A/N: Welcome to what I hope is an interesting new story. This is my first attempt at writing with Roxas in a more prominent role so I can't say I'm 100% sure of how things will turn out. As always, feedback is appreciated and helps in knowing this is something worth devoting time to. So I hope you enjoy it, and let's see where it takes us.

Sidenote: It is my strict and personal policy to not use any original characters. Anyone mentioned by name belongs in the Final Fantasy (Square-Enix in general), Kingdom Hearts, or Disney universe.


Parasitic Duality

Chapter 1

-Body-


It was early morning and warm light crept inside casting oddly shaped specks against the clear floor. White curtains billowed softly with the creeping in of a passing breeze that welcomed the new day. Everything inside the spacious room held a gentle glow just bright enough to cause the stirring of the sleeping dweller atop an equally spacious bed. With a few creaky blinks, bright blue eyes opened to catch the sight of a black alarm clock reading a time way past the point he needed to be up.

"Mmhm..."

He grumbled, grabbing his pillow with a forceful grip signaling he wasn't ready to be awake. Roxas breathed in the freshly laundered scent of the bedsheets and with all the effort he could manage, pulled himself up onto his knees. The covers fell away to reveal his completely naked figure now prone to the cool breeze that continued to flow through the window. He let out a sigh.

"Morning."

Wearing a thin pair of pajama pants and no shirt, Xaldin stood at the entrance to the room with a coffee cup in each hand. The tall man was a hairdresser's worst nightmare with all his tangly braids of ebony black hair. His arms and chest sported a heavy rug of equally course body hair that only added to his already macho appearance. Xaldin was a man in every sense of the word.

"Morning..." Roxas dragged out rubbing a weary eye, "why didn't you wake me up?"

"Didn't have the heart, you were sleeping like the dead."

Xaldin walked over to his side of the bed and propped his back against the polished wood frame. Holding out the steaming cup of coffee to the groggy Roxas, he murmured a thank you and took the source of heat into his grasp. "Thanks."

Roxas tilted the cup to his lips and sipped back the slightly bitter liquid. He released a small gasp and stared at the surface of his drink with a quiet expression. "A splash of half and half, one sugar, extra hot."

"Isn't that how you like it?"

"Yeah, it is," Roxas replied taking another drink, "it's just..."

Xaldin chuckled deeply into his chest. "That I've gotten used to your tastes."

Roxas remained silent, his lack of a response an answer in itself. "Yeah I guess."

"I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I mean, how long have you known me now? It's only natural that I'd learn things about you."

"I get that," Roxas tried to formulate his thoughts, "but it doesn't make it any less weird."

The burly man grunted as he settled his coffee on a night stand besides the bed. "Maybe it's time you start giving us some serious thought."

Roxas felt a hand tightening around his windpipe. Gulping down a struggling breath, the blonde shook his head. "You know better than that, Xaldin. We have our terms."

"And I'm tired of it," Xaldin replied gruffly as he crept over to Roxas, their bodies touching, "don't get me wrong...I enjoy what we do." He lifted a hand and began running it up the length of Roxas's leg. The blonde closed his eyes as Xaldin brought his face closer until his mouth was breathing against the nape of Roxas's neck. "But I want more."

Fighting Xaldin off wasn't worth the effort. Roxas was sprawled back onto the bed, his legs thrown over the boulder like shoulders of Xaldin's frame. He cupped a hand over his face as his breath quickened, the cool breeze sneaking in through the window no longer a discomfort.

"..s-Stop..."

Roxas could feel his body growing closer to that point, but Xaldin was not listening. He propped himself up into as best a sitting position as he could, his upper body now supported on the points of his elbows. Roxas bit down on his lip, his tongue darting out with a ragged breath. "Xaldin-I'm-"

With a shudder, Roxas buckled forward, his arms grasping the length of Xaldin's exposed back. After a few seconds Xaldin removed himself from between Roxas's legs and licked the corner of his lips. "Are you awake now?"

