Rude Awakening (1x1 with Peanut)

[Peanut 26]

Lightning stood up completely, smirking down at Riku as she tried to hold back laughter. He set himself up for that one; how was she supposed to resist that temptation? She was tired from the past few months and he was too, but tonight was a night they were supposed to be active and alive. Hopefully getting drenched helped him wake up.

[Forever Love 82]

Riku's eyebrows furrowed at the smirk on Lightning's face, but then he decided revenge was a good start to today's antics. He reached over and grabbed her ankle, yanking on it to pull her down in the damp sand next to him. She wasn't getting away with it that easily.

[Peanut 26]

Lightning willingly fell onto her bum, setting a hand on Riku's shoulder to keep herself balanced once she was down. "Predictable," she commented with a rolling of her eyes. What, that was the best payback that he could give? It was so unoriginal. 

[Forever Love 82]

"Imitation can usually be seen as flattery," Riku said with a faint smile, patting Lightning's leg gently as another wave came in. It died out before it reached them, though the waves were getting bigger. It was a full moon tonight, a perfect night for surfing, but he wouldn't push that on Sora just yet. He was busy with his wife.

[Peanut 26]

"Or laziness and lack of creativity," Lightning piped. She dared to lift a hand, brushing some of Riku's wet and dripping bangs out of his face. It was a really intimate move to be doing in the presence of others, even if they were all distracted. 

[Forever Love 82]

Riku's smile only remained as he gazed at Lightning, feeling her fingertips brush against his wet skin. "You say that with love," he told her, taunting her gently. He had never said the word "love" in front of her before, though he was sure it would come up eventually. If things kept going this well, Riku predicted it would happen.

[Peanut 26]

"Think what you want to think," Lightning retorted smoothly, though what could be considered a scathing remark was nullified by her running her fingers down the side of Riku's face and to his jaw. He had such a stern, serious face sometimes, but tonight, he was happy. She was glad. 

[Forever Love 82]

"I will," Riku assured her, taking in the feeling of Lightning's fingers against his face. She had a hard exterior, but she had a good heart. She was gentle and cared about others. Her soft side was what really attracted Riku, even if he had to fight to see it. It wasn't easy, but he did it.

[Peanut 26]

Light smiled slightly, putting her hand in her lap as she turned her face to look at the ocean. Almost everyone here was a couple. All of them were definitely acting that way though, including Serah and Noel. She'd have to have a talk with her sister later. 

[Forever Love 82]

The next day...

 

Namine couldn't help but smile as she walked through campus, on her way back to Roxas's dorm. It was a beautiful day and things were looking up, even if her grades weren't. But in all honesty, her grades weren't her top priority right now. She was more focused on finding somewhere to live. Last night, after everyone left the play island and returned home, Roxas let Namine have his bed for the night. As sweet as that was, Namine knew she couldn't ask him to do it again, especially when he looked exhausted this morning. Her classes were over for the day, so she was returning to Roxas's room to look for apartments for rent. Of course, getting there wasn't going to be so easy. Namine's smile faded as she heard shouting and laughter, a group of guys crowded around a small area near the stairs to the dorms. What was going on?

[Peanut 26]

Roxas  heard dulled laughter around him, and he blankly wondered why. Was he still on the ground after sleeping last night and he left a TV show going on his laptop? When he felt a kick to the stomach, he grunted and lifted a hand to his head, rolling so that he was sitting up slightly on the cold ground. Right. I was ambushed by...

[Forever Love 82]

"Get up, punk!"

 

"Yeah, show us what you're made of, Mr. Big Shot!"

 

"Stealin' our girls and you think you can have some hot blonde stay the night in your room? What if we took her from you, huh, Roxas? What then?"

 

Namine gasped, eyes widening. Roxas, she thought in fear, her pace picking up. What was going on? She saw that kick a moment ago. Roxas was getting hurt!

