My Heart's a Battleground

For the past couple weeks, Axel had been sneaking away to spend time with Ren. He was grateful that she didn't reject him after he told her that he was a Nobody. Though he couldn't tell her what he really did with the Organization. He remembered when he was assigned to Castle Oblivion, Saix ordered him to get rid of the traitors. He carried out the mission in cold blood. No expression on his face while his comrades were being slain left and right. Axel even remembered the horrified look on Sora's face when Axel offed Vexen without hesitation. He was the assassin of Organization XIII. Now, if Axel continued carrying out his assassinations and if Ren knew, she'd be disgusted with him and surely leave. He couldn't risk losing her.

Axel still had to be sneaky when he would meet up with Ren on their dates. He couldn't let anyone catch him while he was leaving, not even Saix. So far so good though. Axel was able to enjoy his time with Ren more. They would still do the usual routine of having ice cream on the clock tower but he would then whisk her away to Radiant Garden to explore it more. Axel felt that tingling in his chest whenever Ren would laugh or even smile. Axel actually felt happy that he could make Ren smile. She was smiling for him.

Axel wanted to tell Roxas all about his time with Ren but they were still at the castle and he didn't want to risk the other members hearing him. Though whenever he would meet up with Roxas, Axel had a smile on his face. Roxas figured that it was because he just saw Ren or was about to go see her. Roxas was actually happy for his friend and that Axel seemed to be more cheerful than usual.

"Come on, Ren. Just trust me," Axel replied as he held his hand out to her.

Ren huffed and crossed her arms as she looked at the spiky redhead, "Not after you nearly dropping me the last time, Mr. Jokester."

Axel chuckled and scratched the back of his head. Last time he had helped Ren up the ledge, to get a good view of the town, he jokingly let go of her hand and nearly making her fall. When she got up the ledge, she smacked him a few times making him laugh.

"Ren, I promise this time that I won't do it," Axel replied as he held his hand out for her again.

Ren looked into Axel's eyes to see that he was being sincere. She nodded then grasped his hand and he pulled her up onto the ledge. Ren climbed up then felt her hand slip from underneath her, making her land on Axel's chest. She blushed a dark red then looked up at him. Axel smiled down at her, "Hey, Ren. Your face is turning the same color as your hair."

Ren pouted then pushed herself off him, "It is not!"

Axel laughed and ruffled her hair playfully, "You're cute."

Ren blushed even more when he said that. She sat by him as they looked over the town. Ren loved this place and wouldn't mind living here. But of course she still loved Twilight Town. Not just because it was beautiful especially at sunset but also because her friends were there. She had grown close to Olette, Hayner, Pence and Roxas. They were like a family to her. Also Axel made her feel special. Even though he said he didn't have a heart or could have feelings, Ren knew that deep down Axel could feel something. It showed whenever they hung out with each other.

Ren could feel herself falling deeper for Axel. Though she didn't want to tell him that she loved him since she knew that he couldn't return those feelings. Sure he expressed some emotions but not too many. Ren still wanted to try. She loved him enough to do anything for him. She would still be with him even if he can't return her love.

The sun was setting and casted different colors over the buildings and even the castle. Ren loved moments like these and cherished them in her heart. She had been grateful and loving life everyday ever since Axel took her away from her old life. Axel was her savior in a way; she owed him so much. Ren then set her head on Axel's shoulder with a smile. Axel looked down to see that Ren was smiling. He smiled and set his head on hers while wrapping an arm around her, closing his eyes while indulging Ren's presence.

After Axel had been spending more time with Ren, the sensation inside of him grew more and more. This feeling almost made his chest feel like it was going to burst, wanting more. Axel almost felt like he was complete when he was with Ren. He wanted everything in the Organization to end. He was tired of killing and doing odd jobs and doesn't care about their purposes for Kingdom Hearts. Axel's concentration was his friendship with Roxas and being with Ren. Axel felt like Ren was more of a friend but couldn't feel what love is. It confused him but at the moment, he wanted Ren to smile. That's all he cared about at this point.

Ren felt safe whenever she was with him. Usually when she was away from him, she would miss him dearly. But recently, Ren began having dreams of her old life and the one she cared for belittled Ren and made her feel horrible. She didn't know why she was having these dreams but she hated it and wanted them to go away. Also, Ren felt like she was being watched. Whenever she felt like someone was following her, she'd look back and no one was there. She was hoping Axel would say yes to what she had to ask.

"Axel?" Ren spoke up softly as she still looked at the orange and red tinted sky.

"Yeah?" Axel asked.

"I was wondering... if..." Ren hesistated and sighed.

Axel cocked his head to the side, "What is it, Ren? You can tell me."

