New Memories
After dropping Terra off at home and saying goodbye to Aqua, Axel and Riku walked together through the quiet streets of the city.
“Why do you want me to come over?” Riku asked, staring ahead as they walked.
Axel rested both hands behind his head.
“Xion’s making pizza tonight.” He glanced briefly at Riku. “Kairi and Naminé are there too. She invited you and Sora.”
“I see...” Riku looked up at the night sky. “Sora didn’t go?”
“No idea. I was already leaving, so I didn’t ask.” Axel shrugged. “You didn’t get the invitation, huh?”
“I got back from my trip today.”
Riku glanced toward the redhead.
“How are Roxas and Xion doing? I never really had the chance to ask after everything.”
A small smile crossed Axel’s face.
“They’re doing good... honestly, a lot happened.”
“How so?”
Axel stared at the sky for a few quiet seconds before answering.
“Ever since Roxas and Xion came back... and we got our memories of them back too... things just got better. Hard to explain.”
Riku watched him silently. There was something genuine in Axel’s voice. A quiet kind of happiness.
“And then, with time... no Organization, no battles... just normal days...” Axel smiled faintly. “They started dating.”
“I understand.” Riku slipped his hands into his pockets. “They were always close. They must’ve been happy.”
“They’re not together anymore.”
Riku finally looked at Axel, surprised.
“I know, I know. Sounds weird.” Axel laughed softly. “But don’t forget — we were Nobodies. We didn’t really understand hearts... When we came back, we got the chance to figure out who we actually are.”
Riku’s expression softened slowly.
“It hurt Xion a lot,” Axel continued quietly.
“And Roxas too.”
Axel slid his hands into his coat pockets.
“But with this new life... they changed. Especially Xion. I think she matured faster.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s always trying new things now. Cooking, visiting places, reading...” Axel let out a small laugh. “She even started keeping a journal.”
Riku looked genuinely surprised.
“That’s... a good way to treasure her memories.”
“It is.” Axel smiled. “But the biggest change was her independence.”
“Independence?”
Axel glanced briefly at him before looking back ahead.
“As for Roxas... he changed too. But he still clings to certain things. Still kind of short-tempered sometimes.” Axel smirked faintly. “Though he’s gotten a lot better since he and Naminé got together.”
Riku blinked slowly.
“Wow...”
“Yeah.”
“What happened between him and Xion?”
Axel sighed.
“I think they realized what they felt was more youthful than truly deep. And as Xion became more independent... friction started showing up.”
He smiled faintly.
“But nothing ruined their friendship. It was more like they both realized... they weren’t really moving in the same direction anymore.”
Riku stayed quiet for a moment.
“Roxas is lucky Naminé’s there for him.”
“There’s no better person for Naminé either,” Riku said softly, closing his eyes for a brief moment.
Axel suddenly smirked.
“Hey, Riku... you’re single, right?”
Riku raised an eyebrow.
“What are you getting at?”
“Tell me something.” Axel looked sideways at him. “Ever thought about trying something with Xion?”
Riku froze for a second.
Me...?
The memory of their first meeting crossed his mind.
Fake.
That word still weighed heavily in his chest.
“She deserves someone better, Axel.”
“What do you mean?”
Riku looked away.
“She never told you how we met?”
Axel let out a quiet laugh through his nose.
“Ah... so that’s it.”
Riku stayed silent.
“You’re forgetting something too.”
“What?”
“The beach conversation.”
Silence settled between them.
Riku stared ahead again.
“She asked about you a few times whenever Kairi visited us.”
Riku didn’t answer.
“In fact...” Axel smiled lightly. “She asked Naminé to protect that memory.”
Riku’s steps slowed slightly.
Why that conversation...?
Axel exhaled quietly.
“Me and Roxas always tried to protect Xion... but I don’t think we ever gave her space to choose for herself.”
Riku slowly lifted his eyes.
“You did that on that beach.” Axel smiled faintly. “It was probably the first time someone treated her like a person capable of choosing her own path.”
Riku felt his chest tighten.
“Even after calling her fake... in the end, you treated her more like a real person than most people did.”
Riku looked away.
