A/N: Thanks for your support guys! I've decided to keep it light and fluffy as usual (which is what the original plan was anyway), but I maaay delve into the deeper stuff without actual explicit detail, so if you think I need to bump up the rating please let me know! Now enjoy the growing bond and don't you dare skip to the bottom to find out the special announcement before you read the chapter!


I was rolling around on my bed, my face in my hands, my feet flailing and stamping the mattress. My head was fuzzy and masked with a giddy haze, and all my nerves seemed to be on fire.

What had even happened!? I, Naminé, did not just get under bed covers with boys and start kissing them. But somehow it had happened and I felt a convoy of feelings rush through me ever since. Ever since I spoke up that day, everything had felt like it was gliding past me without allowing me time to think: but there was hardly necessity to. Somehow, it all felt meant to be. It was like I knew all along after I spoke up that day that we would meet again… but did I really expect this?

The truth was, I never thought I would ever get a boyfriend, or if I did, it would be a long way away. In high school the possibility of a boyfriend was pretty much zero, but I was always okay with that. Had I thought I might meet someone at uni? Maybe, but the thought all but disappeared when I actually got there. I was off finding my niche, and all of a sudden this stranger I met on a train who I had first misconstrued as a high school dropout (I giggled at this thought) became one of the most important people in my life. Kairi was right, love really did pop up when you least expected it.

I screeched a little noise into my hands. I was going to have a boyfriend! The fact seemed to be melting over me slowly as the sun set behind my curtains. I thought of how quickly it had all happened. What was it, three and a half weeks since he gave me his number? But somehow it didn't feel rushed at all. It felt like I had known him for years. And somehow, he felt the same way, and that was what made me feel especially wonderful. All the things he had said over the last few weeks, the last few days – how he liked how well our personalities matched, how I was pretty, when he said he was happy…

If it was possible, time seemed to be going both fast and slow. We were already at this point, but it didn't feel fast at all. Everything was going by in a slur of laughter and closeness, and yet I remembered every little detail. So this is what all the hype was always about – falling in love for the first time. Ah, well, not quite love… but having those first feelings was something truly special. I felt indescribable.

I realised the promise I'd made to Kairi and reached for my phone post-haste, wondering if I would be regretting this when she was still squealing in my ear an hour later. But I was so excited to tell her, and I only now realised the urge she must have felt when she first kissed Sora. It only took one ring and she answered.

"I was waiting for your call! What happened?"

I made sure to deliberately stall the kiss part and tell her everything else first, but as soon as I mentioned the hand-holding it was over – she could see right through me.

"Come on Nam, spit it out! And then, and then!?"

"And theeen, when we got to his house I was soaked, so he…" I only now realised the embarrassment I felt even remembering this little detail, I swear Roxas had set that up… "… he let me borrow his pants?"

"Oh my god!"

"And THEN," I called over her, "it was cold and our lunch was soaked so we went to his room-"

"Oh my god, you made out on his bed!? Big step for Naminé!"

I was really wishing she wasn't completely and utterly correct. "Stop skipping ahead!"

"Aha! I knew it! So you did-"

"THEN it got all quiet, and he started rubbing my back, and you know how I told you he's always teasing me and in a jokey, happy mood? Well, the mood completely changed, and it was serious and I just kind of knew that… he really felt something for me." It fell silent at the other end. "Then I got under the covers with him cause it was cold, and he said he was happy, and then he kissed my forehead, and I got nervous… but he told me not to be and he sounded so genuine and caring, and we just kind of fell into it."

A few more seconds of silence, and then, "Oh my goodness, that is so much more romantic than my first kiss."

I couldn't help but giggle. "Yours was romantic too!"

"Ours was nervous high school stuff! Ugh, Nam, I'm just so happy he's so into you. Like you said, he sounds so genuine."

I smiled, remembering all the jeers, all the compliments, and the way his voice had softened as he said he was happy… "I just can't believe it."

"Well believe it, because it's happening, and you deserve it, Nam! Okay, so about that double dating I was talking about…"

As suspected, I knew I'd regret this call. Oh Kairi.

