[align=center]"Made a wrong turn,

Once or twice..."[/align]

 

Everyone makes mistakes, even in their dreams. That's what life is. It's just a long path of events that make us stronger. But sometimes it backfires. Sometimes, there are those select few who can't handle life as it's thrown at them. Namine is one of those unfortunate souls. After the death of her mother, Namine was left with her (foster) father, Vexen. Unluckily for her, his short temper leads to abusive displays of action towards her. Namine's mother was always there to tell her she was beautiful, that she was fine just the way she was. But now that she's gone it seems the teasing at Twilight Town's public high school has gotten worse. She doesn't talk to any kids. To Namine, her life was and is the epitome of hell. Namine wants to end it. So she cuts herself.

 

[align=center]"...Bad decisions,

That's alright.

Welcome to my silly life..."[/align]

 

After getting caught by a girl by the name of Kairi in school, she is sent to a peer mediation center, privately, on campus. She attends a session every day during 2nd period with her "therapist"; Demyx. His job: to teach Namine the meaning of friends, and to tell her that she's perfect just the way she is. But along the way, maybe, just maybe, he'll fall in love.

 

This is a Demyx/Namine 1 x 1 RP between Rosie and I. There are no rules except only the two of us may post and post may not be any shorter than 5 sentences. I'll be playing the role of Namine, Vexen, flashback versions of her mother, Roxas, Riku, Zexion, ect. while Rosie will be playing as Demyx and any other roles she chooses or may need to be filled. I'll start off with the first post.

 

~~~

 

The cool chill of the autumn air brought shivers down Namine's spine a she held herself tighter. Her light blue, pastel sweater did little to block out the brisk wind as she awaited the bus stop, except for maybe keeping in a barely usable amount of body heat. Her bookbag was slung delicately over her shoulder, resting against the hip of her petite frame. Namine had lovely looks, creamy skin, baby blue eyes, and elegantly curled blond hair. But as of recently, the creaminess of her skin was paler and her eyes a bit duller. She figured it may have had something to do with her failed attempt at suicide last week.

 

She tried cutting herself in the isolated girls bathroom across school but by chance, a pretty, and somewhat popular, girl by the name of Kairi had caught her and begged her to stop until a teacher came by. Professor Ansem was now making he attend therapy within school. The only good part, she was freed from gym. But the transportation stayed the same, since her father wouldn't drive her to school. She had to take the bus. And nothing, Namine decided, was worse than failing to end your life and then having to face the students at school who all knew what had been attempted.

For a long, probably very uncomfortable moment, Demyx just stared at her, nonplussed- and then, slowly, he just said;

"...Shit..."

 

Sighing, he started to get up, taking it slower that time, and finding that the dizziness had passed. While it had all rushed in before, making him completely disorientated, it wasn't anywhere near as much of a bother- the edges of his vision fuzzed a little bit as he stood upright, but he could deal with it- and he just smiled at her properly, the tense set to his shoulders slumping away, as he offered her a hand to help her up.

 

"Well, I guess they saved you the trouble of having to tell me. And, if they try and bother you again, just lemme know- I might not be so great at getting them to back off, but a threat from Axel should get 'em the message."

 

Slowing for a moment, Axel made a rough, irritated noise, tugging harder at Roxas' arm in an attempt to keep moving at the same pace. He didn't bother to turn around, didn't grace the kid with a single look- it was better to just leave him panicking. The more they freaked out, the funner it was to pull stuff like this- and it wasn't like he'd get in much trouble. What, they might find out it was him, and give him dentention? Big deal. They couldn't suspend him if his victims, so to speak, weren't physically hurt- and that was that. Rules were rules. It was probably the only time rules actually worked to his advantage, come to think of it.

 

"Oh, no, kiddo. Playin' the hero and wimping out now? And yet I'm the coward," he hissed in response, trying to take the quickest route down and out- towards the front of the school, as annoying as it was trying to keep Roxas up with him.

Namine carefully accepted the blond's hand, hoisting herself up gracefully to her feet with the help of Demyx steadying her. As she straightened out the wrinkles in her shirt she looked up at Demyx, taken by surprise with the offer. Sure, with Axel's help they'd get off her back but who's to say the red head would even be inclined to help her? After all, it was no secret that Axel now had a bone to pick with Roxas and Roxas used to be her crush. What if he figured that anyone who knew Roxas wasn't worth his help? The possibilities of denial hit her like a ton of bricks and she furiously shook her head, blond hair flopping back and forth slightly.

 

"No, th-that's okay, really. It's nice of you but not even they deserve s-such an experience with A-Axel." Just the name itself made her shiver. She looked up at the digital clock blinking in the hallway. 5 minutes before the bell rang.

 

Roxas held in a yelp of discomfort as his arm was tugged and the bitter wind from being in front of the school bit viscously at his collarbone, leaving the flawless flesh to turn red from the cold. Anger slightly sparked within him at Axel's comment, but he was lacking a bit in kindling. Though, the thought of whatever Axel was going to do to him should be enough of a reason to try.

 

"Because you are a coward and this proves it." Roxas huffed, shivering as his hands grew numb, he couldn't feel them scratching at Axel's forearm and wrist anymore so he dug into the skin harder. "You can't take someone standing up to you for one small period and n-now you have to do this and go to the extremes." Roxas bit back the chills galloping down his spin. "Why do you have to be in control all the time? Is it a superiority complex you have or something, honestly. Now let me go!"

