#modernaukh

[lyssala]

Day 9  – Plot of Your Favorite Movie

Pairings: Terra & Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Modern AU where Terra and Aqua are coworkers who do not get along, but unbeknownst to them, they are actually wonderful friends

Rating: K+

Words: 15377

Notes: Another fic I have wanted to do for ages! Its based off of You've Got Mail and the musical She Loves Me (both of which are based on the same source material). I've always loved the setup for these works and have always wanted to try my hand at doing an au with a similar setup. Also! Its a Christmas fic so Happy Holidays my friends!! (also in case you know/listen to the music, Vanilla Ice Cream was my signature audition song and it has such a special place in my heart, which is why the title is not Christmas related at all LOL)

As always a HUGE thanks to @mimiplaysgames who helped me edit this fic while she was on vacation. She really helped me cultivate the right tone for this fic (because its another sorta rival feelings one) and I can just NEVER thank her enough. She's amazing and SHE JUST UPDATED A FIC YESTERDAY so you all should go read it immediately <3

AO3

He Came to Offer Me Vanilla Ice Cream

Inspired By: Three Letters, Vanilla Ice Cream, She Loves Me (She Loves Me, 2016 Revival Cast)

Dear OftheShire,

I’m so sorry to hear you have to work so much over the holidays. I understand the feelings all too well, unfortunately. My saving grace is that I at least don’t get sick of listening to Christmas music! Customers, yes, absolutely, but hearing All I Want for Christmas for the tenth time on one shift keeps me going strong. I even sing along to the horror of my coworkers. I do love the holidays, and the high consumerism the holiday has turned into can’t take that away from me.

The weather, the music, the smells, the feeling of it just reminds me of being a little girl, hanging up my stocking and double checking the cookies I left out for Santa. I would be so ecstatic when there would be chunks missing in the cookies in the morning that I’d completely miss the crumbs in my dad’s beard! Did you believe in Santa too? (Also totally sorry to be the bearer of bad news if you still believed in Santa D: ) Some people find it cruel to let their kids believe only to then tell them it was a lie, but I have so many fond memories of trying to look for Santa on Christmas Eve and my mom playing along that she saw reindeer in the distance that I never found it cruel. If I ever have children, I think I’d like to share that with them too.

My parents live back in my home state, which, believe it or not, gets even colder than where I live now! I grew up really far north, which is wonderful in every other seasons but winter. Even growing up there can’t get me used to the cold and the snow. They’re actually coming to visit me for the first time since I started Grad school out here for Christmas! I can’t wait to see them. Are you close with your family?

Congratulations on being able to graduate next semester yourself! I still have a ways to go but the fact you’re already almost done gives me hope I can survive myself. What did you say you studied again? It’s on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t seem to recall. That’s probably because I haven’t had my coffee yet, believe me that’s my first stop before class :P

I probably should get on that or I’m going to be late, another long day means multiple cups of coffee (and maybe a few cinnamon rolls).

--

The store was thankfully busy. Not so much for Terra who had to pay much more at attention than usual, but for the store itself. Sure they were the only bookstore in the mall, which helped significantly but at the same time they were independently owned and needed the revenue to keep the doors open.

He looked down the aisle he was standing nearby quickly and had to dodge a few younger kids running to the back of the store where the children’s books were.  One of their hands reached out to pull at one of the books but his friend shoved him to keep moving, making the book launch towards the floor. Terra reached out to grab it, placing it carefully back where it was supposed to go. Granted, judging by the complete disarray of every other shelf it really didn’t matter.

The moment he cleaned this aisle, it was a disaster again. He’d have to leave it for the afternoon when they’d be a little slower; the thought alone made him roll his eyes. That would thrill the afternoon shift lead he was sure.

Terra pulled his phone from his apron pocket, glancing at the clock. She’d be here in about an hour, but that also meant he got to leave soon which was more than enough to get him through the rest of his shift. He knew he should put his phone back in his pocket as he was on the floor; even if he was the lead he didn’t like to do things he didn’t let the kids do. Still he couldn’t resist peeking at his email.

Nothing.

He quickly opened the app just to see if he didn’t get a notification but there were no new messages there either.

“Terra!” a voice crackled so loudly in his hear he almost both dropped his phone and ripped the headpiece from his ear. “Terra, can you hear me?”

He reached up to grab the button hanging on the wire of his headset. “Yes, Sora, for the thousandth time, I can always hear you when you speak at a normal volume.”

“Sorry,” Sora’s voice was sheepish but Terra could practically see the smile on the younger boy’s lips. “I have a return. I got everything set up but I need your approval.”

“I’ll be right there.”

“Excuse me, sir?” another voice said nearby but judging by the fact she wasn’t shouting his name it wasn’t one of his employees. “I was looking for something to get my grandson, but I’m unsure what to look for.”

When did this aisle get so full of people? Was the whole store full up again? Had an hour and a half gone by yet?

Terra leaned back hoping to catch the nearest employee he could see who wasn’t on register. Silver hair and blue eyes looked back at him, putting some books back. Terra gestured for him to come over.

“Ma’am, I’m going to have Riku help you find everything you need as I have to assist at the front, is that okay?”

The woman looked a little disgruntled at first but seemed to lighten up when Riku actually stepped into the aisle. “Yes, that’ll be fine. Come with me, young man.”

“I’m sorry,” Terra mouthed when Riku gave a wince but Terra had to keep moving to go finish out the return for Sora before he started yelling in Terra’s ear again. He probably wouldn’t even let Sora use it if he wasn’t always on registers; he was personable and quick, easy to strike a conversation and get the job done.

“Terra,” Sora said again, though this time in an exaggerated whisper. “They’re getting mad.”

Of course they were, everyone was so much more impatient as soon as the Christmas trees go up. He honestly felt that way sometimes too, but the words from his friend’s last message rang in his head. She sounded like she loved Christmas so much, and everything that went into it. For some reason it made him smile at her childlike glow even though all he knew was her typed words and nothing more. She just oozed passion in every message he got from her.

He tried not to think about it too much but it was hard not to; especially when he looked forward to what she was going to say to him next; what he would say to her helped him through these longs days. Terra knew he didn’t quite have a connection with every single person he met, so he was astounded to find that easy communication with her, even though they really never met. No name, no personal identification information, no pictures, just their messages back and forth. Still, it was something special to him.

Terra moved to step behind the register Sora was standing behind; he looked visibly relieved.

“Sorry, about that, Ma’am,” Terra said with a smile, as he leaned in to punch in his code that would let the return go through. He trusted Sora enough to do it right so there was no need to look over it. “You’re good to finish.”

“Thanks,” Sora said, moving back to go about the rest of the transaction as quick as his fingers would allow.

Terra moved to grab some of the books on the back counter that were probably other returns or go backs but really he just wanted to look over the store. There was a small line but with Sora on one and Xion on the other they’d handle registers just fine. Terra glanced around the store, scanning over the other employees scattered around working; if only to make sure everyone was actually working.

There was one missing, and usually it was hard to miss such red hair anywhere. Figures Lea was late. Terra would give Lea a little longer before he called. For the time being he went to place the books back and help on the floor. He had been working here since high school, he knew how to handle both the product and the people, even if he didn’t always characterize himself as a people person. He could still smile and help; though he usually found a lot of people went to the kids to ask for help instead. He apparently looked too intimidating to work at a bookstore.

In the very least, the busy days meant time went by faster. It also made him forget to keep looking at his phone to see if it went off at all. In fact before he knew it, he was turning to stand face to face with the afternoon lead.

“Jesus,” he grunted, taking a step back from her. “Do you have to sneak up on me?”

Aqua was shorter than him, but she was plenty loud; if she wanted to announce her presence she would’ve. Currently, she looked very disinterested in the fact she had to talk to him. Even still, her blue eyes were bright under the store lighting a small smile in the corner of her lips. He knew it absolutely didn’t have to do with him, and probably everything to do with that Christmas spirit she loved so much.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not my fault you were off in your own head like always.”

He decided to ignore that, however, it was hard to ignore that Aqua was the only one who could look pretty under terrible mall lighting. He placed another book on the shelf in front of him. Terra may not get along with her but it wasn’t like he was blind. He knew the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled and how the shade of her eyes was so unique it was almost like the color of the ocean…not that he would admit that to her or anyone for that matter.

“Did you leave a list of what was done today and what still has to be done?”

“Always do,” he grunted, grabbing another book off the ground to put back.

She clicked her tongue, looking around the area. “This place looks like a mess.”

“Oh, did Scrooge happen to forget it’s only a few weeks before Christmas?”

“Cute, Terra, but you’re the one who hasn’t worn a single Christmas color to work, not me.”

He glanced over to her and sure enough she was wearing not only a red dress but green leggings and even a Santa hat over her blue hair. “Remember what I wear every day, do you?”

“Only your lack of any holiday spirit what so ever.” She reached over to push in a book on the bookshelf near his hand, because, clearly, only she could clean the store correctly.

A twinge of annoyance went down his spine. “Maybe if I didn’t have to listen to you nag at me every day I’d feel more festive.”

“I only nag you because if I didn’t, you’d day dream through the whole shift.”

Well, sort of fair; Terra knew he had a tendency to zone out at times but he wasn’t about to admit that to her. Thankfully, Lea chose that moment to scurry in behind the register, nudging Riku out of the way so he could log in and sneak in the back room. To Lea’s credit he almost had it, and Terra probably would’ve let it slide just because Lea was usually pretty creative when it came to excuses as to being late.

��Nice of you to join us, Lea,” Aqua said without turning her head to him as he snuck behind a bookshelf. “An hour late.”

“Yeah, you know, about that-”

“Go get ready for the shift, don’t worry I have a job for you.”

Lea grumbled something but slouched away probably to the back room.

“See you guys!” Sora waved as he headed out with Roxas and Xion both zipping up their jackets.

“See you,” Terra said, raising a hand to wave.

“See you tomorrow, Aqua,” Xion said, turning to wave goodbye herself.

“It’ll be fun,” Aqua smiled back at the kids who were hurrying to the front.

Terra must’ve scoffed too loud because she was looking back over at him. “Does that mean I’m done? Can I go home now?”

Kairi was already logging in on the register with Olette tying her apron around her back. It was still a little busy but they should be okay. Not that Terra was going to offer to stay to work with Aqua; she was such a control freak it was impossible to work with her.

“As long as you left me the list,” she said, walking away from him.

“I hope it’s up to your impeccable standards.”

Aqua wasn’t looking at him at all, not even a glance; she just continued to where the girls were probably going for the list he really did leave for her and to divvy up the jobs for the night.

“Yikes, dude.”

Terra nearly jumped at the sound of the voice right behind him. He turned his head to see way too familiar blond hair and blue eyes, and a toothy grin that told Terra not to trust whatever the next words were going to be.

“You’re really terrible at flirting.”

“Ventus,” Terra sighed, placing the last book in his arms on the correct shelf. “That was not even remotely what was going on. Not even a little bit.”

“Yeah, cause you got that mystery girl right?”

“I don’t…I don’t have anyone, okay.” Though Terra was tempted to pull out his phone to check to see if he had any new messages from the very person Ven was implying but that would only prove his little brother correct, and Terra didn’t need that right now. He did hope she had said something back though. “She’s just a nice person I talk to. Aqua on the other hand, I think we’d murder each other if we had to be in the same space for too long.”

“Whatever,” Ven snorted. “Are you done? I’m starving.”  

Terra glanced back up to the counter; Riku was ringing out someone as Lea was rushing up, hastily tying his apron. Aqua went over the plan with the girls but Terra couldn’t hear a thing. It would probably be strict down to the letter of what they’d have to do knowing Aqua. Ah well, it wasn’t his shift anymore anyways. “Yeah, let me get my things.”

--

Dear Bytheseaside,

I cannot believe there is a person on this planet that actually doesn’t get sick of that song. I’m pretty sure I’ve been sick of it for at least an eternity now. I guess that’s a testament to you though, patient through and through. I appreciate the holidays as well though I wish I didn’t have to work mostly through them all and I’m sorry to hear so do you. Granted I would like to see you singing along to the songs as you worked, I hope there’s dancing too, possibly a hair brush microphone? I’d assume go all out when it comes to Mariah Carey.

I’m so greatly offended that you could ever say that Santa Claus is not real. How could you think that me, a twenty-six year old male, would ever believe anything but that a man went to every house in the world one night on flying reindeer? To answer your question, yes, I did as a kid, so did my younger brother. Before you ask, no I didn’t tell him until he was old enough. He was an innocent kid, very naïve, very trusting, it actually sort of made me want to believe again just by having him believe it so much. I say that because he’s a pain in my ass now. It was fun though, I used to make cookies with him, leave out the milk, write Santa on some gift tags. Now he just makes cookies for himself. Sorry, Santa.

If that didn’t answer your question, I am close to my family though it’s just my brother, me and my dad. We all still live in the same place we grew up in so no drastic change like you had. I even go to grad school in the same town, I’m fairly boring honestly. I’ve traveled quite a lot for vacations since my dad and brother love to travel but otherwise we just stay put in our little town where it snows in the winter but I don’t think it’s too cold. That’s exciting you’ll get to visit with your parents soon! I honestly don’t think I could live that far away from mine, so you have all my respect that you just up and left to go study where you wanted to.

Oh, hey, thanks! It’s still a little surreal honestly. I never thought I’d ever see the end of school, especially at Midwestern where I go. I not only live in the town, but I went to undergrad there too. I’ve seen its buildings enough for my taste. Oh, it’s no worries, I have the joyful career of becoming an English teacher, aren’t you thrilled for me? I thankfully have experience working with high schoolers and they sometimes find me intimidating so I’m hoping that will carry over when I tell them they have to read The Scarlet Letter.

Okay, knowing you, there’s probably enough sugar in any given cup of coffee. I have no idea how you could stand cinnamon rolls on top of that too, but I guess I’m not surprised either. You could rival my brother’s love for sugar. Please don’t end up in a sugar coma before you even get to class :P

--

Aqua hummed as she hung up her jacket in the employee room. It was some mash up of Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town but she couldn’t help it. Christmas was so close now, her family would be visiting and everything just oozed with holiday cheer; especially the bells she clipped into her hair for today’s outfit. Even though she was stuck at work all night she felt warm and light, like nothing could quite get under her skin; she sure hoped it stayed the case considering the closer to Christmas, the ruder customers got. Oh well, she’d meet it with a smile, it was the only way to get through the day.

She tied her apron behind her back, slipping her phone in the front pocket (though not without checking her messages first, though so far it was as empty as it was when she left for work). It was okay, he worked a lot too and always was in school; he was probably as busy as she was. The fact he even made time for a few messages was still enough to keep her good mood up.

Aqua kept humming, glancing up at the written schedule on the board to see who she was working with tonight. Everyone had different strengths so she liked to place jobs with people who would excel at them, and it would make their time go by a little faster when they weren’t forced to do something they hated. It was pretty typical; Kairi, Lea, the twins, Xion, Riku, and….no, wait, that had to be a mistake. She reached up to trace the dates, bringing her finger down to make sure she was reading it right.

The door opened making her turn her head, but the person shuffling into the room only confirmed she was reading the schedule correctly. “Terra?”

“In the flesh,” he snorted, but his back was to her as he was shrugging off his jacket; his way-too-light jacket for this weather, what was wrong with that man?

“Is this a mistake?”

“Wish it was,” he said, reaching for his apron to drop over his head. “I’d much rather be home.”

Aqua pressed her lips together, looking back at the schedule. Well, it was only two weeks till Christmas, she supposed she could understand why they may want to schedule two leads but at the same time, did it have to be him?

She didn’t hate Terra. He was a nice guy, quiet and he was very patient with customers and the kids who worked here; in fact she was pretty sure he had more patience in one fraction of his body than she possessed all together. At the same time though, he was so laid back he let things slide far too much which drove her crazy. She could deal with it when it was just in passing, when he told her what was done all morning so she knew what to fix all night, but working a whole shift together?

She looked up at the future days she was scheduled and had to bite back a groan. For everyday she was scheduled until Christmas they were working together? Okay, she was coming in tomorrow morning to talk to someone about this or she’d likely not make it till Christmas.

“Okay,” she said, turning around to face Terra. He wasn’t looking at her, but down at his phone, scrolling through something. “I assume neither of us care for this arraignment?”

“Fair assessment,” he said, still not looking up.

“Then let’s split up the store. I’ll handle the front half and you handle the back half. Registers will be neutral.”

“What is this?” Terra did look up that time, arching an eyebrow at her. “A war meeting?”

“It’s retail in Christmas, of course it’s a war meeting.”

Much to her surprise he actually smiled at her. Well, he also rolled his eyes and shook his head but still. Terra dropped his phone in his apron pocket, before grabbing a headset to put in is ear, clipping the radio into his back pocket as he walked back over to the door. “Fine, should I lay down a boundary line to make sure no one crosses it?”

“Of course, I’ll give you money to buy the duct tape.”

“I have a brother, believe me, I know how to handle boundary lines.” Terra went to push the door open but it swung open on itself.

“No one can say anything,” Lea said as he walked in, pointing to the both of them. “I’m on time today.”

“Christmas miracles,” Terra said, reaching out to push at Lea’s head before Terra caught the door open, leaving without another word.

“Good, because if you were late one more time I was going to put you on register the whole night just because I know how much you love it,” Aqua said, watching as Lea shrugged out of his long jacket.

“Wait,” he arched an eyebrow as he looked back at her. “Are you and Terra both working tonight?”

“Ah, yeah, seems like the boss wants more hands at night.”

Lea got this grin on his lips, devilish almost, not that the flaming red hair helped. “Oh, this is going to be a grand night.”

Aqua decided not to ask what he meant by that and moved to grab a headset and radio before leaving the room to head to the floor; there at least she could assign the other workers their jobs. She hoped everything went quickly and smoothly. She really wasn’t in the mood to bicker with Terra all night.

Thankfully, he seemed to feel the same.

For the most part it was easy to help customers at the front of the store, keeping an eye on the registers, straightening and restocking when she could. The customer volume was absolutely going up every day so she could understand why there were two leads on the floor but that didn’t mean she was completely happy about it. Though to his credit Terra stayed to the back of the store and helped any customers she sent that way. She knew he’d prefer to be back there as opposed to the front where she got the brunt of the social force.

“Permission to step across the boundary, your highness?”

She looked up from straightening some self-help books to see Terra with both his hands up in defense. “Depends, what’s your business?”

“I would very much like to leave the store to get dinner.”

Was it that time already? Aqua glanced over to the registers where Sora and Xion were busy ringing out. Roxas was probably still in the kid’s section fixing the display she asked him to adjust, Riku was upfront helping someone with the new releases, and while Aqua couldn’t see Lea or Kairi they were probably wandering around somewhere.

“I’ll even throw the incentive to check the back of the store to make sure my standards are as high as yours.” He was watching her but his hands were in the front of his apron, probably fiddling with his phone or something.

“Why do you think we’re so busy?” she asked, pushing another book back into place. “High standards.”

“Oh, yeah, nothing to do with the fact we’re the only book store in the nearest 50 mile radius,” he snorted.

Okay, fair point; not that she was going to tell him that. “Yes, you can go, just tell me when you’re finished so I can take mine too.”

“Oh, she takes breaks does she?”

“Don’t be such an ass,” she said, but admittedly was choking back a small laugh. Aqua would just toss that up to the fact she was still in plenty of a good mood. “Just go.”

“Whatever you say, princess.” Terra gave a vague sort of wave as he walked towards the front of the store until he was completely out of sight.

“Do you even think they know?” Lea’s voice said from nearby, but Aqua didn’t pay too much attention to it, she just went back to fixing the shelves she was working on.

“Oh, God, no,” Kairi giggled. “They would never flirt with each other as much as they do if they knew they were doing it.”

Aqua did turn to look that time, which was the only reason she knew they were talking about her; considering both Lea and Kairi were peering around the end of the bookshelves in that row watching her with near matching shit-eating grins on their lips. Aqua had to ignore the heat that rose to her face that the insane implication she would ever flirt with Terra, or vice versa for that matter. That was absurd. You didn’t flirt with people you could barely be in the same room with.

“No way,” she said pointing towards them. “How many times have I told you both, you aren’t allowed to work near each other. All you do is talk and gossip. Lea, go make sure kids haven’t bombarded Roxas in the children’s section, then go make sure everyone has been helped. Kairi, please start on the other end of this row with me.”

“Aye, aye, captain,” Lea said, vanishing behind the shelves.

Kairi was still giggling but she started straightening the books like she was asked. Aqua wanted to ask the younger girl how they got it in their heads that either Terra or herself would ever consider flirting with each other, but at the same time she didn’t want to open that door. Ever.

Aqua’s phone buzzed and her heart leapt up to her throat. She really knew she couldn’t look, and she shouldn’t look, it set a bad example; she wasn’t always as disciplined as she looked though. She pushed her apron pocket open, peeking down at the bright screen with her heart pounding in her chest. It promptly sunk into her stomach when she saw it was just an email telling her about some sale.

“Message from the mystery man?”

Aqua’s head snapped up to see Kairi still looking at the books as she worked on, making them look neat again. It wasn’t a terrible surprise as Kairi tended to work afternoon shifts with Aqua, and she may have mentioned she was talking to someone a few times. “Ah, no, not this time.”

“Do you know his name yet?”

“No, but that’s okay,” Aqua said, taking a small breath before going back to her job.

“Aren’t you worried he’s like sixty years old or something? Or like a murderer?”

“I’m not saying everyone you meet on the internet is good,” Aqua said. “But when you talk to someone enough, you just sort of…know them. I don’t know, I may not know his name or what he looks like but he’s sweet.” She paused. “And he said he was twenty-six so he’s only a little bit older than me.”

“Do you feel like you know him already then?” Kairi asked. She wasn’t teasing this time, genuinely curious.

“Sort of,” Aqua said, a smile pulling at her lips at just the thought of their conversations. “He’s very kind, and articulate. He’s said once or twice people find him intimidating but to me he just seems so gentle, you know? Especially when he talks about his little brother. I know what he likes to do for fun, favorite foods, movies, what he wants to do for a living, and ah…”

“What?”

Aqua paused for a moment, feeling a small bundle of nerves in her stomach again. He mentioned it so briefly in his last message and she had been torn over what to do about it ever since…if she even wanted to do something about it. “He sorta mentioned where he went to college.”

“Was it bad? Oh wait, was it good? Like Ivy League good?”

“No, well, I mean good but…it’s where I go to school.”

Kairi nearly dropped the book she was holding. “Wait, you guys go to the same school and don’t even know it?”

Aqua nodded; it had been about her same reaction when she read that one sentence. He probably didn’t even mean to say since up till then, they never gave away and facts that led onto where they lived.

“You could know him in real life and not even know it.”

“I think I’d know it,” she rolled her eyes. Aqua may not know him at sight, but she was pretty sure from having a conversation with him that she’d be able to tell how he talked, how he presented himself. She still paused, looking over to Kairi. “Should I ask him to meet? Like on campus or something? Would that be too much?”

“I mean, I don’t think it would be too much,” Kairi shrugged. “People meet online all the time these days. It just depends on how comfortable you feel about it or if you like the mystery more than the man.”

Aqua knew the answer to that question. She’d love to meet him, to sit across the table from him over some warm coffee, to see if how she pictured his voice was really how it was, to hear his laugh, see his smile. The thoughts alone made her stomach flip anxiously. What if he wasn’t anything like how she pictured? Would it make a difference?

“I think I would…” Aqua started. “Meet him that is.”

“Then ask him,” Kairi said, standing up on her toes to get a book on the top shelf. “Worst he could say is no and then you’re no worse off than you are now.”

That was a good point. Aqua squatted down towards the floor to fix a few books. Maybe it wouldn’t be a bad thing to ask. Maybe he’d like it too. Maybe he wouldn’t but then they could still talk just like they have been. She thought about meeting him so many times before now, ever since she sent that first message a few months ago.

She liked him, more than she cared to admit to anyone but herself. It was silly maybe, but he always brought a smile to her face, that had to be worth something. It had to be worth a risk.

--

Dear OftheShire,

Of course there’s dancing, geez, boy, do you even know me?? Not a hairbrush, no, but absolutely any candy cane shaped object I can find. It’s been described as both a wonder and a hot mess so I take that with very high regard. If you ever wander into where I work I’ll be sure to show you, and probably embarrass you and myself so much you’ll never want to be seen in public with me lmao

That’s right! I forgot you mentioned your little brother before. Well, you sound like a great big brother to play along with the façade, even just for his sake. I don’t have any siblings myself so I never got to share the joy of having to share my room or bathroom with anyone. He seems very sweet, even if you insist he’s a pain in your ass (ps I can totally tell you love him, don’t play so cool :P ) Plus he sounds like he likes sweets as much as me so I can get behind that!

It’s so sweet you’re so close to your family too! So much that you don’t consider leaving them, that tells me a lot about you and how much they must love you too :D Okay, wait, how have we been talking so much and you never told me you traveled! I haven’t gotten to do so very much but I’ve always wanted to. Are we talking like “oh, hey, I just get around the country every so often” or “I’m a damn world traveler and have eaten things you’d never dreamed of and can speak five languages on command”? I mean both are cool, but I need to know which one it is.

Savor it, my friend! Especially as a teacher, cause, hate to break it to you but technically you’re going to be in school for a very long time. High school too? Wow, you’re a brave man! See, you keep saying people find you intimidating, but, like, to me you seem so mellow and gentle? Is it something about you physically? Are you like a seven foot football player or wrestler or something? Also, excuse you, don’t judge my sugar intake, I’m perfectly capable of not dying from sugar intake, :P (More reasons why I love your brother already too)

Hey, so, weird thing. I sort of go to Midwestern too. Small world right! I can’t believe we’ve been talking for so long and we could be in the same class. How weird is that? I was wondering if maybe you wanted to meet for coffee on campus or something? At that little café in the library? Like this Thursday? Please don’t feel like you have to! But I thought it might be nice to actually see each other in person since we happened to actually live in the same town. I can like wear bells in my hair and have a copy of The Hobbit since I know that was your favorite book as a kid so you know it’s me. Just let me know!

--

“I don’t know why I had to come with you,” Ven said as he walked down the sidewalk next to Terra. That statement, of course, was accompanied by Ven’s big grin, meaning he was highly amused that his older brother asked him to come with him to a possible, maybe, sort of, kind of date.

Was it? Terra had no idea, but he’d never claim to be good at picking up on things like that. All he knew was he stared at her message for a lot longer than he should’ve, even stunned that someone as nice as her would actually want to see him in person. It was easy to agree then, to feel excited to finally meet the person behind the words but now that he was walking towards the campus library, the bright lights from the building looming over him, all he felt like was throwing up.

“Even if she was a murderer I’m pretty sure you could take her,” Ven continued.

“I don’t think she’s a murderer,” Terra snorted, shoving his hands in his jacket pockets. “Or even a threat.”

“I hate to break it to you, Ter, but you aren’t always the best judge of character.”

That was…fair. “Can’t you be good, quiet moral support?”

Ven clicked his tongue looking up to the building. “If you wanted quiet support you probably should’ve brought like Riku from your work or something. I’m your brother, I’m legally entitled to give you a hard time.”

“I don’t think that’s true. If me and dad both die then you’re legally entitled to my things I guess.”

Ven whistled. “Books, books, and more books I’m so thrilled.”

Terra reached out to shove at Ven’s head, making the younger boy laugh. It was why Terra bought Ven in the first place; if anyone could make Terra not get wrapped up too much in his own thoughts, it was Ven.

“There it is,” he said, pointing to a particularly well illuminated section of the library. It was easy to see through the large windows where students were in line to get a late night caffeine fix or snacks; it was fairly late, he had to wait till he was off work to even come since Aqua already requested the night off and someone had to be there.

“Don’t look so nervous.” Ven nudged Terra’s shoulder. “She already likes you enough to talk to you all the time, this is just without a screen in between. No big deal.” Ven reached for the door handle, but Terra pulled Ven away from it.

“God, what?” he asked, arching an eyebrow up.

Terra knew he was acting sort of childish but he couldn’t help but feel the nerves in his stomach reaching up through his chest. “What if she isn’t even there?”

Ven paused for a second before grabbing a hold of Terra’s arm, dragging him over to one of the side windows. Ven leaned up close to the glass leaving Terra out of view so that way Ven would be the one seen if anyone looked over. “Okay, what did she say she was wearing again?”

He was a good brother. “Ah, she said she’d have bells in her hair, and a book, The Hobbit.”

“You guys are such nerds,” Ven snorted. “Alright, alright, let me…see…” He let out a low whistle that made Terra look up.

“Wait, what? Is that good or bad?”

“I dunno, man, she doesn’t really look your type but she does look like mine, maybe I should go in instead of you.”

It took Terra a moment with his heart nearly in his throat to realize Ven was teasing. “You’re a shit, will you tell me the truth?”

“Okay, okay, calm down,” Ven laughed, looking back into the café. “Alright so, bells in the hair is kind of common around Christmas, but the book would be an easier…way…to tell, ummm…Oh!”

“What? Do you see her?” Terra asked, nearly going up behind Ven to see too.

Ven was quiet for a second, and he wasn’t teasing anymore which didn’t bode well. “Ah, well, she’s your type for sure, but you’re probably not going to like it.”

Terra had no idea what that was supposed to mean. He quickly slipped in next to Ven who nodded over to a table off to the side of the café. Terra saw the book first, fingers tapping on the cover, anxiously, impatiently maybe. Maybe he should’ve known before he even looked at her face, the familiar shade of blue hair, eyes he already knew glancing over at the door when it opened. Hell, he even knew the bells she was wearing in her hair.

He quickly turned around, leaning his back against the window instead. This couldn’t be…it was a joke right? The girl, the kind, funny, compassionate girl he had been talking to for months it…couldn’t be Aqua, could it?

It had to be. He didn’t tell anyone but Ven, who may tease Terra sure but would never do anything cruel to him. Maybe the girl had said something to someone else? Like she was nervous to meet him too so she said something to a friend who offered to wait for her, that friend unknowingly being Aqua.

Terra turned his head to look back in the room to see if anything could confirm that theory. It didn’t though, not when he saw the hope flicker in her eyes every time someone walked in, anytime someone got too close to her table for it to fade away, her fingers still tapping anxiously at book cover.

It was her; there was no one else it could be. How could it be her? The girl he talked to was nothing like the Aqua he was forced to work with.

“Terra,” Ven said, like he was very much doubting that Terra was going to move. “You have to go in there, you know that right?”

“I can’t,” he groaned, leaning his head back against the glass. “If she knows it’s me she’ll just be mad and she’ll never talk to me again.”

“So you’re going to leave a person, that I know you’ve been trying to hide how much you like, just waiting for you cause you found out you really do know them?”

“That’s the problem. I do know her and now I feel like I know two completely different people sharing the same body.”

Ven arched an eyebrow. “Do you though?”

“Do I what?”

“Do you know her? Maybe the girl online is really how she is and you never gave her the chance to be that way around you.”

Terra didn’t like that Ven was making sense. He was barely graduated from high school; it shouldn’t be possible for him to make assumptions like that. “It doesn’t change the fact that if she sees me, she’s going to make me leave. I can guarantee you I’m not the person she wants to see.”

“So what, you’re just going to stand her up? I’m sure she was looking forward to this as much as you were and she’ll leave here wondering why her friend didn’t want to meet her.”

Ven was laying on the guilt there but it was working. Terra didn’t always get along with Aqua but he didn’t hate her, and he really didn’t hate the girl he talked to on the internet; he wouldn’t want either of them to feel stood up.

“Okay,” Terra said, reaching a hand up to run through his hair. “Okay, I’ll go. But you’re getting an ‘I told you so’ if she kicks me out without letting me explain.”

Ven didn’t say anything else, he just gestured to the door. Terra did what he said and opened the door to the café, stepping inside. He tried not to look at her, knowing she was still watching everyone who walked in. He thought he felt Ven slip in behind but Terra lost track of his brother when he did make eye contact with Aqua.

She looked a little confused, like she was surprised he was there. Did she even know they went to the same school? Probably not; it wasn’t like they talked much, especially if it wasn’t work related. He walked over to the table she was sitting at, though he still had no idea what he was going to do let alone say.

“Hey,” he said, which was at least a start.

“Ah, hey,” Aqua said, still a confused look on her face. “I didn’t know you went to school here.”

That answered that question. “Hm, yeah, I do. What’re you doing here so late?”

Her face flushed slightly, she was embarrassed; it wasn’t a look he was used to on her. “Oh, I was just waiting for someone.”

“This late at night?”

“He had to work.”

“He, huh,” Terra said, pulling out the empty chair from the table. “On a date then?”

She flushed again and he did feel bad. He never saw Aqua be embarrassed in as long as he knew her. She always rolled with the punches, and stood her ground; which he did admire about her if he was being honest. “Who said it was your business?”

Terra shrugged, trying to ignore the weird feeling in the pit of his stomach as he sat down. It was a strange mix of still being in shock that Aqua was his mystery girl and the fluttering feeling fact that she wasn’t denying it could’ve been a date.  It was so conflicting and made him sort of want to throw up. “It’s not, I was only asking.”

The door opened behind him and Aqua’s head immediately snapped over to look. She watched the guy walk in but looked away when he made no motion to walk over to her.

“Blind date?” he asked, propping his elbow up on the table. He knew he should tell her, it was cruel to pretend it wasn’t him, but at the same time he couldn’t actually get the words to form in his head let alone come out.

Aqua glanced back to him, like she was surprised he was still there. “I guess you could say that.”

“Friend of a friend?”

“No,” she said, looking down to the book still on the table. “Ah, I met him online.”

Terra whistled. “You keep looking for him, I’m guessing he’s late?”

She hesitated. “It’s an unusual hour, he could be running behind.”

“And didn’t even tell you? Not the best first impression.”

She arched an eyebrow. “He’s actually a very nice person. I think if he’s running late he has a good reason to be.”

Terra felt a slight bit of exhilaration that she was standing up for him, that she thought he was a good person who wouldn’t stand anyone up. Based only on their conversations she actually wanted to see him, she looked forward to it. It only made him feel sicker that she was so wrong without even knowing it. “Sure hope so, better than chickening out.”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” That exasperated tone he knew well, but now he couldn’t stop seeing the softer look in her eyes, her tone in the way she excitedly told him about her days, about how much she loved Christmas.

It would’ve been easy to say, “Yeah, right here” or anything to tell her that he was the one she was waiting for but she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but near him. Despite expecting this was how it was going to be, it hurt. Not just because this was the girl he looked forward to getting messages from, the girl who got him through the long days, that made the holidays seem a little brighter this year, but because something in the way he behaved towards her made her feel like she had to be harsh with him.

Maybe if he had been kinder at work, maybe if he listened instead of writing her off as a control freak, if he understood how she operated, if he was more patient, he would’ve seen the girl behind the screen while he was at work. Maybe he would’ve seen her eyes light up when it was him who walked through the room and maybe he would’ve liked it, loved it even.  

But it wasn’t what happened and now he couldn’t tell her, he couldn’t ever tell her. Terra wasn’t sure he could bear seeing that disappointment in her eyes. It would be easier for her to feel stood up than for him to crush her dreams that her mystery guy was none other than the person she hated.

“Yeah, I do,” Terra said, pushing himself up to his feet.

She was watching him but he couldn’t quite read her.

He leaned forward to tap the cover of the book. “Good choice,” he said. “I always liked it too.”

If she moved to say anything to him, he didn’t see it. He turned around to head back to the door, Ven scrambling off a stool to follow behind. He at least didn’t say anything as they walked in silence to Terra’s car. The disappointment only sunk in harder the farther he got away from the café. It wasn’t even that it was Aqua, that it was always Aqua - it was only in himself.

He didn’t even care to tell Ven ‘I told you so’ at any point.

--

Dear Bytheseaside,

Of course there is, how silly of me to assume otherwise. I appreciate your level of shamelessness in the least but it would take more than that to drive me off I think. Little brother, remember? I can take a lot of embarrassment. Speaking of, he’s alright. He just graduated high school and will be starting college in the spring much to my dreaded realization that time has gone by way too fast for me. Jokes aside he’s a great kid. Smart and generous, also sarcastic and snarky and sometimes I want to kill him but usually I love him. I think he very well could rival your love for sweets. You two would be peas in a pod honestly.

I mean, I can’t speak five languages in the least. Bits and pieces maybe, but not fluently. I have been around this country quite a bit but also places around the world. My dad traveled a lot before me and my brother so he took use when we were old enough. It’s always been fun, and yes, I have eaten things you’ve probably never dreamed of. It’s actually why my brother is starting college late, we had a trip planned for his graduation that interfered with some deadlines.

I can assure you I’m not a football player or a wrestler, I’m actually not really a sports person. I played in high school cause they made me but I never cared much for it. I’m not seven feet tall either, though maybe a little taller than average; maybe that freaks people out, I don’t know. I like to think I’m pretty mellow. You know, I’m not entirely sure you are capable of that. I’d be afraid to ever let you two in the same room, I may come back to find the place littered with all the sweets you two could find.

Wait, seriously? How did we never know we went to the same school? Let alone live in the same vicinity. You can say small world again. But, yeah, I mean, I’d totally be cool with that! I checked the work schedule and Thursday was already requested off so I can’t take it, but I can meet you after work if that’s okay? I’d actually really like it a lot. I’ll look for the bells and the book!

--

Aqua wasn’t sure if it was the cold weather and busy work schedule mixed with finals last week that knocked her out but all she knew was she tried to get up for work and there was just no way. She never called off but she didn’t have a choice. There was no way to open when she couldn’t even move from her bed; she felt like she got hit by a tuck the way her whole body ached, her nose wouldn’t stop running, she could barely eat anything in her apartment. It was probably for the best, all it would be was a day of sulking when she was supposed to be working. At least home she could pull the blankets over her head and pretend there wasn’t a terrible ache in her heart.

He never came.

She waited for hours, and then more time in hopes he’d walk in and recognize her sitting there. He never did. Aqua kept her phone out in case he messaged her that something came up but nothing, not a word. She didn’t know how to feel; if she should be heartbroken that the person she wanted to meet so badly didn’t feel the same. She worried that something happened to him, or nervous she did something to keep him away.

It only just resulted in her crying alone in her bed most the night, then to wake up with a pounding headache and feeling even more terrible. Aqua hadn’t known it was possible. She felt so stupid sitting there, and even more stupid going home alone, and just so sad. He was also so kind, so interested in what she had to say, so engaging she couldn’t understand what happened. He even sounded like he really wanted to meet her. Was it a lie to make her feel better and he never intended to come? That didn’t sound like him; he was always so open and honest. Still, she figured maybe you can’t always know someone just from the internet.

She reached her hand around the comforter covering her, trying to reach for the tissue box. Her nose was raw from blowing it so much but what else could she do but sit here and feel bad for herself? Tifa offered to come over and talk but Aqua just didn’t feel like talking to anyone. She cracked an eye open to look at her phone but no messages.

Clearly the one person she wanted to talk to didn’t want to talk to her.

She was maybe being melodramatic, she barely knew this person outside from long conversations reaching on for weeks but then again, wasn’t that enough to be able to know someone? Aqua groaned as she pulled the blankets over her head. She didn’t want to think anymore. She just wanted to go to sleep and pretend none of this happened. She should’ve never suggested going to meet him.

Except there was a part of her that still wanted to meet him.

Aqua slowly pulled the blanket down to her chest when she thought she heard something. She tried to listen to the quiet apartment, but there was nothing. No, wait…maybe there was something? Maybe she was delusional too? Someone was knocking on her door? Were they or was she imagining it?

Her phone buzzed and against her better judgment she nearly dove for it. The message waiting for her wasn’t anything like what she expected though.

Terra Hale (Work)

               Aqua, your neighbors are starting to look at me strangely. Can you open the door?

She blinked at the screen, trying to make sure she was reading that right. Yeah, they had each other’s numbers because they had to but he never texted her anything that wasn’t work related and even that was few and far between.

               Wait, are you here? Like at my door?

It wasn’t an unreasonable thing to ask, she didn’t even think Terra knew where she lived let alone ever been here before. Granted, he did use her name so it probably wasn’t a wrong number text.

Terra Hale (Work)

No, I’m asking you to open your door because I’m across town at someone else’s door. Yes, I’m standing here. It won’t take long, I know you’re sick.

Aqua knew she wasn’t feeling well but now she felt like she was in some weird alternative dimension. Was she dreaming? She had to be. Still she found herself kicking her legs over the side of her bed to stand up on shaky legs. Should she let him in? She probably looked like a terrible mess; red faced, red nosed, red eyed, not showered, bed head, the same PJ’s on from last night. Yep, he was probably going to tease her and never let her live this down.

She grabbed a thinner blanket off her bed and wrapped it around her shoulders, hopefully covering some of disheveled state. Aqua didn’t like people seeing her less than at her best, let alone someone who didn’t even seem to like her at her best. She shuffled through her small living room and kitchen to the door. It was still chained shut, so she opened it only as far as the chain went.

Sure enough there was Terra standing there. He was still in his work uniform, typical thin jacket on. He had some sort of bag in his hands but his eyes were glancing down at her before looking up to the chain lock.

“I promise I’m not trying to rob you.”

Aqua hesitated. “Are you here because I called off and made you work?”

His face was almost unreadable but he didn’t look mad, or even annoyed. “No, I’m here because Leon said you called off and you’ve never done that in the time I’ve known you so I figured it was serious.” Terra held up the white plastic bag slightly. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

She wasn’t sure how much she believed him since he never seemed to care about her wellbeing before but Aqua also didn’t want to leave the poor guy just standing there when he hadn’t actually done anything wrong. She reached up to unhook the chain, pulling the door open.

He stepped in, closing the door behind him while Aqua quickly retreated to the kitchen which was closer than the living room.

“Do you, ah, want any…” She paused to reach her arm to her face, sneezing far louder than she wanted to. “Coffee? Tea?”

“No, thank you,” he said, though she was surprised to see a small smile on his lips. “You should go back to bed.”

“I’m fine,” she said, but her nose betrayed her, sounding gross and stuffy. Great, this was just wonderful.

Terra placed the bag on her counter, undoing the knot on the top. “I brought you some soup,” he said, pulling out a large Tupperware contained that looked full to the brim with some sort of chicken soup. “It just needs to be heated up. It’s my dad’s recipe, real good I promise. He used to make it for me and my brother when we were sick too.”

Aqua couldn’t help but eye him as he placed the container in the fridge for her. “Oh, wow, well thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”

“It was nothing,” he shrugged, reaching back for the bag. “I also brought some tea leaves, another special blend my dad always gave us. Do you have a teapot or anything?”

“Ah…” Aqua fiddled with the edge of her blanket. She didn’t know what she was expecting when she let Terra inside but this was absolutely not it. “Yeah, on the stove.”

He turned to grab it, filling it up with some water from the sink. While she wasn’t used to Terra being so…accommodating to her, she knew if she asked him to leave he would but she couldn’t find those words. She was more curious as to why he was being so accommodating; especially after how rude she was to him last night. Guilt swirled in the pit of her stomach, making her feel worse than she already did. She tried to tell herself he deserved it, that he was always abrasive at work so what else was she supposed to do? But at the same time, here he was pulling a mug off her drying rack to put near the tea he brought.

He turned the stove on, the clicks filling the otherwise quiet kitchen. “Go on back to bed, I’ll bring you some when it’s done and get out of your hair.”

She bit down on her lip, watching him as he popped open the container of tea leaves. She never really had tea without a tea bag before; she didn’t even know Terra liked tea. Come to think of it, she didn’t know very much about him in the first place. “I’m fine,” she said again, though she promptly sneezed again.

He looked up from pouring the tea leaves into the mug, a sort of knowing smile on his lips.

“I, um…” Aqua was really unsure what to even say. They never had a conversation without bickering before. “I’ll take your shift tomorrow.” She had to pause to sniffle even if it was incredibly embarrassing. “To make up for making you work today.”

“No need,” he said. “You keep your day off, you may need another day to rest and feel better.”

“No, no, it’s only fai-” Another sneeze. “Fair.”

“You’re clearly exhausted and overworked,” he said, sealing the cap back on the tea. “You need the rest and you need to go back to bed.”

“Really, I’m fi…” she paused when she saw him coming towards her. “Fine, I’m fine.”

He hummed like he really didn’t believe her which he clearly didn’t because the next thing he had picked her up over his shoulder.

“Terra!” she gasped, instinctively reaching down to grab him and keep her balance but she was more amazed at how effortlessly he carried her. She should be furious at him for touching her when she didn’t need to be but instead all she felt was a sort of warmth from his body, it was comforting in a weird way. That someone came out all the way just to take care of her.

It was sweet, even though she never thought to describe Terra that way.

