The shoreline calls the sea for simple words and company

[pullsheavendown]

Who: Roxas and Sora
When: Not long after this log
Where: Crow's Head Beach
Summary: Roxas is a hypocrite, painful topics are finally brought up, and they fumble toward a new kind of acceptance.

It was funny, Roxas mused, that learning a single fact that wasn't actually anything new could change everything about how you viewed your life. Well, it was a big fact. Maybe that was what really made the difference. Knowing that Axel had died for his sake was a lot bigger than some other things he could imagine hearing about. A lot of things looked different now, even though it had been true all this time, and he wasn't the first to know.

And maybe that was what caused this awful roiling sensation in his belly, he thought as he wandered idly through Sector 3. After all, what else had really changed? As Axel had pointed out, it had already happened, and he was alive and fine here, and they all had a second chance now. It was difficult to mourn for someone who was standing right there, ready to ruffle your hair, call you silly and pass over an ice cream bar.

But others had known. Sora, specifically, had known. And maybe Roxas had asked not to hear details about his own future, but what about Axel's? After he'd opened up to Sora, given him his diary, and swallowed the humiliation and feeling of raw exposure when it had been stolen...nothing? Not a word?

He wasn't sure if this sensation was anger, betrayal, or just feeling really stupid. And it wasn't going away, not even after their group hug and promise at the lake. Not after taking some time to himself. He couldn't imagine swallowing it and pretending nothing was wrong the next time he saw Sora...so maybe he should face it and get it over with.

Pulling out his NV, he typed a quick text message.

Hey are you busy?
Meet me at Crow's Head if you can
-R

Well, that was that. Sora would come running if he possibly could, Roxas was sure. He just wished he knew what was likely to happen next.

Comments

[lockandkeyblade]

[He returns those words with a look of confusion.] I'm not?

[pullsheavendown]

No.

The truth is, I'm not mad at one person. I'm mad at everything, for turning out this way. So many things happened to get us all where we are now, and even if I could go back and change some of them, I'm not sure it would make a difference in the end.

That's what makes me angry.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Like everything was predestined or fated. Like everything that happened only pushed him and his friends farther apart.

Sora knows the feeling.]

We can't go back. Even if we could, you really think you wouldn't be able to change anything?

[pullsheavendown]

I don't know.

[Finally, and maybe a little reluctantly, Roxas pulls back enough to put some distance between them, although not enough to be completely apart.]

Looking back, it seems like everything was working against us. And some things had to happen. But I'll never know for sure.

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora eases back just a little too, sitting on his knees. Its a question they won't be able to answer.]

If you can't know for sure, you shouldn't beat yourself up about it.

They wouldn't want you to.

[pullsheavendown]

I know. It's just easier said than done.

[But a lot of things are, and if there's anything he's learned from this talk and all the others they've had over the last year and then some, it's that the harder path can be worth it.]

But I'll try.

[lockandkeyblade]

You can do it, Roxas.

You won't have to do it alone either.

Just so happens I know a couple people who can remind you every now and again to look forward instead of back.

1/2

[pullsheavendown]

Thanks. I'll try to remember that when I need them.

[pullsheavendown]

[His gaze shifts to the horizon. It's not sunset, not yet, but it's gotten late enough in the day that the quality of the light has shifted. It's warmer, more welcoming, yet still heralding an oncoming darkness.

But the darkness won't last forever.]

You know, it feels like things have changed. But they haven't really, have they? Today's not so different from yesterday.

[lockandkeyblade]

[It never does.]

You think so?

[pullsheavendown]

[He shakes his head]

Everything that made me call you out here...it happened a long time ago, didn't it? And we've still got our lives here. We're still here.

We're still friends.

1/2

[lockandkeyblade]

[We're still friends.

From time to time, Roxas will say something and Sora will understand completely what he means. On other occasions, what he says will take on new meaning for Sora, even if Roxas doesn't know it.

Sora has called them friends before, once at the end of a hard night. Roxas hadn't gone out of his way to disagree then. Hearing Roxas reaffirm it now?

2/2

[lockandkeyblade]

[He nods. While the subject of Axel's sacrifice is still a solemn one and still one he wished he could've spared Roxas, the exchange-- like all the others they've had-- were necessary. And at the end of it all, more was built than torn down. 'Friends.' Sora's expression is soft, but bright.]

Right.

And whatever happens, we'll always be.

[That, Sora wouldn't change even if he could.]

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas nods and remains quiet. It's not an uncomfortable silence, though. Despite how this conversation started, it feels like things are right now. They don't need to say anything more because there's nothing that needs putting into words to be understood.

It's peaceful.

After a couple of minutes, he stands, still looking out across the water.]

Want to go have some ice cream?

[lockandkeyblade]

[At the end of a peaceful silence, a stretch of time in which they're simply basking in the sun and each other's company, Sora almost doesn't believe what he's heard.

He turns his head quietly, looking over his friend in quiet surprise. His Other. It feels like everything they've argued over, discussed, fought alongside for, laughed about- it's all come to this. He's only asking Sora out for ice cream.

As his eyes find their way to the ground, he knows it shouldn't be any different than asking if he wanted to catch a movie, or get a bite to eat. It shouldn't be the first page of an book yet unwritten, the symbol of friendship or a deep connection. But it is.]

Yeah. [Sora rubs at his cheek with the back of his hand, a small, barely visible gesture. When he raises his chin again, Sora's smile is radiant.]

Yeah I do.

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas turns around then, and when he does, he's grinning.

Maybe this needed to happen. Maybe he needed to bring Sora here, to yell at him, to (almost) punch him, in order to get to where they are now. Each step bringing them closer to the end of a journey.

And the start of a new one. Where it takes them from here, he can't be sure. But he does know one thing.]

Come on. [He extends a hand, offering to help Sora up.]

We'll go together.

[lockandkeyblade]

[In the days since Sora's arrived at the Port, he's always wondered why he was brought there. How could he have missed all these people he cares about now, never known about their existence. How could he ever do right by them, when all his memories would be left behind in the port.

Days like today, all his questions, all his worries disappear. Just for a little bit. Days like today, when he can take Roxas' hand and share ice cream, this is all the answer he needs.]