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The Tale of the Rich and the Poor
Roxas snuck quietly through the halls of the palace. 'So far so good....' he thought. His thoughts briefly went back to Sora, who was by now with his family. He hoped his mom wouldn't see through the trick they pulled. That would ruin everything.
He stopped to glance around a corner. He knew that sneaking around like this would only make him look more suspicious. So he took a deep breath to calm himself down. He was supposed to be acting like Sora. He ran a hand through his hair before pushing himself away from the wall he was leaning on. 'Just remember to act like you belong here at least.... Hopefully noone will call you out on being who you're not...' he thought. He straightened the front of the robe Sora had given him nervously before turning around the corner and walking down the hall. |
Sora couldn't believe his luck. He had found his twin brother when he was at the market. He had been getting the food for the week with the meager wages that his mother and father had earned. He had run smack into the blonde since he wasn't paying attention. They had hatched a plan that they would change places for a while so, Roxas, who had never experienced the poverty of his brother's life, and, Sora, who had only known poverty had never known the life that Roxas had lived filled with any and everything that he needed. The day that they made the shift Sora managed to sneak his way into the castle where he and Roxas switched places. Dressed in Roxas' rags he went running out into the town after they had switched. Hopefully, no one would notice that they made the switch. Hopefully, no one would.
Axel sneezed as he rubbed his eyes in annoyance. He was in another advisor meeting with the other rulers of the nearby regions. He was bored out of his mind. He was tired, and he was hungry as well. Looking over at his own advisor, Demyx, he waved him over as he said," Hey, Dems. Do I have to be here? It's not like I can do anything, it's my father that makes the rules here." Demyx shot him a look as he went back to standing next to him. Finally, the last thing on the agenda came to an end. Axel stood up as he stretched and left through the double doors. He was hungry. He just wanted to get to the kitchen and grab something to eat. He wasn't paying attention and didn't know that he had run into something until he felt his behind hit the ground. |
Roxas had thought he was doing a pretty good job at sneaking through the castle. At least, no one seemed to notice him. Which was good. That meant his and Sora's plan was working so far. He had been hoping to avoid other people for as long as possible. But that hope was diminished quickly when he felt something run into him and he only just managed to stay on his feet. He turned to look at who had run into him. From what he could see, it was a redheaded male who appeared to be definitely taller than him. "I'm sorry!" he said quickly, knowing that was what Sora would have done. "I should have been paying more attention to where I was going."
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Axel who at that point was still on the ground was about to yell at whoever had run into him when he heard the other say,"I'm sorry! I should have been paying more attention to where I was going." Glancing up with his verdant (green) colored eyes he eyed the youth in front of him. He had ocean blue eyes and chestnut colored hair. All and all he was just adorable. Pushing himself off of the floor he dusted himself off, and said," No harm no foul. I just wasn't looking where I was going. There is no need to apologize for something that was entirely my fault." Standing to his full height he added," Well I am off to go and eat something, you are welcome to join me. What was your name again?" He felt dumb for asking such a mundane question, but it wasn't his job to remember every servants name.
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Roxas' suspicions were correct on the redhead being taller than him. He actually had to tilt his head up slightly in order to see his face. But what was his name? He scanned his mind quickly, trying to match a description with a name so he wouldn't feel stupid about it later. Let's see.. Tall.... Red hair... Very green eyes.... So this man must be Axel. "My name..... It's Sora..." Roxas muttered, dropping his gaze down to the floor for a second. Should he go and join Axel for something to eat? Well... He was hungry.. But that didn't mean he should risk blowing his cover, right? But then again... He did offer for Roxas to join him....
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Axel looked at the younger boy in front of him. He was indeed quite cute. He heard the other say his name and Axel knew immediately who the other was. Sora was the son of another noble who was staying with his own family for a prolonged period of time so that he could learn the things that the scholars taught him. The boy in front of him seemed really shy. Stooping down to the boys level he looked into his ocean blue eyes and said," Hey don't be afraid, I know you just got here and all, but the cook is really good at what he does. He can make you anything you want, so come on." Axel took the others hand in his own and stood up as he began leading the other down the hallway towards the kitchen/eating area.
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"I'm not afraid.." Roxas said, feeling extremely short because Axel had to stoop over just to look at him directly. He wondered briefly if this was how Sora felt around people who were taller than him. Roxas knew that he felt like that around some of the people where he lives. But at least he knows the people taller than him. Everyone here was strangers to him. When Axel took hold of his hand, Roxas almost pulled it away immediately. But he knew Sora wouldn't have done that, so he forced himself to stay still, only so he didn't seem rude. He followed after Axel silently, scanning his mind for what he would like to eat.
