(no subject)

[kishime]

Title: DoLL
Series: Kingdom Hearts 2
Genre: Mystery/Drama
Pairing(s): Will be revealed later.
Rating/Warnings: T for language, violence. Character death in this chapter.
Summary: In a world of enchantment and mystery, there are Crafters and there are Dolls. And the dolls are beginning to wonder… how far can you push the limits of ingenuity before those limits snap back? How close can you fly to the sun? Can a doll become human?

 

                “Damn it, Axel! Wake up!” The clang of a wooden spoon against a skillet- the newest in Demyx’s arsenal of ways to wake up his erstwhile partner. And what was even better?

                He did this right in Axel’s ear. Talk about early deafness. “Gaia damn, Dem, don’t you have anything better to do? Like Zex?”

                “Oh, ha-ha. Come on, get up. We have work, and those three are coming back today. Zexion’s still picky about the house and now that he can’t move the couch alone…”

                “Yeah, yeah, I know. I’m up, I’m up.” Axel sighed.

                “Really, just because he’s gone doesn’t mean you get to mope. Zexy’s not here but you don’t see me cryin’, do you?” Demyx sighed in irritation as Axel entered the kitchen, obviously in a slump.

                “Yeah, but he’s at market. You know where he is. All I’ve got today is that face up, right?”

                “Yep.”

                “Great, I’ll get on that. Holler at me when Zexy wants to clean.”

--

                “What a day…” Axel sighed as he emerged from the dark workshop and walked out to the flower field, to stand in front of the graves there. “I know I shouldn’t mope the way I do, it makes Demyx worry and then he gets mean. But I miss him, ya know?”

                “Nice to know, Axel.” The redhead turned around to see a blond boy, leaning against a tree with a smirk. The next minute, the blond was in the air, strangled in a hug. “Damn it, put me down!”

                “I missed you and you’re telling me to put you down? No way!”

                “Geez, I was only gone for two weeks! You act like I died or something!” Roxas pouted  as Axel finally set him down on the ground, though neither of them let go of the other.

                “But I only had Dem, Zex, and Kairi for company. It was boring.”

                “Soeaking of, they told me to tell you to get inside and clean up for dinner.” Roxas laughed, finally letting go and pushing Axel back toward the house, though he stayed behind, sitting in the flowers by the graves, the tall blooms and grasses hiding him.

                “Hey, Xion, Ven. Guess you were wondering where I’ve been the past couple of weeks,” he smiled at the two simple markers for the dolls buried in the field. “Well, I decided to go with Riku and Sora to the city- the hunt for them has died down, it was great. And I got two new keyblades- you guys will have better markers soon, I promise. And while we were there…”

                It was half an hour later before Kairi’s voice broke him from his reverie, calling him to dinner.

--

                “So are you guys going anywhere soon?” Zexion asked Sora and Riku. “The summer festival’s coming up and we thought perhaps one of the stories would be an interesting addition.”

                “Well, yanno… we were thinking of settling in here. The wandering’s fine and all, but… there’s a limit. And without Kairi, it’s not as fun.”

                “Kairi’s wanting to settle?” Sora asked, ignoring the face-palms from his family.

                “Duh, dear. Otherwise I’d have gone with you two rather than offering to stay here. And luckily, I happened to notice a little cottage a short way from here. Inexpensive. I’ve been saving,” she said with no small amount of pride.

                “…so we’re finally getting a place?” Sora asked.

                “Survey says ‘yep’.” Riku smirked. As the other two dolls cheered, Axel looked at Roxas.

                “You’re wanting to travel more, aren’t you?” he asked. The blond shook his head.

                “Nah. Not too much, anyway. It’s fun, but… I miss you when I’m gone.” Roxas shrugged. Axel did a double take, unable to believe what he’d heard.

                “Huh?”

                “I miss home when I’m away. Besides, someone has to wake you up in the morning.”

                “Best way is a spoon to a skillet!” Demyx offered helpfully.

                “So that’s why my spoon was cracked. Demyx…” Even human, Zexion managed to be completely frightening. As Roxas settled back by Axel to watch the ensuing melee, he smiled.

                It really was good to be home. And this time, he’d stay.