Epic length for a change lol though I'm not too sure about this one. :/
This one's an AkuRoku again.
Please enjoy.
Oh and a little heads up for further down the story. Italics are Axel talking, bold is Roxas talking. (:
Disclaimer: I tried to capture Roxas and his keyblades this time but failed D: so I still only own the story and Square get to keep the characters.
I have these… weird dreams.
Dreams where I'm with someone and we're laughing together, talking together, fighting together… we're always just… together. Every time I think about it I'm sure that, were all of it real, I'd love this person too.
Whoever it was didn't have a face, just a long black cloak like me and crazy hair, but no matter how much I tried to give this person expression, a smile, eyes or any sort of facial recognition, my mind came up with nothing. It was always blank, I just knew how he was feeling in these dreams even if I couldn't see it.
I'll wake up after these dreams with a gaping hole in my chest and my heart almost stings, like it's punishing me for my sleeping thoughts. But what can I do about it? I can't stop them, I don't know how and to be honest… I don't want to stop the dreams, because I keep thinking that if I do, I'll forget something. Something really important.
"Hey Roxas, you ok man?" I turned my attention to Hayner, he seemed to be wearing this 'worried mother' expression a lot lately when it comes to me.
"Yeah, I'm cool," I nodded with a smile. No one knew about my dreams, and I doubt they'd ever find out either, it wasn't my intention to tell anyone.
"The carnival's in town so we're going to check it out, come on, we can get there while Pence gets his camera." I agreed without complaint, something like this would be good to keep my mind off things anyway.
The place was as busy as I thought it would be. The carnival was always a popular time of year and almost everyone in Twilight Town would be out to enjoy the food, rides and hot summer sun. It was pretty magical really, this place is so small it's hard for it to ever get busy, but the next couple of days would be different.
"Come on, we'll buy the ice-cream," Hayner declared and pulled me through the crowds to the ice-cream parlour, thankfully most of the townspeople were sitting inside in the shade so the open window counter had a pretty short line.
"Ahh, no I dropped it," we both turned our heads towards the commotion to our left from the line to see a guy, a little taller than me, with some kind of crazy mullet-Mohawk hairdo handing over an ice-cream cone to his bored looking, bluish haired friend as he picked up the cone he just dropped and Hayner scoffed.
"Must be out-of-towners," he said and I nodded my agreement, you had to be pretty vigilant moving through these crowds with ice-cream, obviously those two didn't know that. "I better go help them out before Seifer turns up," Hayner said, rolling his eyes at the thought, "don't forget the ice-cream."
"Well I'm not standing here for the good of my health," I replied sarcastically and he flipped me off as he walked away. For some reason I felt myself still watching the now trio as I moved up the queue. Something about those two seemed… vaguely familiar, though I can't imagine having met them before and forgetting about it. There's no way a hair cut like that could be forgotten, but my thoughts were shifted as the vendor handed me the usual four sticks of sea-salt ice-cream and I gave him the money just as Hayner was walking back over.
"Good timing," he grinned, taking one of the sticks for himself and another for Pence or Olette. "We've got to meet the others at the Sand Lot so we can try out a few of the games."
"Fine but don't come crying to me when you've wasted all of your money, I won't be lending you any," I laughed, giving another glance to those mysterious two as we left. Getting there we found Pence and Olette had already helped themselves to at least one of the games since Olette was holding onto a large, plush mouse with red pants and they both waved.
"Oh good I've been waiting for this," Pence grinned hungrily, swiping the dripping ice-cream from Hayner's hand and I laughed as I passed the other to Olette.
"Thanks Roxas," she smiled.
"Ok, time to get started, where do we want to go first?" Hayner asked and we all shrugged simultaneously.
"We went to some magician guy with a weird accent who does card games, but he's a totally fraud," Pence informed us and Hayner brought his hand to his chin in thought, something I worried wouldn't end well.
"Ok well we'll start at one end and work out way down, avoiding the card guy," he declared and we all agreed, making our way to the first stalls.
