"We should do something soon." Kairi commented, drawing circles on the sheet of paper in front of her. She was supposed to be doing homework, but once she started, she'd found herself bored out of her mind. Calling her boyfriend was a lot more appealing.
"I thought you had a ton of homework to get through," Xigbar chuckled.
"Please don't mention the homework." Kairi whined.
"Hey, Namine will blame me if you don't do it, Red!"
"I'll make sure she doesn't." Kairi grinned, even though Xigbar couldn't see her, "Come on, pleeeease... I'll do it laterrrr."
Xigbar sighed, "What did you have in mind, then, Sass? Dinner? Movie?"
"I'm fine with anything that isn't homework." she smiled.
"How about you just come over here, then? We can just veg and hang out. Oh, hey, you should bring some homework with you! We could come up a very interesting reward system, I bet."
Kairi grinned. "Alriiiight, I guess I could." she smirked.
"Great. See you soon, then? Drive safe, Red."
"I will." Kairi smiled, "See you in a few." She stuffed her phone in her pocket, hopping up and grabbing her two textbooks and her notebook, balancing them as she reached for her purse. Satisfied that she had everything, she dashed out of the room.
Hearing Kairi moving about, Namine walked out of the kitchen where she'd been grabbing a snack. "I thought you had homework to do?"
"I'm bringing it over to Xigbar's." Kairi answered, gesturing to her textbooks. She stumbled, almost dropping them, but steadied herself.
Namine frowned, "Isn't that a bad idea, though? I'm not sure you'll get anything done if you're with him."
Kairi grinned, "It'll be fiiiine."
"Kairi, you actually need to finish that work on time. You've already gotten two extensions! The professor isn't going to be much more lenient," Namine said sternly.
"But..." Kairi frowned.
"You know you won't get it done if you go over there," Namine said gently.
"Then... then you come with me." Kairi grinned, "You'll make sure I get it done."
"You want me to go with you to your boyfriend's apartment?" Namine asked, surprised.
"Sure. Why not?" Kairi said, Leon and Seifer will distract her or something...
"Can't you just stay here and do it? It'll probably get done faster that way. Besides, I have my own things to work on..." Namine said.
"Then bring them. Come on, come onnnn."
"I doubt Xigbar or his roommates will appreciate you inviting me over to their home. Really, Kairi," Namine chastised.
"Come on, come on, come on, come on comeoncomeoncomeoncomeon."
Namine sighed, closing her eyes for a minute. Shaking her head, she smiled at her sister despite herself, "You are incredibly childish sometimes."
"Is that a yes?" Kairi grinned.
"Fine, that's a yes. But we aren't staying long and I swear I will lock you in the closet if you don't get some work done," Namine threatened.
"Fiiiine." Kairi said, "Grab your stuff, come on."
Namine sighed, turning to the stairs to get her things from her room.
Leon grabbed the closest hard object he could find (the TV remote) and chucked it at Seifer's door, "Turn it down, Seifer!" he snapped, glaring at the door.
Xigbar walked out of the kitchen, leaning against the wall with a soda in hand. "Kairi's on her way."
Leon raised an eyebrow, "Are you asking me to leave?"
Xigbar snorted, "There's a lock on my door, ain't there? Nah, just thought I should let you know."
Leon nodded, and then growled in the general direction of Seifer's door as his music got louder.
Rolling his eyes and setting his drink down, Xigbar moved over to Seifer's door, pounding on it until a slightly irate Seifer opened the door. Talking before the blonde had a chance, "Kairi's on her way, just a heads up. Also, lower the volume before Leon strangles you."
Seifer rolled his eyes, "Fine, whatever." he said, clicking the radio off.
"Thanks," Xigbar headed for the couch but veered towards the front door when there was a knock. He pulled it open and grinned, "Hey, Red. And Namine, hi. I didn't know you were coming over, too." He leaned in and kissed Kairi before gesturing them both inside.
Kairi smiled, murmering "It's a long story," as Xigbar pulled away.
"I'm sorry to intrude. But Kairi studying here is a very bad idea and the work is actually due very soon. If I'm not responsible and on top of her for it, she'll neglect to turn it in. Again." Namine explained, smiling a little.
Xigbar chuckled, "No worries, c'mon in. Red, you shoulda told me it was important work."
Kairi pouted.
Shaking his head and slinging his arm around his girlfriend, Xigbar led the pair into the living room. "Leon, this is Namine, Kairi's sister. Namine, Leon."
