traversed | it's about DAMN TIME

it's about DAMN TIME

[It'd been a couple of days since Riku had dragged Sora's ass back to the islands. It hadn't been easy to readjust to being around everyone again -- it'd felt like ten fucking years instead of one that he was by himself.

By himself, for the first time ever. No Riku, no Kairi, no one inside his heart to at least let him think that he's not alone. He was completely alone, save for Yozora, and...their encounter hadn't gone well either.

He slept a lot, honestly. To kind of avoid everyone, because for the first time in his entire life, he doesn't feel like pretending everything's okay. Kairi and Riku would typically call him a lazy bum, but they kept those words to themselves this time, instead just being a semi-constant presence to make sure that Sora's okay.

But then it hits him in the middle of the night, when he should be sleeping but he's not. That he needs to stop being like this -- because Kairi had been alone, Riku had been alone...

Namine had been alone. Her entire existence, she had been alone with people who didn't care about her.

Sora almost feels ashamed not going to see her sooner, and he finally jumps out of bed. He's got to do at least this one thing, because she deserves it. Even if he doesn't remember his time in Castle Oblivion, the promise to thank her weighs so heavy on his heart that he knows he has to do it now.

But first, he stops by the store. He got her a couple of things -- some flowers, a stuffed rabbit, and some chocolates. Girls like those things, right? Sora doesn't exactly have time to get Kairi's opinion, and even if he had initially forced himself to get up and moving again, doing something for someone else is already lightening his mood. All of his friends deserved something, honestly, for working so hard to bring him back, but Namine was first.

Namine had waited too long already.

She was staying with Kairi, for now -- and when Sora shows up at her door, Kairi looks kind of puzzled. But then he asks where Namine is, and she looks over his gift (that he'd stuffed into a obnoxiously pink bag, minus the flowers) before smirking and pointing to the room she was in.

Sora takes a deep breath, before he starts off, thanking Kairi as he steps into her house and going to where she'd said Namine was...

He knocks on the wall a bit as he pokes his head into the room, just to announce his presence, even if he's suddenly starting to feel a bit awkward. Even though he doesn't really know why he's feeling awkward, because it's Namine, it's one of his friends...!!

Maybe it's the memory bullshit. That's probably it.]

Um...hey, Namine!

[At least he's getting perky again...?]

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[He figured she had done some things, even if Kairi and Riku had basically told him they had spent the entire year looking for him. It's. Not surprising at all, out of them, even if he felt like they shouldn't have had to do it in the first place.

But enough about that!!

Sora just laughs a little, and shrugs now.]

I dunno, Riku says I'm "annoying as hell" sometimes. But he still keeps me around, so maybe I'm not that annoying.

[More like Riku likes to put in that Tough Guy act because someone's gotta balance out Sora.]

I just like seeing people smile, that's all. I don't think that's so wrong, right?

I think he just likes to tease you. He never stopped looking for you.

[Did he really not realize just what a mark he left on the people he encountered? They were all changed for the better. Some of them wouldn't even be here, now, if it wasn't for Sora.]

There's nothing wrong with that. It's one of the reasons everyone loves you. [It was no secret, just how much he meant to all of his friends. Kairi went to sleep to search for him, Riku hunted day in and day out. So many people put so much time and effort into finding him.]

[Sora's smile falters a little again, and he looks back down at his hands. After finally defeating Xehanort, his friends truly deserved to take a break. But there he was, making everyone work so hard...]

I know. I...honestly don't think he knows how to take a break.

[Not where Sora's concerned, anyway. He had no idea what had happened when he was sleeping for that year, but he most definitely knows that Riku's worked really hard ever since he met up with him again.]

I know there's probably going to be worlds that need saving eventually, but...I hope we're able to all be together. At least for a little while.

Neither do you. [While Riku had certainly kept busier than Sora over the last few years, it was only because Sora was sidelined. If she hadn't had to spend a year reconstructing his memories, then he probably would've stayed just as busy.

Together. All of them together seemed like a nice sentiment, but how would that really work? Even just to save Sora, their new group split apart quickly. And where did she fit in? She didn't have a keyblade, like nearly everyone else. She wasn't built to save worlds, just Sora's heart and memories.]

I...hope so too. [Because they were her family now. Something she never expected to have, but wanted to hold on to tightly. Her grip tightened on the rabbit as the thought of losing them all again crossed her mind, but she forced herself to push the thought away.

Even if they were separated again, their hearts would find each other once more. She was sure of that.]

Maybe...but it'd be nice to have a break, I think.

