Disclaimer:I do not own Kingdom Hearts

Pairings: Axel/Roxas

Note: Taking a short break from Uni For Roxy. Inspired by the following song. I heard it and just had to write something short, sorrowful, and hopefully beautiful. Please let me know if you see any errors as I am writing this at stupid-O'clock.

Rascal Flatts: Here Comes Goodbye:

"Here comes goodbye
Here comes the last time
Here comes the start of every sleepless night
The first of every tear I'm gonna cry

Here comes the pain
Here comes me wishing things had never changed
And she was right here in my arms tonight
But here comes goodbye."

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

The locket was warm against my shaking hands as I rushed to prise it open. The moonlight cast everything in a silver glow.

"Shit." It dropped to the ground and disappeared beneath the glistening snow.

"Axel." His voice was soft, calm... Accepting.

No, I thought. No. There's still time. Desperately, I raked my hands through the freezing snow. Tears of relief welled as I found the thin silver chain. Blinking them away I barely dared to breathe, and tried again. With a delicate click, the locket opened. A rain of golden dust rose from it like stars and began spiralling into the darkened sky. In panic I snatched at the air, eyes wide. Hands clutched together tightly, I felt the dim buzz of Life Magic and hoped it would be enough.

Kneeling down I looked at him, lying in the snow. His face was pale, lips trembling with each breath. I bent towards his chest and called "Roxas."

Slowly, he pulled his hands away from the gaping hole in his chest. I tried not to see the dark red welling from it and flowing out to stain glittering white. Wetting my lips, I carefully placed my hands over the wound and blew softly over them. I felt the heat of the spell and my heart fluttered in hope.

The spell faded and I felt a new warmth. A horrible, seeping heat. My breath caught as red began to seep through my fingers.

"No." I whispered. But I knew.

My eyes found his. Endless blue pools, deep and beautiful. He smiled softly and murmured "It's ok." He knew too. "They took my heart, Axel. There's no way..." He trailed off, and I reached towards his hand, gripping it tightly.

"No!"

My voice was hoarse. "Don't say that. There has to be something." The thought of light fading from those eyes forever was more than I could bear, but the horrible truth was weighing down on me. I was too late. I felt tears rolling down my cheeks as numbness wrapped around my bones. I couldn't move. I couldn't think. It was all over. There was nothing else I could do. I knew this, even as I whispered "There's always something."

Time trickled on, and the red spread further. His precious life was draining away before my eyes. And I was powerless. All my tricks and plans had come to nothing. He was dying, leaving this world. The Travellers Trinket in my pocket began to ring. Death was coming to claim his prize.

He bit his lip, and I squeezed his hand. He must be in so much pain. A part of me knew I should stop his suffering. But I couldn't. I just couldn't.

"He's coming for me Axel." His voice shook.

"I know."

Swallowing hard, I tried to understand that this was the end. That after this moment there would be no more Roxas. No more light in my world. With a broken heart I stared down at him. "How am I going to carry on without you Roxas?" I pushed a lock of golden hair out of his eyes and tried to tell him everything. "I just – " love you, need you. My words choked and I let out a wretched sob. He gazed up at me, tears trailing across his face. I brushed them away and bent forward, resting my forehead against his.

"Don't be scared, Roxas." I breathed.

A part of me wished it was daytime. Roxas had always loved the sun. Roxas had loved so many things, even me. For some reason I never quite understood he loved me, the run down, cynical Trickster.

I felt a stab of pain as I realised he wouldn't be here if we had never met.

The bells in my pocket rang louder. There wasn't much time.

Roxas' breathing was becoming slow, but his eyes were still as bright as ever. Straining to keep his smile to the end, he said "I'll miss you Axel."

Words failed me as the black smoke of Death curled around us.