Sora
Around three PM, the front door bell rang, ushering in tonight's dinner guests.
Sora and his father answered the door, welcoming in Kairi, her mother Mihara, and Aqua.
What followed was a chaotic whirlwind of welcomes and hellos, hugs, kisses, and handshakes, pleasantries and offering of hospitality. And, of course, gifts.
"More gifts?" Aqua asked Sora and Kairi in a sotto voice, holding a pair of gift bags for her from Yakumo and Sayaka.
More gifts.
Gifts and gifts galore. The Kidos offered their to Aqua and the Shiratori girls, where Kairi and her mother had presents for their hosts as well as both Fuka and Ame.
Even after all, that, still more gifts to come, as Sora spirited away with Kairi, downstairs to the basement. Ever since they were kids, scraping together their allowance to get something decent, the two – along with Riku – would always do their gift exchange in private, separate from their families and everyone else. Whether it was before, after, or during Christmas itself, it was something the three always did together and enjoyed together.
Riku was already downstairs, stretched out on a couch as the two descended. "Merry Christmas, loser." Riku greeted the redhead with a playful smirk.
"Nice. Real nice." Kairi shot back. The girl was carrying two shopping bags, one in each hand. Riku was looking at her in an expectant manner, as Sora walked past him and into his bedroom. "What?"
"Well, aren't you gonna say 'Merry Christmas' back?"
"Even today. Even every Christmas, you are such a pain."
"Now, you two, no fighting, not until we've opened everything up." Sora chided in jest, emerging from his room with an armful of brightly wrapped gifts. He knew they were only playing, but it was fun to get in on the act. Especially now, seeing everyone reunited once more.
Honestly, while his mother was very much looking forward to today – a full house of people celebrating the joy of the season – Sora had similar reasons to be excited. It was his first Christmas back home, technically his first Christmas since he was thirteen, his first year since realizing and expressing his feelings with Kairi, and... his first year since realizing but not expressing his feelings with Riku. While he hadn't said anything to anyone yet, Sora was incredibly certain with himself, that he loved Riku in the same way he loved Kairi.
Thinking on it, it was strange, even to this day. He was attracted to two people that couldn't be any different from one another (other than both being very,very, very, very physically attractive). Kairi was cheerful and warm, openly affectionate and emotional, empathetic and supportive; she was this energetic and passionate person who always tried to see the best in others, but she could at times be indecisive and get caught up in her own thoughts and emotions, other times stubborn and headstrong, and maybe she took a bit too much on herself and tried to do too much. Riku, conversely, was often cold and distant, stoic to the point of absurdity. He was strong, both mentally and physically, but prone to bouts of anger and dark, sullen moods; he would rush forward to danger to help or save people, but rarely accept rewards or thanks, and in the end, would always do the right thing. Even if he needed a little push sometimes.
Of course, love was strange that way, most people would say. He didn't want to quantify or rank the people he loved, he figured if both were his best friend at one time or another, Sora could love both of them equally...even if he had yet worked up the nerve to tell Riku to his face.
One day, though. He's certain he would. I mean, it's not like all it took to confess to Kairi was being forcibly separated multiple times over the span of a year-and-a-half, then being put in multiple life threatening situations...
Oh!
Oh...
"Well, let's get to it then." Sora said, pushing aside any and all musings he may have had. He had split his presents into two piles, colour coordinated. "So, the stuff in blue wrapping paper if for Riku, and the pink wrapped stuff is Kairi's, obviously."
Kairi took a gift out of one of the bags, placing it behind herself. Then, she offered one bag to each of the boys. "Yours Riku. And for you, Sora."
Riku gave each of them disparaging looks, swiveling his view between his two friends, and each of their gift piles. "I got you one thing, each. One big thing, each." From his lap, he handed Sora a brown cardboard box, and Kairi a plain white envelope.
Kairi sighed. "You couldn't even bother wrapping them?
"Why would I waste my time with that? Merry Christmas, you knobs."
Despite the meager packaging and presentation, the two quickly made their way through to reveal the gifts.
"Holy crow... Khalia tickets?" The redhead held the pair of concert tickets in her hand, marveling at them. Khalia was a huge pop idol who lived in Salm for a brief while. This "homecoming" concert was gonna be huge, and had been sold out for months. "These are freaking floor seats!? Riku!" She reach over and smacked him across the chest. "How much did you spend on these things?"
"That's very rude to ask someone, you know?" The silver-haired teen snorted, grinning despite himself. "Just...enjoy yourself. Take your mom or Aqua or the goof here or one of your other friends. Have fun, don't worry."
