Disclaimer: So what if I don’t own Kingdom Hearts? I can always dream!

A/N: Hello readers! I’ve decided to post this holiday fic which I dedicate to my dear friend Katja/Kuraieshi! She’s always supportive and fun to talk to, so I wanted to write something for her. And guess what? I finally did a one shot!

Ahem,

I apologize to those who are reading ‘Perfect’. I’ll hopefully post a chapter of that next week along with ‘Love your Servant’. So enjoy!

Word count: 3813

Tradition

Roxas and Axel never went home to their families for the holidays, nor did they spend it with their other friends. Both of them simply set up a fake, long-living Christmas tree every year and decorated it with glittered bulbs and colourful, flashy lights which sometimes blinded their guests. They shared gifts with one another, drank cartons and cartons of eggnog, and they even ate hearty dinners together as though it were tradition.

Sure, they were really close friends, but sometimes Roxas wanted their relationship to be so much more. He figured he had a crush on the older boy for two years, and there were times when Roxas considered confessing his feelings, but he had no clue as to whether or not Axel was gay. Heck, the guy never even brought home a date; it drove Roxas insane sometimes. But at the same time he was relieved. He would be deeply disappointed if he knew the redhead was dating someone else, guy or girl. Wait, when was he so possessive?

“This is the year…” Roxas exhaled deeply as he pressed his jittery fingers against his chest, feeling the quickness of his heartbeat. He lost count of how many times it throbbed rapidly to his discontent, but he continuously blamed his ‘best friend’ for causing that problem. The blonde desperately wanted to confess this year.

A few weeks ago he found several girls flirting with Axel, touching him playfully with their teasing fingers, and moving in closer than they ever should have been allowed. Roxas hated being jealous over something so ridiculous, so he figured this was the year he confessed. “If I get shot down at least I know I tried…”

Axel grinned merrily as he opened the door to his and Roxas’ apartment. “Honey, I’m home!” he sang.

The blonde glanced up from his papers and snorted, shaking his head. That greeting always made him grin stupidly because it sounded like they were a married couple. Honestly, Roxas didn’t mind at all. “What took you so long? Is someone finally trying to ruin our tradition?” he gasped dramatically, feigning hurt as he placed a hand over his chest.

Axel let out a humorous laugh as he hung his thick winter jacket on the coat rack and kicked off his shoes. “No…surprisingly that hasn’t happened yet. Anyway, I’m going to shower first and then we can set up our ridiculous marathon of old shows and movies.” The redhead strolled off into his room, gathered all his clothes and headed straight towards the bathroom.

Roxas on the other hand, set aside his textbooks and papers. He gaped at the ever flashing Christmas tree and sighed. Axel was the one who wanted to set up all the flashing lights just to bother people. It was rather amusing and Axel was basically a mischievous boy at heart, so Roxas eventually accepted it. Good thing it didn’t blind him. “What to say, what to say…” the blonde thought to himself as he paced back and forth in the room. Confessing to someone like Axel was going to be difficult. He wondered whether or not he was going to be taken seriously. “I’ll tell him today…” maybe he could make it quick and painless…like tearing a band aid off in an instant. Wait that still inflicted pain… Roxas ran his hands through his unruly locks frustratingly. Why was Axel such a complicated person?

“I’m done, so you can use it now.” Axel came out of the door wearing a brown polo shirt along with black pants. It was his lazy-wear he once said.

Roxas shook his head went into the kitchen to grab two glass cups and a large bowl. “I already showered before you got home from work…” Reaching into the fridge, he pulled out the slightly alcoholic eggnog.

Axel fished out several bags of chips from the cupboards and began filling the empty bowl. “Someone seems eager to start the marathon…” he chuckled while shaking the bags.

“Okay, you’re picking up movies for us next year…they’re starting to play a lot of re-runs on TV.” Roxas chucked a cheesy chip at his roommate.