Demyx frowned for a moment at the refusal, but shrugged, pushing his hands into his pockets and trying to just let it pass. He knew getting Axel mixed up in it might just make everything worse- he kind of got how she might not want to attract attention to herself, from a outside perspective. It didn't bother him in the slightest, personally- but that was more because he was used to it, and because he usually found that he tended to pass under the radar despite spending a lot of time with the redhead. He wasn't intimidating or badass or enough of a delinquent to stand out when his friend was around, and he was perfectly okay with that- it was a comfy place to be, not feared or talked about, but still, well... not really an option for bullies.

 

"You doing okay, though?" he suddenly asked, as the thought occured to him- dammit, he was supposed to be considering all this stuff, that was part of his... his job, wasn't it?

 

The cold hit him, and involutarily, Axel shivered- his jeans weren't exactly high, and his shirt that day was pretty flimsy and ineffectual at keeping out the cold. Normally, he would have lit up just for a tiny bit of heat, but obviously that wasn't an option right this second, dragging the blond Sophomore as he was. Besides that slight shudder from the chill, though, he didn't falter- until Roxas started talking again. Damn firetrucker can't keep his mouth shut, can he? was the first thought that crossed his mind, until he actually started to listen- and then he halted abruptly, turning on his heel, and spat once, in the other boy's face. A grin flickered lazily into his expression, and he looked for a moment back at the school before seeming to change his mind, starting to walk back up- until he stopped again, just short of the doors, awkwardly rummaging through the bag with one hand as he tried to maintain his grip on Roxas.

 

"Just making sure no one'll miss ya, staying here," was all he said, that same grin still on his face. It widened for a moment when he actually found the damn things, but he was more preoccupied with Roxas, well, not making a run for it.

Namine, tightened her grip on her bag slung over her shoulder, looking up at Demyx, analyzing the blond. She was used to this kind of question and had seen it in all it's forms. There was the time it was asked only to make it seem like someone cared or when someone asked only to ask, not really caring whether the answer was yes or no. She had expected the first option to be clear when she locked eyes with Demyx but was startled to find she was wrong. He was completely genuine in his question, the concern almost visible in his conflicting emotions. Those aqua eyes were asking if she was okay. Either Demyx really cared or he was a really, really good actor. She hoped it was the former (or latter? I always mix them up...).

 

"Yeah, I think so. Marly didn't really hurt me that badly. A-And the kids on the bus usually leave me alone. I'll be okay on the way...home. Her voice faltered on those words, knowing full well the bus ride would be her only sanctuary until she hit her street. Today was Monday, and her dad always had bad days. And the fact that Halloween was approaching didn't make his mood any better. Vexen hated kids and having them come up to his door asking for candy was enough to make him self destruct. But he never did.

 

Roxas blinked, trying not to shudder from the saliva dripping down his face and onto the crook of his neck. It may not be a lot of it but spit was spit and it was a bit disgusting to say the least. Roxas glared vibrantly at Axel. It was one thing to attempt whatever stunt this was but now, oh now this was personal. No matter what one might say, being slit in the face was the most disrespectful in his book. And Axel was going to learn that the hard way. Watching as he fumbled with the bag, Roxas stomped on Axel's foot. Hard. He was glad the red head was wearing his thin crappy shoes to, if he had on his boots that may have hurt. One minute till the bell rung and the students flooded the campus front.

 

"You're messing with the wrong Sophtmore." Roxas warned hooking two fingers around Axel's belt loops the best he could with one arm being held in a death grip and tugged down his low rise jeans. He wanted to the wear them practically off? Then Roxas would take the courtesy of pantsing him. "How do you like it?" Roxas said, breath escaping him as he realized he did it. He was going to humiliate Axel.

Those big blue eyes were just staring at him, dammit, and he was seriously worried for a moment she was just going to cut tail and run, or burst into tears or something equally hard to deal with. Despite himself, a small twinge of panic pricked up in his stomach at the thought of anything like that happening- oh god, crap, what would he do, he wasn't good at planning this kind of thing but at the same time he could never be sure he'd know what to do if anything did happen- it was as frustrating a conundrum as you got, since he would feel useless either way.

 

But, to his relief, nothing so big and dramatic happened as that. He was beginning to get it a little- Namine wasn't the type to cause a scene, even if they really were alone. He could be thankful, at least, for that, although it made trying to read her a lot harder, since he wasn't too good at the subtle things. Demyx did pick up on the hesitation, the reluctance, in her voice, though, just towards the end- and, glancing warily at the clock, conscious it wasn't very long before the hallway was rammed with people, before the day ended, he just asked, quietly;

 

"But... that isn't... okay, is it? Home... what, you... wait, I got it, there's something there, at home-!" he realised he'd raised his voice in the moment of thinking he'd figured it out, and covered his mouth with a muffled apology- but at least it wasn't like anyone was around to hear it quite yet.

 

As the pain lanced in his foot, Axel swore colourfully, a stream of the worst obsceneties he knew- and, before he knew it, the chill suddenly was stinging at his legs, pale and gangly and- firetruck, that's it! He didn't attempt to pull them up, just glaring at the blond in front of him, pure, white-hot rage; and, with a hissed insult that he didn't even care about- like it really mattered what he said, words were just words- he, in what was pretty much a practised movement by that point, hooked the metal object he'd grabbed out of the bag as Roxas had stamped on his foot on one finger and tore at the blond's shirt, tugging it up over his head. Before it was even off properly, he shoved the other boy down, metal in his fingers glinting as, fairly expertly, he handcuffed him, looping the chain through the handle of the already open door.

