#sora/kairi

[sokaiweek]

Happy SoKai Week, everyone! ✈️🧳

Promo art is by the wonderful @apticho ❤️ Thank you again for making such a beautiful piece for the event ❤️

Also, thank you to everyone who has participated so far! We've really enjoyed seeing what you've made, and we can't wait to see the rest of your pieces ❤️

[phoenix-downer]

Love’s First Bloom

Summary: Kairi accidentally falls into a rushing river when she tries to pick a rare paopu flower. Sora and Riku work together to rescue her and realize they both have feelings for her.

Kairi likewise has a few realizations of her own.

~5000 words. Set between BBS and KH1. Love Triangle, Friendship, Romance, Fluff, Angst, Feelings Realization, Crushes, First Love, Introspection, Hurt/Comfort. POV Kairi, Riku, and Sora.

🌸🌼🌺

How quickly life can change. Like a cool breeze picking up or a slight shift in the scenery, suddenly what you took for granted can be gone in an instant. 

“C’mon, Kairi, let’s go!” Sora called. Kairi looked up from her current crafts project: a flower crown with purple asters, white chrysanthemums, blue forget-me-nots, and big red hibiscuses. Those colors were all nice together, but a yellow flower would be a nice addition. Maybe she’d find one as they went exploring. 

She tucked the flower crown in her pocket, then grabbed her straw hat and put it on. She wasn’t like Sora and Riku—they tanned easily, especially Sora, but her skin turned red so fast. And then the red turned into dozens and dozens of freckles. Redheads weren’t made for the tropical sun, and brief memories of another place flickered through her mind. A place with a big castle and lots of flowers and waterfalls. 

“Coming!” she cried as she stumbled after the boys. They were both so much faster than her, and the sand on the beach was always hard to run on. But presently the ground beneath her feet got more solid, and the boys finally slowed down as the three of them passed through the town and started climbing the hills behind it.

“Where are we going this time?” Sora asked, looking at Riku. Riku always decided what they would do. 

Riku grinned and swung his play sword. “It’s a surprise. But I think you’ll like it, Kairi.” He looked at her like he wanted her to say something. Come to think of it, he’d been looking at her a lot lately. 

“Oh, are there nice flowers?” she asked, her fingers resting on the flower crown in her pocket. She wanted to finish it as soon as she could.

Riku’s grin got bigger, and his eyes had a teasing glint in them. “Maybe.” 

“And pretty scenery?” she pressed. Every part of Destiny Islands was pretty, but Riku always knew the best spots.

“Only the best for you,” Riku said, and Kairi felt a funny feeling blooming in her chest.

Sora frowned, his face twisting into a scowl. “I know some pretty spots too, Kairi,” he said. 

Riku rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. The stuff I showed you guys last week,” he said, and Kairi giggled into her hand. 

Now Sora was pouting. “That’s not true, I know a lot of nice spots Riku doesn’t know!” 

“Prove it, then,” Riku said, and Sora muttered something about how he would. At the branch in the mountain path up ahead, he led them to the right. They followed the path for a little longer until Sora took them off the path and through a clump of trees. On the other side was a beautiful clearing full of wildflowers, perfect for sparring. The sound of running water reached Kairi’s ears. There must be a branch of the river nearby. 

“Oh, this is really pretty!” Kairi exclaimed, clasping her hands together. She glanced at Sora, and he grinned and rubbed his cheek. 

“Hmmph,” Riku said. It was clear this was a place he hadn’t been before. Either that or he had but hadn’t thought to bring them here.

Sora pulled his wooden sword out. “Wanna fight?” he asked Riku, and at this Riku perked up. He loved the chance to spar with Sora. He pulled his sword out too and moved into an attack stance. 

Kairi smoothed her skirts and dutifully sat down on the grass nearby. Sora recklessly charged, and Riku carefully evaded him, then caught him in the back. Sora plunged into a roll and then sprung to his feet. He whirled around so quickly that he caught Riku by surprise, knocking Riku over. But Riku still had a trick up his sleeve; he waited a few seconds, then pushed himself up with his arms, using his momentum to kick Sora with both of his feet. Sora flinched and yelped but still clung to his sword. And so the fight continued with neither of them getting the upper hand. Riku was stronger but Sora was faster, so it wasn’t clear who would win.

After a while, Kairi got kinda bored watching the boys fight. They sparred so often that she felt like she'd seen every combination of tricks they could pull off, and there were some pretty-looking flowers over by the riverbank that she really wanted to pick. She skipped off in the direction of the river. A quick glance over her shoulder told her the boys didn’t even notice because they were so focused on their fight. Smiling to herself, she continued on. She usually enjoyed hanging out with Sora and Riku, but sometimes they were just such…boys. Lately they’d been constantly sparring and competing with each other, even when she wanted to pick flowers or go swimming or make seashell crafts. 

Besides, this way she could give them both flowers no matter who won the fight. 

The wildflowers along the riverbank were really pretty. Their petals were small and delicate, like little blue bells hanging off the stems. The river sped along nearby, deceptively calm for having such a fast current. Her parents always warned her about not swimming in the water when it looked like that. One wrong move and she would easily get swept under. 

Humming, she picked a few more flowers and tucked them into her pockets. She was always careful not to take more than she needed. Only enough for her crafts—the rest she needed to leave behind so there would still be pretty flowers in the future. That was what her parents had taught her. The flowers she did pick would make nice gifts and supplies for her crafts.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a brilliant yellow blossom. It had five petals, and the rounded shape of the petals made it look like a paopu fruit. Kairi’s breath caught. Was this the paopu flower? She’d only seen it a couple times in the wild before, and never in a place she could reach it. It was supposed to be super rare, and she hadn’t expected to see one today.

