At first, when Axel had just found out that he was a tad more than nothing but a bit less than really something…

A lot of things had been sworn.

Never again to just go around without a pretense.

Never again to grow close to others – Axel would end up losing them anyways.

Never again to say a truth, any truth, straight out.

Logically, like all non-heartfelt vows (as if they could do those), they were broken. In a spectacular manner, if Axel would get a say in this.

It all went along the lines of meeting Roxas and Xion. And, try as Axel might…

How long did it take? A month or so – 'feeling' authentic was one hell of a drug. Funnily enough, even though it was Roxas who he felt closer to…

It was Xion who could bring out that almost genuine smile on his face. Or make Axel appreciate the hint of sugar in sea-salt like never before. Maybe it was due to the fact that, next to Xion, he was almost irrevocably true.

Axel ended up adding an extra vow:

Never leave these friends alone… again.

Axel has to, when it comes down to picking Xion or Roxas. It is 'heartache' of proportions that he isn't quite sure Lea would have managed…

But Axel tries. Any scrap of black? Xion. That one spell racing over to destroy a heartless? Xion.

She picked for him, after all.

Logically, even with his almost vow of 'never forget'… Axel ends up breaking it, beyond all repairs, this time around.


Axel's mind is still reeling from the loss of… urgh, there was someone there, a name…

All he can recognize is the not-warmth and not-rage in Roxas's eyes. And the oath that almost raced out of his mind along with the person (girl, he was sure) he made it to.

Axel has to stop Roxas from leaving – all that's making him feel real is riding on that…

And the small hints of someone else swirling behind the black outside. Axel tries being genuine to him, it was supposed to work…

It never did, anyways.