"Lord Xemnas," Xinae spoke up, her voice echoing through the halls where Xemnas gazed out the tall windows at the moon.
He glanced over, nodding his head towards her as she came to a stop beside him. "What do you need, Xinae?"
"Saix gave me the day off," she told him, smirking at his lifted eyebrow, already knowing what was on his mind. "I was thinking that maybe I could take you on that little vacation now."
The corner of his lips tipped into the slightest smile. "That is an intriguing request." He looked back out at the moon, taking in a deep breath. "However—"
"Don't tell me you're too busy," she interrupted him, about to cross her arms before she saw the way he darted his attention to her. "OH, um, I apologize"—Xinae stepped back, bowing respectfully—"Lord Xemnas."
With how close the two of them had become, there were times Xinae forgot he was still her Superior. She kept her gaze down, awaiting his decision silently. He didn't reply right away, a low hum in his chest as he looked her over and then back out to the sky.
"Do you have a place in mind?" he eventually broke the tension, his question bringing Xinae's eyes back to see him staring back..
Xinae opened and closed her mouth, before admitting, "Well, no, actually. I don't know that many worlds outside of the ones we get sent on missions to."
He nodded with a low hum. "I may have one in mind."
"Oh?" Her lips curved into a smile as she stepped back forward and grabbed his hands. "And where would Lord Xemnas like to take me?"
A huff of amusement escaped him as he gripped her chin, his eyes drifting to her lips that parted at the thought of being kissed again. He sensed the anticipation, and merely smirked as he summoned a Corridor. His hand loosened, about to pull away, but Xinae grabbed his wrist keeping him there.
"You are becoming foolish in your confidence," he warned, the smirk curving the edge of his lips sent a thrill of shivers through her.
"It's worked out for me so far." Xinae smirked in return, stepping forward so her body was just in front of his. "You could always put me in my place."
A low hum growled in his chest as he leaned forward, his lips a scant distance from hers where she could feel his hot breath as he whispered. "Only when I'm ready for you."
Xinae's eyes slipped shut, a shaking breath escaping her. There weren't enough words to describe how much she wanted his lips pressed against hers, his hands gripping her hips as he… A whining moan came up her throat at just the thought. Just as she opened her mouth to urge him forward, he released his hold and disappeared into the Corridor. Xinae stumbled as he left, yearning for his warmth and touch. Grumbling under her breath, she followed him into the Corridor.
He looked her way as she entered, that smirk on his lips making her grumble even more. He knew exactly what he was doing to her. As he continued walking, Xinae jogged to meet his pace, her hands clasped in front of her to keep herself from grabbing his hand and inciting more of his teasing.
"How long until you're ready?" she asked.
"Hmmm," he hummed. "Longer now."
She winced, falling silent as she mentally berated herself for trying her luck just a few too many times. The Corridor swirled around them as they walked, their footsteps echoing along with their faint huffs of breath.
Glancing up at Xemnas, Xinae saw his eyes focused forward towards the light at the end. His smirk was gone, something else entirely on his mind. There was a weary look in his amber eyes, that passion and intimidating drive occasionally wavered when it was just the two of them.
"What is it you hope to discover by staring?" he asked, making Xinae flustered as she looked back forward.
"N-Nothing, apologies…" she muttered, her hands tightening in front of her. Taking in a breath, she asked, "Where are you taking me?"
"A world called Neverland," he simply replied, not offering any more information about it other than its name.
"Neverland," she repeated. "I've never heard of it. How do you know about it?"
She glanced up at him, but he remained silent. Letting out a breath, Xinae focused back forward and walked through the rest of the Corridor in silence. As they exited, they were immediately met with salt tinged air and the sound of waves crashing along the shore. Xinae's lips parted at the sight of the shimmering ocean before them, perfectly reflecting the warming sunset. Turning around, she saw a thick forest of numerous trees and plants she had never seen before, all of it trailing up a tall rocky mountain.
"This is beautiful," she whispered, glancing over at Xemnas where he watched from a few feet away, the hint of a smile on his lips. Xinae smiled back, the heavy tension in the Corridor vanished and she somehow felt light and suddenly carefree. Letting out a soft laugh, she admitted, "I don't know why, but I almost feel… Like a child again."
He hummed, "That is the nature of the world." He walked forward towards the forest, "Come."
Xinae followed after him, giving one last glance towards the ocean before disappearing in the thick brush. Xemnas didn't say much as he walked, but kept a soft smile as Xinae pointed things out and mused about random thoughts and details of the world. The sun continued to set, until they could see the speckle of stars appearing in the sky through the breaks in the trees. Streaks of moonlight beamed through the clusters of leaves, illuminating their path as Xemnas led the way.
