★ Gravity Gave Mercy ★

813 Month 2016 - Day 3 - Vampire (Word from @roxas-heart-13​)

“Do you remember the promise you made me, Axel? That we’d meet again in the next life?”

It’s difficult, to say the very least, spending his days going between the apartment and the studio - sometimes not, sometimes just lingering in the studio and staying overnight - and not being able to go about his usual routine. Well - he supposed, he had a new routine, now; which typically consisted of spending time getting used to the crutches he’s been given, the ones he clung to and the ones he cherished, mind constantly uneasy and unsettled.

There were some days when he reduced himself to the state Axel had found him, once - staring blankly out the window with unresponsive eyes, simply contemplating anything and everything he should’ve been doing but couldn’t. It hurt, to have his feet be so useless to him; to have to change bandages every few hours, see the scars and, if he worked himself too hard, streaks of crimson from wounds re-opened. It all hurt, so very very much - but he was learning to get on with it.

In a way - Axel was being the most supportive crutch to him right then; one he hoped never to hurt or damage, or take advantage of. No; not Axel - not someone who had been by his side since before the incident, had stuck by him through it and would, hopefully, continue to linger even after.

If anyone walked in on the studio, rather empty, they’d find him with his legs angled so his feet lingered just below his head, teal hues glancing down as pale fingers picket at the bandages; Six weeks, at least - but Riku figured it would be more like six months, at this stage. Each day not dancing, doing what he’d been practically born to do, felt like a heavy weight on his heart, acid in his veins- it stung, it burned, and he hated it do. But, pressuring and forcing himself wouldn’t help, either - it would only prolong the pain.

Being just a room away meant Axel could easily hear Riku's movements. While mostly silent, Axel had once or twice happened to hear Riku's heavy breathing as he attempted to do something his feet prevented him from accomplishing. And Axel would wait for Riku to push through and prevail or for the breathing to grow long and ragged; that's when he would step in.

Though often, Axel wished he could do more. As he loomed over the boiling water, he frowned at his distorted reflection. Cooking was a skill he lacked, and while he preferred to stay out of the kitchen, this time around, he didn't have a choice. Carefully he poured the water out of the pot and into a mug. Placing a teabag and a spoon in the steaming water, Axel then carried it, slowly, making sure to not spill the liquid. Sometimes, he swore cooking was more difficult than dancing...

Slipping into Riku's room, Axel wasn't surprised when he caught him picking at the bandages on his feet. Clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth, Axel settled down across from Riku and placed the cup between them.

Seeing as the guy wasn't half as bad as the rest, Axel considered attempting to reach a peaceful stand with him. Then again...Axel wasn’t the friendliest guy around.

Opening the can up with one bony finger, Axel then gulped half of it down. It wasn't until his throat burned that he placed the drink down.

"That's kind of weird...I was sure you got along with the other members, y'know, like Larxene...?"

His lips curled, just slightly, at Axel’s invitation and, with a small nod, he tried his own hand at getting up; Not exactly the most successful attempt, and he did end up extending a hand for some help - but he had growing confidence that he’d get the hang of it with time.

He appreciated all Axel was doing for him, really, even if their relationship hadn’t really been firmly established; being honest, Riku really had no idea what they were - the line was too firmly blurred, it was too difficult to tell if they’d passed the line of friendship or not.

Friends did things like this for each other without question, but – was that really all Axel was doing it for? Riku sometimes wondered; and then chastised himself for such critical thinking.

“… I really do want to thank you,”

However he could do it, he really wouldn’t mind - even if it was just by bettering himself,

Instantly, Axel laced his fingers with Riku's.

It was almost instinct, taking and initiating the exact position each time they engaged in a dance, only this time, there was no music and both their feet lacked ballet shoes. Leaning in closer, Axel bumped his nose against Riku's cheek, traveling upwards until his lips tickled the shell of his ear.

It's a whisper - his voice - it snakes from his throat, low and warm.

"Really, it's my pleasure."

As soon as the words bounced into the air, Axel pulled back. And just like that the moment itself dissolves, as if it had never existed. Axel won't linger on it, for how can he dote on something that never occurred?

