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"Come on, Rox! You know I hate the cold! Not to mention snow..." Axel. My ex-boyfriend and current best friend. He's always such a wuss when it comes to being cold. He's such a heat-miser and a pyromaniac--trying to get a job in pyrotechnics. I wish him luck.

"Yeah, Rox, I'm cold, too. Can't we go back home yet?" Sora, my younger brother by a year. The reason he gets so cold is he barely eats one meal a day. I've been trying to get him to eat more, but it seems unlikely, unfortunately. He just doesn't have much of an appetite, I guess.

"Oh, come on, guys! Stop complaining and try to have fun! It's snowing! It's so pretty!" Heh, Demyx. He's such a happy person, always looking on the bright side of things to get through all of the pain he's been inflicted with. I respect him so much. If anyone's my hero it's him.

"If you guys don't shut up, I'm going to murder you." Ah, Saix. Demyx's older, very protective brother. He's been through a lot, too, but he's a huge pessimist. He guards Demyx like crazy. If he gets hurt, Saix is always there to stand up for him if no one else is. I couldn't help but chuckle when Demyx flung himself on his older brother and hugged him. The smile that tugged at the older male's face was priceless. A Kodak moment, if you will.

"I want to find the perfect tree to put in the house, so, no. We can't go back yet. Not until I have one." I smirk at all of their expressions: a sigh and slump of the shoulders, a groan of disappointment, a growl of irritation and a giggle at everyone's replies. We continued on through the tree farm, me leading the way as I scrutinize the pines. How difficult should picking out a Christmas tree be, really? You'd think you walk in, point to one and go home. No. Luckily, my friends understand the insanity of my Christmas doings. The tree is always my responsibility. I'm the mother in my group of friends, I guess. I do most of the decorating and cooking and cleaning... Considering we all share one house, it really makes sense. "Oh, sh-- I'm sorry!" I say, ripping myself away from my thoughts as I bump into someone head-on. "Oh...it's just you," I finish, looking up to see Axel's cousin Reno. He's such a goofball. I had a crush on him at one point, too, but I don't think I could ever handle him. "Oh, Roxykins! Pickin' a tree? So are we, yo! What a coinkidink." He stuck his tongue out at me. My immediate response was to roll my eyes. From behind me I heard Axel's voice. "Oh, hey Cloud, Vincent. How've you been?" I look up and get caught in deep, copper eyes. I didn't even realize I stopped breathing until Reno introduced us. "Rox, you know Cloud. This is Vincent--my new roommate." So that's who Reno wanted Axel to meet last weekend... "Oh, uh, hi. I'm Roxas," I greeted awkwardly as I shook his hand, feeling tingles go down my spine at that look in those gorgeous eyes. .

Roxas looked back at Axel, about to complain about them not leaving until he found the right tree, before he heard Vincent's gorgeous voice again. He looked back up into his eyes and nodded, eyes seeming to shine at the thought of the beautiful tree. "Really? Where is it?" he asked excitedly, face lighting up. He grabbed onto Vincent's wrist in excitement, forgetting he didn't even know him, and ran ahead through the trees. He suddenly stopped, catching sight of it, and turned to run towards it. He slowed down and dropped Vincent's arm as he stared up at the tree that was a good two feet taller than him. "Oh my god... I want it... I don't care how much it is, I'm getting this tree..," he mumbled to himself. "I won't be satisfied with any other one..." He circled the tree, glancing at the beautiful full branches. "It's so perfect..." He suddenly squealed briefly and grabbed Vincent in a quick hug. Then he stepped back quickly and put his hands up in apology. "I'm sorry! When I get excited I go a little insane..," he tried to briefly explain. "Uhh...I'm gonna go get someone to get the tree for me..." He hurried off to grab an attendant, walking back with them, and he stood next to Vincent awkwardly as he began packing it up for him with the tree net.

