Sora

I do not own Kingdom Hearts. It is the property of Square Enix and the Walt Disney Studios. This is a creative work that I do not profit off of in any way.

Salutations, my dear readers! Please enjoy the newest vignette!

One of the things Axel tried to make a priority was making sure Roxas and Xion spent time with Sora. It was kind of important, since Sora was the bridge that connected them. When Sora ditched his heart to free Kairi's heart that was trapped in his body (Long story), Roxas had been created. And when Sora first clashed with Xemnas, back in Radiant Garden…or Hollow Bastion, as it had then been called, Xemnas had swiped some of Sora's memories of his technically-not-girlfriend Kairi. Which was how Xion was formed—she was Kairi as Sora remembered her, at least as a base.

In the old days, Axel had tried to keep this information hidden, since Sora had gotten himself into real trouble and wound up needing Roxas and Xion to give up their independent existences (Another long story). Xion had been willing and it cost her not only her existence but all memory of her. Roxas…not so much. And once Sora realized just how screwed up the whole situation was, he'd become hell-bent to get Roxas back. And he had…with a little help.

So, meeting with Sora was all things considered, something Axel wanted to make a habit. Rather than have Sora travel to Twilight Town this time, Axel and his two half-pints took their Gummi ship out to the Destiny Islands.

Sora was waiting for them at the play island, which was about the only place where they could land their ship inconspicuously. As soon as they set foot on the shore, Sora barreled towards them. He clapped Roxas hard on the back and hugged Xion so tightly he lifted her off her feet.

"It's so good to see you guys!" Sora said. "It's been ages!"

"It hasn't even been two weeks, you softie," Roxas said. "Since when is that ages?"

"I don't mind," Xion giggled. "I missed you, Sora. And Roxas missed you too, even if he's too chicken to admit it."

"I'm not chicken!" Roxas protested. "You're the chicken!"

"How can I be the chicken?" Xion said. "I'm not afraid of anything!"

"Oh, sure," Axel chuckled. "Not afraid of anything huh? Like you're not afraid of that shark?"

There wasn't actually a shark, and even then, they were on dry land—probably twenty feet from the shoreline. Xion still shrieked and leapt up into Sora's arms and flailed her hands and bonked Roxas on the nose and they all wound up in a tangle of limbs. Arms and legs and hands and feet all mushed together. Axel wasn't sure where one half-pint ended and another began.

"There's no shark, is there? I fall for that, every time…"

"And I wouldn't have you any other way," Sora said, reaching a hand out to pat Xion's shoulder. He may have been aiming to ruffle her hair, but it was still a sweet gesture.

"Yeah, Xion, you're the most awesome person ever," Roxas said. "So, Sora, now that we're here…"

"Oh, right!" Sora said. "C'mon! The boat's waiting!"

The play island was generally visited by canoe or rowboat. Sora was no exception. His boat was waiting for them. Sora got in first, then helped Xion in and then Roxas squeezed in at the end. Sora would row them to the main island, where he lived with his family, and then double-back for Axel.

Axel didn't mind the wait. It gave him a chance to enjoy the tranquility of the play island. It was…well, peaceful. This world was filled with light, and he wasn't just saying that because the only real shade on this island was the grove of palms trees on the other side of the cove. There weren't any Heartless here, and there wasn't a shiny Cornerstone of Light to magically keep them away.

Axel heard the calls of gulls—and one pelican. Ah, the little thieves were almost like the raccoons back home. Little beggars stealing bits of this and that. And off the shoreline, he could see a couple of dolphins playing. And hear Xion squee with delight when she saw them herself.

These really were wonderful islands. This was a wonderful world. The warmth from the sun…the gentle sea breeze. To think, Sora and Riku had once wanted to leave this place? This was a perfect spot to sleep, sleep, roll over and sleep some more…maybe he would just rest his eyes for a minute.

"AXEL!"

Axel opened his eyes. Uggh…he'd gotten sand in his hair. That was gonna take forever to get out. Sora was staring down at him. He had the same clueless look as the other kiddos.

"I wasn't sleeping…" Axel moaned. "I was just…"

"Resting your eyes?" Sora asked. "Dad says the same thing. Kairi's dad is the same way. Haha, you're a dad, Axel."

Axel gave a bark of laughter. He wasn't a dad. Dads were old. He wasn't old. He was a big brother, or maybe a cool older cousin.

Was it his imagination, or was Sora's boat small? Like, really small. Way too small for him and Sora. Way too small for three half-pints. Heck..was it even big enough for Sora by himself?

"Come on, Axel!"

Sora was at home on the seas. It was weird, in a way. Axel had seen him fight his way through labyrinths and castles. Clash with Heartless and Nobodies and Xehanort. Seeing him row a boat was nothing like that at all. And yet…he didn't think that he had ever seen Sora so comfortable. Almost as soon as Axel sat down in the boat, they were off.

"I have so many things planned!" Sora said. "I'm gonna build the world's biggest sand castle with Roxas and Xion! And I can teach Roxas how to surf! And hunt for sea shells with Xion! We can see the sea turtles come in to lay their eggs! Oh, and Mom and Dad got lobster for dinner! Lobster! Have Roxas and Xion had lobster yet? Oh, and there's shave ice for dessert!"

Sora went on for a while detailing every single pIan he had for their visit, and by the time he was detailing that he wanted to teach Xion to make homemade salt-water taffy, they had made it back to shore. Sora tied his boat to the dock and leapt up. Roxas and Xion were waiting at the end of the dock. Sora greeted them as eagerly as he had when they first landed—clapping Roxas on the back and twirling Xion.

Man…he really did love them.

Axel prided himself on being Roxas and Xion's best friend. It was his job to watch out for them. But when it came to Sora…he was willing to share.

I'm an absolute sap when it comes to Sora playing the role of Big Brother for Roxas and Xion. Axel has to share. Specifically, it's probably tied to my absolute adoration to Regiss's exemplary "Remember The Tides."

Thank you for reading my dear, dear readers. Leave a comment if you're so inclined! I appreciate each and every one of you!