Author's note: I goofed in the beginning of this and assigned Riku as Kairi's past love interest, so now I can't write him as Sora's best friend. Ergo, Roxas will take on that role. *shrug*

Chapter 13: Two Tequila, Floor

It was a long, quiet ride home after the concert was over. Heidi and Jeremy remained silent in the front of the car. Kairi hadn't gone into detail about the spat she and Sora had, but the thick, nearly tangible tension in the air warned them that intervening was not in their best interests.

Sora had conveniently wedged his guitar case upright between him and Kairi in the backseat, blocking their view of each other as well as making physical contact between the two about impossible. He had tried to maximize the distance between himself and Kairi by sitting as close to the window as possible, slumping his body against the car door and resting his head on the glass. Kairi just sat upright with her hands folded in her lap, staring out of her own window. She kept replaying the conversation at the venue in her mind over and over again. Everything had happened so fast—one moment she and Sora were tangled in a sweet embrace, never happier to be reunited, and the next second her big mouth had gotten her into trouble and he was angry with her again.

He was acting childish, and she was hoping he was only doing so to table the argument until they were home and had privacy. Heidi had a way of getting overly involved in their dirty laundry if they aired it front of her, and he hated it. She was overprotective of Sora to a fault, so she had no problem getting in Kairi's ear about what she was doing wrong, and how she should fix it.

She flushed red as she remembered a previous time such a thing had happened. Sora had made the mistake of confessing to his mother that he and Kairi hadn't had sex in three weeks. Heidi had called her to talk to her about it, and when Kairi sputtered, embarrassed, that she had been menstruating non-stop due to the hormone disruption caused by switching birth control pills, Heidi subjected her to a 15-minute lecture about how a good blowjob was a great alternative to sex.

Yep. It was definitely better if they didn't get Heidi involved.

Another agonizingly silent 10 minutes, and they were finally in the driveway of Sora and Kairi's house. After brief goodbyes, Heidi's car took off, leaving the two in a haze of silence that was starting to become awkward. This wasn't how their reunion was supposed to be.

In the house, Kairi took a seat on the living room sofa while Sora took his guitar to his music room. She fidgeted, unsure of what to do. There were no chores to be done, because she had kept the house spotless out of boredom. She had no homework to work on. She debated turning on the television, but she wasn't sure if Sora was going to decide he wanted to talk to her, and she didn't want to risk further annoying him.

She knew she made the right decision when Sora returned to the living room a few minutes later and seated himself in the armchair adjacent to the sofa. He stared straight ahead, unblinking, for a moment before he finally spoke.

"I don't know what it is you want from me, Kairi."

Kairi looked over at him and he finally met her eyes for the first time since he'd left her alone at the venue. "What do you mean?"

"I can't just quit music because you don't want me doing it. This is what I love," Sora said. "I can't change that about myself just to please you and I can't give it up just to please you. It isn't fair."

Kairi was struggling to hold back tears. Why did she always have to cry? Crying made it hard to talk. Her voice trembled when she answered. "I know that. I told you, I know what I said is selfish. I just…" she wavered, and the dam broke loose. Hot tears spilled down her cheeks as she finally confessed to him what was bothering her. "I'm scared you'll decide you need to break up with me again."

Sora's expression softened and he looked away from her. "So, this is still about that other fight we had, then."

"I'm trying to trust you," Kairi whispered through her tears, "but you've made it difficult for me. I can't stop thinking about what you said that night…that you've only been with me and it's too early for you to settle down. To me, that means there's not much stopping you from running off the first chance you get to experience someone else."

At that, Sora was off the couch and kneeling in front of her. He took her left hand in one of his, and firmly cupped her face with his other. "Kairi, I want you to listen to me and hear, I mean really hear, what I'm about to say," he instructed. "I love you. I fucking love you, okay? I realize that I said some stupid shit that night, and I'm sorry for that. I hate that I thought it, and I hate that I said it. The fact is…I want you. Only you." He lifted her hand to his face and pressed his lips softly against the finger that wore the promise ring. "I gave you this ring to show you how serious I am about only wanting you."

At some point during his monologue, Kairi's tears had stopped flowing and a tiny smile was trying to force its way onto her red, puffy face. "I love you too," she said. She refused to let her smile show itself and kept a straight face for her next line. "And just so you know, I still think you're still an asshole."

Sora stared at her blankly. She maintained eye contact with him for several seconds, trying to look as serious as she could. He broke first and started laughing, and once he did, she allowed herself to follow suit, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close to her. "Can I kiss you now?" He asked her.

