❝ No peeking! ❞ If he’d make due on that promise, the sound of waves and Kairi’s voice would take up the whole of his senses. Hand in hand she guides him along with promises of ❝ almost theeere! ❞ and then?
There would be revealed a raft, tied to the shore as it drifts lazily in the ocean breeze. Kairi joining Riku at his side to present to Sora his birthday gift. ❝ Tadaa, we finished the raft for you! ❞ Kairi chimes, only for Riku to put a hand to his hip and raise his brow dubiously. ❝ We??? ❞
She laughs sheepishly, ❝ weeeell... I didn’t come completely empty handed! ❞ Hopping onto the raft she pulls free something hanging from the mast, to which is eagerly offered up to Sora upon returning to his side. ❝ Can’t be a captain without a captain hat, right? ❞ Which it indeed was! One handmade by the princess of crafts herself.
❝ No objections, right, Riku? ❞
❝ I’m kidding. ❞ He gives Sora a pat on the shoulder. ❝ Whaddya’ say, Sora? You get a whole birthday to boss us around out in sea. ❞
❝ And this time we packed more food! ❞ Kairi adds, giving Sora those dreamy eyes. ❝ We can take our time and just be together in the moment. ❞
[ SCISSORKICKS OUT OF BED TO GIVE THE HOMIE A LATE BIRTHDAY ASK FEATURING @maregiis ! ]
"Kaiiii, y'know how hard these kinda surprises are for me! Doubly so when I have an idea of where we are." The words were drawn with falsified stubbornness and he enjoys it. Feeling this familiar part of the Sky drawn a golden glint upon them, allowing a phenomenal sense of life to stir alongside of her voice, just a glance towards the keybearer would reveal that impossible hide smile.
Whenever it comes to Kairi and Riku, happiness is as intrinsic as breathing to him.
Thus the scale of trust he holds within them is immutable. His fingers remained attentive and certain as they squeezed her's, following the route until the saccharine nature of her voice prompts him to let the darkness be abated for the sight of light, a clear and concise vision that almost causes his vibrant heart to crash into a thunderous pause within his chest. Another sound of fresh waves rolls lazily along the shore of Destiny Islands as it wasn't just Sora standing here anymore at this moment.
Kairi was there. Riku and that 'insufferably' fond expression were as well. Yet, a secret visitor amidst their ranks would be the invisible glint of a younger Sora, a trick upon the light as his expression vividly matches the present as he steps forward. Any words that try to be forged from language are stalled, only for his emotion to ring clear above all else, pure power now running at the nostalgic wish turned into reality.
Their banter was a sweet frosting to just add completion to the moment at hand. As his lips wobbled shamelessly, reflecting the scale of what such an intimate effort this was for him, he could only stumble closer as the measure of logs, woodwork and sail tying was an entirely different level than their times rife with inexperience, despite the very big dreams they carried.
"G.. Guys.. th.. this all of this is..
How could anyone just not feel loved due to the efforts displayed?
Witnessing the way they batted between each other, how even the bravado eased up as earnest gifts, a promise of an adventure he always wanted to have with them now genuinely within hands reach... It was impossible for the warm tears to resist spilling, from his voice to hitch from the swell of appreciation that wracked his heart with unstoppable reverberations. Even as his vision blurs, never before did he feel so weightless on his feet, so certain of what the desires in his heart wanted to do.
The three of them, holding not a single thing back in molding their wish by their own hands.
Before any worry could truly settle in, the soft hitches of his breath ease into laughter, belly deep and liberating as even as his eyes refused to let the hot tears subside. All that they suffered, all that they endured, learned and grew, and right now it'd be upon this very beach that one of his most bitter acceptances was turned completely on his head.
Within mere seconds as he wiped briefly at his eyes, there would be no hesitation for Riku, Kairi and that Captain's hat to be immediately tackled as his arms filled with such strength pulled them close. His heart wished to resonate with theirs', to allow the depth of this joy that allows such power to flock within his heart to be realized. To know they're here, solid and warm, enduring and still managing to be so kind..
He didn't give a single care that he proceeded to get them tear stained.
After all, he will always be their Sora.