“Picking Locked Hearts”
By: Poof E. Cloud
Day One: Settlin’ In The New Place

“Well, here we are, my friend. Our new home.” The redheaded man stated tiredly as he dropped his worn, red knapsack upon the wooden floor next to the doorway. As he stumbled in, his younger, blonde friend followed, carrying a checkered backpack on his right shoulder.

“At least it’s not a rundown shack this time. Though Mr. Highwind seems a bit…gruff.” The younger man stated as he gently placed his backpack next to the slouching knapsack belonging to his friend. He shut the door and locked it, then walked towards his redheaded friend, who was enjoying the blue micro-fiber suede loveseat. “Hey, no time for napping. We have to scope out at least a couple blocks before resting. Plus, we need food.” He nudged his snoozing friend’s back a couple times, but only got a couple grunts. “Come on, Axel! You look ridiculous on this little couch! Your legs are halfway off of the opposite end of the furniture!”

“Man, Roxas, I swear with every new place, you get more and more like a nagging, little sister.” Axel grumbled as he slowly got off the couch and stretched, revealing some of his navel. “Gonna call you Roxanne soon-oof!” The tall redhead flinched when Roxas punched his exposed stomach.

“We haven’t eaten for two days straight. I want to hurry up, get a little surveillance done, then go get some real food and finally sleep in a bed that doesn’t have cat pee soaked in it!” Roxas growled fiercely and glared at Axel’s sleepy expression.

“The smell came out of your hair and clothes eventually, right?” Axel stated in a matter of fact tone and jumped back in order to dodge Roxas’ second punch of correction.

“Let’s go.” Roxas said stiffly and unlocked the door.

As soon as they had come, they left their new home vacant. This routine was very normal for these two young men. After all, they had walked this path for a long while…Their fresh scabs now only deep scars…

Life was always hard, it was common knowledge to those who entered adulthood or developed a mature state of mind. But others seemed to have the hardest level in Life; Axel and Roxas were the perfect example. For a couple years, they had been on the run, real nomads who were never satisfied with settling in one area for too long. This city didn’t seem any different from the many others that they had trudged through. Yet they were proven wrong a couple times before…

Being stared at was something that Roxas was used to and utterly despised. It was completely embarrassing that the locals would gawk at their clothes and spiky hairstyles. Then again, considering where he and Axel were coming from, Roxas couldn’t blame the people for sizing them up. If the eighteen-year-old blonde were in their shoes, he would also be suspicious; after all, what good came from two young men dressed in dark clothes and donning weird accessories?

Still, Roxas didn’t think that his outfit would be as threatening as Axel’s. Roxas wore a cuffed black vest with a charcoal gray long sleeve shirt underneath and black pants with white pockets. While Axel’s attire looked like it came from a grunge-punk rock store. He casually wore the clinging black, zippered hoodie that had “Pyromaniac” written in a dripping, red spray paint font on the back. Though the small, cartoon flaming skull on the left side of Axel’s chest could make anyone’s mouth twitch upwards. Then again, if anybody needed a good chortle, they could stare at Axel’s pants, which were the width of two fingers above his flat soled, slip-on shoes.

“Axel, I really don’t understand why you’d want to wear clothes that cling to you like that.” Roxas mumbled to his taller friend as they strolled along on the weathered sidewalk.

“At least I don’t wear a dog collar.” Axel quipped calmly and led Roxas to do a right turn.

Immediately, Roxas’ mood matched the dark clouds above his spiky blonde head. “Better than some stupid thumb rings!” He flared and put all his irritation into his dark blue eyes.

Axel’s green eyes narrowed on his younger comrade and he stopped walking. “You know why I have them-”

“-and you know why I have my choker.” Roxas finished sharply and glared over his slender shoulder.

