I want a shield for the innocent, strength for the small

[walkthedawn]

Who: The KH kids + OPEN to friends and invites.
When: December 24th and 25th.
Where: Riku, Sora, Kairi, and Ritsuka's home.
Summary: Celebrating the holidays as kids usually do: stories, games, food, presents and happy.
Warnings: Shenanigans, cuteness to the point of diabetes, possibly bawwww.

Comments

Joe and Naminé; Closed

[linkings]

[She hadn't really been avoiding him lately. It was hard to when he was one of your roommates. But at the same time, neither of them really sat down to talk with one another after the whole Shadow issue.

And even though Naminé's been going around the small home, trying to find the confidence to talk to him, she wonders if it's even right too. It's still Christmas, and they promised that they would have a better holiday than Halloween.

And the girl was still intent on giving him his present, even if she wasn't sure that it would be perfect or enough for him, after having taken the Shadow business hard.

So she's around the home now that it's quieted down, thinking along the lines that this could be her last chance at giving it to him. Determined, but a little scared at how things could play out.]

[linkings]

I did. [Her smile turns nervous. She still feels uneasy with painting at school, and she wished she could have just drawn them on instead. But they looked okay, she hoped.]

I... wasn't sure what kind of headphones to get. So, I hope they're the right kind.

[A pause, and she ducks her head so she's looking at him through her bangs.]

You said something 'unique' too, so I thought they'd be special this way...

[madeinoblivion]

It's standard here- [He taps the input end] So I can use these with my NV, or a soundboard.

It's special because you did it.

[The destiny fruit, too. His chest swells with a warmed feeling.]

They're great. I'll have to try them out with a good track.

[linkings]

[She lets go of a breath that she didn't know she was holding. She understood enough about computers and electronics, but the fine details of audio and video equipment still confused her.

Her blush deeps, but she's almost beaming now. It's so nice to give others things that they love.]

I'm glad you like them!

[madeinoblivion]

[And because she's got his snowflake pendant on, he immediately slips the earphones around his neck, beaming he glances down into the remaining paper to pull out her drawing-

This time, his expression pauses, mouth slightly agape, a less readable expression that twists a little on his brow]

And...

You made me this? For real, this time?

[linkings]

[If she had one, her heart would have gotten stuck in her throat again. The smile fades and the nerves come back.][She fidgets a little on the step.] I know it's... it's not a real memory, but it's still a memory, and... I know it's still important to you.

[madeinoblivion]

I'm glad it's mine to keep, now.

[He says, in a hushed voice that's a little quiet for the replica, a little reverent-

And then, with a flurry of impulse that practically catches himself off guard, he's leaning forward, and his lips are pressed against her bangs, kissing her forehead. A gesture that happens before he can really suppress the urge.] I'm really happy, Namine.

[linkings]

[She's completely still, slightly blindsided by the impulsive move. She heard about kissing from other girls at school, about how special and perfect it all is, and she knows that it's normally done on the lips too. Did the forehead make it more special?

Still, he's... so close to her. Closer than anyone's ever been before.

She's going scarlet now.]

I...I-I am too.

[madeinoblivion]

[It's more like he's still just a little too shy, not bold enough, or too chaste to try at kissing her lips. He wants that memory to be perfect.

It already seems like she's too embarrassed to handle a kiss, so he sits back awkwardly, watching her beneath the fringe of his own bangs with an uncertain thrill of elation. A feeling he's not sure how to believe. A moment he desperately wants to remember as something that really happened.

He swallows, and the words come out of his mouth before he can quite stop them]

Hey- D'you...think we could go on a date, sometime?

[linkings]

[She couldn't look away from him even if she tried. Although she wished that her face would stop feeling so warm and flushed, and that she was more coherent with her thoughts.

Dating. Dating was when two people that loved each other went out, right? That's what it sounded like at school.]

I... I don't know. <[Her voice is barely above a whisper at this point.] I've never... been on one before.

[Which admittedly, was a good thing. Better that someone she knew asked her than a total stranger, but regardless, she hurt him not too long ago. Was a date deserved? How could her like her like that after all she's done?]

[madeinoblivion]

It could be like... the other times we've gone out together? Like with the chalk festival. Or bowling. Or I could take you to a movie? And out for food- maybe? Whatever you'd like to do.

[linkings]

But... a date's different, isn't it? [At least based on some of the things she's heard from others.

But he looks, so hopeful. He really does want this doesn't he? And she doesn't believe that he's going to put her in danger or anything. She trusts him.

And even if she doesn't deserve someone like him, he deserves something good. Something to make him happy. Even if it makes her uncomfortable or nervous.

It makes her feel selfish now. Everyone tries to watch out for her, make her comfortable; she doesn't always do enough to make others feel likewise.]

We... We can try.

[madeinoblivion]

It's mostly the same as going out as friends, except in a more... boy and girl way.

[linkings]

[She's quiet, thinking, at least until her face goes red again at a specific thought. A certain thought that blurted out of her by accident.]

Would we kiss?

[madeinoblivion]

If you wanted to!

[He blurts back hopefully, with a tightly wound, excited surge of hope in his chest- he certainly would like that!]

[linkings]

[She jumps a little at his response. It's nice to see him excited, but it brings all her anxiety back.]

Maybe not that, just yet. [She grips the box on her lap harder, pressing it closer to her body. This is all almost too much at once. She's a Nobody; she can't properly love someone in the same way he could.]

Maybe we can try, just... not that yet.