You Don't Even Know Yet.

If someone asked me what my opinion of love was before all of this happened, I would've probably said something completely different from what I would say now.

Because exactly one year ago, I never believed in love.

I thought it was ridiculous. Pointless. Obsolete. Corny. I didn't get how it was important to other people. I didn't understand how some couldn't even live without it. Frankly, it never appealed to me. I didn't want to have anything to do with it.

What was the point, anyways? I liked my life the way it was. I had a great job that paid enough for me to afford not only my bills but also a cozy penthouse suite in the heart of the city and a fast car. I had friends and family who cared for me - sometimes a little too much - and in return I cared for them. I couldn't ask for anything more - I didn't want anything more, to be honest.

I honestly thought my life was complete. Complete at twenty-two.

Well, it seemed complete at the time.

"Ow!" I exasperatingly glared down at the little copper-haired girl sitting on my lap and exhaled sharply. "Miyo!"

The toddler giggled cutely, glancing up at me with her mother's lavender eyes. She reached upwards, grabbed a nice fistful of my hair and tugged on it. Hard.

"Argh," I groaned as I tried to pry her fingers away from me; not too far away her twin brother was sitting on the floor, banging the television remote control against the glass coffee table. I glanced over Miyo's shoulder and sighed. "Koji, you're gonna break that…" I wasn't sure what I was referring to - the remote control or the coffee table. Maybe both.

Now, don't get me wrong - I adore my niece and nephew, but if I had to do this on a daily basis I didn't think I'd be able to handle it. Kids were only a part-time enjoyment for me, which was why once every week was already more than enough. I don't even know why I agreed to let Sora dump his kids at my place every Sunday; maybe I'm too nice.

I placed Miyo on the couch and stood up to approach her brother, who was banging the remote even harder now. I knelt to his level and gently tried to take it away from him. "Koji-"

"No!" He glared at me with fierce violet eyes, and I sighed. He had his dad's stubbornness, that was for sure.

"Koji," I tried again," Please give it back to me. I'll get you something, er, less-breakable to play with - I promise."

He stopped banging for a bit, staring at the remote control in his pudgy hands. Seconds later he returned his stare to me; he grinned, making him look even more like his father, and shook his head. "No."

I smacked my palm against my face. "Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No." He pressed random buttons; the flatscreen television was rapidly changing channels, and the volume fluctuated at extreme levels.

"...With a cherry on top?"

"Mm...no."

Miyo giggled from the couch, and I groaned in defeat. The door rang seconds afterward, and I exhaled in relief; finally. I raced to the door and practically ripped it open; when I spotted my own twin brother and his wife smiling by the doorway I couldn't help but smile myself.

"You don't know how happy I am to see the both of you." I sighed in relief, and Sora and Kairi laughed at me.

"They didn't give you that much trouble, did they?" Kairi made her way towards her daughter and scooped her up in her arms. Miyo laughed as her mother leaned in to blow a raspberry on her tummy. "They love you, Roxas - they don't have the heart to give you a bad time."

"They weren't so bad," I shrugged, reaching behind my head to ruffle my hair, "They always find new ways to keep me entertained, though."

"Hey, d'you mind if I drop them off Thursday evening? I'm working late that night and Kairi's got a meeting with a client 'till eightish or so." Sora had gathered Koji up in his arms; the miniature, copper-haired, lavender-eyed version of my brother was giggling as his dad affectionately nuzzled his head against his own.

I shrugged again and stuck my hands in my pockets. "Yeah, that's fine. I'm not gonna be busy anyway."

"Well, in all honesty you should be," Kairi smirked, "This is what you get for being the only single person in the group - everyone dumps their kids on you when they're too busy. You should take this as a sign!"

"Yeah, bro," Sora chuckled as I rolled my eyes, "You should get Axel to set you up again."

Memories of my high school and college days flashed before my eyes, and I flushed a light pink. "No thanks," I answered almost immediately, "I've had just about enough of those, and besides - what's wrong with being single? I like the way my life is right now!"

"You're twenty-two, Roxas," Kairi pointed out, "Almost everyone you know is either married, engaged or in a relationship. Don't you think it's about time you started looking for someone to spend the rest of your life with?"

"Seriously, man, what do you have against girls?" Sora shook his head, "Is there something you're not telling me?" He eyed me suspiciously, and it made me feel a little self-conscious.

"No, it's nothing like that," I replied hastily, "It's just the actual thought of being in a relationship, y'know? It doesn't appeal to me much - and then there's the whole commitment thing and the possibility of breaking up," I shook my head, "It's just too much to handle. I don't know how you guys do it with all that stuff happening at the same time."

"I think you're looking at it wrong," My brother replied as we headed towards the front door, "I mean, I understand the fear of commitment and the risk of the relationship not working out, but you don't really think about those things when you're in the moment, if y'know what I mean."

