"Okay, okay, we all know we're hungry, right?" Axel asked, as he tossed another dart onto the newly printed poster of Barney. It hit the purple dinosaur's snout.
"Axel, stop destroying Barney," Roxas lamented, as he slouched back in his couch, "since you've been watching his shows since the day you were born."
"Well, he didn't teach me how to play with fire," the redhead replied nonchalantly, before he threw another dart, "and that explains why I had burns when I was younger. Stupid dinosaur; can't he teach more things that are actually useful to me?"
Xion giggled, and she looked at Roxas expectantly, as though he had this invisible responsibility to laugh, which he did quite naturally.
"Anyway, since Xion's still here, why not show her some food spots that no celebrity would be caught dead in?" Axel asked. He walked over to the curtains, and peeked out of the window. "No paparazzi, for all I know."
The blonde got up. "I promised Xion a home-cooked meal, Axel. Not a cheap one. Or a microwaved one."
Axel sighed, and he ran his fingers through his hair. "Oh well. Okay. I'll go grab some pizza then. Don't bother cooking some for me, Roxas."
He grabbed a coat and his scarf. "See you, Xion. And your article. Remember, mango obsessions..."
Xion giggled again, as she stood up as well. She patted Roxas' shoulder reassuringly. "Sure thing, Axel. I'll make sure the fact gets blown up."
Axel chortled. "Okay, good. Bye!" He left the two to the entire house, as he gingerly stepped out, took a deep, exaggerated breath and strode away.
Roxas shut the door after him, shaking his head with an evident smile on his face. "Axel has a habit of leaving doors open."
The female nodded. "Even house doors?"
"Yup, exactly," Roxas agreed, before he let out a small laugh. He looked at Xion. "So, what do you want for dinner?"
"O-Oh, yeah!" she exclaimed out, suddenly realising how her stomach had unconsciously suffered without any food to break down. "Okay, surprise me, Roxas. I can eat anything now."
The blonde grinned, and gave her a thumbs-up. "Okay. Then I'll prepare my Roxas Special, just for you."
Xion grinned back in anticipation. "Great!"
Roxas nodded and he walked into the kitchen. "Want some music from the radio?" He gave a chuckle as he admitted, "I like having music whenever I have to cook something up, actually."
The female stood up from the beanbag to walk around the living room. "Really? Why?"
"Not really, it's just the mood. I take jumpy tunes for main courses and frying, and I have slow music for dessert and simple garnishing," the blonde replied, as he switched on the radio. "Okay, let's see what's on..."
He tuned in to the first radio station.
"-kay, here's Dawn Sapphire, signing off. G'night, peeps!" the radio blared out. Roxas started to gather all his cooking materials in the kitchen; Xion could hear it from the sudden clattering of metals.
She lounged about the couch for a moment, listening to the soft music, observing her surroundings. She then closed her eyes, and listened intently to the song.
I got tired of waiting
Wondering if you were ever coming around
My faith in you is fading
When I met you on the outskirts of town, and I said
Romeo save me I've been feeling so alone
I've been waiting for you but you never come
Is this in my head? I don't know what to think
He knelt to the ground and-
"Roxas," Xion asked, as she noticed a framed photograph of Roxas and a blonde-haired girl, "have you ever gotten a girlfriend?"
"A what?" he called out, and he switched off the radio. He walked into the living room, in his apron.
"A girlfriend," Xion repeated, as she pointed at the girl, "have you ever had one?"
Roxas peered at the photograph for a moment, before he laughed. "No way, that's my sister," he said, and he gently took it from Xion and placed it back, "Naminé."
"Naminé?"Xion asked, and then she furrowed her eyebrows. Then, she looked up at Roxas in sudden realisation, "You mean the one who tells you about my articles?"
"That's her, alright," the blonde nodded, "Naminé."
"I see." Xion continued looking at it. She noticed a tear at both sides, and she cocked her head in mild confusion. "The photograph was torn?"
She didn't notice that Roxas had already walked back to making dinner, and had switched on the radio.
Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never go til we're one
Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on
"Too old," was heard in the background, as the song was abruptly switched. He yelled out to Xion as he made the switch, "You don't mind a change of songs, right?"
"No, no, not at all," Xion said, as she continued examining the photograph.
She noticed someone's arm over Naminé's shoulders, and another hand on Roxas' arm. The two people were ripped off the photograph, it seemed.
Sighing forlornly at such a mysterious photograph, Xion nevertheless stayed mute about it, and she continued browsing the shelf. There were many sketches of Roxas and Axel, but one unfamiliar brunette popped out in the midst of red and blonde.
