Sea-Salt Ice Cream

Okay, so maybe this scene should not have its own page, but not only does it always make me tear up, it was also one of the main reasons I decided to make this shrine in the first place. I also believe that it opened a new window to the relationship between Axel and Roxas that was not shown in Kingdom Hearts II.

In Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, a scene of Axel and Roxas sitting on the clock tower in Twilight Town is shown. One can assume it probably takes place right before Roxas becomes a part of Sora once more. Roxas stirs, finding Axel standing by his side. He notices, and comments on how he does not know whether Roxas is waking up or going to sleep because this is the last time he will be able to talk to his consciousness like that. Axel sits down, continuing by saying he has been talking to Naminé and that Roxas is not going to disappear, he is just becoming whole again. He then says that Roxas has a heart, but questions if he and Naminé do. Roxas replies that he does not know, but he does know that the heart is something that you cannot see. He also wonders whether or not a person can even tell if it is missing, and starts to make a point but says never mind. My guess would be that Roxas was probably going to tell him that it may not even matter if he has a heart but Axel does not, but decided not to because he knows he probably would not be satisfied with that answer. Axel seems curious as to what he was going to say, which made me realize that the two probably had deep conversations and that Axel really is interested in what Roxas has to say. Roxas continues by saying that he is sure that Sora will find the answer because Sora is him. Axel laughs to himself and gives Roxas a sea-salt ice cream bar.

The two watch the sunset, and Axel begins to reminisce about the day the two of them met after Roxas got his name. They just sat on that clock tower and watched the sunset, just like they were doing at that moment. Roxas nods and then wonders about the well being of his friends Hayner, Pence and Olette. Axel suggests that he visit them while searching for his answer. After a short pause, Roxas announces that he has to go because Sora is waiting for him. Axel looks at Roxas, and his face falls. He looks down, sort of smiling to himself and responds with “yeah, I guess he is”. Chances are Axel probably temporarily forgot that Roxas was leaving for good while thinking about the day they met and other things, and was saddened when he was brought back to reality. He looks away from Roxas, taking a large bite of the ice cream, changing the subject. Maybe he just did not want to look at his best friend knowing he was going to leave any minute. I would imagine he did not want Roxas to see his face if he was on the verge of tears, but Nobodies should not be able to cry, right?

The two sit in silence for a little while longer until Roxas begins to turn into light. He turns to Axel and smiles.

“See you, Axel.”
“See you, partner.”

Axel turns to light as well, and a single teardrop is shown falling to the ledge of where the two were sitting. Though it is not certain which one of them it belonged to, I would imagine it would probably be Axel’s. This is not to say that Roxas was not sad, but I believe Axel was more attached to Roxas than the other way around. Axel would have to continue on with his consciousness and without his best friend, while Roxas would theoretically not have his consciousness any longer to have to worry about it. I also believe Axel was probably the one who cried because he had to turn away from Roxas and tried to change the subject when Roxas said he had to go. Axel was probably on the verge of tears.

Roxas says goodbye to Axel using his name, but Axel uses “partner” instead of “Roxas”. I would argue this symbolizes their relationship relatively well, as using “partner” instead of his name probably is more of an affectionate, connection type of farewell rather than just saying “Roxas”. To Axel, Roxas was his best friend, partner, and the most important person to him. It is still relatively unclear of Roxas’ feelings for Axel, so the “simple” goodbye fits his apparent feelings about the relationship as well. Who knows, maybe Roxas just did not know what to say because he knew how upset Axel was. Smiling while saying goodbye was probably the best thing to look strong for his friend who was obviously sad, even if he was also sad himself.

I was glad that Axel got to be with the Roxas that “he knew” before the two had to separate once and for all. Leaving after a fight between them probably would not have been Axel’s ideal way to part with his best friend, especially when Roxas did not really remember everything about their past together. Honestly, if you have not watched this scene between them yet, please go do so. I cried the first time I saw it and believe it is an important part of their relationship. The two friends parted in the same fashion they spent the end of the first day they met.

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