I arrived at my usual Saturday shift at Garden café. Aerith had laden the front with a beautiful array of flowers that burst in a vibrant spray of red, yellow and white. I'd never noticed how much the little café actually lived up to its name, a sea of green growing all around it and even some gorgeous vines hanging from the top and cascading around the windows. Too bad the chilly winter air disallowed people to sit out the front and enjoy Aerith's handiwork.

"Hey Nam!" Yuffie called out as I entered, almost dropping the plate she was carrying. Somehow the girl always managed to save whatever her clumsiness threatened to drop, she was so quick. "Tell us about this guy you're making out with!"

My eyes shot straight to the couch where Kairi and Selphie were looking at me with no guilt on their faces whatsoever. I marched over there, knowing my leers would do nothing to stop their giggling.

Selphie looked up at me with slack eyelids and raised eyebrows. "Hey, Nam. Whatcha been doooin'?" She hummed in a suggestive sing-song, not at all trying to hide the fact that Kairi had told her everything. That or the girl forced it out of her.

"As much as I would love to stay and chat," I said, hands on my hips, "I've got work to do."

"If you have so much work to do, then how come Olette's completely fine with slacking it and hearing all about your rendezvous?" Selphie quipped, and I turned to see a mortified Olette look quickly away and busying herself with an empty tray.

"Olette!"

She looked at me with a sheepish grin. "What? I wanna know what happened!"

Ah, so they hadn't told Olette yet. As much as I was glad for the girls' support, I wanted to take it at my own pace and decided she wasn't going to find out just yet. I turned to the others and tried not to smile at their all-knowing smirks. "If you don't mind, I'd like to get to work and I'd appreciate it if you'd let me get to know my uni friend on my own." Olette gave a perplexed look, but the other two just looked at each other in a fit of giggles. "Now would you ladies like a drink?"

If I was nervous before going to his house, I was even more nervous now. What would our next conversation bring? When would it become official? There were so many things I still didn't know, but somehow I didn't mind. It was good nervousness. I wondered if this was all new for Roxas as well.

I was putting the finishing touches on my final art piece after work when my phone vibrated. Speak of the devil! Not that that quite counted – I was pretty much thinking about him constantly these past few days.

"Hey there!" I said happily, putting my marker down and reclining back in my chair, attacked with pen and marker lines on both of the arm rests.

"Hey! Have a good weekend?"

"Pretty good, just worked and home-worked. How about you?"

"Yeah, I've been doing some assignments too. Can't really concentrate that well though."

I gave an involuntary smirk knowing what was coming. "Really? Why's that?"

"I was just thinking about this girl I kissed yesterday." Teasing me already, what a goof.

"Oh really! Do you like her?" Maybe I'd get my answer even sooner than I thought, though I already knew the answer. My smile stayed, unwavering.

"Yeah, I like her a lot. Do you think she likes me?" It was probably meant to be a joke, but there was a hint of genuineness in his voice, as if he wanted to make really sure.

"Hmm… considering what a wonderful person you are, I don't doubt it."

A soft chuckle from the other end sent me into a spin, but not nearly as bad as it was yesterday. "I'm glad. Also, I'm really glad you spoke up on the train that day. Something like that takes a lot of guts."

"I still can't believe I even did it, being so shy."

"I know, that's why I feel especially lucky! And I'm really glad I put on that shirt that day."

I hadn't even thought of that detail. If Roxas hadn't put on that shirt, I never would have spoken up, and he would've been just another stranger… "So am I. If you hadn't, this never would have happened."

"And that's not acceptable."

I giggled. "It isn't at all. You're just lucky I was feeling confident that day!"

"Ahaha, I'm not just lucky, I'm extremely glad. Especially since you were at that other campus that day."

"Oh gosh, I know! I realised you probably went to my uni but you wouldn't have had no idea where I was heading! That made me so sad."

"But look where we are despite all those obstacles!"

I still couldn't believe it took a good three weeks for us to finally meet for real. "Oh! I just remembered something I wanted to ask you."

"What's that?"

"When did you write down your number? You sort of just magically whipped it out of your pocket."

