Chapter Text
After a night of rest, and a morning dedicated to flustered glances between you and Sora, you left him on the beach with Riku and Kairi and a promise to be back if he didn't come visit you first. Radiant Garden felt quiet as you wandered the streets, bag bouncing against your hip with every step, the scent of salt water and sand clinging to your skin. For a moment, you lingered outside of Merlin's house, your fist raised to knock. You were hesitating. But finally, you knocked lightly with an internal debate to turn tail and run and gather your nerves first. The door was opened, and before you could greet her, Yuffie already pounced and wrapped her arms around you tightly.
"You're back!"
You returned her hug, arms tight around her as well while two words remain unsaid. I'm home .
Without a moment of hesitation, Yuffie pulled you inside to greet the rest of the cast - Merlin welcoming you back with a smile, Leon merely giving you a nod and a reminder about your training (to which you rolled your eyes at, because of course that'd be the first thing he said to you) - before realizing Aerith was out. She darted from the house, yelling back a promise to be back in a few minutes, and you immediately decided to talk to Merlin, and ask him for one favor.
You were surprised that he said yes.
~
The first time you managed to appear at the Destiny Islands without external help, you'd been more than ecstatic. You waited on the beach, knowing that soon enough, you wouldn't be alone. That was how most of your days went afterward - you appearing on the beach in a puff of smoke before having to return to Radiant Garden before nightfall - and you were happy. You were more than happy. Sora would always greet you with a bone-crushing hug before slipping his hand into yours and pulling you in some direction to follow where Riku and Kairi had run off to, rattling off the day's plans with a smile and the prettiest look in his eyes that never failed to make your heart flutter. And then the day would end with the four of you on the outer little island. Riku leaned against it, an arm propped up on his knee; Kairi on the other side of Sora, hands resting in her lap as she looked out at the ocean; Sora beside you, one hand on yours while he sort-of leaned against the tree; and you, sitting on the tree and leaning slightly against Sora. While you weren't sure what the future would hold, one thing was clear:
You were more than ready to face it.