(no subject)

[1st_class_zack]

The Tabula Rasa group had stayed in Hollow Bastian. There was an undercurrent of unrest and annoyance. There were people there who were almost like people they knew. Zack, who had settled into a father figure role back on the island, found himself worrying about Roxas more than on refocusing the group.

If he had wanted to think about it, he might have reasoned that the blond man who called himself Cloud looked more like a monster than Roxas. It wouldn't have taken very long to figure out why that left Zack feeling uneasy. All of the talk monsters and heartless just reminded Zack of Angeal.

He was older now, less niave, but perhaps more stubborn, more determined than he had been. Somehow he would have to convince Roxas that he wasn't a monster. It was the only thing that made in this place. Zack would find him. He clung to that thought as he watched and waited and silently hoped that his friend would appear.

Comments

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

The opening and closing of a portal behind Zack wasn't much louder than a whisper as Roxas stepped out, head bowed like a child waiting for punishment. "Zack," he said, voice no more than audible.

[1st-zack.livejournal.com]

"Roxas," Zack replied back at him. His nonchalance almost a flashback to the moment Angeal had returned to ask for Zack's help. Catching himself, Zack shook his head. That attitude hadn't changed anyone's opinion nor their fate.

"Glad you made it," he began again, his voice quieter though more friendly than before.

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

Roxas nodded stiffly, trying to look his friend in the face. Every time he tried, it felt like a physical thing forcing him to look back at the ground, unable to face Zack properly.

"I went to Twilight Town," he said, subdued. "I meant to go alone, but Eric followed me." Halfheartedly (and if that word wasn't true right now) he added, "I'm sorry."

[1st-zack.livejournal.com]

Zack nodded, acknowledging the information, but not approving of the actions. Part of Zack wanted to confront Roxas, but part of him knew that it wasn't Roxas Zack wanted to confront. So he held back, trying to patiently weigh his words.

"Eric brought you back? Are you going to stay?"

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

This time Roxas shook his head, examining the cobblestones under his feet, the toe of his boots, the hem of his leather coat. Anything he could do instead of looking at Zack, trying to justify what he'd done with an excuse that had proved feeble with Eric and fared little better with the other members of his family.

"I have to find someone," he replied blankly.

[1st-zack.livejournal.com]

Looking at the kiddo examining the cobblestones and anything else to avoid Zack's eye, reminded Zack less and less of Angeal and more and more of Cloud. A pang of regret shot through him as he thought that name.

"Who do you need to find?" Zack asked, more warmly than he'd intended.

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

"Sora," he replied simply and, in saying that, he finally looked up at Zack. "I have to find him. If I'm here and he's here, then something's happened and I have to figure out what it is!"

[1st-zack.livejournal.com]

Of course. Something had happened. It hit Zack as Roxas' words sank in.

"What are you going to do?" he asked. More than anything, Zack wanted to believe Roxas knew who he was, knew that he wasn't a heartless anymore, but they were back here and maybe Zack was just seeing what he wanted to see. Or maybe Roxas was only seeing what he wanted to see.

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

Roxas paused on that question, biting his lip. "I don't...I don't know exactly. But I have to see him, settle some things." He needed answers, so many of them. How had Axel died? Why? What had happened. Why the keyblade?

[1st-zack.livejournal.com]

He nodded in agreement with Roxas' decision and then fell silent.

"You aren't what you think you are," Zack said after a long moment, breaking the silence. "I believe in you. I know Eric does too. So does everyone else here from back home." Home, this time, meant Tabula Rasa. "You don't have to prove yourself to us."

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

"I know what a nobody is, and what he can't be. As long as I don't have my heart, that kid on the island and I won't ever match up." It was a cold truth, and one that had been fed to him since the first day of his existence. A nobody wasn't a real person.

[1st-zack.livejournal.com]

"Huh? ... How do you know you don't have a heart?" So far, Zack hadn't seen any evidence to the contrary apart from Roxas' behavior.

"You're not a monster, Roxas."

[oblivions-oath.livejournal.com]

"No heartbeat and I can't...I can't feel. All I can do is remember feelings. I look at you and I know what I'm supposed to feel and I can almost...but it's not real." And that almost hurt, if he could feel it.