 

"Let's see you bitch your way outta that, huh?" he breathed, and then, considering the cold, ducked to tug up his jeans, shoving them haphazardly back over his hips, just trying to keep his decency in case anyone was gonna trail out just before the actual bell. Okay, fine, he barely had any time- a couple seconds, maybe- but he still wasn't done, not after the Sophomore's attempt to embarrass him. Axel wasn't that easily duped.

 

And so, that was why, instead of just walking away, he crouched down over Roxas, practically straddling him, to grab at his pants, ignoring the blond's attempts to struggle- like they were gonna work, he didn't have his arms to fight with and Axel was as good as sitting on top of him as he tried to wrestle Roxas' pants off.

 

"Looks like you lose today, Blondie. Count yourself firetrucking lucky you're not losing your underpants here; piss me off again, and I won't be so... nice. Don't cross me."

Namine's eyes widened, realizing she hadn't been as subtle as she had planned. Or maybe she hadn't given Demyx enough creditor being observant. Now that made her feel guilty. Taking some steps back she shook her head, fear coming across her features. She wasn't denying him the truth, no, she was dnying him the right of saying anything to anyone. Even Professor Ansem. Students bustled around in the hall and she used that to her advantage, shrinking into the crowd to get out of sight. She didn't want to leave Demyx like that but there were people around. If that got around school she wouldn't come back. But not because she would have gotten to herself. Because someone might have gotten to her first.

 

As she ventured through the halls, panicking a bit to just get on the buses and leave it at that, she was aware of kids laughing. Not just your little chuckles, howling laughter that you'd hear at a good comedy stand up. Why? Namine didn't want to find out. She had a bus to hide her life away one. However, Roxas wasn't given that luxury as one: Axel sat slipping the last of his pants off and he was handcuffed to the door. He really though he had the red hea there to! Blush bloomed across his features like a wild fire and he growled at Axel, clearly enrage and pissed off beyond belief. How could he? How dare he?!

 

"You mother--I'll get you back for this Axel! I don't care what you say, you just made a big mistake!" He may have lost this battle but he'd be damned if the war was ending. He'd win and he would be the one to crush the Senior. No doubt about it. Right now though, he just had to deal with these handcuffs, his chilling close-to-being nudity, and the laughter. He hated being laughed at. Roxas had to give Axel credit though despite his anger; he knew how to humiliate someone.

Demyx just sighed as she vanished into the crowd, absent-mindedly dragging a hand through his hair as he ducked through the rush of people, calling out apologies, to grab his bag, which had skidded some feet away when Marluxia tackled him. With her absence and the sudden burst of noise, the voices and the general sound of a lot of people dashing along to escape school, the back of his head was starting to throb, a slow, painful ache that, while not debilitating, didn't exactly make for a pleasant addition to his afternoon. Slinging the satchel over his shoulder, he trailed along in the midst of the stragglers- the kids not in such a rush as to run, but who still weren't keen on staying to swot up on things, or stuck in detention.

 

Travelling at the lazy pace he was, it took a few minutes before he actually reached the doors, and actually cottoned on to the bubble of laughter- and, he couldn't help it, instantly his thoughts flew to Axel. Ohh, what has that big lummox done now? he complained, not saying anything ut loud because obviously he didn't want weird looks.

 

The redheaded Senior threw Roxas the biggest of grins, bundling up the younger boy's clothes in his arms, along with the plastic bag, and as good as swaggering off, not losing the huge, satisfied smirk even as he got further away, very deliberately dumping the clothes in some random Senior's pickup as he walked past. He turned around, snorting out a laugh himself as he finally lit up that damn cigarette, poking it in his mouth and taking a deep drag. As he blew out the smoke, he spotted a familiar dirty blond mullet amongst the group.

 

"Demyx, get your lazy ass over here! I need to get the firetruck outta here, STAT- promised Lea I'd make it on time for once-"

 

Demyx just shut him up with a finger held to his lips and a loud shush as he walked up- he just swung past the redhead, into the passenger seat. Luckily for him, Axel never locked his car, and he was able to get inside before he started groaning about how, one day, his friend was just gonna push it. Axel didn't really pay attention to the rant, even as he jumped into the car, too- watching with a dark sort of glee as the truck he'd dumped Roxas' clothes in rolled out the parking lot, either completely unawares, or not wanting to risk ruining his fun. He just caught "kid's only a Sophomore, Ax..." out of the whole "this is bad" talk he was so used to these days, before with a loud cough and a long whine, he kicked the car into gear, still grinning at the view of Roxas through the windshield.

Namine was dreading walking through the door to her house when she stepped off the bus, the one story building looming over her. To anybody, even the neighbors, it just appeared to be a normal suburban house. But that's what was misleading about the home. It was warm and welcoming until you entered and were trapped like bird in a cage until the next morning. The white paint and warm curtains were a facade aiding her father in twisting the truth and keeping Namine coming home with the thoughts that maybe, just maybe, things would get better. But it was very clear that they wouldn't. Things could only get worse. The brisk, October chill reminded her it was either tough it up or freeze to death and she wasn't foolish. Vexen would be mad at her either way. If she freezes he'd complain about how she died on his property. So with withering confidence she crept into the house, looking around.

