Yes, welcome, one and all, to my first ever KH fanfiction. Hopefully this won't be too awful, and I hope you will be gentle in your criticism, it's my first time writing an on-going shounen-ai story. The first couple of chapters will be short, and I apologize. I aim for my chapters to reach and stay at 4000 words apiece by chapter three of the story. I have no idea how long this will be, or what kinds of things will happen. I have a basic idea, but a lot of subplots tend to form as I write, so we'll see. Please bear in mind that this is shounen-ai, meaning two boys engaging in a romantic/sexual relationship. If this isn't to your taste, then don't read it. That should be more than enough of a warning for you.
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, if I did, there wouldn't be any plot at all, just a lot of romantic fluff and such. I also do not own the website eHarmony, in which I have based the site eDestiny after.
Many thanks to Cassie-san for being one of the coolest state buddies ever, dedicating two one-shots to me, and just being an all around spiffy person. This one's for you!
Warning: Un-Beta'd
It was hot, more so than was to be expected on one of the smaller islands that made up the Destiny Islands chain. Meteorologists had already predicted a humid, heated summer was to be had for the chain, which meant the beaches would be more crowded than usual, islanders seeking the cold blue waters of the vast ocean to wash away grime and sooth sunburns that would be caused by the heat spell. Many girls had seen this as a perfect opportunity to get a faster and more even tan, only to fine themselves moaning in pain a few hours later, lobster red and peeling. For most it was a time to enjoy the pristine and heated outdoors of the island, but some certain teenagers, it was the time to raise the electricity bill.
"Ouch!" a certain red haired girl moaned, reaching over with a pale hand to strike the boy behind her. "Are you trying to make it hurt more?"
The boy grimaced, cheek red from the well aimed slap. "God Kairi, chill! It's not my fault you decided to try and tan when it's a million degrees outside."
Yes, the girl named Kairi was one of the many who had suffered from the hopes of gaining some color in her pale toned skin. Unfortunately, the cream skin tone was easily burned, and now the poor girl was nearly as crimson as her vibrant red hair. Her friends, upon discovering the burnt girl, had had their fair share of laughter before leading the girl into the nearest home of the group, where Tidus, the self proclaimed 'leader' had set upon finding some lotion and attempting to sooth the girl's pain.
And apparently, failing miserably.
Tidus meant well, of course, and many knew about the small, unrequited crush he nursed on Kairi. He was a tall, well muscled guy, and a talented blitzball player at the local school. He was handsome, smart, and had just enough cockiness to have that all over hotness appeal. He could be a bit airheaded, at times, and he carried himself just a bit too high because he was a senior, compared to his junior friends. Still, he was a pal to the group, and everyone loved him.
Kairi, on the other hand, was a slender, pretty girl of 17 years. She was bright and happy, the cheerful splash in their group. There was no doubt she was beautiful, with her silky hair, pretty blue eyes, and a kind smile that was directed at anyone and everyone. Granted, she could be catty at times (like after being sunburned, for example) but Sora Nakayama, the houses owner, couldn't think of any person he was closer to than the redhead. They'd grown up together as children, spending their time on the beach and playing at each others houses. It was common knowledge of how close they were, and Sora was well aware of the rumors. Everyone expected them to eventually get together, marry, have beautiful children, and create a story worthy of the ideal romance novel. Nobody really knew, besides their group, as to why the two had not at least gotten together and dated, and many attempts were made to set the pair up.
"What a sweet girl Kairi is." His mother would say. "You ought to ask her out, Sora, you'd be so perfect together!"
"That Sora is a great guy. Calm, respectful, mature. He's the kind of man who'd be perfect for my daughter." Kairi's father would remark.
Nobody ever asked the two teens what they wanted, they just assumed. And both Sora and Kairi were slightly frustrated.