Which meant she had to pick it. Who knows when she might find one again? Edging towards the riverbank, she thought about who to give it to: Sora, or Riku. A blush crept up her cheeks. You were supposed to give the flower to someone you loved. But who did she love? She wasn’t really sure. 

Just…a little further…there. She plucked the flower and smiled, glancing back towards the boys. But the movement threw her balance off, and she gasped and dropped the flower. A clump of earth crumbled beneath her hands, and a root from a nearby tree broke off when she grabbed it. She clutched at something, anything, to keep herself from falling in, but it was too late. With a scream, she tumbled headlong into the cold, fast-moving waters of the river.

🌸🌼🌺

The moment Riku and Sora heard Kairi’s blood-curdling scream and then a loud splash, the boys dropped their swords and raced to the riverbank. Riku knew Kairi was a strong swimmer thanks to his careful lessons (well, and if he had to, he would admit Sora had helped her too), but the river was cold and the current was fast. And if she’d hit her head on anything when she’d fallen…

Riku reached the riverbank first. He yanked his shirt off and threw it on the ground. “Sora, I’m going in!” he called as Sora arrived, panting hard. “Find a branch I can hold onto and pull us out.” Sora nodded, trusting him completely, and with that Riku dove into the icy water. Man, it was cold, and the current was fast, but he had to find Kairi. She hadn’t fallen into the water much earlier than him, but—

There she was, a little further downstream. Her eyes were half-lidded and she was gripping a tree branch, but as he watched in horror, her hand went limp and she slipped back into the water. 

“KAIRI!” he shouted, then swam to her as fast as he could. This couldn't be the end of her. He wouldn't let it be. Ever since she had washed up on the shores of the Destiny Islands eight years ago, his life hadn't been the same. She'd been shy and quiet at first, her eyes always gazing off into the distance like she was searching for someone she couldn't find, but that was before she’d opened up to them. They were all friends now, and the thought of never hearing her giggle or seeing her smile or watching her eyes light up when he surprised her made his stomach churn and drove him to reach her. He had to see the way her eyes danced and her smile got playful when she teased him and Sora again. He just had to.

Faster, he had to go faster. His senses sharpened, and his feelings were as clear as the river rushing to take her away from him: he couldn't bear for her to slip out of his life just as suddenly as she'd entered it. Her head briefly popped out of the water again, and relief flooded him at the side of her familiar red hair. He reached towards her, he was almost there, just a little farther—

“Kairi, grab my hand!” he shouted.

She latched onto his arm with far more strength than he expected, and he knew Sora had to act quickly, or they would both drown. In her desperate state, Kairi wouldn't remember to avoid dragging Riku under the water with her. It was something all parents told their children on Destiny Islands, and the warning rang clear through Riku's mind.

“Riku, grab the stick!” 

Never had he been so relieved to hear his best friend's voice. Sora had tied himself to a tree with some spare rope and was holding out a tree branch to him, his eyes filled with panic and worry. Riku grabbed on, and the unwanted thought flashed through his mind that Sora might not be strong enough to pull them both out. He was still pretty scrawny and small. But a determined glint was in his friend’s eyes now, and Sora braced himself and pulled with far more strength than Riku thought he was capable of. The muscles in his arms strained and shook, and he gritted his teeth and groaned loudly, but he refused to let go. For a split second, Riku thought he saw a blond boy several years older than him in Sora's place, but then he was gone and it was just Sora. Slowly, inch by inch, he pulled Riku and Kairi out of the river.

Sheesh. Riku must've been seeing things with how stressed out he was. He turned his attention to Kairi. She gasped and coughed, and at last enough of Riku was on the bank to pull and drag her the rest of the way up. She was shivering, soaking wet, and now covered in mud from the bank, but she was alive. He suddenly felt very, very weak, and as he glanced at Sora, he was shocked to see tears dripping down his cheeks.

“Thank goodness,” Sora said, sniffing and rubbing his red eyes, his voice filled with relief. “I thought I was gonna lose you both.”

Riku was irritated at how much of a crybaby Sora was being. Again. Seriously, he'd been such a crybaby ever since they were kids, and even at twelve years old, he still cried shamelessly in front of other people. Then Riku was annoyed at how little faith Sora had in him. Did Sora really think he wouldn't save Kairi? 

But when Sora smiled at them both and knelt to hug them, all of that melted away.

We really matter that much to him, don't we? A pang of guilt shot through Riku at how he'd been treating Sora lately. Putting him down in front of Kairi to try to impress her. Goading him and teasing him when he reacted and got upset. Turning everything into a competition because a tiny, green-eyed voice deep down wondered if Kairi liked Sora more.

Not that Sora noticed. The idiot was still so oblivious to his own feelings, let alone Kairi’s.

But Riku didn't push Sora away or tell him not to hug them. He didn't like how clingy Sora was being, but after what they’d all just been through, he would allow Sora to be clingy. Just this once.

“Kairi, you’re as cold as ice,” Sora said. He pulled away from them and frowned. He was right. When Riku touched her arm, it was way colder than it should've been. She coughed and wouldn't stop shivering, and when Sora said her name again, she didn't respond. 

“Kairi, wake up,” Sora begged, but she still wouldn't respond.

“I think she needs to see a doctor,” Riku said. “Hang on, let me grab my shirt so you can put it over her, then I'll go get her parents.”