It was eventful to say the least, then again this years carnival was a lot different from the others years it had been around. Most people in town avoided the strong man challenge and I wasn't really surprised, the promotional pair of a very tall and muscular man with wispy brown hair, occasionally hitting the pad and ringing the bell every time he did so, and a bored but angry looking guy with long black dreadlocks, who did nothing to encourage challengers didn't do much for that 'attraction'. Hayner found himself in a heated argument with a tall man with an eye patch and scarred face at the tin shooting stall which we had to drag him away from, though almost immediately after he began fighting with Seifer.
After the commotion we were happy to call it a day, the sun was setting now anyway and personally I was exhausted, my head was killing me trying to work out how, when or where I'd seen all of these people before even though it was pretty impossible. "Who does he think he is anyway?"
"Hayner, shut up already," Olette said with a sigh, we were all getting a little annoyed with his ranting about Seifer but thankfully he closed his mouth, folding his arms across his chest in a huff and began mumbling to himself. "So what are we doing tomorrow guys?"
"Well tomorrow they bring out all of the rides so we can come back for that," Pence grinned, he'd always loved the carnival rides and I nodded my agreement. It would be fun.
Pence and Olette continued to chat animatedly and I stayed quiet since Hayner was still sulking. There were still a large amount of people around for it being so late in the afternoon and I scanned the crowds. The ice-cream pair were still around I noticed and I spotted Fuu holding a strange looking dog plush Rai had just handed her, which was probably the weirdest thing I'd seen all day and that was saying something.
Then the strangest thing happened. I glimpsed familiar red, a red I thought was only ever in my dreams and I stopped, turning my head to get a proper look but as quickly as I'd seen it it was gone again. "Yo Roxas, what's the hold up?" Hayner called to me and I looked back over at his moody face. "Hurry up or we'll miss the train!" He continued to shout and I turned my head back once for another look before walking away, somewhat disappointed.
I didn't sleep much, every time I closed my eyes images of the people I'd seen today flashed through my mind with unknown familiarity and it all gave me one huge headache. How could I know these people? Today was the first time I'd seen them in my entire life, though for some reason I found myself doubting that though I knew it was impossible. I had no recollection of any of them apart from their faces. No names, no interaction. Nothing. So what was going on in my head? Had I dreamt of them before too? It was all so damn frustrating and I gave on sleeping completely.
I opened my bedroom windows, breathing in the cool, early morning air and closed my eyes again, everyone's faces were so clear and finally my thought brought me to that flash of red and my heart gave an extra beat. It seems it knows something I don't.
With a sigh I dragged my drained body out of bed and made my way to The Usual Spot earlier than normal but it didn't matter, the others would be there soon enough. "Hey Zexion, think Xemnas will let us skip out today too?" I turned to the sound of the cheerful voice a little way in front of me, surprised that anyone was around this early in the morning but even more surprised that it was the same pair as yesterday.
"I doubt it Demyx," the blue haired one answered and I saw the other sulk as I turned down the side street. Demyx and Zexion huh? Strange names.
I was right, it didn't take long for the others to arrive and Hayner seemed in a better mood now than he was yesterday. "Time for some fun rides," he cheered and I grinned at his excitement.
Once again everywhere was packed and the rides were in full flow already. A multitude of small children laughed happily on the teacups though I was surprised the parents had let them anywhere near the controller, I don't think I've ever seen someone look so pissed off in all my life, the guy obviously didn't like children and his angry green eyes showed that perfectly. "Oh man, that guy's pissed," Hayner commented, "my kids would not be going on that ride and that dude needs a haircut."
I rolled my eyes, "you said the same thing about the guy with the dreadlocks yesterday."
"It's true though," he shrugged and I couldn't help but laugh at him.
"Hey guys, apparently there's a fire breather at the Sand Lot, lets check it out," Pence said and we all excitedly made our way there. We heard the 'ooos' and 'aahs' before we actually saw anything, the crowd was thick and there was no way we'd be squeezing our way to the front, not like it mattered, the act was finishing now anyway.
"Aww he's finished," Olette said dejectedly and we mirrored her expression.
"There's another show in a couple of hours, lets get back to the rides and come back later."
I skipped out on most of the rides, doubting that my lack of energy would help my stomach but they did look like fun. I was impressed that the guy guarding the rollercoaster had managed to keep the delinquent younger kids off it due to height restriction, but I wouldn't have wanted a chewing out by a guy with an 'X' scar across his face either. We passed the fortune teller without much thought, my first thought of her was that she was a bad person and I wouldn't find much joy in having my cards read by her.
