Flynn's Nerdy Stuff

“I mean it,” he said, perfectly seriously. She really was beautiful, and it was like the longer he knew her, the more beautiful she became. She was objectively beautiful, yeah, but it went beyond that. It was her smile, her laughter, her teasing jokes, her playful flirting. All the memories they shared together. Her stubborn refusal to ever give up on him. Her love that had guided him home, that always found him in the darkness.

“I know,” she said, gently treading water. “That entire sky filled with stars is up there waiting for us, and yet the only sky I want to stare at right now is you.”

He grinned. “Please do.”

She swam right up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, then pressed her wonderful body against his with a shy smile. He sighed, his hands going around her so he could hold her as close as he dared, as close as the waves would allow.

Just as he leaned in to kiss her, though, she spoke.

“Sora, do you trust me?” she murmured, her breath warm on his cheek.

“Of course I do.”

“Okay, good, because I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. A thousand possibilities ran through his head about just what her surprise might be.

She smiled. “I promise it's a good one.”

Her eyes fluttered shut as she pressed her soft lips to his, and he followed suit. They made out in the moonlight for a while, slow and unhurried, relaxed and rejuvenated. And best of all, they didn't have to hide their feelings for once. They could pour them out like water, douse each other in a flood of affection. Tonight, this was their own private island, and they didn't need to worry about friends or family seeing and scolding them. The sea would keep their secrets; the stars beamed down on them like old friends and confidants.

Then Kairi leaned back, back, back as they kissed, pulling him with her till they tumbled beneath the waves. He thought this was some kind of prank or joke when suddenly, warm light glowed from her chest and illuminated the ocean floor around them. His eyes went wide as he took it all in, the beauty of the night sea that was normally so dim to him—the pearly white seafloor, the emerald and ruby-red seaweed swaying to and fro, the silvery fish shining in the starlight.

Must be some kind of Princess of Heart thing, for her to be able to light everything around her up like that without using her Keyblade. She was radiant, like a creature of pure light driving the darkness away and drawing the beauty to her. He couldn’t have stayed away from her even if he'd tried, like she'd cast some Magnet spell he was especially weak to.

He also found he could breathe underwater, and so could she. That he knew was Keyblade magic. Maybe she'd cast it when he’d been in the Seaside Shack and wasn't paying attention. She always thought of everything, no matter how big or small. He'd asked her on this date, but she was the one making things extra special for him. For them both.

He had to make it up to her somehow.

He smiled and pulled her close, then kissed her again and again and again and oh yes, again.

Underwater kisses with Kairi were awesome. They used the space around them well, taking full advantage of kissing and embracing in three wonderful watery dimensions. It was like kissing while they were flying, only everything had more weight, more gravity to it, and he couldn't get enough of this or of her.

When she finally pulled away from him, it was only so she could grab his hand and lead him to the most breathtaking coral reef he’d seen in his whole life. Worth the long swim it took to get here. Colorful sea anemones swayed in the water, clever octopuses did their night hunting and prowling, scuttling crabs traveled up and down the beautiful coral, bright starfish scattered here and there caught his eye, and bioluminescent plankton glowed in the night. Even a few of the corals had slight lights of their own.

Kairi met his eyes, and a pleased smile spread across her face at seeing his joy and wonder at the sight before him. He brought her into his arms again and picked up where they’d left off, and she was happy to continue.

What a joy it was to be alive, to be home, to be here with her.

🌌 🌊 🏊‍♀️ 🌙 🌠

After their romantic swim, Sora and Kairi dried each other off with Aero spells and layered back up again to stay warm. Then they sat on the beach towels and enjoyed the generous spread of snacks Kairi had brought with her: dried plantain chips, vibrant purple beniimo tarts, buttery, crumbly, slightly salty, melt-in-your mouth chinsuko cookies, moist pineapple cakes, haupia coconut pudding, savory menbei rice crackers with seaweed, and canned paopu juice plus ice cold water to wash it all down.

It always felt good to eat after a nice long swim, and by the time they were through, they were both stuffed and sated, and Sora was getting sleepy. He yawned and lay back on the towels, and Kairi giggled, called him a lazy bum, then crawled up next to him and rested her head on his chest. He ran his hand through her soft, silky hair as she listened to his heart beating steady and even and true. He was perfectly relaxed, perfectly content, and so was she. To his surprise, she even dozed off for a while, murmuring his name in her sleep. He could've melted into a puddle, knowing his heartbeat was the soothing lullaby helping her rest.

