Prompt: Roses
Summary: Axel finds a gift.


Two months into the new year and Axel wanted nothing but to sleep until this whole nightmare was over. Almost half of the Organization had died at Castle Oblivion. Saïx's plan had been bullet-proof. He had played them all masterfully, quietly enacted revenge from behind the scenes, getting Axel to do the dirty work for him. Axel had hoped for more than an indifferent greeting in return, maybe a sign of subtle relief at seeing him alive; something along Roxas's reaction.

Axel dragged himself into his room and belly flopped onto his bed. He stuck his hands under his nearly flat pillow and pulled them back out when he felt a faint sting on his fingers. He picked up the pillow, and underneath, in an arch, lay eight dark red roses with a folded post-it on top. The sting faded, overtaken by curiosity and anticipation.

I really am glad that you made it out alive. I've missed you. - Isa

Axel collected the roses in his hands and inhaled their scent, eyes closed, a small content smile playing on his lips. The moment was brief. The sweet scent of the roses soon became a stench of smoke as he burned them in his hold, only specks of ashes left on the white floor. He was supposed to burn the note, too, but he folded it, kissed it and put it in the pocket of his coat.