Hey! thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far. It makes me feel all happy! This is another RoxasXioncentric chapter, but never fear Axel-ers. There's plenty of Axel to come, especially in the next chapter. BTW, sorry but the short summarys are probably always going to be bad.

Just a quick answer to a question, most of these chapters are going to be individual, but still slightly linking back to each other - if that made sense. I'll probably occasionally have two or three that link into one short story, though - a 'part one, part two' deal. That sounded confusing even to me...Sorry

Summary: Misery really does like company


Breathing

There were few places, in any world, as quiet as the castle at night.

A certain level of darkness had fallen over the halls of the Organisation's headquarters, more than the usual degree of menacing gloom. The shadows seemed somehow more significant at this time, that is to the natural everlasting blackness of the world that never was. To Roxas, the absence of the other members was, in a way, what caused the sense of coldness. There was something very familiar in waking up to find the others in their places about grey area, occasionally passing him a subtly cruel comment. It was unpleasant, but he found safety in the familiar.

The huge, completely clear windows across the far wall of the grey area seemed to add to the emptiness of the room, creating an unavoidable feeling of loneliness. The empty furniture stood in their usual places about the room waiting, in their unbreakable silence, for a morning no different to the night.

Hesitantly, Roxas emerged from within the thick shadows of the hallway, into sharp rays of moonlight. He could feel the brilliant glow of Kingdom Hearts as it watched him, a silent companion in the otherwise bare space. His footsteps landed on the hard ground with almost thunderous crashes, amplified by the unusual stillness of the castle. He made a point to lower his feet more carefully; heel first, then slowly lower his toes. He doubted the others could hear him, but that wasn't why he chose to move so silently. He felt like he was breaking some law by being out of his room; crossing some imaginary line. He didn't want to break the tranquillity of the night.

Roxas stopped as he reached the window; aware that he was in fact standing on the edge of a blocked off precipice. He was greeted by his stiff reflection, wild blonde hair and wide eyes that stared warily back at him, sad and tired. He raised a gloved hand and rested his fingers on the cold glass. He left no marks. He wondered if Nobody's even had fingerprints, beneath the black gloves - a mark that was unique to only him. If he wasn't supposed to exist, then would he have been given an identity beyond his name? That was what Roxas thought, as raised his hand and removed the black glove. He flexed his fingers, working the stiffness out of his bones and the sudden coldness that bit at the skin. He raised a single finger and narrowed his eyes, scrutinising the tiny fingertip. There was only smooth, pale skin. No marks at all; no swirls or lines. He pressed the bare skin of his thumb against the glass, but there was nothing left behind but a characterless smudge.

With a dejected sigh, Roxas lowered his hand and his head. He placed his still gloved hand over his chest, over the empty space where his heart should be. If there was something in there, the one thing they all longed for, then surely he would know? A heart would fill the empty half of himself, to make him a whole person again. But what was the point? The Organisation wanted hearts, but was it so they could feel again? Roxas couldn't understand it. If they couldn't feel - if he couldn't feel - then why was it becoming so hard for him to find the will to keep going? Something deep in his gut felt like he'd been pierced with a dagger, and he was sure it had something to do with the feelings he supposedly lacked.

Roxas met his own eyes for a moment, glaring back at him from the other side of the glass. The cold blue eyes of his reflection seemed to judge him, narrowed into a look of sheer contempt. As he watched, the light pink lips turned up into a sick smile.

Roxas turned away. He didn't watch his footsteps this time, he let them echo through the vast space of the grey area. He just wanted to leave the huge and empty and lonely room. He wanted to leave it all.

Roxas abruptly stopped in the hall, without any previous intention of doing so. A wave of dizziness came over him, so suddenly that it threatened to pull him into an early unconsciousness. He fought it off and pushed the heels of his hands into his eyes. He was glad for the feel of the cold room. Concentrating on the fierce chill might have been all that kept him from passing out. He had passed through some haze, a blackness that subconsciously directed him passed his room and through the twisting corridors of the castle. At the end of it all, where he found himself was far from surprising. He saw no reason to hesitate, so he reached out and pushed open the immaculately white bedroom door.

Xion was asleep.

She was the first thing he saw when he peered through the crack in the door. Her petite frame was curled onto its side, seeking warmth and security within itself. Her closely cropped black hair fell over her face slightly, hiding from him her lightly closed eyes.

Roxas took a cautious step into the room, careful to not wake her, and the door closed behind him with a soft click. He was almost afraid to breathe. He didn't want her to wake up in case he scared her. He certainly would have been shocked if he woke up to find someone watching him sleep. But he didn't want to go back to his room. He hated going back to his room every single night, only to wake up and complete more missions for Saix. Xion would understand that, even if nobody else did. Axel would, but Roxas doubted Axel would be as comfortable with him sneaking into his room at night.

Carefully, Roxas laid down beside her on the bed. The hard mattress creaked lightly under his weight, unaccustomed to someone who wasn't the weight of a feather like Xion. The small girl shifted slightly, her sleep momentarily disturbed by the sound and movement. Roxas stayed frozen beside her, his eyes barely open as he watched her brow furrow beneath the thin layer of hair across her face. He raised a hand and brushed the black strands from her face, his fingers just grazing the soft skin of her cheek. It was only a slight touch, but it was enough to pull Xion out of her light sleep.

Her blue eyes opened gradually, finding their way to Roxas as she forced open her heavy eyelids. The blur in her vision passed after a moment, and she found herself looking into the weary eyes of her best friend. She took him in for a moment; not surprised, but curious. Somehow, before she had even woke up she had expected to see him - Some part of her that was connected to him.

Roxas lowered his eyes and breathed in, in the same moment his eyes drifted closed. He didn't speak, and neither did Xion. Neither felt the need to say anything.

Xion watched him silently until his breathing evened out and he fell asleep, his warm breath light stroking the icy skin of her cheek. She closed her eyes and shuffled closer to him, so their foreheads were almost touching. She was thankful to him for being there, even if it wasn't for her sake.

Xion didn't sleep again that night. She allowed the soft sound of Roxas's breathing to keep her awake; a gentle, wordless song to ease her grief.

Because, even with Roxas beside her, she still felt completely alone.


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