The blonde couldn't suppress the grin and slapped Xaldin's chest with an open fist. "Now I'm even more tired."

Before long the pair were hidden behind a fog of watery steam in the bathroom. The walk-in shower was big enough to house an army and currently hosted the two men as they helped one another wash down.

"You should stay."

Xaldin stood behind Roxas, his hands working away at the blonde's stubborn spikes with a glob of frothy suds. "I've got other things to do, I'm already late as it is."

"Hmm...so that little thing I did to you wasn't convincing enough?"

Roxas ran a finger up the length of the glass shower door. "It was good, but I already made plans."

"Fine then," Xaldin gave in and backed off to stand under the spray of the shower, "are we on for next week then?"

"Yeah, I'll call you if anything comes up."

Roxas rinsed himself off and left the shower. He walked over to a towel rack and quickly dried the excess water off before returning to the connected bedroom. His clothes remained in a mound at the foot of the bed which he picked up and held to his face.

"I should stop by my place," he said taking a whiff of the clothes. "These stink."

He threw on his underwear and jumped into the tattered pair of jeans before finishing his ensemble off with a long sleeve green shirt. Roxas gently slapped his back pockets to make sure his wallet and keys were there and upon confirming they were, started for the hall. A wedge of folded up bills that sat on a dresser near the door caught his eye. Without so much as a glance back at the sounds of the still running shower, Roxas grabbed the money and stuffed it into his pocket.

The elevator ride down provided the ever annoying and never changing, piano music. Roxas stood against the back wall of the elevator as the red numbers on the metal panel continued to dwindle. With an eventual ding, the doors flew open to the lobby of the first floor.

Each step he took was loud. There was nothing he could do to muffle the sounds as he made for the exit. With his hands in his pockets and attention zeroed in on the streets visible through the front glass doors, Roxas kept moving. As he did the concierge and security guard that sat behind a large desk watched him, the duo whispering in mocking tones.

"There he is again..."

"Guess he stayed too long..."

Just like his footsteps, their voices carried louder than they thought and Roxas caught onto what they were gossiping about. Yet he didn't appear to care. Roxas allowed a quick glance at the concierge desk. "Good day."

They froze.

Out in the warm glow of early morning, he was met with the residential and business sectors of Hollow Bastion. There were already droves of people walking around as the new day began. Cars filled the lanes, screens displaying the news and weather dotted the large skyscrapers owned by multimillionaire dollar companies. And off in the distance, the major hub and ancient inner city, the home of the royal family sat. Roxas eyed the plumes of white smoke that carried from the intricate brass tubing built into Hollow Bastion.

A few streets away tucked between a pair of large buildings was an old fashion diner. The mobile-like eatery was bustling with customers, yet as Roxas walked inside a strangely empty seat lay around the corner of the main counter. From an opening in the kitchen where the cooks could look into the diner, a few familiar faces waved Roxas down. Dodging the glares of other customers that were still in need of a seat, Roxas plopped down and waited to be greeted by a girl on the other side of the counter.

"Well look who it is? My, this is unusual for you Roxas. It's already 9:00, you're never in here this late."

The waitress done up in a checkered red and white shirt and matching skirt brought down a cup of steaming coffee. Roxas grinned at her, cocking his head to the side. "Yeaaahhh, I got held up doing a few things."

"Ohhh? Did you end up spending the night?"

He lifted an eye to which she giggled. "How scandalous!"

"Just get my usual Tifa, and hold the remarks."

The busty dark haired woman stuck her tongue out at him and ventured over to the kitchen opening to retrieve a plate. "Stack of pumpkin pancakes, here ya go!"

Tifa winked at the blonde before returning to the needs of the other demanding customers. Roxas grabbed his fork and eagerly cut into the pile of orange hued pancakes before taking a bite. He kept to himself as he ate, every once in a while catching Tifa's eye as she ping ponged back and forth with trays of food and trips to the cash register. By the time his plate was empty, Tifa looked over at him and held out her hand. Roxas noticed her signal and got up from his seat. He left a few bills on the counter and waved at the other diner employees as he left.

