Nervous energy coursed through her body as Kairi checked herself in the mirror one last time. Hair, perfect. Makeup, perfect. Outfit, maybe not perfect, but suitable for a first date.

"All right." She turned, smiling at Namine. "I'm ready."

The blonde looked her cousin over. It was true, Kairi looked great, but Namine was still worried. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" she asked quietly, and the redhead nodded.

"Yeah. It's a test date. It'll be fine."

Even though she looked confident, there was a nervous tremor in Kairi's voice that was reflected in Namine's expression. The two girls looked at each other, Namine wearing a simple, warm jacket and gray sweat pants, her feet covered by thick, fluffy socks to protect them from the cold. Oppositely, Kairi had chosen dark blue skinny jeans, the bottoms of which were tucked into her knee-high fur-trimmed boots, and a white top that shimmered just a little as she moved. Simple jewelry and makeup, her hair freshly washed and dried, pinned back out of her face. Her coat sat waiting on her bed, the same materials as her boots.

"Well, you look fantastic. He'll love you." Namine offered a smile, trying to offer the support her cousin was looking for. Her compliment earned her a giggle from the redhead

"That's what I'm hoping for." Turning, Kairi put on her coat and smoothed out her clothes. "Wish me luck."

A nervous smile and she was gone, striding off down the hallway. Gloves from her pockets were quickly pulled on to protect her fingers, snug by the time she reached the front doors. It was snowing, as it should be during Christmas break, and she found herself smiling as she walked towards the main gate to campus. She'd never seen snow before attending school here, and while she'd hated it at first—cold and slippery and slushy—she looked forward to the winter months now. Snow was beautiful.

By the time she reached the front gate, the white flakes had formed a thin layer over her shoulders and sparkled in her hair. There was no sign that anyone else had passed that way in some time, and the sun was near the horizon. It would be dark soon, but Kairi didn't hesitate before passing through the gates and continuing down the road a short ways. Then she stopped, gloved hands in her pockets as she waited in the snow. It was only for a few minutes, and then the low rumble of an engine reached her ears, immediately accompanied by a pair of headlights coming towards her from the school grounds.

Within moments, a sleek black car pulled up next to her and came to a stop. The driver side door opened and a figure stepped out, quickly circling around to stand just in front of her. Smiling, Kairi looked up into icy blue eyes.

"Right on time, Professor."

The man grinned, a rare expression for him, and stepped back to open the passenger side door for her. "Did you think I would be late?"

"No." Pleased by Luxord's display of manners, she offered a smile before sliding into the car. He shut the door for her and went back around to the driver's side, quickly resuming his seat and putting the car back into drive.

"So." Kairi glanced at him through the corner of her eye and unbuttoned her coat; it was warm enough in the car that she hardly needed it. "Where are we going? Your email didn't say."

The man sitting beside her grinned again, his eyes locked on the road. "Then you already know I won't tell you."

Yes, that was true, but she'd had to ask. It was all part of the game, after all, and this date would be no fun if she went along with it all quietly. If Kairi had been the sort to quietly let things happen, she never would've ended up on this date. She'd made this date happen and she was going to play it through just like she'd played through every single one of her interactions with Professor Luxord.

A comfortable silence fell over them. Or at least, it seemed comfortable. Kairi had her hands in her lap and was focused on her breathing so she wouldn't fidget. She couldn't help but glance at the man in the driver's seat, just enough to note that he appeared perfectly calm and relaxed. Of course he did, though. The tall blond was always calm and in control—getting him flustered was a challenge in of itself.

Seeing him like this was strange, now that she thought about it. But she'd been expecting that. it was a sort of strange situation, going on a date with her teacher, seeing him in dark jeans and a nice shirt with a blazer rather than dress pants, shirt and tie. He looked good, there was no denying that. Really, she was convinced this would be the best date she'd ever been on. After teenaged boys who just thought she was pretty, who saw themselves as special because of their parents' money and were immature of selfish in their relationships, Kairi was ready to try something different and maybe a little strange.

Zzzz….zzzz…zzzz…zzz…

The buzzing in her pocket almost made the redhead jump, and she offered an apologetic smile when Luxord glanced over at her.

"Sorry."

"It's all right."

Still a little embarrassed, Kairi retrieved the still-vibrating device. What idiot had decided to call her now, of all times? Incoming Call her phone's screen declared, with Riku displayed underneath. Now annoyed, she hit the Answer option and put the device to her ear. "Hello?

"I fucked up!"

The voice coming through was so loud she flinched almost jerked the phone away just to avoid going deaf in that ear. "Whoa, okay, calm down. What happened?"

