Forever Love

Kairi looked to Sora. "I don't know. I'd have to see the one in the paper," she said. It was a profile. If it was used in the paper, she'd be able to tell for sure. The copy she had of that stupid poster was in the trash bin in her room. Roxas smiled faintly. "Let her. You're beautiful. Why wouldn't she?" he wondered aloud. Roxas caught himself staring at Namine all the time. He just hoped it didn't creep her out if she noticed it too. He just...couldn't help it. Namine was mesmerizing.

Kairi shrugged. "I guess so. They were just candids, I think," she admitted. There was no posing involved. "I think that issue of the paper was supposed to be published today." She knew where Sora was going with this. Could they be behind her poster fiasco? Roxas frowned instantly. "Unfortunately," he replied with a sigh. "Just ignore her. She's looking for a reaction out of you." She's jealous of you, because you're with me. He had to admit, if he saw Namine with another guy, he would be jealous too. But to be jealous over him? That was...strange.

Kairi faced the bar again, staring down at her tray. "Veronica," she said softly. "She's another fashion major. She's...not my biggest fan." As for the guy...? "I think the guy with her is a photographer. His class came to mine to get pictures for the school paper." But why were they glaring? She didn't do anything to them... Roxas looked to Namine after he paid for his food, lifting an eyebrow at her sudden change in behavior. "What's up?" he asked, keeping his voice low so no one else heard. Did he miss something?

Kairi looked over her shoulder slightly. She saw the group of people staring at them. "Yeah," she answered softly, eyebrows furrowigng. "They're in a few of my classes." A few of them were models that she saw in passing too. But the girl...she recognized her most. Veronica, the girl who didn't hide her distaste when it came to Kairi.

Roxas grabbed some fries from the bar and looked toward the window. Their spot near the window was taken. Outside, he saw a few places on the patio under umbrellas. "We'll go outside. Fresh air is good, especially since it's so stuffy in here," he mumbled. What was the deal? It was obviously a fake poster, edited by an amateur. And if anyone actually knew Kairi they'd know it wasn't true. Small minds, he guessed.

Kairi fought the urge to grasp Sora's hand when she felt it against her own. At his whisper, she set her eyes on the lunch line and nodded. "Yeah," she answered softly. She could handle this. These people were nothing compared to heartless or nobodies; not life-threatening in the least. She would be fine...

Kairi's smile remained at her friends' promises. She nodded to them in gratitude. She hoped whoever the culprit was became clear soon enough; she had no idea who would post such an awful thing about her. She didn't even really talk to anyone besides her group of friends. It didn't make much sense.

Roxas ruffled his hair when Namine got up, but that was when he looked to Kairi. He read her expression easily enough. "Hey," he called softly, attracting her attention. "Don't worry. Between me, Namine, Riku, and Lightning, those posters are long gone. I promise." She had nothing to worry about. Those posters were in the trash. Kairi smiled weakly, nodding. "Right...thanks, Roxas," she said. That didn't mean nobody would remember, though. There would probably be a few people here and there that pointed her out in the crowd. But...she couldn't hide forever. Roxas rose to his feet and placed a hand on Kairi's shoulder. You're welcome, he thought. He dropped his hand and started for the door so he could get cleaned up too. He nudged Sora in the shoulder when he passed him, just because he could.

Roxas willed his blush away while his face was hidden, but he did sit up at Namine's tugging. He looked to her, his fingers curling around hers gently at Sora's words. Was it sad that he didn't want to leave her? Even for a few minutes? Kairi tugged her shirt down a little so it didn't show as much of her stomach as she looked to Sora. Sadly, she didn't want him to even leave her room. She wanted to crawl back into bed and just...be with him. But...she couldn't. And the thought of going down to the cafeteria after the poster insanity yesterday... What would happen?

Kairi swung her legs over her bed and rose to her feet, stretching her arms to the ceiling and arching her back. Even if she normally slept alone, last night's rest had been her best one yet. And the only person she could thank was Sora. She loved having him with her last night. She hadn't slept that well in a long time. Roxas whined when Namine managed to get away, the boy then throwing the pillow over his own head. As much as he loved food, he loved Namine more. That thought made him grateful the pillow concealed his face. Love... Was he capable of that? Could he really feel it now? Was that what the current fluttering in his heart was?

Kairi gazed at Sora for a moment. There was a subtle change in his eyes just now, almost a sadness that appeared. But why? Was he thinking along the same lines as her? That she wanted it to be them instead? She would never wish for Roxas or Namine to be unhappy, but...she was a bit envious of the way their relationship developed. She and Sora seemed to be...stuck. That day in the studio, when they had their big fight, she had thought of him and how she wanted him to notice her the way the other guys did. But...nothing. Until last night. And now, she wasn't sure what to think.

Kairi heard Roxas chuckle. He was awfully flirty this morning. She glanced the blondes' direction and then back to Sora. "Before," she answered. Most definitely. She would be surprised if they weren't together by Thanksgiving break. She and Sora discussed this last night, but now she changed her mind. Before she had said it would be after the break, but now she wasn't so sure.

