Axel has memories of Demyx everywhere he goes. Probably gonna edit this one, maybe lengthen it a little. I'm not completely pleased yet.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts

Axel walked wordlessly down the sidewalk. His kept his head bent low, something he didn't ordinarily do. He kicked a misshapen pebble with the toe of his Converse and watched it roll into the street where an SUV ran over it.

Why can't I be that pebble?

He shoved his hands deeper into the pockets of his jeans, sighing for the fifth time today.

Kairi and Sora waved to him through the windows of the Coffee Shop That Never Was as he passed, and suddenly all he could think about was Demyx.

"One hazelnut ice coffee, Xigbar." said Axel.

Xigbar left for a moment and returned with the ice coffee.

"Here you are."

Axel dropped the munny into his hand and turned around to leave when, in the blink of an eye, someone ran smack into him, and cold ice coffee spilled over both men.

"Oh! I'm so sorry! Let me get you a napkin." The man who had run into him was young and blonde with an oddly styled mohawk/mullet combination. His eyes were an intense shade of aqua.

"No, no, don't worry about it. I'll take care of it. Got it memorized?"

"Um, got what memorized?"

"What? Oh that. Sorry, that's like my catch phrase."

A smile curled onto the blonde man's lips. It was sort of . . . cute. Cute? On a guy?

"Sorry, I should introduce myself. Demyx Nocturne's the name!" He extended a hand. "And you are . . . ?"

"Axel Flames." Demyx shook his hand warmly.

"Nice to meet you!"

"Uh, Demyx, would you like a napkin?"

"Heh heh. Yeah. That would be good." He looked down at the coffee stain on his T-shirt and chuckled.

Axel pulled a small bundle of napkins from the dispenser behind him, and handed Demyx half the stack.

"Thanks man!" . . . There was that feeling again. It was something in Demyx's smile that gave him a warm feeling inside . . .

"Do you want to join me for a cup of coffee?" asked Axel. "It's on me." He gestured to the stain on his own shirt.

"Sounds great!" Demyx exclaimed while chuckling lightly.

The ghost of Dem's smiles remained etched in his mind. He unleashed yet another sigh as he waved back to Sora dn Kairi and continued walking down the street. There was the library with its old faded bricks and memories from the past. He could picture Demyx in there now, rearranging the copies of encyclopedias on the huge shelf until it read 'Zexion sniffs eggs'. He's then attempt to suppress his giggles as he ran to the safety of Axel's arms. Needless to say, Axel would wrap his arms around his boyfriend and hold him close to his chest. Demyx would remain there happily until Zexion would find the books and chase them down the sidewalk.

More sigh-worthy moments filled his mind the more he thought about Demyx. There was the park bench where they shared an ice cream cone together, and across the street was Ariel's music shop. He continued down the sidewalk although he knew what was just down that way would give him a feeling of pain while reminiscing on the happy memory.

There it was, the lake. The sunlight's reflection danced upon the silvery water's ripples, Axel noticed a couple sitting on the far side of the lade beneath a Weeping Willow. It seemed just like the pictures his memory replayed for him . . .

Demyx had bought Axel a custom-made key chain that read 'Flurry of Dancing Flames', a nickname that he had presented with after his meatloaf had burst into flames, setting Demyx's stove on fire along with it.

After thanking Demyx with a hug, Demyx took him by the hand to lead him somewhere else. The place was just across the street, a park with a huge lake shining in the afternoon sun. On the farthest side of the lake's shore was a gnarled willow tree. It's branches swayed gently in the breeze. There was also a dock and a boat landing by the lake, and a few picnic tables scattered the grassy park. He was surprised that he'd never been here before.

Demyx bolted into the grassier part of the park, still pulling along Axel. He fell into the grass laughing as Axel laid next to him and smiled. Their hands found each other's, fingers lacing together in the perfect way. They laid there peacefully watching the cotton ball clouds float by, and pointing out the ones that appeared in familiar shapes.

"Axel?"

"Yeah?"

"Nevermind."

"Dem, what is it?"

"Nothing." But he was blushing.

"You can tell me. We've been together for nearly a year now."

Demyx took a long breath. He positioned himself so that he was facing Axel.

"I love you Axel.

Axel smiled warmly. "I love you too Demyx."

He stood in the same spot as that day. Somewhere deep in his mind he was hoping that Demyx would appear in the spot and they'd lay together and look at the clouds again. He would feel no doubts about loving Demyx. He would say those three words now and mean them just as much as he did those mere five months ago. The only difference between five months ago and the present was that Axel wasn't sure if his words still rang true. After all, 'love' is a strong word.