Aspire.

disclaimer; for suki, I own nothing. Bah.

He could feel many things now, the moment he returned home. Pain, adoration, nostalgia... the list spanned on, his thoughts hosting a plethora of feeling. Sadness was paramount though, mounting everything, dominating his words and thoughts. He had missed so much, so many things he could not make up for. Years had passed, along with them everything he had been absent for. He wasn't alone in the hole though. Mickey and Donald, Sora too, had lost the years and the memories that could have been. The memories that were, but where a mouse, a duck, a dog and keybearer were missing. He'd never thought about it to this extent, never regretted his duties for a second. Goofy was strong and docile, and he was proud to be on the King's guard. He would never shrug his duty, even if he had dreamed this outcome. The years were lost, but the worlds were safe. For now, only for the moment; how safe would they be tomorrow, or the next day? It was partly his job to secure their safety, at the expense of his own heart even. It was a sacrifice Goofy was all too willing to pay, if it meant keeping the universe unharmed. It meant he was willing to leave his Maximillion at any given moment.

Maxey had grown so. When Goofy left the castle, sailing away in the King's Gummi ship for adventure, Max was left behind. Too young to go, but old enough to understand his father's selflessness; though he was only a small pup. But the years had been kind to him, grown him out and made him a handsome fellow. Goofy liked to think Max shared as much of his looks as he did his mothers'. And he did. Goofy loved Max, despite all the years of seperation—they father and son, Goof and Goof. Goofy watched his son adoringly, dreaming of all the years, everything he never got to see.

Much, so very much, had changed.

"Dad, this is Roxeanne," A blush'd crept over his son's cheeks clandestinely at the introduction, a group of Goofyesque giggles following.

He had a Roxeanne while he was away? His father, again, was both proud and sad. Her red-head warmed Goofy's heart; she looked a great deal like Max's mother, so lovely and happy. Max appraised her so much like he had his wife, who rested soundly in Heaven he was sure. A place where a great deal of his friends had gone, in the war that was.

"Roxeanne, this is my dad," Max covered his mouth, embarrased, "And this Roxeanne, Dad," his son repeated. Dad, the word was as amazing as it had been.

"It's a pleasure to meet 'ya," Goofy grinned shyly, taking her hand to kiss it. Roxenne's musical laughter hurt Goofy's heart, it was so wonderful and something he'd missed.

He'd missed so much. His son had grown, his only baby already unneeding of his father. The years when Goofy was to teach Max the finer points of life, and precautions, were already over. He was unsurprised to find that Mickey and Donald, and even Sora too, had such feelings, such personal heartbreaks.

"Minnie has grown," Mickey'd said. "Without me."

"Daisy doesn't need me," Donald frowned, though they'd all known—and Donald seemed hesistant to really believe—Daisy would always love and need the short-tempered duck. "She's better off falling for another duck!" Mickey thought it wasn't the best time to mention that he and Daisy were the only ducks at the castle, save the occasional visits of Scrooge, Hewey, Dewey and Louise.

"Kairi's changed," Sora was the only one to smile, "In a good way."

"And Max isn't my little boy anymore," Goofy added sadly to the chorus.

It was all true, in one way or another. He wasn't needed—not in the way he wanted to be. Max was all grown and caring for Roxeanne now, being the man he'd turned into while his father was away. He wasn't little Maxey anymore, though Goofy would give anything—almost—to have those years back. It wasn't to be though, for the only thing he wouldn't give was the asking price for those years: his journey with Sora and co. Goofy was too kind not to be altruistic, even if it deprived him of absolutely everything... and he wasn't the only one.

For today, the worlds were safe. Goofy would have to see about tomorrow.