fullbrings | (no subject)

[Great. A group project. Roxas is already irritated. It's not that he doesn't like being paired with his friends, it's that he winds up doing the most work. They know that despite not paying attention that he knows what's going on in class so it was an easy grade for them.

He feels the tug on his hoodie before his friend beside him can grab his arm, so Roxas turns around to look at Sora. Wasn't this guy just mad at him a moment before?]

Huh? Uh... Sure?

[He shoots his friend a quick glare when there's objection to it. That shuts the other guy up.]

I pair up with you all the time. Go do your own work. [With a huff, he turns back to Sora.] I can just turn my chair around once the teacher hands us the papers for the project.

[Will a smile make Sore less... whatever was going on earlier?]

[Sora barely even notices that the arguing friend exists. All Sora can focus on is how Roxas says Sure and picks him over everyone else in the class. His heart skips and sings and he grips his phone that is still in his hand tightly. He'll never forget this day! Roxas said yes and picked him! He smiles so warmly and there is a sparkle of happiness in his eyes.]

Thanks! I'm really glad, Roxas! We can work together and share all of the workload and we'll get the best grade in the entire class!

[Because no one is better than Roxas. He'll make sure they get the best grade. No matter what.

The teacher starts passing out papers and tells everyone to get together with their partners. Sora has to try not to fidget excitedly in his seat.]

[This is really a big change in attitude. The smile is so cute, attached to a cute boy, and maybe having a different partner than usual really wouldn't be such a bad thing. Plus, Sora seems really enthusiastic about getting it done.]

We don't need to aim for the best grade, just a passing one. It's not like this is a end of the year project.

[They'll still get a good grade no matter what because despite what Roxas says, he wants the best grade he can get.

He takes the paper handed to him and looks it over.] We can't get this done in one class period...

But with you and me working together we really could get the best grade in the class. You're really smart, Roxas. You're the best.

[Sora's cheeks feel warm. And he feels like he's about to float away with how happy he is to have Roxas as his work partner. He admires the blond so much because he always makes schoolwork seem like it's so effortless. He's perfect, really.

Sora takes his paper and reads it over too. It does look like a lot of work and it might take a few days.]

What should we do?

[Why is he being complimented like this???? Roxas swallows hard and looks down at the paper, feeling a blush creep onto his face. Even his ears are feeling hot, and he's glad his hair is messy for once.]

I'm not that great. I just study like we're supposed to. [Call him perfect to his face and he might die.] There's girls in our class that are way smarter than me.

[Might make better project partners, Sora.]

What are you good at? We can divide the project by strengths.

[Sora's eyes widen slightly when he notices Roxas' gentle blush and the way he seems to be containing something. It makes his heart do some crazy flips inside his chest and the elation he feels when Roxas reacts like that has Sora so hopeful. He feels a bit dizzy.]

No one's better than you are, Roxas. [Sora mutters this gently under his breath. He can't help but say so, though. He can't sit here and let Roxas say that there are girls smarter than him. It's not true. It's not. It's not. It's not true.

He fiddles with his paper and tries to pick out things he could be good at. He doesn't really know what to say at first. But he wants to impress Roxas more than anything in the entire world.]

Um... I'm good at researching things. I could find out about this and this. [He's pointing out things on the list. Honestly, he would take all of this work on himself so Roxas doesn't have to do anything but Roxas might think that strange...] And I'm good at planning out things. I could make the report layout.

[Why is he reacting this much? Likely because he doesn't know Sora. This is the kind of thing Roxas would shove his friends for, tell them to stop being liars, give them sarcastic replies. Sora was an unknown, so those things would probably be rude. He glances at Sora through his bangs. Did Sora say something?

Not that it's important. Sora was divvying up what they were supposed to be doing. Which...]

How about we split the research up since it's two parts? [That would make things easier for them both.] I don't mind writing the report. I'm pretty quick at it, and I've never failed a paper.

[Never failed a paper-- See? This is why Roxas is the smartest and the best. Sora smiles warmly, both impressed and excited. He nods quickly.]

