candybox | KINGDOM HEARTS CMO POST

[Once the Heartless are gone and she approaches him, he simply watches her again. He feels like this seems right, to be here by her side, so he allows her to throw her arms around him. At first the darkness engulfing him ripples, as if trying to resist the unseen force trying to pull him back to her--

And then a brilliant light shines, and standing there is Sora, wrapping his arms around Kairi to comfort her as she cries.]

Kairi... You found me. [He can't hide how his voice quivers with emotion. He knew she would, yet he's still in awe at how strong she is, how far she's come. He holds her tight, feeling a lump in his throat. She's waited for him, lost him, searched for him, saved him so, so many times. So long as he has Kairi, he'll always be safe.]

[ She can feel the darkness start to ripple and disappear from him and she knows in that moment that everything is okay. Just like she knew it would be. Like she said it would be.

Once he feels like himself again — once she can feel the softness of his clothing and the warmth of his skin, the tears start to fall harder. She's missed this feeling, so, so much.

And she holds him tighter. ]

I told you ... I'd keep you safe.

[ She's just sorry that it too so long. That she couldn't do it immediately, or even keep him from having to experience this at all. But he's here now ... and she can relish in that fact. ]

I'm... just glad you're safe.

[He gives a watery smile, even if she can't see it. He must have worried her sick, but after what Xehanort did to her, he was all too prepared to do whatever it took to bring her back. Even if it meant never seeing her again, he was ready to accept it, just as when he'd taken those risks in bringing back the others.

And every time, Kairi has been there for him... Every time, she kept her promise.]

How did you make it? Not even Riku or the King could make it this far.

[ Well, Kairi isn't about to accept him saving her and sacrificing himself. They both have to keep each other safe — that means her doing it for him, too. And they ... share paopu, together. They're tied together, forever. ]

I just ... followed my heart.

[ She pulls her head back enough to peer up at him, now, still keeping him in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face as she smiles for him. ]

It knows the way to you. It always has.

[ She's always been his light, and he's always found his way to her — it only makes sense that she could do the same. ]

Kairi...

[He sounds a little in awe; she's amazing. He can feel his heart flutter in his chest, the same as when she'd rescued him from the Final World. When he'd really begun to realise the depth of Kairi's feelings for him, and how he feels for her in return. That they'd do anything to save each other, like Elsa and Anna-- or like Rapunzel and Eugene. A power that can't be beaten by anything else.

He reaches up, brushing a few stray tears from her face.]

Sorry I worried you. But there'll be time to cry when we're out of here, okay?

[ She inhales, before letting out a soft sigh of relief — a sigh of, partially, contentment as well. Just looking at his face again makes her so happy, she'd nearly forgotten where they are. After everything they've been through, no amount of traversing the Realm of Darkness could tear them apart again.

And she nods in response to what he says, finally taking a small step back from their hug, but allowing a hand to linger on his side even after she's let go of him. She's not very keen on the idea of not keeping herself as close as possible right now, but they're going to have to fight their way out of here, and hugging while doing that isn't very productive. ]

Okay. [ Rubbing at her eyes with her free hand, to get the remaining tears out of them before they have a chance to fall. ] It's not over yet.

[ She needs to remember that. Once they're out, it'll officially be over. But she needs to refocus herself on protecting him a little longer. ]

I'll keep you safe until the end.

[Sora nods, with the absolute belief that she'll keep to her word.]

I know you will. So let's go!

[He says this with his usual cheerful enthusiasm, until he looks around and realises... he has no idea where they are. He doesn't know how long he's been down here, but he definitely wasn't in his right mind enough to consider where he was or how he got here.

He scratches the back of his head, suddenly sheepish.]

Um, so... Which way are we going? [Looks like she'll have to lead the way again on this one.]

[ Kairi, much like Sora, does not always think things entirely through. Getting into the realm was easy (sort of) — all she had to do was follow her heart to him. It's like an unbreakable string that she could just follow along. Now that she's with him, she doesn't have a string to follow back out.

So maybe her answer isn't going to be one he wants to hear, but hopefully his smile doesn't go away! ]

I guess ... I didn't think that far. [ She smiles, though, regardless of the gravity of that. She's never been down here before now, and she spent her whole time down here following the string to him. ]

But it can't be that hard, right? For the two of us, that is.

[ She has unwavering faith, and all. And she quietly moves a hand to hold his. ]

[As she takes his hand, he laces their fingers together, holding on tight. No more getting separated, no more being apart. They can stay like this, now.]

Yeah, you're right. [He smiles in return, and closes his eyes.] May our hearts be our guiding key.

[With that, he begins to walk. He once found a way out of here with Riku, and even saved Aqua. If there was just a way to find that beach again, in the strip that borders light and dark... he's confident they can escape.]

[ She squeezes his hand a little when he does that, content to be so locked together. She has no intentions of letting go.

She looks on curiously at him when he uses that phrase, unsure of how exactly to take it, but she thinks she gets the gist of what it means. Her heart guided her here to him, so their hearts can guide them back out. Right?

She'll walk alongside him, but after a moment, she can't help but ask. ]

... You're okay, right? You're not hurt?

[ Emotionally or physically? She found him in a pretty upsetting state. ]

[Sora wants to give an answer as relentlessly positive as ever, but he stops to think about it. He's not hurt physically, but, well... It'd be disingenuous to Kairi to keep the truth from her and act like he's always strong, no matter how much he wants to. His hand tightens on hers.]

I guess... I was scared. Scared I might lose you forever. [He looks down, then back at Kairi.] I'm... really glad you're okay.

[ Ah ... her expression drops a little, to sadness, hearing that come from him. She hates hearing that he's experienced any negative emotions, especially over her. ]

Sora ...

[ She squeezes his hand back, a small response, and she looks forward as she speaks. ]

I guess ... that makes two of us. [ Mmnn. ] But no matter how scary it was losing you, I always knew I'd find you again.

[ And she looks back at him, smiling softly. ]

We can't lose each other. Not forever.

[ It's impossible. ]

KINGDOM HEARTS CMO POST

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