AN: I LIIIIIVE. It's been awhile since I've written a new KH fic but MoM's new jazzy take on Dearly Beloved inspired me so much that I had to write something! Yoko Shimomura is a literal goddess of music.
I don't have much to say other than, I hope y'all enjoy my very first Sokai-centric-ish fic.
Summary: They've been friends forever but Sora can't believe he asked Kairi out and she said Yes! Finding confidence in his older brother's little push, Sora sets out on his very first date with the girl of his dreams. Sokai. SorVani siblings/hinted VanXi. One-Shot.
Happy reading~ :D
First Date Jitters
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"Ok… remember to compliment her outfit! Tell her she looks pretty and then… take her hand and… heh heh" Sora nervously chuckled to himself as he prepared for his very first date.
Staring right in front of his mirror, he made sure he looked somewhat decent. He couldn't exactly go out in a tank top and a pair of shorts to the location he has planned. Tugging on the collar of his black and red plaid long-sleeve, he keeps adjusting the creases until his fingers feel sore.
"Careful now to not burst into flames" says a new voice entering his voice. Taking him by surprise, Sora jolts in place as he stares wide-eyed straight into his mirror to see it's just his older brother.
"I'm a wreck" the brunet sighs woefully, shoulder slumming as he looks down to his sock covered feet.
Vanitas can't help but let out a small chuckle, "yeah, no shit" he comments taking his place on Sora's bed.
"What if she hates the idea?" Sora turns around to see Vanitas lying flat on his back with his phone hovering over his face as he scrolled through texts.
"She's not" he assures despite his strong urge to tease his little brother over the fact that he literally asked Kairi out by asking her if she likes free-form jazz. It took him so long to muster up the courage to ask his crush out. Fantasizing about the gushy lovey-dovey way he was even going to do it. All for it to crash and burn as he stumbled on his words and panicked.
Sora knows Kairi, has since they were practically still in diapers. He knows that Kairi wouldn't judge him. She always found joy in the little things and it's one of the things he likes about her but suddenly the thought of being alone with her freaked him out. They were hardly ever left alone for long due to their close-knit group of friends always being around. "Can you and Xion come along?" Sora blurts out of the blue causing Vanitas to smack his face with his phone.
"No! Hell no!" Vanitas quickly shoots out of the bed and sits up. Pointing a finger at Sora he narrows his golden eyes in an annoyed stare. "Not after you practically begged mom to let you go to Twilight Town all by yourself! You're sixteen, the training wheels have to come off sometime!"
Sora rolled his eyes, letting out an annoyed huff. "I'm not asking to double date with my big bro and his girlfriend. I'm just asking if you can… uhh, just be around or something!"
Vanitas thought about it for a minuscule of a second before throwing Sora's pillow right at him as he got up to leave the room.
"NO!" Vanitas final response loudly resonates in Sora's mind as his door clicks close again.
Sora would never know the reason why his brother was so adamant about him not chickening out and doing this for himself.
Vanitas wouldn't exactly consider himself the most sentimental person in the universe but he had his moments. Like wanting Sora to experience his first date no matter the outcome and to make it special. Growing up, he had to babysit both Sora and occasionally Kairi whenever Xion was watching over her little cousin. He's seen the ups and downs, the blushy moments, and awkward conversations between those two.
It was obvious to anyone with eyes that Sora and Kairi were just like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. And it wasn't until Riku teased his little brother about sharing a paopu fruit with Kairi that the gears in his head finally started to really spin.
Vanitas remembers the way he smirked and chuckled heartily the day Sora came rushing home sloshing a bucket of fish water onto their wooden floors. He dropped his fishing rod and tackle box right at the entrance as he placed both filled bucket and half a paopu fruit onto their kitchen counter.
Sora had had an epiphany while Vanitas ate and nearly choked on his sandwich.
That had been three weeks ago and now he has a date with the girl of his dreams.
Sora came downstairs an hour later, wearing a black t-shirt with an opened plaid long-sleeve, a silver crown shaped necklace, black jeans with a wallet chain clipped to his pocket and sneakers.
Vanitas had been mindlessly channeling surfing, one hand on the remote and the other shoved right into a bowl of buttery popcorn. Looking up at the clock right above the tv to check the time, he realized that Sora's date would be here soon.
"You good?" he simply asks, scooping popcorn into his mouth.
Sora could hear the crunch as the muted tv reflected a kaleidoscope of colors in the dark room. He knew Vanitas was asking him if he calmed down from his initial freak-out.
"Yeah" he smiled, a bit embarrassed that he was evening acting this way. Kairi's his best friend, there was no reason for him to have a meltdown.
