Hi all! Me again, with another roleplay. Through Discord I found another RP partner, so this is strictly 1x1. It is a College AU, though it has some canon tidbits included.

 

Please refrain from posting in this topic, but feel free to read along and join us for this journey!

 

Thanks!

 

Hoshi, take it away!

Edited July 24, 20187 yr by Forever Love

Roxas rose from his seat, initiating their leave. "Don't be silly. You'll do great," he promised. Kairi rose from her seat, as did Lightning. It was time they headed out. At least they had a good time! Apart from the Owen drama, of course. But in a way...Roxas was grateful for it; it brought him and Namine closer. He appreciated that opportunity.

 

Kairi smiled to herself at Roxas's words as she started for the door. He was so sweet to Namine... Maybe--just maybe--they would be an item one day. Kairi would root for them.

Tucking another strand of hair behind her ear, Naminé smiled up at him sweetly. “As long as you’re there.” He was like he knight in shining armor. Owen proved that tonight. Again.

 

“So, I guess it’s time to head home then,” Riku said, but his eyes lingered on Lightning. He reall wanted to talk to her more. She probably thought he had made a fool of himself onstage. Which he did. ‘I’m going to have to get that video from Kairi...’

Roxas smiled warmly at the words and motioned for Namine to walk with him as they started out. He heard Riku's statement and he agreed; it was time to head back to the dorms. Tonight was...fun. He enjoyed himself despite a few hiccups, but...all in all? It was a good night.

 

Lightning felt Riku's gaze on her as she stepped away from the table and followed everyone out. Of course, she met his eyes briefly. The way he looked at her sometimes threw her for a loop. No one had ever looked at her the way he did before. It was new. Exhilarating, and slightly frightening.

 

Kairi took in the fresh air as soon as they were outside. The breeze felt nice, and it smelled better than alcohol and burgers. "I had fun, guys! We should do it again sometime," she said, turning and walking backwards as she looked at her friends. School would get crazy soon, so they would need to take advantage of this while they could.

Naminé moved to walk beside him. Tonight had left her with a whirlwind of emotions. Owen frightened her. Roxas made her heart swell. It was the perfect imperfect night. ‘I wonder where we go from here though...” she knew she had feelings for him, but what did you with them? The nuances of the heart still confused her.

 

Riku beckoned Lightning towards him with a soft smile. “C’mon.” As they walked back towards campus, he reflected on the night. So much had happened. But his mind kept going back to that promised date. Where would they go? She still wanted to go out with him, right? He knew it was for a bet, but Riku hoped that some part of her was happy about it. Lightning was strong, beautiful, and her aim was impeccable. Riku knew he was a good guy, but did she think he was worth her time?

 

“We’ll have to plan for winter break,” Sora said cheerfully. He was already at Kairi’s side, drawn to her like he always seemed to be.

The walk back to the dorms was too short for Roxas's liking. Being in the presence of his friends, next to Namine, felt great. The six of them ended up separating in terms of walking distance, almost naturally. Sora and Kairi walked ahead, he and Namine strolled next to each other, and Riku and Lightning followed behind. It was like they paired off on their own, intentionally or not. Roxas didn't mind. They were all going to the same floor, though Riku would have to venture to his own after saying goodnight to Lightning. Roxas looked to Namine instantly. How did he say goodnight to her? Did he give her a hug? Kiss her on the cheek? Was this...a date? In certain ways it felt like one, but he wouldn't push his luck. The Owen situation definitely convinced him it might not have been. At the thought, Roxas reached for Namine's hand, taking it gently as he slowed their walk. "Hey..." he started softly. He wanted to check on her again, and make sure she was okay before they separated for the night. 

 

Kairi glanced over her shoulder and saw Roxas's gesture, and she smiled to herself before facing forward again. There were so many hints that they liked each other. Kairi gave them until the end of the semester. As for her...she wasn't sure. She glanced at Sora out of the corner of her eye. It was no secret she liked him. Well, maybe he didn't realize; they never did discuss the drawing in the Secret Place back on the islands. Would they ever talk about that? If not, Kairi guessed it wasn't meant to be taken as more than friendship. Maybe if she didn't end up with Sora, she would end up with someone else she met at college. There were so many people here, it could be anybody. Even so, just the thought saddened her. She didn't want just anybody. She wanted...

The feel of his hand in hers sent a small shiver through her body, but the feeling wasn’t unpleasant. She squeezed his hand in response and looked up at him, tilting her head cutely. “Hmmm?” The others were nearby but this—them together like this, walking side by side—felt special. It wasn’t quite a date but it very well could have been one. Naminé found herself wishing it were one.

 

Watching the others pair off, Sora turned to Kairi with a cheesy grin. “Let’s walk home together, Kairi!” It was somewhat strange seeing everyone couple up. So many times they were trios instead. Yet, Sora wouldn’t lie and say that he didn’t welcome the change. He thought back to the secret place again; there were so many things left unsaid between them. Would their relationship ever change? Did Kairi want it to? Her drawing in the secret place seems to suggest so...