Presently, she woke up again, and together, they gazed up at the stars. So different from the ones in Quadratum, the constellations not at all the same, and yet stars were still stars. Or worlds, as it were. As far as Sora was concerned, though, he held the entire World in his embrace, and that was all that mattered.

Together he and Kairi searched the heavens for familiar constellations. Kairi’s favorite was a giant lotus flower with a small figure inside of it. She said it made her think of some magical princess or prince waking up for the first time and gazing down on the sea of stars, ready to come to earth. She’d penned a dozen stories over the years about it that she’d scrawled in her writing notebooks, and he treasured every one she’d shared with him.

Sora’s favorite constellation was of the sea captain separated from his true love by the waves. They could only meet once a year during the summer, or so the stories said, and as odds would have it, that night was tonight. A constellation that looked like a big paopu fruit came between them, so the stories talked about how a bridge of paopu fruit rose out of the sea for the sea captain and his beloved to cross.

“The story is like us, you know,” Kairi said. “You’re my sea captain, but no matter how many times we get separated, I know you’ll always come find me.”

“Yeah, I will. I promise.” He found the story terribly romantic, and so did Kairi. He also enjoyed being called her sea captain. More making out rapidly ensued.

When they were finally sated and staring up at the stars again, he said in a low voice, “Kairi, when I was in Quadratum, it really taught me how important our time together is. I mean, we don't know how many days we’ll get, so I’m glad we have tonight, at least.”

She frowned, and he almost regretted saying something. Like he’d ruined the magic. But then she spoke. “You're right,” she said, her voice soft. “We don't know the future, not most of it, anyway. And we shouldn't change the past. But I do know this: I'm so glad I met you, Sora.”

He smiled. “I'm glad I met you, too, Kairi.”

She found his hand and wove their fingers together. “We were born on two totally different worlds, and yet I feel like I was always supposed to meet you. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I am who I am today because of you.”

His eyes went wide and his lips parted, but she still wasn't through. “You believed in me when no one else did,” she said, her voice breaking a little. “You inspired my courage when I faltered. You gave me a reason to keep going.” She cupped his cheek and ran her thumb over his lips, making his breath hitch. “You always make me smile and laugh, even when I'm feeling down. No, especially when I'm feeling down.” She swept his bangs back and kissed his forehead, then smiled a big, beautiful Kairi smile. “There truly is no smile your heart can't reach, Sora."

He captured her hand and kissed it, making her giggle into her free hand. “I could say the same to you, Kairi. I am who I am today because of you. Because I met you. You taught me how to be strong and brave and stubborn. You gave me hope when I didn't have any, you helped me believe in myself again when my faith in the universe was shaken.” He cupped her dear, familiar face, softer than starlight in his hands, and he searched her beautiful eyes, which were filled with unshed tears. “You’re the reason for my smile, Kairi. Every moment with you is precious to me.”

“Oh Sora, that was beautiful,” she murmured, then silenced him with a kiss before he could respond. He didn't mind. He didn't mind at all. That was a good note to end his speech on, and if he'd spoken any longer, he might’ve put his foot in his mouth when he would much rather have Kairi’s tongue in it.

They enjoyed the rest of this beautiful, enchanted evening as the stars beamed down on them, then fell asleep in each other's arms, cuddled up together in a warm nest of blankets. Because of all the things Kairi could’ve asked for after that offer he’d made her earlier, this was what she wanted, and he wanted it, too. His last thought before falling asleep was that starlight suited her perfectly, and she murmured something about how it suited him, too.

When they awoke, it was just in time to see the rising sun. They’d gotten to spend an entire night and then some together. And the trip back to the Main Island was a wonderful capper to their perfect date. The waves were steady and the route home was sure, and they knew they could face whatever scolding they might have to deal with together.

The day before, they’d kissed in the shadows, but this morning, they kissed in the sunlight. They no longer cared who might see or tell on them. This included Riku, who already knew anyway and who they ran into on the beach. He gleefully admitted he hadn't planned on using the raft last night after all, much to Sora’s irritation and Kairi's amusement. All that snack bribery had been for nothing.