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Axel began leading the other, smaller form down the hallway and towards the kitchen. Axel stopped suddenly and turned around. There had been something bothering him about the boy that was currently behind him probably wondering why he had stopped. Turning around he looked at the other boy and said," Call me crazy, but you look a little different. Did you do something different with your hair." Axel paused for an answer before he continued," Nah, never mind I must be tired or something. Too many advisor meetings getting to my head I would imagine, don't mind me." Axel grabbed Roxas' hand again and they continued to the kitchen. "I really must be losing it," thought Axel as he continued to walk. "I mean he always looked like that right?"
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Roxas barely managed to stop in time not to run into Axel when the other had stopped. But what he said made Roxas freeze slightly. He shook his head slowly to answer the question. He was about to actually speak to answer, but Axel cut him off. Roxas was so relieved when they started walking again. He was worried for a second that Axel had figured out he wasn't really Sora, but it turns out that isn't true. He dropped his gaze to the ground and was starting to find this walk to be very long and just wanted it to be over.
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Continuing to make his way to the kitchen he stopped again and thought for a moment before he continued again. It was really bothering him why had he even asked that question to the younger person behind him. Why had that thought even crossed his mind? He shook his head, mane of red falling into his eyes. Shaking his hair back into place he turned around and looked at the blonde in front of him. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I am just sort of tired from the advisor meetings. Typically it is my father who goes to those, but since he is on campaign I had to take his place naturally." Axel walked into the kitchen and was greeted by everyone that was there who saw him. He was the crown prince after all."Prince Axel, what can I help you with today sir?" asked the chef. "I would like for myself a few sandwiches, tarts, and some of the cider to take on a trip with Sora here. We will be riding today since it is nice." Turning towards Sora he added," If that would be alright with you. Sora what would you like?"
((I'll try to get some more action in when they leave the castle.)) |
Roxas followed after Axel silently, confused as to why he kept stopping. Was he regretting his offer to go with him to the kitchen? He hoped not. But he couldn't shake the feeling in his stomach that was telling him that it was true. "It's fine. I understand." he said when he was told why Axel was so.. confusing? Once in the kitchen, Roxas dropped his gaze to the ground. "I'll just have some sandwiches..." he said. "I'm not very hungry right now." Even though that wasn't true. He was actually starving. He just hated feeling like he would be imposing on the chefs in the kitchen if he asked for more.
((Alright~ Sounds good to me.)) |
The chef nodded as he said," Coming right up young masters." He turned and busied himself with making the sandwiches and the other assorted goods."If you would like feel free to have a seat. Everything should be done momentarily."Axel went to go and sit down. He felt like a total flake in front of the younger blonde. Was it butterflies in his stomach or was he actually hungry. "So,"said Axel. "Are you enjoying yourself in the palace so far?" He knew that the boy in front of him had recently come to stay at the castle with his family. Three months next week to be exact."Orders up," said the chef."Now it is a nice job so enjoy the rest of the day. Can't say we will be having anymore of these kinds of days for a while. It is indeed a rare treat."Axel grabbed the basket that was being handed to him. "Well off to the stables now. You can use one of the horses there. You also get to meet Flame as well."
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Roxas wasn't too comfortable with sitting down when he was told he could. So he just stood off to the side, waiting. He smiled at lightly as he nodded. "Yeah. I'm having a great time." he said. Even though he's only been here for a short time and so far all he's felt was nervousness. But he was looking forward to going riding. He hasn't ever been on a horse before and was actually looking forward to the experience. He nodded again. "Sounds good to me." he said. He figured that Flame was Axel's horse, and despite the fact he was curious as to why it was named that, he wasn't going to ask.
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Axel nodded his head as he took the basket and left the kitchen so he could head out of the castle and to the nearby stables where all the horses were kept, including his own Flame. Once at the stables he was greeted by the head stabl master. "Hello there," said Axel. "I would like to take Flame out for a ride today as well as get Sora here a horse as well. The stable master nodded and soon the two of them were presented with two horses. One was Flame, name due to his red colored fur that almost seemed to shimmer when struck with light. The other horse was a mare named Oathkeeper. Axel wasn't sure if Sora was used to riding so he got a horse that he knew wouldn't spook easily. Handing the basket to the stablehand nearby he swung his leg over the saddle, and then took the basket back waiting for Sora to do the same.