"I bit him! I…we were showering and he was making me wash him and I don't know what I was thinking but I bit him!"

Slowly, Kairi closed her eyes and put a hand over her face. Really, he had to do this now? "I thought you were going to try being subtle."

"That's kinda hard when he's naked right in front of me!"

"Would you stop yelling? You're hurting my ear," she admonished. As much as she understood why the silver-haired boy was panicking, it really was painful or him to be so loud.

Silence came through the phone, then, "Sorry."

Kairi took a deep breath. "Tell me what happened." Please don't let Luxord think she was an air-headed gossip.

"He woke up while I was talking to you so when I got back he was up and wanted to shower. We showered together last time but I was prepared or that and it was fine but this time I wasn't. Maybe it's cause I had a dream about him last night but today I just…couldn't help it. He made me wash him, Kairi, and he's never been so suggestive before. It was almost like he wanted me to do something."

A dream? Not something to discuss right now. "Maybe he thought he did but lost his nerve. How'd he react?"

"He bolted. I tried to apologize." There was guilt in his tone, even a hint of desperation. "It's only bee like ten minutes and I'm sure he told Roxas, so he's probably pissed at me. I feel like shit for it. I don't want to lose his friendship again, Kairi."

"I know you don't." It was quiet in the car as Kairi thought. There had to be a way to fix this without making things terribly awkward and without ruining her date. "Okay. Just…don't do anything for now. Let him calm down. Maybe go to his room later, apologize again. You could try to explain, but I don't know if Roxas would let you."

"Yeah…"

"I can't come help you until late tonight or tomorrow," she glanced over to catch Luxord watching her out of the corner of his eye, "but I'll come over then, if you want."

"Please." He was obviously relieved and Kairi smiled to hear it.

"Then I will. Don't worry too much—it'll be fine."

"Kay. Thanks, Kai."

The line when dead and Kairi lowered her phone, sighing quietly. She really hadn't expected to deal with this right now, and talking about it in front of Luxord was definitely an unfavorable situation. But Riku wasn't one for phone calls so she'd had a feeling it would be about something important. Good thing she'd answered, or the athlete might have done something rash.

Letting out a sigh, she opened a new message and sent a short text to Sora to check that he was okay before setting the phone in her lap and looking out the window. The sun had gone down so there wasn't much to see, but it was all she could think to do. Her mind whirled with what Riku had said, what she might be able to do to help when she got back. Sora was sure to be upset—he really was a lot more sensitive than he let on—and Roxas would be pissed and protective of his twin.

"Everything okay?" Luxord's voice broke the silence, making Kairi look at him as she forced a small smile.

"Yes. Some of my friends are having relationship problems, that's all."

The blond looked like he didn't know if he should be concerned, annoyed or amused by the teenaged drama that had taken place a foot away. "I hope it's not too serious."

"So do I."

Silence fell again and lasted for several moments before Luxord cleared his throat.

"I want to make myself very clear, Kairi," he began, tone clipped and businesslike. "This entire idea is hugely inappropriate. I could lose my job over this, you could be expelled. But, while your reasoning for continuing to…pursue…something beyond the typical student-teacher relationship escapes my comprehension, I'm willing to go on this one date. Just one. And no funny business, understand?" Ice blue eyes turned on her and Kairi felt her face warm with a blush.

"Yes." She smiled. "But you'll have to define 'funny business' for me."

"No kissing." The look he gave her then clearly stated that he was referring to the surprise kiss she'd given him so many days ago. "Touching is limited and anything suggestive or inappropriate will end the date immediately."

"All right. Anything else?"

"Not yet."

The response made Kairi laugh quietly though she muffled it with her hand and turned towards the window once more. Luxord was being very serious about this and she didn't want him to think this was all a big joke to her, but at the same time she couldn't help but feel a little giddy. Her efforts were finally paying off!

Say something. Don't just sit in silence the whole way there. This is the only chance he's giving you—don't waste it!

But what should she say? She could ask him how his break was going, or why he'd decided to be a teacher, if he had any plans for Christmas. They were such generic questions, though, and the last thing she wanted was to seem ordinary and plain.

"Why did you agree to go on a date with me?" As soon as the words left her mouth, she found herself wishing she hadn't asked and began to worry that their interactions would grow more awkward now.

"I thought I explained it in my email," Luxord replied, tone light as he kept his attention on the road. Even though it was almost pitch black outside save for the headlights, Kairi recognized this as the road away from Kingdom, towards the nearest city. At this rate, they had less than twenty minutes of driving to do before they'd get there. It was exciting—no one had ever taken her to the city on a date before.

