Angel in your eyes

by rippling0water0eyes

Namine was always alone, and Roxas always had his friends. She was content, he didn't have enough. When they met, they felt a sort of special feeling toward each other. But... what exactly is it? NaminexRoxas, and some other couples.

24. Chapter 24: The Visit

Chapter 24: Visit

It had been a while since the Christmas party had past and now it was the day before Christmas eve. I was excited, for a few reasons. For one, my grandparents would be coming today. Another thing was that my mom had never worked within two days of Christmas, and the only reason she wasn't on the couch with me, was because she was getting dressed in her room, preparing herself to look nice for my dad's parents. The last thing was... Roxas. He was the one thing that really set this Christmas apart from the others. Since that day, we hadn't shared any more kisses, but things had become more regular between us. It felt like we were finally getting used to the whole "dating" thing.

I played with the few strands of hair hanging in my face as I thought of Roxas. I was still in my pajamas and I hadn't even had breakfast yet. Last night, before going to bed, I had slipped on a pair of semi-short light blue shorts and a white shirt that partially exposed some of my stomach. I needed longer pajamas... and I always got new ones for Christmas, so I didn't really worry about it. There was a knock at the door and I jumped up, excited to see my grandparents. I opened the door, a huge smile on my face, but it faded into a look of horror. "Roxas?!" I yelled, pulling my shirt down, and turning around. "What are you doing here?!"

"Uh... sorry. I just thought I'd come by and say hi before your grandparents got here. Since you'll be spending all your time with them while they're here... I thought that... maybe..." He slowed to a stop. "Are you okay?"

"No! I'm not okay!" I still didn't turn to face him, and his hand fell on my shoulder. I was using one hand to hide my eyes, and the other to hold my shirt over my exposed skin. "Could you like... wait here while I change?"

"Why?"

"Why? What are you stupid?! I haven't even brushed my hair yet, and I'm still in my pajamas!" He laughed. "It's not funny, I look horrible!"

"Namine," He said, still laughing a little. "You could never look horrible." I turned my face to him, and let my hand fall. "Besides, I like your pajamas. I wouldn't let you walk outside with them on, but..." I smiled. "And what's wrong with bed head? I purposely leave my hair the way it is when I wake up, it looks better." He moved in and hugged me. "I think you look cute."

I closed my eyes, my head still against his chest, but we were interrupted. A man with a low voice cleared his throat behind Roxas. Both of us looked up, and my smile was back, while Roxas, on the other hand, looked afraid. "Grandpa!" I yelled, moving from Roxas to hug the man at the door.

"Hello, sweet." He patted my head, and hugged me. Just as if I was still a little girl.

"Namine, dear," If possible, my smile grew even larger, and I hugged my grandma, who appeared to be giving Roxas a once-over. "And who is this fine looking young man." I softened my smile, looking back at Roxas.

"This is Roxas." I said. "Roxas, these are my grandparents."

"And are you dating?" My grandpa asked, harshly, the question directed toward Roxas. It was obvious it was making him nervous that my grandpa was so serious about it.

"Well, I–"

"And how long have you been seeing my granddaughter? How old are you? What are your grades like? Do you treat her kindly?"

"Oh, Frank, please, you're scaring him."

"Well, I can't say that's a bad thing..."

"Grandpa, be nice. I really like Roxas." I said, smiling, and taking his hand. He looked down at it, as if hesitant, but made no move to pull back. "He's really sweet, he's just nervous,"

"As well he should be."

"Frank!"

"I think dad would have like him." It got quiet, and I squeezed his hand a little tighter.

My grandpa drew in a deep breath and then let it all out. "Fine. But he will stay for breakfast."

"Uh..." Roxas didn't know how to react to my grandpa.

"Where are your mother and grandmother, we'd like to see them."

"Mom's in her room, grandma is at Aunt Tiffie's." I answered, sweetly. My grandmother nodded to me in thanks.

"Thank you, sweet." My grandpa said, and started down the hall. "And..." He peered back. "Put some clothes on, you don't need to be hugging boysin that." He look Roxas up and down, giving him dirty looks. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay, grandpa. Roxas, you wait here, okay?" I let go of his hand, but had to refrain from kissing his cheek, because I knew my grandpa would still be watching. I hurried to my room and quickly pulled my pajamas off, throwing them in the hamper. I searched my closet for something that would look nice for my grandparents, but something that Roxas would think looked cute, too. I wanted him to notice me, despite my grandpa's presence. Hurrying, I found a black skirt, just above my knees, and a soft white shirt with short sleeves. I quickly pulled a brush through my hair, and rushed back out to Roxas.