 

Everything was cleaned without a speck to be seen, perfectly neat. Vexen hated anything dirty. Thinking she was safe, Namine made a move to go to her room before a chuckle she recognized to much to be Xigbar and another cold voice rang in.

 

"Where do you think you're going?" Namine knew it was her father accompanying Xigbar without having to think twice.

 

Well to say the least, Roxas was finally free from those damn cuffs and Sora had found him in time to lend him his Gym clothes and head home with him. The blond lived in a rich neighborhood, heaving a firm director for a dad. Needless to say money was definitely made. However, it meant more to be expected from Roxas and Sora, but truthfully, that wasn't Roxas' thing. He wasn't any more concerned about the company than he was about the dent he had left in the handle getting the cuffs off at school. Oh Axel would pay, he'd pay dearly. And thanks to Riku he knew exactly where he was and how to get back at him. What better way than to start with his pride and joy and then crush his dignity. Round One: Axel's Smokin' and awesome car. Roxas new better than to think he had bought it judging from the model it was to. Oh revenge was going to be sweet, he thought bitterly, slipping on a pair of black jeans. He'd have to blend in with the night to get away with this.

A normal Axel behind the wheel was scary enough, but an incredibly self-satisfied, more arrogant than usual Axel was freakin' terrifying. Not only was he following his usual driving pattern, which involved barely keeping on the road and swerving madly at every corner, but he was also deigning to recount exactly how he'd gotten the better of Roxas, which meant he was paying even LESS attention to the road...

 

Needless to say, Demyx was very grateful when the ride was over, and had (very overdramatically, to his watching mother's amusement) fallen to his knees and pretended to embrace the ground, all the while declaring "I'm alive! Thank god, it's a miracle!" at the top of his lungs. As Axel sped pff, flipping him the bird, he got up and trudged to the house, yawning and immediately heading to the kitchen to hopefully find something edible to fill his stomach. He only paused, mid chew, as he wandered into the front room, just to ask, cheerfully enough;

 

"Dad at work again? Or are you guys planning another trip?"

 

His redheaded friend, however, wasn't quite so homely- he basically just dumped his car and headed straight out again, on foot- he didnt talk to his parents much (he wanted them to firetruck themselves most of the time) but at least he had Lea, sort of. That had to count for something.

((For the moment, Namine will be put on hold. I think the mods will kill me if I put anything to graphic on here about what happens to her ^^'))

 

Roxas flopped onto his bed, happy that evening was quickly approaching. He had been in his master bedroom all evening since he got home, planning out what he was going to do and if it made him insane that he was considering it. He hadn't even come down when his mom called him down for dinner and his dad thundered that he take away his allowance. Big whoop, he didn't get money. He knew his dad didn't ever go through with his threats anywhere. It was actually a rarity to see the blond at the dinner table, let alone eating. He wasn't anorexic, but definitely a bit underweight. He just...wasn't hungry for all that gormuet food. He wanted to be normal for once and grab a burger with his dad. But that was like asking for his brother to stop being so hyper active.

 

Roxas sighed, looking out the window next to his bed. A balcony, to small to fit more than two people on it was present, his way of escaping. He technically wasn't allowed out after 10 but he had to do this. Maybe to prove a point to Axel or maybe because he enjoyed the threats, at least up until they were carried out. Grumbling, the blond opened the doors carefully and looked down. Two stories to the ground. Despite his fear of heights, Roxas was really only afraid of them if he had to be dangled over to certain injury or death. But he'd practiced this enough to know he'd be alright without worry.

 

Slinging a leg over the side of the marble structure, Rxas hooked his leg on the drain pipe going down to the 1st story wher he could safely jump and land with a few scratches and a bruise, nothing serious. And he did just that, landing in the grass with a thump, flinching only from the skinned palms he received from the rough gravel hidden under the grass. Wobbling, Roxas stood up, heading over in the direction of Axel's house that Riku had pointed him to. The silverette hated Axel almos as much as Roxas made it seem he did. He thumbed the pocket knife in his jeans, smirking. Axel's precious baby vehicle was in for a...rough night.

So, his dad was out again. Big deal. His mom nagged a little about homework, but Dem just started to wheedle about guitar practice, and she seemed to thankfully forget all about it. Still, he had to stop when their neighbors complained (as they did every time he plugged in his amp, seriously) and, since they were all but throwing a fit, decided just to laze in front of the TV until he fell asleep, whenever that happened. It wasn

Roxas had no trouble whatsoever finding Axel and his house. He knew te directions by heart figuringthat if he'd ever need to make a runfor it he knew the way back inside and out along with any quicker routes. There were no lights on in the house, giving it a slightly creepy aura due to te blackness if the night. Te blond was surprised he could even see where he had been going. But sooner than later, Axel's car came into view and he smirked slightly, pulling out his pocket knife. He knew that if he ever had a grand idea to get him killed this would be it, but he needed to do this. At least, if Axel snapped, he would leaving this Earth with a satisfied grin compared to a frightened scowl. Being sure to keep quiet, Roxas began.

 

The blond started with the tires, slashing holes towards the back of the tires in them that way they wouldn't be noticeable in the morning. Once satisfied with his shredding it was on to the paint job where he skillfully carved paths of nothing into the red paint job. He went a little deeper than necessary but, hey, who was he to complain. Roxas was nevernone for revenge. But when he got it, oooh he got it alright. Looking up he grinned, noticing the car was unlocked. Interior damage? Oh hell yes. Roxas slid inside, pleased at how smooth the leather was. It made sitting more comfortable and the fabric easy to tear. And tear it he did.

