➳ The freckled young man had actually looked at the weather forecast on their gummiphone, so they had dressed warmer for the occasion. So when they noticed Roxas crossing their arms, he could tell right away that the other was probably not used to this; or at least he figured that was the case. Since even though the other hadn't been around for long, it was just the right thing to do. So he had shrugged off his jacket and held it out to them, when the other just stared for a moment before speaking up; he couldn't help but snort slightly as he gave a small shrug.
"I'll be alright. That's why I've got this long sleeve on underneath it. Since I actually knew it was going to be a bit chillier today. So I'll be alright without it." He commented, lightly pushing the article of clothing closer towards the other. Again if the other really didn't want it, than Hayner wouldn't push. He may be brash and hot headed at times, but he knew when to back off with friends.
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@magiichour [From here, because questionably making amends]
For a second there, it really hadn't seemed too late to simply dismiss himself and the whole conversation, to try and make an excuse and run from it, but--
He wouldn't have anyway, he supposed. Even to his own detriment, wincing slightly as Roxas realized exactly what he was talking about. No sense in hiding it. "I have a pretty good idea, actually. DiZ-- Ansem wanted me to make sure you couldn't get to the beach. At least not before he'd coded it." Riku didn't even know how successful he was in hiding his outright animosity toward the man at that point in time. On some level maybe he understood, because of course he did, but on another he still remembered how badly he'd felt about the whole thing. How he'd been reminded of how differently DiZ had viewed Nobodies.
Shaking his head with a frown, he tried to push forward. "It might not have been real munny, but I'll replace it. The crystal... I'll let you know if I come across it." That one was a little more difficult. He was pretty sure Sora had kept it, but where was the thing. He wasn't exactly one to dig through his friends' possessions anyway, but he was also a bit familiar with Sora's idea of organization.
“Why don’t you show me what will happen, oh brother of mine?” Vanitas ended that sentence on a mocking tone, leaning forward like he’s moments away from launching himself at Roxas. His feet are spaced firmly apart and his body is holding tension as tight as a wire.
Roxas. Roxas, Roxas, Roxas. Hearts sure are funny things, aren’t they? He grinned savagely beneath the opaque helmet as he took in this boy who looked just like Vanitas’ other half.
“I wonder if you got more of yourself from Sora, or from him…” Vanitas muses aloud, summoning his keyblade to his hand. Void Gear manifests in a plume of purple figure, its embedded blue eye staring at Roxas as if it is something almost alive. “Why don’t we figure it out together.”
Without giving Roxas much time to respond, Vanitas vanishes where he had been standing. Within seconds, he appears behind the boy and swings his blade down at him.
There was, after all, no better way to get to know someone than to clash together. Ventus had taught him that. Clashing was what had allowed their hearts to join together in the first place.
[🍀] Olette couldn't help but smile a bit at their reaction, a hand coming up to hide her smile a bit as she watched his eyes widen upon pulling the crystal from the bag. She laced her hands behind her back as she lightly leaned forward, glad to see that her gift had been a success. When the other spoke about the crystal, she gave a soft hum since the crystal had been still apart of the struggle trophy from when her, Hayner and Pence had managed to win. Since even though he had technically lost it in the data town, it still existed within the real one.
At their thanks, she lightly bumped his shoulder with hers; the corners of her eyes crinkling a bit as she smiled a bit brighter. "Of course Roxas! I had been holding onto it for awhile since it had only been the three of us before. But since you're here now... It only felt right for you to have it back." It probably helped that they had been informed about the data world and how Roxas had been their friend there, and well... she wanted to make sure that he knew that they would be friends again. As long as he wanted to of course.
He'd been honestly curious, but in hindsight... he winced ever so slightly at himself. He wasn't sure how friendly it had come off, or he had come off, but he was still sort of... getting used to talking to anyone again. Hadn't exactly kept much company with people he wanted to talk to for a while there, and--
"Yeah... A little too early to ask, then. Sorry." Riku meant that too, but he was getting the feeling that he was really failing at the whole casual conversation with peers thing.
It was possibly uncomfortable and awkward enough to make him want to crawl away and stay there with a wall of silence and distance between them, but he kept thinking about how much Sora would hate that. He wasn't even there and Riku could practically feel the blue-eyed gaze imploring him to try again. To keep trying, because succeed or fail, the trying mattered.
But, so did what Roxas wanted. He didn't exactly initiate conversation, and Riku was passing through unannounced. Another sweep, a place to look and wander, less to clear his head than to just keep moving. That felt like good enough advice, actually.
"Right. I'm just... gonna head back out." Roxas had friends. People to talk to. He sure didn't need Riku there being an awkward and likely sleep-deprived mess.
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Frankly , Riku did not care whether Roxas was annoyed or not , that wasn't his concern . However , seeing as his greeting [ [ didn't ] ] get him punched in the face , he considered it a good thing .
