Roxas' POV

I opened the double closet doors slowly, and peeked my head out a little bit.

"Axel?" I called out.

I stepped out of the closet fully, and saw no one there. I sat on his bed, feeling my body tense up as I wondered who was at the door and what they wanted. I ended up laying all the way back onto Axel's bed as I waited, hoping that soon he would be back to answer the various questions racing through my head. I eventually heard the door creak as it opened and then close.

"My bed treating you nicely?" Axel's voice was playful as he sat at the foot of the bed beside my legs. I laughed, sitting up to face him.

"Very. Thanks for asking."

"Okay, so where were we? Oh yeah, me embarrassing myself..." Axel said with a shrug.

"Axel - wait. Before we go back to the game, I need to know... who was that and what they'd want?"

The red head sighed, and avoided my gaze as he looked deep in thought. He eventually locked eyes with me again, placing his hands in his lap.

"So that was... Saix and he basically told me I'll be going to Castle Oblivion tonight for a mission."

"Castle Oblivion? How come I've never heard of it before?"

"Because it's a secret. I didn't even know of it before just now."

"Okay... and why are they sending you on a mission in the middle of the night?"

"Easier to be sneaky in the dark."

"Axel... I don't like any of this."

"What do you mean?" He raised a curious eyebrow.

"What if it's... dangerous?"

Axel placed his hand on my leg. "Aww Roxas, are you worried about me?"

"Duh. We're best friends, aren't we?"

He removed his hand, and his emerald eyes seemed to glimmer more than usual as I said this.

"Best friends?" He repeated. I nodded my head.

"Got it memorized?" I held my pointed finger toward my forehead.

He grinned. "Oh it's memorized alright."

"Axel... promise me you'll come back safe." He held out his pinky finger to me, just like he had on the Clock Tower roof.

"I promise." The red head wrapped his pinky finger around mine and soon let go.

"I hate to cut our game short, but I should prepare to leave."

I stood up, stretching as I got up. Axel looked over at the clock.

"It's almost midnight, you should be getting to bed so your cold doesn't flare back up."

"I guess I could use some rest... so, see you tomorrow night when you get back?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

Axel's POV

As the door closed, I let out a breath I hadn't even realized I'd been holding, and frowned. What on earth were they trying to get me into? Like Roxas said, I didn't like any of this either. But what could I do besides carry out the mission as I was told? I certainly didn't want to be a Dusk.

I made sure I had my chakrams on me, and changed into my Organization XIII coat, boots and gloves. I splashed some cold water on my face before heading out the door, and down the hallway past Roxas' room. As I passed his door, I smiled a little.

See you soon, Roxas.

I put my hood up over my hair, and disappeared into the night, making my way to the Castle, per Saix's instructions. I could feel the cool air pierce my leather coat with each step I took.

Just what am I about to do?

Roxas' POV

The following day felt strange, almost like a dream. After my mission collecting hearts, I went to the Clock Tower out of habit, and ate sea salt ice cream alone as the sun set. A few times, I found myself peering over to my right, where Axel usually sat. I smiled, remembering that he would be back by dusk.

Just a little longer.

I eventually headed back to my room, writing down things I could say for the next game of Never Have I Ever. I had come up with a few, but was struggling now. So far I had:

Never have I ever...

- Seen snow.

- Gone on a mission in the middle of the night.

- Stayed up all night.

- Kissed someone.

As I scribbled the last one, I closed my eyes for a moment, remembering Axel's words on the train.

"Never have I ever… shared a kiss with someone I didn't love."

"Kiss? What's a…. kiss?"

"Yeah… so… a kiss, it's like…"

"When you find someone who you are able to be vulnerable with and completely yourself with, you may feel… close to them. And when you're close like that, you'll want to tell them you care about them. Caring for a person can look many different ways, but… one common way you show it is… well, by kissing."

"But… what is a kiss?"

"Well, it's like this - you just press your lips against theirs."

The sound of rain drops pouring down heavily broke me out my trance. I looked out of my window as I scooted closer to the foot of my bed.

Axel...