Axel chuckled after examining Roxas’ intense expression. “This city is the largest we’ve been to…I’m sure they can’t find us too quickly since we settled in the heart…Let’s grab something to eat, okay?” He put his hands into his hoodie pockets and watched Roxas’ tense, adult face melt away magically into the less seen younger face. ‘Buddy, you may be eighteen, but that doesn’t mean you have to act so old…’ Axel thought soberly as Roxas pulled out a beaten up travel guide book and flipped to the restaurant section of the city called Epiphany’s Fantasia.

“They have a ramen shop not to far away from here.” Roxas stated, then slapped his head with the thick book. “Darn it! Our munny is in my backpack!”

“Heh, a blonde to the end, I see.” Axel smirked at Roxas’ crestfallen posture. “You’re a faster runner than me, so go grab the munny and meet me at the ramen shop.”

“Okay. Here’s the book-”

“I’ve got it memorized, Roxas. Just don’t get lost yourself.”

“…Right, see ya later!” The blonde took off like a jet, but as Axel started to walk in the other direction, Roxas shouted “Don’t get into trouble!” at the redhead.

Silently getting irritated by people gaping at his hair, Axel tugged his hood far over his head and continued to walk. ‘Epiphany’s Fantasia…Who’s the kook that named this depressing metropolis? Ain’t nothing “fantasia” about it…Dreary skies, moping faces and hardly anything interesting going on. The perfect place to lay low, I guess.’ Axel mulled over these kinds of thoughts for most of his walk through the concrete jungle until he reached about a block away from his destination.

The redhead could’ve sworn he heard a low rumbling in the distance and so he looked up at the huge, darker clouds looming over the tall skyscrapers. Suddenly, he sensed someone rapidly approaching him. He had a glimpse of a dark haired girl before they collided; she rammed into his left shoulder, which made her stumble about before she tripped by her own feet. Immediately, she jumped up and twirled to face Axel, her brown eyes flaring with animosity.

“Hey, watch it!” She snapped and was about to make a run for it. But before she could take a single step, something big and red zipped past a stunned Axel towards the fiery tempered girl.

“Yuffie, what are you doing?” A man in a shredded red hoodie asked the clumsy girl calmly while standing in front of her.

“Uh-uh…n-nothing, Vincent…Why?” The girl in white short shorts, who was called Yuffie, feigned an innocent tone, but failed to convince the raven-haired man.

The pale skinned man named Vincent did a short chuckle and focused his red eyes on the nervous girl. “Yuffie…” He said in a slightly scolding tone.

Taking a stance similar to a little girl, Yuffie huffed in defeat. “Fine.” She  dug into her pockets and took out two handfuls of munny. “That should cover the bill.” She said with a pouting expression on her round face.

“Yuffie, you need to be more careful. Those men weren’t too happy when you vanished in that smoke bomb.” Vincent stated flatly and watched the childish woman squirm. “I stopped them from drawing their hidden pistols. Be glad things didn’t turn ugly.”

“How come when I try to carry some decent convo, you’re all silent and broody, but when it comes to scolding me, you’re suddenly Mr. Chatty?” Yuffie demanded as she handed the munny to him.

“Sorry.” Vincent replied quietly.

“Hey, I was only kidding!” The young woman blurted as her friend fell into a silent spell.

Axel turned to leave the odd couple, but a pair of eyes seemed to bound him in that spot. He looked back at the oddly clothed man and kept his guard up. “You wanna say something?” Axel asked casually, though his hands began to sweat. ‘This guy’s eyes are really freaking me out…Here I thought this city had boring folk.’

“…You new here?” Vincent asked while gazing all over Axel‘s attire.

“Why does that concern you?” Axel quipped while putting up a confident front, though Vincent’s presence made him slightly uncomfortable. ‘At least my hood is up…’

“Should I be concerned?” Vincent responded with his own question and cocked his head just a little to the left.

“Depends. Do you feel the need?”

“Maybe. How about explaining yourself?”

“Do I have to?”

“Only if you have nothing to hide. Do you?”

“Perhaps-”

“Oh! Stop it!” Yuffie hollered and held her head. “We’re getting no where with just fiddling with question sentences!” She took turns glaring at both men. “Sheesh mister, I’ve never seen someone face off with Vincent for that long. For a stranger, you sure fit in well enough.” Yuffie joked as she grinned at Axel.