Outside he walked around the side of the diner into a small alley that opened up into the back of the establishment. Boxes were strewn about, empty crates littered the floors and garbage bins were filled to capacity. Roxas found a rusty barrel and sat on top of it as he fingered a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket. Lighting one up, Roxas exhaled a smoky breath.

"Gimme one of those."

Tifa walked out the backdoor of the diner and down a few elevated steps until she was standing in front of Roxas. She undid the top two buttons on her checkered shirt which jiggled her voluminous breasts. Roxas raised the pack of cigarettes up to the woman and offered his lighter. Tifa leaned in close enough to light the tip of the cigarette before pulling back. "Thanks, I finally got a break."

"I never see it that busy in there," he said taking another drag.

"Yeah well, you're in there before the sun even comes up so the place isn't nearly as packed. So I was surprised when I saw you come in. It's late for you."

He shrugged and sat back against the wall of the alley. "I know, I got hung up."

"So did you stay?"

"Not because I wanted to."

"Oooohhh! Tell me! Did he say it? Did he?"

Roxas limply hung his head. "Yeah."

Tifa's breasts quivered as a shrill sound echoed from her throat. "I knew it! Didn't I tell you? Xaldin is totally into you!"

"It's not going to make a difference," he replied flicking his cigarette, "you know how I work."

"Oh come off it, Roxas! This is like, the best thing that could have happened. Xaldin is a top executive at his company and makes bucko money. He's infatuated with you, take advantage of it!"

He sighed, blowing smoke in the process. "It's not even about the money."

"Of course it's about the money. Look at me, I have to work my ass off for jack shit and here you are with a perfect opportunity staring you in the face."

"Oh? Have you taken a look at yourself Tifa?"

The dark haired woman raised a brow at him. "What?"

"You're not some ugly hag, you're hot. You can make a killing with that body of yours."

Growing suddenly self-conscious, Tifa held an arm against her chest. "T-this isn't about me, don't change the subject. Besides, I'm too old. All they want is barely legal girls and blonde bimbos."

"In what world is 25 too old?"

Tifa held her cigarette in her mouth with both hands on her waist. "The kind who's a single parent with a 2 year old."

"More reason to do it," Roxas smirked, "you know I have connections, I just have to make the right calls."

Tifa shook her head. "No thanks, I'll keep to wiping up tables and slinging omelettes."

"Offer's always there if you change your mind," he said throwing the spent cigarette over his shoulder. "Anyways, I have another appointment I have to make in an hour."

"Never a moment of rest, is there?"

He jumped off the barrel aged with rust and up to the slightly taller Tifa. Roxas kissed the side of her cheek and smiled a toothy grin. "Rest is for the weak."

"Oh shut up! Get out of here you asshole!"

Tifa flung her cigarette at him as he waved goodbye and disappeared back into the alley. He looked at the screen of his phone to read the time. "Shit, I need to hurry and change."

He found a nearby entrance to the subway down below and descended the steps. Roxas flashed his phone over the electronic gate blocking his path and was granted immediate access with a short beeping sound. He found his platform and boarded the train that arrived a moment later. With no empty seats to be seen, Roxas was forced to stand with a hand holding onto the metal railing above him.

That's when he noticed it.

Roxas veered his eyes casually to the side to catch a glimpse of an older man bearing traces of grey in his hair. He wore a business suit and cradled a briefcase in his lap. His fingers were drumming against the leathery material of his briefcase, a steady "1...2..." followed by his middle finger curling inwards towards his palm. Roxas knew the signal all too well and formed a small smile on his lips. Roxas coughed twice as the train began to slow down. Once it came to a stop, Roxas looked over his shoulder to catch the man's attention. With a nod, Roxas exited the train and walked over to a concrete pillar away from the crowds. He leaned against it, eyes cast forward.

"How much?"

