At first, it is nothing. Nothing, not even a twitch or a blink. It doesn't register.

But then, then. Then it is something. It's cold, freezing, so hot that the burns feel like ice. But it is glowing, red and yellow and orange; like his hair. It's iridescent, but you can't see through its wall. The flaming bricks are all you can see, all, until you realize that you're on fire.

Then you scream.

And it hurts. It hurts like hell.

"Shh, shh," Axel whispers, he sings while it stings.

He wants you to be quiet. Roxas, shut your mouth!

And you whimper with your lips sealed tight. Axel looks around, suspicious and paranoid that he'll be caught. You both, two, together, will be caught.

Stop, stop. There's someone outside the door! I saw the shadow! The door is opening- Ohhh, ohh God!

"Axxxel," You mutter his name. You are paranoid too, and nervous.

If only you could tell him, tell him, tell him…

How you feel. How do you feel? Fine, if I wasn't burning.

This is a joke, right? A hoax, another prank of his. Funny, haha funny. Well, start laughing. You fool. Wait. Wait for his cue; wait for the smirk, the face that tells you 'you fell for it, again'. Then you can smile, shrug, and laugh at yourself.

He does smile, god, he's been smirking the whole time! Hasn't he, hasn't he! Probably. That's just like him. Smile back Roxas. Just a small one, so he won't be suspicious, catch on.

Ohh no, he thinks- his actions say so- that you are committing. You just wanted reassurance and now you're getting- this. Fire.

Underneath your uniforms, you and Axel are very different. He has to be, at least, 18. A legal adult. And, god, how old are you Roxas? 15? 14? 13? You don't even know. And that's why you need to go.

But, not now. You'll have to put yourself together in the morning, in the light. You're melting, ohh no, it hurts. Ohh, ohh, ohh- yes. Yes. Yes! Axel-

Tomorrow you're leaving. That's final. Push your way through the wall, the flames, the shield of hurt.

Come out burned.

xxx

Uhh… no explanation is needed, I hope. But Roxas is one seriously messed up kid, in the head. Hmm.

Characters belong to Square Enix. Yay!