“Uh, thanks.” Axel muttered and took a step back when Yuffie charge forward in order to look up into his hooded face. “Excuse me?”

“Are you shy? Is that why your hood is up?” Yuffie gasped. “Or do you have a messed up face? Or a bad dye job?”

“Yuffie, leave the man alone.” Vincent commanded gently. “Excuse us.” He told Axel and bowed his head.

“Right.” Axel answered; relieved that there was at least one mature character around. He heard the young woman complain to the man called Vincent about how she wanted to know more about him. ‘She’s got a nice bod, I’ll give her that much. But man, oh man, the pain she must be to her boyfriend.’ He thought soberly and smirked a little. ‘Still, it wouldn’t be too bad, I guess.’

Just a couple yards away from the ramen shop, a young woman in a long, pink dress with white and yellow floral embroidery at the hem of her billowing skirt stood with a basket full of various flowers. She had a warm glow about her and she merely gave curious people a flower without demanding any munny. Axel shoved his hands back into his hoodie pockets and did his best to stop staring at the longhaired brunette. He did a pretty good job at avoiding her and quickly entered the ramen shop.

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Even though Roxas’ mission was simple, he had to face the elements. The second he zoomed out of the apartment complex, a light sprinkle began to delicately kiss the city. Not soon after Roxas shrugged off the sprinkle, the stormy clouds unleashed their full bellies onto Epiphany’s Fantasia. Muttering angrily at his rotten luck, Roxas dashed past cowering bystanders who used their purses, books, or newspapers to keep them dry as they possibly could. He sidled past a raven-haired man in a shredded red hoodie and a young girl in a dark blue halter top and white, skimpy vest with ease. Then when he saw the ramen shop, he slid to a complete stop. Because he heard a soft, female voice that made his stomach flop.

‘Is it her?!’ He thought desperately for a second, then looked at the owner of the voice, underneath the bright red umbrella and felt his heart sink. ‘Stupid, of course it isn’t her…’ His heart, which thawed for a brief moment, began to freeze over again in the artic seas of his bitter reminiscences.

“Hello, are you okay?” The woman asked after tilting her umbrella upward. Her vivid green eyes were incredibly warm and gentle.

“I-uh-y-yeah.” Roxas stammered and looked at the ramen shop not too far away.

Suddenly, he didn’t feel the fat raindrops hitting his neck and head anymore. “Here, you need this more than me.” The brunette commented with a giggle. “We must keep that blonde hair spiky, right?”

Roxas blushed and let a nervous chuckle bubble forth. “Uh, sure.” He answered shyly, then shook his head. “B-but what about-” The red umbrella’s black handle was in his hands now and he began to worry about the woman who was now being drenched.

“I’ll be fine. I live a couple blocks away.” She replied nonchalantly and took a few flowers out of her basket that resembled the flowers embroidered on her dress. “Here, to cheer up that solemn face.” She smiled at Roxas and he felt as if he were staring at an angel. “Have a nice day, and welcome to Epiphany’s Fantasia.” She bid farewell and walked casually in the rain while others scurried for cover.

Roxas stood there, under his new umbrella, dumbfounded by the odd experience. A low rumble dragged him out of his pondering and he walked towards the ramen shop. ‘She knew I wasn’t from around here…Are we that odd looking? I hope she makes it home okay, she had a red long sleeve shirt underneath that dress, but it was see through even without the rain soaking it.’ He looked down at the umbrella’s curved handle in his left hand and then at the yellow and white flowers in his right. ‘Lilies…’ As he entered the ramen shop, he did his best not to show his pain to Axel. ‘They remind me of her…I miss…’

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“That ramen was so delicious.” Roxas stated as he sat in front of the loveseat, his back leaning on the plush furniture.

“I sure hope so, you ate ten bowls.” Axel muttered from his laying position on the loveseat.

