Forever Love

"Of course," Kairi assured him, taking back her arm. She stepped over and grabbed her bag from where she placed it by the bench, slipping it over her shoulder. "Shall we?" It was time they got back to campus. Kairi had another class soon.

Kairi looked into the camera as well, the side of her head touching Sora's with how close they were. She smiled sweetly as she got the shot, that smile softening as she pulled her phone closer to see it clearly. "That's a keeper," she thought aloud, arm still around Sora's back. She was definitely framing that one.

Kairi's heart fluttered. That kiss on the hand was innocent and part of his role, sure, but...Sora probably didn't realize how much that affected her. Regardless, Kairi nodded and moved to stand beside Sora, taking out her phone. She adjusted her crown as well. Holding out her phone, she looked up at Sora, her other arm wrapping around his lower back. "Ready?"

Kairi released Sora slowly, looking up at his handsome face as she remained in close proximity. "Thank you for the dance, Prince Charming," she said to him, glancing at his flower crown. She would make sure to grab a picture with him before they left the gardens.

Kairi clutched Sora tighter at the words. It was a promise; she didn't even have to ask to make sure. Sora had protected her for so long, it was as natural as breathing. She was lucky to have him, in more ways than one. "Thank you, Sora," she whispered. She felt him smooth her hair. That was natural too. Them being like this--it may have been odd for two people who were just "friends", but...Kairi liked it. A lot.

"I know," Kairi murmured. She took in a breath, inhaling Sora's calming scent. "But...you shouldn't have had to stick up for me." Yes, they were best friends, but...Noel nearly fought Sora because of her. That wasn't right.

Kairi moved closer to Sora, wrapping her arms around him as she leaned her forehead against his shoulder. Sometimes, I don't think I deserve your friendship, she thought, eyebrows furrowing. Sora would make someone incredibly happy someday.

Kairi stopped their swaying and gripped Sora's shirt as she kept her grasp on him. "I'm sorry, it's just..." She closed her eyes and ducked her head slightly. "I'm surprised you're being so nice to me, after everything with Noel..." She knew Sora was hurt by her being with Noel recently, and now he pretty much humiliated both of them in front of the campus. Wasn't Sora upset with her? "To be honest, I'm kind of expecting an 'I told you so...'"

Kairi's smile dimmed as she thought about the holiday breaks coming up soon. Halloween was first, but that wasn't really a break. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas, which were a little ways off. Regardless, she gazed at Sora in wonder. After everything that just happened with Noel, how could he still be so nice to her? She avoided Sora for Noel for a while, and he avoided her for the same reason, and it all just blew up in Kairi's face.

"Looking forward to it already," Kairi replied with a tilt of her head, smile remaining. It was easy to smile around Sora. He was kind of like sunshine in that way--you couldn't really be upset when he was around. She had already come to the realization that Sora was her light.

"...Rapunzel, right?" Kairi smiled to herself. "Wish I could have met her. I didn't really get to go very many worlds myself." She and Lea had been training for the big battle most of the time. Corona was a place she hadn't been able to visit, but the way Sora spoke of it in the past, she knew she would have loved it. And that wink Sora just gave her? That sent Kairi's heart into a tizzy. Did he know how attractive he was, or was he completely oblivious?

Kairi blushed madly as she danced with Sora. To avoid eye contact, she looked down at her feet as they danced, making sure she didn't step on his toes. Princesses were supposed to be graceful, light on their feet, excellent dancers. She had never attended a ball, so she couldn't say how well she was doing. But Sora... "You're a good dancer," she told him, speaking softly to not disrupt the atmostphere. Her eyes found his as she said this, his hum reaching her ears as the floral scent of the gardens flooded the air.

Kairi’s blush deepened as she nodded. “We shall,” she agreed softly, placing her hand in Sora’s and rising to her feet. She briefly thought of their dance outside Snow’s party, but this seemed more intimate. There was more purity with this one, more innocence and less alcohol and clumsy feet. It would be great.

Kairi tilted her head. “Every princess needs a prince, right?” She played off her Princess of Heart title, something she didn’t usually do; it was a title that carried serious weight. “That means you’d have to dance with me.”

Kairi blushed faintly. “Your turn,” she told him. She placed the crown on his head and laughed softly. Sora looked adorable. She definitely had to get a picture of this. “My Prince Charming!”

Kairi smiled and began to work. She and Sora laced their crowns in silence, but it was comfortable—nice. There were never any uncomfortable silences with Sora. He always made her feel at home. When she had him for company, Kairi felt more like herself. He brought out the best in her, always.

Kairi followed Sora’s gesture and joined him on the bench. She set her flowers to her side. “You remember how to do this, right?” They hadn’t done it since they were kids, before the keyblade. It had been a long time. Too long since they had done anything remotely childish.

Kairi looked over her shoulder. “Okay! And then we can take a picture, for keepsake.” The flowers would eventually wilt, but a photograph would be nice to hang in her room. It would also make her laugh every time she looked at it.

“Touché,” Kairi agreed with the same smile. “Help me find flowers!” Her voice held some excitement to it, much like a child’s would. She turned and started her search, plucking a few purple and pink ones. They weren’t exactly “masculine” colors, but Sora wouldn’t mind, right?

Kairi smiled sadly, and appreciatively. “Right. Well, should I make you a flower crown like I used to?” she asked, tilting her head. She then approached Sora and placed the daisy behind his ear. The sight brought a giggle out of her. Laughter was much better than sadness, regarding Noel or her past.

Kairi looked down at the flower in her hands. “Not a lot. Very little, if anything at all,” she said, eyebrows furrowing. It was...sad. She remembered her grandmother of course, but Aqua was a faint memory, as were her parents. “I remember good things, sure, but...I remember the bad stuff too.” She had memory of the fall of Radiant Garden, but it was faint.

“Mm. Brings back some good memories,” Kairi admitted, plucking a daisy from its place in the ground. She twirled it’s stem snd turned to Sora. She never really got the chance to see this place in ruins like Sora did. She only had her childhood memories to refer to.

Kairi couldn’t help but giggle at Sora’s sneeze. She released his hand and walked forward, fingering a few flowers as she went by. The scent was strong, but it reminded her of her childhood. When she first met Aqua and spent time in front of Ansem the Wise’s castle. Her grandmother too.

Kairi took the last few steps alongside her best friend, but upon seeing the gardens, her hold on his hand loosened. Her periwinkle eyes grew in size as they darted around the area, and her lips parted in awe. “Wow...” she whispered. This place... it was beautiful. Sora was right—Aerith did have a green thumb.

Kairi walked with Sora in silence, eyes darting around parts of Radiant Garden she hadn't gotten the chance to see lately. She got a brief tour from Leon and the others upon arrival, but...she didn't know this area existed. She followed Sora along the stone steps, smelling flowers as they went. The gardens.