Sorry that this one's so short! Things start to get interesting after this chapter. Promise.

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The sky darkened outside Livia's picture window as she remained in her position, leaning against the door, a dejected look gracing her features. She hadn't budged for what felt like hours. She hadn't bothered to look at the clock that stared at her from the wall, and she hadn't bothered to wipe away the stray tears that rolled occasionally down her face.

"I just..." she mumbled to herself, her breathing uneven and her voice hoarse, "I just want to go home..."

There was a gentle rap on her door. The vibration shocked Livia's body back into movement. She stood up and opened the door slowly, revealing Riku with a concerned look in his eyes. "Are you alright?" he immediately asked, reaching out to touch her arm. She recoiled. He frowned slightly, but continued. "Have you been crying?"

Livia wiped her eyes and sniffled slightly. "Maybe."

"Why?" he asked forcefully. "You don't have anywhere else you can go or anyone else you can talk to. Why won't you tell me what's wrong?"

"I have Sora," she seethed. "I have Sora and Kairi and my life back in the islands. I had a life, a family, best friends...and now they're all gone." Suddenly, Livia's keyblade appeared in her hands and Riku backed away.

"What?" he shot arrogantly. "You want to fight me?"

She raised an eyebrow, not realizing that her keyblade was in her hands. When she noticed that her weapon was drawn, she made it disappear. "N-no, Riku, that's not what I wanted...I'm just...confused. By everything. I want to go back home. I don't think I should have left Sora behind. What if he's worried?"

Riku's face went grim. "You want to know if he's worried about you?" he repeated. Sighing, he opened a portal and said, "Come with me. I'll bring you to Sora."

He took her hand in his and pulled her through the portal. When they emerged, Livia recognized her surroundings as the Third District in Traverse Town. They were standing on the roof of one of the buildings, looking into the window of someone's home. The golden glow of the lights inside pierced through the darkness of the night and Livia could see the figures of Sora, Donald and Goofy through the glass.

"Look at them," Riku said quietly. "Look how carefree they are. They don't care about you. They don't even miss you. If they did, they'd be out there searching for you right now, not goofing off."

Livia was in shock. "They...they don't care?"

She felt Riku's body move closer to her's, his hands placed gently on her shoulders. Into her ear, he said softly, "They don't care about you the way I do. Sora's replaced you. He's replaced us. Come back to Hollow Bastion with me. There's nothing wrong with wanting to help Kairi using the power of darkness."

Livia turned to him, their faces just millimetres apart. She looked deep into Riku's aquamarine eyes and questioned, "Are you just using me to get to Kairi?"

He let out a laugh. "Livia...you have to understand...I'm worried about Kairi because she's the only one out of our group that we can't find. I just want to make sure that she's safe. She and I are just friends. I promise."

"Promise..." she repeated to herself.

"Will you come back with me to the castle?" Riku asked once again. "Maleficent can help you. She has great powers. It's what's best for everyone." He rested his forehead against hers and slid his hands around her waist. "I'll be there with you. You won't be alone."

Livia brought a hand up to Riku's chest, feeling the slightly rapid beat of his heart against her palm. Closing her eyes with a small smile, she pulled him in and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. After a few seconds, she pulled away and said, "As long as you're with me, I'll welcome the darkness with open arms."

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