“Hey, you’re the one who ate twice as much!” Roxas retorted, but smiled at his drowsy friend. “Wouldn’t your bed be more comfortable?”

“Too full. Too lazy. Too sleepy.” Axel mumbled and turned his back to his blonde friend.

Sighing, Roxas rose to his feet and headed for his own small bedroom. He remembered how quiet Axel was after he explained why there were some flowers and a red umbrella in his hands. The redhead teased lightly, but when he saw the color of the flowers, he went completely sober and said only one thing to Roxas.

“It’s not worth it, buddy.”

‘I know it isn’t, Axel. I know that we’re not to speak or dwell on the past anymore.’ Roxas thought as he shut his bedroom door behind him. He gazed out of the window that hung above his bed and began to take off his damp clothes. ‘I can’t risk it. If I do dwell too much on…her…then they could pick up the trail again. In order to break free from their bondage, we must look ahead.’ He looked sullenly at the clunky vanity mirror to his right and turned his back to the decorative piece of furniture. Glancing over his shoulder, his eyes deepened in sadness.

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“Roxas! Get up quick!” Axel exclaimed next to the blonde’s bed.

Immediately, Roxas sat up and rubbed his eyes. “What? Are they around?” He asked while shaking off his drowsiness.

“…No. I just wanted you to wake up.” Axel dodged another fist from Roxas and chuckled. “I take it you were napping well?” With a sleepy glare, Roxas hopped out of bed and ignored Axel’s teasing. “You still wear that star t-shirt to bed? And shorts? Roxas, Roxas, when are you going to take pride in your primed body?”

“Axel, you wear boxers that have the words ‘Too spicy’ or ‘Caliente’ or-shut up Axel it isn’t that funny!” Roxas whined grumpily and pulled his dark blue star pajama shirt off.

“Aw, I guess I should’ve let the little baby sleep in some more.” Axel cooed jokingly and dodged the wad of t-shirt that was thrown at him. “Hey, be nice to me. Otherwise, I won’t bring you to this really wicked place.” He said after ducking from the flying ball of dark blue shooting stars pajama shorts.

“Oh? And what place is that? The other place wasn’t as fun, Axel. You may like girls who are ‘really friendly’, but as for me-”

“No, no! You got me all wrong, buddy. This place is really cool. The night life is extremely different than the day life.”

“Night?” Roxas questioned after putting on his now dry long sleeve shirt and black vest. He glanced outside as he jumped into his pants. “Man, Axel, how long has it been since I fell asleep?”

The redhead shrugged. “I don’t know. A few hours. It’s……eleven at night now.”

Roxas whistled in shock, he really did sleep deeply, which didn’t come too often in his kind of life. Feeling rejuvenated, he did a cat stretch and smirked at Axel. “All right my pyro brother, show me the fun land.”

The nightlife in Epiphany’s Fantasia was definitely different from its opposite day life. Rivers of young people ranging from sixteen to twenty-something were running, wandering, and crooning together along the sidewalks and across the streets. New shops seemed to replace the dull, mundane ones of the daytime and they boldly showed neon signs of green, blue, red, and even purple. There were no more dark clouds hanging in the sky, only the half moon and the millions of stars accompanied the denizens of the night. Truly, this was a tantalizing picture for two young men who’d rather stay out in the Dark than the Light?

“Wow, you’re right Axel. This town literally transforms into something else when dusk falls.” Roxas commented as his dark blue eyes drank in every shop sign and every lively street corner.

“Ain’t I always right?” Axel smirked and grabbed Roxas’ left arm; dragging the gaping eighteen year old towards their true destination. “It’s a little bit further from the ramen shop, but it’s totally worth it.” He commented as Roxas quickly scanned the surroundings that whizzed by.

The two young men stood and stared at the huge pink and blue neon sign. It brightly flashed, “SHIVA’S SHAKIN’ SOIRÉE!” upon its high mantle a couple yards above the large, dark pink doors that were wide open due to the young generation shuffling in and out frequently. Even from their spot, they could feel their bodies trembling with every tempo, bass beat, and loud, techno lyrics that seemed to reach out towards them.

