Chapter Text
5 bodies stood outside the old mansion in Twilight Town. It couldn’t much be classified as abandoned anymore with all the hustle and bustle in and outside of it.
Isa and Lea were in the middle of fixing up the last of the accessible rooms while the others finished up their conversations outside.
“And you’re sure you three wouldn’t prefer to stay on Destiny Islands? I mean our famlies-er mine and Sora’s are there.” Kairi offered for at least the third time.
“Nah I think we’ll be fine here, we’ve all got our own personal ties here y'know?” Roxas did his best to do a nonchalant pose, given the circumstances.
“I’m not exactly sure it’d be an easy thing to swallow, the three of us showing up just after Sora…” Namine let the unfinished sentence hang in the air, shifting uncomfortably as she did.
“Besides, I just got Roxas and Axel back. I couldn’t imagine leaving either one of them.” Xion added, placing a reassuring hand on Namine’s shoulder. “I’m sure Axel and Isa have plenty of things they can teach us about being human here.”
“Plus, Ansem the Wise still owns this place. Be a shame to let it go to waste, what with him back in Radiant Garden.” A voice came from behind the group.
The five turned to look at Lea and Isa as they exited the house.
Kairi nodded, “Alright, if you insist.” She turned to look at Riku. “I guess we should get going then.”
Riku nodded back. “Hopefully with all of the tech back in Radiant Garden they’ll be able to find something.”
An uncomfortable silence passed. No one was really sure how long it would take for Ansem, Ienzo, and Even to do their research into Kairi’s heart. But if it gave them any sort of chance of finding Sora, it was better than nothing.
“Just don’t be a stranger, either of you. “I think it’s safe to say each of us have grown pretty fond of you.” Lea offered.
“Same goes to you guys, you know you’re always welcome back on the islands if you ever want to stop by.” Riku offered.
With a smile and a nod, Riku and Kairi turned to head back towards the Gummy Ship, only for Namine to chase after them. “Kairi, wait!”
Kairi turned around and smiled at her former nobody.
“Whatever happens, whatever they find, Sora will be okay. I know he will.” The blonde smiled sincerely.
Kairi nodded, pulling Namine into a hug. “Thank you Namine. For everything.”
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Once Kairi and Riku had left, the remaining five decided to survey the house.
“Lea and I were able to clean up two bedrooms. Roxas, it would seem that one of them is the basis for your room in the alternate Twilight Town. That room will be yours. Lea and I will take the other room, it’s destitute but has two twin beds in it that are…passable. Namine and Xion, would you mind sharing Namine’s old room?” Isa spouted off as they walked.
Namine noticed how Roxas eyed Isa suspiciously, but kept his hands in his pockets. He seemed to be waiting for Namine and Xion to react.
“I wouldn’t mind staying in my old room.” Namine offered. “If Xion doesn’t mind.
Xion nodded, “Yea, it’d be nice to share a room for once.” She smiled at Namine.
Roxas shrugged, “I’ll take my old room with my old stuff back if it’s easiest for everyone. Not like I mind.”
Xion eyed Roxas, then looked back at Namine. She seemed to catch it too, that something was off. But for whatever reason, Isa didn’t.
“Very good, then with that settled we might as well settle in for the night. It’s getting pretty late and I’m sure all this work on the mansion has been tiring for all of us.
Without much discussion, everyone went their separate ways: Namine and Xion to their room, Roxas to his, Isa and Lea to theirs.
Stepping into her old room in the mansion was a bit jarring for Namine at first. There were beds now, two of them on either end of the room, but her pictures were still hung on the walls and the long table was still there as well. It struck her that even though this room had always been more welcoming than her essential cage at Castle Oblivion, this was still a prison.
“It’s nice that all of your drawings are still here.” Xion said, she seemed excited to flit around between pictures. Namine picked up the drawing of Xion, Axel, and Roxas, she couldn’t help but smile, thinking of the time when Xion had disappeared from the picture, she was glad the girl was back.
“Yea…it really is.”
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“Good night Namine.” Xion called from her end of the room.
“Good night Xion…” Namine replied. As the room quieted and Namine lay on the old bed in the corner of the room, an uncomfortable feeling set in. “Uh…Xion?”
“Yea?”
“I…I don’t want to sleep alone…” her voice cracked as she spoke.
There was a silence for a moment, then wordlessly, Xion got up and pushed her bed right next to Namine’s before getting back in.
As Xion turned on her side to face Namine in the dark a small smile appeared. “I don’t really want to either.” She reached out her hand, which Namine gladly accepted.
“Thank you…” Namine mumbled as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning as Lea and Isa started ro get ready to prepare breakfast, Roxas made his way down to the girls’ room. The sight before him was adorable to say the least. Namine and Xion still in their beds, pushed together, hand in hand.
“Where are the girls?” Isa asked as the blonde entered the kitchen.
“Still sleeping, didn’t look like they should be disturbed.” Roxas said, rubbing the back of his head.
“Works for me! More pancakes for us!” Lea called out.