 

While straddling the seat, he embedded the blade into Axel seat, draggin it down the middle and then off to the side, the sound more than enough to make him giggle. The next seat he also demolished, pulling out any of the stuffing to thefloor to make it fall limp. Satisfied, Roxas pulled out his piece of paper and pen, scribblin a messy note:

 

"Look who's laughing now~"

 

And stuck it to the steering wheel. And just to make a point, he slipped out of the car and jabbed the pocket knife into the roof of the car, sticking straight up, and he wasn't afraid to kick out the headlights either as he walked by, smirking to himself, humming a mindless tune in his head. But once home, his good mood didn't last. He managed to sneak inside his practically manor Abd Sora met him with scared eyes.

 

"Mum and Dad are looking for you."

 

"Upstairs?"

 

"Yep."

 

"Are they mad?" A stiff nod. Roxas sighed heavily, looking up at the grand stair case. "Tell them I went to sleep over at Hayner's for the night to study or something, I don't feel like hearing a lecture now."

"Well, I'm not paralyzed but I seem to be struck by you, I wanna make you move--"

That ringtone was blaring right in his ears, and yet it still took Demyx nearly a full half-minute to actually roll over and pick it up off the floor, yawning deafeningly loudly as he lifted it to his ear. Still, the actual waking up somehow gave him the energy to get up from the couch, stretching his arms above his head and wincing as his back cracked, sore bones popping insistently as he trailed upstairs in the vague search for a shirt. In all that time, all he heard over the line was a constant stream of cursing- some words he was sure the caller had just made up on the spot. Only after he'd actually tugged the first top that came to hand- a long sleeved, dull green jumper that probably succeeded in making him look skinnier than he already was, did he actually attempt to interrupt.

 

"Axel, okay, man, slow down, jeez... What happened?" he sighed, wrestling his pants on as the redhead tried to slow his ranting enough to get his point across. Demyx winced, holding the phone just away from his ear, as Axel practically screamed into the line;

 

"firetrucking shitty piece of motherfiretrucking- the brat- that firetrucking brat- my baby-!"

 

"Ax, you know I have no idea what you're goin' on about, right?" Demyx spoke over his continuing ranting, flopping down so he was sitting on his bed, crumpling the previously neat duvet. He rubbed at his eyes, stifling another yawn, as Axel finally attempted to make sense, although still choked with rage.

 

"My car is firetrucked."

Namine sobbed, limping to her bus stop painfully. Just when everything ha seemed okay, it wasn't anymore. Last night, Vexen and Xigbar had Vern much crueler to her. The beatings seemed to be twice as harsh. Or maybe she just felt more vulnerable now that Demyx had a vague idea of what was going on. All she knew was that it was hard to walk on her left leg and that a scratch on her stomach wouldn't stop bleeding. Hopefully it wouldn't stain through her blouse. That'd be unfortunate. And god forbid Demyx saw it. Then she'd be in for it.

 

The bus ride was quicker than usual, a few Juniors were missing and some Freshman. But it wasn't like Yhat wa life changing. It just meant she'd get to school quickly and second period would soon be her savior. No one noticed though as she cried historically on the bus.

 

Roxas was feeling very triumphant when he walked into school the next morning, blond hair in it's perfect windswept style and blue eyes gleaming. He didn't care if they were chuckling because of what happened yesterday, they were going to be laughing because of today. Because he had done what no one had done before. He'd succeeded in getting back at Axel. He leaned against his locker, Sora chatting next to him as he closed his eyes, letting the feeling of well done sink in. Oh he was happy--no, scratch that. He was practically ecstatic. That should have taught Axel a lesson. And the lecture he got in the morning, well, that was worth it. To he'll if he cared what his dad really punished him with anymore.

About five minutes after he suddenly hung up, Axel turned up on Demyx's doorstep, looking exhausted- he must have completely sprinted there, which wasn't really an Axel kind of thing to do. He was flushed to the scarlet roots of his hair, green eyes watering; for a moment, Demyx stared at him in disbelief, until he remembered something the redhead had said, the last time he'd been caught..."leaking", as he put it.

"People don't firetruckin' cry cause they're sad, asshole. It's when they're too overwhelmed to do anythin' else-!"

 

And it was pretty clear that Axel was completely past pissed off, enough to be reduced, well... to this. His breathing was hitched, and not just from the running- even Demyx, lazy slacker extraordinaire, could manage to sprint between their houses without getting a stitch, and Axel was a lot fitter than he'd ever be. It wasn't often his fellow Senior was at a loss for words, but it seemed he'd actually run out of even the curse words to express his anger. Pretty much a sight to behold, but the blond was cautious of the fact that when Axel got like this, he tended to blow up suddenly and completely cause a scene, so to save his scatty neighbors the drama, he tugged the taller boy over the threshold and into the house.

 

Luckily, since it wasnt their fault they had no ride (Axel refused to accept any responsibility for what had happened to his car), Demyx's mom offered to drive them in her minivan, on the condition that the redhead didn't treat her disrespectfully or cuss. As such, Axel was completely fuming by the time they pulled into the school's lot, silently seething away in the backseat. He stomped out of the car the moment it came to a standstill.

 

"He says thank you, Mom!" Demyx called, as he jumped out to catch up with Axel.