"Um, I'm pretty sure I wrote it when I saw you on the platform… but I wasn't sure if I wanted to give it to you or not. I didn't want to freak you out."

I smiled at that. Maybe if our first exchange wasn't what it was I would have been freaked out, but everything felt so… meant to be. "I wasn't at all! I was very happy." How happy, he will never know, and this was probably a good thing.

"I'm glad. I'm really glad, in fact. You're a fantastic person. In more ways than one."

"You flatter me too much."

"It's honest flattery, at least!"

I thought I might explode from the heat rising to my cheeks and the excitement welling up inside me, trying to escape. Was the moment about to happen? I felt the excitement bubbling as I anticipated the question that might pop up. Sure, over the phone wasn't ideal, but I was excited either way.

"I would hope so! I don't doubt it though, you're always honest." It was true though. I felt like Roxas could tell me anything and would never lie to me. And that was important in a relationship, right? Ahh, just thinking about it made me crazy!

The conversation fell into light chatter as usual, and I felt a little disappointed. But then I remembered I would prefer the big moment to be in person, and I felt a lot better. I noticed the hallway light turn off from under my door and realised it was already past midnight.

"Just so you know, I would normally never stay up this late for anyone else."

"Woah, I didn't realise how late it was! Why are you still up?"

"I'm not sleepy at all, actually!"

"That's impossible. Even I'm feeling tired."

I giggled. "I guess I just like talking to you then…" I trailed off, feeling embarrassed again. Even though I knew the feelings were reciprocated, it was all still so new and I felt so nervous.

"I do too."

He didn't talk for a moment and I couldn't stand the tone of his voice reverberating in my mind, so I quickly turned the conversation back to light and casual. "Well, you're obviously tired because you have the comfier bed. I only have a single you know."

"Really? We have a double in our spare room!"

"I would like to steal it." I wasn't kidding though, having a single bed wasn't the roomiest.

"You're welcome to it. In fact, just run here right now! Remember an umbrella!"

It was pelting down hard outside and I scoffed into my phone. "In my pyjamas? I don't think so mister!"

"It's not that far!"

"By foot it is."

"Steal a car?"

"I couldn't do that! Plus I'd probably set the alarm off! Not that I'd steal a car."

"Hot wiring a car without an alarm is easy business."

"But how can you know if it has an- wait a minute, how do you know this!?" I was suddenly hoping there wasn't a hidden side to my prospective boyfriend.

"Google? Haha, don't worry, I'm not a criminal. I know how to pick a lock though!"

"What have I gotten myself into."

"I promise it's not like that! I did have to use it once though, when mum locked me out by accident. It's a good skill to have!"

"Well then, you can add that to the list of things to teach me!"

"Uhh, no can do. I don't like the idea of teaching you that. Besides, if I don't you can just call me like a damsel in distress!"

He always managed to tease me somehow, even in normal conversation. I was getting overheated in my dressing gown. "I'm not a Disney princess!"

"Yet oddly you rival their cuteness?"

Before I could even splutter at his comment he kept going. "And why would I be in your house locking you out? If anything, I'd be locking you in with me!"

"That's sounds sooo creepy, you know. Let's just reschedule Friday to never, shall we?" I joked, knowing I would never want that to happen.

"Haha, I'm sorry. I promise not to kill you."

"Thanks…"

"I don't actually want to make you unhappy. In fact, I would much prefer to make you happy!"

I sighed. "How did I know you would say that?"

"Cause we're surprisingly similar and it's probably what you would've said?"

I pondered on this thought for a moment. "We may be surprisingly similar, but you're not very predictable."

"Really?"

"Mhm. From the get-go you've surprised in the things you've said and done. I've never met anyone like you before."

"Well, I have to say the same for you."

"What? No way… my personality is pretty plain if you ask me."

"Oh, come on. Someone as shy as you who finds themselves approaching a stranger is pretty amazing. You also have this… I don't quite know how to word it… but it's infectious."

"Hm?"