The aging man stood on the other side of the pillar, his attention also nonchalantly staring off into the distance. Roxas cleared his throat. "Depends on what you want."

"You're clean, right? I have a wife, so I can't catch anything-"

"Relax, I guarantee it. So, what do you want to do?"

5 minutes later Roxas was inside a toilet cubicle bent over with his jeans down to his ankles. His hands were sprawled against the door in an effort to keep his balance and his face flushed pink. Roxas sucked in his lips and tried to relax as the man continued to thrust into him. The man's breath was at his ear, hot and uncomfortably moist. Roxas leaned his head forward until the tips of his blonde spikes met with the metal door.

"Fuck, I'm getting close," the man shuddered gripping Roxas harder against him.

Roxas remained quiet, eyes cast against the ground. With a final thrust and a quiet moan, the man finished and immediately pulled away. He had himself zipped up and out the cubicle without saying a single word. Roxas was left standing half naked from the waist down and a wad of cash lying on the floor. He grabbed a fistful of toilet paper and dabbed at himself before pulling his jeans back up.

Out at the sink, Roxas washed his hands and splashed cold water on his face still displaying traces of pink. He counted the money that was left behind and left the subway bathroom before heading back up into the city streets. He had taken a few steps when his phone began to buzz. Eyeing the familiar number quizzically, Roxas answered.

"Hey, I'm on my way, sorry I needed to-"

Roxas stopped midsentence as the person on the other side talked. "Oh...okay, well, that's not a big deal. We can reschedule."

More talking from the other end. Roxas furrowed his brow. "Of course, but why do you want me to do that?"

The conversation carried for a few minutes before Roxas finished. "Okay, I'll head there tonight. Thanks, bye."

Letting out a sigh, Roxas continued on his way. He wandered through a few streets until his building came into view. Retrieving his key, Roxas unlocked the front door and shut it behind him. Once on the third floor and at the very end of the hallway, Roxas reached his apartment. He stepped inside and was met with the dimly lit living room. He dropped his keys and phone on a table near the door and immediately headed for the bathroom.

"I need another shower."

With a towel wrapped around his waist Roxas walked around the living room and connecting kitchen tidying things up and throwing together a few things for lunch later on. The phone call he received was from a client of his, another well to do business man from the financial district of the city that had to cancel their planned meeting. There was, however, something unexpected.

By now it wasn't a surprise as to what Roxas Shinra dedicated his life to. The clothes on his back, the refrigerator full of food, and the apartment in a good neighborhood was provided by Roxas literally working on his knees.

Roxas was a companion. For those that didn't care for pretty words, he was a prostitute, a gigolo, any form of the classless word was perfectly fitting to him. And through word of mouth by a few clients at first, his repertoire had eventually grown to a nice little network of "associates".

But Roxas was not picky. As long as a client paid, it was fair game. Frequent uses of public bathrooms and open spaces were all too common. And in the case that law enforcement happened to catch him in the act, a slip of a few bills into the jacket of a police officer, security guard, whatever, would force them to turn the other way. Roxas knew what he was doing.

What came as a surprise on this day was a client of his not known for cancelling meetings suddenly asking him to pay a visit to someone else. Roxas was a bit confused at first, but if it meant the prospect of another wealthy client then he would not turn the opportunity down.

"How are things over there?"

He was still prancing around in a towel with the phone stuck to his ear. "Did you get the money I sent? Good, I'm glad. I'll be able to send some more at the end of the month."

Roxas walked into the living room and close to one of the windows. "Did she have a good birthday? Tell her I sent a little something. What? No, of course not."

A bright glow seemed to exude from his face the more he talked. It was an expression unlike the sarcastic one he used around Tifa or the poker face with his clients. There was a warmth within his features that spoke of a vastly different persona.

"I'll be okay...you don't have to worry." He gripped the phone next to his ear a little tighter. "Yeah, I'll check in again soon. Call me if you need anything."