"You said you wanted to test how serious I am about being interested in you."

"And that's exactly what I intend to do."

"But how?" she couldn't help but press. All of her subtle hints towards the teacher had gone unnoticed and her more forward gestures were either ignored or reprimanded. Her determination alone should have proved how serious she was, and she was curious how Luxord intended to test her.

"My methods are my secret. Though I'm curious—why did you decide to approach me in the first place?" He looked at her again, those pale eyes giving Kairi the feeling that the blond could see right through her and into her very soul.

"I think you're interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Yes."

"How so?"

"Well," she paused to adjust her coat, "as a teacher, you're strict but not unkind, though my fellow students and I know that you'd be harsh if we acted up in class. You're in complete control of your classroom and you teach in a way that leaves no room for argument. Even the kids who are born asking 'what if' questions don't interrupt you."

"Are you trying to tell me that the only reason you decided to do any of this is because I'm a good teacher?" There was disbelief in his tone, and the suggestion that there had better be more to it or he was turning the car around and driving back to the school.

Kairi merely smiled, blue eyes locked on the professor's face. "Of course not. I also find you very attractive, and I know you think the same about me." It wasn't lost upon her that Luxord's cheeks burned red and he looked like he was chewing on his lip. "I've known that ever since I had detention with you. After that I started to pay a little more attention. I want to know you better than I do as just your student."

"Why? I'm your teacher—there isn't supposed to be any more to it than that. And having detention with someone isn't a very good reason to go out with them," he pointed out, "or to write short stories of questionable content and turn them in with homework or send them in an email."

"But you liked them, didn't you?" the redhead asked innocently, and the older man's face darkened further.

"That's not the point."

"Yes it is. If I hadn't thought I had a chance, I never would have started bringing suckers to detention, I wouldn't have written those stories or kissed you."

"I still don't see why you thought you had a chance."

Smiling, Kairi shifted and settled more comfortably in the front passenger seat. "Let's just say I'm usually pretty good at getting what I want."

"And the thing you want now is me?"

"Exactly."

"That doesn't explain why. There are plenty of boys your age that you should be interested in. Date one of them and let me keep my job in peace." Despite what he said, the blond man didn't sound very enthusiastic about it.

"I've dated boys my age. They're boring and not looking for the kind of relationship I want." Kairi's tone was light but she hoped Luxord picked up on how serious she was when she said it. If this date didn't go well, then she would keep up her end of the agreement and leave him alone. She wouldn't like it, but she would never go back on her word. But that wouldn't mean she would go back to dating her classmates. She wasn't interested in any of them.

"The kind of relationship you want?" Luxord glanced at her again, clearly confused, though he quickly turned his attention back to the road because they'd reached the outskirts of the city and were encountering light traffic. He merged with the other cars, being careful to check all his mirrors first, and matched their speed. "What sort of relationship do you think you can have with me?"

Kairi took a moment to respond, trying to come up with the best way to phrase this so the blond would understand. "I want a real relationship, professor. Not just dates on Friday nights with some boy who thinks I'm cute and wants me to be his perfect little girlfriend. I think I could have a real relationship with you."

It was quiet for several moments, then Luxord let out a heavy sigh. "Kairi, I admire you for your determination, and that you know what you want, but you have to know it isn't possible. I'm your teacher—you called me professor just now. If we were on a date like any normal two people, you would use my name. Even if I wanted to date you, I couldn't. Not while I'm your teacher and you're my student."

No one would have to know. It could be a secret.

As much as she wanted to say it, the words wouldn't come out. She opened her mouth only to close it again.

"Am I allowed to use your name?" she asked quietly instead.

To her surprise, Luxord actually laughed. "You're asking my permission for something as simple as calling me Luxord, but you kissed me and wrote porn about me without even giving me a warning?" His phrasing made the redhead smile and Kairi felt her cheeks heat slightly.

"It sounds so silly when you say it like that."

"You have to admit this whole thing is ridiculous."

Yes, it was, but she wasn't willing to give up just because it was unorthodox and wouldn't be easy. That much had been obvious to her from the very start. But she'd managed to get this far, so she was certain she could at least get the man sitting beside her to see things from her side. It was obvious he was attracted to her, otherwise he would never have agreed to this and he would have been much firmer in his refusals during her earlier attempts at gaining his attention.

"Maybe, but I think a little ridiculousness is worth it if I'm right."

Luxord shook his head at that but didn't say anything. They were well within the city now, everything lit with streetlights and signs, and Kairi could feel excitement starting to bubble up in her again. In only minutes, they would reach wherever it was the blond was taking them and then their date would start for real.

It was time to prove how serious she was.