She must like him as much as he likes her, otherwise why would she agree to going out with him alone… right?
Before he could really dwell on entertaining his wandering thoughts, they both heard the doorbell ring.
For a flash of a moment, blue eyes widened like saucers in a brief panic.
Vanitas raised his upper torso slightly up, looking over the couch to see his little brother's mild reaction. He sighed, munching on a kernel as he flicked another to Sora's forehead. "Oi, space ranger! Now's not the time for that" he reminds him.
Sora furiously shakes his head, lightly patting his rosy cheeks. He answers Vanitas with a silent nod as he goes to open the front door not wanting to leave Kairi waiting.
When he opens the door, he swears he could hear the way the air had left his lungs as Kairi's appearance took his breath away. Literally.
She was wearing a baby pink collared dress with mesh sleeves littered in a tiny rose pattern, peach wedges, a thalassa shell bracelet and her short hair slightly wavy.
"Hi, Sora" she greets like usual, if not slightly flustered as she takes a step inside.
"Whoa" is all Sora can say as he watches her cheeks dust a shade darker.
"Alright, you two lovebirds ready to leave so I can kick Ven's ass at rumble racing?" Vanitas interrupts the moment. He was now standing by the couch, cradling his phone on one shoulder as they hear Ven's voice coming through declaring that he'll be the victor for once.
It was a Friday night and both Sora and Kairi knew that Friday's were reserved for competitive gaming. They'd switch up the host every week and what game they'll play whether it was a video, board, or physical game to keep things fresh. Last week being at Terra and Aqua's apartment with Namine reigning queen of the night with virtual reality fruitball and now it was Vanitas and Sora's turn to host the games. Vanitas was determined to at least keep his title of champion over Ven's lame attempts to use shortcuts in rumble racing. He didn't really care for the ultimate title of being declared king or queen of the night - he just liked one upping his cousin.
Sora checked his wallet to make sure he had their train tickets and when he didn't, he quickly excused himself to go get them.
"Are ya eating all the popcorn so you don't have to share?" Kairi asks Vanitas with a playful tone as she followed him into the kitchen.
Vanitas dumped away all the kernels that didn't pop as he opens a cabinet to take out the last bag of popcorn. "That's the plan" he swiftly tells her as he takes off the plastic wrap and spreads out the folded little pouch of buttery goodness before microwaving it.
Ven was a notorious popcorn fiend. It was the one snack he always raided everyone's kitchens for on game nights. He claimed the 'special' butter from the popcorn was his good luck charm for the odd times he'd actually win against someone who wasn't Vanitas.
Vanitas absolutely hated having to clean up greasy remotes and controllers no thanks to Ven's slippers fingers. After a while of hosting their group hang out at their place – Vanitas took it upon himself to either hide the popcorn or eat it all before anyone arrived and Ven was usually the first guest to come seeing as he and Roxas lived a few blocks down.
Kairi giggled, shaking her head at his antics. Not long after, Sora came sliding down the stairs banister with two train tickets in hand. "Ready!" he tells Kairi slightly out of breath as she smiles and takes his hand in hers.
Sora blushes at the familiar yet new gesture. It's not like they've never held hands but tonight, it felt different.
Kairi had no clue where they were going for their date. She assumed they'd just go to their favorite local diner in the Islands and then maybe hang out by the docks or go to their play island. She never expected needing to take a train to another town but it was a pleasant surprise when the train announcement told her exactly where they were going.
She's never been to Twilight Town at night. All those twinkling lights, steep slopes filled with flowers and neon signs, the whistling of trains passing by, the magic of a never-ending sunset and the gorgeous giant clock tower - the staple of Twilight Town facing in every direction. The thought alone was super romantic to her.
Sora helped her in and out of the train, making sure she didn't trip on her heels with the ridged pavement of the train platform. She thought it was sweet how attentive he was being as she felt his shaky hands relax after a few seconds of holding hers.
It was all a first for them.
Being alone for so long.
Holding hands with jittery jumpy hearts.
Taking a trip to another place for their date.
Conversing in ways they've never have before.
Sora took her to eat at the fanciest restaurant she's ever been to. The food at Le Grand Bistrot was nothing short of amazing but what surprised her the most was when he told her that he knew the chef. Something about helping the chef out when he dropped some ingredients he was carrying.
It warmed Kairi's heart hearing him retell his tale. She knew Sora was that type of person – always ready to lend a hand to anyone in need.
When their dinner was done, Sora this time confidently took Kairi's hand. He guided her towards the announcement board filled with dozens of flyers all tacked into the corkboard wall. "Hmm… let's see, maybe we have enough time for a movie" he tells her as he glides a finger over the free cinema's movie schedule.