Namine smiled, "It's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, Namine." Leon nodded.
Seifer, who was still leaning in his doorway, raised an eyebrow, "Oh, so I don't get an introduction? I see how it is."
Xigbar rolled his eyes, "The grumpy one over there is Seifer."
Seifer huffed, "You're not really helping your case."
Kairi laughed.
Smiling, Namine turned to Seifer, "It's nice to meet you."
Xigbar grinned and shook his head at Namine's manners, pulling Kairi down onto the couch with him.
"Nice to meet you too." Seifer smiled, "See, at least she's nice to me." he told Xigbar.
"Well, that makes one person in the country that doesn't want to kill you." Leon commented.
Grabbing the remote off the floor, Seifer chucked it back at Leon, who caught it effortlessly and rolled his eyes.
Namine jumped a little, turning to Kairi. "They're violent like you and Sora get, aren't they?" she sighed, taking a seat and opening one of her books.
"I've never tried to murder Sora on purpose." Kairi protested, snuggling into Xigbar.
Xigbar chuckled, pulling her closer, "Does that mean you've almost killed him on accident?"
"Multiple times." Kairi nodded.
Namine sighed while Xigbar laughed. "Kairi, how much work did you get done at home?"
Kairi shrugged, "Not... much?"
"C'mon, Red. Let's see what you've got," Xigbar said, reaching for her books.
Feeling a little out of place, Namine focused on the book on her lap.
Noticing this, Kairi leaned over, whispering in Xigbar's ear, "Can I suggest she invite Reno over?"
"If you want to, Red. She seems focused on her work, though," Xigbar muttered back, smirking a little at the thought of whispering secrets like a teenager again.
"She's uncomfortable." Kairi murmured, before turning to Namine, "Hey, Nam, why don't you call Reno?"
Namine looked up at her, "Kairi, really, this isn't your home to invite people to!" She shook her head, "Besides, I'm sure he's busy."
"I asked first." Kairi rolled her eyes, "Come onnnn."
Namine glanced at Leon and Seifer, "I really don't think it's a good idea to invite him over here. Please just do your homework and stop procrastinating."
Kairi stuck her tongue out and pulled her phone out of her pocket, dialing Reno's number.
"Kairi! Not again!" Namine groaned, blushing lightly.
Kairi smirked, as Reno picked up the phone, "Kairi? Everything okay?"
"Yeah, of course." Kairi spoke, "Hey, Namine and I are over at Xigbar's. You busy?"
"Not really. Why?"
"She's uncomfortable and wants you here."
Fighting the urge to put her face in her hands, Namine forced a smile, "I'm very sorry, she's usually much better behaved."
Kairi stuck her tongue out at her.
"Haha, well, then I'll have to come right over. You sure it's alright?"
"Of course." Kairi smiled, rattling off the address, "See you soon." She hung up.
"There are days when I question how exactly we are related," Namine said completely seriously, face a bright red.
"Which is a little sad, actually, considering that we're identical twins." Kairi mused.
"Dad could've gotten confused. It's happened," Namine mused.
Kairi rolled her eyes.
"...You're not getting any work done today, are you?" Namine asked.
"The evening is young." Kairi shrugged.
Namine shook her head, glancing at Xigbar, "If I call him now, I can probably convince Reno not to rush over here." She looked to Leon and Seifer. "Actually, maybe I should just leave..."
"You don't need to go anywhere." Leon insisted, "We really don't mind." he assured her, chucking the remote back at Seifer, making him duck. The remote crashed into something inside of the room.
Namine looked to where the remote had disappeared, "That didn't sound good..."
"Relax, they break things all the time," Xigbar snorted.
"Yes, because that's a reason to relax." Leon rolled his eyes.
"Do you need help?" Namine called after Seifer, who had gone to see what he broken.
"Nah, don't worry about it." Seifer called back as the doorbell rang.
Xigbar pulled away from Kairi, "I got it." He walked over to the door and Namine's blush, which had just started to fade, flared up again.
Kairi grinned at her sister.
Pulling open the door, Xigbar grinned at Reno, "Hey. See you made it okay."
Reno smiled, "Wasn't exactly hard to find." he shrugged, "Sure it's okay if I'm here?"
"'Course. You're welcome to hang here whenever, but honestly, this time Kairi's gotten Namine all flustered," Xigbar murmured.
Reno chuckled, "Alright, thanks." he said.
