A friend and I have been doing a RP for a while now, and it has been scattered across several threads on two different sites. It started as a group story (about fast food of all things ) but then it transformed into something else entirely.

 

We request that nobody join in this RP or post anything on this thread; if you wanna say how awesome we are, message us some other way.

 

Um...You're free to read this for fun if you want to, but this thread has major Birth By Sleep spoilers. And since we've been doing this for a while, we will probably refer to things we've done in the past and you will have no idea what we're talking about. So if you want to save yourself from confusion, then you probably wanna stay away. If not, hey, whatever.

 

The plot was discussed and posted on another website, but here's a quick summary of the whole thing: It's the return of Xehanort.

 

Characters:

Peanut: Sora, Namine, Leon, Aerith, King Mickey, Terra, Ventus, Xehanort, etc.

Forever Love: Riku, Kairi, Roxas, Yuffie, Aqua, Vanitus, Tron, etc.

 

I believe I've said everything that needs to be said...Forever Love, let's get this show on the road, eh?

Riku caught the new tone in Lightning's voice, and he removed his chin from atop her head to look at the ice pack he held there. "Nah, the ice pack will be enough now," he said to comfort her. Her fever was far less severe than before; the ice pack would do the job, as well as some medicine. But the latter wasn't needed for another few hours.

"Good," Lightning said quietly. That one word was enough for her to say. Obviously ice bath's were not pleasant to experience. She was feeling cooler again just thinking about it. In fact, she was having a hard time not shivering at the sheer mention of it. She never wanted another ice bath again.

"Just relax," Riku said after a moment, looking down at the woman he loved. He moved the ice pack slightly on her head, trying to cool off as much of her skin as he could. Riku figured her fever was almost up. All he believed she needed was some rest and then the problem would resolve itself. Of course, he would be beside her, as usual. Like he told Sora and Kairi, Riku wasn't going anywhere.

Light peeked her eyes open, hearing a knock on the front door. She groaned softly, fighting the urge to faceplant on Riku's lap. So far, the two couples that came as company today took the chance to scold both her and Riku. Whoever was at the door now, she just wanted to ignore them. Maybe if they just sat there long enough, they'd go away.

Riku turned his head to glance toward the entryway, the sound of a knock echoing in his ears. "...Wanna wait it out, or do you want me to answer it?" he asked, then looking to Lightning. The exasperation she felt in her heart reached his, which was why he could so easily guess their two choices in this situation. He could easily tell whoever was at the door to scoot, but that was up to Lightning.

Lightning listened for a few more moments, hearing a soft click. "No need," she said quietly, turning her head to look in the direction of the doorway. "She just let herself in." Since the door had been locked and opened with a key, Lightning knew that it was Serah who showed up. What, did you come to scold us more? she thought, though those thoughts weren't reflections of reality. Serah's reasons were opposite of what Lightning thought.

Riku felt himself deflate slightly at the word "herself." That meant it was Serah, which also meant Riku was probably in for another glare. "...Should I leave you two alone?" he asked then. Maybe he shouldn't be in the room when the two sisters talked.

Before Lightning could answer, Serah stood in the doorway. She hadn't bothered taking off her coat or shoes, knowing her visit could be a short one. She gingerly set a hand on the molding of the doorway, looking at the two on the couch. "Lightning, Riku?" she asked quietly. "...Can I talk to you guys?" She hadn't been able to stop thinking about her words since she left earlier.

Riku glanced at Serah before his eyes found Lightning again, the young man lowering the ice pack for now. This was her decision. It was her sister, after all. Last time Serah had been here, things weren't exactly perfect. Lightning's feelings had been hurt, as had Riku's.

Serah witnessed a brief look shared with Lightning and Riku. The two of them really did have the type of bond where they could tell what the other person was thinking just by their expression. After a moment or two, Lightning looked over and silently motioned Serah in with the jerk of her head. She was relieved, but at the same time, she was nervous. "I'll make it quick," she said quietly, approaching the two. and the coffee table. She sat down on the edge of it and looked at the pair. "I just wanted to say that I'm really, really sorry for everything I said earlier," she said as she refused to meet their eyes. "I never had to deal with Snow getting drunk before so I was really insensitive to what happened. I cast some judgment when I shouldn't have and...well, I was stupid. Really stupid."

Riku wasn't sure how to react, his eyes hardening slightly at the reminder of that morning. Serah had been unfair, and blunt. Her words hurt, but he knew she was just defensive of Lightning with what she said. She didn't really mean it...

"Lightning, I'm not sorry for scolding you for taking care of others when you should be taking care of yourself," Serah said, glancing up at her sister when she spoke that way. "You really do need to take better care of yourself. But I am sorry for telling you to run to Kain. .It was...insanely stupid. You're not the type of person to run away anymore. You used to, but now..." She waved it off, unsure of where she was going with this. Somehow, Lightning seemed to understand. At least she gave Serah a nod of reassurance and gave her the strength to apologize to the person beside her. "Riku," she started softly. "I know you heard everything I said. I...I'm really sorry about that. I just wanted for Lightning to be safe and happy but I was wrong to assume she'd be that way with Kain. I know that she's safest and happiest with you. You're the best thing that ever happened to her and the only person I'd want as my brother in law. I'm sorry for letting my worry cloud my judgment and for saying such stupid things. They're not how I feel at all."

Riku's eyes widened slightly at Serah's declaration towards him, especially at the fact that she admitted that Lightning was safest and happiest with him...and the word "brother-in-law." That was a heavy implication. Regardless, he nodded in understanding, not knowing what to say except, "Thank you." He really appreciated that.

