towerofjamjars | Surprise kiss meme

[?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!!!???!?!?]

[Better tell her that, because she's completely flabbergasted and that stare's bound to make her eyes hurt if it goes on too long. Also her cheeks are way too warm for some reason.]

[He is pretty much jumping back a second later, cheeks burning brightly scarlet and it takes him several attempts of opening his mouth, clenching his jaw and closing it again until he actually gets a straight word out.

...Or an understandable one anyways.]

I- Uh. I'm sorry.

[He really tripped over his too long jeans or something. He didn't mean to. Don't hate him.

~~He didn't mind it though- but no, bad thoughts, go away. Please, please don't hate him. ._.~~]

[She ends up with both hands over her mouth once she's recovered enough to even so much as move, but her eyes stay wide in between startled blinks.]

[At his apology, she falters, then slowly lowers her hands.]

I-it's okay.

It-- it was an accident... right?

[~~-- Wait, is that disappointment--~~]

[Oh god, she looks shocked. And unhappy. And uhg, it's all his fault, so so stupid, she probably really hates him now, doesn't she? ~~And this was his first kiss too.~~ ~~Since Selphie catching him off guard at ages eleven and twelve totally does not count!~~

So yeah, he's totally leaping at any chance to explain himself.]

Yes- [...Though given her expression that might be kinda too eager.] I mean- yeah... I-

[Still can't get a straight word out. And wow, still blushing so hard, he's so sorry really.]

[He'd have to try harder than that. ~~It probably doesn't, but can he really count this one, either--~~]

[And she's leaping at any chance to explain him, too. ... Even though the way her shoulders sag slightly at his reply may not be quite as completely related to relief as it should be.]

I-- understand...!

[She thinks. Nevermind how her cheeks are scarlet, or the way her expression actually seems to grow more troubled at that.]

You didn't mean it.

[You sure? ;o; ~~...True enough.~~

...He has absolutely no idea how to interpret that sag or the change in her expression or her own blush for that matter. He has no idea about anything anymore, really.]

No. Yes. I-

[He didn't mean to, but the kiss itself was genuine? Arg, tongue-tied again. And blushing wildly.]

[Sure as sure can be. c': He's much too dear to her to screw things up so easily.]

[The 'no' is the expected answer, and for that instant she feels a mix of relief and disappointment, but then-- wait, did he just say--...?]

[She falters, eyes widening as they take in his blush, searching his expression for any sort of proof that her ears weren't fooling her. The expression itself seems to be proof enough, but even so, she's totally lost as to how to take that information. Why would he say yes at all if--]

... What?

[If she sounds a little breathless, it's probably because that just knocked all the air clean out of her lungs.]

[...Oh. .///.

He's still kind of jaw-locked and god, he has no idea what she wants him to say or what to really say to make this situation better... or less awkward at least.

And after a moment he just blurts it out, because really to hell with it.]

WouldyoumindifImeantit?

[Why is it taking him so long? If he's going to say it really didn't mean anything why is it taking--]

[... Oh. That's why.]

[Even in that rush, she manages to work out his meaning, even if it's mixed with more than a little disbelief.]

....

....

[... Why is it taking her so long to answer when--]

I... I think it should, shouldn't it?

[... Except her cheeks are pink. Somebody doesn't look as though she minds as much as she should, and her discomfort suggests she knows it.]

[Indeed... that moment of silence seems to stretch into eternity for Riku... just say something, Naminé, please.

...

...

...Yeah uh. He should have figured something like.]

Uh, yeah. Probably.

[Oh god, this is so utterly awkward, it's ridiculous. Finally he just sighs.]

You know what, never mind. Forget that I ever said anything, okay?

[Let's forget about this whole incident and go back to comfortable partner-in--crime-times y/y?]

[....]

... No.

[Welp. Good going, Riku.]

I don't think I can-- just forget about that. Riku-- you know why I can't--....

[Say that she doesn't mind, or that she feels the same. Can't say it if she's got no heart.]

[Uhguhguhg what is he supposed to do with that, really? Have a really, really frustrated grimace-huff combo.]

Then tell me what I'm supposed to say to fix this again, okay?

[Because he's running out of ideas here.]

--....

[Gosh, Riku. She can't help feeling bad about this, even if it's not entirely her fault. One of her hands goes to the opposite elbow, eyes averting.]

You don't... have to say anything. ... You'll always be my friend.

[Even if she'll still remember that.]

[Yeah, it's really all his bad. He just should have kept apologizing and then kept his distance until the awkward had blown over.]

...So what now?

[She doesn't want to forget, she doesn't want him to mean it... what does she want?]

[Hey, it's not his fault her situation makes this all more complicated.]

I...

[This would be a lot easier if she knew what she wanted.]

I don't know.

I'm sorry.

[It's not really her fault either though? Really, who is to blame for this?

Yeah, definitely.]

Well, that puts us in the same boat at least.

[He reaches up, letting one hand run through his hair and push back his bangs in frustration.]

[Fate. Fate and Nomura.]

I suppose it does.

[She attempts to smile, but it sort of falls short as she watches him do that, her lips tugging back into a frown. She considers him a moment, then,]

But I think... if I did have a heart-- [as sore a topic as it is,] ... then I'd know.

[...Yeah, that sounds about right.

He glances up at her from beneath his hand, an eyebrow rising?]

You think so?

[Riku himself isn't all that sure... he has a heart and it is not exactly all that helpful in helping him out with this. All it does is telling him that he likes Naminé and that he should be honest with her.

For all the good latter has done for him so far, in this particular situation.

But yeah, no need to bring that up.]

Yes.

[Because then things would be less complicated. Even if she'd hesitate for a number of other reasons, even if her view of herself would hamper her,]

Because then I would be able to say--... whatever I wanted to.

[Rather than holding back words she knows she has no right (nor reason, of course) to say.]

... And to feel whatever I felt.

[(The implication there being an unspoken 'about you'.)]

[He almost wants to ask... "Does it really take a heart for that?", but in the end that is not a question he has any right to, not with her, not with any Nobody.

Not when he has never known what it feels like not to feel, when he can't even imagine it.

He can't even hold out to 'one day' because, if Naminé had a heart, she wouldn't be Naminé. She would be Kairi. Or would she?

And so he just nods mutely. When in doubt, just agree.]

[There's a hint of a forced smile, created for his sake and in gratitude for his nod. It sobers after a moment before making a reappearance not long thereafter, accompanied by an,]

I'm sorry, Riku.

[For a lot of things.]

But... thank you. For being patient with me.

You don't have to apologize for anything.

[Not with this. Not with him. Never with him.

Especially not when he is responsible for causing this whole awkward situation in first place.]

And... you are welcome.

[Even though he really thinks it's rather her who is patient with him.]

[There's a tiny smile that sneaks onto the corner of her lips.]

Then-- thank you for that, too.

[There's a pause, one during which she studies him, an expression on her face that takes the place of her smile when it fades away that is almost wistful. Then, smile returning,]

Was there... anything else you wanted to say?

[For the space of a second, Riku looks like he just might say something... but then he smiles and shakes his head.

Now isn't the time for that.]

There isn't. I'm good.

[Her,]

... Okay.

[Is quiet, and so, too, is the note of disappointment, if it really does exist; it's hard to tell. She smiles, regardless, and says, more freely,]

I'm glad. So--.... [Her hesitation is almost infinitesimal, then,] While you're here... want to go to that floor with the beach? Or-- did you have something else to do?

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