Roxas had his back to Axel, facing the door of his room, ready to leave.

"You're asking too much-"

"I'm asking you to stay!" Axel shouted, trying to keep his voice from cracking. "How is that too much? Roxas... how?"

Roxas sighed visibly and turned, his eyes as cold as the space in his chest where a heart should be. "We've been through this," he explained for what felt like the millionth time. "I can't stay. Not here, not with the Organization, not with you. I have to leave. I have to find out-"

"You will find out!"

"WHEN? And from whom? Axel, for all I know, I'm aiding something bad! Why do they need me? Why do they need the Keyblade? Who am I? That's what I need to know, and that's what I'm going to find out."

"How?" Axel felt his throat constrict and swallowed hard before continuing. He couldn't cry; Nobodies couldn't cry. But then Nobodies couldn't feel the way he was feeling right now, either. "How are you going to find these things out? You've got a better chance he-"

"If I stay here to find out it might be too late." His eyes were dark as he turned away from his friend. "I have to find out on my own."

"Roxas..." Axel reached out to him, hesitated, and let his hand drop.

"I'd say I was sorry," Roxas said, half-turning to not-really look at him, "but I don't think I can be."

Axel looked down. "Can you at least pretend?"

Roxas took in a deep breath, pausing for a moment. "Yeah."

"Thanks." Axel murmured. Roxas gave a small nod before leaving.