"Holy crap, dude!" Riku turned over at Sora's explanation, now smiling even more at the brunet's jubilance. In his hands he held a black, double-breasted chef's jacket. "I've always wanted one of these, and it's so cool." He turned around the article of clothing in his hand. It looked custom made – red lining and golden piping, with shiny gold buttons, and patching bearing imitations of his crown pendant on both sleeves and a big one branded on the back.
Both younger teens leaned in and hugged the sitting Riku, who was looking quite pleased with himself. At least, he was, until the embrace.
"You spoil us, you know that, right?" Kairi said, teasingly, gently patting the top of his head. Riku only rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. You can pay me back by not hugging me so much."
Sora and Kairi soon urged the others to open up their gifts, each of the three teens walking away with a princely sum of goods. At the end of the frenzy, the three of them cleaning up the mess, Riku noticed that both Sora and Kairi were holding back one gift – the one behind Kairi, whereas Sora had a small box in bright pink wrapping paper. He knew a cue to exit when he saw one. Leave the two lovers to them and their moment.
"Well, since I got my stash, I'm gonna head up stairs to pick at the snack table." Riku rolled up over top the couch cushions, backwards, to land on his feet. Heading upstairs, he called, "See ya in a bit".
"He left in a hurry, didn't he?" Kairi asked, still gathering piles of packing torn wrapping paper into a garbage bag. She looked behind her to the gift on the ground, shyly rubbing one of her thighs with her foot.
Sora smiled. "He's never been one to sit around when there's nothing else for him." Bending down, the brunette picked up the sole remaining pink gift. "But, I do have one thing left for you."
"Funny, I do too." The young couple handed one another their presents, both wearing smiles that were shy and nervous at the same time. "At the same time? On three?" Sora nodded.
"On three... one, two, three...!"
Kairi undid the bow and removed the pink paper to find a small black jewelry box.
Sora ripped through the paper to reveal a plain, brown leather bound book, inscribed "Recipes From The Realm of Light".
The two looked back at one another, now each of them a little confused.
Sora went first.
"Well, open the case, silly. You can tell me about this in a bit." Kairi did what she was told, flipping the lid of the case open, showing a black choker was nestled inside. "I remember that you always liked my pendant, and I thought...why not get something so we could match?" Mounted in the center of the band was also a crown token, different from Sora's in that it lacked the hard angles and points, instead curving elegantly, ending with the tips blooming into fine starbursts. The token was made of a bright, violet enameled metal, with a bright blue stone set in the center of the crown. "I mean...maybe matching is a bit gauche. I can return it and get something else..."
Kairi looked at him and burst out into a radiant smile."No, no. I love it, Sora!" She turned around, holding her hair up, silently asking he attach the choker. Now, Sora did as his girlfriend bid, fitting the choker at the base of her neck and clasping it in the back. "It's beautiful, and I love that we have something we can share together. Thank you, so much." The beaming girl said, holding Sora's crown necklace in one hand, while pressing the fingers on her other hand to her new charm.
Relief washed over Sora. "I'm really glad. I was super worried you would panic or something. Now," he held up the strange book. It didn't look mass produced. This looked like it may have been hand bound. Personally made. "What's up with this?" He randomly flipped through the pages of the mysterious cook book, opening up to a chili recipe that looked like it was either incredibly delicious... or it would burn a whole through your gut. And the recipe was attributed to... Cid Highwind!?
"So, when I was thinking what to get you, I thought 'What does Sora like?' And I came up with three things: Adventuring, his friends, and cooking. So... ta-da!" The girl extended her arms in presentation. "It's your personal cookbook, filled with recipes that were either created or enjoyed by all our friends throughout the worlds."
"No way!"
"Yep!" Kairi was incredibly proud of herself, both for the concept, and with how well it was going over. "Everyone was super helpful to, I had more recipes than I could actually use. Tifa gave me a bunch, Anna and Elsa, there's a bunch of Halloween treats courtesy of Sally and Jack, Hiro got a bunch of stuff his aunt serves at his cafe. Mickey and Minnie even gave me the entire menu their personal chef uses."
During the explanation, Sora was quickly flipping around the book, page to page, just briefling skimming it's contents. I think I'll make a few lunches and dinners during break, just to try this thing out.
"And I'm so glad you like it, too!" Kairi finished. "I thought, you know, it's just a cookbook, not really a first gift for your boyfriend sort of thing."
