for once i publish something here first, tumblr later
i know i said that kh slash usually gives me the jeebies, but there are certain exceptions. i don't really care if you take this as romantic or platonic because i just really like playing with the idea that there's still some kind of affection/camaraderie left over from when they had hearts
don't own kingdom hearts.
"How pathetic you look, Lea."
It wasn't Saix's voice that made him open his eyes, nor the dribble of hot blood from his broken nose and the pain in his shoulder, probably dislocated. It was that name, the one he hadn't heard in so long, the one he had almost forgotten. And it almost... hurt, to know that the shell of his former friend was the only one who remembered.
"You're not exactly eye-candy, either, Isa." There was a strange twist to his words, something that had nothing to do with the blood in his mouth or the tongue he had almost bitten off. Saix didn't respond, but crouched down to the other's level and peered at him with narrowed golden eyes.
There was something there, something that Axel hadn't seen in a long time. It might have been pity, or maybe compassion, but it was emotion, and it was from Saix.
The defector gave a little sigh and let his eyes close, his body going limp. There was a faint rustle of cloth and then there was a cool hand on his face; soft, gentle, thumb lightly caressing the tattoos on his cheekbones. It's quite, nothing but the soft patter of rain against the buildings, the pavement, their cloaks. They aren't being swarmed by Heartless, though Axel can almost feel their beady gazes from the shadows, and he lets himself revel in this small moment of peace. It is undoubtedly the last he will ever have.
"Remember when," he begins, and the fire-user's voice is soft, stuck somewhere between a whisper and a croak. There's a tiny hint of amusement lurking there in the roughness. "Remember when I would get into fights, and you'd pull me off to the side as soon as we got home and made sure that I was okay?"
Saix doesn't have to lean forward to hear the words, he's close enough already, and though he doesn't make a sound, a small smile cracks his lips. They sit there like that for a bit, close and quiet, before The berserker leans forward and places a kiss on his friend's forehead, really nothing more than a brief brush of the mouth, and then he's off, and Axel can hear the tell-tale 'whoosh' of a corridor being opened.
It's a while before he opens his eyes again, but when he does, he's alone.