» ❥ STARCRACKER *

     INDIGO-TINTED IRISES LOOK UPWARDS, in the cautious study for Riku’s visage; & solely when her left-hand encounters solace,  — whilst affectionately resting at the top of Riku’s shoulder —, does she continue: 

     ❝ Is there something wrong? ❞

&&. oh , how the hero of kingdom hearts smiles at the tenderness in her touch , at the way her thumbs soothe the still healing scars of his heart in silence ; &&. oh , how the sky incarnate appreciates &&. loves the simple way she dotes on him , through teasing words &&. simple actions , as if she understands the way his consciousness , his heart , skirts around the tough topics .

he leans into one of her palms for a moment , satiates his desire to touch &&. be touched , to be reminded that he’s real , that his memories are real , that this life , the one he’s lived with kairi , is real &&. the one of the city cast in eternal darkness , the city of neon lights &&. with lurking monstrosities , is just a memory , a nightmare he relives when he closes his eyes . &&. it’s as if she knows he needs that reminder , as she waxes on days long gone .

the peaceful days . the kind days . days cast in the light of childish nostalgia — —   he longs for those days in the way a warrior longs for the peace in simplicity .

“ hee ~ eeey , i haven’t been a lazy bum in forever ! who’re you tryin’ to fool , kairi ? i heard that you’re the lazy one &&. slept for ages ! ”   &&. he leans down so their foreheads touch &&. their noses brush &&. there’s tranquility , the peace his heart longs for , in that single gesture ,   “ thanks , kairi . i know you did it for me . ”

    WITH A FEIGNED EXPRESSION OF ACHE, — & along with a loud inhale, that parts from within roseate-glossed tiers —, compassionate, whimsical digits forthwith firmly seize at both sides of the brunette’s sun-kissed cheeks; pinching them, in a gesture as pure & spirited as the ambience between the star-crossed duo.   ❝ And just who do you think you’re calling a lazy bum, hm?! ❞   the petite girl tantalizes, a chuckle following her inquiry.

     THE WAY KAIRI’S PURE-HEART SINGS; the frenetic, rapturous pulse on her slim wrists... even the stars which visibly embellish her crimson-shaded highlights & the radiant gleam in her eyes, are beyond noticeable, at this point. it’s not difficult to comprehend every miraculous, endearing sensation of affection & devotion that the seventh princess feels for the dearly beloved. a journey beyond those of childhood fairy tales & ancient prophecies started thanks to this golden, enthusiastic, islander boy: & after all —, it is thanks to Sora that she still has a reason to move onwards. a reason to fight for a life truly worth living. & in the end...

     HER HEART BEATS LOUDER THANKS TO HIS VERY TOUCH.

     ❝ I demand my daily dose of smooches. ❞

     ❝ What are we going to do — ? ❞   despite the whisper in her sweetened vocals, the petite sovereign questions, in the search of a token of faith & bravery.

    ❝ This path doesn’t feel quite... as safe... as it probably should. Are you certain we’re supposed to come this way? ❞  

to say he doesn’t sense her would be an inaccuracy —   years &&. years of fighting for his life , of being ambushed &&. sneaked up on , have left him acutely aware of his surroundings   — but still , he plays along with this being of light &&. goodness . he gasps as her hands , so warm &&. so welcoming , capture his vision &&. she chirps her question . laughter bubbles from betwixt weather torn lips , lips that deserve more care than they receive ( &&. more kisses , too ) , &&. he feigns ignorance ,   “ uhmmmm , let me think …   it’s gotta be selphie , right ? ”

the king of hearts spins at last , his hands seeking &&. finding the slender curve of the young woman’s hips ; there they settle with gentle ease &&. he allows surprise to filter into his features —   even as his eyes twinkle &&. shimmer with the truth of their game . 

“ no way ! kairi ? i never would’a guessed ! ”

he doesn’t wait for a response as he swoops down to steal the kiss he so deserves . there’s more laughter , warm &&. content &&. carrying none of the guilt of the past year , &&. a wholehearted delight as their lips slot together .

—  &&. he’s reminded again &&. again just how much he loves her . a year away is a small price to pay to have her back in his arms .

