It was a muggy, hot, typical Florida day. I sighed exasperatedly as my mother called up the stairs for me to get up. I felt like I was drunk. I'd gotten maybe 30 or 40 minutes of sleep. I almost didn't want to make the trip to the other island. Almost.

I rolled off my bed onto the floor with a thump. My mother let out an audible gasp on the first floor and I smiled. She must've thought I'd knocked my dresser over on myself or something. I pushed myself up and dressed in my usual attire, barely summoning up the strength to zip up my shirt. I yawned loudly and nearly fell back asleep where I was, but I pushed myself onward to the front door, giving my mother a tired 'goodbye' as I went.

"Sora!" She called after me as I went, "don't you want any breakfast?"

"I'll get some later." I replied in a daze. I needed sleep badly. And where better to sleep than in his arms?

My mother shook her head as she went back inside, no doubt muttering something about killing myself at this rate. My head swam as I walked down the path to the dock and my boat. Riku's was already gone, of course. He must've gone straight there after he dropped me off. I smirked and yawned again, trailing a hand up through my hair. He was so predictable at times. I climbed into my boat and rowed sleepily to the other island, hoping I wouldn't fall asleep in the middle of the ocean.

The physical activity perked me up a bit and I was somewhat more awake when I reached the shore. Instinct led me to him. That, and the knowledge that he'd be where he always was. As I lifted myself onto the trunk of the Paopu, I felt my sleepiness return. I looked to him with half-lidded eyes. He looked as awake as ever, and I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"So tired..." I mumbled, snuggling up to his side. He wrapped an arm around my waist and nearly laughed.

"/You/ were the one who got us up in the middle of the night." He ruffled my hair with his other hand.

"Yeah, yeah..." I yawned yet again and licked my lips dazedly. "Maybe I should've eaten breakfast."

This time he did laugh, letting go of me to climb the tree. I almost fell off but steadied myself and watched as he climbed back down, carrying a large, yellow fruit in his hand. "You can have this," he held it out to me, "that is, if you don't mind sharing with me."

"Not at all." I took the offered fruit from him and broke it in half, handing him the larger potion. He smiled at me and waited for me to take the first bite. I did, and he followed suit, closing his eyes as he finished off his piece. I savored mine for a while, tasting the sweetness of its smooth texture. It was much like a Starfruit, similar in shape and feeling. (See footnote.)

When I had finished my piece, I looked up into his eyes. That comforting glow had returned. I smiled warmly at him and all but collapsed into his arms. He rubbed my back with one hand while running the other through my hair. "Now we'll always be together." I mumbled into his chest.

Always.

"We would've always been together even without the Paopu." He smiled down at me. "My love for you is enough." He brought his hand under my chin and tilted my head up, sealing our lips together in a light kiss. I leaned into it, trailing my hands up his back to his neck. I sighed into his lips, he taking advantage of it and slipping his tongue into my mouth. He licked my lower lip before gently nipping it and moving down my neck. I moaned in pleasure as his mouth found its way to my collarbone, licking and nipping and sucking the smooth skin as he went. He moved a hand to the zipper of my shirt, but it was met by mine. "Not now." I ran my fingers through his hair. "I'm still tired." I laughed and nuzzled my nose into his hair. He raised his face level with mine and smirked at me.

"Then go to sleep." He leaned against the crook of the trunk and I crawled up into his lap, draping my arms around his neck and taking one last deep breath before drifting off to sleep again.

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I know this was short, but it was for Meg, who said I was ruining the "Aww" moments. ^_^ So I shall ruin the "Aww" moment in the next chapter. For uninterrupted "Aww", go read her byootiful story, Pieces that fall into Place.

Happy New Year, all. My resolution? Write more, talk less. Not that I talk much anyway. Beh. Maybe I can trick people into thinking I'm mute?

Footnote: A Starfruit is, true to its name, shaped like a star, but, unlike the Paopu, elongated to resemble a very small football if viewed from the side. Its skin is smooth and waxy, colored a very vivid yellow-orange, and its insides are soft and sweet. The seeds are almost like that of an orange. It is a very strange fruit indeed, and found only in tropical areas, like Destiny Islands and most of southern Florida. I was fortunate enough to have one in my backyard for a few years. When I first saw the Paopus, I immediately thought "Starfruit!" So, naturally, I assumed they would be similar to the Starfruit in taste and texture. Hehe, we used to use them like footballs with my old dog until we moved. We didn't move very far, though. In-county. Never eat the green ones. They're all bitter and sour. But I used to eat them anyway. I was an odd child. And that, class, is your agriculture lesson for the day.