Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

Before The Typhoon

Side Chapter: First Date

Flashback

"Ven let's get this one!"

I smiled at her and walked up to her, examining the clothes she was picking out. This was turning out to be a long first date but I wasn't complaining, not in the least. We decided to go to Radiant Gardens and check out the new mall. I would never have thought that Aqua could be such a shopaholic but it was fun so far. She hadn't spent a single piece of munny in all the time she had been working. She had plenty and so did I and surprisingly, even after Terra's lectures on never going shopping with a girl, it was a lot of fun.

"Alright, try it on and let's see,"

She smiled at me and went into the changing room. I swallowed hard; some of the clothes she picked were a bit…enticing. She came out, wearing a shirt that revealed her belly button and long sleeves. It was a white shirt with the collar being large, making it slump over her shoulder, revealing more of her flesh. She also wore a slight baggy pair of black jeans. The jeans were a little form fitting from the top and grew baggier as it went down. All in all, it was one word…hot. I had to loosen the collar of my shirt to make it less warm.

"What do you think Ven?"

My brain struggled to find the words to say.

"They're…they're uhh…nice?"
"Oh come on Ven, be honest,"

I smiled mischievously.

"Ok fine, you look stunning,"

She lit up like a tomato.

"See why I didn't say it?"
"Oh be quiet," she said sticking her tongue out at me.

I chuckled as she went off to buy the clothes she picked out. She thankfully didn't try on the swimsuit she picked; I had no idea if I would be able to maintain my composure if that were the case. We moved onto the Lasertag Arena and I sighed loudly; if there was one thing Aqua always had us beat in, it was shooting accuracy. Then again, as a mage, she has to have that accuracy. We strapped up and entered the arena. It was a large maze, clouded by what I thought to be the cheap dry ice + water combo. I moved slowly and carefully; Aqua had a way of always appearing out of nowhere and strike before you can even react. My hunch was right and I reacted fast enough to dodge her surprise attack from the left. I managed to get her in the shoulder and she giggled at the vibrations the gear gave off whenever it was shot. I ran to get away from her, zig zagging everywhere in an attempt to dodge but as usual, she got me right in the back in the middle. Sometimes, I hated her godlike accuracy.

After the Lasertag Arena, we decided to have lunch. I insisted on paying and after about 20 minutes of debating, I won. We didn't really say a lot because we both were starving to death but we never broke eye contact. It was here that I realized that when Aqua cares about someone to the point of dating them, she constantly radiates love from even her eyes. Thus far, we hadn't argued or had a fight or anything negative at all. It wasn't until we went on the Ferris Wheel in the park 10 minutes out from the mall that I discovered things she didn't like.

"I'm not so keen on heights, I don't mind them but this is a little high…"

I felt bad for making her go on there but she never told me anything she was afraid of. When the elevator stopped for a short while, we looked towards the night. I sat beside her instead of across from her.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" she said as she looked at the stars.
"Very," I replied.

My hand held hers and her grip tightened.

"Ven…I have something to tell you,"
"You know I'm all ears,"

She took a breath and turned towards me. She looked embarrassed but at the same time serious.

"This is kind of a late first date,"
"Yeah no kidding, three weeks?"
"You remember!"
"Of course I do, how can I forget?"

She seemed a little bit more at ease but her face was still serious. I instinctively tried to kiss her to attempt to calm her down but a finger shot up and stopped me dead in my tracks. She looked scared.

"That's what I have to tell you…I have a fear of kissing,"

My mind was blown and I was tempted to stumble back but I knew it wouldn't help the situation.

"What? But you kiss me all the time,"
"Cheek kisses, haven't you realized I never once went for your lips?"

She was right.

"Why?"
"I don't know, but whenever I want to, my heart goes crazy and my mind tells me to go away from it,"
"So you're saying you have philematophobia?"

She nodded at me. I immediately looked down and sighed.

"I understand if you don't want to be with me anymore…"
"Are you kidding me? Look at what you're saying!"

She looked up at me.

"Do you honestly think that your fear will make me stop liking you?"
"I thought that my inability to kiss you would,"

I chuckled.

"Aqua, I don't like you just because I want to kiss you, I like you, not what you will do,"

She lit up like a Christmas light.

"I'm not going to stop dating you just because you can't bring yourself to kiss me, I'm not that shallow, I'm more than willing to be with you regardless of that fact,"

She hugged me deeply.

"You'll conquer that fear sometime, I know you will and I know you can,"
"I'll try…because I hate not being able to kiss you,"
"How about a cheek then?"

She playfully conked me on the head but kissed my cheek. I held her close to me.

"I love you Ven…"

I blushed and stroked her hair.

"I love you too Aqua,"

Best date ever, period.