"Greetings sir Ienzo Maesn Fair. You have three new messages. Recorded Tuesday the third of February at Eight thirty P.M. Message one." The machine whirred as the tape spun and began to play, the red light flickering on to signal it was indeed working. A very cheerful male voice spoke from the machine, the speed quick and playful like a playing pup.
"Hey there Zexion boy! It's Zack! How are ya doin' little bud? Working hard I see. Fuu tells me you focus on work so much half the stuff I needed to do was done before I showed up at the shop! Little rascal, I need to make some change too!" There was a throaty laugh that echoed, the noise of a chair being toppled over heard in the background. He snickered and then continued on his message.
"Just calling to let you know, because I now mom would have, but I-" There was an awkward pause, a knowing sound as Zack hesitated, thinking over what he was going to say. "I believe I should mention it too. Two weekends, we're having a dinner. Do not miss it, Mom was… well she was devastated last time." His voice began to tremble with hidden emotions of sorrow and grief. "You shouldn't let her feel like you hate her, Zex. It's awful to do that. And we're family, but it hardly feels like I know you anymore. Come hang out with me sometime, yeah? We only live about what-" There was a cold hearted sarcasm added to his voice as he continued. "Two blocks away from each other? I don't bite; I won't trap you into anything. Just…" This time, there was a good silence for a minute and ten seconds, and then he whispered brokenly. "We love you, Zexion. And we miss you a ton." The machine clicked, signalling that the message was almost done, almost clipping out the last words before it ended. "Da-… -es… -oo. Bye-"
"End of first message. Second message recorded Wednesday the fourth of February at ten forty seven A.M. Message two." The whirring stopped and clicked a few times, then resumed spinning as a new and more timid voice came on. The female speaker seemed younger then the first, the voice rising and sinking octaves without much notice.
"H-hello Ienzo… It's me; S-Selphie…I-I was just calling to make sure… make sure that you were coming today! Yes, I-I, well I mean the team thinks that maybe…" She went silent, searching through pages and books, as if searching for information. "we need to work together to get the project done. We… understand that you are a very good worker and dedicated to get it done… but we must work together. I-I wanted to pass the message from all of us… that you should take a break from our next meeting…" Her voice rose as it trembled, her obvious fear that she insulted him very evident. "I-I don't mean that we are kicking you out either…! Please don't think that of us! We just, want to reward you for your hard work. This project was supposed to take the week to finish, and we are already three days ahead of schedule. So, please for our sakes, take this opportunity to rest up and come bright and happy to class, a-alright..?" It went dead for a moment, and then a few muffled whispers were heard on the other end of the line. Simply put, Tidus was transferring his message through the skittish and shy poor girl, without the courage to do it himself.
"W-well, we're going to get to work on it now. When you show up tomorrow, don't forget to bring the psychology books with you, okay? Th-thanks for understanding I-Ienzo… H-have a good day-!" And without much warning the call ended abruptly, leaving no room for much else. The machine beeped and clicked as it stopped, then shifted the tapes again.
"End of second message. Third message recorded today the sixth of February at Eleven two A.M. Final message." With another whirr it started up, but there was nothing for a long while on the other end. Slowly as the silence became overwhelming, the panting of someone or something could be distinguished. It was slow and controlled, as if resisting an unseen enemy. It sometimes stopped and the slow licking of the lips could be heard, the tiny pop as the lips came apart to breath again. Nothing was said, just sitting there, breathing, listening, and thinking. The tape continued to roll for minutes on end, the timer counting to three minutes, five minutes, seven minutes, and twelve minutes. But not a word was said. The person waited and waited, as if hoping for someone to pick up and talk with them. But as the counter beeped a warning at fourteen minutes, the person finally spoke so faintly and quickly it sounded like a guttural hiss that broke off with the beeping of the machine."End of final message. To save your messages, press one. To delete the first message, press four. To delete the second message, press five. To delete the third message, press six. To delete all the messages press zer-" Before it could continue, the button was pressed and it whirred for a new speech. "Messages, deleted."
The cafeteria at this time of day, twelve thirty to be precise, was always full from class release. The students milled around, finding seats and friends, collecting food and making meetings for homework. In a distant corner furthest from the exit were Tidus and Selphie, working away on their project. Tidus' bright hay golden hair was ruffled every few moments, his odd sleeve scattering their tools. Selphie's curled brown spires were played with in nervous tandem. Papers were scattered all over the table, making Zexion's eye twitch just at the sight. They discussed among one another and circled things with a red pen, again making Zexion's hand break his plastic fork. Ironic really how he came here to make sure they worked hard, and he was killing himself in the process. So reluctantly, because deep down he knew that they were dedicated and it was proven by their participation in class, he turned to eat his food in silence. He needn't worry about their work neither, for they also knew what they were doing.
