The heart shaped moon cast a golden glow through the tall, thin windows in the foyer. Xinae gazed at the starry, mystic sky, as thoughts swirled in her mind. Other Members of the Organization murmured behind her, their voices drowned out by her inner turmoil.
Nothing seemed to be going right lately. Every mission she was sent on ended up thwarted by the self titled, Heroes of Light, and little by little, the ranks within the Organization were dwindling.
"Xinae," a deep voice brought her out of her thoughts. She looked over to see Xemnas approaching. She turned towards him respectfully, standing tall and awaiting his orders. "There is something I wish to discuss with you."
"Of course," she replied, bowing her head respectfully, adding with a softer voice, "Lord Xemnas."
She didn't see it, but she sensed the slightest smirk tip the corner of his lips from her calling him by his title. Neither of them spoke as they waited for the other Members to clear out. Once they were out, a hand gently gripped her chin, tipping her face upwards to meet with his amber eyes. He looked Xinae over, taking note of every detail. She could feel him reading her like a book. Leaning down, his lips locked with her. She sighed the moment they met, it had felt like eons since he had last kissed her.
His lips were forceful, yet soft. They moved against her in a slow, passionate pace, as if time around her ceased until he was finished. He pulled back all too soon and she stopped herself from closing the space between them again. Instead, she fluttered her eyes open to look back into his, seeing that smirk she sensed on his lips earlier.
"What ails you?" he asked.
Xinae opened and closed her mouth, her gaze flicking towards the moonlight outside the window. Taking in a breath, she admitted, "I think I need a vacation."
He blinked, Xinae had the rare habit of rendering him speechless on occasion. A deep laugh rumbled through his chest, the sound of it causing Xinae to smile. "And what would a Nobody do on such an occasion?"
"Depends on if you'd come with me." She looked back at him, his intense stare that usually intimidated others causing her empty chest to flutter. "I could think of quite a few things we could do."
His eyebrow lifted in slight amusement and intrigue. "You truly believe I am in a position to leave?"
"I believe"—she fluttered her eyes towards his lips, then back to his eyes—"you can do whatever you please."
He hummed, his eyes also drifting towards Xinae's lips, ideas obviously forming in his mind. "I intend to return to Ansem's lab and you are welcomed to accompany me."
Xinae's eyes lit up. "Of course. Anything to get out of—" The door of the foyer opened, cutting her off. She glanced over to see Saix walking in. Stepping back, she respectfully bowed her head. "I would be honored to do so."
Xemnas huffed with the slightest bit of amusement, so softly that Xinae was sure she was the only person that could pick up on it. He turned to speak with Saix, dealing with another issue as Xinae waited quietly, making sure not to speak over her superiors. She listened as he talked. The way he interacted with the others was different than when it was just the two of them behind closed doors. His tone was deeper, more commanding and threatening. He rarely showed emotion. Even with Xinae, it was always subdued, but somehow she felt drawn to that rather than pushed away.
Xinae smiled softly at him, standing slightly behind Saix as they spoke. His gaze landed on hers for just a moment, his eyes smirking before going back to Saix. Maybe everything wasn't so bad, not when Xinae had Xemnas around to keep her company.
Saix bowed, giving Xinae a nod before he made his way out of the room. Xemnas outstretched his arm, summoning a Corridor of Darkness. It sprouted from the polished floor, pulsating with power.
"After you." He motioned his arm towards the portal, and Xinae took the invitation without hesitating.
She looked around the hazy Corridor once she was through. They always intrigued her with how they swirled and seemingly went on forever. Xemnas was at her side, the entrance closing behind him. Without thinking, she grabbed his hand, finally having a moment with him that was completely her own. He paused briefly, but squeezed her hand in return, interlacing his fingers as he led the way through the Corridor to the bright light at the end that would lead to the lab.
Everything was silent and still, causing the slightest breath and footsteps to echo. Xinae glanced up at Xemnas, who kept his gaze on the path ahead.
"Is something the matter?" he asked, noticing her stare. His low voice rumbled through the vast Corridor.
"Oh, not at all." Xinae looked back forward, feeling that familiar swell in her chest and wishing there was a heart in there to intensify the emotion. "Just… grateful to have some time without having to worry about everything happening." She swallowed hard, deciding to take a leap and brought his hand to her lips, ghosting a kiss over his gloved knuckles. "Thank you for allowing me to come with you."
Xemnas stopped mid step, causing Xinae to pause and look back at him as warmth crept up her cheeks. In the entirety of their relationship, he had always been the one to initiate contact and affection. It didn't matter how much Xinae wanted another kiss or to have his hand on her for just a moment longer, he had to be the one in control of it. Yet, just in the last few minutes, Xinae had initiated physical contact twice.
Xinae cleared her throat. "I'm sorry, I'll—" She tried to pull back her hand, but he wouldn't release it.
She blinked, looking back at him just in time as his lips crashed against hers. A whimper slipped out of Xinae between their locked mouths. His arm snaked around her waist, pulling her closer. It was the most passionate she had ever seen him and it sent her reeling. Their voices echoed through the Corridor, intensifying the sounds and making her want so much more of him.
When he broke apart for air, their lips a scant distance apart, Xinae whispered, "You sure you don't want to take that vacation with me?"
A brief breath of laughter escaped him as he pulled away completely. "I would desire nothing more." He confessed, standing tall as his stoic nature returned.
"Me too." She half-smiled. She wondered what he would even be like if he had no other responsibilities or… what he would be like if he still had a heart.
Her side-tracking thoughts were interrupted when Xemnas lifted her hand to his lips, placing a kiss along her knuckles as she had just done with him. He kept his eyes locked with hers as he kissed, smirking at the way her face warmed in response.
"Shall we continue?" He asked, releasing her hand and motioning towards the exit of the Corridor.
Xinae clasped her hands in front of her, still feeling the warmth and shivers on her skin from his lips. With a nod, she walked forward. "As you wish."