Even though they were allowed to go out alone, they still had curfews to account for. Kairi almost wished the night wouldn't end in a matter of hours but knew they couldn't mess up this taste of freedom. They needed to prove to their parents that they could be responsible.
"I'm happy with whatever's playing" she patiently waits for him to check the times.
"We just missed the one that started twenty minutes ago but if we wait a bit, we can make it to the next showing"
"Sounds like a plan"
"Great! So, let's uhh…"
"Kill some time exploring?" she suggests as she watches him think.
"Oh! Sure! I've got just the thing!" he vaguely says extending his arm out with his palm up to take her hand in his once again.
Kairi gently places her hand in his and lets him lead the way.
"I'm pretty sure I heard some live music playing when we first got here. They were probably warming up since there wasn't a crowd but… it doesn't hurt to see if the band's still playing"
"Oh! I remember seeing them when we got out of the train station. Sounds fun! Hopefully they weren't done for the day. I'd love to hear them play"
"Shall we then?" Sora warmly smiles at her, offering her his arm.
Kairi looked at him in the eyes with a soft expression and a giggle, "we shall" she replies, enjoying his gentlemanly gesture.
Sora was glad that he relaxed after panicking and overthinking things so much. Dinner was a bit of a mess on his part with being clumsy and rambling about random topics. Kairi was sweet as ever, listening and joking along. His nervousness made her feel at ease with her own fears.
They were both so new to dating and seeing where things would go with their budding romance.
It was all about baby steps.
They went up the steep slope, passing a large garage. Sora vividly remembers a cart filled with garbage nearly pummeling him one time he came to Twilight Town with Vanitas and Riku. Kairi told him that she always wondered why he smelled terrible that one time but didn't want to be rude, assuming he had just gone fishing.
Sora shook his head in good spirits and told her it was alright. It was pretty funny now that he thinks of it.
Arriving at the train station, they could see a small crowd gathering right by where the musicians were preparing to start playing.
"Just in time!" Sora cheers, "C'mon!" he excitedly starts sprinting towards the crowd.
Kairi took a moment, watching him go. "Don't ever change, Sora" she whispered to herself as she made her way towards him.
The band welcomed and thanked everyone for supporting them before starting. They announced that they had exciting news to share and that was, a new rendition of a classic of theirs. The crowd clapped and waited as the soft melodies began playing with a jazzy number.
Kairi listened in awe as Sora snapped his fingers to the beat.
She slightly turned her neck to face him, watching the gleam in his eyes as her heart fluttered. Sora was lost in the music that she committed it to memory in her heart.
Without missing a beat, she twined their fingers together gaining his attention.
Sora looked at her with wonder in his eyes and a thundering heart loud as a steel-drum.
"Thank you for today" she affectionately caressed his warm cheek.
Sora let out a soft laugh rumble through him as he quickly pecked the side of her palm.
"I'm glad we did this"
They bathed in the moment, enjoying each other's company. They laughed, danced, and took a stroll through the twilight realm. They finished the night off with a free movie in the plaza, just barely making it in time to their departure ride.
Once back home to the Islands, Sora took Kairi to his place where they were greeted with the loud noises of their group of friends playing video games. Vanitas slamming the controller to the floor in victory as Ven yelled in agony.
His big brother had kept to his word of defeating Ven, keeping his title over their cousin.
"Can we join?" Sora and Kairi asked in unison. Not realizing they shared the same thought until they paused, looked at each other and laughed.
Xion was the first to notice the pair after picking up Vanitas's controller. She smiled fondly at the way the two teens didn't realize they were still holding hands, standing by the entrance.
"Get in here, you two!" Xion warmly greeted, gesturing for them to join the festivities.
Sora gently squeezed Kairi's hand as they both walked into the living room.
It had been a jittery first date filled with nerves but it had been memorable and made better as the night progressed.
Dinner, jazzy music, a movie, twinkling lights and fluttering hearts.
A melody of memory.
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Done!
I hope y'all enjoyed this fluff!
To anyone who has read my past KH/VanXi fics and wondered where I went – I will always be a KH fan, that won't ever change. I've just been preoccupied with other fandoms and do plan on writing some new KH fics in the future if I get inspired to. Maybe even revisit old fics to patch them up to be the best version that they can be.
With that said, may your heart be your guiding key!
Remember to R&R! Plz & Thankies! :]
I don't own Sora, Kairi, and all other characters used in this fic.
Kingdom Hearts is owned by Square Enix/Disney. I just own this idea~