This chapter... is 30,000 words long. So to make it easier for you, I've split it into two! Here comes the anticipated Soroku that I absolutely enjoyed writing about. The format will probably destroy me because this chapter consists of chatspeak and online interactivity. Let's see how it goes, shall we?
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Black (Part I)
The fourth time it happens, Sora has only been nineteen for a while.
He is humming gladly to himself, legs kicking back and forth as he chills stomach-down on their apartment's balcony platform. His phone is in his hands and he's got a bag of chips within arm's reach, a half-empty cream cheese sweet chili dip to accompany it.
Bzzzzt.
It's summer at Destiny Islands. Sora has only woken up some thirty minutes ago, so he's being lazy this morning and doing nothing because he can and feels like it. He's about to celebrate his sixth month working at his part time job (Job anniversaries are valid! Selphie tells him constantly) and his birthday's in the vicinity too. It's pretty exciting to know that he's only got two years left to go before finally becoming a full-time journalist, but right now Sora's more concerned about what kind of silly message a certain someone has sent him today.
.
.
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
(Spaghetti.JPG)
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
Kai ordered spaghetti and I decided to make it an art piece. What do you think, Curator? Is it article worthy?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
LOL
You should have made the lettuce the face instead of the hair. Spaghetti hair, you know
...Who puts lettuce in spaghetti in the first place? Gross
Meatballs for eyes. How original
Nice relish mouth you got there
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
I know right? Aren't I the coolest
I have a title for it too: "Athlete Makes Spaghetti Art From Girlfriend's Lunch! The Results Are Amazing!"
So...? Are you feeling inspired?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Extremely so. I'll write it up as soon as I'm done with, "Athlete Sends Journalist A Spaghetti Article Idea! What Happens Next Will Make You Cry!" Quite a tearjerker, that one.
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
Oh ha ha
(⇀‸↼‶) You've gotten a thousand times better at sarcasm, haven't you? If I didn't know better, I'd have thought you were being cruel. Are you trying to make me cry?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Exaaaactly?
"What Happens Next Will Make You Cry"?
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
Woooooow. You're hilarious, Sora.
Whoops, okay, Kairi's back and she's annoyed I took her lunch while she was in bahtrOom
Bathroom*
Help omg she's making a scene
HeLP
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
HAHAHA shame. Serves you right for making spaghetti art
You two are so perfect it makes me sick Σ(￣□￣lll)
Just kidding you know I adore you two
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
You depenned on us Sor
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...Really?
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
Oh come on that was funny
*elbows you*
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
STOP
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
Stop being an impasta for pasta
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
THAT'S IT I'M NOT REPLYING ANYMORE besides I've got another incoming chat bye
Riku Sallinger (2rikster)
Pasta la vista, Sora
.
.
Shaking his head at the silverette's cringeworthy puns, Sora reaches for a chip before closing the message thread to switch to the more recent, highlighted one. He can't say he anticipated this one, because the sender is a little unpredictable with his messages. The other says it's because of the timezones, and really, who would have expected Sora to make a new friend who lives eight hours away (maybe? He's not one hundred percent sure about the distance) and was solely an online penpal?
The budding journalist blinks twice and bites into his dipped chip as he reads.
.
.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Yoyoyoyoyo
SORA! Wassup!
How are you doing this morning! ヽ('▽｀)/
I just finished me 2pm brunch, yahoo! HAS YOU EATEN ALRDY?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I'm doing great. Eating chips for now. I'm thinking about writing but I'm not feeling it right now. Maybe later
What did you eat?
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo. My absolute favourite
.
.
The azure-eyed teen actually snorts.
.
.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Goodness gracious me is pasta haunting me today?
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
What's wrong with pasta?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
No, it's nothing. It's just my best friend Riku was recently sending me ridiculous pasta puns.
Weird coincidence
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Oh. ┐(￣∀￣)┌
Soooooo you don't hate pasta?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
No, I don't hate pasta. And even if I did, we'd still be friends right
.
.
Sora has to wait a few minutes for his penpal's reply, so he takes advantage of the delay by getting up and actually serving himself a real meal. Thankfully the fridge has leftover steak from last night (for three university students working their own medium-pay part time jobs, they really have their lives sorted out to be able to make proper homemade meals or eat in restaurants every now and then), so he chucks that into a plate and heats it up. It's probably alright for him to be in a current writer's block since he'll be needing all his creativity for the road trip to Traverse with his best pals before his university internship. They'll be visiting museums, aquariums, important landmarks... Plenty of inspiration to write with.
Since his career path requires him to have well-developed interpersonal skills, really getting into the field and experiencing it head-on will be super advantageous. Maybe he'll even get to meet new people, both on the trip and during his work placement. Sure, he's still the Prince of Clumsy, but it's like what Selphie had said: his good nature and friendly approach to situations is what really matters.
In fact, Sora's quite glad he's also been making friends in the online community. Like Roxas.
It's an amazing feeling.
At first, he'd replied to the sculptor's message to be polite, and to mutually thank him for taking the time to read his work. Sometimes the brunette would get a few short comments from other journalists or lurking fans, but the reason he still runs a (not-so-popular, but he doesn't mind) blog in the first place is because he personally enjoys writing. Having someone acknowledge what he loves to do and encourage him to continue doing just that was such a sweet thing. A little more research here and there and the two eventually connect online and become fans of each other's work. Roxas always comments first whenever he has a new article to publish, even if the topic wasn't up the guy's alley.
.
.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Yeah! Of course we'd still be friends! (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵)
And we'd still be friends even if I send this right
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
(SwaghettiYOLOgneseMeme.JPG)
Sorry
I couldn't help it xD
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Holy crap, not you too
Are you serious right now
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
GWAHAHA! Oh come on SorLaLa, you are currently talking to the biggest memelord of Twilight Town
AND YOU SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED DEM DAILY MEMES by now
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
I've got a pasta, I've got a meme, ohh,
PEN PINEAPPLE PASTA MEME!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Why. (p_-)
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Oh lighten up sweetheart, you're too austere for your own good
Just be gigli with meee!
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Yo, his palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy
There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti
ε=ε=ε=ε=┌(;￣▽￣)┘
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Okay please let's drop the pasta talk it's ruining my steak meal
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Gnocchi-dding.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
YOU DID NOT JUST
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Please don't be upsetti.
SPAGHETTI MAKES YOU FORGETTI THE REGRETTI
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
NO
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
(AcinidiPepe.JPG)
Rarest pasta Pepe ever
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
ROXMYSOOOCKSSS
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Okay I won't do it anymore I am sorry
Vermi sorry.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...
I am terminating this conversation kay thanks bye
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Sora?
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Oh no please don't hate me I'm sorry
Sora
...SORLALA?
Oh no, baby don't hate me, don't hate me no moree
I'll draw you something just please reply backkk
.
.
The one weird thing about online relationships is how detached and temporary they're supposed to be. In just a few simple moments, you can discover that you have a lot in common with another person, and it's so exciting because you've never even met face-to-face before, not to mention you normally have no idea what the other person looks like or what they do outside of their internet aliases.
And when something goes wrong, you're pretty much free to go your separate ways or somehow stop speaking to each other. It's not every day you find someone you can really trust online, especially with your real-life experiences.
Said experiences define you as an individual, and hearing about someone else's can reassure you that there is another person at the other side of the screen. Another individual who experiences, with their own memories and own way of thinking is actually speaking to you. This fascinating, one-of-kind, twenty-four hour long distance connectivity almost allows for that same intimacy shared between face-to-face friendships to grow somewhat, that is, if you let it happen.
Sora doesn't really know what to make of his six month interaction with Roxas. It's been quite long, and quite good, if he could say so himself. They've shared a few life stories, but nothing extremely personal of course. At first, pleasant formalities were exchanged between the two, but as time passed by, they began to get comfortable with one another. Who would have known that the mysterious sculptor with the heartbreaking art piece was a happy-go-lucky internet sensation?
Roxas' blog profile picture is of a golden-haired, fair-complexioned, blue-eyed typical nineteen year old who looks good in dark clothes; the same face Sora identifies with his Twilight Town penpal. Twilight is pretty far, and the place has got a different timezone from Destiny. The fact that the brunette has stayed in Destiny his entire life just goes to show how much he needs to get out there and expose himself to the wider world.
But besides the guy's face and current hometown, Sora also knows that Roxas is a popular and talented artist specializing in clay sculptures. Apparently he's not so bad in calligraphy either as Roxas has won a few competitions in his childhood, making him a total veteran in his department. They do have a few things in common like their strong passion for their respective career choices, and they balance each other out with their opposing, serious-versus-whimsical, practical-versus-spontaneous personality traits.