Kairi groaned. "Do you remember the conversation we had when we first started dating about asking me that?"

Sora pressed a quick kiss to the tip of her nose. "Of course," he said, and then before she had the chance to fuss any more, his lips were on hers. The kiss started off sweet, but quickly grew heated as the realization hit both of them that this was their first intimate moment in weeks. Sora tugged at the hem of Kairi's shirt. "Off," he growled against her lips. They broke apart just long enough for her to comply with his request, and then Sora had pulled her off the couch, into his lap, and was dropping fiery kisses over her shoulders, collarbones, and breasts.

Kairi was in the process of pulling Sora's shirt over his head when his cellphone rang. "If that's your mom, send her to voicemail," she ordered breathlessly.

Sora gave her a look. "I can't, you know how she is," he said. "And this was just getting good." He picked up the phone, swiped the answer icon, and put the call on speaker. "Hey, Mom."

"Hi, honey," Heidi greeted back. "You okay?"

Ah. She was being nosy and looking for details on the status of the couple's latest spat.

"Fine, Mom," Sora had set his phone down on the carpet and was squeezing Kairi's breasts to entertain himself. "You're kinda cockblocking me though."

Kairi blushed crimson. She didn't think she would ever get used to how blunt Sora and his mother were with each other.

"Oh, good! So, you made up," Heidi sounded relieved.

"Yeah, we did."

"Well, I just wanted to call and check on you, make sure everything was all right," Heidi said, "so you two have a good night! Make love, enjoy each other's company. Love you both!"

"Love you too," Kairi and Sora responded together.

Sora ended the call and got to his feet, offering Kairi a hand. "Now then," he said, pulling her in the direction of their bedroom, "back to where we left off."

XXXXXX

Sora's 21st birthday was a big deal. Kairi invited the members of the band, Naminé, and Sora's best friend, Roxas, to come to their house for a drunken sleepover. Kairi wouldn't be 21 until the following year, so Sora had suggested they have the party at home instead of at the bars so that she could be included. Roxas, who had been 21 for a few months and had been occasionally buying beers or wine coolers for Sora and Kairi when he came over to hang out, showed up with tequila, peppermint schnapps, and multiple whiskeys. The other boys came with different selections of light and dark beers, and Naminé came with fruity wine coolers for herself and Kairi.

Roxas lined up the liquors on the kitchen counter and produced a sleeve of disposable shot glasses. "Okay, ladies and gentlemen—commence project 'get Sora fucked up'!"

The others cheered, and the drinking began with a round of cinnamon whiskey shots. Kairi politely declined when it was offered to her. Her experience with alcohol was limited to weak wine coolers and she was not feeling brave enough to face her odds with liquor.

After the next round of peppermint shots, Leon displayed a pack of Guinness beer. "You gotta try this," he said, passing a can to Sora, "it's literally the best."

"Never had it before," Sora said, popping the top of the can. "Roxas usually brings me Budlight."

"Gross," Axel chimed in, "Bud is basically piss water."

Sora made a face and took a long swig of the beer. "Not bad," he said thoughtfully, examining the can, "but I don't know if I would call it literally the best."

Leon scowled. "Whatever, more for me."

Next, Roxas broke out the apple whiskey. After that, Sora tried another one of the various types of beer available, and then he was ready for a break.

"Wanna go outside?" Cloud flashed a plastic bag that held a few joints. "I got ya a present."

Sora looked to Kairi, as if seeking permission, and she shrugged. "It's your birthday," she said with a smile. "Go ahead, if you want to."

Cloud pointed at the front door. "Everyone who will be partaking—to the van!"

Unsurprisingly, Naminé and Kairi were the only ones to stay in the house. "I'm glad," Naminé said, "it gives us a chance to catch up and talk a little."

Kairi took the opportunity to update her on everything that had happened since Sora returned from his tour. After about 30 minutes, the boys noisily bustled back into the house, all sporting red-rimmed eyes and their clothes stinking of weed.

Roxas approached Naminé and Kairi and offered them the bottle of apple whiskey. "C'mon, Kairi," he said mischievously, words slightly slurred. "Take a shot with me."

"I'd rather not," Kairi laughed nervously.

"This stuff is so good!" Roxas protested. "I promise, you'll love it. It's seriously so smooth."

"I'm good," Kairi said. "Go give it to Sora."

"But Kairi—"

Sora interrupted. "Leave my girlfriend alone, Roxas," he said. Then, shooting her a smirk, he followed up with, "she's too chicken."

