(no subject)

[dilly-spandle.livejournal.com]

Challenge: [101] Puppet
Title: The Strings
Word Count: 305
Notes: Here there be spoilers, by which I mean unoriginal angst. :B And Roxas.

VIII was a good fighter, but XIII was better. Everyone said so. It might have been a point of contention in their friendship, but luckily Axel lacked a heart to hold it against him with. Well, what can you do, he would say, grinning at Roxas broadly. At least I’m better looking.

Once, though—only once—Axel got the better of him. It didn’t happen when they were sparring. It happened when Roxas went down into the city one night to kill some shadows, because The World That Never Was was crawling with them and tearing through the smoke-like bodies was the most cathartic thing he knew. He was rolling his wrists, just about to summon his keyblades when a voice spoke from the darkness: I hear you talked with the Superior today. Roxas stopped, shrugging coolly.

Axel pushed off from the wall and walked over, scowling underneath his hood. It was stupid to ask, he growled. They won’t let you go.

They’re using me, Roxas shot back. All I am is a puppet! I’m not doing this anymore, he told him, suddenly meaning it. No one will tell me anything. I’m leaving.

It happened fast. Flames wove vicious steel into one hand as Axel slammed him to the wall with the other, holding him there. His face was twisted, taut; Roxas had never seen him look so angry. If you are a puppet then I am the strings, he rasped, leaning in close. I will make you dance for them, I will force you to dance so you won’t ruin this, ruin us; won’t take this away from me.

The neon lights sizzled overhead as it started to rain. Roxas, Axel pressed, and Roxas nodded dumbly, just to banish all the inappropriate feeling from his eyes. Okay, he said. Okay.

But he didn't promise.

Comments

[ixoutofxiii.livejournal.com]

Ooh. I like this a lot. The idea of Axel trying to force Roxas into staying instead of trying to talk him into it or just protest somewhat helplessly like he did in the one game scene--I think it fits his character better. :D
Good work.

[therealkaichan]

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
You have just sent me into a ♥ induced spazz xDD

I will make you dance for them, I will force you to dance so you won’t ruin this, ruin us; won’t take this away from me.

This sentence is just AMAZING, I feel that it defines Axel.
Having him still looking out for himself, that's a lot like he was at the beggining of the game, the Axel that was ready to kick Roxas to bring him back or to kill him to save himself from being turned into a Dusk.
And at the same time, knowing that he has _something_ with Roxas, be it feelings or something alike, or whatever and he doesn't want to lose it, even if he has to hurt Roxas to do so...

And I'm rambling O_o...
Again, just wonderful, I like to see writings with those two in such a different light, I love you with an excess of ♥.

[dilly-spandle.livejournal.com]

Eep, thank you very much. :D I don't know if it fits his character better, but watching CoM cutscenes made me want to try reconciling badass-Axel to sentimental-Axel.

[dilly-spandle.livejournal.com]

Ahaha, your comment makes me a little spazzy myself. :D Glad you liked! Yeah, the "conscious or not" line comes to mind. I think Axel's friendship/whatever with Roxas would have to be based on selfish motives, at least at first. Guy's got no heart after all.