Thanks to Roxas, he hasn't had time to worry about soulmates. Because screw Fate and its pointless matchmaking sessions and all the feelings that come along with it. For Roxas and Sora, communication is mostly constructive criticism on each other's work, ridiculing the media and in some cases, random topics, rants and their own experiences.
Or memes. Goodness gracious him.
The brunette doesn't try to hide his tight-lipped smile or the rolling of his eyes at the sneaky attempt to win him over because there isn't really anyone watching him do it. He shrugs. One last nibble on his food and he puts away the dishes in the sink, making a mental note to wash those soon since it's his turn for chores today. Kairi and Riku don't know much about his impromptu online penpal yet, but they do know he's on his phone more often than he's ever been in the past year. Quite a change of pace, given the current generation.
.
.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
You'd really do that? You'd make me something? :o
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Ayeee! You have returned! Thank you God for giving me back my SorLaLa ٩( ᐛ )و
*cries grateful tears*
Sure. I'll send you a picture and dedicate it to you. Am I forgiven then?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Hmm
Okay :3
Only because I can't really do anything to you in revenge. As for Riku; he's going to get it when he arrives home from his date
And yes we're still friends don't worry (^_^*)
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Ahhhhhh! Scary Sora
Whatchu gonna do?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Maybe I shall steal his secret stash of cookies, MUHAHA
I'll eat one packet. He'll never notice
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Wow. All that because of puns huh
Remind me not to cross you ever again
I have stashes of pasta to protect
but anyway brb. I need to go shopping for more
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
*evil laugh* I am the face of cruelty ( •̀ω•́ )σ
GAAAh enough with the pastaaa!
.
.
Sora cradles the phone to his chest, beaming elatedly, before leaving said device on top of the microwave oven to keep it from getting wet. He then scavenges for the home apron and gets himself ready to rinse the dishes. It's nice to have someone keeping him company during these days he has to himself, even though the two of them aren't technically "real-life" friends. That doesn't matter so much though. He likes Roxas. Likes him enough to send the guy un-beta'd drafts of his work to see if there are any errors he'd missed. In return, his biggest fan rewards him with ridiculous not-awful sculpture blueprints for a second opinion (and memes), and they worked well together.
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The next time Roxas reaches Sora, it's almost a day later and the "self-proclaimed memelord" is spamming the brunette's phone with notifications. Sora is at work with a currently occupied Selphie, cleaning dirty tables while she takes orders and sends them over to the head sushi chef.
HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
The eighteen year old freezes apprehensively on the spot, instantly regretting and wondering why he ever listened to the artist's suggestion. Oh dear Destiny, so much cringe. His phone just HAPPENS to be off silent and pfft, everyone in the sushi hut is STARING at him. Of course they would. A freaking unbridled scream for a ringtone of all things.
"Not now, Roxas, I'm working..." He whispers through his teeth, spritzing the littered surface excessively. He knows it's Roxas spamming him because of that was HIS specific ringtone, not to mention there'd be no one else trying to contact him at this time of day. Riku's also at work and Kairi's at her placements; all three friends busy in their own way. Better now than during the holiday they're supposed to go on, oh, how hard the three are working to make their road trip a reality.
"Mr Periwinkle Eyes is sure popular with the texts today," a voice tells him from behind. "Cool ringtone you got there. Is it alright for your phones to be on during work hours, though?"
The peculiar nickname causes Sora to shake his head in disbelief.
"Hey, Tidus. Yeah, our boss is really nice; she doesn't mind at all. Although I really shouldn't have it on, ahaha. Did you come in to see Sel?"
The aforementioned girl turns to them at the sound of her name, waving meekly. Tidus nods back at her and answers Sora with a quick, "See you around", before proceeding to give Selphie a hello hug. Another wailing text tune later, coupled with the adamant vibrating from the brunette's pocket makes the boy jump and almost drop the spray cleaner bottle.
Damn it.
"No new customers for now, so why don't you read those messages, Sora?" Selphie offers as she skips over to assist him. She grabs the bottle and re-tightens her bandana, already putting away used chopsticks, ceramic plates and plastic containers into their cleaning trolley at lightning speed. "Sounds pretty urgent. I'll take over from here on."
The blue-eyed teen hesitates. "Are you sure? This is so unprofessional, it's totally not a big deal, I'll just message him back later! Besides it's my fault for having it on and I'm not on break until—"
"I'll look after her, so you'll be fine." reassures Tidus. With Selphie's soulmate also willing to let him go, how could he possibly refuse?
HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!
"Alright, I'm answering, goodness, Roxas, you are active today—" Sora excuses himself with a polite smile and tarries over to the nearest chair at the back end of the quaint establishment. Haha, he should have notified the guy he'd be on shift today. It must have slipped Sora's mind since he still has no idea what or what not to inform his penpal and when they'd actually be talking. There's just no set time for these exchanges.
.
.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
SORAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I have finished my apology drawing for you! (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
(SoraApologyDoodle.JPG)
Here we go. As promised
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
I suck at actual pencil drawings sry ∑(ﾟﾛﾟ〃) but I really tried, HAHA!
If you can't tell what it is, it's supposed to be a kitten holding a sorry letter in its mouth
LOL my phone camera sucks
Please review my heartfelt art piece and forgive me for my memes, save me from the fires of HELL ┐(￣∀￣)┌
Do you like it? Do you like my shading and attempt at kawaii style NYEHEHEH
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Dear lord, do you really have to spam me PFFT
My phone's not on silent and that SCREAMING chat ringtone you dared me to assign to your contact is so EMBARRASSING (ᗒᗣᗕ)՞
Sorry but I need to change it OH DEAR DESTINY it gave me a fright
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
You don't like it?
But that is me IRL~! My soul is the epitome of despair ;P
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
For real, Roxas, stop joking around (ﾒ｀ﾛ')
I am at work right now
But naww. I love the kitty. ❤︎
Thank you so much, I'm grateful that you made it for me.
I'll print it out and paste it on my wall when I return home if you got a better copy
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Oh! You're at work, whoops, did I disturb you? LOL no wonder you're embarrassed
Hwaat are you doing talking to meee! Go work, I don't want to get you in trouble!
OFF THE PHONE! We'll talk later
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
My co-worker is taking over for me so I guess I'm on break now
σ(￣、￣〃)
She's a godsend
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Ahh, okay
...Did someone say GODSEND?
Mhhm, yes. I do remember sending for her so that you can come talk to yours truly
Praise me
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Why are we friends SMH
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Her'es your drawig with no VEGETAL as you ordered sir
(SoraApologyDoodleBetterQuality.JPG)
cool and good
did someone said NO VEGETALS?
(RandomVegetal-JPG)
I TASTE A VEGETAL
ANGERYYYYYYYY ٩(╬ʘ益ʘ╬)۶
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Oh my god
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
You called, my son? XD
.
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Deep breaths. Lately the blue-eyed brunette's been needing to just stop and think because if he dwells on the randomest crap Roxas says, he might burst out laughing in public without warning. The artist's sense of humour is so dry, Sora's ashamed he actually appreciates it. But of course, Roxas doesn't have to know that. As far as the blonde was concerned, Sora hated puns and memes of all types. So why in the world is he giggling at Roxas' jokes?
Selphie passes him quickly to deliver their latest customers' sushi platters fresh from the kitchen. She gives him an all-knowing look and arches a curious brow, adding, "You look like you're having a fun conversation... Tell me about it sometime?"
"Uhm, yeah, sure thing," he responds back. She's already through the staff room doors before Sora has the chance to say anything else, or even ask her why she was eyeing him like she knew something he didn't.
What's up with that?
.
.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...I can't handle you right now I'm sorry
I might need to go work overtime to forget how edgy you are
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
HAHAHA! I'm messing with you as always but I'll stop bc we are friends
A normal person would have unfriended me by now but here you are, still talking to me after half a year
YOU REALLY LIKE MEEEE! YAYYY!
YAYYYY!
I'm surprised you know what edgy memes are
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I'm a journalist
I need to keep up with the internet crazes as well as real life
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
aww, my diligent sweetheart (≧◡≦)
Kay, talk later, I'm about to have dinner. let me know when you get home safely, aight?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Sure. Thank you for the drawing Rox. Really.
Better make sure your dinner doesn't have beans
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Σ(ﾟロﾟ)
YOU GET MY MEMES! THIS IS A MIRACLE!
.
.
Some friendships are based on give-and-take: what you have to offer them and what they have to offer back. Why Sora still talks with someone as bizarre as Roxas, he can't really explain. He strangely cherishes the latter's habitual presence, even if they're not talking about their careers or something as important as writing or sculpting. He doesn't have many friends, nor does he trust a lot of people, so really, after six months of unpredictable conversations with Roxas, Sora can't find it in himself to shun him away. The blonde is slowly becoming an important constant in his life.
