nightmares? nightmares!

[heartslight]

[ So it's been a few days since the Mark of Mastery exam, and during their time staying in Yen Sid's tower, Kairi's noticed Sora's been a little ... off. He hasn't been full of cheer, like he usually is — even just the smallest bit missing, and Kairi'd notice. She's one of a few people who knows him like the back of their hand. The boy wears his heart on his sleeve, after all.

It's clear that something's been bothering him, but to what extent exactly, she wouldn't know. But she's sure it has to do with what happened during their exam — he failed it, after all. Maybe he's a little broken up about it?

So she keeps relatively close to him whenever possible, just in case he needs her for anything. But she can't help but speak up when she notices him trip a little while going up the stairs around bedtime one night, thanks to the lack of coordination that comes with a lack of sleep.

And she's quick to close the gap between them and rush to his side. ]

Sora! Are you okay?

Comments

[heartslight]

[ Oh gosh ... That makes her smile so warmly — she feels so happy to hear that, and she just overall feels a little warmer, whether it's out of happiness that she can provide something like that to him or just because of how she feels about him. ]

Then we really should do this more often, huh? [ She exhales a small laugh. But she's definitely being serious. ] I've always felt the same way. Kind of like you were protecting me in my dreams.

[ One guides, and the other protects — and both end up being happier for it. ]

I remember one time, when we were really little, you did show up in my dream. To protect me. [ A literal protector, in this instance, rather than just his presence keeping the bad dreams away. ] I spent the whole next day wondering if I should ask you if it was really you. Kind of silly, huh?

[ She knows that sort of thing can't happen ... probably. Well she can't be so sure now that she's heard of what's been happening to him, but ... it was still silly of her younger self. ]

[oathkeeper]

[That tiny confession has Sora let out a small laugh, his fingers coming up to rub at his nose.]

Aww, you should of asked if it was me. Did I at least look like a cool knight in shining armour? I hope so.

[It's so comfortable like this. Talking about good dreams instead of nightmares. He prefers this so much more than dwelling on the negative things. She puts his heart at such ease and he can already feel the sleepiness catch up to him.]

[heartslight]

[ Mmnn, she likes this, too. And she's glad to see him happy — really glad. It makes her heart feel so warm, to see him smile.

She scoots a little closer to him, laughing softly herself. ]

The coolest. [ Really, he was just himself. His normal self. But that's precisely what makes him the coolest, to her. ] Like always.

[ Is that making her feelings too obvious? Oh well. ]

[oathkeeper]

[That makes him grin. Leave it to Kairi to be so open about agreeing with Sora looking cool when most people wouldn't be caught calling him that (riku, donald). He feels a bit proud.

Sora shifts a little closer too and he feels courageous enough to reach a hand out to touch her hair, tucking a lock of it behind her ear gently.]

Hey. [A knight. He wants to be a good one. For her.] I'll always do my best to protect you. You know that, right? Nightmares or dreams and outside of those too...

[heartslight]

[ Her smile fades a little at the seriousness of what he's saying, before returning back to a smile, as she moves a hand to rest atop his, holding it to her cheek gently. ]

I know. You've come for me every time. And I always know you will. [ Dreams, or real life. Sora's never failed her, and she's never even considered that he might. ]

And I'll do the same for you. Just like now.

[ She's here for him, forever and always. And she pushes her cheek into the hand she's holding to it, a little. ]

[oathkeeper]

[Her touch is so warm. It's always been this comforting light in the midst of all the darkness that he faces. Sora's smile softens and he can't help the flourish of silly love he feels inside his chest.

Maybe part of his nightmares have been that fear of not being able to be there for her. All those times that she's been just slightly out of his reach, ripped away from him... He wants it to stop. He just wants to hold her.]

Yeah. I don't think I'll have any nightmares tonight.

[As long as his heart knows that she's there protecting him too. Sora can't help the urge to pull her to him as he gently reaches to tug her into a hug. Finally, those nervous butterflies are leaving his stomach.]

[heartslight]

[ She feels the same — she only wants to be close to him, but they're always ripped apart for one reason or another. It feels so warm to just spend the night with him. Like it's something that's long overdue.

When he pulls her in, for the first time she feels some butterflies. She's always been so much better than he is with dealing with situations like this — a lot calmer, less easily flustered. But the warmth of his hug, being so close to his heart that she can hear it beating, after a moment of silence. It all just feels so good.

She smiles softly to herself, a small exhale of contentedness escaping, before she moves an arm to hug him in return, resting it on his back.

And she nods, with her head up against him. ]

I'll make sure of it.

[oathkeeper]

Heh. Thanks.

[He wants to remember this when they wake up tomorrow. When they part ways and Kairi goes to train with Lea and Yen Sid and Sora departs on his own journey. He wants to remember the way her heart beats so close to his and the light and warmth of the space between them.

Sora can't help it, he shifts a little closer and brushes his lips against her forehead in a small gentle and telling kiss.]

Goodnight, Kairi.

[He feels sleep start to take him over. And hopefully, he won't drool in his sleep because wouldn't that be ultimately embarrassing.]

[heartslight]

[ The feeling of his lips on her forehead, doing that, makes her heart flutter. She can't help the wide smile her lips are instantly tugged into, nor can she help herself when she exhales softly and contentedly and pushes her face into his neck a little, rubbing her nose against him in a sort of half eskimo kiss. Like a happy puppy.

She doesn't want to forget this either, and this feeling will drive her strongly through her training to come. She'll have this to fall back on any time she misses him. ]

Goodnight, Sora.