No, not for nothing. As Sora looked at Kairi again, as he saw the sweet smile on her face, he knew it was worth it. She was, and always would be, worth it.

Let everyone in the whole universe know how he felt about her and how she felt about him, he didn't care.

And if all of Destiny Islands, no, if the entire universe gossiped about their relationship and said they were in love? Well, let ‘em, because it was true.

🌌 🌊 🏊‍♀️ 🌙 🌠

A/N: Thank you so much for reading, and Happy SoKai Week! 🥳 A big thank you to Liv and Alja as well for providing me with feedback on this story ❤️

This was the final chapter of the story, which covered a lot of the prompts for the event this year (today’s were a warm embrace, romantic swims for two, sweet treats, starry skies, serene sunrises, beach confessions, hearts bared, I love you), though they weren’t in any particular order, and this final chapter especially is based on the poll where you all voted for me to write about SoKai sharing a moonlit swim and then stargazing together 🌙 🌌

I was also really inspired by the kiss scene in FFX for SoKai’s swim, and many of the treats mentioned in the chapter are genuine Okinawan snacks, as well as a Hawaiian snack (the coconut pudding), a snack from the Caribbean (plantain chips), plus Destiny Islands-specific munchies. Also, this chapter especially had a lot of Rogers and Hammerstein song references—bonus points if you can spot any of them and what song/musical they’re from 👀 ✨

🌌 🌊 🏊‍♀️ 🌙 🌠

Bonus: Alja and I figured Sora’s conversation with Riku about using the raft went something like this:

Riku: Doesn't plan on using the raft

Sora: “Can I use the raft tonight?”

Riku: “Got a date with Kairi?”

Sora: “Yep!”

Riku: “Free snacks for a week, and it's all yours.”

Sora: “You're the best friend a guy could have 😭”

Riku: Looks at the camera with a smirk on his face

🌌 🌊 🏊‍♀️ 🌙 🌠

Her eyes brightened at the sight of it. “The raft! I was wondering where it had floated off to.” She approached it like an old friend, squatting and running her hands over the logs to make sure they were still familiar, still seaworthy.

Sora climbed onto the raft, making it bob and list, and he quickly grabbed the mast with one hand, then offered his other hand to her. “Let's take the raft and go, just the two of us,” he said softly, echoing her words from back then.

She straightened, her eyes wide and her lips parted. Then her face melted into a big, adorable smile that was absolutely contagious. “Okay.” She grabbed his hand, and he pulled her to his side. The snacks in the hoodie’s pockets only got slightly smashed. After that, he had to do a bunch of boring stuff, like untying the raft from the dock and attaching a lantern to the mast so they could see and rowing them out a little ways to sea, but once they were out on open water, he summoned his Keyblade with a mischievous grin.

Kairi giggled into her free hand. “Sora! Are you about to use unauthorized magic?”

“That depends,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “Can you keep a secret?”

“That depends. What's in it for me?”

He let his Keyblade disappear and made a big show of rubbing his chin. “Hmmmm, let’s see. A date with your boyfriend where he'll do anything you ask. How's that sound?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Anything I ask? My my my, that’s a dangerous offer, Sora.”

“Anything you ask,” he promised, a big, cheesy grin on his face. He wanted to give her everything—the sun, the moon, the stars, if she wanted them.

She tapped her cheek for a few moments, just to mess with him. “Alright, I'll keep quiet just this once,” she said with a wink. “Good thing Donald isn't here right now, or he'd lecture you about the world order.”

“Exactly, and we're too far out from shore now for anyone to see us, anyway.” He glanced back towards it, towards the cozy businesses and family homes winking their lights into the night sky.

“True, I'm your only witness, and you have my word.” Kairi crossed her heart very solemnly, and he summoned his Keyblade again.

“Hang on tight then, Kairi!” he crowed. He gave her just enough time to grab onto the mast for dear life before shouting, “Wind!”

With that, they were hurtling towards their destination, the sea spraying them with its surf, the wind whipping through their hair and clothes.

Kairi’s excited laughter matched his, and he could’ve died happy right then and there. But he was alive, and so was she, and never had he been more grateful for that.

