#rokunamiweek2020

“How’s Kairi doing?” she asked as she glanced towards her friend. She’d gotten to talk to her briefly, but then she’d retreated to give Kairi the chance to talk to the others. Everything had happened so quickly, they were all still reeling. 

“She’s trying to hold it together, but I think she could really use a good cry in private,” he said, his voice low. “And I think Riku and Donald and Goofy have all offered to stay with her tonight, so that should help.”

“What about you? Where will you go?”

“Back to Twilight Town with Hayner, Pence, Olette, Axel, and Xion.” A frown crossed his features. “And Saïx too, I guess. Still not really used to having him around, if I’m gonna be honest.”

“I don’t blame you,” Naminé said softly as she glanced his way. Saïx might’ve apologized, but there was more to reconciliation than mere words. A change of heart was needed too, and Saïx was still undergoing his.

“What about you, Naminé?” Roxas asked, bringing her attention back to him. “Where will you stay?”

She ducked her head. “Oh, well… I don’t know. I’m not like you, Roxas. I don’t really have a home to return to.” 

“That’s not true,” he answered quickly. “Twilight Town’s your home.”

“You think so? I suppose… it’s the closest thing I have to a home.” 

Still, while it felt more like home to her than Radiant Garden or Destiny Islands did, her memories of it were bittersweet.

“Yeah. It’s where we met, remember?”

She nodded. “How could I ever forget?”

Roxas paused for a moment and looked out over the sea before meeting her gaze again. The look in his eyes made her breath catch in her throat, but she couldn’t bring herself to look away. 

“Home isn’t really so much about a location,” he finally said. “It’s more about the people who are there.”

“I suppose that’s true. And for you, Twilight Town is where you became friends with Axel and Xion… Where you met Hayner, Pence, and Olette…”

She faltered; Roxas had a whole life on Twilight Town that she could only watch from the sidelines. Just a shadow lurking around corners and in windows that—

“And where I met you. If my friends are what makes Twilight Town home for me, then I’ll be home for you, Naminé.”

Her face flushed at his words, and she gripped his jacket tighter.

“Roxas—” she managed as she searched his face. He was perfectly sincere as he gazed into her eyes, and his words merely reinforced that. 

“I mean it. Come with us. You don’t belong in the shadows anymore, you belong with me. We can finally be together like we promised.”

She allowed herself a small smile. “I’d like that.”

“Plus, I think I have an idea of how we might be able to search for Sora,” he added. 

“The digital Twilight Town, right? I could search your memories for clues. Xion’s too.” 

He nodded. “Exactly. It’s like we’re on the same wavelength. So, whaddya say?”    

She hesitated for a moment as she thought his proposal over. 

“I’d like to come with you,” she said at last. “But first, let me talk to Kairi again. I want to make sure she’s okay with me leaving.” 

Roxas nodded again. He understood how important this was to her, and he gave her the space she needed to console Kairi as best she could. 

“Can you feel his heart at all?” Kairi asked, very quietly. The two girls were seated on the paopu tree together, and Kairi had one of the picnic blankets draped over her shoulders.

“I… can’t.”

It was true; Sora’s heart was so far away that for the first time in her brief existence, Naminé couldn’t feel it. 

“But that doesn’t mean there’s no hope,” she told her teary-eyed friend.

“I know. I’m going to find him and save him,” Kairi said as she wiped her eyes.

“That’s the Kairi I know.” Naminé hesitated for a moment, faltering again as her desire to be with Roxas felt at odds with comforting her friend. 

Kairi smiled sadly. “It’s okay, go be with Roxas,” she said as she gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s what Sora would want too.” 

“Are you sure?”

Kairi nodded. “I’ll be okay. Really. I think I could use some time to myself, and we can always talk via Gummiphone in the morning.” 

“Of course. I’m here for you, Kairi.” 

Naminé had Kairi’s blessing. With one more tearful hug, the two girls said goodbye for now. 

“Ready?” Roxas asked when she rejoined him. He offered his hand, and she took it in hers, remembering the first time they’d held hands, when she’d pulled him out of his nightmare.

“Ready,” she replied. His grip was strong and steady and firm and his hand was warm, and she was beginning to believe he really was her home.