Archive of Our Own ^beta

i.

Xion placed her mostly eaten ice cream beside her on the clocktower ledge almost carelessly, too distracted to worry about it melting off of the edge. Her lips were too preoccupied tasting sea salt elsewhere to finish it anyway.

Since beginning to build her life from the ground up after The Keyblade War beside her two best friends, Xion had found out many things about herself. She loved dancing, the color blue, crafting, but more than anything she loved this.

With her ice cream aside, Xion let the hand once holding it travel to the back of Roxas’s neck, pulling him closer as she continued to kiss the absolute hell out of him. 

The blond’s arms held her waist tighter, a small hum buzzing behind his lips as they moved in sync against hers, completely lost in the act. 

Yes, a lot had changed since her return, but Roxas was most definitely the best development.

It hadn’t taken long for the two of them to make it official, in fact it was surprisingly far less complicated than one would imagine. The pair were already as close as two people could be, meaning it was less a leap of faith to cross that line and more of a gentle float down a lazy river. There hadn’t been fear or anxiety, it had simply been natural.

Xion sighed against his lips as Roxas trailed his hand up her back, a surprised, yet gleeful giggle escaping her mouth as he used the momentum to swiftly pull her onto his lap, deepening the kiss enough to make her head spin. 

“Sorry ‘bout your ice cream.” He mumbled against her lips between kisses.

“Don’t be.” Xion breathed. “You can buy me another.”

Roxas grinned into the kiss, his answering chuckle muffling against her mouth. 

Now, it might’ve seemed unwise to kiss so shamelessly atop the clocktower, but seeing as how the sun had almost completely disappeared behind the horizon, it would’ve been quite difficult to spot them if someone wasn’t specifically looking for them. 

That isn’t to say that Xion had planned to end up where she was tonight, but between the aforementioned dusk and the fact that Axel was running super late, it hadn’t taken much to sell her on the idea of a makeout session.

Even if she knew she’d probably melt to liquid right there on the ledge like the ice cream long forgotten beside them. Kissing Roxas did that to her.

Though she probably should’ve felt some nerves resting across his lap instead of on the steadiness of the ledge, Xion could only register utter peace as he held her so securely, so intentionally. Roxas didn’t play around when it came to her, she knew that all too well.

The first whispers of stars began to dot the sky, but the couple hardly noticed, too wrapped up in their embrace to pay it any mind.

Roxas had a tendency to be greedy when it came to her. Not that she was any better, (she was absolutely worse) but it still made her smile during times like these where he’d hug her for dear life, trying to get her as close as possible. If she didn’t know any better, she’d assume he was trying to fuse with her. 

“I’m not-“ Xion’s words were cut off by his lips seizing hers again, stealing her sentence right out of her mouth. “I’m not go-“ Another kiss. “I-“ Another. 

Yep, definitely greedy.

“Roxas.” She giggled, bracing her hands against his chest to pry him off of her lips. “I’m not going anywhere, y’know.”

Her boyfriend’s answering smile twisted mischievously.

“Oh, I know you’re not.” Roxas grinned, his arms tightening around her in a bear hug as he pulled her back in and smothered her face in kisses. 

Xion squealed, falling into snorts of laughter as his lips pressed all over her face, though she hardly protested such affection.

“Your lips are gonna fall off.” She joked. His onslaught continued.

“Oh well.” He said against her cheek. “It was a necessary sacrifice.”

He placed a few more kisses on her nose and chin before he found her lips again, both falling back into it easily.

“Mm, you taste like ice cream.” Roxas hummed through the kiss. His fingers rubbed affectionately against her back.

“Yeah? You gonna gobble me up, then?” Xion pulled away to ask, though she stayed close enough to nuzzle their noses.

“Tempting.” He laughed. “You are cute enough to eat. But if anyone here’s a cannibal, it’s you, pretty little siphon.”

Roxas dug his hand into her side to tickle her, pulling a sharp snort out of her as she squirmed.

“You like me that way.” She shot back, face a little flushed from his compliments as she batted his hand away. He caught her flailing hand and placed it back on his shoulder.

“Yeah, I do.” He smiled proudly before kissing her again. Xion felt a deep sigh pass her chest as she lost herself in his kiss all over again. 

She could’ve stayed there all night, locked tightly in his arms, her hands just beginning to creep up and graze through locks of golden hair, but a scuff from the tower staircase and a familiar voice muttering “ah, fuck!” under his breath startled the couple apart.

‘Axel.’ They mouthed in unison, eyes staring widely at each other with alarm.

Xion swung herself around just as Roxas, the absolute champ, quickly yet carefully placed her back on the ledge to his left. They both got their bearings just in time for the redhead in question to appear at the top of the stairs.

“Well, look who decided to show up, Xion.” Roxas scoffed playfully. Axel merely groaned in response, slumping into his usual spot on Roxas’s right.

“Wow, he’s alive.” Xion played along.

“Yeah, yeah, throw the tomatoes.” Axel grumbled. “But the next time either of you decide to pick up a shift at the bistro on the weekend, don’t expect mercy from me.”

“Well, you missed Xion dropping her ice cream.” Roxas said simply, grinning at the look of outrage she gave in response.

“Hey!” She chided. “That’s not what…” Her words trailed off as she realized she couldn’t tell the truth, electing to glare at her boyfriend instead.

“That sounds funny.” Axel chimed in. Xion glared at both of them now.

“Yeah.” Roxas snickered. “It was.”

ii.

Okay, so Axel didn’t know. 

It had started as simply something the two of them wanted to keep to themselves, which morphed into genuine fear of being placed in separate households, which then graduated into amusement at how long it was taking him to notice and now it was pretty much just tradition.

Roxas didn’t plan on keeping it from him forever, or even really for much longer, but finding the time (and will) to sit him down and let him know was…daunting, to say the least.

It wasn’t like he feared Axel’s reaction, neither of them did. It just meant a change in the group dynamic. While he and Xion had talked through any fears of being separated and came to the conclusion that Axel would never do that to them, it was probably still going to be something he needed to get used to. 

Needless to say, Roxas and Xion had needed to be quite sneaky.

Some days it was easier, Axel would be busy with something either at home or elsewhere, meaning he and his girlfriend had little trouble hunkering down in one of their rooms for cuddles and sweet kisses all afternoon, emerging for dinner and ice cream as the trio swapped jokes and laughed. 

Other days, though, it almost felt like torture. To have to stay away, to not be able to let his gaze linger on her like he wanted it to. He had never been very good at keeping his eyes off of Xion and he imagined Axel had caught some of the looks of pure longing he’d unconsciously shoot her from across the breakfast table.

It wasn’t the worst situation in the worlds, (he’d already lived through that, thank you very much) but it was something that eventually needed to change. Just not today.

No, today was an easier day. Axel was at the market with Isa (ugh) and Roxas was curled up with his lovely girlfriend in her bed, snuggled close as they shared lazy kisses.

Having Xion in his arms was heaven. Not having to hide his affection, not having to follow orders or spend days worrying for her out in the field. Not having to feel her body weight dissolve in his hands.

Now he only had to worry about the pounding of his own heart as the girl of his dreams flashed those navy eyes at him, wrapping him around her finger with just one glance.

Her kisses grew bolder, firmer, more insistent. The coolness of her palms cradled his face as she rolled him onto his back and leaned over him, earning a hum of approval.

Xion pulled back to look down at him, her fingers tracing the curve of his jaw as she unabashedly took in his awed face.

“What is it, sweetheart?” She whispered, fingers caressing his face. Roxas swallowed, trying to find his voice after having it knocked out of him.

