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(Art by LuxMoogle/MiMaMiLux, shared here with permission. All spot art throughout the story is also by her.)
Nestled in a peaceful wood, a soaring castle of red, white, and gold peeked through the trees. Fluttering flags and angelic marble sculptures decorated the castle as well as exquisite stained glass murals that told the story of its inhabitants: a selfish prince, a curse spoken, a red rose, a curse broken.
Four visitors exited a strange, colorful ship from another world and set across the long path leading to the castle.
“Woah, this place looks really…different,” Sora commented, noting the cheerful exterior and vibrant decorations of the castle. He turned to Roxas. “You’ve been here before too, right?”
“Yeah. I don’t remember it looking so…pretty.” His brow furrowed. “It was dark and spooky more than anything. Granted, I wasn’t exactly a welcome guest. I was sent here on missions for the Organization, so I snuck around a lot.”
Naminé gave his hand a sympathetic squeeze. “This time will be different, you’ll see.” She was very determined that the two of them should enjoy their lives now that they were their own people.
“I wonder what happened,” Kairi said as the castle loomed closer. “It definitely seems different from what you’ve told us, Sora.”
“But a good different. I hope Beast and Belle are okay. Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Chip too…”
Kairi’s expression softened. “You miss them, don’t you?”
He smiled and reached for her hand. “I missed all my friends. It’s good to be back.”
At last they reached the main entrance. As Sora lifted a hand to knock, however, the double doors burst open, and their group had to scramble backwards to avoid being smacked in the face, Sora especially.
Before them was a young woman with rich brown hair and warm eyes, and with her was a prince with reddish hair and striking blue eyes. Belle immediately enveloped Sora in a big hug.
“Sora! It’s so good to see you!” She leaned back, her face lighting up as she spotted who was with him. “And Kairi, what a wonderful surprise!” She hugged Kairi next, and the two girls smiled and laughed, enjoying their reunion.
“Welcome back, Sora,” the prince said, and Sora titled his head. The prince was with Belle…something about the way he talked reminded Sora of an old friend…And most of all, his eyes seemed awfully familiar…
Sora’s eyes went wide. “Beast? You’re human?”
The (former) Beast nodded. “Belle broke the curse.” He turned to his wife and smiled.
“Only at the last possible moment,” she said, a touch of anguish in her voice as she reached for his hand. “If only I’d known sooner.”
“What’s important is that we’re together now,” he replied, gently resting his hand over hers.
The lovestruck way the happy couple was looking at each other made Sora’s heart melt, and he sighed and glanced at Kairi. But when their eyes met, a pained expression flickered across her face, and she ducked her head. He frowned. Was something wrong? He’d have to ask her later.
He turned back to their hosts. “If you’re not a beast anymore, then what should we call you?”
“You can call me Adam.” He looked to Roxas and Naminé, who until now had kept a polite distance as Sora and Kairi reunited with their old friends. “And who are our other guests?”
“My name is Naminé,” Naminé said, touching a hand to her chest. “Thank you for having us.” She had seen this place before in Sora’s memories, but it was nice to be here in person. Especially because the castle was so different now. Full of light and life instead of shrouded in shadow and sadness.
Roxas fidgeted and cleared his throat. “And I’m…Um, my name is Roxas. I…uh, I don’t think you remember this, but this isn’t my first time here. I…snuck around before, helping the Organization…”
Sora cringed at Roxas’s honesty, waiting for one of Beast’s famous tempers, especially given how Xaldin had tormented the poor Beast. But instead Prince Adam smiled amiably. “Roxas, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
He really had changed, and Sora was glad to see it.
“And no more sneaking around,” Belle chided, “you’re our guests!”
With that the four of them were led inside the castle, and Sora’s eyes lit up when he saw more of his old friends in the foyer, in human form instead of their cursed forms. “Lumiere? Mrs. Potts? Cogsworth! And you must be Chip.” He grinned and ruffled Chip’s messy hair, then hugged the rest of his old friends.
“How would you all like a nice spot of tea?” Mrs. Potts offered.
“No no no, forget tea!” Lumiere said, waving his arms. “These are our guests! We must put on a show.”
“Don’t overdo it,” Cogsworth muttered, his mustache twitching as he fiddled with his pocket watch. “Remember last time when you—”
Lumiere ignored Cogsworth and grabbed Naminé’s hand. “Cherie, come with me,” he said, kissing her hand. Naminé’s eyes went wide and she looked to Kairi, who smiled and nodded to reassure her. Lumiere led her through the castle halls and the others followed close behind till at last they reached the banquet hall. Naminé was seated at the grand table once Fifi had dusted her chair, and Sora, Kairi, and Roxas soon joined her. Roxas shot Lumiere a look and inched his chair closer to Naminé, making Sora and Kairi snicker.
The court musicians played the music, Lumiere sang, and the four guests watched, awestruck, as a culinary cabaret unfolded before their very eyes. Plate after plate of food was wheeled out as their hosts entertained them, and the four of them tried all the dishes, desserts, and delicacies that were offered. Their favorite were these divine tartlets with apples cut into the shape of roses on top—a touching reference to the enchanted rose that had once dwelled in the castle. They were perfectly warm and just the right combo of crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside.
Sora asked the chef for the recipe, determined to make them later on himself, perhaps with Little Chef, too.
After dinner, Mrs. Potts offered tea, and once the guests’ stomachs had settled, the servants whisked them away to prepare for a ball. Madame Armoire showed Kairi and Naminé dress after dress, but in the end it was Belle who suggested a periwinkle dress with a hoop skirt for Naminé and a magenta one for Kairi with matching elbow-length gloves for each girl. Their hair was swept back into elegant updos, and Belle helped them choose tasteful jewelry that matched their dresses.