[Peanut 26]

Roxas opened his eyes at the last retort, his sharp blue eyes landing on the punk that dared to make that threat. Nobody was going to take Namine away from him. He set his hand on the ground and propped himself up before pushing himself to his feet, though he was off balance. He didn't bother saying anything, only glaring at the person who made the last comment. Opening his mouth would only get him into trouble.

[Forever Love 82]

The boy who made the comment about Roxas's blonde friend only smirked. "Nothing, huh? Guess we'll see what happens when we meet her." He nudged his friend beside him, four of them altogether. "Let's go."

 

Namine slowed her steps when the boys left the area, going up the steps and into the building. But...their leaving revealed her best friend. "Roxas," she gasped, voice soft with fear. He was bloody, bruised, beaten... It was awful. She started toward him instantly, ignoring any passersby who didn't do a thing to help him.

[Peanut 26]

"Tch," Roxas grunted, stumbling back a step. He rested his back against the building, though that only helped the pain. Where all was he hit? He definitely took a hit on the head, a few kicks to the stomach...apparently they got his back too. He shut his eyes and leaned his head back, trying to will the pain away. He didn't have any potions on him either, sadly. 

[Forever Love 82]

"Roxas!" Namine called, worry heavily laced in her voice. She dropped her bag when she was a few feet away, running up to him and cradling his face in her hands. "Roxas," she said again, being careful that her touch wasn't too forced. He was beaten pretty bad.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas winced, both at the loud voice and the hands that touched cuts on his face. Namine had some really bad timing... He opened his blue eyes, trying to think of something to reassure her and take away her fear. But all he could think of was what he said. "...Hi."

Edited April 16, 2014 by Peanut

[Forever Love 82]

Namine kept her hands against Roxas's face, moving one of them to swipe his hair out of his eyes. "What happened?" she asked, her voice soft. "Are you okay?" He looked really bad... It was hard to see someone so handsome and charming beaten up like this.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Forever Love

[Peanut 26]

"Just some guys who wanted to pick a fight," Roxas said, wincing as he lowered an arm to wrap around his stomach. And as for being okay...He wasn't really alright physically; that damage was obvious. But emotionally he was hurt too. He had been on his way to a practice room to play guitar, but he didn't have his guitar on him anymore. Now it was shattered and splintered into pieces on the ground, way beyond repair.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine lowered her hands from Roxas's face, which instead hovered over his chest. His shirt was torn slightly, and there was blood there. His arm over his stomach was scraped and dirty. "Okay..." she began quietly. "Okay, let's get you to your room." She'd ask questions later. Right now, she needed to get him somewhere quiet and comfortable.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas shook his head slightly. "You should get off campus for a little while," he suggested quietly. "Maybe go to Kairi's?" He didn't know if she was home or not, but being there was definitely safer than being here. Especially with the one guy's threat to take Namine away from him. He'd make it to his room on his own.

[Forever Love 82]

"No," Namine refused instantly, her eyes finding Roxas's. "I'm not leaving you, Roxas." He never abandoned her and she wasn't about to do that to him. He needed help; he could barely hold himself up. She would help him to his room, at least. She would stay longer if she could. Why was he telling her to leave?

[Peanut 26]

You inherited Kairi's stubbornness, Roxas thought, frowning at Namine's instant denial. "Then stay right by my side," he said quietly, knowing better than to argue with her. He turned and set a hand on the wall, keeping it there as he started towards the doors. He'd jump to defend her if he had to, no matter what his condition was.

[Forever Love 82]

Namine didn't let Roxas walk on his own. Instead, she stepped over and looped one of his arms over his shoulder, staying right by his side like he ordered. It was a slow trip up to his room, and anybody they saw looked at them in wonder. Regardless, Namine got Roxas to his room eventually, escorting him to his bed before she shut and locked his dorm door. Whoever did this wouldn't be coming back for more.

[Peanut 26]

Roxas sat down on the bed where Namine left him, remaining upright because he knew collapsing backwards would only cause more pain. Leaving his injuries untreated would cause more pain too. He set a hand on the bed to stand up, looking towards the bathroom he had attached to his room. He may not have had potions or ethers in there, but he had other things he could use.