“You know what.” He answered breathlessly. His girlfriend laughed lightly, leaning down to press a kiss to his forehead. 

“I do.” She giggled, only a bit smug. Though, it quickly faded into something more tender. “I adore you.”

Roxas felt his chest churn with warmth.

“I adore you, too.” He quietly repeated back. Xion kissed the corner of his mouth softly. 

“Sweetie?” She called, hovering her face a little higher up so she could see him better.

“Hm?” He stared up at her.

“Can I…do something?” She asked, hesitation lacing her voice. “Try something, I should say.”

Roxas blinked, mind wracking to figure out what she could possibly be asking. There were many potential answers to that question.

“Nothing physical.” She clarified. “It’s, er, hard to explain. And I’ll stop if you decide you don’t like it.”

Whatever this was, it seemed important to her. He thought it over for only a second. This was his Xion, after all, he trusted her with every part of him.
“Of course.” He smiled up at her. Xion mirrored his smile, leaning down to kiss his forehead again. She took a deep breath and sat up, placing a gentle hand on his chest, right over his heart. 

Her beautiful eyes peered down at him as he felt something…surround him. Something that he couldn’t see, hear or touch, but felt familiar to him in a way he couldn’t explain. Felt comforting and warm in the same way Xion was.

The strange sensation perplexed him for a moment, until it dawned on him, his lips parting with a soft gasp.

It was her powers. Her siphoning powers. 

She wanted to use them. On him. Right now.

Despite his tendency to affectionately call her his ‘siphon’, she’d really only used her powers a couple of times since being recompleted, exclusively when Roxas was having panic attacks.

It had been instinctual the first time, with her hardly even realizing she’d been doing it until Roxas’s breathing quickly calmed and she’d felt a surge of extra energy course through her. Despite siphoning only pure adrenaline, Xion did not take on any anxiety herself, curiously enough. She’d described it as feeling refreshing, revitalizing. Like the terror had been converted into some kind of nourishment once it passed into her.

It’d made Roxas less resistant to letting her do it again the next time he had panicked, though he’d made her swear to be honest if she felt like it was hurting her.

But doing that now? While he was calm and happy as a clam? That was….well, different.

Xion clearly noticed his reaction, as she hesitated, her hand retracting from his chest, the warmth of her powers dissipating around him.

“I’m..sorry.” She apologized. “I should’ve-“

Roxas shook his head as he quickly sat up to reach her, cutting her off with a kiss.

“It’s okay.” He reassured. “I was just surprised, not upset.”

Xion searched his face for a moment, probably for any signs of dishonesty, but unsurprisingly didn’t find anything.

“Are you sure?” She asked, worry speckling her tone. “I didn’t mean to-“

“Xion.” Roxas gently interrupted. “It’s okay. Go for it.”

She pressed her lips together, her face dusting with pink as another beat of silence passed.

“..Are you really sure?” She checked. A playful huff left Roxas’s throat.

“Yes, I’m sure.” He chuckled. “I trust you. I know you won’t hurt me.”

“You don’t think I’m…weird?” Xion’s voice dropped dejectedly, turning her face away. 

Roxas reached for her chin to gently guide her eyes back towards his.

“No, I think you’re beautiful.” He smiled sweetly at her. “And I know you just wanna feel close to me. I love that about you.”

Xion’s face lifted into a smile, her lovely, dark eyes shining happily. He couldn’t resist planting a small kiss on her grinning lips.

“You’re sweet.” She said softly. “You really don’t mind?” Roxas shook his head.

“Sweetheart, I’d give you every star in the sky if I could. What’s a little bit of energy?” He kissed the tip of her nose. “Go ahead, it’s yours.”

Xion’s beautiful smile widened, her pink cheeks swelling. He let her delicate hand press against his chest once more and gently guide him back against the pillows.

The billowing warmth of her powers flared around him again, thick like fog yet soft like cotton. It felt like the brush of a soft blanket as it descended upon his energy, gentle as a feather, though not as gentle as the fingertips sweetly caressing his face.

The girl smiling down at him was something angelic, she had to be. How else could Roxas explain the effect she had on him? How everything else turned to dust when he got to be with her like this. It all made his heart swell almost painfully, his throat growing thick with words he wanted to say, words that she probably already knew, but he wanted to spend the rest of time telling her anyway.

“I..” Roxas swallowed, overcome by the affection swirling through his heart. “I lo-“

“Hey, knuckleheads! I’m home!” 

Roxas cursed under his breath, shoving down any murderous intent he felt for his best friend at the moment and also the absolutely haunting way his girlfriend’s breathing had stopped for a split second before he’d been interrupted, her eyes brightening eagerly. Whyyyyy….

“Shit.” Xion mumbled, her powers dissipating as she sat up. “Shit, shit, shit.”

She looked around her room frantically, her eyes settling on the back left corner.

“Get in the closet.” She said abruptly, turning back to Roxas.

“What?” He blinked.

“My closet. Hide in there.” 

“Why?” Roxas protested. “I’m decent.”

Xion gave him a pointed look and tugged at the collar of her shirt unsubtly.

His hand flew to his neck on instinct, face flushing red as he nodded with understanding.

“Yeah, okay.” He agreed. He moved to climb out of bed just as a knock sounded against the door. FUCK.

“Xi? You home, kiddo?” Axel’s voice floated in from the other side of the door. 

Roxas swallowed an ‘oof’ as his girlfriend quickly shoved him back against the bed and threw the comforter over him, concealing him from view.

Under the blanket, it was dark and stuffy, but Roxas stayed as still as he possibly could as he heard Xion answer Axel.

“Yeah, I’m home.” She called. The sound of the dooring opening followed her response.

“Hey, bud.” Axel’s voice filled the room. “Watcha up to?”

“Nothing, really. Just reading.” Xion answered easily. “How was the market?”

“Ah, fine. Not as much furniture as we thought there’d be. Oh well.” Axel sighed. “Is Rox home?”

“No, I think he’s out with Pence, but I’m not sure.” She fibbed. “Finally, some peace and quiet.”

Roxas’s jaw dropped from under the blanket. 

‘After I gave her my energy..’

Axel laughed from the doorway, which only made him pout more.

“Hey now, go easy on the poor guy.” He snickered. “Look, I probably shouldn’t tell you this…but I’m pretty sure he’s got a little crush on you.”

Ohhhh….Roxas was going to kill that motherf-

“O-oh, really?” Xion’s voice pulled him from his plots of homicide, her voice wobbling with giggles. Though it probably just sounded like surprise to Axel. “I…wow. I had no idea.”

Axel scoffed.

“I know you didn’t. You two are completely clueless.” He snorted.

‘Oh yeah?!’

As if she sensed Roxas’s need to spring up from his hiding spot and rip their best friend a new one, Xion shifted so her hand was squeezing his shoulder in an attempt to pacify him.

“Yeah, yeah, so you keep saying.” She huffed. Axel laughed again. 

“You still up for ice cream?” He asked. 

“Sure, just, uh..lemme meet you there. I just want to finish this chapter. And maybe I can track down Roxas.” Xion said. Her hand left his shoulder to grab what Roxas assumed was her book.

“Alright, sounds good.” Axel agreed. “Tell Roxas he’s buying.”

“Will do.” Xion giggled. “See you in a bit.”

“See ya.” Axel chuckled, followed by the sound of the door closing. The room was silent until the sound of footsteps had faded and the front door had closed. 

Roxas threw the blanket off of himself, sitting up with a huff. 

His girlfriend’s lips were pressed together as if to quell laughter, but one look at his surely unamused expression had her doubling over in an instant.

