At Least


When I was given orders to go and “liberate” you, I didn’t know what to do with myself. I paced around outside what used to be your room, pausing here and there. I even went inside once; I know how much you dislike that.

I digress.

I was fidgety and you know, I think Xemnas took some sick pleasure in seeing me conflict with myself. I think he knew exactly what he was doing when he appointed me this job. I think everyone did, but they didn’t care. They weren’t supposed to care; we don’t know how to care.

When I finally found you, you were living a happy teenager life. You were dumped in some digital world called Twilight Town, but at least you were happy; forgetting everything. DiZ gave you at least, that much. Though like all good things, it had to come to an end.

After all, we did, didn’t we…?

Day one, I saw you and some other people walking around, talking about something called a “Struggle Tournament.” You were laughing and smiling, oh so very happy. I never saw you smile like that and it made me smile. I followed you and your new friends, followed you to this opening where you and the other blond haired kid practice fighting each other.

You guys looked so ridiculous.

I sat in the shadows, watching you as you battled and won. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the Keyblade’s chosen one. I watched as you managed to get your other friend into submission and stood triumphant. I hadn’t even realized the smile I had, how big it was and how proud of you I was. I wanted to stand up and cheer you on, “Go Roxas! You can do it!” but I didn’t have the heart to.

Your other friends cheered though, “Whoo! Go Roxas!” they cheered and my smiled faded back into a platonic frown. You just laughed and I hated it.

You didn’t have to remember me.

Day two, I was sitting on this plant fixture, watching you and some other kids play baseball. Hell if I knew what that was, but you knew what it was. The tree behind me shaded me, covering me in it’s shadow. I’m sure you could have spotted me if you tried, but you didn’t.

That’s ok.

I watched as you were cheering on some friends, laughing and messing around. It brought a small grin to my face. In the middle of the game, a stray dog came and started sniffing around me. I reached out to let it sniff my hand. I guess I smelt nice because the dog came between my legs and jumped on me.

I laughed.

I petted the dog, giving it the affection I never knew I could give, but I’m sure you knew. “Go Hayner! Hit a home run!” I heard deftly in the background, but it never registered. I was too busy trying to get the dog off of me so I could continue watching you.

I heard a metal like sound go off and the uproar of cheers resound. I looked up and I saw a ball come flying towards me. I watched as it hit the ground a few inches from me, causing the dog to scamper off somewhere. I looked at the white turned yellow ball and awkwardly picked it up.

What do I do with it now?

“Hey! Sorry about that!”

It was your voice.

And it was getting closer.

Day three, I spotted you and your friends walking around with some blue stuff in your hands. It looked liked you liked it, so I guess it was food. Ice cream? You were laughing and smiling again, but this time, your happy antics seemed half hearted.

You face held a certain sadness and I knew what it was.

You were sad you forgot about me.

Ok, so that was a bit self centered of me, but you did look a bit downcast. I watched from the end of the trolley cart as you and the girl, Olette, chatted about something called “summer homework”.

“Hey Roxas,” I heard the girl say quietly, “Have you noticed… that man…we see him everywhere…” she said. I blinked and looked around, what man?

It was then I realized she was talking about me. I casually glanced over and saw that the girl Olette was trying to hide her finger that was pointing at me and both her and your eyes were glancing over at me. I looked away and stood, getting off at the next stop.

I didn’t want to frighten you.

Day four came around and I still hadn’t “liberated” you. I was beginning to think I couldn’t. Well, not that I ever thought I could, I just don’t think I could even fathom “liberating” you. You and that guy, Hayner were talking. It sounded like you guys were on bad terms, but that wasn’t my concern.

It was yours though.

I was casually browsing the alleys of this disillusioned town, not really trying to watch you today when I turned the corner and bumped into…you.

“Oh, sorr-…” I began, but when I looked down to see it was you, I stopped short.

“Sorry….” you said sadly and made movement to walk around me. I blinked and opened my mouth to stop you.

“Wait…” I murmured. You heard me and looked up. “Uh…” I didn’t know what to say or do.

“…you’re that guy.” you started.

“…guy?” I asked. I didn’t mean to talk to you. I didn’t mean to interrupt your happy life.

“Yeah…I’ve seen you everywhere.” you said. You had a perplexed look on your face and I looked away. There was too much guilt in my eyes.

“Oh…yeah…” I muttered. You furrowed your brows and continued speaking to me.

“Why are you following me?” you asked. I blinked and turned my eyes down towards you.

“…” what was I to say, I was here to kill you? “I’m not following you.” I lied.

“…” you didn’t seem convinced, but your faced softened and so did your whole posture. Your shoulders loosened, slumping back down and a sigh escaped your lips. “Oh…sorry then. I just…I just see you everywhere so…”

“I just moved here.” I lied again. Two in a row, let’s go for three.

“Oh really?” you asked, seeming to be cheered up by that lie.

“Yeah…uhm, from…” I bit my lip, “Kingdom Hearts.” I said, That made two in a half.

“Kingdom…Hearts?” you echoed back to me. “Sounds nice.”

“It is.” and three.

“Well…welcome to Twilight Town.” you said, offering a smile that I’m sure was meant for your friends, not someone like me.

“Thanks…” I said, offering a half lopsided smile.

You held out your hand and smiled fully, “I’m Roxas.”

And now I was stuck.

I looked down at your hand and for a moment, I remembered how to feel sad. It was when your stomach did a funny twist and your chest tighten. Your eyes felt heavy and your head just hurt. “Axel.”

And we shook hands.

“Maybe we can hang out sometime.” you said.

“Yeah…” I concurred, “…I’d like that.”

With a smile, you excused yourself, saying you had some tournament to go to and blah blah blah. I didn’t turn to watch you leave, I just looked at my hand that was still held out, still in the shape of shaking your hand and I smiled sardonically.

“You’re not supposed to be here.” came a voice.

I looked up and saw the creator standing a ways from me, “I can be wherever I want.“ I retorted.

“Making a fake promise to meet again?”

“I make a lot of fake promises.” I said with a minute shrug.

“You know, he will disappear.” DiZ said. I just looked at him.; a look that said ‘and I care…why?’ “It’s no big deal though.” he continued, “He’ll forget. I am the creator after all.”

“So what? You control the town and the people in it…” I muttered, shrugging indifferently.

“Then don’t be so surprised later on.” DiZ said stiffly, almost like he was warning me. Then he was gone.

When I finally found you, you were living a happy teenager life. You were dumped in some digital world called Twilight Town, but at least you were happy; forgetting everything. DiZ gave you at least, that much.

He at least, gave you that much.

-end-

>>>link to fanfic table<<<