He found his shirt upriver a little ways away from them, right where he’d left it, and brought it back. He tossed it to Sora and took off running, following the path of the river. He had to make it back to town as quickly as possible. But he was tired, so tired from going after Kairi. Would she really be okay? If only he were stronger, he could carry her all the way back to her parents or to the doctor himself.

Another pang of guilt shot through him. He needed more strength. More strength to protect her. His body was growing every day, but it still wasn't fast enough or strong enough. He still had to rely on adults for help. One day, he would have the strength to protect his friends himself. He had to. 

The thought urged him forward even as his legs ached and his lungs burned. Strength, to protect what matters. That was what he wanted, more than anything else.

🌸🌼🌺

Sora didn't know what to do. Even though he’d wrapped Riku’s shirt around Kairi, she kept getting colder and colder. She wasn't responding to him anymore, like she'd fallen into a deep deep sleep. She was still breathing, but her face was as pale as a ghost’s.

His heart was thundering in his chest, and his head swam. His arms ached from lifting Riku and Kairi out of the water, and he felt so useless. What good was it that he'd gotten her out of the water if she died here?

“Riku, hurry," he pleaded, but he knew he had to do something before his friend returned with help. It would still be a while yet before anyone else came. So he pulled Kairi close to his body and held her tight, hoping with all his heart that his warmth would make her body warm up again.

This was the closest he'd ever been to her, but all he could think about was how cold she was, how limp she was, how he wanted nothing more than for her to open her eyes again. Her eyes were so pretty. Blue like the sea with just a hint of purple, her favorite color. How did he not notice how pretty they were before? And now she might never open them again.

“Wake up, please,“ he begged, and the words sounded strangled and choked. “Kairi, you have to open your eyes!”

How could he have been so stupid? The thought of losing her made him realize just how much she meant to him. She was such an important part of his life, woven into so many memories as tightly as she wove her flower crowns and daisy chains together into beautiful creations. He couldn't imagine the future without her. In his mind, he'd arrogantly acted like she would always be there. But today had shown him he couldn't ever take a single moment with her for granted.

So he willed with all his heart that she would live, that his warmth would be enough. If it was, he would be sure to treasure every memory with her from now on.

After what was probably only minutes but felt like hours of agonized waiting, her skin felt ever so slightly warmer. At first he thought it was his overactive imagination, but no, a slight flush had returned to her cheeks. He gripped her even more tightly. A minute passed, and then another, and at last she stirred and opened her eyes.

“Sora?” she said weakly. Her voice sounded more like the croaks of the frogs they liked to catch in the pool on the Play Island, but to him it was the most wonderful sound in the world.

“You're awake!” He smiled, and in that moment he thought his heart would leap out of his chest. A warm, tingly sensation tumbled through him, but it wasn't a bad feeling. Just exciting and new. He would think about it later.

She smiled back. “You saved me. Thank you.”

He couldn't help himself. He hugged her tightly, and a moment later, he felt her arms wrapping around him. This was a very different hug from the quick hug he’d given her and Riku earlier. She was close, closer than she'd ever been, and something stirred deep inside him. His face, no, his entire body felt warm. He’d never been so aware of his body like this before, let alone hers. He was embarrassed by what he was feeling, but at the same time, he didn't want to let go of her either. It was like he couldn't move and didn't want to. She wasn't pulling away either. Did she like hugging him? He sure liked hugging her.

What was all this? He’d never felt like this before. Before he could make heads or tails of it, Riku returned with the grownups. 

The look on Riku's face was strange. Like Sora had just said something awful and punched him. Sora felt oddly…guilty. Like he shouldn't be hugging Kairi like this in front of Riku, even though it felt better than he could've imagined. So he pulled away from her even though he could've sat there hugging her for hours.

“Kairi, are you okay?" her mother asked, holding a blanket out to her daughter. The grownups took over from that point, and Sora just sort of watched everything in a daze.

Until Kairi wondered whose T-shirt she was wearing, and Riku shyly said that it was his. Kairi thanked him and tried to give it back to him, her cheeks pink as she avoided looking at his bare chest. Riku shook his head and insisted she keep it, and his cheeks were flushed too.

Sora felt like someone had kicked him in the gut. The breeze that had felt pleasant earlier felt cold now. Like the world was strange and different and off kilter because he knew something he wished he didn't. 

He understood now why Riku had given him that strange look. A tiny green-eyed monster reared its ugly head inside him. A creature of shadow that whispered Kairi's mine. Sora pushed the creature deep down to where he couldn't hear it anymore. Kairi wasn't a possession to own, she was a person. She was his friend. How could he even think something like that?

But a part of him didn't want her hugging anyone else the way she'd hugged him. And that part of him did not like the way she had looked at Riku, or the way Riku had looked at her.

Sora had stepped into a storybook he didn't want to be any part of. Riku was his best friend. Kairi was also his friend. He didn't want to hurt Riku, and he couldn't bear to watch Kairi smile at Riku or blush because of something Riku had said or giggle because of something Riku had done. He had the funny sense that the little green-eyed monster would grow bigger and stronger every time she did.

So when the grownups took Kairi back to the town, Sora stayed behind. She looked disappointed but didn't argue, and he promised he'd see her tomorrow. Now he was wandering back and forth by the river and kicking clumps of grass. He didn't think he could be around Riku or Kairi right now. He was relieved she was okay, but he had no idea what was going on with himself. The three of them were friends. They would always be friends. Right?

He wanted everything to go back to the way it was. Things had been fine this morning. Sure, Riku liked to tease him, and Kairi liked to tease him too, but he knew where his place was in that world. This new world, with these confusing new feelings? He had no idea. All he was sure of was that he wanted to hug Kairi again like that, but he didn't want to hurt Riku's feelings. And he knew that if Kairi ever hugged Riku the way she had hugged him, the monster might destroy him from the inside.