On top of the company, there are still curious mysteries behind the brunette's internet friend. Why did Roxas make the Curse of Fate and what kind of person is he like in reality? They may only be online friends but the journalist in him wants to truly know his penpal and be known in return. If Roxas knew just how clumsy he was, would they still be friends? If Roxas knew his past and how much he depended on being able to talk to him when he has no one else, would he still be accepted?
So maybe his soulmate is still out there — furtively lurking or actively trying to find him, he isn't so sure. But it doesn't matter right now nor does he currently care. Destiny or not, Sora's future will be filled with friendships and surprises, memories and unbreakable connections. Fate probably despises him for his deliberate defiance, but he's been calling the shots for a while now. He's going to keep doing so until he sees fit.
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This... is an unforeseen tragedy.
No, this really can't be! Of all the new scoops he had to find out by himself, it had to be... as atrocious as this hidden secret... Oh woe, oh tears and pain...!
...Hah. Yeah right. Sora has been communicating with Roxas for so long that he's actually adapting the sculptor's own way of thinking (typing?). But in all honesty, this piece of information is somewhat grave. Because of this ground-breaking discovery, there's a chance they can't be friends anymore. Oh the tragedy, the agony, the shame!
It's around one am in Twilight and ten pm at Destiny, the ideal time for a last minute conversation before bed. Just previously, they had been discussing their plans for the new year, Sora's upcoming birthday and their latest personal projects. While Sora has his eye on doing an article about the issues of Generation Y and their financial disadvantages, Roxas is telling him about an art prompt on pets, more specifically how to showcase their endearing habits with clay.
.
.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
No really! I can't stand them at all!
Just thinking about the word... *shudder*
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
You know I'm going to use this against you right
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Please don't 人(_ _*)
I surrender
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...
..
.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
(CutePuppy.JPG)
(✧∀✧)
LOOK AT IT AWWW IT'S SO CUTE
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
It's NOT CUTE AT ALL!
LOOK AT ALL THAT HAIR AND THOSE SHARP TEETH
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH ＼(º □ º l|l)/
LOOKING AT IT MAKES ME NEED TO SNEEZE OML
WHYYYYY!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I now know your weakness fufufu
Everytime you annoy me I'll send you pics of cute puppies MUHAHA
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Y U DO THIS SATAN
I trusted youuu! Dx
You were my friend!
I don't even annoy you an awful lot!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Oh, but you do
But... with great power comes great responsibility
I shall only use my trump card once every now and then
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Well I suppose I deserve as much.
Me: Fight me boi! I'll counter with my spiciest meme collection
Inner me: I have osteoporosis, I have crippling depression
HAH! My meme within a meme with a comeback!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Lol whaa?
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Also me: Yeah, no one really cares because they're not edgy like you, but that's none of my business
It's not my fault I'm allergic to dogs though; those monsters are SCARY
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
You mean adorable animals?
(Pomeranian.JPG)
I swear, I'll have one of these one day. That way you can't approach me and sell me your memes
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
GAAAAAAAAAAAH! HOW DARE YOU ｡･ﾟﾟ*(^д^)*ﾟﾟ･｡
I'm gonna get rid of it
pie
noodles
yhjnbgfv
sdtyjnmkop
sgbtju
pikjmnbvft
rbgvtyre
t9ogjh0py
asdfghjkl
PIZZA
IS IT GONE
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I'm just teasing omg
I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry
And here you think I don't have a sense of humour
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Your sense of humour is twisted thnx v much
That aside though, you think I can pull off creating a sculpture on a pet iguana?
It'll be a challenge to recreate its arboreal appearance but they're just as intelligent as puppies
In fact, it's so much cuter having a li'l lizard following you around than a furry, terrifying dog
.
.
"Sora, you still up?" An exhausted Riku enters the room, de-robing himself before crashing on top of the twin-sized bed situated near the closet. In their favourably-sized shared apartment, Sora and Riku room together, their beloved red-haired friend taking the second room all to herself. Sora takes the older male's presence as a cue to get himself ready to sleep, moving from the study table at the foot of his bed to his own comfortable mattress.
The azure-eyed brunette sniffs, phone still in his hands. "Tough day?"
Riku merely answers him with a groan.
"Overtime is not good for my body. It'll be worth it once we're on the road though, so I just gotta keep saving up for our travel money."
"Don't push yourself too hard," comforts Sora. "We can't go on the road trip at all if we're physically incapable."
With a smile his way, the silverette gets back up to change into his pyjamas. "You're right. Plus Kairi will maim me if she has to be the only one driving. You mind if I use the bathroom first?"
"No, go ahead. I'm all set for the night." The brown-haired teen grins, readjusting his socks and fumbling about to cocoon himself in his blankets. His head is already on the pillow when Riku bids him goodnight, flicking the light switch off.
.
.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
SorLaLa?
Oh hang on brb I gotta get me some milk from the fridge
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
AAAH THERE IS NO MILK
I FORGOT I USED THEM ALL FOR MY CEREAL THIS MORNING
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Oh no (￣ρ￣)..zzZZ
RIP milk. Get some more tomorrow yeah
And yes, of course you could sculpt a pet iguana. You could do anything you put your mind to, no doubt
I believe in you. You are so talented and I can only hope to be like you
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
You're back! Oh sweetheart, that's not true
You are amazing! Don't ever put yourself down or compare yourself to anyone else. Especially with me pfft; I am but a human trashbag
But thank you, Sora. It really means a lot for me to hear that. I believe in you too~
WHAT HAZ I DUN TO DESERVE YOUR PRAISE (づ￣ ³￣)づ
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Welp, I'm clocking out. Got an article to work on tomorrow XD
Night! You should go to sleep as well!
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
AHHHHH okiedoks, have a good night! Goodluck on the work!
I pray that you dream of me, your one and only memelord ⌒(≧▽ ° )
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...That Roxas. Trust him to make the most ridiculous comments at the most unexpected of times.
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Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
Awww
He seems like such a nice guy!
Lucky you, having an internet bestie ('｡• ᵕ •｡')
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Haha, thanks Sel
Yeah, Roxas is really something. Artistic, popular, funny
He can be a handful at times though *cough cough* memes *cough cough*
Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
REGARDLESS! That's still so sweet
Any chance there's something between you that's more than just being internet friends~?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...wat
Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
Kidding! Oh Sora, you're so fun to mess with
You say you have been talking for how long? Six, seven months? Geez
AND HE CALLS YOU SWEETHEART
DUDE
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Roxy's always joking around, I've given up trying to stop him
Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
thaT or yoU ACTUALLY LIKE IT OH MY GOD
You call him "Roxy"; double OH MY GOD
DENIAAAAAAAL!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
No way Sel. I don't even know what you're talking about
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Oh, great.
Thanks to Selphie, his mind's beginning to wander about to topics unrelated to his current project... again. Productivity ensues when the enthusiastic azure-eyed teen finds himself finishing off the article he urged himself to write, his trusty fellow writer willing to help him out with spelling and grammar checks. Their current chat conversation has taken a touchy turn, though. The brunette girl has come to reap what she'd sown back when she gladly assisted him on his shift, more or less prompting him to tell her about this special internet penpal of his.
It's been almost two weeks since he talked to his Twilight Town friend about the Generation Y article idea he was inspired by. Because of his extreme self-consciousness (or rather, his acute perfectionism), it always takes him a lot of time to edit and compose before he deems a piece ready for publication. Good spacing in his paragraphs? CHECK. Did he follow the chronological order of his arguments: least important to most important? YES. Statement, explanation, example, link to next point? Seems about right. Catchy title but not pretentious or clickbait-like? Yeah, he reckons.
Of course there are formalities to consider and quadruple-checks to the primary sources he collected himself through diligent emailing, one face-to-face meetup and critical research, so after hours of agonizing on the major proofreading he's had to do, Sora decides all that's left is to be able to confidently click on the "Publish Now" button on his Blogpress account. But not until he has a second eye to read over it (thank you Selphie). Only time will tell if it is a great read or not.
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Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
Don't think you can lie to me, Sora. You TOTALLY know what I'm talking about
I see a lowkey love story coming into fruition
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
*sigh*
You know our world doesn't work that way ╮(︶︿︶)╭
No matter how much I dislike it or intentionally ignore it, we're still bound by the curse of Fate
We both know this pretty well
Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
( ╥ω╥ )
I know, love.
...I just want you to be happy.
Don't give up Sor, I swear to Destiny. LISTEN TO MY AWESOME SUGGESTIONS
SCATTER THEM PENS FOR all I CARE (ﾟロﾟ) !
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Hey, in my defense I did take your advice and I've been slowly transitioning to digital notes.
No more carrying pens so much
I am still waiting, and still desperately dreaming for that ONE day but... it's okay.
