waiting

[seasides]

[right now, Kai is possibly the saddest panda. he's sitting on the shore in the beach room, silent, cradling the hand his ring is on to his chest. he's still kind of injured, but he doesn't care, because his heart hurts more; Axel's missing, and unlike previous times where it's been a case of him getting caught up in something, this time... well, he can't sense him anywhere in the dressing room at all.]

Comments

[sorabug.livejournal.com]

[behold! a pint-sized kid with his pint-sized schoolbag stuffed to the brim with his summer assignments- he's standing a few feet away from Kai, just watching.]

[seasides]

[he doesn't immediately acknowledge Sora's presence, but after a minute or so he does turn to smile weakly at him.]

Hey, 'bug.

[sorabug.livejournal.com]

Hey.. Um.

[he pulls the schoolbag off his shoulder and sets it on the sand next to Kai.]

Y'know how we made a deal that you'd have to eat strawberries if you ever blew up? Well.. There's no strawberries in the kitchen so I was gonna make you do my math homework instead, but..

Do you need a hug?

[seasides]

...yeah, I think I do need a hug.

[he'd forgotten about that deal, and would protest doing Sora's homework for him; he doesn't think 'bug's daddies would be particularly happy about that.]

[sorabug.livejournal.com]

[they wouldn't mind! >_> well, okay, they might question the suspicious change in Sora's penmanship, but they totally wouldn't mind! Sora plops on down in front of Kai, holding his arms out to him for a hug.]

[captive_destiny]

[Riku's come to stand a few feet away behind Kai, a trinket in hand, and looking like he isn't sure he should interrupt his master's evening with what he thinks will only make him sadder.]

[seasides]

[it'll be very difficult to make him sadder than he is now, but he will eventually look over to Riku, attempting a smile.]

[captive_destiny]

[he doesn't even try to smile for Kai, trudging over with a melancholy expression. when he's close enough, he'll sink to his knees beside Kai and hold out the trinket, his voice soft.]

... I found this, in the hall.

[seasides]

[he swallows when he sees it, reaching out to take it carefully.]

Thank you for bringing it.

[captive_destiny]

It was Axel's, wasn't it.

[he doesn't remember ever seeing him without it, even if he doesn't know what it means.]

[daddyhasagun.livejournal.com]

[Kira does not approve of sad pandas, and she is walking up behind you quietly]

[seasides]

Hi, Kira...

[that took a moment or two, and there's a barely there smile getting shot her way.]

[daddyhasagun.livejournal.com]

[she'll hunker down and give you a hug without even asking, since she knows you need one]

[seasides]

[he enjoys hugs, and he is definitely in need of one right now. so hope she doesn't mind him leaning into that.]

[daddyhasagun.livejournal.com]

[she definitely doesn't mind and hugs you warmly]

... want to talk?

[stormytides.livejournal.com]

Kai? Is something wrong?

[Aqua's all concern as she walks over. This can't be good.]

[seasides]

...Aqua. My, um... my boyfriend's gone.

[he stumbles a little over the word boyfriend, oddly. it doesn't feel like the right term when it comes to Axel.]

[stormytides.livejournal.com]

[Oh hell. Her face falls. Alone, away from loved ones? She crouches down beside him.]

Oh, Kai... I'm so sorry...

[seasides]

It's... you don't need to say that.

["it's okay" would have been a horrible lie, one he can't really bring himself to say.]

[stormytides.livejournal.com]

[She guesses that much.]

Maybe. Maybe not.

[preflame]

[Littlexas had been standing at the doorway for a while now, just peeking around and debating whether or not to even go in, but Kai being sad is more important of an issue than him being in the beach room. Or at least, to him. He makes his way in, stopping a few feet away.]

... Kai? Is something wrong?

[seasides]

[don't worry, if someone suddenly pops up and tries to soak you, I'll play hero.]

...yeah, there is.

[preflame]

[Oh good. Roxas walks over at that, sitting down next to him.]

What is it?

[seasides]

Axel's gone.

[he looks out at the water, looking lost. the last time Axel left, he'd come back injured. he's worried it'll be worse this time.]

[preflame]

[Littlexas just sighs and hugs Kai without question.]

You know he'll be back.