A/N: I first heard this song on a Queer as Folk fan clip on YouTube, and I fell in LOVE. Not only with Queer as Folk, but with David Gray and his musical genius. But I digress… I figured, if this song came to me from my favorite gay show, what better way to show it to y’all through one of our favorite gay couples? I just think this song works for Axel and Roxas perfectly.

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This years love had better last
Heaven knows it's high time
I've been waiting on my own, too long

When you hold me like you do
It feels so right, oh now

Start to forget how my heart gets torn
When that hurt gets thrown
Feelin' like I can't go on.

Turnin' circles time again
Cut like a knife, oh now

If you love me got to know for sure
Cuz' it takes something more this time

Then sweet, sweet lies, oh now
Before I open up my arms and fall losing all control
Every dream inside my soul

When you kiss me on that midnight street
Sweep me off my feet
Singin' ain't this life so sweet?

This years love had better last
This years love had better last

Cuz' whose to worry if our hearts get torn
When that hurt gets thrown
Don't you notice life goes on

Won't you kiss me on that midnight street
Sweep me off my feet
Singin' ain't this life so sweet

This years love had better last.

--

“Roxas! Would you please…just listen to me! SHIT!” Axel cried out in pain as his shin collided painfully with what he suspected was the coffee table. It was too dark to see anything, which he supposed could be largely his fault. After weeks of wily planning and careful agonizing, he had accomplished his primary goal: get Roxas alone for ten minutes. No friends, no brothers, no distractions. Just two teenagers who had been friends since kindergarten. In Axel’s world, it was a goal to get them past that. He had been secretly crushing on his blonde, blue-eyed beauty of a best friend since he was old enough to realize exactly what sex was and that girls just weren’t enough.

He had planned it all to perfection. Monty Python and the Holy Grail blazed happily on the television, while pizza and large quantities of Red Bull lay scattered nonchalantly across the glass surface of the coffee table. They had been fine, laughing at King Arthur’s futile attempts and brave, brave Sir Robin, when Axel had gulped down a large bite and slightly strangled himself. Roxas, ever helpful, took the time to pause the movie and laugh at his friend’s face before fumbling his way to the kitchen and getting a glass of water.

Upon his return, Axel stood, pressed his back against the wall and drank deeply and slowly, trying to dislodge the cheese, pepperoni, and tomato goodness that had glued itself to his windpipe. Roxas stood inches away, smiling up into the redhead’s face, cheerfully chattering about the dangers of Monty Python, laughter, and food combined.

Then Axel couldn’t take it anymore. He drained the glass, took a deep breath, wrapped his fingers into the blonde’s shirt and pulled Roxas to him for a kiss. There was complete stillness as they stood, locked by lips alone, in complete limbo. To Axel, it seemed as if the world stopped. But when the blonde pulled back and kept going, running out of the room and the redhead’s apartment, Axel freaked. He had ruined their relationship. He was a bad kisser. He was destined to live his life as a hermit on some forgotten island. Thoughts kept invading his mind as he chased after his best friend, kicking himself for his stupidity.

“Roxas!” he called again, ignoring the confused mutterings of his neighbors. It was midnight; someone was bound to make a complaint to the super tomorrow, and Axel was going to have to explain his folly to everyone.

How embarrassing.

He could hear the panicked footsteps of the blonde as Roxas sprinted for the doors that led outside. Axel could hear the pattering of rain on the walls and the street outside. It was typical April weather – chilly and rainy – and he hated it. It made the whole scene ten times more melodramatic.

Axel burst through the front doors of his apartment building and nearly fell down the stone steps leading up to them. He frantically searched for Roxas, but stopped when he realized the blonde was right in front of him, head tilted up to the weeping sky. Axel’s breath caught in his heaving chest. He had every right to think his best friend was beautiful – it was true.

Golden locks caught the filtering of the street lamps as they gleamed wetly in the rain. Soft lips, parted to catch the falling precipitation, moved slightly as a pink tongue slid out to catch every drop that found its way into that heavenly mouth.

Axel shuffled down the steps, making as little noise as possible. Roxas wasn’t making sense. First he ran, and then he stayed put. Axel expected the feisty young man to have punched him by now. It confused and frustrated the redhead to no end.

“How long?” Roxas’ voice broke the stillness and Axel nearly jumped out of his skin. He thrust his hands into the pockets of his tight jeans, flinging damp locks out of his eyes. “What-?”

“How long have you known? That you were gay.”

Axel froze. “Umm…”

“Because there has to be some kind of beginning to all this. A logical explanation as to why you suddenly felt the urge to kiss me.” Roxas still hadn’t turned around, but Axel could hear the quaking in his voice.

Axel giggled weakly. “Hate to tell ya, but love isn’t really logical.”

“What are you saying?” Roxas spun on his heel, glaring at his friend through rain-soaked bangs and tear-bright eyes. “You love me?”

Rocking on his heels, Axel shrugged. “Well…yes.”

“Why?” Incredulity echoed in every centimeter of the blonde’s voice. “I’m straight. I’ve had girlfriends. You and me… we’re just friends. I’m nothing special.”

“But you are,” Axel interrupted. “Deep down, you knew I was bisexual – because I still kind of like the female race – before I did. When we went to the movies that one time and you teased me for flirting with the cashier, even though he was completely oblivious, you knew. You know stuff about me that I don’t understand for years.”

“Still, that doesn’t explain-”

“What needs to be explained?” Axel walked to stand in front of the blonde, gently cupping Roxas’ face in his own, long-fingered hands. He breathed a sigh of relief when the blonde didn’t pull away. Instead, Roxas’ fingers looped themselves into the damp fabric of Axel’s sweatshirt, tugging gently. “We’ve both been through some pretty crappy relationships, and I’m tired of pretending when all it comes back to is you.” Axel bent his head down to rest it against his friend’s. “I’ve been waiting on my own, too long.”

A deep, shuddering breath swept through the blonde. “When you hold me like you do,” he began, pausing to look up into emerald eyes, “It feels so right-”

“Oh, now,” Axel finished, pressing his lips to the blonde’s. They kissed for a moment, before Axel pulled away, inhaling the sweet scent of freedom and Roxas.

“What now?” the blonde asked hesitantly, reaching around the redhead to clasp his hands behind the taller man’s back.

“Now… we go back inside and watch them blow up a bunny with the Holy Hand Grenade. Everything else can wait.”

“I don’t want it to wait.” Roxas gazed up into spicy green eyes, chewing on his lip. “I need you to-”

Axel understood. He cupped the blonde’s chin and smiled. “If you love me, got to know for sure.”

Roxas smiled back, nodding. “No more crappy relationships. This year’s love-”

“Will last.” Axel took a step backwards, bringing the blonde with him. “Remind me to thank Kairi for making us listen to that stupid song.”

The blonde chuckled. “Love that song.”

They went inside, soaking, freezing, and blissfully happy.

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