A/N: Hi! Here is another update for y'all. I actually have chapter 11 ready, more or less, so I was thinking I'd upload that tomorrow after work or Sunday. Unfortunately, I have to do some work tomorrow morning otherwise I might have put it up tonight. I'm really excited to these next few chapters to you. Thank you again to my reviewers, I won't list your names this time but you know who you are! Y'all are the best! And I love to hear from you.

Disclaimer: See previous chapter, haha.

Mind Games

Chapter 10: The Aftermath

"Kairi, you're more beautiful than the sunset. Did you know that?"

I smiled, relishing in the attention Sora was giving me as we stood on Sunset Hill. This was my first time watching the sun set over Twilight Town and I never imagined it would be so romantic. The rosy hues that painted the sky were poetic; it was like being in a fairy tale. "Sora, thank you for bringing me here. It's wonderful."

Sora shook his head and took my hands in his. "No, Kairi, you're wonderful. I was stupid for neglecting you for so long. I'm never leaving without you again," he vowed with one of his cheesy grins. He gazed down at the charm bracelet on my arm and added, "You won't be getting another one this year." His hands began to caress up my arms, sending tingles across my skin.

With one hand on the small of my back and the other gripping my chin, he pulled me to his lips. I sighed happily against the soft feeling. It had been so long; I'd missed him so much. I pressed my body against his, allowing my hands to reach up and play in his delightful, brown hair.

"Oh, Kairi, I love you so much," he hummed as his kisses began to deepen. I didn't have a chance to return his love vocally, but I tried to show him that I felt the same.

He pulled away abruptly and my eyes fluttered open. Instead of seeing Sora's tanned, handsome face, I saw Axel.

"You're a great kisser, princess."

I screamed.

Kairi jolted up in her bed, awakened by the sound of her own terror. Before she had a moment to compose herself, Axel burst into the room wielding the broom.

"What? What's wrong?" he asked, panic written all over his face.

Just looking at his face made her want to scream all over again. Why had he been in her dream? Was it also impossible for her to enjoy her fiancé in her dreams? Kairi groaned and fell back against her pillows. "Nothing's wrong!" she groaned. The volume of her voice gave her a headache, which elicited another groan. Of course she had a hangover.

Not taking the hint, Axel traveled closer to her bedside and peered down at her. "You sure you're okay?"

She closed her eyes and held her head with her hand. "I'm fine, Axel. Just go," she breathed, "Actually, wait, what time is it?"

"Nearly seven." She groaned again. "Why don't you just call in?" he suggested.

She opened one eye to attempt to glare at him. "That would be irresponsible. I shouldn't have gotten so carried away last night."

Axel tapped his chin. "Hm, I don't know, Kairi. If we're labeling actions as irresponsible I'd start with not taking care of yourself when you're clearly suffering. Would be a shame if your condition worsened."

"Ugh, I can't argue with you right now!" she cried then winced.

"Call in."

"You pulled me away before I could-"

"Get someone else to do it."

"But I'm the-"

It was Axel's turn to groan. "What is your plan, Kairi? Work till you pass out so you don't have to think about what's really bothering you?"

Kairi winced from both his volume and meaning. She let her hand drop and opened both her eyes. "Is it so obvious?" she questioned in a small voice.

Axel dared to sit on the side of her bed. "Afraid so."

She sighed, letting her thoughts drift back to Sora. Despite the jarring twist at the end, she had enjoyed dreaming of his love. Kairi had never stopped missing his affection and touch, but the dream had stirred longing in her heart that she thought she'd quelled. She resented his absence; it was torture.

"Maybe waiting isn't good enough," she whispered.

"My thoughts exactly, princess."

Kairi slowly pushed her body into a sitting position. "What do you mean?"

"Take action, Kairi. Show him exactly what he's been missing," he replied with a look that made Kairi feel even more lightheaded. When had he developed the ability to make her feel like melting?

She hadn't forgotten what she said to him last night, nor had she forgotten all of the things he'd said to her. If it hadn't been for the look he was giving her now, Kairi would've thought their actions had been because of alcohol. She looked away, hoping he couldn't see how her cheeks were burning.

"Cat got your tongue?" Axel teased.

"No…I'm just feeling sick," she lied, "I think I will call in after all."

The silence that hung over them was heavy. Kairi had no doubt he knew why she was hiding her face. She could feel his desire to address what happened like it was choking her. What could she even say? She'd confessed she found him attractive and he'd confessed he felt the same. Any further examination of the subject was out of the question. She was engaged to Sora. She was in love with Sora. Axel wasn't more than a friend, right?

