Rude Awakening (1x1 with Peanut)

[Forever Love 82]

"What?" Namine asked, appalled. She turned her head as they walked and glared at the person who asked such a terrible question, disgust on her face. There was a form of abuse involved, but not by Roxas. He would never do such a thing! 

[Peanut 26]

"Roxas, you've aligned yourself with the Keyblade wielders again," another reporter called out. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

 

"Because," Roxas heard himself saying, the blond turning around to face the reporters head on. "I wanted to protect my home, though I'm starting to question why I'd want to protect people who enjoy harassing others just so they can get a good story!" He glared at them, seeing one or two still snap photos while the rest were in shock. He tsked and turned around, starting forward again. Talking to them was pointless. 

[Forever Love 82]

At the roar of questions that came from Roxas's latest retort, Namine quickened her steps so she walked beside him. She made sure to stay close, keeping her eyes ahead and away from the camera lenses. She just wanted to get inside. Everyone on campus was staring at them.

[Peanut 26]

The press could only follow them so far; once they reached the dormitories, they were turned away be security officers. Roxas and Namine walked down the hall in silence until they reached his room. He set one of his bags down, unlocked the door, and opened it for Namine to go in. They were free of the press for now, but he was still seething.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine walked into Roxas's dorm room and marched straight to his bed, setting her bag down on the floor beside her before burying her face in her hands. She thought her whole situation couldn't get any worse, but the paparazzi proved her wrong. People around campus were talking about it too. Rumors of abuse were going around? That was horrible!

[Peanut 26]

Roxas dropped his bags as well, irritation making him do it a little loudly. But when he saw Namine's position, he softened. He approached her and set a hand on her shoulder from behind, his eyes going to the open window in thought. These were just rumors going around. It was better than anyone physically wanting to hurt them.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine relaxed slightly under Roxas's touch, not sure what to say about what just happened. What could she say? Roxas wouldn't listen to any of her apologies, because he didn't blame her. But...how couldn't he? He was suffering through the paparazzi's questions and all the rumors because of her.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas took his hand away after a few moments, not sure what else to do. He was back at college now, so that meant he had homework. A month's worth of it, since that was how long he was away. He may have had a scholarship that covered everything, but if he didn't get working, his GPA would drop too far and he'd lose the room. Then he and Namine would both be homeless. 

[Forever Love 82]

Namine turned around when Roxas lowered his hand, slightly surprised by how close he really was to her. But she didn't complain. All she could do was gaze at him, at a loss for words. Months ago, before she returned his heart to its natural state, he would have never been this cordial. He would have told her "tough luck" and to rely on someone else. But...here he was, her own personal hero.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas stepped away and grabbed his guitar off its stand, the teen sitting down on the ground with it as he began to tune it. Namine said before that she liked it when he played guitar, so maybe this could help soothe both of them from the stupid paparazzi. And he'd get to homework too; he cared deeply about Namine, which was why he was going to try to keep his GPA up so she could have a home.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine listened to Roxas tune his guitar for the next moment, deciding now was a good time to get her stuff settled in. Sora and Kairi were nice enough to keep things like her pictures and drawings at their place, that way she didn't clutter Roxas's room. It was perfect for one person, but two people... She wasn't sure how this was going to work.

[Peanut 26]

That Evening

 

Lightning blinked at the sudden opening of her jail cell door. She had been lying on her side, facing the wall when she heard an officer tell her to "get up and get out." On their way to the front desk, he begrudgingly explained that she was absolutely innocent of murder and that she was done serving her time for resisting arrest and violence in jail. She was being set free....

[Forever Love 82]

Riku leaned against the wall near the entrance to the jail, his eyes on the outside. The paparazzi were waiting, even after three days. He guessed that made his and Lightning's story more interesting. After three days of isolation and questioning, Riku was finally freed from his cell. Of course, that was after he handed over the evidence that proved Lightning's innocence. She should have been getting out any time now.

[Peanut 26]

 Lightning was led to the front, the area where her initial cell was. It looked like they fixed the part where she bent the bars. She felt a little sheepish for taking such extreme action, but even so, she didn't regret it. When she finally looked away from the bars and turned a corner, she noticed the person standing by the front door. Riku.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Peanut

[Forever Love 82]

Riku had his arms crossed over his chest, a scowl on his face by the way the paparazzi just waited. Ever since he returned to the Islands his life was printed on tabloids, but this was definitely something he didn't want published. Especially for Lightning. He turned his head to look back toward where the cells were located, since she was supposed to be freed just after him. When he spotted her, relief flooded his body. She was safe.

[Peanut 26]

Just as Riku's shoulders relaxed when he saw her, Lightning had the same reaction. She wasn't sure how she expected him to be when seeing him. For some reason, she thought he might still be upset about Zane and how his attack on him extended their jail time, but all she could read on him now was relief. 

[Forever Love 82]

Riku pushed himself away from the wall, turning to face Lightning completely. She wasn't moving, stuck and still. He smiled faintly. "C'mere," he said with a jerk of his head. He wanted to hold her in his arms. Three days of separation was too long for him.

[Peanut 26]

Light glanced to the side, slightly embarrassed. She hadn't even realized that she stopped walking. She knew she was relieved to see him, but she was that relieved? Nevertheless, she lifted her gaze and approached him, accepting his silent invitation and walking into the arms that he opened to her. 

[Forever Love 82]

Riku wrapped his arms around Lightning instantly, closing his eyes as he held her to his body. She was in one piece and physically fine. He wasn't sure what the police did to her the past few days, but she was strong enough to make it through, and she was alright. That was what mattered.

[Peanut 26]

Lightning shut her eyes, resting the side of her head against Riku's cheek as she too wrapped her arms around him. She also knew that she had been missing him, but she didn't realize just how much she missed him until she was in his arms now. Now that she was here, she didn't want to leave.

[Forever Love 82]

Riku's smile remained despite the police who spared glances their way and the paparazzi waiting outside. "It's good to see you," he murmured, squeezing Lightning faintly. He was worried about her ever since they were separated.

[Peanut 26]

"You too," Lightning said simply. Though they were two simple words, they conveyed the truth well enough. She was thinking about him so much over the past few days, wondering how he was doing with everything and being thrown in jail because of her. But he seemed okay. 

[Forever Love 82]

Riku opened his eyes, gazing down at the girl in his arms as he smoothed her hair. "Ready to go home?" he asked. He sure was. He was in desperate need of a shower and a good night's sleep, but the latter could wait. Right now, he just wanted to be with his family.

[Peanut 26]

Lightning opened her eyes and looked up at Riku, meeting his aqua eyes. "I'm ready," she said quietly. Though she supposed her home was different than his home; when he went away for the first time, she moved in with his parents and Serah. 

[Forever Love 82]

Riku's smile grew slightly before he lowered his lips to Lightning's forehead, placing a small kiss there before releasing her. He grasped her hand however, his grip secure as he started toward the entrance. The paparazzi were waiting. He hoped Lightning was ready to dodge some uncomfortable questions and the cameras.