Sora shook his head in disbelief. "Are you kidding? This is so cool, and you must have put a lot of effort into it. I feel bad 'cause I just bought something pre-made from a jewelry store instead of," he violently and excitedly shook the tome back and forth, "this!"
Now the redheaded girl gave him a bemused look. "But I love this, too! I think this way more thoughtful and cool. It's like you found a way to condense our connection into a singular form. It's just-"
Before her rant could really take off, Sora leaned in, taking hold of both of Kairi's hands, and kissed his girlfriend. Gentle and warm, enjoying the soft plushness of her lips, and reveling in her warmth. In this close proximity, he got of whiff of the mingling aromas of her perfume and her body wash. A mix of sweet flowers, and warm spiced fruit.
When they parted, Kairi was blushing furiously, blinking at the suddenness of it all. "What was that for?"
"I think we were about to be stuck in a loop." The boy replied. Shifting over to her side, still holding her hands, he cradled her against him. "A loop about how we thought we failed each other, or each other did us better. I figured, it doesn't matter. My girlfriend is awesome, and she thinks I'm awesome. That should be enough. Merry Christmas, Kairi."
Kairi responded by leaning forward, tenderly pressing her forehead against Sora's. "Merry Christmas, hun."
~X-M-A-S~
I can't believe I got to give this to him. Maybe it's for the best, I can give it to him in a more private setting.
Sora came up from the basement, heading to the the heart of activity at the moment: the family room. With his mom cordoning off the kitchen to prepare for dinner, everyone else were scattered about the house, enjoying themselves and relaxing, though the majority of people were milling about in the family room.
In fact, the one person he was looking for right now was present. Riku was currently speaking with his dad on the far end of the room, Yakumo currently standing behind the small bar set up in the room, playing bartender, as he tended to do every Christmas.
Doing it now might be better for both of us. Sora thought. His dad had spotted him and was beckoning him over.
As Sora approached, his dad gave him a querying look. "Sora. What do you have there?" He pointed at the object Sora had gone to fetch, something long and thin covered by a loose cloth sheath. Riku, too, curiously examined it.
"Ah, nothing really. Just something for later." Sora waved his hand in the air, casually, trying to pass the thing off and dismiss further questions. The teen pressed forward before any more could be asked, "Why'd you call me over, dad?"
"Well, seeing as how it's Christmas, I was wondering if you two would like to mark the occasion with your first beers?" Yakumo went to bend down to grab at something, but halted in his tracks when he saw Mihara Shiratori was approaching. "Oh, hello again, Mihara."
Kairi's mom smiled congenially and nodded, but did not waste time getting straight to the matter. "Did I hear correctly? You're offering beer to a pair of underage teens?" Her smile had changed to a much more coy one, giving the dark-haired politician a slightly inscrutable hair. Yakumo grinned and chuckled, possibly trying to disarm her.
"Before you get all stern and protective with us, this is just something we've been doing with Ame." Yakumo began. "Me and Saya decided that, every once and while, usually on special occasions, and if we know she isn't going out anywhere for the night, it would be okay for Ame to have a drink. This way, if she has some controlled access and experience, she was less likely to do anything stupid on her own or with her friends." Sora's dad chuckled again, gently tapping the surface of the bar. "Slightly less likely."
All three men turned to watch Mihara's reaction, the woman staring down the other parent, thumb and index finger resting on her chin. After a second or two of deep consideration, her expression softened. "That's actually a fairly responsible idea. Just don't go about making a habit of offering other children alcohol."
Yakumo held a hand on his heart, the other in the air. "You have my word, madam Lieutenant Governor. Now!" Clapping his hands, Yakumo sunk beneath the bar once more. "To start the two of you off, let's begin with – what else!" He returned to full standing height with a pair of chilled bottles in hand. "The Humble Beginnings Lager from Kingmaker Brewing!" It didn't matter what the social situation was, Yakumo could never resist schilling for the brewery he helped found and served as brewmaster.
Sora went to accept the bottle, but Riku gave them a bit of a look, raising a hand in ask. "Actually, Yakumo, I was wondering if you had something with... a bit more teeth to it. Something like a red IPA or a stout; something dark?"
Shrewd looks overtook both Yakumo and Mihara. "Riku... Have you drank beer before?"
"No." Riku said, a lie. Sora knew it was a lie. The older kid had been very open with the fact that, when he had assumed the appearance of Xehanort, he had taken a bit to drowning his sorrows in alcohol, knowing no one would card him with a face like that. In fact, when hiding out on the Islands, he made a habit of only buying Kingmaker, in a show of support to his friends and family.