I'm alright with "now". (っ˘ω˘ς )
At least I can make friends without being told I'm not allowed to just because my tattoo says something different
Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
Now you're making me want to cri (ﾉД')
#tears
Btw I'm due for a lunch date in an hour, is there anything else you want me to read over?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Nah, I'm allgood now. Thanks loads!
Double-click to the button aaaand! Poof, published!
Don't worry about me so much Selphie. My heart is strong. I am happy with the way things are
Selphie Tilmitt (azelphie)
At least talk to Roxas about soulmates so you know, hmm?
I know it's super impolite to ask someone what their tattoo says without valid reason but
Skirt around the idea. And as the typical journalist says, FIND THE TRUTH!
Especially with that sculpture you saw. Art pieces can hide the deepest meanings. Quote unquote by the lovely Tidus
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Thank you :D Have fun on your date!
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Yeah.
Roxas and Sora are friends. Mutual fans of each other with roughly similar interests; that really is all there is to it. He knows it's a little unconventional to be putting so much effort into something as extraneous as an internet friendship, but he cares, and Roxas cares back. So maybe he's not going on cute dates or even able to look at that one person who already holds his delicate heart without knowing their identity. Wouldn't it be nice if he could... hear their voice just once, or even feel the warmth... of their embrace...
–––they exist somewhere out there, going about their daily routines, probably dreaming about him too. Under the same sky, with the same destiny...
Hope is the only thing he's still holding on to that's stronger than his fear of the unknown.
With the satisfaction of finishing a piece today, the brunette stretches and studies his notepad draft (version four of the sixth draft, to be more specific) for the last time, scrunching his nose a bit at the mixture of black pen smudges and critical crossing out. Sora has been sitting on his desk chair for too long. The thing about journalism is that he has to keep his paragraphs brief and well-tailored, but at the same time informative and interesting. There is only so much that can go into each piece given the strict professional word count, so each word that goes into his work has to be chosen carefully and weighted against other alternatives.
Undoubtedly, Sora works industriously on everything he publishes. His locomotor clumsiness does not affect his literary genius: the eighteen year old is thorough, well-informed and has the passion to dig deep and work with credible sources. His blood, his sweat and his tears go into writing, and there are even times where he thinks about why he even bothers — does anyone really care? Is he really cut out for this? What if he isn't good enough? What if he is just wasting his time dreaming because surely there are others out there who are better; others out there who can outshine him at any given day?
But there are others who do care about him and what he loves to do; close friends who believe that he is worth all their love and affection.
Kairi, Riku, Selphie...
Roxas.
Amidst the self-criticism and this imaginary black cloud of doom around him, all the colours in his life will always shine a light through.
All thinking aside... maybe he'll go for a walk around the complex. Kairi is next door, probably awake after taking her afternoon nap, so he just has to excuse himself before leaving out the door. Sora could even pick up some afternoon snacks before he returns, plus he'd get to exercise and get away from his complicated thoughts.
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Kairi Hamasaki (KHchemgurl) is ONLINE
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Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Hey! You're awake! thought you'd be sleepin
Kairi Hamasaki (KHchemgurl)
Oh hi! (ﾟ∀ﾟ)ﾉﾞ Did you finish your article?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Sure did ;3
I feel so relieved to have it done. Sixth draft, fourth version. RIP me
I wonder what's gonna be next
Kairi Hamasaki (KHchemgurl)
Well doen!
done*. LOL typo. I'm sure it was all good, dear
Give urself a pat on the back
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Thanks Kairi. Hey, is it alright if I leave the apartment for a moment?
I'll let you know when I get back. Just wanna stretch my legs a bit after sitting too long.
I'll pick up some of your
Kairi Hamasaki (KHchemgurl)
Get me my pistachio ice cream!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
pistachio ice cream (＠'ー')ﾉﾞ
Haha you read my mind. I'll be back soon?
Kairi Hamasaki (KHchemgurl)
YEss alright. Take care ❤︎
don't forget paper und pen
You were so bummed the last time you left it. Even if you are on your phone a lot now
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
You're the best HAHA
love you okay I'm leaving now dw I'll double lock the doors
Kairi Hamasaki (KHchemgurl)
byeee C:
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A good day can turn into a bad day in only a matter of seconds.
A good day can be forgotten if it's overwritten by a bad event.
Scientifically speaking, you remember your bad days more than you do your good days, and Sora has had... a lot of bad days.
The teen's cheery mood is dashed immediately when he returns home to the worst review in the history of godawful reviews. He got a notification in the middle of his walk, but he ignored it in favour of enjoying the friendly atmosphere of his surroundings. At first, he even thought it was Roxas, because Roxas never misses first comment. The boy got really excited when his phone buzzed. Too bad it wasn't.
Maybe... Roxas is busy today... They haven't chatted in a while.
He brings Kairi her favourite dessert before making himself comfortable on the couch, legs crossed and mind mentally ready to read the mysterious first review. It's always difficult for him to click on the Comments section. There is never a time where Sora is not scared when it comes to facing what his critiques have left for him.
Especially now. First sentence in and he can already feel his stomach dropping at the severity of those words.
...
"This is by far the most atrocious piece of garbage I have ever come across with, and that's putting it lightly. Do you even know how to cite sources professionally? I should know; I've been a professional journalist for five years. Never, ever, ever use unworded numbers in formal pieces. Your arguments have been presented in a disorganized manner, and I can't seem to understand what you are trying to say when you wrote, "A significant amount of Generation Y individuals are purchasing houses despite the state of the market." Are you trying to dissuade your target audience to spend, or to save when you wrote this statement? It would have helped greatly if you proofread your entire work before posting, but judging from your lack of experience, I doubt even doing so would make this a credible piece. I find it especially difficult to believe that a fraudulent eighteen year old like yourself even has the ability to compose such an article with such high-profile resources; plagiarism is intolerable in the writing industry, if you must know. Please leave this influential topic to the professionals next time.
-Kirlita J"
...
He doesn't even know where to begin, nor can he decide which part of the comment has hurt him the most. Sora only knows that he's hurting. Someone with actual credibility in the field was incredibly displeased with his article, and it sucks, so, so bad, because he really did TRY. This is a person whom he aspires to become like: a gifted professional with experience and a vast knowledge about different writing styles. He's angry, because how DARE this woman suggest he never proofreads, oh, if SHE KNEW how hard he worked on this piece, but at the same time, wow.
He should... he should be grateful, right? She took the time to give his article a read, and even left a comment... with... some... advice, maybe. Damn it, he's never gotten one this awful. Accusing him of plagiarism? Implying he was a FRAUD? Sora can take all the criticism he deserves, but just because he can, doesn't mean it's ever easy on him. Ahaha, his chest is tightening up so much...
He should have known better, should have researched more, maybe he can still change it, re-edit it again and again and again, ignore the tears prickling in his eyes and ignore the blurring of his vision, fix IT, fix everything, this is all his fault, he's not good enough, what made him believe that he could ever become someone who's worth it... someone who is talented at what he loves the most and someone who can prove to the world that yes, no matter how many failures and obstacles you throw at him, despite his lack of coordination or the lack of love he has for himself, he's going to keep going, going to keep hoping and WISHING and wanting and waiting and dreaming and ACTING...
Maybe... he can't do this blog thing after all. Or journalism in general. Sora has too many things he needs to work on, like classifying only the best ideas for each paragraph and viewing the world with expository eyes — no opinion, no emotion, just facts and figures. Everything this reviewer has said is true and... and yet...
Writing is just difficult, that's all. It's n-not like h-his self-esteem hasn't consequently depleted. He didn't have much to begin with so it probably doesn't matter, and Sora's aware he's nowhere near good enough to be a perfect professional b-but...
Oh goooood... He just wants to quit everything...
Bzzzzt.
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Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT
OH MY GOD SORA I APOLOGIZE Σ(°Д°|||)
I WAS OUT SHOPPING FOR CLAY
I REGRET SHOPPING FOR CLAY!
I MISSED FIRST COMMENT AND I CAN'T BELIEVE WHOEVER TOOK MY SPOT WAS BEING A BITCH
SHE IS WRONG
OH MY GOD, SHE IS WRONG
I'M RESEARCHING HER BACKGROUND RIGHT NOW AND HOLY MACKEREL, SHE'S NOT EVEN THAT IMPRESSIVE!
SHE CAN'T BELIEVE YOU USED HIGH-PROFILE RESOURCES WITHOUT ASSUMING YOU PLAGIARIZED YOUR ENTIRE WORK? WHAT A JOKE
SHE'S TALKING OUT OF HER ARSE! SHE'S A BITCH FOR BELITTLING YOUR TALENTS, DON'T BELIEVE HER WORDS ONE BIT
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Just when he needs it the most, someone actually comes to his rescue and attempts to cheer him up. Still, the damage has been done. Maybe he'll go cry on his bed, and probably be sad for a while. Walking past Kairi's door as quietly as he can, he reaches his area of solitude without much trouble, pitying himself immensely.