He gently placed her down on her bed moving out of the way as she could only stare up at him in surprise. “I’m sorry if I intruded,” he said holding his hands up slightly. “But if I knew anything about you it was that you probably wouldn’t ask for help and were just sitting here suffering alone. I thought I’d help even a little bit.”

It was sweet, it was really sweet. She even smiled a little bit. “Well, thank you.” Aqua kicked her legs up onto her bed as he reached down to pull the comforter up over her. “I take it as a big brother you know how to take care of someone with a cold?”

He sat down on the edge of her bed, reaching over to briefly place his hand on her forehead. “And a fever, yes.”

She rolled her head on her pillow, looking up to meet his blue eyes. Were they always that blue? That compassionate? She didn’t know.

“Hey,” he said. “Did the person you were supposed to meet ever show up?”

Aqua felt her stomach sink at the mention even though it wasn’t an unusual thing to ask. “No,” she said. “He never did.”

Terra clicked his tongue in thought and she was sure something snarky was about to follow. “Well, I’m sorry to hear that. You deserve better than being stood up like that. He’s an idiot for doing that to you.”

Aqua felt like she was staring but she couldn’t help it; of all the things she was expecting that was not it. Who was this and what had he done with Terra? Maybe it always was Terra but she was too stubborn to see the boy who lived behind her coworker. “Ah, well, thank you, that’s sweet of you.”

She paused for a second. On any normal circumstances she would never even consider opening her mouth to say what she was thinking to him, but he was here and he was being so nice, and she was admittedly not in her right mind. “Do you think…” she started, biting down at her lip to voice the one thought she couldn’t get out of her head. “Do you think he was there? And he took one look at me and left? Do you think it was me?”

“No,” Terra said quickly. “I don’t think that would ever be the case. You’re pretty, any guy would be lucky to look in and see you sitting there. Maybe something came up and he wasn’t able to tell you, or maybe he was too nervous to show his face. I don’t think it was you.”

Aqua stared at him; she didn’t expect him to say anything like that to her, not now not ever.

“I’m also, ah…” He glanced away, looking over her probably terribly messy room. “I’m sorry for intruding on you last night.”

“Oh, ah, it’s okay.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I was just nervous.”

He opened his mouth to say something but the teapot whistled from the other room. He got up with a slight smile and left her room. Aqua could only watch after him.

This was…a weird day. Seeing this small glimpse of him though…it was just astounding to her; maybe this was the real Terra. Sure he was laid back and didn’t hold the rules as high of a regard as she did, but maybe that was because he was understanding and wanted to give everyone a chance. He never punished Lea for being late, or Sora for mixing up an order, or Kairi for chatting too much but maybe it was because he was empathetic, understanding how and why they did the things they did.

Maybe there was a lot of him she didn’t even know.

“Okay,” he said, coming in with two cups in his hands. “Tea is in the mug though it’s very hot so be careful. Water is in the glass because with a fever, you should stay hydrated.”

The tea smelt so good, herbal spices mixing to remind her of an autumn day. She carefully took the mug from him, the steam and warmth making her feel better already.

He placed the water on her night stand, sticking his hands in his jacket pocket as he looked down at her. “Try and stay in bed and get some sleep. I left the tea leaves out in case you want more and soup is still in the fridge. If you need more or want anything different to eat or anything really, you have my number. I don’t live that far away.”

Aqua looked up at him. She was used to how he looked, how he dressed, his facial expressions, his mannerisms but this time it was like seeing a whole different person. “Thank you, Terra, I really mean it.”

“Any time,” he said, reaching a hand up to wave. “Get some rest.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “See you.”

“Bye.” He gave her a slight smile before turning to leave, the sound of her door closing shut was the last thing she heard of him.

What had seriously just happened? She could barely wrap her mind around it as she sipped on her tea. A part of her still wondered if she was dreaming but as she looked down at her quiet phone she did realize one thing.

At least for a little bit she stopped wondering why her friend hadn’t messaged her about last night.

--

Dear OftheShire,

I do hope all is well and nothing serious happened that caused you not to be able to make it. Maybe there was a misunderstanding somewhere along the way (maybe we really weren’t talking about the same schools?). Whatever the case, I hope I haven’t done anything that would’ve kept you away. I’d feel terrible if I made you feel pressured or scared in any way. All I really wanted to do was talk to the person whose company I’ve been enjoying so much!

I hope this doesn’t change anything between us because I would greatly miss being friends with you. If you thinking meeting in person is a bad idea, I’ll never bring it up again! Things can completely stay the same between us here.

I do hope all is well though. Just let me know so I don’t worry too much about you!

--

It was strange how you could go from barely thinking about someone to go to never getting them out of your mind. Maybe it was because Terra finally stopped distinguishing Aqua, the girl he worked with from Aqua, the girl he really liked online. They were both the same people, and he could see that now clearly. He never bothered to before, but seeing the soft look in her eyes as she asked him if he thought it was her that made her date run away, slipping Xion some money so she could go buy herself a sugary coffee, watching how she helped the seven year old girl pick out a present for her mom, how Aqua sang along with the radio when she thought no one was looking, the grin on her face when she teased Lea for flirting with customers again, it was all the same Aqua.

He couldn’t believe he never saw it before.

The few days she was gone from work to recover dragged on and on. He wanted to check up on her but he didn’t want to intrude, once was enough for his heart that nearly pounded out of his chest the entire time he was there. He hoped she’d text him but she never did. He knew he could respond to her waiting message but it didn’t feel right; not after what he did, not after what he knew. Terra felt terrible lying to her even at her apartment but he just didn’t know what he could say that would make any of this right.

He tried to when she did come back to work but all that came out was asking her if she needed more tea and that the magazines looked like a tornado went through them. Terra never admitted to be very smooth.

No, instead he found himself just sort of lingering around the store, trying to keep to himself or help her and the other kids when they needed it. Thankfully with only one week till Christmas left they were swamped at all times and he could keep busy enough to take his mind off the beautiful girl he worked with, the one who made him so happy without even knowing she did.

How had he been so blind?

“Oh, yes, ma’am, its right over here,” Aqua said from around the corner.

Terra leaned around the end of the bookshelf he was doing a quick stock of to see her walking with another woman to one of the bookshelves that lined the walls.

“It’s a beautiful book,” Aqua continued. “Full of beautiful pictures and descriptions, great for any fan.” She reached up to the top shelf to grab some sort of movie art book but the stock was low and she was a little too short to reach it on her own. “Popular as well,” she chuckled as she tried to strain a little harder to grab it with no luck.

Terra left the books he had in his hands on the shelf, moving over to where Aqua was still struggling. He reached over her head to grab the book with no effort. “Here you go,” he said, passing it to Aqua.

She had turned around to look at him, a little too close, he could feel the warmth of her body against his. There was this look in her eyes, one he couldn’t quite read but it melted into that customer service smile. “Thank you,” she said, turning again to hand the book to the customer. “We have to keep some tall employees here just for that.”

The woman smiled her thanks and went to leave, vanishing in the rest of the crowd of customers. Terra knew he should get back to his own work, but he was frozen when Aqua exhaled, leaning back against the bookshelf as she looked back up at him. “I am exhausted.”

“I know the feeling,” he said, reaching a hand up behind the back of his head.

“You need a break?” she asked a sort of concern wrinkling her forehead. “I can hold the fort down.”

“Oh, no, I’ll be fine but feel free to take it if you need it. I can handle it just fine.”

While before it may’ve ended up in more bickering, now she merely laughed. “I appreciate it, Terra, but I’ll be okay too. I guess we’re better as a team out here anyways.”

He blinked at her, not quite getting what she meant, but she glanced upwards at the top shelf. “Ah, yeah, need those tall arms don’t you?”

“I used to think I was tall for a girl, and then I met you.”

“Ah, what can I say? Born to be a sports person.”

“Were you?”

“No,” he laughed. “I never cared much for playing or watching them.”

She looked at him with that unreadable look again. It wasn’t bad he didn’t think, he just wasn’t sure what was going through her head. “Well, I suppose you do like books better.”

“That I do, obviously.” He found his voice lacking the sarcasm he used to talk to her with, mainly because he really did enjoy talking to her. He thought maybe she felt the same because she was much less abrasive with him ever since he brought her the soup. Maybe it hadn’t been such a bad idea.

She laughed lightly, opening her mouth to say something else but a voice crackled in both their ears, judging by the way Aqua cringed at the same time he did.

“Guys,” Sora whined a little too loudly over the headset. “This customer is angry over a sale. Can one of you come help me?”

Terra reached up to turn his mic on to say he got it but he felt Aqua’s soft touch on his arm.

“I got it, Sora,” she said as she pressed her mic on. “I’ll be right there.”

“Oh, thank Jesus. I think they want to murder me.”

“I would’ve gone,” Terra said. “I know you said you were tired.”

“It’s fine,” she said with the smile he had gotten used to the past few days. “I know you’re not a big confrontation person and I love putting people in their place, especially when they mess with my kids.” She winked at him before going to head to the register.

Terra watched her go and almost pitied the person who yelled at Sora. Almost. Terra moved back to where he was stocking, hoping it would keep distracting him till the store closed and he could get some peace and quiet to clean the store in.

“What happened with you?”

He looked up to see Riku standing at the next shelving unit over. He was straightening but he was also eyeing Terra a little curiously. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

“You and Aqua,” Riku said, gesturing vaguely in the direction Aqua was last in.

Terra arched an eyebrow. “Are you spying on me, kiddo?”

“No, no, nothing like that,” Riku said, leaning over to fix the next shelf down. “More like it’s so obvious everyone’s been talking about it.”

Terra froze. “Talking about what?”

“That you guys actually get along now. Some have, ah, interesting theories.”

“People like Lea and Kairi, I’ll guess?”

Riku snorted and that was enough of an answer. “It’s just you guys used to fight-flirt a lot, like we all couldn’t tell if you hated each other or liked each other but now you guys…I don’t know, seem happy?”

Terra decided he’d ignore the fact the employees apparently talked about his and Aqua’s relationship dynamics (and referred to it as flirting none the less). “Huh, I mean nothing really changed.”

“I don’t think that’s true. Something changed somewhere.” Riku crouched down but looked up towards Terra. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good thing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen either of you smile so much especially around this time of the year when you’re stuck at work. Whatever it is, I’m glad to see you happy.”

Terra knew something changed in himself, and maybe because of his attitude change, it made Aqua feel better about him but he didn’t think it was that apparent to everyone else. “Well, thanks I guess but nothing’s really changed. I guess we just learned how to work with each other.”

Riku made some sort of noise of acknowledgement but otherwise went back to straightening the books. Terra tried to do the same but he couldn’t focus on what went where. He couldn’t see or hear Aqua but he was so aware of her presence. There was no going back for him now, not when he knew it was her. He knew why she made him happy but the disappointment she’d feel knowing he was the person she was waiting to hear back from was enough to make him look back to his job.

He knew he had to tell her, lying to her only made him feel worse every day. It would both ruin the relationship they had, and the one that was only just growing but he had to make it right to her. She deserved that and so much more.

--

Dear Bytheseaside,

I’m not sure I have words to apologize to you. I could sit here and make excuses all day long but the truth is I have none. I’m the one who chickened out and in the end couldn’t face you. There was nothing you did wrong; I can assure you of that. I’m not quite as outgoing as I may come across and the thought of facing you made me turn away. Then in turn, the thought of facing you in shame of what I’ve done got me delaying in telling you what happened.

I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t trust me to meet again but I still would like to make it up to you. The large Christmas tree in the center of West Town Mall, it’s beautiful you know? I know how much you love Christmas (and hate the cold so this is inside). If you have time maybe the day before Christmas Eve,  I’ll wait for you there. I know you typically work nights so after closing.  I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to show up, but this time I promise I’ll be there. I can’t promise I’ll wear bells in my hair, but I think you’ll know me when you see me.

--

Aqua couldn’t get the nervous buzz out of the pit of her stomach, which meant it was probably bad to be walking back into the store with more coffee for herself, but she couldn’t help it. She balanced the tray and a couple bags of food past some customers who were digging through the bargain bin, more running to grab last minute presents all around her. Thankfully she made it to the backroom without anyone running into her and spilling either coffee cup.

Terra was already sitting at the table, fiddling with his phone. She smiled as the door swung behind her; at least the nice thing about working the day before Christmas Eve was the boss was here all day and she could take her break at the same time as him tonight.

“Ta-da,” she said, placing the tray down on the table. “Surprise caffeine.”

“Bless you,” he said, leaving his phone on the table. “But you seriously didn’t have to get me anything, Aqua.”

“It was nothing.” She waved him off before reaching for one so she could read the markings. “I figured you were as dead on your feet as I was.”

“You’re right there.”

“Just today and tomorrow,” she said, handing him the one marked with nothing but coffee in it. “Then a day off.”

“Yeah, until we have to come back for all the after-Christmas sales.” He took the coffee from her, but his fingers were warmer than she expected, making her jump just a little when they brushed against her hand.

“Optimism, Terra, c’mon now.” Aqua sat down in the chair across from him, thankful to not be on her feet even for a little bit. She brought the warm coffee up to her lips, hoping it would help her lingering exhaustion.

He snorted but he didn’t say anything else as he sipped carefully at his own drink.

“Oh, here, this too.” Aqua grabbed one of the food bags to peek into it before sliding it over to him.

He choked slightly, probably out of surprise. “You’re too much. You know you don’t have to make sure I eat, right?”

She hummed, grabbing her own bag before leaning back again. “I don’t know, you look like someone who would forget to eat.”

It was the strangest thing. Where she once didn’t even like having to share the same space as him, she found herself standing at the café in the mall wondering what Terra would like off the menu. She admittedly didn’t know and had to guess completely, but so far he was drinking the black coffee with no complaints as he peeked into the bag curiously.

“It was the least sweet thing I could find,” she explained, pulling out her own pastry which she made sure was the polar opposite.

It was like the thought surprised him as he looked back up to her.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she chuckled, pulling off a piece of her pastry to pop in her mouth. “It’s the holidays, there’s been cookies and pies and cakes galore back here and you’ve never touched any of them. I figured you didn’t really like sweets too much.”

“Ah, well, you’re right,” he said, placing the pastry on top of the bag, a sort of smile on his lips. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

“Of course, we have to survive all this madness together.”

He hummed in response, leaning back in his chair as he carefully ate the pastry she brought him.

Aqua wasn’t quite sure how it happened. She didn’t know how she went from trying to ignore him as best she could at work to actually looking to see if his name was on the schedule with her. Almost just as surprising was the disappointment she felt when they were scheduled separate. Was he always this sweet and kind and she just never saw it? Did she ever give him the chance to understand he just operated on a different level than she did?

She didn’t know. All she knew was she regretted the way she treated him before. Ever since he brought her food when she was sick, she couldn’t get him out of her head. Even going so far as to having the desire to text him for no reason other than she wished she could see him more than just at work when they were so busy and never really got a chance to say much. She did stop trying to always take control of things, knowing that no matter what he was doing he’d do it to the best of his abilities, even if it was a much quieter way than she’d do it. She actually found his presence with her more comforting than anything, knowing he’d be there if she needed it. Aqua didn’t know why, because she didn’t deserve it in the least but it was a nice thing.

Also a very conflicting thing as she was supposed to meet the person she had been talking to for months again tonight.

“Something on your mind?” he asked.

Aqua blinked as she remembered she was still sitting at the table staring down at her food. His was already gone, just crumbs remaining as he went back to his drink. “Ah, nothing important,” she said, reaching to pick at her pastry.

Terra tipped his cup to his lips, gesturing with his hand for her to continue. Did she mention how easy it was to talk to him, too? For all the bickering they used to do, she found conversation with him so easily. He was quiet but always attentive, like nothing she said ever bored him. Why did they used to fight so much? Aqua couldn’t even begin to remember.

“I’m well, I’m supposed to meet that guy again tonight.” The nerves tightened in her stomach just at the thought, making her otherwise delicious food seem unappealing.

Terra arched his eyebrows. “Is that a bad thing?”

“I don’t know,” she groaned, her head falling backwards some.

“Did he at least apologize to you?”

She nodded. “Yeah, he didn’t really tell me what happened other than it was on him, and that he wanted to try for a second chance.”

“Do you think he deserves it?”

“Everyone deserves a second chance,” Aqua said, maybe a little too quickly judging by the way her heart leapt up into her throat with Terra’s eyes on her. “I just…I don’t know.”

Terra leaned forward, placing his cup on the table. “In the end it’s up to you. You seemed really upset when he stood you up last time. You have every right not to want to put yourself through that again.”

She hesitated. “Do you think I should go?”

“It’s not my choice to make,” he laughed lightly. “It’s up to you and how you feel. If you still feel like you want to meet this person then go, if you don’t feel like you can trust them after what happened then don’t. Don’t ever feel forced to do something just because you think it’s what other people want.”  

Did she still want to? She knew there was a part of her that did, who wanted to meet the person she had so many wonderful conversations with, who made her feel light and warm, happy even when she otherwise might not’ve felt those things. Yet, there was another part of her who was aware there was a person sitting in this room who also had the ability to make her feel that way, who took care of her when he absolutely didn’t have to, who kept the kids at the store out of trouble because he knew they meant well, who did anything without a complaint.

“You’re right,” she said, bringing her coffee back up to her lips. Their break would be over in any second, and she’d have to go back to work and try to not be distracted…by a lot of things.

Terra seemed accepting enough with her answer as he leaned back in his chair. Granted that didn’t last too long as the door swung open.

Xion had her head popped in. “Boss said break’s up, sorry, guys.”

“It’s fine, be right there,” Aqua said, moving to shove the rest of her pastry in her mouth (that absolutely got a chuckle from Terra). She grabbed her coffee to take with her as she stood; she was hiding it behind the counter, they could pry it from her cold, dead hands.

“Hey, Aqua?”

She paused, turning back to Terra who was standing but not really making any other move to leave. “Yeah, what’s up?”

He looked a little unsure, and for a moment she thought he was going to tell her not to go (or hoped? She wasn’t quite sure). “I’m sorry, about how I’ve treated you in the past. It was, ah, really wrong of me.”

Despite the fact she was about to head back to the floor on one of the busiest nights of the year, she couldn’t hold back her smile at his sweet sentiment. “You don’t have to apologize, Terra. I wasn’t always very kind either, so I’m sorry about that.” She paused for a moment, well aware Xion was probably about to stick her head back in to get them moving. “I’m glad it’s not like that anymore though.”

“Me too.”

Aqua barely had time to register the sort of sweet smile on his lips as she pulled open the door, her head instantly filled with Christmas music and the noise that came with a packed store. She did think about how well his smile fit his face, how sincere he was in a simple apology as she bustled around trying to assist where she could and keep the customers happy. It really didn’t help her choice she had to make, it only made it even harder.

In the end, once the store was cleaned and closed up, she bid farewell to her coworkers and walked down the nearby stairs to the first floor of the mall. She could’ve gone to her car and left, but at the same time she couldn’t abide having him feel the same way she did just the week before. Aqua wasn’t sure what she’d say or what she’d do, if she even felt the same way she did before but in the very least he was her friend and he deserved to be treated with respect.

The tree was so big it reached the second floor of the mall, all filled with garland, ornaments, lights, and bows. It really was beautiful. Usually it was filled with lines of kids coming to see Santa but now it was empty, the lights twinkling and soft music playing over the radio. No one else was there, and she tried not to feel the familiar sink of disappointment.

Aqua moved to walk around the tree, to see if anyone else was waiting around the other side. No one, not even lingering mall shoppers, everyone was gone already. She sighed, reaching to her pocket for her phone to see how long she should wait before leaving this endeavor too. She stopped short when she heard footsteps in her direction.

Her heart was in her throat when she looked up but it really didn’t clear anything up. “Terra?” she asked, as he continued to walk up to her. “Did you forget something?”

He had his hands in his jacket pockets, his shoulders hunched slightly. He had keys so she wasn’t sure why he’d need her if he forgot something in the store but still he didn’t stop till he was standing in front of her. The look on his face was a little unreadable, but he looked more nervous than anything.

It was that moment Aqua realized while she told Terra she was supposed to meet her friend tonight, she never actually said where.

“I know I said you’d know me when you saw me,” he said, reaching a hand up to the back of his neck. “But I realized you never did before, so I suppose I probably should’ve brought bells or something.”

Aqua felt her purse fall off her shoulder but she made no move to get it, she could only bring her fingers up to her mouth as she stared at him. It made sense; it made way too much sense for her to have never seen it before. Everything she knew about her friend she knew in Terra too, right down to how gentle and caring she always thought him to be.

“I’m sorry for lying to you,” he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you that night either. I just…didn’t want you to feel disappointed that in the end it was me.”

“Terra,” she choked. The emotions swirling through her made tears pricked her eyes in a wave of relief that she didn’t even know she was looking for till he was standing there; that the person she looked forward to seeing at work was the same person she waited for each message from. “I couldn’t…I wanted it to be you.”

He didn’t seem to be expecting that, nor did she expect to put her hands on his face, bringing herself up to press her lips to his. Terra recovered from his surprise enough to reach a hand to her face, the other to her back, pulling her in.

She heard the Christmas music playing lightly, the smell of pine and cinnamon, the lights behind her eyes but mostly she felt the familiar warmth he brought her, his gentle hands against her as he kissed her back. For the first time since she met him, both at work and through their messages, everything just felt simply right.

[lyssala]

Seasons

Pairing: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Rating: K+

Setting: Modern AU; Neighbors who don’t really know each other well

Notes:  The first modern au in the group! (maybe only I haven't decided haha) I saw an imagine of Terra shoveling her driveway in the winter and I just went for it haha Just something cute and sappy <3

AO3

Winter

Aqua was already reaching for the thermostat, trying to see if she could inch it up any higher. There was a heavy blanket already over her shoulders but it didn’t seem to do anything to get the chill out of her house. That was completely the fault of the constant falling snow outside which while lovely usually, was incredibly annoying today.

“So you’re on your way is what you’re saying,” Aerith’s voice said over the phone.

“You’re really gonna lay the guilty trip on?” Aqua walked back into her living room where her TV was on mute though the screen was still moving. She glanced out the window for what she felt was the millionth time this morning already. It was unchanged; still gray skies, still snow piling down in big, fluffy snowflakes. She loved it as a kid, not so much when she couldn’t drive because of it.

“Yes,” Aerith said simply. “If it gets that butt of yours over here.” There was some commotion in the background; a few people chatting, Zack’s boisterous laughter, Tifa trying to ask an opinion on if something tasted good or not, Marlene chatting off someone’s ear nearby.

“I didn’t ask you to be seven months pregnant in the middle of January,” Aqua said as she walked over to the window to see if anything was lightening up at all. No luck.

“Funny.” Aerith hummed, that usual amusement in her tone. “Neither did I.”

“Don’t play that. I’ve never seen two people happier to tell everyone they were having a baby than you two.”

Aerith paused, seemingly understanding that was a dead end. “Squall is even here for the shower.”

“An achievement, I agree, but he can still walk to your house and also never says no to Rinoa. Don’t even try with Cloud either, I know him and Tifa are there because they are literally your neighbors. I still have to drive on barely plowed rows.”

There was some scrapping noise outside that almost distracted Aqua enough to look but it was probably just one of her neighbors braving the storm to shovel.

“Clearly the only solution is for you to move closer to us. Your nephew is going to miss you being so far away.”

Despite the frustration, the thought made Aqua smile. “So far away isn’t so far away when the weather is nice.”

“A fair point.” Aerith sighed. “Jokes aside, as much as we want you here, your safety is more important.”

“It sucks,” Aqua huffed. “And to imagine I bought so many presents that now I can’t bring you.”

Aerith chuckled and she did say something in response but Aqua found herself looking towards the window, wondering why the shoveling noises were getting louder. What she wasn’t expecting was to see a figure in her driveway shoveling around her snow covered car.

“Jesus,” Aqua gasped, stumbling back from the window in surprise.

“What? What’s wrong?”

She looked back out the window slowly this time, but the person was still here shoveling higher up her driveway, making almost a path from the sidewalk to her door. “Someone is shoveling my driveway.”

“Well, send them over here when they’re done.”

Aqua rolled her eyes, well aware her friend couldn’t see her. The snow was still thick so she tried to make out who it could be. Her neighborhood was nice, yeah, but she didn’t think it was that nice.

“Is it that cutie who lives next door to you?” Aerith asked, though this time it sounded like she was eating.

“It’s not,” Aqua said though honestly she couldn’t tell. She only ever really saw her neighbor in passing with a friendly wave. It was Aerith who dubbed him the cute boy next door.

Judging by the stature, it probably was a man with broad shoulders under a heavy jacket. He had his hands covered with gloves as he swiped some of the snow out of the way. His face wasn’t covered completely, just a headband that covered his forehead and ears, pushing back thick brown hair speckled with snowflakes.

Her stomach flipped a little. “Oh.”

“Oh?” Aerith repeated. “It is the cute guy next door isn’t it!”

“Will you stop calling him that,” Aqua whispered like her neighbor could actually hear her.

“Sure, when it stops being true.”

“I don’t know what he’s doing, I’ve never asked him to help me before.”

“Huh, pretty girl, lives alone, driveway full of snow. Wonder what he could be doing.”

“I’m hanging up on you.”

“Zack’s trying to take the phone away from me anyway. Love you, make good choices.” She paused. “You know what I mean by good.”  

“Aerith,” Aqua warned.

“Love you too, Aqua,” Zack’s voice said.

“Have fun, I’ll try to make it if it clears up.”

“We’ll leave a spot open for you all day and night.”

Aqua thought he said bye before he hung up but she was admittedly incredibly distracted by the person currently still working his way up her driveway.

Terra was his name, he knew that even though Aerith refused to call him by his name. Aqua met him when she first moved in; he was doing some yard work and waved over the fence to introduce himself. Yes, he was cute that’s true but aside from a few friendly acquaintance interactions that’s all it ever was. She was pretty sure the only time he ever got this close to her house before was when the mailman accidentally delivered her package to himself. She didn’t even know what he did for a living; she assumed it was construction or painting or something like that judging by how she’d catch him leaving or coming home from work.

No reason why she never interacted with him before, outside of he seemed fairly quiet. Never left home for too long, rarely ever had people over so she always thought she’d be intruding on him. Clearly he didn’t have the same sentiments. It was a nice gesture though, she’d have to do something to make it up to him.

The knock on the door nearly had her fumbling backwards as she tried not to fall.

She was at least dressed before she was planning on going to the baby shower but she was so surprised he was making his presence known she forgot to let go of the blanket she had draped around her. Aqua moved over to the door, carefully opening it incase he wasn’t actually standing there and just letting her know he was there.

Nope, he was standing there, shovel sort of awkwardly in his hands like he didn’t know what to do with it as he gave her a shy smile. He was covered in snow, standing out against his dark hair and dark jacket, jeans wet even despite the heavy boots he wore. Even the tan skin of his face had speckled dots of snow and blotches of red. In the summer in a tank top and shorts or in the winter completely covered in snow he was still very cute.

“Hey, um…” Terra started, shifting his weight. “I hope I didn’t scare you.”

“Oh, no,” she said waving him off even though he absolutely did. “But you didn’t have to do any of that for me. I was just planning on staying in. I appreciate it, please don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want you to feel like you had to. I would’ve done it eventually.”

“When it’s a little warmer?” he asked, nodding towards her where she was still clutching her blanket.

She wanted to be embarrassed but there was nothing malicious in his tone or expression to make her feel embarrassed. “I don’t like the cold, obviously.”

“Obviously,” he snorted, his smile a little wider that time. “But, um, really I was coming to offer you a ride.”

She blinked at him.

“It’s, ah…” Terra hesitated like he was the one who was embarrassed. “Zack and his wife, Aerith. It’s their baby shower today right?”

Aqua almost just blinked at him again but this time in her surprise she managed to speak. “Well, yeah, how did you know that?”

Terra shrugged slightly. “I, ah, know Zack. We go to the same gym. He really loves to talk.”

She couldn’t help but smile at the image of him chatting up a complete stranger at the gym. “Yeah, that sounds like Zack.”

“We go to the gym around the same time every day so I see him a lot. He asked me where I lived once so I told him and he mentioned you were one of his wife’s best friends.” Terra shrugged again like none of this was a big deal when this was the most he had ever spoken to her really. “He also invited me to the shower but I really only know him and Cloud so I just didn’t feel comfortable but I happened to notice you were getting snowed in.” Terra paused again. “If it was my best friend’s baby shower I wouldn’t want to miss it, I assumed you’d feel the same.”

Aqua was well aware she was standing in the open doorway, letting the wind and snow blow at them. “You want to give me a ride to their house?”

“Ah, yeah, if you want.” He turned around slightly, pointing to a pick up truck that was parked in the road. “I’m used to driving in bad weather in all seasons so I don’t mind doing so.”

“Oh,” was about all she could manage. When this sequence of events started, she did not expect this outcome.

“If you want,” he said again, fumbling the shovel a little bit. “You don’t have to, I was just…um…”

“Oh, no, no, its very kind of you.” She said, reaching a hand up to let him know she wasn’t upset. “I just wasn’t expecting to be able to go.”

A particularly strong wind gust blew in making her once again realize she just had the door wide open.

“Please, come in.”  She stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind him; though he really only took a few steps, seemingly more concerned about dropping melted snow onto her floor. At least she could say she found out her neighbor was surprisingly over considerate.

Aqua quickly went to dump the blanket back on the couch, flipping off the TV as she did. “You’re sure you’d okay with this? It’s really gross outside. I don’t want you to be in danger on the road either.”

He waved her off, still not moving from his spot. “I’ve driven in worse, its fine.”

She was mid shoving her phone into her purse when she paused. “Worse than this?”

“I grew up far more north than this.” He gave her a mix of a smile and grimace. “I’ve seen worse.”

Aqua grabbed her coat out of the closet, slipping on the closest boots she could find. “What made you move down here?” She paused to let him answer but quickly gasped when she realized she didn’t have the cookies she made or the present.

“Ah, change of scenery I guess,” he said, his voice a little distance as she hurried into the kitchen. The blue and purple cookies were sitting snuggly in the container she packed them in next to the too big present on the counter.

She balanced the cookies in one arm and looped the bag on the other, hurrying back into the living room. “Well, I hope you like it down here.”

Terra looked at her, a sort of amused look in his eyes, probably at her incredibly disheveled look. He reached out to grab the cookies from her. “Yeah, its been nice. Ready?”

“Ready,” she said, maneuvering the gift bag so she could find her keys…somewhere. Her pocket, okay. She pulled them out as he opened the door, stepping outside so she could lock the door behind them.

The snow was still coming down and the wind was blowing pretty hard but the path he shoved was clear enough for her to get to his truck with little trouble. Aqua climbed in, placing the bag by her feet while he passed her the cookies so he could start the car. She quickly tucked her hands between her legs to warm them up, feeling the chill from outside even though they were away from the wind. The truck started smoothly despite the fact it looked like an older car. His headlights shone over the snow covered roads, but Terra didn’t seem too concerned. He was leaned back in his seat, one hand on the wheel and the other on the stick shift as he drove at a steady speed down the road.

“So…” Aqua started, feeling the need to make conversation and also feeling very curious about her neighbor that she learned more about in five minutes than she had in five months. “You said you’re from up north?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “Where they don’t close schools or businesses even in blizzards. You get used to driving in it.”

“But you’re a…” God, how did she asked him what he did for a living without sounding like a complete idiot. “Seasonal worker?”

He glanced over at her, that amused look coming back and okay, Aerith was right, he was the cute guy next door. “Mostly. People don’t really need carpenters or painters in the dead of the winter but anyone doing interior construction I can still work.”

Aqua breathed a sigh of relief; at least she assumed what he did correctly. “It’s funny.”

“What is?”

“I never knew so much about you than I do today.”

He laughed softly. “Yeah, I can’t say I’m great at introducing myself.”

“I’d say you did a great job today.”

He shrugged, something she was beginning to think was almost a nervous habit; something he did when he didn’t know what to say. “I never wanted to bother you, but I thought today might be an exception.”

“Well, fair is fair,” she said. Despite the fact she hated the cold, the untouched snow as they drove through the neighborhood lingering on the trees and the bushes, it really was beautiful. “I lived a few hours away from here but moved here for college, met my good friends, got a job downtown and decided to stay out here.”

“You’re a nurse?” He glanced over, mainly to check the road so he could turn onto it. “I’ve seen you in scrubs but I didn’t want to assume.”

“No, you’re right.” It was actually a little nice to know he noticed her enough to put two and two together. “I work at a family doctor though so no crazy hospital life for me.”

“I’m sure that’s nice.”

“I like keeping busy, but I also don’t like having to work all those long hours. I admire the people who can, not me. I need some downtime.”

He hummed in response. “I understand.”

“Considering you never leave your house I’m sure you do.”

“Stalking me now?” he asked with a glance at her.

In another context she may’ve been worried she crossed a line but he didn’t look upset remotely. “I can’t help but notice my recluse neighbor.”

“I’m not a recluse,” he snorted. “Just like things quiet.”

“Okay, well, I can’t fault you. My friends are Zack and Aerith, clearly I don’t.”

“Good people though. Well, I assume. I never met her, but I feel like I have thanks to Zack.”

The heat was starting to come on, making her feel a little less stiff. “You should come in, I bet he’d be happy to see you.”

“Oh, no, it’s okay.” Terra paused again to turn onto a road that at least looked a little plowed. “Like I said, I only know him and one other person.”

“Three, now. You’ve stepped into my house, we’re friends.”

“Okay, I get you think I’m a recluse but I’m not a vampire.”

She laughed; for some reason it was funnier than it should’ve been. “Okay, okay, point still stands.”

“Its right up there, isn’t?” he asked nodding to the street he was turning on.

Where they here already? That seemed to go by way faster than she imagined it. “Yeah, with the sad snow covered balloons on the mailbox.”

Terra carefully pulled the truck up to the driveway, shifting it down so he could sit in an idle; meaning he probably wouldn’t take her up on her offer. Shame, she had a nice time talking with him. “I don’t want to be presumptuous, but if you need me to get you afterwards I can.”

“Oh, that’s okay. I don’t want you risking your life another back and worth trip.”

“Mmm, because we almost died so many times.”

She tried not to giggle, which was super not age appropriate but she did. “I’ll just stay here if I need to, I know they won’t mind.” Aqua knew she could leave it at that, thank him, grab her stuff and go. Instead she decided she’d be the presumptuous one. “But since we’re friends now you should still give me your number just in case.”

He blinked at her, those eyes of him almost looking brighter against the snowy background outside his window. “Uh, sure, yeah, okay.” He gestured for her to pass him her phone, which she scrambled to give him. A few types later and he was passing it back while she gathered all her things.

“Thanks, Terra, I really appreciate it. I’ll pay you back, promise.” She popped open the door as he was waving to her.

“My pleasure, don’t worry about it.”

She tried to wave without both dropping her things and slipping on the snowy driveway but managed to do it. Aqua could hear his car still idling, probably waiting to make sure she got in.

Aerith was standing at the screen door, well, as close as she could get to the screen door with her swollen stomach. She opened it when Aqua got close enough, ushering her in to the warmth of the house; which also smelt really good.

She turned around to see Terra driving off down the street.

“Huh,” Aerith said, reaching up to brush some of the snow from Aqua’s hair, and reach for the container of cookies. “He’s even cuter now isn’t he.”

Aqua was still watching his taillights before disappearing into the falling snow. Yeah, he actually really was.

 Spring

There was something about the fresh smell of grass mixed with the sweet flowers, the cool chill of the air and the bright sunshine with blue skies that made Aqua just feel light. She stood in her front yard, bending over to pick some of the fresh bloomed daffodils that she wasn’t sure would make it because of the late frost. They persevered just like she did through the cold winter months to finally feel the sunshine. She could even bring out her summer dresses paired with a light sweater to feel a little more vibrant and free than bundling up in winter gear made her feel.

Usually that would be enough to brighten all her spirits but she felt a knot in her stomach that just wouldn’t go away no matter how many flowers she looked at.

Aqua glanced over to the quiet house next door; truck in the driveway, house quiet with no shadows or movement no matter how often she tried not to look. Okay, okay, it wasn’t that weird. Terra didn’t go out much save for work, the gym, or other errands. Even on nights he went out for food or cooked something extra he’d swing by and give her some. She’d tease him that she knew how to cook for herself but always eagerly eat it anyways. Lately though, when she left for work his car was still in the same spot and then when she came home, still same spot. She hoped the warm weather would bring him out, and she assumed his work would pick up too, but nothing.

She bit down on her lip as she looked over, even trying to catch a glimmer of movement. Its not like he moved with no notice; he would’ve taken his car and its not like she couldn’t just text him to make sure everything was okay. Though he hadn’t texted her in the past few days so she wasn’t sure if she’d be bothering him or not. That was still better than asking Zack if Terra had been at the gym lately which was opening up a whole door of teasing she did not want.

She huffed, some of her bangs blowing into her face as she did. This was silly, they were friends. She was allowed to check in on her friends when she was worried. That was completely reasonable.

Without giving herself a moment to second guess she walked down to the sidewalk and headed up to the path that would lead to Terra’s front porch. She had been in his house a few times, on nights they wanted to hang out and he offered to cook for her (he cooked really well too so she never turned him down) but this somehow felt different. Maybe it was because she was walking up his porch steps without an invitation or without a batch of cookies she made for him knowing she could pass it off and leave.

Aqua knew why it made her nervous; she wasn’t dumb. Here was this nice, beautiful, generous guy who lived next door to her that she actually got a long with really well. She didn’t want to overstep boundaries and lose that.

She carefully knocked on his door, the echo resonating but no other sounds but a car driving by behind her. Another knock, just to be safe.

Still nothing.

She shifted her weight, unsure if she should just give up and text him; at least if he responded she’d know he was alive and not ignoring her. She didn’t think there was a reason he’d be ignoring her but she wouldn’t deny it was a fear. Maybe one more knock to be…extra safe.

That time there was a thud from somewhere in the house.

It was a reliving to know he was alive and it was quickly almost completely taken over by dread when she realized she might’ve woken him. It was almost one in the afternoon so she wasn’t sure why she had that fear but she was suddenly aware that she was imposing on him when he may not want anyone imposing.

The door creaked open and Terra was leaning up against the door frame. He tried to give her a smile but something wasn’t quite right in how he was holding himself. “Hey,” he said, and even his tone was off.

Aqua watched him carefully for a moment but she recognized it almost on instant. His face was red, specifically around his nose and cheeks. His eyes looked swollen, though not from crying but from irritation. He was leaning up against the doorway to make him look like he was standing up tall as usual but he was slouched with exhaustion. His usually clean shaven face was scuffy, hair looking like he just rolled out of bed. Considering his shirt tag was in front of his neck, he must’ve just thrown on whatever was around when he realized she was at his door.

“Oh, Terra,” she said, holding her hand up to her chest. “Are you sick?”

“Ahh,” he started and she can hear the congestion in his throat and nose; not like she hadn’t heard it a million times in patients. “A little.”

Aqua doesn’t miss the way his hand hit down on the door frame, a way to hold himself up even though his facial expression was unchanging. “A little,” she repeated. “How many days have you been sleeping almost nonstop?”

He paused, blinking like he was trying to remember. “A few days…” he cleared his throat as he started to get choked up. “Maybe.”

She knew he didn’t live with anyone, and also knew he didn’t have family too nearby; even more so she knew he’d never ask for help. So what she wanted to do was easy. “Okay, inside with you, c’mon.”

“Aqua,” he said. “You don’t…” He trailed off as he reached his elbow up to cough in it.

“Stop it, I know how to take care of a cold.” She stepped a little closer to reach her hand up to his forehead. “And fever. Are you cold?”

“It’s a weird feeling,” he mumbled, eyes closing ever so slightly.

For a second she thought he might fall and she braced herself to grab him but he steadied, eyes squinting at her.

“You don’t have to, I’ll be fine.”

“Stop,” she snorted. “Get inside and sit down, wrap yourself in a blanket.”

Terra looked like he was going to fight but he stepped out of the way, wobbling slightly as she closed the door behind him. It actually looked like he never quite made it up to his room by the state of the living room. His couch was covered in blankets, various wrappers from cough drops and drug store medicine all over the coffee table. There were some clothes and towels strewn about the floor; some empty mugs and water bottles.

“I…umm…” he started, trying to toe some of the clothing out of the way.

“Don’t worry,” Aqua said, gesturing for him to sit on the couch. “I’ve seen worse, you’re fine. Mind if I use the kitchen?”

“Ah, please, go ahead.” He leaned up against the side of the couch, watching her as she looked around for anything she could use as a remedy for him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” She picked up a clean mug from the drying rack and set it to the side, opening his cabinets to see what he had for tea.

“Didn’t want to bother you,” he coughed, which sounded like it hurt.

“I’m a nurse, Terra, its not a bother, its what I do.” There, some loose leaf mint tea which would help clear some of his sinuses.

“Yeah, but that’s the point. We’re friends I didn’t want to…um…” he trailed off like he forgot what he was saying. “Use you.”

“Stop, its not using, its helping.” She tried to ignore the fact that his answer meant he thought about contacting her when he didn’t feel well. The closest pan looked questionable but he had a tea pot at least that looked clean so she went to prep the tea to be able to boil water for him. “Are you eating?”

“Crackers,” he answered. “Nothing else is very, um, pleasant.”

“I’m going to leave once this is done and make you something easy to eat. Crackers and medicine is probably making your stomach worse.”

“Aqua,” he started to protest but she turned back to face him.

“Sit your ass down and relax, Terra Hale.”

A smile cracked his lips and it was probably the best look he had on his face since she walked in. He relented and sat down on the couch, coughing again as he did. She quickly moved to him, draping a blanket over his shoulders.

“You should know,” she said, a little softer this time but that was mainly because even though he looked pretty sick his eyes were still a beautiful shade of blue. “Being friends with me means you aren’t alone. You don’t have to do everything by yourself.”

Terra didn’t say anything for a moment. “Okay.”

“Good,” she moved back to the kitchen but this time she had a hard time looking away from him. He was completely sick and probably contagious and she just wanted to hold him till he felt better.

Aqua instead cleared her throat and went back to watching the tea, that was safer than those eyes of his.

 Summer

Heat baked down on Aqua as she carefully ran her hose over the flowers blooming in her front yard. She didn’t mind so much because she much preferred it to the freezing cold of the winter, but she could do without the glare of the sun for a little bit; even her sunglasses didn’t seem to do much against the blinding light.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, causing her to shut off the hose for a moment to check. It was unsurprisingly a picture from Aerith, but ones Aqua loved to see. She quickly pushed up her sunglasses onto her forehead, opening the message to see Zack holding up a giggly baby dressed in the smallest swim gear Aqua had ever seen.

Aerith:

               Is this enticing enough for you to come over to go swimming today?

It was hard not to smile at the sight of her little nephew with a grin that could already rival his dad’s. Also swimming sounded really good.

               Maybe, I still have some work at home to finish

Aqua went to go put her phone in her pocket so she could get back to her flowers but it buzzed before she could; a sure sign Aerith was waiting for Aqua to turn it down.

Aerith:                  

Invite Terra too. Zack always tries to but Terra never bites bet he wouldn’t turn you down though

Yeah, that Aqua should’ve been expecting.

               How dare you think I’m somehow more charming than Zack, that’s like physically impossible

Some water flicked by Aqua’s legs making her jump out of the grass but there was nothing around her feet but the grass, her hose was still off. There was the distant sound of Terra washing his car in his driveway; something she was trying to ignore honestly because it was highly distracting to see him out in the sun like that. She quickly glanced over but he didn’t even have a hose, just a sponge covered in soap as his arm worked in steady circles against the tire of the truck.

Aqua almost dropped her phone when it buzzed again.

Aerith:

Touché but I’m pretty sure Zack isn’t quite Terra’s type, so he’d probably go for an invitation from you more

There was an appeal, to go over to her friend’s house and see them and the cutest baby Aqua had ever seen; then even more so to go with someone she did like a lot.

That time water absolutely hit the back of her leg, soaking down into her sandals. She tried not to gasp at the sudden cold but when she heard a snicker she knew she didn’t do a very good job. Aqua snapped her head over to where Terra was. If he was any good at hiding his expressions maybe he would’ve gotten away with it but even as he was standing up to scrub at more of his truck he had a shit eating grin on his lips.

Aqua slipped her phone back in her pocket and aimed her hose upwards, pressing down on the nozzle so it sprayed water in a clear arc over to where Terra was. She turned around quickly to water her flowers.

It wasn’t like she shot a hose at anyone as of late so she wasn’t quite sure she hit him but she knew she got close when cold water blasted at her back. That time she screamed in surprise though honestly it wasn’t like she hadn’t egged him on.