Roxas brought the phone back down, the screen flickering into black with the ending of the call. With the entire day now free as he didn't have to be anywhere until that night, Roxas opted for another nap. He flicked the lights off and disappeared into his bedroom. The towel fell at his feet and Roxas eagerly plopped into bed with sleep not far behind.

It was in this state of sleep that Roxas knew he was dreaming. The colorless sky, the awkwardly shaped trees and winding roads incapable of being traversed said it all. Yet somehow he was doing so. He was walking along the length of these impossibly winding paths, the skies at one point above, and below him. And not once did he feel a sense of alarm.

At the end of one these pathways a single story house with a fading paint job came into view. A large open yard sitting in front of it had a group of children chasing each other around. Their faces were not visible, but the clear sound of laughter could be heard. Roxas perched his arms atop of the rickety fence that enclosed the yard and observed them.

One by one, the children began filing into the house until there was only one little boy left behind. Roxas at first seemed troubled that he wasn't going inside. That was until a woman at the front steps of the porch waved him down and he ran to her. Roxas watched this little scene as the boy took a hold of the outstretched hand before being ushered in. The woman standing at the entrance to the house then turned her face to Roxas, her features undetectable.

"Mama?"

Roxas awoke to the sight of his spinning ceiling fan. He blinked a few times realizing that there were tears streaming down his face. Dabbing at them and quickly sitting up, Roxas flung himself out of bed.

The lack of light flowing through the windows was indicative that it was night time. Roxas couldn't believe how long he had slept and was now worried of what time it was. Fetching his phone and glancing at the time, Roxas let out a sigh of relief. "Good, I'll have just enough time."

He looked through his closet and dresser pulling different articles of clothing trying to figure out what to wear. He eventually pulled on a pair of dark jeans and a white dress shirt with the top left purposely unbuttoned. Roxas threw on a brown bomber jacket and was out the door with a turn of his key.

"Hey? Where the hell are you?"

Roxas sifted through a long thread of texts from Tifa, each one growing increasingly annoyed when he hadn't responded throughout the day.

"Fine. Don't come to dinner then."

He rolled his eyes and tapped his fingers across the screen. "Sorry, fell asleep. I'll talk tomorrow."

With a "woosh" signaling his text had been sent, Roxas descended the subway stairs for what felt like the thousandth time that day. With directions from his client, Roxas travelled a few districts closer to the center of Hollow Bastion. He ended up in another ritzy sector of the city bathed in industrial lights.

Eventually, Roxas walked through the lobby of a modern building also housing an observing concierge at the front desk. With a nod of his head, Roxas bid him a good evening and disappeared into the elevator. He tapped the 56th floor and braced himself for the initial rumbling that would then carry him upwards. But it never came.

"What? Don't tell me it's broken," he grumbled. Roxas hit the button a second time, but the results were the same. Growing annoyed, Roxas looked at the elaborate panel and noticed that there was a pad with numbers that didn't represent a particular floor. And then he understood. "Fuck, it needs a passcode."

He lifted his dejected eyes towards the desk at the front of the lobby and mumbled incoherently. It would seem he needed help. Roxas left the elevator and walked over to the concierge. The man behind the desk looked up after a few seconds to acknowledge the blonde. "Yes?"

"I'm here to see someone on the 56th floor."

He studied Roxas before answering. "The passcode is only given out with permission by the resident that lives there. Unfortunately I have not been given clearance for any visitors to that particular floor."

"That can't be right, check again. I'm expected soon and I don't want to be late."

A smug look passed across the concierge's face. "I'm sorry, but my instructions are clear. I'd be happy to leave a message though."

"No," Roxas said flaring his nostrils, "that's okay."

"Asshole". Roxas veered at him in thought. There must have been some kind of miscommunication. Roxas tapped out a message to his client, the one responsible for sending him on this visit that was now turning out to be a bust. He waited for a few long minutes, each second that ticked by feeling unbelievably strenuous. But he didn't get a response. "I swear, I'm going to kill him."