Sora isn't good at a lot of things. He's clumsy, soulmateless, a walking social disaster. And the one thing he actually wants to develop his skills in isn't even good enough for the real world. ...Why? The blue-eyed brunette can take criticism when he needs to, but man does it ever stop hurting.
Maybe... he should delete the article? Or his blog... or s-s-stop writing for a while? What the heck does he do now, his career dream has been stricken down by a disparaging comment: a sword mightier than his pen. This unexplainable tight feeling in his chest transitions into that of despair, so it's a matter of time until the tears he's been holding back finally fall.
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Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Sora please answer me
I know you're there
fuck it, I'm calling
I am CALLING
don't do anything drastic sweetheart, I'm here
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Rooooxas... (╥︵╥)
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
SORA! oh dear lord you have no idea how sorry I am, I regret going out today
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
'Snot your fault.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
But it is! I've disappointed you greatly!
I've read your article so many times now; I scrutinized every single WORD
And none of what that bitch says applies. It is not garbage, damn it. I understood it perfectly and I KNOW it is BRILLIANT
I'm not saying this because we are friends, I'm saying this in a typical reader's view point
You are a very talented writer, Sora Leonhart
I don't know what you're doing right now, I don't know how you took it
Just please believe me
SHe's A BULLY! A BULLY! SHE SHOULDDD FUCKINGB KNOQW BETTERRR! I'M REPORTING HER BULLSHIT, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THAT, WOMAN!
ACCCK I'M SO ANGRY! DX
People like her absolutely disgust me. They think that just because they have the credentials, they can use it against gifted young people like you by crushing their dreams. All because of their sour jealousy and regret about not being as magnificent as you when they were our age.
Do not let people like her influence your goals. You are fantastic, Sora.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...Thank you, Roxas.
I needed to hear all of that.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
(*'ー)ﾉ(ノд')
I'm here for you. You can count on me.
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So... there's another side of Roxas, this caring and empathetic persona the blue-eyed brunette doesn't know about, huh. Funny, that. They say a friendship can be tested based on who stays for your faults and failures, and who rejoices along with you during your achievements. It may only be an internet friendship to some, but this connection with the blonde is very real for him. Focusing on the spots his tears have fallen on on his pillow, Sora then closes his eyes, compelling himself to fall asleep and forget about the negatives in the meantime. When his phone rings out of the blue, he's too restless to care and he picks it up lethargically.
"H-H-Hello... What is it?" Hah, he must really be out of it today. He didn't even check the Caller ID.
"...C-Can you hear me? Sora, can you hear me?"
On his screen is the average call display, speaker and mute icons as well as hang up and hold features available to him. Sora's never used the call function of this chatroom application before. When the eighteen year old realizes that the sudden caller is actually Roxas, he's got mixed feelings about it because he's never spoken to him before but at the same time, he's slightly less apprehensive about everything else.
"Y-Yes. I can hear you. Wow, I can't believe we're actually talking..." he breathes out, fiddling with the ends of his blanket.
"Me too. I don't sound weird, do I?" Roxas' voice is a little shaky, but he has the most unique accent Sora's ever heard. He attempts to picture the voice to his friend's profile picture and the new thought and information makes him smile.
"You sound great. How about me?"
"You sound way older than you look in your picture LOL. But in a good w-way, of course! I like your voice. I can tell you've been crying though. Are you okay?"
Face falling slightly, he mumbles, "I don't know, to be honest. I just took it too hard, is all. I might just sleep it off and worry about it when I wake up."
"Oh, alright."
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Talking on the phone is a lot harder than writing out your thoughts. There are no takebacks, no trying to delete or reword conversations, no emojis to keep the topic lighter. Sora is about to bring up something just to clear the slight awkwardness when Roxas beats him to it, accented voice tone still concerned for him.
"Hey, it's totally okay to feel what you're feeling," His internet friend starts. "It's always difficult to accept where we've gone wrong or if we've done badly at something we love or worked hard at. I've had to throw away pieces I spent so much time and money and love on, you know."
"What did you do afterwards?" Sora can't help but ask.
"I remade them. Again and again and again. So maybe I have a few haters. Or really, the biggest hater that exists out there is myself. But I have to shun them away. This is my life and I'm going to keep doing what I love regardless on whether I'm good or bad at it. As long as I make a few people happy every now and then, not to mention make MYSELF happy in the process, then it's enough. You're worth more than the voice in your head says you are. And even if someone has no talents and is absolutely hopeless in every sense of the word, they're still worth all the love everyone deserves. You don't need to do anything to deserve love or being alive in general. Don't you think so too?"
The wise words that Roxas has just said gets Sora thinking, and feeling, the tears in his eyes begin to sprout again. "You... are absolutely right. And I'm so glad that... so g-glad that y-you..."
"Oh n-n-no, I made you cry! I'm sorry, I'll stop talking, I'm supposed to be cheering you up!"
"No, it's n-not your fault, I'm just a little teary..."
"I might know a little something that'll make you feel better. I know we don't even know each other that well, but I don't care. Think of me giving you a biiig hug. Hugs are the best when it comes to sad days. Maybe Kairi and Riku are there to give you one for me? Oi, Sora's best friends! SORA NEEDS A BIG HUG! Just pretend I'm there in the middle, maybe."
There's a shuffling sound at the other end of the line. The thought of Roxas scolding his best friends to give him hugs for sad days makes him laugh. "Thanks. That does make me feel a lot better." He admits.
"Sorry I can only do imaginary hugs. But they're always warm and I smell like cookies. I wish I could do more but alas... we have this distance. One day... I promise we can hug for real. I'll plan a trip to Destiny and let you know beforehand, hmm? Or you can come visit me! I'll show you around the tourist spots and pay for all your lunches. Twilight Town enthusiast's word."
"You're making me hope you do it sooner, you goon." Sora grins, glad that they're falling back to their conversational habits. "It's a nice thought to think about."
"Sure it is! Now, you say you're about to take a nap? How about I take one with you? It's evening over here. I could play you this crappy recording of me singing something but because we're friends, I guess I could do the lullabies myself."
"Please don't tell me you're actually going to sing a lullaby..."
"Go to sleep or I won't sing! Make sure you're comfortable aight? Erheem... erheeeeem! Okay, I'm all set, here goes."
"🎶Always keep a little prayer in your pocket... and you're sure to see the liiiight. Soon there'll be joy and happiness, and your little world will be briiiii-iight."
"Oh wow, you're actually singing. Okay, uhm, let me get ready for bed." Sora places his phone on speaker and leaves it on the free side of his pillow, the ends of his mouth almost hurting from how hard he's been smiling back. Roxas is just so sweet. Heck, what has he done to deserve this someone's virtual compassion and presence? When he wakes up, he's going to make dinner for Kairi and Riku and they can simply enjoy the evening together. It really would be nice if Roxas was here too.
"🎶Have faith, little one... till your hopes and your wishes come true... you must try to be brave, little oooone. Someone's waiting, to... loooove... you..."
"Someone's waiting... to love you."
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"Sleep tight, Sora."
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After his particularly terrible online hater incident, Sora feels that Roxas and himself have gotten significantly closer to each other. Sora wants to trust the blonde wholeheartedly, presuming that whatever he says to him will be accepted without any misgivings. Perhaps now would be a good time to bring up the topic they've barely addressed, like a deep meaningful conversation, if you please. Despite Selphie telling him otherwise, Sora really does want to know what his friend has to say about it — whether or not he believes in it, whether or not it's important to him — these are all key opinions he's been wondering about in secret.
At first, the boy attempts to plan out how the conversation will go, tongue sticking out to one side as he jots down possible conversation starters in his favourite notepad. But then he realizes it's pretty pathetic, because he's positive Roxas wouldn't mind him talking about it either way. So hey, I was wondering about soulmates, ha ha. Or: is there a particular reason you made The Curse of Fate or am I just looking too deeply into this?
Yep. Definitely lame.
The azure-eyed teen is back on their balcony platform, basking in the summer sun whilst Kairi and Riku watch television and make pancakes for brunch respectively. There's not much to do during an off day, so the three have silently agreed to stay at home and rest from their endless internship and part-time shift schedules. The day after tomorrow is Sora's nineteenth birthday. There are no definite plans on how they'll celebrate yet, but the brunette will be happy just to spend it with the people who love him most.
"Sora, your plate's ready. Come eat while it's hot," Riku says, dishing out a perfect pancake onto a heaped plate before dousing it in chocolate syrup: just how their youngest friend likes it. Sora ditches his notepad and phone as he hurries to grab the plate from the table.