"I don't, actually. Sorry."

Sora rolled his eyes. "I don't think you're giving this a chance, Roxas. Remember high school? Nearly every girl swooned over you, and some were really nice! You never gave any of them a second glance."

I shrugged. "None of them stood out to me, I guess."

Sora's eyes narrowed again. "Are you sure you're not secretly gay?"

Kairi giggled as my cheeks flared up in embarrassment; Koji and Miyo were exchanging looks of confusion.

"There's tons of people out there who've lived their lives without getting married." I muttered stubbornly as I opened the door for them.

"And a lot of them died lonely and miserable." My brother's wife countered, and Sora threw his head back to laugh heartily.

"Not all of them," I scoffed, "I'm not gonna be one of them, that's for sure." I sighed and rumpled my hair. "So I guess I'll be seeing you guys Thursday?"

"Yep," Sora nodded; he bounced Koji in his arms, "Say goodbye to your uncle, Koji."

The copper-haired infant waved and grinned toothily in my direction, and I reached towards him to tousle his hair. "See you in a few days, Koji." I turned towards Kairi and bent down a little to peck Miyo on the cheek, and I smiled when she giggled and shyly turned her head away. "You too, Miyo."

"Bye-bye." She waved a small hand as Kairi made her way out the door; Sora followed suit, and in mere seconds I was by myself. I closed the door and leaned against it, sighing and glancing around my apartment: now that the kids were gone everything looked bigger than before for some reason, and aside from the TV playing in the background the air was eerily quiet. Usually I'd shrug it off, but today was different. Maybe Sora and Kairi's words were finally getting through to me? I wasn't so sure.

I glanced at the time on the stove - it was only three in the afternoon. What was there to do? I contemplated on calling Axel to see what he was up to, but chances were he was probably busy with Larxene. I thought about Hayner, but then I remembered how he and Olette just got married so they were most likely doing their own thing. If only Pence still lived in the city - he would've probably wanted to do something.

I tried to think of other people I could've possibly hung out with but they either lived too far away or I didn't know them well enough to casually call and randomly ask if they weren't busy. I sighed and trudged over to the couch, falling face-first and exhaling slowly.

I wasn't lonely.

I had everything anyone could possibly want - a stable job, a nice place, a sporty car, great friends and family…

I think you mean friends who have families, my conscience chided, and I shook my head furiously.

I didn't need a life partner; I didn't need to be with someone for the rest of my life. All that crap sounded so corny, so cliché. I didn't want to be a cliché.

I didn't believe in love back then.

--

My clock radio was beeping obnoxiously into my left ear but I kept my eyes clamped shut, refusing to acknowledge the start of a new week. After five minutes I groaned and slammed my fist on the radio, rising to a sitting position and rubbing my fatigued face with my other hand. I dragged myself into the bathroom to take a quick shower, and then stumbled sleepily into my closet to dress up for the day.

I dressed in the usual black dress pants, black sport coat and white-collar shirt; I chose a cyan-coloured tie and tied it quickly. I frowned at my appearance in the full-length mirror: my hair was a hopeless, spiky mess. I brushed my fingers through it, flattening it with my palm; it stayed down for a few seconds before sticking straight up again. I sighed and shook my head as I made my way out of the closet.

I checked my phone for the time; I still had fifteen minutes before I had to leave, so I decided to make myself some breakfast. I made some toast and poured myself a glass of orange juice; I spread butter over the hot bread and watched it melt.

I was going to be on time today. I whistled tunelessly to myself as I locked my door and rode the elevator down to the parking garage. My slick black sedan was waiting for me in its usual parking space, and I unlocked the doors with a push of a button. I turned the radio on as I drove out into the street.

It was a twenty-minute drive to the financial district, where our company's main headquarters was - where I worked as the company's youngest executive. I guess I just got lucky; Axel nabbed an exec job right after he graduated, and once I got a degree of my own I gave him my resumé. The rest was pretty much history.

Being an executive I had my own reserved parking space; I noticed Axel's car already eased into its own space when I turned off the engine. I grabbed my briefcase from the passenger's seat and sauntered towards the elevator.

It was a thirty-six floor ride to the executive offices. A few minutes later I stepped into a hallway with modern-looking architecture; the walls were a pearly white, the floors were a shiny black marble and most of the furniture was made out of stainless steel. I gave the secretary a polite nod as I walked past her; she gave me an introverted smile and ducked her head behind the manilla folder in her hands.

Just as I turned the corner I felt a hand against the back of my shoulder. "Heya," Axel grinned, "How was your weekend?"

I shrugged as we continued walking down the hall. The doors to our offices were a clear, shiny glass - that was one disadvantage of being an executive. Thing is, I thought being an executive meant you got more privacy… "Eh, didn't do much. Babysat."

