Axel's POV

I ended up falling back asleep in my room, as the rain lulled me to sleep. I yawned, looking around and realizing I had taken a three hour nap. I sat in bed for a while, sort of half asleep, before stretching and getting up to go grab another cold towel for Roxas. After doing so, I headed to his room, knocking gently.

"Come in." I heard his gentle voice chime through the door. I walked inside, and saw him lying in bed, smiling at me a little as our eyes met. I sat at the foot of his bed, and replaced the warm towel with a cold one on his forehead. He looked relieved instantly.

"How you feeling?" I asked.

"A bit better… still kinda warm though."

"Glad you're feeling somewhat better at least. Fever is gonna take some time to go down though."

"Axel?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you… think I'm dumb for going out in the rain and getting myself sick?"

I shook my head. "No. Of course not, Roxas. But, I do have to ask - why were you out in the rain last night?"

"I… I was looking for something…"

"Looking for what?"

"Answers… to my past. I followed Saix… he always goes on missions late at night. It's kinda… suspicious, don't you think?"

I sighed. "Roxas… that's extremely dangerous. Don't do that anymore. Do you know what could've happened to you if he caught you following him?"

He shook his head.

"He could turn you into a Dusk, if he wanted to."

"What's a… Dusk?"

"Basically… a low rank nobody with no free will. Trust me when I say you don't wanna be turned into one."

"Okay… I won't follow him anymore. I just wanted to know about my past… that's all really." Roxas murmured.

I scooted myself closer to him on the bed so I could place my hand on his shoulder.

"Roxas… I get it. I do. But… I'm only telling you this to keep you safe."

"Do you? You have your memories…"

"It's true… I can remember things from my past. But, I can understand if I couldn't being curious about it."

"Axel… you don't have to protect me, you know."

"I know… it's not that I feel like I have to… it's just… I don't wanna see anything bad… happen to you. Ever."

Roxas stared at me intently. I looked at him and could feel a smile tugging at my lips. I pointed to my head with my index finger, raising an eyebrow.

"Got it memorized?"

Roxas laughed, like he always did when I said that.

"Yeah, I got it."

"Good. By the way, are you feeling hungry again? I can grab you another soup from the cafe if you like."

"I'm not super hungry."

"You should still eat something. Soup is the best thing for a cold."

"If you say so."

"When have I ever steered you wrong? I'll be back, ok?"

When I came back to the room, Roxas was laying down, eyes closed. When he heard my footsteps, his eyes opened, and he sat up a little in his bed.

"I got two types of soup - potato and vegetable. So you pick and I'll take the other one."

"I'll take potato."

"You got it."

I sat on the side of the bed, and prepared to feed Roxas his soup. As I guided the spoon to his lips and he swallowed the soup, he spoke up,

"Axel… have you done this before?"

I raised a curious eyebrow. "Done what?" I guided the spoon to his lips again with another helping of soup.

"Fed someone while they were sick."

I paused for a moment, feeling a memory come back of Isa spoon feeding me chicken noodle soup when I'd gotten a nasty stomach bug as a preteen. I shook my head, and blinked, looking over to Roxas, who looked at me for an answer.

"You're actually the first. But… someone fed me once when I wasn't feeling so hot."

"Oh yeah? Who?"

"If you don't mind… I'd rather not say."

Roxas looked disappointed.

"Oh... okay."

I continued feeding him soup, and he laid back down all the way.

"Axel… I hope you know, I'm your friend… 'till the end."

I couldn't help but smile.

"Gee, you sure know how to get a guy attached." There was a playful tone in my voice. But I truly meant every word. Roxas was also grinning, but yawned and his eyes began to grow heavy.

"Feeling sleepy?" I asked.

Roxas mumbled something incomprehensible in his half asleep daze, confirming my question.

"Get some more sleep. I'll be in my room if you need anything, ok?"

He grabbed my arm, just like he had earlier.

"Can you… just stay 'till I fall asleep?"

I nodded, sitting back down on the bed.

"Sure... not a problem."

"Axel?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks… for taking care of me." He mumbled, closing his eyes.

You don't need to thank me… that's what friends are for. Real friends, that is.

I placed my hand on his shoulder, rubbing it as I had earlier until he fell asleep under my palm. His breathing slowed and his gentle snoring filled the otherwise quiet room. I stood up slowly and tiptoed my way to the door, closing it gently behind me. In my room, as I ate my dinner, I realized that it was still raining cats and dogs outside. Finishing my soup, I laid in bed, feeling exhaustion in my bones as I got comfortable. At least rain was nice to sleep with in the background. As I listened to the rain drops, I remembered Roxas' words.

Axel… I hope you know, I'm your friend…'till the end.

I smiled with my eyes closed. And then remembered me saying that a guy could really get attached. But that wasn't true. It was too late. I was already attached. I could feel it, each and every time I was around Roxas. I placed my hand on my chest, feeling a familiar drumming radiating from my palm. My eyes shot open. Could it be…

"A heartbeat…?" I whispered. The stillness in the room confirmed it. There was definitely something beating consistently in my chest.

So, all this time… we were told we didn't have hearts… and yet, we had them the whole time. Realizing this, I felt at ease, as I finally understood what my strange feelings around Roxas had been.

Love…

I closed my eyes again, and continued listening to the pitter patter of rain as Roxas' face came to mind before sleep took me.