"Thank you thank you! Oh boy, this is going to taste great!"
"I wouldn't count on it yet," mutters Kairi as she too gets up from the couch to taste Riku's sugared delicacy. "He probably added spring onions in them just to make it healthy."
"Spring onions in pancakes are scrumptious if you must know," the silverette argues. "Especially with green curry as a topping. But no, these are completely vege-free. Eat up."
"Have you thought of where you want to go yet for your birthday, Sora? I know we're saving for the road trip but Riku's right. A special occasion calls for a big celebration."
The brunette pauses for a moment and almost thinks of Twilight Town as his destination, but then he tells his roommates that he plans to visit home for his celebration and that they're invited to the small lunch his mother discussed with him earlier in the day. Selphie and Tidus have already given them the okay so it's only a matter of the two of them agreeing. That way they don't have to spend too much for a party he doesn't really need.
"Sounds good. It's been so long since we returned home! I'd kill for another one of Mrs. Leonhart's quiches, thanks. But alrighty, my turn for dishes today," Kairi announces mid-brunch, taking her already-finished plate to the sink before leaning towards her boyfriend for a morning kiss.
"Woah woah woah, guys, stoooop! Too much, too much!" Sora cries jokingly, fake-shielding his eyes. "I'm going to start barfing out my food, goodness gracious me!"
"Like you'll actually." With a hand resting on her hip, the sassy Kairi counters. "You're practically kissing your phone every day. Whoever this secret online friend you've been hiding from us must be really great for you to have to do that."
"HWAAAAAT? I do not!" Just as Sora says this though, the phone left at the balcony rings for another incoming message. Both the redhead and Riku raise a brow at him for a moment.
The aquamarine-eyed male shrugs first. "I think Kairi's just jealous that someone's about to take the number one best friend spot. Don't think much of it, Sor."
"LIES!"
Changing the subject to hide her guilt, the sapphire-eyed girl also asks, "Are we going to meet this friend of yours, by any chance? Roco or Roman, whatever?"
"Roxas." Sora corrects. "No, he lives all the way at Twilight Town." Bzzzzzzzt. "As nice as it would be, though, I don't think he'd be able to make it to my birthday either way."
Kairi clicks her tongue as she locates the home apron. "Well, on to your own businesses then, both of you. Don't spend too much time in that chatroom app or your mother might blame me for letting you get godawful eyebags! Riku dear, we should probably set up the Christmas tree too."
Fairly soon Sora is back at the balcony, flipping through the pages of his notepad the wind has closed for him. It would make his nineteenth birthday super special if, only hypothetically, Roxas somehow found a way to make it to Destiny Islands to celebrate with him, along with Kairi, Riku and Selphie. There's no denying that by now, the two of them are one of each other's best friends.
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.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
E̿ͤ̉ͧ̍rͧ̓ͧ̉́͊ͥr͋ͤoͧ̈͗ͧrͦ͌ͤ͑#̏̉̋3̃͋̎̐͋̀4ͩ̉͊́͂2̍͆͂̐͐2ͩ̓ͤ:̊̈ͦͨ̈ ͛̚Yͯȏ̐ͤ̚uͧ̾̑͊r ͪ́mͥȯ̋̆̌͌bͥ̋̎͊͋ͬi̿lͫͨ͆͐̊ͪe̐ ̑ͦͣd̈͂̈͋̈́͆̂eͩ̅̑͑̉v̓͐͐̍ȉ͐̌̇ͫ͐c̅ͯ̊̇̏ͬͯê̐̔ͨ ̾ͦ͑́͋ͯ̈́h̐̽a̋ͫͮs̉ͭ͛͊̑ ̏rͭ̂ͦ̎ͣͯe̋a͆cͥ̎̂hͥ͊͂͆͗eͮ͑ͪͣdͯ ̃̿͊ͥ̔t̐͛ͣͩͤͯͥhͤͨ̿̈́̍̿͌e͊̽͌͊̐̀ͨ ͂̐̓m̃ͮ̋ͮͭȃ̾ͧͨ̓͐̾x̉ͪ̂̆ỉ͋̂̄mu̓͑m͐̉̔ͥ ͬ͐ͩ͋aͧ̈́͂mͦͯo̐͐̽un͆̾̒t̄̒̎ͥ ̿ͥͦoͧ͐͌̏ͣ͒f ͗͊͒͗ͤc̀̑̽̎ͤh͊aͨͯt́͑ͤ ͤ̄ͤ̓mͣͩͤ̽͑̇̎eͤͫ̿̓́̋ͤsͫ̄ͤs̈ͧaͧ̾ͯgͪͨë́̏̈̒s̒ ͊̂̐̊̚d̎̒ͦ͗͛ͬͤue̓̐̆ ͧ̉̍͗̇̚t̏o͛̑̈ t͐̏̒̈́̀h͑̾e̿̋̒ͨ́ ̏̉ͭ̇r͗̄ͯͩ̏ͧēčͨ̃̿͋iͮ̈p̉̓̊̋ͣi͐̊̒é͆̈ͪ̄ͬ͑n̽ͨ͊̋̃t̃̉̄̄͂͊̃'̄ͨ͋ͨ̄̔ͪsͧ͛ͦͯͭ s͛͑ͯ̄̏͆̄p̎͗ͧi͗cͧ̽̏y̏ͣ ͒͊m̊͒ͤ̂ͤ̃eͦ̉ͭ͂͌̽̚mͬͥ̋eͯͪ̐sͭ̈̉̾͂͂̚.̄̑ͥ͋ͣ͒̚ Fͦ̾ͤ̅ͨ̽͆o͛̆̾̓͂r ̇̍͆̍̎͐mō͒ͬͯͣͭ̚r̈ͤͤͮeͦ̂ ̑iͯͦͦ̃n͒foͤ̾̄̀̈́̅r̅̇ͣ͊m̓̐͑a͐ti͂̉̈͛on,ͪ ̄͋̄ͬͧcͧ̔ͨ̈ͫöntͭ̊̐ͪacͭt ͩ̍̒̄̀y͗̓̃̑̂̊̐oͫ͊̍̇̉u̒ͪr̉̇ ̊͌͊ͧ̔̈́̚ľ̑ͬ̏ͪ̀̑o͒͆c̓a͒ͬ̓̑̚l̏́̔̀̾ ̇ͨͨͣ̌̏ͤmͩ̍o͌̆̒̚bͥ̃̎͛̚i͂̋̍̔͌ͫ͗l͂e͒͊̎ͨͣ̒ ̋̆ͯ̑̇̔̔s̾ͮͧ̃̾̏̑tỏ͒ͥ́̒r̉͒̈e̐ ͯͨͣ͌foͦ̀ͭ̇̀͛̐r ̋̓̈ͧ̋̐̊ću̽͌̂̽͌̌ͥs̈͆ͥ́͛ṫ̅ò̄mͨ͊eͪͯ̆̊ͣͬȑ̒̀ sũ̽̋͑p̏͒ͣ͗̈̎p͛̓o͋̊͌ͧͥr͛̀̊͐̀͑ṫ̊̅ͣ̅.ͯ͌̏
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
͆̾̐͊ͣL̋͊͋ͥ̃͛̀O͆̋Vͯ̍̂E̅ͤͭ̎͐-̀LͭE̋̾̍͆͊Tͫͨ͑͆̃ͧ̚Tͥ̃Eͣ̒̓̄̄R͗͒̔̍ͪ̽-̽͐F̍ͤ́O͂R̍ͮ͋̉͗̿ͫ-̃͊ͫ̓̽̇ͪYO̍̇̔͂ͨŮ.̏̿̒ͭt̋x̓̂t.͗ͦ̋ͤv̉̔ͨ́́͑̈́b̈̃s̚ ̇Ȋͦ̊̃ͥLͭ͗ͦȎ͗̍͌̌Vͬͤͬͬ̈́Ě̈Y̏ͪ͋OͧÜ͒ ̏̎"̏͑ͤS̀ͦ̉̎̐oͪͨ̾̒ͩͥr͆ͨ̈a̓̍̀"̍̊̆͊ͧ̄̈́ ͗̔̏̉̽I͒̐̾̐L͊͐̾́͐̓O̐̄ͣ̓̔̾̑V̂͊E͌̉ͣ͆̊Y͊ͮO̓ͧU͋̇̈́̌ ͒Iͣ͑̒͌Lͤ̾O̿VE͆̓̎Y͒̆̽͒̓̐̄Oͩ̓̇͗̓̉Û̔̅ ̓I̒͋͗ͪ͆̃̚L̽͗̊Ò̀͊VͤE̊ͯ͐ͪ̎Y͒̽ͥ͐̑ͮ̀Oͯ̔ͨU͂͆ ̑̈ͣ̒̔̉̎Iͩ̃̓ͦL̈́ͮͩͥ̄͆ͬOVͤ͛̎̈͋E͐̓̚Y̿ͮ̂͋͒Ô͛̔͊Uͮ ̈́ͥ̐̓̓ͩͯIͤ̊L͋ͦͦͨͭ̍̒Oͩ̓ͫ̎͊V̓̀ͩ̽̊͒̋EY͛̅ͣ̓̔ͦOU̽ͭ̍̿̈͊͆ ͧͯ̈Iͮ̎̓ͣ̌̂Lͨͤͭͬ̒O̒̀̐̈̈V͒̏͋Eͩ͗̅̃̾ͬYͧOͦͧ͆͊U ̂̈̿̎ͨͩIL̀ͥO̿ͩ̈̇̊ͧ͊V̏̐̽̈́ͮͪE͒̅ͭ̂ͪͧY͛̈̾̍Ȏͪ̊ͦ̄̊̈́Ü͒ͦ ͣ̓̄Iͩ̈́̀̂͒L͑Ö́Vͭ͆͛͌ͮͩ͂Ê͒Y͑̃O̿̄͐̈́̒́U ͯ̂IL̒͌͗̽͊OV̋̏͑Eͣ͌̉̊Y͑̒ͯ͆ͭOU̒̆ͤ ͌ͩͯİ̀L̐̾̓͑̎Ỏ͒̌ͤ̃V͂̄̊ͨEͫͫ̈́͂̑̃Y̐OͣU̾͆̎̇̂
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
OH MY GOD ROXAS, ROXAS THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
7͒͌7ͦ7ͪ̂:̈̑ͣ ͑̓̑̑̽͑Ṫ͊̒̑ͥh͂̂ͬ̄͑͑̿ỉ̔̎̓ͪ̐̐s͗ i̔̀s͂ͭͫ ̃͐̃͂C͗ͬu̎ͫs̈́̔̏͐tȯ̌ͭ̑̓̂mͥͭ̔eͨͬͩ̂͆ŕͦ͊ ͫ̚Sͩͫer̈v̆̊ic͌͛̂ͩ͊eͧ͆̂͊̍,̿̇͌̀ͤ̓̅ ͂ͧͦ͋͐͑R͂ͥͥ̚e̾ͫ͑ͦ̎͗pͭ̎ͯ͌ͣ͑l̀ͤͯ̉͒ẏ̍̏̿ͭ͗ ͦͧͥ̃͋ẇ̇̂̍ͩͦͣi̔ͬ̓tͬh̑̈̋ ̉̇ͧ̉ͫ"͋ͨͪ̄̆̐I̒ͣ͛L̉͐ͯ͐O̎V̆͑̄ͪͤ̚É̍̓ͤ̀Y͑́Oͭ͌U͒͂͗͊"͗ͬͯͤ̾ͤ ̽̀̾ͪ͌ͮ̾ṫͦ̓o ̃́ͨͪͪ̊r̈́̔̔̇ȇt̃͋̃̀̍uͫ̀ͬ̄̓̓r̋͂̾̚n̈͌ͥ̍ͤ toͬ̊͒͆ ́́ͫ̎̆͗ͨẗ̏̑̀̒h͊̍e ̉̅̽ͩ̚nͩo͋ͦͪr̋͛̿ͭm͛̒͋͋a̽̈lͪ̿̆ ̄̈̈́͋̂̚̚cͫͥhͬ̑a̋̎̇͑̀̋t̑̎ͤ̿͊r̍̿͌̓ͨ̑o̎͋̾ͪ̇̇oͧ̍ͮ̈́͗̚̚m͌ͩ́ͨͪ̅̚ ̉̐ͥaͩ̄̉pp͗̉͌̃̾̐̆l̍̏̋̎ͮ̃i̊̓ͤ̌caͣͯ̎̀͛t̋͛ͪ̀i̒ͩͦ̓͒oͪṅͦ ̐̾ͯsͩ͂t͂ͦ͊͑at̅̂ͮ̐̊ͮ̑eͤ̅ͪ̈́ͦ͋͂.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
ILOVEYOU ILOVEYOU ILOVEYOU!?
777, please tell me my phone isn't bugged this is seriously scaring me
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Aww, I love you too! Thanks babe! Finally got you to say it, awww, that made my day