She whipped around and sure enough he was standing with his hose still in hand, his shirt half sticking to him. She felt a grin at her lips when she realized she did hit him.

He must’ve noticed because he shot another stream of water towards her but this time she had the sense to dive behind her car.

“Terra!” she called out trying not to laugh as water shot over her and into her grass.

“Yeah?”

“Did you get bored?”

“Possibly.”

She could hear the smile in his voice and it made her heart flutter. Aqua poked her head over but he was ready, water hitting her car as she ducked back behind. Oh no, this wasn’t going to do. She quickly jumped up, pushing the lever on her hose as she angled the hose back. He was doing the same judging by the rush of water that came at her. She moved mostly out of the way, only a splash getting at her side but Terra was quick, recovering to move his hose again.

She cried out in laughter closing her eyes to block out the water splashing at her as she ran across her driveway, hose snaking along behind her so she should hit him better. Aqua couldn’t see as she aimed but judging by the sputtered laughter she at least hit him.

“Alright, alright,” he coughed as the water died down around her.

She peeked an eye open, lowering her hose just incase he’d pull a fast one but he was just reaching up to brush his sopping bangs from his face. “You thought you could beat me didn’t you.”

“Clearly I was wrong,” he snorted but the smile on his face told her he wasn’t mad. Did he know he had the most adorable dimples? Maybe? She probably shouldn’t tell him that at the moment considering she was dripping from head to toe on his driveway.

“Clearly.” Aqua paused as she watched him, not turning to go back to cleaning his car, still just watching her with an expression that made her feel like the sun was a lot brighter. It would be easy to wave and turn back to go to her yard, say thanks for the distraction and get back to work. Their hang outs were noncommittal, casual, and easy but was there something wrong with a little more?

Maybe it was the heat, the sun, the fact she was already drenched with water, but she tossed her hose back into her yard instead. “Hey, you wanna take a break with me?”

Terra’s eyebrows arched up. “Oh, hey, yeah, sure.”

“Wanna go over to Zack and Aerith’s? They invited us to go swimming.”

Terra nearly dropped his hose onto the bucket of soap near his feet but he managed to catch it. “Oh, yeah, okay, that actually sounds sorta nice.”

She blinked at him, unsure if the fact he didn’t ask why Aerith invited him specifically or that he actually said yes surprised Aqua more. “Okay, well, I’ll just, you know, go get changed into dry clothes just to get soaking wet again.”

“Intentionally this time,” he added, dropping the hose into the bucket carefully.

Aqua was already walking backwards to her house, unable to keep some dumb grin off her lips. “That’s what you think, I wouldn’t stand to close to the edge of the pool, I need some payback.”

“Try me,” he said.

She had to turn around to face her house because the farther she got away the easier it was to see the lines of his body under his shirt, to see how bright his eyes looked in the sunlight. Aqua decided to ignore the fact it would probably only get worse as the day went on.

Also that she would absolutely ignore the horribly smug look Aerith would get then Aqua and Terra showed up at the house.

 Autumn

It wasn’t something Aqua usually baked, but the spiced aroma of pumpkin mixed with the salt of pecans actually was pretty appealing. She pulled it out of the oven only making the smell fill her kitchen even more. With a content sigh she placed in on a warmer and then into a little basket she prepared. It was a little early for Thanksgiving but the cooler air and the way the leaves were changing put her in a baking mood.

She grabbed the basket and quickly headed to the door, the long skirt she chose to wear brushing along the floor as she did.

Okay, so maybe it wasn’t super spontaneous but there was really nothing like surprising Terra with a treat he’d like. He was very particular and it took her a little bit to find him things he’d actively eat. Once she did though, it was always worth it to see his smile. She closed the door behind her, looking down at her outfit just to make sure everything was still in place after she went to change.

Maybe it wasn’t as innocent as she pretended it to be either. How else were you supposed to tell your neighbor you had feelings for them if you didn’t bake them pies from scratch? It was silly, maybe, they were adults, she didn’t need to play school yard games with him. Yet everything she tried to make a move or do anything to let him know how she really felt, she found herself too nervous she’d ruined the friendship she grew to love.

Still, it was getting complicated when all she wanted to do was just be able to kiss him, or run her hands through his hair, to hold his hand just because she wanted to or cuddle close to him when she was freezing and he wasn’t at all. Instead she was making stupid excuses like pie just for to see him.

Aqua walked the familiar path to his house, up the steps and went to knock at the door. She ended up not needing to because he was already opening it. “Oh!” she exclaimed, trying not to jump and drop the pie in surprise. “Are you heading out?”

“No,” he said, holding the screen door open for her. “I saw you making a pie and was hoping you were coming over here with it.”

“What would you have done if I wasn’t?” Aqua stepped inside, the familiar scent that carried through his house tinted with something a little sweeter today.

“Casually made my way to Zack and Aerith’s to make sure I got a slice of it too.” The door closed behind him while she continued to the kitchen so she could place the basket down.

“Stop, I would’ve given you a piece first.” Aqua didn’t quite make it to the kitchen because he took the basket from her. “Its hot be careful.”

“Funny you came by actually,” he said, placing the basket on the counter. It was only then she realized his oven was on. He grabbed some oven mitts and reached in to pull out what looked like the base of a cake. She peered over to see the golden spouge cake with dots of chocolate chips baked throughout. “If you want to wait for it to cool, I made some cream cheese frosting.”

Aqua liked her pie, she did, but she made it with Terra in mind meaning it had way more spice than sweet. This though, this nearly had her mouth watering. “That sounds like everything you’d hate.”

“True,” he snorted, flipping the pan over so he could drop the cake onto a plate to cool. “That’s why I made it for you not me.”

She blinked at him which seemed to be amusing because he laughed.

“Why are you surprised?”

Aqua didn’t have a good answer for that. Her heart that leapt up to her throat wanted to tell her that he made her a cake for the same reason that she made him a pie, but the more reasonable part of her mind reminded her they made each other food fairly often. “Because I know you wouldn’t have taste tested it,” she settled on instead. “How do I know its any good.”

“Are you doubting me?”

“No,” she said, unable to keep the laughter from bubbling up in her. “Everything you make is good.”

Now he looked surprised, like he was expecting her to tease him more and not give him a genuine compliment. If he thought any more of it she didn’t see since he turned his back to her to grab some mugs. “Want some cider while we wait?”

“You don’t even have to ask.”

His smile made her heart leap back into her throat. Terra quietly poured them some cider off the stove which made her wonder if he really thought she was coming over to be able to prep something to drink or he was just drinking a lot of cider alone. It was probably the latter; she really should stop getting her hopes up it was something more.

He passed her the steaming mug, gesturing to the couch. Aqua took the suggestion and blew on the steam as she walked over to sit down. Terra took a little bit longer but noticed it was because he had his mug and a plate with a slice of her pie on it.

“Not fair, you didn’t wait for me,” she said, shifting on the couch to kick her feet up in between them. She kept her knees up to her chest though as to not take up the whole space.

“Oh, no,” he said, leaning forward to place his mug on the coffee table. “Not my fault you can eat pie hot but not cake. You’re the one who likes the sweets.”

Aqua watched as he took a bite, his face melting into an expression of delight that made her hide her giggle behind her mug.

He took another scoop with his fork but this time he held it out to her. “Wanna try your handy work? Promise it’s amazing.”

Terra’s words alone had her leaning towards him but even with his hand extended she still couldn’t reach him. She carefully kicked her legs over his lap to scooch close enough so she could take the bite off the fork. Even though it wasn’t nearly as sweet as she liked it, the pie did melt in her mouth as it should.

“I’m glad you like it,” she said, leaning back.

“I do, very much, thank you, Aqua.”

He didn’t acknowledge that she left her legs on his lap and neither did she.

 Winter

Aqua still loved the snow, but she hated the cold; that would never change no matter how much time went by. The blizzard outside was swirling around her window, skies dark but the snow still somehow bright. She had the blanket tight around her pajamas, trying to keep in all the warmth as she shuffled across her floor to reach the thermostat. She could turn it up a little more, what harm could it do.

“Don’t even think about raising the heat any more in here.”

Aqua yelped in surprise, thinking she was quiet enough but when she leaned back into the living room Terra was pointing a spatula at her from the kitchen.  He looked about the opposite of her, tank top and thin pajama pants and the sight still made her grin.

“I’m roasting in here, you lizard.”

She chuckled as she went back to the couch, the TV playing lightly in the background. “Not all of us are from the arctic, Ter.”

He snorted before turning back to whatever he was making them for dinner. She was about to go over and help him, or thoroughly distract him she wasn’t sure yet, when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out to see the cutest Christmas portrait of Aerith in her favorite red dress, also not looking like she had a baby anywhere in the past twenty years let alone one year, and Zack holding their son up on his shoulders, both with equal expressions of glee.

Was this before or after he threw up all over Zack?

Terra was setting an alarm on the oven, footsteps padding over to the couch.

Aerith:

               Before, everyone was significantly happier in this shot

Aqua chuckled at that mental image.

You two wanted a baby

Terra sat down with his back to the arm rest, a small sigh falling from his lips. Aqua quickly took the invitation, leaning her back against his chest to be nestled in between his legs. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her temple as she held up her phone.

“Aren’t they cute?” she asked.

“The cutest,” Terra agreed, nodding his chin to let her know there was a new message.

Aerith

               Why do you say it in past tense ;3

“I’m not touching that one,” Aqua said, dropping her phone into her lap.

He laughed, his breath near her ear and his arms around her already making the cold vanish from her body. “You know they’re the type to have a big family.” He paused. “And you’re the type to continuously take babysitting duty.”

“Ah, guilty,” she chuckled, closing her eyes.

“Well, as long as they’re happy.”

Aqua opened her eyes so she could tilt her head to his. “Are you happy?”

He looked confused for a moment, like he wasn’t sure why she was asking him that but it quickly melted to that smile she loved so much. Once she used to make excuses just to see, but now she got to see it every morning when she woke up.

“Course I am,” he said. “Even if I feel like I’m the chestnut roasting over the open fire.”

Aqua laughed, which only got worse when he placed his hands on her waist, wiggling his fingers against her. He was strong and kept a grip on her even when she thrashed around in her laughter.

What was it like when she didn’t know him? When he was just the cute boy next door? Aqua didn’t know. She didn’t care to remember.

Terra stopped, though he was chuckling as he put his arms around her to pull her back against his chest. She sighed through her remaining giggles, closing her eyes with a content hum, one he echoed back at her.

One year, 12 months, 4 seasons, changed her life so drastically. It was hard not to wonder where another year would bring her and now them.

She glanced down when her phone buzzed again.

Aerith

               Don’t ignore me like that when I drop such juicy information

Aqua rolled her eyes while Terra reached to turn up the volume, changing the channel to find something better to watch. At least she knew she probably go to another baby shower, though this time, she thought with a grin, Terra would come inside with her.

[lyssala]

Day 7 - Flower Shop

Paring: Terra/Aqua & Zack/Aerith, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Modern Setting; Recently post college age

Rating: K+

Words: 10654

Notes: I actually really love this one. I had a lot of fun playing with flower meanings and also just had so much fun with their dynamic in this fic! Flower Shop is one of those cliché tropes so I had to give it to the babes hahaha Also I wrote this fic a bit ago and only recently played Crisis Core, so I’m currently thanking my past self for giving my current self some sweet Zack and Aerith fluff when I need it more LMAO

As always @mimiplaysgames is the best, who pinpointed a weakness in the storyline effectively and helped me make the whole thing stronger and who always, always encourages me. Seriously, you guys wouldn’t have read this far without her cause I wouldn’t have written this far without her. I hope you all know how much I appreciate her and how honored I am to work with her, because you’re gonna know for the next twenty or so chapters too <3 <3

AO3

My Heart Was Wrapped up in Clovers

Inspired By: Call Me Irresponsible (Michael Bublé), At Last (Etta James), Save the Dance for Me (Michael Bublé)

If there was one nice thing about working in a florist’s shop, it was that everything smelt beautiful. Those sweet and fresh aromas of flowers in their peak never got old to Aqua. The small store was always bright and colorful between the flowers out on display for people to create their own arraignments, the premade bouquets wrapped up waiting to be given to a loved one, the baskets with greenery poking up hanging over from hooks in the ceiling, the coolers surrounded by even more greenery which sat off to the side waiting for their owners to pick up custom orders; everything bright and beautiful. Sometimes it was even a little hard to navigate between the wooden tables and crates all around the room, overflowing with any type of floral display you could want. But if the Gainsborough’s knew anything, it was flowers.

Aqua hummed as she leaned over the main counter, fingers fiddling with wrapping some twine around a wire. Despite being the beginning of spring season, which also meant the beginning of prom and wedding seasons, it was a fairly slow morning. She reached down to grab one of the single flowers she spread out in front of her, snipping the stem low enough so it would sit on the wire crown well enough. Usually the shop only made flower crowns as custom orders, as there was no way to keep the flowers from wilting but she had happened to walk by the discarded flower bin this morning to see some beautiful blues and whites to be thrown away. What could she say? She was inspired.

Also it was ten in the morning and she only had two customers for the past three hours.

She wrapped the stem with some floral tape before covering it with more twine to match the sections of the crown she finished; which wasn’t much, but it was tedious process. She figured she could wear it till it wilted and promote their services to any customers. It also made time go by while Aerith was busy filling an order in the backroom.

While it was still a job, and it was customer service which was frustrating at times (she was also sure she had permanent scars from thorns, missed scissor cuts, and wrapping paper), it was still a place she enjoyed working. She loved taking care of their flowers, being able to create, and making so many people’s every day or special occasions beautiful, both the exciting ones and the sad ones. It was rewarding in its own way.

She snipped another stem, adding it next to the blue one she already used to make the color more vibrant. Aqua admittedly wasn’t a master at arraignments like Aerith and her mother, were but they often told Aqua she had a good eye so she’d take it. She was learning a trade most people didn’t even know they needed until the time demanded it.

The bell rang, making her look up from tying the twine. Sometimes it was just people coming in to look around, sometimes people who knew exactly what they wanted and sometimes, a lot of times, it was confused looking men and women who had no idea what sort of flowers they needed for their occasion.

“Good morning, Cloud,” she said with a smile, placing the crown down on the counter.

The blond wasn’t exactly a regular to buy flowers, but he was Aerith’s fiancé’s best friend so Aqua knew him fairly well now in the least. Judging by the looking in his eyes, he was falling in the last category of customers today.

“How can I help you?”

He hesitated, blue eyes darting around the room as he approached the counter. “I need flowers,” he said blandly, like there was any other reason he’d come to a florist but that was Cloud.

“Well, lucky for you we have them,” she chuckled but his expression didn’t change. Okay, apparently not in a joking mood today. “What’s the occasion?”

Cloud reached a hand up to the back of his neck, looking either embarrassed or nervous, Aqua couldn’t quite tell. “Do you have flowers for telling your pregnant wife sorry for making her cry when you accidentally bought strawberry ice cream when she asked for chocolate chip cookie dough?”

Aqua tried to cover her mouth to hide the snort of laughter but considering Cloud didn’t look all that reassured she figured she didn’t do a good job. “I know I work here, but you realize you can just buy Tifa the right ice cream right?”

“Well, yeah,” he said, dropping his hands to his sides almost in defeat. “I’m going to but she cried almost all night and I felt…really bad.”

“I got it,” she said, moving away from the counter. Tifa and Aerith were close friends so Aqua knew the black haired woman well enough to know she was always smiling, always calm. “We just got these in,” Aqua said, reaching to one of the vases full of bright, yellow flowers.

“Sunflower,” Cloud said in acknowledgement.

Aqua nodded, holding the stem so she could brush by the soft pedals. “One of its meanings is adoration, which is clearly how you feel if you’re picking her a flower over ice cream, but it’s also almost impossible not to think of the sun and warm summer days. I bet it’ll make her smile.”

He thought for a moment but nodded. “Okay, yeah, I like it.”

“Good,” she said with a smile. He was a friend sure, but she always liked when customers actually liked her suggestions. “Just the one or would you like me to make a bouquet for her?”

“A bouquet if you don’t mind,” he said.

“Not at all.” She turned to gather a few more of the flowers; they were already fairly large so she didn’t need too many. Aqua moved back to the counter to go through the steps of trimming, tying, wrapping in matching colors before shifting to ring Cloud up.

After a few beeps she passed him the flowers which he delicately took like it was precious cargo (he was going to be a good dad). “Thanks, Aqua,” he said, his own unique smile on his face as he started to leave.

“My pleasure. Let me know how she likes it!”

He turned to wave before heading to the door.

“Get the right ice cream this time too!”

If Cloud heard her, he ignored her.

Aqua chuckled to herself as she picked her flower crown back up. Maybe she should go check on Aerith; she was probably fine, just absorbed in her creative process. She was creating samples to show a bride and Aqua very well knew depending on the bride it could go very well or very bad. Aerith was probably making some backups just in case.

Aqua barely got another flower taped onto the wire before the bell dinged again. Well, at least if it got busy, time would go by a little faster. She looked up, ready to greet her next costumer but instead she saw the familiar shade of a white apron, some casualties of the kitchen smeared across it. Usual black pants and white shirt were under it, hands fiddling near the apron pocket, blue eyes glancing around the room and messy hair that was free of a hair net which also wasn’t unusual as she knew he hated it.  

“Terra Hale,” she said with a smile, ignoring the sudden flip in her stomach at seeing him walk into the store. It wasn’t terribly uncommon as he only worked next door but at the same time she hadn’t been expecting to see him this early. She didn’t put her crown down as she started wrapping more of the twine. “Are you sneaking off from work?”

Terra raised a hand to his chest, pointing his finger at himself. “Me? I don’t know how you could ever think that.”

“Because it’s about to be lunch rush at the restaurant and you should be there prepping but you’re standing in my flower shop instead.”

He shrugged, stopping at the counter as he placed his hands up on the surface. “I am here on business.”

“What kind of business would that be?”

He tapped his fingers on the counter. “You haven’t put in a lunch order yet. If you wait too long it’ll take forever for us to get to it.”

Aqua hummed as she grabbed another flower, cutting the stem before looking back up at him. “Maybe I was eating lunch somewhere else today.”

“Were you?”

It was hard to tell when he smiled at first. Aqua never even really noticed the first few times he delivered when she started working here, as he always seemed stone faced, intimidating in a way; though that could’ve been due to his height and stature too. The more she saw him though, the more she saw the way his smile would pull at the sides of his lips when he said hello or goodbye, when he’d let her know which order was which, and eventually when he’d delay going back to work to talk to her like now.

“Maybe,” she said, looking back down so she could tape the flower in place. “I hear that McDonalds down the street is superb.”

“Are you seriously comparing freshly prepared and cooked meals to…” Terra paused for a second, arching his eyebrow. “McDonalds?”

She probably could’ve teased him a little longer, but the laughter that bubbled up uncontrollably gave her away. “Okay, fair, you guys do have the best food in town.”

He propped his elbow up on the counter, leaning over to put his chin in his hand. It was a fairly wide countertop so it could be used as a work area; he wasn’t even really in her space but she still started to find it a little hard to breathe. Even more so when a bigger smile pulled at his lips, which she found was her favorite to see. It was harder to come by with him, but when he did it lit up his whole face, especially his eyes and the dimples on his cheeks were easier to see.

She glanced down at the crown in her hands, seeing she completely wound the twine wrong. Luckily no one else was in the store because he was sort of a distraction every time he stopped by. Aqua went to quickly undo what she had done, hoping he hadn’t noticed.

“I can’t promise our French fries aren’t quite as addicting,” he said, though he rolled his eyes slightly. “But I’ll make you whatever you want.”

“I don’t have a menu handy,” she said, trying to focus on the crown again, mainly so she could keep some sense of herself and not turn into a giggling teenage girl when she was much older than that. “Tell me what’s good today.”

“Doesn’t really matter,” he shrugged. “I can make you something that’s not on the menu too.”

“Really? Can you do that?” Aqua trimmed the next flower stem as she spoke but she was genuinely curious. Working in a restaurant wasn’t something she ever did, and she never really thought about if cooks could make things off the menu.

“Sure,” he said, smile still on his lips which was highly distracting. “As long as we have the ingredients and I know how to make it, doesn’t matter too much if it’s on the menu or not.”

“Would you get in trouble?”

“No,” Terra snorted. “No one would care. Besides the boss is off catering a party today. Even if he would care, which he wouldn’t, he likes you.”

The menu was just fine really; they honestly did have great food. The restaurant was in Cid’s family for a long time, they had the recipes down to perfection. At the same time though, the thought of having something special made for her made her chest feel light and also made her stomach growl a little.

“In that case then…” She paused, trying to think of something she never had there before. “Grilled cheese.”

“I give you a run of the kitchen, and you ask for grilled cheese?”

“Like fancy grilled cheese, not just cheese on it.”

He laughed, using his hand to gesture for her to go on. “Like…”

“I don’t know,” she said, a smile pulling at her lips. “You’re the chef, you decide.”

He arched his eyebrows but it seemed more in amusement than anything. “You sure?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, carefully ripping the floral tape so she didn’t mess it up again while he was watching her. “You know what I like, I trust you.”

“Alright, I’ll bring it over when it’s done. Tell Aerith I’ll bring her usual too.”

“Will do,” she said, adding the twine over the tape. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate it, she’s been working in the back room since opening.”

Terra glanced down at the flowers she was working with, like he hadn’t noticed it before. “That’ll be pretty.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” she said with a shrug. “Found them lying around in the discard pile, and I thought I’d give them a new life.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment but reached down to pick up one of the lighter blue flowers. “Try this one next?”

It was obvious he was a little unsure if that was the right thing to say but it was sweet, and pretty cute. “I think so too,” she said, reaching out to take the flower from him. “You’ve got a good eye, too. You wanna work here part time?”

Terra snorted as he pushed himself off the counter. “I’ll leave that to you. See you in a little bit.”

“Bye,” she said, waving slightly as he turned to wave back before heading out the door, the bell dinging and leaving her in silence once more. Aqua sighed as she reached up to touch the petals of the flower he handed her. It was pretty; it would make a nice next addition.

“Can you two please just get a room?”

Aqua fumbled the flower in surprise, reaching to grab it before it hit the counter. She quickly turned to see Aerith spraying some water on some of the hanging plants by the back door.

“Aerith,” Aqua breathed. “When did you finish the bouquets?” Which sounded better than “how long have you been standing there?”.

Aerith turned her head, a usual knowing smile on her lips. “A few minutes ago, not that either of you noticed.”

“He just came by to ask what we wanted for lunch,” Aqua said, trimming the stem down of the flower she still had in her hand.

“Yes, because that’s exactly what it looked like.”

Aqua decided that didn’t need a response as she wrapped the flower in floral tape, the only other sounds in the store being the light music, the chimes blowing in the wind outside, and Aerith’s water bottle as she moved to the next plant. Aqua grabbed the twine, wrapping over the tape; she was almost halfway done now at least.

“How did the bouquets go?” she asked, a relevant way to change the topic.

“Oh, very well, at least I think so. We’ll see what kind of bride she is when she comes in later today.”

“You’re perfect with wedding arraignments, I’m sure it’ll be just fine.”

Aerith hummed as she turned her head back to Aqua. “Tell that to the one girl who threw the flowers back at my head.”

“That did not happen,” Aqua laughed, grabbing another white flower to add to her other one.

“Oh, believe me, it did.” Aerith delicately moved a few leaves on one of the nearby plants. “People can get crazy about their wedding day.”

“Not you though, I’m sure.”

“I don’t need to be,” she chuckled. “I’ve got all my flowers because I can do it here, catering deal next door, my grandma is doing alterations on my dress, most laid back fiancé there ever has been. Easy, peasy.”

“You promise you won’t throw flowers at me then?”

“I trust you to help me with my flowers just fine, so no, I won’t,” Aerith said with a laugh.

Aqua smiled as she grabbed another flower to trim. “That was actually so sweet.”

“What about you? Ever want to get married?” Aerith was near the front of the store now, but it was such a small space it wasn’t hard to hear or see her.

“Someday probably.” Aqua carefully wrapped more floral tape. “If I ever meet the right person.”

“Huh, funny.”

“What is it?” She didn’t bother to look up as she worked on more twine. How much time had gone by?

“I happen to know a nice guy. Cute, kind, pretty eyes, good with his hands, even better with food, works next door.”

Aqua glanced up to see Aerith grinning as she sprayed the plants up front.

“What? Did you really think I was going to let it go easily?”

“I should’ve known better honestly.”

“That you should’ve.” Aerith seemed like she was about to say something else but the bell rang over the door. She turned to greet the customers and Aqua breathed a small sigh of relief as she focused herself back on the crown; if Aerith needed help she’d say, but she usually didn’t.

It wasn’t like Aqua didn’t know. She didn’t need to be teased like she was in middle school to know when she had feelings for someone. She was even fairly sure her feelings were reciprocated but at the same time that’s what scared her. It was a fairly…long time since she was in a relationship with anyone; she usually kept herself too busy for anything like it even if she missed the companionship sometimes. So here was this kind, attractive guy who gave her special treatment at the restaurant and gave her rides home sometimes, and was really cute, did she mention that already? And she didn’t know what to do.

She’d be lying if she said she never thought about it before; especially after long days, finally being able to sit down in his car, listening to the low hum of his voice against the radio, wondering how it would feel if she just asked him to stay for a little bit. At the same time she also couldn’t shake the fact of what would happen if something went wrong. They didn’t work at the same place but because of a partnership Aerith’s mom had with Cid, people who catered and bought flowers from both places got a deal. They often ended up at events together setting up. Aqua would never want to have awkward feelings with him or anyone else on either staff. Well, that was if something went wrong. It could otherwise be perfect, wonderful, everything she wanted.

But she had rushed in before.

Aqua could be a romantic, she knew it; she tried to be a rational person at all times but there was something about the romance of things she just fell for. She enjoyed working with flowers because of the language they spoke, what they could tell people without words. She liked Terra because he was so sweet. He gave her special treatment at the restaurant, and his dimples showed when he smiled. Yet she also liked her ex because he knew how to lace words together in the most charming way, until that went all wrong. She also liked her ex before that because he surprised her with gifts and dinners and treats, until that went all wrong. She even liked her high school boyfriend because he was the only one who gave her chocolate on Valentine’s Day, and that went really wrong. The charm, the romance, she fell for it and so far it hadn’t worked out so great. Still, it also didn’t feel right to punish her feelings and potentially Terra’s feelings for things a bunch of guys who probably weren’t right for her anyways did ages ago.

So the circle started over again. Overthinking things was sort of her specialty.

She sighed as she tried to keep her focus on the flowers in her hands instead. It was easy here at least, surrounded by such beauty all the time. It was hard not to feel at peace here, even if customers weren’t always kind about suggestions, or apparently throw flowers at your head. Most of the time, like earlier with Cloud, she got the chance to brighten someone’s day and that made her feel a lot better about just about everything.

Aqua wasn’t quite sure how much time went by until she finished the crown since after she rang up Aerith’s customers. The bride came in with her maid of honor to see the flowers and Aerith took them in the back. It couldn’t have been too long, but Aqua still felt some pride as she dropped the completed piece on her head. She peeked in the nearby mirror they kept up and was glad to see it seemed to look pretty good too. There, she wasted nothing and could promote their products at the same time.

The bell rang.

She moved to greet the customer but the beautiful aroma of fresh food hit her first. Her stomach growled even just from the smell. “Oh, am I happy to see you again.”

“You know,” Terra snorted as he made his way up to the counter, white plastic bag in his hand. “I get that a lot.”

“Can’t imagine why.”

He placed the bag on the counter, which still had remnants of Aqua’s project on. “Top one is yours, bottom is Aerith’s, who has been busy since I haven’t seen her at all today.”

“Wedding clients,” Aqua said, reaching below for her purse.

Terra let out a low whistle. “It is that season isn’t it.”

“Yeah, ready for all those fancy event set ups?”

“Oh, yeah, love getting yelled at by the mother of the bride for placing the pasta too close to the macaroni and cheese.”

“Just wait till you have the maid of honor throw a fit that her flowers are saggy compared to the other bridesmaids. How much do I owe you?” Aqua asked, flipping open her wallet.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, gently tapping the top of the container. “On the house.”

“Terra,” she said. “Cid will probably kill you if you keep giving us free lunch.”

“I’ll just volunteer for the next wedding,” he shrugged, slowly walked backwards to the door. “But he will probably kill me if I’m not back soon, busy day.”

“Well, thank you,” she said, unable to bite back a smile.

“Hey,” he gestured to the top of his head. “Your crown came out nice, it’s really pretty.”

Aqua reached a hand up to her head, feeling the soft flowers. “I’ll make you one next, how’s that?”

“Sounds like a deal.” He waved as he pushed the door open with his back, disappearing beyond the store front.

She sighed again, but this time from contentment. She knew she would be lying if she didn’t say seeing him might be the highlight of her day. She was also really hungry. Aqua peeked in the box that had her custom meal in, and couldn’t hide her grin.

She didn’t even need to take a bite to know it was perfect.

--

Aqua didn’t admittedly see herself working for a florist when she graduated college, but jobs weren’t easy to come by in the least and between working in the shop, as well as working on location for parties and weddings, it paid enough for her to keep up with the bills. She’d take what she could get.

She ended up loving it more than she thought she would too. The atmosphere, the type of work, and of course the company too. Aerith and her mother was lovely people, neither of whom were pushovers in the least, as well as the part time employees who worked here too. They were mostly high school kids getting their first jobs, but they were a sweet group.

It was a slow day and it was getting slower by the second, the more times Aqua looked up at the clock overhead. Kairi was fixing a display in the storefront but otherwise it was quiet. Mrs. Gainsborough was running late coming back from on location consultation, and since Aqua had no plans unlike Aerith did tonight, Aqua offered to stay. Kairi was in the process of being trained to be a closer so Mrs. Gainsborough didn’t have to work every night. Kairi probably could’ve handled being alone for a little bit but Aqua didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable or to have something come up.

It wasn’t really a big deal, all she would do was go home to wear pajamas and binge TV shows till she fell asleep.

She tried not to yawn as she looked up at the clock again; it was just after five in the afternoon which was an hour after she usually left work. Slow days dragged enough as it was, let alone slow long days. Business was picking up but it was coming in spurts, at least until everyone realized spring was right around the corner and people started freaking out that they needed to get on their planning.

“How does this look?” Kairi asked taking a step back from her display.

“Very pretty,” Aqua said. “I love the colors you picked.”

“I thought it said ‘Don’t worry, spring is almost here. It’ll stop being so dreary and cold soon’.”

“I think you get your point across very well,” Aqua smiled. “I do hope you’re right. Someone should tell the weather that a little sunshine never hurt anyone.”

Kairi reached for the front pocket of her apron. “Is it okay if I take a picture of it?”

“Be my guest, it would be a shame not to show off your hard work.”

The redhead grinned as she pulled out her phone, backing up till she could get the whole display in.

The bell dinged and on reflex Aqua stopped slouching over the counter. She hoped it was the familiar face of Aerith’s mom but it was woman Aqua didn’t know, a customer. Kairi was already on it, slipping her phone away and moving to greet the woman happily.

Even though Aqua offered to stay she still felt the sting of disappointment that seemed to be following her every time the door opened today. All day, every ding of the bell made her happy only to be replaced with a sinking feeling when it wasn’t brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a white apron and always smelling like some sort of food. It was more than likely Terra’s day off; he was human, he needed them too. Or he was working a party and just wasn’t onsite at the restaurant. It’s not like she didn’t understand, she loved her days off, she bet he did too but it did make work drag so much longer when she didn’t see him.

Aqua contemplated asking Cid, who came in to give them lunch whenever Terra didn’t, but she figured Cid either would ask her why she cared or tell Terra the girl from the florist shop was being nosey; both those options seemed a little too embarrassing for her to go through with it. She wanted to validate herself and say there was nothing to be embarrassed about, her and Terra were friends, they saw each other almost every day for months now; okay so maybe the extent of hanging out when not at work was just the few minutes in his car but work friends in the least. Aqua knew there was nothing to justify though. Seeing him made the day so much better, it was simple as that.

The bell rang again but this time it was the customer leaving.

“Couldn’t help them?” Aqua asked as Kairi walked up to the counter.

“Actually, she said she really liked our set up and she wanted to come back when she had more time. She’s planning a birthday party for her mom. So I went over the basics with her.”

“Well done,” Aqua nodded. “I’m sure we’ll be getting busy again real soon.”

“Man, I hope so. It just drags when it’s slow,” Kairi sighed, sitting herself up on one of the stools set by the counter. Mrs. Gainsborough never minded if they sat down and talked as long as work was done and customers were treated first.  

“Ain’t that the truth.”

Kairi sighed. “Any events we’re planning for?”

“Weddings and more weddings coming up soon, but in the upcoming weekends I think there’s an anniversary party we’ll be setting up for. Tifa’s baby shower even though she doesn’t know it. Prom will be here before you know it too.” Aqua paused looking over to the younger girl. “Do you have your dress yet?”

“Aqua,” Kairi whined slightly, face turning a little red.

“Why so embarrassed? It’s fun. You should see all the girls who come in here all excited to get a flower for their date.”

Kairi fiddled with her fingers in her lap. “No one’s asked me yet.”  

“It’s barely March, you have plenty of time. Maybe that boy you like will, what’s his name again?”

“Aqua,” Kairi whined again but this time much more dramatically, holding her hands up to her face.

“Okay,” Aqua chuckled. “Your secret is safe with me.”

A flash of white near the door made Aqua nearly fall over in her effort to get a better look but it must’ve been just someone walking by. She tried not to make her sigh audible but it didn’t work since Kairi looked significantly less embarrassed.

“What is it?” she asked.

“Ah, nothing,” Aqua shook her head.

Kairi looked like she was going to say something but the bell over the door rang. Aqua looked over to greet the customer but to her surprise it was actually a familiar face.

“Hi, Lea,” Kairi said with a smile, though it quickly turned to a frown. “What’s wrong with you?”

The tall teenager wasn’t exactly a frequent costumer of flowers but he was a frequent friend of Roxas and Namine, two of the part time kids who worked in the afternoons, as well as Kairi; ironically enough, Roxas’ twin brother worked next door at the restaurant. Aqua was pretty sure they all went to school together. Lea wasn’t usually all smiles but he was pretty laid back and relaxed of a person so it was a little unusual to see such a scowl on his face.

He placed his hands on the counter, looking so strangely serious. “I need flowers to say fuck you in the most passive aggressive way possible.”

She blinked at him; that wasn’t exactly what she was expecting.

“Can you…can you do that with flowers?” Kairi asked, clearly as caught off guard but probably not terribly surprised either.

“Well, yes, you can,” Aqua said. “I can’t say it’s a common reason but it can be done. I’m not sure who did you wrong enough to get a passive aggressive flower message but follow me, we’ll find something.”

Kairi had her hand over her mouth as she was trying not to laugh, something Lea noticed as he reached up to gently push at her head.

Aqua had to run through meanings in her head as she looked over what they had, the somewhat strange request would take her mind away from today and make time go by faster for once. At least it was different than the same old red roses.

--

The bell barely dinged to let Aqua know she should turn from watering the plants and she already knew who it was.

“Hello, beautiful flower maidens, have you seen what a lovely day it is outside today?”

Aqua snorted as she looked over to Zack, his arms extended slightly like he was offering the world’s best news. “No, some of us have been stuck inside a building all day unlike you.”

Zack moved his hand up to his heart, cringing over dramatically. “Oh, Aqua, you wound me. Hey, I’ll let you have the rest of the day off. No worries, you deserve it.”

“You can’t do that,” Aerith said from the front counter where she was writing down orders, but now she just had her chin in her hand as she tapped the pen against the order book, a big grin on her lips. “You don’t even work here.”

He started to walk towards her. “Yeah, but the owner’s daughter is my wife so I think I can have some say.”

She hummed, dropping the pen so she could step away from the counter to where he was standing. “I think you have a little bit longer before you’re allowed to call me that, you know, until we actually get married.”

Zack waited till she was close enough before wrapping his arms around her, pulling her right off the ground which earned a cry of laughter from Aerith. “Or we could still go with my idea and just go to the courthouse so we don’t have to wait any longer.”

Aqua moved to the next section of plants. Aerith and Zack were always at an adorable level of cute; they gave those sweet feelings that come with seeing two people made for each other. It made Aqua glad to see that her friend was so very happy, but it always came with a small pain in her chest after. She supposed it was partly her fault, if she ever wanted to find a relationship like theirs she actually had to, you know, accept being in a relationship or take the first steps to start one herself.

Neither was exactly easy to do; even if she had thought about it…a lot over the past few months.  

“I’d agree with you,” Aerith said. “If I hadn’t been in the flower business my whole life, and have been planning my wedding since I was six years old.”

“Touché,” Zack snorted. “Doesn’t matter, I’ll marry you any day, anywhere. Aqua’s my witness to it.”

She rolled her eyes but turned her head. He was putting Aerith back on the ground, placing a quick kiss to her lips. They really were sweet. Aqua went back the flowers in front of her as Aerith moved to her order sheet, Zack taking a seat on the stool in front of her. He was probably waiting for shift swap which was in…Aqua glanced up at the clock. Oh thank God, only ten minutes left.

She reached over to brush aside some leaves to get closer to the roots. She could hear Zack talking to Aerith but about what, Aqua couldn’t tell.

She supposed maybe risks were worth taking if there was happiness like theirs at the end of it, that wondering and day dreaming really did nothing if she couldn’t put action behind it. It was just like every time she told herself today would be the day she’d say something. But she froze and let a whole day go by without doing anything. Aqua knew what made her nervous because what if Terra said no…or almost just as scary, what if he said yes? She’d be right on the track she knew so well, but that track always ended poorly and that…that she absolutely didn’t want with him. She knew it didn’t have to end the same way, that Terra wasn’t anyone who had broken her heart before, but she found that first leap to be much harder than she ever expected it to be until she was face to face with someone like him.

The alternative, of course, was working in this shop and seeing him almost every day as they did with her trying to hide how much more she wanted it to be; relatively hiding because anyone who did know never seemed to be all too surprised. Granted, she must’ve done an okay job because he didn’t take any steps farther either. Maybe he was afraid of the same things she was or maybe he really wasn’t interested.

Aqua sighed as she crouched down to get some of the plants on the floor. Wouldn’t it be nice to just turn off her brain for even a little bit of time? All she really knew was she was pretty sure she’d be devastated if he ever stopped coming to see her, or if he came in with another girl to buy flowers for. Aqua knew that was telling in itself and she should just do anything instead of wondering for all of eternity what could’ve been; that she let her fear of the past hold her back from the future. Could she live with that?

The bell rang near her but she was a little tangled in the plants to greet them.

“Hey, man!” Zack exclaimed.

Aqua knew what she should do, yeah, but while it was easy to know, it was harder to actually do something about it.

“Welcome to the Gainsborough Flower Emporium,” he continued grandly, even though that wasn’t even remotely the name of the shop. “Bet we can help you find any sort of flower for any object of your affection. May I suggest blue roses?”

“I’m fine, Zack,” Terra said and Aqua promptly felt the watering can slip from her hands.

It clanged to the ground, making more noise than actually spilling water. She quickly reached to grab it and try and get the heat to leave her face before she stood up. It didn’t seem to work very well.

“Are you okay?” Terra asked, leaning around one of the plant displays to see her better. He didn’t look like he was about to laugh or anything, but Aerith was absolutely doing a bad job hiding hers.

“Ah, yeah,” Aqua said, standing up this time with the water can firmly in her hands. “The handle was just slippery.”

“You should be careful, Aqua,” Zack said, though she couldn’t see him very well. “I’d have to ask Terra to help you get to the hospital otherwise. Ow! Hey, what was that for?” It was clear that was directed at Aerith which Aqua at least appreciated the assist, even if it didn’t make the heat in her face go away at all.

“What’re you doing here?” Aqua asked, ignoring Zack’s comment completely. “Shouldn’t you be off work now?”

“Yeah, thankfully,” Terra said, turning to face her better, small smile on his lips. “I know it’s a nice day but I just figured I’d see if you wanted a ride home.”

Aerith was whispering something slightly commanding to Zack, who responded with a hushed “I didn’t say anything” but Aqua tried, really hard, not to pay attention to them.

“Oh, yeah, that would be really nice, thank you,” she said with a smile. “Well, if you don’t mind waiting…” She looked over to the clock. “Like five minutes?”

“You can go, Aqua,” Aerith said. “It’s fine.”

“So you can let her leave but I can’t?” Zack asked.

Aerith rolled her eyes but she was smiling. “Go on, don’t need to make him wait for five minutes.”

“Okay,” Aqua said. “Only if you’re sure.”

“Positive.”

Aqua went up to the counter, placing the can down so she could grab her purse from the shelves underneath. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

“See you tomorrow,” Aerith hummed, leaning back over to her order form.

“See ya,” Zack waved. “Take care of our little princess, okay? Home by…you know however long it takes to drive her home.”

“Bye, Zack,” Terra rolled his eyes, but pushed the door open wider for Aqua.

Stepping outside and breathing the fresh air of early spring was admittedly much better. “I’m sorry about them,” Aqua said, walking next to Terra to the parking lot behind the building where he usually parked his car.

“Don’t be,” he said, glancing over. “I went to school with Zack, I’m very much used to it.”

“Was he always that energetic?”

“Yes, always.” Terra pulled his keys out as they got closer to his car.

She waited on the passenger side until he opened his side of the door and she heard the click that all the doors were unlocked. She dropped her bag on the floor and slid into the car. It was all familiar to her now. In the winter, he didn’t want her to wait for the bus in the cold when they usually got off at the same time. Aqua tried not to focus on the fact the weather was very nice out, she didn’t even need a jacket today, but he was still offering; it made her chest feel light.

“So,” she sighed as she watched him start to back out of the parking spot. “How was work today?”

“Same old, same old really,” he said. “Now that people can eat outside again it gets a little busier.”

“I can understand.” She leaned her head back against the head rest as he pulled out into the street, taking the familiar way home. “I love the spring, when it starts to get warm and all the flowers come up.”

“Understandable, since you’re chronically cold.”

“Hey, just because I’m not a walking furnace at all seasons of the year doesn’t mean I’m the weird one here.”

“I didn’t even know the heat in my car could go as high as it does until I met you.”

“You’re being so dramatic,” she laughed, turning her head to him.

He was still watching the road, moving his hand to shift the car up, but she saw the smile on his lips, dimples on his cheeks. She could imagine this. She could imagine seeing him every day and not just for the few bits she saw him for food. Aqua bet even though he cooked for a living he still liked to cook dinner, that he snored, that he liked to watch movies with popcorn, that he wouldn’t mind that she stole all blankets. She wanted so much more, she wanted a chance at so much more with him. Even if she didn’t have a chance, even if it didn’t work out she had to at least try.

“How was work for you?” he asked, turning the car off the main street.

“Getting busier every day,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “We have some winter and fall weddings, of course Valentine’s Day, and it picks up when the spring and summer brides start to plan, and then we have everyone who waits last minute to do anything.”

Terra clicked his tongue. “Of course.”

“But it’s okay, I like doing it. Aerith is the best at wedding flowers but I’m getting better, it’s fun.”

“I bet you’re much better at it then you give yourself credit for.”

“Yeah?” she asked though her breath caught in her throat. “What makes you say that?”

“Because I’ve seen you create displays and arraignments for people.” He glanced over to her. “They’re beautiful too.”

“Would you let me do the flowers at your hypothetical wedding?”

“Without a hypothetical doubt.”

She didn’t bother trying to hide her smile. “I still owe you a flower crown too.”

“You absolutely do, I didn’t forget. I was going to try to bring it up passive aggressively in a week or so. Thanks for saving me the trouble.”

She laughed louder than she probably should have but when he laughed too it didn’t really seem to matter. Neither did when he finally came to stop in front of her townhouse. She felt nerves twist down on her stomach, but she had to. She had to say something. This was the time.

“Do you work tomorrow?” he asked, watching her as she gathered her bag off the floor of his car.

“I do. You?”

“People have to eat,” he shrugged with a smile. “I’ll be there.”

“People do have to eat, but they’re lucky they get to eat your food.”

Terra paused as he watched her, but it quickly turned into a smile. “Ah, well, I appreciate that.”

She reached for the handle, trying to not let him see that her fingers were shaking as she pushed the door open. Just say it, say something, anything. Aqua poked her head back in the car, meeting his eyes. He still had the small smile on his lips, hair messy from the hairnet he had to wear, car smelling like the grill he worked over all day and it was the most inviting image Aqua saw all day.

“See you tomorrow then,” she said, swallowing the lump in her throat.

“See you tomorrow, Aqua.”

