Photographs

This is the final chapter! *sniffles* Thank you for all your support! You've traveled with me as I evolved into a much better writer, so I think this chapter is a present from me to you for your support. Special thanks to all of you that have traveled this journey with me, and thanks to people that encouraged me through reviews. I'm now proud to present you the very last chapter of Slowly Falling Apart! *bows*

-Time Skip-

POV of ?

"We award the survivors of the prisons of war with medals dedicated to their heroism. Three months ago today, this elite team of trained soldiers were faced with tragedy. Lives were lost. We are also here to commemorate the memories of those who had fallen." The man shifts the microphone in his hands, moving out of the way so the crowd could gaze upon the faces of the deceased as they appear on the slide show.

I know the faces like I spent a life time with them. It felt like eternity, being trapped alongside them.

"Xigbar."

His smiling face materializes, clad in his military issued uniform and his favorite gun on his shoulder.

"Luxord."

His dog tag glistens brightly in the picture as though as the man taking the photo was using a flash. It nearly drowns out the color of his face.

"Xaldin."

"Lexaeus."

Their picture appears of the duo back to back, in the heat of the battle.

"Vexen."

His picture is one of the first heart wrenching captions. The doctor is helping a disabled child of six-years-old walk for his first time.

"Commander Xemnas."

A brief photo is shown, but it disappears before I can properly see it.

The final picture appears, creating anguished cries from family members. A mullet wearing boy has his arms wrapped tightly around a smaller slate haired teen. The older was placing a kiss on his cheek while the younger was laughing happily. It looks like an ordinary day at the park, frozen in time by the person who had snapped the picture.

"Finally, Demyx and Zexion."

Axel stiffens beside me, gripping my hand tightly in his own. Everything is still a fresh scar. One that we hate to relive. Saix spins his wheel chair and heads for the exit, trying his best to retain his emotionless expression. He never fully recovered from being shot multiple times in the leg. He's never recovered from Xemnas's death either.

In the end, we won the war. Xion, a nurse from a medic station that Vexen and Zexion worked at was sent to join the unit. She was taken to camp, only to find it empty. She called for backup, and by the use of several of the world's top trackers, they located the hideout we were trapped in and successfully captured the traitors. Turns out the whole main frame of the opposing side was set up there. It doesn't seem that important though. Not today. With a million thoughts racing in my mind, I try not to settle on a topic that saddening. However hard I try, I fail anyway,

We buried Zexion and Demyx together. Axel thought it would help them find one another on the other side. We had it engraved on the day they died, they joined in matrimony. We took special care with each body delivered from the evil recesses of the hideout.

I look at Axel, seeing his eyes welling up with the telltale sign of tears. Sadness doesn't belong in his beautiful green eyes. Only sheer happiness. Even love. I don't know how to comfort Axel when he lost his best friend, most of his family in one day three months ago.

That still doesn't keep me from trying, even if that means a chance of me failing.

I place a hand on his chest I know will be forever scarred from his injury, and pull him down to me level. He hardly reacts to such a thing.

It's now or never.

I know now, with the war over with, I have a chance. And I don't have to worry about Marluxia interrupting.

With a small mental push, I capture his lips with my own.

I am pleased to find that he kisses right back. In the shadow of photographs of old comrades, a part of our hearts died. And a new part was born.

And so it is done.

Thank you so much for reading! Please review! With enough reviews I might even write an epilogue if you guys want! Sayonara and have a good Christmas!

-Soul Spirit-