"Uh… Just this sort of luff I guess. Where it's… lifting? Ahh, I'm terrible with descriptions." He took a moment to think. "Like… everything is calm and you can't decipher where your skin ends and the air begins. It's like a tranquil euphoria. You presence is soothing… I know it sounds ridiculous, I guess I mean to say… I feel oddly comfortable around you, and I'm not surprised by it. I've never quite had that around anything else. Something about you just makes me want to relax and drop my shoulders. That makes no sense at all…"

He may have felt silly talking like this, but I was completely taken aback by this revelation. It meant so much just to know he could be completely honest and relaxed around me. I had that effect on people? "No, it makes sense! That means a lot to me."

"Really? It sounds silly, but just know it's a good thing. It makes me like you even more."

I wiggled deeper into my chair and didn't know what to say, but luckily he kept talking.

"I guess it's because we were complete strangers when we met, so there were no expectations. We just like each other for who we are. It's a nice feeling."

His voice deepened and softened and I could barely hear the pounding of the rain anymore. "Yeah… it is."

"Woah, it's really late! I should let you sleep now, even though I reeeally don't want to hang up."

I had become more tired, but I didn't want to hang up either. I resigned to the fact I had class tomorrow and gave in. "Me either, but we both have class. And there's always tomorrow night!"

"That's right. Well, I hope you have a good sleep."

"You too, Roxas."

"Goodnight. Sleep well."

"Goodnight!" I waited for him to hang up, and sat in my chair for god-knows how long remembering the phone call, the nuances in his voice, the small revelations he revealed that made me even more giddy than when he kissed me.

The warm smell of coffee provided a welcome change from the chilly winds outside. I couldn't feel my ears anymore – since it was so windy I'd thrown my hair up into a messy bun, so my ears scored the brunt of the cold winter air. I scanned the room – Olette should have this break with me – and sure enough I spotted her sitting at one of the smaller tables, a book out on the table and a highlighter in her hand.

"Hey, Olette!" I called out, and she looked up and smiled. I plonked my heavy bag down and sighed. "How're your final assignments coming along?"

"Pretty much done, actually, which is a relief. Though we have exams just around the corner."

That's right, it was the final week of the semester and after a free week to study (the 'study week of torture', we had dubbed it), exams began. I'd been so distracted lately I wasn't sure how my first uni exams would go down… Granted, I had less than the others due to my art subjects, but there was still a fair bit of theory that went with it.

"Don't remind me… I have so many lectures to review again." I hung my head, grudgingly dragging out a workbook from my bag. Guess I'd better do some revision as long as Olette was.

The two of us were reading quietly, making a comment or a joke every now and then. Just as I was reading over the history of a certain artist, Cackles the cleaning lady made her rounds and pushed a chair in at our table.

"Only the girls today, huh?" She commented, noticing there was an absence of spiky hair. I gave a fleeting smirk to Olette, knowing what Riku or Terra might say if they knew Cackles was talking to us. We nodded politely.

"So are any of them your boyfriends?" She asked with a teasing look, though at her age it just looked creepy – I could see where the 'she'll steal your soul' joke arose from. We both shook our heads and she smiled. "No boyfriends? Wise decision, they only distract you. I'd keep it that way!" She nodded at us before taking her spray and wipe to the next table.

I looked over at Olette with an amusing smirk and she returned it, but for a moment I thought there was a funny spark in her eyes, like she knew more. I must have been seeing things.

"Speaking of boyfriends," She piped up suddenly, "How's Roxas?"

"He's not my boyfriend," I said. Yet. I was highly anticipating the next time I'd see him, which… I wasn't sure when that would be, actually. We figured we'd better leave the study week to actually study.

"I know that, but there could be something there!" The brunette teased. That's right, Kairi and Selphie hadn't told her about the kiss. Olette still thought we were acquaintances turned friends. I wanted to keep it that way, at least until it became official - then I would start telling the rest of the gang.

"He is really nice, I'm glad I met him." I smiled at Olette, and she nodded with a naive invigoration.

"You should text him!" She smiled cheekily. Oh sweet Olette… we already do that and so much more. I had to giggle at her attempts to match-make though.

"I will!" I nodded, and at that moment checked my phone. No message, so I decided to text Riku saying "Cackles has just initiated conversation with Olette and I. Send help."