Yakumo did not seem entirely convinced, but did relent to the request, fishing out another bottle. "Alright. One Humble Beginnings," he pushed the first bottle to Sora, then placed the second one down on the counter, offering to Riku, "and a Super Massive Black Hole Dark Chocolate Stout for our more discerning fellow." He cocked his eyebrows, but Riku didn't so much a flinch, silently giving thanks for the drink.
With the caps popped, the two best friends clinked the bottles in felicitation, and took their "first" drink.
Sora almost immediately regretted it, as his tongue was assaulted by a rather astringent bitterness he was not accustomed to nor did he enjoy. Once more, his sweet tooth seemed to work against him.
Riku, on the other hand, seem quite taken by the rich, heavy silkiness of his drink. "Nice. Very nice." He clicked his tongue in satisfaction.
"Nope. Nope. Not for me." Sora made a face after taking a second swig, finding it much the same as the first. His silver-haired friend made a beckoning motion.
"If you don't want it, don't waste it. Give it here."
"Yeah, I figured as much." Yakumo said with a sigh, Sora handing off his drink to Riku. "Too much of your mother in you for you to immediately gravitate to beer. That's fine, thought, I have another idea." His dad then reached for more things behind the bar, drawing out a bottle of golden-amber liquid and a thing of cola. "I'm pretty confident this will be your speed." A handful of ice in a glass, followed by a dram of the amber liquid, and then topping it off with the cola. Yakumo slid the fizzy concoction to his son. "Just don't tell your mother I let you have hard liquor. Or, that Riku had two beers." The blond beer brewer gave a slight, nervous cough.
Sora took a guarded sniff of his new drink, getting a whiff of, well, everyday soda. Once bitten, twice shy, but still willing to go for it, Sora had a sip and found himself rewarded with the cloying sweetness of the pop, cut by a warm and tantalizing bit of spice. Now this is more like it. Sora's eye widened as he nodded in approval, earning a bit of a laugh from the other two men.
By this point, Mihara had excused herself, followed shortly by Yakumo, Fuka calling out to him for help on something. This left Sora and Riku isolated and alone in that corner of the room.
Okay. Okay, this is working out.
"So," Sora began, still slowly nursing his rum and coke, "have you had that one before?" He pointed at Riku's dark beer.
"Nah, wasn't in season when I... took advantage of a bad situation. It's good, though." During his speech, Riku's eyes had fallen back on the object Sora was carrying at his side, head tilting to focus on it. "What is that, by the way?"
"Oh? This?" Sora held the sheathed thing up. "Well, I forgot. I forgot I had one last gift for you, figured this would be a good enough time as any to give it to you." Riku looked a bit peeved that he had more coming to him.
Well, now or never. Let's go.
Sora offered the gift to his friend. "Merry Christmas, one last time, man."
With a forlorn sigh, Riku set his drinks down and took the object, quickly pulling back the sheath to reveal a wooden toy sword. It had definitely seen better days, the blade was all scraped a nicked up, missing large chunks at the tip, where half the crossguard had been snapped off. The older teen furrowed his brow, trying to understand why exactly Sora had given him this, turning the toy over and over and over until it hit him.
Riku looked up, gazing directly into Sora's eyes. "This is mine. This my old toy sword from when we were kids." The brunet nodded in confirmation, but Riku was still marveling over the object. "But, where did you get this? I lost it what felt like ages ago." In truth, it hadn't been that long, but whenever anyone brought up how long they had been gone from the islands, Sora agreed it didn't feel like a year-and-a-half, but much, much longer. Time had escaped them.
"Well, you didn't lose it. You gave it to me, on Hollow Bastion, when you, uh, took the Keyblade from me." Sora didn't want to go into too much detail, he knew those events were still a raw spot for Riku. He really couldn't blame him. That day on Hollow Bastion was... intense, for everyone involved. "Then I was the one who threw it away, not really thinking about it again. Then, on a whim, I asked Leon if they had found a toy sword when renovating the castle. And..." Sora tapped the well-worn toy. "It's a little worse for wear, but I still can't believe he found it."
"No kidding."
"Yeah, yeah..." Sora nervously scratched at his head. "So, now, you have a reminder. Of how far you've come. How far we've all come." Riku didn't respond immediately, gazing down at his old toy in deep contemplation.
Tucking it under his arm, Riku showed of the barest hint of a warm, friendly. "This means a lot. Thank you." He said, quietly.