When I came back from my room, Roxas was sitting on the couch, facing away from me. He heard me coming, and stood, and turned, but his face looked relieved, and he sat back down. I just smiled, he must have been expecting my grandpa... "You look nice." He said, smiling at me from the couch.

"Thanks." I replied, pretending that I hadn't ripped apart my closet finding the outfit. "So... I think my grandpa likes you." I lied.

"Well, remind me never to get on his bad side." I sat next to him and snuggled up close. He didn't move at all, no doubt scared that my grandpa would come back into the room, but I didn't mind. Just being close to him was enough for me. After a moment, he shifted a little, uneasy it seemed, and hesitantly reached around me with one arm. I moved a little, too, to make it easier for him to hold me. I barely caught a glimpse of his face but he was smiling, and he moved again, hugging me, now, and settled when my head lay on his chest. He moved one hand and ruffled my hair a little, then bent down and kissed my head.

Just when I knew the moment could never be ruined, someone, although it was obvious who, cleared their throat. I looked back, and Roxas sighed, releasing me slowly. "Grandpa," I said, and then noted that my grandma was already making breakfast. I wondered when she had reentered, and why she didn't say anything about the... compromising position Roxas and I had been in. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled, and the glint in her eyes told me she knew. I loved Roxas.

But what she didn't know, was that I planned to tell him this Christmas.

"Namine, dear, scoot over. I'd like to sit next to your friend." He smiled, not cheery.

"Boyfriend." I corrected, and I knew he hated me for doing so.

"Yes, right." Obedient, I moved away from Roxas, and he frowned. My grandpa sat in between us, but when I lost sight of him, I stood against my will and moved again. "Namine?" I nodded to my grandpa, and sat. Half on the armrest, half on Roxas's leg. I felt his arm snake around my waist. My grandpa nearly turned red at this, but he tried to compose himself, for my sake. My mother slumped from her bedroom. We looked back. Her long dark blond curls were in disarray about her head and she wore no makeup. She looked up at Roxas, smiled, and went back to her room.

I knew that could only make my grandpa even more upset, her not caring that he was here so early, and not caring about how we acted with each other. "Roxas, was it?" My grandpa started.

I felt Roxas squeeze me a little tighter and I leaned toward him, trying to give him the courage to stand up to my grandpa. "Yes."

"You neglected to answer a few of my previous questions." I smiled, looking down at Roxas.

"Could you specify which ones?" He asked, trying not to sound sarcastic, and failing.

My grandpa's face was hard as stone. He didn't find it funny. "Yes, I could."

"Frank. Nami. Roxas, honey. It's time for breakfast." My mother returned, not really any more presentable than before, but her eyes were brighter, and she sat at the table.

"Roxas, it's so nice to have you for breakfast. Namine didn't mention you'd be joining us."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Naomi. That's my fault. I wanted to surprise her by coming over. I didn't mean to impose on anything." He flashed a quick smile to my mother, and she smiled in return. He was always so sweet when dealing with her.

"Not at all. You know we love you here. And, Roxas, you don't need to call me that." He smiled again, nodding.

"So, Roxas, let's continue our discussion."

"Frank, not at the table." Grandma scolded.

"It's fine." Roxas said softly to my grandma. "I want Namine's family to know everything." He took my hand under the table. "It's important to me." I smiled, blushing a little and started into my food with my free hand, not willing to pull away from his touch.

My mom smiled down at her plate as she poked away at the food. I knew she thought it was cute. My grandpa didn't react right away. "Well, then, Roxas, what do you like most about Namine?"

"I like her personality." Roxas than proceeded to explain in detail what he loved so much about my personality, glancing at me for what he would later call inspiration, all along the way. It was extremely embarrassing, and even then, my grandpa continued to ask him all sorts of questions all throughout breakfast. Even the most insulting of questions, Roxas would pay no mind to, and only center his answers around me, and how much I meant to him.

Although it was hard to listen to him speak so fondly of me, it was comforting. I felt more secure in our relationship, now, knowing that he was close in his feelings for me, to what I felt when I looked at him. Eventually, breakfast ended, and by that time, the only person that hadn't yelled at my grandfather in fury was Roxas. Of course, it wasn't that bad. Roxas never let go of my hand.