She shut the door but could only stand on the sidewalk as she watched his car drive away. She didn’t know whether to be furious with herself or cry that she once again wouldn’t let the words come out. She had been given so many chances since she met him, so many perfect moments but here she was still standing in front of her home alone.

She wouldn’t be given chances forever; that she knew for a fact.

--

Aqua stopped registering the sound of the bell about halfway through the day.  Spring was in full swing, and between upcoming holidays and wedding season taking off it seemed like nonstop work. If she wasn’t helping customers with flowers or signing up for consultation appointments, she was helping Aerith get orders ready.

She barely had time to even eat her lunch, let alone be disappointed it was Cid and not Terra. So when she looked up from wrapping someone’s bouquet and he was walking through the door she was more than surprised. It was way past lunch and he wasn’t in his work uniform.

“Hey, Terra,” she said with a smile. She was busy but of course her stomach still had time to get fluttery at the sight of his smile. “Give me one second.”

“Take your time,” he said with a nod.

Aqua got the customer rang out and on their way as quickly as she could, for no ulterior motive of course. There was another costumer in the store but Kairi came in early to help out so that was handled and Aerith was in the back with a bride so everything should be okay. “What’s up?” she breathed looking over to where he was lingering around a few vases. “You had today off, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said, clapping his hands together and fiddling his fingers some. He looked a little nervous, like he had never been in here before which was weird.

“Everything okay? I wouldn’t come back here if I wasn’t working,” she said, leaning slightly over the counter and praying no one came in so she had a moment with him.

“I’m actually here as a customer, for once.” He reached his hand up behind his head, giving almost a nervous smile.

“I take it you’ve never bought anyone flowers before?” Aqua tried not to feel the way her mouth went dry, her stomach turning slightly with nerves. Not every flower was romantic; it didn’t have to be that. She shouldn’t assume.

“Not at all.”

“Okay.” She gestured for him to follow her. “I got you, no problem. Do you want a premade bouquet or one you put together?”

“Ah.” He followed after her, though it wasn’t that big of a store and she could feel the warmth of his body behind her. “Maybe one put together like now.”

“Don’t be so nervous,” she chuckled, turning to look at him; which was funny considering she still felt like she was going to throw up. “It’s just flowers. Who are they for?”

Terra blinked at her. “Oh, um, a girl.”

“Yeah, I assumed, dummy.” Deep breaths, it’s okay. A girl could mean anyone. “I mean like mother, friend, sister, aunt, or, ah, romantic?”

“Yeah,” he said slowly. “That, romantic.”

Aqua reached out to the nearest vase there was, carefully straightening it to mask the way she felt her face fall with disappointment that sunk her stomach down to her core. She knew she had no right to feel upset when this was entirely her fault. He was an amazing person, there’s no way she was the only person to know that. She used up all her chances.

She looked back up with the best customer service smile she had. “Oh! I didn’t know you had a girlfriend, Terra.”

“I, um, well, I don’t,” he shrugged, both his hands were in his pockets, glancing away from her. “It’s more like…I like her, and I’m trying to say that in…the least awkward way possible which is a lot less than I feel right now.”

She laughed lightly, more for his sake than hers. “Then stop feeling awkward. There’s, you know, nothing awkward about it. So…” She looked away from him which was probably for the best to the flowers in front of them. “For affection, new, um, new love.”

Aqua reached out to the petals, remembering why she worked here, to make others happy. Even if it wasn’t… wasn’t her, she needed to make whoever it was feel all the emotions Terra was trying to express. “Red roses are the standard and they’d get the point across I’m sure but traditionally more for a deeper love than just trying to tell someone you like them.”

“Right,” was his only input.

“Okay,” she breathed. “Roses are still viewed as a romantic. So there’s the orange ones that can be seen as desire or passion. Yellow is kind of all over the place from friendship to extreme betrayal so I don’t recommend that one.”

“What about blue?” he asked reaching his hand out to touch one of them.

“Blue? Um, those in the romantic sense are sort of mystery or attaining the impossible. Also can be love at first sight. Same with the lavender ones as well.”

“Yeah, those two. Blue and purple.”

Aqua nodded. “Those two colors go very well together too. How many would you like?”

“Ah, however many you think is good?”

She glanced over at him still looking so embarrassed about this whole thing, it was hard not to feel a smile pull at her lips even if it hurt. He was such a sweet soul. “Okay, I got it handled.”

He must’ve gotten the hint because he made his way over to the counter as Aqua picked the amount of flowers she thought would look good. She could feel Kairi’s eyes looking over but Aqua ignored it. She took the flowers up to the counter and went about cutting and tying the flowers like she would anyone else.

“A card?” she asked, though she almost didn’t want to ask, afraid to see the name he’d say.

“Hmm?” He looked like he wasn’t even been paying attention.

“Um, do you want a card to go with it? A message, a name?”

“Oh, no, its fine.”

That was a relief at least. She wrapped up the flowers in some paper tying it once more so it would all stay together. It did look really lovely. “Here you go,” she said, handing him the bouquet even though he still had his wallet in his hand.

“Ah, how much?”

Aqua shook her head. “It’s on the house.”  

“Aqua, you don’t have to do that.”

“You know how much you’ve saved me in food?” She hoped she held it together enough for him not to see the stinging in her eyes and only saw the smile. “Take it, please.”

He hesitated, but he put his wallet back in his pocket. “Well, thank you, I appreciate it.” He took the flowers but not before looking over to her again. “See you this weekend? At the wedding?”

Aqua nodded, blinking slightly. “Yeah, I’ll be there.”

“Okay,” he said, looking down at the flowers before giving a smile. “Thanks again.”

“Course.”

Terra turned to leave and all she wanted to do was let him walk out that door and forget what it felt like when he smiled at her.

“Terra?”

“Yeah?” He turned around at the door looking back to her.

“I hope she likes them.”

He smiled again before giving her a wave. “I think she will.”

She watched him till he was gone. The sun was still shining and the flowers still smelt lovely, but it was a little less bright to her knowing what a mistake she made. He was wonderful; he deserved any sort of happiness. Aqua just hoped it would’ve been with her. Even if she knew it was her fault for never saying anything, it didn’t ease any of the hurt she felt.

It was her job to make others happy, she just couldn’t understand why she couldn’t let herself be happy too. Why couldn’t she risk something, anything for once? Aqua wished she had the answer.

The day went on. People came, they bought flowers, they talked about their loved ones, their happy days, the sadness of losing someone they loved, the excitement of finding someone new in your life and she met it all with a smile like she always did. Aerith knew, even if she chose not to ask. Kairi even probably knew. Aqua never said what happened; she didn’t want to think about it at work.

She said her afternoon goodbyes and waved from the door before stepping out into the warm air. She looked up and down the side walk in some stupid hope that maybe Terra happened to come back to pick her up but why would he? He was probably on a date tonight.

Aqua breathed in and headed to the bus stop. It was a very short ride to her home but it felt like an eternity. She wanted to get home, get in her pajamas, and just stay there for the rest of the day… maybe the week. She knew it would get better eventually, but for now the loss of something she never had still made her chest sting, making every breath hard.

She stepped off the bus to her small town house, thankful her neighbor wasn’t outside since she was pretty sure she didn’t want to talk to anyone anymore. Home, PJ’s, couch, and probably something really sweet. That was all she wanted.

Until something caught her eye on her porch.

It was a nice distraction since she wasn’t expecting any packages. Aqua walked up the few steps, but the paper was already familiar. She nearly stopped in her tracks but she kept going, reaching for the flowers propped in between the screen door and her house door. The blues and purples she knew well, ones she had weaved together just a couple hours prior, to make someone smile.

Her breath choked in her throat. It had to be a mistake, right? Maybe she did something wrong with them and he didn’t want to embarrass her at the store? Against her better judgement she reached a hand up to run over the velvety petals, though the sharp corner of paper felt distinctly out of place. Aqua carefully pulled out a ripped piece of paper of some sort, her guess was probably whatever Terra had in his car which was endearing in itself.

She almost didn’t want to look, afraid if it was a mistake someone else’s name would be on it. She should just give it back to him when she saw him tomorrow but it admittedly didn’t stop her own eyes from looking over his messy handwriting. She recognized all the curves, the sloppy quick way he wrote from years of making fast orders and notations, but she especially recognized how her name looked when he wrote it. She saw it countless times on boxes, orders, notes; her name was addressed here.

Aqua was afraid if she didn’t hold onto the flowers as tightly as she was, she’d drop them.  

I didn’t know how else to tell you

               -Terra

She was fairly certain she read it over a dozen times before she sank to the ground right there on her porch. The note was tight in her hand as she leaned her face to the flowers, the scent just as lovely as it ever was, almost lovelier now. Aqua was also aware she might actually look crazy if she started to cry over flowers on her front porch but she didn’t even know how to process the feelings that were swirling around her, going from utter despair to warm fluttering hope in a matter of seconds.

She didn’t know a lot of things, or even how to handle herself in a situation like this. What she did know was she’d never miss her chance again, not this time.

--

Aqua could still see the flowers sitting on her counter, the purples and blues creating such a pretty image in her small living room even as she was setting up someone else’s flowers. The ceremony was already under way which meant the reception area had to be perfect real quick. Thankfully Aerith and her mother were also here and they were all just about done.

Aqua reached over to adjust some of the petals on the center piece she was working on but couldn’t help but glance at the kitchen every time the door swung open. She recognized all of the workers, including Cid himself, but not Terra; granted not that the middle of someone’s reception was probably the best place to talk to him. She spent most the night lying awake in bed, trying to think of what she should say, how she should say it.

She still didn’t really have a good plan but it had to be something. She should’ve done this long before now.

She looked over to where the food was being prepared to be served, that looked like just about everyone really. Even if there were a few people lingering it would still be okay. Aqua took one last look down at the flowers and hurried over to the kitchen door. She pushed it open, though the smell of food was already enough to make her stomach growl; breakfast probably would’ve been a good thing to have.

It was surprisingly empty for the most part, though there was still plenty of food cooking, in the process of being prepared. The door swung closed behind her. She looked up just as Terra did from his place behind one of the tables.

“Oh, hey,” he said, small smile on his lips, though she didn’t miss how he nearly dropped the container of dressing he was filling. He quickly put the bottles down, reaching up to tug off the hairnet, making Aqua laugh; he really hated those things. “Sorry I hadn’t gotten to say hi.”

“It’s okay,” she said, walking over to the table full of salad mixes. “I know it’s always busy.”

“Ah, yeah, weddings are busy.” He tugged his plastic gloves off his hands, tossing them on the table. “What’s up? How’s the set up going?”

She wanted to tell him it was good, almost done. She’d be able to leave soon which was usually when he offered to have her stay so he could sneak her a plate of food. She wanted it because times like that she really enjoyed with him, but she wanted to say so much more this time. How could she though? She didn’t even know the words to express how happy she was to spend time with him, how he made her feel every time he smiled at her, how much seeing those flowers on her porch made her feel. Maybe he had felt the same way too.

Aqua reached her hands up to his face pulling him down till she could press her lips to his. She knew she caught him off guard by the sharp intake of his breath, but he didn’t give her time to back down before his hands were on her waist. She looked up at him, his eyes fluttering open.

“I didn’t know how to tell you either.”

He hummed slightly, smile pulling at his lips. “I told you that you put together beautiful flowers.”

She dropped her hands to his chest, hitting him lightly though it was a little hard to breathe with him so close to her, his warm touch still on her. “Why didn’t you tell me in the store? I thought there was someone else.” Easy for her to say, yeah, when she couldn’t do it either.

“Okay, first of all,” he snorted, but his smile was so beautiful Aqua hoped they didn’t need him for the rest of the day because she was pretty done with working at this point. “I had hoped you weren’t there because that would’ve been a lot of easier. What was I supposed to do? I didn’t want to embarrass you in public or back down, you know, again.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “They were really beautiful.”

“Oh, I’m glad you think so considering you’re the one who made the bouquet.”

She tried not to laugh, she really did, they were having a serious conversation. She can finally, finally able to get things off her chest but she dissolved into a fit of laughter anyways.

“Second of all,” he continued, reaching a hand up to her face to get her to look at him again. “There hasn’t been anyone else since I walked into the store and saw you smile back at me.”

“I’m sorry it took so long for me to tell you,” she breathed, suddenly very unaware of anything else.

“I’m sorry I did too.” His breath was warm on her lips, hand sliding to brush past her hair.

She curled her fingers into the straps of his apron. “Doesn’t matter now.”

“Not at all.”

Aqua barely felt his lips against hers again before the kitchen door swung open.

“Terra, hey, Cid-”

Not really any time to pretend they were doing anything less than they were, so Aqua merely looked up to see one of the younger boys, Sora, looking surprised before reaching a hand up to his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said, cringing under his hand. “Cid says he needs those salads now, Terra, or he’s going to kick your ass himself.”

“Ah, yep, sounds about right.” Terra let her go, to move and grab the two bowls of salads as Sora quickly scurried off back to the reception floor. “Hey, okay, don’t go.” Terra said to her as he walked backwards to the doors, one bowl in each hand. “I’ll get you something to eat when I get back.”

“Okay,” she nodded, reaching her fingers up to her lips for no reason really.

“Okay,” he said, leaning back against the door with a smile.

“Terra,” Sora hissed from the other side of the door.

“Coming, coming.” Terra pushed open the door and he was gone.

Aqua took a moment to breathe before following after him. She poked her head out but no one was paying attention. It looked like all the flowers were finished but she knew she should ask just in case. She really was trying to go find Aerith or Mrs. Gainsborough but she couldn’t help but see Cid gesturing at Terra’s hair angrily as he clearly forgot to put the hairnet back on. He had to jog back to the kitchen to get another one.

She tried not to laugh as she reached forward to adjust one of the center pieces, the flowers smelling even better. The day seemed brighter already as she looked forward to hanging out with Terra in the kitchen, whatever they chose to do next, wherever they would go from here.

Honestly, she wasn’t sure what she had ever been afraid of in the first place.  

[lyssala]

Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Parings: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: The week of Christmas, one year after the first chapter of You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Rating: M; Sexual Situations, Language

Notes: HOO It’s been a little while since I wrote full smut like this but anything for the otp <3 This was a request from @mimiplaysgames who requested smut and I was more than happy to oblige! And I picked this universe so I could throw all my smutty headcanons for them at you guys (and cause I felt bad the only time you got anything smutty for them Ven walked in haha) I really missed this universe for them, they’re so sweet and playful with each other so it made writing smut for them also enjoyable! That being said it absolutely deserves the M rating cause this has zero plot whatsoever (it’s not even all that holiday related but whatever she’s on winter break it counts LMAO)It’s a little different than the last one I did so hopefully it’s okay!

AO3 

The Christmas tree shone brightly in the corner of the room, multicolored lights illuminating the otherwise dark first floor of Terra’s house. It gave the whole living room the festive feel Aqua loved. There were other decorations Mrs. Auburn left up every year but for Aqua, she loved their tree. Sure she had a tree at her house that she did love, but there was something always so magical about the decorations on Terra’s tree that made her smile every time she saw it. Maybe it was childhood nostalgia of them playing around the tree, of Terra at many different ages pulling out a present for her from under the tree, maybe it was because of the holiday cheer, maybe it was just because it was Terra’s; Aqua wasn’t sure.

Even now the hum of the TV was in her ears as flashing images played off in the distance but it was the tree she couldn’t help but gaze at. It was so comforting, like a piece of home and she was so glad to be home for winter break. No classes, no practice, no talking on the phone pretending she wasn’t hours away, no quick visits back and forth. She was actually home.

Well, in Terra’s house as opposed to hers but it was always like a second home to her, so she still thought it counted.

She tried to look to the TV but it was hard to pay attention to whatever late night show was playing when she was so warm under a blanket laying on the couch, Terra’s chest behind her back, arm draped over her waist as his rhythmic breath tickled the hairs on her neck. That was the most comforting part of all, just being able to not worry about when he had to leave, or when she had to leave. No one would make them go anywhere. Okay, technically she was supposed to be home to at least sleep in her own bed, but once her parents were asleep they’d never actually know she wasn’t home. It was silly really; did they think she made Terra sleep on the floor when he stayed the weekend with her?

“Are you asleep?” she hushed.

Terra made some sort of grunting noise that probably meant he was asleep or nearly asleep.

She could just fall asleep herself. She was so comfortable and so warm, it would be easy to close her eyes and sleep till morning when Ven would jump on the both of them to wake them up; it wouldn’t be the first time. Instead she carefully rolled over under his arm, moving so she could face him.

To her surprise his eyes weren’t closed, one eye was cracked open watching her.

“You were faking,” she snorted, hitting her hands lightly against his chest.

“I wasn’t, this show is boring. It absolutely was putting me to sleep.”

“I think that’s mainly the purpose of having the TV on this late at night.”

“Also…” he said, tapping his fingers against her lower back. “To keep on so everyone thinks we’re still awake so you don’t have to leave.”

Aqua hummed, reaching a hand up to the side of his face, brushing some fallen bangs from his eyes. “I’d bet no one in either house is still awake but us.”

His eyes fluttered shut but only for a moment; when he opened them again there was a certain glint that matched the smile pulling at his lips. “I can go for that bet.”

“Oh? What are we betting on?” Aqua supposed she didn’t have to ask that and especially not when he pressed his lips to hers.

It was so easy, kissing him back, running her hand through his hair. Sure, they had a slight awkward bought in their transition from best friends to more than friends, but for the most part it was always like this, like it was the way it was meant to be. She nudged her foot between his, the thin fabric of his pajama pants soft against her legs.

His hand trailed down her back, only enough to slip underneath the hem of her shirt; which was actually his shirt she stole when she didn’t want to wear real clothes anymore. He held his palm flat against her back, fingers pressing down on her skin as he pulled her closer to him.

Aqua laughed softly against his lips, her hand dropping to his shoulder.

“What’s so funny?” he murmured, trailing light kisses along her jaw.

“I guess you’re not as tired as I thought.” Her fingers curled into the fabric of his tank top when he brushed his lips down her neck.

“It’s not my fault.” His breath was warm on her skin, sending shivers down her spine with every touch of his lips, every graze of his teeth. “You’re distracting me from sleeping.”

Her eyes fluttered shut as she arched her head back some, his face nuzzling into her collarbone. “Am I?”

Terra hummed, dragging his hand down her back to the waist of her shorts.

“Oh, well, sorry for being distracting,” she breathed, reaching a hand up to his hair, running her fingers through the soft strands. “Should I leave then? Would that make it better?”

He moved his head back up to hers, kissing her so quickly she nearly forgot to breathe. Her hand tightened in his hair, the other still holding onto his shirt.

“No,” he said against her lips. “I don’t think it would.”

Aqua smiled as she tilted her face to kiss him; like she’d ever want to be anywhere but right here in the first place. She kicked her leg up over his, pulling herself into him, the familiar heat curling in the pit of her stomach.

His fingers tightened on her, running his hand down to her ass as he rolled his hips into hers. Aqua broke away with a small groan; their clothes were thin, it wasn’t difficult to feel his growing arousal against her. Terra trailed his lips down her neck again, nipping carefully at the base of her neck that made her squirm in his arms trying to get closer.

“Good,” she breathed, moving her hand to join the other still tangled in his hair while he pressed his hands to her hips, pushing her onto her back. “I wouldn’t want to.”

He nuzzled his face down past her chest, pushing the bottom of her shirt up so he could press a kiss to her stomach.

Aqua closed her eyes, leaning her head back against the pillow they were using. She tightened her fingers in his hair, his warm touch trailing down and making her breath hitch in her throat. Terra’s hands were soft against her, until she tried to press her hips up to him. He pushed her back down against the couch, holding her as his hands curled into the waist of her shorts.

“Terra,” she groaned, trying to move against him but he was firm as he shifted himself between her legs, sending fire through her veins. “Maybe we should go to your room.” She meant to finish with “that has a door” but he moved down to press a kiss to the inside of her thigh and she could only pull at his hair.

“Okay,” he said against her skin and even though she wasn’t looking she could feel his smile against her. “Lead the way.”

That was fair. She didn’t want to move at all; though Terra could use to move a little faster. “What about your parents?”

He placed another kiss on her thigh, a little higher than before. “They’re asleep.”

“Ven?” Aqua pressed her hips up to Terra again but he just pushed her back down, kissing up the sensitive skin of her leg.

“Asleep.” Terra paused. “And he knows better.”

His breath was so warm against her, so close to where she wanted him to touch her but he wasn’t moving. She lifted her head up to look at him but he was already watching her. The lights from the tree were shining on his face, the sound from the TV a soft buzz in her ears. His hands were still tucked in her shorts, eyes on her and she honestly couldn’t care less who was awake and who wasn’t. He was waiting for her okay.

Aqua lifted her hips, moving to slip her hands to push her shorts down but Terra was already pulling them off. She didn’t even look to see where he left them, because his lips were back on her thigh. She dropped head back on the pillow, biting down on her lip as her eyes fluttered shut. He inched up higher and higher till she couldn’t help but reach her hands down to his head, curling her fingers in his hair again and nearly holding her breath as she felt him so close to her.

Until her moved to her other leg, leaving kisses up the inside of her thigh there too.

“Terra,” she whined, tugging at his hair. She couldn’t see him but she absolutely felt him laughing. Figures. He loved to take his time; lingering kisses, fleeting touches, teasing her and drawing out her most impatient side. If they weren’t short on time, he never rushed it.  He always said it was because he never got enough of her, but Aqua thought he just liked to make her squirm and whine. It wasn’t like she disliked it, but most of the time it drove her crazy; especially now when she felt her desire for him aching through her body.

She rolled her hips up at him but he still held her down. Aqua was going to urge him on again but she felt his mouth on her and she couldn’t think. She bit down on her lip, hands grasped into his hair as her legs clenched around him.

It didn’t matter where it was or when it was, no one knew her better than Terra did. He knew every touch, every move of his mouth that would make her toes curl into the blanket that was now bunched at the end of the couch. She tried to keep the small noises from falling from her lips but she vaguely was aware she wasn’t doing a great job.

His thumbs rubbed circles on her thighs as he ran his tongue along her.  It was late, and there were people still in the house but it didn’t matter. All she felt was the heat through her body, the ache through her for him. She rolled her hips against him and his fingers pressed into her legs as he met her motions, hitting a spot that sent her reeling.

“Terra,” she groaned, pulling at his hair. “Fuck.”

Aqua blinked her eyes open when she felt his fingers on her lips.

“Shhh,” he murmured, pushing himself up some though he was looking far too amused for his own good. “I said they were asleep not deaf.”

“Then get up here,” she said, dropping her hands to his face so she could pull him up towards her. She was going to tease him to stop looking so pleased with himself but the look on his face as he crawled over her was enough for her to pull his head down to hers to kiss him instead. She dragged her hands down his back, reaching for the hem of his shirt.

He moved back slightly to pull it off, tossing it over the side before leaning back over her, meeting her lips. Aqua ran her hands up his stomach and back down to the waist of his pants making him press his hips down against hers with a groan. She brushed her hand over his arousal, pressing her palm down against him.

That time he broke away, leaning his forehead against hers. He may’ve loved to tease her but Aqua loved the way he melted in her touch. Terra was bigger than her in stature and in height, strong, intimidating to some, but she could make him unravel at the seams and she adored every second of giving him the same pleasure he gave her.

She looked up to his half lidded eyes and it was hard to remember any time before when this would’ve been a safely guarded fantasy she never told anyone. It was almost one year since they shared their first kiss under the stars and sometimes it was still hard to believe she got to kiss him whenever she wanted to; and so much more.

She pulled his waistband down as he shifted his hips over hers. Aqua reached her arms around him when he pushed into her; her name on his lips so close to her ear. He leaned down against her, keeping on hand on her hip while the other tucked underneath her. She pressed her face against his shoulder, trying to muffle the cry that fell from her lips. Terra leaned his head to hers, resting his weight on her before moving his hips in a steady rhythm that had her curling her legs around him to pull him closer to her.

Aqua arched her back up, his fingers tightening on her hip as he moved against her. Heat swirled in her stomach, his breath hot on her ear as she held her hands onto his back, fingers digging into his skin. She loved every moment with him; even their first, slightly fumbling, sort of awkward time on her cramped dorm room bed. It didn’t really matter in the end because she was happy to just have that experience with him and express to him how good he made her feel. She usually found she liked to be the one to take control and let him sit back but she also loved the comforting feeling of his weight on her, his hands grasping onto her, every stroke bringing her closer and closer.

Aqua pushed her hips up against his, meeting his motions.

“Fuck,” he groaned, pressing his hand against her as he pushed into her harder than before. Terra didn’t curse much expect when they were together and she loved it. Even the sound of his voice made her feel desire even more.

She leaned her face against his skin, still trying to muffle her cries. Aqua was pretty sure no one would come down even if they heard, Terra’s parents didn’t really care what they did and Ven didn’t want to know, but the thought alone was embarrassing enough to make her at least try to be discreet about it. She knew Terra was doing the same; pressing his lips to her neck periodically, his muffled breathing, trying to keep some sort of control.

She dragged her hand down his back, feeling all the bumps and ridges of his body, the ones she knew so well. His hands were tight on her, and she couldn’t imagine being home alone in her own bed right now. Her legs squirmed against his, trying to urge him on as the ever familiar hot pressure made her whole body feel light.

“Aqua,” he warned, stilling her hips with his hand but his voice was so laced with desire she almost lost herself there.

She untangled her arms from around him, reaching up for his face, bringing him to her so she could kiss him. His cry was muffled by her lips as he trailed his hand up to her waist, pressing his fingers into his skin as his hips rolled into hers, faster than before. Aqua pushed her hands back into his hair, trying to focus on moving her mouth with his but she couldn’t stop a moan, her hands pulling back on his hair.

Terra broke away with a moan of his own, forehead sweaty against hers but she could care less. “Shit.” He dropped his head to her neck, nipping at her skin trying to muffle his cry as she felt him hit his own breaking point. She ran her hands down to his shoulders, wrapping her arms around him but the sound of his voice, his hold on her, and the pleasure he always knew how to give her was overwhelming enough for her. She felt his name on her lips while she buried her head against his skin, everything feeling light, the waves rushing through her body.

In the silence of the house her breathing sounded so heavy, trying to catch her breath as she trailed her fingers gently down Terra’s back. He moved slightly to be able to pull himself from her, but she otherwise felt his hot breath on her neck as he laid wrapped up against her. The TV was still humming along, the lights of the Christmas tree shining in the dark.

When he did move he pushed himself up, peppering her neck with kisses that made her laugh before he leaned back on his knees. She sat up on her elbows as he adjusted his waistband back up. His hair looked even messier than usual, the sheen of sweat on his body that made him look a little brighter in the dim lighting as he reached for his tank top to pull it back on.

Aqua was about to ask for her shorts when they landed on her chest. “Thanks,” she said as she shifted to pull them back on while he laid down on his side next to her.

“For the shorts or…?”

She was already reaching for the blanket they nearly kicked off the couch but she didn’t miss the grin on his lips. “You know,” she said, laying down on her side to face him, and hit him in the arm a few times. “You always tell me to be quiet, but I think you’re louder than me. “

“Huh,” he said, though his eyes were closed that grin was still there. “Absolutely not my fault.”

Aqua sighed as he wrapped his arms around her, moving her legs to tangle with his. She opened her mouth to respond but he was already kissing her, soft and sweet; it made her chest flutter just like he always did. She hummed, pressing her hands against his chest.

“It’s been almost a year, you know,” she murmured as he leaned back, resting his head against the pillow.

“Of course I know,” he said, though he sounded significantly more tired than he did before.

She felt it too, her eyes closing as she rested her head against his chest. “I wish we had done it sooner.”

“The kiss or…?”

Aqua pinched his back making him laugh. She felt his hand reach up to brush hair from her face, a warm kiss on her forehead. She already knew she was slipping; she was too comfortable, too warm, too safe. It was right where she always wanted to be. Her parents could deal with her not coming home.

“Me too,” he murmured. “But we have plenty of time to make up for it.”

She smiled before a yawn pulled at her lips. Aqua liked the sound of that.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Parings: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Early Summer; Terra & Aqua are 23 & 22, Ven is 18

Rating: K

Notes: This is sappy nonsense but I mean it kinda goes with the territory lmao Also already at three more chapters left! This au has been so dear to my heart and I’ve adored writing it, thanks so much to everyone who hung around for the ride ;-; <3

AO3

Life

“This thing we’re doing here – me, you – I just want you to know I’m in. I’m all in.”

-Luke

Terra liked to think he was a generally relaxed human being. He was aware he didn’t express his emotions the absolute best and could on occasion lose his temper but he was in the least pretty laid back about most everything. He wasn’t prone to panicking over things, big or little. Life was what it was; things would work out however they would in the end.

But right now sitting on the edge of his bed, he was absolutely freaking out.

He could only stare out at the absolute mess that was his room as he just tore apart every inch of it, trying to rake through every fragment of his mind to remember, to think of some place it could be. When was the last time he saw it? Where was he? What was he doing? He reached up to run his hands through his hair, leaning his elbows against his knees as he hunched himself over.

Terra admittedly knew he could be absent minded sometimes but he honestly didn’t think he’d lose something as important as, you know, the ring he bought to ask the woman he loved to marry him.

No big deal right?

He groaned, closing his eyes. It had to be somewhere. He couldn’t have been that careless. Okay, well, maybe he should’ve kept it in his room for safe keeping till he was ready but that was the thing, he was ready. It was just every time he tried, the right words never seemed to come out and he quit halfway through. So he had kept it on him in case he could actually do it, which ended up being the problem considering now he couldn’t find the damn thing anywhere.

It wasn’t like it was terribly expensive but he did save for it as well as drag Ven to a jewelry store at least two hours from home so the gossipy town folk wouldn’t catch wind of anything. Terra knew it at one glance with its silver, whites and blues complete with a small star; her favorite symbol, the one that hung off the friendship bracelets she made them as kids. It was perfect and now it was gone.

“Hey, Ter, do you mind if….What’s the matter with you?”

Terra glanced up to see Ven standing in the doorway, eyeing the disaster that was the room.

“It looks like a tornado went through here.”

“No shit,” Terra grunted.

Ven arched an eyebrow. “Alright then, what’s the matter?”

“I lost Aqua’s ring.” No use in hiding it from the one person who knew about it.

Ven whistled lightly as he leaned against the doorframe. “Maybe if you hadn’t taken a million years to ask her.”

“Now’s really not the time, Ventus.”

“Alright,” he said, glancing around the room. “Last place you had it?”

“That’s the problem,” Terra sighed, letting his hands drop to his lap. “I can’t remember. I just always had it with me. I’ve checked all my clothes, laundry, this entire damn room, work uniform, everywhere. I even checked the laundry room though I’m pretty sure if mom found it I would’ve heard about it by now.”

“Then not here, okay.” Ven glanced up at the ceiling before looking back to Terra. “I know you don’t work there anymore but Cid’s? Or better yet the station. Don’t you have a locker there?”

His heart jumped into his throat; he hadn’t checked there yet, he hadn’t even thought to check there yet. It was summer and he left his jacket in his locker a lot or his change of uniform or clothes. It could be there. Terra pushed himself up to his feet, patting his pockets down to make sure his still had his wallet, phone, and keys. “I never even though to think there, thanks, Ven.”

“No worries. Hey, I’ll come with you.” He was already following Terra out of his room, not that he minded too much. It would probably be better to have someone with a clear head if worst case it wasn’t there.

“Yeah, sure, c’mon.” Terra didn’t turn around but waved Ven on as Terra headed down the stairs; his brother’s footsteps coming down after him.

No one else was home, thank God. Not that they wouldn’t know eventually, but Terra wasn’t exactly a person who enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention which would absolutely happen if he told the rest of his family what he was planning or at least trying to. He pushed open the front door, the warm air hitting him instantly.

Ven shut the door, pulling out his own keys to lock the door. Even though he was well old enough, he was about to be a senior in high school for Christ’s sake, it was still a little strange for Terra that his baby brother had his own keys and his own car. Not that Ven was much of a baby any more when he stood nearly eye to eye with Terra.

He led the way to his car with Ven sliding into the passenger seat without complaint, probably just letting Terra do whatever he wanted to make him feel better about potentially loosing something rather important.

“So,” Ven breathed as Terra started the car, pulling it out of the driveway. “Any reason why you haven’t asked her yet?”

He glanced over at Ven who was rolling down the window. “Is that why you wanted to come? Trap me in the car?”

Ven grinned, like he had zero concerns in the world. “Yep, absolutely.”

“Well, I’m glad one of us can be so carefree right now.”

“Oh, will you relax, Terra. I know you didn’t lose it. You’re too careful for that. It’s somewhere and I know we’ll find it okay? So breathe.” Ven waited a minute, probably to make sure Terra was in fact still breathing. “Okay, so, let it out. It could help.”

He rolled his head back against the headrest, eyes firmly on the road. He didn’t really want to talk about it not because it was difficult to explain but more so he was embarrassed at the fact he couldn’t actually do it every time he wanted to. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do.”

“I’d ask if you’ve always been this annoying but I know for a fact you have.”

“Stop being so dramatic.” Ven rolled his eyes, fingers tapping lightly on his leg. “What’s the big deal? You know she’ll say yes.”

“Yeah, but that’s not the point.”

“Oh, really?” Ven’s voice sounded way too amused for his own good. “So the point of asking someone to marry them is not for them to say yes?”

“I’m really regretting letting you in this car.”

“To bad, I’m the only one who knows about the ring and therefore the only one who can help you.”

“Okay, fine,” Terra sighed, knowing they still had a little bit to drive to get to the station he worked at and that Ven would never drop this until Terra just told him. “It’s just…every time I try I just can’t find the right words to say to her. I’ve never been good at that. There’s so much I want to tell her but when it comes down to it I just can’t.”

“Yeah, but, Ter, don’t you think she knows you well enough to know you’re not the one to give a big long romantic speech?”

“I mean, yeah, I guess.” He shrugged, turning closer to town but choosing to go around it rather than through it. “But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve it. She’s always liked that kinda stuff. I know I’m not very good at it so I’d like to make sure it’s everything she ever wanted.”

“I dunno, man, I think you’re really overthinking it.” Ven looked over. “I think you’re the only thing she’s ever wanted and you could probably throw the damn ring at her and she’d still be overjoyed.”

Terra snorted. “That doesn’t mean I don’t wanna do better than that.”

“Fair enough.” Ven paused for a second. “Tell me then, tell me what you’d wanna tell her.”

Terra hesitated. Next to Aqua, his brother was the closest person he felt to but still he wasn’t particularly good at this. “I dunno, Ven.”

“Just do it, it’s not like I don’t know anyways.”

“I guess,” Terra sighed; they weren’t too far away from his work so he supposed he could humor Ven for a moment. “I’d just tell her the truth, that she’s the only person I’d wanna spend the rest of my life with, that there’s no one that I love more than her and there never will be.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that, idiot,” Ven said, reaching over to hit at Terra’s arm.

“Yeah, okay, easier to say it to you then when Aqua has those pretty eyes of hers watching my every move.”

“Are you telling me that Aqua has prettier eyes than I do?”

“Ventus,” Terra sighed, but at the same time for the first time since he realized the ring was missing he felt a smile pulling at his lips. Ven usually had that effect.

“Just stop worrying about it and do it. I promise no matter what you say she’s gonna love it.”

The fire station was just up a head, right next to it where Terra worked. Usually the sight of the stations were welcome as he genuinely did like his job as he liked the old brick buildings, red and white trim like straight out of an old movie. As he pulled his car off to the side of the road though, dread was starting to settle in his stomach again. He just hoped it was here.

He opened his door as Ven jumped out of the passenger seat, stretching his arms over his head. It didn’t look any of the trucks were gone which meant everyone on duty was here. If Terra could just get in to check and out without anyone asking him why he was there on his day off that would be ideal. It had to be here, there was no whe-

“Terra?”

He froze mid step up onto the sidewalk from the road, Ven pausing too so he could turn his head though it wasn’t like either of them didn’t know that voice.

“Oh, hey, Aqua,” Ven waved, putting on an easy smile. “What’re you doing out here?”

Terra looked over to see her walking up the sidewalk, coming from town. She looked a little confused but otherwise didn’t look any different from when he had seen her last night. She was even wearing a jacket despite the fact it was summer, his jacket to be exact, the one he let her have when she got too cold last night.

“Looking for you guys,” she said. “Neither of you were answering your phones.”

Ven pulled his phone out of his pocket to check and Terra probably would’ve done the same but the jacket…he remembered giving her the jacket. He only even had it on because it was easier to carry the ring…in it.

Terra was pretty sure he stopped breathing for a while.

“Oh, sorry,” Ven said, glancing a look over at Terra probably wondering why he hadn’t said a single thing yet. “Terra thought he forgot something here so I was coming for the ride. I just didn’t feel my phone go off, he probably didn’t either.”

“It’s fine,” she said, though she was still a little bit away.

There’s no way she couldn’t have noticed. It’s not like it wasn’t obvious what it would be even if she didn’t look at it.

Terra felt Ven lean in closer, holding his hand out. “You forgot it was in the jacket you let her wear didn’t you?”

“Ah, yeah,” Terra choked a little. “Seems that way.”

“Guess it’s now or never then.” Ven cleared his throat as Aqua came to stop in front of them. “Hey, gimmie your keys, I’ll go in and check for you.”

While with Ven there it was an excuse not to ever bring this up with Aqua, Terra knew he dragged this out long enough as is. He brought that ring months ago, no more excuses. “Yeah, thanks.” He placed the keys in Ven’s hand and he promptly took off without another look back. Some support of a brother was.

“What was that all about?” Aqua asked, eyeing Ven before looking back to Terra.

“Ah, you know how he is.”

“Yeah,” she said, a slight smile on her lips.

He still wasn’t really all that sure what to say if she wasn’t bringing it up, but despite the way his heart was nearly pounding out of his chest, acting normal was probably a start. He reached his hands to her face, pulling her in closer till he could kiss her. It was quick as his nerves were starting to get the better of him again but she still smiled at him when he looked at her.

“Hi,” she said.

“Hi.”

Before he even got a chance to do anything else, Aqua was already reaching her hand into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out the unmistakable box, the one he had been searching for all morning. “I might’ve found your lost item.”

He tried to hum in acknowledgment but it came out choked instead. “Yeah, imagine that.” Terra gently took it from her hand, though it really was in his hands now and he still had no idea what to say to her; it was almost worst considering of all the places he considered asking her, the side walk in front of his work where sirens could go off at any second from both the fire trucks and the ambulances wasn’t the top of the list. It was always some place secluded, just them, no other eyes or nosey glances.

But it’s not like he could quite hide his intentions any more.

“Did you, ah, open it?” he asked, not really sure how to phrase that question without sounding accusatory.

“No,” she said, shaking her head slightly. “I respect your privacy.”

He hummed again as words still wouldn’t come to his head. It wasn’t usually like this, even when he had nothing to say it didn’t matter not with Aqua, but here words were important. Even with Ven’s help it didn’t seem good enough, nothing felt good enough for her, for how he felt about her.

“Terra.” Her voice was firm but her touch gentle when she reached up to brush some of his bangs out of his eyes, fingers trailing lightly on his face. “You don’t have to, you know, say anything. I was trying to give you back your jacket without having to tell you, but when neither of you answered your phones I figured you already realized it was gone.” She paused for a moment, her hand resting on his chest, that usual warm smile on her lips. “Don’t worry about it, when you’re ready.”

It was astounding where he never knew what to say, she always knew the right thing to say. They worked together like that, and in every other aspect of their lives.

“C’mon,” Aqua said, grabbing his hand that wasn’t holding the ring box and nodded back towards town. “Let’s get Ven and go get some ice cream or something.”

Terra supposed Ven was right; in the end it didn’t really matter where it was or what was even said. She knew Terra better than anyone in the world, he probably wouldn’t have to say the words and she’d still know what he was trying to express to her. There were words though, there were things he wanted her to hear, even if he had said them before, he still needed her to know. It was just as good of place as any.

Aqua started to tug his hand some, trying to get him moving but he pulled her hand back, tugging her in till she was close enough for him to lean down and kiss her again. He pressed his forehead against hers, breath coming out a bit shakier than he intended.

She was quiet, her hand still laced with his, the other lightly resting on his chest. He could feel her breath on his face, the sweet smell of vanilla from her shampoo as some of her hair tickled his skin. It was hot out and she was warm, still wearing a jacket in the middle of summer despite the fact she was also wearing shorts and flip flops and there was no one he loved more.

When he finally did speak, he was surprised he even had a voice. “I’ve never known a life without you, you know.”

She laughed softly. “I suppose that’s true isn’t it?”

“I can’t imagine a life where I’d want to. I love you more than I think I could even express and a part of me always has, I hope you know that.”

“I know,” she breathed. “I always do.” Aqua reached a hand up to his face, the sleeve sliding down some to show her wrist. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the old, worn blue bracelet she had tied on. She didn’t wear it all the time as he knew she didn’t want it to break with age; she was sentimental like that.

Terra let go of her hand, reaching over to tap at the bracelet. “I still have mine too.”

“I know you do,” she said. “It’s too small for you now though.”

“Stars always make me think of you because of it and that story you told me about them.”

She rolled her eyes, hand dropping to his chest again as she laughed. “Yeah, that I was too embarrassed to tell you that’s why I put the charms on the bracelets when I gave it to you. Ven’s too, though he probably wouldn’t have teased me like you did.”

Terra couldn’t quite recall the whole story now as his heart was actually in his throat but it had to do with fate and bonds, she really liked that kind of stuff. “I always thought you were right. I know teased you about it all the time but I knew it.”

She nodded though her blue eyes looked a little watery, like she never expected him to remember something like that.

Terra held the jewelry box flat in his hand, reaching over to pull it open. His bracelet she made him so long ago fell out a little, the orange threads against the blue and silver of the ring.

Despite the fact at this point she had to know what he was doing, both her hands were over her mouth in a sort of surprise. She looked up from it to him, and he knew the look in her eyes; he probably wouldn’t even have to ask. He knew her well enough to see the answer on her face.

“Will you marry me?”

Aqua stared for a second, the one of them who always knew what to say looking like she was at a loss for words. “Of course,” she said, though her voice was muffled do to the fact she still had her hands over her mouth. She seemed to realize it as she dropped them. “Yes, of course, yes. Always yes.”

His heart was still up in his throat but he carefully popped the ring out of the box, safely putting both the box and the bracelet in his pocket, before taking her hand to slide the ring just moments ago he had thought was gone onto her finger.

Aqua’s breath hitched as she looked at for a moment but she quickly recovered, throwing her arms around his neck and holding on tightly. Terra only found he could breathe again when leaned in, wrapping his arms around her, head nudged against hers.

Ven was right, Terra didn’t really think she’d say no, but at the same time hearing her say it aloud made him feel almost like nothing had up until this point. She wasn’t just his best friend any more, she wasn’t just his girlfriend, she was going to be the person he spend the rest of his life with. It was enough to make him not want to let go of her for a long time.

Until he felt another body weight run into his back so hard he had to take a few steps forward to catch his and Aqua’s balance.

“Oh man, finally, seriously.” Ven propped his chin up on Terra’s other shoulder, arms around both him and Aqua.

He reached one hand up to push Ven’s head away but he moved out of the way. “Were you watching the whole time?”

“Uh yeah, of course I was. What else would I have been doing?”

Aqua pulled away enough to look at Terra, eyes glancing to Ven and back. Her smile was breathtaking, eyes still a little wet. She really was the most beautiful girl he ever knew. “I take it he knew.”

“Unfortunately,” Terra rolled his eyes.

“Yeah, okay, should I tell her when you actually bought the ring?” Ven snorted, letting go of them but only so he could slip in between to hug Aqua instead. “Now you’re really my sister, you know.”

She laughed when Ven lifted her up off the ground. Some part of Terra could see the situation reversed, Aqua at a much younger age picking Ven up to carry him around. Times had changed, people grew up but it was still them, still the three of them.

“I’m happy for you guys,” Ven said, when he finally did put Aqua back down. “You deserve this.”

Aqua was still laughing as she looked over to Terra, her fingers lightly running over the ring like even though she had already knew it existed, like she couldn’t believe it was real. He was always happy with her, that wasn’t changing but this would be new too, a little different, but not unwanted, not even a little bit.

He reached over to Ven’s head, ruffling his hair. “Thanks, buddy. Thanks for your help.”

“That’s what brothers are for, idiot.”

Aqua leaned back into Terra, wrapping her arms around his waist as she leaned her head down against his shoulder. He dropped his arm to her shoulders, leaning down to press a kiss to the drop of her head. This was it, this would always be his life now.