It was already five to the hour and Olette had a class, but I still had an hour to wait until my next lecture. I waved her goodbye and continued to read through my lecture summaries, feeling my eyes drooping more and more. The next time I looked up, a flash of blonde hair was heading in my direction and Roxas was heading my way. Were his ears burning?

As he was heading over, he winked at me. I swear, no matter how many times he does that, it never fails to make me swoon. I couldn't pinpoint what it was about it, but I loved when he did that.

"Hey there," he said as he took a seat where Olette was moments ago. I had to laugh at Cackle's observation just a while ago.

"Didn't expect to see you here!" I smiled. I was always happy to see him of course, but after that kiss, well… our next meeting was even more important.

"Yeah, my tutorial finished early. So I get to see you!" He stretched across the table with a lazy grin. "By the way, I have my exams on Tuesday and Wednesday of the first week, then the Thursday after. How about you?"

"Oh, I'm Tuesday and Wednesday too! I only have two," I smirked as I stuck my tongue out, and he shook his head before continuing.

"Great! You wanna commute together?" He perked up at that point and I felt energised myself. "Hey, we could grab lunch on the Wednesday to celebrate you finishing."

"Okay, I'd love to!"

"Alright, it's a date." He smiled. I still couldn't believe my lucky stars at this point. My phone vibrated at that moment and I quickly checked the reply from Riku – "Oh god. Avoid all eye contact. She WILL steal your soul."

To my surprise, the hour with Roxas was casual and filled with light conversation as usual. I had to admit, I was hoping for a little more… perhaps an official question or even us talking about what happened. On the other hand, I did like how he didn't worry about that stuff and just wanted to hang out and talk with me, and maybe I was thinking about it too much. I just couldn't wait to tell people! This is my boyfriend, Roxas… just thinking of saying it made me wriggle and squirm with delight.

"You okay there?" Roxas' voice brought me back from my fleeting thoughts.

"Hm, why?"

"You had this weird grin on your face." Roxas reinacted what I looked like, with horrible accuracy mind you.

"I do not look like that!" I batted at his face and he grabbed my wrists and poked at my sides, causing me to double up in giggles.

Maybe I was thinking too much about things being official. Things were perfect the way they were.

The grand week of study had flown by and I woke up bright and early on Tuesday for my first exam. I only had two while the majority of people had four, but I figured it balanced out in fairness because I got ridiculously nervous about exams. I gathered my pens, book and phone and headed for the station, where I'd be meeting Roxas for the commute.

It didn't take long to arrive and I saw him sitting there waiting for me. I bounded up to him and he smiled up at me. "Ready for your exam?"

"I hope so," I sighed, patting my bag to double check I had everything. "Why do the uni exams have to be at the other campus? It's so far away!"

"But you go to that campus anyway."

"I know, but… you know." He ruffled my hair for being so silly and led me onto the train, finding a spot for us.

I spent the majority of the trip scanning my notes and muttering to myself – Roxas was sitting back looking utterly relaxed, claiming 'first-year exams were bound to be easy' – I couldn't wait for him to come out and eat his words. Then I remembered he came from a fancy school and knew he'd probably be fine either way.

We arrived at the venue of the exams, the racecourse across the road from the other Radiant Academy campus. The buildings were huge, and Roxas was on the other side of the place.

"I'll meet you after, 'kay?" He said, then leaned down and placed a fleeting kiss on my cheek. "Good luck!"

Even though I'd had my first kiss, the cheek kiss still sent unbelievable vibes through my body. "G-g-good luck!"

In the exam room, I was feeling more confident and gliding through the exam with ease. I hoped Roxas was okay too, though there was no doubt, I was sure. I rested my head in my left hand as I wrote, feeling a little worn out, and- wait… I could smell Roxas!? Furrowing my brow, I leaned in and smelt my sleeve. How had the crazy boy made my sleeve smell like him!?

I wrote in frustration as I wondered how on earth my clothes suddenly smelt like him, and couldn't get him out of my head. Just like the pants, I couldn't help but feel he'd somehow planned this. That cheeky guy.

