He doesn't know how to describe it. How can he put a name to something he doesn't understand himself? Why he wants Roxas to come back to the organisation so much. Why he cares so much. Why it actually hurt that Roxas had forgotten who he was.

When Axel sees him again, he can tell that things are definitely not the same. And they may never be the same again. Roxas seems more carefree, happy.

Ignorant, Axel thinks bitterly.

But when he takes off his hood and tells him who he is, he has to admit he's relieved and glad to see him again. Even if he doesn't see the recognition in his eyes that he'd hoped for.

Later, when Roxas says that he remembers that they're supposed to be best friends, Axel can't help but feel that that's just not good enough. It's not good enough that Axel remembers and Roxas doesn't. It's not good enough because it's like part of his life, the part where they shared in it together, meant nothing. It's gone from his memory, like it never happened.

So now he pretends that he doesn't care anymore. And why should he care? It doesn't make sense for either of them to care, but he supposes he shouldn't blame Roxas for that.

And then he actually helps that brown haired kid called Sora and his friends. Tells him where to find the girl, puts all his energy into fighting the heartless, because, in a way, this is helping Roxas.

And he can only put it down to one thing. There's only one way to possibly justify why he's done the things he's done and why Roxas, above all others, has left such an impression on him.

Because… he is my best friend.