Okay. Then I'll put the presentation together.

[That leaves the project work divided up well. He still doesn't notice that Roxas' other friend even exists. Right now all he cares about is watching Roxas and working on this project with him.]

We could work in the library? Or your house after school?

[Stop smiling like that, you're killing him!!!]

Do you know what kind you want to do? Powerpoint or a poster?

[Roxas isn't the greatest with computers, knowing how to use them enough to get by. Which meant surfing the internet and how to write up papers.

The question makes him think for a few moments.]

Might be easier at my house. The library's gonna be packed. It was yesterday. [Plus!!!] And I can't eat in the library. Studying while hungry is no good.

[It's not like Sora is any better with computers let alone Powerpoint. So he colours in the cheeks and sighs a little.]

I think I'll do a poster.

[But he quickly tries to dismiss that with a wave of his hand.]

Okay! Your house. What kind of snacks do you like?

[There might be a somewhat urgent look in Sora's eyes. Like he's suddenly really desperate to know what snacks Roxas likes. But he settles a bit and looks very curious.]

Poster would be easier to bring to school, and we wouldn't have to worry about a school computer not working... So that's probably the better idea.

[Because he wouldn't be able to help Sora at all. At least with a poster he's got arts and crafts stuff at his house.]

Huh? [Why would anyone care what kind of snacks Roxas likes?] Ice cream, I guess. And some chips. I don't mind sweet things, but salty is better. What about you?

[Sora is making mental notes about those things. It's a bit vague but Sora accepts those answers with a tiny nod. Then he shrugs, looking a little shy,]

Uh, I like those sorts of things too. I like fruit and stuff.

[He starts to fidget with his pen. He can't believe he's going to be working with Roxas on a project in his house. This is actually going to happen?? Sora can't get his heart to stop pounding.]

[Not too vague. A look inside Roxas' freezer will give a clue that he's just a huge fan of salty sweet. All he's got is sea salt ice cream.]

Fruit? Like strawberries? I got some of those at my place.

[Part of a "balanced" diet was keeping fruits and vegetables around. Not that he really eats them himself. Unless he has to.]

Should I get your number? I don't know if we have any other classes together today and we can text each other when our last class gets out.

[Sora's eyes widen and for a moment he just stares at Roxas. All the things he just said make Sora's head feel so light he thinks he might faint. Roxas picks out his favourite fruit like he already knew what it was. And then asks for his number and says they can text each other.

He is immediately thinking that they're meant for each other. That Roxas truly is the one person for him forever and always. ~~you're never getting rid of him now roxas~~ He'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way.]

Y-yeah! It's um... [Sora rattles off his number.] I'll make sure to keep in touch. I promise.

[It's really good that Roxas doesn't catch any of this. He's busy getting his phone out so he can enter Sora's number in, trying or the life of him to remember the others name. For now he just puts in "Cute guy in class" until he figures it out by asking someone else in class. Seems a little rude to ask your partner in a project what their name is...

He texts Sora a cat face and nods.]

Please? My last class of the day is gym and I just wanna sleep after, so texting me would help a lot. I might not remember otherwise.

[If texting Roxas is going to help him a lot then how can Sora refuse? Sora smiles and blushes softly at the first received text and returns it with another tiny cat emoji.]

Don't worry, I won't let you forget about me. [He laughs gently, trying to seem like he's teasing. But he's really not---

Class will go about as expected after that. Sora occasionally sending Roxas a few more emojis and such. He is still nervous about what to say to Roxas and his heart is all over the place for it but this is really a fantastic day for him.

When the bell rings for next period Sora can't help but whisper to Roxas before they shuffle out of class.]

Thanks, by the way. For picking me to be your partner. I'll see you soon!

[Ahhhh that's such a cute emoji. Roxas has a blush of his own that pops up at it. He loves animals so much... Nodding, he gives Sora a smile before he has to turn back around for the rest of the lesson.

The occasional emojis are adorable, if a little distracting. He'll reply to them with emojis of his own, because getting along with a project partner is key.