•••
When they reached the house, Riku could already hear voices and laughter coming from inside.
He stared at the door quietly.
Axel rested a hand on his shoulder.
“You and I made some serious mistakes.” Axel looked toward the door with a calm smile. “But after regretting something... we also have to give ourselves the chance to fix it.”
He walked toward the entrance.
“I’m rooting for you.”
Riku let out a small laugh.
“Well... we’re already here.”
He scratched the back of his neck.
Axel grinned.
•••
Inside the house, Naminé and Roxas were setting the table while Kairi helped Xion place pizzas into the oven.
“Axel’s late...” Xion murmured while checking the time on her phone.
“He’s probably on his way back,” Kairi replied.
“We should just start without him.” Roxas placed the last plate on the table. “I’m starving.”
Naminé laughed softly.
“You and your stomach...”
“I’m calling him.” Xion started dialing.
At that exact moment, the door opened.
“Hey! Told you I’d make it back in time! Got it memorized?”
Axel walked in smiling.
“Barely,” Xion replied with a grin.
Then she noticed someone standing behind him.
Her expression faltered slightly.
Axel pulled Riku inside.
“Look who I found wandering around.”
Riku lifted one hand awkwardly.
“Hey.”
Xion’s eyes widened a little.
“Riku?” Kairi approached first. “You got back today?”
“Yeah.”
Riku stepped inside while Axel closed the door.
“Sorry... I never got the chance to give you the invitation.”
“It’s fine.” Riku smiled lightly. “Where’s Sora?”
He greeted Roxas.
“How’ve you been?”
“Doing good.”
“Sora decided to stay on the islands with Donald and Goofy.” Kairi crossed her arms.
Riku laughed quietly.
“So... eternal vacation.”
“You know Sora.” Kairi shrugged.
Riku then looked toward Naminé.
“And you? How’s adapting to the realm going?”
“It’s been going really well. Thanks to Roxas.”
“Oh? Then you’re in good hands.”
Roxas awkwardly looked away.
Axel leaned against the wall with crossed arms, quietly observing everything.
Full house...
Then Riku finally approached Xion.
The two stayed silent for a few seconds.
The smell coming from the oven caught his attention.
“You made these?”
Xion smiled.
“Yeah. I thought it’d be nice tonight.”
She held his gaze for a moment.
“It’s good to keep learning new things.”
The oven beeped.
“I think they’re done.”
“I’ll help.”
Riku stepped closer beside her.
“Everybody to the table!” Kairi announced.
•••
“This is REALLY good!” Axel said excitedly.
The table slowly filled with conversation, laughter, and scattered comments.
Between conversations, Riku and Xion exchanged small, subtle glances.
Neither of them could hold eye contact for very long.
“So...” Roxas swallowed another bite. “How did you guys run into each other?”
“We were with Terra,” Axel answered.
“Terra?” Naminé asked.
“Yeah.” Riku grabbed another slice of pizza.
“Mission?” Kairi asked.
“Not exactly.”
“You should’ve invited Terra, Aqua, and Ventus too,” Xion commented. “There’s still enough ingredients to make more.”
Axel finished his drink.
“Terra stayed behind helping Aqua. She caught a cold. He was also helping Ventus study.”
“Lucky...” Kairi pouted slightly.
Riku laughed softly.
“One day Sora will reach that level.”
Everyone laughed.
“Man...” Roxas covered his mouth slightly. “This pizza’s got some serious spice.”
Xion laughed under her breath.
“Sorry. I thought it’d taste better that way.”
“It’s great.” Naminé smiled warmly. “We should do this more often.”
“Speaking of that...” Kairi looked at Xion. “We’re planning a party on the islands.”
“You’re officially invited.”
“I’d love to come.”
“You guys are invited too.”
“Wow, thought you weren’t gonna invite us,” Axel teased.
Kairi stuck her tongue out at him.
“It’ll be fun,” Riku said quietly.
“No missions or trips that day, okay?” Kairi warned.
Riku widened his eyes slightly.
“She’s right.” Xion smiled at him. “You should spend more time with your friends.”
“You’ve been distant lately,” Naminé added.