Ven let out a low whistle, eyes looking towards town. “Man, just wait till everyone finds out. They’re gonna flip out.”

Okay, you know, that Terra could wait a little bit on.  

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Pairing: Terra & Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: High school; Terra & Aqua are 16 &17, Ven is 11

Rating: T (Language and also mentions of cat calling and unwanted comments)

Notes: Okay I got this idea from this terribly cheesy rom com I watched but it was about childhood friends so I mean it still works lmao I wanted to show the other side of Terra and his temper. I usually write him pretty laid back as I feel he is but there are absolutely things that would strike a nerve and make him lose that temper.

AO3

Beauty

“By the way, I think you might be the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen, outside of a really filthy magazine.”

– Kirk

Oh no. Oh no no no.

“Aqua!” her mom called from somewhere downstairs. “You’re going to be late, what is the hold up?”

She had her hands in her hair as she looked at the state of mess her room was in. There was clothing everywhere and yet not a single bit of it was clean. Didn’t she do laundry this weekend? She was supposed to do laundry this weekend. Her stomach sank with the terrible reminder that she in fact spent all weekend at Terra’s, watching movies and eating junk food, only coming home to sleep and not actually do any laundry.

“Mom?” Aqua called, trying not to show the panic she was feeling. “Did you happen to clean any of my clothes this weekend?”

There was a pause. “No, dear, I’m fairly sure that’s your responsibility.”

Aqua groaned, her hands falling down over her face.

“I’d suggest hurrying up or you’re going to make yourself and Terra late.”

Like she needed the reminder. As it stood she had no clothing. She honestly wasn’t quite sure how she let it build up quite this much but everything was in her hamper and nothing was in her closet, nothing of dress code at least.

Aqua resisted the urge to scream as she hurried back to the closet door she had swung open in desperation to see if there was anything she could manage to wear for one day. She pushed aside what little was in there digging far deeper than she had in a long time. It was clothing she hadn’t worn in a few years but it probably still fit, she hadn’t gained any weight at all, there had to be something.

Her hands grabbed a button up and threw it off the hanger. It was short sleeved even which helped as the days where getting hotter. She breathed a sigh of relief as she slipped it on over the tank top she was already wearing. Of course that sigh of relief nearly turned to an internal scream when past a certain point she couldn’t button it up anymore; not even slightly over her boobs. That was kind of a weird thing when she never thought they were that big to begin with. Was the shirt really that small?

She tried to button one more, but it wouldn’t remotely budge. If anything the pull on the shirt only made her chest look bigger than usual.

Whatever, she was wearing something underneath it was fine.

Aqua stuck her head back in the closet, reaching for anything that wasn’t a shirt. She came out with a skirt she also hadn’t seen in a while. It was just a plain, black skirt nothing special. It would do. She slipped it on and much to her relief it fit around her waist just fine. It would be okay. No one would even notice.

She quickly grabbed her backpack and her phone off her bed (noticing the couple of texts from Terra wondering why she was the one late) before quickly making a stop in front of her mirror.

Which was a terrible mistake.

Aqua nearly gaped when she saw her reflection. She knew the shirt was a little tight, but the skirt barely covered anything, making her legs look long yeah sure but nowhere in the same vicinity of her comfort zone. She quickly tried to pull the skirt down but her phone was buzzing. She groaned and nearly ran out her door to the stairs.

“Bye Mom!” she called hurrying out the front door as fast as she could knowing if her mom got one look at Aqua, she’d never be allowed to leave the house. She couldn’t miss classes today though, they were starting to prep for finals and she honestly didn’t trust anyone to take notes for her.

The door shut before she could even hear if her mom responded. Terra was across the street, leaning up against his car while Ven rambled on about something, kicking the dirt in their driveway.

“Sorry,” she said as she quickly crossed the street. “I’m here.”

Terra looked up towards her and quickly choked on something though he at least tried to mask it with a cough.

Great, now if she didn’t feel embarrassed about what she had to wear, her face was on fire too. This was turning into a spectacular Monday.

“Wow, Aqua,” Ven said, eyeing her like he was a little confused. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear that before.”

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to scream or cry that it was noticeable enough to an eleven year old but Terra had seemed to recover well enough, hitting Ven on the back of his head before he opened his mouth again.

“Get in the car, kid, we’re gonna be late.”

Ven grumbled but he did what he was told, pulling open the back seat door to flop in. Terra opened the passenger door for Aqua so she could get in, but she didn’t feel any relief about sitting down when she could feel the fabric of her seat on her ass. Oh Jesus, how short was this thing?

She tried not to panic as Terra got in to start up the car but her face felt like fire and all she could see was her never ending thighs not matter how discreetly she tried to pull her skirt down.

“So, ah…” Terra said, though to his credit he waited till they were on the road for a few minutes before asking. “What’s with the change of style, Aqua?”

She usually was fairly eloquent, she thought at least, but today she only groaned as she dropped her face into her hands. “I don’t wanna talk about it,” she muttered.

“Oh, stop,” he snorted. “What happened? It���s not like you to…umm…”

“Show that much leg.”

“Ventus,” Terra said, followed by a grunt from Ven, which probably meant Terra pushed the younger boy back into his seat.

“I forgot to do my laundry okay,” she huffed, throwing her hands into her lap. “This was all that I could find that was remotely dress code. It’s only from like last year I didn’t think it would be an issue like this.”

“Aqua, c’mon, you should’ve told me. I’m sure I had some of your clothes at my house, or my mom even has clothes that’re too small for me you could’ve worn.”

While there was a large appeal in wearing his clothing somehow that was more embarrassing. “No, I’ll just…survive the day and do laundry first thing tonight.”

Terra didn’t look all that convinced but he didn’t say anything else on the matter.

“Don’t worry,” Ven said, leaning his head in between the seats. “I think you look great. I’ll take on anyone who says a bad word about my sister.”

“Well, thank you, Ven.”

“Yeah, yeah, tough guy, do you have your seatbelt on?” Terra asked, eyes in the rearview mirror.

Ven slid backwards, the distinct click of the belt buckle being done up sounding. “Yes.”

“That’s what I thought.” Terra turned the corner that would lead them to the schools but he gave Aqua another quick glance. “I have a sweater in the trunk if you want to wear it or tie it around or waist or something.”

He was right and she knew he was but at the same time she felt a stupid twinge of disappointment in the pit of her stomach. “Does it really look that bad?”

“No, that’s not what I said,” Terra answered, though very carefully; so much so Ven started snickering the back seat. “You don’t…you never look bad, Aqua, I just meant if you were uncomfortable with wearing…ah, something more revealing than you usually do.”

She was usually the eloquent one, not him, so she did appreciate his great effort as to not make her feel worse. “I’ll be okay,” she said. “It’s different, but maybe it’s not bad.”

She immediately regretted those words the moment she stepped out of his car.

Once Ven was dropped off, the high school was just up the street but because they were running late it seemed like the entire school was outside. No one really seemed to pay all that much attention as she waited for Terra to grab his bag from the backseat but she felt like she was completely naked.

“You okay?” he asked as he started to walk next to her.

“Ah, yeah, I’m fine.” It was mostly true. It was a little bit better knowing Terra was at least on her side.

A whistle, a few giggles were the first things she heard but it wasn’t necessarily bad, it was just different. While she wouldn’t say she was a conservative dresser, he had been right in the fact it wasn’t ever really showy, not at school at least.

“Just ignore them,” Terra said, nudging into her slightly.

“Love the look, Queen,” someone called out, making a few other people erupt into giggles again but she couldn’t be bothered to look; more like she was too afraid to know who. It was a small town and small school she had been stupid to think no one notice if she went from jeans and summer dresses to a short skirt and button up that absolutely didn’t fit.

It didn’t matter though, she knew it didn’t. It was just some clothes, that’s all, and they were almost to the front steps. In a few minutes everyone would forget it happened, that’s how things happened here. It would be “ha ha remember that time Aqua forgot to do laundry and every time she walked she was worried that her ass might fall out”.

Besides, girls here wore even shorter than this. It was just unusual because it was Aqua and that was all.

“Hey, sweet cheeks.”

The voice was so close to her Aqua nearly jumped out of the way. Some guy she didn’t get quite a good enough look was next to her.

“Nice of you to show off for us a little, we always knew you had fantastic body under there.”

She didn’t get a chance to respond before the guy was on the floor, hands covering his nose where blood had already started to flow.

“Don’t fucking talk to her like that.” Terra’s voice was low, his hands still clenched in fists, one lowering to from where it had collided with that guy’s face.

Jesus Christ. “Terra,” she said, grabbing onto his arm to try and tug him away, panic rising in her again as a crowded started to form around them. “What happened to ‘just ignore them’?”

He wasn’t listening as he usually didn’t when he was mad. His eyes were still focused on the guy who was getting back up to his feet, looking about as furious as Terra did. It had been a long time before he’d been in any sort of fight at school, but it unfortunately wouldn’t be a first time offense. She tried to get in front of him to stop this from escalading more before he damn well got expelled before he could even graduate but he swung an arm around her, pushing her out of the way. Because he was more focused on making sure she wasn’t in the center of it, she heard the hit the guy got on Terra’s jaw before she saw it happen.

The crowd was loud, phones up, someone had to have went to get a teacher by now. She knew Terra’s form and she knew his moves after all the years of sparring with him. He had never held back with her, but she had feeling this was different. He wasn’t someone who got angry over irrational things, he got angry when he felt emotional and didn’t know how to handle it.

Aqua swung her arms around his waist before he could lunge and forced her body into his. “Stop, Terra, stop, it’s not worth it. He’s just an asshole. Just stop it. Please.”

He paused, though she could feel the strain, the way his heart was nearly pounding out his chest. Someone else must’ve grabbed the other guy from coming back at Terra because it was quiet for a second before…

“Principal’s office, all you.”

The crowd dispersed as fast as they came, no one wanting to get in trouble for watching and not stopping a fight. She didn’t look to see where the person who technically started it all got dragged off too but looked up to see Terra still glaring off in the direction the other guy probably was, and probably not feeling very well if he got a punch of that force from Terra.

“You two as well,” the teacher commanded, though Aqua couldn’t see who it was. The bell had rung and the students were filing in the building.

That was how Aqua found herself sitting outside the principal’s office for the first time. Well the first time because she was asked to but not for the first time tending to Terra.

He hissed when she held the ice pack the nurse gave her up to his jaw.

“Stop complaining,” she said, though her tone was soft. A big bruise was already starting to come in on his skin but the other guy’s still looked way worse. “It’ll stop the swelling.”

Terra was sunk down in the chair, his head back against the cushion as he reached up to take the ice pack from her hands. He probably had the pain of the bruise as well as a headache from getting hit hard.

She reached up to carefully brush some of his bangs from his face. “Why are you such an idiot, Terra?”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “I defend your honor and I get called an idiot?”

Aqua rolled her eyes. Once the tensions had died down, it admittedly made her chest feel warm to see how quickly he came to her defense but at the same time, she’d rather him not get in trouble over every asshole who couldn’t keep their mouth shut. “I didn’t need you to defend me. You could’ve ignored it as well as me.”

He grunted but didn’t say anything else.

“Just because you have the raw power to take someone down, doesn’t mean you should.”

“I know that,” he said. “But you’re not an object, you’re a person. No one should talk about you like that regardless of what you’re wearing. I was just…I was worried about how you’d feel and then to see all those people just suddenly think it was okay to act like that cause you wore something different with no concern to how you’d feel. It was…” Terra paused, his eyes fluttering shut. “Infuriating.”

He sighed. “I know you can take care of yourself, okay, emotionally and physically but I just can’t stand anyone treating you poorly. It got the better of me.”

It wasn’t the first time. When they were in elementary school, he hit another kid for taking Aqua’s juice box and again when someone pushed her off the swing. It was part of why his parents put him in martial arts, to try and help him learn to control his temper a little better. It worked for the most part, but as he admitted, it wasn’t a perfect mastery. Just last year he had gotten into a fight at lunch, and though he never told her what it was about he had a feeling it was of a similar nature as today. No matter what it was, he always had her back. She just wished he went about it better sometimes.

“My hero,” she said, causing him to open his eyes up again. “But not like this, Ter, you’re a gentle soul. Don’t let jerks bring out the worst in you.”

He watched her for a moment, but nodded. “You’re right.”

“I know I am.”

Terra snorted, glancing up at the ceiling. “Yeah, well, don’t let how people reacted this morning make you feel bad. You honestly do look great. You always do regardless of what you wear.”

She could feel the heat creeping up into her cheeks. “I have a feeling no one’s gonna be making any comments after this morning.”

He closed his eyes again but this time she could see a smile under the icepack. “Good.”

“You’re incorrigible.”

That time he laughed, and though it was a little strained and a little muffled she had a hard time continuing to be mad at him. It was so stupid, a short skirt, a dumb comment and yet, she knew no matter what he really would always be there for her. She was about to get written up for her attire she tried to pass off as nothing and he was about to get detention. Aqua didn’t know why he got mad enough to nearly break the kid’s nose over something so stupid but this was him, this was her best friend.

Aqua reached over to help adjust his icepack. He griped a little about it but let her do it anyways. The door to principal’s office opened as the other guy scurried off without looking at either of them.

“Terra Hale, a sight for sore eyes.”

He pushed himself up to his feet, giving Aqua a slight wink as he headed into the office in front of them. She couldn’t hear everything inside but before the door closed completely she could see him sitting down, saying, “Alright, she had nothing to do with this, I…”

“My hero,” she murmured to herself. She wouldn’t change him for the whole world.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Pairings: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Three weeks after New Year’s in the First Chapter; Terra is 20 and Aqua is 19

Rating: K

Notes: Ahhhh you guys, the last chapter ;-; Thank you so much for all your kind support on my silly au. I really, really loved writing this universe and giving them the lives and experiences I did. It was so much fun to do so! Thank you guys for sticking around for the ride, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did ^^ This chapter changed so many times because I could not for the life of me figure out how to end a story that had no plot. It went through many changes but I’m really happy I chose to end it here. I may still write in this universe and throw it in my one shot collection if the inspiration to tell more of their story strikes me but for now have one last super sappy chapter <3

AO3

Stars

“The girl jumped to her feet and followed the path of the stars until finally she found herself standing right where the town gazebo is today. And there, waiting for her, was her one true love, who had also been led here by the blanket of stars.”

-Miss Patty

“Is there any real reason you’re dragging me through the woods at the crack of dawn?”

Aqua glanced behind her though she didn’t need to move her flashlight to see Terra trudging along behind her, not even bothering to cover his mouth to hide his yawn. “Yes,” she said simply, turning back around so she could continue to follow the path by the light in her hand.

The stars and moon where out but it still wasn’t enough to see stray roots growing in the path. She kind of already snuck out of the house in the middle of the night, the last she needed was to break her leg right before spring semester started, and then explain why she had snuck out of the house in the first place.

“You do know it’s like six in the morning right?”

“Why are you complaining so much?” Aqua stepped around a branch that had fallen at some point. “And it’s more like 6:30.”

“Whatever time it is, I’m usually still in bed.”

Aqua looked over her shoulder at him again. He was complaining a lot for someone who honestly didn’t look at all upset. “You could’ve said no.”

He snorted but didn’t say anything else. She figured that would be the answer.

She kept walking down the path, looking for the marker she knew pretty well, but she also admittedly never came out here in the dark. Aqua swore it was around here somewhere though…maybe around the next corner. She stopped in the trail, flipping her flashlight around to try and figure out where they were; maybe coming up here with snow dusting the ground wasn’t the best idea.

Apparently Terra did not get the memo because the next thing she knew, his warm body was walking right into her. He reached his hands out to her shoulders to make sure she didn’t fall as he tried not to laugh.

It was January, they were outside, and he was really warm. Despite the fact she was bundled up in jacket, gloves, scarf and hat she leaned back against him, warming her body.

“Lost?” he asked, leaning down near her face.

“No,” she said, though it was a little hard to remember what she was doing when his breath was against her skin. “I know where we are.”

“You ever plan on telling me then?”

“Nope, it’s a surprise.” She sighed as she rolled her head back against his shoulder. If she didn’t have that one spot in her head she’d just let them go back; at least he had a heater in his room.

Aqua reluctantly moved forward a bit, letting him know they could keep walking. He only let go of her shoulders after he brushed his lips against her cheek, letting the heat linger a little longer after he stepped back.

“How are you just wearing a jacket right now?”  

He shrugged as he glanced down at probably the only jacket he owned. “Cause it works just fine.”

“Inhuman.” Aqua spotted the trail marker on a nearby tree. Ah! Now she knew where they were.

Before she could actually take a step forward Terra swung his arms around her waist, lifting her off the ground. She squeaked in surprise so loudly she was pretty sure an owl few out of the tree above them. His face was close to hers again, her back up against his chest as he held her almost effortlessly.

“What was that?” he said. She didn’t have to look at him to know the teasing tone in his voice.

“Oh, you heard me,” she trying not to laugh and give him the satisfaction but it didn’t work so well. “We’re gonna be late if you keep distracting me.”

“Late for what?”

“You’ll see if you put me down.”

He sighed but he did as he was asked, letting her feet touch the trail again. She was about to head towards the trail marker but Terra cut her off; this time she was the one to walk into his back. She fumbled with her flashlight for a moment before realizing what he was doing.

“I can walk, Terra, you know that right?”

“Yeah, I’m aware,” he snorted but he didn’t move, just shifted his hands behind his back. “But you’re also freezing and explaining to your mom how you caught hypothermia is not on my bucket list.”

That was a fair point, and it wasn’t like the thought of being close to him wasn’t terribly appealing. He wiggled his fingers at her, gesturing for her to get a move on with it.

“Okay, okay.” She placed her hands on his shoulders, carefully balancing the flashlight as she did. Aqua didn’t let him know. She just jumped and knew he’d catch her like he had done countless times before. She kicked her legs around him until she felt his hands grab onto her, holding her securely against him; which was a feat considering she had a bag draped across her where she was holding the rest of the surprise.

As the warmth from his body started to melt into her cold limbs, it was admittedly much better.

“Where to then?” he asked, turning his head slightly towards her.

Aqua shined her light at the tree with the marker. “Over that way.”

Terra started to walk, her body shifting with him for every stride he made. It was nice though, soothing, familiar; she might’ve started to fall asleep if she was tired enough.

“Oh, wait,” she said when Terra turned to follow the trail.

“What?” he asked as he stopped.

She shined the light off the trail into the woods. “That way.”

“You want to go off the trail?”

“Yes.”

He turned his head to look at her, eyebrow arched. “Are you sure?”

“Terra, yes.” She rolled her eyes, shaking the flashlight some in the direction she wanted to go.

“Are you positive? Because this basically how every ‘and then they were never seen again’ story starts.”

“Oh my God, I know where we are. I promise.”

He didn’t look completely convinced but he did at least walk off the path like she asked. There, it wouldn’t be too much farther now.

“Are you plotting to kill me?” he asked as he carefully stepped around a bush.

“Don’t you think I would’ve done that years ago if I wanted to?”

“Fair enough,” he snorted.

Aqua leaned in to press her cheek against his and making him laugh in the process. “It’s worth it I promise. Oh! There!” She sat up pointing the flashlight at some pine trees. “It’s right past there but be careful.”

“Of what?”

“The cliffs.”

“Of course, the cliffs. Not trying to kill me, right.”

Aqua kicked her legs slightly, signaling for him to squat down a little and let her jump off. She grabbed his hand and led him through the remaining woods till the trees were right in front of her. She found this place on accident, wandering away from her mom and dad during a hike once. Aqua always wanted to bring Terra back here but she never had a good reason to, well, until now at least. She pushed past the branches that he grabbed so they both could get through, and there it was.  

The sky was still pretty dark, stars sparkling above but it was starting to get lighter. In front of her laid out the entire valley, mountains, trees, the river, lights from the town almost like little stars themselves. It was a little barren since it was winter, but the dusting of snow still made it so pretty, the fog from the mountains giving it almost urethral feel. It was breathtaking.

Terra let out a low whistle behind her. “The whole valley, huh?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, a smile on her lips. “C’mon.” Aqua skipped down the slight step, setting her on a small rock plane. It didn’t stick out too much before it dropped off but it was enough to sit on and not feel like you’d fall into the ravine. She slipped her bag off her body, gesturing for Terra to sit down.

He seemed to get the picture a little better now, walking over to take a seat near where she was standing. She flipped open her bag, pulling out a thermos to pass to him.

“You really did have this all planned out didn’t you?” he asked, reaching up to take it from her.

“Of course, do you think I’d lead you all the way up here without a plan?” Aqua dropped her bag off to the side as she took out the thermos she brought for herself. She planned to sit down next to him and drink something warm till the sun came up, but she was rather cold and he was inviting.

She moved so she could sit in front of him where he had his legs parted slightly and wiggled herself in till her back was pressed to his chest. It was a good choice; she was almost instantly warm again. Even more so when she leaned her head back against his shoulder, feeling his breath against her cheek when he laughed.

“Comfortable?”

“Yep,” she said, twisting the top on her thermos for the still steaming coffee.

Terra reached his arms around her so he could pop the top on his own drink. He brought the hand with the thermos to his mouth but the other he let drop to her waist. Yeah, this was a really good idea; totally worth the hike and potentially getting frostbite on her toes.

“Thank you for coming with me,” she said, eyes looking up to the sky overhead.

“Course,” he said, moving to put the cap back on his thermos. “Did you just want to see the sunrise from here?”

Aqua nodded. “Well, yeah, but I wanted to see it with you too.”

He hummed a little, she could feel it against her back. “And no other reason at all? Not because you’re going back to school next week or anything?”

She should’ve assumed he’d know. “Possibly.”

The opportunity had presented itself for her to bring up the thing she was avoiding since the moment she felt his lips against hers on New Year’s Eve. While, yeah, she absolutely wanted to take him up here to watch the sunrise over the valley, but it was also far away from prying and curious ears who were way too nosey for their own good.

She knew he was waiting for her to say something, and while the words weren’t hard to say, the answer was what made her nervous. “Are you worried?” she asked, eyes looking over the fog swirling around the distant mountains.

“About what?”

“About, you know, us when I go back to school.”

“No.”

Aqua turned her head to look at him, the sort of casual tone in his voice surprising her. He looked about as concerned as he sounded, arching an eyebrow since she must’ve been giving him a weird look.

“What? I’m not.”

“But it’ll be different, than it has been the past few weeks.”

He shrugged. “I mean, yeah, and it’s gonna suck but it’s not like I didn’t know what this meant. You going back to school doesn’t change anything.”

Aqua wasn’t sure if he knew those were the words she was looking for or not but it put her at more ease than she was expecting. Maybe she was worrying about it more than she even thought. “Yeah?”

“Of course,” he snorted, rolling his eyes like it was the most obvious answer in the world, and maybe it was. “Didn’t change my feelings the first time you left, why would this be any different.”

She turned back to face the valley, leaning her head back against his shoulder again. “Guess you’ll just have to visit more.”

“Oh no, what a shame.”

Aqua couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled up inside her; it honestly wasn’t even that funny but she just felt so happy she couldn’t help it. Terra placed his coffee on the rock, using both his hands to wrap around her as he dropped his chin onto her head. She had to remember why they were here or she might’ve fallen asleep.

“It’ll be okay,” he said, though whether it was to reassure her or himself she didn’t know. “One semester down, how many more to go?”

“You probably don’t want to know the answer to that.”

“Fair enough.”

The prospect of going back to school alone after spending the past few weeks getting used to being in his arms was a terrible sinking feeling but she knew, probably as well as he did, it wasn’t permanent. Even before this month he came up to visit often or she came home to see him, that wouldn’t change. It would be a sort of new adjustment, but it wasn’t forever.

Aqua honestly didn’t even know what forever was. Just a few weeks ago she never would’ve dreamed she’d be where she was right now, how could she ever predict how the future would be? There was college for her and Terra was in school too. He wouldn’t work at Cid’s anymore once he got his certification. A few weeks changed everything, what would a few months, a few years change?

In the depths and secrecy of her mind sometimes she’d imagine it. Terra getting a job closer to her, she wouldn’t have to live on campus with a roommate anymore if he moved nearby, where they could see each other every day again just like they used to and share one space together. Maybe he’d ask her to marry him, maybe they’d move back home when she graduated so she could do what she always wanted to do for the town she loved. Maybe they’d have kids of their own, surrounded by the world’s best babysitters and the town Aqua loved so much.

Terra nudged his chin on her head making her jump, even though she was well aware he couldn’t read her mind; it was still embarrassing to be caught day dreaming like that. “You fall asleep?”

“No,” she said, but when she noticed the sky again she saw how it was getting lighter. The sun was coming up.

Aqua honestly had no idea what her future was, what their future was but she was finding it didn’t matter too much. Not when he was warm around her, his familiar scent soothing, and the mountains and valley lighting up around them like there was no one else in the world.

“Alright,” he said. “You got me, it’s pretty up here.”

A smile pulled at her lips as she nudged her head into his. Yeah, the present was pretty damn good.

“It’s beautiful.”

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Additional Pairings: Implied Zack/Aerith

Setting: Mid fall semester after the previous present time chapter; Terra & Aqua are 23 & 22

Rating: K+

Notes: Another dialogue heavy one as it mirrors the one done previously. It was a lot of fun just to have them so effortlessly talk about things, plan, be cute. This has zero plot lmao but sometimes it’s nice to just see a little snapshot of their world. As this is the very last one set in the present time for this fic I also wanted to give you guys a hint of how their lives will be after this too. One more chapter! I can’t even believe I only started this at the beginning of the year. It feels like I’ve been writing this world for so long. I appreciate all of you who stuck around, and I hope you enjoy these last two chapters <3

AO3

Sleep

“I mean it’s all any of us want –to find a nice person to hang out with till we drop dead. Not a lot to ask.”

-Lorelai

It wasn’t necessarily like Terra not to be able to sleep. He usually could sleep through just about anything and that absolutely included his brother’s terrible snoring. Yet all Terra could do was stare up at the ceiling of his room no desire to even close his eyes.

The moon was out, shining in through his open window as the cool late fall air blew in. He usually only couldn’t sleep like this when he was coming off a set of overnights at work but this week had been all normal living hours; he didn’t mind working through the night but there were benefits of building seniority, like sleeping through the night.

Terra rolled over on his side, hoping it would help but really it only made him stare at his door as opposed to his ceiling. He groaned and reached for his phone on the nightstand. He flopped back onto his back and blinked up at the bright screen as he held it over his head.

Three am. Not even close to being an acceptable morning time, especially for him. Out of habit he clicked on the nearest social media app and while there were quite a few people he knew that were still awake (was he the only one who enjoyed sleeping?) one name showing online stuck out to him.

He squinted his eyes to make sure he was reading it right, but the active notification was right there next to her picture.

Terra closed out of the app to go to his last calls. With one touch, he brought the phone down to his ear, hearing the dial tone.

“Hello?” Aqua sounded a little confused, but there wasn’t even a hint of her being tried despite the fact it was ungodly early.

“What’re you doing awake?” he murmured, realizing he probably sounded a lot more tired than he felt.  

She laughed lightly; some papers were being shuffled in the background. “What’re you doing awake?”

“Not fair I asked you first.”

“I’m trying to finish this paper so I don’t have to worry about it anymore,” she said and he thought he could hear her pen tapping against the desk.

Terra reached up to rub a hand against his face. “In the library?”

She hummed. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

“Lucky guess and I feel like you’re roommate would’ve killed you by now if you were still awake and on your phone.”

“That’s fair.” She paused for a moment. “You still haven’t told me what you’re doing awake.”

“Well, I’m about two or so states away driving to my new life to live up in the mountains so I never have to hear Ven snore again.”

Aqua laughed, though it was a little soft; a librarian probably walked by or something. “Can’t sleep?”

“No, but it’s not his fault. He’s just an easy target.”

“Is something wrong?” she asked. There was some sort of rustling; she was probably sitting in one of those big comfy chairs she liked, sitting back away from her work.

He felt a little guilty for bothering her in the first place. “Nah, just can’t sleep.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Okay, like you working at three am is usual. You’re normally done with all your homework ages before its due.”

Aqua didn’t answer.

Ah, there it was; he wasn’t the only one who couldn’t sleep. “Is something wrong?”

“No,” she said, but it came off way too strongly.

Terra dropped his hand to the bed. “You still haven’t talked to your parents yet, haven’t you?”

She groaned and he could almost see the way her head must’ve hit the chair. “It’s not easy.”

“I never said it was, but you are graduating the near future and they’ll probably be a little curious as to why you’re moving back home and not off to join all the companies who I’m sure will try to hire you.”

“Don’t try and mask this with flattery.”

He snorted, eyes flickering up to the ceiling. “It’s your life, Aqua, they can’t tell you what to do.”

“But they can express severe disappointment that I’m wasting a fortune to not even have a good paying job.”

“Then you show them the pros like the fact you’ll still be living in town so they’ll never get rid of you and me for that matter. I guess they can decide if that’s a good thing or not.”

“Stop,” she laughed. “I know they’ll be okay with it eventually, but they had all these dreams for me and I’m just throwing them all way.”

“Their dreams maybe, but not yours. You do what you feel is right for you, I’ll back you up in any regard because you’re absolutely stuck with me.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.”

“You say it like it’s a good thing.”

She laughed again and he wished he could see her smile, the way her blue eyes scrunched up.

“Just rip the band-aid off, it’s easier than dragging it out.”

She hummed knowingly and Terra immediately regretted his phrasing. “Oh is it? Please tell me, Ter, have you finally told your mom you don’t want a big wedding?”

“Touché. To be fair, it’s only because she gets so happy about it whenever she brings it up. I’m pretty sure she’s been waiting for this since the day you were born.”

“I’m pretty sure you should listen to your own advice. It’s only gonna make it worse when she starts actually planning things instead of just talking about it.”

“Baby steps, right now I’m just working on convincing her not to invite the whole damn town.”

“Would that be so bad?”

Terra arched an eyebrow even though he was well aware she couldn’t see him. “Do you want all that attention?”

“Not really, no,” she chuckled.

He paused. Despite the fact they had been engaged for a few months, neither had ever actually talked about the day. Aqua said she wanted to wait till she was almost done with school to make it easier for them to move together and while he listened to his mom babble about it all he had really mentioned that he didn’t want it to be as huge as she was making it out to be. He wondered if now would be a good time to ask, but it was also ridiculously early and Aqua seemed to be in no rush to get back to work.

“What do you want then?”

It was her turn to pause. “Wait, like right now?”

“Why not? I’m still not tired, you haven’t mentioned your homework again so go on, lay it on me.”

She groaned a little but this time he knew it was out of embarrassment.

“Don’t be like that,” he laughed. “I know you’ve thought about it since we were kids.”

“God, okay, hang on.”

He could tell she pulled the phone away from her ear but he didn’t really know why until he heard a familiar set of beeps. Terra moved his phone in front of his face so he could accept her call. In a moment the screen was bright, the florescent lights of the library making it seem more like day than the middle of the night. She was sitting in that chair she liked but more importantly he could see her, eyes looking a little tired, small smile on her lips, but it was the most welcome sight in the world.

“I won’t wake anyone up will I?” she asked, her voice coming out a little softer now that it wasn’t pressed up on his ear.

“Nah,” he said. “Ven’s sleeping and my parent’s room is too far from mine for them to be bothered.”

“Okay,” she said, though he knew the look in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to put you on the spot. It’s really okay if you don’t want to talk about it.”

Her smile softened her face a little. “It’s okay, it’s silly. Besides it’s probably better to know what we want before letting others get out of control.”

“You can say my mom, it’s okay.” He paused while she rolled her eyes. “Alright, go on then, let me hear what ten year old Aqua wanted her wedding to be like.”

“Well, there were lots of people as it was at the biggest venue in the area and I had the most expensive dress I could find because I was marrying the lead singer in my favorite band and he could afford anything.”

“Cute,” he snorted, but it didn’t stop a smile from pulling at his lips when she started to laugh.

“I like smaller too,” she said, leaning her chin into hand as she propped her elbow up on the arm of the chair. “Family, friends, that sort of thing. The whole town can come to the reception so they don’t feel left out but I’d like a small ceremony.”

“Done, I’ll let my mom handle the reception then, she’ll be overjoyed.” He shifted so he could hold his phone in his other hand. “Any location?”

She hummed looking off to the side as she thought. “Somewhere outside, with gardens and lots of flowers.”

“Springtime?”

Aqua nodded, her eyes lighting up just a little bit. “Yeah, I love spring.”

“You’ll make Aerith and her mom overjoyed too.”

Aqua’s eyes glanced up to meet his through the screen. “Is that okay?”

“Course it’s okay.” Leave it to her to always want to make sure he had his own preferences too, even though he knew full well the appearance of the day wasn’t really about him. “I’d have said something similar.”

There was that smile again making it easy forget they both should be sleeping.

“I haven’t picked out any colors or any style or anything like that.” She tapped her fingers against her face. “Would blue and orange look good together?”

He must’ve made a face at her because she started to laugh.

“I’ll keep working on it.”

“What about a dress?” he asked.

She hummed, a small smile on her lips. “I can’t tell you that.”

“Oh, so we’re playing that game are we?”

Aqua shrugged, but she seemed perfectly content with this choice. “Some traditions are fun.”

“Uh-huh, so I assume you’ll take your mom and my mom, but I can know at all.”

“And your brother.”

That time Terra knew he must’ve made a face because she had to move to cover her mouth as she laughed. “Seriously? You’re gonna give Ventus something else to rub in my face?”

She waved her finger slightly. “He helped you pick out my ring and couldn’t tell me so this is only fair.”

“That’s different, I know about this.”

Aqua arched her eyebrows. “Terra, you really think I didn’t know? When I asked you what you were doing that day you told me you were hanging out with Zack so I reminded you that I thought Zack and Aerith were spending the weekend away you said, ‘Oh yeah, I have to go’.”

“Okay, maybe not my most graceful excuse.”

“You think?” She was smiling though, ear to ear.

As used to the long distance as he was now, he was beginning to feel like her graduation date was a million years away.

“I won’t make you wear a suit either.”

“Oh, no? Not gonna force me to dress up at any chance you get?”

She shook her head but she was still smiling which meant there were probably conditions. “Just like how you did at my prom. With the rolled up sleeves and vest that was…” Aqua paused for a second. “That was a very good look on you.”

He snorted but it fell into a laugh.

“Stop it, I’m being serious.”

“Of course,” he said. “Anything you want.”

She leaned her chin back into her hand, watching him through her screen. “Hey, Ter?”

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I miss you.”

That was a feeling he could sympathize with. “Yeah, I miss you too, beautiful.”

She smiled into her fingers but if she was going to say anything else it was broken up by a yawn, her eyes looking significantly more tired.

“Alright, close up the laptop and get to bed,” he said.

“I’m fine, I’m fi-” Another yawn.

“Yeah, real fine.”

She laughed though it was light. “Okay, it’s probably better than falling asleep in the library.”

“I’d imagine.” His heart clenched a little bit as he didn’t actually want to say goodbye but it was probably for the best if they both got some sleep. “Want me to stay on the phone while you want back?”

“Oh, no, its fine. It’s not a far walk. I’ll be fine. You try and fall asleep too.”

“Alright, let me know when you get back at least.”

There was that smile again. “Of course. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

She waved slightly and then all that was on his screen were the words “call ended”.

Terra sighed and dropped his phone on his bed, though he made sure it was face up so he could see when she texted him. He rubbed his hands over his face trying to forget that he’d much rather have her here, hogging most of his bed and blankets than being miles and miles and miles away. It wasn’t permanent it never had been, and even though he was plenty used to it there was a part of him that would never be used to it.

He rolled over on his side; at least his eyes did feel heavier than they did before.

It wouldn’t be too much longer now and they wouldn’t even have to go back and forth between his house and hers. He’d get her that old house she loved on the opposite side of town but still was walking distance of all the placed she’d need to be at. Not that he told her that, but enough people in town were happy for them he was sure he could do that for her.

Then all this wouldn’t matter anymore. It would just be them, their home, their life…and probably Ven more often than not who probably wouldn’t take to being the only child in the house well. Then maybe someday there would be more than that too. Aqua was made to be someone’s mother, and Terra couldn’t say he never thought about it.

His phone buzzed, making him blink open his eyes. He picked up the phone to see a picture of her on his screen; she was clearly in her dorm building, sticking her tongue out at him.

Aqua

               I’m here, worrywart <3

He rolled his eyes but typed a quick sleep well before putting his phone back on the nightstand. Terra closed his eyes again, this time feeling even more tired than before.

Some days it felt like an eternity, but it wasn’t bad. If there was one thing he knew, Aqua was absolutely worth waiting for.  

[lyssala]

Stars

Pairings: Terra/Aqua, Slightly Implied Cloud/Tifa, Kingdom Hearts

Settings: Modern AU; Terra is the new kid at Aqua’s small private school

Rating: K+

Notes:  @mimiplaysgames sent me a post with some High School Aus and one was “Person A doodling on Person B’s arm while not paying attention in class” and I just had this sweet image of Aqua and Terra getting highly distracted in the middle of class. I also like to picture him as an artist sometimes so this captured that too. As much as I love them as childhood friends sometimes it’s fun to play with if they haven’t known each other since childhood too!

AO3

Stars

Aqua was very relieved she was a morning person when she saw her quarter schedule with organic chemistry right at the top. That was just mean to any teenager who couldn’t function before a certain hour.

Considering when she walked into the science lab most all her classmates looked like they were zombies even though it was two months into the school year seemed to prove her point. She peeked around the tables set up to face the front of the room, maneuvering down the aisle to her assigned seat. She usually stopped by to say good morning to Tifa but she wasn’t at her table yet; she probably begged Cloud to stop for breakfast making them late once again.

A few other classmates who were awake enough nodded or waved to Aqua which she politely responded to. As far as private schools went, hers wasn’t the worst but it was small. Classes were usually combined with other grades to make them a little bigger, but it also meant teachers were more able to help since the classes were so small. That she did like, though she could do without the strict dress code sometimes.

She stopped at her table, a smile pulling at her lips when she saw a body hunched over the surface, mess of brown hair sticking up from where his face was tucked onto his arms.

Aqua carefully sat down at the stool, placing her bag on the table as to not scare him but it didn’t work.

Terra popped his head up, sleepy blue eyes watching her.

“Didn’t mean to wake you up,” she said, trying not to laugh as she went to pull out her books.

“Better than an alarm clock,” he murmured. He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms over his head and leaving the contents of what he was sleeping on out in the open.

She tried not to pry and respect her lab partner’s privacy but it was always hard not to want to see what he had drawn all over his chemistry notes. Sure, they sat together every morning in this class, but she really only knew him for about two months now. He was quiet and kept to himself more often than not so Aqua didn’t want to push it by getting too nosey. Terra seemed so surprised the first time she complimented his art that she thought maybe it was pushy of her to look without asking.

“Early morning?” Aqua asked, dropping her bag by her feet.

“That’s what I get for having a dad who’s a teacher.” Terra yawned slightly, dropping his hands back to the table.

“Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot. He teaches World History right? For the freshman and sophomores?”

“Yeah,” Terra said. “Probably because he didn’t wanna have to teach me again.”

Aqua was about to ask what it was like having to be taught by your parent but Tifa’s voice echoed slightly outside the door. Sure enough there she was half in the doorway, hands full with a coffee cup and a brown bag as she talked to someone still in the hallway; chances are it was Cloud who had a different class first period. Tifa smiled and waved when she caught Aqua’s eyes, scurrying in as their teacher walked in behind her.

“Morning,” Tifa said, checking over her shoulder to make sure Mr. Highwind was still setting up. “Here, snuck you something but eat it quick before he notices.” Tifa dropped the brown bag into Aqua’s hands.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do that, but thank you,” she said while Tifa was already walking to her table across from Aqua.

“It’s nothing,” Tifa waved her off. “Happy Friday.”

Aqua pulled open the bag to see one of her favorite treats sitting there. Her stomach growled just at the sight. “You remembered my mom is on a health food kick didn’t you?”

“I got you, girl,” Tifa said with a smile over her coffee.

Aqua reached in to pull out the chocolate frosted donut in all its sugary glory. It was a sight for sore eyes; what kind of insane person banned chocolate from a household? She was about to take the biggest bite humanly possible when she glanced over to Terra. Yeah, was probably good not to eat like a slob in front of probably the cutest boy in school.

He was looking back down at his notebook, pen in his hand as he aimlessly drew something on the lined paper.

“You want to split it?” she asked.

Terra looked up, a sort of smile on his lips. “And deprive you of much missed sugar? How could I.”

“I am a generous person, I can always share my sugar. Plus if I don’t shove this whole thing in my mouth right now, Mr. Highwind will take it.”

“Fair point.” Terra held out his hand as Aqua broke the donut in half, placing one piece in his hand.

As much as she wanted to savor the sweet tastes, she had to eat it in just a few bites or risk getting yelled at for having food in the lab. Terra on the other hand kept most of it on his notebook, just eating a small bite at a time.

Terra he was…he was something.

New kids didn’t come in too often, only a handful every now and then so it was a little bit of a surprise at the beginning of her junior year there was not only a new teacher but a new student too. Terra was a year older but he was in most her classes as seniors usually were. Most the time students flocked to the new kids as they were, well, new and shiny so to speak. Some of the more popular kids did try with Terra but he was a mix of unreceptive to social situations and also just sort of looked intimidating with his tall stature and sharp facial features that most kind of gave up. The more athletically inclined students tried too thinking someone like him was born to play football, but he never had any interest in that either.

Even Aqua who always tried to be accepting with everyone wasn’t sure what to make of him when she was assigned to be his lab partner for the semester. It didn’t really take that long to get a different opinion of him though.

He wasn’t frightening or intimidating at all; he was quiet. He didn’t really voice his thoughts very much nor did he really even talk back whenever she tried to talk to him in class but his eyes were expressive, he was listening to her and engaging even if he didn’t vocally say anything. She knew by the calluses, the dried paint, the ink smudges that showed up on his hands sometimes that despite the fact most people thought he had to be a jock, he was an artist.

In the two months she shared a table with him for 45 minutes almost every day she knew he was gentle and patient, thoughtful but still had a sense of humor. That he really only opened up to people when he felt comfortable and she hoped he did feel comfortable with her. Because she liked him…a lot; it was probably best not to think about how much.

“Is it not good?” she asked, watching him pick at the last bit of the donut.

“Hmm? Oh, no, it’s fine,” he said.

“Then why are you looking at it like it killed your dog?”

He snorted, smiling pulling at his lips enough so she could see his dimples coming out. She took a little bit of pride in the fact she was pretty sure most the school didn’t even know he had them, but she did.

“I’m not a big sweets person.” Though he did pop the last of it in his mouth.

“Is it too late to switch lab partners?”

“I don’t think difference in food tastes qualifies in swapping lab partners.” His smile always made his eyes look a lot brighter, made his face softer.

Aqua had no idea why the girls in this school weren’t throwing themselves at him, well, not that she was complaining. It was kind of nice not to feel like she had to compete with other girls just to get someone she liked to look at her; though it would be nice if she could finally convince him to sit at their table for lunch but baby steps. He had a comfort level just like everyone else.

“But it’s like I tell my brother,” Terra said, propping his chin up in his hand as he tapped his pen with the other. “More for you then.”

It was hard not to smile. “That is something I can get behind.”

“Miss Lockheart,” Mr. Highwind’s rough voice boomed in the room. “I do hope that drink of yours is covered.”

“Of course,” Tifa smiled, holding the cup up slightly.

“Alright, let’s get started then. We’re about to start a new section and no, I haven’t graded your tests yet so don’t bother asking. Open your books and let’s get a move on.”

Aqua admittedly did enjoy school and learning, but even chemistry first thing in the morning could be a little much for her. She followed along in the book, listened, took notes, asked questions when she needed to and sometimes she still couldn’t quite follow. Terra on the other hand would spend class occasionally looking up to write notes in his messy handwriting but usually filled his pages with more drawings than anything else.

She knew he paid attention and she knew he was smart as she managed to get him to study with her for the past test during a shared study hall. She just wished she had the ability to listen and absorb like he did.

It was also so distracting to watch him focus on the paper, biting his lower lip every so often as he finished another small drawing; mainly because it was much better than whatever Mr. Highwind was talking about.

“I like that one,” she whispered, reaching over to tap a small portrait of a boy. Aqua didn’t know who he was or if he was anyone, but Terra drew the boy with bright eyes and a toothy grin, hair sticking up all over the place.

Terra didn’t look too surprised when he glanced up at her, maybe he had gotten used to her compliments now. “Yeah? It’s my brother.”

Aqua clicked her tongue. “He’s a cutie.”

“I’m not telling him that,” Terra snorted softly, going back to drawing on the other side of the page.

“And why not?”