My best friend snickered. "How unfortunate. You could be doing something more productive with your life, y'know."

I eyed him wearily. "Like what?"

The redhead laughed again. "Oh, y'know what I'm talking about." He sighed and shook his head. "You need to get out there, Roxas. Meet new people. You've been holing yourself up in, well, yourself for...I can't even keep count of the years anymore!"

I rolled my eyes as we walked into my office. I placed my bag on top of my desk, pulled out my laptop and plopped down on my cushiony leather chair. "You and Sora keep saying the same things over and over again," I chuckled as I booted up my computer, "After all these years I thought you'd both figure out that it's no use in trying to convince me anymore."

"Well, like your brother I still have hope for you," Axel smirked as he leaned against the side of my desk with his arms crossed, "I know the right one's out there for you somewhere - we just haven't been looking hard enough."

"Right. Well, when you find her be sure to say hi for me." I smiled innocently, and I laughed when Axel rolled his eyes. I checked my email and raised an eyebrow when I found one from our boss. "We have a meeting today?"

"We do?" Axel rounded the desk and peered over my shoulder. "Oh...we do."

"It says it starts at nine." I read carefully. When I heard my redheaded friend gulp I glanced at him suspiciously. "What?"

"Er," He jutted his chin towards the time on my computer screen, "It's nine-oh-two."

And I thought I was going to be on time today! "Shit," I muttered as I practically leapt out of my chair. Axel wrenched the glass door open and we dashed frantically down the hallway to the meeting room on the opposite end; the door was closed, which meant a meeting was in session. Shit.

"Why does this always have to happen on a freaking Monday?" I groaned as we skidded to a stop in front of the glass door; the other executives were seated around the white circular table with bored expressions on their faces.

"Okay, deep breath." Axel's shoulders shrunk as he inhaled slowly, and he pushed the door open. Just as we expected, eleven pairs of eyes immediately shifted in our direction.

"Ah, Mister Yamanaka and Mister Atsumori," Our boss, Xemnas, greeted us with open arms and a disturbingly kind smile, "How nice of you to join us."

The both of us flushed in embarrassment as we shuffled over to our chairs; Demyx, who sat across from me and beside Axel, was chuckling under his breath. Axel smacked the back of his head.

"We were just discussing this past month's progress," Xemnas explained as he absently straightened his silver tie, "Sales have increased not just twice, but nearly four times as much as the previous month. Mister Yamanaka, I believe you're responsible for this."

Everyone's heads turned in Axel's direction; his face was nearly as red as his hair. "Heh," He chuckled nervously, "Well...what can I say? I'm full of charm."

"Sure, if that's what you want to call it." Larxene, who was sitting beside me, muttered; everyone, even Xemnas laughed.

My best friend leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, and gave her a flirtatious wink. "You can call it whatever you want, babe."

Larxene rolled her eyes, though she was grinning. I sighed and leaned back against my chair; those two seriously needed to get a room.

There was a quiet knock on the glass door. Xemnas nodded, and whoever it was that knocked pushed the door open. I leaned into my palm, letting my eyes drop half-closed. I eyed Axel across the table; he was staring at our intruder with intrigued eyes. When I looked around the table I noticed everyone else was doing the same thing.

"Everyone," Xemnas spoke up, "I'd like you to meet my new assistant." He paused, and I looked up.

A young woman around my age was standing timidly beside him; she barely reached his shoulders. "H-hi," She waved nervously around the room, "I'm Naminé Nakasato. It's...it's nice to meet you all."

Demyx and Xigbar waved back dazedly. "Hi Naminé," They smiled goofily, and she stifled a giggle behind thin, pale fingers.

Luxord leaned forward and slowly eyed her up and down. "Pleasure to meet you." He greeted suavely, and her almost-white cheeks turned crimson.

"I'm sure she'll have a pleasant time with us here." Xemnas smiled; he leaned towards her to murmur something, and she showed him the small pile of files cradled in her arms. I noticed how her platinum-blonde bangs hung over her large, grey-blue eyes and the way she bit the bottom of her lip as she listened to my boss speak. I strained my ears and I could hear the light tinkling of her soft voice. I watched her fingers drum absently against the papers she was holding.

I could feel Axel's eyes on me, and I immediately turned away from her.

"I hope I'll be seeing you again soon." Naminé threw one last smile around the room before shuffling out. I resisted the urge to turn around in my seat.

"Okay," My boss clapped his hands together, "Now where were we?"

I shook my head and tried to pay attention to the rest of the meeting. I could hear practically half of the room chuckling under their breath, but I ignored them.

How old were they, seriously?

--

Chapter Inspiration: The second half of this chapter needed more inspiration than the first, haha - She's Got You High by Mumm-Ra.

Review, please and thank you =)