The food was bland, and it made everything seem blander. Bland coloured pasta, bland wilted salad, bland pale oranges, it was all just disgusting. If anything, Zexion might as well cook for himself because the food here was expensive and worth scrap nothing. With another restrained sigh he ate in silence, accompanied by nothing but that. The noises around him however served to be smaller distractions, calling his attention here and there as he caught small parts of various conversations. All of it was shallow and so human it was sickening him. Prodding at his noodles a little more, he froze as a telltale figure stood over him, shrouding his sight for a milli-second before the bracelets sparkled over the table. A soft tune hummed from him, the iPod on a much too high level to be good for anyone. Demyx.
"Well heya 'Zexion'! Didn't remember you until now! I forgot we went to class together!" He chuckled softly, placing his tray down and sitting himself across from Zexion. Demyx started eating loudly, smiling at his new companion. He noted the odd coloured hoodie his counter-part was wearing, the bland plain grey matching with his pants and shoes. 'Monochrome, how lame' he thought. But still, the beautiful locks of hair were enough colours for him to look at.
"Well, I hardly talk with anyone either, it is no surprise really." Zexion shook his head gently, prodding his orange now. He really didn't want to talk with Demyx, the man brought about something within him that burned his insides and set acid to melt his brain down. It wasn't painful, but extremely uncomfortable.
"Well, then we should be friends. I can be your voice box.' He grinned goofily, prodding his noodles without purpose and watching Zexion fidget and poke his own food. The looks Zexion kept making amused him, making his lips twitch in need of smiling wider.
"Voice box?"
"Yeah, a voice box." He chuckled, using the fork as a pointer. Zexion frowned, disbelieving and continued, aware that a pair of eyes glued themselves to his form.
"What purpose does that serve? I do not understand what you are proposing." He looked down, unable to peer at the crashing waves that threatened to swallow him whole. Something in his chest started to throb and burn, becoming more obvious second by second.
"I'm proposing we talk and hang out more, me being the talkative one since you don't seem to be the type." He took a mouthful of his food, chewing happily and points again, leaning in close. "What is your type anyway?"
Zexion sent a chilling glare, mouth pulled in a firm displeased line. Demyx chuckled and continued eating, crinkles forming around his eyes with that soft smile of amusement.
"See? Already I need to talk for you." He laughed softly, causing a small reaction to dance on Zexion's lips. But he forced himself into neutral once more; the watching eyes causing another burn in his skin. With a quick glance he assessed that it was Axel watching him, food dropping from his fork in disbelief. This was going to be hard to explain. Demyx seemed to not have noticed.
"But yeah, I really enjoy being in your company. Never had someone who was so quiet, and I don't really like it so I fill it with talking. Hope you won't mind, man!" He chuckled again; rubbing his elbow into Zexion's hand for a split second before he yanked it off the table and under it, hiding them from him. Although most would be startled, He just laughed and kept leaning closer.
"Do you like chocolate?" The random question seemed innocent enough as Zexion looked down at the table, observing the small pencil scratches and mindless doodles carved into the wood. His fingers twitched with the want to touch them, and it took everything he had not to.
"Not all chocolate…" Demyx perked as he heard the silent boy speak, chuckling for the hundredth time that day and licked his lips.
"A picky chocolatier, eh?" The atmosphere was starting to warm up, the discomfort Zexion faced before beginning to fade gently and be replaced by this new warmth. All this had his thoughts in a whirl of confusion. Why can't I focus? Why do I feel on fire? This doesn't make sense…!"
"I-I would go as far to say so…"
"Heh, what kinds do you like?"
"Lindor… the milk chocolate kind." Quickly Zexion shook his head to get the distractions to latch off and allow him to focus for a moment. "Why do you trifle in such useless matters?" Demyx again chuckled and this time tapped a long calloused finger on his nose. Zexion blinked once, twice, then wrinkled his nose in discomfort. What sort of action had that been? He couldn't quite tell as an image flickered in his minds eye. Demyx's eyes flashed and flickered, turning a haunting yellow as they peered at him, Zexion now in a different room. The room was shrouded in the dark of night, the chair he had been on replaced by a small bed. He could tell that the man before him now was not Demyx anymore, but a taller, more well built and scarier man. The X shaped scar on his face glared at him, the shocking electric blue hair framing that handsome beastly face. Saix…Without hesitation the image was bombarded and stocked into the deeper reaches of his mind until he could pay attention later. All he could think about was the world that sat before him.