Not that he could ever let either of them know that. All of this felt so wrong and so complicated. 

He wandered over to the spot where Kairi had fallen in the river. A yellow flower with five petals caught his eye. Huh. The rounded shape of the petals kinda made it look like a paopu fruit. He picked it up and carefully tucked it in his pocket. It was a nice flower, and for some reason, he felt like it should stay with him. Maybe it was a token of good luck that had kept Kairi safe. He would take it home and put it in a vase. That would help it live for a while longer.

As he walked home, the future didn't seem so scary anymore. Those strange thoughts he had had earlier, those weird new feelings…it all felt a little silly now. He and Riku and Kairi would always be friends. He put his hands behind his neck and whistled as he walked the path home.

A tiny part of him, not the little green-eyed monster but something smaller and more delicate and yet harder to kill, hoped that someday, Kairi would hug him again like that, and that Riku wouldn't hate him for it.

🌸🌼🌺

The next day, Kairi was feeling much better. A good night’s sleep, her mother's miso soup, and the day off from school had worked wonders. Still, that had been an awfully close call, and she promised her parents never to do something so foolish again just to try to get a flower.

She sighed sadly. She'd been so close to having a legendary paopu flower of her own. Imagine what she could've done with it! Oh well. It certainly wasn't worth her life, and she knew she would find another one eventually.

The weather was perfect today. She happily skipped down the path to the main part of town, enjoying the beautiful scenery. Her father was the mayor, and her family lived in a big special house on a hill overlooking the town. Sora and Riku's families lived in town, so it was a bit of a walk to reach them, but she didn't mind.

She decided to stop by Sora's house first. It was a little closer, and he'd acted strange after their hug yesterday, and she wanted to know why. He’d gotten all quiet and thoughtful, which wasn't like him at all. She was a little bummed out he hadn't walked her home along with the grownups and Riku. But he’d said he wanted to stay behind a little longer, and she’d been too tired to argue.

She knocked on the door, then rocked up and down on her heels as she waited for him to answer, her hands behind her back. His mom opened the door instead and invited her in, and she greeted her politely and took off her shoes. Then she took the stairs two at a time and burst into his room. He was lying on his bed with his hands behind his neck, and he sat up, surprise written on his features until he realized it was her. His face lit up and then softened into a smile.

“Hey, Kairi! I'm glad you're feeling better.”

She tilted her head and leaned closer, which made his breath catch in an adorable way and a flush creep up his cheeks. “It's all thanks to you and—“

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a brilliant yellow blossom carefully placed in a simple glass vase on his bedside table. It had five round petals, and Kairi’s breath caught. Was this the paopu flower she’d picked yesterday? 

“Sora, where did you find that flower?” 

He grinned. “Oh, that? It's pretty, isn't it? I found it on the riverbank yesterday and brought it home because I liked it.” He paused for a moment, studying her face. “Do you want it?”

She just stared at him for a few moments. You were supposed to give the flower to someone you loved. By fate or by chance, the flower had made its way to Sora. And in that moment, her feelings became crystal clear. The flower was a sign, but it hadn’t made up her mind. No, it was simply confirmation of what she already knew, deep down inside her heart.

She was very grateful to Riku for saving her from the river and for his friendship over the years, and like every other girl on the islands, she thought he was attractive, so of course she had blushed at seeing him shirtless yesterday. But she'd also realized something very important, something that had taken her by complete surprise.

Sora was the one she had a crush on. Sora. On paper she should prefer Riku. He was older, he was more mature, he was stronger and faster and good-looking. So why didn't she like him like that?

The answer was Sora. As she gazed at him, her heart grew warm and a blush spread across her cheeks. She couldn't stop thinking about the tender way he’d hugged her yesterday. How safe and gentle his arms were. How he had warmed her cold, shivering body up. The smile on his face that was meant only for her. It had lit up his eyes when she woke up and transformed his entire appearance. And his eyes were so pretty. How had she never noticed before? They were as blue as the sky at midday without a cloud to shroud them. She loved his messy mop of spiky brown hair and his dorky clothes, too. 

He was so brave and kind and goodhearted. Finding the strength from deep in his heart to rescue both her and Riku from the river, even though it must've been really difficult to pull them both out of it.

Sora was a good person. And knowing he was a good person, that he would go to any length to save her, painted him in a different light. Or maybe she was finally seeing what had been there all along.

She suddenly felt bad about the look on his face yesterday when she’d tried to give Riku back his T-shirt. He looked so hurt in a way she hadn't ever seen before, but he’d quickly masked it. Was it possible he was jealous? The thought sent a little thrill through her.

He had nothing to be jealous of. The paopu flower was only confirmation of something that had been growing and growing until today it had burst into bloom. Its yellow petals cast everything in a different light, like rays of the sun showing her Sora’s true self.

He tilted his head, a faint smile twitching at his lips. “Kairi? Everything okay?”

“Yes, sorry! I just got lost in thought, that's all.”

He just shook his head and grinned. “And you give me such a hard time about daydreaming,” he teased, putting his hands behind his neck. Then his expression softened and he lowered them. “But seriously, do you want the flower? You can have it.”

“Oh! No, no I want you to keep it. It suits you, and it suits that spot on the window.”

Still…The fact that he’d offered her the flower…was that confirmation he had feelings for her, too? 

No, he didn't know what it meant. She wasn't even sure he knew what his feelings were. But maybe one day he would. And then maybe he would tell her.