He jumps a little at the whisper seeing how everyone else was loud around them.]

Y-Yeah. I'll see you later. [Why does this feel more like meeting for something other than a project after school? Roxas tries not to think like that as he goes on with his other classes, trying his best to concentrate on them, and making sure to ask someone what the heck Sora's name is before the day ends.]

[Sora has a hard time sitting through his classes as well. His head is everything Roxas from the way he smiled at Sora today to the way his cheeks got pink and the things he said to Sora. He's in a daydreamy daze for most of his classes drawing doodles of Roxas' face and his name all over his books and papers... Sigh...

As soon as last period comes around Sora spends most of it texting Roxas. While he knows the blond is in gym class he decides to just spam him with many...many... emojis.]

ㅇㅅㅇ;; Hi, it's Sora!

(=‘ｘ‘=)

(^･ｪ･^) I hope gym is fun!!

(≧▽≦)

⌒(・x・)⌒ This one is a bunny.

(✿╹◡╹)

ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ I think this one is a bear!

(⊃‿⊂) I'm really looking forward to working on our project together!!

(ง •̀ω•́)ง✧ Are you going to be done class soon?

Please reply, okay?? (人ゝω・）

[And the messages continue like that for a while.]

[Sora will find no reply coming his way, or a mark that his messages have been read. Why?

Congrats, Sora, you ran Roxas' phone out of energy and it's dead. So the blond is standing at the front of the school and waiting to see if Sora will come by. Being short was not helping, so he climbs onto the fence and sits up there to spot the brunette. There's a well up of anxiety for not being able to text the other he's out of class, and he really hopes this doesn't reflect badly onto their project.

Please don't be mad he didn't see your messages...]

Sora!

[The longer that Roxas doesn't reply the more desperate that Sora feels. He texts more and more with frantic fingers but alas no messages get returned. He's frightened more than anything.]

Roxas, please... Please answer me...

[He's still looking down at his phone as he wanders out of the school. Fingers white as he grips the item.

But as soon as he hears his name Sora's head snaps up.] Roxas? [Spotting the boy on the fence Sora's woe seems to completely evaporate and he runs up to the fence.]

Roxas! You're still here!

[The fence was definitely a good idea. Roxas jumps down, heading towards Sora with a sheepish expression.]

Sorry. My phone died... I think I forgot to shut an app off an it killed the battery.

[Wouldn't be the first time. Won't be the last. He could be forgetful about some things when in a hurry or gets distracted. Hopefully Sora is understanding of this.]

You ready to go? I don't live far from here, so we can walk.

[Sora can't help it when he reaches out to take Roxas' hand. He squeezes it tightly.]

Sorry- I thought... I thought you hated me or something.

[He's blushing with embarrassment but his heart has hated that feeling so much. Don't ignore him. Even if by accident.]

[Heart stuttering, Roxas feels his cheeks growing red when Sora grabs his hand. He's acutely aware that some students walking by are staring at them as they walk by. Usually he doesn't listen to rumors, but part of him is curious about which ones will come from this.

He shakes his head after a minute of silence.]

I don't hate you. [Squeezing Sora's hand in return, Roxas watches the other's face.] You haven't done anything to make me even think about hating you. It was just an accident.

[The warmth of Roxas' hand in his is like holding the sun. He can feel the pulse there like musical rhythm. If Roxas is worried about people watching Sora doesn't even think the world around them exists. Just Roxas. Just Sora. He leans a bit closer, nose coming fairly close to Roxas' nose.]

Okay. As long as it was an accident.

[And with that Sora leans back and with Roxas' hand in his still starts for the sidewalk towards Roxas' street! ... Like he already knows where he's going--]

Let's get started on the project as soon as we can!

[So close!!! Roxas can see how thick Sora's eyelashes were, the blueness of those eyes, and a lot more. Sora was definitely cute. But so close.]

I-It was.

[He can breathe with Sora backing away. Ugh... Why had he never noticed someone so adorable in class before?

He blinks as Sora leads him along.]

Do you live this way, too?