“Shut up.” Roxas whined, though of course, he wasn’t actually upset. How could he be when her laughter was his favorite sound? 

“I’m s-sorry.” Xion managed through her guffaws. “I just-“ She shook her head as she fell back into laughter. 

“Xion.”

“You have a crush on meeee~!”

“Xion.”

“You liiike meeeee~!”

“I’m breaking up with you.”

“No, you’re not, ‘cuz you like meee- ah!” 

Xion yelped as Roxas whacked her with a pillow. 

iii.

“I gotta go.”

“I am a God.”

“…Okay?”

-

The sound of the TV faded into the background as Xion’s eyes fluttered shut, her attention having long since departed from the screen in favor of far more pressing matters.

Movie night was not strictly a trio activity, as proven by the currently absent Axel, but it wasn’t necessarily common for her and Roxas to have the living room to themselves this late in the evening, so the couple had decided to take advantage of that.

She could lie and say she had no way of knowing that she was going to end up laid back against the couch while her boyfriend lavished her with kisses, but of course she did. Wasn’t that the whole point?

Roxas hummed happily as he kissed her over and over, completely lost to everything in the world except her. Oh, how the thought made her heart ache. 

Xion let out a content sigh as she felt him press himself closer, nearly crushing them together. She wouldn’t want it any other way.

Her powers flared needily, tugging on their invisible leash, begging for the one thing they always wanted. More Roxas.

“Baby, can I-“ She broke their kiss to ask him if she could siphon, but was cut off before she could finish.

“All yours, gorgeous.” Roxas said breathlessly. “Go ahead.”

Xion smiled giddily as he found her lips again. He was always so quick to embrace her, to indulge her. She didn’t quite know how she got lucky enough to have someone as willing and open-hearted as her Roxas, but she’d thank the stars for it until the day she died.

Small splashes of energy flowed through her veins, sweet like ice cream and warm like sunsets in a way she had absolutely no words to explain. It wasn’t something she imagined sounded awfully logical, but it was true. His energy was always so unmistakably, undeniably him in every way and it fueled her like lifeblood. 

Roxas enjoyed it, too, evident by the way his whole frame always melted for her, the way he stared at her with the gentlest, softest eyes like she was his muse, his light. She could cry just from that tenderness in his eyes.

Her boyfriend continued to kiss her as she borrowed his energy, lips pressing hungrily over hers as her hands sunk into his blond hair. 

Xion’s lips parted as she clung to him, deepening their affectionate embrace further. His breath hitched just a bit as she held him tighter and it made her smile into his mouth.

She took her very sweet time kissing him, only pulling away as her fingers wrapped around a small lump amongst golden blond locks.

“How did you get popcorn in your hair?” She giggled, her eyebrows raised amusedly at her boyfriend as she showed him the offending kernel in her fingertips.

“I dunno.” Roxas shrugged, sparing a glance over at the forgotten bowl of popcorn on the coffee table. His head dipped to eat it from her palm. “Must’ve spilled some on the couch.”

“You’re so cute.” Xion smiled, tapping his nose. He smiled back.

“You’re cuter.” He tapped her back, following it with a kiss to her nose. 

“Untrue.”

“Very true. No one’s cuter than you.” Roxas held her face in his hands, eyes soft as butter as he admired her, like he was slowly falling into a trance. “…Or as beautiful. Or as sweet…”

He kissed her again, slowly, lightly. Very different from the deep, steady flow of their previous kisses moments ago.

Xion had half a mind to argue, to keep the banter going, but something in his eyes and tone took the words out of her mouth. He looked so thoughtful about something. He sounded so contemplative. 

So, she stayed quiet, electing to simply return his affection. Quiet until his lips trailed along her cheek and down towards her neck, leaving kiss after kiss against her skin in his wake. 

She sighed again, heavier this time as he showered her with kisses, arms wrapping securely around him, hands falling back in his hair. He kissed a particularly ticklish spot on her neck and a shiver ran down her spine.

“Roxas..” She breathed, stroking his hair sweetly. Her eyes fell shut again. Roxas hummed against her. 

“I love you.” He murmured into her skin. 

Xion felt her heart jump into her throat.

Her eyes flew open, breath caught in her lungs as the sound of the TV fell back over them for one long, agonizing moment as she feared she had hallucinated it.

“What…what did you just say?” Her voice shook with the question. Roxas raised his head to look her in the eyes.

“I love you, Xion.” His tone was serious, yet melted to its core. His eyes were glassy with emotion. “And I always have.” 

Xion opened her mouth to speak, but found she could only choke on her own breath.

She’d be lying if she said she didn’t know. There was no mistaking the lengths he’d gone to for her, the acts of devotion he’d made. There was no mistaking hers, either. There was no way around it, no excuse to explain it away. There never had been.

But still, to hear him say it. On his own time, of his own accord, with no danger or threat or time limit looming over them, without a present fear of regret. It shook her to her very core.

Xion’s eyes flooded, which should’ve been embarrassing, but she was too elated to care, a breathy laugh leaving her as she beamed at him. 

“I love you, too.” She said back, her voice cracking rapidly. “Since always.” 

The space between them closed in an instant, the couple throwing themselves together in a desperate kiss, holding onto each other for dear life. 

Roxas laughed as he kissed her, which sounded close to a sob, but Xion knew it was only out of happiness. She kissed him back with everything in her. 

“I love you.” He practically heaved between kisses. “So damn much.

If she’d thought him greedy before, he was absolutely ravenous now, all but burying her in his affection, in his love. 

He loved her.

“I love you, too.” She huffed out somewhere along the way. “More than anything.”

Roxas let out another laugh-sob, pulling away from her lips so he could wrap her in a bear hug and hold her tight, burying his face in her shoulder.

“It’s always been you, Xion.” He whispered, clinging to her. “I should’ve said it forever ago. Back when we first kissed, or when we first were recompleted, or back when you woke up from your coma. Or, hell, back when I first saw you.”

He lifted his head to look at her again, hands traveling up to hold her face, thumbs stroking sweetly against her cheeks and brushing away any flyaway tears that escaped. 

“I would’ve…” He trailed off, clearing his throat as he looked at her, face crumpling. “I would’ve done anything to help you, Xi. Anything. I-I never cared about the replica program or your powers or any of it. I just wanted to hold you…I just wanted to keep you..I didn’t want to forget..”

Xion bit back a sob, leaning up to press kisses all over his face.

“I know, Rox. I know.” She nuzzled their noses to comfort him. “Everything I did was for you, baby. All of it.”

Roxas nodded, falling back into her shoulder. 

“I know.” He let out a shuddering breath. “Don’t ever do it again.”

Xion huffed a laugh, placing a kiss on his head. 

“Never again.” She soothed. “We’ll never go through that again.”

“Never.” He echoed, nuzzling further against her. “You’re mine, Xion. I’m never letting you go again.”

She smiled, pressing her nose into his hair.

“I know you won’t.” She said softly. “I’ll never leave again.”

“You better not.” Roxas mumbled. “You better stay right here with me.” He drew back to kiss her forehead tenderly. 

“Always.” She agreed, leaning into his touch. “There’s nowhere else I’d ever want to be.”

He found her lips again, firm yet sweet as they melted back into each other. Xion tethered herself tightly to him, yet it seemed to not be close enough for Roxas, as he shifted his weight, his arms leaving her back to move down and guide each of her legs to rest at either side of his waist so he could press himself even closer to her.

“Just what do you think you’re doing?” She asked breathlessly, yet playfully. 

“Kissing the girl I love.” Roxas answered simply. Xion shuddered, melting for him even more. 

“Oh yeah?” Her voice was a little strained as she spoke up.

