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"What are you doing down there?" Frost asked defensively, still holding the Paopu fruit piece.
"Nothing, we just decided to collect a few coconuts," Kairi said and hit the tree next to her. A coconut fell from the tree and landed on her head.
"Owwie" she said, dazed. Star smiled up at Riku and helped Kairi run away.
"A motley crew, aren't they?" Frost smiled.
"She got what was coming to her, spying on people," Riku smiled in spite of himself, it was funny! He popped the final piece of Paopu in his mouth and Frost did the same. The taste exploded in his mouth once more and he felt as if Frost would never leave him again.
"That," she swallowed "was the best tasting fruit I've ever tried." Riku smiled so widely she saw his ears move.
"I should grab some for the journey" Frost said and headed down the ladder, Riku jumped down as he usually did.
"Show-off" she said, smiling, and shoved him playfully. He shoved her back until she stopped. He followed her glaze and spotted Selphie staring at them. She was standing still and looked in shock.
"Selphie? Selphie?" Frost nearly shouted at the stunned girl.
Selphie said nothing.
Riku tried.
"Selphie? Are you awake?" Riku waved his hand in front of Selphie's face. Selphie blinked.
"What?" she said quietly "What are you two…did I just…was Kairi telling the truth?"
"About what?" Moki asked in her low tone "about spying on masters and calling them mean names, then yes."
"I love you Riku" Selphie said. Riku stared at her. Frost stared at her. Selphie stared back.
"Huh?" Riku asked insecurely, risking a glimpse at Frost. She didn't look shocked or angry so Riku made the assumption he was okay. So far.
"I love you, Riku, I watched when Kairi would flirt with you, and the time you had to rescue her, and you brought her from the ocean in your arms, I wanted to be her, I always wanted to be her, just to be near you, I used to think of you, smelt you, felt you, and I felt pain, my heart wouldn't give you up," Selphie began to cry. Riku looked at Frost again, and this time she looked angry but quiet.
"And when you found her, and kept her safe, but you never thought of looking for me, Sora did, but it was never about little ole Selphie, it was always about Kairi, and now, you've shared the Paopu fruit with…her?" Selphie took a deep breath.
"I never meant to hurt you, Selphie, I never knew…" Riku tried to recover while looking at Frost's slumped over position and depressed eyes.
"But you wouldn't have, if I had told, you anyways!" Selphie's tears turned to rage. Riku was at a loss for words. Frost began to walk away. Riku went after her.
"Riku! Come back!" Selphie yelled desperately.
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"Frost! Frost, stop, let me--" he was interrupted.
"'Brought her from the ocean in your arms' eh?" Frost started, no tear streaks dotting her face, "Hope you enjoyed the view!"
"It was a long time ago, Frost, let me explain, I was gonna save her," Riku pleaded.
"Well that just makes it all better now, doesn't it? Lovely. Coming up roses. Yeah, well, soon enough Kairi's gonna be pushin' up daisies," Frost said angrily, stomping her feet almost as hard as she could, blade swinging dangerously close to slicing her back. Riku had noticed and tried to stop her.
"Frost! If I really wanted Kairi, if I had really loved her, why did I share the Paopu with you?" Riku asked quietly. Frost stopped stomping, her blade stopped swinging.
"You still hurt poor Selphie, how could you not realize she loved you, why didn't you look for her?" she asked, placing her glasses back onto her nose.
"I can't read minds, I was stupid, I was hopelessly stuck in this hole that was Kairi, I gave up everything, and she screwed me over, believe me when I say I love you and not her," he pleaded.
"You love me? Do you even know how much responsibility those words bring? Do you know how many emotions cling to the word? I just don't want to be played again Riku," she looked at the ground. He lifted her chin up, forcing her eyes to meet his.
"Yes, I mean it," he said with the most truth he had ever used in his life. Frost reached forward and kissed him. He smiled as she breathed against his cheek.
"What's this about being played?" Frost smiled slightly.
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