Coming up for air, after they’d shared their first kiss, Axel and Roxas looked at each other, flushing. Roxas looked down biting his lower lip.
“That…” the younger teen started to say.
“Mm?” Axel murmured against Roxas’ ear. He hugged the blond tightly in his arms, breathing in deep. Roxas was with him; everything was right in the world. At least at that moment. Axel felt that his cheeks were wet and wasn’t surprised at all that he had tears in his eyes. His love for Roxas was so overwhelming.
“…was nice,” Roxas whispered, looking up at Axel. Roxas reached up, placing a hand on Axel’s cheek. Gently he wiped away a tear.
“You’re crying.” Roxas said, amazed. Never had Roxas seen this kind of emotion in his friend… no not his friend, his lover. Roxas leaned up, shyly kissing Axel on the cheek. The saltiness of Axel’s tears tickled Roxas’ tongue.
“Me, crying?” Axel grinned, “yeah… it’s because I’m very happy.” Axel buried his head against Roxas’ chest. ‘So very happy.’
---
“Sora, why do you look so happy?”
Sora peered behind him, nearly falling off the tree he was sitting in. Riku’s eyes went wide, his arms outstretched as if to catch Sora if he were to fall.
Beaming, Sora sighed, “Roxas was set free last night. It hurt like nothing I’ve ever felt, but in the end it was worth it.” Sora smiled, eyes closed. He didn’t even notice that Riku had started to climb the tree.
“We went to see Axel and right now the two couldn’t be pried apart by anyone.” Sora started to softly hum, a radiant glow overcoming his whole body, “Roxas and Axel confessed their feelings.” he whispered.
Riku set close to Sora, smiling at him. He looked at his face, pleased that Sora hadn’t noticed he was right next to him. He could stare freely.
Sora had to be one of the cutest, purest guys Riku’d ever met.
“Do you ever wonder what it would be like if you were able to just confess like that? It would be so wonderful to tell the one you love your true feelings…” Sora trailed off, a flush covering his body.
“Sora?” Riku whispered, making Sora jump, this time actually falling… Riku’s eyes went impossibly wide, as he grabbed for the younger teen; both fell, but Riku somehow managed to turn so he landed on the ground and Sora was safe in his arms.
“Oh, Hyne! Riku, are you okay?” Sora pushed himself off Riku, looking down at the silver haired teen. Riku set up, wincing in pain.
“I’m fine, Sora.” he lied. “I’m more worried about you.”
“Me! What are you talking about? I landed on you…” Sora flushed, looking away from Riku, “I’m fine… but I smooshed you.”
Riku grinned, “as if. Sora, you’re little.”
Sora huffed, crossing his arms, “I’m not little.”
“You’re very small.” Riku held up his hand making a motion with his pointer and thumb, “you’re itty bitty.”
“I am not.” Sora pouted. Sora grinned, “I’m big where it counts… ha! I bet you’re the itty bitty one,” Sora teased.
“Sora!” Riku blushed. “Since when have you had such a crude mouth?”
“Blame it on sharing a mind with Roxas.” Sora grinned.
Riku managed to get to his feet; he wasn’t as hurt as he first felt he was. Just a little sore.
“I’m bigger then you, Sora.” Riku smirked.
“No you’re not!” Sora said.
“I’ve seen you naked.” Riku said, smirking wider.
Sora’s eyes went wide, “you have not… have you?” He blushed brightly, looking down at the ground.
Riku started to laugh, “aww, Sora, I’m just teasing. Lighten up a little.” Riku patted Sora on the back.
“Ohh, Riku, I’m going to get you!” Sora exclaimed, hands on hips.
“Is that a promise?” Riku asked, serious.
“Yes, when you least expect it, I’ll get you! Pay back is always sweet!” Sora rubbed his hands together.
‘Maybe I’ll find a way to find out if he really is bigger then…’ Sora slapped a hand over his mouth, ‘bad thoughts! Bad!’
Sora shook his head, walking away from a confused Riku. Riku couldn’t figure out what was wrong with his younger friend. Why did he suddenly look so embarrassed?
---
“I can’t help but feel a little jealous.”
Kairi sighed, “I know, Roxas is out and you’re still… Sorry, maybe it’s my fault.”
Namine sighed, “It’s not your fault… it’s mine, actually. I’m scared… I want out and I’m jealous of Roxas… but I’m scared. I haven’t ever really lived a real life. I’ve always been locked away in a little room, doing as they told me.”
Kairi frowned, “Namine, do you really want to be free?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I’m too scared. What if I’m manipulated again? What if I do things to hurt others, like I did to Sora and the others… I didn’t want to take everyone’s memories… but they made me.”
“I’m happy they were able to regain their memories… but I don’t want to face the risk of hurting anyone ever again.”
It took her a moment to realize it, but Namine was crying softly; Kairi’s heart ached.
“You don’t have to be scared; when you’re ready, we’ll be ready to welcome you with open arms.” Kairi said.
“Thank you, but if it’s all right, I think I’m going to sleep for a little while…” Namine’s voice got softer and softer, until it was gone.
Kairi crumbled up on her bed and started to cry. She’d never felt so alone in her life.
---
“What’s wrong with Kairi?” Selphie whispered to Tidus, pointing over to the redhead. Kairi looked like she’d just came from a funeral.
Tidus shrugged, “I don’t know, but she hasn’t been talking much.”
Riku and Sora walked up behind the two teens; both were red in the face, but maybe that was because of the harsh wind.
“Sora, do you know what’s wrong with Kairi?” Selphie asked the former keyblader. Selphie was really worried. She’d never seen her friend look this sad.
Sora looked down, “I’m not sure, but I think it’s because Roxas is back and Namine has still not been set free. Maybe she’s sad.”
Selphie frowned, leaving her friends. She walked over to Kairi.
---
“Kai…” Selphie started.
Startled, Kairi looked over at Selphie. Her face fell, and tears started to fall down her cheeks. “Selphie…” Kairi ran over to her friend, engulfing her in a hug. “She’s gone! I talk and talk, but she won’t answer… I think she really moved on…”
Kairi cried. “I wanted her to be free, but she didn’t really want that…”
Selphie held onto Kairi, her eyes wide. “Kairi.” the brunette whispered, running her fingers through the redhead’s hair. “Shh, don’t cry.”
Kairi pulled away from Selphie’s, looking at her, “I felt like we were really sisters… I miss her.” Kairi glanced down. “I feel so alone…”
“You’re not alone. You’ve got me.” Selphie said, hugging her friend tighter.
Kairi blushed through her tears, “thank you, Selphie.” she murmured.
A/N Please review!
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