Bittersweet Melody: by hikari-aozora
Bold: parts of the chapter's song
Italics: a thought or flashback
Underlined: emphasis on words
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the KH, KH2, or Final Fantasy Characters used, unfortunately ... that would be really, really, really cool if I did ... don't you agree? Anybody wanna buy the rights to it for me? They'd be the coolest person in the world if they did! So, anybody wanna volunteer to pitch in for me?
(A/N: Haha I bet you guys all thought I died! Nah, I'm back. Sorry, I was having serious writer's block. Plus I didn't have much time on my hands, but hey, I wrote two oneshots that I think are pretty good, so if you wanna check those out go ahead. Silent Confessions and Boxing Up the Memories.)
CHAPTER SEVEN: Fall to Pieces
And so, Sora went on to tell Kairi all about the previous few day's events, from the anxiety he had felt when his mother had told him about her job interview, to the anger he had felt shortly after that. But most importantly, he told her about how furious he had gotten when he had feared that he would have to move away ... from her.
"Oh," Kairi said once he had finished his explaination. The reason for his little emotional loss-of-control didn't seem as urgent as she had thought it to be. Trying to hide these thoughts, she asked, "Is that all?"
"Well, yeah," Sora said. He realized that he hadn't made his reasoning seem important enough, but that didn't matter. At least she knew now what was going on.
Kairi stood and made her way over to Sora, wrapping her arms around his middle and resting her head against his chest. "It's okay, Sora. Nothing bad will happen," she reassured him.
As much as Sora wanted to believe this, he couldn't help but think that somehting would in fact go wrong. Moving away from her ... not being able to see her again ... it had happened before ... and it would hurt just as much, if not more, if it happened again. Sora looked down at Kairi and wrapped his arms around her. He couldn't lose her, not again, not after all he had done to get back to her. No ... he wouldn't let it happen ... but how could he prevent it?
Kairi looked up at Sora, her eyes meeting his, and said, "After all of that, are you still in the mood for a movie?"
Honestly, Sora wasn't in the mood, but he wouldn't let that spoil Kairi's night. He smiled down at her, placing a quick kiss on her lips and said, "Sure. But, what movie are we going to see? We never agreed on that before."
The girl looked off at an angle, as if thinking, and then she shrugged. "Now that I think about it, there's really nothing good playing in the theaters ..." Then she looked back at Sora, an idea striking her. "We could have a movie night here. I've got popcorn ... We can just order a movie OnDemand or something." She giggled. "It'll be just as fun, right Sora?"
I look away
Then I look back at you
You try to say
The things that you can't undo
Sora smiled. It sounded like a good idea to him, too. He nodded and said, "Okay. I'll make the popcorn, and you can pick out the movie."
Kairi pulled away and put her hands on her hips. "Promise you won't complain about whatever I pick?"
The boy nodded. "Promise." And with that, he headed into the kitchen and began rummaging around for popcorn.
After searching through most of the drawers, finding most of them empty, considering who it was that lived in the house, and the fridge, he began digging through the pantry. Finally, he found a box of 94 fat free butter popcorn. Sora smirked, shaking his head in disapproval. "Geez, Kairi, where's the real popcorn?" he shouted across the house to Kairi, who was busilly searching for a good movie to watch. "Wait, don't tell me you think you're fat!"
He heard her laugh in response, and she returned his shouts with one of her own. "It's healthy food, Sora, healthy. Hah, not like you know the meaning of the word!"
Sora shook his head and pulled out two bags from the box, slamming the pantry door behind him, and making his way over to the microwave to cook them.
A few minutes later, he headed back into the living room with two steaming bags of popcorn and handed one to Kairi, adding, "For you, madam," as he placed it in her hands. She smiled and thanked him, pressing the play button on her remote and starting the movie. Sora made sure to turn the lights off before sitting down beside her and shoving a handfull of the popcorn in his mouth, learning the hard way that it was still hot.
The movie started getting good after a few minutes, though Sora had no idea what it was called or what it was about, for he had never seen it before. Kairi was pretty into the movie, so he decided not to bother her with questions about it, deciding it best to just relax and enjoy the show.