Xigbar nodded, shutting the door behind the redhead and leading him inside. "Right, Reno, this is Leon and the one in that room over there is Seifer, they're my roommates. Guys, this is Reno, Namine's boyfriend." He sat and pulled Kairi onto his lap, hating making introductions.
"Nice to meet you." Reno nodded, walking over to Namine.
Leon nodded, and Seifer just grumbled something from inside his room.
Namine looked up at Reno and managed a smile, clutching her book tightly. "Hello."
Xigbar buried his face into Kairi's hair to avoid laughing.
Reno chuckled, giving her a kiss, "You alright?"
Namine sighed, "Yes."
Reno raised an eyebrow.
Pulling himself together, Xigbar spoke up since it was clear Namine wasn't going to, "Right. So they've both got work to do but Kairi wanted to hang here so Namine, good sister she is, tagged along to make sure Red actually, you know, got her stuff done, but then it got awkward and Sass thought she'd better call you up, which of course only made Namine more embarrassed or whatever, and yet, here we are. Hell. I need a drink." He kissed Kairi's cheek before standing and heading to the kitchen.
Kairi shifted back into a comfortable position now that she was on the couch instead of on her boyfriend's lap and smiled at Reno, "Thanks for coming, by the way."
"No problem." Reno chuckled.
Still blushing, Namine asked, "Don't you have work tonight?"
"Not for a few hours." Reno shrugged.
"You should be sleeping," Namine murmured.
"I'll be fine." he chuckled.
Xigbar, just walking back into the room, cursed when there was a knock on the door. "Red, you invite someone else?" he asked as he made his way over.
Kairi shook her head, "Wasn't me."
Xigbar frowned, pulling the door open.
"Hiya! Is this Leon's place?" Zack asked.
"Uh, yeah. C'mon in. Leon, you got company," Xigbar called out, shutting the door behind the newcomer.
Leon raised an eyebrow as Zack and Xigbar walked back in, "Zack?"
Reno turned around, surprised, "What're you doing here?" he asked his brother-in-law, surprised.
"Whoa, Reno! I didn't know you would be here! And hey, Namine's here too! Oh and Kairi! Wow! Leon, are you having a party?" Zack asked, plopping onto the couch next to Kairi and grinning.
"You all... know each other?" Xigbar said, lifting Kairi up and sitting down with her back on his lap.
Kairi laughed, "Nice to see you again, Zack."
"I'm not having a party." Leon rolled his eyes, "Kairi is dating Xigbar." he said, assuming that Zack knew Reno and Namine's relationship.
"Sorry, so who are you?" Xigbar asked.
"I'm Zack!" Zack said with a grin.
Kairi chuckled and stepped in to explain, "He's Reno's brother-in-law." she said.
"And friends with Cloud." Leon added, "Which is how I know him."
"Speaking of, where is Cloudy? Leon, it's very rude to have a party and not invite your boyfriend!" Zack chastised, before turning to Namine. "You're awful quiet. Reno kiss you?"
Namine blinked, "No. Well, yes, but... Today has been a strange day."
"Ah," Zack nodded sagely, "Tomorrow will be better."
Kairi laughed, leaning back against Xigbar.
"So, what brings you by, Zack?" Leon asked, changing the subject.
"Oh! Right, well I wanted to say thanks again for all the stuff from your store! And I thought we could hang out," Zack shrugged. "Also, Cloud's busy and Aerith kicked me out," he grinned.
Leon chuckled and Reno snorted, "What did you do to make Aerith kick you out?"
"Nothing! She just wants some quiet time," Zack said. "Reno? Why're you just standing there?"
Reno glanced around and shrugged, before mimicking Xigbar and lifting up Namine long enough to slip in under her so that she was sitting on his lap. "Sorry, you're probably not going to get too much homework done." he muttered.
Namine's blush brightened once more and she just closed her eyes, giving up.
Zack laughed, "Your sister sure blushes a lot, huh?"
"She's easily embarrassed." Kairi shrugged.
"Well, I guess no one's doing any homework today, huh, Red? Bet you're happy. You know you'll have to do it tomorrow, now," Xigbar said.
Kairi stuck her tongue out at him, "I'll deal with that tomorrow."
"I always hated homework," Zack commented. "Remember, Reno? Me and you would hide in your room and Aerith'd be banging on the door, demanding to see our finished assignments?"
"My door suffered quite a bit of damage, didn't it?" Reno chuckled.