“Mhmm.” He trailed down to kiss along her neck again. “Gotta show her how crazy she makes me.”

“You…must love her a lot..” Xion said, fingers raking through his hair. He chuckled against the crook of her neck.

“More than she’ll ever know.” He smiled, moving back up to her face again.

She sighed, parting her lips again to deepen the kiss, her powers revving back up, frantic and eager from the intensity of her emotional state. 

“Rox-“ She tried to call, muffled by their kiss.

“All yours.” He murmured, taking the words right out of her mouth. Xion relaxed, letting her powers do as they pleased.

She took a little more than she usually did, which admittedly wasn’t much, though she felt wary of it anyway. Roxas didn’t seem to mind, though. He just kept kissing her, holding her securely in his arms, clearly more than content with her actions. The bursts of his energy passed through to her steadily.

“I love you, Roxas.” She whispered against his lips. He squeezed her tighter in response.

“I love you, too.” He whispered back. “My beautiful Xion.”

The next several minutes were a hazy blur, full of warmth and sweetness and Roxas, but their moment was brought to an abrupt halt by the sound of keys jingling from the front door.

The couple tore apart, frantically straightening themselves out as Roxas jumped to the other side of the couch, grabbing the popcorn bowl and setting it in between them for good measure. Xion panickedly returned his energy in one fell swoop, unceremonious enough to give both of them a little whiplash. 

Miraculously, the two had pulled themselves together by the time Axel walked in. 

“Oh, hi guys.” The older man greeted. 

“Hey, Axel.” “Hi, Axel.” They both called back simultaneously. 

Xion was grateful for the low light and how it concealed any trace of flush on their faces. She nonchalantly grabbed a handful of popcorn.

“I thought you’d be out later than this.” Roxas said. Axel shrugged. 

“Isa’s in a mood.” He waved his hand dismissively. 

“When is he not?” Xion quipped. Roxas snorted beside her. 

“Good question.” Axel sighed, running a hand down his face. He looked down at the space in front of the couch. 

“You know you guys spilled a bunch of popcorn, right?” He raised an eyebrow at them.

“Did we?” Roxas blinked innocently, peering over the edge of the couch. Xion did the same.

“Yeah. Just clean it up before ya turn in, okay? You klutzes.” Axel teased, shaking his head fondly. 

“Hey!” Xion and Roxas both exclaimed, making their friend chuckle.

“Watcha watching, anyway?” The older man asked. 

“Jennifer’s Body.” Xion answered. 

“Again? You guys really like that movie.” Axel glanced briefly at the screen, then furrowed his brow as he looked back at Xion. “Xi, you feeling okay? You look a little red in the face.” 

Xion opened her mouth to speak, but found herself at a loss. The only thing she managed was a startled “Uh,”

“She’s fine.” Roxas interjected casually, his eyes still on the screen. “The two main girls started kissing. She got embarrassed.” 

Xion’s head snapped over to him, shooting her boyfriend a death glare. He didn’t even bother hiding his lazy smirk. She grabbed another handful of popcorn and chucked it at him. 

Axel snickered as he watched the exchange, snatching a piece of popcorn that landed on the arm of the couch and tossing it into his mouth.

“Alright, I’m goin’ to bed.” He announced, turning to leave. “Don’t kill each other.”

He paused before he left, glancing back at them.

“And Xion? It’s okay to like girls, y’know.” He teased.

“I hate both of you.” She deadpanned as Roxas cackled. 

“Goodnight guys.” Axel laughed before heading to his room.

“Goodnight.” Roxas and Xion called after him. They waited for the sound of the door shutting before closing the space between them again.

Roxas snickered at the frown on her face, pulling her onto his lap to kiss her pouting lips.

“I’m sorry.” He apologized. “Do you still love me?”

“Of course I do, you jerk.” Xion huffed. “C’mere.” 

They shared a deep kiss, arms winding around each other automatically.

“Would you still love me if I was a girl?” Roxas asked with a grin once they broke. 

“Without a doubt.” Xion said honestly. She knew he was being lighthearted, but her answer was the complete truth anyway. 

He gave the slightest pause at her answer, his eyes thoughtful for a brief moment. There was something tentative about his next kiss. Something lingering.

“Yeah, baby?” Xion pulled back to look at him. “What is it?”

Roxas stared at her, quiet for a moment, his eyes deep in thought. 

“I..” He shook his head. “I just, I really, really love you.”

Xion noticed the way his voice caught, the way his chest had stiffened and relaxed. She made a mental note to remember it. 

“I love you, too.” She smiled at him, placing a tender kiss to his cheek. “I will always love you.”

She dove back in, letting Roxas know with her kisses just how true those words were, the movie continuing on in the background as she wove her fingers through blonde hair.

-

“I thought you only murdered boys.”

“I go both ways.”

iv.

Roxas ran a damp hand through his hair, glancing over at Axel. The redhead was sound asleep on his lounge chair on the sand, his hands folded behind his head casually. 

Roxas snorted at the fact that his best friend still had to crouch his legs whenever he sat anywhere, even if he was asleep. What a weirdo.

He shook thoughts of Axel out of his head as he turned to look at his girlfriend, who had wandered out a bit farther than him, the sounds of her paddling feet in the water softly filling in air. 

He waded in after her, smiling at the peaceful look on her sunkissed face. The water reflected on her onyx hair so elegantly. 

Xion floated on her back, her feet halting as she let the water cradle her. Her indigo eyes flickered over to him as he approached.

“Are you the hot lifeguard I’ve been hearing about?” She teased, her smile lighting up her face. Roxas chuckled, standing by her head. The water came up to about his shoulders.

“Thought that was you.” He replied.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She winked. 

“Oh, yeah. I’d drown myself in a second.” He grinned cheekily down at her, making her giggle.

“You can just ask for a kiss, you know. No need for near death experiences.” She said fondly.

“Speaking of kisses…” Roxas’s grin grew slightly wicked as he reached under her and snatched her from the water, holding her bridal style in his arms. He kissed her firmly.

“R-Roxas-!” Xion exclaimed, yanking her lips away. She scrambled to hold onto him. “Axel can see us!” 

“Don’t worry, he’s asleep.” He reassured her. Xion glanced at the shoreline. 

“Seriously?” She looked back at Roxas. He merely shrugged.

“The guy can fall asleep anywhere.” He said with a laugh.

“Still, he could wake up.” She protested. Roxas gave her a look.

“Baby. It’s Axel.” He scoffed. “We’ll be lucky if we can wake him up to go home.”

Xion rolled her eyes, but smiled all the same.

“Fine, fine.” She relented. “C’mere.”

She placed her hand on his cheek and guided him back to kiss her again, which he did happily, tasting the sea salt (without the ice cream) on her lips.

“Mm, have I told you how cute you look in that bathing suit?” Roxas asked when he pulled away. The water rippled gently around their shoulders

“Only about twenty times.” Xion answered in amusement. 

“Well, now it’s twenty-one. You look adorable.” He said, eying her admiringly. 

“Thank you.” Xion hummed, pecking his lips.

“And beautiful. And radiant.” Roxas continued. “And other things I can’t say because we’re in public.”

Xion rolled her eyes again.

“When has that ever stopped you?” She teased. 

“Hm, you’re right. You look hot as fu-“

He was cut off by her lips.

“Behave, love.” She giggled. Roxas shook his head.

“Easy for you to say.” He huffed playfully. “You can’t see yourself right now.”

Xion settled back to her feet in the water, her hands sliding down to rest on his shoulders.

“Oh, you think it’s easy for me to behave?” She raised her eyebrows at him, taking a step closer. 

