfaction he needed to figure out what to wear. Not that he’d been trying to do that for the past two hours or anything. It was still a mystery to him why he was so nervous, he’d hung out with Axel before. The older boy had even succeeded in helping him inch a little closer to the middle of the pool Thursday evening and again on Friday afternoon. Saturday, the red-headed junior had decided, would be a good day for Roxas to relax a bit, and for him to take the boy out to dinner and a movie. It seemed to be a simple enough request, and Roxas was even excited to go, but it was becoming nearly as stressful as trying to force himself deeper into the waters of the pool. He couldn’t shake the feeling of nervousness inside of him, something that made his stomach turn uneasily. He had never really thought about his sexuality, or questioned it; he had always assumed he was straight. It seemed, however, that he was actually more so bisexual, if not full-blown gay. He had no memories to base his sexuality on, no experiences he could remember, no past girlfriends or boyfriends. Everything was a mystery to him. He could only go off of his current feelings, and he liked the idea of going out on a date with Axel. Maybe even holding hands, or maybe…kissing…
Roxas sighed in exasperation, feeling the fire in his cheeks grow as he walked across his room and dug through a pile of clothing on the floor, fishing for something he thought the other boy might like. Was he really trying to dress nice for another boy? Trying to look attractive…for another boy? But it wasn’t just any boy, it was Axel…
“Aaargh! Why is this so complicated!?” Roxas growled, throwing himself backwards onto his bed, bouncing slightly and tossing an arm over his eyes. He couldn’t argue with the feelings he was experiencing; it was a new, strange experience for him to be so flustered. Since the accident he had never really thought about his love life. Dating seemed so…insignificant in light of what had happened. But now that some time had passed, and the situation presented itself, he found himself attracted to the thought of having a lover. Maybe it would help him somehow, help to fill the void inside of him that used to hold his mother, father, and his sister. He sat up, sighing; a soft, breathy sound that barely filled the silence of the empty house. He reached forward and grabbed a slim-fitted t-shirt and pulled it on over his head and shoulders, sliding it down his torso to rest against his dark jeans. Just be yourself… The words kept echoing in his mind. He wondered vaguely if he had heard them spoken before from someone in his past. He wondered if he would ever remember, even if it had happened.
A knock sounded at his door, Roxas’ head jerking up at the sound. Of course the other boy would be early, especially since he was still getting ready. Taking a deep breath Roxas made his way to the front door, opening it to find himself greeted with a warm smile from an exceptionally sexy looking red-head. “Hey Rox.” Axel greeted, “You ready for an awesome night?”
Blushing lightly, the blonde replied, “Y-yeah, just give me a few minutes to finish up.”
“Take all the time you need,” the older boy said with a nod, Roxas backing out of the doorway and beckoning Axel into the house. The older boy stepped past him and looked around, admiring the artwork on the walls. “This is nice, who painted it?”
“My mother,” Roxas called over his shoulder, making his way back to his room, “At least, her name is on the back, so I assume she painted it.”
Axel hesitated a moment, wondering what the younger boy meant, then followed after him through the dimly lit house. The lights were on in one of the bedrooms, the older boy leaning against the frame of the doorway and watching the other boy shuffle around his room, searching for his shoes. “Yikes! Get into a fight with your closet?”
Roxas laughed, grabbing a pair of converse from under the edge of his bed, sitting down on top of the comforter and pulling them on quickly, “You have no idea…”
The red-head chuckled, letting his eyes wander around the walls of the room. They were covered with pictures of all sizes. “Is this your family?” he asked, taking a step into the room and pointing towards a large portrait hanging on the nearest wall. Roxas made an affirming sound, getting up from the bed and walking into the bathroom, spraying himself with cologne and fixing his hair one last time. When he returned to his bedroom Axel was holding a picture that had been on his nightstand, green eyes looking up from the small silver frame to meet Roxas’ azure. “Is this your sister?”
“Yeah, that’s Naminé.” Roxas said softly, knowing the picture Axel was holding without having to see it. It was a picture of him and his sister when they were about twelve in the family pool, Naminé laughing with her arms wrapped around his shoulders, both of them up to their navels in water. Her golden blonde hair was tied up in pigtails, her favorite watch wrapped around her small wrist. She was wearing a bright pink swimsuit, the same color as the polish on her nails. She was happy, and so very alive. Roxas’ hair was a bit shorter, his skin bronze with a rich tan, his clear blue eyes shining out of the picture and echoing his sister’s laughter. It was a beautiful picture of them together, a moment locked somewhere in the darkness of his mind, somewhere so deep he couldn’t find it in his memories. He wished more than anything that he could.
He hadn’t realized Axel had moved, or the time that had passed as he stood there, lost in thought, until the older boy put a hand on his shoulder. When Roxas looked up to meet his eyes he saw nothing but silent affection there, a gentle expression on the other boy’s face. “Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”
The blonde boy nodded, a silent sigh leaving him as he let himself relax under the other boy’s touch. Axel seemed to understand when to not press a topic, and Roxas had never been more grateful than in that moment. When the red-head moved his hand down the younger boy’s arm and took his hand lightly Roxas couldn’t help the soft blush highlighting his cheeks, or his shy smile.
-x-x-x-
Axel decided to take Roxas to a little Italian restaurant around the corner from the theatre downtown. The younger boy must have passed it numerous times since moving to the city but he’d never noticed it before. It was quiet and intimate but still held a laid-back atmosphere, a middle-aged man playing the accordion near the door as they walked in. Axel waved to him as they passed, guiding Roxas to the back of the restaurant where they could talk without disturbing those listening to the musician play. Roxas looked around, taking in the details of the architecture and the candles lining one of the walls, as well as the glass door that lead out to a small patio surrounded by a decorative wrought-iron fence. “How did you know about this place?” he asked, Axel’s laughter meeting his ears.
