2.4; audio

[binarysky]

[ The first sound is an explosion, a large one; in reality, it's the ignition of a Firaga spell, but for the two boys reliving this memory, it's a self-immolating attack, one that should come from the heart.]

You're...fading away...

[It's Roxas' voice saying the words, but at this moment, he sounds very much like Sora.]

Well, that's what happens when you put your whole being into an attack. You know what I mean? Not that Nobodies actually HAVE beings...right? Anyway, I digress. Go, find Kairi. Oh, almost forgot... Sorry for what I did to her.

[And this is Sora, a mix of self-deprecating humor and regret evident in his tone.]

When we find her, you can tell her that yourself.

[Stubborn and certain.]

Think I'll pass. My heart just wouldn't be in it, you know? Haven't got one.

Axel, what were you trying to do?

[There's sadness on both ends now, but a mutual acceptance as well. The end is near, but not without purpose.]

I wanted to see Roxas. He was the only one I liked. He made me feel...like I had a heart. It's kind of funny... You make me feel the same.

[And then there's only silence. Neither boy moves.]

[ooc: this scene, with Roxas as Sora and Sora as Axel, a follow-up to this post.]

Comments

[binarysky.livejournal.com]

I cared about him too.

[ It's easy to admit, and more than obvious. But sometimes it's better to say things aloud. ]

If I could go back, there are a lot of things I'd do differently. I wouldn't just leave him like I did; I wouldn't leave without him, either. If we'd both made a stand...

[ He sighs, and turns to look at Sora. ]

But I suppose things didn't turn out so badly in the end.

[faroffdream.livejournal.com]

[ For a second Sora doesn't move, just stares back at Roxas, not looking for anything of himself there but something of Axel and whatever else of Roxas' personal history. How he cared, and the what-ifs, even though the last thing he says is true also. But could they have turned out better? He figures they both wonder - even if Sora did not always, and really even when he wonders on it now he thinks he started considering it way too late. But that doesn't stop him thinking about it now either. He tilts his head. ]

What do you think would've happened - I mean, if you both...I dunno, refused to do what they told you or...do you think any of the others would've been on your side too?

[binarysky.livejournal.com]

I think...they probably would have tried to force us. Or fight us. Or turn us into Dusks—Axel, at least. Maybe I would have been worth too much. I don't know.

I like to think we could have escaped, but I'm not sure things would have turned out much different than they did.

[So much uncertainty. But in the end, he can't bring himself to blame Axel. There was every reason to fear what the Organization would have done—and did try—to do to both of them.]

[faroffdream.livejournal.com]

[ As they continue walking, they eventually come up on Xanadu, and while they could have used one of Roxas' portals, the truth is Sora thinks it's better right now to walk like this, no short-cuts. Nudging his shoulder against the blond's, it's not a jovial movement as much as it is a reminder that he's there at all, that he's listening, that this is important to him too - not for himself, but because of Roxas as his own person even if Sora has to admit he doesn't understand what that means entirely even now.

It's a work in progress. ]

I...I don't know if this makes much sense, but I think it's good you believe you could've escaped, or that you want to think that. It means you wanted to lead your own path even if it seemed...

[ Sora dislikes the word 'impossible' because most often he's found it's not true, that things happen when you least expect them, in the ways and by who you least expect. Impossible is just a word. But it's the one that hangs in the silence anyway and he gets the feeling they both know it. ]

[binarysky.livejournal.com]

I think I always did. I just didn't know where it was, or where it led.

[He's dimly aware of their surroundings, but it's like he and Sora are the only truly real things in this world. He's keenly aware of Sora's presence, his support, the way he listens closely to everything Roxas says.]

Once upon a time, I really did think I was in the right place, with them.