Sora stood under the lanterns in Corona, not quite knowing what to think.

He was finally meeting with Kairi again, after a year—and in doing so on this dream date, it was everything he'd ever hoped it would be—but now that Sora was waiting for her to meet him, he was beginning to fear… how was he ever going to make this everything it was destined to be? Everything he needed it to be for her?

"Sora!" Kairi exclaimed—much like the young girl version of her that he'd first fallen in love with— "…You're sure lost in thought, during what's supposed to be a happy occasion! C'mon! Let's get rid of those feelings!"

She was certainly right…. And if Kairi had given Sora a moment to get himself together—instead of diving right into the heart of the issue—he might have been able to please her more… but he hadn't.

But as someone who had learned to not take things fore granted, he decided to let his lack of self—and Kairi finding it—go.

If it was for Kairi, Sora would do anything. Especially since his heart still felt like his days with her were numbered:

Not exactly a sobering thought.

…But if there was anything that got Sora now to where Kairi already was, it was her look!

Kairi's hair was longer again—even lengthier than it had been in the first year she'd waited for him—which was kind of surprising, because Sora for sure had thought that she'd keep it short…

Sora had even thought he preferred it that way… but since some of their best memories were of when she had lengthy tresses, Sora found himself falling more and more in love with this look and thinking it was for the best.

Kairi's outfit, however, was a lot like what she'd worn in their time together before the Night of Fate: A white tank top—or was tube top more correct here?—and a brown skort!

It made Sora happy to see the brown… Because even though Sora knew Kairi could sometimes get out of the pinks she now adored, she'd always stay close to it: And this for was almost touching the salmon or rose color that she loved.

But it was also close to the violet from back in the day: the near violet he'd seen of her heart for the world to see, when Xehanort had- when Xehanort had struck her down.

And as painful as it was for Sora to see that shade again, it also reminded him of a time before they lived their lives that way and when he was at home.

…And here with her again, he was.

That truth had really hit him just now—when it had seemed to the beaming Kairi ages ago—and as it did, it was all Sora could do to not throw himself at her feet and apologize for not taking the moment seriously enough just a moment ago.

But Kairi just chuckled when he seemed about to fret, and pointed with a foam number one on her hand to where they could go get food during the festival.

And as Sora watched said hand of Kairi's confusedly, he was about to ask her if she knew why Rapunzel's parents were even offering those. Shouldn't the number have matched the years of life she'd now lived?

But then he supposed it made sense, seeing as how Rapunzel was their first (and only) child, and had now been back with them for a full year.

But why was he even worried about this, when he should have been focused on his precious princess finally reunited with him at long last?!

Though Kairi seemed to have the right idea about this, when she took Sora's arm between hers and led them to the food stand:

And it didn't pass Sora's attention that she made certain that their sides were flush against each other as they walked.

…It felt good. And how Sora missed the years with Kairi he could have had like this, if things had been different.

Since the booth for food was stationed right in front of the ocean, it meant that Sora and Kairi's toes had to rest in the surf on this dark, beautiful night as they waited in line.

As the waves rushed up against his feet, it reminded Sora of not only memories of their time together on Destiny Islands…

But how they'd been waiting for each other like this before:

Sora was certain Kairi must have had her shoes buried in the sea many a time as she'd counted the days.

And Sora had done the same when he'd first been recalling her at Castle Oblivion's Destiny Islands, and when he hoped for a miracle at the Dark Margin… and some even since then.

And having had this sudden epiphany, Sora had to tell Kairi it.

He twisted in her arms, and then maneuvered them so he was holding Kairi and had his chin on her head. "So, what do you think? The sea and sky have finally found a way to be together? …And sorry for being cold before, Kairi. My heart's just… a mess after everything that's happened. But I love you. And I'm so glad you're here."

This seemed to appease Kairi. And she bonked Sora on the head with a fan she'd apparently gotten from Rapunzel when she first got here. "Just take me to see the lights, like you once dreamed about… And we can talk about engagements after that."