The triumphant look on his face all but confirmed my suspicions as I saw him outside my exam room, clearly having finished his own early. "Alright mister, why does my sleeve smell like you?"

"Heh, I wiped some of my cologne off my wrist onto yours when you weren't looking." The smug look on his face couldn't be wiped off by anything. I rolled my eyes.

"And why on earth would you do that? I was so distracted!"

"Weeeell, it got you thinking about me, didn't it?"

I couldn't believe him. I shook my head in disbelief. "Like you need to do something like that to make me - uh! I mean…"

A knowing smile replaced the smirk and he walked up to me, his hands finding my arms. "Ohhh? Well, I just couldn't resist." He closed in on my face and nudged against my nose before pulling back. "Man your nose is cold!"

I couldn't help but giggle. Before we could say anything else, I heard a distant 'Naminé!' in the distance. I turned to unexpectedly find the delighted faces of Kairi and Sora. Oh goodness if they saw that face-nudge just now…

"Hey! You guys have exams too?" Sora piped up, giving a quick pat on the back to Roxas, who quickly reciprocated. I loved how much those two got along.

"Had, actually," Roxas answered for me, "We just finished. Why are you guys here so early? I thought the afternoon exams weren't til 2:30."

"They aren't, but we thought we'd grab some lunch first," Sora explained, but Kairi quickly shook her head.

"Actually, that's half the reason. I'm also helping this lazy bum with last-minute study."

"There was a bit more to memorise than I thought…" Sora scratched the back of his neck, and Roxas smiled sheepishly. "But I only have two exams so it's not so bad."

"Hey, I only have two exams too!" I chimed in, and Sora held up his hand so I could hi-five him.

"Up top!"

"Aaanyway..." Kairi rolled her eyes at Sora's antics, "since we're all here, did you guys wanna join us?" Kairi asked sweetly, her hands behind her back, all the while giving me a knowing glance. I knew what she was thinking – impromptu double date.

"Sure, that'd be fun!" Roxas piped up before I could disagree, but I did of course want to have lunch with them. Maybe it could've been a double date if Roxas had've asked me out by now… not that I was bothered! I was glad things were flowing the way they were.

We followed Kairi and Sora to a nearby café that was absolutely packed with students. We managed to squeeze into a corner. There was no escape from Kairi's gawking now.

Kairi managed to keep herself at bay though, and we had a pleasant lunch. Sora and Roxas were having an animated discussion about skateboarding and started organising to meet up, while Kairi and I had our girly discussion while they weren't listening.

"So, is it official, or…?" Kairi started, having been unable to ask me due to exams looming.

"Well, not yet…" I said a little awkwardly, making sure Roxas couldn't hear. "But I mean, it's still early days. We're going out to lunch after exams tomorrow."

"Ooh, maybe then! But seriously, after the first kiss it's kind of already sealed, don't you think? You might as well tell everyone!" I forgot that Sora was still pretty oblivious to the whole thing, but I knew he'd be happy from the way they were getting along.

"No, I wanna wait until it's official… you know?"

Kairi chuckled. "I know. You guys are adorable, though."

I could feel my cheeks flush red, but then the boys turned back to us and we continued with our light chatter for the rest of the lunch. When we left, Kairi gave me a thumbs up while the boys weren't looking and I gave one right back.

My last exam was over before I knew it and I stretched as I waited for Roxas outside the venue. Sweet freedom! Now I had a good five and a half weeks of free time. I felt sorry for poor Riku and Terra, who I knew still had exams two weeks from now. Even worse, Aqua and Selphie's semesters didn't even finish for another few weeks. Looks like this mid-semester trip might be put on hold.

I almost didn't notice Roxas walking towards me as I thought about our plans. "How'd you go?"

"Great! Feels so good to be done. How about you?"

"Easy peasy!" He stretched his hands out to crack his knuckles. He was going to get a big head, that's for sure. "Ready to go?"

"Exactly where are we going?"

"I thought we could go into the city since we're just about there anyway. We'll find somewhere there!"

I actually really loved Kingdom City, but I didn't get to go all that often. I remembered whenever we had school excursions to the city we'd all get so excited. "Sounds great!"