Sora's heart swelled. Very rarely would Riku show such warmth and sincerity, but it would come out, once every blue moon. The scarcity made those moments all the more special. Just one more little thing he loved about him.
Okay, okay. C'mon Sora. He began to coach himself mentally. Again. He had been doing it for most of the day. Today's the day. It's quiet. No one else is around. He won't make a scene. He won't. Just say that you love him, he'll be cool with it, he'll brush it off. Riku... Sora wasn't quite sure where Riku fell in terms of who he loved and didn't. What his romantic inclinations were. He was fairly confident he wouldn't return his feelings. Doesn't matter. Just say it. You'll feel better about yourself.
Do it. Say it.
Do. It.
Say. It.
Subtly taking a short breath, Sora began. "Hey, Riku... I just..."
"Sora, sweetie! Could I get a hand in the kitchen for a minute?"
With his mom calling out for him, Sora froze in place, his already rattled confidence damaged even further. He was now consciously aware Riku was looking at him, eyes trained in anticipation for whatever Sora had begun saying.
"Um... I'll put a pin in that one. Gotta help mom, right?"
Turning on his heel, with a nervous laugh, Sora marched his way into the kitchen.
He'd lost his shot. His moment. Hesitation had killed it all, numbness spreading through his body.
You coward, Sora.
~X-M-A-S~
Emerging from the chaotic confines of the kitchen a little while later, himself possessed with a cocktail of shame, frustration, bruised ego, and broken confidence. All of sudden, Sora was finding the confines of his house a little stuffy and noisy to bare. Maybe a quick trip outside would do him some good.
Fat chance.
A spacious porch encircled the back half of the cozy rancher Sora called home, overlooking a lush hillside, the rolling dunes of the sandy beach below, and the vast expanse of the ocean. It was a lovely, calming sight, and maybe just the remedy Sora needed for the time being.
Inhaling the cool night air as he stepped outside, he quickly became aware he wasn't alone on the porch.
"Oh, hey Kairi." The woman of his life was sitting on a faraway bench, quiet and distant and pensive. She looks like she has something on her mind. "I was wondering where you had vanished to."
Blinking out of her trance, the redhead turned with a smile. "Oh, yeah... I just needed to get a breath of air. Kinda felt suffocating in there."
"Yeah, pretty much the same." Sora shuffled down the bench, sitting right up next to the sweet girl, draping an arm around her shoulders. "Was there... is there something the matter?"
She only flashed a quizzical little grin. "Silly, I just needed to step away. Why would you even say that?"
"Come on," he said with a gentle nudge. "I know you better than almost anyone. I know when something is bothering you." Kairi seemed to shrink into herself, awkwardly rubbing her arm and muttering something. "Okay, if you don't wanna talk, I won't force you." Sora leaned back in the bench, taking in the view of the night's sky. It was clear, cloudless and boundless.
"No, no. I-" Kairi stopped herself, seeming to struggle finding the right words. "I think I'm still processing it. It may take a little time still."
"Well, when the time comes, I'll be here for you. Whenever that is." Leaning across, Sora gave her a soft kiss from Kairi. The redhead took his hand in hers, clutching it tightly. Truth be told, Sora wasn't just going to give up on getting Kairi to open up so easily. He always had the policy that being open and honest with your feelings was always the best, and he wasn't just going to let such a concerned look on his girlfriend pass so quickly. Open and honest. Like how honest I've been with myself, right, Sora. The brunette shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Maybe I should take my own medicine...
"Hey, so... I think I'm love with Riku, too."
Whether it was the nature of the confession or the suddenness of it, Kairi pulled away. Not out of revulsion, but simply so she could turn and look her boyfriend in the eye. The look in her purple-blue irises told him to keep going.
"I shouldn't say 'I think'. I know I am. Just like how I know I love you." It felt a little rough and harsh to him to say these things, considering his earlier defeat, but he pushed through his shame and frustration. This was important to him. And Kairi deserved to know, too. "Ever since we came home, I've been having feelings, daydreams...all sorts of stuff, involving him. At first it was a little confusing and alarming – I mean, I developed romantic feelings for not one but both my best friends, way to go Sora." He burst out in a nervous laugh. The entire time, Kairi remained silent, keeping eye contact, wordlessly urging him on further and further. "I've been trying to tell him, just to get it off my chest, but... I can't pull the trigger. I imagine it would've been the same way with you, if you hadn't confessed in the middle of a battlefield. But, yeah... that's been on mind lately. I probably should've told you sooner, sorry."
