Disclaimer: Axel and Demyx belong to Squeenix. "Save Tonight" is by Eagle Eye Cherry. We don't own anything. Don't sue us, we're broke.

A big thanks to our beta, shimaspawn and to XFamousXLastXWordsX for the favorite! Also, a big thank you to our reviewers!

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Love: Red and Dodge

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It was here; the day they’d been dreading for the last few weeks was really here. The two lovers had crammed everything Demyx thought he would need into Axel’s tiny car and were driving to Berkley. On a normal day, the radio would have been blasting a punk band’s CD while the redhead sang along and tapped his hands on the steering wheel. Today he was silent, hands gripping the wheel so tight at times that his knuckles turned white. He wanted nothing more than to turn around and go home, but he wouldn’t. He was not going to keep Demyx from his dreams because he was selfish.

Demyx was having a silent freak out. His mind was so full of reasons to just turn around and go home. He was scared of starting college, a new school in a new city with new people and nothing familiar to ground him. More terrifying, there would be no Axel. He hadn't consciously realized how much he depended on the older man for love and support. Part of him was screaming at him for leaving the best thing that had ever happened to him behind. But…this had been his dream for years. He had to do this. He couldn't rely solely on Axel forever--and it wasn’t like they were breaking up and would never see each other again.

The redhead’s mind wandered on the drive. Though he would never tell Demyx, he was worried about this long distance business. Ever since he was seventeen, he’d been physically involved with people and now he was giving all that up. He had no idea how often he’d get to see his boyfriend since the blond didn’t have a car and he knew dam well that his car wouldn’t be able to take the trip back and forth as often as he would like. Axel stared hard at the other cars and the road as if he was blaming them for all this. He would never blame Demyx, not in a thousand years.

When they reached the dorms, it was a quick matter of unloading the car, drawn out because neither was in a hurry. This was it, their last day together for who knew how long. What have I done? Is this really what I want? Can I really do this? Thoughts like these cascaded through Demyx's mind as they stood at last in his room, all the boxes unloaded and scattered around. Demyx's roommate hadn't shown up yet and probably wouldn't until the day before school started. He glanced at the bed, then up at Axel, a forced grin on his face.

"New bed," he pointed out in what he hoped was a cheerful voice. A childish voice in him pointed out that he didn't want a new bed; he wanted to go back to theirs. "Wanna break it in?"

Axel knew his boyfriend’s smile was as forced as his was, but dammit they were both trying to be cheerful about this. He eyed the new bed then his boyfriend then the bed again. It would be their very last chance to starve off the loneliness that was sure to follow, so he nodded and grinned. “Sure, babe, rather have you break it in with me than some other hot stud.”

Demyx snorted, a bit of real humor finally sparking in him. "As if," he muttered, grinning, like he'd be interested in breaking his bed in with anyone else. Besides, who was hotter than Axel? Turning, he reached up, snagging Axel's collar and pulling him down to his level, pressing their lips together hungrily. Axel responded in kind, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend’s waist then hoisting him up. The redhead carried Demyx to the bed and set him down, managing not to break their kiss. It was going to be a long night in the best way possible.

The next morning dawned, light coming in through the window to fall across the two tangled up together on the bed. Demyx shied away from it miserably, knowing that they couldn't put it off any longer. Axel had to go home--back to L.A. and his life--and Demyx would stay here. He clung to his sleeping boyfriend a little more tenaciously, determined not to cry until he was gone. It would just make it harder for him.

Axel opened his eyes and regarded Demyx through bleary eyes. Fuck, it was morning already? He didn’t want it to be the next day because that meant he had to go back to L.A., to the house that wasn’t going to feel quite like a home without his loving boyfriend around. Maybe he could just close his eyes and pretend he hadn’t woken up, but that wouldn’t be a good idea. He had a show tonight.

Feeling Axel stir, Demyx's heart sank into his stomach and he glanced up, catching sight of open green eyes before they closed again. Axel didn't want to leave any more than Demyx wanted him to, but it was inevitable. He sat up a little and kissed his boyfriend good morning, no matter how far from good the morning felt to him. He shut his eyes against the hot prickle of tears that threatened to make themselves known.

Axel sat up and ran a hand through his tousled spikes, wiping sleep from his eyes with the other hand. His boyfriend’s blue eyes were closed; he grimaced when they reopened and regarded him--he was near tears. The redhead had to look away. If either of them cried now, he’d never be able to leave. He swallowed and looked back. “Morning,” he greeted, finally finding his voice.

"Morning," Demyx breathed, fighting away the urge to cry, and untangled his legs from Axel's. "Wanna grab breakfast or…" Do you have to go? I don't want you to go. Please stay…I lo- He cut his thoughts off, pressing his lips against Axel's neck, none of that.

Axel looked at the clock. “I should go soon if I wanna make it home for my show tonight,” he sighed softly and closed his eyes, wrapping his arms around Demyx’s neck. God dammit, if he didn’t get up soon then he never would. Standing up, he pulled on his pants and shirt.

"Ah, right." Demyx smiled a little, getting out of bed as well, pulling some pants on. Just a little longer. He followed Axel out into the main area to the front door. "Kiss me goodbye?" he asked quietly.

Axel turned and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, kissing him softly. He shut his eyes tightly; he wouldn’t cry now. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against Demyx’s. “I’ll come visit you soon as I can, okay?”

"You'd better," Demyx murmured, trying to smile. "M'gonna miss you so much babe…" He kissed Axel once more and then pulled back. He wasn't gonna last much longer. If he didn't leave, Demyx was going to start sobbing and make this whole thing even harder than it was. He couldn't do that to him, so he smiled.

Axel kissed Demyx’s forehead. “I’m gonna miss you too.” He had to go now; no goodbyes, no final kiss--he gave a wave then turned and walked out to his car. Once he was safe inside his car, he slammed his fist on the steering wheel. “Fuck!” The redhead slumped forward and rested against the wheel, tears finally streaming down his cheeks.

The door shut and Demyx hurried back into his room, collapsing on the bed. It was still warm where Axel had lain, and that detail was what finally undid him. Wrapping his arms around the pillow that still smelled faintly of his boyfriend, he began to sob. This was going to be even harder than he imagined, he realized, as the lingering warmth faded. Oh gods, it was going to be hard.