"Well y'see, when you make friends you tend to try and find out who they are to make them happy. You find similar interests and amuse yourselves diving into them." Zexion only huffed, ignoring the prodding blonde and examined the remains of his dish. There was nothing worth salvaging as he suddenly stood and scooped with him his messenger bag, startling Demyx out of his chair. With a curt nod Zexion lifted his head and walked away without a single glance back but a short and cut through response.
"I'm interested in nothing." And before Demyx could pursue, the door to the exit opened and Zexion was swallowed in the entering crowd.
The music room was never filled, always like his other classes with Aerith. This time however, there was only one other student that could show up. And to make matters a little stranger however, the ever-present teacher had yet to show her face. Zexion simply decided to wait for her and wander over to his chosen seating, putting down the case he lugged with him. He checked his watch, the monochrome silver cased watch flashing in green numbers 5:27. He simply flicked his wrist so the sleeve would fall into place and putting the case on his lap. With a careful ease he flicked the clips open and pulled the lid open to reveal a beautifully crafted lavender violin. It was hand painted by a professional, the small intricate vines decorating the body and shaded to look almost too real.
He shuffled the case carefully to the floor and placed the corresponding dip to his chin, arching his arms properly and taking a position of poise. With a steady hand he took the bow and began a steady thrum over the cords. A soft tune rang out into the empty room, making a smile twitch on Zexion's hard-pressed lips. He continued strumming, forming up a hauntingly sweet yet sad tune, and continued in its wake. The music however, was dead and cold, without any human emotions backing it up, the sweet tenderness other melodies was lost to it. It was impossible to say why it was so bone chilling, and he continued to play. He closed his eyes, trying to lose himself, forcing his being in it, and to no avail did he succeed.
He did become distracted, losing trace of time as he played. The song rang through his mind like a beckoning bell, slow and steady as the music sheet flowed through his mind to guide his hand. His fingers started to cramp from holding so tightly, but as he did most things in life pressed it out of his train of thought and kept playing. He sometimes felt a look gorging on his turned back, but his music was more important than a stranger. It wasn't until finally he knew someone was there that he felt interrupted and unable to continue his secret melody. Seems it wasn't so secret anymore. With a last final note, he lowered both the instrument and the bow, looking towards the door. A shape was hidden there, the shadow peering into the classroom and moving with a sort of urgency. Soon after, Ariel, the music teacher stumbled inside with a large guitar case strapped to her back.
"Oh Ienzo, I'm so sorry I was late! I was so busy attending to my other class and business I lost track of time! Please forgive me!" She panted, dropping her notebooks and binders onto her desk, sending papers and coffee cups flying around. Zexion could only blink in slow confusion, wondering why she had hung near the door for so long.
"Not a problem Miss Triton. I was occupied for the time being…" What confused him more, however, were the gentle streaks of tears on her cheeks and how her eyes seemed red and puffy. He recognized the signs that she had been crying. He had never known his teacher to cry like this, nor seem so upset. She was always the sunshine in the morning, the one person who never seemed sad. This unperturbed him a little.
"Alright, I'm glad you understand. I hope you weren't waiting too long." She started sorting her things, but it was erratic and confused, her brow pressed as she herself tried to see through her confusion.
"Not a problem miss…" Zexion put his violin away and walked over, helping her collect her papers in order and the like. She flashed a weak smile and finished putting her things away, then eyeing Zexion piteously.
"I'm sorry Ien, I just… don't think I can teach today. I feel too, overused. I'm sorry." Zexion was more upset over the fact that his teacher was hurting then that his class was cancelled, but he would never admit it, even as his last breath.
"It's alright, but what is your dilemma, miss?" She sobbed weakly, running her hands through the familiar red hair, the enormous bang falling quickly back into her face. Her soft forest green V-neck flattered her curves as her bell-bottom jeans did the same, the bottoms tinted in salt from the streets.
"W-well, I hope you've heard the news of the gang fight yesterday?" Zexion nodded slowly, in his deepest reaches swearing an undying revenge on the death bringers. Those foolish heartless bastards. "Well, m-my daughter was among them at the time…" She sniffled loudly, tears training her face again. The anguish that was present was more powerful than any words could be, and Zexion immediately understood what had happened. God damnit, why her?