Roxas slowed their walk, especially since Namine’s head tilt nearly made him stumble. She was too...he didn’t even know the right word. They were outside the dormitory now, and he stopped next to a few bushes. He briefly watched Riku and Lightning pass. “Umm...” Roxas kept Namine’s hand in his; her touch was soothing. “Are you sure you’re okay? From earlier, I mean.” Owen and the scene he caused. That wasn’t something to really take lightly.

Kairi smiled at Sora’s enthusiasm. She nodded slightly. They just reached the doors to the dorms. Sora and Roxas had a room on the same hall, so Sora wouldn’t have to walk far after dropping Kairi off. He was dropping her off, right? Or were they just going to separate as soon as they got to their floor?

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by Forever Love

Her expression fell for a brief moment at the memory, but the warmth of his hand in hers melted the lingering sadness away. “Yes. I’m okay. The night was...eventful, but I’m still happy to have been able to spend time with you. It’ll be one of my most treasured memories.” She hesitated but moved forward to gently and quickly peck his cheek. “Thank you, Roxas.” She drew back, a blush on the apples of her cheeks, and turned towards the dormitory entrance. Had she really done that? Was that okay? “I’m going to go inside now...G-Goodnight!”

 

“Hey..., um Kairi...?”! Sora asked. His palms were clammy, so he clenched them into fists. He needed to apologize still, right? The memory of that flicker of hurt in her eyes weighed on him. Made his heart hurt. And to be the reason behind such a look? His chest tightened more.

Roxas blinked at the kiss, however light it was. He looked after Namine in a stunned silence. He couldn't even find his voice to say goodnight. His cheek tingled from where her lips had been, and he felt a blush coming on. Good thing it was dark outside... Namine...

 

Kairi walked with Sora up to their hall, glancing over at him at his call. "Hm?" she hummed softly. He seemed...nervous? But why?

 

Lightning felt the cooling sensation from the air conditioning of the building, a bit relieved to get out of the heat. Radiant Garden went through the seasons, and it was the tail end of the summer, so the weather represented it--hot, and sometimes humid. Thankfully she wasn't sweaty, since that would have been embarrassing. Especially in front of Riku. But then again, she sweat in front of him before in class. So why did it matter now?

Sora opened his mouth and then closed it. Shouldn’t he just say it? Sorry was a start, right? “I’m...sorry...,” he drew in a deep breath, releasing the rest of his apology as he sighed, “for the whole Kairi special thing. It. It was just a joke to us, but I know it probably hurt your feelings.”

 

“This is your stop,” Riku said, but his feet didn’t move. He didn’t want the night to end. They could text, but her presence, her physical presence was what he yearned for. Under the dim dormitory lights, Riku noticed a shimmer to her hair. He reached for a strand but stopped just as his fingers were about to touch one of the pink waves. She wouldn’t like that, right?

Kairi was thankful they were alone; Riku and Lightning weren't within earshot. "Oh...It's okay," she said, lowering her gaze to her feet. True, it was hurtful, but it wasn't like they did it all the time, right? Or so she hoped... She prayed it was only a thing when they were kids. Keyblade business got in the way of a lot of their youth the past few years. Being eighteen now, they hadn't really had childlike moments since before the big adventures.

 

Lightning watched Riku's hand, but she didn't move away from it. Was he...going to touch her hair? That was an intimate gesture, or so she had seen in some movies she watched with Serah. "Yeah...my stop..." she agreed quietly. She had a good time tonight. Would their date next weekend be the same?

Sora shook his head and grabbed one of her hands. His voice was strong now. “No. It’s not. We...I hurt you. I don’t want to do that. The Kairi special thing was stupid. We shouldn’t have brought it up, especially not in front of the others.” Sora brought her hand to his heart and aimed his bright gaze at her. Eyes roaring blue oceans. “I’m sorry.” Sora repeated. He hoped his sincerity reached her.

 

Riku drew his hand away at her words, awkwardly putting his hand behind his neck. Too weird. Right. “Umm. Yeah. So, um...next week.” He coughed. “Let me know what you’re thinking. If you’re still interested. Or not busy or something.” He stumbled over his words and used his other hand to move his bangs out of his face shyly. He wouldn’t make her go if she didn’t want to. Riku had won the bet, but he cared more about what Lightning wanted. A seed of hope, however, remained for the silver haired master.

Kairi forgot how to breathe when Sora grasped her hand. And when she felt his heart thundering under her palm, she felt her cheeks warm. She curled her fingers into his shirt for a moment, but then she took initiative. Kairi closed the distance between them and embraced Sora, her arms wrapping around his neck. His spikes tickled her face, but it was just another trait she loved about him. Thank you, she thought to him. She could tell he was upset about what happened, and that meant a lot to her. He cared.

 

Lightning lifted an eyebrow at Riku's fumbling words, smirking slightly. "About that..." she started, tilting her head. "Did you mean it? Or was that just a bet for bet's sake?" If it was just because she mentioned a bet, she wasn't sure what she would do. It would actually...hurt to find that out.