Namine sighed shakily, reaching into her locker to pull out the binders she'd need for first period and the classes after that that were to come. She had lost feeling in her ankle in the bus, so whenever she walked on it all she felt was a slightly painful, prickling that one might get when their foot is asleep. Namine winced as she leaned down though, her stomach injury not proving to kind. It was painful to deal with and she constantly had to check her shirt. Miraculously, the red liquid hadn't bled through yet to stain her shirt. Namine couldn't even remember how she got that wound but it may have been from that sharp knife Xigbar always carried aroubd with him. If her mama was still her she would have never permitted anyone to lay a finger on her. But her mama wasn't here, no, she was dead. Namine felt her eyes well up for the second time today an she hid her head in her locker to hide the waterfall of tears that poured out.

 

"I-It's not fair."

 

Roxas knew Axel was here. It was evident in the commotion he could make out from downstairs. The Freshman were horrible in terns if lowering their voices and keeping quiet. But the Juniors were at fault to. A few girls screamed as they were either pushed out of the way or glared at and even some Seniors upstairs were exchanging uneasy glances. Axel was pissed. He was in for a riot. And Roxas didn't give a damn. He withheld a cocky smirk on his face. Leaning against te door of his locker, eyes closed in serenity. It didn't matter that a certain delinquent was on the hunt for him and would find him soon. He had shown exactly who Axel was messing with and what happened when you embarrassed him. Nobody, and he meant nobody, humiliated Roxas.

 

((Sorry for the shor posts, I'm in school so...yeah ^^'))

"Axel- Ax, please, just take a breather and think about what you're doing-!" Demyx yelled as he stumbled after the furious redhead, effectively moving easily through the corridor since he was still just at the tail end of the path of destruction. If someone was in his way- and that wasnt many, only an idiot would keep in Axel's path when he was in this state. Even lagging behind as he was, Demyx could see his fellow Senior's pale hands shaking, hard, with surpressed rage- they were balled into fists so tight he wondered if Axel might be hurting himself to keep them that way.

 

The younger kids, particularly the Freshmen, seemed scared out of their wits as the deliquent redhead passed by, storming his way along- Dem supposed they'd never seen what was a full-on Axel rampage- he hadn't had one like this since Junior year, and the first semester of that. But then, throwing a glare right at Demyx, Axel suddenly turned and grabbed the blond. Dem couldnt help it, he panicked for a moment, a tiny squeak slipping from his lips as he thought, for just a second, that Axel really was going to hit him- but the older boy just shoved him, fairly gently given how utterly in a rage he was, into the open door of a classroom- by the time Demyx skidded out, Axel was gone, and- oh, god, he was already going to be late for first period at this rate. The other days it hadnt mattered, but now, of he gave Mr Terra any reason to hold him back for second period, he'd waste his chance to talk to Namine, or at least part of it- and, since he figured the problem was close to home, he knew deep down that finding out sooner rather than later was the only option- until he could find a way to help whatever was going on, she'd keep going back to it...

 

And so, instead of heading after Axel, he hugged his bag to his chest and walked off for Gym.

 

When Axel finally came across the blond Sophomore whose bastard face he'd been searching for since he got there, he didn't even pause to announce himself- he just flung himself at Roxas with a snarl, pinning him against the wall. Throwing a disappear-or-else look at the stragglers in the hallway, he tugged the pocketknife out of his pants, the one he'd torn out of his car's hood that morning. Come to think of it, there were still some flakes, remnants of his car clinging to the blade- and, without any hesitation, he held it right at the younger boy's throat.

 

"You happy now, you twisted little- little firetrucking son of a bitch?" he snapped, still breathing unevenly, like he'd been running all that way.

Namine sat huddled in Miss Aqua's Math class, sinking as low as she could in her desk, ATMs wrapped around her stomach. It was finally showing and she still couldn't get the bleeding to stop. How much longer would she have to wait till it finally stopped? She could feel the red stickiness seeping onto the skin of one of her hands and she already felt a migrant coming upon her. She couldn't get up and ask to go to the nurse though. Either her Math teacher would make a bi deal out of it or she' hush her and tell her to wait since Miss Aqua was usually oblivious to everything when teaching her subject. Of course, that might be why she could deal with the stares and wolf whistles she got from the boys. Namine wouldn't be able to deal with it without blush raking over her face. Her stomach still throbbed. From next to her she could see one of the girls in her class, Xion, shoot a concerned look. But Namine knew that it was probably used to covernup the accusing looks she so often received. Why would that onyx haired girl (who she knew as Roxas' cousin) worry about her? If anything, shed be blaming Namine as a distraction, even though that wasn't true.

 

The blond carefully took notes with a trembling hand, strugglin to not let the salty liquid that welled up in her blue eyes to slip down her cheeks. That would be both embarrassing and a burden on all in the classroom. And Namine knew she was enough of a burden what with forcing her classmates to share the same subject--no, scratch that. The same school.

 

The breath was knocked out of his lungs and they protested greatly at the loss, making Roxas inhale deeply, only to have it caught in his throat. Sora had already abandoned him to go to first period a few minutes before. He had no one to help him...not that he needed it. At least, that's what he was trying to fool himself into thinking. He knew it was Axel who was breathing venom into his system, eyes glowing with a burning hate towards him. As Roxas was about to taunt him he stopped, his sapphire eyes widening as cool metal pushed slightly against the skin of his neck, a little to close to his veins for comfort. It was the pocket knife he had left. And Axel had it to his throat. Sweet merciful--Roxas tried not to panic, he really did. He reached up feebly to try and pull the knife at a more comfortable distance away, eyes never wavering from the blade. Now, in all honesty, he knew he had to drop his tough act because it might just get him killed but he was known for letting his pride get the best of him like anger was known to get te best of the red head.