When it all finally ended, my grandparents went to my put their things away in my room. Although it was much to early, and much MUCH too cold, I dug around in the freezer until I found a carton of ice cream. I went to get two spoons, but there was only one left. I shrugged, it would have to do, and went to sit by Roxas on the couch. He watched me with a smile as I approached him. "We really are crazy aren't we?"

"Why is that?" I asked.

"Well aside from the obvious," He smiled. "This is the second time we've eaten ice cream when it could keep frozen sitting outside." He pulled a blanket around my shoulders, and it didn't remain unnoticed that he'd pulled it off of himself, and hugged me close. Cookie and Snookie jumped up to snuggle under the warmth. I shoved the carton into his arms, after pushing them away from me, and he frowned. "Ruining my fun, are we?" I smiled, and took the blanket off my shoulders, draping it over both of our legs.

"Hugging me is fun?" I asked, taking the carton back from him.

"Very much." He smiled deviously. I wishes, at times like these, I could know what ran through his head. "Now if you don't mind," He held his arms out, as if he was going to embrace me, but he didn't move.

"Oh, by all means, continue. After all, it's fun for me, too."

"Oh?" He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight, but still loose enough to give me space to move away if I so wished. Of course, I didn't, but it was a considerate gesture.

"Want some?" I asked, after sticking the spoon full of ice cream into my mouth.

"What? I'm not big enough to get my own spoon?" He teased.

"Not quite. Open up." He laughed a little, but obeyed, and after "reloading" my spoon, I popped it into his mouth. I smiled. It made me feel so funny. Feeding Roxas, while he just sat there and stared at me, smiled at me, held me...

"Namine?" I looked up and my grandmother smiled down at us, I started to move, but Roxas wouldn't allow it. I looked back at him, and he smiled at me, touching his lips to my forehead, but not really in a kiss. "Ice cream in this weather?"

"Yeah," I replied, without looking at her. My eyes were closed, and I leaned my face in, closer to Roxas's lips. "I'm perfectly warm." I could hear her starting to leave the room, polite, I figured, and Roxas's cell phone vibrated. He didn't move at all. Smiling, I moved my arm around him a little and took his phone from his jacket pocket. Still no movement from him. If he wasn't so warm and gentle, I would have thought he was dead. "Hello?" It was the first time I had ever answered Roxas's phone.

"Namine, is Roxas with you?" It was Hayner.

"Mm-hm. Do you really need to talk to him?" Roxas sighed, but I paid him no mind.

"Kind of, it's... important." He sounded worried, or sad. I couldn't tell which.

"Yeah... alright then." Before Roxas had time to take his arms from around me, I held the phone to his ear. He smiled down at me, and I held my position, making it clear I didn't want him to let go.

"Yeah?"

"Roxas," I could still hear the phone. "I couldn't do it."

"You can. Remember our deal, if you do this... I'll..." He looked down at me. "You know." I turned away so that he would think I wasn't listening.

"No, I really can't. I think she's already... gone."

"What?" His hold faded, but his arms still rested on my back. "She couldn't be. Try her again."

"She's screening my calls."

"How do you know? She might not be home."

"Dude, her window is open. I see her."

"Oh. Did you try leaving–"

"Four times. I know she hears them, too. But I think she wants to say no. I think she already has someone." I knew at that moment that Hayner felt the same way about Olette that I felt about Roxas. There was something about the desperation in his voice. It was the same fearful tone I go every time Roxas didn't answer his phone. The same way I sounded when I thought he had left me, because my love wasn't enough. I moved a little closer to Roxas, if possible. Wanting to be with him at this moment.

"Go to her. Don't wait for her to answer her door or anything, just go in. Talk to her. Tell her." Without a goodbye, Hayner hung up. I didn't know if that meant he would try, or he would give up, but I hoped with all my heart that it was the first one.

"Roxas, does Hayner love Olette?" I asked suddenly, closing the phone. He wasn't looking at me, and I turned away from him.

"Yeah. He really does."

"That's nice." I thought out loud. "I'm happy for him."

"Yeah. Me too."

"Do you love me?" The words just came, and I could do nothing. It wouldn't matter anyway, because he let go of me the moment they passed my lips. He stood up and started toward the door, without glancing back.

"I'll call you tomorrow." He promised, saying the same thing as every other time he left my house. "Bye, Namine." I sat on the couch, feeling embarrassed for more reasons than one, and sighed.

My grandpa sat down next to me before I realized he had even entered the room. He didn't speak for the longest time, but when he finally did, all he said was "How long have you loved him?"