"You seem like you've walked this path quite a few times before," Xinae noted, admiring a glowing flower as she passed it.
"I have," he simply replied. "I've come to this world quite often."
"Can you tell me about it?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Only when I am ready."
She frowned at his use of that phrase again, but didn't say anything against it. Looking around, she noticed more and more plants glowing with a golden sparkle. "Do the plants usually light up like this?" she asked.
Xemnas stopped, glancing over his shoulder to see what she was referring to. "Those are not the plants."
"They're not?" she asked with a soft voice, kneeling down towards a bell shaped flower that seemed to be glowing from the inside.
Xinae gently grabbed the petal, peeking inside and gasped. A tiny human with sheer, sparkling wings sat inside. When its eyes met with hers it gasped and flew away, leaving behind a trail of shimmering gold behind it.
"Fairies?" Xinae asked, eyes widened and a grin pulling at her lips.
The soft jingle of bells rang around Xinae as fairies came out of their hiding spot and flew towards Xemnas. Somehow, they knew him, at least to the point of being comfortable around him. The sight caused Xinae's mouth to fall agape in awe. Golden orbs floated in the air, sparkling as they jingled their greetings to Xemnas. He didn't say anything in response, simply nodded as Xinae took the sight in.
The fairies began to surround her as well, their light illuminating the dark forest. It was breathtaking. Xinae looked over at Xemnas, seeing a soft uncommon smile on his lips as he watched. The glow of the fairies cast a warmth over him. The color of his amber eyes accentuated and Zinae felt entranced by his gaze.
"What?" she asked with a laugh, her voice soft.
He looked away, his eyes sliding shut as he hummed. "You are quite captivating."
His words rang through her, causing a flutter of unfamiliar emotions in her chest as she let out a shaking breath. He turned to continue down the path and Xinae immediately followed. The fairies continued to surround them, lighting the path until they reached a clearing and the fairies escaped back into the forest.
Xinae hadn't realized how high up they had climbed as they came out on the cliff side. Plush grass covered the uneven ground, surrounding a pond that glistened from the moonlight. A thin stream poured out from its edge, trickling down the side of the mountain as a waterfall. Xinae walked to the water's edge, listening to the sound of it splashing against the rocks as she admired the view. The beach was far in the distance, the waves crashing against the sand where she could see a group of women swimming along the shore. From the shimmering tails, she could only assume that they were mermaids.
"This place…" she whispered, shaking her head in disbelief as she smiled. "It's extraordinary."
"Yes," Xemnas agreed, coming up beside her. "It is unlike any world I have ever seen before."
"I haven't seen any other Nobodies or Heartless here," she noted, glancing up at him. "Shouldn't there be if you've been here before?"
He hummed, looking out towards the ocean horizon where the water met with the starry sky. "I suppose… You could think of this place as a haven."
Xinae blinked, turning towards him. "A… haven? You have one of those?"
The slightest huff of amusement escaped him as he met his eyes with hers.
"Sorry," she laughed softly. "Just never expected my Superior to have one. Especially…" She looked back out to the ocean, watching the mermaids. "A place like this."
"I discovered it by chance and found it serves as a proper place to think," he explained, looking away when she brought your eyes to him.
Was he… trying to be open with her?
"That's why the fairies seemed familiar with you," she noted. "And how you knew the perfect path to get up here."
He hummed, not saying anything else.
"Xemnas…" Xinae said softly, lifting her hand to put on his arm, but she paused. Instead, she gently grabbed his hand. "I…" her voice choked, she wasn't exactly sure what she wanted to say to him.
His eyes were still averted from hers, his hand limp in her grasp. Something about this moment seemed… new, important even, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.
Taking a deep breath, Xinae decided to go with something that both of them were comfortable with. "Kiss me…"
He darted his gaze to hers, seeing the soft smile tugging her lips and the almost pleading look in her gaze. "You are still being foolish," he reminded her, his eyes drifting to her lips regardless.
"Maybe being foolish isn't such a bad thing," she countered, her smile melding into a smirk at the rumbling chuckle he gave in response.
He turned towards her, his hand moving to grip her chin, as he always did. The flutter of emotions from before returned as Xinae stepped forward to close the distance between their bodies. His eyes danced over her face, focusing on her mouth.
"Perhaps not…" he murmured, just before his lips met with hers.