Kairi's mouth dropped open. "I am not chicken."

"Are too."

"I know what you're trying to do, Sora," Kairi giggled. "It won't work."

"Chicken," Roxas shot at her. Kairi stopped giggling and glared at him, causing him to flinch. "Don't look at me like that!"

Kairi took one step closer to him, intensifying her glare as best she could, and Roxas scuttled backward toward the couch. "Seriously, stop looking at me like that! You're freaking me out!"

"Why, Roxas? Did you smoke too much?"

"Because you look like my mom when you look at me like that!" Roxas was blushing now. "I won't make you take a shot, just stop looking at me like that."

"I'll take a shot with you," Naminé piped up, smiling shyly at Roxas through lowered lashes. Kairi's jaw about hit the floor a second time. Naminé was an intelligent, level-headed, studious girl. Kairi had never once seen her flirt with a boy, and now here she was, performing an expert level flirt with a boy that was both drunk and high.

"Hell yeah!" Roxas appeared to instantly forget his fear of Kairi and slung his arm around Naminé's shoulders, leading her to the counter where the shot glasses were.

Sora shook his head. "You should have just taken the shot," he told Kairi. "Roxas commented in the car about how cute he thinks Naminé is, he won't leave her alone the rest of the night now."

"Naminé can take care of herself," Kairi said, watching the two knock back the shots together. "She won't let him cross the line."

Sora grabbed her hand and kissed the back of her palm gently. "Would you take a shot with me?" He seemed to be imitating the way Naminé had offered to do the shot with Roxas, and Kairi couldn't help but laugh.

"I've never had liquor before," she nervously eyeballed the bottles on the counter. "I'm scared of how they taste. And I've never been drunk."

Sora rolled his eyes. "One shot isn't enough to get you drunk."

"I've had three wine coolers," Kairi protested. "My whole body feels warm."

"So, this is the perfect time then." Sora took him arm and pulled her over to the minibar they had set up. "Tequila shots, guys! Let's go!"

Another cheer erupted, and the whole group crowded around as Sora and Roxas handed out tequila shots. Once everyone had one, Roxas raised his shot glass in the air. "A toast," he said cheesily, "to my very best friend in the whole wide world finally being able to buy his own goddamned booze. And!" he turned toward Kairi. "To his breathtaking girlfriend who is going to cook us the best breakfast we have ever tasted in the morning when we are all hungover."

"What!?" Kairi spluttered.

"Seriously," Roxas continued, "this girl can fry an egg like nobody's business. Bottoms up!"

Deciding to forego arguing with Roxas about his promise of breakfast for the time being, Kairi tipped the tiny cup to her mouth before she could panic and change her mind. The tequila filled her mouth and she cringed at the taste, realizing she couldn't swallow all of it in one gulp. She clamped her lips shut so keep from spitting it out. Her eyes watered.

"Swallow, Kairi!" Axel said, pulling the attention of the room toward her, and a round of "that's what she said" retorts followed.

Still struggling to get the tequila down in tiny swallows, Kairi glared at him and gave him the finger. After her final swallow, she let out a gasp and clutched her chest. "Oh, god, it burns!"

Sora, laughing so hard he was nearly in tears, rubbed soothing circles on her back, but his efforts were in vain. She turned on him and jabbed a finger into his chest. "The hell are you laughing at? You made me do it!"

"The more shots you do, the easier they get," Roxas sang, pouring another couple of tequila shots. "Here, Sora, have another."

Sora accepted the cup and, holding eye contact with Kairi, knocked the shot back in one gulp. "He's right, you know," he said, "that was almost like putting back water."

"Then you should probably stop," Kairi replied, and as she did so she felt the shot she had just taken kicking in. If her body felt warm before, it was boiling now. She could feel her face and ears flush, and the voices around her sounded echoey. "This is like having an out-of-body experience."

"Huh?" Sora looked confused.

"I'm drunk now," she clarified. "Definitely. I am. Absolutely drunk. After one shot, which you said wouldn't happen."

"Me too," Sora said, "we should totally take another shot."

As if by magic, two more shots of tequila appeared in front of them, offered by Cloud.

Her judgement now clouded, Kairi's brain failed to remind her of what just happened with her previous shot, and she accepted the second one. She and Sora linked arms and downed the shots. Having forgotten the foul taste of the liquor, Kairi's body instantly rejected it after her first little swallow, and she spluttered the liquid that remained in her mouth all down her front. Howls of laughter erupted from the boys around her.

"Party foul!" Roxas cried out.