“A……dance club?” Roxas questioned his older friend. He expected a bar, considering how sometimes Axel liked to hit the “fire water” every now and then, but a dance club…Roxas had a hard time picturing Axel enjoying a dance club.

“Wait till you see the waitresses!” Axel exclaimed and stuck out his long, sharp tipped tongue at Roxas, who in turn hung his head low.

‘Of course, there’s either women or liquor or some kind of job that involves our special talents…’ Roxas thought in disgust as he grudgingly followed the excited redhead.  

As time passed in the bustling, grooving nightclub, Roxas soon came to the realization that this place was actually…fun. To his relief, there was no liquor served so he didn’t have to drag a drunk Axel out of the place while trying to keep some of his own dignity. Though a few times, he saw a few bootleggers and a bunch of already plastered teenagers sloshing around the vibrate atmosphere of the dance floor. There were two floors to this building, which surprised Roxas, since from the outside, the place looked to be much smaller.

The first floor was where the entrance opened up into and where the huge dance floor resided along with a stage where the DJ and the bards belted their lulling voices into special microphones that altered their already captivating notes so that it fit with the techno music. The second floor wasn’t as hectic or crowded and that was where Roxas resided.

He leaned against the metal railing and watched the wild, stupid, or brilliant dance moves that various party animals unleashed. Behind him was the “bar” which really was just the place to get soda, juice, or a mixture of nonalcoholic drinks along with lounges and tables that had crescent moon booths. Watching the two bards on stage, a young man dressed in gothic attire and a young, orange haired woman who donned on a candy lolita dress style, Roxas didn’t notice two teenage girls sneak up on either side of him. He was too busy listening to the bards singing a mystifying song that told the story of two lovers who wanted each other, but couldn’t because of their own stubbornness and unwillingness to give up the past.

“Hey cutie, watcha thinkin’ about?” The girl to Roxas’ right asked, also leaning over the railing and purposely flaunting her revealed cleavage underneath her flimsy, spaghetti strap tank top.

“Aw, don’t get him unfocused. He looks sexy in that broody aura of his.” The other girl who had glow sticks strung in her clumpy brunette hair cooed and stared at Roxas’ profile.

“Excuse me, ladies.” Roxas stated flatly and slipped away from the stunned girls. He ignored their irritated chatter to each other and went down the carpeted stairs to the rowdy first floor. ‘None of you will be like her.’ He thought darkly and melded into the crowd. Swaying to a new, slow song, Roxas was able to avoid bumping into everyone else, until he reached a certain someone. “Axel. Axel…AXEL!” Roxas grabbed the dancing pyro’s shoulder and whipped him around. “Axel, you’ve been dancing like a fool for over two hours! Aren’t you tired yet?!”

“Come on, gramps, I’m old enough to have no curfew and young enough to have an abundant energy supply!” Axel yelled above the loud, repetitive techno beats. He suddenly grabbed Roxas’ hands and forced the blonde to follow his dance moves. “See? It’s not to hard to get down, buddy!”

“Stop it!” Roxas snapped and jerked his hands out of his friend’s loose grip. He was self conscious of several pairs of hungry, female eyes. ‘They would love to see a guy like me shake my booty like my dopey friend.’ Roxas thought and choked when he saw Axel begin to slink into a trio of twenty-year-old women. Dancing was fun, but Roxas always felt shy when with friends or in crowds with eager women. Not to mention that most night club girls, like the women Axel was slithering up to, desired the close contact dancing that Roxas dryly called “snake mating”. Sure he had pride, but it certainly was better than becoming an idiot like Axel.

Having enough of the hormonal sights before him, Roxas separated himself from his friend and went towards the doors. He stopped just a few feet from the doors and felt his cheeks flare up. The next song that the male bard sang out was on of Roxas’ favorite tunes. With a sharp sigh, Roxas returned to the center of the “snake pit” and found an area that didn’t have too many people becoming too friendly. After confirming that Axel was nowhere near him, Roxas broke into a series of smooth, fluid dance moves that soon caught many onlookers’ eyes. As the gothic singer grew stronger in voice, so did Roxas’ steps and whip-lashing sways.