The boys likewise got ready with Adam, Lumiere, and Cogsworth’s help, donning tailored coats, vests, breeches, and knee-length boots.
“Do I look stupid?” Roxas muttered, casting a doubtful look in the mirror. He’d never looked so…frilly. He wore a gray vest with gold embroidery, and in his opinion, there were way too many ruffles poking out of his clothes.
“Nah, and besides, this is all part of the fun,” Sora said. “Fitting in. Being a part of their world.” He wore a red vest with gold embroidery, and he adjusted his frilly lace collar.
“You’re a lot better at this than me,” Roxas noted.
“I’ve had a lot more experience, and I didn’t have to hide like you did. C’mon, let’s go see the girls.”
Sora, Roxas, and Adam approached from their set of stairs, and a moment later, Kairi, Naminé, and Belle appeared at their set of stairs. The boys’ mouths dropped open, and the girls smiled sweetly.
“I never knew getting so dressed up could be this fun,” Naminé admitted as they glided down the stairs, and Kairi smiled and squeezed her hand.
“I’m glad you’re having fun. After everything you’ve been through, after all the people you’ve helped, you deserve to unwind a little.”
As the two groups convened on the intermediate landing, Sora bowed to Kairi and she curtsied to him.
He offered his arm. “May I have this dance?”
She smiled and looped her arm through his. “Yes.”
Roxas tried to mimic what Sora had done but felt he messed up the bow somehow. Naminé still smiled and took his offered arm, and together they descended the red velvet stairs after Sora and Kairi. Belle and Adam followed after them, and before long the three couples were waltzing in the ballroom to soaring strings, the beautiful glass windows revealing the starry night surrounding them.
Kairi and Naminé thought it was the most picturesque, romantic place they could spend with Sora and Roxas, Sora smiled like a kid on Christmas now that he was dancing with Kairi like he’d dreamed, and Roxas was trying to make sure he didn’t step on Naminé’s silken heel-clad feet. But when she rested her head against his chest, his nerves slipped away and he couldn’t help but smile.
After a few songs, Belle and Adam took a break for tea and Sora and Kairi slipped out to the balcony, leaving Roxas and Naminé to themselves. Their first couple of dances had been a little awkward as they figured out their footing, but now they were gliding along with ease.
“What’s on your mind?” Naminé asked, her voice soft and sweet as they twirled to the music.
“The last time I was here, things were different. There was so much I didn’t know. I couldn’t get why the Beast, I mean Adam, was so protective of Belle because I didn’t understand what love is.”
“And now?” Naminé asked as Roxas carefully led her into a spin.
He smiled as she returned to his arms. “Well, I met you. That answer your question?”
She laughed softly. “Yes. And I know what you mean. When I was in Castle Oblivion, I was so lonely.” She glanced towards the balcony and the gardens where their friends were taking a stroll. “I wanted what Sora and Kairi have, and I thought I could take it for myself. But love has to be freely given, so I was alone again.” She looked at Roxas and smiled. “Then I met you, and everything changed.”
“Yeah. Thank you, Naminé, for finding me in the darkness.”
“Thank you, Roxas, for seeing me.”
They continued their dance, both feeling like they were floating amongst the clouds. The massive marble pillars lining the ballroom, grand gold chandelier lit with dozens of candles overhead, and ornate ceiling decorated with murals of smiling cherubs set against a baby-blue sky made everything feel magical. Neither of them ever wanted this moment to end.
As the two of them twirled away, Sora and Kairi sat on the balcony together outside, the stars twinkling in the sky like diamonds.
“What’s on your mind?” Sora asked, unable to take his eyes off of her. “I noticed you were sad earlier, when Adam and Belle greeted us.”
The music from the ballroom floated towards them. “Prince Adam is human again because Belle broke his spell,” Kairi said at last. “But you still have to live with your curse.”
He tilted his head. “My curse? Oh, do you mean my Heartless form?”
She nodded. “At first it was just a Shadow, but it’s only gotten bigger and stronger. I can’t help but think that…maybe, if you didn’t have to save me, you never would’ve gotten split in two like that.” Her face betrayed the sorrow and regret she’d kept locked inside for so long.
“As if abandoning you was ever an option,” he said, his voice breaking as he reached for her hands. They were together again, but the scars from their separations remained, and the gesture brought them both comfort. “If this is a curse, it’s a small price to pay to have you by my side. Besides, I don’t see it like that. If anything, it’s a reminder of what you mean to me.”
She searched his face. As far as they both knew, his condition was permanent. And yet he saw it not as a beastly curse he’d have to live with for the rest of his life but as a symbol of how much he loved her.
“Then…that’s how I’ll see it too,” she promised. If he could see the good in it, then so would she.
He caressed her face. “Good. And you did break the spell, Kairi. You saved me. Turned me human again.” He gently stroked her hair, and her face flushed, her heart thudding in her chest.
“I couldn’t just leave you like that,” she said, barely above a whisper. “Not after what you did for me.”
“I know. And look at all the good that’s come from it.” He glanced towards the ballroom. “Roxas and Naminé exist because of us.”
Kairi’s expression softened. “That’s true, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them.”
“And I couldn’t be more grateful for you. For what we share,” he said, a tender smile on his face.
She returned his smile and cupped his cheek. “I feel the same.”
He melted into her touch, savoring this moment they’d worked so hard to create. Their long separations made every second spent together that much sweeter.
Presently, they rejoined their friends at the ball. As the four of them danced in the grand ballroom, they smiled and exchanged happy glances.
What a wonderful way to celebrate Sora being back with them, safe and sound. To celebrate Roxas and Naminé being alive and Kairi being whole. And what a perfect way for the two couples to spend an evening with their loved ones.