Roxas had every notion to storm out of the lobby when he nearly bumped into an incoming body. "S-sorry, about that."

"No need, my fault. Too many things on my mind."

The near collision forced a pair of jade eyes onto the blonde. Roxas stood still, feeling the gaze wash over him. A fiery mane of spiky red hair adorned those green eyes, a cold luster to them. Roxas seemed to lose the ability to breath as he was caught staring. "O-oh, that's okay, I should get going. Have a good night."

He went past the slender man, but was caught up by his words. "You wouldn't by chance be Roxas, am I correct?"

He turned on his feet. "Yeah, I am."

"Oh good, sorry to be running late, but I had to step out."

The blonde shook his head studying the man more intently. "So...is there something you wanted with me? A friend asked me to come and I have to say I'm a bit confused."

He laughed. "Of course, of course, come with me. I'll explain once we're upstairs. You'll have to excuse the concierge over there, I know he can be a bit of a prick, but he means well. He takes the privacy and security of those that live here very seriously."

Roxas shot the man behind the desk a dark look before beginning the trek back to the elevator. "No worries."

"Anyways, come along."

The pair traveled up to the 56th floor, upon which the elevator doors opened to a shocking site. "Whoa."

For as far as Roxas could see there was nothing but open space displaying intricately carved sculptures. Expansive windows surrounded them and provided the condo with a clear view of the night sky. The lights were dimmed, casting an ethereal glow to the entire space and giving off the impression that one was immersed in a reflective pool of water. It was unlike anything Roxas had ever seen. Suddenly his nerves began to fray.

"This way."

The redhead motioned for Roxas to follow which he did so hesitantly. As he walked, Roxas could make his perfect reflection on the surface of the floor. It was as if he was walking on night itself. "This is insane."

"It's quite something, isn't it?"

He was led past the multitude of sculptures, some made of materials Roxas couldn't name. There was even one resembling a pyramid engrained with tiny dots of glowing green. Roxas eventually found his voice again.

"What is this place?"

The redhead didn't answer right away and instead continued toward a thin partition of black that blocked any further view beyond it. They swerved around the partition and were now looking into what was essentially a residing area. White couches stuck out like a sore thumb against the continuous night like floor, thin tables housing colorful vases lay in perfect order with equally colorful flowers. It was beautiful.

"Please have a seat."

Roxas was led over to one of the white couches and sat down, the material molding to his every curve. "Thanks."

"I do apologize for the lack of details, I'm sure you have a lot of questions."

Where did he start?

"I guess I don't really know why I'm here. Like I said, an acquaintance asked me to come. Said that someone was in need of my services."

"Which you will be compensated for greatly," the redhead replied caressing a long stemmed rose that sat in one of the vases. "My master will be with you shortly, so please make yourself comfortable."

"Wait, hold on a sec-"

Roxas sat up, a confused look rising over him. "You're not the one I'm here to see?"

He laughed. "Dear me, no. I'm the trusted servant of this establishment. My name is Axel, sorry for the late introduction."

Something seemed odd. Roxas wasn't completely off his rocker. For a split second his mind wandered to a less than pleasant place. It wasn't unheard of for escorts to suddenly go missing. But he didn't feel a threat. If anything, it was buoying curiosity. What kind of man lived here?

"I'm not going to end up in someone's freezer, am I?"

Axel's face contorted into an amused grin before he shook his head of red spikes. "No, as of right now we have all the body parts we need."

Roxas practically spit.

"I'm joking! I'm joking," Axel said waving a hand. "Nothing so barbaric. If the sculptures were any indication, my master is a fan of the arts and an artist himself. What he is currently in need of is some new inspiration."

After his heart managed to return to a normal rhythm Roxas sat back down. "Inspiration? And somehow that means me?"

"Yes, you see, my master happens to be in a bit of a slump and can't seem to get out of it. A friend of his, your "client", I should say, was the one that suggested your services."