[Sora needs one, anyway. He's over it, he's tired of fighting all the time and being separated from his friends. For once, he wants it to be at least a little bit of what it used to be. Just for a little while, because he also understands that it might not ever be exactly like that again.

It's kind of sad, really.]

Maybe we should have a big party or something, now that we're all together. What do you think? I think it'd be a good idea.

If anyone deserves a break, it's you. [Riku, too, if she's honest. Those boys hadn't really stopped since they left this island all of those years ago now.

They had really come so far, hadn't they?]

I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. [And she doubted the others would protest. There had been plenty of days where they all gathered on the islands together and had fun, but it was always missing one special person, the person that brought them all together in the first place.

Now that he was back, it was definitely a cause for celebration.]

I need a vacation, really. Maybe Riku'll have some suggestions.

[Since he'd seen a lot of them too!!

But then he smiles again, rubbing the back of his head as he leans back in the chair he's sitting in.]

I think it does, too. We might have to round up everyone again...but seeing them when everything's so calm would be nice. I wanna be able to make new memories with you and everyone now too, after all.

[He really doesn't know Namine at all, but he feels drawn to her all the same. Sora's still not even all that sure he knows what exactly happened that he thanked her for...but he'd finally done it.

At least that was one thing the wanted to get done.]

Are there any worlds you'd want to revisit? For fun, this time? [Sora had been so many different places, surely there was one or two that stuck out in his mind. Without the Organization toying with the balance of the worlds, he might actually get to have fun instead of spending all his time visiting by fighting off heartless and nobodies.]

Now that I think about it, Roxas mentioned a festival coming up at Twilight Town. That might be fun? [That was one thing she hadn't yet done, so she didn't really know what to expect. She knew what it was, from the memories she had seen through Kairi and Sora, but experiencing it herself? She hadn't had the chance.

But getting to with her new friends? She couldn't think of a better way.]

I'd love to visit a lot of them again. I've been to so many, it's hard to choose.

[He loves everything and everyone in pretty much every world he's been in okay. You can't make him choose!!

But then Sora blinks at the comment, and he grins a little.]

Oh man! That'd be awesome -- and we could even see the gang there too!

[Of course Roxas had gone back there -- not that he could blame them. Those three were incredibly important to him, after all...and Axel and Xion, too.

It's so nice to imagine that he could be with them again.]

Have you met Hayner, Pence and Olette yet? I bet they'd love you!

I can only imagine. You've been so many wonderful places. [Places she had only seen in his memories, but places that looked amazing, all the same. Riku took her a few places, when he first came for her, but once everyone knew Sora was in jeopardy, everyone's attention stayed there. Not that she could blame any of them, Sora was definitely more important than she was.

To his question, she nods, unable to help but smile again.]

Roxas brought them here to visit a few times. And I've been back to Twilight Town, too. They're all so nice. I'm glad Roxas was able to get back to his friends.

Yeah...I hope they're all doing okay, too. After everything.

[Defeating Xehanort...he legitimately hopes that the worlds start to return to their own versions of normal. Sora doesn't really know what it means for himself quite yet, but...if everyone else got to live a peaceful life, he thinks it might be okay. Even though he aches for some sort of normalcy again, to be able to just lie on the sand at the beach with Kairi and Riku and squint until maybe someone saw a shooting star, he doesn't know how often that'll be anymore.

It's his new normal, he supposes.]

I'm glad, too. I hope they become your friends, too -- I don't see why they wouldn't be. They accept pretty much anyone.

[He wants Namine to have a lot of friends too!!]

What does your heart tell you? [Because if there's one thing Namine's sure of, it's that Sora knows when his friends are in trouble. His heart was so strong at making connections to the people around him. If someone he cared about was in trouble, she just knew he would feel it.]

They've been more than welcoming. [Which...isn't to say they're friends. Not that she doesn't like them!! When she was around them, they definitely made her feel included, but it was still an old habit, to feel out of place when she was with everyone else. She felt closer to Xion and Roxas, if anyone, just because they understood more what it felt like to be a Nobody-- to be poor imitations of someone else more loved and actually wanted.

But Kairi and Riku made a point to make her feel loved and wanted, and she appreciated it. She was grateful to them, and Sora, for so much.]

My heart...? [Sora blinks, and then puts his hand on his chest for just a minute. He seems to consider, even though there isn't much to consider here -- because he knows.] It says everyone's okay.

[But it's. Still a lot to unpack, considering everything he'd went through.]

I'm really glad. I would have to have some words with them if they didn't.

[That comment's clearly a joke though, given by the way he's grinning at her. He really is glad that she seemed to be doing okay, though...she does deserve it.]