She fluttered her lashes, her hands running slowly down his bare chest. Roxas froze, his eyes fixed on her. He swallowed harshly.

“When you’re…” Her voice dropped an octave, hands trailing down over his stomach to grab his hips and pull him the slightest bit closer. “…like this?”

She leaned in and just barely brushed her lips against the salt soaked skin of his neck and Roxas shivered. 

“I-Is it not..?” He stuttered, his voice coming out funny and cracked. He felt her smirk against the curve of his jaw.

“Light, no.” She murmured, her fingers dancing up his spine. “It’s torture, my love. All I want to do is…is…”

She trailed off, her hand cupping his cheek, drawing his face impossibly close, their noses brushing from proximity.

“Y-yeah?” Roxas wheezed, hardly able to breathe. His eyes fluttered shut as he just barely felt the softness of her lips.

“All I want to do is this.”

Xion’s free arm tore out of the water and splashed him right over the head, drenching his face and hair with ocean water.

Roxas yelped as the unexpected coldness hit him, his hands flying up to peel his slickened hair away from his face and wipe any water out of his eyes. 

“Wah-! Xion!” He shrieked. She cackled, already paddling away before he even got the chance to give chase. “You’re gonna get it!”

“Oh, am I~?” She called in a sing-song voice. “Doesn’t sound very beach friendly, sweetheart.” 

“Ohh, it’s not friendly at all.” He shot back, swimming after her. She kept laughing.

“Ooo, I’m so scaaared.” She taunted. “Or I would be if you could actually catch me.”

Roxas huffed. She was right, he wasn’t nearly as graceful in the water as she was. Time to switch tactics. 

“Ah-!” He cried, making sure it sounded pained. “Shit, I-“

He stopped moving, falling back onto his feet in about neck deep water. The effect was immediate, his girlfriend’s attention snapping to him in an instant.

“Rox?” She called. “Are you okay?”

“I-I think my foot caught on something..” He lied. “Oww..”

Xion swiftly swam back over to him.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay.” She soothed as she reached him, wrapping one of his arms around her shoulders for support. She squinted to try to spot his supposedly trapped foot under the water. “Let me see if I can- agh!” 

She was cut off by Roxas splashing her back, howling with victory laughter. 

Xion brushed her hair away from her face, her eyes flickering dangerously at him, her jaw open with outrage. 

“Oh, I’m gonna get you.” She growled. 

“Oh yeah?” He did his best to tease, but he couldn’t deny that her murder eyes paired with slicked back hair was super hot.

“Yeah.” She bit out and lunged for him. 

Roxas just barely dodged out of the way, almost losing his balance in the process. He was able to keep himself on his feet, but the momentary fumble was all Xion needed to reach him, splashing him sharply with both arms. Oh, it was war now.

They both squealed with laughter as they battled, drenching each other over and over, arms flailing wildly in both offense and defense. 

Roxas did his best to keep splashing her, but somewhere along the way he got close and just started kissing her, even as she took it as an opportunity to keep nailing the back of his head with splashes. He let her, holding her close as she giggled against his lips, eventually relenting and wrapping her arms around his neck instead. 

“Truce?” He offered, pressing his dripping forehead against hers. 

“If you tell me you love me.” She grinned mischievously.

“I love you.” He said with a chuckle.

“Again.” She demanded.

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you, Xion.”

“How much?”

“Enough to ache when you’re not around.” He told her truthfully. “Enough to lose my mind without you.” 

Xion looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, her eyes softening. Wordlessly, she tightened her arms around him and threw herself under the water, tugging him along with her.

Roxas assumed she was messing with him again, but as he blinked rapidly to get his eyes used to the burn of the salty water, she drew herself closer, pressing her lips over his.

Both of their cheeks were puffed with their remaining oxygen, but Roxas still managed to lose himself in her kiss, even if his eyes and nose were burning and his lungs felt heavy. 

They kissed until Roxas felt himself losing his breath, pulling away and breaking the surface again with Xion not far behind.

Before either of them could do anything else, a familiar voice carried over from the shore.

“Oh, thank light! I thought you guys got carried off to sea!” Axel shouted, hands cupped around his mouth. 

“You wish!” Xion called back. 

“Were you two trying to drown each other?” Axel asked. 

“Yes!” Xion shouted. “Roxas is very annoying!”

“I know!” Axel agreed.

“You both suck!” Roxas joined in, matching their volume. 

“Xion, my munny’s on you!” Axel teased. 

“Thanks, buddy!” Xion shot him a thumbs up. Roxas just flipped him off. 

“I’m breaking out the food if you guys are hungry!” He informed them, holding up the cooler bag they had brought.

“Okay! Be there in a second!” Xion made a move to start swimming to shore, but Roxas took her arm and pulled her back before she could.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and dunked them both underwater again, stealing another kiss under the ocean’s cover. He felt her grin as she wrapped herself around him and kissed back.

She was the one to draw back first this time, though he still broke the surface before she did, if only so he’d get to see the breathtaking way she emerged from the waves like she was straight out of a painting, gasping for her breath and flicking water droplets away from her face. Kingdom Hearts, his girlfriend was gorgeous. 

“Lunch time?” He asked once he remembered how to speak. Xion nodded with a smile.

“Race you to shore.” She challenged. Roxas grinned back at her.

“You’re on.”

v.

“Xi. Xion.”

She was vaguely aware of a gentle hand squeezing her shoulder and a familiar voice calling for her softly, but Xion was too wrapped in sleep to answer.

“Seashell, hey.” A pair of soft lips brushed her cheek, warm breath tickling her face.

“Hmm?” She managed to respond. A breathy laugh grazed her ear. 

“Xiiiooon~” The voice called sweetly. “Looove~” 

She felt a nose nuzzle the side of her neck. She dragged her tired arm up to lace her hand through familiar unruly hair, eyes opening just a crack.

“Mmm, yeah? Whas goin’ on, baby?” She mumbled out, voice thick with sleep. She blinked blearily up at her boyfriend. 

Roxas smiled warmly at her, running gentle fingers through her hair. The feeling was so soothing that Xion almost drifted back to sleep.

“Everyone’s asleep. Do you still wanna go watch the stars?” He asked. 

Xion smiled sleepily up at him. 

“‘Course I do.” She replied. 

Her boyfriend’s smile grew as he leaned down to kiss her tenderly, pulling a relaxed hum from her throat. She was a little more awake by the time he pulled away.

“Sorry I dozed off.” She apologized.

“Don’t be sorry.” Roxas soothed. “I know I probably wasn’t helping, was I?”

“Mm, no, you certainly were not.” Xion said honestly. He chuckled sheepishly

“Sorry, love.” He swooped down to press his lips to her forehead. 

“Don’t apologize.” Xion smiled. “I love it when you sing to me. You have the prettiest voice.”

“So you tell me.” He teased, his palm flattening against her cheek. She wrapped her hands around his forearm. 

“And I’ll keep telling you.” She said fondly. “Now, help me sit up. I’m tired.” She raised her arms and made grabby hands at him.

Roxas laughed, leaning down to let her wrap her arms around his neck, his own arms holding the small of her back as he straightened back up. 

Xion sighed happily as he pulled her with him, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder.

“My little siphon’s so sleepy.” He cooed, his hand trailing up to give her head kitty scritches. “You gonna be okay out there, cutiepie?” 

“Mhm.” She nodded against his shoulder. “Though you might need to carry me.” She said lightheartedly.

“Oh noooo. A perfectly good excuse to touch your butt, nooooo.” Roxas joked with faux dismay. Xion flicked the tip of his nose.

“In your dreams, buddy.” She snarked. 

