Disclaimer: I don't own KH.
AN: Written for the theme of "Orion."

Having not been one of the original six, Axel set his sights on getting into that tight circle of understanding and scientific enthusiasm, that loose clique that had discovered and acknowledged him, those heartless souls that still had a memory of a bond between them. Being well liked was never far from his mind-- strides taken in ingratiation busied him.

Because really, there was no other group of heartless like them in the universe. They were a body and soul, a mind but not a heart. They still had shreds of empathy and other things that one could be envious of. Anything Axel wanted, he could get. And he wanted to be more than simply "the other new one."

He zeroed in on the young one, sure to find a way to worm himself into this one's favor. His focus was his obsession, and he would do anything at all to achieve the goals he set in front of himself.

Time wasted led to time well-spent. Such led to discoveries and understanding, understanding and epiphanies. Motivation brought Axel comprehension of this little key to acceptance. While he never succeeded in gaining the standing he had once hoped for with the others, his goals with them were forgotten. He thought it great enough to take in the trust of this, the last of the originals; to wrap up one of the pioneers as his and his alone.

With time came stagnation and a division of interests, a sharp wit became a quick fuse and a fascination became boredom. By the time a new doll had floated in and needed the same acceptance Axel had for so long strived to claim, his young scientist had lost his charm. There was nothing he couldn't get, if he wanted it.