He shook his head. “Pretty girl like you telling him he’s cute? It’ll go straight to his head.”

Aqua blinked at Terra, her being the one unsure what to say for once. That was the first time he ever said anything about her looks, and he seemed to realize it too as he quickly looked back up to the board to see where Mr. Highwind was.

She did the same but it was even harder to concentrate now. Did Terra really think she was pretty? Would it mean anything even if he did? She certainly didn’t think she was, well, not compared to some of the girls here. It probably didn’t mean anything, how could it?

Aqua went back to try and take some notes but nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt Terra gently tap her arm. She looked over to see him watching her, pen still in his other hand.

“Can I see your arm?”

She must’ve looked confused because he gave her a smile.

“You always say nice things about, ah, you know, when I draw. I thought I could, well, um, do something for you.” He paused. “Helps me concentrate.”

Aqua wasn’t sure what to say so she just nodded, extending her arm onto the table. He gave her a small smile in thanks and carefully leaned over. She almost jumped again when she felt him put his hand on her arm but it was almost reassuring in a way.

The ballpoint of the pen was cool on her skin, she could almost feel the ink drawing onto her skin. Her mom would probably kill her but Aqua honestly didn’t care, not when she watched Terra’s simple lines turn into beautiful curves of her name. It wasn’t like she never saw her name written before, but not like this, not with such elegant script and not from him. While she was aware he probably knew her name, he never actually said it to her before. Seeing it spelled so gracefully on her made her chest feel a little light.

She thought that would be it when he reached the final curve of the last “a” in her name but he moved his hand about her name, drawing a quick half-moon, moving to some wispy clouds she wasn’t even sure how he could do with a single colored pen but he did. Then there were the stars. He drew them all around, different sizes, different shapes but it was mesmerizing to watch.

Aqua had zero idea what was going on in class, but she could care less.

“You wear them a lot,” he said, voice hushed as he finished another line. “The stars. Your bag, your jewelry so it makes me think of you.”

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed. Not even just the drawing, she never knew he noticed so much about her.

He snorted, like he didn’t quite believe it. “Just doodles.”

“You should be a tattoo artist, you’re really good at this.”

“Yeah, you tell my dad that, please, I’d love to see it.”

“Miss Queen, Mr. Hale,” Mr. Highwind’s voice echoed so much Aqua nearly fell off her stool while Terra looked up, pen slipping from his hand. Mr. Highwind was staring at the both of them, which meant so was most the class now. “Do either of you plan on paying attention at all this period or do you have more important things to discuss? Cause by all means, don’t let me get in the way.”

The snickers started and Aqua felt her face heat up; she could even see Tifa and that glint in her eyes knowing Aqua was never going to be able to live this down.

Mr. Highwind was clearly waiting for an answer but her stomach was sinking so much that she not only got herself called out but Terra too who probably felt more embarrassed than she was.

“No, sir,” he said, his voice surprisingly firm.

“Pay attention, please,” Mr. Highwind said because turning back to the board to continue the lecture.

There was still some giggling but mostly everyone went back to their own books and notes. Aqua risked a look over to Terra who had already let go of her arm.

“Sorry,” he mouthed to her, but still with that half smile of is.

She shook her head to let him know it was fine, but it was also the first time she got to see the drawing he did in full as she brought her arm back towards her. He might’ve just been doodling, but it was beautiful. The fact he picked up on so many nuances about her with just the small conversations they had spoke so much about him as a person.

Aqua looked up to try and tell him how much she loved it but he was already grinning at her, toothy smile that she now knew his brother must’ve gotten from him. There was still so much she wanted to know about Terra, so much she wanted to just be around him and the type of energy he brought. Others might not see it, but she sure as hell did.

She picked up her pen and quickly wrote a few words down before sliding the notebook to him.

Will you eat lunch with us today?

She tried not to bother him and let him do things at his own speed but she just had to try. This was a person she wanted around so much more. He may not know it yet but she did; he was special.

Terra laughed lightly, but he picked up his pen and reached over.

Yes.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, The Both of You

Pairings: Terra/Aqua and mentioned/Implied Cloud/Tifa & Zack/Aerith, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Halloween before New Years from the first chapter; Terra & Aqua are 20 & 19, Ven is 16

Rating: K

Notes: A lot of these came from ideas I already had but this one absolutely came from the quote. I read it and was like oh no this has to get worked in somehow cause I need it. I had already written Cid in so I figured Cloud was around here somewhere too lmao It ended up a lot cuter than I thought it would be too. Also picking out the kids’ Halloween outfits was the highlight of my day lmao

AO3

14. Drive

"If you're gonna throw your life away, he'd better have a motorcycle."

-Lorelai

It wasn’t a huge secret that Aqua loved Halloween. There was just something so very magical about the leaves starting to change colors, the small of fall in the air. The sun setting over the town center and all the haystacks, pumpkins, lanterns, the creepy decorations mixed with the cute ones that lined every store front and all over the green. All the stores stayed open late so the kids could have a safe place to go trick-or-treating, an assortment of all sorts of costumes parading the sidewalks for hours as the kids played and gathered all the candy they could.

She remembered it well. Aqua loved getting dressed up in whatever she chose to be that year and taking the short drive into town with her mom and Terra and his mom to go around to all the stores and play the games the town always had set up for the kids. When Ven was old enough he’d join them too, holding their hands as he tried to keep up between them. She used to be able to get them to get their costumes to match when Terra and Ven were young enough not to care but she found about the time Ven wanted to go out with his friends instead was about the time Terra didn’t want to go at all anymore; which did kind of suck cause he didn’t eat most of his candy and would give it to her. Some people apparently thought Halloween had an age limit, she absolutely did not.

“Trick or treat!” a group of voice exclaimed causing Aqua to look down at the sidewalk and not over the town center like she had been. It was a group of three kids, old enough to be on their own for the night and all looking mighty pleased about it.

She didn’t recognize them even though none of them had their faces covered but that wasn’t too unexpected; most people from surrounding towns came out for the night. “Look at you all,” she said with a smile, pushing herself up from the stool she was sitting on so she could grab a handful of candy from the bowl set up next to her. “Happy Halloween,” she said dropping some candy in each bag with only excited “thank you!”s in response before the kids took off again.

Aqua sat back down with a small sigh. It was starting to slow down; a lot of the kids already in the center of town after their initial go around was done. While sure, at nineteen it was a little old to go treat or treating she still liked dressing up and participating. Once Terra stopped caring about it and working at Cid’s, Aqua always volunteered to sit outside the front of the diner and hand out candy since Cid was the last person who’d want to do it. She didn’t mind one bit and because she knew she was doing him a big favor that Cid wouldn’t care how much candy she bought for the store and how much she ate for herself.

It was a huge win in her opinion she thought as she popped another peanut butter cup in her mouth.

Aqua glanced behind her, looking in the bright windows of the diner. It wasn’t too busy since the dinner rush was already over a little early do to the events outside but there were a few families getting some food. The only other person in sight was Ven, who looked a little comical wiping down the counter dressed in a long red cape, the rest of his costume an assortment of clothes and silver armor he made himself (minus the hammer in one hand since Cid said absolutely not). Of course, it would’ve been nice if Terra had told her he wasn’t working tonight.

She sighed again, though this time a little less from holiday cheer and more for the uneasy knot in her stomach. She pulled her phone out of the short jean jacket she was wearing over her dress and clicked into messages but the last one sent to Terra was the one she sent three hours ago and still hadn’t heard anything from him.

It wasn’t unusual so to speak; sure they talked a lot but not every hour of every day. He had every right to have time to himself but she was only here for the weekend before she had to go back to school. She knew Halloween wasn’t his favorite thing but it would be nice even if he just came to hang out with her.

Aqua reached over to the bowl to grab another piece of chocolate. Whatever, if he didn’t want to enjoy the festivities fine, she was sure going to. She got to eat all the candy she wanted and got to dress up, how could that be a bad night?

She had done it before but she decided to go with a 50’s theme this year. It was overdone maybe, but she found the style to be cute so it was a nice excuse to use it. She dug through thrift stores all over her university town and found a beautiful blue dress with a fitted bodice and a wide skirt that twirled out when she spun around (which, yes, she absolutely did do). It was off the shoulder on both sides so she had to get a jean jacket to wear over it since October wasn’t usually warm enough for that, but with the black headband with a matching bow on top, super fluffy white petticoat, and Mary Janes her mom had from some of Aqua’s performances she was pleased with her costume.

Though, it would be nice if her supposed best friend would actually answer his phone so she could give him all the dark chocolate she was hoarding in her pocket for him. Stupid boy.

“Trick or treat!” That voice made Aqua look up from her phone, considering it wasn’t nearly as young as most the voices she heard that night. “Or well, kinda, we don’t have bags.”

Aqua had to laugh when she saw all of Ven’s friends standing in front of her. They didn’t have bags true, but they all did have costumes, and matching ones at that. It was adorable to say the least, even if it did serve as an ever reminder that her friend didn’t want to have anything to do with tonight. “I assume you’re here for Ven?”

“Yep,” Sora nodded, though one of his hands was already reaching into the candy bowl. Someone, presumably Kairi, had drawn an eyeliner goatee and mustache onto his baby face, making him look a little ridiculous.

Roxas was nearby, shoving his very patriotic shield at his brother until Sora passed the blond some of the candy.

“Personality wise, I’m pretty sure you two have the wrong costumes on,” Aqua snorted.

“Yeah, but Rox has the hair, so…” Lea dropped his hand onto Roxas’s head, ruffling his hair for effect. It kind of looked like they just wrapped Lea’s arm in duct tape but someone did convince him to wear his hair down, as opposed to pulled back like usual.

“And cause no one can put up with you like Roxas can,” Xion said from Lea’s other side. She still had her short hair down but otherwise dressed in dark blacks and greens, probably to match Ven’s godly attire.

“That’s true,” Sora said, though his mouth was still full of chocolate as Kairi was trying to get him away from the bowl. She was also dressed in almost all black just a little silver and red to bring out her red hair that was pretty telling to who she was supposed to be; and there weren’t that many female characters on the team to begin with.

“No one asked you, idiot,” Lea rolled his eyes, Roxas taking to hit Lea with the shield instead to get him to get his elbow off Roxas’ head.

Both Riku and Namine were hanging at the back the group, as per usual. Riku looked a mix of amused and annoyed as Sora had taken to trying to shove some of the candy in Kairi’s mouth while she laughed and tried to get away. Riku was dressed probably the most plainly in just a purple button up and black slacks though, the annoyance probably came from when the others clearly implied who they thought Riku was most fitting for.

Namine was always quiet as she was the newest member to the gang, only having lived here for a few weeks now but Aqua was happy to see her fitting in wearing a black dress and long red jacket to match the rest of the group. It couldn’t be easy to move somewhere that everyone your age has known each other since they were babies and still feely okay to fit in, especially someone as shy as Namine seemed to be. Aqua was happy it was her kids that were making Namine feel at home in her new town.

“Alright,” Ven said as the door next to Aqua swung open, cape swishing as he struck some dramatic pose. “I am here.”

Kairi and Sora were still fighting over candy, Lea was blocking Roxas’ hands with his shield Lea somehow got a hold of while Xion laughed in response.

“It’s gonna be a night,” Riku said.

Sora didn’t seem to take too kindly to that, swinging his other arm around Riku’s neck. “I think you mean a very good night.”

“I meant what I said.” The silver haired boy at least was kind of smiling now.

“Alright go on, you’re hogging the store front,” Aqua said with a laugh, noting Sora’s hand reaching back for the bowl. “And the candy, get on now.”

“You’ll be okay?” Ven asked, walking backwards down the sidewalk as his team had already started walking, a few turning to wave back to Aqua.

“I’m fine here,” she said waving. “Have a good time at the party.”

Ven gave her a smile and wave before turning to jog after his friends, hammer coming down to tap at Xion’s head. It seemed all too fast their laughter was gone.

Aqua sighed as she looked back down at her phone in her lap. Still nothing. The street was pretty empty now, just the people in the center of town having a good time, the teenagers off at whoever was hosting a Halloween party, and Aqua here, reaching for another peanut butter cup.

Maybe she should just call him, tell him to come keep her company but he could also be sleeping and she didn’t want to bother him at all. She reached for the bowl of candy yet again.

It wasn’t exactly quiet out, music was playing people were laughing and shouting, some kids flat out screaming but even then Aqua could still feel the sudden sound of a heavy engine pulling into town. Most of the roads were covered with people and kids wandering around but if you went slow enough you could get through; Sherriff Auburn and a few other officers were on duty to help with traffic should they need it so Aqua didn’t pay too much mind.

Well, until she could see it wasn’t a car but a sleek black and very familiar motorcycle. The driver was going relatively slow, the engine noise pretty calm but honestly it was never that bad considering she knew that bike like everyone in town knew it. It was a little weird though; Cloud hated social events even more than Terra did so she had no idea why the blond would be showing himself around now. He could’ve just been going home but he didn’t need to go through town for that, nor did he have a passenger which meant Tifa wasn’t dragging him somewhere.

Aqua supposed it wasn’t any of her business anyways. She liked Cloud but he was a little older than even Terra was so it’s not like she spent massive amount of time with Cloud or his friends, outside of the occasional party. Terra would actually go to those, surprisingly enough; he always liked Zack and since he had been taking to hanging out with Aerith and in turn Cloud and Tifa, Aqua did find herself around them every now and then.

But not enough for Aqua to try and not choke on her candy when the bike stopped in the street in front of her. He turned off the engine as she tried to stop choking, propping the bike up before swinging his leg over to step up onto the sidewalk. She supposed he could just be here to pick up something from Cid’s but there was something a little off.

Despite knowing Cloud’s bike, she was pretty sure that wasn’t him. Okay, she didn’t make a habit of staring at him, but he was a fairly slender guy even with working at his dad’s auto shop since he was a kid. Those shoulders weren’t Cloud, nor were the arms, or the beat leather jacket, or the brown hair when he pulled off the helmet.

Aqua promptly inhaled the rest of her candy causing her to cough when she saw Terra looking back at her.

“How many times have I told you not to eat those so fast,” he said as he walked over, helmet under his arm as he reached his other hand out to her.

She promptly swatted him away, still coughing but now she was more mad than surprised. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Aqua managed to get out.

Terra, on the other hand, looked more amused than anything. “I’m coming to get you, what else would I be doing?”

She took a breath, finally being able to but it absolutely didn’t make the situation better; even if he was still leaning over her slightly making it hard not to glance down at the tight white shirt under his jacket. “I meant on the bike, you idiot. You don’t know how to drive that.”

“Obviously I do, I just brought it here didn’t I?”

Aqua could only blink at him. “Is that why you were ignoring me?”

“I was not ignoring you,” he said, straightening himself up but still watching her. “I was trying to find something to wear.”

It was a little unusual attire. Maybe not so much the shirt and pants but the leather jacket was misplaced, even if it was for the bike. “Why?” she asked.

“Zack invited us to go to a Halloween party and I know you love that kinda stuff,” Terra shrugged like it was the most obvious answer in the world but her heart was in her throat.

“You never told me.”

“Yeah,” he snorted, reaching his hand out to push at her chin lightly. “That was the point. He asked me last week or so and by then you had already been sending me pictures of what you were planning to wear tonight so I figured why not.” Terra gestured vaguely to himself. “Matches right?”

Aqua was still in such a state of surprise she nearly tripped over her feet as she stood up from the stool. His attire did make a little more sense in that context; usually he’d still be in a t-shirt and shorts even this late in the year. She did try to ignore the fact he actually wore something on Halloween with the specific intention of matching hers but her stomach felt light at the thought.

“You did this for me?”

“Yeah,” he said like it was no big deal at all. “Course.”

She reached her hands out to adjust the front of his jacket, the leather old and worn in her hands. “Where did you even get this thing?”

“It’s my dad’s,” Terra said.

Aqua blinked up at him. “Like your actual dad?”

“Yeah,” Terra said, rolling his eyes. “Can you imagine Paul wearing this? I’m pretty sure the only colors in his closet are tan and plaid. No, it was in the garage in a bunch of bags Mom’s been meaning to toss for ages. I figured the least the man could do after walking out on us ages ago.”

She ran her hands down the material a little bit before letting go. She knew she had known Terra’s biological dad but she was a baby at the time and only knew what he looked like from the few pictures that were still around. They did look alike as Terra had gotten older, similar facial structure and build, something she knew used to bother him. He used to be jealous of Ven who looked so much like their mom, making Aqua remind Terra that all three of them not only shared the same eyes and smile, but also the same big heart which set Terra apart from his father. That always seemed to make him feel better; at least back then, he was better with it now.

“It looks good on you,” she said. It was true, it fit him well, not too big or too small though she highly doubted he’d start wearing jackets any time soon.

“Well, thanks, but are we going or not?” He walked backwards a little bit, back towards the bike.

Aqua blinked at him. She had completely forgotten the party and his chosen ride for the night. “Wait, you mean like you want me to come with you on that?”

“That’s why it’s here,” he said, smile looking way too amused for his own good.

“I’m not getting on that with you.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Don’t trust me?”

Aqua crossed her arms against her chest. “I trust you plenty, Terra, but I didn’t even know you knew how to ride a motorcycle until five minutes ago.”

“It’s pretty boring around here with you gone,” he said, leaning over to a side bag. “I had nothing better to do so I asked Cloud if he’d show me, easy as that.”

There was no one in the world she trusted more than Terra and she knew he’d never put her in a situation that was dangerous. Still she didn’t even know if she’d go with Cloud who had been driving that thing since before he could legally drive.

“C’mon,” Terra said, pulling out a second helmet, presumably Tifa’s. “Do you honestly think Cloud would let me use his bike if he didn’t think it was okay?”

That was actually a very fair point. She bit down on her lower lip. “Fine.”

“Is that a ‘I’m only doing this because I never say no to Terra’? or a ‘I’m actually okay with this and it’ll be fun’?” He had dropped his helmet onto the bike, holding the smaller one in his hands towards her.

It was admittedly different and she wasn’t sure if the knots him her stomach were nerves or anticipation but even when she was unsure of herself, she knew she could always trust him. “It’ll be fun.”

Terra took a few steps forward carefully placing the helmet down on her head. It was a little tight and felt odd to breathe but otherwise it was okay. She watched him as he glanced over her shoulder, giving a wave to probably Cid who must’ve known Terra was going to take her from her candy post. He moved back to the bike, kicking a leg over so he could sit down and balance the bike with both his feet on the ground. He gestured for her to come over.

Aqua was pretty glad she decided to wear shorts under her dress for warmth. She walked across the sidewalk and carefully moved to sit down behind him. Her skirt was a little too fluffy and she couldn’t reach the ground at all but the bike was steady under Terra’s control.

“Kick your feet up there,” he said, turning slightly to gesture where she should keep her legs. “We don’t have to go very far, alright?”

She nodded as she did what she was told. It did seem a little better now that she was sitting so close to him, his familiar warmth bringing her the usual comfort, enough to ease her nerves. Aqua reached her arms around him, leaning in so her head was over his shoulder as he put his helmet back on. He smelt a little like leather and oil but it was still unique to him, and not unwelcome.

The bike roared to life underneath her, the vibrations making her legs feel a little like jelly. Terra leaned his head against hers lightly, asking if she was ready. She tightened her grip on him a little but nodded back.

It was slow at first, different, but not too bad. When they got past the crowds of people and the town, the speed picked up, the familiar location blurring by as the wind whipped around her. Her breath was in her throat at the sudden surge of adrenaline but it still wasn’t bad. It was smoother than she expected, not nearly as frightening as she thought it could be. Of course, part of that was she was pressed up against Terra’s back, her hands clenched together around his stomach as he drove, an endless comfort even in a new situation. She risked looking around a little bit, the air kinda chilly but everything else was warm.  

She couldn’t hear him because of the wind but she could feel him laugh a little, like she was gonna get a big “I told you so” when they were done. Whatever. She could take it. Aqua propped her chin up on his shoulder, closing her eyes for just a moment. This was a lot better than sitting eating candy alone all night.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Pairings: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: The summer after Aqua’s first year in college; Terra and Aqua are 20 & 19 and Ven is 15

Rating:  T (Sexual situations and Language)

Notes: SO THIS IS THE ONE I ACCIDENTALLY EMAILED TO THE WRONG EMAIL AT WORK AND THEY ACTUALLY READ SOME OF IT END ME NOW. TBF it wasn’t any of the nsfw stuff lmao it was all the bits in Terra’s room that were just them talking and after they leave the room before they get in the car and even then just the sfw stuff that’s all. But still my heart my never recover cause YIKES. Now you guys get to have the full story in all its lovely context haha  

AO3

13. Heat

“It's always best to tell each other major life events, so there's no awkwardness."

-Emily

It was the dead of summer and Aqua could absolutely feel it. It was an old town and very few buildings had any sort of central air, usually it was just an air conditioner propped up in a window. Terra’s house was very much included; his fan was vibrating on his desk, more so blowing humidity around than anything else. It wasn’t cool in here, in fact it was probably worse considering the window was open but his door was closed.

Aqua could’ve honestly cared less though.

Terra’s hands were hot on her back, fingers pressed into her skin as he laid on his side on his bed. Her hands were busy tangled up in his hair, lips against his. The room was already warm let alone wrapped up in his arms, but even though she could feel the sheen of sweat over her body, she couldn’t pry herself away.

He moved his lips to trail along her jaw, one of her hands dropping to his shoulder. She wasn’t sure where his shirt had gone, or if he had been even wearing before they found themselves tangled up on his bed. He had tossed hers somewhere but she couldn’t care to recall where. A small cry fell from her mouth when he kissed down her neck, stopping right before her shoulder. Her fingers curled into his hair, hips pressing up towards his as heat swirled in the pit of her stomach.

Terra dropped a hand to thigh, fingers running up her skin till he reached the hem of her shorts. He moved his lips back up to her jaw, his hand reaching around to grasp her ass. Aqua kicked her leg over his hips, pulling herself even closer to him. He leaned his forehead against hers as he groaned, eyes fluttering shut.

It was humid, and hot and she was probably sweaty but she was aching, every touch just making it worse. Aqua tilted her head up to kiss him, running her fingers through his hair to the base of his neck. He groaned again, hand keeping her close as he rolled his hips into hers. She gasped against him, lips pulling away just slightly, at feeling his arousal so close to where she wanted him. Close, but not enough.

Aqua placed her other hand on his chest but before he could even question it, she pushed her weight against him till he was on his back. She sat up, legs on either side of his hips. Terra pushed himself onto his elbows, giving her a slight grin as his eyes trailed up her body.

“Every time,” he breathed.

“Are you complaining?” Aqua reached a hand around her back, popping the latch on her bra.

“No, God, no.” He was already sitting up by the time she tossed her bra over the edge of the bed, wrapping his arms around her.

She couldn’t stop her smile when he kissed her; quick, egar kisses that made her hands reach up for his thick hair once again. Her sensitive skin pressed up against his chest only had her pulling herself as close as she could. Fingers curled against his head when he pushed his hips to hers again. He trailed his hand down her back, sending chills through her body.

Aqua dropped her hands to his waist, trying to pop the button of his jeans but it was admittedly a little hard to do so when Terra started kissing down her neck again. Her fingers slipped when he nipped at her skin. “You’re distracting me,” she murmured, though she managed to get the button undone, tugging at the zipper.

He breathed in sharply when her hand brushed over him. “Yeah, I am.” He swatted her hands away from him so he could undo her shorts, slipping his other hand down the back.

“Terra,” she laughed lightly when he grabbed at her ass.

“Not my fault.” He leaned in to kiss her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him pull her flush against him. It still wasn’t close enough.

She rolled her hips against him, his other hand dropping to the back of her thigh, holding her tightly as he pushed himself back into her. “Terra,” she groaned. “Please.”

The door swung open so sharply it nearly made Aqua jump out of her skin.

“Terra,” Ven whined. “Can we please go get ice-” He paused as he stepped into the room, blinking.

“Jesus Christ, Ventus.” Terra at least recovered better than Aqua did as he moved his hands to her back, using his arms to block her chest as she could only stare in a terrible sort of horror at the boy who was like her little brother. “Don’t you fucking know how to knock?”

She knew she should grab a blanket or a shirt or something but her stomach was in her throat, paralyzed with a mix of surprise and embarrassment.

Ven slapped his hands over his eyes. “Can’t you lock your damn door? Seriously! That’s what it’s there for!”

“Godammit, Ven, don’t just stand there. Leave!”

“Leave a sign next time or just I don’t know, say something so I, you know, don’t get this mental image stuck in my head forever.”

“I’m not telling you when I want to be alone with my girlfriend. Just for fucks sake, go, please.”

“Christ, believe me, I want to.” Ven quickly turned and managed to get with his eyes still covered; though he did shut the door with way more force than he needed to.

They sat there for a second, the sound of Ven’s footsteps down the hall. Terra sighed, dropping his forehead onto her shoulder. She ran her finger lightly over the hair near the base of his neck trying to remember how breathe, and not be semi-horrified.

It was actually surprising it had never happened before. She was always allowed in Terra’s room, from being kids into teenagers and now; her parents were always a little stricter on the matter whenever he was over her house but his parents never really minded. When they started to hit the years where the difference between genders became more apparent, his parents would have him keep the door open but they grew lax with that rule the older Terra got. It wasn’t unusual for her and Terra to hang out behind closed doors, especially if it was late at night and they were trying to keep their voices from waking up the rest of the house. It was apparently so common Ven had forgotten the nature of her and Terra’s relationship had changed.

Terra looked up at her, huffing a little bit, breath blowing at some of his bangs. She reached a hand up to brush the stray hair from his face, though some of his hair was already sticking to his forehead from the heat. They might not’ve been helping matters in that regard either.

“I suppose we should take the kid to get ice cream,” he said, rolling his eyes but Aqua knew the look on his face. He felt bad.

“Okay,” Aqua nodded.

He leaned in to press a quick kiss to her lips before carefully sliding her off his lap so he could untangle himself and stand up. He shifted a little, trying to redo the parts of his jeans Aqua managed to get undone. Seh sat back down, eying his floor for her own discarded clothes.

She knew it was an unusual change for Ven. Even though he was well aware of it happening and was always supportive of them and their relationship there was never really a time Ven couldn’t just walk in even closed doors. He was never barred from hanging out with either Terra or Aqua, unless he just didn’t want his little brother hanging around.  It was never for anything particularly private or something Ven himself probably wouldn’t want to walk in on. It was probably more out of habit for him to open closed doors without thinking what could be going on behind them.

Terra tossed her shirt up on the bed, “Found it,” he snorted, grabbing a tank top off his floor to throw on.

“Thanks,” she said, leaning back to button and zip her shorts back up before reaching over the side of the bed for her bra.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, grabbing what were probably his keys off the dresser.

Aqua shrugged as she hooked her bra back on to be able to pull her t-shirt back on her head. “Same thing that’s bothering you.”

He reached up to run a hand through his hair. “I guess I forgot he probably wouldn’t think about it.”

“He’s never really had to before.” Not just in regards to her, but Terra never really had girlfriends he’d bring home, it never usually lasted long enough to get that far. The only girl who ever spent a significant time in his house that wasn’t one of Ven’s friends was Aqua, which he was used to.

He leaned forward, tilting her chin up with his finger. “I’ll try and talk to him, okay?  It’ll be fine. I think.”

A smile pulled at her lips. Terra wasn’t especially great at confronting anyone but she knew he’d do anything if it was Ven’s happiness that was at stake. “Okay,” she said.

Terra held out a hand to help her up off the bed. She followed him out of his room, down the familiar hallway and stairwell. His parents weren’t home at all, both at work since it was a weekday; which only served as a reminder that there were worse things that could’ve happened than just Ven.

“Hey,” Terra called out when he hit the bottom step. “Where’re you at, kiddo?”

Ven’s head popped up from the couch where he had clearly been laying down. His phone was still in his hands but he looked a little more confused than anything else. “Here, why?”

“Let’s get your ice cream,” Terra said, gesturing towards the door.

“Wait, I mean, we don’t have to go right now.”

Aqua was trailing behind Terra a little, the first time she could ever remember she wasn’t sure what to say to Ven. She very well knew he wasn’t a child anymore, that he understood but at the same time she hated feeling like he’d be upset in any way by her and Terra’s newer aspects to their relationship. “It’s fine, it’s really hot out,” she said with a smile, urging him on.

Ven opened his mouth, but quickly shut it, pushing himself off the couch. He followed Aqua and Terra out of the house and locked the door behind them but by the time they all got in the car, no one really seemed to know what to say. It was a strange sort of silence, one Aqua wasn’t even really sure she felt ever hanging out with either boys.

All three of them were always close despite the age gap Ven had with them. She didn’t like it at all but as Terra stared out at the road and Ven had his eyes down on his phone, she didn’t know how to bring up the subject without making it worse. Granted, she wasn’t sure if that was possible.

She reached her hand over to nudge Terra in the arm. He was the one who said he’d say something; it was better now than sitting in the Gainsboroughs’ candy shop.

He rolled his head over to give her an “I know, I know” look, but he was hesitating. Aqua didn’t want to force him, but at the same time it wasn’t going to get better if someone didn’t say something.

“Ah, hey, Ven?” Terra said, eyes glancing up at the rearview mirror.

“Hmm?”

“I’m sorry about earlier.”

“Oh,” Ven said. “It’s fine.”

Aqua turned her head to the backseat but he looked as unconcerned as he sounded. “It doesn’t seem like it would be something that’s just fine.”

Ven snorted, leaning his head against the headrest. “Okay, I mean….ah, this is a little weird to talk about.”

“You’re telling me,” Terra sighed. “But still, I knew you weren’t aware so I’m sorry for yelling. You just kinda caught me off guard.”

“Well, I mean I wouldn’t say I wasn’t aware, not that second obviously. I honestly should’ve knocked though you were right. It’s not like I didn’t know.”

Aqua blinked at him. “Know what?”

“That you guys were sleeping together.”

Terra choked a little though Aqua could only stare. Ven was fifteen it’s not like he was a small child but still he always kind of was a baby to her and hearing him say it like that just…how did time pass so quickly?

“Excuse me?” Terra asked when he seemed to be able to talk again.

“Okay, okay,” Ven said, holding his hands up. “I didn’t know but I assumed in the least. Am I wrong?”

“No,” Terra said slowly.

“Which is why I know I should’ve knocked but I guess old habits die hard. No offense but I hope they die fast. I love you both but I’d rather let you know, let you have your time alone.”

Aqua bit down on her lip. Ven didn’t seem upset in the least, well, after the initial shock of it but she was. As beyond happy she was to be with Terra and share those kind of moments with him, she was also well aware of the ever growing shift in the relationship between the three of them.

“This doesn’t change anything with you, Ven, or how we feel about you. I just…” she paused for a second. “I know it’s different now, that there are times when it’s just us or doors that probably shouldn’t be just swung open but that doesn’t mean it’s any less of the three of us. Did that make any sense?” Aqua looked over to Terra. “I feel like that didn’t make any sense.”

“No, I mean, I know what you mean,” Ven said, fingers fiddling with each other. “I know it’s not the same as it used to be and it’s okay, really. I know how you guys feel about each other, I’d rather it be this way. I know it change some things sure, but you’re both stuck with me as a little brother still.”

She had to smile at his words and even Terra seemed to breathe a sigh of relief next to her. “When did you get so mature, Ven?”

He leaned himself back against the seat giving her a wide grin. “About the time you started getting embarrassed to see Terra without a shirt on.”

Aqua rolled her eyes but the awkward air that had been hanging in the car finally seemed to lift. She turned back around to see the town just up a head.

“So we’re all good?” Terra asked, eyes in the rearview window.

“Yeah, course. Just as long as…” Ven paused as he reached his foot up to the back of Terra’s seat to kick it some. “You lock your damn door next time.”

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” Terra snorted as he drove into town, finding a usual spot to park the car so they could make the short walk to the candy shop; one they had done countless times together.

Aqua stepped out onto the sidewalk, stretching her arms over her head as the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach was finally going away. She was more relieved than anything that Ven knew while things had changed their feelings towards him and towards the three of them did not change. Also that it was Ven who opened the door and not one of Terra’s parents because that had the potential to be more awkward and embarrassing.  She cringed just thinking about it.

Ven jumped up on the sidewalk behind her, Terra not too far behind. “You know, you guys can just tell me next time. I’ll, y’know, leave you alone.”

Terra swung his arm around Ven’s shoulders, tugging his head down some. “I’m not giving you a code word.”

“Why not?” he snorted, trying to get away as Terra led him to where Aqua was walking. “Mom and Dad will never have to know.”

“Oh, they’re never gonna know in the first place, isn’t that right?”

Ven was silent for a second but Terra must’ve pushed down on Ven a little because he was suddenly laughing. “Okay, okay.”

Terra let go of Ven, who quickly pushed his brother back but neither looked particularly concerned.

“Ice cream is on me,” he said, scrambling forward to hold the door open for Aqua and Terra as a wicked grin crossed his lips. “As congratulations.”

Terra reached over to hit at the back of Ven’s head, ushering the now near hysterical boy into the parlor. He put his hands on Ven’s shoulders, leaning in some. “I swear I may actually kill you this time, Ventus.”

He wasn’t concerned as he was still laughing so hard he could barely breathe and Aqua wasn’t sure why she had been so concerned in the first place either.  Ven was trying to mouth that he was sorry to Aqua but he couldn’t get the words out before Terra had an arm around Ven’s neck again. Terra was unable to quite bite back his own smile as he reached to ruffle Ven’s hair.

Aqua shook her head, trying to hold back her own snort of laughter. Honestly, some things would never change.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Additional Pairings: N/A

Setting: High School Prom time; Terra & Aqua are 19 & 18

Rating: K

Notes: Can’t have a small town school without a high obsession with school activities, and prom is always a good one haha I wanted to do this because it would’ve been easy to get them together here but they’re still afraid of their feelings so it was interesting to write them being so close but not quite there. Also fun fact, I only went to my senior prom too only we couldn’t call it a prom because we weren’t allowed to dance like a real life Footloose LMAO

AO3

11. Dance

“I’m not gonna go to the prom with him, uh uh. I’m going with Dave because we rock together, Mama. The charade is over.”

-Lane

Aqua was absolutely not going to ask Terra. There was absolutely no way. Nope, she wasn’t going to. She should really just stop thinking of it all together because it was completely pointless. She should absolutely stop thinking about it. It was never going to happen, not in a million years.

She slammed her locker door shut a little too hard, making the person next to her jump. Aqua mumbled a quick sorry before turning to the busy hallway with all the students trying to get out of this building and get out into the warm spring air. She wanted nothing more than to do the same but the banner over the front doors made her stop as she stared up at the pastel lettering, the dates telling her prom was coming in only a week. Like she didn’t already know, Aqua had only been dreading it for months now.

Someone brushed by her, nearly knocking her book out of her hand and reminding her she was kind of in the middle of the hallway. She swallowed hard, trying to ease the knots in her stomach but it didn’t help; not even the fresh air once she stepped outside seemed to help. The sun was out, it was warm, it smelt like that ever familiar smell of spring but Aqua couldn’t find it in her to let it lift her spirits.

She scanned the street lined with cars, looking for the one she knew well. Okay, admittedly she felt a little better when she saw Terra sitting on the hood of his car; he was facing the steps of the school but had his head down as he scrolled on his phone. Aqua took a few steps with every intention to not stop till she was in front of him but her name being called behind her made her turn her head. She saw one of boys from her English class waving at her as he headed towards where she was.

Aqua felt a little bad she couldn’t quite place his name even though she saw him every morning but she still stopped as he came over. He was wearing a letterman jacket and she thought maybe he was on the football team but it honestly didn’t help her remember his name at all. That wasn’t like her, but her mind admittedly was elsewhere.

She looked over her shoulder but Terra hadn’t seemed to notice she wasn’t there yet.

“Hey,” the guy said with a smile when he stopped in front of her.

“Hello,” Aqua said in return, giving a warm smile of her own. She was a little better conversing with people she didn’t know very well than Terra was, who usually didn’t care for it much, but really she just wanted to leave school and the reminder that she wasn’t going to have a date for her senior prom; well, not the date she wanted. “What’s up?”

“Sorry to shout at you,” the guy said, reaching a hand up to the back of his neck. “I just wanted to catch you before you left.”

“Oh, it’s fine.” Aqua waved it off. “Is there something I could help you with?”

“I just wanted to ask you something if that was okay?” He was still smiling politely, but he looked a little nervous, body weight shifting as he scratched at his neck.

Oh no. Aqua probably should’ve seen it coming as it wasn’t the first time in the past few weeks but it always made her feel bad. “Of course,” she said instead, trying not to let her smile falter.

“Did you have a date for prom?”

She felt her stomach sink at the impending answer she’d have to give. It was no of course, but saying no meant she was opening up herself to be asked to go with him. Yet saying, “No, but it’s only because I really want to ask my best friend who hates prom and doesn’t know how I feel about him so I’m never going to ask” didn’t exactly sound sane.

“No, I don’t,” she settled on because it was the truth.

The guy looked a little relieved but nervous considering he still had to ask. Aqua braced herself to give the carefully recited answer she gave the others who asked.

“Would you maybe wanna go with me?”

“Oh,” she said, trying to act like she was surprised. “I’m so sorry, I’m not actually sure I can make it so I wouldn’t want to have to bail last minute on you or anything. I’m really flattered you thought of me though.”

The guy blinked at her. “You’re not sure you’re going to Senior Prom?”

Yeah, I guess it was a little weird here; everyone harassed Terra to no end when he skipped both of his. “Ah, yeah,” Aqua reached up to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. Almost on habit, she glanced over her shoulder at Terra’s car but this time he was watching her probably wondering what was taking so long. “I might have a dance recital, but, um, my ride’s here so I have to go.”

The guy followed her eyes before looking back to her. “Huh, well, alright then.”

“I’m sorry,” Aqua said again but he just held up his hands, giving her a smile as he backed away.

“It’s fine, hope I still see you there.”

“Yeah, me too.” Though the moment he was out of sight, Aqua quickly hurried down the rest of the stairs and across the grass to where Terra was still sitting.

“Hey,” he said when she got close enough.

“Hey,” she waved slightly. She hadn’t even realized her heart was racing until she had a moment to breathe but it was already starting to ease up just being near him.

Terra jumped off the hood, pulling the handle on the passenger door for her. “How was school?”

“Usual,” she shrugged, sitting down and shutting the door while he walked over to the driver’s side. “Trying not to fall asleep in class, beating everyone else in gym, eating terrible food.”

He snorted as he turned on the car, putting it in the right gear while he pulled out into the street. She rolled down the window a little, just to get more of the fresh air. Aqua was already feeling better, mind starting to forget everything that had been plaguing her before.

“So what did Mr. Football want?”

Oh, well there went her feelings of ease. It’s not like she ever hid anything from Terra, especially if he straight asked her about it but at the same time it was kind of weird to tell the guy you had a crush on when other guys asked you out and then inevitably have to say why you said no. It was complicated.

“Oh, nothing,” she said. “Are we getting Ven today?”

“Yes,” Terra said, though he glanced over at her. “It didn’t seem like nothing.”

“Were you spying on me?” She turned her head to give him a teasing smile more for her sake than his.

“Why would I spy on you?” He rolled his eyes. “I was waiting for you and you stick out in a crowd so it was easy to see.”

Aqua supposed she didn’t have to say. She knew Terra well enough to know if she made another excuse he wouldn’t push it any further but she also thought it was stupid she was contemplating keeping something so silly from him. “He was just asking me to prom.”

Terra arched his eyebrows up. “Did you say yes then?”

“No,” she shook her head. “I’m not sure I’m going.”

“What’re you talking about?” he laughed, which caught her a little off guard. He slowed down for the upcoming red light but Aqua couldn’t quite stop staring at him for his reaction.

“What? It’s not that big of a deal. You didn’t go.”

“Yeah, but that’s me, Aqua.” He turned to look at her when the car was stopped. “You were heartbroken you had to miss it last year, now you’re telling me you’re gonna miss your last chance to go? I’m not buying it.”

She shrugged, even though he wasn’t really wrong. She couldn’t go last year because of a dance recital and she had been really upset over it, this year she knew there wouldn’t be anything else (despite what she said) but she still was having a hard time wanting to go. How could it be fun when the person she’d want to be there with her would never want to go? Took the glamour out of the night.

“Maybe I just changed my mind,” she said.

Terra still didn’t look like he was buying it. “A night to dress up and go to a fancy banquet hall? Nah, that doesn’t sound like anything you’d ever like.”

She reached over to hit his arm when he started to laugh but she wasn’t actually mad. Well, not at him at least.

The light changed and the car started to move again, the middle school already in sight.

“Clearly it’s not for lack of a date either,” he said though he was back looking at the road. “Why didn’t you say yes?”

The obvious answer was because the guy wasn’t Terra, but she couldn’t quite say that or do anything about it. “I’m not sure,” she said instead. “Do you think I should go?”

“Yeah, sure, if you want to,” he shrugged. “Don’t see why not.”

Part of her wanted to cry that he was talking about her going to prom with other guys so casually, but another part of her thought maybe he was right. Maybe she should just give up and give in. She had a crush on him since they were kids, but clearly he’d never feel the same and sometimes she was just tired of feeling so hopelessly in love with someone who didn’t share those feelings back. Maybe she should just go with someone else and have a good night, the night she dreamed about all through middle school.

Terra parked the car outside the middle school, waiting for the mass of small children to come running out.

The problem was whenever she dreamed about going to prom it was always with him, or even just him being there too. As much as she knew she could probably go on and have a good time without him, that wasn’t the point. She wanted Terra to be there with her, as stupid as it was. She knew that would be the turning point from a good night to a great night. Aqua wanted to see him roll his eyes at the cheesy decorations, to be able to sit with him, laugh, eat dinner, and she just wanted one dance. That’s all she really wanted, was that so wrong?

Honestly, maybe it wasn’t.

Aqua turned to see him already watching her. She had to do it now or she knew she never would. Deep breath, it was a simple question. “Will you come with me?”

He blinked at her. “Will I come where?”

“To prom, will you come to my prom with me?”

There the words were said, though the silence in the car wasn’t exactly reassuring as he just stared at her like he wasn’t sure what to say. Aqua started to feel panic rise up into her throat.

“I mean, people take friends all the time right?” she quickly amended, holding her hands up slightly. “I know you don’t really like it or anything, so don’t feel forced. I just thought it would be more fun than just-”

“Aqua, Aqua,” he said as he reached a hand to her chin, making her look over at him.

The school bell rang somewhere in the distance.

Terra didn’t look upset at least, more amused than anything. He pushed at her chin lightly, dropping his hand onto the center console. “Of course, dummy.”

Now it was her turn to be surprised. “Wait, really? But you hate proms.”

“I mean, hate is a strong word.” He leaned back into his seat, running a hand through his hair. “Not really my scene sure, but if you want me to go with you of course I will.”

Aqua kind of couldn’t believe this was actually happening. Had it always been that easy? “Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t say yes if I wasn’t sure.” The first trail of kids started to come through the front doors but Aqua could only look over at Terra. “C’mon, how long have we been friends? If you don’t know by now that I’d do anything for you I’m not sure what to tell you.”

The worry and panic in her chest dissolved into the warmest feeling she thought she could ever feel. It made the pit of her stomach feel light, and cause a smile to pull at her lips. It must’ve been a fairly large smile as she saw Terra’s lips twitch upwards too.

“Thank you, I really mean it.”

“It’s nothing,” he shrugged. “Just tell me what color your dress is.”

She blinked at him. “Wait, why?”

“The flowers.” Terra arched an eyebrow at her. “And so I can get something to match.”

Aqua slapped a hand over her mouth as a new sort of panic started to go through her. “I don’t have a dress.”

Terra rolled his head back against the seat as he laughed.

“It’s not funny!” She reached over to hit him in the arm multiple times but that only seemed to make him laugh more.

“You didn’t think this through did you?”

Aqua stopped, but she was still leaning over the center console into him. He looked pretty okay with this whole thing, the way his eyes were shinning, the dimples on his cheeks from his smile. It was far better than she expected whenever she thought of asking him. Maybe he really was okay with going with her. “Not really, no.”

Terra reached his hands up to her face and Aqua couldn’t breathe. “It’s okay,” he said, watching her. “Just tell me when you get it, okay?”

His hands were so familiar and his presence so comforting, like none of her stupid fears were valid at all. Still, she could only nod in response, making no effort to move, but neither did he really.

The backseat door swung open and almost on instinct Aqua leaned herself back into her seat. Terra was still watching her but didn’t say anything.

“Oh man, is it Friday yet?” Ven groaned as he climbed into the back, throwing his backpack on the floor.

