Dear Roxas,

It was now officially the twenty-fifth day I knew you. By the time I woke up that morning, you had already left for work. And the following day was the day I would be leaving for the elongated period of time.

None of it felt right.

"Good morning, sleepy-head," Kairi greeted me from the kitchen when she noticed my movements.

"Morning," I said, my voice cracking. "Who's still here?"

"Saïx, Roxas, and Xion carpooled to work so that Ventus and Sora could head home. Then Olette is in class, Naminé and Marluxia are out and about, and Riku went for a walk. So, it's just you and me here, big bro." She smiled.

I chuckled a bit and yawned. "Are you making food?"

"You can take care of yourself. You know where everything is."

"Fine." I forced myself to my feet and into the kitchen.

"How late did the rest of you stay up last night?"

I pulled a box of cereal from the cabinet. "Ven and Sora passed out around eleven, I think. Then Riku and Xion probably passed out about half an hour later." I yawned as I got the milk and a bowl and spoon. "Roxas and I were up until at least 2:30 talking."

"Wow, that's pretty late."

I took a spoonful of cereal. "So?"

"So…Roxas had work this morning, yet he was still willing to lose sleep to stay up and talk with you."

I paused to swallow. "What are you getting at?"

She shook her head. "I'm not getting at anything." I raised an eyebrow at her as I spooned another bite of cereal. Then she sighed. "Axel, now that it's just you and me, please be honest with me." She paused, seemingly debating with herself on whether or not to go on. "Do you like Roxas?"

Now I sighed. "I dunno. I really don't."

"But there's a chance you might?"

"I guess." I shrugged my shoulders as I took another spoonful. "So, is Aqua totally pissed that Terra didn't propose last night?" I then said, wanting nothing more than to talk about something else. Something that didn't involve my own relationships.

"She's thinking he might do it tonight instead to make it more of a surprise," Kairi said, going along with the switch.

"How long have they been dating again?"

"Three and a half years."

"It's been that long already? Shit…"

"Exactly. And she's practically been waiting for him to propose to her since their three-year anniversary. I mean, they're at that point."

"This is Terra we're talking about, so I bet he has some sort of plan."

"Yeah, that's what we keep telling her." She sighed. "What about Dem and Zex? How long have they been together again?"

"Five years."

"And you were shocked about Aqua and Terra?"

"No. I just didn't realise they had started dating that long ago." I took another pause as I placed my dishes in the sink. "Olette and Seifer is the most recent relationship, right? I mean, they've only been dating for…how long now?"

"A little under a year."

I nodded. "Then Naminé and Marluxia have been together for a little over two years."

"Right."

"So how long did she even date Riku?"

"They were probably together for the same amount of time that she's now been with Marly. Maybe a few months less."

I thought for a moment. "I wonder who the next relationship will be."

"You don't think it'll be you and Roxas?" she said teasingly.

"Please don't start," I said, pushing myself away from the counter. "I get enough of that bullshit from the guys; I don't need it from you, too."

She laughed. "Sorry." She cleared her throat. "So…any plans for the day?"

"I need to go home and pack."

"What would happen if you just didn't go tomorrow?"

"Nothing good would come of it."

"Can they really make you go?"

"It's part of my job, Kairi. If they tell me I have to go, then I have to go."

"How far away is this place?"

"You know just as much as I do."

"See? That's what I don't understand about this company. None of you even know what it is you're doing. And I don't see how that could keep the corporation thriving."

"Well, it's been thriving for thirteen years now, so obviously they're doing something right."

"I guess…" She thought for a moment. "Do you want me to give you a ride home?"

"No, I can walk."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm positive. I'll text you once I'm home."

"Text me if you make any pit stops as well."

"Will do."

She kissed me on the cheek and I headed out.

It was an exceptionally cold day, so I pulled out a cigarette and lit it for the walk. It helped to warm up my body. It also helped me think. So that was when I thought about what you had said during our talk about how my smoking was a deal breaker. Why did I care about that, though? Because I did care. A lot. I cared about every thought you had that concerned me. I cared about you.

I still care. Even if you don't.

Yours Truly,

Axel