Days 23-75

Day 23

I woke up early to see Axel off but Saix told me he had already left. He also told me my partner for today’s mission would be Xion, our newest member. Xion didn’t talk the whole mission, she hardly helped too, which made it all the more difficult. I really can’t blame her. I used to be the same way. I sent Xion to RTC and went to the clock tower after but like I expected Axel didn’t show.

Day 24

I was partnered with Xion again today. It was much of the same except, after defeating the Heartless Xion said my name. Maybe she’s beginning to warm up to me? Went to the clock tower again, no Axel.

Day 25

Another mission with Xion. Once we arrived in Twilight Town she called my name. She pulled down her hood. She has a slender face, short black hair, and deep blue eyes. She’s quite beautiful.

“Best of luck today.”

I give her a nod. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

We find our target, a giant shadow Heartless. I attack it with all my strength but it gets a good hit in and knocks me down, my Keyblade landing near Xion’s feet. To my surprised Xion picks up my Keyblade and uses it to strike down the monster. I approach her. “Wow, I… I had no idea you could use the Keyblade.”

“You know, neither did I.” She says smiling, we share a laugh and I decide to treat her to the “Icing on the Cake.” We’re sitting on the clock tower, watching the sunset. “This is such a great spot. How did you find it?” I hand her an ice cream bar. “It’s Sea-Salt Ice Cream, try it!” She takes a bite. “It’s sweet and salty.”

“It’s good, right? I said the same thing when I first tried it, I think. Me and Axel, we come here after work.” I take a bite. “This flavor is his favorite.”

“Sounds like it’s yours too.”

“Yeah. Axel brought me here to eat ice cream on my first day with the organization. Then he brought me here again after my first mission. Said it was the ‘icing on the cake.’”

“Like you just did for me?”

“Yeah.”

“You guys must be really close.”

“Well, yeah, we’re friends.”

“Friends, do you think I could be a friend?”

“When Axel gets back we’ll all have ice cream together!”

“Ok!”

Me and Xion sit there, admiring the sunset, eating ice cream, and enjoying each others company. I’m happy I’m able to make another friend.

Day 26

I heard a rumor that somebody at Castle Oblivion was “terminated.” I talked with Saix before my mission and he told me it could’ve been Axel. I don’t want to believe that. Axel is my friend, if he died it would break my heart, if I had one I guess. As for my mission, it was reconnaissance with Xigbar. He took me to a new world, a town full of sand, but it was hard to focus. I asked Xigbar if he was worried about our comrades at Castle Oblivion. He said he didn’t care. That made me sad but, also a little angry.

After finishing the mission I collapsed. I dreamt of Axel, Xion, and another girl I didn’t recognize. I also dreamt of a man who hung out with his friends on a small island. It was a comforting and nostalgic dream. I wish I could live like that, with Axel and Xion.

Day 50

I woke up in my room to find a group of seashells on my bed with me. I went looking for somebody to ask what had happened to me, but I couldn’t find anybody in the castle. Nowhere else to go I ended up going to the clock tower.

I’m sitting at the edge of the clock tower admiring the sunset when I hear Xion call my name. I ask her what happened as she comes over to talk to me.

“You were sleeping for a long time. Saix said there was no telling when you might wake up. But I’m glad you did.”

I chuckle “Yeah I’m glad I did too. I’m kind of drowsy though.”

She pulls a seashell from her pocket and hands it to me. “I brought you this. I’ve been picking one up on every mission. Hold it up to your ear.” I do so and I hear what sounds like the ocean. It reminds me of my dreams. It’s very pleasant.

Day 70

I asked Saix about Castle Oblivion but he didn’t answer my questions. It sounds like the whole team was wiped out. I started doing missions on my own now, since our members are now fewer. I’m starting to have visions of the man from my dreams, I have no idea what they mean. I go to the clock tower to eat ice cream but Xion never comes anymore. Where could she be? My worry for Axel and Xion increase with each passing day.

Day 71

Another mission in Twilight Town. After completion I ran into Axel. I’m so happy he’s alive.

On my way to RTC I hear a familiar voice call out to me.

“It’s been a while.” I turn around and to my surprise it’s Axel. “What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I honestly thought I had. It’s been so long.

“Axel, I heard everyone at Castle Oblivion was annihilated.”

“Not me. I’m tough.”

“I was… really worried about you.”

“Worry? We Nobodies don’t have the hearts to worry, you know.” That… can’t be right. Or else I have no way of explaining this… feeling. Shrugging off that comment I reply. “I’ll go buy us some ice cream.”

We go to our usual spot atop the clock tower. Axel speaks up. “I gotta check in with the boss, or he’s gonna let me have it.”

“I’d expect that, you been gone for forty-eight days.”

“What? You’ve been keeping score?”

I nod. “Why are you even here and not giving your report?”