Ren then looked up into Axel's turqoise eyes. She felt comfortable whenever she looked into his eyes. She twiddled her fingers a little while nibbling on her lip.

"I was wondering, Axel... if you would stay the night with me..." Ren blurted out, "I've been having these nightmares and I would feel better if you were there with me.”

She expected Axel to say no and laugh but felt him ruffling her hair. She looked back at him to see that he was smiling. Her heart fluttered whenever he smiled at her so sweet like that.

“Sure, I’ll keep you safe, Ren,” Axel with his oh so cocky attitude.

Ren smirked and lightly punched his arm, “Oh, don’t look so happy about it!”

Axel laughed at her reaction making Ren laugh at him as well. Ren was happy that Axel agreed to stay the night with her and protect her. Though, he couldn’t really protect her in her dreams. She was happy but couldn’t help but feel a little nervous at the same time.

Axel and Ren had made their way back to Twilight Town and went back to Roxas’s place. Ren led Axel to her room and telling him he could change in her room. Ren grabbed her night clothes from the dresser drawers. She then made her wasy to the bathroom.

Ren so badly wanted to tell Axel how much she loved him but she didn’t know how he’ll react. She remembered that Axel told her that he couldn’t be happy or said and he definitely couldn’t love either. That didn’t matter to Ren; she still loved him. She still wanted to try.

Ren changed into her night clothes that consisted of a light orange cream colored spaghetti strap shirt and capri like bottoms. She walked into her room to see Axel was still in his pants but had on a black shirt that was form fitting. Ren couldn’t help but blush as she looked at him. This is the first time she’s seen him without his coat. Axel looked at her then smirked.

“Cute,” Axel simply stated while his smirk still adorned his face.

Ren blushed while playing with the hem of her shirt, “What is, Axel?”

“Guess,” Axel chuckled.

Ren’s cheeks puffed in frustration. She hated when Axel played games with her like this but at the same time she liked it. Axel then ruffled her hair playfully, “You are cute. Especially when you look like a blowfish.”

“Axel!” Ren huffed.

Axel laughed and gave her a hug, “I’m kidding! I’m kidding!”

Ren then leaned into Axel’s hug and wrapped her arms around him while closing her eyes. Axel noticed how relaxed and content she was now.

Ren looked up at him, “Thank you again for staying with me.”

“Of course... I don't like seeing you unhappy, “Axel replied.

Ren smiled and held Axel tighter, “Thank you.”

Axel rubbed her back then looked into her eyes, “Ren do you mind... if I could listen to your heart to help me sleep?”

Ren placed her hands on his chest while smiling, “Of course. It’s the least I can do.”

Axel smiled softly and closed his eyes while thinking, ‘It means a lot. It’s the greatest thing you do for me.’

Ren was still a little nervous about sharing a bed with Axel but it made butterflies flit around in her stomach. Axe climbed into the bed and Ren turned out the light. She then crawled in next to Axel and could feel him move closer. Ren blushed as Axel layed his head on her chest. Even in the darkness, Ren could see the smile on Axel’s face. She was happy she was able to make Axel smile. Deep down, she knew Axel had feelings.

Even though he was Nobody and had no heart, Axel could still feel. Ren noticed that Axel had fall asleep. She lightly stroked back some of his hair. She felt her heart beat faster as she looked at him. Axel soon tightened his grip around her waist and smiled more. She guessed that since her heart was beating faster that Axel liked it. Ren smiled and set her head against Axel's.

"I love you, Axel..." Ren whispered gently, "I love you with all my heart and being..."

She closed her eyes to sleep. She was happy she finally told him she loved him but had to say it while he was asleep. She knew that she needed to build up the courage to tell him. That would have to wait.

Later in the night, Axel woke up to Ren tossing and turning while mumbling. Axel turned to her since he had his back to her and wasn't holding her anymore. He could see that she was crying but still asleep. Axel felt that familiar painful pang in his chest whenever he saw Ren like this. Axel took her into his arms and held her to his chest.

"Shh... Ren... it's ok," Axel whispered softly while rubbing her back.

Ren began to calm down a little and clutched Axel's shirt. Axel continued caressing her back in soft circles while whispering it's all right to her. Ren eventually buried her face into Axel's chest as a few stray tears fell.

"Axel..." she whispered.

Axel noticed she was still asleep as she said his name. He held her closer and closed his eyes, beginning to fall back asleep.

"I'm right here, Ren... I'm not going anywhere," Axel murmured, "You're safe..."

He could see her smile a little making Axel smile as well. She was resting easy now, he could as well. Axel wished that he could fall asleep like this every night next to Ren. The feeling she gave him was beyond anything he's ever felt before. Maybe this is how Ren felt for him. This wonderful overwhelming feeling. Was he in love with her? Was it even possible for a Nobody like him?