I peered over at the clock. 11:32pm. I got up and made my way down the hall. I happened to see Saix, and asked him if we could talk. He seemed reluctant, but I told him it was important. He led me to the chambers where we had all of our meetings and each member had their own chair.

"Saix... Axel was supposed to be back by now."

"What do you know about that?"

"Not much. Just that he was supposed to be back by dusk. So... where is he?"

"That I do not know."

"How don't you know when you're the one who sent him?" My voice raised. Saix laughed.

"I suggest you not worry about him. Only yourself."

"Can you just tell me if he's okay... that's all i wanna know." My voice lowered to almost that of a whisper.

"I'll put it to you this way... anyone who was sent and has yet to return has probably been... dealt with."

I felt my chest tighten.

"Dealt with...?" I muttered. I felt my body shaking. I looked up at Saix, feeling my vision blur with budding tears. I ran out of the room, heading straight for the front door. The rain was even heavier now. I put my hood up and I sprinted out into the dark, wet night, and eventually bumped into someone. I stopped, and so did they, the both of us unrecognizable in our hoods.

"Might wanna watch where you're going."

I instantly knew it was Axel's voice.

"Axel!" I shouted. He turned to me, pulling his hood down a little so I could see pieces of his spiky red hair and his face.

"Roxas?"

I pulled my hood down a bit so he could also see a peek of my hair and face. I ran over to him, embracing him, my face burying into his chest against the leather and zippers of his jacket.

"I thought you were gone..." I choked out the words in between tears which flowed freely now.

Axel's POV

Roxas threw his arms around me, and I could feel him shaking against me. As I reached out, grabbing his face, I could feel and see the tears rolling down his cheeks.

"Aw Roxas... you really were worried about me, huh?"

I could feel him crying against me. I moved my hands to his back, rubbing it to comfort him.

"It's okay... I'm right here in front of you."

I rested my head on top of his, closing my eyes. Even in the rain, I could feel Roxas' warmth pressing into me.

The shorter blonde pulled away from me, staring me deep into my eyes. His eyes reminded me of sapphires.

"Roxas, let's get inside before we both get sick."

He shook his head.

"I can't, Axel."

I titled my head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The Organization... they don't care about us."

"Roxas... be more specific, so I can understand."

"I asked Saix where you were... and he told me I should only worry about myself. And when I pushed the issue, he... he said you and anyone else who didn't return had been... dealt with."

I placed a hand on Roxas' shoulder as he looked down to the ground.

"That's how Saix is... doesn't mean everybody in this Organization doesn't care."

Roxas turned on his heel with his back facing me.

"I'm a nobody, Axel... if something happens to me, no one will care."

I bit my lip.

"That's not true... you know I would!" My voice struck its way through the pouring rain.

"Axel... if that's true, then come with me."

"What?"

He turned to face me again.

"We could go anywhere... anywhere in this world... or maybe even another world. We don't need to stay here, fighting for something that neither of us asked to be a part of. I'm asking you, as my best friend to come with me and never look back."

I gazed down at the wet cobblestone street below my feet.

"Roxas... please don't do this..." My voice shook.

"I'm sorry. But my mind's made up."

I walked toward him, placing my hands on his shoulders.

"If you want to leave... then I guess I can't stop you... " I murmured.

The blond looked surprised, his mouth slightly open as he stared up at me.

"But... I can't let you go before I..." I gulped. That beating in my chest was pounding so fast and hard now as my mind raced. I wondered how in the world I could tell him how I truly felt.

My grip on his shoulders grew tighter, and I felt myself become enamored with his lips. They looked so soft and delicate. I closed my eyes, and leaned down to close the gap between our faces. He tensed up against me, but stayed still otherwise as I tasted his lips. He tasted sweet... like sea salt ice cream. The beating of my heart only intensified as I kissed him, and my body seriously felt like it was on fire. As I pulled away, Roxas looked deep in thought, almost like he was in a trance. I loosened my grip on his shoulders, but kept my hands resting there.

"Roxas?" I called out. He finally looked up at me.

"I... I'm sorry, but I can't stay."

"What...what do you mean...?"

"Goodbye, Axel."

He turned on his heel and disappeared into the night.

Roxas... I don't wanna lose you...

The tears soon began to fall.