“Okay!” He glanced out the window looking out over the area in front of the house, where Riku was now waiting for them. “C’mon, Riku’s here.”

“I'll be right down,” she told him. With that he took off and clambered down the stairs while she lingered, staring in awe at the flower. It had found its way to Sora like it was supposed to and had revealed her feelings to her. Her heart.

This was all so strange and sudden and new. She needed time to think, to process her feelings before she went downstairs and joined the boys. A blush crept up her face, and she giggled into her hand. Sora! She liked Sora! Selphie would tease her endlessly about it if she knew.

But she didn't have to know yet. For now, this was Kairi's precious, private secret. She didn't have to tell anyone until she was ready. How this would all unfold was uncertain, but these new feelings were wonderful, and she would treasure them in her heart just like she treasured Sora in her heart.

And, when the time was right, she would tell him. Glancing at the flower one final time, she knew how she would do it. It was all in the flower’s namesake. She descended the stairs with a smile, looking forward to the day her daydreaming would become a reality.

🌸🌼🌺

A/N: Happy birthday to @hollypollly! 🥳 She gave me a very detailed prompt and outline for the story which was a lot of fun to write ❤️ Thank you so much for everything, Holley, and I hope you have a wonderful day and a fantastic year ❤️ I'm really grateful we met, and I'm glad you're a part of my life 🥺❤️

And thank you all for reading ❤️ I really enjoyed exploring how each of the characters felt in this situation because I do think they would all be feeling conflicting emotions, and it was fun to put that Ventus cameo in there too. I also really enjoyed exploring the world of Destiny Islands more and expounding on the paopu flower concept Holley came up with. Hope you all enjoyed!

[twosidesfanzine]

Two Sides Volume 2 Preorders Are Open!

🍽️ Preorders for Two Sides Volume 2: A SoKai and RokuNami Cookbook are now open! 

Our zine features 33 recipes with art and stories based on those recipes and fun food-themed merch, all celebrating Sora, Kairi, Roxas, and Naminé!

All profits will go to the charity Feeding America 🍽️ 

Store: https://twosideszine.bigcartel.com/

See below the cut for bundle information!

Bundles

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[sokaievents]

SoKai Day 2024

SoKai Day is on September 17, 2024, and this year's theme is Always With You 🌠 🌊

Other SoKai quote-themed prompts are welcome as well ❤️

Thank you to @/tamtam8813 for the beautiful promo art that perfectly encapsulates the theme 🥺❤️

[pred1059]

A King's Thone - Sokai Day 2023

Kairi had a comfortable chair in the Mayor’s office. She’d replaced the old one when she was elected, her father’s seat having long since passed its prime. Her new one had a sturdy frame, but also cushy padding, perfect for Kairi to work through the day. The swivel was set just right, rotating as needed so someone could turn their attention to anything on the desk with ease. Even though he’d only sat on it a few times since it was brought in, Sora swore it was one of the best seats he’d ever sat in. 

Sora had his own work as her secretary answering questions and listening to the people’s feedback that kept him from her office normally. As comfy as his own chair was at first, all too quickly it became mundane. The routine work wearing out the initial novelty. Not that he was too jealous. Kairi’s work was busy enough with hearings and committees that she had the privilege of using the chair whenever she wanted it or needed it.

Of course, he was probably more drawn to Kairi herself when work was over, rather than the chair. The smile on her face after work made everything worth it. Even the few times she had to make him wait while she was on a meeting call were filled with anticipatory glances at him. He just knew it was the same way for her as she could hardly wait to join him.

Both of them looked forward to two of them walking home hand in hand, talking about their day or their plans for the evening. Plans for dinner, for trips, or nights spent together whispering sweet nothings. All the things a couple dearly in love after years would do.

After everything they had been through, being torn apart, flung across worlds, fighting with their keyblades to protect all they knew and loved, Rescuing one another, they had certainly earned that much at least. On one hand Sora was certainly happy for the freedom to live their lives together. And yet…

As he saw the empty office, Sora’s smile fell as he realized he had to wait. One of Kairi’s hearings probably was taking a little longer than expected. He moved behind her desk and sat down, sighing at the plush feel of the cushion. Given how hard he worked, the comfort of a fine seat was appreciated. Even if desk work wasn’t as demanding as fighting with a keyblade 

Not to mention a faint but familiar scent he cherished: a hint of Kairi’s perfume, stirring up memories of moments together. Of reunions, of dates, of a long awaited wedding. Memories that Sora wouldn’t trade for the world.

Even if there was one he might have liked to have. A small silly idea, not worth really getting bent out of shape over. Honestly, it was something that would never really happen no matter what he did.

Still…

“Look at you, sitting there like you’re king.” Kairi’s voice roused him from his thoughts as he met her own adoring gaze. She was standing in the doorway in her violet suit with a smirk. 

Sora shrugged and shifted himself up from the slouch his daydreaming left him in. “You’re the mayor, I’m just married to you.” 

Shaking her head, she walked up to where Sora was seated and brushed her fingers against his. “Don’t sell yourself short. You do a great job figuring out what people need.”

“Thanks Kairi.” Taking her hand, Sora caressed it as she gave a light giggle. Though the comment earlier stuck slightly in his mind. As it was a bit closer to the mark than he would have expected. Still, if anyone would figure out his unspoken fantasy it would be Kairi. Sora looked to the side with a sigh and a smile. “Still, after everything I’ve been through with an adventure involving saving a princess…”

“Usually that’s the point where the hero becomes King.”