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...I will seriously kill you when I see you.
You scared the living daylights out of me.
That wasn't funny. (＃'Д')
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
I know. :(
But I also know that you don't hate me for it. Gotcha good, didn't I?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
! ! ! ! !
I'm seething MAD rn but damn it, you're right, I don't hate you
For that you owe me an answer. There's something I've been meaning to ask but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet.
For Destiny's sake, why would you do that?! (ಥ﹏ಥ)
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Pfft, I don't want to ask you anymore, my heart's still thudding like it's going to pop out from my chest
dO YOU NEED ME TO SEND YOU DOG PICS AGAIN
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
I dunno tbh
You're the first person I thought of when I woke up so I thought it'd be funny to joke around
I was wrong, I am a jerk, I am sorry, please don't block me
How is it that you can stand me again? I still wonder that lololol
NO DON'T SEND PUPPY PICS P L Z
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...ugh, touché. I don't know the answer to that either.
We are still friends, dw. ٩(ˊ〇ˋ*)و
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...So, uhh, Roxas?
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
What is it fam?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I really have been meaning to ask this... ever since... but...
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
...But? You can totally ask me anything, Sor. No harm done
Of course within reason LOLOLOL
How weird would it be if we started talking about hiding bodies
I know this really good place to hide one, but I'm sure jerkface Seifer from high school won't appreciate seeing a dead person in his garage HA
NEver cleans the damn place
OK for real now, no jokes, what is it?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Well... you know the first time we started talking. Uhh
I was just curious
But
What inspired you to create The Curse of Fate?
Like, I've been thinking about it here and there because without that sculpture we never would have started talking ha ha.
Can you tell it's my favourite piece out of all your works? (″ロ゛)
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Oh
OH
You're serious, hang on.
Well then, LEMME TELL YOU A STORY! ψ(｀∇')ψ
Woohoo! A roxmysocks STORY TIEM!
Are you ready for this HUEHUE?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
Yeah sure.
.
.
But is he really...?
Is Sora really ready to know the truth? Part of the beating in his chest isn't because of the harmless prank scare, as he's at the edge of the balcony, back leaning against the painful railings. They're doing this. A serious topic with so much relevance in their lives. Take a deep breath in, then a deep breath out. This is okay. Deep is good. Deep means more knowledge, more truth... and more trust.
He trusts Roxas. And the other... trusts him just as much.
.
.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Give me an S! Then T! O! RY TIEM!
*shaking imaginary manly pompoms*
STORY TIEM!
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Okay so it was two and a half years ago since I made it yeah?
Had to do an assignment for art class. Pretty major project since it was my final year
the theme choices were of emotions. I decided to go for melancholy.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Everyone else chose to do easy ones like happy or angry so it was kinda just me not knowing what to do
So I RESEARCHED! Vroom vroom, got my thinking cap on, jumped into the bus of learning.
Then I stumbled upon the GREATEST IDEA EVUR!
ͩRoxas Strife (roxmysocks)
So, naturally I could have this person, and they're melancholic, but what about?
But everyone else is doing people and I'm not boring like that. VROOM! how about nature? Or something more unique that could "feel"?
I stared at my awesome self in the mirror, eyes on the choker I always wear and TADAA! Soulmates, body parts, words, clay, epic, deadline, BOOM!
Took out my paper and started drafting. Next thing I knew I was casting my and my best friend Xion's arms and legs and playing around with red strings and such
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
But to answer your question the reason I created it was because I wanted a more unique take on melancholy and I didn't want to just paint or sculpt a sad person or something. So I made them body parts! The words were obviously people's soulmate birthmarks OHOHO since a lot of my target audience seem to like that sort of thing. I've worked with clay for as long as I've learnt how to read. If I can create something this influential with only a few resources, maybe I should keep going with it?
Soulmates. They're such a big part of our lives... aren't they.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Tell me about it.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
It's just too bad that for such a big part of our lives, they haven't shown up for me yet. probably obvious huh since instead of bothering my non-existent partner for life, I'm messing with you instead. je suis pathétique.
So here's to crushing everyone's soulmate-finding dreams!
╮(￣ω￣;)╭
It's not all about fairytales and sparkles! Things can go wrong! Mistakes, confusion! The unbridled uncertainty taking over your optimistic pining self!
What they show in television are LIES!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Uhm
Are you alright, Roxas?
I'm... I'm sorry I brought it up...