"I am so sorry Miss Triton." He opened his arms in offering, and Ariel took it immediately, crushing her face into his shoulder. She was about two heads taller, but any comfort would suffice for the moment. He wasn't used to this type of thing, so went with what he remembered, his mother rubbing his back… Zexion sighed as he realised that no, that wasn't a memory he had. So instead of dwelling on this factor, he rubbed her back as the woman sobbed in his shoulder, hands clinging to his shirt to wipe away the tears. He knew the black and red cotton would stretch, but he didn't mind too much. He looked at the clock and noticed it had been fifteen minutes she had been sobbing. Without making a noise, he looked down to her to see how she was fairing. Another few minutes passed as Zexion counted to his two hundredth Mississippi when Ariel rose her head and rubbed her swollen eyes, hiccupping as she stood back. Zexion eyed his sweater and saw the giant wet spot, shuddering at what others would imagine it was.
"Th-thank you, Ienzo… I-I should get going, don't want to trouble you any further." Zexion shook his head and handed her her guitar.
"No problem Miss Triton. It was no effort on my part. Please, feel better soon." She nodded and slid the strap over her head, rubbing another stray tear away and smiled, walking towards the door and taking her leave. Zexion waited till she left, gathering his own things and headed home. With a quick glance at his watch, he noted that he had three hours before work. With a nod, he left the room and made sure the door was locked, and a small lingering thought led to another as he left. Unaware to him however, oceanic eyes watched his movements with a still sadness.
The bell rang eerily over the door, the café oddly empty from its usual bustling business boom. The supposed redhead wasn't where he was supposed to be, the normal warm colours missing from the vacant space. Taking his hat off, Zexion hung his coat and scarf at the front, walking towards the register with his uniform in proper order. The clean black tee was slightly V-necked, revealing a slight bit of his collarbone as his hand touched the register, finding the whole surface cold. Pocketing a note pad in the brown and green insignia apron, he took a few steps into the back room when he heard the noise, that soft but tell tale moan. His brow furrowed as he stopped, the silence engulfing his senses for a few lingering moments before the noise came again, but louder and in a more concentrated form.
"Ah-Axel…!" Zexion's eyes closed as he took three controlled and struggled breaths, knowing exactly what was occurring in the back room. Instead of walking inside and having that horrifying image burned into his head yet again, he decided to let them finish, clean up, then make them pay. This plan seemed the better option as he started turning things on, making sure the music was on to block out Roxas' mewled and panted cries of pleasure. With a dishevelled rag he washed the counters and machines, making everything sparkled as he heard Roxas' last cry of pleasure, hearing nothing more from them as the door rang. He hardly looked up as the customer sat down, meaning a waiter was needed. Meaning in Zexion's world that Axel better get out here now. With a short glance he noticed the customer was wearing a trench coat and a hat that hid his face from view, but Zexion wouldn't grace himself with an inkling of curiosity as he entered the back, knocking hard on the closet door. The people inside shifted in shock, Roxas eeping the loudest. He sighed softly, finding everything was becoming troublesome today.
"Axel, we have a customer that needs to be waited on. Care to do your job?" Axel howled with laughter as Roxas swore angrily, the two bickering as Zexion retreated to the front. The customer started tapping the table with gloved hands, not looking upset that he had yet to be served, but more like waiting. He shrugged, cleaning the coffee pots in the sink when Axel shuffled out, his uniform lacking the cleanliness Zexion's possessed. He sighed, walking over and tugging Axel's shirt into place. Roxas stumbled out, looking appeased but in a similar shape as Axel. With a few quick pat-downs, Zexion had Axel in order and sent him to the table. Roxas watched Zexion as he returned to his duties; an eyebrow neither rose as Zexion hardly looked around nor messed with his job. This seemed to confuse Roxas a little.
"Hey Zexion…" he chided, trying to play it up. His counter-part had no intention of looking his way, but responded in the most casual manner he could muster.
"Yes, Roxas?" Zexion's hands moved busily over the counter, not forgetting about a single square inch.
"Why do you work so hard? I mean, it's just a job." He shrugged, leaning against the counter as he glanced to Axel, seeing he was still talking with the man, but seemed slightly stiff in his stance. His brow furrowed in curiosity until he looked back at Zexion, who had an oddly angry face.
