Writer's Corner: This is my first time writing a Terra x Aqua fanfiction. So I do hope you enjoy! I know that in actual canon it's Aqua who becomes the keyblade master but….it's fanfiction for a reason. xD A big shout out to my beta reader Tsume! Thanks hun!

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ρ α ş τ — ρ ѓ ε ş ε η т — ғ υ т υ ѓ ε

a Terra/Aqua collection

by

P h o e b e N o i r

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They were always friends, from the moment they entered the academy and were sorted into their classes...sort of. When they first met, they didn't pay attention to one another. Aqua hung around with the few girls that were there, whereas Terra was off in a corner isolating himself from everyone else.

The first time they actually spoke to one another was in the middle of a sparring session, when they were picked by the teacher to fight one another. It was a way to get the girls and the boys talking to one another. What was supposed to be a learning exercise turned into a battle of the sexes. The boys cheered for the brown-haired youth and the girls for their blue-haired companion.

Their wooden swords (they were far too young and inexperienced to practice with real weapons) clashed against one another. Beads of sweat gathered around their foreheads. Their swords locked, with each fighter trying to break the other's stance. The wood began to groan until the 'blades' were broken, but that didn't stop either of them. They tossed aside their broken weapons to finish the 'battle'.

"You're going down!"

"Right after you, sweet heart!"

Aqua pulled on Terra's hair, which was much longer than hers, where Terra headbutted Aqua. They continued to fight against one another with their fists until they were pried apart.

Both children were panting. Their knuckles were red from hitting bone and flesh. Aqua's lower lip was bruised, but in her hands she had a chunk of brown hair—a trophy of sorts that made the lip bruise all worth it. Terra made off with a black eye and a bruised shin.

Their eyes were locked on one another, still sizing the other up. That is until Aqua's death glare gave way to a softer look and she flashed him a small smile. Though she was in pain from that punch to the mouth, she still was able to admit Terra was a good fighter.

Terra was taken back by the smile but realized the meaning behind it. He nodded his head slightly, acknowledging that she was a decent fighter herself.

A week later, after their injuries were fully healed, they met again on the sparring field in the dead of night. They didn't introduce themselves to the other. They merely took their stances with their wooden weapons and lunged for each other. Their actions and hits would speak far louder than any words could.

Over time they developed a close bond well into their teen years.

At lunch Aqua would quietly make her way over to Terra's spot and sit down next to him. Occasionally they would talk about who they thought was improving in their class, but mostly they sat in silence, merely enjoying the other's company with Aqua offering Terra bits and pieces of her lunch.

There were times when Terra would slow his pace down long enough for Aqua to catch up with him as they walked to class or he would stop in the middle of a spar to fix Aqua's stance. The times he purposefully sought Aqua out was when he felt something wrong with his best friend.

There was one day, after a long and boring lecture from one of their teachers, he saw her quickly exit class. He kept his cool composure as he gathered his belongings and left. He waited outside the girl's bathroom, knowing Aqua had gone there. Though it took more than an hour for the blue-haired girl to come out, he didn't complain.

He clenched his fists when he saw her emerge from the bathroom with red, puffy eyes. His eyes sought hers, silently asking her what happened. Aqua said nothing as she threw her arms around him, embracing him in a tight hug. At first Terra was stunned, but he gradually came out from his stupor to wrap his arms around her, comforting her as best he could.

Seeing Aqua cry made his heart ache. He felt helpless to stop the tears rolling down her face. Eventually she stopped crying; she put on a brave smile and told him that it was no big deal. Terra didn't press on, knowing she would tell him in time what happened.

They were always there for one another, through the good times and the horrible ones. They continued to push one another to excel, to be the best so they could obtain the title of Master. They were so close to their dreams until they learned only one of them would advance. They looked at one another. Their eyes told the other it would be a challenge, but in that same look they cheered for each other.

The night before the exam, they went to the old sparring ring where they first met.

"Nervous about tomorrow?" Aqua asked as she sat down on the grass, looking up at the twinkling stars in the sky.

"No. You?" Terra replied, opting to stay standing. His eyes looked over to the spot where they used to fight. He replayed the many battles the two had had. Those days of sparring late into the night seemed so far away now.

"A little...but, promise not to go easy on me tomorrow?" Aqua teased. Terra only scoffed and offered a hand to help her get back up.

She placed her hand in his, finding comfort in his touch as he yanked her up to her feet before releasing her hand. The two walked back to their rooms in perfect silence with their hands occasionally brushing against the other.

When morning came, they readied themselves for the final exam. They met each other on the battlefield, ignoring the crowd that had gathered. They locked eyes and got into their stances before their master told them to begin.

Neither Terra or Aqua moved for the first few moments. They were sizing up their opponent, trying to guess their first move.

Aqua was the first the break the silence, calling out, "Blizzaga!" She sent a wave of ice crystals at Terra as she jumped back. Terra charged ahead, casting Aeroga. Wind surrounded his body, flinging off the ice shards. He lunged at Aqua and there their dance began. Their keyblades clashed against each other with a resonating sound. It was a familiar tune both knew so well.

Like all dances, theirs came to an end—with Aqua on the ground and her keyblade a few feet away from her. There was a scratch on her cheek as she looked up with narrowed eyes at Terra. His keyblade was in front of her, but she didn't care. She still held her head high, challenging him to finish the battle. Instead he drew his weapon back and walked up to her, offering his hand.

Aqua took his hand in hers and like the night before he pulled her to her feet. As he looked into her eyes there was no hate or jealousy. Her eyes had softened to show pride and joy. She was happy for him.

"Don't get cocky now, Master Terra," she teased with a smile on his face.

"I can't make any promises," he shot right back, his own intense stare giving way to a softer one.

"Ha ha. Now go on and claim your prize. You earned it."

Terra looked over to their master waiting in the stands for a moment before glancing down at his friend. Without saying another word, he lowered his head to kiss her.

He was only following orders.

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Please review and let me know what you think!