The last piece of entertainment was a colourful and very flowery clown making children giggle happily and I smiled, "come on Rox, we better get to the fire breather show before the crowds start."
We got there early enough to get a good view but even after the long wait we were disappointed. "Apologies but the second fire act has been cancelled," a man with bright white hair announced and the crowd groaned in disappointment.
"Well that sucks." Hayner sighed, "come on, there's still a few things left to do before we go."
"I wonder why it was cancelled," Pence voiced and I agreed, personally I was looking forward to it, fire breathers were a rarity at these carnivals and I had a strange attachment to fire. Not in a pyro way but a kind of… sentimental way I guess. Not that it made much sense to me.
"Axel!" I don't know why the call of that name caught my attention but I found myself scanning the crowds when I heard it. Why would it intrigue me though? Either way something in the crowd took my attention even more than the name and I stopped dead, staring at red until the head turned to the side and my heart almost stopped.
Piercing green eyes looked into mine, lips turning up into a smirk like grin and as bodies passed by in front of me and I blinked… and he was gone.
Who was he? My head pounded at the question and I clutched at it, squeezing my eyes shut. "Roxas are you ok?" I heard Pence's voice but I couldn't answer, my mind was screaming at me that I knew him, I knew that guy, I had to.
Without another word I parted from my friends in a run, making my way towards the familiar, unknown person, I had to find him.
Once I broke through the crowds I stopped and panted, hurriedly searching the area for that distinct red that had burned itself into my dreams, but there was nothing. No one. Why was he so hard to find? Or more importantly, why did he even exist?
"What the hell dude, you just took off," shit, I forgot about those three, now what do I do?
"Sorry, I thought I saw someone," I admitted and Hayner only raised an eyebrow at me.
"I think you need some sleep man."
"Thanks for your diagnosis," I said back sarcastically and he scoffed at me. "I think I'll head home," they all agreed to let me go and see me tomorrow and I slowly made my way up to the train station. Once outside I stared up at the building and sighed, changing my course to walk up to the top of the clock tower. I sighed as I sat down on the warm stone, leaning back and shutting my eyes, thankful for the peace and quiet as my mind buzzed.
Faces flashed again, the names I'd heard today adding to the list and I made myself relax so I could think more. Why did I know all of these people? Demyx and Zexion, they looked so familiar, the guy at the tea cups who I can only imagine as a scientist. The strong man who I doubt talks very much, the crazy dude with the eye patch who always says 'kiddo' because Xigbar's always been a bit of an ass.
Wait… what? That name, what was that name I just thought of? "Argh," I grumbled, sitting up again and scowling, the name completely gone from my mind. "What the hell is going on here?" I pressed my hands to my eyes and squeezed them shut.
"Hey," the voice didn't startle me but I didn't look up either, "mind if I sit?" they asked and I shook my head no. Whoever the voice was beside me, I knew it, but how… well, that was a good question. "What's troubling you?"
I finally looked up to see the same red haired, green eyed boy from before and I stared at him blankly. "I know you," it was a statement not a question and he stared back at me for a while before nodding. "How?"
"That's a complicated question," he admitted, handing me some ice-cream which I took without question, more of that familiarity coming back to me.
"I know everyone in this carnival, the guy at the roller coaster, the one who told us the fire breather was cancelled, everyone. I think I dream about them."
He shook his head at me and my frown deepened. "I can't explain, but you shouldn't worry about it too much. You'll work it out soon enough."
Now I was even more frustrated, this guy was no use at all, "gee thanks for the help."
Though I meant it to be offensive, the guy just laughed, "I will say one thing though, you're the same old Roxas that's for sure." Same old Roxas? Then we have met before.
Why am I even thinking that? I know we've met, there's no doubt about that in my mind, I just need to know when. I wonder if I think about it hard enough, I can remember his name?
"You," I said, moving onto my knees so I could face him and he just looked at me. Without saying a word I lifted my hands to cup his face and immediately felt warmth, with a sigh I closed my eyes and relaxed.
'The name's A-… got it memorized?'
"A"
'It's me, you know, Ax-'
"X"
'Axe-'
'You really do remember me this time?'