"I never realized you were friends with Reno before you were together with Aerith," Namine commented, seeming settled and leaning into Reno.
"Zack only met Aerith because he was friends with me." Reno chuckled, "Actually, he should probably be more grateful about that."
"I'm plenty grateful! You should be thanking me 'cause I'm such an awesome brother-in-law!" Zack grinned.
Reno rolled his eyes, "Right, of course."
"How did you end up with Aerith?" Namine asked, curious.
Reno sighed, knowing what was coming.
"Well I of course knew her as Reno's sister, 'cause I was constantly hanging out at their house, but I didn't really notice her like that until she started college as we were seniors in high school. Wow did it hit me Reno's sister was hot! But she had a boyfriend so I had to wait." Zack sighed, smiling.
XXXX
"Is your sister home?" Zack asked, following Reno into his house.
"Hell if I know." Reno shrugged, "I don't have her schedule memorized."
Zack rolled his eyes, "You astound me. The was my word of the day. Astound."
Reno smacked him, walking into the living room.
Aerith, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up, surprised, quickly wiping at her eyes, "Oh, Reno. You're home early."
Zack grinned, "Hi Aerith! How was your day?"
"Hi Zack." Aerith said, not answering his question.
"You alright?" Reno frowned.
"I'm fine." Aerith insisted, standing up and smiling slightly, before heading into the kitchen.
"Something happen?" Zack asked, glancing from Reno to the doorway where Aerith had disappeared and back.
"No idea." Reno said.
Zack rolled his eyes, shoving his backpack into Reno's arms, "Well someone has to find out!"
Blinking, Reno frowned, "Wait, Zack, what are you doing?"
"Going after her. Duh," Zack said, heading for the kitchen.
Aerith was leaning against the counter, eyes a little red. She looked up as Zack walked in.
"Hey, are you okay?" Zack asked, taking a step to her before standing there a little awkwardly.
"I'm fine." Aerith insisted, "Why?"
"Are you... crying? C'mon Aerith, what happened?" Zack asked, really concerned.
Aerith shook her head, turning away, "I'm not crying."
"Don't lie," Zack said, placing his hand on her shoulder and turning her gently. "What's wrong?"
Aerith shook her head again.
From the doorway, Reno spoke up, "Ri, what did he do?"
Aerith glanced up, but shook her head, "Nothing." she said, "Thank you for the concern, but I'm fine." she said, slipping out of the room.
"He who?" Zack frowned, wanting to follow her but waiting for an answer.
"Her boyfriend." Reno said, frowning and crossing his arms, "Judging by how upset she is, I'm guessing ex-boyfriend."
Zack's frown deepened before a look of determination settled on his face and he marched out of the kitchen after Aertith.
"Zack, what are you doing?" Reno called after him, surprised.
Zack turned back to face Reno, "I'm taking your sister out tonight. Reno, I'm gonna marry her one day." Nodding, he turned and went after her, ignoring Reno now.
Reno raised an eyebrow, but decided it was probably better to let Zack do what he wanted. Besides, Aerith could take care of herself.
Walking up to Aerith's bedroom door, Zack knocked, "Aerith, it's Zack. If you don't open the door I'll be forced to do something drastic like use Reno as a battering ram."
Aerith opened the door, frowning.
Zack smiled, "Grab your coat, c'mon, c'mon!"
"Why am I grabbing my coat?" Aerith hesitated.
"'Cause we're going out! Wherever you wanna go, but we're going!" Zack's grin faded a bit. "He's a complete jerk for hurting you and couldn't see how amazing you are. You deserve so much better, Aerith. C'mon, I'm taking you out!"
Aerith hesitated again, "Zack..."
"He doesn't deserve your tears. C'mon, I'm not taking 'no' for an answer! You can't stay here and be upset - we'll have fun, I promise!" Zack pleaded.
Aerith frowned, but grabbed her coat, "Alright..." she said, not sure why she was going along with this.
"Yes!" Zack grinned, grabbing her hands and twirling her in a circle. "Dinner? A movie? Oh, bowling! We could go bowling! Or on a picnic! Or a nature hike! Or to see a play with real live actors!"
Aerith blinked, "Umm..."
Zack laughed. "Whatever you want! Oh! I've got it! I know where we're going first! C'mon, c'mon!" He took her coat from her, holding it up to help her put it on.
Aerith squeaked, still a little overwhelmed.
