[ Movement. There’s movement in the distance in the city below, just enough to catch Axel’s eye from its corner. He can’t tell what it is. Odds are it’s just a shadow; but still-- ]
Hey!
[ It’s not a sound that seeks a response. Rather, it reads as a threat, a warning for whomever should hear it to leave him alone.
But they don’t. Instead that vague shape creeps closer, forcing Axel to hop down, hands out at his sides as though ready for his weapons to materialize, should that single barked word be insufficient. Feet carry him closer, and as they do he can distinguish a figure -- one clad in a black cloak much like his own.
So, they’ve found out about his moonlighting and have come to say something about it, have they? Fine. Axel’s more than prepared to give them a piece of his mind. His features sharpen pensively as he approaches, only to soften just as quickly, eyes widening, mouth dropping open some at a realization: It’s Roxas.
Steps speed up from there, and before he knows it, he’s running -- right up to the sight of a tattered, dusty black coat that looks like it’s been left out in the dirt for days on end. In front of it, Axel reflexively crouches before realizing what he’s doing, trying to get a good look at his once-missing friend’s face. ]
Roxas...
[ A whisper; a breath; a prayer -- the name somehow carries more emotion than either of them are capable of discerning, let alone processing.
They’ve both been injured before, but he’s never seen the blond quite this bad off. Furthermore, it’s unnatural for someone he knows is so strong to be barely upright on his feet, as though a strong breeze could topple him. He’s holding his side, his breathing different than usual, even when winded. Labored, perhaps? It’s heavy, at least; enough where Axel can hear and see every breath. There’s old blood on his face, matted into his pale golden hair, darkening spots of it to a peculiar and unflattering brown.
But, more alarming than that is the fact that even with that, he still looks so wholly colorless. It’s as though if Axel were to touch him, his hand might go straight through. He’s seen enough nobodies disintegrate into nothingness by now to know what it looks like, and it could be the dwindling light of dusk distorting things, but this still seems alarmingly similar. ]
You're not going to fade away on me... [ there's a mysterious slight inconsistency in his voice there as green eyes travel down to Roxas’ feet and back up again ] ...right?
I didn't search this long just so we could say goodbye here.
[ No, of course not -- they have many more sunsets to enjoy together, sea salt ice creams to share, and stories to tell. It doesn’t all end with one of them fading away after looking for so long. That’s not a fitting final chapter for their story. Not at all. ]
You're coming with me. [ At least he recovers, sounding more assured now. ] We’ll get you patched up.
[ Axel pushes to his feet with dutiful resolution, prepared to load his smaller partner up into his arms if only to expedite their evacuation, but Roxas’ quiet stillness still makes the taller man feel... unsteady. ]
Hey, Roxas... say something, wouldya? [ Not like he's given him half a chance to do so. (Of course, he doesn't notice that for the moment.) There’s a glance away that looks half-nervous and half-bashful, hand sinking into fiery hair and idly, dully scratching. ] ...Anything. Doesn’t matter what.
[ He sounds pathetic, but... ] Just... talk to me?
no subject
Hey!
[ It’s not a sound that seeks a response. Rather, it reads as a threat, a warning for whomever should hear it to leave him alone.
But they don’t. Instead that vague shape creeps closer, forcing Axel to hop down, hands out at his sides as though ready for his weapons to materialize, should that single barked word be insufficient. Feet carry him closer, and as they do he can distinguish a figure -- one clad in a black cloak much like his own.
So, they’ve found out about his moonlighting and have come to say something about it, have they? Fine. Axel’s more than prepared to give them a piece of his mind. His features sharpen pensively as he approaches, only to soften just as quickly, eyes widening, mouth dropping open some at a realization: It’s Roxas.
Steps speed up from there, and before he knows it, he’s running -- right up to the sight of a tattered, dusty black coat that looks like it’s been left out in the dirt for days on end. In front of it, Axel reflexively crouches before realizing what he’s doing, trying to get a good look at his once-missing friend’s face. ]
Roxas...
[ A whisper; a breath; a prayer -- the name somehow carries more emotion than either of them are capable of discerning, let alone processing.
They’ve both been injured before, but he’s never seen the blond quite this bad off. Furthermore, it’s unnatural for someone he knows is so strong to be barely upright on his feet, as though a strong breeze could topple him. He’s holding his side, his breathing different than usual, even when winded. Labored, perhaps? It’s heavy, at least; enough where Axel can hear and see every breath. There’s old blood on his face, matted into his pale golden hair, darkening spots of it to a peculiar and unflattering brown.
But, more alarming than that is the fact that even with that, he still looks so wholly colorless. It’s as though if Axel were to touch him, his hand might go straight through. He’s seen enough nobodies disintegrate into nothingness by now to know what it looks like, and it could be the dwindling light of dusk distorting things, but this still seems alarmingly similar. ]
You're not going to fade away on me... [ there's a mysterious slight inconsistency in his voice there as green eyes travel down to Roxas’ feet and back up again ] ...right?
I didn't search this long just so we could say goodbye here.
[ No, of course not -- they have many more sunsets to enjoy together, sea salt ice creams to share, and stories to tell. It doesn’t all end with one of them fading away after looking for so long. That’s not a fitting final chapter for their story. Not at all. ]
You're coming with me. [ At least he recovers, sounding more assured now. ] We’ll get you patched up.
[ Axel pushes to his feet with dutiful resolution, prepared to load his smaller partner up into his arms if only to expedite their evacuation, but Roxas’ quiet stillness still makes the taller man feel... unsteady. ]
Hey, Roxas... say something, wouldya? [ Not like he's given him half a chance to do so. (Of course, he doesn't notice that for the moment.) There’s a glance away that looks half-nervous and half-bashful, hand sinking into fiery hair and idly, dully scratching. ] ...Anything. Doesn’t matter what.
[ He sounds pathetic, but... ] Just... talk to me?