After a while, Sora could sense Kairi growing tired. She had long since finished off her popcorn and had tossed it carelessly aside, but she had become quiet, completely drawn into the movie. Sora didn't care for it much, himself, but he had promised not to complain.
Then, with a yawn, Kairi placed her head on Sora's shoulder and let out a sigh. As Sora put his arm around the girl, enjoying the feel of her body leaned against his, he couldn't help but stare at her. She didn't notice him staring, for she was too busy devoting her attention to the movie. But he was watching her ... how she breathed slowly but steadily, batting her eyes every once in a while ... how her legs were curled up tight beside her so that she could use Sora as a pillow more comfortably ... how her arms were daintily resting against his side, as if bracing herself ...
... she looked ... so calm ... so peaceful ... without a care in the world.
If I had my way
I'd never get over you
Sora only wished he could be more like her, more carefree, anyway. He didn't want to have to worry about leaving again.
Everyday without her was torture, and he had put up with it for too long.
He wouldn't leave her again. He couldn't leave her again. He didn't think either of them could bear it.
Today's the day
I pray that we make it through
Make it through the fall
Make it through it all
"This is a pretty good movie, don't you think, Sora?" Kairi asked without taking her attention off of the television.
"Shh ..." Sora said, and Kairi obliged, not bothering to look at him She just figured he was into the movie just as much as she was. But, really, he was enjoying just looking at her, enjoying her company without a need for words. She was so beautiful. So kind-hearted. So perfect.
Sora smiled to himself, leaned down, and placed a gentle kiss on Kairi's cheek. Briefly, she looked up at him and returned the smile, and then she averted her gaze back to the movie, snuggling up a bit closer to Sora. He held her tighter in response.
The boy couldn't help but wonder why it was that simple moments like this were so divine, why they meant so much, why they were so cherished, when there was really nothing that special about them. But he figured, it was just all part of being in love.
And I don't wanna fall to pieces
I just want to sit and stare at you
I don't want to talk about it
He couldn't lose her. He had to find a way to make sure that he never lost her.
Finally, the room grew even darker as the credits rolled across the TV screen. Kairi sat up, pulling away from Sora, and stretched her arms out. She yawned and just sat there for a minute, her hands in her lap, before she turned to Sora with a grin on her face. "Well, I have to say, that was a pretty good movie. What do you think?"
Sora didn't answer her right away. Instead, he met her lips with his, pulling her into a tender, sweet kiss, one that only lasted a few seconds, and then he pulled away. "I thought it was very good," he lied.
Kairi smiled, as if sensing that he wasn't telling her the truth, and put her hands on her hips again. "You didn't really pay attention to it, did you?" she asked accusingly.
The boy laughed and shook his head. "No, not really," he answered honestly.
"Aw, Sora ..." Kairi whined, but she was quickly silenced as Sora put a finger to her lips.
"Shh, don't speak," he said, lowering his voice. Then he leaned in for another kiss, this one far more passionate than the last. Kairi let her arms find their way around his neck, as if they just belonged there, and gave herself to the kiss. She was actually enjoying this one ... it wasn't forced, like it had been just a few hours ago.
And I don't need a conversation
I just want to cry in front of you
I don't want to talk about it
Cuz I'm in love with you
Sora leaned in farther, to deepen the kiss, gently pushing Kairi backwards so that she was laying down on the sofa, but Kairi didn't mind. She found herself pushing back just as much, starting a battle between their tongues. The kisses got deeper and deeper until they could go no further, became slower, more drawn-out and intense.
Finally, feeling the urgent need to breathe, Sora and Kairi pulled apart. Kairi's hands still stayed wrapped around Sora's neck, and a gorgeous smile had crept upon her face as she gazed into Sora's eyes. They were, if possible, a deeper blue than ever before. Sora, in turn, as he gazed right back into her eyes, thought that hers sparkled with a radiance never before seen. Sora returned Kairi's smile with a goofy, lopsided one of his own, causing her to laugh at the sight. It was a wonderful moment shared between them, even as no words were said.
