Hey everyone, thanks for the love! Here's chapter 3!

There was still no sign of anyone coming.

Riku sat up and took a deep breath. Did he really just hear what he thought he heard? He had to call Kairi to be sure.

"Oh hey there!" Kairi happily answered. Riku could hear her telling Namine she'd be right back.

"What on earth was that all about?"

"What? You didn't like some confirmation?"

"So you made a bet i'd confess my feelings TONIGHT of all nights? I probably would have on my own time, but now you got me stressed." Riku ran a hand through his silver hair.

"Tonight, a few weeks from now, it doesn't matter if your feelings haven't changed, right? Besides, you say you'd do it on your own time, but if Sora and my track record is anything to go off of, you really can't take time for granted. You have no way of knowing when you won't be able to see her again. You need to make memories while you can."

"But what of it's all too much for her? What if she wants to wait?" Riku protested for the sake of argument.

"Riku, let's be honest. You're a gentleman, you're a hero. And I'm going to say this in the most platonic way I can figure: you're hot. What's not to love?"

Ignoring that last statement, Riku had to admit, she was right. He did really love Namine, but didn't want to rush things. there were so many things she was experiencing right now, he couldn't put this on her as well. Besides, despite his cool demeanor and popularity around the island, he just wasn't very good about being around women. They were a complete mystery to him. He only found himself flustered when confronted by a girl who was confident in himself. Confidence was attractive, he thought.

He was completely at ease with Namine. She knew him so well that they didn't have to fill the air with conversation. She knew what he was thinking, how he would react- be trusted her completely. His replica was not the only one willing to lay down his life for her. He only hoped he would never have to, because that would mean he couldn't protect her. He wondered if he should tell her about the sacrifice.

"What do you say, will you help me to help you?" Kairi was ecstatic.

"Kairi, what am I going to do with you?" Riku finally asked.

"Oh, I dunno, appreciate everything I'm doing for you. You know you love me."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Besides, I maaaay have made a bet with Selphie that you liked Namine."

"Does Sora know you're a gambling woman?" Riku teased.

"I can stop anytime I want." Kairi teased back.

"Sure you can. Listen. You got me into this mess, you're going to do everything in your power to help me."

"Aye aye, captain Riku!"

With that, they hung up, Kairi to return to slicing up fruit, and Riku to contemplate how he was going to do the impossible.

"Heeey!" came a loud call, dragging Riku out of his thoughts.

It was Axel, and he had a wicked smirk on his face. "What was the bet Kairi made this time? I have got to know."

"What? Wait...did you hear my phone conversation?" Riku asked.

"You were so caught up on your little chat, you didn't hear me come in. I heard everything on your end, and I want in, whatever it is." Axel nearly begged.

"You know, I don't know if I'm ever going to understand you, no matter how long I live. You and Kairi sure are alike sometimes." Riku looked around.

"You don't have to get genius to appreciate it." Axel smirked.

"Oh fine, but no one else hears about this, you got that?"

"Sure thing boss. What are we doing?"

"We're matchmaking" Riku mumbled.

"What was that again?" Axel leaned in, a sly smile on his lips.

"I said we're matchmaking. Kairi wants me to confess to Namine tonight." Riku's face was hot and probably a deep red.

"Shut up! It's about time!" Axel grinned.

Riku felt like today was going to be incredibly long. A headache was starting to form in his head, and the headache's name was Axel. The sooner he could get this behind them and move forward with Namine (for better or for worse), the better.

"What's the plan, then? Are you going to do it at the party?"

"NO! Both Namine and I feel that this party is for Sora, and he deserves to be the star of the show. I refuse to upstage him at his own welcome home party. In theory, the sooner we can get this over with, the less uptight I'm going to be." Riku explained.

Axel held up his hands as if to calm Riku down. "Okay, I get it. No need to get your proverbial pants in a knot. After all, it's not like things aren't going to work out." Axel placed a hand on his shoulders.

Riku gave a small smile. "So, where are the others?"

"Right, about that-" Axel took his hand from Riku's shoulders and moved it to the back of his head. "At the end of your call, part of the ceiling nearly fell on poor Xion. Thankfully Roxas was quick enough to get her out of the way. And of course I couldn't leave before reminding him that she'll probably be eternally grateful and want to repay him. So they just have to pack and then they'll be here. I'd give them another 5 or 10 minutes."

This day was not going the way Riku had planned at all. First he found out that the girl he loved shared his feelings, then he was challenged to move his plans up by months or even years by telling her how he felt, and now he was stuck waiting for three friends with possibly one of the most lovable but annoying friends he had ever had. Who knew what else was in store at this rate?

"Anyway, how do you plan to do it?" Axel looked over and asked.

"I haven't the faintest idea. What do girls even like, Axel?" Riku inquired sincerely.

"You may be barking up the wrong tree here, bud. I have even less experience with girls than you do. Got it memorized?"

"I mean, I know what she likes, but I'm not sure that I can really deliver any of that in what short time I have." Riku admitted.

"I don't think it has to be picture perfect. It can be pretty, sure enough, but all the glitz in the world won't change how you feel. If you feel something with your heart strongly enough, I think that Namine will pick up on it. I mean after all, given the history between you two, it's only natural that this is the next step. Could you imagine if she were to be in a relationship with literally anyone else? I certainly can't." Axel advised.

Even just suggesting the idea that Namine might want to be with someone else was utterly revolting to him. He felt sad, sick and angry all at once. But thinking about the other thing Axel said helped. He wasn't one for large shows of affection, and he knew that Namine wasn't either. It didn't have to be anything big, just something to show her how much she meant to him. Maybe he could bring her some flowers? No, that was way too cliched. Some colored pencils? She just bought new ones last week. Did Sora bother with any kind of gift? Riku couldn't remember. Probably not, knowing Sora. But that seemed to work for them.

He was taken out of his thoughts once more by the arrival of the rest of the gang. Roxas, Xion and Isa had come with overnight bags, panting a bit from the run with Hayner, Pence and Olette a bit behind them.

"Sorry we're late! The mansion is in a little worse condition than we thought it was. How did you guys live there without fearing for your health?" Xion panted.

"It was in a bit of a better state when we were there, and Ansem was able to pay for some repairs while we were there. We had to relocate to other areas while they worked. It was easier on me than it was for Namine. She'd always complain about how noisy they were." Riku smiled.

"How is she doing?" Roxas asked.

"Why don't you ask her yourself? We'll be back at the islands soon enough. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you." Isa replied.

Riku nodded and turned towards the ship.

"Well, if we're all set to go, let's get going. Sora will be back in a few hours."