Can you hear me? Karuday Pt. I

Title: Can you hear me
Fandom: Kingdom Hearts
Setting: Random setting post KHII
Characters: Roxas, Naminé
Summary: She thought her voice couldn't reach him, that is, until she realized he never stopped calling out her name.
Romance: Yes...  not quite how you'd expect it, though.

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It wasn't fair.
True, the girl was used to unhappiness. From the day she was born into the world, she was taught it was a cruel one. Found it to be unforgiving and vindictive, and understood before long the true depth of despair one could be thrown into. She rarely had the chance to smile, not really, and the precious few things she was ever allowed to call her own she gave up on for the sake of the people she cared for.
So really, when she got her hopes up, felt her heart beating in her chest and for a moment, just an instant thought this might work out, she should've known better.

Because really, when did anything ever work out in Naminé's favor?

Regardless, when she came to and realized she was for a change herself and not the redheaded girl she was dormant inside, she couldn't quite help herself from feeling excited. Her heart was pounding and butterflies were let loose in her stomach. She was there, on her own, and despite the reasons behind it she knew she had only a short while left. She knew she had to act and do so fast least she lost that chance.
She also knew he wouldn't quite remember her, but that too was alright – she promised to remind him, after all. When they met each other next, when the time was right. When remembering her wouldn't end up being his downfall.
That was such a time, she knew - she hoped, at least, and rushed to where she knew she'd find him - hoped so, at least. She was smiling like never before, her heart pounding, making the blood rush through her entire body. She couldn't contain her excitement any more so she ran faster, faster, no matter how many times she tripped.
The door - unlocked, she didn't even bother knocking on it as she burst into the room. She filled her lungs with air, parted her lips -

"So-!"

And cursed the world with every fiber of her being.

It was the same face alright, there was no doubt in her about that. The room - the right one, the boy even being there was proof enough of that. But that was where it all came down crashing.
The hair was different, in color and shape both. The look in his eyes was not what she expected, the warmth there at seeing here born from different reasons. And his smile, oh, his smile; she didn't think it'd be a carefree one. She did, however, hoped for it to be a bit brighter despite it all. Because that was always how she remembered Sora - bright, and strong, and good.
It wasn't that she disliked this boy who came from the same darkness as she, but when Naminé came face to face with Roxas instead, she couldn't help but feel that the world truly was unfair.

He was happy to see her; she was too and it was no lie.
He worried she might've disappeared on him; she was, too, even though she knew better.
And still - what's wrong, he asked, seeing her trembling and holding onto the edges of Kairi's dress.
She bit onto her lower lip and closed her eyes. It wasn't that she never felt anything before, even if she wasn't supposed to. But now that she had a heart to feel with, even if it wasn't her own, it was harder to hold anything back - impossible even.
Why else would she have so easily gave in, snapped - after holding herself together through much worse?
That was it, without a doubt, she knew; that, and -

"I just..." She gasped, not wanting to say it. It would hurt him, no doubt. Such a painful thing to say... but she also couldn't deprive him of it, the cruel honesty she always showed.
"I just wanted to see him again..."

It was rare for her to ask anything for herself, that much he knew full well. For her to admit to that, to him of all people, truly was something unimaginably harsh. But for the life of him, he couldn't bring himself to blame or resent her.
If he was in her position and the friends he wanted to see were gone, replaced by someone else... would he have been able to even look those people in the eye, as dear to him as they might've been?
No, he couldn't blame her, and as he watched her shivering, struggling to hold the tears in, he understood well why.
It didn't matter right then that he wasn't who she wanted to see, or even that those weren't his own emotions. He imposed enough on Sora at the time to know how he owed him at least that much.
At least, to not let her cry anymore.

A gasp tore through Naminé's lips and her eyes snapped open when he pulled her into his arms. It felt warm there, safe, and as he ran his hand over her hair, she knew why and felt like crying all over again.

"Ssh... there, can you hear it? Right there?" He asked and used his hold over her as well as the height difference to guide her ear to rest against his chest.
"I'm sure you can, loud and clear. Can't you, Naminé?" Roxas urged the girl gently and felt the heart beating in his chest at once both clench and expand when she finally reached her arms to wrap around his waist.

"See? He's there. He's right there. So please don't cry."
A loud sniffle and a nod were her response, both to that question as well as that soft, unspoken one she felt beating against her cheek.

~Can you hear me?~