When reaching puberty, Sora was certain he would fall in love with his red haired friend, and as Kairi grew, she was certain of the same thing. Both watched as each others bodies stretched and grew more attractive, but neither went beyond acknowledging that fact. Sora knew Kairi was beautiful. Kairi knew Sora was cute. They knew they were each others best friends.
But as they grew older, they knew it would never be more than that.
Sora knew that they way he looked at other men wasn't normal. It wasn't normal to wonder what it would be like to kiss another boy, to want to touch another boy. It wasn't normal to be able to look at a naked woman's body and not feel drawn to it. It wasn't normal to be drawn to a mans body the way he was.
He had tried to deny it, but there really was no point.
Sora Nakayama was gay. Undeniably so
He was lucky, said boy reflected, to have friends who had been so accepting. Sure, Tidus had been a little creeped out at first, but that was to be expected, and he knew that Tidus had just been trying to wrap his mind around such a new, unusual concept. And Kairi, upon finding out, had wrapped her arms around him and told him this was ok, that they would always be friends and that she hoped he found someone special one day.
God bless them. Sora knew he was lucky.
"Tidus, I swear, if you poke me one more time..."
"It was a accident! I swear!"
"Like the last nine times?"
"You've been keeping count?"
"Tidus, if I didn't need this lotion right now…"
Sora laughed. "Why don't you let me take over, before she claws you?" he offered, and his blond haired friend surrendered without a fight.
"Hey man, better you that me.
"I resent that remark, Sora!"
"Sure you do Kai." The brunet laughed, replacing Tidus behind the girl and rubbing the clear lotion on her shoulders, moving his fingers in a gentle circling motion. "Better?
"Mm, much. See Tidus? It is indeed possible to apply lotion without trying to tear someone's skin off.
Tidus rolled his eyes. "Whatever."
Kairi let out a breath of annoyance, before leaning into Sora's touch. "So, Sora, seen any cute guys lately?"
She knew this would incur a blush, and indeed it did, the pink spreading across the tan bridge of Sora's nose. Tidus saw this and laughed.
"Yeah Sora, tell us about all the hot studs you've been stalking."
"I haven't been stalking anyone!" Sora insisted, the blush multiplying and deepening to a crimson tone as he looked away, hands stilling on Kairi's shoulders. It wasn't that uncommon for the two to gang up on him like this, seeing as Sora hadn't actually dated anyone since his unofficial 'coming out'. He just wasn't the kind of guy to approach someone like that. After all, only his friends, his twin brother Roxas, and their cousin, Olette, knew anything about his preference. He really wasn't willing to risk the island turning against him. He figured he'd just remain single for the rest of his life.
"What? Dude, that's totally lame. You're not going to get anyone if you don't try." Tidus said, crossing his arms over his chest and letting out a sharp breath. "It's gonna get bad for my rep if both my best friends are single and moping about it."
"You'd probably lose your rep if they found out one friend was gay, and one bi."
"Nah, with me by your side, I'll make it the new fad."
Kairi rolled her eyes, standing up and wincing as she stretched out after sitting in a crouched position for so long. She grimaced, rubbing her burned arms gently before sighing and turning to face her brown haired friend. "Stupid as he is, Tidus does have a point. Have you dated any guys at all?"
The addressed boy sighed, shaking his head. "No. I doubt there are many gay guys on Destiny Islands."
"You don't know that. You need to try Sora. "
"Kai, you don't just walk up to a cute guy and ask him if he's gay. Most likely he'll be insulted."
Tidus frowned. "Roxas is gay, isn't he? And he's dating that one guy, what's his name? How'd they meet?"
Sora grinned. "Oh, Axel? Dude, Axel is one of the most 'out' guys out there. He should wear a sigh saying I AM GAY to save him the breath. It was a lucky find."
Kairi smiled. "Do you know him very well? Is he a nice guy?"
"Oh, he's nice, but just so…out there. He's crazy and hyper, and completely unlike my have-no-fun brother. I'm surprised that Roxas didn't kill him after the exploding oven."
