[KH/FF] Secret Santa 2017

Simply Christmas By MizzGinger

To: Carixe

From: MizzGinger

∞

Chapter 1: December 1st, 2017

Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEhJsRnzXGs

"STEP RIGHT UP AND CLAIM YOUR CHRISTMAS SPIRIT!"

The statement repeats a few more times until you realize that this is real: someone is handing out live spirits to whoever answers their call. You quickly awaken and sit upright; your eyes take a moment to grasp your surroundings, and when they do, you notice that you had knocked out on the couch last night.

You spot Zack Fair standing by the staircase where unwilling participants are forced to stick their hands in a dirty sock and take out a slip of paper. They read it and groan angrily, some even throw the paper in his face, but he continues with a smile. After all, that sort of behavior is expected here since most people have been tossed into this boarding school against their will.

The minute your parents witnessed some strange powers shoot out of your hands, they handed you over to the Kingdom Hearts police. A few mountains of paperwork later and you were given to the Kingdom Hearts Academy for the Gifted with your parents receiving a hefty sum for their cooperation.

At first, the pain of abandonment struck deep, and you refused to speak to anyone. However, the more you integrated into the school, the more you realized how fortunate you were to have this makeshift family. After fifteen years of loneliness and one year at the academy, you finally felt something other than emptiness. You discovered friendships, joy, betrayal, empathy, annoyance, fear, and love.

"Come on, Cloud!" Zack exclaims. Your gaze zeroes in on the groggy blonde, and you watch attentively. "Just grab one!"

"I'm not sticking my hand down your sock," Cloud grunts out as he tries to push past Zack. A smile pulls at the corners of your lips. The boy always puts up a strong front, but brotherly love will prevail in 3...2...1...

"Please?"

"Fine," Cloud spits out as he quickly rummages through the sock and scans his paper. Once Zack sees him roll his eyes, he backs off and allows the blonde to leave.

You continue to observe as Cloud makes his way to the house's large dining area. Just as he passes by the living room, you both make eye contact. The world stills for but a moment and the same sorrow you have buried deep inside reflects in his blue optics. Although you have never spoken to him before, you somehow feel spiritually closer to him than anyone else in the house. Almost every day you two steal glances from each other, and it's the same emotion in both your gazes.

He nods his head to you just before disappearing into the dining hall. Your stomach growls at the thought of today's meal, and you begin to peel yourself off the couch.

"So it looks like you escaped the school's holiday event," Roxas hums as he stops in front of the couch. He holds five bagels in his arms with a few stuffed in his pocket. You send him a confused stare. "...I'm guessing you don't know what I'm talking about."

Your blank expression serves as his answer and he heaves out a sigh. Flopping onto the chair, he hands you a bagel to which you instantly place in your mouth. As you chew, you watch as he scratches the back of his head while finding a place to begin his explanation. A surge of gratitude fills your body, causing a smile to form on your lips.

Yes, you've been very fortunate to have Roxas serve as your partner at the boarding school. He was assigned to you since the first day you walked in and not once has he ever left your side.