(vomits cute)

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Rating: G


009. Belief

Running after Roxas as they played in the park, Hayner thought about the story the other boy's mom had read them just half an hour ago before lunch. Even though he was seven and Roxas was six and three quarters, he decided to let the age difference slide and allow the blue-eyed kid into his circle of friends. Which at the moment only included the two of them, but he expected that to change as soon as school got back in session. Last year wasn't that great, but he was angry most of the time and the other kids were afraid of him.

"Hey Roxas, do you think people really fall in love for real like the Princess in the story?" He asked, climbing alongside the smaller boy on the jungle gym.

"My mom and dad say they love each other every day, so probably."

"I don't think so. Not for real."

"But why would adults lie to each other about something like that and call it true love?"

"I don't know, but my dad said he loved my mom and then he left, so he must have been lying."

Roxas's eyebrows furrowed in thought as they sat on top of the playground structure, clearly confused. Shrugging, he apparently decided the intricacies of adult romantic relationships were too much for him. Must be the age difference, he just wasn't mature enough. Hayner didn't think he believed in love. If his father had loved his mom and him as much as he said, he wouldn't have left them. Mom said he wasn't coming back, so it wasn't like he was on a quest to slay a dragon to protect them or anything, because the knight always came back to his princess. That was just how it worked.

Another boy arrived at the park, a scar across his face that made Hayner think of the knight from the story they'd just sat through. He looked to be older than them, and the brown-eyed boy was immediately interested in learning more about him. Namine was with him, and he held her hand as they walked onto the playground. The blonde girl was incredibly shy, so he didn't know why she would let him get close enough to hold her hand. Maybe they were related. She waved at them slightly and they climbed down to meet her.

"Hayner, Roxas, this is my cousin, Seifer," she said, struggling with the word 'cousin', "He's gonna be staying here."

"Nice to meet you," Seifer said like he'd practiced it, glancing sideways at the small girl as if seeking approval.

"Nice to meet you too, Seifer," Hayner answered, while Roxas looked at him suspiciously before finally offering a greeting.

"Hey, do you guys believe in true love?" He asked, suddenly remembering his earlier dilemma.

"Yeah, of course," Seifer answered, like it was the most obvious thing in the world, and Namine nodded.

"Well I don't, I think it's just something adults make up."

Seifer quirked an eyebrow at him questioningly, which was honestly completely cool-looking when he did it, and the small blonde covered her mouth in horror like it was a personal tragedy. The moment passed and the trio of younger kids went off to play with each other, the elder apparently happy just sitting on top of the jungle gym and watching them. Hayner could feel his eyes on him the vast majority of the time, but he was sticking with his answer, even if an older kid disagreed. Just because someone was older didn't mean they were right, even if they were an adult.


"Hey Hayner, do you still not believe in love?" The bully asked him a short decade later, having cornered him in one of the plethora of alleys that could be found in Twilight Town.

"Do you seriously remember that? I dunno, maybe? Why the hell do you ask?"

"Because my answer hasn't changed, but I think I could change yours."

The lips that cover his are completely and utterly unexpected and it takes him a moment to reciprocate. So maybe he had been in love with Seifer, doesn't mean he really believed in love, because it was a two way street. Unrequited didn't count in the original question.

"So if I say I love you, what's your response?" The pale-eyed man asked once he pulled away.

"I love you too."

He guess he'd just have to see if they lasted forever to finalize his answer on the subject.