Sora smirked: Oh, how he got where Kairi was going with that. He would've been a fool not to.

Since Kairi was still pretty casual, and somewhat playful and uncertain of their feelings for each other even now, she really did mean some normal engagements they could attend together.

But of course, she was also hinting that he should propose to her, or that maybe she would to him. (And maybe- maybe Sora would, if he could get over his qualms now. He certainly thought it was time, and wanted to be with Kairi.)

And either one, to her, would be her rewarding him for his earlier mistake, if he could make it up to her.

And reward it would be, Sora knew. Any time with her was exactly that.

So just gently pressing at Kairi's back, to hint at her that she should be walking forward, Sora led her towards the dock that would take them to the boats:

This was no big deal at all, because it was the kind of thing they'd done on their Island time after time.

But what did take Sora aback, was when Kairi took off her foam finger and let it wash away in the sea.

Meanwhile, she placed her fan into her pocket.

The latter was fine, of course. And Sora had the funny thought in his head, of Kairi even whipping the fan out from there—fast—and using it to fight, the way Mulan once had.

But he was puzzled by the former. For many a reason, being a polluter didn't seem like something his girl would do.

But when Kairi seemed to notice his questioning glance, she just shrugged her shoulders and answered plainly: "Did you not see the gull over there, looking for something to stand on so it can get the French Fries in the water? Well, with the foam finger I just helped it out."

Ahh. That was Kairi, alright. As a Princess of Heart, she was friend to all living things. And Sora had no doubt that when this one bird was done using this makeshift stand, Kairi would remove it from the ocean so it wouldn't be troublesome for any of the other denizens of the water…

And it just made him love her all the more.

…Which was probably why he pulled her onto his lap before he could think better of it, and kissed her like he'd been dreaming of doing for years now: until it bruised Kairi's lips and probably his own, but he was too full of endorphins to be able to tell.

But even while they were behaving this way—and making up for lost time—they remembered that they were in front of their friends, too, so made sure to not get too crazy.

More than anything, Sora ran his hands through Kairi's hair as she laid atop his chest and he lazily locked his lips with hers.

And Kairi? She kept her hands above Sora's heart—that he thought probably spoke well of all she was feeling and thinking—and once while they were still making out, she nudged her cheek against his lovingly.

Finally, Sora pulled away: Not wanting all of their precious time together to be ruled by their hormones. But he made sure to keep Kairi's face cradled between his hands, and his forehead against hers when he did.

"Kairi, I know every hot-blooded male around would be glad to get kissy with their loved one more than anything… But I'm not them. And more than anything, I just want to spend time with you… Kairi, I've missed you somuch."

Hadn't she said something like that to him once? About how her thalassa shell charm had worked and brought them together again… and that she had missed him so much? Well, Sora thought it was only appropriate that he repeat it back to her now.

And gods, how stupid he'd been with her in the past and regretted it now! Why hadn't he told her just how much he'd missed her back then, at the Castle That Never Was? Why had he only realized the extents of his feelings for her when it was too late?

…Except that it wasn't too late. And Sora tried to remember that now, by taking in all the changes around him.

For instance, the last time Sora had seen Kairi… well, she'd been demurer than he'd ever seen her before. So, with that, Sora half-expected her to be blushing up a storm here. Again.

But instead, she chuckled rather loudly and embarrassingly—like she'd been known to do on the paopu tree—and then was losing her balance, and falling so her face was on his lap.

And just like that, she washumiliated.

Sora was quick to try and reassure her—maybe she felt awful about this, since she was supposed to be so much more graceful now in being a Keyblade wielder? And Sora tried to tell Kairi that wasn't the case, since he himself could still be quite klutzy—but Kairi interrupted him before she could:

"We're supposed to be having a cute date—I'm supposed to be enjoying the show!—and here I am falling. Just what kind of person, am I?"