 

"It's a-against school rules to h-have a weapon in school. And beside the fact," Roxas took a deep breath to stare evenly up at Axel in what he hoped was a confident way (though he was sure he had failed). "I have n-no clue what you're going on about."

He'd been running for what felt like hours, and everything hurt- his arms and legs were aching like crazy, his heart thumping erratically in his chest. Demyx was sure it had to be over, that the period had to be nearly done- which was why he let himself collapse onto the track, lying there with arms and legs splayed. Chest heaving, he closed his eyes and waited for the nausea in his gut and the dull taste of copper in his mouth to pass- but they were nowhere near when he felt a sneaker prod at his skinny side.

 

"I'm dying, I'm dying..." he moaned weakly, squeezing open one green-blue eye to squint up at the dark figure towering over him.

 

"DeCayce, you've been running for five minutes."

It was Mr Terra, arms crossed, which, annoyingly, just showed off his muscle tone more. He didn't run with his students often, and only tended to step in when the slackers like Demyx weren't pulling their weight. It didn't help he was sore and pretty sleepy still, after spending the night on the couch, or that he hadn't been to Gym in months. Either way, knowing that didnt make him feel any better.

 

"Personal record?" the blond groaned, attempting a weak smile- but then suddenly strong hands were on him, hauling him to his feet. The brunet man just slapped him hard on the back, looking ever so slightly exasperated.

 

"Get going."

 

Giving a sharp, humourless laugh, Axel refused to move the knife, keeping pressed up against Roxas to try and minimalise his attempts to struggle.

 

"Don't firetrucking lie to me. You've gotta recognise your own knife, right? And I dont like it very much when little brats screw around with my firetrucking property!" His voice, previously a venemous snarl, rose to a shout as he hit the end of the sentence, his anger finally starting to peak.

"Miss Clarke are you feeling alright?" Namine looked up to see Miss Aqua hovering by the side of her desk, her brow furrowed slightly. The blond swallowed trying to keep her posture cool. She was very aware however that she was sweating badly. And she also knew that the color in her face ha most likely drain from her face leaving her even more unaturally pale. She moved to open her mouth but immediately closed it, the taste of bile evident in her mouth. She winced, nodding her head as Xion looked up. Aqua stay for a moment longer before heading to her desk and pullin out a yellow slip she knew was for the Nurse's Office. "Take this and go, you look like you should get your tempature checked." Realizing that she didn't have the option of refusal, Namine nodded, taking the pass with severely trembling fingers and held her stomach tightly, hurrying out of the classroom with a slight limp. However, she didn't go to the Nurse. Instead, she discarded the pass and snuck into the conference room she had with Demyx, rocking back and forth on the seat as she tried to ignore the slight pain ebbing at her waist.

 

Roxas flinched at the loud tones being used with him and let out a slight whimper as the knife was held in place, pressed against the flesh of his throat. Te blond groped weakly at Axel's wrists, shaking slightly. He wa to happy with Axel in this state. He was too dangerous and unkind (not that he wasn't before) and it scared him.

 

"A-Alright..! It's mine! L-Let me go, p-please." He asked desperately, feeling slight dizziness come from the close proximity between the two of them. With Axel pressed against him it was suffocating; overwhelming. He needed his personal space.

It was the moment he actually coughed up blood that Demyx had to admit maybe he could do with upping his fitness a little. Still, it gave him something to show the teacher, insistantly waving his spattered palm as proof, until the brunet begrudgingly agreed for him to go and change. Typically forgetful, Demyx had forgotten to bring any kind of kit with him, and was just in rented stuff from a scrubby box at the back of the Gym changing room- so, although it was hanging off him, the T-shirt in particular swamping his slight frame- and, in his haste, he tugged it off as he was walking back to the school, fanning the material in his flushed face. Okay, so he was super-early, but no one would really care, would they?

 

Seeing the unmasked fear in the blond's eyes, Axel's snarl turned into a smirk, but it was still twisted with anger, nearly feral. The hand with the knife didn't waver, although it seemed for a moment he might step back from the way his shoulders relaxed.

 

He didn't move.

 

"Knew it," was all he hissed, staring in thought at the knife for a moment. "I firetruckin' knew it was you. You're gonna pay, you know that?" The redhead paused, then pocketed the knife; however, he made sure to make the threat in his words clear when he leant even closer, so he was right up in Roxas' face.

 

"Just you wait. You're gonna pay."

Namine whimpered, feeling her breath turn into small puffs as she struggle to say on the seat, uneven gasps puffing through her lips. She felt a nervous sensation in her stomach and was uneased by the stickiness staining his eyes. The red had long since soaked a portion of her shirt a deep red, the edges only slightly dried. Her hand was to wet for her to even bother tryin to wipe it. Namine knew she should get help but why would the point be? Her dad wouldn't take her to the hospital or pick her up because of her injury. He'd probably tell her rondeau with it and laugh. Namine shivered, hiding her face with her blond hair and bein sure to hide her wound under the table. She wondered when Demyx would come. Maybe he'd come a bit earlier.

 

((I didn't get what you said when he said so what if he was a little earlier. Dies that mean he's at the room already ^^'?))

