"Can you sit up for me…?" Her voice was pleasant.
Roxas complied and sat up, trying not to look like he was struggling as his mother watched on.
A cold plate was pressed to his back. He breathed
in…
out…
Deep breath in…
and out slowly as the stethoscope roamed his back and chest.
Roxas' mother spoke up, courteous and not wanting to disturb the physical.
"Baby? I'm gonna go to the bathroom really quick." She smiled and left the room.
"Kay." Roxas sighed and watched his mom leave.
The nurse that was performing his physical asked him questions, recited more so, and gave him a little hug before she left the room.
He could say that he and she had become friends over the duration of his stay.
She had nice blonde hair that was always in braid thrown over her shoulder.
Her eyes were bright blue and her lips were pink.
As Roxas laid back down in bed, he thought of this girl.
Namine. She was a kind and gentle soul. So openly genuine.
"She's trying to take you away from me." That familiar voice halted his thoughts and Roxas turned his head toward Axel.
Ah, yes. The resident.
"Take me away from you?" Roxas couldn't help but smile at the welcomed intrusion.
"Yeah. Taking your sheets. Giving you all these hugs." Axel rolled his eyes as he said playfully, "Meh, she's just doing her job. Try'na keep you alive and what not."
Roxas chuckled lightly and watched as the tall man sat at his bedside.
"Well… Aren't you supposed to be working?" Roxas asked, playfully.
"I am working!" He declared and leaned over Roxas' bed railing, "But I'm just catching a quick break… I'm actually… cheating on my hours."
"What a rebel you are… Tell me how you acquired this residency again?"
"Eh. I'm good at what I do." Axel smiled and then laid his chin on top of the railings. Like a puppy laying his head upon his paws.
They sat in silence as they watched each other.
And it was a comfortable silence.
Axel slid his hand atop Roxas'.
And time froze.
His hand was so cold, but inviting in the most odd type of way.
Axel's hand atop his felt…
Peaceful.
And almost as if all his pain had been taken away with a single touch.
Almost as if his cancer had never spread.
As if everything was so…
Right.
Tears began to form on Roxas' eyes.
Stinging.
He knew exactly who Axel was…
These past few weeks of the resident who roamed the halls and visited patients and never went back to that same room.
His light footsteps and intangible ability of staying silent and unnoticed.
His enticing demeanor, whether he liked it or not.
"Why do you always wear black…?" Roxas questioned as the tears fell quicker.
Roxas spotted his mother walk back into the room quickly.
"Rox? Baby? You okay?" She asked and placed her hand on his face and felt his cheek.
She grabbed the hand from Axel's grasp.
"Oh god. Nurse!" She cried out and pressed the red button frantically that sent bells through the hall.
"NURSE!" She cried out so loud and shrill that her voice had cracked.
Roxas looked at his mother and then at Axel…
She didn't even see him.
And through all the commotion of his mother crying out. Namine running in. And a couple of doctors.
Time was still.
Axel took a deep breath.
The tall resident began to speak, and Axel's voice was heard above all else.
"I want to cheat more… on my hours…" Axel said quietly, "I don't want to work…" He smiled at the metaphor.
Axel walked around to the other side of Roxas' bed as if to give the people trying to save Roxas' life some space.
"Like I said… You're too beautiful for a place like this."
"Do I have a choice?" Roxas asked as he looked over to his mother who had been pushed off to the side to give the professionals space.
Axel looked at him in pity, "You can say good bye…" He looked over to Roxas' mother as well and offered his hand.
Roxas took his hand and was seated up. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and smiled when the hospital tile wasn't too cold at his feet.
Roxas walked to his mother slowly, and watched her.
He looked at her hard. Just in case.
Axel cleared his throat and cut in, "One thing I know… You will never… ever forget the feeling of her love."
Roxas nodded and wrapped his arms around his mother, "I love you so much." He whispered to her and hugged her tight.
And as if she knew, she smiled and laughed ever so lightly, "I love you too, Rox."
"I'm ready…" Roxas looked to Axel and took the offered hand again.
"This is why I always wear black."