🌌 🌊 ⛵️ 🌙 🌠

The shores of the Play Island welcomed them with open arms. It was so peaceful here at night, the sounds of nature and the sea like their own private symphony. The stars were even brighter out here without all the artificial lights, too, and on calm nights like tonight, the sea reflected the sky like a beautiful mirror.

Sora secured the raft to the dock as Kairi checked to make sure the snacks had survived the trip mostly unscathed. Then he ducked into the Seaside Shack to grab some more supplies he'd set aside—towels, blankets, star charts, that kind of thing.

When he emerged, Kairi had removed her hoodie and shorts and stood in the shallow surf, facing out to the sea. Her auburn hair rested on her shoulders, and all she had on was her black bikini and the water sandals. His jaw dropped and he nearly dropped what was in his arms as he gawked at her like a complete idiot, because she looked so amazing it took his breath away. So strong and fit and beautiful that all he could do was stare. And that bikini. It hugged her curves perfectly and left little to his imagination, though his imagination was certainly working overtime right now, and her curves were perfectly—

Ahem. He shoved those thoughts down and forced himself to admire Kairi as a whole person, because that was what she deserved. Her arms and legs were lean and muscular thanks to how hard she’d trained, and her smooth back was almost completely bare and, to his infinite relief, she was fully healed from Xehanort’s attack. No visible signs of the blow remained, though he was sure the scars in her heart lingered on just like the ones in his did, and he got a little choked up at the thought.

She turned around and smiled at him, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, and he swallowed and stilled as if she’d just cast a Stop spell on him. She was stunning, her face, her smile, her everything, and without the ruffled purple tankini wrap layered over the bikini top, he saw just how much that bikini top revealed, and his face felt hot and his breathing felt shallow and his clothes felt too tight and—

She giggled into her hand in her delightfully charming Kairi way, then walked over and grabbed some of the supplies from him. “Need a helping hand?” she sweetly asked, and he mumbled something incoherent that just made her giggle again.

Together they set the towels down on the sand and piled the blankets on top. This required her bending over multiple times, which distracted him greatly. She seemed pleased about the star charts, too, and between that and her current outfit, he was gonna die soon from Kairi charm overload at this rate.

“I take it you like what you see?” she playfully asked, brushing her hair back and tilting her head to the side.

Boy was that the understatement of the century. He had to chuckle. “Kairi, you have no idea just how much I do. You look amazing, and I’m struggling to find words to do you justice here. I mean don't get me wrong, you always look great, but tonight feels extra special.”

She sat back on her heels and grinned. “Tonight is extra special! You asked me on a super secret rendezvous, and I wanted to dress for the occasion."

“You definitely did. I'm not gonna be able to keep my eyes off of you the entire evening."

She winked. “That's the idea. But I think you still have on entirely too many clothes for a romantic night swim.”

He felt his face turning red again as she crawled over to him, boldly unzipped his jacket, and helped him out of it. A pleased little smile appeared on her face as her eyes roamed over his torso, and after glancing into his eyes for permission, she gently ran her fingers over his chest and abs, then traced his crown necklace. He felt like he was gonna faint, like this was too good to be true, too wonderful to be real. But it wasn't.

She rested her hand over where his heart was. “Still beating strong after all this time,” she said, shyly meeting his gaze again. He swallowed and rested his hand over hers, keeping it in place. Could she feel his heart speeding up? Did she know the effect even a simple touch from her had on him?

“It’s thanks to you my heart still beats at all, Kairi,” he said softly, and her eyes widened and her lips parted. He smiled and brought her hand to his lips so he could kiss it, and she just blushed and ducked her head. His smile got even bigger as he wove their fingers together, relishing the moment, relishing her. Kairi turned even redder when she dared another glance at his face, which just made him chuckle.

If he wasn't careful, she was gonna die from Sora charm overload soon at this rate, too.

“So,” he said, nodding towards the waiting sea, “how about that romantic night swim?”

🌌 🌊 ⛵️ 🌙 🌠

A/N: Thank you so much for reading!

The prompts I used today were “Let's take the raft and go, just the two of us,” starry skies, and other locations with treasured memories. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter with all the SoKai flirting lol, but also the sheer love and admiration they have for each other as well as the callbacks to earlier KH games that make their relationship so special and moving 🥹