The two plumped themselves lazily onto the couch in front of their television, a blanket draped loosely over their bodies. It was merely a tradition to sit together and watch television on the twenty-fourth of December. They purposely avoided the topic of exams and tests, and holiday assignments. Those words were taboo on Christmas Eve.

Two cartons of eggnog sat on the table and a bowl full of mixed chips rested on Axel’s lap. Both Roxas and Axel deemed themselves as couch potatoes on Christmas Eve, which was perfectly fine because they really were like couch potatoes; very motionless.

This so-called tradition started approximately three years ago, when the two first moved in together. They went to the same college so they decided to just share apartment, split rent, and stuff like that. Sure, they were invited to parties near by, but they didn’t want anything glamorous. They just wanted to be lazy; the ‘sit back and relax’ type of people.

“We should really find something else to do on Christmas Eve…” Roxas chuckled dryly as he stared at one of the old cartoon movies on the screen. And it really was old because the animation quality was unbelievably low. Maybe next time they should just rent movies…good movies; the ones that have good plot and decent characters that aren’t melodramatic.

“Just change the damn channel.” Out of frustration, Axel snagged the remote from his roommate’s hand and began channel surfing. The blonde let out a low growl which Axel pretended to ignore.

Moments later, he focused on Axel’s simple facial features. Roxas sighed deeply, though quietly so the redhead wouldn’t notice, and he shifted his body just a little. Would this be an appropriate moment to confess?

His unusually small hand snaked closer to Axel’s free one on the couch and he swallowed the lump that was lodged in his throat. Their fingers nearly touched and Roxas opened his mouth to speak. “I…I have something I want to tell you…” he said in a hushed voice, hoping Axel heard it. He could already imagine the expression on his own face; pink and utterly ridiculous. When Roxas’ fingers touched Axel’s, the redhead quickly pulled it away to cover his mouth as he yawned. Okay, so Axel didn’t hear him or feel his fingers…

Roxas coughed into his fist to grab his roommate’s attention this time. Thankfully it worked, otherwise Roxas was going to throw a fit. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you…” he stated with a clear voice.

“Yeah…I have something to tell you as well…” Axel admitted as he scratched the back of his head, burying his hand in his crowd of crimson spikes. There came a laughing sound from the television when a cartoon character tripped and fell, but it was completely ignored by the two.

“R-really?” Roxas asked a little too brightly. He sat up straight as Axel nodded in an awkward way. “Then you first!” the boy offered oh so graciously. He noticed Axel’s uneasy expression, his face slightly pink from just seconds ago. Perhaps the redhead was going to confess to him. The excitement just thrilled the boy’s blood.

So Axel slowly leaned forward and heaved a sigh as he dipped a hand into his shirt pocket. The blonde swallowed hard, seeing how close he was to Axel. Within the few seconds he had, Roxas memorized some of the curves and lovely features on his crush’s face, especially those luscious lips. Roxas was tempted to wrap his arms around Axel’s neck and kiss him, softly, passionately; he didn’t know which one he wanted. He just knew he wanted Axel to be his and only his. No girl or guy would be allowed to steal the magnificent redhead away.

But to Roxas’ discontent, Axel fished out a small ball shaped item wrapped in a blue tissue and red ribbon. “I have chocolate for you!” Axel said in an enthusiastic sing-song tone as he presented it to his roommate. Yes, that was what Axel wanted to tell him.

Roxas gaped at the man’s playful and energetic spirit in dismay. The redhead was surprisingly festive during the Christmas season and it seemed as though Axel was making an effort to tease him. Damn his playful nature.

The blonde failed to comprehend why Axel was so ecstatic anyway. His Christmas was the same every year. They sat together and watched special, low quality holiday programs that ran only on Christmas and they ate dinner together. What was so special about that…?

“Chocolate…” Roxas simply said, though in a dullish tone, feeling slightly disappointed. It didn’t seem like anything worth getting excited over because Axel forced one upon him every year.

