Down in the city of Orlando, the gang meets up at a local hotel and rents the pool for a private get-together. All whipped up by Cecil, of course, and in record time, too.

~*'.~*.'~

The chatter was light, and the excitement had mellowed from stadium lights to floating lanterns. Everyone was settled now. They were comfortable in each other's auras, melting into the scene. So it was perfect timing when Cecil stepped out to a spacious spot on the pool floor and raised his little glass.

"If I may," Cecil smiled, "I'd like to propose a quick toast. To our lasting bonds, to our time together right now, and to whatever is next."

Everyone mirrored Cecil's smile, as they did the lift of his arm. Whoo!

"Now then," Cecil sipped his drink and let the flavor work magic in his next words. "It's been too long since we've all been together in one place. Shall we take turns telling everyone where we stand right now in our lives? Jobs? Future plans, maybe?"

For a few fleeting seconds, there were bashful smiles and the exchanging of looks. As Cecil walked back over to wrap an arm around Rosa's waist, he nodded to the couple to his left to start the chain.

"Oh." Ever so slightly, Leon's eyes widened. He ran fingers through his silky brown locks, then pointed a prodding look at his girlfriend. "Sure. Whatever. Start us off, babe."

Rolling her eyes, Rinoa laughed a smooth, honey glazed sound. "Well, I don't have much to say about my little pharmacist job--except that I'll probably sneak in a discount for you guys if you ever need any medicine." She shifted in her chair and wrapped snug arms around Leon's neck. "But Leon here is always going on and on about how exciting and free his photography job is."

"Duh. That's why it's called freelance photography." Leon fondled Rinoa's fingers. "Anywhere, for anyone. But never for free. Let's get that straight."

After a quick drizzle of laughter took the air, Tidus splashed in the pool. "That's too bad, Leon. Thought I'd get you to take sexy lifeguard pictures of me--on the house."

"Oh, hell no," Leon said. "That'd cost you double."

While Tidus sported a mocking pout, Yuna pet his head from above and caught giggles between her teeth. "Well, if you won't take pictures of my poor husband, maybe you'll take some of the newest yoga poses I've mastered? I teach at the little fitness center not far from here, actually, so you guys should come try them soon."

Next in the chain, Cloud scoffed. "Sorry, not good at that stuff. I'll consider it if I wanna break a limb, though."

"Cloud!" cried Terra to his left. She playfully shoved him before securing her arms around his bare torso. "Well, Cloud here is the cutest restaurant waiter I've ever seen."

"Oh yeah?" The pool lights grabbed Cloud's face, reflecting the water waves as well as his love for the woman beside him. "Well Terra's gotta be the prettiest girl working in the local pet store. I bet some people wish they could take her home."

Aww's echoed and bounced off the pool water to the ceiling. The biggest coo came from Serah, who seemed to be getting a tad too emotional as she squeezed Snow's hand in a death grip. It took Serah a few hot seconds to realize that she and Snow were next in the chain.

"Oh! Hi," she blurted, noticing everyone's friendly but expectant stares. "Ahem. Everything's going really well on our side. Snow's having a blast with his field reporting job. Better yet, I get to see his cute mug on TV every week."

"Damn right," Snow said, rubbing furiously at his blonde tangles. "Well, I mean, I don't wanna brag, but being a field man has its perks. I get to go all kinds of places and even get free food. Food. What more could a guy ask for?"

Serah glanced to the side, faking annoyance. "Yep. So while my husband's out living the dream, I'm stuck at home being an online tutor. Just kidding; it's actually really fulfilling to see the kids sparkle with the joys of learning." She put a fist near her heart and let something inside her bloom as she breathed. "Plus, it gives me lots of time with our little baby boy--working from home. Ah--speaking of, I should check in with the babysitter."

So as Serah flicked out her phone, forgetting everything around her, Snow shook his head and gestured to the table where two lovely ladies sat: Aerith and Tifa were gleaming--in more ways than besides their still-wet skin.

"Weeeell," Aerith hummed, in the midst of drying her caramel curls. "If any of you need some flower arrangements, I'm your girl. I work at this cute little flower shop, and we're having a huge sale next weekend. So be there or be bare."