The colorful lights groped the whole audience and blared rapidly like squad car visual alarms. Then, all lights stalked Roxas’ warping, twisting, cat-like body and other dancers stepped back; giving the spiky blonde some room to unleash his wicked steps. Even though he was the main attraction, Roxas was completely focused on the music and his moves. Meanwhile, as the audience gaped at Roxas, Axel was on the outskirts; unaware that his little buddy was making a name for himself.

Axel had been keeping an eye on the brave waitresses that came to the dance floor, offering some small refreshments for those who refused to leave for the juice bar. There weren’t too many, but they were skilled and there was a particular waitress that really captivated him. She was the only waitress that didn’t falter in her walking, even when a couple of clumsy men toppled into her. Her grace and endurance was definitely not of the norm, which made Axel begin to wonder.

‘Her movements, unlike the other girls working here, she’s the only one that moves much like……a boxer. The shoulders are a little broader than a normal, everyday waitress, which means that she has taken time training physically. Not to mention her……attributes.’ Axel thought and smirked triumphantly when he spotted the mysterious waitress again. ‘There you are.’

However, when he approached the waitress, he came to realize immediately that she was aware of him. “Okay bub, what’s your deal?” The brunette waitress demanded in her alto voice and looked at Axel distrustfully. “If you’re thinking that you can score easy with me, you can just go-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down, lady! I’m not that type of guy!” Axel defended and took a couple steps back. ‘That’s certainly a spicy cupcake.’ He thought as he observed the waitresses’ soft, round face and chocolate brown eyes. ‘Huh, she does look plain…’ Then he gazed at her chest. ‘There we go. That isn’t plain.’

The fiery woman followed his green eyes and her delicate eyebrows furrowed. “Why don’t you-” She shoved her empty, plastic, circular platter into Axel’s stomach; making him hunch forward. “-back off?!” She finished and swung her right fist upward into Axel’s chin.

Axel flew in a shallow arc before landing hard on the other side of dance floor, near the stage. “Ow-chi, that was one heck of an uppercut.” He commented to himself as he rubbed his throbbing head. “Well Axel, we’ve learned how not to approach a woman with an athletic build.” Shaking his head, Axel rose to his feet and scanned the place for Roxas. ‘We better scram now. That waitress might call the boss or something.’

“HELP, SOMEONE HELP!” A girl screeched loudly above the fast paced drum machine.

The redhead tensed, thinking that the brunette waitress was the one screaming, but remembered her creamy toned voice and relaxed. Still, a girl was screaming, so Axel decided to go investigate. ‘Knowing Roxas, he’ll be the first one to help.’ He thought dryly.

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“Mm-’ey, who-who tol’ y-you t-t-to cuuuum ‘entoo theys, runt?” The drunken thirty something year old slurred as he kept a tight grip on a blonde girl in a pink leather miniskirt.

“You’re hurting her, so let go or I’ll hurt you.” Roxas threatened and glared at the pig.

“This ‘ere ish mine! I…I s-saw her f-f-first!”

“He’s lying! He’s lying! Help please!” The blonde girl had a black eye forming and her translucent white shirt was torn. She yelped when the man bellowed in her face to be silent.

“I don’t care what the story is. All I know is, you better let her go now.” Roxas demanded and went to touch his choker. ‘I may have to use this…’

“Wha you ssssssay you little chocochic-”

“Sir, I ask you let the girl go.” An alto, female voice said behind Roxas. She walked past Roxas and ignored the drunken curses coming from the man. Suddenly, in a flash, the man was yelling in agonizing pain as he held his nose. He released the girl and was kicked in the stomach by the alto voiced woman.

‘She’s…got a quick punch.’ Roxas thought in stunned disbelief.