Replacing his fingers with the crutch he held in his left hand, he made sure Riku had a good grip on it before he retreats, takes exactly one step back.

“As much as my heart withers in appreciation of you tryna’ shove words down my throat,” he asserted, one hand meeting his hip as the other motioned in the air next to him, “that wasn’t why I was askin’. Jus’ curious, that’s all.” 

Body leaning forwards, as if mock-lecturing the boy, he carried on. “I trust your schedule is overflowing with plans. Trainin’ and studyin’ until sunset, right?” He leaned back, grinning, wide enough to bare a couple of teeth. “Sleepin’ in some more would be out of the question.”

Right. As if that wasn’t his own plan for the day. He had a nagging feeling that he was going to be awake for a while now, though, at least until it was time for a nap. 

"Yeah, right. I don't need the practice, I mean, have you seen me?" Flexing his fingers, as if he carried the weight of his unsummoned Chakram's across the outstretched digits, Axel tilted his head to the side, and smirked. "I don't need ANY practice."

He then waved one hand in the air, "But of course, I can understand if you need the practice..."

Perhaps he was pushing it. Perhaps he was following down a road he'd later regret. Maybe, when it was all said and done, he'd wish he had simply ignored the other man, and proceeded to sleep the day away, but for now, his tongue was sharp, sharp enough to injure, and sharp enough to get him trouble.

It wasn't what he'd expected. He’d been sure he was walking towards a maze of clothes and junk, but while the room was in fact messy, it had a certain aspect to it that lead him to believe only Demyx could easily find any of his belongings without a problem.

Taking the seat next to Demyx, he was ready to spit out an other sarcastic remark when the loud growling of his stomach interrupted him.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” she answered. And since it was only polite to ask, she continued, “And how have you been?” 

He didn't know Namine. He didn't know her gestures, her usual tone of voice, or the things she did to keep herself at ease...And so, he was forced to take the seat across from hers and ask for the information he wanted to obtain.

Long, bony arms stretched over his head as he tipped his body back in the chair.

"Roxas is involved, so of course, I'm going to listen to what he has to say. Now don't start losing your shit over it. It was only an...Explanation of some sort. You can't be mad at ME 'cause people think you're gay..."

Crutches, huh…..

Originally, a small flash of offense hit his heart and, hopefully, not his face– Being stuck in the studio sucked, yes, but at the very least he didn’t have to look so pathetic as to have crutches–

And then that thought was shoved down; covered by appreciation for the fact Axel had done such a thing in the first place, going all the way across town from where Riku knew the nearest hospital or physiotherapist was; and a small, soft smile covered his features instead.

Fingers brushed lightly over the metal frame of one, soft and smooth and new, eyes drawn in to the small tint of blue - he hadn’t been aware crutches could be personally made like that, with specific colours, but the more you knew - before teal hues switched back to the red-head sitting in front of him.

“Axel….”

He was– sort of wordless, really, and perhaps that in and of itself was enough– but he knew, he’d never really be able to repay the other for all he’d done; sticking by him, doing something like buying him the crutches he needed— He’d told him about his financial issues, yes, but he certainly hadn’t expected this— If it had been anyone else, he might have mistaken it for pity; but not Axel. Axel said it like it was, no sugarcoating; and that was all Riku asked.

“… Thank you. I… don’t really know what to say…”

A small bit of guilt twitched through him, however, at recollection of the word ‘slave’ that had been used; Had he really driven him so far?

Which is why his lips mimic Riku's soft smile. A wave of relief rolls over his body, and Axel is of course, completely shocked by it. He hadn't realized how nervous he actually was until he came face to face with the situation.

Taking the other crutch into his hand, bony fingers twist against the metal as his thin body used it as leverage. With one easy pull, Axel hauled himself upwards and away from his spot on the floor.

Sturdy, without question, it would hold Riku's weight without a problem.

Shaking his head, Axel was more or less bothered by the reply he received. He hadn't meant to come off as if he didn't enjoy doing all the things Riku was temporarily unable to do, but he wasn't exactly willing to admit to that either.

"You know I was joking right? It ain't like I do anything for you that's out of my way."