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
...Huh? Yeah of course
Why wouldn't I be ︎('ω'︎ )
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
It's just that you're type-screaming
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Am I? So sorry
You know me
I say the crappiest things XD
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Do you... do you think about it much...
Soulmates, I mean.
We haven't really talked about it but
...you're right.
Things can go wrong and it's not just fairytales
I still haven't found mine either. Which is sort of why the sculpture you made was so intriguing then
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I wanted to know how you made it. It was as if, even though it was just a quick glance, I could feel the emotions from it, and it meant a lot to me.
Enough to inspire me, to make me do a double take and do a bit more research. Because I was really touched. By those smudged words, and the distorted limbs.
I felt as if... you knew exactly what I was going through — what every soul searcher is going through — and you felt it too...
You even captured it in an elegant piece of art, so no wonder it was well-received to make it all the way to an exhibition here. That's really awesome, Roxas.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
The best thing of all tbh is that said piece's amazing artist found me too and he and I are great, great friends╰(*'︶'*)╯
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Aww, shucks! I'm super flattered! Master roxmysocks and his sidekick SorLaLaLa
Friendship! FOREVER! Yay!
No, I don't really think about it HAHA
imo it's pointless to dwell on such ridiculous thoughts; I'd rather cuddle a dog achoo!
Allergies are way better than the future because you're aware of it LOL
and you can avoid it
All this soulmate mumbo-jumbo is totally not for me HAHA. And voilà. Look at me. I'm happy
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
I totally understand you. Really, I do. We're good with the way things are.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Ha ha. Not many people do. They're all, "well you should be looking for your soulmate, they're not gonna come find you themselves!" Cue in deSperate grandma accent waving her walking cane around LOL.
I appreciate that so much, Sora. Thank you.
(◞‸◟) And nuu, don't worry! The memelord will come save you from loneliness!
We can be soulmateless together! *carries you to paradise*
Curse Fate and Destiny! We'll carve our own path!
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Yay, Lord Roxas and I :3
That's not a bad combo at all.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Course it isn't! You can write, and I can sculpt! The Blondie and the Brunette, the serious soul and the meme master
We're so perfect for each other, you see?
We'll run away to the ends of the earth where destiny can't touch
Live together
Make memes
Of course there has to be internet because I'd die
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
LMFAO true
Do you, meme master Roxas, take yours truly, clumsy prince Sora, as your unlawfully unwedded soulmateless friend? XD
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
I do! C'mere, you! I WILL KISS YOU! Mwah!
Mwah!
Oh no, what is this feeling, this feeling in my chest?
My cheeks feel so warm. I want to do everything I can to protect you! To cherish you and make sure you are happy always! Make memories and give you presents and lots and lots of hugs! I feel like I've felt this way for you my whole life, even though we've never met...
Is this what they call
L
O
V
E
?
MWAAAH! Now we shall consummate our bond with memes
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Omg Roxas you freak ヽ('▽｀)/
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
You love me for it.
Oh we shall be so happy being soulmateless together, free from the capitalistic world and the norm of finding your fated one!
TOOMUCHEFFORT, HA!
NO ONE TO LOOK AT YOU PITEOUSLY BECAUSE YOU'RE STILL ALONE, YAY
NO HEART BREAKS TO SUFFER WHEN YOU GET THE WRONG PERSON
NO UNCERTAINTY
ͩRoxas Strife (roxmysocks)
NO JEALOUSY TOWARDS OTHER PEOPLE'S HAPPY LIVES AND RELATIONSHIPS
NO BULLYING AND CALLING YOU MUTE BECAUSE YOU WON'T TALK TO ANYONE ELSE
BECAUSE YOU'RE SCARED OF TRYING ONCE MORE
They think you can't hear their harsh words under their assumption that you are mute, and they say the most hurtful things! YOU'LL NEVER FIND YOUR SOULMATE, YOU CAN'T EVEN TALK, YOU CAN'T HEAR WHAT I'M SAYING, IT'S THAT FOREVER ALONE MUTE GUY. AHAHAHA :DDDDDD
And the harshest of them all: you do not deserve love. You're flawed, worthless, you try to prove yourself constantly but no one's falling for your tricks. After all, how could you deserve love when you can't feel it? Isn't it unfair? :DDD
IS IT YOUR FAULT? DID YOU ASK TO BE SO VULNERABLE, TO HAVE THIS INTENSE FEELING OF LONGING DEEP INSIDE AND IT HURTS BUT YOU CANNOT LET IT GO BECAUSE...
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Because you still... believe. Believe that one day you'll find the one they call "your soulmate", that they'll understand and love you unconditionally regardless of everything you've been through since you've been waiting your whole life for them and they are meant to be for you. You hide behind a façade of happiness because you're afraid that someone will see who you really are, an apathetic cynic. You killed your emotions over, and over, and over again, out of fear of falling. Even scrubbed out the words on your skin until it scars. To make them disappear. They really are what they are. Not a birthmark that determines your fate, but SCARS that you cannot get rid of.
You're terrified to get to close to someone. Because what if they don't understand... what if you hurt them... what if they don't like what they see...
Good things don't happen to flawed people like you.
You want to love. But... you. cant.
.
.
...Oh GOD.
Sora was not prepared for WHAT IN THE WORLD just happened. No amount of steeling himself prior to this conversation would have made him ready for his friend's response. He's biting down on his bottom lip, one hand clenched into a fist near his chest and, oh dear lord. Is it bad... that he feels... the same pain...? This is a difficult topic. Yes, it doesn't have to be difficult, but it is.
And here he thought he was the one suffering.
Idle fingers brush against the device screen, no memory of what to do. What the heck is he supposed to say? To think? Blue eyes wandering everywhere but at the phone in front of him as if it'll blur out the heavy words he'd just read but it won't. Because this is real.
This... is hurt.
.
.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
...
Roxas...
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Hmm?
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Roxas... (;Д;)
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
Oh HAHA whoops!
Nooo, I made my baby cry! Don't be sad, Sora! I was just joking around aiee
Sweetheart, it's alright! :DDD
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
What you just said... did that...
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
NO
NO
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
happen to you...?
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
NO
NO
NO
(๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) I took it too far! Don't worry!
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
The memelord needs to learn how to stop making up bullshit when it's time!
Sorry. I dunno what came over me.
All of a sudden I could just feel the fingers typing nonsense, you know?
PLEASE. Forget about them. Okay? (*˘︶˘*).｡.:* ❤︎
Promise me you will.
Sora Leonhart (SorLaLaLa)
Uhm, okay. I promise.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
It's like when you come up with an idea you think is brilliant but actually sucks when you start doing it
Me with most of my unfinished sculptures LOL
Guess that's my inspiration for most things. Heat of the moment lightbulbs.
Roxas Strife (roxmysocks)
But a brilliant, talented, inspirational person like you who bothers with a piece of trash like me deserves more. You will be happy, I believe it! With all the effort you put into a career you care about a lot, it just makes sense for you to be blessed with the nicest soulmate ever. Bit pointless to say it and heck you're probably tired of hearing it but you'll find them soon. Just wait a bit more, hmm?
Now I'm kind of jealous actually. Who dares steal my baby from meeeeeeee!
('༎ຶོρ༎ຶོ')
I'll whack 'em in the head if they treat you badly! WITH THE POWER OF MEMES
.
.
How can he simply forget such a thing? To think that there's a possibility Roxas went through that, because one who's been hurt can easily recognize whether or not someone else speaks from experience. What the heck is the proper response to said impromptu confession? How can he show the other that he understands?
The brown-haired teen is frowning so much that Kairi immediately knows what's up from the sound of his dreary footsteps. She turns around and finds him having left the balcony, sitting on their couch with his head bowed down. The girl has to call his name once or twice before he responds.
"Kairi... what the heck do you do when someone you care about's been through so much pain and you want so much to let them know that you're there..."
Abandoning her chore to give him an honest reply, she walks up to him and crouches, "Simply tell them, I'd say. You could do something nice, like maybe make them a card, or a drawing. You're the one with words, love. Tell them, from the bottom of your heart, that you will stick by them no matter what."
"I... I f-feel s-so— like, I need to do something... I feel his pain and it's incredibly hurtful because I KNOW and... h-he wants me to forget. But I... I just... I w-want him to be happy."
Sora doesn't even realize that a tear has escaped his eye until his oldest best friend sighs forlornly and wipes it from his cheek. Before she can call Riku over, he tugs on her hand and wordlessly gives her a hug; a quiet cry for support. She holds him in return. In that silent apartment the three young adults share, all Sora can wonder is why. Why does anyone have to deserve this sadness, when all everyone wants is to feel... that they're not alone.
To believe in a futile fated fairytale, even with prior knowledge of pain and suffering. This empathy and hurt... is too much.
Oh soulmates. How cruel you are.
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To be continued in Part II