it's about DAMN TIME

[heartfuls]

[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...?]

Comments

[redrawing]

[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.]

[heartfuls]

[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!!]

[redrawing]

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.]

[heartfuls]

[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]

[redrawing]

["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?

[heartfuls]

[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.]

[redrawing]

[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.]

[heartfuls]

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.

[redrawing]

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?]

[heartfuls]

[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?

[redrawing]

[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...]

[heartfuls]

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.

[redrawing]

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.]