Every day at ten A.M., the young, black haired receptionist would greet Roxas with a kind smile and a pleasant hello. The old, nearly hairless man would smile back sadly, and respond with "Good day, Xion."
Then he would walk to Axel's room. The door would creak open and Roxas would take his seat next to the bed, where Axel would still be sleeping. Roxas would wait patiently for the old red-head to wake. When he did, Axel would sit up, turn to Roxas, and say, "Are you bringing my breakfast yet?"
And every day, Roxas shook his head, and said in a defeated tone, "No, Axel. I'm Roxas. We're best friends." Axel would nod as if he understood, and then he would ask Roxas to tell him stories.
Roxas never told him the same story twice. They had so many; it would be a tragedy to repeat the same ones everyday. Axel would listen, laughing at the funny stories, frowning at the sat ones.
At two in the afternoon, one of Axel's nurses, Kairi, would come into the room to do check ups. Roxas dismissed himself then, and didn't return until ten the next morning.
This had been his daily routine for two years. Roxas missed the days when he and Axel would sit on the balcony of their apartment and laugh at the busy people on the street below. He missed their dates, and going to the seniors' center to visit with his brother, Sora, and their friends Riku and Demyx.
When Axel had developed Alzheimer's, Roxas had moved him into 'Destiny Islands', a very pleasant and well kept retirement home nearby. And as time passed, Axel's memory had dwindled into it's current state: bare minimum.
One Tuesday in March of the second year, Roxas' pattern was disrupted. The receptionist, Xion, called his apartment at nine, an hour before he would go visit. She said that Axel's condition was worsening, and that the Doctor at the home did not expect him to make it much longer. Roxas rushed over immediately.
His seat was empty, as the Doctor had brought in a chair from another room for himself to sit in. Axel was lying in his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. He was hooked up to a pulse monitor, and the beeping sound was too slow for Roxas' comfort.
Roxas took his seat and placed a hand on Axel's shoulder. His friend turned to look at him, and for the first time in two years, a look of recognition crossed his face. His green eyes welled with tears, and Roxas' own blue ones followed suit.
"Roxas." Axel whispered; his voice was weak. Axel reached out a shaky hand and Roxas held it tightly with both of his hands.
"I'm here." Roxas choked, smiling through his tears. Axel nodded slightly. His eyes never wavered from Roxas' face.
"It feels like I haven't seen you in a long time." He whispered. Roxas shrugged with a forced laugh.
"I know."
"I..." Axel drew a shaky breath.
"Shh." Roxas shushed him. The Doctor cleared his throat.
"I think I'll leave the two of you. It...won't be long." He added sadly. Roxas bid him goodbye.
"Roxas." Axel said again.
"I'm here." Roxas repeated.
"I love you." Axel smiled, as if he had just spoken to God.
"I love you too."
Suddenly the pulse monitor flat-lined.
"Axel?"
When there was no answer, Roxas dropped his head onto his hands, which still clung to Axel's.
"I'm so sorry." He sobbed. A nurse came in and unplugged the machine. She closed Axel's eyes, and left Roxas alone. The Doctor returned shortly, however, and comforted Roxas. Finally, Roxas dropped his hands, and said goodbye to the best friend he'd ever had.
-end-