[Namine can't help but smile as Sora puts his hand to his heart. She knows what he feels, because to some degree, she feels it too. The connections his heart made with everyone were so strong, stronger than he probably realized.

He was really an amazing person.]

Don't worry, they've been nothing but kind. [And they tried to include her, in their research into finding Sora, though she never felt like she was much help.]

[Sora just smiles at her for another minute, and then stretches his legs out in front of him briefly.

But then he considers it, thinking...]

So, anything you're curious about on the islands? I can take you wherever you want.

[he wants to spend a little more time with her!!]

I wouldn't mind seeing your favorite places for myself. [She doesn't have the heart to tell him that Kairi and Riku had shown them all around some, but she hasn't seen Sora's favorite spots.

At least. In person. She definitely recalls the vivid memories she searched through, both while she was adding and removing herself from his memories. Not that he remembers this. She wonders if he even really knows the extent of what she did to him.... Did anyone even tell him?

She was almost afraid to ask.]

[Honestly, Sora's expected that Riku and Kairi had taken her some places already. But that doesn't mean she can't go again -- especially since this is home to him...it always made him so happy to be here.

And he's so glad to be back.]

Okay! Then that settles it -- it's a date!

[Wait.]

A-A friendship date, that is!!

[Dumbass]

["A date"? Even if he clarifies that it's based out of friendship, her cheeks still warm at the thought. But it's something she pushes aside quickly. It's very obvious who he has feelings for, and it's not her.

Still, the fact that he wants to spend time with her, even just as a friend, means so much to her.

She has to pause, though, because she has one request, and even if he won't remember why, it seems so silly to want it, but--]

Could we...maybe go to the hill and watch the stars sometime?

[Sora tilts his head for a second, thinking that that's a very specific request. Not that he minds it, of course...]

Of course!! Whatever you wanna do, Namine. It's your day. Or days. Or whatever -- it looks like I'm gonna stick around for a while, so!

[At least, until some nutjob decides they want Kingdom Hearts again...

But he's not going to think too hard about it.]

[Namine knows it's odd and specific for someone that doesn't understand, but she realizes it shouldn't be surprising that Sora agrees, no questions asked. This is Sora she was talking about. The one who would go to the ends of the world for the people he cared about.

What was one night under the stars?]

I can't wait. [Even if she knows it won't be like that false memory, she reminds herself that it'll be better-- because it will be real this time. The real Sora, actually spending time with her, choosing to give her attention, all because he wanted to know her and care about her.

It was hard not to get emotional at the idea.]

Me neither. It's gonna be great! I'll have to make sure we get some snacks, too...

[Sora seems to think about it for a minute, putting a hand to his chin as he considers. He knows his favorite snacks...]

What're your favorites? Out of everything you've had so far, anyway.

I really like the sea salt ice cream Roxas gave me, but.... I guess that's not really a good star watching snack. [It was a little messy, anyway, for something you have to do laying down.]

Anything sweet and salty would probably be fine. [She couldn't bring herself to be picky, anyway.

After going without much good in her life, how could she be picky? Good company, tasty snacks, and beautiful view? How could it get any better than that?]

Edited 2020-09-29 12:07 (UTC)

[Of course Roxas had that snack with her already. Boy's practically made of sea salt ice cream.]

Hm...I dunno how to keep it frozen for that long.

[Sora seems to consider for a minute, and then looks back over at her.]

What about chocolate covered pretzels? Or...or caramel popcorn? That might work, right?

[Roxas, Axel, and Xion most definitely are made of sea salt ice cream. She likes it, but she doesn't think she could eat it every single day the way they do. But the few times she joined them on the clocktower to enjoy it was really fun. She wouldn't trade experiences like that for anything.]

I think those would be perfect. [Both sounded really good. Did she have to pick, or could she try both? She didn't want to ask too much of him...]

Good! Then we'll just have to pick a good night so we can see lots of stars...

[Hmmm...]

Most nights are pretty good around here. It storms sometimes when it's really warm outside, but...you can't really predict that.

[That's what they get for being at the beach, after all.]

But I'll figure it out. It'll be perfect -- promise.

I can't wait. [That wasn't an exaggeration, either. She was over the moon excited. This was one thing she had always dreamed of but never expected to get. Of course, she knew she would never be that special person in Sora's heart, the way she was in the false memory, but the fact that he wanted to be her friend, still wanted her in his life? That meant so much to her.

For so long, all she wanted was a place to belong. She had accepted her fate with rejoining with Kairi. It wasn't so bad, either.

But Sora-- He fought so hard to give her and Roxas a chance at a life of their own. How could she ever repay him for that kindness? Especially after what she did to him.]

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