"Any job worth doing is worth doing well." Zexion's voice wavered with the undertone of anger, something that shocked Roxas greatly. When had Zexion ever been moved by a few tiny words?
"Well yeah but… shouldn't there be more to it then that?" He questioned, peering to the side at Axel again. He seemed to be hunched forward, as if what the man had been saying was a great weight tossed onto his shoulders. The way the window was placed behind them masked any identification of any sort on the man, making him completely unknown. This made Roxas' heart clench in worry.
"No. Work is meant to take all your focus and energy to create something. Whether it is big or small." Zexion finally lifted his head, eyeing Roxas who wasn't paying attention, and slowly turning his face towards the customer. Axel now no longer seemed timid, oh no. He seemed enraged, face dark and lips taunt. When he seemed cold, it was because he was the volcano ready to erupt. They both knew this was bad, and worse when Axel nodded and turned to walk away, facing the two with a pained expression. What had transpired? They both leaned up to meet him, questions on the tips of their tongues, but he didn't even stop, he walked right into the back room. Roxas, the worrier, followed after him quickly as Zexion with a more stable pace tailed behind. Axel was already smashing boxes upon their entry, and still Axel's face had hardly changed.
"Axel?" Roxas ventured, taking a step forward and reaching a hand. Immediately Axel was soothed and walked over, collapsing onto his boyfriend with a hug. He nuzzled into every part he could, startling Roxas with this reaction. Zexion watched without expression, listening and waiting for Axel to explain himself. Especially when he sat up, and forcibly their eyes met. Zexion swears he saw a sort of knowing look, but it is lost as Axel looks back to Roxas.
"I-I'm sorry. That guy I knew before, he was a sort of connection I used to have… He came to me with a job." His face tightened as his throat convulsed, showing just how hard this was to say. Zexion knew about Axel's old destructive habits, especially around drugs that helped increase body temperature and block out memories. He collected the change, and he received a small dose as the reward. It was nothing but a grim memory that even itself began to fade.
"I-I understand. What did you do?" The question was key, completely important. Axel nodded and kissed his forehead, fingers entwining their hands together. This became too much for Zexion as he averted his eyes and looked to the door, taking his leave.
"I told him no, even at the risks. He said fine, and that my name would be removed from their list. For good this time." He smiled a weary smile, the re-runs of his mistakes wearing him down. Roxas understood, giving a soft kiss to his nose. It was intimate and perfect, instilled in their minds as they held one another, content. Zexion however, was not in the same peace of mind. His heart was twisting with something he didn't understand, and he felt bile rise in his throat. In his mind, he could only wish he understood what these things meant, and it confused him that he had never felt these things before, yet understood them now. He knew he was feeling jealousy, but it scared him because he hadn't felt it before. He eyed the front again, noting the customer was gone, but something lingered in its place.
"… I should clean the tables." He mumbled, to no one in particular and grabbed another rag, setting out to do so. He make care to wash each table efficiently, making circles from the outside in, making sure to get every speck he could. His thoughts whirled around what Axel had experienced, and about his own discoveries and these new 'emotions'. What had spurred them on? He roamed counter clock wise, doing every table before reaching the main one he aimed for. Zexion couldn't help looking over at it, the curiosity killing him until he walked up to it. On the table, all by it's lonesome, was a small keychain. He felt his body lock up and freeze, every cell burning with the lack of oxygen reaching them. Zexion knew for a fact he had never seen the little blue rag bear doll, not the little button eyes and the sewn in face. Yet all of it seemed so eerily familiar, as if it had been his all along, and he just left it there by accident.
Zexion felt the familiar sensation of warmth, the kind you felt in a parent's embrace, or when you arrived home from a long journey. It was the thing you liked when you hugged it for comfort, or the food you ate to feel better. He hardly noticed when his hand picked it up, or when he cradled it to his chest. The rag lay on the floor from when he dropped it, yet his spinning mind hardly seemed to have picked any of these things up. All he could think of was how glad he felt having this little hand-sized object clutched between his hands, and the memory that flooded his mind.