Kairi hit the nail on the head with her guess as Sora mused, “You hear so many versions of the story growing up, the idea sticks with you a little bit.” Bedtime stories of the hero returning triumphant over his trials, wedding the princess, and ascending the throne as the new king. “I can’t say I didn’t think about it when I first got the keyblade. Learning you were a princess of heart also didn’t help.“

Kairi giggled as she leaned forward. “Sounds like the perfect setup if you ask me.”

Sora’s smile fell as he gave her hand a tight squeeze. “But I wouldn’t want you put in danger just so I can get a reward.” Sora never wanted to see Kairi’s life put in jeopardy again after what they had been through. “Not to mention how everyone else was at risk too. It wasn’t just us.”

“But we made it,” Kairi said to him as she reached out with both hands to gently stroke his cheeks. “You did save everyone, and we finally got home.”

“I know. I’m not complaining too seriously,” Sora whispered as he relaxed at her touch. “A title might be nice, but living with you is more than enough.”

Kairi gave Sora a pat on the cheek as she offered, “You know, people would say being mayor is more or less royalty, and we are married.”

Rolling his eyes with a smirk, Sora pointed out, “But I don’t have royal blood. So even if you were queen, I'd be…some title.” He furrowed his brow with a nervous smile as he tried to recall the proper term…

“Prince Consort.” Kairi nodded at him.

Yes, that was it. Sora shrugged with a grin. “Doesn’t sound quite as impressive,” 

Kairi moved closer to Sora as she murmured, “Well, you’ll always be a king to me.” With that proclamation, Kairi met Sora’s eyes with hers and whispered, “My king.”

Smirking, Sora ran his hands up Kairi’s arms and murmured,“Then will the queen kiss his majes-” Only to stop as he stumbled on his words, looking aside and muttering, “Your majesty? Her majesty?”

Giggling, Kairi turned his face back to hers and answered, “Yes, she would.”

As his lips met hers, Sora’s heart couldn’t help a small flutter. Years had done nothing to dull the love between him and Kairi. A content hum came from them both, as Kairi gently sat on his lap. He didn’t need to be told to hold her closer as they continued to make out. 

Pulling away however, Sora saw that Kairi’s smile had taken on a more wistful look. “I get it, you know?” She gave a small sigh as she recalled,  “We pretended who knows how many times that I was a princess to be saved. Learning I was a real one made me think of it.” Leaning her forehead against his, Kairi mused, “Living in a castle, ruling wisely and justly. The king that saved me at my side.”

Sora closed his eyes as he simply felt the warmth from her. “You’ve saved me just as much, you know.”

Kairi let her hands fall from Sora’s face as she agreed, “There’s a lot that goes into a happy ending that stories and games can’t quite get across.” The trials and tribulations they both had faced had pushed Sora and her to the brink. Hugging Sora, she leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’d make you a real king if I could. After everything you’ve done you’ve earned it and more.” 

Returning her embrace and patting Kairi’s back, Sora assured her, “Hey, I’m the one who recommended you to run for mayor. You’ve got more of a head for administration and paperwork than me.” Title or not, he couldn’t regret the decision for their campaign as Mayor of Destiny Islands. Not when they worked so well together.

Sora couldn’t see her face, but could imagine the smirk Kairi had as she chided, “Don’t you think home would be a better place to sweet talk me?”

It was a fair point, the sun was already beginning to set. Though Sora couldn’t help himself as he began to grin. “But you’ve got such a nice chair.”

Pulling back in their embrace, Kairi grinned at Sora. “I’m sure we can find a more suitable throne at home, my king.”

Sora nodded as he gave her a gentle squeeze. “Then lead the way, my queen.”

A/N: Special thanks to @currantlee for taking the time to beta read this!

[shweshisketch]

If we don’t get kh4 news soon I’m gonna start drawing fanart of the trailers that play inside my mind

[haido]

Listen to my story

(KH ver.)

[wiavi]

[doodlesfromthebird]

Baby Namine

[iyuro]

dump of some old stuff from after i finished kh 1 after YEARS of owning it... i love kairi and sora </3

[sokaiweek]

Announcing SoKai Week 2024! 🥳 

This year's theme is "Bon Voyage" with a focus on travel prompts ✨

🧳 July 7-13 

🧳 1 prompts/day

[sokaievents]

SoKai Day 2023

SoKai Day is September 17, 2023, and the theme is The Future! 🏙 💫 A big thank you to @hallsth-eien for the beautiful promo art ❤️

ソラカイの日は2023年9月17日です！テーマは将来です 🏙 💫

[pred1059]

Runaway Wind Chapter Forty Two

<- Previous Chapter | Current Chapter | Next Chapter ->

“You require failure.”

Behind him.

The darkness was behind him.

Where Kairi was.

“No…!”

Sora turned to see the shadow using magic in one hand to bind her hands and legs. And the other pulled back, a blade of light crackling from his hand.  

Her eyes were wide, she was shaking as she whimpered. “S…Sora?”

The darkness pulled back its blade with a smile.

NO!!!

Time seemed to slow to a crawl as Sora began to run. His voice cracking as he screamed, 

NO!!! KAIRI!!!

But he couldn’t reach her.

As soon as he arrived, the shadow vanished with Kairi in a blur. Sora crashed through the double doors, stumbling to his knees. He could hardly breathe, hardly think, he just knew he had to find them! He ran through the castle, corridor after corridor, room after room. Door after door.

Was it this door?

No, that can’t be it. The door’s locked, maybe down the hall. He ran, footsteps on the carpet.

Wait. What was he thinking? He had the keyblade! He turned around to find her voice again, back the way he came. Turning at the fork in the hall…

No, that wasn’t right, there was a door…

“Sora?”