You're the only one
I'd be with till the end
And when I come undone
You bring me back again
Back under the star
Back into your arms
Finally, ending the silence, Sora placed another quick kiss on his love's forehead, and said, "I love you, Kai." Then, after a moment's hesitation that earned him another loving smile from the girl, he added, in a softer tone, "I would never hurt you. You know that, right?"
And I don't wanna fall to pieces
I just want to sit and stare at you
Kairi's smile faded for some reason, possibly because she was being reminded of the night's previous events. He had come so close to hurting her then ... but then again, that wasn't really him at the time. When she saw concern begin to form in the boy's expression, she quickly responded with. "Of course I know that, Sora." When his expression did not change, she kissed him quickly on the lips and added, "I love you, too."
I don't want to talk about it
And I don't need a conversation
I just want to cry in front of you
I don't want to talk about it
Cuz I'm in love with you
Sora, though unconvinced that she believed he wouldn't hurt her, smiled, even if it was a nervous one, and backed away, allowing Kairi to sit back up. Kairi gave him a questioning look, as if wondering what was wrong, though she figured he had sinced her insincerity. An akward silence fell between them, neither of them sure what to say. Sora cast a quick glance to a clock on the wall, noticing that it was nearing 10 pm, and decided that he'd best be heading home. "I better get going," he said, scratching the back of his head nervously and getting to his feet. "Sorry, Kai. I had fun but ... I gotta go." As Kairi rose as well, he began to make his way to the door, not entirely sure what was coming over him. He just had a strange feeling that he needed to leave, that staying any longer would only make things more uncomfortable.
Wanna know who you are
Wanna know where to start
I wanna know what this means
As he approached the door, he could hear Kairi following close behind. "Aw, are you sure you can't stay longer?" she inquired, trying to sound just a little bit seductive, but she failed miserably, only making the situation even more uncomfortable.
Sora stopped when he reached the front door and sighed. As much as he wanted to stay with her ... the desire to get away was stronger. "I can't, Kai, I'm sorry. Mom says she'll be home first thing in the morning and ... I have a lot of questions to ask her ... heh." He carefully pulled the door open and stepped outside, turning around to face Kairi, who was now standing in the doorframe.
Kairi let out a sigh, not wanting Sora to leave, but knowing that he had his reasons. "Look," she said, "I'm sorry--"
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Sora said, stepping up to her and placing a hand on her cheek. He kissed her one last time, tenderly, and then backed away. "Love you," he said, and he started out for home.
"'Bye!" Kairi called out after him, and she closed the door behind her, locking it. Then she slid down to the floor, her back still against the door, and let out a sigh. Well, that was a strange night, she thought, replaying its events in her head, blaming herself for 'scaring Sora away.' Why did I have to sound like I was lying? Of course he'd never hurt you, Kai! He risked his life to save yours! Stupid, stupid, stupid!
Wanna know how you feel
Wanna know what is real
I wanna know everything, everything ...
But Sora, on the other hand, was blaming himself. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" he said, scolding himself aloud. Why did I have to let my emotions get the better of me? Why did I have to fall to pieces like that? He kicked the ground in frustration. Kairi's afraid of me now ... she hesitated ... it was so obvious she's afraid ... Oh, what am I going to do now? He just had to find a way to prevent losing her again but ... with the way things were now, what was he supposed to do?
And I don't wanna fall to pieces
I just want to sit and stare at you
I don't want to talk about it
And I don't need a conversation
I just want to cry in front of you
I don't want to talk about it
Cuz I'm in love with you
Then a thought struck him like a blow to the face. He knew exactly who could help him out ...
(A/N: FINALLY! Another chapter! Sorry it's so short. Again, I was gonna combine this one and the next one, but that would make it waaayyyy too long, and I kinda wanted the next one to be a seperate chapter anyway so ... yeah. Who do you think he's gonna talk to? Lol, bet a lot of you can guess. Yeah, so, added lots o' fluff in this one. But I kinda had to get it out of the way so ... yeah, I'm sure you understand. But hey, got over my writer's block!)