❝ . . . Saying I missed you is a bold choice of words , but you're welcome . ❞
roxas' grin brings a timid smile to her own face. she had just been passing by when she had spotted him, all by himself, and had wondered what had gotten him looking so serious. after a moment, she had decided to approach the other, wanting to check on him.
at his answer, though, she can't help but look surprised. roxas was... trying to draw? he had been staring at a paper, yes, but naminé had figured him to be scribbling something or even reading. how silly of her - as if other people couldn't be interested in the same things she was interested in.
she means to offer to help. she could help and it'd be nice to do so, she thinks. but roxas speaks again and his words bring forth some awkward discomfort. (and alongside it, a shut mouth).
he is correct - it had been a while. everyone else had settled back into their own lives, settled into new routines with their friends, as far as naminé was aware. she... was still trying to make sense of things.
her new existence, her new life. her new self. it felt odd. it felt... lonely.
so she had mostly retreated to familiar grounds - to the mansion, to the room where she had spent so much time drawing, so much time making amends for her past mistakes. it felt... fine enough.
"yes, it's true. i've... been well. how have you been, roxas?"
sᴏғᴛ sᴛᴇᴘs, ᴀ ɢᴇɴᴛʟᴇ ɪɴᴛʀᴜsɪᴏɴ ᴜᴘᴏɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴇɴᴄᴏᴍᴘᴀssɪɴɢ sɪʟᴇɴᴄᴇ; a dreamy sort of atmosphere enveloping the town below. From above, the sleepy streets moved about like a clockwork toy, steady & soft in their peaceful routine. Mundane, one might assume — but a precious refuge to a select few. A blessed reprieve from duty, from being yet another cog in a greater machine. Perhaps it was simply the illusion of normalcy that drew those lost souls in the first place, a futile escape from a grim reality, however brief.
Yet the memories created in that very spot … those were undeniably ʀᴇᴀʟ.
Even now, whole once more, they carved a distinct place within the heart. Where it all began, seemingly ended, & was reborn anew. Each moment as treasured as the last & the quiet hope for many more to come. Words seemingly a disservice to disturb such peace — still, spoken all the same.
❝ ❛Course there’s a difference. ❞
A single swift motion saw the Guardian seated comfortably at the young man’s side, long limbs left to dangle o’er a precarious drop. Without preamble, a popsicle proffered to his companion — miniscule shards of ice catching the perpetual twilight across its frosted surface. Same old routine, pleasantly predictable. Sea glass gaze settled warmly, studying the teen in comfortable silence.
❝ One carries a lot more weight … maybe more than we care to admit. And sometimes it can help to share that burden. ❞
Slender digits curled about the nape of his neck, intertwining into fiery locks with an ⌞admittedly poor⌝ attempt to explain. Introspection was not beyond Axel, though not his specialty. It was proving a considerable struggle to put words to this newfound sense of ғᴇᴇʟɪɴɢ. In that aspect, he could commiserate with the kid, lost in thought as he was. A complete existence, one they had so desperately craved was not without its own complications. Regaining a sense of self & coming to terms with the journey to this point was a battle in its own right. But certainly not one he would leave his friend to fight alone.
❝ Nothing specific.ᐣ Sounds like you still got a bit of that zombie in you to me. ❞
Chuckling, he playfully nudged his junior, grin teasing — & a touch solemn, subtly so. Despite the open air, a heavy atmosphere settled upon the clocktower’s edge. The fizzling bite of ice cream impossibly loud as the former assassin chose his words with care. Sights drifted to the setting sun, distant clouds painted in a brilliant inferno of light. A scene witnessed time after time, & yet each unique. Same sun, same sky — a whole new ᴍᴇᴍᴏʀʏ to be made.
❝ Not so easy having a heart, huh.ᐣ I mean … I think there was something there before. But this— ❞ Absentmindedly, his free hand settled against his sternum, as if to confirm that light still resided within, ❝ It’s different. More. ❞
Gaze returning to the youth, a rare expression of sobriety claimed his typically lighthearted visage. While not one to compare trauma, Axel could hardly imagine what the other endured & continued to work through in the aftermath. To be considered the lesser half of another, a means to an end by many & a forgettable casualty for what was deemed the greater good. Righteous anger ever burned within him at the ɪɴᴊᴜsᴛɪᴄᴇ of it all — even as Axel knew he played no small part in the process. Guilt would shadow his heart well into the future, indefinitely no doubt. Decision now buried in ʀᴇɢʀᴇᴛ, words left unsaid burned upon the tongue such would remain to haunt him. Ahead, a lifetime of remorse & working towards redemption.
Listening was as good a place as any to start.
❝ You know, Roxas … You can talk to me if something’s on your mind. Or many things from the sound of it. That burden I mentioned.ᐣ Sharing it is what friends do. Got it memorized.ᐣ ❞