Roxas licked the corner of his mouth. "Okay...not sure if you're aware, but what I do isn't exactly...well..."

Axel's grin only widened. "You sell your body."

The blonde shrugged with a smirk. "Bingo."

Axel took to a couch opposite of the younger man. He crossed a leg over the other once sitting and placed a finger to his temple. "Of course I am aware. Yet, I don't quite think you understand just how versatile that calling of yours can be."

Roxas raised a brow. "Oh? Is there something more to my line of work? I'm pretty sure I have it down by now."

Axel let out a laugh, much to Roxas's irritation. "Please don't think I'm insulting you, far from it, I actually admire you."

"Admire me? What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

The redhead released his crossed legs and stood up. He travelled to a hallway that appeared to be eternal by the lack of light or end to it. Axel motioned towards it and bowed his head slightly. "My master is ready. Please, he is waiting for you."

Roxas remained as he was for a moment longer absorbing whatever it was Axel had said, but ultimately tossed it up to nonsense. Sighing, he lifted himself from his seat and followed the path Axel had instructed him to take. Axel watched him disappear into the hallway, the jester grin on his face disappearing swiftly.

"Maybe he'll be the one..."

Roxas could hear each one of his footsteps so clearly. The night-like floor continued on for a few minutes until the hallway began to grow wider. It eventually revealed another open area, this time the sight something a bit more ordinary. Sort of.

A large bed stretched out with a canopy of dark, heavy fabric falling around the circumference. An intricate network of electronic monitors and wires jutted from out of the ground and hung from metallic poles with dozens of prongs. They beeped in rhythmic, almost songlike patterns. Yet amongst them, one particular monitor gave off the sound of a very familiar tone: the thumping of someone's heart.

Roxas stood frozen.

The beeping was hypnotizing. He didn't know how long he remained there until a voice called out to him from behind the dark drapery.

"Thank you for coming."

It sounded distant. Not in the sense that the person speaking was far away, but that that he didn't seem to be all there. An emptiness resonated from the simple welcome. Roxas exhaled and was surprised to see his breath. The room was very cold. "...thank you for having me."

"Please...come closer."

He did so with caution to his step, as if one accidental scuffle of his shoe would somehow break the glasslike atmosphere. A chair sat near the bed to which Roxas took notice of. He didn't bother to ask whether he could sit down or not and did so. With his hands stuck in the pockets of his jacket, Roxas waited for the voice to speak again.

"Has Axel offered you a drink?"

"No, he didn't but I don't need one."

"Nonsense, you're my guest here."

Roxas turned towards the looming hallway and saw Axel's lanky body coming his way. A metallic tray sat on his hand, perfectly balanced and the contents never making a sound of being rustled. Axel approached and sat the tray next to Roxas, a piping hot cup of coffee enveloping his senses.

"If you need anything else, please let me know."

Axel caught Roxas's eyes and went back the way he came. With him gone, Roxas grabbed the cup of coffee and took a sip. He was surprised at just how perfect it tasted.

"Is it to your liking?"

Roxas took another sip. "Yeah, it's really good. Thanks."

"I'm glad to hear it."

He polished off a good half of it before Roxas felt comfortable enough to ask a question. "Um...it's none of my business, but is there a reason all these monitors are here?"

Even though Roxas couldn't see who was behind the drapes, he could feel a pair of eyes on him. "I'm sure it's quite obvious. If you see medical equipment, then that must mean someone is ill."

I know that. Roxas thought, but didn't want to make the assumption out loud. "I guess that makes sense."

"Yes, all the sense in the world. You see, I am currently unable to leave this bed. My body has grown incredibly weak and I cannot even stand on my own, let alone walk."

"Oh..." was all he could manage. The voice chuckled, some strain to it.

"You are young, capable, the thought of not being able to care for yourself must seem like an alien concept. I do not blame you if this situation makes you uncomfortable."

Roxas shook his head. "No, not at all. I've...seen my share of sickness."