Kairi coughed and wheezed, her throat burning, fanning a hand in front of her face. Sora clapped her hard on the back, concerned. "I'm okay," she finally said, "but tequila is not my shot, obviously." She allowed Sora to dab at her alcohol-soaked blouse with a wet paper towel, while their guests continued to rowdily party around them.

That was the last thing she could remember of that night.

XXXXXX

Bright sunlight streamed through the curtains, shining directly into Kairi's face and forcing her awake at a time she immediately perceived to be far too early. She opened her eyes to find she was in her own bed, comfortably wrapped in the blankets. She had no idea how she got there, her last memory being what had happened directly after her second shot of tequila the previous night. She noted Sora was not in bed beside her but didn't have to wonder where he was for very long, as a loud retch in their bathroom punctuated her thoughts. She cringed and stuck her fingers in her ears. She didn't consider herself to be a particularly squeamish person but listening to other people vomit was definitely enough to make her own stomach turn.

She waited for a few minutes to be safe, then unplugged her ears and pulled herself to a sitting position. Her head instantly started to throb, and she groaned loudly. She was still wearing her clothes from the night before, and her shirt smelled strongly of tequila, making her feel queasy. She heard the bathroom sink start to run, and knew it was safe for her to peek in on Sora. She wobbled to the bathroom door and knocked gently, and Sora opened it for her. He was brushing his teeth, looking absolutely miserable.

"I have a hangover," she announced.

Sora removed his toothbrush from his mouth. "Welcome to the club," he said around a mouthful of foamy toothpaste, and turned back to the sink to rinse. He attempted to brush his tongue, but his gag reflex betrayed him and sent him right back to the toilet to purge more of the alcohol. Kairi squeezed her eyes shut and plugged her ears, moving away from the bathroom as quickly as she could to avoid joining him in his misery.

In the living room, most of the other boys had settled for passing out on the floor. Naminé was curled up on the couch in a blanket, and Roxas was sleeping in an upright position in front of the couch, his head resting on the cushion. Kairi smiled to herself, the imagining that Naminé and Roxas had probably hit it off the night before and fell asleep talking to each other. She fished through her cabinets for a bottle of ibuprofen, and after taking a few and a big glass of water, she rummaged through the fridge for eggs, bread, and bacon. When Roxas had volunteered her as the breakfast chef the night before she'd felt annoyed, but this morning she found that the idea of cooking a big breakfast for everyone sounded like fun.

While she had the first strips of bacon starting to sizzle in a pan, Sora finally emerged from the bedroom, one hand over his stomach. Without a word, Kairi passed him the bottle of ibuprofen and a Gatorade from the fridge. He took the pills gratefully and leaned against the counter, slowly sipping the Gatorade as he watched Kairi work.

"You think you'll be able to eat?" she asked him, using a fork to flip the bacon.

"I think so. I'm finally starting to feel normal again." Sora busied himself by starting a pot of coffee. "At least, I don't think I have anything left to throw up."

"I'm not even sure what happened after we took that last tequila shot," Kairi confessed with a giggle.

"You started saying you felt dizzy, and you went and laid on the floor by the TV," Sora said. "Naminé brought you a bucket 'cause she thought you might puke but you just passed out. I put you to bed." He shook his head and grimaced. "And I thought it was a good idea to have another beer. I think that last beer was the tipping point for me."

They heard an obnoxious yawn behind them, signaling that Roxas was awake. "Ah, bacon," he said. "Bacon is the fucking best for a hangover." He grinned widely at Sora. "How do you feel, bud?"

"Like shit," Sora said, "but it was a sweet party. No regrets."

The rest of the house guests slowly started to stir awake as the strong aroma of the bacon assaulted all of them, and Kairi assigned Sora to finish the bacon and Roxas to make toast so she could start on eggs.

They all sat together in a circle in the living room, enjoying their breakfast, and Axel took a look around the room. "Yo, did anyone else besides Sora puke?" There was a chorus of "no" from everyone else in the room and Axel shot a roguish grin in Sora's direction. "Don't worry, little buddy, we'll get you broken in and teach you how to hold your liquor."

Sora glowered at him. "Fuck you."

As her friends continued to eat and chat cheerfully, Kairi took a moment to appreciate her time with them. The party really had been a lot of fun, and she loved the people she was with. She was experiencing a moment of true happiness, something she'd never really thought she would ever have.

If only she had known the worst was yet to come.

Author's Note: Didn't originally intend on spending so much time on the birthday party, but I felt like lightening the mood a little with this chapter. Stay tuned for more drama.