He opens his mouth, to say something further, but the next second, his face is smushed into a warm and comfy shoulder. A muffled chuckle is heard, before he turns his head, and offers a tired, but fond smile. “Been working on fixing shit up back in Radiant Garden. I used the fallen turret to shore up the sides of the old guard quarters. The work is draining---but its all but stopped the drafts.”
Xeha had heard that Axel had recently been spotted, so she decided to pay him a visit. They were on decent terms, and she was curious what he'd been up to. Maybe bring a few small things for his mother as well. Xeha appeared in front of the mansion and knocked on the door.
It was fear, all fear, that pressured the response to stop the demon from going. Fear turned into anger that he’d threaten it again. He was going to go away and not be found. Vanitas didn’t think, he screamed and reacted slamming Axel against the wall. Their eyes met as Axel glared down at him for his rough action and he glares back up with angry defiance. His Unversed spilling from his noon long shadow like cockroaches in an old dumpster. So many scattering around. Some in anger, some from his fear, and a mite few carving their existence from his deeper rooted sorrow. The simply formed Floods move and latch onto Axel’s legs to help keep him in place. More, keep him from leaving. Stop him from disappearing.
That heat that he’d barely felt in the display of firey manipulation is rising up around them. Let it come, burn his hands and leave him only after he’s ashes. How dare you. Don’t walk with me acting like we’re partners and toss it away in the next sentence. By the time Axel had reigned that heat back in, every building surrounding them had Unversed moving around within. This “boy” released these beings to cover worlds in several connected chains of a universe. He could fill this world too with his negativity.
Their glaring had gone on for several minutes now, Vanitas didn’t speak again. He could, he should, snarl out his anger at Axel and then he can be the one to leave. Let him go, let him return back to the between and slip into the void there with Ventus at his side. Then he wouldn’t have to feel, he wouldn’t have to care, and he wouldn’t continue to... It’s Axel that breaks their glaring contest, the one that speaks first.
He’s apologizing. Vanitas doesn’t loosen his grip as the next sentence drops off. He doesn’t flinch at the yells in response, the words don’t create any emotion from him. Curse words are only cursed if you believe in them. At the next sentence, his grip tightens on the other’s arm pressing more of that spectacular coat into demonic flesh. Can he trust that Axel won’t just leave if he lets go? Do his words hold essence or are they more senselessness?
There goes his heartbeat, pounding with more than adrenaline. I won’t leave you here. More fear, more Unversed, but the demon’s still talking. He’ll be his friend? Is that... Is that what wanted here? Is that what he was sought when he burned up his own energy to get through barriers to seek this demon?
Vanitas looks away as a different kind of burning scorches his side from one of Ventus’ clothing pockets. It’s light, it’s a strong light that he’s got to address. He lets go of Axel, it’s likely he left the skin a little bruised at the joints, and takes a few steps away into the little crowd of Unversed. The Floods at Axel’s feet flatten into the ground and move in a scattered pattern into the abandoned building behind the Eternal Flame.
With a small hiss, he removes a jangle of keychains and transfers it to the other pocket. He then removes a red, star shaped trinket. It’s magical, the red ‘glass’ that makes up the pieces of the star are surrounded in metal. At the end of the long cord is another star with different colors. However, it’s the ‘glass’ in each section of the bigger star that’s glowing brightly with light.
Vanitas grimaces as he holds it in his hand. It takes a moment before the light dims and he looks up to Axel. How do you follow your heart when it’s not all there? His glare at the demon flecking away, defeated, hopeful fear. He looks back down, “A-A...” He presses the star between his hands and clears his throat.
“Apology and friendship accepted. I guess... You shitty jerk.”
She had found the bottle a little while ago. She had done three break stops since. She had pulled out the letter every time, and crushed it to her heart. Now it was wrinkly, but that didn’t matter. The hope made her feel warm.
The road ahead was long, and she didn’t quite know where she was going because she had no light to navigate by. Until a four-pointed star split the heavens in quarters. The ball of light roared as it approached, and then it crashed.
The landing was so hard that the ashen bridges shook even all the way over here. Aqua’s knees gave in. She fell down on hands and feet, and stared ahead.
Fallen sun, he had said. She couldn’t think of a more fitting description.
Then the bridge of roots and ashes began to crumble. The edges fell away.
She got up, scrambling to her feet, and she had to run to make it to the othe side in time. The chunks of grey sand fell away right after her feet had touched there, and she dashed. She had no choice but to go forward--to his light.
She arrived. At last. The world didn’t crumble here. She panted. She fell down on her bum at the edge of the crater. She held her knees. She just needed a moment to catch her breath. She would check up on him in a moment.
“Shoutout to @zakkusurifea for being amazing. Watching them on my dash is always a joy. And congrats to them and @akuserru on finally getting around to getting engaged!!! Can't wait to see the wedding! Their ship is the cutest shit I have ever seen and if you aren't following both of them you're missing out. Zack is adorable and Axel is sassy as fuck!“
“Nothing-- right?” The color in his cheeks hadn’t faded, as he attempted to free himself from the bedsheets tangled about him. The Master shifted to his feet, patting himself down as he took a few deep breaths to quell his racing heart. No no no-- he didn’t need to be thinking of things like this.
Axel was his friend.
Regardless of what feelings he’d held in the past-- and what sensations remained now. They were friends.
“I mean-- I think I’d remember if we did anything.”