A saddened look flickered past his eyes only to regain their striking blue again. "I'm sorry, but this is a waste of time. I don't think I'll be able to do anything for you. I'm not the type of person you want around."

Roxas made to stand, but was forced to his seat by what the voice said next.

"Not if it means saving what you treasure the most?"

The open front yard, the children running around laughing. And the woman that stood at the front door of the house. The images flashed by so fast it made Roxas feel queasy. He tried to look beyond the dark curtains, but failed to see anything resembling a person. "What are you talking about?"

"Roxas," the voice continued, "you may think that your profession is black and white. No in between. You made the assumption that I am ill and therefore can't make use of your services."

The blonde immediately remembered what Axel spouted off earlier and realized it wasn't just gibberish. He turned to the bed, his eyes set thinly. "So...you do want me to do things to you." He lifted a finger and brought it up to the top of his shirt. "Well then, that's why I'm here..."

Again, a strained chuckle emanated from the bed. Roxas stopped short, suddenly feeling mocked. "Is something funny?"

"No, not by any means. How should I put this? I find your...naivety alluring."

Oh. Roxas thought. He thinks I'm an airhead. Roxas sat back down in his seat. "I'm not sure how to take that."

"Trust me Roxas, there is no ill will towards you. I wouldn't have asked you to come just to be rude."

"Then why am I here? Should we just cut to the chase?"

"Very well, you are right. Your time is important...as is what I have left of mine."

The drapes seemed to move on their own, slowly pulling back until they lay retracted like the folds in an accordion. It was still too dark for Roxas to fully see, but he could now make out the silhouette of a body. At least now he knew it wasn't just a disembodied voice he was talking to. Bit by bit, his vision got used to the surroundings until Roxas was staring at a rather ghastly sight.

There was nothing but skin and bones. Protruding ribs were slack with pale, translucent skin. Sunken cheeks, chapped lips, eyes barely holding to a shimmer of blue looked back at the blonde. Roxas felt his mouth drying, unsure of how to process what he was gazing at. A thin hand with bony fingers beckoned for him, a hand that anyone could believe belonged to Death itself.

"I know...it's quite pathetic, isn't it?"

With every breath he took the skin over his bony rib cage appeared to tighten in an unpleasant way. Roxas carefully got to his feet. "No...there's nothing pathetic about being sick."

"Kind words...but it's the truth. What point is there in living like this? Being hooked up to all these wires and monitors, the constant flow of medication that barely keeps me going. Which is why I am envious of you."

He blinked. "Why?"

"You need but look in a mirror. You radiate youthful energy, everything about your very being is something that is beyond my reach. I will never regain something as perfect as you."

"D-don't say that," Roxas replied with an odd sense of embarrassment, "I'm not perfect. If anything, I'm the complete opposite."

"We all have our demons," the sickly man said with a cough, "I'm sure of that. But if I may be so forward, that is not what I'm interested in. You are who you are, broken or unbroken, but what I seek is something much more basic."

Roxas raised his head, eyes veiled in silent thought. "All I have to offer is my body. That's my job."

"And that's exactly what I want. But not in the carnal sense."

The bony hand struggled to raise itself, taking several moments before it was pointing directly at Roxas's chest. "I want to be you."

Silence.

Roxas felt the corners of his lips turning upwards. "Be me?"

"Yes, I want to be what you are: strong and capable."

The blonde scratched at the side of his head. "I'm not following."

A sigh. The bedridden man laced his fingers atop his abdomen and stared off into space. "I will never be able to move on my own again. My sickness has robbed me of my life and my dignity. But there is still so much more I want to do. I refuse to let things end the way they are for me. And that is why I have asked you here."

A soft click rang throughout the room and soon, soft light began to engulf everything. It was here that Roxas could now clearly see the man covered in wires. With chapped lips, the man sporting a head of muted brown spikes spoke.

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sora Kramer."

He extended that same, ghastly hand towards Roxas. "What would you say to the idea of lending me your body for the next year?"

-O-