He heard her voice, a whisper, a whimper. He had to follow it, had to find her, had to save her. He turned toward it and saw a silhouette in the light. Her light.

His feet ran but he wasn’t getting closer. He tried to answer, but nothing came from his throat. What could he do?! She was right there! Something rose from his chest, a scream clawing away at his breath!

“Kairi!”

But as he jerked up from his sleeping bag, it came out as a startled murmur as realization dawned on him. The nightmare scenario he witnessed again was just that, a nightmare. A dream. Even so, Sora hung his head in his hand as the uncomfortable questions nagged at him again. An uncomfortable series of ‘what if’s’.

What if Kairi wasn’t there to stop Zexion? 

What if Donald and Goofy had gotten trapped in that book?

What if he really lost—

No. Kairi was fine, sleeping in one of the sleeping bags from the camping kit, Xion in another beside her. Donald and Goofy were napping away next to an alarm clock Donald had set. Everyone was fine, everyone was safe.

But repeating that truth to himself did nothing to quell his fears.

Sora groaned and tried to shift into a comfortable position in his sleeping bag. But his effort to get a little more rest stopped as he saw Kairi looking at him from her own sleeping bag. Her brow furrowed, she whispered, “Can’t sleep?”

Managing a smile, Sora propped himself up on his elbows and mumbled,“Hey, it’s better than being a lazy bum, right?”

Kairi sat up as she shook her head and answered, “Not if it’s giving you nightmares.”

Sora winced, smile fading as he acknowledged the weight of his journey. “After everything that’s happened, fighting the heartless, beating Ansem, I thought that all we’d have to do is save Riku and the King.” Just one last task before they could go home. Before he could return to her. “But now there’s these people in black robes, that are after you, me, and who knows what.” Looking away, he crossed his arms and muttered “I just wish I knew what to do.”

Kairi looked aside, grimacing as she admitted, “Sometimes, there’s not much you can do. Sometimes, you just need to wait for your chance to fix things.”

Any other time, Sora would try and joke about how he hated waiting. Yet he couldn’t even manage that, only voicing the fear that had been gnawing at him since facing Zexion. “But what if the time comes and my best isn’t enough?”

Sitting up now, Kairi faced Sora as she quietly responded, “I’d say trying is better than doing nothing. Even if you lose, you get to learn from your mistakes.”

He had to admit it was a good point. Taking his lumps losing to Riku was how he started getting good enough to beat him when they were play-fighting. But things had gone far beyond fun and games now. Sora’s hands gripped the sleeping bag as he muttered,  “What if me losing means you get hurt for it?”

The room was quiet, Kairi wincing as she answered, “If I get hurt, we’ll find a way to get through it. We found a way to bring you back from being a heartless right?” 

Sora furrowed his brow as he heard a hint of fear in her voice. That moment in Hollow Bastion, where he faded away in front of her. Did Kairi blame herself for that? Having to hide her heart in his, leaving her unable to do anything as he sacrificed himself?  Then his eyes widened as he realized he missed one important detail. 

“Kairi, why were you up?”

“Sora!”

She came to with a start, watching as he stumbled back with the keyblade dissolving from his chest.

Kairi ran to him, the terror at what she knew would happen burning away any drowsiness. For a brief second, she could feel her fingers hold him again in his arms.

But a second later, no-one was there.

But hadn’t this happened before? Kairi wasn’t sure. She looked around, wasn’t Sora traveling with someone else? “Donald? Goofy?”

But no-one was there.

“Riku?” He was just here! Even if he was possessed, he couldn’t have gotten far! She ran down the carpeted steps, trying to find someone. Barging through the door, she looked around the white halls of Castle Oblivion. Her voice echoed as she cried out, “Hello!? Anyone?!”

But no-one was there.

“I was having a little trouble sleeping too,” Kairi admitted as she pulled her knees to her chest.

Sora slipped out of his sleeping bag and shuffled closer. “Anything you want to talk about?”

Kairi looked over to him before she shuffled out of her bag and faced him. “I was alone climbing up Castle Oblivion. When I was fighting to see you again, it was easier not to think about it.” The one hand still lingering on her pillow gripped it as she muttered, “But now that I’m with you again, all I can think about is how I don’t want to lose my friends again.”

Quietly, Sora made his way next to her and placed his hand atop hers on the pillow. “I’m sorry you had to go alone,” he said to her as his blue eyes met hers. It wasn’t quite something he had to apologize for, but he wanted to say it nonetheless. Though a second later, he realized just what he truly wanted to say.  

“I’m sorry I left you behind.”

Kairi gently wove her fingers with his as she shook her head. “I’m not sure it’s much better than seeing friends attack me. Or being told everyone was going to forget you.” Sora nodded, a hint of guilt coming over him as he recalled her horrified face when he explained the illusions he confronted through the castle. Then again, there wasn’t much point in measuring their pain. If Kairi was hurt, Sora would do everything he could to—

Sora’s train of thought came to a halt as he felt her pull on his arm. He watched with surprise as Kairi reached over and pulled him into a hug. “Kairi? You’re—.”

“Please.” A quiet murmur from her was enough to stop his questions. “I just want to know this is real.”

Sora wasn’t going to argue, as he let his arms wrap around her as well to return the embrace. The reassurance that she was here. That they weren’t alone or forgotten. Feeling the beat of her heart slow with his, matching in rhythm. A moment of solace in the conflict they’d found themselves in.

They still had to find Riku and Mickey, and understand what those men in black wanted. But right now, they were content to recover their spirits together.