Lies, thin and harmless, but lies nonetheless. On several occasions, Axel had dropped whatever he'd been doing (regardless of its importance) and leaped into action each and every time Riku happened to need help...

Pushing that thought away, he continued.

He’d sort of expected Axel to be madder than he was, and yet, at the same time, this lack of rage was also something he’d expected - Axel was a bit two-faced like that, or perhaps that wasn’t the word— maybe unexpected was more precise - so teal hues draw themselves from the wall-length window to the red-haired youth and the box he carried; Teal hues rose in slight curiosity, the most emotion he’d really felt all day - and the smell of food ( Chinese? His favourite ) wafted from nearby.

Axel’s question almost sounded rhetorical, but Riku knew him better - his lips twitched and, with a small sound, he perched himself up properly against the wall from his slumped position, eyes twinkling with curiosity;

“Open it.”

A snort escaped him as he lowered his eyes back on the cardboard box below his fingertips.

But he'd seen it...

The way Riku's face had lit up, the way his eyes had sparkle, the very same glitter that could be found each and every time Riku was in front of his students, teaching one of his many classes. In that time frame, Axel had leaned against the wall and watched him, carefully, entranced and completely in awe with his swift and gentle movements.

Seeing it again brought a smile to his own face; a smile that had been quickly drawn into a smirk. Too much emotion was dangerous after all.

Pulling out a small knife from his pocket, Axel flipped the blade towards the outside and plunged it into the box. He dragged the sharp object across the thick surface, only satisfied when he could easily dig his fingers into the opening and pull it apart. Doing just that, Axel ripped into the packaging and opened it up for Riku to see.

Laying against the jagged remains of the box were a set of crutches, long and shiny against the setting sun spilling in from the window. Tainted a faint blue, Axel had made sure to pick out ones that would fit Riku, much like ballet shoes once adorned his feet. He'd also made sure to adjust them to Riku's height (embarrassing how he knew how tall his dancing partner was...) so he wouldn't have any trouble doing it himself later.

Holding out one of the crutches to Riku, Axel tapped his fingernails against the metal frame.

"Now you can come with me when I go pick up our food. Consider me your slave no more!!"

“Oh, yes, you must excuse me. My heart trembles with utmost excitement to be in your presence.”

The sarcasm is thick, and Marluxia knows that Axel can palpate it in the air since the other Nobdoy tends to use it as a weapon quite frequently. 

“Aww...That’s awfully sweet of you, but, don’t get too full of yourself now. I’m not here to see you, unless you’ve suddenly claimed the kitchen as your own?”

Swallowing back his sarcastic remarks, Axel nodded, more than eager to dig into the snacks Demyx had managed to stash (he’d have to remember to ask him how he’d done it later on). He figured he could eat till his tummy was satisfied and then head straight to bed. No need to engage in pointless conversation.

Get the snacks and then get out.

Following after Demyx, Axel spoke up if only to question the other, "And where exactly are we headed? 'Cause from what I've heard...Your room is a mess and quite frankly I rather starve to death than enter the death trap you dare call a bedroom."

“Look who finally decided to join the rest of us! Mornin’ sunshine.”

Speak for yourself, Xigbar; he’d only just rolled out of bed himself a couple of minutes ago. It was barely 10 in the morning, not even that late – though later than Saix preferred, usually banging at his door by quarter-to, insisting that he started with his day already. It hadn’t happened today, however; and he’d noticed why the second he’d strolled into the Grey Area. 

Vacation day. 

This day being one of them.

Axel had over slept and had scrambled around looking for his coat and boots only to messily toss everything on. He must have looked like he was dragged through hell and back when he bumped into Xigbar in the hall.

Admittedly, Axel had completely overlooked him, it wasn't until Xigbar spoke that the taller of the two arched and eyebrow, and then smirked.

Wow, well he'd worried over nothing. 

More than ready to head back into his room and catch up on much wanted (not needed) sleep, Axel is caught off guard by the next string of words that slip through the shooter's mouth.

Ever suspicious about Xigbar's motives, Axel proceeds carefully.

"Dunno...Probably nothing important. Why? Don't tell me you wanted to spend time with me? Geez, I'm flattered...I might be able to squeeze ya into my frantic schedule if you have something interesting in mind."