“It’s only Wednesday, buddy.” Terra started the car back up.

“Don’t tell me that.”

Aqua turned to ask Ven how his day was but she noticed two more heads of hair clambering in after him. Terra noticed too as he turned around.

“Oh no, I’m not a taxi service, you two can walk.”

“Terra,” Sora whined, leaning back against the center seat. “It’s too far.”

“You live around the corner from the school.”

“Then you should have no problem driving us there,” Roxas said, poking his head up behind Aqua’s seat.

“He gives a fair point,” she said, reaching back to ruffle at the blond’s hair.

“Whose side are you on?” Terra snorted, but started backing up the car like he was ever gonna do anything but drive the twins home. “Roxas, sit back, and you and Sora both put your seatbelts on or we’re not going anywhere.”

“Please, Terra,” Ven said while the other boys did as they were told. “You don’t even have to ask. Aqua is always on your side.”

It was a fairly innocent comment from a thirteen year old little brother but at the same time it made heat rise to her face. Terra on the other hand didn’t seem to mind as much.

“I know,” he said, looking at Ven in the rearview mirror as Terra started to drive through the parking lot. “Jealous?”

Ven reached a foot up to kick at Terra’s chair a few times  but when Sora started launching into a recap of the day with Roxas cutting in to give his own commentary, everything else was mostly forgotten. Except by Aqua who was still having a hard time wrapping her head around that fact that she was going to go to her prom, with Terra, and now she really had to find a dress.

While, yes, Aqua very much did love dressing up and going to fancy dances, she honestly didn’t know why Terra was so against going to his. The decorations were actually really pretty; the rustic banquet hall a few towns away from their home was decorated with candles, lanterns, ribbons draped over the wooden beams of the ceiling. All the tables had flowers of purples, blues, and ivories, the décor looking like it came from antique country homes. Then there were the gardens with arches and even a barn to take photos in, it was actually breath taking.

Though to be fair, Terra had given her zero resistance the whole night. Even though she already set the pretense they were going as friends to him and to every single person who gave her that stupid look the moment she told them who she was going with, Terra still came to pick her up and dealt with her parents wanting to take pictures. He even brought her a corsage even though he had previously mentioned he thought the traditions were silly. The drive out there wasn’t awkward at all as really she was just hanging out with her best friend. Admittedly she had a hard time not staring the whole time when he ditched the suit jacket due to the heat leaving him in just his vest and button up, which he had rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. It was…yeah, she had to focus on other things

It did work out pretty well even though Aqua was incredibly last minute picking out a dress. She found a long one of blues and silvers that tied up behind her neck, silver embroidered swirly flowers on the fitted bodice and a skirt of fabric and tulle enough to make her feel like a princess but not so much that she couldn’t even get through the door. His vest and tie matched perfectly too even though it was less than a week before prom that she got her dress. Granted, Kairi’s grandmother owned the alterations shop for both men and women, so Aqua had a feeling it was all the older woman’s doing that everything came together.

Terra, who would just wear a t-shirt and jeans everywhere if he could, didn’t even complain about the clothes. He took all the pictures she wanted when they got there, talked to the people they knew, hung around the gardens till the sun went down, and not a single word of displeasure came from his lips, not even teasing. After all the shit he complained about when he was supposed to go to his prom, Aqua couldn’t even imagine this was the same person, but he was here and he never left her side. Even if they were talking to different people she could feel the brush of his arm nearby, his back to hers, his hand brushing by her back. Though the first time he put his hand on her bare back she nearly jumped out of her skin in surprise; not her most graceful moment of the night, but she loved it when he did it from then on.

Even now as they sat at their table, empty plates from dinner in front of them, he had his arm draped over her chair, his hand and body just barely brushing against hers as the music played, others dancing on the dance floor in front of them. It was nice; all of this was so nice. She didn’t know how she’d ever be able to thank him for doing this for her.

A yawn pulled at her lips, making her reach a hand up to try and hide it but he was already glancing over at her.

“I’m fine,” she said before he had a chance to ask her if she wanted to leave.

He seemed to know, merely shaking his head with a small laugh but he didn’t say anything.

It was getting kinda late, some people had already left to either go home or go to after parties or something. She was told where they were and that she was invited but honestly all she really wanted to do was take off her heels, put on comfy clothes and just sit on the couch with Terra and watch movies till they fell asleep. Yeah, that sounded really nice.

Still, even after the great night she had there was just one thing left she wanted…Aqua was just having a little bit of a hard time being able to ask him. She already asked him enough for one night really, she had no right to ask for even more.

Another yawn, this one so wide it made her eyes start to water.

With the arm he had around the chair, he reached up to poke her in the face a little, making her laugh out of her yawn. “Cinderella getting tired of the ball?”

“No,” she said. “Just maybe a little tired in general.”

“Alright.” He stood to his feet, looking out over the hall.

Aqua felt panic rise to her throat. She really didn’t want to leave without that one dance but she also still had no idea how to ask him. “Wait,” was about all that came out.

“What?” he asked, turning back to face her.

She could just ask, it was just Terra she knew she could ask him anything. This though…this was different. He was the one out of his element, she shouldn’t push for more.

“C’mon,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “Dance with me?”  

Aqua just stared at him for a second, trying to decide if he was teasing or not. He was smiling at her but it was genuine, like he knew what she was trying to ask him; which honestly he probably did. She put her hand in his and let him lead her to the edge of the dance floor. Plenty of others were there, dancing with their own dates and friends so no one seemed to be paying attention to them.

Not that she would’ve cared if they did. He dropped his hands to her lower back, pulling her in just enough to be barely touching. She carefully put her hands on his shoulders, looking up to see him already watching her.

“I won’t pretend I’m very good at this,” he said, though he looked more…embarrassed about it than annoyed.

“I beg to differ.” Admittedly they weren’t doing much in the ways of dancing, but really, it was all she had wanted. “This is nice.”

“Good.”

She hesitated for a moment; Aqua wanted to ask, but she was almost afraid of the answer. “I know this isn’t really your thing, but did you have a good time?”

“It’s not,” Terra said, though he sounded a little breathless. “And maybe with someone else it wouldn’t have been, but it’s you. As long as I’m with you everything is fine.”

Simple words but she felt that familiar warmth in her chest, that fluttering feeling in her stomach. He was still watching her, his face just inches away. He was taller than her but she also had a few extra inches. It would be so easy to lean in and kiss him like she always wanted to.

Her heart was in her throat as she pushed herself up on her toes to press a quick kiss to his cheek instead. “Thank you,” she said when she looked back to him.

Terra blinked at her like he was surprised. “For what?”

“For all of this. For coming with me even though I know you didn’t want to, for doing all the cliché stuff you think is silly. It really means a lot to me, all of it does.”

“Aqua.” He laughed a little, shaking his head. “You misunderstand. How I might feel about stuff like this has absolutely nothing to do with you. You asked me to be here, none of anything else mattered really.”

She threw her arms around his neck, leaning her head against his shoulder. Her eyes fluttered shut when she felt him hug her back. “I love you.” Even though she knew the words meant a little something different to her, they still felt nice to say.  

His fingers ran gentle circles on her back. “Yeah, I love you too.”

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, the Both of You

Parings: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Right before Aqua leaves for college; Terra & Aqua are 19 &18

Rating: T (Slight Language)

Notes: I felt this one a lot cause while I ended up not going away for college  I almost moved to a big city from a small town all alone and I was terrified. I based a lot of this on those feelings I had as sometimes it really is hard to leave all you’ve ever known even if it’s to live your dream. Also those two are so stubborn bickering is probably more common place than not and also we all know neither are great at communication when emotions run high haha I try not to only show the good times, but the rougher times too, the mistakes, and the anger because that’s just as real in anyone’s lives.

AO3

12. Fight

“I’m fine. I’m great. It’s a big fat happy sunshine day for me.”

-Luke

Terra didn’t think it would be that bad. He thought if he could at least be there with her it wouldn’t be as bad as he imagined it would be. Yet as he sat on her bedroom floor, surrounded by bags and boxes while she was pulling things from her closet the reality of the situation was hitting him harder than it had before.

In a week Aqua would be gone.

Not permanently but she’d be at school more often than she’d be home and while he knew she’d visit and he’d visit it wouldn’t ever be the same again. Terra couldn’t get this sinking feeling out of the pit of his stomach that he was losing her.  He was finding that was a hard pill to swallow.

“Oh God,” Aqua said as she pulled herself out of her closet. “How long has it been since I cleaned this out.” She made a face holding up a pair of glittery Mary Janes that were way too small for her now.

“You used to love those things,” he snorted, tossing the few papers in his hand in the nearby garbage bag. “You’d even wear them in the rain and get your feet soaked.”

Aqua rolled her eyes. “It’s a miracle there’s any glitter left on them.” She tossed them in the garbage bag near before diving back in the closet.

Terra felt a sharp jab in his chest even though he used to hate those shoes because they always hurt her feet and cause her to get sick when the weather was bad even if she loved them. He wasn’t attached to them in the least and yet, it was like throwing his memories away in a black trash bag. It wasn’t really possible since he could always have memories without the physical item but there was just something about sitting here and deciding what was going with her, what was staying, and what was getting tossed that made Terra just feel…bad.

He tried not to show it as she was all smiles and excited energy as she got ready to start her new life. He really didn’t want to bring down her mood since he was essentially sulking but it was just so hard, especially since she didn’t seem nearly as upset as he was. She was getting a chance to leave, getting a chance to do the things she loved with people who loved doing them, she’d have more friends who had interests like hers and where did that leave him? Here alone.

“Terra?”

He looked up at her and realized she had been trying to get his attention as she held a shirt up to herself. It was way too big but very familiar. “Is that mine?”

She nodded with a small laugh. “I think I stole it from you a while ago.”

“I’m not surprised.”

Aqua tossed the shirt in a pile off to the side of her bed, the rest of Terra’s things they had found in here. He honestly didn’t want any of it back, he wanted her to keep it all maybe then he wouldn’t feel so awful, like she’d take at least some part of him with her.

With a sigh, he leaned over to her night stand to do what he was actually here to help with. The bottom drawer was already opened from where he grabbed his last handful of papers, all old school assignments and notes really. He was about to grab another to flip through but something else caught his eye instead. Off to the corner of the drawer was a dried flower, he carefully picked it up though he already knew it as the flower he gave her to wear on her wrist at her prom a few months back.

“Still here, huh,” he said, holding it up a little.

“Oh, yeah,” she laughed lightly, sticking her head out of the closet. “It looked so pretty, I wanted to keep it.”

Terra never lied to her, he really did hate proms and other school functions that only existed to get classmates to have some sort of school spirit and be forced in confined spaces together but there was no way he would’ve ever said no when she asked if he’d go with her. It was easy to put his feelings away for her and make sure she had the night she wanted. Seeing that she still had the flower made him feel nice, like maybe he did just that. “It might dissolve sooner rather than later,” he said as he placed it delicately in his palm.

“Ah, yeah.” Aqua paused, looking back into her closet.

His stomach lurched. Or maybe not. He let the flower roll off his hand into the garbage bag, his throat feeling choked as he did. This was stupid. They were just things. Yet they were things that symbolized how much things were changing and how much he absolutely hated it.

Terra reached back into the drawer, trying to file through what she’d probably want to keep and what he could toss. If he just focused on the task maybe all these stupid feelings would go away. Aqua wasn’t wrong, she wasn’t doing anything that wasn’t normal. It was him. He was too attached when clearly she didn’t feel the same way so he needed to get let go too.  

The thought alone seemed impossible not when every part of him wanted to just desperately hang on.

“Oh!” Aqua exclaimed, pulling herself out of the closet again. “Look, Terra!” She was holding up a ratty old bunny stuffed animal in her hands that looked like it had seen way better days, as it had since it was his from when he was a baby.

“Oh, yeah, something else you stole from me.”

“I absolutely did not,” she said, carefully wrapping her arms around the stuffed animal so its arms flopped over hers, just how she used to carry it. “You gave it to me.”

That was the truth. Aqua used to be scared of the dark, and he gave it to her one night at his house to help her sleep better; it worked so he just let her keep it. He honestly didn’t even know she still had it.

“I thought my mom got rid of it but I guess I did a good job hiding it from her.” Aqua smiled as she looked down at it. She used to take it every single place she went and always made him feel glad he could do something for her, give her some form of comfort.

“Maybe because it’s falling apart,” he said but he couldn’t stop his lips from twitching upwards to see her hold it again. Their lives were so tied up together, there’s no way just a two hour car ride could erase that right?

Aqua sighed as she pulled the bunny away from her and tossed it over to the rest of Terra’s things.

In one instant, he felt like his whole world was being shaken, like he was losing his grip on everything he ever held dear. Terra didn’t even realize he stood to his feet until Aqua was looking up at him confused.

“Terra, what’s wrong?”

He didn’t even know what to say, how to explain. It hurt to see her toss away things that meant something to him, that he thought meant something to her. “Does it really mean that little to you?”

She blinked at him, looking a little lost. “Does what? What are you talking about?”

“Anything, the things we had together, me.” He threw his hands up a little, his tone coming out much harder than he intended but he couldn’t stop. He knew he expressed his hurt in anger and he knew it was wrong of him to take it out on her but right now it was all he could do.

Aqua pushed herself up to her feet. “Terra, seriously, what are you talking about?”

“You’re just giving up everything in here so easily.”

“I’m moving, I have to get rid of things. I can’t keep everything, you know that.” She still looked confused but her tone was firm as she was trying to calm him down.

“Oh, yeah, you’ve made that abundantly clear.” Terra regretted his words the moment he saw the hurt flash across her face. It only lasted a seconded before her eyes narrowed.

“What the hell is your deal? You offered to help me, and now you’re just mad cause I’m not keeping every little thing? My room there isn’t very large. I physically can’t keep everything even if I want to.”

The reminder of the reality of this situation was a stab straight to his heart. This was happening. She was leaving and no matter what he did there was nothing that could ever change that. “Yeah, okay, I’m aware, but you don’t have to seem so happy to get away from here.”

She stared at him, looking almost like he had slapped her in the face. He never hated himself more when he saw the way her eyes started water. “How could you think that?”

He wanted to stop, to apologize, but he couldn’t stop the words from coming. “I dunno, Aqua, maybe because the whole day has been you just tossing away anything that had any meaning like you don’t care at all.”

Her eyes were still wet but her mouth was in a hard line; unsurprisingly, she was never one to sit down and take anyone’s shit, let alone his. He knew it and could recognize it but it was almost like he was watching himself from outside his body, unable to stop anything that was happening.

“I just…I don’t get you right now, Terra. You’re never sentimental about these sorts of things. What is your problem?”

His jaw clenched. She was right, he knew she was right but it didn’t really seem to matter all that much. “I shouldn’t have come. You obviously are all ready to leave everything here behind, so I’ll just leave you to it.”

Aqua gave an exasperated sigh. “Jesus Christ, you’re being such an ass right now I hope you know that.”

“Yeah, well, it should be easy to forget then since you’re so eager to get away. Well, I can’t, okay. I don’t get to leave. I’m stuck here without you, maybe that’s fine for you but it’s not for me. Stupid things are all that’s left when you’re gone.”

She stopped as she watched him; the anger seemed to melt away in her eyes, leaving them watery like they were before. “Terra, I’m not-”

He turned and left. Even as he was doing it, he knew it was stupid that he was the one essentially running away now but he couldn’t bring himself to face her again. Confrontation wasn’t his strong point and he already blew this whole thing out of proportion.

She didn’t call after him as he hurried down the stairs; though Mrs. Queen called his name he didn’t answer, already closing the front door probably way too loud. He shoved his hands in his pants pockets and headed in the first direction he saw which was down the road. He just wanted to leave, get out of the same places, everything that held memories.

Terra absolutely knew he was being unreasonable and deep down he was happy for her to do what she wanted to do but right now all he felt was the hurt, how much his life would be lacking without waking up and knowing she was a few steps across the street. It was stupid and selfish of him but he couldn’t stop it, he couldn’t stop himself.

He walked and walked under the late summer sun, the humidity making him feel sticky and gross but he didn’t stop. He kept going until the anger, the frustration, all sort of faded away leaving him with just an ache in his chest. Aqua was leaving soon, he couldn’t and wouldn’t stop it, it was something he’d just have to learn to live with but now on top of it he ruined some of the few moments they had left together. Hot tears stung his eyes more so out of frustration with himself than anything. He hated this, he hated the things he did just because he didn’t know how to express how much she really meant to him, how empty all of this would be without her. He clenched his fists against his sides, wondering if he should just go home.

“Terra?”

The sound of his name made him jump even if the voice was familiar. Terra glanced over to the yard he was standing in front of to see Master Eraqus crouched down near one of the small patches of flower gardens scattered around. There were some gardening tools around him as he was lifting his sunglasses onto his head to get a better look at Terra.

“Shit,” he murmured, reaching the back of his hand up to his face, trying to wipe his eyes.  He didn’t even know he walked that far up the street.

Eraqus stood up and started to walk back towards the house, gesturing for Terra to follow. “Well, come on now.”

Terra knew he didn’t have to, he could just turn and leave but he found he didn’t want to. He walked up the path that led to Eraqus’ porch, the door still swinging from where he had disappeared inside. Terra plopped himself down on the bench that sat under the overhang of the porch overlooking the front yard. How many times had he and Aqua sit out here together when Eraqus was babysitting them? There was nothing, nowhere in this town that didn’t remind Terra of her.  

The door opened again and Eraqus stepped back out, hanging Terra glass cool to the touch. He took a sip of the sweet lemonade while Eraqus sat down next to Terra with a sigh.

“I’m sorry, Master,” Terra mumbled slightly into his drink.

“Oh, it’s nothing. You’re never a bother, my boy.” Eraqus glanced over. “Though I have a feeling I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”

Terra dropped his hands to his lap, taking the glass down with them. “Always know what’s up, huh.”

“Oh, no,” Eraqus chuckled. “But I know you and I know how you look when you feel guilty. So why don’t you just get it off your chest.”

“I don’t want her to leave.” What was hard to say to some people always came easy when it was Eraqus; he had a presence Terra always found comforting, soothing. Maybe he had known exactly where he was walking to.

“And whys that?”

Terra also appreciated he didn’t need to clarify who he was referring to. “Because she gets to leave and go start a new life somewhere and I’m still here day in and day out left with just a reminder everywhere I go that she’s gone and I’m here.”

“Is she gone though? I know she won’t be here every day any more, but this is still her home is it not? Her friends, her family, you are all still here.”

“Yeah but what if she meets new people she likes better and never wants to visit home? What if that becomes her home and not here anymore?”

“Terra,” Eraqus chuckled. “You’re jealous of people who might not even exist.”

That was…a fair point. “She was so happy packing today, and I mean, I get it, I’m sure it’s exciting and don’t get me wrong I really am happy for her but just seeing her toss away things that held memories like she didn’t even care, like it didn’t matter.” He looked down at his hands. “Like how I felt didn’t matter.”

Eraqus held up his hand slightly. “Okay, well, two things. The first being did you tell her how all this was making you feel?”

Terra swallowed a small lump in his throat. “Well…not really.”

Eraqus gave a knowing look but didn’t comment. “Second being does any of that sound like Aqua? Think about those things that you just said. Does any of that sound like anything she’d do? Your best friend who still wears that tattered friendship bracelet because you still have the one she made you. Aqua, who almost always considers your feelings before she does anything, does that really sound like her?”

“Um, well, no.”

“Could it be maybe she already knew you have a hard time with change and that you’d probably be hurting and was trying to make everything seem like it was okay to help you feel better.”

That…yeah, that sounded like Aqua. Terra stared down at the floor, guilt turning his stomach.

“You know, I’m fairly certain she’s probably feeling the same way you are about all of this.”

“Why?” Terra glanced up. “She gets to start a new life and do amazing things. Who wouldn’t want that?”

“Unlike you, my boy, Aqua never had much desire to leave here. Sure, she is because it’s a wonderful opportunity for her and she knows that but I very much believe she doesn’t want to start a new life despite how many times you keep saying it.” Eraqus paused for a second. “And while you have to sit here and be reminded of her around every corner, she’s going somewhere brand new and she knows no one and will be reminded around every corner that you’re not there. I can imagine that would be very scary.”

“She’s not scared of anything.”

“Oh, I know for a fact everyone is scared of something, Terra. She is, just like you are and I’m willing to bet those two fears are generally the same thing.”

Terra almost let the glass slip out of his hands but Eraqus reached over to take it first.

“I bet she could really use her friend right about now.”

“Yeah,” Terra nodded. That sounded like something he needed to do, even if at least to apologize for the way he acted. He pushed himself to his feet. “Thanks, Master.”

Eraqus waved Terra off. “Do you need a ride back home?”

“No, I got it.” He jumped the last few steps on the porch before turning to wave back to Eraqus before heading back the way he came.

Granted, it felt like it took him way less to walk all the way up the street when frustration was his highest emotion. It felt like a million years when he was heavy with guilt and worry that she’d still be angry with him; so much so that he paused when he saw her house in front of him. He swallowed and walked back up to the door.

As carefully he could, he poked his head in the door. It wasn’t like he left quietly; Mr. and Mrs. Queen both probably heard everything and it wouldn’t have surprised him if they were waiting for him knowing Terra always came back with his tail between his legs.

They weren’t in the kitchen or the living room though. He stepped inside, closing the door behind him before turning up the staircase past the kitchen. Aqua’s room was the first one on the right, the door still wide open.

He hesitated but he knew if he walked away now he’d only be festering in guilt. With his heart feeling like it was caught in his throat he stepped in her room. Aqua was still there though she was sitting on the edge of her bed, the rest of the room the same state he had left, and the stuffed animal hanging loosely in her hands. Her hair was falling into her face making it hard to see if she even knew he was there but he supposed it didn’t really matter.

Terra walked in till he was crouched down in front of her. He honestly wasn’t sure what he was going to say but when she looked up her usually bright blue eyes were red and a little puffy. Nothing else but the truth seemed to matter.

“I don’t know what to do without you,” he said. It was the truth, the one he was afraid of because it was about to become his reality. “I don’t know how to wake up knowing you’re not next door, or how to go to work and know you won’t be there for lunch or dinner or anything.”

“I’m scared too,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper like she shouldn’t even be admitting it. “I don’t think I want to go.”

Terra’s throat went dry. “Because of what I said?”

Aqua shook her head, reaching the back of her hand up to wipe away a stray tear. “No, I was already feeling that way. It was why I was trying to act so positive about packing. I don’t want to get rid of any of these things.” She dropped her hand back down, holding on to the old stuffed animal again. “I want to stay here with my parents, with you, with the people and places I know. I don’t…”

Her breath hitched and he could see the way her eyes started to tear up again. “I don’t want to go to some strange place with strangers and live by myself without my mom to cook for me or without Ven to ask me to watch a movie with him and then you won’t…” She closed her eyes and the tears rolled down her cheeks. “You won’t be there at the end of the school day anymore.”

Terra knew Aqua better than anyone and he felt like even more of an absolute asshole for only focusing on how he was feeling and not realizing her own worries right away. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around her so she fell slightly off the bed into him. She put her arms tightly around him, burying her face into his neck. “I want you to listen to me okay?”

She nodded though he knew she was making an effort not to cry more.

“You’re without a doubt the strongest person I know. If there’s anyone who can leave everything she’s ever known and be just fine, it’s you. You’re going to do way bigger things than this town could ever dream of because I know you can do it.” He nudged his head against hers. His chest still ached at the thought of her leaving but it honestly wasn’t about him, it never really should’ve been. “It’s okay to be afraid, but I know you’re gonna be just fine. I know you, Aqua.”

“I took the flower out of the garbage. I never wanted to get rid of it.” She let go of him, leaning back to her bed a little; Terra realized she still had the bunny in a tight grip in one of her hands, just like she used to.

“I’m sorry, you what?”

Aqua nodded over towards the nightstand where the flower he gave her was sitting. “I wanted everyone to think leaving didn’t bother me, everyone was so proud I got into this school I didn’t want to let them down by saying how I really felt. I knew it would hurt you to see me sad, that I just wanted you to be okay. I thought if you could see me let go of things you’d know I was okay, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry.”

“Hey.” He reached his hand up to her chin, forcing her to look back down at him. “I’m always proud of you. God, I’m gonna miss you like crazy, but I couldn’t be prouder of you. Distance can do its worst, but it’s not something we can’t handle.”

She rolled her eyes but there was a small smile pulling at her lips. Aqua lifted her hand, holding her pinky out to him; her silent way of asking, “promise?”

He hooked his finger with her.

Aqua threw her arms around him again, hugging herself closer.

“I’m sorry, for the things I said earlier.” He placed his hands on her back. “I should’ve known you were upset.”

She shook her head, telling him it was okay. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

He knew having to say goodbye to her next week was going to be one of the hardest things he did but it wasn’t forever, it wasn’t even for most the year. They had phones, he had a car, it wasn’t the end of anything really, just a little different than usual. Somehow they’d always be together, he knew it deep down. As long as he had that, it would be okay.

[lyssala]

If It’s Meant to Be, It’ll Be

Pairing: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Modern Au where Terra and Aqua grew up together but she moved when she was twelve and they haven’t seen each other since

Rating: T (Language)

Notes:  “Your OTP were separated as kids/teenagers but are eventually reunited as adults and the first thing they both think is “oh no they’re hot.” 

@angel-with-a-pipette reblogged this prompt post so it showed up on my dash so I mean technically this 10K beast is their fault LMAO (no really thank you for fueling me <3)

I saw this prompt and I had to do it like, I couldn’t get it out of my head. What started as just a cute little fic also turned into a near beast so you all know how I spend my life lmao I just wanted it to be silly and fun. I never get tired of making them happy haha The title is from “Meant to Be” by Bebe Rexa and Florida Georgia Line

AO3

Aqua both loved and hated that she lived so close to a convenient store. On one hand whenever she ran out of anything, it was an easy walk out of her town house, down a block and she could get anything at all hours of the day and night. One the other hand because it was so quick, the temptation to walk down to the store in the middle of the night in her pajamas for ice cream was too tempting and often beat any rational sense she had about staying inside and not walking into a store in her pajamas.

Which is how she found herself standing in front of the ice cream cooler at 11pm on a Saturday night wearing  the same choice of clothing she had been in all day; a blue tank top and some plaid pajama pants. She did bother to put flip flops on at least this time. Okay but how was it her fault the ice cream here was just too accessible?

She tapped her chin as she looked over the choices. It was barely summer yet and it was already hot even this late at night; at least being this close to freezers felt nice in her thin clothes. She could go with plain vanilla or chocolate but that was boring for a weekend night.  Aqua reached back to pull the hair tie out of her ponytail out so she could redo it; being sure to catch any stray hairs on her neck. Maybe something fancier like a moose tracks mix or a double fudge chocolate, the sweeter the better.

“You’re gonna get fat one of these days from all the ice cream you eat, Aqua.”

She didn’t bother to look over at the cash register; she just reached her hand up to flip the redhead off.

Lea snorted. “Feisty tonight.”

Aqua chose to ignore him and the fact she came here often enough at night that she was on a first name basis with the overnight attendant.

Something with peanut butter sounded good; something real heavy, sweet, and chocolatey. She had been grading papers all day she needed something to get her through the rest of them. Reading high schoolers’ history papers was about as entertaining as being a high schooler in history class.

Aqua opened the door and pulled out a carton that promised chocolate ice cream, peanut butter chunks, cups and chips as well as chocolate chips. She looked over the front as she let the door close and knew she was making the right choice. No better to grade papers than with than a spoon in a carton of ice cream. The end of the school year was so close, and yet so far still.

Against her better judgment she flipped the carton over to look over the back. Whatever, she’d just go for a longer run tomorrow morning. Did she had whipped cream at home? She turned the corner to go to where the milk was and came face to face with someone who was standing right there. She didn’t even have time to stop and walked right into him.

Well, face to chest she thought stupidly as she stumbled back, trying not to drop her ice cream. “Oh God, I’m so sorry,” she grimaced, looking up to face the source of her embarrassment. Though if she was being honest her surprise riddled brain really wanted to look back down because it should be illegal to have pecks that nice.

That absolutely didn’t help. Aqua knew her face was on fire a mix of being horrified at herself on multiple levels plus having to look this guy in the face who was…smiling at her? She didn’t even have time to comprehend the situation before he was laughing.

“Oh my God, Aqua? Is that you?”

She blinked at him and tried not to stare but it was a little hard. He seemed to realize she was trying to put together how he knew her name as he was just standing there with a kind smile on his face (even though she almost plowed him down for ice cream). She was pretty sure she’d remember if she met someone who looked like him before. She wasn’t terribly short for a girl but he was a head and shoulders taller than her; broad shoulders at that and arms too. He kind of looked like a football player but that didn’t help her at all.

She was about to just ask him how he knew her when it clicked so much she nearly dropped her ice cream again. It wasn’t the body she remembered because he absolutely didn’t have that the last time she saw him. It was the eyes, and the dimples on his cheeks when he smiled, those were absolutely the same.

“Holy shit,” she sputtered eloquently. “Terra?”

He nodded, reaching a hand up that wasn’t holding his basket up to run through his hair which used to be a nervous habit of his if she remembered right. “I can’t believe that’s really you. It’s been like what? Fifteen years or something?”

She wasn’t sure her brain could process math at the time. “I was like twelve when we moved so yeah that sounds about right. What are you even doing here? It’s like hours away from where we grew up.”

Terra shrugged. “Gotta go where work is, you know?”

It was odd. It’s not like she never thought of him, where he was, what he did; they were best friends for her entire childhood. Now that he was standing in front of her she wanted to ask so many questions. Like what was it he did for a living? How was his dad? His little brother? Also was he married? He had to at least have a girlfriend cause there was no way a guy who looked like him was single like her.

Aqua seemed to decide then was a perfect time to remember she was standing in front of him in her pajamas, holding a carton of melting ice cream. Oh Jesus, this was a great first impression after ten odd years.

He seemed to notice too as he arched an eyebrow at the sight of her ice cream, a slight grin on his face that made her feel breathless. “Still got a sweet tooth then?”

She eyed into his basket seeing fairly usual food just about anyone would buy. “Still boring then?”

He laughed and it sent warmth through her body. This was so stupid. This was stupid, right? They were friends as kids. So much time passed and there was no way they’d ever be able pick up where they left off. Honestly, she was probably only feeling like this because he was hot…like really hot. He wasn’t that skinny kid or limbs seemed too big for his body anymore.

“Some things never change I guess,” Terra said with a smile. He made no motion to move or even leave the conversation.

Aqua knew she should say something, anything but she was honestly afraid of what come out if she did. Outside of Tifa’s husband Aqua didn’t really interact with boys who were over eighteen on a regular basis. So she stood there, probably a stupid look on her face and water from the outside of the ice cream carton dripping on her hand. Yeah, great, just great.

“Hey,” Terra said. “I know it’s kinda late.” He paused, looking like he might laugh again as his eyes dropped a little bit.

Aqua felt heat rush to her cheeks. “In my defense,” she said, gesturing to herself and her outfit. “I only live a block away.”

Terra raised his hands a little. “I’m not judging you. I only meant if you weren’t busy tomorrow, you wanna have lunch or something? Catch up a little?”

She was not expecting him to say that or anything even remotely like that. “Oh! Yeah, of course, that sounds fun.”

“Okay. Um, you said you live around here?”

“Yeah, up the block.”

“You know the café around the corner from here?” He gestured off to the side like he was trying to point in the direction.

“I know the one. I usually go there before work.” Thankfully there was only one nearby otherwise she’d have to peer in every café in the area to see if he was there. “Like eleven tomorrow morning?”

“Sounds good to me, I have the day off.”

“Same,” Aqua said. “See you then?”

“Ah, yes, see you then.” He waved as started to back away, narrowly missing a basket of bagged potato chips.

Aqua waved back but waited till Terra was out of sight so she could run back to the cooler and replace her melted ice cream with a new carton. She lazily went to find the whipped cream even though she wasn’t even that hungry anymore. Her heart was pounding in her ears, her stomach in her throat.

What just happened?

She tried to remember how to breathe as she opened up the cooler door to pick out which can of whipped cream she wanted. She was twelve when her parents moved away from her home town. Aqua had been so devastated to leave her friends and Terra, who had been her best friend since they were in preschool. They promised to keep in touch but they were kids, when the letters got fewer and far between she had let it go; long distance could only go so far.

She never thought she’d see him again and never imagined he’d see her like, well, this. Aqua groaned and leaned her head against the closed cooler door.

It did make her glad to see him looking so good and not just physically good (though he did) but healthy, happy. It almost was enough to bring back all those warm feelings she had as a little girl when he was around but that was stupid. They were almost strangers now. Though, she supposed maybe if it went well tomorrow they had a chance to be friends again.

The bell on the front door rang and Aqua stood up on her toes to see the back of Terra’s head leaving the store. She breathed a small sigh of relief that she didn’t have to worry about accidentally running into him the small store and making everything really awkward. She hurried up to the front and placed her items on the counter. She knew she must’ve looked like even more of a mess when Lea let out a low whistle at the sight of her.

“I don’t blame you. He’s pretty fine.”

“Lea,” she tried to warn but it came out more like a groan. “Just ring it up please.”

He lazily scanned the two items, still leaning over the counter. “At least he didn’t look nearly as offended by your choice of attire as I’d be.”

“How do you even still have a job?” Aqua rummaged in her pajama pockets for the money she brought with her.

“You see anyone else who wants to work all night here?”

Fair enough. She dropped the money on the counter and reached for the bag as he dropped the whipped cream in. “Keep the change.”

“I at least hope you had enough sense to ask him out.”

Even though it shouldn’t matter what the night attendant at the corner store thought in the least, heat still rose to her cheeks. “Bye, Lea.” She unceremoniously grabbed the bag and started to leave the store.

“See you later, ice queen,” he snorted. If he said anything else, she only heard the door closing behind her.

The fresh air wasn’t super fresh in the city, especially in the summer when it was more humid than it was anything else but it at least felt nice to be on her way home so she could finish her work and eat her ice cream.

Also try not to panic that she was going to see Terra again tomorrow.

She swallowed thickly. It’s okay, it wasn’t a date or anything; just old friends talking about life for the past fifteen years that’s all. Easy. Much easier than grading high school papers. Though, the way her stomach felt like it was sinking at just what she was gonna say or do tomorrow had her think high schoolers might be easier to handle.

Aqua knew she shouldn’t be standing outside of the café in the heat and probably get gross and sweaty but she was having a little trouble opening the door. She hoped her morning run would shake off the nerves but it only got worse when she got home, showered, and realized she needed to pick out something to wear.

Was it casual? Formal? Make up worthy? She at least knew she wouldn’t go in her pajamas; that was something she supposed. At least with a date she knew kinda what was expected but this, she had no idea about this and neither did the pile of outfits she threw on her bed apparently. She debated calling Tifa to help, but she’d probably tease Aqua more than any friend should in a serious situation like this.

With a sigh, she opened the door to the café, feeling the AC hit her the moment she stepped in. Aqua ended up just going was a bright summer dress and light makeup, her hair half pulled back. She felt it was a nice mix between fancy and casual; plus she at least felt cute enough to make up for her messy ponytail, pjs and zero makeup from the night before.

That was still a little cringe worthy.

She looked around the café that was fairly crowded for an early afternoon on a Sunday.  She quickly glanced at her phone while she cursed herself for being too flustered to remember to ask for his phone number.

Aqua bit down on her lip. Maybe he was running late, or maybe he thought better of it and wouldn’t show at all. Maybe his significant other told him not to come to lunch with some girl he barely knew which was kinda ridiculous; she didn’t know if he even had one or not. She was acting crazy. There was nothing weird about this.

She pushed through the crowd a little bit determined to snag a seat but she saw his brown hair falling in his face as he leaned over his phone that was laying on the table, two glasses in front of him. Aqua didn’t know to feel relief or more anxious but she quickly shoved it away and walked over to him.

“Good morning,” she said, smiling past the bundle of tight nerves in her stomach.

He jumped a little like she snuck up on him, but easily returned her smile when he looked up. “Hey,” he said. “Please, sit down. I would’ve waited for you at the door but it was so busy I figured I’d get a table when I could.”

“Oh, that’s fine.” She dropped her purse to the floor as she sat down, the iced drink in front of her looked more than a little good from the time she spent out in the heat.

“I hope you don’t mind,” Terra said, though he was the one looking a little unsure this time. “I guessed what you liked in your coffee.”

She took the cup in her hand, carefully taking a sip from coffee that was…pretty much exactly how she liked it; more sweet than anything else. “Good call,” she said.

He snorted, leaning his elbow on the table so he could put his chin in his hand. “When I saw you with the ice cream I figured.”

Aqua choked a little, choosing to place the glass back down on the table. His drink was dark, no sugar or cream in it at all. “I can’t believe I’m surprised you drink your coffee black.”

“I am a simple man of simple tastes.”

“More like no taste.” For a second Aqua almost reached up to cover her mouth. He just laughed, like he used when they were kids.

It was actually kinda easy talking to him. So much time had gone on, they weren’t even the same people any more but at the same time when she wasn’t horrified in her appearance this was actually kinda nice, it was almost like no time went by at all.

“Okay, enough small talk, I wanna know the good stuff,” she said, clapping her hands together slightly. The nerves in her stomach started to ease but they were getting replaced by a slight fluttering when he arched an eyebrow, those blue eyes of his watching her.

“The good stuff?”

“Yes, start with…” Aqua tried to remember the list of things she thought about asking him like the embarrassing human being she was being. “Where do you work? You said you moved here for a job.”

Terra nodded. “I work in construction, well, the carpentry end of it. Not a lot of work for it back home, so gotta move places that are always growing.”

“That explains a lot.” Aqua immediately regretted that when he got a sort of glint in his eyes like he knew exactly what she was referring too.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She grabbed her coffee, giving her an excuse not to answer for a moment and to hide the sudden heat in her face. She could change the subject or she could just tell him the truth; there was no sense in hiding anything if they were trying to be friends again.

Aqua put her glass down. “You absolutely didn’t look like….” She gestured to him. “That the last time I saw you.”

He snorted as he looked away slightly. “I started to get taller after you moved.”

“Explain those biceps then.”

Terra laughed that time, but it was a little choked and for a second Aqua thought she might’ve embarrassed him. “Alright, alright,” he said, rolling his eyes. “What about you?”

“Much less exciting,” she shrugged. “High school history teacher.”

He let out a low whistle. “I don’t know, Aqua, I think you might be tougher than me to try and teach high school students history. I remember being a high school student in history class.”

“It’s not that bad,” she said. “Well, all the time. Some days are great, and some not so much. Then there’s grading the homework. I don’t know who enjoys it less, me or the students who had to do it.”

“Ouch.”

“Ouch is right.”

“I bet you’re a good teacher though.”

She paused for a moment. “What makes you say that?”

“I know it’s been a long time since we saw each other,” he said. “But you were always patient and kind, very, ah, maternal so to speak. It doesn’t seem like it’s changed too much. I bet you care a lot for your students and try hard to make it enjoyable for them.”

Terra was a bit of a rambunctious child. Aqua tended to try and not go along with whatever trouble he wanted to get into but always ended up following him just because he was so infectious. Aside from his overactive curiosity he was always a gentle person, always thoughtful and loyal. He seemed a lot calmer of a person now but the rest didn’t seem to change much.

“Well, thank you,” she said, her fingers idly rubbing at the condensation on her glass. “Okay, your turn then.”  

He blinked at her like he was unsure what she meant.

“Ask me something you want to know. I went first.”

Terra clicked his tongue. “Alright then…” He paused like he was trying to think of something, hand tapping lightly on his face. “When did you move here? I know you didn’t live in the city right after you moved from home.”

“Oh, a few years ago,” she said. Had it really been that long already? “My parents don’t live too terribly far away, I just moved here after I got my certification because they hired me.”

“Suppose that’s as good of a reason as any to move,” he said. “Have a lot of friends around here?”

Aqua shrugged. “I hang out with a few of my colleagues every so often. My best friend from college lives here too but she’s married with kids, so while I love to see her and her husband, as well as the little ones, it’s not exactly quiet or relaxing.”  

“I’m the same,” he said with a slight smile. “I usually just like to stay home even in a place like this.”

“Have you lived here long?”

Terra shook his head. “Not even a year yet. It’s not bad, just different, you know?”

Aqua nodded as she reached to grab her drink. “Yeah, it’s a transition from living in a smaller town to a big city. Weird, but you’ll get used to it I’m sure.”

He gestured for her to ask what she wanted next.

Was it weird to ask him if he had a girlfriend? She felt like that was a weird thing to ask and probably a given honestly. It was a common question though, normal…right?

“How’s your brother?” she asked instead, setting her cup down on the table. “You guys used to be close, are you still?

Terra snorted, rolling his eyes. “Considering he lives with me, yeah, I usually don’t wanna murder him.”

“Please don’t tell me how old he is.” Aqua could still see little blond haired, blue eyed Ventus who followed his brother everywhere. He always liked Aqua, mistaking her for his sister when he was very little. She loved Terra and Ven, it broke her heart to be forced away from them at the time. She cried the whole drive away. It was weird; she almost forgot just how close she was to them till Terra was sitting in front of her.

Or that she used to have a huge crush on him. Yeah, that was definitely a thing.

He raised his eyebrows at her, an amused sort of look on his face. “He’s a freshman in college.”

She groaned. “He was just a baby the last time I saw him.”

“Aqua, he was eight.”

“Yeah, well, a baby compared to now I’m sure.”

“He’s almost as tall as me.”

She hit her hands on the table lightly. “No, he’s not.”

“Yeah,” Terra laughed. “Still a terror, but he’s my brother. I have to love him I guess.”

Now he was just acting. Aqua new without a doubt Terra always loved Ven, and judging by Terra’s tone, the amused look on his face, the fact he let his little brother live with him, that hadn’t changed one bit.

“How’s your dad then? Does he live here too?” she asked.

Terra shook his head. “He still lives back home, same house and everything.”

“Is it hard, being so far away?”

“I mean, sometimes,” Terra said. “But he calls a few times a week and visits once a month to make sure I’m feeding Ven more than just Poptarts which, yes, I do for the record.”

Aqua tried not to laugh. She remembered Eraqus fondly; he was always very kind to her. Though him, Terra, or Ven weren’t blood related to each other at all, Aqua always found them to be closer than a lot of families who were. “Does he still run the dojo?”

“Oh yeah,” Terra snorted. “He’ll run that place till he dies, and then his wise spirit will take over and run the place.”

“You know, that does sound about right.”

He rolled his eyes, but his smile was so beautiful Aqua was trying hard to make it look like she wasn’t staring, but she absolutely was. “What about your parents? They doing okay?”

“Oh yeah.” She waved her hand slightly. “Fine as always. Once I got over them ripping me away from the only home I ever knew, we got along just fine.”

Terra laughed lightly, his hand reaching out for the drink he still hadn’t touched at all but he didn’t move to actually drink it. “Bet it was hard, huh?”

She understood why they moved. Her dad got a much better job they couldn’t say no to but at 12 you don’t really understand why that’s important. “Yeah, it was real hard for a while.”

“I mean, I can’t say I understood how it felt…” He paused for a second, like he was trying to find the right words. “But we missed you a lot.”

It was a simple thing, a kind expression, but it made her feel like she was twelve again. “I missed you guys a lot too.” Now was probably not the time to mention she was realizing just how much. “I think I still have the letters you used to write me.”

Terra groaned a little, rolling his head back. “I don’t even want to know. I’m sure it was embarrassing.”

“It was not.” She kicked her leg at him though was careful not to actually kick him on accident. “I loved them. I loved hearing from you.”

He leaned back in his chair, reaching up to run a hand through his hair. He used to keep it short as a kid but it was a little longer now, down to his neck and long bangs off to the side of his face; it looked good on him. Everything looked good on him.

She tried to mentally rebuke herself for that one (though it wasn’t a lie).

“I never meant to…you know, stop writing.”

“Oh, Terra, its fine.” She waved him off. “We were kids, it was bound to happen. I’m sure there was more I could’ve done too but you don’t really think about it at the time.”

He hesitated for a moment like he was going to say something but was thinking better of it. She was about to just ask him what it was but he leaned forward towards the table again. “I’d like to make sure that doesn’t happen again…I mean, if that’s okay with you.”

She was pretty sure the smile on her face was really stupid looking. “Ah, yeah, no, I’d like that too.”

It almost seemed like Terra breathed a sigh of relief before reaching into his pocket. His face still looked a little questioning as he held it up to her.

It took her a second, but what he was asking clicked as she reached down to get her phone for her purse.  There were a few notifications on her screen, mainly just a few texts from Tifa who knew where Aqua was but she was afraid she’d only get more embarrassed if she looked at them. She opened up her contact page and held the phone out to him.