“Yeah, that’s pretty accurate.” He snickered, then yelped as Xion smacked him. 

“C’mon. Before I change my mind.” She grumbled halfheartedly, climbing off of the bed and pulling Roxas along behind her by the hand. He went willingly.

The two were visiting Radiant Garden with Axel for a few days, along with Namine, Isa and the Land of Departure trio. They’d all been given their own rooms in the castle to sleep in by the crew in the science department and security regiment (which consisted almost entirely of former organization members. Oof.) but Roxas and Xion had consolidated to one room.

They weren’t exactly secretive about it, which should have raised some eyebrows had they been anyone else. Fortunately, everyone in the castle knew who they were and what they’d been through, meaning they hardly batted an eye at the prospect of the two of them sharing a bed.

Xion supposed they understood her and Roxas had never properly received any form of nurturing when they were born. They’d simply been thrown immediately into an unstable environment with the bodies and minds of teenagers, forced to fight and survive, but also with the instincts of two newborn hearts who needed guidance, regulation and stability. Needless to say, the organization hadn’t provided that. So, they each found their biggest support person in each other.

Dating or not, they still understood each other better than anyone else could, they still needed that comfort, that closeness and security, especially around bedtime. Though being in love was certainly a bonus. 

The two crept out of their room and down the long hallway quietly, hands interlocked as they tiptoed through the castle and towards the gardens. 

The moon was just a sliver in the sky, letting the stars take center stage as they embellished the night sky with glittery luster, the perfect night to watch them shine.

Xion felt giddy as they scurried into the garden, both of them giggling like little kids staying up too late. 

They found a nice grassy patch to lay on, settling onto their backs beside each other to gaze up at the stars, shoulders brushing. 

“Wow.” Xion breathed. “There’s so many here.”

“Yeah, there is.” Roxas marveled. She felt him reach for her hand and lace their fingers. “It’s amazing.”

“Do you think there’s any constellations?” She asked. 

“I dunno.” He shrugged. “I don’t know any.”

“We could always make our own.” She suggested. He turned his head to smile at her.

“Yeah, I like that idea.” He squeezed her hand and looked back up at the sky. “You go first.”

“Hmm.” Xion knit her brow in concentration, staring thoughtfully at the sky. After a moment of thinking, she pointed at a small cluster of stars.

“That group of stars right there? That’s a flowerpatch. And they’re all friends.” She adlibbed.

“Yeah?” Roxas grinned at her. “What kind of flowers are they?”

“They’re…” she trailed off as she thought it over.

“How about shions?” Roxas suggested. She rolled her eyes fondly.

“You always say shions.” She said with exasperation, but of course she wasn’t serious. 

“They’re my favorite.” Was his simple reply. “They’re the prettiest.”

“Starting to think there’s a reason for that.” She teased, nudging his shoulder. He nudged her back.

“Wonder what it could be.” He chuckled. “Alright, a flowerpatch of shions. Now it’s my turn.”

Xion looked over to watch him, his eyes intent and searching as they scanned the endless canopy of stars. He pointed at the sky and she followed with her gaze.

“Those two stars that are really close together. They’re in love. They don’t ever want to be apart.” He said. She smiled, squeezing his hand.

“I read once that some people believe the stars tell stories of the future.” She told him. “That they can predict destiny. Do you think that’s true? Maybe those stars predicted us.”

Roxas was quiet for a moment, clearly reflecting on her words, thinking over what he wanted to say.

“No, I don’t think that’s it.” He said hesitantly, admittedly surprising Xion a bit, but she let him continue nonetheless. “I think it’s like..” He pressed his lips together, pausing for  a moment. “I don’t think falling in love with you was a destiny that was given to me. I think it’s a destiny I made for myself.”

He turned to look at her again, moving their joined hands so hers rested over his heart. 

“I don’t think those stars told me who I was going to love, I think it’s the other way around. I think we made those stars, not vice versa.” He explained, voice soft yet firm and resolute. The words absolutely took her breath away.

“That’s…” Xion trailed off quietly, stunned. She rolled onto her side so she could cup his face and kiss him, which he gladly reciprocated. “That’s the loveliest thing anyone’s ever said to me.” She said with awe against his lips. 

Roxas smiled, pecking her lips again.

“You deserve to hear lovely things.” He brushed a lock of hair out of her eyes. “And have lovely things. Hm. Hang on.”

Xion blinked at him as he got up from their spot, walking  away towards the bushes and out of her view. He returned a moment later with his hand behind his back, sitting down on the grass next to her.

Before she got the chance to ask what he was doing, he revealed his hand, which was wrapped around the stem of a freshly picked rose. The petals were a soft purple.

Xion gasped softly, scrambling to lean on her elbows.

“Here.” Roxas smiled adoringly as he handed it to her. “For you.” 

Xion’s smile threatened to overtake her face as she buried her nose in the beautiful blossom and took in its sweet scent.

“Thank you.” She said a little breathlessly. “It’s beautiful.”

She laid back flat again, twirling the rose around in her fingers. Roxas watched her fondly.

“Love at first sight. That’s what the purple ones mean.” He recited. Xion’s jaw fell open.

“How did you know that?” She asked. He chuckled in response.

“You don’t think I look through that flower language book in your room from time to time?” He smiled knowingly. Xion flushed, though her smile remained.

“You’re a love, you know that?” She sighed. He leaned over her to give her a sweet kiss.

“I’m your love.” He whispered, followed by another kiss. 

“And I’m your love.” She whispered back.

 Roxas shifted his weight to prop himself up on one arm, the other stroking gently through her hair. 

“You sure are.” He smiled. “Purple for love at first sight. Purple just like shions.” He leaned down to smooch her forehead. 

Xion could feel the flush bloom on her cheeks, flattered beyond belief. How did he manage to wear his heart so seamlessly on his sleeve? Even now as she laid there blushing, happily twirling her rose, he was still unmoving, gazing at her, smiling like he couldn’t get enough of the sight of her. 

“The stars are up there, you know.” She reminded him lightheartedly. 

“But I want to look at you.”  He said, his tone coated in whatever spell his eyes were knee deep in, some kind of infatuation that affected him greatly.

Maybe the spell was wearing off on Xion, too. Maybe it was what spurred her to sit up and fling her knees on either side of her boyfriend’s hips, settling on his lap. Her unoccupied hand coaxed him down flat on his back.

“Now you can look at both.” She said a bit coyly, bringing the rose up to her nose to smell it again. Roxas blew air out of his lips, very clearly enjoying the view. 

“Now that’s a night sky.” He smiled dreamily up at her, hands running affectionately over her lower thighs. She hid her smile against the rose petals.

“Tell me more constellations.” She requested. Her boyfriend didn’t even bother to pretend to take his eyes off of her.

“But the prettiest one’s down here.” He grinned. “One of those shions up there must’ve crash landed.”

Xion giggled, dipping down to kiss him.

“You’re being a huge sap tonight.” She jested. Roxas snaked a hand up to her head to keep her close.

“You love sappy.” He shot back. He then carefully plucked the rose out of her hand and set it down beside him so he could take her waist and roll her to the other side.

Xion squealed as they tumbled, both of them landing on their sides, chest to chest as they faced each other. They fell immediately into a deep kiss. 

“I love you.” She mumbled into the kiss.

“I love you, too.” He said back. Their foreheads rested together once they pulled away. “Hey, Xi?”

“Mm?” 

“I wanna tell Axel about us. Soon.” Roxas drew back a bit to look her in the eye as he said it, his voice determined. She blinked at him, taken aback.

“Yeah?” She smiled.