Calmly, the woman, who was garbed in the waitress uniform of a black blouse and jean skirt that ended a couple inches above the knees, took the hidden, mini microphone from the collar of her buttoned blouse and spoke in a clear tone. “Aerith, Yuffie, I’ve got a party wrecking pig here and a shaken up young lady. Could you guys come down here?”

“I knew you’d be here.” Axel stated flatly as he came to Roxas’ side. “Let me guess, you were about to be the hero of the night.” He shook his head. “You know we can’t use our abilities-”

“Hey, you there, the blonde young man.” The calm waitress called out as she approached the two friends. “Thank you for stalling, but please, don’t just jump into a dangerous situation like that by yourself. You could’ve gotten hurt.” She scolded, then smiled. “Okay?”

“Uh…but I’m eighteen.” Roxas answered, his pride slightly injured.

“Oh, well whatever the case. Don’t try to be a hero.”

“See? What did I tell ya, buddy?” Axel chimed in and grinned when the waitress hardened her brown eyes on him. “Hello, I don’t think we properly introduced ourselves-”

“Young man, are you associated with this pervert?” The waitress demanded Roxas sharply.

The blonde young man was stunned by her sudden viciousness and could only stammer. “Y-yes?”

With a sharp sigh, the brunette glared at both of them. “Young man, I suggest you get better friends.” Then she began to herd them out the door.

“What is your deal, lady?! I didn’t even do anything!” Axel shouted as the waitress shoved them out the door.

“Save it, perv!” She snapped.

“Hey Tifa! Are there more than one?” A chirpy female voice shouted behind the warrior waitress.

“No, not anymore!” The brunette named Tifa shouted back over her shoulder. She gave Roxas and Axel one final glare before going back into the oddly silent nightclub.

“Good riddance. With psycho waitresses like that, there is no fun.” Axel growled and stomped off towards home.

Roxas gave one last look at the club and once the music began to blare again, he followed his stewing friend.

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“WHAT?! A man in a black, tight fitting hoodie?” Yuffie blurted as the authorities took away the drunkard in the paddy wagon while escorting the girl back home.

“Yeah, with bright red hair in a weird hairstyle and freaky black markings under his eyes…Just watches me, then has the gall to approach me from behind.” Tifa clenched her fists. “The perverts are running loose tonight, it seems. But what I don’t get is that the redheaded pervert was with a really cute blonde teenager. He had the deepest blue eyes…though his hair was spiky too.”

“A blonde young man? Was he mostly in black with a red studded choker?” Aerith asked curiously as she led Tifa and Yuffie up to the second floor.

“…Yeah, he did have a choker…why, Aerith?” Tifa looked at her best friends’ thoughtful expressions. “Did…did something happen that I’m not aware of?”

“Let’s all sit down and have a drink. It’s going to be a long night.” Yuffie replied with a smirk.

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“Well Axel, maybe you should’ve approached her differently. Then maybe we wouldn’t have gotten kicked out.” Roxas said tiredly as his friend still continued to burn over the incident that happened hours ago. They both conversed in the kitchen, though in reality it was just Roxas listening to Axel’s heated rants about the unusually strong waitress.

“You’re just saying that because that freak liked you.” Axel sneered from his seat on the short stool, behind the high counter, then saw his best friend give a loud yawn. Feeling his angry fire beginning to die out, Axel felt a tad sheepish. “…Roxas, I didn’t mean to…”

“It’s alright. I’m used to your ranting and raving by now.” The blonde smirked and headed to the fridge. “I’m glad we have a decent landlord like Mr. Highwind. He’s a bit gruff and odd, but at least he was kind enough to stock this fridge with the essentials.” Roxas said lightly and handed Axel a soda can, then opened his own. “How does a bologna sandwich sound?”

“Mm, so delicious.” Axel answered sarcastically and chuckled. “Well, this city ain’t as boring as I thought.”

“Yeah, can’t wait for tomorrow.”

“…Yeah, tomorrow.”

Both young men fell sober. Roxas fingered his choker while Axel stared intently at his thumb rings. ‘Tomorrow…’