Always

Chapter 11

xXx

"DIZ this is Roxas," I held out my hand nervously to tenth person I'd met that evening and the man shook it firmly. Axel had told me that this mysterious man was brilliant, a marketing and technological genius. Then he gestured to his right. "These two are Aqua and Terra. They're masters at crafting metal." Once I'd been introduced, he continued, "Ventus, the blond over there, is an engineer, his expertise will be in which metals to use for the best balance and to make your designs the most effective." My head was spinning a little. There were so many people, still to meet. My brain fought to keep up as he continued "-are the ones who will want to see your prototypes in action-" I blinked.

"I'm sorry, who will?" I asked. Axel smiled patiently. He had certainly known the right people, there was no doubt about that. What I hadn't expected was for him to throw a huge party and to meet them all at once. My head wouldn't stop spinning and I really hoped that I wouldn't offend anybody. I'd never been around so many important people in my life.

"The silver haired men that look like Riku. Sephiroth, Loz, Kadaj and Yazoo." I nodded distractedly as my eyes roamed around the room, past the men, resting on a brunette with pretty green eyes. She seemed familiar. There was a heavyset dark haired man at her side, as well as a blond with brown eyes.

"Who are they?" I asked, gesturing to the trio. "They seem familiar…" Axel's gaze followed mine, resting on them.

"Oh, they're from the media. Hayner, Pence, and Olette. She wants to interview you later," he explained. My eyebrows rose.

"What? Why?" I asked. Axel smiled.

"She's been interested in you for a long time, believe it or not." I blinked.

"Why? What's so interesting about me?" I wondered aloud. Axel chuckled.

"Quite a lot, believe it or not," the red-head murmured beside me. Then he shrugged. "But… I told her that she has to ask you." I stared up at him. He was gazing down at me amusedly.

"You what?"

"Oooh," he said with a grin, "here she comes." My eyes widened and he nudged me forward before slipping away.

"Axel!" I hissed as he retreated but before I could react otherwise, the pretty brunette was standing in front of me and I couldn't think of a single thing to say. Olette smiled brightly.

"Hello, Roxas! I'm Olette! It's a pleasure to finally meet you!" I blinked as she shook my hand.

"Uhm, yes, I… that is…."

"I'm a big fan of your work," she chattered on, still holding my hand, "I was absolutely thrilled to find out that you're an artist too!"

"My work…?" I asked stupidly, making her laugh.

"Yes Roxas, you make the most beautiful flower arrangements I've ever seen! I was hoping that you'd design the flowers for my wedding when my fiancé and I get married next summer!" I nodded, smiling a little.

"Of course I will," I answered, feeling a little less shy. She beamed at me.

"Excellent! Anyway, I figured that anything you design has got to be just as lovely," she explained, jumping right to the point and making my cheeks heat up. "So, I was hoping that I could interview you and write a piece about it? I'd be delighted to promote your work!" I blinked and then smiled.

"Really? I mean yeah, uhm, that'd be great!"

"Perfect!" she nearly squealed. I watched her open her purse and then she handed me a card. "Let me know what works for you, okay?" I nodded.

"Of course I will," I replied, making her smile, "see you soon?" Olette smiled excitedly.

"Definitely, Roxas!" I smiled, even as she left, turning again when I was alone but not seeing Axel anywhere. I hummed softly to myself and wandered around the room, everybody mingling with me as I went. They all seemed very nice. I didn't even realize until later that that's why Axel had disappeared and in the end, I was glad that he had.

xXx

I sighed softly, waiting patiently, my art book resting on my lap. Olette's studio was dim, as we waited for everything to get set up. Axel was… somewhere, I wasn't sure. He had wanted to give me space while I did this, but still, I couldn't help but wonder. The brunette's soft voice broke the silence and I blinked.

'I'm sorry, what?' I asked. She giggled.

"Do you want something to drink, Roxas? The tea is really, really good!" she told me. I smiled a little.

"No thank you," I told her, declining. Suddenly, the room lit up and I hissed a little at the unexpected brightness.

"You guuuys!" She scolded, "You're supposed to warn us!" Then, she shot me a sympathetic look as they apologized and said the cameras were on. "I'm so sorry, Roxas."

I shook my head, "No, it's alright." She frowned looking worried.

"Well... if you're sure…" she said, the worry carrying into her voice. I nodded.

"I am," I told her with a smile. Olette smiled back, her legs kicking back and forth for a moment.

"You're so nice," she said, beaming.

"I… am?" I asked, making her laugh.

"Yep! Very nice." I smiled and she clasped her hands together. "So, Roxas, do I get to actually be lucky enough to see your work?" she teased. I held out the book in my lap to her with a smile.

"Okay," I breathed. There was surprise reflecting in her eyes, but she happily took it. When she opened it, her jaw dropped.