Sora's last words hung in the air of the wintery night, almost frozen, even if never quite got that cold in Salm. The light in Kairi's eyes changed from a gentle urge to comprehension, taking in each of her boyfriend's words, trying to treat them with the gravity they deserved.
Finally, she spoke.
"You know, that kind of makes sense, you loving Riku." Sora looked a little befuddled at the redhead's words. "Well, I mean, there's only two people I know of that you're that close to. That affectionate to. That caring of. Me, and Riku. Just the two of us. All those feelings must stem from the same place." Kairi place her palm atop Sora's heart. "And they lead to the same place."
The young Key Bearer breathed a sigh of relief. "You're not...weirded out or anything? By how confused and mixed-up I am?"
Kairi giggled, shaking her head, locks of red flying out in the dark. "No, course not. Though I'll say this, if Riku turns out to be gay or whatever, I am not letting go of you without a fight." A dark and fierce countenance overshadowed the graceful joyous of Kairi. In a low voice, she uttered, "I will not let anyone steal you away without waging war against them first."
A pregnant pause followed, Sora unable to react to...whatever that was. Kairi cut the tension, letting lose a casual laugh, which Sora soon followed with. Though, the truth was, what Kairi just confessed was more truth than joke.
When the laughter died into sputters and titters and smiles, Kairi smoothed out her hair, that same ponderous energy Sora first noticed in her this night returning. However, this time she spoke what was nestled deep down inside.
"I think Riku was right." She confessed quietly. It would barely be perceptible on any other night by this still one. "I'm fairly certain I have feelings for Aqua, too." Immediately, the girl began blushing furiously. Considering she had been denying this until very recently, the revelation must have came in short order. "Uh... don't tell Riku I said he was right, please? I'd never hear the end of this..." Sora chuckled, bringing her back into his embrace.
"It's okay, sweetie, your secret is safe with me."
"So..what do you think?"
"About?"
"About...this!"
"Well," Sora paused, trying to think of the right thing to say. Instead, he decided to go with the first joke that popped into his head. "Between me and her, you have incredible taste!" Miraculously, Kairi let out a snort of laughter. "Okay, yeah, that was bad of me."
"No. I mean, yes." Kairi shook her head. "I mean, you are about as handsome as she is beautiful, so you aren't wrong." She slapped a free hand on Sora's thigh. "Well, here we are. You, who is in love with both of his best friends."
"And you, who's in love with a woman you've said is like a big sister."
She looked slightly offended at that. "Well, when you put it that way, it makes me sound like some confused and mixed-up weirdo."
Sora moved his hand down to Kairi's neck, pressing two fingers against the emblem of her new choke. "Yeah, but, that just means we can be confused and mixed-up together."
"Yeah..." Kairi got quiet again, but this time, an active quiet. She half-stood from her seat, peering around the perimeter, making sure no one was coming. A devious smile was plastered on her face.
With one outstretched hand, Kairi pushed Sora down, back flat against the seat of the bench. The brunette was both surprised with what was happening, but also curious as to where this was going. He offered no resistance to what his girlfriend had in mind. Shifting her hands so they were clutching Sora's, positioning them above his head, and then bringing herself down, lying across his chest, looking him dead in the eye. Face to face. Nose to nose. "I am more than happy, being confused and mixed-up with you."
Kairi shut her eyes and kissed him, pushing the entirety of herself deep down, erasing all but the barest of distance between the two young lovers. Everything but the two of them vanished. All the stress and chaos of the seasons, the worry and pain and frustration, even their own jumbled up mess of feelings, the twisted knots in their hearts. It was just Sora and Kairi – the vast, open sky and the gentle, rolling sea.
Eventually, a long eventually, the two broke apart, both of their faces nearly as red as Kairi's hair. "Wow..." Sora blinked, big dopey grin on his face, "what was that for?"
"Because..." Kairi snaked down her boyfriend's, so as to rest her head on his chest. "Because you're sweet and kind, you always do your best to help everyone around you. Because you're honest with yourself, and try to get everyone else to do the same. Because I love you..." Sora wrapped one arm around her, placing the palm of his other hand on her head. "And, because I wanted to."
Sora let lose a brilliant smile.
"I'm glad that I get to spend this day with you, and that we can share this moment together."
The two remained in one another's silent, soft embrace for quite a while. Until the two of them were called in for Christmas dinner. Just the two of them, in the quiet night.
The sky was open and clear, and full of bright, shimmering stars.