Pulling away, Sora saw Kairi had relaxed, a gentle smile on her face that seemed to match his own. “Do you think you can get back to sleep?”

And that was the moment Donald’s alarm clock went off, ringing as it rattled across the floor. The two yelped as they shot to their feet at the sound, though neither seemed to want to let go. Instead, it was Donald who groaned and brought his hand down on the clock to silence it. “Morning already?”

Stretching with a yawn, Goofy mumbled,“Well, let’s make some breakfast and get outta here!”

Xion slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. But she paused as she looked at Sora and Kairi. “Are you okay?”

Kairi looked at Sora, the two still hugging and slowly let go with a nervous chuckle. “Just had a hard time sleeping.”

Wincing, Xion fiddled with the zipper on her sleeping bag. “I’m sorry. Are you feeling better?”

Sora’s hands lingered with Kairi’s for a few seconds as he nodded. “Yeah, we are.”

Seeing Kairi nod in Agreement, Xion got out of the sleeping bag with a satisfied smile. “Then let’s help with breakfast.”

They had set up camp at the Sanctuary before the first floor, their journey out much quicker as the illusions were gone. Just a quick trip down an empty collection of memories. Though not a quiet one, as Xion asked questions about the many sights.

Yet as they opened the door out of the castle, there was a sight that made them wonder if there was one last trick. 

On the shadowed rock leading away from the castle above the abyss stood two figures. A fat cat in a red and purple outfit. And Maleficent, alive and well.

 Donald squawked at the sight of the sorceress,“What the?!”

“It can’t be!” Kairi took a step back, Xion hiding behind her.

Gritting his teeth, Sora called on his keyblade and settled into a fighting stance. “Maleficent and…!” 

Only to realize that she was being accompanied by a rather large figure he had never seen before. “Who are you?”

At the lack of recognition the cat sputtered, “WHAT?! Don’t tell me you two didn’t tell them about the great and mighty Pete?!”

As Pete pointed to him and Donald, Goofy grumbled “We sure woulda told them if we knew you joined up with Maleficent!”

“How are you even back?!” Donald pointed his wand at Maleficent as he pointed out, ”We beat you back in Hollow Bastion!” 

The questions only made the sorcerer chuckle as she brought a hand to her chest. “Unfortunately, I am very hard to kill. More to the point, you are barring my path to true power.” Sweeping her hand forward, she pointed to Castle Oblivion. “One of the last few bastions of keyblade wielders was said to lie between light and dark. I can think of no place better than this that might house the secrets of χ-Blade.”

Sora furrowed his brow at the speech. “Keyblade wielders? Key…blade?” It made no sense. Nevermind how she came back, why was she talking about keyblade wielders from the past? Why in the world was Maleficent emphasizing the first syllable in keyblade like that? Was she slurring it? 

“How fortunate that I called on some assistance for such a reunion.” Raising a hand, Maleficent conjured a dark portal that grew larger and larger. Stepping forth from the shadow came a large beast, yellow eyes glinting as it stared down everyone before Maleficent. The air thickened with heat for every step the large heartless took. Snapping her fingers, Maleficent ordered.“Take the girls, both of them!” At Maleficent’s words, the beast's eyes began to glow.

Sora barely had enough time to defend himself as the creature’s eyes flashed, causing an eruption of flame around it. Glancing back, he saw Donald had gotten behind Goofy and his shield, while Xion had remained behind Kairi as she used her keyblade to blunt the force of the blast.

A sight that caused Pete to take a step back. “Wait, she’s got a keyblade!?” Looking at Maleficent, he tugged at his collar as he asked, “She wouldn’t happen to be one of the princesses we’re after, would she?”

Watching as Kairi held her ground defending Xion, Maleficent muttered, “Unfortunately, she is. This complicates matters.”

“Alright, Riku. We’re almost out!” 

Then a voice from behind Sora caused everyone’s attention to turn to the doors of Castle Oblivion.

A voice that Sora had heard only once before, but Donald and Goofy had recognized in an instant. “Your Majesty!” 

Though to Sora and Kairi, their attention was focused on the one who limped behind Mickey. “Riku!” 

“You!” A snarl from Pete put an end to the cheer as he began to stomp his feet in fury. “You little punk! What’re you doin’ here!? Maleficent said you were gone!”

“Pete?!” The shock from Mickey's face was quick to pass as he called on his keyblade. “Don’t tell me you’re using the heartless!”

Maleficent held a hand in front of Pete to keep him back and scowled, “Enough. The circumstances have clearly changed.” Yet her face softened as she saw Riku again. “But perhaps there is still hope, my boy. If you might aid me again.”

Riku winced, and clenched his fists before shaking his head. “No. Never again.”

Conjuring a portal, Maleficent spat at him, “Then take your weakness and rot in it. Pete, we will return later.”

Sora chased after them, trying to weave his way through the flames. But that was enough to slow him down and keep him away while Maleficent, Pete, and the heartless creature they had summoned vanished into shadow.

Silence hung over everyone. So much has happened, not just in the past minute, but over the past few months. Questions of what had happened, and how people were here seemed to be gathering in everyone’s minds. Even as Sora and Kairi walked towards Riku, he couldn’t bear to look back. Donald and Goofy were stuck looking to where Maleficent had gone and Mickey had arrived.

 But eventually the silence was broken.

“Hi, I’m Xion. Who’re you?”

[shweshisketch]

For request

Destiny Trio doing handstands...

One of them is still learning tho

(if 3 is too much just pick 2)

At this point in the story I think all of them could pull one off 🫣 but I imagine when they were younger Sora would fail the most trying to imitate Riku

[asteraws]