Roxas glanced at Axel at his words and seemed to snap out of his own world. "Oh, uh, yeah! Let's go decorate!" he said excitedly, beautiful grin returning to his face. His eyes shone and his nose was a bright red from the cold. "Axel, can you help Demyx carry the tree out to the truck?" he asked him, finally noticing how upset Axel had gotten. He wasn't getting enough attention from Roxas. The blond knew Axel secretly still had feelings for him, and he tried to show him enough attention to sate his needs. He turned towards Vincent and smiled. "It was nice meeting you, Vincent," he said politely, bowing a bit. "Bye, Cloud! Bye, Reno! Good luck tree-hunting!" he told them happily, giving the two a tight hug then prancing off to Saix and Sora while Demyx grabbed the tree. On his way to the two, though, he jumped up and pecked Axel on the cheek in apology. Then he and Sora pranced ahead to the truck, Roxas snagging the keys from Axel's pocket. He unlocked the vehicle while Sora dropped the tailgate down so they could slide the tree in the bed. While they waited for them to bring the tree along, the brothers hopped up on the lowered gate and huddled together, the blond's arms hugging Sora tightly to give him warmth. "I'll make us some cocoa when we get back to get you warmed up, okay? And you need to eat a hot meal. At least a little," he said softly, laying his head atop the brunette's that was resting on his shoulder.

Roxas frowned as he watched Axel slither off to his room. "Uhh, put it in front of the big window, please? A little off to the side. Not directly center. Thank you, Saix." He smiled softly at him and walked into the kitchen. "Who wants cocoa?" he called, a soft smile on his lips as he went ahead and made enough for four mugs and began a pot of coffee for Saix. The only time Saix would drink cocoa was on Christmas morning, he had learned. He warmed the milk on the stove carefully as he filled the coffee maker. He then got out the spray whipped cream, the cocoa powder, a chocolate bar, and a few brand new peppermint candycanes. He also got the small shaker of cinnamon out and a white chocolate bar. He began playing christmas tunes on the radio. "Jungle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock," he sang, a smile on his face as he poured the steamy milk in each of four mugs and added the cocoa mix. He stirred it up and dropped a piece of the Hershy bar into three of the mugs, saving the white mug with the heart on it for Axel. He had gotten that mug for Axel when they were dating, and the redhead refused to use any other cup for a hot beverage any time. Roxas thought it was cute. In that one, he put three pieces of white chocolate in his and stirred them all up, melting the chocolate thoroughly in each. He then added a mound of whipped cream to the surface of each, shaving the matching chocolate onto the top of each, also sprinkling some cinnamon on top of Axel's. He then stuck a peppermint candycane in Sora, Demyx, and his own mugs. In Axel's he put a cinnamon candycane that he had bought a pack of specially for the redhead. He then made Saix's coffee just how he liked it--strong with a spoon of sugar and a teaspoon of cream. He dropped a peppermint in the bottom for the season. He brought out Demyx and Sora's mugs, handing them to them with a smile. "Cocoa!" Demyx had squealed happily, slurping up the whipped cream. Then he retrieved Saix's hot beverage and gave it to him as well. "I'll be back in a bit, you guys," he told them as he carried his and Axel's cocoa down the hall to the redhead's room. "Axel?" he asked softly, knocking with his elbow carefully. "Can I come in?"

Roxas frowned and bit his lip, looking down at the melting whipped cream mixing with the cinnamon and chocolate. "Alright..," he said softly. "Just...please don't stay in here all night, okay? Help us decorate? It...might cheer you up..." He solomnly walked back out to the kitchen and didn't even hear the duet of Christmas songs as he sat the mug down in the sink. He stared down in it for a few minutes before gripping the handle of his own mug tightly and walking back into the livingroom. "Let's get decorating, guys," he told them with a forced smile that didn't reach his eyes, opening the box of christmas ornaments. Sora and Demyx had already strung the lights up on the tree after Saix secured it in the holder. He immediately grabbed the tree-topping star from the box and set it aside, hidden so no one else would grab it at the end. He then set his cocoa down and began grabbing and hanging them on the tree.

By the end of the night, Roxas was disappointed. Axel hadn't come out after all to help them. He brushed it off as "Maybe he fell asleep." and a shrug of the shoulders. The tree and interior of the livingroom was completely decorated--along with the hallway. Demyx had hung mistletoe in three places in the house--that Roxas knew of. By time they were done, the dirty blond was complaining about not being able to put the star on top. "You know Axel does it every year, Dem. I'm saving it for him."