Xion stole a glance at the kitchen. Roxas was humming to the new song that came up on the radio, as soft sizzling could be heard.
Parlez vous francais?
Konichiwa
Come and move in my way
Hey, little chica from Guadeloupe
That thing you got behind you is amazing
The female, now assured that Roxas wouldn't pop out all of a sudden, gently pulled out the sketch. She scanned the female brunette slowly. Curly, a pink ribbon tying it up, her bangs falling all over. She was pale, and apparently lying down, since Xion noticed a pillow behind her.
There were two pairs of hands holding her arms; one a frail, mildly pale one, and the other pair a strong, firm hand, with two rings; black and white on the right hand fingers. There was a shadow looming above the woman; it was sketched out to be a man walking out of the door.
Xion scanned the paper and flipped it behind. It was labelled Leaving Us.
"That was my mum," Roxas answered all the thoughts in her head, as he looked at the sketch with a sad smile. Xion froze, before she turned around with an apologetic expression. He didn't explain the sketch, and Xion sensed there was something rather ominous behind the photograph.
"I-I'm sorry for touching them..." Xion apologised, as she hastily put it back. Then, she smiled. "But may I know who drew them?"
Roxas walked over to the raven-haired female, as he looked proudly at all the sketches. "Those were drawn by Naminé, when she was much younger." He grinned at Xion. "She had her artistic side since she was 6."
He picked up one sketch of himself, and smiled at it. "That was when I was 9. I still remember how my mum used to sit next to her and watch her sketch her neighbourhood."
Xion nodded her head, and then she looked at Roxas. "She's 21 now, right?"
"Yeah. Still young, still studying," the blonde mused, as he browsed through the sketches. He narrowed his eyes at the one with his mother, "still looking for some way to study..."
"Oh." Xion dropped it there, seeing the sad twinkle in his sapphire eyes.
"She needs money for her school fees to Twilight Art Academy," Roxas continued, as he drew open the curtains, revealing the dark sky looming over the skyscrapers and buildings, "so I'll be working doubly hard soon. No sweat!"
Xion studied that determined look on his face, the sadness in his eyes, the resolve he had for such a simple task. And she felt entirely reassured that he would succeed, in some way or another.
"I'm sure you'd get the money; even if you didn't, you can always get some cash from me," she offered, and she was met with his serious expression.
"No, it's quite alright; I don't think it's nice to borrow cash," Roxas stated, as he smiled. "I think I look like I'm trying to prove something to you, huh?"
"That you're independent and determined? You definitely pass that test," Xion replied.
"I think...I'm trying to prove to everyone that I can survive without anyone's help," Roxas said, before he turned to Xion. "Oh yeah, dinner's ready!"
"So...how was it?" Roxas asked eagerly.
Xion scanned the coffee table. Roxas had only one serving of everything, and Xion had two servings of everything but the dessert ("It's mango strudel and mango pudding, Roxas, so I'm not gonna take this last bit so you'd have some to enjoy later when I leave," Xion teased, and Roxas blushed in embarrassment, since frankly, he was planning such a time later) And despite all the obvious signs (famous female stuffing herself, eating every grain of food...) that she enjoyed herself thoroughly, he was asking such a question.
"It's perfect, Roxas! Really!" Xion exclaimed, and she nearly spat out the final mango pudding that she had just shovelled into her mouth in her excitement. "I'd give it my Love Critic rating of 11 out of 10!"
Roxas blushed shyly. "R-Really? Is it that great?"
"Absolutely! The best meal I've ever had for a date; no, wait, scratch that, the bestmeal I've ever set my eyes upon!" Xion exclaimed louder, and she realised that she looked like some form of glutton scientists had never classified before. She settled down, simultaneously realising that she was so excited she had stood up and slammed her hands on the table.
The blonde grinned. "Thanks, really."
"You know, I sort of enjoyed today; wait, no, I enjoyed tonight a lot," Xion admitted, still smiling. "I've never had such fun on a date, I sort of forgot how good dates were like ever since I got this job."
"All the fancy dates and stuff?" Roxas asked, as he bit into his final scoop of mango pudding. He looked at his plate; a well-tossed salad with his very own dressing, a piece of chicken rib fried to sheer perfection, some potato salad, a small serving of fries, and some fruits topped off with mango pudding.
"Yeah. At first I loved all the dates, but then I remembered thinking that I had to raise my expectations if I wanted the column to be a smashing hit." Xion recalled, sighing at her memories. "Soon, all the good dates turned bad."
"The people sure love a good humiliation..." Roxas muttered, as he turned up the radio again. "You don't mind, right? I love some music."