He remembered the mall very well. It was all made of glass windows for people to see what was going on inside the stores. The floor was marble patterned, as if their whole world composed itself from a giant chessboard. The ceilings mocked real cathedrals, arching with pillars again and again like a wave, each peek severed by a beautiful crystal chandelier. Trees lingered every ten feet, growing majestically up to the ceiling with their vibrant greenery. He was walking with someone, looking up to the benches that were a few inches shy of his waist. He watched as they passed garbage cans, trying to see the lid as his companion chuckled at his antics. Zexion turned to look at his companion, the boy looking oddly familiar. He had soft but electric blue hair that looked like a cockatiel's head, or even comparatively to a shark's dorsal fin. His soft yellow eyes watched their environment, like a powerful guardian protecting his princess. His face was sharp, but his cheeks round, as if he was still loosing the baby fat and maturing. He wore a marine winter jacket with a knobby grey wool scarf wrapped tightly around his neck. The long ends reached over to be curled around Zexion's neck, sharing the warmth it provided. Their gloved hands had been twinned as they walked, both laughing happily as they saw their store, the local toy store.
"Hey ---," The name seemed forcibly erased, but the emotion poured into saying it remained lingering in the air. "I want that toy!" a little hand pointed cutely to the window, showing the giant rack of stuffed key chains. The blue haired boy chuckled, looking to it and keeping Zexion close. The store was bright and colourful, lifting the atmosphere to even happier heights.
"Alright, let us go see which one then." His voice was still changing, becoming deeper and more mature. Zexion watched him talk, happy and cheeks flush from the outside still. He giggled softly, shaking his head giddily and dragged the blue haired boy into the store. Their wet winter boots left trails of water as they entered the store, shuffling carefully over to the rack. Zexion's eyes lingered over every toy, from the purple unicorn doll to the orange monkey. His mittens shifted the giant earmuffs over his ears, getting warm from being inside as he took his time. But then, his eyes laid on the one he knew he needed. It reminded him so much of his best friend, the one who meant everything to him that he had to have it. The tint was a blue like his hair, and the eyes had been sewn in as yellow. He struggled to reach that bear doll, the floppy arms reaching mockingly down to him. He grunted and whined as he went on his tippy-toes, trying desperately to reach it. His little arms flailed from side to side, whining poorly. Until that is, his guardian without any effort grabbed it and handed it to his friend with a sweetening smile.
"Here, this one, right?" Zexion squealed and nodded, fixing it between his hands. He laughed as it was huge, really much too big to be a key chain, but the loop and chain was thick enough to carry the weight. He held it close to his face, flipping the head front and back as he mumbled his awe. His companion chuckled, holding out his hand as it was taken, then guiding them to the register. Fleetingly, Zexion eyed both the bear and his friend, comparing them both. In the end, he understood that his friend was definitely the better of the two, but he still liked them both very much. Once it was purchased, they both left the store and started trotting along again. Zexion eyed his toy and kept giggling, overly happy. He stopped, the boy walking and then stopping as he felt resistance, turning his head a fraction to eye Zexion, his cheeks rising with the smile.
"Thank you ---." Again, it seared to know the name was gone, even as tender as the massage was supposed to be. He nodded, turning around and leaning the great distance down to kiss his head. Zexion blushed, closing his eyes as his little lips parted. The boy moved back a little, looking down dearly onto his friend.
"No problem, my little-"
The memory ended suddenly when a hand rested itself on Zexion's shoulder, the doll being removed from his hands at the same time. However, Zexion refused to have that happen and gripped the doll tightly, whirling around to bark at the intruder until his eyes lifted suddenly to meet Axel's serious ones.
"Zexion, you alright?" He quarried, leaning closer as he tried for the doll again. Zexion bobbed his head, eyes narrowing as he shifted with the doll again. He felt this was important. So very important. His past was holed up and missing so many parts, and he finally just remembered something.
"Yes I am. What are you trying to do Axel?!" He pulled away again, pushing himself into the table as Axel followed. Axel seemed pained, his expression one he couldn't remember as he snatched the doll finally.
"Just trust me Zex, you don't want it." Zexion tried to snatch it again, feeling his heart tearing apart. Why was this so odd? So familiar? He could hardly notice as he whined pathetically, trying to reach for it once more.
"B-but Axel-!" Before he could try anything more, Axel turned and walked away, leaving Zexion there. He couldn't move, couldn't give chase. His heart was torn in two as the memory flickered in his head, showing how happy he had been, and how happy that boy had been. His knees shook as Axel disappeared in the back, along with that one precious tool. He fell to the ground; so stirred and confused he was at a loss at what to do. He heard Roxas walking over and offering a hand, but his head didn't process it. He took it and stood, in a daze as he went back to working. Tomorrow was Saturday. He would talk with Vexen about his recent events. He always knew what to do.