“Yeah.” He nodded. “I just…I’m in love. And I wanna tell my best friend about it. About how happy you make me.” 

Xion’s smile grew, her bottom lip wobbling. How did he always manage to make her emotional? She’d curse him if she didn’t love him so damn much.

“I wanna tell him that, too.” She said softly. “How happy I am with you.”

Roxas beamed, pressing their foreheads together again.

“Okay.” He said. “When we get back home?”

“Yeah.” Xion nodded. “Let’s do it.”

They settled into a comfortable silence, simply enjoying each other’s company, still pressed closely together.

“Yknow,” Xion eventually spoke up. “It’s really weird seeing, like, half of the organization here.”

“Right?” Roxas chuckled. “It’s so funny thinking about them having other jobs.”

“I know.” She giggled. “And they keep looking at us so apologetically, but I hardly know most of them.”

“Very true.” He agreed. “They think we’re gonna have some big meltdown, but we’re actually just surprised that they own other clothes.”

They both fell into laughter. 

“Roxas? Xion? Is that you guys out there?” A familiar voice called from a distance. The couple looked at each other incredulously. How Axel always managed to crash their alone time, even during the middle of the night while staying in a fucking castle was beyond them. 

“Hey, Axel.” Xion called back while Roxas mimed screaming “HOW??” at the sky. Xion nudged him playfully. “We’re in the garden.”

The two shifted to lay flat on their backs again, but were too over it to even put any space between them, their shoulders brushing shamelessly. 

Axel appeared a few feet away on Xion’s other side, arms stretched as he yawned casually.

“Well, hey.” He greeted. “Fancy meeting you two here. Thought I heard you guys laughing.”

“We wanted to look at the stars.” Roxas explained. “They look different here than in Twilight Town.”

Axel nodded, hands on his hips as he glanced up at the sky. 

“Sure are.” He mused. 

“What are you doing out here, anyway?” Xion asked.

“Ah, couldn’t sleep.” Axel shrugged. “Being back here is…weird. Got a lot of thoughts I guess.”

“Do you wanna talk about it?” Roxas asked. Axel shook his head.

“Nah. I’m alright. But thanks.” He glanced back over at them. “I might just join you guys, though.” He made a move to sit on the grass, but paused, squinting at them.

“Unless I’m interrupting something..?” He questioned. 

Xion felt her boyfriend tense next to her. Should they tell him now? It was a good opportunity. And he absolutely was interrupting something…

She spared a glance at Roxas, who met her eyes with slight uncertainty. No, they decided to tell Axel after they got home. It didn’t need to be right now.

So, Xion scoffed instead.

“He wishes.” She snorted. Roxas’s jaw dropped in offense as Axel laughed heartily. 

Xion smirked at her boyfriend’s pouting face as Axel sat down, unsurprisingly sitting with his knee propped up and his back slouched. Some things never changed.

“Sorry, buddy. Better luck next time.” The redhead joked. Xion bit her lip to keep herself from collapsing into giggles.

“Fuck off, man.” Roxas grumbled. The older man just kept snickering.

A beat of silence passed over the trio as they watched the stars. Xion felt Roxas subtly stroke the back of her hand with his fingertips. She could’ve sworn she felt him trace a heart and the thought made her smile to herself.

“Huh, there’s a rose beside you, Roxas.” Axel commented, gesturing to Roxas’s other side. 

“Oh, yeah.” He grabbed it and held it up for their friend to see. “Xion picked it from the bush. She thought it was pretty.” 

She couldn’t deny the slight pang of sadness she felt from not being able to gush to Axel that it was actually Roxas who picked it for her, though her boyfriend’s lingering touch as he handed it back to her comforted her slightly. They would tell him soon.

“That is pretty.” Axel said, nodding appreciatively at the rose. “I don’t usually see purple ones. Do they have some kind of special meaning?”

Xion smiled.

“Love at first sight, I think.” She answered. She felt Roxas brush her hand again. 

“Interesting.” Axel replied. “I like that.”

The fingertips stroking her hand started tracing what felt like letters this time. 

I-L-O-V-E-Y-O-U

Xion bit back her smile, sneaking a glance at Roxas, who shot a wink back at her. 

“Yeah…” She trailed off, making sure Axel was looking up at the stars so he couldn’t see her mouth back ‘I love you, too.’

“Whoa, you see those two stars that are almost touching?” Axel pointed at the sky, at the two stars her and Roxas had discussed earlier.

“Yeah. They must’ve been in love in a past life or something.” Roxas chimed in. Axel looked at him with surprise.

“Wow, that’s pretty philosophical, man.” He said, sounding impressed. Xion felt him brush her hand again.

“I have my moments.”

She buried her smile in her rose.

+i.

Lea yawned as he left his room, careful to shut the door quietly so as to not wake up Roxas or Xion if they were still asleep. 

He sauntered lazily towards the bathroom, splashing a bit of water on his face to chase his fatigue away. He wasn’t usually up this early, but the trip to Radiant Garden had messed with his sleep rhythm a bit. Ah, well. Couldn’t be helped.

Actually, it could be helped. With coffee, that is. Which is exactly what Lea was going for. He headed for the kitchen with only one thing in mind, blinking groggily.

Apparently Roxas and Xion were already awake and beat him to the kitchen, the two of them pressed- wait, WHAT?

They indeed had beaten him to the kitchen, Roxas pressed against the wall, hoisted up, legs wrapped tightly around Xion’s waist and arms around her neck as she held him up by the thighs while they kissed the living shit out of each other and WHAAAT???

“What the fuck?!” Lea blurted, the only thing he could think to say. He gaped at them like a fish.

The two startled at the outburst, almost causing Roxas to lose his balance as they tore apart, but he managed to slide to his feet. They stared back at him wide eyed.

“Oh shit…” Xion cursed under her breath, pressing a hand to her reddening face. Roxas scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

“Uh. Morning.” He waved awkwardly. Xion turned away in embarrassment. Lea just stared at them. 

“What- you- why- what- HUH?!” He stammered, gesturing between them, trying to pick his jaw up off of the floor. 

“Okay, so we should probably talk…” Xion reappeared next to Roxas. 

“You- you two were-!” Lea continued to sputter.

“Kissing.” Roxas finished for him. “Yeah, we know.”

“Please try to calm down, Axel..” Xion pleaded.

“I…I am calm.” He insisted, trying his best to show it. He ran a weary hand through his hair. “I just wasn’t expecting to find my two best friends rendezvousing in the kitchen today!”

Roxas had the nerve to snort and Lea considered punching the kid. 

“Rendezvousing?” He echoed with amusement. 

“Well, I don’t know what this is!” Lea defended. “I’m barely awake and you two are all…” He made vague hand gestures, mashing his hands together. 

He could tell both of them were trying not to laugh at him, those little jerks.

“Okay, you’re making it sound like we were doing something way worse.” Xion bit out, pressing her lips together to keep a straight face.

“Guys.” Lea huffed, exasperated. “Give me a break. It’s eight in the morning and the first thing I see is you two…experimenting or whatever the fuck that was.” He grimaced. 

Xion’s face dropped with hurt and Roxas furrowed his eyebrows, making Lea instantly regret his choice of words.

“Axel, we’re not just…messing around for the hell of it.” He said, voice hardening into something serious. “We’re together. We love each other.” He wrapped an arm around Xion’s waist for emphasis.

…Oh. Oh. Well now he felt like an asshole. 

Xion nodded in agreement, rubbing her arm nervously. Roxas clearly noticed, as he held her a little tighter. 

