A/N: This one is pretty short so I'm going to upload Chapter Nine too. I can see that you all like this story a whole bunch! And I'm really grateful. When I started working on it I initially thought it would be boring. I guess I was wrong. Well, please continue to tell me what you think about how I'm doing so far. It gives me encouragement and lets me know what I can do to make it an even better reading experience for you all!

Lies Bring Us Closer

Chapter 8: Raining

Kairi was cuddled up in her bed. She was facing away from the window and wrapped tightly within her pink blanket. Across from her, in the other bed, Roxas was sleeping soundlessly. She, on the other hand, hadn't gotten a bit of sleep since the storm started. Outside their apartment a terrible thunderstorm was raining down on the island. Lightning seemed to be striking everywhere. The thunder was the loudest she'd ever heard. The rain was so heavy it struck the window pane with loud bangs. Kairi hated thunderstorms; they scared her.

She turned her messy redhead to glance at Roxas. He was sleeping with a smile on his face. 'I don't understand him,' she thought with a sigh. The thunder struck outside with a loud crashing sound. Kairi struggled to stifle her scream. She clutched her pillow and trembled in fear.

When she lived alone she was free to scream and cry as loud as she wanted. Now she had to be quiet so Roxas could sleep. She didn't want to rob him of precious sleep. He worked long hours, after all. She wanted to go and sleep next to him, but they had only been dating for a month and a half. She didn't want to move too fast. She bit down on her bottom lip and clung to her pillow. She was squeezing the stuffing out of it.

"Kairi, come over here."

The hoarse voice was none other than Roxas. She released her pillow and sat up in her bed. Roxas was already awake and walking toward her bed side. "Oh, did I wake you?" Kairi asked shamefully, "I'm really sorry about that."

He shook his head. "No, I woke up naturally. I just happened to hear your quiet cries when I did. You should've told me you didn't like storms," Roxas lectured.

She blushed. "It's kind of an embarrassing thing to admit," she confessed, "It makes me feel juvenile."

He shook his head again. "Ah, Kairi. Well, you can sleep with me tonight if that'll make you feel better. I don't mind," Roxas suggested. He offered his hand.

"Are you sure that's not moving too fast?" Kairi asked; she still felt unsure. She didn't want to push herself into Roxas's personal bubble.

"Don't worry about it," he assured.

"Well, okay," Kairi agreed. She took his hand and stepped out of bed. He put his arm around her waist and walked her over to his bed. The thunder struck as they got there. Kairi half-shrieked and leapt into Roxas's bed. He stifled a chuckle.

Kairi quickly burrowed underneath Roxas's blanket and stared at him. "Are you coming?" she urged. She was panicked. Roxas slid underneath his blanket and wrapped his arms around her. She snuggled into his night shirt and clamped her eyes shut.

"Is this better?" Roxas whispered into her ear. She only nodded. "Good night, Kairi."

"Good night, Roxas," she breathed as she began to slip into her sleep. Somehow sleeping next to Roxas made her feel safe. Even when she would sleep next to Sora during storms she wouldn't feel this safe. She'd usually end up crying herself to sleep. She'd barely made a peep in his arms. That was, until the thunder struck and the lightning lit up the room. Even with closed eyes, Kairi could see. "Roxas!" she cried. She quickly clung to his sides and trembled.

He rubbed her back and held her tightly. "Don't worry, I'm here. I won't leave you. I'll protect you from everything," he cooed. Somehow this relaxed her. She began to release her dangerously tight grip as Roxas whispered sweet things into her ear. He knew just what to say to her.

"Don't leave me," she murmured as she drifted off into sleep.

Roxas smiled and continued to rub her back. "I'll never leave your side," he vowed quietly.