     AS SOON AS THE LIGHT’S CHAMPION turns around & gasps ( evidently trying to feign his astonishment in regards to her proximity ), a chuckle escapes from the purity princess. with his bruised palms instantly finding their way to peacefully rest each side of curvy hips, a gleaming grin is born within roseate, glossy lips. with her hands, that now move from resting upon his eyes to benevolently cup his features, Kairi naturally doesn’t hesitate in gracing the sunny, islander boy, with the kiss he so courageously fought for.

     WITH THUMBS DRAWING SMALL circles in the boy’s well-defined jawline, slim digits peacefully settle at the nape of his neck.   ❝ I wonder when I’ll be able to catch you by surprise again. ❞   the girl nonchalantly states, enthusiastic to get on her toe tips & press a chaste kiss to the tip of the boy’s nose. heart beats fast, overflowing with the intensity of a thousand burning stars, & hence, the auburn sovereign can only giggle.

     WHILST CAREFUL ON HER HEELS, the light’s sovereign attempts her best to silently to step closer to her beloved hero. closer & closer...! & consequently to this, swiftly, do her palms entirely cover the brunette’s visage as she stands from behind him.   ❝ Guess who! ❞

“Kairi huh? Well, it’s very nice to meet and sure, ask away.”

Yozora replied with a slight smile as he didn’t mean any harm to the seventh princess as he will answer any question she may ask as he could tell she was nervous and cautious of him, he didn’t blame her in the slightest as he was a stranger and she seemed to be lost here.

     INDIGO EYES WANDER TROUGH CITY during that while Kairi stops to deliberate on one out of the many interrogations she could make. instantly does the princess come to terms with the fact that it won’t be easy to brush away this uncomfortable sense of being lost amidst the bright lights of a foreign metropolis. which leads her to her final decision:

BROWS  FURROW  IN  CONFUSION  FOR  THE  GIRL’S  WORDS.     not  supposed  to  go  to  corona  ?   what  does  she  mean  by  that  ?   but  in  place  of  any  curiosity  flaring ,   cassandra  feels  only  a  touch  of  indifference.     “   yeah  ?   might  wanna  rethink  that.   this  place  isn’t  open  for  visitors ,   ”     she  answers ,   matter - of - fact.   hopefully ,   the  girl  takes  the  hint  ;   takes  the  offered  directions  back  to  the  kingdom  &  runs.   there’s  nothing  for  anyone  here ,   &   least  of  all  for  unwitting  strangers  who  have  failed  to  take  the  scene  seriously.

intent  on  reaching  the  stairs ,   cassandra  takes  two  steps  forward—   only  for  the  girl’s  hand  rushed  forward.   to  shake ,   she  realizes ,   as  gaze  drops  &  narrows  at  the  extended  hand.   cassandra  lifts  a  brow ,   incredulous.   both  hands  remain  fast  at  her  side.     “   OK ,   KAIRI—   let’s  try  this  again  :   I  DON’T  WANT  VISITORS.   in  case  you  hadn’t  noticed ,   this  is  a  tower  in  the  middle  of  the  woods.   made  out  of  sharp  rocks.   i  dunno  how  to  make  the  message  more  clear  than  that ,   ”     she  retorts ,   an  exhausted  chuckle  loosed.     “   trust  me  :   corona’s  the  better  option   for  you.   so  do  yourself  a  favour  &  come  back  the  way  you  came.   i  want  to  be  alone.   ”

     GLEAMING CONFIDENCE SHINES THROUGH the princess’ benign grin as petite hands move to unite behind the frills of her rosy dress. even if Cassandra vehemently claims that the cavern isn’t open for any sort of visitants, Kairi’s senses insist on telling her otherwise: this is it! this fierce, loner girl is the reason why the gummi had guided the keyblade’s wielder back to Corona, - this time - with the purpose to wander beyond the limits of the Kingdom. this is the precise place where she is supposed to be & this is the exact person she needs to see.

     ❝ I didn’t come to visit the place, though... so can I really be considered a visitor? ❞     words that might sound like a fearless challenge, however, they hold nothing but the hope of victory over a pointless battle of speech.