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"You're early."
"No, you're just late."
I checked my watch, as I'd done several times before. The hands absolved me of any wrongdoing. "'Nope, look. Right on time." I presented the proof to Xion. "You're early."
Xion giggled at my defence. How very rude, but she was more than cute enough to get away with it. "Okay, you got me. I was just so excited I couldn't wait."
The streets around us were bathed in the orange light of the setting sun, and Xion and I were making up for lost time. She'd only been gone for a year, both from the world and from my memories, but it felt like an eternity since we'd last seen each other.
Twilight Town wasn't the best place to go on a date, but it was better than Destiny Islands. Mainly because nobody would spy on our date here (looking at you, Roxas). We had walked past several places, but none seemed suitable, so we ended up walking down this street.
We passed a little cafe called The Twinkling Tea Room. It looked perfect, not shabby, but not so fancy that either of us would feel out of place. Most importantly, there weren't too many people in it.
"What do you think? This looks promising. Do you want to go in or take a look around?"
Xion chewed her lip before answering. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she pondered. Finally, she turned back to me and smiled.
" Yeah, I could use something hot right now." She leaned forward and pressed herself against my side, then rested her head against my arm.
"So... are we going to talk about it?" Xion asked, nursing her still-too-hot coffee.
I had a bad feeling she was going to ask that. "I'd rather not." I finally answered. "But if you want to..."
She wasn't happy with that. But she didn't push. Instead, she took another sip of her drink and let out a sigh. Then she sat back in her seat and stared blankly into space.
"You were pretty cool, you know."
"Cool? Me?" I raised an eyebrow.
" I won't let you lay a finger on her. " Xion said, lowering her voice to match my timbre. "It was kind of cheesy, but still sweet."
"What was I supposed to do?" I probed. "I mean, I just remembered that I forgot my girlfriend, and Xemnas was going to..." I cut myself off, unable to form the words ' kill you '.
"Hey, it's okay," Xion interrupted, putting her hand over mine. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, you're right. We need to... get it out of the way." I say with a sigh. "Besides, you're safe now."
"I've always been safe with you protecting me."
"Now who's being cheesy?" I say with a grin.
Xion laughed, blushing slightly. "Guilty as charged." She admits.
I leaned back in my chair, sipping my hot chocolate and letting the cold air wash over me. The sun was finally below the horizon, something I'd never seen before, and the breeze was chilly..
"It's getting late." Xion said, looking outside.
"Yeah, we should probably get home soon. We don't want the others to worry about us." I replied, half joking, but part of me knew it was a possibility.
"I don't mind." Xion said, looking directly at me. "Roxas is a bit of a worrywart when it comes to me anyway."
"Yeah, because..." I trailed off. Do I really tell her? "Back when you were in the organisation, me and Roxas sort of..." I paused and looked away.
"Sort of... what?"
"We, uh, promised each other that we’d protect you if the other couldn't."
"Pfft~" Xion couldn't contain her laughter. "Seriously?"
I nodded.
"That sounds like Roxas." She snorted. "But I'm surprised you ever trusted anyone but yourself to protect me."
"Well, I can't be everywhere at once. And you have a knack for getting yourself into trouble." I said.
"Look who's talking." Xion joked. "I'm not the one who fought Sora because he reminded me of Roxas."
I paused for a moment before whispering softly. "That's not why I fought him."
Xion looked up at me sharply.
"Really? Why did you fight him?"
I looked back at the window, not sure how to answer. Finally, I turned around and looked straight into Xion's eyes.
"He was the reason you left." I sighed. “I didn’t realise it at the time, but I think… subconsciously, in the back of my mind, I knew he’d taken something precious from me.”
Xion looked down and stared into her empty coffee cup.
"Do you think Riku feels the same way about Kairi?"
My heart sank into my stomach. I wasn't sure if I should ask her the question.
"No. He's better than that." I finally said. "Sorry. I didn't want today to go like this."
"Don't be so hard on yourself." Xion shook her head. "I shouldn't have brought it up.
"No, you did the right thing." I said, reaching across the table to take her hand. "We needed to clear the air. Besides, I'm just glad you're safe."
"Me too."
I could feel Xion's warmth through our joined hands. It calmed my racing heart a little.
"You know, you really are amazing." I said. "I'm glad I met you. Even though I wish things could have been different."
"Yeah." She sighed and looked down at her empty cup. "Me too. But I'm here now, with you. Now come on, it really is getting late. Any longer and Roxas will send everyone out on a search party."
I chuckled at that. "For you, maybe."