"Square," Tifa corrected. As a water drop curled up in the crook of her collarbone, she squinted and tried hard not to laugh. "It's be there or be square. Not bare. How could you miss that?"

Aerith pursed her lips, quirked a brow. "But what do squares have to do with anything really?"

"I heard they're useful in geometry," Leon snorted.

Tifa watched Rinoa elbow-bump Leon in the corner of her eye before aggressively slapping a towel over her shoulders. Her hair was melted chocolate over her face, but it failed to hide her growing smirk. "Okay, okay, nevermind. Anyhoo, I finally got my bar, Seventh Heaven, up and running out here. You guys can swing by as long as you promise not to get drunk."

In a cozy corner, Prishe couldn't help but comment. "Aw. But sometimes drunk parties are fun parties," she laughed, tying a tiny ponytail into her ends.

"Keyword being: sometimes," said Setro, sitting closely by her side. He suddenly blushed and coughed once he realized it was his turn to tell of his affairs. "Oh. Er, my pardons. Um . . ."

"Oh my god, don't be so shy!" Prishe said louder than what was needed. She punched Setro's arm with, again, an unnecessary amount of strength. "Setro is, like, super awesome. Because he scored a job in house construction. Can you believe it?"

There was a short flurry of pleasantly surprised faces, but Setro waved a dismissive hand. "While that's correct, Prishe is overselling it a bit--"

"Uh--no way," Prishe countered. "That's much more exciting than my little thrift store job. You're a hero, makin' people homes and all that."

Prishe let the tan of her skin melt over the lightness of Setro's. The gesture lingered, begged to stay for awhile, and soon Setro was curving gentle fingers between hers. But he was powerless to fight the urge to glance away . . . Toward the pool's opposite side, toward a face he'd been trying to avoid for the sake of his fragile heart.

It was Claire's turn announce what she'd been doing, possibly what was to come. And as Setro watched her form a calm grin at Kain's touch on her naked knee . . .

Dammit.

He realized he was probably better off not knowing.

"Y'know, Yuna," Claire said, peeking at the brunette from over her shoulder. "I'll probably be seeing you at that fitness center. Except while you're busy teaching people some deep breathing, I'll be teaching them how to kick some ass."

"Fitness boxing," Kain clarified through a series of deep, rumbling chuckles. His gold hair was still slightly wrinkled from being splashed by Claire earlier, but somehow his glamorous glow remained. "My work doesn't get me nearly as sweaty, but I take pleasure in being the executive assistant of Cecil's bank. It's become beyond successful, I must say."

"Only because of the fine friends who've helped along the way," Cecil replied with shimmering humbleness. "Thank you."

"Thank you," Kain smiled, and carried it firmly as he gazed back at Claire. "Of course, that hasn't been the only thing going well for me these days. I've been spending them with the love of my life. And might I add that it seems like our relationship has gotten more rooted with every sunrise."

Blushing against her will, Claire tried to find a place to settle her eyes. If Kain was talking up their relationship this much (in front of fourteen other people, at that), surely something was up his sleeve. "No objections here," she added. Her stomach was a wobbling pit and she couldn't figure out why. It was like a sixth sense, telling her something was hiding in the pitch black, readying a pounce.

Nah, she convinced herself. I don't even know what the hell I'm so nervous about. I mean, it's not like he's gonna--

In the smack middle of Claire's thought-ramble, it happened. Suddenly Kain was lowering himself to one knee, pupils glittering, pearly whites flashing. Claire's jaw slowly dropped to the floor.

"Claire Farron. My other half. My light in the dark. Would you do me the great honor of marrying me?"

~*'.~*.'~

🎶 ᴺᵃʰ⁻ⁿᵃʰ⁻ⁿᵃʰ, ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ
ᴺᵃʰ⁻ⁿᵃʰ⁻ⁿᵃʰ, ⁱⁿ ᵐʸ ᵇᵉᵈ
ᴺᵃʰ⁻ⁿᵃʰ⁻ⁿᵃʰ . . .
ᴹᵃᵏⁱⁿ' ᵇᵉᵃᵘᵗⁱᶠᵘˡ ᵐⁱˢᵗᵃᵏᵉˢ 🎶