“What, you prefer a candy cane over this? Chocolate is way better, Roxas.” Axel laughed as he tugged on the delicate red ribbon, which slipped from the tissue within seconds.

Without hesitating Axel pressed the small chocolate ball against Roxas’ lips using his finger and thumb. He only wished he had a camera prepared every year because Roxas’ response to this little action was priceless. The boy had a dumbstruck look, dilated eyes and obviously parted lips, his hands almost up in the air as though he was being arrested. “Come on, Roxas, I make these every year. If you don’t like them just say so.”

Wanting to reply, the blonde accepted the sweet and took it in his mouth completely. He had to admit it tasted better every year. The creaminess inside was really sweet and delectable, and it was still fresh and warm as though Axel just made it the day before. “I like them,” Roxas admitted out loud after he swallowed it and licked his chocolate stained lips. It was interesting how he only got one every year. What did Axel do with the rest of them?

“The rest were probably used to pick up chicks…” his mind drawled.

“I’m glad you like them!” Axel said brightly as he beamed at his distracted roommate.

“So, what do you want for Christmas this year?” Roxas questioned out of nowhere as he heaved an exasperated sigh. As a joke, Axel always made extravagant wishes every year which made the blonde roll his eyes. Axel was one hell of a tease…but Roxas quite liked it sometimes.

“I want…a family of Atlantic puffins,” the redhead laughed playfully as he gave his roommate a light punch on the arm. The problem was Axel rarely asked for anything, and if he did want something he wouldn’t ask Roxas.

However, Roxas wanted to confess this year so he figured he would have a gift to offer as well. It was like a package deal. “Seriously, I want to get something for you this year.”

Axel’s laughter ceased immediately and he blinked at the boy thoughtfully. A child on the program cried and the redhead automatically clicked the mute button. Roxas never approached him so seriously before so something must have been grinding his brain. “You really want to know what I want?” he questioned as he shifted forward, closing the space between their bodies. That tiny movement made Roxas swallow thickly and shiver. The closeness always gave the blonde so many thoughts, from kissing innocently to making love. At the moment all he wanted to do was grab Axel by his shoulders, pin him down, and kiss him square on the lips…but that would be oh so wrong…Perhaps screaming “I want to be your boyfriend, damn it!” was a better idea.

“Y-yeah…” the blonde eventually replied, his eyes completely fixed on Axel’s soft emerald ones. Roxas slapped himself mentally for his irrational thoughts.

The redhead couldn’t hold his solemn expression any longer. He laughed at Roxas, making the small boy blush as he returned to reality. “Just don’t beat me up.”

Taken aback, Roxas stared with wide eyes. “Beat you up? When did I ever beat you up?” he demanded as he placed his hands on his hips.

“Well you give me playful punches and that’s it…so I guess you’ve never actually beaten me up.” Axel shrugged nonchalantly while taking a sip from his cup of eggnog.

This whole topic confused Roxas though. He quirked his eyebrows and concentrated on Axel’s calm exterior. “I never beat you up before, so why would you ask for something like ‘don’t beat me up’ now?”

The redhead drummed his glass with his fingers and sighed. Axel wasn’t staring into space, but Roxas could tell he was thinking deeply about something when he stared at the pure white wall. “It’s nothing…” those words eventually slipped passed Axel’s lips which in the end left Roxas puzzled.

But rather than pushing Axel’s buttons with questions, the blonde merely shrugged and turned his attention back to the television. He grabbed the remote and un-muted the program while throwing some chips into his mouth. “So what did you want to tell me?” Axel asked while relaxing against the backrest of the couch.

Roxas grunted at the question. “Nothing…”

“I’ll confess later…” his mind grumbled. The moment was ruined anyway. Axel didn’t seem very…lively anymore.

After Axel scooped some mint ice cream for him and Roxas, they seated themselves comfortably again.

A few silent hours passed and one of the movies was coming to an end. Axel and Roxas watched it with the dullest expressions ever. They weren’t falling asleep but they were bored to death.

