Roxas' POV

I rubbed Axel's back as he cried, and I enjoyed the feeling of his warmth against me. It felt like forever since I'd felt it.

"Not to interrupt, but your pretzels are ready."

The friendly Disney snacks vendor said.

Axel pulled away slowly, his warmth leaving with his body instantly. He smiled at me.

"Time to for us to do some much needed catching up."

As we enjoyed our pretzels on a nearby bench in Disney Town, Axel with his pepperoni and mine adorned with melted cheese and jalapenos, I imagined us sitting on the Twilight Town Clock Tower with sea salt ice cream, like we'd done so many times before.

"Just like old times..." I murmured. Axel let out a light hearted chuckle.

"Right? Like almost no time has passed between us." He added, staring me straight into his eyes with those emerald orbs of his that always made me feel safe and meaningful.

"Soo... while I was gone, I got to go so many places... "

Axel smiled from ear to ear, nudging my arm lightly. "Well, don't keep in me in suspense! Where'd you go?"

"I went to the Beast's Castle, Halloween Teen, Agrabah, Port Royal, Olympus Coliseum... and that's just to name a few."

Axel took another bite of his pretzel, nodding eagerly with salted dough occupying his mouth.

"You know what this means, right?" He finally spoke once he'd swallowed and cleared space in his mouth to talk.

"You've gotta take me to your favorite one. It'll be like a little vacation... to celebrate being back together."

He held out his half eaten pretzel toward me. I blinked and smiled as I realized what he was doing. I lifted my hand so my own half eaten pretzel would tap against his gently.

"To our reunion." I said as we clinked our pretzels in celebration.

As we finished our pretzels, we saw a girl carrying a very familiar light blue popsicle in her hand. I could feel my mouth parting into an 'o', but before I could speak, Axel blurted out,

"Roxas - are you seeing this?"

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Mhmm. An old Twilight Town staple... in Disney Town of all places."

"Must be fate." Axel remarked. I smiled.

"Any excuse to eat ice cream, huh?" I teased, sticking out my tongue playfully. Axel soon swooped in, his lips meeting mine. He kissed me softly and as I responded, I could feel my heart begin to drum lightly in my chest.

As he pulled away, I could feel heat rising to my face and I knew I was blushing. And I could still taste his lips on mine.

"I'll have to warn you... when you stick your tongue out like that, I'll assume you want me to taste your lips..." Axel's tone was playful as his eyes peered deeply into mine.

I smiled, feeling the heat in my face intensify as what Axel was saying fully registered.

Axel cupped my face in his hand. "Nothing to say, Roxas?"

My smile did not leave my face as I shook my head. "I'm just happy to be with you... I missed you. Missed... this..."

Axel's eyes softened.

"I missed you too... every day... every night... pretty much all the time, to be painfully honest." He scratched the back of his red, spiky hair nervously.

"Axel... I'm sorry I had to go." I swallowed before continuing.

"I never meant to... hurt you." I turned my body slightly and he moved his hand from my face. I frowned, looking out at the happy patrons shuffle about the park.

"Don't apologize. I know you well enough to know... that's the last thing you wanted to do."

I faced him feeling tears bud in my eyes.

"You had to help Sora, right?"

I nodded my head. Axel scooted closer to me and wrapped his arms around me. I embraced him, feeling a few tears escape my eyes as I blinked, inhaling the light, fresh scent of Axel's body wash while I enjoyed his warmth.

"Don't cry... I think I've cried enough for the both of us in your absence."

I chuckled and pulled back just enough to meet Axel's gaze, his arms still holding my waist.

Axel smiled at me, reaching up to wipe away my tears.

"Soo... did you decide where our awaited vacation will take place?" Axel asked curiously.

I leaned in so I could whisper the answer to him.

His eyes sparkled with excitement as he pulled back to meet my gaze.

"Can't wait." Axel cooed.

xxxxxxx

"Sitting on the roof top, I've done it countless times... stepping off one? Can't say I have."

I smiled, extending my hand out to him as we stood beside each other on the Big Ben tower's ledge.

"Life is all about trying new things... right? Spontaneity?"

Axel shrugged. "You got me there... I'll follow your lead then."

I smiled, nodding.

"Tink... little help?"

The little blond fairy flew over me and Axel, sprinkling fairy dust over the both of us.

"Thanks." I said. Peter Pan flew over to Tink and said,

"Not a problem! Enjoy you two." He waved as he and Tink flew off into the night sky.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be." Axel responded, grabbing my hand. I stepped off the ledge slowly, tiptoeing out into the emptiness that was the night sky. I floated, and Axel's green eyes widened in disbelief.

"Roxas! You're flying!" His voice rose in excitement.

I smiled. "It's your turn, Axel. Don't leave me out here all alone."

Axel took a deep breath, and nodded.

"Okay... here goes..."

He stepped out, closing his eyes as he did so.

"Axel, open your eyes."

He blinked, and stared down at his floating feet with curiosity.

"Well I'll be..." He cooed. I giggled.

"C'mon..." I said, and still holding his hand firmly with my own, I flew around the Big Ben taking in the stars scattered in the night sky and feeling a light cool breeze rush past me.

"Roxas?"

"Hmm?"

"Am I... dreaming?"

I smiled, shaking my head.

"No... I promise."

He smiled back at me, turning back to stare out at the night sky.

"... Good."

After a while, we grew tired of flying around and sat on one of the Big Ben's ledges.

"That was... incredible. You picked well for our mini vacation, I gotta say."

I placed my hand on his, which was sitting on the ledge beside him.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He turned to me, staring at me intently.

"What?" I asked.

"I need to tell you something..."

"What is it?" My curiosity began to burn inside me.

"I couldn't say it... before but I..." Axel smiled at me, intertwining his fingers with mine.

"I love you... I just wanna make sure I say it in case we get separated again..."

My heart was pounding rapidly in my chest.

"Axel..." I said his name softly.

"You don't need to say it back... if it doesn't feel right to you... I just... needed to say it."

I leaned in closer to him, and planted a soft kiss on his cheek. As I pulled back, I said,

"Axel..."

The bells rang throughout the night sky, chiming beautifully in our ears.

"What's that?" I asked.

"The clock just struck midnight." Axel said in a very matter of fact way.

I smiled. "What would I do without your never ending supply of knowledge?"

Axel shrugged. "Beats me."

I pushed his shoulder gently, laughing.

"Axel..."

"Hmm?"

I let go of his hand and cupped his face with my palm, cradling it.

"I love you, too, you know..."

He blinked. "R-Really?"

I nodded, withdrawing my hand slowly. He reached up to wipe away budding tears forming in his eyes.

"Are you crying?" I asked.

He laughed. "I'm not... trying to... honest..."

"Are you okay?" My voice was full of concern.

He nodded. "Yeah... I'm just... happy. It's been a long time... since anyone has... loved me."

"I'm happy... to have met you, Roxas." He continued.

We both stared out at the night sky, the delicate bells still ringing in our ears.

"Same here..."

I felt Axel reach for my hand, holding it, and I felt a smile tugging at my lips.

It feels nice...

Being by Axel's side again.

In a whole different world...

I turned to him, gazing at him happily.

And we have a lot more waiting for us.