"Oh my gosh, Roxas," she gasped, looking through the pages, "These are beautiful…" She blushed… "I'm speechless…" There was laughter and one of the men I'd seen at the party crowed,

"Teach me your ways, Roxas!" Olette's blush darkened.

"Hayner!" She reprimanded. The blond laughed harder before apologizing,

"Sorry sweetheart!" Olette sighed, shaking her head, clearly embarrassed.

"It's okay," I assured her. She smiled, resuming.

"Which one is your favorite and why?" she asked.

"You haven't seen it yet. Go all the way to the last page." Nodding, she did. Her eyes widened a bit.

"Those are, wow, they're so different that your other pieces! I mean they're beautiful but… What inspired these?" She seemed awestruck. I smiled.

"Axel," I said softly. "They're perfect for him. Beautiful and deadly, like him. No one else can use them."

"Which one is perfect for you?" She asked.

"Two, not one," I told her. "Oblivion and Oathkeeper, wielded together."

"You seem so certain, Roxas."

"I am," I said, "They saved my life once." She paused only for a moment before speaking again.

"Roxas," she said, "I know that you had a hard life… so I was just wondering, where did you learn to draw like this?'

"Axel's mother, Aerith. She's like a mom to me and she's taught me so many things. I'm really grateful," I said, smiling. "Her husband taught me how to arrange flowers. I wouldn't know how to do either, if it weren't for them." Olette smiled.

"What are you hoping to use your designs for?" She asked.

"I haven't really decided, you know?" I asked. "I've been told that they'd be good as either artwork or weaponry. They're supposed to be weapons. The Keyblades and the Chakrams."

"Personally, I would love these as artwork too!" She was excited about it and it made me smile. "These are gorgeous, Roxas." My smile widened.

"If you'd like, you can have one. I'll even sign it for you," I said.

"Wow, really?! She squealed, "That would be, that would be fantastic!"

I sat back with a smile. "Okay, pick one."

"Oh my gosh, really?!" I nodded. "Okay, uhhm," she said, going through the designs, "what about the one with Oathkeeper and Oblivion?" I nodded again and held out my hand. She gave the sketch book back and I signed, ripped out the page and handed it to her. "Wow, thank you! Roxas …Hikari?" she questioned. I nodded. "You and Axel have different last names? I never knew that."

I shrugged. "We decided it a long time ago so that his name wouldn't influence my works," I explained. She nodded in understanding.

"Well your secret's safe with me!" I smiled.

"Thank you, Olette."

xXx

After the interview, I wandered about, looking for Axel, a little worried when I wasn't seeing him. I was surprised when I bumped into Olette again. It looked like there was something on her mind.

"Hey, Roxas, I just wanted to ask you one more thing if that's okay…" I nodded.

"Of course," I said. She hesitated for a moment.

"Well, when you said that Oblivion and Oathkeeper saved your life… what did you mean?" She asked. "Don't worry, it's strictly off the record!" I looked at her, hesitating for a moment.

"Well… I think you know about my accident, right?" I asked. She winced.

"The one that caused the memory loss?" she asked. I nodded.

"Yes, that's the one. I died at one point, did you know that?" She gasped.

"I didn't! I'm so glad that they could save you!" I laughed a little.

"Yes, me too," I said. "I… saw things on the other side for a while. I don't anymore but when I did, Oblivion and Oathkeeper came to me. They saved me. I've been drawing them ever since."

"That's, wow, that's amazing Roxas," she said. "How are you doing now, with your memories?" I hesitated.

"I… I don't remember everything, but honestly, I know enough," I admitted.

"Well if you ever need anyone to talk to or anything at all, I would love to help. It'll be strictly confidential! Promise." I smiled.

"I'd like that. Same to you." Olette beamed.

"That sounds great! I'll let you know if the guys and I are going to be doing something. Axel can come too!" My smile widened.

"You know, I bet he'd love that," I said. Olette nodded, smiling happily.

"Alright! I'll let you know when the article's done and you can read it before I publish it. Probably in a few days, okay?" I nodded.

"Sounds great! See you then."

"Awesome! I've got to get going but Axel's waiting for you in the lounge. See you later, okay? Bye!" I smiled watching her leave and then followed the signs to the lounge, my heart skipping a beat when I saw a flash of red.

"Hey, Axel," I said softly. He turned, smiling up at me. "Were you in here the whole time? I didn't see you for the entire interview…"

He rose, striding toward me, his smile widening. "No, Roxas, I watched the entire thing. You were amazing out there," he said, running his hands along my face. I was almost startled by the gentleness of the soft touch, the adoration behind it. "Is this still what you want?" he asked in a way that made me feel weak in the knees.

"It is," I whispered. Axel kissed my forehead, my nose, my jaw and then my lips. I could barely breathe.

"Okay," he whispered back. "I love you.

"I love you too," I gasped. Still smiling, he rested his chin on top of my head.

"Let's go celebrate with ice cream," he murmured. I hugged him, kissing his neck.

"That sounds perfect," I agreed.

xXx

TBC