“I guess I just needed time to sort out my feelings, you know?” This was my chance!

“I thought you didn’t have a heart?” He looks surprised at my comment and we start laughing.

“Sometimes I wonder.”

We sit in silence a little while longer, eating our ice cream, before I start up a new conversation.

“I started inviting Xion up here while you were gone.”

“Xion? You mean the new kid?”

I nod again. “I made a promise the three of us would have ice cream together when you got back. Xion, I like her. She’s my friend too.”

Day 72

I went on another mission with Axel today. We went to Agrabah, the sandy city. The vision from before persisted. The man showed up but this time he was with a upright walking dog and a duck. No one else seems to be experiencing these visions so why am I? We hung out at the clock tower again afterward.

Axel turns to me. “You know, you’re more cheerful.”

I give a short laugh. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”

“Yeah? Well, I guess… He musta rubbed off on me.”

“Huh?”

“Nah, it’s thanks to you we get to sit here and laugh while having ice cream.” That made me happy but, then my thoughts drifted to Xion. I hadn’t seen her in weeks. I hope she’s ok.

Day 73

For today’s mission I was sent to a new castle. I was by myself but it wasn’t too difficult. Neither Axel nor Xion showed up to eat ice cream. It was a little lonely.

Day 74

First thing in the morning I met up with Axel. He asked Saix about Xion. Saix said she never came back from her mission. Before I could react he also told me we were being sent to look for her. I was eager to start the search. More than anything I wanted Xion to join us, to eat ice cream with me and Axel.

We find Xion, but she’s being attacked by a giant Heartless. Upon defeating it I help Xion get back to her feet and we head to the clock tower. Once we get there Xion tells us she can no longer use the Keyblade.

“If I’m unable to use the Keyblade, I...I’ll be useless.”

She looks so sad. I hate seeing Xion this way. I ask “Is there anything you can do, Axel?”

“I wish there was. If she can’t collect hearts they may turn her into a dusk. I wouldn’t know how she could- wait a minute.”

“Did you think of something?”

“Roxas, you can work double duty! Xion, make sure your missions are with Roxas. That way he can collect enough hearts for both of you, without anybody knowing.”

I’m elated. “That’s it!” Axel really came through for us this time.

“That means you’ll have to collect twice as many hearts.”

“Yeah, I can do it.” I turn to Xion.

“Would you?” She asks.

“Of course I would!”

Axel’s gaze meets mine. “Friends need to lean on each other every now and then. Right, Roxas?”

“We’re friends…” Xion says. “Axel.... does that mean you and I are friends too?”

Axel seems surprised. His face turning to an expression of thought. “Well, if you’re friends with Roxas, then yeah, of course you’re my friend.”

Xion looks appreciative. “Thank you Roxas, Axel.”

“Just eat your ice cream.”

I think Axel settled on embarrassed but, it makes me happy. My two friends are now friends with each other. I don’t think life can get any better than this.

Day 75

With Axel’s help we were able to convince Saix to let Xion and I go on our next few missions together. We went on a mission collecting hearts in Twilight Town.

We arrive and I notice Xion looks worried.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just...I wish I could help.”

“You can still help.”

“But how?”

I thought for a moment and got an Idea. I walk toward her and bring her face to mine, giving her a kiss. After breaking the kiss I notice her face is extremely red and she looks down. Now she’s embarrassed.

Her voice is tiny when she asks “Why did you do that?”

“Well, you know, good luck.”

She looks at me and her face softens, giving me a small nod. That was awkward. I don’t remember it being like that when Axel kissed me for good luck.

Despite that we finish the mission casually. We take a side alley on our way to meet up with Axel. I stop when I see a man in a basketball jersey and a woman in an orange tank top. They look familiar. They were part of the group from day fourteen. The woman has her back to the wall with the man embracing her, kissing her and feeling her up through her clothing.

Remaining quiet I show Xion. “See, one of them must be wishing the other good luck.”

Xion looks embarrassed again. “Roxas, I don’t think that means what you think it means.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“I’ve seen these two here before. I was on a mission with Demyx and he told me they were expressing their affection for each other. He said it’s what lovers do.”

“Lovers, huh?”

If that was the case then why did Axel kiss me? He said it was for good luck but, could it have been something more? The couple start undressing each other. I feel my pants tighten. Watching them felt good. Unfortunately Xion tells me it would be rude to keep watching and we continued to the tower.

Axel’s already here. We sit with him, eating ice cream and watching the sunset when Xion asks a question.

“So, lovers are different from friends, right?”

Axel responds. “Yep, pretty different. But, I’d say lovers are better than friends.”

“How so?” I ask.

“I don’t know, I don’t have any lovers.”

“I see…”

I wonder how it would feel to have a lover, someone to show affection to. Would Axel make a good lover? What about Xion? Besides kissing, how would you show affection to somebody? I’ll have to think about this.