"Oh yes we can!" Roxas replied, burying his face in Namine's soft hair. He wasn't letting her go, not even close. The thought of staying in bed was great. Could they do that? Could they just take a lazy day for once? Kairi tilted her head at Sora's words, lifting an eyebrow. "Oh yeah?" she challenged. "What now?" Sora would undoubtedly win their bet at this rate, no question. What other bet did he have in mind?

Roxas peeked an eye open at that. Upon seeing the taunting look on her beautiful face, he smirked himself. "Nuh-uh," he said in response. He wrapped his arms more securely around her and brought her closer. She wasn't going anywhere. Clearly he liked being with her like this; he stayed the night with her in her bed, she ran her fingers through his hair... The feelings were mutual, he hoped. Kairi looked to Sora. It seemed like he and Roxas had completely different reactions to waking up this morning, as did she and Namine. What did that mean? Even so, she couldn't deny how adorably messy Sora's hair was in the mornings, crazier than normal. It was cute.

Kairi chuckled softly, relaxing a little. Everything was fine... Things between the two of them were fine...right? She looked to the blondes in the room and felt her smile soften. Can they just date already? Roxas exhaled a sleepy breath through his nose at the touch. "Mm-mm," he hummed in protest. Especially with Namine running her hands through his hair like that... God, nothing felt better. He wanted to stay in her bed forever if it meant she would keep that up. He kept his arm over her side regardless of her movement. He was so comfortable. Five more minutes...

Kairi brought a hand to her mouth when Sora fell, but then she covered her face. "Oh no," she said into her hands. She peeked through her fingers at him, embarrassed herself. Did she make him stay? Did she make him uncomfortable in any way? I'm so sorry if I did. Roxas looked over his shoulder at the noise. "Sora, you idiot!" he grumbled. What was he making all that noise for? He buried his face back in the pillow, still too tired to notice his arms were around Namine's smaller form. He just wanted to sleep...

Roxas groaned softly at the call. He didn't want to wake up yet. He was so comfortable... Namine was warm... Kairi ran her hands through her hair hastily, trying to look presentable. Sora was completely okay with this...? Maybe she didn't need to freak out then. They were best friends. They shared a bed. It wasn't that big of a deal, right? She liked it, of course, but....she didn't want to push any boundaries.

Kairi rolled over in her bed, peeking her eyes open at the greeting. Sora. She blinked. Sora?! Kairi sat upright quickly, a small squeak leaving her mouth. He was in her bed?! It was morning?! When did they fall asleep? She looked over her shoulder to see Roxas in Namine's bed, though her roommate couldn't be seen; Roxas had his back to the room which meant Namine was on the inside of the bed near the wall, behind him.

"Hmm," Kairi hummed with a smile. She would like that too, very much. Even if she forgot this conversation, it would still be true to her. She felt her best with Sora around. And by the sounds of things--and feelings--he liked being with her too. Roxas couldn't help but smirk faintly at that sound. She was so...cute. Especially when she was sleepy. He lowered his lips to her hair, pulling her a little closer. He was here.

Kairi smiled sleepily and lifted her hand from its resting place on Sora's arm to rest on his cheek. "Good," she breathed softly. She kept her hand on his smooth face for a moment before she let her fingertips lazily trace over his cheek, before it found her pillow. "You should stay over more often," she confessed drowsily. He was nice to cuddle with, and he helped her sleep well. Roxas heard what Kairi said, however soft it was, and he squeezed Namine gently at the words. Even if they weren't meant for him, he liked the idea. If it meant being able to hold Namine like this, he was all in.

"You sure?" Kairi asked, turning her head against the pillow to look over her shoulder at the boy in bed with her. The boy in bed with her...Sora... How couldn't she sleep peacefully with him beside her? She couldn't remember ever falling asleep next to him before this, not even on the Islands as children. Roxas moved his hand up Namine's back when she shifted, though he exhaled sleepily into her hair. Her shampoo smelled heavenly, whatever she used; he'd noticed before it was nice, but he had never been this close to really tell for sure.

Kairi woke slightly, but only enough to murmur a few words. "You okay?" she mumbled quietly. Sora... She barely heard him call for her, and he seemed upset. Her heart stirred at that realization. His warmth soothed her always, so she hoped her presence could do the same. Roxas's eyebrows furrowed slightly when he thought he heard something. Was Sora talking in his sleep again? The boy sighed softly and pulled the girl in his arms closer, his face buried in her blonde hair. He barely recognized their position, too comfortable to really care. She was soft, and warm, and fit perfectly in his arms.

Kairi hummed softly in her sleep, having thought she heard her name but too lost in sleep to really know. She snuggled further into Sora, pulling his arm closer that was around her waist and stomach as she kept her back to his chest. Something in her heart told her he was upset, so she wanted him close. I'm here, her heart replied.

Kairi giggled softly. "Mm-hm," she hummed, closing her eyes at the thought. Corona... Sora had taken pictures while he was there. She couldn't wait. Maybe they would have to manipulate the outcome of this bet.

Kairi snuggled closer to Sora from excitement, wrapping her arm over his stomach in glee. "I might just hope you win," she told him softly, her head resting under his chin. She looked forward to that day. Maybe they could go whether Riku and Lightning got together or not. Just the two of them...