They found that the hotel was the only safe place in all of traverse town at the moment. Even Merlin had to stay there… There were two rooms left. Some people had left to another safe hold they had created in a house in the first district. All the people they saw were terrified that the heartless were back, and some inquired if Sora was back to save them all again. Sora could only shake his head and tell them that he didn't know.

The first room was furnished in royal blue. It was lovely and had some furniture and a table scattered about the room. Next to the bed was a lamp and there were some pictures, mostly of water, on the walls.

"Kairi and I claim this one!" Sora exclaimed, jumping onto the bed.

"Alright, take it easy," said Riku. "Xoe and I don't really care what room we get. Right Xoe?" he asked, and turned to her. Xoe nodded.

"Not a problem."

"Okay," smiled Kairi. "See you in the morning."

Riku and Xoe said their goodnights, then headed through the door that led to the next room. It was just like Sora and Kairi's, but it was crimson instead of blue. Riku looked around. There was a table by him with two chairs, a painting on the wall of a tree with red leaves, a window with thick red curtains and…

"Oh shi…"

"What?" asked Xoe.

"There's only one bed."

Xoe turned to face the bed so her back was to Riku, secretly hoping that he couldn't see her blush. Riku was blushing a bit too, and was glad she wasn't looking. This is a dilemma… he thought. Xoe turned back around, and their eyes met. She quickly cast her glance to the ground, blushing once more.

"Well, why don't I just… I can sleep on the floor, or I could bring Kairi in here… or something…"

"Riku…"

"Yeah, I'll just go ask for an extra pillow, and blanket at the front desk…"

"Riku."

"Here, why don't you just get settled…"

"Riku!" Xoe said, looking at him sternly. He returned the stare with equal intensity. "Riku… how long were we together in kingdom hearts?"

"Three years."

"And how long before that?"

"About… a few months… But it seemed like much longer."

"Riku. We can sleep in the same bed. Three years is a long time."

"But we're just friends…" but are we? Thought Riku, not knowing that Xoe was thinking along the same lines.

"It really isn't a big deal, it's just us. Sleeping in the same bed. Together."

"You see how that sounds?"

"I didn't say sleeping and together in the same sentence," Xoe said jokingly with a smile.

Riku sighed. "Xoe, I've known you for so long. I don't want anything to happen."

"To happen, or to change?"

Xoe raised her left eyebrow in question. Xoe's right. We've known each other too long to let this come between us. Even if something did happen, we'd still be friends. Wait. Why do I think something's going to happen! Riku thought. He rubbed his temple and started to pace across the room. Xoe sighed and sat on the bed.

"The bed's big enough for both of us, you're worrying to much. It makes me wonder, Riku, if you're worried that you might do something…"

"Xoe, don't be foolish. I wo- Xoe! What are you doing!" Riku asked. Xoe was taking off her black shirt, revealing a scarlet undergarment with roses on it. (Yeah, a little sketchy with the 'roses', but she IS Ansem's daughter…)

She laughed a little. "I'm not going to sleep in my shirt!"

He avoided looking at her. She's really… beautiful.

She started taking off her leather shorts, revealing another matching undergarment. Riku's eyes slowly moved toward her. She looked up, and laughed.

"Riku! Don't act so childish!" She moved to the side of the bed that was against the wall and crept under the covers. "Now get undressed and come into bed!"

"That still doesn't sound right…" Riku said with a smile, than took off his shirt, then his pants leaving his silver boxers. He noticed Xoe looking at him, and blushed.

"You don't have to stare."

She didn't move her gaze. "You stared at me."

He smirked and looked at her. He came around and laid down on his side of the large bed. "Yeah. Maybe a little bit. But your…"

"…I'm what?"

"You are… beautiful. And amazing…." He crept slightly towards her. She didn't back off.

"Oh really?"

He smiled. What the hell am I doing? Why can't I stop? Am I still going towards her… she isn't… backing away. Is she reaching towards me?

Indeed she was. Her hand softly landed on the base of Riku's neck. He felt it move across to his shoulder. Then fall down his chest to the bed causing him to shiver. He wanted feel the rest of her next to him, he wanted to move across the bed to her. There were so many things that he wanted to do, but he couldn't get himself up to do it.

Xoe on the other hand, was slowly dragging herself to him. When she was close enough, Riku shakily raised his hand, and gently wrapped his arm around her. She leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, then pulled away. They stared at eachother for a while.

"We should get some sleep," Xoe whispered.

"Then you shouldn't have kissed me."

He came in, and brought her closer with his strong arm wrapped around her shoulders. Their lips met, but neither pulled back.

Later, who knows how long, a scream sounded in the night near the third district. Xoe pulled back in fright. Something inside of her dropped, and she knew that person died. Riku could just tell from her eyes… Xoe wrapped her arms around Riku and pressed her face into his chest, and they lay clinging to eachother for the rest of the night, Riku protecting her from anything to come.

(Yeah, well if you don't like the romance, sorry! The next chapter they go to… guess where? Luca! (I DON'T OWN IT!) and things with get exciting!)