It didn't take long to catch a city loop train and we were on our way. I could see the tall buildings in the distance and my excitement grew. Once we made it to Kindgom Street Station, we clamoured off with the rest of the crowd.

"Right, shouldn't be too hard to find a good food place…" Roxas scratched his head as we walked through the ticketing barriers. Kingdom Street was one of the main stations and it was absolutely packed. I almost got caught in the crowd and let out a little yelp.

"Hey, don't go getting lost on me!" Roxas reached out and grabbed my hand. Maybe I should get lost in a crowd more often.

Firmly holding hands, we waded through the crowd and around the various shops and restaurants of Kingdom Central. Classy business people, fashion savvy shoppers, school students, old couples and city veterans of all kinds were filling the shops. Eventually Roxas decided he was too hungry to prolong lunch and chose a noodle place near the entrance.

"The sun's coming out! Let's eat outside!" I called out as Roxas came back with our meals. If truth were to be told, I may have done a liiiittle daydreaming last night about how today might go. Maybe he'd take me to the Wayfinder Gardens, and we'd lie in the grass and bask in the sun… then he'd roll over and ask me to be his girlfriend and kiss me right there. I was a romantic airhead, but I just couldn't help but wonder. Anything could happen in the city!

We found ourselves instead outside the garden of the city's museum, where many people were on their lunch breaks and feeding the pigeons. We found a sunny spot and sat, though the wind was still pretty fierce.

We ate and chatted lightly, and after a moment of comfortable silence and eating I looked over to find Roxas staring at me with a little grin on his face. "W-Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Just wanted to look at you," he smiled, and I noticed a hint of pink on his cheeks. Caught in the act! I had to admit it was sweet though. He actually just wanted to watch me… but did he have to while I was eating?

We finished our meal and decided to have a look around the district stores. First we went to a pop-culture store, where we found some merchandise for our favourite games. We found our special game and chuckled at each other, then found a five dollar book store and scoured the shelves. It just made it even better that Roxas liked to read. I was so lucky!

On our way out, I swear I heard someone call my name… but who would I run into in the city?

"Naminé!" I heard again, and turned around to a flash of a bright smile before my vision was obscured with blue hair.

"A-Aqua!" I shrieked. Sure enough, Aqua was standing before me, and a strange boy was behind her, smiling.

"It's so good to see you, Nam! I haven't seen you in so long!"

"I know, it's been way too long thanks to uni! How've you been!?"

The rushed happiness radiating from Aqua was infectious. "Oh my gosh, it's been great, I'm just here with my uni friend and we went into that book store and got books, and we got macaroons-" She held the bag up excitedly as testament to her good day – "and now I've run into you! What are you doing here?"

"I had exams! This is Roxas, by the way." I let Roxas add a 'nice to meet you' and Aqua excitedly returned it. She seemed a bit out of character, she was so excited and happy. Usually she was pretty calm and nonchalant.

"Anyway, we have to get back to uni soon, but it was so great to see you! We'll catch up soon, okay?"

"Of course! Make sure Terra gets on that, okay?" I teased, and for a split second I thought I saw a quick flash of guilt in her eyes.

"Right – I will! Okay, see you later Nam!" And just like that she was gone as quickly as she came.

"Geez, you haven't even met my friends yet and I've just about met your entire school." Roxas teased from behind me.

"Oh, not even. That was so unexpected though."

I had a strange feeling, but maybe it was just the excitement that made Aqua feel so out-of-character. Still, I hoped she wasn't hiding face. The hand that grabbed mine distracted me from further thought about Aqua and we continued to look at the shops. Sure, I didn't get that romantic kiss in Wayfinder Gardens, but being with Roxas was great in itself.

I checked the time. It was 1:30 in the morning. I had to do a double take and the silence seemed to worry Roxas.

"You okay?"

"Do you realise we've been on the phone for like… five hours?"

Amidst a personal art piece, something I hadn't been able to divulge in until exams were over, Roxas had called as usual. We'd talked about everything under the sun, he'd made me laughed until I cried, we'd paused to brush our teeth and get ready for bed and now we were having hushed conversation. At least until I enlightened him about the time.