And now that Kairi mentioned it, Sora finally took note of all the lights above him and could see that it was much more impressive show than it had been the previous year.

This time, the lanterns were more than just gold: there were a lot of pinks and purples in there, to hint at Rapunzel's love for the dress she'd worn all throughout her first adventure: Or so Sora guessed.

And since those were also Kairi's colors, Sora didn't doubt she was getting much delight out of seeing them all play out in front of her now:

This was a view that, until a few years ago, neither of them could have ever even dreamed was possible: since Destiny Islands was so rural and had yet to come up with floating lanterns themselves.

Also, there were fireworks—Sora thought that was the name he'd heard for them in Twilight Town?—gracefully waving through the air, so that they missed the lanterns but painted the stars in fluorescence.

And with the navy-blue sky backdrop, that was much like a dark canvas and everything else beside it the paints… Sora didn't think he'd seen a more gorgeous sight in his life. Not even the Final World compared anymore.

"In your defense," Sora laughed, continuing their conversation from a moment ago. "That fire cracker almost did hit our boat, and jostled you!"

And after Kairi had peered into his eyes to see if he meant it, Sora grabbed ahold of her hands and helped her get back into her seat.

But he didn't let go of Kairi's limbs even when she was out of harm's way:

Her dorsal hands just felt so soft and supple... And it was true there were calluses on them now—that Sora didn't mind in the slightest—but it reminded him of when they were kids, when he'd pretended to be Kairi's "guard", while Riku would fight the "monster" threatening them all.

And Sora wouldn't have exactly wished for that time back—if they were just trapped back there, they wouldn't have become all that they did—but there was something to be said about those old and simple days, that they all still carried with them.

"That's true. And since it somehow did even worse than knocking me over—in somehow making me bored with these proceedings—I guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself, when it's clear it's the real culprit..."

…Well, this turn of events was a bit shocking, but Sora couldn't say he was shocked Kairi was losing interest: he had said that kind of thing many times himself, when he'd capsize a dingy at home.

And truth be told, the show was winding down now anyway—as Rapunzel's parents motioned for everyone to come back to shore and to meet the princess.

Not needing to be told twice, Sora began rowing them in.

…Or at least he would have, if Kairi didn't take the oars from him and hit him on his noggin with them slightly: hinting that she didn't want to be coddled and wanted to do this for them both. And so, she did.

Satisfied—to be honest—that with how hard he'd worked to get back to Kairi, that he hadn't had to do any more work at the moment, Sora helped Kairi to her feet when he eventually got onto the docks first. Ad then they began walking back towards the city hand-in-hand.

The boy was about to remind Kairi about what she'd said of bringing the foam finger back to her, but before he could Kairi used a Magnet spell to make it happen.

Then, she was using Hammer Space to store it like everyone Sora knew did with their Keyblades.

And Sora grinned. There was just something about seeing her so comfortable with this stuff now, that made his heart soar.

Kairi deserved to feel what he, Riku, and everyone else had with their powers and on their own journeys: It was why he hadn't protested when he'd learned she was training with Merlin in the beginning.

"I'm thinking of trying to find me a teacher here, who can give me something of this world," Kairi said out of the blue: Enough so, that Sora somewhat squeezed her arm in worry.

But then, he thought she must have followed where his thoughts had taken him: Thinking of all of the adventures they'd had to other worlds… So, this type of conversation didmake sense, then.

And Sora thought he could already guess where she was headed with it, as memories of keychains he'd gotten on the various planets began playing in his head.

"When you and Riku went out and did things, you always learned something from the country you were in and it bettered you in your fighting. I don't see why it can't be the same for me."

Sora was about to say that this was a good idea: And that if Kairi was really sold on this, she should also try and learn a fighting technique from someone before they just handed her a keychain. Sora's best memory to go along with this, was when he'd fought Sephiroth—and then watched Cloud do the same, and even Tifa—and Tifa had given him Fenrir afterwards…

But Sora bit his tongue, when he suddenly got the sense that if Kairi were to take his advice here… She'd probably learn something from Eugene.