Serah couldn't help but smile slightly at Riku's "thank you". That meant that he knew that her words were true. She really did love him as a brother. It was true that sometimes you lash out at the people you love most because you feel safe enough to lose your temper with them. That was what she did, and now she was cleaning up the mess. "I hope you both can forgive me," she concluded, looking from Riku to Lightning. "I know it'll take a while to forget everything and I don't blame you if you're angry for a little bit, but I wanted to let you know that I'm really sorry and--"

 

"Serah," Lightning said sternly. Serah took to rambling when she got excited, whether that was good excited or nervous excited. The use of her name made Serah quiet, but Lightning still gave her instructions with a small smile. "Shut up." The younger Farron chuckled in relief, knowing that the "shut up" really meant "you're forgiven."

Riku smiled crookedly, even if it was weak. The argument had been a big one, mostly because it related to Lightning's choices and her future, but he was happy for the two of them. For all three of them, he guessed, since they got past it. He believed Serah meant what she said before, but deep down, he knew that she hadn't. After all, Riku and Serah were already like family, whether Riku was married to Lightning or not.

Light smiled crookedly at her sister. "You know what this family's most famous for, right?" she checked with Serah, reminding her of the truth. When Serah responded, "second chances and forgiveness," Light nodded. "Good," she said. "You're a Farron after all." She noticed Serah's smile widen as a burden was lifted off her shoulder. She knew that she was forgiven by Lightning now, and that was half the battle. 

Riku lifted his arm from around Lightning's shoulders to the back of the couch, his eyes finding Lightning as his small smile remained. Of course, his smile took on a new warmth, mostly because it was one of the smiles that only she received. Everyone looked at the person they loved with a certain fondness, and Riku's smile was the same. He happened to love the Farron's, even if there were only two of them. But they were one of the strongest duos he knew.

Light saw Serah's eyes briefly dart to Riku, and she knew what her sister was thinking. She wanted his forgiveness too, but she wouldn't force it out of him. Lightning would save her from asking about it. "It's pretty easy to get back on Riku's good-side," she assured Serah. "Just make him food." She looked over at him and caught that smile, though something about it made her blush immediately. 

Riku's eyes locked onto Lightning's, and that was when he snapped out of his daze. "What?" he asked, lost. He turned his head and looked at Serah, confused for a moment but backtracking and trying to remember what passed through his ears. "Oh, yeah. Food, right." He shrugged a little, smiling sheepishly. "Don't worry about it."

"No, I've got nothing to worry about at all," Serah mused softly, smiling at Riku in the same manner. He looked at Lightning with such adoration that Serah knew for sure that he was the right man for her. She stood up, straightening her winter coat. "Well, I said I'd be quick. I'll let you two get back to...whatever you were doing."

Riku's smile remained sheepish, his eyes darting to Lightning again. They weren't doing anything bad, just...relaxing. It felt like they hadn't been able to do that a lot today, even if they really needed it. Besides, looking at Lightning now, he could have sworn her cheeks were red. Was she burning up again?

Serah said her quick goodbyes to Lightning and Riku, though the former told her at the last moment to pass on an apology to Snow for her before she was out the door. She knew that it was for the cold shoulder that she gave him that morning, and she also knew that Snow would gladly forgive her. This was a family of forgiveness and second chances, and she couldn't have been more proud to be a part of it.

A few weeks later, Thanksgiving

 

Kairi was running around the kitchen, trying to get things in order. This was her and Sora's first Thanksgiving as husband and wife, and in addition to that, they were hosting it here in their apartment. Of course, they had a couple hours before everyone showed up, like Sora's parents, Roxas and Namine, and Riku's parents. Riku and Lightning were on their way over now. It had been a few weeks since Sora or Kairi had seen them last, mostly because of Kairi's temper on Cocoon. She still hadn't apologized to Riku for the slap, something he may have deserved but not by her. And as for Lightning... Well, that was more complicated.

Lightning was quiet as she and Riku walked up the stairs to Sora and Kairi's floor. She didn't really have anything to say right now, and she feared that if she did voice anything, it'd reflect the tension that she felt. Kairi invited her and Riku to her apartment hours before the Thanksgiving meal, to help cook or something. First off, Lightning wasn't the best cook. If Kairi really wanted help cooking, she should have just asked Riku. But more importantly, there hadn't been much communication since their big fallout. She had a feeling Kairi would avoid the issue because today was Thanksgiving and nobody wanted a big fight, but Light hated thinking like that. If there was a problem, she wanted it flushed out immediately. She had little patience for facades. 

Riku walked with his hand in Lightning's, the two of them walking down the hall to reach Sora and Kairi's apartment. He hadn't been here in a long time, for multiple reasons. The last time he saw his friends, they had both threatened them in their own way, and nobody wanted Sora and Kairi against them. But since Kairi's phone call a few days back, he had been anticipating this moment. He missed his friends, but he didn't miss the tension that overwhelmed him once he reached their door. Riku sighed and lifted his free hand, knocking against the door. He heard a voice inside, one too feminine to be Sora's.

 

"Sora, can you get that please?" Kairi called from the kitchen, glancing from the kitchen to the living room, where the entrance was. She tugged at her navy shirt, pulling it down over her dark jeans. Of course she was dressed nicely, but she was being careful not to get anything on her clothes since everyone would be over soon. But their first guests were who she invited early on purpose: Riku and Lightning.