“..Aw man, guys, I’m sorry..” He sighed, scratching his head. “I didn’t realize. I was just…shocked, I guess. I mean, I kinda figured you’d maybe get together later down the line, but I really thought right now you guys just saw each other as friends.”

Roxas and Xion both visibly relaxed, sharing a brief glance.

“Axel…” Roxas shook his head and gave a slight chuckle, his face lifting into a smile as he looked over at Xion. “She and I were never just friends.”

He reached for her hand, pressing a kiss against her knuckles. She smiled back at him. 

Lea blinked in surprise.

“Wait, so back in the organization..?” He trailed off.

“Oh, we weren’t official or anything back then.” Xion quickly clarified. “But…we were in love. We just didn’t know what that meant yet.”

“Yeah, I mean, I know you weren’t around when we were first assigned missions together, or when we worked together when she lost her keyblade, or when we’d get ice cream when you went back to Castle Oblivion, but…” Roxas’s face softened. “It’s always been her. From the moment I saw her.” He seemingly couldn’t resist pulling her close to kiss her forehead. 

Lea was stunned. His two best friends, the two clueless, innocent souls thrown into a world completely unready for them that he’d taken under his wing, those two little troublemakers had blown him away yet again. He supposed he had no right to be surprised. Those kids had always marched to the beat of their own drums, no matter what anyone had to say about it. 

But falling in love? Being in love this whole time? Lea didn’t know what to say. 

“That…wow.” He blew air out of his lips. “I had no idea.”

Roxas’s face twisted into a smirk.

“Yeah, turns out you’re clueless, not us.” He teased, wrapping a triumphant arm around Xion’s shoulders. She laughed behind her hand. Well, they kind of got him there.

“Wait, wait. So, how long have you been together? Officially?” Lea asked, curious now. He needed to know how long these two sneaks had been pulling a fast one on him.

Roxas and Xion shared a look that he had no means of decoding. Damn, was this gonna be a thing now?

“Well…” Xion looked away guiltily. “Um..a little over four months.”

Did she say months?

“Months?” He gaped. “You’re telling me you’ve been dating for four months and I had no idea?” 

“Uh, yeah. That’s kind of exactly what we’re telling you.” Roxas continued to smirk, clearly quite proud of himself. 

“Wait, so, the other night in the castle garden-“ Lea began, but was cut off.

“You actually were interrupting.” Xion finished for him. He supposed that made sense. They’d been shoulder to shoulder and he could’ve sworn he saw them playing with each other’s fingers.

“So, when I told you that I thought Roxas might have a crush on you, you guys were already dating.” Lea said, as if to check if he had it right. The two of them nodded.

“Yeah, I was in the room.” Roxas grumbled. “I had to hide.”

“Wait, really?” Lea asked in amusement. Xion nodded again.

“He was in the bed next to me, so I just threw my comforter over him.” She admitted, voice full of giggles. 

“No way!” Lea laughed at the mental image. “That’s hilarious.”

“Oh, it was.” Xion laughed as well. Roxas scowled, but both Lea and Xion knew he wasn’t serious. 

“Oh yeah?” Roxas glared at her playfully. “Well, you weren’t all red during movie night because the characters were kissing, it was because I told you I loved you for the first time and we were kissing.” 

Xion gasped in mock offense, pressing her hand to her chest.

“Well, you didn’t show up late to that skateboarding thing because you couldn’t find your kneepads, you just didn’t wanna stop cuddling me.” She fired back. Roxas clutched his heart as if wounded. 

“And you didn’t pick that purple rose in Radiant Garden, I did to give it to you. And you were so giddy about it.” He taunted. 

“Oh yeah? Well-“

Lea cut Xion off.

“Okay, I get it.” He said amusedly. They were quite funny, but he didn’t need to hear all of their banter. “You guys love each other.”

“Yes, a lot.” “Very much.” They said at the same time. 

“So, were you guys ever gonna tell me?” Lea asked. “Or were you keeping it to yourselves for a reason?”

“Actually, we were gonna tell you this week.” Xion informed him. “We decided to tell you once we got back home from Radiant Garden. You just, uh, caught us before we got the chance…” She trailed off sheepishly.

“Why did you guys wait so long?” Lea followed up. “I’m not mad or anything, I’m just curious.”

“Well, there were a few reasons.” Roxas explained. “At first we wanted to keep just between us, but then we got worried that you might get weird about us living together and send one of us somewhere else.”

“No, of course not.” Lea cut in to reassure them both. “I’d never, ever send either of you away.” 

“We know.” Xion smiled. “We talked it through. But after that it was just kind of funny how long it was taking you to notice.”

“Woooow.” Lea shook his head, crossing his arms. “You guys think you’re soooo clever, huh?”

“Kinda.” Roxas grinned. “I think we also just…” He trailed off, looking to Xion for reassurance. She smiled encouragingly at him. “We were a little nervous about things changing. With the three of us.”

The younger boy sounded so vulnerable as he said it, like he’d really mulled over how his relationship might affect their friendship. It sent a crack through Lea’s heart.

“Guys…” His face softened, his arms opening for the two half pints. “Bring it in. Group hug.”

They each accepted the gesture, hugging back. Lea patted both of their little heads.

“You guys will always be my best friends.” He reassured them. “You don’t have to worry about that changing. I’m happy for you two. You clearly love each other and you deserve to be together.” 

Xion sniffled, clinging to him a little tighter. 

“Thanks, Axel..” She said emotionally, her little voice wobbling. “You’re the best..”

Goddamn, these kids made him feel paternal. Did he want his own kids? Huh. 

“I love you guys.” He said affectionately, ruffling both of their hair. “And I really am happy for you. Just please promise you won’t make out in front of me? This is still your house and all but just…warn me or something. Please.”

Roxas and Xion both snickered.

“Will do.”  Roxas agreed. “Right, love?” 

Xion lit up a bit from the petname, smiling as she nodded.

“Of course.” She agreed. 

“Thank you.” Lea sighed in relief. “Also…you guys don’t still need, like, “the talk,” do you?”

Roxas facepalmed at the same time Xion squinted like she’d been burned.

“Nope.” Xion said firmly. “We’re all set with that.” 

Oh, thank fuck.

“Great. That’s great.” Lea sighed with even more relief. “…So like, consent, protection, UTIs, you guys know all that?”

Xion nodded rapidly as Roxas buried his face in his hands.

“Yep. All good. Thank you, Axel.” She said urgently, shooting him the most aggressive thumbs up he’d ever seen a person give.

“Cool. Cool. Coolcoolcool...” Lea looked away, clearing his throat. “…Welp. I’m gonna go make coffee,” He pointed to the coffeemaker. “And not talk to you guys for the next twenty minutes.”

“Awesome.” Xion replied. “And we’re gonna go walk downtown to pick up bagels and not be here.”

“Wonderful.” Lea clasped his hands together. “Good talk.” 

“Yep. See ya later.” Xion gave him a parting salute before dragging a blushing Roxas out of the room.

Even after they left the kitchen, he could hear them chattering by the front door as they got their shoes on, giggling and whispering like they always did. 

Lea could see them from the kitchen window as they walked hand in hand down the block, swinging their arms back and forth as they went. They didn’t get far before Roxas stopped walking and tugged Xion close, wrapping his arms around her and spinning her around. Lea could hear her laughter echo down the street.

They looked happy. More than that, they looked free. Like there was nothing left to weigh them down or keep them apart. No Organization, no memory pods, no secrets. Like they were finally where they were always meant to be. Lea smiled as he watched them, waiting for them to turn the corner out of view to go back to his coffee.

“Those kids are gonna give me a heart attack one of these days.” He sighed to himself, taking a swig from his mug. “What is Jennifer’s Body even about?”