Saix had gone to bed a few hours earlier, trusting Roxas to keep an eye on Demyx. The tall blond and Sora fell asleep cuddled up on the couch like children while Roxas sat in the recliner in the darkness, staring up at the lit tree vacantly. He was running his fingers along the edges of the tree-topper he hugged to himself. He felt the smooth surface of the crystalline heart and felt a tear run down his cheek. He...honestly missed being with Axel. He was just scared that they would start fighting like they used to again. What if...what if Axel just thought he missed Roxas? What if he really didn't miss him? He hadn't really tried to get out and find someone else yet... He just...wasn't over Roxas yet, he guessed. But...I don't deserve him back. Not after not even giving him an explanation and breaking up with him. He just...felt like he was going to fall out of love with him, and he was scared. He just had that sudden drop in his heart that scared him witless...and he had to change something. Maybe... He passed out, curled up in the chair with tear-stained cheeks and hugging the bright star to his chest tightly. it was the wrong thing to change...

At around ten in the morning, his body automatically woke him up. He groaned and stretched, bones and joints popping from being curled up all night. "Time for cleaning up...then breakf..." He trailed off, eyes widening as he realized he wasn't holding anything in his arms. He looked up at the tree and saw the topper resting in its rightful place. Tears sprang to his eyes. Axel came out...and he missed him. "Damnit..," he mumbled, wiping his eyes and just occupied himself with cleaning up the mess they left last night. He brought the scattered mugs around the rooms to the sink and started the water for dishes. He shook his head as he passed beneath the mistletoe. Silly Demyx... He started the stove and the waffle iron. "Good morning, Saix," he greeted softly as he passed him at the kitchen table. He also got the carton of eggs, Bisquik, milk, bacon, sausage and turkey bacon out to start breakfast. He put one of his CDs into the player and sang along softly to the lyrics as he simultaneously cleaned dishes and cooked breakfast.

Once done with the dishes, he hurried down the hall to the restroom and relieved himself. On his way back, he peeked into Axel's room, smiling softly at the peaceful look on his sleeping face. He slid inside and crept over to him, knowing he was a rock-hard sleeper unless his stomach or bladder disturbed him. He stroked his hair softly and kissed his barely-exposed cheekebone. He stood there, admiring his face like porcelain for a few more moments before leaving quietly and returning to breakfast, battling with his emotions and wants and concerns. He was so distracted that when he went to grab the handle of the pan he was frying the turkey bacon in, he grabbed the side of the hot pan. "********!" he cried, jumping back and holding his fingers in pain, eyes shut tight. He held his hand close to his chest, putting pressure on the burns. He fell to the floor, folding his legs as he doubled over. All the way to his second knucke hurt on his index and middle fingers, and his whole thumb was burned. "********>

Roxas looked up with tear-filled eyes at Axel. He forgot, in the spur of the moment, that they were separated as well. They both seemed to realize the delusion simultaneously. He held out his shaking hand so Axel could see, automatically trusting him to be careful. Anyone else, even doctors, he probably would have fought them until they gave up. But Axel...he trusted completely. He trusted him with his life, his heart, and his soul. "I-I wasn't paying attention and...grabbed the pan instead of the handle. U-Uh, Saix! Can you finish cooking, please?" he asked him softly, eyes only leaving Axel's face for a second to glance up at Saix. He glared up at Sora at his teasing, a blush on his face. "Come on, Sora! Let's go snuggle some more until the food's done," Demyx said happily, pulling Sora out of the room. "Mistleto--" Roxas tried to warn before Demyx gave him a wink. "Mistletoe, Sora! We gotta smooch now!" he said happily with a giggle. Meanwhile, Roxas sat silently on the floor with Axel. "I'm sorry..," he said quietly to him as Axel looked over his hand.

Roxas held back the tears that threatened to fall when Axel pushed his apology away. Instead of trying to fight with him, he stood using his healthy hand as support and walked to the sink, running the water until it was cool, not cold, and sticking his hand beneath it. He felt a slight relief of the pain and leaned up against the sink with a deep frown on his lips. He heard giggling from the next room from Demyx as he depressingly watched the water fall over his fingers and hand. It was entrancing. it made him forget, just briefly, that he and Axel were breaking apart. It made him remember all of the fun times they had and how much they loved each other. "I still do..," he whispered quietly, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He hadn't even realized he said something. But I'm stupid and ******** it up. We'll never be the same... We'll never be like we used to be... He'll never forgive me...

Demyx giggled a little at Sora's words before giving him a playful smirk. "But you liiiiiked it," he sang, leaning down to nuzzle into the brunette's neck. He laid down completely on top of Sora and relaxed, wrapping his arms around him like he was a child with a teddybear. "We should watch a movie. A Christmas movie!" he said happily with another giggle.