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Roxas followed Axel to the stable silently. He took in all his surroundings for later reference, so he wouldn't end up getting lost later. He didn't want to end up look like an idiot later. Roxas had to admit that Axel's horse was a beautiful horse. But when he needed to get on the horse he was supposed to ride, he paused. He wasn't sure how to ride one, let alone get on one. So he watched Axel get on his horse and just copied what he did, managing to get up on the horse easily enough.
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Axel chuckled a little as he saw the younger male trying to get on the horse. He was about to jump down himself and help the other, but then he saw that he had gotten on the horse just fine. He adjusted the reigns a little bit and then went walking out through the stable doors, and towards the countryside. He knew just where to take the other male. There was a small river where there was a tree. They would have their picnic there. This was also the day that he decided that he would confess his love to Sora. Hopefully, he would accept him back.
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Roxas was relieved that he didn't fall off the horse once he was up. He was kinda nervous though when the horse started walking and he gripped the reigns tightly. Since this was his first time riding a horse, he was so scared of falling off, but he made sure to keep the scared look off his face. After awhile though, he relaxed. He found the movement of the horse to be kinda soothing and he was actually starting to enjoy himself. "So.. Where are we heading?" he asked.
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Axel smiled inwardly as he could practically feel the innocence radiate off of the blonde. "We are heading to my favorite place," replied Axel. " There is a lake and some trees that offer shade that we can eat at. Besides, I need to talk to you about something rather important, and I don't want prying ears to hear, for they are for yours alone." Flame tried to press ahead into a gallop, but was stopped short when Axel reigned him into a trot because he knew that Sora would have a problem keeping up with the skilled rider. "The place I am talking about is about a half an hour from here. So enjoy the scenery."
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Roxas nodded lightly. He wasn't sure where they were going, but he figured wherever it was, it was going to be peaceful. After all, Axel did say he didn't want anyone overhearing what he was wanting to say. But that just made him curious as to what it could be. He hoped it wasn't going to be anything that would make him feel awkward or uncomfortable. But he had no way of knowing, so he was just going to relax (the best he could) on the horse and enjoy the scenery like Axel suggested.
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Axel continued to ride forward until he saw the stream near the tree that he had been talking about. Pointing over he said," Sora, do you see that over there. That's where we will be resting, and eating lunch." Axel trotted over to the spot and dismounted off of his horse. He took a blanket out of the basket and laid it down so that they didn't have to sit on the damp grass from the stream. He waited for Sora to join him before he decided to eat.
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Roxas glanced over at the area where Axel was pointing. "It looks nice." he said as his horse came to a stop next to Flame. But he paused when he needed to get off the horse. He was almost certain he was going to end up falling on his face, but he took a deep breath and slid off the horse. Thankfully, he managed to land on his feet and not fall. He went over to the blanket and took a seat.
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Axel looked at the blonde as he dismounted from his horse. Chuckling to himself he opened the basket and handed it to Sora. He took a sandwich out for himself and began eating it. Axel closed his eyes relishing the taste. To be honest he wanted to do anything that would take his mind off of asking the question that might completely shatter all his remaining hopes. Opening his eyes he looked at Sora and said," We've known each other for a long time. How do you feel about us being together?" Axel grimaced inwardly at how awkward that sounded to both his ears and he imagined the blondes as well.
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Roxas frowned lightly for a second when he was laughed at, but he knew it wasn't meant to be rude, so he distracted himself by taking a sandwich out of the basket. He took a bite and chewed it thougtfully when he heard Axel's question. What did he mean by that? "Well....." he began, swallowing his bite of food. "I enjoy spending time with you, if that's what you're asking." He honestly had no idea what he was trying to say, but he just hoped he didn't end up saying something he'd regret later and have Sora wanting to murder him.
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Axel sighed as he looked at the blonde. He was really so innocent. "Well how do I put this," stuttered Axel. He never felt like this before. Even when he had to talk to people at formal gatherings. People that with one word could launch a whole armada at his nation and kill everyone. So then why was he getting so flustered around him. "Fine. I am just going to come right out and say it. I love you Sora." Everything seemed to slowdown for him. What would the blonde say, how would he react. He was too afraid. Before Sora could say anything he leaned forward and captured the blonde's lips in his own in a searing, gentle kiss.
((Told you there would be some form of romance)) |
((Yays~))
A confused look had crossed Roxas' face when he heard Axel stuttering. What was he trying to say? He froze slightly though when he heard what was said. Axel loved Sora? This wasn't good.... Roxas drew in a deep breath to say that he couldn't return the man's feelings, but was cut off before he even got one word out. A dark blush spread across his face quickly when he felt Axel kissing him. He had no idea how he was supposed to respond. He knew he shouldn't kiss back, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. Sora was most definetly going to kill him if he ever found this out. |
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