Axel / Lea x Reader One Shots (Requests Open)

His Greatest Love

Some quick context (and spoilers maybe so stop reading now??): This takes place after the events of Kingdom Hearts 3 and Sora doesn't...ya know...

Returning to Radiant Garden after fifteen long years was something Lea was both dreading and excited about. The mixed emotions stirred in his heart and stomach the entire trip back to his home world. He wasn't sure if it was his feelings or Sora's reckless piloting of the Gummi Ship that made him almost hurl a few times, but either way he was capable of keeping the contents of his stomach at bay.

When the ship landed and Lea disembarked, he looked around the town square surrounded by colorful flowers and tiny brick homes. It was as if nothing changed over the last fifteen years; which wasn't true at all because so much has changed. He heard the stories of how his home was torn piece by piece, became the home of a witch craving the power to open the door to darkness, and (thanks to Sora's and countless others) was restored back to its original state.

But it wasn't just the world itself changing, Lea had changed. From the moment he was innocently turned into a Nobody and his heart was torn from his body, to becoming the former Organization's personal assassin, and now a Keyblade Wielder, Lea has drastically changed. No longer was he the carefree, lazy teenager and practical jokester of the town. That person was long gone.

He wondered how everyone would react to seeing him return. All grown up and full of experiences most people wouldn't have endured in a lifetime. He thought of his parents, how much of a shock it might be to see their son return after years of no communication or knowing what happened to him. But mostly, he thought of you.

You were Lea's childhood best friend. Probably before you two could even walk, you and been joined at the hip thanks to your parents raising you together. Memories of spending summer vacations together, going to school (sometimes even skipping classes together), and spending all hours out at night flowed through his mind. That friendship started to grow into something bigger, something more dear to the two of you. He had fallen for you, and was positive you felt the same for him. But when Lea got caught up in the disaster of Ansem the Wises's experiments, he had disappeared against his will, and those feelings were left hanging.

The uneasiness of guilt and sadness filled Lea's heart again. He never had a chance to tell you how he felt all those years ago. Would you even accept his apology after all this time? Hell, where would he even begin how to apologize?

Walking towards the town market, his eyes caught on a small ice cream shop tucked away in a corner next to local pub. Lea remembered spending so much time with you there, getting sea-salt ice creams practically every day after school. The two of you would spend hours talking about everything and nothing, eating your ice creams and sitting on a tall ledge that overlooked the town. Lea could picture the view from that spot: the gardens full of flowers stretched in front and the castle facade centered in the sky. When he started working there, Lea promised he'd take you up to the top of the castle one day, boasting about the view from the top being the best spot in the world. But the day never came.

The bell that hung on top of the door perch to the ice cream shop rang, making Lea's heart skip a beat. A group of friends walked out from the shop, laughing and eating their ice creams without a care in a world. He was hoping it was you leaving that store, and his heart sank slightly.

"Lea?"

Lea thought he was hearing things at first. He froze in place, afraid to turn around towards the familiar voice that echoed through his head all these years.

"Lea, is it really you?"

He wasn't hallucinating. Slowly, Lea turned around and faced you, his eyes wide as he looked you over. You had grown taller, but not nearly as tall as he had become. Your [h/c] was longer and your [e/c] eyes shone brighter than he remembered. Just from looking at you, he could sense a great amount of strength in your heart and a graceful demeanor. His love for you never faded, but in that moment he felt his feelings re-ignite all over again.

Lea scratched the back of his head, unsure of what to say. He shot a weak smile at you and shrugged his shoulders. "Hey...[Y/N]."

You couldn't help but let out a small laugh, tears falling from your face. It really was him. You weren't imagining seeing him running through the streets or hearing his laugh ringing through your ears. In an instant, your eyes changed from relieved to anger and confusion. Stepping forward, you reached out and slapped Lea hard across the face.

"Yep, I deserved that," he said as he rubbed his cheek.

You pounded your fists against his chest, punching him in every spot you could reach. The tears were uncontrollable now, the sobs escaping your lips turning into shrieks of frustration. "Do you know how long you've been gone, Lea!? Fifteen years, seven months and three days! THAT'S how long! How could you do this to us?! How could you do this to me!? I thought you were dead, Lea! I thought I'd never see you again! Do you know how afraid I was for you?! Do you know how many nights I spent crying over you!? How dare you show up after all these years!"

Lea didn't stop your fists from hitting him. You continued to cry until your energy was gone, the punching turning into soft taps. He gently wrapped his hands around your wrists and held them as your sobs continued. Bringing his arms around your torso, Lea rested his chin on top of your head and embraced you tightly.

"I'm so sorry, [Y/N]. For everything I've put you through. I don't even know where to begin explaining all of this...but please know that not a day went by that I didn't think of you. I wanted to come back so many times, but I knew you wouldn't have accepted me the way that I was. I needed to take care of myself first, correct all my mistakes and wrongdoings before I could face you again. I'm sorry it took me so long. Please, forgive me."

It took a moment, but Lea sighed in relief as he felt your arms wrap around him in return. "How could you say that I wouldn't accept you, Lea? I love you, you idiot."

Lea laughed at your insult and kissed your forehead. "I love you too, [Y/N], I always have. And I'm sorry. I'll spend the rest of my life apologizing to you if that's what it takes."

Sniffling the tears away, you looked up at Lea and gave him a kiss on the cheek, right where you had slapped him moments before. It was hot and pink from the blow, but soft and squishy, just like how you remembered it.

"You can start by buying me a sea-salt ice cream," you smiled.