The suddenness of her arms around him sent Sora’s already hammering heart into another tizzy. This. This felt right. Like in The World That Never Was, Sora encircled her petite frames with his arms. Waterfalls of burgundy brushed against his cheeks, and Sora savored the silky texture; one of his fingers captured a stray lock and coiled it gently. Her hair was so long! “I like your hair like this,” he murmured.

 

“I-I meant it!” He stuttered quickly, “I think...you’re a pretty awesome person. I’d really like to take you out on Saturday.” Riku finished with another cough as he looked anywhere else but her. That smirk of hers...she was so sure of herself...and he couldn’t help but think how attractive that was.

Kairi smiled and hid her face in Sora's spikes more. "Thank you," she replied softly. His arms around her... It felt so good. It felt natural and...real. Sora was home. The moment she hugged him in that castle when Xemnas was a threat had been sudden and out of the ordinary for her, but...she had to convince herself he was real; for so long everyone made it seem like he was a figment of her imagination. She still had nightmares of that time without him. But moments like this proved he was real and he was here. Sora held her in return.

 

Lightning's smirk grew in amusement, but it was a genuine smile now. "Good, because I want to go," she told him, tucking her hair behind her ear. He got so worked up in front of her. It was...sweet. "I'll see you in class," she said, backing up towards her door. This was where they parted ways for the night.

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by Forever Love

“You’re welcome,” Sora said after a moment. He tightened his grip and chuckled. “I keep thinking you’re going to disappear again.” Like when the islands fell and her heart hid in his. Or when she had been kidnapped by the organization. “But this is real. We’re both here.”

 

Riku visibly relaxed at her words, and a goofy, Sora like smile, began to bud on his lips. “G-Great! I mean yeah...see you in class.” Riku watched her for a moment more before finally turning back towards the stairs. He had a date—with Lightning! He wondered what Sora would think? And Kairi? The latter brought amusement to his grin. She would probably want to help him pick out an outfit for that night being a fashion major. ‘Not that I’d mind the help...’ The silver haired boy would want to look his best.

Kairi's eyes grew moist all of a sudden. "Sora," she whispered, her hold on him tightening. It was like he read her mind. She had been thinking of the past too, of how she missed him and yearned for him to be real. But...he disappeared in her grasp too, after he sacrificed himself for her. She still needed him to promise to never, ever do that again. 

 

Lightning bit her lip to hide a bigger smile and turned, opening her door. She stepped in, shut it, and then leaned against it. She had a date. An actual date...

“I know...it’s okay. We’re okay,” he said quietly. He could feel the pain in her limbs as she wrapped them around him tighter. “I won’t let us be separated again.” He wouldn’t let her be used again. It broke the boy when he found out she was Saix’s pawn. Because of him.

Kairi closed her eyes tightly to fight the moisture. His promise meant the world to her, didn't he know that? Her heart yearned to be close to him, always. "I'm sorry," she whimpered. She didn't mean to make things so serious, but...this just seemed right for the moment. She found comfort in him, in his warmth and his scent and his presence alone. 

“There’s nothing to be sorry about,” he assured, “what happened...sometimes I still have nightmares about it.” The worst were the ones where he lost Kairi. Where he couldn’t save her. Yet, to have been Kairi in all this...Sora’s heart lurched painfully. The thought made him sick.

“Me too,” Kairi admitted weakly. She turned her head against Sora, their height difference making it so her forehead now rested on his cheek. “About you leaving, and forgetting you, and....” She forced herself to stop, pressing her lips together. A perfectly fun night, and here she was, reliving the past.

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by Forever Love

Sora grimaced at her confession, sad the same memories had been plaguing her as well all these years. “Shh,” he stroked her hair soothingly, “It’s okay. The worlds are safe now. He can’t hurt us anymore. We defeated him.” The last part Sora said, in part, to reassure himself. No more keyblade wars. No more kidnapping. There was balance now between the realms of light and darkness. They could live normal lives now.

Kairi took in a breath. “Yeah...” she agreed quietly. Xehanort was gone. She felt comfort in that, and in Sora’s gesture over her hair. She slowly pulled back, her hands moving to sit on his chest and shoulders. “I am grateful for what he did, though,” she admitted, looking down at Sora’s chest before lifting her gaze to his eyes. “If it weren’t for him, I never would have been able to meet you.” Xehanort sent her out into the worlds to find the keyblade wielder, and she did.

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by Forever Love

Sora blinked, not expecting the answer. “Huh?” But then his whole face softened. She had a point. “I guess he did do something right after all then. Because I don’t know who I’d be without you Kairi.” He wanted to say something to the effect of: you’re my other half, but he stopped himself before the words could escape from his lips.

Kairi couldn’t stop a smile from appearing. There was also a blush. She shyly lowered her gaze to Sora’s chest again, where her hands were. His still rested on her back and waist. This felt so right. This right here. She didn’t want it to end; it was such a nice moment they were having together. They hadn’t had one of these in a long time. “I can say the same about you too,” Kairi declared. Without Sora, she would probably be dead.

Edited August 14, 20187 yr by Forever Love