"Exploding oven?"
"Don't ask."
Kairi laughed. "Well, they do say opposites attract. This case seems to prove that point. What kind of guy would be the opposite of Sora?"
"Someone smart, strong, and handsome?"
"Oh gee, thanks Tidus."
Kairi clapped her hands together. "I know what we can do! Sora, have you ever tried on-line dating?"
Sora looked at her, gawked at her really. His blue eyes opened to their full width, and his mouth slowly slipped open until his jaw was hanging loosely down. Tidus noticed this, and subtly pushed the jaw back into place.
"Dude, breath."
"Kairi…Kairi said…on-line dating? Kai, you've got to be kidding me."
She shook her head. "I'm not. I think it might be worth a try. Tidus, you know that one dating sight for the Island chain?"
"eDestiny?" Tidus asked, before nodding. "Yes, I know it. My sister Selphie used it before, she loves it. You post a bio with your orientation and all that jazz, and it's posted in a section with other people like you. You meet some chick or dude, chat for awhile, arrange and meeting and bingo! One new boyfriend or girlfriend, free of charge."
Kairi grinned. "Sora, that's perfect! You could meet other guys like you who live in the Island chain!"
"Kai, that's crazy."
"C'mon man, grow a spine! It's worth a try."
"It's not! I'm not doing it!"
"Wuss!"
"What? Am not!"
"Are so!"
"Are not!"
"Prove it!"
"How?"
Tidus grinned, leaning against the off white walls of the comfy living room. If his smirk was any indicator of what was to come, then Sora was rightfully worried. "You want to prove your worth? Ok. I dare you to post a bio for yourself on the site and keep it there for a week. During this time, you have to check up every day to update what needs to be updated and talk to people. You can't lie; you must be honest about your orientation and what-not."
"What?"
"You heard me."
Sora, eyes stretched wide, turned to Kairi, choking out his words desperately. "Kai…you aren't going to let him do this are you?"
There was a sympathetic look in his friend's eyes, but she nodded her head. "Sora, where's the harm in trying? You're the only one of us who hasn't dated somebody before. Who knows? You might meet someone special."
"Or I could meet some child molester."
She snorted. "Sora, don't be stupid. It's just for a week! Seven days. If nothing happens, you delete the bio, and never have to see the sight again."
Tidus nodded. "We all know Sora won't ever ask a guy out in person anyway. Some things are easier over the internet."
Sora crossed his arms, closing his eyes and shaking his head in a gesture of pure disbelief. He opened his eyes, waiting for his friends to jump up and scream "JOKING!" before laughing at him and telling him how silly he was. When he opened his eyes, however, he found both of his friends staring at him with the utmost sincerity on their faces. Well, Kairi was anyway. Tidus didn't really pull of that look very well.
He groaned. "You guys are being serious, aren't you?"
Tidus grinned. "As serious as the day I swore to be the greatest Blitzball player ever."
He looked at Kari. She nodded. "We're being very serious Sora."
He sighed, turning his head to face the window. The sun was out and blinding and he flinched as his eyes burned from too much contact. Would it really be so bad? It was only a week after all.
No! I will not give
them the satisfaction of giving in!
They just want to help.
It's a dating site!
So?
So, what's the problem?
It's a DATING SITE!
Still missing the point here
Why am I even talking to you? You're just a voice in my head!
Good question idiot.
Prick.
Your friends are waiting, you know.
Oh yeah.
Having ceased his mental battle, the brunet sighed, turned to his friends, and said. "You really aren't going to give this up, are you?"
His two friends looked at each other, wearing identical smirks. "Nope."
He groaned, massaging his head against oncoming headaches, and the voices screaming that he was an idiot for what he was about to say. "Fine, fine, I'll post a bio on the site."
He grimaced as he heard the slap of hands in celebration. It was going to be a long week.
