[Maybe with some time, Sora will be able to have Basil open up to him some more. Right now, Sora's just happy that he's made a new friend. And he means every word that he says, too. He thinks Basil is really cute.

They'll walk together home, then. Sora will make idle chit-chat as they go.]

So, how long have you lived here in town? I've been here forever, I'm pretty sure my family's never left. Small town life is kind of boring sometimes, huh?

Me? I've been here all my life...

( Though, it makes sense if Sora hadn't really noticed him before. Basil prefers to be under the radar. )

Even though it's quiet here, I think that it's nice. A-At least, I think that how Grandma prefers it to be, too.

Whoa, really? Your whole life, too? Imagine! We could have been better friends years ago!

[He must have never noticed Basil before. He finds that a little amusing.]

It is quiet... I know I get bored sometimes, but I guess it is home. Heh.

[Sora dreams about travelling someday... But those are dreams for the future.]

Oh-- uhm... I... I don't know...

( Doubtful. He was far worse off years back, but that's neither here nor there. )

It was the same for my friends, back when we would all spend time together... We would find special places to spend time together. It was never really boring then. Maybe something like that could make things a little more exciting for you, too.

Edited 2025-10-25 08:31 pm (UTC)

[Sora tilts his head to smile at Basil.]

I guess I get that, too. Riku and Kairi and me used to build secret meeting spots near the beach all the time. But we haven't done that in a while. Riku's always talking about going travelling.

[Let's pretend there's a beach nearby.]

Do you still do anything like that with your friends?

That's really nice, though isn't it? It's... a little like having your own special spot. You can make all kinds of really special memories in a place like that.

( He stops for a moment then, looking towards the path ahead, yet at nothing in particular. )

N-No. It's... been a long time since we've all been together...

[Sora tilts his head. He's usually a fairly empathic boy so he notes that there's something... distant when Basil says that.]

Would you like... to make a special spot with me, then? Heh.

( Basil can't help but stop then, looking to Sora with surprise and a bit of hesitation. His heart stops for a moment. )

You... want to? With me?

( He can feel the way his cheeks flush, and he smiles in uncertainty. )

I... I'd like that.

I'd like that too.

[Sora brightens up so much when Basil says that. His hand reaches out to touch Basil's hand, almost like he's going to take it in his soon.]

Want to go right now? We can go explore near the water!

( For the second time, he can't help but stop and do a double take. It's so strange to him, that someone would want to spend time like this with him. It... feels like it's been a long time.

Slowly, he begins to close the distance between their hands, offering it for Sora to take, if he wanted to. )

O... Okay...

That would-- make me really happy.

[Oh!! Sora feels a little happy skip in his heart. Basil is saying that would make him happy and in turn that makes Sora happy.

He's supposed to go home after school but he's totally going to be late now. He doesn't care.

Because he's lightly lacing his fingers together with Basil's fingers and holding his hand to tug him gently with him.]

Okay! Let's go find a spot just for us down by the water!

[They can walk fast towards the beach area...!! Because Sora's so eager.]

( It's not just Sora. Basil feels the way his heart races when their fingers intertwine together. It's something that makes him happy, but... a little sad, too. His mind lingers a bit on the past. He can't really help that.

He walks side by side with Sora. )

You seem to know the way by heart... You really do like the beach a lot, huh?

[Basil's hand feels warm in his hand and Sora finds that he likes that feeling. It's simple and gentle. Basil is so sweet.

As they walk, he laughs warmly.]

I guess I do! And I guess some of my friends would say that if I could live on the beach, I would. It feels like home.

I think it's really great that you've found somewhere you feel like you belong...

( It's not wonder he was so happy to go to the beach right now. )

Maybe... Uhm -- you could show me a place on the beach that you like...?

Yeah, I think I know the first spot to show you.

[He can show Basil his favourite spots on the beach! Getting a chance to do that somehow puts a little puff of warmth in his chest.

He tugs Basil with him and when they get to the waterfront it's fairly empty. There's no one at the beach at this hour of the day, even if Sora thinks these hours are the best. The sun us just nearly gone, leaving a nice splash of colour in the sky.]

Over there, see it?

[A collection of big palm trees?]

( Sora takes him along with him, and Basil follows along with him with ease. It's a relief that the beach is empty right now -- ideal. It almost feels like they're in their own little world right now.

He doesn't really even think about it when he squeezes Sora's hand as he takes in the scenery before them, taking in a breath. The sun is starting to set, and the reflection on the water, with the sky itself is... well-- )

It's... really pretty.

[Sora is just a step ahead of Basil, his hand still holding the other boy's hand. He can feel that little squeeze and he looks over his shoulder at him with a warm smile.]

Yeah, it really is. I feel like this is the best time to be at the beach. The sunset makes the sand look like sparkles.

[He'll lead Basil closer to the collection of palm trees. Some of them are worn and old, others growing kind of... sideways! But that's the charm. It can be used as a bench.]

I used to come here all the time to look for the best seashells too.

( He can't help but pause at his words before smiling. )

Sparkling, huh? Hahah, that's a really cute way to look at it... Though, you're right. Everything here looks brighter during this time of day.

( It's bittersweet, being here. He has such fond memories of the beach... But, it's a little sad to be here now, too.

Maybe he can make new memories...? )

I'm happy that you've had such a special place for so long, and... I-I'm also glad that you wanted to share it with me.

[Sora has so many memories of this place. But even if that's true, there's always room for more memories. He doesn't mind being here with Basil, at all. In fact...]

I think getting the chance to share this place with you makes it that much better.

[He smiles warmly.]

Do you wanna try collecting some seashells together?

Y... Yeah, I'd really like that.

( The words leave him before he realizes it. It sounds like such a peaceful, relaxing thing to share. With the sun setting on the beach, how could someone not feel some peace? )

At least, for a little while. It looks like it'll be getting dark soon.

[Sora chuckles.]

Yeah! Let's try and grab some before it gets too dark!

[So, out onto the beachy sand they go. The sun is still warm enough to keep the sand warm, but it is getting a little cooler out! But, Sora tucks right in, picking out a few select pink and blue shells that he finds first.]

( Basil walks beside Sora, picking out a few shells with different colors. He's almost careful with what he chooses, picking up any shells that don't seem to be broken.

But, as the sun begins to set, the breeze from the beach only becomes all the more chilly. He can't help but shiver a bit. Still, he speaks after a while. )

They're really pretty... Are we going to do anything with these after?

[Sora notices that it's getting darker already... He really didn't realize how fast the time went by. He should finish walking Basil home soon.]

Kairi used to help us make bracelets with them, once. We could try to do that?

[He gives a small chuckle and stands up, putting his shells carefully in his pocket.]

Maybe we can do that next time we hang out, though. We should be heading home, right?

( Basil looks to him curiously for a moment. He isn't so sure if he'd be able to really do something like that, if only because he's never done it, and yet... A part of him wants to at least try. Sora makes him feel like he wants to.

He looks to the sky then. It's getting dark... He holds his shells before tucking them into his school bag as carefully as he can. )

A... Ah, yeah-- you're right.

It probably sounds a little strange, but... it feels like it got dark pretty quickly.

[Sora glances up at the sky.]

Yeah, maybe. Maybe a storm's rolling in. We better get going!

[He nods quickly, tucking away his own shells before nodding to Basil. He takes the lead back towards the boardwalk and sidewalk.]

Let's get you home before it starts raining or something, Basil!

[Sora's going to walk him all the way home, rain or shine.]