 

Roxas barely focused on Axel as he leaned forward, stomach churning as his breath, which smelt badly of smoke, filled his lungs. The blond held back a cough, not wanting to piss Axel off even more and he felt his eyes roll slightly into the back of his head as he closed them.

 

"I-I get it. Just move--l-let me go!" He pleaded. Roxas couldn't bear being like this, his claustrophobia slowly beginning to take over. It didn't matter that there were open hallways around him. All he could feel was Axel against him keeping him closed in and that wasn't alright. He needed to get to first period, he needed to get away from the red head. He just needed space for God's sake!

 

((I'm so sorry, fail post is fail D: ))

(( Ugh, sorry for being disgustingly late, our internet's down and the connection from next door sucks. ))

 

Ew. Demyx found himself remembering just why he hated exerting himself in the first place- sweating was gross. At least he could easily steal some other sap's deodorant, which didn't smell too offensive or unlike the one he had at home. Still, being all gross and sticky, no matter how short the period of time, had cramped his cheery mood a little- still, it wasnt like that stopped him actually walking with a little pace to get to the room from yesterday, although he doubted the shy blonde would be there yet, since it wasnt even part of the way through first period yet.

 

So he was surprised to see he was wrong about that, pausing in the doorway when he actually looked up and acknowledged she was there.

 

"Oh, you early too?" he asked, with a broad grin- that smile faltered, faded, when he realised something wasnt right- she didnt look well, pale as a ghost, and she was practically hunched over-

 

He started forwards without even consciously asking his legs to move. "Namine?!"

 

Axel just grinned wider, and then slowly, overtheatrically, took two steps back. Given the length of his legs and that those steps were actually more of strides, this put quite a few feet between them- although he was still leaning over, one spider-like pale hand still pressing hard at Roxas' shoulder.

 

"You're gonna regret firetrucking up my car, Sophomore. Catch you around."

 

And at that, he finally let go of the blond, only to slap him, quite hard, across the face, before turning on his heel with a laugh and walking away. Hurting the kid now wouldnt be good enough. He had to actually PAY- and, hell, Axel was angry, but so much that he'd moved past the blind rage, direct violence; descending into sadism was probably the best route for him now. The only way he'd well and truly hurt Roxas was to just get to him, get right under his skin and make sure he knew whatever firetrucked up with his life, or the people he cared about.... Well, the redhead had always been a sucker for revenge.

((It's alright, I completely understand. Did you get your Internet beck now or are you using your neighbor's still?))

 

Namine looked up, blue eyes alert as she spotted Demyx coming into their conference room. The blond had taken a worried step towards her and she lurched back slightly, images of yesterday flooding into he mind. Marly picking on her, Demyx's look of awe as he figured out some sort of the puzzle...her father's viscious actions. Naming nodded her head, clutching he stomach with her arms tighter. Her sleeve was now soaked and she was feeling woozy beyond belief. She couldn't let Demyx see this. She couldn't let such a kind, sweet person see her in such a state. Namine couldn't bear to be the cause of anyone's unhappiness.

 

"I-I'm fine Demyx. J-Just a stomach ache is all." Namine whimpered, lying through her teeth to the best of her ability while trying to control her breathing and consciousness.

 

Roxas crumpled to the ground after the slap, laying in a slight heap before regaining his normal heart rate and bringing himself weakly up to his knees to look at Axel's retreating figure. He wouldn't and shouldn't admit it but he was scared. Scared that the red head would actually go through with his threats. He didn't want him to. He didn't want anything to happen. Hell, if he could, he'd by him a new car and be done with it. Still, Axel had seen his one moment of weakness and he wasn't about to let Axel think he was going to give up. So, with the help of the echo in the hallway. He stood to his feet, using the locker for support, and glared at the red head's head of spikes.

 

"I'm not afraid of you."

((I kind of have the internet back, but it's... flickery, to say the least. And my brother's away, so I get his laptop for tonight, at least.))

 

Fine? Demyx's ass she was fine. Okay, so he wasn't the brightest crayon in the box, but he wasn't stupid- not when it came to reading people, at least. Knowing that something was wrong. He'd always been able to tell, even though, as a kid, people obviously just assumed that he couldn't understand, took him for oblivious. Took him for an idiot. And, well, fine. He was okay with that, and it didn't bother him- it made it easier for him to just observe most of the time, take people in. Get them.

 

And, okay, he hadn't quite sorted out in his head the situation with Namine just yet, but he knew enough. Crossing the room in a few strides (practically surprising himself, since he never moved quickly of his own volition), he crouched down to her eye level- which wasn't too much of a pain, since she was only seated and wasn't, like, sprawled on the floor.

 

"...That's funny," he said, though it wasn't funny at all. His voice was softer than usual now, though, so at least the reply didn't sound harsh. "'Cause you sure as hell don't look like it's just a stomach ache."

 

Sighing, the blond narrowed his eyes for a moment. Scrutinising.

"...Did... someone hurt you?"

 

"I'm not afraid of you."

 

The redheaded Senior stopped short, the sole of one boot emitting a piercing squeak as it scraped against the linoleum. His shoulders tensed, his whole posture tight, he kept his back to the... the damn punk, just about resisting the urge to whirl around and slam his face into the lockers a couple hundred times. Just for good measure. Instead, he clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms, hard- enough for it to hurt.

 

"Then you firetrucking will be." Axel spat, allowing himself just to look over his shoulder, casting the strongest glare he could muster at the younger boy.