“Santa came, mommy! He really came into our house! Look what he left us!” one of the children cried out happily as he gathered all his family members around the Christmas tree.

“Okay, we seriously need something else to watch,” Roxas snorted irritably as he flipped to another channel. He found another movie based on Christmas but at least this time it was rated PG-13. The two sighed in relief and in synch too.

Then there was a strange pause between them. They gazed at each other perplexedly for a few moments, once again disregarding another television program. Roxas swallowed and parted his lips to speak, but once again he was interrupted.

“You know how I told you not to beat me up?” Axel suddenly asked out of nowhere, his eyes focussed on the empty ice cream spoon twirling in between his fingers.

Roxas snorted as he set his empty bowl aside. “Yeah…that’s the weirdest thing you can ask for, especially for Christmas.”

“So you won’t beat me up?” After hearing that question yet again, Roxas frowned in concern.

Where in the world was Axel going with this…? The blonde was completely struck with confusion. This one concern of Axel’s was so strange and out of character. He never really acted so…mysteriously before. “No…I won’t beat you up…” Roxas answered almost unsurely, his right eyebrow raised.

“Okay…” Axel sighed in relief and he placed a shaky hand onto his chest.

“Why are you so worried about me kicking your ass all of a sudden?” There was an unexpected pause, like time stopped just for Axel’s sake. Silence engulfed the room when Roxas turned off the television. He chose to focus on the redhead’s peculiar behaviour. For Pete’s sake the man needed therapy!

“Because I’m afraid you will if I do this.” That was practically a two second warning. Axel leaned forward and pressed his lips gently against Roxas’ own for an innocent, feathery kiss. Within the next two seconds Axel bolted up from his seat and literally dove off to the side, hiding behind the armrest opposite of where the stunned blonde was sitting. It was as though he was expecting an explosion, like Roxas was a time bomb ticking away threateningly, only without the ticking noise. The room was freakishly silent.

After Roxas’ mind processed the kiss, he blinked in Axel’s direction. “What…the hell was that?” he managed to force out, his fingers elevating towards his warm lips. The redhead peeked up for a second and then ducked again when his eyes met Roxas’. There was no answer.

Roxas got up from the couch and slowly made his way towards the frightened redhead who stood up almost immediately when he heard his roommate’s footsteps. The blonde’s face was so plain and simple, but there was no smile. Axel figured his life was going to end in his living room…how depressing. He began shifting away from Roxas, his feet moving in rhythm with the blonde’s. Soon they began circling the couch and their movement increased in speed. “Oh, good lord he’s going to chase me down and wring my scrawny little neck!” Axel thought frantically as his feet began making shuffling sounds.

And so the blonde started playing tag with Axel around the couch. The redhead was really freaking out, but that didn’t stop Roxas from chasing him with a determined expression. “You haven’t answered me yet!” the blonde shouted out through his quick breaths.

The redhead didn’t know how to answer; he just knew the snot was going to be beaten out of him. There was no time to think properly. Roxas managed to tackle Axel down after a few minutes of cat and mouse. The blonde straddled him and both of them panted wearily. Axel screwed his eyes shut and waited for a punch. “I don’t regret it!” he screamed in his head.

But nothing physically hit him. He opened his eyes and blinked stupidly at Roxas who was staring down at him. “Okay…” he began breathily. “I didn’t beat you up!” Roxas said, just in case Axel was going to bring topic up again. “Now tell me what the hell is going on…”

And suddenly the redhead snapped. “Isn’t it obvious by now? I like you! I freaking like you! Why else do you think I make chocolate only for you every year? Why do you think I sit here with you every Christmas? Why else do you think we eat what seems like a romantic dinner together?!” Axel exclaimed loudly as though he planned on tearing out his red hair. His face was completely flushed from embarrassment.

“So you like me?” Roxas asked with a serious face, his hands clutched onto the collar of Axel’s shirt.

