Relaxation

"You need to relax," Axel commented, bumping his shoulder against Roxas's. "You know, you didn't even know what to do with our day off."

Roxas glanced away from the sunset, head tipping towards his friend. "I don't know how to relax. I was 'born' into doing missions each day," he muttered. "So I don't know what to do for free time besides have ice cream." He took a bite of his ice cream, letting the salty-sweet flavour melt over his tongue.

"Having free time doesn't necessarily mean you're relaxing. I slept the whole day that day and I'd never been more relaxed since I joined up," Axel said, folding his arms behind his head and leaning backwards to pitch backwards onto the clock tower landing. "Sleep too long, stay in your pyjamas all day, read or draw or listen to music or... I don't know, even watch the clouds. You don't have to do anything special to relax."

Roxas twisted around, looking at him. "That doesn't sound like something you'd say."

"Heh. Come on, Roxas, you shouldn't expect me to say anything," Axel replied. "Come on, lay back here, look at the clouds." He patted the spot next to him.

Roxas frowned. "Why?"

"Come on, Roxas," Axel retorted. "It's good for you. Being so worked up will lead to an early death."

Roxas rolled his eyes and took the last bite of his ice cream before laying back next to Axel. "... What am I supposed to be looking for?" he asked, looking up at the clouds wisping by.

"I didn't say you had to look for anything. Just watch them. Relax."

Roxas stared up at the clouds. He didn't really know what he was meant to be looking for, or at really. He wasn't even sure what clouds were made out of. Air particles? Water droplets? Neither or both? There was a breeze today and it pushed the clouds lazily across the darkening blue expanse. Roxas's eyes chased them briefly before settling on another.

Shortly, though, his eyelids felt too heavy to keep them open to follow the progress of the clouds. The wing rustled his hair and his coat, casting a cool likeness over his body in the hot summer sun. He yawned and let his eyelids flutter shut.

At least he got the kid to settle down and relax once, Axel thought, but it was getting late and they were due back to the Castle. They'd already been up here longer than usual; Saїx had wanted to talk but Axel didn't want to talk to him, so he'd hung around here with Roxas, but... they really ought to get back to their rooms.

"Well," he said, pulling his legs up under himself and sitting up. "I think it's time that we head back to the Castle, don't you... think...?" he trailed off, looking at Roxas.

The blonde's eyes were closed, one arm beneath his head and the other draped across his chest. His hair was windswept into his face.

"... Roxas?" Axel asked quietly.

No response was forthcoming and a smile broke across Axel's face. Roxas had said it was stupid but here he'd fallen asleep. Clearly, he did know how to relax, if he was given a little bit of a pointer.

Axel carefully slipped his arm behind Roxas's shoulder and beneath his legs, pulling him into his arms as he stood.

Roxas shifted slightly. "... Hrmm?"

"Shh. We're just going back to the Castle," Axel said.

"Mmm..." Roxas nestled his face into the crook where Axel's arm met his body, sighing tiredly as he drifted off again.

Axel chuckled to himself and drew forth a dark corridor, tightening his grip around Roxas only infinitesimally.

This started out being something else, but I decided to make it multi!chapter, despite the fact that there doesn't seem to be many people following Axel/Roxas fanfiction... So, the part I was working on will be next chapter or so. So, yes, a series of vignettes involving Axel and Roxas, friendship or slash (I'll designate when it's slash for those who don't like it) in calm moments... basic fluff, you know.

I do not own Kingdom Hearts - thank Square Enix for that. I appreciate all favs/follows/reviews immensely. Thank you!