"E"
Get on their bad side and they'll destroy you!'
'No one would miss me.'
'Axel…'
"L"
"Got it memorized?" I opened my eyes to the voice and he was smiling at me.
"Axel," the name brought back a huge flood of visions, some of which I recognised from my dreams and I thought my skull was going to split in half. I clutched at my head in pain.
"Roxas, hey you alright? Roxas!" No matter how much I tried to call back I couldn't, and the next thing I knew everything went black.
I woke up in my own bed on Sunday morning, the sun streaming through my open windows and I blinked into the harsh light. Was it all another dream? I sat up quickly and squinted out of my window, it was still early, the carnival should still be there packing up.
I rushed out of the house. I had to check, had to make sure it was all real, everything I saw… all of those things I know aren't just dreams anymore. I know who Axel is, what he is to me, what happened, why I was seeing all of this. "You can't leave," I said as I ran for the train, boarding it just in time for it to leave the platform. "You promised."
"Axel!" I called as I watched the carnival rides be covered and everyone ready them to move on at least I knew this much was real, I'd had my doubts on my way here that everything might be a dream.
I looked through the group to find someone reasonable to talk to. The last person I wanted to ask was Vexen or Larxene. Yeah, I remembered everyone now. "Demyx!" I shouted as I spotted the boy, startling him and he spun around to face me.
"Holy crap you almost gave me a heart attack."
"Idle chatter unnecessary," I interrupted him, I knew what he was like and my purpose here was much more important. "Where's Axel?"
"I dunno he hasn't been around today. Wait… does this mean you remember?" I nodded, scanning the area for the redhead. "Awesome! I'll tell Xemnas, it's great to have you back Rox."
"Thanks Dem, make sure you guys don't leave!" I called as I ran to the Sand Lot and he agreed with a wave of his own and a wide grin.
"Haven't seen him," Lexaeus answered and I sighed. Where else could he be? The answer came to me like a slap in the face, how could I be so stupid? There's only one place he would be.
I was right in my suspicions, reaching the clock tower in terrible shape and completely exhausted but I was happy to see Axel was there and giving me a worried look. "Rox?"
"I thought you'd left," I panted though the relief of it all made my legs a bit shaky and the extra pressure of my hands from all the running wasn't making my legs feel any better.
"Left?" he chuckled at me and I lifted my head to scowl but it quickly faded when I saw Axel's warm smile and my heart leapt. "How could I leave? After what we said."
"Axel," he was standing now, and neither of us hesitated to reach out in an embrace I didn't realise I'd been longing for for so long. "I still don't understand. What was all of this?"
"You should know the answer to this by now Rox," he scoffed at me and I let myself pout, he couldn't see it anyway, my head was buried in his warm chest.
"How can they all be memories though?" Yes I'd worked it out, they had to be memories, but I'd never experienced them in my life, I'd grown up in this town, been a child here, so none of it was right.
"This is our next life Roxas, we were nobodies and now it's our chance to exist."
"But you told me you never believed that, you'd always say we had hearts," I replied and he chuckled, the sweet sound vibrating through me and making me tingle with warmth and happiness.
"True, but that doesn't matter anymore, we have hearts now and there's something I need to tell you," he said, pulling me away from his chest so I could look up into his eyes. "My heart's never stopped loving you."
That was all Axel needed to say for me to accept everything. I know now that I'd always loved him too, I'd always denied it as a nobody, but now there was nothing stopping me from loving him. "I love you," it came out in a whisper but only because it was the first time I'd ever admitted it to him.
"I've waited so long to hear you say that," he smiled and I couldn't help but return the look. I'd never been so happy.
Without another word Axel slowly leaned down to me and my heart hammered against my chest, letting me know that this was definitely what it wanted and I slid my eyes closed, welcoming the touch of lips and sparks as he kissed me tenderly. Neither of us hesitated, opening our mouths and sliding our tongues together in a much more passionate and well needed kiss and the memories were fresh in my head again, it was so familiar, so right to do this and I was so happy that those weren't dreams, they were memories I would keep forever and I'd be adding more to them, with Axel in every one.
A/N: On to the next one! *Dramatic finger point*
Review please. (:
Kit~