As the music started to engulf the whole room, the blonde just watched as Xion finished her last bits of pudding.
Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin
Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away
Something whispers in my ear and says...
"It's a nice song," Xion commented, as she sipped a bit of her drink; plain, simple tea.
"Yeah..." Roxas murmured, and he looked at Xion, smoothing the fabric of her beanbag. "So, when was your best date?"
"Here," the female replied, and she grinned, "but that's not what you were looking for, right?"
"Obviously," the blonde said, and he leaned forward to Xion. "So tell me your best date other than this one right now."
Xion pursed her lips. "I don't have one," she said, and she leaned back in her beanbag, placing her hands on her lap, "but I do remember my worst one."
"The worst one?"
"Yeah," Xion sighed, and she smiled, "funny how we never remember the good things but always remember the bad ones better."
"Anyway," she continued, "my worst date...happened with a childhood friend. It was a great night that day, but it was the days that followed our date that were terrible."
"You know, if you don't wanna talk about it, it's okay," Roxas offered, as he stood up. He picked up all the plates and walked over to the kitchen, leaving Xion to her own thoughts.
"Hey, Xion," he called out from the door, knocking on her door.
"Coming!" she called out in response. She pranced to the door, and opened it.
"Here for our second date, huh," he commented, as he strode into her apartment. He looked at it expectantly, before looking at Xion, "and I'm not surprised by your apartment."
"Thanks," Xion said, as the two sat down on the couch. She leaned on his shoulder comfortably, as they blindly watched a sappy love show together.
Just being near each other was good enough.
Or maybe it was just what she was thinking, not him.
"X-Xion? Y-You're crying! Oh, oh, crap, I am so sorry about everything, the food, and how you probably forced yourself to say nice things and stu-" Roxas started to blurt out everything that he found wrong about the date.
"I-I what?" Xion asked, and she touched her eyes, only to find her tears flowing down. She blinked at Roxas. "O-Oh, no, I loved your dinner, really! It's just...I was just reminded of something."
She stood up slowly, still sniffing. "I-I'll see you soon, Roxas. And I'm sorry, but I need to leave."
"S-Sure, of course," Roxas stammered, as he profusely apologised, over and over, for something he had no part in. He opened the door. "Do you need me to drive you back home?"
"N-No need, thanks," Xion whispered softly, and she wiped her face with her scarf. She squeezed Roxas' arm reassuringly. "It's nothing, really. Don't be so hard on yourself, okay, Roxas?"
Roxas took her coat gently, and helped her put it on, shivering at the cold wind. "You sure? I-I mean, I've been taking insults since I was young and-"
The female shook her head, and she leaned forward to give Roxas a quick peck on his cheek. She pulled out a scarf while he was still stunned by the kiss and wrapped it around Roxas' neck. Xion patted the scarf against Roxas' neck, murmuring, "Don't be so panicked, Roxas. You've got to relax a little. Promise me that, okay?"
"S-Sure, okay..." the blonde stammered, his eyes widened.
"Good. Then I'll see you another day, okay?" Xion bade him farewell, before she strode off, in her confident manner.
"O-Okay, uh, bye, Miss Leonhart- I mean, uh, Xion...!" Roxas yelled back, and he touched his cheeks, blushing.
He staggered back to the living room, and he sunk down in his beanbag, looking at all the sketches. He pulled out the sketch of his mother, and he frowned.
"I haven't relaxed since you left, Mum," Roxas muttered, smiling bitterly as he traced the outline of her cheek.
Just then, Axel barged into the house. "Roxas, did you rape your first date out of your burst of hormones or something?" he demanded, smacking the back of Roxas' head. "Xion was in a bad shape when she left, y'know..."
"I didn't do that!" Roxas retorted, and he hastily tried placing the sketch back. Axel held back Roxas' arm, and he lazily pulled out the sketch. He looked at Roxas.
"Something wrong?" Axel asked, as he gently put back the sketch in its rightful place.
"I've been worrying too much, have I?" Roxas asked, as he plopped down on the couch. He moved part of his messy blonde bangs away. "Now I'm worrying about Xion, about Naminé, about what Xion said about me worrying too much..."
The redhead rolled his eyes. "Obviously, most definitely the worrisome type."
He walked around the house, running his fingers through his red hair. "You've been taking things too seriously, really..."
Roxas sighed. "I guess so."
"But now that you mentioned it, what happened to Xion, huh?" Axel asked, as he turned to the blonde.
"She was alright...and then I walked out of the kitchen and saw her crying. That's all there is to it, really," Roxas explained, and he sighed again. "I hope she's okay..."