For some people, today was a happy day. There were hearts, red and pink everywhere. Every shop window was decorated. There seemed to be happy couples each time you glanced outside, walking hand in hand, having a romantic dinner together.

For Nobodies, it was almost an ordinary day. Almost, because the moment they set foot out of the castle and in another world, they were assaulted by something they couldn't feel anymore. Something the didn't know if they would be able to feel again.

On this day, most Nobodies stayed inside, while others went outside with a vengeance. On his part, Axel had met Roxas at the Clock Tower, as usual. Upon their arrival, he had given the blond a heart-shaped sea-salt ice cream, to which he had received no response whatsoever. The redhead had known not to expect anything, but he had still hoped.

Axel had noticed some changes in himself after Roxas' arrival. He felt happier when he was beside him. It was as if he didn't have to care anymore about not having a heart, as if Roxas was filling that empty space.

Once, Axel had tried to explain to the blond what he believed he felt. It had only resulted in getting Roxas angry and him being told off. Roxas had told him that he was misinterpreting. That he was only reminiscing what his Somebody had felt in his life.

After that, the redhead had decided it was better not to broach the subject again, but today was different. It was Valentine's Day and Axel really wanted Roxas to get it through his head that he meant more to Axel than he believed. Axel wanted it to go well this time. He really needed Roxas to trust him, so he tried to start the conversation gently.

"Don't you think people looked pretty happy today?"

His mouth around the ice cram, Roxas nodded his head in response.

"Wouldn't it be great to be able to be like them?"

Again, Axel received another nod, slower this time.

His voice became pleading, only an inch above a whisper.

"Roxas…"

The blond took the ice cream out of his mouth and turned his head toward Axel, his eyes questioning, awaiting what the redhead wanted to tell him.

"Roxas, I…" he paused and huffed. "Listen, I know you don't believe me, but I really do feel for you. You have no idea how much I long for you. How much every time you're not with me I feel as though everything suddenly got dimmer." His voice grew louder as he continued to speak. "Don't tell me this isn't right, please." His tone turned more desperate as he gripped Roxas' cloak, pulled him close and put his head on the blond's shoulder. "Don't tell me this isn't real, please…"

The boy stiffened under him, but Axel didn't want to think about why he did. He had reached his limit. He needed Roxas to understand, to tell him he felt the same.

"Please…"

He finally felt Roxas' arms go around him. They were loose, they were uncertain, but they were still there. It wasn't a lot, but it was more than Axel had expected and for now, it would be enough.