Cheating Destiny

War

A/N: This chapter is mainly just Roxas and Zack buT IT'S FOR A GOOD REASON! Not because I'm obsessed with them or anything *nervous laugh*

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"And so, as the graceful gazelles continue to drink from the nearby pond, the lionesses watch in anticipation –"

"Turn it off! This is awful," you complain, shielding your eyes as you bury your face in your hands.

You and Roxas had managed to find an hour with nothing to do today, with Genesis being nice enough to give you a small break (after you begged all morning for some time off). The two of you decided to lounge around watching stupid shows like you used to. Unfortunately, he wanted to watch a special on lions.

"Aw c'mon, [Name]. They're just like Simba!" Roxas tells you, shaking your legs slightly.

You're in your favorite position – sprawled on the couch. As usual, Roxas was happy to sit beside you, allowing your legs to rest in his lap. It felt like so many years ago, when you lived in Twilight Town together and didn't have a care in the world beyond Seifer and homework. You'd never admit it to all of your new friends, but moments like these make you nostalgic for the way things used to be.

"Simba's a BOY, Rox," you finally point out, peering between your fingers as you look up at the blond. "I think you mean Nala. For lions, the WOMEN do all the work while the men sleep all day."

Roxas glances down at you, a small smile on his face. The carefree, happy expression on his face causes you to smile in return. It's like you're home.

"Do you remember," you begin, lolling your head to the side as you fully face Roxas, your head leaning against the pillow, "that time we explored the old mansion with Olette, Hayner, and Pence?"

"The time Hayner cried like a baby?" Roxas asks with a chuckle.

"And you held my hand to keep me from crying," you remember with a laugh, basking in his joy. "... I miss that."

"You miss that creepy old house?" Roxas teases with a raise of his eyebrows.

"No!" you retort, playfully reaching out and smacking his arm. He chuckles, rubbing his skin where your hand had touched as he continues to study you. "Just... life. Before this, you know?"

You sit up in one swift motion, resting a hand on Roxas' shoulder as you lean towards him. His hands stay resting on your legs, though he gets a confused look on his face as he watches you.

"Let's pretend we're still there," you decide with a grin, resting the side of your face on the couch cushion as you continue to stare up at the blond. "No prophecy, no Organization. Just us."

Roxas' confused look melts into one of genuine happiness. It makes your heart ache for the life you knew, before you found out the truth of the worlds. Before you found out that Roxas is a Nobody. Before you knew that you're destined to die because you met him.

"What do you think Seifer's up to now?" you ask, breaking the silence.

Roxas continues to look at you with a mixed expression, half adoration and half remorse. As happy – truly happy, heart or no heart – he is to have this time with you, all he can think of is the fate he's sentenced you to.

If he hadn't met you...

With a chuckle he pushes those thoughts aside. It's fruitless to live in a world of 'what ifs.' Whether you liked it or not, he loved you, and would do everything possible to keep you safe and happy.