---

I smiled as I walked to Namine's house. It was the day before Christmas eve, and I was going to see her. Of course, seeing her any day would be fine by me, but something about Christmas time made it even better. Even if her grandparents were there, I had to see her. I had to visit her Christmas day. I had to tell her that I loved her.

I was almost to her house now, and I thought about turning back and going home. It was... kind of early. Once I was in the apartment complex, I figured screw the whole idea, and just go. If she was asleep, I would wait for her to wake up, and then see her. I knocked on the door.

Namine answered, almost instantly. She was in a pair of too-short blue shorts and a tank top that hardly covered her stomach. She was smiling, but when she saw me, she looked scared, or something. "Roxas?!" She yelled, pulling her shirt down, shielding her eyes and turning around. "What are you doing here?!" I must admit, the tone of her words combined with her word choice made me rethink the whole... leave idea. But of course, it was too late for that.

"Uh... sorry. I just thought I'd come by and say hi before your grandparents got here. Since you'll be spending all your time with them while they're here... I thought that... maybe..." My words blended until they stopped completely. "Are you okay?"

"No! I'm not okay!" I put my hand on her shoulder. Maybe she wanted me to leave. "Could you like... wait here while I change?"

Suddenly, I was... extremely confused. "Why?" I asked, my tone was pathetic. I sounded like I needed her there or something. And maybe I was lying to myself thinking that I didn't...

"Why? What are you stupid?! I haven't even brushed my hair yet, and I'm still in my pajamas!" I laughed, relieved that this was all just embarrassment. Nothing serious. No damage beyond repair. "It's not funny, I look horrible!"

"Namine," I tried to be serious, but it was still funny to me. "You could never look horrible." She turned slowly to face me, and her hand fell away from her face. "Besides, I like your pajamas. I wouldn't let you walk outside with them on, but..." She smiled. "And what's wrong with bed head? I purposely leave my hair the way it is when I wake up, it looks better." I had a proud moment. In a rather boyfriend-ish motion, if I do say so myself, I hugged her. "I think you look cute."

Much to my own pleasure, her reaction made me feel like an actual boyfriend. I didn't feel like that a lot. Hugging me back, her face pressed into my chest. A raspy throat was cleared behind us. We both looked behind me, and a man stood, enraged. And when I say that, it is NOT an exaggeration. "Grandpa!" Namine yelled, letting go of me to hug him.

"Hello, sweet." He hugged her, patting her head. He seemed more like a dad. Namine deserved one of those.

"Namine, dear," She hugged a woman, who I assumed was her grandmother, and I stood awkwardly when she looked me up and down a few times. "And who is this fine looking young man." Namine looked back at me, eyes as soft as velvet.

"This is Roxas." Her voice was oozing warmth, and I knew she wanted to be with me. It was comforting. "Roxas, these are my grandparents."

"And are you dating?" Her grandpa shot my direction. I tried to smile at him, but he glared. I became uncomfortable under the circumstances. The closest thing Namine had to a dad... hated me.

"Well, I–" I stuttered.

"And how long have you been seeing my granddaughter? How old are you? What are your grades like? Do you treat her kindly?" I was overwhelmed, but elated when her grandma came to my rescue.

"Oh, Frank, please, you're scaring him."

"Well, I can't say that's a bad thing..." That scared me.

"Grandpa, be nice. I really like Roxas." Namine said, smiling, and grabbed my hand. I looked down at our hands, pleased, but afraid. "He's really sweet, he's just nervous,"

"As well he should be."

"Frank!"

"I think dad would have like him." I knew better than to say anything, and she gave my hand a light squeeze.

He sighed deeply, and I thought he was giving in, but no. He wouldn't lose to me. "Fine. But he will stay for breakfast."

"Uh..." Maybe if I could think up some excuse fast enough, I could- That was when I had to stop myself. No matter what was happening- her sadistic grandpa pointing his death glare my way, a fire burning down the city, or even an evil robot bashing my brains in- I could never, never run away from Namine. I wanted to be with her, always.

"Where are your mother and grandmother, we'd like to see them."

"Mom's in her room, grandma is at Aunt Tiffie's." Namine answered, and they started down the hall.

"Thank you, sweet." Her grandpa said. "And..." He peeked over his shoulder. "Put some clothes on, you don't need to be hugging boysin that." More dirty looks, and Namine laughed.

"Okay, grandpa. Roxas, you wait here, okay?" She let go of my hand, but didn't kiss me like she normally would. That worried me. She ran into her room and I hesitated to go sit on the couch. It wasn't as casual here as normal. I usually felt more... at home. After the longest time, I heard hurried footsteps coming from behind me.