“Believe it or not I like walking the streets at night.” The red-head’s lips were twisted into a sly smile. “It helps me think. This is just one of the little nooks I’ve found in the city.”
“If they’re anything like this then I’d like to see more sometime,” Roxas said shyly.
“I’ll be sure to take you out again then.” Axel replied with a wink.
The garlic bread the waiter brought to their table was soft and heavenly, by the time their pasta arrived the blonde boy was already half-way stuffed. They chatted about school, friends, the track team and the swim team; somehow Roxas felt more comfortable around Axel than he had around anyone he’d ever met before. He was suddenly beginning to realize how much they had in common, and how drawn he was to the older boy. It was unlike anything he’d ever felt before.
After dinner they took to the streets, leaving Axel’s car in the restaurant’s parking lot and leisurely strolling down the block to the theatre. The building was covered in flashing neon lights and giant posters of the current movies showing inside. Axel let Roxas decide, chuckling only for a moment when the younger boy asked him if he preferred action or comedy. “This is your night, you pick what you want us to watch.” The red-head replied with a shake of his head and a smile. “I’ll watch just about anything.”
Roxas decided on a movie he’d heard of from some classmates, it had an actor he liked that was popular amongst him and his friends. The commercials had seemed interesting enough, but once he and Axel found their seats near the middle of the auditorium and the film started Roxas realized it wasn’t really a date movie at all. As a matter of fact they didn’t even have time to share comments now and then, if he looked away for more than a moment he was lost for five minutes. The movie was unusual and had strange plot twists; the characters were able to access people’s dreams and search for their secrets. Near the end of the movie when the actors were in a dream that was in a dream inside of another dream he felt as if his brain was twitching. The movie was very interesting, but so odd he could barely keep up with interpreting just exactly what was going on at any given moment. Were they in the first dream, or the last dream? Roxas was beginning to watch the movie less and less, and watched the boy sitting next to him instead. Axel seemed to be enjoying the movie though, he was holding Roxas’ hand firmly in his own, squeezing now and then when something especially exciting or surprising happened. The older boy would look over at him now and then, giving him a look and pointing at the screen. Roxas would smile and nod his approval, but thought to himself as he turned back to the screen that he would much rather have watched a comedy so they could have talked a bit now and then. He liked talking to Axel. It came easier with him, somehow. He wanted to know more about the other boy, wanted to discover more of him.
As the movie concluded and the credits scrolled across the screen brilliant green eyes looked over and captured his blue. “Well?” Axel asked, stroking his thumb across the back of Roxas’ had for a moment before standing to his feet and stretching his arms above his head.
“I was…interesting,” Roxas started to say, but Axel gave him a knowing look.
“You mean it was weird, right?”
The blonde boy laughed innocently, looking away. “It was still interesting.”
“I just happen to be a bit more entertaining to watch?” the red-head teased, the younger boy looking back up at him with a blush. Axel laughed softly, offering his hand to Roxas once again. “Don’t worry, I tend to stare too when you’re not paying attention.”
Roxas sighed, unable to mask the smile across his face, and placed his hand in Axel’s. They walked out of the theatre side-by-side, Roxas trailing ever-so-slightly. They walked silently down the sidewalk back towards Axel’s parked car, their fingers laced together casually. “Thank you,” the younger boy said tentatively as they reached the car, “I really liked the restaurant, and the movie really was good. I had a good time.”
Axel turned to face the shorter boy. “Me too,” he replied, “Might have to repeat this little event next weekend, if you’re up to it.”
Roxas blinked in surprised then looked away, laughing sheepishly. “I-if you wanted to, sure. I’d like that.”
“Alright, on one condition!” the older boy bolstered cheerfully, then corrected himself after a moment of thought, “Well, five actually.”
Roxas tilted his head slightly, asking, “What is it?”
With a grin the red-headed boy replied, “You have to meet me at the pool every day this week after school for Aquaphobia therapy! Then, if you’ve been a very good student, I’ll take you out again on Saturday.”
“Oh so now you’re my new therapist?” Roxas questioned with a laugh, then added playfully, “And here I thought you were just helping out because I was cute!”
The older boy smiled softly, leaning down and pressing his lips to the corner of Roxas’ mouth in a soft kiss. The blonde flushed crimson and stared up at the older boy, unsure of what to do or say, his heart pounding in his ears. From the look in Axel’s eyes he had wanted to do more but was holding himself back for the younger boy’s sake. “Do you think you can do that?” the older boy asked softly.
A shudder passed through Roxas at the thought of being in the water so frequently for so long. If it was anything like Thursday or Friday it would be for a couple of hours at least. His fingers had pruned by the time they had left the pool late Friday afternoon. But…if it meant he could spend more time with Axel, and the older boy would take him out again…
The blonde boy nodded, looking up at the other boy with determination etched across his face. “I’ll try.”
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With Axel more than willing to help him with his fears, will Roxas finally be able to swim again? And what about his memories? Will more time in the water cause something deep within his mind to give way, letting his lost memories surface after all the time that has passed? With the drama of school, friends, and a possible love-life it’s not going to be a walk down easy street for Roxas as his road to recovery continues.

More answers will be revealed next time! BIABS
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Aquaphobia