Lapis Lazuli
Opening Note: Because I keep writing AU stuff. This will be a threeshot, written first from Kairi's POV, then from Riku's, and then Sora's. Okay. Not first person POV, or third. A weird kind of second, actually. Whatever.
Discalimer: noun (law) a voluntary repudiation of a person's legal claim to something. I claim no legal ownership to Kingdom Hearts. Blah, blah, blah. The characters belong to SquareEnix. But you know what? I don't want a legal claim. Because if I did, I'd have to have Sora fall in love with Kairi. So I'm content sitting here, twisting and manipulating.
Dedication: For all the authors on my favorites list, and for all those who have me on theirs.
I. Kairi
You watch him, warmed by that cool pacific lapis lazuli. How good it feels to see those eyes again after so long. So long. You reach out and take his hand, delighted when he squeezes yours gently. A sign of affection, for sure. He smiles, and you both turn to watch the sunset. You remember that time... when you said, "Don't ever change". But he has. He's grown out of his awkwardness, even though he still has that radiant innocence about him. You know that he's so much wiser now.
But even though he's wiser, even though he claims to know the ways of the heart, you know it isn't true. Ansem the Wise died still not fully understanding the power of a heart, and even Sora is still a few steps away from grasping it. He kisses you lightly on the cheek and you're happy. But you know it doesn't man anything. You know that "I'm so glad I found you, Kairi..." and "We'll be together every day" are words and promises that pale in comparison to the unspoken glances and the heated promises you know he shares with his best friend. Sora pays attention to you, runs his fingers through your dark auburn red hair, holds you. But there is much more intimacy in the way he leans against the paopu tree and looks up into Riku's sea hued eyes.
"Sora...?"
"Yeah, Kairi?" he asks, looking over at you, looking away from the riot of color that is the sunset.
"I'm glad you're back. Both of you."
"So am I." He smiles, breathes in the warm air once before it starts to cool, red and violet and gold bleeding away, dark blues and velvet black dominating the skies. He leans over to you and you close your eyes, hesitate, and move enough so that his lips touch your cheek instead.
"Kairi..." he looks almost disappointed, almost confused. But you can't tell in the coming dark.
"You came back, Sora. You came home. That's all I need. And for you to be happy." You find yourself choking on the words. Destiny is cruel.
"I came back to you," he insists, but you hear the note of determination in his voice, know that he's trying to convince himself, as well.
"You came back to the island," you correct him. "Because this is your world. Because you belong here."
"Kairi... I lo –'' you shake your head, stopping him, and he trails off. In the moonlight you can almost see relief on his face. You're only hurt for a moment. He's starting to see it now, isn't he?
"I know you mean it. But you don't mean it that way."
He nods.
"We'll always be a part of each other, Sora. Roxas and Namine... they'll always be together as long as we are. But..."
"Our friendship is strong."
"Yes."
He kisses you again, embraces you like a friend, not as a young man trying to convince himself that he has to love you the way a man should love a woman. He pulls you up, and together you walk down the beach.
"I knew it when you cried," you say at last, when you've reached your boats.
"I was so happy," he replies, carefully undoing the knot of rope.
"So was he, Sora. I felt it between you two. So powerful I almost pulled away. But so beautiful."
"The force of destiny, right?" he laughs, half in mirth and half in bitterness.
"You can't deny it."
He sighs. "I know. But how..." he trails off, looks up at the stars.
"You love him." He doesn't flinch.
"It doesn't bother you?" he asks. "You don't think it's wrong to..."
You smile, amused by the bewildered look on his face. "It hurt me a little," you admit, and step back when he comes forward, shake you heard. "It doesn't so much anymore. And it won't ever again once you're happy. Both of you."
"I'm scared."
You stare at him, barely able to see that deepness in his eyes. "You fought... Sora, you fought Heartless. And Xemnas. You went through all of that."
"I was scared then, too."
"But how did you feel after?" you ask, knowing he can't escape this. Because you know the answer before he even says it.
"...Relieved. Happy. Light."
You nod, take his hand. "Just think of that, then. When you talk to him."
"..."
"You're going to talk to him." You say it as a statement. Not as a question, not as a demand.
"Yeah..."
"Don't be afraid," you say, and the words echo in the dark. The stars are bright tonight. He pushes his boat out a little and the quiet waves catch it. He picks up an oar and steadies it. The row back is short and mostly quiet, though you try teasing him a little to lighten the mood.
"Which one of you would wear the pants in your relationship, I wonder?" you ask innocently.
"Kairi!" he protests.
"Admit it, you want him to dominate you."
"Kairi!" he slaps his oar and a mild splash wets your lap. By the time you get to shore you're both damp. He looks wistful as he ties his boat up, then helps you with yours.
"What?" you ask, poking him and grinning. Already the hurt has lessened considerably.
"I was just wondering what it would be like..." he shrugs. By the light of dock you can see he's blushing a little bit.
"Don't finish that sentence," you warn him. He grins. "Bad Sora." But you smile and push him gently, stand on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. He smiles, hugs you, picking you up and spinning you around once. It almost hurts again. Just a little. But then you think of Sora and Riku, leaning against the paopu tree, not afraid to look at one another, and you don't care.
- The Writer