"Woah, that went really fast. That was not five hours."

"Oh god, I have to get up tomorrow for work…"

Roxas chuckled from the other end. "Want to say goodbye?"

"No!" I said a little too quickly. "No… I'm having so much fun."

I could almost hear him smiling. "Me too. We'll catch up soon now that exams are over. We can play a lot of video games!"

"That sounds fun." I snuggled deeper under my blankets. My eyes had been so droopy I'd turned my lights out, planning on falling straight to sleep after I'd finished talking. Although it didn't seem like that would happen anytime soon.

We fell back into hushed conversation, my favourite kind. Roxas' voice would get a little raspy when he lowered his tone, and it was rough and yet soothing all at once. I could listen to it all day.

"Hey, I came up with another question." He piped up after a moment of comfortable silence. "When did you start liking me?"

"When? Well, it's hard to pinpoint the exact moment…" I didn't want him to know I'd presumed he might be a bummy drop-out the first time I saw him. "I guess… when you gave me your number?"

"Ahh."

"What about you?"

"Kinda from the moment you said you liked my shirt. I know that's totally cliché, but it's true."

I rolled over into my pillow to stop what would surely be an embarrassing squeak. "You're so silly." Not just in the things he said either. I thought of all the silly little things he did… all the things that still managed to make me swoon though. There was one thing in particular though…

"Um… by the way, I just wanted to say that… er…"

"Yeah?"

"I… I really like it when you wink at me." Oh god Naminé why did you just say that. Curse all my boundaries betraying me during early hours!

"Really?" He sounded perfectly content, like his master plan had been a success. "I'll have to keep it up then, won't I?"

"That'd be… nice." Seriously, this boy was going to make me explode one of these days. I wondered if I could even handle a relationship with him.

"I have another question."

"Go ahead!"

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

I felt a little embarrassed by the sudden question, but I wasn't going to lie. "No, I haven't."

"I see."

It was weird, I'd always thought, or I suppose hoped, that Roxas would also be… unexperienced. I mean, he was so adorable it was a long shot, but he was just so sweet and kind and I thought it'd be super sweet if we were each other's' firsts. But from his tone, I gathered it wouldn't be that way.

"What about you?"

"Hmm… can't say I've ever had a boyfriend."

"Roxas!"

"Well, you asked!"

The chuckles died down and I tried again. "Um… have you, though? Had a girlfriend?"

"Yes. Just the one."

"O-Oh."

I almost couldn't believe it. I mean, it was believable, but I was hoping not… I wonder how long they went out for? Hopefully it was just a silly high school thing. You know, people who only go out for like two months or so.

I dragged the pause for too long and he spoke up. "What's wrong? You're not jealous, are you?"

"N-No, of course not! Just… thinking."

I'm sure it wouldn't be a big deal. I mean, ex's are ex's, right? I was so silly being so paranoid, but this was my first relationship. We got back to asking questions and learning even more about each other, and his voice trailed in my mind well after the call ended…

Preview

"I haven't really thought about it, to be honest."

"Make Roxas happy, okay?"

"They… take some getting used to."

"I made you these."

"I'm so glad I get to see you more often now!"


A/N:

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I know the phone calls were reeeally long-winded, but there's just so much to explore! And now that you know about Roxas' past girlfriend (I wonder who it could be!?), it's time to announce that I'm going to be writing a Prequel to Insatiable, called 'Like a Dream'. It will focus on Roxas and his girlfriend's relationship before he meets Naminé – and give you some insight into this story and what's to come. There will be important plot details in the prequel, BUT it is not necessary for you to read it if you don't want to. Insatiable will still make perfect sense without this story, but it'll provide some great insight and, as a goal of mine for writing this story, help or hinder you and your opinion of some of the character's decisions.

On a last-minute whim I also decided to post another prequel-type thing about Naminé's last year of high school, which will just be purely for fun with one-shot type chapters and light-hearted snippets of the gang's life before university. It's called 'Class of '11'! Please do check them out if you have the time, and as always, thank you for reviewing, favourite-ing or watching! Fiction Café will be updated as usual so check that out too!