And Sora had nothing against Eugene—quite the opposite, really—but there was just something about the idea of him being around Kairi that irked Sora some. He thought he must have been jealous….

And then he found himself realizing how Kairi might have been the same, if she'd seen him and Rapunzel before.

It wasn't like she and Sora had been dating then—they'd thought they were just friends—and Sora had only been friendly with Rapunzel… but still. The part of Sora that didn't want to beet around the bush with Kairi any longer, thought maybe he owed her an apology about a few things.

And Sora even thought maybe, just maybe, she could explain about flirting with Riku when he'd thrown that log onto him…

Or maybe not. He didn't want to start something about Riku, when they were all best friends and better than they ever had been before.

So, he decided to try and strike something in her arts and crafts side, since he'd always been amazed by her creations… that had carried on into Naminé and Xion.

"You're good at making things yourself, Kairi. And your girl friends have only strengthened that skill in you, as you've all worked on your own art... You ever think about making your own keychains?"

And Sora made sure to stop where they were walking, and to pull Kairi in for a quick kiss after he'd posed the question:

Because Kairi, after all, was looking for the strength others could give her. But Sora had often thought she didn't see her own ability enough.

Kairi blushed beet red at this—as she would; and as Sora was pretty sure he himself was doing… public displays of affection were frowned upon, of course.

And yet Sora had found he couldn't keep himself from kissing her at all. She just… she just needed to know how much he loved her, and much more.

Though Sora made sure to keep it chaste—something Kairi seemed to appreciate, even if she was the one trying to kiss him longer when he backed up—but when a ton of people erupted into applause around them, their self-conscious feelings disappeared.

With a quick sleight of hand, Sora pulled out Kairi's fan from her pocket—she must have really loved this thing—and put a ring he'd gotten from the Moogles in it, before he slipped it back.

Kairi had earlier talked about engagements, after all.

Thankfully, Kairi didn't notice. Instead, she seemed more focused on the fact that Sora's hands were still on the lower part of her back. Oops.

"Why'd you do that, Sora?" Kairi demanded playfully, hand on her hips as she saucily demanded him to answer.

And he knew what she must have been imagining with this question: All the times he'd seen nervous about, or with, her in the past… but those days were over and done with now.

"Because you doubt yourself so much, Kairi. I needed you to see that there's so much of worth in you."

Young Kairi would have probably snarked at Sora for this.

The Kairi falling in love for the first time, who had saved him from death, would have blushed at his sudden forwardness.

But this Kairi—who was sure of herself, in some respects, and their role in each other's lives—jumped onto Sora for a piggy-back-ride, and whispered into his ear: "Really? Do you think that, even when I'm making life hard for you like this?"

"Exactly. This moment is so light and playful… and that's what I need in my life… and probably why you're my Light."

They were getting to the part of the ocean right outside Corona, that housed many fish that Sora had gotten for Little Chef again and again.

And Sora was about to try and fry some of them himself, and share them with Kairi. But-

But Kairi got off of him, pulled him aside, and questioned: "Sora… I fell into your trap from earlier. Why are we focusing on the big things now—or at least I assume you are on that—when we should be on each other?"

And grinning at that—because she was right. So right. They'd come full-circle, but in other ways done a one-eighty—Sora pulled Kairi into his arms again, and simply held her as Rapunzel came walking their way.

Yeah… as happy as they were now, they still had some kinks to work out: How exactly they fell into this new lifestyle together… when was an appropriate time to think of all the bad that had happened, and to maybe worry, and when it wasn't…

But Sora knew as he doodled a ring into Kairi's hand—in a way that was very much her, and that would hopefully get her to finally notice the gift he'd given her on her cherished fan when they were ready—that this was a good place to start.