“Yes, all right? I thought you would figure it out after a whole year…” When Roxas made a slight movement, Axel winced again and shut his eyes tightly. When did he fear the blonde so much?!

“Axel…” the blonde sighed exasperatedly.

“Y-yeah?” he strained out, his eyes still screwed shut.

“Look at me.” It was a demand Axel refused to deny. His eyes fluttered open slowly and before he knew it, his lips were captured by Roxas’. Of course, Axel was in a state of shock so he failed to respond at all. And sensing that, the blonde pulled away to examine his crush.

“…”

“…”

“Whoa…” the redhead whispered when the kiss registered into his brain. His eyes were extremely wide and almost unreal, and Roxas’ face was only inches away from his own.

The blonde snorted immaturely when the redhead smiled. “You just kissed me too you know…how can you be in a state of shock?”

“Because I thought my life was going to end!” Axel shouted as he fell down, slamming the back of his head against the wooden floor. He muttered at the slight stinging sensation he experienced, but it was soon forgotten. “I mean I really like you, but God, I wasn’t sure if you were gay or straight or bi you know!”

“What about you?! I didn’t know either! Those chicks were flirting with you last week, so all I could do was assume you were straight!” Roxas countered with a mighty huff. They exchanged silent glares for the next moment and then they gave up with an exhausted sigh. “Did you really make those chocolates just for me every year?” the blonde questioned with a slight blush, his eyes fixed on the empty couch.

“Yeah…I didn’t like it when the girls gave them to you every year…so I made one perfect one just for you.” The redhead murmured some other things to himself but Roxas couldn’t catch any of it. “My turn to ask a question…do you really like me?”

It was weird admitting it to Axel, but Roxas really did have a major, unhealthy crush on him. He figured his roommate was too immature to understand the concepts of love, but he was dead wrong. “Yeah…I like you.” To prove it, he cupped Axel’s cheeks and leaned in for another kiss. This time it was perfect; their lips tingled at the magnificent touch and they both reacted positively to the blissful sensation. It was nice feeling each others smile as they kissed.

When they broke apart the blonde moved off of Axel’s body and sighed as though he was in heaven. “Let’s…change the tradition next year…” Roxas suggested with a definite nod as Axel sat up.

The redhead scratched his neck and shrugged carelessly. “You want movies right?” Roxas cocked his head to the side and smirked slyly, hoping the redhead understood what he wanted. “You want to go out?” Axel ventured after he was given no answer. The redhead vaguely suggested a date.

“Want to…guess again?” Roxas whispered as he slid his hand along Axel’s thigh. The redhead nearly jumped from the sudden touch but his slow brain finally caught on.

“Oh!” he said lamely as he mentally smacked his own forehead. Wait a sec…his eyes widened at Roxas’ silent suggestion. “Oh…” he said slowly. The redhead had no idea his lover was so…hasty.

“So dinner plus bed and breakfast then?” Axel purred as he gently played with the blonde’s soft hair.

The boy hummed thoughtfully at the delicious proposal, his fingers playing with the buttons of his dress shirt, “Sounds nice.” Scoring with Axel was beyond nice or delightful actually.

“Want to start now?” Axel asked seductively, trying not to sound eager at all.

The blonde smiled deviously while undoing a few of his buttons at an agonizing pace. His shirt slowly slid down his shoulders, revealing more of his flawless skin. Axel swallowed roughly and leapt at the blonde, kissing him passionately and undoing the rest of the buttons himself.

So a new tradition was set; no more lame holiday programs. Instead they decided there were going to be some decent movies, chocolate from Axel, dinner cooked by Roxas, a lovely night in the bedroom, and a delicious breakfast in the morning.

Oh, and two days later, Roxas bought Axel a family of stuffed puffins. Too bad the gift didn’t go along with his confession. But Roxas did say he wanted to get something for Axel anyway.

It’s funny how their Christmas tradition changed in the most unexpected way.