I almost jumped out of my seat, turning toward the sound instinctively, and I realized I was holding my breath. I let it all out in a rush of words. "You look nice." I smiled at Namine.

"Thanks. So... I think my grandpa likes you." I scoffed, and sat again.

"Well, remind me never to get on his bad side." Namine sat next to me and snuggled in close. It was hard to refrain from just reaching up around her and kissing her, but I knew I had to behave myself. Of course, I'm not that strong... I smiled, perhaps a little devilishly as I realized I didn't care what her grandpa thought about me. As long as Namine would have me, I would be with her, and nothing was going to get in the way of that. I reached around her, and she shifted to make it more convenient. After just a second, I ruffled her hair playfully, and kissed her forehead.

Of course, that's when he came. Clearing his throat again, like he had swallowed a freaking elephant. I slowly released Namine. "Grandpa," She said, and I saw her grandma. She reminded me a lot of Namine's other grandma, how she was quick to pick up our emotions, and how she accepted that we felt that way. She looked over and smiled, and I looked away, almost embarrassed that she had seen us together like that.

"Namine, dear, scoot over. I'd like to sit next to your friend." He smiled. An evil smile...

"Boyfriend." Namine corrected, and I knew that as of now, I was winning.

"Yes, right." But still, she left me. I frowned, and her grandpa sat down. After a minute, she stood up again. "Namine?" She nodded, signaling that she had heard and sat. If her grandpa wasn't there, I wouldn't have settled for sharing her with the armrest, but because I had no other choice, I put my arm around my waist, and dealt with it. A long while of silence and Namine's mom dragged herself from her room. She looked like she always did in the morning, and she smiled at me. I smiled, half in return, and half at the realization that I was such a regular here, I knew Namine's mother's morning slowness by heart.

"Roxas, was it?" And let me just point out that this man's tone has a way of killing the happy.

Namine leaned toward me as I squeezed her waist a little, but only enough to let her know I wanted her with me. "Yes."

"You neglected to answer a few of my previous questions." I felt Namine's gaze land on me, and I felt confident.

"Could you specify which ones?" I made the mistake of mouthing off.

Of course, it didn't matter much. He didn't react at all. "Yes, I could."

"Frank. Nami. Roxas, honey. It's time for breakfast." Namine's mom appeared again, and we sat at the table.

"Roxas, it's so nice to have you for breakfast. Namine didn't mention you'd be joining us." A quick glance was exchanged, mother to daughter, and I knew I wasn't supposed to notice.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Naomi. That's my fault. I wanted to surprise her by coming over. I didn't mean to impose on anything." I smiled, and she did, too. Namine really hadn't known, and I didn't want to blame her for anything. After all, as far as I knew, she had never done anything wrong. The only crime she was guilty of was thievery, After all, she stole my heart.

"Not at all. You know we love you here. And, Roxas, you don't need to call me that." I smiled again and nodded. We'd had this conversation before.

"So, Roxas, let's continue our discussion."

"Frank, not at the table." I smiled.

"It's fine." I kept my voice soft, trying to mimic Namine's perfect politeness. "I want Namine's family to know everything." I took her hand where nobody could know it. "It's important to me." She started to eat, not pulling away from me, and I smiled.

There only went one moment without his intense words. "Well, then, Roxas, what do you like most about Namine?" How am I supposed to pick an answer for that?

"I like her personality." I tried to keep calm as I discussed the love of my life, with somebody very important to her, who despised my very core. It was hard, not bursting when I spoke to him, he was so harsh, but my voice was always even and cool. I couldn't say anything to anybody who meant this much to Namine. I couldn't touch his place in her heart. I solely played the role of boyfriend, and I tried my best to follow script.

Minus the yelling, scolding, and insults going around the table, it was what I imagined a regular family's breakfast would be like. Not exactly serene, but there was an obvious sense of love in the room, even when the words suggested things otherwise. I liked this feeling, and I hoped I got to make it my own someday. And to do that, I would eventually need to enlist the help of one other individual. The one sitting next to me, now.

After it finally ended, Namine's grandma pulled her grandpa to her room, to put their things away. I'm sure he would've liked to stay and rip my heart out of my chest, but he had other things to attend to. "We really are crazy aren't we?" I said, smiling as Namine pulled an ice cream carton from the freezer.

"Why is that?" She asked, pretending not to know, already.