“You take the realm too seriously,” Roxas commented.
Axel smirked.
“Just don’t use Roxas as an example. For him, skating all day already counts as living.”
“Hey!”
Everyone laughed again.
“Speaking of which, Roxas...” Xion raised an eyebrow. “Today was your turn to mow the lawn.”
“I was helping Naminé with magic lessons!”
“It’s true,” Naminé confirmed with a smile.
“Magic’s never been your thing,” Axel teased.
“I’ve got surprises.”
Riku wiped his mouth and noticed everyone had already finished eating.
“Well... dishes are on me.”
“I’ll dry them,” Xion said immediately.
“You don’t have to,” Kairi replied. “You already made dinner.”
“Let them.” Axel answered instantly.
Xion gave him a suspicious look.
Axel only smiled.
Riku pretended not to notice.
He quietly gathered the dishes, cups, and silverware, careful not to interrupt the conversation at the table.
Once he reached the sink, the voices behind him became quieter.
The silence there felt comfortable.
Riku rolled up his sleeves and started washing the dishes.
A moment later, he caught the faint scent of perfume nearby.
Xion stood beside him, cloth in hand, ready to dry the plates.
The two worked in silence.
Riku hated admitting it, but there was a small knot in his stomach.
Not anxiety.
Not embarrassment.
It had simply been a very long time.
And he didn’t really know how to talk to her anymore.
For a while, they avoided looking at each other.
Until eventually, their eyes met for a brief second.
“So...” Xion started.
“The pizza was really good.”
Riku spoke first.
He smiled gently.
I’m not running away this time.
“Was this your first attempt?”
Xion held the plate she was drying.
“No. I’ve been practicing for a while now.”
She placed the plate away.
“I see.”
Riku handed her another one.
“You were about to say something earlier. I interrupted you.”
“It’s okay.” Xion briefly looked away. “It’s just... it’s been a really long time since we actually talked.”
She let out a small, contained laugh.
“And I don’t think either of us really knows where to start.”
Riku laughed quietly.
“So I’ve been found out.”
Xion laughed too.
“Looks like we’re both struggling.”
The silence returned, but this time it felt lighter.
Riku finished washing the last few dishes.
Xion quietly placed the glasses back into the cabinet.
“I’m happy.”
She turned toward him.
“That’s good.”
Riku slowly dried his hands.
“I’m happy to see you doing well.”
He held her gaze.
“Living... without being tormented anymore.”
Xion froze slightly.
“Getting my memories of you back...” Riku continued softly, “was something priceless.”
She lowered her eyes briefly.
“Riku...”
He washed the last plate and handed it to her.
Their fingers brushed for a brief moment.
Silence returned again.
But this time it felt different.
More intimate.
More honest.
“If you’d allow me...”
Xion looked back up.
“Allow what?”
Riku took a slow breath.
“I’d like to make new memories with you.”
She stared at him in surprise.
“Was that a confession?”
Riku laughed quietly.
“I think it’s too early for that.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets.
“What I mean is... I’d like to know you better.”
His expression softened.
“I want to know who Xion really is.”
That caught her completely off guard.
She lowered her eyes for a second, hiding a small smile.
“Did Axel convince you to do this?”
“Well...” Riku scratched the back of his neck. “If I said he had nothing to do with it, I’d be lying.”
Then he smiled faintly.
“But this request is mine.”
Xion studied him silently.
“You don’t have to do this out of guilt.”
“It’s not guilt.”
The answer came firmly.
“That wouldn’t be fair to you.”
Riku held her gaze.
“I genuinely mean this.”
Xion stayed quiet for a few seconds.
Then she smiled.
“Okay.”
She extended her hand toward him.
“I choose to give you that opportunity.”
Riku took her hand.
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
“I think this could become an interesting adventure.”
Xion laughed softly.
Her eyes shimmered gently.
“I thought I’d never see you again.”
Riku tilted his head slightly.
“I think there’s still more for us to know about each other... beyond that beach.”
Xion’s smile softened.
“Then... I’m glad I came back.”
The two remained there, quietly looking at one another.
And for the first time in a very long time...
it didn’t hurt anymore.