Finished helping her put it on, Zack took her hand and grinned, "Ice cream. We're going to get ice cream. And it's going to be such amazing ice cream that you will never ever cry again."
Aerith hesitated, but glancing at Zack's face, she smiled slightly.
Zack smiled and started pulling her to the door, "This is going to be one of the most amazing nights out ever!"
XXXX
"And that's when we started dating. And I did marry her, just like I told Reno. And hey, that was some pretty good ice cream... you wouldn't happen to have any, would you Leon?" Zack asked with a grin.
Reno groaned, "Zack, you don't just ask people if they have ice cream." he said, sighing.
Zack blinked, "Why not? I ask you for stuff all the time."
Namine smiled, now completely cheered up from the fact that Kairi had basically tricked her... again.
"That's completely different, Zack." Reno sighed, "For one, you're married to my sister."
"And Leon's dating my other best friend!" Zack said.
"But you aren't married to Leon's sister!" Reno protested.
"Why are you so worried about marriage all of a sudden? Should Namine be blushing?" Zack asked, slightly exasperated.
Predictably, Namine blushed.
Kairi laughed as Reno glared, "Zack, be careful, the closest things that could be projectiles are Namine's heavy Psych textbooks."
"You keep abusing me, maybe I'll make Leon my new other best friend!" Zack threatened.
Xigbar snickered.
Reno stuck his tongue out, "You can't get rid of me, I'm your brother-in-law."
"That doesn't mean we have to be friends - you just got lucky your only friend married your sister," Zack stuck his tongue out right back at the redhead.
XXXX
Hayner dropped his bag by the door, shutting it behind him and slipping off his sneakers. He headed to the kitchen for a drink, calling out as he went, "Olette? You back yet?"
"Yeah, I'm in the living room!" Olette called back.
Switching directions, Hayner headed in there instead, "How was the lab?"
Olette just groaned.
"'Least it's done, right? And hey, you're back earlier than I thought you'd be," Hayner shrugged.
"True." Olette sighed, "So, what were you up to all day while I was risking potential chemical death?"
Hayner blushed lightly, "Nothing. Class."
Olette raised an eyebrow, "That doesn't look like the blushing face of someone who was in class all day." she commented.
Hayner blew out a breath, "Look, Roxas is being a smug dick right now and you have labs and I didn't have a chance to tell you... Oh, hell." Refusing to look at her, he mumbled, "I'm dating Seifer."
Olette watched his face for a moment to see if he was joking before squealing, "Hayner, I'm so happy for you!"
Blushing brighter, Hayner said, "Thanks, I guess."
"See, Roxas tried to tell you that you were gay." she grinned.
"What? I'm not gay!" Hayner yelled, face heating up even more.
Olette raised an eyebrow, "But you're dating Seifer. He is a guy, you know."
"Yeah, but that doesn't make me gay," Hayner said firmly.
"It at least makes you bisexual." Olette countered.
Hayner rolled his eyes, "I don't like guys, Olette."
Olette took a deep breath, "Hayner. You're dating Seifer. He is a guy. This means that you like a guy. Thus, you are in the very least bisexual."
"No I'm not!" Hayner yelled. "I like women! Seifer's just the exception or something."
Olette sighed, letting her head fall into her hands, groaning, "I don't know why I bother."
Hayner rolled his eyes, "See? This is why I didn't tell you when it happened! As it is Rox never shuts up anymore!"
Olette threw the closest pillow at him, grumbling something about wondering how Hayner ever got in college.
Hayner threw his hands up in the air, "Whatever. I'm going now. And you can have the car tomorrow night, too. Seifer and I are gonna grab dinner after class."
Olette sighed, "Well, have fun."
"Thanks," Hayner muttered and started to leave before cursing and turning back around. "Roxas will literally kill me if I don't ask - you don't, like, wanna meet him or anything, right? Roxas is so paranoid."
"I'm sure I'll meet him eventually." Olette laughed, "I don't need a formal introduction. Besides, I helped you stalk him."
"Right," Hayner nodded. "Good."
Olette laughed again.
"I'll be in my room," Hayner said, leaving the room and heading back towards the kitchen first.
XXXX
Can I just say, I absolutely love Zack? He's just the most fun to write, ever!
Oh, Hayner, you are so confused :D
Well, kiddies, I hope you liked it 'cause the next chapter is anything but fluffy... Prepare the angst train!
:D Review, please. It feeds my insanity.