"Well aside from the obvious," I smiled. "This is the second time we've eaten ice cream when it could keep frozen sitting outside." I moved the blanket on my legs to her shoulders. I could care less if I got cold. I hugged her close, but she pushed me away. I frowned, it hurt to be rejected by someone you loved. "Ruining my fun, are we?" She smiled, stubbornly turning down my blanket, to drape it over both of our legs, and I smiled again.

"Hugging me is fun?" Oh, she didn't know the half of it.

"Very much." I smiled, a little wider. It was things like this that made me wonder... "Now if you don't mind," I held my arms out, as if asking permission to hold her close.

"Oh, by all means, continue. After all, it's fun for me, too."

"Oh?" I laughed a little. I hugged her, tightly enough to show that I cared that much, but loose enough so that she could move away if she wanted. I was happy, to say at the least, when she didn't.

"Want some?" She asked, pulling the spoon from her mouth.

"What? I'm not big enough to get my own spoon?" I asked, mockingly.

"Not quite. Open up." I laughed, and feelings like an idiot, opened my mouth. She smiled when the spoon passed my lips. I didn't really find anything too funny about this, but I was happy. This was like heaven on earth, and I knew it must be, because I was sitting next to an angel.

"Namine?" I looked up, for a minute, to see Namine's grandma, but I knew she didn't care much about how we sat. Namine tried to shift away, but I tightened my grip, and when she turned back, I lightly touched my lips to her forehead. "Ice cream in this weather?"

"Yeah," She didn't look back, but pressed her forehead closer into my kiss. "I'm perfectly warm." Her grandmother left within a second of hearing that, and my lips formed a smile under her skin. My phone vibrated, but I didn't move, not willing to lose this moment to Hayner's needs. Even though I knew that they were important, kind of like how I knew it would be him. "Hello?" Namine answered my phone, and I didn't have to do anything.

"Namine, is Roxas with you?" Reminding you of phone's volume.

"Mm-hm. Do you really need to talk to him?" I sighed, this should be a royal pain.

"Kind of, it's... important." He'd freaked. Or given up, but I couldn't have that.

"Yeah... alright then." Namine pressed the phone to my ear, before I could even look down at her. We smiled at each other, and I spoke, trying to hurry out of this and back to my cloud.

"Yeah?"

"Roxas, I couldn't do it." Freaked.

"You can. Remember our deal, if you do this... I'll..." Tell her I love her. "You know." Namine turned, but I know she still heard everything.

"No, I really can't. I think she's already... gone." That caught my attention. I knew she couldn't be, because of the day they were holding hands so casually.

"What?" My grip was noticeably loosened from Namine. "She couldn't be. Try her again."

"She's screening my calls." Big ego-stunner. It was practically the tazor of all relationships. The cold shoulder.

"How do you know? She might not be home." I tried to offer false encouragement, but I failed.

"Dude, her window is open. I see her."

"Oh. Did you try leaving–"

"Four times. I know she hears them, too. But I think she wants to say no. I think she already has someone." Namine snuggled in closer, and my hand twitched, automatically moving once again to her back. Automatically calming me by touching her.

"Go to her. Don't wait for her to answer her door or anything, just go in. Talk to her. Tell her." Hayner hung up, and I didn't know what that meant. I tried to shut it out of my mind for now, to go back to Namine, but I knew I had to leave soon, to help him with whatever happened. Just because guys don't show their sensitive side, it doesn't always mean it isn't there.

"Roxas, does Hayner love Olette?" I couldn't face her. It was hard enough trying to focus on telling her that I loved her before I could go around admitting that other people were in love.

"Yeah. He really does." The words came out without my permission, before I could give them consent, and I regretted it soon after. If Hayner backed out, Namine would most likely say something to Olette, and he needed to do this on his own.

"That's nice." And I knew she wouldn't say anything. "I'm happy for him."

"Yeah. Me too."

"Do you love me?" I let go of her at once. I wasn't ready to come to audible terms with my feelings for her. I'd tried before to say it at home, just laying in my bed. 'I love her', without even using her name, but I couldn't do it. I stood and moved to the door without looking back.

"I'll call you tomorrow." I said the same thing as always, not wanting to answer her just yet. She would get her answer anyway... in just two days. "Bye, Namine." I heard her sigh, and my hand never left the door. I wanted to burst back into the room, kiss her and apologize. Tell her that I loved her, that I wanted to be with her, that she was my everything, but I was scared.

Almost no time had passed, and my hand was still on the knob when I heard it. My eyes shot open. "How long have you loved him?" And before I could hear her answer, I ran.