She was shaken out of her reverie by the loss of Axel's weight on her bed. Kairi watched as he waved a bare hand to her and quietly exited her room. Her heart sunk once he closed the door. Why did she feel like she'd done something wrong?

Kairi groaned and rolled onto her side. She'd called in and stayed in bed to nurse her hangover. She glanced at the clock on the table next to her bed; it was already 11:30 AM.

"I guess I should join the land of the living," she muttered as she reached for her phone, which was next to the clock. She pressed the button and was delighted to see she had a text message. Kairi unlocked her phone and frowned; the text was from Axel.

Made you breakfast, princess. It's in the microwave.

Her frown was soon replaced with a smile. Axel was so thoughtful. Even after how she'd danced around the subject of last night, he was still looking out for her. Unlike her fiancé that she hadn't heard from in almost two days.

Kairi navigated to her text conversation with Sora and added another inquiry to her list of ten. Sora hadn't mentioned where he was going, but she hoped the reason he hadn't answered her was because it was somewhere without signal.

She slowly stepped out of bed, draped her purple robe around her, and walked toward the kitchen. She could already hear the volume of whatever Axel was watching from the hall. She quietly poked her head around the corner and spotted the redhead with his legs stretched out across the yellow cushions. His spiky head rested against the arm of the couch. He was once again dressed in his black tank and jeans.

"Axel?" she called as she entered the living room. He didn't move. She dared to tiptoe closer to him and discovered that he'd fallen asleep. She smiled and knelt beside his sleeping form. There was something enjoyable about watching the way his chest softly rose and fell with each breath. He was strangely serene; even the tattoos under his eyes looked sweeter as he dozed.

I've got to know what his hair feels like.

Kairi slowly extended her arm, careful not to let the sleeve of her robe drop onto his face. Gingerly, she touched a lock of red hair and was soothed by how soft it felt under her fingertips. She continued to stroke his mane, wondering to herself how men like Sora and Axel could have such naturally messy hair.

"I'm not a dog, princess."

She barely suppressed a giggle. "Funny, you act like one with the way you track dirt in my house and hover around me."

Axel eyed her steadily. "You don't seem to mind my attention. In fact, I dare say you enjoy it."

She frowned as Axel grinned. "I don't want to talk about that."

Axel freed the arm he had been sleeping on to pat her head. "You never want to talk about anything, do you? I'm beginning to think you don't see me as a friend. I'm hurt, Kairi." He feigned injury and dramatically clasped his hand against his forehead.

She decided to play along. "You're right, I don't see you that way," she deadpanned, "I actually want to take you up on your offer to leave because I didn't enjoy last night at all."

Axel lifted his hand so she could see his smirk. "Oh, I beg to differ, Kairi." He leaned toward the edge of the couch and grabbed her chin before she could escape him. "I know you enjoyed last night."

She felt her mind hazing as she sunk into his sultry gaze. "We shouldn't talk about this," she gulped as his fingers began to trace her jawline. The simple movement was hypnotic.

"Why not?" he mused.

"I'm engaged," she argued, fighting the urge to shiver. She couldn't give him any encouragement; she couldn't do that to Sora.

"That's not a permanent condition. In fact, engagement can be remedied quite easily."

She gasped, "What are you saying?"

Before he could explain himself, Kairi heard the lock on the front door shift. She shot across the room just as Sora strolled through the door. He set his bag on the floor and began loosening his tie. She couldn't help but notice he was glowing, as though he'd been on some kind of vacation. Yeah, a vacation from you.

Kairi swallowed down her dark thoughts, choosing to focus on the fact he was here. "Sora!" she called as she approached him, "You never told me where you were…I was worried about you. I wanted to apologize for how we left things."

Sora beamed at her and her worries were soothed. He didn't hate her. He didn't want to call off their engagement. He still loved her.

"You don't have to apologize, Kai. I've been regretting what happened too," he confessed before pulling her into a tight hug. She sighed happily, leaning into his familiar form. The feeling was even better than her dreams. "I didn't know what to say, that's why I didn't answer your messages. I'm sorry for worrying you."

Axel coughed from the couch but Kairi chose to ignore his commentary. "That's all right, I'm just glad you're back," she replied.

Sora released her, taking a step back from her. "Actually, we need to talk, Kairi," he announced gravely, "It's serious."

Kairi's face fell.