He gave his to her as he took hers, though Aqua almost had to hold his phone in both her hands the case was so thick; though she supposed it had to be or it could easily be broken in his line of work. She unlocked his screen and was greeted by a face she hadn’t seen in so long.

“Oh my God,” she said, placing one hand to her chest. “Is that Ven?”

Terra snorted as he typed on her phone. “Yeah, that’s him. I gave up changing it cause he just always changes it back to a picture of us.”

He was tall now, though it looked like he was standing on his toes to be able to get an arm around Terra’s neck. He had sunglasses hiding his eyes, though there was a twitch of a smile on his lips as he glanced over. Ven looked much older now, taller but had the more slender body, blond hair sticking up everywhere was he grinned at the camera. He still had a baby face, still had that cheerful look in his eyes. It was kind of similar to when she saw Terra, like being hit with her past only to find she never realized how much she missed their faces even years later.

Aqua quickly unlocked his phone, skimming for the contacts page. She added her name and number easily though the little blank contact picture was tempting. Before she could second guess herself she tapped on it, bringing up the camera on his phone. She took the picture quickly, hoping it took okay and she didn’t actually just make a fool of herself before saving the entry.

He handed her phone back as she tried not to drop his on the table, not that it would’ve mattered even if she did. Aqua quickly opened her phone back up to make sure Tifa didn’t text anything embarrassing while he had it. His entry was still up but unlike hers, he left the photo blank. Maybe it was because she was embarrassed she had been impulsive where he hadn’t been but the words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.

“Terra, how am I supposed to remember it’s you?” she asked, turning her phone back for him to see the blank picture.

“By the usual ways,” he shrugged, though there was a small smile on his lips. “My name for starters.”

Well, he didn’t say no at least. “C’mon, I want to take it to my parent’s house and compare it to baby pictures of you.”

That time he laughed but it was a little different, like he was embarrassed almost.

Aqua opened her mouth to tell him she was only kidding; it’s not like she wanted to make him feel uncomfortable.

“You don’t, uh, have someone…who would mind?” His face almost looked a little red, like it was an embarrassing question which was weird cause she couldn’t even understand what he was asking. He still waited for a moment, clearly expecting an answer.

Oh. Oh. He was asking her if she was seeing someone or at least seeing someone who might get concerned to see a strange man on her phone. Aqua felt her face flush; she hadn’t even thought to ask before she put her own picture on his phone.

“Oh, um…” She sputtered like there was anything but one answer. “No, unless four legged furry animals count in that category.”

“You have a cat don’t you.”

“There’s nothing wrong with having a cat, okay. They’re very affectionate beings.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised, you used to bring home all the strays all the time,” he said, leaning forward on the table again.

Aqua’s heart was in her throat. Did she ask now? Would he offer that information himself? What if he did and she was just making a fool of herself now? What if he didn’t and….

“Do you have one?” she said, only realizing then the conversation had already changed. “Not a cat, I mean a person.”

“A person.” Terra arched an eyebrow at her, though he looked more amused than anything.

“Yes, you know a significant…person.” Wow, Aqua, learn to speak English one of these days.

“No,” Terra said, reaching for his glass to pull it towards him. “I don’t have a person or any pets for that matter.”

“How?” she blurted. In an instance she wanted to clasp her hands right back over her mouth at the fact she really just said that aloud. Terra hadn’t been expecting it either as he choked slightly on the only sip of his drink he took today.

“I just mean…” Aqua said quickly though she had no idea what she meant aside from how was someone like him still single.

“It’s fine. “ He seemed to recover a bit as he was laughing slightly. “Same old reasons I guess. Haven’t met the right person.”

“Yeah,” she breathed. “Same I suppose.”

He watched her for a second but she quickly held up her phone again before she could let her face get red again.

“Is it okay?”

He rolled his eyes but there was that grin and it was just as infectious as it was when he was a kid. “Yeah, course.”

Aqua looked down at her screen, capturing a picture of the boy who was her best friend once, the one she thought was long lost with time yet here he was. He was sitting right there and while a lot of him didn’t look the same there was that same brown hair, blue eyes, dimples, gentle nature. She accidentally walked herself and her ice cream back into his life but this time she hoped she could stay longer.

“Is it okay?” Terra asked making her look up at him. He was watching a little curiously but she just locked her phone, placing it down in her lap.

“Yes,” she said, feeling an easy smile on her lips. “It’s perfect.”

It hadn’t even been a day. Hell, it had only been a few hours since Terra said goodbye to Aqua outside of the café where they talked so much they actually forgot to order food. It had been a good time, a really good time; almost like all those years they spent apart didn’t even matter anymore. Aqua was just as easy and fun to talk to as she had been when she was when they were younger.

He was shocked when he saw her in the store and even more shocked when she said she’d meet him the next day. He had no idea what to expect going into it aside from he was going to hang out a little with his childhood best friend who even managed to look stunning in pajamas in the middle of the night. Terra had to physically remember how to speak when he saw her in the café.

She was still the kind and funny girl she was all those years ago, managing to make him feel at ease when usually strangers or acquaintances made him feel the exact opposite. He had nearly been dreading it all morning, afraid he’d do something stupid in front of her or freeze up and not know what to say but Aqua made it so easy to feel comfortable with her.

He didn’t even really want to say goodbye but he also hadn’t wanted to overdo it and make her sick of him already. Yet here he was laying on the couch, staring up at her contact screen, the picture of her in the corner watching him back. His thumb had been hovering over “new message” for the better part of forty five minutes.

Was it too soon? Did he wait longer? If he waited too long would she even respond? Would she respond now if he did? God, he was an adult, with a job, and an apartment and he still felt like he was in middle school about to pass a “do you like me check yes or no” note to the pretty girl who sat in front of him. It was stupid right? Just because she wasn’t seeing anyone didn’t mean she was interested in doing so let alone him who she only just met again yesterday.

Terra knew he probably shouldn’t even feel this way himself but it was like seeing her again just brought back all those feelings he thought were lost to time. It was a hard time when she moved; she was the one he liked to be around, who always had his back, who could always make him laugh and feel better. When she was gone it was so empty, he wanted to keep writing her but it was difficult when he knew she was moving on with her life and he was still stuck without her. It started to hurt more than it made him feel better.

Then suddenly there she was, running into him on her way to buy ice cream in her pajamas. Terra was honestly surprised he even managed to have a coherent conversation with her because he was hit with more then just her as she walked into him. He didn’t know what to do honestly, he had no fragment of an idea of what to do but this time, he didn’t want to lose her.

“Jesus, will you just text her already.”

Terra nearly dropped his phone on his face as Ven leaned over the back of the couch. “That isn’t-”

Ven held a hand up as he arched an eyebrow up. “Okay, please. You’ve been staring at your phone for an hour. You’re either debating to do it or waiting for her to do it.”

Terra placed his phone on his lap as he pushed himself up to sit against the arm rest. “It’s my day off. I’m not doing anything but-”

“Staring at your phone waiting for a girl to text you?”

Terra picked up the nearest pillow and swung it at Ven’s head, but he ducked before there was any contact. “Relaxing.”

Ven popped his head up from behind the couch. “You don’t look very relaxed.” He pushed his hands against the back pillows and jumped up, kicking his legs over the couch so he landed on one of the cushions (almost Terra’s legs if he hadn’t moved them first).

“I’m plenty relaxed.”

“Cut the bullshit, Terra.”

Clearly Ven wasn’t about to drop it any time soon.

“Fine, it’s just been…” Honestly Terra couldn’t even remember the last time he wanted to see someone like this. “A long time. I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Ven shrugged, like he was completely unconcerned. “Just be yourself.”

“Oh, yeah, really helpful, Ventus. That’s kinda why I don’t know what to do.”

“You know what I mean, dummy.” Ven rolled his eyes. “Like you aren’t some stranger she met on the street.”

“It was a store.”

“Whatever.” Ven waved his hand. “Sure, it’s been years but you know her and she knows you. You have history.”

Terra supposed Ven was right but at the same time they were kids, people change so much through high school and beyond. “Yeah, but I’m not thirteen and she’s not twelve, its different now. I was the one who asked her to the café, and for her number too. She could just be being nice and tolerating me.”

“I guess.”

“You’re supposed to say, ‘oh, no, dearest brother of mine, that’s clearly not the case’.”

Ven snorted. “Just ask her if you’re that concerned, get it out of the way.”

The thought alone struck a new sort of horror through Terra’s mind. “No way.”

“Then I’ll do it.” Ven held his hand out for the phone. “C’mon, she always liked me but she still does.”

“Absolutely not, Ven.”

“What are you so afraid of?” He crossed his arms as he leaned back against the arm rest of the couch.

“The usual.” Terra waved his hand vaguely. “Stupidity, rejection, ruining something before it could even start.”

“Okay, well, what do you like about her then? Is it different or are you just reliving your childhood, cause I know you used to have a crush on her then too.”

Terra scoffed but Ven was absolutely right. “How would you’ve even known, you were a baby.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

Why did he think living with his little brother was a good idea? Terra sighed as he sunk down on the couch, hitting his head against the armrest. “I think it’s different, considering I haven’t thought about her in so long and now it’s been two days and I can’t stop. Not because I miss being a kid, but because I want to get to know her now. Does that make sense?”

“Plenty.” Ven reached over to pat at Terra’s legs as Ven pushed himself up to his feet. “Just text her.”

“And tell her what?” Terra didn’t bother following Ven, knowing he was probably going to the kitchen.

“What you just told me, big guy.”

He picked up his phone from his lap. He supposed it couldn’t do any harm, if she didn’t want to talk to him she just would never answer and that would be the end of that. He didn’t want it to be the end but if she didn’t want to see him again then she didn’t.

Terra finally pressed the new message button, bringing up a blank conversation between him and Aqua. He could just say he had a nice time seeing her, it would be nice to see her again and leave it at that. Was that too much? He felt like he should say something but he didn’t want her to feel like he was pushing it either.

His phone buzzed scaring him so much he nearly dropped it on his face again. Ven must’ve seen cause Terra could hear his brother snickering in the kitchen. He was about to tell Ven to shove it but Terra found himself completely captivated by his phone and the fact the blank conversation wasn’t blank anymore. Why was conversing with people so damn hard?

He nearly had a heart attack thinking his finger slipped and he sent his half typed sentence but that was still there. It was her who sent him something; that absolutely didn’t make his pulse stop pounding in his ears.

Aqua:

Hey! I know it hasn’t been very long since I saw you but I just wanted to say I had a really nice time today. It’s been a while since I got to have a long conversation with someone whose old enough to remember music that hasn’t come out in the past ten years.

Ven whistled near Terra’s ear, nearly making him have another heart attack. “She did it first. I’m impressed.”

Terra reached up to shove Ven’s face away as he was shoving some chips in his mouth. Terra didn’t even bother responding to his brother. He tried really hard not to overthink what he should say to her; though that was a little harder than ignoring Ven.

               Yeah, I did too, very much. Ven and his friends aren’t much for intelligent conversation.

“You’re an asshole,” Ven snorted as Terra hit send, moving to sit back on the couch.

“That’s what you get for being so nosey all the time.” Terra couldn’t find it in his heart to actually be mad. He still felt kinda like he wanted to throw up, but it was better now. It wasn’t the end, they had a conversation now. Well, he at least hoped they did.

“You gonna ask her out or what?”

Terra placed his phone in his lap but admittedly left it face up so he could see if it went off again. “Why are you so impatient?”

“Cause you obviously like her,” Ven shrugged. “I don’t want you to miss out on something just cause you’re too afraid of saying all the wrong things and end up saying nothing at all. So I’m here to push your ass in the right direction.”

“That was actually pretty sweet, Ven.” Not that it surprised Terra,; Ven liked to tease but he had the biggest heart of anyone Terra knew.

“I know, I’m a charmer.” He shoved a handful of chips in his mouth again to accent the point.

Terra was about to open his mouth but his phone buzzed, completely cutting off any reasonable train of thought.

Aqua:

               Would you maybe like to do it again?

It was amazing how just one sentence could make him feel so many different things at once. It didn’t necessarily mean anything past regaining their friendship but it also meant she was okay with seeing him again and that was fine with him.

               Yeah, absolutely. I’d love that.

He looked up to see none other than Ven’s smug face looking over. “What?”

“I always knew you had a crush on her.”

“Ven, that was a lo-”

Aqua:

               I assume you probably work tomorrow, I do too, but maybe after?

Terra didn’t even have time to finish calling out Ven, not even when he started to laugh at probably the stupid smile on Terra’s face.

               That sounds perfect.

If anyone had told Terra two weeks ago he’d be sitting overlooking the ocean at sunset with a beautiful girl who somehow seemed to like to be around him, he would’ve probably told them they were crazy.

Yet here he was, sitting on a bench on the boardwalk facing the rolling waves as the sun slowly crept down in front of him, Aqua still working on her ice cream cone next to him.

She had her legs tucked up her, sandals half hanging off her feet and her knees just brushing against his thigh. The warm summer breeze brushed off the ocean, blowing around them as Aqua carefully made sure not even a sprinkle fell from her cone whereas Terra found he had to keep sticking his fingers in his mouth when his plain vanilla ice cream dripped down too fast.

It was nice though, this was nice. It seemed like he spent more and more of his free time with her whether she was coming over for dinner with him and Ven or Terra would keep her company while she had to grade papers or them just going out after a long day at work like tonight. They seemed to find they picked up their connection they had as kids easily, talking to her wasn’t hard and being around her was easy, soothing. She seemed to initiate spending time together as much as he did which made him feel like he wasn’t pressuring her to hang out with him. Looking forward to seeing her got him through the days more, making everything seem just a little brighter than it had been before she walked into him, literally.

Terra wouldn’t exactly always consider himself the most observant person but he wasn’t an idiot, he didn’t need Ven saying a million times there could be something more than just two old friends reconnecting. Terra knew the lingering glances or touches, the flirting, the hesitation when they said goodbye, both waiting for the other to break first. It’s not like he didn’t want to, but he was still pretty convinced there was no way someone like her would want someone like him. If being friends was as good as it got, it was still pretty damn great.

“Terra,” Aqua chuckled, breaking him from his thoughts. “Your ice cream.”

He barely even looked up at her before he notice the slight stream of vanilla starting to run down his hand again. He quickly brought his fingers to his lips, trying to stop from getting ice cream everywhere since he didn’t have the good sense to grab napkins; to be fair his intake of ice cream was fairly nonexistent before Aqua. She was laughing when he glanced over to her, the ice cream in her hand already down to the cone.

“I don’t know how you do it,” he said before trying to eat some of the excess of his to avoid dripping it more.

“I don’t know how you don’t,” she snorted, nudging her shoulder into his.

He was about to tell her it was because he didn’t have the constitution of a five year old but his phone buzzed in his pocket, making him shift to pull it out instead. Terra went to unlock it but the text message was plenty clear on the screen.

Ven:      

               Did you kiss her yet, you weenie :p

Terra locked his phone again, dropping it onto the bench next to him. Obviously, his brother was zero help in this.

“You’re quiet tonight,” she said, taking a small bite from her cone. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh, no, yeah its fine.” Terra hadn’t even realized he was up in his own head so much. He leaned back against the bench as he turned slightly to face her. “Just tired, glad it’s Friday.”

“Me too,” Aqua sighed. “And the end of finals is in sight.”

“I can’t even remember what it was like to have summer break. What are you gonna do the whole time?”

“Well, I mean I have to work some of it to prep for the coming year.” She paused to bite at her cone. “As for the time off, I usually like to do something. Sometimes I’ll volunteer at the library or a museum and sometimes I’ll travel. Though I think I’ll stay around this summer.”

“Seriously?” he snorted. His phone buzzed again but he resisted looking at it. “Why would you wanna stay here when you could go someplace nice?”

“Nice is relative,” she said with a slight shrug. “It’s not like I travel to the Bahamas or something. I’m a teacher remember. Besides, there’s plenty to do here.”

“Like what? Aside from wanting to die when the sun hits the pavement that radiates at you or nearly choking on the humidity mixed with that smog and sewer smell.”

Aqua pushed her shoulder against him but she was laughing. “How are you so jaded and you haven’t even lived here for a year?”

“Because I don’t get to sit in an air conditioned building.” Terra nudged his leg against hers to let her know he was only teasing. “Don’t get me wrong, I’d much rather be laying out the walls and structuring of a skyscraper every single day than teaching high schoolers, but I don’t exactly see the pretty aspects of the city.”

“Fair enough,” she said, taking a small bite which reminded Terra he should probably do the same or he’d get ice cream all over his clothes. “Then you tell me where you’d go if you could go anywhere.”

“Easy, the mountains.”

Aqua looked like she was actually surprised, though her eyes darted over to Terra’s phone that went off yet again. “Really?”

Terra nodded. “My dad used to take me and Ven sometimes. The air is so crisp up there like you can really breathe and you can see forever out in the distance with no buildings to block your view but the stars, you see them like you never could in the city. It’s beautiful.”

“That actually does sound nice.” There was a different sort of look in her eyes as she watched him, something Terra couldn’t quite place. “I don’t think I’ve ever been, like really gone camping like that. My mom prefers hotels to tents.”

“Well, I can’t recommend sharing a tent with me,” he said, only realizing the implications of his words afterwards. “I mean, I’m told I snore a lot.” He rolled his eyes if only to try and mask the heat that rose to his cheeks.

This small smile pulled at her lips and she looked like she was going to say something but of course, his stupid phone started to vibrate in such a way he knew someone was calling him. “You can answer it, Terra, it’s okay.”

“It’s just Ven, probably calling to yell at me for deleting his show off the DVR.”

“Answer it,” she said, leaning back against the bench some. “It could be important.”

When Terra looked over and saw Ven’s picture on the screen Terra highly doubted that. He slid his finger on the screen as he picked it up, holding it to his ear. “What’s up, kiddo?”

“Why are you ignoring me?” Ven sounded far more amused than mad, or hurt or in trouble or anything Aqua might’ve thought was the reason for his call.

“Because it’s rude to be on the phone when you’re hanging out with someone else and I’m not rude.”

“Uh huh, where are you?”

Terra arched an eyebrow even though he very well knew Ven couldn’t see. “Why’re you so nosey?”

“Is it wrong to be concerned about my big brother’s wellbeing?”

“Bye, Ven.”

“No, wait!”

Aqua started to laugh a little meaning she could probably hear at least some of Ven’s side of the conversation; which could be potentially horrifying if he decided to open his mouth.

“Well, what is it then? C’mon, Aqua’s here and my ice cream is melting.”

Ven paused for a second. “You’re eating ice cream?”

“Yes, I am. Are you hungry? I can bring you home something to eat.”

“Jesus, Ter, I didn’t even know you liked her that much.”

Terra tried really hard not to tense up at Ven’s choice wording but if Aqua heard him she made no indication she did.

“Yes, food would be great,” Ven continued. “But that’s still not why I called.”

“Then what is it?”

“Okay, joking aside, I seriously haven’t seen you this happy in a long time. I just don’t want you to miss a chance because you’re scared, you know?”

It wasn’t too surprising. Ven was usually fairly perceptive and yeah, they teased each other more often than not, he was still Terra’s best friend. “Yeah, alright.”

“Also I know you’re at the boardwalk so please bring me back as many corn dogs as you can carry.”

“Okay,” Terra snorted. “See you when I get home.”

“See ya.”

He placed his phone back down, not even wanting to look at the texts Ven had tried to send before he called.

“He called for corn dogs?” Aqua asked, amusement in her eyes as she looked up to Terra. “I’m sorry, he talks kinda loud.”

Terra laughed trying to ignore the jolt that when down his spine at the fact she probably heard what was said. “Yeah, he’s a human garbage disposal.”

She hummed in response but didn’t say anything else. It was okay; silence with her wasn’t uncomfortable, save for now when it was more than likely she heard everything Ven babbled.

Terra wondered if he should just ask, just say the words aloud; then at least he’d know. Granted that scared him almost as much as her answer.

“I used to have a crush on you, you know.”

Terra turned his head to look at Aqua, but she wasn’t looking at him at all, her eyes over the ocean as she popped the last bit of her cone in her mouth. “Oh yeah?” was about all he could manage.

“Oh yeah,” she repeated with a small laugh. “Really bad. I thought I’d have all the time in the world to work up the courage to tell you, but then I moved and how could I tell you how I felt over a piece of paper.”

He could understand that in the least, the rest he wasn’t so sure. “Me? Seriously? When I was young with the awkward height and scrawny body?”

“Yes, Terra, you idiot.” She reached a hand over to hit him in the arm. “You were always fun and kind, you always made me feel special. You were cute too, don’t give me that. Those blue eyes and dimples.” Aqua hummed as she looked over at him. “I know we were kids but I always wondered how you never had a girlfriend even back then.”

He felt a little breathless, but this was the past right? No harm in at least telling her that. “You wanna know why?”  

“Yes, it’s haunted me for years.”

He rolled his eyes. “I liked you, I think they all knew that.”

“Bullshit,” she said, shaking her head a little. “No, you didn’t.”

“Yes, I did. I absolutely did.” Terra reached over to push at her chin a little. “I might not’ve known how much till you left but then what could I do about it.”

Aqua was quiet for a moment as she watched him. The air seemed to shift a little between them, making his breath catch in his throat. She wasn’t the little girl with scrapes on her knees and her dress covered in mud after she chased him in the woods but she was a beautiful woman, who lived on her own and took care of herself but still had that sweet spirit.

“What about now?” she said, though her voice was soft almost lost in the ocean breeze.

There it was. He could tell her now, just be honest or he could do just as Ven said and be scared. She was waiting for an answer; Terra could see it in her eyes, the way she was biting down on her lower lip. She wanted to know. Who was he to keep something from someone who had always been nothing but honest with him. Words, though, he wasn’t good with words all the time. He didn’t always say the right thing, or mean how the words came out.

So he took Ven’s advice instead.

There wasn’t much distance between them, but Terra leaned in till his lips were pressed to hers. He could still taste the sweet ice cream on her mouth, and for once, it really wasn’t that bad. He really only seemed to remember he still had an ice cream cone in his hand when she reached a hand up passed his cheek to his hair. Terra promptly let go of whatever was left of his cone and placed his hand on her face, realizing too late it was probably sticky from the amount of ice cream that melted over it.

It was Aqua didn’t seem to mind that time.

A couple seconds that seemed like almost an eternity to him, but she chuckled slightly as he pulled back enough to look at her. She leaned her head against the hand that was still on her face, her hand falling to his chest.

“Do you really not like ice cream that much, cause that could be a deal breaker,” she said with a smile that said completely otherwise; granted her eyes did glance down to his fallen cone.

“I will happily buy you whatever ice cream you want and the only person you’ll have to fight it for is Ven.”

Aqua looked like she was pondering the proposal for a moment before she moved closer to him again. “I can live with that.”

It was easy to forgot something that happened years and years ago, people change, life goes on. Yet when he kissed her again, for the first time since Aqua left their home town he felt like he finally found what he didn’t even know was missing.

All because she never lost her sweet tooth.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, The Both of You

Pairing: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: A few months after New Year’s; Terra & Aqua are 20 & 19

Rating: K

Notes: I actually rewrote most of this after letting it sit for a few weeks. I didn’t like all of what I had and while I had to get rid of a conversation I did like I feel like this is much less tedious than the first version was haha I always knew this was one of the chapters I’d write and that it would probably go something like this. Them sweet buns always killing me <3

AO3

9. Love

“No. You wanted to talk, so talk. What do you have to say to me?”

“I love you.”

-Rory & Jess

When the snow started to melt and the green grass began to come back, the first flowers in bloom, that’s when Aqua found she missed home the most. They were probably getting ready for the Flower Festival the town always held on the first day of spring. She could almost see them setting up in the town center, the booths, the display pieces. Kairi was probably sitting on the ground with dozens upon dozens of paper flowers made in buckets around her while Riku was slowly filling up his one; Sora and Roxas barely had one half full together and Lea already gave up without making a single one as he napped on the grass instead.

A smile pulled at Aqua’s lips. She remembered when it was her making the paper flowers that would be hung all around with the real flowers under the beautiful designs done by Aerith and her mother. The whole town would be lit up with brightly colored flowers, the sweet smells of spring, the lanterns and lights, the smells of barbeques and fresh made chocolates. It was the opposite of her desk in her dorm room. The only thing that gave it any color or life was the framed picture of her, Terra, and Ven that stood up against the wall and her two Valentine’s Day cards she got from both boys as well.

Ven’s was a silly picture, the word “sister” on the top of the card in gold lines; something he had done since he was little. He wanted to send it to her while she was at school last month so she could get some mail; she loved seeing his neat handwriting on the envelope as well as on the bottom of the card.

Terra’s had more of the cliché Valentine ’s Day colors to it but it was so very carefully picked out that she could almost imagine him standing in the card store for hours looking for the right one to give her for the first time the holiday held romantic value for them. There was red lettering on the inside and out that she knew by heart the amount of times she read it; even though it was suspiciously without one little word, minus the heart by Terra’s name.

She understood. While before they started the romantic end of their relationship telling each other they loved one another was fairly common place but now the word took on new connotations. Neither had said it since then. Aqua knew how she felt, she always knew how she felt but she was careful to understand he might not be there.

She knew she should be at school, working on homework and should absolutely not be in a taxi entering the town limits the Thursday before she was supposed to come home for the weekend. She knew these things, but she honestly didn’t care when she started to see the familiar buildings of her hometown out the window of the car.

She reached over to her phone, hitting it the screen so it would light up. She hadn’t heard from Terra in a little while which probably meant he was working. She absolutely didn’t tell him she kind of hopped in a taxi for two hours just to come home early nor did she tell her parents or anyone really. It was kind of an impulse decision but sitting there at her desk with her notebook open she just couldn’t do it anymore. She missed home and at that point nothing was more important than to just leave. She knew Terra or one of her parents would’ve come and gotten her if she asked, but she hated making them take the long 4 hour round trip just for her; especially Terra who drove up last weekend to visit her already. She even knew she probably wouldn’t even see him for that long since he worked all morning and had class that night but it didn’t matter, she’d be home.

Plus it was admittedly a little exciting to surprise them for once.

Sure enough the town center was bustling with people setting up for the festival. Aqua honestly never thought she’d be happy to see the same people she always saw running around trying to get things ready for the weekend. The taxi stopped and she passed her card up to pay for the trip before grabbing her backpack and opening the door to step outside.

She was hit with the warm afternoon air, the smell of home making her chest feel light. She couldn’t keep a smile off her face as she stood on the sidewalk, watching over the ever busy center. Aqua was also almost right; Kairi and Riku were sitting on the green working diligently on flowers but Namine sat with them as Kairi showed the newer girl how to fold the paper right. Sora and Roxas were there too, though Sora was at least attempting to fold a flower while Roxas kept throwing the ones he made at Xion instead. Lea was unsurprisingly asleep in the grass, a pile of flowers on his chest.

Aqua almost wanted to go over and say hi but there would be plenty of time. Instead she turned to Cid’s where she assumed both her boys were but even before she could open the door, people were coming out. She waited for a second to pop her head inside to see just how busy it was; the answer was very. Apparently people already started coming in for the festival. She slipped herself in the diner and managed to squeeze onto an empty stool in front of the counter in between two other people who were already eating their food. She tried to look around to see the familiar heads of hair but nothing.

“Hi,” an incredibly fake cheery voice said from in front of her. “What can I get you?”

She turned back to the counter to see Ven looking down at his notepad, clearly waiting for an answer. The poor kid looked exhausted; she was afraid to ask him how long he had to work today.

“I’d take a hug for starters.”

Ven blinked up at her, who she was registering in his head. “Aqua, thank God.”

Before she could move, he was already standing in front of her, hugging her so tightly she almost fell into the person next to her. “I missed you too,” she said, wrapping her arms around him to hug him back.

“I thought Terra wasn’t getting you till tomorrow night,” Ven said, though his voice was a little muffled as his face was still in her shoulder.

“Well, surprise.” She gave him a squeeze before he moved to stand in front of her since he was now neglecting his job. “I thought I’d come down early. I miss seeing all the set up for the festival.”

Ven snorted. “I don’t, or all the business it brings.”

“Why cause you have to work?”

“Ventus,” Cid’s voice called from the kitchen. “Are you ever gonna get your ass over here and get these orders.”

“Awwe, Cid, c’mon, Aqua’s here!” Ven shouted back. Some of the out of towners glanced over but most everyone else was used to it.

Cid actually poked his head through the doorway which was kinda rare unless he was yelling at someone.

“Hi, Cid,” Aqua said, raising her hand to wave.

“Hey, kid,” he grunted. “Good to see ya, even if you’ve never paid for a meal here in your life.”

That was probably true or for at least as long as Terra worked here.

“C’mon, Ven, I don’t pay you to talk to girls.”

“You probably should honestly, bet we’d get more business on non-tourist days,” Ven said, but he did move back around the counter. He tapped the space in front of Aqua before grabbing two empty glasses from the people next to her. “Terra just left to do a delivery across the street, bet you could catch him before he leaves.”

“Thanks, Ven,” she said, pushing herself to her feet and give her spot to someone who actually was going to eat. “I’ll see you tonight?”

He gave her a thumbs up, well, tried to with glasses still in his hands. “You got it, Aqua.”

“Ventus,” Cid called from back in the kitchen.

“I’m coming, old man, God, so demanding.” Ven gave her another smile and a wave as she headed out the front door.

It smelt delicious in there, yeah, but it was nice to be able to breathe again in the fresh air. She scanned over the green and the nearby sidewalks to see if she could see Terra anywhere. The kids were still working on the flowers in the center of the green (“working” used lightly as now it only seemed like Kairi and Namine were doing anything productive) and there were plenty of familiar faces walking by, just not the one Aqua wanted to see.    

She supposed he might’ve already headed home in which wasn’t terrible but it would ruin the surprise a little when she had to ask him to come back to town to pick her up. Honestly she hadn’t thought any of this through but it really didn’t matter.

There! Across the street at the post office she could easily see Terra’s back, the length of his shoulders, the way his hair fell in layers down the back of his head. He was talking to someone though she couldn’t really see who from her angle. Aqua checked the street to make sure no one was coming before she hurried across to the other sidewalk. She thought maybe she could do something cute and try to scare him since she always had a hard time sneaking up on him to begin with but the closer she got to him the more she didn’t want to prolong it. Yeah, okay, it hadn’t even really been four days since she last saw him but that was a lot when she used to see him every day.

Terra still hadn’t turned around as some lady chatted his ear off. Aqua could almost hear his internal monologue of him hoping to God this person would stop talking so he could walk away and stop pretending to be a social person.

Aqua bit her lip to try and hide her smile when he was within her reach. She didn’t want to be dramatic, but she just missed his warm presence, his familiar smell, and she couldn’t help herself. She swung her arms around his waist and unceremoniously squished her face into the back of his shoulder. She breathed a small sigh; that was so much better.  

Terra jumped a little, probably not expecting anyone to lunge themselves at him from behind, but honestly, it wouldn’t be the first time someone did let alone her. He turned his head to look over his shoulder but by now he had to know it was her.

Aqua peeked her eyes up to him, her smile still buried into his t-shirt.

Whoever had been talking to him either stopped or left but she had no idea which it was because she could only see his blue eyes, the way his lips twitched upwards as the sight of her. “Surprise,” she said as she stood up on her toes to try and put her chin on his shoulder.

“What a surprise,” he said, though not without some amusement in his eyes. “Dare I ask how you got here?”

“Nope.” She knew he was only teasing; it was easy to tell with the look on his face. “Stop complaining.”

Terra started to turn around causing her to let go of him and step back but she didn’t get very far when his arms were around her waist, pulling her back. “Never.” He leaned down some to kiss her as she reached her arms up around his neck.

That was much better, so much more so than still being at school.

While admittedly sometimes she still felt like whenever they were in public all eyes were on them (mainly because it was true), other times she didn’t care. This was one of those times. Aqua squeaked in surprise when she felt her feet pull off the ground some as he picked her up. On habit she almost kicked her legs around him, but she stopped herself knowing that would only give her unwanted comments, or unwanted comments to her parents. Instead she waited till he put her down, leaning in for another quick kiss before he let go of her.

Aqua turned so she could walk by his side, his hand extended for her to take. She laced her fingers through his as they started to walk down the sidewalk though where to she didn’t know, nor did she care.

“So what brought on the sudden surprise,” Terra asked. He still seemed lighthearted but she knew he was asking her if something was wrong, if something happened that made her want to leave by herself.

“I just didn’t wanna be there anymore,” she said. “Nothing happened or anything like that. It was just, I dunno, I missed you, I missed this.” Aqua used her free hand to wave over the green and the streets.

“You missed what?” he snorted. “Everyone going crazy over a festival? Or Kairi doing all the work and the others just goofing off? Cause, Aqua, you can come back any day and find that.”

She reached over to hit at his arm. “You know what I mean. I was just, dunno, homesick. Even one day felt too long.”

He squeezed her hand but didn’t disagree. “Ever thought you’d be homesick for this place?”

The answer was yes, but she knew Terra didn’t always view their home the same way she did. “Sometimes you don’t know what you have till it’s not there all the time.”

Someone was yelling in the green, though from Aqua’s angle she could only see the kids which meant it was probably some event committee member telling them to stop goofing off. The moment the stern talking stopped, Roxas, who was still watching the person intently, tossed the flower in his hand right at Lea’s face which had Sora and Xion in giggle fits again. The yelling resumed once more.

“Are you positive about that?” Terra said.

Aqua laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder as they walked amongst the rest of the locals going about their day and more of the early bird tourists wandering. “Where’re we going?”

“Dunno, I’m off for the rest of the day till class tonight.”

She didn’t think passed the taxi ride and finding Terra, both of which she did. This was nice though. It was a little chilly, but the sun was out, the spring feel to the air, and despite the kids messing around the festival was starting to come together. There was just something about being home with the people you loved.

She looked up to Terra who was looking off into the distance, but probably not at anything in particular. He definitely smelt like he had been working all morning, the fryer smell always clung to him no matter what he did. She knew he hated but she honestly didn’t mind it; mainly cause it reminded her of him. It was familiar, he was, this street was, Roxas and Lea taking nothing seriously was, Sora pretending he did for Kairi’s sake was, the local kids laughter was, Cid’s was, it was home and she loved it. She loved this and she knew she loved Terra. It wasn’t a question in her mind.

They had their history sure, they knew each other better than anyone else long before they ever started a romantic relationship but this, this right here just walking by him and holding his hand down the sidewalk is what she always wanted. It was simple, but she loved it. This was what she wanted.

The words were out of her mouth before she even had a chance to stop them.

“Terra, I love you.”

Which wasn’t in the slightest bit how she wanted to tell him or even how she wanted to say it, but there they were. A part of her felt relieved to finally say it, but the other part of her was terrified as he hadn’t made any indication he even heard her.

Did she say it again? Did she let it go and write it off as he wasn’t ready or maybe didn’t even hear her? Before she could get herself too much in a panic he hummed, seemingly in response.

Not quite the response she had in mind, but he at least didn’t look upset. Before she could babble on about how it was okay if he didn’t feel the same way about her like she rehearsed in her head for this very moment, he turned to her, a sort of smile on his lips.

“I love you too, you know.”

She wanted to feel relieved and elated and happy but it wasn’t the first time he told her that. Now that she said it, she just had to make sure he knew. “I mean, really, really. I’m in love with you.”

“Aqua,” he snorted, stopping where they were so he could reach his hands up to her face, probably in an effort to get her to stop. “I know what you meant. I know what I meant too.”

She watched his face, the one she knew so well. It changed a lot over the years, but somethings never changed. His eyes were always the same shape, the same shade of blue and his smile was always familiar, how it brought out the dimples on his cheeks. His hands were warm on her face, soft, gentle. It was all she ever wanted, this was all she wanted her whole life. Maybe she always knew, but there was no doubt in her mind right here and right now.

It was him.

Aqua leaned forward, closing the space between them till his lips were pressed to his. Terra chuckled against her slightly but easily melted into it. This time, she really didn’t care who saw.

[lyssala]

You’re Idiots, The Both of You

Pairings: Terra/Aqua, Kingdom Hearts

Setting: Early winter; Terra & Aqua are 8 & 7

Rating: K

Notes: OH MAN half way there! I actually only have two chapters left to write for this set but a bunch more to share with you all <3 I really do love writing them as kids (and baby Ven!) so I always knew I’d use this quote as a childhood one for them. It didn’t always take the turn it did but as I was writing it I was like this is exactly something Aqua would worry about and he’d think she was ridiculous for ever thinking it. These sweet buns I swear. Also can you guess where Aqua’s last name came from? Lmao that was the first time I saw her VA so I figured it was a cute little tribute ;3

AO3

10. Snow

“Everything’s magical when it snows, everything looks pretty.”

-Lorelai

Terra was already nearly out the door when he heard his mom calling from the kitchen. He didn’t bother closing the door but he did turn around to see her walking in the hallway, Ven sitting up on her hip as he fiddled with some toy.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked, though she at least didn’t sound angry Terra was kind of walking out the door without telling her. He was eight years old after all, that should mean he could go outside alone but his mom worried too much.

“Outside, it’s gonna snow,” he said simply, as it was the truth.

“Don’t you wanna wait till it starts to snow so you can play in it?”

“No, cause then I’ll miss when it first starts.” He paused for a second, knowing his mom was looking for some more explanation. “And I have to go get Aqua and she takes forever to get ready.”

“Ah, there it is,” his mom said. “Make sure you-”

Ven started to wiggle like he wanted to be put down. “No, I want going with Ter.”

“Oh, not this time, Ven,” she said, hoisting him back up. “It’s a little too cold and it’s getting late so Terra won’t be gone that long.” She looked back over to him. “Right?”

Yeah, like he had a choice when she used that tone. “Right.”

“Look both ways before you cross the street and stay in our yard or hers, you hear me?”

Terra tried not to roll his eyes knowing he’d probably get in trouble. “Yeah, I hear you, Mom.”

“Okay, have fun.”

“I can have fun,” Ven said, clearly still wanting to go.

“Oh, you can have fun in here.” His mom waved to Terra who waved back to the both of them before closing the door behind him.

It was pretty cold out but it never bothered him all that much, and it really didn’t bother him when he had a jacket on and a hat over his ears; mainly because he knew his mom wouldn’t have let him go without both. He stopped at the road just in case she was still watching, looked up and down the street before running across and up the steps to Aqua’s porch.

He opened the screen door and hit his knuckles against the door. He knew they were home because both cars were there so Aqua had to be home too. Terra shifted his weight a little as he waited, debating on just opening the door but if his mom was still watching then he’d get an earful about being patient.

The door opened in front of him; though where he expected Mr. or Mrs. Queen he found he was already looking at Aqua. She smiled at him like she hadn’t just seen him after school and used one hand to wave, the other was still holding on to the door knob.

“Hi, Terra.”

“Hi, can you come outside with me?” he asked. No use in wasting time, it could start snowing right now.

“Umm…” Aqua turned her head to the house. “Hey, mom! Can I go outside with Terra?”

“Isn’t it a little late?” Mr. Queen must’ve been closer because Terra could hear Aqua’s dad clearly.

“The sun’s still out,” Terra said. It was true, even if it was hidden behind snow clouds.

“Did you finish your homework, Aqua?” that time it was Mrs. Queen.

“Yes,” Aqua nodded still looking into the house.

“Okay, just for a little bit.” Mrs. Queen came into the doorway behind Aqua who was grinning as she reached up to grab her jacket off the coat hook. “What’s the big rush to be out tonight?”

Why did no one understand? “It’s gonna snow,” Terra said. “The first snow.”

“Ah, of course,” Mrs. Queen said, a smile on her lips. “How silly of me not to know.”

“Ready,” Aqua said, zipping up her jacket as she stepped onto the porch, still trying to shove one of her shoes on her feet.

“Let’s go,” he grabbed a hold of her hand, tugging her down the steps into her front yard.

“Terra,” she laughed but didn’t object, even as he stopped to check the road before pulling her across the street.

He didn’t stop till he took her to the back yard, finally letting go of her hand so he could flop down at the base of the tree that had his tree house in it. That was more comfortable than the ground but it had a roof so not ideal for snow.

Aqua was giggling when she stood in front of him. “Did you really bring me out here cause it’s gonna snow?”

“Yep,” he said, gesturing for her to sit next to him. “It’s the best time of the year.”

“It’s cold.” Aqua wrinkled her nose but she took a seat next to him.

“You’re a baby.”

“I am not.” She rolled her eyes as she brought her knees up to her chest. “You just stay warmer than me.”

It was true. Terra wasn’t really sure why, it’s just how it was. “Yeah but it’s the best when it snows. Makes everything look…I dunno, clean and fluffy. Plus it means Christmas is coming and I know that’s your favorite holiday.”

She gave him a smile but it looked different than before. It was kinda like…she was sad.

Terra’s stomach sank a little. He really knew Aqua loved Christmas, why did she look upset? “Hey, what is it? You’ve always loved Christmas.”

“Oh, no, I do,” she said, but her fingers were fiddling with the string hanging on her boots as she looked down at the ground. “I always do.”

“Then why are you sad?”

Aqua still wasn’t looking at him. “I’m not sad.”

“Yes, you are.” He nudged his shoulder into hers which at least made her giggle a little. “Tell me, that’s what best friends are for aren’t they?”

She smiled that time even if she still wasn’t looking at him. “It’s not Christmas.”

“Okay, then what is it?”

“It’s that the year’s ending.” Aqua tugged at her boots a little.

“Yeah, so? That’s a good thing.”

She shook her head, making her pigtails bounce a little. “No, it’s not, cause I’ll still be in elementary school next year.”

Terra blinked at her. He usually could understand Aqua pretty well, but right now he just couldn’t follow what she was trying to say. “So what? It’s not that bad there.”

“No, it’s not…” She huffed a little, dropping her hands onto the ground. “Terra, you won’t be there anymore.”

The wind blew through their silence as he watched her and she stared at her feet. Well, yeah, he supposed that was true. He was a year older than her so next school year he’d go to the middle school building while Aqua had another year. It’s not like he didn’t know, but at the same time the buildings were next to each other, they could still walk to Cid’s or Master’s together and they still lived a minute from one another. He was about to tell her so, but the sad look in her eyes told him it was bothering her a lot and he probably shouldn’t write it off as nothing.

“Aqua,” he said, causing her to glance up at him. “Are you really upset we won’t be in the same school?”

She shrugged. “Just won’t be the same.”

“Course it will be.” He nudged his shoulder into hers again. “Yeah, okay, we won’t see each other at school anymore but it’s not like we have classes together anyways but we’ll still see each other after school and at home and on the weekends like always. None of that is gonna change.” Terra thought he did a pretty good job explaining his point but Aqua still didn’t look any happier. “I’ll even meet you outside the doors every day so we can walk together, okay?”

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

“Then why do you still look so sad?”

“It’s just…” She propped her chin up on her knees, now looking anywhere but at him. “You’ll be in a whole new school with new people.”

He still wasn’t sure what she was trying to say at all. “Yeah, I know. You will be too soon.”

Aqua bit down on her lip and eyes staring out at the house. “What if you make friends who you like better than me?”  

Terra could only blink at her. She couldn’t possibly be serious. “What are you talking about?”

Her eyes looked a little watery for a second, making him panic thinking she was about to cry. “You’re gonna go to a new school with all these new people you’ll see there every day and what if you want to start hanging out with them more than me, like after school and stuff.”

“That’s impossible.” Terra knew the word was definite and that it shouldn’t be used too lightly but he said it easily. “I might make new friends, I dunno, but you’re my best friend. No one can replace you, Aqua.”

She finally lifted her head off her knees, looking a little surprised, like she didn’t expect him to say that. “You mean it?”

“Of course I mean it, dummy. Promise.” He reached over to nudge his hand against hers.

A smile pulled at Aqua’s lips as she wrapped her pinky around his.

Terra always liked it when she smiled, it made her face seem so much brighter and made her eyes light up; it always made him want to smile too. Though this time, she looked a little different than usual.

“Oh!” he exclaimed, reaching out to her hair where little white snowflakes were clinging to. “It started!”

Aqua blinked up at the sky, eyes watching the snow as it started to flutter down. She held her hands open to catch some but it must’ve been a little too cold because he watched a shiver go through her body as she dropped her hands back to her lap. Terra pulled his hat off his hat and reached it over to shove down over hers.

She giggled a little as she pulled it back up over her eyes, looking up at him. He stuck his tongue out to catch the snow on his face which only made her laugh more.

How could she ever think she was so easily replaced? Terra knew he wasn’t really all that old and had only lived one place his whole life but he also knew there was only one Aqua. That would never change.